Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Tank train rolled fast as it nearly caught up to the Avatar’s bison. It halted precisely where it needed to be. The Avatar and friends ahead, right there on that mountain, a prize dangled and waiting.

The Princess and her allies boarded their Mongoose Dragons. Ty Lee to one side, Mai to the other. Seeing them lined up like this, Azula smirked. Ready to end this chase once and for all. She was right to bring her friends in on this; they were nimble, agile, and covered her weak points well. The princess regretted what she had to do to drag Ty Lee out of her whimsical circus life, but only a little. Ty Lee pushed her to the limit, and to the limit she responded.

They were ready to head on the prowl; to catch the Avatar once-and-for-all until—-

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEK….

“Hmm…” spoke the acrobat in pink… “Why is the exit broken?”

An engineer approached the trio. The Princess, in a huff, dismounted her Mongoose Dragon. Outside, far out of their knowledge, the Avatar, his Water Tribe compatriots - and a new friend Azula hadn’t been made aware of, began to clamber back into the bison, puzzled by the Tank Train’s presence, yet not wanting to risk a battle.

Any thoughts about the Avatar's escape momentarily melted away as Azula pointed a finger accusingly right into the engineer’s face.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“The- the door appears to be jammed, your highness.”

“And I’ll have your head jammed in it if you don’t figure this out in the next five minutes."

Upon hearing the distinct growl of the Airbender's mount, the Princess only becomes more frustrated.

"Ugh. They’re taking off, the bison’s getting away!! All because you failed me when the time mattered most!”

“My apologies, princess. We will do what we can to address the issue while we continue on the road—“

“You best do so, or I will address the issue of you and your entire crew by sending you packing to the Caldera prisons. Understood?”

“…Of course, your highness. Please, forgive me.”

Azula let out a dissatisfied huff as she crossed her arms over her chest. Ty Lee frowned, gazing towards her, while Mai simply sighed, exhausted at the whole endeavor. Four in the morning was never a fun time to be awake, even if they did get to sleep whenever the Tank Train was rolling.

They’d get another chance, for sure, but it was unfortunate that a mere mechanical hiccup was the only thing stopped the Avatar from falling into their laps right then and there.

All he had by his side was a Waterbending novice and a boomerang-bearer playing dress-up as a warrior, right?

How hard could they truly be to beat compared to a princess and her elite-most subjects?

“I’m outta here.”

With those words, and without looking back, Toph marched from the Avatar’s side. If he was really going to blow up over RIGHTFULLY claiming that Mr. Sheddy the Bison was leading the scary train thing right to them, he didn’t deserve her time.

What a nuisance! As she marched away from the crash-landing grounds of idiots incorporated, the absurdity of it all lay clear. The Avatar was so, so insistent he needed her. That he needed someone to teach him Earthbending, that it was her, it could only be her. And she soaked it up - she reveled in it. She was the greatest Earthbender in the world. Her parents couldn’t appreciate her skills, yet she had someone that would. That valued her for them.

And then the Waterbending master just kept getting in her face, over, and over, and over, trying to make her act every which way she thought was 'best for the group', that she wasn’t being “good enough” to hit their standards.

She left everything behind; she risked EVERYTHING to help them. Was that really not enough? She donned her Blind Bandit costume as she left, making that her signature of identity. That’s how those three knew her. And that’s how she wanted to be.

She had really truly believed, for a little while, that the Avatar was really her friend.

And yet, all it took was his friend getting riled up for him, too, to proclaim she still wasn’t good enough.

She almost wanted to cry, but she never would admit it.
She wasn’t good enough for her parents, nor for the Avatar.

Not good as a daughter, and apparently, still not good enough as the greatest Earthbender in the world.

How good could she really be for anyone?

And so she marched, and she marched, and she marched.

And onward she marched, through the woods. To find anywhere that wasn’t here.

After a few minutes… she felt something. A presence, nearby. A hasty stomp of the Earth told her all she needed to see. A form. The heartbeat of a man… An old man sitting upon a rock. She blinked softly. Rapidly. In one life, she may have chosen to hit him… knock him down. But she just shook her head, and turned the other direction.

