Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Korra or Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own characters and ideas

Book three Destiny Chapter Three: The Gala

The night before the gala Asami, Ikki, Jinora, and Ren went to look for a dress. Asami had convinced everyone that Ren should have a nice dress, and even offered to buy it. Ren groaned and instantly regretted agreeing to go to the gala. Sky felt the same way as he was told he was to be fitted for a suit. Lin told Sky that his shirt was to be blue because he was a waterbender, typical tradition. Ren was going to wear a green dress, if she ever found one. She was being miserably drug from store to store. They walked into one more stores and Ren sighed as she found a dress she liked. It was a light green dress that went to her knees and it had enough sleeve to cover her shoulder. It had a dark green sash that went around her waist. Ren looked in the mirror and then walked out of the dressing room. Ren saw everyone staring at her and became concerned.

"Do you think Sky will like it?" Ren asked biting her lip.

"I think he will love it. I also got him a green shirt, Lin should learn a thing or two about color coordination," Asami said.

Ren laughed as she walked back to the dressing room to change. After she changed they walked up to the cash register to pay for the dress, but the owner refused to take the money. He said Ren and Sky had saved this shop a few weeks ago from some thugs. Ren knew she was helping the police, but she never remembered the name of the shops. She tried to remember as many people as she could, but it became very difficult. As they walked out of the shop Ren smiled at the thought of spending tomorrow night with Sky. She really did hate galas, but she knew they both need breaks. She also knew the world leaders wouldn't argue, because they don't want the press to know what goes on at City Hall.

When they arrived at Air Temple Island Ren took the box that held her dress into her room. When she walked into her room there was fire lilies on her bed. She placed the box in the cabinet and walked over to her bed and sat down. She saw a small box of chocolate next to the flowers. She smiled and knew Sky sent the gifts. She opened the box of chocolates and popped one in her mouth as she looked for a note. When she finally found it she pulled it out of the flowers and laughed.

I got you these chocolates and fire lilies because I hoped they would make you feel better about the gala. There is a plus side to this whole thing you do have a pretty hot date for the night, me. I took off of work tomorrow so we could spend tomorrow destroying things and getting in trouble before we have to be all proper and behaved. Basically we are going to be my mother and Tenzin tomorrow, and it will suck pretty bad. I hope this distraction is worth it to the world leaders, or they will have an angry Avatar and an angry Biefong. I will see you in the morning with your hidden stash of seal jerky.

Sky

Ren grabbed a vase out of the cabinet and pulled water out of thin air before she placed the fire lilies in the vase. She smiled as walked out of the room to the dining area for dinner. Lin, Mako, and Sky were at police headquarters to work on the latest crime spree. Ren started to eat without realizing she placed her elbow on the table. Lee knocked her elbow off the table and Ren smashed her face into the table. She looked up with soup on her face and lap. She saw everyone laughing and she sighed. She had become so distracted between the gala and Sky that she stopped paying attention to everything. She wiped the soup off of her face as she stood to get another bowl. When she came back everyone was staring at her. She knew they were all concerned, but no one wanted to say it. She waited for someone to speak, and someone finally did.

"Ren, Tonraq told me about the meeting. I know that you don't like galas and the fact you are going to be used as a distraction is probably making it worse. Your flashbacks probably aren't helping you either. You know you can talk to any of us, you are like family to most of us," Senna said.

Ren looked at the aging water tribe woman and smiled. She knew Senna was right she could talk to any of them. Ren's thought still continued to wander to what she heard President Kanan say to the mystery man. Ren was concerned of what happened after the gala, which was tomorrow night. Sweat started to pour down Ren's face as she started to think about what could happen. She was supposed to prevent this new threat, or at least she thought she was. She felt her chest get tight and started to breathe heavily. She was becoming a terrible Avatar. She knew President Kanan was up to something, yet she hasn't confronted him. There was a knock on the wall and Ren looked up to see President Kanan standing there. Desna and Tonraq looked at Su who shrugged her shoulders. Honora and Izumi glared at him, clearly not impressed that he showed up. Tenzin and Pema looked at each other, then Ren. Hope looked up and growled at the president who didn't seem to care.

