Author's Note: I do not own Avatar. Just my OC's.

Thank you for all your reviews so far. I hope to hear more comments because these can help me improve my story and my writing. So if you have any comments or critiques please be sure to submit them. And now on with the story.

The sun had ascended the sky and now its powerful rays emerced the ocean in a bath of gold. A bird could be heard squawking in the clouds and the occasional breeze only amplified the serenity of the situation. It had been a day since the battle had ended and the soldiers were enjoying their first break in months. Despite their great victory General Sheng and his officers maintained military discipline and continued to post sentries and divided the men into 4 watches. The tranquility of the beautiful summer day was occasionally interrupted by a worker shouting or the sound of a catapult's gears being cleaned.

Elsewhere across a wide range of ocean the remnants of Kalo's Fleet were sailing home. Having lost over two thirds of their original force the men could hardly be forced to fulfill their duties. Soldiers mourned their friends and officers lamented at having lost their brave leaders. Even Kalo, unlike his usual level headed self, walked dejectedly on the deck and would hardly utter more than two words at a time. But memories fade, and as the dead are buried those who are living begin to appreciate the life around them. Even as the moon is at it's fullest at the end of the month so did the soldiers now see their commander.

Zhang's Fleet, Hospital Ship Reliance

"Oh man, where the hell am I?" asked Liang. He had only now regained consciousness to find himself in bandages in a hospital bed.

"God damn it! That bastard…" The memories from the battle came rushing back to him and it was then that he remembered who had injured him.

"That porcupine headed jerk, and to think I got knocked out by the likes of him. I must be losing my touch."

"Will you shut the hell up already!" said Shiru, rising from his own bed across the room.

"Eh? Commodore Shiru? Looks like im not the only one in bandages! Hahaha! Who got you?" asked Liang.

"Damn it, I told you to shut the hell up!" screamed Shiru. He had been trying to block out the noise, but to no avail.

"Pft, what's the matter? Got an arrow lodged in your ass? Sheesh"

The door to the sick bay opened and Captain Suzo followed by Admiral Su and General Xiu walked into the room.

"We just thought we'd visit our favorite Commodore and fire head over there" said Suzo.

"Hey! I'm not a fire head!" screamed Liang as he incinerated his bandages.

"Nice way of proving it" muttered Xiu.

"Oh no! You mustn't do that" said a nurse as she rushed into the room. She immediately attempted to re-bandage Liang.

"Hey, enough with the bandages sis! I've already cauterized my wounds so I'm fine" said Liang.

"But...but…"

"Hey you're pretty cute for a nurse. How about you an me go to my room and-"

"Enough Liang! It's obvious you're back to normal so let the nurse go." said Admiral Su. By now the nurse was extremely flustered and after bowing she hastily scrambled out of the room.

"So what happened while I was here?" asked Shiru, "Did we win the battle? Is my ship alright?"

"Yes we won" said General Sheng.

"And the Death's Hand has just finished her repairs. As soon as you've healed you can go back to your quarters on the ship" said Suzo.

"Ugh…I can't believe I missed the battle!" said Shiru "So where's Admiral Zhang? Did he stay aboard his flagship?"

"No, the Admiral was struck by an arrow and he died of his injuries last night." said Su.

"Then who's in command of the fleet?" asked Shiru. The color had gone from his face and his eyes showed grief at the news that his leader had fallen. Admiral Zhang had been the first commander he had trusted, and one that he would have gladly died for.

"Before he died Admiral Zhang chose me as his successor." said Su, despite saying it Su still wasn't comfortable with his new position. Zhang's decision came as a surprise to most of the senior staff as well.

"I see." said Shiru with gravity. After pausing for a moment to think he said, "Zhang was a genius both on the battlefield and in the war room. He was a Commander that any subordinate was proud to serve. I wholeheartedly acknowledge his decision, and I hope the others will do the same"

"Thank you Commodore. We are expected to appear at the capital to conclude negotiations with the fire Nation. If you're feeling better I will leave the fleet temporarily under your command" said Su.

"You do me great honor, I won't let you down Admiral."

Fire Nation Palace, Throne room

Kalo walked slowly toward the throne. He did not raise his head and did not match eyes with anyone. Despite his disgrace Kalo maintained his dignity and did not let any of the dismay he felt show on his face. When he finally reached the throne he raised his head and stared at his Fire Lord.

"Admiral Kalo." said Zuko icily. His face showed every attempt to conceal his anger, but his fury could not be contained.

"So, even you have failed me! I thought that I had at least one loyal subject left! But no. It appears I am surrounded by traitors and incompetent fools!" Standing up from his throne Zuko grimaced at the officials below, causing them all to fall to their knees in respect.

"We are one of the four nations of the world! And yet we were defeated like any common rabble! Our armies were larger and more powerful, and still they were defeated by the machinations of one man!" screamed Zuko, the roaring flames surrounding him only added to his furious countenance, "And now we stand helpless! The rebel fleet is anchored outside of our capital, and we have nothing with which to stop them!"

