So I've decided to continue this (pause for applause). Yeah, a lot of people really liked this idea, and I do have one or two more ideas to work on for this, so here we go on this new journey!

Chapter 2

Kyoshi

Katara realized what Zuko had said. That's something we have in common. The face she had associated with the enemy for so long had admitted they had something in common. Katara stood up and looked aside, not willing to meet Zuko's eyes. "I'm sorry for yelling at you before," she apologized.

Zuko turned his head away. "It doesn't matter," he replied shortly. Katara glanced at him from the side, trying to get a better look at him. "It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face," she said, trying to explain herself.

Zuko glanced back at her. "My face? I see," he said, touching his scar, almost self-consciously. Katara realized what her statement must have sounded like to the burned prince. "No, no, that's- that's not what I mean," she stammered, slowly approaching Zuko like one would approach a wounded animal.

"It's okay," Zuko replied. "I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark." Immediately, a thought crossed Katara's mind, and she couldn't stop herself from blurting it out. "Maybe you could be free of it."

"What?" Zuko asked as he turned to the waterbender. "I have healing abilities," Katara replied quickly. Zuko felt himself get a little irritated. "It's a scar, it can't be healed," he said curtly, not caring about his tone. Katara reached to her neck and pulled out a light-and-dark blue vial, holding it up for Zuko to see.

"This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole," Katara explained. "It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important." She moved in front of Zuko, looking him right in the eyes. "I don't know if it would work, but…"

Zuko closed his eyes, and Katara put her hand to his scar, the flesh feeling a little rough under her fingertips. Right before she could bend the water onto his scar, a rumbling came from behind them as crystals shattered like glass. Katara and Zuko whirled around to see two very familiar faces. Aang and Iroh had entered the cave to free them.

"Aang!" Katara yelled as she ran to hug the young Avatar. A look of surprise crossed his face when he saw Katara and Zuko alone together, but that was quickly replaced with a brief smile at Katara, followed by a glare at Zuko. Zuko glared at Aang over Iroh's shoulder as the nephew and uncle pair reunited in an embrace.

"Aang, I knew you would come," Katara said as she hugged Aang again. Zuko briefly glanced at Iroh before returning his gaze at Aang. "Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?" he asked, pointing at Aang. Aang huffed at Zuko. "Saving you, that's what," he replied. Zuko growled at Aang and took a step forward, but Iroh stopped him from moving any further.

"Zuko," Iroh said, his voice gentle yet firm, "It's time we talked." Iroh turned to Aang and Katara. "Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you," he told them. As the two left the prison, Katara noticed Zuko looking sadly to the side, but remembered what was likely happening upstairs and followed Aang.

Zuko felt the pain in his chest well up. "Why, Uncle?" he asked, his voice shattered with hurt. Iroh sighed, then looked up to Zuko. "You're not the man you used to be, Zuko," he began, then smiled. "You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good."

Zuko thought about what his uncle had said for a moment. "There is so much I have to ask you about, Uncle," he said. "But my biggest question first. When the Avatar defeats my father, - if he defeats my father - who will take the throne? You?" Iroh shook his head. "No, Zuko. My actions and inactions during the war have already decided my fate. Besides, I have no heir anymore." He placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "There are only two options for who Ozai's successor would be," he continued. "If your sister took the throne, the world would still be embroiled in this war. If this war is to end peacefully, with happiness and forgiveness on all sides, it must be you. There is still much for you to learn. But no Fire Lord is born knowing everything."

Zuko wasn't sure how he felt when Iroh said that. "But my honor…" he faltered as Iroh pulled him into a hug. "Your honor is not something your father, or anyone, can take, nor can it be truly lost," Iroh said. "Your honor is dependent on the actions you take next, my nephew. Come, let's go help the Avatar. I have a feeling that Agni Kai with Azula has to happen at some point." Iroh took Zuko's arm and led him out of the prison. As they both lit flames in their hands, Zuko couldn't help but notice the shapes the shadows made as he ascended from the darkness.