Ren looked at the president over her teacup before she set it down. She stood and walked over to him and stared him down. She waited for him to say something, but he didn't so she invited him in. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of soup, to return and find a room full of tension. She walked over to President Kanan and placed the bowl in front of him before she 'accidentally' knocked it on his lap. She watched as he jumped up and everyone hid their laughs. She got in his face and gave him a look that made it clear that he wasn't welcome in her home. She knew that the air nomad way was to welcome people into your home, but she wasn't an air nomad. He stepped closer to her and tried to grab her but Ren grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back before slamming him to the ground.

"Ever think about touching me again and I will rip your arm off. Maybe I'll let Hope do it instead. Now get out of the temple before things get ugly," she said.

Ren let go of Kanan's arm and he got up before he walked out of the temple. President Kanan was becomeing more daring by trying to attack her and now trying to grab her in her own home. Ren didn't like what that man was up to, but she didn't even know what he was up to. She walked over to Hope to calm her down, and realized Hope knew President Kanan was bad news before anyone. She watched as Hope chewed on her bone and smiled. Ren sat down and continued to eat her soup in silence as she tried to think of who the mystery man could be. She tried to think of what President Kanan could possibly be plotting.

After dinner Ren sat through the torture of having the woman prepare for tomorrow. Ren put the dress on and sat in a chair in her room. Her Aunt Ikki started to talk with Asami about what kind of shoes Ren should wear. Ren tried to look around, but Kuvira pulled her back to try and fix her hair into it's typical bun. Asami placed a big box filled with makeup on Ren's night stand. Ren started to look for her grandmother and mother. She soon found them huddled around a basket with Suyin. Ren wondered if Sky was going to be tortured by the men like this. Ren started to smell different scents and she started to gag.

"Spirits, what is that smell?" Ren asked.

"I guess she doesn't like that one," Jinora said.

Asami started to put lipstick on Ren, and Ren glared at her. The woman laughed as Ren growled at them. Ren sighed when she thought they were finally done, but Asami handed Kuvira a small box. When Kuvira opened the box it revealed a small hair pin that Asami gave Korra. Iroh said he wanted Ren to have the hair pin for the gala. Ren stood and went to look in the mirror, but Su sprayed her with a perfume. Ren started to cough and wave the air around her.

"Okay, that stuff smells terrible and tastes just as bad. I can't believe I have to go through this again. I am an idiot for agreeing to a gala," Ren said.

"You look beautiful though," Senna said.

The other woman agreed as Ren walked over to the mirror. When Ren was in front of the mirror she stood there and just looked at herself. Ren couldn't believe that the girl she was looking at in the mirror was her. There was a knock on the door before it slid open. When the door opened she saw her brother, father, and grandfather standing there. She saw the look they were giving here and smiled. She walked over to Kai and hugged him.

"My little girl is all grown up. You look great sweetheart, and I know you hate going to these. I know the Avatar has to go to these, but I think this time you'll want to go," Kai said.

After Ren changed and removed all of the makeup, she and Hope made their way for the ferry. She wanted to go to the city for the night. As the two got on the ferry Ren had a feeling in her gut that told her to go to police headquarters. When they arrived at the docks she jumped on Hope's back and made her run for headquarters. When Ren got there she saw President Kanan and a man she didn't know standing outside near the door. Ren jumped off of Hope's back and told her to go after President Kanan, which Hope enjoyed. Ren ran into the building to find Lin, Mako, and Sky all in Lin's office. She breathed a sigh of relief as she walked into Lin's office to find them talking about the most recent crime committed. The three looked up at Ren with a confused look.

