OOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKK well, unfortunately the winner of the raffle didn't answer my message to tell me his choice for the prize so, we are going to re-start the promotion, First review wins the fanart of his/her choice!

And sadly, just on the same day I updated Fanfiction went broken! D: too bad

Based on this… I opened my AO3 page in which I will also upload this fic, on Saturday chapters 1 to 5 will be uploaded, now to the comment

Snow596: Let's say that the training will have… interesting results, both with Aang and Jin, speaking about Ty Lee and the Kyoshis, it will be explained, they didn't lost their memories of course, but the reason why they are helping Shaina will be explained

Now time to put the focus on other characters that deserved some spotlight, enjoy!

…..

Chapter 11: Change on the ground

Even if Druk was still a child dragon, he was already pretty fast, as on just one day of trip, he and Zuko managed to arrive to Omashu, more specifically, to Bumi's castle, as he was being received by two guards on the outsides of the building, both making a reverence

"Is an honor for us to receive your visit, fire lord Zuko."

He nodded "Thanks, but as for right now, I need to talk with King Bumi."

One of the guards declined the request with a head movement "I'm sorry, but the king asked to not be interrupted on his training season."

"Yes, especially as his new student is such a weakling" both guards laughed

If Zuko was like on his teen years, he could have exploded "You're talking about my girlfriend" On such a silence, a glass being shattered could be heard "It's ok, I'm just going to see how the training is going."

"No problem, come with us" the 2nd guard said really nervously

Once they were on the castle's arena, Zuko was able to notice how Jin was putting effort on her training, as Bumi was throwing some stones to her, even if pretty slow, Jin was able to break some of them, but the marks on her body, some green or purple, it was not being easy, then the king threw a big one but at ground level

"Time to counter attack!"

As that, Jin controlled the big stone, but she was unable to throw it back to the attacker, just moved it some centimeters

"She is giving it all" Zuko realized it after watching all of what was happening

And then Jin fainted on the ground, being looked by her new teacher "How was it?"

Bumi didn't look disappointed, in fact, his expression was pretty neutral "Well, you still need a lot of practice, young one, you succeeded on breaking rocks and moving, but still you need to maintain your position, remember that earth benders needs to remain firms on the ground to use their abilities at its best."

"Maybe I have no talent at all for this."

The king smiled "Oh dear, talent is nothing against a good amount of effort, talented people are so confident on their own abilities that they don't care on improving, and will never be able to notice when those who work hard reach their level, you're the living image of hard work, Jin."

Those words hit Zuko pretty heavily, as it reminded him of his eternal rivalry with her sister Azula, who ironically by this moment, should be helping Aang on lightning bending

As Bumi was helping Jin to stand up, he said "Well, enough for today, is time to rest."

Something that surprised the student "But is still early, why to stop?"

"Because we have a visitor right now."

Jin didn't know how to react after watching Zuko as a spectator of her training, even moments later when the three were on the feast room, with the two emperors exchanging greetings to the other

"Thanks for helping Jin during those days, King Bumi."

"The pleasure to share my knowledge is mine, Lord Zuko."

"Did she give you any problem?"

"Not at all, in fact it is being really funny to teach her… For once I thought she was with Aang, jajajaja."

Not a reason to be angry for the fire lord, it was just a joke "Well, confusing days of course."

"But don't worry young lord, Jin is showing all her intentions to become a great earth bender and with time, she will be helpful for all of you."

"I hope so" both him and Jin crossed sights for some seconds "But time is running out, while we are talking, a new enemy is continuing her invasion on the Earth Kingdom."

"I know that, and I have a backup plan" the king started to cough, pretty violently, both Zuko and Jin wanted to help him but Bumi denied the help "As I told Jin, I'm conscious that at my 115 years of life, my end is coming close, and with that danger on the horizon, I'm preparing a backup plan if those invaders come to Omashu."

It was a reason to be calmed "Do you have a plan, can you tell me?"

With a gesture, Bumi invited Zuko to approach his ear to the king's mouth

"Of course, the plan is…" and when Zuko was the closest he could get… "A secret! Jajajajajaja!"

