The center of the village on Kyoshi Island was where the Kyoshi training hall stood. It was here that the young women of the island honed their skills, striving to become worthy of the Kyoshi name and, one day, to defend their home alongside their sisters.
Now, however, the training hall welcomed a unique group of outsiders, Tai Lung and his companions. It was the first time the Kyoshi had ever allowed anyone else into their sacred hall, and it was only done at the request of Ty Lee, who had long wanted to see these warriors in action. She had heard from Tai Lung that they specialized in hand-to-hand combat, and the thought thrilled her.
For Ty Lee, this was a rare opportunity. Other than Tai Lung, no one in her life specialized in pure unarmed combat. Finally, she could test herself against someone new. She was paired with a warrior named Riku, a girl a few years older than her and, according to Suki, one of the island's most skilled fighters.
Suki stood at the side, her eyes sharp as she looked between the two combatants. The moment she gave the word to begin, Ty Lee darted forward.
Riku immediately raised her guard, expecting a punch or a kick, ready to counter. But Ty Lee surprised her, grabbing her arm instead and pulling her in with unexpected strength. Before Riku could adjust, Ty Lee unleashed a flurry of rapid blows to her side and back. The sheer speed overwhelmed her, and in seconds, Riku was knocked to the ground.
Ty Lee blinked, staring down at her, then quickly crouched beside her. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry if I hurt you!"
Groaning, Riku pushed herself up slowly. "You're… faster than you look. And a lot stronger. How did you train to have this much strength?"
Ty Lee gave an apologetic smile. "I trained and sparred with Tai Lung often."
"No wonder you are so strong if you've been training with" Riku muttered, shaking her head.
Suki stepped closer, her expression clearly impressed by what she saw. "Ty Lee, in hand-to-hand, I have no doubt you're the strongest person out there, besides Tai Lung."
Ty Lee's smile brightened. "Thanks!"
From the side, Azula, who had been sitting between Tai Lung and Mai, suddenly stood. Her golden eyes locked on Suki. "I want to spar as well," she declared. Then, with a challenging edge to her voice, she added, "With you."
Suki raised a brow at the tone, but before she could respond, Tai Lung's voice cut in. "That's not the proper way to ask someone for a spar."
Azula shot him a look that practically asked if he was serious. In her eyes, Tai Lung was the last person who should lecture anyone about respect and proper way of speaking. And as if reading her thoughts, Tai Lung continued, "They are my rules. And no firebending."
Azula let out a slow sigh, then turned back to Suki. This time her voice was calmer, steadier. "I would appreciate it if you accepted sparring with me."
The sudden change in tone caught Suki off guard, but before she could answer, Ty Lee leaned in and whispered, "Tai Lung agreed to train her if she followed his rules."
Understanding flickered in Suki's eyes, followed by a look of quiet seriousness. If Tai Lung was training Azula, then she wasn't to be underestimated. Suki knew she was another strong warrior, just like Ty Lee.
The spar between Azula and Suki was nothing like the earlier match between Ty Lee and Riku. Where Riku had been caught off guard and overwhelmed, Suki proved herself a far tougher opponent. Her movements were sharper, faster, and more precise. Azula, without her bending, relied on her combat skill and speed, but she was lacking in raw strength and speed compared to Ty Lee. It made her a close match, though ultimately, she stood above Suki as the winner.
Azula refused to stop there. She turned to Ty Lee. "I want to spar with you," she said, her voice even but edged with challenge.
The two had never faced each other before like this, and Azula needed to know how she measured against her. Ty Lee accepted with her usual cheerful smile. The fight that followed was fast and unrelenting. Azula managed to last far longer than Riku had, surprising even herself at times, but in the end Ty Lee's speed and strength and experience overcame her. With a swift flurry of strikes, Azula was left on the ground, breathing heavily, defeated.
