Sorry for the delay! I suppose I should have corrected the last chapter's message. Happy new Decade! One more chapter after this!

"Calm down Katara. It's going to be ok."

"Ok? They have my brother Jet! My brother! I can't just let that go!"

"And you won't. We won't! We're going to get him back!"

"How? I'm all ears!"

"We were about to flood a nearby base of theirs. If we do that, we can draw them out, capture one or two of them and make them spill the beans. Trust me. I'm good at that. I've done it before."

"Wait, you mean kill them? I… No. I'm not willing to go that far. I'm no assassin."

Jet had learned not to push too hard after dealing with her brother. I time she could get her to see reason. But it would take time.

"All right. I think I could ensure they don't die. Only the base. But we need something big like this to draw them out. It's the only way to find Sokka."

"I… All right. For my family. Whatever it takes."

Jet smiled.

"That's the spirit. I knew I saw something in you."

….

"Let us go wuss. Why don't you fight me like a real man?"

"Somehow, I don't think it would be any different than last time."

"Oh please. You got lucky! Took me by surprise!"

"Really? I could have sworn I walked up to you. Didn't try to sneak."

"Funny, because that's not how I remember it! Let's try again! Right here right now!"

"Fine. Whatever teaches you peasants a lesson." Zuko reached down to untie the noisy punk and beat him senseless.

"Zuko! Please don't let the boy get to you so easily!"

"This does not concern you uncle! I'm teaching him some manners!"

"Or giving him a chance to escape. Please, nephew. Get yourself some tea. I will keep an eye on our guest."

"He's not a guest! And I don't need any calming tea!" He snorted literal steam through his nostrils as he stormed off.

"Pretty sure he does. So, what is this about old man? Good cop? Bad Cop?"

"Nonsense. I don't torture children. But if you don't give us something we can use; admiral Zhao might be tempted to use harsher methods."

"Let him do his worst. At least you'll be showing your true colors!"

The old man sighed and stroked his hair. He seemed unsure how to proceed.

"I know you have reason to distrust us. Our nation has not always considered the plight of others."

"You think?"

"But you must know not all of us are like that. Why else would you defend that village?"

"What are you talking about?"

"We could hear your argument with those boys from the trees. You were all yelling so loud! You defended innocent people when you had no reason to do so. Why?"

Sokka didn't answer. They both knew the answer. No reason to say it out loud.

"I appreciate it all the same. Let me out it this way. Since you did us a favor, I can do you a favor. Tell us where those boys are hiding and I can assure at the very least that you, your sister, and those girls you travel with will not be harmed."

"Sounds to me like Admiral sideburns is calling the shots. Not you. So, forgive me if I don't buy that."

Iroh nodded sadly.

"Fair enough. But I really am the only chance you have to get through this without harm. Please think on that."

He got up to leave, while Sokka stood there against the wall.

"Could you at least leave some food? I'm hungry!"

….

"Miss Suki? May I have a word?"

"I told you hun, you don't need to call me miss. We're sisters! Daughters of Kyoshi! Now what's up?"

"Can we talk in private?"

"Huh. Ok. Sorry Smellerbee. I need to chat with my girl here a second."

"Ok, but don't take too long. We need to these soldiers before they wake up."

"Sure thing. Let's just move over here sister."

"I still can't believe she's a girl."

"I admit I find it hard to believe myself. But don't let her hear that sis. She's sensitive about it. Now what's going on?"

"You know that village Jet plans to flood? To draw the Firebenders out?"

"Yes. Hence why we needed to knock out these lookouts. What about it?"

"Well, I did as you asked and scouted it out. And I think Jet lied to us. I don't think it's a military installation at all!"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw civilians there! Civilians, just minding their business! Going about shopping! Talking1 Caring for children! And no sign of distress on any of their faces! I don't think Jet intends to scare them out at all! I think he plans to flood the town with them!"

Suki's face went pale. Her mind wandered, until she realized a likely truth.

"Sokka… He must have found out. Jet, that bastard! He let them take him!"

"Life sucks hon. Sometimes you gotta do bad stuff to survive."

Before either of them could turn to Smellerbee something heavy hit them in the head and knocked them out.

