Book Three: Fire
Chapter 7: Scams Too Far
In a Fire Nation fountain city where a statue of Fire Lord Ozai is roaring flames out of his mouth and fists two people are running away and they're Toph and Jiba but as they keep running they get caught with two nets knocking them down and they glare at two figures angrily.
"How could you two do this to us?!" Toph demanded.
"You assholes betrayed us!" Jiba yelled.
The figures turn out to be Erza and Katara glaring at the blind twins.
"You two have brought this upon yourselves." Erza said.
"We had no choice." Katara said as the two are dragged away in their nets.
Three days earlier
Erza, Katara, Toph, and Jiba are facing each other and taking their fighting stances while Aang has his headband over his eyes like a blindfold.
"Okay, I'm ready!" Aang said while taking Toph's stance and takes two steps and starts feeling vibrations from the ground with seismic senses and dodges three earth pillars.
Aang then hears water coming at him as well as flying swords so Aang redirects the water back at Katara while using Airbending to deflect the swords from Erza but then he feels something chilly and senses ice shards coming at him and so Aang creates an earth shield to block the ice shards from Gray and then launches a boulder at Toph and Jiba who stop it.
"Good job, Twinkle Toes. Visualize and attack." Toph said as she and Jiba launch the boulder back at Aang who burrows into a hole with Earthbending.
The boulder goes for Katara but Erza manages to destroy the boulder.
"Maybe you two should be taking your own advice!" Erza yelled.
"Oops, soooorry, Miss Bossy Bitch." Jiba said.
"What, can't handle a little dirt?" Toph asked making Katara and Erza twitch their eyebrows while a vein appears on Katara's forehead.
Katara creates a huge wave and sends it at the twins getting them splashed.
"Sorry. Did I splash you, Mudslugs?" Katara asked creating an ice ramp while Toph makes an earth ramp and they go straight for each other.
"Girls, let's calm down and..." Gray stops talking as both Katara and Toph are sent flying. "...never mind." Gray said annoyed.
"Are we taking a break?" Aang asked.
"No." Erza said.
"Yes!" Jiba said.
"No one asked you!" Erza said.
"I ask myself, bitch!" Jiba said but Erza enters Lightning Empress Armor and unleashes lightning at Jiba who makes an earth shield. "That how ya wanna play, bitch?! Bring it!" Jiba yelled as he makes an earth ramp going for Erza who flies at him and they proceed to attack.
"Okay, this is gettin' outta hand." Gray said.
"Should we do something?" Wendy asked.
"Nah, it's fun watchin' them beat the crap outta each other until they go down." Natsu said.
"You're horrible." Gray said.
"Shut the hell up!" Natsu yelled.
Sokka hides behind them with an evil smile and begins to charge at Aang.
"Sneak attack!" Sokka yelled running at Aang who is still not looking at Sokka and creates an earth shield stopping the warrior and making him fall down.
"Sokka, sneak attacks don't work if you yell it out loud." Aang said raising his blindfold.
"The kid isn't stupid, you know." Gray said.
Katara and Toph are wrestling in a mud puddle.
"Hungry for a mud pie?" Toph asked throwing mud at Katara's face.
"I'll show YOU a mud pie!" Katara yelled bending a stream of mud at Toph who makes an earth pillar under the Waterbender and sends her flying to a wall.
Jiba flies to the mud puddle by Erza who creates more lightning at the Earthbender but both Jiba and Toph make an earth pillar under Erza who flies to dodge and unleashes more lightning to attack while Katara runs to help Erza and they run for the twins.
"HEY!" Happy called making the four stop.
"I thought you were supposed to be training Aang." Wendy said.
"Yes, well, that's enough training today." Erza said reverting back to her Fire Nation clothes.
"I agree. We will continue tomorrow, pupil." Katara said as they walk away.
"While Katara and Erza clean up, let's go have some fun." Toph said as she and Jiba bend mud off them.
"FINALLY!" Jiba cheered.
"Yeah!" Aang and Sokka cheer.
"What's exactly FUN at this stupid place?" Gray asked.
"Anything can be fun at that fountain city." Wendy said.
"Well, you morons can have fun. I'M gonna take a nap." Natsu said.
"Shocker." Gray said bluntly.
"Okay, guys, let's go." Toph said.
Aang, Toph, Jiba, Gray, Wendy, and Sokka walk through the Fire Nation fountain city and as they're walking Sokka finds messenger hawks flying in and out of a large coop.
"Look at all these messenger hawks! You know, I've been thinking about getting one for myself. That way, I wouldn't have to talk to anyone. I can send them messages." Sokka said.
"Gotta say, I like the idea of NOT talking to you." Toph said making Sokka glare at her.
"Good one, sis." Jiba said.
"Why do you even need a hawk? We already have enough flying animals with us as it is." Gray said.
"So, what're we gonna do with our last silver piece?" Aang asked.
"We could get more money." Toph said as she stops walking.
"How and where?" Wendy asked.
"Right there." Toph said pointing at an area beneath them and Aang, Sokka, and Gray look at what she's pointing at.
