Fire and Water

Banishment of the Exiled Prince

Zuko pov:

Mom got a letter from Uncle Iroh telling us how the city of Ba Sing Se looked and gave Azula and I both gifts... Azula asked gleefully, "If uncle doesn't make it back from war, then dad would be next in line for Fire lord, wouldn't he?" I couldn't help but stared at my sister and mom got annoyed with Azula. The next day we got another letter that told us that Lu Ten died in battle...

When I turned thirteen I wanted to attend father's war meeting, the guards refused to let me in the room, and Uncle Iroh told me that if I really wanted to go in then I would have to be quiet only to speak when spoken to which I agreed too. The High general, Bujing talked about his battle strategy to over take the Earth Kingdom.

Another general asked why he wanted to use the fourty-first division which was entirely new recruits to the Fire nation army. The conversation between them continued and I stood up, "You can't sacrifice a whole division like that. Those soldiers love and defend our nation, how can you betray them?!"

My father spoke with clear anger, "The challenge against the general is an act of complete disrespect and there is only one way to resolve this!" I looked at the general aknowledging that I would have fight the general in agni kai. I wasn't afraid to fight the general. Once outside and in front of the entire Fire nation I turned to see that my father was the one I had to duel instead and I immediately felt fear.

I started begging for forgiveness, "I meant you no disrespect I am your loyal son..." I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I knelt down on my knees and forearms bowing down to the ground. My father wanted me to fight him but I refused to but I reluctantly stood up, I knew the people in the crowd wanted to see a good fight, and I screamed as my father shot a blast of fire at me.

After agni kai ended I was banished and sent to capture the avatar which would then bring my honor back and I could return home. Uncle Iroh came with me to a boat and I noticed Kya on the dock staring up. I walked over to her but she put her hand out to stop me. "Zuko, do you know how stupid that was?!"

I frowned, "Which part was I being stupid?!"

"I don't want to know what lead to agni kai but agreeing to it and then letting your father burn you was reckless and stupid Zuko!" Kya spoke with annoyance.

I looked down, "Then I guess like Mai your ashamed to be friends with an exiled prince..."

"Look, Zuko, you are my friend and exiled or not you will always be my friend." Kya spoke and I looked into her blue-grey eyes. She hugged me and I hugged her back.