Last Time
Katara gulped. Now she was under the gun. "It's obvious, Twinkle-Toes," she said with a grin. "Your heartbeat goes up every time you look at her," Toph explained. "So obviously you really care about her," she said.
"N...No it doesn't!" Aang answered defensively. He was lying though, his feelings for Katara ran very deep.
Toph advanced on him. "Who are you trying to convince?" she asked. "Me, or yourself?" She decided to test her theory. She stamped the ground, and Katara sank to her knees.
"I...I don't have feelings like that." Aang answered, trying his best not to give away he was lying.
Toph didn't buy it. She stamped her foot again, and Katara sank to her waist. It was like General Fong all over again.
"No...please...you don't need to do this Toph."
"Convince me," Toph ordered. Aang looked at her with pleading eyes. Katara struggled to get out to no avail. Toph smiled. After a tense moment of silence, she stamped again. Katara was now stuck up to her chest.
Toph smiled at Aang's sadness. "Come on, Aang. What's her life worth to you?" she asked coldly
"Everything...please...Toph, I'm begging you, don't go through with this...I'll do anything." Aang begged.
Toph seemed to think it over. "I can't breathe!" Katara cried. Toph laughed at Katara's peril. "Would you allow me to make Katara my slave girl?" she asked.
"What exactly does that mean?" Aang asked, a little weary.
Toph smiled. "It means she will obey me. Anything I tell her to do, she will do it." Toph explained. At this point, Katara herself was more than willing to concede to this demand. "I'll do it," she managed to choke out. Toph ignored her. "What's it gonna be, Aang? She can't breathe," Toph taunted.
"Even if its something humiliating?" Aang asked.
Toph smiled. "Yes, even if it's humiliating. For example, if I tell her to fondle herself, she will," Toph explained.
Aang sighed. "...All right...it's a deal."
Toph smirked, full of pride and cockiness. Katara was hers to do as she pleased...
End Flashback
"Do you understand what Aang has just agreed to?" she asked of Katara
"Kind of.." Katara choked out.
Toph decided she had drug this out long enough. She grabbed Katara's shoulder and pulled her out of the ground.
Katara took in some deep breaths to regain her air.
Toph looked down at her. "First things first," she said. "You will dress in Earth Kingdom Green from now on," she ordered.
"What's wrong with what I have?" She asked, confused.
Toph glared at her. "Do you dare to question your mistress?" she growled.
"No...Toph." Katara answered meekly.
"That's Mistress Toph to you," Toph corrected. "And another thing, hand over your necklace," she commanded,
"Why do you want it?" Aang asked, curious himself.
"Don't worry, Twinkle Toes, I'm not getting rid of it. She just needs to wear something more... appropriate to her new status," Toph replied. She glanced at Katara. "Now, hand it over," she ordered.
Katara very reluctantly did so.
"See?" Toph asked. "Was that so hard?" She asked almost mockingly as she put Katara's necklace in her pocket. Toph looked her new slave over. "Now, what next?" she asked aloud.
Katara couldn't tell if it was a serious question or not, and not wanting to incur Toph's anger any further, elected to remain silent. "First thing tomorrow morning, we are getting you a haircut," Toph said finally.
"Mistress, can I ask you something?" Katara queried, trying to pick her words carefully.
"What is your question?" Toph asked. Her tone had softened somewhat. She knew her servant wasn't trying to defy her so she knew it was fine to give her a little leeway in questioning her.
"Well why exactly do you want me to get a haircut and dress in Earth Kingdom Green? I know I have to do it, I just want to know why." Katara answered.
Sokka meanwhile sighed. He wished he could do something to help his little sister. He hated seeing her look so powerless.
Toph put a hand on her new slave's shoulder. "You need to have an appearance that is befitting of a Beifong servant," Toph answered. "Now as to your hair, I'm only going to shorten it a little," she added, with a hint of smugness in her voice. She liked controlling every aspect of Katara's life.
"Yes...master." Katara murmured softly.
Toph pulled a necklace with a boar on it from her pocket. "Here, put this on," she commanded, handing it to Katara. "It will let everyone know of your status as a Beifong servant," she explained before a smug grin crossed her face as she realized what Katara had called her. "Oh, and thanks for calling me master. It's rather appropriate." She giggled.
