Hey folks, I know the original Broken Beifong just disappeared one day and I'm sorry for not being unable to communicate as to why. The truth is I wasn't happy with it. I'd made a lot of compromises to make the story more appealing to a wider demographic but in the end, all that did was make me feel like the story wasn't being told well enough so I took it all down and rewrite entire chapters, rearranged some and did a heck of a lot of editing.

This newer version is much, much darker and much more sadistic in later chapters. Of course, I don't condone any of the actions I describe here. This is Fiction and no way represents any real person.

Enjoy!

The sound of a gong rang through the barracks. "Wake up prisoners!" called the guard as he walked down the row of beds banging on the loud instrument, "Get up and stand for inspection, quickly or none of you eats!" Toph jolted awake but immediately closed her eyes again when her body cried out for more sleep. Her head hung lazily and she closed her eyes. She hated that, even after all this time, she still wasn't used to this.

"Get up Mole," someone said in the cot beside her, roughly jabbing her in the side with two fingers, "Don't you dare make us miss breakfast." Toph hated being called Mole. The guards did it when they discovered she was a blind Earthbender to humiliate her and eventually the name stuck with everyone. Toph knew the guards were trying to chip away at her, make her feel less than human, but she hadn't broken. Not yet. Not like the others.

Toph turned to sit on the edge of her cot with a tired groan. Her thin arms and legs were a horrible reminder of how much weight she had lost during her time here. Her meals were always less than everyone else's though. Warden's orders. Everyone else was well fed save for Toph who was often lucky to simply finish her meagre servings before it would be kicked out of her hands.

"Right you miserable rodents," shouted the man himself as he strode into the room wearing the typical armour of a Fire Nation guard, "Barracks inspection, stand straight with your arms behind your backs!" Tau was just one of the many cruel guards who kept order in the Iron Pit which was a Fire Nation prison camp. He was impatient, hot-headed and cruel but especially so to Toph. Also the Warden's orders.

The Firebender walked slowly down the row of prisoners and cots. Not one of them dared to look him in the eyes. Toph tried to stand as still as possible but she still wasn't fully awake and wobbled on her feet slightly. As Tau walked closer to Toph she tensed up and kept her eyes on her feet. He saw the fear on her face and smiled. "Sleep well freak?" he said in passing, ruffling her already messy hair with a rough hand. Toph seethed whenever he touched her but she couldn't lash out, not unless she wanted another beating. Not that it mattered when he beat her without provocation anyway.

"Alright," Tau finally called out once he walked the full length of the barracks and back, "Line up!" The prisoners all quickly obeyed and formed a straight line in the middle of the barracks, right up to the door. Toph stood between an older woman and a taller man, both of whom dwarfed her small size. When she arrived at the camp she had been around twelve but even then she was small for her age. Was she thirteen now?

Doesn't matter, you're going to die here!

Toph shook her head of the thought. The line began to move out of the barracks. The sun had yet to come up but while some might have stumbled in the low light, Toph didn't have that problem. Yes, she was blind, but she could see with her Earthbending and even tell someone was lying if she focused hard enough.

Don't be proud just because no one else can do it!

That just makes you a freak!

"Shut up," she said under her breath unconsciously. Suddenly she was punched in the gut and keeled over with a choked scream.

"Quiet down freak," Tau was stood over her as she writhed in pain on the ground, "No talking." It had barely been a whisper but Tau was always looking for a chance to make her life miserable. He walked away and the other prisoners simply stepped over her as she tried to catch her breath. They were too afraid to help her and if they did, the guards were told to punish them. More of the Warden's orders. Toph let out a pained groan as she rose to her feet, clutching her sore stomach. Not one of the prisoners even looked at her now but Tau and his cronies were laughing as they watched her move to the back of the line.

Eventually, she got her morning bowl of rice. When the guard serving the food saw her he immediately emptied most of it back into the pot. Toph wordlessly took the bowl and moved to where everyone else was eating. As always, she would squat instead of sitting. That way she could see around her as she ate just in case Tau was looking for trouble.

She began to eat with her hands, picking up clumps of cold rice in her slightly crooked fingers. Old injuries that never healed right but at least she could still use them. Thankfully she was able to finish all of her food this morning.

How long had it been since she'd arrived here? Toph had stopped counting around four months in. Did the Earth Kingdom even know they were here? Was there any hope? Toph sighed. Hope was a cruel lie and she had been burnt by it too many times to truly think she would ever get out of here alive. All she could do was survive.

