I don't own Avatar The Last Airbender
Chapter 19
"Do you remember everything you need to do?"
"Yes dad, I'm fine."
Toph had an annoyed expression when Zuko asked her about her preparations for the meeting. Something which he took notice but ignored regardless.
"And the letters?"
"Yes, I memorized your stupid letters as well."
"You didn't seem to think they were stupid back then.
Zuko said in an amused voice.
"Oh, shut up…"
Toph grew only more annoyed at Zuko's chuckles.
"In all seriousness, how are you feeling?"
Toph took a moment to gather her thoughts together.
"I'm… happy? I'm also scared, it's my fault that I got kidnapped in the first place. If I didn't participate in that stupid competition and was a good little girl like my parents wanted, nine of this would have happened."
"I really don't want them to say we told you so, and then lock me up in a room for the rest of my life. What if they disown me?"
She stopped as she felt Zuko's hand on her shoulder.
"Listen, I can't tell you how your parents will react, but I can tell you that they wouldn't disown you or anything. Whatever will happen, you will have me behind you."
"Excellent play, your highness. Now she will always see us as an ally in a time of need. We can even have her completely once she will have an inevitable clash with her parents."
'But I didn't… I was being honest, I had no alternative motives in mind '
"Oh, then the benefits of good karma, I suppose."
"Thanks, I mean it."
Toph said gradually, even if she became a little sheepish afterwards.
"Do- do you speak from experience? I heard the people talk and… never mind, you don't need to answer."
In the end she started playing with her fingers.
"Oh… well, it's too like it's a secret. Yes, dad disowned and banished me until I redeemed myself in his eyes. But as long as you don't follow my footsteps you will be fine."
"Oh… What did you do? Must have been something really bad."
"Ahm, I really don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that I disrespected him and then humiliated him in front of the entire nobility."
"Oh… Are you really fitting to tell me what to do then?"
Toph tried to raise the mood.
"Do as I say, not as I do."
Zuko returned with a smile.
LLao made some final preparations before the meeting, mainly making sure that the guards were neatly trimmed, and that the food was ready to be called.
"Dear, are you sure we need to leave such an impression? They are our enemies after all."
His wife regarded his decision, discreetly of course. They couldn't let the people know that the Beifongs aren't united as one.
"Yes, honey. A well-fed adversary is a more cooperative one, and we need any help we can get from them. Both for the sake of their terms, and more importantly, for the sake of our daughter."
"*Sigh* fine, dear. Your words ring true. I only hope that they didn't lie to us."
"So am I, honey, so am I."
"Do you think the prince as deformed and vicious as the rumors say?"
She was of course talking about the rumors that spread about the prince in the earth kingdom.
Even at the start of his banishment, it was said that he had a hideous scar on his face from his father. It also said that the prince was quick to anger and was very violent.
As of the last month, the rumors about the prince grew with his deeds. They also varied from one another, but most of them had some things in common.
His face was so deformed that he needed to wear a full-face helmet all the time to hide his shame. His anger and aggression, which were well known even at the beginning, only grew with his banishment and now were directed at the people of the earth kingdom with terrible resolve.
There were also rumors about his cunning intellect and bright mind that brought the fire nation many victories, some even say that it was him and not Zhao that was responsible for the humiliating defeat in his sea strip.
There was also a rather disturbing rumor, one that he found very unsettling. One rumor spoke of his predatory hunger of a unique kind, that he liked to collect exotic women to act as a part of his harem.
Apparently, after his visit to Kyoshi island, he was seen with a beautiful and athletic teenage girl who wore skimpy clothes and followed his every command. The rumors said that the prince seduced a Kyoshi warrior, maybe even the next in line for leadership, and made her his mistress.
Lao feared what the sick mind of the prince may have in store for his daughter, and that the information he had on hand was for more nefarious purpose than just a bargain chip.
Either way, it would do well to tell his wife what he was thinking.
"I'm sure that most of the things are either propaganda are very exaggerated."
"It does seems likely."
His wife let out a sigh of relief.
After a few minutes, they noticed a rad spot on the horizon.
