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Within the holy sanctuary of Keaparabeau, home of the Almighty Mother. Alanna, the White Spirit of Life, sat quietly upon her gorgeous throne. The impressive alabaster throne had a blanket of the most delicate swan feathers draped over it. Seated upon the throne was an enthralling white-haired noblewoman with glittering pink human-size butterfly wings.
Everyone knew who Alanna, the White Spirit of Life, was. Again, she was the Mother of Humanity, for she'd created humanity eons ago. Thus, all humans were her children. She'd done her most suitable since their conception to guide her children in the right direction.
She nurtured them to be generous, trustworthy, and empathetic, to demonstrate consideration, honesty, and modesty, to think of others before themselves, to live in love, and to leave a legacy of love behind them. The world could be a more promising place for each new generation.
However, she'd sadly witnessed how her counterpart, Anto, the Black Spirit of Death, had promoted sinful actions for the last century. Such as becoming greedy gluttons lusting for untold power.
He'd sowed the seeds of doubt. The world had lost so much of its integrity. Lies ran amok. Countless souls had been disrespected and abused. Her children had fallen so far these past one hundred years. Yet, there was one child of hers she was most dissatisfied with. Her mother Raava's current chosen savior. A twelve-year-old boy named Aang.
Alanna and her mother weren't usually disgusted by her mother's chosen one. However, this child significantly sickened both of them. They hadn't even been this dissatisfied with Avatar Kuruk. As such, both mother and daughter agreed they needed to stage an intervention.
Especially because Sozin's Comet was returning in less than two days, the time to act was now. So, summoning her flutter of heliotrope butterflies, she wordlessly gave them the command. They glistened dazzlingly before heading to Man World to bring Aang to them.
Aang was quarreling with his companions at Zuko's family beach house. He claimed that the monks taught him that life was sacred and that it would be wrong to kill the Fire Lord. That set everyone off. They were tired of him dancing around the issue.
Before they could rip into Aang, he became encircled by peculiar glittering purplish-pink butterflies. Then, a blinding light exploded, and when it died, Aang was gone! No one knew what had just transpired.
They accurately assumed that great spirits were involved. Therefore, they prayed they would return Aang to them in time to end the war. However, since they didn't know which spirit had taken Aang, they couldn't be confident that he'd be returned to them in time.
Aang discovered himself standing outside a luxurious palace surrounded by a flourishing garden. Soaring around freely were magnificent birds he hadn't ever seen. He also noticed he somehow felt lighter and empty. He could only describe it as a part of him being ripped from him, like he'd lost half of himself. That's the only way he could explain it. His feet moved without him thinking.
He eventually came to a chamber set up for tea. Three plush cushions surrounded the table. Plus, a swan-shaped teapot with matching teacups was already on the table. The centerpiece of a single large white candle was nestled in a bouquet of pure white lilies.
Not knowing what else to do, he sat on the cushion. He figured sooner or later that his host would arrive. The child wasn't expecting two enchanting noblewomen to glide into the chamber gracefully.
The slightly older woman possessed a bluish-white complexion. The towering regal noblewoman was clothed in an aquamarine silk gown. It rippled like gentle currents in a river. Her cyan locks were styled in braids and rolls with eye-catching sparkling aquamarines, turquoise, and kyanite. Undoubtedly, this spirit was influential and demanded respect.
He could also see that the white-haired woman merited respect. He may need to find out who the blue noblewoman is. However, only a fool would fail to recognize the Almighty Mother. He quickly bowed in respect to both of them. "Lady Alanna, I'm deeply honored you've welcomed me with your presence. How might I serve thee?"
Alanna's expression softened slightly, but her disapproval lingered in her alluring blue eyes. "Please sit, Aang. My mother and I wish to speak to you regarding an urgent matter. We only ask that you listen for now. When we permit you to speak, you'll be allowed to. Understood?"
