Chapter 92: Warriors of the Sun

It had been a few years since Zuko had been a student. While he had learned a great many things during his travels through the Earth Kingdom, it had always been very informally. Learning Firebending from Iroh was almost like a return to childhood.

They'd started, as he'd expected, at the beginning. The Sun had barely started to rise and they were sat cross-legged opposite one another in the compound garden, behind high walls and away from prying eyes. An unlit candle sat between them.

"Firebending comes from the breath, Zuko." Iroh stated. "Never from the muscles. While physicality plays its part in Firebending, the strength of one's Fire is ultimately dependent on one's breathing and one's mindset."

Zuko nodded. "I remember, Uncle."

Iroh nodded back. "Then tell me what fuels your Fire."

"Anger. Rage. Hatred, at times." Zuko listed.

Iroh sighed. He said, "It is true that modern Firebending, Sozin-approved Firebending, comes from those dark emotions, however it is not the only source."

Zuko frowned. "I don't understand."

Iroh nodded. He gestured at the candle between them. "Light the candle, Nephew."

Zuko flicked his fingers at the candlewick, igniting it. He looked to his Uncle.

Iroh said, "Are you angry, Nephew?"

Zuko's frown grew deeper. "No."

Iroh smiled slightly. "And yet, you bent Fire. So anger does not have to fuel your Fire. You have found another source, even if you did so unconsciously."

"So what can act as a source of Fire?"

Iroh looked to the east, where the Sun was cresting over the horizon. He said, "Tell me the meaning of Fire, Nephew."

Zuko thought about it. He said slowly, "I was taught that Fire is the one, true element. The element of power and drive. Of passion and determination. Clearly that was at least partly propaganda."

Iroh nodded. "The elements are equal and balanced; what's more, they are connected. They share a common source; this is why the Avatar is capable of bending them."

Zuko said, "To make Fire we use our chi. We fuel it with… our emotions?"

Iroh nodded encouragingly but said nothing.

Zuko continued, "The Fire Sages teach that Firebending is Agni's Gift to us. That he granted us the ability to bend his Great Light to our will."

"And how did we learn to bend Fire correctly, Zuko?"

"The Dragons." Zuko said with certainty. "They were the original Firebenders."

Iroh nodded again, still smiling. "Yes, the Dragons taught humans how to Firebend. The Sun Warriors were said to be amongst their first students. They developed much of our philosophy surrounding our inner flames and it's connection to the original source of Firebending."

"Which is?" Zuko asked quickly.

Iroh just nodded towards the horizon, where the Sun was rising. "The Sun."

Zuko's face fell slightly. He'd been expecting some great secret of Firebending.

He said, "Uncle, I know that Fire is strengthened by the Sun. Every Firebender knows that; it's why we're stronger during the day than at night."

Iroh said, "You believe it only strengthens or weakens you? Nothing more?"

Zuko thought about it, but shrugged. "I… guess so?"

Iroh said, "I assume, Nephew, that you noticed when the Moon went dark?"

Zuko looked away from his Uncle. "I… I was at the North Pole, Uncle. I was there when Admiral Zhao killed the Moon Spirit."

Iroh's expression didn't change. He'd assumed that the Avatar's Fire Nation companion that Pakku had spoken of was Zuko.

Iroh said, "Then I'm sure you noticed that the Waterbenders lost their ability to bend while the Moon was absent?"

Zuko opened his mouth to speak and then paused. Eventually he said, "Yeah, Katara couldn't bend. It… really seemed to disturb her."

Iroh nodded. "To lose access to such a vital part of herself must have felt… devastating, even if it was just for a short time.

"As Waterbenders are connected to the Moon, and the Moon Spirit, so too are we Firebenders connected to the Sun, and the Sun Spirit. Our inner flame is an extension of the Sun's light, which is itself an expression of Agni Himself. The Spirit, the Sun, and our own inner flame; they are connected. A chain, nigh on unbreakable."

Zuko shook his head, trying to comprehend everything his Uncle was telling him.

He asked, "Uncle, how do you know these things? Surely you were taught Sozin's method?"

Iroh nodded. "I was, yes. However I have always considered myself a student of Fire, of all the elements really, and I have travelled the world many times over and learned many things. For instance, a great deal can learned by wandering the Fire Nation's ancient ruins; though, one must approach them with the right mindset."

Zuko nodded, filing the information away for later.

Iroh continued, "You said that Firebending was Agni's Gift to us. Why do we give gifts, Zuko? What emotion within us prompts us to express it in gift form?"

Zuko thought for a moment. Hesitantly he said, "Love?"

Iroh smiled widely. "Yes, Zuko. Love. If you can learn to power your flames with love, you will know strength beyond anything Azula displays."

Zuko asked, "How do I learn to do that, Uncle?"

Iroh asked in return, "What is the foundation of Firebending, Nephew?"

Zuko smiled. "The breath."

"The breath." Iroh repeated. "Now, I would like you to close your eyes and breathe."


