Stolen

I do not own ATLA

That night after they landed, everyone was asleep except Ryu, who sat up nearby. He was trying to meditate but it didn't seem to be working. Suddenly, a scream startled him and he jumped up. Looking around, he thought it may have been one of his friends, but they were all still asleep. Ryu closed his eyes again, this time seeing a flash of the Northern Air Temple just after being attacked. "No!" He yelled when he saw the smoke raising into the sky. The image changed, and he was now at the Temple walking through it. He saw dead Air Nomads everywhere. He covered his face from the smell of burning flesh, and continued to walk trying not to look at the burnt corpses. He heard the sounds of fighting and rushed towards them hoping to find a survivor.

But when he rounded a corner it was himself, attacking his friends with fire. Ryu stood there in shock as they all fell, until he saw Ari fall by his own hand. "No!" He shouted trying to shoot a fire ball, but all that happened was a little puff of smoke. He quickly tried to fire an air blast but that didn't work either. Ryu looked down at his hands and realized: he couldn't bend! The other Ryu turned around smiling and shot a fire ball at him.

Just before it reached him, Ryu woke up with a yell. "Are you okay?" Sokka asked. "I'm fine," Ryu said. "Just a bad dream." I was back at the Air Temple, just after the attack, you were all there to. I watched as I killed each of you." They all looked at him strange.

"What?" Toph asked.

"It was just a dream right?" Ryu said.

"Yeah… sure." Aang said. Ryu went back to sleep but was woken up by Aang, who seemed disturbed by something. "What's wrong?" Ryu asked sitting up.

"Believe me we tried everything we could." Katara said. "What?" Ryu asked seeing their faces. "They took Ari." Aang said. "What!?" Ryu exclaimed, standing up. "Who took her?" Ryu asked "Spirits." Aang said. "We did everything we could."

"Obviously you didn't! Or she'd still be here!" Ryu yelled sending a fire ball into a nearby tree. "This is your fault!" he yelled pointing at Aang. "If you could fight maybe she'd still be here!"

"Don't yell at him!" Katara yelled back at Ryu. Ryu stood there his anger boiling.

"We'll get her back." Aang said.

"How?" Ryu asked. "Roku." Aang said simply. "He can tell us who took Ari."

"Alright, fine." Ryu said, He and Aang left the camp to talk to Roku. Like before Roku appeared in front of them.

"I know what you want." He said. "And no." "Your friend was taken because Ryu was being too reckless." "Until he calm's down she will remain in the Spirit World."

"You can't do that!" Ryu yelled standing up.

"Ryu calm down." Aang said. "No." Ryu said. "I want Ari back, and no one's going to stop me."

Ryu walked some distance away and sat down concentrating trying to enter the Spirit World. A minute later to his surprise he entered it.

"Where was he?" Ryu asked himself. It looked like a swamp. A noise made Ryu spin around and he saw Aang standing behind him.

"Ryu, don't do this." Aang said "You shouldn't mess with the spirits."

"I don't care." Ryu said turning back around and continuing to walk.

Aang caught up with him again. "I can't let you do this," He said. "At least, not by yourself."

"Thanks Aang." Ryu smiled. When they came to a cave they both paused, knowing exactly who was inside.

"Koh." Ryu hissed. "If he didn't take Ari, I'll bet you anything he knows who did." They walked forward into Koh's lair.

"Remember, no emotion." Aang reminded Ryu as they went deeper into Koh's lair. A noise caused Ryu to spin around and Koh was standing right in front of him. He chuckled and said, "The Avatar and Rogue Airbender... what brings you to my lair?"

"We're looking for someone." Ryu said."An Airbender named Ari."

"What makes you think I know where she is?" Koh said. "Because you're the oldest Spirit there is" Ryu said.

"I'll tell you, but first I want something." Koh said. Ryu drew his staff and hit Koh across the face. "Listen you overgrown centipede." Ryu said. "My best friend was kidnapped by spirits and I'm in no mood for games. Now: tell me where she is." Aang wasn't sure what was more frightening the fact Ryu had attacked Koh or the fact he'd remained completely emotionless the whole time.

"You really are a Rogue," Koh chuckled. "Not many people could do that." I'll tell you who took your friend." Koh leaned in and whispered the name into Ryu's ear.

"Vaatu."

Ryu's eye widened when he heard the name. "Good luck." Koh said and disappeared. "What's wrong?" Aang asked.

"I'll tell you when we get back." Ryu said.

When they returned, Ryu told Aang who had taken Ari.

"The Dark Spirit Vaatu has Ari." He said.

"How can he have Ari?" Aang asked. "I thought Avatar Wan locked him up."

"That doesn't mean he can't control other Spirits." Ryu pointed out.

"So what do we do now?" Aang asked.

"I go after Vaatu." Ryu answered.

"No!" Aang said "We have to stick together." "We can't." Ryu said. "You all have to deal with the Fire Nation."

"He's right." Katara said. "We don't have time to go on a big Spirit World journey."

"I'll stick around for a few more days then leave." Ryu said.

"Are you sure you want to do this alone?" Aang asked.

"I don't want you putting yourselves in danger for me." Ryu said. The others didn't like it but agreed.

The next day Ryu went into the nearby village and purchased a pair of Kodachi Swords.

"So I guess this is it." Ryu muttered sadly as Hei Bai appeared to take him to the Spirit world.

"I guess so." Aang replied sadly.

"Bye Aang."Ryu said and climbed on Hei Bai then vanished.