Prince Zuko

Prince Zuko is the anti-hero of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The sixteen-year-old Zuko is a Firebender and prince of the Fire Nation, bent on capturing Aang, the long-lost Avatar, in his quest to restore his honor and right to the throne in the eyes of his father, the Fire Lord Ozai, and earn his return home from exile. He is accompanied and advised in his search by his caring paternal Uncle, General Iroh. Zuko's most distinguishing mark is an enormous facial burn scar radiating from his left eye over his ear.

Voice: Dante Basco

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(Spoilers!)

Zuko's banishment resulted from an incident two years prior. When his Uncle Iroh allowed him to observe a meeting of his father's war room, Zuko spoke out against a General who planned to sacrifice an entire division of novice troops in battle as a diversionary tactic. The Fire Lord demanded that Zuko participate in a fire duel, the Agni Kai, for his insubordination. Zuko accepted, under the mistaken impression he would be dueling the General he'd insulted. However, because Zuko had spoken out in his father's war room, it was his father whom he had disrespected. When Zuko saw not the general, but the Fire Lord in the arena, he fell to his knees, pleading for forgiveness and refusing to duel his own father. For this perceived cowardice and disrespect, his father badly burned his face, permanently scarring him, stripped him of his birthright, and exiled him from the Fire Nation.

As a condition to restore his honor and throne and return home, he was given a mission: find and capture the Avatar. The Avatar was a perpetually reincarnated spirit of the planet manifested in human form, master of all four elements and maintainer of balance between the Four Nations. This powerful being was the only threat to the Fire Nation's victory in its imperialist war against the other nations. Yet he had vanished a century ago, shortly before the Fire Nation's first strike. Three generations had conducted fruitless searches, and now it was Zuko's turn to be sent on a quest that seemed little more than a fool's errand.

Undeterred, Zuko sought to do the impossible. Accompanied by his uncle, he spent two years at sea, searching in vain for any sign of the centenarian Airbender the Fire Sages had described. One day, when a strange beacon lit the skies off the coast of the South Pole, Zuko investigated, and discovered that the Avatar had reappeared at last. Improbably, the long-sought old man was actually Aang, a twelve-year-old boy recently woken from a hundred years of suspended animation. Thrown off-guard, Zuko underestimated the boy, who managed to escape his grasp. Zuko has been in hot pursuit ever since, tracking the Avatar and his friends across the globe.

Focused, driven, bitter and ill-tempered, Zuko is a young man obsessed. The Avatar's capture is his only hope for a return to normalcy, and the search consumes his every waking moment. Domineering at his worst, Zuko's imperious and disrespectful behavior sometimes earns the enmity of his crew. Yet Zuko has slowly illustrated a surprisingly idealistic personal honor code, and is beginning to learn that the safety of his uncle and crew takes precedence over his personal quest. Though he was initially portrayed purely as an antagonist, Zuko is increasingly displaying heroic traits. He even adopted the guise of "The Blue Spirit," a blue-mask-wearing, dual-broadsword-using vigilante, to rescue Aang from Admiral Zhaos custody. More recently, he has become fatigued by the stresses of his mission and the loss of his ship and crew. As a result, he's more accepting of his failures and much less pride-driven, particularly after the Fire Nation siege on the Northern Water Tribe.

To his disappointment, Zuko recently learned that his father considers him a failure in in his mission to capture the Avatar, and has ordered Zuko's sister Princess Azula to take over the late Admiral Zhaos mission in capturing and imprisoning himself and his uncle. Now fugitives, Zuko and Iroh have severed all ties with family and country, symbolically cutting off their respective queue and topknot.

~Karen

An alternate description of Prince Zuko:

Prince Zuko at the beginning was an exiled misunderstood young sixteen year old boy who thought that capturing the avatar was the only way to recover his honor but by the third season he has become part of the Avatar's "Gaang" along with Aang, the avatar, Katara, his waterbending teacher, Sokka the weapons "master" and Toph, Aang's earthbending teacher, and is totally opposite to how he was in the beginning. His most identifying feature is his large scar on his left eye given to him by his father, Firelord Ozai.

~ Lennella Renzel

I'm glad Prince Zuko became good in the end. I had always hated him throught the series. But as the series came to a close, I realized he wasn't evil. It was his father who was heartless all along. But I'm glad Zuko joined the good guys. And now him and Aang are good friends. :)

~ Shawn

Favorite Quotes:

Zuko: Finally. Uncle, do you realize what this means?.
Iroh: I won’t get to finish my game?.
Zuko: It means my search - it’s about to come to an end.
(Iroh groans.)
Zuko: That light came from an incredibly powerful source. It has to be him!.
Iroh: Or it’s just the celestial lights. We’ve been down this road before, Prince Zuko. I don’t want you to get too excited over nothing. Please, sit. Why don’t you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?.
Zuko (exploding in anger): I don’t need any calming tea! I need to capture the Avatar!.

