In the Earth Kingdom village of Gaoling, the gang took a small break from their travels to do some shopping. Sokka was eying a fancy green bag with a pondering gaze. The other members watched as he agonized over the decision to get the bag.
"It's pricey…" he remarked, rubbing his chin. "But I really do like it."
"Then you should get it." Katara told him. "You deserve something nice."
"I do, don't I?" Sokka replied. "But no, it's too expensive. I shouldn't."
"Then don't." Min told him, pinching her nose in annoyance. "C'mon, we've got a lot of shopping to do."
She walked away from the store, Katara and Aang following her. Sokka went to do the same but paused and turned back towards the bag with a smile.
"You know what?" he decided. "I'm gonna get it."
As the rest of the gang waited down the street, a man approached them with several flyers in his hands.
"Psst." he hissed. "You kids love earthbending? You like… throwing rocks? Then check out Master Yu's Earthbending Academy."
The man then handed Aang one of the flyers, which he took. As the man walked away, Aang took a glance at the flyer.
"Master's Yu's Earthbending Academy is the best in the entire country" he read before flipping it over. "Look! There's a coupon on the back! The first lesson is free."
"Who knows?" Katara remarked. "This Master Yu could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for."
"I dunno." Min let out skeptically. "I mean, anyone who's offering coupons for his school and boasting about his rank has to be a bit sketchy."
"I gotta try, don't I?" Aang asked. "Like Katara said, this could be the Earthbending teacher I need."
Min sighed.
"Alright." she gave in. "But it looks like you'll need to buy the uniform first."
Aang looked at her in confusion as she pointed out the fine print of the coupon. About that time, Sokka returned with his new bag, eying the coupon with curiosity.
...
At Yu's academy, Aang stood amongst several other kids half his size. He was now wearing a dark green earth kingdom outfit, complete with a flat hat, wristbands and ankle bands. He straightened his back as Master Yu entered the school, walking in between the two rows of students.
"Take your stances!" Master Yu ordered, each student taking on an Earthbending stance while Aang just watched. "Now, strike as if you're striking through your opponent's head!"
Yu demonstrated the movement, one that all the students performed. They lifted large boulders, launching them at their opponents. Unfortunately for Aang, his opponent managed to knock him clean off his feet and into a pot of stand. The pot shattered, and he was partially buried. Master Yu approached him with a hopeful smile.
"So, are you ready to commit to more lessons?" Master Yu asked. "If you pay for the whole year in advance, I'll bump you up to the next belt!"
Aang just stared at him as the sand shifted, completely burying his face.
...
Not long after that, Aang emerged from the academy. He shook his head to the side, dislodging sand from his ear as his friends approached him.
"Min called it." he announced. "He's not the one."
"Told ya." Min replied.
As they continued walking, two other students began walking out of the academy. They were discussing amongst themselves, the gang catching a bit of their conversation.
"I think The Boulder's going to win back the belt at Earth Rumble VI." one of the students declared.
"He's going to have to fight his way through the best earthbenders in the world to get a shot at the champ." he buddy reminded him.
Aang perked up upon hearing their conversation.
"Excuse me," He called out, running over to them. "But where exactly is this tournament?"
"It's on the island of Nunya." the first student told him. "Nunya business!"
The two students laughed as they walked off. Min's eyes narrowed, and her hands went to her swords. Katara's hand came over hers, stopping her.
"Don't worry, I got this." she assured her.
Min released her swords as Katara followed the boys.
"Hey strong guys!" she called out as she followed them into an alley. "Wait up!"
As she disappeared, Sokka held out his new bag, looking somewhat annoyed.
"What was I thinking?" He let out. "I don't need a new bad! Why did you guys let me buy this?"
Min face palmed as Momo hopped off her shoulder, curling up into the bag and seemingly going to sleep. Aang let out a small chuckle.
"Looks like someone's happy you did." He pointed out.
Sokka looked at Momo for a moment before shrugging in response. Just then, Katara came running back, a big grin on her face.
"You ready to find an earthbending teacher?" she asked. "Because we're going to Earth Rumble VI!"
"How'd you get them to tell you?" Aang asked, surprised.
"Oh, a girl has her ways." Katara replied, her smile becoming somewhat sly.
Back in the alley, the two boys were suspended above the ground, trapped in ice with their heads forced against one another. They shook from both the cold and terror.
...
