So, this is the shortest...and the only finished...story I've done. I've been doing alot of history research lately (which also explains why my other two stories aren't done)...and I came across some stuff, and I had to write a story about it. It really doesn't fit into anything at all, just a little story...and I thought Toph would be fun to write about in this sense. See if you can guess what part history this is from (if you care...if not...sorry).
"We're out of money," said Katara. "I guess we gave the rest to Haru and the others when they left for Ba Sing Se." She was in Appa's saddle, counting their supplies. Aang was practicing his latest fire bending move while Zuko watched, and Sokka was putting fresh bandages on Toph's feet.
"Again?" Sokka sighed. "I wish we just had a walking vault…hey!" He turned to Zuko. "We do have a walking vault! You're a prince!"
"And that means I have thousands of gold pieces at my disposal?" Zuko asked angrily.
"Why, yes…it does," said Sokka.
"Aren't you a prince of a sort?" Zuko asked. "Isn't your father the leader of your tribe?"
Sokka nodded. "Yeah…but he's the leader of a water peasant tribe…all the gold is in the north. So…cough it up."
Zuko turned back to watch Aang. "I'm sorry, but my allowance was cut when I told my father to shove off. Guess he took it personally…" he answered sarcastically.
Toph punched Sokka in the arm. "My father has just as much money as Zuko, and I don't have any on me either. We're just going to have to find some in town…"
"No!" Katara yelled firmly as she jumped down from Appa. "No more cheating…"
"Relax! First of all, Combustion Man is dead…" Toph said.
"Doesn't mean he's the only one after us!" Katara interrupted, shooting a look at Zuko's back.
"…and second of all, I still don't have full sight in my feet yet, so I wouldn't be any good anyways. I was thinking of work."
Annoyed at being reproached in front of Zuko, Katara gave Toph a silent look of anger. Sokka was looking at his maps.
"There's a town a few miles from here. It's part of the Earth Kingdom, but it doesn't answer to the king…it's just an outpost I think."
"It's not Earth. It's Fire." Zuko said as he walked over to Sokka. Aang, finished with his routine, followed. "Long before I was born, when my Grandfather Azulan ruled, there was a huge chunk of the population that were tired of the war and wanted it to end. They were a peaceful sect, though, and instead of having an uprising, they left the Nation. It was a more devastating blow than an uprising would've been because when they left the economy dropped. Fearful that others would follow suit, Grandfather built gates all around. The Gates of Azulan aren't just to keep people out."
"So, what happened to the population that did leave? They went to the Earth Kingdom?" Aang asked.
Zuko shrugged his shoulders. "We never learned about that in school…we were told that the Fire Spirit spited them for betraying a monarch. But three years ago, when I was first…" Zuko hesitated.
"Banished," Katara said.
He gave her a look. "Yes, ok. Banished. When Uncle and I first left, we came upon what we thought was Earth, but Uncle knew it was Fire. I'm thinking when they left they asked for refugee rites from the Earth King and set up here."
"So, they're friendly?" Sokka asked. "If we all went into town, we wouldn't be burned?"
"Oh, we won't be burned…" Zuko answered. He looked down. "No, not burned."
"I'm sitting on the ground. My butt works just as well as my feet. You're keeping something," said Toph.
Zuko looked up. "They were an ancient sect…they kept a lot of old ways. Like, tribute…for, you know…work, hospitality, stuff like that. When we go there, some of us will have to tribute something…and since we don't have money, it's going to have to be an art. A performance."
Half an hour later, they were almost to the town. Zuko explained that the towns people would gladly help Aang, but if they were to receive more food for the rest, one or two of them would need to "prove their worth". They were still discussing who would be the unlucky person to do so.
A few minutes outside of town, the group had stopped to switch Toph from Sokka's back to Zuko's.
"So…do they want music?" Sokka asked as he set Toph down. "Or…a dance? Hey, you and Aang can do your pretty dance!" Aang laughed, but Zuko looked annoyed.
