Chapter Text
Ju-Jing Port.
A beautiful but simple port that was largely regarded as neutral. The merchants there dealt with whoever had coins to spend. This port was also home to many peculiar people.
These peculiar people were always good for a game of Pai Sho.
Iroh moved a dragon tile across the board with a smirking glance at his opponent and thought back to when he had met Ran and Shaw.
It was when Lu Ten was still a young boy, Iroh had been on a ceremonial dragon hunt. At the time it was believed that the dragons had been hunted to extinction by Sozin and Azulon decades prior. Azulon had sent him on the quest as a ceremonial fashion. He was to travel the islands, visiting old spiritual places and “find his path” as the future Fire Lord.
Finding the dragons had been an accident.
The Sun Warrior’s had nearly killed him before Ran and Shaw had made their presence known. Iroh had observed the dragons for multiple days. Studying the way they flew and the fire that they breathed.
He had attempted to communicate with them but he had been rebuffed each time until his final day at the temple ruins. He had climbed the stairs and the dragon had let him approach.
Ran and Shaw told him their history of surviving the initial hunts and how Sozin had begun the hunts because of his anger. The first dragon slain was Fang, Roku’s Spirit Guide and Companion. Sozin had lashed out at the dragon in his anger at Roku, at the Avatar's disappearance and the deaths of the people on the island. People who would have been safely evacuated per standard protocol if Roku hadn’t insisted that he could stop the volcano.
After Fang’s death Sozin had continued the hunts until it was only Ran and Shaw in the Fire Nation who were left. The other dragons, few that they were, had scattered around the world, hiding among the other nations until the time Sozin’s rage had subsided. Dragons live longer than humans and could outlive a single human’s rage.
But Sozin hadn’t stopped at the dragons. With the comet, before named after a minor spirit who had faded when their name was overwritten, Sozin had begun his war and the dragons had stayed away. The genocide of the Air Nomads beginning the decades of war.
The dragons had looked at Iroh, an arrogant prince who believed that the Fire nation was truly meant to be in charge of the world, and told him that the dragon’s would one day return to the Fire Nation at Agni’s will alone.
At the time Iroh had taken the dragon’s message as their blessing on his campaign and that he would be the one to end the war and bring the dragons home with Agni’s blessing.
He had returned to Caldera, claiming to have found and slain the last dragons, bringing a selection of scales that the Sun Warriors had given him as proof. He was given the title Dragon of the West and a few years later began his campaign in the earth kingdom.
Then Lu Ten died. Iroh had been lost in his grief. His son had been his pride and joy. Iroh had held the siege for as long as he had for the sole purpose of making this the last push needed to take the earth kingdom and ensure that his son would one day never have to see war again, instead able to rule over a unified world.
When Iroh heard that his Father had died only two weeks after his son, Iroh was even more distraught. He was told that Ozai had assumed the throne in his absence and Iroh felt no drive to make his own claim. He had nothing left in his life at that point. His son and father were dead. He had no wish to claim a throne that should have gone to his son.
Iroh sent a missive to Caldera formally abdicating his place in line for the throne and congratulated his brother and wished him a long and prosperous reign. A few days later he was approached by a peculiar person, a seeming tea merchant, who invited him to a game of Pai Sho.
It was then that Iroh was introduced to the Order of the White Lotus.
An ancient and secret society that transcended the boundaries of the four nations, seeking philosophy, beauty, and truth. They were devoted to sharing ancient knowledge across national and political divides. Since the war had begun they had been working to stop the Fire Nation from conquering the other nations.
What the Order considered its most important task though, was the task of finding, training, and protecting the next Avatar. The Order of the White Lotus had done so for Kyoshi and Roku. The Order had even found the next Avatar of Air before they were lost. And in the 95 years since they had been unable to find the Air Avatar or the next reincarnations.
Iroh had learned with the masters and joined the ranks of the Order of the White Lotus before returning to Caldera. From there he worked to feed intel to the Order and dismantle the force of the Fire Nation. His valuable intel had him ascending the ranks quickly until he was in line to be named the Grand Lotus.
When he had returned to Caldera he had also been put in charge of his nephew's education on matters related to being a crown prince. He hadn’t seen his niece and nephew in over five years at that point. He had previously visited in between his shorter campaigns and had enjoyed spending time with Zuko. Zuko had always been an odd child but Iroh had always assumed those were just the peculiarities of the boy. Azula had been distant from him when he visited, only really spending time with him when he was telling stories from the front line. She had called him out once for censoring his stories to what he had thought was age appropriate for the two. Demanding to be told the whole story and truth, saying that she would one day be on the battlefield herself and would need to know what to expect.
Zuko had always cared more for his stories of adventure and the places he saw than the stories of war. Iroh would teach Zuko how to play Pai Sho and spend time with both his son and nephew.
The boy Iroh had been expecting to meet when he returned to Caldera, wasn’t at all what he was confronted with.
