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 Eight: Hakoda and the Spirits
It had been three days and Ren was still in the healing room. Pema would stay in the room for long periods of time to make sure Ren was okay. She felt so guilty for the way things ended before Ren went to go fight Aki the other day. Kya walked in to see if there was any change to Ren's condition, but like the day before she showed no sign of waking up anytime soon. The two women walked out but not before they looked back at Ren one last time. Hakoda watched as the two women walked out before he ran up to his mother's door. He quietly slid the door open and ran in. He looked at Ren before he looked up. He walked over to her and was going to place his hand on her face when he heard the door open. Hakoda looked up to see his father standing in the doorway. Hakoda pulled back but turned his attention to Ren again. The two watched as Ren started to make different facial expressions. She then started to toss and turn. She started to mumble and sweat. She soon sat up and gasped for air. Sky ran over and held Ren as she breathed heavily. Ren looked around the room for a moment before she looked at Hakoda. The small boy climbed in bed with his parents and hugged his mother. Ren looked around and felt like she was missing some. She shook the feeling for now and smiled at the two. Sky helped Ren sit back but she insisted on getting out of bed. Sky stuck his head under Ren's arm and placed her arm across his shoulder. Ren took her first shaky step and smiled at Sky. The two made their way for the courtyard where they heard everyone talking. Ren smiled as she tried to walk a bit faster. Sky tried to keep up but the two tripped a bit. Everyone turned around when they heard the noise to see Ren with Sky. Ren let go of Sky and tried to run to her Uncle Bumi and Aunt Kya. She tripped but Kya caught her before she fell to the ground. Ren looked up with a smile but when she looked up she saw her great Gran-Gran Katara. She blinked a few times and shook her head before she saw her Aunt Kya. Ren thought maybe she was still tired from the fight with Aki and Azula. Ren felt people hug her and she looked around. She saw her Uncle Bumi, Aunt Kya, the Beifong sister, Zuko's children and her Gran-Gran Pema. She felt the weight of the world disappear for a moment. Jinora and Kai crouched down to hug Ren. Kai kissed her forehead but Ren still had a weird feeling.
"Does anyone else feel that weird sensation or is it just me? I mean is it after effects of the battle? Am I maybe having an avatar thing?" Ren asked.
"I think it is just a little bit of after effects of the battle. Ren battling Aki is one thing but Azula that's a huge thing. Then to battle them at the same time. You were lucky to walk away from that fight," Kya said.
Ren smiled at Kya, thinking about how she was probably right. Ren looked at Hakoda when she saw him laughing at the stairs. She tilted her head for a moment as Hakoda played by the stairs. Hakoda ran down to the beach still laughing and Ren sighed. She sent Hope down the stairs to make sure Hakoda was at least watched on the island. She knew like herself, Hope wouldn't let anyone harm a hair on Hakoda's head. Ren stood with the assistance of Kai and Sky. She went to look over the cliff where she knew could see Hakoda. When she looked down she gasped. She couldn't believe her eyes. It couldn't be possible. She walked away still in awe. Everyone in the courtyard saw Ren's face and gave her a confused look.
"Ren, are you alright?" Jinora asked.
"Oh, um yea. I'm still a bit tired. I think I should go lay down," Ren said as she walked into the temple.
Ren thought maybe there was a book somewhere in the temple. She walked into her grandfather's old study. She looked around to see how her mother was slowly changing the room around. She started to look through the books to see if she could find something that could answer her questions. She grabbed a few books and walked as fast as she could down the hall. She saw Takumi walking toward her so she tried to hide but she dropped one of the books. He looked in her direction and Ren pulled the books closer. Takumi picked up the book and handed it to Ren. He raised an eyebrow at her as she thanked him.
"I need something to do while I heal," she said.
"So, you're going to read about people of the Air Nation, the people of the Water Tribe, and the spirits? I feel as the avatar you should already know all of this. I mean if I was avatar, I would know these things and wouldn't have to read about them. I mean I am pretty amazing already," Takumi said.
"Someone wise once told me you could never know too much about something. Do you always use arrogance to cope with the fact your family is a bunch of outcasts?" she asked.
He laughed for a moment. "No mainly humor and occasionally drinking. Oh, and I hit on women," he said.
