Ch.11 The Search for Suki pt. 1
The entire group huddled around Sokka. Aang had set Appa down just outside the wall. "So what's the plan?" Katara asked. She was hardly recognizable in her Painted Lady facepaint. Sokka clutched his sword. "I'm thinking the best chance is to split up," he replied. Aang nodded. "One group to find Suki, the other to cause a distraction," Zuko mused. "Actually," Sokka said, looking directly at Zuko as he spoke, "I was thinking the other group could try to find information about Ty Lee," he said. There was a brief murmer of agreement.
"So how do we decide who goes where?" Aang asked. Sokka thought for a minute. "Well, the group that goes after Suki is going to have to be prepared for the Dai Li," he began. He sent Toph a knowing look. "Toph, that means you," he continued. A wide smile crept across Toph's face. "Sweetness," she said with a laugh. Going back to seriousness, he continued, "I will be in the group to get Suki. She is my fiancee after all." No one argued.
Aang put a comforting hand on Sokka's shoulder. They would be dealing with Long Feng, so they had to be ready for anything. "I'll go with you," he said softly. "If all else fails, maybe the Avatar State can pursuade him." Sokka nodded grimly. "So that leaves Zuko, Mai and I to look for information about Ty Lee," Katara said. "Are you sure about this?" Zuko asked. Katara turned to face him. "It would be my pleasure to help find her," she said. Sokka stood, sheathing his sword as he did so. "It's decided then," he said. "Just try not to get captured. As far as we know the council could be looking for you two." He looked directly at Toph and Katara as he said this. The worry in his voice was evident. Aang remained silent. If they were captured, he knew the council would want him to strip them of their bending.
Aang gulped nervously as he approached the gates to Ba Sing Se. "I don't know about this," Sokka whispered. "Toph could be wanted," he pointed out. Toph laughed. "Please, challenge me!" she retorted. With no further fanfare she suddenly burrowed under the ground, leaving a hole where she stood. "I'll follow you," she said from underground. Aang immediately understood her plan. "Let's go, Sokka," he said. The two approached the guards, who stood at attention upon recognizing the Avatar.
"Avatar Aang, the council wishes to speak with you," one said. Aang looked right at him. "I will see the council in a while. I have business with my friend here first," he answered. He hoped they'd let it go. He wanted to be there to free Suki. He felt he owed it to her. "I can allow him in to the city," the guard replied. "But your business will have to wait. We were instructed to take you directly to the council if you came here." Aang gave Sokka a slight nod that meant, "Go without me." As the guards escorted him, he said one name as quietly as possible. "Fong."
Zuko lowered his Blue Spirit mask as he climbed off of Appa. He flew right over the gate while the guards were occupied with Aang. He hoped they got in without any trouble, but he couldn't hear the conversation that took place below. Appa quickly flew by, and Zuko didn't see Aang get taken away by the guards. "Do you think they got in okay?" Katara asked. "I hope so," Zuko replied. "I saw Aang talk to the guards. Maybe he pulled rank." Katara laughed softly.
The laughter disappeared, however, as she followed Mai's gaze to the city wall they were hiding behind. Affixed to it was a wanted poster that had Toph's name on it. "Wanted: Toph Bei Fong, for defiance of the Council of Leader's law regarding Marriage, and assault of her husband, the great General Li Fong. Reward of 20,000 gold for any information that leads to her capture," Katara read aloud. "This isn't good," Mai remarked. She showed no emotion as she read the poster.
"We're in, Toph," Sokka said as quietly as possible. He had taken great care to avoid guards. A hole opened up in the ground, and Toph soon emerged. "That was too easy," she said with a grin. She used her earth sense, and realized someone was missing. "Wait a minute, where's Aang?" she asked. Sokka shook his head. "The council wanted to talk to him," he answered. Toph scoffed. "Didn't he tell them they could wait?" she asked angrily. It's what she would have done. As she spoke Sokka eyed a poster on the wall.
"The guards were told to take him right to them," Sokka said, as he approached what he now knew was a wanted poster. Pulling it off the wall, he said, "And I think I know why." He didn't bother showing Toph the poster, as he knew she couldn't see, so he just told her. "You're wanted," he finished. A determined look appeared on her face. "Fong, that Son of a Monkey Rat!" she shouted, probably too loud, as she attracted the unwanted attention of some guards.
Because of the wanted posters all around the city, she was recognized instantly. "Toph Bei Fong, stay where you are!" one shouted. Sokka acted without thinking. He threw his boomerang, knocking two of the four guards out. Grabbing Toph's hand without a moment's hesitation, he took off running. "After them!" one of the other guards yelled, and the chase was on. Sokka ran as fast as he could, but the guards were gaining on them. Toph realized they needed to go faster.
"Hold on, Snoozles," she said. With no further warning she took off, using the earth beneath her feet like super sneakers. The guards, who moments before almost had them, now could no longer keep up. The leader stopped the chase. "Find some soldiers," he ordered. Soon, they had highly trained earth benders backing them up. It wasn't hard to follow them, as Toph's method of escape left a wide path of destruction. Sokka also noticed this.
He noticed they were no longer being followed. "Toph, we're safe, stop!" he yelled. She slowed down, and the earth returned to normal, except for the trench she left in her wake. "Ha ha! They can't catch me," she boasted, not realizing the danger they were still in. Sokka shook her shoulders. "Come on Toph, we've gotta get out of here before they follow the trail you left!" he yelled. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, a rock came out of nowhere, barely missing his head. Toph sensed that there were easily six guards, plus another six earthbenders. To say they were outnumbered was a bit of an overstatement.
Aang nervously waited in front of the door to the Council Hall. He did not have to wait long. The doors opened, and he was beckoned inside. "Avatar Aang, we thought we'd give you a chance to explain your actions," one of the members from the Earth Kingdom said sternly. Aang steeled himself, as if struggling to keep his temper in check. In as calm a voice as he could, he replied, "What have I done that needs explaining?"