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 Eight: Liberating Zaofu

Ren woke the next morning to the smell of seal jerky. Her eyes flung open and she sprinted out of her room to find Min and Link standing in the kitchen. Link handed Ren a piece and Ren looked around before she quickly shoved the jerky in her mouth. Ren grabbed a glass of lychee juice and sat down. She thought about how she hadn't heard from anyone in Zaofu in awhile. Ren knew that she should probably contact Su to make sure she was okay. Ren smiled at Min and Link as they looked at her. Ren rubbed her eyes and thought about the inventions that Asami, Link, and Min could possibly come up with. Ren knew the possibilities were endless.

Ren turned around when she heard footsteps and saw her Aunt Ikki walking in. Ikki pulled a chair out and sat down next to Ren and placed her hand on Ren's. Ren wondered if maybe someone else had heard from anyone in Zaofu. Ren turned to Ikki and thought she had to know something.

"Aunt Ikki have you heard anything from Aunt Opal or anyone from Zaofu for that matter?" Ren asked.

"No I haven't. I thought maybe you did," Ikki said

"No, and now I'm growing concerned," Ren said.

Ikki nodded and Ren stood and walked to the docks. She had to find out if Lin, Mako, or Sky heard anything. Ren wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to Zaofu . After she arrived in the city she realized she was still in her pajamas. The life of the Avatar can be so difficult sometimes she thought to herself. When she arrived Lin, Mako, and Sky's door were closed so Ren walked toward the doors. She heard snoring from the three offices. Ren opened Sky's door and found him on his cot with drool on his face. Ren walked over to the cot and smiled before she slapped Sky's face.

"Wake up," she said.

Sky groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Ren and pulled the blanket over his head. Ren sighed and pulled the pillow from under Sky's head and watched his head hit the cot. Sky still didn't budge and Ren started to tap her foot. Ren stomped her foot and Sky and his cot went in the air. When they both landed he looked at Ren who was displeased. Sky sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Okay, I'm up. What time is it?" Sky said.

"I don't know. Have you heard from anyone in Zaofu, because no one else has?" Ren asked.

Sky shook his head and Ren lowered hers. Someone had to know something about Zaofu. Ren walked out of Sky's office and slammed into Lin. Lin looked at Ren as she got caught up in her thoughts. Lin grabbed Ren's arm and she jumped. Ren looked at Lin and shook her head as she walked away. Ren walked to City Hall and asked the city page if she could see the files that reported what was happening during the war. The page walked Ren to the room with the files. Ren thanked the page before she started to look through the files. As Ren continued to look through the files she realized her worst fears wear coming true. Kanan was starting to take over the states in the Earth Republic that had sided against him. She saw the Zaofu file and slowly started to reach for it.

She opened the file and was happy to see that Zaofu was still in Suyin's control. She wasn't so happy to see that there Zaofu had gone through so many battles. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Ekta standing there. She placed the folder regarding Zaofu on the table and looked at the United Republic President. Ekta handed Ren a file and she opened it and threw the file on the table. She turned to the table and slammed her fist and threw the files to the ground. She pushed past Ekta and started to walk out of City Hall until she heard someone call her name. She looked to find Lin and Sky following her. She continued to walk away and thought about trying to get to Zaofu to help them somehow. Ren heard her name again and she continued to ignore the two Beifongs, wondering why they didn't want to help. Sky grabbed Ren and looked at her and she tried to pull away. Sky made Ren look at him and she stopped trying to pull away.

"Ren, stop for five minutes. We just talked to Aunt Suyin and she said other than the constant battles everything is fine. She said they are holding their own and when she needs us she will let us know," Sky said. "Cute pajamas by the way. Go home, go to sleep and relax until your needed."

"The world always needs me. My job never ends, thus running around in my pajamas," Ren said.

Lin shook her head and chuckled as Sky started to push Ren toward the door. On the way back to the island Ren yawned more times than Sky could count. When they finally arrived at the island Ren was barely standing. She didn't think she was losing that much sleep at night. She was stressing out about the war and her nightmares kept her up, but she still slept.

"Ren, are you alright?" Rohan asked.

"Yea, I…I have to…go to Zaofu…Suyin needs help," Ren said.

"Aunt Suyin said she will be fine," Sky said.

"She tells…me a lot of…things Sky," Ren said.

Rohan and Sky looked at each other and then Ren. Sky grabbed Ren and threw her over his shoulder and walked to Ren's room. He walked in and put Ren in her bed and walked out. Sky walked into the courtyard with his hand on his head. Sky said goodbye to Rohan. Rohan looked toward Ren's room and shook his head.

