You know what, screw the chapter pattern. I'll do the chapter I want when I want. XD
This chapter has mixed individual-character flashbacks (that take place right where Book 3 leaves off) and follows the Gaang.
To clarify, flashbacks are first-person perspective and present-day is third-person perspective.
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FLASHBACK – TOPH'S POV
Heh heh. Even though I couldn't see anything, I could tell something was up. From the positions Twinkletoes and Katara were standing in, my suspicions were almost confirmed.
"Well, I'm sorry I'm not the best painter," Sokka exclaimed lightheartedly. All of a sudden, I instinctively turned my head to the doorway, seconds before anyone else noticed; Aang and Katara were walking downstairs.
"Oh, hey guys!" Suki laughed as Katara and Aang entered the room. "Aang, come and see Sokka's wonderful painting!"
"Oh, ha, ha, Suki." Sokka mumbled, smiling.
"Wow," Aang laughed. "That looks… er… interesting."
"Yeah," Katara laughed. "I didn't know Suki could Firebend!" (A/N: the picture actually has Suki Firebending)
Looks like they wanna keep it quiet. After a few more exchanges of witty banter, I couldn't take it anymore.
"Anything you want to tell us, Twinkletoes?" I asked casually, blowing a rogue strand of hair out of my way. Not as if it mattered, blind as I was.
"I'm sorry?" Aang asked.
"Oh, nothing," I looked away, pretending not to care, then smiling.
"Oh no, don't tell me you—." Katara started, but stopped herself. Too late. The damage had been done. Score one for the Blind Bandit! Looks like I was right after all.
"Don't tell me you what?" Zuko asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They probably--." Mai began, but was cut off.
"It's nothing," Katara said, turning to Aang, and quickly changing the subject. Nervously changing the subject, I might add. "So, uh, how about that painting?... Eh heh."
Sokka turned to Katara suspiciously. "Katara, I've known you for fourteen years. I know when you're lying. And you're blushing."
"Blushing? I'm not blushing!" Katara looked away.
Oh, this is just too good.
I turned to Twinkl to my left, who had been staying quiet this whole time. Sokka turned to me.
"Toph…?" Sokka was looking at me for help since I brought it up. "Any idea?"
"Don't say it," Katara turned to me angrily and warned me warily.
I pointed to Aang with my left hand. Everyone's eyes followed my left hand like buzzing bees.
I pointed to Katara with my right hand. Everyone intently watched as I cupped my hands, put my hands together, and created a kissing motion with my hands, and pucked my lips for good measure.
2 DAYS AGO FROM PRESENT DAY
"I'm bored," Toph grumbled, sitting in a chair.
Upon returning home to the Bei Fong Family, she got in huge trouble with her parents for running away, and on top of that leaving Master Yu and Xin Fu for dead. (To Toph's disappointment, they were found by the Bei Fong Family after being three days late for arrival). Xin Fu was ready to kill Toph, but was held back by his other Earth Rumble VI contenders.
After four years of boring being-treated-like-a-helpless-girl treatment, Toph was finally able to leave. It goes without saying that her father wouldn't let her, aaaaand she left anyway.
Six years later, after a painful experience she need not reminisce, Toph was a competitor in a worldwide Earthbending battle tournament.
"Relax, Ms…" a man read a slip of paper. "Shi Tong. You're up right after someone loses in the next battle."
Toph had obviously had to keep her identity secret, so she quick-thinkingly had come up with a name of some giant mythical owl she had never actually met, but Aang, Katara, and Sokka had. Fortunately, no one knew it was a boy's name. Not even Toph.
"And now," an announcer said. "Put your hands together for semifinalist Wan! Shi! Toooooooong!"
Oh, great, another overzealous announcer. I've had enough of those. Toph stepped onto the battlefield. The rules were the same as Earth Rumble VI: first person to fall off the platform loses.
"And, in the other corner, semifinalist… Haru of the Earth Kingdom!"
Toph's ears perked at the mention of an old Earthbending friend.
