"Hurry up twinkle toes! Thought you wanted to learn Earthbending! Move your lazy ass!"
"Please Toph. I just woke up. I just need- "
"Well hurry the hell up! It's not like we don't have a huge frigging comet coming or nothing!"
That got Aang to piper up. Can't argue with that logic. He stirred his tea and tried not to let everything going through his head overwhelm him.
"She seems awfully," Alphys rubbed her chin. "What's the word? Chipper?"
"Why wouldn't she be? She's on the road free from her controlling father. Isn't that more or less what she's wanted her whole life?"
"She traded one life for another. Turned her back on those who raised her however poorly. I would think that would still be difficult."
"I don't think she's going to miss the psychotic flower monster killing off her friends every year. I'll keep an eye on her, but I think this is better for her overall."
"I hope so. It just feels wrong to drag even more children into this."
"I know the feeling," Aang muttered as he took another sip. "At least she had a choice. How do you think I felt being told by the nomad elders hey kid. No pressure but you need to cut your childhood short and go save the world. Again, no pressure!"
"I can only imagine. It must weigh on you still."
"You have no idea. You've been awfully quiet Napstablook. How you holding up?"
"Chilling…. Thrilling…. Questioning my role…. My worthlessness… Why do we exist at all…"
"Never mind. What about you Doctor? You've been traveling with me for some time now, but I haven't really gotten your view on things."
"What would you like to know?"
"Well." Aang pursed his lips, thinking. "What do you think of the outside world?"
"It's…. Well, yes there's the war and that's about as bad as I expected. But there's also beauty. Tranquility. Things to learn. It's so much bigger than I imagined."
"And how does it make you feel?"
"It both makes me relieved that there might be something to salvage of the world and that not all is lost. But it also makes me disappointed and angry. At myself. at ourselves. The air nation."
"That's…. Unexpected. Why the self-hate?"
"Because we should have helped sooner. It was wrong to hide away while others fought. I know we were few in number and needed to ensure something was left of our people. But we could have helped in other ways. Reconnaissance. Medical care. Taking care of refugees. Anything." She inhaled.
"Instead, we let the world pass us by. It's unknown to us. And us to it."
"I… I know exactly what you mean. I went to sleep for what seemed a few days. Woke up to a world I'd abandoned. I should have been there. We both should have been there."
Alphys' hand twitched. She thought about placing it on the Avatar's as reassurance but decided against it. He didn't like touching.
"What about me? What do you think of me? Am I a disappointment?"
"You? A disappointment? Never!"
"Even after Gaoling? Even after what you learned about me?"
That actually took some time for Alphys to respond.
"I.. I do admit. I wouldn't have thought you capable of…. That, But you survived. That takes strength."
"I destroyed a village. Lost control. Nearly did it again. Do you really want to travel with someone like that?"
At this point Alphys really did place her hand on Aang's.
"You've a survivor. You have overcome great trials to make it this far. To stand here with us. You've made it this far without losing it. I have no doubt if you stick true to what you believe in and value, you will do right by the world this time. We both will."
"Do you really believe that? Or are you trying to convince us both?"
"Maybe. But if you don't have a little faith, how can you go on? We all had faith that you would return someday, and that paid off eventually, right?"
Aang didn't know if that made him happier, but he didn't want to talk about this anymore.
"What do you think happened to Mai? You don't think she…. Got buried under the rubble do you? I mean, I didn't see her after the house."
Alphys hesitated before answering. He wasn't going to like her opinion.
"Honestly, I think it's more likely she went back to the other side."
Aang's eyes widened like he couldn't believe she would suggest such a thing.
"How can you say that? We had a deal. Agreement…."
"I'm not sure she genuinely believed that. Or at the very least didn't want to after your little… Outburst."
"So, we might have to fight her."
"It's certainly plausible."
"Another thing to look forward to. How am I going to do all this?"
"Hey, twinkletoes! The hells taking you so long. Get off your butt! It's training time!"
"One thing at a time I guess…. One thing at a time….."
For once, Aang could agree with Napstablook.
….
"You again? Let me guess. You want to play soldier."
"No. I just think as a member of this crew- And a useful one at that- That I deserve a chance to learn more valuable techniques so as to better provide for my people and our cause."
"You want to provide? Go work in the kitchen with the other women."
"Excuse me? Have you not seen me waterbend? Do you not think I could be a valuable asset in ways besides cooking?"
"If you're so good, why ask me for guidance? Why not end this war on your own?"
"No one is good enough for that. And one can always improve. With your aid, I can do just that."
"If you want to improve, you should do so in the skills best suited to women."
"Master Pakku, do you not think we should take advantage of every waterbender available? That we should help each and every one reach their full potential?"
"I am helping you reach your full potential. By telling you to give up on foolish dreams. Women belong in the kitchen."
Katara could only stare aghast at the foolishness of this so-called wise man.
"Sorry. Am I speaking too quickly for you? Here. Let me try again. Women. Belong. In."
"I think she understood you perfectly. She just can't believe a respected master would take such a ridiculous tone."