"I don't know what they're going to want. When Uncle and I were here, they knew who we were and demanded something of our blood…"
"What?" Katara interrupted. "What does that mean?"
Zuko picked up Toph, who had been unusually silent through the whole trip. "It means," he said, "that we had to prove that we were royally trained in the ancient art of story and song. Uncle told a story, and I…sang." Zuko blushed.
The group feel silent for a moment and all stared at Zuko. "What?" he asked.
Then, Sokka and Aang burst out laughing.
"Did you sing like a pretty bird?" Mocked Sokka. Zuko's face got a deeper red, and his hands turn red as well.
"Well, since you're just a peasant, you don't know what regal is. I have a talent that has marked my family for ages…"
"Yeah, you're family has lots of talents…the ability to sing….to destroy lives…" said Sokka.
"Stop it!" Katara slapped Sokka on the head.
Again, the group fell silent. Zuko's mouth dropped at the sight of Katara defending him. Aang's stomach rumbled loudly.
"See, we're all hungry and we need to be on the move, not wasting our time here. I think it's honorable for Zuko to be able to relate to his ancestors through an ancient practice…end of discussion. Now…what are we going to do?"
Aang shrugged. "How about we just going into the town and see what they want? Then we can figure it out from there. Maybe me being here will just be enough."
"You can have food and money, but your… "friends" must prove their worth," said the town leader, Ronan.
"What?" exclaimed Aang. "Why? Aren't I good enough?"
The crowd around the kids let out a low laugh. Chuckling, Ronan shook his head. "We learned long ago who to trust and who not to trust. You're lucky, 112 year-old Aang that we trust you…you did abandon the world, you know."
Aang's face fell. Katara put her hand on Aang's shoulder and stepped forward. "Sir, please…" she started, but a look from Ronan made her stop dead in her tracks.
"Who are you and what right do you have to speak?"
Katara stammered, stunned at being yelled at. Sokka spoke up. "She is Katara, daughter of Hakoda, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe. I am her brother, Sokka."
Ronan looked at Sokka. "Hakoda. I have heard of him and his troops. An honorable warrior. Nevertheless, you must still prove your worth." He turned to look at Zuko, who still had Toph on his back.
"Prince Zuko. You have come a long way in three years…you have found the Avatar, but not how you envisioned it to be." He extended his hand to Zuko, who grasped it in return. It was the first sign of welcome the leader had shown since they'd arrived.
"It is an honor to be back in your presence, Ronan."
"A shame your Uncle isn't here…however, he is dealing with more pressing matters now."
Before Zuko could question what Ronan knew about Iroh, the leader went on to ask, "And who is this monkey you have on your back?"
Toph had stayed silent throughout the meeting and kept her face hidden in Zuko's back. Reluctantly, she raised her eyes to Ronan.
The crowd fell silent as Ronan got a good look at her face. Toph, though unable to see (both literally and with her feet), knew what the silence met. She'd been recognized.
"My child," Ronan whispered. "I am sorry to startle you. Though you have no sight, do you know who you are?"
Slightly alarmed at how everyone was reacting to Toph, Aang walked over to stand next to Zuko and Toph. "Yes, she does. Her name is Toph Bei Fong, of the Bei Fong's of Gaoling."
Ronan shook his head. "Yes, yes, that is her earthly name. But does she know her spirit name?"
For the first time, Toph spoke. "Yes, my lord, I am aware of who I am." She struggled to be let down. Sliding down from Zuko's back, she winced as her feet touch the ground. But as she walked to stand in front of Ronan, she showed no signs of pain.
"I may be blind in body, but not of mind. I have the ability to see with the blessing of the Earth Spirit. However, an unfortunate accident has left me temporarily reduced in that ability as well."
In unison, Zuko, Katara, Aang, and Sokka all dropped their jaws. They all knew the dirty, rough Toph. This new, regal Toph was someone new. Toph continued to talk.
"I am Erecura, Earth goddess of Youth and Fertility."