This is a fictional theory story of what happens between the events of ATLA and The Legend Of Korra. Mostly what happens to Toph and Sokka.
(Of course its not going to be the same as the real story, but it gives you insight on how Toph feels for Sokka, and how in the creators eyes, its not ment to be.)
I feel like the Creaters Mike and Bryan didnt like Toph as much as the other members of the group. They left her alone in the end of the series, with no one but friends. Not to mention all the unanswered questions they left with her. So I figure when they make Korra, if shes even in it, they will still have the same feelings for her. In one of the interviews with Mike and Bryan, they killed the Zutara ship. Normally I would be happy about this revelation, but it only made me fear for Tokka. I personally love this ship and can only wish it were true, but with recent events I have only thought of what Toph would do in the 70 years between ATLA and Korra.
The way I wrote this story is unlike many others. If you going to read it, I suggest you FINISH IT. If you dont, you wont be satisfied.
Attention! this is not a happy ending story! I personally hate reading long stories only to be disappointed by the endings, so im giving you fair warning.
Here is that story: Directly After ATLA
"Oh, you think you can do a better job Momo?" Sokka questioned the Lemur on the table next to him. "Hey my belly is not that big anymore I've really trimmed down." Iroh stated, interupting the intense staring contest between Momo and the warrior. "Well I think you all look perfect." Toph exclaimed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Everyone in the room laughed at this, exept the irate water tribesman. "I think its the thought that counts, right?" Suki asked finally breaking through the laughter. "You would say something like that wouldnt you?" replied Toph, with a hint of anger in her voice. "Well of course." Suki continued "After all he is my boyfriend." Toph simply rolled her useless eyes in her direction, turned, and walked out of the room.
"What was that all about?" asked Sokka. "Im not sure but I have a feeling I made Toph angry." "Well thats not a big suprise, everything I do makes her angry." Sokka said as he returned to his work on the group painting.
Toph was making her way through the Jasmine Dragon, she was heading for the back exit. Spirits everytime I get a good joke in, Suki messes it up. She's nice and all but seriously cant she just shut up for a minute and let me have a victory? Toph thought to herself as she opened the back door to the tea shop and stepped into the busy streets of Ba Sing Se.
Its not like I ever make fun of her, is she just trying to piss me off? What did I ever do to her? Oh yeah, I kissed her at the Serpents Pass, but that was clearly an accident. It was ment for Sokka. Toph stopped dead in her tracks at this new revelation. Could she be angry at me for wanting to kiss Sokka? It's not like Im trying to steal him from her. All I do now is make fun of him every chance I get. He dosent mind so why should she? After all me and Sokka are best friends.
Then Toph felt a very familiar set of steps walking torwards her and it snapped her out of her thoughts. "Hey Iroh." She called not turning around. She always liked people to know how special she was, not to mention it freaked people out. Iroh on the other hand wasnt suprised. He knew of Toph's special abilites, and knew how proud of them she was.
"Hello Toph, may I walk with you?" Asked the wise old man. "Sure im glad someone would want to walk with me." Toph tried to hide the hint of sadness with sarcasm but as it escaped her lips she could tell she did a poor job. "Anyone would want to walk with a pretty young lady like yourself." Toph snorted "Good one Iroh, sometimes I think you should be the sarcastic one." Iroh face fell as he let out a long sigh. "Toph we've been over this." "I know we have Iroh, and I said that when I find a guy who is interested in me for me, and not the rich war hero, I'd believe you."
"Toph you cant keep beating yourself up like this." the old man replied with odd firmness. This angered Toph and her voice raised significantly "Why the hell not Iroh, everyone else has someone they love. Not me im just the tough loner in the group. No one knows how I feel on the inside, and spirits know i'd never tell them." "Toph if you dont tell him," emphasizing the him "he will never know." "Who do you think I am Iroh, some kind of homewreaker, im not going to try to steal him from Suki."
"I never said anything about stealing him, Im saying the Toph Bei Fong I know wouldnt let this get to her. She is to strong willed and straight forward to let someone she loves slip through her fingers." An odd silence surrounded the two of them like a black haze that you couldnt see through, creating walls around them like nobody else was around. Her voice, like a knife, that was now pouring with sadness, cut through the fog. "I guess you dont know the real me." The sounds eminating from her stabbed through Iroh to the core. He couldnt think of anything to say he was to hurt and the wound to deep for him to handle.
