Alaia Skyhawk: Whew, looooooooong chapter this time. I doubt any of you will complain about it, though :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood, or any related characters etc. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes.

~(-)~

Chapter 111: Solaris

When the news had been announced to the world, it was done with great fanfare. Every detail extolled with the greatest of public enthusiasm. Every government had taken part in revealing it to the world, that Tsar Lunar had 'graciously' built a floating city that would be home to a new World Council. A city that, four days later, was about to be sent to Earth from the moon.

The announcement had also mentioned that the Chairman of the Council was to be the Tsar of the newly-ascended Constellation Solus. A human had become a Constellation! Proof that humans could become as great as the Man in the Moon, the creator of immortals!

As to who the new Constellation was? One James Bennett; accomplished wizard and tireless ambassador for the Immortals. He who had helped bring new technologies and prosperity to so many nations, the means for limitless cheap electricity, and also to grow enough food for all people in the world without harming nature in the process. Yes, Bunny had being blurred out a bit, as the source of that tech info, but it was Jamie who had gone around convincing people to use it.

But yes, eighty percent of the world governments were singing high anticipation of this event, high praise of Jamie, and the other twenty percent are all at least moderately positive about it. Not necessarily because they were happy about things... But because that city was coming down regardless, and 'shit would hit the fan' if a positive light wasn't put on it publicly.

Basically Jamie had put them in the position of 'cooperate for world peace' or 'look like hate-mongers'. Because world peace truly was his objective, he had no ulterior motives at all. He didn't want to conquer the world, he just wanted to stop the pointless posturing and squabbling between the various nations. And he was going to prove it.

Satellites, telescopes, cameras... All such devices with a good view of the sky had now been pointed towards the moon. Waiting as the Earth's spin brought the moon into line with the west coast of America. That was when Solaris launched.

Telescopes picked up the opening of a massive hangar built under the surface of the moon. The Moon Clipper, while crippled itself, still contained within it vast resources and manufactories. Solaris was being dropped in units that would connect together once they reached the ocean. And so twenty-six objects began their descent towards the Earth. One massive one, eight smaller ones, sixteen that were smaller still, and a single smallest one which was the Transport Hub Jack had suggested.

They travelled fast, crossing the distance between moon and upper-atmosphere in just three hours. They then slowed, the largest in the lead. Within minutes, more satellites and anything else that can see them beam images of the fiery trails drawn in the air by the descent.

This was when a new feed cut in, sent to the world from the middle of the Pacific. Because Jack and his fellow Spirits of the Seasons had volunteered to carry cameras to the area the city was to land. Every TV in the world, every person watching, got to see the central unit open up to reveal a shape like a blazing sun, with eight 'flames' like petals pointing outwards, which settled on the surface of the ocean. The next eight came in behind it, also opening up like smaller flames, locked into the gaps between the points of the central section. The sixteen smaller positioned themselves in pairs around the outer rim of the city. And then, last and lonely, the transport hub settles at the 'tip' one of the central section's flames. There it connected to the main thoroughfare that runs down it.

It was a city of golden and white spires, blazing in the light like a reflection of the sun upon the water's surface. Solaris has arrived.

Jack and his fellow Seasonals began flyover to capture sweeping views of the presently empty city... Well, empty except for a score of moonbots sent down with it to maintain the internal systems of the place. Mother Nature arrived as the four immortals made a second loop of the city, and she was accompanied by every Lieutenant of the Spring. Together with Ariko, they descended upon the open spaces of the city, the parts left ready for soil and water, plants and living creatures. Rich soil filled those places, moved their by the combined power of almost a hundred immortals. Grass and flowers burst forth, trees and shrubs sprouted.

Through vine gates were brought myriad birds, insects, and other fauna needed for the plants to thrive in this temperate band of the Northern Hemisphere. In the largest park a number of Pegasi and Unicorns came to reside, the young foals among them frolicking in excitement at the soaring pristine spires that made up the skyline. And then more gates were opened, as groups of people from among many human nations and Tribes of Myth alike, filtered into the city with belongings and supplies.

