DISCLAIMER: don't own AVATAR.

OMG! Big surprise, folks!

Chapter 13: The Plan Won't Be Stopped

"L-L-Lerolas?" Sokka stuttered, not believing his eyes. Lerolas tilted her head.

"Miss me?" Sokka ran up and embraced the Elf tightly, and she returned the hug as well.

"More than you know." Sokka murmured in her ear, and gave Lerolas a quick peck on the cheek.

"Glad to know." Lerolas replied. Jet walked up and tapped Lerolas on the shoulder. She broke away from Sokka, and looked up at the Freedom Fighter.

"We have to attend to the wounded." Was all he said, and walked to one of his fallen comrades. Sokka and Lerolas followed.

Lerolas pulled the bandage taut around Pipsqueak's oversized forearm.

"Now just make sure not to bump it, and it should be fine." Pipqueak nodded.

"Thank you." He said in his deep rumbling voice. Lerolas looked up at him kindly.

"No problem." She said. Jet was looking at Smellerbee's cut.

"How did you do this?" Jet asked in awe. Lerolas faced him and grinned.

"First aid was taught at my camp." Long Shot was staring at the Elf archer in wonder.

"Maybe you could take me there someday?" He asked hopefully. Lerolas sighed.

"No, I'm a traitor Elf. Not allowed back on my land, dead or alive. That includes the Elf archery training camps." Long Shot hung his head in defeat.

"Oh." Suddenly, the Duke came staggering back into the Freedom Fighter's midst, beaming crazily.

"I found wine! Let us celebrate the defeat of the Fire Lord Souzen the Second!"

Lerolas carefully sipped her wine thoughtfully, while the Freedom Fighters around her drank more and more, getting more and more drunk by the passing second. The only sober one left with her was Sokka.

"Thissss isss the besssst wine I've everrrr had!" Jet slurred. Long Shot raised a bottle of wine, and poured the contents down his throat.

"Herehere!" He yelled after his drink, and some of the wine sloshed out of the bottle, drenching his head.

Lerolas again took a small sip of wine, and then set the glass down. Allowing any other drunken boys to come and take their fill. She had never really liked wine, and wished to not take a very big part in the celebration.

Unseen except for by one pair of eyes, the Elf left the room.

Lerolas ran her hand down Katara's cheek, she felt horrible.

"You were blessed with a son, but he was cursed with a tainted spirit." Lerolas said into the Spirit World, her lips unmoving. Lerolas closed her eyes, and allowed her spirit to enter the Fire Lady.

Katara whirled around, and saw someone unexpected. Her green, gray, and brown clothing told the Fire Lady that this being belonged to no Nation.

"You were blessed with a son, but he was cursed with a tainted spirit." Lerolas said with pity. Katara cocked her head.

"Excuse me?" The Elf's gaze darkened.

"What is wrong with you? Have you not noticed how your son, the reincarnation of the original Souzen, has been plotting to do what his ancestor did, but finish his plan? Or was he in your womb for so long, that part of him lives within you, threatening the person you once were? What happened to the girl that was kind? That was compassionate? That was-" The realization hit Lerolas hard.

"In love with Zuko." The fact that Katara had loved Zuko, kissed Zuko, fucked with Zuko, it was no coincidence. Katara had not loved Zuko of her own free will. Souzen had been planning this since he died. Every detail, Zuko's banishment, the Avatar's sudden reappearance, all part of the plan to finish the act. Souzen had put part of himself in Katara and Zuko, to work them into what he wanted.

"That son of a bitch." Lerolas muttered. Katara sneered.

"If you're talking about my son or husband, I swear-" Lerolas laughed.

"Swear? Swear what? You have no free will, woman! Every word you say has already been hand picked for you by Souzen!" Lerolas began to circle Katara, walking closer and closer, until the Elf was right behind the waterbender.

"The damned spirit that lives within the thing you call a son has reshaped your body and your mind. He thought he could protect you long enough until he no longer needed you, but he was wrong. I'm an Elf, waterbender. I'm not human. I can see the smallest bead of sweat on your forehead when I stand on a ship in the middle of the ocean, while you stand on dry land. I can smell, the perfume which you wear, when I'm in the flower garden. I can hear your heart beat," Lerolas paused.

"When my own is thumping like a bass drum in my ears." The Elf hissed. Katara whirled around, but it was not exactly Katara. Her features were chiseled and sharp, and her eyes were no longer icy blue, but fierce amber. Souzen's eyes.

"Go ahead and kill her, I don't need her anymore." Souzen hissed through Katara. Katara smirked.

"Because my job is done." He sneered, and Katara fell to the ground as a shred of Souzen left her. Lerolas helped the waterbender up, and she looked at the Elf gratefully.

"Do I know you?" Katara asked, bewildered. Lerolas smiled.

"You used to, but not anymore. But remember this, I'm a friend." Katara nodded.

"A friend."

"You know, I'm the one who poisoned them." Lerolas snapped her head up, and saw Sokka standing next to her, gazing at his unconscious sister and her husband. Lerolas put her hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"It's ok, I know you mean well." Sokka nodded.

A Fire Nation horn sounded, and the Elf and Water warrior rushed to the window. Lerolas gritted her teeth.

"The bastard!" She hissed. She faced Sokka.

"Go check on Souzen! NOW!" Sokka nodded, and raced to the Throne Room, while Leroals rushed to the dock. But she was too late.

Souzen's fleet had already set sail, and were beginning to disappear into the sun rise.

Uhoh! Which should I do first, Lerolas's secret weapon to stop the fleet, or Lerolas punishing Souzen really badly? You decide!

INSANITY AT ITS FINEST
LONG LIVE THE HIPPEIS!

Zukoscute2