CHAPTER 4-THE LOST PRINCE

Clearly I did not think this through, Iroh thought to himself. He was stuck on a beach with no way of getting off the island. For a while he debated on trying to make a flame high enough to attract attention, but he could not see any form of vessel for miles. Iroh decided to walk along the beach to see if there was any other form of civilization, or transportation. With no luck, Iroh decided to make camp on the edge of the jungle and the beach.

As he laid awake, his thoughts wondered to what occurred with the dragons. Iroh was positive he saw someone there, but that would be impossible. Who could have just shown up like that? He was also sure that the dragons did not find him worthy, and he was going to suffer the consequences if not for this mysterious person. He was left wondering, what had made him such a bad person which would make the dragons deem him unworthy of learning the true meaning of firebending.

Just as this thought crossed Iroh's mind, the same cold fog appeared as it did before. "Iroh, you are not a bad person. You are just lost and confused on your path to destiny," said a deep wise voice out of the fog.

Once the figure came into clear, it was no surprise to Iroh that he recognized the figure earlier. "Avatar Roku?" The tall skinny man stood in front of Iroh, with long and white hair and beard. Avatar Roku looked aged, but wise.

"The dragons were going to deem you unworthy for who you are today, but Iroh, I know you are destined for greatest. I made sure the dragons would teach you this lesson. You play a crucial role in the future of the world, and this event was the impetus."

"Roku, what do you know?" asked Iroh, eager to know more.

"Young prince, you are so very lost on your journey to find your destiny. Now is not the time for me to lay it out for you. I am here for some advice, there will be a ship passing by this coast, shortly after daybreak. If you swim out far enough, they will take you aboard their ship. I wish you luck."

Before Iroh could say anymore, Roku was gone. A night of restless sleep left Iroh unprepared for the long swim he had in front of him. Shortly after daybreak, Iroh swam out as far as he could, until an Earth Kingdom vessel saw him and brought him aboard.

Out of breath and drenched, Iroh realized he was aboard a refugee vessel. The vessel was crowded with Earth Kingdom civilians trying to escape the war knocking on their front doors.

"Here are some new clothes if you want them" a man close to Iroh in age with crazy brown hair and eyes says as he hands a set of green earthkingdom clothes to Iroh.

"Thank you. Where is this vessel heading?" Iroh asked.

"We are going back to Omashu. I have been doing trips between other Earth Kingdom cities and Omashu for a long time now to help get people to safety." The young man crackled a laugh, a very distinct laugh. "The name is Bumi. Yours?"

"Iroh" he said without thinking about it twice. After he realized what he said, regret struck.

"Ooooo. So you're the lost prince? Fire Nation is looking all over for ya. So why did you run away?!" Bumi asks while invading Iroh's personal space.

Iroh avoids the question, but Bumi does not seem bothered.

"Well, I am not sure where you are going, but you are welcome to stay in my home."

Shocked, Iroh responded "thank you."

The next few days aboard the vessel, Iroh kept to himself, still deep in thought. What did I run away from? I claim to be here trying to embrace my destiny, or is that what I am running from-the fate that is waiting for me when I get home? Maybe the nickname of the lost prince is suiting, not only am I physically lost, but lost on my journey.

"We should be arriving soon. There will be a bit of hike once we arrive to the shore," Bumi informed Iroh.

The hike was not difficult. Omashu was hidden amongst a tan mountain landscape. The path was a narrow, long, and winding road which eventually leads to the huge city of Omashu. Grand in size, Iroh found himself in amazement with every new place he visited. It had houses, buildings, mail systems, which all looked carved into the mountain. In order to get into the city of Omashu, earthbenders needed to open the over 30 feet tall wall which surrounded the city.

"Follow me. I will take you to where you are going to stay."

Iroh got himself comfortable in the spare bedroom of Bumi's home. It was incredibly small in comparison to the palace, but Iroh was not going to complain. There was something about his home that felt more welcoming and inviting than the palace ever did.

Months passed and Bumi and Iroh eventually became friends. Iroh found great pleasure in watching Bumi practice his earthbending. Bumi told Iroh that the secret to earthbemding is not that different from the secret of life.

"The secret is to wait and listen. Many people do not wait, so they get sloppy and do not plan ahead. If you wait for your opponent to attack, destiny to cross you path, and listen to what is going on, you can never go wrong, and you will never get lost." Bumi informed Iroh.

"Bumi?" Iroh asked. "Would you like to accompany me as I continue to travel? I feel like I have learned everything here, but I am still" Iroh paused "lost."

"I am meant to stay here. I am waiting to be called somewhere else, and this is not it. My dear friend, I wish you the best of luck with your travels. I can make sure you make it to where your journey has intended."

He shook his head, "I think I can fare on my own. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. I hope that one day we will see each other again."

Bumi cackled, "I know that we will."

Iroh said his goodbyes to Omashu, and packed up his things. As soon as he left the city walls, he was faced with a decision of which direction to travel. However, before he could make any form of decision, an older man approached him.

"I feel that your destiny and mine are intertwined. Thus, you are coming with me." The man gestured to his right.

Iroh examined the man, waited and listened, and agreed to follow this man on his journey. Both men set off on foot towards their destinies.