Chapter 13 - Test
A/N: It's the last chapter! Yay! :D I hoped you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Come to think of it, the last episode of Legend Of Korra Book 1 comes out today. Ooh. I can't wait. Haha!
Disclaimer: I do not own A:TLA, although I wish I did.
"Sparky? Dynamo?" Toph called out as she sprinted towards the two figures loitering before Lin's father's shop.
"Toph!" She felt someone rush towards her and give her suffocating hug.
Her face was buried in folds of cloth, which suffocated her. The fact that she just sprinted over here did not help.
"Mmpf!" She managed, straining her toes to meet the ground.
Just a little more… She thought, energy quickly draining. There!
She felt the person's grip on her loosen. She took the chance and summoned a column of earth, sending the perpetrator flying. She coughed as her lungs welcomed the fresh air.
"Who… Was… That?" She asked between gasps.
"The beloved Fire Lord," Kazuya stated matter-of-factly.
She felt her cheeks heat up. She turned away in an attempt to hide the blush.
"Anyway," She spoke. "What are you two doing here?"
"We're looking for you. And we weren't allowed into your house so…"
Toph scowled. Her parents must have told the guards not to let anyone in, especially any one associated to the Avatar or Fire Lord. They were starting to slip back into the same parents she was familiar with a few years back.
"Why are you looking for me? Okay, I apologize for not saying goodbye before I left but-"
"I was looking for you, because this person here," Zuko rejoined them, deliberately drawing attention to the newly formed swelling on his head before pointing to Kazuya. "Has met my mother, would-have-been Fire Lady Ursa, recently."
"Of course, 'recently' would take on a slightly different definition considering I haven't met Aunt Ursa in over two years."
Toph nodded, processing the information before it hit her. "'Aunt'?"
"No. It's not what you think. It's just a term of address..."
"That went well, lover boy."
"Shut your trap."
"Sure. Although I feel the need to mention the hug was beautifully executed and that you missed the moving speech on how she should not agree to an arranged marriage and elope with you."
"One of these days, I swear I shove a lit dynamite down your throat."
"I can't wait."
Mai stared at the ceiling as she lay in bed. She couldn't seem to sleep. She was wide awake. It was physically and mentally exhausting, entertaining the Fire Lord's guests after he practically ran out of the palace and left her with the whole bunch.
She hadn't associated herself with such a large group in ages. Even when she was working with Azula and Ty Lee, it had only been the three of them.
Although, she had to admit, the change seemed, just a little… Welcoming.
Tomorrow's when things get interesting.
"Toph?"
"Yeah, Lin?"
"Are you really… Running away again?"
"Er… No. I'm not. Honest. I have no reason to."
Toph placed a hand on the clothes she had laid out on her bed. She was glad she was the one with the ability to detect lies. The vibrations coming from Lin were irregular and weak. She was uncertain.
"You would. You and Fire Lord Zuko… Are rather close."
Toph forced out a hearty laugh before reassuring Lin that it was not truly so.
She was still uncertain.
"Anyway, I arranged for a supplementary Metalbending class for my students. I'll be back in the afternoon, all right, Lin? No need to prepare lunch for me."
"… I'll pack your breakfast," Lin stated, her uncertainty fainter but still showing.
Toph headed out of her room and felt the stern gaze of her parents upon her.
"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning, Toph," They replied, albeit slightly frostily.
She frowned, "What? If you want to talk about yesterday night, we'll do it later. I'm having a class this morning."
Then, she felt Lin head towards her, her breakfast packed and ready to go. Toph reached out for it and took it from Lin. She yelled a word of thanks and ran out of the house.
After running a distance away, she slowed down. She could not believe how glad she was to leave the house.
"Master Toph! You have new students today."
She greeted Master Yu with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't say registration was open…"
He gave her a skeptical look. "They don't seem to be permanent students though…"
She expanded her range quickly, scanning the school.
Oh. It's them.
"Master Toph!" An enthusiastic student ran to greet her.
She nodded and turned to address the new students.
"Teaching us will be a challenge, Master Toph," One of them said smugly.
Her scowl turned into a smirk. "Bring it, Dynamo."
She stomped her feet and firmly planted them on the ground. She blocked a blow from him with a dirt shield. She retaliated with a column of rock aimed at his chin.
"Go, Master Toph!" She heard her students scream.
"You're still teaching at this school, Toph?"
