Hey all,
I just binged what ATLA and it was AMAZING. Anyways, I was really intrigued with the Order of the White Lotus and how it was created. Unfortunately, I was not able to find much on it other than the fandom sight. So I just kind of made up my own thing….kinda. Anyways, I am doing this for four more members. I hope you enjoy it. Please leave comments on how I could better my writing.
I do not own ATLA, all rights go to Nickelodeon
Iroh
The sky was a beautiful shade of purple and orange, reminding the aging general of his time in Ba Sing Se. In the Earth Kingdom, they had some of the most beautiful sunsets that Iroh had ever seen in his life. The sky would glow with a multitude of different colors, turning the drifting clouds to gold. It was one of the few things Iroh truly missed about the war and the Earth Kingdom. Seeing the sunsets.
Now, thinking about the war and his great failure during the war only made his heart hurt. Everything about the war just made Iroh think about his son, Lu Ten. His son had died fighting on the front lines during the siege of Ba Sing Se. Ever since that day, Iroh had wanted nothing to do with the war his younger brother was intent on continuing.
Many days, he thanks the spirits for his nephew, Zuko, for his role in his life. Ever since the disappearance of his mother, the young boy had grown increasingly close to Iroh, slowly taking his uncle out of his mourning for his lost son. Iroh embraced the fact that the young prince sought him out, and promised that he would protect Zuko, something he had failed to do with his son.
Iroh was out on the terrace of his room in the royal palace, sipping his tea and looking out over the vibrant city. The royal city was everything the Fire Nation should and shouldn't be. It possessed culture and tradition, something that Iroh wanted shared with the world. But it also contained arrogance and pride, with many believing that the Fire Nation is the best of all the kingdoms and deserves to rule the world. Iroh once believed like they did, that the war was just and right. It was only after the death of his son did he see that they were wrong, so very wrong. The war was not right or just. It was cruel and stupid, taking the lives of thousands, if not millions.
A knock came at his door. It was one of the guards, Lee. He had taken off his helmet and was standing at attention. "I am sorry to interrupt you General," he said, using Iroh's military title. Many still did, or they used his royal status 'Lord Iroh'. Although many of the generals in his younger brother's war council shook their heads at him for giving up the siege of Ba Sing Se, they still respected him as the Dragon of the West, a title he had earned for slaying the last surviving dragon. "There is someone here to see you."
Iroh raised an eyebrow, but nodded firmly. "See them in. And bring more jade tea." he said. The guard bowed and left. Iroh turned back to the city and waited for his mysterious visitor.
"General Iroh." A male voice said from behind him. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
Iroh turned to see a strange man standing in the doorway. He had shaggy white-blonde hair and a well trimmed beard. He wore simple white robes that did not show the emblem of the fire nation, or any nationality in fact. He bowed to Iroh, who bowed back. The stranger gestured to the Pai Sho board that Iroh always had near him. This particular one was an ornate masterpiece, a gift he had received from Zuko's mother on his birthday before she had disappeared. It was a well known fact that he was a master at the game and took extreme pleasure in teaching and playing the game.
"Shall we play?" the stranger asked.
Iroh, never one to turn down a game, nodded as both men took seats across from each other. As each man began moving their pieces and setting up their strategies, Iroh finally spoke. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage my friend. You know me, but I do not know you." he said, looking carefully at the board. The stranger smiled slightly, also not looking up from the board.
"My name is Geng." he said simply. Now Iroh looked up at the man, raising an eyebrow once more. Geng was the name of the Fire Nation General who had battled the great Southern Water Tribe Navy and won. However, General Geng was said to have vanished during the fight, as he went off to battle the enemy commander by himself. That battle had taken place just west of the Southern Air Temple, well over fifty years ago, back when Iroh's father Azulon had first ascended to the throne.
The two men exchanged moves for a while before Iroh finally spoke. "Many said you were dead. You vanished during the fight with the Southern Water Tribe Navy." he said, choosing his words carefully. Although the man in front of Iroh was well over the age of 70, nearing 80, Geng was said to be one of the best firebenders to ever live. Rivally the Sun Warriors themselves. Iroh idolized the man growing up, reading about many of his battles and wars with the Water Tribes. He had even based his attack on the fortress of Sung Lu in the Earth Kingdom off of the strategy Geng used when attacking the island of Kai Chan.
Geng nodded slowly. "That is what I wanted people to think." he said, his hand coming to rest on the White Lotus piece. "My story is not for some. But I have watched you for sometime, Dragon of the West. I believe that you should hear it."
Iroh sat back in his chair, anxious to hear what the legendary firebender had to say. It was at that moment that a servant arrived, bearing a tray with two cups and a steaming pot of jade tea. Both men waited as the serving girl placed the tray down carefully and poured two cups of the hot liquid. She handed one to Iroh, then to Geng. She then bowed and waited to see if Iroh had any further instructions for her. The aging royal smiled kindly at the young girl. "Thank you Sia." he said gratefully, taking a drink. "This is perfect."
