Now knowing that Long Feng and the Da Li were of no help to them. It was pointless to keep trying to deal with them in the manner that they were before. However, they were able to use Toph to learn about what Long Feng had planned for them. Apparently, Toph was allowed to come around more now because she was being used as the spy against them rather than just a monitor like Jun Dee was before. Getting Toph to hang around them and then using her to prevent them from ever meeting her as anything other than the blind girl that Aang just happened to meet one day.

Using this as the excuse that the Avatar could not meet with her because she was busy elsewhere. Knowing full well that the reason behind Toph never being able to meet with Aang was because she was always with one of them at the time. Seemed like the perfect plan to get them all together thus Long Feng never had to worry about where they were because he always had eyes on them. Be it his own or using Toph's unique version of sight, to do so.

Long Feng nor the Da Li were able to realize that Toph was splitting everything they said in her present back to Team Avatar because she was following orders after all. Sokka had made it so that even if she was asked she would not reveal what happened nor what she was doing behind their backs. Not having the Da Li or Long Feng on their side meant that they had to use other means to gain allies to carry out their plan.

That plan is a way to get Toph the Earth Queen away from both him and the Da Li. They were using her and once she no longer had a purpose they would either get rid of her or just use her to produce an heir. Then after that get rid of her as a result of having no further usage for her anymore. Sorting through the workers and staff at the palace. The current plan Sokka and the other came up with was small changes were made in the palace. This was done in a manner so that all those that they considered to be on Toph's side or at least against Long Feng and the Da Li were sort of out. This was allowed because Long Feng was convinced it would keep Team Avatar from meeting Toph as the Earth Queen even more. Team Avatar was using it to discover if they were brainwashed by the Da Li.

A feat that was easier done since again they were able to use Toph to figure out exactly how to trigger the brainwashed state, and then how to ensure that they were brainwashed or not. Time was of the essence but things changed once they learned something critical from Toph one day.

"Long Feng has Appa" Toph reported

Though Aang was against using Toph like this. It was considered a necessary thing as Long Feng had already shown he was willing to brainwash the person he was meant to serve. Along with killing the family and former ruler of this kingdom in an accident regardless of whether it was someone else who actually did the deal. He was the mastermind behind it and who know how many other murders and/or 'disappearances' that happened within the city.

"What," Aang said shocked.

"Long Feng has Appa" Toph reported.

Aang refused to let Sokka take whatever blame would surely come from using Toph in her brainwashed state even if it was for her own safety at the time. So she reported directly to him and/or Sokka in this state

Long Feng had let it split that he had captured Appa and was keeping him under Lake Laogai at the moment. Not realizing that the ability to commit everything she hears to memory was being used against him. Knowing that Team Avatar was looking for Appa she reported this the moment she entered this state to give her latest report. They can not help her if they are caught by Long Feng or the Da Li before it is their time to make a move.

"They have Appa thus we are not waiting any longer. Getting back Appa right now" Aang said

Toph then went to say something but was quickly cut off. Aang might have been using her in this state again for the sake of not endangering themselves or her. However, he was not going have just stand around and always have her be like the literal figurehead that Long Feng used her as. Allowing her to display some will of her own in this state was the only thing he was going to demand to be allowed(still does not remember anything she does in it though).

"How are we going to get him back? Should we just bust in and take back Appa from where he is kept? We do not know how many people are down there or even..." Sokka said before Toph got his attention.

"Long Feng has taken the bait and plans to go after your allies soon," she said "The plan to act against him and the corrupt Da Li members can be carried out as soon as needed"

"Aang I know you might want to save Appa yourself but for this plan to succeed you need to be elsewhere," Sokka said.