It didn't matter I had never known love.

It didn't matter my mother left me.

It didn't matter she was probably dead.

It didn't matter I was tormented every day.

It didn't matter I was never respected.

It didn't matter I wasn't a protégée.

It didn't matter my relatives hated me.

It didn't matter I was loathed by my nation.

It didn't matter my father scarred me.

It didn't matter suffering become my tutor.

It didn't matter I came from a long line of betrayers.

It didn't matter I was labeled a traitor.

It didn't matter I had lost everything.

It didn't matter I scoured the earth for a cause lost by the ages.

It didn't matter I always failed.

It didn't matter I stole, cheated, and lied to get ahead.

It didn't matter I succumbed to the ways of a man who hated me.

It didn't matter all the lives I destroyed in my ventures.

It didn't matter I sucked trust dry and let the husks of what remained rot.

It didn't matter that I was just a waste of space; a spoiled child with hardly any values and principles.

It didn't matter I betrayed the only two people to reach out to me.

It didn't matter I let the one person who was always there down.

It didn't matter I tried killing the hope of the world.

It didn't matter I put the feelings of a man who only loved me for convenience before the one who truly cared.

It didn't matter I deceived my true father – not the one whose seed spurred me.

It didn't matter I let him fester in a jail cell.

It didn't matter I followed a destiny that wasn't my own.

(All that mattered was that a phoenix rises from the ashes)

All that mattered was that I was going to change the course of a war that wasn't mine.

(All that mattered was that a phoenix rises from the ashes)

All that mattered was I had found a new cause to pursue.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I repented.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I learned.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was you were going to pay.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I joined the Avatar.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I knew right and wrong.

(All that mattered was phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was the Avatar would beat you.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I found myself.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was Uncle's embrace.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was the coming of a new age.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes)

All that mattered was I had a new family.

(All that mattered was a phoenix rose from the ashes.)

All that mattered, was that I rose from your ashes.

All that mattered, was that I fulfilled my destiny.

A/N: So, this is the second part of my "What Matters" saga. I say saga because I don't know how many more I'll do (but mainly because it sounds more epic that way – not gonna lie) Check out Sokka's story(?) in "A Warrior Stands Tall" I really suggest it, but, hey – I'm a bit biased.

Oh! All these come from key points in Zuko's storyline – in Bryke's critically acclaimed Avatar the Last Airbender series (duh, irrelevant and redundant to put) If anyone has questions about where it comes from, leave a review and I'll answer them!

The 'you' that keeps being mentioned is referring to Ozai, though it can also be inferred to Azula too, I guess.

And it's readers choice what "destiny" Zuko fulfilled, but personally I have my own two opinions.

He joined Team Avatar and became good and happy sunshine everywhere. Or,

He became the best Fire Lord and donned the era of peace and unity between all the nations.

It's your own interpretation, but those are my own. Jot a review down if you had other ways he "fulfilled" his destiny.

Or you know what? Just review period. I love hearing your input! Honest! (Fire Nation's honor! – Raises hand up-)