"I'm telling you, there's something strange about this city."

Toph rolled her eyes, snapped a hazelnut in half with a piece of rock, and popped the meat into her mouth. "You think there's something weird about every city we go to."

"Exactly." Sokka turned triumphantly, pointing at the sightless girl. "That's exactly my point!"

"I see. No wait, actually, I don't. See what I did there, Snoozles? That's being funny. And smart at the same time."

Katara grinned as her brother fumed at the smaller girl. "Toph's got a point, Sokka. And even though my eyes are fine, I don't get your point either."

"I think every city is weird," Sokka explained. He placed the "LOST! A FLYING BISON!" sheet on the table, where Aang was currently moping. "Weird isn't the same as strange. Aunt Wu was weird. The fact that there's like, no crime here is strange."

"Congrats, Snoozles. You have managed to make your point and yet simultaneously confuse us all."

Katara frowned. "Actually, I think I get what he's saying. And he's right. Haven't you guys noticed that this city's a little bit—off? I mean, the people are so—so quiet." She looked to Aang for confirmation, but the Airbender was gone.

"He went to put up more posters," Sokka said, "Poor kid. He's really torn up about this."

Katara nodded, fingers going to her mother's necklace. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Appa's the only thing he has from his childhood. His family."

"I get it!" Toph suddenly cried, breaking the silence that had fallen. She turned sightless eyes to the other two. "I know what you mean," she confirmed, "This place is strange. You'd think people would have noticed a flying bison, right? And no one has. But Aang's sure it's here. Also, people are too scared. Their heartbeats are unsteady, and Sokka's right about the crime thing."

"Thank you," the boy muttered, and Katara patted his shoulder comfortingly.

"Maybe we're overreacting," she said hopefully, "Maybe this is just a really nice city."

There was a thump, and the trio ran to the door. Aang stood shaking, pointing at a fallen figure. "H-he just fell, f-from the s-ssky or something," the boy stuttered. Katara's eyes narrowed as she drew closer warily, Sokka flanking her with a hand on his boomerang.

She noticed the blood the same moment that the man's face looked up. He coughed, red staining at his lips, and then whispered, "I can help you."

Katara wasn't listening, her hands already going to her water pouch. In a second she had the man on his back and was examining his wound. Her eyes snapped up, meeting Sokka's in horror. "It looks like a rock went straight through his stomach," she whispered, and looked back down at her charge, "Who did this to you?"

The man's eyes closed as he slowly relaxed under her hands. "The Dai Lee," he whispered, "They're taking over the city…"

Katara stood up as he slipped into unconsciousness. "He'll be fine, I just need a couple days to make sure the wound doesn't get infected." Turning to Sokka, her eyes narrowed in pure fury. "You're right. Something is strange about his city, and the Dai Lee are behind it. What's your plan?"

Her brother grinned. "Well, I was thinking we all go in undercover and find out more from the inside…"