Ren glared at him before she started to walk back to her room. She opened the book about the people of the Water Tribe and started to read it. She didn't realize how late it was getting until someone knocked on the door. She looked up for a moment to see her mother walking in the room. When she got close enough to Ren she pushed up on the book Ren was reading and looked back at Ren. Ren smiled at her as she set the book on her night stand. Jinora looked at the two other books sitting on the nightstand. Jinora looked at Ren as the two walked out of the room. When they got into the dining area everyone was already eating their dinner. Ren looked over at Hakoda and thought about how she could talk to him. She sat down and placed food on her plate. She started to eat her rice and looked at Hakoda.
"Hakoda, is there anything you want to tell Daddy or I?" Ren asked.
"Nope," Hakoda said.
"So, you're telling me there is nothing?" Ren asked giving him one more chance.
"Nope nothing," Hakoda said.
"Hakoda, you know Mommy is the avatar. I already know and it is better if you tell me. Maybe even stop keeping the secret from us," Ren said.
Hakoda looked at Ren for a moment but didn't say anything. Everyone gave the two a confused look but they knew that something happened. Ren crossed her arm as she still continued to stare at Hakoda. He looked down to avoid Ren's gaze but he knew he was in trouble. Ren cleared her throat and tiled her head when Hakoda looked up. Hakoda nodded and Ren saw a few spirits appear in the dining area. She saw a small spirit with leaves as ears in Hakoda's lap. She saw a spirit fox laying behind him. She saw a small half duck half phoenix on his shoulder. She saw a dragonfly bunny spirit flying near him. She sa a half mouse half rabbit spirit. Then she looked up to see Aye-Aye standing in the corner. She sighed and pinched her nose. Ren heard everyone trying to hide their laughs and she looked up. She exhaled as she rubbed her eyes. She knew she couldn't ground the spirits. The spirit fox walked over to her, sitting next to her. She turned her head slightly before she looked back at Hakoda. She pointed her finger at him before she walked away. She didn't even know what she would punish him for. She hid so many things in the past so how could she be mad at Hakoda for hiding some spirits. She didn't understand why they left the Spirit World or were so far away from the portal. She looked back at Hakoda for a moment thinking about why the spirits chose to stay next to him. Ren looked over to the Spirit Portal and sighed. Ren walked over to the wall where Aye-Aye was and leaned against it. She stared at Hakoda as the spirits continued to sit in their spots near Hakoda. Ren smiled as Hakoda played with the small spirit in his lap.
"Aye-Aye, while it is nice to see you what are you all doing here? Why are you around my son? Why are you so far away from the portal? How can he see you? I mean I get the portals are open but how is he so spiritually connected?" Ren asked as she continued to stare at Hakoda.
"We felt one of the lost souls leave the Spirit World. When we came to tell you, we could sense you already knew and the small boy needs us. We have actually been here for a few days keeping him safe. Oh, Stinky the lost soul that got out is very dangerous. I do not have an answer to your last question, but I am happy he is as spiritually connected as he is. Do not under estimate this woman Stinky," Aye-Aye said.
Ren looked at the spirit and thought about how she felt weird when she woke up. It was the spirits. Ren sensed the spirits while she was trying to heal. Ren crouched down to pick up the small half duck half phoenix spirit. She flashed back to when she was Korra. Ren shook her head as she looked at the spirit. She looked at Hakoda as she set the spirit down. Ren heard a noise in the courtyard and she looked up to see Aki. The spirit fox growled and the hair on the back of his neck started to stand up. Azula started to walk up the stairs and Ren saw the small half duck half phoenix spirit start to glow. Ren grabbed the small spirit and Hakoda before she ran into the courtyard. Everyone called her name but Ren knew what she was doing. As the spirit continued to glow Ren tossed it in the air and it turned into a giant majestic golden bird. Ren tossed Hakoda up, and the bird caught him.
"Go. Get him somewhere safe. I'll come find you," Ren said as she looked up at the bird.
The bird nodded at her before it took off. Ren looked at Aki and Azula. The two looked at each other before they laughed. Iroh's children, Lee, Sky, and Takumi joined Ren. The Beifong sisters, Izumi, Honora, Bumi, and Kya joined the group. Iroh as well as Ren's parents and Aunt Ikki, Uncle Meelo, and Uncle Rohan joined. Ren looked at the two and tilted her head with a small smile. Takumi shot a fire blast at Aki but what happened next shocked everyone. Everyone saw blue flames. They saw Aki standing there with her fist out. They couldn't believe that in three days Azula turned Aki into a prodigy. Aki was an amazing firebender so Azula had to have found the flaws and corrected them. Everyone stood there for a moment as they tried to grasp what they just saw and what to do next.
"It's impossible. She has only been with her for three days. That kind of training takes months, years even. Ren what do we do?" Honora asked.
