CHAPTER TWO: Battle
Toph let the water wash up on her toes, the sensation tingling in a way as she began to bury her feet in the sand. She felt the sun on her neck and heard the laughter of her friends. She smiled and laughed along with them; no matter how much she detested the beach and the blurry vibrations it gave her. Toph heard Katara giggling as she splashed around in the water. Toph smile as Suki did some summersaults for her in the sand, and then when Sokka got in Suki's way and sent them flying to the ground Toph busted out laughing and laid on her back still laughing while she clutched her belly. Toph rolled over on her side and instantly bumped into someone. Knowing who it was Toph reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
All of a sudden Toph was now standing, trying to stand on her toes to get more of a feel of her monk in her arms, seemingly surrounded by only earth, clouds, sky, and him. Toph breathed in his scent and sighed as the aroma of earthy grass and cool breeze filled her nostrils. Toph leaned back and reached her hand up to feel his familiar face. Her fingertips came to his mouth as he smiled. She smiled in return then reached up and kissed him softly. Toph unexpectedly felt his spirit fade from her arms, and became alarmed. Soon there was nothing there, as Toph gasped, she wrapped her arms around herself as she was starting to freeze. Toph collapsed on her knees shaking intensely. Suddenly the earth underneath her opened up, swallowed her and closed up. She couldn't breath, she couldn't think. Where was her breath of air?
Toph sat up in her bed and gasped, as she clutched at her neck. She took gulps of air into her lungs as to get steady breathing and calm her heart.
That was odd. She thought.
Unbeknownst to her conscious mind Toph didn't realize her dream was slipping from her and in matter of seconds. No caring to grasp onto the memory, she was unable even remember it in a matter of seconds. She was far too concerned with catching her breath to worry about what startled her out of her sleep.
Suddenly hearing a knock, Toph granted the visitor entry. It was Officer Min, no doubt coming to wake her.
"Oh General Beifong, good you're awake. You need to start getting ready for the battle meeting. We'll convene in thirty." Officer Min reported, presumably standing at attention.
Toph was feeling overall a lot better today since she was fed the previous day and cleaned up. Her cuts and bruises were almost healed since she was tended to with special medicine from a waterbender named Bo. She wasn't an entirely gifted healer, so Bo needed the aid of medicines, but she knew the basics.
Toph lifted herself out of her soft bed and planted her feet on the floor. Feeling fuzzy in the head. Her mind always felt jumbled up it seemed. Like someone was taking a ladle and stirring. Random thoughts would flash through her mind, making no sense, but immediately disbursed from her conscious when she became distracted by something else. Before she could try to comprehend them.
"My back is stiff. I feel like I've been sleeping on a wooden floor for days." She strained as she stretched her back.
Officer Min's heartbeat sped up and she seemed uneasy. "Is there something wrong Min?" Toph asked tilting her head to the side ever so slightly.
"No ma'am." Toph paused and stared in Min's direction for a moment until she decided she would just let the topic go. She didn't care all that much anyhow.
"We need to get you dressed, I'll send for the dressers." With that Officer Min left the room. Toph felt her footsteps walk across the carpet covered stone floors and out into the hallway.
Toph stood there facing the door, until the dressers would come in. Toph felt them trudging down the hallways and stop at her door, "Come in." Toph said before they even knocked.
Three ladies came in timid but bowed their head politely. Toph nodded her head faintly in return, knowing one of the women to be Bo, and the other to be Liu, her cousin or some type of relation.
One of them led Toph to a vanity even though Toph could find it on her own just fine. She picked up a brush and started brushing Toph's long hair. Toph's hair was all the way down the middle of her back so her only request was that her hair be tied up enough to 'be out of the way.' Toph heard one of the women fiddle around with what sounded like cloth and metals. Another woman, seeming to be Bo, started rubbing something on Toph's cheek, lip, and leg.
"The bruises have almost disappeared General, just a few more hours and it'll be completely gone." She said. Toph nodded, and did nothing else, she just sat there and waited for everything to be finished. When suddenly she wondered.
"Has autumn begun yet? I believe it should be around that time?"
"Not quite General, almost." Liu answered.
Toph felt like that was always the case. That it was always 'almost autumn,' but it was never actually autumn. Were summers usually this long?
"Do you like autumn?" Liu asked. Toph's attention was diverted as Liu did a single braid of Toph's hair down her back, bangs slicked back.
Toph thought for a moment. Did she like autumn?
She concluded she did for some reason.
"I do."