"We've got to find Sokka and Toph," Katara said as she and Aang raced through the Crystal Catacombs. A rumbling from the left-hand wall caught their attention, and they whirled around to see Long Feng and a few Dai Li agents entering the cavern, a dark smirk on the former Grand Secretariat's face.

"Oh, I believe they are with the Earth King," Long Feng said casually. "Locked in the dungeon with no way of escape. Ms Beifong may be a skilled earthbender, but even she cannot bend metal." Katara and Aang got into fighting positions, Katara bending the water from the channels. "I thought the Earth King had you arrested!" Aang yelled. Long Feng chuckled and spread his arms out. "The Dai Li's loyalties have always belonged to me, Avatar," he replied. "Willingly… or not. I strive to be a careful man, so when the opportunity to create a loyal force arose… well, who wouldn't take that opportunity?"

"You brainwashed them," Katara said hollowly, then steeled her resolve. "What about Azula and her friends? The Fire Nation girls?" she asked. Long Feng raised an eyebrow. "Why would you care? Aren't they your enemies?"

"That doesn't change the fact they're still human beings," Aang replied. Long Feng smirked again. "The Princess is currently being held in an infirmary cell after an unfortunate accident with my agents resulted in her arms being broken. I would imagine it will be a while before she can firebend again. As for her friends, they have the opportunity to serve the new Earth King. Me," he explained.

A blast of orange fire leapt at Long Feng, almost hungrily, forcing him to leap to the side. "You did WHAT?!" Zuko's voice yelled out as he and Iroh rushed to Aang and Katara's side. Zuko prepared another blast of fire, but Iroh held his arm back. "Not now, Prince Zuko. Not now," he said. Zuko whirled to look at Iroh. "But he's… Mai, Ty Lee… my sister," he faltered as Iroh gave him a hard look. "It is good, very good, that even after what Azula has put you through, you still care what happens to her. But we are outnumbered and in a bad position, even with the power of the Avatar."

"Listen to your uncle, banished prince," Long Feng commanded, then bowed respectfully to Iroh, like how one respected an opponent. "I never expected to meet the Dragon of the West during my reign." Iroh only glared at Long Feng. "And when I had expected to serve tea to the Earth King, I had not imagined it would be your face… or the face of my niece."

"Is the offer of tea still on the table?" Long Feng asked. "I would like to discuss some things with the Avatar, and perhaps the former Earth King." Aang felt a growl grow in his throat, but then stopped as he felt a transformation begin to take place. A beam of light filled the cavern, making everyone shield their eyes from the Avatar. When the light receded, Aang had been replaced by a tall woman in green, twin fans in her hands, her face painted. Avatar Kyoshi crossed the room in a second and grabbed Long Feng by the throat, raising him into the air.

"Then discuss, Long Feng," Kyoshi said. "I too have some choice words for you."

Sokka, Toph, and Kuei sat in the cell, Sokka staring out the barred window. "See any Dai Li agents nearby?" Toph asked. Sokka glanced around one last time. "Nope, all clear," he replied, flashing her an a-ok sign. Toph stood, cracked her knuckles, and placed her hands against the cell door. She quickly crumpled and threw it away from the doorframe with her metalbending, then stepped out of the cell.

"Let's go," Sokka said as he grabbed the Earth King's hand and followed Toph through the dungeon. Kuei yelped. "I'm not leaving without Bosco!" The pair were stopped by Toph's hand blocking the path. "Hold up, Captain Boomerang," she said. "Something doesn't… feel right. I'm not sure how to describe it." Toph stomped her bare foot on the ground, her seismic sense moving through the entire area. "Bosco's in the throne room… by himself. No crazy girls, no Dai Li, no nothing. And… there's something going down in a huge cavern below the palace. I can sense a lot of people down there, and some of them are very angry."

Sokka set his jaw for a moment. "Can you earthbend us down there?" he asked. Toph scoffed. "Did Aang have to be babied through his earthbending training?" she shot back. Sokka raised an eyebrow. "I was stuck in a hole for most of the day, so I can't answer that."

