Sigh... All I can say is adulting sucks...

Enjoy this much overdue chapter

Sea Ravens: Part 2

Crystal POV

Staring at the shut door before me, I pulled my hood further over my head to conceal my identity. My sister stood to my right, while Zuko stood to my left. We were all dressed in dark clothes, and Katara and Zuko wore a dark cloak like my own to hide their identity as well. The moon hung above us in its almost full form, lighting our path and sending our shadows against the door.

My brother had argued profusely against doing what we were about to do. He told me that he was concerned about my mental well being, and he didn't want me to get hurt. I wavered when he voiced this to me, but quickly reminded myself that he had every right to feel this way. I'd made him suffer through each nightmare I faced those days after mom was killed. He'd heard me scream. He'd heard me cry. He probably feared it would happen again.

The nightmares wouldn't return though. I planned to defeat my past this time. My strength was here, and I would defeat the man who took so much from me. I reassured my brother that I would be okay in the end. He still looked concerned though.

Katara placed a hand on my shoulder, and I met her gaze with knowing. She nodded to me as if to tell me the time was now. Taking in a heavy breath, I knocked on the door before me.

Three hard raps, and then a moment of long painful silence.

As I went to knock again, fearing my first may have not been heard, the door opened as I raised my hand and I swiftly dropped it in surprise. As the door opened, a voice snapped, "Who is it?!" The shopkeeper came into view, his face shadowed from the fire light behind him. As he stared at the three of us with question, he met my gaze and understanding fell over him. "Hey… Wait a second... You're that girl from before. What are you-?"

Zuko took action. Stepping forward and grabbing the man by the shirt. He shoved him back into the house, and Katara and I quickly followed behind. The man gasped, stumbling backward and falling onto the wood of his floor. "Hey!" He went to get back up, but Zuko pointed his broadsword down at him stopping him. I was unsettled by our use of force, but knew it was the best way to get the answer we needed.

"Don't scream," Zuko ordered. Katara shut the door behind us, and the only light from the room was a lantern on the table. "We won't hurt you as long as you answer our questions."

A whimper sounded in the room then, and my eyes shot to the corner where I was stunned to see we weren't alone. A woman sat against the the wall, her eyes wide with horror as she held a young boy in her arms. They both were terrified as they watched us invade their home and threaten their family.

"Wha- wha do you want? I-I have money, but not much… Please… please don't hurt me," the man begged.

"We don't want money!" Katara stepped forward, pointing over to me. "You remember her from today, so this shouldn't be a surprise. We need to know where Yon Rha is located."

He was stunned, and his gaze shot around at the three of us with uncertainty. Then he looked back at me with question. "Who- who are you?"

Sighing heavily, I stepped up and took my hood down. Then crossing my arms, I answered honestly, "I'm one of the uncaptured waterbenders you spoke of earlier." His jaw dropped as he stared at me as if seeing me for the first time. "And I'm looking for the man who you claim captured my mom."

Understanding fell over him, and then he scoot back. "Yo-you're the one who broke the pot earlier?!"

Katara scowled. "You're lucky she didn't break you!"

Zuko and I looked at her with surprise from the sudden threat. I put my hand on her forearm and shook my head. When she met my gaze, I gestured to the woman and child in the room who were watching with fear. She was surprised, but calmed and backed up with a huff. Turning back to the man, I answered, "Your tale was wrong… The man you spoke of before… Yon Rha… He definitely was no good man."

He shook his head. "I-I was just told this from my father. I really don't know what happened that day." His eyes stared at Zuko's blade with dread. "Please, spare me."

Frowning, I looked over at Zuko. I realized we weren't going to get answers from him with the method we had chosen. I also didn't want to scare the child in the room anymore.

"Put it away," I insisted. Zuko was puzzled. "He's not the one we're after." He hesitated, not sure what the man would do if he let his guard down, but nodded and sheathed his sword back. The man with sweat dripping from his face by the closeness of the sharp object immediately let out a breath of relief.

"All we want is the location of Yon Rha. You said your father sent him a letter. Do you know where he resides?"

The man slowly stood, and then backed up so he was blocking us from his wife and child. "He won't have the waterbender if that is who you're looking for. That woman was taken to the Fire Nation."

Katara growled and went to retort, but Zuko grabbed her arm to stop her. As he restrained her, I spoke again with a leveled tone. "I know he won't have the waterbender… He wouldn't have her after killing her…"

His fist tightened. "I already told you girl! The Southern Raiders did not kill anyone that day. You've been told lies!"

I felt the irritation build, but I kept composed. "But they did."

The skepticism on his face made me realize getting an answer would be difficult from this man. "And how would you know? Who are you to make such an accusation!"

A brief pause fell between us. Then with a deep sigh, I answered, "I'm his victim. I was there… I saw him kill her... I suffered by his own hand seven years ago."

He went to argue again, but then he stopped. His eyes shot to my scar, and then his gaze met my burning azure orbs. As he took in my sincerity and loss, he looked at a loss for what to say.

I continued as he took all this in. "If the man you spoke of- if Yon Rha was really the one that killed my mother and hurt me that day... then I want to find him. But I don't know where to start… So if you have any knowledge of the monst-" I stopped, feeling the anger come back and tried to get a hold of myself. "If you know where that man is, then please tell me."

After a small pause, the man looked over at his wife and child, and then back at me. He stared at the scar on my face, and then he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know if I should do that… Give information about a man I barely know to a bunch of random kids that stormed into my home late in the night. You are lucky I don't call the authorities."

