Lightning redirection

Lightning Redirection is a specialized technique within Firebending that allows a Firebender to absorb lightning into their body as energy, then release it in a more desirable direction. The technique was developed by Iroh after he studied master Waterbenders, who redirect an opponent's energy rather than oppose it head-on. Lightning redirection works equally well for natural and generated lightning.

History
This technique was first demonstrated by Iroh during a storm, when he used it to protect Zuko's Ship and its crew from a lightning strike. However, it should be noted that after redirecting the lightning, he was shown as having been burned (this may indicate that natural lighting is more difficult to redirect or more powerful than generated lightning, or it may have merely been for comedic effect). Iroh also used this technique to protect Zuko from Azula's lightning.



In "Bitter Work", Iroh agreed to teach this skill to his nephew Zuko, as he was unable to learn lightning generation.

"If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You must create a pathway from your fingertips up your arm to the shoulder, then down into the stomach. The stomach is the source of energy in your body, it is called the sea of Chi, or in my case it is more like a... vast ocean. Ha-ha-ha-ha,(...). From your stomach you direct it up again and out the other arm. The stomach detour is critical, you must not let the lightning pass through your heart, or the damage could be deadly."

After Zuko learns the technique to his satisfaction, he demands that Iroh shoot lightning at him so that he can practice the move, but Iroh refuses out of the sheer danger of it. Zuko seeks out a lightning storm at the end of the episode and taunts it to strike him, but his efforts are to no avail, which causes him to be furious at the world.

On the Day of Black Sun, Fire Lord Ozai, Zuko's father, shoots lightning at Zuko once the solar eclipse ends. Zuko expertly absorbs and redirects the lightning back towards Ozai, the explosion throwing Ozai at the wall behind him, giving Zuko time to escape.



Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko teaches this technique to Aang, who recognizes its similarities to Waterbending. Aang uses this technique to redirect comet-enhanced lightning from Ozai, but due to his pacifistic nature, Aang redirects it towards the sky as opposed to killing Ozai with the blast outright. During their duel, Zuko goads Azula into using lightning, planning to redirect it at her only for her to fire it at Katara instead. While he is successful in redirecting it, his state afterwards suggests that he did not have time to execute the technique properly due to the urgency caused by Azula's unexpected target.

According to Zuko, the process of redirecting lightning is an intense, exhilarating and terrifying experience. The person redirecting lightning feels powerful containing massive amounts of energy, but they know they will die if they make a single false move. It is noteworthy that Aang appeared to be in physical pain when he absorbed Ozai's lightning, but, given how Zuko and Iroh never appeared to be in pain while performing the technique, this may instead indicate either Aang's inexperience with it, a greater sensitivity to it given how his previous injury had not yet fully healed, a distinct difference in difficulty as he had to redirect comet-enhanced lightning, or perhaps a combination of all these factors.

Known Users

 * Iroh
 * Zuko
 * Aang