Through it all, Tai Lung observed silently from the sidelines. His eyes were fixed on Azula, studying every movement, every misstep, every hint of potential she displayed. He took mental notes to address them later.
The matches continued. Azula and Ty Lee sparred a few more times, and others among the Kyoshi warriors joined in as well. By the time the sun began to sink, the girls were exhausted, their limbs heavy and aching. Tai Lung finally told them to rest for the night.
At dawn, training began again. Tai Lung worked with Azula, his instructions were based on the sparrings from the day before. Ty Lee sat to the side, watching with open interest. The Kyoshi warriors, Suki most of all, gathered quietly to observe. For them, this was a rare chance to see how Tai Lung trained the girls who had bested them just the day before. What began as a morning routine soon turned into a frenzy of movement, as others joined in, eager to test themselves and to learn.
By the time Mai emerged from her room, hours later, she was met with the sight of the island's warriors, Azula, and Ty Lee, all dripping with sweat, exhausted but relentless. Mai blinked at the scene, baffled. She could understand Azula's obsession, and Ty Lee's cheerful energy, but for so many others to join with such dedication, it was very impressive in her eyes.
"Want to join us, Mai?" Ty Lee asked brightly, waving her over.
Mai gave her a flat stare. "I'll stick to throwing knives, thanks."
The training frenzy continued for days, stretching into an entire week. Every morning began with drills, every evening ended with exhaustion. At last, Tai Lung decided it was time to leave Kyoshi Island and set their course for the South Pole.
That night was their last on the island. As Tai Lung returned to the ship to meditate, the girls gathered for one final evening together. Suki, Ty Lee, Mai, and Azula sat around a campfire, joined by several Kyoshi warriors they had grown close to over the week.
Suki, with a surprised look on her face, said "I didn't expect you to be the Fire Nation princess. No offense, but I didn't think a princess would be so strong, training like that and living far from her home."
Azula gave a small smile. "None taken. Actually, it is expected of me to be a skilled fighter as a member of the royal family."
From the side, Ruki commented, "I thought being a princess is a nice thing, but to think it is such a rough life"
Azula let out a mirthless chuckle. "You all have no idea. Do you mind if I tell you a story?"
Suki and the others leaned in with interest.
Azula began to speak, her voice calm. She spoke briefly of her childhood, of her father's actions, of how she believed her mother hated her for most of her life. When she finished, her eyes hardened as she said, "Now I am following Tai Lung to train, so I can go back and defeat my father, to humiliate him."
Ty Lee's eyes widened. "But you said you would follow Tai Lung's rules, and that you won't raise your hand against your father!"
Azula replied, "No. He opposed the idea and warned me of the consequences, that's all."
"But…" Ty Lee began.
Suki interrupted firmly, "Azula is right. Her father is an evil man…no, a beast, and he should be punished. I can understand Tai Lung's thoughts; hurting your own parent is not easy or right, and that decision will follow you for the rest of your life."
She took a breath, her expression hardening. "But the Fire Lord has crossed the line, and retribution is a must. Justice must be served."
"Sure," Ty Lee said quickly, "but not by Azula's hands, that's the point."
Azula's eyes flashed. "The one who was hurt most by him should take revenge."
Mai, quiet until now, finally spoke. "Then that should be Zuko."
Azula rolled her eyes. "Do you honestly think my brother can do it? And even if he somehow could, where is he now? We haven't heard of him or Uncle since we were hunting the Avatar."
Suki's eyes widened slightly. "You were hunting the Avatar?"
Azula nodded, then told her the story. The fire crackled as she spoke, her words steady and unapologetic.
The Kyoshi warriors exchanged troubled looks. The Avatar was someone they held deep respect for, after all, one of his reincarnations had been born on this very island. The thought that Azula had once pursued him sat uneasily with them.
But as Azula recounted how the Avatar had escaped, and later the shocking events in Ba Sing Se, the Kyoshi could only feel awe. Their respect for the Avatar gave way for Tai Lung's strength.