Avatar: The Last Airbender Created By: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Avatar: The Last Airbender Owned By: Nickelodeon, a subsidiary of Viacom
All original content and characters © Acastus


Chapter LVI – All Glory Is Fleeting

The battle was over. The dead lay rotting in the sun over a battlefield that stretched a hundred leagues in every direction. Fires dotted the horizon, leaving trails of black smoke that filled the air with ash and soot. They would burn for days.

Firestorm came to a halt where she had been parked not two days before when the last enemy attack had driven them from Tien Shin's camp. His tent still stood, though obviously damaged and was now flanked by the tents flying the banners of General Shu.

Tien Shin, Tojo and Gan exited the main hatch of the leviathan. The former accountant made for General Shu's tent while the elder prince and his subordinate began to draw off in the direction of his broken command center.

"My father will expect you," Gan observed coolly.

"I will pay my respects, Captain," Tien Shin replied in his most calculating tone, "when I am finished seeing to my own affairs."

Refusing the courtesy of a salute, Gan continued on to the bright red tent bearing the familiar crest of his family.

"Is that wise, your Highness?" Tojo questioned as they approached their destination, "Why antagonize General Shu?"

"I'm not," Tien Shin replied with a tinge of annoyance, "I need to find something, then I will debrief with General Shu. Go to him now and tell him I will come shortly."

Tojo saluted and withdrew.

The elder prince opened the blackened flap of the tent and entered. There was the campaign desk where they had left it, tipped over with the ground covered in papers, maps and scrolls. The crates and supplies lay strewn about. Surprisingly none appeared to have been looted, but much had been smashed or broken.

A man sat by the remains of the desk reading a scroll. He stood up and looked at Tien Shin with cool and unsympathetic eyes. The elder prince halted with a start.

"Prince Ozai," he greeted cautiously, "Your brother is fortunate indeed that you arrived in time to secure his victory."

The younger son of Azulon regarded his step brother for a moment before replying.

"Yes, Tien Shin, as a natural born son of Agni my brother is fortunate in many ways."

The implied insult was clear, but Tien Shin showed neither anger nor fear. Instead the elder prince scanned the area around the desk, his eyes quickly cataloging its membership. Many things were missing. He looked to what Ozai was holding.

"What do you have in your hand?" he asked in a neutral tone.

"Just a casualty list… why?" the young Prince replied innocently, dropping the scroll onto the desk in a careless gesture, "Are you missing something?"

"No," Tien Shin responded a trifle too quickly, "I don't think so."

"You know, you really should take better care of your headquarters," Ozai lectured, "All these important documents… who knows what might happen to them… could be destroyed… or fall into the wrong hands."

"I'll remember that."

The two men eyed each other, the tension and hidden animosity palpable between them. Both of a kind, each knew that on their present courses they would one day face each other.

Just as the moment seemed to stretch beyond the breaking point, the tent flap snapped open and two figures entered.

"There they are!"

General Shu was built much more broadly than his second son who followed behind him. He approached the two princes with confidence that far surpassed even the most respected members of the War College. As a lord of one the great Houses this was expected.

"You both have a lot to catch up on, no doubt! I don't think you've seen each other since… oh, the summer solstice two years ago?"

"Yes, General," Tien Shin confirmed, though neither he nor Ozai broke their staring contest.

"We kept your headquarters just as we found it, Highness," General Shu assured him, "Hit by artillery, but apparently overlooked by the enemy or…" then with a satisfied laugh, "they all got killed before they had time to loot it!"

Tien Shin turned to face father and son.

"Congratulations are in order, General," the elder prince offered in a neutral tone, "The Army of the Song's timely arrival is responsible for this signal victory."

"Yes, looks like we arrived just in time. We broke our siege and headed up here as soon as we received Governor T'zan's message."

"Siege?" Tien Shin inquired in surprise, his eyebrows disappearing under his clipped bangs.

"We've spent six months in front of Omashu," Ozai supplied.

Tien Shin folded his arms, his eyes narrowing.