"You think it's one of those 'airships' we heard about?"
His wife asked.
"Must be, it can't be anything else."
As the construction that became the bane of his existence got closer, he couldn't help but marvel at it. The costs it could save by transporting people and merchandise must be tremendous.
Those thoughts were mixed with jealousy and disappointment, because it was the fire nation, and not him or even the much larger and richer earth kingdom, who produced those marvels or enjoyed their benefits.
Of course, any emotion was internal, his face showed nothing of what he may have felt. A lifetime as a businessman made it so.
Finally, the airship flew downward and landed in the yard, which Lao made sure was surrounded with guard, the people inside started to disembark.
First were two bodyguards, which Lao figured was fair enough. The two were relatively tall and wore a marching set of uniforms, not unlike the rest of the fire nation soldiers. They had, however, a little different helmet that probably represented their seniority or rank.
After them, there were two old men. The first was relatively tall but lanky, wither the second was short and fat. Lai, however, recognized his face as none other than the dragon of the west. Even he has familiar with the only man in eons to breach the walls of Ba Sing Se. He will have to tread lightly, he wasn't sure that his men could take on both fire princes.
Then, came the men of the hour, none other than fire prince Zuko himself. The prince looked at the very image of a mighty warrior the propaganda painted him, the dark fitting armor and helmet made a very strong impression.
Lao also noticed that the helmet covered his face completely, not even the sun could laminate the unnaturally obscured slits. The deformation rumor may have more truth than he thought, he just hoped the other rumors don't follow suit.
As the prince got off, he offered his hand to the girl behind him. The girl was very pretty, Lao will admit that, actually his wife would possibly agree if her look was anything to go by. Lucky, her thoughts were clear only to her husband, who spent the better part of his life with her.
The girl, no, the young woman, wore a very expressive kimono that fitted her rather well. Lao (and probably his wife as well) could see through the disguise, her posture and walk wasn't like a noble lady, but more like a feline in search for entertainment.
He had a terrifying realization that the girl was most likely the one that the rumors were about, she did easily have the body fitness of a Kyoshi warrior. He now just prayed that the prince wasn't interested in blind girls, he could see from the side of his eye his wife doing silently the same.
Any thoughts he may have, however, were put on hold when the next person came. The prince and the young woman helped the last person off the airship, and it was none other than his missing daughter.
She was dressed in a matching kimono with the other girl and had her face all dolled up. She looked like she was going to a gala and not to her home after being kidnapped.
His wife audibly gasped, something that his daughter heard.
"Mom?"
The prince whispered something to his daughter, and she nodded, together they walked to Lao. When they were a few feet away the prince and the other girl stopped guiding Toph, and his daughter stood uncertainly in her place. She looked left and right as if she could see Poppy and himself.
"Mom? Dad?"
That seemed to be the tipping point of his wife because she immediately hugged their daughter with no regard for any sense of dignity, in front of the fire nation royal delegacy. And for once, Lao didn't mind it one bit, he himself had to stop himself from doing the same.
"I thought of maybe making a show and all but decided that it would be just cruel."
The prince said as he had a hand scratching the back of his head.
"Do you need some time alone? Because we can wait…"
In the end, her father and Zuko decided on an hour and a half delay, in which Zuko's party could eat breakfast. In the meantime, she was with both her parents.
"Oh my little baby, we were so worried!"
Mom finally said once she regained a hold on herself. Toph would have called it mushy, but t to be fair she had the same reaction.
Spirits, in front of Zuko no less, she needed to do something absolutely badass to even it out.
"I'm sorry…"
For making you worry, for letting those thugs kidnapped me, for going behind your back and participating those stupid underground tourneys, for making your life harder…
"Sweetheart, you have nothing to apologize for. We all are here and fine, that's what's important."
Her father said.
"If there is anyone to blame, it would be that brute. You can be sure that he'll get what he deserves for everything, daddy will take care for it."
Her father was of course talking about Mi-Sha.
Zuko pulled him to the side for a few minutes to debrief him with the story of what happened, with a few things unmentioned obviously.