Zuko looked up to see a man towering over Toph. They seemed to be familiar with each other. The man appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties. His clothing of choice immediately revealed him to be a man of wealth.
"Yes," She answered shortly.
"After you marry into my family, there will be no need for such backbreaking work. I will be able to provide you with a comfortable and luxurious life."
"With all due respect, in terms of wealth, my family is on par with yours. Also, I won't marry you. You were there when I told my parents so."
"Ah, but your family had lost a fair amount of money to us during the last few months of the 100 Year War. All because…"
Zuko watched Toph's eyes widen as realization dawned upon her.
"Of their search for you."
"You have no idea how much your little act of rebellion cost them, my dear. They asked my family to print tons of posters and spread them as far throughout the kingdom as their influence can, thereby exposing the secret they have kept for twelve years."
Like a jigsaw puzzle, something was pieced together. A fragment of his memory… So that was what it was about… The poster… This would not end well.
Shut up! Zuko motioned towards the man. Toph stopped him by gripping his wrist, slowly shaking her head. He frowned. He knew how it would end.
"Unfortunately for them, the news never really got too far. In fact by the second town we reached, Princess Azula had already found out about your alliance with the Avatar, and by extension, your parents' alliance."
Zuko gritted his teeth together. He recalled having such a poster flying right smack into his face during his travels, which had been ripped in pieces.
"Your family, without the rest of Gaoling's knowledge, had been placed under house arrest. Your parents lost everything because of you."
"It doesn't make sense. They still to be doing quite well," Kazuya cut in. "On top of a huge plot of land, they have servants."
"My family benevolently provided for them. That's why the Bei Fongs are ever in our debt." The vile man greedily ran his eyes over Toph, who was standing stock still, "Our marriage will only bond the two families, Toph. A bond that was formed during the toughest times."
"If you're a filial daughter, listen to them."
Goodness! Where are the rest? Have they gone to play hide-and-seek now? Of all times! Mai sighed as she scanned the place.
She took a dagger and plunged it into the ground, positioned vertically. Time now is… One o'clock.
"Soon."
No, it can't be. Does it really mean I have no choice… A flurry of thoughts hit her, overwhelming her senses.
"It's inevitab- Urk!"
"Shut your foul mouth!" Zuko growled.
I have to marry this man?
"H-Hey, be rational… What can you gain from this..?"
If I refuse, my family will be…
"Yeah, be rational," Kazuya agreed, interrupting a protest issued from Zuko. "Instead of holding him up by the collar and continue letting him spew idiocies, why not you have him knocked out?"
I can't hear myself think!
"PIPE DOWN! ALL OF YOU!" She burst, swallowing all three of them in earth, leaving only their heads above ground level.
The following silence was all she needed.
"Guys, it's all right. Lord Shan, I will-"
"Toph!"
"That was surprisingly easy," Suki muttered.
"He did a good job of distracting, I'll give him that. Not before a punch to his face though."
"You can punch him later, Sokka. First things first."
Urgh… My head hurts… Zuko slowly opened his eyes, feeling disoriented.
"This… Isn't Gaoling."
"You got that right," Someone answered him with an uncomfortably nasal voice.
Zuko squinted. He tried catch a glimpse of the person's face in vain. He strained his neck, but the person had towered over him… Wait. If this was the person's boot…
"Why am I buried here? Toph!" He shouted at the person standing above him.
"I'm here, idiot," A voice came from his left.
She was also buried in the ground.
"… You're an Earthbender, aren't you?" He asked her incredulously.
Her originally calm face turned red. But it wasn't in embarrassment. He could tell.
She coughed slightly and replied, "No."
"Don't lie to me. Y-"
"She's actually a firebender!" Someone interrupted. It was Kazuya.
Zuko looked at the two in puzzlement and was about to continue when Kazuya shot him a look.
"Keep quiet or else."
"Let me outtt!" Came the annoying voice. "I'm rich! I can give you anything you want! Just let me out!"
"We will. We're just in it for the money, after all," Another masked figure said cheerily.
"But, we won't set all of you free, of course," A third added.
The last two were female.
"Who to pick though…"
"I'd say the girl. She's blind. She can't even see our faces. She can get more money for us."
Brilliant! Zuko thought. Then they would be able to… However, there was also the problem. There was definitely more than these three. And one of them would be an Earthbender, considering the speed in which the four were carried here and buried…
"All right! Let me go with her! I am her husband! She won't be able to access the money in the banks without me!"
