Avatar: the Fifth Element - Water

by Grymt2012

Finding Ahtohallan, Elsa dived too far to find the truth. She found herself into a whole new world where abilities both similar and yet different from her exist and plagued by an unending war. To find a way back home, the young queen of Arendelle and newfound Fifth Element had to accompany the Avatar, the only being that can bring an end to the war and save the world...

40. Leader clash

XL/ Leader clash

Waiting for their friends' return didn't take long for Elsa and Sokka as they were in the hut Jet gave them the previous night. The room was dimly lit, with sunlight barely filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. Sokka busied himself with checking his supplies, his movements sharp and agitated. Elsa stood near the entrance, her posture regal yet relaxed, her eyes distant as she processed everything she had seen and heard since their arrival at the Freedom Fighters' hideout. She could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on her, each piece of the puzzle painting a more troubling picture.

Her brow furrowed as she leaned against the wooden wall, her arms crossed over her chest. The picture she had of the situation was concerning, to say the least. Children fighting in a war, the Fire Nation's brutal methods, and the apparent absence of Earth Kingdom leadership outside of Omashu painted another grim example of the world's state.

The rustling of leaves and the occasional sounds of distant laughter contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside her. Her thoughts drifted to Jet, and she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he gave her. His charm, his confident demeanour, and the way Katara responded to him... all reminded her too much of Hans and how he had fooled everyone back in Arendelle, herself included. Elsa's jaw tightened at the memory.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke through Elsa's reverie. She turned, catching sight of Katara and Aang as they entered the hut. The younger girl's eyes were bright with determination, while Aang lingered a step behind, his expression uncharacteristically hesitant but also firm.

"We need to talk," Elsa said, her voice gentle but firm.

Katara nodded eagerly. "Yes, we do. We need to stay and help Jet!"

Elsa's eyebrows rose slightly, while Sokka's head snapped up, his face a storm of emotions. "What?" he exclaimed, rising to his feet. "What did your boyfriend say this time?"

The waterbender's cheeks flushed with indignation. "He's not my boyfriend, Sokka! And if you'd just listen-"

"Katara," Elsa interjected softly, placing a calming hand on the girl's shoulder. "Please, tell us what Jet said."

Taking a deep breath, the young girl explained, "The Fire Nation is planning to burn down the forest. Jet needs our help to use waterbending to fill the reservoir. We could fight the fires and save the whole valley!"

Elsa's brow furrowed as she processed this information. Something about it didn't sit right with her. She glanced at Sokka, noting the skepticism etched across his features.

"We can't leave now," Katara continued, her voice rising with passion. "Not with the Fire Nation about to burn down a forest!"

Sokka stepped forward, his voice tight with frustration. "I'm sorry, Katara, but Jet's very smooth. We can't trust him."

Katara's eyes flashed. "You know what I think? You're jealous that he's a better warrior and a better leader!"

Elsa flinched at Katara's words, a memory flashing unbidden through her mind. Anna's voice, hurt and angry, echoed in her thoughts: "What do you know about true love? All you know is how to shut people out." The parallel between the sisters' quarrels sent a chill down her spine.

"Katara," Sokka began, his voice strained, "I'm not jealous of Jet. It's just that my instinct-"

"Well, my instincts tell me we need to stay here a little longer and help Jet," his sister cut him off, her chin jutting out defiantly.

Sensing the escalating tension, Elsa stepped between the siblings. "Let's all take a moment to calm down," she said, her voice soothing yet authoritative. "We're all on the same side here."

The two water tribe teens exchanged a look, some of the fire leaving their eyes as they nodded reluctantly.

Elsa turned to Katara, her expression gentle. "I understand you want to help. But we need to consider this carefully."

"But Elsa," the waterbender pleaded, "with your powers, you could surely prevent the forest from burning. We could save so many lives!"

Elsa's expression turned thoughtful at the suggestion. It was true that her powers could be immensely helpful in such a situation. But something still nagged at her.

Sokka spoke up, his voice calmer now. "If Jet really wanted Elsa's help, why didn't he ask her directly? Why go through you and Aang?"