"I still can't believe that he managed to break in. What were those so-called guards doing, letting those thugs just dig up a tunnel under our nose?"
Her mother was enraged.
"We should have them all fired!""
"Now, now, dear, I will take care of it."
Father said with a pacifying tone.
"I'm more interested right now in hearing about how you were treated with the prince, because if he did something to you, I swear- "
"Zuko didn't do anything!"
Her parents stopped, shocked.
"I… Pardon me, it was unbecoming."
Her father was the first to react.
"It… It is expected you had a very traumatic experience. We're just glad that you're safe and with us now, we had no intention to besmirch the prince."
"Yes, it is only natural to be on edge."
Mom agreed.
"But how was your time with the fire prince?"
She continued.
"My time with Zuko?"
"It was… good, I suppose? I mean, I was scared at first. The bombs were really scary."
"I still can't believe those brutes used bombs on our little angel…"
Mom grumbled.
"While I completely agree with you, honey, at least they got our little girl back to us."
Father said before she continued.
"But after that, it was rather fun. Zuko told many interesting and funny stories and I got to play with his dog."
"Dog tiger?"
Mom said.
"No."
"Cat dog?"
It was father's turn now.
"No, just a regular dog."
"Weird."
Mom said.
"Maybe it's a royal thing, the earth king have a regular bear as well."
Dad suggested.
"Oh! Zuko also wanted me to show you something!
She pulled the sack Zuko gave her, the sack of which its content was a cause of great suffering for her.
From the sack, she pulled a few strange cubes. Each cube had some sin that Toph couldn't know what was written on, but that wasn't for her. What mattered to Toph was the little bulges on the top of the cube.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
Both her parents looked at her with interest.
"Zuko had it made for me, he said it was something that he thought on after he met me."
When she said that Zuko had it made, she meant that he told her to which form to bend the rocks.
"The cubes have a sign that tells which latter is on them, I feel the surface of the cube and by the bulges I can tell the letter. He told me that with this he could make the blind read, and enough capital he is planning to introduce this to the entire world."
Her parents silently looked at her, not knowing what to think.
She understood them, she herself thought it was crazy before. But after some grueling hours with Zuko, she managed to get her first sentence. She was weirdly happy about it, to be able to read like any other kid.
She also knew, even if they never said it, that her parents lamented that she couldn't do things like the other kids. Zuko was at list honest with her and said that his intentions weren't purely ultraistic, but you can't just make the blind read without caring about them.
"Would you like to show us?"
Her father asked, from his tone he didn't know if he should be hopeful or insulted for the jest.
And so Toph went from cube to cube, each time she said the right letter. She could feel that her mother was slightly sobbing.
"Mommy, are you okay? Did I get a letter wrong?"
Spirits! Maybe she did! Are they crying because she messed up again? What would they think about Zuko now, she hoped that she didn't make them think it was some kind of cruel joke!
"No, no, sweetheart, you said every letter right. Your mother is just very proud of her little girl, so am I."
Father calmed her down as he continued.
"And you say that the prince had thought of that?"
"Yes, he said I gave him inspiration. He also told me he wanted to talk to you about spreading it to everyone and make facilities more blind friendly."
"I see… It seems like it's also almost the time for our meeting with the prince. I will have to leave the two of you for now for preparation, you have given me much to think about, sweetheart."
"Good luck, my love."
"I love you daddy."
"I love the two of you as well."
Her father said as he left the room.
After they were fed and rested, Zuko met with lord Beifong at his solar. Accompanying him were his uncle, Shen and Jasmine, surprisingly. Lord Beifong was already present when they entered the solar, undoubtedly preparing himself for what's to come.
"Lord Beifong, we must thank you for your hospitality. My uncle wouldn't stop praising your tea maker."
"Think nothing of it, it was the least I could do after you returned my little girl back. Your honor stands before you, your highness."
"I just did what any other person with moral compass would have done. But we'll have time for pleasantries later, for now let's go down to the ugly business."
Beifong sighed.
"Right to the point, I can respect that, I suppose. What are your terms, your highness?"
