Okay here's the deal: This is nothing at all like the show; Longshot will talk and Smellerbee will be a little emotional later in the story. Umm… That's all. So I understand that the characters will be OOC (Out of Character). They are supposed to be like that to further Cirque du La Terre along. Oh and Cirque du La Terre means Circus of Earth in French. I just thought that sounded really cool so yeah. I really hope you will all enjoy the story, so onwards!

Title, Rating: Cirque du La Terre, Teen
Author:Nerdz-Will-Rule-The-World
Warnings/Other Pairings:Ummmm… Probably will be some Lesbain action later… Don't know yet. But main pairing is Smellerbee/Longshot.

Summary: Longshot has been part of the Cirque du La Terre for most of his life, being the 'handy man' around the circus. He yearns to be a performer but he has none of the talent. Just when he thought there was nothing left for him, a new aerialist joins the Cirque. AU

Side Notes: Welcome to the Cirque! Oh and I don't own these characters though I really, really want to. I do own the plot line though!

Oh and real names for sake of argument:

Longshot- Liam Donato

Suki- Suki Kwan

Cinnamon- Honey Ryce

Smellerbee- Alice Futterman

Aang- Zach Eisen

Katara- Mae Willis

Zuko- Dante Basco

Toph- Jessie Benson

Azula- Grey Delise

Mai- Cricket Leigh

Ty Lee- Olivia Hack

Pipsqueak- Sterling Young

Cirque du La Terre

Chapter I

The moon was glowing, full and haunting, in the already too of black night that had fallen around the grounds. The sounds of insects serenaded those who were still awake in the late hour as voices rose above the glow of paper lanterns strung between the trees, excited and ringing. Children laughed in excitement and adults chattered feverishly, journeying to their vehicles after a night of wonder and magic at the Cirque du La Terre.

As the last of the circus goers filed out of the big top, a boy with black hair and a conical hat stepped outside, black plastic bag in hand. He yawned before bending down to scoop up a half-eaten box of popcorn, throwing it into the bag. The girl beside him laughed an airy and whimsical laugh.

"It's amazing how much people spend for things they'll barely even eat," she said, striding alongside the boy, stopping just in front of him to pick up a pink gum ball.

"Yeah, but not all people are quite as conservative as we are Cinnamon," he pointed out, plucking the gum ball out of her hand and chucking it into the black bag to join the popcorn.

"Not as conservative as me is more like it, Longshot. I know how you like to buy things before thinking," Cinnamon said, putting her hands on her hips. She was still decked out in her costume, glitter from Mai's costume in her hair, and in the glow of paper lanterns, glinting hues of orange, yellow, and red off of the silver makeup on her face. She pushed a huge chunk of curly hair out of her glittery eyes. "Have you even used that waffle iron you bought in the last town we were in?"

Longshot's cheeks burned. "No, but I haven't had an occasion for it yet!" Cinnamon rolled her glittering amber eyes.

"What would be an occasion that calls for waffles in the shape of Julie Andrew's face?" Silence. "Longshot?"

Longshot cautiously picked up a paper bag covered in an unknown substance emitting a smell akin to cabbage before answering.

"When it comes up, I'll let you know," he said, dropping it into the bag. "I don't think I want to know what was on that." Longshot grimaced. "It smelled really funny." Cinnamon laughed, different from the last one; this one was a more high-pitched, childish laugh.

"Better you than me!" she said, wrinkling her small nose. She glanced over her shoulder to two girls decked out in jewel tones and glitter standing by a pole supporting a string of lights, giggling. A sigh escaped her red lips. "I wish those two would help with clean up once in a while. Everyone else helps." She swept her arm out, gesturing to the scattered mess of people clad in various circus costumes. They were all divided into groups, some toting garbage bags while their partners picked up trash while others fixed fallen decorations and hangings, making sure that everything looked neat and in its place for the next round tomorrow. One pair, a boy and girl, were trying to re-hang a set of streamers.