Katara nodded demurely slipping it on where her Water Tribe necklace once was.
"Let's find an inn and get some sleep," Toph suggested. She sent a knowing look at Katara. "You're gonna have a long day tomorrow," she said. A few moments of silence then passed as they wordlessly boarded Appa.
Toph looked at Katara suggestively as a devious new plan formed in her mind as they climbed on Appa. "You're sleeping with me from now on," she decided.
Sokka shot Toph a quick glare as Aang put his hand on Sokka's shoulder. "It's okay..she just wants Katara to do stuff for her so she won't spill about her parents." He whispered, trying to reassure the older of the two Southern Water Tribe members.
"I know..but Katara's never been one to let people boss her around Aang." Sokka whispered back.
Katara looked at Toph in innocent confusion at her last statement.
"What's with the confusion?" Toph asked. Katara recoiled in surprise. Even though Toph couldn't physically see her face, it was like she knew just what Katara's thoughts or facial expressions were. It was almost terrifying to think that Toph's grip on her was that absolute.
"What did you mean sleep with you, Mistress?" Katara asked. She knew she had to do everything Toph asked of her, but she wanted to make sure she understood every command as well.
Sokka groaned at the title Katara used for Toph. Hearing his sweet little sister refer to the blind earthbender like she was some kind of godly being made him sick to his stomach.
"I meant exactly what I said," Toph replied. "You will sleep in my bed with me." She then turned her attention to Aang and Sokka. "And you two don't need to worry about Katara's position. She won't have any problem following my instructions." she said. She then stared straight at Katara. "Will you?" she asked.
"No...master." Katara answered quietly. She hated feeling so powerless, but she had a feeling Toph liked it that way.
"See, she accepts her position," Toph said. She had a lightbulb and she decided to test her new slave's loyalty. "For example, Katara, I want you to freeze your brother for the rest of the ride," she ordered. She meant no real harm to the rest of her team, she just wanted to make sure that they knew that she was in charge of the team and commanded total respect.
Katara's eyes widened in horror. "I...I can't hurt my own brother." She murmured softly.
Toph smiled. "Oh, Katara, so cute. Still thinking you have a choice in this matter." She taunted. It almost made her giddy to see Katara so frightened at the prospect of being ordered to freeze her own sibling, but she was only doing this so Katara knew she was in charge, but her new slave would learn that soon enough.
Katara's face wore a terrified expression. Toph couldn't really want her to do this, could she? Her fears however were quickly realized moments later. "Now, I want to see a Sokkacicle right now, so I suggest you get to freezing." Toph snapped.
"But...I...I can't. He's my family." Katara protested.
"And I'm your master," Toph shot back.
Toph frowned as Katara continued to hesitate, and to everyone's surprise, Toph didn't say a word. She quietly clenched her fist as she stared at Katara. "You live to obey me," Katara suddenly heard inside her head. "You're one purpose in life is to fulfill my every request," she heard Toph say, only Toph wasn't actually speaking but rather using a form of subliminal messaging to speak to Katara in her own mind.
"What are you?" her voice trailed off. "You will freeze your brother from his feet to his neck," Toph's voice commanded inside her head in a soft, silky and mesmerizing tone.
"What...what if I don't?" Katara answered, figuring she might as well know her consequences.
Toph seemed to mull it over. "If you don't, well, you remember that sinking feeling, don't you?" she asked cruelly. She flashed Katara an evil smile in reality, as if to say, "Yes, I'll do it again, and you won't survive it this time." as a warning for her to comply to her wishes.
"...You'd kill me if I don't freeze my brother?" Katara asked, letting her resistance fade, knowing she had no choice.
Toph nodded. "Oh, I'd hate for it to come to that, you're such pleasant company," she replied. She didn't want to kill Katara like she did her parents, but she would do it if Katara became too much of a problem for her to want to deal with.
"...Tell me what I exist for." Katara answered, wanting Toph to repeat her earlier messages. Her desire to fight Toph's demands was fading, slowly being replaced by the desire to obey Toph, no matter what she was asked to do.
