Bab 9: The invitation

"Azula! What are you waiting for?" Zuko asked after handing his prize to the Boulder. "My new empire is in need of competent earthbenders, If you wish to earn much more than this… follow me."

The muscle head was still in shock after witnessing the previous match, but he managed to mutter back. "Y-yes… your highness."

While carrying the Loli over his shoulder, Zuko moved towards the exit of the underground arena.

Azula was still getting used to her brother's new personality. After everything they've been through, Zuko had completely overpowered their father during an Agni Kai and now was carrying someone she was sure wasn't much weaker than her.

But Azula always prided herself by being a quick learner, and if the situation demanded, she would play the game her brother was setting for her.

Following Zuko, she noticed that he had found the stables of the arena. He inspected each animal until he found an ostrich horse.

She never knew he had experience to deal with animals, but lately she was becoming more open minded to what her older brother could actually do.

"Please don't tell me it will be the three of us mounting this creature." She remarked offhandedly.

"In your dreams my dear." He smiled and pulled the animal towards a carriage.

He laid the young earthbender on the front seat while attaching the ostrich horse properly onto the transportation.

After setting the animal, he went to inspect his target's injuries. Thankfully he had managed to manipulate his lava at the precise temperature he had wished for. If not for her clothes and hair being a little burned, her skin hadn't suffered more than a light sunburn.

He really wanted to preserve her appearance. Although still young, he knew her cuteness wouldn't take that long to blossom into pretiness.

"You are aware that this little brat will make a move as soon as she wakes up." Azula pointed out before noticing the brute that had been humiliated by that "blind bandit". "Shouldn't we just execute her? That's why we came, isn't it?"

"Not quite, my dear sister." Zuko smiled and turned to the bulking half naked man. "Mister Boulder, would you mind bringing me that metal cage?"

"The Boulder sees no problem with that… but…" He began speaking. " I want to know what kind of job the young emperor is offering before accepting."

"Oh, that's priceless, the brute is making an effort to think. But you see, there isn't anything complicated about bringing us a metal cage. At least I hope it isn't for you." Azula mocked him with her usual condescending tone.

"Silence Azula!" Zuko dismissed her as he stepped past her. "What I offer mister Boulder, is a chance to teach proper earthbending to the earthbenders of the Blaze empire, my empire." Zuko said while elegantly pointing to himself. "Be assured, under my rulership, this type of competition won't be banished or scorned. Champions of all elements shall face one another for fame, glory and fortune."

"The Boulder likes your proposition." He smiled.

"Excellent, now if you don't mind." Zuko smiled before pointing towards the metallic cage.

The Boulder immediately nodded and moved to do his bidding.

Noticing Azula's stare Zuko replied casually. "Hope my sister approves of the accommodations I've settled for our journey."

"I certainly prefer it to simply making our way back on foot. But tell me, why were you referring to earthbenders as citizens of our na- I mean, your empire?" She asked, not daring to oppose it as directly as she would want to.

"I thought you were a quick learner Azula." Zuko chuckled. "You forgot everything we've been talking about on our way here?"

"I… A-apologies brother, but I fail to recognize their worth." She corrected her posture with a small bow.

Zuko made his way to pick up the unconscious Toph and placed her in the metal cage after the Boulder opened it for him. "You see, one needs to always be open to possibilities. Father was so blinded by his nonsensical prejudice, that he would rather burn the rest of the world to ashes before recognizing that there are some diamonds in the rough." He finished his sentence while looking at Toph and closed the small prison. "Mister Boulder, I thank you for your help. Show this to the soldiers approaching the city when they arrive, this will grant you safe and luxurious passage to the capital of my empire." Zuko told him while handing him a small insignia.

The Boulder picked the small object with his large hands and nodded. "Thank you, the Boulder will."

Zuko and Azula climbed the carriage's front seats and he stirred the ostrich horse to begin moving.

After leaving the underground arena, Azula spoke again. "I'm not questioning your authority, but would you mind telling me what you saw on that lowly peasant? The man clearly isn't well off his head seeing that he speaks of himself in the third person."

"Well, you aren't wrong in that regard. But he is exactly what I need to begin training our first earth bending units." Zuko concluded.

"An earth bending unit? And who's going to lead these rock throwers once you give them power enough? Aren't you worried they might rebel?" Azula couldn't understand her brother's motive.