Toph rolled her eyes and opened a tunnel down to where she had sensed the group. "It's going to be a bit dark on the way down, I would think, for you seeing people. Anyone afraid of the dark?" she asked, somewhat sarcastically. Kuei made a sound like a mouse being trod upon. "A little," he admitted sheepishly. Toph sighed. "Oh, goody." Without wasting a moment, she leapt down the hole, sliding her way down. Kuei bit his lip as he looked down the dark tunnel.

Sokka sighed. "Do you need to hold onto me?" he asked tiredly, then squawked when Kuei leapt onto him. "I'd better be getting a royal treatment after this," he grumbled as he slid into the hole.

One of the two screamed as Sokka and Kuei slid down the tunnel. Sokka knew he wasn't screaming. A couple moments later, he slid into an open cavern, light spilling around them. The moment he and Kuei stopped, the Earth King leapt off and dusted himself off, then helped Sokka up. "Sorry," Kuei apologized. Sokka cracked his back muscles as he stretched. "It's cool," he replied. "Glad to be helpful."

"Guys?" Toph called over. Sokka heard the slight fear in her voice. "You might want to come over and look at this," she finished. Sokka and Kuei rushed over to where Toph stood, and their jaws dropped simultaneously at the sight they beheld. Long Feng was being lifted by the neck, the hand belonging to none other than…

"Avatar Kyoshi," Kuei said, mystified. Sokka rubbed his eyes, not looking at the Avatar, but two of the people standing next to him. "Iroh and the angry jerk?!" he exclaimed. Toph chuckled. "Looks like it." Sokka ignored her statement as he grabbed the Earth King's wrist and dragged him to the confrontation. Toph shrugged and followed them.

"Katara!" Sokka yelled. Katara glanced over, and her face broke into a huge smile when she saw her brother. "Sokka!" she yelled back as she ran to hug him. After the siblings broke apart, Sokka looked Katara dead in the eyes. "What's going on?" he asked. Katara leaned close to him.

"Long Feng backstabbed Azula and took the power away from her," she whispered. "Kyoshi just possessed Aang and that's about when you showed up." Sokka nodded. "Well, let's hope Long Feng still doesn't intend to surrender to the Fire Lord."

"That… was… never my intent," Long Feng choked out as Kyoshi gripped his throat tighter. "I only… wanted best… for the kingdom." Kuei actually growled and moved next to Kyoshi, a very angry expression on his face. "Then you should have done the duty you were given!" he yelled. "You should have advised me! At least given me an indication we were in the middle of a war, so I could help be the light for our people! Unite them! Assure them we would make our way out of this war!"

"Would you like to?" Kyoshi asked. Kuei paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes," he replied. "Put him down." Kyoshi released her grip on Long Feng, and the secretariat fell to the ground, coughing. Once he stood, he was promptly knocked over again when Kuei slapped him hard across the face. So hard, that Long Feng actually spun around once before falling on his butt.

"You are a traitor to the Earth Kingdom and the Earth King!" Kuei continued yelling. "Once this war is finished - under my supervision - you will be exiled to the Si Wong Desert, never to return to Ba Sing Se, nor enter any other Earth Kingdom town or city outside the Desert lest you be arrested! Do I make myself clear?!"

Long Feng was about to order the Dai Li to attack, but he noticed how the elder of the two firebenders was struggling to keep the prince back, and he had a very clear idea that the Avatar was not going to stop the prince. If Kyoshi did, it would only be so she could destroy Long Feng and the Dai Li herself. Realizing he had no other option, he bowed his head. "I accept your terms, your Highness. I will release my control of the Dai Li and they will release the Council of Five," Long Feng said, defeated. He turned to the Dai Li. "Your invitation has expired."

Almost immediately, all of the present agents blinked and wobbled a little as the brainwashing was released. They took in the situation; the Catacombs, the Earth King standing over a bowed Long Feng, and their founder, Avatar Kyoshi, standing next to him. Several gulped and bowed to the Earth King.

