High School Sweethearts Chp. 36

Chapter 36

    Aang was panicking big time. Katara had just told him of the reduced time they had at saving her from death. He told his friends over the walkie talkie what he had just heard, and everyone was feeling the panic as he was, though they were good at hiding it. He ran a hand through his hair more upset than ever. Aang was terrified. How were they going to get there in time?

    Fortunately, his soul was still tugging him in the right direction, and the traffic had dwindled considerably. Now they moved at a much swifter speed. But time was running out. It was close to sunset. They had at least another hour before Katara was taken from them forever.

    ***

    When they came to a building about twenty or so minutes later, Aang's heart sped faster and his soul sang at him in a stronger note. His eyes widened and he said, "Sokka, stop!"

    He did so, and the others behind them slowed and stopped too, wondering if anything was wrong. Sokka looked at him. "What is it?" he demanded as Aang rapidly took off his seatbelt.

    "It's here!" he answered quickly. "Katara's inside this building. Hurry! We have to move!"

    Before he could leave the car, however, Sokka gripped his friend's arm, halting the kid's movement. "Calm down," he said. "We don't want to just rush in without a plan. As you said, there will be people fighting us. You need to stay calm and composed. Okay?" Aang swallowed and nodded, though it seemed to take a lot of effort to do so. The sun was close to the horizon. They didn't have much time. Sokka was talking into the radio, informing their friends that they had arrived. Everyone hoped they could get Katara out in one piece.

    ***

    'They made it!' was Katara's first thought when she felt her soul mate close by. She sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Spirits who watched over her. Now all they had to do was fight pass the bad guys and get to her. Hope rose anew, and for the first time in what felt like a long while, a smile curved her full mouth.

    But then it melted as she felt her boyfriend's panic and anxiety. She probably had only minutes until she was wounded enough to slowly die. However, the blue eyed beauty didn't let that get to her, not when her family was so close. If anyone could get her out of this, it was Aang, Sokka, and their closest friends.

    It was then that the sounds of a door being slammed opened by a powerful gust of wind echoed throughout the entire building. Along with it came the sound of someone coming down the stairs rapidly.

    ***

    Aang and his friends got out of the cars and stood in front of the building, anger and determination running through their veins. They had been talking and formulating a plan to get Katara out. Now they waited, hoping they could fight and win with so little time. His heart pounded at the thought, but he took a deep breath and took a stance. His staff was on his back, secured in a thin but strong harness. He had taken it with him early this morning. Now was the best time to use it. Katara was here, and he was never going to let her go.

    Using his Airbending, he focused his energy and blasted the door down, and everyone ran inside the dimly lit interior. Once their eyes, save for Toph's, adjusted, the Gang saw what they had already known. Inside the building, there was a group of fighters, at least twenty of them, waiting for the group, knives and daggers already out and ready to be used. And there were two people that the good Firebender recognized at once.

    "Hello, Azula. Ozai," he said coldly, his body tense. "I had a feeling that you two were a part of this."

    Azula smirked with scarlet lips. "Hello, Zu Zu. Glad you could be here to watch your death. How's the scar I left you?"

    Zuko scowled when she said his old nickname. "I knew you were the one that shot me. And I told you not to call me that! You act as if this is a game. No one is dying today, so I suggest you keep those death thoughts to yourself."

    It was Ozai who said, "You are weak, just like Iroh. Of course there will be deaths. You and your friends are going to die. Why not give in now, and perhaps we will spare the Waterbender."

    Toph stated, "You're lying. Even if you did manage to kill us, which you won't, you're just gonna let Jet murder Katara."

    Ozai looked at her with a gleam in his gold eyes. "Aah, the blind Earthbender. I have heard much about you. You're the main one who alerts your friends of danger. It will be a pleasure ending you."

    Toph snorted. "Good luck with that, old man. No one can beat the Blind Bandit. So give up now and things will go more smoothly."

    Azula laughed. "You're hilarious. And since you can't see I should tell you I'm rolling my eyes." She did so just to prove her point.

    "I'll roll your whole head," Toph growled, clenching her hands.

    Zuko clasped her shoulder and quietly said, "She's baiting you, Toph. Don't fall for her trap. Azula is an antagonist. Be alert."

    Azula sighed like she was bored. "I don't know about the rest of you," she said examining her talon like nails, "but all this chit chat is stupid. It's time to fight." She took a stance and shot blue fire at the Gang.

    ***

    The sounds of battle echoed deep in the building, and Katara prayed fervently that her friends would live. She honestly didn't care about everyone else. They were the enemy, and they deserve to suffer after everything they had done. But she knew her friends would try to spare everyone's lives no matter what.

    Jet stood next to her, idly playing with the dragon dagger. He looked at Katara's pale face. "Maybe I should tell you this. I'm not letting them kill Aang. I had given them orders to let him by. Don't let your hopes go too high. The only reason I'm letting him through is so I can kill him myself. My agents kill your friends; I get to kill your boyfriend. Everyone's happy."

