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

Based on "The Southern Raiders" originally by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz.

Katara approached Aang. She said, "I need to borrow Appa."

Zuko followed behind her with his bag.

Aang fed Appa hay. Then he asked jokingly, "Why? Is it your turn to take a little field trip with Zuko?"

"Yes, it is," said Katara seriously.

Aang was surprised, "Oh. What's going on?"

"We're going to find the man who took my Mother from me," Katara said in definite tone.

Sokka was surprised and put down the necklace he was working on making Suki and stood up.

"Sokka told me the story of what happened. I know who did it. And I know how to find him," said Zuko.

"Umm... and what exactly do you think this would accomplish?" Aang asked cautiously and concerned.

Katara sighed and shook her head. "I knew you wouldn't understand." She started to walk away.

"Wait, stop, I do understand. You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage. How do you think I felt about the sandbenders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people?" Aang asked as he motioned with his hands.

"She needs this," said Zuko. Everyone turned their eyes toward him. "This is about getting closure and justice."

"I don't think so. I think it's about getting revenge," said Aang doubtful of Katara's motives.

"Fine! Maybe it is. Maybe that's what I need," said Katara angry and frustrated. Then she added in a cruel tone, "Maybe that's what he deserves."

"Katara, you sound like Jet," said Aang; he hoped it would cause Katara to come to her senses.

"It's not the same," Katara said defensively. "Jet attacked the innocent. This man, he's a monster."

"Katara, she was my mother too," said Sokka. He wanted to be included even if he couldn't remember what she looked like anymore. He still missed her. "But I think Aang might be right."

"Then you didn't love her the way I did," Katara said icy and her words cut through Sokka like his machete cut through the swamp.

Sokka was speechless for a moment then said, "Katara..."

"The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper. While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself," Aang tried to explain to Katara what getting revenge might do to her.

"That's cute. But this isn't Air Temple Pre-School. It's the Real World," Zuko said annoyed.

"Now that I know he's out there, now that I know we could find him, I feel like I have no choice," Katara tried to explain her feelings to Aang.

"Katara, you do have a choice. Forgiveness," Aang replied.

"That's the same as doing nothing," said Zuko.

Aang shook his head. Then he explained, "No it's not. It's easy to do nothing. But it's hard to forgive."

Katara looked on filled with hate and anger said, "It's not just hard, it's impossible."

She turned and walked away, and Zuko followed her.

"I still want to go regardless of what Aang says," said Katara.

"I'll go with you," said Zuko. "We'll have to sneak away with Appa."

Katara nodded.

That night, Katara dressed in a black over shirt over her Water Tribe outfit and tied her hair. Aang and Sokka watched her from behind a rock.

Aang and Sokka climbed over the rock. Aang called Katara out, "So you were just going to take Appa anyway?"

"Yes," said Katara.

"It's okay, because I forgive you," said Aang. He smiled hopefully, "That give you any ideas?"

Zuko wore the same black over shirt as Katara. He packed his bag.

"Don't try to stop us," said Katara.

"I wasn't planning to. This is a journey you need to take. You need to face this man," said Aang. Katara nodded and she climbed on Appa's horn to his head. "But when you do, please don't choose revenge." Zuko threw his bag into the saddle. "Let your anger out and then let it go. Forgive him."

Zuko was tired of his preaching, and replied sarcastically, "Okay, we'll be sure to do that guru-goody-goody." He climbed on Appa's saddle.

Katara looked down at Aang from Appa's head and said, "Thanks for understanding Aang. Yip yip."

Appa took off. The guys watched as bison departed.

"You know, you're pretty wise for a kid," said Sokka.

"Thanks, Sokka," said Aang.

"Usually it's annoying but right now, I'm just impressed," Sokka continued.

Aang narrowed his eyes and said, "I appreciate that."

"So... can I borrow Momo for a week?" Sokka asked.

Aang turned his head rapidly to Sokka and curiously asked, "Why do you need Momo?"

Sokka shrugged.

Meanwhile, Katara and Zuko flew on Appa.

"We need to find the Fire Navy communication tower," said Zuko as he leaned on the saddle. "All the navy's movements are coordinated by messenger hawk. And every tower has to be up to date on where everyone is deployed."

"So once we find the communication tower, we bust in and take the information we need," said Katara.

"Not exactly. We need to be stealthy and make sure no one spots us. Otherwise, they'll warn The Southern Raiders. Long before we reach them," Zuko explained further. "There's one not too far from here."

Appa flew toward a communication tower in the middle of the ocean. He flew just above the water and used his tail to airbend which displaced some water bellow. They landed on a hidden rock area that was not part of the tower, but close by. Katara and Zuko run from behind the rocks. Katara waterbent some water in an ice raft big enough for both of them. They jumped on it and Katara surfed the raft, while Zuko remained crouched down. She created a big wave to bring the raft up to the tower and they jumped off. They made their way into the tower by sneaking past two guards who were walking out.

Zuko and Katara went into the ventilation system which had grates up different rooms. They found the room with a guard who was writing at a desk. Zuko and Katara watched through the gratings. Katara moved her hand out and away and waterbent the dish of ink and spilled on the guard's hand as she held a paintbrush. The guard looked at her stained hands and left the table and room. The duo in the air duct watched as the guard left. Then they got out of the duct and went to cube bookcase and looked on the labels.

"Okay,Southern Raiders," said Zuko. He pulled out a black scroll and unrolled it on a table. The scroll was a map of mountain terrain with 3 flags placed along some points in an inverted triangle. "There," said Zuko as he pointed to the flag on the top right. "On patrol near Whale Tail Island."

Katara furrowed her brows in seriousness and replied, "Whale Tail Island, here we come."

To Be Continued...

AN: This one was challenging to rewrite. It's one of my favorite episodes. Also, there will be scenes that weren't in the episode.