Operation Beifong - Part 1

On the outskirts of Zaofu, Mochi and Juicy landed in a forest clearing on a mountainside that overlooked the city. Elira jumped off Mochi and hurried to assist her grandmother as she climbed down from the bison's tail. Bolin approached from behind, having been riding with Opal and Lin, much to the annoyance of the chief of police.

"All right, let's do this!" He grinned, turning to Elira "Saving the Beifongs and saving our love, because I vow to repair the rift that has grown betwixt us and make us whole again!"

Lin angrily walked between them, pushing Bolin to the side as she passed. "You. Zip it. Now. I had enough of your babble on the way in."

"Yes, ma'am," Bolin replied timidly as Opal joined Elira's side, helping Azira off Mochi.

The group walked to the edge of the mountainside, crouching out of sight and looking down at the city.

"Kuvira tore down all the domes. Why would she do that?" Opal questioned, seeing that the iconic domes of the city were gone.

Lin pulled out a spyglass and surveyed the city "She's got a whole battalion of troops stationed there. There's no way we'll be able to spot anything useful from here. We'll have to go in for a closer look."

"Don't bother." A voice replied from behind them, causing them all to turn their heads. They were shocked to see Toph walking towards them. "All the prisoners have been moved." She said

"Toph?" Elira stood up, surprised

"Uh ... hey, Chief." Lin greeted awkwardly

"Hey, Chief." Toph echoed

"Grandma Toph!" Opal ran forward to hug her grandmother

"You were only up to my waist the last time we were together." Toph smiled at the girl

Azira then finally approached, stopping in front of the earthbender, who turned to her, recognising her footsteps.

"I'm not gonna even ask why you're here. Never liked sitting out on the action, did you, Sparky?" Toph teased, and Azira chuckled

"I could say the same thing to you, Melon Lord", she resorted before embracing her best friend "I've missed you"

"Yeah, yeah, enough with the mush", Toph complained but was slightly smiling.

Behind them, Bolin began to freak out. "Oh, man! Ohh, I can't. This can't be happening!" He waved his hands in his face, becoming hysterical at the sight of the legendary earthbender. Elira smiled softly at his excitement.

"What?! Do you have to pee or something?" Toph grumbled, causing Opal to giggle.

"No ... well, now, maybe. You're my hero! My name is Bolin. I'm dating El. I mean, kind of. I may have screwed that up, but that's why I'm here and you're my hero! Oh, I said that. Can I have a hug too?" Bolin ranted

"What's up with him?" Toph asked

"He's just excited", Elira replied

"He's an actor", Lin said immediately after, as Bolin scratched the back of his head in slight embarrassment. "So, you already checked the city for Su? How did you know she was captured?"

"I've been living in the swamp and keeping watch on Zaofu through the vines," Toph revealed

"Sure, okay, makes sense." Bolin interrupted

"By the time I got here, they were gone. I snooped around town and heard that they were taken away to some nearby prison camp." Toph continued

Opal turned to Bolin with newfound bitterness in her voice. "Where would that be?"

Bolin looked down, ashamed "There's a factory and reeducation facility not too far away."

"How do you know that?" Toph questioned

"Bolin made the mistake of working for Kuvira," Azira answered.

Toph turned towards Elira, confused and agitated "How did you end up dating the kind of dipstick who works for Kuvira?"

"Used to!" Bolin corrected, trying to plead his case

"It's not his silver tongue, I can tell you that," Lin grumbled, walking away.

"Oh, he has his moments....Sometimes," Azira added, turning to follow along with the others.

Bolin sighed and trailed after them.

*

Climbing onto the bison again, the group set off again towards the factory Bolin mentioned. Azira had wanted to sit with Toph on Juicy, so Elira ended up flying Mochi alone with Pichi and more of the supplies instead.

"So how long has it been since you two have seen each other?" Bolin asked Lin and Toph as they neared the factory.

"Little while now. Couple of years." Toph replied

"Try twenty." Lin scowled, her arms crossed

"Goodness, has it really been that long?" Azira wondered, "It feels like only yesturday"

"Ah, time flies when you get to be our age, Sparky." Toph teased before turning to address Lin " I'm surprised you came to save Su. I thought you guys didn't get along."

"Su and I finally worked out our old grievances." Lin looked away

"Good, glad we can put all that behind us." Toph smiled, lying back in the saddle with her hands behind her head.

"Right. 'We'", Lin muttered sarcastically, glancing at her mother briefly before looking away again.

The bison touched down behind some rocks on the outskirts of the factory, and the group dismounted, crouching down to remain out of sight.

"Okay, there's the factory." Bolin pointed to the huge building in the distance.

Sneakily approaching, Toph metalbend an opening in the wall of the factory. Elira stood to the side, keeping a lookout as the others entered, only following once everyone was inside safely. As soon as Elira was inside, Toph metalbent the opening shut just in time before a mecha tank on patrol passed by.

Inside, they hurried along, occasionally ducking behind boxes and large containers to remain out of sight. Pichi unexpectedly started chattering and pointing at something, jumping up and down.

