Book II: Earth

Chapter III: The Freedom Fighters

Part IV: The Battle of the Forests

Freedom Fighters

Two days later

Kuzon and Katara were again training in sword combat.

The young waterbender decided to give it another go as she felt her wristblades weren't enough in a fight. She then rushed at him with a sideways swipe and then with a downward to upward swipe. She then tried to stab him with it.

Kuzon was barely able to dodge her attacks.. Woah. She is getting good at this. Who knew a few weeks of training would begin turning her into a proper swordswoman? Got to say I'm both impressed and shocked. He managed to block her attack with one of his own swords at the last moment.

Katara then teased with a playful grin. "Too much for you sweetie? I can pull back if you need me to."

Kuzon regained his battle composure and scoffed. "Oh please. This is nothing. There is no way in Agni you can beat me. You are getting good but there is only one master swordsman here."

Katara's smirk got a bit wider. "What makes you so sure you are going to win?" She then went at him with a flurry of attacks meant to knock him off his feet.

Kuzon managed to fight her back strike for strike, not losing a single ounce of ground or a breath. There was an extremely intense look in his golden amber eyes. "You forget. I'm the master. You are the student."

Katara giggled and looked up at him with an equally intense look in her eyes. "Is that so? Well then Sifu Kuzon…think fast!" She then started battling him strike for strike. She brought his blade down low to the ground.

Kuzon grunted. The two of them, though from separate homelands, each believed in honing their skills and testing each others' limits. That was how they spent their 'couple time.' It might have seem strange to most people but it worked for them. Kuzon soon found himself faltering a bit from the strikes Katara was sending his way.

Katara skillfully striked at him again and managed to wrench the blade of his hand. Now defenseless, he was at her mercy.

Katara then picked him up by the scruff of his hood and pinned him against a tree trunk with the blade mere inches from his throat.

Kuzon's eyes went from the blade to her with a bit of fear in them. It was then that he realized that had he not been both her ally and her boyfriend…he was sure he'd be dead."

Katara's eyes bore into him with a rather intense stare. Kuzon found he was lost for words. There was something oddly beautiful and alluring about the girl he loved when she was like this. She was focused, deadly and yet beautiful at the same time. The waterbender's cold stare soon turned into a wry smirk. "What's wrong sweetie? You were all confident and sure of yourself a moment ago. What happened to all that bravado?" She then tapped her chin in thought. "Oh. Wait a minute. I think I know what it is. You can't take your eyes off me when we're this close together can you?"

Kuzon, now embarrassed, just scowled at her. "S-Shut up!"

Katara then shook her head smiling. "Like I told you before…I can't say I blame you. Water Tribe girls are very easy on the eyes." She then quickly removed her blade from his throat and put it back in her scabbard. The blade was actually one of the ones gifted to Kuzon from the Machinist.

Kuzon had decided to let her have it since he had no use for a third blade. She had already customized the hilt in blue and white hues to represent her Southern Water Tribe heritage. She smirked at him. "So…how did I do sweetie?"

Kuzon felt his breath hitch in his throat but managed to say a few words. He was blushing. "You…did..really...well."

Katara let out a sigh. "And now I'm swooning." She then took his face in her hands and kissed him.

The two were then interrupted by a soft chuckle from Sokka.

Katara removed her lips from Kuzon's and turned to glare at him. "Is something funny?"

Sokka just chuckled. "Oh come on Kuzon. You could've tried anything to get out of my sister's death grip. You are making us guys look bad!"

Katara suddenly turned to him with a bitter expression in her eyes. "Sokka! What are you saying? That I'm not as deadly a fighter because I'm a girl?"

Kuzon just shook his head. "Sokka…with all due respect….have you seen your sister in a fight? She is frighteningly deadly. She has the extreme focus of a master firebender yet the calm and tactical nature of a waterbender. There is a reason I didn't take up Jet's 'advice' regarding girls."

