Here is a closer look at the
Beifong family history. First, we have to travel down to the
southern Earth Kingdom, where we can find Lao and Poppy Beifong. Originating in the town of Gaoling, the
Beifong's were rich and powerful. Often referred to as the house of the
flying boar, the Beifongβs were a household name
for hundreds of years. It is my pleasure to help anyone
of the Beifong family. It is your pleasure. Lao is actually a descendant of
Lu Beifong, an earthbending master who helped train Avatar Kuruk
and Avatar Kyoshi. Lao wasn't a bender himself,
but he was a savvy businessman. He was married to Poppy and had one child,
a daughter named Toph. This is it! This must be where I come in! Since Toph was born blind, Lao always had
her watched closely by guards. As she got older, her security got
tighter. To her father, Toph was a fragile
and helpless little girl. Blow on it. It's too hot for her. But little did Lao know, his daughter would become the
greatest earth bender in the world. When Toph was six years old, she ran away
from home and hid in a cave outside town. There she met a group of badger moles.
These creatures were similar to Toph. They were blind earth benders. For Toph, the badger moles were the
first ones who truly understood her. They taught her that even though she was
blind, she could use earthbending as an extension of her body. In other words, Toph learned how to
see with her feet. I feel the vibrations in the earth and I can see where everything is.
You... that tree, even those ants. Six years later,
Toph was living a double life. When she wasn't being an obedient daughter
around her parents, she was taking down benders
in the Earth Rumble Tournament. Oh. Ooh! As the Blind Bandit, she was the
Earth Rumble champion. But that double life
wouldn't last very long. - What are you doing here, Twinkle toes?
- How'd you know it was me? Don't answer to twinkle toes.
It's not manly. Shortly after meeting Avatar Aang, she revealed her true level of
earthbending experience. She's the greatest
earthbender I've ever seen. Dad, I know it's probably hard for you
to see me this way, but the obedient, little, helpless blind girl
that you think I am just isn't me. I love fighting.
I love being an earthbender. And I'm really, really good at it. I've let you have far too much freedom. From now on, you will be cared for
and guarded twenty four hours a day. But, Dad! We are doing this for your own good, Toph. But it wouldn't do much good
because Toph ran away from home again. She joined Team Avatar to be Aang's
earthbending teacher. Keep your knees high, Twinkle-toes! [indiscernible] Hah! Uh! By teaching Aang earthbending and
discovering metal bending, Toph Beifong played a crucial role in
ending the Hundred Year War. Woo! Toph, you rule. While Aang was fighting the fire lord, she
helped Sokka and Suki take down the fire Nation airships. Have I ever mentioned how sweet it is
that you invented metal bending? You could stand to mention it more. After the war ended, each member of Team Avatar played
a part in building Republic City For Toph, she became the cityβs first
ever chief of police. - Follow me, Twinkle-toes.
- Toph, I'm forty years old. You think you could stop with
the nicknames? Afraid not. She led an elite group of metal bending
crime fighters and took down the city's fiercest criminals, including the
bloodbender, Yakone. [grunting] What's the big idea? We have dozens of witnesses, Yakone.
We know what you are. Take him away. But not even the notorious Republic City
Crime Lord could prepare Toph for an even bigger challenge,
raising 2 daughters. Su, what are you doing home?
You're supposed to be in school. Oh, no. Are you gonna tell Mom?
It's not like she's going to care? Lin and Suyin were actually half-sisters,
and unfortunately, the true identities of their fathers remain a mystery. Who's Lin's dad? He was a guy named Kanto. Nice man,
but it didn't really work out between us. And... okay. They were both powerful metal benders
but had a bit of a complicated past. - Su, stop!
- Get your hands off me! You have so much potential,
you're ruining your life. At least I have a life. Lin followed her mother's footsteps in
protecting the people of Republic City. Calling all units. Robbery, reported on
the corner of Fifth and Harbor Unit three responding. One day she came face to face with
the one person she never expected too. Su? So you're robbing stores
with the Terra Triad now? Oh, What are you going to do, officer?
