Sokka's movement caused Aang to flinch back and Momo to coo and hide in the bag Sokka bought earlier on the market. The Vixen instantly moved back. The Boulder confidently put his foot down, cracking the floor in the process and throwing up some dust.

"The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young girl." Boulder admitted hesitantly.

Vixen pointed at The Boulder Mockingly. "Sounds to me like you're scared, Boulder!"

After a pause where Boulder looked stunned. "The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings," Boulder Narrowed his eyes. "and now he's ready to bury you screen" Boulder Expanded instantly and made a dramatic, crushing gesture. "in a rock-alanche!"

"Whenever you're ready, The Pebble!" Vixen Threw her head back and laughed.

Aang was watching, wide-eyed, remembering Vixen's voice from the swamp.

Kurai was watching equally wide-eyed. There was no mistaking her sister's face.

"It's on!" Boulder said.

The Boulder faced Vixen. Despite his bravado, he was sweating profusely. The Boulder yelled and took a step forward. As his heel hit the ground, Shock waves moved out from his heel where it had struck the floor of the arena. The shock wave emanated away from Boulder's heel in concentric circles. Vixen stood perfectly still. The shock waves reached her and travelled up her body.

Vixen moved forward, opening her arms as soon as she registered the shock wave indicating the movement of her opponent. She moved forward to finish the set up for her attack. The Boulder moved forward at a slow rate. He was bellowing a slurred battle cry. The Boulder's foot struck the ground again, and another shock wave moved out from him. Vixen begun to swing her right foot in an arc toward the ground in font of her. As she struck the ground, Her strike created a shock wave in the arena floor that churned up the ground in the direction of the Boulder in a straight line.

Aang stared incredulously, his face turning to follow Vixen's shock wave. The Boulder's foot met the shock wave just as he put it back on the ground. The shock wave made him drop down onto the ground in a perfect split.

Momo squeaked and Sokka's look of adulation and excitement turned to a look of pain. Boulder had a look of excruciating pain on his face.

"Ooooooh!" Boulder said painfully

Vixen made a chopping motion with her right hand. Three stalagmites erupted from the ground near The Boulder and ejected him from the ring. He slammed into the wall beneath the stands and slid down into the crevice between the arena and the stands.

Vixen's face softened into a crafty and satisfied smile as Xin Fu spoke.

"Your winner, and still the champion," Xin Fu announced. Vixen raised her right fist in victory. "Vixen!"

"How did she do that?" Katara said.

"Synthesis." Kurai whispered.

"What?" Sokka said.

"She waited ... and listened." Aang said

Xin Fu jumped down and landed next to Vixen on the arena floor. He held a green bag in his left hand.

"To make things a little more interesting, I'm offering up this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat" Xin Fu motioned toward the champion. "Vixen! He motioned toward Vixen once again. Silence. "What? No one dares to face her?"

"I will!" Aang said.

Xin Fu looked disappointed for a moment before Aang entered the ring. The crowd murmured its approval. Aang closed the distance between himself and Vixen. Xin Fu jumped off.

"Go Aang! Avenge The Boulder!" Sokka yelled.

Kurai was shaking her head. "Aang has no idea what he's getting into."

"Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?" Vixen said.

"Oooh." Audience said.

Aang put his hands up in a conciliatory gesture. "I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you."

"Boo! No" Sokka said as Katara turned to her brother with a look of disapproval. "Talking!"

Katara slapped Sokka. "Don't boo at him!"

"Shh!" Kurai said.

Aang took a step. Vixen smiled as soon as his foot hit the ground. She stomped the ground with the side of her left foot. A shock wave travelled across the ground and caused a large rock to grow out of the ground underneath Aang, who was launched into the air. He landed softly on the ground behind her. She turned around with an upset expression on her face.

"Somebody's a little light on his feet! What's your fighting name: the Whirlwind?" Aang said.

Aang grinned sheepishly before Vixen launched another pillar, which lifted him up.

"Please, Wait!" Aang said.

She launched a rock at him. He stopped it with airbending and the blast knocked Vixen out of the ring. Xin Fu, The Boulder and Team Avatar were collectively shocked. Aang looked around in surprise as the crowd cheered. Vixen walked away from the base of the arena. In the background was a set of stairs. Aang was at the top of the stairs and he called after the former champion.

Aang went after her. "Please, listen! I need an earthbending teacher, and I think it's supposed to be you!"

"Whoever you are, just leave me alone." Vixen said angrily.

Vixen earthbended a doorway and exited through it. She turned and closed the door with a motion of her hands.

"Wait!" Aang said.

Aang reached the wall too late. He turned and looked sad. Xin Fu was holding the belt and the bag of gold, the crowd cheering behind them. Katara, Kurai and Sokka entered. Kurai looked anxious and excited, looking after Vixen. Sokka hugged Xin Fu and took the money and the belt. He put his arm around Aang's shoulder, but the Avatar was still morose.

Sokka Got the belt and gold. "Way to go, champ!"

Aang looked down sorrowfully.