Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Chapter One: Years of Change
The city of Ba Sing Se stood baking in the enduring summer heat wave. Over the course of the season, temperatures had steadily climbed into scalding levels; if a pedestrian were to take a moment from his usual routine to study the orderly flagstone streets of the first two rings, he would have noticed heat rising from them in waves. Most of the citizens took refuge in the shade of their homes, save for small crowds of resilient, thrill-seeking children. They also felt the press of the heat, as their street games were conducted with much less gusto than usual. As the sun continued to beat down oppressively, the people grew listless. Even bathing was rendered pointless - there was no reward in washing off a layer of sweat when it simply reappeared moments after leaving the bath. The air was not only hot, but incredibly heavy and moist.
Katara juggled her groceries in order to liberate her hand, which she then wiped across the back of her neck for what seemed to be the hundredth time. Her hand came back slick with sweat, prompting a weary scowl from the young woman. Katara fancied herself a resilient, adaptable person. After all, wasn't that the mark of any Waterbender? But as the heat wave drew on, she often caught herself longing for the artic, dry air of the Southern Water Tribe. Truthfully, she would be content with any climate, so long as it didn't threaten to paste her clothes to her body after moments of exposure. Weeks of heat and humidity made her long for extreme opposites.
Moments after wiping her neck, Katara found her forehead heavy with sweat. Glaring up at the offending drops, she lifted her moist hand again before growing quite still. Katara looked over her shoulder, eyeing the empty street warily lest others were out in the heat, or even peeking through their shady windows. With no sign of life within sight, she lifted her hand quickly, flexing her wrist and pulling all the sweat off in one fluid, simple technique. She discarded it on the side of the street casually before resuming her journey. The course of one mile seemed to grow tenfold in the heat.
Waterbending a majority of the sweat from her body had been a small risk, but Katara decided that the reward – walking dry, if only for a few moments – was well worth it. She was only positively recognized in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, where the citizens considered themselves members of a refined, secret organization. Foreigners were generally well-treated in the Upper Ring, mostly because of the status that afforded them such accommodations. A small portion of hospitality came from the belief that high society citizens were above primitive harassment; Katara learned quickly that they didn't need actions to bully.
As she strode through the streets, the young woman's mind wandered back to the first months following Ozai's defeat. With the threat of the Fire Nation finally dismissed, Ba Sing Se had welcomed newcomers of every ethnicity, eager to rebuild in the name of peace. However, once the dreamy effects of post war bliss wore off, the people found themselves facing the crisis of leadership. With the Dai Li disbanded and the Earth King traveling in exile, the stability of the city was in grave danger. Aang, honoring his duty as Avatar, had searched for a solution that would best serve the people. With the help of the former king's most trusted generals and the Order of the White Lotus, a thirteen-year-old boy shouldered the grievances of the Earth Kingdom capital. Katara could clearly recall and maintain her rage – Avatar or not, how could any child be expected to accomplish such a feat? There was a small comfort in the wisdom of the White Lotus and the experience of the generals, but she still harbored a righteous, if not somewhat selfish anger. Burdens and expectations aside, Katara hadn't been prepared to share Aang with the world. Almost immediately after affirming their feelings for one another, Aang had been swept into post war politics.
Katara had wanted to help, and in a very small way, she'd managed. It became clear after the first meeting between ambassadors that she was only a child in the world of politics; besides being inexperienced, she'd been treated as a stupid, blundering little girl. Her frustration soon claimed her rational mind. Who cared if the Earth Kingdom was governed by a single system or multiple rulers as long as the people were represented? Why even mention rebuilding the Dai Li after they caused to much corruption and pain? It was very simple and right to ask these questions in her head, but when Katara voiced them in front of a panel of ambassadors, she felt utterly foolish. As time drew on, she realized that without the proper age or status, she would never be recognized. Katara could only offer Aang comforting words and youthful love, but even those seemed inadequate as the weight of the real world pressed down on the young Avatar.
