Zuko was confused. He had thought he came to terms with his new mission. He thought that he was ready to betray the fire nation.
Walking through the streets of a fire nation town in the colonies, Zuko questioned his resolve. Men and women wound their way through the maze of stalls.
Children ran past in a game of tag. Merchants called out endorsing their products. A single young man in a dark cloak, his face covered by a hood, stood watching them.
Zuko thought he was ready to betray the fire nation. He thought he was ready to let go of all the responsibilities forced on him as a child.
Standing in the market, seeing his people living. Zuko couldn't bring himself to hate them.
How can I hate my people? How could I possibly betray them?
Zuko watched as a young girl dropped her doll. He knelt and picked it up. Smiling as he handed it back to her.
"Thank you," the girl said. She ran off to catch up with her mother, taking her hand.
Zuko couldn't bring himself to hate her.
No one has the right to harm a child.
The prince sat down beside a fountain. His father was evil, he had come to accept that. His generals and followers were merciless. The fire nation is wrong. The fire nation is evil.
Zuko tried to convince himself of that. He couldn't. He stared out at the market watching the fire nation citizens roam around, talking and laughing.
How could I possibly hate them? They didn't start this war. They were born to it as much as I was. They had no power to stop it...
Zuko squeezed his eyes shut.
The prince did not hate his people. He felt sorry for them. Those made to protect them had failed. The fire lord was corrupt, his followers greedy. Zuko was sorry for his loyal citizens who had been betrayed by the very people bound to serve them.
Zuko loved his people. He had tried to tell himself he didn't, that he could betray him. Deep down he knew he couldn't. Zuko didn't have it in him to condemn these people. His people.
The war was wrong and cruel and evil. It needed to come to an end. But why do my people need to suffer for a war they never started?
I thought I knew my destiny but I can't help the avatar. I can't turn my back on my people.
Zuko didn't want the earth kingdom and water tribe to suffer. He hated how the air nomads were wiped out. He hates how this war took lives and homes and families without mercy. But how could he condemn his people to failure?
I can't...
Zuko stood. His path wasn't so clear anymore. The prince wanted to help, he wanted to help his nation, and he wanted to help the innocent of his neighboring kingdoms. He was lost.
His uncle gave him directions. He said I would find the answers I'm looking for. Three days, till we met back up in the earth kingdom Poe north of us.
So Zuko pulled his hood tighter and walked.
The young prince entered the ruins carefully. He looked around for traps and danger. Uncle had warned him the journey would be dangerous. He had also said it was worth it. That it was his decision.
Zuko was willing to take a risk. He wished his uncle would tell him what it was he was searching for. Answers? Clarity? His honor?
Zuko had the first half of his second day traveling.
Uncle said to head northeast from the entrance.
The young prince continued onward. Carefully avoiding traps. Jumping over spike pits. Dodging flying arrows with grace.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He was no longer alone.
Zuko waited patiently even as he was surrounded. "Don't fight nephew," his uncle had said.
The warriors stepped into the light. The sun glinted off their armor. The glare almost blinding as the sun itself. Sun warriors... a fitting name.
"Don't move trespasser!"
Zuko raised his hand slowly. He lowered himself to the ground kneeling.
"I mean no harm," he started. "I have come to endure your test. I am prince Zuko of the fire nation, but I have doubts as to my beliefs."
Zuko took a deep breath.
"My uncle has sent me here to find the answers I seek. I know the price of failure is steep. I come willing to accept my fate."
The warriors closed in.
"Your uncle was sworn to secrecy, has he revealed the truth about our test?"
"No. My uncle has kept his oath. Should I pass I intend to do the same?"
The leading warrior nodded.
"You will face the masters. They will decide your fate. Rise."
Zuko stood.
The group made their way into the city, Zuko walked in the middle. Surrounded on all sides.
"You will present a piece of the eternal flame to the masters!"
The leading warrior spoke loud for all to hear.
"The odds are against you young prince. Your ancestors hunted the dragons. May they have mercy on your soul."
Zuko stepped forward and thrust his hands into the fire. Cupping them around a flame.
What have you gotten me into uncle...
Turning, the flame in his hands, the prince began his ascent up the mountains.
A single sun warrior had pulled him aside. He had been taught a dance to please the masters. The original kata. The movements burned in his mind.
Zuko didn't know what this test would entail. He only knew failure would mean death. Uncle had assured him he was positive about his nephews' success. That would have to be enough.
Once the prince reached the top of the mountain he turned and bowed. Presenting his flame.
The ground shook. The sound of a terrible wind filled the air. The world seemed to stop spinning for a moment. Prince Zuko was terrified.
Two dragons flew from the caves. They swirled around him in powerful arcs. Moving like the flames themselves. Dancing in the air.
Zuko's fear turned to awe. He was truly enchanted by their movements. The dragons were alive.
He didn't realize he had started his dance. So moved by the dragon's power he followed without thought. Zuko moved. Stance after stance. Performing his kata. For once in his life bending his fire felt right.
Flames engulfed him. All colors of the rainbow swirled shamelessly through the air. They brought no heat.
Zuko watched with wide eyes at the flames all around him. Beautiful, powerful, pure. Nothing he had ever seen could compare.
At that moment Zuko knew. He knew the truth about fire bending. He knew the flames on a whole new level.
His entire life Zuko had struggled to learn his katas. He had struggled to fuel his fire with anger. Now he knew why. The prince was not destined to hate. He knew he was born to bend the flames the way the dragons did. He was born to spread light.
At that moment the prince saw the truth. He would help the avatar. He would save the earth kingdom from his father's cruelty and he would liberate his people from his father's tyranny. Zuko was on the side of life.