He stood there wide eyed, mouth agape, as Toph turned on her heals and was swallowed into the crowed of Ba Sing Se. He looked down at the ground where the young earthbender had been standing and saw a drop of liquid. It was a single tear and he watched it be sucked into the earth, like it had never happend.
"Suki you know that I love you right." said the young man "Yes Sokka you only told me fifty times today." she replied. "Ok, I just wanted to make sure you knew.
Sokka leaned in for a kiss and just before their lips touched BAM! and the warrior jumped into the air "What in the name of Agni was that!"
What they saw almost scared them to death. Iroh, or what seemed to be Iroh, was surrounded in flames and they could just make out his face in the flames. He was glaring daggers at the two of them. Sokka finally mustered up the courage to speak although it was a little squeaky. "Iroh, are you ok?" "Am I ok, am I ok. How in the name of Tui and La could I be ok. How could you do that to her? She hates herself because of you." Iroh was yelling at the top of his lungs.
Sokka struggled to remain in contol of his instinct to run like a little girl, and his natural curiosity got the best of him. "Who are you talking about, I didnt do anything." This seemed to anger Iroh even more, and his flames grew hotter turning from orange, to blue, and finally to a white brilliance. Sokka hid behind Suki denying his urge to seem manly in front of her. Iroh took a deep breath and as soon as it had come, his anger seemed to disappear, or at least the searing hot fire that had been there was gone.
He stood in the back of the room, face pointed at the floor. His breathing was deep and slow. "Sokka, I want you and Suki out of my tea shop now, and I dont want you to come back until you help her out of this self imposed pain your causing." "Who, who am I supposed to help?" Sokka asked. "That is for you to find out on your own, get out."
Sokka grabbed Suki's hand and turned to go. "And dont forget to take your horrid painting." The warrior turned, scowled at Iroh, grabbed the painting and stormed out of the tea shop.
Aang and Katara hearing all of the commotion stopped their makeout session in front of the shop, and turned to see what was wrong. All they saw was Sokka dragging Suki behind him out of the Jasmine Dragon mutturing curses that would make a sailer cringe. They watched them walk down the street and turn a corner. "What do you think that was about?" Aang just shrugged.
Toph had returned to their home in Ba Sing Se, walked into her room and slammed the door behind her. Toph's room wasnt much to look at. It was mostly plain white walls, a bed made for two, a night stand and a couch against the far wall. The metalbender collapsed onto the bed, she was tired. But not tired from no sleep, which she seemed to be getting very little of lately, she was tired of everything. All Toph wanted to do was fall asleep and never wake up. Why was her life so unfair. Her parents hated her from running away and never coming back, she didnt have anyone who loved her like all the others. And worst of all was the simple fact of life that she would never see all of the wonderful things that people told her about. Toph would never see the blue of the sky, never experiance the sight of the one she loved, and never view the sunset that everyone told her about. Everytime the eathbending prodigy heard wow look at that, or Oh my god that is so beautiful! She felt the emptyness in her grow like a black hole sucking the good parts of her life away from her to leave her with only sorrow and regret.
Two days later
Sokka was having trouble of his own, he couldnt for the life of him find out which girl he needed to talk to. He instantly ruled out Katara, because she wasnt mad at him, next came Toph which he knew could take care of herself. Although he hadnt seen her in a couple days. Who could Iroh be talking about?
Just then he caught a glimpse of green in the corner of his eye heading torwards him, it was Toph. Her hair was messy, clothes were dirty, and she looked very tired. The Warrior turned to face her "Hey Toph, where have you been?" "I dont believe that is any of your buisness Sokka." Toph replied groggily. Sokka could now tell she hadnt slept in a couple days. "Toph" He countered "where have you been?" this time there was consern in his voice. "Nevermind where ive been snoozles, im bored. What do you want to do."
"I cant really do anything right now Toph, apparently I hurt a girl and Iroh said I couldnt return to the Jasmine Dragon until I figured it out and fixed it." The Metalbender scowled at him, but he didnt seem to notice. "Nevermind that meathead. Im sure Iroh was over reacting, I'll go talk to him."
