"I don't want to be rude but, Kida can you please just change out of the outfit." Sokka said
I look down to see that I's still in my fire natation outfit.
"Of course I guess I'm just use to wearing red." I said
I opened my bag and when I looked inside I smiled.
"Why so smiley?" Aang asked
"No reason." I said
I moved so I was standing behind a tree, I quickly changed out of the fire nation outfit and into Iroh's gift. It was the dress from Zhao's port. It was blue, and had white gloves with gold on them. Once was dressed I stepped out.
"Where and when did you get that?" Katara asked
"Iroh got it for me. He said that I should have at least one thing that looked like it came from the water tribe. Why does look bad?" I asked
"No not at all." Sokka said
"Okay." I said
Aang looked around.
"Where's Momo?" Aang asked
We here a noise. We look around. We walk for a few seconds . We hear the noise again. We looked up and saw Momo with a few other animals.
"Hang on, Momo." Aang said
Aang uses his airbending to fly to the top of the tree, jumping from trunk-to-trunk to get higher. He finds the traps' mechanisms, undoes them, and carefully lowers Momo to the ground where Katara, Sokka, and I are waiting. They open the trap together and the lemur runs out with one of the lychee nuts in his mouth. Katara, Sokka, and I look on as Momo gets on his hind legs and eats it as though nothing has happened. Sokka grunts in frustration and facepalms. When Aang lands, he looks up to see the other two animals seemingly crying out to him for help
"All right, you too." Aang said
"This is gonna take forever." Sokka said
Sokka takes out his boomerang and throws it, it cuts the rope which are holding the cages.
"That works." Aang said
We gather around one of the traps.
"These are Fire Nation traps." I said
"Kida's right, you can tell from the metalwork. We better pack up camp, and get moving." Sokka said
We quickly pack up camp.
"Uh uh. No flying this time." Sokka said
"What? Why wouldn't we fly?" Aang asked
"Think about it, somehow Prince Zuko and the Fire Nation keep finding us. It's because they spot Appa, he's just too noticeable.
"Actually. That's not really how we keep finding you guys. Kyoshi was actually a man he served us dinner, this last time we found you it was the pirate, the only time it was actually Appa was the when you were at that village." I said
They nodded, but it wasn't good enough for Sokka.
"He's a gigantic fluffy monster with an arrow on his head! It's kinda hard to miss him." Sokka said
"Sokka's just jealous 'cause he doesn't have an arrow." Aang said to Appa
"I know you all want to fly, but my instincts tell me we should play it safe this time and walk." Sokka said
"Who made you the boss?" Katara asked
"I'm not the boss, I'm the leader." Sokka asked
I stepped over to Aang.
"You're the leader? But your voice still cracks." Katara said
"I'm the oldest, and I'm a warrior, so (Deepens voice) I'm the leader." Sokka said
"If anyone's the leader, it's Aang. I mean he is the Avatar." Katara said
"Are you kidding, he's just a goofy kid." Sokka said
We all look at Aang, who is hanging upside down from Appa's right horn with feet sticking out in the air.
"He's right." Aang said
"Why do boys always think someone has to be the leader? I bet you wouldn't be so bossy if you kissed a girl," I said
"I've kissed a girl, you just haven't met her." Sokka said
"Who? Gran-gran? We've met Gran-Gran." Katara said
"No! besides Gran-gran. Look, my instincts tell me we have a better chance of slipping through on foot, and a leader has to trust his instincts." Sokka said
"Okay, we'll try it your way, oh wise leader." Katara said
"Can we just get going." I said
"Who knows? Walking might be fun." Aang said
We haven't been walking for a while when Aang starts complaining.
"Walking stinks. How do people go anywhere without a flying bison?" Aang asked
"Come on what happened to boy that said walking could been fun?" I asked
"Well I don't know, Aang. Why don't you ask Sokka's instincts? They seem to know everything." Katara said
"I did not miss this." I said
"Ha, ha, very funny." Sokka said
"I'm tired of carrying this pack." Aang said
"Just put it on Appa." I said
"You know who you should ask to carry it for a while? Sokka's instincts." Katara said
"That's a great idea. Hey, Sokka's instincts, would you mind." Aang said
"Okay, okay, I get it. Look guys, I'm tired too. But the important thing is that we're safe from the. (walks through a bush and sees something in front of him) Fire…Nation." Sokka said
We walk up next to Sokka to see that we had walked into a fire nation camp.
"Run." Sokka said
We turn around to see that a some of the fire nation solders blocking us in.
"We're cut off." Sokka said
"No I couldn't tell." I said
"Sokka, your shirt." Aang said
Katara uses her bending to put out Sokka's shirt.
