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 Six: Ren's Nightmares
It had been two weeks since Tenzin had died. Everyone had tried to talk with Ren, but she had completely isolated herself. Everyone would eat dinner, and Ren would stay at the apartment or stay in her room on the island. Jinora could tell Ren hated coming to the island now that Tenzin wasn't there. Sky had finally convinced Ren to eat dinner with everyone. When they arrived Ren looked at Tenzin's empty seat. She put her head down before she walked over to her seat. Pema got up and walked oved to Ren. She sat down next to her, pushing her hair out of her face. Ren looked at her Gran-Gran to see a tear roll down her cheek. Ren flashed back to when she was a child.
"Grandpa Tenzin, I don't want to go through the gates again. I keep getting hit, and it really hurts. I know you said to be light on my feet, but I don't really know what that means. I'm an earthbender I need to be rooted if I'm going to be any good at that. I wish I was as good as you at airbending. If I could airbend," Ren said.
"If you listened to me you would be as good as me. Now go through the gates again, and remember be light on your feet," Tenzin said.
Ren looked at Tenzin before he sent a blast of air through the gates. Ren tried to go through, but was knocked back out. She sat on the ground, looking at the spinning gates. She looked up at Tenzin who crossed his arms, and took a deep breath. She saw he Gran-Gran Pema walking towards the two. Ren smiled at her as Tenzin picked her up off the ground. Pema handed Ren an apple as she tried to adjust so she could be on Tenzin's back. Tenzin placed Ren down, and crouched down so she could get onto his back. Once he knew Ren had a tight grip he stood, and the three walked away from the gates. Ren started to laugh at something her grandfather said, and almost spit some of her apple on him. Pema then started to laugh as Tenzin made a big deal about the apple on his outfit.
Ren pulled back from Pema before she went to the kitchen. She grabbed a glass of water, and quickly drank it. She turned around to find her mother standing in the doorway. Ren knew the look she was receiving all too well. She sighed before she leaned back against the counter. Jinora walked into the kitchen, but Ren walked past her. She didn't want to talk about it. Ren looked around before she sat down. While she was eating, she felt everyone's eyes on her. She looked down at her food, and chose to ignore them. She used her chop sticks to move the rice around. She looked up when she saw a bowl of her and Grandpa Tenzin's favorite dessert. She took the bowl with a slight smile before she set it on the table and stared at it. She took her chopsticks, and played with them for a bit. Min looked at her for a while before she looked at Link. Min looked at Lee then cleared her throat.
"Ren, would you like if Link and I tried to maybe invent something to help with whatever you are going through?" Min asked.
"You're not doctors. You can't help," Ren said.
"We can if you let us try. Not all help comes from doctors," Link said looking at her.
Ren stared at them before she started to walk away. She felt someone touch her hand, and she looked down to see her Gran-Gran giving her a sympathetic look. Ren could see that her Gran-Gran had changed in the last two weeks. She didn't see the same light, and joy in her eyes as she did before. She could also see a bit of weight lost, but not enough that her Gran-Gran was concerning everyone. Ren looked at Pema one last time before she pulled her hand away, and walked out of the temple. She stood in the courtyard for a while before she heard footsteps. She turned around to see Kuvira standing near the entrance to the temple. Ren turned around, and stared at the portal. She felt Kuvira's hand on her back, but she pulled away. Kuvira got so frustrated she hit one of her cables off of a nearby bench. Everyone ran out to see what was going on. Ren shook her head at Kuvira, but didn't say anything. Kuvira clenched her fist before she huffed. Ren looked at the ground, and tried to take a step. She felt a cable around her wrist, and she snapped her head back. She stared at Kuvira to see what she was going to do.
"Ren, for Raava's sake would you please show some form of emotion? You haven't shown any emotion since the funeral. No anger, no crying, no nothing. You are just there. Talk to us. Tell us something. Grieve with us. Everyone here is grieving but you. Ren, just grieve already. He is gone, and he isn't coming back," Kuvira said.
