by The Tale of Aang; Azula; Toph; Sokka; Zuko; Katara (retail) (epub)
“Aang, stop it,” Katara said. “You know Toph did all she could. She saved our lives!”
I guess I can’t complain about Katara anymore; she’s going to bat for me. Not that it matters, Aang isn’t listening to her. Wow, he must really hate me if he won’t even listen to Katara. And now he’s flying off to try to find Appa. We’re going to start trudging across the desert. I hope we spot Appa. …
Walking through the desert is so hard! I keep bumping into Sokka because I can’t really feel where I’m going. And Katara has to keep turning me in the right direction so I don’t wander off. Without a doubt, this is the low point of my entire life. Aang hates me, and I’m probably going to be stranded in the middle of the desert forever, and for the first time in my life, I actually FEEL like a blind girl. As we walked, Katara told me that in the library they discovered that there’s going to be a solar eclipse soon and that if we get the Earth King to attack the Fire Nation on that day, the Fire Nation will be powerless without sun. If we get the Earth King to agree to the plan, we could actually defeat the Fire Nation. Imagine that?
After a long time Aang finally returned, having seen no sign of Appa. We all plopped down in the sand, depressed and hopeless. Then Katara started giving orders (she’s good at that), telling us that if we didn’t keep moving, we were going to die. I could have told her that. Then as we made our way over a dune, I stubbed my toe on something.
Man, did that hurt. And boy, do I hate not being able to feel where I’m going! What was that thing, anyway? It feels like … huh? “What idiot buried a boat in the desert?”
“It’s one of the gliders the Sandbenders use,” Katara said. “And look, it’s got some kind of compass. Aang, you can bend a breeze so we can sail it!”
Maybe our luck is starting to change. Maybe we’ll make it out of the desert after all.
We glided until we came to a giant rock cave. Katara hoped to find some water there. Aang hoped to find Sandbenders. Me? I‘m just glad to get my feet back onto solid ground! Oh, this feels so good! I just have to stretch out and let my whole body come in contact with the rock.
But after a few seconds in the cave we started to hear strange sounds—of wings flapping and low buzzing. Suddenly we were surrounded by giant buzzard-wasps! They almost bit our heads off, but thankfully some Sandbenders came to our rescue. But even though they just saved us from the buzzard-wasps, I can tell that Aang’s fury is growing. Are these the Sandbenders who took Appa?
“What are you doing in our land with a sandsailer?” one of them asked. “From the looks of it, you stole it from the Hami tribe!”
“We’re traveling with the Avatar,” Katara explained. “Our bison was stolen, and we have to get to Ba Sing Se.”
“You dare accuse our people of theft when you ride on a stolen sandsailer?” another Sandbender asked.
Wait a minute! I know that voice. That’s the Sandbender who took Appa! I never forget a voice. I’m sure he’s the one. No wonder he’s overreacting. He’s feeling guilty!
“Quiet, Ghashiun!” an older-sounding Sandbender shouted. “No one accused our people of anything.”
“Sorry, Father.”
“Aang,” I whispered. “I recognize the son’s voice. He’s the one who stole Appa.”
“Where is Appa? What did you do to him?” Aang suddenly yelled.
I’ve never seen Aang like this, not even when Appa was first taken—so enraged, so out of control. He just fired an Airbending blast that destroyed one of the sandsailers. I can feel the Sandbenders trembling nervously, but no one’s saying or doing anything. And he just destroyed another one, even worse than he had the first. This is bad.
“Tell me where he is! Now!”
“It wasn’t me!” Ghashiun cried.
“He’s lying! I heard him tell the others to put a muzzle on Appa!” I’m not letting this kid get away with anything.
“I’m sorry!” Ghashiun finally cried. “I didn’t know it belonged to the Avatar! I traded him to some nomads. He’s probably in Ba Sing Se by now. They were going to sell him there.”
Then the weirdest thing happened. Aang seemed to go into some kind of trance. I felt the wind whip up all around him, as if pure energy was radiating from his body. I was actually a bit scared, and I don’t scare easily. But Katara was able to calm him down, and then he just collapsed in her arms, crying.