Arrest me? Ahh! Here's what we're going to do.
Lin, give me the arrest report. Mom, what are you doing?
You can't cover this up. [sighing] This is our only option. Lin and Suyin wouldn't see each other
again for almost thirty years. During their separation, Suyin took her
metal bending skills and paired them with an architect named Bataar. Together they built the city of Zaofu,
the metal bending capital of the world. Does Toph live here?
Are we gonna get to meet her? I'm afraid not. Eventually, Suyin and
Bataar got married and had five children. [grunting] - Oh, nice power, Wei.
- Ha! Wing goes down! I'm so proud of those two. We and Wing we're competitive twins who
sparred with Avatar Korra while she learned metal bending. I can't believe I'm sparring
with the Avatar. I can't believe I'm stuck with her friend. Nope. Okay, maybe if I... Ow! Trial by fire! It's the best
way to learn metal bending. Huan bent more than just metal.
He was a bender of the arts. Ah, pedestrian! I already know what
you look like on the outside. I want you to show me the inner Meelo. Bataar Jr. was an engineer like his
father. He worked on further developing technology
powered by the spirit vines. But we'll get back to him. Finally, we have Opal Beifong. - It's great to meet you, Opal.
- Opal? That's a beautiful name. - Thanks.
- I'm Bolin. Opal. But you already knew that. Upon hearing about a new airbender,
Lin accompanied Avatar Korra to Zaofu. Lin, your niece is the new airbender.
Isn't that amazing? Yeah, Terrific. Opal began airbending
training under Korra. Meanwhile, Lin and Suyin decided to...
let's just say talk things out. Okay, I guess this is
how it's going to be. Should I stop them? You don't have any siblings. Fighting
is all part of the healing process. What are you two doing? You're sister's.
Why would you want to hurt each other? How about for now, I just promise not to show up at your
house and attack you again? Deal. Lin and Suyin were sisters again. But where has Toph been all this time? She used to visit from time to time,
but years ago she left to wander the world in search of enlightenment.
No one has seen her since. It wasn't until a broken Korra
followed a spirit into the foggy swamp. That's where she reunited with an old
friend. In a manner of speaking. I can't believe it. - Toph?
- Nice to see you again, Twinkle-toes. Toph helped Korra
get back into Avatar fighting shape. Meanwhile, Zaofu is being threatened by
Kuvira, the fierce leader of the New Earth empire. This land belongs to the people
of the Earth empire, and it's time to take it back. She was like a daughter to me. I took her in when she was eight years old
and nourished her talents. Kuvira turned my own son against me,
and together they plotted behind my back. I love you, Kuvira. I never could have done this
without your help. After we claim victory, we can finally
get married and rule our empire together. During the siege of the city, Suyin and her family were captured by
Kuvira's forces. Take them. Toph, Lin, Opal, and Bolin organized
one big rescue mission, Operation Beifong. You give metal benders a bad name! The mission was a success,
but the war wasn't over yet. Aren't you coming back
to Republic City with us, Grandma? No. My fighting days are over. Don't tell Korra,
but my back is killing me now. At some point,
you've got to leave it to the kids. Bataar Jr. and Kuvira were knocking on
Republic City's door with a new weapon. A colossal mech suit with enough
firepower to level the city. Everyone out now. Now! When you left Zaofu, it broke my heart. And our family
has never been the same since. Please Bataar, stop all of this
and come home. We want you back with us. And once again, the Beifong family aided
the Avatar in one last battle to save the world. That wraps up everything you need to know
about Toph's family tree. Which Beifong is your favorite? Let us know in the comments and subscribe
for more deep dives into the avatar universe. I know I wasn't a great mother, but one
way or another, I ended up with two great kids. Good enough to risk my bony old
butt for anyway. If you can just find some way not to
hate me, maybe that's enough. At least for me. Me too.
