Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.

Katara felt the heat of the flames dangerously close to her skin and her water clouded around her protectively. Angry blue eyes glared at Fire Nation prince that had just arrived—alone.

Why was he here? Where was Ameya? Why was he fighting them?!

"I thought you had changed!"

She trusted him—trusted him because of Ameya. Why was he siding with Azula now?

"I have changed." Zuko's strong voice was unwavering, sending another wave of fire her way.

The two battled against each other relentlessly. Azula and Aang fought off to the side, engaged in their own heated battle. But the princess had the upper hand; she was more skilled in ruthless battles and sent the Avatar away. She joined her brother confidently, fighting off the waterbender together.

Katara was struggling against the firebenders. She could only defend against their fiery advances and was knocked away helplessly. Aang recovered from the earth, his eyes widening at Katara's wary form and rush towards her.

However, reinforcement arrived in the forms of dozens Dai Li earthbenders. They surrounded both Aang and Katara separately, keeping them apart and trapped. Katara retaliated with her water, readying for any attack they may throw at her.

"There's too many…"

Aang stared on hopelessly at the sudden realization; they were trapped and cannot get out of this alone. Not without his help—not without the Avatar State.

"The only way is to let her go."

Guru Pathik's voice echoed in his mind and his grey eyes closed in distress. Katara had said before he was the hope to the world—hope to restoring balance and yet—she was his hope as well. Whether she knew it or not, she was the one that welcomed him and made him felt like he belonged again after his hundred year slumber.

It's painful, it's agonizing. He didn't want to let her go—but he can't cling on forever. This is just more than them—this is beyond his own selfish needs. Aang is the Avatar; he must survive as the Avatar and he can only do so by letting her go.

"I think you were very wise to choose happiness and love."

Iroh's wise advice floated in his mind. Even then, Aang knew what he must do. His happiness would be Katara's safety. His happiness would be restoring peace to the world. His love can wait.

"I'm sorry, Katara."

He encased himself in the crystal shards, his mind concentrating on reawakening the Avatar State. A flash of light burst from the crystal tent, everyone focused on the young Avatar that was floating upwards. Katara's eyes stared on with hope and admiration, focusing on her dear friend.

She felt the surge of power at the end of the tunnel, her icy eyes widening at the sight of Aang again, displaying his tremendous power. Ameya arrived just as a bolt of lightning struck Aang and her eyes turned to horror as he began to fall, falling straight to the earth below.

Angry icy orbs glared at the attacker and with a twist of her hand, a wave of water washed over the smirking princess. Azula faltered as the water struck her and before she can get up, another wave crashed upon her and the Dai Li agents. This time was caused by Katara who had rushed over to the falling boy, catching him right before he hit the ground.

Ameya ran towards the two frantically, bending a wave of ice to protect them from the gaze of their enemies. They turned to see who had interrupted them; Zuko's stance faltered just the slightest at the sight of her. She ignored him promptly, now standing in front of a tearful Katara cradling an unconscious Aang.

"Aang—no, please," the young woman heard the younger girl cry helplessly and her glare hardened against the dozen of enemies. She can't fight them all—she wouldn't be able to. Even Aang has fallen to Azula's battle and Katara was unstable. She ignored her own doubts and bends the ice back into water, surrounding the three of them protectively.

Ameya was done running, she was done hiding. This was who she was—a waterbender and enemy to the Fire Nation. She will stand and fight once more—even if it was against the one who she had been ready to give up everything for.

Azula shifted and Ameya blocked the blast of blue flames from her outstretched hands. The Dai Li followed their leaders attack but before they could bend the earth, a wave of fire blocked their path. Her eyes widen at the sight of Iroh jumping down, free from his previously trapped state and ready for battle.

"You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

This is the right choice, Iroh thought, glancing at the young children behind him. They were the hope to the world—they would be the one to stop what he cannot.

Katara began to move Aang to the waterfall but her eyes lingered on Ameya's still form. Her sapphire eyes begged the older woman to follow; Katara can't do this alone. She can't leave her alone again. She knew something was wrong the moment Ameya stopped moving but cannot bring herself to dwell on it longer—not when she can feel Aang's body starting to turn cold.

