I'm back. I'll explain my absence.

The first few months I had end-of-the-year testing that was super important. Just as I was getting around to start working on this story again, one of my closest friends died in a house fire, and it was so hard for me to get around to writing. I lost all the will to write, and I've only just started to get back up on my feet since I tried drawing stuff for deviantART to get my inspiration back.

I feel that I'm ready to write again. Sorry if my AWOL disappointed or angered some/lot of you, but to those who stayed with this story: thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.


Chapter 50

In less than an hour, Aang's promise to Katara was broken, stomped on, and shredded to bits without a care in the world. It was never-ending; scam after scam, they got money at every corner of the town and they didn't stop. In just two days of scamming, people were getting anxious. Akemi was just following along, however; she didn't want any random person to identify her and possibly put up a wanted-poster sign of her, and rumors to eventually, ultimately spread to where Azula resided(where Akemi was sure that she was still trying to track her down since her breakout). She didn't know how far the firenation palace was from the island she and her friends resided currently, but she wasn't going to take any chances. The smallest information about her can send Azula on a bounty hunt for her head.

During Aang, Sokka, and Toph's scams with the other scammers, she had just watched as they gained money ranging from little to loads; to the point they had enough to buy a platypus bear for a pet. Toph was cheating, but Akemi wasn't going to say anything; it was fair, in her opinion, that scamming con-masters back was an act of justice. For a blind girl, she was incredible.

However, as far as she was concerned, the last prank they pulled off wasn't very humorous to her. At all. According to Akemi, she did not find getting run over by a cart funny just to get the pranked man to bribe his way out of the slammer. After all, she had a not-so-pleasant experience with being run over by carts.

Katara was ever-more upset when they all returned with money. By the dozens. She must've been on edge at some point, because eventually she spoke up against their shenanigans later,

"Guys, I think these scams have gone far enough...if you keep doing them, something bad is going to happen." Katara seemed uneasy, and it wasn't hard to tell in the tone of her voice, either. She was just ready to get through with lecturing, but Toph didn't seem up to it. "Will you for once stop acting like such a sour puss and just lighten up?" Toph threw a coin in her direction in her emphasis; she didn't seemed to be affected by her warning.

Katara eyed the coin she caught and frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry! You think I should be more like you?" she gave her a look. "Like some wild child?" She retaliated by throwing the coin back to the ground in front of Toph, looking sickened by it. This was not good, Akemi scoot back slightly as things were starting to heat up with the upset water-tribe girl.

Either Toph chose to ignore the insult in her words or just didn't realize it, Toph looked as giddy as ever about the money. "Yeah, maybe!" she replied while Sokka slid in and grabbed the coin off the ground and slithered away. "Maybe then you can see how great we have it! I mean, LOOK at us! We're traveling around the world, making easy money, having fun-" she leaned back on the rock behind her and pillowed her head with her crossed arms, getting comfortable. "-with NO parents to tell us what to do!"

Akemi's brows quirked and she leaned forward. Why did she bring her parents into the subject all of the sudden. Actually, this made her more curious, because she never knew what Toph's parents were like. She glanced at Katara, and she looked as if she knew something she didn't; which she probably did, because she's known her longer than she has.

Katara smiled ironically, finally completing the puzzle pieces in Toph's life. "Ah...I see. You're acting like this because of your parents." Toph made no slightest movements in retaliation.

"Whatever." Now, to most people, that would mean she didn't care and Katara was wrong. But to those who knew Toph very well, when she stood her ground against something that wasn't true, she knew the right words to come back with. Her terse response was enough to prove she was affected.

Katara wasn't finished, however. "They were controlling you, so you ran away, and now you act like your parents don't exist. You act like you hate them, but...you don't." Akemi looked sympathetic after Katara basically explained what Toph's parents were like; Toph was the last person she expected to have over-controlling and strict parents. "You just feel guilty." Katara finished. She must've struck Toph a nerve, because she didn't look too pleasant at Katara's analysis. "I DO hate them." She turned her head away as if she did, she wouldn't have to listen to whatever Katara was preaching.

"I don't think so..." Katara lowered her eyes in sympathy. "I think you miss them. But you just don't want to deal with that, so instead you act like this crazy person."

Toph looked enraged, and she shot up from where she sat.

"LOOK. I ran away to help Aang!"

Katara stood her ground. "You know what, it doesn't matter! These scams put us all at risk and we don't need that! We already have some third-eyed freak after us!" Akemi's brows disappeared into her bangs while she leaned forward abruptly. They must've forgotten to tell her that when she joined.