As she boarded the monorail from the second ring, Katara felt a stab of pain as her left knee stretched a fraction too wide. Biting back a hiss, she used her free arm to pull herself into the car. She located an empty seat and eased into it, sighing languidly as shade covered her. The monorail creaked into motion and began its journey to the Upper Ring. She glanced out the window, watching as the roofs changed from green to gold. As a war hero in her own right, Katara qualified for a small house on the outskirts of the Upper Ring. It was Aang's status that afforded them the beautiful, completely furnished building near the palace. The vast difference grated on her, but she didn't reject the key Aang offered. In fact, she'd been giddy with the prospect of freely entering and leaving Aang's house whenever it suited her. Of course, he'd gone on to mention that Sokka, Zuko and Toph also had keys, oblivious to her darkening mood. She couldn't very well kick the three out whenever she wanted; as an independent, Aang owned the house.
Katara's grip on the grocery bag tightened. Four years after the war, she and Aang were still independent and inexperienced. Girls were typically married by nineteen, often with children. Katara was beginning to feel old, as if she'd ignored a crucial choice in life and would forever be unmarried for it. This was a feeling that came to her in times of loneliness, when Aang was serving needy people half-way across the world. She knew it was foolish – Aang had never once given her the impression of falling out of love, busy as he was – but she couldn't deny the fearful notion. In the years following the war, Sokka and Toph had jokingly asked about weddings and children, realizing too late how much of a sting the questions dealt. They eventually subsided into respectful silence.
Busy as she was dwelling on her thoughts, Katara didn't notice as the monorail grew slow. As the car drew to a complete stop, she was jerked back to reality, standing a little too quickly and staggering into the street. As she made her way toward Aang's mansion, she warily noted the looks people shot in her direction. While Katara was discreet about her bending, there was no masking the distinct Water Tribe characteristics of her skin, eyes, and facial features. While Ba Sing Se had once welcomed foreigners, the dispute over a new ruler had introduced tension between the city's native residents and its newcomers. Rumors of a power struggle were widespread, and with a growing number of foreigners moving into the city, the prospect of an uprising was all too interesting for gossips to ignore. The current steward of Ba Sing Se forbade racial harassment, but without the strict measures of the Dai Li, people found they could be provoked. People of obvious foreign descent were grudgingly accepted, but any bending aside from Earthbending (and Aang's bending) was openly ridiculed.
Katara could remember coming to the aid of a small family of Firebenders who'd been foolish enough to lose control of their children in the second ring. Said children shot playful sparks from their hands, oblivious to the crowd pressing in; Katara, passing through on an errand similar to her current one, had noticed the growing predicament and intervened before any of the children were hurt. Her own bending had earned a rock to the skull, and while she'd been determined to confront the second ring the next day, Sokka convinced her otherwise.
"They aren't evil people," he muttered, although his expression spoke otherwise. "They're just scared. This city has been ruled by corruption for so long, they don't know what to do with their freedom. Besides," he said, dabbing gingerly on the cut marking her head, "Aang's gonna be angry enough with me as it is. If you got hurt again, he'd probably do some freaky bending to keep me from having children or something."
"Lovely," she'd quipped. "Nieces and nephews. I didn't need that mental image. And for the record, I can take care of myself perfectly well."
"Just doing my brotherly duty."
"I'm not a child." Being pouty and defiant hadn't helped the statement, but it felt good to say so. The incident had occurred just over three years ago, and with her sixteenth birthday fast approaching, Katara was determined to be every inch an adult. Fear of foreign uprising was progressing at an alarming rate. At the time, Sokka and Suki's temporary residence in the city was fast becoming uncomfortable. Sokka didn't have bending to incriminate or protect him and Suki couldn't deny dearly missing home. Without much effort or grief, they gathered their few belongings and moved to Kyoshi Island. Sokka would borrow a room in Aang's house for the rare visit, having sold his own small home before leaving the city. Katara gathered from his early messages that her brother was adjusting well, training rigorously with the Kyoshi Warriors and deepening his relationship with Suki. Little than a year after their departure, Aang and Katara were invited to their wedding.
