DISCLAIMER: don't own AVATAR.

This yet again takes a dip into religion. (I apologize for those who don't approve)

Chapter 16: Sinned

Kellie felt tears run down her cheeks as she walked slowly towards the dining hall. What she was doing, it was a sin, would God ever forgive her for this?

Please forgive me God. For, everything…

Kellie slid the helmet over her head, and entered the hall just as the main course for dinner was served.

"Here here!" One General called out as he raised his glass in a toast to honor the birthday of the Admiral's daughter.

Maiku looked around, and saw his father guarding at the door to the hall, the mystery guard at the other side of the door. His mother was nowhere to be seen. The Prince's eyes traveled around, roaming the hall until they rested on Iroh.

What about him made mom so excited?
Aaron was starting to feel an edge of panic. Where on earth was his sister?

Calm down, she'll be here any minute.

As if on cue, another faceless soldier entered the elaborately decorated hall, guarding a door 20 yards from her royal pain, Zula.

The Fire Lady smirked, and raised her glass to her lips. She felt the alcoholic drink slide past her teeth, and down her throat.

Zula stood up, and raised her glass.

"The dessert!" Everyone else raised their glasses.

"The dessert!" They echoed. Hundreds of servants filed through the doors, holding giant trays loaded with cakes, pies, tarts, and many other types of dessert. Suddenly, many voices rang clear and true throughout the hall, as one.

"NOW! KILL THE FIRE LADY!" Every guard, soldier, even some of the higher ranked men in the military that were feasting, rose to their feet, charging at the Fire Lady. But of course, not 'every' soldier and guard or highly ranked man in the military was a rebel; many others rose to their feet, trying to fend off the attack, while all the servants and women ran. Except for one…

Zula glared down at the rebels. But she didn't move. Why waste her time on these losers?

"Prince Rymeku! Rise and fight!" Zula ordered through the ruckus. Prince Maiku smirked up at her.

"Of course, Aunt Zula!" The Fire Lady did not hear the 'Aunt Zula'. Maiku rose to his feet, and attacked a soldier who was trying to kill Iroh.

"PRINCE RYMEKU! HOW DARE YOU COMMIT THIS TREACHERY!" Zula screeched. The Prince sneered up at his Aunt.

"I am not Rymeku! I'm Prince Maiku, son of Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Kellie! I commit no treachery, for I stand by the rightful rulers of this Nation!" Zula's eyes widened in rage. This was impossible! How did he find out? Zula rose to her feet, preparing to strike her nephew, but never got the chance.

Kellie panted as she fought her way through the crowd, trying to reach the podium at the head of the room, where Zula stood. It appeared that she was yelling at someone, who, Kellie could not guess.

A fireball was zooming towards Kellie, and she rose her forearm, blocking it. Her arm braces and boots were all that were left of her armor, for she had taken it off when the rebellion started. Leaving Kellie in her skin tight under armor clothing.

She panted, feeling the edge of fatigue. Kellie threw a fireball in no clear direction, trying to get people out of the way. But bending of any kind was quickly exhausting her.

Just a little bit longer, then it'll kick in…

Kellie gasped as she crawled up the steps of Zula's giant podium. She screamed quickly when a dagger narrowly missed her head.

Aaron watched as his sister slowly made her way up the steps. He felt shocked by what he saw etched into his sister's face. Aaron saw in her face, a grave face, sad and bitter, yet as grand and regal as any king's, although she was no king. He remembered at Acquire the Fire, the talk of battle, how his sister had proudly wanted to be a warrior. Was her wish finally coming true?

But would she have wanted to kill people?

Dear Lord, what has happened to my sister?

Zuko fended off another soldier from attacking the stunned Aaron; he felt a twang of pity as he saw a small river of blood run out of the soldier's side, where his knife had just been.

The former Fire Lord's eyes traveled up to the asphalt gray figure slowly climbing up the steps of the podium, nearing the top.

Come on, Kellie…

Kellie rested one arm on the step above her, gasping. She shouldn't have taken that drought it wasn't worth it.

Yes it was. It was worth a world's freedom, my son's freedom, and worth my freedom.

What about your husband's? What about your brother's?

Aaron remembers me he is free. Zuko… He was already free.

