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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth	By : SSjJaden Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Toph/Zuko Views: 13993 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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„So, what’s next?” Toph asked, her eyes shining, her smile happy like a kid’s. Zuko laughed and offered his hand, which Toph accepted elegantly. They walked all around the village and seen both really funny and romantic things. Once they saw a ball game, which children played, but still they were not a bit surprised to see Aang there too. The Avatar saw them and waved as they passed.

Zuko showed the Fountain of Love to the girl on his side. This fountain was not special, it was a golden pedestal really normal by Fire Nation standarts (although it was made of gold.). What was unique about it, is that it was full of gold, silver and copper money, on which couples write their names on. to get Lady Luck smile on their relationship. Zuko found a gold piece in his pocket and gave it to Toph, who secretly Metalbended their name on it. Once done, she dropped it into the crystal clear waters.

Next was the Endless Soul troupe, who came here every year to celebrate the festival. Basically they were an actor-group playing all kinds of scenes to the audience. Toph was once laughing real hard when they played a part where Waterbenders were fooling around with Firebenders, but pouted angrily when they made Earthbending comical.

Their last stop was the Promenade of Sun and Moon. This was a really wide road where couples had to walk from it’s one end to the next, and legend said, that every secret will be revealed while talking on this road. Needless to say, Toph wanted to cross it, and grabbed Zuko by the hand and pulled him towards it.

The road looked special, it was made of some kind of black stone called obsidian and had a glass-like shine about it. Zuko encircled Toph’s waist with his arm, and she placed her head on his shoulder as they walked.

„So what kind of secrets do you have?” asked Zuko playfully. Toph was thinking for long moments before speaking.

„I don’t really know. I’ve told you how I feel, other than that… I don’t really have any secrets. What about you?”

„Well, I’m not a really interesting person. I don’t really know what’s a secret and what’s not in my life.”

„Speek about Firebending then. Katara said you had to leave school when you were young. Plus Azula said you’re really powerful. Where did you power comes from? And why do you want to learn other bending forms?”

Zuko sighed and smiled at the girl on his side. She too was smiling but her emerald eyes mirrored curiosity. She really wanted to know everything about him. and he was not the kind of person who’d keep secrets from a beauty like her.

–Oh well, what can I lose?- he thought –I love her. She deserves to know things.-

„I was five when I first started to bend Fire. I was a born-bender, as my master at school said. I always brought back the best marks accompanied by the most high of praises from my masters. I spent two years there when I was able to learn the technique of the Blue Flame. I thought it was good, I thought I accomplished something. After my lessons I ran home to tell my Father what I did. Next day I was out of school. Father never said why he made me quit. Mother tried to explain but I understood nothing of it.” Toph stroke his hand on her hips, and still smiled at him kindly.

Zuko, encouraged by this, continued.

„When Azula was six, she got into my class and learned under my masters. She was talented too, but she never knew how good I was. My power, the Blue Flame, everything I accomplished went under the carpet, forgotten. For years, I was learning at home from and old man, who knew as much of bending as a turtleduck.”

„Your Father tried to raise you without proper training?” Toph asked, amazed. Why would a father do a thing like this? Every parent want their children to be strong and capable so why try to forget a special kid like Zuko?

„No, I had training. He called high ranked soldiers and veterans to train me in combat. But still, I couldn’t learn to bend. Luckily, my Mother came to my rescue. She had a brother, you see. He was my Uncle Yorushi. He was really old, older than my Uncle Iroh now, and he was an exceptionally powerful Firebender. In secret, he trained me in the art of the Blue Flames and… well kinds of things like that.” Zuko ended the sentence abruptly and Toph knew that he almost said something he didn’t wanted to. She didn’t push it however, and she listened to his story.

„My Father didn’t know about it, nor did Azula. Only Mother, Yorushi and Iroh. He was trusted enough to know it. I’ve learned so much from him. That is why I’m so capable now.” Toph kissed his cheek, and smiled at him.