"That's almost a thousand leagues away, when did you receive the message?"

Ozai and his superior shared a quick glance.

"Almost six weeks ago," Gan's father finally answered with a shrug, "maybe two months even? Is it important?"

Tien Shin cast a quick glance at Gan who remained impassive.

"Not at all," he replied with a dismissive wave, "Your victory is what is important. The Fire Lord will be pleased."

"I beg to differ, daimyo," the elder Shu contradicted, "This victory is General Iroh's. His leadership and the fortitude of your soldiers prevailed. Nifong is gone and with him the Earth Kingdom's last hope to stave off defeat."

Tien Shin stiffened slightly at the inaccurate use of his former title. Of course General Shu wouldn't know.

"His Highness is no longer daimyo of the Army of the Great Divide, sir," Gan injected smoothly, "he was presumed dead after the disaster at Lake Myojin and a replacement was appointed."

"Illegally," Tien Shin stated matter of factly – of course Gan would offer the correction, "a decision I will take up with the Fire Lord upon our return."

General Shu took the news in stride. Such things happened on the battlefield.

"Oh, who is daimyo then?" Ozai inquired.

Now it was Tien Shin's turn to prosecute, a role he always relished no matter the occasion.

"A commoner of no importance or ability, Prince Ozai, such was the magnitude of the defeat at Myojin that your brother had to turn to such low born creatures for help."

Gan's jaw set and his expression glowered.

"Father, his Highness is mistaken," Gan corrected sharply, "This victory is as much daimyo Orlando's as it is General Iroh's. It was he who delayed General Nifong's advance long enough for you and Prince Ozai to arrive."

The general's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Remarkable," the elder Shu observed, "Where is he?"

The former accountant cast his eyes to the earth.

"He died in honorable combat."

Recognition and compassion alighted on the older man's face.

"I see," he said sympathetically, "This was your friend wasn't it? Master Chen's student?"

Tien Shin smirked as Gan nodded.

"A shame. We have need of such men."

"I don't agree, General," Tien Shin replied, "but it's not important."

Ozai cocked his head slightly to one side.

"Hmmm… why didn't you assume command?"

The smirk vanished from the elder prince's face as he turned back to Ozai, replaced by anger and shame.

"Your brother illegally seized control of the army while I led the survivors back from the disaster your cousin created! He refused to accept your father's orders naming me as Xian's successor!"

Ozai's eyebrows rose at this.

"A serious charge, your Highness," General Shu observed quietly.

"General Xian left written orders appointing Iroh to succeed him in the event he was killed or incapacitated," Gan explained rapidly, "There is absolutely no –"

"Xian's orders," the elder prince interrupted, "even if authentic, do not take precedence over the command of the Fire Lord!"

"What, are you going to have Iroh arrested?" the dreadnought captain scoffed, "For winning a massive victory? Is that really your plan?"

"That is the Fire Lord's decision, Gan, I at least know my place."

"Oh, it is my father's decision, Tien Shin," Ozai injected in a knowing voice, "and I am sure your mother will be pleased to understand you have learned your place. The Fire Lord's orders, if I recall, were to destroy the enemy. My brother did exactly that. I'm surprised you would try to argue with success."

Ozai smiled threateningly, nodded once to his superior officer and exited the tent. Gan, not wanting to spend another moment with the Tien Shin, turned to his father to ask for dismissal.

"I must return to General Iroh."

"Of course, my son, I will come soon to pay my respects to his Highness and Governor T'zan."

Gan bowed. His father stepped forward and hugged his son.

"I'm proud of you, Captain. You have brought honor to our House and to the Fire Nation."

Surprised, Gan nevertheless hugged him back. They released each other. Gan saluted, a gesture his father returned, and departed.


Victory was supposed to be sweet, an event to be savored, glorified and remembered. As a child Iroh had fantasized endlessly of fighting huge battles for the Fire Nation, of winning the war his grandfather had started and his father had prosecuted with such success.

