"I definitely want Iroh to have AtLA memories." ~Mari
Whoo, boy. Okay, here we go with another what-if scenario. This one is, of course, exploring the idea that General Iroh in Horizons is the same Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender reborn with his memories intact. This is clearly going to change a couple of things even more than they've already changed in the main fic, but like that one, those changes start small at first and eventually snowball once we get some momentum going.
This will also take up a couple of chapters because while I originally planned on this one going all the way to the most recent chapter of Horizons, I eventually realized that it was getting too long. So, I figured I'd let a few chapters of the main fic build-up, then do another one of these detailing Iroh's parallel adventure. By keeping it in chunks, it's more manageable.
Oh, something to keep in mind as well. In this scenario, there are things touched upon that don't hold true in the main fic, and some things that do. It's a similar but still different sandbox I'm playing in, after all.
Anyway, don't have much else to say about it, so please read on. I hope you enjoy.
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Tale of the White Lotus (Part 1)
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December 6th, [ μ ] - εуλ 1957
It did not take long to realize what had happened.
"What a curious name. Is it foreign?"
"My family has its roots in Wutai. Just because we no longer call it home does not mean we have forgotten. We use names to remember our origins."
"Fascinating."
Considering all the time he had spent studying the reincarnation cycle, then later exploring the spirit world itself, it wasn't all that hard.
"I think it's a lovely name," a new- yet familiar -voice cut in. "It speaks of wisdom and quiet strength. I'm already quite fond of it, Atsushi."
"Then it is settled. His name is Iroh."
"I'll have the nurses start the paperwork at once. Congratulations on the new addition to your family."
Still, it was not something he had ever expected to happen to him.
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September 23, [ μ ] - εуλ 1959 (1 year, 9 months old)
"Mako energy will revolutionize the world, and as president of Shinra Manufacturing Works, I swear that we will find a way to make it easily available and affordable for all the world to use."
It had taken a while to get used to the language in this new life, but Iroh felt he had learned enough to more or less understand what the man on the radio was saying.
Or rather, what he wasn't.
If there was one thing he had learned throughout his many years, it was that if something seemed too good to be true, it usually was. When it came to a concept such as energy, that applied even more so. All energy had a source, and no source was ever truly limitless. What would it cost them to use this newly named mako energy? Unfortunately, he didn't know enough about this world to have the answer.
For now, he would just have to wait and observe. There wasn't much he could do at his current age, after all.
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July 25th, [ μ ] - εуλ 1963 (5 years old)
Azulon and Ilah.
Atsushi and Inas.
Despite the different names, it seemed that his new mother and father were near identical in everything else. However, it also seemed that neither of them recalled anything of the life he remembered (and if that wasn't something he still wondered about- even the Avatars had never truly remembered their previous lives...). Perhaps that was a blessing- though his father had continued the war with fervor, in the end, he had proven himself to have slightly more compassion than Sozin and Ozai. By not remembering, his father had the chance to live a more peaceful life, free of obligations and conflict.
His mother, of course, had always disapproved of the war (despite never voicing that opinion where the wrong ears could hear), but had passed shortly after giving birth to his brother. A tragedy that thankfully had not repeated itself.
"What do you think of Osric, Inas?"
"Osric? That doesn't sound Wutaiian."
"Well, no, but I must admit many of the other names I considered didn't feel right. This name, though foreign, seems to fit."
"I...suppose you're right. I was at a bit of a loss myself. It's the strangest thing."
Perhaps there was a bit of their old lives in there, after all. That was a given, though- everyone retained some of their previous selves whenever they were reborn. He had just kept a bit more than most, is all.
"Iroh, come here and meet your little brother."
He walked over, leaning over the bed to see into the small bundle his mother was holding. Then, he smiled slightly when he saw the familiar face- free of the hate and thirst for power that had warped it as an adult.
However he had ended up in this new life, he was grateful for the second chance.
"Hello, Osric. I'm Iroh, and I promise I'll do my best to take care of you."
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February 14, [ μ ] - εуλ 1964 (6 years old)
"Oh, I don't know about this. Iroh is an angel, but Osric can be...fussy."
"Relax, Inah. Vincent can handle watching them for a couple of hours. Right, Grimoire?"
"He is very responsible for his age. In fact, he has already been accepted into the Department of Administrative Research. However, I will admit that it is partially due to my own work."
"Already? But, he's only fourteen! Isn't that a little...young?"
