Jeong Jeong stood firm as he said "Why have you become so hostile, young one?"
Tai Lung's expression hardened, his voice cold. "It is devastating to see the master you trusted so much turn his back on you and betray you. I'm sure Father will be pleased to hear the news of your fall."
Jeong Jeong's brows furrowed, though his voice remained calm. "I did not betray your father. I abandoned the Fire Nation and their mad war. I could not, in good conscience, watch so much destruction and death unfold."
"You could have retired," Tai Lung said flatly.
Jeong Jeong shook his head. "It is not enough. Retirement won't absolve me of the mistakes I made."
"Then you should be prepared to face the consequences of your choices," Tai Lung said, his tone colder still.
He knew too well the sting of betrayal, the sight of a trusted master turning away. The reason behind it didn't matter to him; the wound was the same. The thought of it, that his own father had suffered similar betrayal lit a quiet fury within him. His decision was already made.
Tai Lung lunged forward, but Jeong Jeong's arms rose in a swift motion. From the ground beneath Tai Lung's feet, fire burst forth, forcing him back. Tai Lung narrowed his eyes, splitting the flames with his blue fire then stepping through..
Jeong Jeong's eyes widened, the faintest trace of surprise flickering across his face. "You wield blue fire? Then why didn't you use it earlier?"
"I prefer to fight with my martial arts," Tai Lung replied coolly. "They are my specialty, they represent what I am."
Jeong Jeong studied him with intrigue. Blue fire was rare, a mark of unmatched talent among firebenders. To hear one speak of such a gift as though it were secondary was… astonishing. He had expected arrogance, or restraint perhaps, but not this.
"You are a strange one," Jeong Jeong said softly.
Tai Lung charged again. The old man responded in kind, unleashing a volley of blazing fireballs. Tai Lung dodged each with fluid grace, until the ground beneath him erupted once more, forcing him to leap back.
"Is this wall of fire your signature move?" Tai Lung asked, voice steady despite the wall of flame before him.
"You should watch your surroundings more carefully," Jeong Jeong replied, his voice echoing as he swept his hands outward.
In that instant, the flames behind Tai Lung, which were ignited by Jeong Jeong attacks earlier, joined the wall of fire and encircled Tai Lung, then rotated around him and formed a roaring tornado. Fire spun and howled around him and the cage of fire closed on him from all directions.
Tai Lung braced himself, then burst forward, blue fire erupting from his palms as he cut through the torrent. He pierced out of the fiery storm, only to find Jeong Jeong gone.
His sharp eyes darted through the haze until his ears caught a faint sound behind him. He spun around just in time to see Jeong Jeong within the heart of the flames, smiling faintly before thrusting his palms forward. Fire surged toward Tai Lung like a living creature.
There was no time to dodge. Tai Lung punched forward unleashing his own torrent of blue fire, the two streams colliding in a burst of flames.
Jeong Jeong's voice rose above the roar. "Your flames are stronger than your martial arts, boy. You can't deny that truth! You lack restraint and place too much faith in your fists, using your fire as a secondary weapon. That is not the way of a true firebender, let alone a master."
Tai Lung said nothing. He wanted to master firebending, that much was true, but he would not abandon what made him Tai Lung. His kung fu, his martial arts were his essence, his pride, his identity. Yet deep down, he could not deny Jeong Jeong's words.
His mind flashed to his battle with Ozai. The Fire Lord's flames had burned hotter and wilder than Jeong Jeong's, but that fight had been a contest of strength and speed, nothing more. There had been no strategy, no art in the flames. That was why he had triumphed then. But now… this old man relied on strategy and tricks.
It took Tai Lung only a heartbeat to decide. If this was how his opponent wanted to fight, then so be it.
He raised his hands, mirroring Jeong Jeong's movements exactly. The old man's eyes widened in alarm as fire erupted behind him, cutting off every path of retreat.
"I am quite the fast learner," Tai Lung said calmly, his blue fire reflecting in his eyes. "And I don't plan on losing here. If I have to firebend instead using my martial arts, then so be it. You are not escaping me."
Jeong Jeong's face fell into panic in an instant as Tai Lung moved and unleashed wave after wave of blue flame that roared toward him. It was unlike anything the old master had faced. He tried to dodge and defend, but the sheer power and volume of the flames pressed in on him until he could barely defend himself, his clothes getting seared by the flames.
