Book 2 Chapter 6 the blind bandit
Amity's intro
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed her most, she vanished. A hundred years passed, and me, Willow and Gus discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Luz. And although her airbending skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone.
But I believe Luz can save the world
The camera pans across a wide-view over Gaoling. Town citizens move through the streets. The team stands inside a shop. The camera zooms in on them, gathered around a green bag. Willow is looking at the bag while pondering. Gus and King on his shoulder look at her. Luz, Amity, Eda and Camila sit down, looking the other way as Luz and Camila are wearing their conical hats.
(Pensively.) "It's pricey ... but I really do like it." Willow said
"Then you should get it, you deserve something nice." Gus said
"I do, don't I?" (Gus looks at her with a bored expression.) "But no, it's too expensive. I shouldn't." Willow said
In the background, a town citizen tries to talk to a passer-by, showing him a flier.
"All right, then don't." Gus said
Gus walks away in boredom. Luz, Amity, Eda and Camila get up and follow him. Willow pauses for a moment and goes along, too, her eyes still on the bag as he moves out of view. The town citizen with the fliers walks away in the same direction. Willow quickly comes back into view.
(Enthusiastically.) "You know what? I'm gonna get it." Willow said (Smiles in a pleased way.)
Luz, Amity, Gus, Eda, Camila and King wait down the street. The town citizen turns toward them, showing them the flier.
"Psst, psst! Hey, you kids love earthbending? You like ... throwing rocks? Then check out Master Yu's Earthbending Academy." the flier distribution man said
The flier distribution man hands over a flier with a broad smile. The shot switches to a close-up of the flier as Luz, Amity, Gus, Eda, Camila and King look at it. Luz turns it around.
"Look! There's a coupon on the back! The first lesson is free." Luz said
The camera zooms out, showing Luz, Amity, Gus, Eda, Camila and King looking at the flier.
"Who knows? This Master Yu could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for." Amity said
Willow joins them, holding the green bag. She looks wondering at the flier. Scene cuts to Yu's academy. The camera shows a short view of the entrance. Luz looks perplexed, wearing an Earth Kingdom outfit and a green hat. She puts her finger into her ear, wiggles it and sniffs her finger. Turning to her right, She sees that all the younger children with whom she is standing in line are sporting a serious expression and she promptly straightens her back. Their teacher, Master Yu, moves toward his two opposing rows of pupils. The row opposite of Luz has rocks placed in front of them.
"Take your stances!" (His students take their fighting stances, except for Luz.) "Now, strike as if you're punching through your opponent's head!" Yu shouted
Yu demonstrates the movement he means. The pupils lift their rocks. A close-up shows Luz's startled expression. The camera shifts to a close-up of the student that stands across Luz as he fires his rock at her. Luz gets hit by the rock in the gut and smashes into a vase in the shape of a teapot by the impact of the blow.
(Approaches Luz.) "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!" Yu said
Luz stares at him, covered in sand and shards. Only her eyes, nose and right hand are visible. The sand shifts and covers her face completely. Moments later, Luz walks out of the academy with the other students and returns to Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda and Camila.
"Ehhh, he's not the one." Luz said (Beats her right ear, causing sand to fall out of her left ear.)
(Leaves the Earthbending Academy, accompanied by another student.) "I think The Boulder's going to win back the belt at Earth Rumble VI." the first student said
"He's going to have to fight his way through the best earthbenders in the world to get a shot at the champ." the second student said
Luz overhears their conversation and runs after them.
"Excuse me, but where is this earthbending tournament, exactly?" Luz asked
(Sarcastically.) "It's on the island of Nunya ... 'Nunya' business!" the first student said
The students laugh and walk away as she looks disappointed. Willow walks up to Luz laughing while Amity glares at them while walking up.
(Laughs and wipes tears of laughter away.) "Oh, I got to remember that one!" Willow said
(Annoyed.) "Is Willow like that a lot?" Camila asked
"Gets it from Gus's dad." Eda said
(Consolingly to Luz.) "I'll take care of this." (To the students.) "Hey, strong guys! Wait up!" Amity shouted (Runs after the students around a corner.)
