Chapter 37 - The Blind Bandit

"The Blind Bandit!"

Sokka 'boo'ed loudly, but his voice was lost in the cheer of the crowd. Katara saw Aang frowning, worried.

"Don't worry, Aang," she tried to console him. "I'm sure she's not really blind."

He said nothing, his eyes trained on the girl as she strolled confidently out into the arena. Standing opposite to the Boulder, she looked tiny and weak. Only the arrogant smirk on her face gave any indication that she knew what she was doing.

"The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young blind girl," the massive man said slowly, looking somewhat confused.

The girl grinned wider. "Sounds to me like you're scared, Boulder!"

The Boulder blinked rapidly, unused to little girls insulting him. "The Boulder is over his conflicted feelings, and now he's ready to bury you in a rock-a-lanche!" He struck a heroic pose, but the Blind Bandit only laughed.

"Whenever you're ready... The Pebble!" She threw her head back and laughed even harder.

"It's on!"

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Everything seemed to pass in slow motion for Aang.

The Boulder's attack—the girl's widening grin—her quick defense and offense—an track of ripped earth racing towards the larger man—the Boulder getting knocked off his feet—a resounding boom as he was flung into the far wall—the crowd's wild cheer as the girl raised her arms in triumph.

And suddenly, he knew.

"It's her."

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"Huh?" Katara turned to him, giving him a weird look.

"It's her." The boy couldn't take his eyes off her. "She's the one. My earthbending master."

"Are you sure?" She asked again. "She's so young..."

"Age has nothing to do with skill," Zuko remarked, and Katara did not miss the slightly bitter note in his voice.

"It's her," Aang said with finality.

"To make things a little more interesting, I'm offering up this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat the Blind Bandit!" Cheers were heard throughout the stadium. "What? No one dares to face her?"

Before Katara could stop him, Aang jumped from his seat and practically glided into the arena. "I will!"

The crowd boo'ed again, but Sokka cheered. "Go, Aang! Avenge the Boulder!"

The Blind Bandit bared her teeth in an aggressive smirk. "Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?"

Nervously, Aang raised his hands in a friendly gesture. "I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you," he said passively.

"Boo!" Sokka screamed. "No talking!"

Katara smacked him, and Zuko rolled his eyes. "Don't boo at him!"

The girl thrust her arm forward, delivering a shock wave of rock to her opponent. Aang airbended out of the way with little effort, and the Blind Bandit frowned as he landed. "Somebody's a little light on his feet. What's your fighting name, the Fancy Dancer?"

Aang smiled and shrugged as the Blind Bandit shot a bullet of rock at him. Again, he easily dodged the earth, and the girl growled. "Where'd you go?"

Landing behind her, Aang yelled, "Please, wait!"

"There you are!"

In the blink of an eye, Aang had deflected her attack with a gust of wind so strong it blew her into the wall, out of the arena. The crowed cheered as she stalked away, but Aang paid them no attention. He raced after the girl, calling, "Please listen! I need an earthbending teacher, and I think it's supposed to be you!"

The ex-champion didn't even bother to turn around to face him. "Whoever you are, just leave me alone."

"Wait!"

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"I'm going after him," Katara said confidently, standing up. Zuko placed his hand on her shoulder, effectively stopping her.

"Maybe you should let him handle this himself," he suggested.

Katara scrunched up her nose, confused. "Why?"

Looking sideways, Zuko said softly, "He's gonna have to learn to deal with girls sometime."

She rolled her eyes, but sat back down nonetheless.

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The Blind Bandit stomped her way out of the Earth Rumble cave, rocks falling around her as she proceeded.

"Wait!"

Aang jumped lightly and landed directly in front of her, cutting her off. She growled.

"What's the big idea, Twinkle Toes?" She practically snarled at him.

"I'm the Avatar, and I need an earthbending master," he said shakily. "I think it's supposed to be you."

"Me?" She said sarcastically. "And why's that?"

"I-I had a dream about you!" Aang stuttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his bald head anxiously. Grimacing, the girl shoved her way past him, clearly uninterested. "You're the one who listens to the earth!"

The Blind Bandit stopped.

Encouraged, Aang continued. "That's how you do it, isn't it? How you can fight, even though you can't see? You listen to the earth, right?"

She said nothing, standing still like a... well, like a stone.

"You're an amazing earthbender! I've never seen anyone like you. You're—"

"Save it for someone who actually likes being flattered," the girl deadpanned, frowning at him again. "You're not gonna sucker me into teaching you. Why don't you try the local earthbending academy?" She suggested sweetly, smiling with sugary falsehood. "I'm sure they'd be a much better choice for someone like you." She began walking again, ignoring Aang.

"Wait!" He called, chasing her. "At least tell me your name!"

She hesitated before muttering, "Toph. My name is Toph."

Aang smiled. "Well then, Toph, I challenge you to a fight!"

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"What!"

"Katara, calm down!" Sokka cried, waving his arms frantically in front of her. "It'll be fine! Aang already beat her once!"

"You challenged a blindgirl to a fight!" She shrieked. "Do you have any idea how wrong that is?"

"What do you mean?" Aang asked with true innocence. "She won against the Boulder!"

"She's blind!"

"She's not as helpless and weak as you think she is," he retorted calmly, staring into the sunset. He appeared to be deep in thought. Katara frowned, but wisely dropped the subject.

"When is the fight?" She asked in a resigned tone.

"Tomorrow at noon."

"Oh. Hn." Suddenly smiling, she continued, "Well, it's been a great rock-throwing contest and all, but I never got to finish showing Zuko those trees." Grabbing his hand rather roughly, she dragged the befuddled boy away. "See you guys later!"

Aang looked at Sokka, who appeared to be about as confused as he was himself.

"Uh, Sokka, what's so great about the trees around here?" Aang asked.

Sokka shook his head. "I have no idea, Aang. No idea."

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"I hate you," Zuko growled once they were safely hidden in the forest. Katara laughed, knowing his insult contained no real malice. "Haven't you gotten over the tree thing yet?"

"Nope," she replied cheerily. "Now shut up and kiss me."

Zuko was only too happy to acquiesce.