Book Two: Earth
Chapter 6: The Blind Bandit
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::
THEN
In the woodland area of the Earth kingdom the fire tanks traveled on the road to the next town that that chosen to be forward base for this region. The town was one of the major hubs for goods and services to come and good throughout the Middle kingdom. The Earth forces have reinforced this town with men and put up defensive towers and wall around the town.
The tanks hid among the road and waited for the word from their commander. Four small regulars and one large one that's as dangerous as the name suggests it. The Sabertooth Tiger. Sabertooth is a legendary war machine. The most powerful earthbending and Icy waterbending can barely scratch the thick steel skin.
The crew of this machine was unique as well, handpicked by the Dante to see if they can make enemy fear the Sabertooth Tiger in this metal form. The first only son of famed General Iroh, Lu'ten. He was the driver. Lu'ten was sat on the outside of the tank taking a break. He looked out at the town knowing that this was simply one stepping stone in the campaign his father planned. "One step at a time, it'll all be over soon." he sighed.
Dante walked to the over the tank with a new addition to the crew. Tobi was a youthful young man was wished along to fight for the honor and glory of the Fire Nation. But he still had a lot to learn.
"Lu'ten!" Dante called to get his attention.
"Tell me we have supplies and a new navigation guy." Lu'ten asked. He really didn't want to go charging into the front again without being sure they will survive it.
Dante rolled his eyes. "I could, but that'd be a lie, Lu'ten. And I don't tell lies unless I have to. You know that." Dante placed the map of the front of the tank and studied it to see want route they were on before beginning the attack.
"That's very noble of you, Commander." Lu'ten praised sarcastically.
Dante exhaled upon hearing his temporary rank for the campaign. He gave an smirk to Lu'ten. "Well, Commanders don't have the luxury of saying any old shit that comes into their heads like drivers do. Tobi!"
"Yes, Commander" Tobi snapped to attention.
"To your position." Dante ordered.
Tobi bowed and got inside. "Does he have to follow you everywhere like a lost pup?" Lu'ten asked.
"He's just a kid." Dante replied.
"So you gave him the party line." Lu'ten asked.
Dante closed the map and handled it to Lu'ten. He was annoyed by it, but something's works because it was designed to work. And he really doesn't care either way. Dante was only here for the money. Top get the money he has to get people to work together as a team. "I like remind him who we are, Lu'ten."
Inside Tobi was getting settle in his new role as turret operator. But he was nervous and he repeated over and over: "Trust Strength, trust the Fire Nation. Trust Strength, trust the Fire Nation."
Sudden clang caused Tobi to turn his head to see a skinny timid guy, Hozan, trembling as he picked up the metal can that contain the flammable fuel to keep the tank going. Hozan looked up as he was at the feet of another member of the tank crew. The giant merc was silent sort and only spoke when he had to. He had a strange tattoo on his forehead at seem to be a focus for an advanced form of Firebending. The Dante hired him for the results were very … combustible.
"Lu'ten, let's go!" Dante gave the order.
Lu'ten cranked the switch and started the engine. With a few twists and crank pulls the Sabertooth roared to life and was on the move. The other four tanks took notice as followed.
The reason why this tank was deployed now because they wish to see if the prototype will give the birth to a new type of the war machine for the Fire Nation.
"Remember guys, do not desert. We are stronger together." Dante remind them as they begin to clear the tree line and in top the sunlight.
The Earth solider standing in a watch tower saw the advancement of Fire Nation tanks and sounds the alarm. "To arms! Fire Nation Tanks approaching! To arms."
The Earth captain in charge of the fortification. Whistles and the troops raced in formation to the walls while the Earthbending troops entered the trenches outside the wall. They were to ready for them.
Dante looked through the spyglass at the bulwark. He sees the spirit of the Earth Soldiers was strong. He's just going to show that the crew of the fire panzers was just as strong to meet challenge ahead.
Hozan loaded the first shell round in to the turret and Tobi took aim. Dante lowered his spyglass inhaled and exhaled softly.
"FIRE!"
::
NOW
GAOLING
One of the wealthiest towns due to its trading and cultural hotspots. The town citizens move through the streets with the various concerns to keep this place alive and working. The team stands inside a shop, gathered around a green bag. Sokka is looking at the bag while pondering. Katara and Momo on her shoulder look at him. Aang sits down, looking the other way and wearing his conical hat. V was spinning his cane by the handle while reading his book Dante leaned against the wall playing on his pipa: Carry On My Wayward Son.
"It's pricey ... but I really do like it." Sokka said pensive.
"Then you should get it, you deserve something nice." Katara encouraged her brother.
"I do, don't I? But no, it's too expensive. I shouldn't." Sokka decided.
Katara looks at him with a bored expression. "All right, then don't." Katara walks away in boredom. Aang gets up and follows her followed by Dante and V. Sokka pauses for a moment and goes along, too, his eyes still on the bag. He came back and decided to buy it with a big smile.
Aang, Katara, and Momo wait down the street until a town citizen with the flyers turns around and shows them his advertisement. "Psst, psst! Hey, you kids love earthbending? You like ... throwing rocks? Then check out Master Yu's Earthbending Academy."
