The thump of a newspaper landing on the doorstep of Katara's clinic caught Toph's ears over the grizzling of her daughter. She shifted Lin to her hip, bouncing her lightly, and poked her head around the office door. "Katara, paper's here."

"Bumi, would you grab the paper, please?" Katara called into the next room. She was seated at her desk, talking to a tall, elderly woman in a dark crimson robe.

"Wait..." Toph cocked her head sideways, listening, then smiled. She recognized the steps coming up the street. "Never mind. Sokka will be here in a moment, he'll bring it."

"Uncle Sokka!" Bumi darted through the foyer towards the front door, knocking a vase off a shelf as he went. Toph made a sharp chopping gesture with her free hand, and a steel cable lunged from the spool on her belt, snaring the vase inches from the floor.

She shook her head as Lin squirmed, grabbing for a handful of her hair. "So, I have breaking things all the time to look forward to?"

"Part of the whole package deal." Katara smirked as she came into the foyer, followed by her visitor. "Ursa, I'd love to come back to Hira'a with you next year and search for some of the herbs you've been using. They'd do wonders for some of my non-Waterbending healers."

"It would be my pleasure. But, Ikem...?"

"Will be just fine. I've healed much worse injuries than broken ribs; he just needs a few days of rest. As for the pains in his back and legs, I can offer you an alternate remedy, but I think the mugwort salves you've been using are still an excellent idea. Neither is a permanent fix, though."

"I understand, and I appreciate it." Ursa's voice sounded a little forlorn. "The one thing no one can cure: age."

"Well, we can at least make it an easier ride." Katara patted her shoulder. "This clinic might not be the ideal environment for peace and quiet, but you're both welcome to come and stay at the Air Temple with us."

At that moment, Sokka walked in, Bumi hovering at his elbow and chattering away. Katara came over to embrace him. "Sokka! Finally, I was worried when your ferry was delayed."

"No problem, sis. As I was just explaining to my illustrious nephew here, we had to take a short detour to deal with a giant Kappa." Sokka's voice was light and cheerful as he ruffled Bumi's hair; there was no hint of sadness over the end of his engagement. Of course, he'd learned how to keep up a positive front early in life, so that didn't say much. "Every good voyage needs an epic battle with a sea monster-"

"You're worse than Aang."

"You just don't appreciate the value of a good story!" Sokka protested. Bumi dropped the newspaper on Katara's desk and returned to Sokka's side, waiting expectantly for his attention.

"You've known that about her since the two of of you were toddlers." Toph remarked, dryly. "Did you really expect that would randomly change, some day?"

Sokka spun around, his voice lighting up with surprise and pleasure. "Toph! I didn't expect to see you here-"

"What, because I had a baby? You know I've never been the stay-at-home type." Toph smirked.

"Well, I just figured you carried her around on your back, while you were rounding up the Triads." Sokka joked, sticking out his hand to stroke Lin's cheek. "What is she, five months?"

"Almost six."

"Can I hold her?"

"If you don't mind a bit of noise." Toph shrugged and extended her arms, cradling Lin carefully. "She doesn't usually take kindly to strangers-"

"Aww, I don't count as a stranger!" Sokka scooped Lin up, rocking her gently back and forth. To Toph's surprise, Lin's pulse didn't quicken with anxiety; she made a soft cooing noise, then settled into Sokka's arms.

"Wow, that was fast." Toph felt just slightly envious. "You used to hate babies- they repulsed you almost as much as Aang and Katara kissing." A small dollop of water smacked her on the back of the head. "You know I'm right, Katara."

"Being an uncle three times over makes them kinda grow on you." Sokka shrugged; he nudged Bumi, who giggled. "Great to be back in Republic City, anyway. Where are Kya and Tenzin?"

"Aang's with them, back at the temple, but he should be here shortly. Bumi's been helping me around the clinic today, good son that he is-"

Ursa cleared her throat, and Katara spun around. "My apologies! Sokka, you remember Zuko's mom, Ursa? She and Ikem are here for a healing."

"Of course." Sokka bowed his head to her, and Ursa returned the gesture. "Healing for what?"

Katara turned to her oldest. "Bumi, do you mind checking to see if anyone needs supplies on the second floor? We need to re-stock the bandaging ward."

"And don't think that listening outside the door is going to work." Toph poked him in the shoulder as he passed her. "I'll know if you're there."

Bumi suppressed another giggle. Toph's ability to sense his presence was actually to his benefit; she often let him eavesdrop anyway, much to Katara's annoyance. As soon as he went through the doors to the bandaging ward, Ursa turned to Sokka. "Ikem was injured, trying to help people escape from the attack on Hira'a."

"Better check the paper." Toph used her cable to snag the newspaper from the desk, tossing it to Katara. " They might have an update-"

"Whoa, whoa, back up." Sokka sounded startled. "For those of us who have been stuck in the Southern Water Tribe for the last four months, what attack on Hira'a?"

"A group of Earthbenders attacked Hira'a, a week ago. Ikem was trying to distract them while the civilians fled; he was fool enough to go after them with prop dao swords." Ursa's exasperation didn't hide her worry. "He was lucky that all he suffered was broken ribs. Many of our neighbors had worse injuries, a few were killed. Luckily, the Home Guard were arriving with medical supplies before we left for Republic City." Ursa gestured around the entrance of Katara's clinic. "It's a pity we don't have healing facilities like this in the Fire Nation, Katara. This place is a wonder, in organization, resources and research."

"Thank you, Ursa-"

"Attacked Hira'a?" Sokka was still baffled. "From where?"

"They were wearing uniforms from Omashu. Very skilled benders, from what I saw. We were lucky that they only made one surprise attack, then fled; we wouldn't have survived a second wave."

"Omashu's been pretty quiet, since the election." Toph interjected. "I know King Ariq is an isolationist with a grudge against anyone from the Fire Nation, but I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to attack Zuko's parents."

