Chapter 1 Crossroads of destiny, POV: Katara.

I'm going to mark inner monologues with ** to make it more reader friendly.

Down in a grey cave glowing with a jade green tinge, Katara awoke.

*Where am I?*

*How did I even get here?*.

She tried to sit herself up using both her arms, and collapsed backwards.

"Ahh!"

She grasped at her left shoulder.

*My left side is still a little numb from whatever happened*

Slowly but with determination she got to her feet and began to evaluate her surroundings.

*So I guess I'm in some sort of cave? There aren't any exits so I must have been put here by earthbending.*

She gasped and placed her right hand on her mouth, her left was still limp.

*Oh no! The Dai Li! The Kyoshi warriors! I need to warn the others but how will I get out of here? Maybe I can wait for the others?*

She looked down at her left hand and with a grimace lifted to here face and began tensing here arm and clenching her fist open and closed, determination and pain draped upon her face.

*No! I'm not going to sit around here and wait the others need me!*

With the feeling beginning to return to her left side she began to pace through the cave.

"Now if only I could find some wa…?"

Suddenly a loud crash could be heard as a section of the cave wall opened, light flooded in and an unfamiliar voice followed.

"You've got company."

Suddenly a body tumbled down the shaft from the cave entrance grunting with each impact his body made against the jade and grey stone. He fell just in front of her and from a slight tilt in his head she was able to see the crimson mark on his face, the mark of an old enemy.

Shock radiated on her face.

"Zuko!?"

But by saying his name and without a second thought, that shock was replaced by rage.

The fire nation prince stared up in response to his name being called and the cave entrance shut behind him.

*Why was he here?!*

Zuko stared down away from Katara with anger, he then got up and walked to another side of the cave and sat down facing away from her.

Katara was sitting facing an opposite way to Zuko, jaw clenched she thought.

*After everything that has happened, all the pain he's put us through he deserves to pay, he deserves someone to put him in his place.*

Suddenly without even thinking the words came to her and she shot up and started walking towards the sat firebender.

"Why did they throw you in here?"

Pacing back and forth the words kept coming to her.

"Oh wait, let me guess: It's a trap?!"

"So when Aang shows up to help me you can finally have him in your little fire nation clutches!"

Zuko looked back at her and with no response turned his head again.

*He doesn't even seem to care! How dare he!*

Suddenly Katara felt a white hot rage and started up again it seemed like this time she wanted to hurt him.

"You're a terrible person, you know that? Always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to catch the worlds last hope for peace.

She turned away from him, out of fear his smug face may make her lash out.

"But what do you care you're the Fire-lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred it's in your blood."

Suddenly Zuko turned back and with almost an overconfident tone he said.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

In a flash of anger Katara turned to face him.

"I don't? How dare you? You have no idea what this war has put me through, me personally!

Suddenly so angry and grief stricken Katara couldn't bare to look anymore she turned away crouched down and allowed the tears to flow down her face freely. She took her hand and reached up to touch her mother's necklace.

"The fire nation took my mother away from me."

On saying this Katara buried her face into her knees wetting them with her tears years of anger towards this one boy and his nation finally being released.

With her head still facing he knees she heard the fire nation prince let out a small "I'm sorry."

*He doesn't care!*

But the words that followed his apology are what truly resonated with her.

"That's something we have in common."

Katara was standing, staring at the floor in guilt at what she had just said.

*Nice on sugar queen, you went too far! I should say something*

Her eyes trailed up to see Zuko, staring into space.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you before."

Zuko simply turned his face and said.

"It doesn't matter."

Katara followed on.

"It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagined the face of the enemy it was your face."

On hearing that Zuko turned away and reached up to touch his scar, and said.

"My face, I see."

*I shouldn't of said that.*

Katara walked towards Zuko hand extended and stopped a few feet away.

"No, no, what's not what I meant."

"It's ok" Zuko said lowering his hand "I used to think this scar marked me, the mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately I've realized that I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never bee free of this mark."

Katara raised a hand to her chest and looked away from Zuko in consideration.

*I should help him.*

"Maybe you could be free of it." Katara said.

Zuko turned to focus on Katara, a despair and confusion on his face but unable to hide the hope in his eyes.

"What?" Zuko said

"I have healing abilities" Katara said walking towards Zuko, but as the words left her lips Zuko turned from her.

"It's a scar." He struggled to let the last few words out "It can't be healed."

Reaching under her tunic, Katara pulled out a small cone shaped object embroidered with blue cloth.

"This is water from the Spirit Oasis in the North Pole. It has special qualities, so I've been saving it for something important." Katara said as she stepped within arms length of Zuko.