"Look! There's a coupon on the back! The first lesson is free." Aang excitedly.
"Who knows? This Master Yu could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for." Katara said thinking he should give it a go.
""He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence." So it is written." V closes his book and puts it at away in his pouch.
Sokka joins them, holding the green bag. He looks wondering at the flyer. At Yu's academy Aang is perplexed while wearing an Earth Kingdom outfit and a green hat. He puts his finger into his ear, wiggles it and sniffs his finger. Turning to his right, he sees that all the younger children with whom he is standing in line with sport a serious expression and he promptly straightens his back. Their teacher, Master Yu, moves toward his two opposing rows of pupils. The row opposite of Aang has rocks placed in front of them.
His students take their fighting stances, except for Aang. Take your stances! Now, strike as if you're punching through your opponent's head! Commanded Master Yu.
Yu demonstrates the movement he means. The pupils lift their rocks. Aang's startled expression was priceless. The student that stands across Aang as he fires his rock at him. Aang gets hit by the rock in the gut and smashes into a vase in the shape of a tea pot by the impact of the blow.
Master Yu approaches Aang, "So, are you ready to commit to more lessons? If you pay for the whole year in advance, I'll bump you up to the next belt!"
Aang stares at him, covered in sand and shards. Only his eyes, nose and right hand are visible. The sand shifts and covers his face completely. Moments later, Aang walks out of the academy with the other students and returns to Katara and Sokka.
One student leaves the Earthbending Academy, accompanied by another student. "I think The Boulder's going to win back the belt at Earth Rumble VI." Said the first student.
"He's going to have to fight his way through the best earthbenders in the world to get a shot at the champ." Added the second student.
Aang overhears their conversation and runs after them. "Excuse me, but where is this earthbending tournament, exactly?"
"It's on the island of Noneya ... "Noneya" business!" the student replied sarcastically.
"Come on, you little bastards, he asked simple question."Dante said.
The students laugh and walk away as he looks on disappointed. Sokka walks up to Aang laughing while Katara glares at them while walking up.
Sokka Laughs and wipes tears of laughter away. "Oh, I got to remember that one!"
"I'll take care of this." Katara consoled to Aang before running after the students around a corner.. "Hey, strong guys! Wait up!"
Looking at his bag, holding it out. "What was I thinking? I don't need a new bag! Why did you let me buy this?"
He puts the bag down and crosses his arms in front of his chest. Momo hops off his shoulder, into the bag. He turns around inside of it and settles down, closing his eyes. Katara comes running back with good news.
"You ready to find an earthbending teacher? Because we're going to Earth Rumble VI!" Katara how'd you get them to tell you?
"How'd you get them to tell you?" Aang asked surprised.
"Oh ... a girl has her ways." Katara smiles.
V leaning out and looks down the alley and sees the two students frozen together at the head, encased in ice in an alley.
::
Nightfall.
The entrance to location of Earth Rumble VI was tunnel in a rock face lightened brightly. People enter the tunnel. The hall where the competition will be held was a large rectangular arena is located in the middle. With green glowing crystal the arena has stairs running down to a lower, oval shaped area. Seats for the spectators start at the same level as the arena. Team Avatar walks into an empty row of seats. "Hey, front row seats! I wonder why no one else is sitting here."
They sit down but quickly jump back up as a huge rock smashes into the seats next to them.
"I guess that's why!" Sokka almost craps his pants.
In the center of the ring, the event's host raises an earthen platform. He brings it back to the level of the rest of the arena. "Welcome to Earth Rumble VI! I am your host, Xin Fu!"
"This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other, isn't it?"
"That's what I paid for." Sokka smiles happily.
"The rules are simple. Just knock the other guy out of the ring, and you win! Xin Fu leaps up to a podium above the ring.
"This better be a good show." Dante waits impatiently.
A bell rings. Xin Fu announces the first line up. "ROUND ONE: THE BOULDER VS. THE BIG BAD HIPPO!"
The Boulder raises his arms and turns around to the cheering of the audience. The Hippo roars.
"Listen up, Hippo. You may be big, but you ain't bad!" The Boulder grinned insanely. The Boulder's gonna win this in a landslide!"
"Hippo ... mad!" The Hippo said.
"The Boulder seems to be talking in the third person." V commented.
"The Big Bad Hippo seems to be as smart as the he tramples on." Dante added.
The Hippo raises his arms in anger and stomps one foot. Momo lowers himself more inside Sokka's bag out of fear. The Boulder fires three rocks. They crash into The Hippo, but he does not move. He catches one piece of rock with his mouth, chews on it and spits it out. The Hippo jumps up and down, causing the surface of the arena to tilt. The Boulder hereby loses his balance.
"Unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen! The Hippo is rocking the boat!" Xin Fu doing the play-by-play.
The Boulder reaches the edge, but saves himself by bending out part of the ring into a small platform. He grabs it and throws it at his opponent, hitting him on the back. As The Hippo turns around to look at him, The Boulder bends up The Hippo's part of the ring, and throws him out on it. The Hippo crashes in the lower area of around the arena. The fight ends with the boulder on top.
