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ABCLAF Logo This Kataang one-shot takes place in The Southern Raiders.



Chapter Ninety: Triangle[]

Her expression is filled with rage, grief, and pain. The three points of the triangle of violence. He can try to quench the fire burning within her soul, but then he realizes it isn't fire.

It's ice.

A thorn of ice that slices deeper and deeper.

Deeper and deeper.

Never to let go until she listens—and destroys.

He glances down at the ground, steady as earth, then at the sky, free as air. Fire can consume all. Water can turn to ice. "The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper . . ." He inhales slowly and exhales. "While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself. "

"That's cute," Zuko retorts, "but this isn't Air Temple preschool." He can see the reflection of Azula's lies and Ozai's mistreatment in those burning amber eyes, lit by flames, by infernos bright. "It's the real world."

Please . . . Zuko . . . don't do this. His heart beats. Don't feed her your fire. Please. Zuko . . . your hate isn't hers. You need to avenge what has been done to you, but you can't do it through her.

The anger and the grief roll off of her in waves. I always wondered why there's no such thing as the hate chakra, but now I understand. You don't need a chakra blocked by hate . . . the air chakra is the chakra of hate. Grief of one kind feeds love . . . but of another feeds hate.

"Now that I know he's out there, now that I know we could find him—I feel like I have no choice."

Please . . . don't let yourself be consumed. Please, Katara. Listen to me. "Katara, you do have a choice." His eyebrows slacken. "Forgiveness."

Zuko throws his head forward. "That's the same as doing nothing," he declares harshly.

He shakes his head. No . . . it's not. You can't go down this path, Katara. You can always forgive. Zuko . . . you don't understand her the way I do. Violence isn't the answer. "No, it's not. It's easy to do nothing." He raises his head to gaze into her sapphire eyes. "But it's hard to forgive."

Her face contorts into fury, and he knows her answer before she says it.

But Katara . . . you can't. That's not what you need. What you need . . . you need forgiveness. You need to face him . . . and you need to forgive.

If you don't face him . . . you will never have the chance, and you will always carry that doubt.

If you don't choose forgiveness . . . you will become a monster yourself.

"It's not just hard."

He can feel her pain. Can feel her grief. Can feel her rage.

The three points of the triangle of violence.

She speaks.

And her voice says what her words cannot.

"It's impossible."

Notes[]

Yes, I do cut this scene short, slightly. It was originally much longer.

Ice is more deadly than fire - just ask Robert Frost.

"Ialways wondered why there's no such thing as the hate chakra, but now I understand. You don't need a chakra blocked by hate . . . the air chakra is the chakra of hate. Grief of one kind feeds love . . . but of another feeds hate." -> I've come to this realization myself.

"If you don't choose forgiveness . . . you will become a monster yourself." -> Be careful when ye fight the monsters, lest ye become one.

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