It was the second day on the beach, and the teens were preparing to leave. Well, three of them were. Azula and Gohan were ready, both having woken up before the others, the former because of the latter.

Currently, Azula stared at Gohan from an open window, Mai and Ty Lee both behind her getting ready to depart as well. The Saiyan was looking out at the ocean again. This probably would have annoyed her if his statement from the night before hadn't unnerved her slightly.

'And that lightning attack…' she trailed, watching as he messed up his hair. It was no secret that he preferred messy hair. That was one of the first things she found out about him.

"Thinking about my brother?" Mai asked, stressing the word 'brother' with a roll of her eyes.

"Yes… it's about what he said and did last night," Azula told them.

"Yeah, talk about ominous," Mai huffed. That actually sent chills down her spine when she thought about it afterwards. "I never would've thought someone would bend lightning like he had," she said. "And he seems to have mastered it in, like, a month or so." She looked at the Saiyan.

"You guys don't think he regained his memory, do?" Ty Lee asked tentatively. If that were to happen, what would happen to them? "He wouldn't kill us, would he?"

"That-" Azula rounded on her, ready to harshly cast the theory aside. "-is a possibility," she realized.

"But that wouldn't make sense. Why would he continue as though nothing changed if he regained his memory?" Mai asked. "Besides, with everyone sleeping, he's had more than enough time."

"There is no logical reason for that," Azula concluded. "If he did return to the correct state of mind, there is a very slim chance that he would continue a charade." She nodded.

"What if he finds out?" Ty Lee asked.

"Yeah, he has actual control over lightning. I don't think anyone would be able to stop that," Mai supplemented. "What could be do?"

"If it comes to that-" Azula turned to the girls. "-the Fire Lord will welcome him to Yougan Peak (Lava Peak)." Azula smiled, knowing that she wouldn't have to resort to that.

As Gohan turned back to the small house, there was a sudden strong gust of wind, making the Saiyan's long hair blow to the side. With the time of day, a shadow overtook his visage, making him look something akin to a conquer. It was frightening and exciting at once.

While the girls were discussing this, Zuko sat in a chair while he contemplated the events of last night. Gohan brought up some key points that Zuko couldn't even disagree with.

Gohan's words were starting to tug at his heart strings. Everything was true; the war only succeeded in killing people- his people, along with others. The war needs to end, but he was conflicted. He finally has what he wanted, his dad treats him like a hero, he feels loved again. But, was this way of living truly the right way? Was there even a right way of living?

When he sees Gohan, there's sometimes guilt in his heart. But other times, when he remembers his defeat at the Saiyan's hands, he feels anger and resentment. It was infuriating to feel this conflicted.

Does he side with the Avatar for the sake of peace for his people and the world, or does he side with the Fire Nation and make others suffer?

He knew what it was like to suffer, and did not want such a fate to fall onto another person. But, on the other hand, he felt as though all that suffering was to be made up by following in his forefathers' footsteps.

He was left with a choice. A choice that decided his fate, and that of the Fire Nation.

Son Gohan sighed in mild frustration. He was frustrated with Azula's seemingly impenetrable mindset. Yes, Azula just didn't want to change, her mind was too set on following her father's dreams. The dreams to be the "Perfect Daughter." That greatly annoyed the Saiyan, making his interactions with the Fire Lord clipped and to the point. He didn't like spending any time with the man. Seriously, what type of father does what he did to his children?

Gohan shook his head to deter from that line of thought, knowing that it would do him no good.

It seemed as though the only people learning from him were Mai and Zuko- and he only ever spoke to them about this one time apart from the time on the beach. Zuko was a mass of walking confusion, and Mai followed directions, but was only loyal to Zuko and Ty Lee -and Azula to a certain extent.

He had put his usual droning to Azula on the subject on pause for a couple of weeks, wanting to just spend time with her since the invasion was less that two weeks away at the time. He had figured out that the only way to get her to change would be to take away the other choices she had, the bad ones.

He blamed it all on Ozai. He really liked Azula, and he wished she would change, but the world came first. It was his duty. Because of that, he was now preparing to commit treason. Technically speaking, he was never a citizen of the Fire Nation so this couldn't be counted as treason, right?

'I doubt that she will want to be anywhere near the Fire Nation once Zuko or someone else is at the thrown,' he thought, running a hand through his hair. It was mid-back length, spiky as usual, and he had two chin-length bangs that framed his face, annoyingly. (He would have slicked them back, but then he would look a lot like Raditz, something he didn't want) His fringe nearly reached down to his right eye, but it was okay for now. He planned on cutting his hair, but not now. Today was the Day of Black Sun. He had small preparations to do.

The invasion was set to take place in two hours, he figured that he should take this time to meditate.

Sitting in the center of the room, he closed his eyes and began inhaling and exhaling in slow, rhythmic breaths. Just like how Piccolo taught him.

It happened so fast that Gohan probably would have had a heart attack if he was an old man. Only, he didn't have a heart. At least, not anymore. He had heard a voice, then he opened his eyes to see himself sitting in front of an old man in a weird plane of existence!

"I apologize for startling you, young Gohan," the man said.

"…that's okay." Gohan waved off the apology, trying to grip the situation that presented itself to him.

"My name is Roku, the Avatar before Aang," Roku announced.

"I see… so, what am I doing here? Where exactly is here?" Gohan asked. "Wait, is this the spirit world? Am I dead?! How'd I die?!" He ran a hand through his hair in panic.