The roaring inferno swallowed Jeong Jeong's sight; fire closed in from every direction. He knew, with a cold certainty, that if this continued he would be defeated and worse, the flames were growing too fast, it won't be long before the whole forest would be sacrificed to this mad blaze.
Amid the howling heat, Jeong Jeong forced his voice to rise so Tai Lung could hear it. "Your flames will turn the entire forest to ashes," he called out. "You must show restraint before the fire begins to spread."
"It won't." The voice came from his side and froze him in the throat.
Jeong Jeong spun. Two feet from him stood Tai Lung, he had used the flames to veil his approach just as Jeong Jeong had done earlier.
Jeong Jeong tried to make distance, but it was already too late. Dozens of blows landed: quick, powerful strikes at nerves and chi points. The old master staggered beneath the onslaught, then fell. In the space of heartbeats, Jeong Jeong, once an admiral and a feared firebending master, was on the forest floor.
Tai Lung slowed, steadying his breathing and with it the fire all around them began to die down, the blue tongues licking themselves out into smoke and ash until the air settled, clearer and cooler. He looked down at the fallen man for a long moment.
"Chain them all," Tai Lung ordered. "We are going back."
Han and the others moved swiftly, acting on the captain's command. The deserters and their small, ragged band were bound and gathered before being led back to the city.
——————
Later that night, Jeong Jeong sat in his cell with his men, shackled and silent. The heavy quiet was broken when the door opened and Han stepped inside, keys jangling at his hand. "Master," Han said, forcing a small, conspiratorial grin, "get out of here quickly. My scary captain is sleeping."
Jeong Jeong raised his head slowly, eyes tired. "Han," he said, "I doubt Shulian's son will take kindly to your betrayal."
Han's expression was steady. "Yeah, he is something else. Honestly, it's scary to think he's angry with me. But this is a risk I'm willing to take, Master. I owe you that much." He worked the shackles loose, and one by one the prisoners were freed. Together they slipped out of the makeshift prison and hurried through the dark until the city's edge lay behind them.
As they ran, Jeong Jeong glanced at his old student. Han offered a rueful smile. "Shulian helped you in the past," he said softly. "Today I repaid my debt to you. Next time you're on your own, Master. I sincerely hope you don't cross our path again." Jeong Jeong managed a small smile in answer and then hurried into the night.
Han watched them go until their figures were swallowed by shadow, then breathed a long sigh of relief. He turned to go back to his place, but froze when he found Tai Lung staring at him coldly.
Han, quick to cover his tremor, put on a loose grin. "Captain, fancy seeing you here."
"Explain yourself," Tai Lung said.
Han's grin faltered. "Explain what? I betrayed the Fire Nation and released the prisoners."
"You said you were willing to take the risk because he was your master," Tai Lung said. "Don't you feel angry at his betrayal?"
Han blinked. "You were listening the whole time? Why didn't you stop me?"
"I prefer to hear things before acting," Tai Lung replied. "It is never too late to hunt them down. After fighting them, I know they can't escape my hunt."
Han's face changed at that, a mix of worry and resignation. He exhaled and replied. "When Master was an admiral, he took many soldiers under his wing. Just like your father, I was among these students. He trained us for years. I had to help him."
"Didn't you feel betrayed by his actions?" Tai Lung asked.
Han's voice was steady, threaded with memory rather than wrath. "I was angry when I learned he deserted. But he taught us well, guided us up through the ranks, helped us survive the war. One act does not erase years of favor."
Tai Lung absorbed the words, then said, "My father did the same years ago?"
"Not exactly," Han answered. "He had a chance to capture Master, but he chose to turn a blind eye."
Tai Lung closed his eyes. Shifu, the teacher who had been a father to him, had done so much for him over the years. But that single act of betrayal was enough for Tai Lung to forget everything and act on his anger. At that moment, Tai Lung felt too small. Beside his father and Han, he was nothing but a scum and vile animal.
Without another word, Tai Lung turned and walked away.
"Captain?" Han called, taken aback.
Tai Lung did not look back as he said. "The deserter and his people escaped in the middle of the night and no one noticed. Their escape was due to the carelessness of you, Vice-Captain Han. You deserve a punishment. Starting tomorrow, you will be responsible for overseeing the resupply process."
Han blinked, then a slow smile spread across his face.