The sea stretched endlessly in every direction, the horizon shimmering under the sun as Tai Lung's ship cut through the waters of the Southern Sea. Their travel had become a rhythm of motion, sailing from one coastal point to another to restock supplies and allow Tai to explore the world beyond the Fire Nation.
But the waters were not empty.
Pirates and rogue Southern Water Tribe warriors prowled these seas, mistaking the Fire Nation vessel for easy prey. They attacked with confidence, their ships fast and their warriors fierce, at least until they came face-to-face with Tai Lung. The battles were short. Some attackers were injured. Others fell into the sea, their fate unknown. And a good number found themselves shackled in the brig below deck, their weapons confiscated and their pride broken. Whenever the ship made landfall, Tai Lung ensured the prisoners were handed over to Fire Nation garrisons for justice.
On land, Tai Lung encountered earthbenders and so-called freedom fighters, scattered resistance remnants clinging to dreams of rebellion. But to Tai Lung, they were little more than children swinging sticks. Undisciplined. Sloppy. Lacking any real martial training or understanding of combat. He didn't waste more than a few moments with each skirmish.
Their voyage eventually turned southeast, where warmer winds carried them toward a lonely island, its jagged cliffs cutting into the sky like teeth. As they approached, the waters grew darker, heavier. That's when the sea stirred.
A deafening roar erupted from beneath the waves. The water split apart as a monstrous eel-like beast surged toward them, a leviathan of the deep. Its maw opened wide, its eyes glowing with fury as it lunged for the ship.
The soldiers shouted, scrambling across the deck, but Tai Lung stepped forward.
With one motion, he unleashed a brilliant torrent of blue flame, so hot and immense it lit up the sky like a second sun. The Unagi reared back, its roar turning to a screech as the fire blazed past its face. It dove beneath the waves and vanished without a trace.
The ship rocked gently in the monster's wake, and the stunned silence of the crew was quickly replaced by wild cheers.
"Long live the captain!" they roared. "Captain Tai Lung!"
They made landfall soon after, anchoring near a quiet cove. The island was lush, the trees thick and the air humid. A single dirt path led them toward a village nestled between the hills. But before they could reach it, they were intercepted.
A dozen women in green with strange white makeup stood across the path, forming a line. They were dressed in light armor, wielding steel fans and round shields, their stances confident and measured.
Tai Lung took a step forward, raising a hand in greeting.
"I am…" he began.
But the women moved before he could finish.
With sharp cries, they charged, fans slicing through the air, shields locking in formation. The soldiers behind Tai Lung took a stance preparing for combat, but Tai Lung held up a hand.
"Stand down."
Then he moved.
The forest became a blur of motion as Tai Lung met the attackers head-on, fire bending forgotten. His fists moved with precision, his body fluid and unstoppable. He slipped between fans, deflected strikes with his forearms, and used his momentum to unbalance and disarm. One by one, the women fell, struck down with calculated force to their acupuncture, never more than necessary, but enough to strike the nerves and paralyze them.
When the last one hit the ground, Tai Lung stood in the center of the clearing, untouched, surrounded by groaning bodies.
"Restrain them," Tai Lung ordered coolly, not even breathing hard.
His men moved in quickly, tying the women's wrists as Tai Lung looked toward the distant village, eyes narrowed.
Tai Lung's eyes drifted back to the women now being tied up by his soldiers. The soft rustle of rope and armor filled the clearing as the last of the defeated were secured. He folded his arms, expression unreadable.
"That was quite the greeting," he said dryly, his tone calm but edged with judgment. "You're not bad… but not good either. Still, I must admit, you surprised me, I thought the Earth Army didn't take women among them."
One of the captured women, likely in her late twenties or early thirties, raised her head, her gaze sharp. "This isn't Earth Kingdom land, and we're not part of their armies," she said. "We are the Kyoshi Warriors."
Tai Lung didn't reply immediately. He turned instead to Han, who stood just behind him.
"Have you heard of them?" Tai Lung asked.
Han shrugged. "First time. But I did hear of Kyoshi before. It was one of the Avatar's incarnations."
Tai Lung nodded slightly. The name wasn't unfamiliar. He had heard tales of the legendary Avatar, the strongest bender to ever live, a master of the four elements and a force of unmatched power, a bender that keeps reincarnating in an endless cycle, but he went into hiding at the start of the war for unknown reason.
Turning his attention back to the woman, Tai Lung narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't seem like you're very famous," he said bluntly. "But if what you say is true… then where are the men? Why do I only see women here?"
