Chapter 29: Earth Rumble Six

(Amara POV)

Gaoling village. That was the name of our next place to search for an earthbending teacher. From where we stood on a hill at a distance, I could see the fine crafted buildings and well dressed citizens. Clearly we had come to a wealthy place. Our other villages in the last two days had been small and pretty rural. Gaoling was practically a city.

Katara finished tying the dark blue cloak around me and pulled the hood over my head. She sighed. "I know this isn't fair on you, but wanted posters are popping up everywhere… your Fire nation features are too apparent so we need to be—"

I cut her off, placing a tender hand on her arm. "It's okay, Katara. If I've learned anything in the last few weeks, I'm not going to be fully trusted by people in the Earth Kingdom until we stop this war anyway. It's best I lay low so we can focus on finding Aang's teacher. I don't want to run into other people like The Rough Rhinos… I want you all safe… If this disguise is the answer, I'll do what I can."

She smiled slightly and nodded.

"Great attitude, Amara!" Aang exclaimed, wearing a large hat to hide his arrow tattoo. "I have a wonderful feeling about this place! We'll find a teacher here! I just know it."

Sokka rolled his eyes. "You said that about the last three villages. Don't get upset if this place is a bust too."

Aang grinned. "It won't be! My Avatar instincts tell me my teacher is here somewhere! Let's go!"

Yuna suddenly landed on my shoulder now that Katara was done helping me put the cloak on. I stroked the fur on her head with a smile. "What do you say, Yuna? Ready to explore?"

Yuna flapped her wings with excitement. "Mew-Hoo!"

A few moments later, after walking through a number of streets in the village, we found ourselves in a busy market area. Aang started to ask around for earthbending masters, while Sokka dragged Katara and I into a shop with bags.

While Katara spoke to the shopkeeper about earthbenders, I looked at the merchandise around us that was made of fine material and had pretty designs. Yuna was more interested in ruffling her feathers than gazing at the green and yellow parcels.

"Hey! This is nice!" Sokka's intrigue brought my attention over to him. He appeared to be very interested in a green bag sitting on a narrow pedestal at the front of the shop. Momo sat on his shoulder looking at it with wide eyes. Katara walked over, and Momo jumped to her shoulder so Sokka could put the bag on and try it out.

"What do you think? I could carry my maps and stuff in it!" Sokka looked at Katara wanting her opinion.

Katara sighed. "Sokka… you have a pack."

"Yeah! But that stays on Appa! I could carry this around with me when we're walking through town!"

Aang suddenly came in the shop, looking bummed. He plopped down on the floor cross-legged in dismay.

"Nothing?" I asked.

"Nothing," he answered. "I guess my Avatar instincts lied."

"Seems Sokka thinks this town was a win," Katara muttered.

Sokka tapped his chin in thought as he examined the long strapped green bag some more. "It's pricey, but I really do like it."

Katara sighed. "Then you should get it. You deserve something nice."

My cousin smiled widely. "I do, don't I?!" He sighed and put the bag back down. "But no. It's too expensive, I shouldn't."

Katara huffed. "Alright, then don't."

She grabbed my hand to pull us out of the shop. Aang followed with dismay. I heard Sokka follow us for a moment, but then he left again. I looked back to see him grab the bag once more. I smiled slightly. Sokka's shopping spirit kind of reminded me of when I used to go around the market with Iroh. That man would debate a purchase at every stall.

As we walked away from the bag shop, I asked Aang, "So you asked around everywhere?"

He nodded. "The few people who said they knew earthbenders told me that the ones they knew were away at war. I guess earthbenders have other things to do than train some kid."

"Psst, psst…" A man suddenly sounded from nearby. He walked over with a stack of flyers in his hand. "Hey, you kids like earthbending? You like throwing rocks? Then check out Master Yu's Earthbending Academy."

He handed a flyer to me, and I took it with a small thanks. As the man walked off, I stared down at the illustration of a man with a long beard, split mustache, and some writing I couldn't completely decipher. I had learned to read a little, but I still struggled a lot.

"What's it say?" Aang asked.

I quickly handed it over to him. "Something about a man named Yu and his ability to bend really well. Might say something about boulders and a new outfit, but I'm not sure."

