Chapter 31

Exhaustion

Maddi

Our second day with Toph was interesting. We were stopping for dinner and bed. Then Appa shook and bison fur flew everywhere. I shook my head and launched myself from the saddle, a trick that most of us had taken to. Toph was right behind me.

"Wow, you guys chose a great campsite. The grass is so soft here."

"Actually that's bison fur," I corrected, "spring means shedding." I had to agree with her though, the fur was extremely soft.

"Oh gross." Katara muttered trying to keep the hair off her. Good luck, I found myself thinking, anyone who was a pet owner knew just how hopeless that particular battle was. While Sokka, Aang and Toph played in the fur and Katara was distracted by their antics I focused on setting up camp. It was a duty I had become well antiquated with. Normally we would all work together but tonight we needed to have some extra time in bed. Katara was the first to notice and quickly she, Sokka and Aang joined me. Toph didn't seem to care, exploring the area and getting a sense of the place.

We were almost done when Katara realized that Toph hadn't helped at all.

"Hey Toph-"

"Katara, can you pass the bowls?" I quickly interjected. Of course Katara wasn't going to let go of something once she had seen fit to change it.

"Toph, can you get Maddi the bowls?"

"Never mind." I called, spooning out the soup into the wooden bowls. After a moment I called to everyone.

"Dinners ready." I wasn't unsurprised that Toph didn't join us for dinner. I was well aware of the pack that she had brought with her. But I also knew that her own food would run out in less then a week. Of course it was Sokka who had told me though I had no idea how he knew. For someone who was blind Toph sure knew how to keep things hidden from view.

We headed to bed early upon my insistence. My friends didn't argue though Toph looked disgusted. Katara did too actually, although I suspected it was for other reasons.

I was woken up by a panicked cry from Toph.

"Get up!" I shot upright, alarmed.

"What is it Toph?" Katara asked blearily.

"Something's coming." Toph replied, hand pressed against the ground to get a better reading on the vibrations.

"What is it?" Aang asked, noting in worry how I had packed up my sleeping bag. I noticed Katara and Sokka following my actions.

"It's like an avalanche, but not like an avalanche." Toph added, confusion filling her voice.

"Here's a hint, we need to move." I added. I tossed my sleeping bag into Appa's saddle. My friends followed suit and within minutes we were all on Appa's back.

"What is it?" Katara asked me, turning to look at me in worry.

"Why would she know? What? Do you need her to be your mommy?" Toph mocked. Katara spun back, anger Flaring in her eyes. It suddenly occurred to me that I had never told Toph about my situation.

"No, remember how I told you I was Aang's spirit guide? Well that's sort of right but basically I sometimes know things no one else does. I'll explain it to you in more detail later." I stated. Toph wrinkled her nose but didn't argue.

"So who is it?" Sokka interjected, "Zuko?" I shook my head.

"Zuko was lucky to get a boat, they wouldn't give him an advanced machine such as this." I pointed out.

"Who's Zuko?" Toph asked.

"Banished prince of the fire nation. He was chasing us around the world for a while." Sokka replied offhand, before focusing again on me.

"So if it isn't Zuko who is it?" To my surprise Katara was the one who figured it out.

"It's those girls from Omashu." I nodded, feeling ready to go back to sleep. Remembering last second that Toph had no idea what was going on I clarified.

"Yes. Azula, Princess of the fire nation and Zuko's little sister, her playmate, Ty Lee, and Zuko's old fiancé, Mai." I explained, leaning back and closing my eyes. Appa landed a moment later. Unlike my friends I didn't bother to get off. I had been overtired for a while now, my dreams made sure I didn't get more then five hours of sleep in one go. There was the occasional time when I would be able to sleep straight through but they were few and far between. I was also a light sleeper unless completely exhausted. I was getting close to that point but I wasn't there yet. I was woken up by Toph and Katara halfway through an argument.

"ENOUGH!" I bellowed. The volume of my own voice surprised me. Awkward silence coated the clearing like a coat of wet paint.

"You two are acting like children. Go to sleep, you can fight when the sun's out." This time neither Toph nor Katara backed down.

