Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 28: Dual Nature
The hideout Jet spoke of was high up in the trees, a series of ramshackle little wooden constructions; bridges and platforms and private rooms, all hidden from view by the vast canopy of branches and leaves. The only way up was with a pulley system, unless you were Aang, of course, or could swing through the trees like Jet. The Water Tribe siblings along with the airbender all checked it out eagerly and even agreed to spend the night. Zuko and Mai took a look around but quickly declined the invitation.
"What's wrong, are you afraid of heights, or something?" Jet jibed.
"If I were, would I be up here?" Mai retorted. "We just prefer to make our own camp."
"Fine, whatever makes you happy," the Freedom Fighter replied. "So, I've heard Katara's and Sokka's story, what's yours?"
"There's nothing much to tell," Zuko replied.
He glanced quickly at Mai.
"We're travelers; we met up with the Avatar and his friends and decided to help them," Mai added.
"Hmmm, so where did you learn how to fight?" Jet asked.
"We taught ourselves," Zuko answered. "And Jee and Shen helped as well."
"None of us ever had any training either," Jet stated. "The Fire Nation burned down my village and killed my parents when I was only eight. Everyone else here has a similar story. All of us want to hurt the Fire Nation. All of us want to make them pay. We can't save the whole Earth Kingdom, but we can save this valley."
Zuko blanched at Jet's words. He looked over at Katara and she looked back with a sorrowful expression.
"That's terrible," Zuko finally replied. "My mother's gone too."
"So why don't you stay for a few days and help us."
"What do you plan on doing?" Sokka asked.
"Well, I'm doing surveillance with Smellerbee, Longshot and Sneers tomorrow. Why don't you come, Sokka? It's the perfect job for a smart guy like you."
Sokka puffed out his chest a bit and any doubt he had regarding the leader of the Freedom Fighters dissipated, at least for the moment.
"Sure, glad to help," he agreed firmly.
"What about me and Aang?" Katara wondered.
"I'll think of something," Jet smirked. "Just give me some time."
He gave the waterbender a lingering look and her cheeks flamed. Embarrassed, Katara looked down at the hands in her lap.
"I see you brought the barrels of blasting jelly back to your hideout," Zuko remarked. "What do you plan on doing with them?"
Jet looked sideways at Smellerbee and Longshot before replying.
"You never know when anything might come in handy. I take everything the Fire Nation has to offer."
"Hmmm," Mai mused. "Blasting jelly has one purpose…..blowing things up."
"True, true," Jet agreed. "So it's better in our hands than in theirs, right?"
Mai nodded grudgingly but something wasn't sitting right with her again. Zuko, who was holding her hand, gave it an urgent sort of squeeze and she responded in kind. It was time to leave so they could talk privately.
"We're going to join Jee and Shen now. We should help them set up camp," Mai stated.
"Okay, but the offer for dinner is still open," Jet said in a persuasive tone. "How many chances are you going to have to eat up in the sky?"
"I'll live," Mai replied drolly.
She and Zuko left without any further talk.
"So," Jet said as soon as Mai and Zuko were gone, "they're not very friendly, are they?"
"Naw, they're fine," Sokka contradicted. "It's just that they're all lovey-dovey all the time and like their privacy. All these people would cramp their style."
"Hmm, I get it," Jet replied with a knowing grin.
Katara blushed again and she wasn't quite sure why. Jet made her feel all warm and tingly, like a small fire burned away inside her. He was handsome and so easy to talk to and made her feel special. And he was one of the few boys besides her brother she had ever laid eyes on. He was smooth and there was something adult and maybe dangerous about the Freedom Fighter that thrilled her.
"So, Katara, is there a special boy in your life?"
"Wh,what?" she stammered, blushing a deep red this time. "No, of course not; there aren't any boys in the Southern Water Tribe any more besides Sokka and toddlers. And Sokka doesn't count."
"Hey," Sokka objected. "I do too count."
Jet laughed at their antics, settling back comfortably. Aang meanwhile kept stealing looks at Katara, a faint blush tinting his cheeks as well.
"And," the Water Tribe warrior continued. "I have a girl."
Katara snapped her head up and stared at her brother incredulously.
"What girl?" she demanded to know.
