The storm clouds above and silvered relentlessly and rumbled thunderously, intermittent bursts of empyreal lights flashing from one part of the dark floating crystals to another, as if a living being of infernal nature was rampaging through the heavens.
Zuko, as he did many, many years ago, climbed to the highest pedestal, the closest place to heaven all of the lands offered, the broken bridge to the sky made of rock and stone.
His long, blood dark hair thrashed about, wherever the squall went like a wild ostrich-horse. The regal Fire Lord robes were tattered and discolored by the downpour and by smudges of earth, ripped and torn, exposing the man's torso to the onslaught of nature's force. He had traversed the lands barefoot, evident by the scraps and dried blood upon the flesh of his feet.
His golden eyes……were now nothing but dull glimmers, a small, waning pyre.
He turned skyward, allowing the rain to punish him as he heaved in all of his suffering and rage.
So he could release it.
"STRIKE MEEEEEEEEEE!!"
He reached toward the booming tempest. "YOU'VE THROWN ALL AT ME!! YOU'VE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME!! YOU HAVE ME DEFEATED!! YOU'VE WON!! FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, GIVE ME MERCY!! END IT!! STRIKE ME!! I BEG YOU!! STRIKE MEEEEEEEEEE!!"
At once, everything became silent, not the storm nor the squall made a sound.
Overhead, a lance of white death pierced through the dark sky crystal and came bolting towards him, cackling despite the world falling mute.
Time slowed…
He welcomed the end with open arms…
…smiling blissfully.
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"Wow, camping. It really feels just like old times again, doesn't it?"
"If you really want it to feel like old times, I could uhh… chase you around for a while and try to capture you."
Flash!
"I was looking for cooking pots in the attic, and I found this. Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cuuute!?"
"Argh!"
Flash!
"Pretty clouds."
"Yeah, fluffy."
Flash!
"Ow! What was that for!?"
"That's how I show affection."
Flash!
"You know, as a Kyoshi warrior, I'm pretty skilled with applying war paint, makeup, and the likes."
"What are you implying?"
"Er, nothing. You have nice eyebrows."
Flash!
"You're so beautiful when you hate the world."
"I don't hate you."
"I don't hate you too."
Flash!
"Euch! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!"
"Uncle, that's what ALL tea is."
"How could a member of my own family say something so horrible!?"
F-F-F-lash!
"I wonder what this world would look like in another hundred years."
"I have a feeling you'll find out."
"Maybe. But I'd rather have it remain a mystery forever."
F-F-F-Flash!
"I guess I was right, what I said years ago. I really can't stand to lose him."
"I'm sorry. I suppose this isn't one of those times where we share something in common."
"It's okay. I'm glad we don't."
F-F-F-Flash!
"I'm going on up ahead."
"Remember to be alert, be careful."
"Hey, I've got the Flaming Lord watching my back, don't I?"
"Doesn't help if you trip. Try not being clumsy when there are a lot of swords."
F-F-F-Flash!
"I don't want to be alone tonight. Is that okay?"
"……………………………"
"……………thanks."
F-F-F-Flash!
"I think he has his eyes. Do you think he has his eyes?"
"Um, sure, whatever you say. Just please take him from me before I drop him."
"Oh, don't be such a coward! I swear, give men a sword and they think they're the best thing since sashes. Put a baby into their arms, and they wet themselves faster than the baby does."
"Apparently, not in this case."
F-F-F-Flash!
"Thinking about them?"
"……………………………"
"It's fine. Let's think about them together."
F-F-F-Flash!
"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we choose."
"That explains why it hurts so much."
"Good. That means you and I are still alive."
F-F-F-F-F-F-
"Don't worry, I will……"
"Promise me……that you will not fall."
"Do you remember them?"
"I understand now. I understand why she was smiling."
"………………………just so you know…………"
"Take care of your cousin Zuko while I'm gone."
F-F-F-F-F-F-
"I AM THE PHOENIX KING!"
"Mama!! Mama!!"
"—all of your pathetic friends are DEAD?"
"NO!! GO AWAY!"
"—chosen me to ascend to my rightful destiny!"
"You turned me into a monster! You made Mama not love me!!"
"—deserved their gruesome end!"
"MAMA!! MAMA!!"
"RAAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
F-F-F-F-F-F-
"And now we're friends."
"……I promise."
"You will put one foot in front of the other. You will walk and you will bleed and you will breathe."
"Can I see you?"
"Just wait a little bit more. I'll be there…"
"One day, he'll grow up to be a great man."
F-F-F-F-F-F-
"Vow to me. DO NOT FAIL."
-ASSSSHHHHH!!
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"…………I'll be waiting………………always……"
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"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
He lanced the spear of electric fury with his fingertips, absorbing the massive force of calamity into his body, his entire presence glowing with surreal pulses of divine blue, and with one final howl, sent the storm's rage back into the thundering sky.
His body sizzled from his duel with the heavens, and he crumbled to the—
He slammed his arms to the ground, keeping himself up, heaving and gasping.
"I…hah…I promised them…hah…hah…gah," with great effort, he climbed to his feet, and sluggishly began making his way down the path he came.
"Keep walking…hah…hah…keep walking…one foot in front of the other…gah…hah…never stop walking……don't fail…hah…you promised them……don't ever stop walking……you made a promise…a promise……walk…walk……"
Unknown to him, the rumblings ceased, the thunders waned, the rain stopped, the winds gentled, and the dark clouds parted.
Slowly but determinedly with a revived flare of gold in his eyes, Zuko walked towards the distant rising sun.
…Last One Breathing.