"Who died and made you queen?" Toph snapped, "you think you're so superior-"

"Don't bother trying to explain to her." Katara snapped at me, "she doesn't know what the word respect means." Sokka and Aang were trying to keep out of it but I could see that the battle was wearing on their nerves as well.

"What!? Listen here sugar queen," Toph snarled stepping forward. She froze, suddenly tensing up. I too became alert and looked up at the tree tops. Black smoke hung like a veil over the bright starry sky.

"Aww you've got to be kidding me." Sokka muttered. Once again we climbed onto a sleeping Appa, woke the bison and headed off. Unlike me Appa could sleep through almost anything.

We landed in a place that was significantly higher in altitude, halfway up the side of a rocky mountain.

"Finally. Don't bother setting up. Go to sleep." Sokka gasped, tossing his sleeping bag to the ground and collapsing upon it. He was asleep in an instant. Aang was right behind him followed by Appa.

"That's okay Toph wasn't going to help anyway." Katara snapped, using her bedroll as a pillow.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize baby still needed to be tucked into bed." Toph retorted. I closed my eyes and laid still in my sleeping bag. I was going to be the stronger, better person and just ignore it. The banter continued for a little while before Momo started screeching. I jerked upright. I hadn't been able to sleep at all with the talking and now once again they had found us.

"Okay that's it, this time we stay to fight." I didn't argue. I was ready to drop where I stood. The machine, some sort of cross between a tank and steamroller came to a stop. A cabin opened and Azula was revealed alongside Ty Lee and Mai. I didn't know what type of reptiles they were riding not that I cared that much.

"We can take them, three on three." Toph crowed.

"Hey!" Sokka and I cried in tandem.

"Sorry I was only counting benders." Toph replied flippantly. I had the sneaking suspicion that she wasn't really that sorry.

"Newsflash," I hissed, eyes narrowed at the blind girl, "but if you're only counting benders it's one on three."

"Fine then, three in five." Toph corrected. My lip curled into a snarl at her response. I had the distinct image of tearing her thick hair out in chunks.

Azula wasn't the type to just sit around waiting. In a moment she and her 'friends' had kicked their lizards into movement. I watched in horror as the giant lizards climbed right over Toph's rocks. My friends pulled a hasty retreat, Toph creating a giant wall to slow down those chasing us. It was to high and steep for the lizards to climb but Azula fixed that with a bolt of blue lightening. The earth exploded with a crack that seemed to shake the air around us. Appa was already in the air and out of range by the time the smoke cleared.

We sat quietly on Appa as we flew away. None of us were happy about having to leave like cowards. We were even more unhappy when a pale light peaked over the horizon.

"I still think we could have fought them." Toph stated finally, leaning away from us over Appa's saddle.

"Are you kidding?" Katara asked, "Those girls are scary. The flying daggers and the blue firebending... and I don't even know what the third can do."

"Oh no it's morning. We've been up all night with no sleep." Sokka moaned, staring out at the rising orb. Heavy bags under his eyes. No one replied so he continued.

"I've never gone all night without sleep before."

"Neither have of any of us." I replied sharply, "Your point's what?"

"We'll be okay." Aang muttered from where he sat on Appa's head. Sokka proceeded to freak out about 'never not sleeping before'. I bit my tongue to not snarl at him to shut up. I was in a bad mood, the lack of sleep still bothering me.

"Every time we land those girls are there. We'll just have to keep flying."

"We can't keep flying forever." Aang pointed out tiredly.

I must have fallen asleep after that because the next thing I knew I was falling. I woke up with a panicked scream. Reaching out I grabbed Toph, holding on to her and the saddle. Aang was desperately trying to wake up Appa who had fallen asleep while flying. Some small corner of my mind muttered something about falling asleep while driving but I ignored it, to focused on not letting the small blind girl fly away. Toph of course had a strong grip on the saddle as well. All my friends were screaming but I felt as though something had lodged in my throat constricting my ability to make a noise. Aang must have woken Appa up because our decent was suddenly corrected slightly, becoming less steep. That didn't stop us from hitting the treeline and then the ground, leaving a deep gouge in the earth.

We scrambled off the bison and hit the earth ourselves. Aang looked up at us, purple bags dark against his pale skin.

"Appa's exhausted."

