Earth...Fire...Water...Air... This is the age of the new Avatar, and after many years of chaos, the world is poised to enter into a time of prosperity and peace. But every light casts a shadow, and in the days to come, the very balance of the universe will be in danger, and the true purpose of the Avatar will be revealed. 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 THREE: DEATH
10: Birth of the White Lotus
Mamoru took a moment to look around the meeting room. He was the only one there; the sun had not quite risen all the way, and there was a quiet, sobering solemnity to the morning. No doubt everyone was still recovering from yesterday's festivities. No matter, he appreciated having that little bit of extra time to reflect and meditate on the matter at hand. He would, after all, be asking the entire world to cooperate in his vision, a task that had not been equaled or accomplished since the time of Sung Chiang, centuries ago. Back then, the countries of the world had Rolando Demys to rally against; nowadays, with Beryl cast down, Apsu consigned to Nothingness, and an active and energetic new Avatar, there was no reason to join together: certainly not under the idealistic dreams of a young king barely one year on his throne. Still, he felt he had to try. The world must not fall back into the darkness. The Avatar was doing a good job keeping the order, but there needed to be more.
He smiled as a knock came to the door, and clasped hands with Motoki. He then noticed Makoto standing shyly behind him, dressed in the finery of a queen. He bowed deeply.
"My lord, my lady, you honor me with your presence." Motoki slapped him on the back.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Chiba. I had to jump through a hoop or two to get the missus to come."
"I just don't feel like I belong here," Makoto muttered. Mamoru smiled at her.
"You are a Queen now, Makoto. That makes you a world leader."
"Sorry," she tittered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I guess I'm not used to that yet. Now I know how Usagi feels." Mamoru noticed she still had her hair down, but made no comment on it. The three of them seated close together and chatted idly for awhile. Fire Lord Kuni and his wife Iku arrived next, along with Minister Takashi Hino and Head Priest Kasei Hikawa, Rei's father and grandfather. They all offered their congratulations to the new couple, and looked forward to an era where the Fire Nation and Omashu could work together as allies. The representative of the Eastern Air Temple soon followed; Makoto grinned and waved as she recognized Boris.
"Hey there! It looks like someone got a promotion." He laughed nervously and dismissed her compliment.
"Regrettably, Sifu Ilyich is still recovering, and as we are in the process of selecting replacement Sifus for the ones we have lost, I have been sent to represent everybody. I hope I will be sufficient."
"You're more than welcome, Boris," Makoto said, opening her palm and extending her finger in the Air Nomad greeting. Kinsei Aino wasn't far behind, and Ho Hsien-ku came close on his heels. Princess Unazuki came in escorting Hakim of the sand-benders, and Chiefs Oomari and Wathohuck of the Northern and Souther Water Tribes filed in together. Finally, Sifu Uta of the Southern Air Temple came in, followed by a yawning Darryl and Rubella Hollowbog. That was everyone.
"Quite a gathering we have here," Unazuki observed. Mamoru cleared his throat.
"Yes, but it's not quite everyone. I'm expecting one more person."
"You mean the Avatar?" Iku said.
"No...but let's just say this person has as much right to be here as anyone else."
"I don't know of any other world leader we're missing," Takashi Hino said. Mamoru wasn't sure how to break the unusual news to everyone—he hadn't even told Motoki about Bodmall.
"Well...she's..." Before Mamoru could say another word, the door opened, ushering a gigantic creature culled from nightmarish mythology. A glaring saber-toothed deer's head towered over the gawking crowd, teeth and scales and bones dangling on its body with every lurching step. A staff of solid holly rapped on the cold stone floor, and the creature's eyes flashed violently as it approached. Kinsei bolted upright as if a serpent had fallen in his lap.
"What is the meaning of this, Mamoru? Are ye consorting with demons now, or is this some ghastly spirit in our midst?"
"It's neither, Lord Kinsei; if you'll just calm down..." Nobody looked particularly calm as the horrific shape drew closer to the table. Iku paled; Oomari stared, trembling; Unazuki gripped her chair with such strength that her knuckles turned white. Hakim and Boris barred the monstrosity from getting any closer.
"Begone, whoever or whatever you are! You have no place here!"
"Pa mor anghwrtais," the creature sighed. Hakim stood bolt upright.
"Is it a witch? What manner of being are..."
"Ymdawela," it intoned, waving a hand over the crowd. Everyone gradually turned docile and returned to their seats, though still very suspicious. The creature remained where it stood, studying the group for a long time. It then removed its headdress, revealing a woman's face with long black hair. Bits of twigs, berries, and flowers intertwined with her ebony tresses, and an exotic fragrance of pine, frankincense, and cinnamon permeated the air. Soon everyone relaxed, and the creature—the woman—sighed. "Mae hwnna'n well. Cyfarchion." She drew a deep breath and exhaled, spreading the fragrance further. Everyone looked amazed, save for Mamoru. Makoto just smiled in recognition.
