View source for Avatar:Zuko's relationships

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{{Needshelp|'''A relationship page is not a record of every encounter between two characters.'''}}
{{Zukopages}}

This page is comprised of '''Zuko's relationships''' with other characters in the [[Earth|world of ''Avatar'']]. A frequently troubled young man, [[Zuko]] acquired both friends and foes throughout his journeys.

== Relatives ==
=== Azula ===
{{Blockquote|Azula, our relationship is so '''messed up.''' It's been like that as long as I can remember. And maybe it'll be like that for the rest of our lives. But one fact never changes. No matter what, you're still my '''sister'''.|[[Zuko]] to [[Azula]]<ref name="S3">{{Cite comic|S3}}</ref>}}
[[File:Zuko and Azula in royal robes.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Azula]] often wore royal [[Fashion in the World of Avatar#Prince and Princess|robes]] while in the [[Fire Nation Royal Palace]].]]

[[Azula]] was Zuko's younger sister by two years.<ref name="dead 201-3">{{Cite nickold|201|3}}</ref><ref name="WS2">{{Cite episode|1|108}}</ref> While siblings, Azula seemed to take great pleasure in Zuko's torment, whether through her own orchestrated pranks, or relishing the punishment Ozai inflicted on her brother.<ref name="ZA">{{Cite episode|1|207}}</ref><ref name="S">{{Cite episode|1|112}}</ref> Zuko expressed resentment toward her, as she was a [[firebending]] prodigy and the favored sibling as far as their father was concerned. Azula also enjoyed calling him by disliked nicknames, including "Zuzu" and "Dum-Dum",<ref name="C">{{Cite episode|1|208}}</ref> and reminding him of his inferiority in their father's eyes.<ref name="AS">{{Cite episode|1|201}}</ref> Following the failed [[Siege of the North]], [[Fire Lord]] [[Ozai]] tasked Azula with capturing [[Iroh]] and Zuko, considered traitors to the [[Fire Nation]].<ref name="SN2">{{Cite episode|1|120}}</ref>

As evidenced by Zuko's dreams, Azula had a great deal of influence over him, arguably rivaling his uncle's.<ref name="EK">{{Cite episode|1|218}}</ref> This was only bolstered when Azula successfully convinced Zuko to betray their uncle, aid her against [[Avatar]] [[Aang]] and [[Katara]], and finally [[Coup of Ba Sing Se|conquer]] [[Ba Sing Se]].<ref name="CD">{{Cite episode|1|220}}</ref> Azula later lied to her father and credited Zuko with Aang's supposed death, allegedly doing so out of sisterly love since he had been worried about their father's reaction to his return.<ref name="A">{{Cite episode|1|301}}</ref> Upon their return home, Azula seemed to gradually open up to Zuko, once warning him of the dangers of visiting their uncle,<ref name="H">{{Cite episode|1|302}}</ref> and reciprocated his nostalgic and depressing feelings after the two visited their old beach home on [[Ember Island]]. She also helped him sort through his anger and conflicted feelings of betraying Iroh, although she called him pathetic for letting these feelings get to him.<ref name="B">{{Cite episode|1|305}}</ref>

This tentative sibling relationship did not withstand Zuko's decision to join [[Team Avatar]] to stop their father from winning the Hundred Year War,<ref name="DBS2">{{Cite episode|1|311}}</ref> as Azula showed no mercy for her brother during their next encounters, and neither did Zuko hesitate to battle her. With his greatly improved firebending, he could finally challenge Azula, and she was forced to take him much more seriously during their duel at the [[Boiling Rock]]. After the betrayal of Mai and Ty Lee,<ref name="BR2">{{Cite episode|1|315}}</ref> Azula visibly desired to kill him and openly declared that she celebrated Zuko no longer being the prince, leaving her inheritance of the Fire Lord throne unchallenged, but despite Zuko bravely and relentlessly fighting her for Aang and the rest of his friends to escape, he did not share the sentiment, as he appeared to genuinely regret that his sister was seemingly going to fall to her death after being thrown off an airship by him and even seemed to be almost relieved when she survived.<ref name="SR">{{Cite episode|1|316}}</ref>

[[File:Young Zuko and Azula.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Azula]] held a deep bitterness toward each other since [[History of Zuko (83 AG – 99 AG)|their childhood]].]]

Although Zuko and Azula were unlikely to acknowledge it, the two did care about one another deep down; however, due to their upbringing, Azula through Ozai and Zuko through [[Ursa]] and later Iroh, and contrasting views on life, the deep bitterness, anger, and jealousy both sides had from the favoritism their parents showed, seemingly made them incapable of peacefully coexisting. Although Zuko no longer cared for Ozai's approval and any resentment he had for Azula due to her possession of it had clearly vanished, it eventually became clearer, despite Zuko visibly still not realizing the true reason of Azula's anger toward him: The reason behind Azula's seemingly impulsive desire to flaunt at him for her having Ozai's favor was because she was subconsciously jealous at him for having received Ursa's love while she was scarcely treated as such by their mother and frequently belittled her for her vindictive acts.

Zuko eventually confronted Azula for the throne, at which point Azula challenged him to an [[Comet-Enhanced Agni Kai|Agni Kai]]. Despite earlier admitting he could not defeat Azula alone, Zuko was able to sense that his sister was mentally unstable, and knew he could use this to defeat her. Indeed, in their Agni Kai, Zuko proved capable of overwhelming his sister, and his calmness proved to give him the advantage. He was only defeated by Azula when she dishonorably attacked Katara with [[Lightning generation|lightning]], forcing Zuko to take the hit and unable to [[Lightning redirection|redirect]] it fully, and he was left incapacitated.<ref name="SC3">{{Cite episode|1|320}}</ref> This did not prevent Zuko from showing pity and sadness as his sister fell apart following her defeat by Katara, looking on solemnly as Azula sobbed uncontrollably over her failure.<ref name="SC4">{{Cite episode|1|321}}</ref>

Taking pity on Azula due to her madness, Zuko did not put his sister in prison as he did with Ozai; instead, he had her institutionalized in a mental health facility for better treatment.<ref name="dead 320-3">{{Cite nickold|320|3}}</ref> He also did not give up on her entirely and was willing, albeit reluctantly, to ask her for help in persuading Ozai to reveal Ursa's location,<ref name="P3">{{Cite comic|P3}}</ref> and later allowed her to accompany him, unbound, on a quest to track her down. However, he remained focused and alert to her every move, even inviting [[Team Avatar]] to help keep an eye on her during their trip. After hearing a lecture about family and seeing Sokka's interaction with Katara, Zuko decided to move toward better treatment of his sister.<ref name="S1">{{Cite comic|S1}}</ref>

[[File:Zuko had enough.png|thumb|right|200px|Despite their differences, [[Zuko]] regretted that his relationship with [[Azula]] had to be one of constant battle.]]

Zuko and Azula's relationship finally reached a defining point when he fought her to prevent her from killing their mother, [[Ursa]]. When she asked him why he had not killed her when he had the chance, he replied that no matter how badly messed up their relationship was and might always be, she would never stop being his sister, someone whom he cared about. Azula subsequently ran away from her brother, ignoring his pleas for her to come back so that he could help her.<ref name="S3" /> Zuko searched in vain for her for days in the valley until he was forced to give up and return to the Fire Nation. He expressed concern over Azula's well-being as his mother confided on her worries of Azula and appeared to regret that he could not understand what his sister was thinking and how she could be happy.<ref name="SS1">{{Cite comic|SS1}}</ref>

Azula would continue to bother his reign as the Fire Lord under the belief she was destined to make Zuko a better Fire Lord ruling through fear. Though he was disturbed at his sister's actions, Zuko did not seem to show much resentment toward her, even commenting he actually felt good regarding her restored mentality.<ref name="SS3">{{Cite comic|SS3}}</ref>

=== Azulon ===
{{Blockquote|You must know the pain of losing a first-born son. By sacrificing your own!|[[Azula]] repeating [[Azulon]]'s words to [[Ozai]] to [[Zuko]].<ref name="ZA" />}}

Little is known about Zuko's relationship with his paternal grandfather, [[Azulon]]. Zuko once tried to impress Azulon with a performance of firebending in order to get in his father's good graces. Azulon was displeased with Zuko's failure, angrily asking Ozai why he was wasting his time. Azulon seemed to care little, if at all, about his grandson, seeing that he ordered Ozai to kill Zuko after Ozai proposed stripping Iroh of his birthright to the throne, simply to teach Ozai a lesson. However, despite this treatment, Zuko was clearly distraught when his grandfather was proclaimed dead, in stark contrast to the actually celebrating Azula and over their father becoming Fire Lord. His questioning of Ozai regarding what he did, appeared to indicate he at least suspected, if not outright knew, that his father did something to ensure his rise to the throne and was unhappy over how Ozai did so by killing his own father.<ref name="ZA" />

=== Uncle Iroh ===
{{Blockquote|After I leave here today, I'm gonna free Uncle Iroh from his prison. And I'm gonna beg for his forgiveness. He's the one who's been a real father to me!|[[Zuko]] to [[Ozai]] about [[Iroh]].<ref name="DBS2" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Iroh.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Iroh]] consistently urged [[Zuko]] to do what was right.]]

Iroh was Zuko's uncle, mentor, [[Firebending training|firebending teacher]], caretaker, and father figure. The tolerant and even-keeled foil to Zuko's impulsiveness, Iroh tempered Zuko's anger with practical advice and a wry sense of humor. Though Iroh was a hard instructor, his merciless drilling in firebending basics served to improve Zuko's skill.<ref name="BI">{{Cite episode|1|101}}</ref> Iroh was sympathetic toward Zuko, having likewise fallen from grace due to an infamous military failure in his days as a Fire Nation [[Military ranks in the World of Avatar#General 2|General]],<ref name="ZA" /> and pleaded that he was not so relentless in his search for the Avatar. Although he often teased Zuko, who impatiently balked at his advice, they cared deeply about each other. He even thought of Zuko as his surrogate child, his own son having died, and worried over him accordingly.<ref name="SN1">{{Cite episode|1|119}}</ref> Iroh constantly guided Zuko and tried to help him make good choices.<ref name="LL">{{Cite episode|1|217}}</ref> In turn, Zuko was deeply thankful for his uncle and was greatly touched when Iroh indirectly praised him.<ref name="SAT">{{Cite episode|1|103}}</ref> When Zuko was once confronted with the choice of tracking the Avatar or saving a kidnapped Iroh, he chose the latter.<ref name="WS1">{{Cite episode|1|107}}</ref> Both depended on each other in exile. Iroh was considered a traitor by the Fire Lord, blamed for the failure of the Siege of the [[Northern Water Tribe]] after he attacked Admiral [[Zhao]] for killing the mortal form of the [[Tui|Moon Spirit]].<ref name="SN2" />

When Zuko separated from his uncle, they began traveling alone after Iroh explained to Zuko that capturing the Avatar at this point would probably not immediately grant him his honor and throne. Zuko left, believing that they no longer had anything to gain from traveling together, stating that he needed to find his own way.<ref name="AD">{{Cite episode|1|205}}</ref> Iroh discreetly continued to follow his nephew's trail, ensuring that if Zuko ever needed him, he would be there.<ref name="C" />

Zuko and Iroh rejoined during a [[Confrontation at Tu Zin|battle]] with Azula and Team Avatar. Their reunion was cut short, however, when Iroh was severely injured by Azula, over which Zuko grew visibly distraught.<ref name="C" /> Zuko transported Iroh to safety and helped him recover, even going so far as making [[tea]] for him. Once Iroh had healed significantly, he began to teach Zuko how to channel lightning through his body; however, he refused to actually shoot a lightning at him for practice due to the risks involved.<ref name="BW">{{Cite episode|1|209}}</ref>

