Preface
Aang sat alone on the cold marble floor, his eyes closed. At the sound of footsteps, he opened them slowly, his face revealing no emotion as he stared up into the fiery eyes that he had once hated.
"I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down. And now…" Prince Zuko trailed off, not sure how to finish the thought. Aang, now smiling at the young prince-soon to be Fire Lord-finished it for him. "And now we're friends."
Zuko looked down at the young, bald monk, realizing how true that statement really was. "Yeah. We are friends."
Aang got up from the floor to stand in front of his companion, once his enemy. "I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice. The world's so different now."
Zuko walked toward Aang, placing his hand on his shoulder. "And it's gonna be even more different… when we build it together."
It was a vow. An oath made not between two friends, but between two leaders, promising that now would be the start of new beginnings. Where they would rebuild the world in a new age of peace and prosperity. The scars would still exist, placed there by the previous Fire Lord who had left the world divided. But they would change it. Together.
Zuko and Aang hugged, smiling at the thought of a new chance for peace. A concept that had once seemed hopeless, but thanks to each other-with the help of their friends and allies-they were closer now than ever.
It was time to share their vision with the world. Zuko pulled back the curtain, stepping into the light. A gong was rung, signaling his entry and the crowds roared, cheering wildly for the prince who had put an end to the Fire Lord's tyranny. Zuko stopped before the steps leading down into the courtyard. He raised his hand to hold the applause. "Please… the real hero is the Avatar."
Zuko moved aside so that Aang could step into the light as well. In the crowds, hundreds of their friends and allies clapped, the noise almost deafening as they cheered. Aang stared out into the sea of people and smiled at all the faces he saw. All the friends he loved.
Toph sat atop one of the Earthbenders she had fought in the ring, The Hippo. Beside her were some of the Freedom Fighters, Pipsqueak and The Duke. Aang also saw the Kyoshi Warriors there, along with Sokka and the warriors of the Southern Water Tribe. But the one person who he really wanted to see was next to her father and Sokka. Katara. She looked up at Aang and their eyes met. She was so proud of Aang. Had known that he could save the world from the moment that she pulled him out of that iceberg. And now seeing him there, standing next to Zuko, she saw how much he had grown. He was no longer the goofy kid from when they first met. Aang was the Avatar, and now, looking at him, she saw him truly. And she was proud.
Prince Zuko stared out into the gathering. "Today, this war is finally over," he proclaimed. The crowds shouted and clapped, never imagining that this day would come. "I promised my uncle that I would restore the honor of the Fire Nation… and I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path and begin a new era of love and peace." Zuko stared out into the crowd as one of the attendants came forth behind him and Zuko knew that it was time.
He sank to his knees, bowing his head. Zuko did not have to see to know what the attendant held in his hand as he proclaimed, "All hail Fire Lord Zuko."
Zuko felt and heard the metal slide into his top knot, and made a silent vow to himself that he would set out to do all that he had promised to his people. He rose once again, not as a banished prince, but as a beloved Fire Lord.
Zuko looked out into the crowd, now his loyal subjects. He stepped forward, ready to be accepted and welcomed. He turned to Aang, motioning him to follow him as they stood at the top of the stone steps. The people cheered wildly as their leaders stood proudly in front of them. They believed the worst was over.
Iroh, uncle to the new Fire Lord, played a peaceful melody on his sunghi horn as his newfound friends and allies gathered and drank tea in his tea shop, The Jade Dragon, in the great city of Ba Sing Se. Outside, Earthbender children were playing a game where they went back and forth hurling a rock over a tall tower of tanks from the Fire Nation armies. People were milling around the streets of the city, talking and laughing. Finally being at peace now that the Hundred Year War has finally come to an end.
Iroh smiled to himself and continued playing until he heard a cup being placed down on the table in front of him. He stopped and looked up to see that Zuko, no longer dressed in his ceremonial robes but in simple, yet elegant Earthbending clothes, was serving cups of tea. A small smile graced his lips. Zuko was truly at peace.
Zuko walked past Toph lounging next to Iroh on the table, barefoot as usual, while Aang sat on the floor, playing with Momo. Mei, Suki, and Katara were all wearing beautiful dresses of varying shades of green. Zuko went to bring them cups of tea.
"Zuko, stop moving!" Heads looked up at Sokka who sat at a table with a brush in hand. "I'm trying to capture the moment." He gestured at the parchment in front of him. They noticed that he had ink smudges on his hands and face, but decided against mentioning it to him. "I wanted to do a painting, so we always remember the good times together."
Katara walked up to him to see the parchment that Sokka was staring at intensely, his tongue sticking out in concentration. "That's very thoughtful of you, Sokka." Katara smiled, as she looked down at what Sokka was painting and her smile vansished and was replaced with a frown. "Wait. Why did you give me Momo's ears?"
"Those are your hair loopies!" Everyone gathered around Sokka, staring down at the piece of parchment.
"At least you don't look like a borcupine. My hair is not that spiky!" Zuko said, angrily.
"I look like a man." Mei said.
"And why did you paint me firebending?" Suki asked.
"I thought it looked more exciting that way," Sokka said. Momo climbed up onto the table, chirping away. "Oh, you think you could do a better job, Momo?" Sokka said, growing defensive over his work.
Aang looked on at his friends, smiling at the warmth and laughter that filled the place. He walked outside onto the balcony, patting Appa as he went. In the background, he could hear Iroh saying, "Hey! My belly is not that big anymore! I really trimmed down." Toph walked over to the crowd gathered around Sokka. "Well, I think you all look perfect!" Everyone laughed.
Aang stared out into the setting sun, the sky filled with pinks, oranges, and purples. He rested his hands on the balcony railing, smiling at the beauty. He didn't need to turn around to know that the approaching footsteps belonged to Katara. She stood next to Aang and their eyes met. A blush spread across her cheeks. She placed a hand on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him and felt his arms slide around her as well. They both had endured so much together and it was finally over. Yes, dealing with the aftermath of Fire Lord Ozai, Zuko's father, would be challenging. But they had faced much worse. And they would face this, too. Together.
They released each other but still stood close. Close enough that they shared the same breath. Close enough that Aang could see each shade of blue in Katara's eyes. The curve of her lips. There was no hesitation. There was nothing to hold them back. And they both knew that this was their time. Their moment.
Their lips met in the middle. They clashed together that sent fireworks exploding throughout their bodies. Their blood was pumping. Katara pressed her body close while her hands moved up to Aang's face, caressing him while his arms wrapped around her. They stayed locked in each other's hold for what felt like eternity.
Let waves come crashing into the lands. Let the ground crack and cleave into dust. Let air blow everything around them. Let fire rain down from the heavens.
No force of nature would ever break them apart.
Author's Notes: Hey guys! I'm sure most of you already know all this stuff happened, but I just wanted to write up a little recap of the last few minutes of the last episode of ATLA. Don't worry, I will start writing new stuff soon so hang tight! Please read and review! I love reading any comments you guys might have! Until next time!