"Yes, your Ladyship. I completely understand. However, I don't know thy mother's name. How might I address her?"
"You may address me as Lady Raava, young Avatar. For now, let's sit and enjoy this incredible tea," as the noblewomen made themselves comfortable at the low table. After everyone had been served their tea, mother and daughter got straight to the point. Lady Raava spoke first.
"Aang, do you thoroughly grasp what being the Avatar means? Do you know how each Avatar is selected?" Aang shook his head. Lady Raava sipped her tea before speaking calmly. "The Avatar is more then the manifestation of the soul of the Earth. The Avatar is a beacon of everlasting hope, unity, and faith.
The world places its faith in the Avatar because it represents the best of humanity. Moreover, since the Avatar belongs to no nation but the world, they're the living representation of the friendship between the elements.
The Avatar helps people not fear death. So that they'll bring healing to the world, they're supposed to inspire people to better themselves with each new incarnation." Aang stayed silent as Lady Raava traced the rim of her teacup. "I desire souls most likely symbolize the best of humanity—souls who can enlighten and lead humanity into a more promising future.
I've chosen individuals with the most potential to make the most significant impact on humanity. However, even I'm more then knowledgeable about the human condition. Consequently, I thoroughly comprehend that although I determined the world savior, they're still human."
Still, Aang didn't speak even when the blue lady shot him a look of disappointment. "I've chosen over a thousand souls to host me. Each has made choices for better or worse. They're flawed humans like those they must protect. However, there are undesirable traits that neither my daughter nor I can stand."
"Those unwanted attributes my mother speaks of are when Avatar embraces humanity's worst. You may be a child, Aang. However, that doesn't excuse your disgraceful conduct."
He couldn't help but snap back. "Dishonorable behavior? What have I ever done that you regarded as sinful?" He shut up when both ladies narrowed their eyes at him.
"You promised to listen, Aang. However, we shall excuse this interruption as expected. However, please only speak once we've permitted you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I'll be quiet."
"Thank you. To answer your question, neither Mother nor I care for anyone who behaves as if they're entitled. No one, not even the Avatar, is entitled to anything or anyone." Lady Raava produced an enchanted mirror to showcase Aang's entitled behavior concerning Katara.
Multiple memories revealed he wasn't in love with her; instead, he had an obsessive lust for her. The recollections demonstrated how he manipulated the Avatar State to keep her in line and how frequently he disrespected her, the most recent at the play.
A few more memories played before the mirror rippled like water. Then, the visions evaporated. Lady Raava gave him a stern look. Then, bluntly informed him, "Avatar Aang, despite your young age, you're old enough to know that isn't how you treat a woman.
Let alone treat anyone. You cannot force your feelings onto others. Nor should you throw a childish tantrum if someone doesn't reciprocate your feelings. Katara isn't a prize to be won.
She's a human who has her own opinions and feelings. She is also far from this daydream vision you've conjured up of her. You've continually failed to see her flaws, only focusing on her beauty. That's neither respectful nor is that how genuine love works. Love isn't one-sided in favor of one person."
"Mother is correct, Aang. You've been infatuated with Katara since meeting her. Furthermore, at your age? You've not matured enough to understand the deep and powerful emotions that are true love," Alanna pointed out.
She sipped her tea and resumed, "You cannot force a relationship with her. It must be her choice, even if she rejects you romantically. She's worthy of respect and equality, and showing her feelings matters. That she isn't simply a trophy for you to show off. You don't OWN Katara, as she's not a puppy. Do you comprehend what we're expressing?"
He declined to look at them. However, he did have the decency to look ashamed of his past actions. Lady Raava then described her disapproval of his selfishness and hypocrisy.
She pointed out that he'd also conjured a flawless representation of his culture. He failed to understand that they died due to their passive beliefs, yet he couldn't lie to himself any longer.
He couldn't say life was sacred, and the monks taught him that. For they'd established, they went down fighting, revealing that Aang's desire to sidestep all confrontation led to much more significant consequences.