"That's why we came here." Ursa wrung her hands together. "It wasn't just to get Ikem the best healer available. Zuko wanted us on neutral ground, in case it does become open war. He's sent an ultimatum to Ariq and a complaint to the Earth King. Now, everyone's waiting to see which way Kuei will jump-"

"I think I just found the answer to that one." Katara held up the paper. "'Earth King enraged by the presence of Fire Nation Airships over Omashu.' Spirits. If Zuko's already rattling his sword at Ariq, the Council of Five will probably convince Kuei to ...Oh, no!"

"What is it?" Toph was a bit irritated, as she always was when anything written entered the conversation.

"It says that Kuei's daughter, Princess Hou-Ting, was abducted six days ago, only a day after the Hira'a attack. Kuei's officially accusing the Fire Lord of being behind it, and he's calling on his vassals to mobilize."

Ursa gasped. "Ridiculous! Zuko would never use children as hostages!"

Sokka cleared his throat. "I can't quite agree with you on the word never. When Zuko first came to the South Pole during his exile, hunting for Aang, he threatened our entire village to coerce Aang into surrendering; nearly half of those people were children." He shrugged. "But, to be fair, he didn't actually capture or harm any of them, and he kept his word; once Aang surrendered, he left us alone. Besides, Zuko isn't an angsty, banished teenager anymore; he's been committed to peace and protecting his people since the end of the war. And he's got some good advisers in his own family: Mai, Iroh..."

"It's that 'protecting his people' part that worries me, though." Toph frowned. "Remember the Battle of Yu Dao? That happened only a few miles from here. Now, I don't believe Zuko would have ordered that kidnapping, but when he hears that Ba Sing Se is lining up against him now, on top of the Hira'a incident, it won't be pretty. He's always had a temper, even if it's better controlled these days."

Ursa shook her head. "All I know is that there were Earthbenders in Hira'a, only a day before this 'kidnapping' happened-"

"Relax, Ursa. I already know you're telling the truth." Toph patted her shoulder. "But King Kuei doesn't have the political experience Zuko does, that's why he's always letting those warmongers in the Council of Five turn him into a doormat. Still, he's been willing to listen to Aang and the other world leaders... as long as it's face-to-face. We need Kuei to meet with Zuko now and figure out what the Hell's going on, before it escalates into an all-out war."

Sokka chuckled. "Not usual of you to take the diplomatic approach, Toph- especially given what Katara's told me about your latest crusade against the Triads."

"This isn't about a few petty gangs." Toph narrowed her eyes. "This is about stopping a war between the world's two strongest nations before it starts. What can I say, you and Aang did rub off on me... well, a little."

"The United Republic sits directly between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation, with interests that are important to both." Sokka brightened. "Why not invite Zuko, Ariq and Kuei to come to Republic City for an emergency summit?"

"We could, if we could actually get a hold of them." Katara rubbed her temples wearily. "We've had correspondence with the Earth Kingdom, but it hasn't been helpful. Kuei's refusing to leave Ba Sing Se until there's news of Hou-Ting, and Ariq refuses to leave Omashu unless the Fire Nation airships withdraw. Meanwhile, Aang's been writing Zuko letter after letter, but he hasn't gotten an answer yet. My last letter from the Fire Nation was Mai's request for us to shelter Ursa and Ikem; she's acting as sole Regent of the Fire Nation right now, which means Zuko's probably on some intelligence mission or military exercise."

"She didn't tell you herself?"

"Nope, she was pretty vague. But that's nothing new, from what we know of Mai. She never gives away more than she has to. Aang's been talking about flying straight to the Fire Nation to figure out what's going on; he's also taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Council meetings for the next month, in case Zuko and Kuei ask for his diplomatic help."

Toph felt a twinge of irritation. Aang hadn't mentioned his upcoming absence from the Council to her. "Well, if no one's actually fighting each other yet, there's still a chance for diplomacy." She nudged Sokka. "Something you have a lot of recent experience in, Sokka. How has your work with your Dad been going?"

Sokka laughed, but it sounded a little forced. "Well...a lot of pressure, lately. He's thinking of stepping down from the chieftaincy of the Southern Tribe." He handed Lin back to Toph as she began to wriggle. "I thought he'd stay in office longer, but he says he wants to retire while he can still teach youngsters to ice-dodge. Claims that's a more important rite of passage than running our country!"

"Well, he's held that position an awfully long time." Katara shrugged. "His last letter said he wanted you to run for the position of chief. How do you feel about that?"

Toph frowned again, surprised she hadn't heard anything about this. Granted, she couldn't read letters, but it was the sort of thing Katara would have mentioned; no longer living in her homeland, she loved discussing anything to do with it. She'd probably just been trying to give her brother space since his split with Suki.

Sokka sounded slightly embarrassed. "Well... there are a lot of people in the South who say they think I should be chief. But I'm not so sure that's going to be best for the Southern Tribe, in the long run. If the son of the previous chief is chosen as leader, it defeats what separates us from the Northern Tribe, to begin with: we have elected leaders, not hereditary ones."

"Sokka, no one's going to accuse you of being a Royalist." Toph waved her hand hastily in Ursa's direction. "No offense, Ursa."

"None taken." Ursa replied. "I wasn't born into a Royal House, after all."

Toph suddenly sensed a pair of light feet on the street outside. She opened her mouth, but a gust of wind blew the door open before she could speak. Aang came into the room, tilting his head sideways to prevent his eleven-month-old son, Tenzin, from yanking on his beard. Kya tailed him in, running toward Sokka as soon as she saw him.

Sokka roared with laughter as he scooped up his niece. "That's what you get for not going clean- shaving again, Aang. Take it from me, if they can't reach what's on top, they'll just go for the chin."

"You're hardly one to talk." Aang grunted. "What are you still doing with that hideous goatee?"

"Hey! I'll have you know this is considered very stylish, down south."

"You said the same thing for years, about that wolf-tail topknot." Katara laughed as she took Tenzin from Aang so he could greet Ursa. The noblewoman returned his greeting briefly, then excused herself and headed back to her husband's room.

"Any word from Zuko, love?" Katara pecked Aang's cheek.

"I might as well take the kids out of here, for that." Toph interrupted. "Bumi's already heard enough."

Aang let out a mock groan. Katara turned toward the doors leading to the bandaging ward and raised her voice. "Bumi, you've got five seconds to get away from that door before I hit it with a water whip."