Katara growled. "Why protect such a monster?! Tell us where he is!"

The man crossed his arms in defiance. "My father may have told me where the man resides, but I see no reason to give that to the enemy. I will not betray my nation to a bunch of waterbenders! Get out!"

This time Zuko went to argue, but I stopped him by extending my arm to the side. He stopped reaching for his sword, and I stepped forward. Moving my hair behind my ear to reveal my scar in its entirety, I spoke soft. "I understand what you are saying… But I also can't leave until I get the information I've come for. That man left me for dead. He killed my mother, and then tried to kill me. If you protect him, you are just aiding a murderous savage." My eyes shot to his family, and then back to him. "If you watched your wife and child die by the hands of a monster, wouldn't you want to find him and get revenge as well?"

He went to retort again, but then something must've touched his heart. His arms dropped to his side in surprise, and then he shot his gaze over to his family who were watching with caution. He met my gaze again, and his eyes shot to the scar once more on my face. After what seemed like the longest pause, he spoke. "Yon Rha… He really did that to you...? He really killed the waterbender… There was no prisoner?"

I shook my head.

He seemed conflicted. "My father said there was though… Why would he lie to me for so many years…?"

Zuko spoke up. "Because those were his orders most likely. Many of the massacres on villages and other towns in the other nations are kept in the shadows. The Fire Lord desires for people to respect the war effort and believe it is all for the good of the nation. If news got around that the Fire Nation was just wiping out everyone, support would quickly fail."

The statement from Zuko, and my desperation allowed us to get the information we needed. The shopkeeper explained to us the location of Yon Rha, saying he was currently living with his mother in a small village called Hangchi. He also gave us a map from his merchandise, circling the location. He finally begged us to never come to his home again, to which we all promised we would not.

Once we got the location of Yon Rha, we left the shopkeeper and his family in peace. Returning to the campsite, Sokka met us as we made our way down the hill into the grove. He still didn't look the least happy about our plans, but I knew he wouldn't stop us.

"Well? Did you find him and get the answers you were looking for?"

Toph and Aang approached as well, wanting to know themselves what was about to unfold. To answer Sokka's question, I took the map I'd been clutching tightly and handed it over to him. "Yes… The shopkeeper gave us the village where he lives. It's about a day trip walking, so we can most likely get there by morning if we go now on Appa."

Aang grimaced. "Uh… I have to ask… What exactly do you plan to do when we find him?"

His question threw me off. Katara answered for me though. "What do you think we're going to do? We're going to give him a taste of what he did to our mom! He deserves to face the consequences for his actions."

The young Avatar looked at Katara with shock, not used to seeing her so filled with hate. He looked over at me then, and he asked again, "Crystal… What do you plan to do?"

His question made my uncertainties come back. However, I finally answered softly, "I don't know… I didn't really think that far ahead… I want him to suffer I guess… Feel the pain I felt… I suppose what I feel I should do will come to me when I see him..."

Aang frowned and stepped forward placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'll stand by you with whatever you decide to do in the end… But just don't let this opportunity make you forget who you are."

His plea stung my heart, and I knew just what he was saying. Don't let your anger cloud your judgement. Don't be a killer.

Smiling weakly, I put my hand over his saying with reassurance, "I know who I am… I'll never forget."

Toph sighed. "Well if we're going after this dude we better go now, because if we don't I'm going to bed."

As the others went the rest of the way downhill to pack up camp, Katara grabbed my forearm to stop me. "You know what we have to do," Katara stated. "Don't act like you don't want him dead like I do. That man is a monster and doesn't deserve to live."

Grabbing her hand, I pulled it off of me gently. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Katara… But what I decide to do, you have to respect my decision. "

Katara was stunned by the firmness of my tone. She dropped her hand to her side. "How can you think of any other option?! That man killed our mom! He doesn't deserve any ounce of mercy."

I sighed heavily and turned to face her. Her eyes watered from the light of the moon. "I never said that when we found him we would kill him… I only said I was willing to face him. What that entails when it happens… Well, we will see when it does."

Katara scowled. "If you don't kill him then I will! After killing mom and leaving you for dead, he deserves the same fate!"

She turned and stomped away from me, her arms crossed in frustration. Zuko had noticed I didn't follow and was headed back up towards us with question. As Katara stomped past him, he stepped aside with surprise and watched her go.

Shaking my head, I ran a hand through my hair in disbelief. I understood her feelings. I wanted the man dead too. But I also couldn't bear the thought of anyone in my family killing someone. My family weren't murderers. I didn't want Katara, Sokka, or I to be responsible for anyone's death… It's not what mom would've wanted.

Zuko approached with furrowed brows. "Hey… Everything alright?"

Frowning, I met his gaze. "Zuko… Can you go get Aang and Sokka? I need to ask them a favor." He was confused by my request, but nodded and went to go retrieve them. As he did, I stared at the shadow of my sister as she headed towards her belongings.

Out of everyone in the group, there was one person I wanted to protect more than anything from the past. Yon Rha originally came to the water tribe with the intent on killing Katara. Mom had always told me to protect her, and I knew letting her go against the man that killed mom and hurt me would not be what mother had in mind.

"I'm sorry Katara… But this isn't your fight..."

Third Person POV

Katara huffed as she finished refilling the canteens with Aang. She felt there was a sense of urgency to get to the man that killed her mother, so she didn't understand why her brother and Aang were so insistent that she help fill the canteens. Aang stayed silent as she huffed beside him, while he slowly filled his own container to give them more time. The others were packing their stuff quickly to leave on Appa while he distracted Katara. He thought back to his conversation with Crystal, and was almost relieved this was the course of action they were taking.