„Thank you Zuko. Thank you for telling me.” Zuko caught her lips with his, and kissed her passionately. They stopped walking, and Toph leaned backwards to the wall of a house, letting herself be trapped bethween it and Zuko. The Firebender stoke her neck with one hand and held her cheek in the other. She moaned from the sweet sensation of his skin on hers as she grabbed his head, her fingers entangled in his long hair, and pulled his head forcefully to hers. Their kiss deepened, their tongues dancing with each other. Toph raised one leg and wrapped it around his hips, pulling his body closer to hers. Toph started to get aroused as he left her lips and trailed down on her neck, biting and sucking her white flesh.

Suddenly Toph felt something through the earth under her. She had sandals on, but still she felt the bad vibrations. Someone was closing in. She knew she felt the presence before, but didn’t know where. She pushed Zuko back a bit. He raised a brow at her, but she shook her head with an apologetic smile.

„I sense someone. It’s coming and it’s very fast.” she whispered. Zuko let his hands fall, and she loosened her leg on him, standing on the groud. They rearranged themselves just when a figure ran into the street from an allay. It was a girl with long, black hair, almond eyes and really expensive looking robes.

„Mai!” Zuko said, shocked. „What are you doing here!?” The girl found the source of the voice and ran to them. She was breathing hard, sweat dripping down on her forehead.

„Zuko…” she breathed. „Thank the Spirits I’ve found you.” she started coughing, and Zuko motioned her to a nearby bench to sit down and rest. She pushed his hands away and shook her head. „No time, but thanks.” her tired face was washed away by fear in her eyes and grabbed Zuko’s hand and tried to pull him towards the alley. „We have to go, now! Come on!”

Zuko and Toph were dumbfounded but still followed the girl into a nearby alleyway. Mai motioned them to crouch behind some large bags of trash and started to explain hurriedly.

„Your Father sent the Ravagers after you Zuko.” The Prince’s mouth fell open, his breathing still. Toph just looked at Zuko, then at Mai, not understanding a thing.

„What? You sure? Positive?” Zuko forced words through his mouth, his eyes full of fear.

„Yes. Ty Lee is here too, she went to find Azula.”

„Wait, how did you know Azula is with me?"

„You should have seen her leave the capital. It was sure she went to find you.”

„But the Ravagers? Why?! No way… We have to find a way to gather the others and leave as soon as we can…”

„Wait a minute!” Toph yelled, trying to catch the other’s attention. „Who are these ’Ravagers’? Why are you so afraid of them?”

„They are an elite squad of benders.” Mai answered, her voice low and tired. „They are ruthless, cold and crazy. They are so uncontrolable that the Fire Lord sends them to kill people. They are not good to do any more errands. They are just mindless killing-machines, capable of hunting down every kind of bender there is.”

„They are dangerous.” Zuko continued. „There is noone who survived beeing targeted by those… monsters. They kill the target by any means necessary. They can track down everyone and everything.”

„So why didn’t the Fire Lord sent them to kill Aang before?” Toph asked, but Zuko shook his head.

„You didn’t understand what we have said.” Mai strode over to the end of the alley peeking out to the streets while Zuko spoke. „They are uncontrollable. They just simply won’t or can’t take hostages. They just kill everyone. If they kill the Avatar another will born. The Fire Nation needs Aang alive and well.”

„Oh yeah, sorry.”

„Looks clear.” Mai crouched back to them. „Where did you come from?”

„From the south side of the island on a narrow earth bridge we made.”

„Good, Zuko you have to go back from where you came from.” He wanted to protest, but she already turned to Toph.

„Girl… Toph, was it? You have to help me find the others.” The girl nodded.

„What, why should I leave?” Zuko asked.

„Because you’re the target.” Mai said. „They are here for you. If you disappear we can find the others and go back to your
hiding place.”

