Aya's POV

"Where's, Momo?" Aang suddenly asked, glancing behind himself. We were currently in a forest camping out for a bit.

Momo screeches in the distance which caught our attention. We swiftly follow the sound of Momo's screech and found him and two other animals in cage traps that were hanging by a rope on tree limbs.

Who in the world would do this to poor, innocent animals?

"Hang on, Momo!" Aang called out to his lemur and used his airbending to fly up to Momo. Aang finds the cages mechanism, undoes it, and carefully lowered Momo to the ground near us.

The trap opened up and Momo runs out with a lychee nut in his mouth. Momo didn't seem phased by what just happened and ate the nut like nothing happened to him.

My brother grunts in frustration and facepalms. Aang looks up at the other animals, who were crying out for help.

"I think we should help them," I suggested, pointing to them.

"All right, you too." Aang jumped back up to the trees to free the animals.

"This is gonna take forever." Sokka groaner and throw his boomerang to simply cut the animals free.

Aang inched his way across the tree upside down as the trap falls to the ground. "That works."

The monkeys run up the tree as Aang lowers back to the ground. We gathered around the trap, examining it.

"These are Fire Nation traps, you can tell from the metalwork. We better pack up camp and get moving." Sokka suggested, touching the trap.

We went back to our camp and packed our things onto Appa's saddle.

"Uh-uh. No flying this time." Sokka shook his head and I gave him a confused look.

"Why? Why wouldn't we fly?" Aang asked confused like me.

Sokka took the sleeping bag from him. "Think about it: Somehow Prince Zuko and the Fire Nation keep finding us. It's because they spot Appa, he's just too noticeable."

"What? Appa's not too noticeable!" Katara protested.

Sokka pointed to Appa, condescendingly. "He's a gigantic fluffy monster with an arrow on his head! It's kinda hard to miss him!"

App yawned and Aang airbended onto his head.

"Sonja's just jealous 'cause he doesn't have an arrow," Aang assured his bison.

"I know you all wanna fly, but my instincts tell me we should play it safe this time and walk," Sokka suggested and I smiled at him.

"Who made you the boss?" I leaned toward him slightly.

He pointed to his self. "I'm not the boss, I'm the leader."

Katara chuckled in amusement. "You're the leader? But your voice still cracks!"

I giggled softly at Katara's comment.

"I'm the oldest, and I'm a warrior, so-" Sokka deepened his voice. "I'm the leader."

"If anyone's the leader, it's Aang, I mean he is the Avatar," I told Sokka, turning to Aang, who was hanging upside down from Appa's horn.

"Are you kidding, he's just a goofy kid!" Sokka argued.

"He's right." Aang agreed, still hanging from Appa's horn. I chuckled at Aang and thought he looked a little cute.

"Why do boys always think someone has to be the leader? I bet you wouldn't be so bossy if you kissed a girl." Katara shot back, jokingly.

"I've kissed a girl, you just haven't met her," Sokka replied, defensively.

"Who? Gran-Gran? We've met Gran-Gran." I smirked, making my sister chuckle.

"No! Besides Gran-Gran." Sokka exclaimed, throwing his arms into the air. "Look, my instincts tell me we have a better chance of slipping through on foot, and a leader has to trust his instincts."

"Okay, we'll try it your way, oh wise leader." Katara sarcastically agreed.

Aang steps over to us, now wearing a backpack. Momo was sitting on top. "Who knows? Walking might be fun."

Sometime later, we were trudging along through the trees with Sokka leading the way.

"Walking stinks! How do people go anywhere without a flying bison?" Aang questioned.

"Well, I don't know, Aang. Why don't you ask Sokka's instincts? They seem to know everything." I smiled with sarcasm in my voice.

"Ha, ha, very funny." Sokka blanky said.

"I'm tired of carrying this pack," Aang complained.

"You know who you should ask to carry it for a while? Sokka's instincts." Katara grinned making me chuckle.

