WARNING: This chapter is a little darker and more violent than the rest of the story.

A/N IT'S FINALLY HERE! I've been DYING to write this chapter since I started, and I literally can not wait for you guys to read it. I hope it's everything you ever hoped for out of a story tagged 'suspense' lol. This has been an idea I've had since the beginning and I've been trying to hint at it at least a little, so I hope it all feels connected lol. Anyways, enjoy!

"Zuko." Iroh's yell from behind him took him by surprise, but Zuko didn't stop his brisk walk towards the front door of the palace. He knew exactly what his uncle was going to tell him, and he didn't have the time to turn around and argue with him. Azula would still be close. He hurried faster.

"ZUKO." His uncle's surprisingly forceful tone made Zuko turn around to face him. He hadn't heard his uncle speak like that since they'd been beneath Lake Laogai in the room where he'd discovered Appa. Luckily, there was no one else in the foyer to hear the yells. Zuko didn't walk any closer to Iroh, but stared at him from a distance. Iroh continued to walk towards him. "What are you doing? You do not have a plan. You are not thinking this through, Zuko."

"You are supposed to be in the saferoom," answered Zuko gruffly, but his uncle ignored him.

"You do not even know where Azula has gone! What do you plan to do once you step out the door?" Word had spread quickly through the palace that someone had broken in. Zuko had run to his room after leaving Katara's room to grab his swords and take his royal attire off, and he'd heard maids, gardeners, guards, cooks, and even some of his advisors who had still been at the palace speaking frantically to each other. It was amazing how fast news spread.

Zuko looked away from his uncle, his voice rising slightly. "I plan to find her, Uncle! Please. Don't stop me," he said plainly.

"Zuko. You know that this is a trap. Azula is luring you. It is not wise to follow her."

They stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds. When Zuko spoke again, his voice was softer. "I can't lose Katara, Uncle. She could be in danger. Who knows what Azula will do? If I don't come and fall for her bait, Azula may just kill Katara." His eyes were pleading with his uncle, begging him to understand. Zuko could never live with himself if that happened. He had to do all he could to help her. And step one was going to find Azula.

His Uncle's eyes watched Zuko's face closely. After a moment, Iroh sighed and closed his eyes, letting his head fall slightly. His eyebrows knit in worry. "You must make your own choice. But I wish you would not do this." Zuko didn't know what to say, and a silence fell between them. Luckily, his uncle spoke again. "Be careful, Zuko. I feel Azula is likely not in a stable condition. Even after all these years. Watch out for yourself."

Zuko nodded at his uncle. His blood had started pumping fast through his veins again, adrenaline flooding his system. "I will, Uncle. I promise." He gave his uncle what he hoped was a reassuring look and ran out the front doors. It didn't take long for the rain to soak through his clothes. It also didn't take long for him to realize that Uncle had been right. He had absolutely no plan. If Azula had wanted him to come and find her, she wouldn't have made it hard…right?

After a few moments of standing in the courtyard, Zuko ran around the palace, trying to see if Azula had left any hint of where she might have gone. How would she have gotten out? He ran to the back of the palace and found no trace of anything. The rain was making this difficult. He ran around to where the door to Katara's bedroom was, but again didn't see anything. Argh. Where had they gone? The rain fell harder.

Deciding the next best option was to exit out the front gate and into the capital city, Zuko turned and started in that direction. Maybe he could try and find where Azula had come from. Perhaps she'd gone back to wherever that was. Zuko ran towards the front gate, raindrops stinging his face. As he passed through the opening in the thick wall that surrounded the palace grounds, he weakly registered that new guards had been posted at the gate. They seemed surprised to see the Fire Lord dashing out, but there wasn't enough time for them to yell to him. If Azula had come back out this way, she must have come when there still wasn't any guards posted here.

Knowing Azula had attacked from the side, Zuko made the split-second decision to run along the wall, hoping to find something. Anything. He ran for what seemed like forever, his eyes scanning around frantically. He looked at the wall, and out into the city, hoping to see something out of the ordinary. The city streets were empty. Everyone was inside and out of the rain. Argh. Where had they gone? How had they disappeared so fast?

Zuko's thoughts flew to Katara. He knew she was a skilled fighter. And, remembering back to three and a half years ago, she'd proven she could more than handle herself against Azula. But Azula, and whoever was with her, had bested Katara so quickly. It didn't make sense. Zuko should've stumbled in on a fight, not an empty, destroyed room. How had they done it?

