by The Tale of Aang; Azula; Toph; Sokka; Zuko; Katara (retail) (epub)
“How’d you get them to tell you?”
“Oh … a girl has her ways.” They deserved every last piece of ice I sent their way. Really, to go picking on poor Aang like that. I hope they learned their lesson.
Some of the best Earthbenders in the world are competing at Earth Rumble Six. So we came to watch, hoping one of the competitors will be the teacher Aang has been waiting for.
“Welcome to Earth Rumble Six, forty fighters vying for a shot at becoming the Earthbending champion!”
I know I’m here to help Aang find a teacher, but there are a million places I’d rather be. This is just going to be another display of mindless male aggression. At least Waterbending and Airbending are all about the element. “This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at one another, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I paid for,” Sokka said.
One by one the big bruisers keep slamming rocks into one another. It seems like there isn’t even any thought involved. Okay, there’s one guy left standing now. He’s a hulk who calls himself the Boulder.
“And now,” Xin Fu, the announcer, bellowed, “welcome your champion, the Blind Bandit!”
Whoa! The champ is a girl. And she’s half the size of the rest of these brutes. She calls herself the Blind Bandit, huh? “She can’t really be blind. It’s just part of her character, right?”
“I think she is,” Aang said.
She’s remarkable! It’s like she can sense where the Boulder is. It’s hard to believe she’s blind. Whoa! She just slammed the Boulder across the arena, and all she did was press her foot against the ground and thrust her hands forward. “How did she do that?”
“She waited … and listened,” Aang said with a big smile on his face.
Then Xin Fu announced, “I’m offering this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat the Blind Bandit! Who dares to face her?”
“I will!” Aang cried, jumping into the ring.
What’s he doing? He doesn’t want to fight her! Oh, he thinks she’s the Earthbending teacher he’s looking for. He wants to talk–only, she doesn’t seem too interested in talking! She just flung a boulder at him! He just knocked her from the ring–Aang beat her!
She’s leaving. She just opened a doorway in the wall and stormed through it. Aang looks so disappointed.
“Way to go, champ!” Sokka said, running to Xin Fu and grabbing the sack of gold.
Sometimes Sokka can be so … thick!
After we left the arena, we went searching for the Blind Bandit. We discovered that she’s a member of the Beifong family, the richest family in town. Then we found her house. It’s more like an estate with really high walls, beautiful gardens, and a gigantic mansion.
We’ve decided to climb over the wall and slip into the gardens.
FOOM! The ground just rose up beneath me! I’m flying through the air! OOMPH! Ouch! This bush doesn’t feel so good. …
“What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?”
It’s her. She’s obviously not thrilled that we snuck into her home. I can’t really blame her.
“Aang is the Avatar,” I explained. “And if he doesn’t master Earthbending soon he won’t be able to defeat the Fire Lord. He needs you to be his teacher.”
“Not my problem,” the Blind Bandit said.
Not her problem? She may think she’s safe behind these walls, but no one is safe from the Fire Nation–and that’s everyone’s problem.
Well, our first attempt at talking to her didn’t go so well, but Aang’s brilliant idea of presenting himself as the Avatar to her father has gotten us back in for good.
Toph’s parents–Toph is the Blind Bandit’s real name–have no idea that she’s this amazing Earthbender. She pretends she’s a helpless little blind girl. Seems very strange, and kind of–I don’t know–sad, if you ask me. She has all this strength and power when it comes to standing up to those Earthbenders, but none when it comes to her parents.
After dinner Aang and Toph went for a walk. Hopefully they’re talking about Earthbending. Actually, it’s getting kind of late. I think I’ll go and check things out, just in case.
What’s that on the ground? Oh, no! It’s a ransom note. It says: “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.
We all hurried to the arena, where we found Toph and Aang trapped in metal cages.
“Here’s your money,” Sokka said. “Now let them go.”
Xin Fu released Toph.
“What about Aang?” I asked.