Iroh finally lost his temper and berated Zuko for his lack of forethought in his plans. While Iroh's words were harsh, Zuko ultimately seemed to respect the sentiments behind them, opting to release the Avatar's captured [[flying bison]]. After leaving the [[Lake Laogai|underground base]], at his uncle's suggestion, he dropped his Blue Spirit mask into the lake and watched it sink from view.<ref name="LL" /> The two arrived back at their [[Iroh and Zuko's apartment|apartment]], where Iroh once again congratulated him for letting Appa go; Zuko, however, merely said that he did not "feel right" before passing out on the floor, greatly worrying Iroh. During Zuko's illness, Iroh gladly took care of his nephew.<ref name="EK" /> When he had been restored to full health, Zuko appeared uncharacteristically optimistic and expressed profound care and tenderness toward his uncle.<ref name="G">{{Cite episode|1|219}}</ref> This behavior, however, was short-lived when, following a confrontation in the [[Crystal Catacombs]], Zuko sided with Azula and betrayed Iroh. Iroh turned his head away in disappointment of the choices that his nephew had made.<ref name="CD" />

Once Iroh was taken back to the Fire Nation as a prisoner, he refused to talk to Zuko, despite his frequent visits and his apparent confusion.<ref name="H" /> Iroh eventually broke his silence when he told Zuko that Avatar [[Roku]] was his maternal great-grandfather, and that he might be able to redeem their family by helping to restore balance in the world. Although his nephew had betrayed him, he still had faith in Zuko, and he gave him a [[Crown Prince headpiece|crown]] which [[Sozin]] once gave to Roku: a royal artifact to only be worn by the crown [[Heir to the Fire Lord|prince]] of the Fire Nation.<ref name="AFL">{{Cite episode|1|306}}</ref>

During the events of the [[Day of Black Sun]], Zuko chose to join the Avatar and decided to break Iroh out of prison. He would ask for his uncle's forgiveness for his previous betrayal at Ba Sing Se. However, Iroh had escaped from prison himself long before Zuko arrived, and Zuko was forced to leave without him.<ref name="DBS2" />

Zuko often said that Iroh was more of a father to him.<ref name="DBS2" /><ref name="DBS1">{{Cite episode|1|310}}</ref> He also attempted to tell his newfound friends Iroh's favorite tea joke but was unsuccessful when he only remembered the punch line. He told an Iroh-like proverb to [[Sokka]] that apparently made "no sense at all".<ref name="BR1">{{Cite episode|1|314}}</ref> When debating over how he could convince Team Avatar that he was on their side, Zuko wondered what Iroh would do and proceeded to do a fairly accurate impersonation of Iroh involving looking within himself to save himself, but exasperatedly remarked that even when he was talking for his uncle, he still could not understand him.<ref name="WAT">{{Cite episode|1|312}}</ref>

[[File:Zuko and Iroh reunite.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Iroh]] reunited in the [[White Lotus camp]] for the first time since Zuko learned of his ancestry.]]

Zuko expressed his guilt over betraying his uncle on several occasions after joining Team Avatar.<ref name="BR1" /><ref name="EIP">{{Cite episode|1|317}}</ref> Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko learned that Iroh was the new leader of the [[Order of the White Lotus]] and that his uncle intended on liberating Ba Sing Se. Zuko reunited with his uncle before the final battle and sobbed as he begged for his uncle's forgiveness. Iroh embraced his nephew in an emotional hug, stating that he was never angry with Zuko, just sad that he had lost his way and was now happy that he found his way to him. He was proud to find that Zuko had finally found peace with himself and his destiny, and the two finally made up.<ref name="SC2">{{Cite episode|1|319}}</ref>

Before departing to fight Azula, Zuko asked Iroh if he would accept his rightful place as Fire Lord. Iroh refused, as Zuko was the far more suitable heir: an idealist with a pure heart. Zuko was unsure due to his history of misdeeds, but Iroh assured him that since Zuko had learned from his mistakes, he would know how to rule as a man of peace and love. Zuko was emboldened by his uncle's wise words and asked Katara to join him in the facing of his sister.<ref name="SC2" />

When the [[Hundred Year War]] ended and Zuko became Fire Lord, he celebrated the victory with his uncle at the [[Jasmine Dragon]], their tea shop in Ba Sing Se, which had been reopened. Zuko even helped Iroh serve tea to their friends, just like old times.<ref name="SC4" /> Later, when Zuko felt conflicted, he would talk to a picture of Iroh, expressing his desire for Iroh to be with him, though he never followed through. When the dispute in [[Yu Dao]] became hostile, a year had passed since Zuko last spoke with his uncle. The young Fire Lord wanted to ensure that Iroh could live a peaceful and quiet life after the war, and did not wish to bother him by visiting Ba Sing Se frequently. After the crisis was subdued, Iroh tended to Zuko for several days following his nephew's breakdown, with Iroh wondering why Zuko had not come to him sooner.<ref name="P3" />

After Zuko set out with Azula to try to find their mother, he asked his uncle to take his place as Fire Lord temporarily while he was gone.<ref name="S1" />

Zuko still showed admiration for his uncle long after he passed on to the [[Spirit World]]. After learning of his uncle's fate from Avatar [[Korra]], the two reunited for the first time in decades.<ref name="U">{{Cite episode|2|311}}</ref><ref name="LegacyFN62">''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation]]'', page 62.</ref>

=== General Iroh ===
Zuko was a source of guidance for his grandson, much like his Uncle Iroh was to him, and was held in high regard by him. As such, General [[Iroh (United Forces general)|Iroh]] based a decision on the words of his grandfather, stating that he would respect the Avatar's instinct since that was something that Zuko had done as well.<ref name="SiC">{{Cite episode|2|111}}</ref>

=== Izumi ===
While little is shown of their relationship, Zuko, unlike his own, was a caring and protective father to his daughter, Izumi. After the [[Red Lotus]] assassinated [[Earth Monarch|Earth Queen]] [[Hou-Ting]] as part of their goal in overthrowing the world's leaders and government, Zuko resolved to promptly return to the Fire Nation and ensure [[Izumi]]'s protection in case she would be targeted next.<ref name="U" />

=== Kiyi ===
[[File:Kiyi shows her doll to Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|Even before learning that they were siblings, [[Zuko]] cared for [[Kiyi]].]]

[[Kiyi]] was Zuko's half-sister. Although Zuko was unaware of this when they first met, he immediately displayed brother-like affection toward her and catered a protective streak of her when Azula threatened to destroy her doll. In return, Kiyi had also grown fond of Zuko, begging him to come back to visit sometime before he left to venture into [[Forgetful Valley]].<ref name="S2">{{Cite comic|S2}}</ref> When Zuko returned, she hugged him and called him her "new best friend".<ref name="S3" />

After they learned that they were siblings, their relationship continued to grow. Zuko allowed Kiyi to call him "Zuzu", though he and Ursa were surprised when she came up with it independently, whereas he had always opposed the nickname when Azula used it.<ref name="AS" /> The bond they shared was one of trust, as Zuko was able to convince Kiyi to listen to their mother when she initially refused to after Ursa had readopted her original features.<ref name="SS1">{{Cite comic|SS1}}</ref> He was often affectionate with his little sister, allowing her to ride on his shoulders, disregarded royal decorum for her, and showed great concern for her well-being, as evidenced when she was kidnapped by the false [[Kemurikage]] led by Azula.<ref name="SS2">{{Cite comic|SS2}}</ref><ref name="SS3" />

This close relationship was further magnified upon Kiyi's enrollment at the [[Royal Fire Academy for Girls]]. Zuko listened to her concerns about how the [[Shihan|Headmistress]] and the Academy failed to follow his postwar [[Education in the World of Avatar|educational]] reforms. Zuko trusted Kiyi enough to encourage Mai to become a teacher and follow up on these issues.<ref name="AA">{{Cite comic|AA}}</ref>

=== Lu Ten ===
{{Blockquote|He's probably just sad that his only kid is gone. Forever.|[[Zuko]] to [[Azula]] on [[Iroh]] losing [[Lu Ten]].<ref name="ZA" />}}
[[File:Iroh, Zuko, and Lu Ten at the beach.png|thumb|right|200px|In his younger years, [[Zuko]] spent quality time with [[Iroh]] and [[Lu Ten]].]]

Zuko's relationship with [[Lu Ten]] was primarily unknown, although it was evident that they got along well, as seen in one of Zuko's flashbacks of his cousin in which he was present as Lu Ten and Iroh were building a sandcastle together.<ref name="B" /> Zuko appeared very upset when his mother informed him and his sister of Lu Ten's death.<ref name="ZA" />

Also, unlike his father and Azula, Zuko defended Iroh's decision to abandon the [[Siege of Ba Sing Se]] due to his son's death, noting that it was a greater loss to Iroh than the battle.<ref name="ZA" /> Years later, as he was exiled in the Earth Kingdom, Zuko thought about Lu Ten when hearing the story of [[Sensu]], another young soldier. He mused that Lu Ten had been "not much older than I was, and suddenly he was gone", sharing the fate of so many recruits regardless of their origin.<ref name="TToZ-2">''[[The Earth Kingdom Chronicles]]'': ''The Tale of Zuko'', Chapter 2.</ref>{{Clear}}

=== Noren ===
[[File:Ikem encouraging Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Noren]] was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to give [[Zuko]] a chance to properly reunite with [[Ursa]].]]

Noren, previously named Ikem, was Zuko's step-father through his marriage to Zuko's mother, Ursa. Through means of an old letter addressed to Ikem from his mother, Zuko believed for some time that he was not Ozai's son but Ikem's.<ref name="S1" /> This short-lived belief shook Zuko enough that he even contemplated abdicating the throne, and showed a willingness to accept Noren as his father. Zuko was amicable toward his step-father due to his intense loyalty to Ursa and Kiyi, his half-sister through Ursa and Noren. Noren felt enough familial loyalty and respect to Zuko to allow him and his friends to dine with his family and to apologize to Zuko as Fire Lord for not telling him the truth from the beginning.<ref name="S3" /> The two built a solid relationship, and though it was not particularly affectionate, was marked by mutual respect. At least by the time Noren's family traveled with Zuko to the [[Fire Nation Capital]], Noren addressed the Fire Lord simply by name.<ref name="SS1" />

=== Ozai ===
{{Blockquote|For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me, to accept me. I thought it was my honor that I wanted, but really, I was just trying to please you. You, my father, who banished me just for talking out of turn! My father, who challenged me, a thirteen year-old boy, to an Agni Kai! How can you possibly justify a duel with a child?|[[Zuko]] confronting [[Ozai]].<ref name="DBS2" />}}

[[File:Zuko and Ozai in their youth.png|thumb|right|200px|From [[History of Zuko (83 AG – 99 AG)|his childhood]], [[Zuko]]'s relationship with [[Ozai]] was marked by an emotional distance. ]]

While Zuko's relationship with his sister was hostile, he was mentally and physically abused by his father. From his earliest years, Zuko was valued little by his father. After his birth, he was almost cast from the palace by Ozai due to fears that he might not be a firebender.<ref name="S2" /> Aside of a short phase when Ozai showcased limited care to his family, Zuko was treated with disdain by Ozai as the latter disliked his son's morality.<ref name="S2" /><ref name="S3" /> Some of this stemmed from a heated conversation between Ursa and Ozai when Zuko was younger, where Ursa protected her son from her husband's verbal torture. It came to a point where Ursa mentioned that she wishfully thought that Zuko grew up having none of Ozai's attributes, and she would have wanted Zuko to be the son of her ex-fiancé Ikem instead. Hurt by Ursa's words, Ozai warned his wife that every insult he threw at Zuko only meant to fulfill Ursa's wish: to have Zuko be treated like someone else's child.<ref name="S3" /> Zuko later stated that his father had been "cold and cruel" in [[History of Zuko (83 AG – 99 AG)|his childhood]].<ref name="IAZ-4">''[[I Am Zuko]]'', page 4.</ref>

Zuko was once moved to tears by his father's upbraiding of him in the [[Agni Kai]] arena.<ref name="S" /> He was resentful of Ozai's favoritism toward his sister, Azula.<ref name="ZA" /> Ozai had told his son he was "lucky to be born", as opposed to his sister being "born lucky", and told Azula he considered Zuko "a miserable failure".<ref name="SN2" /> Despite this, perhaps the most significant driving force behind Zuko's desire to regain his honor was that it would allow him to regain his father's love.<ref name="S" />

[[File:Ozai welcomes Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] constantly sought his [[Ozai|father]]'s attention and approval, but seemed to be disappointed when he succeeded in getting it after "killing" the [[Avatar]].]]