"Well, long time no see, Toph." Haru laughed, stepping on stage.
"Toph?" Toph asked innocently. "It's Wan."
"Yeah, okay," Haru said.
This'll be over quickly.
And indeed it was. It took Toph a second to pull a rock out of the Earth and hurl it at Haru, who was hit. He didn't fall off, and Earthbended a few large rocks at Toph, who avoided them with her visions. She then grabbed the announcer's podium (humorously causing him to fall to the ground) and bended the metal. After ten years of training, Toph had become just as fluent with Metalbending as she was with Earthbending. She formed a suit of armor out of the podium and flew at Haru, knocking him off the platform.
"And the winner is… moving on to the final round… Wan… Shi… Tong!"
After the congratulatory walking away and prideful boasting at the other contestants, Toph walked outside.
"Miss Bei Fong?" a mailman asked, walking up to her. "I heard you were at the tournament."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Here's a letter." The mailman told her bluntly, pulling out a letter.
"Hrm…" Toph said, opening up the letter.
Dear Toph,
Hello, my name is Bato from the Southern Water Tribe. A friend of yours, Sokka is going to propose to his friend Suki.
He decided not to send you an invitation after... you know. Though Sokka may disagree with me, from what I've heard
I don't believe you hold much of a grudge. So, I am personally inviting you to Kyoshi Island eight days from the sending
of this letter, the date of which can be seen below.
All of your friends will be there. My regards,
-Bato
Toph closed her eyes and thought. While this would give her the opportunity she had been looking for to meet with Aang, Katara, and the others after several years, she knew deep within that she would never forgive Sokka for what he had done to her. Alright, I'll go, she told herself.
"Miss Shi Tong, you're up for the finals!" a voice came from inside. Toph pocketed the letter and walked back inside.
FLASHBACK – AANG'S POV
Oh, great. The secret's out.
"Is this true?!" Sokka whipped around to face me.
Er… meh, there's no use hiding it anymore. "Uh… yeah, it's true."
"Well, first I've got to set up some rule—"
"No, Sokka!" It was Katara's turn to lash around. "No rules. You have no authority over us."
"Well, Katara, I'm just saying—"
"No, Sokka! Aang is my boyfriend, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
Ooh, "boyfriend". I like the sound of that.
A loud whistle started sounding.
"Oh, heavens me," Iroh exclaimed, turning to the tea. "I'll be right back!"
"Well, you make a great couple!" Suki gave them the thumbs-up.
"Er, so… what do you guys want to do after this?" Katara asked, changing the subject. "I mean, we're clearly done traveling the world to defeat the Fire Lord."
"Yeah, no more defeating the Fire Lord," Zuko laughed. "That's my role now!"
Everyone laughed. "I never would have thought my rash nephew of all people would become so humorous!" Iroh remarked, carrying teapots. Zuko went over to help him. "Now, let's cut the small talk and let's drink some of Ba Sing Se's finest tea!"
I smiled. These were my friends. And they always would be.
PRESENT DAY
"There it is!" Aang pointed out a large pentagonal prison holding with a boiling lake inside. "That's gotta be it!"
"Yes, that is definitely it," Zuko nodded. "Where are we going to land?"
"There's a piece of land right outside." Aang pointed. "We can leave Appa there,"
And so they landed. It was late at night, and very dark. Appa settled down to sleep.
"Alright, let's go in," Aang told Zuko. Zuko nodded.
"It's just like old times, isn't it?" Zuko smirked. Aang nodded.
Aang and Zuko walked up the cliffs and to the large gondola.
"Good evening, Fire Lord, Avatar, we've been expecting you." A guard said, opening it for them.
How? Aang wondered. He shrugged and the gondola slowly descended.
"So what brings you here, Lord Zuko?" the warden asked. It was the same warden from the last encounter in the Boiling Rock ten years ago. He had aged a bit and was in his 50's now. It was very ironic how the warden was antagonistic to Zuko so long ago, trying to stop his escape with Chit-Sang, Suki, Sokka, and Hakoda, going so far as trying to sacrifice his life to stop them from escaping, and now he aiding them.