"Oh? Why's that, General?"
"I don't know. I suppose I like the smell of earth and the cool breeze. They go well together." She answered without thinking.
Toph felt Liu pause, but then quickly finish the rest of her braid.
"Let's get you into your attire."
Toph stood up and lift her hands above her. Her ratted dress that was just a simply piece of cloth was lift up off her. Toph shivered slightly from the coolness on her bare skin. Toph knew from protocol that the pants came on first. She stepped into them as they were pulled up for her and fastened. Bandings were then wrapped around her chest and some were bound around her biceps. This way the metal bands that would rest there wouldn't chaff her skin. Toph lifted her arms and a shirt was placed over her head and fitted, following a leather belt was cinch around her small waist.
Toph was handed some gloves that she put on herself, she put her thumb, index, and middle finger through some holes as her other two fingers remained uncovered. Once she was done Toph was handed pieces of metal that she bended onto her body. Shin guards, multiple forearm bands, bicep bands, and metal rings that circled her waist. Lastly some metal shoulder guards were placed on her, along with a metal breastplate.
Toph was told this outfit was custom designed for her so her agility would be at it's best while she was still protected, and carrying weapons along with her.
Once she was given the 'OK' Toph was lead to where the battle meeting took place, the Negotiation Room.
"Evening General," said Yuu, Toph recognized his voice and vibrations.
"Evening Commander." She said orderly.
Upon entering the Negation Room Toph sat at a stone table ready to be briefed on the coming plans of attack. She felt the fifty something odd bodies currently residing in there. Most were there to be briefed on the plans as well. Not to speak.
Toph did not dwell much on the fact that she was involved with a non-military organization, and yet it conducted as such.
The Mercenaries of Allegiance.
They served no one but themselves, and aided anyone who supported their cause. They were there to provide a better world with no rulers and monarchy. Injustice leaders that did poorly by their people, allowing the citizens to suffer as they had all the lavish possessions money could buy. Yes, they all must be eliminated. The Earth King, the Fire Lord, King of Omashu, the Fire Nation Prince, all of them. But none of that has been done with success as of yet, because the one who needed to be eliminated the most, got in the way.
"The Avatar has been spotted approximately thirty miles along the coast. Our operation to eliminate the Earth King will not be successful if the Avatar is in the area," said an Officer.
"Yes ever since the Avatar found our location he has not left the region in months. He has not a clue the exact pinpoint since we operate so below ground. He only knows we're in a vicinity that is sixty miles wide. We'll use that to our advantage."
"We need to set men up twenty-five miles off from here. Have them watch over the grounds and the skies. We need to distract the Avatar and his group as we send a separate team out to take care of Kuei," said a gruff voice belonging to a Lieutenant Han.
"Send me to deal with the Avatar and I won't need any of you." Toph said chillingly.
"Yes, General, but a soldier still needs his comrades to have his back," spoke Commander Yuu.
Toph said nothing to that.
"Commander, we also have insight that the waterbender, her brother the water tribe warrior, the Kyoshi warrior, and the Fire Nation Prince, are accompanying the Avatar as per usual."
"Two birds with one stone." Toph uttered.
"General, you know their fighting tactics the best. What action do you propose since our last encounter sent too many of our men to the infirmary," asked the Lieutenant.
"What's better than a surprise?" Toph smirked.
"A surprise, General?"
"Yes, it's simple. We send a messenger hawk. Tell them we wish to converse, negotiate if you will. I will appear in the forest alone to meet them. That should be more than enough of a distraction as a separate team of ours goes out to handle the Dai Li and the Earth King." Toph felt immediate protest boil but held up her hand to silence them. "Then after I lure them to drop their guard down. I have men come out and attack. They have a bad habit of seeing the best in people. They will start to think I was really there to talk, not to fight."
"It is a good plan, General," Officer Min said hesitantly, "I just believe it to risky to have you in their line of sight unprotected."
Toph twitched her neck, it unexpectedly feeling stiff.
'Unprotected?' "This is the last time I will say this Officer Min. I do not need protecting." The thought of people thinking she needed protection irked her to no end.
"No truer words spoken, General Beifong, but you have to mind the skies."
The sky. Her achilles heel.
Min continued, "We have taken note, that their defense usually contains the waterbender entrapping you, and then the Avatar trying to retrieve you. They are the biggest threat."