Aang, who was now walking into the conversation, raised an eyebrow. "That reason?"

Kuzon turned to him, shaking his head. "The reason is that I would be a frozen popsicle or end up with an arm broken in two places."

Sokka blinked. "Let me get this straight. You…the literal Avatar…who can bend two elements….are scared of my sister…who can only bend water?"

Kuzon countered back, irritated. "What do you think our bodies are made of Sokka? Water. What can she control? Water." His point suddenly made everyone glance at him with wonder.

Then they all glanced at Katara.

The girl had gone from shocked to now a half smirk. "Hmm. Controlling bodies. There's an idea." She then walked over to Kuzon, grabbed his hand, and kissed him on the cheek.. "Aww. Thanks for the idea sweetie. You are a genius." She then cuddled his right arm and rubbed her left cheek against it affectionately. She let out a happy hum.

Aang then interjected with horror in his eyes. "Katara. You can't be serious. You are talking about controlling someone against their will."

Katara's eyes turned to Aang and she squeezed Kuzon's arm a bit tighter. "War is war Aang. You know I have no problem doing what needs to be done to keep all of you safe. Get a soft heart and you end up dead."

Aang let out a long sigh. The airbender supposed it was the cultural differences between the two of them. Despite affirming his people would join the war and even fighting to save Kuzon, Katara and Sokka from Prison 42, he still held some aversion towards bloodsport and violence.

Katara, however, had no problem splitting heads if it came to it. She supposed it was due to the trauma of losing her mother but she had no issue killing. There certainly was no exception when it came to Fire Nationals. Of course she loved Kuzon. She'd never dream of hurting him. Teasing him and making him the butt of the joke was not out of the question but she didn't have the heart to hurt him. Iroh, Jeong Jeong, and Piandao were probably the only other exceptions. They were her allies and had helped her keep Kuzon safe when she was alone against Zuko, Akula and their allies. She even cared for them somewhat. Zuko and Azula, however, were on her kill list. Kuzon, maybe because of the kinship connection between them, maybe had a bit of sympathy towards him. Katara shook her head with anger in her eyes. She didn't. The way she saw it…The boy she loved had offered Zuko a chance to atone for his mistakes. She even, for a time believed he could be redeemed. In her mind, the banished prince repaid their faith in him by almost shocking Kuzon into a near death state and then trying to kill them again. He even attacked his own uncle. She didn't believe he wanted redemption. He was just like his father and the rest of his family in her eyes. That's fine. The next time I see Zuko….I'll be sure to bury him in a watery grave along with that other ashmaker . Kuzon still feels sympathy for him. I guess I can't fault him but I don't. I don't understand why but I love him enough to respect that. To me… Zuko had his chance to pick his side. He did and my sweet flameheart almost died as a result. He even comes near my flameheart and I will bury him in an avalanche! The same goes for his sister!

The gang was then interrupted when the sounds of trees going aflame.

Jet's startled shouts filled the air. "Ashmaker attack! Get to your stations! Go! Go!"

Kuzon then squeezed Katara's hand. "Come on! We need to go help!"

Katara gave him a nod.

The others followed them.

Near the entrance to the Hideout

Aang and the others were waiting on the branches in the awaiting trees.

Everyone then spotted Zuko and Azula along with their friends. What looked like a whole platoon of Fire Troopers were behind them.

Jet then turned to Kuzon and unsheathed his sword, grinning. "Me and my guys will take care of the soldiers. You and your friends can take care of the royals. I suppose you can do that eh?"

Kuzon turned to him with a serious nod. "We can handle it! We've fought them before!" He then turned to Katara. "You ready for this?"

Katara drew her sword and nodded. "Sweetie. I've been waiting for a rematch!"

Jet then cut loose and swung across the tree he was hanging on to meet the invading force. He cut loose a piercing rebel yell. It was shrill and loud. The rest of the Freedom Fighters followed his lead.

