Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 46: Road to Redemption

Female waterbender: "Maybe we have other benders on standby." Two water tribe archers watch the commotion from surrounding hills.

Macai: "Oh I'm sure, but do you really think I didn't prepare for that?"

The male waterbender briefly ponders. Female waterbender: "Just let him go, Haroko"

Haroko looks at his friend, "Zerena, have you lost your mind?"

Zerena: "I have a feeling we should him pass. I don't know why."

Haroko: "I oddly do as well. But let's make a compromise." Haroko raises his right hand and two earthbenders leap around the Fire Nation team. Macai looks more closely and notices that Haroko has cocoa brown skin, long black curly hair, a long nose, wide ears, light blue eyes, thin lips, and is 5'9. Zerena has light brown hair, tan skin, almond-shaped royal blue eyes, and is 5'7.

Haroko: "Take the others hostage, but let Macai meet with the Vindicated Avenger." Macai's team looks at him and Macai nods his head. The 31st member's arms are wrapped up and their faces are covered. The water and earthbenders escort them away while Haroko stays with Macai. An additional two earthbenders emerge from the distance and help Haroko escort Macai to a resistance camp.

Macai: "Well, you have quite the operation going on here."

Haroko: "That's right and your people have yet to discover our best-hidden treasures."

Macai chuckles, "Don't exaggerate. The Earth Kingdom and this resistance force are on life support. Just one more poke and all you have worked for will collapse."

Haroko comments, "You're making me reconsider this meeting."

Macai responds, "Trust your feelings."

Haroko: "Shut it or I'll change my mind." Macai looks around and notices nearby cabins in the distance. A local village seems to be supporting the resistance group. Macai sees villagers in the distance who stare at Macai with great fear and awe. Macai notices resistance warriors looking at Macai as well.

Macai keeps walking until he reaches a large tan wooden cabin with two flags on it. One flag is a Water Tribe flag and the other is an Earth Kingdom flag. Macai asks, "Are we meeting in there?"

Haroko: "You're not worth that. The Avenger will be here shortly." Kett arrives from the distance with his light grey and light blue uniform.

One of the earthbenders pushes Macai forward. Kett removes his mask and intensely looks Macai in his eyes. Kett: "You've got a lot of nerve coming here. I've worked hard to build this over the last few months."

Macai: "What exactly is this? And why do they trust a Fire Nation traitor so deeply?"

Kett rolls his eyes, "You couldn't imagine what these people have gone through and what it took for me to earn their trust. I won't throw that away for you."

Macai responds, "Oh I know you wouldn't. I know how stubborn you are. If you wanted to betray them, you would have told me some time ago."

Kett counters, "So WHAT is it that you want Macai?!"

Macai: "Ozai has betrayed me."

Kett: "Couldn't have happened to a nicer person."

Macai: "Kett you know I was a fair leader. I cared about all of us."

Kett nods, "While you were better than most of the Fire Nation leaders from what I saw, that doesn't mean much. You still did whatever they told you without any remorse or second thoughts. That is until they betrayed you. Of course, I thought you'd never leave them. But the one thing that could trigger your defection is them abandoning you."