"You would? Thank you so much Toph!" He wrapped his arms around the petite girl in front of him, and gave her a powerful hug. "No problem, but if you dont let me go you'll have more problems than lack of tea." "Oops, sorry Toph." Sokka set her down and winced when her fist connected with his ever present bruise.
After Toph had another talk with Iroh he suddenly changed his mind to admit Sokka and Suki back into the Jasmine Dragon. Although he never seemed to get over his anger torwards Sokka.
Two years later:
The next two years went by smoothly for Toph, she realized now that her chance with Sokka had deminished to nothing but a grain of sand in a desert. She tried to get over it and for the most part she did, they were still best friends, pulled off the occasional prank, and enjoyed being in each others presence.
But recently Sokka seemed to be spending less time with her, like he was preoccupied with something. She would have to question him about it later, but right now she had to at least try to pay attention to the person in front of her.
Toph was on a date with a hyper guy named Riu. She didnt mind talking to him he was a nice enough guy, and from what Iroh tells her he is very handsome. This was their second date and Toph finally felt like she might have found a keeper. Not only was he interesting, but he was also an earthbender. Of course he didnt stand a chance against Toph, but him being able to relate made her feel a little better.
"Then just as he started to walk away I tripped him and he fell on a table covered with food. He got punch all over his white suit." They shared a laugh at the story Riu was retelling her.
Riu even had a sense of humor much like Toph's, and now that she thought about it Riu seemed alot like Sokka. Is that why she sort of liked him? Because he reminded her of Sokka. It almost hurt Toph to think like that, was she still in love with that idiot?
"Toph are you ok?" Riu asked with a concerned look on his face. "No, Im sorry Riu, im not ok." replied the metalbender "Whats wrong Toph." "Its not you Riu, your a nice, respectful, funny guy. Its me, im a stupid, blind girl who is to afraid to tell the one that she really loves how she feels. And im trying to cover it up by going out with others. Im so sorry I wasted your time Riu, but I have to go." Toph stood to leave and before she could turn Riu spoke "Don't worry Toph im not angry at you, and it most definatly wasnt a waste of my time. I figured there was someone else, but dont forget ill be here if you need me." Toph turned so he couldnt see her face "Thanks Riu, ill remember that."
Toph had made up her mind, she would tell Sokka how she felt no matter the outcome. No longer would she waste her life wondering what if. And if he said no she would finally be able to get over him and he would never see her again.
Sokka was sitting in front of his favorite place in Ba Sing Se, the Koi fish pond in his back yard. He was gently stroking the smooth round stone in his pocket. Am I going to go through with this, how will I ask her? What will she say? Questions were assulting his mind like a cricket that wont shut up when your trying to fall asleep. "Yue, wish me luck." he whispered to the moon that was just starting to show itself on the horizon.
"What for?" came the familiar voice that could only be Toph. He quickly pulled his hand from his pocket and replied "Nothing!" in a squeaky voice that he only used when he was nervous.
"I can tell your lying." She replied in a sing-song voice. "Whatever." he growled.
"Whats that in your pocket Sokka it feels like a rock?" "Its nothing Toph, what do you want." Toph was taken aback from Sokka's hostility.
maybe this isnt a good time to tell him. she thought to herself. To hell with it, im telling him and moving on with my life with or without him.
"Sokka im here to tell you something important." "What is so important that you have to come to my house in the night." his anger lowered but there still was a hint of it in his voice. Toph didnt like it one bit, she was about to tell him that she loved him, and he was acting like an ass. "Sokka, I have been hiding this from everyone for a long time and I figured that you should know before I..." She trailed off almost revealing that see was going to leave. "Before you..." he repeated. "Nevermind, what im trying to say is..." "Well?" he asked lamely. "If your going to act like that you can go screw yourself Sokka." Now it was his turn to act suprised. Toph was serious here and he was blowing it off like nothing. "Im sorry Toph I just have a lot on my mind right now. Please, tell me what you wanted to say."
"Sokka I know how stupid I am for telling you this now, and how stupid I was for not telling you a long time ago." "Toph your not stupid" "When you hear what I have to say Id like you say that again." "I promise Toph." "Ok... Sokka I. I.. love you and I've loved you since the day you saved my life on that fire nation airship."