"That's a great idea! Hey, Sokka's instincts, would you mind-"

"Okay, okay, I get it." Sokka cut Aang off, annoyed. "Look, guys, I'm tired too. But the important thing is that we're safe from the--" Sokka walked through a bush and saw something. "Fire... Nation."

We joined him and we all froze at the sight. A Fire Nation campsite was in front of us with a lot of soldiers present. The soldiers notice us and just stared.

"Run!" Sokka yelled and we attempted to run, but a firebender blocks us off by setting the plants behind us on fire. "We're cut off!"

"Sokka, your shirt!" I exclaimed, pointing to Sokka's sleeve that was on fire. Sokka yells and Katara clears the fire on his shirt with her waterbending.

The soldiers surrounded us and us four huddled together in a fighting stance. I was terrified, but I was ready to fight these guys.

"If you let us pass, we promise not to hurt you," Sokka informed the soldiers.

"What are you doing?" Katara whispered to our brother.

"Bluffing." Sokka nervously replied.

"You promise not to hurt us?" A Fire Nation soldier with an eye path smirked, before somehow getting knocked out.

"Nice work, Sokka! How'd you do that?" Aang asked my brother.

Sokka shrugged. "Uhh, instinct."

"Look!" Katara points up to a tree and we saw a man with hook swords. He jumped from the tree branch and took out two soldiers. He ran forward and took out two more by using his hook swords.

"Down you go!" The teenage boy smiled. I looked at him with shock and amazement in my eyes.

Another soldier charged at the teenage boy but he defeated him.

"They're in the trees!" A Fire Nation soldier shouted. Suddenly 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. A couple of soldiers surround Aang, Katara, and, I. We take on the soldiers and successfully defeat them.

I yelped as I felt myself get grabbed by someone and I struggled in his right grip. I didn't have my daggers with me at the moment, unfortunately.

"Aang! Help!" I called out to the Airbender who turned to me and gasped.

"I got you, Aya!" He yelled and blasted the solider with his airbending. The soldier stumbled backward into a tree, releasing me and I fell forward into Aang's arms.

"You okay, Aya?" He asked and I nodded, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Yeah, thanks to you."

His cheeks became red like mine. We stared at each other for a few moments before I reluctantly pulled away.

Aang clears his throat and looked at the campsite that was now empty.

"You just took out a whole army almost single-handed!" Aang exclaimed, amazed. I nodded, impressed.

"Army? There were only like, twenty guys." Sokka scoffed, disdainfully.

"My name is Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters, Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, The Duke, and Pipsqueak." The teenage boy named Jet introduced, pointing to each of his fighters.

Aang laughed looking at The Duke. "Ha, ha. Pipsqueak, that's a funny name."

Pipsqueak looms over Aang in a threatening manner. "You think my name is funny?"

Aang was taken back for a second before replying in an upbeat tone. "It's hilarious!"

Pipsqueak suddenly starts laughing and Aang and The Duke follow in pursuit. Pipsqueak pats Aang in the back in a friendly manner but Aang fell to the ground on his stomach. They all stopped laughing for a moment and looked at the Avatar. Aang raises his head and continues laughing and so does the Duke.

Later on, the Freedom Fighters were raiding the empty camp. I was sitting on the log, sharpening my daggers. They get dull if I haven't used them in a while.

"Hey Jet, these barrels are filled with blasting jelly." The Duke informed Jet, looking into a barrel.

"That's a great score." Jet grinned

"And these boxes are filled with jelly candy!" Pipsqueak added, picking up a box.

"Also good, let's not get those mixed up." Jet told him.

The Freedom Fighters began to pack up the stuff they took onto a wagon.

We'll take this stuff back to the hideout." The Duke informed their leader.

"You guys have a hideout?" Aang asked, smiling at Jet.!

"You wanna see it?" Jet offered.

"Yes, we wanna see it!" Katara very excitedly repeated.

Jet have my sister a smile in return.

As we walked toward their hideout, I kept looking at Jet and I just had this bad vibe about him. Something's not right here.

The Freedom Fighters suddenly stopped.

"We're here." Jet said.

