The Fire Lord stood silently in his grand chambers, his robes billowing slightly from the breeze slipping in through the high windows. His expression was carved from stone, tight-lipped, cold-eyed, and utterly displeased.
Just when he thought he was close to reclaiming control, just when the moment had come to rein Tai Lung in and recover the prestige he had lost in recent years, it had slipped through his fingers. The boy had gotten engaged to some random insignificant girl. A nonbender. A girl from a low-standing noble house. There was nothing remarkable about her, nothing special or strategic that could possibly justify such a match.
Fire Lord Ozai had not even expected to win instantly. He had anticipated the need for a slow, deliberate approach. His daughter Azula was only beginning to prepare herself to confront and charm Tai Lung, to draw him into the fold as a useful weapon and potential consort. But that plan had failed before it could even begin. The boy's decision, this engagement, was foolish in Ozai's eyes. Even if not Azula, there had been dozens of better options. Girls from strong families. Firebenders. Bloodlines worthy of legacy.
But he was Ozai, the Fire Lord. He would not accept such an outcome. He would not allow it.
He turned from the shadows of his chamber and walked to the open window. With calm movements, he tied a letter to the leg of a waiting messenger hawk. His fingers were calm, but his eyes burned with resolve.
He released the hawk into the sky, watching it disappear into the clouds. One way or another, things would go his way.
___________
Meanwhile, in the home of Admiral Lung, Tai Lung's parents sat quietly in their parlor. The room was warm with afternoon light, but the mood was mixed.
The admiral's wife let out a long sigh. She looked weary.
"It's not that bad," Admiral Lung said gently, still smiling.
She turned her eyes toward him, unimpressed. "What kind of date is that supposed to be? He's training his fiance in martial arts instead of taking her out to relax and enjoy themselves."
The admiral chuckled lightly. "They seemed to be having fun. And you were the one calling them training junkies last week."
"I know," she said, shaking her head. "But I can't help feeling sorry for her. Ty Lee's a sweet girl… and now she's spending her days sweating in the courtyard because of our son."
___________
In the courtyard, the air was filled with the sound of swift movements, light footsteps, and the occasional burst of laughter. Ty Lee moved like a whirlwind, striking with all the precision and speed she could muster. But Tai Lung was like a wall of wind, never quite in reach, always dodging with uncanny ease.
Finally, breathless and panting, Ty Lee dropped to the ground, arms flopping behind her.
"You're way too strong and fast," she said with a tired laugh.
Tai Lung sat beside her, his breathing barely elevated. "I train a lot."
Ty Lee turned to look at him, her cheeks flushed pink. For a moment, she hesitated, then said softly, "Umm… Tai… would you like to try kissing?"
Tai Lung looked at her, noting the blush in her face. In his past life, kisses were not a common expression. It was something he'd never seen as animals of all species ignored it, or maybe never thought of it, most species' lips didn't help in that aspect anyway. Yet, here in this life, it seemed to hold more meaning.
After a pause, he gave a small nod.
Ty Lee closed her eyes and leaned in, her face burning red. Tai Lung stared at her a moment longer, then moved forward and gently pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss lasted only a few seconds, soft and warm. When they pulled apart, Ty Lee looked like she might explode from embarrassment, completely crimson. Tai Lung, meanwhile, was deep in thought. He considered the sensation. Not unpleasant. His judgment: not bad.
He looked at Ty Lee and smiled.
That was all it took.
With a squeak, Ty Lee leapt to her feet and bolted away, hands covering her face. Tai Lung blinked in confusion, left alone once more.
If Ty Lee is upset, she runs away. If she's embarrassed, she also runs away.
He sat back and exhaled, filing the observation in his mind with the rest of his martial knowledge.
[Understanding a girl's mood is difficult.] was his final conclusion.
___________
The next day, the academy buzzed like usual. The trio of Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee were Sitting together on the grass during their break, Ty Lee beamed as she shared every detail of the previous day's training and what followed. Her cheeks were still pink as she recounted how Tai Lung had agreed to kiss her, how gentle he had been, how serious his eyes looked when he smiled.
Mai listened with her usual distant expression, her mind elsewhere. She barely caught the tail-end of Ty Lee's sentence before glancing off toward the courtyard. A familiar thought crossed her mind, Would Zuko ever grow the courage to just ask her out.
Azula, however, though she kept her face composed, couldn't fully contain her feelings. She laughed and teased Ty Lee like usual, but jealousy prickled beneath her skin. Tai Lung? That brute? That arrogant, ignorant, annoying Tai Lung? How could he be the one doing all the right things? How could he, of all people, treat Ty Lee so well? It irritated her more than she'd admit.
As the bell rang and the three girls left the academy grounds, chatting and laughing, none of them noticed the looming figure standing in the shade of a building across the street. A giant of a man in a worn robe, with most of his face concealed by a hood. But what was visible, barely peeking out from the folds, was the strange tattoo on his forehead, an eye.
Mai noticed him first. Her steps slowed as her instincts kicked in.
The man tilted his head back slightly, then thrust it forward violently.
Mai's eyes widened in a flash. "JUMP!" she screamed.
The world exploded.
A deafening boom rang out as fire and rubble burst where the girls had just been standing. The street cracked, and smoke swallowed the scene. People screamed in panic.
The cloaked man didn't wait. He turned and walked away, his movements calm, as if assured his attack had succeeded.
___________
Hours passed before a messenger arrived at Admiral Lung's estate. The news was like a blade through the air.
"Lady Ty Lee has been injured," the messenger said grimly. "There was an assassination attempt… on Princess Azula. The princess and her two friends were hurt."
Admiral Lung's face darkened. Without wasting a second, he summoned his son. Tai Lung appeared moments later, and together they rushed to the Royal Medical Clinic.
The clinic was a fortress of concern and activity. Royal guards stood at every corner. General Iroh, Zuko, and the families of the girls all waited anxiously in the outer chamber. The mood was tense, heavy.
Admiral Lung stepped forward and approached General Iroh. "What happened?" he asked urgently.
Iroh turned to face him, his kind face solemn. "An assassin. A well-known one… We believe he was targeting Princess Azula. All three girls were injured in the attack."
He paused before adding, "Mai suffered light burns on her arm. Azula has some cuts and bruises… but the worst…" Iroh sighed. "Ty Lee stood directly between the assassin and the princess. She took the brunt of the blast. She is stable, but she will remain here for days."
Silence fell over the group.
Tai Lung said nothing at first, but his fists clenched at his sides. There was a low sound in the back of his mind. A voice warning him. The world is trying to take what is yours. Just like your destiny. You can't allow this.
He felt his anger swelling, his control fraying.
Still, his voice came out calm and low. "What does this man look like?"
Both Admiral Lung and Iroh turned to him quickly, sensing something shift in the air. Heat radiated from Tai Lung's body. His stance was relaxed, but his eyes locked and burning with wrath and malice, they felt his presence turn wild and feral as if he was a wild beast.
Iroh stiffened. Even Admiral Lung stepped back half a pace instinctively.
Iroh hesitated to speak for a few moments, then relented under the weight of Tai Lung's malevolent gaze.
"He is tall. His limbs are mechanical, metal arms and legs. And… a tattoo of a third eye on his forehead."
Tai Lung turned on his heel.
"Tai…" Admiral Lung called after him. "Where are you..?"
"I'm going to rip that guy apart," Tai Lung said without turning back, his voice low and dangerous. "And nothing you say will change that."
Without another word, Tai Lung left the clinic.