Ozai welcomed his son home with open arms and pride in his false accomplishment: the slaying of the Avatar.<ref name="A" /> However, Zuko found little joy in finally getting some respect from his father, feeling conflicted over what he had done. Initially, he mainly blamed himself instead of his father over his lack of happiness.<ref name="B" />

During the events of the Day of Black Sun, Zuko decided to join the Avatar in his quest to defeat Ozai. Before leaving, however, Zuko confronted Ozai in his underground bunker and faced off with him during the eclipse. Zuko revealed that it was Azula who killed the Avatar, not him and that the Avatar was, in fact, alive. Ozai nearly fought Zuko out of rage at this revelation but was helpless without his firebending and would have had to face his son's swordsmanship. Zuko renounced his desire for his father's love, realizing that Ozai was incapable of love and unworthy of Zuko's love. He announced his decision to free Iroh and join the Avatar; he left saying that it was the Avatar's destiny to defeat his father and refused to kill him. Ozai deemed him a coward and a traitor and distracted his son by revealing what happened to his long-lost mother. According to Ozai, Ursa was banished in connection with the death of Fire Lord Azulon, who ordered Ozai to kill Zuko as punishment for his demands to replace Iroh as Fire Lord. Ozai had every intention of killing Zuko, but Ursa stopped him by helping him claim the throne. Zuko was filled with happiness and shock at this new knowledge, but when the eclipse ended, Ozai attacked him by [[Lightning generation|generating lightning]]. However, Zuko redirected the lightning at his father as Iroh had taught him, buying him time to escape and begin his mission to stop his father.<ref name="DBS2" />

Zuko evidently began welcoming his father's demise prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet and openly called Ozai "the worst father in the history of fathers". He insisted that as the Avatar, Aang had to kill Ozai in order to save the world, a task Aang felt reluctant to conduct.<ref name="SC1">{{Cite episode|1|318}}</ref> Despite this, Zuko still reflected subconsciously on the imminent death of his father, as he made a Freudian slip while discussing battle plans with the group and mistakenly called Ozai "the father lord" instead of "Fire Lord". After the battle, Zuko visited his father in prison and was evidently satisfied with Aang's punishment of Ozai: the permanent loss of his firebending. Zuko hoped that after some time in prison, Ozai would soon be redeemed; he even praised his father for banishing him, as it helped him to realize his destiny.<ref name="SC4" /> Before leaving, Zuko demanded to know where his mother was, only to receive a taunt from his father, stating that the pressures of being Fire Lord would "change him", and he would be waiting for his return to seek help.<ref name="SC4" />

[[File:Ozai sickened by Zuko.png|thumb|right|200px|Sickened by the display of [[Zuko]]'s weakness, [[Ozai]] demanded his son leave his presence.]]

Ozai's prophecy held true as Zuko struggled over the developing crisis regarding the [[Fire Nation colonies]], and the new Fire Lord later returned to Ozai's cell to seek his advice.<ref name="P1">{{Cite comic|P1}}</ref> After the second meeting, Ozai tried to persuade Zuko that everything he chose was right, as he was the Fire Lord and thus his decisions defined what was right and wrong. Zuko, although at first enraged by that comment, gave into Ozai's advice after he learned that the [[Earth Monarch|Earth King]] was attacking the colonies.<ref name="P2">{{Cite comic|P2}}</ref> Regardless, Zuko refused to become a tyrant like his father and cast aside his morality, causing Ozai to once again express his disdain and demand his son to leave his presence.<ref name="P3" /><ref name="P2" />

After hearing an important piece of a lecture from an esteemed Earth Kingdom professor regarding family, Zuko expressed some regret about how he was treating his father. His attempt to rekindle some kind of relationship was met with scorn by Ozai, even after allowing Azula to visit their father in prison.<ref name="S1" /> Ozai was genuinely surprised when Zuko allowed the two to discuss matters in private, though immediately abused this trust by unsuccessfully attempting to manipulate his daughter into overthrowing Zuko.<ref name="S1" /><ref name="SS3" />

=== Ursa ===
{{Blockquote|Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.|[[Ursa]] to [[Zuko]].<ref name="ZA" />}}
[[File:Ursa and Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] was loved much by his mother, [[Ursa]].]]

Growing up, it was hinted that Zuko was his mother's favorite child,<ref name="dead 320-5">{{Cite nickold|320|5}}</ref> and the two were close. Zuko's sister, Azula, stated that Ursa had always favored Zuko more than her, as she claimed that Ursa had thought she was a monster.<ref name="B" /> However, Zuko lost all contact with his mother after she disappeared in the middle of the night, after telling him that everything she had done had been to protect him.<ref name="ZA" />

Believing his mother to be dead,<ref name="CD" /> Zuko maintained a close bond to her, as he was plagued by dreams where she begged him to help her<ref name="EK" /> and talked to his portrait of Ursa during the [[invasion of the Fire Nation]] in which he stated: "I know I've made some bad choices, but today, I'm going to set things right."<ref name="DBS1" /> When he later confronted his father during the solar eclipse, he learned that Ursa was possibly still alive, as she had merely been banished from the Fire Nation for certain treasonous acts. This revelation renewed Zuko's hope of seeing his mother again and caused him to shed a few tears.<ref name="DBS2" />

After Ozai was imprisoned following his defeat during the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko visited his cell and demanded to know where his mother was but received no answer.<ref name="SC4" /> Nonetheless, he sent out several search parties and employed [[June]] and [[Nyla|her shirshu]] to track Ursa down though to no avail. Despite the hardships he had to deal with as the new Fire Lord, his missing mother stayed on his mind, and Zuko confided in Iroh and Aang his belief that finding and reconnecting with his mother would be his only chance to find peace. Strengthened by Aang's promise that he and the rest of Team Avatar would help, Zuko visited Azula in the mental ward and asked her for her assistance in finding their mother.<ref name="P3" />

[[File:Ursa begins her tale.png|thumb|right|200px|After reconnecting with [[Ursa|his mother]], [[Zuko]] eagerly wanted to learn everything about her.]]

Eventually, Zuko found his mother living as Noriko in the small village of [[Hira'a]], her hometown. Discovering she had had all her memories wiped by the [[Mother of Faces]] and had started a new family with [[Noren#Life as Ikem|Ikem]] and their daughter, [[Kiyi]], he was willing to let her happily live her life unaware of their connection. However, after Ikem encouraged him to tell the truth and that he had indeed not forgotten who he was, and "Noriko" of how she was originally Ursa, she ultimately chose to regain her former memories and identity. Reunited, Ursa apologized to her son for not loving him sufficiently, as she had chosen to forget about him, though Zuko rapidly consoled her by noting that everything turned out fine and that he had built himself a life he could be proud of. Reconciled with his past, he requested that his mother tell him everything about her own life, a request with which Ursa happily complied.<ref name="S3" />

Some time later, Zuko escorted Ursa and her family to the [[Fire Nation Capital]], the first time Ursa had done so since her banishment. Though Ursa was glad to see Zuko's excitement about her returning to the palace, being reminded of his youthful enthusiasm, her prior traumatic experiences as a Fire Nation royal, combined with her concerns over Kiyi and Azula's well-being, caused her great anguish. Despite Ursa putting on a brave face, not wanting to ruin her son's homecoming, Zuko was sensitive to his mother's anxieties, reassuring her that he would do everything in his power to keep her, Noren, and Kiyi safe, something Ursa took solace in during the [[Resistance against Fire Lord Zuko|tumultuous events]] that followed their arrival in the Fire Nation.<ref name="SS1" /> Furthermore, Zuko promised Ursa he would ensure Kiyi's safety at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, confident she would not follow Azula's path at the academy under his introduction of new educational reforms.<ref name="AA" />

== Love interests ==
=== Jin ===
{{Blockquote|How was your night, Prince Zuko?"<br />"It was nice.|[[Iroh]] and [[Zuko]].<ref name="TBSS" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Jin.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Jin]] enjoyed a romantic evening together when he was living undercover in [[Ba Sing Se]].]]

Zuko and [[Jin]] first met when the latter made a delivery for the Wen Bakery to the [[Pao Family Tea House]], where Zuko was working at the time (disguised a "Lee"). When Zuko realized that the girl was staring at him, he rudely snapped at her. He suspected that she was merely interested in his large scar, oblivious to the fact that Jin had stared due to finding him attractive.<ref name="CoE2">{{Cite Legends Novels|102}}</ref> Over the next weeks, Jin often visited the tea shop, wanting to ask Zuko out on a date. The Fire National was at first suspicious of her, believing that she had discovered that he and his uncle were firebenders; however, Iroh correctly deduced that Jin had a crush on Zuko, which shocked him. Jin subsequently asked him out, which Iroh quickly accepted on behalf of Zuko.<ref name="TBSS">{{Cite episode|1|215}}</ref>

Jin took him to a [[Kuanming Square restaurant|restaurant]] for their date, but Zuko was shy and awkward when hesitantly answering her questions during the meal. Nonetheless, Jin seemed to be satisfied with the conversation. Zuko vehemently denied that she was his girlfriend when their waiter suggested it, though. After the dinner, Jin showed Zuko her favorite place, the [[Firelight Fountain]] which was usually illuminated by lanterns at night. When they arrived there, though, the lanterns were not lit. Noting her disappointment, Zuko asked Jin to close her eyes and used precise firebending to light the lanterns. A thrilled Jin wondered aloud how the lanterns were lit, but Zuko only smiled in response.<ref name="TBSS" />

Zuko was shy — he intercepted Jin's attempt to kiss him with a coupon for a free cup of tea. However, Jin finally kissed him, and Zuko even returned it, but almost immediately broke away from her, telling her, "It's complicated", and returned to his apartment, leaving behind a disappointed Jin. When he returned to the apartment, Iroh asked Zuko how the night went, and Zuko at first went to a room and slammed the door, but after a few moments popped back out and replied simply, "it was nice", implying that despite the awkwardness and complications, he genuinely enjoyed his date with Jin.<ref name="TBSS" />

Jin briefly appeared again later but did not seem to mind [[Mai]] being with Zuko.<ref name="GHA">{{Cite comic|GHA}}</ref>

=== Mai ===
{{Blockquote|You're so beautiful when you hate the world."<br />"I don't hate you."<br />"I don't hate you too.|[[Zuko]] and [[Mai]].<ref name="H" />}}
[[File:Zuko kisses Mai.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Mai]] and [[Zuko]] occasionally demonstrated their affection toward one another.]]

Although Zuko and Mai's relationship did not start until he joined his sister's side, earning his return to the Fire Nation,<ref name="A" /> it was hinted that they had crushes on one another when they were children, as confirmed by Azula. Once, when younger, the cunning princess devised a ruse specifically to embarrass the two childhood sweethearts. Her plan succeeded, and [[Ty Lee]] proclaimed that the two were "cute together".<ref name="ZA" /> The first time they were seen kissing was during their set up "date" in the [[Earth Kingdom]],<ref name="GHA" /> and later on their way to the Fire Nation.<ref name="A" />

Their relationship became strained during a brief vacation to Ember Island, where Zuko's failed attempts to impress Mai with shells and an ice cream cone led to frustration. They broke up later at a party, with Zuko expressing fury at Mai's stoic nature. However, after some conflict and open confessions about the difficulties with which they were faced, the two made up, with Mai saying that he was the one she cared about the most.<ref name="B" /> In the days leading up to the invasion of the Fire Nation, Zuko often spent time with Mai at [[Mai's house|her house]] and took pleasure in ordering the servants around.<ref name="ND">{{Cite episode|1|309}}</ref> Before leaving to train the Avatar, he left a goodbye letter to her,<ref name="DBS1" /> and later told Sokka that he did not want Mai to be seen as a traitor.<ref name="BR1" />

[[File:Mai and Zuko painting.png|thumb|left|200px|A [[Arts in the World of Avatar|painting]] of [[Mai]] and [[Zuko]] was done after the latter's return to the [[Fire Nation]].]]

