*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ MIRACULUM ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER FIFTEEN ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 112 a.a ─── book two: earth

TRACKING DOWN THE BLIND BANDIT PROVED A FAR MORE CHALLENGING, task than they had anticipated. The group had spent the better part of the day scouring the town, asking anyone who might have information. Their only solid lead came from Aang's vision: the flying boar symbol. To their surprise, they discovered it was the emblem of a prominent family in the area.

As daylight bathed the town in a warm glow, the children approached a grand, walled estate. It was surrounded by meticulously tended gardens and shimmering ponds. The tall iron gate, adorned with the crest of the flying boar, loomed before them.

The four friends huddled behind a nearby bush, peering through the gate where two large guards stood.

"That's the flying boar from my vision," Aang whispered, his eyes fixed on the crest. "Let's go."

With a shared nod of determination, they retreated from their hiding spot. Aang used his airbending abilities to float gracefully over the wall, while Uki, Sokka, and Katara climbed over. They dashed across the open lawn, their footsteps barely making a sound on the manicured grass.

( Lousy patrol, eh? )

Without warning, a powerful surge of earth erupted from beneath them. Uki's heart skyrocketed as the ground beneath her feet broke. The sudden force hurled them into the air, and they landed with a series of thuds and yelps—Sokka crashing heavily onto the ground, while Aang, Uki, and Katara tumbled into nearby bushes.

Groaning, Aang peered through the foliage to see the Blind Bandit, now resplendent in her elegant gown, standing before them.

"What are you doing here, twinkle toes?" The Blind Bandit demanded, her tone laced with irritation.

"How did you know it was me?" Aang asked, choosing to evade her question.

"Don't answer to 'twinkle toes,'" Sokka interjected, rubbing his sore side. "It's not very manly."

"You're the one whose bag matches his belt," Uki quipped as she pulled a couple of stray leaves from her hair.

"Seriously, how did you find me?" The girl pressed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Aang shuffled awkwardly, searching for the right words. "Well, a—uh, an eccentric king told me I needed to find an earthbender who listens to the earth. Then I had a vision in a magical swamp, and—"

"What Aang is trying to say," Katara cut in smoothly, stepping forward with a confident stance, "is that he's the Avatar. If he doesn't master earthbending soon, he won't be able to defeat the Fire Lord."

She thrust her open hand toward Katara's face, cutting her off. "Not my problem. Now, get out of here before I call the guards." The girl's response was swift and dismissive.

Uki frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, "Look, I know we just barged in her—"She pointed at Aang, "but please, just hear us out for a moment—"

"Look, we all have to do our part to win this war. And yours is to teach Aang earthbending." Sokka cut in unceremoniously and Uki groaned at his condescending tone.

Spirits help us all...

The Blind Bandit's face contorted with frustration and Uki mentally counted down in her head before everything would go to hell.

Three

Two

One—

Toph turned her back on them, her voice rising in a sharp—almost helpless sounding call. "Guards! Guards, help!"

The kids scrambled to find cover, slipping behind shrubs and blending into the shadows. Uki was running after Aang, hauling herself up on the roof of a small building as two guards approached.

Toph quickly adjusted her hair and straightened her gown and Uki narrowed her eyes— little con artist huh?

"Toph, what happened?" one of the guards inquired, concern evident in his tone as he inspected the girl while the other one took a look around.

"I thought I heard someone," Toph replied, her voice trembling with feigned fear. "I got scared."

"Huh..." Uki mumbled quietly from where she crouched behind a chimney on the building next to Aang. "She's good."

"You know your father doesn't want you wandering the grounds without supervision, Toph," The guard chided gently.

Uki turned to look at Aang, the boy's features twisting with a mischievous delight. "What's the plan airman?" She sighed.

After a swift regrouping and a brief discussion about Aang's rather straightforward plan of simply knocking on the door, the group of four composed themselves and approached the imposing gate with a blend of confidence and anxiety.

In a way the coldness and grandeur reminded her of her own home back in the Northern Water Tribe—it seemed the Elite of the Earth Kingdom and her own tribe were rather similar.

