Fire...Air...Water...Earth... The Avatar has been revealed, and after many months of hardship and struggle, the world is poised to enter into an age of prosperity and peace. With the tyranny of Beryl brought to ruin and the great evil of Apsu abolished forever, the balance has been maintained, and the world has been saved. The Avatar's name is Usagi, a warrior of love and justice, and despite all the great deeds she has accomplished, her story is not over yet!

AVATAR

The Celestial Sailors

BOOK TWO: HEART

23: Entr'acte

For the longest time, they sat together in silence, resting from a very weary battle. None of them had gone unscathed: clothes were torn and threadbare, hair was loose and unkempt, bruises were everywhere, cuts were prevalent, and the weariness of war weighed heavily in their eyes. It was a solemn moment, one filled with relief and joy, but also anxiety. Suen was glad for the silence, and Usagi was glad to let her reflect in silence. She felt like she was looking at the other girl for the first time.

"Apsu was right, you know," Suen spoke at last, her voice heavy and sorrowful. "I did horrible things...inexcusable things, especially to my friends. I can't justify any of it; I can't make excuses. I meant what I said, you know, back then—about me being willing to face the consequences. I'm just...afraid of facing my friends, you know. I know I don't deserve their forgiveness..." Usagi and Anshar looked at each other glumly, then she scooted in close and put an arm around Suen's shoulders.

"I think everything will be fine. Everyone deserves a second chance. I don't know your friends as well as you do, but I feel like they'll forgive you. I certainly do."

"Thanks," she whispered, smiling sadly. She hung her head and wiped a tear from her face. "But I won't blame them if they don't." Usagi smiled warmly at her.

"Have a little more faith in them. We'll leave whenever you're ready."

"I don't think it will matter," she said numbly. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be." She and Anshar held hands—she didn't ever want to let him go—as they made the long walk back to Ba Sing Se. It was almost evening when they reached the front gates. Suen expected to be stopped and arrested by the guards, but she was allowed through without any fuss. Her eyes darted around the city nervously, expecting someone to attack her, or curse her at the very least. People were too busy rebuilding the war-torn streets and buildings to pay her much mind.

"At least the cabbage stand survived," Usagi observed, pointing to two stalls. She winced as she noticed a radish salesman bemoaning his ill fate, and hoped he'd get back on his feet soon. It took them the better part of an hour to make it back to the palace; Usagi hesitated only slightly as she approached it. No matter how many times she came here, it still felt like she was invading Beryl's territory. The guards let her through; she asked where Mamoru was; a page escorted her to the king's chamber. On the way, Suen stopped in her tracks, jerking at her brother's hand. There, only fifty feet away, her four friends were gathered, chatting gaily among themselves. Suen felt ill and hung her head, hoping they wouldn't notice. Usagi saw her and gave a little shove. They noticed.

"Suen?" Ishtar took a tentative step closer, clutching her hands. Suen kept her head down, scarcely daring to glance up. She waved timidly.

"U-um...h, hello Ishtar. H-hello, everybody."

"Is it really you, Suen?" Marduk whispered. Suen fought back tears of sorrow and regret.

"Y-yeah, it's me. Ah, I'm here...a-and I'm s-so s-s-sorry, I..."

She was cut off as three girls rushed at her, calling her name, throwing their arms around her. Suen was completely paralyzed, unable to process this unexpected reaction. The tears fell of their own accord, and she completely broke down. Words caught stiffly in her throat.

"I'm so sorry, I...I'm so sorry..."

"Shut up," Ishtar wailed, her eyes also brimming, "j-just shut up, okay? I told you..." She kissed the tears away, even aiming one at Suen's lips, which startled her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see Nabu, her normally stoic face glowing with warmth.

"Apparently Ishtar is even more flagrant with her expressions now. I got the same treatment not so long ago. It is good to have you back, old friend." She then smiled and, in a completely unprecedented move, went in for a hug. Suen didn't know what to do, or say, so she just knelt there and sobbed. Anshar soon joined them, and Usagi discreetly crept out, laughing from sheer happiness.

It wasn't long before Usagi was finally, finally, finally reunited with her own friends—and Mamoru. Hugs, kisses, and tears abounded. It would no doubt take days, weeks to tell all their stories, but that could wait for later. After all, they had been through a great tribulation, and had earned a little bit of unfiltered happiness. About an hour or so later—there really was no way to tell how much time passed—Suen's group settled to the point where they could approach Usagi's group for a talk. There were still plenty of red eyes going around, but everyone was flushed with joy. Suen stared at the floor, wringing her hands, before looking at Usagi.

