At a harbor there are several Fire Nation ships lined up next to each other. There is a smaller ship docked between all the others, identical mastodons. Its walkway is down and the small figures of six persons reach the bottom of the walkway.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." Zuko commanded.
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked, disinterested.
Zuko turns around sharply to face Iroh as he slightly backs off. "Don't mention his name on these docks!" Zuko makes some wide arm movements. "Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him!"
"I understand, Prince Zuko. The fewer that know the Avatar is back, the better," Merida agreed.
"You're right. It will be a lot harder to find him if more people are out looking for him," Hiccup agreed.
"Correct. Thanks you guys. That's why I can't have anyone else getting in my way!" Zuko yelled.
Iroh, Zuko, and his friends turn, with shocked expressions on their face, toward the camera in the direction the sound came from. "Getting in the way of what?" The source of the talking is a man with big sideburns dressed in a Fire Nation uniform. "Prince Zuko?"
The man walks over to the duo with his hands held behind his back. Zuko awaits him with his arms crossed with contempt, while Iroh just stares at him.
"Nothing in particular, Zhao," Rapunzel lied awkwardly.
"Yeah! What does it mean to you that we are out and about?" Jack asked.
"Well, well. You have some chatty friends there, Prince," Zhao responded.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko said with dislike in his voice.
"It's commander now." Zhao smirks. "And" Bows slightly in Iroh's direction. "General Iroh. Great hero of our nation."
"Retired general." Iroh said while he bows back.
"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime. What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired."
As Iroh gestures toward the ship, the camera moves back to show the severely damaged ship.
"That's quite a bit of damage. Was it caused by your friends? Like that waterbender? The dragon obsessed freak? Or one of the few remaining airbenders?" Zhao guessed.
"We didn't cause damage to the ship," Hiccup said, trying to be civil and avoid getting angry.
"The ship was damaged by… never mind," Rapunzel almost revealed what happened, but stopped herself in time, though Zhao still noticed this and was curious.
"Besides, why would we damage our friend's ship?" Jack asked.
"Well, just seeing all the possibilities. What did cause the damage to your ship, then?" Zhao asked the young prince.
"Yes." He holds up one finger, while Iroh stares disinterested in front of him. "You wouldn't believe what happened." He glances at his uncle, and angrily commands him as he gestures at Zhao. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."
Iroh's eyes open wide in surprise as he is addressed by Zuko. "Yes. I will do that." He happily holds his hand up and relates enthusiastically. "It was incredible!" To Zuko from the corner of his mouth in a confused tone. "What? Did we crash or something?"
"Yes! Right into ... an Earth Kingdom ship!" Merida answered, looking at Zuko and the others uncomfortably..
"Really? You must regale me with all of the thrilling details." Zhao said in disbelief. He smirks while he gets into Zuko's face. "Join me for a drink?"
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko says as he averts his gaze and begins to walk away. "Merida, make sure we all get on the ship and leave immediately.
Zhao smiles evilly at him as he starts to walk away but after a few steps, Iroh places his hand on his shoulder to hold him back.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." Removes his hand from Zuko's shoulder as he faces Zhao while Zuko just slants his eyes. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Iroh and Zhao walk off screen. Zuko grunts in anger upon hearing Iroh's tea comment. He growls angrily and firebends a small arc out of annoyance as he turns to walk after them. Merida and the others followed after Zuko, having a bad feeling about Zhao's offer to a drink.
"... And by the year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule." Zuko is sitting at a table and Iroh, standing in the corner, looking at some weapons that are placed against the wall. Zhao turns around. "The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool!" Zuko yelled angrily.
Zhao pulls up alongside Zuko and smirks. "Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going?"
Iroh knocks over a weapon display behind them. The weapons come crashing down with a lot of noise. The general cowers at the noise and the damage he wrecked. Zhao turns around looking annoyed.
"Eh.. My fault, entirely."
Iroh places his hands in his sleeves and walks away backward with a faint smile on his face.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko said aggressively.
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago." Zuko slants his eyes. "Along with most of the airbenders." Zhao's face contorts in an evil expression. "Unless you have found some evidence that the Avatar is alive?"
Zuko faces Zhao and responds very clearly. "No." Stares back in front of him. "Nothing."
"Yeah, nothing!" Rapunzel was quick to agree.
With an expression of disbelief on his face as he rises from his chair, Zhao commands, "Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war." Leans in and faces Zuko. "If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you found."
"There is nothing on the Avatar being alive, let me tell you that much," Merida answered.
"Yeah. Besides, why would we keep it a secret from you anyway?" Jack asked.
"Why do you think we are lying, anyway? We're on the same side," Hiccup reminded Zhao.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel was sitting there silently.
"You know, you best keep quiet and let the important people speak. You don't want to end up like Zuko here, do you? So, Prince Zuko, have you found anything?" Zhao demanded.