He was just some guy. He didn’t merit her attention.

No one ever wanted her around, anyway.

This old man surely wouldn’t be any different.

After fifteen more minutes wandering, she came upon a sound. It sounded as though… three creatures. Lizards? They were hissing. Noisy, smelly things. She didn’t care about smelling gross, but it still was strange. She could sense people on them, too; girls, a few years older than her. Were they hunters of some kind? Trackers? Soldiers?

Gaoling was never a priority of the Fire Nation to conquer, and as such, it had remained relatively free from war. Were these Fire Nationals? If so, Toph was prepared to do battle. To never give up without a fight. 

Yet, for some reason, the pattern of their heartbeats didn’t suggest they wanted to pick a fight with her.

The trio stopped in front of the Blind Bandit. The lizards sniffed her, and the young Beifong could almost feel the stiff eyes and rigid posture of the lead girl bearing down on her. Whoever she was, she was definitely highborn.

“What, exactly, is a blind ten-year old doing alone in the Earth Kingdom woodland?”

The young Beifong huffed, exasperated. She wouldn't take this any longer. She'd dealt with it her whole life. Being treated like a petulant child. A blind little girl, to be coddled, or mocked. She didn't miss what Sugar Queen had been saying about 'too bad you can't see the stars'. And so, in the face of the three lizard-riders, Toph puffed out her chest and asserted herself. 

“I’m twelve, Snooty, and I’ll have you know I’m the greatest Earthbender in the world!”

The noblewoman smirked, humming. She turned to her companions for a moment, before resuming. A hint of sarcasm lacing her voice, she drawled in a proper, haughty tone.

“I see. My apologies for disrespecting you then, greatest Earthbender in the world. I am a Four-Hundred Foot Tall Purple Platypus-bear with pink horns, and silver wings. And I’d like to ask you a question.”

Toph huffed, before responding to whoever this prissy girl was. Whatever background she had, she definitely sounded spoiled.

“Okay, Snooty. What’s up?”

'Snooty' hummed… glancing away as if checking her nails, before responding.

“Have you, by chance, happened to have seen a large, flying white creature? Something akin to a weird cow? 
Of course, with your… condition… it’s quite alright if that isn’t the case.”

It was quite clear to Toph that Snooty was trying to humor her. But it did raise a question. One that the Earthbender blurted out.

“As a matter of fact, Snooty, I did. What do you want with the Avatar’s bison?”

Snooty hummed, sarcastic as ever.

“Oh, nothing. We’re just animal conservationists looking to ensure our favorite species’ continued welfare. Can’t you tell by our mounts?”

The lizard-thing flicked its tongue out, constantly hissing as it stared down the Beifong runaway. Toph didn’t stare back, of course. She didn’t really know how to do that very well. One of the girls to Snooty’s side giggled for a second - a bright, bubbly sound. 

“Psh. Yeah, right. You were probably the ones tracking him in that big train thing.”

Snooty stared for a moment, humming.

“Really? And what gives you that impression, miss Greatest Earthbender in the World?”

Toph crossed her arms, tired of Snooty’s constant haughty, upright demeanor.

“Hey. I’ll have you know I’m Beifong nobility. If you ever try to pull something on me, I’ll—“.

She trailed off. The third girl, not Snooty or the one with the cheery laugh - Toph was thinking Sunshine for that one - let out a sigh.

“Yeah, well, we’re all nobility here. You’re not special.”

The words were intended to be biting, or demeaning in some capacity, but Toph just found the idea of being “not special” pretty appealing. She was greatest Earthbender in the world, of course, and no one was going to take that away from her. But not being treated special because of her origin was what she craved. Freedom.

Even with how sarcastic and unfriendly this trio - Snooty, Sunshine, and Sulky - were, it became quite clear that some part of them and their apparent freedom of speech was still something appealing to Toph.

Toph’s thoughts, however, were cut short by Snooty saying a few more words.