(Looking at her bag, holding it out.) "What was I thinking?" (Angrily to Gus.) "I don't need a new bag! Why did you let me buy this?" Willow asked
(Angrily to Willow.) "You bought it yourself!" Gus said
Willow puts the bag down and pulls Gus into a headlock giving him a noogie. King hops off Eda's shoulder, into the bag. He turns around inside of it and settles down, closing his eyes. Amity comes running back.
"Are you ready to find an earthbending teacher? Because we're going to Earth Rumble VI!" Amity said
(Looks surprised.) "How'd you get them to tell you?" Luz asked
"Oh ... a girl has her ways." Amity said (Smiles.)
A scene shows the two students holding each other in fright, scorch marks around them in an alley. Nightfall. The camera shows the entrance to the location of Earth Rumble VI, a lighted tunnel in a rock face. People enter the tunnel. The camera shows the hall where the competition will be held. A large rectangular arena is located in the middle. 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." Luz said
They sit down but quickly jump back up as a huge rock smashes into the seats next to them.
"I guess that's why." Eda said
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.
(Raises his left arm.) "Welcome to Earth Rumble VI! I am your host, Xin Fu!" the event host said
(Sighs and looks the other way.) "This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other, isn't it?" Amity asked
(places a hand on Amity's shoulder.) "Sounds about right."
(Happily.) "That's what I paid for." Willow said
"The rules are simple. Just knock the other guy out of the ring, and you win!" (Leaps up to a podium above the ring. A bell rings.) "Round one, The Boulder vs. The Big Bad Hippo!" Xin Fu shouted (While Xin Fu speaks, The Boulder raises his arms and turns around to the cheering of the audience. The Hippo roars.)
(Pointing at The Hippo.) "Listen up, Hippo. You may be big, but you ain't bad!" (Grinning insanely.) "The Boulder's gonna win this in a landslide!" The Boulder shouted
"Hippo ... mad!" Hippo yelled
The Hippo raises his arms in anger and stomps one foot. King lowers himself more inside Willow'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 shouted
The Boulder reaches the edge, but saves himself by bending 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 around the arena. The fight ends thus in his favor.
"The Boulder wins!" Xin Fu shouted
(Looking at The Boulder.) "How about The Boulder? He's got some good moves." Eda said
(Shrugs.) "I don't know. Wrath said I need a teacher who listens to the earth. He's just listening to his big muscles. What do you think, Willow?" Luz asked
Willow cheers loudly.
"Next match ... The Boulder versus" (Cut to a close-up of Fire Nation Man happily waving a Fire Nation flag, voice-over.) "Fire Nation Man!" Xin Fu shouted
Far off side-shot as the crowd boos at the Fire Nation Man who is making his way over to the arena, still waving his flag, on a makeshift earthen bridge, which crumbles away behind him. Cut to a close-up of Willow, who loudly boos the fighter as well, while giving him a thumbs down.
(With a pseudo-Russian accent.) "Please, rise for the Fire Nation national anthem!" (Put his left hand over his heart, begins to sing.) "Fire Lord, my flame burns" (Drops to his right knee and stretches out his left arm.) "for thee!" Fire Nation Man sang
The crowd boos at him again while bombarding him with pieces of rock, much to his surprise. Cut to Willow with a stone cocked back in her hand, ready to throw.
(Yelling.) "Go back to the Fire Nation!" Willow yelled
(turns to Luz pointing his thumb at Willow.) "I'm gonna have to agree with Willow on that guy." Gus said
Willow throws his rock. Cut to a close-up of the Fire Nation Man, who is hit against the head by a rock. He 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. Cut to a shot from over his shoulder to reveal The Boulder as the culprit, who subsequently raises himself high into the air on an earth pillar. Cut to a close-up of the Fire Nation Man, who looks petrified.
"No, no, please!" Fire Nation Man pleaded
Cut to a close-up of The Boulder grinning broadly. He leaps in the air, his face serious. Cut to a side-shot; 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. Frog-view shot of 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. Willow 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!" (Points at Fire Nation Man.) "The Boulder knows how to put the hurt in the dirt!" (Close-up of Willow as she continues to cheer and make taunting faces.) "Yeah! Woohoo!" Willow shouted
Cut to the arena where 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. A montage shows 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, there is a faded scene with the crowd cheering with Willow soon appearing in front. Far off shot of Xin Fu standing on his platform.
