Katara twirled around in front of the mirror; Aang was right, Ba Sing Se had fantastic Water Tribe clothing. They had arrived to Ba Sing Se in the morning and arrived at the palace, guards were ready to assist the Earth Princess. Once they got settled, Toph and the girls were taken away to have their dresses fitted in time for the ball. Katara had on fur lined boots that were hidden underneath her gray underdress with an ocean blue tunic like dress that stopped where her knees would usually end with white fur on the hem. Yue wore a lilac purple long dress that left her shoulders and collar bone bare. The sleeves hung over her hands and a blue band went around her midsection. Toph had yet to get her dress and neither of the girls expected to see her in something formal. "I look beautiful," Katara happily twirled again.

"Aang won't know what hit him," Yue smiled. "Are you going to wear the Water Tribe pendant Katara?" The Water Bender almost forgot, usually during big events down in the Southern Water Tribe, she had her hair braided in the back with the Water Tribe royal pendant hanging off of it, Yue wore hers on her top knot.

"She'll be fine," Toph answered for Yue, "This isn't supposed to be the most high and prissy gala event. It's just all the big wigs of the Four Nations getting together for a dance. Rulers, Generals, Officers, you know, if you have a good rank, you're there."

Katara and Yue shared a look, "That sounds pretty prissy to us Toph. In fact, that's probably the highest of royal events."

"Says the two girls haven't shown up to it, ever." Toph countered. "But it will be fun, dancing, partying and of course getting drunk off our royal asses. Who knows Sugar Queen, maybe you and Twinkle Toes can get it on." Katara's mind went to dirty places while Yue glared at her sister-in-law.

She pointed a threatening finger in her face, "You let that man penetrate you, our deal is off."

"I have to admit that could possibly be the weirdest conversation I have ever walked in on," The girls turned to see Katara's Mother standing in the door way.

"Mom!" Katara exclaimed as she ran into her Mother's arms.

Yue followed Katara's path, "Hello Mother, it's wonderful to see you again."

"Gosh Yue, when are you ever going to drop that?" Kya smiled, "Oh and Toph, it's wonderful to see you too. It is sad to hear about the attack on your and our new son-in-law's lives."

Toph scoffed, "Yeah, we were really in danger."

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Katara finally asked.

"The Ball of course dear," Kya said, "Your Father and I come every year remember? I was actually surprised to hear that you two, your brother and Aang had come to the Ball, though not that much with Aang since he comes every year. But once we found out you were here, I came to see you two and you both look absolutely beautiful. Toph, where is your dress? I heard that the Fire Lord has finally come to the Earth Kingdom just for you."

Toph 'looked' down at her normal attire, "I don't know Kya, I really like the natural look. Though, I could always put on my royal winter clothes for when I go to the South Pole but it might get a little bit too warm."

"Toph, do not talk to the Chief's Wife like that!" Yue scolded the Princess, "Talking like that can start diplomatic problems you know."

"Yue, relax," Kya calmly told her, "I know how Toph works, this isn't my first time talking to her. Toph, what if I told your future husband about the time where you had a little 'incident' where you couldn't find a bathroom in the Southern Water Tribe?" Katara and Yue started to laugh as Toph's face grew red.

"That's not fair, I couldn't see anything and Katara left me in the middle of Tribe. You cannot tell him about that," Toph told her.

Kya shrugged, "I could, but the sarcasm is just messing with my head a little bit and maybe some…formal attire would make me forget about the incident we all still chuckle about."

"You play dirty Kya, I like that, I just wish Katara was more like you," Toph got up from her chair and clapped her hands, two young servants came into the room. "Girls, can you please get me changed into something nice for the Ball?" The two girls nodded as they took her to the changing room.

Two more servants entered the room, "Would the Water Tribe Royals like anything?"

"Wine would be wonderful," Kya told her.

"Mom?" Katara became confused, never in her life had she heard her Mother even mention alcohol, let alone drink it.

Kya waved her daughter off, "Oh relax honey. Make sure you bring a glass for my daughter and my daughter-in-law." She said to the servants before they left the room.

"Thank you Kya," Yue gave half of a bow to her Mother-in-law.

"Mom, since have you starting drinking alcohol?" Katara asked, not listening to anyone else.

