xiv. Legacy
Iroh held his nephew tight, like he was never going to let him go again. And a part of him didn't want to; Zuko - the son the spirits promised him all those years ago - was here, he was safe. Their long journey, through treacherous waters, through wilderness and wasteland, after many false turns, has finally brought them together. There were no more secrets, they were aligned in purpose: to fight fire with fire.
A small part of Iroh wished he could keep him sheltered and away from harm. Once he had the illusion that he could, but now he realized he was wrong again. He lost one son forcing a destiny on him that wasn't his, but he realized that he almost lost the other by keeping him from his.
Once he had busted himself out of the prison, he used the network of the White Lotus to disappear out of sight and put a plan into motion. The day of the comet was an unprecedented opportunity to strike and Iroh felt in his heart that it was also time for him to stop running from his own destiny. Even if he played the role of the jovial, harmless tea shop owner, at his core, he remained the Dragon of the West. He had no right to turn his back on the world, he had dues to pay and wrongs to right. It was time for Sozin's heirs to step up and do their part in undoing his legacy. And he couldn't expect Zuko to do it all alone even if he hoped the prince would choose to stand with him.
So he visited the White Lotus chapters, sending out messages to old friends. Everywhere he went, the rumours followed: The prince betrayed his father. He walked away. He broke into a high security prison and freed dangerous enemy combatants. He was teaching the Avatar firebending. Iroh felt both incredibly proud and incredibly worried when he heard those rumours. He kept wondering what happened to his nephew - was he hurt or captured? Was he a fugitive, wondering without food and shelter once again?
Zuko sniffed and wiped away his tears. "I looked for you, Uncle. It should have been you teaching the Avatar."
Iroh smiled. "I'm sure he was fine in your capable hands, Zuko." The prince was not an apparent prodigy like Azula, but what he lacked in raw talent, he more than made up in hard work and sheer bloody-mindedness. He never forgot a lesson.
"I did what I could. I hope it will be enough." Zuko remained somber then after a short pause added with a slight question in his eyes. "We went to see the dragons."
Iroh closed his eyes. His own journey to the dragons seemed like a lifetime ago, but he could still see the multi-coloured flames vividly. The vision spoke of fire that was a source of creation, not destruction. "That must have been quite the experience."
"I've never seen anything quite so amazing in my life. Everything just fell into place. Why didn't you tell me?" Zuko asked quietly.
Iroh sighed. All those years, in exile as Zuko was desperately trying to rebuild his bending from the ashes after the agni kai, he was really tempted. But in his heart he knew that Zuko was not ready. The masters only taught those who were open to learn. And in any case, Iroh made a solemn promise to the Sun Warrior Chief that he would keep the existence of the dragons a secret. "The teaching of the dragons is one everyone has to find alone when they are ready. I'm proud of you, Prince Zuko."
The unscarred half of his face turned slightly pink at the compliment and he looked away uncomfortably shifting on his heels. "I've thought a lot about what you said to me, and it took me a while to understand that helping the Avatar was the only way to save the Fire Nation. It's like you said about the moon in North Pole, we all depend on the balance." For someone who was always pretending to be disinterested, Zuko obviously paid attention. "I tried to explain to my father…"
Iroh felt a cold shiver run down his spine at the mention of his brother. Not in his worst dreams did it occur to him that the foolish boy would openly defy the Fire Lord. "That couldn't have gone too well."
"He shot lightning at me." The prince's voice still had an edge of disbelief then he shrugged. "I finally had a chance to try out that lightning redirect you taught me."
Iroh thanked Agni and all the spirits silently for that. "It was a big risk you took," he tried to keep his voice neutral despite the anger he felt. It was inconceivable how Ozai could hurt his own blood.
"I had a chance to kill him, Uncle, but I didn't." Zuko said heavily, his eyes glimmering with a question he didn't say, but Iroh understood anyways: Did I choose right? Was I weak?
"You did right, Nephew. It wasn't for you to do that."
"Is it right though to put that on Aang? I mean he's just a kid..." So are you, thought Iroh. But that was the nature of wars - kids suffered for the mistakes of old men.
"The Avatar has access to powers and knowledge of his previous lives and the help of the great spirits of this world. He may find a way you and I cannot think of," he replied finally, hoping that it was really the case.
