Chapter 5

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Chapter 5 We're finally out of the desert and on our way to Ba Sing Se. Like I said, I don't like that city, but anything is better than the desert. Sokka studied a map he had taken from the spirit's library and discovered that there's only one way to get to there from where we are: by some thin strip of land called Serpent's Pass. Sounds creepy to me.… On our way to Serpent's Pass we bumped into a family of refugees—a husband, his pregnant wife, and the wife's sister. They're also going to Ba Sing Se, and they told us about a ferry from a place called Full Moon Bay that will take us there. They also told us Serpent's Pass is a deadly route. Nice going, Sokka! Good choice. We made it to Full Moon Bay, and we all got on line to buy tickets for the ferry. The mean guard at the ticket counter won't sell Aang tickets because he, Sokka, and Katara don't have passports. I'm the only one with a passport, but I have a feeling that mine will be good enough for all of us. People just LOVE pleasing the Beifong family. "I'll take care of this, Aang." Ha, I can't wait hear this guard's reaction. "My name is Toph Beifong and

I'll need four tickets." "Ah, the golden seal of the flying boar! It's my pleasure to help anyone of the Beifong family!" See, it never fails! As much as I hated that stuffy mansion, there are times that being part of a wealthy, influential family has its advantages. This is one of those times. While I was negotiating our entrance, Sokka ran into this girl Suki that he knows. She's one of the security officers, but she's also a Kyoshi warrior. And she OBVIOUSLY has a crush on him. Hmm.… I wonder if he feels the same way about her. He probably does. She feels all pretty and girly and light on her feet. Not that it really matters to me. I definitely don't care. Just when I thought we were going to have a peaceful journey, the refugees told us their passports and tickets have just been stolen. Aang tried to talk to the ticket lady again, but she's not in the mood to listen. Now Aang's going to lead all of us through Serpent's Pass. So long quiet, peaceful boat ride. Hello, deadly pass. Serpent's Pass is this thin ribbon of land with huge lakes on either side of it—these little adventures just keep getting worse. First, sand, which I can't bend;

now, water, when I can't swim.… Oh, well, it's time to take the plunge. Our large group, including Suki and the refugee family, is starting to cross. Sokka is being so annoying! He's all over Suki like that mother moose-lioness with her cub. "Are you sure you should be coming on this dangerous path, Suki?" "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, Suki." "Don't sleep so close to that ledge, Suki. It may not be stable." Give me a break. I'm gonna barf. She's a warrior. I think she can take care of herself. Whoa, a loud explosion just shook the path. I can feel an avalanche of rocks raining down from the side of the cliff above us! "Fire Nation ships have spotted us!" Sokka shouted. He shoved Suki out of the way, but his move put him right in the path of the rocks. Time to Earthbend a rock ledge above him. There, that'll protect him from the rocks. At least he's safe. And now he's dashing over to Suki, asking her if she's okay and telling her she needs to be more careful. Please! He's the one who should be careful— I just had to save HIS life! How about a little "thanks for saving my life, Toph." "Hey, no problem, Sokka, old buddy!" But no. He acts like I'm not even here. Whatever, I don't care. I don't need his thanks. Yuck —his fawning over Suki is so nauseating. How can she stand it? Okay, really, Toph, it's time to get over

it.… We just came to a spot where the path drops into the lake. Apparently there's a huge section of it that is completely covered with water. And I really can't swim! How am I going to get across? "Everyone single file," Katara said. Right! I'm traveling with a Waterbender. Katara and Aang are lifting the water off the path, forming walls of water on either side of us. We're walking quickly through. I hate being so close to all this water, but I trust Katara. She'll get us across safely. Just keep walking, Toph; soon you'll be away from all this water. What's that noise? I hear something snarling, and water's crashing down all around us. Time to switch it up with some Earthbending.… Here we go! Everyone up on my earth elevator. I'll just raise us above the splashing water; that should keep us safe from whatever it is.… "It's a giant serpent!" Sokka cried. "I think I just figured out why they call it Serpent's Pass!" Okay, well, I saved us from drowning, but now we're trapped on a tiny island of rock sticking out of the middle of the lake with a huge monster circling us! There's really no peace and quiet with this team, huh?

Katara just froze a strip of ice on the water's surface, connecting our little earth island to where the path resumes above the water level. It seems we're supposed to cross that while she and Aang jump into the water to battle the serpent with Waterbending and Airbending. I didn't think it could get worse than water and sand, but ice is worse than both.… This is awful! Wait, I can't feel anybody. Did everyone else cross already? So, I'm standing on this rock island, alone? I don't like this one bit. "Toph, come on! It's just ice!" Maybe it's just ice to you, Sokka, but to me it's a slippery surface I can't see or feel. Let me just put my toes on the ice and—No, no, I was right the first time. I'll just stay here on my little island. As long as that monster stays far away I—What's that crash? It's the serpent, and he's right behind me! Okay, that's it. No choice. Here I go. Here I go. I'm going. I'm—really —going! You did it! You're on the ice, just take little baby steps. Can't drift too far to the left or right or you'll end up in the lake. "FOLLOW MY VOICE!" Sokka shouted. As if it's that easy… okay, almost there, almost— ahhhh! The serpent just smashed the ice bridge. "Help! I can't swim!" "I'm coming, Toph!" I heard Sokka shout.