Tokka: Sword in the Forest, Chapter 3

The Swamp

"We're here!" Sokka announced. It was now sunset and the airship had just made it over the outstretching of rock columns that marked the beginning of the forest. Toph stirred from her light nap.

"Alright, so what's the plan now?"

"We'll soon see our landing spot; at that point we'll make camp for the night and start the search in the morning."

"So a bit more flying?"

"Just a bit."

"Then why did you wake me up?"

"You'll have plenty of time to sleep when camp is made, which will be soon. In that sense it isn't wise to be sleeping now because you'll just be restless during the night and drowsy during the day."

"Your logic fails to amuse me, Snoozles."

"Let's see how you feel several hours from – Ah! There it is"

The airship crossed a ridge and the flora became noticeably different. Sokka began to lower the airship's altitude. Toph almost immediately noticed the increase of moisture in the air. The ship circled around a tree-less mound that was to be their base camp. The mound connected itself to the upper part of the forest while its base marked the true beginning of the swamp. This wasn't the first time Sokka had been to the site and this was made clear by the overturned boat near the bottom. The landing was followed by a noticeable "spelk" as the ship crushed the small plants underneath it. Within moments Toph had casually lifted herself over the ship's side and unto the ground.

"The ground is a bit moist and squishy for our campsite, don't you think?"

"That's because this is a swamp."

A ting of confusion could be heard in Toph's voice as she asked. "A swamp? I thought you called this place a forest."

"I guess you could say the name Wulong Forest is a bit of a misnomer. The forest's edge is composed of many stone pillars. Through them flow several rivers that eventually form a typical forest as the pillars disappear. Once we reach a certain sea level the rivers start to form a delta that drains into the ocean. This is where the swamp is located and where we are currently at the beginning of."

"Mmmk Snoozles, this will just require a bit of modification."

With that Toph stomped her feet and made upward thrusting motions with her arms. With her earthebending she raised the ground to mimic a deck that stood on the mound's slope, overlooking the water's edge.

"I prefer my camp not to lean."

"Excellent thinking Rocky."

The two began to set up camp on their new, dry, campsite. Toph made quick work of gathering the night's firewood while Sokka did a series of arcane operations on the airship.

"I know it seems like a tough hunk of metal but this swamp could break down its delicate parts fast and then we'd end up walking back."

Sokka decided to hunt for the night's dinner, and by that he meant for Toph to hunt since the sun was already fading. He was able to catch a rabbit that wandered too close to camp, but it was Toph who brought back the feast of frogs whom were unable to escape her mud-bending prowess.

"So what's on tomorrows agenda?" Toph inquired while munching down on her twelfth frog.

"I've divided our search area into four parts. Each should take us no more than day to search. This little hill, being relatively in the middle of it all, makes for a great base of operations. Tomorrow, we'll go ahead and get the wettest part of the search out of the way."

"Is that what the overturned boat near the water is for?"

"You got it."

Toph didn't feel very excited at the prospect of spending more time off the ground. Still, skimming through the low lying water of the swamp was certainly more appealing than the feeling she got when traveling through the void known as the sky. In effort to lighten her mood she changed the subject.

"So what exactly is it that Aang and Katara are doing?"

"Ah yes." Sokka's spine straitened and feeling of ambition could be heard in his voice.
"The Harmony Restoration Project has taken a new turn in its efforts since our last…escapade."

"I would imagine."

"Since the United Republic of Nations was formed from the former Fire Nation colonies, there has been talk of a need for a centralization of its government. To that end an ambitious new project has been proposed. Republic City! Capital of the United Republic of Nations."

"Must have taken an entire week to think of that name." Toph chided.

"Well, naming aside it's still a monumental undertaking. One that our Avatar and Fire Lord friends are taking very seriously; they've even invited yours truly to be a part of it all!"

"Congratulations! Enjoy the thrilling world of city planning."

"I wouldn't be condescending just yet for you see… they would also like me to ask you to join us in the building of this new city!"

To that Toph's face perked up. This wasn't fully unexpected as the thought cropped in the moment she realized most of the gang would be a part of the project. Still, her interest was clearly peaked.

"So what exactly would be my role in building this place?"

"The Fire Nation has had a heavy influence on the initial building plans. Right now you and your students are the world's only metal benders and the city calls for monumental amount of metal. With your help we could cut the time and cost of construction by half!"

"Wait. You literally want me to build the buildings in the city? Like a mason or something?"

"Er, well yes, I mean…what else would we have you do?"

Toph was offended but she wasn't exactly sure why. To her, such a job seemed boring and tedious. She was a fighter, a warrior. She had made her name as the Blind Bandit, champion of the Earth Rumble tournaments. She had fought and saved the world in the Great War. She had been teaching her craft to others, but what she had failed to consider, nay, what she had buried in her mind, was the question of what exactly her bending was useful for now that the war was over.