"Pichi, shh, or you're gonna get us..." Bolin went to scold the lemur before noticing the large, cannon-like machine not far from where they were hiding "Whoa, that's one big ... thing."

"Is that...the super weapon?" Elira asked quietly, staring at the machine in shock and slight worry as Pichi climbed up her arm, hiding behind her shoulder with a soft, fearful chitter.

Toph then stamped her foot to get a seismic reading of the area, concentrating for a moment. "I think I know where they are. Feel that cavern a few stories down? It seems empty, but it's guarded by an awful lot of mech."

Lin stamped her foot against the ground. "Right. Why would you need soldiers guarding an empty cavern?"

"They must have them in some kind of suspended prison, so they can't use their earthbending," Azira said

Suddenly, the gigantic doors of the factory began to open!

"Someone's coming. Hide!" Elira hissed, and they all ducked for cover.

The doors opened to reveal Kuvira, who was escorted in by a pair of mecha tanks.

"I didn't expect you until tomorrow", Baatar Jr said, walking up behind her with Zhu Li and some associates.

"I just wanted to check in to make sure everything was on track. It looks wonderful." Kuvira replied, gazing up at the cannon.

"We've had a few minor malfunctions, but we should be ready for the test tomorrow," Baatar admitted.

Kuvira turned around and looked at Zhu Li standing behind Baatar Jr.

"You've been working on this the entire time, Zhu Li. What do you think the problem is?" She asked

Elira furrowed her brow, confused, and she leaned over to whisper to Bolin, "Wait...Zhu Li's on Kuvira's side? Why?"

"She got annoyed with how Varrick was treating her", Bolin whispered back.

"Shh!" The others hissed at them, and they quickly hushed

"It's a very complex machine. There are bound to be some bugs to work out." Zhu Li answered Kuvira

"But you're doing everything you can to fix those, correct?" Kuvira raised an eyebrow at her.

"Of course, your eminence."

"She's lying", Toph whispered, and Elira and Bolin grinned behind her.

"Tell the troops and the factory workers to attend tomorrow's demonstration. I want them all to witness this incredible new weapon in action." Kuvira ordered her subordinates before Elira and the others quietly slipped away from the scene.

*

Returning safely to the outskirts, the group was trying to decide what their next move would be.

"We should be thinking of a way to take out Kuvira while we have the chance," Opal said

"No, we should take out that cannon. Or at least disable it," Elira argued as Bolin came skidding down the slope towards her, having been keeping an eye out. "If she takes that thing to Republic City, it could obliterate everything."

"I didn't come to fight with Kuvira or destroy a cannon. I'm here to save my family." Toph scowled, clenching her fists. "It will take everything we have just to get out alive."

"Hmm." Bolin thought for a second before getting an idea "Kuvira wants every single one of her people to see the weapon test tomorrow. So the factory will be mostly empty then. That's our best chance to sneak in and free Su without being spotted."

"That...actually might work", Azira smiled. "Good thinking, Bolin"

"Thanks", Bolin beamed before putting his hand on his head in slight discomfort.

"Got a headache, now?" Elira asked, smirking

"Yeah, little bit", Bolin muttered, rubbing his head as Elira giggled.

*

As darkness fell that night, the group sat around a stone table, eating noodles while Bolin asked Toph question after question.

"So let me ask you about metalbending. Su tried to teach me, but I couldn't get the hang of it." He said

"I used to have an academy to train metalbending," Toph replied, and Azira smiled fondly.

"Ah, yes. 'Lily Livers' you used to call them" She chuckled.

Elira giggled behind her hand "Lily Livers?"

"Well, that's what they were. They proved even blockheads like your boyfriend here can figure it out," Toph stated

"Ex-boyfriend", Bolin corrected somberly as Elira looked down at her food with a regretful frown.

"Mmhmm", Toph hummed with a smirk.

"The point is that anyone can learn something difficult, so long as they have the right instruction," Azira explained, smiling as the youngsters listened with intrigue. Elira even scooted a little closer. "Had it not been for Toph's teachings, her students wouldn't have been able to save us from being crushed underneath the buried armour of a great Spirit: General Old Iron."

"Woah!" Elira and Bolin gasped in awe.

"Yeah, she's a real sensitive instructor," Lin muttered sarcastically. She sat farthest away from her mother, stirring her food with a scowl.

"Well, I may have failed at metalbending, but I did learn how to lavabend," Bolin revealed

"Really? It's a very rare ability." Toph smirked "Maybe you do have some talent."

Elira couldn't help but smile a little as Bolin's face practically lit up in excitement.

"I can't believe ... you think I'm talented?" Bolin fanned himself, grinning "That means so much to me coming from my hero."

"Yeah, she's real encouraging," Lin muttered again.

"Hey! I'm blind, not deaf." Toph snapped

"Okay, next question. How did you guys meet?" Bolin gestured between Azira and Toph

"We met in Gaoling. We were searching for an earthbending teacher for Aang when we found Toph competing in an underground earthbending tournament," Azira explained.

