Canon:: Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Character: Exiled Former Fire Prince Zuko.
Timeline: Pulled directly after his confrontation with Fire Lord Ozai, during the Day of Black Sun.

( Let's see what happens when you play with fire. )

( Hey, Zuko here! )

I don't want to hear Katara's name until she comes back.

I'm going to the Wastelands. I won't be back for three days. Don't follow me or try to find me.

Katara called this event months ago.

Stay out of the Wastelands if you're useless without your magic powers.

[Those listening carefully might hear the river. Zuko is out and about, wandering. You may run into him -- but he's not really doing much. Just casually looking at larger houses.]

I've been here for a year.

Figures it'd rain all week to celebrate.

[The PCD turns on in the middle of Zuko griping about something. Which isn’t exactly new, right? But at least he’s not griping by himself -- the camera, as it swings back and forth in Zuko’s hand, shows Sasuke at his side. They’re in the Wastelands.]

-- can’t believe you’ve never seen a dragon and you’ve been here for years.

Shut up, I’ve had other ( Read more... )

[At first, there's nothing on the network but ragged breathing, the slightest hitch of breath, as if the owner of the PCD is trying to catch his breath --

A cough. Two. Three.

And then, a voice, with the oh-so-familiar tinge of irritation and frustration, except without the usual energy.

Zuko sounds tired.]

Where are my swords?

[Zuko is in a nondescript area of Adstringendum, his eyes fixated on the walls. There have been sounds, noises -- an explosion. He has a sword in his hand, which he spins neatly in his palm, and the blade rests on his shoulder as he glances down towards his PCD.]

What in the hell is going on in the Wastelands?

[The PCD clicks on to show Zuko standing outside, by himself, watching the sun come up. The higher the sun inches into the sky, the more awake Zuko looks -- after all, firebenders gain their strength from the sun. It's invigorating, in a way, to watch it rise with you ( Read more... )

[Zuko's voice is a low angry snarl -- and his tone is thick -- as if he's trying not to cry, but luckily, the sheer anger forces Zuko forward, so it's next to impossible to tell.]

Whoever killed her -- whoever left her there --

[Zuko's voice breaks -- and he has to pause, to rephrase his thoughts.]If you don't come forward now, I'll come find ( Read more... )