05-10-2017: Thanks for the reviews and support so far. This chapter takes place during the King of Omashu. Nothing else to say so I'll quit my usual rambling and get to the chapter.

21-01-2018: I actually surprised myself by getting this chapter up in the same time span as the other ones because I didn't think that my lazy ass would get around to it, but I want to get as many chapters edited before I finish the story so here is the edited chapter seven.

Head of the Snake

Getting beaten by the Avatar and his peasant friends hadn't phased Abi at all. In fact, it had only made her even more determined to hunt them down and finish them. For now, Abi planned on staying low and away from any trouble. She already knew that they were heading towards Omashu and she could've easily gone after them, but Abi knew that word travelled fast and that it could jeopardise her identity as well as her mission which was something that she didn't want to risk

Instead of heading after the Avatar, Abi spent the next few days heading west in the Earth Kingdom as she tried to figure out what her next move would be. Admittedly, Abi had no idea what her next plan of action would be since she had no idea where the Avatar was heading after their visit to Omashu, but she decided that she'd have to resort back to her original plan which was to keep her eyes and ears open for any window of opportunity.

Thanks to the Water Tribe peasant, Abi's knuckles now had a nice scar and dry blood on them. It was nothing compared to any previous injuries that Abi had sustained, but it still made her furious that she had allowed him to get the best of her like that. Abi had allowed a useless, rusty, old boomerang get in her way. In hindsight, Abi figured that's what she got for underestimating him as well as the Avatar.

There was still that nagging voice in the back of Abi's mind that sounded a lot like Daisuke saying that she should've known better, which she should've. The one mistake that people tended to make against their opponents was underestimating them and that was exactly what Abi had done. She was ashamed of herself right now and needed to find a way to redeem herself. One thing Abi refused to happen was to allow Daisuke to have knowledge of how her first encounter with the Avatar went. He would be disappointed if he knew and one thing that Abi couldn't handle was Daisuke's disappointment.

Grazed knuckles wasn't the only injury that Abi had sustained, since her clothes also had some scratches on them from the knives and forks that the Avatar had thrown at her which had also drawn some blood. Abi knew how to fix her own clothes though, so she wasn't helpless. All she needed was some extra cloth and some sewing materials and she'd be good to go.

Currently, Abi was walking along a rough cliff with rocky ground that meant she had to be extra careful to make sure that she didn't fall. As Abi walked across the uneven gravel, she caught the sight of a large, tall building in the distance. It didn't look like any normal Earth Kingdom structure to her based on the way it looked from the distance. When Abi looked closer, she immediately recognised the location of the building from one of her maps which made her realise what that building was.

If Abi wanted to find some information on the Avatar, than this would be a good place to start.

~*•°•*~

Pohuai Stronghold was one of the most renowned Fire Nation structures in the Earth Kingdom. It was located in the western Earth Kingdom near the ruins of Taku. The base was commanded by Colonel Shinu and housed the legendary Yuyan Archers who guarded the place. Their skills were legendary, as they were renowned for being able to pin a tree from a hundred yards away without killing it.

But that wasn't the only reason why Abi knew of the place. Up until her first firebending tournament several years ago, Abi had never heard of Pohuai Stronghold. Now it was a place that she would forever remember for hosting her first firebending tournament.

Almost four years ago, Abi had entered those doors having no idea what was ahead of her. Back then she had been nervous, apprehensive and unsure of her abilities. Despite having Daisuke's complete confidence, Abi had ashamedly lacked confidence in herself. That soon changed as she easily bested her opponent, Malu, who had been the Pohuai Strongholds reining firebending champion. She had barely been twelve at the time while he had been eighteen with years of experience. In the span of five minutes, she had humiliated him and proven herself as a worthy component.

Up until that point in time, Malu had been undefeated and his defeat at Abi's hands had left him humiliated which saw him give up firebending and become a firebending magician. Now Malu travelled across the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation with the Fire Days Festival. Abi had followed his footsteps, becoming a reigning champion for almost four years without ever being defeated. She had bested each and every one of her opponents, something that made her proud.

Having completed her last tournament barely three months ago and remaining undefeated, Abi had been preparing herself for the next round that would began until Daisuke changed her course. Young firebenders were eligible to enter tournaments if they were within six months of their twelfth birthday, which Abi had been at the time of her first match. Her status as an undefeated female champion which was unprecedented at the time since it was rare for females to do so well in competitions like that saw her awarded with the honorary title of the Dragoness, which Abi wore like a badge of honour.

Upon arriving at the doors that guarded Pohuai Stronghold, they soon opened which allowed Abi to walk inside. Only she didn't get that far as she found her path blocked by none other than Commander Zhao, or as Abi liked to call him, Commander Jackass or Zhao the Narcissist. Abi wished that she had the luxury of not knowing him but unfortunately for her, she didn't.

"Abi, I heard that you'd shown your face here," he greeted her in his usual arrogant way.

"I was walking around, saw the fortress and thought I'd stop by to reminisce. Is there so much wrong with that?" Abi asked.

"No, the iconic Dragoness is welcome here anytime. You know, you're considered royalty by most commoners?" he asked.

Abi shrugged, "Well, I am better than all of them put together."

He chuckled, "Still have that same attitude, I see?"

"There's nothing that could be done to change that," Abi muttered.

"Fair enough. Now, what is a star like you doing wandering around this nation of filth?" he asked with disgust lacing on each word.