"Cool!" Elira grinned.

"Heh, that was a good day", Toph smiled.

"A 'good day'? We were kidnapped and held for ransom by a group of angry earthbenders," Azira replied

"A 'group of angry earthbenders' whose butts I kicked" Toph smirked

Azira chuckled "I suppose there was that"

"So here's something I've always been curious about: Who's Lin's dad?" Bolin then asked, causing Lin to whirl around with her eyebrows furrowed and her lips pursed.

A moment of silence followed. Bolin looked terrified, Elira and Opal exchanged nervous glances, and Azira turned to Toph, wondering if she'd tell them or not.

Finally, Toph replied with a casual tone, "He was a guy named Kanto. Nice man, but it didn't really work out between us."

"...And ...okay," Bolin muttered, realising Toph was not going to reveal anything more.

"Was not expecting that", Elira said "I always assumed Lin was born from metal Toph bent into the shape of a baby and gave it life, you know. She is the greatest earthbender and the inventor of metalbending"

Everyone turned to look at her with confused expressions, Lin looking more annoyed than confused.

"What?" Elira shrugged

"I'm powerful, but I'm not that powerful, kid", Toph chuckled before frowning. "Lin, I can feel your enraged breathing from here. Just say what you have to say, and let's get it over with."

"Just get it over with?" Lin glared "Yeah, let's not linger on the fact that I grew up without a dad. No need to get all touchy-feely about it. Just one of those things, right?"

"Hey, I forgave you for all your garbage a long time ago, and Su and I worked things out. You're the only one who wants to hold on to this family drama nonsense for the rest of your life." Toph scowled as the others watched on awkwardly, Bolin continuing to eat his cup of noodles.

"Forgave me for what?! And not knowing my dad is nonsense to you? It was pretty important to me. And until now, you would never even discuss it. You know, after Su and I patched things up, I thought, 'Maybe I should try to reach out to Mom.' But now that we're together again, I remember why we stopped talking. You make me furious, and you don't even know why. And when I tell you, you don't care. Once we save Su, you and I are finished!" Lin declared angrily.

Azira's eyes widened a little, turning to her best friend, who closed her eyes for a second and sighed.

"If that's your decision and it makes you happy, then fine," Toph said

Lin crossed her arms and turned away while Bolin continued to eat his noodles in the background.

*

Later that night, Lin sat by the small slope, silently watching the factory in the distance. The soft shifting of dirt behind her caused her to turn her head slightly for a second before scowling.

"If you're gonna tell to apologise to Mom, don't bother," she snapped.

"I wasn't going to. I came to see if you're all right," Azira replied, her aged face etched with concern. She settled beside Lin, leaving a respectful distance between them.

"What do you think?" Lin grunted, the tension radiating off her in waves.

Azira sighed. "I know you're upset, but –"

"Upset?" Lin finally turned, her steel-grey eyes locking onto Azira's. "Upset doesn't even begin to cover it. You knew. All this time, you knew about my father; I know you did. Mom tells you everything!"

Azira sighed once more, looking slightly ashamed "You're right...I did know"

"How could you not tell me?" Lin exploded, standing up "You're one of Mom's closest friends! You were there my whole life! Yet you watched me grow up, never once saying a word. Why?"

"It wasn't my place. It was Toph's story to tell," Azira countered, her voice firm despite the gentleness in her eyes. "And frankly, she never told anyone anything she didn't want to. It was her choice."

"Oh, she made a choice. A choice to keep me in the dark! A choice to pretend it didn't matter, that I didn't matter!" Lin's voice cracked with a raw emotion she rarely allowed to surface. "And you, you just went along with it."

"Don't say that, Lin," Azira's eyes flashed with indignation. "Of course she cared! Yes, raising you and Suyin alone wasn't easy at times, but she was always so proud of the both of you. I saw it. I was there."

Lin looked away, crossing her arms, her jaw tight. "Proud? If that's how she shows pride, I'd hate to see what her disappointment looks like"

"Lin" Azira stood up and reached out, hesitantly touching Lin's arm. "I'm not excusing her actions. But you have to understand: during your mother's own childhood, your grandparents often smothered her, controlled her. They saw her as helpless due to her blindness and thought they were protecting her, but they were actually suffocating her. When she ran away to join the Gaang and me, it wasn't just about learning earthbending. It was about freedom. It was about defining herself on her own terms"

Lin remained impassive. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything. It explains why she is the way she is. Toph saw how stifling her parents were, and she was afraid to become like them. To create a relationship that was codependent and suffocating. I know Toph isn't perfect - none of us are - and she may have swung too far in the other direction, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about you"

Lin's expression began to soften slightly at Azira's words

"She might not have shown it the way you wanted, but she loves you and Suyin more than anything in the world. She just doesn't know how to express it. Just as her parents didn't know how to love her without controlling her, it all comes from somewhere. Why else do you think she's here right now?"

Lin didn't respond and turned to look away again. Knowing she needed time to herself, Azira smiled and walked away, leaving Lin to think about what she'd told her.