Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. I do however own this plot and Aloria.

Chapter 1:

Finding Acceptance

The smell of smoke filled the room. A small child coughed wildly as she awoke. Sitting up she squinted her eyes and tried to see in the clouded room. Covering her mouth she made it out the backdoor. Searching around, she could only see flames engulfing her house. She made to call for her parents when she noticed her neighbor coming towards her with their finger over their mouth.

"Sh child, you must keep quiet. The Firelord had your parents killed. He is after you next. You much escape the island and make it to land. Once you do, you must find a city called Ba Sing Se."

A beautiful girl stood inside a small shop. She wore the robes of the Earth Nation. Her hair was up in a neat bun; its auburn color glinting in the natural light that was let in threw the open doors. Her bright emerald eyes holding hope and happiness.

She smiled as she watched the people walking around. She smiled at new customers and offered to show them to a seat. She ushered them to a nice table. With her right hand straight and her left hand in a fist with the knuckles facing toward the ceiling she bowed to them before moving toward another table.

"Isn't that the same bow that the Air Nomads used to use?"

"I think it is, but there is only one Air Nomad left, and that's the Avatar."

"I heard he was in Omashu!"

"I heard that too! I wonder what he is doing there."

"Excuse me, I don't mean to be so rude. But, how far away is Omashu," she inquired.

"Little Lady, unless you a way to fly there, you will have to cross the Serpent's Pass. So unless you're some amazing Bender or you had one go with you, you wouldn't be able to make it on your own."

She nodded and bowed away. She didn't care if she had to cross the dreaded Serpent's Pass; she was going to make it to Omashu.

It didn't take her long to find the train that left the amazing city she called home. Sighing she moved into the train that would take everything she ever knew away from her and throw her into a world she hadn't seen in so many years.

Her bare feet made contact with the ground. The vast wilderness almost scared her, but she knew what she needed to do. She had to know that the Avatar was really back and he was really there to protect all the innocents who had their lives ruined by the raid of the Fire Nation.

Luck was on her side when she neared the Serpent's Pass; there were other travelers about to make their way across.

"Hey little girl, are you trying to make your way to Omashu as well?"

"Yes, would it be trouble for me to follow you across?"

A man only about ten years older her then smiled at her, "It wouldn't be right for me to allow you to cross this pass without some help."

She smiled her thanks and bowed. They began the long trek across the small winding road. The high hills scared her but she told herself no matter what she saw she would continue forward, she just had to.

"The road is out here. The road has been destroyed by the water."

"That's okay, I'll swim across," her voice was strong and firm.

She held her breath as if to hold in her fear and began swimming across. It seemed they were in luck as all of them made it across with no problems. As the mainland began to appear they all let out a sigh in relief.

"I don't want to ruin the happiness, but I think something is in the water," she gulped as she stared down at the dark shadow swimming around below them.

Fear slammed into her like a komodo rhino. She could hear some of the travelers in front of her begin to scream and run forward toward the land they were so close to. She stood frozen, as if in a trance.

The giant serpent splashed up out of the water and slammed its head against the rocky mountain. Rocks flew everywhere; a small rock smacked her in the cheek leaving behind a very angry red mark and awareness ringing threw her body.

Using her bare feet she moved around according to the vibrations in the rocks. Pressing her back against the wall she barely missed a falling boulder. A sigh left her lips a moment too soon as a companion fell into the water. She heard the ladies name being called out as the lady surfaced from the water, her eyes filled with fear and terror as the serpent pulled back and aimed to strike.

Making a split second decision, she held her breath and drove into the water, grabbing a hold of the fallen comrade and pulling her with her towards the shore. The adrenaline from the fear pushed her far beyond her limits and brought her quickly to shore moments after the serpent had nicked her leg with his sharp fangs.

Everyone was safe on shore; she laid on the sand trying to hide the horrible wound that was pouring blood, she frowned. It wasn't painful because all the adrenaline but she was sure it would hurt if she tried to walk.

"Are you alright," the man that had invited her along asked.

"I'm fine."

"We can help you patch up that leg, I'm no doctor, but I can stop the bleeding."

"Thank you very much."

The man ripped his shirt into strips using them to hold off the blood flow and keep the cut clean.

"I just realized we never caught your name."

"Aloria."

"That's a very beautiful name. For such a young one, you sure are brave."

"I didn't want to see her die. I just couldn't sit back and do nothing; it would be horrible for me to watch her die because I am afraid of heights."

The man nodded and finished up his work before he moved off.

Aloria flopped back onto the sand and stared up at the sky. No matter how much pain she would be in, she still had to push her way to Omashu. She had already come so far and there was not a chance she could turn around as wounded as she was. She would probably be eaten by the serpent if she even tried.

She moved to stand on her shaky feet, the others were already getting ready to move forward and continue their journey and it wasn't like any of them were hurt at all. But, she did what she felt was right and saved a life and that kept her going realizing that she was braver then any of the men in the group.

