Woot! I finished this chapter early! I'm really surprised I actually got reviews on the last chapter. Thank you all so much! –huggles-

This chapter sort off explains Zuko's…lack of friends. Seriously, I doubt he really had any friends even before he was banished. I mean, wouldn't he have mentioned it during one of his uber angsty moments? Like during The Blue Spirit. It was all 'my honor, my country, my throne'.

Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to the people at Nick.

Last Time:

Ozai stopped for a moment, considered turning around, and asking Zhao what he meant. But he brushed off Zhao's warning as soon as he had taken time to consider it. That was absurd. Zuko couldn't possibly be a threat. He will get the throne, yes, but not by killing his own father. Ridiculous.

They're Coming: Chapter Five – Imprisoned

A year had passed since Ozai saw Zuko face off against Zhao's daughter. The time had come for Zuko, and others of his skill, to get their first sight of battle. Reports reached Ozai about valuable coal mines in the Earth Kingdom. Unfortunately, the towns working the mines were occupied by strong earthbenders. The good thing was that there were only about twenty earthbenders in each town, so it was safe for the firebenders-in-training to witness their capture.

All the more incentive for the soldiers to succeed in capturing the town. Ever since Iroh left the siege at Ba Sing Se after six hundred days of blood, sweat, and tears, the Earth Kingdom people have gotten all haughty. They needed to be put back in their place.

Ozai walked onto the deck of the ship. Zuko was eleven, the youngest one on board. He was currently sparring with an older student. Ozai nodded his approval when Zuko managed to make his opponent fall. The teachers called the lesson to a halt.

Casually, Ozai strode over to his son. "Prince Zuko."

Zuko bowed out of respect. "My lord."

"Impressive firebending for your age."

"Thank you sir. " Zuko's lips formed a faint smile. It wasn't often his father complimented him.

""Excited to see an actual battle?" Ozai continued when Zuko nodded. "You may see some things that may shock you, and you may be asked to do some things you'd rather not. But understand that the Earth Kingdom is inferior. Whatever you see or are asked to do, remember that it is for their own good. They are too weak to help themselves. We do them an enormous favor by teaching them our ways. Understand?" Another nod. "Good. Now freshen up. Our soldiers need to warm up."

This father thing is so easy. I don't know why Zhao is always upset with his daughter, Ozai thought, well pleased with his parenting ability. Kimiko, two years older than Zuko, was also on the ship. Dismissing her from his thoughts, Ozai turned his attention to the stony-faced men and women in front of him. Waiting for his signal.

He raised a first into the air and they simultaneously began the warm-up drill. They would reach land in half an hour. They being a prison ship, five warships, including the one Ozai was on, carrying two hundred soldiers, ten students, and two teachers, to the Earth Kingdom. The prison ship was really a converted outdated aircraft carrier. It would now house earthbenders taken as prisoners five miles from shore; far away from any earth they could bend.

Ozai had to admit his brother was right. Battle was fun. Watching hope die, dreams being shattered, the look of terror on people's faces as they realized their death was imminent; But most of all, knowing that you were superior. It was drilled into every Fire Nation child's head since birth: we are superior. But just being around those so undeserving and unworthy of life really brightened up anyone's day.

A sentry blew a horn at the sight of Fire Nation soldiers, and others followed, the sound stretching towards the horizon. Ozai had really hoped to catch the look of fear on the villagers when he approached, but that wasn't possible. By the time he arrived, mothers and children would be 'safe' inside, and the earthbenders would be ready to fight.

Such was the sight Ozai saw at the first town. The earthbenders were waiting for them at the town gates. The Fire Lord stopped walking, as did his soldiers. The trainees and teachers were waiting a little ways off, out of the earthbenders range of attack. Ozai raised an arm and the warriors fanned out, trapping the earthbenders foolish enough to try and fight. Ozai shifted into an offensive position, the men and women behind him followed suit, and the earthbenders tensed, seeming to plant their feet deeper into the ground.

Didn't matter. The savages could dig themselves into the ground for all Ozai cared. The soldiers were taught Iroh's method of defeating earthbenders. The only good thing he managed to do, the Fire Lord though wryly. Ozai sent a sweeping kick of fire and the battle officially began.

Overcoming an earthbender was harder than it looked. The moment you felt the ground move, you had to shoot fire at their hands, ignoring your first primal instinct to steady yourself. When the earthbender lets his guard down, you had to shoot at his feet, and then immobilize him. Before long, the battle was over. Ozai studied the scene around him. The earthbenders were held back by two soldiers. Only a few continued to struggle. The Fire Lord's observation was interrupted by a clod of dirt.

The man who sent it was immediately forced onto his knees a half-second later, his hands bound behind his back. It was quiet. The few who had struggled stopped, and all the earthbenders had their hands tied. Ozai waved a hand and the soldiers dragged them away, leaving only the man who hit Ozai and two soldiers flanking him.