“Would you prefer to hear ‘we are going to capture the Avatar and deliver him to my father’, Lady Beifong? Does that better satisfy your curiosity?”

“Hey. I'm Toph, not Lady, and as a matter of fact, I DO prefer it. I can tell when people lie.”

Snooty, daughter of Avatar-Capturer 5000, apparently, blinks before speaking again, a mild form of curiosity injected into her curious demeanor.

“My, my. That is an interesting ability. And you also said you’re Greatest Earthbender in the world, yes? How do you manage that if you can’t see?”

The Blind Bandit scoffed, before responding.

“Hey, you’re looking at three-time Earth Rumble champion here. And, as a matter of fact, I can see better than all of you without even eyes."

"And how might that be, hm?"

Toph responded with unrestrained pride.

"I see with Earthbending. I can feel the vibrations in the Earth and that lets me see all around me. I can feel your heartbeats, and your lizards, too. Even the heart of that baby Saber-tooth Moose Lion over there.”

Snooty actually looks genuinely intrigued.

“Really? Now that is a fascinating skillset, miss Beifong."

"Really?

"Really," Snooty spoke conspiratorially. "You know, you’d be quite rewarded if you helped us capture the Avatar. I could even promise my father’s leniency in dealing with you and your family once the whole Earth Kingdom falls.”

Toph scoffed. So, they were Fire Nation after all.

“Yeah, right. Aang’s an idiot, but why would I lead you to him? Sorry Snooty, but being a suck-up to the Fire Nation isn’t the most winning sales pitch.”

Snooty hummed.

“So that’s how it is, hm?”

“Yup.”

“Then… I’m sorry.”

A pause, just a moment’s window before Snooty speaks suddenly, shouting...

“Ty Lee!!”

Before Sunshine jumps down, hitting her sides even quicker than she can Earthbend and she falls----

Toph groans as she wakes up. She takes a moment to adjust herself, sitting up. Huh. It's like she's awake, but she still can't she. }Why can’t she see the ground around her? She feels around the cage… panicked.

“Hey, what kind of cell is this?”

Sulky is the one to respond this time.

“Psh. A wooden one."

"Toph remained stunned silent, before Sulky continued.

I have to stay here on guard duty while the others chase the Avatar and friends. I’d be happy to be out of the action, if it wasn’t so boring being stuck with you.”

“Hey! I’m not boring, Sulky. You’re boring!”

“…Sulky?”

“You’re Sulky, the one whose dad wants the Avatar is Snooty, and the other one is Sunshine.”

“You know us so well.”

“You’re almost as snarky as Snooty.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?”

“No.”

“Huh.”

The two sat in silence for a moment.

“Anyway, here’s some food. It’s Fire Flakes, so don’t complain if it’s too spicy.”

A bowl was slipped through the bars of her enclosure. Feeling around it, despite being a wooden cage, it was pretty well-furnished. Shelves and a private section for changing and bathing were there, as well as an actual bed. There was a table and chairs, too, not that she quite expected to have company in prison, either.

Toph took the bowl, and picked up a handful. Actually, they were petty good.
Sulky seemed almost surprised how eagerly she was eating.

"…You like them?"

“Yeah. They’re pretty good, actually.”

Sulky seemed to be eating her own bowl, at least from the sound, before she responded.

“…Huh.”

After a few more moments of eating, the Blind Bandit once again filled the silence.

“So how long am I in for?”

“Don’t speak while you eat. Gross.”

“I don't care. You locked me in jail.”

“Whatever,” Sulky continued. “Anyway, you’re in for as long as we want unless you help us catch the Avatar.”

“So it’s either Aang or me, huh? That doesn’t seem very fair.”

“Well, you did say you were Greatest Earthbender in the World. Sorry if us not wanting you to crush us with a rock was a worry.”

The runaway Beifong actually snickered at that.

“Yeah, well, I won’t crush YOU. Or Snooty. Maybe Sunshine. Whatever she did made me not able to see or anything.
Not a nice way to treat a Beifong.”