The leader didn't falter. "The Kyoshi Warriors consist of women only."
Tai Lung blinked, a frown tugging at his lips. "Now that's stupid."
Before the leader could reply, a younger girl, likely the youngest among them, snapped, "We don't need men to fight for us! We're as good as they are! Better even"
"Suki, don't speak," the leader said quickly, casting a firm look at the girl.
Suki fell silent, but her eyes didn't. She glared at Tai Lung with unhidden defiance.
Tai Lung noticed the change immediately. The venomous glares from all around him. A minute ago, they had been defiant but composed. Now, their anger had become personal. He blinked slowly, assessing them.
"These women have some serious issues," he muttered under his breath, then glanced to the side. "Ri Run. Li Lan. Take off your helmets."
Two soldiers stepped forward and removed their helmets, revealing their faces. Both were women, calm, confident, unbothered by the tension.
Tai Lung pointed at them. "We have both men and women in our army. The Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom? They don't allow women to fight. Which means a lot of talented benders get wasted."
He turned his gaze back to the Kyoshi Warriors. "You on this island are just as stupid as those two nations. But instead of banning women, you ban men. So I stand by my words, you're stupid."
He gestured dismissively at their outfits. "And what is with the strange clothing? If you want to fight, at least wear something more comfortable. More practical."
The Kyoshi Warriors seethed. No one liked being called stupid. Their hateful stares bore into Tai Lung, yet some couldn't help but consider his words. He had defeated all of them alone. And his logic, no matter how blunt, had truth to it.
Tai Lung turned again to Han. "How come this island hasn't been conquered by now?"
Han shrugged. "Most of our army is stationed on the mainland. No one bothers coming to a small island like this."
Tai Lung nodded thoughtfully, then waved his hand. "Drag them along. We're heading to the village."
As his soldiers began pulling the bound warriors behind them, the leader raised her voice. "You're not allowed to go there. You're not welcome."
Tai Lung didn't even look back.
"Idiots," he muttered, walking toward the village without a second thought.
Behind him, the Kyoshi Warriors burned with fury. The arrogance of their enemy was unmatched, but so was the strength that backed it.
___________
As the Fire Nation soldiers marched into the village, a heavy silence blanketed the air. The villagers, catching sight of the red and black uniforms, immediately scattered. Doors slammed shut, shutters were drawn, and not a soul dared step into the streets.
Only one man remained.
A middle-aged man with graying hair and trembling hands slowly walked forward. His eyes were wide with fear, flicking between the firebenders and the bound Kyoshi Warriors being dragged behind them. When he recognized the defeated warriors, he paled even further, dread washing over his features.
Tai Lung stepped forward, his tone calm but cold. "Are you the leader of this village?"
The man swallowed hard. "I-I… Yes. I am the chief," he stammered, then quickly added, "We are not part of the Earth Kingdom. We have stayed out of the war this whole time… and we don't want to start now."
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed. "The moment you attacked us, you became part of it," he said flatly. "And frankly, no one would believe you when you say you're not part of the Earth Kingdom."
He took a step closer. "So let's get straight to the point. I am Captain Tai Lung of the fire nation navy. I offer you the choice to surrender unconditionally to us and become a vassal of the Fire Nation."
The chief's face twisted in shock. Behind him, the Kyoshi Warriors stirred, trying to resist despite their bindings. Several of them screamed, "Don't listen to them, Chief! We are the proud Kyoshi Island! Do not bow to them!"
The soldiers holding them gripped the ropes tighter, straining to keep the warriors restrained.
Tai Lung punched toward the sky.
In an instant, an enormous pillar of searing blue fire erupted upward, lighting the sky with an eerie brilliance. The heat radiating from it could be felt even from a distance. The Kyoshi Warriors froze, eyes wide in disbelief and fear at the overwhelming display of power.
Tai Lung's voice rang out above the silence. "I alone can turn this entire village into ashes, let alone the soldiers that follow me."
His gaze swept across the terrified villagers peeking through their windows. "Surrender now, and you will be spared that fate. You will continue your lives as you always have, in peace. The only difference is, if a Fire Nation ship comes by, you will not attack it. I do not leave enemies behind to ambush my people."
The chief trembled where he stood. He looked at the villagers peering out of their homes, at the bound warriors still struggling, then back at Tai Lung, still radiating power like a living inferno.
After a long, heavy pause, the chief slowly lowered his head. "Kyoshi Warriors," he said softly, "please… stay down."
Then, more firmly, "I, as the chief of the village, accept to become a vassal of the Fire Nation."