Kya placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "It's only a once in a while thing for me Katara."

"If by once in a while, she means every time she comes to the Earth Kingdom," Toph called from the changing room before she whispered a curse as one of the servants pulled a little too hard on her dress. The servants quickly returned with a bottle of wine with three filled glasses.

The elder Water Tribe woman smiled, "Ah, thank you so much." They handed the two young girls their glasses, Katara gave an experimental sniff of the liquid, enjoying the fruity aroma. "Go ahead Katara, you're an adult now. It's better to drink now before you get pregnant, unless you and Aang have already begun trying…" Kya smiled as Katara's face covered in a blush that resembled the wine. Katara saw the look on Yue's face at the mention of pregnancy and put her glass on the table. Her Mother took a sip and swirled the drink around in the glass, Katara decided to finally take a sip. The flavor flooded her taste buds, the after taste nearly begged her to take another drink. Before she knew it, she had finished her whole glass. "Well, well, it looks like my daughter is a natural."

As Katara asked for another refill, Toph came out of the changing room, both Kya and Katara choked a little on their wine as they saw Toph's dress. The dress's top went around her neck and only covered her developed chest and met at the waist line, the bottom of the dress covered more than the top, going all the way down to her ankle. The color of the dress seemed to throw them off more than the exposed skin, it was Fire Nation red. "What?" The Blind Bender asked. "Too much?"


"You know, I look good in this," Sokka smiled in the mirror. He wore a white sleeveless tunic with blue colored fur along the neck line and arms with matching pants. To top it off, a Water Tribe pendant hung loosely around his neck. "I don't know about you Aang, but I look sexy."

"That's good to know Sokka," Aang said as he came into the small room Sokka used to look at himself in the mirror, his jaw dropped when he saw Aang. He had shaved his head, his arrow on his head was now completely visible. Instead of his Fire Nation clothes, he wore the usual orange and yellow robes, but they were draped along his left shoulder and went around his body to his right hip, a red cloth belt was tied around his waist. An Air Bender pendant around his neck, one that reminded him of the one Katara had worn when they went to the Air Temple. He incorporated dark brown pants that were covered at the shin by his boots. Aang noticed his glare, "What? Did I miss a spot on my head?"

Sokka shook his head, "No, it's just weird seeing you without hair…and are you supposed to be showing that much skin?" Aang looked down at his exposed right pectoral.

"It's an Air Bender classic royal look," Aang told him, "Or casual…we basically have different looks that can be used in any situation. I just thought this one would look better than just Fire Nation clothes. I hope Katara doesn't mind that I shaved my head."

"I'm pretty sure the bald look is out of style," Both boys turned to see a surprising face. Dressed in red pants, black boots and a red short-sleeve shirt with a black vest over it and a Fire Nation emblem holding his top knot together, stood Fire Lord Zuko. "But then again, only an Air Bender can pull it off."

Aang smiled, "Fire Lord Zuko, it's been a while." The two shook hands, "It's always good to see you."

"Why do you insist on calling me Fire Lord? You know you're the only one outside of my Nation that can call me by name," Zuko reminded him. He looked over at the Water Tribe Royal, "You must be Sokka, Chief Hakoda's son."

Sokka shook his hand, "It's, uh, nice to meet you Fire Lord Zuko."

"You seem a little uneasy," Zuko noted.

He let out an awkward chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck, "Well it's just that…I kind of imagined you to be some really scary guy…and be a lot older than you are."

Aang chuckled, "I guess I'm not the only one who thought that. Zuko is a new Fire Lord Sokka, he took over recently when his Uncle stepped down from the position."

"But wouldn't that mean that his Father would take over instead…" Sokka attempted to piece the puzzle together.

Both men noticed Zuko's mood darken slightly, but he kept his calm mood, "I'd rather not get into Sokka if that's okay. It's just that the less people who know about my family's history, the better. With a whole Nation knowing about your family's problems, it's hard to keep respect for your name. But that is the past."

"You should really take a trip to the Fire Nation Sokka, I think you would like it. They keep that whole Nation in check, their crime is at an all-time low since Azula added running the Boiling Rock to her long lists of jobs." Aang told him, making Zuko cringe at the name.