"I will be fine." She tried to convince, but to no avail she knew. She knew the Avatar and his team made it their objective to capture her. Toph had been told from the start that they wished to use her bending abilities for their own agenda. That they would draw up stories to convince her she knew them and that they meant her no harm but that she had to know better than to trust them and fall into their trap. They would torture her until she did their bidding. They wish for more ruling. More laws. More walls. The enslavement of the people was upon them if the Mercenaries did not get to the world leaders and the Avatar first.
"Toph, please!" She heard the waterbender cry out in anguish.
Toph struggled wildly as she currently had her hands incase in ice behind her back as the waterbender wrapped her arms tightly around her. During the struggle they toppled to the ground as the waterbender was relentless and wouldn't let go, trying to incase Toph's feet in the process.
Toph felt a significant breeze brush through her hair, and a hand grasp tightly on her bicep. She became panicked, not wanting the Avatar to get a hold of her. Capture her. Toph slammed her foot down, creating a rock wave to push the waterbender off and knock into the Avatar. Once she was free, Toph send another rock jolt to break her ice cuffs. Once her arms were unclasped, she wasted no time and slid into a stance that sent a heavy rock column towards the Avatar. Knocking him back.
"Maybe I can split them up." Toph interrupted.
"General?"
"I meet them, seemingly alone, tell them I wish to speak with the Avatar alone, then we have a team attack the other four while I take care of the Avatar. Trust me, it will be much easier to take him on if the others weren't in the way."
Toph listened to Yuu speak to Han quietly. Patiently waiting for their input.
"Sounds good General. We will set you up with some men around your perimeter. If it goes as plan, we may be able to capture the Avatar."
"Do as you wish Commander. Just make sure I'm the one who gets to end him."
Toph stood in position as she waited for the Avatar's arrival. She sensed her men around her perimeter in position thirty feet away hidden from view. They were currently in a heavily cluttered forest as Toph stood in a clearing. It was a great location to take on the element of surprise while also showing she appeared to be without help.
This was a new strategy for them. She hadn't a clue how it would go, but she suspected in their favor. Many times she encountered the Avatar and his companions in the midst of a job. Trying to assassinated King Bumi, Fire Lord Iroh and Fire Price Zuko. Him and his team always seemed to be one step ahead.
Toph glared at the thought. What gave them the right to disrupt the actions for the greater good?
Toph inhaled the earth around her as she continued to wait.
Toph stood in the middle of their ambush. The Mercenaries of Allegiance were tipped that Fire Lord Iroh was currently traveling by ostrich-horse to Omashu, currently making his way through thick forestry. It was perfect. Almost too perfect. Toph advised that it did not feel right, and that they should not take the bait of the overheard conversation of a couple of Earth Kingdom soldiers.
But alas, they moved in for the ambush. And it took a turn for the worst.
Toph had advanced onto the carriage quickly; she yanked open the door, stomped on the ground then stopped. It was empty.
"Damn." She said under her breath.
No sooner did she breath, the battle commenced. Earth skirting by, cutting her cheek; fire singeing the strands of her hair; air throwing her off balance.
Toph was just about to take out a distracted fire nation soldier whose back was to her, when her body jolted and she fell to the ground. Her limbs were not her own.
"Aarh!" She tried to move. She was flipped onto her back by an unknown source, and then she felt it. The waterbender was bending in her direction.
'Was she…? Was she doing this?'
"Aang! Grab her now!" The waterbender yelled over the commotion.
Thinking quickly Toph alerted her comrade, "Gi! Waterbender, twelve o'clock."
Toph felt the waterbender lose concentration and get knocked down. Toph quickly got up and as the Avatar advanced, Toph threw one of her metal bands at him, piercing it right in his lower abdomen. He cried out and stopped his advancement.
"As much as I love tussling with you Avatar. I came here for Iroh, so I will get Iroh."
"I'll be sure to save you for later." She promised, and then she ran in the other direction.
Toph's ears perked as she heard the growl of that beast that the Avatar team rode on to get from place to place. Yes, that was also a disadvantage. Something needed to be done about that.
Just then the animal touched down on the ground. Crossing her arms and leaning on her hip, Toph felt five figures jumped off and start advancing their steps.
"Stop." She commanded, as she had felt them still.
"Come with us, Toph." Said the gruff Fire Prince. He waste no time, does he?
"Bold." She simply replied in his direction. This is the first time she's encountered them all without fighting and without the four elements flying by her face. Their hearts were racing as if they were in the midst of battle dodging her earth shards, but they all were the stillest they've ever been.
"I wish to talk to the Avatar alone." She drilled.
