-Maya's Point of View-

I'm here right now hiding behind one of the trees. Good thing I arrived here early, they are still yet to blow up the dam.

"Make sure you arrange these barrels properly, all of them have to be close to each other so that all would explode. If even one barrel got wet and didn't explode, you'll all hear from Jet," I heard Sneers command the other freedom fighters. 

All of the crew properly handled and carefully placed all the barrels filled with blasting jelly at the foot of the dam. It was all clustered together in the center. There were still some barrels left that are yet to be placed just across from where I was. 

Maybe I can put holes in those barrels so that there would be a leak and the blasting jelly would slowly pour out without them noticing. But first, I need to find a sharp object I can use to punch holes with. 

I panned my vision around to try to figure out where can I find such a weapon until my eyes landed on where Longshot was standing. He was leaning against a tree a few meters away from me. He was polishing the tip of one of his arrows. 

That's it! Arrowheads! They can be sharp enough to punch through the barrels! I need to get one of those. I stared at Longshot for a few more seconds before I started making a move. I just can't quite move on from my disappointment with him and the rest of his team.

I shook my head and then I hurriedly ran, hiding behind one tree after another. As soon as I got to the tree where Longshot was leaning on. I tried to quickly snatch an arrow from his bag. 

"Longshot. You're the pivotal step in this mission. You better not miss your shot," I suddenly heard Jet slowly approaching. I quickly backed my hand away and then I stood still behind the tree. 

"Those arrows better be sharp or else..." I heard Jet say but there was no reply from Longshot. "I trust that you'll do your part well," he continued and then I heard his footsteps slowly going away. 

"I will be viewing you all from the cliff on the other side of the river," he said and then he walked away. When I saw that everyone was looking at him, I hurriedly took an arrow from Longshot's bag and quickly ran to hide behind a bush. 

I checked to see if anyone noticed, but good thing— no one has. So I proceeded with my mission— which was to punch small holes in the remaining barrels. I sneakily ran towards the pile of barrels and then one by one I punched a hole in each. I made sure that it was unnoticeable. 

I was able to punch holes in more than half of what was left when I suddenly got pulled by the wrist. "UGH! LET ME GO!" I yelled. When I looked up it was one of the freedom fighters. 

"Well, well, well... What do we have here. Are you perhaps interested in joining the mission?" Sneers asked as he walked closer to me. I glared at him and didn't answer his question. "Sneers. She's been poking holes in the barrels," The Duke said. 

Sneers suddenly crossed his brows and he said, "Clog those holes with whatever we have and place those barrels near the dam." He was glaring at me as he commanded that. 

"You think you're smart?" he suddenly asked. "How could you just blindly follow Jet?! Are you really willing to kill all those innocent people?!" I shouted at him. "The fire nation would not have thought twice about killing us," he responded. "Is that why you're doing the same thing as them?" I asked once more. 

He didn't answer and he just stood away. I saw from a distance— Longshot who was watching the whole time. "Longshot! You once asked me if I could do the same thing to my mother's killer... I now have my answer, and my answer is NO," I said. 

"No matter what happens I will not let my anger cloud my judgment and stoop down to the enemy's level. AND SO SHOULD YOU! ALL OF YOU!" I continuously shouted. 

"Sneers, the barrels are in place," One of the freedom fighters informed. "Just in time. Get ready guys, the show is about to start," Sneers replied. I grunted at them and then I hurriedly knocked down the guy who was holding me. 

They saw what happened and then one by one, all of them started attacking. I punched, kicked, and pushed many of them away from me. I need to stop Sneers from sending the signal to Jet. Once I got close to him, he and I were engaged in hand-to-hand combat and even though he's got skills, he's still too slow for me. 

Just as I was about to apprehend and pin him down, my sleeves suddenly got pinned to a tree— by an arrow. When I looked back, it was Longshot who had pointed his arrow at me. This feeling of betrayal is indeed the most heartbreaking part of everything that has happened today. I was just about to remove the arrow and fight back again when a knife was suddenly pointed at my neck. 