There was a snicker and a pattering of feet on the other side. Sokka set Kya on the floor and crouched at her level. "Kya, will you do something for Uncle Sokka?" Kya nodded, grinning. "Go after your brother and wait for me in the lounge. Freeze him to a chair if you have to. As soon as I'm done talking with your Mom and Dad, the three of us are going fishing."

"Hang on." Toph tapped her foot on the ground, feeling the vibrations through the different levels of the clinic, and shook her head. "Actually, you won't need to go looking for Bumi, Kya- he's already heading to the lounge anyway." She adjusted Lin, who was starting to whimper. "I'll go with them; Lin's getting hungry, anyway."

"I can fill you in quickly before you go-"

"No, thanks." Toph barely concealed her irritation. She put her free hand on Kya's shoulder and marched her through the first-floor corridor. As they walked, Toph frowned; Kya's heartbeat was increasing rapidly, as if she was afraid. Then she realized her frustration was showing through her grip on the girl's shoulder, and let go hastily. "Sorry, Kya. Not angry with you, just having a rough time."

Kya glanced up at her. "Do you and Lin want to go fishing with us?"

Toph laughed and tweaked the girl's nose. "That sounds fantastic, kiddo, but I don't do well on boats. And besides, I'm gonna be busy tonight with your mum; she's filling your Dad's spot in the council, 'cause he's going on a trip."

"Where?"

Toph shrugged. "I dunno, Kya."

That was partly why she was frustrated with Aang. After their little argument, and his prior encounter with those two gangsters, she'd hoped he'd be more committed to helping her battle the Triads. His absence at the Council tonight was only going to make things more difficult. Katara did just fine when she occasionally filled her husband's seat, and her view on the Triads was closer to Toph's than Aang's was. But the other Council members were used to treating the Avatar as their unofficial leader. If he wasn't there, there was going to be a lot of division and opposition to Toph's proposals. Especially since this was her first meeting since Lin had been born, and she was still uncertain about leaving her. Luckily, Toph's parents had been kind enough to look after their granddaughter for the evening; they were in town for a few days, touring Air Temple Island.

When Toph and Kya reached the lounge, Bumi was sprawled across a sofa, writing a letter. Taking Sokka's advice to heart, Kya bent some water from a pitcher and started trying to freeze his rear end to the cushions, much to her brother's protests. Finding an armchair in the corner, Toph unbuttoned her collar and adjusted her tunic so she could nurse Lin, whose whimper had risen to a squall. "Shhh." She whispered softly, as the baby took hold. "There we go- ow. So, you liked Uncle Sokka, huh? He's someone everybody likes, once they get to know him."

At that moment, Sokka wandered around the corner. He gave a startled yelp, and hastily turned around. "Whoa, sorry! Didn't mean to-"

"What are you babbling about?" Toph snickered. "Unless you're still a virgin, which I find next to impossible, there's nothing here you haven't seen before. Did Aang give an excuse for being gone for the next month?"

Sokka kept his head turned away. "Er... yeah. He's packing to head straight to the Earth Kingdom, then the Fire Nation."

"Ah." Toph felt her irritation deflate, but only slightly. She knew stopping the war between the two largest nations was a higher priority than gangsters. Still, she worried that Aang's absence might make the Triads bolder. But then again, that was why she was gradually phasing out of maternity leave. "Wonder what got him off his rear this time? He hasn't intervened in international politics in years."

"Apparently, some White Lotus guy called Xai Bau gave him a warning in the Spirit World." Sokka shrugged. "I kinda tuned out after that. My understanding of the Spirit World doesn't go far."

"Me, neither. But it's handy that Aang can use it for long-distance communication." Toph rotated her foot sideways, and the stone floor rippled, moving a chair under Sokka's legs. "So... how are you, really, Sokka?"

Sokka turned back to her, but his tone was evasive. "I'm... doing fine. Like I told you, confused about what to do about the Chieftaincy when Dad steps down, but otherwise-"

"I meant, about Suki."

"...What's to tell? Things are fine, I'm moving on-"

"Wan Shi Tong was right. You are a terrible liar."

Sokka gave a forced laugh. "That bad, huh?"

"I could have caught that one without my seismic sense." Toph's sarcastic tone softened. She hadn't meant to kick him when he was down, he was such a lovable goofball. "I'm sorry, Sokka. I know what it's like to suddenly end a long-term relationship. Satoru and I thought about marrying for a few years, before we realized it wasn't working."

"Yeah?" Sokka's tone briefly turned bitter. "It get any easier to see him, overtime?"

Toph paused."...Yeah, it does, a little. You just need time, and a drive to keep yourself busy. Work and family always help." She nudged his shin with her foot. "Looks like you're already figuring that out, though, so just keep doing what you're doing."

Sokka rubbed his leg. "Yeah... sounds like I'm going to be babysitting for an extended period. Katara's joining Aang in the diplomatic circuit for a few days, after tonight's Council meeting; she'll take Tenzin with her, but Kya and Bumi are staying here."

"Great." Toph rolled her eyes. Lin had dozed off, and Toph readjusted her tunic and put the baby to her shoulder, patting her back gently. "Well, if you really aren't interested in that Chieftaincy, you might consider running to fill one of the Council seats. It'd be nice to have another person I can work with, in this city."

Sokka chuckled. "I know politics are messy, but I would've thought you'd like getting to argue with people all the time."

"Yeah, well... not when lives are on the line. And with Aang and Katara gone, the bodies are only gonna keep piling up... unless my proposal tonight gets results."

Toph had to stop herself from yawning when they arrived at the Council Hall. There were meant to be five governing representatives on the Council, including Aang, but since Katara was filling in for him today, three of those five would be Water Tribe. The other two were on their feet already, bickering so furiously you could have cut the tension with a knife.

The representative of the Southern Water Tribe, Oyuki, turned and clasped Katara's hand as they entered. "Katara, Chief Beifong. Thank you for coming, hopefully you and the Avatar can help us resolve this disaster-."