His sister opened her mouth to retort, but Elsa raised a hand, silencing her gently. "Katara, your brother has a point. And I must admit, I share some of his concerns about Jet."

She turned to Aang, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the exchange. "Aang, you haven't said much. What do you think about all this?"

The young airbender shifted uncomfortably, his gray eyes darting between his friends. "Well," he began hesitantly, "I told Jet we would want to help, but that it ultimately depended on what you decided, Elsa."

Elsa nodded, a small smile of approval on her lips. "Thank you. I appreciate your consideration."

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts as she looked back at Katara. "I understand the desire to help, truly I do. But Sokka and I are concerned about Jet's methods and motivations. His explanation about the old man... it doesn't sit right with me."

The waterbender's brow furrowed, her eyes flickering with confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "You think he's lying?"

"Not necessarily lying," Elsa replied, choosing her words carefully. "But there might be more to this situation than what he's telling us."

"But Jet's trying to save the forest!" the young girl argued, her voice rising. "We can't just turn our backs on him."

Elsa sighed, her shoulders tensing slightly. She moved closer to Katara, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Katara, I know you see the good in Jet, and that's admirable. But sometimes, people who appear to be doing the right thing can have hidden agendas."

Katara shrugged off Elsa's hand, taking a step back. Her voice rose slightly, tinged with frustration. "You don't understand, Elsa. Jet has suffered so much because of the Fire Nation. He's just trying to protect his home!"

Elsa's blue eyes softened with empathy, but her voice remained firm. "I do understand, Katara. More than you may think. But good intentions don't always lead to good actions. We need to be careful-"

"Careful?" Katara interrupted, her voice sharp. "While the Fire Nation burns down the forest? While they destroy more lives? I thought you of all people would understand the need to protect others!"

Elsa flinched slightly at Katara's words, a flash of hurt crossing her features before she composed herself. "Katara, please-"

But Katara wasn't finished. Her eyes blazed as she continued, "How can you think that of him? He's doing his best for years. You didn't do as much as him!"

Elsa recoiled slightly, hurt flashing across her face before she could mask it. The words stung, reminding her painfully of her own sister's outburst years ago. For a moment, she saw Anna's face in her mind's eye, and heard her sister's voice echoing in her ears - "All you know is how to shut people out." But she pushed the memory away, focusing on the present.

Aang tried to intervene, "Katara, please, no need-"

Katara cut him off with a pissed glare, "No, Aang! We can't just stand by and do nothing!"

She reached out, gently placing a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "Katara, I'm not doubting Jet's bravery or what he's done," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of urgency. "But not everyone who fights the same enemy is fighting the same battle."

Katara jerked away from Elsa's touch, her blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You're not my mother. You can't tell me what to do."

A tense silence fell over the room. Elsa's face paled slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line as she struggled to maintain her composure. Aang looked at both of them uneasy and torn apart. Sokka stepped forward, his face twisted with shock. "Katara, that's harsh! You can't speak to Elsa like that-"

"Sokka," Elsa said softly, holding up a hand to stop him. She took a deep breath, her gaze never leaving Katara's defiant face. "You're right, Katara. I'm not your mother, and I would never try to replace her. But I do care about you, all of you, and I want to keep you safe."

Elsa's eyes flickered to Aang, who was watching the exchange with wide, uncertain eyes, then back to Katara. Her voice was gentle but firm as she continued, "I'm going to speak with Jet myself. I need to understand his plans better before we make any decisions."

Katara's anger seemed to deflate slightly at Elsa's words. "You... you will?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes. I promise to listen to what he has to say with an open mind."

The young water tribe girl acquiesced, relieve and glad. As Elsa was making her way to the entrance of the hut, Sokka called out, "Be careful, Elsa."

Katara huffed at her brother's words. The young queen paused, looking back at Sokka with a small, reassuring smile. "I will be, Sokka. Thank you."

With that, the young queen stepped out of the hut and into the treetop hideout. She moved gracefully along the rope bridges and platforms, her eyes taking in the intricate network of huts and walkways. The setting sun cast long shadows through the leaves, giving the hideout an almost ethereal quality.

