Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, The Last Airbender

"War Minister, we have confirmed reports that an Earth Kingdom squad of benders is moving east to the Nobu Mountains and then North back to Ba Sing Se," said the Corporal. "If we send troops now we can intercept and capture them, finally getting an explanation to why their forces are going back to the capitol."

War Minister Michiko studied the map carefully before him. The young man was regarded highly in the Fire Lord's favor, and deserved it too. Many heard rumors of his great strategies in the Battle of Na Se. No one questioned his ideas, although most of the time odd. Not unpopular with the ladies the young war minister displayed wisdom stretching more than a lifetime past his age of 26. One thing he was known greatly for was going into battle with his soldiers and not standing back like a coward while his loyal men died.

"What is this town, here?" he asked, his voice deep and calm. He slid his pointer over the paper to the small dot along a road stretching west.

"Sir?"

"This town, what is it called?" He lifted his hand to his chin, rubbing the small whiskers dotting his face.

"That is Quato sir, currently under no control," answered another soldier.

Michiko sat silently for a short while eyeing the map. A stack of chips representing the Earth Kingdom troops sat just about a foot away from the road line, near a mountain range. Further along the road that ran through the town was a fork in the road. One end split north and the other continued east.

"Send all divisions northeast to the edge of the mountains," he said, using the pointer to move the very large red chips to the spot he said. "I will take the Phoenix and the Vulcan to the south and to Quato, where we will intercept the squad."

"Excuse me sir," said a young Lieutenant, standing from the table. "These are fierce warriors, currently arriving from Kwill; they are hardened and talented soldiers with small losses. It will be difficult to take them with just Phoenix and Vulcan."

"I understand Lieutenant, and appreciate your concern for the good of us all," said Michiko. The soldier nodded and sat back down. "I know the risk, and if we find that this task is too difficult, we will retreat back North and regroup. For now though the other divisions will wait at the edge of the mountains for us, or in case the benders decide to not go south to Quato and instead go straight to Ba Sing Se. Any questions?"

The men in the room remained silent.

"Good, we move at dawn, prepare the troops."

"Right away sir."

"This is suicide," said the Private, a bottle in his hand. "Why would he only send Phoenix and Vulcan? They're going to be killed!"

"He said they would fall back if they needed," answered Ji.

"We all know Michiko, he would never avoid a fight," Everyone sat in silence after the Private's words. "It's just because he lost his wife and kid.."

"That's enough!" a loud voice almost shook the earth. The Private dropped his bottle and stood at attention as Xun walked into the light. The tall black man stood close to seven feet tall, his dark hair braided into corn rows along his head. Muscles rippled under his heavy leather and steel armor covering his tremendous body. A hammer was strapped to his back, at least five and a half feet long. A rumor floated around the army that General Xun was from a different time, his appearance so unusual. "If any of you want to question the war minister then god so help me I will crush you into the ground, do you understand me soldier!"

The Private could actually hear ringing in his ears after the General yelled at him. "Of course sir! Please accept my apologies!"

Xun bent down, lowering almost two feet to see eye to eye with the soldier. "Good.." With that he stood and walked away, shaking the ground with his huge boots. Behind him the Private fell to the ground sweating and trying to breathe.

Michiko laughed as Xun stopped next to him. "You never fail to make me smile old friend."

Xun gave a tremendous boom of laughter. "Always for my good old buddy!" He slapped an arm over Michiko's shoulder, nearly knocking him to the ground. Xun laughed again and walked away, leaving Michiko alone. As his friend walked away, his smile turned to a frown.

I only wish you were here...

With a sigh Michiko walked steadily to his Rhino, jumping atop the beast gracefully. He checked his swords, strapped tightly to his saddle. He heard the a growl and looked to his right to see another rhino stomp next to his, Xun atop the beast.

"Are your men ready?" asked Michiko, pulling his armor tight.

"Like always! How about you?" Xun cocked an eyebrow as he turned in his direction, eyeing the War Minister.

"Like always." Michiko nodded and offered a smile to his friend. Xun rolled his eyes and turned back to the two dozen mounted rhinos behind him. " Phoenix, Vulcan, lets move!"

What about me and Twinkle Toes, Sugar Queen?" Toph turned her sightless eyes towards the young woman still giving her attention to Bradel.

"It's just that you two seem to be more than just...teacher and student." Katara smirked and turned to Toph.

"That's ridiculous," Toph turned back around and continued to walk away. "It would be a real shame if something happened to you in your sleep if you didn't keep your mouth shut!"

Katara laughed and turned back to Bradel in her arms. The infant yawned and stretched in his sleep. Katara smiled as she lightly swayed him back and forth. Something about Bradel reminded her of someone, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "He looks just like Zuko when he was a baby."

She jumped at the sound of Iroh's voice. The old man sat next to her while smiling and looking at Bradel. "What?"

"Young Bradel, he looks like Zuko when he was that age," said the Dragon of the West.

Katara looked back down at Bradel. "He does?"

Iroh nodded and looked upward to the stars sparkling among the darkness. "I just hope he grows up to be like him as well."

Katara thought about that, and realized they would have to get rid of him soon. The thought saddened her, but she pushed it aside as she thought about what Iroh had said. "What do you mean?"

"Although he doesn't always act like it, Zuko has changed greatly, and I could not be more proud of him," said Iroh. "I consider him my own. But besides that point, I hope young Bradel can grow into a generation with no war, and realize that he has to do things for th better good of himself and others, just like Zuko recently realized."

Katara sat silently while watching the old man. "It would also be great to have him grow into a powerful bender," added Iroh.

"What?"

"Bradel, if he became a powerful bender like Zuko." Katara looked down to the sleeping baby.

You will marry a powerful bender...

I thought I would work on a different story for an outlet while I think of more ideas for this one. So updates might get slower than they already are. Maybe one day I can actually learn to update on time.