Book 1: Earth

Chapter 9: The Getaway

Clive's eyes drooped. His breath was heavy; the sun was just peering over the ocean. He tightened his grip of the wheel trying to stay awake. It had been a few hours since London and Clive wasn't even sure if he knew where he was going. All he knew is that the sun rose in the east and north was just to the left of it.

"Clive," Flora silently slid into the passenger's seat, "You're tired."

"I'm-" he paused, "I'm perfectly fine Flora." He swallowed and squinted his eyes.

"I can drive you know," She said to him.

"I'm fine, honest," he said.

"What is it with men, trying to prove to women that they can do everything without any help?" Clive scoffed.

"It's what we do when we try to impress them," he answered shamelessly. Flora turned and blushed, leaning her elbow on the edge of the door.

"Really…" she smiled.

"Really," he answered. There was an awkward silence, then suddenly they heard a shuffling in the back seat. Luke was sprawled over the back seat muffling a girl's name.

"Arianna… Arianna,"

"Luke, wake up!" Flora turned and poked him on his cheek which was hanging halfway of the seat.

"We're here," Clive said awe as a large palace like structure rose out of the morning water. It appeared to resemble a crown of the most pristine royalty.

"What…?" Flora turned around and looked at it, her dark eyes wide.

"What," Luke mumbled picking his light blue cap off the floor of the car and trying to look through the windshield without getting up.

"We're here!" Clive smiled widely.

"Finally," Flora smiled and wrapped her arms around Clive. The past few hours had been so scary, so loud, and so full of mystery. But they were going to be safe, at least for a little while.

…

A large gust of smoke wailed out of the engine as Clive landed the car on a platform in front of the crown shaped palace. People had noticed were starting to spill from the front doors.

"Hold tight," Clive said to Flora and Luke who gripped the material of the chairs as they were bruised and bumped on the concrete. Clive brought the classic red car to a stop and sat there in the driver's seat for a minute just to catch his breath.

"Should we get out?" Luke asked, looking behind him as people ran towards them.

"Yeah," Clive swallowed and exited the car, standing for the first time in hours. Flora and Luke also exited the car. People from the building ran towards them asking them questions, pestering their origins, and their purpose. The trio was flustered; it became even more uncomfortable when someone recognized them as the undefeated Pro-Bending finalists from London.

"Hey!" a young woman with scorching red hair and kind brown eyes pushed through the crowd, "You're the Avatar, aren't you?" She was extremely skinny, but in a perfect way. She was also quite short, not as short as Luke.

"Erm, yes," Luke replied fumbling with his hands.

"Oh my," she covered her mouth, her eyes seemed to water, "Does this mean…"

"Ms…" Clive began, unsure whether she wanted a bunch of these people to know exactly what was going on.

"Quatlane, Janice Quatlane," she said quickly.

"You're the one we've been eager to find," Flora said, "Something has happened." Janice swallowed.

"Please, come inside, I'm sure you're exhausted, my dressing room should be adequate enough." She was nervous, and she was making that pretty obvious.

Inside the palace, glamour and royalty were both an obvious tactic in decorating. Everything glittered and shined, gold and silver was molded into nearly every corner. The trio was blown away with the beauty of it all. Janice led them towards the back of the palace, away from the crowd of people trying their hardest to set their eyes on the undefeated Pro-Bending team.

"Get inside please; help yourselves to whatever you like." Janice told them as they entered her dressing room. Elaborate dresses hung on one side of the room while a full buffet of sugary treats sat on the other. Luke immediately took a few extra steps towards the buffet, ready to dig in whenever Janice gave him permission, "What happened in London?"

"The Family attacked," Clive explained, "They took Emmy, Layton, and even Grosky into custody." He stopped for a minute, "We believe the Family will take their bending away."

"You can't be serious?" Janice gasped, "They can't take do that, can they?"

"They can," Flora said, "They've done it already."

"Oh my," Janice stood dumbfounded, breathing heavily.