In the time she had been here she knew she looked completely different to the confident little girl she once was. Where once she would tie her hair into a large bun, it now hung freely down her back in wild clumps and cowlicks. It was so long it almost covered her backside when she stood up. Her arms and legs were so thin she was surprised the rough brown rags she was forced to wear still fit.

A good day for Toph was one where she kept her head down and managed to avoid making any kind of mistake or infraction when Tau was around. He was sick. He loved doing what he did to her and Toph was terrified of how far he would go in the future.

No, fear is what he wants. Don't give him the satisfaction.

You deserve it

You killed them

"Shut up," Toph hissed. Even though she suffered through beatings, torture and starvation, Toph reminded herself that it was her own fault she was here.

She had gotten her parents killed...

She deserved to be here...

They came as the sun was rising. Empowered by their celestial body the Fire Nation army swept into Gaoling. The large town had remained untouched since the war began and they had no reason to believe that today would be any different. The guards, who were wholly unprepared for the assault, were either killed or captured before they could properly fight back.

By noon they had lost more than half the town. Buildings burned and peasants ran as they tried to find sanctuary. Huge chunks of the ground were ripped away as the Earthbenders of Gaoling fought to protect their homes. Whether they were one of the Masters who taught or one of the wrestlers who fought in the illegal fights or a simple peasant with enough courage, the Earthbenders fought side by side regardless of their station. But they were not soldiers. Fire Nation tactics were ruthless and anyone who stood in their way was destroyed.

The town was taken before the sun had even started setting and the Fire Nation looked to solidify its new position in a defensible spot. They turned their gaze to the walled Beifong Estate on the town's outskirts. The family was sheltering those who fled the chaos and a great many had taken refuge in the mansion, hiding in various rooms as Lao Beifong and his wife met the invaders.

"Lao Beifong, my name is Commander Zhao." the Commander gave him a courteous nod, "Even in the colonies your name is held in high regard, it is an honour to meet you."

"Speak your terms Commander Zhao," Lao replied stoically, "What must my family do so that Gaoling is spared further bloodshed?"

"Bow," he demanded of them quickly, like his previous pomp was a well-practised act. "You serve the Fire Lord now!" He approached the still standing Lord Beifong. "Gaoling now belongs the Fire Nation," he said to Lao, "If you wish to save the people of this town then you will show proper respect and bow!" Lao looked at his wife and they both sighed. Soon they kowtowed in front of the Fire Nation general.

"Dad no!" came a child's voice from somewhere in the room. Lao gasped and turned to face it on his hands and knees.

"Stay away Toph!" He looked at the throne he sat on when meeting with locals. Behind it was his blind daughter, Toph Beifong, who had been told to hide. The Commander turned his gaze to the child and started to move towards her. "No please!" Lao begged as he grasped Zhao's boot, "Don't hurt her, she's just a child, she's blind!" Lao was kicked in the side by the man.

"Move to your parents and bow!" Zhao demanded loudly.

"No," Toph said defiantly. She stood in front of the throne now, no longer hiding.

"Toph you must!" Lao begged of her, "He'll kill you if you don't!"

"You know," Toph said, ignoring her father, "At the Earth Rumble tournament we have this guy called Fire Nation Man," she began, "He's this big guy, a good enough Earthbender, but he has just one job in the ring."

"What are you talking about?" The General looked annoyed but he decided to humour her.

"He's a heel," Toph continued to explain, "Sure he wears your colours, or so I'm told, and yeah he'll start to sing your national anthem but he throws every fight and he's happy to do it because he's Fire Nation Man." Toph then laughed, a confident but girly laugh.

"He plays the part of what we think of the Fire Nation, losers with no real courage!"

This insult enraged Zhao and he moved to throw fire at Toph but suddenly she stomped one of her bare feet to the floor. Underneath the wooden floorboards came a blunted spike of rock, splintering the panels and sending shards of wood high into the air. The Commander just managed to dodge it but Toph had already started to pull up another chunk under his feet. Instead of hitting solid ground, the general was flipped over onto his back with a comical yelp.

"Stay down chump!" Toph said to the downed Commander. He fixed her a glare so full of rage that Toph could feel his anger vibrating through the room.

"I want that wretch in irons!" Zhao demanded. His bodyguards charged at Toph but as she raised her hands they were encased up to their heads in rock. The soldiers struggled to get free but were unable to.