Katara hadn't quite known what to expect from Firebending practice. Her experience of the element had always been… combative. Even with Zuko, she only really saw him bend when he was fighting, and even then he tended to rely more on his swords. Occasionally he lit the campfire with his bending, usually if Sokka was taking too long with the spark rocks.

She'd been surprised to find that Iroh and Zuko were already in the garden when she woke up. She'd been more surprised to see them sitting and meditating, positioned in the same manner Aang often was.

Having only known Fire as aggressive, she was shocked to see them so still and serene.

She watched them through the kitchen window for a while. At one point she caught General Iroh's eye over Zuko's shoulder and he smiled at her before closing his eyes once again.

She'd begun making breakfast after that.


Following meditation, they'd moved on to the basic katas.

Iroh walked him through the First Set of Sun Stances. The Rising Sun flowed into the Sweeping Sun before being held in the Frozen Sun and beginning its descent into the Setting Sun.

Zuko had moved on from such stances when he was eight. He tried not to feel like a child. It helped that Iroh did them as well at the same time.

From there, they'd gone over more offensive forms. Iroh had re-taught him the various permutations of the Sun Palm technique. Striking, Sweeping, and Advancing. Even the Inverse Sun Palm, which he had not learned as a child as it was deemed improper for battle.

Iroh explained, "The Inverse Sun Palm is a defensive move. Sozin believed that a true Firebender had no need for such things, as their offense should have already overwhelmed the opponent."

Zuko committed it to both his memory and his muscle memory as best he could.

Iroh had progressed to the multitude of Sun Kicks and Sun Strikes, before deeming the Stance Set complete.

Iroh commented to Zuko, "You are too hard on yourself, Nephew. You have remembered much from childhood."

Zuko smiled, pleased.


Despite his acceptance that he wasn't ready to bend Fire, Aang couldn't help but be curious about it.

He'd seen a lot of Firebending in his life. From his friendship with Kuzon to his travels through the war-torn world, he'd seen a lot of Fire.

He'd never seen someone being trained in it, though.

What surprised him was the general lack of Fire.

He sat on a low wall off to the side as Iroh walked Zuko through a set of stances. No flames emerged from Zuko's fists as he performed the set, not even a wisp of smoke.

He couldn't help but ask over breakfast later in the morning.

Iroh explained, "Zuko is merely refreshing the moves, thus Fire is unnecessary. They are called Cold Katas. He has no need to expend his chi practicing such forms, so he doesn't."

Aang nodded, considering this new information. Pretty much every move he'd learned, for any element, required him to bend the element during practice. While all the elements were complex and unique, Aang couldn't help but notice the sheer difference between Fire and the other three. It was the only internal element, for one. The others all came from an external source.

He wondered why that was.


Iroh watched with a critical eye as Zuko demonstrated a high kick.

When the move was completed Iroh nodded, satisfied. He said, "You have retained a great deal of the Dragon Stances, though your transition into the second movement was off a little."

Zuko sighed and nodded. "I know; I felt it. My chi paths were off."

Iroh nodded back. "It worked, but it was not the most efficient form."

Zuko asked, "Should I run it again?"

Iroh shook his head. "Not just yet. For now, I would like you to show me your Breath of Fire."

Zuko frowned. "Uncle, we've not covered that yet."

Iroh replied, "I believe we covered it during your last lessons before you were deployed, Nephew."

Zuko's frown deepened. "I'd barely begun to learn when I was sent away, Uncle."

"Are you saying that you've forgotten?"

Zuko shook his head. "I think I remember. I'm just… hesitant."

Iroh reminded him, "Fire will not allow for hesitancy. To master Fire you must be its master. It must bow to your commands, Nephew."

Zuko took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right, Uncle."

Iroh stepped to the side, out of Zuko's line of fire. He said, "Whenever you are ready, Nephew."

Zuko closed his eyes and began a series of deep inhales and long exhales.

Iroh spoke softly, "Feel the air fill your lungs, Nephew, and allow it to flow back out. Create a pathway for your ignited chi; one that only flows outward, never in."

Zuko absorbed the information but didn't respond to it. He kept his eyes closed and maintained his breathing.

Finally, he allowed his chi to ignite and fire emerged from his mouth, roaring out like that of a Dragon.

He held it for a moment, and he could hear Iroh clapping in the background, and then he allowed the flames to die out.

Zuko breathed in deeply, falling forward so that his hands rested on his knees. Sweat gleamed on his forehead.

A voice behind them remarked, "Now that sounded pretty awesome, Sparky."


Toph sat on the ground behind the two Firebenders, close to the house. Iroh had clocked her arrival; he'd even scuffed his shoe in her direction for which he received a grin. Zuko hadn't noticed her though; his back was to her and she assumed he was focusing on his breathing too much to concentrate on anything else.

She stayed quiet, allowing him to work through whatever he was doing.

She was curious about Firebending; up until she began travelling with Aang and the others, she'd not had much, or any, exposure to it. Since travelling with the Avatar she'd seen a fair amount of Firebending, some from Sparky and some from Fire Nation forces.