"Suki," Sokka replied. "We kind of got close while we visited Kyoshi Island. She's a warrior and really amazing and she kissed me on the cheek."
"Wow," Jet exclaimed. "On the cheek, huh; you're practically a man now."
Sokka glared at Jet, his face twisted into a frown. He didn't like the Freedom Fighter's mocking tone.
"So, who cooks dinner?" Katara asked, wanting to change the somewhat uncomfortable subject. "I could help."
"Some of the younger ones do it and you're free to help. I'll walk you to the kitchen area now."
Sokka muttered to himself as soon as Jet was gone.
"Stupid jerk, thinks he's so great; 'Oooh, look at me. I'm a Freedom Fighter. I live in a big tree house.' Blah, blah, blah."
"Are you okay, Sokka?" Aang asked. "You're talking to yourself."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm just great. Dinner better be worth it."
Mai and Zuko spread out their bedrolls near the cozy fire and then helped themselves to the stew that Iroh and Jee had cooked up. Their camp was set up in a tiny clearing amongst a thick grove of trees, a few hundred feet from where the Freedom Fighters' home in the trees was.
"So, how was the hideout?" Jee asked conversationally.
"Well, it's actually pretty amazing what those kids have done," Zuko replied. "But that Jet guy, there's something off about him."
"He's taken on a great responsibility," Iroh replied. "Look at all the youngsters he has to provide for."
"Yes, but he provides by stealing," Zuko reminded his uncle. "Maybe they've got no choice. They're all orphans because of the Fire Nation. I suppose taking some supplies from them isn't really so bad. I understand that he wants to make things hard for the Fire Nation here. Mai and I did the same thing at Pohuai Stronghold."
"I get the feeling that Jet and his friends would have slaughtered those soldiers if we weren't there," Mai added. "He wants to drive the Fire Nation from this valley so why leave the soldiers alive?"
"Maybe so they can tell other soldiers about the Freedom Fighters," Zuko mused. "If word of rebellion spreads, maybe the Fire Nation will think twice about invading these small towns."
"Maybe; or maybe he's not a killer," Jee offered. "It's possible."
"He's just too smooth; I don't like him," Zuko reiterated.
"Perhaps you don't like the way he admired Mai," Iroh suggested with a broad wink.
Zuko's growl was almost feral. It was true. He hated the way Jet's eyes had roamed over Mai's body almost hungrily. She was his and no one else could touch her. He also hated that he felt so possessive and jealous. It was undignified and immature. Besides, he knew that Mai loved him with all that she had. There was no need for jealousy.
He felt his betrothed's hand on his and looked up into her eyes. They shone with warmth and mirth and a powerful love. They said, 'You don't ever have to worry, you idiot. So don't waste your time.' Zuko nodded and silently mouthed his thanks.
"We're only going to be here another day or do, so what does it really matter. As long as he doesn't figure out who we really are, we should be okay," Mai reminded them.
"True enough, dear. Let's see how things play out," Iroh replied.
With that they finished their meal, cleaned up and went to sleep. Zuko lay next to Mai but his rest was fitful. Small noises continually disrupted his sleep. At first he thought they were made by forest animals, but when he got up to look around, he saw Smellerbee, Longshot and Jet huddled together under the trees, deep in an intense conversation. Zuko watched for a moment and then stealthily walked back to his bedroll.
"I wonder what that was about?" he asked himself quietly.
He lay down and curled his arms around Mai. She moved in her sleep, backing into him until there were no gaps of air between their bodies. The warmth and the closeness finally sent the prince off to sleep until the sun rose.
"Are you ready, Sokka?" Jet asked the next morning after everyone finished breakfast.
"Sure," the blue eyed boy replied. "Where are we going?"
"Follow us," the head Freedom Fighter replied and gestured down the wide path that led through the forest.
Sokka walked behind Jet and his two friends for about ten minutes. Jet had one hand on a sword and the other held onto the grass stalk that seemed to stick out from his mouth perpetually, like it was a part of him.
"See, Sokka, we're going to watch the path and if any Fire Nation 'people' come along, we'll question them."
"Oh, okay," Sokka agreed amicably enough.
"Climb up this tree and make yourself comfortable, but stay alert. I'll whistle to the others if we hear anything."