Sulky sighed, before continuing.

“It’s called chi-blocking. Stops you from bending. That's why Azula brought her here. Good skill to have.”

Toph hummed before questioning.

“…So what happens now?”

“You stay in here until you start working with us, or until the Princess wants something with you.”

“…The Princess?”

“…Snooty.”

“Ohhhh. Princess Snooty, huh?”

“Yep. It's a good name for her, too. Fitting."

Toph actually laughed a little at that. She was surprised how easy it was to laugh, given her situation. Maybe it was just that she was still with girls her age - and her social class - that had her level of snark and sass, rather than being shipped off to some floating sea prison.

“You know, you’re not half-bad company, Sulky. What’s your actual name?”

“…Mai.”

“…Sweet.”

“...I know I mentioned it earlier, but I’m Toph, by the way.”

“...Cool.”

A moment’s pause. Toph considered her best course of action. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to Earthbend out of a cell anytime soon, but...
It wouldn’t be hard just to pretend to agree with them and break out and run the moment they let her outside, right?

...Yeah. It was a good plan.

...At least Aang and his Waterbender crush didn't lock her in jail.

“…So when’s Princess Snooty coming back? I’m sick of this cage.”

Even without Earth, she could feel Mai’s shrug.

“…Don’t ask me.”

Toph just grinned, before smiling.

"...If you let me out, I promise I'll help you capture Aang."

Mai stayed silent for a few minutes, before scoffing.

"Yeah, sure. You're just gonna run away to him the second I open the door."

"Hey!!-- what makes you say that?"

"Common sense, idiot."

"...Shit."

This time, it was actually Sulky that snickered.

...Toph might be here a while.

Perhaps she needed to build their trust a little before breaking free.

Chapter Text

“…So. You told me you’re the Greatest Earthbender in the world.”

It was only a day before the Princess came herself to speak to the Beifong. All things considered, Toph had been treated rather well - her cell was extremely furnished, albeit with a distinct lack of any earthen substances, and as she discovered, even came with a private bath. Ironically, the jail hold of the Tank Train was more pleasant than the various locales Toph remembered the Avatar and his friends attempting to sleep on. Before she could respond to the the words of the Firebender, though, Azula followed up with a simple demand.

“Prove it.”

Toph blinked. She could sense Azula stepping closer, closer, closer - and then sticking her hand through the bars of the Earthbender's enclosure. The sound of ignition in her palm occurred; Toph had never seen a Firebender up close before, but something told her that the heat of the Princess' flame far exceeded that of normal fire.

“You may not see it, but my fire is blue. I am the only one who has produced this fire and kept it under my control...
I suppose, in a sense, that makes me greatest Firebender in the world.”

She spoke calmer and more inviting than the Blind Bandit would've expected for a captor, and so, Toph extended her arm out. Feeling over the general area of the fire, and all it entailed.

“…Well, I may not see it, but I feel it.
Your fire is… Hot. Like, really, really hot.”

Azula’s eyebrow raised. Another expression the bandit could not catch. Toph promptly crossed her arms, becoming more demanding.

“But… Why come to see me? What do you want from me?”

The Princess hummed, glancing at her nails for a moment - as if that was yet another expression Toph could catch - before turning back to the Blind Bandit.

“I want to spar.”

The Beifong blinked. This was not the answer she expected.

“To spar?? What makes you think I won’t run for the hills the moment you let me out of my cell??”

“A few things, Lady Beifong."

Even without the benefits of her Seismic Sense, Toph could still catch the fact Azula was walking back and forth, pacing outside the cage as she spoke.

"Firstly, you have no idea where we are. We could be in the Si Wong Desert or have boarded back to my Royal Sloop for all you know. Neither of which is ideal for you, I’d imagine.

Second, you have nowhere to go. I suppose you could return to your estate, wherever that is, but I have a feeling you’d rather not divulge the location of your parents to us. You’d likely lie about it, or just use it as an excuse to get away from us. Besides, you still have no idea how far you are from it. Or anyone else you care about."