"Disaster?" Sneered Yaou, her Earth Kingdom counterpart, from across the table. "If by 'disaster' you're referring to the Fire Nation's blatant aggression against Omashu, then yes, there's a disaster! Whatever the spat between Omashu and the Fire Lord's little resort town, Ba Sing Se had nothing to do with it, but the Earth King and I will certainly respond to an ally's call for help, as we did at Yu Dao-"

"What, by betraying the United Republic's status as neutral ground?!" Tanken, the Fire National, shot back. " You'll notice that Kuei is the one mobilizing, not Fire Lord Zuko!"

"You think we'll buy your 'peaceful intentions', just because the Fire Nation hasn't landed on Earth Kingdom soil yet? Has anyone noticed that the Fire Nation hasn't been carrying out as many drills and patrols along its' borders, within the last year? Planning some detailed surprise attack, are you? The difference is, this time we're ready for you."

"By having every Triad in Republic City smuggle war munitions away from the United Forces and sneak them into the Earth Kingdom?" Tanken folded her arms smugly. "That's the only way your army will match the Fire Lord's!"

"I'm guessing this has been going on since the start of the meeting?" Katara muttered dryly to Oyuki as she slid into her seat.

"With occasional breaks."

Katara flicked her arm outward, striking the miniature bronze gong at the center of the table with a water tendril. The single note reverberated through the room, silencing the inflamed council members.

"Aang regrets to inform you that he will abstain from this meeting. He's on his way to the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation, to try and resolve this crisis. I'll be joining him, shortly." Katara's voice was stern as she glanced at the Earth and Fire representatives. "So, I strongly suggest you contain your emotions and leave diplomacy to your national leaders and their actual foreign ministers. Your job is to serve the United Republic, not get it dragged into a war that no one wants."

"She's hardly one to talk." Tanken muttered under her breath to her assistant, but Toph heard every word. "She's not elected or appointed to any office, yet she's always involved in diplomacy- because she's friends with every foreign leader, and married to one."

Toph gritted her teeth. When people acted this petty, just because someone had a better idea for the greater good than they did, she had to fight not to slap sense into them. She lashed one of her cables, scraping it rapidly across the gong; the shriek of metal on metal caused all the council members to clap their hands over their ears. "And yet, in spite of her lack of 'office', Katara's done more for international peace in one year of her life than you'll achieve in a decade, Tanken. You're fanning the flames, literally; she puts them out and heals the wounded." She pointed a finger at Yaou as he opened his mouth. "And before you start on Zuko being the aggressor at Yu Dao, I'll remind you, as one of several witnesses, what happened in the Southern Water Tribe, two years after Yu Dao. Remember that little summit where Hakoda asked for the other world leaders' help? Zuko offered to help the Southern Tribe's reconstruction right away; Kuei had to figure out whether they were "worth the investment" first, and he stopped funding the project only two years later. And when Kuei was kidnapped during that same summit by Gilak's rebels, Zuko put himself personally at risk to get the Earth King to safety."

Yaou's voice became sheepish, but he kept blustering. "It could be a long-term conspiracy-"

"Oh, for Spirits' sake!" Toph snapped. "What is wrong with you people?! Zuko's not accusing the Earth King of anything, nor has he fired at Omashu! It's a serious thing that Kuei's daughter was kidnapped, but no one's taking credit yet! And there's no sane motive for Zuko to kidnap her- he's already been very direct in his warning against Omashu. Unlike this kidnapping, what happened in Hira'a has witnesses. You get us some of those, rather than making biased accusations, and we'll start listening. Until then, sit down and shut up."

Yaou's breathing and heart rate suggested he wanted to argue further, but he finally sat down. Kivi, the Council member from the Northern Water Tribe, cleared his throat. "Moving on to the more immediate issue, if we could? If this conflict does escalate into a war, the Earth and Fire council members will probably be recalled- leaving us with only three council members to attend day-to-day business."

"We managed before." Oyuki shrugged.

"True, but the people who are culturally and ethnically connected to the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation will feel under-represented, or they may feel a deeper loyalty to their home country-"

"What do you mean, their 'home country'?" Katara interrupted, irritably. "The original immigrants came to the United Republic because they saw better chances here, and they've never turned back, in spite of our appalling crime rate. And their children were born in the United Republic, not the Four Nations; they hold no loyalty to the Fire Lord or the Earth King."

"But they do retain most of their culture. Some of them rather rigidly, I might add. There's been intermarriage between a few families, but for the most part the communities remain separate outside of the workers in the factories. The only organization that really links them together across ethnic and cultural lines, besides the factories, is..."

Toph rolled her eyes. "Let me guess: the Triple Threat Triad?"

"Well... yes, unfortunately."

"Are you suggesting that, by getting as many of those thieves and murderers off the streets as possible, I'm feeding the division of Republic City?" Her voice sharpened again. She stepped onto the dais at the center of the horseshoe-shaped table. "Consider your words carefully, Kivi. Deputy Chief Hei'an and his officers just caught three Triple Threats the other night, trying to smuggle machine parts onto a cargo ship- machine parts that could be modified to build combat vehicles. Any guesses where that ship was headed?"

Kivi's voice became cold and clipped, but unlike the other two he didn't lose his cool. "I'm neither on the police force, nor associated in any way with those barbarians, Chief Beifong. Why don't you just tell me?"

"The Earth Kingdom port of Mo Ce Zhen... which is under the jurisdiction of Omashu." Toph ignored Yaou's exclamation of surprise. "The Triple Threats don't care about creating unity, but they don't feel loyalty to any of the Four Nations, either- so, of course they're going to sell equipment to both sides. They're after grabbing whatever profits come out of this conflict, regardless of who wins. And it won't be us, not while we're sitting here squabbling." She turned to the other members of the Council. "My officers are spread too thin, even if I'm ending my maternity leave early. And if the Triads find and recruit their own Metalbenders outside of my Academy, we lose our main advantage. The way I see it, you've got three choices. One, do nothing. Whether there's a war or not, the Triads will keep robbing factories for parts and starting street fights along ethnic lines. Two: mobilize the United Forces to declare martial law until this conflict is resolved. That won't be popular, either with your respective governments or the people of the United Republic. Three: pass a decree giving me leave to expand my police force beyond the trainees at my Academy. Also, tightening restrictions on bending, especially after dark."