"The Professor said that we could come to you for help," Clive told her, pulling the letter out from his jacket, "Here," he handed it to the saddened woman.

"Thank you," she took it from him, peeling it opened and reading the words.

Suddenly a small mouse squeaked through Luke's jacket, Toppy popped his head out and jumped onto the table, sifting through the various treats.

"Luke, put him away," Flora said with a slight attitude. He stuck his tongue out at her and grabbed Toppy before he had a chance to eat anything.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you," Janice said, interrupting Flora and Luke's small argument, "You are allowed to stay with me, here at the Crown Petone for as long as you need to."

"Thank you Janice," Flora said quietly, relived for the moment.

"It's no trouble, honestly, stay as long as you like," she smiled weakly, they proceeded to walk out the door, "Please remain in this room until I return, I have to talk with Mr. Whistler, you'll get to know him soon enough." She nodded at the three then exited the dressing room.

Luke immediately jumped towards the buffet, stuffing his face with little cakes and candies.

"Luke, chill out a little bit would you," Clive said annoyed, but he was more of frightened that irritated.

"Sorry, I'm hungry," he replied, his mouth bulging with cake.

"You don't seem at all worried," Flora snapped at him, "the Professor could lose his bending and you don't seem stressed out all!" Flora wiped her eyes, as if she was going to start crying at any second.

"I'm trying to stay calm," Luke replied, "Chaos never helps anything."

"Neither does not worrying at all!" Flora answered.

"Guys," Clive stood in between them, "Come on let's just calm down and take a nap or something, okay? This is not a time to be fighting."

"I… I know," Flora sat down in a stuffed chair and breathed in, her eyes slowly welling with tears, "What if something even worse happens?" She said, "What if they kill the Professor or Emmy or even Grosky for God's sake?" Then she began to cry.

"Listen," Luke swallowed the cake down, "I'm just trying to be optimistic, okay? I'm worried but-" Clive stopped him to prevent freaking Flora out any more than she already was.

"Shh…" Clive said down next to her, unsure of how to comfort the girl, "We'll get out of the woods, they will too, alright? We have the Avatar on our side, okay. I promise we'll be fine." But just as Flora was crying, Clive was scared to pieces on the inside. And even with the Avatar's help, they were still way out numbered and out of options.

…

A few hours after they arrived on the Crown Petone Janice prepared Team Avatar's rooms on the highest floor of the palace, so they could easily be comfortable. Janice was as hospitable as ever, talking to them in between her performances, sneaking them snacks from the kitchen, she was extremely kind to her guests. Flora also had another girl to talk to, which was nice considering Emmy was no longer around.

Flora was given her own room while Clive and Luke shared a slightly larger one. But they weren't alone, there were other people who stayed on that floor with them Mr. Oswald Whistler, the owner of the Crown Petone and the inventor of the Detragen, a unique instrument that not only conducted but played every other musical instrument there ever was. His adopted daughter, Melina also stayed with him. She was an adorable little girl with mousy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She liked talking to Flora about all sorts of nonsense, but she didn't mind. It kept her mind off bigger problems.

The other cast members also remained on that floor, along with the floor below them, but Janice had instructed them not to speak with Team Avatar unless they provoked them, she knew obviously that the three teenagers were already boiling with stress and didn't need any other distractions. Janice wanted to help in every way she could, so as much as possible she would run up to the highest floor and answer any questions that they might have; which included what they could do with their spare time.

"You can go on the balcony, right at the end of the hall, or even across the parking lot over onto that grassy hill, you might be able to practice your bending better there." She suggested.

"That actually sounds wonderful, thank you Janice," Luke smiled at her while he ran into his room to grab his navy blue jacket.

"Please, Luke," she followed him, "Please, never go alone, who knows where Descole and his henchmen are, they could strike at any moment."

"I understand," Luke replied simply, "I'm make Clive come with me, he has to help me with earth bending anyway."

"What?" Clive appeared from the bathroom, fixing his matted brown hair.