A thought struck Katara. She turned to Kuei. "The Dai Li had brainwashed several women into guides for the city, all going by the name Joo Dee," she said. Kuei's face reddened as he looked over at Long Feng. "All of this? This is what you call 'best for the kingdom?'" he asked, then slapped Long Feng again. After calming down, he turned back to Katara. "Is it reversible?" he asked. Katara nodded. "Waterbending-based healing can break the brainwashing. I know some healers in the Northern Tribe."

"Could you help Mai and Ty Lee?" Zuko asked. "They've probably been brainwashed by now, thanks to him," he added, pointing at Long Feng. Katara hesitated a moment, remembering what Mai and Ty Lee had been like. She glanced at Zuko, his eyes pleading. "They're my childhood friends, and they only followed Azula's orders because she forced them to," he said. "Please help them. I'd do anything in return."

Katara chewed her lip a moment, then glanced at Sokka. He shrugged. "Hey, if he's telling the truth, we could get some serious backup in the war," he said. "It's your call, Katara." She thought about the idea a little more. Jet's face filled her memory, and how he had been in pain. Katara set her jaw as she made her decision. "Alright," she told Zuko. "I'll help. But you have to promise me that they won't attack us on sight."

"I can't guarantee that," Zuko replied. "But if I'm there, Mai probably won't get after you." Katara sighed. "That's good enough for me."

Their attention was caught by Kyoshi stomping her foot. "Now, I have some words for my legacy," she said the word with as much venom as possible. The Dai Li shuffled back a little, in fear of their founder. "I created you to protect Ba Sing Se's cultural heritage. Not to carry out conspiracies or subjugate the people! You have disgraced yourselves in my absence," Kyoshi continued, pacing. Several agents cowered.

"But… I still see a purpose for you," she said, facing the agents. "You are trained to be silent and stealthy. The ideal secret force. If the Earth King decides not to dissolve you, you all will be an instrumental force in the war effort. If his Majesty agrees," she finished. Kuei nodded and bowed. "Thank you, Avatar. I believe there is already a plan in place," he replied.

"Um, Kyoshi," Katara began. Kyoshi turned towards the waterbender. Katara immediately felt self-conscious. "I'd like to talk to Aang," she finished. Kyoshi sighed. "Young waterbender, you will be able to talk to him. But hear me first. He left his training with the guru to come save you. He may have cut off his connection to the cosmic energy to ensure your safety." She leaned down to Katara's ear. "If you survive this war, you'd better marry him. Men like this aren't nearly as common anymore."

Katara smiled and blushed a little. A moment later, Kyoshi shone with blinding light, and Aang took her place when it faded. Katara caught the young airbender before he fell, and smiled a little more when Aang gave her a thankful smile. Kuei cleared his throat. "How about we all head back up to the palace? I can offer all of you guest suites as we make our plans to defeat the Fire Nation," he said, then turned to Iroh and Zuko. "You two are certainly welcome, as well." Iroh bowed to the king. "It would be our honor," he replied.

"It's going to take a while to undo the damage Azula and Long Feng caused," Sokka remarked. Toph chuckled and slugged him. "Well, we've got plenty of time before the eclipse, don't we?" she asked rhetorically. "Or are we going to need a schedule master to keep an eye on things?"

"Aang still has firebending to learn, even if we defeat the Fire Lord on the eclipse," Katara remarked, lacing her hand through his. Aang felt the blush rise. "Yeah, well, maybe we can go over some other things before that," he replied. "This is going to be mostly smooth sailing from now on." Little did he know how wrong he was. How fatally wrong.

Dun, dun, dun! Foreshadowing! What could happen next? Who's really loyal to what? Are Mai and Ty Lee going to be alright? What about Azula? Did I really kill off the main plot point before the halfway-point of the story? The answer to that is yes. After chapter three, it's going to follow basic canon (Team Avatar in the Fire Nation, Zuko joining) with some big differences involving the Fire siblings and the other two of Ozai's Angels (that's their name now, aight?)

So, as usual, tell me what you think, thoughts, feelings, theories, and stay safe, healthy, and good luck on exams for all taking them!