Ren woke up and looked around to see she was back in her bed. She laid her head down and started to rub her eyes. She finally got out of bed and slowly made her way to her drawers. She grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt. After she changed she went to the dining area and everyone looked at her and laughed. Ren grabbed a piece of fruit as she itched her head. She plopped down and looked around as everyone laughed.

"Are you trying a new look there Ren?" Meelo asked.

"This is comfy. I am going to stay in comfy clothes until someone in the world let's me know they need me," Ren said.

Everyone laughed again and Ren shrugged. Ren looked up when she heard a knock on the wall. She held her breath when she saw Ekta standing in the door with a file in her hand. Ekta walked over to Ren with her head down and handed Ren the folder. Ren opened the file and saw that Northern and Western Ba Sing Se fell. She thought about how Western Ba Sing Se changed sides a few months ago. Ren slammed the file on table before she drug her arm across the table, knocking things to the floor. Ren stood and walked over to the wall and punched in, forming cracks and everyone just watched. She placed her hands on her face and slid down against the wall. She silently started to cry and that was the first time truly didn't care what happened to her, but to the world. She heard another knock at the door, but was to scared to look. She finally decided it would be a good idea to look, and when she did she saw Wu and the representative for Western Ba Sing Se. Ren sighed, relieved that they got out okay.

Ren stood and walked over to Wu and shook his hand and hugged the representative. Ren gestured to the table, soon remembering that she threw most of the food to the ground. She slapped her face and groaned. She wondered if this was going to be a good week or not. When everyone was finally situated Wu explained how they were never prepared for the troops or the weapons Kanan brought. He said that Kanan quickly got through the walls and Northern Ba Sing Se never had a chance. Ren was shocked to find out that Western Ba Sing Se fell faster than Northern Ba Sing Se.

"Ren, he is going for Zaofu next. If he makes it Zaofu doesn't stand a chance. I don't know what his plan for the city is, but you need to get there," Wu said.

Lin, Mako, Ren, and Sky looked at Wu then each other. Ren knew it was true, Zaofu didn't stand a chance. Zaofu was one of the safest cities there was, but so was Northern, and Western Ba Sing Se. She stuck he fingers in her mouth and whistled for Hope. Ren tossed Hope food as she quickly ran to the radio room to warn Suyin about Kanan coming for Zaofu. She grabbed the intercom and started to turn the dial.

"Su, it's Ren you need to pick up right now. Kanan's coming for Zaofu," she said.

Ren heard a click and she held her breath. "Ren, it's Su. How do you know about Kanan?" Su asked.

"He took sections of Ba Sing Se. Wu said he is coming for Zaofu. He took both sections in less than an hour. Su if you aren't ready you don't stand a chance. Please be careful until I get there," Ren said.

"We will Ren and thanks for the heads up," Su said.

Ren walked out of the room and looked at Hope, who was still eating. Ren walked into her room and started to change as quickly as possible. When she was done with that she started to pack supply bags. She knew that Lin and Sky would want to go with, but they were only people she knew she would take. She grabbed her glider and made her way for the dining hall. Everyone was looking at her as she made Hope stand to put the supply bags on her back. The White Lotus stood and watched Ren but didn't say a word. Everyone decided maybe it would be best if Lin, Mako, or Sky said something to her. Ren heard Lin sigh and she turned around. Sky and Mako looked at Lin then Ren.

"Hey kid, we have to be smart about this. We can't just go to Zaofu without a plan. You heard the news we just got, and I don't think going in without a plan will help Zaofu. Mako, Sky, you, and I will go tomorrow, Su can defend Zaofu until we get there," Lin said.

Ren looked at Lin and wondered how she could say that. She pulled Hope into the hallway and just shook her head. Ren knew Zaofu couldn't defend themselves until tomorrow, not with the battles they have been having. Ren looked at Hope and the two nodded at each other before they ran toward the beach. Ren formed a bubble around her and Hope and Hope swam underwater to the city. When they arrived Ren made Hope start to run for the outskirts of the city toward Zaofu. Ren knew once they got out of the city Hope would be able to gain more distance.

In Zaofu Su had just informed her family of the situation at hand. Su knew that Kanan wouldn't stop until Zaofu was under the control of the Earth Republic. The Beifong family had agreed to protected the citizens of Zaofu and never let anything happen to them. Su started to tell her soldiers where to go and prepared for the worst. She heard one of her soldiers yelling and she looked out the window. Su saw Kanan and his army fast approaching. Su hoped she was right when she told Ren that Zaofu could defend itself until she got there. Su continued to order her soldiers around and the Beifongs looked at each other. The family hugged each other, before they got into their positions to defend the city.