At least now we know where Appa is, except that it means we’ll be going to Ba Sing Se, and I don’t like that place.
Chapter 5
We’re finally out of the desert and on our way to Ba Sing Se. Like I said, I don’t like that city, but anything is better than the desert. Sokka studied a map he had taken from the spirit’s library and discovered that there’s only one way to get to there from where we are: by some thin strip of land called Serpent’s Pass. Sounds creepy to me. …
On our way to Serpent’s Pass we bumped into a family of refugees—a husband, his pregnant wife, and the wife’s sister. They’re also going to Ba Sing Se, and they told us about a ferry from a place called Full Moon Bay that will take us there. They also told us Serpent’s Pass is a deadly route.
Nice going, Sokka! Good choice.
We made it to Full Moon Bay, and we all got on line to buy tickets for the ferry.
The mean guard at the ticket counter won’t sell Aang tickets because he, Sokka, and Katara don’t have passports. I’m the only one with a passport, but I have a feeling that mine will be good enough for all of us. People just LOVE pleasing the Beifong family.
“I’ll take care of this, Aang.” Ha, I can’t wait hear this guard’s reaction. “My name is Toph Beifong and I’ll need four tickets.”
“Ah, the golden seal of the flying boar! It’s my pleasure to help anyone of the Beifong family!”
See, it never fails! As much as I hated that stuffy mansion, there are times that being part of a wealthy, influential family has its advantages. This is one of those times.
While I was negotiating our entrance, Sokka ran into this girl Suki that he knows. She’s one of the security officers, but she’s also a Kyoshi warrior. And she OBVIOUSLY has a crush on him. Hmm. … I wonder if he feels the same way about her. He probably does. She feels all pretty and girly and light on her feet. Not that it really matters to me. I definitely don’t care.
Just when I thought we were going to have a peaceful journey, the refugees told us their passports and tickets have just been stolen. Aang tried to talk to the ticket lady again, but she’s not in the mood to listen. Now Aang’s going to lead all of us through Serpent’s Pass. So long quiet, peaceful boat ride. Hello, deadly pass.
Serpent’s Pass is this thin ribbon of land with huge lakes on either side of it—these little adventures just keep getting worse. First, sand, which I can’t bend; now, water, when I can’t swim. … Oh, well, it’s time to take the plunge. Our large group, including Suki and the refugee family, is starting to cross.
Sokka is being so annoying! He’s all over Suki like that mother moose-lioness with her cub. “Are you sure you should be coming on this dangerous path, Suki?” “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, Suki.” “Don’t sleep so close to that ledge, Suki. It may not be stable.” Give me a break. I’m gonna barf. She’s a warrior. I think she can take care of herself.
Whoa, a loud explosion just shook the path. I can feel an avalanche of rocks raining down from the side of the cliff above us!
“Fire Nation ships have spotted us!” Sokka shouted. He shoved Suki out of the way, but his move put him right in the path of the rocks.
Time to Earthbend a rock ledge above him. There, that’ll protect him from the rocks. At least he’s safe. And now he’s dashing over to Suki, asking her if she’s okay and telling her she needs to be more careful. Please! He’s the one who should be careful—I just had to save HIS life! How about a little “thanks for saving my life, Toph.” “Hey, no problem, Sokka, old buddy!” But no. He acts like I’m not even here. Whatever, I don’t care. I don’t n
eed his thanks. Yuck—his fawning over Suki is so nauseating. How can she stand it? Okay, really, Toph, it’s time to get over it. …
We just came to a spot where the path drops into the lake. Apparently there’s a huge section of it that is completely covered with water. And I really can’t swim! How am I going to get across?
“Everyone single file,” Katara said.
Right! I’m traveling with a Waterbender.
Katara and Aang are lifting the water off the path, forming walls of water on either side of us. We’re walking quickly through. I hate being so close to all this water, but I trust Katara. She’ll get us across safely.
Just keep walking, Toph; soon you’ll be away from all this water. What’s that noise? I hear something snarling, and water’s crashing down all around us. Time to switch it up with some Earthbending. … Here we go! Everyone up on my earth elevator. I’ll just raise us above the splashing water; that should keep us safe from whatever it is. …
“It’s a giant serpent!” Sokka cried. “I think I just figured out why they call it Serpent’s Pass!”