"So, uh...we've been...talking—my group and I. Um...we have a lot to...sift through. Clearly. I don't just mean with our group: there's a lot...to do. What I mean is...this world is still full of problems. Not even taking Beryl into account, there's a lot...to fix, to make better, in the world, and, well...I think it's time I stopped blaming other people for not doing anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I want this world to get better, I can't depend on other people to do it for me. I have to be the one to make that change—umm, no offense, of course."

"I understand," Usagi grinned. "I think it's a wonderful idea...and frankly, I need all the help I can get!" They both laughed.

"I don't know about that," Suen tittered. "You seem pretty capable. We'll just help out wherever we can. I think...it would be good for us. I had a lot more fun traveling with these wonderful ladies than anything else I can think of, and I want to keep doing it. So will you give us your blessing?"

"Of course!" Usagi exclaimed, taking Suen's hands. "I know you'll do a lot of good together. And don't worry too much about what people think of you. Based on my experience, five beautiful girls traveling together can get very popular!" They chuckled again and Suen thanked her. She grew more serious as she pulled Usagi aside and lowered her voice.

"Look, I know they've forgiven me and everything, but...I still don't feel worthy of them. I mean, we're all friends, but they're all experienced benders, and now that Apsu's gone, I'm...I have nothing to offer." Usagi smiled warmly, fully sympathizing with Suen's plight. It wasn't so long ago when she had faced a similar personal crisis.

"Are you kidding me? I did some of my best work before ever learning I was the Avatar. I escaped from Beryl's attack on the tournament, survived a house falling on me, saved King Motoki's life, broke my friends out of a maximum security prison, and even fought Beryl, all without any special abilities—and I'm just a clumsy, indecisive, lazy little crybaby who's still afraid of bugs. Think of what someone as awesome as you could pull off!" Suen laughed sweetly, and admitted that Usagi had a good point. The Avatar then pulled her into an embrace, which she happily returned.

"Keep in touch, Suen. I know you'll do good out there."

"Thanks, Usagi. You're...a good Avatar. And a good friend." They smiled at each other one more time, and with Anshar and a bouncing Kishar soon following, the five girls took their leave of the king and the city, venturing out into the wide world. They had scarcely made it two steps outside, however, before Ishtar peered at her friend's little brother.

"Hey Sue, you never told us how cute your brother was. I call dibs on him!"

"What?" Ishtar squeaked and grabbed onto his arm.

"Dibs! I call dibs!" Suen growled.

"He's thirteen, Ishtar!" The other blonde stared in awe.

"Oh? Well then, I call dibs five years in the future!"

"You're not calling dibs on my brother!"

"Yeah," Marduk rallied, "show some tact! Besides..." She grabbed his other arm and stuck her tongue out. "I'm calling dibs two years from now!"

"Hey! What did I just say?!"

"Thirteen's not too young to date," Nergal reasoned. "I had my first date when I was ten. Therefore, I call dibs right now."

"Is anybody listening to me?!" Suen roared. Poor Anshar found himself in a tug-of-war between three girls (sometimes four, since Suen was trying to wrench him away). As always, Nabu just rolled her eyes.

"I'm pretty sure he's not going to date any of us."

"That leaves her out of the running!" Nergal exclaimed. She balled her fist and stared at her two "rivals". "Now it's just the three of us! And since guys love fiery redheads, I'm sure to win!"

"In a flying pig's eye!" Marduk spat. "A man loves a woman who can cook, and I'm the best cook!"

"But I'm the most experienced with men," Ishtar announced proudly. Suen nearly tore her hair out in frustration.

"Urgh, how'd I get stuck with crazy friends like you?!" Nabu shook her head, unable to hold in the laughter any more. She let out a big long guffaw, and soon, everyone else was laughing along.

…...

With Apsu gone, there were fewer truly dangerous threats left in the world, but still plenty of mundane ones. Scarcely three days after their victory in Ba Sing Se, the girls got word that Tears of Apsu were disintegrating the world over, and unrest among black market traders and smugglers was rising in accord. Wishing to investigate further (and to leave the palace for a few days), Mamoru journeyed with the girls, and after a few scrapes and adventures, they ran into Ma-Ti, Linka, Gi, Kwame, and Wheeler, who had been hunting badger-mole poachers. Together they either settled or put to route most of the troublemakers; a few days after solving matters with a particularly nasty kingpin, Minako got word from Boris that Artemis was nearly recovered from his injury, and he would be heading her way soon. Encouraged by this good news, and with several prospects ahead of them, they parted ways with Ma-Ti's group, each one encouraging the other.