Suddenly, Zuko fell forward with a loud grunt, hitting the ground hard. His foot stung badly, and he realized he'd tripped on something. Turning himself over quickly he noticed what he'd tripped on. A small turn wheel was on the ground. Zuko gasped softly when he remembered what it was. He looked closer just to make sure. Sure enough, a large cap that blended in almost perfectly with the ground was barely visible. When he twisted the center wheel, the lid loosened before finally clicking. Zuko stopped spinning the wheel, lifting the cap up.

When he peered inside the dark hole, he recognized it immediately. A ladder descended farther down into the hole. This was the entrance to the bunker that had been made for the protection of the royal family and a few nobles during the eclipse invaion. No entrances to it had been made anywhere inside the palace or palace grounds in fear that it could be used by some to sneak into the palace. But entrances to the bunker were scattered around everywhere else in the city. This is where they'd gone. He was sure of it.

Zuko's blood was pumping faster now. He was close. In one swift motion, he jumped into the hole and onto the latter, closing the lid above him at the same time. As he descended downwards, his thoughts drifted away from the current problem.

Towards the end of the war, a man had assured Zuko that all entrances to the bunker had been sealed off and blocked. Zuko had felt it was no longer necessary to use the bunker since the palace had other saferooms built into it. The nobleman had assured Zuko that it had all been closed off, never to be used again. But that clearly wasn't the case. Obviously, Azula would've known about the bunker so it made sense that she'd thought to use it. But why had it still been accessible? Why had this entrance never been sealed off? It didn't make sense.

Zuko's feet hit hard ground and he stood up straight, looking around as he did so. The hallway torches were lit, which meant someone else had to be down here. But it was also eerily quiet and still kind of dark. Every noise he made echoed loudly. He started running along the narrow hallway, but he was soaked and each of his steps made a loud slopping noise. If Azula was down here, he knew exactly where she would be.

The entrance to the bunker throne room was suddenly visible. Light coming from the room flooded the hallway, creating a patch of yellow on the ground. Zuko's heart beat faster. He quickly slowed to a walk, trying to be as quiet as he could. His breaths were coming in heavy from the run and he willed himself to try and breath quieter. He took each step gingerly, trying to hear if any noise was coming from the room. A memory flashed into Zuko's mind.

The last time he'd been in this room, he'd confronted his father. And soon after, he'd joined the avatar. Zuko smiled. It was also the first time he'd ever redirected lighting. The amount of power he'd felt in that moment was indescribable. His limbs tingled at the memory of holding all that lightning inside him.

Then he remembered the lighting he'd redirected for Katara. Well, partially redirected. Zuko sighed at the thought, remembering it as though it were yesterday. The fear at seeing Azula's electricity racing for Katara. The panic in her eyes. The pain. The sound of her screaming his name. The feeling of her cool hands as she healed him. He shook the thought. He needed to focus. Right now, Katara needed him again.

Zuko was at the entrance now, still trying to listen for any noise. He could practically feel his heart beating out of his chest. For a brief second, he wondered if he should have brought someone with him. A guard or someone. But no. He could face Azula.

"Fire Lord Azula," said a deep, gravelly voice. Wait, had the voice said, 'Fire Lord'? Zuko recognized the voice but couldn't remember how. Spirits. Where had he heard it? It couldn't possibly be Lieutenant Zaid…could it? His father's old war advisor? Zuko had heard he'd retired. "I wonder if maybe—"

"He will come, Lieutenant," said a high female voice. Azula. There was no trace of fear or worry in her voice. She almost sounded bored. "Don't worry. If there's one person I know well, it's my brother." It'd been three and a half years since he'd heard the voice of his sister, and it shook him to the core. She sounded mostly the same as he remembered. Cool. Calculating. But he could also sense that little bit of crazy just below the surface. That was new. She spoke again. "Even he can't be stupid enough to not find us."

Suddenly, Zuko heard other noises. But they were muffled, and he couldn't pinpoint what they were. Then he heard the rattle of chains. He took a deep breath, knowing it was time to reveal himself. Not fully knowing what to expect, Zuko stepped through the entrance.

"Azula," he said forcefully. "Where is she?" Zuko noticed several things at once. Seeing Azula shocked him for a moment. She was lounging on the throne casually, her legs thrown over one of the arm rests. She had been picking her fingernails and turned to look at him lazily when he entered. Her clothes were fairly worn and raggedy. Nothing he'd ever seen her in before. Her hair was dirty and fell in long, greasy uneven strings around her face. But her amber eyes were as evil as before. Evil and calculating. She looked older, but thinner too.

