The return of Tai Lung was met with joy. Ty Lee and his mother rushed forward the instant they saw him step inside; both wrapped him in a hug so tight that even the great warrior couldn't move.
"It's good to see you too," Tai Lung said with a faint smile, his golden eyes softening. Then, glancing past them, he turned to Azula. "Did you tell the ex-Avatar's team about their friend's return?"
Azula rolled her eyes, folding her arms "That's what you care about? Yes, I sent them a letter the moment Huli arrived with your message."
"Good," Tai Lung replied evenly. "He's been through a lot. He deserves some rest after what we put him through."
Mai tilted her head. "Did you grow a sympathetic heart along with your fur?"
Her dry comment cut the earlier joy and laughter as everyone suddenly remembered what Tai Lung had done. The memory of Tai Lung's monstrous and majestic transformation, the fangs, the golden halo, the storm of power flashed before their eyes. The laughter turned into a collective curiosity.
His father broke the silence first, his voice a mix of pride and confusion. "What was that, Tai? How did you do it? And since when can you…well transform?"
Tai Lung replied. "Remember the chakras I told you about? I transformed the first time I unlocked them."
Ty Lee had a surprised look on her face as she said. "And you didn't think of telling us?"
Tai Lung shrugged lightly. "That transformation is the peak of my strength. Honestly, I never thought I'd need to use it ever. But the Avatar proved too powerful after mastering the four elements, and I had to give it my all."
There was a quiet pause before his father chuckled, the sound rough but warm. "I thought that jade-enslaving art of yours was the craziest thing you'd ever do. Turns out, I was wrong."
Mai's voice cut through again. "Are you still considered human like the rest of us?"
Everyone turned to her. She met their looks with perfect calm, unfazed. "If the Avatar is considered half spirit and half human," she continued, "then what exactly is Tai Lung now?"
Tai Lung hummed thoughtfully. "I suppose you could call me a snow leopard in a human body."
A few curious glances passed among them, and before anyone could ask, he added, "My transformation takes the form of an animal, a snow leopard, that's what you saw that day."
For a heartbeat, silence hung again, until Azula smirked, eyes glinting. "Well, in that case, I'm officially the best firebender in the world. Tai Lung doesn't count. He just admitted it himself."
The remark broke the tension like a spell. Laughter filled the room again. Even Tai Lung's lips curved faintly.
——————
A month later, Tai Lung stood upon the newly laid stone of the Jade Palace, Ty Lee beside him, her braid stirring gently in the mountain wind.
Under King Bumi's supervision, the earthbenders had completed their task. The palace stood proudly at the peak of the mountain, its jade tiles reflecting emerald light upon the courtyard. It was magnificent. What no one knows, this was not merely a palace. It was a memory reborn. A replica of a place from another world. And Tai Lung stood silent, his mind replaying old memories.
King Bumi stood behind him, his voice booming cheerfully. "Everything down to the tiniest floor stone is built exactly according to the designs. I guarantee the professional quality of my employees."
Ty Lee tilted her head, repeating the word in mild confusion. "Employees?"
"What else should I call them?" Bumi barked with a grin. "Your lover and that Fire Boss Lady of yours turned me, an old man of one hundred and thirteen years, into a construction manager! This generation has no respect for the elderly!"
Ty Lee stifled a laugh, her hand over her mouth. "They trusted your experience. Workers these days don't build houses like they used to."
Bumi blinked at her, then let out a loud, wheezing laugh. "I like you!" he said approvingly.
Meanwhile, Tai Lung remained silent, his gaze roaming the palace walls. The high arches, the engraved pillars, the courtyards, each detail was perfect, yet not the same. It looked like his old home, but it wasn't. Something within him stirred, a quiet ache.
Bumi broke the silence again. "I just have one question. That statue in the front courtyard, what's it supposed to be? Strangest thing in the whole place, if you ask me."
Tai Lung turned and walked toward it. The statue stood tall in the courtyard, its face carved into a kind and wise smile, its hands clasped behind its back.
"This," Tai Lung said softly, "is Master Shifu. My teacher. The one who taught me the most."
He looked up at the statue, his eyes unreadable. "When I entered the Spirit World for the first time, I met him. Before leaving, I promised I would honor his teachings, even if he couldn't see me again."