"Ameya—come with us!" Katara's words echoed the cavern and the young woman looked at her incredulously.

She wanted to—she should and yet—Ameya looked at Iroh's battle stance. He glanced at her just then and the familiar, kind smile appeared on his aged face. Suddenly Ameya was eleven again, staring at the sad smile on Xiao and Lu Jie's face but she blinks and Iroh was in front of her instead.

"Go. You are needed with them."

Iroh's going to be captured. He's fighting for them—for their escape, for her survival.

She blinked away the tears and ran towards Katara, ignoring the prince's golden eyes on her retreating back. They both waterbended themselves towards the surface and the last thing Ameya saw was Iroh fighting off the Dai Li agent's advances.

Appa swooped down to rescue the three of them; Sokka, Toph, an older man she never seen before and a bear was on the large bison. She ignored the bubbling questions in her mind as Sokka helped her up, all of them curious to see the new addition to the party then back to the unconscious Avatar.

Katara's tears had stopped—if only for a moment as she laid Aang over her lap caringly. They saw the lightning mark against his blue tattoo and fear clung to their hearts.

"The vial," Ameya looked at Katara firmly and the younger girl quickly brought the spirit water out again.

It was tiny, barely containing a drop of what could be considered useful but the woman bended it to her will, swirling it around her hand. She brought the water to the raw skin and they all watch anxiously as Aang absorbed the liquid. The arrows glowed once and Aang let out a small gasp. His grey eyes openning just the slightest, focusing on the waterbender holding him closely. Katara smiled despite the tears and hugged him.

Ameya let out a sigh of relief she hadn't realized she's been holding. She did not miss the way the two young ones were staring at each other and ignored the painstaking feeling at the reminder of her own feelings. She proceeded to push it away; it was what she was good at.

Aang fell back asleep shortly, his body recovering from the shock of the revival. They made quiet introductions to the new person she never seen before, surprised marred her face to meet the young Earth King. He merely smiled sadly at her formality before they all turned to the city of Ba Sing Se they are leaving behind.

"The Earth Kingdom…has fallen."

The ride was quiet as Sokka guided Appa to Chameleon Bay. Toph clung to the Water Tribe boy early on but at the arrival of Ameya, she decided to cling to the older woman instead. Katara still had Aang on her lap, one hand clutching Appa's fur and the other on Aang's hand.

Ameya looked away, ignoring how she had done that before but with someone else. Toph felt the spike in Ameya's pulse, wondering why the normally docile woman was suddenly thrown into frenzy. She had originally hoped the woman would stay calm like always, would hope her own soothing heartbeat would calm the young earthbender's too but that was not the case. She felt, out of everyone here, Ameya was the most unstable.

Toph kept that to herself. Something must have happened in the catacombs besides Aang's fallen state but no one asked besides a brief explanation from Katara. The waterbender herself kept Zuko's relation a secret, glancing at the quiet woman hesitantly.

Ameya did not say another word. She forced the prince from her mind, feeling tired and drained of the whole day. The pain from her head only transferred to her heart instead but she ignored the dull ache.

They arrived shortly to the bay. She saw a small fleet of Water Tribe boats along the shore and some older men waiting for their arrival. They carefully carried Aang off of Appa, the bison moaning in worry at his master. Brief introductions were made again but Ameya could not bring herself to smile at the new faces.

She was surprised to learn that the leader of the fleet was Sokka and Katara's father, bowing respectfully to the elder man. Hakoda smiled kindly at her, observing how all of them looked worse than they appear and instructed them to the tents set up for rest. Katara refused to leave Aang's side and it took a while of coaxing from Sokka before she retired to her own tent.

"You okay?"

Ameya glanced down at Toph who had quietly stayed besides her. She was surprised to see the young earthbender showing concern. They had only met once but Ameya trusted her, trusted Aang's friends.

"I'm fine."

Her voice was just as quiet but Toph felt her erratic pulse and frowned.

"You're lying."

