Chapter 2 The Exile

Zuko looked at the melancholy scene around him there was a light rain falling; the men were loading supplies onto the ship; the ship he would soon call home. Azula stood on the balcony off of Zuko's room, where many years ago she had asked him why they were taking her away, she had a completely neutral expression but inside her emotions were in uttermost combat with one another. Her objective had been achieved, her father was fire lord her brother was out of the way which left her as the crown princess, the throne would be hers when father died. The debate that now raged within her was at what cost. Her object of torture, attentions, and the only one left in the palace that would save her over themselves was leaving. He would never return as prince as long as father was alive, only perhaps as a prisoner. She watched her brother's ship disappear into the horizon; she went back inside rain not the only substance running down her face. Deeply disturbed by her lack of control, she went to Li and Lo for advice.

Zuko walked into his new room, if there was one good thing about being cast out: it was it meant being separated from Azula. She had begun to creep him out more than usual, showing up in odd places just to torment him, almost as if she had known that this was coming. Uncle Iroh came up and put a reassuring hand on Zuko's shoulder.

"I'm coming with you" Iroh said to Zuko, "family sticks together"

"Thank you uncle" Zuko replied as he walked out to inspect the rest of his ship.

Both Zuko and Azula resumed their firebending training, Azula forever the prodigy delved into it progressing immensely. Zuko on the other hand moved very slowly, his commitment and pace were steady but his inner conflict prohibited discipline and progress. While he traveled the world Zuko became more distant from, his uncle and his crew, until I his mind they were just tools to capture his quarry. As hard as his Uncle might try Zuko would not let go, not become peaceful again. Azula's heart hardened and crystallized, no one could touch her heart now. Through the consoling of Li and Lo she began to believe her brother's absence was for he best. Li and Lo could see the young woman struggle with her emotions, they knew that as long as she struggled to master herself she would struggle with the advanced techniques. From that point on they also became her personal advisors and consolers.

During one of the many consoling sessions with Li and Lo, Azula spoke to them about her relationship with her father.

She said "I admire him, his ambition, his power, his cold hard expression, and most of all his unfeeling swift destruction of everything that lies in his path to power."

"be wary" said Li, "and cautious" said Lo, "Remember your brother, Zuko, he stood as the one threat to your father's power"

"He was the one that could do to your father what he did to your father" said Li

"For crime begets crime" continued Lo "And your father dishonored and exiled him not out of shame of Zuko's weakness but in fear of him"

"And if you show will and strength he may do the same to you" they finished in unison.

Zuko sat in his room meditating in front of a line of candles. His face was set in a grimace.

"Zuko" Iroh said softly as he came up to him, "you cannot continue to hate them forever, they are after all, your family"

"I WILL HATE THEM IF I WANT TO HATE THEM" Zuko screamed "they shamed and dishonored me for doing what is right, and that is unforgivable, even if I was not banished I would still hate them."

"My brother can be a dogmatic fool at times, Zuko do not let hate fester in your heart." Finished Iroh calmly. Iroh thought he saw for one moment, a flash of peace and hope, but then all the lanterns in the room burned brighter then extinguished.

Prince Zuko's search was desperate; he could not let go of his hate, his shame, or his desperation for his honor. He became highly unstable demanding perfection of his crew and his mentor. He tried to learn firebending from his uncle, but he was still unable to achieve stability and discipline and so in the end he slowed down and nearly gave up trying.

Azula had to calm her mind, she had to let go of the drive, and let the energy flow through her. She tried again and again to produce lightning, but all she got was a blast in the face.

"We have discovered what lies in your heart" said Li "yes indeed" said Lo. "Your early conflicts are disrupting your solace, are they not?"

"What do you mean?" Azula replied sternly her scorched features tightening into a grimace.

"We have found that you are suppressing old emotions" Li started "ambition, jealousy" continued Lo "and lust" they finished together.

"you are possessive like your father, and caring like your mother, and ambitious like both." Continued Li.

"But, when you realized that your brother lay as an obstacle, in your path to power, you sought to undo him, but in doing so you were undoing the object of your desire."

Azula took a moment to let everything they had said sink in. Indeed, she had sought his undoing, always taunting and teasing him knowing well he would never raise his hand against her. She felt the fire of desire pooling between her thighs as she thought about him, she let out a small gasp of realization.

Li and Lo nodded in agreement reading the mind of their young pupil. "Put your desire, your ambition, and your lust into the fire, let it burn."

Azula did and the fire burned blue, was hotter and more forceful. Li and Lo nodded in approval.

"Now; you will be able to master lightning," they said.