Dragon of the West

Chapter 4- The Funeral

Hey guys thanks for checking out another chapter! As some of you may have known, I released the first chapter of a new Legend of Korra story called Revenge of the Red Lotus last week. Check it out if you haven't already. Also, This past Saturday was the ten year anniversary of when "The Boy in the Iceberg" and "The Avatar Returns" heired. It's officially been ten years, guys. Be proud of that. This chapter is dedicated to that anniversary. Thanks for reading!

-Darthlane

Chapter 4

Iroh gazed out at his target, his prize. Ba Sing Se. The city that literally meant "impenetrable city." He was by no means the first to try to capture it, and he wouldn't be the last. But maybe, just maybe, he would be the first to succeed.

He couldn't help but be impressed by the walls that towered overhead. It wasn't a question of how difficult it would be to break through, but more of how impossible it would be. Iroh shook his head slightly. The fact that the Fire Lord expected anyone, even his son, the great Fire Nation hero The Dragon of the West, to conquer it was just crazy. Ridiculous. Ludicrous. Iroh didn't know if his dad was just trying to distract the Earth Kingdom for some reason, or if he actually thought they could break through. Either way, Iroh had no choice but to do what his father ordered.

Just like always.

"Dad?" A voice from behind him called. Iroh turned to see a tall young man approaching. "The men are starting to get restless."
Iroh smiled. "Haven't u told you enough times already, Lu Ten? You call me 'General' until we get back home."

"You're supposed to call me 'Officer', but you never do, Dad." Lu Ten retorted.

"True, true. So what are the men complaining about this time? I made sure we had enough drink to last three years, so they can't complain about that again. I learned from my last siege."

"As if they needed alcohol where we are going. No, most of them are wondering why we haven't attacked yet. They seem to really want to take on that wall." Lu Ten lowered his voice slightly. "Of course, that's just a cover. It's pretty easy to tell that they are actually very, very, nervous about this. They've all heard the rumors about the defenses of this place. Not one of them wants to throw their lives away knowing that thousands have fallen in between here and there without even getting a scratch on that wall." He grabbed Iroh's shoulder. His face was riddled with concern. "Dad, do really know what you're doing? Please tell me you have a plan. I can't stand by with good conscience and let you lead them if I think you will lead them to a slaughter."

Iroh nodded approvingly. "Nor should you. That's why I made you second-in-command. You have their best interests at heart." He grinned like a maniac, a feverish gleam in his eyes. "But you don't need to worry, Lu Ten. I have a plan. Boy, do I have a plan." He laughed, giving his full beard a nice stroke. He turned to face his prize once more.

"Iroh." Hearing his name again, he tried to turn around but found he could not. "Iroh." He tried again, but still couldn't move. What was going on? "Iroh!" Why was he frozen? Was it some kind of bending, or maybe influence from a spirit? "Iroh, wake up!"

Iroh sat up with a start. He realized he was sweating. He had never experienced that vivid a dream before. It had seemed so real.

Based on how bright it was, Iroh figured it must be early morning. Ozai was leaning against the wall next to the door, his arms crossed. "Took you long enough to get up. I swear, the older you get the harder it is to wake you up. This is getting ridiculous, Iroh." Ozai smiled. It chilled Iroh to the bone. It reminded him too much of his mother's.