Firebending confused her; though, to be fair, every element except Earth confused her. She couldn't feel them, not in the same way, and she wasn't familiar enough with their movements to predict them. Not yet, anyway. She was getting better at it, especially with Fire.

With Fire, though, there was a lot of similarity to her Earthbending; more so than with Air or Water. When Aang or Katara bent their respective elements it just felt so… other. When Zuko bent Fire though it felt familiar. Like a voice she'd only heard once when she was very small.

Earth and Fire were connected as they were both more aggressive and direct elements; in the same way that Air and Water bore similarities because they were more indirect.

She'd talked about it with Iroh after one of Zuko's Firebending lessons.

He'd said, "All of the elements are connected to one another, as they all share a source. They are all similar in some ways and yet different in others.

"Earth defends as Fire attacks, while Air avoids and Water redirects. Earth and Air are opposites, as are Water and Fire. Air can provide fuel to Fire, just as Water and Earth can mix to become mud. Fire and Earth can combine to become lava, or even glass. Water and Fire make steam. Earth and Air represent two of the most fundamental things we need to live; Earth to live on, to provide food, and Air to fill our lungs.

"Just as the Avatar draws power from the four elements, so too can others grow in strength when they expand their understanding."

The old Firebender's words had stuck with her.

Toph had encountered and gone up against a lot of Earthbenders and she'd beaten them all, sometimes one-by-one and sometimes all at once. She'd heard stories about other powerful Earthbenders, like King Bumi, but she knew that none of them were connected to their element like she was. She needed Earthbending; it gave her sight and allowed her to connect to the world around her.

But to become even more powerful than she was? How could she pass up an opportunity like that?

So she'd begun watching Aang's Waterbending lessons, along with Zuko's lessons in Fire. She'd even begun experimenting a little.


It was after one of Zuko's lessons and Iroh departed for the teashop that Sokka called a team briefing.

"Okay," he said. "So we're not having any luck getting close to the Earth King."

Zuko nodded. "I've scouted all around the Palace and it's locked down; every entrance is guarded by Dai Li agents."

Katara added, "And Joo Dee has blocked us at every other turn, along with all the Earth King's secretaries."

"Ugh, bureaucracy." Toph muttered, gagging slightly.

Sokka nodded in agreement. "Exactly. So what I'm proposing is this; we focus on other things."

Aang said, "You mean ignore it?"

Sokka shook his head emphatically. "I wouldn't call it ignoring. I'd call it refocusing our priorities. We can't get to the Earth King so we focus on other tasks. Like finding Appa."

He pointed at the Avatar as he said it. His finger shifted to Zuko as he continued, "And learning Firebending."

The finger moved to Katara and Toph. "And teaching Aang."

Katara raised an eyebrow. "And what will you be doing, oh great Idea Guy?"

"Strategizing!" Sokka exclaimed, gesturing wildly. "Just because the Earth King isn't on board yet, doesn't mean we can forget about the plan. Speaking of," his finger moved back to Zuko. "I'll need to pick your brain at some point. Ways in and out of the capital city, the palace, stuff like that."

Zuko nodded. "Sure, though my Uncle would probably be better suited to that. I was just a kid when I left the Palace."

Sokka sighed. "Don't take this the wrong way but I'm not sure how far I trust your uncle."

Zuko tensed and his eyebrow shifted into a glare. Sokka shouted, "I said don't take it the wrong way! This is the wrong way!"

"Explain." Zuko snapped.

Sokka sighed again. "Look, I just don't your uncle that well and he's a former Fire Nation Prince and General and plus…"

Katara prompted, "What is it, Sokka?"

He replied, "It's just, it seems like there's a lot that Iroh hasn't told us, okay? Like the real reason he's in Ba Sing Se in the first place."

Zuko frowned. "He told us he was looking for a friend."

"Your Fire Nation Prince of an uncle has a friend that lives in Ba Sing Se?"

Zuko threw up his hands. "I'm a Fire Nation Prince and I know people all across the Earth Kingdom."

Sokka nodded. "True, but still. It just feels like he's holding some stuff back. I'm reluctant to tell him the whole plan. I'd appreciate it if you didn't either."

Zuko sighed, but nodded. "Fine, I won't. But I don't agree with this. He's my family. The only blood I have left that doesn't want me dead."

"Duly noted." Sokka said. "But all being well, it'll only be temporary. Once we know a little more and trust him a little more, then I'm okay with telling him. I actually like Iroh, he makes a mean cup of tea."

Zuko cracked a smile. "He does. Sorry for…"

He gestured vaguely at himself. Toph suggested, "Getting all fired up?"

Zuko snorted. "Sure, that."

Aang said, "So, we focus on other things now? Like Appa?"

Sokka nodded. "Yeah. Like Appa."

"And Earthbending." Toph added.

"And Earthbending." Sokka repeated.

Katara chimed in with, "And Waterbending."

Sokka sighed. "Yes, and Waterbending."