"Did any of you know that President Kanan and a mystery man were standing outside of your headquarters? Did any of you know that he also decided to visit me at home, then tried to grab me?" Ren said.

"No to both of those questions," Lin said.

The four looked out to the other officers when they heard screams. Ren laughed when she saw Hope walking towards Lin's office, knocking things over along the way. Hope walked into Lin's office and licked the chief, who was clearly unamused by the large cats actions. An officer knocked on the door and handed Lin a note and Lin handed in to Ren. Ren saw that President Kanan was taunting her now. He was right he would see her at the gala tomorrow, but she had to behave then. He would also see her at the meeting the next day and he will not like what she does to him. Ren punched Sky's armor and dented it without meaning to. She used her metalbending to pull the dent out of the armor as she burned the note. She'll have to wait to lose her temper until after the gala. Lin and Mako gave Ren a sympathetic look as she tried to control her temper, as she was taunted.

Ren hugged Sky before she went to pull Hope out of Lin's office. The three shook their head and chuckled as they heard Ren say she will show Kanan who the better earthbender when she shows him her lavabending. Ren walked out of the building towards the docks to catch the last ferry for the night. When they were on the ferry Ren laid next to Hope and saw a small cut on her paw. Ren looked at it closer and saw that there were little pieces of stone in the cut, so she used her earthbending to pull them out. Ren growled and knew exactly how Hope got those stones in her paw. When they arrived at the island Ren walked into her room to find another note laying on her bed. It was addressed Avatar Ren and on the inside it had the same message as the note the officer gave Lin, only this note wasn't signed. Ren sighed and burned the note before she laid down. Ren didn't think she was that tired until she woke up to a knock on her door. She sat up to find Sky walking in her room.

Sky tossed a paper bag at Ren and she opened it to find it full of seal jerky. She rubbed her eyes and grabbed a piece as she moved over for Sky to sit. Ren handed Sky a piece of jerky and she told him about the note she found on her bed last night. He joked and said maybe he left it, which only ended with him being punched in the arm. After they were done eating jerky Sky left so Ren could get ready for the day. When Ren was ready the two went into the city and walked around until the early evening. Ren made her way back to the island and Sky went back to Lin's apartment. The two had agreed to meet at the island an hour before the gala. Before she left Ren told Sky that she hoped that he isn't tortured as much as she is.

When Ren arrived at the island she was told to eat and to be in her room in a half hour. She smashed her head against the wall before she walked into the kitchen to go find food. Ren was eating rice and fruit before someone yanked it away from her. She was then pulled into her room and told to get dressed. She groaned and kicked the cabinet in protest. She started to get dressed and the women then started the process from yesterday. Ren had convinced the women to let her wear flats for the night. Ren heard the men arrive on the island so she got up, but not before Su sprayed her with perfume. Ren walked into the courtyard to find all of the men ready for the gala, but her attention was on one guy. All the women walked out and the group stood there, and Iroh nudged Sky.

"Oh, Ren you look amazing. I don't know what you're wearing but it smells really good," Sky said.

"Ren typically prefers the scent of earth, but we figured everyone else would want to smell something else," Su said.

"Both of you remember to socialize with people, and to be on your best behavior," Tenzin said.

"Basically we are suppose to be like Grandpa Tenzin and Lin for the night," Ren said.

Everyone laughed, including Lin and Tenzin. The group was soon on the ferry heading for the gala. Ren was leaning against the railing as Lee walked up to her. She knew by the look on his face he didn't want to go to the gala either. Sy had told Lee what had happened at the meeting and Lee was concerned about Ren. He knew his sister well enough to know that these situations were stressing her out. Ren could deny it all she wanted, but everyone knew if something happened Ren would blame herself. Lee nudged Ren and she looked up.

"Hey, have fun with Sky tonight alright," he said.