Finally, she reached Jet's hut. Taking a deep breath, she pushed aside the cloth covering the entrance and stepped inside. Jet was lounging casually in a hammock, his hook swords resting against the wall beside him.

Jet looked up as she entered, a smile spreading across his face. It was as if he had been expecting her. "Elsa," he greeted warmly, rising to his feet. "I was hoping you'd come by. Did Aang and Katara fill you in on our situation?"

Elsa nodded, her face a mask of polite interest. "They did. That's actually why I'm here, Jet. I wanted to discuss your plans with you directly."

Jet's smile widened. "Of course. I'm glad you're taking an interest. Your powers could be incredibly useful in protecting the forest."

Elsa raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Indeed. With a gesture of my hand, I could easily create a barrier of ice to protect the entire forest from fire."

For a brief moment, something flashed in Jet's eyes – surprise? Concern? – before it was quickly masked by his usual charm. "That's... impressive. But I was thinking more along the lines of filling the reservoir. You see-"

"Jet," Elsa interrupted gently, her blue eyes piercing. "What are your true plans here? Because protecting the forest from fire... that doesn't seem to be all of it."

Jet's demeanor shifted slightly. He stood up straighter, his hand moving to rest on the hilt of one of his hook swords. "You're perceptive, Elsa. I can see why the others look up to you." He paused, seeming to consider something. "Why don't you come with me? There's something I want to show you."

Elsa hesitated, weighing her options, though also feeling it was the opening she needed to have a better idea of Jet. Nodding slowly, she gestured for him to lead the way. "Very well. Lead the way."

Jet flashed her a quick grin and moved towards the entrance of the hut. They stepped out onto the wooden platform, the fading sunlight casting long shadows through the trees. Elsa followed, her steps light and graceful as she glided across the rope bridges. The treetop hideout was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, its intricate design casting shadows over the ground far below.

Jet moved with a casual grace, leading her along the walkways. "You know," he said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration, "Katara speaks very highly of you."

Elsa smiled softly, though her eyes remained watchful. "She is a remarkable young woman. Her waterbending skills have grown immensely since we began our journey."

As they reached the edge of the platform, Jet turned to face her. "Well, let's see what you can do." Without warning, he leapt off the edge, grabbing a vine and swinging down to the forest floor below.

Elsa blinked in surprise, then straightened up. With a wave of her hand, she created a glistening ice slide that spiraled down to the ground. She stepped onto it, gliding down with effortless grace.

As she reached the bottom, the young queen waved her hand again, and the ice slide dissipated into a shower of snowflakes that quickly melted in the warm air. She turned to face Jet, whose eyes were wide with a mixture of awe and something else – calculation, perhaps?

"Impressive," he said, his voice low. "I can see why the Fire Nation fears you."

Elsa's brow furrowed slightly at his words, but before she could respond, Jet gestured for her to follow him. "This way," he said, turning to lead her into the dense forest.

As they walked, Elsa's mind raced. What was Jet planning to show her? And why did she have a growing sense of unease? She couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than resistance against the Fire Nation.

After what felt like an eternity of walking in tense silence, they emerged from the tree line onto a bare cliff edge. Jet approached the precipice, looking down with a mixture of determination and something darker that Elsa couldn't quite place.

She joined him at the edge, her eyes widening as she took in the scene below. A massive dam stretched across a narrow valley, holding back a vast reservoir of water. In the distance, nestled in the valley floor, she could see a small village.

"That's Gaipan," Jet said, his voice tight with barely contained anger. "A small village that's been under the Fire Nation's control for years. They've turned it into a military outpost, using the villagers as laborers to build that dam. If we don't act, the Fire Nation will use this place as a base to launch further attacks."

Elsa's eyes lingered on the dam and the reservoir. It was empty. She frowned slightly, turning her gaze back to Jet. "Is that why you suspect them to threaten the forrest?"

Jet's expression remained calm, though she could sense an underlying tension. "That's right. They've threatened to wipe us out completely. We need to be prepared for anything."

Showing the reservoir, he continued, "If we can fill that reservoir, we'll have a massive water source to fight any fires they start."

