Chapter 3: Let The Games Begin

"Aang? Is that really you?"

As soon as his eyes landed on the origins of the angelic voice that called out to him, Aang found himself to be once again mesmerised by her shear beauty. Katara. The girl he fell in love with. The woman who stole his heart. The angel who wouldn't give it back… not that he wanted it back anyways. Katara. She hadn't changed much since the last time he saw her; in the sense that she seemed to be the same beautiful person – inside and out. Except, her beauty had only been amplified tenfold; she now stood five foot ten inches tall, her body had adjusted to her height – thus providing her with an hourglass like figure with curves he felt he could die for – her skin seemed as smooth as ever and her smile as vibrant as he remembered. She donned her tradition Water Tribe clothing, which caught him off guard as he thought she'd be wearing her Royal Fire Nation robe - yet he didn't complain.

"Hi, Katara." Aang answered with that same goofy smile tugging his lips.

Katara felt her heart flutter as she got a whiff of him; although Aang at 15 was quite the looker, Aang now at 19 years of age seemed to be a completely different person. He stood six foot three inches tall, his previously skinny form had now developed into a lean, muscular form – providing him with a figure that now drew out water from the waterbender's mouth as she drank him in. His usual round face was now sharp, his previously chubby cheeks and jawline were chiselled and dagger-like. What surprised her most though, was the fact that Aang had grown hair. He donned a 'disconnected undercut' haircut (look up the Tommy Shelby Season 5 haircut for reference), where his dark-brown spikey hair would swing down from the side of his face. Even through his hair, his blue-arrowed tattoo stood vibrant on his forehead. Although Katara was proud of Aang for keeping his head shaved in the past, she had to admit, Aang was always a killer when he donned hair… and she found him all the more attractive whenever he did. It didn't take long for the waterbender to start drooling over him, however, once she realised what she was doing she chided herself.

No. He left me. He left me for two years and never said a word. I won't allow him to just come back and sweep me off my feet. The fact that she had to remind herself of the past alone spoke of how much this boy affected her… but she wouldn't let him know of it. Not anytime soon at least.

Before Katara could question him, Zuko jumped in, "I'm glad you're here." He really wasn't though; he had noticed the way his fiancé froze the moment she laid eyes on her previous lover – and even though he needed the Avatar's help – he wished he hadn't actually requested his assistance. Though, Katara had already sent a letter requesting the Avatar's presence earlier during the day, needless to say, it wouldn't have made a difference.

Noticing that Zuko seemed somewhat anxious, Aang shot a devious smile towards the Firelord before transforming it back into the simple goofy smile only he could portray. "Congratulations on the engagement, Firelord Zuko." Aang bowed as he spoke.

Zuko couldn't understand why but… the way he spoke just then, it made him feel uneasy. Like Aang was up to no good. Like Aang was not here only to offer his congratulations. Like Aang was here simply to wreak havoc. Though, he didn't know enough to judge Aang at the moment and at the same time, he couldn't comprehend how he got all that from just one statement and one smile. Still, Zuko usually trusted his instincts, and during that moment, he didn't know Aang's true agenda – that fact itself terrified him. Then again, he had to push his uneasiness aside – for now at least.

"Please, no need for pleasantries between us, Aang." Zuko shook his head as he approached the airbender.

With each step he took, he covered Katara's view of the airbender, and once he finally shook the Avatar's hand, that's when he saw that look in his eye. The kind of look you'd see in someone who had harboured all their hatred and disdain and was now ready to pounce on the one person who caused it all. The kind of expression you'd witness from a person who is at their lowest point, has no regard for human life at all, and was now staring down the most disgusting of filth. The kind of look that would make Azula squeal in terror – which said enough.

Zuko immediately stiffened; Aang hadn't moved a muscle since shaking Zuko's hand and was simply staring down the Firelord with an evil smile tugging his lips. Katara couldn't tell why Zuko was just standing there… staring at sweet, charming little ol' Aang. As Sokka moved to see what had brought upon this sudden stiffness from the Firelord, Aang chuckled lightly.

His playful and carefree expression returned as he spoke, "What's wrong, Zuko? Elephant-cat got your tongue?"

Shaking his fear away, Zuko awkwardly smiled as he pulled his hand away and took a few steps back – still not knowing how to react to Aang's behaviour. It seemed odd; one minute he looked like he was going to rip his throat out and the next, he was back to goofy, loveable Aang.