Zuko also noticed Lieutenant Zaid, which confused him. How was he down here?

Then, Katara. His eyes widened. Her wrists were chained to the ground on either side of her, with her legs curled beneath her. She was struggling against her bonds with all her strength. She was also gagged, and a giant gash ran down the side of her face. Pieces of her long brown hair had fallen out of her braid and fell around her face, sticking to her sweaty, wet skin. Before he'd stepped in, it seemed she'd been looking at Azula with anger and hatred. But her head turned when Zuko entered, and her face fell. Her head shook slowly.

"Zuko! It has been too long," Azula sneered with fake happiness in her voice. She started to stand, and for the first time Zuko noticed she seemed to have developed a slight tremor in her hands. "Tell me, how are things up there? How is life as the Fire Lord?"

"What are you doing Azula? Where have you been all this time?" He didn't speak as commandingly as he had before. He was genuinely curious. And, seeing Azula now, Zuko pitied her a little. These years seemed to have taken a toll on her when she had already been in bad shape. He'd come down here prepared to fight, but now he wasn't sure he wanted to. Plus, he needed to stall. He didn't have a plan yet.

"Isn't it obvious, brother," she said as she walked towards to him. Katara struggled harder. "I've been down here." She gestured to the room around them.

"All these years? How?"

"Tell me, Zuko," she said as she looked away from him and stared to pace around the room. "When you became Fire Lord, did all of dad's advisors and generals stick around?"

The question surprised Zuko, but he thought about it. After the war, he'd truly been surprised at how many nobles and advisors had said they would stay loyal to him. He hadn't expected any to. Of course, it hadn't been all of them. The ones that hadn't stuck around had…gone where? He remembered talking with Katara about it actually. She'd been at the palace right after everything ended. Those advisors and generals just, hadn't come to the palace after the war. Disappeared. At the time, Zuko hadn't thought that was strange. He just figured they didn't want to work for him. It's not like he would've tried making them.

Azula continued. "Tell me. Did you really think everyone in this country would be loyal to you? The dishonorable, banished prince who helped the avatar defeat his own father? To some people, Zuko, this looked like a power grab. An unworthy son stealing power from his father."

Zuko stared at her, his features stony. He tried not to stare at Katara, whose face had filled with hatred and anger again at Azula's words. She was still struggling against the chains. He needed to focus on Azula right now.

"But you see. I was here, and ready to show them all that I was still going to fight for the throne. Fight to get this country back to where it should be." A shadow of glee flitted across Azula's face. She was smiling, but it looked twisted. She spoke louder. "Those nobles. Those advisors and generals who left you, came to me. The true Fire Lord. The one Ozai always intended to take over. I found them, and we've been down here. Planning and plotting to get rid of you." She laughed a high, malicious laugh, as if she just couldn't believe her own genius. Her fingers curled into trembling fists.

Zuko glanced at Lieutenant Zaid. He looked extremely uncomfortable. "How did you get down here? I had this bunker blocked off." Zuko knew she would love explaining and he still needed to stall. Azula smiled at the opportunity to continue telling the story.

"I had people loyal to me in your very council chamber, Zuko. Spies. Advisors who hated your very existence. Noblemen who feigned allegiance. And they lied to you. Lied so I could continue to operate in secret." She was getting more frantic. The news didn't hit Zuko particularly hard. In fact, he could probably guess which of his advisors and noblemen she was referring too. They were the ones he had never respected too much. "Don't you see the genius of it, brother?" Her eyes were wide now. "You've been up there, playing Fire Lord and throwing fancy dinners and celebrations. And I have been right beneath you the whole time! The true Fire Lord, planning your demise."

"Azula—"

She talked over him. "But see that was the hard part. I knew I could easily assassinate you, but it had to look like an accident. I needed someone else to do it so that I could be there in the wake of your tragic, untimely death to step up and lead the country. But no one else was good enough. No one else knew the palace like I did. And you were so well protected."

"Azula, please—" This was the most disturbing, pitiful thing he'd ever seen. She was shaking all over now. It was almost like she was a bomb that'd been sitting down here all these years, and she was finally about to explode. He reached his arms out slightly, almost wanting to help her.

