Katara's POV:

When I woke up I found myself in yet ANOTHER dark room. Way to be original, Kimiko. I thought to myself. I wonder what happened. I just remember Kimiko saying I needed to do something for her, but I said no and now I'm here.

"Hello there Katara."

I clenched my teeth.

"I was wondering when you'd be up. Sorry about knocking you out earlier but you gave me no choice. You don't understand how beneficial me being the new Avatar will be to the world."

I wanted to punch her in the face. "Beneficial?! Aang is doing a wonderful job, you couldn't do any better!" I spat.

Kimiko waved her hand as if what I was saying meant nothing to her. "The Avatar is 13 years old, a child. He couldn't possibly know how to run the world."

"The Avatar doesn't run the world, he protects it!" I struggled in my chains. "Let me go!"

My capturer smiled. "Oh I'll let you go. The Avatar has already taught me airbending so I have no further use of him. If you do something for me, I'll let you all go."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "There is NO WAY I'm going to do anything for you!"

"Oh please you don't even know what it is yet."

I took a deep breath. "Fine, what is it?"

Aang's POV:

Since I had cooperated with Kimiko, one of her guards had escorted me to the others. I was so happy to see Sokka, Toph, Zuko and even Mai again. But where was Katara? I huddled close with Toph, now my best friend. We had gotten very close the last few months, not as close as me and Katara, but still close. I felt like I had to be strong for all of them, it was difficult but I had to do it. I'm the Avatar, protecting people is my job. But I failed...again. Katara wasn't safe, I let her down..

Katara's POV:

I couldn't believe what Kimiko wanted me to do. But the more I talked to her, the more I guess I understood her. She lost her mother just like me and Sokka. She said she always knew she was destined for greatness and she actually had some pretty good ideas about changing our world. Maybe Kimiko would make a better Avatar..anyways, if any of us are to get out of here I have to do this...I have to.

Zuko's POV:

I was so sick of this place, the next time that girl comes in to block my chi, I'll be ready. I waited patiently and soon enough here she came to make we still couldn't bend. She started with Toph then moved over to me. I quickly jumped onto my hands and spun myself. As I was spinning I kicked my legs out, knocking the girl off of her feet.

Mai and Sokka took advantage of this and grabbed her quickly, pinning her arms to her sides.

"You're not taking my chi." I growled. I felt the energy flowing through my body. It felt good to finally be able to firebend again. I raised my left hand and held a fireball in it. "Let us go." I commanded. I brought the fireball closer to her. "Or else."

"Alright alright I will let you guys go." Kimiko stuttered. "But first come with me."

Aang's POV:

Kimiko had lead me to a very big room. I didn't know why until she opened the door. "APPA!" I yelled and ran in to hug my bison. "I missed you buddy."

Appa growled and nudged his head against me.

"Don't get too comfortable." Kimiko said behind me.

I turned around. "Huh? I did what you asked, now let us all go."

"Oh I'll let you go, but first-" she stepped aside to reveal...Katara?!

"Katara! I'm so glad to see you!" I ran up to hug her but she wouldn't hug me back. "Is something wrong?"

Katara didn't speak she just stared. Her gaze slowly shifted from me to Appa.

"Katara?" I tried again.

Katara closed her eyes. "I'm sorry Aang." She reached out her hands and I heard a loud moan behind me.

I turned in horror to find Appa's body twisting around viciously. "Appa! No Katara what are you doing?!" I shrieked. I tried to run over to get in front of him but something held me still, Kimiko. With a few short punches, my chi was blocked.

Appa continued to cry out in pain, I could hear every bone in his body bend and crack. Tears streamed down my face. "KATARA! Please! Stop it stop it!" I tried to squirm out of Kimiko's grip but she was too strong. Appa raised his head and screamed. "STOP IT!" I cried. "Leave him alone Katara PLEASE!"

Katara soon lowered her hands, and my Appa fell to the ground.

Kimiko let go of me and I ran to him. I stroked his head with my hand. "...Appa?" But he didn't answer me, instead he lay still. He lay dead. Appa was dead. My knees gave way and fell to the floor sobbing. It felt like my world was spinning, this couldn't be happening!