„Makes sense. All right, I’ll go.” he turned to Toph and kissed her. „I have to leave you for a short time okay?”

„Okay.” the girl answered and hit his shoulder playfully. „But don’t think we’re done. We’ll continue what we started later.”

„Definately. Mai.” Zuko turned to her and hugged her lightly. „Thank you.” and with that he walked out of the alley and looked
around. It looked clear, just as Mai said. He turned back to them and waved.

„Later.” and he disappeared.

*

„The Ravagers? Are you sure?” Azula asked as they ran through the mass of people. She held Katara’s hand tightly and they followed Ty Lee who was a bit tired now of the running. Her breathing was heavy and she was clearly slower than she used to be.

„Yes, I am!” she said almost tripping in a stone. „God, where the Hell are your friends?” she asked from Katara who herself started to tire.

„I don’t… know…” she breathed, but as she did, they ran into a group of people and fell over. All three of them fell on their backsides.

„Hey, what’s the deal where are you… Katara? Azula? What happened?” The three girls looked up and saw the people they bumped into. Aang was still sitting on his backside, stroking his head, Sokka already stood and a tall girl Katara recognised as Suki was beside him. Sokka reached out and helped up both Azula and Katara. Aang helped up Ty Lee who looked really tired now.

„We have to find Toph and Zuko!” Azula said to the boy, still looking around trying to find her brother in the crowd.

„Why?” Sokka stammered, but the Princess yelled at him, earning a few looks from others around them.

„No time to explain! We just have to find him and leave! If not, he’s going to be in big trouble!”

„How big?” Aang asked seriously.

„Life-threatening.”

„Katara! Sokka! Aang!”

Everyone looked for the source of the voice and it was Ty Lee who found the short and the tall girl fighting through the people
to reach them.

„Mai!” Ty Lee smiled and kissed her love, who let her rest on her shoulder. „Did you find Zuko?”

„Yes. He’s already gone to his hiding place.”

„Phew…” Azula exclaimed and her features relaxed.

„What in the world happened?” Sokka asked loudly. „What’s after us?”

„Not now Sokka.” Azula said „Let’s go back to the mansion. We’ll explain everything later.”

They started to walk towards their bridge when they heard a loud explosion. They saw a huge pillar of smoke coming from the
south of the village.

„Oh no…” Azula breathed. Ty Lee’s eyes were teary as she eyed the smoke.

„It’s too late.” She whispered.

„Zuko!!!” Toph screamed and ran towards the explosion. Soon, the whole group followed.

*

„Almost there…” Zuko breathed as he neared the small bridge. He was wary, he looked around every corner and he eyed every shadow, but noone came. He almost got out of the village when he felt a presence behind him.

„Hello Prince Zuko.” a deep voice said. The boy stopped and turned to see his opponent.
It was a really large man with no hair, but he had a beard and mustache. One of his arms and legs were in a strange metal-like armour, and he had and eye-tattoo on his forehead. He smiled evilly and he had a smug expression on his face, his dark eyes
glistered wildly.

„Yes, yes, hello Prince.”

Zuko heard a voice above him and saw a man sitting on top of a house, like a toad. He had rat-like features, his nose long, his mouth wide and full of small teeth. His blue eyes showed extreme madness. His body was slim but still muscular. His really long, grey hair was greasy and messy. He had a variety of whips and nets with him.

„It's nice to see the great Prince.”

Another voice, this time it was a woman’s. To Zuko’s left, stood a tall woman with waist long white hair and dark skin. Her blue eyes were really like Katara’s, her clothing was of dark blue leather. Zuko realised, shocked that this woman was a Waterbender. She had no weapons with her, but she had pouches of water with her.

„We hope you made peace with death Banished one.”