"Don't move," I heard Smellerbee say. Pipsqueak then appeared on the other side of the tree, and he removed the arrow and he tied my hands behind me. "Where have you two been?" Sneers asked. "Our prisoner ran away, and we got hooked up in a trap. Took a while to get out," Smellerbee answered. "Good thing there were leechee nuts in there!" Pipsqueak added.

"Hold down that girl while we continue on the mission," Sneers said and then he walked away. He then went to Longshot and he tapped on his shoulder. "It's your turn, go to your position," Sneers said and just about when he was about to walk away, I shouted, "LONGSHOT! PLEASE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS! YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID!" 

"SHUT UP!" I heard Smellerbee shout and then she pointed her knife deeper into my skin, almost about to stab me. I saw Longshot slightly turn back to us but then he proceeded to walk away and then he climbed on a tree. 

"Traitor..." I whispered to myself.

"EVERYONE! TO HIGHER GROUND!" Sneers shouted and then one by one the freedom fighters climbed up the trees. "What about her Sneers?" Pipsqueak asked. "Take her. She should at least witness today's event," Sneers said and then he went away. 

Smellerbee suddenly grabbed the collar of my shirt. "You're lucky we're not leaving you here to drown," she said and then she tied my mouth with a cloth and pushed me towards Pipsqueak who carried me on his shoulder. They also tied my feet together. I really have no chance of escape.

We all went up to the trees. Pipsqueak dropped me on the branch where they were and then they all settled down. Sneers suddenly made bird noises and shortly after he did so, there was a reply in a form of a bird noise too. 

So that's how they've been communicating in this forest. I heard those bird noises back then as well before witnessing the mugging of the old man. It was them all along. 

I wasn't able to see where Longshot was located. Either way, trying to look for him is already too late, because a few seconds after the bird noises, a flaming arrow has already been shot towards the barrels of blasting jelly. 

The next thing I knew, there was a loud boom that filled the entire area and a strong wind blew through our direction. When I opened my eyes, I saw the dam quickly falling apart and huge waves of water flowing out of it. 

I just hope Sokka was able to evacuate everyone in time. I hope the commotion and delay that I did was of help — even if it was only a little. 

I suddenly felt defeated and down. Now what? What are they going to do to me? How will I get out of here and meet with Sokka, Aang, and Katara?

"Longshot what are you— hey!" I heard Smellerbee shout. When I looked at what it was, I saw Longshot who has just pinned both of Smellerbee's sleeves on the tree branch and was headed towards my direction. Pipsqueak stood in front of me— blocking Longshot. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Longshot suddenly raised a sword and pointed it at Pipsqueak. "Step aside," he timidly said. "A-alright," Pipsqueak said in fear. Slowly, Pipsqueak backed away and went to where Smellerbee was.

Longshot withdrew the sword and then he knelt in front of me. He removed the cloth that was tied to my mouth as well as the ropes that were binding my hands and feet. 

"Are you okay?" he asked. I didn't answer him nor did I look at him. I just can't. I'm very mad and disappointed at the same time. 

"I saw Aang and Katara on the other side of the river. I'll take you to them," he said. He pulled me up and carried me on his back. 

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-Aang's Point of View-

The dam exploded and all the water we'd dug out of the springs was released straight into the small earth kingdom village down the Riverbend...

"Sokka and Maya didn't make it in time..." I sadly said. "All those people... JET, YOU MONSTER!" Katara shouted at him who is now frozen and stuck to a tree trunk. 

"This was a victory Katara, remember that. The fire nation is gone, and this valley will be safe," Jet contradicted.

"It will be safe— without you," we heard Sokka shout from a distance. He slowly approached the three of us while riding on Appa with Momo on his side. "SOKKA!" Katara and I shouted. "Where have you been?" I asked. "Maya and I warned the villagers of Jet's plan— just in time," he answered.

"YOU WHAT?!" Jet shouted filled with rage. "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," Sokka explained and then he glared at Jet. 

"He urged everyone to trust us, and we got everyone out in time..." he continued. "SOKKA YOU FOOL!" Jet shouted. "No— you're the fool one," Sokka countered.