Ren smiled and nodded. When they arrived at the docks Sky locked arms with Ren as they walked to the gala. When they arrived they were met by the press and their cameras instantly. The two smiled as they were blinded by the cameras. Ren knew that they would be on the front page of every paper the next morning. She knew the world leaders had gotten the distraction they wanted. It didn't take long for the press to start asking questions,

"Avatar Ren, or should we call you Avatar Beifong?" A reporter asked.

"Avatar Beifong?" Ren whispered to Sky.

"I think it has a cute ring to it," he whispered to her.

"I will give you ring when I wring your neck in public," Ren whispered.

"Sounds fun, but let's wait until we have a room to ourselves," Sky whispered.

Ren's cheeks turned bright red as Sky laughed. Ren looked at the ground and laughed, which gave the reporters more pictures to take. Ren and Sky walked into the gala, ignoring the reporters questions. The rest of the world leaders quickly walked over to greet the couple. Ren smiled before she was told to go socialize with the other guest. Ren was quickly reminded why she disliked galas. She and Sky talked with one guest before they were pushed to the next. Ren stopped when she heard the world leaders quietly arguing. She saw Honora, Izumi, Su, Wu, and her grandfather trying to stop the fight quietly, but they soon started to argue. Ren slapped her forehead as she walked toward them, but she stopped and realized if she tried to stop the fight that would draw attention. She started to fake a sneeze and flames came out, but it didn't faze the group. She once again faked a sneeze only this time she used air, and once again the group wasn't fazed. Ren growled as she tried once again only this time using water, only to fail again. Ren tried again, but this time when she sneezed she shook the building with her earthbending.

When the group looked at Ren they could tell that she was not pleased. Sky followed Ren to the group as she huffed her way over. She pointed at them and took a deep breath. Ren had to think of what to say she was so angry with them. She looked at Sky for help, but he shrugged his shoulders. She looked back at them and they stood there and waited for her to yell.

"You hosted this event as a distraction, so the press doesn't know about any problems that go on at City Hall. Sky and I agreed to come to this and you still brought the problems here and argued. You were told to act civil and you are acting like a bunch of children," Ren said harshly, but quietly. "Now if you can't be civil stay away from each other the rest of the night. I on the other hand am going to have my nose healed and enjoy myself."

Ren pulled Sky away from everyone and he gave her a worried look. She sighed and shrugged as she grabbed a glass of water and they walked into a separate room. Sky pushed Ren's chin up as he looked at her nose. Sky pulled the water out of the cup and placed it on Ren's nose. Ren waited for the pain to go away before she finally relaxed. When Sky was done he threw the water on the ground and kissed Ren's forehead. The two walked back into the main room and tried to socialize with guest again.

"Ten yuans says you two won't cause some form of havoc," Bumi said to Ren said.

"Make it thirty," Ren said.

"I only have ten," Bumi said.

"Get Aunt Kya to help you. She would love to see Grandpa Tenzin's face when I ruin his night," Ren said.

Bumi went to find Kya and Ren smiled at Sky. They would finally get to have fun that night, and get to make some money on top on it. When Bumi and Kya returned the four agree on the bet and shook on it. Ren walked over to the stairs before she walked up the stairs. She jumped on the railing and used her airbending to slide down as Sky made a ramp for her out of ice. Tenzin instantly started to yell at the two. Ren made an air scooter and began to circle around the room. Tenzin tried to make Ren's air scooter vanish but Sky pinned him to the ground. The world leaders began to yell at the two as Bumi and Kya laughed. Ren bent the stairs into a ramp as some of the guest walked towards them. Ren pulled more water out of the air for Sky who made two water whips. Ren made a gust of wind and knocked all of world leaders down and Sky grabbed President Kanan and pulled him across the ground. Ren and Sky walked over to Bumi and Kya and smirked.

"We will be expecting our thirty yuans when we get back to the island," Ren said.

"I need to stop making bets with you," Bumi said.