Zuko was later confronted by Mai in a prison cell at the [[Boiling Rock]], where the latter expressed her grief and resentment at having been left behind. Zuko was clearly remorseful, stating that it was not his intention to break her heart, but temporarily lost his temper as Mai coldly began to read the letter he wrote her. However, he calmed down when Mai made it clear how it hurt her that Zuko did not seem to care about her and apologized for having hurt her but remained firm on his conviction that he was helping the Fire Nation. When a guard came to protect Mai after a prison riot ensued, Zuko said almost proudly that she did not need protection. Even so, he locked her up in the cell, though upon looking at her angry and hurt eyes, Zuko looked visibly remorseful. In order to help him and the rest escape, she subdued all the prison guards who were hindering the escape effort, thereby betraying Azula, and told her that she loved Zuko more than she feared Azula, leaving Zuko shocked and concerned over her fate.<ref name="BR2" /> After the Hundred Year War was ended and Zuko's coronation was about to start, she helped him get dressed, and they renewed their relationship through a passionate hug and a romantic kiss.<ref name="SC4" />

Zuko and Mai remained close after the War, but as the peace process began to disintegrate a year later with continued unrest in the colonies, their relationship faced some strain. Zuko suffered severe stress after several attempts were made on his life, and after one attack, perpetrated by [[Kori Morishita]], Zuko ventured to the colony of Yu Dao to confront the colonists without informing Mai of his departure. Mai only discovered his whereabouts after finding official edicts posted around the city, and upon Zuko's return confronted him on this, having clearly been worried about his safety. Mai reminded Zuko that he had her as a confidant, and he apologized for having caused her so much worry.<ref name="P1" />

Mai was deeply troubled by the stress and lack of sleep Zuko had been suffering, and during his absence, she called on the [[Kyoshi Warriors]] and her friend [[Ty Lee]] to act as his bodyguards, believing the [[Royal Procession|Imperial Guards]] to have proven ineffective in their duties. Zuko accepted the additional protection.<ref name="P1" />

Zuko and Mai's relationship eventually reached at least a temporary end when Zuko continued to keep secrets from Mai, especially by meeting Ozai. Despite Zuko apologizing sincerely and stating that he loved her, Mai came to the conclusion that Zuko loved his secrets more than he loved her and broke up with him, even as Zuko actually ordered Mai as Fire Lord to come back, leaving him distraught.<ref name="P2" />

[[File:Awkward Zuko and Mai.png|thumb|right|200px|Left alone in the [[Dragonbone Catacombs]], [[Zuko]] and [[Mai]] shared moments of tension.]]

Zuko felt guilty and remorseful over how his relationship with Mai ended, and when they met, he apologized to her, stating he missed her. Upon learning about her new relationship with [[Kei Lo]], Zuko was saddened but accepted that Mai seemingly wanted to move on. He was, however, often tense when he was together with his former girlfriend<ref name="SS2" /> and apparently jealous of Kei Lo, as he looked sour whenever Mai displayed affection toward her new boyfriend.<ref name="SS3" />

Some time later, Mai broke up with Kei Lo.<ref name="SS3" /> A few years later, Zuko and Mai rekindled their friendship to the point where Zuko asked Mai to become a teacher at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls once his half-sister Kiyi was old enough to attend it. Zuko wanted Mai to ensure that his postwar education reforms were implemented upon hearing Kiyi's concerns following her first day, also pointing out that she was good with children as evidenced by her relationship with Tom-Tom. Mai reluctantly agreed with his arguments, and discovered that she actually liked to work as a teacher. Later on, Zuko visited Mai at work to check up on her, much to her annoyance. As she stated that he was seemingly still incapable of completely trusting her, the Fire Lord first deflected before admitting that she was right and promising to do better in the future. This somewhat satisfied Mai.<ref name="AA" />

== Allies ==
=== Aang ===
{{Blockquote|You know, Zuko and Aang were close friends. [...] Their relationship started off ... a little rocky, but they grew to become lifelong friends. Best friends.|[[Iroh]] to [[Korra]] about [[Aang]] and [[Zuko]]'s relationship.<ref name="U" />}}
[[File:Zuko dueling Aang.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Aang]] first met in the [[Southern Water Tribe]].]]

Originally, as the Avatar, Aang was Zuko's greatest enemy and his long-sought-after prize. Throughout the bulk of the series, Zuko's primary focus had been to capture Aang, who constantly eluded him. Even though the capture of the Avatar by anyone of the Fire Nation would assist his country, Zuko saw the capture and delivery of Aang to Fire Lord Ozai as the only way to restore his lost honor,<ref name="S" /> so he went out of his way to impede rivals from capturing Aang before he did himself.<ref name="BS">{{Cite episode|1|113}}</ref>

Zuko took on the titular guise of the Blue Spirit, a masked, dual-broadsword-wielding vigilante, in order to abduct Aang from the fortress where he was being kept by Admiral Zhao, who had managed to capture him. Zuko managed to escape with Aang, but once they had made it a way down the road, Zuko was knocked out by a [[Yuyan Archers|Yuyan Archer's]] precision shooting, and Aang unmasked Zuko. However, even upon discovering that his rescuer-turned-abductor was his major enemy, Aang still took Zuko with him when he escaped. When Zuko awakened, Aang spoke to him fondly and nostalgically of [[Kuzon]], a boy from the Fire Nation who used to be his friend one hundred years before the War. Aang asked, guilelessly, if Zuko thought that he and Aang could have been friends in another time. Zuko responded by shooting a fire blast at Aang. Aang fled through the trees, but Zuko did not give a chase.<ref name="BS" />

While Zuko had a catatonic Aang in his custody during the [[Siege of the North]],<ref name="SN1" /> he spoke to him about his life philosophy of struggle being the genesis of strength and compared Aang to Azula, citing that everything came easily to Azula. Once Aang's friends came to rescue him, Aang once again chose to save Zuko's life when he insisted on bringing Zuko along rather than leaving him unconscious in a blizzard to die.<ref name="SN2" />

After Zuko was declared a wanted traitor of the Fire Nation,<ref name="SN2" /> he still somewhat expressed a desire to capture Aang, despite evidence that this would, in all likelihood, no longer be enough to win back his honor and his birthright. Zuko confronted both Aang and Azula and engaged in a three-way battle with them when Azula refused to leave the capture of the Avatar to him, though Zuko began to join Aang and let his focus be solely on Azula. When Azula surprise-attacked Zuko's beloved uncle, Iroh, he did not allow the Avatar or his friends to get near him.<ref name="C" /> Zuko almost gave up in his pursuit of the Avatar later.<ref name="LL" /> The inner conflict resulting from this potential change in goals resulted in him undergoing a metamorphosis and dreaming that he had Air Nomad tattoos.<ref name="EK" />

Despite Aang being the clear protagonist and Zuko initially being the main antagonist, their stories were often paralleled in the narrative structure of the show. Flashbacks of the incidents that changed their respective lives forever, Aang being told that he was the Avatar and subsequently running away, and Zuko's Agni Kai against his father and subsequent scarring and loss of his honor, were shown side-by-side.<ref name="S" /> Their attempts to progress in their bending while impeded by psychological blocks were also shown side-by-side.<ref name="BW" /> They were both marked men, with Aang having his [[Body markings in the World of Avatar#Airbending masters|arrow tattoos]] all over his body, while Zuko had a large scar on his left eye given to him by his father.<ref name="S" /> Scenes of Aang struggling to cope with an unexpected betrayal from an [[Fong|Earth Kingdom general]] morphed smoothly into Zuko facing a similar betrayal from his sister.<ref name="AS" /> Aang was shown displaying the same frustration about the loss of his honor as Zuko, echoing the same frustration Zuko had been uttering for the first two seasons, "''I need to redeem myself. I need my honor back''."<ref name="A" /> Both Zuko and Aang found out about their interconnected fates, with Aang being the reincarnation of Avatar Roku and Zuko being Roku's direct descendant as Roku's granddaughter was Zuko's mother.<ref name="AFL" /> Both characters, at some point, stated that they were ready to face the Fire Lord. Aang intended to do battle with Ozai, while Zuko was ready to confront his father about his feelings and choices. During that confrontation, he announced his intention to join the Avatar and helped him defeat Fire Lord Ozai. Zuko's confrontation with his father was mirrored by Aang's battle with Azula.<ref name="DBS2" />

Zuko revealed himself to Aang and the others and told them that he was split off from Ozai and wanted to join their group and teach Aang firebending. At first, Aang refused to allow Zuko in the group, although he seemed to consider it more seriously than the others when he saw Appa licking him. However, he relented after Zuko helped the group defeat [[Combustion Man]] and Zuko expressed the need for restraint in relation to firebending, a philosophy that Aang also ascribed to given the damage he caused during his prior attempts at firebending.<ref name="D">{{Cite episode|1|116}}</ref> From that point on, Zuko became Aang's firebending teacher.<ref name="WAT" />

[[File:Aang and Zuko in the Sun Warrior city.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Aang]] and [[Zuko]] traveled together to learn [[firebending]].]]

Aang appeared to be friendlier toward Zuko than the others in the group. He was the first to accept Zuko and never made any sarcastic or unfriendly comments toward him. He even complimented Zuko by saying that he was "pretty smart", and Zuko encouraged him when he was nervous about using firebending. His liking for Zuko may have even deepened after their adventure with the Sun Warriors and their learning of the secret of firebending.<ref name="FM">{{Cite episode|1|313}}</ref>

Aang and Zuko became better friends as time passed, with Zuko continuing to teach him firebending and helping his friends to accomplish various tasks. While they took refuge on Ember Island, Aang did not take his training seriously, choosing to have a beach party with his friends instead. Zuko became angry and decided to attack Aang in the Fire Lord's summer home, demanding Aang to fight back instead of trying to avoid conflict, assuming he would take on the Fire Lord before the comet arrived. When he learned that Aang would face Ozai ''after'' Sozin's Comet passed, Zuko informed them of Ozai's plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom. In preparation, Zuko taught Aang to redirect lightning and explained its inspiration from waterbending.<ref name="SC1" />

When Zuko made his opinion known that Aang needed to kill Ozai in order to save the world, Aang became very frustrated and criticized Zuko's advice.<ref name="SC1" /> When Aang went missing the next morning, Zuko was genuinely concerned over his disappearance and went to great lengths to track him,<ref name="SC2" /> confessing to Katara his worries about Aang were greater than his worries about fighting Azula.<ref name="SC3" />

Aang eventually did defeat Ozai and ultimately spared the Fire Lord by stripping him of his firebending. At his coronation as Fire Lord, Zuko expressed pride at Aang's success, and the two embraced each other in a warm hug, as they had finally become friends. They promised the world that they would work together to restore the war-torn nations and celebrated together at Ba Sing Se.<ref name="SC4" /> As the [[Harmony Restoration Movement]] was announced while the team was flying on Appa, Zuko asked Aang to promise that the latter would end him if he ever became like his father, to which the Avatar reluctantly agreed.<ref name="P1" />

A year later, their friendship became tense as Zuko pulled his nation out of the Harmony Restoration Movement. Zuko seemed more caring for his people, and this led to a verbal spar between him and Aang. Zuko argued to Aang that he would not allow the hard work of the Fire Nation, and Yu Dao's integrated community, to be destroyed, while Aang retorted that the nations needed to remain separate, and that the Earth Kingdom could not achieve balance while another nation continued to occupy it. The altercation ended with Katara suggesting a meeting with Earth King [[Kuei]] to try and settle matters, to which both of them agreed.<ref name="P1" /> Despite their differing outlooks, Zuko continued to put his trust in Aang's judgment, admitting to his father that he had more faith in Aang than he did himself. The friends' shared hope for a peaceful resolution initially failed, as Earth King Kuei ordered his army to remove the Fire Nation colonials in Yu Dao, causing Zuko to mobilize his forces to meet them in battle outside the city.<ref name="P2" />

Before the battle occurred, both Zuko and Aang shared a similar dream, wherein they stood over a raging battlefield, as Ozai and Roku urged their respective successors to take decisive action against the other. Feeling as though he would never be able to escape Ozai's influence, Zuko requested that Aang finish him, with Aang reluctantly preparing to deliver a final blow just as the dream ended. 

