Iroh was sitting by the shore of the calm lake with crossed legs and closed eyes. His breaths were deep and controlled. His body as still as the water in front of him as the sun had slowly start to sink.
That was when foot steps approached from behind.
"So you came." Sounded the sophisticated voice.
Iroh was quiet for a short while as he looked up. "Am I correct to assume that you are Long Feng?" he asked.
There was quiet.
"Forgive me such an assumption." Iroh said. "You see. Long Feng is missing from his cell, and the Dai Li is no-where to be found. My nephew has now been kidnapped and held ransom. There are few people in this city who would have reason to do that…. Except." he said. "The man my nephew helped tearing down."
Again there was quiet.
"You are correct. I am Long Feng." The man replied and finally Iroh stood up and turned around to look at the taller man with his pitch black hair in a long braid. Long Feng frowned. "General Iroh. The Dragon of the West. You gave me a lot of head aches six years ago."
"My apologies." Iroh replied.
Long Feng frowned slightly. "I can't say this was quite what I was expecting." he admitted. "You are awfully short for a dragon are you not?"
Iroh couldn't help but chuckle. "That's funny." he said. Then though his smile turned serious. "Now. I would like to know. What have you done to my nephew and Ms Beifong?"
Long Feng shrugged. "I have no idea where either are. They are left in someone else's hands." he said. "Do not worry though." he took a stance. "You are soon to join them."
Iroh didn't take a stance instead he glanced around then back at Long Feng. "You must be quite the earth bender if you believe you can take me by yourself." he said.
"Oh no. I would never assume such a thing." Long Feng said just then the ocean opened up and a tunnel was revealed from it jumped several Dai Li and all ran in a circle now surrounding Iroh.
Iroh looked around himself. "Well that would certainly put me at a great disadvantage." he admitted. Still didn't take a stance though. "Can I ask you another question?"
Long Feng sighed deeply. "What?" he asked.
"Who let you out of your cell?" Iroh asked. "The former Dai Li were not allowed to enter the palace and there was no sign of earth bending. Of course both the cell and hall was made of metal. Designed specifically to contain earth benders. There must have been someone working with you within the palace walls. Would you mind terrible telling me who that might be?" he asked.
Long Feng smirked amused. "I'm quite sure you will see for yourself soon enough." he said.
Iroh sighed deeply as he pulled out a bottle from his robe pulling out the cork. "Well. It was a long shot." he admitted. "The man who managed to shadow govern Ba Sing Se for twenty years wouldn't be stupid." he said. "And even managed to keep the siege a secret from the higher elite of the city. Now that." Iroh commented. "Is impressive." he said and then took a swig of his bottle.
"I thank you for the acknowledgement." Long Feng said. "Now… Do come along." he asked as the Dai Li standing in a circle around Iroh was all in stances.
"You said I seemed a bit short to be a dragon." Iroh then commented. "Have you ever considered… It isn't the seize?" he asked taking a second swig and dropped the bottle on the ground. The next second he made Katas and the Dai Li gasped and suddenly and amazing pyre of fire came from Irohs mouth as he swirled around in a circle forcing the Dai-Li to fall down to the ground, raise a shield from the earth or be blown back by the sheer power and then Iroh ran.
"GET HIM!" Long Feng demanded and the Dai-Li got on their feed as they ran. Long Feng following as well.
They followed the old Fire nation General as he ran close to the lake shore. They soon caught up though as Iroh was indeed short… and clearly carried just a few pounds to many.
Just as a boulder came flying Iroh dodged and rolled out into the water which proved itself to be surprisingly shallow… It wasn't supposed to be so shallow! And Iroh stood a decent way out in the water, though the water only went to his ankles then he closed his eyes.
"The great issue with fire." Iroh breathed as he closed his eyes. "You need to be careful not to burn down your surroundings. Which makes the areas suited for true fire bending few and rare." he said. "A shallow lake though… Is perfect." and he raised his hands creating a wall of fire and pushed it back.
"ATTACK FROM A DISTANCE!" Long Feng shouted and the Dai Li raised boulders and threw them at Iroh.
Iroh was standing with closed eyes, he seemed to almost be in a trance and ten he moved. Slashed with his hands and the fire was like an extension of the man himself. Each with precision hitting a boulder and breaking it.
