Zuko's story

"We're back!" Sokka yelled out to his friends. Sokka and Toph went searching for supper since they were getting low on food. Sokka had successfully found some nuts and an apple tree and got a whole bag for snacking (and for Appa). He had also gone fishing and came back with five big fishes and a few clams. Toph caught a few ducks that could be roasted too. 

The group was still at the Western Air Temple, waiting for a sign or the right moment to go back to the fire nation. Katara chatted with Haru while making some tea for the evening. Zuko was training Aang firebending. That night, Aang started telling Zuko about airbending fighting and the similarities and differences he was picking up. Zuko listened closely and thought about what his uncle had said about drawing power from all nations. They were just starting to finish up when Sokka and Toph came.

"Thank goodness, I'm starving!" Aang replied to Sokka.

"Actually we've got some bad news Aang. The only thing we were able to find for you were some apples and you'll have to share them with Appa," Sokka told his friend. "Sorry buddy." He said when he saw his friends face fall.

"That's okay. Thanks Sokka," Aang told him. 

"Don't worry, Aang," Katara said. "I saved some eggs for you from breakfast. You can have some of those. We'll go looking for some more food tomorrow, when there's more sunlight." 

That night, the group ate one of Toph's ducks along with some dried fruits they had bought a few weeks before. They sat around the fire (which was now much easier to make with there being two firebenders) and talked for a bit. When suddenly, Sokka asked a question that had been on all of their minds.

"Zuko, can I ask you something?" 

"Sure," Zuko said nervously, considering that it was in front of the whole group.

"Well... I've just always wondered. Why were you trying to capture Aang for so long? And why did you stop so suddenly?" Everyone stayed quiet. Of course, they knew the reason was likely because of Zuko's dad. But it was still so weird: the determination, the tea shop, the switching of sides, the banishment, the scar. No one moved as Zuko hesitated.

"I guess I figured this would come up at some point," Zuko said quietly as they all sat still. He sighed. 

"A little over three years ago I was banished from the fire nation... by my own father," he started. "I was thirteen and I wanted to go into a war meeting my father was having. I wanted to learn about what it was like since I would one day rule myself. But the guards wouldn't let me in... I was too young. But then my uncle persuaded the guards to letting me enter. Uncle then told me that I'd have to be quiet and not speak. He said 'these old folks are a bit sensitive' but I thought he was just joking." Zuko took a sip of his tea.

"They were trying to invade the earth kingdom. The general proposed a plan to send in a battalion full of new recruits as bait while a different group snuck in from the rear-"

"Really? He was going to send in a group fully expecting them to die?" Sokka was shocked, as was everyone else.

"That's terrible!" Aang said.

"That's what I thought! And sadly... that's what I said."

"Oh no," Sokka said. "You spoke out of turn."

"Yeah. The firelord... my dad, I guess, said that for me to have spoken out of turn was an act of 'complete disrespect'. So they told me I'd have to fight an Agni Kai."

"An Agni Kai?" Toph asked.

"A firebending duel... fought for one's honor and only won when the opponent is burned. So, I looked at the old general who I had spoken against. And I wasn't afraid of him. I wasn't the best firebender at that point but I thought I could take him. So we gathered everyone into the dueling chamber and when I turned around... I faced my father." 

"You were forced to fight your father?" Aang asked.

"Did you do it?" Katara asked. 

Zuko ignored the questions. He stared straight forward at the ground, deep in thought. It pained him to relive it. "Because I spoke out in the firelords war room, it was taken as an act of disrespect towards him. So I was expected to fight him... but I didn't. I didn't want to fight my father. I was scared because I knew he was strong. And I begged for mercy and apologized. But he didn't listen, he just kept telling me 'you will fight for your honor'. I wasn't going to fight him... so... he burned me." 

The group stayed quiet.

"Because I didn't fight I was banished... for being a coward basically. I was told that the only way my honor would be restored and that I'd be welcome back home was if I captured the Avatar. So I looked... for three years. It's funny actually... the first place I checked was here: the western air temple. I never thought I'd be here again sitting and having tea with the Avatar himself and his friends." He paused and took a drink. "After the north pole, my sister Azula found me and my uncle and told us we were welcome home. But it turned out to be a trick and we were set to be prisoners. So we ran away and became traitors to the fire nation. We went to Ba Sing Se and my uncle tried to start a new life. We started the tea shop before Azula captured us again... my uncle was in jail but on the day of black sun when you guys invaded he escaped. After I told my father I was coming to join you, I went to see him but he was gone."

When they remained silent, he continued. "I wanted to apologize... properly this time. Uh- I'm sorry for everything. And for turning my back on you in Ba Sing Se. For everything I've done. I didn't really ever want to tell you that story because I didn't want you to think I was asking for your pity. I don't need pity - I think..." He paused. "I think I've accepted what happened. My uncle always told me that I could find my own destiny and restore my own honor. But I never believed him until I went back home and I felt nothing but anger."

Zuko turned to look directly at Aang. "So thank you... for believing in me and also... for saving my life at the north pole."

Aang's eyes widened. He had completely forgot about that. 

"You spared me. You could've left me there to die," Zuko continued. "And I would've deserved it."

"No, Zuko. I didn't even think about whether or not you deserved it. I didn't 'spare' you. I just knew that it would be wrong to leave you there." 

"Well... thanks anyways." Zuko looked down. 

"I'm sorry that you had such a rough time," Aang started. "That wasn't fair what happened to you with your father. But I'm also kind of glad that everything had led you to here." 

Aang smiled at him. "Me too." Zuko smiled back. The group smiled and nodded in agreement.

Everyone was quiet and unsure of what to say. It came to Sokka to break the tension: "Hey Zuko, while we're on the topic of the north pole, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you think that you could get me some of that fire nation rope you used to tie Aang up? It was really good quality rope and I wouldn't mind getting my hands on some."

The group laughed. "Sure, I can try." Zuko told him.