After his unexpected gains, Tai Lung descended the temple toward his ship. The moment he arrived, his crew rushed to him, led by Han, who immediately asked, "You've been up there for days, we were thinking of coming to check on you. And… what happened to you, to come back in such a state? Where are your clothes?"
Tai Lung had ascended the mountain wearing his military uniform, but now he returned shirtless, his pants torn from strain and wear. He replied calmly, "I found something unexpected up there, but I didn't realize days had passed. Anyway, we are done here. Let's head back home, it has been a while since we left."
Han nodded without more questions, it was obvious their captain didn't want to share details. As for the rest of the crew, they smiled hearing they were going back home.
——————
Days later, Tai Lung's ship arrived at the Fire Nation capital. The moment the vessel docked, Tai Lung disembarked and headed straight home to see his parents. His return came as a surprise to them, as they had received no letter saying he was coming back.
Tai Lung had to admit, he grew to enjoy his stay with his parents again, something he hadn't expected when he was first born in this world. But one thing surprised him,Ty Lee had left the capital to join a circus. In one of her letters, she had mentioned her desire to travel, but Tai Lung had never imagined she would choose such a life.
At the same time, he learned that the ever-gloomy Mai had also left the capital, traveling with her family to a settlement in the Earth Kingdom. Her father had been assigned to govern the settlement and the surrounding villages.
Tai Lung's life fell into a peaceful pattern of training and living in his home and it lasted for a whole two weeks till his father, Shulian, took him to his study to speak in private one night.
"I know you are still resting from your long travels and two weeks is barely enough" Shulian began, "but do you have plans for what you are going to do next? Are you planning to leave again"
Tai Lung replied, "I am thinking of going to visit Ty Lee's circus. In her last letter, the circus is going around our settlements in the Earth Kingdom."
Shulian nodded, then said, "Recently, Commander Zhao has been promoted to Admiral. Right now, he is mobilizing the army, he is going to lead our forces to invade the Northern Water Tribe."
Tai Lung had met Commander Zhao before during his travels. In his eyes, Zhao was incompetent and arrogant; sometimes he wondered how the man had ever been promoted to commander in the first place. To hear that he had now become an admiral was an even greater surprise.
After some silence, Tai Lung said, "Didn't we try to siege the North Pole multiple times in the past? Every time we failed when the moon rose in the sky. In the end, it was decided that the North couldn't be conquered. What changed this time?"
Shulian replied, "Zhao has some secret plan, and he's confident it will work. The Fire Lord agreed based on that plan and gave him permission to assemble and lead the greatest fleet to invade the North Pole."
Tai Lung's voice turned cold. "Knowing Zhao's overinflated ego and incompetence, that won't end well."
Shulian chuckled. "I admit sometimes I think Ozai doesn't think at all. Since our days under Master Jeong Jeong, Zhao was not anywhere near the smartest or the most capable, just ambitious man with violent temperament"
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed. "You know… we can get rid of Ozai and put his older brother in his place. It is better for the sake of everyone."
Shulian replied ruefully, "Prince Iroh refused that. He said this is not his destiny. Personally, I believe it is the guilt and sadness of losing his son is what truly prevents him from becoming the Fire Lord. Iroh of old would not have left the fate of the Fire Nation in the hand of Ozai."
Tai Lung asked, "Do you want to take his place? To become the Fire Lord, I can make it reality and no one in the world can stop me."
Shulian blinked, then laughed. "No. I like my position as admiral. I wouldn't trade it for anything, even the Fire Lord." Then his face grew serious. "Tai, I want you to join the invasion force and go to the North. Many of the men under Zhao had worked under me before, I know them in person and I want them to be safe, to come back to their children and families."
He looked at his son with pride as he continued, "I know you hate to fight in war or act as a conqueror, and I am not asking you to start doing that now. But if Zhao does something foolish and threatens the lives of our people, I want you to step in to help them. At the very least, help them retreat safely. Once you are done, you can go visit Ty Lee."
Tai Lung sighed heavily. "Fine. I will follow this ridiculous invasion."
——————
Two days later, Tai Lung was on his ship heading north to join Admiral Zhao's fleet. As they approached the gathering ships, Tai Lung turned to his crew and said "Remember, we are not here to join the war. Stay out of it and ignore any orders. Think of this farce as if you are on vacation but chose the wrong spot. And if someone has an issue with you, tell them to speak to me."
One of the crew muttered, "Why did we even come here, Captain? Couldn't you just mount some other ship to tag along with the fleet? What's the point if we are just going to watch?"
Tai Lung smirked. "I want to go to the Earth Kingdom after we are done in the North to visit my fiancee. I naturally need you for transport."
The entire crew began booing him for such selfishness. Tai Lung only laughed and ignored the accusing voices.
It took them a few days to catch up with the fleet after leaving their home. Once they finally arrived, Tai Lung flew off his ship, heading directly toward the leading vessel, Admiral Zhao's ship.
Many Fire Nation soldiers saw him flying over their decks, fire blazing from his hands and feet, and voices of shock rippled through the fleet.
Even the soldiers on Zhao's ship froze in disbelief at the sight of a captain flying through the air with firebending and landing upon their deck.
Tai Lung looked at the statue-still soldiers and asked calmly, "Where is Admiral Zhao?"
The soldiers quickly led him to the main deck, where Admiral Zhao, General Iroh, and several other high officers were gathered.
His arrival drew everyone's attention. Tai Lung was well known among the Fire Nation military. As the son of Admiral Lung, his name carried weight, and though he held immense power, he rarely participated in large-scale battles. Instead, he roamed, cleaning up only the problems he encountered.
Admiral Zhao narrowed his eyes. "Captain Lung… I did not expect your arrival. I was not told you were joining this mission."
Tai Lung replied, "I and my crew are not joining. We are just tagging along."
Zhao frowned deeply. "And why is that?"
"I am not here to steal your achievement, if that is what you're worried about," Tai said evenly. "I am simply here in case you mess up. If that happens, I'll help our soldiers retreat. Admiral, feel free to treat me as if I don't exist."
Zhao's face twisted with rage at the implication. To think Tai Lung was nothing more than a backup plan for his failure.
His voice rose angrily. "Did playing the fake Avatar get to your head? Do you think you can do whatever you want?"
Tai Lung replied without care, "It's not my fault that everyone is so weak that you can't tell the difference between a strong firebender and the Avatar. And yes, I can do what I want. Do you want me to prove it to you?"
Zhao's face reddened with fury, but he didn't dare refute him. Like many others, he feared crossing Tai Lung.
Iroh coughed and stepped forward, raising a calming hand. "Now, now, let's calm down, everyone. We are all on the same side. Captain Lung is here only for assurance and means no harm."
Tai Lung's eyes turned toward Iroh. "What is stranger than me being here is you, General. Don't you usually accompany Zuko around? Why did you leave his side? Or is he part of the fleet?"
Iroh sighed, while Zhao smirked and answered, "Prince Zuko has passed away. There was… an unfortunate accident."
Tai Lung didn't show much reaction to the news. He simply said, "You have my condolences, General. I don't want to be rude, but Zuko has always been the unlucky one in the royal family."
His words made Iroh sigh again. He didn't mind the blunt words and In truth, Iroh agreed with Tai Lung's statement. Zuko was indeed unlucky. He didn't deserve such a cruel fate.