The Fire's Core

-Aang's Point of View-

"Katara have you seen Maya?" I asked Katara who is currently knitting a hat of some kind. "Oh, I haven't noticed her since this morning. When I woke up, both she and Sokka were not in bed," she replied.

"Sokka's probably with Jet, but Maya didn't mention she'd go anywhere," I said. "Relax Aang, I'm sure Maya's just somewhere out there looking around. Why don't you go and explore a little too?" Katara comforted. "Alright, I guess..." I sadly replied.

Just then Momo flew to my shoulder. I looked at him and then I cheerfully asked, "Wanna go slide these ropes buddy?" Momo agreed and then we both flew to the zip lines inside the tree hideout.

Wherever Maya is, I hope she is safe...

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-Maya's Point of View-

"Ugh! My fingers hurt!" I yelled.

"Alright. Water break," Longshot timidly said.

It's already past noon and I still haven't had a single arrow pinned on the bullseye. All my shot seems to be either too weak, too far, goes in a different direction, or falls to the ground.

"Who knew archery was such a hard skill? I was able to do a perfect shot back there at the fire camp, but how come I can't do it again?!" I shouted after taking a sip from the water bag Longshot brought.

"Patience is also one of the virtues in learning archery. For beginners like you, usually, it takes a few minutes to really focus on your aim. Don't rush things. I'm sure you'll get it," he said.

I looked at him as he drank from his water bag. "How come you're always quiet in the presence of many people?" I asked. He slowly looked down and went silent for a few seconds before he replied.

"I'm not really a fan of big crowds. Unless it's a group of people I trust," he answered. "I don't speak with anyone easily as well. I only approach those people whom I think I can trust," he continued saying while looking at me this time.

"Well, trust is a mutual thing, and I appreciate that you trust me but, can I also put my trust in you?" I asked.

As soon as I said that his gaze suddenly changed. Looking into his eyes, I can see that there is something that is bothering him. I feel like there's something he wants to say but he's hesitating to do so.

He looked away and said, "I don't know." I can see his eyes are full of hesitation.

"How come you don't know? Haha!" I said with a laugh, hoping it would bring up the sullen atmosphere that he seems to have. But he didn't reply and he just continued looking at the ground with his hands clasped towards each other.

I cleared my throat and then I said, "Well, I know of a way how to prove that I can trust you." He slowly looked at me and then he asked, "How?"

"Your name," I answered. He looked at me, confused, that's why I tried to clarify what I meant.

"I don't think Longshot is your real name," I said. "It must've been some sort of alias, something the freedom fighters thought of calling you," I continued. "For me to know that I can truly trust you, I want to know your birth name," I explained.

"Xu Jing," he suddenly said. "That's my real name," he continued and then he stood up, grabbed the bow and arrow, and then he handed it to me.

"Try again. I feel like this time, you'll get it," he said while handing me the bow and arrow.

I grabbed it from his hand and then I stood up as well. I walked to a spot a few meters away from the target and then I fixed my aim. I focused my eyes on the red dot and had a deep slow breath before shooting my shot.

I released the arrow from my hand and then it flew straight onto the red dot on the target.

"I DID IT!" I exclaimed while looking at him cheerfully. I saw him smiling back at me.

"Xu Jing," I called to him. His smile faded as he heard his name. "Can I call you that?" I asked.

"No. You're the first and only person to ever know about it and I want to keep it that way," he answered. "I understand," I replied.

"Shoot more arrows. Let's see if you can hit the target again," he teased. I raised one brow at him and then I grabbed a few more arrows.

One by one I shot them and surprisingly keeps on hitting the target this time. I'm getting the hang of this!

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-Sokka's Point of View-

"I don't think anyone's passing by this way Jet," Smellerbee said as he landed on top of the branch me and Jet were staying in.

"Yeah, this place is clear," Pipsqueak seconded as he appeared beside Smellerbee.

"Alright, let's go to the next road," Jet said as he prepared himself to land on the ground. Smellerbee and Pipsqueak hurriedly followed behind him and so did I.

"We'll head towards the south road. Maybe we'll get lucky in there and encounter some fire nation spies," Jet said. Smellerbee and Pipsqueak agreed to him and then they proceeded to walk.

"So, these fire nation spies... How come you knew they were coming?" I asked Jet.

"Less questions, more surveying. Stay alert Sokka," He replied. Why is he not answering my question? It's not like you just suddenly knew about things like this, not unless it's all made up and there's a different reason why he's doing this.

"Hurry up Sokka!" Jet commanded and then he followed behind Pipsqueak and Smellerbee. I stared at him for a while before following behind him.