A small voice behind me spoke, "Aang? Aang I'm so sorry I had no cho-"

"SHUT UP!" I turned to her. "You HAD a choice! You always have a choice! You killed Appa!" I turned back to my bison and lay my head against his.

"Aang-"

"You were my friend, I thought I loved you, but this was the ultimate betrayal. Get away from us."

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I said GET AWAY!" I snapped. I heard her sobbing and her footsteps running out of the room along with Kimiko's.

I looked down at my best friend..dead. I kissed his head. "Don't worry buddy." I whispered to him as the tears fell harder. "She's going to pay for this. I will never forgive her."

Katara's POV:

Kimiko kept her promise and let us all go. I wish I could've explained to Aang that Kimiko would have had us killed if I didn't do that! If Aang could just give me a chance to explain...

I looked to my left and saw Aang and Toph walking quietly beside me. Zuko, Mai and Sokka were to my right. Kimiko had let us go and we were now walking home although I got an uneasy sense. I decided to say something. "Aang?" I started. "If you just listen-"

Aang stopped in his tracks. "No Katara. Don't say anything. Not one word." He continued walking. I guess that was the end of it.

By the time Kimiko released us, the others heard what I had done. They all hated me, I just knew it. I pressed on but something- or someone, tapped on my shoulder. I turned, it was my brother.

"Katara, I know you had no choice. But Aang and the others are in too much of a shock to listen. You have to understand that."

Tears streamed down my face. "But Sokka they need to understand. It wasn't my fault!" Suddenly my legs flew up from under me and I fell to the ground. I looked up to see Aang adjusting his staff.

"Not you're fault?! NOT YOU'RE FAULT?!" He was fuming. "It WAS you're fault Katara! Why didn't you just tell me the truth?! We could've figured something out!"

I didn't know what to say. "Aang I was..I was just so scared.."

Aang shook his head. "You were scared? No. Appa. Appa was scared." And with that he turned back around.

I was furious. "You would've done the same thing Aang! You would've picked your friends too over a..a..a stupid bison!" I spat. My eyes widened in horror as Aang's tattoos began to glow a brilliant white. He turned towards me and began to float into the air. Suddenly Kimiko stepped out from a hiding place. Now I know why I got the uneasy feeling.

"Good job Katara." She praised. "Exactly what I wanted."

I was confused. Wait a minute...Kimiko knew this would happen. She knew Aang would go into the Avatar State because of Appa. But why would she want...unless..oh no! She was going to kill Aang! The Avatar Cycle would end and SHE would be the new and only Avatar! "AANG! LOOK OUT!" I shouted just in time as Kimiko began firing rocks and fireblasts at him.

Aang in his Avatar State, dodged them with ease. He brought himself higher into the air then slammed down. I looked up to see a giant rock heading for me. Then everything went black.

Aang's POV:

I had known Kimiko would do this. I knew taking away her bending permanently was the only option but I had waited until my friends were free first. I didn't want to risk anything..but I did. I risked Appa, and he paid the price. Speaking of which...I turned to see Katara. We were back at the palace and we were all gathered in the dining room. I had an announcement to make. "Katara." I started.

She looked at me hopeful, "Yes Aang?"

I took a small breath. "You need to leave."

"What?" tears filled my once-friend's eyes.

I turned from her. "Leave. After what you did...I know I should forgive you but..I can't." I faced her. "I appreciate your friendship to me Katara but I no longer need it. Goodbye." I got up and went to my room, leaving Katara behind..forever.

Katara's POV:

I waited for someone to say something. To object. But no one did.

After gathering all my belongings I began to walk away from the palace. I didn't know where to go I just had to get away from there. I heard Sokka yelling behind me. "Sokka what are you doing here?" I asked.

Sokka smiled. "I'm not going to let you go alone Katara. You're my sister, no matter what."

I smiled and walked with my brother towards the sunset. Leaving our friends, Aang and all we've come to know and love, behind.

The End