Imagining Sokka as a husband had been strange enough, but seeing it become a reality had been utterly surreal. That aside, Katara was overjoyed to see her brother happily married. The idea of marrying Aang had been a harmless, niggling notion at the time. Her happiness increased at the prospect of having time alone with him – unburdened by the world's troubles – during their visit to the island. Aang and Katara had spent their days on Kyoshi Island as carelessly as possible, avoiding housing in favor of spending time out in the open. Katara fondly remembered lying beside him on the beach, their fingers intertwined as they gazed up at the stars. They spoke of love with childish honesty, of friends, of plans for the future. In retrospect, it had been almost silly, but Katara wouldn't trade it for separate rooms in separate houses (or the possible trauma of hearing post-wedding Sokka). She and Aang had been utterly content. But once the wedding celebrations were over, the world came to Aang, weeping and wailing and impossible to ignore. With all the optimism of young love, Katara went wherever Aang did.
The mansion was impossible to miss, for which Katara was glad. Fishing the key from her grocery bag, Katara maneuvered her way to the door, only to find it unlocked. Feeling giddy hope bloom in her chest, she rushed as much as she was able through the lobby and into the living room. Her steps faltered and she gripped the end of an ornate couch for support, leaning over only to behold her brother, snoozing away without a care in the world. Katara's hope wilted and her brows knit together. Glad to be indoors, she drew a stream of water from the canteen at her side, seriously contemplating spraying him in the face. Sokka woke just in time to observe his sister moving a wrathful water serpent into place above his head; he started into complete consciousness with a splutter, waving his arms frantically.
"I'm up, I'm up, I'm up," he chanted.
"Why are you here?" Katara demanded, none too pleased at having her prank foiled. She bended the water back into the canteen and capped it.
"Can't a guy visit his little sister and friend when he wants?" Sokka grumped, averting his gaze.
Hands on her hips, Katara regarded her brother; at twenty, Sokka sported his father's lithe, muscular frame and his chin was no longer bare. He'd maintained his trademark ponytail, and his face was unmistakable. While he'd clearly changed since the end of the war, he wore the same expressions he always had. Katara glanced around the room, noting the distinct absence of company.
"Why would you visit?" she queried, mollified. She wouldn't chase out company, even if it was her brother. She looked about a second time, straining her ears for Suki's voice, a telltale screech. "Where are Suki and Kuro?"
"They're at home," Sokka replied, looking somewhat relieved. His adored his wife and son, but at a mere two years of age, Kuro had all the energy and destructive capability of a Komodo Rhino. The boy was a prankster by nature, and if Katara's predictions held any truth, he would develop exemplary leadership that would give his peers cause to follow him into trouble. "As for the visit, I just came by to check on you."
"You came all the way to Ba Sing Se just to check on me?" she parroted, her face softening. Nudging her brother into a sitting position, she sat and embraced him. "It's good to see you," she confessed. "This house is so big and empty sometimes."
"Aang's still traveling?" Sokka deduced, frowning. He didn't like Katara being alone, even if it was her decision and done with good reason. His gaze ghosted over her sadly before he rolled his eyes. "That guy needs to take a break. He's gone for a hundred years and the moment he's back, everybody jumps on him." Katara managed a small smile at his joke, but the reminder of Aang's absence left her despondent.
"I know the world needs him," she said, "but… Sokka, I'm no good when it comes to sharing. I thought I could deal with waiting, but sometimes I just…" She trailed off, weary and frustrated. She blinked back a suspicious pain in her eyes and her throat was suddenly very tight. "I want to leave this city. The people in the lower and second ring are so hostile, even though many of them know I'm the Avatar's…" What? They loved each other, certainly, but the word "lover" seemed to imply more than they were. "…friend. The Upper Ring is dangerous, too. Even after the war, this city is full of corruption. Everyone's afraid of change and it makes them hateful."
"It's not as if Aang would want to live here forever, either," Sokka pointed out kindly. Aside from Iroh's tea shop, there was little in Ba Sing Se to welcome any of the Gaang. A vague expression stole through his eyes, as if a thought was settling itself concretely into his mind. "I'm sure if you wait until he gets back and explain how you feel, he'll understand."