"I don't know if it would work but." As she spoke she moved her hand and Zuko accepted it, closing his eyes and allowing her to touch something he believed to be truly personal, the mark of his disgrace, his curse, his scar.

*How did this happen to him, I've seen Zuko in many different ways but never like this, there's so much pain, so much anger and sadness in his face. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, not even the boy I thought was my worst enemy.*

The moment seemed to last a lifetime, Zuko surrendered himself to the water bender, and she comforted him. She reminisced to petting giant tiger-seals at a younger age, something that is seen as a dangerous animal, and something to be feared but in the eyes of one with an open mind an incredible and strong, majestic creature.

Suddenly a large crash could be heard at the back of the cave, Katara pulled her hand away from Zuko and whipped around prepared for Dai Li but was met by a pleasant surprise.

"Aang!" She said with shock.

Before she knew it she found herself in a full sprint passing another familiar face in her run, a giant smile was on her face and she leaped at her young airbending friend.

Iroh walked up to Zuko, from his position with the young Avatar and was next to his nephew, he noticed a look on his young nephews face one of anger at the avatar, he looked over to see the same look in his normally calm grey eyes.

"Aang, I knew you would come!" she said breaking the silence and at the same time causing a slight grimace on the prince's face as he turned his eyes away from Aang and to the ground.

Zuko pulled his face up to look at his uncle and spoke.

"Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?" he demanded in confusion.

Hearing this Aangs normally calm voice shot quicker and more precise than the sting of a Buzzard-wasp. "Saving you that's what!"

Without a second thought Zuko lunged at the Avatar only to be stopped by his uncle.

"Zuko, it's time we talked." Iroh said holding his nephew by his shoulders, something about the older mans voice seemed to calm Zuko, yet at the same time made him feel a great shame Zuko looked away.

With the typical smile on his face Iroh turned to looks at Katara and Aang and said "Go help your other friends we'll catch up with you."

Aang rushed out and Katara followed not before getting one final glance at the firebender.

*I hope this is a good sign for things to come, Iroh has always been understanding maybe he'll finally get through to Zuko.*

Ok, I'm switching perspectives here so now it comes from Zuko's POV. So ** means Zuko is thinking it.

*Why did he have to show up, why couldn't he have given me more time. For the past 3 years of my life, the Avatar has been nothing but a blight.*

Without realizing and with an incredible amount of defeat in his voice Zuko let out the words. "Why Uncle?"

"You are not the man you used to be Zuko. You are stronger, and wiser and freer than you have ever been, and now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny it is time for you to choose, it is time for you to chose good."

*Good?*

As the words resonated in the cave, so did the sound of crystals forming in spikes around Iroh's body. Zuko readied himself to attack only to see Azula calmly approaching them.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but Zuko…Prince Zuko you're a lot of things but you're not a traitor, are you?" Azula said, awaiting Zuko's answer.

"Release him immediately!" Zuko demanded.

Ignoring his request Azula took a step back. "It's not too late for you Zuko, you can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you!" Iroh responded.

"Why don't you let him decide uncle?!" Azula's calm exterior cracked as she let out a harsh glare, in what felt like an instant Azula reverted to her calm self as she looked back at her big brother. "I need you, Zuko I've plotted every move of this day, this glorouis day in Fire Nation history and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back , you will have farther's love. You will have everything you want."

"Zuko I am begging you look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want?" his uncle pleaded.

*This is just like my dream, the two dragons.*

"You are free to choose." Azula said with a bored tone, the two Dai Li agents retreated and Azula preceded to follow the Avatar.

*Just like my dream.*

Zuko stared down at the floor in thought and remembered his dream of the two dragons and his nightmare of waking up with a familiar tattoo on his head, he then clenched his fists.

"Uncle, who is the Avatar to me?" Zuko asked.

"What do you mean Zuko?" Iroh responded

"How are we related, by chance? Destiny? Was I born just to hunt..?" Zuko was cut off.

As Zuko spoke Iroh let out a loud sigh.

"Zuko do you know of your great grandfarther?" Iroh asked.

"Firelord Sozin? Yes of course" Zukor responded.

"No, on you're mother's side." Iroh said.

"I was never told of him." Zuko said

"You're great grandfarther was Avatar Roku." Iroh revealed.

Zuko's eye's widened in shock.

"And as the great grandson of both the Avatar and the firelord that started the 100 year war , you have the potential to bring balance to the world much like the Avatar." Iroh said

Zuko lowered his head, clinched his teeth and fists. Without a word he removed the robe covering a sleeveless shirt and trousers and threw the robe to the side, he turned around an looked at his uncle, determination on his face.

Uncle, no matter what happens, I want you to know. Zuko said.

I love you too Zuko. Iroh responded.