Okay, well, I saved us from drowning, but now we’re trapped on a tiny island of rock sticking out of the middle of the lake with a huge monster circling us! There’s really no peace and quiet with this team, huh?
Katara just froze a strip of ice on the water’s surface, connecting our little earth island to where the path resumes above the water level. It seems we’re supposed to cross that while she and Aang jump into the water to battle the serpent with Waterbending and Airbending. I didn’t think it could get worse than water and sand, but ice is worse than both. … This is awful! Wait, I can’t feel anybody. Did everyone else cross already? So, I’m standing on this rock island, alone? I don’t like this one bit.
“Toph, come on! It’s just ice!”
Maybe it’s just ice to you, Sokka, but to me it’s a slippery surface I can’t see or feel. Let me just put my toes on the ice and—No, no, I was right the first time. I’ll just stay here on my little island. As long as that monster stays far away I—What’s that crash? It’s the serpent, and he’s right behind me! Okay, that’s it. No choice. Here I go. Here I go. I’m going. I’m—really—going! You did it! You’re on the ice, just take little baby steps. Can’t drift too far to the left or right or you’ll end up in the lake.
“FOLLOW MY VOICE!” Sokka shouted.
As if it’s that easy … okay, almost there, almost—ahhhh! The serpent just smashed the ice bridge. “Help! I can’t swim!”
“I’m coming, Toph!” I heard Sokka shout.
Surrounded by water … no sound, no sensation of touch. Total and complete isolation. Somebody better save me—quick! Oh, no! I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. I never meant to let you down. Maybe I shouldn’t have left home. Maybe this whole freedom adventure thing was a big mistake. …
GASP. Strong arms … grabbing me … yanking me up! Ahhhh—air! I can breathe! Oh, Sokka! You saved me! Thank you, thank you. Sokka … my hero …
“Oh, Sokka, you saved me!”
I can’t believe he dove in after me. This definitely deserves a kiss on the cheek, at least.
“Actually, it’s me.”
Oh, no. Is that Suki’s voice? This can’t be happening. I just made a complete fool of myself, didn’t I? Getting all gushy over Sokka when the girl who really likes him is the one who saved me. Good move, Toph. Really slick.
“You can go ahead and let me drown now.” Oh, why do I even care that he didn’t rescue me anyway? I’m safe, right? That’s all that matters, isn’t it? I’m back on dry land, and Aang and Katara are safe too.
Our next stop is Ba Sing Se. Aang just flew off to start looking for Appa. Suki’s going back to find her fellow Kyoshi warriors. But first she’s sharing a tender good-bye scene with Sokka, complete with kissing. Yuck. It’s nauseating to listen to. … It’s kind of nice to be blind at moments like these. …
We made our way over to the base of Ba Sing Se’s outer wall. But we were shocked to find Aang there.
“What are you doing here?” Katara asked. “I thought you were looking for Appa.”
“I was. But something stopped me. Something big.”
Time for another earth elevator. Up we go! Let’s take a look for ourselves.
“It’s a giant drill,” Sokka said, “to cut through the outer wall of the city.”
So, the Fire Nation’s built a drill to break through the walls, and even the king’s team of elite Earthbenders don’t seem to be able to stop it. The city’s in trouble. We need a plan.
“We’ll take the drill down from the inside!” Sokka announced.
“By hitting its pressure points!” I added. Good idea, Sokka. You’re actually not as big of a dud as you make yourself seem. …
“I’m going to give us some cover so we can sneak in,” I told everyone. “Once I whip up some dust clouds, you’re not going to be able to see, so stay close to me.”
WHOOSH! “Run!”
Huh … this is one of the few times I can see and THEY can’t. As long as I can still feel the ground with my feet, I’m golden. Okay, we’re near the drill. Let me just open a hole in the ground and create a tunnel so we can get right up under it. Done.
“Everyone into the hole!”
“It’s so dark down here,” Sokka cried. “I can’t see a thing!”
“Gee, Sokka, what a nightmare.” Okay, I take it back. He IS a dud.