"Chief Hakoda. You may be the de facto head of this fleet, but these are traditions we have held since long before this war began and will continue to hold long after."
"The hell they will, you stubborn old- "
"Katara, will you give us a moment please?"
Katara opened her mouth to respond, but closed it with a sigh, accepting she wasn't going to get anywhere with this old geezer. She nodded and walked out of master Pakku's quarters.
"Hey, sis! Trying to get master dingbat to give you a few pointers?"
"It's no use. He won't see reason. Gah! Does he not want to win this war?"
"Folks are stubborn. Especially men. You remember how I was towards you as a kid?"
"How could I forget? I remember you blaming me for Zuko catching me!"
"Hey, that wasn't entirely unjustified. You did get us stranded on that ice sheet."
"Fine. So, I've made one or two mistakes. But come on! So have you! And I don't see him talking you out of battle!"
"All right, I get it. He's a sexist pig. Well, if he won't teach you anything useful, come practice with me and Suki. That way, even without waterbending, you can still provide something right?"
Katara sighed.
"Yeah. Fine let's do it. Screw him."
"That's the spirit!"
….
"Sorry for the wait, Toph. Just had to- "
"First things first. Not Toph while I'm teaching you. It's Sifu Toph."
"I- Very well. Apologies Sifu Toph. What shall we begin with today? A rockalanche? Seismic sense? Maybe make a whirlpool of earth, burrow underground and pop up on our enemies from behind?"
"Oh, I like that last one. Gotta remember to try it someday. But in your case, how about we start with move a rock?"
"Oh. Yeah sure. Good idea."
"Follow me, then. I've got the perfect size."
He followed her out of the building they'd spent the night within. They were currently taking refuge in an abandoned town several days flight from Gaoling. They couldn't stay long with Azula no doubt in pursuit, but Aang wanted a little time to get in some basic Earthbending tactics.
He took a deep breath. Don't think about Azula.
"Right, then" Toph clapped her hands together and gestured towards a large boulder that came up to waist height on Aang.
"Make it move. That's your first goal."
"Awesome! I'll do it! Let's get this rolling!"
He thrust his hands forward and he went flying into the building behind him.
He came back rubbing his back while Toph cackled madly. He threw her a dirty look which only made her laugh even harder.
He took the stance again and again went flying back. He went back again and again. Same attempt. Same result.
Eventually Alphys came out to check up on progress and found herself quite befuddled by what she witnessed.
"Is this normal? For beginners at least?"
"Nope. He's the worst Earthbending student I've seen. Without competition."
Aang dusted off his shoulders and stared down the massive rock.
"There must be some trick to this. Maybe if I go in from another angle? Or perhaps- "
"No. That's not going to work! This isn't airbending! No tricks. No shortcuts. As an earthbender, you need to take this straight on. And when, I say straight on, I mean like this!"
She leaped at the rock with her head and smashed it in half. Aang and Alphys jumped back in shock.
"Clearly, this isn't working for you. We're going to need to find another way to make you see the light. Follow!"
"Look Toph, maybe- "
"Sifu Toph!
….
"Hey, Kat. You uh…. What are you doing?"
"Uh… Wrestling… No, practice fighting. Nothing illegal."
"Oh, I'm sure. Though to be honest, it kind of looked like you two were hugging."
Katara and Suki stared at each other. It did sort of appear that way. What with them having each other in a death grip. They pulled away with a blush on their faces.
"Well, anyway I thought you ought to know I gave it my all trying to convince that oaf, but he's stubborn. Old folks usually always are."
Katara bit her lip. She kind of foresaw this but it still ached.
"I know this has gotta be disappointing, but well…" He paused wondering if he should say anymore. He decided to.
"I've seen what you can do with water. And I think you're already pretty darn amazing with or without his help."
But not good enough, she thought. Not enough to help end this war.
She nodded his way getting him to leave. Suki however looked her deep in the eyes.
"You have a bad look in your eyes. What are you planning?"
Katara looked over at Haru who was currently engaged in training with Sokka.
"Confront your problems head on. Like an Earthbender."
….
"There you are! Thought you said you were going on break!"
"This is a break! A break from you!"
"Now now! You wanted an Earthbending teacher! The best! I promised that! I didn't say it would be easy!"
Aang huffed and kicked a wave of flames out. Toph raised here eyebrows at the heat.
"After all I've achieved up to now, you'd think this would be a piece of cake. But no! There's always something else holding us back! Typical! Life can't give us even a little break!"
"Boy, listen to you! Are you really the same guy who leveled a city? This shit takes time!"
"Which we don't have! Spirits, it doesn't make any sense! How are you meant to handle a rock head on? It's crazy, however you look at it!"
"You think that sounds weird! Imagine me trying to wrap my head around the idea of not taking a rock head on! Try to see things my way! Because I can't see at all!"
"It's just not our way! Not the Airbender's way! There was always another way another alternative!"
"News flash, we're not learning air. We're learning Earth! So, stop trying to be an airbender!"
Aang grumbled and let loose another fire bolt. Toph actually trembled at the heat.