"Where? There's nothing here." Sokka asked.

"Hold this." Jet gave Sokka a rope that was hanging from a tree.

"Why? What's this do?" Sokka asked, grabbing the rope. Suddenly, Sokka is pulled into the branches above, screaming.

I gasped as I saw him fly up. That looks so fun.

 "Aang? Aya?" Jet offered us a rope and I was about to accept it but Aang grabbed my hand.

"We'll get up on our own," Aang told Jet and I was confused. 

"What do you-" I was cut off by Aang picking up bridal style and leaping into the branches using his airbending. I yelped and clung onto the airbender's clothes. Aang chuckled and only tighten his grip on me.

This was better than the other way, to be honest. 

Once we landed in the hideout, I spotted a zip line and pointed to it.

"Look! A zip line!" I exclaimed, happily. Aang didn't reply and grabbed my hand and pulled me over to it. We immediately jump onto the zip line and rode across it.

 Nice place you got!" Aang yelled to Jet as we passed by him. 

This place may be fun, but I still have a bad feeling about Jet. 

----

That night we had a feast to celebrate the win against the Fire Nation. All the people at the hideout surrounded us as Jet, The Freedom Fighter, Katara, Aang, Sokka, and I sat at the table. Sokka obviously didn't trust or like Jet. 

Today, we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine!" Jet announced, standing on the table. Everyone around us cheers, while Katara and Aang smile at Jet. I just sat there, playing with my braid and Sokka scowled. "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." The Duke climbs up the table and marches on it with his arms in the air. "Now, the Fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a couple of kids hiding in the trees. Maybe they're right." Everyone booed at that. "Or maybe ... they're dead wrong!" Everyone cheered.

 "Hey Jet, nice speech." Katara praised Jet, who sat down next to her.

Thanks. By the way, I was really impressed with you and Aang. That was some great bending I saw out there today." Jet told Katara, who blushed. 

"Well, he's great. He's the Avatar. I could use some more training." Katara confessed.

"Avatar huh? Very nice." Jet complimented Aang.

 "Thanks, Jet." Aang smiled.

"So I might know a way that you and Aang can help in our struggle."Jet suggested to the two benders of the group.

"Unfortunately, we have to leave tonight," Sokka told Jet, abruptly before turning to leave.

I didn't respond but I mentally agreed with my brother. 

 "Sokka, you're kidding me! I needed you and Aya on an important mission tomorrow." 

This caught my attention. Me???

Sokka turned back to Jet, narrowing his eyebrows

"What mission?" I questioned.

----

The next day, Jet, Sokka, Smellerbee, Pipsqueak, and I were hiding in the trees. We were going to ambush a Fire Nation soldier that was going to walk by. 

Jet, Sokka, and I are in branches of the same tree, with our weapons ready. 

Jet cups his hands and makes a birdcall; several trees down Pipsqueak and Smellerbee step into view from their branches. They reply with another birdcall. 

I slammed my dagger into the tree and put my ear to it. My brother noticed and gave me a thumbs up. Sokka taught me this trick.

"What are you doing?" Jet asked me.

"Shh ... It amplifies vibrations." Sokka replied for me.

"Good trick." Jet told us, impressed.

I listened closely. "Nothing yet." I suddenly heard whispering. "Wait! Yes, someone's approaching."

"How many?" Jet asks me.

 "I think there's just one," I told him, removing my dagger from the branch.

Jet does another birdcall. "Good work, Aya, and Sokka. Ready your weapons." 

I spotted the person below us and widened my eyes when they became clear. It was an elderly man and he seemed harmless.

Sokka noticed too and tried to stop Jet. "Wait, false alarm ... He's just an old man."

"Jet, don't" I whispered, but he ignored us. 

Jet leaps to the ground in front of the traveler. Sokka and I both watched with horror.

 "What are you doing in our woods, you leech?" Jet spat at the man.

 "Please sir, I'm just a traveler." The old civilian pleaded.

