Chapter 20

Wowww I can't believe i'm already of chapter 20! Thank you for all the support, it inspires me to write more and I think without all the great reviews, I would DEFINATELY not be this far in so thank you so much for that! I'm still not sure when I want to end the story, I think I just really like Joy as an OC and I don't want to let her go! I really liked the idea of Joy and Mai having a friendship because I think they're pretty alike so I'm looking forwards to building on that.

-oOo-

She was drowning in the blackness. It went further than her sightless eyes. Deeper, reaching her mind. She couldn't call out, she could barely move. Toph cried silently, deepening her hatred for the man keeping her in this...cupboard. The man keeping her away from her sister. If she knew anything, it was that this chain of events was enough to drive Joy back into insanity. The balance they had worked hard to restore in the girl would be lost.

Toph sighed and leaned back, which was no comfort, owing to the buckles on Shin-fu's jacket. The buckles on Shin-Fu's jacket...

The buckles.

Sure, she was still partially chi-blocked, but if she had learned to metalbend, a feat that had been previously deemed impossible, then she could do this. She took a couple of concentrated breaths then twisted her arm so that she could touch one of the buckles. She ran her thumb across the smooth metal, focussing, willing it to bend...

The buckle began to be mouldable, she shaped it into a sharp point then, without a chance of hesitation, she jabbed it hard into her captor's leg.

-oOo-

On the other side of the wall, the defeated Joy sat where her sister had been held, running her fingers along the wood. Where now? How could they possibly find her now?

A man's yell punctuated the room. Everyone jumped then quickly turned to look at the opposite wall. The cry of pain had definitely come from there. Zuko neared the wall and felt it. He detected a small seam and dug his fingernails into it. The panel slid open.

-oOo-

The panel slid open. It had worked. The knife she had fashioned out of the buckle was deep in Shin-fu's leg. Toph felt hands grab her and pull her out of the alcove. Her gag and cuffs were removed. Joy's soft skin was all she could feel. All she wanted. The sisters held onto each other and silently promised not to be torn apart again.

Still trying to deal with the knife, or buckle, in his leg, Shin- fu wasn't prepared for the blow to the head that knocked him unconscious.

"Let's get out of here."

As soon as they reached the clear noon air on their faces, the whole group slumped and sighed, not missing the musty house.

"Are you hurt?" Joy's worries had not deteriorated. If they had hurt her... they would pay.

"I'm fine." the calm in the atmosphere felt absolute. Nothing could go wrong now. How false the calm could be.

The ground trembled, as if from a sudden earthquake. Or earthbender. Shin-fu's face was twisted in fury. He was looking to destroy. IT was Joy who stood and faced him. She might have been 3 feet shorter, thin, delicate looking, but her figure was a threatening one. The katana unsheathed, eyes set. It was clear to everyone that this was her fight.

Another tremor in the earth. Then a boulder flew at Joy's head, but it was all too predictable . Dodging it didn't take a second thought. The swordswoman stayed purely defensive, not striking any blows, but edging her way steadily closer, darkness in her eyes. Another rock, less expected aimed for her chest. Unable to dodge, it made its way towards her, as if in slow motion. Surprising everyone, Joy cut clean through it. Her power was controlled and precise she was unbeatable.

She must have been 2 feet away from him when she finally acted. Her leg targeted the centre of his torso, a strong kick forcing him onto his back. Joy jumped forwards and landed, a foot on each arm, pinning him down. He was helpless. The only emotion on her face was hatred. She wanted to end him. The sword was positioned over his heart, seconds away from entering his chest.

For the first time, she hesitated. Her hands shook on the katana handle. She had been so sure she wanted to do this, but now. For the first time, Joy really thought about death. What would have happened if she had managed to take her own life those years ago. Would Toph have gone on for the rest of her life without knowing of her existence? She couldn't do it now. The weapon dropped to the floor. She felt her eyes black out.

-oOo-

Movement rocked Joy awake. She seemed to be in the back of a carriage. Toph's relieved face was the first to come into focus. "Where's Shin-fu?" she had to know. The reply was welcome. "The police have him. I understand that was a difficult decision back there."

her words felt comforting. She didn't know how to respond. Instead, she said "Where are we going? Back to Ba Sing Se?"

"No. to the South Pole."

-oOo-

Writing that fight was very much inspired by the idea of neutral-jing. I thing Joy has the control to master it.

Have a nice day and *nudges annoyingly* maybe review? :p