14-12-2017: I now bring you the first chapter of book two with Abby in it. It takes place shortly before the actual events in book two: earth. It's explained in the beginning, but I figured that I'd put a little disclaimer to make things clear so nobody's confused about the time period. Anyways, enjoy the chapter.

10-03-2019: Now that I'm onto Book Two, this should be where any real changes start taking place. On another note, it wasn't until I was writing the second to last chapter of the story that I realised the entire time, I'd been spelling Piandao's name wrong. It's a good thing that I'm going back and editing these chapters so that I can change that.

Lapse of Judgement

Two weeks had passed since the events at the North Pole. Abi had spent over a week out at sea before arriving near the Earth Kingdom. Once she was at a port, Abi sold the boat for around fifty gold pieces to get her through a few weeks. Abi didn't intend on taking it with her across the Earth Kingdom so there was no harm in selling it. Using her quick wit, Abi was able to spread a few rumours that she had killed the princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Hopefully, Daisuke would get the message and she'd be able to return to the Tatakai Stronghold. Abi wouldn't go back unless he wanted her back, she was in no position to decide where she should go. That was all in Daisuke's control.

Abi had heard that Zhao had also perished after the siege. Good riddance, if you asked her. Word had also spread about the siege to the Earth Kingdom in no time. Rumours circulated that Zhao was taken by some spirit, as well as how the Avatars assault on the Fire Navy took place. Most of these peasants seemed happy about Admiral Crazy's demise, Abi included. At least now Zhao won't be a problem for her anymore and she only have to worry about Zuko as her major competition. Abi hated Zhao anyways, so she felt no remorse for the late Admiral's inevitable demise.

For days Abi wondered along the Northern coast of the Earth Kingdom, with no idea where to go. She knew that she needed to find a mode of transportation soon since the Avatar was probably aware of his impending deadline to master the four elements by the end of the summer. Abi was willing to bet now that he'd taken the time to study waterbending that he'd be looking for an earthbending teacher soon enough and Abi hoped that by some chance their paths would cross, and he'd finally be hers.

Using the money she'd got for selling the boat, Abi bought a pair of dark green pants and a brown tunic to go over it. They might've just been clothes, but to Abi it felt like she was betraying her nation. It's funny how despite everything Abi had done, it was this that makes her feel like a traitor. As Abi trekked across the rugged terrain, she kept her eyes open for any information or opportunity that would be useful to her. Abi knew that's what you sometimes had to do in situations like this, use everything you can to your advantage no matter what it is you have to do.

Abi ended up spotting a group of merchants far ahead. They appeared to have their own little shop set up and she realised how minimal supplies she had left. Abi still had around thirty gold pieces left from what she used to buy her clothes and basic supplies earlier. But now Abi was left with nothing but the clothes on her back and this was her chance to better her current position.

As Abi walked closer to the shop, she noticed how sleazy the merchants looked. They had tattoos all over their bodies and drinks of Agni knows what in their hands. For a moment, Abi hesitated on going towards them since they weren't the type of people that you'd want to barter with, but they ended up noticing her anyways.

"Anything catch your eye, miss?" one of them drawled

"Not really. Do you have any survival tools like a machete or cooking utensils?" Abi asked.

The man rubbed his chin. "I think that can be arranged. How much you got?"

Abi knew what he was trying to do by asking her how much money she had, and she wasn't going to fall for that trick. "Enough to buy me some supplies."

He chuckled lightly. "Smart girl. Let me show you what we got," he said, gesturing me to follow him.

"So, what do you have?" Abi asked.

"We got some daggers, a pot for food, fishing kit, some animal traps and even some clothing materials if that would interest you," he said.

"How much for the fishing kit and the pack?" Abi asked.

"Hm, let's say around thirty gold pieces," he said, smirking.

"Thirty gold pieces for that? No way am I wasting on my money on something that should be way less than that," Abi yelled.

