14. Alliance

The time spent travelling with her parents passed with the speed and smoothness of an echidna-snail. Every chance to argue with them- each word they spoke- she would leap at, she had spent her days fighting them at all opportunities that presented itself to her. This would occur without Toph knowing where she was and who was about her, she had not been accepting tea from them- but still she remained disconnected from the earth. She assumed they were lacing her food with it and only ate as much as she needed, she was hungry beyond anything she had felt before. Her parents were forced to continuously call for assistance from those they brought along as security, and finding new ways to continue drugging her. This was her plan of course, in her mind- the more unmanageable she became, the less likely they would be to want to show her off in high society. Her anger was still immeasurable, each time she thought of Zuko- her heart contorted in fury, and she would begin to feel as if the blood in her veins was seeping through her skin. However, she only felt like this when she thought of him- and those few minutes when she was distracted from his memory were welcome relief.

Then, one evening on the seventh day into their trip, the exact halfway point, she had managed to make her father crack. She had been sitting across from them with one maid attempting to spoon feed her and the other trying to brush her hair, if that wasn't annoying enough- her father was in the middle of his daily speech about how lucky Toph should count herself. She ground her teeth together as Lao spoke of the fine silks and jewels awaiting them at their temporary residence within the city of walls, of how dozens of the King's own servants would be hers to command for their stay there- "However long that may be...", he had smirked as his wife clapped excitedly.

"Such a courageous man is our King!" He had continued on, "Imagine the cunning it must have taken to plan the attacks on the other nations! What a leader."

"Cowardice is more like it." Toph grumbled, "Hiding safely in a fortified palace, hundreds of miles from where the danger is- cowering under the protection of guards while other men and women do the dirty work."

Lao blinked and scowled, "What would you know of courage? You have never done anything brave in your lifetime, young lady."

"I have heard stories of true courage, and been in the presence of real bravery." she smirked, she knew this would make him mad.

"Well, yes I suppose the Earth Kingdom military personnel are-"

"I am not talking about someone from the Earth Kingdom..."

"Then who-" he didn't get to finish his enquiry.

"Zuko." she let the corners of her mouth turn upwards.

As the name settled on Lao's ears his face became a brilliant red in rage. The servants and staff around the fire gasped softly, and Poppy had her hand over her mouth. Given the opportunity, she would have crushed Zuko for what he had done- but now, she knew that nothing would infuriate her parents more than if she made them believe in her adoring feelings for him. "We do not speak of him from now on..." he said slowly, it sounded almost like a threat to those around him.

"Fine. I don't have to speak of him, I have all the Zuko I need…" she tapped the side of her head and grinned, "… Right here."

Toph didn't need her bending to feel the anger pulsing from him, it came from him in waves through the tense atmosphere that surrounded them.

"You listen here, Toph Beifong! You are not allowed to joke about things like that!" Lao yelled, "Especially not when you are to be in the presence of the King! It is improper and you were not raised to embarrass yourself and your family with quips like that. The King will not warm to you if he suspects he is not your one love! Do you understand?!"

"Actually, no I don't." Toph said, "Why do I care what the King thinks? Why would I want him to warm to me? And why should anyone care how many loves someone has had?!"

"It matters because the King does not accept second place."

"Well how about seventeenth?" she smirked, deliver the blow, "Oop, wait a second- Zuko would make it eighteenth…"

That was it.

Lao's breathing seemed to stop. The silence engulfing the camp was absolute and almost painful. Lao's mind was a haze of fury, he couldn't even contemplate the words she had spoken. He had had enough, he slowly inhaled- he knew what he had to say to crush her. "You think he is coming to save you, don't you?" he whispered.

Toph didn't say a word, she kept her smirk from earlier. She wasn't going to answer him, but inside her mind- the answer was save? No… Assist in an escape, yes. Whether I kill him immediately after though is another matter… Her father interrupted her thoughts.

"I have spent your whole life trying to protect you. It is all I have wanted." He began, Poppy stood beside him and placed her hand on his arm, comforting him, "You are the most important thing in my life- and the fact that you seem to not care about how your mother and I feel about you is heart-breaking." He took a deep breath, Toph listened carefully, "From now on we will no longer keep secrets from you- you win, Toph. We will inform you on every aspect of our plans for you and will no longer protect you from the harshness and cruelty of this world. And we will start immediately..." he stood straight and his eyes narrowed as he continued, "He won't be coming for you, Toph." He said, "I had him executed."