"They only wish to start the scholarly aspect of it. Actual physical training won't begin until he's a little older. For now, I can assure you that your boys will be well taken of while we're gone."
"I promise nothing will happen to them, Mrs. Teneil," a young, dark-haired boy assured his mother. "You can count on me."
"There you have it," his father said. "Now, come. It is not often that we are in Midgar at the same time anymore. We should take advantage of the evening."
"All right. Iroh, you be good and listen to Vincent, okay? And help him with Osric if you need to."
"I will."
Inah smiled, and after a hug and a kiss goodbye, they were gone. A brief silence fell over the room, then the boy- Vincent -turned to look at him. Iroh relaxed when he did.
Even though the boy's gaze was a bit too serious for a fourteen-year-old, his eyes were kind.
"...Is there something in particular you enjoy doing?"
"I find that there is little that can beat a good book and a cup of tea."
Vincent blinked, though whether it was at the response itself or how it was worded, he didn't know. Eventually, however, the boy brushed it off and offered a small smile.
"I agree."
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March 15, [ μ ] - εуλ 1967 (9 years old)
The planet was crying.
The fact that it had taken many days and months and years of the same, intense meditation he'd once used to communicate with spirits to finally make a connection should have been an obvious hint as to the declining state of the world. However, it wasn't until he'd finally done it that he truly realized how dire things could become.
Each phantom sob of pain and plea to stop felt like a knife to the heart.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes clenched shut in sorrow. "For your suffering...For the wound in your heart that grows larger every day...Please, Great Spirit, tell me. Is there any way in which I can help?"
There was a pause in the cries. Then he felt something draw closer with a muted sort of surprise. Curiosity. Wonder.
'Who are you?' it seemed to ask.
"I am an old soul born anew," he replied simply, seeing no reason to lie. "A man who has seen enough to know that things are not as they should be."
The presence didn't fade, but it remained silent as if mulling over his response. Suddenly, he felt a jolt of excitement from it. Words that were not so much words as they were impressions seemed to echo in his mind, and he did his best to try to make sense of them through the fragile connection.
Can understand.
Can help.
Can change.
He frowned slightly at the last part, wondering if he'd understood the Great Spirit correctly. If he had, just what was it that it thought he could change?
'Wait...' He gave a start at the actual words that brushed gently in his mind- like the touch of sunlight through the shade of a tree. 'Wait...and listen...Cannot move...too fast...'
That...was a bit troubling to hear.
To have the spirit of the world hesitant to act implied that there were greater forces at play- ones that were not to be crossed lightly. As he knew he still had much to learn about this world, he realized that standing by was indeed the best course of action. At least until he had more information.
"Then I will defer to your wisdom and wait," he agreed solemnly.
In another life, he had waited years to finally act as the Grand Master of the Order of the White Lotus. Not only that, but he had raised his hot-headed nephew through his turbulent teenage years. Patience was something he had in spades.
'Help...will come...in time...Watch out...for them...'
Though it did help to hear the Great Spirit did not plan on leaving him to face the issue alone.
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Unknown dates [ μ ] - εуλ 1970/1971 (12/13 years old)
The funeral was a quiet, private affair.
As the nature of Grimoire Valentine's work was classified by the company he'd worked for, Iroh had little idea what it was that had caused the stern, but ultimately kind man's death- moreso since his honorary uncle had hardly been lacking in combat ability.
What he did know was how it was affecting those who had been close to him.
His wife fell into a deep grief he knew well, having almost fallen to its thrall himself when he lost his dear wife a lifetime ago. If it hadn't been for his soul-searching journey, as well as the knowledge that Zuko still needed him, he had no doubt he would have followed her shortly after. Vincent seemed to become more reserved, distancing himself by completely throwing himself into his work for the Turks, quickly rising through the ranks until he was considered one of the best alongside his partner.
That was all he'd been able to piece together, however, as their visits became increasingly infrequent as time went on. Still, he tried to be there for them as much as he could, praying for their continued wellbeing.
His heart ached when Calista Valentine was buried next to her husband a year later...
Vincent stopped visiting altogether after that.
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June 24, [ μ ] - εуλ 1976 (18 years old)
Destiny, Iroh mused, was a funny thing. Although one could blaze their own path, certain things seemed meant to be no matter what you did, and appeared to even transcend lives.
"Our family history is long and noble. Though most records of it have been lost to time, one of our distant ancestors came to Gaia with the first man called Shinra. They went their separate ways after- one to establish the land we now know as Wutai and the other what is now the ShinRa Corporation -but remained close friends. In honor of that friendship, our family left to join them once the Kisaragi family came into leadership. It is for that reason that we ally ourselves with Shinra. Do you understand, Iroh?"