That night, several people poured into a large mountain on the edge of the village. Inside, glowing crystals illuminated a large earth bending arena with bleachers surrounding the ring. The top half of the bleachers were full, leaving the bottom half open to sit.
"Hey, front row seats!" Aang let out. "I wonder why no one else is sitting here."
Suddenly, a large boulder crashed into the seats right next to them. The entire group jumped back, just narrowly avoiding getting crushed.
"That's probably why." Min declared.
In the center of the ring, the event's host rose up on a large earth column. He brought it back to the level of the rest of the arena as the entire arena broke into cheering.
"Welcome to Earth Rumble VI!" He declared, raising his left fist into the air. "I am your host, Xin Fu!"
Katara sighed, looking away in mild disgust and annoyance.
"This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other, isn't it?" she asked.
"That's what I paid for." Sokka answered happily.
"The rules are simple." Xin Fu continued. "Just knock the other guy out of the ring, and you win!"
He then launched himself towards a large podium above the arena as a bell rang out. Two fighters emerged onto the arena. One was a buff looking fighter with a large tattoo on his back and a slight beard. The other was a fat behemoth that seemed to only have four teeth in his mouth.
"Round one: The Boulder vs. The Big Bad Hippo!" Xin Fu announced.
"Listen up, Hippo." The Boulder spoke up. "You may be big, but you ain't bad! The Boulder's gonna win this in a landslide!"
"Hippo… mad!" The Hippo declared, raising his arms and stomping his foot.
With that, the fight began. The Boulder fired three rocks, all of which crashed into The Hippo. However, they didn't seem to do anything. In fact, he literally chewed one up and spat it out. The Hippo then began to jump up and down, causing the surface of the arena to tilt. The Boulder hereby lost his balance, stumbling towards the edge of the arena.
"Unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen!" Xin Fu declared. "The Hippo is rocking the boat!"
The Boulder reached the edge of the platform, quite nearly falling off. Luckily, he acted just in time and created a small platform to regain his balance with. Steadying his footing again, he wrenched his platform from the ground and threw it at the Hippo. It shattered on his back, drawing the fighter's attention. The Boulder then bent up The Hippo's part of the ring and threw him out on it, causing him to crash in the lower area of the arena.
"The Boulder wins!" Xin Fu shouted.
As the crowds cheered, Katara turned to Aang.
"How about The Boulder?" she suggested. "He's got some good moves."
"I don't know." Aang admitted with a shrug. "Bumi said I need a teacher who listens to the earth. He's just listening to his big muscles. What do you think, Sokka?"
Sokka was on his feet, cheering loudly and obnoxiously. Min grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him back into his seat.
"Are you going to act this way for the entire tournament?" she hissed.
"It was meant to be enjoyed." Sokka defended. "And that's what I'm doing."
"Next match…" Xin Fu spoke up again. "The Boulder vs Fire Nation Man."
A man wearing his hair and beard in a style almost identical to Admiral Zhao walked onto the stage. His wrestling uniform was red rather than green, and he was waving a Fire Nation flag as he walked onto the arena. The entire crowd started booing loudly and Min just cringed hard, trying to look away but finding herself unable to.
"Please, to rise for Fire Nation national anthem." Fire Nation Man addressed before putting his left hand over his heart and beginning to sing. "Fire Lord, my flame burns for thee!"
Min just put her head in her hands to hide her embarrassment as the rest of the crowd started throwing bits of rock at the guy. Even Sokka got in on the action, chucking a few fair-sized rocks at Fire Nation Man.
"Go back to the Fire Nation!" Sokka yelled, lobbing a particularly large rock at him.
The rock hit Fire Nation Man right in the face. He turned to the crowd angrily, but his anger quickly turned to confusion as he was suddenly yanked down into the ground. Only his upper torso was left exposed. He looked over to the side to see the Boulder to be responsible, right before his opponent lifted himself up with an earth pillar.
"No, no please!" Fire Nation Man begged.
The Boulder just grinned before leaping into the air and shot straight down. The instant he made contact with the ground, a pillar of earth beneath Fire Nation Man shot up and sent him flying and crashing into the boulder next to the gang. Sokka immediately got up and started cheering for the Boulders second victory.
"Yeah! Woo!" He let out. "The Boulder knows how to put the hurt in the dirt!"
Min peaked through her fingers slightly before burying her head again, letting out a small groan.
...