Aang took it with understanding. "It's okay. I got it." He looked down at the flyer and then he smiled. "It says his school is for beginners and advanced earthbenders! Looks like he takes anyone!" He grimaced. "It's a bit pricey though…" He looked over the flyer some more, and then grinned when he saw the writing on the back. "Look, there's a coupon on the back. The first lesson is free!"

Katara was invested as she stared at the flyer as well. "Who knows? This Master Yu could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for."

Sokka suddenly arrived, and I saw the green bag on his shoulder. "What's up?"

Katara rolled her eyes. "While you're busy shopping, we're finding Aang someone to teach him earthbending."

Sokka defended himself. "This bag will be very useful!"

We eventually found our way to the eastern district where Master Yu's Earthbending Academy was. As Aang went into the large gated area, we hung out on the long stone steps going toward the painted entrance. Sitting on my own step, I fed Yuna a moon peach slice that we'd bought along the way. I handed another one to Momo who sat in front of me.

"Hey… Can I ask you something?" Katara suddenly moved to the space beside me. "It's about earlier with the flyer."

My face burned with embarrassment. "Sure…"

"You told me that Iroh and Zuko were teaching you to read and write… If you want to continue to learn, you know I'm happy to teach you, right? I used to teach children at the South Pole all the time. I don't mind continuing where Iroh and Zuko left off."

I stroked Yuna's feathers for comfort. "I know… I guess I'm just… embarrassed when it comes to asking for help with that. Everyone my age knows how… I feel so behind. And… I honestly don't want to focus on that at the moment… I want to get stronger physically so I can help you all."

She frowned. "Amara… if it's something you'd enjoy though, then we can take a few minutes of the day to practice. Sokka and I can both work on it with you. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's not your fault you were deprived of everything growing up…"

Sokka, who was looking over his bag still, asked, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm offering to help Amara with her reading and writing," Katara answered.

I responded to them both. "I'm fine. I know enough to get by. I promise I'll let you know when I'm ready to learn again. Right now, I just want to focus on my bending."

"Why are you avoiding it? This isn't the first time I've offered," Katara spoke with honest curiosity.

I stared at my half eaten moon peach with dismay. "That stuff just… reminds me a lot of Iroh… and Zuko..."

Silence fell between us as my cousins took in the truth. Finally, Sokka asked softly, "You miss him a lot, don't you?"

I quickly argued, turning the fruit in my hands. "It's… it's not that I'm unhappy being with you all... You know I love you and am so glad I'm with you..." I grimaced. "It's just… My heart feels like it's been missing something ever since I parted ways with Zuko at the North Pole. Reading makes me think about him… and then that makes my heart hurt…"

"I understand," Katara said softly. "They were the first people who ever showed you kindness… they were the first family you had outside of your captivity. I'm not mad at you for missing them, Amara… There are people I miss all the time. My friend Haru for example. And you know Sokka misses Suki. I don't blame you for feeling that way." She placed her hand on my arm. "I just want you to know that whatever you need, Sokka and I are here for you. If you aren't ready, I won't push it anymore."

I gave her a small smile. "Thanks… I'll let you know when I am. Promise, Katara."

A few moments later, the gate behind us suddenly opened. We all turned on our step to look at who was exiting. Aang came out of the gate looking disappointed. He wore a black vest with a golden square pattern on the shoulder. He also had a wide brimmed hat on his head with the same colors. He smacked one side of his head to get some dirt out of his ear. We stood upon his approach.

Katara was quick to ask. "Well?"

Aang shook his head. "He's not the one."

I frowned. "Sorry, Aang. We'll keep looking."

A boy around Katara's age, wearing the same clothing as Aang with messy brown hair, walked past us. Another boy in similar clothing with lighter brown hair tied in a ponytail, walked on the other side of him. They were talking animatedly about something.

The one with the messy hair exclaimed, "I think The Boulder is gonna win back the belt at Earth Rumble Six."

His friend sounded unsure. "He's gonna have to fight his way through the best earthbenders in the world to even get a shot at the champ."

I had no clue what they were talking about.

Aang's eyes widened though. He turned to the teens with thrill. "Excuse me!" He rushed over to them. "But where is this earthbending tournament exactly?"

The one who originally spoke, said, "It's on the Island of Noneoya - none o' ya business!"

