The Lost Waterbender (Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfiction)

The White Lotus

For the first time in weeks, I had a peaceful, dreamless sleep. The Kachi Clan was gone from my nightmares.

When I finally woke up, I was greeted by toast, tea, and a bowl of fruit on my bedside table. I ate it greedily, having not eaten much at all recently. When I was done, I sat in my bed for a while. The memories would never leave me. I knew that. But now I had accepted them. As awful as it was, I killed someone. It wasn't my entire fault, but it happened nonetheless. I knew I had to deal with it now.

I climbed out of bed and made my way to the dining area. I was weak after all that had happened, and I had to grip the walls for support. When I finally made it down, Inya, Piandao, and Raiko were all sitting around the table eating. Raiko saw me first, and his face lit up. He jumped out of his chair and threw his his arms around me. I returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm.

"I'm so glad you're okay," he said.

"Yeah, me too," I laughed.

Piandao smiled when I met his gaze. "Good to see you up and well, Badger."

"Thanks," I said. I turned to Inya. "So you're the woman who healed me." I folded my hands together and bowed deeply. "I can't thank you enough."

She waved her hand. "I was happy to do it. No child should have to suffer through something that awful." She shifted so she was facing Piandao. "Now, this girl needs rest. No school, no training, no nothing. if she does need to walk, she needs to do so with some sort of crutch." She seemed to realize then that I wasn't being supported and ordered me to sit down.

I was looking forward to the rest. I felt a million times better, but still fatigued and feverish.

"So, if you're from the Water Tribe, how do you know Piandao?" I asked Inya.

Raiko's eyes lit up as he sat down next to me. "This is the craziest thing, Badger."

Inya smiled. "It is pretty crazy, isn't it? Alright, I'll start from the beginning.

"Piandao and I are part of a secret order called the White Lotus. This order dissolves the lines between the four nations. We believe that our world should be peaceful and united. We work to protect this philosophy. Piandao and I know each other because we were in the same initiation class."

"Initiation class?"

Inya waved her hand dismissively. "It was just a loyalty pledge. Anyway, he sent for me when he learned that your illness was too strong for medicine. You needed healing waters."

"So you're a waterbender?" I gasped.

"Yes, I am," Inya said. "And from what I've heard, you are too."

I nodded eagerly. "Can you teach me?"

"I could," Inya replied. "But not now. You need rest and healing. Overexertion now could be deadly."

I sat back and crossed my arms. "Not even a little? This may be the only chance I have to learn actual bending!"

"No," Inya said firmly. "You're weak and malnourished from all of that torment."

I could tell she wasn't going to change her mind, and I silently pouted. Piandao cleared his throat.

"Badger, Raiko, I have some news for you regarding the City of Outcast."

Raiko and I looked at him eagerly.

"What is it?"

"Can we go back?"

Piandao signaled for silence. "Koza sent me a letter. They have overtaken the Agni Kai's and gotten them to relocate. It's safe to go back. Koza will be here soon."