"No! I can't. I won't. I can't let him go. That means he is really gone. None of you get it. Aki went after him because of me. None of you could ever understand how I feel. Grandpa Tenzin and I had our special bond, and now it's gone. She took it from me. You all had your bonds with him, but being the avatar, and his granddaughter that created a whole different bond. I had three lifetimes of bonds with him. No one gets that. I can't even begin to explain how I feel. The amount of hurt, and anger I feel right now. I can't let him go...not yet. Please don't make me," Ren said with a tear rolling down her cheek.
Everyone watched as the tears finally started to roll down Ren's cheeks. She had finally started to show the emotions she had built up since the funeral. Pema walked over, and started to wipe the tears out of Ren's eyes. When Ren looked into her Gran-Gran's eyes she started to cry harder. Ren felt her knees start to shake a bit before she fell to the ground. Pema crouch down, placing Ren's head on her shoulder as she sobbed. Ren clung to Pema like she did when she was younger. Pema looked at her, remembering the first time Ren clung to her like she was now. Ren was young, and they were still looking for the new avatar. Ren had seen Tenzin, her parent, uncles, aunt, and the air acolytes airbend all the time. One day when everyone was busy the twins had come up with a plan to bring out their bending as they put it. Well Ren jumped off a high enough ledge to airbend herself backup, but not high enough to get hurt. The twins never made sense really with the rest of the story, but Ren had a broken arm after the fall. Pema remembers Ren clinging to her then just as she is now. Pema started to run her hand through Ren's hair. She felt Ren stop crying, and she lifted her by the chin. Pema wiped the tears out of Ren's eyes, and kissed her forehead. Ren smiled at her before she hugged her. Ren let go of Pema and they both got off of the ground. It was time to start getting Hakoda ready for bed. Ren had agreed that they would stay on the island for the night. After everyone was situated and, in their rooms, Ren walked out to get some fresh air. Before she could get outside, she heard crying. She went to go find the source when she found her mother standing in the kitchen wiping the tears from her face. Ren was about to walk in, but her mother walked out as soon as she heard Ren's footsteps. Ren sighed as walked back to the courtyard. She smiled at the Spirit Portal. She sat on the bench, and thought about everything. When she was finally ready to go back she made her way inside. She noticed the light was still on in her grandparent's room so she opened the door. She saw her Gran-Gran looking through pictures of her grandfather. Ren walked in and laid on the bed, looking at photos with Pema. The two eventually fell asleep while looking at pictures, but Ren's sleep wasn't very pleasant. She started to have one of the many nightmares she had been having since Tenzin's death.
She saw Tenzin standing in the courtyard airbending. She heard Aki laughing, but couldn't find her. Tenzin turned around, smiling at her. She heard Aki in her ear, and turned around. When she didn't see her, she faced Tenzin again. Ren saw a bright light flash before her, but she saw Tenzin still standing. She heard Aki's voice saying how she would take Tenzin. Ren screamed out.
Pema woke up when she felt Ren kicking, and heard her start to scream. She saw Ren start to sweat, and heard her scream Tenzin's name. She tried to wake Ren, but she couldn't. Pema turned her head when she heard the door open. She saw Lee, Min, and Sky standing there. Pema started to cry as she looked at Ren. Ren's nightmare continued.
Ren finally saw Aki in front of her. Ren watched as Aki struck Tenzin down where he stood using her lightningbending. She heard the words he is, mine. Ren ran to Tenzin with tears in her eyes. She knew it was too late. All your fault. I love you Ren...Ren. Ren continued to hear her name.