"But then, Zuko, after three and a half long years, you slipped up. You made a mistake." He paused. "YOU BROUGHT THIS FILTHY PEASANT BACK INTO THE ROYAL PALACE," she screamed, pointing to Katara and smiling in a distorted, twisted way. Her sudden yelling made everyone in the large room jump.

Zuko turned to Katara. She looked furious. Her face was so full of hate, a look totally foreign on a person who usually radiated kindness and warmth. Zuko had only ever seen that look on her face one other time before. He flashed back to their trip to the Southern Raiders, remembering how scary Katara had been.

Azula started laughing slowly, but it gradually grew louder. "I knew, that if I could get her, all my planning would be over. I wouldn't have to plot how to get to you because you would come to me." She balled her hands again. "And I could kill you myself! Right down here!" She was laughing now, as if she was surprised it had all worked out so well.

"Azula. Stop. You don't want to do this." He paused, completely sure now that he no longer wanted to fight her. "Come home. I can help you."

"I'll come home when you're DEAD!" she screamed. Her words went through Zuko like physical pain. He closed his eyes briefly but opened them when she spoke again. "You're too easy, Zuko," she said, staring at him. "Tell me something. I'm curious." She turned to face Katara. "Why her? I mean really. Even I think you could do a lot better than this filth?"

Katara was disturbingly still now, her eyes narrow and locked on Azula's every move. Don't touch her, Azula. Zuko was starting to realize just how delicate this situation was. How was he going to get both of them out of here alive?

Azula spoke again. She was standing right in front of Katara now, looking down at her. Katara wasn't meeting her eyes, but kept her stare fixed straight ahead. "Isn't it ironic? You're chained to the ground in the same way you chained me all that time ago," she said, her voice calm. Katara looked up into her face with a stare that could shoot daggers. Azula just laughed.

Zuko spoke. "Is that what you want then, Azula? A rematch?" Azula turned from Katara and eyed Zuko, her arms folded across her chest. Zuko didn't see any other way out of this now. He was going to have to fight Azula. Perhaps beat her and somehow free Katara at the same time, he thought hopefully. He didn't want to hurt Azula though. Katara's words to him from after the war came to his head. She's still your sister.

"I mean, I want you dead, but if that's how you want to do it, Zuko, so be it." Azula responded lazily. "Let me warn you, though. It's going to end up the same way for you as it did last time. Except this time, of course, you'll die." Zuko kept his face hard, not letting her words get to him. His body was tense. Azula stared at him, smiling.

Faster than anything, she shot a blast of blue fire straight at him. Zuko blasted it apart with his own fire, before spinning his arms to force the fire to head towards her. Azula dodged, propelling herself back behind Zuko with fire from her fists.

She wasn't the same, he realized. She'd definitely lost some skill. Her flames were shaky and less powerful than Zuko remembered. Fighting her was still difficult though. He whipped around and blasted her with a few quick balls of fire.

Azula dodged and rolled on the ground to the side, sending some flames at Zuko's feet. Zuko jumped aside, landing on his hands and bringing a strong whip of fire down at her with his feet. Azula blasted it aside.

They fought for a while longer, neither managing to knock the other off their feet. At one moment during the fight, Zuko looked around Azula and at Katara. She was no longer struggling. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be concentrating on something. How was he going to get over to her? A blast of blue fire from Azula nearly hit his face, but he stepped to the side and spun, creating a circle of fire that he tried to trap her in. Azula shot herself away. Zuko just needed a way to knock her out, so he could get Katara out of there.

He ducked under a whip of fire Azula had aimed at him, before blasting it away and back towards her. Zuko jumped back onto his shoulders, his feet a flurry of motion in the air. A burst of orange fire flew towards Azula with incredible speed. She dodged, laughing. Why did it feel like Azula was playing with him? They'd been at it for a long time now and still she hadn't used any lightning or blasted anything too strong at him.

He jumped back up, circling his arms above him before bringing them down and together forcefully. Two walls of orange fire came together, trapping Azula. With a stomp of her foot, she pushed them away. She thrust her arm forward, blasting continuous blue fire at Zuko.

Zuko thrust his hands foward, parting the blue fire and letting it swirl around him. His breaths came a little heavier. It'd been a long time since he'd firebent like this. Azula was ruthless though, and they continued to fire back and forth for another long while.