"Mamoru," Motoki said patiently, "would you kindly explain what is going on, and who this is?"
"I'll speak for myself, if you don't mind," the woman said, startling everyone. Her voice was dull, listless, sounding only vaguely human, but very comforting. "I am Bodmall of the Taku Ruins, a Derwydd of the Fomoriians. I apologize for the dramatic entrance, but it couldn't be helped. The world hasn't seen my kind out in the open like this for centuries, so your shock is understandable."
"What in heaven's name is a Fomoriian?" Kuni muttered. Bodmall raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? You mean you don't know? Aren't the old wives' tales circulating, or has everyone forgotten?" Everyone looked confused, so she sighed heavily. "All right, since we don't have time for a history lesson, I'll sum it all up. Basically, Fomoriians are a race of ancient beings predating Avatars and Spirits and pretty much everything else. We all went into hiding about ten-thousand years ago, give or take, and we haven't shown up much since then. I'm what you all would call a Shaman, particularly gifted in...ah, it's hard to express in your language—I think you call it 'bending'? I do that, plus prophecy, astrology, astronomy, thaumaturgy, herbalism, animism, spiritualism, so forth and so on. We don't really have a leader among us, but I'm the closest thing we have, and since I was chosen to represent all the surviving Fomoriians, here I am. Is everyone on the same page here?"
She casually sat down and stared intently at the table while everyone else was absorbing all this. Several people's mouths opened and closed in shock. A few rubbed their faces. Motoki furrowed his brow, while Boris and Hakim continued to stare at the peculiar woman. Darryl, who sat next to her, just grinned. He spat on his palm and offered it to Bodmall.
"Well, pleased to meetcha, Miss Bodmall! Name's Darryl, and this here's Rubella!"
"Howdy!" Rubella waved. Bodmall's face lightened in relief, and she returned his greeting. Kinsei was still trying to process everything.
"So...what you're telling us, Miss Bodmall, is that you are...essentially a Fairy Witch, and that there are many more Fairies out there?"
"Fairies?" she grumbled as she shook Rubella's hand. "Is that what people are calling us these days? Am dymor i gerddwyr! Not Fomoriians, not Firbolg, but Fairies? You may as well call yourself a...windbag ape."
"Windbag ape?!" Kinsei roared. "I beg your pardon!"
"Calm yourself, brother Kinsei," Boris said. "It is clear we are dealing with a race and culture we have no knowledge of. In spite of this, she has come here to speak for her people, just as we all have. I think we should allow her to sit with us. There is much we could learn."
"Thank you," Bodmall said, smiling dryly. She nodded to Kinsei, who grumbled and crossed his arms.
"So we're agreed, then?" Motoki said, and while everyone still had their misgivings, they at least consented. "Very well. Lady Bodmall, forgive us for our behavior. The circumstances are...unusual, needless to say."
"No biggie," she shrugged. "I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes. Not the first time it happened." She cackled as she stared directly at Mamoru. With that, the meeting officially began, and the King of Ba Sing Se had the floor. He stood, focusing on everyone in attendance: friends, comrades, dignitaries from faraway lands, many whom he had never met before. It was a humbling sight.
"Thank you all for coming," he began solemnly. "Words can't express my gratitude. I'd like to give a special thanks to their majesties, King Motoki and Queen Makoto, for taking time out of their wedding celebrations to be here. It wasn't my intention to curtail anyone's merriment, least of all with this serious matter, but it was the best and most convenient time to do it." He bowed again; Motoki and Makoto gave him a forgiving wave. "I don't need to ask if anyone recalls the years of turmoil following Avatar Kalkin's disappearance, or the age of strife that took place over the decades prior to his birth. I must, however, ask that we not dig up old grudges, or exhume mistakes made by our ancestors. My only concerns are the present...and the future. If anyone here feels differently, then they may leave the room now."
Mamoru paused to allow for this privilege. Nobody moved.
"Thank you, I'm glad we could all come to that accord. We have a new Avatar now, and I dare say the time we live in is greatly improved from a few years prior. However, there is only one Avatar, and as the Apsu situation proved, that is not always sufficient. We need to do more, as a people, as a world. Yes, we have leaders and soldiers, but we had leaders and soldiers in the past, at times to our detriment. I think we can all agree to that." The dignitaries were already grumbling in discontent; Sifu Uta of the Southern Air Temple stood up.
"Are you insinuating any of the Air Nomads had a hand in this social deterioration?"
"I'm saying all the nations shoulder the blame," Mamoru stated. "Therefore, it is the responsibility of all nations to ensure it never happens again."