I was shocked by their cruelty, and watched with bewilderment as he and his friend walked off snickering. I'd known Fire Nation people to be rude. I hadn't expected to find so many jerks in the Earth Kingdom... However, after General Fong and Captain Yung I wasn't sure why I was so surprised.

Aang dropped his head with dismay. Katara looked furious.

Sokka laughed though. "Ha, ha! Oh, I got to remember that one."

Katara looked at Sokka with disapproval and then walked over to Aang. She put a hand on one of his shoulders and another on his other arm. She whispered to him with reassurance, "I'll take care of this."

She walked away. Momo hopped up on Aang's shoulder from where he'd been on the ground, and we all watched as Katara rushed after the teens who were turning the corner. "Hey strong guys, wait up!"

She disappeared then, and we waited. I wasn't sure what she was planning on doing to get answers, but I trusted she would succeed. She seemed really determined.

As Katara was gone, Sokka held his bag out in front of him with disbelief. "What was I thinking? I don't need a new bag." He looked over at Aang. "Why'd you let me buy this?"

I couldn't help but giggle at the puzzled look Aang gave Sokka. Sokka dropped the bag and Momo jumped inside to curl up in the empty space. I said with amusement, "I guess it can be a carrier for Momo."

Aang nodded. "He seems to like it."

Sokka sighed. "Okay." He picked up the bag again with Momo still inside. Momo poked his head out as Sokka put the strap on his shoulder. "Just don't get used to this, buddy." Momo chirped and dropped back inside the bag to nap.

Katara came around the corner a minute later. She smiled as she walked over to us. "You ready to find an earthbending teacher? Because we're going to Earth Rumble Six!"

Aang was amazed. "How did you get them to tell you?"

Katara shrugged with a sly smile. "Oh, a girl has her ways."

I was confused by her answer. Sokka stared at her with suspicion. Aang was too excited to question her further.

Sokka crossed his arms. "And what exactly is Earth Rumble Six?"

Katara explained to us that there was a very popular earthbending tournament tonight where some of the strongest earthbenders would be fighting for the ultimate champion spot. The prize was the Earth Rumble Belt. Katara was given the location and time for when the competition began. I was impressed she was able to get the information, and finally on our way back to camp, I asked her how she did.

She smirked. "I've learned a few things… persuasion is key. Plus, freezing ignorant people to walls is pretty helpful too."

I was bewildered. "Oh… I guess that does help."

An hour later we were back at camp, eating some dinner before we made our way to the arena. We had to drop the animals off as well, just in case people had an issue with animals at the competition. I was disheartened that Yuna couldn't come, but she and Momo were chasing one another playfully in the trees so I decided she would be fine for a few hours.

As we ate our rice and fish, I finally asked Katara what exactly this competition would be like. I had never been to a competition before, so I wasn't sure what it would entail.

Katara lowered her chopsticks and thought for a moment. "Basically, it's just going to be a bunch of tough people who fight to see who is the strongest. We had similar tournaments at the South Pole. Usually those were done with swords or hand-to-hand combat. Tonight, it will be a bunch of people throwing rocks at one another."

I nodded slowly. "So… it's just a power show?"

She nodded. "Yep. Makes the winner have a big ego."

Sokka argued. "That's not the reason! It's to prove yourself as a man! If we had competitions still at the South Pole I'd show all those warriors I'm the best!"

Katara scoffed. "As a Man? I'm sure women fight at this too!"

He shook his head. "We're talking about the toughest earthbenders!"

Katara smashed her bowl down. "There you go again being sexist! Women are earthbenders and fighters too!"

He held his hands up in defense. "I'm just saying… These tournaments are usually for guys. You'll see I'm right."

Aang shrugged. "Doesn't matter if it's a guy or a girl who can teach me… I just need to find a master. This competition will help me find someone hopefully." He smiled at Katara. "But I do agree that some girls make great fighters."

She smiled. "Thank you, Aang. At least someone in this group respects women." She said the last part narrowing her eyes at Sokka.

Sokka groaned. "That's not what I meant! I know women can fight! I learned my lesson about that with the Kyoshi Warriors! I'm just saying these tournaments are usually manly!"

