Zuko is a firebender and the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. He received the scar on his left eye from his father, Fire Lord Ozai, after speaking out against a general's plan in the Fire Lord's war room. Deeming his actions to be a sign of disrespect, Ozai challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai. Zuko, however, refused to fight his father and begged for forgiveness. His father considered this an act of weakness and scarred Zuko to "teach him a lesson". Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation and sent to capture the Avatar; only when he had successfully completed his mission would he be allowed to return to the Fire Nation and redeem himself.