She screamed, sat up, and used her earthbending to try and defend herself from what she thought was a threat. She realized she was in her grandparent's bed. She was drenched in sweat, and so was the bed. She saw the concerned look on that Lee, Min, and Sky gave her. She turned to see her Gran-Gran crying. Ren got out of bed as she wiped some of the sweat from her face. She felt a tear roll down her cheek as she walked out of the room. She saw the door to her parent's room slowly open, and her mother slowly try to sneak out. When Jinora saw Ren she smiled at her, and the two walked to the kitchen. Ren grabbed a glass, and placed it on the table before she walked to Bumi's room. She quietly slipped in, and saw empty alcohol bottles. She shook her head as she picked them up. She could smell how strong the alcohol was on his breath. She put her hand over her nose for a moment before she took a deep breath. She took a bottle for herself. She shut the door behind her as she took a swig from the bottle. She spit everything out and looked at the bottle.
"Eww. What Is this shit? If he is going to drink something strong can it at least be something good. Raava Uncle Bumi how do you drink this? I guess it will have to do," Ren said to herself.
She walked into the courtyard before she used her waterbending to propel herself onto the roof of the temple. She took another swig from the bottle as she stared at the portal to the Spirit World. She laid back and looked at the stars as she took another swig. She thought about how her Grandpa Tenzin as she took another swig. She felt her eyes get watery as she took the next swig. She continued to drink until the bottle was almost empty, but it didn't help. Ren screamed before she threw the bottle. She started to silently cry, hoping no one would hear her. She thought about how she truly tried her hardest, but she couldn't do it anymore. She eventually cried herself to sleep, but she was met with another nightmare.
Ren was with Tenzin on Oogie flying over Republic City. Oogie disappeared and the two fell into a burning building. Ren couldn't find him, then the building vanished. Tenzin was being hit by earth, then it stopped. Ren saw Tenzin in a camp pleading for her to help him. Ren stepped back before she stumbled. Aki crouched down, laughing at her. Ren finally saw the Spirit Portal, and Tenzin walk in. Ren tried to follow him, but before she could Aki destroyed the portal. He's mine she continued to hear.
Ren sat up almost falling off of the roof. She could see that it was still dark, and that no one was awake yet. She got up, and quickly ran across the roof. She stumbled a bit before jumping down. She made her way for Yue Bay before she jumped in, making her way for Republic City. She started to shiver about half way, but she still continued to swim. When she finally reached Republic City she used her waterbending to pull the water out of her clothes. She made her way to the closest store, slowly pushing the door open. She picked out a new outfit as well as a cloak. She went to the register to pay before she quickly ran out. She changed, and looked for some form of transportation. She started to walk toward the Fire Republic until she saw a small shack with different types of animals. She walked over to the small shake, looking at the ostrich horse. She began to pet it before she paid. She put the cloak on, and quickly took off. The sun was finally coming up when Ren was on the outskirts of the Fire Republic. She started to rub her eyes as the ostrich horse continued to make its way toward the Fire Republic. When she got into the Fire Republic, she headed toward the one place she knew would have the thing she wanted. There were multiple public record buildings, but she knew exactly which one to go to. She gave the ostrich horse a light kick making it go a bit faster. She was heading to the public record building near what is still Izumi and Honora's home. Once there she quickly ran in. She left her hood up as she looked for the file. Once she found the file, she ran out with it, and jumped on the ostrich horses back. She saw that she would have to go two towns over to a very small town. She knew that she would arrive by noon if she left now. She left, making her way for her destination. It was a long way, but Ren finally saw the town. She made the ostrich horse go faster so she can reach her final destination. Once there she looked at the building as she jumped down. She walked over to the door and knocked. There was a long pause before a young woman with golden eyes, long brown hair, and a light complexion opened the door.
"Hello how can I help you?" the woman asked.
"Sweetheart, who is it?" an older woman asked as she walked to the door.
Ren noticed her amber eyes first. She saw the woman's black hair with gray streaks in it. The woman's hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail. Ren was so lost in thought for a moment that she had forgotten the younger woman had asked her a question. She looked at the two, wondering how she should approach the situation. She pulled the hood of her cloak off and lifted her head. The two women gasped when they looked at her.
"Actually, I was hoping we could help each other. May I come in?" Ren asked.
