Alright chapter 2 is here...and in record time for me i might add, since i tend to write slowly. Anyway enjoy it and i'll start on the third one. Oh and i forgot to mention in the last chapter i'm aging Toph and Aang a bit for the sake of the pairings.
Toph-14
Aang-14
Other than that everything stays the same now onto the disclaimer!!(also lets hear it for my Beta Ibinx Rae for helping me iron out the bugs in this chapter before i posted it)*gives her digital cookie*
Disclaimer- I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender I only lay claim to my OC Beat.
Drunken Bender Chapter 2
Aang smiled softly at the ceiling as he remembered how they all met. It certainly has been a lot more interesting ever since Beat showed up he'd been laughing more even though they hadn't found Appa yet. Aang sighed as he remembered his fellow air bender and looked back out of the city before he shook his head.
"I need to get some sleep so we can search again tomorrow" Aang murmured to no one, before he rolled over and drifted off to sleep.
Toph sat on the roof quietly as she mulled over the things that had happened within the last few weeks. Her thoughts turned to Beat and the blind bender felt her face heat up before she growled and shook her head banishing the feelings. That kept happening but she couldn't figure out what was causing it and it only seemed to happen when she thought about Beat. Maybe it had to due with what happened a couple weeks ago.
Flashback 2- weeks prior
We find our heroes trudging along a long strip of road that's flanked by water on both sides. Beat is murmuring to Toph while she shook her head when suddenly the two shake hands and Beat sighs loudly.
"Man why the hell are we walking along this god-forsaken road when we could have taken the boat!?" Beat whined. Katara looked back at him in shock as whining and complaining were out of character for Beat.
"Don't whine you drunkard your acting like Sokka does when he doesn't get any meat" Toph growled. "He's the resident whiner in this group anyway!"
"Yeah!" Sokka piped up before his brain caught up with his mouth, "Wait a min-HEY!" Sokka cried out indignantly.
"YES!!" Beat crowed as he pumped his fist into the air, "Pay up, I told you I could get him to agree to it!" Beat said with a grin before he held a hand out to Toph who growled and grumbled before she set a few coins in his hands that he happily pocketed. "Ah I love it when I win" Beat mused happily as Suki placated a now depressed Sokka.
The group continued on before Aang pointed out toward the water. "Look it's a Fire Nation patrol boat" Aang said as they all looked out onto the water toward the large steel boat as it glided along the glassy surface of the water belching out black smoke.
"You think they see us?" Beat asked as he eyed the boat wearily and waved a hand at the Earth Kingdom refugees they were escorting and they began to move again but kept an eye on the boat as they continued along the Serpent's Pass.
"No, I don't think they've noticed us" Sokka said, "Lets keep moving before that changes though."
Beat nodded and turned to follow before the earth under his feet gave way and he started to fall into the sea suddenly a slab of rock shot out of the side of the path and caught him but the rocks he dislodged clattered down the side of the wall and hit the water with a resounding splash. Suddenly large balls of flame were heading towards them.
"Nice going drunkard!" Toph growled at him before punching him in the arm.
"Well excuse me for not defying gravity with my amazing powers of flight" Beat shot back as he rubbed his arm, girl or not Toph hit really hard.
"Out of the way!" Aang cried as he jumped over Beat and flipped open the back of his glider and swung it hard at one of the fireballs causing it to veer to the left and explode on the cliff face away from the refugees as they continued to divert the fireballs for a moment when with an almighty swing Aang diverted a ball right back at the ship causing the aft end to explode in flames and twisted metal before one more ball shot out impacting with the cliff above Suki as the cliff face crumbled Sokka pushed her forward out of the way putting himself in harms way. Thinking quickly Toph shifted and pushed her hand out causing an earth ramp to shoot out over Sokka diverting the rock fall away from him and over the side.
"Suki are you ok!?" Sokka asked as he helped her to her feet, "You have to be more careful!"
"Thanks for saving my life Toph" Toph mused to herself as Sokka brushed past her without so much as a thank you," Oh its no problem Sokka," She continued before Beat nudged her softly causing her to look over at him.
"Thanks for saving my life Toph" Beat said with a grin before he walked on past her leaving Toph behind him as she blushed lightly before shaking it off and jogging to catch up with the rest of the group before she was left behind.
Night fell and the group set up camp not wanting to risk the perils of the Serpent's Pass at night time. During the night Katara confronted Aang about his lack of emotion recently while Suki confessed her feelings to Sokka. While all this was going on Toph and Beat got to know each other a bit better telling each other about their lives before the adventure.
The next morning after a few hours walking they came to a point in the path were it had seemingly washed out and for the next hundred yards or so it was an open expanse of water with the path once more rising out of the water in the distance.
"Now what?" Beat asked as he set a hand above his eyes so he could peer over at the path across the water.
