Katara and her friend Meg were practicing their water bending for the upcoming water bending show, twisting and turning the water through the air, forming it into different shapes as they danced. As the water swirled around her, she wondered why she didn't get the position of lead water bender in the upcoming performance. Carlotta always seemed to get the leading role, although her skills were more than a little shaky.
"Don't worry about Carlotta," Meg said. She always seemed to know what Katara was thinking. "They just haven't recognized your talent yet. They probably think you're too young and inexperienced for the part, but one day they'll see how good you are."
"Thank you," Katara said. She was grateful for the encouragement, but she still felt unsure. She had practiced for so long and was now one of the best water benders, but no one seemed to take notice.
Katara's Gran-Gran clapped her hands together. "Let's rehearse now. Take it from the top!"
The water benders all filed onto the stage and began to rehearse their choreographed moves. If only Gran-Gran were in charge of choosing who would be the lead water bender, Katara thought. As it were, the owners of the theater got to pick, rather than the head of the water bending company, because they wanted to be sure they got the biggest audience (and most money) possible.
Still, Carlotta was far from the best. Katara had a feeling that Carlotta was related to one of the theater owners somehow.
The lead water bender was just beginning her solo performance, when a burst of flames came down from the rafters and singed the floor right next to Carlotta's feet. The heat caused the water she was bending to evaporate immediately. She squealed and jumped back. "What was that?"
Gran-Gran smiled a mysterious smile that said she knew more than she was willing to tell. "Why, it's only the Phantom Fire Bender, my dear."
"Only the Phantom Fire Bender?" Carlotta shrieked. "I don't know who or what this phantom is, but that fire could have killed me! Make sure this doesn't happen again, or I quit."
"Fine," said Gran-Gran. "Quit, then. No one can stop the Fire Phantom. He does what he pleases."
Carlotta shrieked and stormed away. "Bring me my Koalaotter!"
Katara suppressed a giggle when she heard someone say, "Her father won't be happy." I guess I was right about her having a behind-the-scenes relative.
"Now who will play the part?" someone else asked worriedly.
"Well," said Gran-Gran, "I don't like to brag, but my granddaughter, Katara, is quite the talented water bender. She may be young, but she knows much more than most people, and she learns quickly."
"Fine, fine," said one of the theater owners. He didn't sound very enthusiastic. "Let's see what she can do." Katara looked at him blankly, feeling something she rarely felt: nervousness. The man snapped, "Well what are you waiting for?" and she hurried to the front and center of the stage. Someone backstage turned on some music and Katara began.
Her nervousness soon fell away as she twirled around, making the water rise and fall in time to the melody. She made it form beautiful, complex shapes and spun it around herself. Her eyes closed and she felt one with the water. This was where she belonged. This was her chance to shine.
When she had finished the solo, she stood there, her eyes open. She had forgotten that everyone had been watching her. She blushed, a little embarrassed. She had gotten so carried away, she wasn't sure if she'd been water bending for a few seconds or a few hours.
It didn't matter. The theater owners, the other water benders, and her Gran-Gran clapped loudly for her, looking astounded. She smiled gently, and then looked up into the rafters. She'd heard clapping coming from up there, too. Whoever it was turned around with a swoosh of their cape, and disappeared.
Was the Phantom clapping for her too? She felt sure he was.