The rest of the fights went on in a similar manner. The Boulder's next opponent, a fighter known as the Gopher because of his tunneling fighting style, was smashed between two boulders. The next fighter, known as the Gecko, tried flying towards The Boulder, but ended up getting a gut punch from an earth pillar. The Headhunter got smacked around with an earthen coin, which lead the Boulder into the championship. The light dimmed into a spotlight on Xin Fu as he spoke up once again.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for." Xin Fu announced as the spotlight focused on The Boulder's final opponent. "The Boulder versus your champion… The Blind Bandit!"
The crowd was in a complete uproar as two female assistance escorted the Blind Bandit into the ring. To the gang's surprise, The Blind Bandit was a young girl, no older than Aang. She had black hair done up in a large bun and held back with a headband. Her outfit consisted of a green shirt and pants under a yellow cover. She was also wearing an oversized green cape and holding a giant championship belt, both of which the assistance divested her of before taking their leave of the arena.
"That's the Blind Bandit?" Min questioned. "She's a kid."
Aang looked at her, feeling a sense of recognition. He squinted at her, noticing her eyes. They were clouded and unfocused.
"More than that… she's really blind." he pointed out.
"Well, I don't care what she is." Sokka declared. "Because she is going down!"
Down in the arena, the Boulder and the Blind Bandit stared each other down.
"The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young blind girl." The Boulder admitted.
"Sounds to me like you're scare, Boulder!" the Blind Bandit taunted, pointing at The Boulder with a cocky grin.
The Boulder stared at her, then his eyes narrowed.
"The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings, and now he's ready to bury you in a rock-alanche!" The Boulder declared.
"Whenever you're ready, the Pebble!" The Blind Bandit retorted before throwing her head back and laughing.
As she laughed, recognition finally dawned on Aang. The laugh was the same laugh the girl from the swamp had. Now that he truly thought about it, the image he had of her was almost identical to The Blind Bandit, only in fancier clothes and with the flying boar. He ended up just staring at her as the fight began.
"It's on!" The Boulder threw back.
Despite his bravado, the Boulder was sweating profusely. Finally, he yelled and took a step forward. As his foot hit the floor, the Blind Bandit felt the vibrations radiate throughout the arena. Her ear perked slightly, as if she was listening like a bat. After a second, she moved, putting her arms up in a unique Earth Bending position before sliding her foot across the ground. As the Boulder prepared to lower his foot, The Blind Bandit kicked out a small path of earth. It traveled across the arena, right where the Boulder was about to step. His foot connected, and she forced him into a painful split. Sokka's face went from excitement to a look of pain.
"Ooooooohh!" The Boulder cried out.
The Blind Bandit then did a chopping motion, which shot three stalagmites out of the ground right at the Boulder, ejecting him from the ring and slamming him into a wall. The crowd all jumped to their feet as the Blind Bandit punched the air.
"Your winner, and still the champion, the Blind Bandit!" Xin Fu announced.
"That was amazing!" Min let out. "I don't think I've ever seen Earthbending like that!"
"How did she do that?" Katara asked.
"She waited…" Aang answered with a smile. "And listened."
Xin Fu jumped down and landed next to the Blind Bandit. He held up a green bag in his left hand, shaking it before the crowd.
"To make things a little more interesting, I'm offering up this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat the Blind Bandit!" he informed them.
The entire arena fell silent as Xin Fu smiled.
"What?" He asked in fake surprise. "No one dares to face her?"
"I will!" Aang announced.
Xin Fu turned in surprise as Aang entered the ring. The crowd murmured in approval as Xin Fu took his leave, the gang watching the arena with bated breath.
"Go Aang!" Sokka shouted. "Avenge The Boulder!"
Min grabbed him by his shirt again, yanking him down into the seat as The Blind Bandit turned to Aang.
"Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?" she taunted, much to the crowd's enjoyment.
"I don't really want to fight you." Aang informed her. "I want to talk to you.
"Boo!" Sokka yelled. "No talking!"
"Don't boo him!" Katara admonished, slapping her brother hard.
Aang took a step towards the Blind Bandit, who smirked as she felt his foot hit the ground. He slammed her left foot on the ground, causing a large rock to shoot out from underneath Aang. He went launching into the air before landing gracefully back on his feet.
"Somebody's light on his feet." The Blind Bandit snorted. "What's your fighting name? The Fancy Dancer?"
