The History of Renko: Book 1 Emotions (Avatar, boyxboy)

Chapter 20: The New Team Avatar

Renko stared at the Republic Gazette newspaper in his hands. The newspaper was dated for today and it was thick with articles about the week's events. Featured on the front cover was a black and white photo of a bright ball of light hovering over a flame covered forest. The caption read, "Avatar Returned?" in bold letters. The article continued on for another three pages. Sitting in the long oval shape office of the president, he put the paper down on the coffee table separating him, Kuzo, and Tiulo on one couch from the ambassador of the Earth States and the President of the United Republic.

She was a petite woman with chin length dark hair and almond shaped eyes. She couldn't be more than five foot four inches. She sat with her back straight against the couch and crossed her ankles. This was President Yen of the United Republic of Nations, possibly the most powerful woman in the world. She looked a little irked.

Seemingly satisfied with Renko after he looked over the newspaper article, she leaned forward and spoke,

"For our records, we must get this story straight. This leads me to my first question, are you the Avatar?" Her dark almond eyes bore into the stone colored eyes of Renko. He nodded in response. She sat back on the couch and gestured for the man next to her to speak. This man was the ambassador from the Earth States complete with a dark suit and tie and a bright green lapel pin on his collar. A former business tycoon, he had a bald head, big ears and nose, and mud colored eyes. He was clearly sweating profusely, whether from the heat or anxiety no one could tell. Renko had no idea why his father chose this guy to be an ambassador.

"This is a message coming from your f-f-father," he managed to stutter out. He took a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "He asks that you return home immediately and requests the help of the United Republic in returning you home.

"You want the United Republic to," Tiulo paused to think of the word. "Deport the Avatar?'

"Perhaps not in those words..." the ambassador choked out. President Yen studied the faces of the three teens. Kuzo began to fidget and tug on the upholstery of the couch. He scooted closer to Renko, maybe unwittingly, and opened his mouth to speak.

"My father explained to me that if a foreign leader requests that a nation returns one its citizens, it has to," Kuzo began. He looked directly at Yen. "But this is the Avatar. No one would expect you to actually do it."

"Well, that law is a bit more complicated than it seems," Renko spoke up. He adjusted the glasses on his face and talked slowly. It was as if he were thinking through his words as he spoke them.

"It would be courteous if the United Republic returned me home but without a written and reasonable explanation, they can refuse. Or they even choose to not respond."

A smile spread on President Yen's face. Seeing this the ambassador began to sweat more.

"Well yes but," he couldn't stop stammering. "It is my duty to express the will of the p-p-president of the Federation of Earth States. He wants you home..."

"I believe that is enough mister ambassador," President Yen interrupted. "We will send for you when we are ready to make a statement." He began to speak in protest but she cut him off again. "I will not break the cooperation that our two nations have shared for decades, however, I will see to it that the best will be done in the matter of the circumstance."

Rather indignantly he got up and left. President Yen sighed, stood up, and walked to behind her desk. She stood with her back to them and faced the doors opened to her balcony. She turned and faced them.

"Were you the cause of the attack in the Spirit Wilds?" All three shook their heads. "What do you know about the young girl found with you?"

Tiulo spoke up. "We don't know much but she appeared to be the victim in all of this."