It's an early morning in Republic City and Toph Beifong is waking up to little Lin's hands touching her face.

"Morning," Toph grunted slightly. A single woman who enjoyed her solidarity, adjusted horribly to motherhood and a harder time adjusting to another person's sleeping schedule.

Toph lifted her head up to her daughter's hands.

"Mom, let's get ready right now" Lin begged. "It's parent's day!"

Toph continued to groan loudly, "My body isn't even awake yet."

At that moment Toph wished she had taken Katara's advice about Lin not sleeping with her in the same bed for so long. She sighed at the thought of Katara's "I told you so".

Lin's hands now started patting her mother's face in annoyance. "Please you promised you'd be ready as soon as possible."

Lin is only 4 years old but she loved to be on top of things and this orderliness confused Toph. She has always wanted to give her children more freedom than she had growing up with her own parents. This reminded Toph why Lin still slept with her. Lin loved Toph's security and claimed once that her mother's tiredness rubbed off on Lin when she couldn't sleep at night. It's something Toph couldn't take away from Lin just yet.

"Get ready kiddo," Toph sighed as she sat up and felt Lin jump off the bed and heard her run down the hallway towards Aika's room.

Aika was a nanny for the Beifong family. After much push from Katara and her parents Toph admitted that her responsibilities didn't give her enough time to accomplish everything successfully. She is the Chief of Police of an ever expanding city and being a single mother on top of that, limited her time towards her daughter. Aika is an air acolyte and through air nomadic beliefs children aren't raised in family units but by nuns and monks. This decision was perfect. Aika lived with Toph and went to Air Temple Island with Lin after school to visit Aang & Katara's children. Aika attended to whatever duties she had there. All Toph knew is that after a long day there was Lin and food on the table at the home. Toph didn't pay much attention to the details because Lin would be taken care of.

Toph smelled breakfast cooking. Vegan bacon.

She winced. That was one thing she wished she had thought through.

—

After breakfast Lin got her things together to walk with Aika to school. Toph had just finished putting on her metal officer uniform and stepped out to say goodbye to her daughter.

Lin looked up to her mother in awe of such authority. Her mother's physique seemed to be taller, stronger and defined in her suit. Her long dark hair was now pinned up but her bangs still wisped across her face. Her mother's features were simple and delicate but her eyes still stunned Lin. They were clear glass colored that represented her mother's power: her blindness. Toph only mentioned her blindness once before when Lin kept asking what her favorite color was. She demonstrated to her daughter how she saw the world through vibrations with Earth bending. Lin marveled at this power. When she mastered the technique herself, she earned an arm nudge from her mother.

"Don't forget it's at noon today mom," Lin said as Aika grabbed her hand.

"I won't kid. I'll make sure to stay nearby so I won't be late," the Chief grinned.

Aika grinned back at the chief and handed her a packed metal lunch box. Toph could sense the slight tension in Aika's grip of the box.

"Ms. Beifong I packed you both lunches today, since it is a BIG day. We don't need you waiting in a line somewhere," Aika emphasized. The nanny was aware how much Lin has been obsessed with this day for the past two weeks.

"Don't worry Aika, I got this," Toph said as she scratched the top of Lin's head. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay," Lin lit up and started pulling on Aika's hand to start leaving.

She felt them leave their home and the house fell silent. After enjoying a small moment of this, Toph started at the door.

"A Big day," she muttered.

The Biefongs lived in the federal district of Republic City. These streets were part of the original old Crane town that survived the riots in the early days. Avatar Aang and Toph's father Loa Beifong established these streets as the heart of the city.

It truly was.

The city's beauty and cultural diversity was echoed through the streets. The architecture of each building was either a representation of the inner rings of Ba Sing Se, the Fire Nation or the Water Tribe. The buildings were made of marble and limestone to represent neutrality like the White Lotus. A depiction of true unity.

This always amazed Aika.

She wasn't born here unlike Lin. Aika was from a noble family of the Earth Kingdom. She was 12 years old when she witnessed her older sister Akari, being forced into a marriage by her parents. Her mother coerced her sister with hopes of fortune and stability for the future of their family. Before the marriage Aika consoled her sister and begged her to run away with her. Akari objected, believing this would dishonor the family.

