Begin Again In Marvel

POV Rio

I summoned Roshi a few weeks ago and my training with him has gone well. I did have to warn him a few times when he got a little too aggressive with his perversions. But after the second incident, he stopped being a problem and calmed down. Though I think the serious talk I had with him about how he was making the people around him uncomfortable helped the most. And the fact that he and Jiraiya have been becoming fast friends and would disappear on Sunday night until the early AM. With our last week, we had everyone start the advanced training. While not everyone showed up for the training and some beings couldn't use the training we still had about 80 people do the training. Many were Namekians who wanted to join the Defense Force. Right now I was fighting Master Roshi using only reflexes and Ultra Instinct.

Roshi: "I think I have taught you all I can when it comes to Ultra Instinct and any other techniques I can think of. The rest of the training will be on you. Still, you have done a great job. What will you be focusing on next?"

Rio: "I will be doing Fire Bending training next. General Iroh will be my next instructor."

Roshi: "Well I wish you luck on your journey. I will get back to training Raditz."

Raditz was one of the dozen or so who could do the advanced training. He, like his brother, excelled in Roshi's training. The Training Chamber also helped, which allowed everyone to go all out without worrying about who may be watching or what damage may happen. I waved Roshi goodbye before ending my training for the day. Tomorrow was Roshi's day off before he left. The day after that was when Iroh would be summoned. But today was when the Study of the Scroll would be finished. I wanted to go check on how that was going.

(AN: WD stands for Wood Clone.)

WD: "Ah, good to see you. I should be done in ten minutes and we can see if this was a waste of our time."

I waited patiently until it was done. Once it was, the Clone attempted to use the scroll, but nothing happened.

Clone: "Hmm, I should be activating it properly. Why don't you try."

I try and nothing happens.

Rio: "Well, either you have to dispel to give me the memories or I can't use a clone for this."

The clone nods and dispels. I take a few minutes to process the month's worth of memories and once I am done I activate the scroll and it works.

'Hmm, the scroll had a lot more to study than I originally expected. I might have some ideas for what I can use the info for. But it will require some extensive work. I think they would like it as a surprise. If it works. Also, I would have to be extremely careful with who gets to know how to use such a technique.'

A Couple Days Later...

'Hmm everything is set up I just need to summon Iroh.'

In a flash of light, a young Iroh appears.

[Image Here]

Iroh: "Mmm, is that Jasmine Tea I smell?"

Rio: "It's an honor to meet you, General Iroh. I have brewed the best Jasmine Tea I could make. I hope to learn Fire Bending from you as well as anything you can teach me about the other bending styles. But first have some Tea."

Iroh: "No need to call me by my old title. I haven't been a general in many years. Just call me Iroh or Uncle. And I will gladly teach you what I know. I will warn you I am no bender in the other styles so I can only tell you what I have studied. And I also can't guarantee you have a talent for any bending at all. I will gladly have some tea."

Iroh taps a little sip and his eyes go wide.

Iroh: "You... How... This... Is the best tea I have had in all my existence! If you keep serving me tea of this level I might just have to adopt you."

Rio: "Sorry but I have a father already and I wouldn't trade him for anyone."

Iroh: "A shame but only because someone got to you first. Haha."

Rio: "I thank you for the praise and the offer."

Iroh: "Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights. If you stop and listen to their stories you never know what you may learn."

Rio: "So how should we start the training I know you usually don't like being rushed but unfortunately you can only be here for a month."

Iroh strokes his beard and thinks for a moment.

Iroh: "An interesting situation I find myself in. But with this good tea, I suppose I can make an exception. But be warned this training will be grueling at times. I will teach you everything I can in the given time but it depends on your talent and dedication to learn what I teach."

Rio: "Of course master."

Iroh: "The first part of the training is breath control. If you can use the Heating Breath then you will be better able to feel fire and understand its nature."

2 Weeks Later...

I was practicing Firebending while Iroh observed and made sure I was doing it properly. Once I had finished using Fire Wall I stopped and bowed to Iroh.

Iroh: "Excellent job. I hereby name you a master Firebender. Now we can start Lightning Bending. This Bending is very dangerous but with your body, I doubt any injuries will last."

Rio: "I am ready to learn."

Iroh: "Some call Lightning the Cold Blooded Fire. It is precise and deadly. To perform the technique requires peace of mind. Even a slight misstep can cause severe internal injuries. Both redirection and creation are powerful and dangerous. First, we must test your ability to channel energy internally."