She promptly stopped pacing - presumably, turning back to face Toph. She still couldn't see that, though.

"And third, lastly, because you have a chance to show the world what you can do. The Princess of the Fire Nation. And because if you do this, then I may have an offer for you. An offer that can guarantee you truly are remembered as the Greatest Earthbender in the World.

...What do you say, Toph?"

Toph pretended to consider, picking her nose, before responding casually.

"…Mmm…
Nah."

"…Nah?"

"You see, Princess Snooty, what would I get out of it? You’re obviously keeping me for some reason. Some reason that's also the reason why you aren't using me as bait to catch Aang. Why would I play along with you?”

The Princess hummed, once more pacing the length outside the Prodigy's cell. She seemed to move a lot while talking, trying to put gravitas and grandiosity in even her simplest addresses.

"Well… You’d be right. I do have a reason for keeping you. And I do have a reason for not using you as a hostage. But why would I ever tell you that?"

She spoke conspiratorially, her face closer to the cell.

"Unless, of course, you happened to win a particular sparring match… I’d be owed to tell you why you’re so… precious to me. Maybe even give you the choice to partake, of whether you'd find it... valuable or not. It'd be more than fair to offer up a substantiative reward in the case of your victory. But, of course, it's a rather exuberant ask. Therefore, I could levy an equivalent wager if I were to win."

...Too many big words for Toph. She knew them all, but that didn't mean she liked them. She preferred to speak simply, directly. The language of the commoner, not the language of the court. Necessarily, though. She understood. 

If Toph won the fight, she'd be rewarded; not with the gold that came with winning an Earth Rumble, but rather, with information.

That only left one further question.

"…And what kinda thing would you be betting on getting if you win, Snooty?"

Azula pretended to consider.

“…Hm. Well, I think it'd probably relate to the reason why I find you... valuable. Either you win, and I tell you what I want, and let you decide if you want it too. Or, I win, and I prove that I can make you do what I want."

“...You’re trying to sound like a shithead, but actually, that’s not the worst deal ever.”

The Blind Bandit didn't need eyes to feel the Princess's smile.

“I’m glad you think so, Toph."

She spoke once more, her voice a little louder, yet not cruel or yelling. Just simple, direct.

"Then, those are our terms.
You win, you get to know why you’re so valuable. I won't say anything yet, but it'll be... related to your previous 'employment'. If you consider Earth Rumble that.

You lose, and I’ll be free to… do what I want with your valuable attributes. For as long as I see fit. Of course, rebellion will have consequences, but we’re both not stupid enough for that, are we?”

“Hm… Okay. But I need more incentive.
How about, if I win, I also don’t have to sit in a cell anymore, and I get a real room. But I still get to know what you want, and have time to consider your offer.”

“Alright. Sounds fair. But it will be guarded, and there won’t be Earth.”

“…Eh, it’s better than nothing.

You got a deal, Princess."

Azula actually grinned at that.

The location the Tank Train stopped at was a cliffside over water. The Princess could swim. The Blind Bandit couldn’t. Outside the Tank Train, several Imperial Firebender guards encircled them. Toph began to stomp on the ground, creating a wide, encircled space by the cliffside. A makeshift gladiatorial-ish arena for battle. Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula watched on, all the dangerous ladies holding varying degrees of smiles seeing the Beifong's admittedly impressive work.

Toph could’ve still ran for it; buried them in earth and ditched them. Even with Snooty's logic on why that might not be the most intelligent option, she didn't necessarily have to listen to it. Yet, she chose not to abscond from this battle. In the classic breadth of Earthbending heritage, one trait was held common amongst all Earthbenders - a trait that mattered more to the martial art than any.

The ability to stand their ground.

Toph wasn’t running. She was going to face this Princess, and not only that, but beat her. Beat her bad. Humiliate her. She had passion coursing through her veins. Toph knew what she had to do. What she was going to do.

Toph was going to fucking kick this bitch’s ass.

