CHAPTER 5-THE WHITE LOTUS
Both of the men were walking down a beaten path through a forest. It was so dense with trees, that little light actually shined through. The forest was filled with unusual sounds and creatures Iroh had never experienced before. Not long into their journey did Iroh notice that something was unusual.
"I think I heard an extra set of footsteps, I feel like we are being followed" Iroh whispered to this stranger.
A second passed and the two men were being ambushed by a group of masked figures. They quickly corralled the two into the middle of the path.
"You are surrounded! Give us all of your belongings and we will let you continue on your way," stated the largest member of the group.
The stranger quickly opened up a container which was full with water, which he bended into extensions of his arms.
Iroh was surprised at the fact this stranger was a waterbender. Especially this far away from either poles. Both men got into fighting stances as they went on the offensive.
Using Bumi's technique of waiting and listening, Iroh was able to use the weaknesses of his opponents to his advantage. While they were closely matched in skill, Iroh and the stranger were able to beat the gang. Leaving quickly to avoid any more trouble, the two men continued on their journey.
"What is a firebender doing in Omashu?" the stranger asked.
"I am trying to find my destiny," Iroh paused. "Or maybe just running away from it."
"Ah, I see. Do you have any idea as to where your destiny is taking you?"
"Yes. No. It is confusing at this point."
"The next town we see, why don't we stop and get some food and discuss this destiny problem of yours."
Iroh nodded in agreement, but was apprehensive. He did not know who this stranger was, let alone his name, and Iroh was expected to divulge his secrets?
They find a small village, which had a restaurant. It was empty, aside from the bartender there were only two other people in restaurant who were hiding in the shadows in the back.
The stranger went up and ordered drinks for the two of them; it was not until he came back did Iroh realize that it was tea. Reluctantly, Iroh drank the tea, however, his facial expression gave him away.
"I should have guessed you didn't like tea. Do not worry, it will come with time," the stranger said calmly as he sipped his tea. "So Prince Iroh, how did you become so lost?"
Shocked at the fact that this stranger knew exactly who he was, Iroh was left speechless. Noticing that his companion was for a lack of words, the stranger continued.
"We have a mutual friend. I was instructed to keep out for a young lost man who looked like you. I was also told that you were an excellent Pai Sho player."
Iroh knew exactly who this stranger was talking about. "How do you know Lu Ten?" Iroh asked excitedly. "How is he?"
A sad expression came across the stranger's face. "Lu Ten and I have been friends for a long time. Unfortunately, he died shortly after he dropped you off at the Sun Warriors Civilization. Lu Ten had been ill for a long time; he held on long enough to get you to where you needed to go, and to spread the word for people to be on the lookout for you."
Overcome with grief, Iroh just looked at the floor. His first real friend on this journey is dead. Iroh sipped his tea in silence, unable to face the news.
"Iroh, Lu Ten knew that you would be lost and need help finding your way. It was not just chance that our paths crossed. Destiny brought us together. I am here, to help you through your journey, young Iroh. However, I must first ask, did you kill the dragons?"
"No, I did not. When I was judged by the dragons, they found me unworthy of learning the nature of firebending. That was until Avatar Roku spoke to the dragons; he caused them to change their minds."
"I am glad you learned that firebending is not anger, hatred, or pure power, but rather life, and energy. This will help you along your journey. For the sake of the dragons though Iroh, I ask you to do this one favor: tell everyone else you ever meet, that you killed the last dragon in existence."
"But, why? Why would I need to lie about that?" Iroh asked very confused.
"It is important for the nature of firebending to be preserved. This can only be done if Ran and Shaw stay alive. If firebenders continue to hunt them for glory, there will be no way for others to understand the nature of firebending."
Iroh quickly understood the importance, and agreed to tell everyone he killed the last dragon.
"It is also important for you to understand the four nations. Iroh, are you ready to take the next step in your journey?"
Faced with a decision, a decision which he did not know where it would lead him. Iroh trusted Lu Ten, and Lu Ten trusted this stranger, it would seem logical for Iroh to do the same.
"I am ready for the next step," Iroh said with conviction.
"Fantastic. First, you must finish your tea, and second, we must play Pai Sho."
