As the day of the duel drew nearer, tension spread like wildfire across the world. In Ba Sing Se, Azula and Ty Lee gave their final instructions to the Fire Nation officers who would maintain control of the vast city. Their orders were clear: peace was to remain, discipline must be maintained. Yet even as they departed, the world was already holding its breath. For though the Fire Nation had conquered the Earth Kingdom, whispers swept across towns and villages alike, if the Avatar triumphed, the Fire Nation's armies would retreat, and the Earth Kingdom would rise free once more.
Everywhere, talk of the impending battle stirred excitement, fear, and hope in equal measure. Across oceans and deserts, from the ice cold halls of the Northern Water Tribe chief to the noble courts scattered throughout the Earth Kingdom, the duel became the sole subject of conversation. Even the Fire Nation's admirals and generals could not disguise their curiosity. People from every walk of life, nobles, soldiers, farmers, merchants and others set their journeys toward the Wulong Forest, where destiny itself seemed to be waiting.
The news had even reached Kyoshi Island. Many of the Kyoshi Warriors, sworn defenders of their home, laid aside their duties, seized by the need to witness the clash between the Avatar and the strongest firebender to ever live. Ships departed their shores, carrying them to a battlefield where history will be written.
Far from the gathering storm, in Shu Jing town, a different meeting was taking place. Shu Jing lay upon a small island to the east of the Fire Nation, closest to the Wulong Forest across the sea. The town had long served as a hub for naval supplies, a place where warships resupplied before venturing toward the Earth Kingdom. It was also home to the renowned swordmaster Piandao, a member of the White Lotus, who got defeated and turned into a jade at the hands of Tai Lung.
Here, in a modest inn tucked in the town houses, Azula and Ty Lee arrived to join Mai, Tai Lung, Admiral Lung, and the rest of Tai Lung's crew.
When Azula entered, her golden eyes settled first upon Mai.
"So Mai, how was your trip around the Earth Kingdom?" she asked.
Mai, sitting idly on a wooden chair, exhaled. "Boring," she replied with her usual flatness. "The only thing I did was spread the news and try to encourage people to come witness it."
Ty Lee clasped her hands together brightly. "I hope you gave them a smile while inviting them!"
Mai turned her blank stare toward Ty Lee, unblinking and unamused.
A faint silence followed. Then Ty Lee laughed weakly, fiddling with her braid. "Yes, that was… stupid of me to say. You'd never do that."
Amidst their exchange, Admiral Lung sat listening, his face breaking into a smile. He focused on Azula and spoke. "I am most impressed by you, Fire Lord. Tai Lung told me of his intent to end the era of the Avatar, and how you planned and orchestrated the rest."
Azula's lips curved into a sharp smile. "I did nothing impressive. I merely agree with Tai Lung's goal. But for his victory to mean anything, the world must see it, see the Avatar, at the height of his power, fall. The Avatar should have mastered all four elements by now, and if enough bear witness, none will be able to deny the truth of the new order."
Admiral Lung's expression darkened with thought. "I hope everything unfolds as the two of you planned. Tai Lung will face the Avatar at his supposed peak, this time he will be truly fighting the master of the Four Elements and the maintainer of world balance."
"Tai Lung is confident," Azula replied without hesitation. "And so must we be. All that remains is to bear witness to the birth of the new order."
Ty Lee, a little restless, piped up while glancing around. "So… where is Tai Lung? I haven't seen him since we arrived."
Admiral Lung chuckled, the sound low and tinged with disbelief. "He is writing scrolls to send to his spirit friend."
"To Wan Shi Dong? I thought he would wait on that till after the duel" Ty Lee said with surprise.
The Admiral replied with a wry smile "That is what surprises you? For me, I still find it difficult to believe that my son ventured into the Spirit World and befriended an ancient, powerful spirit there. But… it seems the impossible is no longer impossible, not where Tai Lung is concerned."
Ty Lee laughed at that while Azula and Mai just smiled amused.
