Book 5 Thunder: Chapter 17 A water-bender and pet.

"Now for Miss Mandy," Bumi spoke as they traveled away from Kurama and Toph's training place to an underground cave. "We'll see what kind of bender you are."

"How are we going to do that?" Katara asked.

"A race."

"A race?" Katara and Mandy watched Bumi go further into the cave.

"You see," Bumi's voice went into an amused whine. "The guards locked up my precious pet and hid the key down here."

The here he was referring to was hanging from a chain from the ceiling above an underground pond. There were stepping stones leading to the middle of the pond right under the key. Spikes covered the ceiling and floor. Also gave Aang and Sokka a fond if not fierce memory of first encountering the Omashu king during the tests he gave Aang.

"If you don't mind my asking," Raiden formally put in. "How does a race fit into this?"

"Simple," Bumi hand his energetic voice back. "Katara vs. Mandy. First one to get the key down doesn't have to clean out Flopsie's cage."

Katara had a look of pure disgust. Mandy picked up on this knowing how to read her opponent. Apparently, this "Flopsie" would have a messier if not more grotesque version of Billy's own room.

"You two can use any means necessary to stop your opponent," Bumi went on to say.

Mandy and Katara crossed to opposite sides of the pond. The rushing of the waters eased Mandy's nerves. It wasn't that she was afraid, after all she was used to being dragged all over the words of the living and the dead with Billy for a while now. Yet this time was different. She was separated from Billy and she didn't know what would happen next.

"Mandy," Katara's voice pierced through her train of thought. "Let's not get the key. This is pointless. There are other ways to see what kind of bender you are."

"Why," Mandy called back. "Afraid to lose?"

"Begin," Bumi had found a checkered flag somewhere.

Katara had chosen to go along the stepping stones to the center. Mandy looked around for resources only to see the stepping stones and water. The water seemed to be a bit more treacherous than on Katara's side. Mandy watched as Katara was doing some motions with her hands. It seemed like she was moving along with the tide over on Mandy's side. Her feet were firmly placed on the ground.

Katara's motions began to slow. "Sorry Mandy, but I am not cleaning that thing's cage!"

Sokka seemed disappointed in his little sister. "That girl has no sense of responsibility."

Mandy watched the water crash into the shore with a force. She debated on if it would be wise to cross over the stepping stones. She went to the first stone and was knocked off by a wave. She sat soaked in the water.

This can't be happening, she thought as she watched Katara reach the rope. I don't lose. I can't lose.

She found her footing and stood up. Now determined to beat Katara, by any means necessary. She surveyed her surrounds only to find that the water had calmed down as much as a demon would provoked. She glanced back at Katara who was climbing up to the ladder to the key. Mandy then had an idea. She started to do some of the hand motions she saw Katara using earlier. She felt stupid doing them when no effect happened to the water.

"Maybe she's not a water bender," Aang watched Mandy as she continued to try the motions with no avail.

"Give her time," Bumi chuckled his mysterious chuckle. He placed a referee's cap on and twirled the checkered flag.

Mandy kicked at the water out of frustration. "STUPID WATER!!"

As if on cue, the water she kicked had accumulated more water along with it. It seemed to be gathering more force with it. Soon it was a wave. Which grew into a larger wave. Which in turn…

Katara had the key almost in her grasp when she saw it coming. It was a tsunami. She wrapped her hand in the rope to maintain a position. She then took a deep breath before the tsunami had engulfed her.

"Katara!" Aang had his glider ready to go.

Bumi held the checkered flag in front of him to stop any action. "They are both water benders. Katara will be fine."

And indeed, she was. As soon as the water had hit, she had an air bubble surrounding her. Whirling water encompassed her to form it. She still had the rope in her hand.

The tsunami finished and Katara freed herself from both air bubble and the rope. She continued her climb to the chain hanging before her.

"Winner," Bumi had reached side Mandy had been at. She still was in the water and watched the old king come near her. She didn't know what he was smiling at her for. "Mandy."

Mandy smiled inwardly. Couldn't let the others know she was happy. Katara was still up on the rope descending to the main pool of water as Sokka and Aang went to help her out. Raiden and Grim were still standing on the shore's enterance.

"I don't understand," Katara jumped down from the rock with out assistance. "I almost had the key!"

"But you didn't get it down," Bumi explained. "Mandy did."

"Only by a fluke!"

"Admit it," Mandy got out of the water. "You lost, dweb."

"Then where's the key?" Katara stomped.

Momo had come and perched on Aang's shoulder holding a metallic object in his paws. Aang took it from him.

"Right there," Bumi cackled.

"But-but," Katara stammered.

"Maybe you shouldn't have said you weren't going to clean the cage," Sokka nodded. "You only jinxed yourself."

"That usually happens to you," Katara glared.

"Hey, don't blame me if you inherited it from me."

"There are some shovels in the shed," Bumi said while taking the key from Aang. "Here's the key to it. I suggest you don't use water-bending for it."

"Why not?" Katara took the key from Bumi.

"It will only worsen the smell," Bumi grinned.

tbc

Really sorry readers for the long wait! I had lost the original chapters that I had written and I took me a while to find them. I have too many notebooks that look the same I should say. I will try to get these out quicker than I have been. Thank you for those those who have been patentience for this story.