"Did I tell you that she ended another fight at the prison? Putting her life in danger once again?" Zuko asked Aang, who shook his head. "She took on and personally disbanded the 30 members of the Boiling Rock's biggest gang. Azula seriously won't stop until she's dead."

"Well at least she's putting all her aggression out on her work," Aang tried to make him look on the bright side. "Anyways, I heard you were finally coming to the Ball to meet your future wife."

Zuko chuckled lightly, "Yeah, that's kind of why I wanted to come talk to you."

"Because you actually want to marry Aang?" Sokka attempted to make the Fire Lord laugh, but obviously the joke fell short, "It was a joke…"

"Do you do that a lot?"

"Every now and again."

Zuko blinked a couple of times, "It was nice meeting you…" He pulled Aang along with him out of the room. Assuming they had enough privacy, Zuko stopped and resumed the conversation. "Anyways, since you know Toph, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind tagging along on a date with us. I think it would make it a little less awkward since you're a mutual friend."

"Well…it would get me out of going with Yue and the others to the royal physician. I'll have to ask Katara if I can, but if so, I would love to go." Aang told him.

"Katara?"

Aang laughed awkwardly, "Oh yeah, I forgot….I kind of, maybe, got married since we last saw each other."

His jaw slackened, "You got married? And I wasn't there?"

The Air Bender shrugged, "It's not like I planned on it happening Zuko. Long story short, I saved her life and Chief Hakoda gave her hand in marriage. Even if I sent a letter, you would have gotten it too late…and since you're always busy, you wouldn't have come to see it."

Zuko was about to retort his statement, but he knew Aang was right. "Fine. Talk to your wife and get back to me."

"Okay, but if we're going somewhere, you might want to choose something a little bit more casual than that, Toph wouldn't want to have a 'date' somewhere too high-class," Aang suggested.

He looked down at his attire, "How can I get more causal than this?" Aang pointed to the top knot, which Zuko quickly pulled off, his messy hair falling down and into his eyes which he pushed away. "How's this?" Aang gave him a thumbs up, even though he knew that no matter what, Zuko was going to stick out like a sore thumb.


Kya smiled as she took a step back, "There, now you look perfect." The Blind Princess wore a scowl as Katara's Mother finally stopped messing with her clothing choices. She now wore a simple green strapless dress with an Earth Kingdom symbol on it, her raven hair going down her back. "I'm sure he'll love it. What do you think Katara?" She turned to see her daughter slumped down in her chair, a light snore coming from her. "Maybe it wasn't a good idea to let her start drinking." Kya looked at her daughter-in-law who sat in her seat perfectly, "Yue, you haven't even touched your glass."

"Because she thinks that she's pregnant," Toph told her, making Yue's sapphire eyes go wide and Kya's jaw to drop. She would have told her that she committed cold blooded murder as long as it got the attention off her for a moment.

"You could be pregnant? Why didn't you tell me Yue?" Kya walked over to Yue.

"Well I didn't want to say anything because how long it has taken me and Sokka to conceive a child. With the stress of trying and how Sokka was feeling inadequate, I wanted to wait for the royal physician's opinion." She explained.

"You should have told me that before, go get changed and we'll go together," Kya told her, clapping her hands to make her pick up her pace, "Come on Yue, let's get going." Aang and Zuko walked into the room to see Kya and Toph, "Aang! How great to see you again and Fire Lord Zuko, it's always a pleasure." Aang saw Toph's body go stiff at the name, not exactly thinking that she would meet her future husband until the ball. "And you've shaved your hair, you look so handsome."

Aang chuckled lightly, "Thanks Kya, but uh…where's Katara if you don't mind me asking." His Mother-in-law pointed to the chair that Katara had fallen asleep in, she was back in her regular clothing, changing before she had passed out.

"She doesn't handle her wine very well. Take her to your room and I'm sure she'll sleep it off. I'll come in and check on her later," She instructed him.

"Actually, could you watch over here for a couple hours. I'm needed in a…international meeting," Aang hinted at, which Kya quickly caught on when he nodded towards Toph.

Kya nodded with a smile, "Of course Aang. I hope everything goes well." Yue came back out, dressed in her normal Water Tribe clothing. "Come on Yue, let's take Katara back to her room and we'll go to the physician." Aang picked up his wife and they all left, leaving Zuko and Toph alone for the first time.

