I should stop writing new fics, or else I will never finish my other fics. But I love Lu Ten, and think he deserves some respect. Another crazy What-if!fic by me. Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: Why do I even bother...?
Chapter One: Soldier Boy
His presence was once revered, the future prospect of him ruling over such a vast army and land. The military would be in his hands, an empire in his reach and war would be on his mind.
Prince Lu Ten, son of the great Dragon of the West, the once future Fire Lord after Iroh resigned or died. He was no bloodthirtsy, insane leader like Fire Lord Azulon. He was a great stragetist, a clever man and knew how to make a mean tea.
Iroh had done well raising his pride and joy, his little soldier boy who always came marching home. Until that one day when Lu Ten did not come marching home.
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Iroh's wrists hurt and became calloused, the shackles were firebending-proof and were rough. His own niece, Princess Azula, had him locked up in the dungeons. He was all alone in his small, bleak cell, being watched over by ten Dai Li. He hung his head, in deep thought and exhaled softly.
His own nephew, the exiled Prince Zuko, had made his choice. He still loved Zuko as a son, even if he was mislead.
Iroh felt some shame, old shame that he had pushed aside for so long. Years worth of guilt.
If Lu Ten, his treasured son…hadn't…well…died.
Iroh knew his son died proudly, but after his death, he himself faltered. The Siege of Ba Sing Se was discontinued. He had to do it.
It was his own son who died.
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"Lu Ten!" yelled a short woman, her black-brown hair in a long braid, stood on the tip or her toes to look for her love.
A taller man, his brown hair in a regal bun, his beard combed and looking proud and valiant in his scarlet and black aromor, his helmet in his hands, approached the young woman, her eyes filled with anxiety.
"Lu Ten...please..."
"Tsuchiko...I'm sorry. This relationship we have...my army could kill you," Lu Ten spoke solemnly, not shedding a tear or showing weakness.
Tsuchiko bit her lip, tears welling up in her sad green eyes and collapsed to her knees, she could barely stand.
"Lu Ten, please...I love you!" she weeped, but to no avail.
Tsuchiko, on her knees, looked up to see her beloved in his war armor. Lu Ten closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, what his father had taught him to do before a big speech.
"Tsuchiko...even if we are successful with Ba Sing Se...I could never be with you. The Fire Nation would cause an uproar. I love you...but I am expected to run the Fire Nation one day. I must let you go. It must be done," he explained to the crying woman.
Tsuchiko sniffled and covered her face in her hands, still crying.
"...I...don't care! Even if you are the Earth Kingdom's sworn enemy, even if you are part of this damned war..." Tsuchiko whispered, through her crying.
Lu Ten exhaled slowly and bent down to Tsuchiko and gave her one last kiss, then standing back up and slipping on his helmet, which covered his face. The design made his head look like a skull, which slightly frightened Tsuchiko.
She touched her lips where Lu Ten had kissed her as she watched her beloved walk away from her on the hilltop.
"I'm sorry," whispered Lu Ten, when he was far away from the woman filled with sorrow.
Tsuchiko hung her head in guilt. She didn't mention it to him and didn't want him to know about it.
She was carrying his child.
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Iroh missed his son very much. Lu Ten had no children, no one that was his kin and even if he did...things would be different for the Royal Family of the Fire Nation.
Iroh sadly shook his head. There was no way Lu Ten had any children. He would have needed to be married first, and even then, to find a suitable woman to marry. Only the finest for a prince. It would be impossible for Lu Ten to have had a relationship. He would've known.
He started to snooze, dreaming about his little soldier boy.
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