Tai's life continued as it had always been calm, focused, and solitary. School filled his mornings, training consumed his afternoons, and when the sun dipped below the horizon, he read and studied firebending scrolls. The only foreign element in his otherwise disciplined life was the occasional presence of Prince Zuko. The young prince would visit from time to time to train with Tai Lung. Though Tai Lung found Zuko's presence somewhat annoying, he tolerated it. There was something respectable about the prince's effort. Tai Lung could see it clearly, Zuko was trying, with all his might, to match him.
Whenever Zuko came by, his mother, Ursa, often accompanied him. She would stay with Tai Lung's mother, and over time, the two women became friends and began confiding in each other some of their worries. Despite the growing bond between their mothers, Zuko's many invitations for Tai Lung to visit the royal palace were all politely declined. Not once did Tai Lung accept.
Like this, two years passed in a blink.
The steady rhythm of life shattered with a thunderous declaration: the Crown Prince was planning an assault on Ba Sing Se, the Earth Kingdom's greatest city. The impenetrable stronghold. Among those who would accompany the Crown Prince on this historic campaign was Tai Lung's father, Admiral Lung, along with other seasoned generals and admirals.
The day of departure arrived. Families gathered near the docks, their faces tense with silent prayers and tight embraces. This time was different, this wasn't a small deployment or a minor skirmish. This was a siege. A full-scale assault against the Earth Kingdom's mightiest force.
Tai Lung stood quietly on the deck of the commanding ship. From his spot, he watched his mother embrace his father, her eyes shut tightly, her lips whispering a desperate prayer for his victory and safe return. When they pulled apart, Admiral Lung turned to his son.
"Don't slack off while I'm away."
"That should be the last of your concern," Tai Lung replied firmly. "I pray for your victory, Father."
A moment later, the Crown Prince Iroh boarded the ship with his son, both dressed in the uniform of the Fire Nation's military. Iroh approached Admiral Lung, his tone direct but cordial. "Admiral Lung, we should prepare to leave."
The admiral gave a respectful nod. "Of course, Crown Prince."
Before departing, Iroh turned to Tai Lun. "I thank you for being a friend to Prince Zuko. I hope you will continue to be one."
Tai Lung gave a slight nod, then paused for a moment. His eyes locked with Iroh's. "Crown Prince Iroh… would it be fine if I made a request before you leave?"
The sudden words drew the attention of everyone nearby. Mothers, officers, even soldiers turned their heads in curiosity.
Iroh tilted his head slightly. "Let me hear it."
"I want to see how to bend lightning," Tai Lung said.
Admiral Lung frowned deeply. "Tai Lung , it is not appropriate to make such a request."
But Iroh raised a hand gently. "It is fine. It's the curiosity of a child and a simple request."
With measured steps, Iroh walked toward the edge of the ship. He exhaled calmly, closing his eyes. Slowly, with fluid grace, he began the motions drawing in the energy, channeling it through his body. A sharp crackle split the air, and a bolt of lightning burst from his fingertips into the open sea, dazzling all who watched.
Tai didn't blink. His eyes followed every movement with undivided focus.
Iroh turned to him, his expression solemn. "This is a very dangerous skill, for both the bender and the target. Without proper guidance or sufficient talent, attempting it can harm the one who uses it. And if it lands, the target will be gravely injured. I showed it to you so you understand, not just how it is done, but how dangerous it truly is."
Tai gave a respectful bow. "Thank you, Crown Prince, for indulging my request."
___________
The night sky above the Fire Nation was full with faint starlight as Tai Lung slipped silently into the courtyard. Everyone in the house had gone to sleep, but sleep would not come to him. His mind was ablaze with the memory of Iroh's lightning bending, every motion, every breath, every shift in stance. He had replayed it countless times in his head, and now he moved.
His hands traced the same fluid pattern, his feet grounded in balance, his breath synchronized with his flow of chi. Slowly, carefully, he limited his chi output as he mimicked the crown prince's form. A faint crackling began in the air around him. Sparks danced between his fingertips, and then a thin arc of lightning formed and lashed up into the sky with a sharp hiss.
Tai Lung narrowed his eyes, studying the arc's behavior before it dissipated in the air. He could feel it, the energy's wild instability beneath his control. Without his precise mastery over his chi, it would have burst chaotically and injured him. Lightning was nothing like flames. It was volatile, explosive, unforgiving.
And yet… Tai Lung smiled. It was a step. A first spark on the road to mastery. In time, he would command it fully. As with all things, he would train, and in time, he would dominate even lightning.