"First let me introduce my companions. My uncle, Prince Iroh doesn't need an introduction, I think. Next is acting commander Shen, your equivalent from the fire nation side in this conflict. And last but not least, Jasmine, she was the one to see the needs of your daughter."
Each greeted the lord in his own way, be it a smile from his uncle, a nod from Shen, or a courtesy bow from Jasmine.
Shen handed a sheet of paper to the earth kingdom noble, who began reading it. After some minutes had passed Beifong put the paper down.
"Your highness, those terms are unreasonable. Not only would I get a blow that my coffers my never recover from, but you're asking me to give much land and have many people being fed to the grinder."
"My lord, those are a very watered down terms. Command wanted to just take everything you have and leave you without a single coin to your name, it took much convincing to merely tax you heavy."
Shen nodded in agreement, he had a very bug part convincing the higher ups that constant relatively mediocre taxation that allowed the Beifongs to have a stable income was better in the mid-term and long-term than just take everything he had at once.
"Besides, I plan to have you meet some of my associates in the financial world. A meeting that I think will greatly benefit both sides, maybe even bring you a greater fortune than before. Do remember the power balance, my lord."
"Be it as it may, it's still a blow I'm forced to take with little to no guaranties, your highness. And that's even not considering the land loss and forced conscription."
"Then it's just a leap of faith you'll have to take, do take to consideration that you will have access to the fire nation market and technology."
"With the loss of land, those are natural happenings with the losing side of the war. Besides, once I finish with my plans to develop the reign, even with the shrunken land you will find yourself with more capital than now."
"And as for your final point, it is beneficial for all of us. We take in the forcefully retired soldiers, the second sons who will have nothing to their name and the orphans and vagabonds. They will be given an honest living and a much better life than what fate designed for them."
And what are those 'plans' you will do in my lands?"
"I presume Toph showed you the blind script, yes?"
"Yes, and I'm very grateful for that, truly. But how does it help the collective? As much as I'm happy about it, it doesn't affect the entire population."
"True, but did you know that it doesn't have a name yet?"
The savvy businessman was starting to get an idea.
"And what would a miracle like that will be called?"
"I don't know, why wouldn't you ask the rich father of a young girl who put so much resources for it?"
"That would be laying, and theft of idea."
"Like you didn't do it before."
"Not to royalty, not to the man who saved my daughter."
"You have my permission. Besides, I have great interest in seeing you prosper. You can claim any positive changes that will come to your lands as something you took a part in, civilian airships, better medicine, construction projects. The list will only grow in time."
Beifong was silently thinking for some time, considering different approaches and their consequences.
"Your offer does sound much more intriguing, your highness… But in the end, I will still have to shamefully bow to your lord father, any and all goodwill from the people will disappear in that instance."
"Luckily, we may have a solution to that problem as well. Commander, if you may."
"Of course, your highness."
Shen began his explanation.
"You see, lord Beifong, we have many more airships like the one that is parking at your yard. The original plan was to just bomb you from above until either you submit or there is nothing left to destroy."
Beifong paled at that.
"But as for now, it's a contingency plan. We can use this as a show of force, probably on a strong enough military base or near a large civilian center, to give you a reason to surrender with dignity."
"You saw how many people that have sworn to you may perish and decided to take the lesser evil. Here you have a ground to stand on against any voices as you decide to sacrifice your dignity for the sake of the people."
Beifong processed this for some time.
"Yes… yes, it may just work. But I won't allow my people to get hurt by this show. I can supply you with reasonable places for bombardment, those that are either strategically important or close enough to here for a short of force but far enough to keep everyone safe."
"That would be ideal, lord Beifong."
Was shen's reply.
The hours after that were filled with boring discussion about all the places Beifong suggested until the right places were chosen. It was long and tiring, but with uncle's many advices (as well as Sai's), all parties were reasonably satisfied.
"That basically concludes our meeting, however, I would like to speak to you about something much more personal. Commander, uncle, we are all grateful for your work, you may have the rest the two of you deserve in the airship."