All were volunteers that had been carefully and quietly chosen over the past four weeks, to form the core population of the city. The remaining residential space would be shared equally among the world's countries, regardless of each nation's size, so that no one country could outnumber another within the city.

The volunteers spread out, unrolling great spools of bunting to decorate the thoroughfare between the Central Transfer Station and the grounds of the Grand Assembly Building, which was located at the very centre of the city. They then lined the sides of that great promenade, waving the massed flags of every Nation and Tribe, while at the Station Jack was already crafting all the ice mirrors it would house.

The Spirit of Winter did his best not to look a bit frazzled, as he was hastily led to each individual departure/arrival lounge that extended like spokes from the vast central hall. Each one had space for two mirrors at the far end, for departure and arrival, and each one had the name of a major international airport emblazoned above its entrance, bar a handful which named places most humans had never heard of. Every mirror had to connect to the exact places for them at those airports, although in all cases the places were temporary, and those airports were already planning to build a specialised terminal, which would mean adjusting all the mirror destination again at a later date.

Jack tried not to grimace, as he racked his mind for the memory of each location he'd dashed round during the past four days. The last thing he wanted to do was make a mistake, and it didn't help that the people leading him around, despite their apparent varied ethnic and national origins, all wore the same slight sly and amused smile.

Kitsune, shape-shifted to appear human, had been recruited to make up the entire CTS Staff for Passport Control and Customs. As notorious tricksters by reputation, although in truth the older Kitsune had grown out of such 'bad habits', they remained impossible to deceive. A fake passport, no matter how perfect, would be identified at a glance. Because for Kitsune, anything that was a 'trick' or 'lie' had a particular vibe to it. They were never mistaken in spotting them. The same applied for questionable imports and packages. Anyone who tried to smuggle things through the Solaris Central Transfer Station, were going to be extremely disappointed.

As soon as the mirrors were complete, the final checks made, the time at last arrived. The representatives began to come through the mirrors, and were led with much ceremony through and out of the station to the crowd-lined promenade beyond. And no matter how sceptical or jaded any of them were, there wasn't a single one that didn't widen their eyes in awe at their first sight of the city.

Enthusiastic cheering welcomed them and urged them onwards, towards the great spire of the Grand Assembly where it stood towering over the centre of the city. Around its base was a huge circle of garden, which itself was home to the residences that also circled the spire. Every Tribe and Nation, sorted into alphabetical order, determined which residence was assigned to which representative. So Yemen and Zambia found themselves either side of the Yeti representative. Kiribati and North Korea were either side of the Kitsune representative. Lithuania and Luxembourg were either side of the Luna Lamas' representative. The only exception to the alphabetical arrangement were to two aquatic Tribes, whose representatives had been housed in underwater accommodation located in one of the garden's two large ponds. The Mer and Kappa representatives would be arriving from the CTS shortly, in a specially prepared 'pond on wheels'.

If any nations had chosen to ignore the existence of certain 'mythical creatures', they couldn't ignore them now. Not with Yetis, Selkies, three types of Fairy, Kitsune, Tanuki, Tengu, Lunar Lamas, Dryads, Centaurs, Naga, Satyrs, Merfolk, Kappas, and a handful of others all holding a seat on the World Council. Several of those additions had raised numerous eyebrows, almost as many eyebrows as the blanket ban on any language except 'English' being spoken during sessions.

It had been explained to them all that it was actually the base-language of the Golden Age, discretely introduced to humanity by E. Aster Bunnymund at the directive of Tsar Lunar. The insistence had, however, had one positive side-effect... In order to have every person on the Council speak English, some governments were forced to choose scholars, researchers, or scientists as their representative instead of a politician. Because none of their political party members could speak it. Among the Tribes that hadn't been an issue, for all of them spoke it if they were physically capable of doing so. Plenty of Yetis could speak it, too, although finding one that could do so and be clearly understood had been more of a challenge.