"A rebellion can be easily terminated with the specific temperature or voltage. But I want elite soldiers honor-bound to my empire. The common foot soldier and fire bender are already receiving special training and equipment to better carry out their duties. But by branching out of our element, I not only fortify my army but find a solution to better guard our colonies." Zuko explained with a grin on his face.

Azula couldn't help widening her eyes a little. She still wasn't sure of how her brother was planning to execute his plan, but she couldn't deny his ambition.

It was after being on the road for half an hour that their prisoner had finally regained her energies and began shouting. "Hey show off! What's the meaning of this? Let me out right now!"

Azula just stood there silent and enjoyed the show.

"Oh, miss Beifong! So glad you've recovered from our previous match! So, how are you finding your accommodations?" Zuko teased her with his eloquent words.

"Open this damn cage right now so that I can wipe that stupid smirk of your face!" Toph ranted and pummeled that metal walls of her cage with all the strength her smaller frame could muster.

Which wasn't much without bending the earth.

"I'm afraid I'm not smiling this time. You my dear, have been accused of interference against the empire's forces. Countless people have been executed for much less than that." Zuko's tone turned serious.

"You speak of those bunch of losers that got their butts kicked? If being stronger than them is a crime, your nation must either be very weak or having a hard time imprisoning children and elders." She rebutted.

"Your words are harsh, but in a way speak the truth. The army I've inherited has much to live up to its reputation. Weak and moronic generals and admirals that have no idea of war tactics much less strategies. Soldiers not appropriately trained nor supplied." Zuko said, sounding very honest for a moment. "And don't let me get started on corruption, useless bureaucracy and mediocracy."

"Must be really exhausting being king or whatever you are." Toph commented with a sarcastic tone that remembered him of Azula.

"Heh, actually, I'm an emperor. Different from your typical lord or king, I plan to have my domain as heterogeneous as possible." Zuko pointed out. "From the frozen lands of the poles to the vast and diverse expansions of this kingdom's lands, my empire will shine a light of progress while still keeping the order."

"Don't mistake my sudden urge of sleeping as not being interested in your speech." Toph yawned before continuing. "But really, what do you want with me? If this was a matter of punishment, I'm sure I wouldn't be allowed to speak with someone as important as you. So, what's the deal?"

"Impatient as any children I see, for a minute you had me thinking you were secretly a veteran of war." Zuko teased her, and after hearing the sound of someone punching metal he continued. "But I believe I owe you some explanation if I want to have what I came for."

"Get to the point then!" Toph shouted.

"As you wish." Zuko placed his hand over the metallic surface and golden strands of electricity began emanating from him.

"Ah!" Toph cried as she fell limb to the ground. "What was that for?!"

"Now now, my interest here is to recruit you into my services. You see, you're something I would like to call a diamond in the rough." Zuko explained to her after confirming she was still awake. "But you see, besides my cute little sister sitting here with me, anyone else must prove that they are worth the effort."

"I fail to see what is in it for me." She was brave enough to still hold her ground. "I mean, besides my life."

"You've misunderstood me. The little spark was meant as a way of calming you down, no threats are being made to your well-being." Zuko stated calmly. "As a matter of fact, if you fail to impress me, I will be returning you back to your family. The city of course by now must be trying hopeless to fend off my soldiers, but your family will receive the proper opportunity to surrender."

"Are you trying to convince me not to go with you? Never thought a kidnapper would take their victim back to their home if they didn't do as they pleased." The young Toph still showed her fierce spirit even after hearing that her home was being invaded.

"But that's where you are wrong Miss Beifong, I'm not your kidnapper." Zuko smirked. "I'm the one who rescued you from those violent criminals."

"Come again? You rescued me?" She had surprise written all over her tone. "I'm beginning to wonder who's really the blind one around here."

"Well, at least that's what your parents will believe." Zuko smirked and Azula showed confusion on her expression. "I wonder what they might be thinking right now, besides surrendering to my troops that is."

"You don't know them. They must be expecting me to return by myself." She bluffed.

"Nah, your mother doesn't seem like the type. I think 'Poor Toph, she must be so scared!'" Zuko teased her.

"Grr, stop it!" She grumbled.

"And your father, I believe he's more like 'My daughter is blind and tiny and hopeless and fragile'." Zuko provoked her again.

