1Chapter 17: Aftermaths

After Katara healed everyone's bumps and bruises, the sages were alerted that Ozai was dead. Aang, Toph, and other earthbenders fixed up the war room, and a few guards relit the throne pit.

"Now that Aang defeated the Fire Lord, what now?" Sokka wondered.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Katara smiled. "Zuko's going to be Fire Lord."

Zuko blushed and smiled. "Hey now...I don't think I'm cut out for it."

"What do you mean? That's all you ranted about while you were still chasing us!" Sokka pointed out.

"That was before my head deflated a little." Zuko replied.

Aang put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Zuko, you stood up for what's right for the Fire Nation. You stood up to your father by saying he's evil. Wanting peace for your country, helping me defeat your father...that took guts! You care about your country, and you're a great leader. I can't think of anyone better as Fire Lord."

Mai smiled and stepped in. "He's right, you know. You also encourage expressing yourself, you listen to what people have to say wether or not it's important."

"Thanks. But that's not the point. The point is: my uncle should really be Fire Lord." Zuko said to them. "He's had years of practice and training to become one."

"On the contrary, Prince Zuko," The five friends turned around to see Iroh approaching them. "I never wanted to be Fire Lord. I realized years ago that perfection and power is overrated. I chose happiness and love instead."

Zuko took a minute to digest. "Maybe...there can be a balance. You know: some love, some happiness, some perfection, and some power."

"Very wise." Iroh smiled. "I think you'll make an excellent Fire Lord./"

Zuko smiled. "Thanks, Uncle." They hugged.

XXXXXXXX

Katara, Sokka, Haru, and Teo were all reunited with their dads. The Duke and Pipsqueak laughed and hugged.

"How are your injuries, Dad?" Katara asked.

"Better, but still not healed completely." Hakoda replied. "I'm so proud of you and Sokka and Aang."

"Thanks. I'm proud of Aang too." Katara answered. She sighed. "Look, um...Aang and I sort of...started liking each other as more than just friends. Is that okay with you?"

Hakoda smiled. "As long as you're happy and he treats you right, I'm fine with any boy you date."

"Thanks, Dad." Katara hugged him.

Sokka walked in on them. "Yeah, better Aang than pretty boy Haru."

They turned to see Haru in the distance making muscles at Ty Lee and doing some earthbending moves.

"They are so right for each other." Katara commented.

XXXX

Zuko walked down the streets of the capital. Half the buildings were damaged by the rebels. He came across one undamaged building. It was a restaurant that went out of business. Zuko smiled as he came up with an idea.

Jin walked around the damaged streets. Citizens were tending to their homes and businesses. She sighed. 'Wow, we did a lot of damage here.' She continued down a street and saw Zuko coming out of a building. They stopped as they saw each other. Jin sighed, folded her arms and walked slowly towards Zuko.

"You lied to me, Zuko." Jin stated.

"I know." Zuko replied. "And I'm sorry. I was afraid you'd turn me in or reject me if you knew I was Fire Nation."

"You should've just told me." Jin said in a low voice. "At least I would've known you were basically an honest guy."

Zuko shrugged. "I guess I was...scared. I revealed I was Fire Nation to a village in the Earth Kingdom. I ran a bunch of thugs out of town. I revealed who I was...and they shunned me even though I helped them."

"Zuko, not all people are prejudice." Jin shook her head. "My mother taught me that what's inside a person counts rather than their...allegiance in the war. Just as long as you're a good person, that's all that matters."

Zuko smiled at her. "I guess we both have good teachers."

Jin chuckled. "Yeah. Sorry about your capital, though."

"It's okay." Zuko replied sincerely. "We can rebuild it."

"I can help if you want." Jin offered.

"Yeah, I think that would be a good idea." Zuko replied.

XXXX

Zuko walked into the guest room of the palace where Aang was staying. "Knock, knock."

"Hey, Zuko." Aang smiled. "Or I guess I should say 'Flameo, Hotman'." He chuckled.

Zuko raised an eyebrow. "'Flameo hotman'?"

"That's...isn't that what you guys say here?" Aang asked.