Ameya flinched. She looked down, a bitter smile emerging on her pale lips. The prince's words haunted her at those two simple words.

"I always do apparently."

The older girl walked away then, entering the tent she shared with Katara and laid down on the feeble futon. Sleep consumed her the moment she hit the pillow and she dreamt of golden eyes and fiery hands brushing her hair.

When Katara woke up, she said nothing at the sight of the older waterbender's tears falling from her closed eyes, curling within herself.

Ameya woke up an hour later and at the feel of her swollen eyes, she quickly healed the evidence away. She steeled herself, pushing everything from her mind and focused on the present situation. She met up with Sokka and Hakoda briefly, surprised when Sokka brought her into a tight hug. Hakoda arched a brow at the sight, wondering what type of relationship his son and this young woman shared.

"I'm glad we found you. There's a lot you need to know and we can use all the help we can get," he wondered when he should mention Yue to her, wondering if now seemed like the best time to bring up her brave feat.

Ameya stood there quietly. Why did Sokka trust her so much—why did Katara not question her at all? She was surprised they did not treat her like an enemy for associating with the prince and it has been months since they seen each other again so—why?

"I don't know how I can help," she admitted quietly.

Sokka frowned; something felt off about the young woman he had met so many months ago. He saw how Katara was always glancing at Ameya; he saw how Toph stayed behind to speak with her last night. But he trusted her. He hadn't been able to act upon Yue's promise when they left the Northern Water Tribe but now—at the sight of her, he knew he has the chance to fulfill it.

But why did it feel like something was amiss with her?

"What are you talking about? You're a waterbender—you're Water Tribe! We don't leave our kind behind!" He sent a smile her way, hoping to ease her worries and Ameya glanced his way.

He looked so sure, so proud that she can't help but smile back. Everyone felt tense around her, nervous with the Avatar's unconscious state that looked like he had passed on from the living. Sokka's bright smile was a ray of light in their dire time and her mind wandered to Yue.

"You're Water Tribe too?" Hakoda asked suddenly, regarding her with a curious gaze.

"Ah, I…suppose." Ameya wasn't sure herself but Arnook had been said the same thing before. She froze as the memory of the scroll she left forgotten back at the tribe invaded her mind. She would need to find a way to get that back once this war is over.

"Well, my children trust you so I will too. With the fall of Ba Sing Se, we must revise our original plan."

She arched a brow at that. What plan? What had she been missing out on while living in the city?

They started explaining the secret they discovered about the Fire Nation; a solar eclipse that will render firebenders useless. She briefly remembered Katara mentioning the secret plan back in the Crystal Catacombs but she never thought it would be such an advantage for them. They have a chance—they would have a chance to defeat them.

They were committed to this war—to ending this hundred year war. Ameya took in the information numbly as they stared at her with hopeful eyes. She realized why they were talking to her about this privately—they wanted her to join too.

"That's why we need you too, Ameya. Will you fight alongside us?"

She stared at the matching blue eyes of the Water Tribe family and found herself nodding along. That's right, she said she would fight. She's done running.

"I will."

Half a year ago, Ameya never thought she would join in this one-sided war. Half a year ago, Ameya never thought she would encounter the Avatar. Half a year ago—she never thought about leaving her past behind for the sake of someone else.

But everything is different now. She is different.

Everything was changing around her and this time, she will change with it.

It was time for her to grow.

Azula's day cannot get any better.

In just a few days, she had gained control over the Dai Li, conquered Ba Sing Se, and killed the Avatar. Her brother stood next to her quietly and she had to admit, if he hadn't interfered back then, the princess was not certain she could handle both the Avatar and the waterbender together.

"We've done it, Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se." Azula sat proudly on the Earth King's throne, smirking at her accomplishments.

"I betrayed Uncle."

But it wasn't just him too. He cannot ignore the disappointed look Iroh had sent his way and the angry icy eyes she regarded him for just one second. Iroh told her to go with them—he protected the Avatar and Ameya.

"No, he betrayed you." Azula stood up to stand beside him, "Zuko, when you return home, Father will welcome you as a war hero."

"But I don't have the Avatar. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?"