With their teas finished, and Iroh winning at Pai Sho, the stranger offered some oddly familiar advice: "Iroh, please don't under estimate the role of the white lotus. It has the tendency to help you when you least expect it."
"Lu Ten offered me the same advice, what is that supposed to mean?!" Iroh asked slightly irritated.
"That, my young friend, is the next step in your journey. Let us go outside for a walk." The stranger stood up and walked towards the door, Iroh had no choice but to follow.
The stranger grabbed a stick, and began to draw in the sand. First, he drew the fire nation symbol. "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want." Next, he drew the symbol for the Earth Kingdom. "Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring." He followed this with the symbol for the Air Nomads. "Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and they found peace and freedom." Lastly, the stranger drew the Water Tribe symbol. "Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are capable of adapting to many things. They have a sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."
After a moment of silence, the stranger continued. "We often see the four nations as four separate entities, but that is not the case. To be a well-rounded civilization, person, and bender, you must learn from all the nations."
"But what does this have to do with Pai Sho?!" Iroh exclaimed.
"The Order of the White Lotus is an ancient and secret organization which believes that all four nations should live in harmony, in continuous flow. We search for philosophy, beauty, and truth. The White Lotus is made of people from all nations, benders and nonbenders, all who work together to achieve a better tomorrow. This Pai Sho tile," the stranger holds up the tile, "is your ticket into the order. My name is Taijo, I am the Grand Lotus, and it is my destiny to teach you the ways of order."
Iroh tried to hold in his laugh. Seriously?! He thought to himself. A group of benders and nonbenders who work together? The Fire Nation is causing rifts amongst all civilizations because of this war. It is not possible for this to exist.
Like he was reading Iroh's thoughts, Tajio continued. "It is real, and it does work. However, my rein is coming to an end, and we need someone with a pure heart who can continue with the mission of the White Lotus. It is only going to get more difficult as the war wages on, but Iroh: it is extremely important that you become a member."
Sensing Iroh's hesitation, Tajio offered Iroh a tidbit of information. "Are you familiar with the production of lightning?"
His ears perked up; Iroh was very interested in what most people referred to as the cold-blooded fire. "I have always wanted to learn how to do it, can you teach me?" Iroh asked eagerly.
"No I can't, I do not know how to produce lightning. However, I can still teach you a valuable technique which previous members of the White Lotus have used." Taijo began to do a waterbending form. It started with his legs apart, one arm out, which he brought to his stomach. There his other hand cam e to the stomach as well, then pushed out away from him. He continued this multiple times. "This is a form which will teach you how to redirect lightning. Using the idea of redirecting an opponent's energy from waterbending, one is able to redirect the lightning past your heart into the stomach, and out again using your other hand. I want you to practice."
At first it was difficult for Iroh, waterbending so more fluid than any of his firebending forms. However, he eventually caught on and was able to feel his chi flowing through his body with the movement of his hands.
"When learning from other styles of bending, there is nothing stopping you." Taijo added.
Iroh thought about this for a moment. Bumi taught him to wait and listen, which has turned into a valuable tool thus far, and now waterbending has taught him how to redirect lightning.
"I want to become a member of the Order of the White Lotus" Iroh said, feeling confident in his decision.
"It is going to take lots of dedication and training. You are going to need to follow me to a location where we can train and teach you about the White Lotus."
Iroh agreed and shortly after they were off to the southern tip of the Earth Kingdom. There Iroh trained for three months, learning to meditate, studying the other bending styles, and growing in maturity. By the end of his time there, Iroh was no longer the cocky lost prince he started out to be, rather a full realized master firebender, member of the White Lotus, and a connoisseur of tea.
"Thank you Taijo for everything you taught me," Iroh said as he bowed goodbye to the Grand Lotus.
"Do not forget what it is you learned here. It will be difficult to hold on to the teachings when your life gets difficult. The next years for you will be come with great struggle, but remember the Order of the White Lotus is always here to help a member in need."
With that, Iroh left Taijo and walked towards the west coast of the Earth Kingdom until he stumbled across a Fire Nation colony. That is when it finally hit Iroh that he was returning home.