Ren knew Hope was getting tired, but she had to get to Zaofu fast. She also knew that someone had to notice their absence by now. Ren stopped Hope for a minute and pulled water out of the bag and gave some to Hope. Once they had rested briefly Ren jumped on Hope's back and Hope started to run for Zaofu. Ren hoped that everyone in Zaofu could defend the city.

In Zaofu Kanan had made his way through the metal domes and the battle began instantly. Opal made a small tornado and sent it at the army. Yun pulled water out of the nearby fountains and started to make multiple whips and slam soldiers into each other. Bolin and Roku slammed their fists on the ground and lava surfaced. Kanan had come prepared for the occasion. Kanan had his troops make bridges out of earth and the troops continued to march into Zaofu. Su watched as earth started to fly everywhere. She saw Kanan and she sent he cables for him, but he blocked it with an earth pillar. One of the soldiers threw a rock a Su and knocked her to the ground. Kuvira, Wei, and Wing stood in front of Su and started to defend her. Su looked around and saw that her soldiers were quickly falling to Kanan's troops. The Metal Clan quickly fell to the Earth Republic and there was nothing Su could have done to stop it.

Ren told Hope to run faster. Ren knew they were close to Zaofu and that she had to get to the city, fast. When Ren could finally see Zaofu she saw that Kanan's army was already in the city. Ren opened her glider and jumped off Hope, making her way for Zaofu. Ren soon looked back to see Hope behind her. Ren easily made it over the city border and Kanan's army. She landed, ducking behind a building to look around the city. Ren looked into the square of Zaofu using her seismic sense and saw the mass amount of people. She quickly started to run toward the square and noticed that the civilians of Zaofu were behind the Beifomg family, while the Earth Republic army was behind Kanan. Kanan was in Su's face, but Su didn't seem to care. Kanan raised his hand to slap Su, but before he could Ren hit him in the stomach with her glider, sending him flying back. Ren looked back at Su and smiled, before she hugged her. Ren then turned around, smiling at Kanan as Hong Li and Haru helped him off the ground. She could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't expecting her to come defend the city.

"What? I thought you always liked my visits Kanan," Ren said.

"Oh, I do Avatar Ren," Kanan said.

Kanan charged for Ren and she dropped her broken glider, before charging for him. He jumped for her and she ducked, but he wasn't going for her. He continued to run for the Beifong family, so she grabbed him with her cables and threw him toward his army. Kanan threw a large rock and Ren smashed it. Before Kanan could attack again Ren surprised everyone with what she said next.

"Wait, Kanan stop. Let's make a deal I think that you will like. You let the Beifong family and the citizens of Zaofu go, and in return Hope and I will stay here peacefully. We are worth more to the world than the city of Zaofo or anyone in it. If you keep us here the rest of the world has no hope of winning this war," Ren said.

"Ren, you're insane," Opal said.

"Shut it, the Avatar and I are talking. You do make some valid points about how important you are. I think I will make the deal," Kanan said.

"You have to let me say goodbye to the Beifongs first," Ren said.

"Fine," Kanan said.

As Ren was hugging Kuvira she whispered something in her ear. "I'm giving Su my glider. Get it fixed as soon as possible. If I'm not home in three days come back for me, not a day sooner," she said.

As they pulled away from each other Kuvira nodded and Ren handed Su her glider. Ren explained to Kanan it was for them to have something to think of her. One of the guards grabbed the back of Ren's shirt and started to shove her. Ren fell and she looked at the Beifong family before the soldier kicked her and told her to get up. She knew she had to do this one on her own or people could get hurt. The soldier kicked her again and she got up and started to walk to wherever they were going to hold her.

When they arrived to their destination Ren realized Kanan was actually going to put them in a prison cell. Hope walked in the cell before the soldier pushed Ren in. Ren wished she could have fought back, but she said she would go peacefully. She crawled over to Hope and laid her head against the armadillo lion. She hoped that everyone made it to Republic City quickly and safely. She hoped that Su could warn the other world leaders about what was happening before things got worse. Ren never thought the war would get this out of hand in her life, but it did. She soon heard footsteps coming down the hall, and then her cell door opened. She saw Haru, Hong Li, and Kanan standing in the door way. She saw the knife in Kanan's hand and wondered what was going to happen next. Kanan walked in and traced Ren's face with the knife.

"When you said that you would come peacefully I thought to myself this would be the perfect chance to kill you. I then remembered you will just be reborn and the next Avatar could end everything I did. You have no clue how bad I want to kill you Avatar Ren," Kanan said.