"If you let us pass, we promise not to hurt you." Sokka said
"What are you doing?" Katara asked in a whisper
"Bluffing?" Sokka whispered back
"You promise not to hurt us?" a solider with a eye match said
A moment passes then something knocks the solider out.
"Nice work, Sokka. How'd you do that?" Aang asked
"Uh, instinct?" Sokka asked
I look up to see people in the trees.
"There are people in the trees." I said
A person with a hook sword jumps and takes down two soldiers. He runs forward and takes down two more using his swords.
"Down you go." the man says
Katara and Aang look at the man amazed. A solider charges at the man.
"They're in the trees." a solider yells
A young boy lands on top of the soldier and turns his helmet around to blind him, before riding him around while laughing. Another boy launches arrows at the soldiers while more boys come out of the trees. Aang and Katara are shown fighting the soldiers. Sokka holds up his boomerang and yells as one approaches him, but stops when Jet takes him down first. I just stand on the side, watching.
"Hey, he was mine." Sokka yells
"Gotta be quicker next time." the man said
Sokka looks dismayed and the camera cuts to show a huge boy fall out of the trees and easily take down two soldiers as Jet skillfully takes down one more, causing this soldier's weapon to hit another soldier, who was going to battle Sokka, in the head, making that soldier also fall down.
"Man." Sokka yells
Jet disarms another solider.
"Hey." the man said
"Hi." said Katara said
The entire camp is now taken care of. I move over to Katara and Aang who talking to man.
"You just took out a whole army almost single-handed." Aang said
"Army? There were only like, twenty guys." Sokka said
"My names is Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters, Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, The Duke, and Pipsqueak." Jet said
"(Laughing, looking at the Duke) Ha, ha, Pipsqueak, that's a funny name." Aang said
"(looming over Aang in a threatening manner, in a low growling tone of voice) You think my name is funny?" Pipsqueak asked
Aang looks taken back for a second before replying in an upbeat tone.
"It's hilarious." Aang said
Pipsqueak, looming forward with a frown on his face. He suddenly starts laughing. The camera moves back, showing Aang and The Duke following suit. Pipsqueak pats the Avatar on the back in a friendly manner, though the hit was hard enough to knock Aang flat on the ground. The Duke stops laughing and looks down at Aang sprawled on the ground before his feet, face flat in the dirt, though when Aang raises his head and continues laughing, so does The Duke. The Freedom Fighters raiding the empty camp.
Katara grabs my arm and pulls me behind her over to Jet.
"Umm, thanks for saving us Jet. We've lucky you were there." Katara said
"I should be thanking you. We were waiting to ambush those soldiers all morning, we just needed the right distraction, and then you guys stumbled in." Jet said
"We were relying on instincts." I said
"You'll get yourself killed doing that." Jet said
Sokka looks over at us disdainfully. The Duke and Pipsqueak look through barrels.
"Hey Jet, these barrels are filled of blasting jelly." The Duke said
"That's a great score." Jet said
"And these boxes are filled with jelly candy." Pipsqueak said
"Also good, let's not get those mixed up." Jet said
"We'll take this stuff back to the hideout." The Duke said
"You guys have a hideout?" Aang asked
"You wanna see it?" Jet asked
"Yes, we wanna see it." Katara said
Jet smiles at Katara. I roll my eyes and follow behind Jet and Katara as the walk to where the hideout is.
"We're here." Jet said
"Where? There's nothing here." Sokka said
Jet grabs a rope and hold it out to Sokka.
"Hold this." Jet said
"(Grabs rope) Why? What's this do?" Sokka asked
Sokka screams as he is pulled up into the branches. Jet turns to look at Aang and I.
"Aang?" Jet asked
Jet offers Aang the rope.
"I'll get up on mu own." Aang said
Aang uses his airbending to get up into the tree. Jet turns to me.
"I didn't catch your name." Jet said
"It's Kida." I said
He offers me the rope but I shake my head. I move my hand and stairs made of ice appeared. As I move up the stairs the ones behind me disappeared. Once I was up in the tree I looked down at Katara and Jet. It only takes them a few seconds before they are up, and on the platform.
"Nice place you got." Aang said as he was flying by
"It's beautiful up here." Katara said
"I agree." I said
"It's beautiful…and more importantly the Fire Nation can't find us." Jet said
"They would love to find you. Wouldn't they, Jet?" Smellerbee asked
"It's not gonna happen, Smellerbee." Jet said
"Why does the Fire Nation want to find you?" I asked
"I guess you could say I've been causing them a little trouble. See, they took over a nearby Earth Kingdom town a few years back." Jet said
"We've been ambushin' their troops, cutting off their supply lines, and doing anything we can to mess with 'em." Pipsqueak said
"One day, we'll drive the Fire Nation out of here for good and free that town." Jet said
"That's so brave." Katara said
Sokka walks up to us.