The girl, Toph, seemed to be arguing with the boy, gesturing that she was too short to reach the place it was originally strung. She placed her palm to the top of her head before extending her arm up as far as it would go, indicating the height difference. She jumped up higher to prove her point. The boy sighed, bending down to one knee, holding out his hands, fingers laced together. The girl giggled, placing a naked foot on his laced fingers. She placed one hand on his shoulder and the streamers in the other, giggling as the boy lifted her up, holding her foot level to his belly button. Her other leg dangled behind her, bent at the knee and toes pointed up gracefully like a dancer. She pressed the streamers back to its original position, smiling down to the boy. She squealed as the boy threw her up into the air, catching her in his arms. They rubbed their noses together lovingly before the girl jumped out of the boys arms. They both ran off, out of sight, laughing at each other.

"Eh," Longshot said, shrugging. "Azula and Ty Lee never help with clean up. They'd rather gossip about the boys they caught checking them out." His bag was almost full with discarded wrappers, food, and broken toys. He bent down to grab another discarded cotton candy cone and spotted a small, brown, plush monkey lying in the dirt, forgotten by some inattentive child. His eyes softened, dark brows lowering over black eyes. He always hated seeing stuffed animals left behind. Putting the garbage bag down as he walked, he strode towards the monkey. He bent down, taking its form in his hands. It was virtually unblemished, save for the smudge of dirt over its left arm. He ran his thumb over it, feeling the soft material. How could someone just leave it lying in the dirt? Its brown eyes glinted up at him, almost playful.

"Another one?" Cinnamon asked, standing behind Longshot. "How could someone have such an adorable little monkey and then just leave it?" She scooped up the garbage bag, walking towards the dumpster. Longshot stood up, cradling the small monkey in his hand. Sometimes he really didn't like the children that came to the circus. They made messes, cried during performances, and left poor, little stuffed animals in the dirt like a toy graveyard. He heard hard slam of Cinnamon tossing the bag into the dumpster. Many others were heading towards the dumpster with garbage bags as well. He saw Pipsqueak talking animatedly with Katara as he threw his bag in. She laughed loudly at something he said, glancing over her shoulder at Aang, who was speaking to Jet, who was juggling tennis balls. Cinnamon strutted back toward him. She reached out a long, slender hand and plucked the monkey from Longshot's fingers. She held it close to her face, examining it with an inquisitive gaze before placing it safely back in Longshot's hand.

"Another one for your collection," she said, eyeing it again. Longshot laughed.

"Let's see who shows up this time," he said, placing the monkey in the pocket of his vest. "Hopefully no one like Katara." He eyed the brunette who was now talking so loudly to Pipsqueak that Aang was glaring at her, ready to throw a rubber mallet at her head. Cinnamon chuckled.

"We can only hope. Hey, maybe we'll get a guy for you. You need more guy friends." She gave Longshot a two finger salute before sashaying over to Suki, who was affectionately scratching the ear of a large, white tiger. Longshot rolled his eyes, turning to get a full view of the camp. Everything seemed to be in order. Iroh, the Ringmaster, was doing the final check he always did before anyone is allowed to go to bed. Longshot rubbed the back of his neck, fighting the urge to yawn. He wasn't sure if he could handle another show like the one tonight. It wasn't bad, just exhausting. He had to help with far too many costume changes for his liking. He didn't mind all that much, it was part of his job description after all. He was the handy man of the circus, helping in any and every way that he could. But tonight had been awful, with Ty Lee's strap breaking, Cinnamon not being able to find a shoe, and Teo misplacing his magic wand; it was stressful to say the least. Not to mention the fiasco with Suki and her tigers, who weren't getting along as of late.

Losing the battle with his urge to yawn, Longshot felt his chest expand, body flooding his brain with much needed oxygen. Man, he was tired. Taking a quick look to make sure that Iroh wasn't looking in his direction, Longshot hurried over to his tent stationed away from the big top. He ducked inside, lighting an oil lamp before walking over to a large chest. He opened it up, pulling out a pair of flannel pants and a t-shirt. He quickly got dressed and placed his clothes in a pile. Before laying down the shimmery blue and red vest he wore every day, he took out the small, brown monkey. Smiling to himself, he placed it with the eleven other animals he's found in the past. Each one represented a member of the circus. The friends that joined after him: Toph, Jet, Suki, Zuko, Cinnamon, Pipsqueak, Teo, Azula, Ty Lee, Aang, and Katara. He had found each of their stuffed animal's days before they joined the circus. Now his little brown monkey sat with the others, seemingly out of place and yet like it belonged there.

Longshot settled into his cot, wondering who it was who would be joining the family of Cirque de La Terre next.

"Who are you?" he asked, before falling to sleep.