"Sounds simple enough," the warrior replied.
Sokka soon discovered that surveillance was incredibly boring. His body felt stiff after the first hour; maintaining the same position, trying valiantly not to move was intensely tiring too. And no one was coming. An idea came to him and he struck the massive main branch of the tree he perched in with his Water Tribe knife.
"Whatcha doing?" Jet asked curiously.
"I can pick up vibrations," Sokka replied. He kept a hand poised on the knife's handle and cocked his head. "Wait, there is someone moving down the path."
"How many?" Jet asked almost urgently.
"Just one, I think," Sokka answered quickly.
Jet signaled his fellow Freedom Fighters and they waited for the mysterious person to appear. It was an old man, dressed in Fire Nation red, hunched over, using a cane and carrying a satchel. Jet dropped from the trees and landed in front of him, sneering and hurling insults.
"Fire Nation scum," he hissed. "You don't belong in our forest. We should send you back to where you come from."
He brandished his hooked swords and placed one underneath the man's throat before knocking him to the ground. Smellerbee swooped in and grabbed the old man's satchel. She held it up gleefully, showing it to everyone. Sokka hung back, conflicted and unsure.
"Come on, Sokka, join in the fun," Jet said easily but there was that darkness again, giving his pleasant voice an edge that set the Water Tribe boy's pulse racing.
"He's just an old man, Jet" Sokka protested. "What harm could he do?"
"He's Fire Nation; Fire Nation people are all dangerous. They rape and they kill and they torture. They should all die."
The man struggled to get up and run away while Jet was distracted, but he bumped into the hulking body of Sneers and bounced off the massive chest, hitting the path again. He scrabbled at the dirt and looked at Sokka imploringly. Jet raised a foot to kick him in the head. As he moved his leg forward, Sokka grabbed hold of it with his bone club. Jet's balance was thrown off but he recovered gracefully and turned on Sokka.
"I thought that you might understand, being older than Katara."
"Understand what?" Sokka asked.
His blue eyes were wide with shock and disgust.
"We're at war and war gets dirty. Things need to get done and you can't flinch or show mercy. The Fire Nation never shows mercy, does it Pops? The Fire Nation didn't show mercy when it burned down my village and raped my mother and then cut her throat. It didn't show mercy when it burned my father alive. So why would I, Sokka? Why, huh, tell me?"
"Killing an old man won't help anything," Sokka replied. "All it will do is make you a murderer. But you're probably one already."
"Alright, then, Mister High and Mighty, we'll let the geezer live, but we're taking his stuff."
Jet pushed by Sokka then and gave him a searing look. He gestured for Smellerbee, Longshot and Sneers to follow. Sokka didn't move for a moment. He looked down helplessly at the old man, uncertain just what he should do. Quickly, he helped him up and dusted him off, turned and then ran after Jet. He couldn't wait to tell Katara and Aang what had happened.
He found Jet already up in the hideout talking with his sister and the Avatar.
"Did he tell you what happened?" Sokka asked disdainfully. "He attacked a defenseless old man walking through the forest. What kind of hero does that?"
"And what kind of man was he?" Jet replied with his own question. "Was he Earth Kingdom?"
Katara and Aang watched the struggle between the two young men with tense expressions.
"No," Sokka admitted. "He was Fire Nation, but what difference does that make?"
"Are you going to tell them about the knife?" Jet probed next.
"What knife?" Sokka replied incredulously. "He didn't have any weapons."
"Really, then how come this was in his satchel?" Jet inquired.
Dramatically, he presented a wicked looking blade that Sokka knew the old man had not carried. There was a ring on the butt of the knife.
"I didn't see any knife," Sokka insisted.
"Maybe you weren't paying attention. You were too worried about the old Fire Nation man's feelings," Jet replied derisively.
The Freedom Fighter pulled on the ring and help up a vial of pinkish coloured liquid.
"See, he wasn't a harmless civilian. He was an assassin sent to kill me. The Fire Nation would love to eliminate me. I'm a thorn in their side."
"That's terrible," Katara said sadly and moved closer to Jet.
"It's the price of being a Freedom Fighter, Katara. But I'm willing to pay it."
"You're nothing but a thug," Sokka insisted. "And I won't stay here with you another night. Katara, Aang, are you coming?"