She had taught her skills to others because that was what she felt destined to do. To bend for bending's sake. Those without bending wouldn't understand, but simply going through daily exercises could prove an elating experience. Aang said that the air nomads sought contentment by realizing the oneness with the world around. If this was true, then she felt this oneness when bending. Oneness that came as power radiated from her and to her, in all directions.

The greatest glory, the greatest excitement, was to be had on the field of battle. The rush of adrenaline in the tournament ring could not be contested by the delicate and slow actions of a craftsman. Now, however, the reality of peacetime was upon her.

"I…uh…I don't know. Just the thought of being a glorified house builder seems…"

"Lowly?" Sokka finished.

"I wouldn't use that word exactly." Toph offered in meager defense.

"Because it makes you sound like your highbrow upbringing that you've done your best to reject, but it's essentially what you would be saying regardless."

She felt cornered and under attack. Her friend hadn't said it in a truly accusatory way but she felt she was being judged a hypocrite. If only she could come up with another use for her power.

"It's just that…I feel we could do something else, something that doesn't seem too…boring."

"Like what?"

"I don't know…yet. I would just rather do something that involves my fists and taking down the bad guys."

"You mean like the old days? I'm not sure we'll get much of that, unless you feel like chasing down the local pick pocket!"

Though the comment was made in jest an idea started to form in Toph's mind.

"Hey yea! But not just the pick pockets, but every bully, brigand, and rogue bender we come across!"

"Uh, Toph. What are you talking about?"

"A metalbending police force! Think about it, an elite group of benders who could bring justice to mean streets of Avatar City!"

"Republic City."

"Whatever!"

"Um, Rocky. Don't metalbending police for the theoretical crime problem in a yet un-built city sound a bit…excessive?"

"Mmm, not if consider, er, all the factors!"

"Like…?"

Toph knew it was now time to be clever.  It was time to think and talk like Sokka.

"For one, this new nation is supposed to be a melting pot for the all the nations right? So there is bound to be a lot of benders from all over. Unlike every place else in the world, the people here will have to contend with all types of bending on a regular basis. The city is going to need a way to keep all these benders in check. A way that was previously unneeded. And..."

"And...?"

"And being the hub of all nations it's also bound to get a lot of shipping traffic. And where there are ships there are ship rats. Pirates and scoundrels of all colors to drop the metaphor! In a growing, innocent, and vulnerable town like Republic City? It's going to need all the protection it can get!"

In the silence of the first few moments afterwards Sokka's face spoke only of skepticism for the plan and disbelief in his friend's excitement. Slowly his face turned from its former negative demeanor into of coy appreciation for his friend's wit. With a grin across his face he spoke.

"I have to admit, you make a pretty convincing argument. We'll have to discuss it with the others of course, but I think there is merit in your idea."

"They'll agree if they know what's good for them."

"For all our sakes let's hope they do."

It had gotten late and the two went to their separate tents for the night. The Earthbender was almost too excited to sleep. Her imagination stirred with potential adventures she would have laying down the law in Republic City. Perhaps she was a bit restless from all the napping done earlier in the day as well, but just a bit.

It would almost be like old times again. She would be living life to the fullest with Aang and Katara, maybe Zuko here and there. Probably Suki since he'd bring his guards. Then of course there was Sokka, whom she would like very much to be with more often.

Warmth stirred in her once more at the thought and she smiled in the dark. She could imagine them locking arms again as they walked through the blooming city. Every which way Sokka would point his hand and snap his fingers at something; prattling on about the where and why of each building and how it all fit together. The warmth of the sun on their faces as two of the most recognized and respected people in the world paraded through the streets.

Soon, however, seeds of pain started to grow in her heart as pangs of desire and doubt became more evident. It was love un-recognized and unreturned. Perhaps it was her fault for never being forward with her feelings, but for as long as she had known him he had belonged to some distant warrior in makeup. She was jealous, that much she could admit to herself.

It felt so unfair that this woman had taken him before she could even contest for his affection. Though what seemed truly unfair was the fact that she hadn't claimed her prize. It had apparently been years since their last encounter yet Sokka still appeared enthralled by her. The rewards of Sokka's relationship with her only seemed to be pain. Sokka longed for Suki and Toph longed for Sokka, and in her longing she felt shame for her envy.

Toph now scowled into the dark. She tossed in her stone tent and covered her head. The contempt and embarrassment over her selfish feelings flooded in. Suki had saved her and Sokka's life multiple times in the past. She was a kind hearted and trustworthy friend. Conceiving her as some lover stealing hag was unfair and cruel.

Toph was confused; she didn't know what she should be feeling. To think of stealing her friend's lover away, what did that make her? It made her low, lower than the lowest earth worm. It was a good thing she crawled in the dirt, because that was where she belonged. At least that is how she felt. Now, she wanted to sleep.