Toph nervously nibbled on her bottom lip as Zuko remained silent, being in her shoes, she couldn't sense him as well as she normally could. "You look more beautiful than the paintings I've seen." Her cheeks lit up at the compliment. "I heard you were also a great bender."

"The best Earth Bender in the world," Toph found her confidence and her voice. "I haven't heard that much about you though, only some things my parents have said, things from Aang and that you're too busy to show up to the Ball every year."

Zuko shrugged, though he realized she wouldn't be able to see it, "Sometimes I am busy running my Nation. While I would like to take time off and enjoy some relaxation, running a Nation by myself is hard."

"So why me?" Toph finally asked, stepping down from her heels and walked over to the Fire Lord. She was able to get a better 'look' at him now, he was at least a head taller than her and his heart beat picked up once she got close. "You traded all these things just for my hand in marriage. A marriage to a blind princess I might add."

"I heard you aren't completely blind and by the way you're facing me, I can see what I've heard to be true," He answered. "From my understanding, you see through your Earth Bending."

"You're avoiding the question Fire Lord," She pointed out.

Zuko took a step closer to her, "Because you're strong and absolutely beautiful. I need someone like you to run my Nation with me and to keep me company for the rest of my life." He took her hand in his, "Do you have any more questions for me?" He felt his heart flutter when she let out a shaky breath, watching this beautiful girl get effected by him this much made him feel like he was on top of the world.

"Just one, where is this 'international meeting' with Twinkles going to happen?" She asked.

"Well, as the Fire Lord, I am a guest here in your Nation. So it's only right to let you choose since you know your city and Nation better than I do. What would you like to do Toph Bei Fong?"

A confident smile came across her face, "I've got the perfect place…but it's not a high class place Fire Lord Zuko."

"I'm prepared for anything you got Toph."


Sokka walked down the hall, following the messenger that had been sent for him. All he was told that he was requested by his wife in the royal physician's room. He strode down the hall as fast as they could, any possibility ran through his head. His heart pounded against his rib cage as he got closer. Once they arrived, he burst through the door, only to see his Mother sitting in the front room. "Mom?" He said surprised. "What are you doing here? Where's Yue?"

"It's good to see you too Sokka," She smiled. "Don't worry, Yue is perfectly fine. She's in the next room waiting for you." He went to the door, his Mother in tow as he opened the door, Yue sat on a bed, facing away from them.

"Yue, baby, are you okay?" He hesitantly asked as he went around the bed and saw a couple tears drop from her face. Sokka immediately went to her aid, getting on his knee and looked up at her face. "What's wrong, what happened?" He cupped her cheek, trying to see any if she had any superficial injuries. "Are you in pain?"

She finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, but Sokka had obviously read them wrong because of the smile on her face, "I'm fine Sokka…I'm pregnant…" Sokka's heart leapt at the news, but his body refused to move by the news. Images of their child flashed in his head, the happy memories and thinking about Yue's extended belly in a few short months played in his head. She wiped her face, "Sokka? Aren't you happy?"

Sokka finally snapped out of his daze and kissed her, the single act telling her how he felt. "I can't believe it," He whispered as he broke their kiss, "You have no idea how happy I am."

"Congratulations my dear," Kya told her daughter-in-law.

His hand rested on her stomach, "How did were they able to tell if you were pregnant this early?" Yue leaned in and whispered the answer in his ear, his face dropping. "Oh gross!"


His fingers tapped against his hand rests as the Fire Nation's latest invention, a 'train', barreled across the Earth Kingdom's dry lands. The door to his carriage opened and Jiro, along with the newest Water Bending recruit, entered. "What is it Jiro?"

"Sir, while we will not get to Ba Sing Se until the middle of the night, I have sent a messenger hawk to some of the men stationed in the city. They will be tracking the Air Bender and hopefully have taken care of him before we arrive," Jiro told him. "I have purposely told them to leave the Prince for you."

He rubbed his scruffy chin, "You know…that's the first right thing you've done since we got this contract Jiro. Who do you have on the job Jiro?"

"Two master swordsman and of course one of our Master Earth Benders," Jiro answered.