And in regards to a certain newly revealed Tribe of Myth, Hiccup had been asked with regards to the Council and politely declined on behalf of his people. The Vikings didn't know enough about the rest of the world to give any worthwhile input, and the Viking representative would be disruptive or drunk, or both. Any remaining Tribes were either too reclusive or simply not interested in being on the Council, but either way there was a mix of jaded politicians from larger nations, keen scholarly minds from smaller or less well-connected ones, and everything in between. Marcia was representing the United States, as expected, but she was the only truly familiar face among them all. The mix would mean less chance of existing politics causing problems during the early days.

The representatives were given the day to settle. Refreshments and breakfast food, from the fully-stocked farms located in the city's underworks, were delivered to each residence. The occupants were advised that the midday and evening meals would be held in the Assembly's dining-hall, of which every residence has a computer-based map from which to get directions to.

The day continued on with the volunteer settlers being led to the homes and businesses that would be theirs, and they threw themselves enthusiastically into the task of making those places their own. Their concerns now were to make everything they could of this great opportunity. They did not worry about the Council, it wasn't their concern. The one who would look after things there was Tsar Solar.

Jamie was among the last to arrive in the city, and he did so via a mirror to the moon Jack placed in a chamber high up within the Grand Assembly. The young Constellation had watched, with Tsar Lunar, the entire course of the day's events. His absence from the proceedings being deliberate. He would not appear before the Council he'd founded, until the first session started the coming morning.

When morning did come, Jamie watched the sun rise over the surrounding ocean. He didn't have a residence in the city, not a separate building that would be his own. He had just one small apartment near the top of the Grand Assembly, to show his commitment to making it work. He would eat, sleep, and work in this building.

Jamie sighed, still gazing out the window over the tops of the city spires, and a pair of arms were put around his shoulders. Allienne hugging him from behind with her head on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself."

Jamie leaned his head against hers, sighing again.

"I know, but that doesn't stop me feeling nervous. If I mess up this first session, it'll take years to get back to this point. There have been plenty of people in the past, in similar positions, who totally screwed up and never got a second chance."

Allienne reached up and tweaked the end of his nose.

"And they didn't have the support you have, from people with far more experience than any mortal could gain in a lifetime. You're not doing this alone." She tugged him away from the window, to where a long over-robe from Tsar Lunar was laid out ready. Wordlessly she helped him into it, before taking a step back and smiling. "You look magnificent."

Jamie turned and glanced into the nearby mirror, seeing for the first time what he looked like in the elaborate traditional Golden Age robes of office for a Constellation. His were gold and red, with intricate detailing done in pale orange and pristine white. His new family crest, a sunburst the exact same shape as the outline of the central section of Solaris, was embroidered on the shoulders. He looked almost as though he were a walking symbol of the sun he'd just watch rise.

He gave his fiancée one last tentative nod and smile, before leaving the apartment and taking the elevator down to the main levels. The Council Chamber, when he entered it, echoed with his footsteps as he descended the ramp to the raised dais where his podium was. Below that was a shallow pool, accessible via a water-filled passage to the pond where the aquatic residences were, where the Mer and Kappa representatives would be. But around that was simply a ring of tier after tier of seats. All arranged alphabetically, all with a little screen for vote-taking and displaying results. Every set of eyes in the room would be able to see him. On that podium he would have nowhere to hide from their gaze.

He took his seat and waited in the empty room, managing only a tentative smile when Sophie arrived and took her seat just behind his. She would be invisible to most of those attending, but it didn't matter. She was there to tell him who, if any, of those present were exhibiting hate of particular degrees and/or of specific individuals. She would also be able to tell him the motivation behind that hate.

With that inside knowledge, Jamie would be able to choose his words to smooth things over and promote understanding between the representatives. On the upper balcony of the circular room, below the huge sunburst skylight above it, Kosmotis also arrived to discretely observe the proceedings. Ready to nip in the bud every hint of irrational Unnatural Fear as and when it cropped up.

Before long, at nine o'clock local time, the bells atop the Grand Assembly rang out to mark the opening of the first session of the World Council. When they did, the doors around the chamber's edges were opened. Over two-hundred representatives began to file in and head to their seats, and down at the small pool both the Mer and Kappa representatives arrived through their own passage and came to the surface.