The smirk disappeared, "W-what?" she managed to whisper.

"Zuko was executed as I was leaving our estate- he attempted to attack me and flee. He didn't make it far. And as for our trip to the palace- the King is going to meet you and wed you if he deems you fit. It is what is best for our family, and what is best for you."

She swayed slightly, the news draining the energy from her body. She couldn't believe it, she couldn't feel his heartrate, but his voice was so steady. She struggled to speak loud enough for anyone to hear her, she couldn't bring herself to sound aggressive, "Y-you killed the only friend I have ever had."

"You are overstating his importance." Lao said coldly, sipping from a cup of tea, "He was in the way- your feelings for him would cloud your affections for our King."

"You can't force me to marry someone I don't even know."

Lao shrugged casually, "There are only two options for you now… Refuse and stay blind," Toph's throat tightened, "Or accept the King as your husband, and we will grant you your earthbending."

"You would do this to your own daughter?" she asked, it was a no-brainer- she wanted her earthbending more than anything- it was her life.

And they now knew this.

"You once said that you didn't wish to be my daughter- and I told you that our relationship would be like that of those I do business with. Consider this the deal, you can take it… Or remain blind indefinitely. It is your choice."

"No, it isn't." She whispered.

… … …

They were, by Sokka's estimation, less than two days behind Toph, and almost ten behind Katara and Suki. Zuko was impressed by Sokka's thought-processes and critical thinking abilities, the plans and strategies he would concoct were not only impressively detailed, but could mould to fit any situation that they were presented with. Such plans included hijacking ostrich-horses, stealing food, running from guards that had the bulletin out on a 'scarred ex-royal' and a 'brown-skinned shadow of destruction'- of which Sokka rather enjoyed being referred as- and even, by a massive stroke of good fortune, acquiring plans to the palace. Though the plans were dated for almost forty years ago, Sokka sincerely doubted that the external architecture of that grand a scale would be renovated.

"This is what we need." Sokka grinned, laying the plans flat, Zuko stood and kept an eye out for anyone watching them. "I can't imagine the King's quarters being on the outside…"

Zuko shrugged, "At the palace, my grandfather had a window view, it looked down over an impressive garden. But when my father became Firelord, he erected a ridiculous twenty-four hour manned turret. He was paranoid man, as I imagine the Earth King is, perhaps look for a bedroom that is heavy guarded, or in a vicinity that would be able to be under continual and substantial surveillance…"

"Are you expecting to find Toph there?" Sokka looked up at him.

Zuko pursed his lips, the idea made his skin crawl, "No, if their tradition is anything like ours, they will be in separate chambers until after the wedding night…"

He looked back at his map, "Then why-"

Zuko tapped Sokka's shoulder as he noticed two guards standing at the end of an alley, watching them. Sokka stood and followed Zuko quickly through the back exit towards a cart loading supplies that would be their lift to Ba Sing Se, "Because earthbending or no earthbending-" They slipping in amongst the barrels, laying low, "Toph is going to put up one hell of a fight. The King is going to need all the help he can get."

… … …

Approximately week had passed since the exchange of words between Lao and Toph, she hadn't spoken the rest of the trip.

She didn't know for sure how long it was, but she knew that she couldn't waste her time conversing with her enemy. Her parents had given up talking to her soon after they realised what she was doing, they refused to be forced into guilt by her- in their minds, she was the one being irrational. The day they arrived inside the upper-most ring of Ba Sing Se, they unpacked their things and were immediately granted an invitation to the place to be introduced to the King's advisor and for Toph to be welcomed by the King himself. Both of her parents were beside themselves and ordered for Toph to be dressed in the best clothes she owned and cleaned to within an inch of her life. She didn't resist as they scrubbed and polished her, she didn't grimace or complain as the dressed her and applied her make-up, and she didn't let her expression change from her resting disappointment.

The Beifong family climbed into the carriage and made the short trip to the palace, multitudes of palace staff greeted them and Toph was told to remain two steps behind Lao and Poppy at all times. She did so.

Toph could feel the earth by this point, she knew her bending would have been pitiful and she would have been an easy take-down. But it was the most she had had since first being drugged. She would take even less food than what she did before, she was hungry, but it was nothing compared to what she was gaining. She was lead into a grand room, floor to ceiling pillars placed throughout it, the throne was at the end of the space. Toph couldn't tell if there was anybody in the throne, but judging by the way her parents' heartrates quickened suddenly, she assumed it was occupied.

