Tai Lung sat cross-legged atop Wan Shi Tong's great feathery back, the giant spirit owl gliding silently through the skies of the Spirit World. The wind whipped past them as they made their way toward the portal. On the way, Tai Lung spoke of his strange experience of travelling to another world, recounting details of what he had felt. Wan Shi Tong listened intently, his questions full of curiosity, and Tai Lung answered them with honesty, describing the world, culture, and everything else the spirit asked about.
When they neared the portal, Wan Shi Tong slowed and descended, talons scraping across the ground as he came to a halt just outside the boundary of that land. The owl spirit ruffled his feathers and said, "This is as far as I take you, I do not like getting too close to Vaatu."
Tai Lung smiled faintly. "You've already helped me more than I expected. I owe you for that."
Wan Shi Tong's dark eyes gleamed. "You have shared with me much knowledge and many stories. We are equal."
Tai Lung shook his head. "I only answered a few questions." He paused, then asked, "How do you gather books and scrolls from the human world? Perhaps I could write scrolls for you, from my old world. I am, after all, master of one thousand scrolls of Kung Fu and know much of the history of old masters and their tales. Though… I admit most are about training and fighting, which you dislike."
Wan Shi Tong suddenly flapped his great wings in a manner more fitting for a child than an ancient spirit. "Knowledge is knowledge. The fault lies not in knowledge itself, but in how one chooses to use it. I would welcome any addition to my library."
Tai Lung's lips curved into a genuine smile. "In that case, when I am back home, I will begin writing them. But you must excuse me if it takes time. The journey from my home to the South Pole is not a short one."
"This is not an issue," Wan Shi Tong replied. "I will have one of my seekers accompany you."
"Seekers?" Tai Lung repeated.
"My helpers," the spirit explained. "They gather knowledge from the human world and deliver it here. Fox spirits." He spread his wings wide, releasing a golden light that shimmered through the air. When it faded, a small fox stood on the ground before Tai Lung.
"This is a young spirit," Wan Shi Tong said. "Take it with you. Through it, you can send me any scroll you write. And if you want anything from my library, simply ask. My library will always be open to friends who do not abuse it for war and violence."
Tai Lung bent down, lifted the small fox into his arms, and inclined his head. "Thank you."
With the fox tucked close, he bid Wan Shi Tong farewell and walked toward the glowing portal. Passing by the prison where Vaatu lay, he felt the little fox bristle in distaste, ears folding back. Tai Lung placed a calming hand on its back, channeling his chi to ease its spirit.
He glanced toward Vaatu's looming form. "I'm leaving the Spirit World. Since you offered me some help, do you have any words you'd like me to carry to your old friend Raava?"
Vaatu's voice rumbled deep and bitter. "No. What is the point, when I remain bound here?"
Tai Lung smirked. "Then I'll tell Raava you said hello."
Vaatu said nothing more.
Tai Lung approached the blue portal of light, the fox nestled securely against his chest. Pressing his hand against its surface as he had done when he first arrived, he channeled his chi. In an instant, light erupted and he found himself once more standing in the bitter cold of the South Pole.
Tai Lung looked at the fox spirit and said "do you like flying at high speeds?"
The spirit fox tilted its head.
——————
Back aboard Tai Lung's ship, the air was heavy with gloom. Ty Lee in particular seemed weighed down by worry and depression. She had argued more than once that they should go search for Tai Lung, but each time Azula and Han shut her down. They insisted it was better to wait. The deep lands of the South Pole were far too cold and dangerous for them, and Tai Lung must have been occupied with something important.
With each passing day, the atmosphere grew darker. Supplies had long since run out, forcing the crew to survive by fishing. The ship remained anchored, waiting for their absent captain. That day, Ty Lee sat on the deck, staring south into the endless white.
Mai stood nearby with Azula. Her voice was flat, though edged with irritation "When Tai Lung gets back, I'm going to stab him a few times for keeping us waiting like this."
Ty Lee's shoulders slumped as she turned to them. "What if he doesn't come back? It's been so long, Mai!! I want to go and look for him."
Azula crossed her arms, her voice calm and sharp. "Again, Ty Lee, he's fine. He probably just got caught up with something. And let's assume the worst happened, something really bad. What could you possibly do? If Tai Lung couldn't handle it, what chance would any of us have?"
Ty Lee's eyes burned as she glared at Azula. "Definitely not stay here waiting!!"
Azula's expression didn't change. "We could go back and organize a proper force to search for him."
Ty Lee was furious. "It'll be too late by then!"
She turned to Mai desperately. "What about you? Do you want to abandon him as well?"
Mai met her gaze evenly. "I don't. But I'm with Azula on this, we can't charge blindly into the unknown."
Ty Lee could hardly believe it. Everyone refused to move. Even Tai Lung's crew showed no interest in searching for him. She knew Tai Lung was powerful, far beyond anyone else, but that didn't mean abandoning him. To her, it was absurd that because he was seen as so strong, no one would even try to help him, as though his strength made him immune to danger.
A bitter thought crossed her mind. [Does Tai Lung even know this? That people believe in his strength so much, they wouldn't even blink at leaving him behind, thinking he'll be fine?]
Her fists clenched tightly, until Azula suddenly said, "He's back."
Ty Lee's fury and despair melted instantly. She spun around. In the distance, a blue dot appeared in the sky, drawing closer and closer. Her heart pounded as she watched it grow until finally, Tai Lung descended onto the deck.
His eyes scanned them calmly. "Why are you all staring at me like that? Shouldn't you welcome me back instead?"
Tears welled in Ty Lee's eyes. She leapt forward, throwing her arms around him, sobbing.
Tai Lung blinked in confusion, looking at the others. "What's wrong with her?"
Azula's eye twitched, while Mai spoke dryly. "You've got the audacity to ask that after leaving us for so long?"
"It was only four or five days at most," Tai Lung replied. "Han should've told you, I've left the ship for that long before, on multiple occasions."
The girls stared at him in silence before Mai finally said, her voice flat as ever, "Tai Lung, you were gone for a whole month."
Tai Lung froze, realization dawning on him. He spoke quietly, almost to himself. "Time works differently between worlds…"
He straightened, meeting their gazes. "I'm sorry. I found a gate to the Spirit World, and I was there. For me, it was only four or five days."
Ty Lee suddenly felt something push against her chest. She blinked, stepping back, confused. From under Tai Lung's armor, a small fox head popped out, blinking curiously at her.
"This is a fox spirit," Tai Lung explained. "He'll be coming with us."
Ty Lee extended her hands, taking hold of the fox and bringing it closer to herself fascinated by it. While Mai crossed her arms, her tone was as dry as ever. "I hope your story or explanation is worth all the trouble you caused us."
Tai Lung remained calm. "Let's first go meet with the others. If it's been an entire month, then we should leave this place. I imagine no one wants to stay a day longer here. I'll tell you about the Spirit Realm and what I found there later."
That very day, as the ship set sail from the frozen lands of the South Pole, heading back toward familiar waters, Tai Lung began to recount his journey. He spoke of the strange landscapes of the Spirit World, of his encounter with the ancient spirit Vaatu, and of the truth he had learned about the Avatar's origin. He told them about the fog spirit that clouded minds, and the vast, endless library filled with the wisdom of ages.
But one thing he kept hidden. The memories of his past life, Tai Lung decided to keep them to himself.