บท 77: Air Temple Island(9)

I stand dazed with my face looking at the ceiling.

'Damn! That kid punches really hard!'

"Ethan are you ok? What happened?"

"I'm fine, an equalist somehow managed to out of the ropes and jumped me. He was smart enough to hit me and run."

"We need to search for him, take a few men, and start to pursue him."

"No, we will not be able to find him, great angels are masters at hiding. Let's just take the rest of the captures and go back."

Back on the surface, we took escorted the prisoners and went back to Air Temple Island. We were at the port ready to leave but I told the others that I had something to do tonight.

"Be careful! We will wait for you on the island."

"Something we need to tell us about?"

"Not yet, we'll take more after I return."

I parted with them and I went to the harbor where I was to meet Wu. I waited for about two hours and he finally came.

"Good to see you teacher! It's been a while!"

"Stop with the pleasantries, I knew you don't like them either. Tell me why did you want to meet me here?"

"There is time, did you talk with Doke?"

"Yes, he came and told me all that you told him, why you betrayed the Equalists and that you think Amon is a fraud. Ethan, I have never thought that I would ever be disappointed in you, always the perfect student, you were smart, caring, loyal, all the good qualities that a man needs to have and you had everything that you ever wanted. Despite all of this, you betrayed us, all of us, you betrayed your brothers, your teacher, and dragged Nya along with you. Why Ethan? WHY?! YOU HAD WHAT YOU WANTED, YOU DID WHAT YOU WANTED, YOU WERE WITH PEOPLE THAT SEE YOU AS FAMILY, WHY DID YOU LEAVE?"

"Didn't I already told you? I knew things you didn't, I predicted things you couldn't, I see farther than you master, do you think I made my choice out on a whim? No, no, no, I made my choice because unlike you I can still distinguish good from evil."

"How dare you call us evil, you were a part of us, and look at you know a dog of the council!"

"Dear Master Wu, are you sure you are the hero of the story? From my point of view the Equalists have become nothing more than a hate group, they hurt indiscriminately, they fight out of fear, they have lost their way."

"What do you propose we do then? Give up on everything we have done so far when we are so close to achieving everything we ever wanted? Not a chance."

"Who said anything about giving up, quite the opposite, I want you to continue fighting, and I want you to fight as hard as you can. While I believe what you are doing isn't necessarily right, it's not entirely wrong either. Things need to change, for far too long the non-benders of this city, this world have been treated as less, I think it's time to change things, while you are inciting fear in the hearts of both the people and the leadership of this city, you are also giving people a new view. That non-benders have stayed voiceless for far too long, and that it's time our voice is heard in the entire city!"

"You confuse me, one second you tell me that the Equalists are a plague on this city and the other you say that we are needed for the city to grow."

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger am I right? Of course, I am, while I would like to spend more time chatting with you I need to go make preparations for your attack on the city. Remember, all I'm asking from you is to keep your eyes open, when the time comes you will know what to do. Oh, also, I wouldn't tell Noatak about the fact that I know what he is, it might cause more problems for you than me."

"Are you leaving just like that?"

"Yes, I think I said enough, if I try to convince you now it would be meaningless, you are as stubborn as Doke, maybe more. Who knows you might listen, but then again the less you think the easiest you are to predict. Don't do anything stupid we still need you, so don't go die on us."

"Be careful as well Ethan. Remember you are still part of us, if you ever change your mind we will always receive you with open arms."

"Thank you, master!"

I went back to the Island and started to make the last preparation for the battle that was coming.