Quickly dodging a ball of fire Azula sent his way, Zuko spread his stance wide and shot both his fists out in front of him. The power of the fire he sent towards her seemed to catch Azula off guard, and she faltered in her attempt to side-step. She fell to the ground.

Immediately, Zuko felt four quick painful jabs on his arms and back. His face scrunched in pain and he grunted loudly as three more quick jabs hit his stomach and chest. His arms went limp and he fell to his knees. It took all his effort not to fall forward onto the ground. Zuko opened his eyes, trying to figure out what had just happened.

His vision was blurry, but he saw a tall, older man standing above him. Where had he even come from? Zuko tried to stand up, but it was difficult. His legs had gone weak. Azula started laughing from the ground.

"Meet my friend, Zuko. He's come in quite handy a few times now. He helped me kidnap the water tribe peasant and has now helped me with you."

Zuko spoke weakly. He'd finally made it to his legs, but only stood for a few moments before falling back to his knees on the ground. This was the weirdest and worst feeling he'd ever felt. He felt powerless. "How…"

Azula laughed more. "Would you believe it? He's a chi blocker. Just like Ty Lee." Azula scowled for a second before smiling her twisted smile again. "He's much more powerful though. And extremely loyal." She walked towards him. "It's over, Zuko. You've been a pain in my side for too long. The older brother that always got in my way. You are an embarrassment to our family. Just like mom." She was only a few feet in front of him now. She spoke urgently. Angrily. "I was always superior. I was always the one meant for the throne."

"Azula." Zuko's voice had returned a little more. "Don't do this. Please. I can help you." He was trying to stand again, but it was useless. His legs were still extremely weak.

His words only seemed to make her angrier. She balled her hands into fists at her side. "YOU? HELP ME? Look where you are, Zuko! This is the end for you!" She laughed like she couldn't believe what he'd said.

To Zuko's horror, Azula began the form for bending lightning. Electric blue crackles flickered at her fingertips, lighting up her horribly twisted expression. For the first time since he was thirteen, Zuko felt true fear. There was nothing he could do. He'd taken Azula's lightning once, and he was about to do it again. But she'd been right. This time he would die. Zuko's heart was pounding in his chest. He was aware of every hard thump.

Suddenly, there was a loud clanking noise. Azula faltered, and the lightning she'd been circling around herself flickered and disappeared. She whipped around. Zuko eyes found what she was looking at. Katara was standing up completely straight, pulling the gag from her mouth. Her metal cuffs had fallen to the ground. Her eyes burned with anger.

Zuko's mouth opened in shock and Azula let out a terrible, piercing scream. It echoed in the large room and in everyone's mind. Zuko took a closer look at Katara's cuffs. They looked frozen through. Katara's wrists were bleeding, and the gash on her face didn't look so great either.

Then several things happened at once. Azula blasted a stream of fire at Katara who dodged easily and in a flurry of movements, seemingly pulled water straight out of thin air. Spirits. What had she just done? Katara shot the water at Lieutenant Zaid with the force of a geyser. He fell to the ground, sputtering. Azula lunged at her, but Katara didn't look the least bit concerned as she again dodged and bent the water in the direction of the chi blocker, who was standing next to Zuko. The man let out a cry and fell in surprise. Katara froze him to the ground, pinning him there.

Zuko was starting to regain feeling again. He slowly tried to stand up. At the same time, he slowly raised an arm to the swords on his back, his hand wrapping around the handle of one of them. If he couldn't bend again yet, at least he could he still fight. His face scrunched at the effort it was taking. He heard more blasts and looked up.

Azula was manic now. Zuko had never seen her like this. Not even three years ago. It was awful. Her hands were shaking even worse, and her fire had started sputtering out before it reached Katara. Katara face was completely cool and calm and she dodged and shot at Azula with immense energy and strength. When she saw Zuko standing up with his sword in hand, her eyes widened. Azula noticed the change and whipped around.

She let out another horrible scream. Zuko didn't know how she managed to, but Azula circled her arms a second time and lightning crackled at her fingertips. She was quicker this time and took no hesitation in thrusting her arm forward towards Zuko.

The lightning followed its path, making its way down her arm and towards her shaking hand. Zuko had dropped the one sword he'd managed to pull from its sheath and felt suddenly dizzy. He'd been standing for too long. He willed himself to balance, but his vision went blurry again and all he saw was electric blue. Coming right for him. This was the end. He had no chance of redirecting without his bending and was far too weak to try and move away. His breath hitched and his vision blurred even more. The world was completely dark except for the blue light of the electricity.