Suddenly her parents were on their knees, bowing before the throne, it was just in Toph's range- she hated being partially blind, had she had her true amount of power she could have felt the throne from the moment they stepped into the upper ring. She stayed standing, she didn't want to bow to someone like him. There was a moment of silence and then the Earth King stood, Pho moved forward and spoke on his behalf. "Your King Yun-Tu would like to extend his thanks to you, Lord Lao Beifong- for travelling all the way here to honour him with your presence on eve before his birthday. Please be so kind as to introduce yourself and your family to his majesty."

"Of course," Lao said, even with her senses altered, Toph could feel Lao's pride radiating, "This is my beautiful wife, Lady Poppy Beifong." The King stood, and walked forwards, he clinked as his armour moved, jewels and embellishments tinkled against him, he was very large, and very tall. Toph could feel his muscles as they moved, she felt him raise his hand to his face and stroke something there, she imagined he must have a beard.

"Wife?" King Yun-Tu started, "Surely you mean daughter! This young lady is far too young to have her own children…" He smirked, Poppy giggled and Toph swallowed bile, he held his hand out and helped Poppy to her feet- he kissed her hand and exchanged a few words.

Only Toph could feel he was lying, but that wasn't the only thing she could feel.

She turned her head to the side, so her ear was closest to where she was feeling movement. The vibrations coming from a pillar were odd, and being made by a human. She couldn't feel them as clearly as she could have, but as they moved along the beams high above the group and leant against the stone pillar closest to them- Toph could feel their heartrate and could tell that they were young. She was bought back to the situation before her as Lao cleared his voice, she kept half of her mind on the mystery person, and the rest half-heartedly on the King.

"And this…" Lao's heartrate quickened, Toph knew it was out of fear of how she may react, "Is my daughter, Lady Toph Beifong. Forgive her for not bowing, she has been blind since birth and requires prompts occasionally…"

Toph felt the person hiding in the pillars draw air in quickly, like a gasp, and their heartrate accelerated. Who is that? Toph wondered.

"Ah! The stunning Toph!" The King smiled, coming forward and taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips, Toph tried to pull it back but abruptly the grip was too tight- almost painfully tight. "What a pleasure to meet you, you are just a lovely as I was told…"

"And you're just as old…" she responded coolly. Lao slapped his hand against his forehead in disgust. She had noticed that the spy was sneaking away, she pursed her lips- if I had even half my bending…

"Ha! Quite the amount of sass in you." He came very close to her, the breathe from his mouth making the strands aside her ears sway, his deep voice was but a whisper, "I have ways to beat that out of people…" Toph finally managed to pull her hand free and crossed her arms over her chest, the King smiled and continued on in a louder voice- so everyone could hear, "I expect I will get to know you very well."

To Toph's chagrin- he wasn't lying.

… … …

The afternoon the pair arrived at the outer ring seemed to drag on. They split up multiple times to try and gather intelligence, but there was hardly a soul in the lower ring that knew anything about how to get into the upper rings, let alone the palace itself. Sokka and Zuko met back up after their fifth attempt of scrounging information, they walked through the crowded markets, keeping an eye on those who continually cast looks of apprehension and suspicion towards them. Watertribe clothing was very noticeable amongst the browns and greens of the Earth Kingdom, Sokka opted for a large bag to hold his weapons- hoping to not have people perceive him as dangerous. Zuko had let his shaggy hair fall around his face in an attempt to disguise his scar, but it did not complete the job.

Eventually they pinched some clothes from a business that looked as though it was doing well for itself, they discarded their old clothing, and Zuko was able to wrap a strip of fabric around his eye like a patch, hiding his mark. Though it bought back unpleasant memories of being freshly burned, he knew it was necessary.

After doing this, they struck luck by crossing an older citizen that happened to work in the train station, and on the gates that separated the walls. Though the man wasn't intending to be very helpful, only wanting the young men to leave him to enjoy his after-work beverage, he had unwittingly given them more information than either had hoped.

"Passports are the only thing that can get you between the rings." He had shrugged, about to turn back towards his drinking companions.

"Err, how does one go about acquiring a passport?" Sokka asked, the man begrudgingly turned back, "Or two?" Sokka finished.