Sokka the swordmaster, warrior, and stratigist, looked at the young women next to him. Yes he couldnt deny the fact that she had grown to be quite beautiful, and he loved her like a sister. But never in a million years had he thought that Toph had feelings like this for him. Sometimes he didnt even think she had feelings besides anger and rage.
His head was buzzing to find the solution to this problem sitting in front of him, and his almost instantanious reaction was to laugh, and laugh he did. First it was a chuckle, and it turned into a full out cacklefest.
Toph hearing this, knew what it ment, and Sokka's laughter was drowned out by the sound of her heart cracking to pieces. Finally Sokka regained control of his body and sat up to face his blind friend. "Wow Toph you had me goin there for a second." He was out of breath. She 'looked' over in his direction with tears filling her eyes. This was what she expected , why did it hurt so much? "Oh." responded Sokka lamely to the sight of tears streaming down her face. "Toph I had no idea..." he started but was cut off by Toph "Fuck you Sokka, I cant believe this shit. I pour my heart out and all you do is laugh at me." "Toph im sorry..." but again Toph cut him off "Don't be sorry Sokka" Toph started sobbing instead of her previous yelling "its my fault, it always has been, dont worry you'll never have to see me again."
"But Toph, I don't want you to leave. I might not have the same feelings for you, but your my best friend." Toph almost gave in, she almost said ok Sokka im sorry about all of this. But she willed herself to continue, no longer would she be dragged down deeper into this lonely pit he dug for her. "It's not that simple Sokka. I have to move on, thats the reason I told you this. I've been killing myself over you for almost three years now. And I cant take another day knowing that ill never truly be with you." Silence followed this extremely heartfelt confession which was the polar opposite of what Toph would usually say or do. Sokka finally spoke up "So your leaving, just like that?" "Yes Sokka, I cant live like this anymore. I will never forget you, I will always have a place for you in my heart." Sokka's eyes widend with horrer "Are you saying ill never see you again." Toph 'looked' at him their eyes locked "Its for the best Sokka, goodbye."
Toph turned and started to walk torwards the house. "Hey Toph, I still dont think your stupid." yelled Sokka. "Thank you." she whispered and continued to the house.
She had felt Suki at the window listening in on their conversation. "Oh hi Toph, hows it going?" Asked Suki. "You know damn well how its going, and If I ever hear that you did anything to hurt Sokka I will hunt you down personally."
"Dont worry Toph, I love him." "Good," Toph's voice lowered to a whisper " because you dont know how lucky you are."
Toph Bei Fong walked away from the window and slowly made her way out of Sokka's yard. She didnt dare spare him a second 'glace' for the fear of turning back. She reached the streets on Ba Sing Se, and headed torwards the Jasmine Dragon to say goodbye to another old friend.
Sokka still sat in front of the Koi pond in his backyard, thinking. It had all happend to fast for him to process, and it finally hit him like a bag of rocks. Suki approached him to make sure he was alright he hadnt moved in an hour. She sat down beside him "You ok?" "No Suki, Im not ok, she was the girl Iroh was talking about two years ago. I could of prevented this, I could of helped her through it. Then she wouldnt be gone forever."
"How, its not like she wanted help." replied Suki "I know but I was oblivious of her feelings." " Sokka, wasnt she the one who tricked you into thinking Iroh was over reacting." "That dosent change the fact that my best friend needed my help and I couldnt stop thinking about you to even notice her."
"If you love her, I will understand." Suki sounded defeated "But I dont love her like that, she's part of my family, like my little sister. I told you before that I loved you, and to prove it" Sokka pulled the green stone out of his pocket "will you marry me" it had the earth symbol and the water symbol side by side. It had taken him weeks to carve, and he was very proud of his work. Suki gasped "Of course ill marry you Sokka."
While Sokka was busy asking Suki the big question, Toph had ventured to the best tea shop in the city, told Iroh what she had done, and what she was going to do. Iroh, as expected, asked her to stay with him. He said "This is a very hard time in your life, and it is unwise to go through it alone." and Toph, like always, had the perfect comeback "I have always done things by myself, and it looks like im going to be by myself for a long time. So I might as well get used to it now. ill visit whenever im in the area Iroh." "Please Toph, dont call me Iroh, you can call me uncle. Your part of my family, and I wish you luck on your journy." Despite all the things Toph had been through, she couldnt help but smile "Thanks uncle, ill see you soon." Iroh sighed as she began her walk out of the tea shop. "If only that were true Toph, if only it were true."
