Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.

Rewrite of "The Crossroads of Destiny;" originally written by Aaron Ehasz.

Some excerpts from "The Storm" also written by Aaron Ehasz.

Toph placed her hand on the ground and felt the ancient underground city.

"Well, what do ya know. There is an ancient city down there, but it's deep," said Toph.

"We should split up Aang, you go with Iroh to look for Katara and the angry jerk...no offense," said Sokka.

"None taken," Iroh replied.

"I'll go with Toph to warn the Earth King," said Sokka.

After they split up, Aang started creating a tunnel, while Iroh lit a path.

"So Toph thinks you give pretty good advice, and great tea," said Aang.

"The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?"

Aang paused to continue creating the tunnel.

"Well, I met with this Guru and mastered the Avatar State, but I had to let go of someone I love. I keep asking myself if I did the right thing. It's a great power, but it's also when I'm at my weakest. I know I'll need it when we meet Azula. I'm sure she won't hold back, but I've never had to end someone's life before. The monks always taught me that all life is sacred, so how can I end someone's life?"

Aang continued earthbending the tunnel.

"I don't know the answer. Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end, but if you just keep moving," Aang earthbent once more and revealed green light reflected from the crystals. Iroh smiled and extinguished his flame, as he and Aang entered the crystal catacombs. Iroh said, "You will come to a better place."

The catacombs were full of crystals, stalagmites and stalactites. There was even a waterfall that poure water into a channel and formed two rectangles around several thick jagged columns.

Sokka and Toph headed to the palace. Sokka spotted General How and the Dai Li. He grabbed Toph and hid behind a column.

"Sokka we need to free General How. Then meet with the Earth King," said Toph.

Toph attempted to earthbend the Dai Li agents before they arrested General How, but other Dai Li agents appeared, and the three of them fought against the Dai Li.

"Sokka, go warn the Earth King," said General How.

Sokka left Toph and General How to fight the Dai Li agents that were left fighting.

Sokka arrived at the palace.

"Thank goodness I'm in time!" Sokka exclaimed.

"In time for what?" The Earth King asked.

"Yeah, what are you in time for," Ty Lee somersaulted forward and landed in front of Sokka and put her face right in front of his, "cutie?"

"I'm kinda involved with Suki," said Sokka while he sweat.

"Who?" Ty Lee asked.

Toph entered and earthbent a rock under Ty Lee. Ty Lee gave a small shout as hurled through the air and did a flip and landed on a badgermole statue at the other side of the room.

"They're not the real Kyoshi warrior!" Toph announced.

The Earth King gasped in shock and horror.

"Sorry to disappoint you," said Mai without remorse.

Mai threw three stilletoes at Toph, who earthbent a wall and blocked them. Toph kicked the wall to Mai, who jumped over it. Meanwhile, Ty Lee tried to hit Sokka's pressure points, but he moved out of the way.

"Ooho, it's like we're dancing together," said Ty Lee.

Azula got behind the Earth King and held his shoulder and pointed flames against his neck.

"This fight is over," Azula announced.

Sokka and Toph raised their hands and surrendered. Ty Lee jumped between them and blocked their chi. A Dai Li agent grabbed Momo with a rock glove to keep him from escaping. Azula shoved the Earth King away.

"Get them all out of my sight," said Azula.

Mai and Ty Lee drug Toph, while a Dai Li agent drug Sokka and another agent lead the Earth King along with Bosco. Azula smiled evilly before focusing in on Long Feng who was followed by a troop of Dai Li. They stood before her.

"Now comes the part where I double cross you. Dai Li, arrest the Fire Nation Princess," said Long Feng. The Dai Li didn't do anything. Long Feng turned toward them and pointed at Azula and frowned, "I said arrest her. What is wrong with all of you?!"

"It's because they haven't made up their minds yet. They're waiting to see how this is going to end," Azula explained.

"What are you talking about?"

"I can see your whole life in your eyes. You were born with nothing. So you had to struggle and connive and claw your way to power. But true power...the divine right to rule is something your born with. The fact is they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on the throne and which one is going to be bowing down," said Azula.