The two women moved so Ren could walk in. When she walked in she looked around the house. She saw all the family photos everywhere. She thought about home for a moment before she continued to look around. The older woman gave Ren a cup of tea and Ren thanked her. Ren was guided into the kitchen where the three sat. Ren looked at the tea for a moment, trying to figure out how to start the conversation. Ren heard a noise behind her, and she pulled her metal daggers out.
"Hey Mom I'm...Woah who is the crazy hot chick and can we tell her to put the weapons down please," a man about Ren's age said.
"Sorry. It's just a habit. Oh, and call me hot again I will bust your arm" Ren said.
"Takumi, this is Avatar Ren. Avatar Ren, this is my son Takumi. Avatar Ren said that she needs our help and that she can help us," the younger woman said.
"Anyway, back to where we were before he walked in. Kiran, I know who you really are. I know what really happened. Your mother and aunt told me everything. How you were banished from the fire nation royal palace. How you wanted to destroy everything my great Grandpa Aang did. They said they decided to spare your life instead. Ela, I also know about you being Aki's mother. They took Aki, but now Aki needs you. WE need you," Ren said.
"Mom, what is she talking about? What about Grandma Kiran being a banished princess? What does her family have anything to do with us? What about another child? How does she know all of this? What is going on?" Takumi asked.
"I can explain later, but I still have things to talk with your mother about. Maybe even your grandmother if she will listen. So, Aki's father does he know? Do you know? I mean if you do that would be amazing maybe he could help too," Ren said.
"He never told you?" Ela asked.
"Who never told me?" Ren asked.
"Ryuu," Ela said.
"Ryuu? As in former president of the Fire Republic Ryuu?" Ren asked.
"That would be the one. I would have thought he told you and Aki," Ela said.
"I'm going to kill him. I swear I'm going to kill him. His daughter has been running around like a crazed lunatic for three years and he neglected to even once mention that she was his daughter. Ugh he is so infuriating. Please come back to Republic City with me. Kiran I'm sure your mother and aunt would like to see you. Ela you can meet the man that has been raising your daughter. Ela show them your son. There is no harm, but Aki needs you now. She is on a path of destruction, and you guys are her best hope at this point. I feel things could turn fatal," Ren said.
The three looked each other then, at Ren. She took a deep breath before she put the hood of her cloak back on. She started to head for the door when she heard a noise behind her. She turned around to see the three following her. Takumi pulled the hood to Ren's cloak and she turned around, grabbing him. She let go before she turned around. She opened the door, and thought about how they would get to Air Temple Island. She knew they couldn't use ostrich horses. She saw a satomobile close by. She told them to quickly follow her. She used her metalbending to unlock the car before she got in. She tried to twist the wires together to make the vehicle start. When that wouldn't work, she used her lightningbending to start it. The three stared at Ren before they got in. Ren started to drive as fast as she could towards Republic City. She started to feel her eyes burn a bit. She started to rub them and they started to water. She continued to drive, but she eventually had to pull over. Takumi tapped on Ren's shoulder, making her look back at him. He gestured at the steering wheel. She switched seats with him, and soon Ren fell asleep.
Ren saw Tenzin sitting in his seat at City Hall. She tilted her head as the wind around her picked up. She soon saw fire everywhere and she saw a flash. Ren ran to where Tenzin was, but when she got there, he was gone. She heard his voice, but couldn't see him due to the fire and occasional bright flash. She tried to use her bending but she couldn't. She then heard Aki's voice say he's mine. Ren watched as the fire and bright light stopped. She then saw Tenzin on the ground and heard a laugh. She continued to hear the words he's mine.