"Either of you rich?" He asked.

They looked between each other, "No…" they answered in unison.

"Either of you got family who happen to be residents in the upper rings?"

"No."

"Either of you earthbenders that could attempt to dismantle the wall, or tunnel under it before the Dai Li got ya?"

"… No."

"Welp, looks like you guys have nudda. Shame, but that is how it works. Now if you don't mind, the subject is closed! I don't spend all day at work just to spend my time off talking about work!" the man turned back, Zuko and Sokka thanked him and were about to walk out of the establishment when-

"Excuse me…" a small voice came from behind Zuko, she was pretty, with bushy hair, and large, brown eyes. "I-I couldn't help but overhear- sorry- but there is another option that may get you and your friend passports into the upper ring."

Sokka and Zuko glanced at each other and back to the woman. "What do you know?" Sokka asked.

The young woman looked around herself and leant in towards the men, "Are either of you good at fighting?" They both smiled slowly in response, she was almost frightened at their synchrony, "I will take that as a yes…"

… … …

"No Pho, I insist!" King Yun-Tu carried, "I think that the Lady Toph would be better suited to stay here where our staff can ready her for the festivities! What a grand surprise it will be for all of us when she appears and is announced as my fiancée! Don't you agree Lord Beifong?"

Lao was beside himself with joy, Yun-Tu seemed to have adopted him as a friend and simultaneously accept Toph as his future wife. Lao and Poppy couldn't think of anything better, Lao thought of all the guards that would be able to assist in keeping Toph inside the walls. "Why, your majesty, the suggestion alone is generous enough. Of course, Toph would revel in being under your roof." Lao rubbed his hands together and Poppy kept one of her hands on Toph's shoulder, squeezing it excitedly- meanwhile- Toph was contemplating how to get to the highest part of the palace and fall out the window.

"It is settled," the King grinned, "Pho, send some servants to collect the Lady Toph's things- everything she will need- clothes, beauty products, medicines… The lot!" They walked into a long room and as Toph approached she felt people, plenty of them. In her range alone there were thirty, and she was sure there were more. "My Lady," the King smiled, "As your first gift from me, please accept any or all of these servants, they will be there beside you no matter what, consider them your own. I want you to pick- I understand your lack of sight will hinder you, but trust your spirit."

This guy is laying it on thick, who does he think he is fooling- Hang on… Is that?

Toph recognised the vibrations coming off one of the servants, she was lean and fit- this much Toph could tell. She was the one hiding in the pillars. Toph walked slowly towards her, she stood in front of her, pretended to consider her, and nodded- "This one." She said, making sure that she behaved as pompously as she could manage.

From the other end of the room, another young woman's heartrate began to become erratic, it stood out above the rest. Toph turned her head slightly, to her, there was a clear difference between fear and anguish. This woman, however, the line was almost blurred. Toph was willing to bet her life that these two women were connected in some way, and it was a safe bet to assume they were not born in the Earth Kingdom continent. Would they want to escape too?

Toph moved slowly towards the irregular thumping, would they help? She stood before her and pursed her lips together, the first woman's heart began to beat faster too, confirming Toph's assumptions of familiarity, it is worth the risk- I can't do this alone. She decided, and she spoke over her shoulder to the King and her parents. "This one too. That is all I want."

Pho was shocked by the coincidence, he thought he would attempt to sway her towards more, "But, Lady Toph, you are welcomed to any number of them- why not-"

"I have made my decision." She snapped, "My spirit chooses these two." She walked back towards her parents, "If I am to stay here, when can I retire to my chambers and get some rest?"

"W-well, whenever you wish…" Pho looked between Yuin-Tu and the Beifongs, they all shrugged.

"Well, escort me there. My maids can settle me in for the afternoon." There was a pause, no one moved, "Now!" there was a flurry as people ran to prepare her room, Pho knew that there was no persuading this woman.

"… As you wish…" Pho said.

… … …

Sokka and Zuko followed the young woman, who had introduced herself as Jin, down a winding alley. She glanced over her shoulder a few times during the walk, she knew that they were trusting souls, but there was something about their desperation to get into the upper rings that made her assume they would quickly become troublemakers- she didn't want to be seen with them if it would only result in misfortune for herself. "We are almost there. You might want to find somewhere to leave your bag- if you were to lose, or even become distracted, you could be robbed."