The area has a table with two men sitting across each other with many people around them watching the action and the table has three shells on it and are upside-down as the first man places some money on the table and the second man lifts the shells to reveal a small rock in the middle before placing them back down and starts moving them around.
"THIS is where we can get quick money? A scummy place like this?" Gray asked.
"Yep. See, this is where you seeing people are at a disadvantage. Everyone guesses wrong because that dealer moves the rock at the last minute." Toph said.
"And you obviously feel it with your Earthbending." Gray said.
"Got that right, Icy." Jiba said.
The scammer continues to move the shells around while the gambler focuses on the shell with the rock and before stopping the scammer quickly Earthbends the rock into his sleeve and then stops ta shells completely as the gambler guesses and points at the middle shell but the scammer lifts it up to reveal nothing making the gambler walk away sadly and crying.
"Scum." Gray said.
Toph is among the crowd and the scammer sees her and that she's blind.
"You there, how would you like to play a friendly game?" The dealer asked.
"How could I possibly play? I'm blind." Toph said pretending to be naive while waving her hands in front of her face.
"You don't have to see to be lucky." The dealer said.
Toph sits down and feels around the table while pretending to be helpless and places her last silver piece on the table and the scammer shows the rock under the shell and starts moving the shells around but then bends the rock into his sleeve and into the other two shells but Toph senses it and smiles slyly and as the dealer stops moving the shells Toph points at the left shell revealing the rock and wins two silver pieces.
"Way to go, sis!" Jiba cheered.
"Flamey-O, Toph!" Aang cheered.
"Not THAT again!" Gray said.
"Fancy guessing. You're amazing at this. Would you like to make the game a little more interesting?" The dealer asked.
"More interesting? How?" Toph asked.
"Well, let's say you toss in your friend's sword and then I'll pay up twenty silver pieces against it and that's more interesting." The dealer said holding a sack of silver pieces.
"I'll do it for forty silver pieces." Toph said taking Sokka's sword while Sokka drops his mouth agape.
"Forty silver pieces it is." The dealer said dropping more money into the bag and starts moving the shells faster this time.
The scammer moves the first two rocks into his sleeves which Toph senses and smiles slyly again and as the scammer attempts to do the same with the third rock Toph clutches her fist making the rock move back underneath the shell which the scammer does not notice and as he stops Toph points at the middle shell.
"Sorry, little lady, but..." The scammer stops talking lifting the shell but sees the rock. "What?!" The scammer asked.
"I won!" Toph cheered taking Sokka's sword and the bag of money and they start moving.
Later Aang, Toph, Jiba, Gray, Wendy, and Sokka return to camp where they're carrying baskets full of goods while Katara and Erza are cooking something in a pot and the six drop their goods on the ground.
"Where did you get the money to buy all this?" Erza asked.
"Toph got us money." Aang said.
"She scammed one of those idiots in town, who moves the shells around." Gray said.
"She used her Earthbending to win the game. Classic!" Sokka said.
"So, in other words, she cheated." Katara said.
"Hey, she cheated because that asswipe was cheating!" Jiba said.
"I cheated and cheater! What's wrong with that?" Toph asked.
"This is something we shouldn't make a habit of doing." Erza said.
"Why? 'Cause it's fun and you two hate fun?" Toph asked.
"I don't hate fun! I love fun." Katara said putting Momo on her head. " See? Fun." Katara said but Momo gets off her and runs off.
"That wasn't trying too hard or anything." Happy said.
"Watch it, cat!" Katara said.
"You will promise me you will NOT be doing these scams anymore!" Erza said.
"Erza, I'll personally make you an Avatar Promise that we won't make a habit of doing these scams." Aang said bowing.
Later Aang is doing tricks with his money and runs off while a few citizens are playing dice and they see Toph with a bag of money and call her over and she tosses the dice and one of them lands on three while the second die is going from three to zero but Toph twitches her head slightly without others seeing her making the die go to three making her the winner much to Aang's, Sokka's, and Gray's joy while Natsu smirks at the win.
A carnival is being hosted and a big man is doing a test-your-strength game and uses a hammer to make the ball go up to reach the bell but the ball reaches halfway and so Jiba walks over with the bag of money as the others are watching him and he takes the hammer but pretends to struggle with it making the bystanders snicker but Jiba smirks and uses his Earthbending to launch the hammer's head from behind him to the lever with great force launching the ball so hard that it hits the bell but the ball is sent flying making everyone shocked while Toph smirks at her brother and they take their winnings and leave as the ball destroys the tent .
On the street a carriage is being pulled by a dragon-moose and in the carriage is a noble enjoying his tea but Toph and Jiba emerge from a dark alley and they smile at each other and they create a small rock right in front of the carriage's wheels making it stop and the twins lie on the ground pretending to be hit and the noble peeks out his window to see the twins on the ground and tries to run only to be stopped by Sokka who is in his Wang Fire costume while Gray and Natsu are in Fire Nation uniforms and they're all angry at the noble who gets on his knees and begs to the three and gives them twelve pieces as bribery and they all wink to agree to keep it a secret.