Sokka, I'm so sorry, she thought.

….

"You got the water all ready?"

"Yes sir! All set up behind the dam and ready to go!"

"Please, Katara. Don't call me sir. You don't have to call anyone that. Not you."

"I know. But I feel like I should."

"I appreciate it. Now we just have to wait for the explosions."

"Wait. What about the soldiers? Are they gone?"

"Yep. All evacuated. No one dies today."

"Thank god. No matter how horrible they've been, no one deserves to die. Not like this."

Jet bit his lip. He'd have to work on that. Get her to see the other side.

"I appreciate your help. Your family would be proud."

Katara couldn't help her grin.

"Yours would too. You're doing good work."

"Is he?"

The bratty prince's nephew emerged from the trees. His face bore disappointment.

"You! You took Sokka! Where is he?"

"He's fine. For now. I've convinced them not to harm him. He's a good boy who doesn't deserve pain. You on the other hand may, young man."

"Oh, and what for? Clearing your filth out of our valley?"

"Our filth? I can understand taking your anger out on some soldiers. But innocent civilians living their lives? That suggests you need serious help young man. Kind of like my nephew I suppose."

"Wait, innocent civilians? There's only soldiers down there!"

"I believe if you take a closer look my dear, you'll find nothing more than a fire nation settlement. They harm no one. They merely wish to live their lives in peace."

"He's lying! He's Fire Nation scum! Don't trust him!"

"Your brother was taken trying to stop them from blowing up the dam."

Katara stared at Jet with pleading eyes. Begging him to prove him wrong.

"I can get your brother back and let you both go. But this boy is a dangerous terrorist. He cannot be allowed to remain in this valley."

"Nor can you apparently, general!"

From the trees emerged more soldiers flagged by Admiral Zhao.

"Planning treason behind my back? Your brother was clearly right about you! Arrest them all!"

….

"So, where's your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend! Oh, Sokka I'm so sorry! I should have listened to you."

"Yeah, something I wish I could have heard years ago."

"Hey, I'm trying to be nice here! And for the record I could have said the same thing about you!"

"Heh. Yeah, I guess so. Guess we should save this chatter for later and focus on getting out of here, huh?"

"No. What you should do is prepare for prison life."

"Oh, Zuko. Such a pleasure. Tell me. Does prison life mean I don't have to see you anymore?"

"Shut up peasant! You got my uncle into trouble. That's going to cost you dearly."

"Your uncle had the decency to risk his life for others! Something I doubt you're capable of!"

"Oh please. I've risked my life before. I've tried to save others. And I even have the scar to prove it!"

"Your face? How did you get that exactly?"

"Nothing you need to know. What about those girls in green? Where are they?"

"No idea. And I wouldn't tell you if we knew. So how about telling us something we want to know?"

"Something you want to know?" The prince laughed. "That's not how this works girl."

"Well, I'll try anyway. Why do you keep following us? We've done nothing to you! We mean you no harm! No harm to anyone!"

"Really? Sure, seemed like you did with that dam and those wild boys."

"We didn't know that!"

"I did."

"Shut up Sokka! That's why your uncle came out! To tell us the truth!"

"He was foolish. He should have taken you in. Not tried to reason with you."

"He's better than you'll ever be. That's for sure! He showed kindness to us while prisoners! He probably told you to leave us be. And you didn't listen, did you?"

"It's my duty as the heir to the throne to capture threats! You are a waterbender! Therefore, a threat!"

"But isn't that the duty of some lesser soldier? What, can't daddy find some competent help to run this ship? Or is that why you're now taking orders from admiral sideburns?"

Zuko bit his lip. His face flushed red.

"What do you hope to get from our capture? Because whatever you expect, I don't think you're going to get it. You're wasting your time."

The prince didn't respond to that. He just stormed out of the room, where they could then hear great amounts of cursing.

"Will we ever be rid of him?"

"Probably not. The world is rarely so kind and merciful."

….

"So, you're the nuisance the Fire Lord sent me up here to investigate?"

"I'll show you a nuisance you old geezer! Let me loose and I'll show you a nuisance you'll never forget!"

