Author's Notes: Sorry this update was not on time...the lack of reviews is making me lose my diligence and inspiration. Enjoy and please review. :)
Chapter Three
The metal hull of the ship was cold against the frigid ocean waters. Silently, she felt through the cargo, sifting through baskets of food and barrels of water. At long last, she found the stash of blankets – thin cloths the length of her body. Toph grabbed a few, curling up beneath their rough stitches. Admittedly, they were not comfortable. But a blanket was a blanket, and she would take anything that could warm her in the cargo room.
It'd been nearly a month since those familiar footsteps had approached her cell and her father's voice had spoken. "It's time to go home, Toph."
'Tch, yeah… "home,"' she had thought. According to her mother, he had paid Fire Lord Azula a hefty reward for her release. He wasn't too keen on her request to free the rest of them though and wouldn't even consider asking Azula. But then, her father had always been somewhat of a coward. She had often wondered where her strength had come from. Her mother was stiff, cautious, perhaps even a bit callous sometimes – but not brave. 'The Badgermoles,' she decided.
But she couldn't sacrifice her friendship – her family. True, they were her parents, but they never bothered to know her, or listen to her like Katara and the others. Even if Katara acted motherly, at least she listened…sometimes. But they never listened. Even when she refused to leave without the others, they drug her by the hand like a helpless child. And when they arrived "home"? Her father made sure that she was never alone and only allowed in the courtyard "twice a day for one hour each time." 'A different prison,' she thought.
She wasn't helpless. She had helped almost take down the Fire Nation. Almost.
Toph sighed, momentarily regretting her last conversation with her parents. It had been unpleasant, for them at least. For her, it was a release of all of her frustration. A release of them never listening, of her growing stronger right under her parents' noses, of the lessons she had learned from her family – the family she had found – the years of being treated like a feeble, weak, powerless child that would never amount to anything other than a dependent child that would never be able to earthbend beyond the basics. After all, she had helped bring down the Fire Nation.
Almost.
But she didn't ask permission this time. She told them she was going. When they tried to stop her, she earthbent the wall so the guards couldn't follow. She just hoped she'd get there in time. She'd been stowed away for days now as the cargo ship sailed westward from the conquered Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation. Overhearing the guards at the dock, she had heard that this one was going to the prison where the Avatar was being kept; a one-way ticket.
But the problem didn't seem to be getting there. More so, it was how to get them out and escape and get out of the Fire Nation. And then to who knows where – nowhere was safe anymore. The Fire Nation was never an option, the Earth Kingdom was crawling with pests, they had no way to reach the Air Temples – and even if they did, she knew how obvious that would be – the Southern Water Tribe had been invaded and surrendered and, from the sounds of things, the North wasn't far behind.
She should be worried about being found. After all, that's why she hadn't found the blankets yet. But these block heads didn't even seem to notice the missing dried meats and empty water flasks, so could it hurt? In the passing days, the guards had only been down twice – after she accidently knocked over a barrel of water and sent it rolling across the cargo room floor and when a sudden wave caused the boat to lurch sideways causing crates of dried meats and powdered vegetables to topple.
Suddenly the boat lurched into a slow pace. Footsteps raced back and forth above her and she heard the anchor chains rattle against the hull as the weight splashed beneath the surface of the water. Water sloshed and the ship stopped. Toph listened hard, trying to hear what was going on.
"Commander, we've reached the destination," a young male said above her. "Awaiting orders."
"We'll dock for the night," the commander replied in a gruff voice. "We'll begin unloading the cargo at daybreak."
"Yes sir!" Footsteps raced once more, but the commander didn't move.
"You are all dismissed!" he barked loudly. "The inn nearby will provide food and beds for the night. Return at daybreak to unload!" A chorus of "yes sir's" followed and the footsteps faded from the ship. To be safe, Toph waited, curled beneath the rough fabric until she had heard no movement for several hours. She crept up the stairs of the cargo room and out onto the deck. The bow of the ship lowered downwards into a ramp, allowing her to gracefully reach the dock. Carefully and quietly, she snuck down to the edge to the leveled tiles of earth that made the port. She remembered this from when she had left with her father.
No vibrations resonated through the ground, so Toph walked in the open, past the two columns to the long staircase that led into the main entrance. She hesitated; she was here, but walking in the front doors didn't exactly constitute a plan. Toph thought, wrenching her brain for an idea. Nearby, a trench of water rushed by, the rapids dipping beneath the port and dumping into the ocean.
'I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually really need Katara right now!' she thought with frustration. She walked to the raised edge of the trench and gave a hard stomp. It was a little fuzzy, but this drain seemed to lead straight beneath the prison. Metal bars stood an equal distance apart beneath the wall creating a passage too small for anything larger than MoMo to creep through. Careful not to slip, Toph reached over the edge and gripped the bars. She gave a hard yank and the metal bent free.
