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

Book four Peace Chapter Five: A Family Tragedy

Three Years Later

A five-year-old Hakoda peaked into his parent's room to see them both asleep. He knew they have both been working very hard lately. Ren on trying to take Aki down and Sky trying to take down the traids. He slid their door shut and ran down the hall to find someone. He ran into Hope and laughed a little. He tried to climb onto the large cat's back, but slid to the ground. He started to laugh even more when Hope licked his face. Tenzin walked to see what all the noise was about when he saw Hakoda and Hope playing. It made him think of Ren and Hope at that age. He walked over to Hakoda with a smile. Hakoda finally noticed Tenzin walking over to him. Hakoda ran as fast as he could to reach Tenzin. Tenzin watched the water come out of the fountain and Hakoda make a pillar to hold himself up. Tenzin shook his head at the small boy, but grabbed him from the pillar. The water dropped at Tenzin's feet, making them all wet.

"Great Grandpa Tenzin can we go get some cookies?" Hakoda asked.

Tenzin laughed. "Your mother would always ask me that same question every chance she got when she was your age. I guess a few cookies won't hurt," Tenzin said.

Tenzin and Hakoda snuck into the kitchen to grab the cookies before anyone could see them. In the middle of their first cook they heard someone coming. They both looked at the door to see Kai and Jinora. Hakoda smiled with a mouth full of cookie. Jinora looked at Tenzin knowing all too well that Hakoda only needed to ask him for cookies. Kai laughed a little before the two went to grab their own cookies. Not much longer Bumi, Kya and Pema came to join them. A metal cable soon took a cookie off the table and everyone turned their head. Lin stood there with a smile before she walked over to sit with them. They were all enjoying themselves so much they never realized how much noise they were making. They all looked up when they heard someone clear their throat. They saw Ren and Sky standing there with their arms crossed. Hakoda dropped the cookie and swallowed what was in his mouth.

"Busted..." Bumi said.

Ren walked over to Hakoda and sat down next to him. She grabbed her own cookie and kissed Hakoda on the top of his head. Everyone looked at her for a moment before they continued to eat their cookies. Ren looked at Hakoda and noticed he still hadn't picked it back up yet. She smiled at him, but didn't say anything. Everyone knew Ren and Sky had gotten in late last night, but didn't know how late. Ren tried to stand so she could get some water, but she stumbled. Everyone looked at her, and Sky stood to see if she needed his help. Ren assured them she was alright. She was in the kitchen when everyone heard a glass shatter. Kai, Sky, and Tenzin all ran to the kitchen to see what the problem was. They saw Ren picking herself up off the ground. They looked at her very concerned. Ren smiled at them as she picked herself and the glass up. She had found Aki again the night before and the battle had not gone to well. Ren walked away, but Aki had her on the ground just about the whole time. Ren was finally standing with the glass in her hand. She threw all the glass in the trash before she walked over to the three men. Tenzin gave her a look, but she gave him a reassuring smile. She tried to not worry them so much. They finished their not so good breakfast and cleaned up. Ren decided to stay on the island with everyone for the day while Sky was doing his duty as Police Chief. Not long after Sky left she heard her grandfather clear his throat. She turned around to see him standing there with a worried look on his face. She stood and the two started to walk. She saw the wrinkles in his faces, and how gray his goatee had gotten. She smiled at him before he spoke to her.

"Ren, you are starting to worry us with this Aki thing. Take today for example. You fell in the kitchen and acted like everything was okay. Ren, you need to start to think about your health more. Please ask us for help. Ask anyone for help," Tenzin said.

Ren laughed a little then realized how serious Tenzin was being. She could see the seriousness written all over his face. She thought how to respond for a moment without upsetting him. She stopped and looked at him. He turned to look at her.

"Grandpa Tenzin, I'm not that little earthbending avatar you trained all those years ago. I have become so strong because of you. If it wasn't for you and so many other I wouldn't be able to fight Aki like I am. Please have faith in me. Have faith that all of you trained me for this. Know even if I can't do it myself I have one thing Aki doesn't and never could obtain. I have the avatar state. Plus, Grandpa Tenzin you really aren't in the shape to be fighting anymore. I know you don't like to be called old, but when it comes to battling Aki you are old," Ren said with a smile.

Tenzin chuckled a bit as he hugged Ren. Ren thought about Aki for a moment. She had to stop Aki, but her grandfather had proven a valid point. She kissed Tenzin on the cheek before she went into her room. She sat at the desk trying to figure things out when she felt someone tug on her shirt. She looked down to see Hakoda with a smile on his face. She smiled at him, and pulled him on her lap. She continued to write ideas on her paper as Hakoda sat on her lap. When she was done she went through and thought about the most logical way to approach it. She knew she would have to get approval from the world leaders for most of these, especially Sesi. She circled the idea she thought would be the best and, tried to get up. She noticed Hakoda fast asleep. She tried to get up with him still in her arm, and placed him in her bed. She quietly left the room, and quickly went to find Lee. When she saw him, she threw his glider at him as she opened hers. Lee followed Ren into Republic City. He saw that they were heading to City Hall. When the two finally landed Ren looked back at Lee before she closed her glider. The two walked in, and walked up to Sesi's office. When they found it empty they started to walk around the building looking for her. They found her in Akane's office discussing things in the Fire Republic.