"The Boulder wins!" Xin Fu announces.
"How about The Boulder? He's got some good moves." Katara asked Aang.
Aang shrugs. "I don't know. 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 cheers loudly. He was in the moment.
Xin Fu announces round two. "Next match ... The Boulder versus Fire Nation Man!"
Far off side-shot as the crowd boos at the Fire Nation Man who is makes his way over to the arena, still waving his flag, on a makeshift earthen bridge, which crumbles away behind him. Sokka, who loudly boos the fighter as well, while giving him a thumbs down.
"Please, to rise for Fire Nation national anthem! "Put his left hand over his heart; begins to sing by Drops to his right knee and stretches out his left arm." Fire Lord, my flame burns for thee!"
The crowd boos at him again while bombarding him with pieces of rock, much to his surprise. Cut to Sokka with a stone cocked back in his hand, ready to throw. "Go back to the Fire Nation!"
Sokka throws his rock. Fire Nation Man, who is hit against the head by the rock, starts to become angry, though the emotion quickly changes to wonder and he is sunk chest-deep into the ground; he drops his flag in the process. The Boulder as the culprit, who subsequently raises himself high into the air on an earth pillar. The Fire Nation Man, who looks petrified."No, no, please!" he begged.
The Boulder grinning broadly. He leaps in the air, his face serious. The Boulder is plummeting straight down, his feet held back behind his back as to direct his knees to the ground. Switch to a further off shot as he slams the surface of the ring, by which he creates a pillar under Fire Nation Man that catapults him out of the ground. The Fire Nation Man as he sails screaming through the air. Cut to a frontal shot of the place where Team Avatar is sitting. The Fire Nation Man smacks upside down and face first against the large boulder that was embedded into the stand next to team Avatar. Sokka gets up and waves both hands in the air in celebration of the Fire Nation Man's defeat, while shouting in the fighter's direction."Yeah! Wooo! The Boulder knows how to put the hurt in the dirt! Yeah! Woohoo!"
The fights continue with a man riding a badgermole is going over the surface to make it smooth again, letting the animal bend all the rubble away. A turning, frog-view shot reveals the ceiling and a female assistant holding up a sign to announce the next round as a bell is struck. Dante gives his appreciation of the assistant by giving her a loud wolf whistle.
The Boulder defeating several more fighters: The Gopher gets slammed between two rocks, The Gecko jumps up, but gets hit in the stomach by a broad earthen pillar, Headhunter gets hit with an earthen coin. Between his victories, The Boulder entertains the cheering crowd by wobbling his chest. As The Boulder relishes from his fans' praise.
Xin Fu standing on his platform. Now was time for the main event. The light slowly dims to put him in the spotlight.
"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The Boulder versus your champion ... the Blind Bandit!"
The girl, with a black hair mostly obscure her face raises her championship belt above her head, under loud cheering of the crowd. She was a short kid, barely reaching to the waists of the female assistants standing next to her, who were amazons in height. As the spotlight dies down, the girl offers her championship belt to the assistant on her right, while the other one removes her cape and they both walk off.
"She can't really be blind. It's just part of her character, right?" Katara asked a little concerned.
"I think she is." Aang answered. The girl was very still as if she was listening to every single sound around her. Her milky-green eyes stare constantly in the direction of her opponent, but not virtually.
"I think she is ... GOING DOWN!" Sokka shouted.
"You want to bet?" Dante offered.
"All the gold I got in my pocket." Sokka said.
"You're on." Dante said and the two shook hands on the deal.
The Boulder confidently puts his foot down, cracking the floor in the process and throwing up some dust.
"The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young blind girl." said The Boulder.
The girl points at The Boulder, mockingly. "Sounds to me like you're scared, Boulder!" the girl Goes into a mockingly scared position.
The Boulder is stunned for a moment. "The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings, and now he's ready to bury you screen in a ROCK-ALANCHE!"
"Whenever you're ready, The Pebble!" the girl throws her head back and laughs.
Aang, where he saw the girl in white and the flying boar. He remembers her laugh, which is the same as that of the Bandit. And at some point of him chasing after her he caught a brief glimpse the girl face which is the face of the Bandit's. Aang is stunned by this revelation. He needs to be a hundred percent sure that she is the one.
"It's on!" The boulder shouted. The first move was his and he was going to take it.
Despite his bravado, he is sweating profusely. He breathed in and out sharply which the Blind Bandit could hear easily. The Boulder, who yells and takes a step forward. As his heel hits the ground, shockwaves move out from his heel where it has struck the floor of the arena. The Bandit standing perfectly still. The shock waves reach her and travel up her body.
She moves forward, opening her arms as soon as she registers the shock wave indicating the movement of her opponent. Her feet as she moves forward to finish the set up for her attack
The Boulder is bellowing as his foot strikes the ground again. Bandit swings her right foot in an arc toward the ground in front of her. She strikes it creates a shock wave in the arena floor that churns up the ground in the direction of the Boulder in a straight line.
Boulder whose foot meets the shock wave just as he puts it back on the ground. The shock wave makes him drop down onto the ground in a perfect split.