"It sounds so selfish," Katara muttered. "I shouldn't just whine to him every time I have a problem. I can whine to you because you're my brother." She smiled at that and Sokka groaned despairingly. Elated, she changed the subject. "How are Suki and Kuro?"
"Fine," he said. "Now that he can walk, Kuro can't sit still. Without a constant babysitter, he'd be half-way to the South Pole by now. And Suki," his expression grew blissfully slack, "is perfect. When I told her I had to come here, she completely understood."
"I still don't," Katara replied, frowning. "Sokka, nobody travels half-way across the Earth Kingdom for just a visit. It's not like you've got Appa to carry you."
"I know that," Sokka muttered bitterly. Once Aang's company became a rarity, the convenience of air travel was rendered invaluable and appreciated. Katara had yet to be completely alienated from the Avatar and his bison, so she couldn't imagine years without either. "Geez, Katara, can't you accept my excuse? Since when were you so suspicious?" Immediately regretting his last words, he looked at his feet. Katara graciously ignored him. After a moment of silence, the young man began to fidget beneath his sister's stare. Finally, he surrendered with a grunt. "A few weeks ago, I received news from Zuko. Intelligence from within Ba Sing Se has reported that Steward Hei is organizing some kind of gathering. After hearing the report, Zuko was officially invited. The invitation implied that other representatives from the four nations would be there, too. The meeting is taking place at the palace here, but," he trailed off in thought. "Zuko's letter said that Steward Hei would also greet close friends and family. He's pretty famous for his evil dad, crazy sister, and missing mom, so I don't think that was the steward's goal."
"Maybe he meant Mai?" Katara offered.
"Her father is a nobleman," Sokka replied. "She's well-versed in politics, interested or not. She travels with Zuko most of the time." Katara nodded, crushing the flicker of envy within her. It seemed that political fluency was not only a matter of experience, but of upbringing. She had neither. With Mai's background or even basic understanding, she would be able to travel with Aang. Sokka ploughed on, oblivious to – or perhaps keenly aware of – Katara's thoughts. "We don't know what the steward wants, and that's why I'm here. Officially, I'm visiting my sister; if Zuko manages to get me into the meeting, I'll act as a stand-in representative for Kyoshi Island."
"When does it take place?" Katara queried. If the meeting were of any importance to the world – a theory further strengthened by Zuko's presence – Aang would no doubt be invited. The prospect of seeing him after his most recent political struggle elated her, to say the least. Aang would be returning initially for the sake of the meeting, but Katara was confident that she could pull him away from the world's grievances for a few days.
"Three days from now," Sokka said with a yawn. He scratched his head and Katara was fairly sure she saw grains of sand bounce from his scalp. Evidently the journey had taken a route through the desert. She would order him to bathe later. "I'm kind of surprised Aang isn't here, actually. If important people from all over the world are coming, this is a big deal. Zuko said it's supposed to be kept secret, 'family and friends' aside." Sokka's tone suggested skepticism towards the matter and its contradictions.
"If it's important, Aang will be here," Katara said firmly. If nothing else, he was unfailingly loyal to the people. Curiosity piqued by the mystery, she said, "I'm family to you and friend to Aang. If either of you are invited, I should go."
"Are you sure?" But after a moment of consideration, Sokka nodded. "I don't like being kept in the dark. If something important is happening, especially in this city, we should know. Aang, the generals, and the Order chose the steward, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."
"Right," Katara agreed. Ba Sing Se had displayed far too much of its government's shortcomings before the war's end; a newly established system could hardly sway their suspicions. Katara stood and took up the neglected groceries, moving toward the kitchen. The heat wave prevented vendors from selling food that would best be preserved cold, so Katara and Sokka's conversation hadn't damaged the vittles' quality. "Come help me put these away. We'll get you set up in a spare room and you can take a bath."
Sokka nearly jumped to his feet to follow; his trek through the Earth Kingdom, deprived of air travel, had taught him the values of simple comforts. They emptied the grocery bags and set the food on the table for sorting. Sokka scanned the purchases, eyebrows knitting together. He stared resentfully at the table before facing his sister to gripe.