Usagi took some time to proudly flex her newfound bending abilities for her friends. She easily countered Minako's hurricane, rode around with Ami on ice blocks she created herself (still falling off sometimes), knocked several stones off their pedestals before an impressed Mamoru (claiming every one stood for a date he owed her), and even breathed fire for Rei. She still had difficulties keeping up with Makoto's martial arts, but the taller woman was still proud of her progress. She even entertained the idea of learning earth-bending from her pupil.

After helping quell the restless volcano spirits, Asanuma, Kotono, and their company took a few days off to relax in the Ember Island tropics. Lark and the prince grew closer, and everyone generally had a good time. Word of local pirates eventually found its way to their ears, so they cut their vacation short and went hunting out on the open sea. They happened across a rueful kraken, but more intriguingly, came across what Salamander thought to be a vast undersea kingdom—something to consider looking into later during their travels.

The first place Suen and her company visited was the town she had saved from a flood. She wanted to find Keya, if for no other reason than to attempt a reconciliation, and while there was still plenty of work to do in the area, her search always focused on the wandering swordswoman. She found her a week later, in a nearby country, throwing rowdy drunks out of a bar. Their meeting was bittersweet; Suen kowtowed in humility and begged for forgiveness. Keya, upon discovering her friend's state of mind, gave it without question, throwing arms of camaraderie around her. The six travelers then became seven, and they continued their journey, bringing light to a world long under darkness.

After making a few quick stops to several Air Temples, Usagi and her friends swung by Omashu to give their respects to Motoki, Unazuki, and everyone else. Minako conspicuously avoided reuniting with Gurio Umino and would not say why; she chose to help out Unazuki instead, insisting that Makoto spend her time with the king. Just in case anybody was still puzzled over their relationship, they both made it clear to everyone (which was just Rei at this point); in fact, the day of their wedding was approaching soon. Motoki had wanted to delay it since his fiancee was still devoting most of her time to helping the Avatar, but his councilors and the general public could only be patient for so long. Makoto was at least open to the suggestion, but playfully warned her groom-to-be he might have to wait for a honeymoon.

While they were in Omashu, Usagi caught up to her family again. They had gotten word of the upcoming marriage and "wanted to get in on the ground floor", as her father put it. She was overjoyed to see them (she even hugged her brother) and spent a good day with them while everyone else relaxed and kept up-to-date on world affairs. The whole gang, including the king and his sister, went to a production of The Avenging Shadow together, where Usagi also ran into Naru. Two more days passed before it was time they moved on, but before they left, Shingo tossed his sister a mewling black bundle.

"It's your turn to take care of Luna now," he said. Luna protested as Usagi scrambled with the poor cat, but eventually found her way to Usagi's head, where she curled up between her trademark buns and fell asleep. Everyone laughed and agreed the black cat with the crescent mark on her forehead would make an excellent addition to the team. Hugs and handshakes were passed around; Makoto even kissed the king on his royal cheek, promising to keep in touch.

"I wish I could go with you," Naru sighed as she and Usagi embraced. The other girl smiled sadly.

"I know. I hate leaving my friends behind. I did it for only one week and the whole world almost got wiped out. But I think it's best you stay here. Who knows, maybe you and Unazuki could be friends."

"I wouldn't object to that," the princess winked. She also nudged Umino, who had been trying hard not to stare. "Say, how would you like to join the Tellurians? I've been given a command and I'd love to have some cute new volunteers."

"Uh, r-r-r-r-really?!" he blurted, turning furiously red. Unazuki giggled and winked.

"Sure. You'd be serving your king and country, and you'd get to spend a lot of time with me."

"Ah..." Umino froze; his brain had probably short-circuited. "A-a-a-ah, y-yes ma'am your majesty, I'd be honored your exalted highness, bah-bah-bah-but I don't know if my parents will let me have another job, I mean I could probably convince them, especially if I have a reference from the princess, your worship, buh-buh-but I d-don't think w-w-we should date or anything like that, it w-wouldn't be professional, and besides..." He hesitated and, amazingly, held in what very little breath he had left before releasing it in one final explosion: "I...I ALREADY HAVE A GIRLFRIEND!"

"You do?" Minako sputtered. Usagi recoiled in disbelief.

"You do?"

"Oh?" Unazuki said. "And who might this lucky young lady be?"

