A/N - I know, I know, I killed off Aang, and you're all pissed. I'm sorry. But it had to happen so that Zuko would realize his true destiny. You may disagree with this, but it's just how I perceived the story. Don't worry, it'll all turn out well in the end, I promise! =)

Once again, I'm sorry for killing off Aang. It's just how it had to be.

We walked back into the Dining Hall, hand in hand. We entered calmly and Katara bent at the waist into a low bow.

"My sincerest apologies, Fire Lord. It was not my place to run out like that." she said, rising.

Ozai nodded, and said, "Alright. You both may sit and continue your meal. Are you okay now?"

"Yes." Katara said, looking at me briefly. I couldn't help but smile, and Uncle noticed. He winked at me with a grin as my father went back to his meal.

'Shut up.' I mouthed to him with an irritated smile.

"You must work at containing your emotions, Katara. This is the second time my son has had to come to your rescue like that. It is not his responsibility. It is yours." my father said.

Katara nodded soberly. "Once again, I apologize. It will not happen again." Yeah, it won't happen. But only because she won't have to be her for too much longer, much like yourself!

We waited until the dead of that night to tell Sokka our plan, and decided not to even bother telling Iroh. This was much more risky than our other secret, and I didn't want anyone to hear it without us wanting them to. The less times we had to repeat it, the better. Iroh would know what to do when the time came. That is, if he would remain on our side. I knew Uncle Iroh had always supported me one hundred percent; and he was a strong believer in following one's destiny, and overall peace. However, taking down the Fire Lord...he may not agree with it. That was the other reason I didn't want to repeat it to him. I wanted to wait until the time came to find out how he felt. Not that it mattered much: If we were up against Ozai and Iroh, we were thoroughly screwed.

But anyway, on the day Azula was scheduled to come back, we put our plan into action. At breakfast of the seventh day, I made a request to my father.

"Would it be alright if, as soon as Azula returned, we had a little meeting? You, Azula, Iroh, Katara, my guard Lee, and I?"

Ozai paused, then said, "Yes, I think that's a splendid idea. We won't even have guards or maids there. Although...you seem quite close to yours...so Katara and Lee may come. Why don't you greet Azula at the gates and bring her into the Dining Hall for a little Lunch Meeting to catch up with each other?"

I smiled. "I would love bring her. That way, I can be the first to see her." It was all coming together perfectly.

So, around noon, I saw, from the front gates to the Palace, a clever, evil girl coming over the horizon on an ostrich-horse. "Welcome, Azula." I said with the agile smile that she always is wearing.

She wore the same clever grin as she replied, "Thank you, brother."

"Follow me. We're having a meeting over lunch to celebrate your return." I said, and began walking to the Palace.

"Oh, how sweet. It will be the perfect time to make my little announcement."

My smile of tactility turned to one of glee, but luckily my back was to her. "That's what I was counting on." I said, loud enough for her to hear.

"Wha-...?" But I just kept walking, completely mute.

"Welcome back, my daughter!" my father cooed once we entered the room.

She smiled brightly, "Thank you, father."

"Well, Zuko," my father said, getting straight down to business, "Why is it that you wished to have this little meeting?"

I said, "I have an announcement, but I understand that Azula does as well. I'll let her go first." I shot her a smile of mock innocence.

"Yes." she said with a proud grin back at me, "It's about Zuko. And how he lied."

"Azula!" Ozai cried, "That is quite the extreme accusation! Please explain this rashness."

"I hate to disagree, father, but it isn't rash. Gahn told me, and he heard it himself. According to him, Zuko is in league with his maid and guard. The capture was extremely less hostile than he claims. In fact, I propose that he actually is in love with Katara!" she added, quite gloatingly.

My father looked to me, aghast. I didn't bat an eye, and said, "What Azula says is all true. The day before I went to capture them, I decided that I was in love with Katara..." I related to them the entire story. Iroh was standing as slack-jawed in surprise as Ozai was. "...And I decided that Aang really shouldn't have had to die. Which brings me to my announcement that I called this meeting for originally. I have decided that, since I caused the Avatar's eternal death, I will take his place in defeating the Fire Nation and bringing the world to peace." I finished, and Ozai, Iroh, and Azula gasped all in unison.

It was followed by a long silence. I kept snatching nervous glances at Katara and Sokka (who now had his helmet off). My speech had been confident and firm, but inside I was nervous as ever! Uncle Iroh was first to break the awkward silence. He walked up a few inches away from me, and paused. Then...he hugged me. "My nephew, I am so proud of you. You have finally seen the path of good. A path that I wish the both of us had seen many years ago. Before I had attacked Ba Sing Se; before you had gotten the Avatar killed. But that is behind us. What matters now is that we are going to fix out mistakes. Right now."

"Thank you so much, Uncle. I know now that this is my true destiny." I replied.

"You both are traitors!" I heard my father hiss. I turned to face him.

"I betray you because I now know how truly evil you are. It isn't right, what you're doing. It's high time your rein came to an abrupt end." My father stared at each other levelly for a moment, but we were cut short when I heard the blast of flames and jumped out of the way. "Katara, get out of here!" I cried. I heard her screech and when I looked she was quickly running out the door, with Sokka following fast.

"We'll take care of the guards!" he said, and I turned back to facing Azula.

"No, Zuko! You must take down the Fire Lord! You must face your destiny! I will handle Azula!" Iroh yelled, stepping between Azula and I.

"Fine by me; I've been waiting to get rid of Mr. Boring-Story since I was four!" Azula said, shooting a blast of fire at my uncle. He dodged, and shot one back. I turned my attention to my father, sweating with fear. I took a deep breath, and confidently shot out the first blow.

A/N - I really have no idea how to write a battle scene, so...no promises for the next chapter. Some helpful hints on that subject would be greatly appreciated for those who speak from experience! =P