The plan was set, everyone was more than ready-mostly everybody was ready to leave Ba Sing Se. A city they considered to have caused nothing but trouble for them and were just a plain pain in the butt. Honestly the entire gang was relieved; though Sakura wasn't really masking her 'joy' to be leaving. She wasn't exactly thinking that she would be making a life for herself in Ba Sing Se that was certain but the fact that she had to just drop everything and leave like this was what was making it hard. Ba Sing Se had been a bit kinder to her than to the others but even so she would still choose her friends because if it wasn't for them then she would've probably still been lost in the desert al alone.

"We can take the train out to the wall but then we'll have to walk." Sokka said as they made their way through the streets.

"Don't worry; on the way back we'll be flying" Aang said happily

"We're finally leaving Ba Sing Se-Worst city ever!" Toph exclaimed

Sakura remained silent as they continued walking; and then Katara turned around to face her.

"Sakura what about your boyfriend?"

"Huh?"

"Oh yeah," Sokka said "What are you going to do about him?"

Sakura simply smiled pushing down the aching feeling in her chest; she always use to be the one to be her needs before others but this time it was going to be different; she wanted to do what was right for her friends not only her. "Guys we have to come back here anyway; don't worry about it."

Before anyone could say another word someone called out Jet's name making them turn around to see two figures running up to them. One was a boy with dark hair and carrying a bow and arrow with him, the other was a girl that looked a lot like a boy she had short brown hair with red stripes painted across her cheeks."

"JET" the girl called rushing over to them

"I thought you said you didn't have your gang anymore?" Katara asked frowning

"Wait who are they?" Sakura asked

Aang pointed to the two people running over to them "The one with the bow is Long shot and the other is Smellerbee."

The girl ran up to Jet and hugged him "We were so worried; how did you get away from the Dai Li?"

"THE DAI LI" Sakura and Katara yelled

"I don't know what she's talking about!" Jet argued

"He got arrested by the Dai Li a couple of weeks ago." Smellerbee explained "We saw them drag him away."

"Why would I be arrested? I've been living peacefully in the city" Jet said placing a hand on his hip

Toph went in between the two and placed her hand on the ground frowning "This doesn't make any sense, they're both telling the truth."

"That's impossible." Katara said

"No it's not; Toph can't tell who's lying because they both 'think' they're telling the truth. Jet's been brainwashed!"

Jet shook his head "That's crazy it can't be!" he then glanced around at everyone who was surrounding him cautiously "Stay away from me!"

Later at night the group was gathered in a small apartment that belonged to Jet and his gang. They had Jet restrained by tying him up to a chair where they were now going to question him.

"Was the rope necessary?" Aang asked Sakura who shrugged in response

"He was putting up a fight."

"The Dai Li must've sent Jet to mislead us and that janitor was part of their plot to." Katara said

"I bet they have Appa here in the city, maybe he's in the same place they took Jet." Aang said looking down at Jet "Where did they take you?"

"Nowhere" Jet replied "I don't know what you're talking about."

"We need to find a way to jog his real memories." Aang said in thought

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows "Doing something that would bring back strong memories."

"So Katara could kiss him that should bring something back." Sokka said smiling

Katara frowned at her brother, placing her hands on her hips "Maybe you should kiss him Sokka."

"Hey just an idea."

"A bad one," commented Aang jealously

"Strong memories, not wishful thinking guys," Sakura said

Sokka gasped and went over to the mattress pulling out a straw before stuffing it in Jet's mouth, Sakura wasn't sure how that was expected to jog any memories but even Jet said it wasn't working.

Sakura decided to speak up "Memories tend to resurface when familiar feelings are produced; it's like the saying goes you can forget the memory but never the feelings."

"So he has to try and remember something else that triggers his emotions." Toph said

"The fire Nation" said Smellerbee "Remember what they did to your family."

Jet closed his eyes and pictured it but he stopped "I can't it's too painful!"

Katara walked behind Jet "May this'll help."

She then proceeded to use her healing ability to attempt to revert the damage done to Jet's mind. Sure enough it was working because Jet was beginning to see the past that was locked away in his mind.

"They took me to a headquarters under the water." Jet told them "Like a lake."

"Wait!" Sokka said "Remember what Joo Dee said?"

"She said she went to Lake Laogai!"

"That's it!" Jet said "Lake Laogai."

The next day early that morning the eight found themselves at a large lake outside of the city; it was completely deserted and in Sakura's opinion the perfect place to have a secret headquarters where no one would find you. It had an eerie feeling.

"So where's this secret head quarters?" Katara asked

"Under the water I think." Jet said scratching his head.

Toph pointed to the side "There's a tunnel right there near the shore."

They followed Toph to the end of the lake and she bent out a secret passage way that lead deep underground. Momo-not liking the idea of being underground most likely flew off.

