Iroh

If my courier had come up to me, 10 years ago, telling me I would be sending my own son into the heart of a war to near certain death, I would have had him exiled, maybe killed even. Most knew me as a temperate man, but there were some things I wouldn't tolerate. Then again, I was younger 10 years ago. Angrier, more ambitious. In the last 10 years, I'd lost many of my old desires. I'd lost my desire to slay the last of the Dragons. I'd lost my desire to trump my brother at every moment. I'd lost many things, but there was one desire I held above all: To see my son live in a world free of war and conflict. I'd failed that for the last 20 years, but now, maybe, I could do good on that promise I made to myself all those years ago. Right below that, and somewhat connected to that desire, was to bring down Ba Sing Se. A goal of mine even before Lu Ten was born. The supposed impregnable city. It was my goal to do what couldn't be done, and here I was. Today was it. Today. I put all on the line. My men, my career, my son, all for the possibility of a better future.

At that moment, the boy, no, the man himself came in. There were days, as a father, that you looked at your son and wondered where the years had gone. Today was one of those days. He, in his red, black, and gold armor, ready to put his life on the line for a war that should have ended decades before his birth, yet here he was, ready to end it for good. I was proud of him and scared for him at the same time. Proud for the adult he had grown into. Kind, sympathetic, brave, determined, and good. Good most of all. I was more eager for his reign as Fire Lord than I was for mine own. Maybe I would abdicate early for the chance to see him sit that throne. I knew he would be far better at it than I would ever be, and he would lead the Fire Nation to prosperity. Why delay it by wasting time on my reign when he would be so better suited?

No. Now's not the time to focus on the future. That future is determined by what happens today. That's where I need my mind to be. On the present. "Are your men ready?"

"They are sir. Are you sure about this?"

"I am. It's no small task giving you command of the Host, but don't let it get to your head." I smiled. "It's only for today. Once the day is won and the wall is breached. I expect you to hand the host right back to me."

"Of course, father, but, 5,000 men. All under my command?"

"Not all under your command. You have your commanders and captains, but yes. You'll be above them all today.

"Once again. Are you really sure about this?"

"I am. I know you are ready, and I want you at my side. I trust none of my commanders more than I do you. I need you to see what I miss and fix what I get wrong."

"Then I should have a pretty easy job."

I chuckled. "You put too much faith in me."

"For good reason, father. Look how far you got us. We're here. The siege is today and we're going to win. I know it. The men do too. They believe in you. They know you won't let us down."

"We're only half of this operation. The 5th Corps has their own job as well."

"Would you like me to go there, instead? Reinforce their lines with the Crimson Battalion. They could use the backup."

"No. If all goes to plan. We should create a big enough diversion and lure their troops all to our position. We must hold out and create time for the 5th Corps to breach or scale the walls. Once that's done and the enemy is busy fighting the infiltrators, we should be able to scale the walls and finish this."

"Assuming their do as they're told."

"Assuming they do as they're told." I echoed. I trusted Zahckrael as far as I could throw him, but he would go where glory called for him. Being able to be the first to breach the walls and pave the way for our host to move in, he wouldn't turn that down. "He'll do as he's bid. It's in his best interest to do so."

"Hopefully so. The army's no different than one of our tanks. If one screw is loose, the entire machine is doomed."

"You've learned well. You will make a fine leader of men in your future. I can see that."

"So long as my place is on the battlefield with my men, I'll never stop fighting for those that look up to me."

Yes. He'll make for one of the greatest rulers the Fire Nation has ever seen.

"I'm glad to hear that. Then rally your men. We march in 5 minutes."

He smiled, nodded, and placed his helmet over his head, a beautiful helm of red and black paint overlaid in a gold dragon. The helm of a leader of men. "I'll see you on the battlefield, father." And with that final comment, he left the tent and set off towards a father's worst nightmare.