Zuko turned and he saw another two people behind him. A man and a woman. The man had no hair on his head at all, not even eyebrows or eyelashes. He was short and muscular dressed in red leather and had a long sword on his back. He was a Firebender. The woman was taller than him with short, brown hair and green eyes. She had brown and green clothing and played with a large hammer on her fingertip. It was a miracle it stayed on her fingertip, which showed Zuko that she was an Earthbender. The full group of the Ravagers. He was in a big trouble now.

„The Fire Lord offered a really large bounty on your head.” the tattooed man said. „Which means you will die, of course. Before that, however I’m going to introduce your butchers to you. To know who killed you.” he smiled and laughed with the others.

„Thank you.” Zuko said mockingly. „I will know the names I have to carv on your headstones.” the group laughed even more. As confident as he sounded, Zuko’s mind was working hard to find a way out.

„Hardly. My name is Gotru.” he said and pointed towards the rat-like man who jumped down from the building and stood beside his comrade. He looked taller than him, but his back was crooked. „This is Ur.”

„My name is Yuuke.” said the Waterbender and waved to Zuko.

„I’m Yrou.” the Firebender said and pointed to the woman on his side. „And this pile of rock here is Ungora.”

„Now, we got through the pleasantries. Time to die.” Gotru said casually. Zuko could hardly believe his ears. They all looked
decent and normal. Except Ur. He could hardly believe that they were maniacal killers. Well, maybe that is why they were crazy.

They looked too normal.

Suddenly Gotru inhaled a large amount of breath and nodded with his head. From nowhere, a large explosion was blown into Zuko’s face who hurriedly made a barrier of blue fire around him, so he felt only the impact of the hit and wasn’t damaged. And then, hell broke loose.

Yuuke jumped forward while she opened her pouch. She bended water from it, and made a whip, hitting Zuko’s barrier. While Yrou tried to dismantle Zuko with his Firebending and tried to weaken his flames, Ungora readied herself to launch a boulder of earth with her hammer. Zuko, realising that this surrounded state was a great disadvantage, aimed at the ground and shot out a great blast of blue fire to the ground both from his hands and feet. He was blown to mid-air and tried to get a good aim at one of them, but he was not far enough.

Ur grabbed one of his whips and struck at Zuko, getting hold of his ankle with the leather weapon. Ur flung his whip downwards and Zuko felt it forcing him down and he crached into the ground.

He reacted fast, however and he formed a small blade of fire and cut the knot around his ankle and jumped to his feet, but had no time to avoid the attack from Gotru, who inhaled again and another explosion came and hit Zuko with full force. He was blasted to the wall of a nearby house. He felt his skin burned and saw five shadows encircling him.

„Great.” Zuko muttered as he licked off his blood from his lips. „I’ve just got healed. Now I’m burnt again.”

„You’re entertaining. You’re very funny when you try to escapte!” Ur laughed hystarically. The others soon joined him. Zuko knew he can’t give up. They looked strong, but still he can’t give up. Toph was waiting for him.
He can’t give up.

With a wild roar, Zuko shot a wide blast of blue flames so strong, that it didn’t only blew the group away from him, but it butmed the house behind him as well. Unbeknownst to him, the building was a liquor store and it contained a large amouth of alcohol. It was fortunate, that Zuko jumped at the closest opponent, because the house behind him exploded loudly, emitting a wide pillar of smoke. He had no time to think about that because her jumped right at Ur, and hit his face with full force.

Zuko never killed before. Well, he think he did once on this same island, but he didn’t remember that one. Now, he kneeled on the body of a man who was too shocked and knocked out to resist. Zuko knew the reputation of the Ravagers and they didn’t stop until they are dead.

They never stop. He had to do it.

Time stopped as he readied himself for the killing blow. The flames and smoke around him lost their taste and heat. He only felt the strange feeling in his stomach. He was going to end a life. He had to. He almost didn’t do it. His fist lowered and he breathed out. He almost didn’t do it. He couldn’t. But then, a picture of a short girl with black hair and green eyes shot into his mind. His love Toph. Visions of her getting caught by the man he had at his mercy now. What this man could... and would... do to her. Her body... her mind.

