A/N: Thank you everyone for sticking with it until the end. I enjoyed writing about one of the most loved characters of ATLA series. Thank you again.

CHAPTER 8-THE AFTERMATH

"Iroh, I told you rough times were ahead. I just hoped you would not take it this harshly" a voice responded that was oddly familiar.

When Iroh looked around to see where the voice was coming from, his surroundings made no sense. The landscape, creatures, smells, and sounds were all unusual. The overall color was brown and gray and by the time he made it full circle, he discovered the source of the voice.

"Roku?! Where am I?" Iroh asked.

"You are in the Spirit World. You resorted back to your old ways Iroh. You are supposed to be a beacon for the future of the Fire Nation."

"I just lost my wife! And you are telling me that I am not doing a good enough job keeping it together!? Am I not allowed to grieve?!" Iroh was upset with Roku.

"Iroh, I understand your loss. You are feeling unbelievable pain and loss. I did not bring you here to talk about what has happened; I brought you here to talk about what is to come."

Iroh was disinterested, but Roku started walking and continued talking.

"Despite what people believe, the Avatar is not dead. He is frozen, and held in suspension until he is needed. He will bring balance back to the world, but not for many years."

"Your destiny is to use what you were taught; you need to wait and listen."

The scenery changed. It was a picture of a large stronghold. It had Earth Kingdom flags hanging from its outer wall. Iroh recognized it as Ba Sing Se: the capital of the Earth Kingdom. There he saw himself, older, taking over Ba Sing Se.

"This is your destiny, but remember, destiny has a funny way of working out. I need you to remember how far you have come, and what I have told you today. Iroh, unfortunately your life will not be an easy one. You will struggle and have turmoil, but please hold on."

"Roku! Why me?! Why could this not be someone else!? Iroh asked upset at all Roku had told him.

"It needs to be someone who is an idealist with a pure heart, and unquestionable honor. It has to be you Iroh. I do not think I will be seeing you again Iroh." With the end of his phrase, Roku vanished, and Iroh was back in the palace.

Iroh broke down, and realized it had been hours dince he saw his son. He went back to his son, with tears strolling down his face. The servants removed Hana's body and were taking care of Lu Ten. Iroh picked up Lu Ten, and held him in his arms. "I am so sorry I left you my son. I will never leave you again." The tears continued to roll down his face. "I am going to love you enough for the both of us. I am so sorry you did not meet your mother. She is going to watch over you, my son."

He sat in a rocking chair and began to rock Lu Ten to sleep. "Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy come marching home. Brave soldier boy comes marching home. " Lu Ten and Iroh fell asleep in the rocking chair.

Iroh is running up a hill, with young Lu Ten following him. Both with huge smiles on their faces, laughter hung in the air. It has been six years since Hana's passing, but Iroh had never gone back to that dark place. His son Lu Ten meant everything to him. Iroh spent as much time with his son as possible. However, the war was becoming more and more demanding.

As Iroh made it to the top of the hill, Lu Ten positioned himself into a firebending stance and sent a fake fireblast towards his father.

"I got you, Dad" Lu Ten said, giggling the whole time. Iroh fell down in dramatic pain caused by the imaginary fireblast. Lu Ten jumped on Iroh's stomach and the two of them laughed together.

"I love you, Dad."

Iroh smiled, "I love you too my son. Your mother loves you too." The two spent time playing on top of the hill. The servants backed Lu Ten and Iroh a picnic lunch, which they enjoyed on top of the hill.

"Dad? Why are you and Uncle Ozai so different?" Lu Ten asked his father.

"What do you mean?"

"You smile, and like to have fun. Uncle Ozai is always serious. Even with his new wife around. Did you smile when Mom was still alive?"

Iroh's eyes started to tear up as he looked as his son. He grabbed Lu Ten and put him on his lap. "Lu Ten, your mother and I were very much in love. We would smile all the time when we were together. I know she wishes that she was here. As for your uncle; when I was a young man I was not much different from your uncle. Your mother turned me down for a date, and I went and traveled the world. I learned that the four nations are not separate, but rather parts of a whole. That is the difference between us. The understanding the balance of nature, and having true love."

Lu Ten looked confused, but nuzzled against his father. Just then, they were interrupted.

"Sir, the Firelord wants you to come to the war room, immediately." A servant told Iroh.

Iroh looked afraid. "Lu Ten, can you please stay here and finish you food with Yogoda? I need to go to see Grandpa Azulon."

"Dad! Don't go!" Lu Ten said in protest.

"Please, I will be back soon."

Iroh quickly left his son and the servant alone and headed back to the palace.

"Lu Ten, be good while I am gone. Yogoda will take care of you. I will write you letters if you write back?"

"Why can't I come with you?" Lu Ten responded to his father's request.

"When you are old enough, you can join me in the Earth Kingdom, but for now, I need to go and fight in the Fire Nation Army," Iroh told his son. Iroh was heartbroken over the fact he would be leaving his son. He tried to convince Firelord Azulon that he should be able to stay with his son, but he would not listen.

"Promise you'll write?" Iroh asked his son as he got down to Lu Ten's level.

"I promise Dad."

Iroh embraced his son and kissed him on top of the head. He tried not to cry as he turned around and left the palace for the Earth Kingdom.

During his time in the Earth Kingdom, Iroh and the men in his unit destroyed everything in their path. The men in the army loved General Iroh. He was a fearless and caring leader, his ability as a leader gave him the title of Dragon of the West. The only thing that kept Iroh going were the letters from his son. Lu Ten's writing had improved drastically and had Iroh was impressed at how educated his son was becoming. In his letters to Lu Ten, Iroh would write about White Lotus teachings, and tell stories about Hana. He tried to make sure Lu Ten would grow up to be a great man, even though he could not be there to help mold him.

At least twice a year, Iroh would return home to see his son, and this continued for ten years. When Lu Ten turned 16, he also joined the Fire Nation Army, in order to be with his father.

Iroh and Lu Ten were both sent to Ba Sing Se, the stronghold of the Earth Kingdom. They boarded the ship together, and looked out onto the water for the journey that awaited them.