"W-Wait..." Everyone seemed to realize that she didn't know, and they looked guilty for not informing her of the danger. "WHO'S after you guys?" Akemi exclaimed in all seriousness of the moment. Sokka interjected, however,

"Speaking of that third-eyed freak..." Sokka had looked like he was brainstorming for a while and could only mean he was sharing whatever ideas he was coming up with. "I think I've come up with a name for him. What do you think of: SPARKY-SPARKY-BOOM MAN?" He looked ecstatic at his labeling. Everyone however, did not look amused; maybe would've laughed if not for the fact Katara and Toph were in the middle of a heated discussion. Sokka slouched in defeat. "Just think about it."

Katara turned back to the fumed-looking Toph. "We have enough money! You need to STOP this!"

"I'll stop when I want to stop and not when YOU TELL ME!" She earthbended the sack of money that was behind her and stormed past Katara into the clearing a few feet away, sat down, and bent an earth tent around herself while shielding the entrance inside; concealing herself completely. Katara shook her head in aggravation while Akemi looked worried.

Sokka decided to break the pregnant pause. "Speaking of money, I'm off to spend some!" He got up and took his bag of money with him. "See you guys later!"

Akemi walked over to Appa, climbed onto his saddle, and settled for a nap.


She woke up a few hours later to arguing; she could only guess who it was.

"-is that what you're called, now? Are you proud of this?" Katara's voice was heard; and she did not sound happy. At all. Akemi sat up and yawned, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as she wondered what Toph had done this time to get Katara mad. She peered over the saddle, and Katara had a parchment in her hand, and she held it in front of Toph as if she could read it.

"Where did you get that?" Toph demanded.

"It doesn't matter where I got it. The fact is-" Katara retorted.

"YOU WENT THROUGH MY STUFF! You had no right!" Toph accused, trying to justify her point. Katara rolled her eyes. "Your stuff was messy, and I was just straightening up, and I happened to stumble across it!"

"That's a lie! You're LYING, Katara!" Toph pointed her finger at Katara's face, right up to her nose. Akemi blinked in surprise; she was pretty convinced that Katara was telling the truth. Maybe she trained herself to lie since Toph came into the picture; she'd have to ask about helping her to do that. She slid down Appa and took a spot next to Aang, who looked almost frightened at their argument.

Katara pushed Toph's finger away. "Fine! It's a lie! But you've been so out of control lately!" She gripped her head in frustration. "I KNEW something was up! I knew you were hiding something, and you were." Toph swatted the paper out of her hands violently and stormed past her like she did earlier. Katara wasn't backing down from her lecture,

"DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME WHILE I'M TALKING TO YOU!" Akemi could've sworn she acted like a mama platypus-bear.

Toph paused in her tracks. "Oh, really, mom? What're you going to do? Send me to my room?" Things were getting out of hand.

"I wish I COULD!"

"Well, you CAN'T!" Toph stomped her foot heatedly. "Because you're not MY mom, and you're not THEIR mom!" The trio watching looked at each other nervously, now that Toph had dragged them into the argument. Katara looked appalled by Toph's conclusion. " I never said I was!"

Toph furrowed her brows. "No, but you certainly act like it! You think it's your job to boss everyone around, but it's not! You're just a regular kid like the rest of us! So stop ACTING like you can tell me what to do! I can do WHATEVER I WANT!" Toph's rebuttal seemed to hit home, because Katara fell silent as she processed what Toph just said.

"I don't act that way...SOKKA do I act motherly?" Katara turned her head in Sokka's direction, who jumped out of his spot in fear. He held his hands up in defense. "Hey, I'm staying out of this one!" She turned her attention to Aang. "What do you think, Aang? Do I act like a mom?"

Aang rubbed his eye. "Well, I-" "STOP rubbing you eye and speak clearly when you talk!" "Yes, ma'am!"

Akemi would've laughed at Katara proving exactly what Toph accused her of if the situation weren't so serious right now. She guilped when Katara's eyes turned in her direction. "How about you, Akemi? Do I seem like a mother to you?" She thought for a moment and broke eye contact with Katara.

"I'm not sure. My mother didn't prefer to be around me."

Katara's expression softened. Everyone seemed moved by her statement.

"I CAN'T BE AROUND YOU RIGHT NOW!" Toph shouted and stormed away. "WELL, I CAN'T BE AROUND YOU!" Katara retorted and stormed the opposite direction. The hawk on Sokka's shoulder, which Akemi just realized was there and wondered where it came from, crowed as if he were disappointed by the two girls.

