Chapter 1 Coronation Party
After the coronation ceremony everyone moved into the palace and made their way into one of the ballrooms where the party was taking place. There was a whole lot of food and drinks representative of all the nations. It ranged from fire flakes to stewed seaprunes. So everyone was happy and their appetites were met.
Zuko stood next to the door where he shook hands with all of the guests and received congratulations. As soon as that was over he walked over to his friends and girlfriend.
"Phew, I'm glad that's over." He sighed in relief. His friends chuckled in sympathy. Lenetta put a hand to his chest and kissed his cheek. Zuko's shoulders sagged and he put an arm around his girlfriend's waist. "Don't you worry Zuko, you'll get used to everything in no time. Iroh and I will be there to help you." Sokka cleared his throat. "We'll be there to man; we've all got your back." Sokka clapped his shoulder. Zuko smiled at his friends. "Thanks guys." Katara smiled. "Come on, we've got a party to enjoy and peace to bask in." Aang smiled at Katara and kissed her cheek.
Sokka went off and found Suki and her fellow Kyoshi warriors. Aang and Katara went and spoke to some people who were looking for them. Toph talked with her fellow Earth Rumblers. Zuko and Lenetta found Jet, Jin, Longshot and Smellerbee.
"Looking good there Fire Lord." Jet teased him with a smirk as he punched his shoulder. Zuko chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "Good to see you to Jet." Zuko told him and they went into a one armed hug. Jin hugged Lenetta and they talked about how it's been with their boyfriends.
"I sure never thought I would be here in the Fire Nation celebrating the rise of a new Fire Lord." Jet spoke up. "If you told me a year ago I'd be doing that I would have laughed in your face. But now I'm happy, happier than I've been in a long time." Jet looked Zuko and Lenetta. "It's all thanks to you two, you helped pull me out of the darkness and helped me find happiness again." Zuko and Lenetta smiled with tears in their eyes and the three went into a group hug. The others joined in.
Azula, Mai and Ty Lee walked amongst party guests who were all enjoying themselves and laughing and talking. Azula smiled. "So this is what freedom and peace looks like." Azula said. Mai and Ty Lee nodded. "Everyone's auras are so bright and happy, its wonderful!" Ty Lee exclaimed happily. Azula smirked. "I used to think trust was for fools and fear was the only reliable way. That love was a foolish concept. But when Katara healed my mind, I started to realize I was wrong. Katara didn't have to do that and Zuko could've killed me or put me in prison, but he didn't. He saw good in me. And that meant more to me than I ever thought possible." Azula looked to Mai and Ty Lee who were watching her intently. "I'm so sorry for how horribly I've treated you both." Mai smiled slightly and put a hand on her shoulder. "None of that matters anymore, this is the real you, plus we know you feel guilty and that it was your father influencing you. But you don't have to do that anymore, now that Fire Lord Ozai is gone, you can follow your own path and do what you want." Azula nodded and Ty Lee hugged Azula. "Yeah, and we'll be here for you, and so will Zuko and the others." Azula's lips wobbled as she finally accepted the love and affection shown to her and she hugged Ty Lee tightly and Mai joined in.
Sokka hugged Suki tightly once he found her and the other warriors. "Suki, I'm sorry I never came to find you. I didn't know where you were and we were busy with other thing." Suki put a gloved hand to Sokka lips. "Hey I understand, traveling with the Avatar is a pretty big deal. Plus you had no way of knowing where I was or if I was even alive." Sokka's lip wobbled as he remembered the fear he buried down, the fear that he had lost another loved one. Suki put a hand on Sokka's cheek and gently rubbed the tear away. Sokka sobbed and wrapped Suki in a tight hug which she reciprocated. Sokka released her and kissed her on the lips.
Aang and Katara were met by multiple people wanting to speak to them both and ask them questions. Some about their adventures, others about the Air Nomads and the Southern Water Tribe which the two answered. However whenever the two got a break they went into a corner somewhat hidden from view. Aang and Katara sighed in relief. "Ah alone at last." Aang told her. "Well somewhat alone." Katara replied. "Yeah…uh about that." Aang told her. Katara hummed to let him know she was listening. "Remember how before the invasion we talked about being together." Katara nodded. "Do you still feel that way, even though I killed Fire Lord Ozai." Aang asked her nervously. Katara took his hands. "Aang, I know that you did what you had to in order to restore balance to the world. I know that you did the right thing. But I can also tell you feel really guilty about it. You're a good person Aang and I know you'll be a wonderful Avatar worthy of the pride of the Air Nomads." Aang smiled with tears going down his cheeks and kissed her lips softly. "Thank you Katara, you don't know how much that means to me." Katara smiled gently and wiped his cheeks. "And about being your girlfriend…of course I meant it. I would be happy to be your girlfriend." Aang smiled giddily and hugged her.
Peace and prosperity would take time to fully take hold but they believed they could do it. And do it they would.