Zuko’s fist struck like lightning. His hand contacted Ur’s jaw and broke it. Then, Zuko opened the man’s mouth and stuffed his fist inside of it. Ur regained conciousness at this point and tried to show off the boy, but the Prince stood his place. He pushed his closed palm into his opponent’s throat, deep down. Ur couldn’t breathe, but he didn’t have to, because Zuko shot a large amount of blue fire from the hand he had in the man’s broken face and throat. The fire filled his body, burning him from the inside out. Soon, his eyeballs were scorched and jumped out of their sockets. Flames were pouring out of his nose and mouth.
Zuko stood and looked down at the still twitching body. He killed a man. Still, he felt he did the right thing, not letting

this man kill more.

Time rearranget itself, and Zuko was hit with a large boulder on the stomach. He fell backwards to the ruins to a house.

„NO! Ur! What have you done!”

The Prince opened his eyes and saw the remained four standing above the corpse. Rage, fury and berserk madness claimed their features as they launched at Zuko.

He stood and jumped to the right to evade a fire-blast from Yrou, but face another boulder from Ungora. He was fast and smashed it with a well-aimed fireball, but he fell over. He saw his feet frozen to the ground. Yuuke smiled at him wildly, and then Gotru inhaled again, and Zuko awaited the blast, but it never came.
He looked up and saw all of them trapped into stone except Ungora who was frozen into ice.

„Zuko!” the boy searched for the source of the voice, but it found him. Toph jumped on him, hugging him, while the others rallied around him. Katara bended the ice off his feet, while Azula and Toph helped him up.
Zuko was hurting all over, and he was sure Ungora’s first boulder broke some of his ribs.

„Katara, heal him!” Sokka exclaimed, but she shook her head.

„No, we must go back to the mansion.”

„Guys... I think Katara’s right...” Aand said and everyone looked at him. The boy was pointing towards the imprisoned Ravagers. The rock prisons and the ice-barrier were both cracking.

„We can take them on!” Toph said and stood defensively in front of Zuko, and the others encircled him too, taking up a protective formation. Zuko felt warmth in his hearth. These were his friends. They wanted to protect him with their lifes. He sighed heavily. He couldn’t let them die. He knew that they were no match for the Ravagers. They were just simply too experienced in combat and were too powerful. Only he could kill them. He just had to use ’it’.

„No.” he stated calmly. Ungora’s hammer was freed and she started to pummel the ice with it.

Gotru’s clawed metal hand was freed too and he was freeing from his prison fast. Toph acted by reflex and blasted the almost free man with a large boulder and Gotru was flying into the burning ruins of the liquor store.

„What are you talking about!” she screamed. „See, they aren’t that strong.”

„I said no!” Zuko said sternly and stepped in front of the whole group. All of them were shocked. Ty Lee grasped his hand. Zuko looked back. What he saw almost broke his hearth. The sad expression on Sokka’s face. He understood the risks of a warrior. The fisbelief of Aang who was such a child that he just couldn’t bare a friend’s death. The face of Katara, Ty Lee and Mai, near crying, full of hope, trying to find a way to fight these powerful enemies, not letting him die. Azula, his Sister, trying to hold back tears, but they came nontheless. She shook her head, but she knew Zuko made up his mind. Toph... dear Toph. Her eyes full of tears, she was crying madly. She stroke her face with force trying to get rid of the treacherous moisture and she flung herself at Zuko, her love of her life.

„No! We can help, please! Don’t! We know they want you! So? We can fight! Don’t sacrifice yourself! Please! I need you...” she was now screaming, but Zuko leaned down and pushed his lips to hers. His soft kiss ended and he smiled at her.

„Don’t worry. It’s not my intention to die. I’ll do my best... just for you.”