"Why would more police and restrictions on bending be less unpopular than declaring martial law?" Tanken scoffed. "Seventeen years ago, your father tried to ban bending on the streets, and our city was almost destroyed in the resulting riots! Benders might be a minority here, but they're very vocal about their right to use their Elements, even those who aren't part of the Triads."

"Tanken has a point." Oyuki interjected. "Since most of the benders here have been forced out of the heavy industries, they've often used their bending to make a living- particularly the ones playing that new sport that's becoming so popular, 'pro-bending.'"

"Doesn't matter." Toph's voice was as hard as the stone under her feet. "We need regulations in place, if we want our kids to be safe. I know that my dad's measure was misguided at the time, but now it's a lot more serious. The Triads are going to be emboldened by all this turmoil, especially since both the Avatar and our best Healer and Waterbender will be gone for an extended period of time. I'm not advocating the end of pro-bending, that's something that brings people together. But bystanders keep mistaking pro-benders on the streets for a Triad attack, and call the cops unnecessarily. Pro-bending does need to be controlled and regulated, so it doesn't disrupt day-to-day activities. And we need more benders on the police force. The Triads specifically target nonbenders; if they get into a tussle with benders, either alone or in a group, they usually retreat. Restricting bending after-hours will give benders incentive to look for work at the police precinct."

Oyuki was nodding thoughtfully, but Kivi wasn't buying it. He cleared his throat. "This is not what Avatar Aang would be advocating, if he was here-"

"Avatar Aang is perfectly confident with me filling his spot." Katara shot back. "Even if my views aren't always the same as his. We've trusted Toph's judgement since the Hundred Year War, and she's been keeping the peace here since the United Republic was founded. She knows this city, better than any of you." She passed several sheets of paper around the table." Here's a draft of Toph's proposal. If it passes, you can always vote to modify it later-"

"We still need to vote now." Kivi replied, curtly. "I, for one, believe the Council is adequately protected with the United Forces; I don't even need to read this proposal to tell you that I reject it. An embargo on the goods of the aggressive powers would accomplish more, send a message that we will keep the peace without joining the fighting-"

"All that would accomplish, would be to hurt the United Republic's economy." Tanken interrupted. "Republic City would lose half it's sea trade and nearly all its' land trade. And the Triads would keep smuggling and selling protection, embargo or not; it might even drive up their prices." She sighed. "I hate to admit it, but... Beifong's right. I vote in favor."

Surprised but pleased, Toph turned on Yaou. Would he vote against her, out of spite for his Fire Nation counterpart?

But when Yaou spoke, his voice was firm and steady. "...My son is a nonbender. He was telling me the other day, that he can't go through Dragon Flats without being harassed by Terra Triad members. Chief Beifong was right about one thing: we do what we have to, if we want our children safe. I vote in favor."

"As do I." Katara rapped the gong with her water tendril again. "Motion has gained a majority of three-"

"This is a farce!" Kivi snapped, standing up. "You're not even a regular council member, let alone elected! Moreover, the final vote has not been counted-"

"It has now." Oyuki interrupted him sharply. "I grew up with Katara in the Southern Water Tribe, during the war; our people were fighting the Fire Nation's tyranny and living under elected leadership from the beginning. Meanwhile, your Northern monarchy hid behind its' wall of ice. I vote in favor. The majority of three votes has been reached; the measure is passed."

Katara rested her hand on her friend's shoulder. "You showed them a thing or two."

"Yeah, well I appreciate the backup, Sugar Queen." Toph chuckled. "I thought you'd be more on Aang's side. I mean, I know he's getting pulled in a lot of directions at once-"

"Not a good enough excuse. His goals are fine, but it's all very well to tell people they should always avoid violence when you're the most powerful bender in the world-"

Toph suddenly threw out her arm, and Katara stopped. Most of the usual night sounds were muffled by the snowfall, but her acute hearing should have caught some of them. The streets were eerily silent, but Toph wasn't fooled. A familiar pattern of vibrations was coming from the surrounding blocks- the slow, cautious shifting of feet, the quickening of breath- that signaled an oncoming attack. Then, she heard a faint hiss as the gas-powered streetlamps ahead of them were doused, almost certainly with Waterbending.

She'd been half-expecting this, since the meeting's issue was public; just not so soon. She should have known better than to come through Dragon Flats. But even if the Council hadn't announced its' decision publicly, word of it would have gotten back to the Triads by the end of the day. And if she hadn't marched through their territory like nothing was wrong, the Triads would have gotten the impression that she was afraid of their reprisals. Besides, with Katara as her backup, she didn't need to worry.

Toph flexed her fingers, and the steel visor of her helmet snapped shut over her face. Katara bent a large globule of water from her belt-pouch, letting it hover at the ready over her shoulder.

"Police Chief Beifong. Welcome back from your... extended vacation." An oily voice drawled from a rooftop across the street. "Just heard about your little chat with the Council. Brave move, especially since you don't have the Avatar as your backup right now. I also heard he's going out of town for a few days."

Toph cocked her head, listening carefully to the target's breathing and heartbeat. He was tall and thin... the accent sounded Water Tribe, but a different dialect than Katara's, more like Kivi, the Nothern Tribe Council member. She hadn't heard this voice before, but she didn't need to guess who it was.

"Yakone, is it? I know exactly where all twelve of your thugs are, so there's no point in trying to take us by surprise. Why don't you come down here and talk to me yourself?"

Yakone let out a raspy laugh. "They weren't kidding about your seismic sense. Impressive. But, no, I think I'll stay up here for now. My face doesn't need to be described in one of your records, yet."

