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Chapter 26

Crunch Time

"You're all pathetic!" Toph screamed at her students. "How do you expect to win anything? Every last one of you would get your butts handed to you in a real tournament!"

The Martial Arts Club members all sat exhausted on the floor as their captain continued her rant. She was being more tyrannical than usual. She was pushing them to their breaking points and beyond and she did not even seem to care. Correction, she did care. About winning the tournament. She screamed once again for them all to line up.

"Come on, captain!" one of them moaned. "We're tired! We've been running these drills and sparring non-stop since we got here!"

"And you're going to keep doing it until you get it right!" Toph bellowed.

Aang could barely believe how harshly Toph was pushing the club members. It was so rough that he was beginning to think of his sessions with Azula. Maybe there was less hitting, but that did not make it any less painful to watch.

"What do you want from us? Geez!"

"You know what I want?" Toph roared. "I want you all to stop acting like knuckle heads and start working! I want you all to be able to at least walk into a sparring match without embarrassing yourselves. Or me for that matter!"

"Toph, maybe you should lighten up a little bit," Aang said. "They don't see what you want them to do."

"You know what, Twinkle Toes," Toph smiled suddenly. "You just gave me a great idea! All right, you sorry maggots! Be back here tomorrow for a real demonstration! You're gonna see just what it takes to be number one."

Aang spent the entire drive to Toph's house wondering just what was going through her mind. It was not often that she had an idea that made her smile so much. Not one that did not involve someone getting hurt or something getting broken anyway. As soon as they got to the house she whipped out her cell phone and went straight to her room, ignoring him when he called for her. Rather than fight a losing battle, Aang decided to keep Appa company outside.

"You know, buddy, she scares me when she gets like this," he said as Appa laid his head in Aang's lap. "I can only imagine what kind of torture she's going to put those guys through. You think she even realizes that some of them don't want to be in the tournament?"

Appa looked up at Aang from his place on the boy's lap and sighed.

"I don't think so either," Aang smiled.

Whatever Toph was planning, she had no intention of sharing it with Aang that afternoon. After spending a couple of hours trying to get her to talk, Mrs. Bei Fong trying to feed him, Aang started walking home. He knew that he could have easily asked Kuzon for a ride, but the weather had been so good that he could not pass up the bright sun and gentle breeze.

As he walked Aang continuously played with a small trinket in his pocket. He flipped it over and over again as he rubbed his thumb over the two flat surfaces. He felt a little silly for keeping it with him when Toph's birthday was not until tomorrow, but he just could not leave it in his room. He was not even sure she would wear it anyway. He smiled sheepishly to himself as he continued on his way hoping that tomorrow would not be as scary as he imagined it to be.

* - * - * - * - *

The entire club was silently awaiting their captain even after Aang had arrived from his school. No one had any idea what was keeping her or what she had in mind for them. Whatever it was they were all sure that they were not going to like it. She had been worse than any drill instructor could have hoped to be the last few days. Most of the club members were still trying to recuperate from the previous day's training session.

"Where is she?" Leila asked him as Aang sat on the floor.

"No idea," he replied.

"What's she planning?"

"No idea."

"Does she ever tell you anything?"

"Once in a while," Aang smiled. "But honestly, I've got no clue."

"Okay, maggots, front and center!" Toph bellowed from the doorway. "I've got a surprise for you today!"

In a matter of seconds, the members of the martial arts club were lined up and waiting for Toph's "surprise." One they were not at all looking forward to. The first part of Toph's surprise caught everyone off guard. Azula walked in after her with a large bag hanging from her shoulder. She was clad in a deep brown and red gi and did not look as though she was in a good mood. Then Azula was followed by Zuko who wore a very similar gi, but had no bag. Instead he had what looked like a sword sheathe strapped to his back. His expression was just as serious as Azula's, but not as intimidating. Then came Katara wearing a blue gi with a stern yet gentle look on her face. All three of them looked like they were ready for some kind of fight. That was when Aang knew what was going on.

"I think you can relax, Leila,"Aang smiled. "You guys aren't going to be working today."

"What's going on then?" she asked.

"You'll see."

"Listen up!" Toph ordered as Azula set the bag down behind her. "My friends here have been kind enough to come and give you a demonstration of what martial arts should really look like! This is not an invitation to doze off so give them the respect they deserve by paying attention! Twinkle Toes, get your butt up here too."

Aang joined his friends as they all sat on the benches at the sidelines of the gymnasium. Katara was the first of them to stand and address the students. As she began to describe the history and art of Tai Chi to them, Aang took the opportunity to ask his girlfriend what she had in mind.