"(Sarcastically) Yeah, nothing's braver than a guy in a tree house." Sokka said
"Don't pay any attention to my brother." Katara said
"No problem. He probably had a rough day." Jet said
"So, you all live here?" I asked
"That's right. Longshot over there? His town got burned down by Fire Nation. And we found The Duke trying to steal our food. I don't think he ever really had a home." Jet said
"What about you?" Katara asked
"The Fire Nation killed my parents. I was only eight years old. That day changed me forever." Jet said
"Sokka, Kida and I lost our mother to the Fire Nation. Kida was there when she died." Katara said
"I'm so sorry, Katara, Kida." Jet said
We were invited to eat with the freedom fighters. Sokka, Katara, Aang and I were invited to sit up on a platform with Jet. While his freedom fighters were below us. Jet began his speech.
"Today, we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine. I got a special joy from the look on one soldier's face, when The Duke dropped down on his helmet and rode him like a wild hog monkey. Now, the fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a couple of kids hiding in the trees. Maybe they're right. Or maybe…they're dead wrong." Jet said
The crowd of Freedom fighters cheered. I shared a worried look with Sokka.
"Hey Jet, nice speech." Katara said
"Thanks. By the way, I was really impressed with you, Kida, and Aang. That was some great bending I saw out there today." Jet said
"I didn't even fight today." I said
Jet ignored me and continued talking to Katara and Aang.
"Well, he's great. He's the Avatar. Kida is like a master with ice. I could use some more training." Katara said
"Avatar huh? Very nice." Jet said
"Thanks Jet." Aang said
"So I might know a way that you, Aang, and Kida can help in our struggle." Jet said
"Unfortunately, we have to leave tonight." Sokka said
"Sokka, you're kidding me. I needed you on an important mission tomorrow." Jet said
"What mission?" Sokka asked
I just shook my head. Of course Jet would play to Sokka's ego.
- - - - - Time Skip Next Morning - - - - -
Sokka had left with Jet and a few of the Freedom Fighters. Katara, Aang, and I are in the hideout looking around. I was playing on the zip-lines with Aang and Momo when Sokka showed up.
"Sokka! Look what The Duke gave me." Aang said
Aang is wearing a bag and pulls a small pellet from it. With a sly grin, he tosses it next to Momo, where it explodes with a pop. Momo puffs up like a startled cat. He hisses and lunges for the bag. Momo sits on Aang's shoulder and tosses several pellets at his feet. Aang dances about wildly.
"Ow! Quit it." Aang said
Sokka doesn't even look like he is paying attention he is just looking at the ground. Katara walks back to us.
"Sokka is everything okay?" I asked
"Hey, Sokka. Is Jet back?" Katara asked
"I'm okay Kida. Yes, Katara he's back. But we're leaving." Sokka said
"What?" Aang asked
"But I made him this hat." Katara said
Katara holds up a ugly hat made out of stitched leaves with a flower on top. It took everything in me not to laugh at it.
"Your boyfriend Jet's a thug." Sokka said
"What? No, he's not." Katara said
"He's messed up Katara." Sokka said
"He's not messed up, he's just got a different way of life, a really fun way of life." Aang said
"Sokka what did he do?" I asked
"He beat up and robbed a harmless old man." Sokka said
"I wanna hear Jet's side of the story." Katara said
She turned and headed towards Jet's room. Aang, Sokka, and I follow behind her. We reach his room and head in. Katara tells Jet everything Sokka told us.
"Sokka, you told them what happened, but you didn't mention that the guy was Fire Nation." Jet said
"No, he conveniently left that part out." Katara said
"Fine! But even if he was Fire Nation, he was a harmless civilian." Sokka said
"He was an assassin, Sokka." Jet said
Jet pulls out a knife and thrusts it into a nearby stump. It is a sinister looking curved blade. There are four spikes evenly spaced along the grip, with enough space for fingers to go between them. There is a ring on the butt of the knife.
"See? There's a compartment for poison in the knife. (He pulls on the ring and removes a small glass tube filled with red liquid.) he was sent to eliminate me, you helped save my life, Sokka." Jet said
"I knew there was an explanation." Katara said
"I didn't see any knife." Sokka said
"That's because he was concealing it." Jet said
"See, Sokka? I'm sure you just didn't notice the knife." Katara said
"There was no knife. I'm going back to the hut and packing my things." Sokka said
Sokka then turns and leaves.