**********

Iroh: I’m going to bed now. (He makes an exaggerated yawn) Yep. A man needs his rest. Prince Zuko, you need some sleep. Even if you’re right and the Avatar is alive, you won’t find him. Your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all tried and failed.
Zuko: Because their honor didn’t hinge on the Avatar’s capture. Mine does. This coward’s hundred years in hiding are over.

**********

Iroh: No! Power in firebending comes from the breath. Not the muscles. The breath becomes energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire.Get it right this time.
Zuko: Enough. I’ve been drilling this sequence all day. Teach me the next set. I’m more than ready.
Iroh: No, you are impatient. You have yet to master your basics. (More forcefully) Drill it again!.
Zuko: The sages tell us that the Avatar is the last airbender. He must be over a hundred years old by now. He’s had a century to master the four elements. I’ll need more than basic firebending to defeat him. You WILL teach me the advanced set!.

**********

Aang: Looking for me?.
Zuko (incredulous): You’re the airbender? You’re the Avatar?. I’ve spent years preparing for this encounter. Training. Meditating. You’re just a child!.

**********
(Taking Aangs' staff) This staff will make an excellent gift for my father. I suppose you wouldn’t know of fathers, being raised by monks.

**********

Iroh: Good news for the Fire Lord. The nation’s greatest threat is just a little kid.
Zuko: That kid, Uncle, just did this. (the prow is buried in ice) I won’t underestimate him again. Dig this ship out and follow them! (In the background, some soldiers are using controlled firebending to thaw out their compatriots frozen by Katara) As soon as you’re done with that.

**********

Zhao: The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?.
Iroh: Our ship is being repaired.
(Iroh gestures at the heavily damaged bow of Zuko's ship.)
Zhao: That's quite a bit of damage.
Zuko: Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened... Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened.
Iroh: Yes, I will do that. It was incredible. (Leans over and whispers to Zuko.) What... did we crash or something?.
Zuko: (uncomfortable) Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship.

**********

Zhao: And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war.
Zuko: If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool.

**********

Zhao: So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders?. You're more pathetic than I thought.
Zuko: I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again.

**********

Zhao: Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go.
Zuko: Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?.
Zhao: (laughing) You? Stop me? Impossible.
Zuko: (Zuko stands in defiance.) Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you.
Iroh: (standing also) Prince Zuko, that's enough!.
Zhao: You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you.
Zuko: You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne.
Zhao: If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation.
Zuko: That's not true.
Zhao: You have the scar to prove it.
Zuko: (With a cry of indignation, launches himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's.) Maybe you'd like one to match!.

**********

Iroh: Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?.
Zuko: I will never forget.

**********
Iroh: Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons.
Zuko: I refuse to let him win.

**********

(Zuko finally lays Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow)
Zhao: Do it!.
(Zuko releases a blast. He stands erect, dropping his fighting stance. There is a smoking hole in the ground, but Zhao is clearly very much unharmed)
Zhao: That's it? Your father raised a coward.
Zuko: Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back.

**********

Zuko: The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar.
Iroh (enters cautiously carrying a map): Well, there is news but you might not like it. Don’t get too upset.
Zuko (in a dangerously silky voice): Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say I’m sure that I can take it.
Iroh: Ok then, we have no idea where he is.
Zuko (enraged): WHAT!?

**********

Zuko: The Avatar’s on Kyoshi Island?. Uncle, ready the Rhinos. He’s not getting away from me this time.
(Iroh is sitting at the dinner table with the steaming hot dish of fish in front of him. Pointing at the fish, he begins to speak)
Iroh: Are you going to finish that?.
(Zuko walks angrily back to the dinner table and grabs the fish off of the table.)
Zuko: I was going to save it for later! (He storms off with the fish.)

**********

Zuko (yelling): Uncle! It’s time to leave! Where are you? Uncle Iroh!
(Iroh is in a hotspring, a tub made out of rock, and it is fed by a stream coming out of the rocks behind it.)
Iroh (happily): Over here.
Zuko: Uncle? We need to move on, we’re closing in on the Avatar’s trail and I don’t want to lose him!.
Iroh: You look tired, Prince Zuko. Why don’t you join me in these hot springs and soak away your troubles.
Zuko (angry): My troubles cannot be soaked away. It’s time to go!.
Iroh: You should take your teacher’s advice and relax a little. The temperature’s just right. I heated it myself.
(Iroh shifts position slightly, puts his hands together and breathes steam from his nostrils. Cut to Zuko, obscured by steam, who swats it away.)
Zuko: Enough! We need to leave now! Get out of the water!.
Iroh (rising): Very well.
(Zuko puts his hand up to strategically block the view of Iroh)
Zuko: On second thought, why don’t you take another few minutes, but be back at the ship in half an hour or I’m leaving without you.