"Now, the moment" (The light slowly dims to put him in the spotlight.) "you've all been waiting for. The Boulder versus" (Cut to a shot of a person with red hair mostly obscured by a green prize belt, voice-over.) "your champion ... the Blind Bandit!" Xin Fu shouted
As Xin Fu was speaking, the girl raised her championship belt above her head, under loud cheering from the crowd. Cut to a further off frontal shot, showing the girl to actually be a teenager with a wide headband on her forehead, barely reaching to the shoulders of the female assistants standing next to her. 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. The camera shifts to Luz, Amity, Gus, Eda and Camila.
"She can't really be blind." (Turn her head and squint her eyes skeptically.) "It's just part of her" (Cut to a close-up of the Bandit's grayish-blue eyes, pans right.) "character, right?" Amity asked
(Frontal shot.) "I think she is." Luz said
(Camera moves back to include Willow in the shot, deadpanned.) "I think she is …" (Shouting, gesturing downward with both hands.) "going down!" Willow yelled
Willow's movement causes Luz to flinch back and King to coo and hide in the bag Willow bought earlier on the market. Cut to a shot of the Blind Bandit that nearly instantly moves back to a view from on the arena's floor level. The Boulder confidently puts his foot in the middle of the screen, cracking the floor in the process and throwing up some dust. Cut to a frog-point frontal view of the fighter.
"The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a teen girl."
(Points at The Boulder. Mockingly.) "It's a name, and it sounds to me like you're" (Goes into a mockingly scared position.) "scared, Boulder!" the Blind Bandit said
(After a pause where he looks stunned.) "The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings," (Narrows his eyes.) "and now he's ready to bury you" (Expands instantly and the Boulder makes a dramatic, crushing gesture.) "in a rock-alanche!" The Boulder said
"Whenever you're ready, The Pebble!" the Blind Bandit said (Throws her head back and laughs.)
Cut back to a close-up of Luz, before switching to a flashback from "The Swamp" where she saw the girl in white and the flying boar. She remembers her laugh, which is the same as that of the Bandit. The flashback shows a closer shot of the girl in the fancy dress. The camera closes in and turns around the girl to reveal her face as the Bandit's. The flashback ends in a flash of white to reveal Luz's stunned face.
"It's on!" The Boulder shouted
Cut back to a shot from behind The Boulder who faces the Bandit, before shifting to a tilting down shot of The Boulder's head. Despite his bravado, he is sweating profusely. Switch to a frontal shot of the Bandit. The camera whirls around her head as she closes her eyes and ends with a close up shot of her ear. Cut to The Boulder, who yells and takes a step forward. As his heel hits the ground, the frame freezes and goes to black and white. Shock waves in white move out from his heel where it has struck the floor of the arena. Cut to an overhead shot of The Boulder showing the shock wave emanating away from his heel in concentric circles. Cut again to the Bandit standing perfectly still. The shock waves reach her and travel up her body.
Return to a frontal shot of the Bandit in full color. She moves forward, opening her arms as soon as she registers the shock wave indicating the movement of her opponent. Cut to a shot of her feet as she moves forward to finish the setup for her attack. The Boulder moves forward at a slow frame rate. He is bellowing a slurred battle cry. Cut to a wider shot of The Boulder as his foot strikes the ground again, the screen flashes black and white again as another shock wave is shown moving out from him. Cut back to a frontal shot of the Bandit who has begun to swing her right foot in an arc toward the ground in front of her. As she strikes the ground, the view cuts to a wide shot from behind and above on her right. The frame rate speeds up to normal. Her strike creates a shock wave in the arena floor that churns up the ground in the direction of the Boulder in a straight line.
A quick shot of Luz staring incredulously at the camera, her face turning to follow the Bandit's shock wave. Cut back to a frontal shot of The 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. Cut briefly to King and Willow. King squeaks and Willow's look of adulation and excitement turns to a look of pain. Cut to a close shot from above The Boulder. He looks up into the camera with a look of excruciating pain on his face.
