This chapter was written by AnnaAza, we don't own ATLA.

Zuko didn't bother pausing to hear everyone's intakes of breath.

"Didn't you hear me? I want you to end me if I turn into Ozai."

Reactions stemmed from horrified to confusion. Toph stared at Zuko as if she was trying to sense if he was kidding. Sokka, for one of the first times of his life, was silent. Katara put her hand to her mouth in shock. But Aang exploded in horror and anger:

"What? No! What are you saying? I can't—!"

"Please, Aang." Zuko looked at the Avatar square in the eyes. "Even now, my father's legacy is a part of me. As Fire Lord, it is my duty to restore the honor of the Fire Nation and heal the world of its scars. But I will be honest with you. I need a safety net. The world needs a safety net. Aang, you will be just that."

"Zuko, you're my friend, my teacher! I can't just—"

"As a friend, I'm asking you, if I go bad...please. Just end me, Aang. Promise me!" Zuko snapped firmly. "I want your word, and I'm not getting off this bison until you do."

Aang looked helplessly at his girlfriend. Katara had been staring in shock at Zuko's proclamation, but now, she straightened up, resolute.

"If Zuko feels comfortable enough to make this request, you should follow it." She didn't say these words, but the look of two people who had known each other for so long and have a strong bond passed between them. Aang nodded, understanding.

"Fine. I promise." Aang said softly.

Zuko nodded, equally quiet. "Good."

The last firework was shot into the air, the brightest and the most colorful. Everyone on the bison cheered, along with the other people down below. Appa was starting to descend as the firework faded into the sky.

Zuko looked at the Gaang, who were not facing him, explicit in their awkwardness and confusion. Only Katara was staring at him, but when he locked eyes with her, she hurriedly turned away.


Katara unwound the rose in her hair. The pink flower had gotten limp and almost dry, so she took it and placed it between the pages of a book she had bought from a stall. Katara had long discarded her shoes and socks and was just dropping her green robes that Iroh had insisted purchasing for her. Her room was in the Earth Kingdom palace; the Gaang were staying in the lavish guest chambers.

Katara was going to take a long awaited warm bath, a feature only the Earth King's palace and the Fire Palace had, when someone knocked on the door.

"Just a minute!" she called and fixed her robe, opening the door to see Aang.

"Aang?"

"Hey, sweetie." Aang fidgeted with his robe. "Can I talk to you?"

"Of course." Katara answered and stood back to let him in the doorway.

"About Zuko...do you think that I should have made that promise?"

"He wanted you to." Katara answered as she stacked the bath soaps on the tub. She wanted to listen to Aang, but felt glad that she hadn't yet drawn her warm bath.

"But even if Zuko does...turn out like Ozai, I don't know if she could do it. It's not like when everyone wanted me to kill Ozai. No one wants to see Zuko...die, not by my hands either."

"I have faith in Zuko." Katara replied as she neatly folded her bathrobe. "He has changed for the better, and Zuko has Mai and loyal people around him to help, including his crew and some of the Order of the White Lotus."

"That's true..." Aang answered. He seemed to be thinking it over more as he headed for the door. "Good night."

"Good night." Katara watched as the door shut behind him.