"You know, I'm actually kind of surprised that you're struggling so much with this, given how well you seem to be playing with fire."
"How does my firebending say anything about my potential for earth?"
"Because I'm fairly sure fire isn't about dodging and finding another opening. Yet you see to get it down pretty well."
"Passion is part of the equation. Emotions."
"Really? Another difference from air. Aren't- weren't the air nomads always about meditation or something?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"Well, you just said fire is about passion. So, what's got you all passionate right now?"
Aang didn't respond. Though she could suddenly feel his heart beating a lot faster.
"Scratch that. Here's a better question. How the hell did you learn firebending?"
Now Aang's heart was really beating wildly. She smirked. This kid was so easy to rile up.
"Come on! I left my whole life behind to help you! I deserve to know who I'm traveling with!"
"You know who you're traveling with. Weren't you in my house when I was reminiscing on the good old days?"
"Sure, but I didn't hear anything about firebending in that story. Come on! Spill the beans! Was it that girl who attacked us?"
Aang's heart stopped. He thought he was going to die.
"How did you know?"
"Wait, you're serious!? Holy shit! I was just kidding!"
Aang buried his face in his hands.
"Well go on! How did that happen? Who is she, anyway? Her heartbeat was off the charts too you know. She was either really conflicted about killing you or really excited about it."
Aang paused wondering how much he should divulge. Ah fuck it. She wasn't going to leave him alone until he did.
"Me and Frisk disguised ourselves as soldiers and- "
"Wait. Who?"
"A friend of mine. Another airbender. The one who broke me out of the ice actually. We traveled the Fire nation for a time. Eventually, we found a chance to get close to the Fire Lord himself and well… We took it."
"Where is she now? This friend of yours?"
"She… I don't know for sure. She got captured and we couldn't go back for her. I, hope she's all right."
Yet another bout of emotional turmoil hit him as he realized he hadn't given Frisk nearly the amount of thought he should. All he knew for sure was she was alive. Or at least she was when he had that vision in the swamp. What was she doing? Where was she? Still in the Fire Nation?
Spirits, he'd abandoned her. He had good reason to, but all the same. Maybe she was captured again and here he was traveling the Earth Kingdom. Spirits, some friend he was-
"OK, forget it. If she could put up with you for that long, she's probably fine. So, you disguised yourself as guards? Kid guards? And she bought it?"
"I don't get it either. Personally, I think she knew were fakes. She didn't know we were airbenders though, so it worked out for us."
"And she taught you firebending? The princess of the Fire Nation taught a kid stowaway her craft?"
Aang thought how to respond.
"I think we felt…. A connection. I was someone her age. Someone she could talk to."
He looked at her to see if she was still listening. Hard to tell with those blind eyes.
"And as it turned out, we had some things in common. I've met her father fire lord Ozai and as it turns out, he's not the best father either. When she learned about my own old man, I guess it helped create a bond."
"Wait, you told her your story!? No wonder she's trying to kill you!"
"Not everything of course. I pretended I was born in some colony somewhere. Anyway, we sympathized with each other and…. I guess she felt she'd finally found someone to confide in."
"That explains the excitement. You got her feeling happy and shit. Only for it all to be a ruse!"
"Happy and shit? It wasn't all a ruse. I do feel for her. I mean, feel bad for her."
"Enough to do kissy kissy?"
She cackled at his flustered panic and claims.
"Calm down wuss. Only joking. Still, she clearly must have made an impression on you to make your fire that good."
Toph folded her hands under her chin in contemplation. She grinned after some thought.
"I guess it makes sense when you think about it. Threat of death and all that. Maybe I should go for that."
"Come on. Get serious. She didn't threaten me with execution. Somehow she just made it work."
"So little miss fire princess made you effective, huh? So, maybe if we got her here, we could get you to- "
"No. Please don't. Seriously. Don't even joke about that."
"Fine. But you know what that means. More boulders! Come on! Break's over! Back to the superior element!"
Aang sighed. Death seemed more appealing every day.
….
"We're nearly there! Waterbenders, to the front! Clear the boats and make room for earthbenders to land!"
Haru placed his hand on Katara's shoulder.
"Be careful out there all right? We owe you everything. To lose you would be- "
Katara placed her hand in his and looked him in the eyes.
"Nothing will happen. You'll see. See you on the shore."
She moved to the front of the ship where the other waterbenders were gathered. All of them male. Including…
"Come to see us off girlie? Fear not. We've done this before countless times so- "
"I'm coming with you actually. Just to make sure you old timers don't pull your back out there."
Pakku's face reddened, and he opened his mouth to tell her to stow it, but another waterbender beat him to it.
"Just let her come Pakku. We could use the extra pair of hands."
"They could use an extra pair of hands in the kitchen as well!"
"That can wait. Stop being such an old coot. Let's get going."
Katara smirked at the old man's shocked expression and began to skate across the water's surface, leaving the old man in the…. Waves.
After his initial confusion wore off however, he quickly outpaced her.
