sorry for the late update...And I must thank the makers of Avatar for making such a nice story

A Creed for the Future

The Fire Sages lifted the golden fire from the plate, and ever so slowly, allow it to slip in between the strands of hair that formed his knot on the top of his head. Finally. It was done. Zuko was surprised at the amount of attendee: he saw fire benders, water benders, earth benders, and hundreds of all sorts of people from all over the vast lands. The only ones missing was some of the officials of the Fire Nations and the Fire Sages.

There was one group in particular that he watched for. These are the ones he truly hopped to see was his family. But he knew that none will be here. His father was locked away in the capital dungeons, his sister sent to the insane asylum, and his mother somewhere unknown. Perhaps she came. The war was over, Fire Lord Ozai disposed. She would come back for me. He restrained himself from yelling his mother's name, but instead showed a cool and steady face. The people were going to judge him based on his facade, and he could not afford to lose any hearts now.

Yet he felt a pang of envy as the crowds bowed in full sincerity as Aang came out, his face unchanged and exceptionally smooth. He wasn't sure if his envy was directed to Aang's ability to remain so subtle and calm or that the people bowed at him. One thing for sure was that he was in for a long and busy days.

He shifted that golden piece in his hair again for the hundredth time today. It felt heavy, heavy with all the fault and wrongs that his lines of heritage had done. His heritage required a redemption, and he felt bogged down by this weight.

"Look, Mai, I know I am the Fire Lord, the real one and only Fire Lord."

"So what. I am Mai, the one and only Mai, and what does that prove?"

"The past Fire Lords had done horrible things." He paused. "And I have to right them."

"So?" Mai answered with little or no change in her tone. But he knew she was paying attention.

"I am not sure if I can do it."

"You know how you can do it. Just fixed what was wrong." Mai yawned. "Can't believe you asked me this."

"But I don't know where to start!" Zuko slammed his fist into the table. Dozens of china jumped, chattering. "I have abosolutely no one in the palace that knows and respect me other than Uncle Iroh, who is deemed a traitor, and my father left me so big of a mess that I can't even begin to clean them up. Look, we still have half our army out there in the Earth Kingdom's rightful lands, with dozens of their castles within our territory, while almost a third of this nation's male youths are staying overseas, serving as army. How can I even begin to withdraw our forces? I can't think of anything!"

"You just thought of a solution, my dear Fire Lord" Mai picked up an apple from the desk. A stilletto slid out from somewhere in her sleeves and she began to peel it. "Just do what you think is right. You are the Fire Lord."

"Of course I will, but remembered what happened when my Fire Lord decided he can do anything he wants, the world almost became the Fire Nation." Zuko picked up a china cup that was flipped over. "I can't follow his path therefore I cannot follow his suit."

"Whatever you say, Zuko." The crimson skin came off of the apple in a perfect spiral. Mai slashed at the yellow flesh, and it split into eighths seconds later. She picked up one and placed it in her mouth. Zuko watched her. Finally, he snapped.

"Mai!" The china cup erupted into pieces. "Stop acting like everything doesn't matter! Take interesting in something! If you can't, at least help me out here!"

Mai turned towards Zuko. "First, I am not acting, it is fact that nothing matters to me in this moment other than you and me. Second, politics, military, and your family buisness are all boring to me, why should I be interested? And I am helping. Well, do you want a piece of apple?" She offered him a slice.

Zuko took it. "Fine, thanks for the apple, everything is solved now." He ate it. "It had been such a long time since I had some good apples...but that's not the point here. What can I do now?"

"You already mentioned it, my dear Fire Lord."

"What?"

"A solution. Withdraw the armies and return authorities to the local authorities."

"But before that I must issue a creed to announce the surrender of Fire Nation. You do know that the War hadn't end. Sure, my father, Fire Lord Ozai was overthrown, but the Fire Nation hadn't lost anything yet. The army, unfortunately, under Ozai and Azula, had driven the Earth Kingdom nearly to extinction, only to be saved by recent events. Part of Fire Nation want to keep fighting, keep conquering, desiring not for change but for victory. I, as the Fire Lord, should not take their love of their nation away and hand their well deserved victory to the Earth Kingdoms and the Water Tribes. And besides, if I do issue a surrender, many generals and admirals still at large will see me as a coward and a traitor to the tradition. And, in the worst case, they might rebell. I can't risk that. I just can't!" Zuko threw his hands up in the air. "I can't risk a civil war right after the War! I can't take the lives of my citizens and play them against their own people! I can't let any more people die!"

"Then are you going to risk more lives to ensure a victory we are never going to give you?" This voice wasn't Mai's. A girl with long dark hair and fair healthy skin entered the room.

"Katara." Zuko muttered her name.

"Hi, new Fire Lord." She smiled. Mai looked sour dispite her effort to hide it.

"Well, if you are so worried about these rebels, you would be a wimp." Sokka followed his sister into the room. He wore a crimson robe with golden etchings-the clothes of scholars. It did fit him though. "Of course, it is wise to think ahead, but if you are going to bring peace, bring it quick and swiftly. I believe, we," He looked behind him, where Toph Bei Fong and Aang were standing. "Will gladly take care of the anyone who stands in peace's way."

"We will crush them, Zuko, it will be easy." Toph had a bright smile.

"We will assist you whenever you need help." Aang was standing behind the others, but Zuko could feel his presence. "All for the future's peace and the restoration of balance. Accept our help, Zuko, and things will be much easier. Aren't you glad that we are your friends?"

"Indeed I am, and I am deeply honored to be in your acquaintance. Thanks for your support, I do need it." Zuko took a deep breath. "So, surrender first or withdraw first?"

That afternoon, posters were stuck to the numerous notice boards scattered across the country. They attracted many spectators, and they were all speechless. All had their reasons.

Then, a thousand fire hawks took flight, all carrying the same message:

Withdraw Notice

All citizens of Fire Nation attention, this is the first creed from the Fire Lord:

All units and fleets within Fire Nation borders are to evacuate their encampment and gather at the Five Fortresses across the country immediately. All who disobey will be kept and questioned until further instructions are given.

All units and fleets in standby or action will abandon their mission and immediately return to Fire Nation when chance allows. All who disobey will be kept and questioned until further instructions are given.

All rightly citizens and military currently occupying land not of the Fire Nation's continent will immediately gather their possessions, abandon land ownership, and head back to Fire Nation unless local authorities allow one to live there. Fire Nation personnel without proper documents will not be allow stay in foreign lands. All who disobey will be kept and questioned until further instructions are given.

All Fire Nation personnel currently in possession of authorities in foreign lands must return power to local authorities immediately and must head back unless the permission of local authorities consent one can stay. All who disobey will be kept and questioned until further instructions are given.