"Then we should follow Appa's example and go to sleep." Sokka pointed out, "We've put enough distance between us and those girls for now." He promptly fell into his sleeping bag and did just that.

"Of course we could have gotten some more sleep if Toph didn't have so many issues." I could feel the earth shake as Toph practically screeched.

"What?!"

"Shut up both of you." I muttered, trying to hide my head under my pillow. Aang, ever the peacekeeper stepped forward.

"Alright, everyone's exhausted. Let's just get some rest."

"No! I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?"

"Please shut up." I muttered again. Sokka snored beside me. Lucky guy.

"I'm just saying, if you helped out sooner we could have set up camp earlier-" I tensed. That was it.

"Leave her alone Katara."

"You're blaming ME for this?" I felt my heart sink. I sat up, nudging Sokka slightly. This was going to get ugly fast.

"No, no she's not blaming you!"

"Oh no, I'm blaming her." Katara retorted to Aang who was looking more and more desperate by the minute. Toph glowered at Katara which was unusually scary because of her blindness.

"I never asked you for diddly doo da. I carry my own weight." She snarled "Besides, if there is anyone to blame it's sheddy here." Aang's reaction was immediate.

"You're blaming Appa?!" I flinched and stood. I needed to stop this before it blew out of control.

"If its anyone's fault-"

"Stay out of this Maddi." Aang snapped, spinning to look at Toph in fury.

"Appa has saved your life three times today! If there is anyone to blame it's you!"

"Aang-"

"You are always talking about how you carry your own weight but you're not. He is. Appa is carrying you weight."

"Aang-"

"He never had a problem when it was just the four of us!" There was silence for a moment and I could see Aang's realization that he had messed up bad.

"I'm outta here." Toph muttered. Sokka staggered to his feet and ran in front of Toph, his arms stretched out.

"Wait." He didn't get to say anything else as Toph earthbended him to the side and continued to tromp off.

"What did I just do?" Aang asked, sitting down, head in hands. I sighed.

"I'm going after her."

"Maddi." I turned back. Katara was looking at me worriedly, "Is everything going to be okay?"

"Yes, as long as nothing changes. Let me deal with this." I told her and headed out after Toph.


I had tracked Toph out of the forest and up to a rocky mountainside. She had to have met Iroh which meant that the two of them were having tea somewhere up above. With a sigh I started up the slope.

I was tired, dirty and sweating by the time I heard Iroh's voice. I was well aware that I could have taken the winding path up the mountainside but it would have taken longer.

"So, where is your nephew?" Toph's voice echoed down for me to hear.

"I've been tracking him actually." That was Iroh. I took a second to wipe away some sweat dribbling down my forehead.

"Is he lost?"

"In a way. His life has changed and he is going through very difficult times. He is trying to figure out who he is." I noticed Iroh didn't sound sad so much as worried.

"So... now you're following him?" The conversation continued but I couldn't quite pay attention. I was tired and worn out. Inside I was calling myself various nasty names for taking the more difficult route.

"Hello Maddi." I looked up. I was nearly at the top and Toph was looking down at me over the edge. I grinned guiltily as a pillar of rock shot me up onto the path Toph and Iroh were sitting on.

"Ow." I muttered, sitting up from where I had fallen, "Was that really necessary?"

"You were following me." Toph replied, sounding frustrated.

"Of course I did. I wanted to apologize." Toph opened her mouth only to close it abruptly. Apparently she hadn't expected me to say that. I smiled at Iroh's surprised face.

"Hello General Iroh, it is nice to see you again." Toph now looked completely lost.

"You know him?" I chuckled.

"Toph, meet General Iroh of the Fire Nation. His nephew is Prince Zuko. The guy who chased us across the world? General Iroh meet Toph, Aang's earthbending teacher." Iroh shook his head, a wane smile on his face.

"I should have realized that you and your companions were part of it." He shook his head. I sighed. We needed to get going.

"Well I think that the three of us are headed in the same direction. Considering Aang and Zuko both have a knack to get into trouble we need to head down. Azula was chasing us Iroh. If Zuko is around it's going to be a three way fight that we do not want to see come to a conclusion." The change in Iroh's face was so severe it scared me a little. Iroh nodded firmly and made a clucking sound. To my surprise an ostrich-horse came at the command. Climbing on Iroh offered his hand to me. I took it and found myself seated behind the old man.

