Disclaimer: In no way do I own Avatar!!

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Chapter 18: The South Pole

"I found out where your friend, my brother, and uncle are headed," said Azula as she, Ty Lee, and Mai climbed on to Appa.

"Where?" eagerly asked Aang.

"The South Pole," replied the Fire Nation Princess.

"Wow that's so obvious," said Sokka while smacking a hand to his forehead. "I can't believe we didn't think of that."

"Ew, why did they have to go there, it's so cold," complained Mai, who was not thrilled that she would have to journey to the snow covered end of the earth.

"I'm glad we're get to go to The South Pole, I have never seen snow before!" exclaimed a chipper Ty Lee.

"Yea I'm am a little homesick," added Sokka although he was really talking to himself.

"Well I just want to find Sugar Queen, and leave," stated Toph. Turning to Sokka she said in a whisper, "without Lightening Monster, Pinky, and Gloominess over here." Azula and company did not hear Toph, but Aang did and shot her a glare.

"Well then we're off to The South Pole," shouted Aang in a cheerful voice. "Appa Yip Yip!" Appa rose into the clear blue sky and headed for the frosty south.

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Zuko was in his room on the ship meditating in front of the few candles that he had managed to "liberate," when his Uncle entered.

"Nephew is something wrong, you have been in here almost all day?" asked Iroh.

"Uncle just leave me alone," growled Zuko without opening his eyes.

"It's about Katara isn't?" Zuko sometimes hated how his Uncle was always right.

"I'm just worried that she still has feelings for the Avatar," sighed Zuko.

"I don't think she has the same feelings for him as she does you, but what makes you think that?" asked an intrigued Iroh.

"Because she keeps talking about him and how she hopes he and her friends are at The South Pole when we arrive," explained the younger Firebender. Iroh took a breath, about to speak but Zuko beat him to it.

"Uncle, don't you dare give me a proverb!"

"Very well Prince Zuko, I merely think that she is just a little homesick and misses her friends, you should not feel threatened," said the retired general.

"Thanks Uncle I think you're right, but I still hope the Avatar isn't going to be there," answered Zuko.

"Now, now; we're going to arrive soon, Katara's out on the deck if you want to join her," suggested Iroh with a wink. Zuko nodded as he stood up, grabbed his deep red coat, and left for the boat deck.

As Zuko stepped out into the freezing air of the far south he found Katara standing at the bow of the fire navy ship. She was gazing at the small white village in the distance. Zuko smiled and walked up behind her lacing one arm around her waist.

"Oh!" Katara jumped. "Zuko you startled me I didn't know you were there," laughed Katara, Zuko smiled at her.

"So we're almost there," said the Firebender.

"Yea, I'm so excited to see Gran-Gran," sighed Katara. "Oh don't worry if you just apoloigize for what happened last time I don't think she be mad," she reassured Zuko.

"I hope so," replied Zuko as his eyes wandered to the multiple glaciers the ship was passing.

"It'll be fine," Katara said, then she turned Zuko's head toward her and gave him a kiss on the lips. When they broke apart Zuko spoke,

"Come on lets go down to the docking area below deck." The Waterbender nodded and followed her boyfriend into the depths of the iron ship.

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Once the fire navy ship was spotted heading straight for the village, Pakku assembled in a fighting position along with his fellow Waterbenders at the snow covered mouth of the village. Every single one of them was ready to fight whoever resided in the iron demon that was coming their way. That's why all of the ready benders were surprised when Katara a Master Waterbender, came running out of the docked ship. The girl clad in a red coat ran up to Pakku and gave him a bear hug.

"Pakku I'm so glad to see you! Oh wow you really fixed this place up!" Katara exclaimed as she noticed tall buildings made out of snow mixed in among the huts and tents.

"Uh…very nice to see you to but why…" asked a confused Pakku.

"Gran-Gran!" Katara interrupted Pakku, when she spotted her grandmother coming up behind him. Running toward her she caught her in a hug.

"Oh Katara I have missed you so, but why aren't you with Sokka and Aang and why are you traveling on a Fire Nation ship?" questioned the elderly woman.

"Well it's a very long story and I will tell you, but first I would like you to meet my boyfriend, Zuko and his uncle, Iroh," answered Katara. Zuko and Iroh both walked down the gang plank toward where Katara and the confused villagers stood. Zuko held his head low he knew these people weren't going to accept him, despite what Katara had said. He stopped in front of Katara and Kana who was astonished that her little waterbender was associating with Firebenders.