Jamie waited until everyone was in place, taking a last steadying breath before rising to his feet and crossing the dais to the podium. There he stood, regarding the gathered people with far more outward confidence than he felt. Intensely aware of the array of cameras that were now turned on a beaming footage of these proceedings to the rest of the world.

"I welcome you all to this first session of the World Council. You whose Nations and Tribes have chosen to come together in peaceful discourse for the sake of unity."

His nerves suddenly vanished and he started to smile, after directing a brief glance upwards to a certain helpful Steward.

"This is a momentous day for the Earth, and all it's varied peoples. Be they Human or from one of the Tribes of Myth. Today marks the beginning of a new age, where each and every one of us will have the opportunity to come to know and respect each other, our nations, and our cultures. For despite our differences, we all came into existence on this world and we all have equal part to play in its future. That is a way in which we are all one and the same."

He set his hands on the top of the podium, his manner now assured.

"I greet you all as the Tsar of Constellation Solus and Chairman for this World Council. I will be mediator and advisor only for these proceedings. All decisions will be made by you on behalf of those you represent. Today's session will not be for debate, but rather for you all to become aware of the primary concerns of the various Nations and Tribes. And so, in as concise a manner as possible, you may each in turn list the matters of most concern to you. The order of speaking will be randomised. You will each get your allotted turn before the session ends for the day. I now declare this session of the World Council, open."

Jamie returned to his seat, leaving the rest to the automated system which flagged up each representative for their turn to speak. He made notes throughout the entire meeting, while behind him Sophie made a much smaller number of notes regarding certain possible sources of conflict among those present. At four in the afternoon, after six hours of that and a hour's recess for lunch, the session finished. But unlike the representatives, who would have the evening to relax and write whatever minor reports were needed regarding today's simple meeting, Jamie headed straight to another meeting.

He'd assembled a core of thirty of the world's oldest and most experienced immortals, from across a range of cultures and areas, but who also had the time to spare to act as advisers. They'd listened in on the session via screens and compiled notes based on it. They had then, though use of historical references, precedents, and their own experiences, provided a list possible solutions to the concerns raised at the meeting.

Sophie and Kosmotis left their own reports with Jamie, for him and the advisers to go through and take into account as they finalise certain suggestions. But the pair couldn't remain to assist, since both had their own work to tend to across the whole world.

Sophie took a burrow to the Warren as soon as the session was done, pausing a moment in the warmth and dappled light to ease the stress of her day. She'd already tracked down all the fanatics, but there was still plenty for her to do. To seek out and whisper words, into the ears of those so full of hate for another that they'd be willing to hurt or kill them. Words that would be heard on the edge of awareness, to make those people pause and consider what they are doing. To consider if their hate was truly justified, or if they were just refusing to let it go out of pride, spite, or simple unwillingness to forgive.

The dramatic reduction in Unnatural Fear, thanks to Kosmotis and Jack, had had a dramatic effect on rates of violent crime around the world. People who were violent and/or bullies, to make themselves appear tough and powerful, were no longer so driven by the need to prove themselves. But violence did happen still, violence driven by hate, and she was dedicating herself to reducing that statistic.

And so as the day drew to a close at Solaris, as that city went to sleep for the night, she toured the rest of the world. Seemingly at ease with herself, and yet as the hours passed her focused manner developed a brittle edge.

She persisted in her work until dawn at Solaris was two hours away. Only then did she stop and return to the Grand Assembly, but she didn't stay. Instead she went to the ice mirror located in the upper levels, and went through it to the moon. There she then found a dark corner in the main dome, tucked herself into it, and settled with her head on her knees.

With the Earth at the far edges of her range as an immortal, here she could avoid most of the inescapable noise of hateful intents that threatened to drown her during the day. Here only the strongest hate touched her awareness, faint enough to be ignored. Only here could she give her weary mind a rest.

~(-)~

The second session of the Council opened the next day, to the request from Jamie asking the Council if they would give him leave to speak of the matters raised the previous day. To offer his suggestions in regards to them. Sophie kept her attention focused on the people present, striving to blot out or ignore the incessant jumble of 'noise' that came from the rest of the world. She watched as the Council voted, with the result being unanimous permission for her brother to speak. They were curious as to what he wanted to say. Some genuinely, but a few twinges on her awareness indicated others didn't expect anything useful.