He grinned sheepishly as she send him flying again. He remained suspended for a bit, the Blind bandit shuffling her feet along the ground to try and find him again.
"Where'd you go?" she wondered aloud.
"Please wait!" Aang insisted as he landed.
"There you are!" She cheered.
She launched a rock at him, one he instinctively stopped via airbending. The blast also caught The Blind Bandit, sending her skidding across the ground and out of the ring. Everyone stared in shock, including Xin Fu, The Boulder, the gang, and even Aang himself. He straightened up, looking around just as the entire arena exploded with applause and shouts of joy.
Ignoring them for the moment, Aang ran over to the stairs leading down and away from the arena. There, he found a very angry Blind Bandit stalking away.
"Please, listen!" He begged as he tried to go after her. "I need an earthbending teacher, and I think it's supposed to be you!"
"Whoever you are, just leave me alone." she snapped.
Before the conversation could continue, she opened a pathway through the wall, closing it behind her.
"Wait!" Aang cried out, banging a fist on the wall.
He sagged against, the wall, then reluctantly returned to the ring. There, Xin Fu stood with the bag of gold and the championship belt. The gang joined the two in the ring, Sokka immediately snatching the bag and belt from Xin Fu. Katara and Min put their arms around a morose Aang, doing their best to comfort him.
...
The next morning, the gang walked through Gaoling, Sokka now wearing the championship belt with a big grin on his face.
"I've got to admit, now I'm really glad I bought this bag." Sokka shared. "It matches the belt, perfectly."
"That is a big relief." Katara told her brother with a layer of sarcasm over her words.
Min rolled her eyes, then turned to Aang.
"Why exactly are we returning to Master Yu's academy?" she asked, gesturing to their impending destination. "I thought we agreed that your teacher isn't here."
"No, but I feel the Blind Bandit is." Aang told her. "And if we want to find her, the Earthbending Academy is a great place to start."
They walked into the school, seeing the two boys Katara had "persuaded" the day before. They were practicing in a pair of jugs full of sand but stopped when they saw the gang approach.
"Oh great, you again." One of them growled.
Katara glared at them threateningly and they both flinched hard, backing down.
"Yeah, I didn't think so." he said with a small nod.
"Nice one Katara." Min congratulated.
"Hey! You're the kid who beat the Blind Bandit!" The first boy recognized.
"We need to talk to her." Aang told them. "Do you guys know where she lives?"
"The Blind Bandit's a mystery." The second boy explained. "She shows up to fight, then disappears."
"Oh, come on." Min interjected, placing her hand on her swords. "You honestly expect us to buy that load of monkey feathers?"
"It's true!" the first one insisted, holding his hands up defensively. "No one knows where she goes, or who she really is."
"That's because we're asking about the wrong person." Aang realized. "In my vision, I saw a girl, in a white dress, with a pet flying boar. Know anybody like that?"
"Well, a flying boar is the symbol of the Beifong family." The first boy remarked. "They're the richest people in town. Probably the whole world."
"Yeah, but they don't have a daughter." the second one interjected.
"A flying boar is good enough for me." Aang declared. "What do you guys think?"
"Good enough for you is good enough for me." Min decided, taking her hand off her swords. "Let's check it out."
The gang turned to leave as the two students watched them. Their eyes narrowed as they tried to look tough.
"Yeah, you better leave." one whispered quietly.
"Hey!" Katara snapped, turning back to them as she walked off. "I've got my eye on you!"
Sokka took up the rear, waving his hands outward.
"Water tribe." he let out before disappearing with the rest of the gang.
...
Back in Earth Rumble VI, The Boulder and Xin Fu were discussing the final fight between Aang and the Blind Bandit.
"I'm telling you, The Boulder was standing right there." The Boulder insisted. "I saw the kid strike, but there was no earthbending. Nothing made contact. The Blind Bandit just fell out of the ring. She must've taken a dive and split the money with the kid."
Xin Fu slammed his fist into the wall, dislodging some rocks. One such rock fell right on his foot, causing the man to cry out in pain and anger.
"Nobody cheats Xin Fu." he cursed.
...
The Beifong Family owned a large country estate was surrounded by a long wall. A large garden and many ponds decorated the oversized large. From Appa, the group could see the amazing structure, as well as the great fortifications surrounding it. The only way in was the main gate, which was protected by a pair of personal guards.
"Check it out!" Aang cheered. "That's the flying boar from my vision!"