She growled competitively and actually tried to outpace him, but it was no use. For all his absurd ideas about gender equality, he was skilled. No question.
She decided to quit trying to beat him and conserve her energy for the upcoming blockade of boats lying ahead.
The small ones were dispelled easily enough with a wave of her hand. It was the larger ones docked at port that were going to be a larger issue.
She launched herself on board one and landed with a water whip that knocked the fire soldiers off their feet and into the sea.
She stood to the side of the entrance to the main cabin and threw a whole burst of water within to lure the inhabitants out.
They weren't buying it. She had to go in. She took a deep breath and performed the sliding kick she'd been practicing with Suki.
It knocked the first guy off his feet, giving her enough time to pull water from her pouch and launch it as icicles at the driver.
As his partner attempted to rise to his feet, she thought back to the other major thing Suki had taught her. She took the stance, quickly familiarized herself (Or tried to familiarize) with the pressure points and struck with blazing speed.
She hit the areas Suki had told and…. Well, one of his arms went limp. His other arm and legs though? Yeah, not so much.
She jumped over a wave of fire that his leg kicked towards her. Thinking quickly, she ran outside and threw another wave inside, freezing his whole body.
She patted herself on the back before someone hit her with a splash. She whipped about to find the old man frowning at her.
"Am I supposed to be impressed? Get a move on! If you're going to help, help us deal with that platoon on the shore!"
Observing the well-fortified defense that even waterbenders with the ocean couldn't breach, she racked her brain for ideas. A joke Sokka once made stuck out to her. Bless her naïve yet occasionally brilliant doofus brother!
She rushed to the steering wheel. She was suddenly thankful she'd gotten a briefing on its use. She turned it towards the sea.
"Yes that's right! Run back to the kitchen with the other women- Wait. What are you doing?"
After going out to sea far enough, she pulled a quick 180 and sped the ship to shore.
"Crazy girl! Stop! What do you think you're doing?"
"Move," Katara shouted to the waterbenders assaulting the beach. They turned to the boat coming in. Fortunately, they had more than enough time to get out of the way of the incoming battering ram.
Katara stood on the bow and raised her hands and created an ice slide upward that at its speed, the boat went over and actually rose out of the water.
The boat landed on top of the stone wall protecting the Firebenders, smashing a huge hole within it. Katara jumped off at the last minute before it impacted and brought a massive wave through the newly formed hole, bringing down a significant amount of Firebenders.
As the waterbenders came running through the hole and clapping her on the back, She held out her hands and walked towards the old coot.
"Whaddaya think? Good enough to teach?"
"No."
She stared at the hole, blinking as he walked casually past.
"Wait. What?"
….
"We have a problem." Aang leaped off Appa. "There's a fire nation battalion heading this way."
"What?" Alphys rose up from her siting position. "How did they find us?"
"Betcha your huge ass bison shed or something," Toph suggested.
"Hey, don't you dare blame Appa! You just don't like him because you're afraid of heights!"
"Won't argue with that, but how else do you think they followed us?"
"Maybe they followed the smell of your bare feet!"
"Excuse me? You trying to hurt me for criticizing your beloved pet?"
"Maybe they…. you know….. followed me….. I mean I wouldn't put it past me….. Maybe I just lied down, and they followed me as I lay down…."
Everyone present stared at him with raised eyebrows.
"How in the…" Toph struggled to ask. "How does that make any sense? What is wrong with you man?"
"Never mind," Aang interrupted. We need to draw them away. No scratch that. We need to separate them. Divide and conquer."
"Don't follow."
Aang walked up to Appa and pulled off a clump of hair. He was shedding. Damn it. Amidst all that had happened, he'd been forgetting basic care. Gyatso would not be pleased.
"We're going to fly out above them. From there we'll separate. You three will lead the soldiers away while I draw Azula back here. She'll take any opportunity to confront me and won't risk anyone else"
"That's your plan? Pretty poorly thought out. Typical airbender."
"Not exactly. I'm sure the three of you together can find a way to beat the grunts. As for Azula…" He paused.
"Not to rush you, but they are getting closer."
"I've bene thinking about what you said. Maybe I can't quite get the Earthbending down. But I can act like one. Stand strong and face your problem head on. I've ran from Azula too long. I need to face her and talk to- "
"Or beat the crap out of her, since she wants to kill you, you know?"
"I… I just need to face her. Stay strong like an earthbender. Isn't that what you've been trying to teach me?"
"Eh. Sounds good Twinkle toes, but I'm not so sure you've got it in you. Knowing you, you're more likely to get cold feet or beg her to take you back and kiss you."
"Oh, come on. Give me some credit."
Toph shrugged her shoulders.
"You're running the show her twinkle toes. Personally, I think it's crazy, but I admire the guts. Just don't break down and ask her to marry you the instant you see her will you?"
"Toph!"
"Marriage… Sounds bad.,… too much effort…. Think I'll just lay my head against this rock…drain such unpleasantness away…."
"Seriously. What is that guy's problem?"
….
"You're awfully quiet Mai. You're not getting cold feet, are you?"
