The fight raged, seemingly animated by the light of the blasts of fire against the black sky. Nothing existed outside of our anger and hatred toward each other. We both dodged blast after blast, until finally one of mine was powerful enough to knock Zhao off balance. He hit the ground hard, and I stood over him, anger searing through my veins and turning my blood cold as I took in the victory. Suddenly, the black sky began to lighten as the moon faded lighter over my shoulder.
'It can't be!' Zhao yelled in disbelief. For a moment everything seemed frozen; neither of us knew what to do next. But without warning, a giant watery hand reached out of the water beneath us and wrapped itself around the bridge where we had been fighting. I rolled out of the way, barely managing to dodge the grip. Turning, I saw the hand close around Zhao, leaving his head and left shoulder free. His left arm flailed and pulled at the fingers to no avail.
I had to save him. True, I hated him with every ounce of energy I had left, but I couldn't let him die. I stood, reaching my hand as far as I could.
'Take my hand!' I screamed. Zhao stared back, startled. He reached his hand toward mine, then hesitated. Wiping his face of emotion, he pulled his arm away. The hand pulled him under the water, then all was still. He was gone.
I sighed and started to leave, hating myself. Out of nowhere, the giant blue hand emerged and grabbed me, restraining me as it had Zhao. I closed my eyes as I struggled, praying it was all just a dream. Finally, I abandoned my vain struggles, opening my eyes to face my fate.
There, on the bridge I'd been standing moments before, was a human figure. Its arm was extended toward me. I reached frantically, trying as hard as I could to reach the gloved hand. I looked at my rescuer for assurance, then couldn't move. It was impossible! I was within the clutches of the water beast, how could...?
There, staring back at me, was the Blue Spirit himself. As the beast pulled me farther away, we both silently gave up, though we kept trying just the same. I screamed, praying that I'd reach his hand in time. But just before the bridge was at eye level, I saw myself turn and walk away, the mask's expression as blank as ever.
Zukko heard himself shout as he bolted upright. His naked chest was slimy with sweat beneath the thin blanket (despite the bitter air around him), his breathing staggered and escaping his frozen lips in wispy clouds. The sky was dark around him, and everything was still. He sighed and lay back down—it had just been a nightmare.
Again.
Author's Note: this isn't the whole thing, this just explains part of the songfic and all…felt I had to include it…otherwise it just wouldn't be right…that dream'd scare the shit outta me though…
