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I don't own ATLA, but I do own my OCs.

(Revised 6.15.21)

When Clara awoke she found herself wrapped up in chains, almost like a straight-jacket, around her body. But this came as no surprise to her. She had expected to be restrained again after what had happened before. Trying to straighten herself up was difficult though, with the extra heavyweights but she managed...eventually. Looking around, Clara found that she wasn't in her prison room cell. She was on a bed in what looked like a doctor's room, with the rows of cots similar to hers, just with metal everywhere like the rest of the ship.

But what stuck out most in the room was all the guards. There was a total of nine soldiers standing around her.

One of them had left a moment ago to get Azula. The remaining soldiers had been in a fighting stance since Clara had sat up. The chains around her were heavy but not to the point where she couldn't move at all. That thought pleased her. She had been gaining strength and endurance over the course of her training. That was the whole point of putting up with it all… It just became too much, but she didn't want to stop but knew something needed to change.

Clara.

She flinched in surprise as she heard Agnimitra's feminine yet deep voice echo through her head. Timidly, she thought back a response.

Yes?

The spirit gave a little cheer, Thank goodness you can hear me! I'm not sure for how long we'll be able to be in contact each day though…

Clara looked down at the ground to avoid looking at the guards while keeping her expression neutral.

Why is there a time limit?

I'm a new spirit and don't have the strength it would require to constantly communicate with you.

Oh… well, let me ask you-

Clara's thoughts were interrupted with the door opening up. Azula stepped inside before Zuko came in behind her. He looked as unreadable as ever. She did notice that neither of the siblings was meeting her eyes. Zuko was looking off to the side while Azula glanced at the soldiers, still fighting stances.

"At ease," she told them. "But if she makes ANY suspicious moves you are all free to attack."

It was still weird for Clara to watch how obediently people responded in this world. In hers, she had only seen it happen on video broadcasts. It was strange to see in person.

Azula took a couple of strides towards Clara. Her arms folded over her chest and she looked like she was waiting for something to happen. Azula finally looked her in the eye. The Princess's eyes looked like she was trying to shoot fire from them.

I'm not going to appear before the girl again unless she threatens your life! Agnimitra responded harshly and Clara could imagine the spirit glaring in her head.

I wonder if she's waiting for me to attack her or for an apology?

After what she's put you through she doesn't deserve one! Agnimitra hissed furiously.

Clara looked at Azula, really, REALLY looking at her for the first time since she had laid eyes on her in the catacombs. Thinking of the catacombs brought forth her anger. With the heat of rage running in her veins, Clara did her best to just breathe.

Something she noticed in her weeks of training, she had started becoming easily frustrated and irritable. Clara couldn't tell if it was the enormous amount of stress she had been under or if it was something all fire benders had within them. From the show, it seemed like the latter. Feeling this anger was new to Clara, and she didn't like how it seemed to slowly be changing her.

I hate her! And I hate that I feel this much anger towards someone because it doesn't do anyone any good... and I know she's younger than me... and has a lot of issues... but she is the type of person I absolutely can't stand!

So why are you thinking of playing along and going to apologize to her?

Because, despite how I may currently feel, I know myself, I don't like to hurt people, and feeling this anger easily leads to bad thoughts and actions… It's always better to be the bigger person… Besides, I don't want Zuko to see me as an enemy.

Clara moved her legs so they were hanging off the side of the bed. The soldiers followed her movements very closely but she chose to ignore them, only focusing on the Fire Nation royal siblings. As much as she could without falling over from the weights, Clara bowed her head.

"I… I don't know what I can say," she said slowly. "I'm sorry to all the people I hurt."

If a coin dropped on the other side of the ship, Clara guessed that they would hear it with how silent it was in the room.

I can sense something from within the girl. She's upset at herself and holds great hatred towards you and your abilities.

Can you sense people's emotions?

Only when you're physically closer to them. I can tell what you're feeling best and can see your memories when you recall them.

"What happened to you?" Zuko spoke, and she could hear a curiosity in his tone.

Hmmm, this one has a lot of guilt he's trying to bury and ignore, he's gonna eventually become imbalanced with his emotions.