"I know, Hawkie. Why can't they just get along?"

Hawkie? Typical Sokka, to give such a generic name for a hawk...


It was sunset, and the girls still hadn't made up. They sat on opposite sides on the area they resided. The other three sat at a distance while overlooking the two.

Sokka's head perked up. "Hey, Aang! Akemi!" Said-people turned their heads to Sokka in question. "You guys wanna help test out my messenger hawk with me? I've got an idea!"

Aang smiled. "Sure!" Akemi shrugged. "Alright..."

Sokka leaned in towards both of them. "I'm gonna send a note to Katara, and say it's from Toph, who wants to apologize. Then everyone will be friends again!" Akemi raised one brow. She opened her mouth to tell them otherwise, but then closed it and rather watch his plan go up in flames so he could learn a lesson.

"I gotta say, Sokka! You continue to impress me with your ideas!"

"It's a gift."

While they were keen to the idea, Akemi turned her head opposite of where they were and face-palmed. She shook her head in disappointment; she had expected Aang to have a better understanding of what's wrong with Sokka's idea. In the end, her expectations were lowered.

Sokka wasn't joking about this idea. He took out a brush with ink and a parchment. "Dear, Katara...sorry for everything...your friend, Toph." he read the note aloud while writing it, then rolled the parchment up neatly before sticking it in the tube on Hawkie's back. He pointed to Katara and the hawk flew over next to the girl, who looked confused. Katara took out the parchment and read it. She stood and turned to them.

"I KNOW THIS IS FROM YOU, SOKKA!" The boys froze. "Toph can't write! UGH! You're all driving me CRAZY!" She ripped up the parchment and disappeared down the hill. The boys both seemed to realize their mistake as they grew dumbfounded looks while Akemi was enjoying their moment of stupidity.

Aang threw his arms up in defeat. "I can't believe we forgot Toph can't write!"

Sokka sighed. "Yup, we're idiots."

"I know you guys are worried for them, but come on." Akemi crossed her arms with a smirk. "That's no reason to forget about your common sense." Sokka narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"You knew about this the whole time, didn't you." Akemi laughed. "Couldn't resist." Sokka frowned in annoyance. Aang looked in Toph's direction.

"I guess plan B's to send a note to Toph, pretending it's from Katara." Aang informed. Akemi slapped both hands over her face and fell onto her back. The boys seemed to question her antics. Sokka glanced where Toph sat and shook his head.

"I think we're gonna run into a similar problem. Sorry, Hawkie. Looks like I'm gonna have to do this without your help." He placed the bird down between Aang and Akemi and walked towards Toph.


Sokka took Toph somewhere else to talk, while Katara went somewhere else; Akemi's best bet was to go bathe to ease stress. So she was left alone with Aang, whom she hadn't gotten to catch up with since she was united with them. They sat against Appa's side, who was asleep. Momo was content as he was curled up against Akemi's leg as she pet his fur.

Akemi let out a loud sigh and looked towards Aang. His brows were tightened together and he looked upset.

"Don't worry, Aang. They'll make up." Akemi assured Aang.

He turned in her direction, not looking the slightest bit comforted. "How do you know? How do you KNOW they'll make up?" He was edgy and anxious about the friendship being tested between Toph and Katara. Akemi sighed in understanding.

"Aang..."

"You and I don't know if they'll ever make up!" Aang sat up and turned in her direction. "They may never make up at all! I can't see into the future, and neither can you! For all we know, their friendship may be over!"

Akemi abruptly put her hands on Aang's shoulders and shook him lightly to get his attention. "Aang. They won't split. If I know them well, Katara's too soft to hold a grudge, and Toph...she seems like she can only stay angry for a while, but never hold a grudge."

Aang silently looked down in his lap and rubbed his eye. She understood that he was starting to get stressed because the world was still at stake and his friends were already fighting. He had a lot on his shoulders, already.

"Aang." Aang glanced up. Akemi stared directly into his eyes, never breaking eye contact. "Do you trust me?" she asked sternly. Aang nodded slowly like a small child, receiving a smile from Akemi.

"Then you don't have to worry about them not being friends, anymore." She released his shoulders and laid against Appa again. "If anything, they're lik Yin and Yang; while they may not be the same, they still complete and balance each other out. In a way, they rely on each other." Aang seemed more convinced; there was something about her that made him comforted. She had an aura everyone could feel...like she was someone that anyone can look to her during their hardest times.