I listened to the conversation before me with intrigue. Sometimes the arguments that broke out between my cousins were pretty entertaining.

"You're one to talk! You bought a bag this morning!" Katara exclaimed. She gestured over to the bag which Yuna and Momo were currently playing with. Yuna was sticking her head inside while Momo was bouncing the strap up and down. Appa watched them with boredom.

Sokka argued. "It's a manly bag!"

Aang shrugged. "It could go both ways. At least Momo and Yuna like it."

Half an hour later, we started to make our way to the tournament which was in a cavern outside of town. I begrudgingly told Yuna she had to stay, and she whined in disappointment. I pet her on the head, saying, "I know… but Katara said animals are probably not allowed. Besides, I need you to keep an eye on Appa and Momo. They like to get into trouble."

Yuna flapped her wings in understanding and chimed, "Mew-Hoo!"

I smiled. "Thanks. We'll be back soon." I slipped some cooked fish out from where I'd been hiding it under my cloak and gave it to her. I'd snuck a piece from dinner. She ate it quickly and purred. "See you in a little bit, girl."

Once I made sure the animals were good, I rushed to catch up to my family who were waiting.

Katara smirked when I caught up. "I saw that fish, miss sneaky. You spoil her too much."

I shrugged, pulling my hood back over my head. "What can I say… her adorable pleading eyes are hard to ignore."

She grabbed my hand and giggled. "You two are both adorable. Sometimes I think you were a cat-owl in another life."

I smiled slightly. "Well… I do make the sound really well."

Aang was interested. "Let's hear it!"

I blushed. "Okay… Mew-Hoo! Mew-Hoo!"

Aang grinned. "You're right! Sounds just like Yuna!"

Sokka sighed, covering his face in disbelief. "Sometimes I think I'm running a circus…"

Katara laughed. "You're just jealous you can't make the sound."

Sokka huffed. "I don't need to! I speak words!"

I pouted. "So does Yuna. And Momo and Appa. Just in their own way."

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Says the animal whisperer."

Eventually we got to the entrance of a large cave. The sun had set so the moon was our light. A line of people from the Earth kingdom seemed to stretch the whole outside as they waited to get in. As we stood in line to wait our turn to purchase tickets, I looked around at the Earth Kingdom citizens with surprise. One thing I had noticed about Gaoling and its inhabitants was that none of them seemed to be too concerned about the war. I had a feeling it was because there were a lot more Earth Kingdom fortresses in the surrounding area, so these towns had more protection from the Fire Nation than the ones further west.

Once we purchased our tickets, we followed others as they headed down some stone steps deep inside the earth. After walking through the narrow torch lit stairwell, we arrived at a large room lit by more torches. At the center of the room was a rectangular elevated arena; A yellow circle was painted in the middle. On the other side of the arena was a stone tower I assumed someone stood on when the tournament started. Around the fighting area was a dug-out to separate the arena from the long rows of seats where onlookers were starting to fill in.

Sokka was thrilled by the scene and quickly took the lead, guiding us to the lowest seating area where no one was claiming.

Aang was excited by this as we sat down. "Hey, front row seats! I wonder why no one else is sitting here?"

Suddenly, a rumble sounded and then the stone wall by the tower exploded. A boulder shot towards us and hit the spot near Sokka. We were stunned by the close projectile.

Sokka grimaced. "I guess that's why."

I was still staring at the boulder that had broken part of our seating. "Should we move?"

Sokka waved me off. "Naw. We'll be fine! We got the best seats in the house!"

A man stepped out of the opening onto the raised tower then. He was a thin man with long brown hair and a short-sleeve Earth Kingdom outfit. "Welcome to Earth Rumble Six! I am your host, Xin Fu!"

The crowd cheered in excitement. I stared at everything in awe.

Katara sighed beside me. "Yep… Like I said… This is just gonna be a bunch of people chuckin' rocks at each other."

Sokka pumped his fists. "That's what I paid for."

Xin Fu spoke again, his voice echoing through the cavern. "The rules are simple. Just knock the other guy out of the ring and you win!" He gestured to one side of the arena where a man suddenly jumped from the dugout onto the stage. He landed and caused cracks on the floor. He was shirtless, very muscular, had his dark brown hair in a bun, and had a small beard. Xin Fu continued. "Round one! The Boulder versus The Big Bad Hippo!"

