Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, and I have nothing funny to say today. I have let you down, and I am sorry. :(

Part 10

Ayama climbed out of her tank. It had been a long day. She had spent four straight hours on the exam. It had taken her that long to beat Ranju and Tiya. Aya couldn't help smiling when she remembered some of the maneuvers they had pulled. The others had gone down fairly fast. They had all tried to use the old tanks, and they had worked separately. But Tiya and Ranju remembered what she had taught them. Keep the element of surprise, and stick together. The duo had run straight to the new tanks, and they worked like a team. Aya had been surprised in spite of herself, but quickly got down to business. The following four hours had been taxing, but also exhilarating. She was going to approve them straight away. They deserved it. The others, well, she would have to think about it.

Aya stretched and looked over at her two tired but happy students. They were talking with General Ong and one of the merchants. Ong was smiling and nodding. He caught Aya's eye and gestured for her to join them.

"This is, eh, Ayama. Taught these two everything they know, and a few other things besides. The best pilot I've, eh, ever seen. Bright, too." The well-dressed merchant bowed.

"I'm Lao Bei Fong. Perhaps you've heard of me?" Aya nodded and bowed in return.

"I'm honored, sir. If you haven't already been on one with General Ong, would you like a tour of the facilities?" He nodded.

"I'm sure that would be lovely. Don't you agree, dear?" he turned to a woman whom Aya assumed was his wife.

"I'm afraid that will have to wait, darling. Toph is missing!" she said frantically. Aya looked puzzled.

"Excuse me, but who's Toph?"

"She's my daughter," Lao answered, almost hysterically. "She's blind and helpless. We need to find her before she hurts herself! General, do you have any idea where she might be?" Ong shook his head and was about to respond when there was a huge boom. The Bei Fongs looked terrified. Aya sprang into action.

"Tiya! You search the kitchens and mess hall. Ranju, take the rec rooms and the library. I'll check the sleeping rooms and officers' quarters. Mr. and Mrs. Bei Fong, if you would stay here. Then we won't have to find you once we find your daughter." Aya ran off down the hall.

Aya had a hunch where the girl might be. Wherever that noise had come from, that would be where they found her. No doubt about it. She had sent Tiya and Ranju in the opposite direction because she was pretty sure the noise had come from Tai's room. She didn't want the Bei Fongs knowing about him. Aya was running so fast she almost missed Tai's door. Or at least, what had been his door. Now it was lying in a crumbled heap on the floor. It looked like an earth bender had been through. Helpless my ass, thought Aya as she settled the dust in the room and bended the door back together. A bead of sweat ran down her nose. She needed to work on her earth bending more. This shouldn't be that hard.

Aya slammed open the newly remade doors, crossed her arms and glared. Tai turned around and glared back.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't do this! It was her!" For the first time, Aya noticed the small figure in the corner.

"Are you Toph?" Aya asked.

"What's it to you?" the girl snapped. Aya sighed.

"Look, Toph, I just spent four hours sitting in a tank getting shot at. I am so not in the mood for this."

Toph laughed. It was surprisingly sinister.

"Well, tough. Even if you could earth bend worth a pile of rocks, you can't hurt me. I'm just the helpless little girl, remember? If my parents don't have you arrested, you'll never work in this town again." Aya had started to get mad about the earth bending crack, but then she grinned.

"Well first of all, you're wrong about that. I'm too good at my job to be fired by a pampered little girl." Toph glared and Aya continued.

"And I'm sure your parents would love to know about how you broke into Tai's private quarters and how you've been taking earth bending lessons behind their back." Toph jumped.

"I'm not-" Toph began, but Aya interrupted.

"Then you're figuring it out yourself, but my point is the same. I figure since you were able to break that door, and your parents thought you were helpless, you must be learning earth bending somehow. Was I wrong?"

"No," Toph admitted. "But don't tell them. They'd kill me." Aya put a hand on Toph's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it. Let's get you back to your parents." Toph nodded and walked to the door. She stopped on the threshold.

"See ya round, Tai," she called over her shoulder.

"Um, how?" Tai asked.

"I have my ways," she said airily. She continued out the door.

Aya followed, but before she left, she turned to Tai.

"Smarter than you thought huh?"

Tai could only nod in agreement.

Author's Notes: And now you finally know. The mystery girl was Toph! Hurray! I love Toph... But not like that you perve!