"I said cut it out!" She began regaining control over her body and started to bang the metal wall. "I'm sure they will believe after I show them how great of an earth bender I am!"

"I hope you are right. I've already had enough of parents that don't properly support their children." Zuko started ignoring Azula's stares. "Believe me, I had both ways. One was always so overprotective and the other challenged me for a duel to the death."

Noticing her frail attacks against the cage had stopped, she spoke to him this time more calmly. "You know, even though I was born blind, I never had a problem seeing. I'm able to see with my earthbending." She revealed to him, not sure if he already knew. He had the habit of knowing things no one should logically know.

"That's impressive." Zuko recognized. "But clearly it wasn't the limit of your capabilities. Just seeing doesn't allow someone to defeat that muscle head back at the arena. No, with your talent and determination alone you have gone farther than many experient earth benders."

"Are you going soft on me now, your majesty?" Toph teased him while trying not to reveal her tears.

"Not likely. But I wonder how much you would grow if not restricted by people treating you as if you were helpless." Zuko got to where he wanted. "I can offer you that."

"So… just like that?" Toph questioned.

"As soon as you impress me." He added.

"But what else do you want me to show you. I can beat anyone in a fight, er- even you… just give a few more years." She argued, completely ignoring that they were basically enemies a few minutes ago.

"I'm sorry, but that's a hard bargain you are offering." He hid his smirk, only Azula could notice what he was actually doing. "Back there, I fought you with a technique I had just come up with so that I wouldn't be bothered by that stupid technicality of having to bend the earth."

"Don't tell me! You are the avatar?!" Toph gasped.

But to her annoyance, Zuko and Azula weren't able to hold their laughter any longer.

"What's so funny?!" Toph asked angrily.

"The funny thing is, that my empire has sworn to get rid of the Avatar's influence over the world and end his imposed stagnation." Zuko informed her.

"Okay, I have no idea what you just talked about… but I guess it means you're not the avatar and isn't his fan." She reasoned.

"In short, yes." Zuko agreed.

"So… what should I do to prove my valor or whatever?" You want me to raid a city or something.

"Your prejudice against my people isn't gaining you any points." He replied. "But since aren't creative enough, I guess it falls to me to settle some parameters for you to gain my permission to join me."

"And that is?" She asked with anticipation.

"Bend that cage and get free yourself." He ordered her.

"What? But that's impossible! I bend earth, not metal!" She told him.

"And I am a fire bender who had beat you with magma." Zuko rebutted her. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone that took care of yourself by yourself."

"We shouldn't have expected much from a brat." Azula finally joined in thinking her brother was just having some sadistic fun with the poor girl.

"But I… but it's…" She muttered.

'Guess I shouldn't be expecting this growth from her three years earlier.' Zuko thought to himself. "If that helps you, my secret is to remember that all elements are one. For aspects of the same art. Take metal for example, it's basically an extension of earth that has been purified and refined."

"I-I think it makes sense." Toph concluded.

After that, the siblings haven't heard Toph speaking for quite some time. Only her constant meek strikes at the metal were heard as the metal vibrated.

Azula though it meant that she was a hopeless case in the end, but Zuko was feeling quite the contrary.

They were about to reach the location they had landed after dismounting their elk-hounds. Which were back at Gaoling, being taken care as Zuko's soldiers took them after conquering the town.

"I'm sure you haven't forgotten this mere ostrich horse isn't capable of transporting us back to the capital." Remarked Azula.

"You intelligence is only inferior to your beauty dear sister." Zuko commented. "We must be ahead of schedule. Or they must be behind. Either way, it gives us time to test her further."

"Test her?" Azula questioned.

Zuko only smiled and pointed at the roof of the metal cage. Seating casually was the nine years old earth bender.

"So you knew I had made it!" Toph gave them her smug smile. "So what do you say? Am I good enough for you?"

"Azula, you better be more diligent with your training. She certainly is worthy of being called a prodigy, and being already so beautiful at such a young age, I think we might have found your match." Zuko teased.

Azula immediately stood up and began making bending motions faster than ever.

When she was about to zap the smug smile from Toph's face, Zuko grabbed her hand and the current of electricity immediately dissipated.

"Hold there sis. I didn't say you could attack her yet." Zuko smirked to her and she felt a familiar sensation of electricity coming back from his palm.