——————
While Tai Lung's side sat in relative calm, Aang could not rest. The more he and his friends mulled over the enemy's intentions, the grimmer he grew. Tai Lung's goal weighed heavily on his shoulders, every hour sharpening the dreadful truth: this was not merely a battle to decide the fate of nations, but one to decide the nature of the world. Aang threw himself into his training with a fervour his companions had never seen before. His bending mastery of all four elements had been pushed to new heights, and yet his heart still pounded with unease.
It was on the very day Azula and Ty Lee departed from Ba Sing Se that something most unexpected occurred.
Aang was mid training session, sweat dripping from his brow as he bent a spiralling column of air around him, when a voice rang across the courtyard, cheerful, old, and he knew very well.
"I am glad to see you are well… and training hard."
Aang froze. His hands faltered, the wind dissolved, and he spun toward the sound. Standing there, a crooked grin plastered across his wrinkled face, was King Bumi. And behind him stood the members of the White Lotus.
Aang's eyes widened. His chest lurched. With a cry he darted forward, flinging his arms around Bumi. "You're okay!"
Bumi laughed, patting Aang's back with unexpected gentleness. "Yes, yes, I'm perfectly fine. Tai Lung didn't harm us at all. To be honest, I don't even know how we arrived in Ba Sing Se. That fiery princess, or fire lord now, didn't explain it, only told us that we were free to go and that we should come watch your fight against Tai Lung soon."
The others came running.
"Master Pakku!" Katara exclaimed, her voice breaking with relief. "You're free!"
Iroh spread his arms warmly. "I am glad to see you are safe, my friends."
Bumi's crooked grin widened as he peered around at their bewildered faces. "So, what did we miss?"
Sokka stepped forward, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. "Don't you remember anything?"
Bumi's smile faltered, and he rubbed his chin. "The last thing we recall, Tai Lung attacked us. Chi-blocked us, one after another… then a green glow surrounded us. We've been asleep since then."
A silence fell over the group. Even the air seemed to still. At last Sokka muttered, "You'll find it hard to believe what he did to you."
And so, they told it all, what they were trained into, the invasion, Tai Lung's unfathomable plans and the weight of the duel that loomed ahead. When the tale was finished, Bumi and the other members of the White Lotus stood grave and pale, their usual composure and warmth replaced by heavy silence.
Bumi bowed his head. His voice came low and weak. "I never thought such a thing was possible… I am sorry, Aang. I insisted on trying to ambush him. Not only did it fail, but it made everything worse for you and for the world."
His eyes slid to Iroh, filled with regret. "You were right. We shouldn't have antagonized him. De-escalation and calling for peace… that was our best chance."
Iroh sighed, his face shadowed with sorrow. "What's done is done. And truth be told… after learning Tai Lung planned this duel with Aang all along, I fear peace was never an option."
Bumi turned back to Aang. His old eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, now shone with rare earnestness. "You are up against a difficult opponent, Aang. But I know you will triumph. You are the Avatar. With all four elements at your command, no matter how strong Tai Lung is, you are still the strongest."
Aang straightened, his hands trembling slightly, but his eyes determined. "I will not let him win," he said. "No matter the cost."
Bumi smiled his crooked smile again. "Then we, the White Lotus, shall bear witness to your victory. But we should be on our way, after all, not everyone has a flying bison at their disposal."
There was laughter at that, short, faint, but genuine.
"Iroh, you are coming with us?" Pakku asked.
Iroh nodded and said "yes, I have nothing else to teach the Avatar"
Aang spoke up "Thanks for all the help"
Iroh smiled "It was my duty and I enjoyed teaching you, I am looking forward to your victory"
Aang stood watching as Bumi, Iroh and the others departed. Aang drew in a slow breath. Their arrival, their faith in him, had renewed him, steeled his conventions. The fear still lingered, yes, but so did determination.
The world was waiting. And Aang could not, would not, let it down. He is going to defeat Tai Lung and bring true peace at last.