"It's simple, Twinkle Toes," she answered. "They get to see some really cool martial arts and get motivated to try harder without me having to scream myself hoarse. I want you to give a good show too. That's what this is for."

Toph tapped the long bag on the floor with her foot.

"What exactly is it?" Aang asked.

"A toy for you to play with," she smiled.

Not wanting to think to much about what Toph had brought for him, Aang watched Katara as she danced through her Tai Chi forms. It was always relaxing to see Katara perform. She moved so elegantly and beautifully that it was no wonder that so many men found her attractive. Aang noticed how all of the guys in the club seemed more focused than ever before as they watched her move. He laughed lightly to himself as he stole a glance over at Zuko. He had half expected the man to be fuming at the hungry eyes watching his girlfriend, but Zuko seemed perfectly calm as he sat with his hands together and his breath regulated.

"He's gotten a lot better," Aang mused aloud.

"Who? Hot Head?" Toph grinned. "You wouldn't be saying that if you could feel his heartbeat."

"But is that because he's angry or something else?"

"Good point," Toph admitted.

After a few minutes, Katara's form came to an end and she bowed respectfully to her audience as they applauded her. Many of the guys whistled as well before she took her seat beside Zuko and sighed.

"I'm not sure how many of them paid attention," she said, "but I know how many stared."

"So do I," Zuko said.

"Just remember that we're here to teach, not to maim," Katara smiled.

"Can't it be both?" Azula asked as she stood.

It was apparent that Azula was not really in the mood to give a performance, but for some reason she had agreed to come. She rubbed her hands together roughly before she spread her arms out to her sides. She began her demonstration off with a series of quick spiraling hand motions before turning her stance to one side. Every move that she made was filled with grace, power, and purpose. There was not a wasted motion from the way that her arms curved, rolled, and extended, to the ways that she turned, bent, and stepped. It was all a mesmerizing display of tenacious beauty with fierce and quick strikes. Everyone watching sat in awe of Azula's undeniable ability to impress. Just as quickly as she started, suddenly she finished. She did not bow as Katara did, but got just as much of an ovation.

"Couldn't help showing off, could you?" Zuko asked as he and his sister traded places.

"You should be able to do as much," Azula retorted haughtily.

Zuko's stoic expression was not shaken by Azula's comment. He merely stood at attention in front of his observers. To begin with, his form was very similar to the previous demonstration. This was not a big shocker as everyone was aware that Zuko also studied Shaolin. What captured their attention was the sudden drawing of the blade on his back. The way that he moved with it was remarkable. Twisting, turning, wielding it in front, beside, and behind. The club members were amazed at how close the blade was to him, yet Zuko never cut himself or his gi. It was as though the blade were a part of him. It went almost unnoticed at first that he had begun his demonstration with one blade in his hand, but at some point a second one had joined the other. Soon it was a blade dance that appeared able to cut the very air itself as he continued. Then, very methodically and nigh undetectable, the second blade rejoined the first and both found themselves back within their sheathe. Zuko's pace began to slow until he was once again in his original starting point at attention.

Unlike his sister, Zuko did bow to the watchers as they applauded and cheered. He even let a small, proud smile slip before he was able to get back to his seat. He had never realized how much he had missed being a part of the martial arts club, helping the new students to get their bearings and find their skill. It was always nice to have someone who looked up to you.

Toph gave Aang a nudged in the side. Apparently it was his turn to step up to center stage. He noticed some of the students turned away to begin speaking quietly with one another about the previous forms. His did not really interest that many people since he had been giving them and teaching them on and off for the last few months. He knew that he was not going to hold their attention for very long, but he would perform anyway. Before he could start, however, Toph kicked the long bag over to his feet.

"Show what you can do, Twinkle Toes."

Aang bent down to the package and slowly unzipped it. Inside was a sight that made him smile. If they wanted to be impressed and motivated by his skill, this was definitely the way to do it. He looked out at the distracted club members and did not bother waiting for their attention.

It was an immediate reaction. The image of Aang twirling a staff the length of his own body at a speed fast enough to generate a soft wind brought everyone's eyes to him. From side to side, around his back, and over his head and not once did the staff stop spinning. A few of the students sitting near the front began to scoot back as Aang stepped forward to continue his demonstration. It was not until the movements of the staff began to slow that the club members realized it was not an ordinary staff at all. There were links holding three pieces together that Aang now curled around his body. He would hold one end and the center at some points and manipulate the free end, then suddenly take hold of only the center piece and move the outer pieces seemingly independent of each other. It was not at all the same routine form that they were all used to.