"Aang I need your help" Katara said as she start to bend the water in front of her splitting it open so they could continue their trek by just walking under the water. Aang took a place at the back of the group and started to bend as well but not before handing off his staff to Toph so he could have both hands free. The problem solved the group continued their journey. As the group marveled at the fish and plant life on the bottom of the sea Momo, who had been riding on Beats shoulder for the moment, leapt out of the protective bubble to swim around chasing the fish before something huge swung by him causing him to shoot back out of the water and latch back on to Beat's shoulder. The large shadow swam around the small group before something huge shot through the bubble bursting it causing gallons of water to pour in. As everyone scream Toph slammed her foot into the ground and raised up a column of earth to above water level saving them from drowning before a huge serpent like animal reared out of the water with a roar.
"I think I figured out why they call it the Serpent's Pass" Sokka murmured as the creature roared again and eyed his potential dinner. Thinking quickly Sokka grabbed Momo and held him up towards the creature.
"Oh great and mighty Serpent please accept this humble snack in place of us!" Sokka yelled.
"SOKKA!" Katara cried as she scolded her brother allowing Momo to wriggle free. Using the distraction the Serpent lunged forward only for Aang to spring out and launch a crescent shaped blast of air into its facing knocking it back as it shrieked in pain and annoyance.
"Katara, get everyone to safety!!" Aang shouted as he flipped open his glider and soared off to distract the Serpent while Katara leapt off the small rock island and swung her arms the water underneath her solidifying into a length of thick ice. Repeating the process a few times she connected the island to the remainder of the Serpents Path and the refugees, Suki, and Sokka ran towards the other side leaving Toph and Beat on the small island. Toph was a bit nervous to get on the bridge as she wouldn't be able to see and Beat hadn't left because he was still staring at the giant Serpent that Aang was fighting. Animals simple didn't get that huge where he was from and the sight still had him reeling.
"Come on you guys!" Sokka cried. "Cross the bridge hurry!"
Toph set a foot on the bridge and immediately couldn't see anything and she quickly lifted her foot.
"Ya know I think I'll just stay on my little island where I can see!" Toph yelled over to Sokka while Beat suddenly noticed the tail of the beast was heading straight for Toph and he blurred into motion, time seemed to slow down as Sokka screamed Tophs name and she simply looked confused before she felt some of the tail hit the edge of her island and she paled her head shooting up to stare at the tail before she felt something hit her back knocking her onto the bridge. Just before she hit the bridge she realized that Beat had been on the island with her and she screamed as she felt the tail slam onto the island obliterating it and rocketing Beat into oblivion. Time seemed to speed back up as Katara and Sokka looked on in horror the beasts tail swinging away leaving no sign of Beat.
"Oh god no," Katara whispered as she pressed her face into Suki's shoulder while Sokka fought back the growing horror and screamed at Toph who had yet to move.
"Toph move it come on its just a bit further HURRY!" Sokka roared causing Toph to shake of the shock and scramble to her feet and start crab walking towards the shore her inability to see causing her to be slower than normal. As Aang continued to distract the creature its tail slammed into the ice bridge shattering it like glass sending a screaming Toph into the water where she thrashed about.
"HELP I CAN'T SWIM!!" Toph cried in panic as she struggled to stay above water.
"DON"T WORRY TOPH I'M COMING!!" Sokka yelled to her as he started to struggle with his boots before Suki brushed past him but froze just before jumping into the water. As Sokka eyed her curiously he turned his gaze to whatever Suki was looking at and his jaw dropped. Pulling himself out of the water was Beat alive and well though a bit moister than he would have preferred. Looking over to Toph he saw her sink beneath the waves.
"BEAT SAVE TOPH SHE CAN'T SWIM" Sokka yelled and pointed over to where she sank the water still disturbed from her thrashing. Without missing a step Beat leapt back into the water and swam over to where she went down and dove under the water after a few frantic moments he resurface with Toph clutched in an arm.
"Oh Sokka you saved me, thank you so much!" Toph swooned before she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek causing Beat the flush lightly and cough in embarrassment.
"Uh…Toph its me" Beat said softly and Toph froze her lips still attached to his cheek before she pulled back her eyes tearing up, though with all the water flowing down her face you couldn't tell, before she launched forward again this time her lips slamming against his. Beat froze in shock though luckily his legs kept moving to keep them afloat but his face took on the hue of a ripe tomato before Toph pulled back and slugged him in the face.
"YOU ASS DON'T YOU EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!!" She screamed at him emotion clear in her voice. "I…I thought you had…for me" She trailed off before she shook her head and slugged him in the arm, "J-Just get me out of this water its freaking cold" She murmured and Beat nodded his head and started swimming for shore.
"One more thing Beat" Toph said as they started came to shore.
"Yeah Toph?" He answered.
"We will never speak of this or I will bury you so deep not even the worms will find you do you understand me?" Toph said in a sickly sweet voice that promised pain if he should answer with anything but agreement.
"Y-yeah of course Toph I won't say a word" Beat said as he shrank back a bit before he saw Katara and Aang out on the water spinning the giant creature around in a huge whirlpool before the Serpents head slammed into the side a cliff and sank under the waves before swimming off to find easier prey to eat.
As Aang and Katara came back to shore Katara burst into tears and clung onto Beat who looked around awkwardly before patting her back lightly.