“I think the Fire Nation will pay a hefty price for the Avatar,” Xin Fu replied.
Uh-oh. All the Earthbenders from the tournament are here too. There are too many of them. … We can’t do this alone.
“Toph, we need an Earthbender. We need you.”
“My daughter is blind and helpless,” her father said. “She cannot help you.”
What’s it going to be, Toph? Are you going to just let these guys deliver Aang to the Fire Nation? Or will you help us?
“Yes. I can.”
I’ve never seen such incredible bending. Toph single-handedly wiped out every Earthbender in the arena! Then we freed Aang.
Now we’re back at the Beifong house. I can’t believe how Toph’s father is reacting. Now I understand why she kept it a secret.
“From now on you will be guarded twenty-four hours a day!” he said. “It’s for your own good.”
Why is he so stubborn? His daughter is unbelievably talented and he treats her like she’s completely helpless. It’s so unfair. She should be allowed to be who she is, and to teach Aang, not be held like a prisoner. Now we have to find someone else to teach Aang. He’s going to be so disappointed–again.
As we prepared to leave, Aang explained that Toph had told him that she “sees” by feeling the vibrations of moving things and figuring out where they are. She waits and listens, just like King Bumi said. Too bad her father is a fool. Still, I’ve got to keep Aang’s spirits up. I can’t let him give up.
“Don’t worry, Aang. We’ll find you a teacher. There are plenty of amazing Earthbenders out there.”
“Not like her.”
He’s right about that. Now what can I say? Wait, who’s that? It’s Toph!
“My dad changed his mind,” she said. “He told me I was free to see the world.”
This is fantastic! Although admittedly, it does sound very odd. Five minutes ago he was ready to lock her up for the rest of her life; suddenly he’s ready to set her free? You know what–it’s not my business and it’s not my problem. I have to worry about Aang. Perhaps Toph will be more than just a teacher … Maybe she’ll be a friend, too.
Chapter 4
We’ve finally landed and we’re setting up camp for the night. I can’t wait to go to sleep!
What’s Toph doing? We’re all setting things up and she’s stretched out on her back, relaxing. I can’t believe she–okay, Katara, wait, calm down. She’s not used to being in a group. She’s always been a loner. Just explain to her how we work and I’m sure she’ll pitch right in.
“So, Toph, usually when setting up camp we try to divide up the work.”
“Hey, don’t worry about me,” she replied. Worried? Can she possibly be this clueless? “Actually, some of us fetch water, while others set up the fire pit, or put up the tent.”
“Katara, I’m fine,” she said impatiently. “I can carry my own weight. I don’t need a fire, I already collected my own food, and look”–SWOOSH–“my tent’s all set up.”
Unbelievable! This is NOT okay; she’s part of this group now. She has to pitch in. “That’s great for YOU. But we still need to finish–”
“What’s the problem here?!”
Now she’s giving me attitude! It’s time to tell her just how selfish she’s being–but wait, Aang needs her. I can’t run her off. Just calm down and walk away. “Never mind.”
Okay, you’re calm; it’s time to mak
e peace. “Hey, Toph, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I think we’re all just a little tired and getting on each other’s nerves.”
“Yeah, you do seem pretty tired.”
HMPH! She is just infuriating. She won’t admit that she was wrong. She just turns it back on me. “I meant ALL of us were tired!”
I’m so frustrated, I could scream! Now she’s slipping into her tent like nothing happened. We might have to travel together, but we don’t have to be friends. It’s unfortunate, because it would have been nice to have another girl to talk to, even though she’s not that girly. But this was her choice, not mine.
I had just fallen asleep when Toph woke us up.
“There’s something coming toward us!” she cried. Her hands were pressed against the ground, feeling the vibrations of whatever it was.
So we took off. Now that we’re up on Appa, we can see something steaming across the land, chugging out smoke. Is it following us?
Finally, a safe-looking spot to set up camp. Let’s see if Toph cares to help this time around.
