It had been two years since the Agni Kai that shook the Fire Nation. Two years since the Fire Lord, bearer of the crown and symbol of unmatched power and divine rights, had been brought to his knees by a boy no older than twelve. A boy named Tai Lung.
And now, that name echoed once more across the capital, spoken in awe, whispered in admiration, shouted in celebration.
This time, the boy had not only dueled a king, but defied a system. He had disobeyed direct orders, imprisoned a commanding general, and marched five hundred men into a death trap. All to rescue thousands of soldiers who had been left to die in the Zaofu Mountain Range. And against all odds… he succeeded.
Now, they called him more than a prodigy.
They called him a war hero.
An honorable soldier who placed his comrades above politics and position. A man who risked his life and future to save his brothers-in-arms. Letters poured into the capital, not from nobles or generals, but from mothers and fathers. From wives and sisters. From children who could still call their fathers by name because of what Tai Lung had done.
Many of those letters found their way to Admiral Lung's household.
And every one of them was read by both the Admiral and his wife.
They filled the house with a quiet, overwhelming pride. A pride that had no room for vanity or arrogance. Their son was something else. Something rare. Something meant for greatness.
And today, after two long years, he was coming home.
At the docks, Admiral Lung stood tall and composed as always, his expression calm, but in his eyes, fire and joy danced together. Beside him, his wife barely hid her excitement. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, her eyes scanned the horizon, and her foot tapped with impatience. The moment she saw Tai Lung's ship arrive, her breath hitched. She was practically glowing.
The vessel docked, and the gangplank lowered with a creak of wood and rope. And then, he appeared.
Tai Lung.
Taller now, his shoulders broader, his steps steady with confidence and power. His presence had matured. His gaze sharper, posture refined but still, unmistakably, their son.
He spotted them.
A smile broke across his face.
He moved to bow in greeting, but his mother rushed forward, arms already reaching. Admiral Lung wasn't far behind.
"No bowing," his mother said as she wrapped him in a fierce hug, voice cracking with emotion. "We missed you so much."
Tai Lung laughed softly, returning the embrace with both arms. "I missed you, too."
With no ceremony, just smiles and soft words, the family of three returned to their home.
The evening that followed was warm and easy. His mother took up most of the conversation, urging him to retell the stories he'd mentioned in his letters. What were the pirate raids really like? What did Kyoshi Island really look like? And what exactly did King Bumi say after being defeated?
Tai Lung humored her questions with patience and respect, speaking modestly, letting her excitement carry the tone. And all the while, Admiral Lung sat quietly across from them, arms folded and a cup of warm tea in hand. He said little. But his smile, subtle and proud, never left his face.
His son had returned.
And he was more than anything he had ever hoped he would be.
___________
The palace burned with tension and from fury. A suffocating heat emanated not from the hearths or lanterns across the palace, but from the Fire Lord himself.
His rage was silent, coiled and controlled. But within, it churned like magma.
That insolent boy.
It had been two years since the disgraceful Agni Kai, since a twelve-year-old defeated him in front of nobles, guards, and the eyes of the nation. He had endured the humiliation then because he had no choice. Meanwhile, the boy had left the capital and wandered freely ever since, and the Fire Lord, Fire Lord Ozai, could not touch him. Not without cause. Not without risking another devastating blow to his already fractured image.
The loss had scarred his rule.
Many officers, nobles, even commoners whispered in secret: that it should've been Iroh who ruled. That Ozai lacked the strength, the composure, the honor. Thankfully, his brother was a fool, too loyal to a dead man's supposed will to stake his claim. But the boy, Tai Lung... the boy was different.
Ozai had considered smearing the child's name. Painting him as aimless, dishonorable and lacking duty. But wherever Tai Lung went, he improved the Fire Nation standing. He solved conflicts, helped villages, rooted out corruption. He earned respect from soldiers and civilians alike, not through power alone, but with action and results.
Now, the boy was being called a hero.
And worse, he had just committed mutiny, openly disobeying General Shinu, attacking him, and imprisoning him in his own fortress. It was an unforgivable breach of the chain of command. Yet instead of being condemned, Tai Lung was celebrated. He had led a daring rescue into Zaofu Range, saved thousands of soldiers, and even defeated the legendary earthbender King Bumi in battle.
