Water and Lava

Chapter 2

I

t was Earth Rumble VI Time.

Toph and I arrived early, and walked through the dark tunnel that was hidden in the rock face. We entered the large arena, glowing crystals above us illuminating the stands and stage. We walked along the edge to one of the fighter's rooms, another small cave carved into the grey rock. Xin Fu, the host, spotted Toph immediately.

"Alrighty then," I say, turning around to leave, "good luck, Toph. Use those super feet."

The smaller girl punched me in the arm. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't get crushed out there in the audience."

I chuckled and walked out of the room, back into the crowd. The arena echoes the cheers, making the atmosphere exciting, sweaty, loud, and overall badass. While I love fighting, and would love to take some of these men down a notch, I have an issue of getting too involved personally. I usually wind up going for the kill, and sometimes...well, something weird happens. I've always failed to control it during Toph and I's training, so we've decided that I should only ever do it as a last resort, and should stay to the sides of the arena. Which is fine with me. I love screaming supportive statements at my friend, and profanities at her competition.

I climbed up the dusty stairs to the front seats. Rock, boulders, and dust are always being thrown from the stage during the fights. Of course, I can bend it all out of my way, so I don't have an issue with it. However most other benders are fighting, and non-benders who watch sit farther back and up. So I sit alone in the front.

However, tonight wound up different. I was sitting in my usual spot listening to Xin Fu's booming voice, and three other kids sat down a few feet away from me. It's obvious that two of them weren't earthbenders, all three new to the scene. The older boy and girl were in water tribe garb, while the smaller boy was well, small. He looked excited though, which I found sweet. The girl looked disgusted, while her brother (I'm guessing, they both had the same bright blue eyes and darker skin) looked elated.

"...why do you guys think she's the only one sitting in the front?" One of them asked, pointing at me. I was watching the fight meanwhile, and a boulder came flying toward the seats. Funnily enough, the large rock was hurled at us from The Boulder himself. I jumped up in front of the group and kicked the rock, exploding it into pieces around us. I turned around to look at them.

"That would be why."

Their eyes were bulging out of their sockets.

"You're an earthbender!"

"How'd you do that?!"

"Wow..."

The girl looked at me, and now that I was closer, my belly started feeling funny. Her eyes were bluer than the sky, and looked as deep as the ocean. They shone out against her skin, and her dark hair was pulled into a braid, with hair...loopies, I think, in front.

"Thank you for that," she said, smiling, "that was incredible!"

I was sweating. "I uh,, haha." I reached up to scratch my neck.

"It was no problem, uhm, just a rock...you guys were gonna be crushed."

My face was on fire. No one seemed to notice though, and I took a deep breath.

"Well um, would you guys like to sit with me? My friend is fighting tonight."

"Yeah!" They all said it in unison, and I laughed.

"Nice to meet you guys, I'm uh, I'm Rojin. But you can just call me Ro."

The smaller boy beamed. "Nice to meet you! I'm Aang!" He had an earthbending academy outfit on and I giggled. Immediately I knew that I'd die for the kid.

"Sokka's the name, Ms. Ro," said Sokka, looking like he was trying to wink at me. The boy had his hair in a wolf tail, and a boomerang on his back.

The girl slapped him, then looked back at me, her eyes glittering. "Sorry about my brother, I'm Katara."

I smiled. "That's a beautiful name. Are you guys waterbenders?" I gasped, "I've always wanted to see one!"

Katara beamed, "I am! I'm the last one of my tribe, too."

"Sorry about that. But also, THAT IS SO COOL, DUDE!!!"

She laughed, and the sound was absolutely gorgeous. Meanwhile, her brother mumbled under his breath. "Yeah, yeah, benders..."

I calmed myself and looked to the older boy. "Pshhh. Whatever, but I do like your boomerang."

That seemed to perk him up. He sat up straighter and rose an eyebrow. "Well, thank you!!! At least someone appreciates it," he said, looking at Katara, who then rolls her eyes.

I turn to Aang. "Aang is definitely a unique name, are you a bender too?"

All of a sudden the three of them seemed to have a silent conversation. Sokka and Katara looked to Aang, who then looked back at me. He smiled.

"I'm the-"

I couldn't hear what he said next. We all fell into our seats as a peice of shrapnel hit close to our spot. Xin Fu took the stage once again, and declared The Boulder the winner against The Hippo, and that now he shall face-

"THE BLIND BANDIT!"

I screamed.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! THAT'S MY BEST FREIND, BITCHES!!! SHE'S GONNA TEAR YOU APART!!!!!!"

I was now standing, and Aang, Katara, and Sokka were all staring at me, looking shocked.

"...sorry about that... Toph, the Bandit, is my best friend. And she's the greatest earthbender I know."

This seemed to intrigue Aang, and as my friend strolled out and proceeded to roast the SHIT out of The Boulder, Sokka and I started to cheer and shout over each other, having a blast.

I couldn't exactly hear who, but one of them asked me, "is she actually blind?"

"Since birth," I replied. "And it's only made her more badass."

We watched as my best friend quickly disposed of The Boulder. I always love watching her fight. Toph earthbends in her own unique way that is always so cool to watch. I could see her smirk everytime The Boulder made a move, because she could see all of it, and like lightning, move her small body and send the opponent reeling back with a boulder or fissure in the ground every time. I laughed along with her as she beat the grown-ass man.

The Boulder was launched out of the ring, and I screamed even louder.

"FUCK YEAHH!!! BLIND BANDIT RULES!!!"

Meanwhile, next to me, Sokka was devastated. He was rooting for The Boulder. I laughed at him, clutching my stomach and pointing at him. The boy narrowed his eyes at me, but laughed along eventually. Looking over, Katara and Aang were talking. Katara was wondering how in the world Toph did it, and before I could answer, Aang did.

"She waited and listened!"

~~~~~~~~

Yuh yuh