"Well, that brings me to why we are here. Aang ran away, Uncle and we need to figure out what to do if he doesn't come back."
The Avatar missing was a serious issue. It certainly explained Zuko showing up unexpectedly on the eve of the comet. It should have bothered Iroh more, but he felt in his heart that the boy would step up to play his parts. Wherever he was, the last tiles were placed on the board - there was nothing left but to play out the game to the best of their abilities.
"Now would you like some tea and we'll discuss?" Iroh suggested. Tea was good to calm down the emotions. The endgame required clear heads and sharp focus.
Zuko chuckled. "Yeah, my friends are outside - it concerns us all." Iroh nodded. It was another small miracle that his ever so lonely and closed off nephew finally understood the lesson of friendship. Iroh was more than intrigued to properly meet the group that Zuko called friends. On their way out of the tent Zuko added with quiet amusement. "I actually did miss your tea, Uncle."
Iroh looked at his nephew fondly. "I told you one day you'd come to your senses. Now I think dragonroot may be a good one for the occasion?" He mused as they stepped out of the tent to find the waterbender - Katara, Iroh remembered grumpy old Pakku gushing about her - and the little earthbender sitting nearby.
"Old people's camp is just as boring as young people's camp." Toph complained to Katara. "Still, it was good to stretch a little… King Bumi has some neat tricks."
"Oh, so you found a greater earthbender than yourself?" Katara sounded a bit sarcastic.
"Nah, I'm still the greatest earthbender. But the guy isn't half bad." Toph replied with simple self-confidence.
"Where did Sokka and Suki disappear to anyways?" Katara asked nervously.
"Are you asking me? I haven't seen them in ages…" Toph never missed an opportunity to fluster the others with her blind jokes. Katara was prime fluster-material.
"But… oh, Toph. Can you stop doing that?"
The earthbender just smirked. "Not when it's still funny every time…"
Katara jumped to her feet as she noticed Iroh and Zuko emerging together from the tent. The old general didn't miss the silent question in the waterbender's eyes, nor his nephew's slight nod, nor the tiny relieved smile that spread over her lips. Interesting , he thought to himself. Having spent three years with Zuko on sea and many months as fugitives together, he knew how hard it was for his nephew to open up to anyone. Not that Iroh could blame him; Zuko grew up surrounded by master manipulators who used every emotion, every weakness against him ruthlessly. His very survival depended on learning to hide his feelings. But it looked like the young watertribe girl found a way through his defences. It made sense. Water was a gentle element, able to get in through the tiniest cracks, smoothing the hard edges, but it was also patient and powerful enough to erode resistance and form mighty valleys, canyons, caves or chasms in the end. Zuko never stood a chance even if he wanted to do.
Iroh greeted them both with a cheerful bow. "Glad to see you again." Katara and Toph both returned the gesture. "I'll go find some breakfast for us." Sensing that Zuko wanted to exchange some words with his friends, he turned to his nephew. "Why don't you start a fire, Zuko?"
"Sure." He walked away and Katara followed him anxiously.
"I'll help you." The little earthbender volunteered to tag along.
"I appreciate the company." Iroh said warmly.
"It's nice to see you again. You look well..." she joked.
"You too…." Iroh stopped himself and let out a hearty laugh. "You almost got me there."
"I did get you there, Gramps." Toph replied cheekily.
"You did." Iroh conceded good-naturedly. "I'm glad you decided to find your friends," he noted casually, referring back to the conversation they once had in the woods.
"And it seems that you have remembered yours." Toph replied without missing a beat.
Touché. For someone so young and blind, Toph seemed to have a knack for seeing the truth all so clearly. Maybe because her vision was not easily clouded by illusions; she saw with her entire being. "Indeed. Sometimes we see so clearly the trouble in other people's lives, but stay blind to the things that trouble us." Toph was right though, it took a long time for Iroh to take his own advice and call on his old allies. "I'm glad Zuko ended up with such a kind group as yours - he's never had friends before."
"Yeah, well, he kind of botched it in the beginning and it took him a while to get used to the group hugs." Toph grinned and recounted Zuko's awkward attempt to join their group, showing up at the Western Air Temple out of the blue.