"I've already got one of those my boy. Have you met the prince? Compared to him, you're nothing special."

"Trust me. I'm worst. You've got no idea what you're up against."

"Don't I? Why don't you tell me what I'm up against?"

"A spirit of vengeance. One who will wipe the world clean of your filth! You will burn! You will all burn! I will ensure genocide against your kind! I will wipe the slate clean!"

Zhao remained silent for a time before laughing out loud.

"You've got fire kid! I like that! You'd made a fine soldier! Of course, you're too far gone."

"I'm not joking you old bastard! You're going to pay for all you've done!"

"All I've done? I've done a lot for sure. But everyone I've killed or tried to was a combatant of some sort. Can you say the same?"

"I do what I have to for the good of the world. To keep it safe from you."

Zhao continued to smirk.

"I like your spunk boy. Too bad I won't have long to get to know you better."

Though he couldn't know it at the time, that would prove to be a highly ironic statement.

….

"How could you uncle? How could you betray our nation?"

"I have never betrayed my nation, nephew. I simply have a different idea of what is good for our nation."

"And how is aiding criminals good for our nation?"

"Let me answer that with a question. Zuko, what are your goals in life right now?"

"My goals? My goals are to reclaim my honor and go home!"

"With the Avatar, yes. But we haven't been searching for him for some time, have we? We've been pursuing those water tribe siblings."

"They are enemies of the nation! They must be apprehended!"

"2 Children? You think they pose a threat? And even if they did, their capture won't bring you home. Only the Avatar's will!"

"But we can't find him! No one can! Better them than nothing!"

"So, this whole chase has been to bring back anything to please your father? Anything?"

"It's not about my father! It's about my honor! Only when I regain that can I go home!"

"Zuko, enough. If your father wanted you to come home, he would have allowed you to long ago. This Avatar search is a wild goose chase. You know it. I know it. We all know it."

"How dare you! You don't know anything about it!"

"You think I don't know my own brother?"

"You don't know anything! About life! About the glory of the Fire Nation! And certainly not about my destiny!"

"Zuko. Calm down, please."

"Yes. Please calm down good prince. We need your exquisite fighting skills out there to track down the rest of the thieves."

"Quit with the sarcasm, Zhao! I'm done anyway!"

He marched out leaving the two men alone. Zhao smirked at the general in chains.

"Closest thing you have left to a son. You must be so proud."

"I am proud, Zhao. Proud like you wouldn't believe."

….

"Awaken child of Kyoshi."

"What? Where am I?"

"A safe haven. I do not often show myself to outsiders. But you appear to be an exception. You found yourself in danger, so I assisted. Tell me who you are and why you are here, please."

"Suki. My name is Suki. What's your name?"

"That is not something you need to know yet, child. Not until I determine your intentions."

Suki rolled over onto her side to view the deep-voiced man. Her eyes widened in mild shock. Bedraggled didn't do him justice.

"I apologize for my appearance. I have not had time to swim in the river like the fish may. But I am aware of the river al the same. Its properties are quite well known to me."

"Uh… Ok. Listen can you help me? There's a town of civilians nearby that's about to be flooded. The forest kids are insane with vengeance?"

"Vengeance? A curious topic. One I know much about. Is that your motivator child? Vengeance?"

"No. Justice."

"Another curious topic. What is justice to one may be seen as injustice to another and vice versa."

"That- I'm sorry but there's no time for this! Can you help me or not?"

"I cannot. My role in the dealings of the world are done. I have brought enough pain. But your life is your own. You may do as you wish."

"Guess that's my own life in a nutshell. Where are my friends?"

"Outside, minding their injuries. As are the ones who captured you."

She rose to her feet and said her thanks to the strange man. But he had already turned away and lost interest. She sighed and headed out where she found her allies interacting with further bedraggled men. Though they were all younger than the one she had just spoken to.

"Suki! Glad you're awake! Did he offer to help?"

"No. And frankly I'm not sure I want his help. He's… You know."

"Weird. Right, I hear you. What about Smellerbee and the others?"

Suki followed her friend's hand to the girl in question, and the mute archer. What was his name?

"You're not going to leave us here, are you? Not with these crazies?"