"Yah!" I turned to make sure Toph was following only to find that the young earthbender was keeping up with us, using earthbending to keep up. Biting my lip I held onto Iroh. Praying that nothing had changed this once and we would make it to them in time.


We all arrived in the town around the same time Katara and Sokka had. Zuko was unconscious in the middle of the road. While Toph, Katara and Sokka helped Aang fight Azula I ran over to Zuko along with Iroh.

"Zuko." Iroh called, shaking Zuko's shoulders. Worry clear in his face. Slowly the Fire Prince came to. Blinking he sat up, holding his head. I felt a jolt when I saw the bloody gash on his head. The three of us then quickly joined the chase. Azula, was exchanging fire and lighting bursts with my friends. However she was getting her butt kicked soundly. Katara and Sokka sent water blasts and weapons shooting at her while Aang and Toph both attacked and protected the other two from Azula's attacks. I was shocked at how well the four of them were working together. It was like a well oiled machine. I reached for my arrows and then realized in shock I had forgotten them on Appa. My disgust for myself grew. Luckily I always kept my fans on me. However, they were little use against Azula at this point. So instead I watched as Zuko and Iroh joined my friends in fighting off the Fire Princess. They chased her into a corner with no escape. Azula looked at each one. A sly grin crossed her face. I felt my heart sink.

"Iroh! DUCK!" I howled. Iroh dropped to the ground like a stone, avoiding a shot of blue electricity by mere inches. Azula's face showed complete shock. I had warned Iroh before she had taken aim. I was lucky by the time she clued in it was to late to change her direction. Unluckily for me the bolt of lightening didn't fizzle out of existence. I felt the electricity pass by me, raising all my hair up on end. It had been a good foot away from me. I couldn't imagine how powerful it would have been if it had hit me. The only thing that saved Iroh was the fact that he could deflect electricity. There were several shouts as everyone attacked Azula at once, even Iroh sprung up, shooting a bolt of fire at his niece. Azula blocked with a swirl of blue fire. By the time it had cleared she had vanished.

Then everyone turned to me.

"How did you know that she was going to attack me?" Iroh asked softly. His eyes weren't suspicious, just curious. I shrugged, carefully avoiding the elderly man's eyes. Zuko looked gobsmacked as he looked between his uncle and I. I gave a innocent smile, trying to look like it had been an accident. Instead I probably looked more guilty from the looks I was getting. I sighed.

"I have my own secrets." I told Iroh and Zuko firmly. I would fill in Toph later. Iroh nodded but Zuko looked frustrated at my unwillingness to divulge my secrets.

"Well I'm glad that you weren't hurt." I told Iroh before turning to my friends.

"Come on, we need to get going." Aang nodded and blew into his bison whistle. While we waited he turned back to Zuko.

"You know I do need a firebending master. If you'd like you can join us." I gaped at Aang in shock. What on earth was going on? Zuko frowned, looking at the avatar in confusion. He looked at us all and then turned back to Aang, lowering his voice. I frowned. I couldn't hear what the two were talking about but whatever it was Aang didn't seem upset. Not that he was happy either. He just seemed to accept whatever Zuko was saying.

Appa landed not far away from us. Lowing softly to Aang. My companions clambered onto the bison. I paused as I was about to climb on. After a moment I dug into my pack. Finding what I was looking for I slid back down and walked over to Zuko.

"Take this. You need it more then I do." I told him softly. I handed the object to him, pressing it into the firebenders hands. Turning I climbed back onto Appa. I grinned as I looked down, noticing Zuko's confusion as he stared at the scroll in his hands, the red ends marking it as fire nation in origin.


Sorry that this chapter took so long to post. It was killing me slowly, not wanting to be written. To the guest who reviewed to my new/old crossover I have not forgotten this story. I still love it and I will never stop writing until the story itself is completed. Anyway, for those others let me know what you thought of this chapter. What do you think of Maddi's choice to give Zuko her scroll? What do you think are going to be the effects of it?

Princess Kassie Out.