The waterbender and the Avatar exchanged a look.
"Sorry, Sokka," Aang finally replied. "We're going to help Jet with something really important tomorrow. He says that the Fire Nation plans to burn the forest down. We're going to fill up the reservoir so that the Freedom Fighters can battle the fires."
"Yeah, right, I'm sure that's all there is to it," Sokka replied.
"You're just jealous because Jet's a better leader than you are. Seriously, Sokka, grow up," Katara added.
Sokka looked at Katara searchingly and then turned away. He hadn't seen what he wanted to in her eyes.
"Fine, when you're done with the jerk, come find me."
The Water Tribe boy slung his bag over his shoulder and left the hideout. He decided to spend the night with Mai and Zuko instead. They were more levelheaded at least. Maybe they would understand.
"What are you doing here?" Mai inquired blandly of the Water Tribe boy.
"I need to talk with you guys and I don't want to be anywhere near Jet," Sokka replied.
He had a serious look on his face, different from the often goofy sort of expression he wore.
"What is it?" Zuko asked.
"Ah, young Sokka, may I offer you a cup of tea. It's oolong and it's fresh."
"Um sure, Iroh, that would be great. Thanks."
The former general hummed happily as he poured Sokka a cup and then sat down near the trio. Jee joined them too. The blue eyed boy took a few calming sips, then tugged on his wolf's tail, before beginning his story.
"Look, there's something very wrong with Jet. I did surveillance with him this morning. I thought that we would just watch the path and see if any soldiers were coming. But he attacked an old man, a defenseless civilian. He was going to really mess him up, but I stopped him. I mean, I'm not the biggest fan of the Fire Nation either, no offense, but I wouldn't hurt anyone like that."
"That is disturbing," Iroh mused, stroking his grey beard.
"And then he told Katara and Aang that he had a knife on him and it had a vial of poison inside and he was sent to assassinate Jet. And they believed him. They believed him over me. Katara just thinks I'm jealous of Jet."
Sokka's voice was s squeaky sounding sort of shriek by the time he finished.
"She's infatuated with him," Mai shrugged. "She blushes every time he looks at her."
"That figures," Sokka moaned. "So what do we do? I just know that the Freedom Fighters are up to something else bad. I can feel it."
"We spy on them," Zuko answered simply. "Mai and I are pretty stealthy. Can you be quiet, Sokka?"
"Can I be quiet, the prince asks. You don't sneak up on giant leapordwalruses by being noisy, now do you?"
"So that's a yes?" Mai asked.
"It is indeed."
"Alright, once it gets dark, we'll watch the hideout and follow anyone who leaves," Zuko decided.
"Well, unless he or she is using the bathroom," Sokka added. "I don't need to see that."
Mai rolled her eyes and reached for one of her blades.
"I think I'll practice for a bit," she stated. "It might come in handy tonight."
"Can I watch?" Sokka asked eagerly.
Mai shrugged by way of an answer and he followed her to the grove of trees that surrounded their camp.
"What are you going to do nephew?" Iroh asked pleasantly.
"I suppose it's as good a time as any to train with my swords," the prince replied. "I'll move over there, so I don't bother you or Jee."
"No bother," Jee replied. "I enjoy watching."
"Okay then," Zuko shrugged.
The remainder of the day was spent training, drinking more tea, making and eating dinner. When the sun was down, Mai, Sokka and Zuko made their move.
The three of them hid behind a large tree trunk and watched as activity in the hideout waned and the sound of laughter and talk slowly dissipated until it was completely gone. It wasn't until much later, though, almost dawn, that Jet, Smellerbee, Longshot, the Duke, Pipsqueak and Sneers came out of the trees, dragged the Fire Nation wagon out of the bushes, and loaded the barrels of blasting jelly.
The trio let them get a bit ahead before following. Zuko gestured with his hand for quiet and they proceeded slowly, just keeping Jet and his friends in sight. Moonlight filtered down through the thick covering of trees and lit up the gang's faces enough to see their excited expressions.
Mai nudged Zuko and raised her eyebrows. He shrugged and pointed ahead. They trod silently, careful to avoid twigs and leaves and followed until the sun rose. The path led to a cliff which overlooked the valley below. Jet stared down thoughtfully, grass stalk in his mouth and a pleased expression on his face.
