Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. Do you?

A/N: I thought it would be fun to write a series of drabbles based on the different words of advice found in the series. Each of the stories stands alone, and the advice often inspires someone other than the person it was originally spoken to. I hope you enjoy! Please read and review.

"It's time to look inward and start asking yourself the big questions: WHO are you? And what do YOU want?"

-Iroh, The Crossroads of Destiny

This was the moment. The moment that the world had been waiting for. Aang drew his hand back, preparing the final blow to end the Firelord's life. Earth, water, air, and fire- power enough to destroy the avatar himself. And he was going to use it.

He was going to use his power to kill. The idea went against everything he ha ever learned. It defied his very core of humanity. He was no murderer. But he had to do it. That much was certain. The fate of the free world was dependent on his ability to abandon all fear and hesitation. His past lives urged him forward, telling him it was the only way. It was courageous, wasn't it? To let go of his own needs to make way for the greater good. Aang told himself this, feigning confidence, resolution. This was the right path. This was his destiny. The elements launched towards the helpless man before him. In a moment, it would all be over.

Then it hit Aang.

Yes, it would all be over. There would be nothing left of Aang- the avatar, and the last of the air benders. Everything he was would die with the Firelord, when he struck the final blow. The goodness inside him would dissipate and he would fall to darkness. He could not kill a man, even a man such as this. The Firelord was at his mercy. To kill him would destroy Aang, too.

He let the stream fall. He sank back to the ground, eyes losing their light.

"No. It doesn't have to end like this." Aang said aloud. He whispered to himself, "I know who I am."

He knew what it meant to be the avatar. But he also knew what it meant to be Aang. The two could not reconcile themselves to murder, even as part of the same body. He would win this fight as Aang, or not at all.

He placed his hands on the Firelord's forehead and chest. He drew in a breath. This was what he came to do. This is who he was going to be.

Next time: "If you want to be a bender, you have to let go of fear." Azula may have been born lucky, but she wasn't born fearless.