**********
Iroh: Excellent form, Prince Zuko.
Zuko: You taught me well.

**********

Iroh: Please Prince Zuko, if the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar.
Zuko (bowing his head): I’m sorry, Uncle.

**********
(Zuko and Iroh are in the market area. Zuko’s arms are folded across his chest and he stares into the camera, clearly unhappy.)
Iroh: I’ve checked all the shops on this pier. Not a lotus tile in the entire marketplace.
Zuko (turning to shout at his uncle): Great!. It’s good to know this trip was a complete waste of time for everyone!.
Iroh: Quite the contrary. I always say the only thing better than finding something you were looking for, is finding something you weren’t looking for at a great bargain!.
(A parade of Fire Nation soldiers walks by carrying armloads of merchandise that Iroh has just bought. One of them is some kinds of brass musical instrument.)
Zuko: You bought a sungi horn?.

**********

(Suddenly, Katara hears the noise of grinding metal. She runs over to a row of bushes on her left and parts them to reveal Zuko’s cutter craft now beached on the river bank. She turns to run, but there stands a pirate, who grabs her.)
Katara: No, let go of me!
(She bends a water whip around and smacks the pirate in the face. He lets her go, but she runs right into Zuko’s arms, who holds her fast.)
Zuko: (sarcastically) I’ll save you from the pirates.

**********

(Katara is bound to the trunk of a small tree, her hands behind the trunk. She is surrounded by the pirates and Zuko’s soldiers.)
Zuko: Tell me where he is and I won’t hurt you or your brother.
Katara: Go jump in the river!
Zuko (trying to be reasonable): Try to understand, I need to capture him to restore something I’ve lost. My honor (showing Katara her necklace that she lost) Perhaps in exchange I can restore something you’ve lost.
Katara: My mother’s necklace! How did you get that?
Zuko: I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you’re wondering. Tell me where he is.
Katara: No!
Pirate Captain (walking forward): Enough of this necklace garbage. You promised the scroll!
Zuko (producing the scroll and making fire in his hand beneath it): I wonder how much money this is worth? (The pirates gasp and some cry, “no!”). A lot, apparently. Now you help me find what I want, you’ll get this back and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy and meet back here.

**********

Iroh: There is a storm coming. A big one.
Zuko (lowering his telescope): You’re out of your mind, Uncle. The weather’s perfect. There is not a cloud in sight.
Iroh: The storm is approaching from the north. I suggest we alter our course and head southwest.
Zuko: We know the Avatar is traveling northward, so we will do the same.
Iroh: Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew.
Zuko: The safety of the crew doesn’t matter!
(Zuko’s eyebrow go up in concern as a crewmember enters from the left in the background. The Lieutenant has clearly overhead Zuko’s remark and is unhappy. Zuko, realizing this, begins to speak to the Lieutenant and walks up until his face is right in front of the Lieutenant’s.)
Zuko: Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual’s safety.

**********

(Flashback of a younger Zuko, without his trademark scar. His look of determination, however, has not changed. He walks down a hall to a pair of Fire Nation guards who block his attempt to enter the room beyond.)
Zuko (in a higher voice than we are used to): Let me in! (Iroh appears, putting his hands on the young man’s shoulders.)
Iroh: Prince Zuko, what’s wrong?
Zuko: I want to go into the war chamber, but the guard won’t let me pass!
(Zuko’s voice breaks slightly at the end. He is clearly disappointed. Iroh leads him away from the guards.)
Iroh: You’re not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring.
Zuko: If I’m gonna rule this nation one day, don’t you think I need to start learning as much as I can?.
Iroh: Very well. But you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know.
Zuko (bowing to Iroh): Thank you uncle!.

**********

General: A dangerous battalion of their strongest earthbenders and fiercest warriors, so I am recommending the 41st division.
Old General: But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?.
General (coldly): I don’t. They’ll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait then fresh meat?.
Zuko (jumping up): You can’t sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them like that?.

**********

Zuko: Please, father, I only had the fire nation’s best interest at heart! I’m sorry I spoke out of turn!
Fire Lord Ozai: You will fight for your honor.
Zuko (stricken, abasing himself on the floor): I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son.
Fire Lord Ozai: Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!
Zuko: I won’t fight you.

**********

Zuko: The Avatar!
Lieutenant Jee: What do you want to do, sir?
Zuko (pausing to consider): Let him go. We need to get this ship to safety.

**********

Uncle, I am sorry.

**********
Herald: The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance. All information regarding the Avatar must be reported directly to Admiral Zhao.
Iroh (making a move on the Pai Sho board): Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him!
Zuko (sullenly): I’ve got nothing to report to Zhao. Now get off my ship and let us pass.
Herald: Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area.
Zuko (angrily): Off my ship!