Long Feng was frightened and about to give up, when General How entered with the Terra Team. The Terra Team fought the Dai Li, while General How fought Azula and Long Feng.

Katara and Zuko were still trapped. Katara brought her feet together and looked down shameful.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you before," said Katara.

"It doesn't matter," Zuko replied.

"It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face," said Katara.

"My face, I see," said Zuko as he turned away and felt his scar.

"No, no, that's not what I meant," Katara said regretfully.

"It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark," Zuko replied.

"Maybe you could be free of it," said Katara.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zuko's eyes as he turned to Katara.

"What?"

"I have healing abilities," said Katara.

"It's a scar. It can't be healed," Zuko replied.

Katara pulled out the pendant she wore that contained the water from the Spirit Oasis from under her shirt.

"This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important," she said as she walked over to Zuko and faced him. "I don't know if it would work, but..."

Zuko stared at her a moment before he closed his eyes and silently accepted her offer. Katara placed her hand on Zuko's scar and examined it. Katara took half of the water from the vial and caused it to glow as she put it over her hand and touched Zuko's scar.

Flashback

"Prince Zuko, your challenge of General Bujing's plan was an act of complete disrespect. You must fight an Agni Kai at sunset," Fire Lord Ozai announced.

Thirteen year old Zuko looked at the old general and declared, "I am not afraid."

At sunset, in the Agni Kai arena, Zuko turned to face his opponent only to discover it was his father, and he was horrified.

"Please Father, I only had the Nation's best interest at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!"

"You will fight for your honor."

"I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son," said young Zuko stricken as he abased himself on the floor.

"Rise and fight Prince Zuko!"

"I won't fight you."

"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher."

The Fire Lord stood a few feet away from young Zuko, as the young prince raised his head with tearful eyes to face his father. Fire Lord Ozai took his right hand and formed a fire fist to young Zuko's left eye and burned it.

"You are banished until you have captured the Avatar," said Fire Lord Ozai.

Katara finished healing Zuko's scar.* He opened his eyes and touched where the scar had been.

"It's gone," they said at the same time.

Zuko hugged Katara very briefly and said, "Thank you! How can I ever repay you?"

Katara thought for a moment, "You could join us."

Before Zuko could reply, Aang and Iroh arrived through the tunnel.

"Aang!" Katara exclaimed.

Aang stared at Zuko and noticed the scar was gone. He was confused, but Katara ran to him and gave him a hug. Aang glared at Zuko while he and Katara hugged. Iroh hugged Zuko, while Zuko glared back at Aang.

"Aang, I knew you'd come," said Katara.

"Azula knew too," said Zuko. Then he was upset and asked, "What are you doing with the Avatar?"

"Saving you that's what," Aang replied irritated.

"If Azula knows, we need to find Sokka and Toph and get out of here," said Katara.

Aang clasped his hands and bowed to Iroh then turned and ran through the opening he created. Katara slowly followed him.

She looked back and said, "You could still join us."

"Come on Katara!" Aang said in the distance.

"We'll catch up with you," said Iroh.

"Why Uncle?" Zuko asked hurt.

"You are not the man you used to be Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you ever have been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good!"

Zuko shut his eyes to think about what his uncle said, but Azula appeared with two Dai Li agents. The agents trapped Iroh in crystals, while Zuko prepared for an attack.

Azula's eyes widened then narrowed at her brother's face. Then she said, "I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but Zuko, Prince Zuko...you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor are you?"

"Release him immediately!" Zuko demanded.

"It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself," said Azula.

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you," said Iroh.

"Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want," said Azula.

"Zuko, I'm begging you, look into your heart and see what it is you truly want," said Iroh.

Zuko looked at Azula then Iroh, then put his head down in his hands as he tried to come to a decision. He felt like he was dreaming about the red and blue dragons. He also remembered Azula always lies, and what Katara had done for him.

"You are free to choose," said Azula as she signaled the Dai Li to leave. Then she went through the tunnel Aang and Katara went through earlier.

Zuko realized that as much as he hated to admit it, Zhou was probably right that if his father loved him he would have had him come home even without the Avatar.

To Be Continued...

AN: Most of this is based on the transcript.

Also, much of this episode and it's rewrite is the basis for this story.