Meeting again amidst the battle of Yu Dao, Aang blamed Zuko for reigniting conflict between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, entering the Avatar State to fulfill his promise and kill his friend, with Zuko accepting the Avatar's judgment, believing that he was acting in the same way Ozai would have. At the last moment, Aang saved Zuko from the earthbent fissure he was falling through, refusing to let someone he cared about die in order to ostensibly protect the world. Realizing that Zuko was right to defend the colonies and the new ideals they represented, Aang convinced the Earth King to stand down, bringing the nascent conflict to a close.

After Zuko fell unconscious following the battle's end, Aang took his friend to Ba Sing Se, where he spent the next four days being tended to by Iroh. Waking up in his uncle's teashop, Zuko apologized for forcing Aang into such a compromising position, realizing that his request put the onus on the Avatar to figure out how Zuko should determine right from wrong when it should be the two of them working together. Aang reassured Zuko that his actions defending Yu Dao demonstrated his moral character, while Zuko explained that, in his brush with death, he was certain Aang would save him. Having been informed that Zuko was Roku's great-grandson by his predecessor, Aang felt their connection was almost familial, and was at peace with the fact that prioritizing such bonds was his flaw as an Avatar. Believing that learning more about his maternal family was the key to achieving inner peace, Zuko determined to resume his search for his mother, Ursa, with Aang encouraging him to brave the risks he may encounter.<ref name="P3" />

After Zuko received information about his mother's whereabouts from Azula, he invited Aang and the rest of his friends to the Fire Nation Royal Palace to explain the situation to them. Though he was concerned about Zuko's plan, which involved traveling with and relying on Azula and her information, Aang nevertheless supported Zuko's efforts, knowing how much finding Ursa meant to his friend.<ref name="S1" />

During their travels to Hira'a, Ursa's hometown, Zuko learned from one of his mother's letters that his true father was apparently not Ozai, but Ikem, Ursa's former romantic partner. While Zuko felt relief at the thought of not being related to Ozai, Aang reacted to the information more negatively, believing that the information would weaken Zuko's claim to the throne. At a later point, Aang attempted to apologize to Zuko for not taking his feelings fully into consideration, while still attempting to convince his friend to destroy the evidence regarding his supposed parentage. After Zuko admitted that Azula had taken the letter, and that he would accept any changes learning about his family history would bring, Aang was apoplectic, insisting that, without Zuko, the new world they were building would fall apart.<ref name="S2" /> Despite such concerns, Aang continued to aid in Zuko's search for Ursa, with mother and son reuniting after Aang convinced an ancient spirit, the Mother of Faces, to restore Ursa's face and memories.<ref name="S3" />

During a domestic crisis in the Fire Nation, which saw multiple children kidnapped by the dark spirits known as the Kemurikage, Zuko enlisted Aang's aid once more, with the Avatar postponing his trip to the Southern Water Tribe to help his friend. As Zuko faced pressure to deal with the crisis with repressive tactics, Aang tried to convince Zuko to instead let him handle the investigation into the kidnappings, to which Zuko initially acquiesced, trusting in Aang's advice.<ref name="SS2" /> However, as Azula's involvement in the continuing kidnappings became apparent, and support for the vigilante actions of the [[Safe Nation Society]] grew, Zuko reluctantly enacted a curfew in the capital, ordered a crackdown on anyone affiliated with the Safe Nation Society, and dismissed Aang due to his failure to deal with the crisis, much to Aang's frustration. Refusing to abandon his investigation, Aang discovered a passageway leading to the kidnapped children's location, taking Zuko to the secret tunnel on an air scooter after he refused to come with him. Working together once more, Aang, Zuko, and their friends rescued the children from the Kemurikage's clutches. Later, in a speech he delivered to his people, Zuko publicly acknowledged that he had dealt with the crisis poorly, realizing that his actions had only engendered fear just as Aang said they would.<ref name="SS3" />

Despite the antagonistic start to their relationship, Aang and Zuko's bond persisted, the two having remained lifelong best friends, with Aang regularly turning to Zuko for advice.<ref name="U" /> According to his grandson [[Iroh (United Forces general)|Iroh]], Zuko would always trust the Avatar's instinct.<ref name="SiC" />

=== Appa ===
{{Blockquote|Appa does seem to like him.|[[Toph Beifong|Toph]] talking about [[Zuko]].<ref name="WAT" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Appa.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Appa]] thanked [[Zuko]] for saving him by licking his face.]]

As an enemy of Team Avatar, Zuko was originally an enemy of Appa. At Ba Sing Se, Zuko freed Appa from the [[Dai Li]], gaining Appa's trust and respect.<ref name="LL" /> While at the Western Air Temple, Appa was the first to approve of Zuko's entrance into the group, showing this by licking him. The fact that Appa approved of Zuko was one of the reasons Aang and the others accepted him into the group.<ref name="WAT" /> The first time Zuko rode Appa, he stated that he thought "this thing would be a lot faster".<ref name="FM" /> Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Appa apparently felt comfortable enough to let Zuko steer him.<ref name="SR" /><ref name="SC2" />{{Clear}}

=== Hakoda ===
{{Blockquote|Are you sure you want to go? You're the one who said you wanted to redeem yourself. Redeem your honor. Rescuing your dad is your chance.|[[Zuko]] to [[Sokka]] about Hakoda.<ref name="BR1" />}}
[[File:Hakoda and Zuko.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Hakoda]] and [[Zuko]] cooperated with one another to perform a successful [[Escape from the Boiling Rock|escape]] from the [[Boiling Rock]].]]

After Zuko heard that his friend Sokka's father, [[Hakoda]], was captured among the troops taken prisoner after the failed invasion of the Fire Nation and that Sokka needed to know what he had put his father through, Zuko was distraught at his friend's condition and pitiful of Hakoda's situation. Nevertheless, with sorrow, he told Sokka that the most likely place Hakoda was taken to was Boiling Rock. When Sokka asked where the Boiling Rock was, Zuko was curious as to why he needed to know and what he was planning at first, but soon divulged the answer. When Sokka tried to sneak away on Appa to save Hakoda, Zuko caught him red-handed.

Sokka stated how the invasion plan was his idea and that it was his decision to stay when things were going wrong because it was his job to fix his mistake and regain his honor. Zuko completely understood Sokka's condition and accompanied his friend on the mission to rescue Hakoda. After Sokka was commanded to escort [[Chit Sang]] into the cooler and told Zuko to meet him back in an hour where they were now, Zuko unhesitatingly took the trouble to find out whether war prisoners would be held at the Boiling Rock and was despairingly shocked when he found that there were no Water Tribe prisoners, which meant Hakoda was not held prisoner in the Boiling Rock. Later, the two boys overheard that some robbers, traitors, war prisoners, and a pirate would be brought into the Boiling Rock at dawn and were highly concerned that Hakoda was among the said war prisoners. When the boys and their party attempted to leave the Boiling Rock, Zuko reminded Sokka that rescuing Hakoda was his chance if he stayed at the Boiling Rock at dawn.

It was with Zuko's advice that Sokka decided to stay on the chance that Hakoda would show up. Suki would not leave without Sokka, and Zuko was staying too, being concerned just as Suki was. When the prisoners did arrive, Zuko mistook Hakoda as a big burly man with long shaggy hair, a long beard, a nose ring, and a tattoo on his arm, only to be told that Hakoda did not have a nose ring. Hakoda was among the new arrivals to the Boiling Rock, though he was the only one of them who was a war prisoner.<ref name="BR1" /> Hakoda himself knew of Zuko as Fire Lord Ozai's son. When Sokka mentioned to his father that Zuko was on the Boiling Rock, Hakoda at first saw it as a major problem. When told that Zuko had changed his ways and reformed from evil, Hakoda was skeptical at first, until Sokka admitted himself to have had the same reaction. He went on to say, though, that Zuko had proven himself trustworthy and that it was only with Zuko's aid that Hakoda had ever been found, winning Hakoda's trust for Zuko.

When carrying out their escape plan, Zuko almost sacrificed himself trying to save Hakoda and their companions by stopping at the end of the platform while the rest boarded the [[gondola]] and pushed down the lever so that the gondola slowly moved off. This left behind Zuko, who successfully broke the lever to make sure the Boiling Rock guards could not stop them before running toward the departing gondola. Zuko flew over the railings with fireballs being launched at him by the guards below and was caught by Sokka.<ref name="BR2" /> When Azula and her airships attacked the Western Air Temple, Zuko was wholeheartedly prepared to hold off his sister and her men by means of giving his friends, including Hakoda, enough time to escape.<ref name="WAT" /> After the end of the War, Hakoda came to the Fire Nation Capital for Zuko's coronation.<ref name="SC4" />

As part of the [[Southern Reconstruction Project]]'s efforts, Hakoda invited Zuko to the Southern Water Tribe in order to secure his aid in rebuilding the South's ravaged economy and infrastructure, to toward which Zuko gave his full support.<ref name="NS3">{{Cite comic|NS3}}</ref>

=== Katara ===
{{Blockquote|Thank you, Katara."<br />"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you.|[[Zuko]] and [[Katara]] after she healed his wound from protecting her.<ref name="SC4" />}}
[[File:Katara and Zuko hug.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Katara]] was eventually able to forgive [[Zuko]] after tracking down [[Yon Rha]].]]

Katara was a [[Waterbending|waterbender]] of the [[Southern Water Tribe]], Aang's close friend and staunch defender, and thus, by association, was an enemy of Zuko.

The only trace of the Avatar and his companions that Zuko found on an [[Prison rig|earthbender prison rig]] that they helped liberate was [[Katara's necklace|Katara's tribal necklace]], lost in the commotion.<ref name="I">{{Cite episode|1|106}}</ref> After capturing Katara with the assistance of a band of pirates, Zuko attempted to use the necklace as a bribe to get Katara to betray Aang's whereabouts, but she refused.<ref name="WS">{{Cite episode|1|109}}</ref> Later, Zuko employed the bounty hunter, [[June]], and her [[shirshu]], a tracking beast with a hypersensitive olfactory system, and used the necklace to track Katara, thus tracking Aang by proxy. However, once Zuko found him, the necklace was reclaimed by Aang and returned to Katara. June teased Zuko about finding his girlfriend, who had run away, and after seeing Katara, stated that it was no wonder she dumped him as she was "too pretty for [him]".<ref name="BWT">{{Cite episode|1|115}}</ref>

During the Siege of the North, after Zuko had made his way into the [[Spirit Oasis]] of the Northern Water Tribe, Katara was the only thing keeping him from abducting Aang, who was in a meditative fugue as he tried to solicit help from the spirits to defeat Zhao's fleet attacking the North Pole. Due to having previously been trained by [[Pakku]], a waterbending master, and with her bending at its most powerful during the waxing gibbous moon due to waterbending's lunar sympathy, Katara was more than a match for Zuko and initially subdued him. However, when the sun rose, lessening her power and increasing his, he overpowered her, knocked her out, and escaped with Aang.<ref name="SN1" /> Later, when Katara, Sokka, and [[Tribal Princess|Princess]] [[Yue]] came to Aang's rescue, Katara knocked Zuko unconscious and wanted to leave him in a snowstorm.<ref name="SN2" />

Katara, along with [[Toph Beifong|Toph]], Sokka, and Aang, attacked Princess Azula in unison with Zuko at [[Tu Zin]]. Once Azula had disappeared, Katara tried to tell Zuko that she could assist the injured Iroh with her [[healing]] abilities, but ran off with her companions when Zuko violently demanded that they leave him and his uncle alone.<ref name="C" />

He and Katara were imprisoned in a crystal cave below the [[Earth Kingdom Royal Palace|Earth King's palace]]. Katara initially yelled at Zuko, blaming him for the Fire Nation starting the War. Zuko seemed empathetic after Katara said that the War took away her [[Kya (nonbender)|mother]], remarking that the actions of the Fire Nation had also taken his mother, Ursa. He also told Katara that he once thought his scar set him apart and made him different, but now believed he no longer needed it to determine his destiny. Katara offered to heal his scar with water from the Spirit Oasis. Before any action could be taken, Iroh and Aang broke them out of the prison. Despite the sympathy each showed the other, Zuko joined Azula in trying to capture the Avatar soon afterward, and the siblings battled both Katara and Aang,<ref name="CD" /> marking a betrayal that made Katara bitter toward him.<ref name="SR" /><ref name="WAT" />

[[File:Zuko and Katara.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Katara]] offered to heal [[Zuko]]'s scar while they were in the [[Crystal Catacombs]] of [[Ba Sing Se]].]]

