With the end of the siege, it was expected that Admiral Lung would finally return home. But he didn't. Instead, a surprising order was issued by the new Fire Lord Ozai, the admiral was to lead a campaign in the northern seas, hunting down pirates and Water Tribe barbarians. Many were stunned. Such a mission didn't require an admiral, any competent commander could have handled it. Yet the order stood, and Admiral Lung remained away.
Tai Lung watched as the news reached his mother. Her ecstatic face, lit by hope, slowly crumpled as the realization sank in, her husband would not be returning for another year or two. The weight of disappointment was unbearable to witness. For all intents and purposes, Ozai's order was a punishment cloaked as duty.
In the months that followed, the once-lively group visits faded. Now only Ty Lee came, occasionally seeking Tai Lung's help with her training. At first, her visits were hesitant, awkward in their solitude. But when she saw how little Tai Lung cared about her being alone, she quickly relaxed into the routine.
One afternoon, while practicing a complex flip-kick sequence, Ty Lee paused and sat beside Tai Lung, wiping sweat from her brow. "Zuko... he's avoiding you now because the Fire Lord told him to," she admitted, frowning. "Azula told me that the fire lord considered it unbecoming of the Crown Prince to spend time with the son of a mere admiral."
Tai Lung's expression remained passive, but something shifted in his eyes.
Ty Lee pouted, arms crossed. "I think it's stupid. The Fire Lord ruined our group... our friendship... everything." Then she caught herself. "Please don't tell anyone I said that."
Tai Lung nodded slightly. Of all her words, only one truly echoed in his head: mere admiral. That people in this world could speak so casually, so dismissively, of his father, it grated on him in a way few things did.
Two years passed.
Tai Lung was now twelve years old. He stood tall and silent at the docks beside his mother, the sea breeze brushing against his face. After four long years, his father was finally coming home.
The warship docked slowly. The soldiers disembarked, and then Admiral Lung appeared. Time had weathered his face, but his posture remained firm, his eyes sharp. Tai Lung's mother teared up as she rushed forward, arms open.
"I missed you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "It's been four years…"
Tai Lung approached a step behind her. "Welcome back."
The admiral smiled tiredly, but genuine. His eyes lingered on his son, now taller, stronger, with an air of quiet command most men twice his age lacked. For a moment, the years of battle and exile-like mission melted away. He was home.
That night, the family celebrated in quiet comfort. Over a warm meal, Admiral Lung recounted tales of the siege, the endless tension, the final breach, and the heartbreak that followed. But his voice faltered when he mentioned Prince Iroh.
Shulian sighed deeply. "The loss of Lu Ten... it broke him. And then, just days later, he lost his claim to the throne."
"Where is Prince Iroh now?" Tai Lung asked.
"I don't know," his father replied, shaking his head. "He left the army on his own. He said he needed time, and no one's seen him since."
Shulian's eyes narrowed. "The moment Ozai took power, he sent me on that ridiculous mission. That wasn't a coincidence."
"Why would he do that?" she asked.
"Because I was close to Prince Iroh," he answered grimly. "All of us who stood with him, generals and admirals alike, were given missions that kept us far from the capital. He feared Iroh might come for the throne."
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed recalling the past, then shared what Zuko had once told him, the argument Ozai had with his father, the mysterious disappearance of Ursa the very night the old Fire Lord died.
Shulian's expression darkened. "Maybe... maybe he didn't want any of us around because he had done something foul."
His wife froze. "What you're saying is dangerous. It could be considered treason."
Shulian nodded. "Then let no word of this leave this room. Ozai... he's like a violent snake. He's always been that way."
__________
The next day after the academy, something unexpected happened, Zuko sought out Tai Lung for the first time in nearly two years.
The Crown Prince stood near the courtyard with a hesitant expression, his golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. He approached Tai Lung slowly and said, "I want to challenge you to a spar."
Tai Lung raised an eyebrow, noting the worried look in Zuko's eyes. Conveniently, one of the academy teachers was present nearby and overheard the request.
"If Tai Lung agrees," the teacher said aloud, "then a spar between students is permitted."
Tai Lung met Zuko's gaze for a moment longer, then nodded. "Fine."
The students quickly gathered in a circle, the teacher taking his place nearby as witness. The spar began with Zuko taking the initiative, launching a stream of flame at Tai Lung.
Without hesitation, Tai Lung answered with a flame of equal strength. The two fires collided mid-air, bursting in sparks and smoke. In the next instant, Tai Lung dashed through the dispersing fire, emerging right in front of Zuko. Before the prince could react, Tai Lung's foot swept out in a kick, followed by a punch that sent Zuko crashing onto the ground.