"I heard there was a party for the assistant chief of police and the Avatar. In my opinion they don't deserve this whole thing, considering they don't do much. I think I'll take the ungrateful, good for nothing Avatar with me and dispose of her," a man's voice said. The mystery man's voice.

Ren looked toward the doorway and saw a thin man standing there. She looked at his face and the first thing she noticed were his eyes, they were green. The man sent a chunk of earth at her and Sky and she jumped as it smashed where she stood. The guest quickly moved out of the way. Ren quickly drew water out of the air for Sky and the two stood in front of the man. The man sent chunks of earth at the two and Ren tried to send the earth back, but was knocked back. She felt something grab her foot and pull her towards the doorway until she sent a fire blast at the man, knocking him to the ground. When she looked at her foot she didn't see anything, so she got up. Ren sent two air blast and continued to knock the man back. The man soon ran off and Ren felt a pain in her ankle. When she looked down she saw a mark that looked like a handprint. Ren looked at President Kanan and back at the doorway.

"So, I have never seen people dance at these things. Let's make a new tradition. Go grab Lin and and I'll get daddy. We will continue to dance with guest until they pick up in the habit. I want to make it not so obvious that I am keeping an eye on President Kanan," Ren said.

Ren ran over to Kai and pulled him away from Jinora. Jinora looked at him and shrugged as Ren continued to pull Kai away. Kai smiled when Ren turned toward him and grabbed his hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder. Ren heard Lin groan and laughed. After they danced for awhile Ren told Kai to go dance with Jinora. Sky told Lin to go find someone to go find some to dance with, and to be nice. Ren was shocked to see Lin walk over to her Uncle Bumi. Ren pulled Tonraq away, so that he could dance with her, and Sky pulled Kya with him. Tonraq apologized for stepping on Ren's toes and that it had been a long time since he danced. Ren then pulled Tenzin to dance and he looked at her and shook his head.

"Grandpa Tenzin it's a new tradition," Ren said.

"You're suppose to be socializing," Tenzin said.

"I can socialize while getting people to dance," Ren said.

Ren noticed everyone was starting to dance and smiled. Ren felt someone grab her and when she turned around she found Sky smiling at her. He placed a hand on her waist and grabbed her hand and she placed her free hand on his shoulder. Sky backed up and Ren followed and It continued for a few minutes. Sky then shocked Ren when he started to sing. Ren's jaw dropped and Sky started to laugh before he continued to sing. Ren joined in and everyone stopped and watched the two dance and sing. Ren smiled as Sky spun her around, but then something caught her eye. Ren saw the man talking to President Kanan, and as soon as she saw him he left. Ren pulled away from Sky and started to walk toward President Kanan as quickly as possible. She received looks from the guest, but she still pushed her way through everyone. Lin, Sky, the council, the representatives, as well as the world leaders followed Ren towards Kanan. The group walked into a separate room and Ren soon back President Kanan into a corner.

"I want to know why you had that man attack Sky and I. I want to know who he is. I want to know everything," Ren growled.

"I have no clue what you're talking about Avatar Ren," President Kanan said.

"I followed you the other day. I heard everything that the both of you said. I know you are planning something after the gala," Ren said.

"I have told you already I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you excuse me I am very tired," President Kanan said. As he walked past Ren he whispered in her ear. "Goodbye Avatar Ren."

Ren followed Kanan out of the room and pointed at him. "Kanan, get back here and answer my questions before I beat your ass!" Ren shouted.

Kanan turned around and smiled at her. "If you really want to see what a good earthbender looks like," he said.

"I'll show you who is better when I use my lavabending. The last time I checked only two people in the room can do that and you aren't one," Ren said.

Kanan picked up a chunk of the floor and Ren grabbed it and smashed it. Ren bent the the metal trays out of the waiters hands and made metal whips. She hit Kanan in the face and she could see the blood run down his face instantly. Kanan went to split the ground, but Ren sensed it and jumped before it split. She then grabbed his ankle with her metal whip and threw him against the ceiling. When Kanan finally landed Ren walked over to him and was about to talk until Kanan punched her in the face, with earth on his hand. Ren fell on the ground and held her face as Kanan ran away. Everyone ran over to Ren as she rolled on her back, still holding her face.

