Chapter 1

It nears the end of winter and Aang sits upon a cliff at the south western tip of the earth kingdom. Looking out he can see the vast distance of ocean that goes out towards the fire nation and just past the southern water tribe. Down below there is a small earth kingdom port that is alive with the hustle and bustle of ships arriving and leaving. Delivering supplies for the inner cities and taking stuff from that port to others along the earth kingdom shores. As the sun sits upon the mountains behind Aang the sky is lit with a nice red and orange hue that would put all in awe of its beauty. Aang sits legs crossed and eyes closed as he meditates breathing in rhythm and slowly drowning out his surroundings like the deep throated sound of Appa's snoring and the more whistle like tune of Momo's. The waves that crash against the base of the cliff make a soothing splash as he lets his mind drift in to the depths of his subconscious and soon all he can hear is the rhythm of his own breathing and whatever thoughts seem to drift through his mind. He begins to remember the past few months and how the time has seemed to go so slowly since he has seen his friends last. Almost four months ago he had left the fire nation with Katara, Sokka, Suki and Toph to take them back to their homes where they would be separated from one another for an unknown length of time. A particular conversation that he had with Zuko before their departure drifted through his thoughts. He had been sitting at a table on the outer balcony of the royal palace in the fire nation with all his pals as Sokka was trying to plan every second of their trip to the southern water tribe.

"Hey everybody," Zuko said as he walked towards the group. He had come from the inners parts of the palace and was wearing casual clothing, something you would not expect on a fire lord. He didn't really enjoy wearing the fancy robes that he had and found them just not who he was, and so avoided wearing them as much as he could.

"Hey Zuko," they replied and almost immediately after, Sokka returned their attention to his plans, that Aang as well as the others thought were just funny because they knew they wouldn't stick to them very well with the way they tend to travel.

Zuko walked up and had set his hand on Aang's shoulder. "Aang, could I speak with you for a moment in private," Zuko said in a low whisper so that only Aang could hear, not that anyone else was paying attention since Sokka was focusing their attention on the map and the timeline he had written out.

"Sure," Aang replied with a smile as he got up from the table and walked with Zuko to the edge of the balcony that looked over the western side of the city. "What is it good buddy?"

"You guys are leaving tomorrow morning, is that right?" Zuko asked putting something of a serious expression on his face.

"Yeah. Why? You want to capture me before I leave and just want to know what kind of time you have left," Aang said with a laugh and a large smile on his face.

"No." Zuko's straight face turning less serious for a moment then seeming to snap back in to place. "Nothing like that. My contacts I sent out to try to get a picture of what we have ahead of us in the rebuilding of the nations have reported back a problem." Zuko said not removing his gaze from the orange and red painted horizon.

"What is this problem?" a look of concern appearing on Aang's face. He hadn't seen Zuko this serious in a while and knew it had to be a pretty big issue.

"They tell me that there are groups gathering around the nations that I am labeling as Anti-Peace Groups (A. ). Some groups consist of earth benders that think that the fire nation should all pay for the war and that all fire benders are to blame." Zuko turned his face to Aang to see what Aang may be thinking. His face was filled with worry as was Zuko's. "Then others are fire benders who remain loyal to my father and are conniving plans to over through me and finish what my father could not," Zuko slammed his hands on the rail of the balcony as fire came from his mouth in an angry release of breathe. "How am I supposed to help lead in the reconstruction of the nations if groups like these turn the world against me." By this time he was talking loud enough that everyone at the table had ceased their conversation and was now part of Aang's and Zuko's.

After letting Zuko's words float around for a bit Aang's look of concern slowly faded and he put his hand on Zuko's shoulder and said "This is just another road block that we need to deal with I expected such groups to emerge from the ashes of this war, but we need to just fight these obstacles as they appear and the world will follow in our actions as we try to gain stability and peace throughout the nations." Aang spoke calm and slow, surprising himself since he too was worried and his mind was swirling with what ifs and feeling just as Zuko did.

"Yeah, don't worry Zuko," broke the silence as Aang and Zuko turned to see Sokka standing from his seat at the table. "No little rebellion is going to stop this world from knowing peace again."

"Yeah," assured Toph as she cracked her knuckles, "Besides, anyone who gets in our way will have to deal with me," pointing her thumb firmly at her chest.

"Don't worry Zuko," started Katara, "You won't be alone in this battle for peace."

"Team Avatar will always be there to back you up," Sokka stated in a loud and proud voice putting his fist in the air and bringing it down in a big thumbs up. "Isn't that right Aang?"

"That's right," Aang said as he turned to look at Zuko. His friends had helped reassure him as well as Zuko, though they may not have known it. "We will be right beside you as, WE, work to bring the world back to a time of peace."

A smile slowly came across Zuko's face as all their words sank in. "Thanks everyone, I know that together no number of rebellions or any obstacle for that matter will stop…"

BOOM! This sound had come from the small port at the base of the cliff snapping Aang from his state of meditation. As he snapped his head to look, all he could see were a few people scattering from a cloud of dust coming from one of the ships. He jumped up grabbed his glider that lay next to him and flipped it open. He glided down to the port and stood just before the dust cloud people pushing past him. "What happened here," he said trying to grab the attention of one of the panicking people, when a deep familiar voice came from behind him.

"Hello there, Avatar Aang."