Something that caught both him and Jin off guard…

Moments later as the two were talking outside of the castle, apparently things were better than days before

"So, are you angry with me?" Jin asked

"A little, but I understand why you did it, I should have sent a message to Bumi since the moment you asked me for help, I was being selfish, sorry" said Zuko while looking to the sky

"Yeah, maybe"

"I still think that maybe you should have talked to me about this idea." The fire lord added

"But you could have stopped Aang from going to Ba Sing Se."

"Yeah, probably."

"But yes, you're right, I should have told you" Druk made its arrival "So you're going back to the fire nation."

"Yes, hopefully earth kingdom can manage this invasion, but I will prepare reinforcements as soon as I return."

"I will miss you so much, I was already missing you after just coming here."

Both of them kissed for a long moment, as the problems between them were solved, nothing more could be more important than this very minute, once the broke the gesture, Jin said

"Hopefully the war chamber is not causing many troubles."

"They're not in charge now."

"Oh, so, who is?"

Only remembering that made Zuko shiver "Trust me, you don't want to know who is in charge

…..

"Well, I expected her to be at my side when this day comes…" The warrior sighed "But I will try to do it, servants is time to work!"

Sokka was sadly the only option that Zuko had in order to trust to anyone the direction of the Fire Nation until he came back, again, wondering if it was a good idea, still Sokka was affected by Suki's death, he had to do the job for the moment.

"Hopefully no problems appear in the horizon."

"Seriously Sokka, it looks like you overcame your problems pretty easily."

The warrior was scared at first, but sighed after seeing who said those words "Oh Toph, please don't scare me like that."

Clearly the health treatment finished for those days, as she was using bandages near to her shoulders, covering her injuries

"Sure, fire lord Sokka."

Even if she did that joke, he knew that Toph had heavy reasons to not smile, so he tried to help a little "Come on Toph, we can relax a little during those days"

"You know that I can't, I envy you for being so positive after what just happened."

And of course, she was talking about Suki, something that was still on his mind

"I know, but you see, I have to cope with the responsibilities that I have now, and well, trying to have some fun is not bad…" Something that Toph didn't even care about it "And I know that you, more than anyone else besides maybe Zuko, now understand it the most."

"Yeah… kind of" Sokka approached to her, making Toph a little blushy

"I have an idea, let's have some fun, remember your days gambling on that town?" something that made her smile "Well, while not gambling, we can take some advantage of our position now."

"Not now Sokka, sorry" the lady just got out of there

But looking that, the warrior had an idea "Excuse me eh, servant, I need something, is very important…"

Moments later, near the sunset, Toph was doing exercises on the backyard of the palace, lots of push-ups but that was really difficult for her

"Come on arms, resist a little more" but the pain on the zone of the bandages of her arms was really annoying, and made her to fall to the floor, that was frustrating and made her to punch the ground "That monster of the evil avatar, I will never forgive her."

And she sat down and sighed "Even if Katara told me to not over exercise, I just want to have my bending back" and tried to move a rock, but for nothing "Why? Even if I got my arms cut is so infuriating, why the irony of finally being able to see just for my powers to go away."

Then a servant from the palace arrived "Finally I was able to find you, excuse me miss Beifong, but mr Sokka wants you to come to the throne chamber."

"I already told him that this is just a bad idea"

"He asked to have some chocolate cake and wants to share with you…"

Something that hit Toph on her soul, as with an expression she showed her favoritism for that sweet

"Chocolate cake?"

…

"Time to please your new queen!" both were laughing as how the servants were working for them "You're right Sokka, being the lords on charge is really fun!"

"Yes it is… Aaammmm, I need to do something, can you be in charge for some seconds?"

"It could be for days" Toph said while laughing

But once Sokka went out of the castle, coming from the inside was certain daughter from certain war chamber member coming

"Oh, hello Mai."

The dark girl said nothing at first, but after watching Toph giving orders to the servants, she just said "I guess you know what you're doing."

"Well… have some patience, she still needs to learn her manners."

"I suggest you to control her because you know, the war chamber could lose their patience at any moment, especially with two people coming from countries that once were enemies."

