A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews guys! And I appreciate that you are honest enough to make suggestions about some things that could be changed. It's big help.

Chapter Seventeen

Katara looked out over the railing of the giant ship as it sliced through the dark ocean waters. On the horizon she could see a piece of land that was growing larger every minute. The fire nation. They had been sailing for days and now, finally, they were about to reach their destination.

"A beautiful sight isn't it?"

Katara turned in surprise to see Commander Zhao standing behind her. Her eyes narrowed. I don't know what it is but something's not right. He wouldn't give Zuko a ride just so he could have a rematch against him. Something is going on and I am not going to let him get away with it. She turned back around and stared straight ahead. "I suppose."

Commander Zhao laughed. "You're just as stubborn as he is, huh? Well I won't have to worry about that for long. You're going to meet the same pitiful end that he does." He smirked, then turned and walked away.

Katara glared out at the waters. "We'll see about that." she muttered.

A few hours later they were at the fire nation's border.

"All ashore!" shouted one of the crew. Everyone began grabbing their stuff and hurrying to get off the ship. Katara followed Zuko and Uncle Iroh. It had become common knowledge to the crew that she was on their side now so no one gave her a second glance. They were about to head for a nearby Inn when Commander Zhao stepped in front of them, blocking their path.

"Surely you are not thinking of backing out of our bargain Prince Zuko?"

"What? No!" Zuko glared at him. "Surely though you do not plan on fighting now though? We've barely even made it off the ship!"

"Of course not. That would not be very sportsman like. But it would only be fair if I asked you to stay at my palace. I am the ruler of the fire nation in case you've forgotten and it would be such an honor to have the great Prince Zuko stay at my home." He smirked at him.

Zuko eyed him closely. What is he up to? But he couldn't think of any reasons why they shouldn't. It would only help them. They could spy on the Commander and find out what his plans were.

"Fine." He replied after a few moments. But my Uncle, Katara, and my guards must stay as well."

"Not the guards." Commander Zhao said firmly. "I wouldn't want to tempt you to cheat by sabotaging me while I sleep."

"And what if you decide to sabotage me? I'm sure you're palace is swarming with guards."

The Commander glared at him. "Two. You may bring two of your most trusted guards. No more, no less. The others must stay here."

"Five." Zuko said coldly.

"Three." Commander Zhao shot back.

"Fine." He turned and mentioned to three of the guards to follow him. "Come on."

The Commander smirked, then turned, and they followed him up the winding road to his palace.

Aang sat staring out over the water in silence. Sokka turned from where he was watching the fire to look at him

"Hey Aang. You've barely said a word all afternoon. What's wrong?"

"I don't know." Aang sighed. "It's just…..it's time. Tomorrow afternoon we'll be at the fire nation's borders and….then I'll have to fight." He was a silent for a moment, then turned to look at Sokka. "What if I can't Sokka? What if I can't beat them? What if I can't save the world, or even Katara?" Worry filled his eyes.

Sokka walked over and sat down beside him. "You know when my father left to fight the fire nation he told me that I had to be the man of the village now. I had to watch out for my sister and our people and make sure no harm came to them. And you know something? I was scared to death. I thought of all the things that could go wrong. I wanted to be a warrior but not by myself! I didn't think I'd actually have to do any fighting until many years from now. And that would be with my dad. But what choice did I have? I couldn't say no. So I did my best. And it turned out ok. I mean here I am, a better fighter than I thought I could be, and I'm helping the Avatar. And tomorrow we go into battle to beat the fire nation once and for all. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we can't always choose our destiny's. Things happen that we didn't plan for. But I believe that the good will always triumph. And especially when we're fighting to save the one's we love then we can find strength we never knew we had."

Aang turned this over in his mind. He thought of Katara and of his old teachers. He thought of all the people out there who would perish if the fire nation was to win. And suddenly he was filled a kind of courage he never knew he had. This wasn't just a battle. He was fighting to bring justice back to the world. And that's what he was going to do.

"Thanks Sokka." He said quietly. They sat there for awhile, each lost in his own thoughts about the coming day.

"Come on, Avatar or not, you still need your rest." Sokka said, standing up. Aang nodded and they lay down on their make shift beds. Soon a peaceful silence settling over the forest and they were both sound asleep.