A/N: I don't know about you but when I read a story that focuses on one or two characters I often wonder what the others are doing. This prologue is to give you the background for my story. I find it helps me put my thoughts in order and it will aid me not having to explain things within the story itself. Essentially, it'll give you an idea into what's going on in my head. (On second thought, that might be a scary thing. hehehe)

Since my story focuses on Zuko and Katara they don't need much mention in this prologue. If you really don't care what the others are doing then you can skip this and go to the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

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The World (Avatarverse):

It's five years after the end of the show. After the war's end was declared there was an uneasy peace that settled over the world. Even with the endorsement of the Avatar the world wasn't ready to trust the Fire Nation. Zuko worked tirelessly to regain the integrity of his people throughout the world, but the scars were deep. Even within the Fire Nation there was unrest. Not everyone wanted the war to end – there were some who had become rich profiting off it. They resented the new world order. The new Fire Lord's life was threatened on numerous occasions.

As time progressed tensions eased, but many unfortunate things happened in the learning process which threatened lasting peace.

The Earth King (of Ba Sing Se):

The Earth King had regained his throne immediately. He'd garnered a greater perceptive having spent time among his people. He gave the Fire Nation colony inhabitants the choice to stay or to return to their homeland. If they stayed they had to honor his reign as his subjects. Fortunately rebel outcry was drowned out by individual acceptances.

Ty Lee:

She went to live on Kyoshi Island and helps train the Warriors in a few new techniques. She's the toast of the town, especially when her sisters come to visit.

Dai Li:

Most that were found were arrested to stand trial for treason against the Earth King. A majority disappeared and became mercenaries. Outlaws without a country. They repeatedly raided both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom towns. Their actions greatly hindered worldwide peace. Aang tried to reason with them and show them the right way, the original way, set down by Avatar Kyoshi, but few wished to listen.

Hakota:

He returned to the Southern Water Tribe, with what few men he had left, to try and rebuild their culture. He was greatly aided, of course, by his new father-in-law. Paku and Waterbenders from the Northern Tribe rebuilt the buildings to a glory that hadn't been seen in the south for generations. Rebuilding the people took longer. The Southern Water Tribe was the first to give their full support to the Fire Nation and its new ruler, greatly based on the word of their Chief.

Iroh:

His tea shop, The Jasmine Dragon, did booming business thanks to the proprietor being a local hero. He was delighted to receive a real invitation to serve tea to the Earth King. He did return to the Fire Nation for a time to help Zuko's transition, but that was always meant to be a temporary situation and he did return to his shop for his retirement.

Toph:

She reconciled with her parents and came home. She insisted on only two conditions from them. That they not keep her a secret any more (nearly impossible, given her current fame), and that they not try to micromanage her life (of which they showed only moderate restraint). Her parents were still horrified most of the time by her behavior, but she did her best to hide her more daring exploits from them. One thing they were most proud of was that she was made an Ambassador by the Earth Kings. She also had a teaching position at Master Yu's Earthbending Academy. In the five years she had grown much taller and caught the eye of almost every boy she passed. The Duke had followed Toph back to her home town and was adopted by a local couple. He too did a lot of growing in five years. He took to visiting Toph frequently. They both enjoyed talking, having shared some of the same experiences. If you had asked The Duke (who now just goes by Duke to everyone except Toph) he would admit that he's deeply infatuated with the blind Earthbender. She, on the other hand, keeps her emotions close, so no one is sure how she feels. Katara warned her that if she had any feelings for Duke she'd better speak up fast before she looses him.

Sokka and Suki:

Three years after the war they got married. They only waited that long because Sokka insisted he return home to help rebuild, and Suki insisted she do the same. They kept in contact through Aang's visits and messages sent by way of Hawky. Sokka returned to the South Pole to teaching the young men to hunt, by then they were a bit older and actually listened to him – most of the time. Suki went back to Kyoshi Island to rebuild and teach the new Warriors. In the wake of the Di Li the King needed strong bodyguards and the Kyoshi Warriors volunteered. The wedded couple are now expecting their first child. They still haven't decided where to settle permanently. It's a never-ending comical battle between them.

Mai:

Zuko and Mai were very happy together. They decided to marry only a year after the end of the war. They agreed it would add a sense of stability to their nation, and besides, they were very much in love. All of their friends gathered in the Capital City to attend the wedding. It was elaborately planned, befitting a Fire Lord and Lady. On the eve of the ceremony Zuko and Mai were relaxing in her apartment. She would move into the Palace the next day so they were taking a last chance to be alone. Suddenly four guards entered the room. The couple expected nothing until they were brutally attacked. In no time Zuko and Mai had their attackers on the ground unconscious. Other than a few cuts, bruises, and scorched fabric they were unharmed. Zuko gathered his bride in his arms, relieved the danger had passed. As they embraced, one of the attackers, who had been sprawled out at their feet, regained conciseness. The assassin drew his dagger and plunged it into Mai's back. She died minutes later in Zoko's arms. That was also the last breath the killer took.

Zuko took Mai's death very hard. He withdrew from public life for a time. He still made political decisions, but the directives were given through Iroh. Ironically the tide of public opinion swung in Zuko's favor after that. Most believed it was out of plain sympathy.

Aang:

He became increasingly busy in the following years after he defeated Ozai. Trouble was always around the next corner and he seemed to run from one crisis to another. It left him feeling a little pulled in all directions. The Mechanist and Teo volunteered to rebuild the Southern Air Temple -in its original form- so that Aang would always have a home to return to; he was eternally grateful.

Aang had very little time for a relationship so he started spending less and less time with Katara. She wasn't able to accompany him all over the world this time. She had a pressing desire to help heal the physical wounds of the people on the ground, and teach other waterbenders to do the same. She learned a great deal about herself in that time, now that she wasn't constantly worrying about the safety of those she loved. She took a hard look at her life and relationships and discovered that though she loved Aang, and always would, she just wasn't in love with him. She knew that pursuing a romantic relationship with him now wasn't fair to either of them; when they met again for Sokka's wedding she told him so. He took the news better than she expected. He brushed it off with a comment about her just being the first girl he'd see in a hundred years. She knew him better than that. She could tell that he was really hurting, but that was a wound even water from the Spirit Oasis couldn't heal. She wondered if he'd ever fully forgive her, only time would tell.

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A/N: If you're wondering how Sokka got Hawky back I suggest you read my story Fortitude.

I really didn't like killing Mai, but for purposes of my story she just couldn't be there and I highly doubt they would've broken up.

I may extend some of these into full length drabbles (especially the one about Toph) but for now this should help. If I left anyone out that you would like to know about in my little world, please let me know and I'll add them in.

This is just the start of my first ever chapter fan fiction! I really hope people like it. But if you don't like it 1) it doesn't matter because I'm writing it for me anyways, and 2) I still would like a comment from you . XD