It took two weeks before there was complete cease fire and it is told there was much celebrating on both sides at the end of the war. In some cases the once enemies danced and reveled with one another. But sadly of course it would be many years before predjiduce would completely die away. Another two weeks passed and the rebel army began to ship its ranks back to the Earth kingdom and the north pole.

But before they all left, there was a formal gathering in the center of the city. All the soldiers and officers and even civilains from both sides filed silently into the gathering place. Their silence was not quiet fuming or discomfort simply a audio example of the peace they felt within themselves. The war was over and there wasn't one person that wasn't glad of it.

In the middle of the gathering a dias was raised and Iroh stood in the middle of it. On either side of a long isle leading to the dias, civilains and soldiers were lined parrellel and neat in their best finery. They all waited for the ceremony to begin. A beautiful oriental musical introduction began and Iroh shook his sleeves out over his hands where they rested at his sides. Then he spread his arms wide, turning to encompase everyone in his speech,

"My people of the fire nation, of the earth kingdom and of the water tribes, I invite you, all my people to join me. Join me in a beginging of rebuilding, a begining of acceptance. Join me in grasping this second chance we have been given with both hands and steering the future towards a time of peace and prosperity. The avatar is a gift to all the people of this world, to keep them at peace. Of course in his absence we have proven our need for his presence. But he is more then a peace keeper. He is an example of the people. Each element and people are strong and beautiful enough alone, but if we, like the avatar, learn to combine our elements and people and accept each other unquestioningly we can be greater then ever and more prosperous then anyone ever dreamed. Join me my people in grasping the possiblity of overwhelming and unending peace."

At the end of his words a huge uproar of cheers and applause exploded throughout the crowd. Iroh waved to them, indicating silence. As the roar dimmed he spoke again,

"For now, my people, join me in thanking some people. We thank the avatar! His contributions are beyond words so I will not dimminish his works by trying."

Aang walked calmly and happily down the isle, the roar and cheers were defining. They ran on into three minutes until Aang finally held up his hand so Iroh could continue.

"We thank Katara, for her bravery, her perserverence, her kindness and strength. She trained the avatar in the art of water bending and was there behind him for help all this time."

Katara walked queitly down the isle. She was dressed in a flattering white dress that hugged her beautifully. The cheers were not as loud as Aang's had been but they were earth quaking none the less. Flowers were thrown to her and she bowed to each side, comming to stand behind Aang on the dias.

Iroh smiled at her and recieved one in return. He turned back to the crowd and continued. "We thank the brave warrior Sokka! His fertile mind and agile body have helped the avatar in his bid for peace."

Sokka walked forward amoungst more cheering to stand next to his sister, dressed nicely like her in a white tunic and brown briches.

"We thank Toph! She taught the avatar the ways of the earth as no one else could. She was a pillar of strength and loyalty to all durring the times of need."

Toph was a little thrown off on her walk down the isle, the cheers disrupted much of her vision and the crowd had to help steer her to the dias. She blushed and laughed thanking them for their aid.

"We thank the irreplace able Appa and well and the leamer Momo."

The crowds cheered and crooned over the fluffy bison and his little companion. Appa rose gently into the air to land on top of a near by building so as not to take up the entire dias.

"We thank Tae Lee and my nephew Zuko. Late commers to the cause of the avatar but essential characters none the less. My nephew taught Aang the ways of the fire nation and Tae Lee twarted a number of attempted assasinations on the avatar."

Their cheers were surprisingly loud given their nationality and Zuko was deeply touched at the utter acceptance as he escorted Tae Lee down the path to the platform. As the group stood behind Aang, Iroh raised his arms once again.

"Lastly we thank the soldiers. Their spirit never died, no matter the adversity they faced. And allow me to be the first of the fire nation people to offer my deepest regrets at the past." with his, Iroh and everyother fire nation citizen dipped into a deep bow. In return every other person bowed as well. Wounds were not completely healed and many losses would never be healed but it was a start and a step in the right direction.

Now Aang stepped forward and there was absolute silence. "I will apologize as well, for my absence all these years, I'm sorry I couldn't help to end it sooner. But now that the end is here and peace has returned, I urge you all to drop prejiduce and embrace one another as brothers and sisters. I would also like to reestablish the water tribes of the south pole and designate the Cheif, Sokka, to lead them as he sees fit and just."

Sokka stepped forward smiling and kneeled down infront of Aang and all the people. There was more clapping and as Sokka returned to Katara and Tae Lee's sides he scooped Tae Lee up and spun her around. There was more cheering and a short chant was imediately taken up.

"Long live Cheif Sokka and Cheiftess Tae Lee of the Southern Water tribes!" they cried.

Aang laughed with pleasure and spoke again. "I would also like to reopen Ba-sing-sai to the public and to designate a new leader, Toph, and charge her with the project and responsibility and hopefully joy of rebuilidng the great city returning it to its formal presitge and going beyond that." more cheers rose and Toph kneeled down infront of Aang as Sokka had done.

"And now to formally bring the new fire lord to power. Iroh, true heir to the throne before Ozai, I grant you the tite and power of the fire lord and ask only that you rule well and justly."

More cheers but they were cut of as Iroh shook his head politely. "I am deeply honored at the prospect Avatar but I have no wish to rule, it is time for a breath of fresh air for this nation and I am not that air. I will retire to roam the world and find peace in my adventures." Iroh winked and smiled at the looks of astonishment all around him.

Aang nodded and smiled as well, "Then the rightful heir will be allowed to step forward into the title of fire lord. Prince Zuko, will you accept the title of fire lord and pledge to use your powers to good as much good as your father and fore fathers did bad?"

Zuko stood rooted to the spot in astonishment. Katara nudged him and he closed his mouth and opened it again. "Yes, I accept."

As Zuko kneeled before him, greeted by more cheers, Aang smiled down at him, "Rule well."

"Lastly before we feast or depart or join hands danceing there is more I would say. There is one more nation, not spoken of as of yet. A once powerful nation, of wonderful history, now almost gone. I would take the throne of the Air bending temples and their people. That includes the Northern and southern temples."

There was a polite applause but many were confused. Aang smiled and made a hand motion to a place in the crowd. "The Air benders will populate the world once more, with Amekaze at my side and the aid of the nothern temple there will be prosperity for the airbenders once more." A young woman of Aang's age stepped forward. She was slender but beautiful with a shy pretty smile. Flaming red hair tumbled and swayed down her back as she joined Aang's side. The cheering was so loud the ground shook beneath them all. Aang laughed and kissed his young soon to be bride.

The war was over. The Fire nation was under new rule. The earth kingdom was on its way to rebuilding. The water tribes were blooming again. Finally the world would be populated with air benders again. The natural flow was returning and with it, an era of peace. Yes there would be war again, new enemies, new allies, but for now the peace was embraced and prosperity enjoyed and there was happiness in the lands once more.