"Katara and Aang will fill the reservoir this morning with their waterbending. That forest fire story I told them really worked; fools!"
Sokka hissed angrily and Mai put a hand over his mouth. She shook her head and he calmed down a bit.
"Remember," Jet continued, "don't blow the damn until I give the signal. The water has to be high enough for this to work. We don't want any Fire Nation soldiers surviving."
The Duke, so small and helpless looking with his runny nose and a helmet too big for him, spoke up.
"But what about the people in the town; won't they die too?"
"It's a necessary sacrifice, buddy. You can't think about that."
Jet put an arm on the boy's shoulder and gave him a sad sort of smile. The Duke nodded while Longshot looked on impassively.
"I want those barrels down in the valley, against the base of the dam. Start wheeling them down now. Katara and Aang are already filling up the reservoir like I asked them too. Look!"
Sokka was twitching now and Mai placed a restraining hand on his arm. She shook her head again. When the Freedom Fighters finally had their backs turned and were walking away, all three came out from behind the bushes. Sokka called out to Jet.
"So, you're more than a thug. You're a cold blooded killer. And you're willing to sacrifice an entire village, mothers, fathers, kids, just to kill a few Fire Nation soldiers."
"I really thought you would get it Sokka. What about you Mai, or you Deshi? Don't you see what we're trying to do? This valley will be free. It will be in Earth Kingdom hands once again, like it should be."
Zuko just shook his head in amazement.
"It's wrong. There is no way to justify your actions, Jet," the prince stated.
"And whose hands exactly would the valley be in?" Sokka asked. "Everyone would be dead."
"Doesn't matter," Jet replied with a smirk. "Getting rid of Fire Nation filth is all that counts."
"We won't let you," Zuko said.
"Well, then I guess you'll need to stop me, and the rest of them. The jelly will be at the damn soon; one whistle from me and Longshot fires. Your friends might get caught up in it too. They don't have a clue about what's going on."
Zuko and Mai silently sized up the situation. There were six Freedom Fighters and only three of them. They weren't sure exactly how good Sokka would be in battle and they knew that Jet was extremely skilled with his unique swords. Zuko would have to occupy him while Mai and Sokka attempted to prevent the blasting jelly from making its way down to the dam.
Jet's swords were out now and he swung them around ominously. He grinned crookedly at Zuko.
"Let's see just how good you are," the Freedom Fighter suggested. "The rest of you take care of Mai and Sokka."
Smellerbee lunged at Mai, curved knife withdrawn. Mai moved aside easily and then reached inside her sleeves. With one precise, powerful throw, she knocked the knife out of the young girl's hand. While she had the advantage, Mai made her move, kicking Smellerbee to the ground and then pinning her with four blades. The girl snarled while she struggled, wriggling her body along the ground like some strange painted and clothed worm.
The Duke meanwhile clung to Sokka like a leech, tiny arms wrapped around the boy's neck, constricting Sokka's air flow. The Water Tribe warrior was twirling around like a dancer, trying to force the kid off. It wasn't working and instead of tending to Mai, Sneers and Pipsqueak laughed uproariously at the sight.
"Idiots," Mai said under her breath and crept up behind them.
They were both much taller and much heavier than Mai and short of killing each with one of her blades Mai had few options for disabling them. She worked her way to the front of them and as they finally picked up on her presence, gave each a crippling kick in the groin. They both dropped to the ground moaning loudly. Mai smirked and moved to help Sokka.
"Where's the archer guy?" Mai asked as she gave The Duke's leg a brutal twist.
The boy dropped off Sokka's back and gave Mai a nasty look.
"Oh, crap," Sokka replied. "He probably took off with the jelly."
Out of the corner of her eye, Mai saw Zuko and Jet battling evenly. Neither was out of breath and each moved about gracefully, deflecting the other's blows.
"We need to take care of the big guys," she continued. "Is there some rope we can tie them up with?"
Sokka nodded. They approached Sneers and Pipsqueak with caution, found rope on each of them and proceeded to tie them both up. They took care of Smellerbee too, Mai retrieving her blades and Sokka tying both her hands and her feet together. She glared from underneath the fringe of dirty hair that covered her forehead. Her war paint gave her a wild look.