"Ren? Lee? Is everything okay?" Sesi asked.

Lee shrugged.

"No Sesi things aren't okay. This Aki problem is getting worse. It is getting so bad Sky has numerous triad attacks a day and I am running around looking for her. Then when I do find her she isn't alone. For Raava's sake Grandpa Tenzin wants to help me fight her. Sesi he is too old for this. We need to do something. She is destroying the city. She is going to kill more people. She is unstable. She is just like Azula," Ren said.

"Fine. I'll call a meeting, but I'm not sure we are going to be much help. You've always fixed everything," Sesi said.

Ren glared at Sesi before she walked out of the room. She thought about Her Grandpa Tenzin trying to fight, or even Lin. Aki didn't care she had truly lost her mind. Ren had to protect everyone. She was not going to tell her grandfather's generation anything. They were going to stay away from Aki if it was the last thing she did. Ren walked into the room that they had meetings in. She touched Sesi's chair, and thought about Ekta. She walked over to Akane's chair, and thought of Ryuu. She walked over to Agingan's seat, and thought of Desna. When She walked over to Kesuk's chair she laughed a bit as the thought of Tonraq popped in her head. She shook her head at Kuvira's chair thinking of how no one had really filled that spot. When she finally reached Lee's chair she paused. She heard the door open, and she looked up. She saw Ekta, and Ryuu. She gave them a confused look.

"So, you do miss us?" Ekta asked.

"Maybe a little. They do act like you in a sense of not listening to a damn thing I say. What are you guys doing here anyway?" Ren asked.

"They asked for our help. Apparently, they asked all the old world leaders and council to help today. They even asked Lin. They said they need advice with all our years of experience, but you would think they would ask you for advice. I mean we did work with you for a very long time," Ryuu said.

"You can never have too much experience or help. Ren should know that. Now Avatar Ren this Aki problem needs to be solved, and you aren't doing it very well. I mean I'm not the avatar and I don't want to be. I'm also not trying to tell you how to do your job, but we need to stop this woman now," Kesuk said.

Ren looked at him for a moment before Tonraq ushered him to his seat. The world leaders past, and present sat in their seats. Ren stared at the group in front of her. She thought about how both groups had driven her nuts through the years. She looked at the older people, and sighed. She didn't understand why the current world leaders couldn't help solve the problem. How could they prove they were good leaders if they relied on the old leaders? Everyone saw Ren lost in her own thoughts. She was so worried about protecting them. Aki had gotten to her. She looked at everyone, and waited for someone to speak. They looked at her, and she realized they were waiting for her to speak. She didn't know what to say. She looked at Tenzin, then back at Lin. Was bringing the world leaders into this really the best option? She hesitated for a moment before she stood.

"I'm sorry I can't. Aki is too dangerous and I can't do that to you. She has tried to kill me to many times already. I hope you all understand," Ren said running out the door.

Ren stood outside City Hall for a moment as she tried to compose herself. She knew she needed the help, but they were important people that Ren had to protect. Ren felt a hand on her shoulder, but she didn't feel like talking yet. When she turned around she saw Lin, and Tenzin standing there with a smile. Ren smiled at them, but it quickly faded. She saw Aki standing not far from where the three were standing. Ren jumped over Lin, and Tenzin. She stood in front of them, protecting them from Aki. Aki laughed at Ren, which only made Ren get closer to Lin and Tenzin. Ren used her metal cable to hit Aki in the face, drawing blood. Aki touched her face, laughing at Ren's attempt to scare her. Aki sent a fire blast, but Ren made a barrier out of earth. Ren jumped on the barrier, running toward Aki. The two made the biggest fire ball they could before they slammed into each other. There was an explosion before Ren and Aki were thrown back. Aki slid for a while, but Ren crashed into her barrier. Ren slowly got up before she threw two quick jabs, which sent air blast. Aki sent two fire blast, both slamming into Ren. Ren flew back into Lin, and the two slid across the ground. Ren saw a flash of lightning, and looked up. She saw Tenzin drop to the ground, and Aki running away. Ren took off after Aki trying to catch her. She had tears in her eyes, but she was determined. There was no turning back now. When Ren knew she lost Aki she made her way to go check on Tenzin, but no one was there. She grabbed her glider, and made her way for the island. When she got there everyone was standing in the courtyard. She saw her Aunt Kya standing there. Ren shook her head then she looked at her Gran-Gran Pema. Sesi tried to touch her arm, but she pulled away. The tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. She ran to go find him in disbelief. When she finally found his lifeless body, she began to cry harder. She walked in and sat on the floor next to his bed. She placed her head on the bed, and cried harder. He wasn't even supposed to be there she thought to herself. She should have protected him. He is dead because of her. She looked up at him for a moment, and touched his face.

