The meeting was long and boring. Then again, they all were. The most exciting thing that had happened was Firelord Zuko burning his tongue on his tea, and Toph suspected that he had done it purposely for a recess. He succeeded.

The blind Earthbender dashed outside for the fifteen minute break and fell face first into the palace courtyard. She lied there, relishing in the feel of the rough stone on her face. Toph pushed herself up and chuckled. There in the earth was a perfect mould of herself. She could feel her features imprinted in the rock.

"An amazing likeness, I must say," Sokka said coming up from behind her. "But I doubt Firelord Zuko would appreciate it much."

Toph pouted jokingly. "What? He doesn't like my pretty face in his courtyard?"

Sokka grinned. "Well, it's not so much that he doesn't like your face as much as random images of his friends in his property."

Toph smirked and brought a hand up. Her figure in in the ground vanished.

"HELP!"

The sudden cry made the pair turn sharply. There in the courtyard entrance was a very dirty man in ragged clothes who had a startling variety of cuts, scrapes, and bruises. He stumbled toward Toph and Sokka. From the way he limped, it was obvious that he was in no condition to be walking.

Sokka ran up to the man, Toph right behind, and caught him as he was about to fall. The man grabbed the Water Tribe Warrior by the front of his vest and pulled him close.

"P-please... Take me to the Avatar... He must help us!"

"The meeting will now continue. Is everyone accounted for?" An old council man stood at the head of the long meeting table, glancing around to make sure everybody was there. His eyes darted to two vacant seats, previously occupied by Toph Beifong and Master Sokka of the Water Tribe. "Hmm... Where are-"

At that moment said pair burst into the room supporting a dirty, weak man between them.

"Aang," Sokka looked up at the young Avatar. "There's been a problem."

Aang Airbended out of his seat and ran toward the trio, Katara and Firelord Zuko on his tail.

"What happened?" The Air Nomad's grey eyes were filled with concern as he stared at the man.

"W-we were mining coal, same as any other day," the man started. "Someone must have hit a bad spot. One of the rookies, I suppose. Next thing we knew, the mine shaft was collapsing around us! I was the only one who managed to get out in time, but I know the others are still alive... I can feel it... Please," the man stared pleadingly up at Aang. Please help us. My wife is in there!"

A council woman stood. "The Avatar has no time to deal with this! We are in the middle of a very important meeting. Why don't you go find another Earth Bender to help you?"

Toph shook her head. "Obviously because the mine is fragile and could start to collapse again at any given moment. One false move, and you crush everyone inside." The sixteen year old bender folded her arms and grimaced. "Not just any Earth Bender will cut it. Honestly, I thought old people were supposed to be smarter than this."

Sokka had to stifle a giggle.

The council woman glared at the young Earth Bender, "Nevertheless, we must continue with this meeting if you want to build this... Republic City of yours. Everybody must be present. That includes the Avatar, seeing as how this is his idea."

Aang shook his head. "No... there are people who need me. As the Avatar, it is my duty to help them. Republic City can wait a while longer." He grabbed his glider and started for the door.

"Fine," the council woman said, eyes narrowed. "But don't expect to see us all together for another fourteen months. We do, after all, have our own lives and towns to govern."

Aang paused. Toph could feel his vibrations, and they weren't happy.

The Earthbender huffed in frustration. "Can't you old geezers see that the man needs help? I mean, seriously! What is with you people! I thought I was the blind one!" She stomped up to the man. "C'mon, you. These old farts aren't going to let the Avatar go, and frankly, I'm still a better Earth Bender than he is."

"A-are you sure?" The man asked hesitantly.

"Of course!" Aang grinned. "Toph's the greatest Earthbender in the world! She taught me everything I know. Not to mention, she's still the only Metalbender, so any loose equipment wont be a problem."

The man nodded, clearly relieved.

"Wait!" An old council man frowned. "We need miss Beifong here as well... that is, unless you do not wish to continue with your Metalbending Academy."

Toph hesitated for just a moment. "Whatever. Aang can discuss it for me. He already knows the details and can talk to me about it when I get back."

Aang placed a grateful hand on the Earthbender's shoulder. "Thanks. I owe you one."

Toph grinned. "No problem, Twinkle Toes. And yeah. You owe me." And with that, the blind Earthbender marched out of the room with the cola miner in tow.

"Toph! Wait!"

The Metalbender paused smiling slightly as she felt two pairs of familiar feet jogging after her. "So, they let you come too? My my, they must be frustrated. I almost wish I could see the looks on their faces!"

Sokka chuckled. "They were classic!"

Katara grinned. "Yeah. Even I have to admit they were funny."

"So, why'd you guys decide to tag along?" Toph asked as they followed the man out of the city.

"Well," Sokka said. "In the event that the mine may collapse- I'm not saying it will! But if it does, you're gonna need some backup."

"Most likely people are going to be hurt," Katara said seriously. "You're gonna need a healer."

Toph nodded and grinned. "Well, then. Let's get to it!"

They followed the miner outside the city walls and on for quite a ways befor they finally got to the mine.

"Here it is," the man said with a shiver.

The mine was almost totally blocked with rocks, only a few openings (hardly bigger than Momo's head) could be seen.

Toph nodded and walked toward the mine. She carefully stomped a foot down into the rocky floor. "Ok. There are seven... no, eight people down there."

"They're... alive, right?" The miner asked, his voice laced with worry.

"I think so," Toph replied, gently placing her hand on a rock. "I can't tell for sure, but I think I can feel their hearts beating." It may have just been the mine shifting, but Toph didn't want to worry the man.

The miner breathed out a relieved breath. "Can you get them out?"

Toph grinned cockily. "Please. You're talking to the greatest Earth Bender in the history of Earthbending, a master swordsman/ finagler/ planner, and the best Waterbender in the entire South Pole! What could possibly go wrong?"

Author's Note:

Added dialogue:

Katara: Umm... Toph? I'm the only Waterbender in the South Pole.

Toph: Your point?

Katara: ...

Alrighty then! Here's the first chapter! There will be two more coming so watch for them :) Thanks to anyone who reads and a triple thanks to anyone who decides to review! If you liked my story and want more of it, review! The more reviews the faster I post!

Oh, and flamers, you can flame all you want. I haven't had any so far, so I'm kind of interested to see what you say!

Disclaimer: Ehem... IM (me... and yes, I do realize that IM stands for instant messaging... but whatevs, 'cause it also stands for Island Mirage!) does not, nor will ever own Avatar: The Last Airbender or the Legend of Korra... Sad face :(