Tai Lung stood tall, calm, looking down at the groaning Zuko. He turned toward the teacher and said, "It is my victory."
Then, without waiting for further comment, he left the academy grounds and made his way home.
He wondered briefly what had gotten into Zuko to challenge him out of nowhere, but the thought faded quickly. Whatever it was, it didn't seem worth worrying about.
Later that evening, a group of royal guards arrived at their home. Their presence was heavy, stern.
"We are here to take Tai Lung Long into custody," the lead guard announced. "For assaulting the Crown Prince."
Admiral Lung's face darkened immediately. "What are you talking about? Tai, what happened?"
Tai Lung recounted the events exactly as they occurred. The royal guards exchanged glances and nodded.
"Yes," one of them said, "this matches the witness testimonies."
The admiral narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you here? It was a spar between students."
The guard answered, "Sir, Tai Lung used excessive force against the Crown Prince. He clearly had intention to harm the Crown Prince"
"I did not," Tai Lung said firmly. "There was a teacher there."
"The teacher confirmed that you used excessive force intentionally," the guard replied flatly.
Tai Lung's expression hardened into a frown.
Admiral Lung mirrored his son's frown, then sighed. "Go with them, Tai. I'll go to the palace and get to the bottom of this. Trust me."
At those words, Tai Lung froze for a moment. Something stirred in his memory, Shifu's betrayal, from his past life. He stared at his father, silent.
The admiral placed a firm hand on his shoulder and repeated "Trust me."
Tai Lung nodded slowly. "Very well."
He didn't resist as they shackled him, guiding him away like a common criminal. The metal was cold and hard on his wrists, but he did not care. He wanted to see where this path led.
They placed him in a dark prison cell with stone walls and a small barred window. No one spoke to him, save the guard who delivered tasteless food in silence. The meals reminded him far too much of the twenty years he spent imprisoned in his previous life.
But Tai Lung said nothing. He sat in that cell for three days. On the second day of his imprisonment, a voice in the back of his head whispered to him that he was betrayed again. On the third day, the voice began screaming at him to break free, to crush anyone who dared to try stopping him. But he resisted it and stayed put, to wait for his father, he chose to keep his trust in his father.
On the fourth day, the heavy door creaked open. His father stood there, looking worn and tired, pain etched into every line on his face.
"I'm sorry, Tai Lung," he said quietly. "This is a plot from the Fire Lord. He wants to put you on trial and punish you unjustly."
Tai Lung looked up, expression unreadable.
"This happened because of me," the admiral continued. "He wanted me gone and this is how he chose to do it."
"What do you mean?" Tai Lung asked.
"During the trial, plead guilty," his father said. "I'll step down from my position as admiral as an apology to spare you. The Fire Lord will appear merciful while I take the fall."
Tai Lung's frown deepened. "If I do this, you'll lose your rank. That's what you've worked your whole life for. You were proud of it. It is your greatest pride"
The admiral gave a small smile. "No, I'm proud of you, you are my greatest pride. And if this is the price I must pay to keep you safe, I would pay it ten times over. You are my son and I would never turn my back on you."
He lowered his head. "Remember what I said. Plead guilty and ask for forgiveness. Leave the rest to me."
With that, the admiral left.
Tai Lung sat in the silence of the cell, but his stillness was only on the surface. Inside, an old memory stirred inside him. Shifu lowering his head and turning his back, it was different circumstances, he knew it, but he couldn't help and recall the day of his rejection.
His mind shifted to the look on his father, tired, troubled and guilty. A man willing to give away what he worked on his entire life, a man willing to ruin his good name. The voice in his head came louder than ever, it asked since when did he bow his head and plead guilty? When did he bring dishonor and shame to his father out of weakness and helplessness?
A feeling he had almost forgotten after twelve years boiled in his veins, unfettered rage. He had honored his parents' wishes in this life. He had lived peacefully in this strange new world, he shackled his pride, focusing on the training and betterment of his technique, offering no challenge, causing no disturbance. He was humble in this life.
But where did all of this lead to? Do they think he was a declawed kitten? That they can control him and treat him however they pleased. He was in the right all along, to be proud is not darkness, it shows you better than others. And to be humble is to be submissive and weak.
His eyes narrowed, gleaming with restrained fury. If this world wished to treat him like that… then it would learn his name, just as the last one had.
And they would never forget it.
For he was Tai Lung, The Snow Leopard and Shifu's most destructive student.