Toph smiled. Aang and Sokka viewed the proceedings with a sense of fear, they knew Katara was giving in to Toph fully. "You live to obey me," Toph replied. "Your one purpose in life is to fulfill my every request." Toph smiled. She could tell by Katara's expression that it was working, almost as though she wanted to become her servant.
"I...live to obey you." Katara replied softly, the words coming out slowly, but as she relaxed and gave in to Toph's control, they came in a more natural flow.
Toph stared at Katara expectantly. "What is your one purpose in life?" she asked. She wanted to test her servant and make sure she was now totally loyal to her.
"To serve your every request..." Katara answered. She could figuratively feel her free will slipping away with every word. But surprisingly, she didn't care. It was as though she wanted to live the rest of her life following Toph's orders.
Toph smiled as she nodded. "So what are you going to do next?" she questioned, testing her loyalty once again.
"Freeze my brother.." Katara replied, looking directly at Toph.
"And who owns you?" Toph asked, knowing the answer, but she wanted to hear it come from Katara herself.
"You Toph...my mistress." Katara answered, in an almost blank monotone.
Toph smiled. "Very good," she said happily. She then looked at Sokka with an evil smile. "Proceed, Katara." She cooed in command to her new slave.
"I have no mind of my own...you control me in every way.." Katara replied, wanting to both please and amuse Toph.
Toph smiled. "Very good," she complimented. "Now you understand your place," she said as she continued to watch Katara smiling in triumph as Katara went for her water pouch, making a mental note to try her new technique on Aang some time as well..
"I'm to serve you forever aren't I?" Katara asked as her eyes dulled over a little. The bright, cheerful shine in her blue eyes began fading, becoming a darker almost haunting shade of blue as they also began to take on a more solid look as well.
"Yes," Toph replied. She smiled as she realized she had Katara right where she wanted her as she sensed the darkening lifeless look in her eyes. She knew Katara would do anything, no matter what it was now.
Katara looked to Toph wordlessly, awaiting her next order.
Toph's grin seemed to get wider by the second. "You know what to do," she said. Katara nodded, and unconsciously went for her water pouch.
Katara unconsciously shed a tear as she shot a quick freezing blast of water at Sokka, which quickly froze him in place from the neck down.
Toph clapped as she watched the show. Sokka's teeth began chattering. "Now, that was just the first test, and I'd say you passed with flying colors," she said as she turned to Katara.
"First test?" She asked, beginning to dread what was in store next. She thought she'd only have to freeze her brother to prove her loyalty.
"Now, for your next trick, I'd like you to freeze yourself," she commanded. Toph's voice was calm, as though she expected Katara to have a hint of doubt so she could easily dispel it from her mind.
"Freeze myself? Why?" She asked, confused.
"Who owns you?" Toph asked, her voice smooth as silk.
"You Toph." Katara answered in an eerily calm tone.
"Who's duty is it to lay down their life to me on a whim no matter what their asked to do?" Toph asked.
"Mine." Katara answered quietly.
Toph smiled. "Very good." She praised. She knew that Katara responded well to praise so she was using that to keep her under her thumb until the team knew that she was in charge.
Aang struggled to stay calm. He had been hoping that Toph would see reason. But it was not to be. He knew he had to be careful with how he spoke to her though, or he'd be putting himself in danger, so for the time being he stayed quiet.
"Now, prove your loyalty to me and freeze yourself," Toph commanded with a light giggle of amusement.
Katara nodded and carefully shot a freezing water blast at herself, becoming frozen from the neck down just as Sokka was.
Toph smiled. She now had two living popsicles. Katara's teeth did not chatter nearly as much as Sokka's, but it did not change the fact that if she did not unfreeze, she would not last long. Aang knew this from experience. He could remain silent no longer as he took in a deep breath to speak to his new teammate.
"Toph please..your gonna kill both of them, please...let Katara unfreeze herself and Sokka." Aang begged.
Toph smirked. "So what? Katara's life is mine, to do with as I please," she replied. But she thought about it. This was a lot like earlier, when she was making Katara sink into the earth. "What's her life worth to you?" she asked slyly. She wanted to have a little fun with the young Avatar as she slowly broke him down both spiritually and mentally.