"She can't come," Crystal spoke softly. "I don't want her to get hurt, and I also don't want her to do anything she will regret."

Sokka was stunned. "Leave her behind… You know that won't suit well with her. She will argue."

She nodded. "Yeah… But I can't take her to the man that was assigned to kill her. The thought unsettles me. And… This is my fight. Not hers…"

Aang nodded. "You're right. Katara isn't in her right mind anyway. It's better she stays out of it. But, she will be mad at you."

A deep sigh escaped Crystal, and she looked back at Katara who had stopped what she was doing and was watching them with question. "I know. But I would rather her hate me than let the man who was sent to kill her try to redeem himself. I'm doing this to protect her."

Sokka placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm coming though… I'm doing this to protect you."

She smiled and gave a small nod. "I know."

Zuko spoke up finally. "So what do we do about Katara then? She'll try to follow."

Aang grimaced. "Toph and I will handle her. You all go. I'll distract her long enough for you to slip out on Appa."

A groan sounded in the distance, and Katara stood from the water with the half full flask looking back towards camp. Her eyes widened when she saw Appa take off into the sky and head away from her.

"Hey! Did they just-"

Aang frowned, standing straight and watching the group fly off. "It's for your own good, Katara."

Her eyes widened, and then she glared at Aang. "You tricked me! This was Crystal's idea, wasn't it! How dare she go without me?!"

Toph approached with her arms crossed, having heard Katara shout. "Sorry, Sugarqueen. You're stuck with Twinkletoes and I." A chirp sounded as Momo landed on Toph's shoulder. "And Momo."

Katara growled, shouted, "I'll never forgive her for this!" and stomped away in a fit of rage.

Aang sighed, while Toph shook her head in disbelief.

"I hope Princess knows what she's doing," Toph muttered.

Aang frowned. "Me too."

Crystal POV

My eyes stayed on the dark night horizon as Sokka steered Appa towards our destination. I'd heard Katara shout after us after we took off, and I quickly tried to suppress my guilt. Everything I was doing was for her own good. She'd forgive me. It would take some time, but I knew she would understand one day why I did what I did.

Zuko scoot behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. Turning in his hold, I hugged him back and pressed my face into his warm chest. As I did, I turned my attention away from Katara back to the goal at hand. As I thought about the goal at hand, I went back to the past. I remembered the pain that man had caused me.

Every part of me hurt as my conscious returned. The blinding pain only intensified as my senses came back to me. As I felt the cool air brush one half of my face, the other half felt as if a flame were being shoved against me. Whimpering, I reached up toward my face only to have a hand grab my arm.

"Crystal," My Gran Gran whispered. "Thank the spirits you are awake at last, my beautiful child."

Opening my eye slowly, I realized my other one was covered by some fabric from the bandage that wrapped around my face. I could barely open it anyway due to the fire scorching the area around it. "Gran…" I spoke soft as I tried to focus on my surroundings. As my blurred vision started to settle, I could see I was in a tent that was not our home. As I looked around, my eye landed on my Gran Gran. Her gray hair was disheveled, and she looked as though she hadn't slept in years.

"It's alright… I'm here," she promised.

As she held my arm down, my mind replayed all that had occurred. A single image returned to me, and I could only believe it to be a dream. I had to ask.

"The… The man.. He came… He attacked mom… Is she here? She… She needs help." Tears filled my eyes because I already feared the answer.

Gran Gran answered with great pain, making my fear a reality. "Crystal… Child… Your mother… She has moved on to the home of our ancestors. She is not with us."

As my Gran Gran spoke the words, I choked a sob and shut my eye again. "No… Mommy…" My heart ached as my fear became a reality. "He really did it… He took mommy… He killed her…"

There was a brief pause as my Gran Gran took in my words. "Who is he… who took your mother from us?Your father found the tent empty… You and your mother were all that was left… Who hurt you? What happened?"

The image of the monster made my heart thud and my body start to shake. Shaking my head, I went silent as the horrors returned. I could not tell her. I would not tell her.

"Kanna… Chief Hakoda needs to see you," a young man spoke through the darkness. My Gran Gran let out a deep sigh, and then brushed her hand on the top of my head. "Is she awake?"

"Kona… Stay with her until I return. This is a lot for her to take in," she whispered.

"Does she know… About the damage on her fa-"

"Kona! Be silent. Do not let her worry about that. All she needs right now is to heal." My Gran Gran moved beside me, and the warmth of her presence faded as she stepped away. "Watch over her until I return. The arrangements will take some time, and I don't want her alone for that long."

A moment passed between them. I tried to open my eye again, but the movement of my face hurt and I whimpered keeping my eye shut.

"I'll watch over her… Areto is with the other two. If you need me, send him over in my place."

"The ceremony will be tonight… That is when we will need you most…"

At that, my Gran Gran departed and I was left with Kona. Finding the strength, I opened my eye to see him step over to me hesitantly. He silently sat beside me with his legs crossed, and as he did his eyes stared at the spot on my face that was in unbearable pain.

"Kona… The- the Fire Nation… Are they go-" I stopped speaking as pain shot across my face again, and my one open eye blurred with tears. Sweat formed on my forehead, and shivers shot through my body.