Momo squeaks and Sokka's look of adulation and excitement turns to a look of pain.
"OOOOOH!" The Boulder uttered through the pain.
The Bandit who makes a chopping motion with her right hand. Three stalagmites erupt from the ground near The Boulder and eject him from the ring. He slams into the wall beneath the stands and slides down into the crevice between the arena and the stands.
Bandit's face, which softens into a crafty and satisfied smile. She wins.
"Your winner, and still the champion, the Blind Bandit!" Xin Fu declares.
Sokka cries as Dante smiles in triumph. At first he though the girl was going to get pulverized by The Boulder. But seeing her defeating The Boulder in under a few seconds was money well earned..
"How did she do that?" Katara asked amazed like she didn't know what.
"She waited ... and listened." Aang replied simply. He now has his answer.
Xin Fu jumps down and lands next to bandit and holds 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 the Blind Bandit!"
The entire arena was a Silent as the grave.
"What? No one dares to face her?" Xin Fu asks the people in the stands.
"We will." Aang said as he companied by Dante and V.
The crowd murmurs its approval. The Fearer Threesome closes the distance between themselves and the Bandit. Xin Fu jumps out of the Arena. Three on one, the one being the champion, this was going to be a short fight indeed.
"Go Aang, Dante and V! Avenge The Boulder!" Sokka shouted.
"Do people really want to see a cripple, an old guy and two little girls fighting out here?" the bandit mocked them.
The audience 'Oooh' at the insult.
Aang puts his hands up in a conciliatory gesture. "I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you."
"Boo! No talking!" Sokka jeered.
"Don't boo at him!" Katara turns to her brother with a look of disapproval look and slaps him.
"Step aside, Aang. If you're just going to talk then you will be last in our three man tag-team." Dante took one step forward.
"Three man tag-team?" Aang asked.
"I'll go first." Dante said.
V claps his hands sarcastically, congratulating his brother on getting killed first.
"ONE ROUND: FIGHT!" Xin Fu announced.
To kick it off Dante closed the distance between him and the Bandit by moving the part of the floor he was standing on. He slid towards her with his arms raised two chucks of earth he as he was going to attack her head-on. The Bandit could feel him coming but had little time to respond the way she wanted. She manages to create a defensive wall. For an earthbender he was faster that her.
She pummeled the wall with her fists sending out darts of rock toward her opponent. He stopped and blocks them with his own rock wall only to have part of it jet out in a perfect cylinder and hit his face and chest. Stubble backwards he flipped horizontally to avoid the two disks she made from the wall from crushing him between them. He rolled and got to his feet in quick succession to run away from the rolling dicks of death.
"Rock and roll!" The Bandit said a grin.
Dante ran away from one disk and saw the other coming straight for him in the opposite direction. He jumped up and over and landed behind the disk. He twists his hands and the one of the disks rose and with a push he sent it back to the Bandit.
She sensed his movements and dropped backwards allowing the disk the pass over her. Dante thought he got her as she was nowhere to be seen.
"Shit!" Dante cursed as the Bandit grabbed his ankles and pulled him down underneath the floor.
Aang gasped as the two burst back out the floor from behind and soared over Aang's head locked in a close courters combat. The landed and rolled before he threw punches at her which she either blocked with her forearm or used her own fist against his bear knuckled.
Finally the two were locked on in a deadlock as their hands gripped the other. "For an earthbender as, you actually fun to fight!" The bandit complemented Dante.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Dante said.
"Not that I will." she said ironically.
The Bandit lifted her both feet and stomped the ground causing two pillars to come up and hit Dante in both elbows. He clenched his teeth as she kicked him backwards sending him slide on the floor back to Aang and V.
They leaned over and looked at him as he looked straight up.
Aang cringed at the sight of his forearms bending in the opposite direction. "Are they broken?" Aang asked.
"No … I'm double jointed." Dante reassured him and sat up and popped both forearms back in the right direction.
"Shall I go next? Unless Aang wishes to go." said V.
"Um no thanks I'll go after you if that's okay." said Aang.
"Not at all." said V and twirled his cane and planted it in the ground.
V walked up the Blind Bandit and greeted her with a one hand over a fist and a bow. She shrugged.
"Please" he said wishing her to accepted his offer to dual.
"If you say so." She replied.
V took a fighting stance, turning his feet to the left; he walked while sliding his feet on the floor with each stride. He circled a quarter of the way before striking. The bandit shifted the floor under his feet. v reacted by leaping in the air and with a twist of his wrist he trapped the Bandits feet. Surprised, she broke free and punched a boulder at him which he elbows it and reducing it to dust. He then bended the sand in to storm that moved on the ground and over took her. She yelled as she rolled on the ground and was spun around by the dust storm.
V the release her and she fell to the ground so hard she made a small crater on impact. Katara put her hands over her mouth as she thought the Bandit was dead.
"She's not dead but asleep. Arise – OOF!"
V dropped to his knees cupping his crotch in pain. The Blind Bandit lifted her head with a satisfied grin.
"I give, I give." V slapped his hand on the ground.