Sokka then turned to Kuzon with a wry grin. "See you there flamehead!" He then cut his and jumped into action.

Aang and Lhasang gave each other a nod. "We'll glide down there!"

The two airbenders jumped from the branch they were on and activated their gliders, gliding down to the battle.

Kuzon then looked down with a determined look in his eyes. His eyes were focused on Zuko. There was a look of pure anger in them. Payback time. He was interrupted when he felt Katara grab his hand. Her voice helped bring him back to reality. "You ready sweetie?"

Kuzon turned to her and nodded. "Yes."

Katara smirked playfully. She then roughly pressed her lips against his. She then pulled away smiling. "Till death do us part. " She then wrapped an arm around his waist to keep him close to her, jumped off the branch the two were on, and cut the line keeping them in place with one of her wristblades.

The two were sent directly towards Zuko and Azula.

They then used their bending to steady their landing.

Both Zuko and Azula's eyes widened when they saw them.

Zuko quickly went from shock to anger. "Traitor!"

Azula's eyes darted between Kuzon and Katara. "So you two finally show up. I was wondering if you both were." She then sent the Avatar a glare. "You disappoint me Kuzon."

Kuzon got into battle form and just glared at her. "How so Azula?"

Azula snickered but beamed at the firebender. "I'm going to be honest with you peasant. I like you. Though you are on the opposite side of this war…you fight with the dignity and courage of a firebender. You still use your family name. You still align with your people. I admire a man who is willing to die for something he believes in…even if he is a damned traitor. You've cut down your own countrymen with such brutality it demands to be respected. You are just like me. You refuse to give in until death takes you."

Zuko then hissed at his sister. "Azula! What are you…"

Azula then growled at him "Be quiet Zuzu! I've got this handled!" She then turned back to Kuzon and warmly smiled. "My brother and I have tried to kill you over and over again and you have met us battle for battle!" She then walked up to him with a smirk. She then caressed his face with a hand. "My brother and I desire our father's death just as much as you do. You are strong, tenacious, and willing to die for what you believe in. I admire that within you. That drive to live. That drive to fight. You, me and Zuzu..aren't so different. We are all Fire Nation and proud of it. Why should we be enemies? I can give you more than you could ever imagine as a friend…and even as a lover if you'd have me."

Kuzon blinked at her and quickly took her hand off his cheek. "Let me get this straight. You think I want to join you and your brother because we all are countrymen? You honestly think that will work? You've called me a traitor to the very homeland my family and I called home and even called me a peasant."

Azula smiled, shaking her head. "I mean peasant in an endearing and loving way. It shows character on your part. I realized that my brother and I took the wrong approach with you. We treated you like an irredeemable traitor when we should have given you a second chance." She then pointed to Katara. "If you won't do it for me…do it for her."

Katara glared at the firebender. "Now wait just a minute! He…"

Azula cut her off. "I wasn't finished peasant. Stop being rude." Azula shook her head. "You really think you and your snow peasant are going to make it out of this war together in one piece? That one of you won't die at my hand, Zuko's hand, or the hand of my father?" She then smiled at him and caressed his face in her hands. "As twisted as it sounds Kuzon…I've grown to care for you. I know you can be redeemed in the eyes of my father. Take my hand and you and I can have the world at our hands. Whatever you wish…wealth…happiness…power and of course…love and your homeland back. It will take time but Father won't be able to resist having the Avatar's power at his disposal. He will get cocky and let down his guard. Then we will strike together and end his miserable life. No more fighting required and…you will have your homeland back." She then pointed to Katara. " I'll even sweeten the deal. Your snow peasant and her friends can all walk away. She can even go home to her family if she desires. I'll call off the men. We came all this way for you anyway. All you have to do is kiss my hand, swear yourself to me, and we can go back to the palace city as lovers. All will be forgiven. No more war. No more suffering. I'll call off every active campaign my father has engaged in. You won't have to fight to free the world from my father's rule anymore. You will just have to wait for your time to strike."