The two quickly caught on and gave their goodbyes.
Now it was only Zuko, Beifong and Jasmine.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Zuko decided to take the initiative.
"So… Lord Beifong, how is Toph doing?"
"Well- ahm, she is now with her mother compensating for much lost time."
"It's good to hear."
Zuko said with a sincere smile, before it turned into a frown.
"Tell me, have you considered your next move with Mi-Sha?"
"I would double the guards, and have her in an even safer place. As much as it pains to admit it, I'm not in any position to make a move against Mi-Sha on my own."
Zuko nodded as if he agreed.
"True, true, but what about Toph's mental health?"
""Pardon?"
The look of confusion on lord Beifong's face gave Zuko the opening he needed for his next step.
"I mean, think about it, a young girl was at the tender mercies of an entire organization of thugs. Surely the best solution is to lock her in another cell.
"She will have the best of everything, it will be a life most can't even dream of "
Beifong's tone started to sound hostile, he didn't seem to like being criticized for his way to keep his daughter safe by a stranger.
Zuko was this close to tell that Toph could clearly see the difference but held himself. Then, as he practiced with Sai, he continued his counter argument.
"Do you know that in her short time with me, she spoke a lot about how useless she felt and how big of a burden she was on you two? Sometimes she even said that maybe it was better for you if she stayed kidnapped."
A fat lie, Toph only ever said that she wanted her parents to stop treating her like a glass doll. But her father doesn't need to know that it was easier to manipulate him that way.
"How could she think that?! We would never do something like that!"
Zuko let the lord of the house to gather his senses a bit.
"Now you see why I'm against your idea? We both heard stories about people ending themselves for less."
"But we always showered her with love! Always gave her praise!"
"Hmm, and that's may be the problem. Tell me, what is the biggest achievement she made completely on her own? Without outside help?"
"Well, one time she walked down one stare, there was also a time where she drew a straight line."
"And do you understand now why she thinks that all your praises are hollow?"
Good, Beifong had a look of horror on his face. Time for the next step.
"Look, I'm on the other side of the fence, I don't even remember the last time my father said he was proud of me, so I'm probably not very fit to advise in such things."
"So that's why I'll leave this to Jasmine, she was the one who is the closest to Toph as a girl after all."
"Oh? And what would you suggest, my lady?"
Not an outright rejection, already a win.
"My lord."
Jasmine bowed a little.
"My humble suggestion would be lots of fresh air for starters. I would also recommend small steps that will allow lady Toph to fill accomplished, perhaps let her build small clay statues. I have noticed that in spite of her blindness, the lady is a quite good artist."
"If you dim her work good enough, have other people appreciate it. The more praise she will get from strangers, the better her self-esteem will be. Perhaps the more she truly impresses you and show herself capable, the more small freedoms she will get. The kind of walking up and down the stairs and the like."
"I see… You have given me much to think about, lady Jasmine. Once again, I want to thank for taking care of my daughter in her time of need. I also wish the two of you luck with your relationship."
"What?"
Zuko was completely caught off guard.
"What are you talking about?"
He could see Jasmine blushing with embarrassment from the side of his view. She had no right to blush! It was most likely her fault for the stupid misunderstanding to begin with.
"We – I'm n-not h-his p-paramour…"
Hey! Where did you come with the paramour thing? And don't you dare use that wishful tone! This is exactly what got us to this misunderstanding!
"Oh? Pardon my intrusion, I just heard…"
"Jasmine and her brother decided to work for me after I released the later from slavery and helped him find the former, they were separated by a sea storm. Mi-Dved is a reliable fighter and Jasmine has a talent in medicine and herbs."
"But what do you mean that you heard?"
"I-well you see, there are rumors…"
Beifong said with much reluctance, but Zuko was having none of it.
"What rumors?! Who is spreading them, I want names!"
"Ah, well it is to much spread at this point to pinpoint, but people saw you leaving Kyoshi island with a beautiful young woman. They assumed that you seduced a Kyoshi warrior and are planning your own harem."
Zuko grumbled loudly.