"You must be hungry – I know I am. Come, Aang."

As Sokka ushered him towards the dinning hall, the Avatar shot Katara another smile, right after he winked at Zuko. Katara didn't see him wink at Zuko as she was having trouble controlling the red hue that was overtaking her tanned cheeks due to Aang being way too irresistible for my own good, as she put it in her head. But Zuko saw it, acknowledged it, and understood it; Aang wasn't here because Zuko requested it. Aang was in his Royal Palace because he wanted to be. And although that would sit well with him under normal circumstrances, seeing as how Aang was behaving just now, Zuko reminded himself to be weary of the airbender and not fall for his peaceful, carefree, 'simple monk' mask.

"How was it?"

"How was what?"

"You know."

"Piece of cake."

"And now?"

"Now… we have some fun."

All she wanted to do this morning was clear her head. She attempted to do it last night but Zuko had interrupted her then Aang showed up. Speaking of, now that Aang was back, Katara knew she had to get her thoughts in order if she was to maintain her sense of self.

I can't allow him to charm his way through my defences, she thought. Though, Katara knew he never needed to – it was just something he could do. Sometimes without even meaning to; he would melt away her walls and embrace her, reminding her that he was here, he was with her, and he would never leave.

But he did, Katara reminded herself. He left me, he never wrote back, he played around with other girls and I can't take him back. Though she understood she was being unfair as Aang never got to speak his truth, she was still hurting from all the days of loneliness; when she'd lay on her bed in the Southern Water Tribe, cuddling with the robes he left behind, trying to gain some sense of the Air Nomad she longed for. His scent was present within her room for the first couple months, but soon, it faded – just like him. Katara didn't know exactly what caused him to ignore her for the years he disappeared, but as of now, she didn't really care. She had been in pain, in fact, she was still in pain… and she wouldn't allow him to just come back, make her laugh and smile and fall in love with him again, only for him to leave… again.

I can't do that. I have to… I have to-

"Realise that you're speaking aloud…" came an all too familiar voice from behind her.

As she panned her head around, she found the culprit; the one who steered her away from her battle cry, the one who stole her heart then broke it, the one who would never give it back – for she could never take it.

"Aang…" Katara hadn't even realised that she said his name aloud either, she thought it was all in her head, until he spoke up again.

"I've missed hearing my name on your lips…" Aang smirked as he stood by the door frame, his body leaning on it as his arms folded around his chest. "It was always so… intoxicating."

Katara blushed as she dipped her head down in an effort to hide it. Despite her battle cries, her resolve was slowly breaking; she knew she couldn't keep this up much longer, not when he was being so charming. So, she forced her smile and blush to dissolve as she glared at him, her eyes narrowing as she warned him not to go too far.

Understanding the message, Aang threw his arms up as he shifted to sit across the dining table. "Got it, got it. I'm not gonna try anything." He stated as he took a seat beside her. It was the next day, early morning – normally Katara wouldn't be awoken from her slumber until 9am or 10am, but she was preparing herself for her duties as the future Fire Lady. Part of which required her to be up early. So, here she was, eating breakfast while attempting to solidify her defences against the handsome airbender's attacks.

As he took his seat directly opposite her, Aang reached out for a moon peach and took a bite. Katara tried, she so desperately tried to steer her eyes away from the juices of the fruit that were running down his jawline. She tried so hard; averting her eyes from time to time, but her treacherous vision wouldn't allow the airbender to be removed from her sights. And right now, she both loved and hated it.

"What are you doing here?" Katara suddenly spoke up. It sounded harsher than she initially meant but she didn't care at the moment. Aang was torturing her without even realising it and she wanted to be anywhere except near him; for being in close proximity to such a being was dangerous, both physically and mentally… mostly physically as she felt she might falter and give in.

"I'm having breakfast." Aang deadpanned, stating it as if it was the most obvious thing in both the physical and spirit worlds.

The master waterbender rolled her eyes in annoyance at his obliviousness before she elaborated, "I mean why are you here? In the Fire Nation."

Having his confusion cleared, Aang looked into her eyes and shrugged as he replied, "I'm here because you asked me to be."

Katara raised her eyebrow in confusion as she questioned him further, "What do you mean? I sent my letter yesterday morning. How could it possibly have reached you within 24 hours and how could you then arrive within those same 24 hours?"