Dante walked over and dragged V out of there.
"Somebody call the medic." Griffon as he shuffled his feathers around. Katara still wondered why this bird has the ability to speak.
"Boy! You're up." Dante tossed.
Aang gulped and stepped forward. He was pacifist by nature, but he will defend himself. The only defense here is a good friend talk.
Aang's he takes one step and the Bandit smiles as soon as his foot hits the ground. She stomps the ground with the side of her left foot. A shock wave travels across the ground and causes a large rock to grow out of the ground underneath Aang, who is launched into the air. He just disappeared into thin air … and lands softly on the ground behind her.
She turns around with an upset expression on her face. "Somebody's a little light on his feet! What's your fighting name: the Fancy Dancer?" Aang grins sheepishly before The Bandit launches another pillar, which lifts him up.
"Where'd you go?" she said wait for him to land.
"Please, wait!" Aang shouted behind her.
"There you are!" She launches a rock at him. He stops it with airbending and the blast knocks the Bandit out of the ring.
Xin Fu, The Boulder who is recovering from his match with the Blind Bandit, the Water Tribe siblings and the Nephilim brothers were in shock.
The crowd cheers as Aang, who looks around surprise. The Bandit walking away from the base of the arena. In the background is a set of stairs. Aang is at the top of the stairs and he calls after the former champion. "Please, listen! I need an earthbending teacher, and I think it's supposed to be you!"
The blind bandit didn't quite hear what he said but she didn't care. "Whoever you are, just leave me alone."
She earthbends a doorway and exits through it. She turns and closes the door with a motion of her hands.
"Wait!" he said but reaches the wall too late.
On the arena above Xin Fu holding the belt and the bag of gold, the crowd cheering behind them. Katara, Dante, V and Sokka enter the frame from the right. Sokka hugs Xin Fu and takes the money and the belt. Some of the area accidents straddle Dante and V for doing a good match. Sokka puts his arm around Aang's shoulder. But the Avatar is still morose.
"Way to go, champ!" Sokka said as he gets gold and belt.
Aang looks down sorrowfully still morose. He not only lost his chance to speak to her but he cheated in a victory. It was fair and he felt absolutely rotten.
::
GAOLING
Team Avatar walking within the town. They search for the Blind Bandit had to begin here if not anywhere else.
"So off the top of my head, how do you like your … Earth Kingdom shoulder bag?" Dante asked.
"I've got to admit; now I'm really glad I bought this bag. It matches the belt, perfectly." Sokka said proudly.
"That is a big relief." Katara replied sarcastically.
"If we want to find the Blind Bandit, the Earthbending Academy is a great place to start."
They entered the Earthbending Academy and the same two male students from yesterday are seen practicing. When they notice who them they were not happy.
"Oh great, you again." the first student said.
Katara glares at them, causing them to back off. They bumped into Dante who was standing them. They backed off him when he growled like a lion. "Yeah, I didn't think so."
"Nicely done." Sokka said smugly.
Though they were scared they noticed Aang from last night. "Hey! You're that kid who beat the Blind Bandit!"
"We need to talk to her. Do you guys know where she lives?" asked Aang.
"The Blind Bandit's a mystery. She shows up to fight, then disappears." The first student says.
Katara approached "Let me handle this. You're not telling us everything!"
"Don't antagonize her again. The Lioness has long sharp claws." V warned.
"No, no, I-I swear it's true. No one knows where she goes, or who she really is." The second student raised his hands defensively.
Aang realized they mistake they were making. "That's because we're asking about the wrong person. 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. They're the richest people in town. Probably the whole world." said the first student.
"Yeah, but they don't have a daughter." added second student.
"A flying boar is good enough for me. Let's check it out." Everyone began to leave out of the gate.
"Yeah, you better leave." The first student said quietly.
"Hey, I got my eye on you." Katara reminded them.
"Make a bad move and I'll take both of yours out." Dante then with him popping his middle finger
"Who's bad?" Griffon asks Sokka as he flaps away.
"Water Tribe." Sokka states coolly.
::
Back at the Earth Rumble VI venue The Boulder spoke to Xin Fu about the match last night.
"I'm telling you, The Boulder was standing right there. 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 took a dive and split the money with the kid." The Boulder said.
Whatever the boy did he cheated. Xin Fu slams his fist against the wall, causing rocks to land on his feet; cries out in anger and pain. "GAAAAHHH! Nobody cheats Xin Fu."
::
Back in Gaoling Team Avatar asked around for the dwelling of the Beifong family. they point them in the direction. That walked until they went out of town and in the country where they saw a walled country estate lying boar emblazoned upon it.
"That's the flying boar from my vision. Come on!" Aang said.
There were guards posted at the gates. So they decided to hop the wall. Once over it they saw a lovely garden and many ponds sparking in the sun. The shrubbery where trimmed and the trees blossoms were in full bloom.
They enter the courtyard and hid behind a bush. When they stuck their heads out to see part of the ground suddenly lifts up, launching them into the air. They yell as they fall and land unceremoniously; Aang and Katara land in some rose bushes, Sokka and Dante slams painfully onto the solid ground, But V landed on the ground softly with the help of holding on to Griffon.
