This is basically a 'what if'. What if, during the battle underneath Ba Sing Se, Zuko had chosen to join Team Avatar, instead of fighting against them? What if...Katara HAD healed his scar? How would this have affected the events in Book 3?

I have never ventured into fanfiction for this show before. This kind of story is vastly different from the others I am currently working on.

Avatar: The Last Airbender was such a huge part of my childhood. When it began, in 2005, I was only 8 years old. When the show finished, I was 11. Now, at nearly 18 years of age, I still love the show with all my heart. It was the first show I cried at, the first show I really laughed at, and the show I have enjoyed the most, out of everything I have watched in my nearly 18 years of life. I've re-watched it countless times, but the magic never left me. I have so much admiration and love for this show.

I decided it was time I show my love. I always wondered how Zuko would look like, at his age in the show, without a scar, and I wondered what would have changed if he had his scar healed by Katara, and if he had chosen to fight with her, not against her, in the Book 2 season finale.

And thus, this was born. I will likely make changes to it, but for now, I am satisfied. If you have any ideas, pointers, suggestions, or even constructive criticism, I would love to hear it.

Please, if you like the idea of this fanfic, and want it to progress through to the events at the end of Book 3, please leave a review.

Thank you for reading this, have fun! ~

Katara was speechless. As she listened to Zuko speak, he no longer sounded like the angry, arrogant prince she remembered him to be. He sounded more...normal. The normally energetic firebender was calm, even composed. Whilst she was understandably wary of him, Katara could tell he was different. From the low tone to his voice, to the way he carried himself. Something had happened during his and Iroh's stay in Ba Sing Se, and, for some unfathomable reason, it had a positive effect on the young prince. Frowning slightly, Katara merely moved closer, and listened as Zuko confided in her. She could barely believe what she heard next, and had to struggle not to fall over in sheer shock.

"I can determine my own destiny, even though I'll never be rid of my mark." He spoke, still with his back turned to Katara.

Katara's hand went to the pendant around her neck, which held a small, hollow charm, the inside of which was filled with water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. As her heart raced, she pondered over the decision she was about to make. With this...she could take away Zuko's mark. Possibly. But...he had spent so many months chasing after them, after Aang.

Shaking her head, Katara took a deep breath. Zuko had not attacked her, and he had not lashed out. Instead, he and her had a conversation which revealed some of the secrets they had both kept hidden. The prince was different. He had just told her he knew he could change his own destiny, and that had clearly taken alot of courage- for so long, his life had been bound to one fate- chasing the Avatar. But now...Zuko had told her he realised that could be changed, that he could change that himself.

"What if you could be rid of it?" Katara spoke up, hand still around the pendant.

"What?" Zuko turned round, startled.

"I have...healing abilities." Katara swallowed, a flush growing on her face, tinging it pink.

"It's a scar." Zuko stared down at the ground, avoiding her gaze. "It can't be healed."

Katara took off the spirit pendant, and held it up. Confused, Zuko followed her gaze.

"This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has...unique qualities." Katara looked down momentarily as their eyes locked. "So...I've been saving it for something important."

Katara stepped across the space in the cave, the glowing crystals shining off of the beautiful pendant.

"I...don't know if it would work...but..." Katara paused. She looked down.

"Why?" Zuko spoke up, taking a step back. "Why would you waste it on me?"

"It's..." Katara thought hard. Why was she doing this? "I said I was saving it for something important. I...I know some bad memory is connected to the...scar...so if I could heal it...you'd be free."

"...Katara." Zuko spoke up.

Katara's heart skipped a beat. Zuko had never called her by her name before. It was usually something along the lines of 'water tribe peasant', or something equally insulting. But now, just now, he had used her name, and he had spoken it with such sincerity. Katara was speaking to the real Zuko, a changed man. Whilst the others might not share her thoughts, Katara was determined. If she helped Zuko, healed his scar, then...maybe he could...help them.

Or...more specifically...help Aang.

The young Avatar would be hard-pressed to find a firebending teacher, especially one that would be willing to teach him. Not only could Zuko help them...it would also mean...one less enemy. One less person to fight. One less person to be at war with. Nodding determinedly, Katara made her decision. She made eye contact with Zuko, and waited for him to finish speaking.

"I don't deserve it." Zuko took another step back. "Not after what I've done."

There was a moment of silence.

"Do you regret it?" Katara spoke up.

"Wha-"

"I know. We both know what you have done, by chasing us, by hurting me and my friends, you have done terrible things." Katara watched his expression darken. "But...Zuko...do you regret what you've done? Something has happened, and I can see you have changed. Someone has helped you turn your life around. Tell me, do you regret what you've done before?"

"I..." Zuko looked up. His eyes widened.

All the events of the past 2 years, of the past few months, flashed through his mind. He had done some terrible things in the name of reclaiming his honour. He had been so determined to capture Aang. And yet...with Uncle Iroh...living out a normal life...a peaceful life...he had been able to see that the path he was on...was wrong. He had been corrupted with his desire to regain his honour and return to his Father. But...what had Ozai done for him? Left him with a scar, which pained him for months after it was inflicted. Left him with sleepless nights, countless days at sea, not belonging.

Looking at Katara, Zuko realised in a single moment...that capturing the Avatar...was not the only way to regain his honour.