Roku gave a hearty laugh at the boy's increasing worry. "Do not worry, Gohan," Roku told the Saiyan. "You are not dead. It is only through meditation and some meddling that you are here in the Spirit World," Roku told the boy.

There was understanding and recognition in the Saiyan's eyes. "Oh, that's cool!" This had never happened before, to him.

Roku nodded with a small smile. "Now, the reason I brought you here is simple: you can not defeat the Fire Lord."

Huh? "What do you mean? He's not that strong, I can defeat him, no problem." Gohan looked incredulous.

"Yes, I am aware of your powers. This is why I reach to you." Roku nodded once. "The world as you know it has lost balance…" Roku began to tell the tale a millennia old. "…And that is my fault. I must share with you how the world lost balance before you know how it will return to balance. It started back almost two hundred years ago…" Roku looked away, bringing Gohan's gaze to follow his. He began to share with him his life, rise and fall, and by the end, Gohan had an understanding he hadn't previously.

"So… you're saying that it's solely the Avatar's job to restore peace and harmony to the world?" Gohan asked, catching on early. A frown marred his face.

"Don't take it to heart, Gohan." Roku waved placatingly. "This is the simple way of the world. For example, if you were the one to bring down the Fire Lord, the people of the world would look to you for guidance." He waved off the reply, continuing. "It is true. I know how people work. I've walked this world for over a hundred years. You may not know this, but Aang isn't very far into the good favor of the people. The people have lost hope in him, and all believe him to be dead. If he were to miraculously appear after you defeated the Fire Lord, none would even want him leading them into peace."

"Not if I were to identify with another nation, I'm sure," Gohan replied. "But, why is it so wrong that someone else were to guide the people into harmony? As long as the job gets done, I don't see what the problem is."

"The problem is that it will throw off the balance of the world more than it already is," Roku replied. "For the generations to come after the time of Aang."

"But what if I said it was Aang? What if I defeated Ozai and gave Aang the credit. It would cause less death and misfortune in the long run." Gohan saw Roku consider this.

"I know Aang," Roku sighed. "He would not be able to keep that truth from the populace, I'm afraid. This is for the greater good in the long run. If the Avatar's credibility becomes any lower, I fear that it may never return to where it should be."

Gohan was silent, staring at the man in silent consideration. He understood what Roku was talking about, and understood where he was coming from. But he didn't like it. There had to be a way around it all.

"Gohan, I would truly appreciate it if you respect my wishes as Avatar." Roku bowed slightly to show the seriousness of the matter. "I know you wish to help bring harmony to the world, and I have a way for you to do so, while Aang leads the world into harmony." He looked away once more, prompting Gohan to do do as well.

"This is during your time as Avatar?" Gohan observed the change in scenery, watching intently.

"Yes." Roku gestured around. "This is of the world where I was not. This is what the people did when I was not around." There was a group of men cornering a woman in an alley. "I could not be everywhere at once. There couldn't be more than one Avatar per nation. I couldn't stop everything foul in the world."

Gohan nodded in agreement.

"This is where you would come in. With your ability to fly at amazing speeds, and your ability to sense the feelings of other beings… you can travel the world, stopping the problems the Avatar can not."

Gohan thought of the possibilities.

"I also know that you have an ability to split yourself in two."

Gohan was surprised by that. Just how much did Roku know about him? He only practiced the Multi-Form Technique a few times, and it wasn't even perfect. But, let's say he was to take up Roku's idea- not the plea, but the suggestion that came after- and he most likely would, it would be a great way to practice that technique. Plus, he could be two different people, Son Gohan and… The Great Saiyaman! Heh, nice name. It could be a superhero persona or something.

Gohan nodded twice, eyes closed as he plotted out how this would all work. He was unaware of the time that passed by, nor was he aware of…

"Okay, Roku, I've decided," Gohan said. "I'll make sure Aang defeats the Fire Lord, and I will help him guide the world into harmony."

"That is all I can ask for," Roku said.

Gohan nodded in agreement. "Okay, then I guess I'll see you later." He waved as he began to meditate some more to release himself from the spirit world.

He woke to find himself in his temporary room. Only, when he realized something wrong the moment he returned.

His body was gone!

(Several minutes earlier, outside).

A reverberating "thunk" echoed throughout Gohan's room, followed by a body losing its balance and slumping to the floor.

Zuko wiped some sweat off his brow as he held a red pole in his other hand. It was the pole he saw Gohan with many times prior to this whole debacle. He wore simple dark red clothing, all his garbs and accessories that identified him as Prince were gone, put away while he started this treasonous plan.

The first part of that plan involved getting Gohan and Gohan's belongings to a war balloon while the second step was to reveal his treacherous departure to Ozai. Then, third step, was to flee with the Saiyan to help the Avatar (because he knows the invasion will fail).

It was a sound plan if anyone were to ask him.

Now, hefting the Saiyan over his shoulder, Zuko made sure to avoid any route Azula would take if she decided she wanted Gohan's company.

'He weighs las much as a rhino-sloth,' Zuko grunted, trying to keep the Saiyan's hair from dragging along the ground. 'With me saving him, I'm sure there won't be any problems,' he thought.

It was all going smoothly. And nothing could stop this plan.

And nothing did! His plan went off without a hitch. With the Saiyan in the basket with him, the two were on hot pursuit of Team Avatar as the heroes fled the Fire Nation Capital!