Prologue

The death of Firelord Azulon, though mournful in the Fire Nation, brought a surging way of hope on the rest of the surviving lands. His first born, Crown Prince Iroh, took to the throne in a very mellow and humble fashion. His brother Ozai's petition for the right to rule had been null-and-void, leaving the sinister prince seething and hateful.

Iroh was a kind man with a gentle spirit. He had seen the world before and saw past the prejudice ways of his Nation. He began removing troops from their stations in the Earth Kingdom, to the shock and dismay of Azulon's loyalists and his commanders.

"This is an outrage," Commander Zhao sneered at Ozai, who was seated next to him in the war meeting. "He does not know how to run this land."

Ozai narrowed his eyes at his older brother, pursing his lips in disgust and nodding. "It is like he does not want us to win this war. He is weak."

Iroh had been seated in his throne, the crackling orange flames that surrounded him seemed soft and friendly, not fearsome. His face had a concentrated bliss, a look of nirvana, as he ordered his armies out of the Earth Kingdom.

"And," Iroh spoke up, "as our last order of business here, I would like to appeal a peace-treaty among the Water Tribes. I request a meeting with Chief Arnook. Admiral Zhao, please send these regards at once. It is time we bring this war to an end."

Zhao stood up abruptly, as the men seated around the long, wooden table began to mumble and mutter in protest, until the slow thrumming of commentary turned into an uproar of indignation.

"Silence!" Iroh said, his peaceful composure cracking at the racket.

"But, your grace…" A lowly ranking commander spoke out, "We are just so close to wining this war… why would we give up now?"

Iroh closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Firelord Sozin began this war so that he could share our land's good fortune with the rest of the four nations, Commander. One Hundred years later, and this war has not provided a single drop of prosperity. We have killed off an entire race, The Air Nomads, in a vain search for the Avatar. We have ended countless lives. Men from our own nation, including my son, have been lost on the battlefield, and yet we have not yet one. This war is futile. The balance within the world has been distorted, and now, we must restore it."

The group of officers fell silent, processing the words of Iroh. They remained silent, looking down on the table.

"This meeting is adjourned." Iroh stated, watching his subjects stand and bow to him, filing out of the war room. "Ozai," He called after his brother, the last to leave the chamber, "please tell your children that we are leaving tomorrow."

Ozai snapped his head back at his brother, "Leaving?" He spat, "Leaving for where?"

"The Northern Water Tribe." Iroh declared, "I would like the entire royal family to join me. It seems appropriate."

Ozai's cognac eyes flashed with abhorrence. "Brother, I refuse to go to that land of savages. I'm sure my children will agree with me."

"See to it that Zuko and Azula speak with me tonight," Iroh insisted, picking up a cup of tea that was placed next to him. "You may go now."

Ozai turned swiftly on his heel, anger swelling up inside him, choking him. As soon as left the dimly lit war room, bold flashes of fire burst from his fists and he slammed them through the air, tremendously frustrated with his brother.


Chapter One

"I'm glad that you decided to join me, Nephew. Your father and sister are too narrow-minded to go on such an expedition." Iroh said, smiling at Zuko.

Zuko stared blankly across the misted, deep sapphire waters as their metal navy ship cut through the way, driving Zuko father away from his home. "I needed to get out of the palace." He said finally. The young, scarred prince always felt suffocated in the palace, surrounded not only by his intimidating sister or domineering father, but also by the ever-present memories of his mother.

"A boy is not a man until he sees more than his own land," Iroh agreed, "My brother has seen the world, but he has not truly understood it's beauty. He does not appreciate nature the way you and I do, Zuko. It makes me disappointed."

Zuko nodded. He had been on this boat for less than an hour and was already beginning to grow wary of his uncle's lectures. The trip by sea to the North Pole would take roughly two days.

Iroh yawned and stretched out his back, "I think I'm going to go take a nap. Perhaps you could join the crew and I for a game of Pai Sho later, nephew."

"Maybe," Zuko said, leaning over the railing. Zuko valued his time alone. Being with other people made him uncomfortable. He trusted very little people and had no friends. He just didn't see any point in wasting time on other people when he could be practicing firebending or thinking. Hopefully, once he got to the North Pole, he wouldn't have to interact with a slew of natives. He couldn't be bothered to socially exert himself. People are just a distraction.