"Daisuke gave me his blessings to leave the Tatakai Stronghold and spread my wings. He wanted me to experience life outside of the Fire Nation so I might better myself and become a more well-rounded individual. He said that I can't always rely on what I hear or read. I have to see what it's like for myself," Abi lied, since she certainly didn't want to tell Zhao that she was hunting down the Avatar.

He laughed, "You were always a good liar. If I didn't know any better, I'd believe that. Colonel Daisuke told me all about your little mission."

Of course he did. It frustrated Abi that Daisuke had done that. Didn't he think that it was better for people to not know that I was after the Avatar? Then again, Abi didn't really have the right to demand orders but still, it would've been the smarter moves. Sometimes Abi thought that she should be the Colonel and that he should be her student. She'd make a way better Colonel than him anyways. But Abi knew that she had a long way to go before she could rise up the ranks like that.

"Well, secrecy is always important in missions like this," Abi stated.

"You are indeed right there. Sometimes I think that Daisuke has a few loose screws in that head of his," he muttered that last bit, but Abi managed to hear it.

He's not the only one who has a few loose screws in their head. Abi thought to herself. She had always thought that something wasn't quite right with Zhao and was waiting for the day when that would show.

"Tell me, how's your little mission going?" he asked, leaning forward.

"Alright. I haven't found out too much yet," Abi answered, not wanting him to know that she'd come face to face with the Avatar and lost as well. If word got out that Abi had let a 12-year-old kid beat her, her reputation would be damaged and without her reputation Abi had nothing else going for her.

Zhao narrowed his eyes, looking down. "Those scratches look bad," he said, pointing to her hand.

Abi looked down at my injured hand, quickly thinking of an excuse. "This? Oh, I just scratched my hand with a machete while making dinner. It was a simpleton mistake. One that I won't be making again."

"Well, why don't you come inside with me to reminisce? You know, for old times sake?" he asked.

Abi smirked. "I don't see why not."

"Allow me to lead the way," he said, leading her inside the building.

It was going to be interesting to see how long Abi could put up with Zhao and his annoying presence before she lost her patience.

~*•°•*~

Walking through Pohuai Stronghold was like walking down memory lane for Abi. She couldn't help but look back on all those tournaments that she'd competed in here before moving onto bigger and better places. The whole time, Zhao gave an elaborate description on how the building worked and how things had changed since her last visit. In Abi's opinion, the way he was describing it made it seem like it was the Royal Palace, but this place was nothing in comparison to that. Even the Tatakai Stronghold was better than this place.

One thing that Abi hated about Zhao the most was his arrogance. He was easily the most conceited person that she'd ever met. His head was so far up his own ass that his cockiness could even rival Princess Azula's, and that's saying something. All he ever did was call the shots and get other people do his dirty work for him. There was nothing that Abi wanted more than to watch Zhao get knocked off his high horse.

"Over there is our library, filled with all kinds of information from around the world. That's the arena, which I'm sure you remember," Zhao droned on.

"What's that?" Abi asked, pointing at the large building on the tip of the fortress.

"Good eye you have. That's my office where I store all of my vital information and have access to my resources. Might I add, it's the best one on the sight," he bragged.

"What about Colonel Shinu?" Abi asked, referring to his superior.

Zhao scoffed, "His is hardly nothing compared to mine. I have access to more information than you could believe."

Abi raised her eyebrows, "That includes the Avatar?"

He nodded, "Including the Avatar. I know everything there is to know about that pest."

Abi raised eyebrows, intrigued. "Everything?"

Zhao glared at her, "I know what you're thinking and no, you cannot have access to my resources. It goes beyond your position and Daisuke's clear orders."

"Then why mention it?" Abi asked, annoyed.

"Just to rub a little salt in the wound and to remind you not to mess with me. I have hundreds of war ships under my command, more than you could ever dream of. I know you have the intention of bringing down the Avatar, but you might as well give up now since you have zero resources compared to mine. If anyone's going to bring down that coward, it's going to be me," he proclaimed.

"You know he's just a child, right?" Abi asked.

He laughed, "Of course, I do. But that doesn't pardon anything. I kill everyone the same. I thought that was your philosophy too? Have you gone soft already?"

"Of course not. The Fire Nation is and will always be the superior nation, just like how fire will always be the superior element against everything else. I just expected more from you, Zhao. I guess what they say is true. You really don't have any morals and you're too conceited for your own good," Abi said.

Zhao glared at her, "Watch your tongue. I can still report you for harassment and I'm sure that wouldn't sit well with Daisuke. Now, I will get one of the guards to escort you out. Good day, Abi."

"Commander Zhao," Abi said through gritted teeth before walking away.

It wasn't long before a guard came to lead her out. Even though she wasn't being forced out, it certainly felt like it. Abi could've easily stayed and fought back, but she was smarter than that. If you want to win the war, you have to play it smart. And if Zhao wasn't going to let her access his top-secret information, then she knew she was going to have to get it herself.

05-10-2017: In case you didn't get it, the Pohuai Stronghold was the fortress in the Blue Spirit episode. I didn't make it up, that's the name of it on the Avatar Wikia page. I thought of adding it into the story since it plays an integral role in the development of things, so they'll be more to come in the next chapter.

21-10-2019: Nothing was really changed in this chapter except for a few wordings and small addition. The main addition that wasn't there before was the reference to Abi's first opponent, Malu, since in the original chapter I just wrote that she had defeated the reigning champion there. Malu isn't a made up character and he's the name of the firebending magician from the Deserter.