He pointed at a decal above the gate that depicted a carving of a flying boar.
"We gotta get in there somehow." Min muttered.
They went along the side of the wall, scaling the side before dropping down into the courtyard. They made it a few steps in before they were sent flying into the air. Min, Katara, and Aang all landed on different bushes while Sokka landed face first on the ground. As they came to, Aang looked up to see himself looking at the Blind Bandit. This time, she was in the outfit he'd seen back in the swamp, further affirming she was the one he was looking for.
"What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?!" she demanded.
"How did you know it was me?" Aang questioned.
"Don't answer to Twinkle Toes, it's not manly!" Sokka chastised him.
"This coming from the guy whose bag matches his belt." Min retorted.
"What's your point?" Sokka retorted.
"How did you find me?!" The Blind Bandit interjected.
The gang slowly picked themselves up, brushing leaves out of their clothes.
"Well, my friend Bumi, this crazy Earth King told me I had to find an earthbender who listens to the earth." Aang explained, earning a skeptical look from the Blind Bandit. "Then I had a vision in a mystical swamp, and-"
"What Aang is trying to say is, he's the Avatar." Katara interrupted. "And if he doesn't master earthbending soon, he won't be able to defeat the Fire Lord."
"And believe it or not, we think you're the one who needs to teach him." Min added.
"Not my problem." The Blind Bandit announced, throwing her hand up in Min's face before walking away. "Now get out of here, or I'll call the guards."
"Look, we all have to do our part to win this war," Sokka addressed. "And yours is to teach Aang earthbending."
For a moment, she stopped, seemingly listening to his words. However, she quickly turned around, a scared look on her face as she called out.
"Guards!" she cried. "Guards help!"
The gang panicked and scattered, hiding just as a pair of guards came running up. The Blind Bandit brushed some loose hairs behind her ears before turning towards them.
"Toph, what happened?" a guard asked.
"I… thought I heard someone." The Blind Bandit, who was apparently named Toph, explained, putting on the act of a defenseless girl. "I got scared."
"You know your father doesn't want you wandering the grounds without supervision, Toph." the guard reminded.
With that, he and his partner escorted her towards the large manor. Aang, who had taken refuge on the wall, watched them lead her off before forming an idea.
...
Inside the Beifong estate, Lao and Poppy Beifong sat in the middle of a grand living room. They were both dressed lavishly in white and gold robes, jewelry adorning their outfits as they sipped on some tea. Before them sat Master Yu and Toph, the latter of whom seemed bored out of her mind.
"I'm pleased to hear that Toph's private lessons are going well." Lao declared after taking a sip of his tea. "But I want to be sure she's not trying anything too dangerous."
"Absolutely not." Master Yu reassured. "I am keeping her at a beginner's level. Basic forms and breathing exercises only."
"Very good." Lao nodded.
About that time, a servant came in.
"Excuse me sir, but it appears you have visitors." the servant announced.
"Who thinks they are so important that they can just come to my home unannounced?" Lao asked.
"Uh… the Avatar and the Guardian, sir." the servant answered.
Toph went wide-eyed, an expression matched by her parents. They exchanged surprised looks at the servant took his leave, Toph blowing hair out of her face in annoyance.
...
Later, the entire gang joined the Beifong Family and Master Yu for dinner. It was a lavish feast, one the entire group enjoyed. Sokka devoured his meal with gusto until Katara elbowed him, reminding him of the company they were in. As they ate, a servant set a cup of soup in front of Toph, steam rising from the top.
"Blow in it." he requested. "It's too hot for her."
"Allow me." Aang offered.
He then blew a small tornado across the table, cooling the soup. Everyone clapped politely as Poppy smiled.
"Avatar Aang, Guardian Min, it is an honor to have you both visit us." she told them.
"In your opinions, how much longer do think the war will last?" Lao questioned.
"We have a long-term goal of ending the war by summer's end." Min explained. "By then, Aang will have mastered all four elements."
"I've already found an amazing Waterbending Master." Aang announced, giving Katara a knowing look. "And now, I need to find and Earthbending Master."
He gave Toph a knowing look, one that went unnoticed by the other Beifongs. Toph returned the look with an annoyed glance.
"Well, Master Yu is the finest teacher in the land." Lao explained, gesturing to the master with a wave of his hand. "He's been teaching Toph since she was little."
"Then she must be a great earthbender!" Aang insisted. "Probably good enough to teach someone else!"