Six months later
"Suki I need to go find her." explained Sokka "I understand, but you need to be back in a month at the most. Im not having my fiance miss our wedding." "Dont worry Suki ill be back on time, with Toph."
"You might want to go talk to Iroh before you go, he was the last person to see Toph before she disappeared." "Im not so sure about that, I think he's still blames me for her leaving." "Gee, I wonder why, maybe because it was you Sokka." replied the Kyoshi warrior.
"Hey, how was I supposed to know she loved me, all Toph ever did was hit me, call me names, and make fun of me." Sokka tried defending himself. "Thats how she expresses herself. On the outside she's a tough, strong willed girl, but on the inside Toph's lonely, and full of grief." "I know Suki, and we were all to blind to see it." Sokka realized the irony of his statement and started to chuckle. "Get going Sokka, I dont want you to waste another minute." "Ok ill be back as soon as I can."
The warrior took one last look at the beautiful woman that was going to marry him, and started torwards Iroh's apartment in the upper ring. He thought of what he would say when he found her, and where he would find her. Man I wish Aang and Katara were here, then I could borrow Appa, but no Aang and her need to enforce world peace. This was way more important than world peace.
Toph, infact, returned to the city. She was giving Iroh her first visit since she had left, saying that she would visit him every six months. Iroh's Apartment wasnt the best in the upper ring, and if he wanted he could afford any house he wanted, but he was content with what he had.
"It has been so long Toph, how was your travels?" Iroh questioned "It was actually kind of fun uncle, I think that I found my calling in life." answered Toph "Really, what would that be?" "Fighting." The metal bender replied nonchalontly "I dont know If that is the best path for you, but if it helps you forget..." Iroh trailed off "Im fine Iroh, but are you sure no one will show up unannounced." "Im positive Toph, Sokka has never been to my apartment." But the universe wanted to make Iroh look bad, and as soon as he finished his explaination, there was a knock on the door.
The Dragon of the West stood, and walked to the window to see who it was. He gasped at who what saw, it was Sokka, and he was carrying travel gear on his back.
"Toph you need to hide now!" Explained Iroh "Who is it uncle?" "Its him, now hide." Toph's eyes widened in horrer, and she froze into a block of ice on the couch. Iroh walked over grabbed her hand and guided her to the nearest closet, stuffed her in and shut the door, made sure to leave a crack, so Toph could hear what Sokka had to say.
Iroh made his way back to the front door, and opened it. "Hello Sokka, what brings you to my home?" "I need to talk to you about Toph." "Well by all means come in, would you like some tea." "No thanks." replied the watertribe native, as Iroh guided him to the couch Toph was sitting in moments before. The Firebender sat down beside Sokka and looked at him expectantly. Sokka, taking the hint, spoke. "I need to know where Toph is, or at least where she was last. Anything you can tell me will help." "Why would I tell you where she went Sokka? If I remember correctly your the reason she's gone." "I know Iroh, but this is important." defended Sokka "What could be so important?" "Im getting married to Suki, and I want Toph to be there."
Toph being able to hear this confession, almost screamed. But, thankfully, it came out as a quite gasp. So many emotions were going through her at one it made her head hurt. She had finally been able to move on with her life, and get over the emptyness Sokka gave her. Now it came rushing back with avengence. Anger came first, then came sadness, and last was depression. This cycle repeated itself as she sat in the dark closet of Iroh's apartment.
Iroh on the other hand kept his composure "Why in the name of Oma and Shu do you think she would go to your wedding? It would only bring back the pain she had before she left." "I know Iroh but I wanted to talk to her about things. Maybe I can help her." "I suggest you leave Sokka, I see Toph as a daughter, and im going to protect her from anymore pain." Sokka sat there for a minute processing what Iroh had said "You might see her as a daughter Iroh, but I see her as a sister and I need to talk to her. If I have to find her on my own I will."
Toph could no longer hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. They started to fall, and she quietly sobbed to herself. Unfortuanetly for her Sokka and Iroh heard it. "What was that?" I have no idea." lied the old man "Is she in the closet? She was here and you wouldnt let me see her?" "Of course I didnt let you see her! I was hoping you never saw her again!" yelled the Dragon of the West.