Back at camp Erza and Katara find the gang.
"Everyone, we need to have a serious talk." Erza said.
"Here we go..." Gray said.
"Shut up, Gray!" Erza yelled.
"Yes, ma'am..." Gray said.
"Guys, look, I think these scams have gone too far. If you keep doing them, something bad is gonna happen." Katara said.
"Could you two stop being a sourpuss and just lighten up?" Toph asked throwing a sack of money at Katara.
"Seriously. I mean, Spiky's still an asshole, but he's havin' fun." Jiba said.
"Only 'cause I got nothin' better to do." Natsu said sleeping and not caring.
"So what you're saying is that I should be more like you two. Like some kind of wild child." Katara said throwing the money back.
"Yeah! You'd see how great we have it! Look at us, we're travelling around the world, making easy money, and no parents telling us what to do." Toph said.
"It's awesome!" Jiba said.
"I see. This is about your parents, isn't it?" Erza asked.
"Whatever." Toph and Jiba said.
"They were controlling over you both so you ran away and now you're acting like your parents don't exist. You act like you hate them, but you don't You feel guilty." Katara said.
"I DO hate them." Toph said.
"Same here." Jiba said.
"You two should be grateful that you at least have parents! They might have been controlling your lives, but they kept you in their house because they meant well and they care about you! You two actually do miss them, but you don't want to admit that so you decide to act out of control!" Erza said.
"Shut the hell up! You don't know a damn thing about us!" Jiba yelled.
"We ran away to help Aang, nothing more!" Toph said.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter. These scams have put us all at risk and we don't need that. Let's not forget that Luke has Lucy revived and still under his thumb and they could appear any second to make her destroy us. Not to mention, there's that third-eyed freak still after us." Katara said.
"Stop talking about Lucy!" Natsu yelled.
"You need to accept that so we can try and save her, you oaf!" Erza yelled.
"Hey, speaking of that third-eyed freak, I finally came up with a good name for him." Sokka said.
"I'm gonna regret asking, but what name?" Gray asked.
"Sparky Sparky Boom Man." Sokka said.
"And I regret asking." Gray said.
"Hey, c'mon, think about it." Sokka said.
"Enough! We have enough money as it is and this needs to end!" Erza yelled.
"We'll stop WHEN we wanna stop!" Toph yelled back.
"Yeah and ya can't make us!" Jiba yelled as they use their Earthbending to make earth tents.
"Infuriating." Erza said as she and Katara walk off.
"Well, speaking of money, I'm off to spend some. See ya." Sokka said leaving.
Later Sokka has a messenger hawk on his soulder.
"Okay, Hawky, welcome to Team Celestial Avatar. I'm Sokka, your new owner and as such, I should warn you that we have a lemur and two cats in our group, so I don't wanna see any fighting." Sokka said and Hawky screeches. "Good messenger hawk. Who's got pretty feathers?" Sokka asked but as he keeps walking he finds what looks like a poster and it has Toph's and Jiba's faces on the poster making him gasp in horror while taking the poster and Hawky screeches. "You're right, Hawky. This is bad." Sokka said as Hawky poops on Sokka's arm.
Meanwhile Luke and Lucy arrive at the Fire Nation fountain city using Zeke's magic.
"Okay, trash, here's what we're gonna do; according to Zeke's pinpointing, we know that these flies and those annoying benders are around here in the city. All we have to do now is wait for our moment to strike and then, you kill them." Luke said and Lucy nods. "Good, slave, now let's go." Luke said.
Back at camp Katara and Aang are training together with Waterbending while Wendy is playing with Carla while Gray and Erza are training together and clashing swords while Natsu is still napping not caring while Toph and Jiba are counting their money and then Sokka comes to her.
"Toph, Jiba, while I was in town, I found something you're not gonna like." Sokka said pulling out the wanted poster and shows them.
"Um, what?" Jiba asked.
"It sounded like a sheet of paper, but I think you're trying to refer to WHAT'S on the paper." Toph said.
"Just say what you're gonna say." Jiba said.
"It's a wanted poster of you two. They've nicknamed you guys the Runaways." Sokka said.
"A wanted poster of us? That's great!" Toph said.
"Yeah, kickass! I also love our new names. 'The Runaways'!" Jiba said.
"Is there a picture of us? Are they good?" Toph asked.
Sokka looks at the poster and then at Toph and Jiba to see the similarities.
"Well, yeah, actually, it does look pretty good. But you guys are missing the point. Katara and Erza might be right. These scams are drawing us more attention." Sokka said.
"Pfft, don't be such a worrywart like those two." Jiba said.
"Think of it this way; now you've got plenty more money to help with the invasion plan." Toph said jiggling the money bag.
"Well, that's true and I had this idea to give Appa some new armor." Sokka said as Appa opens one eye when hearing what Sokka just said.
"Here's a little extra." Toph said giving some more money to Sokka.
