I know there's already an Avatar thread, but shitsux and is not particularly relevant to the discussion I have in mind.

Here is something that has occurred to me as I have watched Season 2: Zuko is a good bender. He's just not a good Firebender.

If Zuko were a Waterbender, he would be much better than he is; maybe not Katara-level, but very good nonetheless. He's lived his entire life like a Waterbender, adapting to his situation, no matter what it takes. He's a master at manipulating the flow of energy - look at how well he redirects lightning. The first time he ever performs the move under duress, he's fighting the most powerful Firebender alive. Yet he not only perfectly redirects the lightning but pushes it right back in Ozai's face. That kind of skill isn't natural the first time. Even Zuko's normal fighting style is based far more on redirecting the opponent's force than anything else. In their Agnikai, Azula is consistently the one who attacks, and Zuko defends himself flawlessly, flowing from one move to the next to protect himself from a superior opponent.

If Zuko were an Earthbender, he'd certainly be nowhere near Toph's level, but he could still be very, very good. Earthbending is based on determination, stubbornness and the strength of the stance (mentally as well as physically) and Zuko has all of these in spades. Ursa and Azula both repeatedly remark that his defining attribute is persistance. We don't know a whole lot about how this applies to his fighting technique, but it definitely says a lot about what bending discipline his personality is suited to.

He'd be a shitty Airbender, because he has no subtlety, intelligence or desire to avoid confrontation, but the point is made with Earth and Water.

tl;dr Zuko is transbendered. Discuss.

>>	Anonymous 12/07/08(Sun)20:54 No.6938382      File :1228701287.jpg-(29 KB, 300x356, fight_together_by_zutara_shewo(...).jpg) THIS IS PROOF PEOPLE