As night fell overhead they all made camp. Some were complaining it was a waste of time as they were only a couple hours away from Omashu, but quickly shut up when they were reminded that Aloria was injured and walking as far as she had without help was difficult enough.

Aloria groaned as the pain in her leg shot her awake. None of the other's were awake and the sun was already starting to rise. She gasped when she noticed the very top of Omashu could be seen just over the horizon. In her excitement she jumped from her bed, causing her leg to spread pain threw her body, biting down hard she held the scream in the throat.

Sitting on her bottom, she excitedly began packing, trying to mind her noise to keep from waking the others. She was lucky, as she finished packing her comrades slowly began to awaken from their night's sleep. Everyone was groggy but ready to push forward to a city they have all been waiting to see.

The nights journey had placed such stress on Aloria's leg, she was all but limping as she made her way to the city. As the walls came into view, the group let out a loud yell of excitement.

Once they were Okayed by the guards they were all let into the city. Talk of the war and the Avatar's arrival was everywhere. Ba Sing Se never spoke of the war. It was a shock to hear how truly horrible the fire nation was. Aloria pushed the words of hate and violence from her ears; she was here for the Avatar.

"Where is the Avatar," her voice sounded small in the sea of people.

"King Bumi is putting him to some sort of test at the Royal Palace."

A frown filled her face as she struggled to remain standing. With a sigh, she pushed herself forward; the pain would fade if she walked long enough. The trip to the Palace was long and very difficult on her lame leg.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs. She had known for a while now that her wound had split open somewhere and there was a perfect trail of blood droplets behind her. She would wait here, she wouldn't want to drip blood all over the palace, but from what she heard of the king, she didn't think he would mind so much.

A soft hand landed on her shoulder, a women's voice spoke, "I could stitch up that wound for you, it looks very painful and you are very pale from blood loss."

"I would really appreciate that," Aloria's voice soft yet kind.

The women's home was only a few tents away from the palace. Aloria sat in silence as the women worked calmly and quietly to stitch up her wound. Biting her lip she kept from crying out from the pain of the needle going in and out of her wound. She knew it was for the best and the wound would heal up nicely if the stitches were in place. She couldn't even begin to think about having to remove them later.

"There, all done," the women smiled at her.

"My name is Aloria."

"I'm Nao; it's a pleasure to meet you."

"I cannot thank you enough for helping me, is there anything I can do to repay you," Aloria was nervous, she didn't have much money.

"I'm just happy to help, no need to give me anything in return."

They sat there and talked for a bit. Aloria told her all about Ba Sing Se and how it was living in the huge city. Nao told her all about Omashu and King Bumi. Aloria was glad she was able to speak to someone about this city and find out just why the Avatar was here of all places.

"Thank you for everything, but I really must go now."

"You're more than welcome; please feel free to come visit anytime."

Aloria waved happily and she limped up the stairs to the palace. It was harder then she thought. Her breath hitched as she reached the top. Nerves ran threw her body. What if the Avatar wouldn't allow her to help their gaang? What if they deny her after she had come all this way?

Fear held her in her place standing a few feet away from the guards. They looked confused and kept staring at her as if though she was going to jump at them and take them out. She ignored their stares and kept her eyes on the door. Inside this building held the Avatar. The man who had been missing for a hundred years and the one she wanted to help recover the peace in the world.

It took her a good twenty minutes to get up the nerve to speak to the guards and ask them if she could possibly see King Bumi. They had exchanged a look between each other but opened the doors for her to enter the palace. No one was in the main hall. She could hear yelling from a few rooms down.

When she pushed open the doors she didn't expect to see two people almost fully incased in 'creeping crystal' and a young boy fighting a very old muscled man. She kept blinking and rubbing her eyes at the sight before her, it was like a nightmare, or a day dream someone who had a horrible fever would dream up. But, her wound wasn't infected and she didn't feel sick so it couldn't be a fever.

That's when she saw the boy below bend the air. He was the Avatar. The Last Airbender of his time. She was almost overcome with the feelings of nervousness, happiness, and hope. The little boy, who should have been a hundred year old man, was the one that would save the world and bring peace to the lands. Some of the nerves subsided and she realized she would probably be able to convince him to let her join since he isn't as old as everyone had thought.

Almost an hour later, the two crystallized people, the Avatar, King Bumi, and Aloria, who was hanging back, trying not to bring attention to herself, stood in the main entrance.

She watched as Avatar talk to Bumi and expressed being old friends with him. She watched as the two people she had heard called Katara and Sokka be released from the candy crystals. She had to agree with Aang, Bumi was a mad genius.

Aloria followed Katara and Sokka as they waited for Aang and Bumi to have their ride on the mail shoots. That was when they noticed her.

"Who are you," Katara asked in a demanding way.

"My name is Aloria. I traveled from Ba Sing Se to speak with the Avatar."

"What do you want with Aang," Sokka stepped forward his hand on his sword.