Then, to Usagi's surprise (and honestly, only to hers), Naru looped her arm around Umino's.

"That would be me, your majesty." Usagi's jaw became unhinged, and her eyes twitched.

"Since when?!"

"Since a few days before you arrived. We bonded over our love of The Avenging Shadow."

"Must be some play," Mamoru remarked. Unazuki nodded, smiling impishly as she winked at Naru.

"Ah, a woman after my own heart, and a rival for my affections! This should prove to be very interesting in the future! Anyway, you know where the recruitment office is if you're serious, cutie. See ya then!" She winked and blew a kiss as she walked away. Motoki gave his sister an incongruous stare as he joined her.

"You're not seriously attracted to him, are you Zuke?"

"Why not?" she said gaily. "He's about the same age as me...plus he has a nice rear end."

She said that last part quietly, but Umino still heard, and all his faculties failed him, prompting him to faint. Minako stared as Naru tried reviving him.

"I mean, she's not wrong," the blonde reasoned. Naru chuckled feebly.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"Girls are weird," Shingo grumbled, crinkling his nose. Usagi nodded.

"For once, little brother, I agree with you completely."

…...

Artemis and Minako arrived at Ba Sing Se at almost the exact same time (with a message from Boris and Linka attached). She positively spoiled the creature, cuddling and scratching him and feeding him all his favorite foods. Upon seeing Luna, the air-bison brayed, but the cat dauntlessly hopped off Usagi's head, bounded up Artemis's thick shaggy neck, and found a new home atop his own noggin. Artemis grumbled at first, but a few pleasant scratches from Luna settled him.

"I had a feeling those two would get along," Usagi sang. Setsuna was there as well; she greeted everyone with a solemn bow, smiling but somehow still sad, as her ruby eyes shimmered in the afternoon sun.

"Is something wrong, my lady?" Mamoru said (Usagi was no longer jealous of him addressing anyone in that manner). She smiled wistfully.

"No...all is as it should be. I must part from your esteemed company, though. I have business to attend to elsewhere."

"That is still unfortunate. We all owe you a great debt."

"Don't worry about it," she assured them, chuckling softly. "I do what I do not for thanks or reward, but because it must be done. A task completed successfully is gratitude enough for me. Besides, we will meet again...in the future." With that, enigmatic as always, she strolled past them, but cast a final glimpse at Usagi before disappearing from their lives: "Oh, Avatar, I think you should pay Master Vainamoinen's grave a visit. You'll know where it is. Take care of yourselves." And with that, she was gone, long emerald hair swinging to and fro like the pendulum of an enchanted clock. Minako shielded her eyes from the sun as she watched her leave.

"Come to think of it, Setsuna's got a nice rear end, too."

"For crying out loud," Rei grumbled, "is that all you think about?"

"What?" she shrugged. "I call em' like I see em'! Mamoru's got one, Boris has one, you, Usagi, Ishtar, that Kwame guy..."

"Discipline at all times," Rei muttered to herself as the group walked away. "All times, Rei, all times..." Usagi laughed to herself, then offered Mamoru a quick kiss as she excused herself. Visiting the final resting place of her master was the very least she could do.

A little tree had begun to blossom from the staff he had planted. That was the only article of Vainamoinen's left in the entire world, the only proof that he had lain his life down here, on this spot. Usagi approached it and knelt reverently, clasping her hands in prayer though she couldn't think of anything to say. In all likelihood, the old drifter probably would've appreciated silence more, and that she had in abundance.

"Excuse me, young lady," a voice from behind called out, "could you tell me how to get to Ba Sing Se from here? I'm afraid I'm a bit lost." She was so focused on her silent prayer that she hadn't heard anyone approaching. The voice belonged to an older man, pleasant and warm; she stood up and smiled apologetically.

"Sure, it's not too far away, you just..." She caught herself as she stared at him. He was short, fairly plump, with a thin graying beard and mustache. He wore what looked like a magistrate's miter, a thick cloak or robe that only accentuated his round figure, and heavy wrinkles borne from many years of laughter and mirth. Most striking of all, though, was the hazy glow surrounding him—and the fact that she could see right through him. Usagi trembled as a tear fell down her face.

"Who...are you?" she whispered. The vision beamed beatifically.

"You know who I am, Usagi." She nodded shakily.

"Avatar...Kalkin." He nodded slowly, still smiling.