Kona's hand pat my head to try and soothe the pain that soared through me. "Crystal… Speaking is going to irritate your skin… Stay silent. The Fire Nation is far from our shores now. They left after they killed-" He stopped, realizing he shouldn't say what he was about to say. Shutting my eye again, I felt the tear trail down the side of my feverish cheek. He changed the subject. "Let me get you some water." There was the sound of rustling beside me, and the 'plop' of a canteen lid. A strong arm snaked behind me then, and I was slowly lifted from the place I lay to an inclined position. As soon as my body left the flat of the earth, my stomach felt the similar sensation of fire as well.

I cried out in pain, but Kona held me firm. As I stopped my sound, he placed the water to my lips and forced the liquid down my throat. I coughed not expecting it, but managed to swallow what didn't splutter out of my mouth.

"Drink," Kona begged, and somehow through the pain I managed to get the water down easier. When I had a good amount, he pulled the container from me and lowered me back down. Heat flared through my body, and shivers shot through me. My body ached in blinding pain.

"It hurts," I whimpered.

"I know… But you're going to be okay… You are strong," Kona promised. "And the damage done to your face… It will heal and be a reminder of your strength."

His words confused me briefly. "My… my face…?"

He fell silent for a moment. He then spoke again. "They don't want you to know, but sooner or later you will see it. There will be a scar. My mom has already confirmed that. The skin on your cheek and chest are burned… And there is a horrible mark on your abdomen too… There is too much damage to prevent a permanent mark." He went into his thoughts for a moment, and then spoke again. "But it's okay… It won't change who you are."

A scar… A permanent mark… That monster had marked me… He'd left his evil deed on me permanently… I would forever be reminded of the day I failed to stop him…

Shutting my eyes again, I didn't want to believe it. However, from the unbearable pain shooting through me I knew Kona spoke true.

"Hey," Sokka spoke suddenly, bringing me back to present. He must've noticed how unsettled I was. "You did the right thing, Crystal. That man may have tried to kill Katara if he learned she was the one he was supposed to annihilate that day. It's best not to give him the opportunity for redemption. Aang and Toph will keep an eye on her."

Zuko pulled from me to speak to my brother. "Of course we are bringing him the girl he failed to kill that day, so I don't see much of a difference…"

A heavy sigh escaped me, and I pulled my knees to my chest. I responded to Sokka's statement. "She's going to hold this against me for a very long time."

Sokka shrugged. "If she does she's foolish." He looked back at me and met my gaze. "We'll handle Katara later. Let's focus on the task at hand. Let's focus on finding the man that killed our mom…" His eyes narrowed. "It's time for him to pay."

I felt my body shake involuntarily.

A few hours passed, and the sun started to rise. As it did, my adrenaline started to build. We were getting closer by the minute. We were getting closer to the monster that had haunted me for so many years.

"There!" Zuko pointed down below us suddenly, saying, "That's the village he spoke of." Sokka and I looked down below to see a small area of scattered homes and buildings nestled along a hilly region with sparse trees. Sokka grabbed the reins and gestured to Appa to land. As he took us down to a spot on the hilly settlement that was shielded well from the village, I looked at the village in the distance and my gut twisted.

It was time… Time to face the man I'd longed to forget.

Once Appa was grounded, Sokka and Zuko grabbed their swords while I slid down onto the earth. While the two prepared above me, I felt my heart accelerate as my plans slowly became reality. A hand suddenly squeezed my shoulder, making me jump and look at Sokka with surprise.

He met my gaze with worry. "This is your last chance to change your mind... I won't blame you."

Zuko stepped over to us, saying, "If we're going to do this, it needs to be now…" He looked up at the sky, and Sokka and I followed his gaze to see a stream of clouds coming towards us. "Looks like the rain will give us some coverage if we're lucky."

Taking in a deep breath, I nodded and said softly, "I'm not turning back." I looked at Sokka, who removed his hand from my shoulder when he saw my determination. "I've come too far to not finish this." Taking a step forward, my hand brushed against my cheekbone where the scar began as I walked down the untread path towards the monster's dwelling. "And I will finish this." My brother and Zuko followed behind.

Sticking to the shadows of the village, we made our way past the quiet homes and empty marketplace. As we did, we kept the black cloaks we'd snatched off Appa tight around us, and our hoods up to conceal our identity from those we passed who might have spotted us. As we rounded the corner of a building, the rising sun's light faded as the sky started to overcast.

The village was deadly silent, apart from an occasional animal sound or door opening and closing. There was one older woman who was sweeping her porch that we snuck around, and another man was setting up a small stall. The atmosphere was definitely one of a place for retirement, and as we looked around at the people I began to grow anxious knowing one of these villagers was the man that almost killed me.

Just as we rushed into the shadow of another building, we heard conversation from a nearby stall and stopped against the wall peaking around.

"Early morning for you? Your ma send you out? Lucky I just opened for the day."

As we peaked around the corner, we saw a middle aged man behind a stall placing some fruit in an arrangement. He seemed to be a normal Fire Nation citizen. Another man stood on the other side of the stall, this one much older with long white hair and wrinkled skin. As he reached for a piece of fruit without giving the merchant a response, he stopped and suddenly turned in the direction we were in. We inched closer to the wall to hide, and luckily he did not see the place we were observing him from. As he turned though, I saw his face and time seemed to stop.

Heartless dark gold eyes looked down at me as the fire danced in the monster's palm. He sneered and stepped forward, as if he were a beast prepared to devour his prey. "You want mommy… I'll send you right behind her!"

His features were not much different apart from the fact he wore no armor and his hair was visible. His face and eyes were the same. He held no sign of remorse for the acts he committed so long ago. He showed no regret or care towards the life he'd taken.

