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(Revised 1.28.20)

That newfound assurance slipped away fast as Clara clung to Appa as they made their descent towards the ground, which was where Sokka would meet his father again.

We're just landing, it's okay, it's okay...

Her breathing was shallow again and her lips were white. She needed to remember to just not watch as they land next time. Flying on Appa's back in the sky had been fine, but when he had started moving downward it had reminded her of a plane going down.

The fly over to Chameleon Bay took about three hours and during that time Aang had been talking, telling some of the adventures his group and him have had. Sokka was against Aang telling a stranger about their past but Clara said she would tell him whatever he wanted to know about her. Aang was eager to know more about her and what her world was like.

Looking around at the rich green hills and the blue sky, how clean and fresh the air smelled, comparing her world and the Avatar world made Clara a little bitter. She explained how people had gotten rid of all the world's natural beauty slowly over time in favor of a concrete one. Describing how most of the world she knew was like Ba Sing Se, no overgrown forests and only structured parks and grass and flower pieces to decorate was her world. There were places where wild animals still roamed but not where she had lived.

"Do you have family?" It was the first question Sokka had asked after Aang had grown silent, taking in what Clara had said about her world's attempt to control nature, mostly by destroying it.

Clara nodded, biting her lip thinking about her mom and how worried she would be discovering that she was missing.

"My mom is a doctor... a healer. She worked a lot because where we lived... it was a very big city. Lots of people which meant when one person got sick so did many others. I had an older brother but he died," Clara could hear the flat tone in her voice when she talked about Malcolm and hoped they wouldn't push her to talk about him.

"What about your dad?" Aang said peeking over to look at her, hands still on the reins.

"Never met him, he left when I was only a baby."

Aang nodded, seeming to understand. He had been raised by the monks so he didn't know who his dad was either or his mother. Clara wondered, trying to remember more of the show but she couldn't recall Aang ever thinking of his parents. It was probably a tradition for the Air Nomads to not become attached to their children... The Air Nomads had been very spiritual so it likely had something to do with achieving enlightenment so the children were raised by every adult in the Air temples.

"What do you like to do for fun?" Aang smiled, changing the subject. Clara was glad that he did. She didn't want to think of her family, it only made her sad and anxious.

"I love listening to music and singing but never in public... unless I'm singing with a group of people. I love reading..." Clara abruptly realized she was likely illiterate here! It was such a shock to realize this, she almost whimpered at the loss. She was glad she was looking down when she had said all this or Sokka and Aang might notice her expression that was probably distress, if not complete anguish.

They write in Chinese or something here! I'll have to learn how to write and read all over again!

"Would you ever sing for us?" Aang asked grinning from ear to ear, distracting her. She breathed in slowly, trying to compose herself or at least appear that way. Clara looked at Aang shyly, not wanting to say no to him but really was against singing alone. It was a rule she had made for herself a long time ago...

"Maybe..." It was then that they had descended into Chameleon Bay.

"You haven't seen your dad in over two years! You must be so excited!" As Aang spoke, Sokka nearly threw up and looked ill.

"I know I should be but... I just feel sick to my stomach."

"Don't be nervous. He's going to be so happy to see you!" Sokka smiled, reassured now and started climbing down Appa before turning and whispering something to Aang. Whatever it was caused Aang to frown slightly. Feet on the ground Sokka waved bye to Aang and gave Clara a parting glance before waving.

"See you in a week! Yip yip!" Clara clung to Appa out of fear before remembering she didn't need to be afraid. Once they were in the sky Clara stood up, her bare feet against Appa's fur, toes wiggling. It was amazing! The sky and the white clouds and the feel of the wind blowing back her hair! This was the second-best feeling Clara had experienced since she had gotten there, it came in second to meeting her favorite cartoon characters!

"Come sit up here Clara!" Aang shouted over the wind. Clara carefully walked to Appa's head before sitting next to him. She looked at him and was still amazed that she was sitting next to Aang.

"Are you ready to master the Avatar State?" Clara knew it was a silly question but maybe she could change something for the better by talking to Aang about some things. Maybe Aang could master it before his fight with Zuko and Azula. Maybe he wouldn't be fatally hurt! That would mean more training and preparation for fighting the Fire Lord!

