Chapter 8

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Chapter 8 We've been traveling for hours, I'm sure of it. But since I can't bend metal, I can't sense the vibrations of the ground or trees around me, and so I have no idea where we are. But from the sounds, the smell, and the bumpy ride, I think we're in a forest. "I believe we need to go right." THAT'S not Xin Fu, it's Master Yu! So he's in on this too. "What are you talking about," Xin Fu replied. "The Beifong's estate is this way." Hmm. Maybe I can use this to my advantage. "Hey! Can you two old ladies quit bickering for a second? I have to go to the bathroom!" "Okay, but make it quick," Master Yu said. "What's wrong with you?" Xin Fu shouted. Great. NOW he's got brains! "Very sneaky, Toph!" Master Yu said, trying to sound like he wasn't fooled. "Nice try, but you can't fool me." "You may think you're the greatest Earthbender in the world, but even you can't bend metal!" Xin Fu added in his smug tone.

I need to get out of here! If only I COULD bend metal, I'd be out of here in a minute. Then those guys would be— Wait a minute… metal comes from the earth. If I can bend it when it's still ore embedded deep in rocks, why shouldn't I be able to bend it in its processed form? It's the same stuff, right? Maybe it's not the METAL that's holding me prisoner, it's my mind. Sheesh. Now I'm starting to sound like Aang! But what if it's true? Aang always had the power to Earthbend within him. It was only his approach that stopped him. Maybe that's my problem too. Okay. Here we go. Hands against the back wall of the cage. Focus, Toph. Focus. Go back to day one, the first time you ever moved a rock. Remember, that seemed so hard until you found the right place in your mind, the right level of concentration. After that, it was a snap. Come on, metal, bend, bend! Nothing. Okay, deep breath, then try again. Bend, metal. You can't hold me back. You can't box in willpower. I am rooted. I am solid. You will bend! My hands are trembling. I can feel power surging from deep within me. The metal is starting to buckle. Yes! Toph, you rule! Okay, okay, don't get carried

away. Take that feeling and build on it. Focus. Harder, harder. Push! The back wall of the cage is ripping open. I'm free! I'm out of that cage! And I've gained a whole new Earthbending skill in the bargain. I'll just slip around to the front of the carriage and give those clowns a surprise. "What was that noise?" Master Yu asked. "It must be one of her tricks," Xin Fu replied. "It's no trick," I said, standing right beside them. "And neither is this." WHOOSH! Take that, you clowns! Now it's your turn in the cage. I'll just Metalbend the cage shut—I love this! There, now you're trapped. How does it feel, boys? "I AM the greatest Earthbender in the world. And don't you two dunderheads ever forget it!" Finally—free again! I'll just ride this Earthwave back toward Ba Sing Se. Freedom tastes especially sweet today, knowing that there is now one less element that can hold me! Too bad about that letter, though. Too bad it wasn't real. It would be really great if my folks could understand and accept me. Yeah, like that's ever

going to happen. Wheeee! This is the only way to fly—with my feet still on the ground! Man, Earthwave riding is the best. Once I get there, I've got to see if Katara and the others are all right. I mean, if the letter from my mom is a fake, who knows about Katara's dad and Aang's guru. I— Whoa! What's that! Something swooping down from the sky. I'm losing the wave! I'm crashing down— BOOM! Appa? "Hey! Don't sneak up on me like that!" "Need a ride?" Sokka's here too! I guess I'll be riding Appa the rest of the way—oh, joy. On our way back Aang told me that while he was with the guru, he had a vision that Katara was in trouble. That's why he left. He picked up Sokka on the way. Gosh, I hope that Katara's okay. I hope Aang's vision isn't real.… We're back at our house in Ba Sing Se, but Katara isn't home. "Katara IS in trouble," Aang said. "I knew it!" And now I can feel someone else is coming.

"Someone's at the door." I recognize the footfall. "Actually, I know who it is. It's an old friend of mine." I flung the door open, and sure enough, it's Iroh. "I need your help." "You know each other?" Aang asked. "I met him in the woods once, and knocked him down. Then he gave me tea and some very good advice." I invited him in. Sokka immediately took up a warrior's stance. "I'm warning you. If you make one false move…" Give him a break, Sokka. This guy seems about as dangerous as a soggy tea leaf. "Princess Azula is in Ba Sing Se," the old man began. "She must have Katara!" Aang said. "She has captured my nephew as well." "Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Katara and Zuko," Aang said. The old man brought along a Dai Li agent he had captured. Intimidated by a bunch of angry benders, the guy talked right away. "Azula and Long Feng are plotting a coup. They're going to overthrow the Earth King."