Aang had surprised himself as he performed as well. At first he had made the same mistake as the club members when he drew the staff. He had not thought that it was a three sectioned one either. It was a little awkward at first, but came easy enough as he held it in his hands. It had been so long since he used a weapon that he had almost forgotten what it was like. It was still fun! Much like Zuko had done with his dual broadswords, Aang began to slow his form down as he neared the end. He grabbed hold of a single end of his staff and pulled the other two pieces towards him, allowing them to fold over one another before he wrapped them up in a single hand held out at full extension. The students all clapped for him as he bowed and rubbed the back of his head shyly.

"So what did you all think of that?" Toph asked.

"That was amazing, captain!"

"Totally wicked!"

"When are you gonna start teaching us to use weapons?"

"Hold your horses there," she said. "You guys are all still a long way from weapons. We've still got a tournament to get ready for."

"I don't know about that," Leila said.

"What do you mean?"

"I think you've got yourself a pretty good team right here," she explained.

"She has a point," Azula said. "If you're going to enter you may as well do it with a winning team."

"I mean, why not?" Leila continued. "There's no reason for you to use us if you've got these guys to team up with. Besides, most of these guys don't even want to be in the tournament to begin with."

"Is that true?" Toph asked her students. She was not happy with the number of replies she got agreeing with Leila. "Well why not?"

"Most of us just signed up for self-defense reasons, captain," one of the girls answered her. "I've never really thought about using this stuff in a tournament."

"Yeah, and I don't wanna be the reason that your team loses the tournament either," one of the guys added. There were a lot of voices agreeing with that argument.

"What about the rest of you though?" Toph asked. "There's gotta be someone here that wants to be in the tournament."

"There's a bunch of us," Leila told her. "We just don't wanna hold you back, captain. And we don't want you do bite our heads off for not being as good as you guys."

"Without this tournament experience, none of you are going to be able to get any real practice in!" Toph growled.

"And I think I've got that part figured out," Leila grinned. "There's a singles tournament that goes with the city wide team tournament, right? Why don't we enter individually instead?"

"Because the club's only got enough money to do one or the other: team or singles. We can't afford to pay the team entry fee and a whole bunch of single entries too," Toph explained.

"But you do," Leila said. "Look, captain, I hate to break it to you but you're the only one who's dead set on this team competition. Why don't you let us use the club funds to enter individually and then you could finance your team here for the other competition?"

It was not a bad idea, but Toph did not like the idea of the club running itself and making these kinds of decisions without her. She was the one that was supposed to be in charge. Granted she had not been doing a very good job of that with all that had happened, but still. Of course what would it say about her leadership if she tried to make them all do something they did not really want to do by shooting down this perfectly reasonable option. Now it was making her head hurt. Why did she ever want to be in charge of this club anyway?

"Do what you want," she said. "Just don't embarrass me or the school while you're doing it."

That was enough for the club. They all cheered and patted Toph on the back wishing her and her newly formed team luck in the tournament. Aang could tell that she was not entirely happy about the way it came about, but their team was formed and they were all ready.

"You okay, Toph?" he asked.

"Fine, Twinkle Toes. Guess I'm just not the leader type. Oh well."

"I think I may have something that'll cheer you up."

"If you try to kiss me right now, I'm not gonna be happy."

"Not quite what I had in mind, but good for a backup plan," Aang smiled as he reached into his pocket. "Remember those dog tags you made for me? The ones that you carved the wind and air symbols in? Well, I made some for you."

Toph raised an eyebrow and Aang draped the tags around her neck. She smiled and shook her head with a laugh. "I don't think wind and air really suit me, Twinkle Toes."

"I don't either. That's why I carved an earth symbol into them."

Toph ran her fingers over the tags to find a rectangle like shape with a spiral swirl near its apex. She rubbed it fondly and smiled at Aang. "That's more like it."

"Happy birthday, Toph," he whispered quietly to her.

"You never forget, do you Twinkle Toes?"

"Why would I? It's the day the greatest girl in the world was born."

Toph punched him lightly in the arm before hugging him tightly. He always had to say one of those stupid, sappy lines that she hated loving to hear.

A/N: Sorry about the wait. By the way, I misinterpreted the pronunciation of Toph's brother's name. It's not "Kou" it's "Kun." I've already corrected this in the previous chapters. Reviews please!