How different the actual experienced had proved. The fires had burned out long since, but the battlefield of Mequon would bear the scars of the slaughter for a hundred years. Iroh had toured the steppe with Rhiannon in the weeks since the fighting ended and had seen the destruction first hand. Yes, the victory was complete, but the cost had been higher than Iroh ever thought possible.

Nifong was dead, but there was no celebration. His body had been recovered and, at Iroh's orders, buried according to Earth Kingdom custom under a granite monolith where he fell. He knew Xian would have done the same and in this small way he wanted to honor his cousin's memory.

Iroh sat in his curule chair surrounded by his friends. A black scroll tube lay on the table beside him. There was no laughter or mirth. Each was lost in their own gloomy prisons of the mind.

"Well, this was to be expected," Rhiannon offered after Iroh had read it to them.

"Yes," Iroh agreed quietly.

"Do we come with you?" Gan piped in.

"Yes."

"What about me?" the governor asked in a tense voice.

"No mention of you, Rae, so it's probably best if you stay… for your own sake if not for the province's. We'll just hope another black scroll doesn't show up for you."

Rhiannon considered this briefly, then visibly relaxed, nodded and looked down at her hands.

"May I have permission to remain as well, General?"

Iroh looked up with a jerk to face the source of the unexpected question.

"Why, Chieng? Why… would you want to stay?"

The hurt in his voice was well masked, but nevertheless did not escape notice.

"The fortifications of Mequon must be rebuilt and the tank trains need complete overhauls."

Iroh shook his head.

"Others can candle those tasks. You must return to the capital and accept credit for your accomplishments."

Chieng fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable.

"But –"

"Forget it, Chieng," Gan butted in, "If we're going, you're going."

The slight engineer drew breath to object once again, but was cut off.

"Iroh may need your help back home, Commander," Rhiannon offered laconically.

All eyes refocused instantly on the governor.

"What do you mean?" the engineer queried in a low voice.

"I just think… I think Tien Shin may yet prove a problem."

"The Fire Lord would never betray his first born son," Chieng scoffed, but worry showed in her eyes, "The idea is preposterous."

"Betray?" Rhiannon answered, "No, but based on what Gan said earlier about Tien Shin questioning the timing of my message to Gan's father… I'm worried."

No one offered a reply. Rhiannon wrung her hands.

Chieng had been initiated into Rhiannon's secret after Gan had barged in that day to recount the conversation in question. Had the raven haired engineer been left unaware of the exotic governor's talents she would have dismissed such concerns. After few moments to consider the governor's words, however, she reconsidered.

"I withdraw the request."

Satisfied, Iroh turned to the captain of the Inferno.

"What about the other communication?"

Gan handed him the scroll tube he had been holding in his hand. It was already open. Gan had read it, but despite its tidings found no enjoyment.

The young general looked down impassively at the scroll tube in his hands. He recognized its' provenance instantly. Anyone from the Fire Nation capital would. The cheap, papery covering and the balsa wood stopper revealed it as a copy of one of the daily news rags that was sold in every marketplace each morning for a copper.

"It came with the order from your Father to return home," Gan supplied in a subdued tone.

Iroh handed it back.

"Read it to me then… I can't. I just… can't."

Gan eyes brimmed once again, but he held back the tears. He removed the scroll and read it aloud.

VICTORY AT MEQUON!

Fire, the Superior Element, has triumphed! The capital has just received word from Imperial Governor T'zan that Crown Prince Iroh, having taken absolute command of the Army of the Great Divide after the disaster at Lake Myojin, has inflicted a crushing defeat against the enemy outside the mighty fortress of Mequon.

In a feat unrivalled in history, General Iroh led his army across the dreaded Dune Sea and surprised the Earth Kingdom's vaunted General Nifong on the steppe lands east of Mequon. Over four days of fighting, the Army of the Great Divide, joined by General Shu, Prince Ozai and the mighty Army of Song, inflicted over 90,000 casualties against the enemy. All reports indicate that the Army of the Granite Mountains, smashed between the two Fire Nation armies, has been totally destroyed and that General Nifong himself is believed to have perished during the battle.