Jet takes a step swipes the man's cane from his hand. The old man backs away, but when he tries to flee the way he came, he runs face first into Pipsqueak's chest. The force of the impact knocks him to the ground; Pipsqueak looms over him. He tries to crawl away, but Pipsqueak's foot on his backside effectively pins him.

I was horrified by the sight. They are scolding the poor man who didn't do anything at all.

"Do you like destroying towns? Do you like destroying families? Do you?" Jet berated the defenseless man. Smellerbee joined them and Sokka and I hopped down from the trees without them noticing. 

 "Oh ... Please let me go ... have mercy ..." The old civilian pleaded, fearfully.

 "Does the Fire Nation let people go? Does the Fire Nation have mercy?" Jet continued to berate the man and I couldn't take it anymore.

Jet is about to kick the man, but I foot his snagged with my bare hands, stopping him.

"Jet, he's just an old man!" Sokka exclaimed as I freed his foot.

 "He's Fire Nation! Search him!" Jet ordered, glaring at the both of us intensely. Pipsqueak holds the prisoner and Smellerbee steps up to search the poor man.

"But he's not hurting anyone!" I reasoned, narrowing my eyebrows at Jet angrily.

 "Have you forgotten that the Fire Nation killed your mother? Remember why you fight!" Jet continued to glare at us. I shook my head in disbelief and anger.

I don't fight innocent people who did nothing wrong.

 "We've got his stuff, Jet," Smellerbee informed her leader. She holds up the old man's bag.

"This is wrong," I told Jet, pointing one of my daggers at him.

"This doesn't feel right." Sokka agreed.

 "It's what has to be done, now let's get outta here." Jet told us and pushes past us with Pipsqueak and Smellerbee following him.
 Sokka and I both looked at the old man who is still on his hands and knees in pity.

Sorrow filled my body as I continued to stare at him. I hate seeing innocent people get hurt or berated like what I just witnessed Jet do. 

"Come on, you two!"Jet called to us. 

Sokka slowly turns and runs to catch up with the others. I stayed behind and helped the man to his feet and he weakly smiled at me in return.

"I'm so sorry." I apologized, before catching up with the others. 

Once we made it back to the hideout, Sokka and I sit by ourselves. We both know that Jet and his fighters are thugs and liars. I let my feet dangle off the wooden platform while my brother sits against the tree. A permanent glare was plastered on my face and I believe Sokka has the same look.

"Aya! Sokka! Look what the Duke gave me!" I heard Aang laughing. I didn't bother looking at Aang. I was too mad at Jet. "Ow! Quit it!

"Hey, Sokka. Is Jet back?" I heard Katara ask us. I turned to find Aang, Katara, and Momo here.

"Yeah, he's back. But we're leaving." Sokka sternly stated and I nodded.

"What?" Aang said.

"But I made him this hat." Katara shows a cap made of stitched leaves with a flower on top.

 "Your boyfriend Jet's a thug," I confessed, folding my arms over my chest.

"What? No, he's not." Katara denied, raising an eyebrow.

"He's messed up Katara," Sokka told our sister.

"He's not messed up, he's just got a different way of life, a really fun way of life," Aang told us and I rolled my eyes.

"He beat and robbed a harmless old man!" I exclaimed.

 "I wanna hear Jet's side of the story." Katara frowned at us.

When went into Jet's hut to discuss what happened. Sokka and I were standing a few feet away from them, grumpily.

 "Sokka, Aya, you told them what happened, but you didn't mention that the guy was Fire Nation?" Jet asked us and I growled under my breath.

 "No, they conveniently left that part out," Katara mentioned and I could feel her glare on me.

 "Fine! But even if he was Fire Nation, he was a harmless civilian!" Sokka protested, walking up to the trio. I followed in pursuit.

 "He was an assassin, Sokka." Jet informed and I scoffed.

"No, he wasn't," I argued.

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. There is a ring on the butt of the knife.

 "See? There's a compartment for poison in the knife." Jet pulls on the ring and removes a small glass tube filled with red liquid. "He was sent to eliminate me; the both of you helped save my life, Sokka and Aya."