Zuko remembered Katara's offer to heal his scar using the sacred water from the Northern Tribe's spirit oasis. He suspected that Katara used the special water to save Aang and deduced that the Avatar could still be alive, despite being struck by a fatal lightning bolt. However, he chose to hide this information from his sister.<ref name="A" />

Katara was the most unforgiving one of the group when Zuko asked to join. Later, privately, Katara threatened Zuko, telling him that if he so much as made one glance at his dark side, one step out of line, or gave her one reason to think he may hurt Aang, she would personally kill him. This left the exiled prince highly unnerved.<ref name="WAT" />

Zuko eventually confronted Katara on why she did not trust him. Katara yelled at Zuko, saying that she was the first person to trust him and he betrayed her. After Sokka told him about the Southern Raiders who killed their mother, Zuko realized who they were. He later told Katara that he knew the soldier responsible for the murder, a man by the name of [[Yon Rha]], and they set out together to track him down.<ref name="SR" />

Despite the lingering animosity, Katara and Zuko were able to work well together in tracking down the soldier, and when they did, Zuko forced the soldier to remember her face. Katara almost killed Yon Rha but ultimately stopped herself. Upon returning to the campsite, Katara finally forgave Zuko and hugged him warmly, admitting that while she would never be able to forgive Yon Rha, she did forgive Zuko.<ref name="SR" />

Zuko and Katara got along a lot better after their adventure. In the [[The Boy in the Iceberg (play)|play]] they watched on Ember Island, their theatrical counterparts displayed a romantic interest in each other. Slightly disturbed and embarrassed, Katara and Zuko slid away from each other in their seats.<ref name="EIP" /> When June later referred to Katara as Zuko's girlfriend, they both quickly denied it, angered and embarrassed.<ref name="SC2" /> Before the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko helped Katara in tracking down Aang, who had disappeared when he had ventured to the [[Lion turtle#Era of the Avatar|lion turtle]] island in a trance.<ref name="SC1" /> Before Zuko faced his uncle, Katara assured him that Iroh would forgive his past wrongs. When Zuko realized he had to defeat Azula and take his rightful place as Fire Lord, he asked Katara to help him, something she gladly agreed to do.<ref name="SC2" /> When they arrived, Zuko told Katara to stand back, not willing to get her injured. When Azula attempted to kill Katara with a lightning bolt, Zuko threw himself in the lightning's path. However, since he no longer had the proper stance, he could not redirect all of the lightning and was badly wounded.<ref name="SC3" /> After Katara defeated Azula, she healed Zuko. When he thanked her, Katara said she was the one who should be thanking him.

The two remained friends after the battle, and they celebrated the War's end in Ba Sing Se along with the rest of Team Avatar.<ref name="SC4" />

Their friendship suffered another strain when Zuko restrained Katara after she protected Aang from Zuko's guards at [[Yu Dao]], hurting her in the process. Regardless, it was Katara who suggested a meeting with the Earth King to ease tensions between Zuko and Aang.<ref name="P1" /> The two seemed to have moved past this as Katara assisted Zuko in searching for his mother.<ref name="S1" />

=== Jee and his crew ===
[[File:Jee and Zuko.png|thumb|right|200px|A verbal confrontation between [[Jee]] and [[Zuko]] threatened to turn into a fight.]]

When Zuko was banished, he spent two years at sea with not just his uncle Iroh, but also the crew of [[Zuko's ship|his ship]].<ref name="SAT" /><ref name="S" /> The crew was led by [[Military ranks in the World of Avatar#Lieutenant 2|Lieutenant]] [[Jee]].<ref name="S" /> In general, Zuko treated his crew rather respectfully, but his often aggressive outlook and bad temper did not endear him to the others on the ship. The prince refused to take part in the various activities organized by the crew and Iroh.<ref name="WM" /><ref name="BS" /><ref name="WS" /> Jee and the other crewmen long interpreted Zuko's bad temper as an expression of his noble and allegedly pampered upbringing; their view of him were improved when Iroh finally revealed how Zuko's scar had resulted from Ozai's cruel punishment. After Zuko saved one crewman during a storm and opted to put the crew's safety before his hunt of the Avatar, the prince and his followers grew closer.<ref name="S" />

=== Korra ===
{{Blockquote|I was often Aang's counsel and I'd love to be yours.|[[Zuko]] to [[Korra]].<ref name="U" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Korra.png|thumb|left|200px|Zuko was glad to serve as [[Korra]]'s advisor, just as he had done years prior for [[Aang]].]]

Zuko was on good terms with Avatar Korra, having visited her sporadically during her childhood years where he acted as a grandfather figure to the young Avatar,<ref name="LLQc">[[Michael Dante DiMartino|DiMartino, Michael Dante]]; [[Bryan Konietzko|Konietzko, Bryan]] & [[Lauren Montgomery|Montgomery, Laura]] (December 2, 2014). [[Transcript:Long Live the Queen (commentary)|"Long Live the Queen" commentary]]. [[Book Three: Change|Book Three: Change Blu-ray]].</ref> and helping [[Tenzin]], [[Tonraq]], and [[Sokka]] rescue her from the Red Lotus when she was five years old.<ref name="IHW">{{Cite episode|2|304}}</ref> After reacquainting with her several years later at the [[Misty Palms Oasis]],<ref name="LLQ">{{Cite episode|2|310}}</ref> Zuko was happy to resume his role as the Avatar's advisor when he was asked for help by Korra. Since she could no longer contact Aang, she deemed Zuko, as Aang's best friend, to be the best-placed person to tell her what her predecessor would have done in her situation. He relayed the fact that Aang knew better than anyone that, in times of turmoil, the world needed its Avatar the most, with Korra appreciating his advice and perspective.<ref name="U" />{{Clear}}

=== Momo ===
While Momo was Zuko's enemy for quite a while, being affiliated with Team Avatar, he quickly warmed up to Zuko when the prince underwent a change of heart and expressed his desire to join the group. He was shown to be sad after Zuko left when the group rejected him.<ref name="WAT" /> During one of Aang's firebending lessons, Momo hid himself behind Zuko for protection, which might have implied that he trusted him just like everyone else did.<ref name="SC1" />

=== Sokka ===
{{Blockquote|I know, I had the same reaction. After all he's done it was hard to trust him. But he's really proven himself and I never would have found you without his help.|[[Sokka]] to [[Hakoda]] about [[Zuko]].<ref name="BR2" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Sokka.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] worked with [[Sokka]] to [[Escape from the Boiling Rock|escape]] from the [[Boiling Rock]].]]

Zuko and Sokka never had much social interaction with each other at first. Their first encounter was a brief face-off against each other at the Southern Water Tribe, during which Zuko attacked his village while Sokka zealously defended it. Zuko was the clear winner, despite Sokka's persistence.<ref name="AR">{{Cite episode|1|102}}</ref> They met in other battles after that, mostly as foes,<ref name="WS" /><ref name="BWT" /><ref name="WK">{{Cite episode|1|104}}</ref><ref name="WS2">{{Cite episode|1|108}}</ref> with one exception being when Zuko teamed up with Sokka and the rest of the group against Azula at a Tu Zin.<ref name="C" /> Other than that, Sokka had constantly been opposed to assisting Zuko whenever Aang suggested it, clearly indicating how little Sokka trusted him.<ref name="SN2" />

During the invasion of the Fire Nation, Zuko and Sokka were paralleled for the first time. Zuko learned that his mother may still be alive, and Sokka learned that Suki was imprisoned by Azula. These discoveries occurred at the same time and garnered similar reactions.<ref name="DBS2" />

The two were properly introduced at the Western Air Temple. Sokka still did not trust Zuko after their history, even going so far as hypothesizing that Zuko covered himself in honey to get Appa to lick him, a sign of affection from the bison. Despite his distrust of Zuko, Sokka did trust Aang and conceded to let Zuko join the group when Aang felt it was the best course of action. Later, Sokka showed Zuko to his room. Sokka was a bit uncomfortable, but Zuko smiled at him, implying he had no hostility toward the other. Sokka remarked to Aang that escorting his former enemy was "really weird".<ref name="WAT" /> Later, Sokka was much more comfortable in tormenting Zuko, going so far as to taunt him and make sarcastic remarks, like asking if he could watch him and Aang practice "jerkbending" and literally prodding Zuko with his [[meteorite]] [[Sokka's sword|sword]], trying to frustrate him enough to get his firebending back. Although he taunted Zuko, it appeared to be in a joking manner instead of a sign of true hostility, unlike his sister.<ref name="FM" />

Sokka came to trust Zuko even more during their adventure on the Boiling Rock, which served as a bonding point for the two, as Zuko and Sokka alone attempted to rescue the invasion forces from the prison. During the journey, Sokka stated that he believed Iroh was proud of Zuko and commended him for making the decision to leave everything for which he had worked so hard to help Aang. The two also conversed regarding their respective romances.<ref name="BR1" /> While speaking with his father, Sokka stated that while he was distrusting of Zuko at first, he had proven himself on multiple occasions and was very trustworthy.<ref name="BR2" /> The two were shown to be able to work together quite well; Zuko, the superior fighter of the two, often failed to think things through, like when, while keeping a lookout for Sokka as he visited Suki's cell, he was questioned by one of the guards and immediately resorted to attacking the guard, which led to his capture.<ref name="BR1" /> Sokka, on the other hand, may have had less fighting ability but was an excellent strategist and kept a clear head in tense situations. Sokka often depended on Zuko to execute his plans in the Boiling Rock, such as when Zuko started a fight with Chit Sang, unscrewed the cooler,<ref name="BR1" /> and jammed the gondola's controls. Later, Sokka and Zuko fought Azula on top of the gondola: Zuko defended Sokka and deflected Azula's attacks while Sokka struck at Azula with his sword.<ref name="BR2" />

Following the events on the Boiling Rock, their relationship was in much better shape than it ever had been. After escaping Azula's attack on the Western Air Temple, Sokka toasted Zuko as the group's hero for helping hold off the Fire Nation airships and Azula. Later Zuko asked Sokka about his mother's death. Despite Sokka's obvious discomfort with the subject, he trusted Zuko enough to tell him the story. This information, in turn, helped Zuko to make amends with Katara, who still hated him at the time.<ref name="SR" />

When the War ended, he and Sokka were still friends, as they were seen enjoying themselves at the tea house.<ref name="SC4" />

It should be noted that Zuko and Sokka shared some similarities that may have had some indirect impact on how they got along. Both were the eldest children in their respective families, and both had younger sisters to whom they have felt inferior to at some point, Zuko having not excelled in firebending as quickly as Azula and not having the approval of his father,<ref name="ZA" /> and Sokka not being a bender at all.<ref name="SM">{{Cite episode|1|304}}</ref> Both had also lost their mothers, and both were skilled at using some form of bladed weaponry, having even been trained by the same master. They were also the closest in age among the main children,<ref name="WS2" /><ref name="mag">{{Cite web |url=https://www.musogato.com/avatar/magazine/avatarmag1_scan04.jpg |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702184908/https://musogato.com/avatar/magazine/avatarmag1_scan05.jpg |title=Nation Exploration: Water |accessdate=2017-05-15 |author=[[Frank Pittarese|Pittarese, Frank]] |date=2006-09-12 |publisher=[[Nickelodeon Comics Club|''Nick Mag Presents: Avatar: The Last Airbender'']]|archivedate=July 7, 2011}}</ref> aside from Aang and Toph.<ref name="BI" /><ref name="dead 206-2">{{Cite nickold|206|2}}</ref>

Zuko even looked to Sokka's sibling relationship with Katara as an example of how family should respect one another.<ref name="S1" /> Sokka remained Zuko's friend and ally, many years after the War, and, along with [[Tenzin]] and [[Tonraq]], helped him defeat and imprison [[Zaheer]], [[Ghazan]], [[Ming-Hua]], and [[P'Li]].<ref name="IHW" />

=== Song ===
{{Blockquote|It's okay. They've hurt me, too.|[[Song (villager)|Song]] to [[Zuko]].<ref name="CTL" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Song.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] tried to distance himself from [[Song (villager)|Song]].]]