When he had left to begin his siege on Ba Sing Se, Zuko had initially written him letters. But after a time the return letters stopped just before Zuko turned eight. Iroh continued to send gifts back for both Zuko and Azula but Zuko never sent him a letter in return. Ursa would occasionally write to him to tell him about things that were happening with the two.
The last gifts he had sent the pair before Lu Ten died had been a knife and a pretty doll.
When Iroh returned to Caldera he expected to meet the same six and half year old he had left behind. Instead he was met by an almost twelve year old with a light in his eyes that caught Iroh off-guard.
It wasn’t until a week later that Iroh learned that his nephew had been fighting off assassins for two years. His nephew had killed a man when he was ten years old in defense of his sister and had fought off numerous more attackers since.
When they were alone Iroh could see parts of the boy he once knew. In the boy’s eagerness to learn and his love for their family that shone brighter than the sun. But that boy was also shadowed by the new edge he walked with. The edge to all of Zuko’s actions that told Iroh that Zuko was well aware of his place in the world.
Iroh watched as Zuko struggled to gain Ozai’s favor and how the rejection affected him. The boy wanted nothing more than for Ozai to love him.
Iroh tried to teach the boy about life through proverbs and strategy through Pai Sho but Zuko had no patience for his lessons. Focussed on his other lessons and on the social work of the Nation.
When Zuko had asked to join the war council Iroh had known it wouldn’t end well and had tried to forbid it. Zuko had ignored him and Iroh had tried his best to minimize the damage but as soon as Zuko sat down in the meeting Iroh knew disaster would follow.
He just hadn't realized how large of a disaster it would be.
The plan General Buijing proposed was one he had brought forward at the last meeting as well. He had been dismissed and told to come back with a more solid plan that would ensure the success. Iroh hadn’t thought he’d come back so soon.
Zuko had lashed out and Ozai’s punishment had been harsh but one that Iroh could seeOzai’s reasoning in. An Agni Kai was an extreme measure but it was one that would ensure Zuko learned his place in the Firelord’s court.
Iroh was confident that Zuko could win the battle of skill but it would be enough of a fight that would push his confidence down and hopefully keep him out of the War council long enough for Iroh to teach Zuko some lessons on subtlety that he should have done much sooner.
When Zuko avoided him before the match Iroh had thought it was out of teenage indignation and pride.
Iroh had instead gone to talk with his brother. Ozai had been busy as well so instead Iroh was left to himself until the time of the Agni Kai began.
Iroh attempted to speak with Zuko in the ante-chamber but his nephew had dismissed him, leaving him to go sit in the stands. Just before the match started Azula exited the ante-chamber and came to sit next to him. She was the picture of perfect poise and disinterest. She watched the crowds around her with an air of superiority.
The first gong sounded and Zuko walked out onto the arena floor. His steps confident and assured. Iroh heard the surge of whispers around him but his only focus was on his nephew who kept his gaze focussed on the arena.
The second gong sounded and Iroh looked to where General Bujiung entered.
It wasn’t Buijing who stood in the second doorway.
Iroh watched in horror as his brother strode onto the arena floor.
Iroh watched as Zuko fell to his knees.
Iroh watched as Zuko pleaded for his life.
Iroh listened as Ozai raised his hand to his son.
“You will learn respect,” the words were a sneer on Ozai’s face as he looked down at the boy who had only ever wanted his approval.
“And suffering, will be your teacher.”
Iroh looked away. He felt ashamed but he couldn’t watch, couldn't stand to see another boy he cared for suffer.
Zuko screamed.
Iroh flinched and couldn't look until the screaming stopped. The crowd was deathly silent as Ozai banished his son. The silence continued until the door behind Ozai closed and then Iroh was rushing down to the arena floor.
He picked Zuko up and he screamed and thrashed in his arms but Iroh paid no mind as he rushed out of the arena. He was set upon by servants and medical staff who pulled Zuko from his arms and began to treat him.
Iroh could only watch until his nephew finally fell unconscious.
Iroh then stormed towards his brother's chambers to confront him. The time it took him to get there from the medical wing tempered his anger only slightly. He had to be cautious. What good he thought his brother possessed had likely died long ago and he now had to find a way to keep both himself and Zuko alive.
Iroh entered Ozai’s rooms and glared at his brother who was working at his desk. With no care for the pain he had just inflicted upon his own child.
Ozai looked up and sneered. “What do you want Iroh?”
“Your terms.”
“What.”
Iroh kept his demeanor as calm as possible. “Your terms for Zuko’s banishment, what are they?”
Ozai’s eyes narrowed. “Why would you care?”
Iroh’s iron grip on his anger shook but he spoke through his gritted teeth. “Because he is my nephew. He will need supplies and I find myself with a surplus of free time these days. This will do him well but he will need enforced structure in his absence if he is to succeed and learn the lessons you are teaching him.”
Iroh was still under Ozai’s scrutiny. It was a balance, making his displeasure known while not letting his brother know of his traitorous ideals.
