As far as prequels go, Zuko's Story, written forThe Last Airbender movie, is an excellent encapsulation of the years Zuko spends as a Fire Nation pariah. The banished prince who will never be allowed his honor unless he performs the impossible, a task given by Ozai for that specific reason.
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In addition to Zuko and Iroh, other franchise characters in this graphic novel include Azula (who actually does something nice for once), Ty Lee, Mai, Zhao, and Guru Pathik. The volume is short, lasting just about a hundred pages, and is designed in black and white, but the story within is true to its title character in every way.
Between Burning And Banishment
After the Fire Lord exiles his only son for "disrespecting" his court, Zuko is forced to listen to everyone gossiping behind his back. These include the lowliest sentries, who wouldn't have dared look him in the eyes before, now commenting on how the whole situationis so "unfair."
Being the recipient of such pity is unbearable to him (what with his pride and all that), and he bursts into sobs. Later, when he believes that Ozai has come to his bedchambers with his arms full of forgiveness, Zuko is annoyed to realize that it's only Azula who wants to help her "dear brother pack."
Recruiting Civilians ToThe Cause
Zuko leaves the royal palace alone (yes, alone!), traveling to nearby Fire towns and villages in order to conscript random citizens on his unreasonable journey. A few listeners are comforting in their refusal, but he gets in trouble with the local guardswhen he reacts with his iconic furious Firebending.
Spending a humiliating night in prison is torture enough, but once again, his sister is present to observe his shame with glee. This time, however, Azula is far morecompassionate than she has ever been, given that she agrees to help Zuko out of his predicament, and even tells him to change his bandages to avoid losing his eye.
Azula,The Helper
Azula makes good on her word, perhaps to get rid of Zuko forever, giving him access to a Fire Nation navy ship, along with a mediocre crew. His joy is short-lived, though, because his father has stipulated a condition on his offer, that he must take his Uncle Iroh along with him as well.
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It seems that Ozai has tired of his brother's "nuisance", andconsidering that there is no way he can defeat him in battle, decides to give his two birds one ship (and hopes they never return.)
To The Western Air Temple
Interestingly, Zuko has been to the Western Air Temple before Team Avatar visit the place (which is probably why he is able tofind them so easily.) In this timeline, he sets a course for the location in order to scour every possible hiding space for the last Airbender.
The trip duration is drastically cut down because Iroh suggests that a better starting point for the Avatar-capturing mission would be Fire Temple on Crescent Island, where Avatar Roku had once made his home. Zuko accepts the course shift, claiming that he's only doing this to stop his uncle nagging him.
LessonsAt Roku's Fire Temple
Fire Sage Shyu greets the uncle-nephew pair at the temple, warmly discussing his personal history as well as the various records available about Roku's life and habits.
It is here that Zuko learns some fascinating Avatar trivia — that Avatar Yangchen lived in "seclusion at the Eastern Air Temple," or that Avatar Kyoshi was 230 years old when she passed away. In Book One: Water, Zuko uses a specific test todetermine that Aang is the Avatar; this is based on the information obtained from Shyu's library.
GuardianUncles
Zuko is thrown out of his reveries by an impressive display of Firebending from the courtyard; unfortunately, he forgets his new status in his excitement, and "demands" that the Fire Sage become his teacher.
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The Sage merely laughs in his face, calling him weak and cowardly, which obviously triggers the prince into attacking him. Thankfully, Zuko's recklessness is balanced by the omnipresent Iroh, who arrives in the nick of time to save his nephew from another facial scar (or worse).
The Red Spirit
Onboard his vessel, Zuko hears a scratching noise coming from the armory; he goes to investigate, finding athief with dual swords and a red mask (identical in design to that of the Blue Spirit version he wears in the show.)
The man escapes, but Zuko soon identifies him as Hong Shen, a theater star. Together, both of them set up a heist, breaking into Commander Kanku's stronghold, so the prince can lay his hands on a bunch of important maps.
A Forest On Fire
Hong Shen rescues his son, Zhen, from Kanku's clutches, going so far as to malign the Fire Lord for "separating kids from their families." Zuko, still reeling from the effects of his banishment, runs away as far as possible, choosing to unleash his anger against an innocent forest.
As the trees around him begin to burn, he sinks to his knees, wishing that the inferno would take him with it. Again, it falls to Uncle Iroh to saveZuko from himself, as the old man instantly crushes the blaze and comforts his dear nephew.
Guru Pathik, The Avatar
At the Eastern Air Temple, Zuko wanders around aimlessly until he comes across an ancient monk, meditating before a lit candle. He introduces himself as Pathik, but the overzealous prince immediately assumes that he's the Avatar (simply because he looked the right age and was found in the right neighborhood.)
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Zuko tries to capture him, calling Iroh to aid him in the chase, but his uncle is having none of it:Iroh blankly tells him that he is wrong, and apologizes to Pathik for the attack.
Zuko And Aang, Side By Side, Before The World
After a long conversation aboutdedication and dignity, in which Iroh admits that Zuko is far stronger than he has ever been, the two set up camp and go to sleep. In the deep of the night, Pathik comes back to tell him that his "destiny and the Avatar's are closely entwined," furtheradding that Avatar Yangchen had sent him a vision of Zukoand Aang working together.
The prince denies the possibility of such an alliance, but his uncle says that he believes Pathik's words. The scene then shifts to several months later, with Zuko watching the pillar of light seen in the first episode.
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