Suddenly, a fissure opened up in the ground, striking Aang. He grunted in pain, rubbing his shin. Lao looked at him in confusion, then turned to Toph, who nonchalantly ate her soup.
"Toph is still learning the basics." Yu explained.
"Yes, and sadly, because of her blindness, I don't think she will ever become a true master." Lao lamented.
"I doubt that." Min let out. "I mean, I'm sure if you gave her a chance, you'd-"
Another fissure cracked under the table, this time striking Min. She landed face first in her soup with a loud grunt as everyone stared. Once more, Toph nonchalantly ate her soup. As Min wiped soup off her face, Aang turned towards Toph. He then let out a dramatic sneeze, sending flood flying across the table. Everyone was splattered, including Toph. she wiped her face and rose to her feet, glaring at Aang.
"What's your problem?!" she snarled.
"What's your problem?!" Aang yelled back.
As the two stared each other down, Lao and Poppy cleaned their faces with napkins.
"Well..." Poppy let out awkwardly. "Shall we move to the living room for dessert?"
...
Later that night, the gang prepared to get some rest in a guest room of the Beifong mansion. Aang was patting Appa on the head from the window. As he did, Toph walked into the room. She was in a nightgown, wearing her hair in her Blind Bandit style.
"Aang, we got company." Min spoke up.
Aang turned around to see Toph leaning against the doorframe. He jumped up, flinching hard.
"Relax." Toph told him. "Look, I came to apologize about dinner. Can we call a truce?"
Aang slowly relaxed.
...
A bit later, Aang, Toph, and Min were walking through the garden. Toph balanced on the edge of a small bridge, her hands out for balance as she began talking.
"Even though I was born blind, I've never had a problem seeing." she explained before jumping off the bridge and landing on the ground. "I see with earthbending. It's kind of like seeing with my feet. I feel the vibrations in the Earth, and I can see where everything is. You two, that tree, even those ants."
"That's amazing." Aang complimented.
"My parents don't understand." Toph told them. "They've always treated me like I was helpless."
"Then why haven't you showed them the truth?" Min questioned. "Or baring that, run away?"
"I did run away." Toph explained. "I did it a lot, but I couldn't stay away."
"Why not?" Aang wondered.
"They're my parents." Toph answered. "I know they love me… even if it's not the real me."
Min placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Believe it or not, I know where you're coming from." she told her. "Before I became the Guardian, my father tried to control every aspect of my life. But I knew I couldn't let him rule me forever. I had to find my own destiny."
"I did the same thing when I left the Southern Air Temple." Aang added. "Sometimes, we have to leave our homes behind, no matter how painful it is."
"I wish I could do that." Toph admitted. "Go wherever I want, not having anyone tell me what to do or who to be. That's the life… it's just not my life."
Suddenly, Toph straightened up, letting out a soft gasp.
"We're being ambushed!" she shouted.
They tried to run but were cut off by underground digging caused by the Gopher. The three of them got into fighting stances but were immediately contained within three metal boxes. Now trapped, the three could only watch as the rest of the wrestlers, as well as Xin Fu, entered the garden.
"I think you kids owe me some money." he told them.
...
After Min and Aang never returned to the room, Katara and Sokka went looking for them. The Beifongs went with them, worried about Toph. Together, they found the spot where they had been ambushed, as well as a note stabbed into the wall with a dagger.
"Whomever took Aang, Min, and Toph left this." Sokka announced, handing the note to his sister.
"If you want to see your daughter again, bring five hundred gold pieces to the arena." Katara read, turning towards the Beifongs. "It's signed Xin Fu and The Boulder."
"I can't believe it…" Sokka let out before taking the paper and holding it triumphantly in the air. "I have the Boulder's autograph!"
Katara rolled her eyes at her brother's antics as Poppy fell to her knees. Her hands were shaking as she clutched them in a prayer style. Lao immediately turned to Master Yu, who had come along on the search party.
"Master Yu, I need your help to get my daughter back." Lao told him.
"We're going with you." Katara insisted. "We need to get Aang and Min back."
"Poor Toph..." Poppy sobbed. "She must be so scared."
...
Aang, Min, and Toph were still trapped in their metal boxes, suspended above the arena of Earth Rumble VI. Toph was looking out the small window of her box, pointing down at Xin Fu.
"You think you're so tough?" she taunted. "Why don't you come up here, so I can snap that grin off your face?"