Another man had jumped up on stage, this one very heavy set, wearing no shirt and green shorts, and having a patch of messy brown hair on his head. He held a stone in his hands and crushed it with one squeeze. I was immediately drawn in by their strength and determination.

The Boulder exclaimed, "Listen up, Hippo. You may be big, but you ain't bad! The Boulder's gonna win this in a landslide!" He clenched his fists, ready to be victorious.

Hippo held his arms up threateningly. "Hippo mad!"

As the Boulder threw a boulder at Hippo, who caught it with his teeth, I leaned over to Katara. "Do all fighters at competitions like this one speak the way they are?"

She shook her head. "No… I guess they want us to make sure we know their names."

"Shh!" Sokka waved at us frantically. "I'm watching!"

The Hippo had spat out the rock he'd chewed on. Then he started to jump up and down, and the whole arena began to go sideways like a rocking ship. The Boulder stumbled back and forth to try and keep his balance. I had never really seen earthbending done in such a way before, and I was greatly invested. The whole time the competition occurred, I kept my eyes on everything. My heart was racing as The Boulder defeated each of his competitors. As Sokka shouted to cheer the Boulder on, Katara groaned beside me, and Aang analyzed each fighter, I sat on the edge of my seat taking in the excitement and entertainment.

Everything was so loud and fast, but it was… fun!

The boulder faced numerous competitors and conquered each one. After he knocked the Hippo out of the ring, he fought an earthbender dressed in Fire Nation clothing. The Fire Nation Man started to sing the Fire Nation National Anthem, and the audience booed. The Boulder didn't even give his second opponent a chance to fight, knocking him out of the ring by sinking him into the ground and then shooting him off the platform. Fire Nation Man hit the wall hard and landed into the dugout below. Sokka cheered excitedly, pounding his fists in the air and jumping. I couldn't help but laugh at my cousin's reactions.

The Boulder beat The Gecko, The Gopher, and The Headhunter next. Every time he threw them out of the ring, they would land in the area below us. I spoke to Katara again after The Headhunter was defeated. "They really are all guys…"

Katara huffed. "Guess Sokka was right."

Xin Fu spoke again from his tower. "Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The Boulder versus your champion…" He gestured his hand towards a new person walking out on the stage. "The Blind Bandit!"

My mouth dropped open in shock. A teenage girl (maybe Aang's age) walked out on the stage, her pants dark green like her shirt, with a tan vest on. Her dark hair was pulled back by a green and yellow headband. She was barefoot, wore a cape, and held in her hands a very large jade and gold belt with brown leather strapping.

"I guess Sokka was wrong," I muttered.

Katara spoked too. "She can't really be blind. It's just part of her character, right?"

Aang shook his head, and I could see he was very invested in the new competitor. "I think she is."

Sokka stood and shouted, "I think she is going down!"

Katara grabbed his shirt and pulled him back down, embarrassed. Aang leaned forward with intrigue. I was also very interested in the young girl about to face a man so much taller and stronger than her. She must've been a powerful earthbender if she was really the champion from the last competition.

The Boulder spoke as he stood on the other side of the arena. "The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young, blind girl."

The girl smirked and pointed at him, saying with a mocking tone, "Sounds to me like you're scared, Boulder!"

The Boulder scowled. "The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings, and now he's ready to bury you in a rock-a-lanche!"

She spoke again with more mocking. "Whenever you're ready...The Pebble." She threw her head back and laughed. "Ha ha ha!"

Aang gasped beside me. I looked at him with question, asking what was wrong. He answered, "My vision at the swamp… It's her!"

The fight started then. The Boulder shouted, "It's on!"

The Boulder took a step forward, and then he went to smash his foot down on the ground to attack. As his heel hit the ground though, the girl shifted her foot and her hands, which caused a sudden quake and ripple to shoot across the stage towards The Boulder's heel. The rocks moved beneath his foot, and the man's legs were suddenly parted, dropping him down into a very uncomfortable looking split.

He howled in pain, while we stared at the girl who hadn't even looked his way with utter amazement.

