Book 2: Earth

Chapter 20- Hope

"You did what?!"

Toph pounded the side of the wall for emphasis, raw fury etched in her blind eyes as the ceiling and walls shook. Several metalbending guards gulped nervously, thinking just how dumb the old man was for getting the Blind Bandit furious like this, but against her protests, Iroh remained calm and resolute, quietly sipping tea on the table.

Zuko was not in the room, but Iroh felt his nephew's presence outside the room, listening in, no doubt feeling the same anger and frustration that Toph was feeling right now.

"I let her go." Iroh explained. "We cannot hold the Avatar against her will. That would not be what Avatar Aang would have wanted."

"Maybe not, but Aang's gone." Toph said flatly. "We needed to keep her safe here, I still need to train her."

"At this moment, she's in no condition to be trained by anyone." The old general sighed. "She needs more time to figure things out on her own. What good is a fully trained Avatar if she views us as enemies?"

At that, even Toph grunted, knowing that she didn't have an answer herself. "What makes you think she'll see us in a different light now that she's gone back to the Fire Nation?"

"I have faith in her." He said simply.

"I'm sorry Iroh...I need a little more assurance than that. I think we established already that we're low on time." Toph said curtly.

"I'm afraid you're right." A new voice chimed into the conversation.

Iroh and Toph turned as the door into the room burst open, and Kori walked into the room. A worried and serious look was etched on her face, while her trusty meteor hammers dangling by her side as though she were going into battle. To the surprise of the guards, Kori was wearing the green and red warrior garb of the Fire Nation colonies, the flame insignia clearly etched on her tunic.

"Word is spreading around the colonies." Kori began, "General Giam is on the move. They say he's marching his army towards the coast toward Yu Dao, wiping out any opposing villages in his wake, Colonial or Fire Nation." she said grimly.

Toph's fists shook tightly as she heard the message. So he finally made his move...but to take back the entire Earth Kingdom against the whole Fire Nation Army out in the open? "Giam, you fool..."

"Toph," Kori began seriously. "I'm sorry, I know you have to look for the Avatar, but I have my own responsibilities. I have to go back home to Yu Dao and assume command of the defense there against Giam. No doubt my father is worried sick and I need to protect my home, even if it is with the Fire Nation."

Toph nodded, without even giving it a second thought. "I understand Kori. Don't worry, I'll handle the Avatar on my own.

Sighing with relief, Kori nodded, then quickly made her way out of the room. When she was gone, Toph turned to the old master.

"Iroh, I know you meant well, but I'm sorry. I can't let you supervise Korra anymore. I'll have to bring her in. Then I'll have to start her training. I know she'll hate it at first, but what other choice do I have?" She muttered.

"There is always a better choice." Iroh said softly, without judgment. He could see the confusion in Toph, but he did not blame her for thinking like that.

"Well," Toph sighed with a soft smirk to her old friend. "Let me know when you find one, in the meantime, I've got an Avatar to catch."

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She had lost track of the number of hours she had walked since escaping the cave. All she knew was that she had to put as much distance between her and her captors as fast as possible, even if that meant not even sleeping a wink that night.