**********

Iroh: Is everything okay? It’s been almost an hour and you haven’t given the men an order.
Zuko: I don’t care what they do. (Looks away out to sea.)
Iroh: Don’t give up hope yet. You can still find the Avatar before Zhao.
Zuko (turning back, desperation and fear on his face): How, Uncle? With Zhao’s resources it’s just a matter of time before he captures the Avatar. (Turns back out to sea and whispers) My honor, my throne, my country, I’m about to lose them all.

**********

For the last time, I’m not playing the sungi horn.

**********
Iroh: Our plan is working perfectly. Zhao doesn’t suspect a thing.
Zuko (removing his guard mask): You didn’t have to do this.
Iroh: No nephew of mine is going to stow away on a ship without some backup!.
Zuko: Thank you, Uncle.

**********
Iroh: If you’re fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape.
Zuko: I don’t need your wisdom right now, Uncle.
Iroh: I’m sorry, I just nag you because, well, ever since I lost my son...
(Iroh looks away, pain evident on his face)
Zuko: Uncle, you don’t have to say it.
Iroh: I think of you as my own.
(Zuko turns to him, a genuine look of concern and understanding on his face.)
Zuko: I know, Uncle. (He bows and salutes him with his arm over chest.) We’ll meet again...
(Iroh rushes forward and gives him a bear hug.)
Zuko (releasing his Uncle and walking over to the canoe)...after I have the Avatar.
(He gets into the canoe and begins to lower it to the water.)
Iroh: Remember your Breathe of Fire! It could save your life out there!.
Zuko: I will.
Iroh: And put your hood up, keep your ears warm!.
Zuko (now far below his uncle): I’ll be fine!.

**********

Princess Yue: Maybe we should get some help?.
Katara: No, he’s my friend. I’m perfectly capable of protecting him.
Zuko (his voice echoing slightly in the chamber): Well, aren’t you a big girl now?.
Katara (turning to the voice): No!.
(Zuko is walking over the footbridge towards them.)
Zuko: Yes!. Hand him over and I won’t have to hurt you.

**********

Zuko: I see you’ve learned a new trick. But I didn’t come this far to lose to you.

**********

Zuko: You little peasant. You’ve found a master, haven’t you?.

**********

You rise with the moon. I rise with the sun.

**********

I finally have you. But I can’t get you home because of this blizzard. There’s always something. Not that you would understand. You’re like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She’s a firebending prodigy and everyone adores her.My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don’t need luck though, I don’t want it. I’ve always had to struggle and fight and that’s made me strong. It’s made me who I am.

**********

Zhao (incredulously): You’re alive?.
Zuko: You tried to have me killed!.
(Zuko launches a few fire blasts at Zhao with a cry of anguish, but his target dodges, rolling along the parapet wall.)
Zhao (with much venom): Yes, I did. You’re the Blue Spirit – and enemy of the Fire Nation!.
(the two face each other)
Zhao: You freed the Avatar!.
Zuko: I had no choice!.

**********

Iroh: I’m surprised, Prince Zuko, surprised that you are not at this moment trying to capture the Avatar.
Zuko:(wearilly) I’m tired...
Iroh (putting a hand on his nephew's shoulder): Then you should rest. A man needs his rest.
(Zuko lays down. He looks up into the sky, a pained look on his face. He closes his eyes.)

**********

Zuko: (dejectedly) Three years ago today I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honor, I want my throne. I want my father not to think I’m worthless.

**********

Zuko: (happily) We’re going home. After three long years. It’s unbelievable.
Iroh: (skeptically) It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything.
Zuko: Did you listen to Azula? Father’s realized how important family is to him. He cares about me.
Iroh: I care about you!. And if Ozai wants you back… well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine.
Zuko: (defensively) You don’t know how my father feels about me. (He stiffens) You don’t know anything.
Iroh: (gently) Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem.
(Zuko whirls around angrily and faces Iroh, leaning in as he accuses him.)
Zuko: (nastily) I think you are exactly what you seem: a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother.

**********

Iroh: Zuko, remember that plant that I thought might be tea?
Zuko: (horrified) You didn’t!
Iroh: I did. (Iroh turns around to reveal his red, swollen face which he is scratching) And it wasn’t.
Zuko: (in repulsion) Yah!
Iroh: (calmly while scratching) When the rash spreads to my throat I will stop breathing. (excitedly) But look what I found! These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade plant. That, or macahoni berries that cause blindness.
Zuko: (losing his patience) We’re not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help.
Iroh: But where are we going to go? We’re enemies of the Earth Kingdom, and fugitives from the Fire Nation.
Zuko: (musingly) If the Earth Kingdom, discovers us, they’ll have us killed.
Iroh: But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we’ll be turned over to Azula.
(They nod to each other in agreement.)
Zuko: Earth Kingdom it is.

**********

Song: You two must not be from around here. We know better than to touch the white jade, much less make it into tea and drink it.
Iroh: (sheepishly) Heh heh heh. Whoops!
Song: So where are you traveling from?
Zuko: (standing and talking quickly) Yes, we’re travelers.
Song: Do you have names?
Zuko: (hesitantly) Names? Of course we have names. I’m… Lee. And this is my uncle, uh… Mushi.