"Seems you deserve it. Trying to kill innocents like that."

"They're not innocents! They came onto our land! Took it for themselves! They deserve this!"

"There's a big distinction between them and the Fire Lord. That's something we learned long ago. But you never did."

"What difference does it make who we spare? They're still supporting the Fire Lord! They're still on his team!"

"We have to hold ourselves to better standards. That's what makes us the side of good."

"Oh, listen to you! So high and mighty! Believe that, and you'll never amount to anything!"

"I see this conversation is pointless. Goodbye Smellerbee. Maybe some time with this rabble will help you see things more clearly."

"Bogus! You can't save them from Zhao! Not on your own! You need us!"

"Zhao? Who?"

"The admiral you idiot! He's got your friends and our leader! We need to work together to get them back!"

"I can't work with someone I can't trust."

"What is this? You mentioned Zhao?"

They turned to see the old man walking up to them. His attentiveness was much higher now.

"Yeah, Zhao. Apparently, he's here in the valley and he's got our friends."

"And ours too! Let us out so we can get them back!"

"And give you a chance to flood the land again? Get real!"

"I will help."

Suki turned confused to the old man.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"If Zhao is involved, I will do what I can to help. My powers are yours. I only pray it will not harm you as well as Zhao."

The Kyoshi warriors looked at each other with concern.

Why were they getting all the crazies today?

….

"Momma? Will you turn down the juice squeezer? I can't sleep."

"Sokka! Sokka, wake up!"

"Not now. Just another few days. I'm get me some sweet cactus juice… Ow! Why'd you slap me?"

"Because of the sounds, sleepy head! Don't you hear that?"

"Huh? Yeah, there's a lot of shouting from up top. They having a party? Why wasn't I invited?"

The door chose at that moment to burst open.

"Oh, you're invited. Your invitation is just a little late."

"Suki! Give me a kiss, you brilliant girl!"

Both girls stared at him until he apologized.

"I got some help. Hope you've enjoyed your stay because it's time to depart."

"About time! Let's show these fire punks the wrath of the water tribe!"

….

"I suggest you find somewhere to hide Zuko. It sounds bad out there and I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Of course, you'd say that! Anything to get me to stop watching your back!"

"I mean it nephew. With Lu Ten gone, you're the closest thing I have left to a son."

Zuko paused. He sighed.

"I know uncle. That's why I don't understand this betrayal!"

"And I don't understand how you could find it betrayal to defend innocent children of Agni."

"The betrayal was giving the terrorists a way out!"

"If it persuaded them to stop, was it not worth it?"

"You should have stopped them then and there! Put them down!"

"Put down children? As in, kill them? Zuko, I am disappointed. You have much to learn."

"Indeed. Wisely spoken general Iroh."

An old man emerged from the shadows and knocked Zuko against the wall, sending him into unconsciousness.

"Zuko! That seemed a little unnecessary, don't you think Mr.…?"

"Perhaps I spoke too soon about your wisdom, general. Did you think there was any other way to handle this assailant? You cannot tame a dog, young or old. When the sickness hits, it is irreversible."

"Irreversible? Some would have said that about me at one point. I thought my mind was made up, until I saw the light."

"You were strong enough to recognize the truth. As was I. Most are not us."

"And who are you? Forgive me but you sound

Wait. You? I thought you were dead."

The old man smiled softly.

"As far as our homeland is concerned, we are both dead, brother. Let us prove them wrong."

….

"Damn Suki! Where'd you find all these old geezers?"

"They found me actually. And just my luck too. I wouldn't have gotten away without their help."

"You aren't getting away, anyway!"

"Well well. Mr. Sideburns! I've got a score to settle!"

"That's admiral Zhao, you brat! And I simply did a service, defending those innocents from you! You intended to flood them all! Drown them!"

"That was Jet's plan! Not ours! I tried to stop him. AKA, I did your job for you dumbass!"

"I am admiral! I don't need any brats doing my job for me!" And with that, Zhao launched fire at their feet, sending them over the side.

Unfortunately for them, they were high up in the fortress and a fall form this height meant death.

"I can't summon water in time!"

"Katara! I just wanna say…"

"No. No choice! Hang on!"