I hurriedly went up Appa's saddle to check if Maya was there, but I saw that it was empty. "But wait... If you and Maya warned the villagers? Then where is she?" I asked Sokka. "Yeah, why are you alone?" Katara asked as well. 

"Even before the evacuation started, Maya said she wanted to go and stop the freedom fighters who were down at the dam, so we parted ways... I haven't seen her after that, but I suspect she's on the other side of the river. We'll fetch her there once we're done here," Sokka answered. Katara and I nodded at each other and then one by one we both climbed up the saddle. 

"THIS VALLEY COULD'VE BEEN FREED IF ONLY YOU DIDN'T INTERFERE!" Jet shouted. "Who would be free? Everyone would be DEAD," Sokka argued. "You traitor!" Jet argued back. "No Jet... You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people," Sokka calmly replied. 

"Katara, please... Help me," Jet pleaded to her. "Goodbye Jet," Katara coldly said without even looking back at him. "Yip-yip," Sokka said as soon as everyone was on board. 

We went soaring through the sky and left Jet there alone. "We need to get to Maya. She might be in danger!" I anxiously said. "I don't know where she is exactly but keep your eyes open. She could be anywhere," Sokka suggested. 

"There! Those are her clothing! That's got to be her!" Katara said while pointing down to the forest. We all checked to see where she was pointing at, and she was right— it is Maya's clothing.

"Is she being carried by someone?" Sokka asked. "She might be injured!" Katara worriedly said. I crossed my brows and glared at the person who was carrying her. "Sokka hurry!" I shouted and then we went flying towards where she was.

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-Maya's Point of View-

"I'm sorry..." I heard Longshot say. He's still carrying me on his back— on the way to the other side of the river. 

I didn't say anything back to him. I didn't even want to look at him. He didn't say anything else after that anyway. We were quietly journeying the woods when all of a sudden, a loud thud on the ground interfered with the silence and then I heard Appa's growl. 

"LET HER GO!" I heard Aang shout. I lifted my head and I saw the three of them on their guard against Longshot. 

"No— guys, it's alright," I said and then I signed Longshot to let me down. "I'm fine guys," I said to the three of them. Sokka suddenly rushed to where we were, and he pushed Longshot away from me. He was glaring at him while doing so. 

"Maya, are you okay?" Aang asked as he walked up to me to grab both my hands. "I'm fine Aang... Just a little tired and beaten up, but I'm fine," I answered. "Your wrist! It's all bruised up!" I heard Katara shout. 

"What did you do?!" I heard Sokka shout at Longshot, but he didn't answer. Sokka was about to grab his collar when I stopped him, "Sokka, let him be. He's got nothing to do with this," I said. 

Sokka calmed down and then he backed away. As soon as he did that Longshot suddenly bowed his head and then he walked away. "What a weird guy that was," Sokka said. 

"Let's just get out of here," Aang irritatingly said. "Let's head north once again. It's still too early anyway," Katara suggested. 

One by one the four of us boarded on Appa's saddle. Katara got up first and me next, but when it was my turn to climb up Aang grabbed my arm and said, "I'll carry you up," he suggested. "No, it's okay Aang. I'm not that badly injured," I told him. 

I tried getting onto Appa's saddle but the bruises on my ankles started stinging. It made me hiss a little— just enough for Aang to notice. "Your ankles are hurt too," he said. "Yeah..." I awkwardly answered. 

He suddenly lifted me off of my feet and then he carried me in his arms. "Hold on," he said and so I tightened my grasp around his shoulders and then he flew on top of Appa's saddle. 

He carefully placed me down as soon as we were on board. "Thank you, Aang," I gently said. "No problem!" he cheerfully replied. 

"Everyone ready?" Sokka asked. "Yup!" Aang replied. "Alright. Appa, yip-yip," Sokka said, and then Appa went soaring through the sky. 

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-Zuko's Point of View-

It has been a while since my uncle and I last talked with each other. Ever since that confrontation we had on the ship's deck, I haven't been engaging myself in a conversation with him and he was doing the same. We were both quiet every time we pass by each other, not a single word was exchanged. 