As that, both of them took opposite paths, Mai went right to encounter Toph

"It is a child's game for you."

Toph then noticed her "Oh, you are Zuko's ex-girlfriend ummm…. Marine?"

"Mai."

"Yeah, that's the answer, why are you here?"

"To go and see my father of course, as you're playing while the fire lord is outside, someone needs to take the important choices for this country, now if you excuse me…"

But as she was leaving, Toph didn't lost her view from Mai

"Maybe I lost my earth bending, but I still have parts of my extra sensorial abilities… you have something else to tell"

As for Mai, once she arrived to an empty war chamber room, she met with her father

"Is everything fine father?"

"Yes it is, great to see you coming early."

"So… what about the plan."

"For tomorrow, those two will not see the attack coming."

Once at night, Sokka was trying to rest but to no avail, even if he had some fun before, the truth was that he was not fine

"First Yue, then Suki… I guess that I will never find that special girl for my life" but he heard the door of his room being knocked "Come in."

"It is closed, and I cannot metal bend now, idiot." Sokka had to open the door, of course it was Toph, who after seeing him, she smiled "You know, you look really handsome without the ponytail, you should keep your hair like that."

"Jeje thank you, so your visit is about…"

Rapidly Toph's face became serious "Mai, she talked to me and apparently, she is hiding something."

But Sokka didn't look too worried "Uh, that girl is a walking mystery, almost like a ghost."

"So funny, but I'm being serious, she was going to the war chamber on that moment, maybe she has something against us."

"You sure?"

"I didn't lost my eco localization ability Sokka, and is possible that the war chamber has something against the idea of letting someone from a wat tribe and the earth kingdom to rule the fire nation, even if it is just for some days."

Sokka just sighed "Toph everything will be fine, if anyone does something against us, once Zuko returns he will wreck the guilty."

Hearing that disappointed her so much, that she became angry "But Sokka…"

"Calm your nerves lady, and enjoy the moment, we don't know when we will have another moment of peace on this new war."

Sokka's words had the opposite effect on Toph, instead of calming her, she just went back to her room

"I knew you were an idiot, but not this much."

As she was lost from Sokka's view, Toph punched a door pretty hard, making her hand to hurt for an obvious reason

"If only I had my powers back."

….

At the next day, Sokka had again a meeting with the servants of the palace

"Thank you, hopefully she comes early, you can leave now" And he sighed, but then he noticed Toph approaching to him "Glad you came back."

"Not for you, it is still funny to give orders to the fire nation… but someone is approaching."

Like yesterday, Mai approached to both of them, but her face was a totally serious one "Did you enjoy your time here?"

"Kind of" Sokka said

But Toph was alert "Even just looking at your face I know that your intentions are not good, speak out now, Mai."

"Fine you got me, the war chamber has lost their patience with you, and ordered me to get rid of the two."

Sokka was surprised, but not Toph, even with that, the warrior said "But we're friends, we don't want to fight you."

"Sorry, but family comes first."

As that, Mai threw some knives from her sleeves directly to Sokka, who, and like it has been becoming a tradition, Toph saved him from the attack, by launching to him, thankfully, no one was hurt on that moment.

"Why I always have to save your ass?"

"Evade this if you can."

Toph managed to do it, but as Sokka was standing up and jumping, one of the knives hurt him a little on one of his checks

"Damn, it hurts!"

As that, Mai had two objectives, even if Toph was standing on guard, the knife thrower laughed a little" What are you going to do without powers?"

"Come here so I can punch your fragile face!"

"Still with a defiant spirit in your eyes."

But Mai had to evade an attack coming from Sokka's boomerang, approaching to him ready to throw some shurikens that again Sokka was barely able to avoid, the weapons incrusted to a wall, as she tried to launch some others, the warrior covered using now his meteor sword

"Come at me."

But on the other side, Toph was frustrated on watching how Sokka was covering and evading Mai attacks, it was specially infuriating that she was unable to do anything to help on this situation

"If only I could rise at least one little stone…" even if she tried, it was kind of useless… until she felt a little quake "Please body…"

But as no progress was made, Toph sighed

"Guess that I have to do something else."

