Well, here ya go. It's shorter than the usual, but much much more...WOW. I don't mean "Wow, that's totally amazing" (though I like to think it is) but more of a "Wow!" kind of wow. If that makes any sense. If it doesn't, well, it will by the end of Chapter fourteen, I promise. I'm sorry this chapter took so long to write and post, but I had all the holiday family crap to do and frankly, I was feeling pretty darn lazy.

Anyhoo, I've been planning this from the early stages of this fic, and I am very pleased that it's finally out in the open. Enjoy!

Back inside, Teo had starting snoring softly, his head rolled awkwardly on his shoulder and Aang glared suspiciously at the door that Katara and Zuko had just gone through. What could he be talking to her about that he couldn't say in front of him? Actually, Aang didn't think he wanted to know though he continued pace the length of the room frantically. Finally, a grim Zuko came back in and walked straight into one of the bedrooms without at word. Aang glared at his back fiercely.

Katara sat outside the house, pondering the difficult decision Zuko had left with her. It would go against everything she believed in. To actually take over someone's body, leaving them completely helpless is the very last resort as far as she was concerned.

But this would be a last resort. They were running out of time, and ideas, to defeat the Fire Lord, and if this were what it would take, well…she wouldn't be able to do it, Katara concluded miserably. There was no way she could do that to another human being cursed Hamma for making her learn this vile technique.

Katara shook her head and stood up slowly. She went back into the house, frowning and met Aang's confused gaze. She ignored it, bade him and Teo goodnight, though he was already fast asleep, and stumbled into the closest bedroom deep in thought.

Aang grimaced and stalked off into the remaining bedroom, leaving Teo snoring comfortably in his chair.

Firelord Ozai stood up swiftly from his throne and took long, flowing steps out the door. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes when he heard his soldiers following behind him, their armor rattling loudly with each step.

His lips twitched upwards when he finally reached the ornate door to his bedroom and he motioned for the guards to leave him to his sleep. Ozai slammed the door forcefully behind him. He'd had a long day. Between preparing for the comet and waiting for the Avatar to show up, people had been harassing him all day long. He had to bring in soldiers from the front to protect him from a twelve year old kid! Ozai believed the Avatar could do no more damage than his ingrate son, but his advisors insisted. Either way, he had nothing to worry about. His room was in the very heart of the palace and no one could get near his door without any of the guards being alerted.

Ozai ground his teeth at the thought of his son. The nerve that traitor had! He was a coward, coming to him during the eclipse. At least if Zuko had killed him, he would have died knowing his son wasn't a complete failure. But he'd left. Going on and on about destiny or fate. Ozai knew it was a mistake in sending Iroh with him, but he couldn't have his brother snooping around here. He was always wooing and influencing the members of his court, serving them rare teas and playing Pai Sho. He was a useless old man trying to regain power in the palace. Pathetic. He lost the right to rule when he'd lost his poor excuse of a son.

Yawning, Ozai pulled on his delicate silk sleeping robes and climbed into his large and lonely bed. His eyelids drifted shut. He started when he though he'd heard his door slam, but when he'd opened his eyes he saw nothing. Shrugging suspiciously, he shut his eyes again though he kept alert. He heard nothing more.

Suddenly, he felt a hand clap around his neck. His eyes flew open but he could see no one in the room. His hands immediately began to claw and scratch at his neck, desperate to pull the hand off. He recognized the hand was not made of flesh, though he had trouble identifying what it was in the action. Ozai gasped for breath and pulled himself out of bed, trying to call for help. But no sound came out.

He tried again, but it was just a squeak. Black spots began to obstruct his vision and he took a frail step. His balance faltered and the Firelord found himself plummeting towards the decorated floor. He blacked out the second he hit the ground.

She knew it had to be done. Normally, when faced with a decision like this, she would not hesitate. But it was different this time. So, she hesitated. But she was just procrastinating. She knew what she would do. She just had to pretend to have a soul, feel guilt or remorse. Giving the order was simple. Easy. Now she just had to wait. Azula paced her room anxiously, loosing her cool demeanor in anticipation.

It didn't take long. She heard the swift motion of her door swing open then closed. Composing herself, Azula stopped pacing, and faced her doorway regally. A Dai Li agent stood rigidly in front of her. She raised an eyebrow, questioning him, and he nodded shakily.

Azula dismissed him quickly. She frowned. An unfamiliar feeling came over her. The pressure began to build behind her eyes and tears started to form. She shook her head. This wasn't like her. She doesn't feel guilty, remorse or sadness. Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation, does not feel at all.

But this was different. It wasn't like all the other times she'd ordered someone to be killed, or tortured. To her surprise, a sob broke through her lips loudly. Her hand flew to cover her mouth, but to surprise herself further, wet tears were flowing down her cheeks.

Azula sat down on her bed trembling. Her body shook with her sobs as she let herself break down. She had just ordered the only person who liked her, maybe even loved her if he was capable, to be brutally murdered. It was her fault her father was dead.

Azula was truly alone.

Wow right? I thought so. xD Betcha didn't see that coming!!

So don't forget to review, and keep on the lookout for Chapter 15!

Emily