"Did you hear that?"

His voice, which was sharp and demanding, was like deja vu. It sent shivers through my spine as the familiarity pierced my ears. Stepping back, I felt my heart accelerate as the fire rose within me. My fists tightened as the spite I held towards the man before us came rushing to the surface. Hot tears threatened to spill, and I shut my eyes with grit teeth. It took every ounce of restraint not to charge around the building and throw ice daggers at him on the spot.

"It's him," I whispered, my eyes still shut as I fell back against the building for support. My scar felt warm and my blood was hot. "It's the monster…" As I spoke the truth, small drops of rain began to hit my face. Opening my eyes, I saw the gray sky grow darker as if the spirits were willing me to go forward. Zuko came into my line of sight and I could see he was ready to follow me. Sokka's eyes remained on the beast with malice and a scowl.

We followed the monster out of the crowded village, onto a rocky path that lead to the rural part of the settlement. As we followed at a distance, we used shrubs and other foliage to remain concealed from the man that carried food in his arms. Sokka and Zuko followed behind me, letting me take the lead as I gripped my water moccasin cap tightly. The rain started to fall harder making Yon Rha quicken his steps. We quickened ours as well.

Once we were far enough from the village where we had privacy, I took in a deep breath and picked up a rock from the earth. As Yon Rha walked further, I threw the rock at a bush near him causing a disturbance with the leaves. He jumped and turned sharply dropping his food and shooting fire at the bush. "Nobody sneaks up on me without getting burned!"

As the bush blazed with flames, and Yon Rha lowered to pick up his food thinking he was just hearing things, Zuko rushed forward and darted in front of him. He shot a blast of fire at the man's feet who quickly stumbled back and fell on his butt with a gasp. As Zuko stood over the man, he snapped, "We weren't behind the bush. And I wouldn't try firebending again!"

Sokka stepped out of our hiding as well with his weapon in hand. His eyes were narrowed as he took his place beside Zuko. "I'd take his advice." He tightened the grip on his sword handle. "Because if you do I'll be the one to kill you."

His eyes widened when he heard Sokka say this. Taking in a deep breath, I also stepped into the open and took my place on the other side of Zuko. My eyes slowly met the golden orbs before me, and I felt the anger and pain unfold within me.

The monster was scrambling to his feet, his face in shock and confusion by what was unfolding. The rain fell harder as the monster took form before me. His hair hang heavily from the rain, and his shirt clung to him showing he still had strength for his old age. However, he held nothing but fear in his eyes and this gave me slight satisfaction.

"Whoever you are, take my money. Take whatever you want. I'll cooperate!" He backed away with fear, and Sokka stepped around him to block his escape. He turned to see my brother's action, and realized he was cornered.

Zuko responded with spite, "Are you Yon Rha, retired general of the Southern Raiders?"

He looked at Zuko with surprise, and then gave a small nod. "I… Yes.. I mean… I'm retired. If this has to do with the Southern Raiders it's got nothing to do with me now!"

Zuko grit his teeth and tightened his fist. "It has everything to do with you."

Finally stepping forward, I approached the man. Each step felt like a reverse into the past. As if I were the little girl once again, trying to come between the beast and my mother. However, this time the giant monster who had horrified me and sent chills to my bones was different. He was smaller and weaker. He was older and more feeble. He looked pathetic. Seeing the man I had feared for so long in such a state only made me more furious. My eyes burned and my blood heated.

This was the man that haunted my dreams for so long? This weak monster was the one who marked me for life?!

"Wha-what do you want?! Who are you!"

Slowly, I removed my hood and dropped my hands to my side. As my hair fell back from my scar and the shadow fell away from my face, I spoke at last. "I'm your failure."

He was stunned and confused. "My… My failure?"

I grit my teeth. "Don't you know who I am?"

He looked me over with great confusion. He definitely did not recognize me. "I… I don't… I'm not sure..."

His confusion only put me over the edge. "The great Yon Rha doesn't know," I spat. "You'd think the leader of the Southern Raiders would be wise enough to remember. Has your mind really left you in such old age?"

My words only put him into more uncertainty. "I… I can't think of how I'd possibly know you! I don-"

His obliviousness and sincere confusion sent me over the edge. "Think harder!" I yelled. "You should recognize the girl you tried to kill!"

My statement immediately filled him with both shock and horror. He fell silent as he thought back to that day so long ago. As the memories came through him, his skin turned pale. He started to understand his situation, and the recognition fell over him. "You…" He took a step back. "I… I don't believe it…" He stared at the scar on my cheek and I could see it was clear to him at last who stood before him. "I'd heard rumor… Rumor that there was a young waterbender with a scar from the Southern Water Tribe journeying with the Fire Lord's son. I suspected it, but I didn't want to believe… I thought I killed you. You were dead on that waterbender. I remember you being dead. One of the men checked your pulse… He said you were gone…"

His words only filled me with satisfaction. Seeing the shock on his expression, and the way he looked like he was seeing a ghost made me pleased. "Looks like one of your men betrayed you then." I placed my hand on my canteen. "Because you failed to kill me that day… That day, all you killed was my mother. An innocent woman who only wanted to to protect her family and tribe." Tears burned in my eyes. "You killed my mom, and she wasn't even the waterbender! You were a fool!"

My statement horrified him. "She… She wasn't the waterbender…? Then… Then who was?"

Although I knew my sister was the original waterbender, I had no desire to give him that information. I would protect Katara from the beast before me. Gritting my teeth, I stared at the terror in the man's gaze and his fear only made my rage grow. What right did he have to be afraid when he was the one who struck fear originally?

