The Fire Nation fleet was split, scattered after the events of the North Pole siege. While the majority of the ships turned their prows toward home, Tai Lung had other plans. He directed his ship away from the returning fleet, ordering his crew to chart a course for the Earth Kingdom. His destination was to the circus, he intended to visit Ty Lee.
Another ship split from the fleet as well. Prince Zuko, still banished, demanded to continue his mission of hunting the Avatar. Thanks to General Iroh's enduring prestige as the Dragon of the West, the new commander of the fleet reluctantly granted Zuko his own vessel. And so, the greatest Fire Nation armada story came to an end.
It took several days for Tai Lung's ship to reach the Earth Kingdom coast. The moment his boots touched the ground, his crew began making preparations to sail back to the Fire Nation. "This is a personal matter, not a military one," they told him before boarding once more. Tai Lung could only shake his head with a low chuckle at their eagerness to go back home while completely disregarding their captain.
Tai Lung focused on his mission, finding Ty Lee. It was not immediate. It took him days of asking around, following directions, and tracing the traveling paths of the circus. Finally, his search ended at a clearing where the colorful tents rose high against the trees. There, outside the performers' quarters, he spotted her. Ty Lee was practicing in the open air, her body folding and bending in impossible arcs of flexibility. A white mask covered half of her face, obscuring her scar.
"Hi, Ty Lee," Tai Lung called as he approached, his deep voice breaking the rhythm of her movements. "How are you?"
Ty Lee froze mid-stretch, her eyes widening in surprise. The mask did little to hide the sudden light in them. With a cheerful cry, she sprang forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I missed you! Why didn't you write to me that you were coming?"
Tai Lung returned her hug briefly before pulling back. "I joined an operation in the north," he explained. "I didn't know when it would end. I came here as soon as I was done."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on the mask covering her face. His expression hardened. "Why are you wearing that half mask?"
Ty Lee's joy faltered. She lowered her head, her voice quieter when she replied. "It's… better for business."
Tai Lung's frown deepened. "That's dumb. Your face is good as it is. Who manages this circus? I'd like to have a word with him."
For a moment she looked startled, then broke into a laugh, though it was tinged with nervousness. "I'm glad you think that way, but I'm fine like this, really. What matters is that the people I care about don't care about my face."
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed, but he let it drop with a low growl of disapproval. "Fine. But remember, if you grow sick of them, let me know. I can straighten their behavior for you."
Ty Lee laughed at his words.
The following days passed in a calm rhythm. Tai Lung lingered around the circus. He traveled with the troupe, watched their shows, trained alongside Ty Lee, and accompanied her to nearby settlements and villages. When it came to sharing stories, it was mostly Ty Lee who spoke, her voice full of laughter and mischief, while Tai Lung listened in his quiet way.
Two weeks later, the two were sparring on an open field. No bending, just pure hand-to-hand combat. Ty Lee darted around him with her usual acrobatic grace, striking and flipping, while Tai Lung blocked her blows with ease. During the exchange, he spoke between movements.
"Do you plan to stay in the circus forever?"
"Yes," Ty Lee answered brightly, ducking under his swing. "I think it's my calling. I get to travel around and enjoy all the scenery."
"My offer to join my crew is still open," Tai Lung countered, catching her wrist and releasing it just as quickly. "We travel all the time, and to be frank, the circus could never match us. We go all over the world, and we rarely join battles."
Ty Lee hesitated, rolling back on her hands before springing upright again. "But… is that really fine? You're a soldier. I'm just a civilian at the end of the day."
Tai Lung scoffed, his smirk dismissive. "What I say goes. Who's going to object? The Fire Lord? I'll beat him up if he dares to open his mouth about it."
Ty Lee laughed, covering her mouth. "Don't let anyone hear you, that's treason."
"No worries," Tai Lung said with a smirk. "When I'm done with him, it won't be."
Her laughter came harder this time, full of amusement. "Fine, I'll join, but let's not leave before today's show. I'd feel bad leaving the circus right before it."
Tai Lung gave a satisfied nod.
But before the day could end, they received an unexpected visitor. A litter carried by royal guards arrived at the circus grounds, and when the curtains parted, out stepped Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. She froze for the briefest moment when she saw Ty Lee and Tai Lung standing side by side.
"Azula!" Ty Lee cried with delight. She charged forward and hugged the princess tightly. Azula allowed the embrace, offering a rare smile. "It's nice to see you too, Ty Lee." Her golden eyes then shifted toward Tai Lung. "I didn't expect to find you here after what you did in the north. The entire nation speaks of nothing else."
Tai Lung walked toward them at an unhurried pace. "I originally planned to visit Ty Lee," he said casually. "But Father insisted I follow Zhao, just in case."
Ty Lee blinked, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Wait, what did Tai do in the north?"
Azula arched a brow at him, surprised. "You didn't tell her?"
Tai Lung shrugged. "She's not interested in war-related topics."
"Well," Ty Lee said, folding her arms, "now I'm interested. What is this about?"
Azula's expression softened into one of calculation. "Let's sit somewhere first."
They found a quiet spot near the circus tents, where Azula recounted the tale as it was told in the capital. How Tai Lung had fought the Avatar in his Avatar State. How the Avatar commanded the ocean itself, and still lost to Tai Lung. She described the retreat of the Fire Nation fleet, and how Tai Lung's intervention saved countless soldiers.
Tai Lung listened in silence, noting to himself that while much of it was true, the retelling painted him as if he had emerged with strength to spare, when in reality, he had been utterly drained. The story had made him sound unstoppable, capable of crushing the North entirely along the Avatar if he wished.
Ty Lee looked at him with wide-eyed amazement. Azula, however, leaned forward. "You could have captured or killed the Avatar. You could have conquered the North. But instead you retreated. The war council is furious."
"I don't want to conquer lands or win battles," Tai Lung said simply. "I only stepped in to help our soldiers escape. That's all. And I have no plans to change how I act anytime soon."
Azula's sharp gaze lingered on him, unconvinced, though she didn't press further. She knew better than to antagonize this monster. Instead, she turned her attention back to Ty Lee.
"I'm on a mission…" she said.
She explained that she had been sent to capture Zuko and Iroh and bring them home under the Fire Lord's orders. She needed help, and so she had come for Ty Lee.
Ty Lee's face fell. "I'm sorry, Azula. I am going to join Tai Lung's crew."
Azula's brow furrowed. "But you're not a soldier."
"I'm inviting her," Tai Lung interrupted, his tone casual but final. "If someone has a problem with her, they can always find me."
Azula's eye twitched at his blatant disregard for authority. He was doing whatever he pleased, and she knew no one dared oppose him, not even her father.
"You can always go with Tai Lung later," she said, her voice firm. "This is my first mission away from home, Ty Lee, and I need all the help I can get."
Ty Lee hesitated, torn. On one hand, she wanted to leave with Tai Lung. On the other hand, she didn't want to let Azula down.
Meanwhile, Tai Lung's brow furrowed. "Why do you need help to bring your brother and uncle back? Just send some letter or ask around our bases and your are done"
Azula sighed, her mask of confidence cracking for a heartbeat. "They're being brought back against their will to avoid bringing shame to the royal family."
Tai Lung tilted his head, not understanding the thought process here. His thoughts drifted toward the Fire Lord's less-than-stellar reputation as he stared at Azula with a questioning gaze. She stiffened, able to guess exactly what he was thinking. If it weren't for the fact that he was far too strong, she might have struck him down with lightning where he stood.