"You didn't get any meat?"
x
Toph Bei Fong stamped through the halls of her home in Omashu, delighting in the clarity offered by the vibrations as they bounced from the floor to the walls, darting up to the ceiling before returning.
Altogether, she was terribly pleased with her accommodations. She had initially rejected the idea of living in any city, preferring the notion of privacy in the country. Ba Sing Se had left her sick of civilization and yearning for freedom; she couldn't fathom why the citizens were so content with their previous conditions. Once the Dai Li had been disbanded and a new order put into place – one that ensured freedom of opinion and consciousness – the people had flown into a nervous frenzy. Toph, thoroughly frustrated with all the confusion and fear, packed her few belongings and left. Were it not for Aang and the others, she would have never set foot in that wretched city.
Before she left, Aang mentioned his friend Bumi. One would think, from the Avatar's praise, that he was speaking of an Earthbending spirit itself. This brought to mind the crazy, cackling old man she had met when traveling with the White Lotus, before leaving with Sokka and Suki. She hadn't known him well, but any man who could chase an entire Fire Nation army from his city – with Earthbending, no less – had her approval. Upon grudgingly setting foot in Omashu, Toph felt a strong sense of homecoming – she could hardly be expected to recognize it, having never truly felt welcomed home. She ignored the guards' protests and approached Bumi (or what she took to be him, given memory's physical description) on an Earthbending construction sight. The vibrations of buildings lurching fully-formed from the ground impressed her, and once Toph pinpointed the singular source, her awe returned full force. Then the old, muscular king described by her feet let out a maniacal cackle and Toph was sold. She didn't know quite what to think, but she knew she liked Bumi. There was little to dislike. He was easily one of the greatest Earthbenders in the world – second, perhaps, to herself.
As time passed and Toph assisted with the restoration of Omashu, she found there were a great many Earthbending tricks she could learn from the one-hundred plus king. She was interested in the manipulation of the mail slides which twisted through the city like veins. She wanted to focus on the details of structures they would bend from the ground and she was especially interested in the ability to bend without limbs. Bumi, recognizing Toph's potential and insisting that any friend of Aang's was a friend of his, offered to teach her what he knew. Before she could think twice, Toph used her small fortune from selling her house in Ba Sing Se to purchase a small, inexpensive home on the outskirts of Omashu. There had been much to learn, and with the passage of four years, her progress was impressive.
The insistent chime of a bell struck Toph's ears and she made her way toward the door, stamping as she opened it. She'd long memorized the steps and characteristics of the mail carrier, so there was little need for her to be overly cautious. Likewise, the mail carrier – a clever, albeit somewhat nosy boy – knew of Toph's blindness, and offered to read personal letters to her whenever she desired. While Toph was not wary of the boy's immediate threat, she was very conscious of her privacy, and so declined every time. Her long-suffering maid would read to her.
"Thanks," she said, plucking the mail from his hand. A single letter was her prize for the day, although from the feel of the heavy wax seal on the envelope, it was important. For a brief moment, she contemplated the possibility of receiving a letter from her parents.
Biting back her hopeful smile, she strode through the halls into the kitchen, where her feet could see her maid, Karin, busying herself with cooking. Toph was by no means an invalid – she was confident of being more capable than most – but she was a lousy cook. She also wasn't the neatest girl in the Earth Kingdom—Spirits, she hated housework. Karin was brilliant in all these regards, and Toph was by no means frugal about her wages. If she had any complaints, it was that her maid was something of a wallflower, discreet in every regard. In the Gaang, Toph had companions who were not only talented as benders and strategists – they could properly argue with her. While she had always welcomed confrontation, she hadn't realized its true importance until it was gone. Karin never argued or spoke out of turn, even when Toph went out of her way to be confrontational. She longed for Katara's exasperation and Sokka's barbed replies. She even missed Aang's initial acceptance, which always gave way to explosive rage.
Toph pinched her nose with her free hand. If this pathetic moping drew on any longer, she would have to make time to visit her friends, Ba Sing Se or not. The greatest obstacle to the idea was separation; unless something important occurred, chances of reuniting everyone were slim. Only Katara had idle time, and if Toph knew her friend, it was spent in quiet fury. She couldn't imagine Katara happily sitting on her hands while Aang fixed the world's problems.