Whatever it is that you're hiding Jet, I'm going to unravel it and show Katara and Aang that they were wrong for trusting you.

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-Maya's Point of View-

"You've improved. I'm impressed," Longshot praised as I shot my last arrow and it hit the center of the target.

"Thanks. I had a great teacher to teach me." I said, complimenting him back.

"That's about it for the archery basics. Continue to do that and you'll surely master archery in no time," he praised and then he started packing his stuff.

"Great! So we're heading back to the hideout then! Just the right time too! It's only hours away before the sun sets," I exclaimed while I prepared myself too.

Longshot suddenly paused and then he said, "Actually there's somewhere I want to stop by first before we head home." He looked at me and then he continued, "Would it be okay if you wait here?"

"I could accompany you. Do you need help?" I asked. "It's internal matters. I prefer doing it alone. I won't take long." he answered. "Well, then... Alright! Be safe!" I replied. He took his hat from the ground and wore them. "I'll be back," he said and then he left.

I looked away from his direction as soon as he was out of sight. I suddenly heard bird noises as if they were communicating. It sounded so blissful honestly, birds chirping is the best calming and peaceful sound to my ears.

That archery training was no joke, but I'm glad that it paid off. I now have an additional combat skill I can use! Although I might have to consider buying my own personal bow and arrow soon. Gosh, I feel so tired that I could just doze off right here, right now.

I was about to lie down and take a nap when I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"What are you doing in our woods you leech?!" a guy said.

Wait, isn't that Jet?

I hurriedly stood up and went closer to where the voice was coming from. The commotion was on a nearby road in the woods. I saw Jet and an old man wearing fire nation clothes. They were talking to each other.

"What is Jet doing?" I whispered to myself.

"Please sir, I'm just a traveler," the old man said and then Jet walked closer to him. I was about to jump in on the scenario to help alleviate the situation when suddenly, Jet knocked the old man's rod and it went flying in my direction. I hurriedly dodge the rod making me fall to the ground behind the bushes.

I saw Pipsqueak and Smellerbee climb down off a tree and stood behind the old man. The poor old man was about to run away but he bumped onto Pipsqueak making him fall to the ground as well.

He was about to run away once more but Pipsqueak stepped on him. Jet walked closer to the old guy and stood in front of him.

"Do you like destroying towns?! Do you like destroying families?! Do you?!" Jet shouted. "No... Please let me go, have mercy!" the old man pleaded. "Does the fire nation let people go?! Does the fire nation have mercy?!" Jet shouted even louder and then he raised his foot.

He was about to kick the old man in the face when Sokka suddenly went down from a tree to stop him. He grabbed Jet's foot using his sword.

"JET! HE'S JUST AN OLD MAN!" Sokka shouted. "HE'S FIRE NATION! SEARCH HIM!" Jet commanded. Pipsqueak and Smellerbee hurriedly search the old guy and took his stuff.

"But he's not hurting anyone!" Sokka argued. "Have you forgotten that the fire nation killed your mother?! Remember why you fight!" Jet yelled back.

"We got his stuff Jet!" Smellerbee said, interrupting the conversation between the two guys.

"This doesn't feel right!" Sokka countered once more. "It's what has to be done. Now let's get out of here," Jet replied and then he pushed Sokka out of his way. He walked away from the place followed by Pipsqueak and Smellerbee.

Sokka stayed behind a bit more. He looked at the old guy sadly.

"COME ON SOKKA!" Jet shouted. Sokka stayed for a few more seconds before finally catching up to them.

The old man was left alone in the middle of the road. I couldn't help but pity him. I also started feeling scared of Jet. Once he finds out I'm from the fire nation... WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'D DO!

I looked back at the old man who was trying to fix his other stuff that was left behind. I suddenly remembered his wooden rod that flew in my direction. I picked it up and approached the old guy.

"Excuse me, sir?" I gently greeted him. The old man suddenly covered his head with his hands and said, "Please! Spare me!" he shouted while cowering in fear.

I hurriedly ran towards him to help him stand up. "No sir, I am not here to harm you," I said calmly and then I handed him his wooden rod.

"I believe this belongs to you," I said. He slowly took it from my hand and then he said, "Thank you, kind lady."

I smiled at him and then I knelt to help fix his stuff. "Here, let me help you with that," I said. I placed his scattered stuff inside his other bag and then I handed it to him.

"It seems like you are a traveler as well just like me," he said. "Yes... I'm from the southern water tribes," I replied.

"It must've taken you a lot of courage and strength to approach someone like me who's from the fire nation," he suddenly said. I didn't know what to reply to him, so I just stood there.