Iroh withheld a sigh as he nodded to his father's words.
Honor. Loyalty. Those were concepts that he was far too familiar with. While not necessarily bad, his family was once more giving them to the wrong person and cause. Whatever bond his ancestors in this life may have had with Shinra, that was no reason to disregard the current Shinra's actions and continue to blindly follow him.
And the current Shinra had much to answer for.
He had only met the man once, but once was enough. President Shinra was a greedy, deplorable man who only cared for furthering his own gains, uncaring of what he had to do to attain them. The construction of the plates had just started, but already, he could see hate growing in Midgar. Mistrustful glances to anyone with dark hair and slanted eyes, hushed whispers where before there would be open conversation, news reports of the people of Wutai growing more hostile to ambassadors sent from the company. He did not know what was true and what wasn't (though he would bet that most of those reports were false), but tensions were rising between ShinRa and the very land his father proudly claimed to have come from. The general in him knew it was only a matter of time until those tensions finally broke, and war would soon follow.
He could only hope that the peace would hold for a little longer.
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September 9, [ μ ] - εуλ 1977 (19 years old)
He woke up to the sound of screams.
Jolting out of his bunk, it took Iroh a few moments to place where the screams were coming from. When he did, he would admit to feeling a fair amount of dread.
It had been years since he'd heard the planet cry out in such a manner, after all.
The pain he felt from her was a constant now, never fading due to ShinRa's continuous draining of mako, but normally, her distress was muted somewhere in the back of his mind unless he connected to her through meditation. To hear it so clearly without doing so first...
Something was wrong.
"'Roh...?" a voice muttered sleepily, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Wha-...What's up? 'S is morning already?"
"Ah, it's nothing!" he said while slipping a smile onto his face. "Just woke up when I felt like I was falling!"
"Hate it when that happens," the voice groaned sympathetically before yawning. "You should try to get some more sleep...since we got to get up extra early tomorrow...for that special announcement ShinRa's got...Ugh, why couldn't they tell us...after...basic train-...?"
His roommate trailed off, snores coming from their direction shortly after.
Iroh let out a shaky breath once he was sure he was the only one awake, nerves frayed to the point that he knew he wasn't going to be getting any more rest tonight. Instead, he settled himself onto the floor and allowed his spirit to connect to the Lifestream.
'My Lady, what ails you so?'
'It begins! Twisted Calamity...corrupting my children!...I feel her vile presence slipping in with their passing...'
Iroh shuddered, his blood seeming to freeze in his veins.
Calamity.
He had only come to learn of the being through his conversations with the great spirit, as he had yet to find mention of it anywhere else. It was a monster that took on the forms of loved ones, luring innocent people to their demise. The reason for a once great and peaceful civilization to fall to ruin. Though similar to what his own family had done with the Air Nomads, it was a greater threat than they had ever been. Sozin and Ozai had, at least, meant to spare those of their own nation who declared their loyalty. This beast would spare nothing and no one if not stopped.
That this was happening on the eve of a special announcement from the company was no coincidence, and he would be a fool to take it as such.
For the first time since his rebirth, he felt the weight of the future settle onto his shoulders, and released a weary sigh. If it weren't for the fact that he knew how much harm ShinRa was doing to the planet, or the fact that he suspected it would be a lynchpin in the events to come, he would have had no problem wiping his hands of such a distasteful place, regardless of any honor or tradition his father expected him to uphold. That sentiment was only cemented the next day when the SOLDIER program was announced, and the first candidates volunteered.
He stoutly refused to join, watching with solemn eyes as young men proudly took a path that would no doubt lead them to great suffering.
He would stop this. No matter what it took, he was going to stop it.
He just had to climb to the top on his own merits first.
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January 2, [ μ ] - εуλ 1980 (22 years old)
If he was completely honest, the new scientist in charge of ShinRa's Science Department gave him the creeps.
The previous head, Professor Gast, had left for reasons unknown. A pity since the man was somewhat decent if a little misguided. It was much more than could be said for the two men who had been his partners. The resulting power struggle between them had been ugly, and Iroh was sure there would be repercussions from this somewhere down the line.
But now wasn't the time for such heavy thoughts.
"What's this about, Iroh?"
"What?" he asked, a smile easily coming to him as he sat across from his brother at a small cafe on the upper plate. "I can't take my brother out to eat because I feel like it?"