Holding her hands up showing she had no weapon, "I merely wish to help! My parents were killed by some of the Fire Lord's men. I merely seek to help bring peace to the four nations!"

"Sokka leave her alone. Maybe we should sit and talk about this."

They found a nice tea shop to sit in. Aloria bought them all a cup and began explaining everything. She told them how her parents were killed a weeksafter she turned six years old. She had been able to escape and she lived in Ba Sing Se. Where she lived on the streets, begged for money, and finally got a job when she turned old enough. That was four years ago. She explained she had just turned fourteen recently. She was working and heard someone speak of the Avatar and traveled here and that is how she received her wound.

Sokka had been iffy about her since they met, but even he had calmed down and accepted that she was indeed someone they could trust. Katara smiled at her, but she knew she could only help if she could hold her own.

Aang had found them, in a clearing not too far from the palace. Regardless of the injury to her leg he watched as a strange girl danced around Sokka and taught him a thing or two about weapons and hand to hand combat. She was very skilled and extremely light on her bare feet. She was able to easily side step Sokka's charge attacks and gives him a nice smack on the back of the head.

He watched in fascination as she slipped under and pushed the back of his knees. He collapsed onto the ground with a groan. Katara and the strange girl stood above him.

"I apologize Sokka, I didn't mean to make you fall so hard," she held out her hand to help him up.

"I guess I should say sorry for doubting your abilities at hand to hand combat."

She laughed loudly as she helped him to his feet. Smiling big she finally caught sight of Aang. She bowed in his customary Air Nomad way.

"I apologize, I didn't notice you were there, I would have greeted you sooner."

"No need to greet me, or bow either," Aang said blushing.

"Aang, this is Aloria. She wants to help join our fight," Katara introduced them.

"What do you guys think," Aang was unsure of all this.

"She is a great fighter," Sokka put in.

"And she lost her parents due to the Fire Nation," Katara stated.

"She wouldn't need us to constantly protect her, she would be able to make due on her own," Sokka shrugged.

"She is pure at heart and very kind, she wouldn't disrupt us or get in the way," Katara added.

"Avatar Aang, I will not ask you to make the choice right here or right now, but I traveled here from Ba Sing Se in hopes to find you, to maybe join your quest for peace. If I cannot be a part of it then I can at least say with pride that I tried.

The Fire Nation took my mother and father from me. I don't hold any grudged against them and I'm not out for revenge. I merely want to see this world at peace. I want all the Nations to get along and be open with one another.

But, would you please give it some thought? Sleep on it for a couple nights, maybe?"

The hope shining in her eyes and the fear mixed together clouding her emerald eyes, her auburn red hair glinting in the fading sunlight. Aang couldn't tell her no without thinking about it. He didn't feel right not giving the thought a chance and it seemed Katara and Sokka liked her.

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you so much, you don't even know how much this means to me," Aloria bowed to him once again.

After a long talk between the four, the gaang watched as Aloria limped away toward the palace. Aang stayed up late watching the stars thinking about what he should do and if they should trust this girl.

Aloria woke, happy and ready for the day. Today was possibly the chance she would find out if Aang would allow her to join them on their trip. Excitement built before she pushed it down and told herself there was always the chance he would say no. She really hoped that wasn't the case.

She walked out of the tent to see Aang, Katara and Sokka saying goodbye to King Bumi. She heard they were headed to the Northern Water Tribe. Katara and Aang were going to learn water bending. While she wasn't a water bender, she was hoping she could sit and watch, maybe follow the moves and get a feel of the chi that runs through someone's veins while water bending.

She smiled sadly when she watched Aang approached Appa. The feel of being crushed emotionally hurt more then she thought, like a bittersweet feeling in her chest. She knew this day would come. With a sigh, she turned and walked toward the exit of the city. It was a long way back to Ba Sing Se, because this time, she was going to go all the way around instead of threw the Serpent's Pass.

It was about an hour later and she was barely away from the city. Her lame leg kept her from doing much. Then she felt it. Something had landed behind her. She spun around to see Aang, Katara and Sokka on Appa.

"Hey we looked all over for you," Sokka yelled out.

"Where are you headed," Katara asked.

"Home to Ba Sing Se."

Aloria turned to continue her trip home. She could feel the pain returning to the surface. They had come to tell her they had chosen to go without her. It almost hurt more than them just living without her.

"Did you not want to go with us anymore? Because if you don't want to travel with us, we can always drop you off at Ba Sing Se."

"You want me to travel with you," the shock and surprise on her face.

"I thought it over, and it would be good to have someone else along with us."

Excitement overflowed as she was pulled onto Appa by Katara and Sokka. This was the best day in her life. One she had been waiting for, for so many years.

A/N: So, was it good? Bad? In between? It's my first Avatar Fanfiction ever, so please go easy on me. I notice thou that once I get started, the story slowly starts to flow more. It's hard for me to begin a story I guess.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

P.S. Sorry I don't have a beta.