Iroh let out a small sad smile as Zuko took off in a sprint not only after the Avatar but after his destiny.

The sounds of a battle could be hard throughout the cave, as they got louder and louder Zuko's chest began to tighten and then he saw it. In a giant open chamber riddled with canals and a large waterfall, The Avatar and the Water Bender were winning. Azula was stood at a stand off, and as the Avatar was about to attack in an unintentionally protective instinct Zuko threw a fist forward, a hige blast of fire shooting forward, further separating the three.

Zuko readied himself in a firebending stance fist cocked back. He began to pace scanning his eyes back and forth from Azula to the two rebels.

Each reacting to his gaze, Azula gave Zuko a look to remind him of her words from the cave and her promises to him and he hesitated as he glanced at her. Soon glimpses of Azula's promises flashed before Zuko, but then something broke his gaze as he looked ready to attack.

It was the water bender and her sad blue eyes fixed on his rage filled face, but beyond the sadness was something Zuko was rarely accustomed to honesty. And that honest reminded him of 3 words he would often repeat to himself as a child.

*Azula always lies!*

Without a second guess, Zuko launched his fist forward firing at Azula. She cartwheeled back and sprang off her feet into a backflip launching both her feet forward sending out a large fireball at all the now larger group of rebels.

Zuko centred himself ready to block the attack, but a large rock barrier rose in front of him, he looked to see the avatar had earth bent the barrier in front of him.

In a quick flash of anger Zuko growled " I had it!"

Aang simply smiled at him, angering Zuko more.

Azula, quickly jumped up and began throwing fireballs at Aang and Zuko, only for Katara to use a wave of ice to block the two boys then taking water from the canal and forming a tendril around her hand she grabbed Azula's foot and attempted to quickly slam her on the ground, using her free hand Azula cut the tendril off with a flash of blue flame and corkscrewed through the air landing on her feet with a small smile.

She had her hands ready in a fire bender stance infront of all 3 of her attackers and darted her eyes to Zuko. The smile had all but left her face.

"And here I thought you'd changed Zuzu!" Azula said in a patronizing tone.

Zuko took up another firebending stance similar to that of a boxer and let the words proudly leave his mouth. "I have changed."

Azula smirked. A sudden crack could be heard as earth flys towards Katara and takes her off guard. Zuko see's the water bender go down and attempts to throw a shot of fire at his sister only for a rock wall to completely snuff the flame before it hit it's mark.

Zuko growled in frustration as he turned to see Aang blocking balls of earth from multiple directions turning as many as he can to dust.

Zuko's eyes darted around, trying to find Azula but instead found a blue fireball hurdling towards him, unable to compensate with his own firebending Zuko flipped backwards to dodge yet unable to land on his feet.

Suddenly a glow filled the room, Zuko turned to see the Avatar had encased himself in a crystal cacoon, frustrasted by his cowardice Zuko prepared to attack both Azula and the unseen attackers but turned to see the water bender surrounded by Dai Li agents, water tendrils prepared to attack.

Suddenly a large crash could be heard as the top of the crystal cacoon burst open and a sudden glow filled the room. Spiritual light shot upwards in a spiral and the Avatar floated within this light.

*Such raw power*

Zuko looked down to see Katara smiling up at Aang, with her eyes no longer focused on the Dai li agents, one of them took the opportunity to attack. Zuko bent down bringing his two fists together and screamed "Water bender move!" then launched his two fists forward and upwards a giant ball of flame flew towards stalactites causing them to fall distracting the Dai Li , Katara used the water around her to launched her forwards landing near Zuko, escaping.

Then it happened.

A familiar boom echoed through the catacomb as the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

*Lighting!*

The tears were already filling Katara's eyes before Aang even began to fall, as the avatars limp body began to fall, Katara lifted both her and Zuko onto a wave and launched them both towards Aang. Zuko managed to catch him before he hit the ground.

*He's not breathing*

The tears were still running on Katara's face as she prepared to defend the three of them, just as the Dai Li were ready to attack, and orange flame came in between them and a familiar face leaped into the fray.

*Uncle!*

Iroh jumped in front of the three of them and began through rapid shots of fire at all the approaching enemies, cutting them off.

"Go! You have to get out of here as long as I can!" Iroh cried as he shot more fire from his fists.

"No Uncle Zuko screamed, placing the Avatar in Katara's hands and running to his Uncle's side, taking up a defensive stance and unleashing fire on his foes.

"Leave prince Zuko. Now!" Iroh yelled, but Zuko ignored him.

*There is no way I'm leaving you, not again!*

Just as Zuko prepared to fight to the end, Iroh's eyes filled with tears as he uttered the words "I'm sorry", and suddenly an everything faded to black.