Ren sat forward as she gasped for air. She looked around to see that they were in Republic City. Ren wiped the sweat off of her forehead as they all got out of the satomobile. As the four walked to the ferry Ren stared at Air Temple Island. The whole ferry ride over she thought about what she was going to tell everyone. When they finally got to the island the four slowly made their way up to the courtyard. Once they finally got there Ren could see everyone standing there discussing what they were going to do. She saw that Ekta and Ryuu were there as well. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself, but it didn't work. She used her cables to pull him to her before she grabbed him by the throat, lifting him in the air with one hand. Everyone looked at Ren as she held Ryuu in the air. No one dared to move as they feared what she was going to do. Ryuu tried to get Ren to release her grip, but she continued to hold him. Ryuu's eyes moved to Ela and back to Ren. She nodded with a light smile as she tightened her grip. Ryuu gasped for air, but Ren wanted to talk to him before she let go.
"You knew! You knew who she was this whole time! You lied to me. To all of us for all of these years. She killed my grandfather! When were you going to tell me? Before or after she killed him? He is dead because of you. I can't believe you! I can't believe any of you anymore!" Ren screamed.
"Ren, what are you talking about?" Kya asked, sitting up straighter.
"Oh, He didn't tell you? Ryuu here is Aki's real father. He knew this whole time. He could've prevented all of this. I mean not her psycho breakdown, but her killing Grandpa Tenzin his blood is on Ryuu's hands. You knew because you recognized her somehow, but kept your mouth closed. I should crush your trachea right now, but you might be beneficial," Ren said dropping Ryuu to the ground.
Ryuu started to cough, but then he spoke. "Yes, okay I recognized her. I didn't say anything because I left her all those years ago, I didn't want her to know the truth. Not that I was so close. I saw so much of Ela in her. Her eyes, her strength when she firebends, and so much more. After she killed Tenzin I was going to tell you, but you shut everyone out. I also didn't know how to tell you. Look when Ela and I were young we did a lot of stupid stuff. She got pregnant I said I would be there and Aki was born I got scared. I bailed and a few years later met my wife and we had my two daughters. They don't know. I hope you can forgive me for not telling you," Ryuu said.
Ren looked at Ryuu before she swung her fist. Her fist was about to connect with his face but before it did, she covered her hand in earth. Ryuu slide into a pillar, crushing it. She heard Lee and Link make a noise. Ryuu got up with a flame in his hand. Ren pulled water out of the fountain and circled it around herself. Ryuu sent two fire blast at Ren, and Ren dodged it. She then sent the water at him spiraling like a drill. He was knocked back, but got right back up. Ryuu ran as fast as he could and so did Ren. Ryuu sent a strong fire blast while Ren sent a strong air blast. There was an explosion and the two flew back hitting a pillar. Ren used her metalbending to get Ryuu and pulled him near her. The two jumped up and stood there, breathing heavily. Ryuu started to generate lightning. Ren froze as Ryuu continued to generate the lightning. Ren flashed back to Tenzin's death as a bright light flashed in front of her. Ren saw a wall of earth quickly come up in front of her, but it quickly was smashed, and Ren flew back. She stayed on the ground as she flashed back to Tenzin's death. She saw Ryuu generate lightning in front of her, and Tenzin's death again. Sky and Kuvira were next to her, but she didn't even notice. They tried to talk, but she never budged. Ren continued to stare forward like a small animal that was about to be hit by a satomobile. Sky shook her a little, making her blink before she looked at him. She looked at Kuvira, then at the ground. Sky was still trying to talk to her, but she still didn't hear him.
"Ren. Ren. Ren! Are you listening? Can you hear Sky? What happened out there?" Kuvira asked.
"I...I don't know. I, just froze. I saw the lightning and didn't know what to do," Ren said, looking at Sky and Kuvira.
"Well hopefully we can keep you away from lightningbending for a while," Sky said.
Ren touched Sky's face and smiled. She felt the little stubbles on her face and giggled a little. He always kept his face freshly shaved. She then looked at Honora and Izumi. She saw the look on both of their faces. She looked in the direction they were looking to see them staring Kiran, Ela, and Takumi. She tried to stand, but struggled a bit. Sky helped her a bit, but she eventually could stand on her own. Ren tried to think of what to say. Izumi looked at Ren to see what was going on. Ren bit her lip and played with her hair. Honora looked at them, clearing her throat.
