"Who's there?" I blearily shout after what seems like five seconds of sleep. Before the words even finish echoing against the wall, a wall of fire surrounds our group. Through the flames, I see a bunch of old men wearing matching deep blue robes with a wide white collar.
"Well, look who's here!" the nearest one cackles. One of his eyes is bigger than the other and he has liver spots all over, with quite a few missing teeth. I have no idea why the others smile at the sight of him, because whoever he is, he looks pretty crazy to me. Without thinking, I shoot a bolt of purple energy into the sky and everything around us freezes.
"What's going on?" Toph asks the group. "We're surrounded by old people!"
"Took the words right out of my mouth," I say. I wave my hand again—old people we can certainly handle.
Katara steps forward. "Not just any old people, Starr. These are great masters and friends of ours! Pakku!" She bows to the first old man, who has a thin mustache and hair as long as mine. If he had kinder eyes and a beard, I'd probably call him Dumbledore by mistake, since he holds himself so dignified.
"It is respectful to bow to an old master," Pakku mirrors Katara's movement, "but how about a hug for your new grandfather?"
"That's so exciting!" Katara exclaims as she throws her arms around the old man. Sokka screams. "You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again."
"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything," Pakku smiles.
Sokka, of course, ruins the nice moment by squeezing the poor guy in a fierce hug and saying, "Welcome to the family, Gramp-Gramp!"
"You can still just call me Pakku." Pakku pushes Sokka off with strength I didn't believe possible for the guy.
"How about Grandpakku?" Sokka tries.
Pakku stares. "No."
"And this," Katara draws our attention to the second old man, "was Aang's first Fire bending teacher."
"Jeong-Jeong," the man introduces himself. His face seems kinder than Pakku's, despite the scar running through his right eye. His mustache and beard remind of the Chinese food guy back in New York, though the hair seems like it would be a better fit on some rapper. Of course, Jeong-Jeong's is white rather than pink or some other obscure color.
"Master Piandao," Sokka bows to the next man, who isn't as old as the rest, but sports the awkward ponytail bun most Fire Nation people wear.
"Hello Sokka," Piandao returns Sokka's bow.
"So wait," I hold up a hand. "How do you all know each other?"
"All old people know each other," the crazy-looking guy responds, "don't you know that?" He cackles again.
"We're all part of the same ancient secret society," Piandao says, "a group that transcends the divisions of the four nations."
"The Order of the White Lotus," Zuko smiles.
Crazy-Old-Guy nods. "That's the one!"
Jeong-Jeong takes over. "The White Lotus has always been about philosophy and beauty and truth. But about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important."
"It came from a Grand Lotus," Pakku says, "your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation."
Toph steps forward. "Well that's who we're looking for."
"Then we'll take you to him," Piandao declares.
"Wait," Crazy-Old-Guy interrupts us. "Someone's missing from your group. Someone very important…where's Momo?" He shoves himself in my face, but I Air bend blast myself away. I'm all for "respect your elders," but I'm also for this thing called personal space.
"He's gone," I say, "and so is Aang."
"Oh well, so long as they have each other," Crazy-Old-Guy rejoins the line of other old men. "I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go!"
Only justice will bring peace…
I shake my head again as I follow the rest of the group. What were these strange voices? This one sounded more like my mother, before she went crazy calling me a traitor. I shake my head again and press forward. Maybe they would stop soon?