"Karin," Toph called as she strode into the kitchen. The scent of jasmine tea caught her attention, as did the rice and vegetables her maid was preparing.
"Yes, Miss?"
"I need you to read this to me," Toph said, waving the letter about, running the pad of her thumb along the intricate seal as she did. The prospect of receiving news from her estranged parents was too exhilarating to bear, although she would never confess it aloud. Karin took the letter from her, making a small sound of surprise when she noted the seal. Toph ignored the urge to fidget as she waited, noting the sound of paper unfolding and Karin clearing her throat.
"To the esteemed Toph Bei Fong," she read. "Due to recent observations regarding Avatar Aang's services to the four nations, it is the opinion of Steward Ji Hei, humble ruler of Ba Sing Se, that immediate action is taken. In light of the unfortunate events surrounding Katara of the Southern Water Tribe three years ago, it is the wish of Steward Hei that representatives from each nation assemble to discuss measures that would prevent such an incident from repeating itself.
"As a close friend and mentor of Avatar Aang, it would be a privilege to welcome you to the meeting. Furthermore, family and friends of the Bei Fongs would be welcomed as well. The gathering shall take place in the Earth King's palace in Ba Sing Se on the fifteenth day of the seventh month and it scheduled to last three days (this length is an estimate, not a solid fact). Accommodations in the Earth King's palace will be provided for you, but you may make your own arrangements if you so desire. Your presence would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Steward Hei."
"Spirits," Toph grunted, fairly disappointed. The probability of hearing from her parents went from frail to nonexistent in the space of four years, it seemed. She reflected bitterly that her own pride kept her from contacting them; it was the same pride that stayed their compassion. Nonetheless, the opportunity to reunite with her friends had become a solid invitation. She mulled over the contents of the summons, a bitter frown creasing her features.
"Miss? Your knuckles are white," Karin murmured. Toph unclenched her fists with an audible creak. The aforementioned incident had occurred three years ago, but it was still fresh in the minds of Katara's close friends. No doubt Aang could recall it vividly and felt their mutual guilt tenfold. The steward's plans were three years late, but Toph suspected he had made other matters a priority. She welcomed any means of ensuring her friend's safety, late or no.
"Three days to get to Ba Sing Se," she muttered. "I never thought I'd be in a hurry to get back to that awful city." Groaning, she ambled into the hall. "I'm going to pack my things, Karin. I'll be leaving Omashu by mid-day."
"I'll pack food," Karin replied, already busying herself with preserving her latest culinary endeavor. She set aside a portion for herself before loading a generous portion onto Toph's plate. She pressed the food into Toph's hands before wrapping the remaining food with precise efficiency. "Then I'll ready your belongings. Miss," she frowned, skepticism marring her usually passive features, "how are you going to reach Ba Sing Se in three days?"
"Oh, I have my ways," Toph replied with a mischievous grin. "I'll just need to get clearance from King Bumi before I can use them."
After all, with Earthbending she could speed along at ground level almost as quickly as Appa; if she stayed away from the main roads, she was certain to make good time without causing too much damage. Before she grew too excited, however, logic threw an obstacle in her path. While she had no problems in terms of speed, she would lose herself in the Earth Kingdom wilderness without a map. Toph could make out her natural surroundings easily, but she couldn't use her feet to decipher a picture on a flat sheet of paper. She groaned and pinched her nose again.
"Karin, when you're done with my food, would you start packing my things? I need to talk to King Bumi." She started toward the door without waiting for an answer. Her hand halted inches from the doorknob as her feet picked up vibrations from outside, both of which were unfamiliar. Judging from the way they shifted and muttered, Toph assumed they were either threatening or confused. She leaned into the door, listening intently as her feet provided details. One of her visitors was mid-height and lithe while the other was a great, hulking figure. She grew very tense for a moment, waiting for them to move about more and give her a better look. Under Bumi's tutelage, Toph was beginning to see not only the structural frame of a person, but the details that characterized one.
"You're sure this is the right address?" the smaller one queried. "This doesn't seem right. Someone of her… stature should be living in a mansion or something."