Ripping my container cap off, I shouted, "ME!"

My water shot straight at him turning to solid ice as it went. The heavy element hit him hard in the stomach and sent him falling onto his back and sliding a few feet. He grimaced as I drew my water back, and then he quickly began to plea sitting up weakly and shaking in the mud. "Please! I… I didn't know! Spare me!" He tried to scoot back, but the flat of Sokka's blade pressed against his back threatening him not to. As he froze from the blade, I stepped forward again holding my water in the air beside me.

His state was pitiful."I can't believe this…" Tears started to fall. "I spent endless nights dreaming of you since that day. Reliving that horrible nightmare over and over again. Watching my mom die by your hand. Hearing the knife slice through her as if she were a piece of meat to you for the slaughter! I felt the pain from your fire every time I saw the mark you left on my skin! And here you are! Too weak to fight me! Begging me to spare you!" I shot my water forward and grabbed him around the arms putting him in a tight restraint. Yanking him off the ground, I let my water hold him in the air like a long tentacle clutching its prey. Rain came down harder as I looked up at the man who struggled and gasped in terror. "Give me one good reason why I should let you live when that option wasn't granted to me or my mom?!"

He flung his legs wildly as my stream tightened around him. "Please! I… I did a bad thing… I was just fulfilling orders!"

I growled. "No! You were just committing murder!" I shoved my hand down and the stream dropped with him sending him falling hard to the earth. Once he hit the dirt, he lay on his back for a moment with a groan, too stunned from the pain in his body to move. Jerking my water back up again, I froze the molecules and formed them into icy daggers. As the daggers hovered above him, I grit my teeth harder and hissed, "Give me one reason I shouldn't end your life right now!"

Tears fell from his eyes as he thought about his death. "Please! I beg you! Spare me! I… I didn't know she wasn't the waterbender! I shouldn't have tried to kill you that day too! I regret it! I'm sorry!"

"It's too late for that! You tried to kill a helpless child! And you murdered a woman who did nothing to you! Why should you get to live?!"

He whimpered and shook his head. "You… you're right. I deserve this! So to get revenge, you can kill my mother. An eye for an eye!"

As if his words were the switch within me, my eyes widened and my heart stopped. His words echoed through me. Did he really just offer his mother's own life in place of his own. It hit me then… This man truly was not worth my time or energy. This man was just filth who only cared for himself...

I felt my anger fade away and resolve come through me. As I calmed, I heard the voice of my mother in the back of my mind.

"War brings out the worst in people, Crystal. But I know you will always do the right thing… Every life is precious…"

Staring at the man before me, I saw him gazing up at the sharp daggers above with dread. As he did so, I realized then and there I didn't have it in me. I wasn't a killer.

I had expected to have a battle with this man. I'd expected us to fight until each of us were out of breath, and only one was ready to yield. But he was weak before me. His years of fighting were over. But he would live the rest of his days knowing he failed. He would die knowing that his mission was incomplete. He accomplished nothing the day he came to our village.

"I'm not like you."

Dropping only one ice dagger, the sharp point sliced against his cheek and crashed into the earth beside him. A thin line of blood formed and then slid down his cheek to the back of his head. The rest of the ice in the air was changed back into liquid and dropped above him. The water that hit him mixed with the blood on his skin creating a running red stream. He lay back on the ground frozen in shock, soaked to his bone, and shivering from fear. He clutched his cheek and his fingers stained with blood.

Stepping up to him so I could look down at him, I glared as I spoke once more. "I am not a killer… And I've already gotten my revenge." My fist tightened. Tears still fell down my face. "You failed. And that failure satisfies me enough to let you live. You didn't kill the waterbender that day you came to the South Pole. You created her. Your attack only made me stronger. And seeing you as the weak and pathetic man you are today, I feel relief. I don't have to fear you anymore. And I can live knowing I defeated you today. I am leaving you with a remaining life of regret. You should've killed me that day; Because now the whole world will know you were too weak to do so."

He shut his eyes dripping with tears knowing I was right, and his form looked as if even more years of his life were stolen from him. He looked even more pathetic than before, clutching his cheek as if his hand would stop the blood.

Shutting the cap on my waterbelt, I turned away. "I hope that scars. Because I want you to look in the mirror and remember this day. When you see that mark on your cheek, I hope you see me…" Looking back at him, I saw him watching me in silent defeat. "I hope you remember that I, Crystal, Daughter of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe, took away your victory."

Turning again, I stepped away and this time didn't look back. As the rain hit me heavily, I let the liquid wash the remaining rage within me away. I let the water cleanse me of the fear and pain that the fool behind me had once carved within me. I felt relief at last.

Third Person POV

Sokka and Zuko watched Crystal turn and walk away in bewilderment. Neither of them had expected such a turn out. She was letting him live. She was showing mercy to the beast that killed their mom.

"Follow her," Sokka ordered Zuko. "I'll catch up."

Zuko glanced over at Chief Hakoda's son with uncertainty, but nodded when he saw the fire in Sokka's gaze. He knew Sokka intended to get his own revenge, and to show his understanding, he turned and headed along the muddy path to catch up to his fiance. Once he was gone, Sokka sheathed his weapon and stepped over to the man who had moved to his knees and was clutching his sliced cheek.

