In a world of benders and great mythical beasts, a world that's witnessed a terrible war and the rise of the Avatar, Aang, a new threat is rising, one which has no mercy, one which is intent on ruling the world with the ruthless element of Darkness. Only a year has passed since Aang defeated Fire Lord Ozai, can the Avatar and his friends defeat the Lord of Darkness, Raiya? Or will their past ordeals get in the way...

But Raiya isn't the only thing which stands in the Gaang's way. Feelings are starting to develop, feelings which may jeaprodise the outcome of the ever-nearing war…

Iroh: It's times like these, dark times, they can bring people together…

Toph: Take my hand

Iroh: Or they can tear them apart…

Katara: *hits Aang with scroll*

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, any of its characters ideas or settings.

"Get off me!" Zuko yelled, as the shadows pinned him up against the bedroom wall. The sound of Mei's muffled screams could be heard from the opposite side of the palace, as the shadows advanced on the great house of the Fire Lord, ripping every priceless wall hanging into tiny shreds, slaughtering every animal, sticking their hearts on pikes and feasting on their eye sockets, turning every individual's soul into pits of despair. Guards ran frantically towards the chambers of the Fire Lord, their hearts in their mouths as the shadows grabbed at their skin, their eyes, their hair, anything that resulted in severe pain.

Zuko could feel his soul beginning to wonder, he suddenly didn't have the will to live anymore. The shadows...they were tearing him apart. Sweat poured of his face like running water, his golden eyes bright with a lethal anger. "Uncle!" he yelled desperately, as the shadows tightened their grip.

A bitter laugh ran through the palace, "Your Uncle won't help you this time, Zuko. He is a little...busy at the moment," A hooded figure appeared in the doorway, it's face hidden in shadow and his long, wrinkled fingers as white as snow itself clasping a long, wooden staff.

"Most people tend to refer to me as Fire Lord Zuko, Raiya," Zuko said, gritting his teeth.

The figure laughed again. "So you remember me? Well, I am surprised. The last time I saw you, I wiped your memory clean, but my magic was, at the time, a little unpractised, but, oh well. Killing you will be so much more fun if you remember me," He threw back his hood, and immediately the shadows swarming the bedroom dropped to the floor, bowing to their leader: the only bender of the element, Darkness, Raiya: The King of the Shadows. Raiya grinned, flashing his gleaming yellow teeth in Zuko's direction. "It is time..." he said, advancing towards him, "Oh great and mighty Fire Lord, it is most certainly time, for the new moon shines high in the sky. Get ready to embrace the darkness!" He let out an ear-splitting shriek, and ran a pale finger down Zuko's cheek. "Good luck," he said sweetly, taking a step back and throwing his hood back over his head.

As soon as Raiya's face was lost from sight, the shadows advanced onto Zuko. He roared with pain as the shadows ripped and teared at his skin, "Mei! Uncle!" he yelled hopelessly. Blood poured from his body, as the shadows ripped at his skin, but he soon felt their grips loosen, his body falling weakly to the floor.

"Zuko…" Raiya knelt down beside the Fire Lord's lifeless body, "You thought a child like yourself could defeat the shadows?" He let out a sinister chuckle, "I have heard about the Avatar, and I am not afraid. Your father was weak and ignorant, where as I am strong. I have no need to fear a boy. I am the Lord of Darkness, Bender of the Night!" His breathing had grown heavy with excitement, and he swiftly returned to his feet. "You could have joined me… You could have been the most powerful bender of all time," He shook his head, "But you chose the route of foolishness,"

"I call it courage," replied Zuko, his gaze hard.

Raiya laughed, and clicked his fingers. "You amuse me, Zuko. It is a shame your soul must run," He turned away from the Fire Lord and took a few steps towards the doorway, his cloak billowing behind him.

Zuko gasped. His bending was blocked; he couldn't make so much as a single flame. He could see his sight beginning to fail, and his muscles just wouldn't work. Raiya's voice rang in his ears: "Get ready to embrace the darkness!" He winced, as the pain flashed through his body.


"Goodbye Zuko..."


Zuko closed his eyes as his soul rose from his lifeless body. Raiya's grin faded and he turned to face his minions, "One down, four to go," He handed one of the shadows a note and then exited the chambers, his cloak billowing behind him.