"You'll pay for this," she grunted.
"Whatever," Mai replied dismissively.
They chased after The Duke then and put him next to his comrades, rope snuggly tied around his wrists.
"We need to find Longshot," Sokka told her, grabbing a hold of her arm.
Mai looked over at Zuko then, still battling intensely with Jet.
"He'll be fine," Sokka said reassuringly. "He can handle himself."
"You're right," Mai agreed and the two of them took off down the cliff, picking their way amongst boulders and smaller rocks.
"I thought that cart was really heavy," Sokka remarked. "How is Longshot moving it by himself?"
"It's downhill," Mai reasoned. "That helps."
Sure enough, the tall boy with the quill on his back was making steady progress with the cart. They hurried to catch up with him.
Zuko caught glimpses of Mai as she took care of business. Agni, she was efficient and cool and he loved watching her move. But he needed to concentrate on Jet who was proving to be a very difficult opponent and a chatty one too. The prince hated that. He wanted to fight in silence; grunts and the sound of metal hitting metal the only exceptions.
"Losing your breath, Deshi," Jet taunted as he blocked one of Zuko's thrusts.
Zuko refused to answer. He tried to block out the boy's voice and focus everything on the flashing of blades, the movement of Jet's feet and the lean of his body. He needed to anticipate Jet's next move, not just wait for it and then block.
The Freedom Fighter bent low and swung the hooks out in an attempt to trip Zuko up. The prince jumped up and over, avoiding the sweeping movement of the swords. Jet lunged at him then but Zuko was ready, his dao positioned to make the block.
"I can do this all day, you know," Jet declared. "Can you?"
'Shut up,' Zuko thought to himself. 'Fight, don't yammer on.'
"What's the matter? Does my conversation bother you?" the Freedom Fighter sneered.
Zuko decided then to move offensively instead of just defending himself. He could push himself further, make Jet run. Besides, he wanted to be where Mai was, help her instead of wasting his time with this arrogant jerk.
He got his bearings and then ran forward, both parts of his sword moving so fast they were difficult to see. Jet looked surprised for a moment and backed up. One chop from the blunt end of Zuko's sword, knocked Jet's hook sword from his right hand. Zuko kicked it away, never taking his eyes off his opponent. Jet's brown eyes were filled with fury now, and he held his remaining sword outward, making jerky thrusting motions with it.
"You're finished," Zuko finally said.
His voice was calm and he was proud of that. Mai would be proud too. The prince used his two swords to swoop in and disarm Jet, kicking that one out of the way as well.
"Now," Zuko demanded. "Walk down that cliff in front of me. We're going to see Aang and Katara."
Jet chose to lunge at Zuko instead, teeth bared and hands ready to grab hold of Zuko's throat and choke the life out of him. There was nothing to be done but knock the Freedom Fighter out. With the butt of one sword, Zuko hit Jet hard on the back of the skull. He dropped like a stone, blood trickling down his neck. The sight made Zuko almost queasy. He had done that.
Finding more rope, he tied Jet up, checking his pulse. It was strong and steady.
"It'll take more than that to kill Jet," Smellerbee shouted.
"I don't want to kill him," Zuko replied. "I just wanted to stop him from making a terrible mistake."
"Who are you to judge," the girl rasped. "Jet's always been a good leader. We follow what he says. He hasn't led us wrong yet."
"Today he did," Zuko stated and took off down the cliff.
Aang looked up from his work drawing water up from underground and listened.
"Hey, Katara, do you hear something? It sounds like yelling."
Katara stopped too and cocked her head to one side. She was damp with sweat and glad of a chance to stop. She wiped her palms off on her blue tunic and smiled at Aang.
"Yeah, I hear something too."
"Let's take a walk, then," the Avatar suggested. "We've done enough here."
They heard the sound of their names being shouted then. It sounded like Zuko.
"Wonder what he wants?" Katara asked.
Aang was already walking in the direction of the sound, glider in hand. Katara caught up and fell into pace beside him.
"I see Zuko," Aang said happily.
The airbender had already developed an attachement to the Fire Nation prince and that fact irritated Katara more than she was willing to admit. Still, the guy had been doing everything he could to help. Maybe she should try to be more open minded about the Fire Nation. Perhaps a few of its citizens weren't evil.