She quickly noted down the names of those people, along with a reference to what was being said when she'd sensed their reaction. The twinges were quick to disappear once Jamie began to go through the concerns raised the previous day. Among the representatives spread a considerable number of surprised expressions when he supplied a varied and unexpected range of inspired ideas. Means of solving those issues without detriment to any Tribe or Nation. He was even backing up his suggestions with historical reference and past precedence.

His immortal advisers had done well, very well, and now every representative, and their governments who could watch the proceedings via the recorded footage, would hopefully find themselves thinking that perhaps this council is work truly taking more seriously. Not all the matters had solutions yet, but Jamie assured them that suitable suggestions would be brought to their attention at the earliest opportunity.

It took him until after the noon recess to finish saying all he had to say, but afterwards he encouraged the representatives to discuss among themselves the suggestions thus put forward. That done, he sat down and left them to it for the rest of the session.

Monday and Tuesday now past, Wednesday was a 'consultation' day. Where the various nations could contact their representatives to put forward new matters, and voice their thoughts and decisions with regards to the previous day's suggestions. Thursday started just as Monday did, with each nation given the chance to state their current decisions and voice their present concerns. Friday mirrored Tuesday, with Jamie asking permission to speak, being given it, and putting forward a new set of suggestions. Saturday and Sunday were rest-days, although obviously representatives had opportunity to consult with their governments during that time should they wish to.

The first week passed by well, as did the second. Scepticisms were quickly fading, and the swift pace with which Jamie and his advisers provided widely acceptable solutions to long-standing issues, led to general public opinion placing pressure on their often slow-to-decide politicians. A lot of the issues raised were old ones, that the people were tired of not having sorted. Now that a solution was known, they wanted them fixed now. They didn't want excuses and stalling tactics.

With that in mind, Jamie called off all sessions during the third week to give the various governments the chance to respond. Week four would also only hold sessions on the Thursday and Friday. Through it all, Sophie continued to put on a brave face in public, and the hateful feelings in the Council had dropped to less than half what they were at the start. She had less to do there, she was really just sitting doing nothing most of the time, but she still needed to concentrate on and listen to what was said so she could give context to what notes she did write down. It required intense concentration, at a time when inwardly she really wanted to just go and rest.

She took care not to let Jamie notice, was too good at hiding it, and any slip by her she shrugged off as 'still getting used to being a Legend Immortal'. But there was one person who had noticed, who could see her every session from his vantage-point on the upper balcony. Two months after the World Council was founded, he watched and waited for her return to Solaris in the pre-dawn hours. He then followed her to the moon, hidden in the shadows from her sight. Sophie unaware of his presence until shortly after her retreat to her usual corner, where his voice intruded softly on her refuge.

"Running from it will not make it easier to deal with. Running away will not help you find a solution to your problems." Sophie jumped in fight and surprise. Kosmotis emerging from his concealment in the shadows. He was frowning in concern. "Does Tsar Lunar know you've been coming here?"

Sophie stumbled to her feet, keeping her gaze averted.

"He has cameras watching all three of the mirrors that connect to here. Even if he's asleep when I come, he probably knows."

Kosmotis came closer.

"And did you not think to talk to him? I know Tsar Lunar is not the sort to intrude, but at the least I would have thought you'd speak to your brother."

"And make him feel guilty?" Sophie turned, glaring and tearful all at once. "I asked for the power to sense hate, and Jamie was the one who made me able to do it. He has the World Council to worry about right now. He doesn't need to be blaming himself because his sister can't control her own senses!"

There was a long pause, Kosmotis regarding her solemnly as she choked back a sob of frustration. He then reached out to awkwardly place a hand on her shoulder.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of in that. Every immortal, at some point, will struggle with some part of their powers. Even I have struggled, although in my case it was more that I felt ashamed my role was to 'scare' people. I now know it's more accurate to say that I 'teach' people so that they are more likely to stay safe."

