A ship sailed across the sea, the Fire Islands far behind. On the ship's front railing, Zuko stood with a grim continence, staring off on the horizon.
A salty sea wind blew through the air and stung Zuko's burn even through the thick bandage that protected the wound from the open air. Zuko stood firm, trying not to wince.
Zuko kept a frown mostly off his face as using the tortured muscles of his left brow was nearly painful enough to break his façade.
Grunting in frustration at his inability to control himself, Zuko turned away from the railing looking instead at the cold metal deck of the Fire Nation transport he was on.
This transport was the last thing the Fire Nation would pay for on his behalf: his way off the Fire Isles.
His mind replayed recent events. His father had allowed him two weeks to heal before his official banishment so he could at least enough to walk unhindered. He was given one set of well-made yet simple clothes made up of a tunic, pants, belt, and some sturdy boots; a leather pack containing a single day's worth of travel rations. A knife; and the only thing previously belonging to the crown prince he was allowed to take: a set of two Dao swords.
With his passage paid for, he was sent off from the port of Caldera city. He went to back the ship's rail and looked off at the Capital Fire Island, watching it fade into the distance for what would almost certainly be the last time.
NO! I will find the avatar and drag him before my father in chains! Zuko reassured himself.
He could see it in his mind's eye, him dragging a hundred-year-old coward before his father, blue air bending tattoos exposed on his bald, wrinkled head, revealing the truth of his identity as the avatar for all to see! His father looked surprised as the gift his son had brought him, yet he smiles, pride clear on his face as congratulates his son on his success and for proving himself worthy of his position as crown prince of the Fire Nation!
The hold swung open with a ringing clang.
Zuko spun around, fire already coating his hands without him even needing to call for it.
"AH!" A familiar voice exclaimed. "These old lungs weren't meant to breathe this stuffy air!
Zuko turned, stunned to see his uncle Iroh, coughing from the dust below decks. "Uncle?" He exclaimed in disbelief. "What in the name of the Sun are you doing here?"
Iroh stepped out from the dank hold, letting the door slam shut as he rubbed his lower back. Looking to Zuko, he grinned innocently, "Getting transport to the fire colonies to see an old friend from the army."
Zuko blinked once again. "Uncle, do you expect me to believe you stowed away on a dinky old transport like this just to see this unnamed friend of yours?"
"Yes." Iroh answered simply.
Zuko scowled, ignoring the pain in his bandaged face. "Well your friend is lucky to receive such a visit from the esteemed Dragon of the West." Zuko then turned away from his uncle, emotion building in him, yet he refused to show weakness.
Zuko felt a hand gently grip his shoulder, "Zuko, I cannot accompany you on your journey, yet nothing is st- "
"I would never expect you to accompany me, uncle." Zuko interrupted stiffly. "I am more than capable of capturing the avatar on my own."
Iroh grimaced, "Zuko… I know you are more than capable, but just because you can do something alone, doesn't mean you need to."
"Except I do." Zuko retorted bitterly. "The Fire Lord has decreed it." He winced, the pain in his face increased for a moment.
Iroh straightened up, his face solemn. "Fire lord Ozai has decreed that I cannot accompany you on your quest, on pain of death for both of us, yet he did not order me not to see you off."
"So that's why you're here?" Zuko demanded, his uncovered eye glaring. "Your imaginary friend will be so disappointed." He added with heavy sarcasm.
Iroh smiled and then looked affronted. "I will have you know, young nephew, that I have many friends stationed at the port we're arriving at in a few days."
Zuko closed his visible eye, looking away. "Of course, uncle. Of course."
Iroh cleared his throat before smiling again at his nephew, "So, Zuko, would you care fore a game of Pai-sho to pass the time? Perhaps a calming cup of Jasmine tea?"
Zuko grimaced. "No. Thank you, Uncle."
"Are you sure?" Iroph asked gently. "It could take your mind off of things, Prince Zu-"
"I'M NOT A PRINCE!" Zuko cried in both anger and anguish and then put a hand over his bandaged face as the pain increased a bit.
Iroh clamped his mouth shut, trying to be patient and hoping his nephew would calm down.
"I'm no prince, Uncle." Zuko continued, his voice calmer, though his face still in pain. "In fact, I'm barely a fire bender, and yet now I must hunt down the GHOST of the most powerful fire bender in the WORLD!" He suddenly screamed, ignoring the pain in his face.
Iroh cringed under his nephew outburst.
"I have NO TIME for TEA!" Zuko screamed. "I need to prepare for the fight of my LIFE! I need to figure out how I'm going to find the most allusive master of all the elements in HISTORY! I need train! Harder than I ever have before! And I need to do it ALL. BY. MYSELF!" Zuko roared before looking away.
Iroh looked at Zuko troubled, wanting to comfort him but knowing his neptew didn't want it.
"Because that's all I have left…" Zuko added bitterly, keeping his back at Iroh.
Iroh once again went over tried to place a reassuring hand on his nephew's shoulder, but Zuko shook it off. Iroh stepped back to give him space,
"I understand that you feel alone right now, Zuko." He assured the tormented boy. "And you are right that I cannot aid you in your journey, but you were wrong on two accounts."
Zuko looked at his uncle, puzzled.
"First, you are wrong about the avatar being the most powerful fire bender in the world."
Zuko spun around facing his uncle, shock clear across his features, "What?" He asked, ignoring the pain in his face.
Iroh nodded solemnly, "I have never agreed with the propaganda spouting fire as the superior element, yet fire does have many unique properties and positions that no other element has. It needs nothing outside yourself in order to be summoned and bent to your will, and… it is the element most separated from the cycle of the avatar."
Zuko blinked.
Iroh continued, "The most powerful air bender in the world will always be the avatar. The same is true for water and earth, yet the most powerful fire bender in the world is not the avatar, but the Fire Lord, or someone of his family. Meaning YOU, have the potential to be the most powerful fire bender in the world!"
Zuko was stunned at this revelation.
"Don't get me wrong, Zuko." Iroh cautioned. "The avatar is still more powerful by virtue of his mastery of the other elements, but you can surpass him in fire! That is your advantage, Zuko."
Zuko did not know what to say.
Iroh stepped closer to him now, looking up at his taller nephew, "And second, while I cannot aid you once you begin this journey, you haven't technically begun it yet. After all, the Fire Nation's charity' towards you 'ends once you leave this ship.' So, nephew," Iroh said assuming a fire-bending stance, "Would you care for a few final fire bending lessons before you depart on your quest?"
Shocked at his uncles words could not even begin to describe what Zuko felt at that moment. He stood there for a moment, his mouth opening and closing without purpose or sound leaving them, before he hesitantly took his own bending stance, still speechless.
Iroh gave him a genuine smile, "Good, nephew. Ordinarily, I would drill you on your basics, but we do not have time to do it properly, so instead, I will teach you how proper fire bending feels when it is done right, so you may know when and what you need to improve on your own. Now, defend yourself!"
Zuko found himself mirroring his uncle's genuine smile, even throughout the rigorous battle that soon began. For the first time, the pain didn't matter. He would do this.
...
AN: A special thanks to Data Seeker for being my beta for this chapter!