"He said it was," the other replied in a deep, throaty voice. There was a crinkling sound as he unfolded a piece of paper. "One-one-five Qing Street. This is it."
"Gah." Toph's brow furrowed as she tried to decipher whether they were friend or foe. The banter seemed harmless enough, but the size of the one unnerved her. The deep voice was vaguely familiar, niggling in the back of her mind. Toph's curiosity won over – along with the fact that any potential enemies wouldn't stand a chance against her – and she pulled the door open. As her visitors fell silent, she regarded them with what she hoped was disdain.
"Can I help you?" Spirits, she sounded like her snobby mother. She mentally swore to curb her tone as she waited for a reply.
"It is her," the wiry one replied, mildly surprised. An affirmative grunt came from the bulky one.
"Told you."
"If you two came for a visit, you'll be disappointed," she said without humor. "I'm getting ready to leave soon. If you wanted to gawk at a war hero, a blind girl, or both, you'll be even more disappointed. I'm not an animal at the zoo." As long as she had two perfect feet and Earthbending, she would not tolerate being on display.
"Huh. She doesn't recognize us. We didn't come to stare, Toph," the smaller one replied. From the vibrations he was giving off, she could see him waving his hands in a placating manner.
"That's Miss Bei Fong to you," she snapped. She didn't like being referred to as if she weren't present. "And what do you mean, don't recognize you? I memorize every voice and footstep I meet." She never bothered to memorize the fodder she knocked down in a fight, so she wondered if they were from the Earth King's guards. They didn't seem frightened enough.
"Toph, it's me," the wiry young man said. "The Duke. And that's Pipsqueak."
Toph couldn't help it; she didn't try. She laughed. Forgoing any sense of nobility and manners, she laughed so hard she grabbed her gut. To their credit, her two visitors waited patiently for her fit to end.
"That's impossible," she wheezed. The Pipsqueak had a very similar body and voice, now that she considered it, but The Duke didn't match with his imposter at all. "The Duke is a runty little boy with a high voice. If you're going to lie, at least make it remotely believable."
"Uh," the imposter grunted, "I am The Duke. It's been four years, Toph. I hit this thing called puberty." The large one began to laugh and his companion whirled around to glare at him, incensed. "You shut up! I'm sixteen!"
"Prove it," Toph smirked. While she hardly believed the pair's story, she couldn't deny the charm in listening to their banter; better yet, strangely, she wanted to be a part of it. "The Duke let me puke in his knapsack. What color was it?"
There was a pause, and just as Toph was congratulating herself for exposing him, he spoke.
"It wasn't a knapsack," he replied. She could hear a frown in his tone. "It was my helmet. And it was dark gray and green." Toph went very still. She noticed a crucial detail she had neglected since the beginning of the exchange: his pulse remained consistent. His body displayed no traitorous signs of dishonesty. For such a case, three possibilities came to mind. Perhaps he completely believed himself to be The Duke when he wasn't. Maybe he was a gifted liar, like Azula.
Or maybe he really was The Duke, as evidenced by his companionship with Pipsqueak.
Of the three, the last seemed to be the most likely. Toph, feeling foolish, scuffed her heels in the dust. Finally, seeing through her lie and providing evidence of his presence on the submarine four years ago cemented his innocence. A chuckle escaped him and she bit back a grumble. She was the one at fault.
"Um. Hey," she offered with a limp wave. "It's nice to see you guys, but like I said earlier, I'll be leaving soon. I have to be in Ba Sing Se by the fifteenth. Come back later." She made to walk by and escape their presence, but The Duke took her shoulder in hand. She could hear a smile in his voice.
"You're going to turn us away after we came all this way to see you?"
"I don't see why you would in the first place," she said, resisting the urge to snap again. "No offense, but it's not like we were best friends or anything."
"Ouch," he said. "I guess there's nothing wrong with being honest. No, we came with an actual reason. You see," he paused a moment and Toph felt his body shift, heard cloth move, "I've been studying, Toph. Or is it Miss Bei Fong?" In four years, he'd developed a cruel sense of humor.