"Kiran, Ela what are you doing here?" Honora asked.
"What are we doing here? From our understanding you have let my granddaughter run around and do Raava knows what. You and Aunt Izumi were supposed to be these great saviors for her, but look how that turned out. Guess that back fired faster than the Hundred Year War didn't it? You failed three women mom. Congrats on that one," Kiran said.
"Oh shit," Gopan said.
"I failed you? No, you failed you! Your Aunt Izumi and I gave you everything. We even spared your life when we should have ended it for treason. I don't know what Ren was thinking. She probably wasn't. Your granddaughter like you was given everything and still is acting the way she is. You know she is like my Aunt Azula. She is just like you," Honora said.
"Damn Iroh your family can really be harsh when they want to be," Link said.
Kiran swung her arm creating a large blast of fire. Honora stuck her fist out, making a large continuous fire blast. Ren pinched her nose as the women fought. Kiran firebent her way through before she grabbed Honora's hands. Kiran kicked sending Honora flying back. Sky looked over at Ren to see her crossing her arms and running her tongue across her teeth. He knew that meant she was getting frustrated. Honora and Kiran both used their bending to propel each other. When the two collided there was an explosion and the two flew back. Sky looked at Ren again and could tell the two women were going to push her over the edge. When Honora got up, she had fire whips. She went to grab Kiran, but Kiran avoided it. Kiran spun around and kicked fire balls out of her feet. Ren balled her fist. She had enough of the fighting. Thet weren't getting anywhere. She used her airbending to propel herself in the air. When she was close to the ground, she pulled her fist up to slam the ground. When she landed a wave went throughout the whole courtyard, making everyone fall. They all looked at her from their spot on the ground as she stood to talk.
"That is enough! We are getting nowhere fighting with each other. How are we supposed to catch Aki let alone beat her this way? Get over your petty bullshit. We are all adults here. If you won't do it for each other do it for Grandpa Tenzin. Do it because he lost his life trying to do something he shouldn't have because he believed he could fight. He had faith. Now forgive each other. If you have to talk to Su and Lin about doing that. Please just work things out. Maybe you would realize how time has changed all of you," Ren said walking away.
Everyone looked at her as she walked away. Kiran looked at Honora before she got up. She walked over to Honora, holding her hand out. Honora took her hand with a smile as Kiran helped Honora off the ground. Ela walked over to Izumi helping her off the ground. Ren was hiding behind a pillar and watched with a smile. She never saw Sky walk in her direction let alone get off the ground so when she turned around, she jumped. He had his usual smirk on his face. She gave him a half smile before she tried to run away from him. He grabbed her waist, spinning the two around. She screamed, and laughed as he lifted her. Everyone looked at the two with a smile. No one had heard Ren's laugh since Tenzin was alive. He whispered in her ear, and she smiled again. She turned around, looking into his dark blue eyes.
"You did good . Grandpa Tenzin would be very proud of you," Sky said.
She looked at him before she kissed him. "I really needed to hear that. All I want is for everyone to be proud of me, but if I could make him proud of me it would me so much more. Oh, Sky I miss him so much. These nightmares are driving me crazy and I wish this ache in my heart would go away. I know I can always visit him, but it isn't the same. I just feel like I'm in a nightmare but I know it is real. I just need help," Ren said with tears running down her cheeks.
"I'll be here to make your nightmares go away. We all will be. My heart hurts too. Your grandfather gave me more than I could ever tell him. He gave me a second chance. If he and Lin didn't give me that second chance, I wouldn't have you. We are going to help you take down Aki. We are going to help you get over this fear of lightningbending. Listen to me Ren. We are going to get through this, all of us. We will all make him proud. It will just take some time," Sky said.
Ren pulled Sky close and grabbed his face. "Raava, how did I get so lucky?" she asked as she kissed him.