"Then here's another idea. How 'bout I drag you down into the street, so Katara can get a look at your ugly mug anyway?" Toph spun around and launched the left cable on her belt, snaring the arm of a short, heavyset man lifting a sizable flame to his shoulder; it was Shinzo, a low-level thug she had arrested before. She thrust her fist downward, and the cable yanked Shinzo forward as it reeled in, dragging him to Toph's feet. She looped the slack around his other wrist and a lamp-post, clipped the end off the cable and turned back toward Yakone's perch. "Now that you've made the first move in what I'm assuming is attempted assault, I can arrest you by association. You might dodge the sentence in court, but it guarantees that your face will be in my records, tonight. You either go home, nice and friendly, or you all end up hanging by your ankles from the streetlamps." She nudged Katara and muttered, "Can you see him, at all?"

"Nope." Katara whispered back, glancing back and forth. "Just a Waterbender and an Earthbender, ahead of us. I've got them."

"Kinda what I expected, boss." Another voice, barely a teenager, standing to Yakone's right. "She still doesn't get how we do things."

"Oh, she will, Zolt. Soon enough." Yakone clapped him on the shoulder. "You mind doing the honors?"

"My pleasure." The muscular youth swaggered to the edge of the rooftop. Toph felt a slight change in temperature as he ignited a fireball above his hand.

She shook her head disdainfully. "So afraid of me that you're letting your underling do your dirty work, rather than face me head-on? Cowardice alongside a murder attempt won't teach the council a lesson, it'll enrage them against you."

Yakone didn't react to the taunt, and Zolt simply chuckled. "We got no plans to kill you, Chief Beifong... yet. This is meant to be a lesson to you, not to the Council." He snapped his fingers, then hurled the fireball at Katara as the other Triads began leaping from the rooftops and alleyways.

Toph lifted her leg and brought her foot down sharply on the cobblestones. The ground rippled rapidly outwards from the impact point, knocking six Triads off their feet. Three of the Earthbenders had sense enough to create stone pedestals and anchor themselves, but their brief distraction allowed Toph to launch rock wedges at two of them, scoring hits to the solar plexus and forehead. She snagged the third with her cable, flipped her onto her stomach, and encased her torso and limbs in earth. Retracting the cable and ripping a length of metal piping off the nearest building, she spun them both in front of her, deflecting the attacks of a Firebender and two Waterbenders who were back on their feet. More projectiles were coming from the roof above her, as another Triad closed in.

Wary of the Waterbenders using snow to trip her, Toph hastily encased her feet in stone so they couldn't break her stance. It was harder for her to sense water and fire projectiles, but the Triads themselves were easy to locate. She brought her hand up, clenched her fingers into a fist, then jerked it to her waist. A section of the building suddenly collapsed into the street, raining bricks on the Triads below and toppling the one on the roof. The restrained Earthbender had broken herself free, but instead of fighting she erected a slanted rock barrier, struggling to deflect the falling debris and shield her injured comrades. Toph knew it was harsh, but the building had been empty and she hadn't aimed to kill; besides, the Triads weren't innocent. Stepping away from the collapse, she turned to check on her friend.

Katara was making short work of the other two Firebenders. Even combined, they didn't have half her power or skill, and the proximity to the Winter Solstice meant their bending was at it's low ebb, while Katara's was at its' peak. Rotating her hands to create a whirlpool in mid-air, she deflected a barrage of flaming missiles, then condensed the water into a coil, seized the younger Firebender's wrists and froze them to the wall. The other one launched another barrage at her exposed side, but she lashed the coil at him like a whip, absorbing his attack mid-swing and knocking him backward. Springing up, the thug altered his tactics, launching an arc of flame at her with a roundhouse kick. As she deflected it he advanced on her, bobbing and weaving, a fire-dagger igniting over each fist. Katara simply pulled further water from the snow around her feet and launched a hail of ice-pellets at him from all sides, peppering his arms, face and torso. Swatting feebly at the onslaught, he staggered away and fled.

The younger Firebender managed to melt his restraints and tried to hit Katara from behind with a fire-whip, but Toph tapped the ground with her foot, throwing off his aim mid-swing. Katara spun, snared his wrists with a water coil again and slammed him against the wall, knocking him out. As Toph turned back toward the real threat, she sensed two sets of rapid vibrations descending the side of the building; Yakone and Zolt were fleeing the scene. She glanced back at Katara, who was now busy dealing with a Waterbender and an Earthbender.

"Go after him!" Katara barked, clipping the Earthbender under the jaw with an ice projectile. "I have these kids under control, go!"

Toph bent the cobblestones under her feet like a conveyor belt, rolling rapidly down the street. She hadn't sensed Yakone bend yet, but she had experience against Northern Waterbending tactics, courtesy of Katara. Sensing the exit Yakone and Zolt were going for, she swiped a knife-hand to raise a high stone barrier, cutting them off as she rounded the corner. Zolt turned quickly and hurled a fireball at her, but she ducked and kicked a stone wedge back at him, hitting his jaw with a sickening crack. He collapsed on his knees, dazed.

"You could do with training your new recruits a little better." She addressed Yakone, who didn't turn around. "The crew you used to clear out this neighborhood was twice as tough as any of these. Where are your real soldiers, still busy smuggling war munitions across the border?" Without waiting for an answer, she raised her arm and thrust her hand forward, launching her cable-

An agonizing pain ripped through her entire body, instantly. It was as if every vein was being yanked in different directions at once, as if her blood was on fire. Her nerves registered the pain, but refused to do anything other than twitch; the cable that she used as an extension of her arm, unraveled limply on the ground. Her left arm twisted behind her back, her right contorted so violently she thought her bones would snap. And then she realized what was happening, even though she'd never experienced it before.

Yakone was a Bloodbender.

Then, she felt her feet lift off the ground. It was just like when she'd been on the airship during Sozin's Comet, only worse. At least then, Sokka had managed to grab her hand before she could plummet to her death. This time, there was nothing to anchor her. Nothing solid for her to feel with her hands or feet, even though they weren't obeying her anyway.

Her body rotated, until she was hanging upside down. Through the haze of pain, she felt the faintest air current on her fingers and feet, suggesting she was moving forward, but she couldn't tell where- until she heard Yakone's voice, whispering right next to her ear.

"Take a lesson from the other Triads, Chief Beifong. The Jenamites, the Red Monsoons, even those Agni Kai fools. They backed down once they saw my vision for the future, and the good it would do Republic City. The good it will do their children. I assume you want the best opportunities for your daughter, too? Then again, children are terribly vulnerable when they're young."