Because of his selfish choices and his desire to evade his responsibility? Not only were his own people exterminated. But Anto had influenced the world, so sins outweighed virtue strongly.
"Aang, if you remain inactive, only greater catastrophe will follow. You don't wish to kill, but what happens if Ozai lives? Even if you uncovered another solution, it would repeat Long Feng.
A man of Ozai's influence could still generate tremendous suffering even if locked in a cell. Do you wish this war to continue? More perishing by holding onto some childish belief that you can avoid all conflict?" Lady Alanna pressed him.
"I was taught life was sacred. You're Spirit of Life, so why are you urging me to kill?"
"Your hands aren't as clean as you think, Aang. You've already slaughtered before back in the desert, remember? Furthermore, you nearly massacred the sandbenders and those Earth Kingdom soldiers when that one general desired to exploit the Avatar State.
You're more then inclined to end someone's life then. Yes, life is precious, and I'll never deny that. However, occasionally, death is the sole solution. Some things, even I can't forgive them."
"You've lived over a thousand lives, Aang. Do you think any of them desired to kill? Do you not think others were faced with making difficult choices? Yet, they'd to put their personal beliefs aside.
They'd do what was best for the world. It would be best to do what's right, but it's not easy, Aang. The fact you refuse to accept this war won't ever end while Ozai lives? You're choosing the easy way out." Lady Raava pointed out sternly.
"You can't choose which aspects of your civilization you're willing to embrace at any moment. You were being a hypocrite when you told Katara not to seek revenge. Yet, did you forgive others when they wronged you? You've repeatedly shown you don't forgive as much as you preach."
Finally, Aang couldn't help but snap back at the mighty spirits. "Are you saying I'm a horrible person? That I've no good qualities? That I'm nothing but an inconsiderate, entitled brat?"
"Avatar Aang, we're not condemning you for being human. Instead, we summoned you to address your flaws. You've numerous acceptable qualities, and you're a good person. However, we must recognize our flaws. Big or small, we all have flaws.
So we must accept both the good and bad. However, only by becoming knowledgeable of our undesirable traits can we overcome them," Lady Raava clarified to the young Avatar.
"We merely wished to assist you in understanding your flaws in the hopes that you'd better yourself. So you could learn to make the hard choices and realize you're far from perfect.
There is a saying. "If we only had the gift to see ourselves as others see us." Most of the time, people ignore their lacking qualities and only concentrate on their acceptable ones.
We're only here to inform you where you need to improve. To help you see with eyes unclouded. But, again, neither of us is condemning you for being an imperfect human." Lady Alanna explained.
"However, we couldn't stand by any longer. Not when Sozin's Comet is due to arrive. You desperately needed a wake-up call. Now that you're thoroughly conscious of your behavior flaws?
You'll be able to think more clearly. To face the reality you've been running away from for a century. This was an intervention. We hope you'll take all we said into account.
Furthermore, listen to your friends and their thoughts. Your choices are still your own. In the end, you must do what you feel is right. However, you'll be less biased and see things more transparent. Lady Raava finished as she set down her teacup.
"It's time you've returned to your world. We only ask you to consider what we've addressed tonight. Both of us accept whatever choice you'll make. We only hope we've made you think a little more," as Lady Raava faded away.
She shifted back into her proper form and bonded once more with Aang. Immediately, Aang felt whole again. Alanna then fluttered over to him, placing her hand on his forehead.
"Please, my child. Do what you think is right, but please don't do what's easy. I cannot bear this war any longer. So please remember to do what's right and not what's easy," she said as she kissed his forehead.
Aang then vanished, leaving the Almighty Mother to shed a tear. The fate of her children rested in the hands of a child. Would her heart break, or would she smile with pride? She didn't know the answer to that. She hoped it was the latter, not the former. Right now, all she and the rest of her children could do was pray.