"I can only imagine." Iroh chuckled. The idea of his grumpy nephew being an unwilling participant of group hugs seemed like a fitting retribution for all the music nights he refused to attend.
"But you know, Sunshine turned out to be good for us too. I mean he made fairly decent tea and took us to the Firelord's summer house. It was a sweet place."
"Hiding in plain sight? That's pretty smart. Zuko always loved Ember Island. Can you carry these bowls?" Iroh handed her a stack of dishes and they started walking back towards his tent.
"Yeah, sure. So what is the old people camp about? I tried to ask King Crazy-eyes, but he mostly just cackled at me about the importance of the right moment."
"I'll tell you at the right moment. But now let's make some noodles first." Iroh suggested. "I'm sure you are all hungry after the journey."
"Will there be meat too?" Toph perked up at the mention of noodles. "Zuko told us you are a decent cook. But then again, he thinks the world of you."
"Really?" Iroh felt a lump in his throat. Of course, he knew that Zuko cared about him - but for the longest time there were also insults and harsh words spoken out of anger that Iroh tried to forget, but which stung nevertheless.
"Yep. All we heard was ' uncle would do this, uncle used to say that, uncle prepares tea like this'… " Toph imitated Zuko's rasp. "I mean it was kind of annoying, but you know, also very sweet."
Zuko and Katara were leaning together over the fireplace, preparing the cooking pots with their bending; it seemed like a well-practiced routine. Zuko was never big on chores, even when they worked in the teashop, he tended to pull himself out of the housework once they were home. It looked like that changed too.
"Is everything ok?" Zuko looked up as they arrived with the supplies.
"Very much so. Toph has been kind enough to help me." Iroh replied. "Why don't you find your other friends, so we can talk?"
"I'm sure Sokka is bragging about his space sword somewhere." Toph said drily.
Zuko nodded and went together with Toph in search of Sokka and Suki. Iroh stayed along with Katara by the fire.
"I've never had the chance to thank you, General Iroh. For what you did, saving us…" Katara started rather formally.
Iroh shook his head. "Don't mention it. I'm just glad that Aang recovered. Lightning strike is not a pleasant experience. It burns much deeper than any other type of burn wound and well, it takes a long time to heal. But Master Pakku said, you are an exceptional waterbender, and I'm glad you were there to heal him." Katara turned slightly red; she seemed just as bad at taking a compliment as Zuko was.
She bit her lips. "I just don't know what happens if we cannot find Aang…"
"He will be back - I can feel it in my bones - you must too?" Iroh gave her a searching look.
"How do you know?" she asked surprised.
"You used the spirit water to heal him. It connects you to the spirit world in a way and you can feel his presence there." Iroh felt Katara's link to the spirit world. It wasn't very strong, more like a thin silvery string of a spider web.
"Are you connected to the spirit world too, General Iroh?" she asked curiously.
"Yes." Iroh thought a lot about his journey when he went to bargain for his son's life. The spirits told him that he'd get his son once he's found his true destiny. Destiny was a funny thing though and things tended to turn upside down. Still, Iroh never felt as certain as in this moment that this was the destiny the spirits told him about.
"And what do the spirits tell you?" Katara prodded.
"That you have found balance amongst yourselves, Master Katara, and you will teach it to the rest of the world." Iroh said full of conviction. "I'm glad that you found it in your heart to forgive my nephew."
Katara looked down a bit uncomfortably. "Well, we had our ups and downs, but he's really proven himself."
"Zuko is loyal to a fault." Iroh nodded knowingly.
Katara was about to ask another question, but the others arrived.
"Smells good." Sokka exclaimed cheerfully as he sat down next to the steaming pot.
Iroh spooned generous portions of noodles into the bowls and poured some tea.
"It's time to talk strategy, young friends."
-0-
After the plans were made, everything happened so quickly. Iroh wished there was more time to discuss, but he heard worrying news from the Fire Nation capital. It was essential for Zuko to get back before Azula got crowned Fire Lord. Iroh shuddered at the thought of his niece grabbing power. She was extremely intelligent, but had no scruples or respect for the world which she viewed as her personal game-board; a deadly combination.