Touch her and I'll rip your throat out, Toph wanted to snarl, but the blood vessels in her jaw kept it clamped shut. She could feel the veins and arteries constricting and writhing within her muscles, her lungs. All it would take was a gesture, and she'd be dead.

"You and I really ought to be working together. We both want this country to become something more than what it is, now: a handful of factions fighting each other for scraps. The only difference between mine and yours, is that you wear a uniform." Yakone chuckled. "Right now, there's just one thing really standing in the way of my vision, besides that stick-in-the-mud Council. The current head of the Triple Threats is too shortsighted, and his retirement is coming sooner than he thinks. If you want order in Republic City, I'm your best chance-"

From somewhere nearby there was a shout, a hiss of rapid-moving water, and a splashing impact, followed by a thud and a grunt of pain. Yakone's Bloodbending grip vanished instantly; Toph dropped to the ground, landing hard. Dazed, she ripped the helmet off her head, sucked in a huge breath and took a second to evaluate her surroundings. Zolt, the Firebending teenager, had darted through the doorway of a building. Katara's boots were pounding up the street, the snow along the cobbles molding into ice projectiles at her command. Without pausing, she launched them at Yakone, who was already back on his feet. Instead of fighting back, he rolled sideways to evade the missiles, melted the snow underneath him into a current, and used it to sweep over the top of the wall Toph had conjured. The sound of rushing water receded rapidly...

"Toph? Toph." Katara's voice was urgent. "Are you okay? I saw what he was doing to you. He's a-"

"I know what he is, Katara." Toph waved away her hand as she rose shakily to her feet. "The question is, how? Bloodbending is something that's impossible without a full moon-"

"As far as we know." Katara shuddered. "I've never tried to access it outside of the full moon, and I don't intend to use it again. Obviously, Yakone doesn't have the same scruples. But who could have taught him? Bloodbending has never existed in the Northern Water Tribe, and the only benders from the Southern Tribe who ever learned it were Hama and me-"

"Hama taught herself, though, didn't she? And she didn't teach you, she forced you into unlocking it, under desperate circumstances. Just like I unlocked Metalbending under desperate circumstances." Toph's skin was crawling. For a second, she was still dangling helplessly in the air... "Please tell me you got a look at his face when you broke his Bloodbending grip." If she didn't have something concrete on Yakone now, he would stay in the wind.

Katara shook her head. "I was focused on getting him away from you, and it was too dark, anyway." She held out her hand again, water congealing against her palms. "I don't know if more of them might come. Can you walk? If anything's damaged, I can heal it quickly as long as it's not bones-"

"I'm fine." Toph slapped her hand away, then caught herself. "I'm okay, Katara. Tell me there's a boat nearby. I need to get to Air Temple Island."

"What for?" Katara bent the water back into her belt-pouch and put her hand on Toph's shoulder. "If you were still on active duty, your first instinct would have been to book those kids and bring them in for questioning-"

"I don't care. My parents and Lin are there. I need to be with Lin."

Katara recognized her tone and nodded. "...I'll take you."

Ten minutes later, they were on a small sampan, Katara jet-propelling them across the bay. Toph knew Katara was giving it everything she had, but the impulse to bark "Faster!" at her friend hovered at the back of her throat. Yakone was probably retreating... but he might also have been moving on to his next target. If he was as skilled as Katara- and the fact that he could Bloodbend meant that he might be- he could reach Air Temple Island just as quickly, and without the White Lotus sentries seeing him coming. And If he could Bloodbend without the full moon, he would always be able to threaten Lin.

Faster.

Toph raced through the gates, past the gabled spire of the temple, into the hallway that led to the living quarters. Katara followed her, shooing startled Air Acolytes back to their beds, alerting White Lotus guards about a possible attack, and trying to reassure her. Toph heard her words faintly, but didn't acknowledge them. Rushing around a corner, she ran straight into Sokka. He caught hold of her shoulders, reflexively.

"Whoa, Toph! Easy, I'm off-balance from being on a boat all day!" He noticed her face. "Hey, wait, are you okay?"

"I need Lin. She should be with my parents, which room are they in? Where's Lin?" Toph's voice was icy. Her ears frantically filtered through the night sounds, her feet straining to catch vibrations. This was so much harder in a wooden building, why couldn't Aang have built his damn temple out of stone-

Her breath caught in her throat as she finally heard what she was searching for: the breathing patterns of her parents and Lin, only two rooms down. Her father's pulse had quickened somewhat, and his vibrations were coming closer, probably disturbed by the noisy arrival. Her mother's and Lin's pulses were slow and even. They were asleep, without a care in the world.

Lao Beifong came around the corner, a lamp hanging from his hand. "Toph? What's going on? We assumed you'd be back earlier, we were worried-"

"Is Lin OK, Dad?"

"She's fine. Your mother's with her, now. Toph, what's wrong?" His tone was concerned.

Toph glanced away as she inhaled slowly through her nose, catching her breath. Her father was the last person she wanted to talk to about this. He'd changed for the better since stepping down from the Council, but he'd never completely lost his shortsighted, overprotective nature. As much as she wanted to scoop up and cradle Lin right now, her distress would only alarm the baby, and her parents.

"...Nothing. Just had a little delay, getting back." She forced a reassuring smile that was probably more of a grimace. "Go back to sleep, Dad, I'll take you back to my place in the morning."

Lao glanced uncertainly at Katara. "As long as it's no imposition-"

"Of course not." Katara's tone indicated that she knew how Toph wanted this handled. "You're always welcome."

Lao stared at Toph for a long moment, then nodded and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, then." He wandered back to his room.

Katara squeezed Toph's shoulder. "...I'm going to stand watch with the White Lotus for a few hours-"

"No. Thanks, Katara, but you've already given me enough help today. You should go and pack, get ready to join Aang-"

"Aang can handle himself for a few days. If there's a Bloodbender with a grudge against you, I'm not leaving you alone right now. I'm going to contact your officers." Katara strode back outside, already shouting more instructions to the White Lotus guards.