Ozai leered cruelly at the man, who glowered defiantly back. "Tell me, what did you mean to accomplish by pelting a lump of earth at me with your savage bending?" Ozai drawled triumphantly.

The earthbender took Ozai's words to heart. "Savage? We're savage? My people are not the ones raiding towns and killing children! Our bending is not responsible for the past ninety-five years of suffering you inferior pigs brought upon the world!"

Ozai laughed. If you could even call it that. It was more like a deep gagging sound. "You think you're superior? You rely on the earth to perform your bending. We create our element. We are masters of our element. Without any dirt or rocks around, you'll find that you are quite…helpless."

He signaled for the students to come forward. Some fascinated, and others were trying to feign indifference and failing terribly. They started studying the prisoners, asking the soldiers what it was like. Ozai called Zuko over, who was among those trying to feign indifference.

"Yes sir?"

"Zuko, this is a pathetic earthbender. Pathetic earthbender, meet Zuko. He is the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation and future ruler of the world. Prince Zuko, I want you to assert your authority and kill him."

Zuko, who was paler than normal already, took on the shade of snow. "But…why? He's not a threat to us. He'll be taken into custody anyway, so what…"

Ozai narrowed his eyes. Was that what Zhao meant when he said Zuko was weak a year ago? It had been so long, but hard as Ozai tried to brush off his cousin's claims as the result of jealously, Zhao's 'warning' would not leave his thoughts.

He roughly backhanded Zuko. "Why you ask? Because these savages would kill you in a heartbeat if they had the chance. You need to kill them before they can kill you. And for future reference, do not question my orders ever again. Is that clear? Now kill him." The insolent brat had some nerve to cheek him.

Zuko's hand was trembling as he brought it to face the earthbender. He bit his lip, closed his eyes, and tried to channel his energy into his arm. But it wasn't working. He felt dead; scared.

Just then, to Ozai's annoyance, Zuko's relief, and the earthbender's fear, a child ran up to him. Or rather, tried to. He was stopped by a soldier. The boy was no older than Zuko.

The boy's mother' ran up to her child. "Haru! I told you not to go outside. Come back into the house with me. Let him go!" She demanded.

"No mom! He's going to kill dad! Argh...Let..go..of..ME!" Haru bellowed. He was now being suspended above the ground.

"Haru! Listen to your mother and go back inside." Tyro sternly told Haru.

Ozai cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'll let him go?" The mother gasped.

Father and son turned to face Ozai.

Tyro stared wide-eyed at Ozai, "You..you can't possibly take Haru away. He's just a child; he needs to be with his mother!"

"Is that so? I would have thought from the way he ran away from his mother, he didn't need her, and clearly wanted to join you, terribly sorry." Ozai mocked. "Don't worry Haru; your dearest daddy won't be killed. He'll be alive, you just won't see him. Ever again. Men, women, take the prisoners to the ship." About twenty-five soldiers made their way back to the shore, where they were taken to their new home. Food and wine were taken from the town and back to the ship as well. Officers were appointed, guards assigned, new rules instated, and taxes introduced. The standard procedure after capturing a town. Half an hour later, the Fire Nation soldiers, soldiers-to-be, Fire Lord, and Fire Lord-to-be started traveling towards the next town.

As planned, the coal mines were secured by nightfall. They were on their way back to the Fire Nation. A warden had been appointed to the prison and soldiers deployed to guard the prison. No doubt the earthbenders would try something the moment Ozai's attention shifted to another matter.

It had been a good day, except for the matter of Zuko's disobedience. And that Zuko would not, was even afraid to, kill the earthbender. Ozai was sure some of the other trainees, like those fascinated by the town's capture, particularly Zhao's daughter, would have gladly killed the man. Ozai always got the impression that she liked other people's pain. She had the time of her life watching Agni Kais, always left some mark on her sparring partner, and had laughed when she slapped a prisoner who supposedly cheeked her in one of the towns. That was the kind of person who could rule the Fire Nation.

Ozai frowned. But that was not the kind of person his heir was. Zuko would have to learn to embrace battle and warfare. Perhaps a talk with Zuko would solve the matter. Ozai needed to tell the boy that he had shown disgusting weakness by refusing to kill the earthbender and unacceptable disrespect by talking back.

Zuko was sharing a room with one of the other students. A boy by the name of Kyoshin. But when Ozai went to heir room, Zuko was not there. Kyoshin informed Ozai that he did not know where Zuko was; he had been quiet all day and did not show up for dinner.

