Days later, when Aang finally returned to Ba Sing Se, his friends noticed at once that something about him had changed. He carried himself differently, calmer, more focused than before. When they pressed him, Aang explained about the guru's teachings, about opening his chakras and finally mastering the Avatar State. But what caught them most off guard was his mention of Tai Lung.
"Guru Pathik said Tai Lung has unlocked his chakras as well," Aang admitted quietly. "He told me I must master all four elements along with the Avatar State to defeat him."
His friends exchanged uneasy looks. The news of Tai Lung seeking out the same spiritual guidance was unexpected, though none doubted it after what they had already seen. Still, they accepted the guru's wisdom. If there was anyone who could understand the scale of the danger, it was the person who had the capability to teach the Avatar State and Tai Lung. And so, the Avatar resumed his Earthbending training with a renewed vigor, his mind more determined than ever. Around them, the Earth Kingdom threw its weight into preparations for the Day of Black Sun, their long-awaited counterstrike against the Fire Nation.
Meanwhile, in the Fire Nation, Azula lingered for a while in the Earth Kingdom after her humiliating retreat. More than a month passed before she finally resolved to return home, hoping that her father's temper had cooled in the time since. Mai spoke of going her own way, back to Omashu, but Azula insisted she accompany her. "We may be sent on another mission," she said coolly, and Mai resigned to her fate as Azula's friend and follower.
The journey home stretched over weeks. When at last they reached the Fire Islands, Mai declared her intent to visit Ty Lee at once. Azula, however, steeled herself for the inevitable. Alone, she strode toward the royal palace, her steps full of the confidence and grace that masked the quiet storm of worry in her chest.
Inside the Fire Lord's chamber, the familiar curtain of fire separated her from her father. She walked forward, knelt, and pressed her forehead low in respect.
"My dear daughter is finally back," Ozai's voice rumbled from behind the flames. "For a moment, I thought you would not show your face after your disgraceful failure."
The words struck like a blade, tightening her chest, but Azula allowed no hint of it to touch her face. Her head lowered slightly, she replied in an even voice, "I have no excuses, Fire Lord."
"What I find more disappointing than the drill's failure," Ozai continued coldly, "is that you ordered a full retreat. You did not even consider other plans, like putting Ba Sing Se under a siege."
Azula drew in a deep, steadying breath. "With the Avatar in the city, any attack or siege we mount will bleed us. As long as the Avatar can enter the Avatar State, we are destined to fail."
For a long moment, silence filled the chamber. Then Ozai spoke again, his tone low but laced with contempt. "I expected more from you. How different are you from your brother? Expect punishment for your failure. Now get out."
The comparison hit harder than any wound. Azula's body trembled faintly as she clenched her fist, bowing deeply before turning away.
For the briefest instant, she wanted to whirl back, to spit the words that burned in her chest, that if Ozai were so great, he could fight the Avatar himself, or better yet, reclaim his so-called honor from Tai Lung. But the words stuck in her throat. She swallowed them, straightened her back, and left in silence.
It wasn't long after that Azula heard of her punishment. She was to stay in her room and not be allowed to interact with anyone until the Fire Lord decided otherwise. Ozai chose a simple punishment, at least in his eyes, since Azula, despite her failure, could still be used in the future.
It wasn't immediate, but a few days later the news of Azula's punishment reached the ears of Admiral Lung, and in turn, Tai Lung and Ty Lee. Tai Lung didn't care much about the royal family drama, while Ty Lee felt anger for her friend.
When Ty Lee and Mai heard the news one afternoon from Tai Lung while training in the Lung estate. Ty Lee spoke in anger, "That's not fair, to punish Azula for not being able to defeat the Avatar? Why not the Fire Lord set an example and go do the job himself?"
Mai didn't speak, but she nodded in agreement. Tai Lung, still training and unbothered, spoke, "He is not worthy to be called a father or anything really. The only thing keeping him a Fire Lord is the honor and respect the high officers hold for the Royal Family and General Iroh's decision."
Ty Lee said, "Azula might be mean and scary sometimes, but she is still our friend. Is there no way to help?"
Tai Lung replied, "Help her in what? She is just told to stay in her room, it is not really that much of a punishment, to be frank."
Ty Lee's voice rose, "She is not used to that!! Only Zuko was treated like that in the past."
The mention of Zuko caused Mai, who was listening silently, to narrow her eyes. After a moment of thought she spoke. "I have an idea. Tai Lung can go to the royal palace to visit Azula and bring her out. If anyone objects, he can say he would like to have a private word with the Fire Lord."
Ty Lee stared at Mai, while Tai Lung paused and asked, "Why would I do that?"
Mai gave an evil smirk. "Because Ty Lee will be happy. And because I want to see the Fire Lord's face when he realizes his authority means nothing, his own daughter can leave her room against his will, and if he speaks out, only suffering will await him. And all of that happening in front of everyone in the palace."
Ty Lee and Tai Lung just stared at her. After a moment, Ty Lee said, "Wow, I didn't know you can think like that, I thought being extra mean and hateful was Azula's thing." Then she smiled. "But I like the idea very much." She turned to Tai Lung and pleaded, "Please!!"
Tai Lung didn't really care much about Azula or Ozai, and he certainly didn't mind having a quick trip to fetch Azula. But the way Mai spoke, and the way Ty Lee jumped behind the idea, made him wonder what exactly these three girls had been taught in the royal fire academy for girls.
——————
Azula was sitting alone in her room, wearing red robes and letting her hair slide down her back loose. She had spoken to no one over the past few days. The servants would come in, bring her food, and leave as silently as they entered. She could clearly see the fear in their eyes; they didn't dare utter a sound. Azula found her punishment unfair, she was being punished for not being able to defeat the Avatar.
Azula, who had witnessed the full power of the Avatar State, believed fighting the Avatar was impossible. Only by catching him off guard, or before he had begun learning bending, could they stand a chance. Her father's reaction, in her eyes, was completely unreasonable.
Not once did Azula think her father could do better than what she had done. Her anger toward him was accumulating over the past few days and now it almost reached the boiling point. But her thoughts broke as she heard a knocking on her door. For a moment, she wondered if her punishment was over, since at this time no one was supposed to visit her. She said, "Enter."
A flicker of surprise passed her eyes as she saw Tai Lung enter. Azula raised a brow and asked, "Did my father allow you to come here?"
Tai Lung asked back, "Do you really think I would bother to ask for his permission?" He turned to look at the guards and said, "Leave us. If the Fire Lord has an issue with me, tell him I don't mind having a private word with him." The guards nodded and left.
Azula watched the guards leave as Tai Lung closed the door. She said, "Father won't be happy about this. Why are you here?"
Tai Lung replied, "Mai and Ty Lee are worried for you and want me to help you leave this place."
Azula answered, "This is my punishment. I can't leave unless I am allowed to."
Tai Lung was silent for a moment, then tilted his head and said, "At first, I really couldn't figure out how your mind works. But as time went and seeing you now, I think I finally understand you"
"What?" Azula asked in a confused tone.