After a moment, and a quick exchange of words between what Uki assumed was the butler of the estate and the owner—Toph's father, the group was led inside and brought into a large dining room.

It surprised her how quickly the tea had been set up and an assortment of delicacies was spread out soon after they had been sat down.

A man placed a steaming cup of soup in front of Toph—and Uki winched as her father turned to face the footman, "Please blow on it, it is too hot for her."

( leave it to the man of the house to think his daughter weak )

"Please allow me." Aang intercepted, twirling his finger to create a small air current and pushed it toward the steaming bowl.

The gathered people clapped and Uki had to fight back the urge to slouch in her seat and groan.

"Oh my..."

"Avatar Aang, It's an Honor to have you visit us." The prettily dressed woman spoke demurely.

"In your opinion, how much longer do you think the war will last?" Toph's father inquired curiously.

"I'd like to defeat the Fire Lord by the end of summer, but I can't do that without finding an earthbender teacher first."

"Well—" The man started, directing their attention toward another man. "Master Yu is the finest teacher in the land. He's been teaching Toph since she was little."

Aang brightened, looking at Toph, "Then she must be a great earthbender, probably good enough to teach someone else—ow."

Uki winched as his chair was rocked, "What Aang is trying to say is that he has found it easier to learn with his own peers," She gestured toward herself and Katara.

"Well..."

"Uki, from the Northern Water Tribe."

"Well Uki, even if that is so Toph is still learning the basics."

The waterbender clenched her fists beneath the table.

"Yes and sadly, because of her blindness, I don't think she will ever become a true master."

Uki gritted her teeth, and took a steadying breath, glimpsing at the tense shoulders' of Toph before back at the man. "I'd like to think anyone can become a master of their element, if they have the desire to do so—I was denied my own bending by my tribe. I did not have a master to teach me. I thought myself and mastered my element."

Aang nodded, smiling at Toph, "I'm sure she's better than you think she is—whaa" His chair slammed forward into the table.

He wiped the spilled soup from his face before grinning slyly.

"Aang." Uki hissed beneath her breath, but it was too late as the boy let out an exaggerated sneeze—blowing the whole arrangement of foods and drinks onto their hosts.

Toph slammed her hands on the table and stood up, "What's your problem?!"

"What's your problem!" He echoed.

Uki blinked and cleared her throat, "—Perhaps we could rest? It has been a very weary few days of traveling?"

"Of course."

Dragging Aang back by his collar, Uki pulled him away from the fuming earthbender. "Are you crazy?" She hissed in his ear as the all moved away from the dining table.

"I just don't know why she won't teach me."

"Well Aang, it seems that her parents don't know about her extracurricular activities—and it is no easy feat escaping your parents grip, I should know."

"I'm sorry." He breathed out after a moment of silence.

"I know you are buddy." Uki sighed, "just... give her a moment to think alright? She might still change her mind."

The boy nodded as the group all tried to get comfortable in the Bei Fong's guestroom—even Appa had been close by it seemed as the large Skybison peered at them through one of the garden windows.

"Goodnight buddy." Aang gentle rubbed Appa's head whilst Uki sat on her bedroll, combing through her hair.

Suddenly Aang yelled, adopting a rather comical fighting stance. "Hyah!"

Uki followed his gaze to see Toph, leaning against a bedpost, peering at them.

"Relax. Look I'm sorry about dinner." She started, "Let's call a truce?"

Aang nodded and Uki, picking up at the unspoken tension and suggested; "Why don't the two of you take a walk, clear the air?"

The two kids shared a glance before Toph slowly nodded in acceptance and invited Aang along.

Uki tried to ignore the nervous feeling that settled in her gut the moment they disappeared from view.

UKI SHOULD HAVE TRUSTED HER GUT. THE SIGHT OF THE SWORD STUCK ON A PIECE OF parchment made her heart thud uncomfortably in her chest.

Moonlight glinted off the razor-sharp blade, casting a cold, eerie glow on the note it had skewered. Aang and Toph were nowhere to be seen, and Uki's worry grew with each passing second.

"Whoever took them left this," Uki said, her voice tight with anxiety as she passed the scroll to Katara.