„What are you... what are you talking about?” Toph sobbed. Zuko pushed her back to the others who watched him, not understanding his words. Surely he won’t fight with broken ribs!
Zuko stood in front of them. He slipped his right leg forward and let his weight go to the uninjured, left one. He closed his
eyes.

Zuko clenched his fists, excluding his middle and index fingers which were fully straight on both hands. He put his fingers together.

Energy started to form bethween them.

Azula watched with amazement, the others just the same. Some kind of blue energy was gathering bethween Zuko’s stretched fingers. At first she thought it was a rare kind of blue fire. She was wrong.
Zuko made a circular movement in front of himself with his hands. Aang almost bit his lip, and Katara’s sharp intake of breath almost strangled her. What they saw was simply unexplainable.
Blue lightning was flashing from Zuko’s fingertips, and as his hands circled in front of him, the energy left a trail of thunder after it’s movements.

„I’ll help you, my son.” Zuko heard a voice inside of his head. He smiled.

„I don’t know which Spirit talked...” he whispered „But I hope you will.”

He opened his eyes and saw three figures running towards him. Ungora, Yuuke and Yrou were consumed by anger and power. Energy was cracking all around them, they were at their peak. Yuuke was bending a large bundle of water in front of her, frozing it while she ran, and she formed a long sword from it, aiming at the boy. Ungora was waving her hammer all around her, trying to mass a large amount of rock to hurl them at the boy. Yrou had his two handed broadsword in his hands. It was flaming with Blue
Fire.

Zuko put his stretched finger together again, collection as much power as he could and he aimed.
Lightning flew across the air, accompanied by a thunder.

It hit Yuuke right in the middle of her chest. She had no time to dodge or evade. The flesh bethween her breasts were opened by the terrible power of the lightning. It made a large hole in the woman. Her spine... her lungs... her hearth... her ribs... blasted and burnt away by the sheer power of Zuko’s attack. She was flung backwards by the impact. She was dead before she reached the ground.

The other two stopped and watched the limp body of their comrade. They slowly turned to the boy, but Zuko was moving again.
With both of his hands, Zuko aimed at Yrou and blasted both of his legs off. The Firebender screamed in agony as his body fell, the sword’s flames disappeared as it dropped near it’s wielder. Yrou had no chance to scream again, because the next lightning blasted right through his hearth.

Ungora was shocked, and was covered by the fallen man’s blood. She then screamed and laughed hystarically and launched at Zuko. She lost it completly, her mind was totally crazy. Still, no matter how fast her frenzy has made her, Zuko blasted every hurled boulder with a well aimed lightning. Soon, the Earthbender tired and fell to her knees. She an expressionless face. Even when Zuko made a wide move with his hand, and a lash of lightning energy flashed to the kneeling woman. Seconds passed, and nothing happened. Finally, Ungora’s head slowly started to slid off her neck.

Zuko lowered his hands. The battle ended. He had won.

He turned to the group behind him. Everyone stared at him dumbfounded, shocked of his display of power. Toph was the only one who was smiling at him proudly and happily, tears still spilling out of her eyes. She looked both sad, surprised and glad.

Toph. Dear Toph. His Toph.

Zuko smiled at them.

Then his eyes turned back to their sockets, and his body fell limp to the ground.

*

People rushed over the burning buildings. They didn’t know what has started the fire but it was spreading fast, and they had to do something about it. A group of them found some dead bodies at the south end of the village. The guards were immidiately alarmed. Even they didn’t know who the corpses could be so they sent a messenger hawk to the capital right away.

As people tried to put an end to the fire, the ruins of the liquor store moved slowly. First a hand made of metal erupted from it, then a large body. The tattooed man saw the dead around him. His anger rizen to unknown levels as he hissed one word:
„Zuko...”

Chapter end. Hope you enjoyed and I pray to the Spirits for some reviews.
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Can Fire melt? Ask the Earth