I sit at my desk alone in my tent as I look down at a picture of my son - Lu Ten. It's been six-hundred days since the siege of Ba Sing Se had begun and my men are beginning to tire out from the battle. However, we have made good progress. The outer wall has fallen and we are closing in on the lower ring of the fortified Earth Kingdom capital.

All my life I've dreamed of this day - the day when the most important city in the Earth Kingdom will fall and the Fire Nation will successfully control the world. Well, most of it at least. There is still that Northern Water Tribe to take care of. Though, I'm sure if we can take down Ba Sing Se, we can melt that pathetic tribe right off the map.

"General Iroh," Commander Wong says as he enters the tent. "We're all ready to go."

"Okay," I reply. I put down the photo of Lu Ten and pick up my sword instead.

I step outside to where the entire Fire Nation Army is waiting for my command to storm the lower ring of the city. I look over at my son who will be leading the firebenders on the front line. I've never been more proud of him before. Today, with my beloved son and best friend by my side, I will bring home to my father the one gift that I'm sure will make him proud of me - the Earth King's throne.

"Today, the glory of the Fire Nation will be known to all who live in the Earth Kingdom. Today, Ba Sing Se will fall!" I say to my men as I give the signal to move forward into the city.

Cannons sound and the inner wall begins to crumble. Earthbenders quickly deflect our attacks and haul stones at our tanks. We fight back with fire hot enough to melt their stones.

"Excellent job, men!" I say as we move in towards the wall. The fighting intensifies as we continue to push forward. We make good progress and the fighting continues on throughout the day. The sun begins to set and I alternate our front line so that those who have been fighting all day can get some rest.

We are so close that I will not relent until this city goes down in flames.

The firebenders from the front line begin to return as we gather around the campfire for dinner.

"Where is Lu Ten?" I ask Commander Wong when I see him return.

"He was right behind me, sir," he replies as he bows to greet me. "Should be here any minute."

"Okay," I reply as I assemble two plates of food, one for me and one for Lu Ten.

I sit at the head of the table and wait for my son to return before I start eating. But, he doesn't. Seconds turn into minutes but he never shows up.

"Commander, I thought you said Lu Ten was right behind you?" I ask after waiting nearly an entire hour for Lu Ten to return.

"He was," he replies. "I'll go-"

"General Iroh!" Sergeant Chan calls out to me as he runs up the hill. "General Iroh, your son... Lu Ten..."

"What is it?! Is Lu Ten alright?" I ask, fearing for the worse. I feel my heart start to beat intensely as I imagine what might have happened to my son. I watch as two guards carry Lu Ten up the hill behind the sergeant. "Lu Ten!" I call out to him as I run towards them.

He looks badly hurt. They take him into the medical-tent. I follow them inside and rush to my son's side.

"Son, are you alright?"

"Father," he says, struggling to speak.

"Son, please don't speak if it hurts too much. Save your energy, the doctor will be here any minute," I say as I try to calm him down. I can see that he has taken quite a blow to the chest.

"Father, please..." he continues.

"What is it son?" I ask as I take his hand. He's trembling now, which can't be a good sign. I lean forward to hear what he is trying to say.

"Please, stop this war," he whispers. He grasps my hand tightly.

"Son, don't worry about the war. Please, just save your energy," I tell him as the doctor enters the tent to examine his wounds.

"It looks bad, General," the doctor says.

"Okay, then do something about it!" I say as I feel Lu Ten's grip begin to weaken. I grasp his hand tighter.

"I'm sorry, General Iroh. The damage is too severe," he states.

"Do something!" I scream. Tears begin to flow down my face. I don't care what this doctor has to do, he can't just let my son die!

"There is nothing I can do," he continues calmly. "I'm sorry."

I look down at Lu Ten who is now completely still. His face as peaceful as the sunset on a clear day. I hold on to his hand as I feel myself begin collapse inside. Lu Ten, my only son and my best friend, is gone.

No, it can't be true! I won't allow it.

"Lu Ten, please. Please, wake up," I call to him.

No response.

"Please, son. I'm sorry," I say as I sit down beside him. "I'm so sorry."

I press my ear against his chest to check for his heartbeat but there is no sound. I press it harder.

"Lu Ten?"

Silence.

I sit there for who knows how long and stare at his motionless body in front of me.

I begin to cry as I think about the last conversation we had. Why did I have to argue with him yesterday? Why didn't I just let him say what he wanted to and actually listen to him for once? Why didn't I listen to him!?

If I were the Fire Lord, we wouldn't even have this war.

His words resonate in my heart as I continue to stare at my son's body. I can't believe I wasted the last thirty-minutes that I would ever have with my son arguing about the war! And yet, being the loyal son that he was, he still faithfully led the firebenders on the front line today.

"Lu Ten," I say to him, "I love you and I'm so proud of you, son. In all my life, and out of all the achievements and medals I've earned, you have been my greatest reward," I tell him though I know he can't hear me anymore. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I'm sorry that I lead you into a battle that you disagreed with. I'm sorry that I put you in charge of the front line where I knew the battle is the most intense. I'm sorry, Lu Ten. I'm so sor-"

"General," Commander Wong interrupts as he enters the tent. "The inner wall has fallen and we are ready to storm the lower ring."

"Call it off!" I scream.

"General, we've been fighting for the past six-hundred days for this moment. Are you su-"

"Are you deaf?! I said call it off!" I yell at him. I don't care if we've been fighting for six-hundred years! "Call it off!" I repeat myself as I firebend at him. The tent catches fire and Commander Wong runs outside to call off the attack. I pick up Lu Ten's body and step outside so that he doesn't get burned by the flames.

I place him gently on the ground, sit down next to him, and continue to apologize for being such a horrible father and leader.

Lu Ten, my only son and heir to the throne, is dead.