"I have a surprise for everyone!" Katara sings as she enters the dining room holding a scroll. Everybody was chowing down Ramen noodles from my bag.

"I knew it!" Toph smiles. "You did have a thing with Haru!"

We all stare at Katara, whose face turns a delicate shade of pink. "Um, no. I was looking for cooking pots in the attic, and I found this!" She unfurls the scroll to reveal a picture. "Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cute?"

We all laugh, but Zuko keeps a straight face.

"Oh, lighten up," I swat his arm. "She's just teasing."

"That's not me," he reveals. "That's my father."

We stare at the picture some more as what he said sinks in. How could this adorable little baby become the evil and cruel Fire Lord about to destroy an entire race of people?

"But he looks so sweet and innocent," Suki protests.

Zuko shrugs. "Yeah, but that sweet little kid grew up to be a monster. And the worst father in the history of fathers."

"But he's still a human being," I hear Aang call from across the room. He was sitting separately from the rest of us.

"You're going to defend him?" Zuko looks incredulous.

"No, I agree with you," Aang stands and walks over to us. "Fire Lord Ozai is a horrible person, and the world would probably be better off without him. But there's got to be another way…"

"Like what?" I ask. "It's not like you can just take his awful personality away from him."

"I don't know," Aang eyes are downcast, but he suddenly perks up. "Maybe we can make some big pots of glue, and then I could use glue bending to stick his arms and legs together so he can't bend anymore!"

I shake my head.

"Yeah, then you can show him his baby pictures and all those happy memories will make him good again," Zuko suggests.

"Do you really think that would work?" Aang asks, oblivious to the sarcasm in Zuko's voice.

"No!"

Aang sighs and begins pacing the length of the room. "This goes against everything I learned from the monks. I can't just go around wiping out people I don't like."

"Sure you can, you're the Avatar!" Sokka puts down his Ramen. "If it's in the name of keeping balance, I'm pretty sure the universe will forgive you."

Aang shakes with rage. "This isn't a joke, Sokka! None of you understands the position I'm in!"

I try to comfort my friend. "Aang, we do understand. It's just—"

"Just what, Starr? What?!"

"We're trying to help!"

"Then when you figure out a way for me to beat the Fire Lord without taking his life, I'd love to hear it!"

"Aang, don't walk away from this!" I yell at his retreating back. Just as I get up to follow him, I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Let him go," Zuko says quietly. "He needs time to sort it out by himself."