Suki held her arms out below her and a gust of wind stopped their fall just before they hit the earth.

Both water siblings stared at her with shocked eyes.

"Sorry." Was all she could say.

Looking down from on high, Zhao could say a lot more.

"Airbending? Is she…? No way. That's impossible! The Fire Lord said the Avatar was a boy. And he was still in the Fire Nation!"

"The Avatar?"

He sucked in breath and turned to the childish prince, now nursing a black eye to compliment his scar.

"Prince Zuko, you look injured. Perhaps you should lie down."

"The Avatar is back? You knew. You knew and you didn't tell me?"

"Prince Zuko, we don't have time for this. There's a battle raging right now. We can talk later."

"No! We'll talk now! You kept me in the dark about the Avatar!? You dragged me out here to make sure I didn't know, didn't you!? You tried to deny me my destiny!"

Zhao considered trying to talk him down but then realized he didn't have to. Why waste time on this entitled brat? His opinion didn't matter. His name didn't matter. Hell, the Fire Lord might thank him personally for this!

"You're right. I did keep you in the dark. Under direct orders from your father."

"Liar! Don't you dare lie!"

"It's true chap! He thinks nothing of you! He knew you'd mess up the hunt and he wanted you removed from the picture! Your father doesn't want you back! He wants you gone, where you can never embarrass him again!"

Zuko couldn't handle it. All his emotions had been building up over time. And now the dam finally burst. He rushed at Zhao and sent both of them over the edge.

"Uh oh! Better move ladies! 2 flaming turds coming down!"

Suki stared at Zuko and Zhao falling towards them. She raised her hands and stopped them with a gust of wind. They fell to the ground in a tumble.

"Avatar! Your time has come!"

"I'm not the Avatar! You heard him! The Avatar is a boy!"

"There's only one airbender left! That's you! Now my purpose is fulfilled! I can finally go home!"

"Not like this. Not like this. Zuko. Please."

"Stand aside water girl! You're nothing now! You can leave if you want. Just give me the airbender!"

"Not a chance. I always you knew were a weak excuse of a man. But attacking girls? You're pathetic."

"I don't have time for this! I need to go home! I can't take it anymore!"

Before he could fire upon them, Jet leaped on his back and knocked him to the ground.

"Death to Fire Nation Scum! Death to your LOVE bullshit! Death to you all!"

Before he could deliver the final blow, Suki blew him off and sent him against the wall.

"I think that's enough out of you Jet. You're no better than any of them!"

"Oh, for god's sake. Katara, can you help me with these jokers! We have a job to do!"

Katara's response was to conjure up a sheet of ice and freeze him to the wall.

"We're done Jet. Don't ever talk to me again. You're sick and we're through."

While all this was happening, Zhao had slowly risen back to his feet and was about to fire upon them. But before he could, a hand hit him in the back of the head and knocked him out.

"A sorry excuse for an admiral. And a student."

"I don't blame you general. Now if you'll excuse me, I must collect my nephew."

"He is beyond help, I'm telling you. But if this is the path you've chosen…"

"He will be a force for good. A force for change in the Fire Nation. We must trust him."

"This is either the best idea you have ever had or the worst. I can only pray I live long enough to find out which."

Thank you general." Iroh turned to the children then with his nephew over his shoulder.

"I am sorry for all we have put you through. I pray I can make up for it someday."

"Someday maybe. But not today."

Iroh nodded and departed. The remaining old man then turned to the children.

"You are indeed strange children. I would offer my aid. But I presume you have your own path set out before you."

"We do indeed. But thank you all the same for your aid."

"I sense much hardship ahead for you. All I can tell you is to maintain your determination. It is the most important thing in the world."

"We've got plenty of that! Let's go ladies!"

And with that, the three turned and walked off.

"Hey guys! You can't leave me here! I need you! The world needs me!"

"Perhaps it does. Your inner fire is strong."

"I have nothing to say to you Firebender! Your evil has no hold over me!"

"My evil? Or the evil of my nation? You are not wrong about them you know. But your means of stopping them is wrong."

"Oh really? And how exactly is the right way of stopping them?"