Katara unfurled the parchment and began to read aloud, her eyes scanning the words with growing concern. "If you want to see your daughter again, bring 500 gold pieces to the arena," Katara read, her voice trembling slightly. "Signed, Xin Fu and The Boulder."

A stunned silence followed. The name Xin Fu sent a shiver down Uki's spine—she recognized it from the earlier encounter at the arena.

"I can't believe this," Katara whispered, her eyes wide with shock.

Before anyone could respond, Sokka suddenly grabbed the scroll from Katara's hands. His eyes widened as he read it, then, with a mix of disbelief and excitement, he ran a few feet away. Dropping to his knees, he held the scroll up over his head with a triumphant shout.

"I have the Boulder's autograph!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the night as he held the note above his head.

Uki and Katara exchanged a look of frustration and concern. Without a word, she stepped forward and with a sharp gesture, she sent a slicing stream of water towards the note, ripping it in two with a precise, clean cut.

"No!" Sokka cried out.

"Master Yu, I need you to help you get my daughter back." Mr. Bei Fong turned toward the earthbending master.

"We're going with you." Katara said, looking over her shoulder.

Mrs. Bei Fong dropped to her knees beside the impressions left in the ground, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her eyes, filled with worry and despair.

"Poor Toph," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "She must be so scared."

For some reason—Uki doubted that very much.

They swiftly gathered the 500 gold pieces demanded and made their way back to the arena, their steps quick and determined. As they entered the mountain once more, Uki could faintly hear Toph's voice echoing through the stone corridors, laced with defiance.

"You think you're so tough... why don't you come up here so I can smack that grin off your face?" Toph's voice rang out.

Uki couldn't suppress a small smirk at the sound of it.

The girl had spirit.

They quickened their pace, breaking into the vast arena just as Xin Fu, standing grimly at the center, spoke, "I'm not smiling."

"Toph!" Lao exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and urgency.

Xin Fu turned around to see Katara, Uki, Sokka, Lao, and Master Yu standing at the other end of the arena.

Sokka, holding the green bag, stepped forward. "Here's your money. Now let them go," he demanded, his voice steady.

He dropped the bag on the ground, and Master Yu, with a swift motion, kicked it towards Xin Fu using his earthbending. Xin Fu examined the bag's contents, confirming the gold pieces. With a satisfied nod, he gave a discreet signal.

A platform on the right side of the arena began to descend. The bottom opened, and Toph fell out, running immediately to her father. Lao put his hand on her shoulder, guiding her away as Master Yu followed closely.

Katara and Sokka watched them leave.

"What about Aang?" Katara asked urgently, her eyes darting around the arena.

Xin Fu, still holding the scroll, unrolled it to reveal a wanted poster of Aang. He held it up with a smirk.

"I think the Fire Nation will pay a hefty price for the Avatar. Now, get out of my ring," Xin Fu said, dismissing them with a wave.

Uki's jaw tightened and she already twisted her body in a more prepared pose, fingers hovering over the seal of her waterskin pouch.

The arena shuddered as other's appeared from different directions: The first was a whirlwind that dissipated to reveal the Fire Nation Man dropping onto the arena floor in a battle-ready stance. Next, a massive foot crashed down in a different part of the arena, revealing the Hippo, who crushed a large boulder with his hands. The arena was filled with rock and dust as the man with the painted face landed with a thunderous impact.

"Go, I'll be okay," Aang said, giving them a reassuring nod.

Uki's gut twisted with worry, shaking her head at Aang and releasing the water from her pouch. "Get Toph, I'll hold them off."

Katara and Sokka nodded and hurried after Toph, Loa and Master Yu as they walked down the tunnel that would lead outside.

Cracking her knuckles and grinning at the assorted group of earthbenders, she tauned, "Who's ready to rumble?"

Uki immediately took advantage of the initial moment of surprise. She drew water from a her reservoir, lifting it into the air with a graceful motion of her arms. The water swirled around her, forming a protective barrier.