"Well, that was easier than I thought," she said softly to herself. She jumped into the canal, almost slipping as her feet made contact with the slimy bottom. Thinking fast, she created a raised platform in front of her feet, blocking them from the water. Silent and unnoticed, she scrambled up the slick path. Once inside, it wasn't as difficult since it leveled out into more stagnant water than the downhill rapids. Water dripped from the pipes above and the smelly fluid rose to just above her knees at mid-thigh.
'It could be worse,' she tried to remind herself. 'It could be so deep I couldn't walk.' That was reassuring. Trying to forget her fear of deep water, Toph pressed forward, not really sure where she was going. She heard footsteps echo above her – a corridor. That meant the cells were on either side of the narrow path. She reached out and felt the wall to her right – hoping to hear a familiar voice or feel a familiar vibration. Toph walked the maze of sewer lines like this for what seemed like hours – pausing to feel either wall every so often.
Finally, she held her breath. That heart beat…rapid, nervous, panicked – could it be Sokka? She flicked the wall, the vibration racing through the metal and to the ceiling – or rather, the floor. His feet shifted and a low groan escaped his lips.
"It is Sokka!" she said to herself. Bending the metal canal, she lifted herself to the ceiling. She flicked it again; she was on the opposite side of the bars. She twisted the metal wall inward, bending it forward. It creaked beneath her grip, and she only hoped she wasn't being too loud. It condensed itself further and she passed the metal bars. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the floor downward, the welded metal tiles squealing as the layers fell downward.
She hesitated for a moment. Sokka had definitely heard the sounds, though he wasn't entirely sure if they were real or hallucinations. 'Typical,' she thought half-heartedly to herself. She felt the floor of the corridor. No footsteps were coming from either direction – apparently no guards were close enough to hear the sounds. 'Thank goodness for nightshift,' she though, continuing to peel away the tiles. She felt the floor become thinner and thinner as Sokka's vibrations sounded closer. Finally the last tile peeled backwards. Sokka made a small squeak of fear and she lifted her head into the open.
"Toph?" he said in disbelief.
"Shhh!" she shushed quietly. "What, do you want to stay here?" She walked over to him and reached for the first metal cuff.
"Sorry, sorry," he whispered. "I just…I mean…I can't believe it! How'd you get here?"
"I'll explain later," she replied, prying the second cuff from his wrist. "Now c'mon!" With no hesitation, Sokka headed down her entrance – his exit – and stepped down from her platform as she jumped down. With one swift punch, she pushed the layers of tiles back into place and lowered the raised metal into place. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her in an embrace, careful to avoid his wounds.
"You're my hero!" Sokka said as he lifted her from the ground in the hug.
"Yeah, yeah, warm fuzzies all around," she replied pushing him off. "Do you know where any of the others are?"
"Suki is just up ahead," Sokka said. "I think six cells down from mine – but I can't remember which side." Silently, Toph walked down the canal with Sokka close behind. She stopped about thirty feet down from where they were.
"Stand completely still," she said. "And don't move." She pressed her hand against the metal wall. She hesitated and moved down a few steps.
"What are you doing?" Sokka whispered loudly.
"Shhh!" Toph shushed again. She stood against the wall silently, both hands against the algae-coated side. "I think this is her." Toph raised a platform and pushed the siding inward, past the metal bars and began ripping the metal flooring. "Yeah it's Suki," she giggled after a moment.
"Are you sure?" Sokka replied.
"Yeah, I can hear her," Toph replied. "She's really freaking out."
"Well, yeah," Sokka defended. "From up there, it sounds like…like some giant sewer monster coming to eat you!"
"…A sewer monster, Sokka?" Toph replied with slight disbelief. He was still the same Sokka she remembered. "Shh! A guard is coming!" The two fell completely silent and Toph listened as the guard approached.
"What is it?" he asked with annoyance.
"Something is down there – tearing at the metal," Suki replied with slight horror. "It sounds like the whole prison is collapsing!"
"Yeah, yeah," he replied with no change of tone. "I'm sure it is. Don't bother me again with this – or you'll spend the rest of the night in solitary confinement." He walked away and his footsteps faded from the corridor. Toph waited a few extra moments, just to be safe, before peeling the flooring away. She heard Suki make a small sound of disapproval, and finally the last was peeled backwards. Sokka darted upward, Toph close behind. Her jaw dropped and Sokka gave her a small shush as Toph ripped the cuffs from her wrists. Reflexively, she hugged Sokka, and he led her below. Just like before, Toph sealed the floor back together.
"Are you alright, Suki?" Sokka asked as soon as silence fell over them.
"I'm fine," she replied, smiling. "Toph, I…I can't believe you're here! And I can't thank you enough for rescuing us."
"Okay, thank me later!" she said, snapping slightly. "We have to get a move on! Know where anyone else is?"
"Well, I think I heard Katara yelling at some guards the first few weeks we were here," Suki replied. "I was on this corner so…" she studied the paths. The canal split, heading straight in the direction they were going and to the right and left in a T-intersection. She closed her eyes for a moment. "I think it was this way." Suki pointed down to the right. "But I'm not sure how far."