    Tears clogged her throat at the thought. "You monster," she whispered with a hoarse voice.

    Jet shrugged, not seeming to care but actually wounded by her statement. Was he exactly that? Has everything that he had done turn him into the very thing his father had become? Something inhuman and insane? He pushed the guilt aside as best he could. He had something more important to worry about right now.

    ***

    As the blue fire streaked towards them, Toph kicked the ground and brought up a wall, effectively stopping the attack from burning her friends. Several of the fighters ran to the wall, attempting to jump it; but the blind Earthbender was well ahead of them. She cracked her portion of the wall into rocks and shot them at the enemy, knocking them down.

    Aang then ran out from behind his protection and at least five agents ran to attack him. He waited until they were close enough before unleashing a powerful gust of wind, smashing the enemy into the opposite wall. Toph broke the rest of the wall and the rest of them charged into the fray.

    Suki leaped with grace and landed behind one of the Snakeheads. Before he could strike, she swept his legs out from under him, and he landed on his back. But he back on his feet in seconds and they continued to fight.

    Sokka was fighting someone older, probably one of the founders of this company. The man had a long sword, and it took every ounce of Sokka's attention to keep from getting something cut off. Another one, a female, crept behind him, and Toph yelled, "Sokka behind you!" He ducked and rolled as both agents ran to him only to collide and bump heads really hard, knocking them down with groans.

    "Thanks Toph!" he called before turning to another pair.

    Mai threw one life after another gracefully, wounding or trapping anyone unfortunate enough to be in the path of the sharp weapons. Then someone cartwheeled into her path with a giddy smile and a long braid. Mai stared in disbelief. "Ty Lee?"

    The girl laughed. "Of course it's me, silly! Surprised? Don't be!" She raised her hands in a placating gesture when Mai was about to attack her, making the gloomy girl pause. Ty Lee looked around and gestured for them to circle one another. Once they started, she stared into Mai's eyes with her huge gentle gray ones. "Look," she said quietly, "this is not what you think. I'm only here to help you. Smellerbee talked to me about this, and I never liked doing this kind of thing."

    Mai stared at her with suspicion. The girl was wearing pink, as she had always done since they were kids. She wondered how Ty Lee had hidden herself in this sea of black. But then again, she always had a way of being sneaky. "Why are you fighting with them, then? Why didn't you join us if Smellerbee had convinced you to switch?"

    Ty Lee sighed. She didn't blame her friend for being suspicious. But she had to convince her that she was on their side. Smellerbee had ordered her that much to prevent any more suspicion. "Smellerbee thought it was risky enough for them to be out in the open. Besides, I'm one of the best fighters here! These people trust me. I'll expose myself later. But for now, we have to put on a good show. We've been circling too long."

    Without another word she jumped towards Mai with a few quick jabs. Mai dodged and made a halfhearted attempt to shoot at her friend. The battle continued.

    ***

    They were going to lose. No matter how hard they tried, the Black Mamba agents were too strong. Ty Lee had finally exposed herself by blocking the chi of her former colleagues, rendering them useless. Azula had sneered at her. "I should have known. Prepare to die!" Something had seemed to snap in her as she fought the pink clad girl leaving burn marks everywhere, careless of anyone was hit.

    Now the Gang stood huddled together, breathing hard as the agents moved in closer to them. Even Toph was getting tired. They had a short time before the deadline. Azula laughed crazily. "Now do you see how hopeless this is? You're doomed! We are strong, and the strong always overcome the weak. Surrender!"

    Aang swallowed and looked at his friends. They were losing, and would soon be overwhelmed. They were doomed, and they knew it. There was nothing he or anyone could do. Katara was probably dead already or was about to die. Despair weighed heavily on his heart. It was over.

    "Get a clue, Azula!" a girl's voice shouted from behind the Gang. "This fight is far from over!" The Gang and their enemies looked back to the entrance. Smellerbee stood there with her friends, along with ten more converted members of the Black Mamba. Azula screeched at the sight of them and lightning sparked on her hands that made even Ozai cringe. His daughter was madness come alive.

    Smellerbee and her entourage joined the Gang's numbers, giving them strength and hope. Sokka smiled. "We were wondering when you were gonna show up."

    Smellerbee grinned. "What? You didn't think we would let you have all the fun, did you?"

    Toph punched her arm. "Welcome to the team. Now let's take care of these bozos!"

    Everyone started backing away when Smellerbee yelled, "Attack!" Cries went around as everyone charged. But Smellerbee held Aang back, causing him to look at her. "You have to get to Katara now. She only has a few minutes before Jet starts cutting her. You have to hurry. Go downstairs as far as you can. She's at the very bottom in a cellar. Go! We'll take care of things up here. Go now!"