"I'm always quiet."
"No. You're usually snarky and throwing not so subtle jabs my way."
"Maybe I don't have any jabs at the moment. Maybe my mouth is sore from so many."
"You, tired of sarcasm? I don't believe that for a second. I think you're nervous about what happens when we find the Avatar. When he sees your betrayal with his own eyes."
"Of course, I'm nervous about facing the avatar! He destroyed a city in case you didn't notice!"
"That just makes his inevitable capture all the sweeter, wouldn't you say?"
"You sure seem confident for someone who's failed multiple times already to bring him in."
"All good prey takes time. You just need to find the right bait."
She looked at the road before her. Laced with bison fur.
"I'll hunt him the same way our ancestors hunted their prey. Over long distances, I'll hunt him to exhaustion. Give him no opportunity for rest. And when he's at his weakest- "
"Then he'll just go all Avatar state again and blow you away."
"Only if he gets truly emotional. Or angry. I've learned through experience that he doesn't have full control of it and usually activates it without awareness. Thus, the trick is to keep him desperate and off balance. Fear doesn't appear to be a trigger. Fortunately, fear and I are old comrades."
Mai thought that over.
"Can't argue with that."
"Princess! Bison spotted! An airbender is flying off its back and heading the opposite direction!"
Azula pulled out the telescope. Her eyebrow raised.
"Clever little runt. He's trying to divide us. Thinks I'll go after him alone."
"Well, won't you? You do want the credit for his defeat yourself," Mai noted.
Azula bit her lip. Couldn't leave anything to chance.
"Lo and Li will accompany me as backup in case things go south. You and the rest will pursue the bison and the airbenders on board. Just so you don't have to deal with the Avatar's disappointment."
"Ah. I didn't know you cared so much. As appreciation, I'll write a requiem for your impending defeat."
"Thank you as always for your support "friend."
….
"Hey! Buddy! What's your problem!?"
Pakku sighed and pinched his nose.
"This again? Why would I have changed my mind about you girl?"
"You saw me out there! You saw what I can do! I'm not weak!"
"So why ask me for hand holding if you're so capable?"
"Because there's always more to learn! New ways to help!"
"Yes. For instance, in the washroom. Or the kitchen."
He smirked at the girl's frustrated barely held in scream.
"Come on Katara," her brother insisted. "We can find someone else."
"No!. Did you not see me out there? Did you not see what I can do? Imagine what— "
"I did see what you did. Namely how you almost plowed over everyone with that boat!"
"But I didn't! Without me, we never would have gotten through that blockade!"
"In time, we would have."
"Oh, come on! I can be a boon! I helped free many of these Earthbenders from their imprisonment and form this little army we've got here!"
"So, you have some effective social skills. That doesn't make you worthy to study waterbending."
"Katara, he isn't worth it," Sokka implored. Katara did not relent.
"Is it any wonder Gran Gran didn't want to marry someone like you? "
Wrong thing to say. The old man pulled water from the ocean and formed it into a sphere.
"You little brat! Maybe some discipline will get this lesson into your head!"
She dodged to the side, letting the ball hit her brother. She counterattacked with a water whip, but he dodged. She ran at him trying to perform the chi block on him, but he saw it coming and knocked her hand out of the way.
"Nice try. But I've dealt with that little trick before. It won't work on me."
The seemingly scrawny geezer at this moment proved that assumption wrong by lifting her by her shoulders and actually throwing her overboard.
"Maybe a little dip will clear your head!"
Rather than let the water swallow her whole, she placed her feet apart and stood on the surface. She spread her hands apart and began sending water discs at her opponent.
He blocked and dodged them all with ease. Well, not all. The last nearly clipped him, causing him to look at her with shock.
"Credit where it's due. You've some skill."
"But you still won't teach me!"
"No." And with that declaration, he raised his hands and the water underneath her rose up enveloping her.
He moved his hands about in circles, directing the ball over the deck.
Hakoda came running out with his son and stared furiously at what was occurring.
"Let her go, now!"
Pakku released her and she went tumbling to the deck. While Sokka ran to check on her, Hakoda grabbed the old man by the shoulders.
"You stay away from her, you crazy old bastard! I don't care how respected- "
"She insulted me. She wanted to get a rise out of me. She asked for it."
"And you took the bait? Are you twelve or something? Act your age! What did she do? Talk about my mother? Get over it! Kanna didn't want to spend her days with a – "
Pakku pulled Hakoda's hands off his shoulders.
"Enough. I will not teach that girl. No matter what you say."
He walked off. Hakoda stared after him for a time, resisting the urge to strangle him. He realized the cons outweighed the benefits and rushed over to his daughter.
"That was amazing sweetheart. Standing up to him. He was right about one thing. You are a very skilled waterbender. And you'll get stronger still. Stronger than him."
She smiled through frustrated tears and gripped his hand. For that moment, the first time since his wife died, they truly felt like a family again.
….
"They're following us right? I can't exactly confirm with my own eyes."
"Yes," they're following," Alphys said. "All but the fire princess. Mai is at their head."
