It had been over two years since he last saw them. After the defeat of his Father, they each went their separate way. Happiness and peace were the first emotions that arose within when the Hundred Year War was finally over. It was like all was finally going to be fixed. Like his life moving forward was going to be full of peace and harmony.

Zuko couldn't have been more wrong.

The peace and happiness he felt had soon faded once his friends had all left. His relationship with Mai- if you could even call it one- had crumbled once he saw that it was going nowhere once he fell into the position of Fire Lord.

Without a love interest, his advisors and council were pushing and pestering him to choose a concubine if not a wife to bear an heir. Though they had been shocked that he had ended his relationship with Lady Mai, they were not displeased in the least. An opening for Fire Lady meant much to the nobles of the Fire Nation. Many females from noble families had flaunted themselves in hope of becoming his lover if not wife.

Such trivial things were soon pushed aside for later when conflict arose in the Fire Nation. Many of his people still had loyal ties to his Father, and such loyalty became a problem once the memory of his defeat festered. Many thought him a traitor to his Nation. Weak, they thought. Dishonorable, they thought. Unworthy, they knew.

Small rebellions arose all over the Nation. The small rebellions had been swiftly dealt with, but the problem was still there to be solved.

Zuko felt all alone. He had luxury, power, wealth, yet it meant nothing to him. What was luxury when he did not feel comfortable nor safe in his own home? His own Nation? What was the use of wealth when he had all he needed? What use was power when he could not use it due to the damned nobles?

The feeling of loneliness only got worse when Uncle Iroh left for Ba Sing Se. He did not need his Uncle to stay, even though he wanted it so. His Uncle deserved peace and quiet, away from all the madness that was consuming his nephew. He was a bit relieved when Uncle did not visit during the two-year span, even though it hurt, Zuko did not want his Uncle to see what he was slowly becoming. What his life was turning into.

Zuko had drastically changed as the years passed by. Both physically and mentally. Zuko's hair had grown long, reaching past his shoulders, reminiscent to his Father when it was loose and wild as a warrior fighting. His body itself had grown exceptionally in mass and length. He had grown very tall in the two years that had passed, and his body's muscle mass had equally grown due to his brutal training regime.

Scars littered his body due to his training, but also due to the numerous fights he had to endure, both in the past when he was once in exile, and now as Fire Lord of the Fire Nation. Many attempted to take his life, yet none had succeeded thus far.

All in all, Zuko had strong features. Muscular, drawn back shoulders, a strong and prominent jawline, and impressive cheekbones with shapely hollows underneath. His body, appearance, and posture told not of a boy, but a man. A man who would lead his Nation to greatness...but his eyes told a different story.

His eyes were a window into his inner turmoil. If one who truly knew Zuko were to look into his eyes, they would see great pain and suffering within. They would see such sadness, hatred, and self-loathing. Zuko's appearance showed nothing, but his eyes told everything.

He couldn't help but remember the words of his Uncle. ''Zuko, before I leave, I must tell you something of great importance.'' Iroh placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder. ''Remember that the blood of former Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku run through your veins. There will always be a war within you nephew. Two sides warring for dominance. I want you to know that no matter what, I will always be there for you.''

His Uncle had been right about the war. He felt at war with himself constantly. Zuko tried to stay the same as two years ago, but as time passed he grew colder and detached. He found it hard to smile, to be happy. He had no one to talk to, no one to spend time with, no one wo he could truly relate to.

Now that he thought of it, he was almost never alone in the past. During exile, he had his Uncle and his men. When he went against his Father, he had the Avatar and his friends, who then became his friends once they trusted him enough.

Zuko found that he couldn't sleep. He found himself sitting atop his bed covered with sweat, strands on his long hair clung to his face.

The pain had started out as trivial, but ever since that day, it only grew worse. He clutched at the scar on his chest as he tried to breathe. No matter the pain, it was worth it. I don't regret it, none of it...

Ever since he got struck with lightning saving Katara, he was in a constant state of pain that only grew with time. His Firebending suffered greatly due to his labored breathing. He found that every time he tried to breathe deeply he was forced to stop due to the pain being too great.

Firebending was all about the control of breath, one who had control could essentially master his bending. This was proved by his Uncle, who, despite appearances of being unfit, could go toe-to-toe with Father, due to him being a master of his breathing.

Zuko had thought that Katara had fully healed him, but it seems that wasn't the case. He had the royal physician do a full check-up under the guise that he was feeling under the weather, but was cleared as healthy and strong, and after some time, he grew used to the pain in his chest.

It was night, and the moon fully shined. The moon reminded him of Katara. I wonder how she's doing? I wonder how they're all doing...