They agreed, Zuko slipped his scroll into Sokka's bag and then asked Jin to face away as Sokka hid it. When Sokka was satisfied with his location and masquerading talents, making his bag seemingly disappear against its backdrop, then they proceeded. "Jin, would you be so kind as to explain how these fights work?" Zuko asked, looking around himself as to try and stay familiar with his surroundings.

"You can go in pairs or singles," she started, "But it is only one prize per winner, so unless you both fight individually and both win- you are better off trying your luck together and getting it over with." They approached the end of the alley, there was a large door before them, "If you win, you simply need to ask for a passport each to the upper ring."

"How do these people happen to have passports to just hand out?" Sokka asked.

"Oh, they are from the upper rings themselves, they make money off the fights which means they can afford to buy passports." Jin explained, "Usually they hire kids, or done disguises considering there is a limit of one per citizen until their current one expires."

"So, they are illegal." Sokka said, they had stopped before the door, Jin's hand rested against the large metal knocker.

"They are." She said, she pursed her lips, and pushed the door open, "I guess you have to decide whether the reason you are heading into the upper rings is worth potentially getting caught and arrested."

"They are." Sokka scowled.

"She is." Zuko whispered, as the door opened wide and the arena revealed itself.

… … …

Despite Pho's best attempts to persuade Toph into selecting alternate maids, she kept the two she had. She was also not allowed to return to her room alone with the maids until she had had her 'medicine' bought to the palace, her father had been very insistent that any food which comes near her with be treated to 'avoid a reaction'.

Reaction being synonymous with destruction in this case, Toph huffed to herself, she was becoming more agitated by the minute, she was starting to feel unwell.

She was forced the listen to how she would be paraded into the ballroom, and how maids, and assistants would help her dress for tomorrow evening. Eventually the King excused himself to attend the latest war meeting, he kissed Toph's hand and bowed to Lao and Poppy- causing a frightening amount of excitement within them. Finally, her parents and Pho escorted her to her chambers, where she could already feel her two new maids waiting, guards on either side of them. "Now Toph," her mother started, Toph could hardly focus, "We will be here first thing in the morning to have breakfast with you and your fiancée," Lao and Poppy smiled widely, "If you become afraid during the night, you will have your two maids to help you, not to mention the staff of the entire palace!"

"Fan-fucking-tastic." She mumbled, no one heard her. She could feel her skin warming, her head felt like it was swaying, she was so hungry.

"You should have guards outside her doors and patrolling outside the window… She is spirited, her most recent maid- quick as he was- could barely keep tabs on her as she snuck out and ran all over the countryside." Lao interjected quickly, Toph could hear Pho scribbling something on his pad- though it seemed far away.

She felt her heart become heavy at the passing mention of Zuko, she took a slow breath. At this rate, I will die before I even make it to my room… Her stomach tweaked painfully as it grumbled, fortunately her parents were laughing about something Pho had said- the sound went unnoticed.

"Worry not, Lord and Lady Beifong." Pho had continued, "The palace is large, welcoming, and heavily guarded- she will be perfectly safe here." He walked a few steps in front of the Beifong's and abruptly stopped at the opened room, "Lady Toph, this is your suite. At least, until you are married." he grinned, Toph pushed past him, "You will notice the architecture-" he was about to walk in and show Lao and Poppy the room when Toph's hand flew up, inches from his face.

She needed to get them away before she collapsed, "Yeah, thanks. But I don't need a rundown. Any guards inside this room can leave… I need privacy." The guards looked between each other, then at the two women they were standing beside, and then back to Pho before they walked quickly from the room. She turned, "If you will excuse me."

"But, Lady Top-"

Toph slammed the ornamented doors behind her, she stayed with her arms bracing against them, her back to her new maids. She waited a few moments, feeling the guards stand either side of the doors, and sensing her parents and Pho walk awkwardly away. She inhaled deeply through her nose, and slowly out through her lips, she straightened up and turned towards them. "Why were you spying on me earlier?" she said, pointing to the culprit.

She was shocked, "I-I wasn't."

"Don't lie to me." Toph snarled, "I may not look it, but I can sense your lying- and I can bury you for it if you continue."

"Lady Beifong-" the other started, Toph's blind stare cut her off.

"Answer my question." She growled, leaning subtly against the door for backing.