"Get out of my house!" Toph demanded before pushing one of them out through the wall. The General got back up and shot a blast of fire at Toph who pulled up a defensive wall. Thanks to her unique vision she could see beyond her barrier so she watched for the Firebender's next move.

She wished she could have known just how cruel this man was.

"Enough!" Zhao walked over to Toph's parents who were cowering at the opposite end of the room. He took her mother by the shoulder and pulled her to her feet. "Surrender!" he shouted at Toph behind her barrier, "Surrender and free my men or she dies!"

Toph could feel her mother's fear vibrating through the room now. Her shivers, her quick breaths. She could also feel the tension in the Commander. He would do it. Toph tutted before lowering her arms and freeing the soldiers.

"Couldn't fight fair?" she said bitingly before spitting a loogie in his direction, "Just like a Fire Nation man."

The insult seemed to hit home but Zhao now had a wicked smile on his lips. "Fair fights don't win wars little girl," he let Poppy go, throwing her to the floor like a sack of rice. "Take the Earthbender away, she goes to the Iron Pit with the rest." Her mother began to plead with them to spare her daughter as Toph was led out of the house and into the estate grounds. Just as she was nearing the main gate she heard Zhao say. "Barricade the exits then burn the mansion to the ground."

"But sir you said you wanted-"

"Now I want the Beifongs wiped from existence," he yelled over the soldier who questioned him. He then walked to Toph and grabbed her by the chin, squeezing so hard it hurt. "You're going to suffer for humiliating me," he told her, "Killing your parents will be the least painful thing I've done to you."

Toph felt a pang of rage but before she could do anything she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head and fell unconscious...

"Lady Beifong?" came a voice from above Toph, it was female. "Are you alright Lady Beifong?" Toph blinked but unless her feet were on the ground she couldn't see. After a minute she recognised the familiar rocking movements of a cart or carriage on uneven terrain. Her father had taken her to Omashu not so long ago and it felt similar.

She tried to sit up but was held down. "Please don't move," she was then told, "You were hit on the head."

At that, Toph remembered her final moments before blacking out. "My parents?" she tried to move again but only felt dizzy, her voice came out weak and quiet. "Are they alive?"

There was silence for a good ten seconds before anyone spoke. "The Beifong Estate was reduced to rubble," someone new said, "The Fire Nation barricaded the exits and anyone inside was killed when the mansion burned." The news took a moment to hit home. Toph felt tears sting in her eyes. She hated showing weakness. She hated it when people pitied her. But at this moment all she could do was weep for the loss of her controlling, overprotecting but loving parents.

"Shut that brat up," came another new voice, "That racket will give me a headache!"

"Have some compassion you Fire Nation dog!" shouted the woman, "She's just lost her family."

"And you'll lose your head if you speak to me like that again!"

It felt like hours for Toph as she lay there in her grief. Her mind was still adjusting to the idea that her parents were dead and when a fresh wave of grief washed over her she thought to find her mother and be comforted by her but then she remembered that would never happen again. It was a cruel and heartless cycle.

The cart finally stopped and the people inside were told to step out. She had no idea where they were being taken but along the way, Toph heard someone tell them to change into new clothes. Just by feeling them, she could tell they would be uncomfortable.

"Welcome to the Iron Pit, Earthbenders of Gaoling," the voice said as Toph changed. Her sore head made the images fuzzy but at least she could see. "During your stay, you will aid the glorious Fire Nation offensive by working the mine and supplying us with the ore we so need."

"You will work from dawn until dusk," the man continued his speech, "You will obey the guards every order or you will be punished and if anyone tries to attack a guard, with or without your savage bending, you will be executed."

He stopped in front of Toph and looked down at her with an uncaring gaze. "We've been told to give you special treatment by Commander Zhao," he said to her menacingly, "I'm not sure what you did to get on Zhao's bad side but we will make sure you regret it, understand?"

"All I understand is that your a grown man threatening a blind kid," Toph said with a smirk, "I bet the Fire Lord will give you a medal for sure." Laughter rang out among the prisoners. The Warden got angry and punched Toph hard in the stomach. She fell to her knees gasping for air. When the prisoners moved to her defence a line of pike wielding guards ran forward, daring them to move.

"This is only a small taste of what we have planned for you," the Warden growled as he loomed over the wheezing girl, "I promise you that things are only going to get worse!"

"You will beg for death and even then you will be denied."

"Now," he said to his men, "Put these animals to work!"