Elsa's brow furrowed slightly. The plan made sense on the surface, but something didn't sit right with her. Jet's intensity, the way he spoke about the Fire Nation—it reminded her too much of people driven by anger and obsession.

"I see," she said carefully. "And the dam? What role does it play in all this?"

Jet's eyes gleamed as he turned to face her. "That's where you, Aang, and Katara come in. We need to fill that reservoir. With enough water, we can..." He trailed off, seeming to choose his next words carefully. "We can ensure the Fire Nation never threatens this forest again."

Elsa's eyes narrowed slightly. She could sense there was more to Jet's plan than he was letting on. "Jet," she said, her voice calm but firm, "I appreciate you showing me this. But there's no need to fill the reservoir. My powers allow me to easily create a barrier of ice to protect the forest from fire. "

Jet's expression flickered for a moment, a mix of frustration and something else – desperation, perhaps? – crossing his face before he schooled it back into his usual confident smirk. "You don't understand. The Fire Nation, they're... they've threatened me and my Freedom Fighters directly. We need to be prepared for anything."

As Jet spoke, Elsa's gaze drifted back to the dam, the reservoir, and the village below. A terrible suspicion began to form in her mind. She thought of the knife Jet had shown them earlier, the one he claimed belonged to a Fire Nation assassin. But hadn't she seen a similar knife being used by one of the Freedom Fighters?

"Jet," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, "what exactly are you planning to do with all that water?"

The young man's expression hardened as he met Elsa's piercing gaze. The charming facade he had maintained began to crack, revealing a glimmer of the anger and determination that lay beneath. "What I'm planning," he said, his voice low and intense, "is to protect my people and this forest from the Fire Nation's tyranny. By any means necessary."

Elsa felt a chill that had nothing to do with her powers. She took a step back, her eyes widening as the full implications of Jet's words sank in. "You're going to destroy the dam," she whispered, horror creeping into her voice. "You're going to flood the village."

Jet's smile faded, replaced by a look of grim determination. "Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. The Fire Nation needs to be stopped, no matter the cost."

"No matter the cost?" Elsa repeated, her voice rising. "There are innocent people in that village, Jet. Children, families. You can't possibly justify murdering them!"

Jet's expression darkened, replaced by a determined, almost fanatical gleam in his eyes. "They're Fire Nation!" he spat. "They deserve what's coming to them!"

Elsa's eyes narrowed, a chill spreading through the air around them. "You think killing them will make a difference?" she asked, her voice sharp as ice. "Destroying that village won't bring your parents back, Jet. What do you think the Fire Nation would do once they hear what happened."

"They will fear what happened and will stay clear of the valley", he replied in a convinced voice.

The young queen shook her head, "That's what you believe. But don't you think they could also send more forces to deal with those who harmed their people? Have you thought that your plans could bring more harm to your people?"

Jet recoiled as if he'd been struck, his face contorting with a mix of anger and hurt. His rigid stance loosened, and a shadow of the boy he once was, the one who wanted to protect, seemed to resurface. But just as quickly, his face hardened again. "You're wrong," he said, his voice a harsh whisper. "They deserve it. They all deserve it."

Elsa's heart ached at the pain that had twisted him so completely. "Jet, all this will do is perpetuate the cycle of violence and would make you the bad guy, not matter your cause. Is it really what you want?"she asked softly.

"I am nothing like them!" he shouted. "Everything I do is to protect my people, to fight back against the monsters who took everything from me!"

"And you would become the very thing you hate if you decide to destroy that dam," the Fifth spirit retorted, her hands raised defensively, small crystals of ice forming at her fingertips. "You're so consumed by your hatred that you can't see what you've become. This isn't justice, Jet. It's vengeance."

Jet's mouth twitched, and he stepped forward, his expression a mixture of bitterness and disappointment. "I thought you'd understand," he muttered darkly, eyes narrowing. " With your powers, we could have driven the Fire Nation out of here in a day. Instead, you're standing here, lecturing me about morality while people suffer!"

A cold wind stirred around them as Elsa's eyes sharpened, stung by the accusation but unwilling to rise to his anger. "You think using my powers that way would solve everything?" she said. "They are not a weapon to be used indiscriminately," she replied, her voice firm but calm. "They come with great responsibility and using them rashly could cause more harm than good."

