Chapter 2: First Encounters Part 1
Flash Back
169 ASC One Year Ago
Connor groaned as he awoke from his slumber his eyes was met with the surrounding of a dormitory of some sort. He got up from he could feel was a mat underneath him as he sat up from his resting place he noticed strange paintings of flowers of some sort over a drawer furniture.
'Where am I?' he thought, taking notice the size of the room, it was wide enough for him to move and long enough to stretch his limbs. His eyes continued to scan his surroundings he noticed the door was weird looking it had no knob it was made of wood and screen was pure white, he also took noticed of the silhouette of different people crossing outside of the dormitory.
Throwing off the covers that laid upon him, he stood up he began to walk to the strange door with no knob the moment he passed the mirror hanging from the wall he froze when he glanced into. Rushing back to the mirror he looked at himself very carefully, he was no longer a man with broad shoulders, or had that unique physical attribute that girls would swoon over him for. No, he was not that 26-year-old man any more he was 19 years of age again. Rubbing furiously his eyes, he checked, double-checked, triple-checked, quadruple checked that he was not dreaming this, gripping the drawer with all his strength he yelled on the top of his lungs.
His yelling echoed throughout the area scaring few Sparrowkeet, Toucan-Puffin away from their peaceful resting place. Footsteps were rushing towards his room, when the screen opened it revealed a man about the age of 50 wearing a red robe over yellow clothing he had underneath it. The look on his face seemed neutral but his eyes told a different he looked at the young man before him wearing a strange style of pants and what looked like a shirt of some sort.
"Well I see that your awake." He said calmly
Connor whipped his head around looking at this elderly man in front at least he spoke English, "Who are you and where am I?" He demanded
"Patient young man your question will be answered." He replied
"Patients old man?" The man twitched when he Connor called him old, "I don't have time with patients, and if I were you I'd start talking if I were you unless you do not want a blade sticking out on the other end." He got into his assassin stance but he flicked wrist he didn't' hear the sound of metal scraping on other metal.
Puzzled he looked down at his wrist his hidden blades were not there, come to think about it where are the rest of his clothes and weapons? He quickly pounced at Tenzin to attack but when he got close to him, he felt an unknown source push him away with brute force against the wall. Dazed he groggily got up and noticed that the old man was in a fighting stance, "If you are done with this nonsense follow me."
Connor grumbled as he the old man lead him outside of the dormitory, the silence was awkward, and Connor was never the one for awkward silence so he decided to make small with this strange man, "What is this place anyway, who you are first of all?"
"My name is Tenzin." He said, "You young man, are on Air Temple Island located off the coast of Republic City in Yue Bay."
Connor looked at him strangely, 'Air temple? An air temple on the homestead, this must be a joke what kind of name is Tenzin…then again…my name is ridiculous to some people.' He continued to listen to 'Tenzin' with his ranting.
"The temple was originally built by my father Avatar Aang." He said proudly and yes, he was the apple of his father eye even though he was the youngest of three children. "Living here is of course is me, my wife Pema, and our three children Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, as well as the Air Acolytes. Also residing on the island are colonies of flying bison and ring-tailed winged lemurs." Though he smile would soon turn into shock when Connor said, "Avatar who and what are living here?"
Tenzin froze in his place looked at the young assassin like he four different head coming from his shoulders. He then laughed heartily, "Ah, ha, ha, ha…come on now I know your joking. Surely a Southern water tribe man knows who the great Avatar Aang was, I mean didn't the teachers of Southern Water tribe teach that you who he was or anything about the Avatar cycle?"
Connor did not find this amusing to say the least nor did he know where he was in the first despite that he is in an Air Temple.
"I do not see what is humorous about the situation that I'm faced here; I was in Davenport at the home stead putting away an amulet making sure no one finds it and the strange glowing orb with that strange woman inside of it tells me that I have to fight someone else's battle."
Tenzin looked at him strangely before laughing hysterically, one moment he was laughing the next he returned to his normal neutral face.
"Who are you trying to fool son?"
"Believe what you want old man but I speak the truth of where I come from and I can assure you old man thank I come from a tribe yes but not from this Southern Water Tribe which you speak of I've come from a tribe of Mohawks or as we called it in our native tongue Kanien'kehá:ka. Mohawk is just an insult to us"
"Kanien…what… get serious and stop jesting." Tenzin said annoyed
"I do not jest!" Connor stated angrily, "This time I have a question for you old man what has happened to my robes and weapons?"
"Your robes are being washed and dried off as we speak, as for your weapons they have been confiscated and given to the metal bending police force."
Connor was outraged, "You gave them to the authorities! You fool you don't know the type of weapons that I have or carried nor do you know how to work a revolver!"
