AN: If anyone is interested, or knows somebody who is interested in creating art for the story in general, specific stories or my Original Characters (particularly the rulers mentioned in the previous chapter) it would be greatly appreciated. My favorite artwork will be given shoutouts in future chapters.

Keep in mind Thrakus the Elder (commonly known by his canon name of the 46th Earth King) can be found on the 46th Earth King Avatar Wikia page, and Uran (Sozin's Father) and Tizhao (Sozin's Grandfather) can be found in the Fire Nation Royal Gallery Avatar Wikia page. Although, artwork of them would also be appreciated, as it is always nice to see a more detailed perspective

A Thousand and One Words

105 ASC

Omashu

"Congratulations, Aang; Zuko" Bumi said, nodding to both of them. "This is very impressive"

"I agree" King Kuei responded. "This is quite the settlement you've got planned out here, are you certain it will work?"

"We have the utmost confidence in this settlement" Aang assured them. "Republic City has to work"

"A United Republic of Nations is just what the world needs in the aftermath of a century of war" Zuko explained. "It shows that the war is in the past, and we are looking towards unity. What better place to promote unity than a combination of joint Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom territory"

"I couldn't agree more, Fire Lord Zuko" Kuei conceded. "So be it, I shall bring this up with the council as soon a possible"

"You have my vote, Aang" Bumi assured him. "And as a respected member of the Earth Kingdom council, I am almost certain I can convince the others"

A few days passed, and the four met once again to reflect on the council's decision, with the final vote in the affirmative by the governor of the Earth Kingdom city of Odin's Gate, the resolution to create a United Republic of Nations was passed.

"I would like to thank everyone here on this landmark decision" Zuko said. "With your assistance we can build a better world for the future, and..."

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE, YOUR HIGHNESSES, GOVERNORS, AND AVATAR...NESSES, GATHER 'ROUND..." a middle aged man and his significantly younger, distinguished assistant walked into the room.

"Excuse me, but Fire Lord Zuko is giving an important speech" Kuei said, glaring at the man. "You cannot just simply barge in here and..."

"It's alright, everyone" Bumi said, waiting for everyone to calm down. "I invited this man, he has a very interesting device that he simply has to show everyone"

"But King Bumi" Kuei protested. "He interrupted important multi nation negotations"

Bumi shrugged. "He was early"

Zuko could only facepalm in response to the elderly king's retort, but tried his best to regain his composure. "Alright, fine then who is this man"

"I'm glad you asked, Fire Lord Zuko!" The man responded with an overconfident flare that made some of the representatives in the room uncomfortable. "My name is Zarkus Blackstone Varrick Jr. and this is my ever helpful assistant, Walter Pennyworth"

"Hello"

"Walter and I are here from a top secret government group sent to protect you from supernatural creatures sent to kill you"

"Where?" Aang asked panicking.

"You're lying" Zuko said. "I've been around enough liars to know"

"Well, I guess I can see where everyone in this room's sense of humor went" Zarkus said, gesturing towards Bumi who gave his signature snorting laugh. "Very well, I'm here to demonstrate to you my latest invention...Walter, get the thing"

"Of course, sir" Walter said, pulling out various iron rods which he assembled into a stand of sorts which a small metal box and cloth were then attached to.

"This" Zarkus explained to them. "Is the VARRICK INDUSTRIES MEMORY FREEZER (patent pending)"

"Memory Freezer?" Kuei asked. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"The Varrick Industries Memory Freezer (patent pending)" Zarkus said, completely ignoring the earth monarch. "Does just what the name would imply, it freezes a memory. No longer will you have to wait *hours* for someone to finish a portrait of you...no, no, no. This baby can do it INSTANTLY!. They say a portrait is word a thousand words? Well this thing is worth a thousand and uh...ONE words?"

"Ah, yes" Walter agreed. "Very clever, sir".

"Right" Zarkus smiled. "Thank you, Walter (You're Welcome, Sir)...so who wants to go first!"

"Ooh me, me!" Aang shouted, using his airbending to just really high up in the air. "Me! ME!"

"Let's all get one together" Bumi said. "To immortalize this event"

Despite a few representatives being reluctant to try it, the picture was eventually taken, and everybody admired the improvement of quality over a simple scroll portrait.

"Can you get one of me and Aang?" Bumi asked. "For my birthday? I don't have a whole lot of those left"

"Of course, your highness" Zarkus agreed. "Anything for a good friend of mine" he took the picture and handed it to them after it was done. "There, a cherished memory forever"

"You're really going to go far with this invention" Kuei stated. "But next time, don't interrupt in the middle of an important meeting"

"Duly noted your highness, I'll to remember that" Zarkus said, before leaning in to Walter. "Write this down, note to self: don't barge into meetings"

Walter nodded as he pulled out a parchment and quill.

"My family's come a long way from it's past though" Zarkus told them. "I may make a fortune with my company, but my father was a simple ice fisher, if only he knew what I would accomplish later in life, he'd be so proud"

"That's another lie, isn't it?" Zuko asked, raising an eyebrow.

Zarkus grinned, holding his hands up. "You caught me"

"I actually taught him that one" Bumi laughed. "Zarkus is a brilliant storyteller"

"More like a compulsive liar"

Zarkus didn't seem phased by this comment, and he and Walter were already well off, and the council went back to deliberating the other topics of the day.

153 ASC

Air Temple Island

As Avatar Aang's closing days came upon him, he was surrounded by his friends and family, even when they were unable to be there physically, they were always there in his heart, and in the form of several pictures he had gathered over the years, but when he look back at the first of all of them he smiled.

To an Avatar and a Mad Genius. A Portrait says a thousand words, but a Friendship says them all-

Zarkus Blackstone Varrick Jr.

AN: More of the Varrick Family and Walter, I could not help myself, I really love these characters. Also, a little mini quiz: If anyone knows both parts of where I got the name Walter Pennyworth, feel free to comment.