[[Song (villager)|Song]] was the young herbalist who treated Iroh when he mistakenly brewed and consumed the poisonous [[White jade bush|white jade tea]]. When seeing that Iroh and Zuko were travel-worn, she invited them to her home for a good meal and rest. Zuko initially declined, not wishing to become too familiar with the Earth Kingdom and its natives at the time. However, he was overridden by Iroh, who accepted the warm invite. As the evening progressed, Song continued trying to reach out to Zuko, knowing that he suffered at the hands of a firebender — all attempts were met with distanced acknowledgment until she revealed the scar she received the day her father was taken from her in a raid by Fire Nation soldiers. It was at this moment Zuko appeared shocked, concerned, and ashamed of his nation.

Disturbed by his feelings over Song's suffering, he tried to leave immediately and stole Song's [[ostrich horse]], despite Iroh's protests. Song witnessed the theft and closed the door silently, crushed and disappointed.<ref name="CTL">{{Cite episode|1|202}}</ref>

Although the relationship was not resolved, due to the fact that they do not encounter each other again, the impact Song left upon Zuko was considered to be the start of his exceptionally gradual journey toward redemption. Later, when lambasting the Fire Nation's supposedly enlightened intentions for the Hundred Year War in front of his father, Zuko stated that the Fire Nation had only engendered hate and fear among the victims its war had created, Song and her family included.<ref name="DBS2" />

=== Suki ===
{{Blockquote|Actually, we met a long time ago."<br />"We did?"<br />"Yeah, you ... kinda burned down my village."<br />"Oh ... sorry about that. Nice to see you again.|[[Suki]] and [[Zuko]].<ref name="BR1" />}}
[[File:Suki and Zuko.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Suki]] were able to successfully [[Escape from the Boiling Rock|escape]] from the [[Boiling Rock]].]]

Zuko and [[Suki]] unofficially met when Zuko attacked [[Kyoshi Island]] in an attempt to capture Aang. Suki and her team of warriors fought to stop Zuko's rampage as his firebending was destroying her village. They were hopelessly outmatched and eventually defeated by Zuko, but bought Aang and his friends the time they needed to escape, but not before Aang extinguished the flames with the help of the [[unagi]].<ref name="WK" /> Zuko's attack was part of the reason Suki left home to assist the Earth Kingdom in their war effort.<ref name="AD" />

Suki and Zuko finally met each other properly in prison. By this point, Suki had been imprisoned in the Boiling Rock by Azula, and Zuko had reformed and joined the Avatar's gang. While they were serving hard time, Suki did not hesitate to remind Zuko about his attack on her village many months before. Zuko recalled this event and apologized for his wrongdoings.<ref name="BR1" /> Despite the obvious animosity between the two, Suki cooperated with Zuko and Sokka in escaping the prison and freeing Sokka's father, Hakoda.<ref name="BR2" /> After their successful escape and a brief humorous evening interaction outside Sokka's tent,<ref name="SR" /> Suki and Zuko were on much better terms. At the end of the War, she was seen hanging out with Zuko and the gang at Iroh's tea shop in Ba Sing Se.<ref name="SC4" />

[[File:Suki worried about Zuko.png|thumb|left|200px|Even as [[Fire Lord]], [[Zuko]] trusted [[Suki]].]]

A year later, as the Harmony Restoration Movement crumbled and Zuko's life was threatened by numerous assassination attempts, Mai requested that Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors return to the Royal Palace to serve as his bodyguards, given their elite warrior status. Suki accepted and brought her team, including Ty Lee, to protect Zuko during the nighttime hours.<ref name="P1" /> Suki seemed especially concerned for Zuko's well-being, even as he tried to reassure her that he was okay in spite of his mounting stress.<ref name="P2" /> In turn, Zuko put great trust in the abilities of Suki and her warriors, not just believing them capable of safeguarding his own life, but also his family's safety. The Fire Lord also included Suki in his councils regarding the Kemurikage crisis, and cautiously asked her to help him mend his relationship with Mai.<ref name="SS1" /><ref name="SS2" /><ref name="SS3" />

=== Toph ===
{{Blockquote|Ow! What was that for?"<br />"That's how I show affection.|[[Zuko]] and [[Toph Beifong|Toph]] after she punched him in the arm.<ref name="EIP" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Toph.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Toph Beifong|Toph]] set out to find [[Aang]] together.]]

Apart from Appa, Toph was probably the first and only one to trust Zuko after he proposed to join the group. Using her [[seismic sense]], she managed to sense Zuko's sincerity. Their lack of history, the fact that she understood Zuko's family life, and her relationship with Iroh could have also been factors. Zuko accidentally burned Toph's feet when she paid him a surprise visit in the middle of the night. She was reduced to crawling and feeling the vibrations of the earth through her hands. The attack was not on purpose, however, as he did not realize it was her at the time. Afterward, he humbly apologized for attacking her and burning her feet, acknowledging that he must be careful when bending such a wild and dangerous element, which was the reason Aang decided he was a worthy teacher. She thus forgave him, stating that him joining would give her a chance to avenge her feet, albeit in a joking manner.<ref name="WAT" /> When Zuko and Aang were unable to create fire, Toph did not make fun of Zuko like Katara and Sokka did. Instead, she advised them to find and relearn the original roots of firebending, upon which Zuko answered bitterly that the [[Dragon|original firebenders]] were all dead.<ref name="FM" /> During the play on Ember Island, Toph comforted him when the play reminded him of his horrible mistakes and gave him a punch in the arm, stating it was how she showed affection.<ref name="EIP" />

When Aang disappeared prior to the arrival of the comet, Toph hugged Zuko's arm and insisted that she joined Zuko during their search for him, stating it was her turn for a "field trip", in relation to how everybody else went on a life-changing adventure with him, making Zuko blush at the sudden act. She and Zuko talked about their bad family relations, and Toph expressed the lack of love she got from her parents. When Zuko shot her down due to their search, Toph was offended.<ref name="SC1" /> However, they made up almost immediately and have remained friends.

=== Ty Lee ===
{{Blockquote|I know you."<br />"No you don't! You're stuck in your little Ty Lee world where everything's great all the time!|[[Ty Lee]] and [[Zuko]].<ref name="B" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Ty Lee.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Zuko]] and [[Ty Lee]]'s outlooks on life often differed.]]

Zuko and Ty Lee were rarely shown interacting with one another, although Ty Lee seemed to consider Zuko as a friend. When the two were younger, Ty Lee willingly cooperated with Azula to play a prank on him and Mai to embarrass them both, revealing the extent of their friendship where she felt comfortable enough to tease him.<ref name="ZA" /> When Zuko began to put his arm around Mai, asking, "You cold?" Mai brushed him aside, and Ty Lee said, "I'm freezing!" When Zuko merely stated he would build a fire, Ty Lee seemed disappointed. Mai's remark about her needing to have "ten boyfriends" implied that she had a crush on almost every boy.<ref name="B" />

Ty Lee appeared upset when she and Azula left on the second gondola back to the Boiling Rock after their fight with Zuko, Sokka, and Suki, possibly sad for Zuko, as the two had left him to drown in the boiling lake. Afterward, when Azula confronted Mai, she struck Azula down to save Mai, and by doing so, Zuko.<ref name="BR2" />

Ty Lee joined the Kyoshi Warriors after the Hundred Year War.<ref name="SC4" /> In the following year, as Zuko's life was repeatedly threatened by various assassins from the Earth Kingdom and elsewhere, Ty Lee and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors accepted Mai's request that they serve as Zuko's personal bodyguards in the Royal City. Ty Lee seemed more than happy to see Zuko again, and the Fire Lord, in turn, appreciated her contribution to his protection against the assassins.<ref name="P1" /> When discussing Zuko freeing Azula with Mai, Ty Lee defended Zuko from Mai's accusation that he was becoming more and more like Ozai, despite her own reservations about the decision;<ref name="SS1" /> simultaneously, after Zuko began cracking down on the capital's population, she also agreed with Aang about Zuko's knack for frustrating his friends after he dismissed the Avatar for criticizing his hardline approach.<ref name="SS3" />

Later on, Ty Lee accompanied Zuko to visit Mai at her new work at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls. There, she praised the two for finally starting to talk about their trust issues "without knives or firebending or anything".<ref name="AA" />

== Neutral ==
=== Kei Lo ===
Zuko and Kei Lo met during the uprising of the New Ozai Society. Although he was initially distrustful of the Society member, Kei Lo gained Zuko's trust when he freed the Fire Lord from his bonds, allowing him to save his family. As such, when Mai rounded on her boyfriend, Zuko came to his defense.<ref name="SS2" /> However, Zuko's trust was superficial, as he immediately believed Kei Lo had betrayed them upon seeing him among the captured New Ozai Society rioters. It was only due to Mai's intervention that he agreed to release Kei Lo.<ref name="SS3" />

== Enemies ==
=== Combustion Man ===
{{Blockquote|I've heard about you. They say you're good at what you do ... and even better at keeping secrets. The Avatar is alive. I want you to find him, and end him.|[[Zuko]] to [[Combustion Man]].<ref name="H" />}}
[[File:Zuko fights Combustion Man.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] tried to stop [[Combustion Man]] in order to save [[Team Avatar]].]]

Zuko hired Combustion Man to assassinate Aang.<ref name="H" /> While attempting to join the group at the Western Air Temple, the prince accidentally let slip of that fact; he also revealed that the name "Combustion Man" by which the team referred to the assassin was not his real name and denied Sokka's accusation that they were friends. Combustion Man tracked down the group at the Western Air Temple and was prepared to kill them. Zuko tried to get him to cease his attacks, first by telling him the deal was off and afterward by offering higher pay if he would halt; however, Combustion Man turned on Zuko and blasted him off the side of the building. Zuko clung onto a vine, just narrowly escaping death. Although his attempt to hinder the assassin's actions failed, it gave Sokka enough time to hit Combustion Man on his tattoo eye, thus blocking his [[chi]] and causing the assassin's subsequent attack to result in a fatal explosion.<ref name="WAT" />

=== Fire Nation reactionaries and Ozai loyalists ===
{{Blockquote|New Ozai Society, this is your last chance! Surrender now -- or face your Fire Lord's wrath!|[[Zuko]] to rebels during the [[New Ozai Society]]'s [[Resistance against Fire Lord Zuko|uprising]].<ref name="SS1" /> }}

[[File:Zuko creates a multicolored fire vortex.png|thumb|left|200px|[[New Ozai Society|Ozai loyalists]] attempted to kill [[Zuko]] during a [[Resistance against Fire Lord Zuko|violent uprising]].]]