Now having a little more resistance to electricity, she only flinched in pain instead of falling unconscious. But then again, her brother's control of lightning had also improved.

"You two sure are a lovely family." Toph commented.

"A pity you missed the opportunity to meet my father, he's all about love and caring." Zuko chuckled. "But that's enough of my family, show me what you can do."

Toph smiled and clenched the cage's edge, the metal bent with still some resistance, but as she spread her arms the cage was split in two.

"Hum, very good." He noted while paying attention to her motions. "What else?"

She thought for a moment before jumping towards one of the metal sections that had fallen beside their carriage.

With a roll the small girl enveloped herself in metal, making a very solid form of protection, which was basically very heavy armor.

Her movements were sluggish, but her weight and strength had clearly increased to impressive levels.

"Interesting." Zuko observed her with great attention. "What more?" He turned to the other half of the metal prison and ordered. "Bend that from a distance."

The bulky metal figure of Toph staggered for a moment before she raised her arms and attempted to bend.

She struggled and puffed. "C'mon metal, budge."

But unfortunately the other piece didn't move.

Azula wanted to laugh at Toph's expense, but she feared Zuko wouldn't appreciate it.

Seeing Toph struggling like Kid Magneto attempting to move a coin, Zuko walked towards her. "That's enough."

Toph was visibly disappointed with herself, but feeling Zuko's hand patting her head, she turned to look at him.

Not that she actually could, you know… being blind and all, but she did it nonetheless.

"Nice work." He chuckled. "Toph Beifong, I emperor Zuko of the Blaze empire, invite you to join me. Will you accept it and show the world that you are the greatest earthbender to ever exist?"

She nodded with an expression of admiration.

"Then I welcome you to the Blaze Empire." Zuko finished his line just in time for them to notice that coal began falling from the sky like snow.

Shifting his attention to the horizon, Zuko and Azula sighed their ride while Toph was left confused of what was happening.

"Brother, I believe your Empire-class battleship has arrived." Azula pointed out the obvious.

"By Agni, your observation skills never fail to impress me." Zuko laughed before turning to Toph. "I'm sorry, but I want to mitigate your dependence on firm ground as soon as possible. Thankfully there will be plenty of metal for you to practice."

The 9 years old blind girl allowed her metal armor to crumble to the ground before nodding confidently.

That alongside Azula's visible irritation made Zuko smile in satisfaction.

The battleship coming for them was a vessel large enough to accommodate thousands of crew members, it most noticeable and distinguishable feature was the gilded rostrum at its tip resembling a dragon.

Or at least resembled.

Now, under the banner of the Blaze Empire, a mighty Phoenix stood proud on its place.

"Welcome my emperor!" The captain of the ship bowed in respect as me and the girls boarded the vessel. "I'm aware that delays aren't excusable, but the battleship's modification had taken longer then we had anticipated. I'm willing to suffer the consequences as the captain."

"At ease captain." Zuko reassured the man. "The quality of the ship proves that the time invested didn't go to waste. But do avoid making this a frequent incident, send a messenger hawk in advance in worst case scenario."

"I'm grateful for the emperor's magnificence. I will personally guarantee that it doesn't go to waste." The honest and competent man replied.

As Zuko moved on, Azula ordered the captain. "Make haste for the capital, and I better find my bath waiting for me in chamber."

"The bath is definitely waiting for you my lady... but my orders are..."

Before the captain had time to gather enough courage to respond Azula, Zuko intervened. "What's the hurry sis? There still are places for us to visit."

That wasn't something the little Azula had been expecting, but despite hating it, she couldn't do a thing to change it.

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(08/12/2020)

*Hope this chapter is of your liking. Anything you wish to ask, feel free to do so.

Thanks as always for your attention and please be safe.

Any problems with my writing, just point them out and I will correct them as soon as possible.

** Yes baby! I'm back!

Apologies for the massive delay, hopefully I will be able to make it up for you know that my attention is on this fic.

If you you wish to know what I've been being doing since this story last chapter, then I would check it out my fic about BNHA. I had managed to upload several chapters since then.

It's possible that you might notice a change on my writing style, hopefully you will find it improved even if a little bit.

Unfortunately due to it being months since my last update, some "plot holes" are bound to happen. Like any grammatical mistakes, I would be grateful if you could point it out to me so I can correct it.