Kuzon's eyes widened. "You'll call off every campaign, allow my friends to walk away, give me my honor back and even end the Fire Nation's conquests all for my hand in…marriage? You are kidding me right?"

Azula laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "No I am not. I am completely and earnestly being serious. I'm in love with you. I love you Kuzon. I understand if you don't feel the same way. I do hope things will change between us but regardless of whether you love me or not, I know you would do anything to save the ones you love and care for. I'm offering you an easy path to both the revenge you seek and a way to end all this unnecessary carnage between all sides." Then without warning, the royal firebender pressed her lips against his. She then pulled away smirking. "Come on. You said to yourself you hated your burden. I'm giving you the chance to walk away from all this. The chance to walk away from this war. All you need to do is…kiss my hand and subject yourself to my brother's rule. You don't have to fight anymore. Just come home with my brother." There it was. His chance to end all this. A chance to end the war. A chance to end the violence. No more battles. No more pain. He could forget being the Avatar and just be happy. The world would go back to being peaceful. Everyone could go back to living in peace before the war. Sure…the Fire Lord would have to die and he would lose Katara..but she would be safe from harm. He had Azula's word. He had her heart. He could delude himself with a peaceful life in the palace. He could have his honor. "I don't…know."

It was then that Katara practically pulled him away from the firebender's grasp and some distance away. She had heard about enough. She then turned him around and put her hands around his neck. She spoke in a pleadingly soft voice. "Kuzon…sweetie…don't listen to her. She's trying to manipulate you into being her tool. We both know this is some sort of trick. Don't fall for it. Remember what we're fighting for."

Kuzon grunted and shook his head. "Katara…she's offering to end this war. To end all the suffering. She's offering to give everything up… and let you all walk away safely as long as I surrender myself to her rule. I'm so tired. I'm so tired of fighting so hard and still being considered unworthy of my home. I don't want to fight anymore. I can't deny that it isn't a tempting offer."

Katara sighed and smiled at him. Tears were rolling down her eyes. "I...know. I understand. I know you never wanted the burden of being the Avatar. I know how terrible a toll this war has had on you. I know that you also want to keep me safe because you love me but…" She then looked him in the eyes. "Kuzon…these are the same people who called you a traitor…to your own homeland. They are the ones whose family ordered your family dead. Your mother…and my mother are dead because of her family's lust for power. Your father is dead. Your grandfather is dead. My village still holds the remnants of the attack from the Southern Raiders." She then sat him down. "Sweetie…do you remember when Avatar Suzin gave you that vision…the one of the suspected attack on the North?"

Kuzon nodded.

Katara felt a sigh of relief overcome her. She took his hands into hers and she smiled at him. "We wouldn't have known of that attack if not for you. Your warning saved my people." She then sighed. "How do you know if Azula has the power to just call off the war? She has proven to be willing to use any means necessary to get what she wants. She even turned on her own uncle. Her own family." Katara then took his face into her hands. "How do you know she won't do the same to you once you turn yourself in? What do you think she will do to you once she has decided you have outlived your usefulness?"

Kuzon, now overcome with emotion, started tearing up. "I..don't. I..I'm sorry. I..wasn't trying to betray your trust. I…just feel so lost."

He then felt the waterbender wrap her arms around him. Tears rolled down her eyes. "Oh Kuzon..sweetie..I'm not upset or angry. I'm hurting too. You aren't the only one who is tired of this damned war. I want to go home to my family. I want to go home and live in peace." She then rested her forehead against his. "But I can't do that sweetie. If I walk away from this fight…I will be dooming an entire nation of people not to mention my own people to a subjugation by the Fire Lord's decree. I can't do that sweetie. I can't just sit by and do nothing while all I love is threatened by his tyranny." She then sighed and kissed him as passionately as she could muster. "My world would be so cold…without you Kuzon. I've learned to love a firebender. That is something I never imagined myself ever doing. I love you more than life itself. Don't you love me?"