“There’s an opening in the bottom of the drill,” Sokka shouted. Aang’s helping Katara and Sokka climb up into the drill.
No way I’m going in there! It’s all metal. I can’t bend metal, which means I’m blind in there. I’d be lost and useless. “I’ll try to slow it down out here to give you more time.”
Focus now. Concentrate, Toph, and … UP! If I can just jam this huge wedge of rock into the bottom of the drill to slow it down … Keep the energy coming. Keep it coming. It’s too strong! It’s pushing me backward. Come on, Toph, just dig your feet in, grab the ground. Ugh, my heels are digging up piles of earth behind me. I hope whatever they are doing in there, they’re doing it fast!
It feels like I’ve been doing this for hours. The drill keeps creeping forward. I can’t hold it anymore! I’m not doing any good here. I just wish there was something else I could—
Wait a minute! I hear voices down at the back end of the drill. Loud shrieking—I’d know those voices anywhere. It’s Katara and Sokka arguing. But what are they doing back there? They’re supposed to be inside the drill.
“You guys need some help?”
I found Sokka and Katara standing in what turned out to be a huge puddle of glop called slurry, a mixture of rock and water. Katara explained that it’s been shooting through the drill and out an opening in the back end as it bore into the wall.
“Help me plug up this drain,” Katara said. Together we bent the slurry back into the opening, to prevent it from pouring out.
So this stuff is SUPPOSED to come out. But, by trapping it inside, we are causing it to build up a lot of pressure. Whatever Aang is still doing in there, hopefully this will help him. We just have to keep pushing. Keep pushing. It’s much easier working with Katara than trying to stop this monstrosity myself. Wait, I think it’s time. It sounds like a tremendous crash is coming from the top of the drill.
“Here it comes!” This is so cool! The whole thing is lurching to the side, and slurry is exploding from every seam! Time to get out of the way. Up we go on another earth elevator … and there goes the slurry, gushing from the back of the drill.
I can hear the drill falling to pieces, and the motor is dead. It’s finally over. We did it! We stopped the Fire Nation’s drill!
Chapter 6
Now that that whole drill thing is over, we can finally start looking for Appa. So we’re taking the train from the outer wall to the inner wall of Ba Sing Se. Everyone’s excited to finally be in the city, but not me. Just when I was really enjoying the freedom of traveling, here we are back inside a ci
ty, trapped by a bunch of walls and rules. I have the same feeling I used to get back home. I know we have to find Appa and tell the king about the eclipse, but I’ll be very happy when we finally get to leave this place.
We’re finally at the station in the inner wall. I wonder how we’re going to get around?
“Hello, my name is Joo Dee. I have the honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Sokka, Katara, and Toph.”
Strange. This Joo Dee woman seems all nice and friendly, but she’s so happy and bubbly and full of energy and good cheer. It’s kind of creeping me out. How did she know that Aang was the Avatar? And how did she know the rest of our names, too? Who here knew we were coming?
“We have information about the Fire Nation that we need to deliver to the Earth King immediately,” Sokka explained.
“Great!” Joo Dee replied in that sickeningly sweet voice. “Let’s begin our tour.”
She just completely blew Sokka off!
“Maybe you missed what I said. We need to talk to the king about the war. It’s important.”
“You’re in Ba Sing Se now,” she said. “Everyone is safe here.”
How can she say that? We just saved them from a Fire Nation attack that could have brought down the entire city. I wish she knew how close she just came to becoming a prisoner of the Fire Nation. Safe is the last thing she is. There is definitely something weird about this woman!
I’ve seen this kind of behavior before—from my parents and my teachers. It’s called “being handled.” It’s when adults don’t listen to what you say. They just tell you what they want you to hear. We’re not even in the city one full day and already I’m sick of this place. Boy, oh boy, it’s going to be a long visit, I can feel it. …
And she’s insisting on taking us on a tour of the city.
“What’s inside that oval wall?” Katara asked.
“And who are those mean-looking guys in robes?” Sokka added.
“That is the royal palace,” Joo Dee explained. “And those men are agents of the Dai Li. They are the guardians of all our traditions.”