"Tell me you guys aren't leaving yet. I really need your help." Jet said
"What can we do?" Aang asked
"The Fire Nation is planning on burning down our forest. If you three use waterbending to fill the reservoir, we could fight the fires. But if you leave now, they'll destroy the whole valley." Jet said
Katara, Aang, and I look at each other. We leave the hut and head towards the hut we were staying in. As soon as we walk into the hut Katara starts ranting.
"We can't leave now with the Fire Nation about to burn down a forest." Katara said
"I'm sorry Katara. Jet's very smooth, but we can't trust him." Sokka said
"You know that I think? You're jealous that he's a better warrior and a better leader." Katara said
"Katara, I'm not jealous of Jet. It's just that my instinct-" Sokka was cut off
"Well my instincts tell me we need to stay here a little longer and help Jet. Come on Aang. Kida." Katara said
"Sorry, Sokka." Aang said
I looked at Sokka. Aang and Katara left the hut.
"What do you think Kida?" Sokka asked
"I don't like Jet, I don't trust him. I'm on your side Sokka, but I can't leave Aang and Katara alone with him." I said
Sokka nodded his head. I left and followed after Aang and Katara.
- - - - - Time Skip Next Day - - - - -
Aang, Katara, Jet, and I are walking upriver.
"Jet, I'm sorry about how Sokka's been acting." Katara said
"No worries, he already apologized." Jet said
"Really? Sokka apologized?" Aang asked
"Sokka doesn't apologize his ego won't allow it." I said
"Yeah, I was surprised too. I got the sense that maybe you talked to him or something." Jet said
"Yeah, I did." Katara said
"Yeah but not enough for his personality to change." I said
I was a little worried.
"Maybe it wasn't a real apology but one to just make Katara happy. Anyhow, he went out on a scouting mission with Pipsqueak and Smellerbee." Jet said
"Maybe it was just to make me stop bugging him. I'm glad he cooled off. He's so stubborn sometimes." Katara said
We are walking in the gully, beside the 'river'. Aang pauses after noticing something strange, and is launched into the air by a blast from the geyser h was standing on.
"All right, we're here. Underground water's trying to escape through these vents. I need you guys to help it along." Jet said
"I've never used bending on water I can't see. I don't know…" Katara trailed off
"Katara. You can do this." Jet said
"What about me?" Aang asked
"I know the Avatar can do this." Jet said
"I don't' do water." I said
"I have faith." Jet said
Aang and Katara stand on one of the many geysers in the gully. Jet and I look on, as they bend the water up. After a few minutes a stream of water emerges from the hole. They pull it to their height and send it forward the river where it continues to flow like a waterfall.
"Yes. Good job. This river empties into the reservoir - a few more geysers and it'll be full." Jet said
"Look, there's another steam vent." Aang said
Aang and Katara walk off towards it.
"Okay. You three keep it up. I'll go check on things at the reservoir." Jet said
"When we're done we'll meet you over there." I said
"Actually…probably better if you meet me back at the hideout when you're done." Jet said
Jet walked away. I moved and started to help Aang and Katara. With me helping them it took half the time it should have.
"I bet that's enough, and I'm not just saying that to be lazy." Aang said
We look around 12 or more geysers flow into the river.
"Let's catch up with Jet at the reservoir." I said
"I thought we agreed to meet Jet back at the hideout." Aang said
"Well, we finished early. I'm sure he'll be happy to see us." Katara said
We leave, and head to the dam. We make to a cliff the base of the dam. We look down to see four of Jet's men unloading barrels from the wagon and arranging them.
"What are they doing?" Katara asked
"Hey, those are the red barrels he got from the Fire Nation." Aang said
"Why would they need blasting jelly?" Katara asked
"Because Jet's gonna blow up the dam." I said
"What? No, that would destroy the town. Jet wouldn't do that." Katara said
"Come on Katara use your brain. He's a bad guy." I said
"I've gotta stop him." Aang said
"Jet wouldn't do that." Katara said
Aang moves but before he can reach the edge , Jet crosses his path from behind and snatches the glider. Aang is left wobbling precariously on the edge, and uses airbending to get himself to get himself back to stable footing.
"Yes I would." Jet said
"Jet, why?" Katara asked
"Katara, Kida, you would too if you just stopped to think. Think about what the Fire Nation did your mother, we can't let them do that to anyone else, ever again." Jet said
"I would never." I said
"This isn't answer." Katara said
"I want you to understand me Katara, Kida. I thought your brother would understand, but -" Jet said
"Where's Sokka?" Katara and I asked
Tears start to fall from Katara eyes. My face hardens as my anger rises. I feel my body heat up. Jet raises his hand and tries to touch her face.