"What exactly are you proposing, Endymion?" Kuni asked. The king smiled at the Fire Lord.
"It's fitting you should ask this, Kuni, since it was your actions that partially inspired me."
"Oh?" he said, leaning forward in interest. "How so?"
"By sending your son and daughter out into the world on a mission of diplomacy and goodwill. I've heard little news of their exploits, but the snatches that do reach my ear all shine favorably on them. Boris, isn't your cousin part of a very similar group of people who wander the world performing acts of charity and service?"
"Yes," he replied carefully. "And if I am not mistaken, she has culled friends from all the great nations in the world. They work together to...well, I will not mince words, to make this world a better place." The dignitaries grumbled again, but Boris refused to rephrase himself.
"But even that is not the extent of it," Mamoru announced, silencing them. "During the Apsu incident, Avatar Usagi and her friends met five girls who also hailed from various nations. Those girls have since gone out to remedy what ills our society may have. Three groups, my distinguished guests, each consisting of a number of people from all walks of life, banding together to do what they can for our world. To call it inspirational nearly undervalues what they stand for."
"I think I know what you're getting at, Endymion," Wathohuck of the Southern Water Tribe said. "You want all of us here to send out groups of people to right wrongs and triumph over evil, is that it?"
"Not precisely, Chief Wathohuck. What groups like Princess Kotono's or Kwame's or Suen's have formed are a good start, but they're flawed. Their numbers are simply too small, and their reach too limited—and besides, who's to say there'll be anyone to continue their fight in the future? What I propose is a global coalition of people perpetually devoted to maintaining the balance and peace of the world, whether in secret or overtly. They would come from every nation and every country, from the largest cities to the smallest hamlets, benders and warriors alike: artisans, merchants, farmers, travelers, doctors, teachers, men, women..."
"And I suppose they'd answer to you?" Hakim grumbled.
"It does sound powerful suspicious to me," Darryl concurred. Mamoru's shoulders tensed.
"Yes, I know. I am merely crafting a proposal, though; I do not wish to lead or command this force, only to inspire it. They would answer to no one but themselves, adhere to no code save that of the Avatar, to maintain balance and peace in the world..."
"Sounds like vigilantes," Ho Hsien-ku grumbled.
"N-no," Mamoru stammered, "they would still be citizens of the law in their respective countries..."
"But suppose this law is corrupt?" Iku posed. "Suppose someone like Beryl were to rise again. Would this coalition you have in mind follow her rule, or their own?"
"I think it would be best if they served the Avatar's interests."
"The Avatar's interests have not always reflected what's best for the world," Oomari said. He glanced at Kasei. "With the possible exception of Hikawa's esteemed priest, I am likely the oldest person in this room. I have lived during the lifetime of three Avatars. They have all been exceptional people, every one working hard to maintain balance, but they have also been heavily flawed human beings. Kalkin stabilized the two Earth Kingdoms while neglecting most of the other nations, and Bitasu only seemed concerned with the Swamplands and the Air Nomads. K'ung Ming before her spent most of his life gaining enemies, or fighting in wars which came about due to Avatar Kiyone's...decisions, let's say."
"The Fire Nation has long since made amends for their errors in that regard, Chief Oomari," Kuni stated. Oomari made an assenting gesture with his hands.
"As you said earlier, Lord Endymion, I am not here to dig up the past; I am merely stating that the Avatars do not always have the entire world's interests at heart. If your coalition cannot always adhere to the rule of their own lands, or to the Avatar, then what is stopping them from turning into a band of outlaws? Hmm? Idealism? Morality? Whose? Theirs? Yours?"
"It was merely a thought, Chief Oomari," Mamoru murmured, the wind effectively ripped from his sails. "I simply came to the realization that something had to be done. Beryl's rise to tyranny was unchecked, and Apsu nearly wiped all life from this world. Lately I've been getting reports of severe unrest in the Spirit World, and increasing rumors of Sentinels of Light appearing. Just recently, an intruder made their way into my palace, killing a General and twelve guards. This intruder had abilities far beyond our understanding, and no blade or point or bending-art seemed to trouble them. We have seen these omens before, my friends, and every time we do, we always find ourselves unprepared for the final blow. I, for one, do not want to gamble our future away on the hopes that 'someone else' will do it. The people gathered here in this room can do great things for our world, but we are not even twenty in number. I just thought...maybe..."
He looked around to gauge their reactions. Most of them were sympathetic to his plight, but felt there were too many unanswered questions. Kinsei Aino, his expression somber, slowly rose from his chair and approached Mamoru. He laid a comforting hand on the king's shoulder.