"Great, now everyone thinks I'm some kind of a playboy…"
"Sorry."
Jasmine said in a tone that clearly indicates that she wasn't sorry at all.
"Some more rumors that I should know?"
Zuko asked in a tired tone.
"Ahm, in that context there is only one more. Apparently, people think that you had intimate relationship with the protégé of the leader of the Kyoshi warriors, but I'm sure that it's just more nonsense."
"Ahm, yes .."
'How could they possibly know about Suki? She didn't squeal about it, on that, I'm sure.'
"I don't think that they know, it's just the most outrageous thing that could happen. And that happened to be completely true!"
It seems that his hesitating tone didn't escape Jasmine, because in an uncharacteristic display of indignation in front of a stranger she put her hands on his shoulders and shook him.
"What was that tone?! What did you do with Suki? She better not have kissed you; you hear!"
"Hey, it was only her, I didn't do anything! Besides, why would you care?!"
"We have known each other for so long, how can you treat me like that!"
"So long? I didn't even know you were excited barley a month ago! How short were your relationships anyway?! Hey, stop shaking me, you crazy woman!"
The two of them stopped bickering at the chuckles of lord Beifong.
"Oh, pardon me. It was a long time since I had such a lively display of youth. I wish each of you luck, and may our relationship be beneficial for all of us."
On the way outside they were met with the rest of the Beifong family.
"Oh, honey, sweetheart, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Toph wanted to say final goodbye to the prince, dear, she was quite insistent I'm afraid."
Lady Beifong replayed to her husband's unspoken question.
Toph walked to Zuko, without any help, something which had spooked her parents very much. When she reached him, she hugged him without any care for decorum. Zuko swore that her parents may have fainted then and there.
"So I guess this is a goodbye?"
She asked with a face buried in his chest, as much as the enhanced steel of his armor allowed.
"For now. But I will visit you, I promise."
"You better…"
She muttered into his armor as he chuckled, he then whispered into her ear.
"I have convinced your dad to give you more freedom. Baby steps for now, but if you play your cards right they may even let you earth bend as you please after a while."
"Thank you, for everything."
She whispered back.
The two released each other and Zuko (and Jasmine, of course) went back to the airship. He was met their with his uncle, Shen and the two bodyguards.
"Prepare to leave, we are done here."
The bodyguard saluted and started the preparations and before long, the ground grew farther and farther. Zuko took one last look at lord Beifong, who had a perfect poker face. Zuko had a feeling that he managed to impress the earth kingdom nobleman.
He then turned to the present company.
"So, how do you think it went?"
His uncle was quick to say his opinion.
"It was brilliant, nephew. In all my career, I can scarcely count meetings that went that well."
"I must agree with prince Iroh, your highness, it went spectacularly."
"You should be proud, nephew. By the way, how did your private meeting go?"
Zuko thought for a second.
"Well, it went very well."
They had a silence for a few minutes, that is until the only female on the airship asked something that bothered her for some time.
"So… What did you and Suki do?"
Zuko grunted, he had a feeling that the flight back would be even longer that the first one. He only hoped that Mi-Dved had a better time than him.
Mi-Dved had a great time!
Zuko had sent him on a mission to Kyoshi island, and so far, it went without a hitch. Of course, he now knew better than to say it aloud.
The ship he was on, a normal transport vessel, is now boarding the port of Kyoshi island. The sail was Unagi free, thank the spirits. Chances of pirate attack was now as close to none existed as possible, with all the fire navy patrols and the eyes.
It was really exciting to see the new eyes, or airships as they were called, fly from the ship.
Anyway, he went to the port and searched for the nearest inn. When he entered, he ranted a room and asked a few questions.
"Hey man, how can I get a meeting with the Kyoshi warriors?"
The inn owner snorted at him, no doubt the older man thought Mi-Dved was just like any other teenager full of hormones. Which to be fair he was, but he also was on a mission directly from the prince.
"Look kid, no one's just meeting the Kyoshi warriors. If you're lucky, you may see them as they do patrol around the port."
"So they are going here?"
"Sure kid, if that what'll get your hoped up."