Suddenly, the blue disappeared, as if it had been blocked by a shadow of something. Zuko felt the familiar feeling of his knees hitting the ground. He tried to focus his vision. Tried to see what was happening.

The picture would be burned in his mind forever. Because he'd dreamed it before. He'd seen this happen before. No. It couldn't be happening though. He had to be dreaming again. He must have blacked out.

Zuko watched in slow motion, too far away and too weak to do anything. The world went quiet. His heartbeat and breaths were the only sounds echoing in his ears.

Katara reached her arm out in the exact way Zuko had showed her so long ago. The lightning flashed loudly when it hit her fingertips and she yelled out. Zuko reached an arm out weakly, trying to stand up again. No. It crackled down her arm and to her middle, and she cried out again. Zuko barely registered that he let out a scream too.

With great effort, Katara thrust her other arm forward, but the lightning no longer moved quickly. It seemed to follow her arm, but barely any exited her hand.

The second the lightning left her body, Katara crumpled to the ground like a doll, unmoving and seemingly lifeless. NO.

Zuko miraculously found some strength and stood, racing over to her as fast as his muscles allowed. He fell down beside her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her onto his lap.

After a second, he felt it. Small, quivering breaths. She's alive. Zuko hugged her to him close, breathing her in and willing her to stay alive. To keep fighting. Her normally cool skin was hot to the touch. Her body was burning up. Zuko looked around frantically, breathing quick. His heart was beating fast. He knew she needed water, but there was none. The water she had used to fight had fallen in puddles all around the room.

Zuko looked back down at her and noticed something for the first time. One of her hands was red and burned. The skin was burned away, leaving her hand completely raw. Zuko sucked in a shaky breath, his eyes traveling up her arm. A thick streak of red burn extended from her burned hand all the way to her shoulder. He assumed it went down to her core too. It was crackly looking, like a tree branch. Zuko noticed it on her other arm too. The lightning had burned her on the inside as well. All along the path it had followed.

"No," he whispered weakly, pulling her closer again, as if he could help her. Zuko was at a loss. What could he do? The nearest body of water was all the way up the tall ladder. Would she make it if he climbed that while holding her? He may not have a choice…

Someone let out a sob, and Zuko up quickly, gripping Katara's limp body tighter. Azula was in front of them, standing in the same spot she'd shot the lightning from. She was staring at them, her hand over her mouth. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she let out another loud sob, falling to the ground. She was shaking all over. Spirits. What was happening to her? He shook his head. No. He couldn't worry about that now. Zuko needed to get out of there before Azula came to her senses again. Katara was fading quickly. He felt her heart beating still, but barely.

With a loud grunt Zuko stood up, cradling Katara in his arms. Her head fell limply against his shoulder. The world went blurry again for a second, but he turned towards the entrance to the hallway. He didn't have the luxury of waiting for his full strength to return. He could walk. That was all that mattered right now.

Zuko went as quickly as he could, out the door and down the hall. Azula's sobs echoed out of the large throne room. After a while, he reached the ladder he'd come down and stood, staring at it. He looked down at Katara in his arms. This wasn't going to work. He was starting to get frantic again. Katara needed water. Once she had water, she would be fine.

He wracked his brain. There were more ways in and out of this place, but where? It'd been so long since he'd been down here.

He stood there for another few seconds, trying to think. Argh. Why couldn't he remember? Zuko moved away from the ladder, continuing down the hallway. Maybe—hopefully—he would stumble upon something.

Zuko made some turns, trying to guess as well as he could the direction that an exit might be. The bunker was like a maze, curving and twisting in odd directions.

Then he spotted it. Stairs. Zuko ran as quickly as he could while holding Katara. Thankfully, the effects of the chi blocker seemed to finally be wearing off. His legs and arms felt stronger. Katara felt lighter.

He quickly made his way up the stairs, moving faster and faster as he got closer to the top. When he reached the door, he kicked it open forcefully with his foot, busting the latch. He almost fell backwards down the stairs but caught himself. Light flooded the dark stairway. It was dusk. The sun was down and soon it would be dark. It was still raining, but not as heavy.

Zuko stepped out, trying to get his bearings. He had walked through a door at the back of an alley in the capital city. He hurried down the alley to the street.