Watching his younger brother grow up in this life had been a joy. Without the titles of royalty to fuel his arrogance to the max and in a world where strength was (usually) determined by how hard one worked for it, Iroh had seen sparks of kindness and humility in Osric that Fire Lord Ozai had never possessed. He had done his absolute best to nurture those traits, of course. Still, other than a small gesture from Osric here and there, he always had doubts about whether or not he was making a difference.
Just yesterday, he had gotten that reassurance in a way that had him grinning like a fool the rest of the day.
Osric had refused to join SOLDIER.
Had that opportunity been given to Ozai, Iroh had no doubt the man his brother had been would have accepted. To Ozai, power was power, and he did not care where that power came from as long as he could have it. Osric, however, had rejected the offer quite firmly, making it clear that he had no desire to join now or in the future.
"No," Osric snorted. "You never take anyone out 'just because' unless it's our parents or a woman. You want something."
"You wound me, little brother!" he cried dramatically, clutching his shirt above his heart. "To hear that you think so little of me-!"
"Shut up and ask what you want to ask already, idiot," Osric hissed, cheeks flushing a bit at the attention his theatrics had drawn to their table.
Ah, he could really see the similarities between father and son in this life as well. He dearly wished there was a version of Ursa somewhere in this world as well- he missed his nephew.
"Alright, alright," he chuckled, settling back down. "You're right, of course, or at least partly right. I did want to ask you something, but I also really did want to treat you to lunch since we haven't spoken in a while."
"Out with it then."
"So impatient," he shook his head with a smile. "I guess...I just wanted to know why you didn't join SOLDIER. I know Dad has been talking with you about joining after he pretty much gave up on me doing so."
Not that he was upset, given his own opinions, but he couldn't exactly call out his issues with the program for all to hear. No, it was best to keep those thoughts to himself for now seeing as, despite their family's historical alliance with ShinRa, it was still far too easy for him to go "missing"- something that had become far more common in the company as of late.
His brother rolled his eyes with a small scoff. "The people in SOLDIER are weak if they need enhancements just to be good at what they do."
"One could argue that they aren't just good," he countered, a pleased hum escaping him as he took a sip of his drink.
Out of all the restaurants that served "Wutaiian" cuisine, this was the only one with a decent cup of jasmine tea.
"True," Osric conceded with a short nod before smirking. "Though you seem to be having no trouble besting them anyway."
"You give me too much credit," he laughed. "Those boys can easily overpower me."
The enhancements had undergone rapid changes since SOLDIER's creation a few short years ago, but the effects were still unnerving. He had seen one SOLDIER take on a group of monsters that would give even some of his best men a run for their money. That sort of power was something to be treated with caution. Still, he had decades of combat experience to fall back on and a young body capable of movements he hadn't been able to pull off in his old age- he would be ashamed of himself if he were to lose to those who had no true idea of what it meant to be a soldier.
"If they can land a hit- which they usually don't," Osric pointed out, almost as if reading his thoughts. "Then when they do, you usually have a way of keeping it from completely taking you out. No, while power is important, you've proven how much more valuable it is to have skill and strategy. Did you know that the Turks use videos of your fights to train their own on how to subdue stronger opponents?"
He blinked, somewhat taken aback. As a matter of fact, he hadn't been aware of that particular bit of information.
"Is that so?"
"Rumor is that Veld is annoyed you went into general forces. I'm actually surprised he hasn't tried dragging you into their group anyway. Maybe Vincent's keeping a leash on him- they're partners or something, right?"
"That's what I've heard."
The fact that he had to rely on word of mouth to hear any news on their old friend/babysitter was disheartening, but he was glad Vincent seemed to be doing all right. He would still prefer a conversation so he could be sure, but last he'd heard, the Turk was off on a mission in some small town on the other continent. Once he came back, Iroh was going to make sure to corner him and have a long-overdue talk.
"Would you like some more tea?"
Probably guessing he'd agree (he'd been here often enough that most of the employees recognized him), the waitress went ahead and gave him a refill. Iroh grinned and lifted his cup, a word of thanks on his lips as he turned to thank them-...
Then the hold on his cup fumbled, and the next moment found him with the remnants of said tea on his lap.
"Oh! Oh, no! Are you okay?!"
Soft, worried fussing met his ears, though he couldn't seem to make out the actual words. Instead, it was oddly muffled, amplifying the frantic rhythm his heart seemed to be beating against his chest.
It had been a lifetime and more, but he could never forget her face.