It was a risky bet for Zuko to go up against his sister, but Iroh knew that if he was going to be Fire Lord, it was essential that he'd be seen as someone who claimed the throne fair and square, not somebody else's puppet. Not the Avatar's, not his uncle's. And in order for his rule to be successful, Zuko needed to start out on the right foot. In a way it was the fight of his life.
Iroh was at first surprised that Zuko chose Katara to be at his side, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Pakku described her as a fierce and stubborn fighter, and the way Zuko looked at her, Iroh could see that his nephew had immense respect for the waterbender. And it was certainly a comforting thought that if it came to it, Katara could not only fight, but heal as well.
"Be careful, Zuko." Iroh said for the hundredth time. "Azula will lead you in a trap if she can. Don't trust her. You'll need to fight smart."
"Don't worry, Uncle. We'll be fine." Zuko glanced at Katara, who nodded her agreement. They both looked tense, but determined.
"And remember, even if you prevail, you won't be able to trust anyone in the palace. The White Lotus has some members there - they will make themselves known to you when the time is right. You can rely on them." Iroh wished he had time to put together some sort of a plan for the peaceful takeover. For now, he just had to trust Zuko and the White Lotus members in the Caldera City chapter to make the right choices.
"I will." Zuko promised, tying the last bags onto Appa's back. The bison greeted Iroh with a cheerful lick, which created some amusement. Iroh patted the bison absent-mindedly.
"You really think I can do this?" Zuko asked, his voice was quiet, full of doubt.
"I believe you were born to do this, Prince Zuko. You will find a way - you always do." Iroh reassured him and gave him a quick hug.
In the meantime Sokka was holding Katara, before turning to Zuko. "Take care of my sister, jerkbender." His voice was affectionate and there was a cheeky smirk on his lips. The way Zuko grinned, it was obviously a long-running joke between them.
"She doesn't need it" Zuko started "Yeah, I really don't" Katara interjected with a glare directed at her brother, "...but I will," Zuko finished and shook Sokka's extended hand. The water tribe boy tackled him in a bear-hug. "Good luck, Sokka."
"Don't worry, Sunshine. I'll watch his back." chuckled Toph, hugging both Zuko and Katara.
"Take care of yourself, guys." Suki added as she joined their group hug. Appa came over and gave them a big slobbering lick for good measure.
Sokka pulled out of the hug first. "Team Avatar - let's get this done." They all nodded and got on their animals; Zuko and Katara on the bison, Sokka, Suki and Toph on the eel-hound, Piandao gave them.
"So if I'm going to be Fire Lord after the war is over, what are you going to do?" asked Zuko, almost as an afterthought.
"After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to reconquer my tea shop and I'm going to play Pai Sho everyday." Zuko gave him the kind of look that told Iroh exactly what he thought about his Pai Sho obsession which used to be a topic of frequent confrontation between them during their long journey on sea. He still couldn't stop grinning at the thought.
"Good-bye, General Iroh," Katara waved before they took off.
"Good-bye everyone." Iroh replied, sending a silent prayer to the spirits hoping that this would be the last time he would ever have to send bright-faced children eager to do good to war. He looked after them long as they disappeared beyond the horizon.
Pakku turned to him, "You think it's wise to leave the Fire Nation in the hands of a kid?"
People underestimated Zuko, but he proved everyone wrong, every single time. Seeing him with his friends, he was calmer, wiser and happier than ever. He finally found his center. "He's ready." Iroh replied with conviction. "They all are."
"Do you think that a bunch of idealistic kids can change the world?" Jeong-Jeong asked doubtfully.
"I do. That's the only thing that ever did. Look - against all odds, it took them only a few months to create the kind of balance and peaceful coexistence of nations that in our order we trained for years to achieve. They are remarkable kids. The new balance should be for them to create." Iroh replied.
"So we can pack up and go home?"
"No, they'll need our help, and we should be ready to do support them in whatever they need. But first, we have a job to do."
Iroh took a deep breath, and his inner fire roared in response. It filled his limbs with energy all the way to his fingertips, itching to break free. He felt young again; ready to take over the world like that boy who dreamed of taking Ba Sing Se. The comet was coming - Iroh could feel it in his bones.