Zuko’s Lone
Journey
As Zuko approached the small earth village, hunched over
from fatigue, he felt another painful rumble deep in his stomach. He wanted
nothing more than to enter the small township in peace; maybe he could share a
meal with a kind stranger? He gripped the reins on his/the ostrich horse with
his right hand and with his left he ran his fingers over the stamp across his
face. Now his muscles quickly forced him upright once again. How could he let
such a thought come close to entering his mind? He was branded, outcast by his
own family! Why then would even a stranger want to share a simple, civil meal
with him! Producing a large flame in his hand, Zuko fixed his eyes on the road
ahead fuelling his mind to get back in the game; find the avatar, don’t
hesitate to kill him and re-gain acceptance from all who matter.
On he went; the feet of his ostrich horse thumping a slow
tempo against the rusty red road; the dust creating a constant red glow all
around them. Suddenly the tempo quickened. Zuko looked all around trying to
match the rumbling sound to something. They began to shake uncontrollably until
Zuko found himself on the ground, dust blocking his entire vision. A woman’s voice
cut through the haze. The voice was faint but sweet, “You shouldn’t be proud of
that.” He stared straight ahead of him in hope of catching a glimpse of the
person the voice belonged to. It came again, “You ought to be a little more
careful with where you show that sort of thing. Folks around here don’t take to
that very well.” Waving his hand around attempting to clear the air, he finally
saw a pair of green eyes emerge. A breeze caused black hair to whip across the
woman’s face as she stretched out her hand, beckoning for Zuko to take hold of
it. He gripped tightly, in an attempt to be able to control the situation. He
trusted no body. Now they were face to face. She was beautiful, a gentle and
captivating woman. She was dressed in long, silk garments that made her seem
angelic and everything froze for just one moment. He forgot his anger. When he
remembered how to breathe again, he tried to demand a name from the mystery
girl. He could feel his cheeks warming. A small chuckle confirmed that yes, he
was blushing. This aggravated Zuko but at the same time it made him even more
intrigued about who this majestic lady was. He decided to just stay quiet until
she spoke again.
“What is troubling you? You seem to be in a rather pensive
mood. Well, I assume that, judging by
the way that flame fuelled you.”
Now he was on the defence again. Don’t trust anyone, especially not a woman! She knows I’m fire nation. Zuko
remained quiet.
The pair of them didn’t know what to do next so in hope of
diffusing the tension they both began to walk towards the village, the ostrich
horse following closely behind. A few minutes had passed when Zuko finally
looked up again. He was standing outside an old clay hut with a thatched roof. The
woman gestured for Zuko to go inside, it was apparent that this quaint place
was her home. Why did he want to go inside when every part of him was telling
him not to? A battle within was raging just over the simple decision to go
inside or not. Who did this woman remind him of?
Thud!
Zuko went hurtling forward through the narrow door of the
hut. Apparently his means of transport thought it was a brilliant idea for him
to go inside; and yet again, he was on the ground.
The smell of hot soup filled the air, this was a home. He
sat up and looked all around him. The woman was already serving him a large bowl
of the heavenly soup. He had got what he wished for; a meal with a kind
stranger. Still the familiarity of this lady etched at his mind.
“What is your name!?” Zuko demanded in an abrupt and gravel voice.
“My name is Gaido tsuki, what is yours fire boy?” she
replied cheekily.
“That is un important, I have no place, therefore I am
nobody.”
Gaido sarcastically raised her hands in submission,
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up your demons there fire boy,
I hope you don’t mind me using that name since I can’t use your real one.”
Zuko got up from the floor and sat up at the table with
Gaido to eat his soup. She began gleefully telling him stories and legends of
the earth kingdom but he didn’t hear a thing. The meal was over and the warmth
of a home recalled his longing for rest.
Tossing and turning, aggravation haunted him. Accepting such kindness is weak! He jolted upright wiping sweat from his brow
with his sleeve. He had to leave, now!
He left quietly, stoking the fire and leaving behind a gratifying
flame. That should keep her warm.
On he went. This time he couldn’t see the red haze of dust
being kicked up by his ostrich horse, only the blue glow of the moon. The air
felt crisp against his expressionless face, he was back on the right path. What was I thinking? How foolish of me. She must
have been an accomplice of my fathers. Of all the stupid things I have done. But
she mesmerized me, she help me captive, those eyes, something about those eyes!
What am I thinking? I could have been in her next soup had I not been woken
from my sleep. She’s not on my side, no one is.
A glistening in the
distance came with the rising of the sun. Thousands of tiny beams of lights
came darting towards Zuko and his ride. The ostrich horse immediately reared
and was full speed ahead. He had found water! Fresh and flowing water. The
river was strangely still and curved around bends smoothly. Zuko let his pet
drink and play in the water, but he couldn’t bear to watch such a happy being. He
sat down hunched over on his knees and stared deeply into the water. The great
rumbling came again shaking him from left to right; his gaze remaining on the
glassy surface of the water. What was going on? A woman appeared once more.
This time she was wearing red robes and had a face as pale as the winter snow. Her
eyes were green too and she beckoned for Zuko just as Gaido had. A young boy’s
voice came this time. “mother, what would happen to me if I ever used my gift
to hurt another bender?” the voice echoed in every inch of his mind. This was a
memory! He wanted to know the answer, Focus
Zuko, what did your mother say?
The echo faded as a ripple appeared in the water. Something
had broken the moment. Now an all familiar giggle came from up in the air and a
great shadow passed over. Zuko looked up. It was him. The Avatar, the very
reason for this turmoil.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. 2005-2008
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