Aang looks up and see the Blind Bandit in her fancy gown from his vision in the swamp.
"What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?!" she asks.
"How did you know it was me?" Aang asked curiously.
"Don't answer to Twinkle Toes, it's not manly!" Sokka hissed at Aang.
"You're the one whose bag matches his belt." Katara stated.
"She got you there, bitch." Griffon threw and insult.
"How did you find me?" the Bandit demanded.
Aang told her the story hoping she would believe it, but she didn't. "Well, a crazy king told me I had to find an earthbender who listens to the earth. And then I had a vision in a magic swamp, and -"
Katara saw the girl wasn't buying and jumped in to get to the point. "What Aang is trying to say is, he's the Avatar. And if he doesn't master earthbending soon, he won't be able to defeat the Fire Lord."
The bandit understood it now gave an honest. "Not my problem. Now, get out of here, or I'll call the guards." She said and walked away.
"Huh, alright she doesn't want to help. Let get out of here." Griffon said and got ready to flap away.
"Hold on! Look, we all have to do our part to win this war, and yours is to teach Aang earthbending." Said Sokka.
"GUARDS! GUARDS, HELP!"
The gang scatters to the wall scrambles up it and out of sight. The Blind Bandit adjusts herself as two guards appeared to her side.
"Toph, what happened?" asked the guard.
"I ... thought I heard someone. I got scared." She pretended to be frightened.
"You know your father doesn't want you wandering the grounds without supervision, Toph." The guard reminds her again.
"So … her name is Toph." Dante mutters.
The guards escort her away and Aang peers at them from over a rooftop. He smiles and climbs down for he got an idea.
::
Inside the living room of the Beifong estate Toph, her parents Lao and Poppywere having tea with the Earthbending teacher Yu from Gaoling academy.
"I'm pleased to hear that Toph's private lessons are going well. But I want to be sure she's not trying anything too dangerous." Lao asked.
"Absolutely not. I am keeping her at a beginner's level. Basic forms and breathing exercises only." Yu reassured him.
"Very good." Lao said satisfied.
A servant comes in with news. "Excuse me, sir, but you have a visitor."
"Who thinks they are so important they can just come to my home unannounced?" Lao asked sternly. Where were the matters of folks these days?
"Uh ... the Avatar, sir." The servant said.
Toph's eyes widen in shock and surprise. She didn't think they would pull something like this and blows her hair in annoyance.
Inside the dining room, where the Beifongs, Yu, and Team Avatar gather for a dinner of soup, tea, roast duck, and tea. Aang sits across from Toph. Everyone eats with manners while Sokka devours his food like an animal. Servant brings a cup of soup to Toph. Lao notices this and shakes his head.
"Blow on it. It's too hot for her." Lao said to the servant.
"Allow me." Aang sends a small tornado at the cup. Everyone claps.
"Avatar Aang, it's an honor to have you visit us." Lady Poppy said.
"In your opinion, how much longer do think the war will last?" asked Lord Lao.
"I'd like to defeat the Fire Lord by the end of summer, but I can't do that without finding an earthbending teacher first." Aang answered.
Lao kindly offered the local master to Aang. "Well, Master Yu is the finest teacher in the land. He's been teaching Toph since she was little."
"Then she must be a great earthbender! Probably good enough to teach someone else - Ow!" Aang jump a little when Toph sends a fissure under the table at him to shut his curious mouth up.
Aang straights up a little. Lao casts an odd glance at his daughter who merely eats her soup.
"Toph is still learning the basics." Master Yu informed him.
"Yes, and sadly, because of her blindness, I don't think she will ever become a true master." Lao said glumly.
Dante glance at Toph and Master Yu. The guy is a master and he would know if Toph made progress, any type of progress for that matter. Base on what he saw in the arena something didn't quite add up.
"Oh, I'm sure she's better than you think she is." Aang added.
Toph sends another fissure at him, causing his face to fall into the soup.
Aang rubs some soup out of his eyes and sneezes on purpose, sending the food flying at the Beifong family. V's hand froze in the spot where he was going to reach for more helping of food. But due to Aang's sneeze attack he just simply sat back and whipped his mouth.
"What's your problem?!" Toph shouted angrily.
"What's your problem?" Aang shouted back.
"What are both of your problems" V asked.
"Well, shall we move to the living room for desert, then?" Poppy purposed as she and her husband wipe their faces with napkins.
::
Later that night, the five are in a guest room. Toph enters, causing Aang to jump into a defensive position. Dante blinked wondering if Aang was attempting to fire a bolt of lightning from his finger tips while
"Relax. Look, I'm sorry about dinner. Let's call a truce, okay?" Toph said finally giving up and letting them in a little.
The three noticed that Toph looked a little different from when she was in the arena to when they saw her in the garden earlier. She appeared to be standing straighter and taller with more definition. She appeared like the she could be and Earthbender while around her parents she seemed more diluted. Was it just the outfits or the appeal or something more?
