Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the last Airbender. I don't even own this plot bunny…it owns ME!

A/N: Au tag to 311 The Day of the Black Sun, part 2.


Destiny lost

He took the stance as the lightning surged towards him. Surely if he had left earlier, he wouldn't be facing the risk of failing to follow his destiny, but he wanted to know what had happened the day his mother disappeared, but the offer of information that his father gave him was so tempting. Maybe he was a fool to stay, maybe not. Instead of the doubt caused by the unknown, he now had hope.

Zuko prepared himself. He had thought all of this through. Deep inside he knew that he actually looked towards this opportunity to use the technique his uncle showed him.

I'm ready.

In his mind he repeated the kata he practiced so hard: in, down, up, out.

In, down, up, out.

In, down, up, out.

In-

The lightning struck.

And suddenly he realized that he wasn't ready at all. He wasn't prepared for the immense power of his father's bending as it pushed him away.

No! I have to get this right! Just once, I have to get something right!

-Down-

…but it was so hard to control, so hard to focus on anything as the lightning raged through his body.

-up-

It felt almost as if his heart was going to stop.

No, concentrate! Focus!

-out!

I did it!

He breathed out, not even knowing he was holding it until know, and sank to the floor, his hands shaking.

I did it.

Zuko stood up, trying to stop the trembling.

No time to lose, I have to get out and free-

His thoughts fled as he actually looked up. His world turned silent. He wasn't quite sure what he was doing. What he was going to do.

The lightning left, yes. It left his world in devastation.


A/N: This is the plot bunny that I wanted to butcher as I wrote in my profile. I followed the advice of a friend and wrote a drabble/one-shot on this. Do you know how long this bunny has been preying on my mind?! I know I haven't written anything for a long time.

Big thanks and hugs to appa-appa-away, who gave me even more courage to write this. :)

This plot bunny is evil, y/y? ...um, implied character death anyone?

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