"Everything Toph...she's the first person I saw when I came out of the iceberg...we...we have a special bond." Aang pleaded to her.
Toph realized that once again, she had Aang on the spot. She already had a feeling how Aang felt toward the Water Tribe girl, but she was going to force him to admit his feelings, and the fact that Katara was a frozen witness was too good to pass up. "I'll tell you what," she said.
"Go on.." Aang prodded softly.
Toph smiled she clenched her fist while she explained her demand. "If you admit right now, how you truly feel about Katara, I'll allow her to unfreeze herself," she replied.
"And...if I don't, you'll let her freeze won't you?" Aang asked softly, dreading her answer.
"Maybe," Toph replied. "She could be a valuable body guard, after all." She chuckled softly, milking this for all it was worth.
"There must be another way...I...I don't want to admit my feelings, not like this." Aang whispered, hoping that his honesty would sway Toph, but it was to no avail as proven by her next statement.
"Then I guess Katara will freeze to death," Toph replied. "Think of it, right now, she can still breathe, but I could always order her to freeze her self all the way," Toph threatened. "Do you really want to be responsible for her death?" she asked before another thought came to her.
To twist the knife further, Toph quipped, "Come to think of it, Katara would make a lovely ice statue." She sneered
"She wouldn't do that...I know it." Aang whispered.
Toph smirked. "Oh yeah?" she asked. She snapped her fingers, and ice progressed to Katara's chin.
"I...I can't." Aang whispered.
"Very well then," Toph said. She turned to Katara. "Unfreeze yourself," she commanded.
Katara nodded, unfreezing herself from the ice, taking a few deep breaths.
"Now I want you to freeze yourself slowly starting at your feet and all the way to your head till your entire body is covered in ice." Toph commanded.
"Yes master." Katara answered as she froze her feet, shivering but stopped, figuring her master wanted this to be dragged out.
"Now, Aang, are you sure you don't have feelings for Katara?" Toph asked.
"Katara...please you don't need to do this. Your your own person..don't let Toph boss you around." Aang pleaded with her.
Toph slowly closed her fist as she again mentally spoke to Katara. "Tell Aang you love being frozen," Toph ordered. "Tell him you love the feeling of being covered in ice, and smile while you freeze yourself," she ordered.
"Yes master." Katara nodded.
Toph nodded. It was like Katara's brain was clay. "Go ahead Katara," she said.
"Aang...I do this because I love it. I love being frozen...I love the feeling of being totally covered in ice. The more ice I'm covered in, the happier I am." Katara told him, waiting for Toph's order to keep freezing herself.
"You see Aang?" Toph asked. "Katara's will is my will."
"What does that mean?" Aang asked as fortunately for him, Katara remained only frozen at her feet.
Toph decided to answer with a demonstration. "Katara, dear, continue freezing yourself," she said.
"Slowly or quickly, Mistress?" Katara asked happily.
"Slowly," Toph ordered. She wanted to drag out Aang's torment for as long as she could.
"Your wish is my command, Mistress Toph." Katara answered, sighing serenely as she smiled, freezing her legs.
Toph looked at Aang, who watched in disbelief. "Now, this can stop once you admit your feelings," she said slyly.
Aang couldn't just watch as he ran to Katara. "Please Katara, don't do it." He begged. Katara, despite her tranced state, could almost sense her mistress' orders as she froze Aang's arms, hands and legs.
Toph laughed as Aang began shivering. "Katara," she said, "I think it's time to freeze your waist," she ordered.
"Yes Mistress. Did I please you by freezing him?" She asked, sounding like a child wanting approval from a parent for doing something on their own.
"Yes," Toph answered. "Now he has a better seat to watch your freezing," Toph said.
Katara smiled demurely as she froze her waist, letting out a peaceful sigh.
"Now Aang," Toph continued, "is there anything you want to say to our little ice sculpture in the making?" she asked.
"She couldn't possibly want to freeze to death..." Aang murmured.
Toph shrugged. "What she wants does not matter," she replied. "Does it, Katara?" she asked.
"Yes...my mind is yours Toph." Katara answered.
"Come on, Aang, admit it. It's easy," Toph said. "Three simple words." She taunted before a sly smile crossed her face as she thought of the perfect way to demoralize Aang as she again clenched her fist to mentally communicate with Katara.