"Katara." Jet says
Katara lowers her head. I step up and blast him with some white fire. Jet goes flying back.
"I need to get to the dam." Aang said
Aang's closed glider is on the ground. As he reaches for it, one of Jet's hook swords pins it. Jet has two swords hook to hook, with a yank he pulls Aang's glider to him.
"You're not going anywhere without your glider. (to me) I can't believe you're a firebender." Jet said
"I'm much more than that." I said
Jet swings the swords at Aang. Aang somersaults backward to avoid the extra reach. Aang finishes his retreat in a nearby tree.
"I'm not gonna fight you, Jet." Aang said
"You'll have to if you want your glider back." Jet said
Aang retreats back into the forest, as Jet hooks the branch and pulls himself up. Katara follows on the ground. Jet attacks; Aang defends himself with balls of air, which Jet ducks. Jet attacks head on, but Aang blocks with his arms and sends his opponent flying into a tree trunk with an air kick. Jet combines his swords again and advances. Aang avoids the flail-like move and sends another air blast. Jet stoops down and lets the air flow over and past him before lunging .They continue the chase through the many levels of the forest. Jet catches up to Aang and sends them both freefalling, attacking as they go. They both end up on a branch. Jet continues his attack. Aang avoids it all. Jet charges again, but Aang hits him with a jetstream of air. Jet falls. He recovers, but loses the glider in the process. Before Aang can get to the ground Jet kicks him into a trunk. He lands with a thud next to his glider. A small tributary flows past him. Aang is slow to get up. Before Jet can take more than a step however, he his hit by a large water strike I am there; I use my ice to freeze Jet against the trunk of the tree, from toe to neck.
"Why, Jet? I can't believe I trusted you. You lied to me, you're sick and I trusted you." Katara said
A birdcall is heard. Katara, Aang and I are startled, and look to the valley beyond where it's coming from. Jet gives an answering birdcall.
"What are you doing?" Katara asked
"You're too late." Jet said
"No." Katara said
Aang opens his glider and runs for the nearby cliff. His glider's wings are damaged to the point that he has no lift, and slams back into the ground near the edge.
"Sokka's still out there, he's our only chance." Aang said
"Come on Sokka, I'm sorry I ever doubted you, please." Katara said
Longshot stands on a branch, his bow pulled. He has a flaming arrow on the string. He takes aim and fires. It arcs down to the base of the dam. Katara watches in horror.
"No." Katara said
I raise my hand just as the dams explodes in a cloud of smoke and fire. We wait but nothing happens when the smoke clears you can see that the water is frozen solid. The three turn to look at me. I lower my hand but he water remains frozen. I turned and looked at Jet. I moved over to Jet, I put my hand on his face. The I could see the ice crystals forming on his face.
"The town would have been safe from the Fire Nation." Jet said
The crystals keep spreading. Jet was getting paler.
"It will be safe, without you." Sokka said
Jet looks up to see Sokka on Appa, with Momo on his shoulder.
"Sokka." Aang, Katara and I say
I take my hand off of Jet face. The ice crystals start to fade but very slow.
"I warned the villagers of you plan, just in time. Kida let the water flow." Sokka said
I nodded my head. I waved my hand and the iced melted letting the water flow into the village.
"What?!" Jet yelled.
"At first they didn't believe me. The Fire Nation soldiers assumed I was a spy. But one man vouched for me, the old man you attacked. He urged them to trust me, and we got everyone out in time." Sokka said
"Sokka, you fool! We could've freed this valley." Jet said
"Who would be free? Everyone would be dead." Sokka said
"You traitor." Jet said
"No, Jet. You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people." Sokka said
"Katara. Please, help me." Jet said
"Goodbye Jet." Katara said
Katara, Aang and I climb onto Appa.
"Yip yip." Sokka said
Jet is left behind still frozen to the tree.
"How long will Jet be frozen to the tree?" Aang asked
"No clue." I said
They nodded their head.
"We thought you were going to the dam. How come you went to the town instead?" Aang asked
"Let me guess, your instincts told you." Katara said
"Hey, sometimes they're right." Sokka said
"Um…Sokka? You know we're going the wrong way, right?" Aang asked
"And sometimes they're wrong." Sokka said
"So is it always like this, you guys running into trouble?" I asked
"Yes." Sokka, Aang, and Katara said
I just laughed.