Aika feared her freedom would be taken away too and decided to leave on her own. She stole the dowry from her parents and booked passage to Republic City. She had heard of the bustling city at family dinners with her father's friends. It was a unique staple on the world; a true place of change. Out of all the places to go, Aika felt pulled to the city.

Her first weeks in Republic City were blurred. It was her first time on her own and she knew the money she stole wouldn't last long. There were many newcomers to the city and jobs were starting to become scarce. She was unable to find room and board. Aika was scared of the rising crime in the streets and found a cheap room to rent instead.

Unfortunately the small building was burned to the ground a few days later, along with all the other tenants homes. Aika was asleep when she smelled the smoke. She was swift and managed to get out. No one else was hurt but the terror of the building on fire left its mark.

The landlord had confessed to the police that the Triple Threats Triad had harassed him for money for protection but he refused. After the police and medics arrived at the scene, a group of people in orange and yellow attire arrived with food and blankets. They offered food and shelter to the survivors.

Aika accepted their hospitality, not realizing this would be the place she was meant to be. The culture of freedom. Without any prejudice these men and women were there with open arms and a smile. Finally, she felt home.

Now she looked at what she's accomplished since her curious encounter over a decade ago.

She was an air acolyte. Dressed in her own orange gown with a yellow sash. Her long brown hair braided and her hazel eyes displayed brightly to the world.

She traveled to stay true to the nomadic roots of the Air Nation. She studied the gurus and monks that with their own journey to spiritual enlightenment were able to detach themselves from earthly possessions. Something she wished she was able to do.

She had broken through every chakra except detachment.

It was her sister that she could not let go of. She thinks of her everyday and has sent letters but no response.

When she returned to Republic City, she hoped she would find an answer again. Little did she know that being a nanny would ease her pain. Being with Lin and helping Toph be independent from a man and live outside of society's norms eased her pain. Something Aika wished for her sister. She felt through this journey she would be able to find some closure from her past. She would be able to detach and become a true spiritual guru one day.

For now, she is Lin's caretaker and best friend. As they walk the early morning of the city streets they both appreciate the calmness of the air and the smell of the sweet pastries baking at the nearby market.

They always stop here at Wen's Bakery for Lin's lunch treat. Her favorite was the fruit pies that were made traditionally by Air Nomads.

The dough was light and fluffy but also had a gooey center that Lin loved.

"Can you believe these weren't around for a hundred years," she teased Lin. "You wouldn't have survived."

Lin rolled her eyes, "I'm a lot stronger than you think."

She held her packaged pastry now in her hands, debating. "My mom did without it. So can I," she smiled as she started handing the treat to Aika.

Aika halted her gesture.

"If you really want to give away your treat, I'd wait to give it to someone who really needs it," she smiled.

Lin pursed her lips and nodded in agreement.

Since Lin had started school she had been exposed to the stories of her mother & friends in the ending of the Hundred Year War.

Her mother was a hero, of course she wanted to be like her.

Today was a big day to show off her mother to her classmates. They were all fans of Team Avatar.

The pair walked two blocks over to the Tienhai School of Arts & Principles.

The statue of Lady Tianhai is placed in front of the steps of the school. Lin watched Aika bow to the beautiful lady and then she did the same.

"We learned about this spirit who protected these shores last week. She's pretty but I think her decision was dumb," Lin said as she stared at the statue and the turned to Aika. "Why give up immortality and protect something that meant everything to you for this," she extended her arms towards the buildings around them.

Aika chuckled at Lin's disapproval of the spirit.

"She's not dead. After her mortal death she was reborn into a different form. The spirit still watches over this place. I think sometimes everyone needs a little change." After Aika said this Lin grunted.

Lin folded her arms and looked away from Aika.

"She's not going to make it today, is she," Lin whispered.

They both sighed.

Aika walked over and put her arms around Lin and said soothingly, "I think you owe Lady Tianhai an apology. Maybe if you offer her this fruit pie, you can ask her to protect the city this morning to make sure your mom makes it."

Lin squeezed Aika's hand and then brushed her off then walked over to her belongings. She grabbed her pie and sat it at the foot of the statue and bowed her head for a moment.

When she was done she ran back over to Aika and exclaimed, "I'm glad we're always here early, so no one saw that."