"Ugh!" I shouted as I tossed and turn around my bed. Why is Uncle so quiet? Why is he being like this? These thoughts ran through my head and it's becoming a bother. I don't want us to be like this for a long time. I'm fine now anyway, I now already know who Maya is and it doesn't even concern me one bit.

So why is Uncle being like this? 

I let out a deep sigh before finally grabbing my coat and walking by the door. That's it. Uncle and I need to talk.

I was just about to grab onto the door latch when suddenly I heard a voice from the other side. 

"Zuko... It's me. Uncle Iroh," the voice said. "Uncle?" I hurriedly opened the door and then I let him inside. "What brought you here? I was just about to go to your room," I told him. 

"You are right Zuko," he suddenly said in a serious voice. "Right, about what?" I asked. "There is something that you need to know; something about Maya," he answered. 

"I already know uncle. It's enough. There's not a need for me to be concerned about her anymore," I answered back. Uncle suddenly grabbed onto my wrist tightly and looked me sternly in the eye. 

"Listen carefully to me Zuko. I will tell you the whole truth," he said.

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-Maya's Point of View-

"Ow!" I hissed a little while Katara was healing a part of my wounds using the ointment that we have. "I'm sorry... You'll have to bear with it for a little more," she said. "It's alright... I'm fine. Keep going," I replied. 

I looked away and bit my thumb to stop myself from hissing but boy does this hurt so bad. I can't believe they really didn't go easy on me. I suddenly felt Aang's hand on mine. I looked at him and then he gave me a nod. I was supposed to smile back but the treatment hurts so bad I just couldn't keep a straight face.

"And we're done! That's enough for today. I'll try to apply some more ointment tomorrow," Katara said. I slowly pulled myself away from her and then I said, "Thank you so much Katara."

"No problem Maya, I'm actually the one who's sorry. We weren't there to help you," she replied. "Yeah. If only Jet didn't get in the way. I would've been able to get to the dam as well," Aang added.

"It's okay guys. It's my fault anyway for acting rashly," I told them. "Besides, even if I failed to get the dam from being broken, we were still able to save all those people thanks to Sokka's great plan," I continued. 

"Yeah, Sokka! We thought you were gonna go to the dam too! How come you went to the town instead?" Aang asked. "Let me guess... Your instincts told you," Katara added even before Sokka could answer. 

"Hey... sometimes they're right." Sokka confidently answered without looking back at us. He's currently the one driving appa. 

Aang suddenly looked at both Katara and me and then he smiled. "Uhm... Sokka? You know we're going the wrong way right?" he teased. "And sometimes they're wrong..." Sokka continued as he led Appa in the other direction.

We all had a little chuckle as the flight continued. 

"So? We'll just keep on heading north in the meantime right? No stopovers?" Katara asked. "Actually, if we keep heading north, we will pass by the greatest canyon in the world! The great divide!" Aang exclaimed excitingly. 

"Sounds wonderous..." I said with a smile. "It is! It's the largest canyon that ever existed! Wait until you guys see it. You're all going to love it." Aang answered filled with glee. "Maybe we can have a short stop there before we continue flying," Katara suggested, to which we all agreed.

"Hey, since you're the one who knows the place; why don't you go and lead Appa from here on out," Sokka suddenly sat beside Aang and lay down. "Roger that!" Aang easily agreed, and then he went on top of Appa's head.

"Shouldn't you be flying more, o' wise captain?" Katara teased. "Don't you know how tiring it is to evacuate hundreds of people? Let me have my rest Katara," Sokka countered his sister. 

"Fine. I'll let you have this since you owned it," Katara said not arguing back. "I'll sit right next to Aang in case he gets tired. You two rest here at the back," Katara said and then she went on the front part of the saddle. 

"You should rest too Maya," I heard Sokka say. "It's fine, my body hurts from lying down, " I told him. I looked at the horizon and started thinking about Longshot... For some reason, I know that deep down, he never really wanted to do what he just did. He only did it because he needed to survive. 

"You're deep in your thoughts. Is something bothering you?" I heard Sokka ask. I didn't look at him and then I pulled my knees to my chest. "I don't want to talk about it," I answered.