He sighed in exasperation, this grown man is acting worse than a kid.
"Oh yeah? Prove it."
"She's Toph Bei Fong! She's supposed to marry me this year! I'm Shan Luo!"
"… You're gonna have to do better than that. I've never heard of the two of you."
"We don't have the official documents yet!"
"No need for that. We'll just ask you a few questions. Answer them right and we'll set you free."
Zuko watched as one headed towards Toph. She was too engrossed in her Earthbending… Alarmed, he yelled out her name.
Her head snapped up and turned towards the person. The person spoke to her a little and Toph's face color drained.
What's wrong?
"Alright, Shan Luo. First question: What's her favorite food?"
"That's… Er…"
"Come on, your wife said she made it easy for you."
"Remember the first time we had breakfast together in this country, dear?" Toph called out.
Something clicked into place.
"D… Dough fritters?" Zuko asked uncertainly.
"Right answer, wrong man," Another one said.
"Next, her greatest fear?"
Shan Luo grinned, "I know that one! Being imprisoned at home, with no freedom."
The person looked towards Toph, who was frowning in concentration.
"Her face says no."
Zuko exchanged looks with Kazuya.
"I know," He said. "Swimming alone. Water cuts off her contact with the earth, her sense of security."
"Last question: favorite pastime?"
"Earthbending!" The man shouted.
"That idiot…" Kazuya muttered as the people stiffened.
Zuko looked at Toph, who nodded with a grin.
"No. Actually, it's fighting."
Toph boosted herself out of the earth prison. 'Prison'? Bah. What bullshit.
The three lunged at her. She dodged their first strike, and pushed them back with a swipe of the pole she just fashioned out of rock. She dropped it quickly. It wasn't her style.
She read their movements easily, adrenaline rushing through her. She was about to knock them out in a single blow when she realized something. Something she had not noticed earlier.
Why?
"Toph! What happened?" Zuko yelled out when the girl stopped suddenly.
One of the robbers took a club and awkwardly hit Toph. She fell to the ground.
"So, Earthbender, huh? Nearly got us into trouble there."
One left the scene quickly while the other two tied Toph's arms to her back, attaching the rope to a stone. Another came back with water.
"You can't do that!" He shouted at them.
"Why not?"
They filled the hole with water, submerging Toph in it. The water level reached dangerously to Toph's nostrils, before it stopped. Zuko heaved a sigh of relief. Until she regains consciousness, she's safe.
"Oh well, should we just kill all of them? We frisked enough money from them."
"Yeah, they are a troublesome bunch. Especially that girl."
"Then just kill her, not us! Heck, you can kill all three of them! Just spare me! I have more money waiting for you if you will just release me!"
"How are you her husband? You don't seem to care for your spouse's wellbeing."
"It's an arranged marriage! Bah, her family is a bunch of fools, I tell you. They readily believe that Azula found out about Toph herself. Like the princess of Fire Nation would care about one measly Earthbender."
Zuko felt his face heat up. He couldn't believe this man…
"You're a rotten person, but I like it. One of my accomplices will follow you to town. If you don't report us, we won't bother you again. We clear on that?"
"Crystal."
"You're an ass, Shan Luo. I wouldn't even stoop so low…" Kazuya hissed.
The earth released the man quickly, he dusted himself quickly. Before any of the others could react, he dashed towards the woods, out of the clearing.
"Dammit!" One cursed as he chased after him.
As he heard a thud, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Shan Luo was caught again.
Suddenly, the earth released him as well. He pushed himself out of the hole and saw Kazuya do the same. He had the same look of bewilderment.
Zuko rushed towards Toph. The earth had release her as well, the hole widening, but the water maintained at a high level. She was still floating in the water, unconscious. Once she woke up, she may start flailing.
Without a thought, he dived into the water, barely squeezing past Toph and down the watery depths. He opened his eyes slightly, searching for the rock that held her down. He spotted it. It would be easier to cut the rope than lift the rock out of the hole… He reached for his pocket dagger.
Dammit! They frisked us earlier! It would have been gone!
"Hah! 'Frisked us', you say? Couldn't find the knife hidden in my coat, could you?"
Mai coughed, gripping the wound on her right arm. She had to cut of the blood flow. She tore off a bit of her sleeve and tied it just above the wound.
