Whew, it's been a busy week for me. Who knew that midterm projects could demand so much from you.
Well, at least I'll be somewhat free during the course of next week, so I might just be able to get epilogue done a few days from now.
Fortunately for the native inhabitants, much of the cities were left intact after the swarm had overrun these urban centers. Ba Sing Se was in pretty good condition, with only the outer walls needing some attention.
The North Pole was somewhat worse off, but nothing that a few days of minor repairs couldn't fix. Even the fire nation only suffered minimal damage, thanks to Thant's conservative tactics back when he was assaulting the fire nation homeland.
The federation, and the council set up by the four nations, had decided to declare several days of celebration to commemorate the end of the 100 years war, and the defeat of Kroguran. The celebration was also inaugurated to commemorate the inclusion of the four nations into the federation itself.
Despite the inability to come up with a name for their own planet that was to the liking of all 4 nations, the federation decided to use a Nadori word "Tal' Aria", or Talaria, as the name for the planet. The name meant, "Era of peace", which the federation felt would best suit the newly declared peace between the 4 nations.
The name was received with only moderate enthusiasm, and the leaders of the various kingdoms insisted that in diplomatic formality, they should be referred to as "the league of 4 nations". This was accepted by the Imperial Galactic Senate of the federation.
The celebrations kicked off to an amazing start. The federation brought food, drink, and entertainment to help the Talarians celebrate. All over the planet, the people finally heaved a sigh of relief that their world had been given a second chance to do things right.
They would set their own pace for advancement, and the federation would respect their traditions and methods, while also helping the 4 nations to advance in their progress whenever they had the need to do so.
The coronation of Fire lord Iroh was combined along with the festivities. Despite his insistence on letting Zuko become the new fire lord, his nephew insisted that the fire nation needed a wise and level headed ruler until it could get back up on its feet. Iroh accepted this bit of wisdom, and agreed to reign as fire lord until Zuko felt that he is ready to take over.
Sokka and Suki's wedding was also included during the celebration. Family and friends alike attended this wonderful and joyous moment. Strangely enough, even Thant was there, decked in formal earth nation attire, accompanied by his two bodyguards, who just merely carried small personal weapons for protection, so as not to spoil the occasion. It was decided that the wedding itself would be done in traditional earth kingdom style, while the reception would follow water tribe traditions.
Kayron and his brother also arrived, accompanied by Marik, Damocles, and the rest of the men. They too wore formal earth kingdom attire, showing respect for the culture of this world, as was befitting the tolerant attitude of the federation. Nausicaa, Leo, and Marcus also were in attendance. The robe on Nausicaa was breathtaking, making Leo blush a bit. Marcus felt that his garb was too tight and itchy, but said nothing, since it was a marine's duty not to complain about such trivial things.
After the ceremony, the couple kissed, finally sealing the vow. Katara was crying in joy for her brother. When they had started out on this journey, she often had to look after him, despite him being older than she was. However, he had matured considerably over the course of their adventure, and if anything, she started to trust his judgment more often. The couple and the guest then moved to the reception area to have a traditional water tribe dinner.
After the reception, Suki was approached by Damocles, Kayron, and Keranyon.
"Is there something you'd like to talk about?" She asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact there is." Kayron stated. "We intend to join a Kinsbond expedition to this world."
"A what?" Suki asked in confusion.
Keranyon explained, "Even as we speak, many Crythanians from our homeworld have heard of this serene and peaceful planet, and have decided to move here. The Kinsbond is an old practice amongst my kind. The migrants will travel to the various nations of this world, and swear their allegiance to whatever ruler governs those lands."
He continued, "People who perform this migration are known as kinsmen. They forever serve their new lord, and only return to Crythania either during a pilgrimage, or if our homeworld is under attack. Other than that, kinsmen will forever serve the nation that they adopt as a new home"
"So what does this have to do with me?" Suki asked.
Damocles answered the question for her, "We have a special decree, given to us by our emperor. We had requested our emperor to let us to leave the Crythanian military, and allow us to join the Kinsbond. We wish to join the kinsmen that want to settle on Kyoshi Island."
"Wait a minute! How many of you are moving to Kyoshi!" She asked.
"Over 200; including me, Keranyon, and Damocles." Kayron stated.
Suki was not sure about what to say next. 200 people were a lot, and the people of Kyoshi may not take so well to a warrior society moving in with them.
"I understand that you may have doubts about allowing our kind to settle." Damocles said. "But we are skilled warriors, who practice a code of honor. We do not go to war unless we have to, and we are industrious workers as well. As kinsmen, we also have to follow the military tradition and combat style of our adoptive homeland."
"Indeed." Keranyon added. "As much as I may miss my battle bike and rifle, I am willing to forego technology to be at peace with the traditions of my new home. I am willing to train under you in the ways of a traditional warrior, and I will do my best to make your tradition as my own."
Suki thought about it for a moment. Perhaps the villagers back home would understand. Having the honor bound Crythanians would help keep Kyoshi Island quite safe. Also, she would need all the help she can get in rebuilding the order of Kyoshi Warriors, and these 3 men's experience in the ways of war could help, after a little adjustment.
"Very well then, you can move in with us. I must first speak with the village elder, so I can't guarantee that you would be accepted. If you do move in, you will have to learn to fight in leather armor, and use katanas and shields in combat." She said.
"That is not a problem." Kayron stated. "Our ancestors fought in nothing but animal skins, and wielded only axes. If they were feared warriors back then, despite their primitive state, then we could do so as well under the training that you give us."
All 3 of them bowed politely to her, in line with the traditions of this world. Suki did not doubt their sincerity in truly returning to a more ancient setting and lifestyle. These Crythanians intrigued her, for they were willing to adapt to any form of combat that their new home demanded of them. If anything, the elder would understand that these people are giving up so much just to be a part of a culture that they admire so much.
It was agreed that she and Sokka would live on Kyoshi Island, since it would be painful if Suki left when her village needed her so much.
Aang and Malu would return to the air temples with the rest of the surviving air benders, so that they could rebuild the temples and restore airbender society. Katara returned to the southern water tribe, to help master pakku with the rebuilding. Toph returned to her family, finally accepted for who she was by her parents, and free to be independent and trusted. Ursa and her two children returned with Iroh to the fire nation, picking up where they had left off.
The earth kingdom and fire nation decided that a slow but well supervised modernization of their military would be to their liking. The water tribes preferred to stay out of federation affairs if they could, but were soon approached by enterprising federation engineers who wished to learn advanced ship building techniques from the water tribes.
Merchants later began arriving on the planet in droves, seeking to introduce the Talarians to modern culture and wares. However, the flow went both ways, as merchants from the 4 nations chartered trips to the core and fringe federation worlds, selling such exquisite luxuries like tea, textiles, pottery, and strangely enough, genamite.
One thing was for certain. The people and culture of the 4 nations would never be the same again.
One more chapter to go, then I'm done. This will be the first fanfic that I would have successfully completed.
There will be a sequel, however. So stay tuned.