Author's Note: I think this is where everything sort of deviates from canon. I will include some adventures that allow the gaang and Zuko to reveal more about themselves and the shenanigans of which they will be active participants. Almost done with the alphabet titles... Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: "I know how to use a hammer now, duh." -Li, Earth kingdom refugee
Prince's Pride.
"I think it would be best if we separated from now on, Uncle," Zuko said with a stoic glare. This Uncle was not the man he looked up to. The Dragon of the West could have had anything he wanted with the command of his voice or snap of his fingers. He could generate and redirect lightning! The old general could have destroyed those bandits and taken what he wanted! No, instead he debased himself before those men reducing himself to a beggar and tolerating their abuse. This was not a man he wanted to follow. Without looking back, Zuko began his journey on the forlorn road ahead into the Earth Kingdom. Tears fell from Iroh's eyes as he watched his nephew walk away to find his own way. He prayed to Agni that the lessons he needed to learn he would obtain before it was too late. Iroh didn't like the moral path his nephew was taking by stealing at night and other illicit activities to get what he wanted. He knew that some life lessons would only come from experience. He just hoped his experience wouldn't be his undoing.
"Hey Li?" the little gap-tooth boy began as he peered over the exhausted prince resting in the Earth family's barn. "Yeah," Zuko replied to his new alias. "You don't know anything about hammering nails, do ya?" the boy said more as a statement of fact than a question. Li chuckled softly. "Nope. I did that badly, huh?" The little boy whose name ironically enough was also Lee hummed. "Well, Dad only had to redo a few dozen of the roof shingles so it wasn't too bad." He said encouragingly. Zuko cringed. A few dozen!? As he thought about it he began to chuckle. His chuckle grew heavier until "Li" laughed his chest rumbling and moving up and down on the uneven hay. Little Lee joined in and laughed too holding his side and crying. "Li" sighed. "Maybe I'll get better with time." He offered. The young boy was thoughtful. "How about you teach me how to sword fight and I teach you how to hammer properly. It could be like an even exchange, you know?" Li thought about the boy's offer. He smiled at little Lee's sincerity. It wouldn't be too hard to show the boy a couple of defensive moves and honestly, he may need to know how to use a hammer later. It was honest work and he did have his pride to think about. "Ok, Lee. It's a deal."