"Whatever it was it's gone now so stop complaining about your weapons and be grateful that I was the one who took you in instead the police because they would have kept you locked in a prison cell to interrogate you for answer on why a young teenage boy like yourself is carrying weapons like that." Tenzin was furious and Connor matched his with his furiousness
The two came face to face with a look that could kill each other one another when suddenly a woman wearing a similar style of clothing as Tenzin came with white clothing. It was pure as snow; on top of it was a red sash with a funny looking symbol along with a small pouch that contained the sphere Connor was talking about.
"Master Tenzin, the young man's clothes are ready…oh I see he's awake." She came up to him handing him his clothing diffusing the tension between the Air monk and the Assassin lucky for Connor the only thing they have not taken away was the orb. He quickly put on his attire and surprisingly the clothing fit him well like the first day he had put them on with Achilles approval of course. He feared that it would slip off or something but thankfully it did not. Tenzin watched as this boy with curiosity before clearing his throat to get his attention, "Who are you and what is your name? I forgot to ask you."
Connor looked at for a moment, "My name is Connor Kenway."
"Connor?" He said in surprise, "What kind of name is Connor especially Kenway?"
"It is my name." He said annoyed, "Would you prefer to say Ratonhnhaké:ton?"
"Absolute not." He exhaled, "Fair enough Connor…Now about your stay here, you will be staying here with my family on this island doing whatever you do best and I can direct you in studying our culture and language then maybe you can tell us what your life was like from wherever you come from."
Considering his options…well he did not have too many options and clearly, he only knows Tenzin for the moment so he agreed.
"It is fine."
Tenzin nodded lead him to meet his wife and kids they were a nice family despite sometimes the weirdness of Tenzin's son and to his surprise, they were manipulating air, Tenzin explained to him that one of the four elemental of bending arts, as well is the aero-kinetic ability to control and manipulate currents of air. He also explained that he Air Nomads utilized this type of bending in their everyday lives.
Air is the element of freedom Tenzin told him as they sat down for dinner, he also explained that the Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly problems and concerns; finding peace and freedom was the key to solving their difficulties in life. Air benders continually sought spiritual enlightenment, and, as a result, all children born into the Air Nomads were benders. The first air benders learned their art from the flying bison.
Connor had laughed heartily as he held his stomach in pain, "Hahahaha…A bison that flies through the air…please stop…ha…" Tenzin had a serious face on when he said it, "Ha…you're not jesting are you now?"
"No I'm not."
He soon found that he was not joking instead he was face to face with their bison. Connor blinked at the creature in front of him. The animal with six legs licked he from toe- to- head, Tenzin children laughed at his dismay as he went to take a bath.
He said himself, "This is going to be the longest day of my life."
170 ASC One Year Later
Ratonhnhaké:ton or Connor walked through the streets of what he came to known as Republic City. Already it has been a year since he arrived here in this new strange world, and what he saw bewildered him from belief even if he did see it in person. Over the course of the year Connor seen strange things before but this took the cake, he has seen bird like creatures like Sparrowkeet, Toucan-Puffin, rabbits with antlers, cow hippo, and many other things he could list but then it would give him a headache.
He had learned from Tenzin how to read and write Chinese lettering as well and for this he was grateful because when he first read Chinese he was embarrassed to admit but nonetheless they helped him through it despite the giggles. In the those months to pass Tenzin also explained about the Avatar ordeal and how were they have duty to master the four elements and use such power to keep balance among the four nations of the world, as well as between mankind and spirits and each was an reincarnation from the last.
Over the course of time did Connor tell Tenzin about his association with the Brotherhood of Assassins, Tenzin as well as his family and the rest of the Air Acolytes were shocked when they heard that Connor has been living a lifestyle dedicated to a cause a life filled with contradictions, hatred, and with death. As an Assassin, he told them, they would need to be ready to kill people, to fight for their lives, and perhaps die during a mission or battle.
He also told them being an Assassin is not simply learning how to fight with a bunch of fancy weapons. It means you will be living a life that is dedicated to the Assassins; he understood their concern in believing in non-violence but this was his life style and they did not question it any further.
However, the biggest shock came when he told them he was actually 26 years old, he said he had no idea how he became 19 years old again but he could live with it. Still after all that he remembers what Juno told him "You already have given these people hope and now you will do the same for these whom I will bring you to…"
Who were these people that he had to meet he was curious to find out but he had hunch that meeting Tenzin was only the tip of the iceberg, Connor knew sooner or later he will meet new allies as wells as new enemies. Still that did not mean he could not do as he please in terms of his duties as an Assassin then again it has been a year since he seen his weapons and he had asked Tenzin if the police still had and to his surprise they did.
