I do not own Avatar.
Three years ago the war that plagued the world for one hundred years finally came to an end. Stories say that the Avatar stormed the Fire Lord's great castle with the strength of a thousand warriors, conquering all those who stood before him and, upon reaching the Fire Lord, struck him down without mercy. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Avatar Aang did indeed lead an attack on the strong hold that was the Fire Lord's castle, but he was far from alone. A ragtag army of Earth Nation refugees and Water Tribe warriors aided in his attack. Of this army only four people actually made it within the walls of the castle. These four people were the Toph Bei Fong, Sokka and Katara of the Water Tribe, and of course Avatar Aang himself.
As the band traveled through the palace, they were methodically separated from each other by Princess Azula and forced into their own life and death struggles, leaving Aang alone to face Fire Lord Ozai and his son Prince Zuko. As the flames danced around the Avatar in what seemed to be a hopeless situation, help came to him in a form he never expected.
As Fire Lord Ozai stood above the Avatar with victory in his grasp and Aang's heart gave way to defeat, he was saved. Prince Zuko himself had stepped between the Avatar and the Fire Lord as the flames rained down from Ozai's fist. The shock of his son's actions against him was enough of an opening for the Avatar to strike the decisive blow, and the horrid tyrant did finally fall.
By the time the Avatar's friends were able to join him, Zuko had already disappeared from the battlefield. Aang recounted the prince's actions to his friends, but there were few others that knew the truth. Prince Zuko made his return to his country a few months later with the hopes of rebuilding the Fire Nation to its former glory of one hundred years past. Back when it was at peace, when its people prospered, and when the other nations looked to them as friends.
Zuko had organized and oversaw many reconstruction projects in his nation as well as acted as a foreign diplomat to the other nations. Through his dedication, and with the help of the Avatar and his friends, he was able to earn a measure of trust from the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. All the while Zuko spent his time learning more of the people who had changed his life. Zuko had spent much time traveling with Avatar Aang during these times and Aang even had a tendency to drop into Zuko's large home unannounced. So often in fact that Zuko had a room arranged that a room be on permanent call for the Avatar. At the other side of the building. Aang was very kind and understanding, but he had not changed at all from the hyperactive boy he had always been.
Toph Bei Fong had become a great friend and asset to Zuko in gaining ground with the Earth Kingdom. With her endorsement, Earth King Kuei was more willing than most to give Zuko a chance. She had also proven to be the easiest person for Zuko to relate to by far. They spoke to each other often outside of meetings, mostly to complain of things that displeased or annoyed them.
Sokka of the Water Tribe and Zuko rarely spoke without arguing. They had great respect for each other, though they did their best to never show it. It was a simple matter of conflicting personalities. One was annoying and the other was easily annoyed.
Katara did not speak to Zuko often. There seemed to be a barrier between her and the Fire Nation's greatest hope. It was not for lack of trying on either side, but for the memory of a single night that they shared. A night of healing. A night of learning. A night that had changed both of them forever.
Now, almost three years to the day since the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai, at the Avatar's suggestion Zuko is to be officially crowned the new Fire Lord at a coronation to be held in the new palace of the Fire Lord. Leaders and delegates from all of the nations are expected to be there. As well as some old friends.
I hope this is enough to tide you all over until I really get it going!