The people of the Fire Nation promptly broke out in spontaneous celebration at the news of the victory, many crying out in joy that our Nation's humiliation at the cursed lake had been justly avenged by the most noble Prince.

The capital was instantly awash in rumors that a triumph would be awarded General Iroh for this glorious victory. The last triumph was celebrated sixteen seasons ago by Field Marsh Jeong Jeong for his victory at the Battle of Shi'Lo. The suspense, however, did not last long. This morning the War College decreed a triumph for General Iroh, and the Fire Lord, rejoicing in the honor won by a most pious and faithful son, has fixed the day of the celebration…"

"That's enough," Iroh commanded.

Gan put a hand on his friend's shoulder and Iroh accepted it. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to hold back the tears that threatened to unman him once again.

"They aren't even mentioned. They risked their lives and lost… we wouldn't be here if it weren't for them… their names aren't even spoken…is honest defeat against a skilled and noble enemy so shameful? Is dying for the Fire Lord such a crime that one's name should be expunged from history? I can't… I can't bear this."

Chieng knelt before him and took his hands in hers. He looked into her golden eyes, filled with sorrow.

"Accept this, my lord, please… celebrate their lives," she pleaded, "Prince Xian and bless him, that fool Nikon, earned it. The thousands of our comrades who shared their fate earned it. Remember that young man who saved your life at Nomura?"

Iroh felt a wave of shame. He had completely forgotten that young man, almost a child, who had sacrificed his life for him during the surprise attack on his headquarters so long ago. Chieng had almost dismissed his sacrifice then, but she had remembered it and he had not.

He squeezed her hands and nodded.

"Yes, that child earned it," she confirmed, turning unexpectedly to an urgent and formal mode of address, "All glory is fleeting, my lord, but we may give thanks to Agni that the sacrifices of the fallen weren't wholly in vain. Let us remember them and be happy that we could share our lives with them for the time that we did. Isn't that a blessing worth celebrating?"

She let the question hang for a moment while she searched his eyes.

"You have won a tremendous victory for the Fire Nation," she continued, "Stand tall and proud in your chariot during your triumph, General, for it has been nobly won."

Tears ran down his cheeks. He could not stop them. Nodding once he raised her hands to his lips and kissed them. She was wonderful and he loved her.

The shrunken circle of friends broke to prepare for the long journey back to the Fire Nation.


Soft rains had come to Mequon. Transports of every conceivable kind choked the Yangtze in preparation to transport the Army of the Great Divide to Yu Dao where they would transfer to the great naval vessels for the journey home.

Iroh and Rhiannon stood on the dock.

"I should come with you."

"No," he disagreed with a shake of his head, "You are better off here."

She wrung her hands.

"Protecting you is more important than avoiding him!"

"You don't know that you can protect me, Rae," he protested, "No matter what we do we'll be wrong, so whatever is going to happen to me I want to at least know you're safe!"

"I'm such a coward! I hate it!" she cried, burying her face in her hands.

He caught her in a crushing bear hug.

"Stop it! Stop it now!" he commanded, "I won't let you run yourself down like this! You aren't a coward! You and Xian taught me how to be brave, don't you remember?"

"That was long ago."

"Yes, but it's true!" he whispered urgently into her ear, "Just as true that your gift, as much as you hate it – for good reason, I know – saved not only your colony but the entire Fire Nation! The Army of the Song would never have arrived in time otherwise! You kept your head and led the army to victory when I ran off in madness! You are good and brave, and I will protect you! As you have protected me!"

"Yes, you will," she agreed, "though you will pay a price."

"Gladly will I pay," he vowed, his voice thick.

They released each other.

Iroh boarded the transport and the crew rapidly untied the moorings. The boat slid out of its berth and gathered speed as it moved into the current. Neither said goodbye nor lifted a hand in farewell. They had already lost more than they could bear. Each watched the other as they grew smaller in the other's eye, only to finally disappear beyond the horizon.