"My sister, Azula, was involved in an… assassination… nine years ago, and now a similar one happened and we think she's involved. Has anyone escaped?"
"We've had five successful escapes in our long history," the warden acknowledged. "No one has escaped."
"Then we have to talk to her," Aang said. Zuko nodded.
The Warden sighed. "Very well. I'll provide you an escort to her holding cell as soon as the prisoners get back in lockdown."
After the gondola landed, Aang and Zuko stepped out and were escorted to Azula's holding cell.
Zuko reached for the doorknob, but was interrupted by a "Hello, brother," before the door was even open.
"Azula!" Zuko yelled. "Why did you do it?"
"Do what, Zuzu?" Azula taunted. Aang opened the door.
"You made ex-Admiral Ziyeng kill Tom-Tom!"
Azula looked genuinely shocked, in succession making Zuko and Aang look shocked. Zuko closed his eyes.
"I have nothing to do with that godforsaken tattletale anymore!" Azula spat, smiling nonetheless in her coldhearted ways. "And who is Tom-Tom?"
Zuko went face-to-face with Azula. "Look, I may have just sent you here after what happened to my wife, but I still don't forgive you for it. And killing her brother just makes me…" Zuko paused and yelled out in rage, Azula still smirking.
"How did you contact Ziyeng?!"
"I told you, I had nothing to do with Ziyeng! Now leave me here!"
Angrily, Zuko's flames started producing fire and prepared to attack.
Aang hastily grabbed Zuko's shoulder, shaking his head. Zuko turned around, and the flames were gone.
"You're right, Aang," Zuko sighed, then turned to Azula angrily. "But I'll never forgive you."
"Suit yourself," Azula shrugged.
They walked out, leaving the Fire Nation soldier that escorted them to close Azula's cage. They were around the corner, and wasn't able to hear the Firebending that knocked the soldier down a few stories, or the subsequent jet propulsion.
"Wow, I thought this would take a week or two," Aang said, surprised.
"That's because we thought she was involved and would have to spend a whole week just getting her to tell us what we wanted to know, plus we had to find June. But now we know Ziyeng had some other reason for killing Tom-Tom. Now we need to find June."
"I guess you're right," Aang admitted.
FLASHBACK – ZUKO'S POV
"You were always great at making tea, Uncle." I drank some of Uncle's famous jasmine tea. "So where are we gonna go?"
"I'd like to go back to the Southern Water Tribe," Katara suggested. "It's been a long time, I'd like to be able to see Gran Gran again."
"Yeah, me too!" Sokka nodded. "We can bring Hakoda, Bato, and Pakku back with us, too!"
"I have to stay here," Uncle said, stroking his beard with his left hand as he poured us some more tea.
"I guess I have to go back to the capital," I sighed and backed it up with a lighthearted joke. "To become Fire Lord because someone is too lazy to handle the responsibilities!"
"Too lazy?" Iroh chuckled. "Fire Lord was never my game. You, Zuko, were given the birthright to the throne when that crown was placed on your father's head. Besides, I've never heard of a Fire Lord that makes the best tea in the city! I'm staying here in Ba Sing Se."
Everyone laughed.
"I guess I'll back to the Royal Palace with you, though, Zuko." Mai sighed, and I smiled at her, brushing her hair.
"So that means I'm going to the Southern Tribe with Katara," Aang said a little too quickly, causing Katara and subsequently Aang to blush.
"I guess I'll tag along with you. Is it a problem if we take a quick detour at Kyoshi Island?" Suki added.
"Not at all!" Katara laughed. "It's perfect… and what about you, Toph?"
"I guess I should go back home to my family in Gaoling Village," Toph admitted, then added a half-sigh and a laugh. "Though I guess I'm going to regret it."
I sighed. There was still a burning question I had to ask Ozai (I refused to call him "father" anymore), regarding my mother. Something tells me he didn't tell me everything during the Eclipse.