"I haven't found," Looks up at Zhao and his tone becomes slightly more aggressive, "anything". He continues on a softer tone, slightly mockingly. "It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago." Gets up. "Come on, Uncle, guys, we're going."
As Zuko approaches the door, the guards stop him from leaving by crossing their spears while a third soldier enters the room. The soldier that entered walked up to Zhao and revealed some interesting news.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."
Zhao says while smiling evilly, "Now remind me," Zhao walks up to him and leans over to talk into Zuko's ear. Zuko slants his eyes. "how, exactly, was your ship damaged?"
Zuko is sitting in a chair in Zhao's tent, flanked by two Fire Nation soldiers while Zhao is pacing back and forth.
"So a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders and these supposed 'masters'." Zhao stops pacing. Iroh can be seen sitting in a corner with the others. "You're more pathetic than I thought."
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again!" Zuko yelled angrily.
"Yeah! He was a much better fighter than we assumed he was," Jack said.
"We'll be ready to fight against his airbending next time," Hiccup said.
"We'll just train against Rapunzel for the next few days, if she'll let us," Merida suggested.
"Um, sure. But don't go too hard on me," Rapunzel reluctantly agreed.
"I'm afraid that your training will all be for nothing. Because you won't have a second chance." Zhao said aggressively.
Alarmed, Zuko yells, "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I -"
Zhao angrily turns around, spreading flames in an arc. "And you failed!" He walks intimidatingly up to Zuko. "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."
"Why you? What makes you think that you're a great candidate to find the Avatar?" Hiccup demanded.
"Yeah! We can outnumber him easily if we work together," Merida brought up.
"Because unlike you and your friends I'm a respected member of the Fire Nation, not a miserable excuse of one like your friend Zuko," Zhao answered.
Zuko's face contorts with anger and he jumps at Zhao. Before Zuko can reach the commander, however, he is held back by the two guards.
"Keep them here."
Zhao walks away, leaving an angrily panting Zuko. Enraged, he kicks the table in front of Iroh, breaking it clean in two, sending the objects that were on it flying through the room.
Calmly with a hint of amusement in his voice, Iroh says, "More tea, please."
Back to the Fire Nation tent at the occupied Earth Kingdom harbor. Zhao is walking toward it. Inside the tent, two guards hold their spears in front of the exit. Zhao pushes the cloths aside that serve as tent doors and enters.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea," Iroh and Zuko are sitting in two chairs in front of him in the middle of the tent. "my guards will escort you back to your ship and" Zuko angrily looks down. "you'll be free to go."
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko asked angrily.
Cut to Zhao who starts to laugh out loud.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." Zhao said amused.
"Are you sure about that, Zhao? He has a variety of different benders on his side while you only have firebenders. With the right training and plan, we can capture him for sure," Hiccup countered.
"Yeah! We outnumber him, and even if we have to deal with his friends we have them outmatched in a straightforward fight," Merida agreed.
"They're right. Don't underestimate me or my friends Zhao! I will capture the Avatar before you!" Zuko said angrily and got up, enraged.
"Prince Zuko, that's enough." Iroh said sternly as he got up as well.
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of war ships under my command and you? You're just a banished prince. No home, no allies. Your own father doesn't even want you." Zhao said confidently.
"You're wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne!" Zuko said angrily.
"It'll only be a matter of time before we are able to be back in the Fire Nation," Jack said. "And maybe we'll finally find our places."
"Yeah. Maybe," Rapunzel agreed.
Zhao then said, "If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
"That's not true."
"You have the scar to prove it."
"Um, Zhao, maybe you should say you're sorry before…," Rapunzel tried to warn.
With a cry of frustration, Zuko jolts up out of his chair and into Zhao's face. The two stare at each other in anger.
"Maybe you'd like one to match!" Zuko yelled furiously.
"Is that a challenge?" Said Zhao slightly mokingly.
"An Agni Kai. At sunset."
"Very well." Zhao erects himself. "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you." Turns around. "I guess your uncle will do."
Zhao walks away. Worried, Iroh warns, "Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"
"I will never forget." Zuko replied darkly.
Hiccup, upon hearing this, was saddened upon remembering his relationship with his own father, wondering if he would have hurt him like Zuko's dad did.
Later, an Agni Kai was about to take place at a Fire Nation arena at the occupied Earth Kingdom harbor at sunset. Two figures standing at the right and 5 figures standing at the left of the arena. Zhao is squatting down; He is bare-chested and barefoot and wears a cape over his shoulders. Zuko and Iroh can be seen in the background. Zuko is squatting the same way and dressed in the same attire.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh reassured his nephew.
Zuko's face is determined, "I refuse to let him win."
"Just be careful, Zuko," Rapunzel says.
"Yeah. Zhao may have you outmatched in strength, but you can fight smarter to compensate," Hiccup says.
