This was written because I felt like writing it. Duh.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. But I own Fire Lord Zuko's speech. :D
Fire Lord Zuko was not only addressing the rest of the world, he was addressing the Fire Nation too. He knew this was what they needed. The baby steps to healing and building a new world.
"We are all people, and we all make mistakes," he began, his voice, warm and confident. "We are all people, and there is always weakness in us. No matter how strong or weak, no matter how kind or ruthless, and no matter how foolish we are, we are all souls. Lives have been uprooted for a hundred years because of us. But we are too, people. Perhaps you see us all as you did the day before, while the war was still going on. It's okay.
"We all might seem separated, divided and different. But inside we are all the same. One heart beating, two hands touching, two feet walking and two eyes seeing. What brings us together is that. and also one simple thing.
"While I was a refugee in the Earth Kingdom, lives touched me. I felt connected to them through the loss of our loved ones. Be it father, husband, mother, wife, child, brother, sister, friend. I lost someone to the Fire Nation too. My loving mother, Lady Ursa. Through that loss, I felt their pain and anger. And I also felt empty, as did they. We are no different.
"Imagine, an enemy dying at your feet. That is someone's friend. That was someone's friend. I call all of you here together to mourn for the loss of our beloved ones. From a brave Water Tribe mother," Zuko smiled to Katara and Sokka, who smiled back. "To a brother fighting in a war," Zuko smiled, remembering Lee. "To a son of a general who fought for his country," Iroh smiled sadly. "And to an entire race who is probably as kind and spirited as our Avatar Aang," Zuko smiled sadly over to Aang, who was wiping his tears with Katara's hand on his shoulders, comforting him.
"Someone once told me that the people you loved has not left this would, and that they are still inside of your heart. They are reborn in the form of new love. And so I hope that that new love has found its way into your hearts. Ask Aang, I'm pretty sure he knows," Zuko smirked to a red-faced and eyed Aang. "That is my message to you today. I hope that you will forgive and not forget, but remember. Always remembered. Thank you for hearing me out," the solemn Fire Lord bowed nobly to the world, and they did not hesitate to bow back in respect, and not fear.
"I love you, mother," Zuko whispered, silent tears streamed down his face as his sister, the now sane and happy Azula, hugged him tightly.
For Cassie (Lyralocke).