Avatar: The Red Dragon

Bonus chapter: Iroh's First Day

At the Royal Palace, young Prince Iroh woke up earlier than usual. The black-haired boy was sitting on the edge of his bed, both hands joined and his head down, looking at the floor. He had not slept well. He kept waking up during the night and he was feeling tired now. His eyes hurt, as well as his head. He took a breath and headed towards the window to open the curtains. The sun had not risen yet and moonlight penetrated his large room. Iroh's room had a lot of space, but it was decorated with sobriety.

The only things that stood out in the room were a dagger and a pair of blades, exposed side by side on a dark-colored wood desk. The dagger was the one General Iroh had given to his nephew Fire Prince Zuko, and the latter then gave it to his grandson in memory of his noble-hearted uncle. The blades were Fire Lord Zuko's own dual blades that he used when he did not want people to find out he was a firebender. Those blades were the one Fire Lord Zuko had used to free Avatar Aang from General Zhao. These objects were precious treasures that young Prince Iroh was entrusted with by his grandfather. They helped him remember how to keep wisdom and honor.

Iroh was a brilliant boy. He was smart and a strong firebender. He had a noble heart and was humble and brave. However, despite all those qualities, he had something he didn't like about himself: he was a prince. And being the prince meant that you have responsibilities to shoulder. Leading the nation or fighting for his people were not what made him dislike his position. What he deplored was that the title he possessed came with hypocrisy. A lot of people only approached him for their own benefits, seeking a way to climb the ladder.

Kids at school only saw him as Prince Iroh and not as Iroh, a young boy like any other one. Only a few close friends understood him. And that's why he was anxious about his first day at the academy. Most of the students enrolled in the Royal Academy came from wealthy or noble families with their parents working as magistrates or military officers. Very few people came from other backgrounds and those people were too scared to approach a prince. Other students would probably befriend him for their own advantage. It had happened so many times in the past that he was sick of it now.

Why can't people see me for who I really am? Am I just a prince in their eyes? And they all compare me to the former General Iroh. Of course I want to be as noble as him. But I'm not him! I'm Iroh! Iroh the Second... 

Iroh sighed while looking at the moon. 

I don't like that nickname! I'm honored to have been named after him, though. I wished I could meet someone who will befriend me for who I am, just Iroh and not Prince Iroh. Someone whom I could enjoy my time with and speak freely. Someone who wouldn't know I'm the prince.

While lost in his thoughts, the sun finally started to rise. Iroh walked out of his room and went to prepare himself. 

Well, I guess it's finally time to go.

*

Iroh was in group three for his general lessons, and in group one for firebending lessons. Luckily for him, he was in the same group as his friends. His classroom was in the Red Dragon pavilion, on the second floor. His referent teacher was a middle-aged woman with glasses, who seemed to be really strict and severe. His group was standing next to another group in the inner yard. The referent teacher of the other group was really loud. It was an old man, and he did not look kind at all, rather he seemed to be grumpy. All his students were looking at him with fear.

"One means you're in the strongest group, ten means you're in the weakest group. Which group are you in, young girl?" Iroh heard him ask a girl. The girl looked down, hiding her upset face. 

"Group ten, sir," she replied. 

"Right," the old man said, with a smirk on his face. 

Aw, poor girl. 

The other students in her group laughed at her. Iroh kept on looking at the girl, not paying attention to what his own referent teacher was saying. She had long black hair, tied in the traditional Fire Nation top-knot, and shiny golden eyes. The color of her eyes was so beautiful, it seemed to reflect the sunlight. 

She's frowning, she's probably furious at her teacher. Iroh chuckled.

A boy, who looked like he came from a rich family, approached her and told her something. She glared at him, answered him something Iroh could not hear from where he was, and crushed his right foot before following her teacher to the Red Dragon Pavilion. Iroh laughed. 

What a funny girl! She's so short-tempered! She's in the Red Dragon Pavilion too. Maybe we'll meet. She brightened my day! he thought before following his own group.

A/N: That was Iroh's first day at school! I hope you enjoyed it!

Next time: First firebending lesson!

Credit for Young Iroh II picture: archibaldart on deviantart