"Ladies first." Sokka said gesturing to the ladder

"And children last." Sakura shot back

Everyone climbed down the ladder and started to make their way through the secret underground layer. It was much bigger than they pictured it would be. With various rooms carved of stone; small green lights shining along but it was dim so it gave the place an ominous vibe. They passed many rooms-some of which they discovered the brain washing being done but didn't enter. There were Dai Li agents walking around the tunnels as well but everyone decided it was better to try and avoid confrontation as it would only delay them.

"I think there might be a cell that's big enough to hold Appa up ahead." Jet said in a soft voice

They reached the door "I think it's through here."

Little did they know that they were not the only ones in this secret headquarters with the same purpose yet different intentions.

The sky Bison Appa lay in a huge cell, chains wrapped around his six feet. The door to his prison opened and he stood up before letting out a threatening growl at a figure, dressed in black and wearing a blue dragon mask.

This was Zuko, after threatening a Dai Li agent for information on the bison's whereabouts and discovering the truth about Lake Laogai, he took it upon himself to go there, steal Appa and then use him to lure in the avatar. He had made his decision. He believed that this was finally his window of opportunity to end his suffering.

"Expecting someone else?" Zuko asked behind his mask; he walked in drawing one of his twin blades.

As they entered the room they saw that while the cell was big there was no sign of Appa; but there were of Dai Li agents hanging up on the ceiling with chains dangling. And there were many of them as well.

"Now that's something different." Sokka commented

"CRAP" Sakura and the others turned to leave but the door slammed shut.

Long Feng appeared with his agents beside him "You have made yourselves enemies of the state. Take them into custody."

Everyone drew out their weapons and prepared to fight. As the Dai Li started attacking with full force everyone attacked with just as much force. Toph competing with the Dai Li earth bending; Aang airbending; Katara waterbending while Sakura; Sokka; Jet; Smellerbee and Long shot used their weapons-well if Sakura's fists counted as a weapon.

The teens were all watching one another's backs as well as their own; when one was in trouble the other closest would help them from being injured or captured. It continued like this for a while. Sakura used her super strength to smash up the earth benders creations but the group was going in an endless cycle that needed to stop.

Then they saw Long Feng making his escape through another door.

"He's getting away" Aang said chasing after him with Jet.

"Wait don't go alone!" Katara said but they were already gone and the others were occupied with Dai Li agents.

"EVERYONE GET BEHIND ME." Sakura ordered them; her friends gathered behind her like she ordered.

"What are you going to do?" Toph asked as Dai Li agents closed in from everyone direction.

"This." Sakura said pumping her fist full of chakra and drawing back; she let out a cry before smashing her fist into the ground destroying the entire area and sending the Dai Li agents back.

"Alright avatar you've caused me enough problems, this is your last chance if you want your bison back."

Aang scowled at him "You do you have Aapa! Tell me where he is!"

Long Feng remained calm as he spoke "Agree to exit the city now and I'll wave all charges against you and allow you to leave with your lost pet."

Jet stepped forward "You're in no position to bargain!"

"Am I not?"

"YOU'RE DEFINATELY NOT." Aang said holding up his staff

Long Feng looked over at Jet "Jet, the earth king has invited you to Lake Laogai."

Jet's fell silent for a second, his pupils became wide as he fell back under the hypnosis speaking in a blank voice "I am honoured to accept his invitation."

Then he went to attack...Aang.

Appa struggled against his chains to fight off the intruder but it was no use, it was no use a month ago and it was no use now. He stomped his feet in a threatening manner but Zuko-disguise as the Bleu Spirit didn't waver.

"You're mine now."

However just after those words were spoken the door behind him opened again and he got ready to attack but when he saw his uncle standing there Zuko felt more like a child caught disobeying rather than a powerful prince on the verge of redeeming himself.

"Uncle?"

Iroh looked at him with feigned curiosity "So the blue spirit...I wonder who could be behind that mask?"

Sighing Zuko threw off the mask "What are you doing here?"

"I was just about to ask you the same question." Iroh said "What do you plan to do now that you've found the avatars bison? Keep it locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?"

"First I have to get it out of here." Zuko said nonchalantly which only seemed to set Iroh off.

"AND THEN WHAT?" he screamed uncharacteristically "You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the avatar at the North Pole! You had him and then you had nowhere to go!"

"I would've figured something out!"

"No!" Iroh snapped "If he's friends hadn't found you, you would've frozen to death!"

"I know my own destiny uncle!" Zuko argued

"Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?"

Zuko turned away from him "Stop it uncle, I have to do this!"

"I'm begging you prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you? And what do you want?"

"ARGH"

With an angry shout Zuko threw down his blades one after the other and then his mask. His final decision...finally he believed was made.

"Jet it's me Aang; you don't have to do this!" Aang shouted trying to break Jet free from his trance but the young man continued attacking the avatar with no signs of stopping.

"I'm afraid he no longer has a choice." Long Feng said

Aang avoided another attack from him and then spoke "Jet, I'm you friend! Look inside your heart!"