They followed the path to the right and Toph pressed her hands down the sides. Finally, Katara moved above her. Becoming used to the process, she quickly bent the metal and they were in. Surprised as she was, Katara somehow kept her composure as Toph broke the cuffs. They quickly headed back down and reunited. Suki unfastened the harness that kept the medallion against her neck, helping her slide the beaded loops down her arms. Katara tossed off the medallion as Toph bent the floor back together.
"I hated not being able to bend," Katara said, swirling some water around the air.
"Is that what those things are?" Suki asked.
"Yeah," Katara nodded. "Azula said that it blocks a bender's chi, preventing them from bending. I couldn't stand it!"
"Any idea where Aang and Zuko are?" Toph interrupted. The three were silent, exchanging uncomfortable and somewhat heartbroken glances. "…Am I talking to statues here? What's going on?" They each looked away and Katara finally spoke.
"Aang…Aang is dead, Toph," Katara said, her voice soft and broken with sadness.
"No…" Toph said, wide-eyed in disbelief. "No…no, he can't be! You're lying!" She yelled.
"You could tell if she was, Toph," Sokka replied. "I wish she was lying. But…we saw him. Azula made sure we did."
"How could this happen?" she cried.
"I wish I could have used my waterbending," Katara choked. "Maybe…maybe then…"
"Katara, he was long gone before we saw him," Suki said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Even if you could have used your waterbending…you wouldn't have been able to bring him back." A silence fell between them as Katara calmed herself.
"What about Zuko?" Toph asked. Again, the three fell silent. "Is he dead, too?" she asked.
"No," Sokka replied. "But he is to me. Let's get out of here." Quickly changing the subject, he started walking the way they had come. "How did you get in here, Toph?"
"Wait," she said. "You guys aren't telling me something. What happened?" Sokka stopped and took in a breath.
"Look, it's a really long and painful story that none of us want to relive," he said. "Zuko just sat there and watched. From his own private room where he didn't have to face us. We were beaten, tortured, and eventually lost all hope. And he sat there and let his sister kill Aang."
"Are…are you sure?" Toph asked in disbelief. "I mean, do you know he was watching because he wanted to?"
"He didn't make any effort to save us," Suki said. "She said the door to the room was unlocked when Aang was killed, and he wasn't trapped there. He could have saved him."
"He betrayed us, Toph," Katara said softly, the words strained through silent sobs.
"But…but, what if –" Toph began.
"There's no buts, Toph," Sokka said. "He didn't want to help us. So we shouldn't save him."
"Maybe we should hear his side of the story," Toph protested. "I mean, do you really trust his crazy sister that tried to kill us more than once to actually tell the truth? To us? Zuko said she always lied to him – why would she tell us the truth?"
"Maybe…maybe Toph is right, Sokka," Suki replied, uncertainty quivering in her voice. "I mean, it is possible that…that he wanted to help…isn't it?"
"No, Suki," Sokka said sternly. "If he wanted to help, he could have broken the glass or walked through the unlocked door. We all thought he had changed. Especially after everything he did to help us. We all wanted him to have changed. But let's face it – he's messed up. He always has been – since day one. And I personally think he did just as much to kill Aang as Azula did. We should just leave him and get out now while we can." They watched the water dance around their knees. Finally, Sokka spoke again. "Let's go. Toph, lead the way."
Silently the four progressed through the maze of damp smelly tunnels, guided by the flow of the water and Toph's sense of direction. Before long, they reached the entrance to the canal that sloped downhill. They followed it out and under the port as it dumped into the ocean. The sky was a dark shade of blue and the horizon a faint yellow.
"It's nearly dawn," Suki said as they climbed up onto the docks.
"Good," Toph said. "We can make it back to the cargo ship."
"And then what?" Sokka asked. "Where do you think it's going?"
"I don't know," Katara said. "But I have a feeling that no where it goes will be safe for us."
"There should be one of those smaller boats down below," Toph interjected suddenly.
"Are you sure?" Sokka asked. "I mean, some of them don't have them."
"I felt them load it near the far back end before," she nodded. "We can get away on it before they come to unload the ship at daybreak."
"What?" Sokka said. "Wait a minute – how do you know when they're unloading?"
"Stowaway," Toph replied smartly. "I heard the commander say it. Then they all left and I got off the ship, snuck in, and yada-yada."
"Even so, Toph," Katara said. "Is there anywhere safe for us to go?"
"I have a feeling not even Kyoshi Island is safe from the Fire Nation anymore," Suki agreed, a heavy grief pulling at her voice.
"Well, my dad was talking about a place somewhere on Whale Tail Island called the Lotus Village," Toph remembered. "It probably has something to do with those guys with Zuko's uncle that helped on the day of Sozin's Comet. Remember – they were something to do with white lotus flower. He said they were putting up a resistance against the Fire Nation and, so far, the Fire Nation hasn't been able to touch them. We could probably try to go there."
"I don't know," Katara replied uncertainly.
"Well, it's the only plan we've got," Sokka reminded her. "I say let's see how far that gets us and figure out the rest when we get there."