Jet's face twisted into a sneer. "You're too scared, hiding behind 'responsibility.' But the rest of us don't have that luxury! Where were you when the world was burning?"

Elsa took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. She could see the pain behind Jet's anger, the scars left by years of fighting and loss. "I arrived here recently, Jet," she explained gently. "I'm still learning about this world and its conflicts. But I've seen enough to know that brute force isn't the answer. It only perpetuates the cycle of violence."

Jet scoffed, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. "That's easy for you to say. You haven't watched your village burn, your parents die. The Fire Nation only understands one thing – force. And I'm going to give it to them."

Elsa shook her head, her blue eyes filled with a mix of compassion and determination. "Ending the war is one thing, Jet. But that alone won't bring back peace, not if all the people of the Fire Nation have to pay the price of revenge."

Jet took another step toward her, his face flushed with anger. "And you think that could be done in making peace with them?" he spat. "They destroyed my family, my home, my life! And you want to protect them?"

Elsa felt the temperature around them drop as her frustration rose, while a part of her was wary of how close the young man was now of her. "I'm not protecting them. But killing innocents in that village isn't justice, Jet. It's cruelty. And that won't help anyone."

Jet's eyes narrowed, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "Innocent? Like Shyu, you mean? One traitor doesn't change what they are."

Elsa's eyebrows rose slightly. "Shyu risked everything to help Aang. Doesn't that make a difference to you?"

Jet's laugh was harsh and mirthless. "One good deed doesn't erase a hundred years of war. They're all guilty, Elsa. Every last one of them."

Elsa took a step forward, standing her ground. Her platinum blonde hair swayed gently in the cold breeze that had begun to stir around them. She could see the frightened, hurt boy beneath Jet's hardened exterior, and it reminded her painfully of her own struggles with fear and isolation. "I'm sorry, Jet, but I can't condone that. And I won't let Katara and Aang being embroiled in your desire for revenge."

Jet's expression further hardened. "And I won't let you step in my way."

In a fluid motion, he unsheathed his hook swords, the metal glinting in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. Elsa's eyes widened, barely dodging the first strike and instinctively raising a wall between her and Jet.

"Stop this!" she cried, her heart pounding. She hadn't wanted to believe he would actually attack her, but the reality of the situation was sinking in fast.

Jet's response was a snarl as he leapt over the ice wall. Elsa ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding his new attack. She sent a blast of ice towards him, but Jet seemed to anticipate her move, dodging with practiced ease, pouncing on the closest tree to land on his feet and charging her again, his eyes dark of determination. Elsa tried to trap him, but he dodged her new blast, using his hooks swords to thrust himself thanks to a branch.

Elsa barely avoided his new attack and froze the ground around her to prevent an advantage to her opponent. Jet nearly slipped and used his hook to rebalance himself. Elsa raised her hand, creating a wave of spikes to force back Jet.

As much as she wanted to stop Jet, the young queen didn't want to hurt the latter. A part of her also worried of how he would use it to his advantage when she needed to warn her friends about his plans. Making a split-second decision, the young queen raised her hands and summoned a swirling blizzard around them. The air filled with snow and ice, obscuring Jet's vision.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Elsa snapped the blizzard, provoking a shockwave that covered the ground and trees in frost. She could hear Jet groaning and noticed him knocked out. Dispelling the frost and ice around her, Elsa approached cautiously the young man and checked to see whether he was alright. Reassured he was alright, Elsa decided to move him, unwilling to let him at the potential mercy of the Fire Nation soldiers. No matter if she disproved his plans and methods, she wasn't going to leave him to suffer from the soldiers he had been harassing for a while.

She tried to bear the young man, but he was a bit heavy and she wasn't sure how much she could displace him. Settling him on a tree, she decided to create a carriage to transport him. But as she was raising her hands and starting creating it, she was suddenly pinned on the ground, hands tightening around her throat. Shocked and choking, Elsa struggled to free herself, but Jet or whoever was strangling her was pinning her on the ground with his body. Fear gripped her as the threat of dying was going strong. The air was turning cold, frost was spreading on the ground and flurries started to appear around them. She suddenly hear Jet jerked up in shock and pain and surprise and his grip suddenly dropped.

