Avatar: The Last Airbender - Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy

Avatar: The Last Airbender – Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy begins with Toph instructing her students in metalbending. Toph’s new students are learning fast and perfecting the art. However, everything is too perfect for Toph. Sokka and Suki arrive to visit Toph. The couple comments about how spectacular the academy is designed. They have buildings for the students to train and sleep in rather than tents, thanks to the sponsorship of Earthen Fire Industries. Sokka and Suki can see that something is wrong with Toph. Toph, with a heavy heart, admits she’s bored. There are no real challenges. Ho Tun, The Dark One, and Penga teach classes. Her scouts search for metalbenders in the Earth Kingdom. Toph says everything is moving like clockwork. Toph’s dissatisfaction with her routine is palpable, but when Suki proposes a new opportunity, Toph’s excitement is contagious. The prospect of facing a new villain and embarking on a fresh adventure sets her heart racing. Toph is disappointed when Suki reveals they have front-row seats to the Trustfully in Love concert, starring Chong, Lily, and Moku. Sokka reminisces about his painful memories with their group in the Cave of Two Lovers. Suki absolutely loves their music, but Sokka and Toph don’t. Three hours into the concert, Sokka and Toph look like zombies. Suki still swings her arms back and forth in sync with the crowd. I’m astonished that Toph stayed in there for that long before she left. I guess Suki has become a close friend of Toph’s over the years. It’s hysterical how Sokka begs Toph to stay because he doesn’t want to suffer alone. Sokka is such a supporting boyfriend to Suki, listening to the band play even though he doesn’t want to be there. Toph is enveloped by serenity and peaceful silence outside the concert building. Suddenly, she feels unusual vibrations under her feet. Intrigued, she follows the sensation to a warehouse holding an Underground Bending Tournament, and her heart leaps with excitement. Toph’s mind races with memories of her victorious battles against The Boulder and other opponents. Her thrill peaks when she witnesses an earthbender named Sun lavabending against his foe. One earthbender recognizes Toph as a friend of the Avatar’s and misunderstands her intentions. Toph tries to explain her genuine interest in the fights, but everyone has already dispersed. The following morning, Ho Tun, The Dark One, and Penga quickly provide Toph with a weekly report. The Dark One and Penga are both upset that Toph interrupted their reports. Ho Tun is determined to investigate what is bothering Toph. Ho Tun theorizes that the difference between how Toph learned metalbending from her students may be causing her trouble. Toph learned how to earthbend from Bagermoles and battled in a ring and on the run, and her students obtained the metalbending techniques in the lap of luxury. Ho Tun reflects on how they’ve all changed since coming to learn at Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy. Ho Tun doesn’t see doom wherever he goes. Penga has cut back on her shoe shopping. The Dark One used to hate everything, and now he tolerates everything, including Ho Tun and Penga. Penga reacts like she’s now in love with The Dark One. Penga is such a confusing character. I can’t tell if she likes Sokka, Ho Tun, or The Dark One. She switches guys, like trying on a new pair of shoes. It does fit her character. Anyway, Ho Tun gets the bright idea to battle in the Underground Bending Tournament in Yu Dao. The Dark One sees doom in this proposal while Toph searches the city for the Underground Bending Tournament herself. Everyone runs away at the sight of Toph—everyone except for Chong, who is sprinting from his adored fans. Toph provides earthbending cover for Chong to hide behind. When he asks, Toph lays all her frustrations on Chong. Chong relates to his own life experiences. At one point, Trustfully in Love was all about playing music for the love of it. Now, they play for profit, and Chong has cr