Aang, Dante and V followed Toph outside to the yard. Toph walks along the side of the bridge balancing as she does. Though she was going to turn down Aang's offer again she decided tell the three the most extraordinary thing they have ever heard.
"Even though I was born blind, I've never had a problem seeing." Toph jumps down and lands on the soft grass. 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 three, that tree ... even those ants."
They looked around but even on a full moon lit night it was too dark see the details on the ground.
"That's amazing." Aang commented.
"It could certainly sue that." Dante said.
"You are unique. Your parents would be proud to have their own daughter take care of herself." V praised.
"My parents don't understand. They've always treated me like I was helpless." Toph admitted.
"Is that why you became the Blind Bandit?" Aang asked.
"Yeah." Toph said.
"Then why stay here where you're not happy?" Dante asked.
"They're my parents. Where else am I supposed to go?" Toph quested.
"You could come with us." Aang offered.
Toph once again denied him. "Yeah. You guys get to go wherever you want. No one telling you what to do, that's the life. It's just not my life."
"It's easy to run away, hard to take that first step, impossible to decide without a reason. I know that from personally experience." Dante stated sympathetically.
Toph was quite for a moment until she sensed something and touches the ground with her hand. "We're being ambushed!"
They try to run, but get cut off by underground digging from The Gopher. They are imprisoned in metal cages. The Hippo jumps onto the two cages and starts stomping. The rest of the Earth Rumble wrestlers jump down onto the ground and knocked out V and Dante out of the way as they tried to free their friends.
"I think you kids owe me some money." Xin Fu grinned.
Later, the Beifongs, Yu, Katara, and Sokka discover what has happened. They spot a note attached to a dagger, which Sokka takes. "Whoever took Aang and Toph left this."
He hands the note to Katara which she reads. "If you want to see your daughter again, bring five hundred gold pieces to the arena." It's signed Xin Fu and The Boulder."
"I can't believe it ... I have The Boulder's autograph!" Sokka shouts with glee.
V smacks Sokka upside the head with his cane. "Focus you moron!"
"Master Yu, I need you to help me get my daughter back." Lao asked.
"We're going with you." Katara said.
"Poor Toph, she must be so scared ..." Poppy said she knelt in front of the square craters where Toph and Aang were captured.
::
EARTH RUMBLE SIX
Toph and Aang's case was suspended from chains above the arena floor. "You think you're so tough? Why don't you come up here so I can snap that grin off your face?" Toph shouts angrily as she points somewhere below her.
"I'm not smiling." Xin Fu answers dryly wondering if this girl crazy to fight anyone who messes with her.
"Toph!" Lao called out. The two wrestlers turned around to see team Avatar along with Lao and Master Yu.
Sokka sets the bag of gold on the ground. "Here's your money. Now let them go."
Yu earthbends the money across the ring to Xin Fu. He grabs the money, signals for Toph to be sent down, and releases her. Toph goes to Lao and them the arena.
"What about Aang?" Katara asks.
Xin Fu showing the Fire Nation wanted poster. "I think the Fire Nation will pay a hefty price for the Avatar. Now, get out of my ring."
Fire Nation Man appears in an earth tornado. The Gecko jumps down from the ceiling. The Hippo stomps on the ground and crushes a boulder. Headhunter jumps onto the ring from the bleachers. The Gopher pops up from underground.
Dante pops his neck and V pops his arms as they stepped in front of Katara and Sokka.
"You motherfuckers just picked the wrong Avatar to kidnap." Dante spat.
"Dante, these six are skilled arena fighters. Even if going to take them on then we need another Earthbender so it will be two for each." V stated. Dante had to agree because the rules of engagement are different when you are fighting someone as good, or better, than your own self.
"Go, I'll be okay." Aang shouted.
"Toph, there's too many of them. We need an earthbender. We need you!" Katara shouted after Toph.
"My daughter is blind. She is blind and tiny and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you!" Lao tried to persuade them of the true. At least a true that Toph has led them to believe.
"Yes, I can." Toph says finally deciding to come out of the closet and reveal to the world that she is an true Earthbender.
She lets go of her father's hand and walks back to the ring. Xin Fu's wrestlers prepare to leave with The Boulder holding Aang's cage on his shoulder. Toph bends up a small part of the ring to stop them from leaving.
"Let him go! I beat you all before and I'll do it again!" Toph warned.
"The Boulder takes issue with that comment." Said the Boulder.
"Do you always take in the third-person numbskull?" Griffon said as he landed on V shoulder.
The Hippo throws the cage to the side. Dante V Katara and Sokka prepare to strike but Toph stops them.
Toph listens to their vibrations as they run toward her. "Wait! They're mine." Toph growled.
The Water Tribal siblings watch in surprise. Dante leans over give her some words of encouragement: "Kick their asses!"
Toph smirks and takes one stomp of her foot and she shakes the ring up, shooting back the oncoming wrestlers. She enters the resulting dust crowd, unnerving Lao.
Toph creates a large cloud of dust, walks in, and encounters the Fire Nation Man, who takes some time to notice her. As he moves his foot to attack, she smirks. He fires a wave of earth at her, which she dodges. She bends up part of the ring and sends her own wave, ejecting him from the ring as he slams against the sidelines and lands on the ground. Lao and Yu watch from the sidelines in shock.