"Perfect. I've been hoping to have another chat with her. I rather liked her. So what's the plan?"
"I… Honestly don't know. The avatar said to separate them from the leader and then…. Hmm. Didn't hear the next part."
Toph pinched her forehead.
"For the love of….. Remind me never to follow one of Twinkle toes' plans again. So we have no plan? No ideas?"
"Apparently not," Alphys smiled embarrassed. "I don't imagine they'll follow forever before they decide to aid the princess."
"Maybe we could… You know…. Lure them somewhere and…. Maybe fight them….. Or go to sleep… You know….. Just a thought…."
Both women stared.
"Did you just offer a good idea," Toph asked. "What a day! Next thing you know, I'll regain my sight!"
"Where can we possibly fight back? There's a sizable number."
"We got air….. Probably better to hit them from where they can't hit us… Just saying…"
"Two good ideas from you in a row? The world's gone mad!"
Toph stood up and stretched her legs. "I'm gonna say hi. Take the scenic route why don't you?"
She leaped off the bison and raised a pillar from the earth. She jumped on it and drove it into the ground with intense force..
A wave of rock came at the soldiers knocking over their lizard steeds. Mai jumped off hers and threw a flurry of darts at the little girl. Her blindness would have made her an easy target to the projectiles not in contact with the surface if not for Alphys knocking them away with air.
"So what gives lady? I wasn't cool enough for you? Or perhaps little miss Fire princess was too scary for you? Or maybe she's your girlfriend, hmm?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Look. I like you. You've got spunk. And I would have perhaps enjoyed spending more time with you. You're not boring. I'll give you that much."
The soldiers had mostly risen and took a stance to attack Toph. But an airborne assault from Alphys aboard Appa while Napstablook directed the flying brute. Apparently, he could achieve some great things when he put his mind to it.
"But duty to one's nation triumphs loyalty to all- "
Toph yawned and stomped down on the ground, launching Mai into the air. She grabbed onto a tree.
"Blah. Blah. Do you hear yourself? Like hell you care about loyalty to a nation and all that crap! You wanted freedom, just like me! And you threw it all away!"
Mai didn't respond. The blind girl couldn't sense her in this tree right? So she only had to-
A shadow covered her. She looked in shock as the bison came flying at her. She barely managed to jump out of the way as the beast came tearing through the top stem.
"Nap! Easy! Watch where you're steering that thing!"
"Sorry… Thought I was playing music…. So tired….."
Mai tried to grab onto another tree so as to avoid touching the ground, but her aim was off and instead she went slamming into the lower body of one.
She fell to the ground disoriented which was more than enough time for a whirlpool to form in the earth and suck her in.
She groaned and struggled to get out. But to no avail. She sighed as she recognized defeat and raised her eyes to meet the blind bandit.
"You know, for a time I thought I might have found someone I could connect with. Someone to match me. It was one of the things I looked forward to when deciding to travel with Twinkle toes. But alas, you turn out to be another wuss. Sorry. You don't get to join the team. My team."
The bison landed and Alphys landed to lend Toph a hand up. She looked at Mai with sadness but didn't say anything. Mai did.
"Hey, guys. You're not just going to leave me here are you?"
"Sounds fair," Toph remarked. I mean…. Come to think of it, we could kill you."
Mai sweated.
"No. That's not the airbending way."
"Well, I'm not an airbender am I? And we just spent the last day trying to cure twinkle toes of that didn't we?"
"This is a child. One who might receive a chance at redemption. At least one who you hope might. Don't you?"
Mai actually chuckled at that.
"She's a threat," Toph countered. "As long as she lives, she'll keep coming after us."
"And if you kill her, you'll live with that regret forever. You shouldn't cross that line just yet. Not while you're so young. Trust me. I've learned that the hard way."
Toph pursed her lips. She looked at Mai once more.
"Fine. You can stay here on time out and think about how badly you screwed up by messing with the champ!"
"Oh, thank you for proving me wrong," Mai rolled her eyes.
"Come on then. Let's go find Twinkle toes before he gets all kissy kissy with his girlfriend. Or chickens and runs. Whichever"
….
Aang had expected Azula to interrupt his meditation with words for some reason. A foolish notion now that he could look back on it.
He heard the lizards approaching and opened instead to see a bolt of lightning heading for his face.
If not for his airbending training, he never would have dodged in time.
"Azula! Can we talk!"
She did not dignify that with a response. Instead she cast another bolt of lightning at the building overhead, sending it tumbling down. Aang launched himself out of the way. The appropriate response at this time would be to launch an attack of his own. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not yet.
"Don't let him escape," Azula said. "Otherwise, only interfere if he's got me on the ropes."
Both twins nodded. Neither looking happy. They seemed quite worried in fact.
Aang at that moment ran on instinct and rather than face his problems head on like an earthbender let the airbender within take over and sprinted into another building. He could hear Azula stride inside. Against all reason, he spoke up announcing his location.
"It's good to see you again Azula."