"Get yourself a nice map of the Fire Nation or better yet, an atlas." Jiba said.
"I do like expensive atlases." Sokka said taking the money.
"Of course you do and this will be our little secret." Toph said taking the poster and the twins leave.
Aang, Katara, Erza, and Gray go to Sokka.
"You bought that damn bird, didn't you?" Gray asked annoyed.
"Why?" Katara asked face palming annoyed.
"It's not just a bird, a messenger bird. We can send messages all over the world, including Gran Gran." Sokka said.
"We don't need a messenger bird." Erza said.
"C'mon, Erza. It won't hurt. So, how does it work?" Aang asked.
"I never actually thought about that. Hawky, Gran Gran, South Pole." Sokka said but Hawky shakes its head. "I think he gets it." Sokka said.
Happy sees Hawky.
"Fire Nation hawk! Momo, let's get it!" Happy said as he and Momo go to Hawky and they start fighting.
"Hawky! Make nice! Bad Hawky!" Sokka berated.
"Happy, stop!" Wendy said.
"Nah, keep fightin', Hap." Natsu said still napping.
Later Katara and Erza are cooking and Katara uses her Waterbending to pull water out of the pot and to Appa who drinks it while Wendy is eating an apple while Gray is lying on the ground while Natsu is still napping while Aang is drinking something from a cup and then Sokka, Toph, and Jiba return.
"Well, look who decided to join us, Erza." Katara said.
"Where have you three been? Were you off scamming again?" Erza asked sternly.
"Yes we were." Toph said dropping her goods.
"And I suppose you don't think it's dangerous at all?" Katara asked.
"Nope." Jiba said.
"Is that so?" Erza asked.
"You mind telling us what THIS is?" Katara asked showing them the wanted poster.
"We DON'T KNOW! God, what is WRONG with you people?!" Jiba asked annoyed.
"We're both BLIND!" Toph said pointing at her eyes and pulling down her eyelids to remind them.
"This is a wanted poster of you two! 'The Runaways' as you both are called!" Erza said.
"Are you two proud of this?" Katara asked.
"Where the hell'd you get that?!" Jiba demanded.
"It doesn't matter where we got it. The fact is..." Katara was cut off.
"You went through our stuff and then you showed that poster to Erza!" Toph yelled.
"Your stuff was messy and I was straightening up when I came across it." Katara said.
"That's bullcrap!" Jiba yelled.
"You're lying, Katara!" Toph said pointing at the Waterbender.
"Fine, the truth is, she did find it and showed it to me and it was a good thing too! Your scams have been so out of control lately that we knew something was up!" Erza berated.
"You two were hiding something and this is going too far!" Katara yelled but Toph takes the poster and the twins walk off.
"Do NOT walk away when I am speaking to you two!" Erza yelled.
"Oh, really, Mom?! What're YOU gonna do, send us to our room?" Jiba asked.
"As a matter of fact, I can! Go to your room at once!" Erza yelled.
"Well, screw you! I ain't doin' it!" Jiba yelled.
"News flash, Erza, you're not our mom and you're NOT their mom!" Toph said addressing the others.
"Nobody said anything about Erza being a mother." Katara said.
"No, but she sure as hell acts like one." Jiba said.
"It's not just her, you act like one too, Sugar Queen! You two think it's your job to boss everyone around, but it's not! You're just a normal kid like the rest of us. Erza may be older than us, but she's nobody mother and she has no right to tell us what to do! We can do whatever we want!" Toph said.
"You insolent irritating child!" Erza yelled.
"I DON'T act motherly! Sokka, do I act motherly?" Katara asked.
"Hey, I'm stayin' out of this one." Sokka said.
"Gray, do I act motherly?" Erza asked.
"I'd rather not answer that..." Gray said.
"Wendy?" Erza asked.
"I really don't want to be involved in this confrontation..." Wendy said.
"We're not gonna bother with Natsu because he's gonna be a grump as usual." Katara said.
"Shut it! Here, to spare your feelings, you're both not motherly. Happy?" Natsu asked.
"Just shut up, Natsu!" Erza said.
"Aang, do Erza and I act like a mom?" Katara asked.
"Um, well..." Aang trails off while rubbing his eye.
"Stop rubbing your eye and speak clearly when you talk!" Erza ordered.
"Yes, ma'am!" Aang said sitting straight and same for Gray, Wendy, and Sokka.
"Case and point!" Jiba said.
"We can't be around you two." Toph said as they walk off.
"The feeling is mutual!" Erza said as she and Katara walk off.
Hawky flies and lands on Sokka's shoulder and screeches.
"I know, Hawky. Why can't they just get along?" Sokka asked.
Later they see Erza and Katara and Toph and Jiba sitting apart from each other.
"What are we gonna do now?" Wendy asked.
"We gotta get these four to make amends and stop fighting." Gray said.
"You guys wanna test out my new messenger hawk?" Sokka asked.
"Sure." Aang said.
"It better involve trying to get them to make amends." Gray said.