"Then do it. I don't care if I live or die anymore. It's all the same, you always win. I don't care anymore this war has changed my life, so just do it. Let the new Avatar stop you. All the people I have faced have destroyed me, and it's like I said I don't care if you kill me," Ren said.

"What about all the people you care about?" Haru asked.

"They will manage, they always have," Ren said.

Kanan traced Ren's face with the knife again. "I have other plans for you," he said.

Ren put her arm around Hope before Kanan cut her leg with the knife. Ren clenched her teeth and leaned forward. Kanan then dug the knife into Ren's shoulder, making Ren scream. Kanan walked behind Ren and cut her back, making her scream again. Kana kicked Ren to the ground, but before he left he stabbed her in the hand. Kanan walked out of the room, but Haru and Hong Li stayed behind. The two walked in and picked up the bloody Avatar slowly. Haru grabbed the knife as Hong Li placed his hand over Ren's mouth. Haru quickly pulled the knife out and Ren screamed. The two placed Ren against Hope and left the cell.

Hope licked Ren's bloody shoulder as Ren laid there in pain. She knew that she had to get out of this cell, but she didn't have the energy anymore. She closed her eyes and hoped that the next three days would go by fast, and less painfully. She soon heard a noise coming from the hallways and tried to stand. When the cell door opened she saw Haru and Hong Li standing there. The two quickly walked over to her, helping her up, and gesturing for Hope to follow them. Haru picked Ren up for easy transport and the four left the cell. Hong Li looked down the hall before the four made their way for an exit. Haru put Ren in the back of a truck before commanding Hope to jump in the back. He then threw a tarp over the two. Haru and Hong Li got into the front of the truck and took off immediately.

Ren didn't really know what was going on. She didn't understand how Haru and Hong Li could betray Su, then betray Kanan. Ren felt the truck stop after awhile, then she heard Hong Li talk. The truck soon started to move and she felt relief. She could feel the small puddle of blood under her arm, and she wondered how long it would be until they got to wherever they were going. The truck stopped a few times, but it was getting hard for Ren to keep her eyes open. She thought if she closed her eyes for a bit she would be okay. After she closed her eyes she heard the back of the truck open, but she didn't feel like opening her eyes.

Haru climbed into the back of the truck and started to shake Ren, but she didn't wake up. He slammed his fist on the truck and Hong Li started to drive faster. It didn't take them long to reach the United Republic from their last stop. Two soldiers stopped Hong Li when they noticed that it was a truck from the Earth Republic. Hong Li got out and opened the back of the truck, revealing a bloody Ren and worried Haru. The soldiers let the truck pass and made its way for Republic City.

The group arrived and Haru grabbed Ren. They quickly made their way for the ferry, hoping that they made it to Air Temple Island in time. Hope slid her head under Haru and Hong Li before she jumped in the Yue Bay. Hope swam as quick as she could, ignoring her hatred of water to save Ren. Hope reached the islande and started to run up the stairs to the temple. Hong Li heard arguing as they got closer to the courtyard. Hope jumped into the middle of the courtyard, catching everyone's attention. Kai grabbed Ren and he, Kya, and Sesi walked back into the healing rooms. Jinora stood in the hall and watched Kai carry Ren down the hall. Sky grabbed Haru by his armor and slammed him into a pillar.

"What did you do to her?" He asked before slamming Haru again.

"I didn't do anything, but bring her here. My grandfather did that to her," Haru snapped.

"You're a liar. You worked with him for two years, why help Ren now?" Sky asked.

"You're wrong. We spied on my grandfather for two years. We have information that Ren could use to win the war, and if it wasn't for us she would still be like that in her cell. My grandfather wanted to kill her, but did that to her instead. Oh, the things he was going to do to Zaofu and Ren. Imagine what he will do to the rest of the world," Haru said.

Everyone looked at Kanan's grandson before Sky threw him to the ground. Haru sent his metal cable for Sky, but his cables were soon caught in an earth pillar. Haru looked around and saw Kuvira standing there with a disappointed look on her face. Haru picked himself off of the ground and watched Sky walk down the hall with Jinora. Jinora and Sky arrived at Ren's room as Kai walked out. Jinora and Sky both looked at him and he smiled slightly.

"How is she?" Jinora asked.

"Do you want the truth, or do you want me to lie?" Kai asked.

"The truth Kai," Jinora said.

"She isn't doing to well. I mean Kanan did a real number on her. Aunt Kya and Sesi are doing everything they can," Kai said.

