Tai Lung's ship cut through the ocean waves, heading straight toward the mainland where it reached a large military fortress situated along the coast. The harbor bustled with activity as Fire Nation banners waved proudly over the walls.
This fortress was no ordinary outpost, it was relatively large, housing nearly a thousand soldiers. It operated under the authority of General Shinu, a pragmatic and seasoned leader of the Fire Nation Army.
To Tai Lung's surprise, upon docking, both he and Han were immediately summoned to attend a war council. Curious about the sudden invite, the two men made their way through the fortifications and into the war chamber.
Upon entering, Tai Lung took in the sight: a dozen high-ranking officers were gathered around a massive table, a detailed war map spread before them. At the head of the table stood a man with graying hair and a sharp gaze, General Shinu.
Tai Lung needed only a glance to recognize the man's authority, but he also immediately noticed the cold, hostile stare directed at him.
General Shinu didn't waste time. "I've heard of you, Tai Lung," he said with measured disdain. "Your infamy reached us all the way from the homeland." He paused, then added with a mocking tone, "Let's hope you're as good at fighting the enemy as you are at challenging your superiors and drifting aimlessly around."
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed. "What is this about?"
Shinu pointed at the map. "A battalion of Ten thousand soldiers was ambushed at Zaofu Mountain Range. The one responsible is King Bumi of Omashu."
That name caught Tai Lung's attention. He knew of Omashu, but Bumi…
Shinu continued, "Over half of our battalion was lost in the battle. The rest are trapped in the mountain range."
"Earth soldiers had surrounded them," one officer added grimly, "The army of Omashu, led by the legendary mad king himself. They are using the location to their advantage, preventing the soldiers from escaping and they are planning on killing them off slowly"
"We must prepare to defend this fortress, Omashu soldiers will march here eventually" General Shinu stated, his voice firm.
Tai Lung looked around at the room, then asked, "How many enemies are we talking about?"
"Three thousand," Shinu replied.
Tai Lung frowned. "Three thousand killed five thousand and trapped five more?" It didn't make sense.
Shinu rolled his eyes in annoyance seeing the frown on Tai Lung's face. "Someone explain it to the boy."
One of the officers spoke up. "King Bumi is the oldest living king in the Earth Kingdom. He's said to be a hundred and ten years old, and widely regarded as the strongest earthbender alive, some say he is the strongest living bender across all nations. His army is composed of elite earthbenders and highly trained soldiers. He's also extremely intelligent, he set up the ambush at Zaofu, forcing our soldiers into a deadly trap while suffering little to no casualties himself. Many of the survivors are wounded and exhausted. They sent us a hawk messenger requesting us to send help."
Tai Lung's brow furrowed. "Then why not go assist the trapped forces? Leaving them on their own waiting for death."
General Shinu's reply was cold and calculated. "Because they can buy us time. If we ride out now, we risk joining them in a losing battle. It's better to hold the fortress and wait for reinforcements."
Tai Lung frowned at that. "So you would rather hold onto a fortress than save our people? If we move now, we can reduce the losses."
General Shinu scoffed, "We might be losing more if we go to help, not to mention the possibility of losing the fortress."
His words echoed in the room, callous, perhaps, but strategic. Tai Lung was silent, but his glare lingered on the general, silently burning with disagreement.
Tai Lung's gaze swept across the room, his eyes locking with those of the officers seated around the table. "What about the rest of you?" he asked, his voice calm but cutting. "Any thoughts on what can be done besides holing up here? Or are we all just here to nod along and betray thousands just like that?"
Some of the officers met his stare with cold, unreadable expressions. Others glanced nervously at General Shinu, hesitation clear in their eyes. A few even looked down, avoiding his gaze altogether, fearful, uncertain, and unwilling to speak.
General Shinu's voice rang with a mix of authority and anger. "Captain Lung!!" he growled, narrowing his eyes, "my decision is final. I won't tolerate you sowing seeds of doubt among my men. You are to follow orders, or you will be considered a traitor."
Tai Lung frowned, locking eyes with the general. "Did you bring everyone here to share your decision," he asked sharply, "or to think of a solution to help the trapped soldiers?"
The general scoffed, straightening his back with a puffed chest. "I am the general in command," he said arrogantly. "You are only supposed to follow orders, not question them. I'll let it slide this time, since you're young and this is your first war meeting. But don't think I won't throw you in a cell. You'd do well to watch yourself if you don't want to dishonor yourself and your father."
Something snapped inside Tai Lung. His eyes narrowed into slits, fury beginning to stir in his chest. He was already getting pissed by the thought of betraying the trust of thousands and leaving them to their death. And now the general spoke to him like that.
Who was this man to speak like that? Did this man truly believe he would lower his head in submission? Just like the Fire Lord had done nearly two years ago?
Tai Lung began walking slowly around the war table, each step measured and deliberate. He stood right before the general, then spoke with a voice cold and disdainful. "I really want to know… what gave you the guts to speak to me like that?"
Shinu's face twisted with fury. "This is a disgrace! Disrespecting your superior? I'll make sure you rot in a prison cell!"
Tai Lung didn't speak another word.
He moved like lightning, blindingly fast, and delivered a series of rapid, brutal strikes. The general was caught completely off guard, and before anyone could react, he was sent crashing into the metal wall behind him, collapsing unconscious.
Gasps filled the chamber. The remaining officers stared in shock, in disbelief of the mutiny they had just witnessed.
Tai Lung turned back to face them, his voice level and commanding. "Now that fool is out of the way, let's get to work. Do we know what is going on there exactly? How the enemies are trying to kill our people? And any plans on how we can actually save our people? All suggestions are welcomed"
One of the officers finally broke the silence. "What you've done… that's treason."
Tai Lung scoffed. "And leaving five thousand soldiers to die isn't? Spare me the lecture. Let's get to the real subject. If you are worried about being punished because of me, just say I threatened you into submission, that I am a mad man throwing blue fire and lighting around. I did humiliate and burn the Fire Lord publicly, no one will doubt your story."
The officers glanced at one another again, and slowly, the fear in their expressions began to shift, turning into focus. They leaned over the map, their voices growing as they shared what they knew and thought. For the first time, they actually began discussing what they can do, talking about terrain, enemies, routes, coordination and enemy possible plans.
After what felt like an hour of back and forth, a unified plan was formed, daring, dangerous, but possible. A rescue mission.
Tai Lung stepped back from the table. "Someone throw this idiot," he pointed to the unconscious general, "in a cell, it is a fitting place for him. We leave in an hour."
There was no protest. Just a nod and in several eyes, the faintest gleam of newfound respect.
As Tai Lung exited the chamber, Han caught up with him, keeping pace. "This plan of yours is suicide, King Bumi is extremely dangerous" he said under his breath. "If your father were here, he'd never approve of something like this."
Tai Lung smirked. "Good thing he's not. I'm looking forward to meeting the strongest and oldest living bender. I hope he is better than Jeong Jeong and the Fire Rooster"
Han looked at his young captain, a heavy sigh escaping his chest. All he could do now was pray the spirits would watch over Tai Lung.
"I will let the rest of the crew know of this plan and that we are going to stay here for a while" Han said.
Tai Lung nodded and thanked him before looking toward the north. This was going to be his first real participation in the war. He still didn't like the thought of fighting, but he was part of the Fire Nation now, and he wouldn't fail his father in this life.