"It is. I'm gonna write a note to Katara and Erza and say it's from Toph and Jiba, who both want to apologize. Everyone will be friends again." Sokka said.
"Seriously?" Gray asked annoyed.
"That idea sounds impressive." Aang said.
"It won't work." Carla said.
"Won't know until we try." Sokka said as he takes out pen and ink and starts writing on paper. "'Dear Erza and Katara, sorry for everything. Your friends, Toph and Jiba'." Sokka said writing and then puts the paper in Hawky's message holder.
Hawky flies for Katara and Erza and they both read the note but Erza takes a rock and throws it at Sokka's head.
"We know this is from you, Sokka! Toph and Jiba both can't write!" Erza yelled tearing the paper.
"Ugh, you people are driving us crazy!" Katara said as they both walk off.
"I told you that wouldn't work." Carla said.
"You guys realize Toph and Jiba can't write, right?" Gray asked.
"I totally forgot that." Aang said.
"Yeah, we're idiots." Sokka said.
"You're just NOW figuring that out?" Natsu asked.
"Shut up, Natsu." Sokka said but Natsu flame punches his head.
"I have Plan B." Aang said.
"It better not involve sending a note to Toph and Jiba saying it's from Katara and Erza." Gray said.
"Never mind." Aang said.
"I think this is something Hawky can't do." Wendy said.
"You're right, Wendy. Gray, I'll need your help." Sokka said.
"You talk to Toph and I'll go to Jiba." Gray said.
Sokka and Gray go to Toph and Jiba.
"Hey, we need to talk." Gray said making the twins annoyed.
Erza and Katara are bathing in a lake below a cliff of the camp and above the cliff Sokka, Gray, Toph, and Jib sit at the cliff's edge.
"So lemme guess; you guys brought us out here to tell us that Katara and Erza aren't as annoying as we make them to be?" Toph asked.
"Nah, Katara can be a pain." Sokka said.
"And it's true Erza's bossy." Gray said.
Katara and Erza look up to see them and they both glare and look away.
"Katara has to be right about everything and she gets all bossy and involved and in your business." Sokka said.
"And Erza can be very demanding, fearsome, make threats if someone doesn't do what she wants." Gray said.
"How can you two deal with their crap?" Jiba asked.
"Actually, believe it or not, I rely on that." Sokka said.
"I don't understand." Toph said.
"When our mom died, that was the hardest time of my life. Our family was a mess, but Katara, she had so much strength. She stepped up and took on so much responsibilities. She helped fill the void that was left by our mom." Sokka said.
"I guess I never thought about that." Toph said.
"I'm gonna tell you something crazy. I never told anyone this, but honestly, I'm not sure I can remember what my mother looked like. It really seems like my whole life, Katara's been the one looking out for me. She's been the one that's there. And now, when I try to remember my mom, Katara's the only face I can picture." Sokka said and Katara tears up while Erza places her hand on the Waterbender's back for comfort.
"The truth is, sometimes, Katara does act motherly, but that's not always a bad thing. She's compassionate and kind and she really cares about me. The real me." Toph said wiping tears from her eyes.
"Ya know, I'm not the kinda guy who says this, but least Katara gives a crap about me and understands how I am. She can be bossy, but she does mean well." Jiba said and Katara sinks slightly into the water touched by the twins but Jiba punches Sokka's arm. "You better NOT tell anyone what I said!" Jiba said.
"Not even Katara!" Toph said.
"Hey, my lips are sealed." Sokka said.
"But what about Erza?" Jiba asked.
"Look, Erza may be bossy, but she's not a terrible person like you think. Before she joined Fairy Tail, she had people she viewed as her family after she lost her home. Her strict personality and serious demeanor is what makes her a very strong person and believe it or not, when our master is not around, she's there to make sure we're not hurting ourselves or being stupid. You may think she's controlling, but she does care for us and you two." Gray said and Erza looks down at the water while Katara comforts her.
"I guess you're right. Maybe there's a reason as to why she acts strict, but at the same time, she's very caring to us." Toph said.
"Yeah, guess I was kinda bein' an ass of myself. I'm just frustrated because I think she's tryin' to take our freedom, but that's not the case." Jiba said.
"Still, you two better NOT tell anyone." Toph said punching their arms.
"We won't say a word." Gray said.
"Yeah." Sokka said.
It's now nightfall and Erza and Katara are with Momo and Katara is petting the lemur's head but then they see Gray, Sokka, Toph, and Jiba returning and so the two walk to the twins.
"Hi, Toph, Jiba." Katara said.
"Listen, we need to talk..." Erza was cut off.
"Erza, stop. You don't have to say anything. I know you and Katara were going to apologize and you both don't need to. Jiba and I were the ones, where being stupid. You're right. The scams are out of control and we're done with them. Right?" Toph said turning to Jiba.
"Yeah. No more scams. We promise." Jiba said.
"Actually, we weren't going to apologize." Erza said.
"That's right. We talked and we decided...we wanna pull a scam with you two." Katara said shocking Aang, Gray, Sokka, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and even Natsu.