“See you guys in the morning,” said Toph.
I guess that’s a no, then. She’s sprawling out again, like some kind of princess. “Actually, Toph, can you help us unload?”
“You need me to help unload Sokka’s funky-smelling sleeping bag?”
“Well, yeah,” I said. “And everything else. You’re a part of the team now, and–”
“Look, I didn’t ask you to help unload my stuff. I’m carrying my own weight.”
Well, I don’t care if she IS Aang’s teacher–she’s got to start acting like part of this team. “That’s not the point. Ever since you joined us, you’ve been nothing but selfish and unhelpful!”
“Look here, Sugar Queen. I gave up everything I had to teach Aang Earthbending, so don’t talk to me about being selfish!”
“Sugar Queen!” How rude! I can’t believe her. SHE’S the one who grew up in a rich mansion with two living parents who love her and protect her, and I’M the Sugar Queen? I grew up in ice huts, my mother was captured and my father left to go to war! And I’ve been fighting the Fire Nation for the past year. What has SHE done? Competing in secret Earthbending competitions doesn’t make you tough, sweetheart. Facing a war does. UGH! She is the most maddening person I’ve ever met. I’m just asking her to do her fair share. She’s acting like it’s some great imposition and–
Okay, Katara, once again, you’re way too wound up. She’s not worth it. You know you’re not a Sugar Queen, you know how strong and brave you’ve been. Don’t let her tear you down. Just calm down … deep breaths.
“That thing is back,” Toph called out.
I guess we have bigger problems than Toph’s selfishness. That thing IS following us. Time to head out … again.
The tank thing followed us up this cliff. Aang wants to see who they are and what they want. The tank is opening. … It looks like three girls, riding on mongoose-dragons. Hey! “It’s those three girls from Omashu!”
“We can take them!” Toph announced.
The three riders charged toward us. Toph put up a thick wall of rock to stop them, but one of the girls blasted the wall open with fire that looked like lightning! She is one powerful bender. We’re way too exhausted to fight these girls. Time to get going, again. …
“Appa can’t keep flying forever,” Aang said.
Just then Appa crashed down in a clearing.
“We’ve put a lot of distance between us and those girls, so let’s get some sleep,” Sokka said, collapsing to the ground.
“We could have gotten some sleep earlier if Toph didn’t have such issues,” I pointed out.
“What?!” she shrieked.
Must have hit a nerve.
“All right, everyone’s exhausted. Let’s just get some rest,” Aang said.
“No, I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?”
“If you had helped, we could have set up our camp faster and gotten some sleep.”
“You’re blaming ME for this?” Toph asked in disbelief.
“No, no,” Aang chimed in. “She’s not blaming you.”
“Yes, I am blaming her!” And I’m right. This needs to be settled if we’re going to be a team.
“Hey, I never asked you for anything,” Toph shot back. “I carry my own weight. Besides, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s Sheddy over here!”
Whoa, she just stepped into one huge mistake. Prepare to hear the fury of Aang.
“You’re blaming Appa?” Aang cried.
“He’s leaving a trail of fur,” Toph explained. “That’s how they keep finding us.”
Aang is furious, and I don’t blame him! If she hadn’t been so horrible earlier I would step in and help, but she brought this on herself. “How dare you blame Appa!” he shouted. “He saved your life three times today! You’re always talking about how you carry your own weight, but you don’t. Appa does. He carries your weight. He never had a problem flying when it was just the three of us!”
Okay, that was harsh. Did I sound like that?
“I’m out of here,” Toph said. Then she picked up her pack and walked away.
She’s just going to pack up and leave? That’s so typical, only thinking about herself. What about Aang’s Earthbending lessons?
“What did I just do?” Aang moaned when he had calmed down. “I just yelled at my Earthbending teacher and now she’s gone.”
It’s not OUR fault! I mean, she should have helped us, as part of the team! And blaming everything on Appa, well, that’s just wrong. I mean, I guess he IS shedding, and it makes sense that that’s how they are following us. But she still has no excuse for being so selfish.