Akemi heard footsteps coming in their general direction. She turned her head to the side to see Katara trudging towards them, not looking angry, but now looking saddened about something. Akemi furrowed her brows in concern. "Katara, are you alright?" Katara, who then just noticed the other two, snapped out of her trance and smiled half-heartedly.

"Just fine. Has Toph come back, yet? I need to talk to her." Katara asked. Akemi could only guess she wanted to apologize to her. Aang sat up and rested his arms on his knees. "Sokka took her out for a walk a while ago. I think to talk to her." Katara's lip twitched and stared at the ground again.

"Oh...okay." She sighed and walked over to them, and took a spot in front of Akemi. Momo leaped over towards Katara's side, who pet his head affectionately. Momo let out a content growl and curled up next to her. Who knows what Katara was thinking about, right now? She's probably feeling guilty about her fight with Toph.

A few minutes later, more footsteps were heard. Katara looked up and saw Toph and Sokka finally arriving. She stood and came up to them, stopping them midway. "Toph, um...I wanna-"

Suddenly, Toph held a hand up to stop her. "Katara, stop. You don't need to apologize. I was the one being stupid; these scams are out of control and I'm done with them." Akemi was surprised that Toph would be the first to apologize, but smiled warmly. Katara had a sly look on her face, however.

"Actually, I wasn't going to apologize. I was going to say, 'I wanna pull a scam with you'." For the first time in her life, Toph was morally shocked. Sokka and Aang were more affected by Katara's response. And Akemi...her jaw dropped to the ground. The three were behind Katara the entire time when the girls started to make amends so it was natural for them to overhear that.

"What? You wanna pull a scam?" Toph didn't even try to hide her shock. Katara's grin grew even more. "Not just any scam...the ULTIMATE SCAM!"

The three behind her gave each other disbelieving looks, then Aang and Sokka promptly fainted from shock, foam spilling from the side of their mouths. Akemi stood between them, and she was still frozen with the same expression. Toph and Katara didn't seem to notice or were just secretly enjoying their reactions.

Katara put an arm around Toph's shoulders and the other reassuring hand in front of her shoulder. Toph was already liking the idea. "What do you say, Toph? Me and you, one last go! You in?" The blind earthbender was always up for a challenge, even with scams. Toph's grin didn't falter. "You KNOW I'm in!" As they walked away, she asked, "Now, what's this idea of yours?"

Akemi promptly fainted.


Aang paced around in worry at the camp. He was wondering what was taking the girls so long to collect the reward. A gut feeling told him they were in trouble. Akemi was sitting next to Sokka, while petting the side of the hawk's head with a finger, that seemed to be enjoying it. She was also concerned as well; she too had a terrible feeling they were in danger.

"Do you think this scam of theirs should be taking this long?" Aang wondered, still pacing. Sokka wasn't less worried than him. "I was just wondering the same thing..." Akemi stopped petting the bird and abruptly stood up.

"I'm going to look for them." She concluded and started fast-walking towards the town. Sokka decided to follow her lead.

"We better check it out." Sokka placed the hawk next to Momo, "You two behave. Appa's in charge!" Akemi didn't know what good that'll do, but decided not to question. The two boys quickened their pace to catch up to where Akemi waited for them, and they left.

As they entered the town, they all knew something was wrong. Very wrong; it was too quiet, and nobody was around. Akemi was getting nervous as she looked around every corner. The alleyways were also empty. It was like the town had suddenly become a ghost town, but it didn't look like the people abandoned their shops or small homes. So where were they?

As they saw the plaza up ahead, Sokka commented, "Where do you think they may be?"

"Where do you think anyone is?" Aang chipped in.

Akemi was cautious as she looked around, looking for signs of danger. Her shoulders were tensed as if she were ready to fight when necessary. "Guys, be careful. I have a really bad feeling about this." An uneasy feeling settled for the first time in a long time.

Aang was concerned; if bad things truly did happen when Akemi suspected it, then something must of happened to Toph and Katara during their attempt at their scam.

Akemi swore she heard a faint 'clank'. At that same moment, Aang stopped.

"SOKKA, AKEMI! WATCH OUT!" Aang pulled them out of the way as an explosion erupted where they once stood. Akemi wondered what had caused such a blast until she heard,

"It's sparky-sparky-boom man!"

"Y'know, I'm starting to think that name doesn't quite fit!"

Akemi followed their eyes to the source and her eyes widened. This man was HUGE! He didn't look too friendly, either. This was the assassin they must've been talking about. The question is, if it was him who had caused it, how had he caused that explosion back there? It didn't feel like firebending back there...