"I knew there was an explanation." Katara smiled.

 "I didn't see any knife!" I glared, which caused my sister to frown at me.

 "That's because he was concealing it." Jet explained.

"See, Sokka and Aya. I'm sure you just didn't notice the knife." Katara pointed out. 

"There was no knife!" I exclaimed to Katara and Aang.

 "We're going back to the hut and packing our things!" Sokka pulled me out of the hut and I gave my sister and Aang one last glare before I left.

----

Sokk and I went back to our hut to pack our things. I can't believe my sister and Aang are taking Jet's side. I thought family always came first, but Katara obviously doesn't care about that anymore.

"We can't leave now with the Fire Nation about to burn down a forest!" I heard Katara yell at us, walking into the hut. 

I turned to my sister, stopping my packing. I wasn't in the mood to speak with her. It broke me to ignore Aang and Katara.

Sokka turned to our sister. "I'm sorry Katara. Jet's very smooth, but we can't trust him."

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

"Katara, 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," Katara told our brother, before exiting the hut with Aang. "Come on Aang."

"Sorry, Sokka. Sorry, Aya."

----

I felt someone shake me and I groaned. 

"What?" I muttered, fluttering my eyes open to find my brother above me. "What is it-"

He shushed me and motioned me to follow. I didn't argue and followed him outside the hut. 

Sokka pulls the door flap aside enough to see some of Jet's followers descending on the rope lines. I widened my eyes and glared at them.

Sokka and I grab each grab a rope line down to a lower branch. On the ground below us, Jet's Freedom Fighters are quietly pushing the loaded wagon as Jet leads them out of the camp. I shake my head in disbelief and we follow them, quietly.

Jet and his boys emerge from the forest that had a plaque above a man-made dam below us. Jet goes to the edge and looks down on the dam below. The reservoir behind it is low. He turns back to the wagon. Sokk and I hid behind a bush watching incredulously. 

 "Now listen, you are not to blow the dam until I give the signal. If the reservoir isn't full, the Fire Nation troops could survive." Jet instructed his Freedom Fighters.

 The Duke jumps off the wagon. "But what about the people in the town, won't they get wiped out too?" Jet places a hand on The Duke's shoulder.

 "Look, Duke, that's the price of ridding this area of the Fire Nation."Jet informed him

Jet looked at Longshot.  "Now don't blow the dam until I give the signal—got it?" Longshot nodded.

 Suddenly, I hear rustling behind us. My dress was grabbed and Sokka was dragged out by his wolf-tail. I yelped in fear and saw Smellerbee's knives are instantly at our throats and Pipsqueak was holding.

"Where do you think you're going, ponytail and little girl?" Smellerbee sneered.

Morning came and Pipsqueak and Smellerbe dragged us out. I struggled in their grip but couldn't break free. The both of them shoved us to the ground and I rubbed my neck in pain.

"Sokka, Aya, I'm glad the both of you decided to join us." Jet grinned and I snarled at him

 "We heard your plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom town." Sokka glared at Jet, rising to his feet. Sokka grabbed my arm and gently lifted me up. He wrapped an arm around me protectively.

"Our plan is to rid the valley of the Fire Nation." Jet informed.

 "There are people living there, Jet; mothers and fathers and children." I reasoned, glancing at the town behind Jet.

 "We can't win without making some sacrifices." Jet countered and Sokka points an accusing finger at him.

 "You lied to Aang and Katara about the forest fire!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Because they don't understand the demands of war. Not like we do." Jet reasoned.

 "We do understand. I understand that there's nothing you won't do to get what you want." I argued.

"I was hoping the both of you would have an open mind, but I can see you've made your choice." Jet told us.

Pipsqueak and Smellerbee grab for us. Before the both of us can even react, Jet has our wrist pinned with his hook swords. Our other wrist is forced behind our backs. Pipsqueak held Sokka and Smellerbee held mine.

"I can't let you warn Katara and Aang." Jet releases our hands and they are immediately forced behind our backs, "Take him for a walk, a long walk."