"Tell Aang that you wouldn't mind dying this way, by freezing to death." she mentally commanded.
"What about dying like this master?" She asked, wanting more info.
"It's the perfect way for you to die, since you love being frozen," Toph answered.
"Do I want to die Mistress?" Katara asked softly.
Toph smiled wickedly, loving that Katara would happily end her own life if she was asked to. "Yes," she said. "If you have to, you would love to die this way," she intoned.
"Yes Master.." Katara answered.
Toph smiled as she turned to Aang. "Go ahead, say you love her," she ordered but the young Air Nomad remained silent.
Getting no answer from Aang, she nodded to Katara. "Go ahead, tell him." She smirked before she decided to twist the knife a bit more and spoke up again to her devoted servant. "Oh, and freeze your stomach while your at it," she said with a giggle.
"Yes Master." Katara answered, turning to Aang. "I want to die Aang. And if I have to die, I want to die by freezing to death. I love being frozen so this is the perfect way for me to die. I would love to die freezing to death." She answered, happily freezing her stomach.
Toph knocked on the solid ice that now was Katara's belly. "She's running out of space to freeze," Toph taunted. "It won't be much longer til you're girlfriend's an ice block."
"Your sick...your twisted...your demented." Aang growled softly.
"Why thank you," Toph replied. She smiled as she realized his defenses were breaking down. "Katara, would you be a doll and freeze your chest?" she asked. Unknown to Aang, she had no intention of letting Katara die, she just wanted to help him admit his feelings for Katara while breaking him down at the same time. It was the only way to prove that she was the unquestioned leader of Team Avatar.
"Of course Master." Katara smiled cutely despite her controlled state and froze her chest.
Toph smiled as she viewed the proceedings. "Come on, Aang. You can do it," Toph said, offering twisted encouragement.
"You just enjoy me suffering don't you?" Aang growled.
"Aang, you're missing the point. This isn't about making you suffer," Toph replied. "I'm just trying to help you admit your true feelings, but if you insist, Katara freeze your neck, please."
Katara nodded, freezing her neck with a smile.
Toph looked at Aang with a smile. "You don't have a lot of time left," she said. "Come on, you know you have feelings for her. I know you have feelings for her. Must we drag this out?" She asked mockingly.
"How do you know that without me saying anything?" Aang asked in surprise.
Toph smirked. "I have my ways," she replied. "Come on, admit it, or else Katara's going to be one beautiful statue," she warned.
"You wouldn't.." Aang whispered.
"Have you not learned anything yet?" Toph asked, her voice dripping sarcasm. "Tsk Tsk," she said. "You continue to test me."
"Katara...please...don't listen..." Aang begged, his eyes beginning to fill with tears.
"Katara...please...don't listen," Toph mocked Aang's frightened tone of voice perfectly in smug amusement. "Don't you get it, I control her. She lives to please me." She mulled it over, smirking at Aang, knowing just how to prolong their little game. "Katara, would you be so kind as to freeze to your chin?" she asked, with a slightly innocent tone of voice. Yet it was not so innocent to disguise the fact that there was something very wrong here.
Katara smiled in a creepy yet sweet way as she froze her chin.
Toph continued to prod Aang. "Come on, Aang, this is starting to bore me. Just admit how you truly feel." She said in a bit of a lazy drawl.
Katara looked at Toph in confusion. "Really Mistress?" She asked. The last thing she wanted was to bore her master.
"No, you aren't boring me," she said, to reassure Katara without having to look at her. She continued to focus on Aang. Aang tried to stand his ground, and much to Toph's amusement, still kept silent. "Nothing to say, very well then," she said. "Katara, freeze up to your nose," she said.
Katara nodded, though deep down she could feel her heart break for Aang as she froze her nose.
Toph continued to milk the scene for all it's worth. "Aang, I'm going to count down from 5," she said. "If you don't tell Katara how you feel, I will tell her to finish the job," She taunted.
"Toph, come on, what does this prove?" Sokka asked, having finally seen enough.