She immediately made a hole in the wall before him, then casually stepped through. Her eyes displayed the fire within that her currently stoic expression didn't.
"What does that mean? We met just a few days ago."
"but we didn't talk, We haven't exchanged any words since- "
"No need."
He yelped as she flung another flurry of flames his way. He suddenly realized how bad an idea it had been to confront her in this tight space. The flames surrounded him very quickly, cutting off any obvious means of escape.
He quickly spun his staff in front of him to prevent her getting closer and to blow away some of the flames. Being stuck in one place with no way out however gave her a perfect opportunity to cast another lightning bolt. Fortunately, he ducked and jumped through the hole it made in the wall behind him.
Running away again. How Toph would be proud of him.
Well, actually there was more than one reason for this. If he could stall her long enough for the rest of his team to double back, he had a better chance of subduing her.
"Enough running Kuzon," she called out as she landed down from the hole and out onto the ground.
"That's not actually my name."
"I don't care what your name is. Your fate will be the same," she snarled as she glared at him with not-so-subtle madness. "You humiliated me. I let you into my deepest secrets. My fears. Insecurities. And the whole time, you planned to stab me in the back! Put a knife through my heart!"
"No! That's not what I intended! I mean, yes. I do still plan to unseat your father. But not to hurt you. I don't want to hurt you."
Azula laughed maniacally and began flinging fiery death his way again.
"You don't want to hurt me? YOU DON'T WANT TO HURT ME? WELL, TOO BAD FOR YOU LITTLE BOY! BECAUSE I VERY MUCH WANT TO HURT YOU!"
He had a hard time in this moment seeing any wisdom in Toph's philosophy. Why stay put and confront your problems head on when it gives said problems an easier shot? On the other hand, such proximity does give you an easier shot as well.
"Azula, I feel for you."
The words came out without planning, but they proved effective as Azula paused again with a look of bewilderment.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't want to fight you because I feel for you. I sympathize with you. I…"
Pausing should have been a death sentence in a moment like this, but Azula's confoundment over his word choice gave him time to formulate clarification.
"I've had some time to look over my own past. My own mistakes. What I told you that night on Ember Island: The Colony part might have been fake. But the rest. All true. I had a father like you. One with expectations I couldn't match. I thought it defined me. Who I was meant to be. But I broke free from that. Free from who he wanted me to be. And you can too."
"What are you babbling about?"
"I'm saying you don't have to be your father's lapdog. You can eb so much more. You're smart. Cunning. Intelligent- "
"Those are the same things idiot."
"Right. Sorry. The point is." He took a deep breath. "I'd like to start over."
Her jaw gaped. He couldn't blame her. It was a very strange thing he'd just uttered.
"Aka. Sorry. No that sounded weird. Maybe we should- "
"You're delusional," she interrupted. "You speak as if we had something going on between us! Some sort of dirty little romance!"
"Azula, I didn't mean- "
"There is nothing lost between us, little Kuzon. I am the next ruler of the Fire Nation. A phoenix queen who will rule over the ashes of my enemies. And you are just another target. Another obstacle in my way. And you will be purged like all- "
She had to quit her boast when a large boulder came flying at her, breaking her concentration.
"Hiya twinkle toes! Good of you to stay your ground! Your air buddies are handling those old women, so why don't we wrap this bitch up nice and tight?"
"Look out! She's going to hit you!"
Toph immediately dodged and upon so doing realized she was out of her element, even with it under her feet. She couldn't sense where this crazy bitch was going to hit next. Couldn't feel the fire without her seismic sense. Though with Aang aiding her and his girlfriend unaware of what she could do, it didn't take much to corner her and hit her with a double whammy of both rock and air.
"Ha! Even fire royals fall before the blind bandit! Bow down and pray or I'll reenact my epic pownage of the boulder!"
"Halt! Step away from the princess!"
Toph cursed/ Those two airheads did not let themselves get captured by a pair of old crones?
"Step away, or they suffer!"
Aang couldn't help but turn his head around. Instinct was a huge pain sometimes.
That was all the time Azula needed. With both their attention split, Azula hit Toph and launched another at Aang. He had enough experience with fire to avoid. But Toph was not so fortunate. Azula leaped at her and pinned her down. She lit a flame on her finger and held it to the blind girl's throat.
"If you want to start over, you can start by being a good soldier again. Obey your princess. Slit your throat and die for the glory of the Fire nation."
Toph moved her arms to try and summon some earth, but Azula pressed her feet down and quickly put that idea to rest. All the while, she kept grinning at Aang.
"Or perhaps, you'd like to run away again. Abandon them, like you abandoned your kind. Or your mute friend."
Aang's fists clenched.
"You know what we did to her after you left her? You know how much she screamed? How much she cursed your name?"
"Princess…." One of the old women warned. But Azula's normally logical mind did not function so well around the Avatar. She wanted to see him hurt. To see him suffer.
"Maybe I'll bring her your head. Maybe I'll- "
Aang didn't listen to her. His eyes drifted to Toph. Her words flitted through his brain.
"You've got to face it head on! Don't run from your problems! Beat them into the dirt!"