"Do you duty Jet!" Long Feng ordered

Jet was breathing heavily as he came towards Aang-weapons ready in hand.

"He can't make you do this! You're a Freedom Fighter!"

At the exclamation something within Jet was triggered and all of his memories began returning; his eyes returned to normal.

He was back.

"Do it! Do it now!" Long Feng ordered but Jet turned around and went to attack him; throwing one of his weapons at him but Long Feng avoided it and use earthbending-which struck a fatal blow.

Aang ignored Long Feng who made his escape as he rushed over to Jet.

"I'm sorry Aang." Jet said

"Don't be."

When everyone arrived Long Feng was gone and Jet was severely injured; Katara rushed over to tend to him. She water bended the water onto her hands which then began to glow and placed it on Jet but she still appeared worried.

"This isn't good."

"You guys go and find Appa; we'll take care of Jet." Smellerbee said

"We're not gonna leave you!" Katara said

"There's no time." Long shot suddenly spoke surprising everyone "Just go, well take care of him. He's our leader."

"Don't worry Katara." Jet said looking at her and giving a reassuring smile "I'll be fine."

"Let me try." Sakura said placing her hand over his chest; she could feel that his organs were ruptured and there was internal bleeding. She swallowed.

"Is there anything we can do?" Katara asked

Sakura looked up at them "No, but there may be something I can do. You go on ahead; I'll catch up as soon as I can."

"But-

"There isn't time." Sakura said "Not if you want to save Appa,"

"Alright," Aang said before running out along with Sokka, Toph and Katara

Leaving Sakura to tend to Jet while Long shot guarded the other door and Smellerbee sobbed.

"You know..." Sakura said softly to Jet "It's not nice to lie."

"There's nothing more to do..." Jet said

Sakura's eyes hardened "You only think that, because you haven't met a trained medic yet."

Eventually after some more searching Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph found another room where Appa had obviously been in after seeing the patches of white fur and large chains big enough to hold only him however there was no sign of Aapa.

"He's gone, Long Feng beat us here." Aang said sadly

"If we keep moving maybe we can catch up with them." Sokka said before running out with everyone else.

They ran for the surface and managed to make it back on land however they were being chased by Dai Li agents that had been alerted of their presence and were coming at them quickly from behind.

"You think we can outrun them?" Sokka asked

"I don't think it's going to matter" Aang said

He was right though because in front of them Long Feng was waiting with the rest of the Dai Li. They created a wall to stop them from going forward and then more came and created another wall blocking them from behind. However just then Momo came flying down; landing on Aang's shoulder.

"What is it Momo?"

The lemur flew up toward the sun and then from the sky out of nowhere appeared a giant shadow that turned out to be Appa charging towards them.

"APPA" Aang cried happily

The sky bison took down the Dai Li's walls that they made around the group; not giving a care to the agents that fell with the rubble. After that he landed right in front of Long Feng and let out an angry snarl.

Long Feng took a stance "I can take care of you myself."

However when he went to attack Appa; the bison grabbed him in his mouth and then threw him across the river watching his skip like a stone three times before sinking.

Everyone ran up to Appa in joy; hugging the fury creature.

"Appa!"

"I missed you buddy..." Aang said with tears in his eyes

"Guys!" Sakura called rushing over to her friends; she looked at all the rubble and the giant sky bison they were currently all snuggling.

"Wow...he's bigger than I thought..." Sakura trailed panting softly

"Sakura!" everyone exclaimed

Appa looked at the pinkette with suspicious eyes but then Aang stroked him "its okay buddy, this is just another friend."

Appa came up to Sakura who gave a nervous wave to the creature "Um hi..."

Appa responded by licking the pinkette with his large tongue covering her entire body in saliva. Sakura shivered.

"Ack, this is so gross!" Sakura cried

Everyone laughed as the pinkette rushed to jump into the lake.

After that they decided to head off before the Dai Li returned for another round; they were all on Aapa now travelling down the river in silence.

"Sakura..." Katara trailed looking at the pinkette. "Jet..."

She smiled "He's fine now"

The pinkette looked down at her hands that was twitching slightly "Took a lot out of me but...He's going to be fine."

Tears of relief streamed down Katara's face before, Aang placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her in along with everyone else for a group hug.

Things were finally looking up, but their journey was far from over and while it may seem peaceful right now there were many more discoveries that would need to be made and many more hardships to endure before anything would be settled. The walls of Ba Sing Se held much more than a single conspiracy and uncovering everything was going to be both difficult and painful for many reasons.

There you go everyone; I know that this chapter isn't as long as the others but I thought it was the perfect point to stop. I was going to kill Jet off but I thought; Sakura wouldn't take it lightly if I had allowed her to fail as a medic ninja for something like this. So yes, Jet's still alive. Anyway hope you look forward to the next chapter and enjoyed this one.

Don't forget to review!