(Painfully.) "Ooooooh!" The Boulder yelled
Cut back to 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.
Shift to a close-up of the Bandit's face, which softens into a crafty and satisfied smile while opening her eyes as Xin Fu speaks.
"Your winner, and still the champion," (Cut to a wider shot of the Bandit, who raises her right fist in victory.) "The Blind Bandit!" Xin Fu shouted
"How did she do that?" Camila asked
"She waited ... and listened." Luz said
Cut to a wide shot of the announcer's tower as Xin Fu jumps down and lands next to the Bandit on the arena floor. He 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" (He motions toward the champion.) "The Blind Bandit!" (He motions toward the Bandit once again. Silence.) "What? No one dares to face her?" Xin Fu asked
"I will!" Luz said
Xin Fu looks disappointed for a moment before the camera cuts to Luz entering the ring. The crowd murmurs its approval. Shift to a long, wide shot of Luz as she closes the distance between herself and the Bandit. Xin Fu jumps out of the screen. Cut to Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda and Camila.
"Go Luz! Avenge The Boulder!" Willow yelled
"Do people really want to see two teen girls fighting out here?" the Blind Bandit asked
"Oooh." the audience said
(Luz puts her hands up in a conciliatory gesture.) "I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you." Luz said
Cut to Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda and Camila.
"Boo! No" (the others turn to their friend with a look of disapproval.) "talking!" Willow yelled
(Slaps Willow.) "Don't boo at Luz!" Gus said (gets elbowed in the stomach by Willow.)
Cut to Luz's feet, she takes a step. Cut back to the Bandit, who closes her eyes and smiles as soon as her 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 Luz, who is launched into the air. She lands softly on the ground behind her. She turns around with an upset expression on her face.
"Somebody's a little light on her feet! What's your fighting name," (Cut to Luz.) "The Fancy Dancer?" (Luz grins sheepishly before the Bandit launches another pillar, which lifts her up.) "Where'd you go?" the Blind Bandit asked
"Please, wait!" Luz said
"There you are!" the Blind Bandit said
She launches a rock at Luz. She stops it with airbending and the blast knocks the Bandit out of the ring. Quick shots of Xin Fu, The Boulder who is recovering from his match with the Blind Bandit, and the Avatar Team as they confirm their collective shock. Cut back to Luz, who looks around in surprise as the crowd cheers. Cut to a shot of the Bandit walking away from the base of the arena. In the background is a set of stairs. Luz is at the top of the stairs and he calls after the former champion.
(Going after her.) "Please, listen! I need an earthbending teacher, and I think it's supposed to be you!" Luz said
(Angrily.) "Whoever you are, just leave me alone." the Blind Bandit said
The Bandit earthbends a doorway and exits through it. She turns and closes the door with a motion of her hands.
"Wait!" Luz said
Luz reaches the wall too late. She turns and looks sad. Cut to Xin Fu holding the belt and the bag of gold, the crowd cheering behind them. Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda and Camila enter the frame from the right. Willow hugs Xin Fu and takes the money and the belt. She puts her arm around Luz's shoulder, but the Avatar is still morose.
(Gets the belt and gold.) "Way to go, champ!" Willow said
Luz looks down sorrowfully. Cut to the next morning, featuring a wide shot of Gaoling before zooming in on Team Avatar walking within the town.
"I've got to admit, now I'm really glad I bought this bag. It matches the belt perfectly." Willow said
(Sarcastically.) "That is a big relief." Gus said
"If we want to find the Blind Bandit, the Earthbending Academy is a great place to start." Luz said
The same two students from yesterday are seen practicing.
