INT. FIRE NATION – DUEL STAGE – DAY
WIDE ON: A figure obscured by fire stands over a scrawny child, kneeling on the floor.
OZAI (V.O.)
You have spoken out of turn, Prince Zuko.
CLOSE ON: The child, ZUKO, stares at his father standing above him, terrified for himself.
ZUKO
(frightened)
I know… I’m sorry, father. I didn’t mean to.
OZAI (V.O.) (CONT’D)
You must now fight for yourself, my son. To regain your honor.
MEDIUM ON: ZUKO gets to his feet and attempts to hold his fists up.
ZUKO
You planned to kill innocent people. I had to say something! I meant you no disrespect.
Then figure walks toward him, and ZUKO lets his hands down.
ZUKO (CONT’D)
I can’t fight you. There must be another way.
The figure walks toward him, at first not saying anything.
ZUKO
(weepy)
Please… I don’t want to fight you, father.
CLOSE ON: ZUKO stares at his father, his eyes welling up.
OZAI
If you will not fight, then you will learn. And this shall be your lesson.
MEDIUM ON: OZAI casts fire at the screen a sharp cry is heard.
INT. ZUKO’S QUARTERS – MORNING
CLOSE ON: The eyes of ZUKO, who is now several years older, awaken after a particularly bad dream. As he turns over, we see that a large burn occupies most of his face.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIRE NATION SHIP – TRAINING DECK – DAY
WIDE ON: ZUKO faces several soldiers as well as a few machines. One lunges at him and he deflects it, while also blasting fire at another soldier. He leaps up from his spot to avoid another attack.
ANGLES ON: ZUKO widens his eyes as he ducks another fire blast. He chops another soldier and throws him into a mat, before turning to another. He stops another hand from hitting him and kicks him down.
ANGLES ON: Another soldier gets up and chases him to another fighting mat. The two share a long exchange of moves, until the soldier catches ZUKO off balance and ZUKO goes tumbling down.
ANGLE ON: ÏROH comes rushing to ZUKO’s aid, but ZUKO gets up on his own and brushes himself off, before motioning the victor away. He turns to ÏROH.
ÏROH
That was better. You’re still working from the brawn, however. Not the breath. And anger is your sole drive. Serenity provides control, but anger lets one lose a grip on it.
ZUKO
What do you propose I do about it?
ÏROH
Perhaps you should take up meditation. I find it relaxes the mind in times of unrest.
ZUKO looks to ÏROH.
ÏROH
Take, half an hour. Then we’ll
begin again.