**********

Song: When I was a little girl, the Fire Nation raided our farming village. All the men were taken away. (sadly) That was the last time I saw my father.
(Zuko lowers his gaze.)
Zuko: I haven’t seen my father in many years.
Song: Oh. Is he fighting in the war?
Zuko: (putting his bowl on the table and looking away) Yeah...

**********

Iroh: (graciously) Thank you for the duck. It was excellent.
Song’s Mother: You’re welcome. (She hands him a package, presumably of leftover roast duck) It brings me joy to see someone eat my cooking with such… gusto.
Iroh: (patting his stomach) Much practice. (Zuko turns to leave, but Iroh stops him.) Junior, where are your manners? You need to thank these nice people.
(Zuko turns and offers a small bow, his face still obscured by his coolie hat.)
Zuko: (quietly, without much feeling) Thank you.
Song: (quickly) I know you don’t think there’s any hope left in the world, but there is hope. The Avatar has returned!
Zuko: (quietly, but intensely) I know.

**********

(Iroh holds his hat out to the pedestrian and speaks to him.)
Iroh: Spare coins for weary travelers?
(The man throws a few copper coins into Iroh’s hat, joining perhaps a dozen already there. Zuko turns to Iroh in anger.)
Zuko: This is humiliating! We’re royalty. These people should be giving us whatever we want.

**********

Iroh: Looks like you did some serious shopping. (Iroh walks around the fire and sits, inspecting a gold teapot in front of him) But where did you get the money?
Zuko: (avoids the question) Do you like your new teapot?
Iroh: To be honest with you, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup. (walking over to Zuko who lies with his back to the opposite wall of the cave) I know we’ve had some difficult times lately. We’ve had to struggle just to get by. (puts his had on Zuko’s shoulder) But it’s nothing to be ashamed of. There is a simple honor in poverty.
Zuko: There’s no honor for me without the Avatar.
Iroh: Zuko… (sighs) Even if you did capture the Avatar, I’m not so sure it would solve our problems. Not now.
Zuko: (abruptly) Then there is no hope at all.
(Zuko turns to get up.)
Iroh: (quickly) No, Zuko! You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.
(Zuko looks back at his uncle for a moment, then gets up to leave. He walks away form the cave)

**********

Zuko: Uncle, I thought a lot about what you said.
(Iroh turns his head towards his nephew.)
Iroh: (pleased) You did? Good, good.
Zuko: (without malice, but also without hesitation) It’s helped me realize something. We no longer have anything to gain by traveling together. I need to find my own way.
(Iroh looks down and slumps slightly in sadness. Zuko picks up a pack and begins to walk away.)
Iroh: Wait!
(Iroh leads over their stolen ostrich horse and places the reigns in Zuko’s hands. Zuko looks back at his uncle once, then shakes the reigns and gallops away)

**********

Gow: Hey! You throwing eggs at us stranger?
Zuko: No.
Gow: You see who did throw it?
Zuko: No.
Soldier: That’s your favorite word, no?
Gow: Egg had to come from somewhere.
Zuko: Maybe a chicken flew over.

**********

Azula: Mom, can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game.
Zuko: (emphatically) I am not cart wheeling.
Azula: You won’t have to. Cart wheeling’s not a game, (under her breath) dumb dumb.
Zuko: I don’t care. I don’t want to play with you.

**********

Girls are crazy!

**********

Iroh: (In letter) If the city is as magnificent as its wall, Ba Sing Se must be something to behold. I hope you all may see it someday, if we don’t burn it to the ground first. Ha ha!.
Ursa: (reading the letter) Until then, enjoy these gifts. For Zuko, a pearl dagger from the general who surrendered when we broke through the outer wall. Note the inscription and the superior craftsmanship.
Zuko: (reading the inscription) “Never give up without a fight.”

**********

Azula: If Uncle doesn’t make it back from war, then dad would be next in line to be Fire Lord, wouldn’t he?
Ursa: (disappointed) Azula, we don’t speak that way. It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn’t return. And besides, Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health.
Zuko: How would you like it if cousin Lu Ten wanted dad to die?

**********
(Teaching Lee about broadswords) Keep in mind, these are dual swords. Two halves of a single weapon. Don’t think of them as separate, because they’re not. They’re just two different parts of the same whole.

**********

Azula: You waste all your time playing with knives. You’re not even good.
Zuko: (his cheeks flaming) Put an apple on your head and we’ll find out how good I am!
Azula:By the way, Uncle’s coming home.
Zuko: Does that mean we won the war?
Azula: No. It mean’s Uncle’s a quitter and a loser.
Zuko: What are you talking about? Uncle’s not a quitter.
Azula: Oh yes he is. He found out his son died and he just fell apart. A real general would stay and burn Ba Sing Se to the ground, not lose the battle and come home crying.
Zuko: (angry) How do you know what he should do? (looking down, sadly) He’s probably just sad his only kid is gone… forever.