"Oh great, you again." the first student said
(Glares at them, causing them to back off.) "Yeah, I didn't think so." Amity said
(Smugly.) "Nicely done." Eda said
"Hey! You're that kid who beat the Blind Bandit!" the first student said
"We need to talk to her. Do you guys know where she lives?" Luz asked
"The Blind Bandit's a mystery." (Raises fist dramatically.) "She shows up to fight, then disappears." the second student said
(Lays hands on Luz's shoulder.) "Let me handle this." (Approaches the second student with a stern look, says accusingly.) "You're not telling us everything!" Amity said
(Holds hands up defensively.) "No, no, I-I swear it's true. No one knows where she goes, or who she really is." the second student said
"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?" Luz asked
"Well, a flying boar is the symbol of the Beifong family. They're the richest people in town. Probably the whole world." the first student said
"Yeah, but they don't have a daughter." the second student said
"A flying boar is good enough for me. Let's check it out." Luz said
(Quietly.) "Yeah, you better leave." the first student said
"Hey, I got my eye on you." Amity said
(States coolly pointing her thumb at Amity.) "Fire Nation." Willow said
Back at the Earth Rumble VI venue.
"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 taken a dive and split the money with the kid." The Boulder said
(Slams the wall, causing rocks to land on his feet, cries out in anger and pain.) "Nobody cheats Xin Fu." Xin Fu said
Shift to a wide, overhead shot of a walled country estate with a lovely garden and many ponds. It is daylight. A shot of the gate tilts up to reveal a crest with a flying boar emblazoned upon it. Cut to the Avatar Team spying on the gate.
"That's the flying boar from my vision. Come on!" Luz said
They enter the courtyard. Suddenly, part of the ground lifts up, launching them into the air. They yell as they fall and land unceremoniously, Luz, Amity, Gus, Eda and Camila land in some rose bushes, but Willow slams painfully onto the solid ground head down. Luz looks up, cut to an upside down shot of the Bandit, now in a fancy gown.
"What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?!" the Blind Bandit asked
"How did you know it was me?" Luz asked
"Don't answer to Twinkle Toes, it's not manly!" Willow said
"You're the one whose bag matches her belt." Gus said
"How did you find me?" the Blind Bandit asked
"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," (the Bandit raises her eye in disbelief.) "and -" Luz didn't finish
(Cutting off Luz.) "What Luz is trying to say is, she's the Avatar. And if she doesn't master earthbending soon, she won't be able to defeat the Fire Emperor." Amity said
"Not my problem. Now," (Begins walking away.) "get out of here, or I'll call the guards." the Blind Bandit said
"Look, we all have to do our part to win this war, and yours is to teach Luz earthbending." Eda said
(stops a few feet away from the team and turns showing a scared look while holding her headband up on her head.) "Guards! Guards, help!" the Blind Bandit yelled
"We gotta hide!" Camila said
The gang scatters as two guards arrive.
"Boscha, what happened?" a guard asked
"I ... thought I heard someone. I got scared." Boscha said
"You know your father doesn't want you wandering the grounds without supervision, Boscha." a guard said
They escort her and Luz peers at them from over a rooftop. She smiles and climbs down. Fade quickly to a shot of a teapot being picked up by a pair of arms that belong to someone in a brown or gold robe. The fingers have two gold rings on them. The camera follows the teapot as it is lifted up and opened. Boscha's parents, Lao and Poppy sit on a sofa drinking tea.
(Takes a sip of tea.) "I'm pleased to hear that Boscha's private lessons are going well. But I want to be sure she's not trying anything too dangerous." Lao said
"Absolutely not. I am keeping her at a beginner's level. Basic forms and breathing exercises only." Yu said
"Very good." Lao said (A servant comes in.)
"Excuse me, sir, but you have a visitor." the servant said
"Who thinks they are so important they can just come to my home unannounced?" Lao asked
"Uh ... the Avatar, sir." the servant said (Boscha's eyes widened in shock and surprise.)
Lao and Poppy look at each other. The servant goes away. Boscha blows her hair in annoyance. The scene fades to inside the dining room, where the Beifongs, Yu, and Team Avatar gather for a dinner of soup, tea, roast duck, and tea. Luz sits across from Boscha. Willow devours her food. a servant brings a cup of soup to Boscha. Lao notices.
"Blow on it. It's too hot for her." Lao said
"Allow me." Luz said (Sends a small tornado at the cup. Everyone claps.)
"Avatar Luz, it's an honor to have you visit us." Poppy said
"In your opinion, how much longer do you think the war will last?" Lao asked
"I'd like to defeat the Fire Emperor by the end of summer, but I can't do that without finding an earthbending teacher first." Luz said (Close-up of Boscha with an annoyed look.)