POV Iroh

I had just sent off Rio to practice some meditation and energy channeling when a visitor arrived. When I saw who it was I smiled.

Iroh: "Come to get more advice?"

Mal0: "Yes, I hope I am not intruding."

Iroh: "Not at all. You are always welcome here."

I serve some tea and wait for her to start.

Mal0: "Thank you for the tea. I came to ask about my friend again."

Iroh: "Ah yes, the one with a crush on someone but they believe they are not worthy."

Mal0: "Yes that one. I have been thinking about what you said about not worrying about one's relative stations and all that. But my friend is not so certain it is that simple. What if they are rejected or if they drag down the person with their weakness?"

Iroh: "If the one your friend loves is so petty that they would refuse one's confession for such reasons. Then they are not worthy of your friend's time or energy. Perfection and power are overrated. What matters is love and happiness. They should do what makes them happy."

Mal0: "And what if that friend is happy just watching their crush?"

Iroh: "Sigh. No one can force one to show their feelings. But pretending that one is happier watching as life passes them by will do no good for anyone. If they wait for a perfect opportunity then they will find that there are no such things. But once they realize this it will be too late to change the past. Most only have one life. Cherish those around you. Do not live your life waiting say how you feel or else you will regret it when they are no longer here or someone else becomes their love."

Mal0: "I... see."

Iroh: "Mal, both of you will live many hundreds of years but you cannot guarantee that you will live to see tomorrow. Don't waste years of your life wondering how it may go wrong. Focus on what will be gained from telling him how you feel."

Mal0: "I don't know what you are talking about. It's my friend that has the crush."

Iroh: "Sigh. Yes, yes your friend."

Mal0: "Thank you for the advice I will let my friend know."

Iroh: "Of course, anytime."

As I watch Mal0 leave I cannot help but shake my head.

'Young love these days. Always beating around the bush never just being honest.'

I see Rio approaching.

Rio: "So I finished the last step now what."

I was no fool I know he only approached now as we were done talking. I often wonder if he knows about her feelings but doesn't say anything for some reason.

Iroh: "I suppose we can move on to Lightning Redirection. Then once you master that we can try Lightning Generation. Without you using the Force."

He smiles and I just shake my head.

Iroh: "Did you hear what we were talking about?"

Rio: "No, I just sensed that you had company. I then waited for them to leave so I didn't disrupt anything. If someone wants to ask you for advice I don't want to make them feel nervous or uncomfortable."

Iroh: "That is a great quality in a leader. Privacy is something that everyone holds dear even if they seem open."

We walk to the training field to continue the training. But after a few hours, I stop him.

Iroh: "Stop. You are unfocused. What troubles you."

He sighs and looks up. I look as well and I see a full moon.

Rio: "Do you ever look back and question if you could have done something different or said something else? That if you did you could have done something better."

Iroh: "Yes, many times."

Rio: "And how do you deal with it?"

Iroh: "I remember that I did what I could and I learned from my decisions."

Rio: "How do you know if you made the right decision?"

Iroh: "What makes a decision good or bad is a matter of perspective. To some, your decision was a good one. To her, your decision was a bad one. What matters is if you think what you did was right."

Rio: "Did I make the right call? Was there some way I could have convinced her to join me?"

Iroh: "I cannot make that decision for you. Whether or not you could have talked her down doesn't matter anymore. What matters is you gave her a chance. Very few would do so in your shoes."

Rio: "Sigh. Sometimes when I dream I can see her right as she is getting sealed. That look of unadulterated fear and terror in her eyes haunts me. I sent her to a place where she spent 1000 years in complete isolation. I can't help but wonder if that was wrong. If there was a better way."

Iroh: "Is she suffering?"

Rio: "Not that I know of."

Iroh: "Then that is good enough. You made a tough decision. Sometimes there is no perfect answer or solution. You will live to see her again. Which means you have another chance. Learn from your past but never be ruled by it."

Rio: "Hmm, thanks I needed this."

Iroh: "While I won't be here forever others around you can help. If you only let them."

We continue drinking Tea before we retire for the night. I stop in the halls and look at the moon.

'I hope you succeed next time Rio. For both your sakes.'

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Authors Note:

I didn't want to write an in-depth training chapter but I also didn't want to gloss over Iroh and Roshi completely. Iroh does what he does best, drink tea, I mean give advice. As for whether or not Rio knows about Mal0s feelings. Yes, he does but he doesn't want to pressure her and is fine with waiting. That and he isn't really looking for a relationship at this time. He has 2 kids, training, and an Empire to run so not a whole lot of free time.