He took a deep breath. Spread his feet apart. Crouched halfway down.
Azula's eyes narrowed. Her eyes flitted to Lo. Or was it Li? Either way, one of the women holding down Napstablook. The old woman nodded. She slowly began moving her free hand. Building up lightning while Aang's attention was focused on the princess.
Or at least that was her belief. In truth Aang's super sensitive ears could hear the buildup of energy from her fingers. But he didn't want her to know right away.
While in his stance, he focused his eyes on Toph. She didn't stare back. Her attention was turned to the old woman. His mind was filled with her words from earlier after flinging a particularly large boulder at his face.
"I just flinched. I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing to say! You blew it! You had a perfect stance and form. But like a true chicken shit, you lacked the guts!"
"You're right. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, you'd better be sorry! If you can't bend that boulder, you could at least give it the pleasure of crushing you instead of jumping out of the way like a bald wimp!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alphys take a step towards them. Toph pointed a finger at her.
"Don't interfere, doc. You want him to save the world? This is how he saves the world. Now, do you have the nerve to face that rock head on? To face your fears head on like an Earthbender?"
"Yes."
He swiftly turned to the two women with their knees on his comrade's throats and summoned pillars of earth to hit them in the face.
Instead he summoned spikes that pierced their heads.
Everyone stared agog at the carnage, save Toph who took advantage of Azula's shock to knee her in the stomach and knock her away with a rock.
"That's the spirit twinkle toes! Like a true earthbender! Now get up and let's do the same to this bitch! Twinkle toes? Aang! What are you doing?"
He'd killed someone. He'd really done it. He'd really killed someone.
After he swore….. He promised…
He felt someone hugging him at that moment. Leaning their head on his shoulders, whispering sweet words of encouragement in his ears.
He felt different somehow. A pounding in his head. What had he done?
"Twinkle toes! Get up! Come on let's move!"
As the airbenders moved away from the corpses of the old woman, Azula rose to her feet. She shook as she made her way towards the two dead woman.
"Come on," Toph insisted. "Get up! Let's take her down! What are you doing? Stand up like an Earthbender!"
Azula's hands shook as they held the severed heads of the twins. A rare emotion surfaced within her.
"Aw, screw it!" Toph took her own stance and launched her own attack.
With perfect precision, Azula leaped over the wave of rocks meant to bury her and retaliated with her own wall of fire that singed Toph's feet.
"Shit! Fucking bitch! My feet! You burned my fucking feet, you fucking- "
"Easy there, Ms. Beifong!" Alphys rushed over and picked the blind girl up while she cursed out numerous words a child should not have known.
"Avatar! Please- No, forget it. Nap! Get him up!"
Surprisingly, the bald pessimist complied, jumping over Azula, and batting away her fire flurries with air.
Azula in the midst of her anger and mad ranting didn't notice the bison land behind her before he swatted her away with his tail.
"Thatta boy, Appa! Here, catch!"
In what she would recall as a moment of profound stupidity on her part, she threw Toph onto the saddle. Onto the charred flesh of her feet.
"Fucking shit! What the fuck was that you idiot!?"
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry! I didn't think!"
"No shit, you moron! Are your fucking heads full of fucking air!?"
Alphys and Napstablook ignored Toph's understandable anger and leaped onto the bison's back with Aang. Napstablook leaped to the front and grabbed the saddles.
"So… What do you say again? Yap yap… Yip yaroo… Yip Yip…."
The bison took off into the air, catching them by surprised and nearly sending them tumbling off. The only one not concerned was Aang whose concentration was directed to an increasingly small figure on the ground.
Azula looked up through tears of frustration. She pointed her fingers in the usual arc.
The lightning shone at the end of her finger for a minute. Then exploded sending her flying back. In her emotional state, she was not capable of the cold-blooded fire.
As the source of her obsession flew off once again, she moved to stand next to the headless bodies of two people who truly understood her. Perhaps even loved her.
Mother. Zuko. Lo and Li. Kuzon. One by one they all left. Reminding her that trust and love were for fools.
….
"How are your feet?"
Toph glared at Alphys.
"Right. Sorry."
Toph looked in the direction she assumed Napstablook was sitting. It was the opposite. Rather cute, Alphys smirked.
"Hey uh. Nap? Thanks for your assistance."
"What, me… No, not me….. Must mean someone else- "
"Oh, spirits! Take a compliment! And you too twinkle toes! You stood your ground where it counted. You faced your problems head on. You're an earthbender now! So…."
Toph reached around for something then frowned.
"Right. No glasses. Usually Dad would do cheers or something weird. Never understood it. Well, anyways. Congratulations to my first pupil! And to me! The greatest Earthbender in the world! Between the two of us, this war is as good as won!"
Aang barely made out Toph's words. Sur they could win the war. But at what cost?
He stared off into the clouds surrounding them. Trying not to notice the pounding in his head. The twitch in his arms. The women's guts. Azula's tears. Chara's warm arms.
For the second time since seeing Gyatso's body, he contemplated ending it all.