One of the men, stepped forward and raised a large slab of earth from the ground. He hurled it at Uki with tremendous force. Uki responded swiftly, using a wave of water to intercept the rock. The impact caused a shower of spray, but the water shield absorbed the brunt of the attack.

Uki countered by creating a large wave to approach, she was a blur of motion, shifting the water from offensive strikes to defensive barriers with remarkable ease.

As Toph, Lao, and Master Yu walked down the tunnel leading out of the arena, Katara and Sokka appeared at the exit behind them.

"Toph, there are too many of them. We need an earthbender. We need you!" Katara called out urgently.

Lao turned sharply, his face a mix of frustration and fear. "My daughter is blind. She is blind and tiny and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you."

Toph pulled her hand away from her father's grasp, her expression resolute. "Yes, I can," she declared, her voice firm and defiant aa she turned around.

The Hippo, who truly was immense from up close, stomped his feet on the ground just as Uki landed and threw her across the arena—her back slamming into Aang's metal cage.

She dropped on the ground with a resounding thud. "Uki!"

She tried to push herself up as the earthbender came toward her, but before they could attack, a large pilar of earth shot up from the ground, sending the group hurdling through the air.

"Let him go!" Toph demanded, "I beat you all before, I'll do it again."

"The Boulder takes issue with that comment!"

Sokka and Katara tried to rush forward, but Toph held them back with her arms outstretched, "Wait." She paused, feeling the movement of earth, "They're mine."

Katara nodded, and instead rushed of toward Uki who was clutching her side, a grimace on her face. "Uki..."

The girl carefully helped her into a sitting position before guiding the water from her pouch toward Uki's side—it lit up as Katara's tried to heal the damage.

"Thank you." She breathed out as the light slowly faded away and both waterbenders turned their attention to the fight.

If it could even be called such.

Toph was decimated them.

"Let's get Aang out of that cage." Uki suggested, rushing toward the chain that held the boy suspended in the air "Brace for impact Aang!" She called out as she pulled the lever and the cage came tumbled to the ground.

Together with Katara and Sokka, they attempted to free the boy.

"Wait," Uki breathed out, calming herself before letting the water freeze over the bars of the cage. "Hit it again," She turned toward Sokka.

The boy nodded and brough it down with full force—the bars broke.

"Whoo!" Sokka exclaimed.

The group turned just as Toph slammed Xin Fu across the arena.

THE JOURNEY BACK TO THE BEI FONG MANSION WAS FILLED WITH TENSION. IT HAD SEEMED THAT LAO HAD not been able to comprehend his daughter's skillful display of earthbending. Despite their recent triumph, the mood among Aang, Toph, and the others was somber.

Toph walked with a determined stride, though her eyes occasionally darted towards the horizon as if searching for some semblance of reassurance. Her heart was still reeling from the confrontation with her father. She had hoped Lao would understand and embrace her passion for earthbending, but his reaction had been far from what she had anticipated.

Uki, as the oldest of her group felt the urge to comfort the young girl.

She strode up beside the young earthbender. "In the Northern Water Tribe, women are forbidden from learning waterbending—beside the sub art of healing, no lessons were given." she started slowly and when she noticed she had Toph's attention, continued. "I had hoped once my father had seen my waterbend, he would change his mind..."

Toph scoffed and Uki grinned.

"I'd spare you the details of my birth, but the circumstance left me with a profound understanding and passion for waterbending. I had to spy and teach myself away from the tribe. When Aang and Katara came to my home, to learn waterbending I had hoped that things would change, that my parents would change." She glanced at Katara and Aang as they walked ahead of them giggling together.

"In a way some things did change, I was allowed to train with Aang and Katara for a short while and the other boys from my tribe—but my father... even if I was blessed by the ocean spirit, he just could not accept it. No daughter of his would be a true waterbending master."

"But you still joined the Avatar?"

Uki chuckled humorously, "I left without their knowledge, I don't think I'll ever be able return, not knowing what awaits me."

She took a deep breath, "It's just...our parents are similar in a lot of ways, and I don't want you to give up hope...but men like Lao and my father don't change their ways easily—or at all." She peered into the milk-white eyes of Toph. "I want you to know whatever you chose, staying...leaving we will understand."

