In the province of Chu, a neighboring land to Omashu, a quiet unease filled the air. Within a tent bearing th White Lotus's flag, Team Avatar and the members of the White Lotus had gathered. Even the normally boisterous Bumi wore a grim expression as he studied a freshly delivered report.
"The army of the Fire Nation will reach our location in a few hours," Bumi announced, his voice carrying a weight rarely heard from him.
A heavy silence settled over the group. For once, the eccentric king set aside his jokes and riddles. "We are days away from Sozin's comet," he continued solemnly. "This may be our only chance to put an end to Tai Lung."
Aang's face paled. His voice wavered as he said, "But… this isn't right. The plan is to rely on deceit and lies. Teacher Iroh refused to even join you."
Bumi sighed, regret softening his features. "It is a pity Iroh refused to aid us. His presence could have helped lower Tai Lung's guard. But there is no other way around it. We cannot afford to wait. When Sozin's comet arrives, I fear even you, Aang, won't be able to stop Tai Lung. That will be the end. And remember, war is full of deceit, it is not an honorable duel."
"But I can try to fight him with your help," Aang said weakly.
Jeong Jeong, standing with arms folded behind his back, shook his head. "Defeating Tai Lung is no easy task. And with an entire army behind him, it will be near impossible. The safest bet is to let us carry our plan."
Lowering his head, Aang whispered, "I wish you the best of luck…"
Beside him, Katara's eyes lingered on Pakku. "Master Pakku, stay safe," she urged.
Pakku gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I shall not fail a second time against him."
Toph folded her arms and shot a smirk at Bumi. "Don't die, old man. I still need to prove I'm the greatest earthbender."
Bumi chuckled softly, though his eyes gleamed with resolve.
——————
Hours later, the Fire Nation army marched through Chu. Rows upon rows of soldiers moved in formation, their banners snapping in the wind. The airships above cast long shadows across the land. At the head of the vast column strode Tai Lung, Azula at his side, her crown gleaming in the afternoon light.
The rhythm of marching feet faltered when Tai Lung raised a hand. At the road ahead stood a solitary figure, an old man dressed in a white and blue robe, a flag bearing the symbol of a lotus fluttering in the breeze.
Tai Lung stepped forward, his sharp gaze narrowing. "Master Jeong," he said evenly. "Why are you here?"
Jeong Jeong inclined his head slightly. "It has been a while, Tai Lung. I stand here on behalf of the White Lotus. We wish to invite you to drink tea and discuss the matter of your leading an invasion."
Tai Lung arched a brow. "White Lotus?"
Jeong Jeong's tone was calm, measured. "We are an organization of masters from all nations, united to help facilitate peace."
"And why," Tai Lung pressed, "should I speak with you?"
"Because Iroh is one of our members," Jeong Jeong replied firmly. "He insisted you are a sensible man, one who can be reasoned with. We want to talk with you about this invasion and about your father. We can help you strike a deal to get him back."
Tai Lung's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing within them. "You were part of the invading force?"
Jeong Jeong shook his head. "No one among us participated in the attack. But we can provide you with a channel to communicate with them. We can help."
Azula's voice cut through sharply. "And where are the rest of your members? And where is my uncle?"
"We have a camp an hour's walk from here, they are all waiting there" Jeong Jeong answered. His expression hardened. "However, I must insist that Tai Lung comes alone with me."
Azula's brow arched. "Do you expect us to agree? What if this is a trap?"
Jeong Jeong's voice did not waver. "We do not trust the Fire Nation. Speaking with Tai Lung alone is already too dangerous for us."
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed. Then, to Azula's shock, he said calmly, "Fine. I will come with you."
Azula leaned closer, her tone sharp. "And what if it is a trap? No, it is definitely a trap"
Tai Lung's gaze did not leave Jeong Jeong. "It doesn't matter."
Jeong Jeong kept his expression neutral, but inwardly he allowed himself a sigh of relief. As they had anticipated, Tai Lung's power and confidence left him unable to fear possible traps. To Jeong Jeong, it was arrogance, and it would be his undoing.
——————
An hour later, Tai Lung followed Jeong Jeong through the forest until the trees parted to reveal a secluded camp. Rows of tents stood neatly in formation, each marked by the same white flag bearing the image of a lotus. The air around the camp was calm, too calm in Tai Lung's eyes.
From the center of the camp emerged a familiar figure. King Bumi stepped forward with a wide, almost unsettling smile.
"I am glad to see Iroh was right about you," he said cheerfully, his eyes glittering with mischief even as his tone carried a deeper weight.
Tai Lung's gaze lingered on Bumi, then drifted back to the camp. From within the tents came several others, each of them well past their youth, yet their chi flared like blazing torches. Tai Lung recognized at once what they were: masters, seasoned and honed by decades of discipline.
His voice lowered, steady but edged with recognition. "So you are truly a gathering of masters… from all three nations."
Jeong Jeong raised a brow. "You thought I was lying to you?"
"I did not expect this many gathered under your banner," Tai Lung admitted. His golden eyes narrowed with thought. "This is better than I expected. The more of you here, the easier my goal of peace will become."
The words made both Jeong Jeong and Bumi pause. For the briefest moment, their well-worn composure cracked showing confusion. Then Bumi's smile broadened again.
"We are all seekers of peace," he said warmly. "Come inside. Let us drink a warm cup of tea. We can help you have your father back, and together we shall restore peace and order."
Tai Lung shook his head, his expression unreadable. His voice was calm, almost gentle.
"I don't know what you are truly plotting, I can tell Iroh is not here, and honestly I don't care. For world peace, the peace I envision… I need to ask you to sacrifice your freedom for the greater good."
Before either man could react, Tai Lung moved. His body blurred into motion, his strikes precise and merciless. One kick lashed into Jeong Jeong's chi point, another palm strike to Bumi's nerve cluster. In a blink, both masters collapsed to the ground, their bodies locked in paralysis.
Bumi, trapped within his own body, stared in disbelief. This was not how it was supposed to go. The plan had been clear: bait Tai Lung into the camp, poison him, and overwhelm him from all directions. Instead, in an instant, he and Jeong Jeong were helpless.
A chorus of footsteps thundered behind him as the rest of the White Lotus surged forward. Pakku's voice rang out, sharp and demanding.
"What do you think you're doing? Why attack them?"
The old masters spread out, shifting to encircle Tai Lung. Tai Lung knew they were surrounding him intending to attack him from all sides, but he stood unmoved.
He spoke with a cold and resolute voice "I will free my father. For that to happen, and to see my plans carried through, I must become more than a warrior. I must become a symbol, a name that inspires nothing but respect and submission. And you all, gathered here, are the greatest means to achieve that."
A cruel smile tugged at his lips. His hands glowed with a haunting green light, the air itself vibrating with unnatural energy. The glow spread over the paralyzed bodies of Bumi and Jeong Jeong, engulfing them completely.
The two masters vanished in an instant.
"Don't worry," Tai Lung said softly, almost mockingly. "You won't feel anything."
The White Lotus froze, horror etched into every face. Two of their greatest masters had been erased from existence in the blink of an eye.
From afar, the once-tranquil camp now radiated a sickly, sinister glow of green light, a beacon of dread piercing the horizon where the White Lotus had once stood united.
When the light dimmed, multiple streaks of green light left the camp.