"You go after the heart of the problem. The core of the corruption that infects the war. You must take the war to the Fire Nation themselves!"

"You mean…"

"Yes. If a river is polluted, you must go to the source. The Fire royal family and the corruption they have brought upon the world! That is the source! You can do no good here! You must take this fight to the Fire Lord!"

"But how…"

"I have received a… letter. A letter from those in the Fire Nation like me. They have gained the spark. The call to war. They have called me home to help free them from their entrapment. If you truly wish to save the world, this is how you do it."

"Oh really? You want me on board? How do you know I won't knife you in the back? You're still a Firebender!"

"Because then you achieve nothing. And your life means nothing. You become a fish in that same river. You only follow where it flows. But you never learn anything. Never grow. Never succeed."

Jet stared at the strange Firebender. For the first time in his life, he found himself dumbfounded.

"Who are you? A Firebender who wants to take down the Fire Lord? I've never heard of such a thing."

"He's a traitor. The first to rebel."

The old man turned to Zhao who had awaken. He lay upon the ground and stared at him with shock in his eyes.

"The first to awaken you mean. The first to see what you could not my pupil."

"You're a savage master Jeong Jeong. A boogeyman to frighten the people. Nothing more."

"More than you Zhao. I made a pledge to save the Fire Nation from themselves." He leaned down in front of his pupil.

"Justice demands you die for your crimes. But I have another use for you." He stood up again and gestured to both his former pupil and the boy frozen in ice.

"Both of you have committed terrible acts. Both of you have wasted your lives. You will atone for your crimes. But not with your life."

Zhao shook his head.

"This is crazy. Insane."

He and Jet both stared at each other.

Jet never thought he would agree with a Firebender.

….

"Katara! You ok? Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine Haru. I see you had to fight a little."

"Anything to get you out! You helped save my father! It's only fair I return the favor! Guess It was pointless though. You got out yourself."

"Well not entirely. Suki helped."

"Well, I hope you've had your fill of this valley. I think it's tie to be getting back to the tribes."

"You're right. I've had enough too."

"Listen Katara, about Jet…"

"Don't. I was naïve. I shouldn't have trusted him. It's done now. I know where I belong."

"For what it's worth, I think the fact you trust so easily is part of your appeal. I'm sure glad I met you."

Katara smiled and grasped her mother's necklace.

"And I you."

Meanwhile Sokka was wondering how to approach Suki about her secret.

"So, to clarify. You're not the avatar."

"No. Air's my only element. No one on Kyoshi Island knew except my family. Only me and my sister could do it."

"Wow. I'm sure that made it hard hiding it. But still… At least you're special too."

"Special? What do you mean?"

"Well, you know up until now I kind of thought we had something in common. You know being nonbenders and all?"

"Oh Sokka…"

"I mean I know you're awesome all the same. I just thought you know that maybe there was someone else who was that alone. You know like she only got there because she worked really hard. Not that you didn't! Spirits know, you did! But like they were… you know? Ordinary."

"Sokka…"

"It's just hard you know? To be surrounded by so many special people. And to wish you could be special yourself only to find well… you're not."

Suki shut him up with a kiss. A brief one but it shut him up all the same.

"I think you're pretty damn special. Does that prove it?"

Sokka smacked his lips and thought for a moment.

"As you say miss Avatar."

"I'm not the Avatar, damn it!"

"Right. Sorry."

….

"Jet! You're alive!"

"Hey Smeller. Longshot. Pipsqueak. Duke. You all ok?"

"We're fine to see you Jet! And it's the Duke!"

"Right. Sorry. Anyway, the old geezer's agreed to free but…"

"Great! Let's get revenge on them! All of them! First the old man! Then Sokka!"

"No. Forget Sokka. Forget Katara. Forget them all."

"What? But they betrayed us!"

"They were weak all right? Forget them. Anyway, we've got another job to do. Turns out this old geezer's a deserter. A turncoat. And he's giving us a chance to hit the Fire Nation where it hurts. On their soil."

"Their soil? You mean, the Fire Nation itself?"

Jet grinned.

"Yep. Mount all your determination friends. Everything we've been through up to this point has been a test. Now our real work begins."