"Not anymore." Zuko chuckled. "That lingo died out years ago."

Aang groaned slightly. "I probably did a bad job at hiding my identity this summer."

"Well, you did better than I did." Zuko replied. "I couldn't even lie properly."

"Well...I'm glad no one has to hide for any reason anymore."

"Me too." Zuko smiled. "If I never have to face any sort of drama or war again, I'd be a very happy man."

Aang laughed. "Trust me. War or no war, there will alwayts be drama. I just didn't think I'd have to face by biggest challenge so young! I mean, Avatar Roku didn't face his first real challenge until he was married and in his twenties."

Zuko smiled and pulled out Roku's artifact. "Speaking of Avatar Roku, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Do you recognize this?" He held out the artifact to Aang.

"That's Avtar Roku's headpiece." Aang noticed. "Sozin gave it to him for good luck."

Zuko nodded. "Avatar Roku...is my great-grandfather on my mom's side."

As he expected, Aang's eyes widened. "So...wow...how long have you known?"

"Since the summer solstice." Zuko answered. "It's part of the reason I came around."

"Wow...I don't know what to say." Aang chuckled. He paused for a minute. "You know, I think it's destiny that you and I met. Roku and Sozin were best friends. Roku told me that friends can transcend through lifetimes. They can last forever."

"Friends." Zuko turned away. "You know, I never considered you or Sokka or anyone as a friend until now. Mai and I were sort of friends when we were younger...she, Ty Lee, and my uncle are the closest things I had as friends until now."

There was another knock at the door. "May I come in?" Ursa asked.

"Sure." Aang said. He stood up and bowed to her. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Ursa."

Ursa smiled and bowed back. "You too, Avatar Aang."

"Zuko stood up. "Well,. I better get going. I'm planning a surprise for Uncle."

"You mean the tea shop?" Asked aang.

Zuko groaned. "Who told you?"

"Toph." Aang replied.

"...I knew she'd kick my ass someday..." Zuko left.

Ursa stared after Zuko with a confused look on her face.

""Zuko accidentally burned Toph's feet a while ago." Aang explained. "Toph scared the crap out of him when she went looking for him in the woods at night."

"Oh." Ursa said. "He did apologize, right?"

"A hundred times."

"Well, at least he apologized." Ursa smiled.

"You must have raised him well." Aang noted. "He changed a lot since I've met him."

"I imagine he didn't make a very good first impression."

"No, he didn't." Aang responded. "I realized he must have some good in him. When he agreed to take me from the South Pole and leave all those other villagers alone, he could've burned the whole thing down, anyway; but he didn't."

Ursa smiled. "I think being a descendant of Avatar Roku helped that."

"Yeah. Me too." Aang replied.

XXXXXX

Mai walked outside of her house to meet Zuko.

"Hey." Mai kissed Zuko. "How's the tea shop coming along?"

"Great! My uncle doesn't suspect a thing." Zuko replied. "How are you?"

Mai smiled and shrugged. "I'm fine. Azula's death didn't shock me or sadden me. I guess I'm...relieved she died. I won't have to deal with her..."

"In a way, that makes sense." Zuko said to her. "I think if she survived, she would've fought tooth and nail for the throne."

Mai nodded. "By the way, my parents are coming in from Omashu for your coronation next week."

"Do you miss them?"

"Sort of." Mai answered. "I wish they would understand me more. I really want to tell them everything. How I feel...stuff ,like that."

"I'm sure they'll listen if you just talk to them."

"Yeah." Mai sighed."Ready for your coronation?"

"Oh, yeah. Just a little nervous."

"You'll be fine." Mai assured Zuko.

"I have to make an acceptance speech." Zuko said. "I am not very good at speaking."

"That's why you have a scribe!" Mai laughed. "And advisors."

"Still..."

"You know what? Let's just be positive about this thing, okay?" Mai suggested.

Zuko looked surprised. "Wow...you seem to be expressing more positive emotions since I came back."

Mai shrugged. "Hey, people change."

Zuko smiled. "Yeah. They really do."

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Bleh. Random chapter, I know. Next chapter will focus on Zuko's coronation and another mention of the comet. Plus, a surprise!