She resigned, "I was spying on Pho during the trip here, we wanted information on our friend that they have taken from us." The first girl said, lowering her head, "We heard about you coming to be wed to the King- the way they spoke about you made us think you would object. I wanted to see you for myself."

Toph was not expecting that answer, "What are your names?" she asked, "Where are you from?"

"Suki of Kyoshi Island."

"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

"You were captured?" Toph asked, walking past them and towards the table she could sense in the centre of the grand room, she was feeling weak. Her head felt light, her body was almost sluggish, her stomach grumbled silently, she gripped the table for support. Fainting is not a good intimidation tactic… She thought, steadying herself.

"We were sold." The one called Suki answered, Toph concentrated on her words.

"As was our friend, Aang." Katara added, "He is of the Air Nomads."

"I am here against my will as well." Toph said, pursing her lips and breathing slowly.

"How did you see me earlier? We were told you were blind, and your eyes-"

"I am usually an earthbender." Toph interjected, "My parents have been subduing me with the use of drugs. I can sense the vibrations in the earth and use them to navigate, typically I would be able to spread my senses out around me in many directions and stretch for ages, but all I can manage at the moment is just beyond this room." She rested the palms of her hands on the cool tabletop, "I am exhausted, and starving- the more I eat, the more of that drug I ingest." She sighed softly.

"I am a waterbender," Katara said softly, "And a healer. Perhaps I can help you?"

"They allowed you to retain your bending?" Toph questioned.

"In the excitement of Aang being the first air nomad anyone has encountered in decades, they never approached me about it, or attempted to curb it." She shrugged, "I haven't been using it, with the risk of being caught and not having it at a time of need…"

"I would do anything to have my bending back," Toph mumbled, "And if starving myself and pretending to be content in my situation is what it takes…"

"You would marry someone like the King?" Suki asked softly.

"I said anything." She replied, "You don't understand- earthbending is my life. I need it to get out of here." She closed her eyes tightly, "And I need to get away soon."

There was a pause, Toph could feel Katara look towards her companion, then towards the window. Her heart began to beat at an excited pace, she walked towards the opened window, she pulled it closed.

"What if we escaped together?" Katara whispered, she looked at Suki and smiled with hope, "All of us."

"You mean-" Suki started.

"I mean, let's get a plan, get Aang, and get out." Katara smirked, her expression showed cunning, and she flexed her fingers aggressively, anticipation swelled inside her chest. "What do you say, Lady Beifong?"

Toph's hands balled into fists against the table, she raised her head and felt a surge of energy, "Call me Toph." She snarled, grinning widely, "And I'm in."

… … …

Sokka and Zuko grimaced as another opponent was sent flying from the rink, shot over the crowds and into the wall, everyone erupted in cheers. From what they could gather, there was no rules, last man standing was the winner. The victor paraded around the rink, arms in the air and the commentator held his hands up for silence, the crowd immediately obeyed. "Now, victorious champion-" he started, approaching the winner, "What is your reward?"

The man rubbed his chin, "I humbly request a passport to the middle ring!" he called, people cheered, and some whispered excitedly.

"Your winnings, my sir." The commentator grinned, handing a shining green piece of paper to the victor. It had golden trim and a large tassel hanging from it, it was when he opened his jacket to retrieve it that the men saw two more tassels identical to the first, Sokka nudged Zuko excitedly.

Jin leant towards them, "Just remember… You both must be standing to both get a prize. If one of you falls, only one gets the passport."

"How have they decided who fights who?" Sokka puzzled, it was nearly midnight- they had been waiting hours for their names to be called.

"They draw the names out of a hat, you guys would be in the pairs hat- and the last fight of the day is always pairs."

"You think we can take whoever they throw at us?" Zuko asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jin nodded, "Of course, I believe you can. Just be careful of-

"And for the final fight-" the commentator called, Jin was silenced, Sokka and Zuko looked at each other, "Ling and Pha, against newcomers, Lee and Neii!" the crowd cheered, Sokka and Zuko's alias' 'Lee' and 'Neii' caused them to rise and head through the crowds towards the entrance to the rink.

They stepped down and into the large rink, hearing the door bolt shut behind them, they glanced at each other again, and then out to Jin- her hands were covering her mouth, their hearts sunk. There was a snarl and a deathly chuckle that came from the darkened corner of the rink, Jin moved her hands to cover her eyes.

Sokka and Zuko looked at each other as the bell rang loud, uh-oh…

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