Although, I guess I forgot that Toph is really just a kid who left her home and parents behind to travel the world with total strangers. I could have been a bit more sensitive to that. I just kept going on and on about helping set up camp like we always do. But that’s the thing: She’s new to the whole WE thing. I should have asked her how SHE does things too, instead of just assuming that she’d fall into whatever routine we already had going. I should have asked her how she was feeling about being away from home instead of yelling at her to set up camp. Oh boy, it IS our fault! “We need to find Toph and apologize.”
Aang set off with some of Appa’s fur to set up a false trail, just in case those girls in the tank are still following us. Sokka and I headed off to find Toph, but so far we’ve had no luck.
Hey, there’s Aang! He’s battling that girl, the lightning Firebender, and someone else. It’s … PRINCE ZUKO! And there’s Zuko’s uncle Iroh. And who IS this Firebending girl who can shoot lightning? Time to fight!
Why is the ground shaking? What’s happening? Hey, it’s knocking the Firebending girl down. But what’s making it shake?
“I thought you guys could use a little help,” Toph said.
Boy, am I glad to see her! And we can sure use her help right now!
Give it up, Firebending girl. You’re surrounded. Even Zuko and Iroh are against you.
“Well, look at this,” she cackled. “Enemies and traitors working together. I know when I’m beaten. A princess surrenders with honor.”
Princess? She’s Zuko’s sister?
BOOM! A searing bolt of lightning just struck Iroh.
Surrender! What a liar! SWOOSH! Take this water whip. Wait—she disappeared! What a coward. …
Iroh is badly hurt. Zuko looks like he might even be crying. Zuko is my enemy. But now I feel sorry for him. It even seemed that for a moment he was on our side against his sister. Maybe I can heal his uncle with my Waterbending. “Zuko, I can help.”
“Leave!” he screamed, launching a wave of fire just inches above our heads.
What can I do if he doesn’t want my help? At least everyone else is safe, and Toph is back. I guess it’s time to go.
Chapter 5
The next morning Toph began Aang’s Earthbending lessons.
“Good morning, Sifu T
oph!”
“Hey, you never call me Sifu Katara!”
“Well, if you think I should …”
What does that mean? Doesn’t he think I deserve the title? Maybe he doesn’t think I’m a good enough teacher … but everything he knows he learned from me! And Toph hasn’t taught him one move yet. What do I have to do to make him see that I deserve it too?
Maybe in order to prove that I really am a master, and a teacher, I have to behave like one. Hmm … I’m sure after a day of lessons with Toph, he’ll realize how lucky he is to have Sifu Katara teaching him Waterbending. …
“Maybe if I came at the boulder from a different angle—,” Aang suggested.
“No, Aang, that’s the problem,” Toph said angrily. “You’ve got to stop thinking like an Airbender. There’s no different angle or tricky solution. You’ve got to face the rock head-on.”
Aang looks pretty freaked out. After teaching him for over a year, I know exactly what he does and doesn’t respond well to, and yelling and bullying don’t work. I think Toph could use some help from Sifu Katara. …
“I’ve been training Aang for a while now, Toph. He really responds well to kind words, praise, encouragement.” Exactly, just show them that you know what you’re talking about. They’ll respect your knowledge.
“Thanks, Katara. I’ll try that.”
See! It worked. I guess I’ll head back to the camp. I’m glad I can make Aang’s training easier. And if he realizes what a great teacher I am in the process, well that’s fine too!
Okay, so I left Aang and Toph alone for a while, but I’m just too curious. I’m also concerned about how Toph is handling Aang. I have to go back and check in again.
“This time, instead of trying to move a rock, you’re going to stop a rock,” Toph shouted. “Get in your horse stance!”
I wish she wouldn’t yell at him like that. He really does do better with positive encouragement. Now Toph’s pointing to a large boulder that’s on top of a cliff. Aang’s at the bottom.