Ch.12 The Search for Suki pt. 2
The situation was bleak. Sokka and Toph were outnumbered by ten. "Any ideas?" Sokka asked as he drew his sword. Toph thought the situation over. There were a few walls for cover, but it was mostly open area. Perfect. "Just one," she replied as another rock went flying toward them. Toph caught it with ease. "You hide," she ordered. For his part, Sokka stood his ground. "I'm not leaving you, Toph," he replied, throwing his boomerang. He managed to knock out another three guards, before Toph sent him flying. His boomerang clattered to the ground, having no one to catch it. "Yes, you are," she said grimly. She suddenly realized she recognized one of the earthbenders. He was a former pupil of hers.
"It's been a while, Sifu," he said. "Chan?" Toph demanded. He signaled his companions to cease their attack for the moment. It was clear he held rank. "What do you think you're doing?" Toph asked angrily. Chan glared at his former master. "I am capturing a law breaker," he replied bitterly. Toph took her stance, the ground cracking as she did so. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked. Chan stood undettered. "If you surrender now, I might be able to convince the council to let you keep your bending," he said. That did it.
For a split second, Toph lost her cool. It gave Chan the edge he needed. She attempted to burrow behind him. As soon as she emerged from the ground, he caught one hand in the wooden cuff he was concealing. She struggled in vain as he grabbed her other arm and secured her hands behind her back. "Did you forget?" he asked. "Forget what?" Toph replied angrily. She tried to break the cuffs, but was unsuccessful. She couldn't bend them, so she was effectively stuck. "You teach all your students your earthsight technique," he answered. He nodded to two of the soldiers, who proceeded to pick her up off of the ground. "Take her to the Council," he ordered. Behind a wall, Sokka wearily collected himself. His vision was blurred, but he just managed to make out Toph's form being dragged away.
Zuko, Mai, and Katara were roaming the streets of Ba Sing Se, trying to pick up any information they possibly could as to Ty Lee's situation. So far, they hadn't learned much. It seemed no one knew about the weddings. Without realizing, they happened to pass the Jasmine Dragon tea shop. "You three stick out like a sore thumb," the gruff but familiar voice of Iroh called out. He motioned for them to come inside, and they wasted no time in doing so.
"Does someone want to explain this?" he asked, handing one of Toph's wanted posters to Zuko. He took his mask off as he examined it. "You haven't heard?" Katara asked. Iroh shook his head. "What haven't I heard?" he asked. Zuko made it simple. "We don't agree with the council's new law," he said simply. Iroh nodded understandingly. "You realize the risk you're taking?" he asked Zuko directly. "Of course, Uncle. But I'm not just going to stand back when my friends are married against their will," he replied. It was clear he was struggling to control his anger at the whole situation. Before they could debate the issue further, Sokka stumbled in. "They caught Toph," was all he said before collapsing in a heap.
"What have I done that needs explaining?" Aang stood before the council, trying as hard as he could to keep from exploding in anger. "We have been informed that you, Firelord Zuko, and his wife, Fire Lady Mai prevented Generel Fong from retrieving his wife when she fled from him," one of the members from the Earth Kingdom replied sternly. "Did the good general add the part where he trespassed in the Fire Nation Royal Palace?" Aang asked. "I believe I did my job. His actions could have sparked a war between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, and we wouldn't want that would we?"
"That is another matter," the council member said gruffly. "Are you also aware that after your confrontation, the Fire Lord and the Fire Lady disappeared?" the male member from the Fire Nation asked. "It is not my business what the Fire Lord and his wife do in their spare time," Aang responded smugly. "Maybe they went on vacation and didn't want to be disturbed," he suggested with a laugh. "They wouldn't have possibly decided to come to Ba Sing Se, would they?" another from the Southern Water Tribe asked.
"Why do you ask?" Aang asked slowly. "It seems that Fire Lady Mai has been seen wandering the streets," the woman from the Southern Water tribe answered. Aang bit his lip. Something was up. It was like the council knew he was lying. "Perhaps there is a way you can prove you're doing your job," the male from the Earth Kingdom said. Aang thought for a moment. "How would I do that?" he asked hesitantly. "Bring her forward," the council member ordered. Aang watched fearfully as two guards brought a bound Toph forward.
"Toph Bei Fong, you know the penalty for disobedience," the Head of the council, who happened to be the male from the Fire Nation began. "Avatar Aang, if you please, strip Miss Bei Fong of her bending," he ordered.