If he could stop his father's tyranny...he would have his honour back...

And he would have gained it back the right way.

"I regret...everything." He swallowed. He refused to show emotion before the water tribe girl, refused to let her see his tears. "I...I can't ask any of you to forget what I've done. I've been on the wrong path. But...I never thought I'd ask this...I'd ask for you to forgive me."

Katara took a deep breath. True, she would never be able to forget the pain Zuko had inflicted on the group. The fear he .had once instilled in them. But, in the name of furthering peace, she could forgive him. Everyone had committed a kind of wrong, no matter how severe. Opening her eyes, she smiled at Zuko.

"I won't forget...but...I can..." Katara nodded. "I forgive you."

Zuko's eyes shined, and Katara could tell he was most likely struggling to reign in his emotions. Stepping forward, Katara bended the small amount of water out of the pendant, and watched as Zuko closed his eyes. Keeping her breathing steady, Katara let the water form a glove around her hand, glowing with the spiritual power the water held. Eyebrows furrowed, Katara kept her hand steady as she reached up to tentivately touch Zuko's face, hand resting on the scarred flesh. As much as he tried not to, Zuko couldn't help but flinch. Sighing, Katara poured all her energy into healing, and watched as the water obscured Zuko's scar.

There was only a minimal chance this could work, but Katara was determined to try. Concentrating so hard that sweat beaded on her forehead, Katara bended the water to go into the skin, to heal this old scar. She could feel Zuko shaking, and, feeling somewhat guilty this was causing him pain, she held his hands with her free hand, which made the two of them flush slightly. Many minutes passed, and the sound of rumbling rocks drew near, being what Katara hoped was their rescue, but she did not break her train of thought.

Just as the entrance crumbled, the spirit water finally dissipated.

"Katara?" Aang spoke. "What...what are you doing? That's...that's Zuko!"

"Aang, he won't hurt you." Katara stepped in front of Zuko, who had turned, to look at his reflection in a nearby crystal.

"How do you know that?" Aang held his staff in a defensive position.

"Zuko!" Iroh panted as he ran in. "Avatar, I know my s-my nephew has made some terrible decisions."

"That's an understatement." Aang frowned.

"Aang, I-" Katara followed Aang's gaze, to the empty pendant on the floor.

"What did you do?" Aang's eyes widened.

"Zuko and I talked. He confessed things to me I...I found hard to believe at first. But I listened to him, Aang. He's...he regrets what he's done to you..."

"Nephew, are you alright?" Iroh stepped forward, gaining confidence in Katara's assurance of Zuko's regret.

"I'm..." Zuko smiled to himself, almost giddy as he looked at his reflection. "Uncle...I've never been...so good."

As Zuko turned around, Iroh found himself so utterly shocked that he fell onto his behind, rather ungracefully. Aang's jaw dropped, a combination of Katara's tale of Zuko's apology, and the stark difference in Zuko's appearance. Seeing Aang's expression, and hearing Iroh make some sort of choked sob, Katara turned around. She too, found herself shocked, and her eyes widened, before the biggest grin appeared on her face. Going against all the fears she had, Katara's healing, combined with the spirit water, had somehow, miraculously, worked.

Zuko no longer had a scar.

He no longer bore his 'mark'.

His face was back to how it was before that fateful Agni-kai so long ago. It was pale, and unblemished. His face looked just as it had before the scar, but more defined, and more handsome than before. Katara and Aang had both wondered how Zuko looked without his scar, and on this day, they had found out. Iroh slowly rose to his feet, before he pulled Zuko into a hug, tears streaming down his face. After a moment, Zuko returned the hug, looking happier than Aang thought would ever be possible. Tears stinging at her own eyes, Katara shook her head, smiling widely. Zuko eventually managed to escape Iroh's iron-like grip, before he crossed the distance between him and Katara. Whilst both their faces flushed, Zuko unshamedly hugged the young water tribe girl, making Aang almost fall over in shock.

"Thank you." Zuko spoke to Katara.

It was said with such relief and sincerity, that Aang found himself relaxing, calming down. With such a sincere reply, and seeing what Katara had done for Zuko, he decided that, crazy as it may be, that he would give the prince a chance. He had been taught about second chances, and as hard as it was to believe, Aang decided he would give his former enemy a second chance. Zuko. He would give Zuko a second chance. However, Aang somewhat dreaded Sokka's reaction, but, with the situation at hand, decided to save that concern for later.

"Ahem." Iroh cleared his throat.

Immediately, Zuko and Katara broke apart, grinning sheepishly. Whilst Zuko smiled, the other three marvelled at the change in the young man. By ridding him of his scar, Katara had, in a way, freed Zuko. The waterbender found herself tired and out of breath, missing alot of her energy, but, as she looked at the unscarred, handsome face of her once-enemy, and saw his sincere smile, she decided it was worth it. Looking from Zuko, to Katara, Iroh opened his mouth so that he too, could thank the waterbender. He was interrupted by a sudden burst of flame...

One that made Zuko's heart skip a beat.

It was not the sudden attack, or the adrenalin beginning to make its way through his body...

But it was the colour of the flames.

The powerful flames were a bright, brilliant, fluroscent blue. And, at the entrance of the cave...stood it's caster.

Azula.