Aika rolled her eyes and patted Lin's head, "I'm proud of you. Now, I thought we only came here early because you like to be in the garden."

Lin nodded and they made their way onto the school grounds towards the garden. On their way they passed the school's large pond that was now filled with cranes. Aika nodded and smiled to herself.

Lin played in the Rock Garden, bending the element from different forms sand, mud and metal to her desire, while Aika watched amused. The school bell started to chime, giving Lin five minutes to be in class.

Lin hugged Aika goodbye and ran inside the school building.

"I'll pick you up later," Aika waved at Lin as she ran off. The air acolyte turned and started walking around the grounds from where she came in. She noticed the cranes and the pie were gone. At the exit she bowed again at the statue and smiled.

"Thank you."

Toph was many things and her presence was always respected when she entered a room. However when she entered that station that morning, someone was already waiting for her with a smug attitude.

"Hey Sokka," Toph mused.

The Water Tribe Councilman had a few scrolls of papers in his arms, then threw them at her.

It was a surprise that Toph did not like and she uncontrollably rumbled the ground beneath her, and felt the scrolls of paper roll off her.

"Hey Chief," Sokka laughed at Toph's confused face.

"I know you can't read these newspapers, but they are all about YOU," Sokka exclaimed as he picked up the scrolls from the ground.

"Good or bad," Toph laughed.

"Pretty good, actually," Sokka responded.

"Really! Read em' to me," Toph marveled at the glory of her recognition.

Sokka cleared his voice and straightened the piece of paper in his hands and took a deep breath.

"Chief of Police Toph Beifong has crushed more than rocks, she has plummeted the crime rates in Republic City. She is the fearless leader of the new metal benders of the world and no one has ever defeated the Old Blind Bandit," Sokka said excitedly.

"Old," Toph spat out the word.

Sokka bit his lip, "Well I mean we definitely aren't kids anymore. A lot of people forget we grew up and some just think we're ancient after everything the gang has accomplished."

His explanation only tried to compliment the word but Toph's ego was slightly hurt. She has always enjoyed her authority and responsibility but to seem old to her citizens made her uneasy. Sure some days she felt ancient after dealing with the worst criminals and scum the city has but she's only in her thirties. If she's old in her thirties, is she ancient in her forties?

"Toph you've done all of this while being a single mom, I mean you're unstoppable," Sokka tried to praise as he saw her lips tighten.

Toph relaxed her posture and laughed, "Well, at least I made it on all these papers".

The old friends laughed and then Sokka let out a small howl, as Toph punched his arm.

Sokka rubbed the hurt area and walked with his old friend through the police station.

"Busy day ahead of you," Sokka questioned as the Chief entered her office.

"Kind of, it's getting cut short and my deadline is noon. Lin has a thing," Toph shook her head. "What about you?"

Sokka set the newspapers on her desk and sat down on the chair closest to him.

"There's a vote in a few days. I need to do more readings and talk to a few more citizens that this vote will affect. It's about Chi Blocking," Sokka stumbled on his last few words.

"I bet Suki has plenty to say," Toph laughed.

Sokka nodded in frustration and sighed,"there's just a lot going on."

Toph understood. The world was complicated and politics in this city was no exception. After defeating the Firelord the gang thought the world would return to just four nations.

They were wrong.

The world changed forever in those hundred years. Returning the Fire Nation colonies back to Earth Kingdom turned messy. It caused the formation of this city, the melting pot of the world and all its problems.

"I agree, but I'm sure after looking into it with the citizens and leaders, you'll figure it out," Toph reassured her old friend. She usually stayed out of the lawmaking process but was always there to enforce.

Sokka knew he couldn't push Toph for an opinion but he wished she would. She was always quick to comment and criticize but with politics she hardly budged. Realizing this and the time, Sokka got up from his chair.

"Well you're right, I should get started on that. Congratulations again Toph, you deserve it," Sokka smiled as he headed towards the door.

"Thanks Sokka, and good luck," Toph waved her friend goodbye.

Toph sighed and sat in her chair. She flipped the patrol radio on and listened for a few minutes.

She felt the weight of her metal suit getting heavy as she relaxed. Uncomfortable, the metal bender got up to begin her routine stroll for updates in the station and morning patrol of the city.

With only a few hours to spare, she had to make sure everything was in order before she left. What could go wrong?