Kuzon looked her deep in the eyes. "I do with all my heart and soul."

Katara smiled and grasped his arm. "Then fight with me. I promise you we will make it through this…but I can't do any of this without you. You and I are like fire and ice. You are the one who warms my ice cold heart in places I never thought it would melt. You've taught me compassion and love for my greatest enemy. I have helped keep your anger and frustration in check. I've shown you that you don't have to burn yourself alive in your own guilt and anger. I've shown you that you can change into a hero despite all that is against you. Don't give up on us. Don't give up on yourself. Don't allow yourself to be Azula's tool either for my sake or anyone else's. You are worth more than that. You aren't an ashmaker. You aren't a conqueror. You aren't a traitor either. You are nothing like them. You have carved your own path. You don't need them to tell you if you are worthy of your home. You don't need me or anyone to say whether or not you are worthy of your home. . You decide that for yourself. No one else. You hear me? You are the Flame of Redemption…the Avatar…the one firebender destined to save the world and heal it." She then kissed him again. "What do you fight for? What is your purpose?"

Kuzon glanced at her. "To save the world from the Fire Lord's wrath and protect the innocent..no matter the cost. I can't let what happened to my family happen to anyone else ever again!"

Seeing the fire come back in his eyes…Katara smirked. "There's that fire in your eyes that I love so much! Now come on! Up on your feet! We've got a war to win!"

The two then came face to face with Zuko and Azula. Azula then smiled at both of them. She can try all she wants. I know he will bend to my will. His duty to his nation and personal honor will demand it. "Kuzon…my love…come away from that dirty snow peasant. Come home with me where you belong. You know what will happen to you and her if you don't." Her tone was sweet yet threatening at the same time.

Kuzon then took in a deep breath. "That's not going to happen Azula."

Azula's face quickly turned into a rather desperate look. "Kuzon…I meant what I said. I don't want to fight you anymore. I'm in love with you. I know you tire of this war.. Come on please. Just bow on one knee before my brother and we can end all this senseless fighting." She then shook her head with tears in her eyes. "You won't win. You have to know that this is suicide. Even if you win this war and defeat us in the end…your people…the people of the Fire Nation will never accept you back home. No bending nation will. You will be all alone."

Kuzon then felt Katara take his hand into his. She turned to him and smiled. She then turned to Azula and glared daggers at her. She hadn't expected Azula to have a heart. She realized that it was possible both Azula and her brother weren't that much different from her Kuzon. Maybe they can be reformed…in a way. However new this revelation was, Katara couldn't just let Azula get away with tempting her love to leave her. She growled at Azula. " You're wrong Azula. He does have a home."

Azula then sneered at her. "Oh really? Where?"

Katara glared right back. Her protective instincts took over. "With me. If you and your band of ashmakers consider him a traitor for trying to save my people….then I will ask my father to grant him the right to live with me in the Southern Water Tribe. We call him Kaotuk. Do you know what that name means?"

Azula shouted back. "I do not!"

Katara spoke in a calm yet threatening tone. "It means 'one who can be redeemed'. He is not like you and I thank Tui and La every day for that. I learned from him that not every one of your kind was a monster or a colonizer. I love him. My people revere him as the outsider who gave everything he had to protect our home." She then pointed a finger at the royal firebender. "Kuzon doesn't need to sell his dignity or his soul just to receive your love. He already has all of mine because he gave his all in protecting me and my people from Admiral Zhao's invasion. He has already earned my love and admiration for eternity." She then caressed Kuzon's face in her hands, kissing him gently. She then pulled away with a warm smile.

Kuzon blinked at her. "Katara…you'd let me stay with you in the South? What about your father?"

Katara then shook her head giggling at him. " Sweetie. Come on now. I'm pretty sure saving the whole Water Tribe puts you in Dad's good graces."