(Chuckles.) "Well, Master Yu is the finest teacher in the land." (The camera pans to Yu.) "He's been teaching Boscha since she was little." Lao said
"Then she must be a great earthbender! Probably good enough to teach someone else!" (Boscha sends a fissure under the table at her.) "Ow!" Luz yelped
Luz sits up a little. Lao casts an odd glance at his daughter who merely eats her soup.
"Boscha is still learning the basics." Yu said
"Yes, and sadly, because of her sensitivity she has under her headband, I don't think she will ever become a true master." Lao said
"Oh, I'm sure she's better than you think she is." Luz said
Boscha sends another fissure at her, causing her face to fall into the soup. Everybody stops eating. Luz rubs some soup out of her eyes and sneezes on purpose, sending the food flying at the Beifong family.
(Angrily.) "What's your problem?!" Boscha asked
(Just as angrily.) "What's your problem?" Luz asked
Lao and Poppy wipe their faces with napkins.
"Well, shall we move to the living room for dessert, then?" Poppy asked
Later that night, the Avatar team is in a guest room. Appa is outside the window and Luz is patting Appa.
"Good night, buddy." Luz said
Boscha enters, causing Luz to move into a defensive position.
"Relax. Look, I'm sorry about dinner. Let's call a truce, okay?" (Luz lets down her defensive position and the two head out to the yard. Boscha walks along the side of a bridge.) "Even though I was born to look blind, I've never had a problem with it." (Jumps down, closing her eyes.) "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." (The camera shows an aerial view.) "You, that tree …" (Cut back to the ground.) "even those ants." Boscha said
(Looks around.) "That's amazing." Luz said
"My parents don't understand. They've always treated me like I was helpless." Boscha said
"Is that why you became the Blind Bandit?" Luz asked
"Yeah." Boscha said
"Then why stay here where you're not happy?" Luz asked
"They're my parents. Where else am I supposed to go?" Boscha asked
"You could come with us." Luz said
"Yeah. You guys get to go wherever you want. No one tells you what to do, that's life. It's just not my life." (She detects something and touches the ground, closing her eyes.) "We're being ambushed!" Boscha shouted
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.
"I think you kids owe me some money." Xin Fu said
Later, the Beifongs, Yu and Avatar Team discover what has happened. They spot a note attached to a dagger, which Gus takes.
"Whoever took Luz and Boscha left this." Gus said (Hands the note to Amity.)
"'If you want to see your daughter again, bring five hundred gold pieces to the arena.' It's signed by Xin Fu and The Boulder." Amity said
(Serious.) "I can't believe it …" (Grabs the note much to Amity and Gus' surprise and runs off a few feet. Cut to a further off shot, enthusiastically.) "I have The Boulder's autograph!" Willow said
Willow dramatically sinks to her knees and holds the scroll above her head. Cut to a close-up of Amity and Gus, who stares at her in annoyance. Behind her, Poppy wipes the tears out of her eyes and leaves her husband's embrace, exciting the screen.
"Master Yu, I need you to help me get my daughter back." Lao said
"We're going with you." Camila said
"Poor Boscha, she must be so scared …" Poppy said
At the Earth Rumble VI venue, Boscha and Luz are suspended high above the air in their cages. The Boulder and Xin Fu guard the two hostages.
"You think you're so tough?" (The camera zooms back to show her case and Luz's suspended from chains. She points at Xin Fu below her.) "Why don't you come up here so I can snap that grin off your face?" Boscha asked (Cut to Xin Fu and The Boulder looking from below them on the floor of the arena.)
(Narrows his eyes. Dryly.) "I'm not smiling." Xin Fu said
"Boscha!" Lao yelled
"Here's your money." (Sets the bag of gold on the ground.) "Now let them go." Eda said
Yu earthbends the money across the ring to Xin Fu. He grabs the money, signals for Boscha to be sent down, and releases her. Boscha goes to Lao. They exit the arena.
"What about Luz?" Amity asked
(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." Xin Fu said
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.