"I'll be fine." Toph dismissed.

"I didn't say you wouldn't be." She replied with a knowing shrug and moved away from the girl as they approached the Bei Fong home.

They walked inside silently into the sitting room they had been welcomed in just that day.

Toph stood resolutely before her seated mother and father, once again clad in her elegant dress. "Dad," Toph began, her voice steady despite the emotion evident in her eyes, "I know it's hard for you to see me like this, but the obedient, helpless blind girl you think I am—she's not me. I love fighting. I love being an earthbender, and I'm really, really good at it."

"I know I've kept my life secret from you, but you've kept me a secret from the whole world. I understand you did it to protect me, but I'm twelve years old now and I've never had a real friend. So now that you see who I truly am, I hope it doesn't change how you feel about me."

Uki's heart broke at her words.

Lao looked at his daughter. "Of course it doesn't change how I feel about you, Toph. It's made me realize something."

"It has?" Toph asked, her voice tinged with hope.

"Yes," Lao said, his tone firm. "I've given you far too much freedom. From now on, you will be cared for and guarded 24 hours a day."

The similar words made her heart stutter in her chest.

It is only now that I realize we have been far to liberate with your duties.

Tulok's words rang to Uki's head and she clenched her fists.

"But Dad!" Toph protested, her voice rising with frustration.

"We're doing this for your own good, Toph," her mother added softly, though her words carried an unmistakable authority.

I know what is best for you.

Lao turned to the guards, his expression resolute. "Please escort the Avatar and his friends out. They are no longer welcome here."

Aang followed the guard out and casted a sympathetic glance back over his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Toph."

"I'm sorry too. Goodbye, Aang," Toph whispered just loud enough, her voice choked with unshed tears.

She stood silently as Aang and his friends were led away, her tears falling freely.

Uki sighed as the large ornate doors behind them were closed and the outside air ruffled her hair.

With an affectionate hum, she rubbed Aang's shoulder before the group slowly walked away.

As Aang and Uki walked over to the edge of a small cliff, they paused to look back.

Her heart clenched at his heartbroken expression and she tried her best to offer some semblance of reassurance. "Don't worry Aang. We'll find you a teacher. There are plenty of amazing earthbenders out there."

"Not like her," Aang said wistfully, his gaze lingering on the horizon.

Sokka, still wearing Toph's tournament belt, and Katara sped up to walk alongside Uki and Aang as they approached Appa.

They climbed onto his tail, and Appa lifted them up onto his back.

Suddenly, Toph burst through the bushes, breathing heavily but with a look of exhilaration. Aang's face brightened with surprise and joy. "Toph! What are you doing here?"

"My dad changed his mind," Toph said, a wide grin spreading across her face. "He said I'm free to travel the world."

Uki frowned before looking knowingly at Toph.

The ache in her heart grew.

"Well, we'd better get out of here before your dad changes his mind again," Sokka suggested.

"Good idea," Toph agreed hastily.

Aang looked at Toph with admiration. "You're going to be a great teacher, Toph."

"Speaking of which," Toph said with a sly smirk, "I want to show you something."

"Okay," Aang responded, curiosity piqued as he airbended himself off of Appa and landed gracefully in front of Toph.

Without warning, Toph tapped the ground with her foot, causing a rock to erupt from the earth and send the boy flying into the branches of a nearby tree. He dangled from a branch, his feet caught in the foliage.

"Now we're even," Toph stated with a grin, her eyes sparkling with playful triumph. "I'll take the belt back," Toph added, holding out her hand toward Sokka.

Sokka unhooked the belt and tossed it towards her with a pout on his lips.

Unfortunately, it hit her on the head, causing her to topple over in a heap.

"Ow!" Toph exclaimed, rubbing her head.

"Sorry."

"Time to hit the road—erh skies again." Uki announced, sliding off Appa's tail to help Toph back up.

⋆⋅ ━━━━ ‧ ༻✩༺ ‧ ━━━━ ⋅⋆
wordcount: 4021

whooo toph has joined the gang and
we are getting closer to the good stuff 👀