"Wait. What?!" Sokka's voice was deadly serious. He put his hand on Toph's shoulder and steered her down the hall. "There's... a Bloodbender in Republic City? What happened?"

"Katara and I were ambushed by more than a dozen Triple Threat Triads on our way home. We dealt with all of them except the leader, Yakone. I tried to nab him as he was fleeing... and he got me in a Bloodbending grip." Her breath was becoming ragged in her throat again. "I need to sit down."

"Just a bit further." They entered the tea-room and Sokka pushed her into a sitting position on one of the mats. He pulled several utinsels from the shelves, set a kettle of water over the firepit, and threw a few sticks of wood onto the dying coals. "Iroh taught me a few tricks, the last time I visited the Jade Dragon. I agree with him more and more on the subject of tea, these days." He turned back to her. "Do you have evidence you could give the court, of the Bloodbending? I know that's next to impossible, but..."

"If Katara testifies as a second witness, yes, I have admissible evidence. But only of the bending, not the bender." Her teeth ground together.

"But you saw him-"

"I didn't SEE him, Sokka! How many times do I need to remind you of the blindingly obvious?!" Toph slammed her left hand on the table, waving her right in front of her unseeing eyes. "He kept out of sight at first, and when he Bloodbent me, Katara was busy fighting some others! When she finally broke his grip, he fled before she could get a look at his face!" She took a deep breath and pressed her fingers to her temples. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose it-"

"Don't apologize." Sokka's tone was gentle, reassuring. "I've been Bloodbent, too. Only has to happen once, and you never forget how scary it is."

Toph froze. For a second, she was dangling upside-down in mid-air again, paralyzed, unable to feel anything except her blood boiling.

She sucked in another deep breath, felt tears brim in her eyes and run down her face, and the breath came out as a sob of terror. Instantly, Sokka dropped the tea utensils and was hugging her, hard. He didn't say a word, but Toph clutched him, crying quietly for a while, letting it out. She felt completely drained of energy, but Sokka held onto her. Just as he had on the airship during Sozin's comet.

Finally, she took a slow, shuddering breath. "He... he... he threatened Lin. He could come at any time, and do to her what he did to me, he can Bloodbend without a full moon-"

Sokka's hands tightened around her shoulder blades. "He's not going to get anywhere near her. Not on an island swarming with White Lotus and Metalbenders. We'll keep enough of them here that he won't dare make a move, until Aang and Katara get back."

Toph detached herself slowly from his embrace, wiping her eyes. "...Katara might not be enough to stop him. Even if she was willing to Bloodbend again, she can't without the full moon. She could break his grip, but she couldn't subdue him the same way."

Sokka scratched his goatee as he went back to brewing the tea. "Well...maybe you don't have to subdue him in battle, to break his power. Maybe you only have to expose him."

Toph let out a shaky chuckle. "Coming up with another of your great ideas, Captain Boomerang?"

"Maybe, and I am flattered that you remembered that one. I was thinking about Hama. Katara did beat her once she used Bloodbending herself, but Hama was a lot more experienced at it than she was. She probably could have broken Karara's grip, if she'd really wanted to. What really defeated Hama was her exposure as a Bloodbender; the Fire Nation citizens she imprisoned were released and testified against her, so they were ready for her next time. If you testify that Yakone used Bloodbending against you-"

"But Bloodbending itself isn't illegal. No form of bending is, and if we claim it was used in attack, they'll claim self-defense."

"Bloodbending ought to be illegal." Sokka's tone turned grim. "Katara might find a way to use it to enhance her healing powers, but the risk of it being used for torture or murder or coercion... it's too high. Now that we know there are still Bloodbenders in the world, we need to declare that particular power illegal."

"So, I testify, we start some sort of petition in favor of declaring Bloodbending illegal..." Toph shrugged. "It's not much right now, but it has potential. Especially since they attacked right after I pushed the Council to pass an anti-Triad measure; it looks like desperate retribution on Yakone's part."

"Plus, one: as far as we know, Bloodbending is incredibly rare." Sokka handed her a cup of tea. "This would be the first time it's been witnessed and documented in over twenty years. Two: presumably, Yakone's the only Bloodbender in Republic City, which is how he's built such a scary reputation. So if Bloodbending is declared illegal, all the charges fall right on his head."

"We still need to get a visual on his face AND catch him in the act again, though." Toph took a sip of her tea. Sokka hadn't been joking; his tea-making skills had improved considerably. "I wouldn't be much help with that-"

"But you've heard his voice. As long as you don't go anywhere alone, Yakone can't approach you without his face possibly being seen and identified in the future."

Toph felt like arguing for a moment. She had always been fiercely independent, that was part of the reason Yakone's attack had upset her so much. But her fear for her daughter overruled her other instincts. Sokka's suggestion wasn't over-protectiveness, it was strategy. She finally nodded. "...Okay. I'm staying here until Aang and Katara get back; I testify tomorrow, and when I'm going through town I bring one of my officers. Penga will probably be happy to volunteer."

"Oh, Spirits. She doesn't still have a crush on me, does she?"

"No, she's married." Toph laughed. She reached out to hug Sokka again. "Thanks, Sokka." The sensation of being Bloodbent came back to her again, involuntarily, and she squeezed his waist until it was gone.

"Anytime, Toph. You need anything else?"

For a moment, Toph was keenly aware of how close she was to him: her head against his chest, his heartbeat through the tunic. An urge to lean upwards, to feel his lips on hers, flitted through her head briefly...

"...No. I'll just finish the tea, then go to bed."

"'Kay. And hey, thanks for bucking me up earlier today, about the whole Suki thing. You need help with anything, you let me know, got it?"

Toph nodded as he left. She was freshly traumatized, Sokka had always been her friend, and he was only just out of a relationship. Re-visiting her childhood feelings for him wouldn't be kind to either of them, for now. Although, it would provide Katara with endless amusement...

Stop it. You've got other priorities.

She did. As she swallowed the rest of her tea and headed down the hallway to where her daughter was sleeping, a single hard thought resonated through her mind, over and over. Yakone had to be stopped... whatever it took.