Looking at Zuko was easier, but he wasn't intimidating the same way Azula was to her. Since she knew where they would end up, it was easier for her to look at him with no fear.

I actually know that already. I can show you later what else I know if you like… What should I tell them now?

Agnimitra was silent for a moment before saying, Just repeat what I tell you but look natural while you do it.

Clara meets Zuko's eyes, glancing at Azula before returning to him.

"I recently lost my mother… and decided to go to Ba Sing Se to try to become a singer. On the way there… one night while I was camping in a forest, it… it was like my campfire exploded towards me… when I woke up the next day… my hair…" Clara's head tilted towards her shoulder where her yellow hair hung. "I knew that something was… different. I felt different, like the chi in my body was… amplified and I was able to bend fire after that."

She cleared her throat, it was very dry but Clara ignored that.

"I learned about spirits from my mother. She was from the Northern Water Tribe. She never told me why she left and traveled to the Earth Kingdom…" Clara didn't have to fake looking sad while talking about this. The fact was, she had lost her mom in a way.

"I've never met my father and my mother never said where he was from, just that he was a soldier."

The chains were beginning to hurt and she shifted uncomfortably.

At that moment she could feel how hungry she was too. Clara knew she had to focus on other things. She continued to repeat what Agnimitra was telling her.

"I heard rumors of the Avatar traveling to Ba Sing Se and was all the more determined to get there. I went to him to ask for his help… That's why I didn't want anything bad to happen to him. He was the easiest way for me to fix what's wrong with me."

Zuko nodded slowly. Clara continued to meet his eyes and glance at Azula to make sure the princess was understanding her too.

"When the spirit, her name is Agnimitra… when she came forth… she spoke to me, saying she was protecting me and was the one who activated my ability to firebend... and that... my spiritual energy can manifest this way thanks to her..." Clara licked her lips, they were chapped due to dehydration but she tried to ignore it as best she could.

"I'm able to hear her when I concentrate. She said I'll be able to communicate back to her when I unblock my chakras… and that she's willing to do anything to keep me safe."

Azula's expression remained stoic. She looked like she didn't believe her. The guards parted for her and Azula came directly in front of Clara, her eyes looking down pointedly.

"If what you're saying is true," her tone was very doubtful, "Why did this fire spirit come to possess you? You were of no importance to the Fire Nation before, you're a half-breed as well."

Clara forced herself to not look down, despite the feeling of intimidation well up in her stomach.

I'm more powerful than her, I can't be hurt by her anymore…!

And if she tries to hurt you after this, I'll not hesitate now that we have a better connection to each other!

As much as she could, Clara breathed evenly before she answered the Princess in Agnimitra's words.

"Agnimitra explained how it was the spiritual connection the Water Tribe has and the raw power of the Fire Nation that allowed for her to fuse herself with me… as for why she did it…"

Clara looked from Azula to Zuko.

"She said it was fated to happen. That I am destined to help the Fire Lord."

Agnimitra had said it to her so seriously, Clara had to suppress her snicker. She wasn't used to believing in fate or destiny, despite her taste in movies and shows. She never had applied it to herself or her life.

I am being serious Clara. That wasn't a lie. Agni told me since you fell into this world you're going to affect things. And for better or worse you are going to play a role in this world now.

She was telling the truth...!? That her destiny was predetermined here now that she was there had her heart rate quickly go up!

I know I'm affecting things... but am I really going to help Fire Lord Ozai?!

Agni didn't give a specific name...

The young spirit felt troubled, Clara could feel that before Agnimitra changed the subject.

Survival for you mortals is interesting and complicated. Manipulation and fear are methods this Princess relies on. You're doing a good job but the girl thinks you're lying now...

... Well... What is Zuko feeling?

He's... he wants to believe you but he's suspicious as well.

She waited, looking from the siblings to the guards. Clara could feel as Agnimitra's presence began to slowly fade.

I'll try to visit you again soon, later tonight if I can! Even though you can't hear me... I'm still with you...

Clara felt a little cooler once Agnimitra's voice faded out. She hadn't noticed the warmth since she was never cold anymore thanks to the spirit.

Silently exhaling, she waited for Azula or Zuko to speak.