"I was at the Western Air Temple when your hawk found me."

Aang took another bite of his moon peach causing more of its juices to run down his jawline due to his deliberate sloppiness. This in turn caused Katara to gulp as her throat dried up while she questioned him again, desperately trying to steer her eyes to meet his instead of where they actually were, "But Zuko told me he sent a letter for you months ago."

"Yeah, he did."

"So then why did you just arrive now?" Katara asked, her head still muddled with confusion.

"I told you, didn't I?" Removing his eyes from his moon peach, Aang glided them across the table until they met her blue depths. Smirking again, his voice spoke in a husky tone as he answered, "Because you asked me."

Feeling her heart flutter as it did last night, Katara shook her head as she glanced away. He was getting to her; slowly tearing down the walls of amour she had donned, charming his way through her defences – thus leaving her defenceless. He was slowly winning but she did not allow it. She could not allow it. Not after everything she's been through.

Feeling her irritation rising, with her eyes still not meeting his, Katara spoke in an agitated tone to get her point across. "You can't do that…." When Aang didn't reply, seemingly at a loss for words for once, she elaborated, "You can't just… come back into my life and… and a-act like you didn't leave. L-like you didn't leave m-me before. Like y-you didn't break m-my heart."

Sighing in regret, Aang dipped his head in shame as he comprehended everything she said. She was right of course, when had she ever been wrong? He asked himself. Aang had to leave her to fulfil his Avatar duties. He promised it would only be for a few months and he meant to keep his promise. The world, however, would not cooperate. The world and its inhabitants were simply unrelenting, and he was put through the grinder due to the same selfishness and superiority complex he wished to destroy. Politicians' greed for power kept him away from her, but even he knew it was no excuse. Of course, it wasn't his fault he was literally kept away from her, but he couldn't tell her that. For one, she would likely combat it and demand an explanation which in turn would reveal his real intent, and he couldn't risk that. This whole thing was bigger than him, and even though he hated to say it, it was bigger than her and their relationship. He was doing this for her, and for the world.

"I'm sorry, Katara… I never meant to abandon you." Aang whispered, his usual cheery mood turning sombre upon her abrupt acknowledgment of reality. When he glanced up, he saw a few tear streaks painting her tan cheeks. He wanted more than anything to wipe them away, to hold her and tell her the truth… but this wasn't about him or her… and he needed to stay on task. "I don't – I can't…" he sighed as he tore his eyes away from her. Upon noticing his hesitation, Katara glanced towards him, noting how his once cheery expression had saddened. "I wanted to return to you the moment I left. But – but the world just… it just wouldn't let up. It was one problem after another, and another, and another and… before I knew it – I had abandoned you for an entire year." Finding the courage to meet her eyes again, Aang stared into them, noting that he had to remain careful as he could easily fall into their icy depths. "It killed me to stay away from you, and I hated myself for hurting you the way I did."

Katara wanted to scold him. To ask him if the rumours were true; if he was truly flirting and messing around with other girls while she cried herself to sleep alone. She wanted to yell at him for having the audacity to talk like he actually cared for her despite ignoring her and her letters for an entire year. Spirits know she wanted to do all those things. Yet, deep down, she also wanted to embrace him. To walk up to him and wipe away the few tears that had stained his slightly tanned cheeks. To tell him that she forgives him and that she was ready to move on. But she couldn't… for she hadn't. Yet, she knew that it would still be for the best; the Fire Nation, Zuko and she herself needed the Avatar to support them – and she knew that regardless of her relationship with him, he would always help. But she didn't want to be mad at him either. She didn't want to hate him. She didn't want to dislike him. It didn't matter anyways, because she really couldn't. She may have been upset and angry with him, but she could never hate him. He was Aang… after all.

"I know your duty as the Avatar was important to you… and I know you didn't purposefully want to hurt me, but I can't say that we could ever be together again." She was telling the truth, yet, a small part of her - the part that yearned to be with him again - knew she was lying. Yet, she continued the facade."So, you should stop trying. But…." Meeting his stormy depths, Katara sighed as she admitted the partial truth, "I want to move past this. I want us to be friends again."

Satisfied with the answer he received, Aang smiled as he set his moon peach down, stood up and held out his hand. Scooting out of her seat, Katara too stood up and met Aang halfway, shaking his hand firmly as she sheepishly smiled up at him. "Friends?" she asked.