"He doesn't need to, Zuko. Today, you restored your own honor."

The hand Azula put on his shoulder was different from his uncle's. It was meant to be comforting and yet Zuko cannot ignore the turmoil in his own heart. He cannot get her cries out of his mind—even if he tried to convince himself she was the one that betrayed him.

He should be relishing in the fact that he's going home and yet—why did it feel so wrong?

The Earth King, Kuei, had announced his leave a few days later. He claimed to want to finally explore the world without being tied down to his kingdom and his pet bear, Bosco followed faithfully. They shed off their royal attires and donned on traveling gears, waving good bye to the Water Tribe.

Ameya spent that time helping with miscellaneous tasks around the camp. She found herself thinking too much when she was alone, thinking back to the days when she was in Ba Sing Se with no worries and someone to look forward to. So she busied herself daily, tiring out her body so when nightfall comes, the young woman would fall asleep in exhaustion.

She helped Katara check up on Aang, slowly teaching the younger girl on healing the damaged skin without applying too much pressure to his body. It was almost like a ritual and the two girls spend the time together in comfortable silence.

Katara was still anxious at Aang's recovery. He had not awakened since he had been on Appa during their escape and the young waterbender stayed by his side. Ameya could not offer words of comfort; the Avatar had taken lightning and nearly—possibly—actually died. That would have meant there was no hope for this war and that prospect scared her.

But she seen the way Katara cared for the young airbender and Ameya saw herself in her. She saw the mirror image of her and the bedridden prince and felt the pain stab in her gut again. She could only look away, bidding a quiet farewell to Katara and went to see where else she may be needed.

The young waterbender said nothing, her eyes downcast at Ameya's lonely back.

She offered her services to Sokka when possible. She would go with the group of them to hunt for their meal and learn about his crafty ideas. She was surprised at his creativity, first time experiencing his capability to lead and be resourceful to his surroundings. He has definitely changed from the love struck teenager back in the Northern Water Tribe and Ameya felt proud—she knew Yue would be proud too.

And Sokka had always regarded her happily. It was odd, Ameya thought, that Katara had been the one to be kind and gracious in their time of need yet when she herself was distressed, Sokka took upon that role. He was being strong for his sister; he was being strong for their tribe.

She wondered what it was like to have a brother and thought if she were ever to have one, she would like to be related to Sokka.

And then, when there was nothing else for Ameya to do, she stayed with Toph. The young earthbender was a breath of fresh air for her. She did not sulk, did not act like the world was hanging on by a thread by Aang's slumber, and she did not sneak glances at Ameya like Katara had.

Toph was simply…simple.

They would talk about things that were not of the war. They would talk about anything and everything sometimes, but never personal matters. Ameya would describe the world in colors without using the name itself and Toph would reply back sarcastically at times but she in return would explain how she 'sees' with her feet and her connection to the earth.

It was simple; it was what Ameya needed.

And Toph never once pointed out when she was lying again. She realized Ameya did do that often; not to hurt others but to protect herself. She realized how common it was for the young woman to put on a calm façade, evening her voice volume with precise control and moved with practiced grace. But even then, that cannot hide her own internal pace of her pulse and only Toph caught onto those tremors.

If it wasn't for their first meeting, Toph would have brushed off her erratic heartbeats to be a regular occurrence for Ameya. But that was not true. The Ameya she had met months before was always calm and thoughtful, confident in her abilities and words. The Ameya before her now was the same but—hesitant, almost fearful. She masked it outwardly with perfect refinement and if Toph was not blind, she would have not noticed the subtle changes within.

But she fitted in. Ameya was making an effort to reach out to others. It had been easy; she usually did it back when she arrived in new towns to gain information. All she needed to do was flash a pretty smile, say some polite words, and no one regarded her as an enemy. But the fact that Ameya was here, with the Avatar and his group, was a genuine effort—different from tricking others into believing in her.

She worried if they would accept her. She worried about Katara's thoughts about her relation with the banished prince. She worried they may not take to her kindly if they found out what a selfish person she had been.

"Stop worrying."