He shrugged. "Suit yourself, then. I guess this means we'll be bidding you farewell then," he said before leaving Abi to herself.

Abi glared at him as he walked away. Who did he think he was? How dare he expect Abi to pay thirty gold pieces for something that is only worth a couple of silver pieces. It's people like these merchants that disgusted Abi, upping their prices so that desperate people will give them all of their money. Abi refused to be taken advantage of like that. If anything, they're going to be the ones who will be taken advantage of. Abi was going to get what she came here to get by any means necessary.

~*•°•*~

Hours passed, and Abi waited, watching in the trees for the right moment to make her move. She had to wait until all of them were gone so she could swoop in and take what she needed and go. All Abi was going to do was take the supplies that she needed to survive and then be on her merry way. They wouldn't even know that she had been there until it was too late.

Once Abi saw the lights out at the front go out and heard nothing but silence for a few moments, she knew that this was the perfect moment to strike. Abi jumped down from the tree that she was hiding behind and headed towards their store. As expected, it was clearly uninhabited, and Abi was quick to force her way through the door, using er sword to break it through. Once she was inside, Abi scoured the shop and gathered as many supplies as she could, wanting to make it of here as quickly as she could. As Abi dumped all of the supplies into the bag, she failed to hear the footsteps slowly approaching the door until she heard a gruff voice from behind er.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," They said, and Abi immediately recognised it as the man from earlier.

Sure enough, when she turned to face him Abi was indeed right. It then became a staring match as they glared up and down at each other before they were joined by two other men.

"You were right, boss. She did come back," the second man said.

"And here she is, taking what doesn't belong to her," the third man sneered.

"Well I wouldn't have to if you lot weren't a bunch of sleazy scumbags," Abi hissed.

The boss chuckled. "And you think that you're so much better than us when you're stealing a personal item."

"I know that I'm better than you loathsome peasants. I'm more successful and renowned than you'll ever be," Abi said mockingly.

"Are you now? Well, I'm afraid that we're going to have to do something about this," the boss said, leaning over her.

"I'd like to see you imbeciles try," Abi sneered and before they could even react, she pulled out her sword and flung it towards them.

"Don't let her escape!" The boss exclaimed.

Abi just stood there as his entourage charged towards her, easily besting them. She had them on the ground before they could even make a single hit, leaving her and the boss standing face to face once again.

"I'm impressed, that is a magnificent sword you have there. If you were willing to trade it to us, I might be willing to let this slide," he said, smirking.

Abi scoffed. "Like that's gonna happen!"

The two of them engaged in a battle, thrusting their weapons towards each other. His curved hook-swords were hard to evade, since there was no telling which way they would go but Abi managed to stay on the offensive side, catching him off guard a few times. As they defended themselves, Abi failed to notice that the second henchman had gotten himself back up and was reaching for the nearest object.

The biggest mistake that you can make in a fight is ignoring your surroundings, even after they've supposedly been defeated, and Abi paid for that mistake as a heavy object came into contact with her head, sending her hurling towards the ground. Abi instantly felt the impact as her head pounded repeatedly and she hunched over in pain, trying her best to stay steady but failing miserably.

"Isn't this nice? Men, take the intruder to her new home. She's going to regret trying to steal from us," the leader ordered.

Despite trying her best to fight them off, Abi fell backwards and was caught before being thrown onto the ground as they tied her hands and feet together. As they unceremoniously dragged her towards her new 'home' Abi couldn't help but think this was her own stupid fault. She just had to let her pride get the better of her, only for it to bite her in the butt. And now it seemed as though Abi was about to suffer the consequences, but she wasn't going to let that happen.

14-12-2017: Looks like Abby's got herself in a bit of a situation now. Won't spoil too much but I think you can get a fair idea of what's going to happen next. I'll see you guys next chapter.

10-03-2019: Nothing much was changed in the rewrite apart from a few word adaptions so everything relatively stayed the same.