PRESENT DAY
Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Momo were all eating at a Kyoshi fish café.
"When did Aang say he'd be back again?" Suki asked.
"Within a week," Sokka said while gulping down lots of meat. Momo was resting on the table and Sokka almost ate Momo, who flew away, causing Suki and Katara laugh and Sokka to pout.
Suddenly, a messenger hawk arrived.
"What's this?" Katara asked, grabbing the letter.
"Oh, hey, Hawky Jr.!" Sokka said, ruffling the fur atop the messenger hawk's head. After Hawky never returned from a letter sent to Toph's family, Sokka eventually got a new one for old time's sake.
Katara read the letter to herself.
Dear Katara,
After some thinking, I decided to join you all for Sokka's proposal. While I may not have completely
forgiven Sokka for what he did, I am still willing to meet up with you. Please tell everyone or give
them this letter. Thank you,
-Toph, letter written by an old friend
"Er… Sokka…" Katara glanced at Sokka. "Can I speak to you for a second…" she eyed Suki for a brief moment. "… in private?"
"Er, sure, Katara," Sokka confusedly got up as the two left the café.
"Okay, so what is it?" Sokka said, noticing Katara grinning from ear-to-ear. "What are you smiling about?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Katara laughed, punching Sokka playfully in the arm.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Sokka tried to sound confused. To no avail. Katara showed him the letter. "Alright, you caught me. I wanted it to be a surprise. I told the Tribe when we left… and I kinda also told Zuko."
"This is going to be great!" Katara squealed, and Sokka rolled his eyes. Katara looked at Sokka. "Wait… you don't even have a betrothal necklace, do you?"
"I can't!" Sokka tried to defend himself. "She's been tracking me down every second! And just when I have the time, Fire Lord Zuko of all people show up! But Toph's coming? She even wrote… er… had it written herself that she still doesn't forgive me!" Sokka confusedly walked around trying to make sense of it as if he was still high on cactus juice.
"It's okay," Katara comforted your brother. "It's not your fault you didn't—"
"Didn't what, Katara? I was confused! I had no idea what I was doing!"
"Sokka!" Katara lectured her brother, for probably the millionth time now. "You didn't mean to—"
"Of course I didn't mean to!" Sokka blurted out, and he apparently was in another one of his angry guilt trips that happened occasionally nowadays. "But that doesn't mean I didn't break her heart!"
"Get over it, Sokka," Katara said. "And sometimes it seems like you two were in fact made for each other."
Sokka glared at Katara, but didn't answer, looking away.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Suki casually asked to the angry Katara and guilty Sokka.
FLASHBACK – AZULA'S POV
This couldn't be happening! So close to victory! I could not have failed! How could that Water Tribe peasant be so resourceful?!
"You're going in the brig, Azula!" a few Firebending soldiers grabbed me by the handcuffs, and hurled me into a prison cell. My own soldiers, turning on me. My brother is Fire Lord? No, no, no!
"No, you can't do this to me! I'm the Fire Lord! I'm the Fire Lord! I'm the Fire Lord!" I cried, despondent.
"I'm the Fire Lord!" I screamed louder. "I'm the Fire Lord!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, Firebending out of my mouth in a futile attempt to take back what had happened and change the past.
I gave up, and collapsed on the cold ground.
"I'm… the… Fire Lord…" I mumbled, crying, on the floor. "I'm…. the… Fire…"
PRESENT DAY
When Zuko and Aang boarded on the gondola, they didn't realize a girl right behind them, fighting off the Boiling Rock's guards. When they got off, they had no idea a former princess was using blue fire as jet propulsion to cross the deadly river. And when they boarded Appa, they most certainly didn't realize the Firebending prodigy gathering her strength and taking off after them with her personal fire jets.
Azula smiled once more and laughed evilly and quietly. She would not lose this time.
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Ooh, some hint-hints towards something at the end with Sokka. More flashbacks on that later.
Next chapter is Ziyeng-centric.
Please review! :D