"You need to help me earthbend," the boy instructed him, "Janice, why don't you come along! You're a waterbender right? You can help me with the 'Whirlpool' I can't ever seem to get it right." Janice suddenly flinched, it was a small action but Luke noticed it, noticing that something was wrong.

"I have a performance today," Janice replied with easiness, as if nothing was bothering her, "Maybe sometime soon, okay? I promise," she smiled warmly.

"Okay," Luke smiled back at her, still curious as to what she was worrying about.

"Why don't you invite Flora?" Janice winked at Clive who had exited the room and was grooming himself. He blushed feverishly and Janice laughed her way down the hall.

"Yeah, why don't we invite Flora," Luke punched Clive in the arm, cackling hilariously.

"Shut up Luke," Clive shot back.

"Come on Clive, you make it pretty obvious that you like her, everyone can see it, including Janice."

"So, what does that matter?" Clive asked him.

"We've known her for a week," he eyed him, knocking on Flora's door; "We're going to practice our bending, want to come with us?" He shouted. There was a scuffle and the door was swung open.

"Of course,"

…

The trio took a walk down the Crown Petone's railing, looking at the water and the early morning sun. It was a gorgeous day, and perfect for bending. They walked past the cars and trekked up the hill towards the grassy plateau that Janice had told them about. And just as she had promised, it was absolutely ideal for earthbending. The group stayed there for hours, Clive taught Luke the basics of earthbending numerous times just so he could get it right.

"Okay Luke set your stance, breathe," Clive instructed standing directly behind him as Luke familiarized himself with his surroundings, the grass was much thicker than the muddy mess back in Misthallery. The air was cleaner as well and Luke finally felt that he could master earthbending at least with this kind of environment, "Close your eyes and be the rock," Clive laughed a little, as did Flora.

"Shut up Clive," Luke said to his snarky comment.

"Okay, sorry," he quickly apologized, "Now lift your foot and smash it down." Luke did just as he said, lifting his right foot high and setting it down with such force a piece of land shot up in front of him.

"Good, you'll get back into the hang of it pretty quick."

"Hope so," Luke replied, turning around, "Speaking of bending, show us some of your stuff Flora." She had been sitting in the grass, watching, and a sort of angered expression crinkled her face.

"Funny," she stood up, "You know this is all I can do," she held out her hand and the flame ignited.

"That's all you've been able to do forever?" Luke asked in a little whiny baby voice.

"Well… no," She put her arms behind her back. This news was surprising, to both boys.

"What happened?" Clive asked, turning to her.

"Nothing, okay, just let it go," she replied, about to sit back down in the grass.

"Just tell us," Luke pestered.

"No," Flora straightened herself back up and walked away, towards the Crown Petone.

"Nice going," Clive faced Luke, "I'm sure I've given you this talk before."

"Hey, you asked too, don't blame the whole thing on me," Luke told him.

"I know," he replied, "I just, I just feel bad."

"Then go talk to her," Luke gave him a pat on the back.

"I don't need relationship advice from you," Clive laughed, "What girlfriend's have you had?" Luke ruffled his eye brows.

"I had a very good friend that was a girl in Misthallery," Luke protested against him.

"A 'good friend' doesn't count Luke," Clive laughed once more, sending Luke into an angry trip back down the hill with him. It was early evening and the sky was becoming an orange color, along with that people dressed in fancy clothes started to arrive at the Crown Petone.

"She was more than a good friend," Luke complained, "I… I think I love her." Clive stopped walking for a moment as Luke caught up with him.

"Is her name Arianna," it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," Luke answered plainly, "And I've known her all my life… I haven't talked to her since I left to come to London. I don't know what's happened to her since I've gone."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the Family," Luke replied, "Didn't you see what they did in London? Chances are they'll aim for the rest of the world and God only knows what they'll do to Misthallery when they get there." Clive shook his head, then started walking again.

"Call her up Luke," he told him, "Give her a ring."