Kellie looked over her shoulder and down at the battle below her wearily. She wasn't sure who was winning they all looked the same. She looked around her, dead bodies with either a knife in their back or some scorch mark surrounded her. Other people had tried to do what she was doing, but failed.

They didn't have it.

She thought bitterly as she resumed her climb.

Kellie's eyes peered over the edge of the podium she could finally see Zula.

The Fire Lady seemed enraged, and was about to jump off her podium and join the battle. Well…

With a screech, and one last bit of her natural energy, Kellie leapt up from her spot on the steps, and tackled Zula to the ground.

Roars of praise toward the former Fire Lady went up through the room from the rebels, but that world was lost to Kellie and Zula as they rolled across the podium.

Zula's hair was torn from its bun, and a large mass of Kellie's hair was sliced from the left side of her head, thanks to Zula's dagger, which she had drawn from her belt.

From below, all the soldiers and rebels' heads were turned up towards the podium, where the most important battle was taking place. All other fights below were forgotten as they all watched the two women tumble around above their heads. Every now and again, giant spurts of fire would fly out across the room, or a small drop of water would rise from a pot in a corner, and fly to the battle above.

Kellie felt exhausted this wasn't going to work! She should have never taken that drought, Zula was going to kill her before that stupid voodoo potion even started to work!

"Rotten bitch, I should have killed you the day you stepped into my court!" Zula hissed. Kellie swerved her head away as Zula tried to slice her head open, while her hand started traveling down to her boot.

All those two did to each other was punch the other, hard. Very quickly, both former Fire Lady and current Fire Lady had bruises, black eyes, and split lips.

Kellie finally managed to get one of her daggers out of her right boot, and draw to her chest, so she could strike, but it was too late. Zula also had her dagger drawn, and flames surrounded it, preparing to kill her. In the midst of the tumble, Kellie had eventually ended on the bottom, and was at the most crucial stage before her drought began to work: She had no energy left.

"There's no one here who can save you now, Miss Kelso," Zula spat.

"Not even your precious God. I say that for I've heard of your religion, and how your God always comes in time. Tsk tsk, shame, well, good bye, Fire Lady Kellie." Zula said maliciously, before her dagger made the descent towards Kellie's heart.

"NO!" Screams of horror went up through the hall, as everyone, rebels, soldiers, and Princes, saw what Zula was about to do.

But everyone, especially Zula, was dumbfounded by what happened next.

Just as Zula's dagger was about to pierce Kellie's skin, Kellie's free hand shot up, and grasped Zula's wrist, preventing any damage to happen to her.

Zula gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. Kellie smirked up at her, before she rolled, and now, Kellie was on top, holding the dagger at Zula's throat. They were now grappling at each other, trying to push the other so they could have a clear shot at killing each other. Their arms were shaking, and Zula found herself starting to weaken under the former Lady's newfound strength. Where had she found this raw power?

Then Zula saw Kellie's eyes, a filthy green, and it seemed that her pupils were so small, you couldn't see them.

It.

Zula's mind whispered. Zula was getting tired, finally. Kellie pushed away Zula's arms to her sides, and leaned down until her nose was almost touching Zula's. Zula felt sick, that drought had made Kellie's breath reek of the stench that came out of a mire.

"Bye, Zula." Kellie whispered, and her dagger found the weak spot in Zula's armor. Within seconds, the poison from the blade killed Zula. The world was free.

Cheers roared across the dining hall, but quickly turned to screams of horror when the figure that had saved them fell to the ground.

"KELLIE!" Zuko and Aaron yelled. They tore up the steps, but Aaron was far faster. By the time Zuko reached the top of the podium, Aaron was cradling his sister in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Aaron." Kellie whispered.

"Shh, it's not your fault." Aaron whispered reassuringly.

"No, I'm sorry for being a sinner. I deserve hell." Aaron shook his head.

"No you don't, Kellie. Self-pity is something you don't need. And besides, no one's perfect." Kellie sighed.

"I know Aaron, I know." She whispered, before her eyes closed, and was silent.

WOO! I finally got up a chapter! Sorry for the wait, I've been a bit busy. Not only with homework and junk, but also with a new story. Uhh, for people of age, if you catch my drift. (shifty eyes) quite frankly, i thought this chapter sucked.

Umm, bye?

INSANITY AT ITS FINEST
LONG LIVE THE HIPPIES!

Zukoscute2