Deciding that he couldn't sleep, Zuko put on his robes that distinguished him as Fire Lord, albeit with some difficulty. He looked at himself in the mirror that stood in the corner of the Fire Lord's room and couldn't help but see a bit of his Father in himself-then again-he was his son.

''Let me through,'' commanded Zuko as he approached the guards outside the prison tower.

The sound of his footsteps echoed throughout the halls of the ill-illuminated prison. He had gone here many times to see his Father. Almost all his visits were concerning his Mother and her whereabouts, yet each time yielded fruitless results. Zuko almost felt like giving up, but that wasn't an option for him. It never was.

Zuko stopped at the cell of his Father. The weak flame in the palm of his hand showed the flickering shadow of the former Fire Lord and defeated Phoenix King. The man was no doubt a shadow of his former self. Ozai had lost much of his muscle along with his hygiene.

''I know you're awake, no use pretending.'' Said Zuko, his voice full of disdain.

''Come to see me son? What's the occasion?'' Asked Ozai with mockery as he got up from the bed on the floor.

''No-don't tell me-does it have to do with your Mother?'' Ozai laughed when he saw the look on his son's face.

''Just tell me what I want. After all you've done, all the pain you've caused...''

'' Or what?'' Ozai asked. ''You're going to kill me? Look at you, you're weak! Said Ozai, his finger pointed. ''A traitor to your own Nation, and to me, your own Father! I should have killed you that day. A mistake I won't make again once I have the chance...''

Zuko's eyes grew dark. I look forward to that day, old man. These bars are merely your protection. The only reason you're alive is because the Avatar willed it so. Should you escape, I will end you in the most horrid of ways, just like you deserve.'' Said Zuko with his deep and baritone voice full of hate.

Ozai was momentarily shocked at his son's display, not expecting him to say such things with such malice. The man in chains gulped when he heard of how his son planned to kill him.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, Ozai asked '' Why are you here, truly? You're not gaining any favors with that tone of voice you know.''

''I simply came to remind myself of what I could become if I'm not careful. You lost everything you once had and could have gained.'' Zuko looked at his father in the eyes. ''Look at you, you're nothing but a pathetic man who thought himself King of the world. I can't believe how naïve I once was to look up to you, to try and gain your respect. Pleading to regain my honor when it was never lost. Because of you I had to redeem myself to those who truly mattered.''

Ozai said nothing, simply looking up at his son from where he sat with eyes full of disgust. It wasn't until he thought of something interesting that he smiled wickedly. ''Boy, do you remember your indecisiveness that sunny day on Ember Island?''

''What are you talking about? What indecisiveness?'' Asked Zuko.

''You were but a boy on that day,'' told Ozai. ''You came across a turtle-crab and a hawk. You had a choice that you hesitated to make. Save the turtle-crab from death, or the hawk from starvation. Because of your hesitation, you were swept away to the sea. I had to save you from drowning on that day.''

''I don't understand. Why are you telling me this?'' Asked Zuko as he gripped the bars in front of him with one hand while he held the flame with his other.

Ozai simply dismissed his son and ordered him to come back tomorrow if he wished to know why. ''While you're at it Zuko, bring some Jasmine tea and a Pai Sho board next time you come. Been awhile since I had it last,'' remarked Ozai.

''I want you to remember these words Zuko. Who knows, maybe they will be of more use to you than me.''

''What are they?''

''It is one thing to use the element within, but completely another to bend the element itself to your will.'' Said Ozai as he stroked his goatee.

Zuko had a look of irritation on his rather handsome face at his Father's words. ''I'll see you tomorrow night then, and I'll remember what you said. When I come tomorrow, I'll have some questions to ask.''

''Hopefully not the same one's you've already asked? They do get quite boring, especially the ones about Mother dearest.''

''One day you will tell me where my Mother is, and that day is soon approaching. This isn't over by a long-shot old man, I swear that by Agni himself.''

''I should hope not Zuko! It gets quite lonely in here, and I do appreciate the company!'' Laughed Ozai before he grew serious once his son left.

It seems like you grow more and more like me as the days pass Zuko. Who knew my weak and feeble son had such hatred within? Is this the life you envisioned living Zuko? Is this the happiness and peace you so desperately wanted? If so, then you truly are a fool, but there is hope for you yet...

A/N: Ok everyone, chapter numero uno is done. A little rocky off the start if I do say so myself, but I only made this within a span of two days, so it's to be expected. This chapter is short, as almost all my new Fics starting out are. Not to worry, the chapters will increase dramatically as characters new and old are brought into the fold along with problems, relationships, and plenty more!

A lot has changed for Zuko in two years. Things are going to get quite problematic for the Fire Lord in the next chapter...