Zuko stands up and turns around. The cape drops from his shoulder. Zhao on the other side of the arena also rises and turns around; his garment swivels down as well.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao whispered confidently.
A Fire Nation soldier is standing on higher grounds. He sees that the duo has readied themselves for battle, so he rings a large gong. Zuko and Zhao are standing in the middle of the arena, both taking on a firebending stance. Zuko has his hands stretched out in front of him, glaring at Zhao. Zhao stands the same as Zuko. Zuko starts to lower his arms, leaving a trail of fire behind. Zuko directs a strong fire blast at Zhao. Zhao moves to the left, out of the way of the blast before moving back to the right to avoid another blast. The prince shoots two more strong blasts at Zhao. Zhao crosses his arms in front of him and takes the blasts head on. He moves one arm up and the other down, dissipating the flames. He smirks at Zuko who is seen panting heavily with his arm still stretched out from his last attack. He angrily grinds his teeth and performs a roundhouse kick, spraying flames. Zhao creates his own flames to push away Zuko's blazing attack. He performs his trick again. Zuko squints his eyes and directs another powerful flame kick in Zhao's direction. A smirking Zhao holds his own fire ready. He launches forward. Shot of his feet, showing his strong stance as he swings his arms over the ground, severing Zuko's next attack. Zhao seems unfazed by Zuko's attacks while Zuko is panting heavily with fatigue. Iroh is holding his fist up while rooting for his nephew.
"Basics, Zuko! Break his root!"
Zhao ferociously attacks Zuko with a strong fire blast. Zuko is thrown back a bit by the force of the attack while he diverts the flames to both of his sides. Zhao takes a step forward. He directs another powerful blast at the prince, using his both arms this time. Zuko is thrown back again but still diverts the fire away from him. Zhao takes another step forward and fires again with the same result on Zuko's side. Zhao firmly plants his foot down; he holds both wrists together and fires another strong blast. Zuko is thrown back upon impact and slides back several meters over the ground. He lifts his head while grunting in pain. His expression turns to one of shock as he looks up and sees that Zhao has jumped up and soaring through the skies toward him. With a loud scream, he lands at Zuko's feet, erects himself and thrusts his fist forward to deliver the final blow.
Zuko's eyes open wide in fright as the fire reflects in them. At the last possible second, Zuko rolled out of the way and swirled his feet around. Zuko, while getting up in this swirl, swipes Zhao's legs from underneath him. Zuko firmly plants his feet on the ground. He smiles confidently. Zuko steps forward, sliding fire at Zhao's feet, who steps back. Zhao is caught off balance and wobbles backward. Zuko keeps repeating his move, directing his attacks at Zhao's feet in an attempt to throw him off balance. Zhao falls back in distress and subsequently to Iroh, who smiles approvingly. Zuko directs a powerful kick at his adversary. Zhao barely pushes it out of the way while staggering back ever further. Zuko kicks again and this time he succeeds in knocking the commander over. Zhao falls down and rolls over the ground, where he ends up on his back. Zuko runs up at him and threatens him with an outstretched arm, ready to deliver the final blow. Zhao brings his head up and looks at Zuko.
"Do it!" Zhao challenged.
Zuko grunts and thrusts his fist forward, emitting another fire blast. Smoke appears and Zuko erects himself. There is a blackened spot on the ground, next to Zhao's face.
"That's it? Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back." Zuko said anger clearly audible in his voice.
"Way to go, Zuko! You won!" Rapunzel cheered.
"Looks like you were right, Hiccup. Zuko was able to win by fighting smarter," Merida said.
"Do you think that Zuko will be able to fight the Avatar without us after this?" Jack asked, half joking.
"I don't know. But next time we'll do it together," Merida responded.
Zuko turns his back to Zhao and starts to walk away. Zhao can be seen erecting himself behind Zuko, his back facing Zuko. He suddenly turns around and aims a powerful kick at Zuko, spreading his flames. Before Zuko notices anything, however, Iroh intervenes and grabs Zhao's foot, dissipating the fire. Iroh tosses Zhao back who slides away on his back. Zuko wants to charge Zhao in anger, but Iroh stops him.
"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Turns to face Zhao. Condescending. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat?" Zhao is lying on the floor. "Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you." Zuko looks at Iroh upon hearing those last words.
"Yeah! Even we have more honor than you and we aren't from the Fire Nation!" Jack yelled, referring to the others.
"Yeah, we do," Hiccup said with a smile.
"By the way, thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." Iroh finishes.
Iroh and Zuko turn and walk toward the gate of the arena. Zhao partially erects himself, with his left arm resting on his left knee, and grunts as he watches them go. Iroh, Zuko, and Zuko's friends are exiting the arena.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked softly.
"Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh said while smiling slyly while glancing at his nephew..
Zuko slightly smiles as the group walks toward their ship.