"I'm not smiling." Xin Fu replied dryly.
"Toph!" Lao's voice cried out.
Aang and Min pressed themselves against the small windows of their boxes, watching as Katara, Sokka, Lao and Master Yu walked into the arena. Sokka held out the bag of gold Xin Fu had given them as a prize.
"Here's your money." he declared, dropping the bag on the ground. "Now let them go!"
Master Yu send the money skidding towards Xin Fu via earthbending. The man picked up the bag, and after making sure the contents were there, signaled the others to release Toph. Her box lowered towards the ground before the bottom opened. Toph dropped down onto the ground and immediately ran to Lao. Lao took her hand, and they left the arena.
"Now Aang and Min." Katara demanded. "Release them!"
"Actually, I think the Fire Nation will pay a hefty price for both the Avatar and the Guardian." Xin Fu decided, holding up the fire nation wanted posters of the both of them. "Now, get out of my ring."
"You're selling us out to the Fire Nation?!" Min snapped. "Are you insane?!"
"Money is money." Xin Fu retorted.
Sokka drew his club and Katara uncorked her waterskin, both prepared to get their friends back by force. However, before they could step forward, Fire Nation Man appeared in an earth tornado. The Gecko jumped down from the ceiling. The Hippo stomped on the ground and crushed a boulder. Headhunter jumped into the ring from the bleachers. Finally, The Gopher pops up from underground. Both Sokka and Katara hesitated, realizing they stood no chance against seven powerful Earthbenders.
"Go, we'll be ok!" Aang called out.
Reluctantly, they turned away, but not to escape. Katara made it to the entrance of Earth Rumble VI, catching up to Lao and Toph.
"Toph, there's too many of them." she pleaded. "We need an earthbender. We need you"
"My daughter is blind." Lao told her, turning towards her. "She is blind and tiny and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you!"
`Toph listened to her father, his words stinging harder than any physical blow. Unable to stand it any longer, she pulled her hand free from his, turning back to Katara.
"Yes, I can." she corrected, walking back into the ring.
As Xin Fu and the wrestlers prepared to leave with Min and Aang in tow, a large wall of Earth stopped their egress. The wrestlers all turned to see Toph, Katara, and Sokka standing on the other end of the arena.
"Let them go!" Toph demanded. "I beat you all before and I'll do it again!"
"The Boulder takes issue with that comment." The Boulder retorted.
The Hippo threw the cages aside, sending them bouncing across the arena and jostling their captives inside. Katara and Sokka prepared to charge at the earthbenders, but Toph quickly stopped them.
"Wait." she insisted. "They're mine. You deal with Twinkle Toes and his babysitter."
The two Water Tribe siblings blinked in surprise, but having seen her fight, offered no argument. They backed up as Toph slammed her foot down on the ground, sending the wrestlers flying backwards and kicking up a giant cloud of dust. In her usual Earthbending position, she entered the dust to begin the fight.
Up in the bleachers, Master Yu and Lao watched as Toph disappeared into the cloud. Lao gulped, visibly nervous about his daughter's safety.
The first wrestler she encountered was Fire Nation Man, who took some time to notice her. He moved his foot to attack, broadcasting his intention to Toph before firing a wave of earth at her. She dodged, then bent up part of the ring and sent her own wave. The attacked ejected him from the ring, sending him flying out into the sidelines and crashing hard into the ground. Both Lao and Yu stare in in shock.
Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka were trying to release Aang and Min. Sokka repeatedly banged a rock against the lock on Aang's cage while Katara did the same as Min kicked at the bottom with all her strength.
"Hit it harder!" Aang pleaded.
"I'm trying!" Sokka insisted.
The Gecko crawled along the floor, quickly becoming aware of Toph's presence. He fired two rocks at her, which she easily dodged. She then bent up a series of pillars, sending him flying out of the ring. Down below, Fire Nation Man was slowly getting up before the Gecko crashed right into him.
The Gopher tunneled up behind Toph and sent a rock at Toph's head. She grabbed the rock and returned it. The Gopher barely had time to blink before he too was sent flying, right into Fire Nation Man and the Gecko.
Sokka finally managed to break Aang's cage open, Katara and Min's efforts bearing similar fruit. With the both of them finally free, they jumped to their feet, eager to fight. Sokka quickly stopped them both, gesturing to the battle already going on.