"Go, I'll be okay." Luz said
"Boscha, there's too many of them. We need a strong earthbender. We need you!" Amity said
"My daughter is really sensitive. She is sensitive and weak and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you!" Lao said
"Yes, I can." Boscha said
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 Luz's cage on his shoulder. Boscha bends up a small part of the ring to stop them from leaving.
"Let her go! I beat you all before and I'll do it again!" Boscha said
"The Boulder takes issue with that comment." The Boulder said
The Hippo throws the cage to the side. Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda and Camila prepare to strike but Boscha stops them.
"Wait!" (closes her eyes and listens to their vibrations as they run toward her, turns her head to Willow.) "They're mine." Boscha said
The Avatar Team watched in surprise. She shakes the ring up, shooting back the oncoming wrestlers. She enters the resulting dust crowd, unnerving Lao.
Boscha 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.
The Avatar Team tries to release Luz. Willow repeatedly earthbends a rock against the cage.
"Hit it harder!" Luz said
"I'm trying!" Willow said
The Gecko crawls along the floor and becomes aware of Boscha'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 behind Boscha and sends a rock at Boscha'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. Willow finally breaks the cage open, releasing Luz, who prepares to fight. Eda shakes her head and calls her attention to the battle already going on. The Boulder and The Hippo prepare to attack Boscha. Lao looks on the fight biting his nails. Headhunter flies in from behind to complete the ambush. However, Boscha 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, Boscha ejects them all onto the other defeated wrestlers.
"I never knew. Your daughter's amazing!" Yu said
Boscha clears the dust cloud; only her and Xin Fu remain in the ring. Cut to Boscha who spits as she takes her headband off revealing a third eye under it that is white showing it is blind. 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, Boscha 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. Gus and Willow collapse in shock at the sight. Luz, Amity, Eda and Camila are left amazed and run toward her.
Cut back to Yu and Lao.
"She's the greatest earthbender I've ever seen." Yu said
The scene fades to that night at the Beifong estate. Boscha confronts her parents.
"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." Boscha said
"Of course it doesn't change the way I feel about you, Boscha. It made me realize something." Lao said
"It has?" Boscha asked
"Yes. I've let you have far too much freedom. From now on you'll be cared for and guarded twenty-four hours a day." Lao said
"But, Dad!" Boscha pleaded
"We're doing this for your own good, Toph." Poppy said
"Please escort the Avatar and her friends out. They are no longer welcome here." Lao said
"I'm sorry, Boscha." Luz said
"I'm sorry too. Goodbye, Luz." Boscha said (She sheds a tear.)
Outside, back at Appa.
"Don't worry, we'll find you a teacher. There are plenty of amazing earthbenders out there." Amity said
(Cut to a wider shot from behind them. The full moon shines in the distance.) "Not like her." Luz said
Gus helps Willow polish the championship belt on Appa's saddle, Amity, Eda and Camila jump up onto the saddle and Luz takes the reins. Suddenly, they notice Boscha running toward them and panting.
"Boscha! What are you doing here?" Luz asked
"My dad changed his mind. He said I was free to travel the world." Boscha said (Amity, Gus, Eda and Camila look at each other with unsure looks, but smile at Boscha.)
"Well, we'd better get out of here, before your dad changes his mind again." Camila said
"Good idea." Boscha said
"You're going to be a great teacher, Boscha." Luz said
"Speaking of which, I want to show you something." Boscha said
"Okay." Luz said
Luz jumps down from Appa and she bends up a rock, sending her into the air and landing in a tree.
"Now we're even. Um, I'll take the belt back." Boscha said
Willow tosses the belt down, hitting Boscha on the head with a sound effect and knocking her down.
"Ow!" Boscha yelped (Cut to a wide shot of Appa and Boscha still laid out flat.)
"Sorry." Willow said
Luz falls down from the tree in the background. 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." (A servant brings out a chest of gold. Xin Fu and Yu exchange glances at one another.) "The Avatar has kidnapped my daughter. I want you to do whatever it takes to bring her home." Lao said
Yu and Xin Fu bow in agreement. A final scene shows Boscha, now content, as they all fly off on Appa.
Fade to credits.