Kuzon slowly wrapped his arms around her, desperate for comfort . "And if not? If people give you trouble about my presence?"

Katara then hugged him letting out a happy hum as she held him close to her. "If that happens…then I will handle it. You saved my people. Any Water Tribesmen who refuses to acknowledge that will answer to me. I won't let them slander you the way your own countrymen have."

Kuzon hugged her tight. "Thank you."

Azula, now enraged, screamed out. "I love him! You don't understand! I do love him!"

Katara then turned to her with a fierce glare in her azure eyes. "No. You don't. If you truly did love him…you wouldn't let anyone lay a hand on him. You would kill anyone who even thought of causing him harm. You especially wouldn't dangle your feelings for him on a fishing line just to have him grovel and beg for your attention. You wouldn't use his greatest fears against him." The fact that you even had the gall to try to pull that on the boy I love angers me to my core!"

Azula shook her head at the waterbender. She then closed her eyes and took in a deep breath looking into Kuzon's eyes. "I won't allow you to die Kuzon but I won't allow you to walk away from me either. Are you going to come quietly with me or am I going to have to drag you away in chains?"

Kuzon rubbed the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. He actually felt a bit sorry for the royal firebender. He had some experience with knowing how futile and painful it is to learn just how much you loved someone way too late. He still wondered from time to time what kind of life he and Taira could have had if the Fire Nation had never attacked the Southern Temple. "I'm sorry Azula. I believe you are being truthful but my heart belongs to Katara and Katara only. Furthermore, my duty is to save the world from your father's rule and end the dominance your family has had on my people. I cannot go with you. Dong so would go against the promise I made to my family and my friends. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I just walked away while you and your brother held the destiny of the world in your hands."

Azula's eyes went wide and she snarled with rage. "You are coming with me...whether you like it or not!" She then sent a bolt of lightning Kuzon's way.

Katara jumped in front of him and raised a waterwall in defense of her lover. She glared at the firebender. "Over my dead body ashmaker!"

Zuko finally shouted in anger. "Enough talking! Die!" He then leapt at Kuzon and started attacking him with a fire kick.

Kuzon quickly jumped into a firebending stance and blocked his attack with a wall of flame.

Azula meanwhile turned her attention to Katara with a dark glare in her eyes. "I see my mistake now. I waited too long to speak my truth. I'll be sure to rectify my error when I'm finished with you peasant!"

Katara then glared right back. "As I stated before…you aren't getting an inch within Kuzon. He's mine!"

The two then dueled using their opposite elements, only stopping to gauge one another's movements from time to time. They were again an even match for one another in terms of bending acuity.

Katara drew high.

Azula drew low.

Flame and water clashed against one another in waves and whooses.

The two finally came to head heavily breathing.

Katara grunted in frustration. She's still my equal. I need to see if I can learn how to control bodies like Kuzon suggested. Azula is an intently focused fighter. Always focused. Always on target. I need something to even up the odds. The waterbender then remembered the sword Kuzon had gifted her. A sly smirk came across her face. The sword. It's perfect. Azula is a firebending master but I bet she's never actually trained in actual weapons. I just need to get close enough to use it.

The two then rushed towards each other, attempting to kill one another again.

Azula then sent a fire kick Katara's way.

Katara blocked it with another water wall.

Katara then used the steam cover created to slash hard in the firebender's side.

Azula screamed out in pain and then responded by wildy sending lightning bolt after lightning bolt trying to hit her. Katara smirked. It worked. She's so unbalanced by the pain that she is firing wildly.

Katara then slashed in the girl's left side.

Azula quickly collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain. "How did you..bring me down?" She pressed a hand to one of the open wounds and stuck one of her fingers in. Judging by how deep it was going in, Katara had cut in deep with it. That's going to take a few stitches and bandages. Damn it. This is going to hurt for a while.

Katara then drew the blade and impaled it slowly into Azula's left shoulder.