As Mai finally put Sokka with the back on a wall, she pointed at him with a knife

"Game over, friend."

Sokka was acting and looking very nervously "I think that you're being a little hard with both of us, Mai."

"If it is to obtain my objectives, I'm never hard enough."

"Take this, bitch!" Both Sokka and Mai had to evade a flying chair who broke against the wall, as the knife mater was getting on guard, she noticed that Toph was the attacker "Damn, my arms hurt after that."

"How did you manage to throw it so easily?"

"First, benders are capable of physical achievements that non benders can't do, second, earth benders have specially strength, and third… I'm Toph Bei Fong, never forget that name!"

"Well, not like you can do something else now."

Something that caught Toph off guard, Sokka screamed "Get out of here now, you can't do anything on this situation!"

"Shut up Sokka, I want to fight!"

"And you think that you can throw me chairs for all eternity? - again, Toph was feeling frustrated for hearing that -Without earth bending, you're useless against me.

"If only a little, only a little" again, Toph tried to use her powers

"Get out of my way."

As Mai threw some shurikens, Sokka was totally horrorized "TOPH!"

…

But then a sound, like a rock, a rock getting out of something, once the Bei Fong lady noticed that, she reacted, not only after opening her eyes, but because of what was at one side of her

"A rock?" she tried to move it a little, then she knew it, her reaction made her to get out a piece of the palace floor "It worked… it worked, my earth bending is back!"

As she was laughing a lot, then she looked Mai to her eyes

"Get ready, I'm not defenseless now!" but something wrong happened, as Sokka went in the middle of the incoming battle "Sokka?"

"Wait Toph, don't hurt her!"

There it was again, Sokka just getting on her neves and making her angry "Why? She tried to kill us!"

"It was all part of his plan" Mai said

"Plan? What the hell is going on?" Then Toph had a horrible idea on her mind "Did you try to kill me Sokka, was I so useless before?"

"What? NO! Toph please you're so appreciated on the team for me to do that, please let me explain…"

Flashback

"Excuse me eh, servant, I need something, is very important… as far as I know, Zuko was not a talented fire bender, how did he started to bend fire?"

The servant smiled and pleasantly proceeded to explain "According to what we know, Azula tried to burn him when they were kids, on the urge to defend himself, is when our fire lord finally showed his own fire bending skills."

Then a plan was starting to form on his mind "Interesting, do you think it will work with earth benders too?"

"Absolutely, sometimes a bender wakes up his or her inner skill when they need them the most…"

Sokka was finally explaining

"You see, after hearing that, I planned something for you, so I talked to the war chamber, contrary as we though, most of them are pretty nice guys, so Mai's father talked to me…"

"I will send a message to my daughter to come here, she can help you with the problem of your friend."

"Thank you"

And the explanation continued "But for that, I needed you to play your role, and start to have some fun, the servants knew everything, and so did Mai as she received a letter from her father."

End of Flashback

"Wait, even the chocolate cake was part of the plan?" Sokka nodded "But she tried to kill us with her shurikens."

"I wasn't even trying at my best, just enough to convince… look at the ground" Toph then noticed some metal pieces on the floor "Most of the weapons I got here were just props."

It took a lot of time for Toph to process everything that just happened "So, let me guess, you did all of this, putting me in danger for me to recover my powers back?"

"And it worked!" but he received a punch on the guts "Hey!"

"That was for scaring me" but then Toph kissed him on the check "And this is to thank you"

Mai looked at this with some nostalgic, giving her some memories of the past, then she asked "Are all your powers back?"

As Toph moved the stone and manipulated it back, she knew it "Not at its best, but I guess that I can teach myself how to return to my prime"

"Yeah…" then Sokka and the girls noticed the disaster on the palace room "I think that we need to repair some of the damage before Zuko arrives."

"And to buy a new chair, would you like to come with me Toph?"

"Is the least I can do after helping me Mai."

As both of the ladies were leaving the place, with Sokka totally relieved, then he noticed something, looking on the girls direction, he somehow remembered the question that he made to himself

"That smile of hers… wait, could that be… Toph?"