"You must be uncomfortable with my presence. I will be on my way now. Thank you for helping me," the old man said and then he turned around and walked away.

"Sir!" I called out. He stopped walking and slowly, he looked back.

"If you wouldn't mind, may I ask where you are headed?" I asked.

"I was just on my way to a small colony village of the fire nation down the Riverbend. It's not that far from here," the old man answered. "Allow me to escort you there. I'm afraid that those thugs might come back and mug you." I said as I walked closer to the old man.

He gently smiled and signed me to walk beside him. I smiled back and followed him and then we walked together deeper into the forest.

"Are you not afraid of traveling with someone from the fire nation," he suddenly said as we walk. "I don't think you're someone who will harm anyone," I answered. "But I'm from the fire nation," he countered.

I held on to the necklace that was under my shirt. "Fire nation, water nation, earth nation, air nation, what difference do they have? We're all just the same," I sadly replied.

"Indeed we are, but that is not how the world views it. The differences in each nation have grown far greater as time passes by," the old man replied. "But I still believe that time will come that someone will change the world's perspective of each nation's differences," he continued.

"The Avatar will surely be able to do that someday," I answered. "It doesn't have to be specifically the Avatar," he interrupted. I looked at him and then he continued, "Maybe someone who's a fire nation who was raised in the water tribes will be able to help too," he suddenly said.

"I-I don't know what you mean..." I said— confused. "The moment I saw your necklace I knew you were not a water tribe traveler," he said.

I stared at him with a surprised face and then he placed his hands on my shoulders. "I don't know what reason it is why you are concealing your true nationality, but I just hope that you would also try to understand the fire's core. Right now, the fire is going on a rampage; burning everything that it touches. It is not controlled, and other people are trying to fight this fire with their own kind of fire," he said.

"At the very core of every fire is a fuel that keeps it from burning out. Only those who are brave enough to dare and try to reach the core, understand it, and try to control it, will be the ones who will be able to stop the fire from spreading," he continued.

"I don't understand the relevance of what you have said," I told him with a confused tone. "I hope you are not too blinded by hatred that you are neglecting to try and understand the fire's core," he replied.

I just stared at him—amazed.

"You can go ahead and go back now, it's not safe for a young lady to be caught alone at night inside the forest. The way to the village is not far from here. Thank you for helping me," he continued and then he walked away.

I also went on my way back to where long shot and I were training but during the whole time while I was walking, what the old man said kept echoing inside my mind.

"I hope you are not too blinded by hatred that you are neglecting to try and understand the fire's core."

I suddenly felt guilty for being quick to judge my true nationality without actually knowing what is going on there. All I know about the fire nation for the past years are the horrible stories people have shared and the horrible things I have seen them do. I never even tried to consider that maybe most of their soldiers were told lies or had no choice but to follow orders. Not even once did it cross my mind that there might be a deeper meaning to this war than just it being about power?

"Maya? Where are you?" I suddenly heard Longshot's voice calling out to me. I hurriedly rushed to our training place and called out to him. "I'm here! Sorry, I got carried away when I saw a small monkey rabbit and followed it," I made up an excuse.

"It's alright. Let's get back to the hideout before the sun sets," he replied. The two of us made our way back to the hideout and throughout the walk, he went back to being the silent longshot; a man of few words. For some reason, I feel like he's in a grumpy mood.

When we reached the bottom of the hideout he paused for a few minutes and just stood there.

"Longshot? Is everything okay?" I asked. I was about to grab onto his shoulder when he suddenly turned around. "Maya," he said. I was startled by what he did that's why I took a step back.

"Y-yes! What's up?" I awkwardly asked. "I heard the fire nation killed your mother when you were young," he suddenly said. "I- yeah... Why are you suddenly asking about that?" I asked. "If given the chance, would you have done the same thing to your mom's killer?" he replied with a question.

"I... I don't know..." I answered him. I never really gave it a thought. I mean, I have always been about getting back at fire nation by ending the war but the idea of killing never crossed my mind.

"I guess you are really kind deep down to your core," he suddenly said and then he turned around to grab the rope. He handed it over to me. "You can go ahead of me. There's still some more things I need to do down here," he continued.

I grabbed the rope and then it quickly pulled me up. I looked down and I saw Longshot looking up at me with a frown on his face.

I just don't understand this guy's mood. He seems happy for a few moments and then he is suddenly upset and quiet.

Whatever it is that is going on inside his head, I feel like something is going on with the freedom fighters. Either they are brewing up some kind of scheme or there's an internal conflict going on that we are not aware about.

Either way, whatever it is that is going on with this troop, it still wouldn't change the fact that Jet is a big fire nation hater and I should seriously be on my guard when he is around.