Well, writing Zhao was definitely going to the dark side for me. I thought Ozai was hard but his emotions were easier to understand once I reread one of my favorite books, "The Chosen" by Haim Potok. The complex relationship between the emotionally abusive father and the tortured but brilliant son really opened up a lot of creative channels for me. It made me remember that just because you abuse someone doesn't mean you hate them. In fact, it's often an emotional mine field of twisted love and the cruel line between duty and affection. Hence, I was still in gray area.

Now I get to Zhao, who is just consumed with ambition. Although Mark Hamill may have voiced Ozai (massive trauma, I will never look at Star Wars the same way again), Zhao (Jason Isaacs! The Ultimate fantastic villain) is really the dark side. He is dishonorable, cruel, sadistic and ruthless. I doubt he has love in him and as the brilliant Firebend put it, he has had the emotions taken out of him, either by internal or external effort. I had to reread both Iago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear to understand the Machiavellian leader. I also had the honor to role-play with the brilliant Witty Username who is the ultimate Zhao-writer, whose kind help was vital in me. This poem also would not have been possible without the above mentioned Firebend, whose thesis on the nature of war was invaluable to me. Thanks and this is one is for you both!

I actually thought of giving Zhao a tragic background but I think Zhao remains best when he is motivated by greed and lust for power. He seems too patrician to be from a poor background and he was important enough to witness the Agni Kai, even if he wasn't in the war chamber. Even so, I have hinted to it and I'll let you choose for yourself.

Relentless

Oh Little Prince, spoiled and young
Strutting with your nose in the air
Ennobled only by virtue of blood
Unworthy of being the heir
Head in the clouds, foolish and young
In your nursery closeted away
Other stand and decide the world
You just sit there and play
What have you done in your very few years
That earn you the right to be lord?
What lands have you conquered , seas have you sailed?
That earn you so great a reward?
Honor and tradition, they don't mean a fig
It's battle when a man proves his worth
conquest and cunning is what makes a leader
And neither one requires high birth
Blood soaked battle, conquest and victory
Ruthless ambition's is our creed
While you hide behind your uncle
I strive, I rise, I'll succeed
Oh speak up, you pathetic child
Show the world the weakness inside
How the prince disrespected the whole Fire-Court
Because a few soldiers might have died?
So now we're in the Agni Kai
Your father, well, that's a surprise
Everyone can see you shiver
The fear burns in your eyes
You bow and beg for mercy
Like the coward that you are
No longer apple of Daddy's eye
You're now a fallen star
You won't rise and fight
Just snivel and weep
Those who sow weakness
Pain shall they reap
Now everyone can see the truth
Just a child with an unearned crown
Raised upon another's pedestal
Only to come crashing down
Least your father knows his duty
The scream just made me laugh
How does it feel, little prince
To have a taste of your father's wrath?
As for me, I'll still conquer
Put my trust in the fire within
There is no path I fear to tread
No deed I find a sin
I'll satisfy ambition
Rise above the crowd
When I walk among the people
They'll be fearful, scared and bowed
I will serve your father wisely
While you're on a impossible chase
While you're rotting in exile's grip
I'll soon take your place!