"What?!" Jiba asked shocked.
"YOU two wanna pull a scam?" Toph asked also shocked.
"Not just any scam." Katara said.
"We desire to create the ULTIMATE scam." Erza said shocking Aang, Gray, Sokka, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and Natsu even more and Sokka faints while foam forms in his mouth while Gray falls over.
"What do you two say? One more scam? Just the four of us?" Katara asked.
"Are you in?" Erza asked.
"Damn straight!" Jiba said.
"So, what's this idea of yours?" Toph asked.
The four look at the twins' wanted poster.
"This plan is simple: This wanted poster says you're worth a lot of money. Ten times more than you've made in all your scams." Erza said.
"So, what we're gonna do is we're gonna turn you two in and collect the reward. You two then Metalbend yourselves out of jail and we're on our way." Katara said.
Later Toph and Jiba are running from the authorities but they're trapped in nets.
"How could you two do this to us?!" Toph demanded.
"You assholes betrayed us!" Jiba yelled.
"You two have brought this upon yourselves." Erza said.
"We had no choice." Katara said as the two are dragged away in their nets but the two smile slyly of their plan.
"Phase one complete." Erza said and the authority chief joins them.
"You did the right thing by turning in the Runaways." The authority chief said.
"The right thing is its own reward." Erza said.
"Glad to hear that." The authority chief said.
"But seriously, we still want the actual reward." Katara said.
"Of course. Right this way." The authority chief said escorting the girls.
Toph and Jiba are dragged by a female guard and they're both thrown into a wooden cell and as the twins touch the floor they don't sense any earth.
"Hey, what the hell kinda cell is this?!" Jiba demanded.
"A wooden one." The female guard answered walking away.
"Oh, crap..." Jiba said.
"No..." Toph said.
In an office the authority chief takes out a box and looks around in it before joining Katara and Erza but then he closes the box as the door opens behind them.
"That's them! Those are the girls you're looking for!" The authority chief said.
"What?!" Erza asked and they turn to see the three-eyed assassin standing behind them. "You again!" Erza yelled.
"But how?" Katara asked.
"I knew you'd be here." A voice said and they see Luke behind the assassin.
"Luke!" Katara said with hate.
"Why are YOU here?!" Erza demanded.
"Isn't it obvious? I was looking for you and then I came across this guy and he's after Airhead so we figure kill two birds with one stone." Luke said smiling evilly.
Back at camp Sokka is pacing back and forth.
"Do you think their scam should be taking THIS long?" Wendy asked.
"I'm wondering the same thing." Aang said.
"Let's go see what's going on." Gray said.
"Hawky, Happy, Momo, behave. Carla and Appa are in charge." Sokka said as they leave.
"We're onto you, birdbrain." Happy said and Momo screeches in agreement but Hawky screeches back.
"Shut up, all of you!" Carla yelled while Appa roars at the three making them shut up. "Thank you, Appa." Carla said and Appa groans in response.
Meanwhile Erza and Katara are in the wooden cell with Toph and Jiba and Toph realizes something.
"It's a trap." Toph said.
"Really? How could we NOT know that?" Jiba asked.
"It's not for us, Jiba." Katara said.
"We're bait. That assailant and Luke are after Aang and with Luke here..." Erza stops talking.
"Lucy's here too!" Katara said.
"Indeed." Erza said.
"Ugh, this is why I'm against these scams. I knew this would happen." Katara said.
"This was our idea." Erza said.
"I know." Katara said.
"Why'd you two wanna pull a scam anyway?" Toph asked.
"Because we wanted to prove to you two that we can be fun and not be so motherly." Katara said.
"But you two are fun." Toph said.
"Really?" Erza asked.
"Yeah, if nothing else, you both fun to fight and argue with." Jiba said.
"We understand you relationship with your parents are complicated and we should not have brought them up." Erza said.
"We're sorry." Katara said.
"Actually, Jiba and I were mad you said that because...it's true. I do miss them. I try not to think about it, but when we left, we hurt them." Toph said crying.
"They can piss me off most of the time, but I kinda miss them." Jiba said looking away and Erza and Katara hug the twins.
Meanwhile Aang, Natsu, Gray, Wendy, and Sokka arrive at the town looking for the four but the whole town is empty.
"Where do you think they might be?" Aang asked.
"This place is a freakin' ghost town." Natsu said.
Just then the assassin is behind them and starts inhaling but Aang senses him while Natsu hears him.
"Move!" Natsu said shoving them out of the way while taking the assassin's combustion beam.
"It's Sparky Sparky Boom Man!" Aang said.
"That name is stupid." Gray said.
"Yeah, I'm starting to think it doesn't fit." Sokka said.
The assassin prepares another beam at the group but Natsu takes another blast and unleashes Fire Dragon's Roar to attacking the assassin knocking him back into a building behind him causing damage to the building.
"Nice move, Salamander." A voice said and they see Luke.
"Luke!" Aang said but then a monster plant rises from the ground to attack him but Aang uses Airbending to dodge the plant's attack.