At the same time, she heard a familiar whoosh of air and the splash of water. Jet deflected her icy blast, though freezing his hook swords while powerful gust of wind and water whip both slammed into him at the same time. The combined force sent him flying, his back connecting hard with a nearby tree trunk. He slumped to the ground, momentarily stunned.

Elsa got up while still coughing and saw with relief and surprise Aang, Katara, and Sokka rushing towards her. Behind them, the Freedom Fighters were approaching, their faces full of shock and disbelief at the scene before them. Between them lay an incomplete icy shape of carriage.

Katara's expression was full of outrage and hurt and she moved toward Jet, waterbending her water and suddenly exhaling, freezing the water and trapping Jet. Elsa was both concerned and impressed, understanding what the waterbender must feel but concerned that her anger made her doing something she would regret.

The young queen's eyes however widened as she saw how Aang's tattoos were close to glow, his usually calm grey eyes now blazing with barely contained fury. Recognizing the signs of the Avatar State, Elsa called out, her voice drained and filled with concern, "Aang, calm down! I'm alright!"

Katara, still reeling from the shock of seeing Jet attack Elsa and the guilt of their earlier argument, suddenly snapped when hearing Elsa and realized what was happening.

Aang however calmed down at Elsa's voice. The glow faded from his tattoos, and he blinked rapidly, looking a bit disoriented for a moment before rushing to Elsa's side.

"Elsa! Are you hurt?" Aang asked, his young face etched with worry as he helped her to her feet.

Elsa winced slightly but managed a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, Aang. Just a little bruised. How did you find us?"

Sokka stepped forward, his boomerang still in hand as he kept a wary eye on the unconscious Jet. "We saw the icy blasts and the blizzard. We thought you were under attack, but we never expected..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at Jet, deep anger and outrage in his eyes.

Smellerbee approached cautiously, her usual bravado replaced by confusion and concern. "What happened here? Why was Jet attacking you, Elsa?"

Elsa took a deep breath, her blue eyes scanning the faces of the Freedom Fighters. She could see the disbelief and hurt in their expressions, and her heart ached for them. "Jet and I were discussing his plans," she began carefully, trying not to strain her voice. "He showed me the dam and the village to explain what he wanted. When I realized he intended to flood the valley and disagreed with his methods, he... he didn't take it well."

The Freedom Fighters exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves. Sokka's brow furrowed as he processed Elsa's words. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with realization. "The blasting jelly," he muttered, his voice laced with realization. "That's what it was for, wasn't it? You were going to blow up the dam!"

The accusation hung heavy in the air. The Duke, the youngest of the Freedom Fighters, looked up at Pipsqueak with confusion and hurt in his eyes. Sneers's eyes widened significantly, while Pipsqueak's usual confident stance faltered.

"The entire village would have been destroyed," Elsa confirmed quietly, frost spreading beneath her feet as she recalled how close Jet had come to succeeding. "When I confronted him about it, he..." She gestured to her throat, where bruises were beginning to form.

A dreadful silence settled as everyone was grasping what Jet did. Katara's expression was full of anger and hurt as she was grasping the extent of what the young man trapped in her ice before her wanted to do.

A groan interrupted them as Jet stirred, struggling against his icy restraints. His eyes focused on Elsa, darkening with anger. "You ice witch!"

"Jet!" Katara stepped forward, her hand connecting with his cheek in a sharp slap that echoed through the forest. "How could you? I trusted you! You lied to me, you're sick and I trusted you!" Her voice cracked with emotion, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Katara, you of all people should understand!" Jet spat back, his cheek reddening from the slap. "Remember what they did to your mother!"

"Don't you dare bring my mother into this!" Katara's voice shook with rage, water from her pouch beginning to freeze in response to her emotions. "Elsa was trying to help you, even after you tried to kill her!"

The tension was broken by Sneers stepping forward, his usually stoic face showing clear disappointment. "We followed you because you promised to protect people, Jet. Not murder them."

Jet's face contorted with frustration. "You don't get it! Sometimes we have to make hard choices to win this war! We can still free this valley!"