"I see, thank you sir."
Mi-Dved heard what he wanted and left, he could hear the man behind him mutter about teenagers.
Mi-Dved decided to go to a spot that was far away from the port to look suspicious, but not yet entering the woods. He stayed there for an hour or two until he noticed a few figures in green descending from the trees, figures that he recognized.
"Suki, good to dee you!"
"Mi-Dved? I don't get me wrong, but what are you doing here? I thought that you and Jasmine are with Zuko now."
The named girl asked in a confused tone.
"Is he also here by any chance?"
He noticed that her tone sounded a tad more hopeful there but decided to ignore it.
"He actually sent me here on his behalf. can I have a meeting with Lyn?"
Zuko miraculously survived the flight back home. He managed to pacify Jasmine when he told her that Suki and he had a heavy heart to heart talk where he was kept prisoner, as well as the books she gave him. Even he, however, had enough tact to not mention the kiss.
He exited the airship with pride, and why wouldn't he? He just had gotten a great win! The people even gathered there to congratulate him. But something was wrong, the people weren't silent because of excitement and the want to hear him, but more like a somber and awkward silence.
His group went after him and stopped in confusion as well.
"What happened?"
Zuko demanded to know.
"Ahh… maybe it will be best if you follow me."
Lieutenant Jee finally said. He had a very uncomfortable expression on his face, not unlike someone who needs to tell their superiors something said superiors really wouldn't like.
With little choice, Zuko followed him.
After a few minutes, they were in Zuko's room.
"Yes Jee, what is it? Spit it out."
"Hǎibiān has been attacked by a force that was sent there by Mi-Sha most likely, it had been razed to the ground."
"WHAT!"
"There was also a box left for you specifically, we checked it for explosives but found something much worse. I warn you in advance."
Zuko went to the box and prepared to open it.
"Wait, don't!"
Sai's words fell on deaf ears as Zuko was too much invested. As he opened the box, he was shocked to the core.
In it there was whatever remained of the very first kid who ever saw him as a hero, on the back of the box there was a note written in handwriting.
"A trade you see, I took from you as you took from me."
Zuko literally exploded.
AN
And this is the end of chapter 19
The ending was a bit darker then expected, but Mi-Sha had to even the score somehow after Zuko humiliated him by taking Toph and hanging his best men in display.
I hope I caught the interactions between the Beifongs well enough, as well as giving a relatively believable narration of the conversations the parents have with Toph. They love her, they really do, but they can't look past her blindness and treat her like she's made of glass. After Zuko's talk with Lao, however, they may change their behavior for the better.
Zuko got another influential man under his thumb, we all can only wonder what changes it will make to cannon, and what plans Zuko (or more likely Sai) has for Gaoling and how it will change Zuko's own place in the fire nation.
Sorry for the lack of action in this chapter, but it is focused on negotiations.
Now for the reviews:
Xxxxxhgg:
He is slowly learning about his procedures, a little snips here and there. of course Sai drilling him information, especially about battles, in their lessons. We will of course see more about overlord history in the future.
As for his battles with Aang... let's just say that they will be very different from cannon.
deniswanheda :
I'm at a loss of words, you really made my day when I read your review. I can only say that I'm very happy that you like my story.
I'm glad you liked the interaction between Zuko and Toph, and I agree with you, I also see them as siblings by bond. don't worry, we'll see Toph in the near future.
That Jasmin is indeed, You can't survive ad an orphan in the streets of a city like Amora, and then change influential boyfriends like shirts without knowing how to play the game.
Yeah, Sokka had a very good base for his behavior. The show clearly stated that The men were gone, so who fed the village? There is no way that Sokka, a kid, was able to hunt enough game for half of an entire village. And if the women hunted then he wouldn't have his views because he would see that the women are as capable as men. So that was my little head cannon, anyone can disagree.
I wouldn't spoil the part with Iroh.
And I hope that I wrote the conversation of the Beifong family to your liking.
Anyway, be sure to write what you think about the chapter and the story. Don't be afraid to share what you think could and should happen.