"Keep going! He can't keep it up forever." Long Feng said. "He looses his footing ones and it is over. He has nowhere to run!"
Then suddenly a few Dai-Li screamed in surprise as the earth beneath then opened and grabbed their feet.
Long Feng twirled around and his eyes widened. "You?!"
And General How stepped out from his hiding spot with raised hands. Next to him stood Zhau-Li and a ten royal guards. And then even more seemed to be coming from the distance.
Iroh smiled from his spot where he stood. "You didn't think I would actually come alone did you?" he asked. "Then you would just take me prisoner as well and you would have two prisoners while we would have nothing."
Long Feng fumed as he looked at How. "You are working with the Dragon of the West!" he reminded the General. "The one who laid siege to our beloved city and caused the death of many of your soldiers."
"That battle is over." General How said. "I work with who-ever helps protecting the king!"
"I have protected the king!" Long Feng huffed. "For over twenty years I catered to his every whim."
"Raising a child is more than that." Iroh said and Long Feng huffed to them. "Ultimately a parents job is to make sure… That one day that child wont need you any more."
Long Feng fumed.
"I have spend an evening in his majesties presence. I served him tea." Iroh said in a sad voice. "I hope you know how heart broken he was." he said. "He trusted you with his entire being. You failed the most sacred duty ever granted to you. It is a sad thing indeed."
Long Feng was standing still then lifted his hand. "Attack!"
How shouted the same command and soon the battle commenced.
The Dai-Li were outnumbered by the royal guards though and Iroh jumped in to take Long Feng in a one against one battle.
Finally Long Feng was on his knees with Iroh holding his arms in a tight grip. "STAND DOWN OR I WILL BREAK HIS ARM!" he shouted. "The right one first and then the left."
The Dai Li who were still standing glanced at each other then finally stood down.
General How smirked. There was the General Iroh he remembered.
Long Feng sat with bowed head, then suddenly he chuckled amused.
"Tell me." Iroh asked in a calm voice. "What exactly is it you find so amusing?" he asked.
"Over half of the royal guard must be here." Long Feng commented. "Who is protecting the King?"
"You do not need to worry about that." How said. "The Kyoshi warriors were more than happy to offer their services. As they are outsiders we are sure that they have not been infiltrated by the Dai Li."
At that Long Feng laughed out loud and Irohs eyes widened.
"General Iroh. You asked who had let me out of my cell." Long Feng smirked. "Well… General How just answered you."
Iroh gasped as he meet How's eyes who looked just as shocked.
"You're bluffing!" General How exclaimed. "We already know you are a master of lies!"
"Am I?" Long Feng asked. "Are you willing to run that risk?"
How hissed. "If we split up now we wont be enough people to contain this number of Dai Li."
"One of us must go." Iroh said. "We are the strongest benders here. The other must stay and keep Long Feng in line."
How smirked. "The world truly can be an ironic place can't it?" he asked. "If I go myself, I would leave command of my men to you. If you go I will be leaving my kings life in your hands."
"I leave the decision to you." Iroh said.
How looked at Iroh then nodded his head. "Go." he said. "An earth bender is needed to contain Long Feng."
Iroh nodded as he stood up taking Long Feng with him as he kept Long Fengs arms twisted on his back. Then handed him over to How.
He nodded his respect and then turned to walk. "Zhau-Li. You're with me." he shortly said.
"Yes sir!" Zhau-Li exclaimed as he ran after Iroh.
Iroh was walking in strides this time, fast steps. "Zhau-Li you have training in the fire nation army do you not?" he asked.
"Yes sir." Zhau-Li said.
"So you know how it works. A soldier is never to question the command of a General. His duty is to carry out his task. No matter what." Iroh said.
Zhau-Li halted.
"That means." Iroh said. "That if it comes down to it and I tell you to run. You will run! That would be an order. And you will run ones that order is given." he stated. "You will swear this to me now or you shall not be allowed to come."
Zhau-Li halted and then he nodded. "I swear. General Iroh." he said.
"Good. Remember your promise." Iroh said and Zhau-Li nodded as he swallowed. What was going on?!