Sokka crossed his arms, "Who would be free? Everyone would be dead."

Aang stepped forward, his expression resolute but calm. "That's not how we end this war, Jet. We can't become the very thing we're fighting against."

The Freedom Fighters, still gathered nearby, exchanged uncertain glances, clearly shaken by the confrontation unfolding before them. Longshot's eyes narrowed, and Smellerbee looked conflicted, her loyalty to Jet warring with her growing understanding of the situation.

Sneers nodded in agreement, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment. "They're right. Elsa was helping us all day, making things easier for us... Attacking her—attacking anyone who hasn't done wrong—makes us no better than the Fire Nation. You've gone too far, Jet."

On those words, he moved away, back to the hideout. He was soon followed by Pipsqueak and The Duke as both nodded in agreement, their faces solemn. Some others imitated them. Elsa observed them leaving with sadness and understanding.

Jet's face flushed with anger as he glared at the leaving children. "You traitors!"

"No Jet," interjected Sokka, his voice firm. "You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people and attack those who disagreed with you."

An uneasy silence settled in the clearing for a short moment before Smellerbee stepped forward. She looked between Elsa and the others, her expression apologetic. "We'll handle this," the young girl said, her voice wavering but resolute. "Jet's one of us, and it's up to us to make him see what he's done."

Elsa inclined her head, a small, understanding smile playing at her lips. "I trust you will," she said, meeting Smellerbee's eyes with a glimmer of hope. "Help him, and help yourselves."

Jet's jaw clenched, defiance warring with the creeping understanding of his isolation. "I don't need your pity," he spat, though his voice lacked the usual fire.

Smellerbee took a steadying breath and looked at Jet, her eyes sad but unwavering. "It's not pity, Jet. It's what friends do."

Elsa stepped back, the icy tendrils that had trapped Jet beginning to dissolve into mist as she waved a graceful hand. "Katara," she said softly, giving the younger girl a reassuring nod.

The waterbender's eyes filled with doubt and lingering anger, but she nodded reluctantly. With a flick of her wrist, the frozen water holding Jet shattered, melting away. She stepped back as Longshot and Smellerbee moved forward to support their leader, who was now slumped and glaring at the ground.

As Elsa and her friends turned to leave, Sokka paused. "What about the blasting jelly?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.

Smellerbee's eyes met his, and she nodded. "We'll take care of it," she promised, shooting Jet a warning look as he scowled at her words.

Elsa's expression softened, a small flicker of trust forming. She gave Smellerbee a final nod. "Then we'll be on our way. Good luck."

Smellerbee and Longshot nodded. The group started moving away, the tense silence giving way to the crunch of leaves underfoot. Elsa glanced at Aang, who was looking up at her with wide, trusting eyes. "Do you think Appa will hear the whistle?" he asked, his tone a mix of hope and doubt.

The young queen's lips curled into a soft, reassuring smile. "Only one way to find out," she said.

Aang pulled the sky bison whistle from his robe and blew into it with all his might. The sound, though inaudible to human ears, seemed to resonate in the crisp air.

Sokka scoffed lightly, folding his arms. "It doesn't even work," he muttered. Momo chittered from his perch on Sokka's shoulder, as if in agreement.

Before the young warrior could finish his sentence, Elsa shot him a gentle but pointed look. "Have faith, Sokka."

His expression shifted to sheepishness. "Yeah, yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

A smile broke over Aang's face as a distant, familiar rumble filled the air. "Appa!" he called out joyfully as the massive, furry bison appeared over the treetops, wings flapping as he descended.

Sokka's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Elsa, offering a reluctant nod. "Okay, maybe it does work."

Aang airbended himself up to Appa's head with practiced ease. Elsa's hands moved gracefully, creating icy stairs for Sokka, Katara, and herself to ascend to the saddle. They climbed quickly, and once they were seated, she let the stairs melt away.

"Appa, yip yip!" The young Avatar called, and with a powerful surge of his limbs, Appa took off, carrying them high above the trees and into the sky. Elsa's eyes remained fixed on the forest below, a silent promise in her heart that the Freedom Fighters would find their way, just as she once did.