"Fight like we have never fought in our lives," Ren said.
Aki shot a fire blast straight at Honora and Izumi. Ren jumped in from of the attack and created an earth barrier. Ren watched as the barrier crumbled. Kya, Sesi, and Sky pulled water out of the fountain sending it toward Azula. Azula dodged the attacks and stuck her fist out to have a continuous fire blast. Ren looked over at Lee and the twins nodded at each other. Ren grabbed Lee's waist with her platinum cables and threw him towards Aki. She used some metal from the courtyard to cover Aki's eyes. When Lee got close enough to Aki, he sent an air blast at her, knocking her on the ground. Ren pulled Lee back to safety as Aki pulled the metal off of her eyes. Aki looked at Ren and propelled herself forward. Ren used her airbending to propel herself forward before she turned to kick Aki. Azula sent a fire blast and knocked Ren down before she could kick Aki. Ren slid across the courtyard as Azula grinned. Kya, Bumi, Izumi, Lin, Honora, and Asha looked at Azula. The woman laughed as she thought of when Aang tried to stop her. Ren tried to prop herself up as Aki walked near her. Gopan threw a bolder at her as Sesi sent ice. Aki laughed before she dodged and knocked Gopan and Sesi back with fire blast. Ren looked up to see the blue fire going everywhere. She saw it destroying everything and hurting everyone. Ren drew her body close to the ground and started to use her airbending. She eventually pulled up and everyone flew back, landing on the ground. Ren covered herself in earth and began to run as fast as she could at Aki and Azula. She kicked at Aki, making the earth come off one of her legs and knocking Aki down. Azula sent two strong fire blast at Ren but Ren sent the earth that she was using as armor at Azula. Azula went to duck but was knocked down due to a metal cable sent by Su. She was then hit by the earth. Azula and Aki looked at each other before they fled. Ren tried to run after them but the fell. Sky ran over to her, making sure she was okay. Ren looked up at the sky, wondering how she was going to find the spirit and Hakoda.
She felt someone's hand on her back and she turned to see her mother. She smiled as she thought about how supportive her mother has been through the years. Ren took a deep breath before she thought about advice Korra had given her in the past. She could use the vines. She could use them to find Hakoda. She said it was spying when she was younger but it could work now. Ren got up and grabbed her glider. Sky grabbed her wrist and she assured him that she was only going to find Hakoda. She took off towards Republic City and the vines. When Ren got to some vines she walked over to them and placed her hand on it. She didn't see anything at first until she took a deep breath and focused on Hakoda's spirit. Ren saw that the spirit took him into the Spirit World. She should have figured that one. She opened her glider and made her way for the Spirit World. When she got there the large golden bird was now a small half duck half phoenix again. Ren landed to see Hakoda had some visitors or he was the visitor depending on how people looked at it. Ren landed and started to walk towards him. When he finally saw her, he got extremely excited and started to run over to her.
"Mommy, Mommy, look who I found. It's great Grandpa Tenzin and he is really mad at you. His Mommy and Daddy are mad at you too. Grandma Lin and great Aunt Su's Mom is super mad. I thought Izumi and Honora's Daddy was going to start to firebend that's how mad he is. His uncle is pretty mad too. Grandpa Tenzin's Uncle said lots of bad things that I'm not allowed to say. Oh, and great Gan-Gran Pema's Mommy said something about chi. Whatever that is. Mommy you must have done something really bad for them to be this mad at you," Hakoda said.
Ren looked at Hakoda for a moment as he gave her his innocent smile. She kissed his forehead before she looked at the group. Ren stayed near Hakoda and wondered if he had mentioned Azula to them. He knew that was the only thing they could be mad at her for. Ren gave Hakoda her glider as she looked at the ground. She felt them staring at her. She looked up to see Tenzin giving her the look he gave her when he was about to yell at her. She was scared to walk over to the group because she already knew she messed up. She slowly took her first step as she looked at the group. She saw Korra walk up and saw she was angry but at the same time saw that her expression changed to understanding. As she walked closer to the group she knew why their children feared to do anything they weren't supposed to do. When she was finally in front of the group she looked at her Grandpa Tenzin first. She didn't even know what to say what to say to any of them. Ren looked at her great Grandpa Aang and he shook his head at her. Toph slapped Ren in the back of the head.
"Ow. Okay yes, I get it I screwed up okay. Like really screwed up. I realize that now. Look I'm not a perfect avatar and I'm trying my best. Plus, you gave me advice with her in it how was I supposed to take it? I will fix it alright," Ren said.