He remembers requesting for his rope darts, as well as hidden blades, especially his war tomahawk as well the rest of his weapons, Tenzin was uneasy when he sent the request. In addition, to make a long story short the request came back within the week, Tenzin made up the excuse that he wanted to get a better look and that he was going to use it as souvenir for teaching his children the wrong of violence. He got all his weapons back within the week but Tenzin warned that once he gave him back all the weapons he would not intervene with rescuing him again.
Connor knew the risk but he told Tenzin he was skilled enough to get any from any trouble. Oh yes Connor over the next 12 months began working as what they called a vigilante also getting on police forces nerves. He had few encounters with him but he always managed to escape somehow and most of that he was faced with were rookies.
Connor rolled his eyes at the memories as he approached the bay that would take to Air Temple Island. The ship ride to the temple was not that long it was about 10-15 minutes long so, he did not bore as easily he remembered all the fun and adventures he had on the Aquila. He smirked at the thoughts as he wondered how everyone back home was, they were his closest friends he missed them terribly.
Once he reached the island making his to the temple, he noticed that Tenzin and all his family were boarding Oogi.
"Greetings Tenzin" he said approaching the family
"Connor I expected you not be back for at least another hour or so." Tenzin said to him helping his wife unto the fly bison
"As would I but change of plans, the city is quiet so there is really nothing for me to do for the moment."
"Well in that case, would you like to accompany us to the South Pole to visit Korra?" Tenzin studied the young man; he was debating with himself, "You don't have to go you know."
"On the contrary I would be happy to go along besides I already seen all of Republic City and memorized every short cut, street, and landmark in case I need to use it for a quick escape." He replied, "I think it is high time to see newer places."
Tenzin nodded his giving a small smirk as he walked to the head of the bison air bending himself to sit on top it head to fly it. Connor grabbed the fur of the beast hauled himself up carefully not letting his tomahawk pierce the mammal.
He sat in the rear of the saddle while a pregnant Pema sat more to the front of the saddle with Jinora, Ikki, Meelo exclaiming excitedly what they were going to do when they got to the South Pole but most importantly they were going to see their grandmother Katara.
"Everyone ready?"
"Yes!" exclaimed the three children, Pema gave a small nod then he looked at Connor
"Connor are you ready?"
"I am."
"Just to let you know it gets very cold at the South Pole, so hopefully you brought something warm to wear beside your regular attire, if you feel that you will be getting sick just let me know and…"
"JUST GO OLD MAN BEFORE I LOSE PATIENCE WITH THIS SPEECH!" This man certainly reminded him of Achilles his late master, which scared him, the most. If he were, still alive these two would get along just fine with the lectures, the teachings and that just annoyed him.
"Humph no need to shout." He gave the roped around the bison horns a flick, "Yip-yip…"
It was a good thing Connor was good with heights or he really would have been sick as they took off in the air.
Southern Water Tribe 3 weeks later
The trip to the South Pole was filled with headaches for poor Connor for starter he had to catch Meelo who was overly excited at visiting the pole was jumping all over the place. He running here and there on the flying bison, he fell out of the bison not once, not twice, heck not even thrice, he jumped out of place four times giving him, his father and mother a heart attack if wasn't for Connor and his roped darts who knows where there son would have landed.
Connor had to threaten the boy with his hidden blades to get him to sit down quietly, Meelo for the rest of the way was frightened dare not move from his mother side much to Tenzin disapproval and relief.
Ikki on the other hand was a talkative young girl; she talked to him nonstop asking questions like, 'what was life like before you came here', 'can we go and see this world that you are from', or 'what's was it like to sail a real boat and did he go fishing'. With so many questions being asked, he wished he stayed on the island instead of answering 1000 questions with her.
Finally, there was Jinora a rather quiet girl in general, she made small talk with Connor on occasions, but he was glad that this girl did not annoy him like her sister or brother did and he was grateful for that. The family let Connor sleep after they found him dozing off nodding his head trying to keep himself awake. The children giggled as they heard him snore and Meelo decided that since Connor was asleep he get a closer to his father…by pulling on his ears and gnawing on his head that is.
The scenario changed to pure white snow as they went from ocean blue with glaciers to snowy white ground. Ikki was constantly asking are we there yet, are we yet much to Tenzin's dismay as his youngest son continued to gnaw and pulling on his ears.
When they reached their destination it was in the evening, they saw two figures in the distant standing amongst a training ground surround by a giant fortress of snow solidified filled with a temple shrine and training platform in front of it and outpost and camps.