The council chamber now whispered about promoting him to General. To Admiral. To anything.
Ozai's fury flared at the thought. [Promote him? That boy would become a permanent threat. a symbol of defiance to his rule.]
No.
The Fire Lord's hands clenched. He would not tolerate adding another high-ranking officer to oppose his will, and one standing proudly with the people behind him. But what else can he do? assassins? Useless. The boy had become a monster. A blue-flamed monster. He would not fall easily, if at all.
Then, like a faint breeze breaking a heated silence, came an unexpected knock.
His war minister entered the chamber with calm and confidence, his robes rustling against the polished floor. Beside him stood Princess Azula. She was asked by the minister to follow him to meet her father.
Ozai's sharp eyes narrowed with interest.
"I may have a plan," the minister said. "To restore your prestige, my lord… and ensure Admiral Lung's loyalty to the royal family."
His words got the full attention of the Fire Lord, even Azula looked at the minister with interest, curious about what he was going to say next.
"I believe having a union between princess Azula and Tai Lung is a solution to the royal family trouble" The minister spoke with no reservations.
Azula's face twisted in shock then anger, she spoke with a voice sharp with disbelief. "Union!! This is ridiculous. After everything he did to Father, you want me to marry him?"
The war minister remained composed. "Yes, Princess. Tai Lung has shown himself to be bound by honor and virtue. If the two of you were united, the enmity between him and the Royal Family would dissolve. Your union would strengthen the throne, and your father's name would once again be held in reverence."
Azula scowled. "I don't need him. I've been training hard. One day, I will definitely defeat him." She raised her hand, and a flickering stream of blue fire erupted from her palm. "I can create blue fire like him now. Once I master it fully, I'll move on to lightning."
The minister nodded. "There is no doubt of your greatness, Princess. And that is why the two of you are well matched. When your time comes, who in this nation will be worthy of you? The only one who has unlocked blue fire aside from you, Tai Lung."
He stepped closer. "And imagine… the union of two such prodigies. It could birth a new generation the likes of which the Fire Nation has never seen."
Azula's fire slowly died out. Her hand lowered. She had trained for years, fueled by the desire to surpass Tai Lung. She had envisioned standing over him in victory. But now, as the minister spoke, a new thought struck her.
Who else but him could stand beside her as an equal in the future?
Even if they were to marry, it didn't mean she couldn't outshine him in time. She would surpass him one day. She would be the greatest firebender of this era.
Her golden eyes turned toward her father.
"I will follow your orders," she said. "What should I do?"
Fire Lord Ozai's face, at last, broke into a satisfied gleam. A glint of cruel amusement danced in his eyes.
"We will proceed," he said coldly. "With the minister's suggestion."
___________
Back in the Lung household, Tai sat with his parents in the main room, a cup of freshly brewed tea warming his hands as he answered another question from his ever-curious mother.
But just as he relaxed into the rhythm of home, his parents exchanged a glance, one that made room pause for a second. Admiral Lung set his cup down, his face as calm and composed as ever, while his mother leaned forward, an excited sparkle in her eyes.
"Tai Lung," she began, her tone strangely formal, "there's something we've been meaning to talk to you about."
He tilted his head, sensing the shift. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Quite the opposite. It's… something new."
Admiral Lung nodded. "You've grown, son. Not just in strength or in the eyes of the public, but in age as well. You're fourteen now. A young man."
Tai Lung blinked, unsure where this was going. "Okay...?"
"That means," his mother cut in with a mischievous smile, "you're of age to begin thinking about a partner."
He froze. "A… what?"
His father's expression didn't change, but he added, "You've received marriage offers, Tai Lung. From noble families."
The cup nearly slipped from his hand. "What?"
"It's not unusual," his mother said, laughing at his stunned expression. "Given your reputation, your accomplishments, your name, many have taken notice. Their daughters, especially."
Tai Lung opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. He was still reeling.
"You don't have to choose anyone right now," Admiral Lung said gently, "but it's time to start thinking about it. You are old enough. We have stashed all the proposals you have received in your room"
His mother leaned back with a satisfied smile. "We thought it would surprise you."
It certainly had. This was something new to him even including his past life.