"He doesn't go anywhere alone with you." Said the harsh tone of the Fire Prince once again.
Toph turned her head fully in his direction now and tilted it slightly.
"Don't worry Fire Prince. We'll have our tête-à-tête. A bit of advice, make sure to write your goodbye letters before then," she bite out. Zuko started to charge on her with what sounded like a fire dagger.
She heard his comrades halt his steps and the water tribe warrior whisper lowly with force, "You know this isn't her, Zuko."
Do it Sparky. Do it and just end me.
Toph was momentarily startled by what she just thought. But as soon as it came, it went and Toph was once again focused on the task at hand. Capture the Avatar. End the Avatar.
"This way Avatar." She felt his hesitancy. "I even promise to keep my hands behind my back where you can see them." She said as she clasped her hands together firmly behind her and began walking in the opposite direction of the group, feeling the vibrations of his light footsteps follow.
She felt the distinct prick on the back of her neck. Indicating he was watching her intently.
Toph ceased her movements and then spun on heel to face him, to signify she was satisfied with the distance from the others.
"What is it you wanted to discuss?" He asked calmly, once they were several yards away.
"Oh I don't know. Whatever it is eating away at you. If I do say so myself, your heart is always so abnormally erratic whenever we cross paths. Even right now as we speak, it's palpitating wildly."
"I suppose, I just don't understand."
"Don't understand what, Avatar?" She replied emotionless.
"What they've done to you?"
"Done to me? I act on my own free will, Avatar."
"Then how can you willingly do what it is you do?
"What I do? What is wrong with how I conduct my business? I travel around the world to assassinate sovereigns. To rid the world of their plagued ruling and in turn construct justice. What is wrong with that?"
"You kill people, Toph."
"I kill those who get in my way. If people would step aside then the number of killings that would occur could be counted on one hand."
"This isn't right Toph. This isn't you. I know they've done something to you, I just don't know what it is," his voice was strained as he took a step forward.
"Uh ah, Avatar." Toph made to extract one of her metal guards from her person if he took another step closer.
"Toph, stop calling me Avatar! You know me. Aang!"
"Yes, Avatar Aang of the Southern Air Temple, the Last Airbender, Boy in the Iceberg. Yes, I know all about you." She said as if rehearsed.
Suddenly he was quick, and airbended himself to her in a blink, he grabbed her hand and laid it on his chest, over his heart.
"Toph, please. I know this isn't you."
Toph was momentarily frozen. She normally would have instantly earthbended him from her person. But somehow…
"I know you're in there." He whispered.
A shiver ran through her spine. The way he spoke was just so… It seemed so… Familiar.
Twinkles!
Alarmed, Toph shoved him away and settled into a defensive stance.
"Avatar, if you don't know all there is to know about me yet, I do presume, that will be your downfall."
Still in her defense stance, Toph could feel that the Avatar was being calculating.
"You do know I felt your men in these trees ever since we arrived? Twenty, am I right?"
Toph's eyes widen.
"How'd you know to do that?" She sneered.
There was a still in the air.
"You taught me," he said distantly.
"I wouldn't teach you my coolest trick, Avatar," she snidely said. "Enough games! If you could sense my men, then you could sense I'm not hear just to talk."
"The what is it that you want?"
"I told you! I want to end you and every supreme leader on this planet!"
"And what do you plan to do about the reincarnation of the new Avatar, if you succeed? Wipe out all of the Northern and Southern water tribe!" He grated out.
"Of course, not. What Ozai did was disastrous. Hence our cause." She explained. "No, what I wish is for you to fall into the Avatar state and end you and all future existing Avatars. If that cannot be done, I'll kill you on the spot, you will reincarnate to the Water tribes, and we will wait."
"That's…cruel, Toph." His breath shaky.
Toph knew he was overwhelmed. The fact that he seemed so disheartened about the Mercenaries objective to annihilate him seemed plausible. But she sensed that wasn't why he was so upset.
Toph's body spiked as she felt the vibrations run through her, becoming alert of the bum-rushing of energy and tremors from the distance.
The Avatar stood rigid. He felt it too.
It was time.
"Glow for me, Avatar."
Rapidly, Top sent her own rock javelin piercing through the air, aiming towards the Avatar's heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender or the Legend of Korra. The idea to eliminate the Avatar and the World leaders was inspired from the Legend of Korra.
Also don't worry. Things will start to make a tiny bit more sense next chapter, if you don't have a sense of what's going on that is.