"Don't worry about my brother," Osric's voice drawled, smirking smugly as he rested his elbow on the table and propped his chin on his hand. "He suffers from frequent bouts of clumsiness. It's quite unfortunate," he finished with a sigh.
Yes. It was almost as unfortunate as the fact that his little brother would have to leave the land of the living at such a young age, he thought with a tight smile in the soon-to-be-dead man's direction.
Osric's smirk widened just the slightest bit when he caught it.
Sweet, achingly familiar laughter brought snapped his attention back to the vision of beauty before him, and he felt a grin tug at the corners of his lips when he saw her laughing.
"I suppose you must be hardier than you seem," she giggled, though there was still a tinge of apology in her eyes.
"Very much so," he agreed. "Although not for the reasons my brother claims. That aside, there is no harm done, and what happened was entirely my own fault. You see, I was so stricken by your beauty that I could not help but be distracted enough to lose my grip."
He was laying it on a bit thick, but if this woman was anything like the one he remembered, then she wouldn't mind. Sure enough, he saw her cheeks turn pink, and he smiled.
"My name is Iroh. May I have the pleasure of learning yours?"
"My name is Ju."
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December 18, [ μ ] - εуλ 1981 (24 years old)
Never in his wildest dreams...had he thought he would be able to do this again.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked down at the bundle in his arms, a watery laugh escaping him as he gently ran a hand through soft, dark hair.
"Lu Ten...oh, my dear Lu Ten..."
His son...His beloved boy was in his arms once more. His heart twisted in a mix of overwhelming joy and a lingering, aching sorrow over how they had parted. He did his best to push the latter away, reminding himself that this was a second chance. He would get to see Lu Ten live a long, fulfilling life- the sort of life he would have had if the powers that be had not needed to resort to drastic measures to set him on the right path.
This time, he would not fail him.
"Lu Ten?" his wife asked tiredly, blinking blearily up at him from the hospital bed.
He gave a start, not expecting her to have heard that. "Ah, forgive me, my dear. I'm just rambling."
"No, no," she shook her head slowly before a smile lit up her face. "I like it."
"But...I thought you wanted to name him Ryuu."
"That was before I heard this. I think yours suits him more, so we should go with Lu Ten." She laughed softly, her smile turning a bit more impish. "We can name our next son Ryuu instead."
His heart skipped a beat even as he belted out a laugh. The thought of more children was not one that had ever crossed his mind, but...it was a wonder to think about. It seemed that this new life of his was full of more opportunities than even he'd realized.
"If you're sure."
"Of course."
He was looking forward to them all.
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October 12, [ μ ] - εуλ 1982 (almost 25 years old)
The Planet sure was in a good mood today, Iroh thought with a smile.
While the pain he felt from her was still a constant, today, it almost felt...lighter than usual. There was a flash of regret for a moment, which was curious, but it soon gave way to a fierce resolve.
He closed his eyes. 'My Lady? Has something happened?'
Her response almost made them snap right back open in surprise.
'A Protector is born. An old soul.'
An old soul...the very words he had used to describe himself so many years ago. Which meant-
'They remember the life they led before?'
'Not yet. She lived in a world much...different than this. It took much to bring her here, so I will need to build up the strength to awaken her memories.'
If it was that difficult to bring the soul of such a person to Gaia, Iroh had to wonder what reasons she had for doing so. Moreover, it made him wonder if she was the one who had brought him over as well, but at least he had fewer qualms over asking about that.
'I did not call for you,' she replied with a hint of amusement. 'Nor did I turn you away when I felt your soul cross this reality's barrier.'
So his rebirth and into this world and retainment of memories had been entirely unanticipated...
He couldn't help but laugh.
'What about my family, then?'
'Their souls trailed after yours.'
He felt his heart swell at that. To think that even Ozai had still cared enough about him, in the end, to follow him here from the Spirit World...
Yes, this was a good day, indeed.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo ~Part 1 End
...You know, when I played with this idea in my head, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Do I regret it? No, not really. It's a bit fun to think about all the changes that can and will occur because of this.
I should have guessed it would end up being longer than anticipated, though.
That being said, I did actually write past this point, but I decided to cut it off here. Since it's going to end up being a sort of series of its own anyway, I figure there's no need to keep it all packed together like I'd originally planned.
So...yeah. That's it for part one of Iroh's second life in Gaia. Hope you liked it. Until next time, and take care!
Next chapter title: A SOLDIER 1st's First Impressions