"Huh," Kana gasped as she recognized Zuko as the angry young Firebender that had attacked the village many months ago, looking for the Avatar. "You're the young man that…"

"Yes I know and I apologize for all of the problems may have caused you and your tribe, but I assure you that I'm now on you're side and would do nothing to harm you or your beautiful granddaughter," apologized Zuko as he knelt down in front of Kana, showing her his respect. The old women thought for moment. She could not believe her daughter was "with" this boy and she could not believe that the former Prince of the Fire Nation was apologizing to her. She looked back at his face; it looked different than when she had first encountered him. His face wasn't as fierce; it was softer as if he had changed somehow. The wise old lady could tell he was being sincere and truthful.

"I accept your apology," replied Gran-Gran. "Now let's get everyone inside and get everything cleared up." Zuko smiled he couldn't believe that she had forgave him. Katara took his hand and followed her grandmother. Zuko glanced back to see his uncle following behind them. Iroh gave him an, "I-knew-you-could-do-it" smile.

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After Zuko and Katara had explained the entire story to Gran-Gran and the other leaders of the village, everyone headed outside to prepare a meal for the approaching evening. Zuko and Iroh had helped with the fire, which made the villagers trust them a little more. At dinner Zuko sat and listened to Katara's tales of her childhood as he tried to stomach the stewed blubber. Zuko didn't mind the disgusting food too much, because he was here with his uncle and Katara, and the Avatar was nowhere to be found. At least that's what the unsuspecting teen thought.

Katara, Zuko, and Iroh were helping clean up dinner when Katara spotted something flying in sunset streaked sky. She dropped everything and ran for the mouth of the village, Zuko and his uncle followed suit.

"It's Appa!" she cried as the young Waterbender ran flailing her arms about. Sure enough the fluffy beast landed, but instead of Aang jumping down to greet her, Azula sprang down out of the saddle, shooting a small wave of blue flames in front of her. Katara just stood there in shock as she saw Aang get off and stand beside the Fire Nation Princess.

"Azula," growled Zuko as he gritted his teeth and took a fighting stance.

"Yes, Zuzu it is I, and I plan to eliminate you here and now, or should I say we." She motioned to Aang standing next to her. Aang shot Zuko an angry look, which Zuko promptly returned.

"Aang why?" asked Katara softly.

"I'm sorry Katara but it was the only way to find you and make sure Zuko won't bother us anymore.

"But he's not bothering us anymore he's changed!" she cried.

"Please!" laughed Azula.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe that and I won't let him be with you and hurt you Katara,'' Aang explained.

"All right enough," shouted Azula, "everybody you know the plan!" Aang concentrated on the icy ground as a sullen Sokka and shoe wearing Toph made their way to Katara. The ground began to shake and split causing Zuko and Iroh to step forward toward Aang, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee; and Katara to step back with Sokka and Toph, who had reluctantly grabbed both of her arms restricting her from fighting. Meanwhile Kana and Pakku had gotten all of the villagers inside to safety.

Aang had finished separating the ice and took a fighting stance next to Azula. Then suddenly Ty Lee and Mai had attacked Iroh sending him sliding across the ice far away from his nephew. The two girls followed Iroh, leaving the seventeen year-old alone to fight Azula and Aang. He was isolated. Azula smirked at Zuko, he knew this was her plan it was so strategic and sneaky. Zuko looked to the right to see Iroh ready to face Mai and Ty Lee; Zuko looked behind him and across the way on the other chunk of ice at a struggling Katara who was being held and unable to fight; Zuko looked in front of him to see his bitch of a sister and an angry Avatar ready to kill him.

Zuko took a fighting stance; he knew that this was it, but hell, he was not going to go down without a fight.

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Hello Readers & Reviewers!

Wow it's been awhile hasn't it? I'm sorry I've been busy getting ready for college and I've been somewhat lazy when it came to this story. But anyway what'd you think? In the next chapter there's going to be a whole lot of fighting, so it should be exciting. I know I've left you all at a cliffie, but never fear because I'm going to update a lot faster next time. Tomorrow at the earliest and Monday at the latest!!! Well thank you all for the lovely reviews!!!!!!!

Beauty