Toph almost forgot Sokka was still there, but given his extended silence, it was understandable. "This proves plenty," she replied. "It proves your sister is mine in every way." She exhaled. "But this doesn't concern you." She turned to Aang. "5," she began.
"No...don't do it." Aang begged.
"4," Toph counted.
Aang growled, trying his best to will himself free of the ice Katara trapped him in.
"3," Toph continued. "Come on, Aang. Three little words." She teased in twisted amusement.
"No...I shouldn't be forced. I should admit them when I'm ready.." Aang defended, unknowingly giving Toph an opening against him.
"So you admit there is something," Toph replied. "But what? What could it be?" She mockingly asked, but still Aang remained mute, Getting no response, she continued her countdown. "2..." She drawled, smiling coldly.
Katara observed with interest, wondering if Aang would crack. If not, she didn't mind freezing to death in ice. That was what she wanted.
Aang stood his ground, hoping Toph would stop this but his hopes were in vain as Toph gave him a twisted smirk.
"You're really going to let her freeze?" Toph asked. "Very well, then, 1." With that, she looked at Katara and snapped her fingers, smiling sweetly at her.
Katara unconsciously shed a tear or two as part of her true personality shined through before she finished the job, freezing herself the rest of the way.
Toph couldn't help but notice Katara's tears. "Aang," she taunted. "Shame on you. You let Katara down."
Aang looked up at her as the ice seemed to taunt him as it slowly engulfed Katara's form totally.
"I'd say you have about 2 minutes before she runs out of air," Toph cut in. "Tick tock," she taunted. Little did Aang realize what she was truly doing. She was setting up to totally control him, just as she had done with Katara.
"Aang...just say it man.." Sokka cut in anxiously.
As Aang debated it, Toph began working her magic. She looked directly into Aang's eyes. "You will submit to me," she said subconsciously.
"...Submit?" Aang asked in his mind, as he agonized over Katara in reality.
"You live to serve me," Toph said. It was as though she was attempting to massage him.
"But...Katara..." Aang started.
"Will die if you don't submit," Toph's telepathic voice finished.
"How can I save her...please Toph.." Aang begged. His spirit was clearly near it's breaking point, and it was obvious now that he'd do anything to in his mind save Katara.
Externally, Toph continued to pressure him. "Admit how you feel," she said softly.
"Out loud or like this?" Aang asked in mental reply.
"Out loud," Toph's telepathic voice urged.
"All right...I'll say it." Aang at last relented.
"So tell her," Toph said
"Katara...from the moment we met...I've been in love with you." Aang told Katara, though he doubted she could hear him in her frozen state.
"See was that so hard?" Toph asked. Telepathically, she said, "Now you are mine, Avatar."
"What are you talking about?" He asked in reply mentally while out loud he answered, "Yes...yes it was."
Toph snapped her fingers, allowing Katara to break free of her icy prison. "Oh, go ahead and unfreeze Sokka too," she said, not wanting to give Aang her answer just yet.
"Yes Master." Katara replied, unfreezing her brother.
Toph snickered as Aang and Katara embraced. "Wow, I can't believe how easy that was." She taunted.
"Whattya mean?" Aang asked.
Toph laughed. "This whole time, I've been breaking you down mentally so I can control you, just like Katara," she explained.
"How did you..." Aang and Sokka asked together, dumbfounded.
Toph smirked. "I have my ways," she replied.
Katara nodded her agreement. Her master was far more powerful than even Aang understood and shouldn't be trifled with.
"So...what if I don't submit?" Aang asked mentally.
"I can always have her freeze herself again," she answered. "Or maybe throw herself off Appa." She threatened, chuckling darkly.
"You can't be serious...I...we need her!" Aang replied, in both shock and fear.
Toph seemed unaffected. "Then I would advise you to submit," she replied
"If...I submit, then what?" Aang asked, clearly desperate.
"I'll spare Katara, and you can serve me together," Toph answered.
"...All right...you win." Aang replied, with a heavy sigh.
Toph smiled. This was perfect. The Avatar at her beck and call. "Kneel before me, my loyal servants," she commanded.
Aang and Katara both complied without a second thought.
Toph grinned widely. The Avatar and a Waterbending master at her every whim. She was totally untouchable.
To be continued...