The man jumped down and landed with a powerful 'thud'. Akemi mentally gulped, already feeling intimidated by the man. She noticed the metal prosthetic arm and leg on him. This man clearly screamed 'assassin' and 'dangerous'. The man took a deep breath and reared up. Akemi had no idea what was going on until Aang grabbed her arm and pulled her with him and Sokka out of the way as another explosion erupted.

'That WAS firebending! But...to do it from his forehead...and combustion...I never thought about firebending that way!' Akemi was amazed at this man's power even though he was trying to kill them. She was being dragged by Aang as they ran as fast as they could around a corner, where they were flung forward by another explosion from the assassin.

She refused to refer to him as 'Sparky-Sparky-Boom Man'. It was mediocre and childish for her tastes.

Akemi and Sokka landed in the wagon ungracefully as Aang airbended to the ground and ran to them. He helped both of them up as they hid behind it from view of the assassin coming after them.

"This guy is too good! He shoots fire from his BRAIN!" Sokka exclaimed while tapping his forehead for emphasis.

"He's a really powerful firebender! I never thought about combustion for firebending; this guy must be a genius..." Akemi added.

Aang started to come up with a plan. "We should split up! He can't chase us all!"

They jumped to the sides just as another explosion. Akemi had ducked in the direction Aang went instinctively, but she noticed he wasn't there anymore; probably to lead him off. She saw another explosion erupt from the distance and Aang's cry. Her eyes widened and she propelled herself down the alleyway quickly. She saw Aang land on the ground, then the assassin, who was ready to finish him off.

"AANG!"

She jumped, picked Aang up, and jumped out of the way as another explosion went off where Aang would've been eliminated.

Aang, barely conscious, was aware he was being carried. He opened his eyes and saw Akemi was holding him bridal style with no difficulty as they were still in the air from her jumping away. That all ended when the assassin reared up and was ready to finish them off. Akemi shut her eyes and turned her back against the man so Aang was protected in a way he would have a chance to survive, if possible.

At that moment, the assassin's head was covered with ice to prevent him from attacking again. They both looked back to see Sokka with Toph and Katara, safe and unharmed. Katara's eyes widened at Aang in concern, but she knew they had to move quick.

Akemi didn't put Aang down, since it would waste time that they needed, so she carried him as they ran down an alleyway as fast as they could. Aang wasn't very heavy to her, so she was still able to keep up with the others. The assassin destroyed the ice surrounding his head with his arms no problem and inhaled deeply. Toph, who had been running behind Akemi the entire time, earthbended a boulder to the man to slow him and his attack down.

The boulder exploded halfway, stopping the attack, but a small pebble kept going until it hit the center of the tattoo where he was firebending from. He doubled over in pain, losing his concentration for a moment, before getting back up. He snarled, but his firebending turned against him as he intended to send another blast towards them. It blew up in front of him and he flew back towards the wall. When he got back up, he realized the kids had gotten away.

Sokka, while they were running for their dear lives, suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, I got it! The perfect name for that guy: COMBUSTION MAN!"

Akemi actually liked that name.

"Good job, Sokka! Now let's get out of here before Combustion Man catches us!" Toph either wasn't in the mood to think about the name or liked it, she seemed to stick with it.

"See? It fits so well!"


Everyone was tired after the events today.

Akemi decided to take a spot cuddling against Appa's side. She yawned deeply and stared at the stars that started to appear in the night sky; since she'd broken out of prison, she never really took the time to stop and stare at them.

Aang walked up to her. "Akemi." She looked in his direction. "Thank you, for saving me earlier, today."

She smiled. "Don't say like I didn't have to do it. You should've known I was going to do that." He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'll try to remember that next time. I didn't think you were so strong, by the way."

Akemi rubbed her arms. "Thanks. Sleep well, Aang." Aang nodded and left to get ready to rest. She sighed deeply, shutting her eyes as she felt exhaustion overwhelming her.

However, she still wondered who had sent an assassin after them. The whole world supposedly knew he was dead except for everyone in the group.


Has anyone watched the Legend of Korra series? I loved it, but the season finale felt rushed even if Mike and Bryan intended to only have one season. Mako and Korra fell in love too fast. But I'm really excited to hear that there's going to be two more seasons!

On the side note: I started a Fullmetal Alchemist fanfiction a long time ago(I believe it was going to be an eventual EdxOC...), but gave up on it to focus on this story first. Now I'm thinking I'll start on it either near the end of this fanfiction or after I finish it. I don't know; depends if I'm up to it.

However, I want to ask: would you read that story if I were to write it?