**********

Azula: (in a sing-song voice) Dad’s going to kill you. Really, (turning to look at him with a leer) he is.
Zuko: Ha-ha Azula. Nice try.
Azula: Fine, don’t believe me, but I heard everything. Grandfather said dad’s punishment should fit his crime. (imitating Azulon) “You must know the pain of losing a first born son, by sacrificing your own!”
Zuko: Liar!
Azula: (coming and sitting on his bed) I’m only telling you for your own good. I know, maybe you could find a nice Earth Kingdom family to adopt you.
Zuko: Stop it, you’re lying. (holding his blanket for security) Dad would never do that to me.
Ursa: (Entering the room) Your father would never do what to you? What is going on here?
Azula: (innocently) I don’t know.
Ursa: (grabbing Azula and leading her out of the room) It’s time for a talk.
Zuko: (almost chanting) Azula always lies… Azula always lies…
(The flashback ends once again. In the present, Zuko is asleep on the ground, but chants along with his younger self just seen in the flashback.)
Zuko: Azula always lies…

**********

It doesn’t matter who I am, but I know who you are. You’re not soldiers. You’re bullies. Freeloaders, abusing your power. Mostly over women and kids. You don’t want Lee in your army. You’re sick cowards messing with a family who’s already lost one son to the war.

**********

My name is Zuko. Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai. Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne.

**********

Azula (to Aang): Do you really want to fight me?
(Zuko bursts in between Aang and Azula)
Zuko: Yes, I really do. Back off Azula, he's mine.

**********

(Shouting to the storm): You've always thrown everything you could at me! Well I can take it! And now I can give it back!! (a lightning strike goes off in the distance) Come on! Strike me! You've never held back before! (nothing else happens; Zuko squeezes his eyes shut tightly as a tear drips from it. He falls to his knees and breaks-down)
**********

Iroh: It’s nice to see old friends.
Zuko: Too bad you don’t have any old friends that don’t want to attack you.

**********

Pai Sho Player: (Greeting Iroh) Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets.
Zuko: What are you old gasbags talking about?

**********

Pai Sho Player: (To Iroh) It is an honor to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets.
Zuko: Now that you played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is this club going to offer some real help?

*********

Iroh: (solemnly) Who would have thought, after all these years, I’d return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace…as a tourist? (as he says this last bit, he turns to Zuko, putting on a flowered straw hat and a wide grin)
Zuko: (grimly) Look around, we’re not tourists, we’re refugees. (sips from wooden bowl) Ugh! (spits over railing) I’m sick of eating rotten food, sleeping in the dirt... I’m tired of living like this.

**********

Jet: You know, as soon as I saw your scar, I knew exactly who you were. (Zuko glances warily at Jet who now stands next to him) You’re an outcast, like me. And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each other’s backs, because no one else will.
Zuko: (grimly) I’ve realized lately, that being on your own isn’t always the best path.

**********

Customs Lady: (sounding unpleasant) So, Mr. Lee, and Mr.… umm Mushy is it?
Iroh: It’s pronounced Moo-shee.
Customs Lady: (looking up from papers angrily) You telling me how to do my job?
Iroh: (stepping closer) Uh, no no no. (speaking charmingly) But may I just say that you’re like a flower in bloom, your beauty intoxicating.
Customs Lady: (smiling and obviously charmed) You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself handsome. (makes cat-claw gesture) Raorrr. Welcome to Ba Sing se. (stamps their papers and pushes them forward.)
Zuko: (snatching his papers from Iroh disgustedly) I’m gonna forget I saw that.

**********

(Zuko abruptly turns and dashes the cup of tea from his uncle’s hand.)
Iroh: (surprised) Hey!
Zuko: (whispering through gritted teeth) What are you doing firebending your tea? For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move.

**********

Iroh: I just want our new place to look nice in case someone brings home a lady friend. (He gives Zuko a small nudge with his elbow.)
Zuko: This city is a prison. I don’t want to make a life here.
Tea shop owner: Well, you certainly look like official tea servers. How do you feel?
(Zuko and Iroh are both wearing aprons..)
Zuko: Ridiculous.

**********

Iroh: Eeow! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!
Zuko: Uncle, that’s what all tea is.

**********

Iroh: Would you like a pot of tea?
Zuko: We’ve been working in a tea shop all day. I’m sick of tea!

**********

Jet: (Challanging Zuko) You’ll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do.
Zuko: You want a show? I’ll give you a show!.

