Author's Note: I'm going to be away for the next two(ish) weeks so I'm going to post a few more chapters tonight. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or its characters because Bryke called dibs

"So that's it," Sokka said, peering at the group of people who'd been separated from the others. 100 exactly.

"That's it," Katara replied. She nodded at a soldier on the opposite side of the line, and he began rounding up the 100 with a few other guards, gathering them and taking them away from the city. Katara knew they'd be taken to holding cells underground to await whatever her father had planned for them. He hadn't divulged that particular detail to her, but she could imagine. Actually, it would probably be worse than whatever she might imagine.

"We'll initiate the second phase tomorrow," she said to both Sokka and the Captain. "For now, set up tents out here and start some fires. Give them some food. Unchain them. They'll need their strength for the next trial."

"But your Highness," the Captain started, stepping forward. "What if they try to escape?"

Katara eyed the man with his Navy uniform and military grade water skins. He appeared strong, but she saw the dark skin under his eyes. He was tired. So were all the guards. But the refugees were too.

"They won't survive the night even if they do." Katara turned and walked past the 150 refugees collapsed on the ground, the ones who were safe for the night. They watched her pass warily, their eyes never leaving her figure. She knew she should feel angry towards them, or disgusted, but she only felt pity. Regret. And yet, there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't help them anymore or spare them from what was to come. And that made her angrier than anything else could.

She and Sokka strolled down the main street of the capital flanked by armed guards. Citizens bowed and scraped the ground as they passed, averting their eyes. Katara kept looking forward like she had been taught. As royalty, she was not supposed to acknowledge the peasants; the workers and the fishermen, the hunters and craftsmen. Sokka was better at ignoring them than she. He kept up a constant flow of chatter as they made their way back to the palace, mostly commenting on what had just occurred, and how pathetic the refugees had been.

"Most of them couldn't even keep themselves upright," he chortled, spinning his knife in his hand.

"Most of them hadn't been fed in days," she snapped back. He glanced at her, but she kept staring forward.

"Alright, Miss Touchy, relax. I was just making an observation." They walked on in silence until they reached the staircase to the palace. "But did you see that one guy? Man, I didn't think he was gonna make it at first."

She nodded. She knew exactly who he was talking about. One boy, probably her age, hadn't started running when everyone did. Whether he hadn't heard the start command or was too cold she wasn't sure. But soon he had passed almost everyone, and then led the line on the way back from the hill. It was an incredible act of finesse, but also unusual. He should have been weak, starved, and cold like all the other refugees, and yet he managed to secure his spot for tomorrow's phase. She wondered what his story was. He was obviously Fire Nation by his dark hair and pale skin, but he had a wide burn mark covering his eye and cheek. Why would they have hurt their own citizen?

Katara was curious, but couldn't afford to dwell on it for long. They had entered the palace and their father was waiting just inside for them, an expectant look on his face.

"Well?" he asked.

Sokka piped up. "There are 150 prisoners remaining, Father. It was great! You should have seen the way they ran for their lives!" The Emperor smiled at his son's enthusiasm, then looked to Katara.

"And everything went according to plan?"

Katara nodded, unable to say much else. An annoying lump had lodged itself in her throat. Moments passed and she remained silent. The Emperor's expression gradually shifted to something akin to disappointment.

"I see." He patted Sokka on the shoulder. "Then you are both dismissed. I expect to hear a full report tomorrow," he directed to Katara, who only bowed her head. Her brother and father's passion for the day's events struck something in her, something uneasy. Why couldn't she just feel the same way as they did?

But this was how it must be. Even if it hurt, she knew she had to put on a mask to do what had to be done.