    She pushed Aang near the stairs not very far. He took one more look at the raging battle before. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire flew back and forth. No one saw him yet, and Aang couldn't help but think that was the plan; to let him go. Then darkness swallowed him as he descended quickly down the steps.

    ***

    Jet played with the knife, knowing it was time. His hand shook a little, but he ignored it as he walked slowly to Katara. Her heart started hammering painfully in her breast. It was sunset, and her fear took hold of her being again. She was going to die; that was the hard truth. By the time anyone found her, she would be dead, and they would either find her corpse or only the blood if her body gets moved.

    Jet trailed a hand gently through her long hair, now starting to hate what he was about to do. He looked into her sweaty face. "It doesn't have to be like this, Katara," he murmured. Katara stayed silent. He swallowed. "I'm willing to give you one more chance. I know you don't want to die, and to be honest, I don't want to kill you. But if you keep being brave, you're going to lose your life. Are you really willing to sacrifice it for someone who is going to have the same fate?"

    Katara looked deliberately into his face and swallowed. "Aang and my friends are going to survive. If I have to give up my life for them, I will. But you can still change. Stop the attack, and let us help you. You're scared, Jet. You don't want to be a murderer. Don't be your father." Tears had filled her eyes near the end. She hoped that her words and eye contact would make his resolve waver. She wanted to help him, but only if he allowed her to.

    For a moment he did. Deep down, all he wanted was to be loved and cared for. Jet looked away and took a few deep breaths. When he looked at her again, his dark eyes were cold, and she knew she had lost. "No doubt On Ji told you about my father," he whispered menacingly. He lifted the dagger to her cheek, blade lightly on it. "I truly regret doing this. But there's no going back for me now. Goodbye, Katara."

    Katara closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. A tear traced down her cheek, landing on the serrated blade, and she thought, 'I'm sorry Aang. I tried. I love you, Flowing Wind.'

    Just when Jet was about to make the first wound, a gust burst through chamber, causing the dark eyed teen to lift his arms to his face to protect from the flying debris. Katara had closed her eyes against the wind, but hey heart soared because she knew of one person who had that power.

    "Keep that blade away from her!" a powerful voice yelled. Jet and Katara looked up. Aang stood there with anger boiling in his stormy eyes, ready to break like the wild clouds they represent. Katara felt relieved as she gazed upon him. He was just as handsome as she remembered him to be.

    Jet smirked and lowered the blade, as if unafraid. However, his heart was hammering. The kid was strong before, yet he seemed even more powerful now. Because of the Bending or the anger Jet wasn't sure. But perhaps he could use that anger against the boy. He drawled, "Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up. I thought you weren't going to get here on time, Montauk. Bravo for you."

    Aang took a calming breath as the thought of what would have happened darkened his already black thoughts. Then he said, "Let Katara go, Jet." It surprised him that his voice stayed steady although his insides were shaking. Despite what he knew, the Airbender wanted nothing more than to destroy the one that messed up his life since he moved here.

    Jet laughed and flashed the blade. The dragon handle gleamed silver. "I don't think so, kid. She's my prisoner, and I plan on doing whatever I please with her. Once you're taken care of, she's next, and it won't be long before your other friends are buried along with you."

    Aang clenched his hands but his face remained impassive. He wanted to try to talk to the guy again, even if it was hopeless. But something in Jet's eyes told him that something changed within the teen. Maybe Aang had a chance to turn him around. "You don't want to do this, Jet. My friends are winning the fight upstairs. Smellerbee and the others have joined us, along with at least ten people who you had thought were loyal. They tried to stop you from becoming a killer, but you wouldn't listen to them." He calmed his voice. "They care about you, Jet. No matter what you may think of them, they only wanted what was best for you. Especially On Ji."

    Jet growled, "Leave her out of this! You have no right to talk about my girlfriend."

    "And you have no right to take someone else's!" Aang stated then continued relentlessly. "She was only trying to protect you from being what your father is. From the way she talks about you, it's obvious that she loved you. On Ji, Smellerbee, and the others have been helping us to stop this madness."

    Jet snorted with contempt. "You think I don't know that? I have known for a while now about your little meetings. On Ji once told me to lay off, and I had thought that the others had betrayed me. So since then, I have had two spies watching over everyone. I was also aware of On Ji stealing the formula for the poison, but I let her take it anyway. While you gathered the police, I selected a few of my best technicians, and the last twenty of my fighters. I have been following your every move."

    Aang clenched his jaw, his mind working furiously. If what Jet said was true then... "Toph never sensed anyone following. How did you do it?"

    He shrugged. "With very special gadgets. We have our own trackers and other things that help us through with our plans. Not much to it." He glared at Aang darkly and lifted his dagger a little. "But now, enough talk. I'm through with it. It's time for action. Be prepared for the fight of your life." With a cry, he lunged towards the Airbender.