Toph, hearing Iroh's yelling, knew she was no longer hidden. The metelbender stood and opened the closet door. "Toph Im so happy I found you, we need to talk." while Sokka began to talk he couldnt help but notice that Toph had gotten even more beautiful since the last time he had seen her. Will her growing beauty ever stop? he thought to himself. "I dont want to hear it Sokka." "Toph you have to." the metalbender began to lose her temper "I don't have to do anything Sokka, who do you think I am your pet?" "No Toph, but your part of my family now, and I want you to be by my side at the wedding." Toph could feel her body vibrate as spasms of anger and hatred exploded within her "Fuck the wedding, Fuck being by your side, and Fuck you Sokka. You and I made our choices a long time ago. Im not part of your family, and as far as im concerned I never was."
This hit Sokka hard, he felt like part of him had been ripped away with the onslaught of insults Toph was spewwing out of her mouth like a gyser. "Toph please, how could you say these things?" cried Sokka "How could I say these things" Toph chuckled "because all I have ever felt was pain and loneliness. How couldnt I?" "Toph I can help you through this, please." replied the warrior. "No Sokka, no one can help me." she paused and looked torwards the floor that was now soaked with her tears. "Maybe If I leave this world I can find peace in the next?" Sokka stiffened at the words Toph had just spoken. "No, Toph thats not how you deal with this issue. I wont let you."
"Im sorry Sokka." She turned to the door "Goodbye." and the earthbending master dashed for the door of the apartment, Sokka right behind her. She flung the door open and made her way to the stairs. It just so happened that Iroh's apartment was built on the side of the great inner wall, and Toph knew what she had to do. She ascended flight after flight of stairs, Sokka still calling her name. "Toph you cant do this, you cant leave us. You cant leave me." But she continued to climb, running past the guards like they were nothing. Unfortunatly for Sokka the guards took notice of him chasing a beautiful young girl, and also gave chase.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity she made it to the top of the wall. Sokka still chasing her, and him still being chased by the soldiers. She came to a stop and 'gazed' over the edge of the wall. This is it, this is my escape out of this hell. "Toph please, please dont do this. I love you." She turned to face him, there was no longer any emotion on her face, like she was wearing a plain white mask. "You dont love me the way I love you." replied Toph "Maybe not, but your my family Toph, if you do this ill never find peace." she turned back torwards the wall "Yes you will Sokka, this isnt your fault." She Stepped onto the railing, balanced on the rock guarding, turned to face him, and smiled. "Sokka, your about to make me happy, im about to have my freedom." Toph leaned back and let gravity take over. Air was rushing past her and she was truly blind. Toph didnt get to far though, Sokka being the strong, fast, warrior he was reacted with lightning fast reflexes. He reached out and caught one of the girls legs and held her life in his hands. "I wont let you do it Toph, im not going to let it happen."
Toph tilted her head up to point torwards Sokka's, the smile no longer on her face, It was replaced by a look of indifference. The two friends eyes locked once again "Its for the best Sokka, goodbye." Toph pulled back her free foot and kicked forward with all the force she had. It connected with Sokka's nose and he reflexivly threw his head back. Which, in turn, made him loose his grip on Toph. The blind bandit again started to make her long plummet torwards the ground. Sokka, realizing what had just happend, ran back to the edge of the wall. "TOPH!" he screamed. Just as he was about to jump after her, the guards that had been watching the two argue grabbed him to make sure he didnt follow the blind girls lead. "Let me go, I need to save her!" cried the swordmaster. They didnt release him and just before he saw his best friend finally leave the world of the living they pulled him away from the ledge. WHAM! "TOPH NOOOOO!" the warrior was struggling to get free form the guards grasp. He knew it was to late to save her, but it was just to painful for him to give in.
Finally he stopped his fighting, and curled into a ball on the floor and cried for his lost friend. She was gone and there was nothing he could do to bring her back. He had failed again to save someone he loved.
- End Part 1
Is Toph really gone? What will Sokka do? How will he react?
Find out next time.
By the way I could really use a Beta. My grammer skills leave much to desire, if your interested email me: t_