Epilogue

Zuko joined the avatar. He could tell that Sokka had not been that thrilled. Zuko could tell that he had fallen head over heels for Katara, but he respected her in every way. She loved him for that. Zuko had gathered up his ship and explained to his crew and uncle what was going on. They were all delighted. And scared…They were going up against the fire lord! But…they needed a plan…

"Maybe we could get a big army and invade the palace!"

Zuko looked at Aang.

"One problem, we don't have an army."

Sokka decided to put in his input.

"Well, we could unleash an army of killer Momos and Appas!"

Zuko rolled his eyes. "We only have one flying bison and one lemur."

Katara jumped in "Well, maybe we should attack from the inside. We could sneak in and imprison the fire lord."

Zuko looked at her. "You know, that's the best idea so far."

That's what they did. They went under the cover of dark, sneaking into the palace grounds. Zuko led them through the extravagant palace. Katara watched wide-eyed. Zuko was the prince of all this! Or, at least he would be… Katara shivered. She didn't want to think about what would happen if this didn't go through right.

"Are we there yet?"

Sokka was getting impatient. Zuko looked at him.

"Be quiet! Do you want us to get caught?!"
Sokka just rolled his eyes and Katara brought her canteen close to her chest. She had to be ready. What if any of them got hurt? She shivered. She would rather die.

Upon entering the throne room, everything was still and quiet. There wasn't anyone there, except one man…atop the throne. His figure looked menacing and evil. He looked up at them. Zuko straitened.

"Ozai, come, fight, so that I may sit atop that throne and end this war."

Ozai's face was like stone. Anger was creased across his face. Then, his mouth opened and out of it came the most unpleasant, crackled laugh.

"You? Defeat me? You spent too much time at sea, boy."

"I don't care what you think. Come and fight me! Or, all this time, were you a coward?"

Ozai's anger returned to his face as he rose from his throne. Katara positioned herself for battle, but Zuko laid a hand on her arm.

"He's mine."

Katara shook her head as Zuko walked in front of her and Sokka pulled her back.

The father and son positioned themselves. The fight began. Sokka had to hold Katara down from attacking as well. Fire went against fire. The light blinded Katara. The first blow was Ozai's on Zuko. Blood trickled down Zuko's arm. It was a nasty burn. A yelp escaped Katara's mouth and she clamped her mouth shut. Zuko kept his fire under control. Ozai, on the other hand, raved like a madman, shooting at his son. Zuko easily dodged the attacks. Katara spotted a man enter the room. He positioned himself to attack Zuko. Katara tore from her brother's grasp and water whipped the man down. Ozai was getting tired. The fight went on; Katara felt that she might die. Zuko made several hits that weakened Ozai. But, every time Zuko was hit, Katara felt like she would die. Firebenders would show up and the gang would take them down, but Zuko and Ozai continued on. Zuko summoned up all of his fire and unleashed it on Ozai in one blow. Ozai staggered and then fell. Zuko ran up to him.

"Father"

Ozai looked at his son. Zuko continued.

"I'm not sorry…for anything."

And Ozai died. Katara ran up to him and embraced him. Zuko looked at her.

"Maybe that shouldn't have been my last words to him."

Katara gathered Zuko's face into her hands.

"Zuko, you don't have anything to be sorry about."

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And so, Zuko became fire lord. He immediately called all of the soldiers and troops home, ending the war. Azula and her gang were imprisoned. Sokka became an official warrior. And Aang, well, he enjoyed penguin sliding at the water tribes. And Katara…

……………………………………………………………………………

It was early in the morning. Katara awoke to a knocking on her door. Where was she? Oh yes, she was in the fire nation palace, in her room. The light curtains billowed in the soft breeze. She loved her room, it was open to the outside, allowing the breeze to drift in, something you wouldn't get at the southern water tribe. There was another knock. Oh, she forgot. She got up. She had baggy pajamas on and her hair was unbraided and a mess. She stifled a yawn as she twisted the door knob. Katara smiled.

Zuko

"Hey."

"Hey"

Katara laughed and Zuko smiled.

"May I come in? There's something I need to ask you."

Katara looked at herself. She looked like a mess and she said so.

"I think you look beautiful."

Again Katara laughed and invited him in. Katara looked outside.

"Zuko, does that look familiar?"

He opened a door that lead out to the garden. It was a grassy fountain area.

A flashback went through his mind.

"Let's play tag!"

"What is that? What do you do?"

"You have never played tag before?!"

Zuko shook his head. He had been very amused with this girl. She knew so many games and how to have fun. He didn't know any games, he was always in training. Katara did not think it possible for some one to not know any games at all, but she explained.

"That's alright. What you do is count to ten and I'll run. When you count to ten, you say 'ready or not here I come!' then you chase me. If you catch and tag me, I'm it. Then I go after you."

"Alright"

Zuko seemed excited to try the new game.

"I'll give you a head start."

"Why?"

"Well, you're a girl. I'll probably run faster than you."

At this point anger was rushing from Katara's small body.

"I could beat Sokka. And I could beat you any day!"

"Is that a challenge?"

"You had better believe it! Now count!"

Zuko turned and closed his eyes.

"One…Two…Three…"

Katara was out of the room. Her ankle was almost healed, but it still hurt at times. Katara searched down the halls and looked around frantically. Where to hide!

"Ready or not, here I come!"

Katara ran into a sitting room and hid behind the curtains. Zuko searched around. His heart beat fast, he was on a hunt. Kind of like that game when Katara had said they were on safari and were after the lion that was killing people in a village. The game was ended when they had caught the lion (an unfortunate bird that had landed in the fountain) and the village was saved! Only he was not looking for a lion, but Katara. He crept silently through the rooms. He could not find her anywhere. Man! She was good! Katara hid behind the curtains and giggled. He could not find her! She was winning!

Katara smiled at Zuko.

"Do you remember how to play tag?"

A grin was plastered across his face. "I think so."

"Count."

"I'll give you a head start."

"Why?"

"You're a girl. I'll run faster than you."

"I won once, I'll do it again."

"We'll see…One…Two…"

Katara had already bolted out the door and into the grass. Zuko didn't even say three and he was after her. He chased her around the grass then around the fountain. It wasn't very long until he got her, she wanted to be caught. They laughed and Zuko took her into his arms.

"Katara?"

"Yes?"

Katara ran her finger across his face, which was close to hers. Zuko brushed his lips against Katara's.

"Will you be my wife?"

Katara answered as she gently kissed Zuko…

She loved him, and he loved her. And they would always love each other…even if they were as different as the sun and moon…

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Thank you chapter next…