Jinora started to cry and walked away. Kai tried to smile and placed his hand Sky's shoulder before walking after Jinora. Sky looked at the door to Ren's healing room, knowing Kya's policy on him staying out of the healing room when Ren was being worked on. He sat against the wall and waited for someone to come out with some news. He soon saw his Aunt Suyin coming down the hall and he smiled at her. He saw her standing outside Ren's door before she walked in.

"Sky you know my policy on you being in here when… Oh Su it's you," Kya said.

"I hope you don't mind me being in here," Su said closing the door.

Kya looked at Su and knew there was no point in arguing so she told Su to sit in the chair in the corner. Kya and Sesi turned their attention back to Ren and the numerous injuries she had. Su watched as the two waterbenders tried to keep Ren alive. Su felt like Ren wouldn't be in that bed if someone would have prevented her from making deal with Kanan. Everyone turned their heads when they heard the door slid open again. In the doorway stood the remaining Beifongs minus Lin and Sky. Kya shook her head and quickly gestured to the two corners, knowing the Beifongs felt terrible for leaving Ren in Zaofu. When Kya and Sesi knew they had done everything they could they left the room and hoped for the best. As Sesi was closing the door Haru grabbed it and walked in. He saw as Su walked over and grabbed Ren's good hand.

"Ren, I am so sorry we left you back in Zaofu. We didn't think he would do this to you after you agreed to go with him peacefully. Even if you don't want to come back for the world come back for friends and family. Come back so the Beifong family can tell you how sorry we are," Su said.

Haru knew that even though Ren wasn't born a Beifong she was treated like one. When she came to Zaofu everyone knew she was there because she was always doing something special with one of the members of the Beifong family. He had seen her play power disc with the twins. She would spar with Kuvira, talk politics with Suyin, and make art out of metal with Huan. She would talk architectural projects with Baatar Sr., and science with Baatar Jr.. She would practice lavabending with Bolin, she saved the metalbending for Roku, and airbending with Opal. She was always with the Beifongs when she came for a visit and the guards even started to call her Ren Beifong. If anything happened to Ren the Beifongs would blame themselves but so would Haru and his father.

The Beifong family looked at Haru and he handed Su Ren's headpiece. Su looked at the bloody headpiece that had slowly grown with Ren. Su thought back to the day she gave Ren the headpiece. She wiped the headpiece on her outfit and placed it next to Ren so she would have it when she woke. Su patted Ren's hand then went to walk out of the room, but Ren started to mumble.

"Zaofu fell. It's all my fault that Kanan has Zaofu. Korra help me. Someone help me," she mumbled.

Everyone looked at Ren and listened to her mumble about Zaofu. Ren started to sweat and breathe heavily as she laid there and the Beifongs became concerned. Jinora and Kai walked in as Ren started to move rapidly, almost falling off the bed. Kuvira quickly noticed the bandages on Ren's shoulder were soon covered in blood. Ren arced her back and opened her eyes. She laid back down and looked around before she grabbed her shoulder. Kai walked over to Ren to help her sit up. Jinora popped her head out of the door and gestured for Sky to come into the room. Sky smiled at Ren when he entered the room and she smiled back.

"Ren, what happened in Zaofu after we left?" Wei asked.

Ren stared straight ahead as if no one was in the room. She saw herself being attacked by Kanan in her cell in Zaofu. She started to sweat and breathe heavily. She placed her hands over her head, hoping the images would go away. She felt a hand on her leg and she looked up to see Opal standing there. Ren started to shake her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I can't. I just can't," she said.

"What did you guys do to her?" Baatar Sr. snapped.

Ren shook her head. "No it wasn't them. It was him, it was Kanan. He did this to me and he said… He said he had other plans for me," Ren said.

"Ren, did he say what the other plans were?" Wing asked.

"He has other plans for me. He said he has other plans for me," Ren repeated. "He has other plans for me….other plans for me."

Ren grabbed her head and fell back against the pillow. Ren rolled over and vomited before she passed out. Jinora ran over to Ren and placed her hand on her forehead. Jinora wanted to know what Kanan's other plans for Ren were. She just hoped that Ren could overcome what ever happened in Zaofu. She ran her hand over Ren's face before she kissed her forehead. Jinora heard Ren whimper, but didn't know what to do. They would change her bandages, but she knew it wasn't Ren's physical wounds anymore, but the mental ones that were causing her problems.

(Author's Note: So Zaofu has fallen to the Earth Republic. Ren sacrificed herself to try and save Zaofu. Haru and Hong Li spied on the Earth Republic for two years without anyone's knowledge. Ren is now suffering mentally from what happened in Zaofu and you will see in the coming chapter how she deals with it. I would also like to thank Noelzer on helping me with help on the title. Reviews are welcome and thanks for reading.)