The young girl smiled widely and bowed before leaving. Many of the servants and guards loved Iroh. Not only was he a figure to be revered and respected, but he was also kind and respectful to the servants themselves. He made them feel valued, a trait he had picked up when leading men into battle. When Sia had left, he turned back to Geng and waited for him to speak.
"Do you know of a waterbender named Hoddak?" Geng said, catching Iroh slightly off guard. Iroh nodded.
"He was the last great waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe." the former general explained. "He was the commander you faced when you fought the Southern Water Tribe Navy."
Geng nodded. "Indeed. He was a great bender and strategist, a true equal and challenge. He had destroyed dozens of Fire Nation fleets by the time I had tracked him down. When the battle began, I knew it would be one for the ages. The Northern Water Tribe was known for their strength and waterbenders. The Southern Water Tribe was known for their cunning and fearsome warriors. The 'Winter Wolves' was what they called themselves." Geng said. His eyes had a far off look in them, as if he was remembering that day. Iroh could relate to the feeling, having woken up many times in a cold sweat as he dreamt of the people that he had lost in the war. "During the battle, I took my own ship and went after Hoddak. The battle we had would have been talked about for centuries, but it will never be uttered ever. The fight between Hoddak and I was so intense that we both ended up on the shore of the Southern Air Tribe. Both of us were beaten and battered from combat. We were about to continue our fight when we were stopped by one woman. An airbender."
Iroh held back a gasp. The airbenders were supposed to be extinct. Firelord Sozin's first strike in his war wiped out all of the Air Nomads in an attempt to kill the next Avatar before he had a chance to stop Sozin and his plans. "How was that possible?" Iroh asked.
Geng shrugged. "In time, you will learn. The woman, Kahi, was one of the last airbenders alive, but not the last. She said that she had left the Air Temples long before Sozin had massacred her kin. She had stopped us both from fighting. More importantly, she wanted to speak with us."
Iroh interrupted, a single question burning inside him. "How was she able to stop you from attacking Hoddak?" he asked.
Geng laughed bitterly. "Hoddak was not my enemy by choice Iroh. I fought, like you, for the pride of the Fire Nation. But more than that, I fought because in my heart, I was a soldier, and I followed orders. I had nothing but respect for Hoddak, that is why I sought him out on my own. The waterbender was an incredible opponent, and a great man as well. I could also not fault Hoddak for what he was doing. He was protecting his home and loved ones, something that I myself would do without hesitation. He and myself agreed to end our duel and listen to what Kahi had to say." he paused to take a drink of tea. Iroh was hanging off of every word. When his thirst was sated, he continued. "What Kahi told me, well, it's the biggest secret to ever be held. I will tell you this secret, but I need your solemn oath that you will take it to your grave." Geng said, gazing steadily at the former great general.
Iroh nodded. He had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to know the secret, but the other fact was that this was his idol, and all his life, he had wanted to meet him. "You have my word as a royal family member and general of the Fire Nation. Even under pain of death, I will not divulge your secret." Iroh swore.
The two men gazed at each other, each one assessing the other. Geng finally nodded, liking what he saw. "You have a particular strategy in Pai Sho, one that utilizes the White Lotus piece like no other." he said. Iroh nodded, a little surprised that Geng had picked up on the strategy. It was something that he had learned when he had traveled the world after abandoning the siege of Ba Sing Se. "The White Lotus is a piece that can interact with any and all pieces on the board. It transcends the game itself." He took a deep breath and continued. "There is a secret society known as the Order of the White Lotus. It is only open to a select group of people. Benders and non-benders alike who are masters of their crafts. Not only that, but they are individuals that understand and protect the truth and beauty of our world. This is why I sought you out Iroh. Not only have you seen through the lie that the Fire Nation has been feeding you for years, but you have opened yourself up to new cultures and people. You have embraced the world as it is. Not only that, but I know that you have taken trips into the Spirit World."
Iroh this time could not hold back. He gasped and dropped his tea, not caring that he had spilled his favorite drink on the ground. "I went looking for my son, Lu Ten." he said quietly. "I never told anyone."
Geng nodded understandingly. "Like I said, I have been watching you for some time. At first, I saw you as a man who would rival me as a general, a feat not easily accomplished. Then, when you left the siege of Ba Sing Se, I was intrigued to see what you would do. I knew of your son's death on the front lines. I have seen many men, great men, wither and crumble at the loss of someone so dear to them. But you did not. You took your mourning and turned it into insight and enlightenment. This, along with your mastery over fire, makes you a perfect member to join our ranks." Geng explained, placing his tea down. He reached into the sleeve of his robe and pulled out a scroll, a white lotus embossed on its seal. He handed it to Iroh. "We will not force you to join our ranks Iroh." he said. "But I have a feeling that you will make a great Lotus."
Iroh took the scroll and broke the seal, taking his time to read the message. It was a message passed down to every new member from its original founders. It put in simple terms the mission of the order and why it was created. It was a group of masters that transcends borders and nations. It is a group that seeks out truth, beauty, and philosophy. Each thing that Iroh had learned to love and admire as well. He rolled back up the scroll and bowed to Geng.
"I humbly accept."