Zuko was beckoning them forward, waving his hands frantically.
"We need to help Mai and Sokka," he declared as soon as the pair reached him. "They're at the dam trying to stop Longshot."
"What are you talking about?" Katara asked. "Stop him from doing what?"
"Blowing up the dam," Zuko huffed. "It was Jet's plan but we followed them and discovered it. We stopped the others. They're tied up on top of the cliff."
"Why would Jet want to do that?" Katara wondered. "Blowing up the dam would kill everyone in the village, all the Earth Kingdom people."
"He doesn't care," Zuko replied. "He called their deaths a 'necessary sacrifice.'"
"I don't believe you," the waterbender shrieked. "Jet wouldn't do that. He's a hero, fighting against the Fire Nation."
"No, Katara," Zuko said gently. "He's sick. Please, believe me."
"Why should I believe someone from the Fire Nation over someone from the Earth Kingdom?"
"There's good and bad everywhere, Katara," Aang stated softly. "I believe Zuko. Look at his face."
She looked then and saw the truth in Zuko's expressive gold eyes. She began to cry, a sorrowful wailing sound, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It's okay. We stopped him," Zuko whispered.
He reached out tentatively and patted the girl on the back. She didn't shrug his hand off but let it rest there for a moment, taking comfort in its warmth.
"Come on, Katara, let's go," Aang suggested.
She wiped her tears and breathed deeply, calming herself.
"I'm ready. Let's go make sure Longshot doesn't do anything stupid."
Mai and Sokka had already taken care of Longshot. He was sitting by himself up on the bank of the river, his face showing no emotion at all and minus his quill and arrows. Zuko gave Mai a curious look when he arrived with Aang and Katara. She gave him a small smile and shrugged, pointing to Sokka and his boomerang.
"He's good with that thing," she remarked and then pointed down at the ground.
Longshot's quill lay in two neat halves, arrows spilled out onto the dirt.
"I like to think so," Sokka agreed. "Mai and I are very similar when it comes to weapons. We make a good team."
"It really is true," Katara said softly as she took in the barrels of blasting jelly. "Jet was going to kill all those villagers. And you went along with it. What is wrong with you people?"
She turned to look at Longshot then, her eyes hard and angry. The archer said nothing. He simply stared off into the horizon, hands folded neatly in his lap. The wide brimmed hat he wore cast a shadow over his features. His silence irked Katara. She stomped her foot into the ground and turned back to her friends.
"What do we do with that stuff?" she asked Zuko, figuring he was the expert, being Fire Nation and a guy.
"We need to immerse it in water," the prince replied. "That will neutralize it."
The group rolled the barrels into the shallow depths of the river, popping open the lids and letting the water inside. With that taken care of, everyone walked back up the cliff, leaving Longshot alone with his thoughts.
Jet was conscious now, but groggy looking. He lay on his side on the grass, looking over at the new arrivals. Katara marched over to him, flipped back the top of her water skin and pulled out a stream of liquid. It seemed to hover between her hand and the skin. She whipped the water outward, hitting Jet in the face. The Freedom Fighter blinked water out of his eyes only to have another whip hit him, this one more forceful than the last.
"Let me explain, Katara," he pleaded. "It was for the overall good. Sometimes we have to make hard choices."
"How could you?" she hissed, her face a mask of terrible rage. "I trusted you and you betrayed me. This is what you do to help; kill innocent people just because they're in the way? You're sick and you need to change the way you live before you do something terrible that you can never take back."
"But Katara," Jet said. "Please try to understand. I just wanted to take this valley back from the Fire Nation. Is that so wrong?"
"If you still have to ask that question, maybe there's no hope for you," the waterbender replied.
She took more water from her skin, let it hang just above her hands, and then let her breath out, pushing the water toward the prone Freedom Fighter and freezing it at the same time. Within seconds, Jet was encased in ice up to his chin.
"Let's get out of here," she said to no one in particular. "I can't stand looking at him anymore."
The group moved forward silently and walked back to the forest path that led to the hideout. Mai linked her hand with Zuko's and whispered in his ear.
"Remind me never to get her angry."
Zuko chuckled, a pleasing raspy sound and Mai smiled.