Thank the spirits. The palace was close. The wall that surrounded the grounds was visible just at the end of the street of houses and shops. Zuko ran, trying hard not to jostle Katara too much. He reached the wall and ran along it. The rain was falling on Katara and he wondered if the water would help her any, but she didn't seem to be regaining any sort of consciousness and her heartbeat still felt weak. His wet hair was sticking to his face.

The guards came into view. He yelled to them as he ran. "Open the gate!" They turned at the noise but seemed confused. "OPEN THE GATE!" They seemed to recognize him now. They quickly turned to force the gates open wide. Zuko continued to run and reached them after a few more seconds. The four guards looked at him in shock, their eyes darting from Zuko to Katara and back to Zuko.

Once inside the grounds, Zuko spotted a fountain and ran. He was still breathing heavy, but Katara was still breathing weakly. Reaching the water, he gently placed her in it, relieved that he had got her there in time. When her hot skin touched the water, the water sizzled and steamed. He knelt next to the fountain.

Katara floated on top of the water, her brown hair fanning out around her. Her eyes didn't open, and her breaths didn't change.

"Katara, there's water here," he said to her, forgetting for a moment that she couldn't hear him. No. Nothing was happening. He'd been so sure that everything would be okay once he got her here. Zuko felt a stinging behind his eyes. NO.

He shook her frantically, sloshing the water. Couldn't she heal herself? Wasn't that possible? Zuko thought he remembered someone talking about that a while ago. Like when Aang had burned her or something? Didn't that happen? Katara lay limp in the water. Nothing was happening. ARGH. Zuko shook her gently again. Nothing.

Desperate now, Zuko untied the knot at her waist and her singed top opened up, revealing the rest of the crackly burn path the lighting had left on her. Below her breast band was a larger burn like the one he had, but fresh. He was shaking now, the reality that he might lose her crashing over him like a wave.

"Katara, please. Heal yourself," he said louder than before. His voice was commanding, but it also broke. "There's water here." Nothing. Night had fallen now, and the rain had stopped. A crescent moon hung low in the sky. Looks like they wouldn't have whatever benefits a full moon brought. Zuko dropped his head to his hands, running his fingers through his shaggy, wet hair. He needed to do something. And quick.

He looked up. More steam had started to rise off the water in the fountain. What was happening? Zuko brought his hand into the water and touched Katara's shoulder. His thumb brushed the skin at her collarbone. Spirits. She was still burning hot. The water was not cooling her down. Katara, please! Heal yourself. Zuko was at a loss, and the stinging behind his eyes had gotten worse. This only made him angry.

"Argh!" he yelled into the night air. The grounds were quiet. No one knew that the Fire Lord was outside the palace, more desperate and scared than he'd ever been before. He fell against the wall of the fountain. His hand no longer touched Katara but hung lazily in the water. The heat of Katara's body had warmed the water significantly.

After a moment, Zuko straightened up suddenly. An idea had popped into his head. Maybe he could try and take some of the heat out of the water so it would cool her down better. It would steam more, but maybe it could work. He placed both his hands fully in the water and took a deep breath, preparing to draw the heat out. Slowly, and with great focus, the water cooled. Zuko felt himself get warmer, taking in the heat that had been in the water.

Wait. Why bother with the water? He could take it directly out of her. Placing one hand on her shoulder and the other over of the wound on her abdomen, Zuko prepared himself again. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath, repeating the process over. Slowly, the heat moved out of her body and into his. It seemed to be working. The longer he worked, the more effort and focus it took, but he could tell that Katara was cooling down. The water wasn't steaming as much.

Zuko went for as long as he could, hoping what he did would help, but after a minute or so, he had to stop. He was sweating now, both from the effort and the extra heat. He watched Katara's face intently, looking for any sign of change. Her breaths seemed stronger now. A smile spread across his face, and he eagerly started again, focusing harder now that he knew it was helping.

After another minute or so, Zuko had to stop again. Sweat was running in beads down his temple. This time the change was undeniable. Katara was breathing normally. He watched her a moment longer, his brows still furrowed in concern and worry. Katara's eyelids opened slowly. She saw his face and smiled weakly. Her eyes locked with his and she brought her hand up through the water to cover his. Her voice was a whisper.

"Thank you."

A/N There it is! Hope you guys enjoyed. I also hope it doesn't feel too "damsel in distress." In my opinion, Katara was pretty bada** in this chapter lol. I hope to update soon! Please review! I want to know your all's thoughts/if anything is confusing or weird. Thanks!