The moment it came into view Ikki voice was heard, "Are we yet? Are we yet? Are we yet? Are we yet? This place looks very familiar. Are we here yet? Are we here yet? Are we here yet? Oh please…"
Tenzin groaned, "Yes as Ikki as I've been telling for the last 15 minutes…we are finally here." The two sisters jumped off the bison air bending them to the ground from the tail with glee as Meelo continued to gnaw on his father head.
Pema smiled as she turned her attention to Connor, she gently shook him awake, "Connor…"
He moaned softly switching to his right side
"Connor wake up…we're here"
He stirred stretching his limbs scratching his head. His eyes opened to reveal hazel eyes scanning for familiarity he didn't find it until he saw Pema, he remembered that he was going to the South Pole speaking of the Pole why was it suddenly cold?
"Connor!"
"Yes, I'm awake, I'm awake…" Connor got up sliding down the bison tail to be meant with an elderly woman.
"Hello mother." Tenzin greeted bowing slightly to her, "I cannot tell how happy I am to see you. Please help me."
Connor raised an eyebrow as Meelo was taken off Tenzin head by the woman who giggled a little. Tenzin was a master at hiding his distress half the time and he wondered how long was it before he cracked.
"Unhand me strange woman."
"That's your grandmother Meelo…" Tenzin sighed; Meelo quickly flipped himself over his grandmothers head landing on the ground.
"It's so good to see all you." She said in the kindest voice
Jinora came up to her grandmother, "Gran-Gran I've been reading all about your old adventures, and I'm dying to ask you what happened to Zuko mother?"
"Well Jinora it's an incredible tale…" That as far as she got when Ikki cut her off with her question much to the annoyance of her older sister, Connor face palmed himself and shuddered, this poor woman had some great patience with her grandchildren bless her heart especially this one.
"Gran-Gran, you look old. How old are you? Why is it so cold in the South?" She was jumping around again oh boy, "Could we make a campfire and huddle around it and tell scary stories and make snowmen?"
The elder woman looked at her grandchild with a neutral face only blinking as she continued with her 1000 questions, as Connor would like to put it.
"Can we make snowmen that move around with water bending and chase them? Wouldn't that be fun?" She said continuing to bounce up and down clapping her hands together, "Huh? Wouldn't it?"
Connor could not take much more question as he heard them. He turned to see Pema slowly sliding down the bison and went to help.
"Allow me Pema…"
"Thank you Connor but it really isn't necessary for you to help me." Connor was confused but respected her command then Tenzin came to help his wife.
"Let me help Pema then." He grabbed her hand and back, "Be careful."
"Tenzin I already told Connor that I didn't need help so stop duding on me!" She exclaimed, she rubbed her abdomen, "I'm not helpless, I'm just pregnant."
The mother of Tenzin came up to them greeting Pema and her eyes widen in surprise when she saw the Native American. "And who might we have here, another Air Acolytes of yours Tenzin? This one is strange looking I've never in my life seem stranger clothing than these." She looked at Connor with his white dress uniform jacket with blue lining, as well as a thin red sash fastened with an Assassin insignia, and brown boots with leggings that extended past his knees. His haired was tied in weird ponytail.
"Mother allow me to introduce…"
"My name is Connor Kenway ma'am." He cut off Tenzin
"Connor?" A new voice was heard, "What kind of ridiculous name is Connor Kenway?"
He growled when he saw a young woman around the age of from what he could guess 17 or 18 wearing a fur coat walking towards them in a coat that was styled in blues, purples, and whites with a hood on the back. He eyed her from head to toe she was almost the same height as him only two inches shorter.
"It is my name that master Achilles called me." He growled, "Would you rather say Ratonhnhaké:ton?"
The new girl shut up as she tried to pronounce the name, "Ra-to-hi-jeshon…what?"
"Exactly my thoughts."
"Tch, where did you find this guy?" Tenzin sighed as he shrugged placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Trust me Korra it's a long story but look at you so big and you matured into a fine young Avatar." He said Connor rolled his eyes
"Master Tenzin I'm so glad you're here I can't wait to get started on my training." She said excitedly, Tenzin was a little unsure…check that… the face that he had on was very unsure on her so-called training.
"Yes well…" He did not know how to break the news to Korra; Korra had a confused face on, then Pema interjected.
"You are going to have to tell her sooner or later."
"Tell me what?" she asked anxiuosly
Tenzin mother suddenly realized what was going on, "You're not staying aren't you?"
LXD: Well I will end it there and split into a two-part section because let me tell you if I don't stop it would be the longest chapter you would be reading and I don't know how long your readers read. As I said before I don't expect to see much reviews for this story since this crossover is not that popular but who knows I might be surprised and I do expect to see results. Anyway your thoughts on the chapter, comment, rate, subscribe. Until the next chapter