"Now what?" Gray asked and they see someone with Luke and it's Lucy.
"Lucy!" Wendy said.
"She IS back!" Aang said.
"What did you do with her?!" Sokka demanded.
"Simple. Revived her and now she's under my power. She'll be your escort to the afterlife." Luke said.
"Like hell!" Gray yelled using Ice Make: Cannon and fires an ice blast at Luke but Lucy uses her tome to create a mirror to reflect the blast.
"Where'd she get a spellbook?" Sokka asked.
"Luke gave that to her to attack us." Wendy said.
"This stops now!" Natsu yelled charging at Luke but the assassin fires another beam at the Fire Dragon Slayer.
Wendy quickly uses Sky Dragon's Roar to create wind to blow away the assassin allowing Natsu to deliver a fire punch at Luke but Lucy delivers a slash with her sword to make Natsu back off.
"Luce, c'mon. Try to remember who your real friends are! That jerk's NOT your family! Fairy Tail's your family. Aang's your friend! Come back to us!" Natsu said but Lucy uses her tome to create multiple lightning bolts but Aang quickly makes an earth shield around Natsu.
The assassin then fires another blast at the Avatar while Lucy uses her Airbending to attack Aang who dodges.
"This is a nightmare...!" Aang said taking off his headband. "Look at this, Lucy! It's me! Aang. I'm fine! Katara saved me and I'm still here!" Aang said but Lucy sends out pixies to attack the Avatar.
"She's really dangerous." Sokka said trying to swat the pixies that bombard Sokka with magic.
Lucy unleashes more Airbending while the assassin unleashes another blast.
Katara, Erza, Toph, and Jiba are still in their wooden cage and they hear the fight going on.
"We need to help them." Erza said.
"But how? We need water or earth. You brought your sword?" Toph asked.
"I left mine at camp. Curse me." Erza said.
"And we sure as hell didn't bring our meteor bracelets." Jiba said.
"I was worried they'd take those." Toph said.
Katara wipes her forehead but then she sees sweat on her hands and she has an idea as she starts running in place.
"Uh, Katara, you okay?" Jiba asked.
"Just fine." Katara said still running.
"Then what are you doing?" Toph asked.
"Wait, you're making your own water!" Erza said as Katara is forming sweat.
"That's right!" Katara said as she stops running and wipes her forehead again and starts bending the sweat into a blade and starts cutting the wood.
"You're a genius, Katara!" Toph said.
"Yeah, a sweaty and stinky genius! I like that!" Jiba said as Katara keeps bending her sweat to break out.
Meanwhile Gray and Natsu fight off the assassin and Lucy who keep attacking with the assassin's beams while Lucy uses her Airbending and unleashing more spells from her tome.
"I know Lucy's good with magic, but why can't she be back on our side?" Sokka asked.
"That third-eyed asshole's not bad either. He can blow crap up with his brain!" Gray said.
"We should split up. Lucy's the one after me." Aang said.
"I'm goin' with ya." Natsu said.
"Then leave the assassin to me and Wendy." Gray said.
"What about me?" Sokka asked.
"Fine." Gray said.
The assassin fires a beam at the group but Aang and Natsu get away as Natsu unleashes a stream of flames to distract him.
"After them!" Luke said and Lucy goes after them.
Before the assassin could fire another beam Gray uses Ice Make: Floor to cover the ground with ice making the assassin slip and fall allowing Wendy to use Sky Dragon Wing Attack.
Aang and Natsu run from Lucy who uses Airbending to send Aang flying against the Ozai statue but Natsu aims a fireball at Lucy but lowers his hand.
"I can't..." Natsu said making Lucy unleash a light wave from her sword sending Natsu back with Aang.
"Good work. Now finish the job." Luke said.
Lucy prepares another spell but then she's encased in ice.
"What?!" Luke asked and Erza charges at Luke to deliver a punch sending him to the ground.
"Aang, get up!" Katara said helping Aang up as Toph, Jiba, Gray, Wendy, and Sokka join them.
Lucy manages to break free from the ice using Waterbending and transforms the water into ice shards.
"Lucy, no..." Katara said.
"Don't do this..." Aang said.
"Finish them off, my pet." Luke said.
"Yes, Master Luke..." Lucy said but then throws the ice shards at Luke himself stabbing his body all over with the shards.
"What?!" Luke asked shocked and the group are also shocked.
"Lucy?" Natsu asked.
"Is that you actually thought I'd say?" Lucy asked.
"You...! You're supposed to be MY slave! How dare you! How is this possible?!" Luke asked.
"You may have brought me back, Luke and it's true I have lost my memory, but it wasn't lost forever as they came flooding back." Lucy said.
"So, all this time, you still have your own mind and pretended to follow my orders. You cold-blooded bitch!" Luke said.
"You're not one to talk!" Lucy said using her tome to create a magical ring below Luke and above him and the rings rain down magical energies damaging him.
"I can't believe it!" Aang said.
"She's back!" Sokka said.
"You filthy disgusting WHORE!" Luke said.