"Ren, are you okay?" Ikki asked.

"Yea, he just caught me off guard," Ren said.

"Ren, are you sure you're alright?" Opal asked.

"No, he hurt my pride. He outsmarted me with a simple earthbending move," Ren said.

"Dear, didn't you tell me that Kanan was once part of the Dai Li?" Baatar Sr. asked.

"Yes, before Ren convinced the world leaders to get rid of the Dai Li, Kanan was apart of the elite earthbending group," Su said.

"Maybe that explains his fighting skills," Ren said.

Ren moved her hand to find blood, so she sat up. She quickly placed her hand under her nose as the blood poured out. Meelo handed her napkins as Rohan congratulated her on an awesome fight. Tenzin scolded Rohan before he scolded Ren for not behaving. Ren stomped her foot and the ground split where Tenzin stood. Ren started to closed her eyes and fell back onto the ground.

"The Dai Li will be a great threat Ren. They have been a pain for Aang and I and now you. Find them Ren and make sure they are truly gone," Korra said.

"Korra what are you talking? The world leaders and I did get rid of the Dai Li. They haven't been around since I was twelve," Ren said.

"Don't always believe everything the world leaders tell you," Korra said.

Ren looked at her past life in confusion as the water tribe woman gestured forward. Ren walked and was soon met by images of the Dai Li. Ren didn't understand why Korra was telling her about the Dai Li. She saw Avatar Kyoshi training the earthbenders to become the most elite earthbenders anyone had ever seen, during that time anyway. Ren saw the problems that her great grandfather had with the Dai Li and then the problems that Korra had.

As soon as Ren past out Sky picked her up and everyone quickly ran for the ferry. They knew she couldn't have passed out from blood loss yet, so they hoped that she was talking to one of her past lives. When they arrived at the ferry Sky laid her on the deck and grabbed a rag from one of the cabinets and pulled water out of the bay, before he placed it on Ren's forehead. When they arrived at the island Sky placed Ren in her room and closed the door. He walked down the hall and punched the wall before he knocked some things over. He slid to the ground and punched it again before he sat down. Meelo and Rohan went to find out what had caused all the noise when they found Sky on the ground. The brothers sat down next to him and waited for him to talk.

"I couldn't protect her tonight. I have always protected her and now she is hurt," Sky said.

"I don't think she will ever expect you, or any of us to protect her. She won't be mad at you for tonight, if anyone she will be mad at President Kanan or herself," Rohan said.

"If I can't protect her how can I protect the city? She is one person, the city has I don't even know how many people. I give Beifongs a terrible name," Sky said.

"Sky, you protect the city just fine. You make your whole family proud and live up to that Beifong legacy that Ren thinks is stupid," Meelo said.

The three men laughed as the thought about how Ren has complained about the Beifong legacy. Rohan tried to remember a time when the legacy didn't bother Ren. The three men heard groans and walked towards Ren room. When they opened the door they heard her mumbling about the Dai Li. The three looked at each other and then at Ren. They knew the Dai Li no longer existed, so why would Ren be mumbling about the elite earthbending group. Ren started to mumble more about the group. She then started to mumble something about Korra. Meelo walked over to Ren and tried to interpret what she was saying. He heard her asking about Dai Li and how they could still be around. She then mumbled about how they might be, but they should have been be a group that no longer existed. The three looked at Ren, then each other.

(Author's Note: So the gala didn't go quite as everyone thought it would. There is speculation of the Dai Li still existing, but you'll have to read to find out for sure. As you can see can see Ren and President Kanan are fighting a lot. Ren finally met the mystery man that Kanan was talking to, but that isn't his last appearance. Thanks for reading and Reviews are welcome)