 "You can't do this!" We both exclaimed.

 "Cheer up, Sokka and Aya. We're gonna win a great victory against the Fire Nation today."

Pipsqueak and Smellerber follow Sokka and me through the forest. My brother and I had our hands tied behind his back. Smellerbee gives Sokka and me a shove; Sokka stumble and I but remain on our feet.

 "Come on, move along!"

 "How can you stand by and do nothing while Jet wipes out a whole town?" Sokka reasoned with the two of them.

"Hey listen, you two, Jet's a great leader. We follow what he says, and things always turn out okay." Pipsqueak told us and I rolled my eyes. I noticed out of the corner of my eye a couple of snare leaf-piles nearby identical to the one that enticed Momo, right down to the pile of nuts. I nudged Sokka and motioned to the trap nearby without the other two noticing. He gave me a slight nod.

 "If that's how Jet leads, then he's got a lot to learn," I told them, before making a run for it. Sokka sprints behind me in the direction of the snares. Smellerbee makes a grab for us but misses.

 "Hey!"

My brother and I leap over both of the traps and heard both of the traps go off. We paused and turned to Pipsqueak and Smellerbee who were enticed by the traps. Sokka and I undid the ropes very easily. 

"While you two are up there, you might want to practice your knotwork," Sokka suggested and we showed the two of them the ropes we got out of before leaving. Sokk and I hi-fived each other. 

"Sokka, we should get to the-"

"Village to warn the people, I know." Sokka finished for me and I chuckled confused.

"How did you know what I was going to say?" I asked him.

"Instincts, Aya." He grinned at me and I gave him one in return before we sprinted to the village. 

We warned the villages of Jet's plan but they thought we were spies. Fortunately, the man Jet attacked vouched for us and we were able to get everyone out in time before the Dam exploded. Yes, the people escaped but it pained me to see a lovely little village get washed away. 

Jet is a monster and I hope Katara and Aang took care of him. 

Sokk and I got Appa and rode him over to where Katara, Aang, and Jet were. 

"-the Fire Nation is gone and this valley will be safe!" I heard Jet say to Katara and Aang.

"It will be safe, without you," Sokka announced as Appa rose into their view on the cliff. I hopped off of Appa and Katara embraced me tightly in her arms.

"Sokka! Aya!" Katara exclaimed, happily. 

 "We warned the villagers of your plan, just in time," I told Jet, glaring at him. 

 "What?!" Jet spat. I let go of my sister and turned to Aang. Aang and I hugged tightly and I felt Momo crawl onto my head. 

 Sokka began to explain what we did. "At first they didn't believe us. The Fire Nation soldiers assumed we were spies. But one man vouched for us, the old man you attacked. He urged them to trust us, and we got everyone out in time. "

 "Sokka, Aya, you fools! We could've freed this valley!" Jet scolded us. Aang lifted me up and airbended the both of us onto Appa's saddle. 

 "Who would be free? Everyone would be dead." Sokka frowned at him.

 "You traitors" Jet sneered.

"No, Jet. You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people." I sadly informed him. 

"Please, help me." Jet pleaded to my sister, who looked hurt and betrayed.

"Goodbye Jet," Katara told Jet in a hurtful tone, before boarding Appa.

"Yip Yip," Sokka told Appa, flicking the reigns. Appa ascended into the sky, leaving Jet frozen to the tree.

 "We thought you guys were going to the dam. How come you went to the town instead?" Aang asked us.

"Let me guess, Sokka's instincts told you." Katars reckoned and I smiled in amusement.

"I can't take all the credit. Aya suggested we go to the town and warn them, I just agreed with her." Sokka admitted, glancing back at me. "But hey, sometimes my instincts are right."

"Thank you for giving me the credit I deserve." I grinned at my brother, who winked at me. 

"Um ... Sokka? You know we're going the wrong way, right?" Aang informed Sokka, who was surprised.

"And sometimes they're wrong," Sokka confessed, before turning Appa around.