"You're the one then… the one that killed my mom and hurt my sister…"

Yon Rha kept silent, his head bent to avoid the penetrating eyes of his enemy. Sokka tightened his fist and stepped closer to him. The man finally looked up at the young warrior and saw the desire in his eyes. Desire to kill him. "Please… I was only fulfilling my duties… The Fire Lord-"

Sokka swung his fist forward and slammed it onto the untouched side of the monsters face. Yon Rha gasped at the impact and fell over as his vision blurred and pain erupted through him. His cheek started to swell as it pulsed from the blow. "That was for mom!" Sokka kicked his foot forward then and slammed it into his stomach. "That's for my tribe!" Yon Rha coughed and curled into a ball from the pain.

Sokka looked down at him with hot tears falling, and then ripped his sword out again. Striking down at the beast, he hit the same cheek that already bled from Crystal's attack creating a red cross. More blood formed while Yon Rha hollered in pain. "And that is for my sister, you filthy bastard!" Yon Rha shut his eyes tight, fearing he truly would die. Sokka scowled, holding the tip of his blade to his neck. "Don't ever come near my family again, because next time I will be the one to kill you! And I'm not sparing like my sister!" Sokka moved the blade closer pricking his skin enough to create a drop of blood. He wanted to shove it through his throat.

The pain of his sister. The death of his mother. The evil of this man before him…. He wanted nothing more than to destroy him. But he had promised his sister he would let her choose. And she chose for the monster to live.

"You have lost your honor today… You are nothing to the Fire Nation or the Fire Lord. It feels me with joy knowing you will die as the worthless scum you are."

Sokka withdrew his sword, turned on his heel, and headed down the slope to catch up with his sister and Zuko. As he went, the sobs behind him were all the pleasure he needed. He'd gotten his revenge too.

That man would no longer hurt his family or his sister again. One monster from his sisters past had finally been defeated. Now all he had to do was keep her safe from Azula and Zuko's father. He'd be sure to stand by her and squash every enemy that threatened to take her from him again.

Eventually he found his way down the path to where he was surprised to find his sister and Zuko in a tight embrace. As he approached, he was shocked to hear sobs coming from the woman whose face was pressed in the fabric of Zuko's shirt. She'd walked away with such confidence in her step, so he was stunned to find her in such a state.

"Cr-"

Zuko shook his head at Sokka, mouthing, "Let her."

He snapped his mouth shut in surprise while Zuko ran a hand through her hair for comfort. She cried more from his touch, but the tears were not from fear or pain. The tears were from relief. She was relieved she had defeated him. She was relieved to know that she no longer had to fear the monster of her past. She could finally look back on her memories and know that the monster who came that day would be defeated by her. She had finally gotten her revenge and found peace within her. And this caused her to cry more.

Sokka stepped over to her as she cried, and he managed to pull her from Zuko so she could continue her tears in his embrace. As he held her in his arms, and she shook in his hold, he whispered softly, "Good job, sis…" He pressed his face in her hair as her tears calmed from his voice. "Mom would be so proud."

She calmed her sobs, and shut her eyes as her pulsing heart slowed. After a moment, she found her voice and managed to get words out through her shaking breath.. "He won't hurt us anymore, Sokka," she whispered. "We're finally free of him."

Sokka knew what she really meant. He knew she was speaking more for herself than anything. She was finally free from the fear that man had inflicted on her. Sokka knew she was the one those statements applied to the most.

"No. He won't. You did well… He won't mess with us again. You are safe from him at last."

Zuko and Sokka shared a gaze then, and their moment of locked eyes said it all. They would both make sure she was safe from now on. They would protect her from any future monsters they crossed paths with. She would no longer have to fight alone.

A few hours later the group arrived back to the others. The three were exhausted and ready for sleep. They were all still damp from the rain as well, and when they landed Crystal managed to pull the water off of them and Appa. Once they were dry, they managed to slide off Appa and approach where the others were waiting by an unlit campfire. Aang and Toph quickly stood when the group approached, and Aang questioned them about their journey.

"Did you find him?"

Crystal nodded, crossing her arms for comfort. She hadn't spoken much on their way back, still trying to contemplate everything that had occurred.

Sokka noticed his sister didn't want to talk verbally about it, sensing her mental and physical exhaustion, and he answered for her, "We found him. He won't be bothering anyone else again."

Aang cringed. "So you killed him then…"

Zuko answered. "No. But after losing his honor today he probably wishes he were dead."

The relief on the Avatar's expression said it all. He was glad to hear his friends had chosen to spare the man. Aang looked over at Crystal with a smile. "I'm proud of you… forgiveness is better than revenge."

Crystal met his gaze and spoke softly. He could immediately see the red eyes from crying and the sunkenness from exhaustion. "I didn't forgive him. I can't ever forgive him for what he did…" Aang went to speak, but she cut him off. "I left my mark on him. He has to live the rest of his lonely days with a heavy weight of failure on his shoulders. He may be alive physically, but he is just a man with nothing to be proud of. I left him empty, and that is death in itself. So no… I didn't forgive. I got my revenge in the end."

She walked past him then, and he watched her go with speechlessness. As she stepped over to her sister, he looked back at the others.

"Is she okay?"

Zuko smiled weakly. "She will be."

Sokka frowned. "I think right now she's more worried about you know who." He gestured to Katara who, upon hearing her sister approach, stood from her place by the fire and stomped off. Crystal silently followed.

Aang grimaced. "Yeah… She's mad. But I think she'll get over it. She'll understand one day you did it to protect her."

Toph added. "They're sisters… They'll work it out."

Meanwhile, Katara sped up away from camp when she heard her sister follow. Crystal kept a steady pace knowing sooner or later her sister would speak to her. She knew Katara would be mad, but she'd have to voice her anger to her eventually.