"I know how ye feel, lad. On the one hand, I feel the need to rally behind you with a host of my most trusted monks. But on the other, leaving this group with nothing but their own convictions to guide them strikes me as an invitation to anarchy. Still, I think you've come across the seed of an idea. Now's the time to let it lay in the ground and see how it grows. Heh, who knows," he chuckled, touching the flower in his lapel, "maybe it'll blossom into a wee white lotus. The blessed things do tend to grow everywhere."
"Sound judgment, I think," Kuni added. "Store it away and cultivate it. Observe the groups you referred to, and measure what success they find. Confer with your advisors, and with the Avatar. Now is not the time, Endymion, but there may yet come a day when your white lotus blooms." Mamoru nodded somberly. He knew when he was defeated, but at least he had the wisdom to accept it gracefully.
"Thank you for your advice, gentlemen, and once again, thank you one and all for your time." Mamoru sighed. As he had confided to Bodmall earlier, he didn't expect a rallying cry—but now, at least, the world knew his intentions, and for good or ill, they'd remember it when they left this room. "Well," he said, summoning up his energy again, "there you have it. It's the proposal of a young, inexperienced, idealistic king, I know, but hopefully, one with some merit. If there is nothing else anyone would want to add...?" He looked over to Motoki, Unazuki, and Makoto, who had remained silent, then to Bodmall, who was picking her fingernails. Kuni and Iku, Darryl and Rubella; Kinsei, Boris, Uta, Ho Hsien-ku, Oomari, Wathohuck, Hakim, Takashi, Kasei... They had nothing for him.
"Very well, this meeting is concluded. Enjoy the festivities."
…...
"Tough break, your highness." Mamoru hung his head and sat in motionless silence as everyone filed out, and didn't expect anyone to address him while he stewed in his apparent failure. But there was Bodmall, her headdress tucked beneath her arm, her glum blue-painted face an unusual salve for his mood. "I kinda liked your idea. It has a lot of merit. That Air Nomad guy had a good notion there, comparing it to seeds and flowers. If anything ever comes of it, you should call it the White Lotus Group in his memory. He'd probably get a kick out of it."
"Thanks, Bodmall," Mamoru sighed, fighting to smile. "For now, the seed of an idea may be enough. Conversely, now everyone might just think I'm trying to recruit a bunch of lawless marauders, and we all know what happens when misunderstandings reach a global scale."
"Yeah..." She looked away, stretching her neck. "Well, for what it's worth, you made a good presentation, and you definitely proved something to all those stuffy shirts. Good tidings may yet come of it." Bodmall looked over as Motoki, Makoto, and Unazuki approached, all of their faces warm and sympathetic.
"I'm sorry, are we interrupting anything?" Unazuki said. Bodmall smirked at her and shrugged.
"Nah, we're finished here. In fact, I'd better head back to Taku and make sure the place hasn't burned down."
"You're leaving?" Makoto said. Bodmall scratched behind her ear and donned her headdress, looking less human and more animalistic.
"Yeah, I did what I came here to do."
"But we could use your help," Motoki said, "or at least your advice. Please, we could learn so much from you—"
"Sorry, your majesty, but the age of the Fomoriians is long past. Me and my kind are heading out the door, and the Sidhe, the Spirits, won't be too far behind. It's up to you Milesians to handle things now. But we may bump into each other later. Armed Servant, Thunderhorn, give my regards to the Avatar, will you?" She turned around and waved as she headed out the door. Motoki went after her.
"Ah—do you at least want an escort?"
"No thanks, I can find the way back on my own. I know this land a whole lot better than you do. Take care, and may the White Lotus blossom soon." With that, the four of them were left to ponder her passing, and the situation. Only a few moments passed, however, before the silence was broken. Someone came running down the hallway at full speed, nearly crashing into the meeting hall before bursting inside, gasping and heaving.
"Your majesty!" he exclaimed, his face pale and wild. Everyone immediately recognized him as one of the Tellurians. "Your highness, forgive my intrusion, but I have urgent news!"
"Easy there, man," Motoki said, pulling up a chair. He nodded to Unazuki, who went for a pitcher of water. "Calm down and catch your breath. Now, speak slowly and clearly—"
"Sire, you don't understand!" the Tellurian exclaimed. "It's Sifu Mishkin, sire! We've found him!" Motoki gave a start, his face contorting in astonishment. Makoto covered her mouth with her hands while Unazuki dropped the pitcher to the ground, spilling water. Motoki mastered himself and took firm hold of the man.
"Where?"
"In Kolau," the Tellurian gasped, "the Kolau Mountains." Motoki whirled around, giving Mamoru an intense stare. Mamoru's face hardened, and Makoto steeled herself.
It seemed as though their honeymoon would be delayed.
The End of "Birth of the White Lotus"
Next time: "The Death-Bender"