"Ooh, you can control metal?" said Steven excitedly.

Toph grinned, nodded, and crushed what used to be a metal fencepost with her fist.

"So can Peridot!"

Toph's smile dropped a bit.

"Peridot!" yelled Steven.

"What?"

"Come show Toph your metal powers!"

The small green gem pattered over, cackling slightly in her high, nasally voice.

"You can metalbend?" asked Toph skeptically.

Peridot smiled evilly.

"Prepare to be amazed, human!" she cried. Green arms pushed outwards, fingers flexing. Peridot began to grunt with exertion, muscles trembling and eyes squinting shut in concentration.

The metal rod in Toph's hand twitched.

Then, very, very slowly, it began to float up into the air.

Very slowly.

Toph frowned at the faint tug of metal in her hand.

Peridot continued to cackle in between breaths.

Steven grinned at them both.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Peridot lowered her arms. The metal rod dropped the two inches back into Toph's hand.

"So? Pretty amazing, right?" urged Peridot proudly.

"Wow," said Toph.

"I know, right?" squealed Peridot.

"Wow," said Toph again.