"Good…good," He mumbled as he was deep in his thoughts. After a moment he snapped out of it, "Okay, make sure they save his body. We don't get paid without a body." He crossed his right leg over his left as he returned to his thoughts. The two men pointlessly bowed to the man before they left his carriage.


Aang placed a couple silver pieces on the table before the man as their entrance fee, the man gestured them to continue on. Zuko looked at their surroundings with curiosity, he had never seen the underground life of Ba Sing Se before and if he had it his way, he would never see it again. Too many people around them looked too sketchy and seemed to have an eye on both of them. He didn't see any of them as a threat, but it was still an uneasy process. "Hurry up, we need to get good seats." Aang told him. Zuko sped up his pace as they passed two hooded men. Coming out of the small dank hallway, he was surprised to see the arena. Above them and around the seats were glowing crystals that lit up the arena. The floor was made out of Earth with a small canal between them. "Welcome to the Crystal Catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se," Aang smiled. "Home of the Earth Kingdom's favorite underground event, Earth Rumble VI."

"Toph wanted to come here?" Zuko asked. They took a seat in the middle of the stands. "I thought you said you wanted good seats, we're at least 10 rows from the front and it's completely empty."

He placed a friendly hand on his shoulder, "Trust me Zuko, you don't want to be in the first row during Earth Rumble. It's like going to see the Water Bending Arts…the front row always gets wet." Zuko caught on and remained quiet before looking around for a moment, "So when is Toph going to get here? I thought she said she would be right behind us." He didn't get his answer as a man walked into the middle of the arena, the crowd cheered and Aang gave a simple clap as the event started.

"Welcome to Earth Rumble VI!" The crowd continued to go wild as Zuko remained quiet, feeling out of place around the Earth Kingdom citizens. "I am Xin Fu, the manager and promoter for the event. Before we start tonight's fights, how about we thank the person who has brought our small fighting group from the underground of Gaoling to Ba Sing Se, our champion, The Blind Bandit!" A smile came across Aang's face as Zuko jaw dropped. Toph walked out with a smirk as everyone cheered her on. She wore a green cloth around her eyes, a knot tied in the back and the ends going down her back along with her hair. Toph only wore a strapless top that bared her slim mid-drift and her usual tight green pants.

"Not only is your future wife the Earth Kingdom Princess and a very powerful Earth Bender, she also happens to be 'The Blind Bandit', champion of Earth Rumble VI," Aang told him. "You're a very lucky man Zuko."

He didn't take his eyes off of Toph's body, "You can say that again…"

"Now, tonight's not going to be a normal night here at Earth Rumble. The Blind Bandit has made a request to go through the 'Badger Mole Challenge'!" The crowd cheered even louder after the announcement, leaving Zuko in the dark. "For all of you who are new to Earth Rumble, the 'Badger Mole Challenge' is a very difficult fight where The Blind Bandit must fight through the entire roster, proving she is as strong as creatures that she was actually trained by. But since she is a champion, if she loses one fight, she gives up her belt and champion status. Now, her first fight will be against Fire Nation Man!" A man came out wielding Zuko's Nation's Flag, singing their National Anthem.

He felt a vein in his head start throbbing, "This is ridiculous…"

"You have to admit he kind of looks like one of your Fire Nation Generals," Aang added. The fights went by fast as Toph fought against every man, woman and team that went against her. There were fierce Earth Benders and even some Water and Fire Benders that challenged her, but none of them could stand a chance against Toph.

After she sent another Earth Bender out of the arena, she rolled her neck and grabbed the towel that was offered to her by an assistant. Xin Fu came out to the arena floor again, "Now, we'll give the guys in the back a time to relax and give one of you lucky fans to go against the champion herself. The same rules of the tournament apply, but also with a hefty loot of 100 Gold Coins. Who thinks they've got what it takes?!" The usually noisy crowd went silent, except for one man.

"I'll do it!" Zuko looked at Aang who raised his hand in astonishment.

"Come on down challenger," Aang got up, but Zuko grabbed onto his wrist.

"Aang, what are you doing? Toph is your friend and you saw what she just did," He reasoned with him. "Don't you think that she might end up killing you?"

He laughed, "Toph and I spare all the time, it will be fun." Aang used his bending to fly through the air and land softly on the arena floor.