"Toph is fine," she grumbled.
"Perfect. Anyway, Toph, I apprenticed for a bookbinder after the war. He taught me how to read and write."
"That's fascinating."
"Don't be so dry," he laughed. "He noticed potential, although I'll never figure out where he saw it. He sent me with a letter of recommendation to a school in Ba Sing Se. I have two years to go. Long story short, I'm shadowing at the Science Institute in Ba Sing Se. Here are my research notes," she heard him tap his fingers against the hard cover of a book, "on bending."
"So this is some kind of survey?" she sneered, hands on her hips. "Fine. You can dedicate your notes to Toph Bei Fong, the greatest Earthbender who ever lived. Have a nice day." Intending to visit Bumi later, she made to close the door. Her feet picked up a quick motion and suddenly the door was stopped; jammed, no doubt, by The Duke's foot.
"You're mistaken," he said. "If everything goes well, my research notes will disprove the theories of the Earth Kingdom's greatest scientists. To do that, I need to observe benders. I need to follow them around constantly, and that, Toph," she was fairly sure he wore a wicked grin, "is where you come in."
"I'm busy," she replied stiffly. "I have a meeting to attend. I'm taking Earthbending lessons from King Bumi. One of my best friends is the Avatar. I can't exactly afford to take a year or two off to help you doodle in your textbooks." Feeling mean-spirited, she sighed. "There are plenty of Earthbenders you can study. I'll refer you to some, if you'd like."
"I'm asking you for a reason," The Duke replied, nudging the door open with his foot. "Who better to study from than the greatest Earthbender in the world? You said so yourself, that's what you are. Furthermore, my research depends on one person at a time, not masses. Not yet, anyway. Are either of your parents Earthbenders?"
"No," she managed grudgingly. She didn't like her own words being parroted back at her and she didn't like how much sense he was making, despite revealing very little of his actual studies.
"That's great," he said. "You're a prime candidate for my studies, Toph. Thank you. As for your life, feel free to continue living it as you wish – I encourage it, actually. Depending on your preference, I can be a good friend or a good shadow. Before long, you won't know how you got along without me."
"That's—I—," Toph sputtered, growing increasingly annoyed. Behind The Duke, Pipsqueak was failing at concealing his laughter. "I'm going to talk to King Bumi!" She stormed by them.
"To tell him you're leaving? We're packed and ready to go," The Duke supplied.
"Yes, but I'd also like to talk to him about getting a restraining order," she grumbled. She couldn't manage enough malice in her tone. The unmistakable footsteps of The Duke and Pipsqueak followed closely behind her. As the three made their way to the palace, Toph couldn't shake the notion that King Bumi would find no fault with the two boys accompanying her. After all, she needed somebody to read the map to Ba Sing Se. As logic settled upon her, Toph sighed despairingly.
"They're like elbow leeches," she grumped. The Duke and Pipsqueak merely laughed.
To be continued…
Author's Note: This is my first Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfiction, and as such, I hope you will be gentle. I know my writing style tends to get over-descriptive and sometimes downright boring, but I'm working on remedying it (or at least making it interesting until I grow out of it).
Also, I know I'm taking some creative liberties with the characters; I have to, because they've obviously changed a bit in four years. Most notably, I've aged The Duke by four years. According to every website I've checked, he's eight at the beginning of the series. However, I watched the episode where he was introduced and failed to find an age; doubtless I'm missing something, but I hope you guys can deal with him being older. :D
This story is written with the assumption that every character (except Toph) was one year older than their original age by the end of the series. Therefore, Katara would be nineteen, Sokka twenty, Aang seventeen, Zuko twenty-one, and so on. Toph stays as she is because she was introduced mid-way through the series.
Any original characters I add are purely for the sake of moving the story along or convenience (like Steward Ji Hei, Karin, and whoever appears later). I promise none of these characters will have a major protagonist part in the story. There will be no trauma, no OC pairings, and no OC heroes.
If you have any constructive criticism, mistakes to point out and whatnot, please don't hesitate to say so in your review. I know this first part has been long, but bear with me and rest assured that there will be an actual plot.
Thanks!