"I know what you're thinking: 'why, he's even more handsome than I imagined.'" She gave a bittersweet laugh, and his merry eyes twinkled before turning solemn. "My dear, you must have...so many questions for me. Come, let us make ourselves comfortable. It's long past time for us to chat." Usagi was far too excited to do anything else; she barely managed two wobbly steps before she sat back down. Avatar Kalkin sat facing her, crossing his legs, adjusting the sleeves of his long robe in the fashion of a nobleman sitting down for his tea. He nodded at her to begin—but where could she possibly start? At the time, only one thing came to mind:

"Avatar Kalkin...how did you die?"

"Ah," he announced, tipping his cap with a fan. Hesitating, he studied his successor closely, then sat back and relaxed. "I would much prefer to talk about how I lived. Tell me, did you ever hear the story of how I defeated an entire army using only my thumbs?"

"Uh...no," she said, fully intrigued. Kalkin laughed politely and began his story.

"Well, it was many years ago, during the tumultuous time of war where the entire world looked ready to rip itself apart. A very ornery customer named Durga got it into his head that he could be just as great a conqueror as his contemporaries, and a stuffy, selfish, spoiled whelp of an Avatar was the only thing standing between him and his pillaging..."

Kalkin and Usagi talked throughout the whole day, and were still talking as the sky darkened and the moon conducted the ballet of stars. Ami was sitting on a bench next to the main courtyard fountain, content to listen to the rippling water and the soft chirrup of crickets. She turned her head as she heard someone, smiling as Minako approached her.

"Hello, Mina. Lovely night. Care to join me?"

"Don't mind if I do." Ami scooted over; Minako sat next to her; they studied the sky in content silence for a moment. "Summer's almost here. You can tell because the Firebird is rising in the east. See, there's a bit of the constellation."

"Ah," Ami observed. Astronomy may not have been her strongest pursuit, but she did carry an interest in it. "Did Usagi teach you that?"

"Ahuh. She even told me where my astrological sign is. You can't see it now; I'm a late winter, early spring kinda gal."

"Hmm," Ami hummed. She knew where her own sign, the Wise Salmon, was, and wished she could see it. "The sky looks so different down here. Up north, we have some very unique constellations. I hear they're different in the south as well."

"Oh really? I wonder why that is. You'd think they'd be the same no matter where you were."

"Well, your perspective changes depending on latitude. The planet also tilts on its axis, so you can only see some stars in the winter and some in the summer. Because we're so small and the world is always obstructing our view from some angle, you'd have to get out into space to be able to..." She trailed off, realized that she was rambling, saw the overwhelmed look on Minako's face, and stammered. They both burst out laughing. Then, sweet blissful silence.

"Some adventure we've had," Minako spoke. Ami nodded imperceptibly.

"Yes. It's hard to believe so much happened in only about two weeks."

"Well," Minako said, grunting as she stretched her arms out to the stars, "I'm glad we have some time to rest. Still, I can't help but wonder what we'll do next. We've pretty much been everywhere already."

"I know," Ami replied. She turned her head and gave her neighbor a perky smile. "Say, if you could go anywhere in the world, anywhere at all, where would you want to be?" Minako smiled as their eyes met. She didn't need to think about the answer. She just moved closer and took Ami's hand in her own.

"I'm already there."

The End of Book Two: Heart

Author's notes:

Two down and one to go. This last one's going to be huge. Hopefully it will answer all the lingering questions, or at least clear up a few things. I'd like to spend some extra time working on it, so expect delays. In the meantime, aside from thanking the usual people, I'd like to give thanks to the Kalevala for Vainamoinen, Captain Planet and the Planeteers for Kwame, Wheeler, Linka, Gi, and Ma-Ti, and of course, the video game Sailor Moon: Another Story for Suen/Sin, Nabu, Ishtar, Nergal, Marduk, Anshar, and Apsu. And now, a preview of the final Book in this saga.

Next time:

"Battle games can be dangerous."

"Okay, you figured it out: I'm the Avenging Shadow."

"Avatar, it is time we spoke of your true purpose...and of The Bent One."

"Rei, you're about to live out your dream."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with Usagi...but I don't know how that's going to work out."

"You've got to have a name! You're NOT just some harbinger of death! Think! What did your parents call you?"

"I can remember...fireflies."

"Avatar, you know why I'm here. You know I have to kill him. I ask one last time: will you help me?"

"Your allies have forsaken you, and for good reason. They would be mad to contest the Light."

"My name is Avatar Usagi Tsukino! I fight for love and justice! In the name of this world and all those who live on it, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil—and that means you!"

To be concluded in The Celestial Sailors, Book Three: DEATH