Sophie was trembling, fighting not to cry, and shook her head.

"But this is different. I'm not ashamed of what I am or what it's my job to do. I just want to be alone in my own head, without all the hate I can sense beating down on me all the time."

Kosmotis, ever the father, placed a reassuring arm around the distressed young woman's shoulders.

"When you asked to sense hate, you asked to be able to sense it in the way I sense fear. What I mean to say is, I believe I may be able to teach you what you want to know."

Sophie stopped trembling, and turned her head to look at him in bewilderment.

"You could teach me how to control it?"

He nodded.

"Yes, but we must return to the surface first. You will not know if you are doing it right, if you try to learn it this far from that which you wish to filter out."

He guided the rather reluctant Sophie to the mirror to Solaris, still keeping his arm around her shoulder in reassurance when she flinched upon their return there. He then turned her to face the nearby window and pointed at the stars.

"You can see them clearly, correct?"

Sophie nodded.

"Yes."

Kosmotis stretched a length of shadow between his hands, shaping it until it was as thin and misty as a veil of gauze. He held it in front of her eyes.

"What do you see now?"

Sophie frowned, unsure what to make of this.

"I can only see some of them."

Kosmotis doubled up the shadow, making it two layers over her eyes.

"And now?"

"Only the brightest ones."

Kosmotis dismissed the shadow, moving to stand beside her at the window.

"Picture those uncountable stars, as being all the pieces of hate you can sense. Some you see only for an instant, a faint glint, there and gone in the blink of an eye. The moments of frustration or temper that come and go throughout daily life. But those could in rarer circumstances become hate of self or another, the brighter stars, and the brightest are the pieces of hate you choose to seek the sources of in order to help those people let go of it."

He looked at her now, smiling softly. "It is the same for me, for the varying degrees of fear I can sense. Like you, I too would be swept under by it all. I cannot 'turn off' my ability to sense fear, just as you cannot turn off your ability to sense hate. However, I can use my own power to create layers like curtains between my awareness and that fear, just as I used that veil of shadow to dim your view of the stars. The light is still there, it is just blurred so that you can no longer make it out clearly. It blends into the background, and becomes possible to ignore. When I wish to sense fear, I simply lift those layers out of the way. As few or as many as necessary to do what I need to."

Sophie stared at him wide-eyed, too startled by the simplicity of it to speak. But then she closed her eyes, expression set in concentration. As someone who had spent summers in Santoff Claussen, she did not need to ask how to create those layers he'd described. Ombric had always been an advocate of trusting your own intuition and belief to get the job done.

She didn't create curtains in her mind, but rather veils of fog like the morning mist that drifted through the Warren and left everything glittering with dew. And like that fog did when you looked through it across the meadows, the edges of what she could sense began to soften and blur. Until everything was just a quiet muddle of background noise, without the sharp blasts of hateful reasoning constantly digging at her.

Sophie opened her eyes and took a shuddering breath, barely daring to question if or not it had worked. Except she was still here, at Solaris, and right now the sun was rising. She could tell that some of the representatives who still had 'issues' were awake, they were close enough to detect even if she couldn't pick up the reasons behind their feelings. The rest of the world was still 'there' too, behind the fog, except that now everything in her head was quiet.

She started to smile and laugh in near hysterical relief, turning to thank the man who had helped her only to find that Kosmotis had slipped away. As awkward as he'd acted while reassuring her, and knowing her tendency to hug friends when thanking them, it appeared he'd chosen to avoid the risk of being on the receiving end of one.

Sophie looked out the window again, at the rising sun and the white-and-gold spires of Solaris, before dashing away to get ready for the day's council session. And if any of the representatives had watched her during it, they might have seen her fleeting glance up to the balcony above... And the awkward wave of acknowledgement that she got in response to her smile of gratitude.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: Kosmotis fluff! Aww, that was so fun and cute to write hehehe :)

For those wondering exactly what Solaris looks like, as I've imagined it, I've done a sketch and may well turn that into a proper picture. If I do, I'll let you all know and post a link to it in my profile.