"We should split up. Aang, you go with Iroh to look for Katara, Kurai and the angry jerk," Sokka Remembered Iroh was there and placed his left hand on Iroh's right shoulder. "no offense."

Iroh Shrugged. "None taken."

"And I'll go with Reiko to warn the Earth King of Azula's coup." Sokka said.

Xxx

Aang and Iroh were walking through the tunnel down to the Catacombs. Iroh was bending a small fire for light, and Aang was earthbending the way down.

"So, Reiko thinks you give pretty good advice, and great tea!" Aang said.

"The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?" Iroh said.

Aang earthbended again before replying.

"Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power, but to do it, I had to let go of someone I love." He and Iroh stopped. "And I just couldn't."

"Perfection and power are overrated. I think you were very wise to choose happiness and love." Iroh said.

Aang Earthbended again. "What happens if we can't save anyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not powerful enough?"

"I don't know the answer. Sometimes, life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving," Iroh said. Aang earthbended the rocks away one last time. Iroh's fire blew out. He smiled. "you will come to a better place."

They were in the Catacombs.

Xxx

Reiko and Sokka were climbing the stairs, with Momo flying behind them.

"There's General How!" Sokka said.

Sokka put his arm out in front of Reiko and pulled her behind a pillar. General How continued walking toward the stairs. The Dai Li agents could be seen hiding beside the pillars before putting cuffs on his wrists and pulling him down to his knees. Another agent dropped in front of How.

"What's going on here?" How said.

"You're under house arrest." Dai Li Agent said.

"The coup is happening right now! We've gotta warn the Earth King!" Sokka said.

Sokka, Reiko, and Momo ran to head to the Earth King. One of the generals was seen walking when some chains fly up and trap him. General Sung was taken by some chains into a dark area. Two other generals were in their headquarters when the Dai Li tossed some chains to circle around their legs and pulled them up.

In the throne room, where Reiko, Sokka, and Momo had just reached the Earth King.

"Thank goodness we're in time!" Sokka said.

"In time for what?" Kuei said.

"Yeah. What are you in time for," Ty Lee Cartwheeled to Sokka. "cutie?"

"Uh, I'm kinda involved with Suki." Sokka said.

"Who?" Ty Lee said.

Reiko knocked her away from Sokka with earthbending, in which she flipped up above them.

"They're not the real Kyoshi Warriors!" Reiko said.

Kuei gasped, surprised.

"Sorry to disappoint you." Mai said.

She shots some of her daggers at Reiko, who used an earth shield to stop them, and kicked the shield to Mai, who jumped over it. Reiko brought up another pillar, knocking her. Ty Lee came up in front of Sokka, laughing. She started trying to jab him, but he evaded all of them.

"Oooh, it's like we're dancing together!" Ty Lee said.

Azula was holding Kuei at flame-point.

"This fight is over." Azula said.

Reiko and Sokka surrendered, and Ty Lee chi blocked them. Momo tried flying away, but a Dai Li agent trapped him with a rock glove. Azula shoved Kuei down.

"Get them all out of my sight." Azula said.

Reiko, Sokka, Kuei, and Bosco were all taken to prison. Long Feng walked into the room with some Dai Li agents behind him.

"Now comes the part where I double cross you. Dai Li, arrest the Fire Nation princess!" Long Feng said. None of the Dai Li agents move, to Long Feng's disappointment. "I said arrest her! What is wrong with you?!"

"It's because they haven't made up their minds. They're waiting to see how this is going to end." Azula said.

"What are you talking about?" Long Feng said.

"I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you've had to struggle, and connive, and claw your way to power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something you're born with. The fact is, they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one is going to be bowing down." Azula said. Long Feng looked worried. "But I know, and you know." She sat down on the throne and crossed her legs. "Well?"

Long Feng Walked up and bowed to her. "You've beaten me at my own game."

"Don't flatter yourself! You were never even a player." Azula said.

Xxx

"I'm so sorry for what happened." Zuko said, to both of them.

Katara touched her arms, half expecting to see burns, but also knowing she had healed them already.

"It doesn't matter." Katara said.

"I...I should have been here." Zuko directed this sentence at Kurai. "I should have protected you."

Kurai kissed him. Katara turned away.

"You are here now. That's all that—"

They were interrupted by Aang and Iroh.

"Aang!" Katara said.

Aang looked surprised as Katara hugged him, but Aang looked over Katara's shoulder to glare at Zuko. Zuko got a hug from Iroh, and glares back.

"Aang, I knew you would come." Katara hugged Aang again.

"Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?" Zuko pointed to Aang.

"Zuko!" Kurai protested.

"Saving you, that's what." Aang said.

Zuko took one step in Aang's direction, but Kurai stopped him.

"Zuko, it's time we talked." Kurai turned To Iroh, Aang and Katara. "Go help the others. We'll catch up with you." They walk away, Iroh looked back at Zuko before moving on.

Xxx

"Why Kurai?" Zuko asked.

"You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good." Kurai said gently. "Don't you want me to be your Fire Queen one day."

"Never going to happen." Azula said.

Zuko yelled as crystals grew to encase Kurai. He assumed a fighting position to prepare for the intruders. Azula, along with two Dai Li agents slid down from the sides of the chamber.