The Boulder and The Hippo prepared to gang up on Toph, both yelling as they charged. Lao was biting his nails in fright as the two large wrestlers closed in on Toph. As they drew closer, Headhunter came flying in from behind to complete the ambush. However, Toph heard him coming and acted accordingly. With a twist of her wrists, she turned the center of the ring around to put Headhunter on a collision course with the other two wrestlers. With the three men down for the count, Toph ejected them all onto the other defeated wrestlers.
"I never knew." Master Yu let out in complete awe. "Your daughter's amazing!"
Toph waved her hand and the dust cloud cleared, revealing that only she and Xin Fu remained in the ring. Xin Fu cracked his neck, Toph spat, and Lao seemed appalled by her lack of manners. Both fighters got into a fighting stance, then began to circle the central ring. Xin Fu struck first, firing several rocks at Toph. She brought up an earth shield to deflect them before turning part of the shield on him. He dodged the attack, then sank his hand into the ground to attack. Sensing it in time, she dodged it and created a fissure, sending him flying out of the ring. He ended up landing right between Master Yu and Lao, much to everyone's shock and amazement.
"She's the greatest earthbender I've ever seen!" Master Yu exclaimed.
...
Later that night, everyone had returned to the Beifong estate. Toph stood before her parents, unable to hide the truth from them any longer.
"Dad, I know it's probably hard for you to see me this way." she began "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 know I've kept my life secret from you, but you were keeping me secret from the whole world. You were doing it to protect me, but I'm twelve years old and I've never had a real friend. So, now that you see who I really am, I hope it doesn't change the way you feel about me."
"Of course it doesn't change the way I feel about you, Toph." Lao assured her. "It's made me realize something."
"It has?" Toph asked, her voice hopeful.
"Yes." Lao replied, his voice becoming stern. "I've let you had far too much freedom. From now on you'll be cared for and guarded twenty-four hours a day."
Toph's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "But Dad-!"
"It's for your own good, Toph." Poppy insisted.
Lao then turned to the guards, who stood around the gang as they watch the events unfold.
"Please escort the Avatar and his friends out." Lao ordered, looking at the group with a cold glare. "They are no longer welcome here."
As they were escorted out, Aang looked back at Toph with a sad frown.
"I'm sorry, Toph." he told her.
"I'm sorry too." she replied, her voice cracking with emotion. "Goodbye, Aang."
They were led away and Toph shed a tear for her lost friends, and her last chance at freedom.
...
On a hill overlooking the estate, the gang prepared to leave. Aang looked back at the estate, letting out a sigh. Min approached him, following his gaze.
"We tried, Aang." she told him. "We tried."
He nodded sadly, then they both began climbing onto Appa. Just as they were about to take off, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching them. Everyone turned around, brightening as they saw Toph running towards them. She was in her Blind Bandit outfit, and had a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Toph!" Min shouted, jumping off Appa and landing in front of her. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm making my own destiny." she declared. "Now, we better hurry before my dad realizes I'm gone."
Aang smiled as he looked down at Toph.
"You're going to be a great teacher, Toph." He told her.
"Speaking of which," she spoke up, a slight edge to her voice. "I want to show you something."
Without questioning it, Aang hopped off Appa. The second he touched down, Toph kicked up her foot and sent him flying into a tree. Min winced before looking back at Toph.
"Vengeance for Earth Rumble VI?" she guessed.
"Eyup." Toph nodded before holding her hand up towards the saddle. "I'll take my belt back, now."
Sokka undid the belt from around his waist, tossing it down to Toph. Unfortunately, he neglected to remember her blindness, and as such, it rebounded off her head. She fell flat on the ground, letting out a yelp of pain. Sokka winced, looking over the edge of Appa's saddle.
"Sorry." he apologized.
Aang then went plummeting out of the tree, landing hard on the ground.
...
Back in the estate, Lao met with Master Yu and Xin Fu.
"I know you two are very different." Lao remarked. "But I believe you have a common interest."
At Lao's signal, a servant brought out a chest of gold. He opened it, revealing the contents to the two earthbenders. Xin Fu and Master Yu exchanged glances at one another before turning back to Lao.
"The Avatar has kidnapped my daughter." Lao explained to them. "I want you to do whatever it takes to bring her home."
The two earthbenders bowed, accepting the mission.
...
As Appa flew through the night, Toph hugged onto the side of the saddle, a content smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.