"C'mon Grandpa Tenzin wake up. You can't be dead. You can't die now. I said get up damn it!" Ren yelled.

Everyone looked at the room they had placed Tenzin in, and tried not to cry harder. Sky walked back to the room to try and get Ren away from Tenzin. When Ren saw Sky she shook her head, and refused to leave the room. Sky had to pull Ren out of the room, and tell Ren that Tenzin wasn't coming back. When he finally pulled her into the courtyard Ren stood there. She didn't know what to do. She felt like she had cried every tear from the small room they had Tenzin in until Sky pulled her into the courtyard. She felt everyone looking at her, but she had no words. She still heard her Gran-Gran Pema crying, and it broke her heart. She could have done something to prevent this. She flashed back to Tenzin's death, then she saw Azula strike Aang with lightning. Ren was pulled back to the courtyard when someone touched her. She saw Sesi again, but she pushed her away. Ren went into Tenzin's study, and sat in his chair. She grabbed one of the books on his desk, and hugged it. She would give anything to hear him read one of those stories again. She closed her eyes, thinking about the good times. She saw Tenzin's traditional airbending that were worn during ceremonies. She walked over, and picked them up. She wished she had seen him in them more, but his funeral would last time she saw him in them. She put them up to her face, and took a deep breath. Ren felt the wind blow in throw the window. She went to look for his talisman that had the air symbols engraved on it. When she finally found it, she set everything on his chair.

That night at dinner everyone ate in silence. Ren picked at her food before she stopped eating all together. No one said a word to her as they were in the process of trying to grieve and grasp everything that was going on. Ren stared out the window, thinking about the day's events. Ren sighed, and got up. She walked out to the spinning gates, and smiled briefly. She thought about how frustrated she got the first time her grandfather told her to go through. She got so mad at the fact she couldn't do it. He told her to stop being so rooted to the ground, and to be light on her feet. She sent a strong blast of air through the gates and tried to go through the gates. She made it through the first gate before the second gate hit her. She tried to catch herself, but the next gate hit her. She fell on the ground outside of spinning gates. She saw Kuvira walking toward her with a small smile. Ren sat up, and Kuvira sat next to her. Ren looked at her, before she hugged her. Kuvira wrapped her arms around her, trying to make her feel better. Ren missed Tenzin so much, but she knew he was gone. The funeral was in two days so everyone could come into town. Kuvira got up, and made her way for her guest room. Ren stood, and slowly walked inside the temple. She heard her Gran-Gran Pema crying in her room. Ren walked down the hall and slowly slid the door open. She saw that her grandmother was clinging to the pajamas her grandfather had worn last night. She closed the door, and ran down the hall. She sat in her grandfather's study until late that night when everyone was asleep. She grabbed a book from the study, and ran back to her grandparent's room. She quietly slid the door open before she walked in. She saw that her Gran-Gran was sleeping on her Grandpa Tenzin's half of the bed with the pajamas still in her hand. Ren saw one of her grandfather's robes, and she grabbed it before she went to lay on her Gran-Gran's half of the bed. She pulled the book and robe close.

The next couple days had passed by slowly, but now it was the day of the funeral. Ren looked at the outfits laid in front of her. There was a traditional outfit from each nation. Ren hesitated over the one Su had brought in from the Earth Republic. She then slowly moved over to the traditional air nation outfit. She slowly put it on before she went and looked in the mirror. She placed her headpiece on before she slowly slid the door open. Hakoda ran up to her in a traditional Water Tribe ceremonial outfit. Sky was not far behind him in his uniform. Sky picked Hakoda up then her grabbed Ren's hand before they all walked into the courtyard. Everyone slowly made their way to ferry to go to the city. After they finally made it to the city they slowly walked to the building where the funeral was being held. When they arrived, Ren told them to go in without her that she would be in momentarily. Ren looked at the building, and took a deep breath. She walked in to see the room full of people. She expected her grandfather's funeral to be big, but never this big. Everyone told her how sorry they were for her loss as she made her way for Tenzin. She stood in front of his casket before she touched his hand. She closed her eyes before she took her seat. Ren stared straight at Tenzin during the funeral until she felt someone nudge her. Lee motioned his head toward the podium. Ren got up, and slowly made her way to the podium. Once there she looked at everyone there, trying to figure out where to start. She looked back at Tenzin before she looked at everyone again.