"C-come on now Katara I'm fine" Beat mumbled as he started to turn blue a bit from the strength of Katara's hug.
"B-but you…and the tail…a-a-and the boom" Katara stammered before she wailed again and pressed her face into his chest.
Beat looked over at Aang and Sokka pleadingly but frowned as he saw them all snickering at his predicament, he then looked at Toph but saw she wasn't even paying attention. Though when he sighed and looked away he thought he heard the sound of an angry cat come from Toph, but he dismissed it as his imagination.
Sometime later they crested a hill and Sokka ran forward and pointed off into the distance.
"Look it's the wall we made it!" Sokka said happily. "Nothing can go wrong now!" Almost like fate was waiting for someone to say it one of the earth kingdom refugees by the name of Ying clutched her large belly and let out a hiss of pain causing her husband to rush up and lower her to the ground gently.
"W-what's wrong with her?" Sokka asked as she moaned in pain.
"T-The baby's coming now!" Ying moaned as she felt a contraction rip through her body.
"Now!?" Sokka said not believing it " W-well can't you just hold it or something!?"
"Its not like going to the bathroom Sokka" Beat mused as Katara rushed over and took charge sending Aang off for rags, Sokka for water and had Toph create a large earth tent before Katara went in to help with the delivery and Beat leaned against the tent standing guard as Katara hadn't told him to do anything.
As time passed Katara helped Ying through her pain leading her through the delivery.
"That's it Ying push" Katara said gently before she turned towards the front of the tent, "Sokka where's that water!" Sokka quickly came in with a water skin before he caught sight of Ying and wobbled before fainting dead away dropping the water only for a hand to snap out and catch it before it splashed everywhere.
Beat looked down at the unconscious Sokka with a wry grin as he clutched the water. "You're a manly man aintcha?"
"Beat the water!!" Katara yelled at him causing him to jump and head into the tent.
"Yeah yeah I'm coming" Beat said, as he ducked inside.
An hour later saw our heroes outside the earth tent and Sokka rubbing his face with a damp rag while Toph needled him.
"It's a girl!" Katara said from inside the tent, "It's a beautiful baby girl!"
"You wanna go see the baby or are you gonna faint again" Toph shot at Sokka one more time causing Beat to snicker softly.
"No, no, I'm ok lets go," Sokka said and they all filed into the tent after a few moments Aang stepped in and watched the new parents cradle their child and tears filled his eyes which he soon wiped away.
"Seeing things like this" Aang said, "The simple things like the love parents have for their children makes me realize. Hope is sometimes all that we have…and that might be all we need to pull through in the darkest times."
Ying smiled softly before turning to her husband, "I know what I want to name our daughter." She said before looking down at the sleeping baby. "Hope, we'll call her Hope"
"That's a beautiful name" Katara agreed.
After a time Aang and his friends were standing outside the tent and Aang apologized for his behavior over the last couple days.
"I realize now how much Appa means to me" He said as he looked up at Katara. "and how much you mean to me too". Katara smiled softly and tears flowed down her face before she wiped them away and Aang opened up his glider.
"You ready Momo?" he asked looking down at the flying lemur who chirped and spread his own wings before they both took to the air.
"Dang man I'm glad he finally got it off his chest" Beat said as Aang flew out of sight "The savior of the planet can't be emo, can he?"
"Ugh Beat dammit" Toph said before whacking him across the back of the head.
End Flashback
As Toph came back from the recesses of her mind she yawned and dropped off the roof and headed inside to sleep. Tomorrow was another long day of searching for answers while dealing with that infuriating Ju Dee. As Toph lay down her sleep addled mind came to a conclusion that thrust the Earth bender back into consciousness. She realized now why her chest hurt and why she made such a fool of herself around Beat she threw her gaze over to the sleeping drunken master and her face flushed again. She, Toph Bei Fong, had fallen prey to that one thing that makes fools of us all….Toph was in love.
A/N
Woo that was a good one...at least i think so...you'll notice I've made Toph a bit AU but seeing as a person she hardly knew saved her seemingly died came back and saved her you can kind of understand her reaction. I'm not going to push it much further for awhile I'm going to have Toph sort through what shes feeling a bit more. I'll also explain how Beat managed to survive a bit later. Theres gonna be one more chapter of flashback dealing with the drill and then I'm gonna tackle the Ba Sing Se arc with my own spin on things. You'll also notice the stories been a bit more OC centric this time around thats mainly because i want to weave Beat into the story a bit more the upcoming chapters are going to break away from him a bit more and next chapter Azula, Mai and Ty Lee appear and we see how Azula takes Beat's unusual fighting style from another world.
Also just to stave off any questions at the begining i refered to another air bender and my beta brought this up as well because it confused her i was refering to Appa. If you watched the cartoon its explained that Sky Bison bend the air in their own unique way in order to fly. I think it was one of the episodes before the spirit library. Anyway the next chapter should be out in the next couple of days until then read and review and let me know if you find anymore mistakes we missed
Ja,
Soulnin