The girl moved forward then, making a few chopping motions with her hands. Three stalagmites erupted from the ground near The Boulder and he was hit by them. Then he was ejected from the ring, slamming into the wall beneath us hard. The whole room was quiet as the fight ended so abruptly. The Boulder had defeated five other competitors, but he had lost to the shortest and youngest one in a single minute.

Xin Fu shouted from his tower, "Your winner, and still the champion, The Blind Bandit!"

The girl raised her fists in the air with a grin. Sokka whined beside me in despair for his losing idol. Aang and Katara were still bewildered beside me, having the same expression I did.

Katara finally asked incredulously, "How did she do that?

Aang smiled with thrill. "She waited and listened!"

Xin Fu suddenly jumped down into the arena and held a bag in his hands. He shouted as he stood beside the girl, "To make things a little more interesting, I'm offering up this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat The Blind Bandit!" No one made a move. There was a cough somewhere behind me. Xin Fu was amused. "What? No one dares to face her?

Suddenly, Aang jumped up and exclaimed, "I will!"

The crowd murmured in bewilderment as Aang made his way down the stairs that led into the dugout, and then up more stairs that led onto the arena stage. Katara sighed beside me, saying, "This is such a bad idea…"

I spoke to reassure her. "Aang knows what he's doing… I think he's right… this might be his destined teacher."

She looked over at me with bewilderment. "What makes you say that?"

I answered. "His vision for one... but also… I don't see Aang learning well from adults. You told me that Master Pakku had a hard time with him, but you were able to teach him just fine when it came to waterbending. I think Aang needs someone on his own level to teach him things. Someone he can feel close to and relate to...I know when it comes to connecting to people, I definitely connect better to people my own age too."

Katara smiled. "Yeah… I guess so, Amara."

Aang was finally on one side of the stage, still wearing a hat to cover his arrow tattoos. Sokka shouted from next to us, "Go Aang! Avenge The Boulder!"

The girl smirked as Xin Fu left the stage to return to his tower with the belt and the money. "Do people really want to see two little girls fighting out here?"

The crowd "ooohed" while Aang held his hands up in surrender. "I don't really want to fight you. I want to talk to you."

Sokka snapped, "Boo! No talking!"

I shook my head, seeing that Sokka was too far gone. Katara smacked him, snapping, "Don't boo at him!"

The girl clearly did not want to talk, and took a lunge at Aang, shooting stalagmites up at him to knock him off the stage. He used a small bit of airbending to jump from the rocks and land a few feet away.

The Blind Bandit was not amused as she realized he'd evaded her attack. "Somebody's a little light on his feet. What's your fighting name, The Fancy Dancer?"

Aang shrugged, but as he did another stalagmite rose beneath him. He somersaulted in the air this time and landed behind her. He begged again, "Please, wait!"

She didn't want to listen to him, her head in the competition. "There you are!"

She turned quickly and raised a boulder, throwing it straight at him. The crowd cheered, thinking the girl was about to win. However, Aang jumped just as the boulder neared him and kicked the rock with air to shoot it back at her. The rock hit her and she was thrown backward off the stage, landing in the dugout below. The whole room fell silent in shock. They could not believe that their undefeated champion was defeated by some random kid.

The girl got back to her feet and brushed herself off as she started to walk away from the stage. Aang went on the steps closest to her, calling out to her. She ignored him, bending a hole in the wall and closing it behind her as she left the room. We had gotten up to go meet Aang on stage at this point, and when we got over Sokka was quick to grab the prize money and the belt. While Sokka took Aang's glory, Katara placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"She's the one… I know it… We need to find her," Aang said.

I crossed my arms in dismay. "It's a big town… but maybe someone knows about her residence. We can ask around tomorrow."

Sokka stepped over, putting an arm around Aang's shoulders. "Cheer up! You beat the undefeated champion! You're my hero today!"

Aang frowned. "I didn't want to beat her… I just wanted her to listen."

"We'll find her," Katara said. "Let's go rest at camp and we'll search tomorrow."

After Aang thanked Xin Fu, and the crowd cheered for Aang as we left the stage, I stared back at the wall the girl had gone through a moment before. There was something about her that made me feel sorry for her… not the fact that she was blind, because she seemed to see just fine… The girl just looked so... lonely...

I hoped we did find her. Because I really wanted to know more about her story...