"My Grandpa Tenzin was an amazing man. A husband, father, brother, son, friend, mentor, and obviously grandfather. He served on the council. He trained me to be the avatar I am today...This isn't fair. First Hyan and Jun took Lord Zuko now Aki took you. It isn't fair Grandpa Tenzin... I can't do this anymore. I'm not strong enough. I need you..." Ren said as she fell to the ground sobbing.

Everyone sat in their seats and watched Ren sob for a minute. Jinora looked at Ren, but before she could get up she heard someone else get up. She saw Lin walking toward Ren. She saw the older woman standing in front of Ren. She didn't say anything for a moment, but when she did she shocked everyone.

"Get up. I said get up! Stop crying too. Everyone is looking at you for strength, and here you are sitting on the ground crying. Ren, I said quit crying. Don't you think we find it unfair? Don't you think we need him? Don't you think we miss him? Don't you think I miss him..." Lin said as she started to cry.

"Don't you understand I can't. I'm not strong enough. I have tried for three years Lin. She took Grandpa Tenzin. She is as crazy as Azula. I just can't anymore," Ren said still crying.

"You're pathetic. Could you imagine what your grandfather would say right now? He wouldn't let you look so damn pathetic," Lin said.

Ren looked at Lin before she jumped up and grabbed her. She slammed her against the wall, shaking the building slightly.

"Do not use Grandpa Tenzin's death as an attempt to make me go find Aki. I swear on his grave if you do it again I'll kill you Lin I'm not kidding I will kill you..." Ren said as she dropped Lin.

She looked around the room to see everyone staring at her. She looked over at Tenzin, and started to cry again. Lin grabbed her, and hugged her. Ren cried in her shoulder until she felt like she couldn't cry anymore. Lin had tears in her eyes. Ren pulled back, and Lin saw her face. She saw that Ren truly had no desire to fight. Hakoda walked up to Ren and grabbed her hand. Ren looked down at Hakoda with a small smile. Ren crouched down, and picked Hakoda up. He smiled at her before he hugged her. Everyone walked out and made their way for the island for the gathering. On the ferry ride over Ren felt a hand on her back. She looked back to see Sky standing there. She placed her head on Sky's shoulder as the two looked out at Yue Bay. Ren was one of the last people to walk into the courtyard, but when she did she tried to avoid eye contact with people. She saw her Aunt Kya walking toward her, and she sat on one of the benches. Kya sat down with her, pushing the hair out of her face. She gave Ren a small smile before she kissed her forehead and left. Ren sat on the bench until she saw Aki. Everyone got quiet as they looked at Aki then Ren. Ren clenched her fist, but kept her cool.

"Ren, why are you throwing this pity party or whatever your calling it? I mean seriously the man held you back. You never reached your true potential as the avatar because of him. He always told you no. Don't do this Ren. Don't do that Ren. You're better off without him. Think about it, Ren. You are so weak. Think about why that is. You have always been so weak. Who has always been one of your masters in training? I mean you are wearing those air nomad clothes. You hated them. That had to be his last wish because you hated them, and would never wear them any other way. Ren, I did you a favor. Maybe I just took your grandpa away so you would have no one to go to when you wanted advice. Maybe it was so you couldn't cry to him anymore. Maybe it was a favor. Guess you'll never know," Aki said laughing.

"That's it! I'm done hiding the family secret. Aki you're Honora's great granddaughter. Your grandmother was banished. Your mother is Raava knows where. I could care less. They did you a damn favor. A favor! You should technically be with a banished family. An outcast. Your real family was a bunch of outcasts just like you!" Ren snapped.

"You're a liar!" Aki screamed.

Ren threw a chunk of earth at Aki. She didn't care what Aki had to say anymore. Aki made two fire whips and Ren made two whips out of her metal cables. Aki went to grab Ren, but missed. Ren grabbed Aki's waist, and threw her against the wall. Aki sent two fire blast at Ren, but Ren jumped over them. Ren sent her metal cables for Aki's shoulder. She saw one of the cables go into Aki's shoulder, and heard Aki scream. She sent an air blast knocking Aki back. Aki started to generate lightning and Ren redirected it. Aki then sent multiple fire blast at Ren. Ren got knocked down. Ren was knocked back, but she wasn't going to give up. She punched the ground, sending a pillar under Aki. Aki now sent two fire blast. Ren pulled water out of the fountain to prevent any damage. She continued to send quick air blast knocking Aki back. Aki fell down the stairs. And retreated to Yue Bay. Ren stood for a moment to make sure Aki wasn't coming back before she walked over to a bench. Pema walked over to her, and Ren laid her head against her. Pema placed her head on Ren's, and smiled.

"I'm going to miss him so much Gran-Gran," Ren said.

"I'm going to miss him too," Pema said.