Katara and Sokka try to release Aang. Sokka repeatedly bangs a rock against the cage.
"Hit it harder!" Aang said for them to hurry it up.
"I'm trying!" Sokka informed him.
The Gecko crawls along the floor and becomes aware of Toph's presence. He fires two rocks which she easily dodges. She bends up a series of pillars, sending him flying out of the ring. Cut to a disoriented Fire Nation Man who slowly gets up before he realizes the Gecko heading to him and he crashes into him. The Gopher tunnels and behind Toph and sends a rock at Toph's head.
She grabs the rock and returns it. Cut to The Gopher turning to a distressed look before he gets knocked out of the ring and right into Fire Nation Man and the Gecko. Sokka finally breaks the cage open, releasing Aang, who prepares to fight. Sokka shakes his head and calls his attention to the battle already going on.
The Boulder and The Hippo prepare to attack Toph. Lao looks on the fight biting his nails. Headhunter flies in from behind to complete the ambush. However, Toph hears him and turns the center of the ring around to put Headhunter on a collision course with the other two wrestlers. With the three men down, Toph ejects them all onto the other defeated wrestlers.
Once again Toph smirks in victory.
"I never knew. Your daughter's amazing!" Master Yu admitted.
Toph clears the dust cloud; only her and Xin Fu remain in the ring. Cut to Toph who spits. A quick shot of her father, who looks shocked at her lack of manners, and Yu. and gets into a fighting stance and they circle the central ring. Xin Fu fires several rocks at her. She brings up an earth shield, deflecting them all. She turns part of the shield on him. He dodges one piece, but when he hits the ring again, Toph picks up his vibrations in it and senses an attack. She dodges a rock and creates a fissure, sending him flying out of the ring between Yu and Lao. Sokka collapses in shock at the sight. Aang and Katara are left amazed and run toward her.
"She's the greatest earthbender I've ever seen." Yu admitted again.
::
THE BEIFONG ESTATE
Toph confronts her parents for she certain has a lot to explain for. She fooled everyone, not just her parents, but the servants even the guards. "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 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. It's made me realize something." Said Lao.
"It has?" Toph said.
"Yes. I've let you had far too much freedom. From now on you'll be cared for and guarded twenty-four hours a day."
"Oh that's a bummer." Griffon muttered.
"But, Dad!" Toph protested.
"We're doing this for your own good, Toph." Poppy supported her husband.
"What good is there to keep a work of art locked away from the world?" V asked.
"None that's what!" Dante agreed with him.
"Please escort the Avatar and his friends out. They are no longer welcome here." Lao said.
"I'm sorry, Toph." Aang apologized for the trouble for messing up with her life. He wished he never Airbender he out of the arena.
"I'm sorry too. Goodbye, Aang." Toph said while silently sheds a tear.
Outside, back at Appa, Team Avatar prepares to fly off in defeat.
"Don't worry, we'll find you a teacher. There are plenty of amazing earthbenders out there." Katara encourage Aang.
"Not like her." Aang said.
"She is unique." Dante said as he lay backwards on Appa's saddle with his hands resting behind his head. Katara and V jump up onto the saddle and Aang takes the reins. Suddenly, they notice Toph, in her arena clothing, running toward them and panting.
"Toph! What are you doing here?" Aang asked.
"My dad changed his mind. He said I was free to travel the world." Everyone look at each other with unsure looks, but smile at Toph.
"Well, we'd better get out of here, before your dad changes his mind again." Sokka said.
"Good idea." Toph agreed.
"Well let me be the first to welcome you the traveling Institute for the Chronically Strange." Dante stuck his head over the edge.
"Or as I come to call it: The lunatic Response Unit." Griffon added landing on Toph's shoulder.
Toph chuckled. "You're a funny bird-thing."
Aang smiled. "You're going to be a great teacher, Toph."
"Speaking of which, I want to show you something." She offered.
Aang jumped down in front of Toph. "Okay."
Toph suddenly bends up a rock, sending him into the air and landing in a tree.
"Now we're even. Um, I'll take the belt back." Toph said to Sokka.
Sokka tosses the belt down, hitting Toph on the head and knocking her down.
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
Back at the Beifong estate, Lao meets with Yu and Xin Fu.
"I know you two are very different. But I believe you have a common interest. The Avatar has kidnapped my daughter. I want you to do whatever it takes to bring her home."A servant brings out a chest of gold. Xin Fu and Yu exchange glances at one another. Yu and Xin Fu bow in agreement.
As for Toph she was now content. The wind of freedom against her hair was the greeting thing she ever felt. To free the winds of freedom is a great gift. She will do evening in her power to remain free forever in the adventure of a lifetime.
::
Another chapter done and I are tired like crap. I hope you guy enjoy it. I had been waiting to do it for a long time.
More of Dante's journey as a tank commander of the Fire Nation Sabertooth Tiger tank as the story continues. The Last Tiger is one of my favorite stories in BATTLEFIELD 5. Even if the game was a little … meh.
Until then.