Blue eyes glanced down at the blind girl curiously and Toph would have rolled her eyes if it made much difference in her statement. She felt Ameya's spike in heartbeat again and although she stopped pointing out her lying, Toph disliked her discomfort.

"You're over thinking again. I don't know what's going on in that head of yours but it can't be good if you're taking so long trying to calm yourself."

The side of her lips curled up slightly at the human lie detector. Ameya was still amazed at how much Toph could know about a person just by sensing their body reactions. She appreciated her sentiment though. Toph was surprisingly patient when Ameya often goes silent, lost in thought about something she never wanted to think about and pull her back to reality with her bluntness.

"You never fail to amaze me with your perception," Ameya praised lightly and Toph smirked at the compliment.

"I can do a lot more than that you know. I am the world's greatest earthbender! The first metalbender!" Toph exclaimed excitedly, throwing her hands up in the air.

Her parents had always sheltered her. Her parents had always thought little of her. Her parents had tried to capture her. It was difficult always trying to live up to her parent's expectations when Toph only wanted freedom and acknowledgement; to hear her previous proclamation emit from her parents mouth.

"Yup, there's no doubt with that."

But it was Ameya that spoke instead and Toph thinks for now, it will be alright. Her friends agreed with her—that's all it matters now. One day, she will make her parents see too.

"Oh no…"

But their peaceful moment was broken by Ameya. Toph furrowed her brows, wondering what was causing the older woman's state of panic again. The earth surrounding them was not at all different but Ameya's eyes were focused on black specks beyond the sea.

"Fire Nation Navy…they're heading our way." She stood up then and Toph silently followed. "We need to go back."

The young earthbender bended their way down the cliff they had been on in a breakneck pace. The warriors turned at their arrival but Ameya ran past them, heading straight to Hakoda who had been mentoring with Sokka.

"Fire Navy—they're on their way and there are dozens of them."

It was enough to scatter the tribe to work. They gathered their items, snuffed out the fires, hide all the evidence that they may show their involvement in these lands. Once that was done, they headed onto the small boats, careful to transport the unconscious Avatar along.

"Wait," Hakoda turned to the young woman's voice, the only one who did not board the boat. "They might have information about Ba Sing Se; about the state of the world now. We can't pass up this opportunity."

"What do you suggest?"

Ameya smiled just then, a pleasant smile that did not hide her ill intentions.

"Infiltration."

Author's Notes:

And so, Book 2 ends but the next few chapters is the aftermath of the weeks Aang has been asleep before the official start of Book 3. Honestly Book 3 is the one I've been most excited for—many things are changing for Ameya.

Book 2 has been heavily Ameya/Zuko (Ameko kek) for their relationship built up and now Book 3 will finally go in details with her relation to others. Hopefully I can bring the image I have in my mind to life and share with you all.

More ranting below about my thought process for the story so far:

Honestly, I never planned to have Ameya have a huge impact in Zuko's life—not to the point of Zuko willing to give up everything for it—Zuko still have some growth to do. If she ever really was real in the Avatar world—she'd be the secondary character—not the main. But because she is mine and I love her, the story revolves around her and she still has her own growing to go through.

I really can't believe this story is so well loved. When I first wrote this—one of my very first reviews was 'can't you just change this to Mai and Zuko?'—or something similar—I honestly don't want to look back at that LOL. I laughed in the beginning (although it did hurt a bit aha) but now I'm so thankful for all the faithful readers and reviewers every week/chapter (you know who you are! I wish I can show more appreciation towards you!) who fell in love with Ameya too.

The past 22 chapters were just a build up to Ameya and Zuko's relationship, a build up to Ameya's character and how much she changed since then. On the very first chapter, Ameya did not care for the Avatar and now…she's with the gang. There are just so many changes that happened from then to now and would continue to change and I would rant more but I JUST REALIZED THIS NOTE IS GETTING TOO LONG AHHH SORRY

LONG NOTE SHORT—THANK YOU LOVELIES AND I HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR SEASON 3! Reviews are always appreciated! I always wish I could reply personally back to the guest reviewers too ! Maybe I should just add it here?