"Katara… I did it to protect you," she finally spoke. "Everything I do is to protect you."

Katara halted in her step, and then turned to her sister with fury. Her eyes said it all. She was hurt that Sokka and Crystal had gone without her. She was angry she didn't get her own chance of revenge.

"You left me! How could you leave me behind? She was my mom too!" She stomped up to Crystal and pointed her finger at her accusingly.

Crystal stared into the hurt and confusion of Katara's gaze, and then reached for her sister's hand. Katara saw and ripped her hand away quickly.

"Why did you do that?!"

The tired waterbender looked at her hurt sister with understanding, but she held no regret. "That man was sent to kill you that day so long ago. Mom sacrificed herself to protect you from that monster. There was no way I was going to let you near the man that she died protecting you from."

Katara snapped, "That wasn't your decision to make! Just because your older doesn't mean I don't get a say! You're the one who turned against your people in the first place, so if anyone should've faced the man who killed mom it should've been me!"

Crystal grimaced, trying to remind herself that Katara was mad and just saying things out of spite, but the reminder of her betrayal months ago stabbed at her heart.

"I'm not sorry for leaving you," she spoke again. "I love you Katara, and I was not going to let you get hurt."

Katara ripped her canteen lid off and the water flew at Crystal knocking her back. She managed to keep her footing by stumbling to catch herself, but her body shivered as she dripped from the water on her. "I'm the one that should protect you!" Katara snapped. "I'm the one who owes you that much for letting you get hurt over and over again these last few months! You don't need to protect me! You're the one with a thousand targets on your back!"

Crystal was stunned by her sisters words and her attack. She stared at Katara who was crying with grit teeth. She then let out a deep breath and calmly stated, "Katara… Everything that has happened to me… It isn't your fault at all. I'm a walking target, and that has nothing to do with you not being able to protect me. You and Sokka were there for me when I needed you after mom's death, and that is more than I could ever ask. So don't think for once you owe me anything." Crystal stepped forward and placed her hand on her sister's shoulder. "While I'm not sorry for leaving you here, I am sorry for upsetting you… but you have to understand… this was something I needed to do on my own. And having you there would've made me feel as though mom's sacrifice was for nothing. She died protecting you from that man, and I was not going to give him the chance to redeem himself."

The two sisters met each other's gaze. Then Katara's rage cooled when she saw the love and concern in her sister's eyes. As her rage cooled, she hung her head in defeat. Dropping her arms to her side, she let out a deep sigh. "I… I get why you did it, but still… I should've gone with you… I wanted to make him pay too." She crossed her arms as more tears fell. Then she met Crystal's gaze with hope. "You killed him at least, right?"

Her question earned a frown and shake of the head from Crystal. "No… I couldn't... I'm not a killer. But he got what he deserved in the end."

Katara jerked from Crystal with shock. "What?! You let him live! Why?!"

Crystal ran a hand through her wet hair, brushing a loose strand back. She had dropped her gaze from Katara in the process. "Because he wasn't worth it. He didn't even put up a fight when we attacked. I couldn't kill a man so pathetic. And mom always taught us that killing is wrong. I didn't have it in me… And I know you wouldn't have either. Your heart is too good for that."

She went to argue, but then she stopped when she realized Crystal was right. If she was faced with the choice, she wouldn't have taken that man's life. Killing wasn't in her nature. With a deep breath, Katara finally calmed the rage inside her. Feeling resolve, she used her bending to get the water off of her sister. Once Crystal was dry, she stepped forward and hugged her in a tight embrace. Crystal was surprised by her sister's touch, but sighed with relief and hugged her back.

"I'm mad you left me here…" Katara began. "I hated that you and Sokka went on this quest without me…" She let out another deep breath. "But I do understand…" She pulled from Crystal slightly so she could look into her eyes with plea. "Just don't do that again. Yes, I was hurt... but I also was worried about you..." Katara muttered. "I hated the thought of you going up against the man who almost killed you. Please promise me you'll let me come as backup next time you face some monster from your past."

Crystal smiled at her sister's concern. "I will… I promise."

"Thank goodness you two aren't fighting anymore," Sokka suddenly spoke. "I was worried I'd have to get Toph to put a wall between you." He stepped over to them from where he'd stood in observance and threw an arm around each. "It's always good to see siblings work it out."

Katara shook her head. "I'm not thrilled with you leaving me either, Sokka."

Sokka rolled his eyes. "When are you ever thrilled with me?"

Crystal defended her brother. "I asked him to Katara… Don't be upset with Sokka."

She sighed. "Fine… I'll let it go just this once." She pulled away. "I am glad you two are okay… You should get some rest."

As if a burdensome weight were lifted off of Crystal, she shut her eyes with relief. Her sister was probably still harboring some irritation, but overall Katara was forgiving her. Not just that, but she no longer had to fear the monster from her past who slaughtered her mom. She had faced him, and the pain he caused her seemed washed away from the image of his defeat and fear. A familiar embrace came behind her and Zuko hugged her so her back was pressed against him.

He whispered in her ear, "You were so brave today… Your mom would've been proud."

Turning in his hold, Crystal hugged him back smiling at his warmth and comfort. "This time was different… I had you to protect me if things went wrong."

Zuko pressed his face into her hair, saying softly, "You didn't need my protection today. I think that man would've been no match for you if he actually fought back." He hugged her tighter. "But I'll always do my best to keep you safe… Because I love you too much to lose you."

She felt peace from the truth in his words.