**********

(Zuko swings at Jet, but Jet catches Zuko’s broad sword with the ends of his hook swords, spins around and deflects it to the side. Zuko spins with it and tries to counter attack, but Jet hooks the ends of his swords together and begins them at Zuko in large circular motions. Zuko retreats back a few steps to avoid the bladed hilt.)
Jet: Bet you wish he’d help you out with a little fire blast right now.
(As Jet swings at Zuko’s feet, Zuko stabs one of his broad swords through the hilt, pinning it to the ground. Jet looks at it with annoyance before focusing back on Zuko.)
Zuko: You’re the one who needs help.

**********

Zuko: Uncle, we have a problem. One of the customers is on to us. Don’t look now, but there is a girl over there at the corner table. She knows we’re fire nation... Didn’t I say don’t look!
Iroh: You’re right Zuko. I’ve seen that girl in here quite a lot. (Cut back to them.) Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you.
Zuko: (Reeling back in surprise) What?!

**********

Jin: Hey. Well, look at you. (She reaches up and messes his hair so it looks normal again.) You look so cute!
Zuko: It took my Uncle ten minutes to do my hair.

**********

Jin: So, how do you like the city so far?
Zuko: It’s ok.
Jin: What do you like to do for fun?
Zuko: Nothing.
Waiter: (Walking over to address Zuko) Excuse me sir. Would you and your girlfriend care for dessert?
Zuko: (Shouting and pounding the table with his fist) She is not my girlfriend!

**********

Zuko: (Trying to find something to say) You have… quite an appetite for a girl.
Jin: Um, thanks? So, Lee, where were you and your Uncle living before you came here?
Zuko: Um, well, we’ve been traveling around for a long time.
Jin: Oh! Why were you traveling so much?
Zuko: We were uh, apart of this traveling circus.
Jin: Really? What did you do? Wait, lemme guess, you juggled!
(Zuko, arms folded, pauses for a moment before responding.)
Zuko: Yes. I juggled.
Jin: I’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle. Can you show me something?
(Jin holds out an assortment of objects apparently from the table that Zuko takes in his arms. He then throws each one up in the air, one after the other, and then prepares to catch them. He succeeds in catching none of them and one manages to fall onto his head and break into many pieces. Jin doesn’t laugh, but smiles gently.)
Zuko: Whoah! I haven’t practiced for awhile. (He wipes the shards of pottery from his hair.)

**********

Jin: I’m so excited for you to see the firelight fountain. The lamps make the water sparkle and reflect in the pool in the most beautiful way.
(She leads Zuko into an open area with a large fountain and several posts with candles on top surrounding it in a circle; however, to spite its apparent name, it is dark and the candles unlit.)
Jin: I can’t believe it! They arn’t lit.
(Zuko looks at the disappointed Jin’s face for a moment, then at the candles.)
Zuko: Close your eyes and don’t peak.
(Zuko walks out into the circle of candles, holds his hands together, and closes his eyes as he prepares. Using his pointer and middle fingers on each hand, he shoots small bursts of flame in all directions at the candles to light them. Once finished, he stands straight and looks at Jin, still with her eyes closed.)
Zuko: Ok. Now you can look.
Jin: Oh wow… (the whole area is lit by the candles. Jin walks to Zuko looking around in amazement.) What happened? How did they light? What did you…
(Zuko simply smiles at her. They both turn to look at the fountain. As Zuko examines his work, Jin brushes her hand through her hair and smiles at him, though he doesn’t see. She reaches over and grabs his hand to hold it. Having attracted his attention, Zuko turns to look at the girl smiling at him. They both turn to be face to face and as Jin begins to lean in for a kiss, Zuko quickly draws a piece of paper which he holds between their lips.)
Zuko: I brought you something. It’s a coupon for a free cup of tea.
Jin: (Taking the coupon) Lee, this is so sweet.
Zuko: (He takes a few steps away from her.) Don’t thank me. It was my Uncle’s idea. He thinks you’re our most valuable customer.
Jin: Your Uncle is a good teacher. I have something for you too. (She walks back to him and places her hand on his cheek.) Now it’s your turn to close your eyes.
(He does so and Jin makes her move. The shot shows both of their lips as Jin delivers a short kiss and pulls back slightly. Zuko’s lips move to hers to return the kiss and he begins to but the shot cuts to show him jumping back away from her. He stands for a second, looking at her, then turns his back and begins to walk away.)
Jin: What’s wrong?
Zuko: It’s complicated. I have to go.
(Zuko runs from the fountain leaving a confused Jin standing alone)

**********

Iroh is leaning out of the window of his and his nephew’s apartment, looking up and down the street apparently waiting on Zuko’s return. Behind him, the door opens as Zuko enters without saying anything.)
Iroh: How was your night Prince Zuko?
(Zuko walks across the floor and into what must be his room and slams the doors behind him without a word. Iroh looks after him for a second with a confused look on his face before turning back to the window to trim the flowerbed sitting there. Though, when the sound of the doors opening again is herd, he turns back around. Zuko’s face is seen in the crack between the two doors.)
Zuko: It was nice.