"The end, Luke!" Lucy said using her Airbending to attack Luke who uses Zeke's spellbook to teleport away. "Tch, stupid asshole." Lucy said.
"Lucy!" Natsu cheered hugging Lucy tightly.
"Let go of me, you idiot! I'm fine!" Lucy yelled.
"Are you...you?" Gray asked.
"Gee, I dunno. Maybe I'm just a clone of her." Lucy said sarcastically.
"I thought you had lost yourself." Erza said.
"Oh, I have, but thankfully, I remember everything, including that bastard killing me." Lucy said.
"I can't believe it...! I thought you were gone for good. Back at Ba Sing Se, I...I..." Natsu stops talking as he starts crying.
"Get a grip, Natsu. When'd you start being a crybaby?" Lucy asked.
"We were just saddened that you were gone." Katara said.
"It's good to have you back, Lucy." Aang said hugging Lucy.
"Good to be back." Lucy said as Katara, Wendy, Gray, Sokka, and Toph group hug her. "Okay, guys, can't breathe. Want me to die again?" Lucy asked.
"Good to see ya again, Princess." Jiba said.
Just then a fire blast goes for the group and they see the assassin.
"Okay, group reunion over. Let's get the hell out of here." Lucy said.
"Good call." Aang said but the assassin fires another blast.
Toph and Jiba launch a boulder and send it at the blast that destroys the boulder shattering it but a pebble hits his third eye causing him to be angry and tries to fire another blast but his chi is blocked causing him to ignite the air around him and the blast sends him back against a wall of a building.
"Have a nice nap, loser." Lucy said as they leave.
The group start running from town.
"Hey, I just got a new name: Combustion Man!" Sokka said.
"That actually sounds better." Gray said.
"Great, can we go before Combustion Man catches us?" Lucy asked.
"Indeed." Erza said as they're still running.
Later at night Appa flies the group to a different camp sight.
"Well, I'm exhausted. How about you, Hawky?" Sokka asked and Hawky screeches.
"Yeah, you're a lazy bird." Sokka said.
"You two are made for each other." Lucy said getting off Appa.
"Is Lucy okay?" Wendy asked.
"Now that you mention it, she's now...fussy." Aang said.
"Something's bothering her." Katara said.
"Let's just give her time to get used to being back with us. She'll come around." Erza said.
Katara and Erza start to get off.
"Hey, Katara, Erza?" Toph asked.
"We're gonna need your help." Jiba said.
"With what?" Katara asked and Toph takes out a piece of paper.
"Can you two write some things down for us? Jiba and I were thinking of sending a note to our parents." Toph said.
"I'll be happy to help." Katara said smiling.
"Let's get started." Erza said.
Erza and Katara write on the paper and later they give it to Hawky and send him off flying.
"Hey, where'd Hawky go?" Sokka asked.
Lucy is standing near a cliff of the camp site looking at the sky and Natsu is behind her.
"What do you want, Natsu?" Lucy asked.
"What's the matter? You're finally back with your family and you gave Luke the boot. I thought you'd be happy." Natsu said.
"Do I look happy?" Lucy asked.
"Not really. What's wrong?" Natsu asked.
"I failed." Lucy said.
"What?" Natsu asked.
"I failed to stop Luke. I failed to stop the Fire Nation and now Ba Sing Se, no, the whole Earth Kingdom has fallen because of my demise! I'm a failure as the Celestial Mage and I couldn't fulfill that stupid prophecy!" Lucy said starting to cry.
"You're not a failure! Look, we still got that invasion plan worked out. Once that solar eclipse comes, the Fire Nation will be helpless, along with the Fire Lord and you and Aang will deliver the smack down! World saved!" Natsu said grinning.
"This invasion plan BETTER work!" Lucy said.
"Is something else bothering you?" Natsu asked.
"I should've killed him. Right when I stabbed Luke in the back at that town, I should've returned the favor and destroyed him, but no. I had to get cocky and now he's back at our world!" Lucy said.
"Luce, it's okay. We're gonna meet him again and we'll make sure to give him hell for all the times he's made you suffer! You and me! We'll destroy him together!" Natsu said.
"Fine. Give me my keys and my whip back please." Lucy said taking her Celestial Keys and whip. "Now I have to re-contract with the Spirits again. They've been so disheartened about what happened that..." Lucy stops talking.
"Lucy..." Natsu said.
"Good night, Natsu." Lucy said walking away but Natsu grabs her wrist stopping her.
"Can I...sleep with you?" Natsu asked.
"I wanna sleep alone tonight." Lucy said walking off and Natsu sighs but Lucy stops. "I'm sorry by the way...for what I said and did to you last time we met. I had to make Luke think I was still on his side before I was ready enough to stab him in his stupid back." Lucy said.
"I was never mad at you, Luce. You had me goin' thinkin' you turned, but I'm glad you're not. I can see you need time to get used to bein' back with us. G'night, Luce." Natsu said.
"You're an idiot, but...that's what I always liked about you." Lucy said leaving.