Azula screamed in pain, this time even louder. She then felt something liquidly in her mouth and spat it into her hand. Her eyes widened. "I'm..losing blood."

Katara then sheathed the blade in the sheath hanging from her leather belt. "You got cocky off your abilities Azula. That was a mistake. A grave mistake." She then closed her eyes shaking her head. "I knew you would match me water for fire. You have done so everytime we've fought. So I endeavored to learn swordfighting from Kuzon. A skill I felt I could come in handy in case we fought again. Evidently…I was right in that assertion."

Katara then kneeled down to meet Azula in the eyes. There was tension in the air between them.

Katara then sighed in frustration. "I'm leaving you alive in the hope you will find a new path. Kuzon managed to find his own path. I…have hope you can too." She then drew the blade and put it under Azula's neck. "But come after my lover again and I will end you right where you stand."

Azula then started to laugh and shook her head. "You are weak after all. Too weak to finish what you started. That is what makes my people superior. We don't believe in mercy. Your good heart will one day be the death of you and your entire culture Katara. I will hunt you and the traitor down if it's the last thing I…" She was then knocked unconscious with the hilt of the sword.

Katara glanced down at her coldly. "Then I will end you then."

Kuzon and Zuko were viciously dueling one another.

Kuzon blocked one attack with his right gauntlet and hit a fire kick. This knocked Zuko on his rear end. Both of them were damn near exhausted. Kuzon then raised one final arm of flame and pointed it at Zuko. "Rest in Agni Zuko!"

Zuko then stood himself up. One of his arms hung helplessly from its socket. "Finish it! Finish me!"

Kuzon nodded with anger aflame in his eyes. "As you wish..brother." Suddenly, the flame in Kuzon's hand was snuffed out with a tendril of water.

The two then turned to see Katara walking up to them. "Stop this Kuzon! It's over! You've won! You don't need to fight anymore!"

Kuzon's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean sweetie? He's a threat! If we don't finish him here and now…he will come back for us! I need to do this!"

Katara took his left hand in hers and squeezed it. "No you don't! Killing him isn't your mission! Killing the Fire Lord is! He's beaten!"

Kuzon turned to her in surprise. "Since when have you ever cared about beaten opponents?"

Katara just shook her head frustratingly. "Because I want to believe Zuko can change his ways. Maybe he can change just as you did sweetie. My father once gave you a chance to prove you weren't a threat to the Southern Water Tribe. I feel…wrong to not give our enemies a chance to make different choices in their lives. Don't you agree?"

Kuzon raised an eyebrow. "I have to say I'm surprised. You've always told me they all deserve to die. What's changed?"

Katara sighed. "I don't have it in me to become a murderer sweetie. At least not anymore. Every time I look one of the men in the eye…I think of you. I think of what would've happened if I had just decided to kill you or had stepped aside to let Bato end your life just based on my hate alone." She then closed her eyes and shook her head. "I won't stand by and just become a merciless killer like them. I will fight but I won't kill unless I absolutely have to. I refuse to become them." She then clung onto him tighter. "I don't want that for you either! We may have to fight them but we don't have to become them! Please just let him go! I don't want to lose you to your hate either! Let him go! Please!"

Aang and Lhasang then walked up to the couple.

Aang spoke in a calm tone. "Katara is right brother. Don't let your hatred darken your spirit. You are a child of the light as well as of the flame. You can choose to forgive. Let Zuko go."

Lhasang nodded, a bright smile forming on her face. "Aang is right Kuzon. You grew up in the Temple same as he. You are more than just Fire Nation. You grew up in the Air Nation too. The Avatar must balance the darkness with the light. He cannot be one or the other. You are the balance. Let Zuko go."

Kuzon blinked at all of them with nothing but sorrow in his eyes. Wow just wow. They are right. He then hugged her and tenderly stroked her hair running it through his fingers. "Okay. We'll let him go. We'll….let him go." Tears streamed from his eyes and he started to sob.