"The Avatar is missing, my Uncle and my greatest Advisor is missing, and my High Admiral is also missing! Why, when their country needed them most, why have my friends failed me? First at Oni Strait, then at the Inferno, and now before the capital itself! Why?"

Zuko glared at his subordinates and looked furiously at Kalo, but still his question remained unanswered. The flames around him began to die down as Zuko acknowledged the hopelessness of the situation. He had been defeated, not because he was weak or cowardly, but because his country had lost the will to fight. After centuries of war the people were tired. He had promised them an end to the tyranny and oppression, brought about by Sozin and his successors. But instead he had only drawn his country further into the darkness. When Zuko at last sat down on his throne Kalo spoke.

"My Lord, I have failed you. But the rebels no longer seek to depose you. They wish for a peaceful coexistence, and for the sake of our nation and the unity of the world we must comply. For the time being give into their demands, and when we have regained our strength we shall take back what is ours"

"Kalo, you are one of my closest friends" said Zuko "I hope you continue to serve our nation. I realize now that it was my fault that we lost the battle. The mistrust and chaos caused by centuries of war has left our nation frail. And I should not have tested its newfound stability. I hope my mistake has not destroyed the very thing we have fought so hard to regain."

Flagship Sozin's Malice

The officers and soldiers stood in their best uniforms as the body of Admiral Zhang was carried onto the deck. A huge funeral pyre had been built the top of which was adorned by a sepulcher made out of white silk. The carriers delicately placed the Admiral's body on the pyre and put a gold encrusted sword into his hands. The soldiers removed their helmets and the whole fleet bowed its head in silence. After another ten minutes of prayer to the spirits the senior officers surrounded the pyre. Each of them held a small flame in their hands and one by one they placed their fire on the wood. Within moments the pyre was ablaze and the Admiral soon disappeared within the flickering flames. After the fire had died down and the smoke had cleared the officers pushed the remains into the ocean; and with one last bow of respect they returned to their command posts.

Fire Nation Capital, Reception Hall

The rebel fleet had finally made it to the harbor, and instead of being met with hatred or jeering many in the crowd cheered the arrival of their saviors. The transport docked and Admiral Su stepped down from its boarding ramp. The crowd broke into frenzy and cheered as General Sheng and General Xiu followed him onto the dock. A small girl made it past the guards and stood in front of Admiral Su.

"Hello there" said Su. The girl shied away at first but finally pulled a flower out of her robes and gave it Su.

"Why thank you, what's your name?" asked Su as he tentatively took the flower from her.

"Maika."

"Run along now Maika. And thank you for the flower"

Su and the two General were escorted to the Reception Hall where they were met by Defense Minister Jue Dianhe.

"Greetings your Excellency" said the minister with a bow. And turning to the generals he bowed again. "Right this way please"

The Reception Hall was well lit, there were several lamps on the walls an even a grand chandelier in the ceiling. Surrounding the hall were many beautiful tapestries depicting the various Fire Lords (except for Sozin, Azulon, and Ozai) and at its center was a large square table. At the far end of the hall Zuko stood brooding in silence, refusing to look at the rebel leaders. Su decided to make his way to Zuko but along the way he was met by Kalo.

"Your Excellency" said Kalo with a bow.

"Admiral Kalo" said Su as he returned the bow. "I trust the Fire Lord is well?"

"Yes, but he isn't happy, as you can probably imagine"

"Admiral, I strongly hope for coexistence. Can I count on your support?"

"I am a father, your Excellency; my wife has recently given birth. I no longer wish to fight, so long as my nation is safe I am perfectly content to live the rest of my days in retirement"

"As I said before Admiral, we are so very alike in our goals. It seems that only by some ironic twist of fate that we ended up as enemies."

"Perhaps you are right…I think the meeting is about to begin we should get going" And with that said Kalo bowed and walked towards the conference table.

The meeting was uncomfortable to say the least. The Defense Minister was very shrewd in his tactics and he always ventured to limit the power allotted to the Rebel Fleet. The Earth Kingdom Ambassador had been told to give in to any demands made by Admiral Su, since the Earth Kingdom had no navy left to protect its merchants they were therefore in less of a position to haggle. The officials and Admiral Su's delegation agreed that all prisoners of war were to be released, and that any citizens who wished to join Admiral Su or wishing to return to their previous nation, should be allowed to do so without any interference from their respective Government.

At last, after four hours of deliberation the borders of the new country had been drawn. The nation would encompass all of the fire Nations islands east of Fire Fountain City, several coastal cities on the Earth Kingdom's Eastern Bank, this included the large Fortress that guarded the area. The Southern Water Was was forced to concede Whale Tail Island while the Northern Water Tribe would pay a tribute of 40,000 gold pieces for the protection of its water lanes. After some time the three officers decided that the new country should be named the Azulon Empire, in honor of Princess Azula, who was their de joure leader. And with the peace treaty signed by everyone at the meeting the court scribe was immediately called for to draw up a copy for each of the Ambassadors. It had taken nearly a year, as well as the blood of 600,000 soldiers for Admiral Zhang's dream to be realized. The peace that everyone longed for seemed close at hand.

THE END

A/N: Let me know what you thought of the story, reviews are greatly appreciated!