Ozai must have found him non-threatening because the Firelord’s suspicious gaze faded and instead the air of superiority returned. The man grabbed a scroll from his desk and walked over to hand the scroll to Iroh with a sneer.
“Since you did so well with the last of the dragons, I decided a similar venture for my son,” Iroh could hear the disdain at the word, “would be the fitting terms of his banishment.”
Iroh continued to suppress his anger and his racing thoughts. “And what will the young prince be hunting?”
Ozai smirks with all the satisfaction of a CatLizard that caught a SquirrelToad. “The Avatar of course. What better task for the crown prince of the Fire Nation than to hunt down the greatest standing threat to our victory.”
Iroh was stunned. He wanted to protest, exclaim the impossibility of a task that the Fire Nation (and the Order of the White Lotus) had failed to do for decades. Instead he choked on his words and simply said, “I see.”
Ozai raised a singular eyebrow but when Iroh said nothing further his smirk grew. “If you wish to accompany the boy you are free to do so. Of course you will be dearly missed here in Caldera but you do deserve this vacation. ”
Iroh only nodded and inclined his head to his brother. “Thank you for this consideration. I’ll see to the preparations.”
Ozai watched him leave and once Iroh was out of the room he had to keep his careful reign on his temper until he was in his personal quarters. Once there he tried to reach for his anger to do something but instead found it burnt out. Instead leaving a gaping hole of fear.
Fear for the future of the world. Fear for the future of the Fire Nation. Fear for his nephew.
Any plans he had made with the White Lotus up until now were completely thrown into disarray. Iroh would no longer have access to the vital information he had been feeding the Order until now and Zuko’s position in the Fire Nation was now in jeopardy.
Members of the Order, mostly Piando, had advocated for Iroh to guide Zuko and shape him so that when Ozai was deposed then Zuko would be in position to either step up himself or to be an heir for Iroh. Keeping the throne in the Royal Family would help minimize the rebellions in the Fire Nation and squash any potential insurgencies.
If Zuko was killed during his banishment then the heirship would fall to Azula. Azula was too much like her father. Ursa had voiced her concerns to Iroh in the past about Azula’s behaviors and from what Iroh had observed as well, Iroh feared what would happen if Azula took the throne.
Choosing to go with Zuko was an easy decision in the end. Both to protect his nephew and continue his education, but also to put himself in a position of more active work with the Order. He could no longer feed the information directly from Caldera, but he could carry messages between Order members as needed.
Which was what he was doing now. The last few days of getting the ship prepared, setting out, his conflicts with Zuko, the resistance from the crew, all of it was something he had detailed in letters but now found an opportunity to pass along in person.
His opponent moved a river tile and Iroh responded with his rhododendron at a diagonal. His opponent raised an eyebrow but continued the game.
By the time they finished many hours had passed. Iroh had proven his identity as a member of the Order, received the latest news update, and then shared his news and how his position in the order would need to change. His opponent had bowed his head and wished him well as Iroh set out back to the docks.
His nephew was surely upset with him by now. After all, they were only supposed to be here for three hours. Nearly five had passed but a good game of Pai Sho was hard to come by since his nephew and Lieutenant Jee had refused to play him. His nephew’s anger was a new development but understandable. His nephew was in a great deal of pain, both physical and emotional, and he was an easy target for him to direct it at.
He walked towards where the Wani was.
Or.
Well.
Where the Wani should have been.
Iroh looked at the empty mooring spot and was at a complete loss for what he was seeing. He turned to the workers on the dock and could only ask, “Excuse me, do you know where the ship that was docked here has gone?” Maybe the ship had simply been moved to another mooring point for some reason. Maybe some specific supplies needed to be loaded.
The dock workers all looked at him warily. One of the younger men cleared his throat. “Um, they left a few hours ago. Once all the crew was on board we heard the shouts go out and they were underway a few minutes later. Headed straight out to sea. Left the horizon over an hour ago now.”
“Ah. I see. Thank you.” Iroh turned back towards the town and started walking.
His nephew had left him in the port. Iroh had no doubt that it was on purpose. The crew, at the very least Lieutenant Jee, would have had to be aware of his absence and agreed with his nephew to leave him behind.
This wasn’t good. He had to reconnect with his nephew as quickly as possible before the boy could make a dire mistake and get himself killed.
His nephew had no idea how much was at stake if he wasn’t careful.
Five minutes ago, Iroh would have said that his nephew would never do something like this. That his nephew was only angry at his father and lashing out. He was obviously mistaken and the issues were even deeper than he had thought. The fact that the crew had sided with Zuko over him was also deeply concerning and something he would have to rectify as soon as he was back on the ship. His nephew was acting in his anger and hurt and would likely get his crew hurt with him.
Iroh stepped back into the tea shop and flagged down his former Pai Sho opponent. He would need all the help he could get in order to save his nephew from his own anger before it got him and his crew killed.