"Ren, I don't think you understand the severity of the issue. Azula caused all of us major issues. She almost killed Zuko and Katara. Let us not forget to mention when Zuko thought it would be a good idea to bring her to help look for his mother. Ren she was in the fog of lost souls for a reason. As the avatar you of all people should know that it is very dangerous to mess with things in the spirit world. The fog of lost souls is no exception. Fixing this Azula issue will not be as easy as you think," Aang said.
Ren started to grow angry with the group. The sky started to become dark and spirits started to get angry. Hakoda ran over to Ren as spirits got closer and the wind picked up. Ren clenched her fist before she pointed at the group. The wind whipped around them so fast and hard Ren's hair blew in her face. Ren didn't even realize she was getting angry because she was so furious at the group. Ren felt something tugging on her leg and she looked down to see Hakoda with tears in his eyes. She looked around to see the Spirit World was dark and the spirits were angry. She crouched down and wiped the tears out of his eyes as she smiled. She didn't understand how she saw so much of Sky's personality in that young boy. Hakoda hugged her as everything calmed down in the Spirit World. Ren looked at the group one more time before she grabbed her glider from Hakoda. Ren saw the spirit turn into a giant golden bird again and Hakoda was placed on its back. Ren shook her head as the spirit took off. Ren closed her eyes before she opened her eyes. She felt someone grab her wrist but she pulled away. She only turned around when the person forced her to turn around. Ren found that she was standing in front of Lord Zuko. Ren refused to look at him but she felt his gaze. She looked up to see him still staring at her. She sensed he had something to say to her but he continued to stare at her. Ren opened her mouth to speak but Zuko put his hand up. She closed her mouth and looked at him.
"Ren, how could you make such a foolish mistake? My sister is a very dangerous woman and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She is ruthless. One thing she got from our father. Ren she will try to stop anyone in her way. To her it is Azula's way or no way. I can't believe you of all people made such a stupid mistake. I am so disappointed in you. I hope you don't make any more stupid mistakes," Zuko said.
Ren bit her lip as she looked at Lord Zuko. She felt her eyes start to water as she continued to stand there. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. She tried not to cry, but it happened anyway. Ren stood there and continued to cry. Katara walked over to her, placing her hand on her arm but Ren pushed her away. Ren didn't want anything to do with them. She opened her glider and took off. The group looked at her before they looked at Zuko. Ren continued to fly as she cried hoping she could make it back to the island okay.
"Zuko, don't you think you were a bit harsh?" Mai asked.
"No, I don't. We all know what Azula is capable of and now she is in the world again. I don't know what Ren was thinking. Spirits was she stupid by doing that. She has just made her problem even bigger than she can handle," Zuko said.
"Zuko, you leave her alone. We have all made mistakes here. Yourself included. I would like to point out that you were the one that pulled Azula out of a mental asylum. Did you forget that because I didn't. Ren knows she made a mistake and that she has to fix it. That is the first step and the second is taking her psycho butt down. I don't ever want to see you talk to my great granddaughter that way again or hear you talk about her like that. I swear to the spirits if I hear it again I will chi block you faster than I have in my life without any hesitation. I hope that I have made myself very clear," Tylee said.
"Listen circus freak she has unleashed the worst evil she could have so I am not going to talk to her like she is a baby. Maybe if she would have thought of her actions she wouldn't be dealing with Azula like we did. We aren't there to help her anymore so she will have to figure out how to take Azula down. I took Azula out so she could help found our mother Ren had no motivation," Zuko said.
"I'll show you circus freak!" Tylee snapped as she ran towards Zuko.
"Stop! This isn't helping Ren or any of us. She needed guidance and still does. I gave her so much guidance while I was alive and now, I'm gone. She is just a bit lost. She needs help on what to do that is all. I would try to help her try decipher what my father or Korra were telling her. She was probably confused and everyone yelling at her is not going to make this any better for her. While I'm disappointed in her I will not ever tell my granddaughter she is stupid because I know she is far more intelligent than people give her credit for," Tenzin said.
Everyone looked at him as before they looked back at Zuko. They looked at the portal and wondered if Ren was okay. Ren had just flown out of the Spirit World and toward the island. She still had tears in her eyes from talking to the group. She saw Hakoda and the spirit up ahead so she flew faster. When she was near them she smiled at Hakoda before she did a loop. She flew ahead of them to the island. She didn't want Hakoda to see that she was crying. When she got to the island she locked herself in her room. No one heard a word from Ren the rest of the night and they had no clue what had happened.