"I could live with that." Aang nodded as grinned back at her. He could tell that she had many more questions to ask and many unsung feelings to vent out, but for now, he was glad she was receptive towards him. He needed her to be.

"Any leads on the perpetrator who attacked the Indians?"

"None so far."

Zuko sighed in annoyance as he studied the briefs Sokka and his Generals had prepared for him. They had yet to discover the identity of the man who killed those criminals, and although Zuko wasn't sad for their deaths, the way they were killed sickened him. The carnage he had witnessed only reminded him that just because Ozai was dead didn't mean that there weren't other men like him… or worse.

"Well, what do we know then?" Zuko asked as he glanced up towards his soon to be brother-in-law.

"We know that he has someone feeding him inside knowledge as no one could've known about those traders other than us or the source who contacted the Indians. We know this wasn't some random killing and that this is a man with an agenda as he left no soul untouched and stole all the artillery and explosives. We know he's clearly a professional as he's left no clue that would lead us to him. And… that's it."

"So, we know jack shit." Zuko deadpanned.

"Pretty much," Sokka shrugged as he glanced outside.

Zuko sighed deeply again, his frustration with this situation continued to grow by the second. However, his thoughts then reminded him of a man who he had called for specifically for this issue. And in turn, he was also reminded of said man's weird behaviour.

"Sokka?" Zuko questioned as he glanced out the window as well. Sokka hummed in acknowledgement, so Zuko continued with his train of thought, "Last night… did something about Aang seem… off to you?"

The Water Tribe warrior stroked his imaginary beard as he thought of the idea. But alas, he came to the same conclusion Zuko expected him to, "Nope. He's the same old Aang. Why? You notice something?"

"I don't know… I just – I had a feeling -"

"Let's get this party started!" Aang exclaimed as the doors to Zuko's office flung open, revealing the Avatar's tall, lean and muscular figure.

Speak of the Devil, Zuko thought as he cleared his throat and swung around to meet Aang's gaze. Sokka smiled at him and left the room after shaking his hand Water Tribe style. Zuko had mentioned to the warrior beforehand that he needed to speak to Aang privately, so when he would arrive, he requested Sokka to kindly take his leave. As Aang walked towards Zuko's office table, he noticed the many briefs and photographs laid out – yet he chose not to mention them until they were brought up.

"What's up Sifu Hotman?"

"Will you ever stop calling me that?" Zuko groaned while smiling slightly at the sight of his old friend returning.

"I'm afraid not, Grumpy."

Zuko knew that this wasn't what he needed to talk to Aang about, but his anxiety was spiralling out of control, and he just couldn't help himself. "I sent you a letter requesting your arrival several months ago, you never showed, but when Katara asks, you do. What is your game Aang?"

Upon hearing Zuko's bold line of questioning, Aang smirked as he knew he could finally have some more fun, "I thought it was obvious…." After Zuko raised his eyebrows in confusion, Aang grinned at Zuko deviously as he elaborated – deliberately enticing the Firelord's fear – "I'm here to steal her away from you."

Zuko's eyes widened in surprise and dread as he stared into the Avatar's eyes. They remained evil and his smile devious, he didn't falter for even a second – until he finally did. Feeling he had tortured the Firelord enough for now, Aang erupted in laughter as he pointed towards Zuko.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA – You should've – HA HA HA HA HA HA – You should've seen your face – HA HA HA HA HA." Zuko just stared at Aang with a mix of relief, dread, confusion, and doubt as Aang tried to stifle his laughter. "I'm just joking hothead, jeez. Relax." Noticing that Zuko was still somewhat concerned, Aang opted to reassure him, "Other than to celebrate your engagement, I'm here to solve the several situations you and Katara spoke of in your letters. So, lay it on me."

Relaxing somewhat – although still uneasy and uncomfortable – Zuko took a seat as he motioned for Aang to do the same. Once he did, Zuko handed him the brief detailing the killings of the Indian criminals. Aang ran his hand through his soft yet spikey dark brown hair as he read through the brief and analysed the multiple photographs. Zuko noticed a frown was plastered across Aang's face the entire time and that put him to ease – for the time being.

"When did this happen?" Aang asked.

"We discovered the crime scene yesterday morning, but witnesses say the shooting occurred the night before." As Aang flipped through the multiple pages, his demeanour becoming serious as he analysed the brief, Zuko anxiously asked, "What do you think? How should we handle this?"