**********

Iroh: (excitedly) Did you hear nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city.
Quon: That's right young man. You're life is about to change for the better.
(Zuko continues to walk away towards the front door, setting down the tray of cups)
Zuko: (gravely) I'll try to contain my joy. (steps outside)

**********

Zuko: The Avatar's here in Ba Sing Se. (holds out the leaflet) And he's lost his bison.
Iroh: (takes the leaflet) We have a chance for a new life here. (Zuko walks to stare out a window) If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us.
Zuko: (spins around to face Iroh, clearly irate) Good things that are happening for you. Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea?
Iroh: (earnestly) There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want for your life, and why.
Zuko: (turning to look outside again) I want my destiny.

**********

Blue Spirit: (taken aback) Uncle?
Iroh: (feigning puzzlement) So, the Blue Spirit. I wonder who could be behind that mask?
Zuko: (removing his mask) What are you doing here?
Iroh: I was just about to ask you the same thing. What do you plan to do now that you have found the Avatar's bison? Keep it locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?
Zuko: First I have to get it out of here.
Iroh: (incensed) AND THEN WHAT?! You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the North Pole! You had him, and then you had no where to go!
Zuko: (heatedly) I would have figured something out!
Iroh: (shouting angrily) No!! If his friends hadn't found you, you would have frozen to death!
Zuko: (looking away in anguish) I know my own destiny uncle.
Iroh: (forcefully) Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?
Zuko: (in torment) Stop it Uncle. I have to do this. (turns away, toward Appa)
Iroh: (pleading furiously) I'm begging you Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward, and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you? And what do you want?
(With a cry of frustration, Zuko hurls both of his swords to the ground, followed by the Blue Spirit mask.)

**********

Zuko: What's that smell?
(Iroh is seen stirring a thick white paste in a steaming pot.)
Iroh: (doubtfully) It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it.
(Zuko bows over the pot, inhaling, as Iroh steps back.)
Zuko: (pleasantly) Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle.
(The banished Prince picks up and holds out a bowl.)
Iroh: (suspicious) Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow.
(Iroh ladles some jook into the proffered bowl.)
Zuko: (optimistically) It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up Uncle.

**********

Zuko: (cheerfully) Congratulations Uncle.
Iroh: (smiling) I'm very thankful.
Zuko: (confidently) You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city.
Iroh: No, I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. (puts a hand on Zuko's arm) It means more than you know. (Zuko gives him a warm hug, to his surprise)
Zuko: (enthusiastically) Now let's make these people some tea.

**********

Zuko: No. I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula!
Azula: You're so dramatic. What, are you going to do, challenge me to an Agni Kai?
Zuko: (angry and determined) Yes! I challenge you!

**********

Katara: (accusingly) Why did they throw you in here? Oh wait. Let me guess. It's a trap. So when Aang shows up to rescue me, you can finally have him in your little Fire Nation clutches.
(Katara shapes her hands into claws Zuko turns to look at her for a second before turning back and saying nothing.)
Katara: You're a terrible person, you know that? Always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care? You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood.
Zuko: You don't know what you're talking about.
Katara: (growing angrier) I don't?! How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally (turns her back to Zuko and crouches down). The Fire Nation took my mother away from me.
(Katara places a hand on her necklace as tears roll down her cheek and drip off her chin. Zuko turns his head further and looks sadly at her. Katara begins sobbing, holding her head to her chest and burying her head in her knees.)
Zuko: I'm sorry. That's something we have in common.

**********

Katara: I'm sorry I yelled at you before.
Zuko: It doesn't matter.
Katara: It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.
Zuko: My face. I see (turns away and places a hand to his scar).
Katara: (regretfully) No, no, that's not what I meant.
Zuko: It's ok. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark.
Katara: Maybe you could be free of it.
(A glimmer of hope flashes in Zuko's eyes as he turns back to Katara.)
Zuko: What?
Katara: I have healing abilities.
Zuko: It's a scar. It can't be healed.

**********

Zuko: (upset) Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?! (points a finger at Aang)

**********

Katara: I thought you had changed!
(Katara swings her water down at Zuko. Zuko's tendrils of fire and Katara's tentacles of water clash together over the channel, both equal in strength.)
Zuko: I have changed!

**********

Zuko: (regretfully) I betrayed Uncle.
Azula: No, he betrayed you. Zuko, when you return home, father will welcome you as a war hero.
Zuko: But I don't have the Avatar. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?.

~ Karen

Why am I so bad at being good??

~ Kat

Nicknames:

"Angry boy" (Jun called him that 'cause of how ticked off he got at her for damaging his ship)
"Zuzu" (Azulas childhood pet name for him, which he clearly hates!)
"Lee" (An alias he hastilly bestowed upon himself)
"Junior" (A disliked alias that Uncle Iroh spitefully bestowed on him out of revenge for calling him "Mushi"!)

~ Karen

Favorite Links:

Inferno Of Chaos

Prince Zuko