"Don't worry, this poison will only immobilize you. No harm, is there?" The man grinned. "Just be careful. I hear the animals here aren't exactly friendly."
She scowled as he made a dash for it. She pulled out her stilettos and aimed.
She watched him fall and gave a wry smile.
"Couldn't tell that I was ambidextrous, could you?"
"You have quite the imagination," She told him. "When was the last time you saw me flailing when I was in water?"
"You did. When I saved you that last time," Suki cut in.
"That doesn't count!" Toph said stubbornly. "I was really going to drown! And I was asking Zuko here!"
Zuko sighed, brushing away the dripping wet hair from his own face.
"I couldn't care less. I want to ask why all of you, including this woman here," Zuko jabbed a finger in Toph's direction. "Was in the plan!"
"We were just trying to help you, Zuko. Believe us. You'll understand why, soon."
"Anyhow, I just found out when I was fighting them. If Sokka, Suki and Mai had pulled out all the stops on me, they would have easily revealed their identities to us. I was kind of curious as to what they were doing as well."
"But you didn't move at all when you were in water. We thought you were unconscious."
"I mastered that fear a while back already, Zuko. Although you were right, it was my greatest fear. I fear nothing now! Hah!" She grinned, spitting on the ground.
"You change so much in two years…"
"Like you haven't. You're taller and everything. I still can't beat your height. I thought my growth spurt would have been of help."
"Toph," Zuko suddenly spoke. "Was your favorite food really that dough fritters we ate at the inn?"
She felt her cheeks warm. She turned away.
"Y-You can make your own assumptions."
"Toph. Look at me. I-"
"I can't see, you idiot!" She turned to yell at him.
Then, she felt sudden flurry of warm air against her face. Before she knew it, she felt something press against her lips.
"Mmpf?" She was blushing furiously. She just knew it.
But she didn't struggle.
She felt him pull away before he muttered, "Don't marry that man."
She sat there, dazed. The earth's feedback just didn't register with her.
"So there you are."
Mai looked up to find Kazuya staring at her.
"Good timing, help me drag this deadweight back to the forest clearing."
Kazuya wordlessly picked up the man and shifted the weight to his back. He glanced at her limp right arm.
"I got poisoned. But it won't harm me, if this man's word is anything to go by."
Kazuya's brown eyes were filled with renewed urgency.
"Let's get Katara."
"Where's Aang and Katara?" They weren't with you?" Zuko asked.
"They're with Toph's parents."
Toph's parents?
"We heard everything, Toph. We'll cancel the arranged marriage."
Toph's dazed expression slowly faded and she broke into a smile and got up. Every footstep she took towards her parents created a small puddle. They embraced her slowly.
"I'm sorry, Dad, Mom. I hadn't known I caused our family to lose so much…"
"It's no matter. We will pick ourselves up again. Your father has quite a talent for business. He was unable to exhibit it much since everything was rather smooth-sailing. It will keep him busy."
Lord Bei Fong nodded. "It's a welcome change."
Wait. They heard everything?
"Well, it seems like we need not worry about you now," He glanced at Zuko.
Zuko's face flushed.
Zuko looked towards the two. "All well and rested?"
Kazuya and Mai both nodded, Kazuya more readily than Mai.
Toph felt Zuko reach out for her hand. She let him take it. He squeezed it lightly as the four stepped towards the edge of the cliff, feeling the breeze.
Kazuya scanned the area. "I'm not too sure about this, but I think Aunt Ursa said something about staying in the east of Earth Kingdom... "
"That'll be our first lead then," Mai said.
"Would you look at the sunrise," Kazuya whistled.
Zuko stiffened. It was obvious when he was holding her hand.
"Yeah. I would," Toph said cheerily, before snarling. "If I could! Now get your ass moving or I'll send you flying to the Water Tribes!"
"Yikes. Touchy, touchy," He muttered.
Zuko chuckled before declaring, "Come on. Let's go!"
A/N: Alright. The end. ... I hope you enjoyed it!
Please do review so I can improve and make my future stories better...!
Also, I would like to thank all the reviewers so far:
- xXh3aDpHoN3zXx
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Not forgetting everyone who has put 'Change' on story alert! Thank you very much, all of you! :D
Special thanks to my awesome beta reader (who probably won't see this) who read through all the drafts that came up with and kept me (somewhat) sane during my random bouts of inspiration/craziness. :]