"What do we know of the perpetrator?" Aang fired back as he set the brief down on Zuko's table.

"Not much, just that he's organised, seems to be a master assassin, has an agenda, and probably has someone feeding him inside information."

"Any leads?"

"No."

Aang laid back in his seat as he glanced to his side. Clearly in deep thought, Zuko waited patiently for Aang to come up with a solution as he sat in his chair, studying the airbender's expression as he was still somewhat weary of him.

"First thing's first, we need to either establish a plan to draw him out or wait for him to make his next move. With the information we have – or lack thereof – we can't really speculate to his identity or motives. So, we should call for a Council Meeting with your Generals and establish a plan of action."

Zuko nodded in agreement, indicating he was on board with Aang's idea, so the Avatar continued, "Second thing, I need complete autonomy."

Zuko narrowed his eyes, glaring at the airbender as he shot back, "I can't give you that."

"You called me here. You need my help… not the other way around. I need to be able to work at my own pace and freedom to achieve the results you desire."

"Its your duty to help!" Zuko exclaimed, his irritation with the situation and now with Aang growing by the second, "You're the Avatar. It is your literal birth right to help the Four Nations."

"I am the Avatar…" Aang stated, as he leaned forward and glared back at Zuko, "not your bitch." Zuko's eyes widened as Aang's hostility grew, "Either comply, or figure this out yourself."

"You think you can just walk in here, demand autonomy, and walk out?!" Zuko yelled.

Sighing deeply, Aang dipped his head to hide the small smile that grew on his face, "You know the last person who said that to me?" Aang took a couple seconds to force the smile away, his face sombre and dead serious as he looked back up at Zuko, eyes cold and lips pursed as he threatened, "See, I would tell you… except I can't pronounce them Indian names."

The Firelord's eyes widened, his mouth agape as he stared at the airbender with fear and confusion coursing through his veins. Did he – did he just confess to killing those men. Is he – Is he really- Zuko's inner thoughts struggled to remain intact as Aang's cold glare remained. It didn't falter, thus causing Zuko to quiver in his seat. Soon though, Aang once again chuckled before he fell into a fit of laughter again.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA"

Zuko flinched when Aang suddenly began laughing hysterically, but, that same sense of doubtful relief and remaining uneasiness washed over him when the airbender spoke:

"What… too soon?"

Zuko didn't answer – understandably so. He was too confused and distraught by Aang's contradicting actions and words to form a cohesive sentence, so he opted to stay quiet for the time being.

Shrugging it off, Aang stood up and spoke as he walked towards the door, intending to leave the Firelord to tremble in fear and anxiety. "Give me full autonomy, and I'll solve this problem for you. Let me know of your answer in the meeting you have with your Generals."

As he left the room without glancing back at the Firelord, Aang inwardly smiled. Everything was going as planned; Zuko was growing doubtful, and was shaking in fear and anxiety, Katara was receptive towards him and accepted his friendship, General Fang was following his orders efficiently, and the people of the Fire Nation were growing tired of the constant chaos enveloping their streets and villages.

Soon, everything will fall in place, and they'll never see it coming.

Ashley Barbosa: Thanks for reviewing, although, you;'ll have to wait to find out why Aang didn't come back for Katara. And the Batman-ish character in this story will be Zuko. Yes, I do write a lot of angst, I don't really know why, I guess the emotion just translates easily into writing from me as I've felt it for as long as I can remember. And 'Save Your Tears For Another Day' will be a short story - around 6-10 chapters.

TheQuietReader23: Yeh, a lot of people hate Zuko and Hakoda already, and it probably wont remain that way. Zuko will be a flawed hero and Aang an understandable villain is the best way I can put it. Though Zuko wasn't with Mai when he was developing a crush on Katara but I'll get into that later. I just hope you enjoyed this chapter as well as the others, I was kinda afraid the reunion seemed rushed so let me know.

Snow596: This is a Canon AU (placed in the original universe) where there is some modern technology, like guns, explosives, artillery and other devices etc. Amon is inspired from TLOK and Heath Ledger's Joker.

Soviet Womble: I love writing a dark Aang story as then I can tap into his full potential as the Avatar - I guess I just love raw, destructive power. And yes, Aang has returned and has certainly caught Katara's attention again.