But how would that negatively affect the outcome of this world? What about the lessons the GAang learns when they go to the Fire Nation? What about the growth they and Zuko do during that time? What about-

Clara was brought back out of her thoughts by Aang answering her question.

"I'm more than ready, I want to bring an end to this war."

They were both quiet for a while before Clara spoke.

"What if..." Clara raised her voice so she was no longer whispering, even though it only seemed like Sokka was annoyed by her being soft-spoken, "What if by mastering the Avatar State… it would mean having to give up something important to you?" She thought to when Aang hadn't been able to give up Katara and his love for her which stopped him from completing his training with the Guru.

Aang looked confused, "Why would that happen?"

Clara cleared her throat, "Where I'm from there were some sayings," she remembered a fake Buddha quote she had learned about, "To gain something you must give up something in return. That's not always true but sometimes to learn something you have to forget about keeping something close to you. Like," She paused trying to think of an example that would help him to understand. Thinking of a quote from a cartoon she explained, "I guess you could say sometimes you must hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, lose in order to gain because life's greatest lessons are learned through pain."

God that sounds scary and yet so cheesy! But cliches and sayings are sometimes good for examples...

"I disagree," looking to Aang, Clara found a serious expression on his face, "I was taught that life is beautiful and that you learn from everything and everyone you meet. Everything has something to teach and there is always going to be someone willing to learn. Whatever the lesson is, it does not always have to come from pain. Sometimes it does but all the great life lessons are not born from pain."

Clara was quiet as she thought of how this boy really was wise beyond his years, just like in the series.

"I wish more people from my world were as optimistic as you Aang... I feel like my world would be a better place if there were more people with that outlook. People here seem a lot more interesting too."

"What do you mean?" Curiosity was back in his voice.

"My world doesn't have people who can bend the elements. No one can do anything like that... Some people claim to be able to read peoples' fortune but the majority of people don't believe in it..."

"Why would they not believe?"

Clara pursed her lips thinking before smiling, "I get the feeling Sokka wouldn't believe if he got his fortune read." She remembered back to earlier seasons of the show where the GAang had their fortunes told and smiled a little thinking about how awesome it would have been to meet Aunt Wu. She wished she could have gotten her fortune told since she wasn't from here, she was sure it would be fascinating.

"You're right actually. So your world is full of people like Sokka?"

Clara burst out laughing at the thought of her world only having Sokka's. Imagining Sokka doing the jobs her world had, retail worker, a telephone receptionist, police officer, or fast food worker made her laugh even harder, she accidentally gave a little snort. She stopped abruptly and looked away embarrassed, Aang laughed at that. Clara tried to smile but couldn't help but feel a little sad again. Her mom always told her to never snort, that it was unladylike and made her sound like a pig. Only when she had been with her friends Lacey and Sam had she allowed herself to laugh so hard.

Continuing she said, "Some people are exactly like the way Sokka acts but many people are not." Clara sighed, thinking about her mom again. There were going to be so many things that would easily remind her of her mom. She didn't want to lose hope, she wanted to believe she would see her again.

"What's wrong?"

She looked at Aang. She knew he was good at reading people, making him a good judge of a person's character.

"I was thinking about my mom."

Aang patted her on the shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"I'll try to do everything I can to figure out how to get you back to her Clara. If the Guru can't help you, I won't give up so easily!"

Clara felt tears sting her eyes as she smiled at Aang. He was only about four years younger than her if he was twelve but he seemed so sure of himself and she trusted him. Clara knew he was trustworthy and she felt that now sitting next to him.

Aang and Clara both stared off into the distance, watching the world below as they talked, it was mostly Aang telling her more adventures he had gone on with the group.

Hours past and after eating a late lunch that was a variety of fruits and nuts Aang spotted the Eastern Air Temple.

"There it is!" Clara blinking in shock, she didn't know when she would get over how beautiful this world was.

Against the sunset, the color of the temples were breathtaking. Looking around, she wished she could have gotten to see the Southern and Northern water tribes but was excited because she would eventually get to see the Fire Nation; that was if this man, the Guru couldn't send her home. She silently prayed that things would work out for her. Opening her eyes again, she moved to Appa's back before they began their descent. Again she gripped tightly to Appa as they landed.

I really hope this guru will be able to help me...

She looked to Aang and he smiled in encouragement before they got off Appa and made their way up the stairs to the Guru.