"Well it seems like we have 'Avatar' Aang himself here to challenge our great champion," Xin Fu announced, "You know the rules and if you get hurt…well, you're on your own." Xin Fu gave him a rough pat on the back before leaving the arena floor.

Toph cracked her knuckles, "You might be able to get the upper hand on me every now and again Twinkle Toes, but here in Earth Rumble, I'm going to absolutely destroy you, you know."

Aang stretched his arms, "Oh I don't know about that Toph, it's been a full year since we've seen each other."

"You wouldn't dare make me look stupid in front of my future husband," Toph growled.

He gave her a childlike grin, "Maybe I would." Aang jumped in the air, flipping over her as she sent a wave towards him. She grit her teeth together as she could barely read him through his light footsteps. Toph continued to toss rocks at the last pace she could read him.

"Now you're pissing me off Twinkle Toes," Toph mentally counted the time he pushed off the ground and the time he landed before making her move. Once she thought she had it, she bent a pillar right underneath him, sending him up in the air and bent another pillar from the ceiling and crashed it into him. He hit the ground with a grunt, making Zuko wince at his friend's pain. "Your time is done Twinkles." She slammed her foot into the ground, the earth below her rippled and carried Aang towards the edge of the ring and fell off. Toph smirked as she no longer felt him on the arena and held her hands up in accomplishment, but the crowd didn't cheer as she expected. What she didn't know was that Aang had created an Air Scooter to catch himself. Aang blasted himself up onto the arena floor and bent a wave of air at Toph, knocking her into the wall, the rock cracking on her impact. Just as she was about to fall, a slab of rock caught her and brought her back onto the arena floor. Toph stumbled as she got up, "You dick."

Aang rolled his neck, "I told you, it's been a year Toph." Toph moved to attack once again, but her body was instantly covered in a rock prison, her extremities held away from her, not letting her 'see' or bend. He blinked his eyes in surprise, not knowing what was happening until he dodged a blade that was swung behind him. Aang rolled away from the man and attempted to fight him, only to be imprisoned like Toph. The crowd went into panic as another swordsmen and an Earth Bender joined the other man. The two men raised their blades and swung at Aang, but fell to the ground as two rocks blasted off the rock prison and into their groins. Still being able to Air Bend, he pressurized the prison until the rocks flew out. He broke the weakened rock prison easily and got into his stance. The Earth Bender got into his stance until he saw the spinning flame kick coming towards his face. Zuko's heel connected with the man and slammed against the ground, knocking him unconscious. The two swordsmen recovered and split off to fight both men. Their swings and cuts were quick, but were no match for Aang and Zuko as they continued to dodge them. Zuko backed up towards Toph's still covered body, he ducked at a heavy swing that connected with the rock, making the swordsmen drop his sword as his arms shook. He delivered a kick to his midsection and a spinning kick to his face.

"Aang!" Zuko tossed the swordsman's sword to him and he easily caught it. Aang fought against the swordsman and caught him off guard and took his sword from him. He swept the man's legs out from under him and drove both swords into the ground.

He put his foot on the man's chest, "Why are you trying to kill me?! Who are you working for?!" The man only laughed at him as Zuko finally freed Toph. Panic came over his face as Toph bent shackles around his wrists and ankles.

"You're doing it all wrong," Zuko told him as he pushed his friend aside. A flame appeared in his open hand and grabbed the man by his shirt, "If you don't tell me what we want to know, I'll make sure you're unrecognizable even to your own Mother."

"The Black Lotus! We work for The Black Lotus!" The man yelled, "We were told by our commander Jiro to kill the Avatar but leave the Prince for the leader!"

Zuko brought the flame closer to his face, "Why does he want him dead?!"

"I don't know! I swear to the Spirits! I only do what I'm told!" Zuko put out the flame and knocked the man out.

"You really know how to attract trouble Aang," Zuko muttered as he stood up. He turned his attention to Toph, "Are you okay Toph?"

She smiled and kissed his cheek, "Yes, thanks to you." Zuko felt his face grow hot as her lips left his cheek.

"I hate to break this up, but we should get back to the Palace and make sure the 'Prince' is fine and I think it's time for us to all have a talk with everyone." They all left and Xin Fu came out into the arena.

"Where the hell did everyone go," He mumbled, then he saw the three unconscious men, "This happens way too often."

-SDB