…

Clive had been sprinting up the steps to the top floor of the Crown Petone. He was physically drained when he went to knock on Flora's door. But there was no answer, for a moment he become incredibly worried. She had walked back to the Crown Petone by herself, what if something happened? Then Clive remembered the balcony and how Janice had told them they were allowed to go and sit on the roof. Flora wouldn't shut up about sitting "on top of the world." And that's exactly where he found her.

"Hey," Clive climbed up a small ladder to sit on the crown shaped roof. Flora was sitting with her knees to her chest, looking out onto the water.

"Hi Clive," she said sadly.

"Flora, what's wrong, you know you can tell me anything," he sat down next to her, cross-legged.

"I've never told anyone this story," she started, "Not even the Professor, never." She breathed in, the cold crisp hair biting at her arms. Clive listened intently, "My mother was a non-bender and my father was a firebender. And I obviously took from my father," she burned a flame in her palm, "But my mother was scared to death of fire, surprisingly." Flora let out a little laugh, but it was a tired laugh, "So she told my father that I wasn't to know I was a firebender until the age of ten, when I was sort of old enough to control what I was doing." Flora explained.

"Well, my mother died when I was four, from sickness or something," she closed her eyes tightly for a minute, "So my father decided to teach me how to firebend, it was the only this that could distract him from my mother's death." She looked out onto the water again, facing her past was not very easy, "At the same time, a metalbender, Bruno, who was my caretaker as well was developing a new work force, of robots, that were powered by firebending. My father wanted me to be able to run these robots to keep the Fire Nation in line or whatever."

"So I learned how to firebend, and let me tell you Clive," she smiled at him, "I was pretty damn good at it," she laughed at herself, "I nearly caught the manor on fire three times, but," she breathed in, "My father didn't even care, he just laughed along with me." The words came out slightly easier, "But that stupid robot line that Bruno came up with, that stupid factory." She cursed, "When I was seven or eight my father brought me there, he told me to try working the machines."

"And I was completely okay with that, a seven year old girl working in a factory made for middle-aged men. So I started to burn a fire with in all of those robots and…" she swallowed, "It was an accident, it was a complete accident," she mumbled to herself, "I didn't mean to do it." She looked at Clive, "I burned my father, not a little burn you get from touching a hot stove or something, it was like he just walked into bonfire or a fireplace, on purpose." She cried.

"He was in bed for months, months," Flora wiped the tears from her eyes, "He eventually recovered, half-heartedly," she shrugged, "But he died nearly a week afterwards. And I was only seven," she sobbed, "So I thought it was all my fault and I had killed him and I still do," Flora fell into him, "I still feel like I killed my father." She cried harder and harder.

"Shh…" Clive held onto her, stroking her hair, "Shh… Flora," he wasn't even sure how to respond.

"I haven't been able to firebend since," Flora sniffled, "Not more than what you know and I don't know why, I know I didn't kill him, at least not a purpose." Flora wept into Clive's jacket.

"You didn't kill anyone," he soothed, "People leave this world when they need to leave and I promise you that it was not your fault, I promise." Clive took a deep breath in, "You know, my parents are both dead too." Flora gripped his jacket tighter.

"You know my obsession with kicking Bill Hawks out of office right?" He laughed slightly.

"Yes," Flora smiled weakly.

"There's a reason I hate him so much…" Clive breathed in a again, "The day Avatar Claire was killed, my parents were killed as well."

"What?" Flora slowly got up, "They were… they were in the building?"

"It was my home, and I would've died too," Clive said sadly, "I just happened to be fetching the paper when it happened, I was only six. And I was traumatized."

"Oh Clive," Flora wrapped her arms around him, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be sorry Flora, please don't, I've put it behind me," Clive told her, "My father told me to be the best, strongest, toughest earthbender in the world and I promised to be that." He shut his eyes to prevent from crying, or at least tried too.

Hey people, how long has it been? Nearly a year! A lot of things have happened but I prepare to start this story up again, if not the others. Tune in, I'll try to do everything I can, thanks- Lilliana