A/N: Okay so my idea for this story is from the last episode of the series. in the show we see sokka, suki, and toph approach aang after the battle with ozai but then it skips to the whole coronation thing. i want to tell the story in between that time. the airship ride back, katara and zuko waiting all that. I'm def a Kataang fan and always will be :) Please review! im new at this whole fanfiction writing and i really wanna know how im progressing thanks! and enjoy!

Disclaimer: i do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

CHAPTER 1

The battle had just ended. Aang stood upon the rock with Ozai still weak and dazed.

"It's over." Aang thought. "A hundred years of war and it's finally over. I actually did it."

He looked up and saw an airship coming towards him. He didn't panic though. He had noticed during his battle with Ozai that the ships were coming down. He had assumed it was his friends and hoped that everyone was alright.

The ship had landed in front of him. The doors opened and out emerged Sokka, Toph, and Suki. Sokka's arms were around both of their shoulders and his leg bandaged up.

"You did it!" You should have seen yourself, it was amazing! You were all like, pshoom, pfoom, pfoorm, phish, whom, and then the Fire Lord was all like, eugh, eh, eh, eh eugh, aye" (Waving his arms to match each sound he was making)

Suki moved closer to Ozai.

"So, did you… you know… finish the job?" she asked, pointing at Ozai.

"I'm still alive," said Ozai, looking up at Suki angrily.

"I learned there was another way to defeat him and restore balance. I took his bending away," said Aang.

Sokka and Toph eyes widened with surprise and awe of their friend.

"Wow, who taught you that?" asked Toph.

"A giant Lion Turtle," said Aang matter-of-factly.

Toph crossing her arms responded, "You have the craziest adventures when you disappear."

Sokka had then hopped his way over to Ozai.

"Well, look at you buster. Now that your firebending is gone, I guess we should call you the 'Loser Lord'," he said mockingly.

Ozai attempted to pull himself up from the rock behind him. "I am the Phoenix King!" he said pointing at Sokka before dropping back to the floor.

"Oh sorry, didn't mean to offend 'Phoenix King of Getting His Butt Whupped'," said Toph.

"Yeah, or how about 'King of the Guys Who… Don't Win," said Suki struggling to come up with a witty comeback.

"Leave the nicknames to us honey," Toph responded.

Aang chuckled. Figures his friends to make a joke after a full out battle. Speaking of his friends…

"Hey, where are Katara and Zuko?" Aang asked disappointed. He had hoped that Katara was at least with them. After everything that had just happened, she was the one he craved to see the most. He knew that she confused about her feelings towards him, but at this moment it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was safe. He needed reassurance that she was alright.

"Oh, they went to battle Azula so Zuko can take control of the throne," said Sokka casually.

"WHAT?!" yelled Aang. "They could be in trouble! They could need our help!"

"Relax, Aang." said Toph. "I'm sure they can handle it. Besides what else were they suppose to do. You were missing."

Aang's shoulders dropped. "Right, I'm sorry about that guys. I didn't mean to abandon you. It sort of just happened."

"Well, you can fill us in on the way to the Fire Nation," said Sokka.

"Good, I want to hear exactly what happened while I was gone too."

"Sounds like a plan to me," said Toph.

"Agreed," said Suki smiling.

"Let's move out then!" said Sokka, trying to hop his way back to the ship. Suki quickly ran to him before he tripped and hurt himself more.

Aang went to take a step, but a rush of dizziness swooped him instead. He stumbled and fell to his knees.

"Twinkle-toes!" yelled Toph, as she ran to him. "Are you alright?"

Sokka and Suki turned around, "Aang? What's wrong?"

Aang shook his head and tried to get back to his feet. "I'm alright guys really. I guess it just hit me now. It's probably just from the fight, avatar state, and the energy-bending. I'm just a little weak. I'll be alright don't worry."

They looked back at him, with worried expressions.

"Aang, you should probably rest. Find a room in the ship and just sleep. We'll take care of everything," said Suki.

"Yeah, I'll handle the Loser-Lord over here," said Toph.

Aang thought about it for a minute, and decided they were probably right. Plus he didn't think he had the energy to win the argument that would follow.

"Alright, but after we exchange stories. Deal?"

"Fine," said Sokka "but then you definitely need rest, because knowing Katara she is going to bombard us with questions and fuss over all of us making sure we are okay."

Aang smiled. Sokka was definitely right. Knowing Katara that was definitely going to happen. And maybe after all the fussing was over with, they would be able to really talk.