After coming to power, Zuko faced a significant resistance movement, both violent as well as non-violent. There were attempts on his life, officials undermining his government, and public opposition against his anti-imperialist politics.<ref name="P1" /><ref name="RBND">{{Cite comic|RBND}}</ref><ref name="CoreBook-77">''[[Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game]]''. [[Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game Core Book|Core Book]], Version 1.0, 2022, p. 77.</ref> Zuko reacted to the various reactionaries and Ozai loyalists with a mixture of conciliation and suppression; he purged his government of the most well-known imperialists and supporters of his father, but offered other reactionaries posts and some measure of influence.<ref name="RBND" /><ref name="CoreBook-77" /><ref name="SS1" /> Mai's father Ukano became one of Zuko's most vocal critics. Despite Zuko's attempts to include Ukano in his government, the older man refused and openly worked against the new political direction of the Fire Nation. Despite this, Zuko refrained from trying to silence him, though he was also unaware of the extent of Ukano's treasonous actions.<ref name="RBND" /><ref name="SS1" />

When Ukano's followers, organized as the [[New Ozai Society]], attempted to topple the government in an insurgency and even murder Zuko's family, the Fire Lord reacted with fury and determination, quashing their rebellion.<ref name="SS1" /> At this point, he was still ignorant of Ukano's role in the uprsing, thus still allowing the ex-governor to make public statements.<ref name="SS1" /><ref name="SS2" /> However, the New Ozai Society's attempted uprising caused Zuko to become more harsh when facing public unrest or criticism, suspecting, often correctly, some kind of conspiracy whenever his government was internally threatened.<ref name="SS1" /><ref name="SS2" /> Accordingly, he expressed little sympathy for the nationalist [[Safe Nation Society]], another group led by Ukano, though one which was officially not opposed to the Fire Lord. Despite the group's alleged purpose of just protecting the citizens from dark spirits, Zuko considered them probable enemies. Accordingly, he fired [[Sung (constable)|Sung]] from his post for joining the Safe Nation Society and enforced the group's arrest after their members rioted in the capital.<ref name="SS2" /><ref name="SS3" />

Following the end of the Kemurikage crisis and the revelation of Ukano's role in the militant anti-government movement, Zuko officially apologized to his citizens for his harsh actions,<ref name="SS3" /> though he maintained his political course and stayed on guard regarding the various violent nationalists in the Fire Nation.<ref name="CoreBook-70">''[[Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game]]''. [[Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game Core Book|Core Book]], Version 1.0, 2022, p. 70.</ref>

=== Jet ===
{{Blockquote|I don't think you want me in your gang.|[[Zuko]] to [[Jet]].<ref name="DRL" />}}
[[File:Zuko fights Jet.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] dueled [[Jet]] outside of the [[Pao Family Tea House]].]]

Zuko first encountered [[Jet]] when they were both traveling on the [[Earth Kingdom ferry|ferry]] to Ba Sing Se. Jet approached Zuko after overhearing him complain about the quality of the food and suggested that Zuko assist him and his gang in stealing better food from the captain's stores. Zuko accepted this offer, and they worked together very well to complete their mission and deliver food to all the ferry passengers. Jet later told Iroh and Zuko that he was going to Ba Sing Se to make amends for past deeds of which he was not proud. Iroh pointedly stated that he believed that people deserved second chances and could change their lives if they so desired, clearly meaning this as a message to Zuko. Zuko, however, appeared to be unaffected.

The next day, as they approached Ba Sing Se, Jet went to Zuko on the ferry and claimed that once he saw his scar, he knew exactly who he was. This caused Zuko to become wary of him, but Jet claimed that Zuko was an outcast like himself. He felt they were kindred spirits who needed to stick together. He claimed they should watch each other's backs because no one else would. This led Zuko to admit that he had realized that being alone is not always the best path.<ref name="SP">{{Cite episode|1|212}}</ref>

Upon arrival in Ba Sing Se, Jet watched Zuko and Iroh from afar and told [[Smellerbee]] and [[Longshot]] that he thought "Lee", which was Zuko's chosen alias, would make a good member of the [[Freedom Fighters]]. While the others insisted that they barely even knew him, Jet retorted, taking note that Lee did not get his scar from a waterbender. Later, he approached Zuko and officially asked him to join his group. Zuko rebuffed him, and Jet seemed disappointed. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Iroh's formerly cold tea was suddenly hot, and he quickly gathered that Zuko and Iroh were firebenders.<ref name="DRL">{{Cite episode|1|213}}</ref> From that point on, he resolved to gather evidence against them and turn them into the authorities.

Jet spied on Zuko and Iroh, trying to find proof that they were firebenders. He followed them in the city and to their new jobs in the tea shop. Smellerbee objected to this action, saying that Jet had no real proof that the two were firebenders and that even if they were, there was nothing they could do. Jet, however, pressed on with his investigation. He sneaked into their apartment and stole their spark rocks, a move that he hoped would force one of them to firebend. This plan was foiled, however, when Iroh simply borrowed spark rocks from his neighbor. Later on, Jet argued with Longshot and Smellerbee over the issue outside the tea shop. Jet reminded them of how the Fire Nation left them homeless and why it was so important to fight them.

Finally, tired of waiting, Jet burst into the shop, his hooked swords drawn, proclaiming Zuko and Iroh to be firebenders. While the police officers in the shop tried to calm him, Jet insisted that the two waiters be arrested. When Jet walked threateningly toward Iroh, Zuko grabbed a pair of swords from an officer, and the two began to fight. The fight carried them outside the shop and into the street, with Jet trying to goad Zuko into firebending the entire time. The fight was broken up by the Dai Li, who arrested Jet based on the words of Iroh, the shop owner, and the soldiers who saw the fight.<ref name="CWS">{{Cite episode|1|214}}</ref>

Zuko was unaware that he would never see Jet again, as the young warrior was killed under [[Lake Laogai]] by [[Long Feng]] while fighting the Dai Li.<ref name="LL" />

Zuko watched a play about the Avatar on Ember Island. When he saw the segment about Jet's death, he was shocked and asked Sokka in confusion, "Did Jet just... die?" to which Sokka agreed that it was "really unclear".<ref name="EIP" />

=== Red Lotus ===
{{Blockquote|Do you have any idea the power these criminals possess? Individually, they can take down any bender. Put them together, they could take down the entire world.|[[Zuko]] to a [[White Lotus sentries|White Lotus sentry]] about the [[Red Lotus]].<ref name="RB">{{Cite episode|2|302}}</ref>}}
[[File:Tonraq and his friends attack the Red Lotus.png|thumb|left|200px|Lord [[Zuko]], along with [[Tonraq]] and [[Desna and Eska]], were in the North Pole to stop the attempted prison break of [[P'Li]].]]

The Red Lotus consists of four powerful criminals who were incarcerated for thirteen years following a failed attempt to kidnap Avatar Korra. The group would have been successful in the kidnapping had it not been for the efforts of Zuko, Sokka, Tonraq, and Tenzin, who defeated the criminals and imprisoned them in facilities designed to impair their abilities. Thirteen years later, Lord Zuko received information from a [[White Lotus sentries|White Lotus sentry]] that Zaheer had acquired airbending and managed to bust out his allies, Ghazan and Ming-Hua. Knowing that the group was headed to the North Pole to bust out their fourth and final ally, P'Li, Zuko mounted his dragon [[Druk]] and traveled to the [[Northern Water Tribe]], and together, with the efforts of Tonraq and [[Desna and Eska]], prepared to apprehend the Red Lotus. Despite his age and the frosty environment, Zuko fought well, although he was quickly overwhelmed by Ghazan's earthbending, and the Red Lotus was able to escape.<ref name="IHW">{{Cite episode|2|304}}</ref> Zuko took the threat the Red Lotus posed seriously, cautioning everyone not to underestimate their skills. After the Earth Queen was assassinated by Zaheer, Zuko opted to return to the Fire Nation in order to safeguard his daughter's life in case the organization decided to go after her next, rather than journeying with Team Avatar to the Northern Air Temple to save the Air Nation.<ref name="U" /> Even after the defeat of their main members, he remained wary about the possibility of more members still lurking around the world.<ref name="VRL">{{Cite episode|2|313}}</ref>

=== Zhao ===
{{Blockquote|Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back ...|[[Zuko]] to [[Zhao]].<ref name="SAT" />}}
[[File:Zuko and Zhao.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Zuko]] challenged [[Zhao]] to an [[Agni Kai]].]]

Zhao was a high-ranking and ambitious officer in the [[Military of the Fire Nation#Navy|Fire Navy]] and Zuko's major rival in his attempts to capture Avatar Aang. Zhao and Zuko were constantly at odds as they attempted to stay one step ahead of each other in their pursuit of the Avatar.<ref name="SAT" /><ref name="BS" /> Their enmity seemed to stem from an earlier time, however, as Zhao was seen in the audience of Zuko's Agni Kai with his father, smirking while Zuko was burned.<ref name="S" />

Zuko attempted to withhold the information that the Avatar had returned from Zhao, but Zhao discovered the truth anyway and decided to detain Zuko so that he would be unable to capture the Avatar first. This infuriated Zuko, and in their subsequent argument, Zhao mocked Zuko's plight, telling him that his father does not really want him back at all. Zuko challenged Zhao to an Agni Kai, in which he defeated Zhao by utilizing a strong foundation in the basics of firebending that he had previously dismissed. Zuko, however, chose not to scar or kill Zhao upon his victory, and while he walked away, the latter attempted a dishonorable attack that was blocked by Iroh.<ref name="SAT" />

Zuko ran a blockade of Zhao's ships and entered into Fire Nation waters in pursuit of the Avatar, thus violating the terms of his exile. Zhao allowed him to pass, however, in order to follow Zuko to the location of the Avatar and, once there, planned to arrest the prince as well. Iroh warned Zuko about Zhao's plan, which led to the prince chasing Aang in a smaller boat while Iroh and his crew led Zhao off course. Zhao, however, was not fooled and tracked Zuko to the [[Crescent Island Fire Temple]]. There he caught him, but Zuko escaped when Roku began to destroy the temple.<ref name="WS2" />

Zuko took on the guise of the Blue Spirit, a masked, dual-dao-wielding vigilante, first to spy on Zhao and later to free the Avatar from Zhao's custody.<ref name="BS" /> Zhao realized later that this was Zuko's alternate identity when he came to commandeer Zuko's crew in order to invade the Northern Water Tribe and noticed dual broadswords in the prince's quarters. Zhao hired the pirates with whom Zuko had had bad dealings at the [[waterfall lagoon]] to assassinate him by blowing up his ship. However, Zuko survived and stowed away on one of Zhao's ships, pretending to be a soldier,<ref name="WM">{{Cite episode|1|118}}</ref> and later engaged Zhao in a battle in retaliation for the admiral's attempt to kill him. During this fight, Zuko maintained that he had no choice but to act as the Blue Spirit, while Zhao insisted that he should have just accepted his failure with honor. Their battle, however, was interrupted when the vengeful Ocean Spirit, upset that Zhao killed its counterpart, the Moon Spirit, manifested a hand-like appendage of water and dragged Zhao away. Zuko reached out a hand to Zhao in an attempt to help him. Though Zhao initially tried to reach his hand, he refused to accept his help. He was dragged down into the water and into the [[Spirit World]] by the Ocean Spirit, [[La]], for justice after the Moon Spirit, Tui, was revived by Princess Yue's sacrifice.<ref name="SN2" /> Zuko was the sole witness to Zhao's downfall as a result.

== References ==
{{Scroll|{{Reflist}}}}

[[es:Relaciones de Zuko]]
[[nl:Zuko's relaties]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Character relationships]]
[[Category:Zuko]]