Chapter Sixteen

Katara's Resolve

Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph sat around their campfire talking and laughing. After the laughter died down, Sokka spoke up.

"Ok gang. The invasion is in a week. We should go over the plan. The eclipse is only going to last for eight minutes so we'll need to work fast to get to the city before eclipse happens. Toph, Katara, and I are going to be making noise in the main courtyard as a distraction for you Aang. What are you going to do?" Sokka said.

"I'm going to get to the palace and take out the Fire Lord," Aang said.

"Good," Sokka said and paused. He looked at each one of them. "Well I guess thats it... Maybe we should get some sleep now," Sokka said.

Katara hesitated for a moment. When she saw everyone getting up she spoke. "Wait... What about Khundes?"

Aang, Toph, and Sokka sat back down. "What about him?" Toph asked.

"Aren't we going to go after him?" Katara asked.

For a moment no one said anything. They all just looked at one another. "Look Katara. We all want to believe he's alive but if he isn't we'd be wasting our time," Sokka said.

"She wouldn't have killed him," Katara said.

"What makes you think that?" Aang asked.

"Yeah. I mean its not like she knew who he was or anything right?" Toph asked.

Katara hesitated.

Aang studied her for a moment. "What is it Katara? What aren't you telling us?" he asked.

"Well... He was Azula's boyfriend once," Katara said.

Aang, Sokka, and Toph's jaws all dropped. "WHAT!?" they yelled in unison.

"He told me a few minutes before Azula showed up. He said that she stopped seeing him because he wanted to be on the battlefront. But we all know Azula. She is manipulative person and she loves battle. I doubt she knew he'd pick the war over her and when he did she might have gotten this vengeance thing out for him," Katara said.

"But even if we did go after him, he's probably inside the prison tower right now under heavy guard. There would be no way we could get him," Toph said.

"But during the eclipse would be the perfect time to get him out! You guys don't have to come with me. I'll go alone," Katara said.

"No Katara. We need you down at the invasion center," Sokka said.

"I've already made up my mind. I'm going after him. He was too kind. Just to let him suffer in prison is wrong," she turned to Aang. "You of all people should want to end pointless suffering," Katara said.

Aang looked down at the ground. "Katara you do what you feel you need to do. I won't stop you," he said.

"But I will! Katara this is crazy! You are going to march into a Fire Nation prison and preform a break out by yourself?!" Sokka said.

"He saved us Sokka! We could at least return the favor!" Katara said, not on her feet.

"Why are you so passionate about this Katara!?" Sokka yelled.

"It's like I said before. Innocent people don't need to suffer for the actions of others," she said.

"But Katara!" Sokka said.

"Look Sokka. When we had barely met Aang we saved him from Zuko. You barely knew him and you helped me save him," Katara said.

"Katara this is different! Aang is the Avatar. It was our duty to save him!" Sokka said.

"We didn't know he was the Avatar then and you still helped me!" Katara said.

Sokka kicked dirt onto the fire and walked away. "You want to risk your life for someone you hardly know fine. We don't need your help anyway," Sokka said as he walked away.

"Look Katara, lets just get some sleep tonight. We'll figure this all out in the morning alright?" Aang said.

Katara had tears in her eyes. "Fine," she said and walked over to her bed roll and laid down on it.

Aang sighed.

"Don't worry Twinkle Toes. I'm sure everything will be fine," Toph said.