𝑭𝑳𝑨𝑴𝑬𝑺 || 𝑨𝒂𝒏𝒈 (𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 3)

The Promise

As soon as the drill was through, Smellerbee and Longshot stepped right into town. The nearby citizens were quick to run away, but Aang followed them desperately.

"Guys, stop! You don't want to do this!" He exclaimed.

Looking up, Jade spotted Sneers, Kori, and the rest of the resistance approaching. Sneers was waving awkwardly. "Hey, Smellerbee. Hey, Longshot."

"Sneers?!" Smellerbee started towards him with a glare. "You've been in Yu Dao this whole time?! Longshot and I looked all over for you!"

Smellerbee just gestured to his girlfriend."Smellerbee and Longshot, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Kori. Kori, this is Smellerbee and Longshot."

Aang stepped up beside them. "Well, what do ya know? Looks like we're all friends here!"

Jade wasn't so sure. Kori and Smellerbee were already glaring at each other. "Sneers told me all about you, Smellerbee!"

"I'm sorry I can't say the same!"

"You know what friends do? Talk! You know what friends don't do? Beat each other up!"

"You can't force us from Yu Dao!" Kori declared.

Pointing at her, Smellerbee whirled on Sneers. "You're dating an ash maker?! How could you?!"

Jade raised one finger. "Actually, she's an earthbender who identifies as Fire Nation."

They all just turned to stare at her. Stepping back, she sidestepped to hide behind Aang.

"...I'm sorry."

"Trust me guys!" Aang waved his arms. "I'm the Avatar! Peace is sort of my thing!"

Longshot set his hand on Smellerbee's shoulder. When she glanced back at him, he seemed to speak with just his eyes. And, just like usual, Smellerbee somehow seemed to understand.

"You do have a point, Longshot." Turning back to Kori, she rubbed her chin. "I mean, look at her...and look at him."

Longshot flashed Sneers a thumbs up. Sneers just scowled at them. "What's that supposed to mean?!" He stepped up to join Kori's side. "Listen, Smellerbee. Maybe we've been thinking about this all wrong. What if Yu Dao is neither Fire Nation nor Earth Kingdom?"

"What if it is a part of both?" Kori said.

Jade peeked out from behind Aang's shoulder. "Honestly, Aang, I've been thinking that maybe they're not so far off..."

"Bah!" One of the protesters aimed a boulder at Kori. "What are we waiting for?! Let's finish what we came to do!"

Jade sliced said boulder in half before it could hit Kori. "Will no one even try the peaceful approach?! What's so unappealing about a heated, if not slightly uncomfortable conversation?!"

Her words must have gone completely unheard. She groaned again when Kori led the resistance to attack with their own earth and firebending.

"Defend yourselves, Yu Dao Resistance! Defend our home!"

"Aw, come on!" Aang exclaimed. "How come nobody ever wants to just talk?!"

Smellerbee led the protesters. "Attack!"

Swinging his staff, Aang launched them right through the gate with a strong gust of air. "Don't you get it, Smellerbee?! I agree with you!" He stepped through the broken gate. "I want the Fire Nation colonials to leave, too! I just want them to leave peacefully!"

Smellerbee's eye caught something to the right. Standing up, she seemed surprised. "I don't think that's an option anymore, Aang. Looks like the Earth King's finally stepped up to his responsibilities."