Another year passed by in a blur. Tai Lung's routine never wavered: school, training, study, more training. Occasionally, news from the frontlines filtered through. The Crown Prince's siege had successfully severed Ba Sing Se from the rest of the world, and the campaign had lasted more than ten grueling months. The strain on the Fire Nation army was evident, but it was hoped that the Earth Kingdom forces were suffering even more.
Back in the capital, another kind of siege continued, Zuko's unwavering attempts to bring Tai Lung to the royal palace. After nearly three years of Tai Lung's persistent refusal, Zuko's mother, Ursa, took matters into her own hands. She extended a personal invitation to Tai Lung's mother and, this time, insisted she bring Tai Lung along. His mother readily agreed, delighted at the chance to visit the palace and share time with her new friend.
For the first time, Tai Lung would enter the royal palace.
In one of the palace courtyards, Zuko stood awkwardly beside his younger sister Azula and her entourage. Azula wore a mischievous grin as she stood with her arms folded.
"So," she said, "we're finally going to meet Zuzu's only friend."
Ty Lee clapped her hands lightly. "This might be fun! Someone new coming here."
"Hopefully he's not as bad as Zuzu," Azula added with a smirk.
Mai sat silently beneath the shade of a tree, legs under her, listening to her friends.
Zuko's eyes narrowed at his sister. "Don't bad-mouth my friend."
Azula rolled her eyes. "I'm comparing him to a prince. Is that bad-mouthing?"
Zuko clenched his fists. "You know what I mean. If you do that again…"
"What?" Azula cut him off mockingly. "Are you going to run to Mom?"
Before Zuko could answer, a pair of figures entered the courtyard. Their conversation stopped as Ursa stepped in, followed by Tai Lung and his mother. All eyes turned to the newcomer.
Ursa smiled gently at the children. "This is Tai Lung, Zuko's friend. Play together and be nice. Do you hear me, Azula?"
Azula blinked and returned a sugary smile. "I'm always nice to Zuzu and his friends."
Zuko rolled his eyes in exasperation, while Ursa sighed and turned to leave with Tai Lung's mother. As they walked off, Tai Lung's mother chuckled softly. "Azula seems to be as energetic as you said."
Ursa gave her a look. "Believe me, nothing I told you will be enough to describe her."
___________
Zuko waved as Tai Lung approached. "I'm glad to see you here," he said warmly. "Let me introduce you. This is my sister, Azula. That's Ty Lee" he gestured to the cheerful girl who waved energetically with a bright smile "and that over there is Mai." Mai sat under the tree silently, not even bothering to acknowledge the introduction.
Azula stepped forward, eyes scanning Tai with sharp curiosity. "So, you're Tai Lung," she said coolly. "The one who caused Father to punish Zuko so many times."
Zuko's face flushed red. "Azula!!"
Azula rolled her eyes. "Oh please, everyone knows about it." She refocused on Tai Lung, folding her arms. "I heard you're a prodigy firebender and the best in the Royal Academy, seeing you now, at least you don't look timid like my dear brother. But are you really his age?"
Tai Lung noticed the gleam of competition in her eyes along with desdain, but he didn't rise to it. "Okay," he said flatly, then turned to Zuko. "Where can we train?"
Azula frowned, clearly not used to being dismissed. "That's all you have to say?" she asked.
Tai Lung looked at her calmly. "Yes, I'd rather just spend my time training."
Zuko grinned at the exchange, pleased with how dismissive Tai Lung was of his sister. "Come, I will show you the training grounds," he said eagerly, leading Tai Lung away.
Behind them, Azula narrowed her eyes, irritation bubbling in her chest. Then, suddenly, a smile curled her lips. With no warning, she charged forward, thrusting her hand out and launching a fireball straight at Tai Lung's back.
Tai Lung heard it coming. In one fluid motion, he spun around, waved his hand, and dissipated the flame in the air. Before Azula could react, he stepped in, grabbed her by the neck, and brought her down to the ground with a swift, controlled movement.
The courtyard went still, Zuko and the girls stared surprised at the turn of events.
Azula groaned softly under the pressure before Tai Lung let go of her and stood. "I would expect a princess to have propriety," he said calmly, then turned his back to her and walked away.
[It seems Zuko is the decent one in the family, the sister is acting like a one month old bull despite her old age.] Tai Lung thought to himself silently.
Zuko burst out laughing, delighted. "Come on," he said, leading Tai Lung to the training area with renewed enthusiasm.
Azula slowly stood, rage simmering in her eyes. Ty Lee, eyes wide, said in awe, "That's the first time I've seen someone beat you."
Azula turned to her, and Ty Lee immediately went silent, taking a cautious step back.
Azula looked toward Tai Lung's retreating form. [I will definitely beat him for today] she thought, fire dancing in her angry eyes.