Azula had given them ten minutes to get ready. It was a teasing gesture, that "maybe you'll need some time to get to know your rocks." Despite that, it did genuinely give the Blind Bandit time to steel herself. To feel the rock, the sights, the world all around her. And, of course, to check in with Princess Snooty's lackeys.

Sunshine - Ty Lee - approached Toph, first. She offered water, and a bite of a sugary, cake-like substance. Toph took both, eating gleefully. As she did, the acrobat spoke up.

“Ooo! You know, Toph, your aura feels very red! Like, super passionate! But also really green, and grounded!”

Toph tried her best to stare in Ty Lee's general direction.

“…What’s red? And green?”

“Those are colors! And it means you’re feeling strong! Powerful! You must really like fighting, don't you, Toph?”

Toph scoffed, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“…Yeah. I mean, I told you I'm the three time Earth Rumble champion and all. Why wouldn't I like a good match?"

She took a few steps closer, smiling to Ty Lee as she brushed dirt from her clothes.

"...What about you, Sunshine? You like fighting?”

Ty Lee's heartrate jumped a bit, and her inflection slightly changed. Toph knew her coming response wasn't entirely honest.

“Yeah! I mean, of course!”

“…I can tell you’re lying.”

Ty Lee blinked, backing off. She didn't necessarily deny the accusation, which just made Toph smirk. All she could do was simply question Toph's truth-telling technique.

“…How?”

The Blind Bandit took a few steps closer, planting her feet on the ground.

“I can feel people's heartbeats. When they lie, there's a physical reaction.

...You don't like fighting at all, do you, Sunshine?"

Ty Lee shakes her head.

“Then why do you do it? Why do you fight?"

"Well... Because Azula asked me to!"

“Right. And what is she, your girlfriend or something?"

"What!! No!! I mean, she is the most beautiful, perfect girl in the world, but I don't think, I mean-- What does that matter?!"

“Why else would you fight just because she asked you to?"
"So what was it? Did she get down on one knee and give you flowers and ask you 'hey there sweet sugar-cakes, wanna hunt the Avatar together?' Or was it more of a nice dinner out, and stuff?"

Ty Lee just grinned awkwardly. It was true that she had the freedom to experiment, pursuing both boys and girls during her years at the circus, but, despite any childhood feelings, the truth of the acrobat's departure from the circus permanently shuttered any idea of forming a connection like that with the Princess.

"...Um... more of the first? She did give me flowers, so that's..."

"Okay. That's one part. What's the other part."

"Um..." Ty Lee scratched her head. "I was at the circus, and my aura was very pink. And I wanted to stay, but then Azula said she'd stay until I left - well, not in those words, but y'know ---"

“...Because... Well..."

"...She forced you to?"

"No! No! I mean..."

"You're lying again," the Blind Bandit accused more seriously.

Ty Lee sighed. She looked over, side-to-side. Azula and Mai were engrossed in some sort of discussion on the other side of Toph's makeshift arena as Azula donned her armor for the sparring match.

“Well… I mean, she may have kind of… set the net on fire during my act because I said no."

Toph's jaw dropped. She immediately shot up.

“WHAT?? That's SOME girlfriend. I'm not letting that happen on my watch!!"

"It's-- Okay!! That's just how Azula is. You don't have to--"

Toph marched over to Azula, not caring for the acrobat's half-hearted, nervous defense of the Princess - not a defense based on any like of the Princess, but just so nothing would happen to her should she admit she was unhappy. The Blind Bandit didn't care. A simple soul simply wanted justice, and there was nothing wrong with that simple logic. She stopped in front of Snooty and Sulky, dragging Sunshine's hand all the way. She pointed a finger accusingly, right in her face. The Princess only smiled at the utter gall she had to do that.

“Alright, Snooty, new extra conditions. If I win, you gotta give up your super-fancy stuff to Sunshine for the next two weeks. You gotta apologize to her in front of everyone. You’re gonna pay her triple her circus day for every day she missed because of you, AND you’re gonna give her a daily hug. And daily flowers."

"Toph, what are you---"

"Quiet, Sunshine. I'm not letting your evil girlfriend boss you around!!"