Katara smiled through her tears. She hugged him and gently rubbed his back. "Thank you. I was so worried you'd lose yourself in your anger. " She then melted the restraints.

Zuko quickly got up to his feet. He gasped in shock. They spared me.

Katara then glared at him. "We're giving you a third chance Zuko. Your sister will live. Take her. Take your men and leave. Go and find another path. Forget we ever existed."

Zuko just said nothing and just walked off without a word. He was conflicted. More conflicted than ever before." He picked up Azula in his arms. She reached out and grabbed his right arm squeezing it hard. "Did we..win?"

Zuko looked down at her and faintly smiled. He knew how fragile her mental state was right now and didn't want to upset her. "We did Azula! We did!"

Azula sighed happily. "Good good." She then passed out.

Kuzon grunted. "I'm not sure that was the best decision. How do we know they won't attack us again?"

Katara just smiled at him. "We'll handle it when we get there." She then rested her head on his chest and hugged him smiling. "For now…let us just enjoy this moment."

Aang and Lhasang both turned to each other and bowed in respect to Kuzon.

Aang then put a hand on Kuzon's shoulder. "Good job brother! I am proud of you! You are letting the light in!"

Sokka then ran over to them. "Hey you guys okay?"

Katara just smiled at her brother and pulled him into a deep hug. She was so worried about losing herself to her anger. About it controlling her. About losing those close around her that she never realized just how much her anger and fear had turned into a merciless killer. She was so relieved to still hold her soul in a good place. "We're fine Sokka. We…defeated Zuko and Azula. They are going somewhere far away. What about you? Where are the soldiers?"

Sokka hugged her back, sighing in relief as well. "They are taken care of. Aang and I, along with the Freedom Fighters, managed to beat them down. They aren't getting up anytime soon."

Katara let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the spirits."

Sokka then broke the hug and glanced worriedly at Kuzon. "Hey flamehead. You okay?"

Kuzon just rested a hand against his face muttering to himself. "I'll be fine. I just need to think about some things."

Katara then reached out with a hand to caress his right arm smiling. She then pulled him into a hug and tightly wrapped herself around him. "I'll be right by your side every step of the way. I promise you that sweetie. You won't have to go through all this alone."

Kuzon gave her a nod and hugged her back. "Thanks sweetie."

The two then broke the hug.

Katara then pulled up her hood, straightened up some of the hairs in front of her face and took Kuzon's hand in hers. "Come on you guys. Let's regroup with the others."

Sokka and Kuzon, as well as Aang and Lhasang, gave her a nod and followed her down the battleground.

Thirty minutes later.

Jet was leaning against a tree trunk. He grinned with the straw in his mouth at Katara, Sokka, Kuzon, and Aang as they walked towards him. "The heroes of the hour. We've gotta thank you for all you've done. You've given us all hope that one day we will all be able to go home one day." He then got off the trunk and jumped down to the ground.

Some of the Freedom Fighters followed him.

Jet then raised a hook sword in the air. "Three cheers for the Flame of Redemption! Hip hip…"

The men behind him completed it for him. "Hooray!"

Jet began again. "Hip hip…"

The others finished it. "Hooray!"

Jet offered a hand to Kuzon. "Put 'er there Kuzon."

Kuzon then raised an eyebrow at him but grasped hands with him.

Jet then clenched the hand and wrenched their arms in an arm-wrestling position and let go. "You ever need help from the Freedom Fighters…y'know who to call."

Kuzon just gave him a gruff nod.

Jet then let go and began to walk off. "We'll see ya back at the Hideout.

Katara smirked at him and called out his name. "Hey Jet!"

Jet stopped and turned back to meet her gaze. "What's up Katara?"

Katara crossed her arms and smiled at him. "Thanks for the help. I..don't think we could've beaten that army without you."

Jet then chuckled. "Gotta say I'd agree on that one Katara."

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