This worried Ozai. The Crown Prince should not be skipping meals or developing bad people skills. He needed to get stronger and learn how to talk to people. Ozai went to the galley. Maybe Zuko just wasn't hungry at dinner. But he wasn't there either. Ozai was reminded of the time Zuko ran out of his grandparents' room and came back hours later, for the most part unharmed. Come to think of it, Ozai never found out where Zuko went. It was different this time though; Zuko was limited to the ship. Unless…A flash of lightning tore across the sky. It had begun raining some time before dinner was served. What if…no, that was preposterous. But just to make sure, Ozai ran onto the deck. The ship was being rocked by turbulent waves and Ozai found it most difficult to keep balance. He could very easily be thrown overboard.

"Zuko! Zuko!" Ozai's desperate screams were drowned by the clapping thunder.

Two soldiers suddenly appeared at his side. "Sir! It's dangerous to be on deck! Please, come inside." The three managed to get back inside where more soldiers rushed to take off Ozai's dripping armor, but he pushed them away.

"Where…is…Zuko?"

"He's in the galley sir. I just saw him go in." Soaking wet and burning with rage, Ozai once again headed towards the galley. Lo and behold, there, perfectly safe and dry, was Zuko.

"My…My lord?" It wasn't every day you saw your tyrannical dictator-monarch soaking wet from head to toe.

"I am not amused by your antics." Ozai dried himself.

"What do you mean? I haven't done anything." Zuko tilted his head in confusion, a look of absolute innocence gracing his adorable visage.

But his angelic expression had no effect on Ozai. "You skipped dinner, did not go to your room like you were supposed to, And now here you are, eating cake and drinking tea. Where were you before and why have you been hiding from everyone? Not to mention your intolerable disobedience this morning."

Zuko had the humility to avert his gaze. Ozai ranted on. "You displayed completely deplorable behavior today! Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"No sir." Zuko said dejectedly, with a hint of shame.

"Explain your actions."

Zuko sighed. "I was…thinking. And there's really no excuse for my disobedience and disrespect today. I'm sorry."

Zuko's sincere apology however, did have an effect on Ozai. His voice was slightly gentler. "What were you thinking about?"

"Oh nothing. Just…what my life would be like as Fire Lord…" Ozai tensed visibly. The next sentence was rushed. "And how…different I am."

Where did that come from? "Different?"

"...Yes. After we finished with the first town, everyone was talking about how excited they were and how they couldn't wait to be out there. They were also saying how I let a chance to kill slip right through my fingers. But no one was actually talking to me; they were only talking about me. And then I realized I don't have any friends. Even Kimiko has friends, and she's demented. Sure, the servants talk to me, but they're always so formal, and aren't they, well, below me? Even the other kids are always formal and polite with me. No one ever insults me or even touches me. Why?"

"Because you'll be Fire Lord eventually, and anything they do to you now could be held against them later." What was his son complaining about? Did he want to be insulted and bullied?

"I know that, but so what? Why can't I have friends? Why am I so isolated?"

"Friends, pleasant as they may be to have around, are liabilities Zuko; weaknesses. Suppose your best friend and a civilian were held hostage. Who would you save, if you could only save one and the other one was to die?"

"My best friend…no, the civilian…no…yes. No! I...I don't know. Either way, someone will get hurt."

"When you save your best friend, the people will talk. They will think you do not care about them and rebel. The soldiers will not take orders from someone who does not care about them."

"But…they're supposed to be loyal to me!"

"No. You are supposed to be loyal to them. And can you really turn your back on your best friend Zuko? Do you see what I mean? Our nation follows me because everything I do is in the Fire Nation's best interest. Listen to me carefully Zuko: Do not make friends. People are not friends, they are allies. There's a distinct difference. You become attached to friends, but not to allies. Breaking a friendship will hurt more than breaking an alliance. Alliances are for the good of the state. Friendships are for personal gain."

As soon as Zuko left, Ozai let out a long sigh. He lied. Not all of his acts were for the people. Stripping Iroh of his title and leaving him with no way to gain it back was more about revenge than the people's safety. It was for himself. But no one need ever know.

Another thought plagued Ozai's mind. Zuko had been thinking about his future. His son seemed so sure that he could actually lead. But there was still so much molding to be done. Zuko did not understand in the slightest what was required to win the war and keep the world under Fire Nation rule. The boy couldn't even kill. How could keep hope to lead a militaristic state?

You know, the night I finished typing it up before I edited, it sounded genius. Now, it's all bleh. Oh well, what else do I need to say…I think Zuko was definitely a little more than lonely, so I hope that wasn't terribly out of character. Also, understand that Zuko did not want to speak with Ozai after the little 'kill him' incident, so he chose to talk about how he's all friendless and alone in the world instead of saying 'killing is wrong, stop it'. Right, and I totally over-dramatized the thing with Tyro. But I thought it fit, so, yeah…

Next Time:

Katara and Sokka's father makes his appearance. And gasp! A rebellion…in the Fire Nation!