The afternoon had been uneventful so far.

Too uneventful.

“We haven't been attacked in three days,” Sokka said suspiciously. “Something bad is definitely about to happen.”

“You say that every time things are peaceful,” Katara replied.

A sudden tremor rippled through the ground.

Everyone froze.

Then another.

And another.

The earth groaned beneath their feet, pebbles bouncing across the road as a powerful rumble echoed through the valley.

Sokka immediately pointed his boomerang at absolutely nothing.

“Nope. Don't like that. That's a giant monster. I've decided it's a giant monster.”

Katara summoned water.

Aang gripped his staff.

Even Appa let out a nervous grunt.

Only Toph Beifong remained completely still.

Her bare feet pressed firmly into the earth.

Listening.

Feeling.

The vibrations grew stronger.

Closer.

Toph's head tilted slightly.

Her expression shifted from confusion—

to disbelief.

Then, suddenly, her face broke into an enormous grin.

“No way.”

The others blinked.

“What?” Katara asked.

Toph's grin widened.

“No. WAY!”

The rumbling grew louder.

A figure appeared at the end of the road, walking through the cloud of dust.

Tall.

Broad-shouldered.

Every step sent a faint vibration through the ground.

Before anyone could react, Toph took off running.

“TOPH?!” Sokka yelled.

The small earthbender sprinted down the road at full speed, kicking dirt behind her.

The moment she reached the figure, she practically crashed into them, grabbing onto their arm with a laugh.

The Gaang stopped dead.

Because Toph Beifong—the famously stubborn, tough-as-rock earthbending prodigy who rarely showed affection—was laughing.

Actually laughing.

“You idiot!” Toph shouted. “You took long enough!”

She refused to let go of your arm.

For once, Toph looked completely carefree.

Happy.

Like she had just found the one person she hadn't realized she was desperately missing.

Aang slowly lowered his staff.

Katara stared.

Sokka's jaw dropped.

Even Appa looked confused.

Sokka finally pointed at you.

“...Who is that?”

Toph turned toward them, still grinning.

“My older sister.”

Silence.

Aang blinked.

Katara blinked.

Sokka's mouth fell open even further.

“You have an OLDER SISTER?!”

Toph snorted.

“Yeah. Obviously.”

“HOW IS THAT OBVIOUS?!”

Toph shrugged.

“You never asked.”

Sokka stared at her.

“You've known us for months!”

“And?”

Katara covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Aang looked between Toph and her older sister, clearly fascinated.

“So... she's your sister?”

Toph's grin returned.

“Yep.”

Sokka slowly looked you up and down.

Then back at Toph.

“...Why does your sister look like she could throw Appa?”

Appa gave an offended grunt.

Toph burst out laughing.

“See? I told you she's awesome.”