Mai and Ty Lee exchanged awkward looks. Azula blinked momentarily, before simply smiling again.

"...If you win. Alright."

The Princess stepped away, headed to one side of the makeshift 'arena'. It was clear from the way the Firebender carried herself that she was very confident in her oncoming victory.

Mai sighed, before turning to Toph. 

"What was that about?"

Toph spoke, loudly enough for the whole encampment to hear.

"I'm NOT letting her take whatever she wants from you two. I've had enough of that stuff dealing with my parents. Not letting it happen to you."

The Royal Procession turned to look at the Blind Bandit, before simply turning back to their posts. It was unwise to get involved. The acrobat seemed as equally puzzled as the melancholic by Toph's declaration.

"But... I mean... why are you sticking up for me? I kind of, uh... locked you in jail and stuff."

The Blind Bandit responded with a simple shrug, as though that explained everything.

“…Why not? You and Sulky are pretty fun to be around. So is Princess Snooty, kinda, although, she’s very snooty. And mean.
I kinda like mean, like, I’d gladly Earthbend some idiot twenty feet into the air to wake him up if he bothered me, but still. Some stuff is just not cool.”

Azula's two elites shared another glance before Ty Lee once again spoke, an awkward smile on her face.

"Well, um... I'm glad you stuck up for me! Thanks!!"

Mai managed a small grin, too.

"Yeah. She could shoot all the lightning she wanted at you, but I bet you still wouldn't back down. You're cool."

Toph actually laughed at that. She turned back to Sulky, pondering a peculiar thought that had arose after finding out why Sunshine had been stuck with Snooty.

"...Why are you here, then? Did she burn your stuff until you joined in, too?"

“No, I'm not special enough for that. She came to my city, and she’s not boring. That's all.”

Toph grinned at that.

"Yeah, she's definitely not boring, that's for sure. Hopefully she'll stay not boring after I beat her ass."

Mai couldn't help but stifle a genuine laugh at Toph's self-confidence.

"Don't get mad at me if she lightnings you, Beifong."

Toph lightly punched Mai in the shoulder, before responding in kind.

"I'll just raise up a rock and make it hit you instead, Sulky."

They smirked at each other. Ty Lee smiled with them, before Azula called out from across the 'arena'.

"Your ten minutes are up, by the way. In case you can't see me, I'm waiting for you."

Toph sighed, before giving Ty Lee a smile. The acrobat put a hand on her shoulder before she left.

The acrobat, still fearing consequences, simply asked "What are you gonna do if she wins?"

The Blind Bandit, a grin plastered on her face.

"I don't need to plan for that. 'Cause she won't."

She stepped forward without another word, down into the makeshift 'arena' of her design.  No matter what purpose Azula sought with her skills - some purpose that one, wasn't hunting the Avatar, and two, was somehow related to Earth Rumble, at least in Snooty's mind, it wouldn't be enough to sway her. That was most assured.

The Blind Bandit took down Earthbenders three times her size and age for fun.

The Blind Bandit was the only Earthbender good enough for the Avatar to consider a teacher. 

At least, she thought. The idea of her 'friends' being so cruel as to blame all their issues on her and ditch her was still fresh in her mind, yet a little bit buried.

Were they coming for her? Chasing after her? Fruitlessly guessing or searching for answers as to wherever she went? Or just waiting back at Appa's crash-landing site, hoping she would come back? She didn't know.

But regardless of where she was now, or where her friends were now, Toph Beifong was a girl that could not be broken, in body or spirit. The Blind Bandit was the greatest fighter there ever was, and the greatest fighter there ever would be.
And it seemed that her new acquaintances - or friends, if she discounted Snooty from the equation - would be pretty valuable, too, if only she could break them from whatever obscene loyalty Snooty had to the Fire Nation. 

But, that was to be seen. There was a sparring match to tend to now. And, lightning or not, blue Firebending or not, Prodigy or not, the outcome of this match was as pre-determined as a game of Air-Water-Earth-Fire.



Earth beats Fire.