Bumi nodded slowly, his usual humor dimmed. "No wonder. A statue of a spirit who taught you."
Tai Lung didn't clarify further. He simply smiled faintly at the stone face before him, the teacher and father figure who had shaped him, the past he could never return to, and the legacy he would now pass on in another world.
——————
Sometime later, Tai Lung and Ty Lee descended the mountain, their gazes sweeping over the bustling activity below. Families from the nearby settlements were already moving into the new homes, carrying baskets and crates.
"It's starting to feel alive," Ty Lee said cheerfully.
Tai Lung gave a faint nod "A new home built for everyone away from the prejudice and bad history of the settlements,"
Just then, from a nearby tent, a familiar voice called out, "Hi, Tai Lung!"
The pair turned as Aang, followed by Katara, Sokka, and Toph, approached. The last air bender waved enthusiastically, his staff slung across his back and a wide grin on his face.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Tai Lung said. "Not after not hearing from you for a month."
Aang rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, about that… I was thinking about your offer," he said, straightening with newfound resolve. "And I'd like to accept it. I want to join the Jade Palace to teach the culture and history of my people to anyone who wants to learn."
A smile curved Tai Lung's lips. "Then welcome to the Jade Palace," he said simply.
As he spoke, his gaze drifted past Aang to the others. Sokka and Katara stood stiffly, their expressions tense and guarded. He could feel their hostility.
"Azula decreed the release of all prisoners of war," Tai Lung said suddenly. "That includes the men of the Southern Water Tribe. They should have reached home by now or are very near. Your father might be among them. You should go and see for yourselves."
Both siblings froze, eyes widening in disbelief. Katara's lips parted, but no words came. Sokka recovered first, his tone defensive. "Why would we believe you?"
Tai Lung gave him an unimpressed look. "I fail to understand how you managed to evade being captured."
Sokka frowned "What is this supposed to mean?"
Tai Lung said "Riddle me this, Why would I bother to lie?"
Toph snorted. "He makes a good point and he's not lying."
Tai Lung's head tilted slightly as he regarded her with curiosity. "You must be the blind girl who can detect lies. My father mentioned you." A faint glint of amusement shone in his eyes. "What about joining the Jade Palace as well?"
Toph crossed her arms. "Nah. I'm the greatest earthbender in the world. Don't need anyone to teach me, not even you."
Tai Lung nodded, seemingly unfazed by her tone. "Fair enough."
Before anyone could speak again, a new voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Captain Tai Lung! It's been a while! How is your father?"
The group turned as a man in green robes strode confidently toward them, his smile wide, until his eyes fell on Aang. The smile vanished, replaced by a glare so fierce it could have cracked stone.
"It's you!" the man cried, pointing dramatically. "The evil Avatar who ruined my cabbages!"
Aang's face flushed. "Oh, uh… hi, Mr. Cabbage Merchant."
Sokka blinked. "Wait! you're the cabbage guy? What are you doing here?"
"What's it to you?" the man snapped, his eyes still darting between them like a hawk ready to strike. Turning to Tai Lung, he bowed slightly. "Captain, these evildoers destroyed my cabbages more than once! Please off with their heads!!"
Tai Lung didn't acknowledge the complaint. "What are you doing here, Cai?"
The man, Cai, straightened, his expression shifting from fury to pride. "I heard about this place and what you're building. So I came to open a restaurant, the Cabbage House!"
Tai Lung nodded. "You are welcome here."
Sokka gaped. "You two know each other? How?"
Tai Lung's lips curved into an amused smirk. "Mr. Cai is a valuable ally and a rare asset of the Fire Nation."
Sokka's jaw dropped. "You were a spy?!" he shouted, pointing accusingly.
"Not exactly," Tai Lung replied, his tone utterly serious. "He is the Cabbage Messenger. His love and respect for cabbages have allowed him to ascend to a unique level of spirituality, one where he can communicate with cabbages. He can hear their silent words. He is a business partner that helped us spread justice."
Cai's eyes widened "How… How do you know? Do they speak to you too?"
For a long moment, everyone just stared. Sokka's mouth hung open. Katara blinked rapidly, as if trying to wake from a dream. Toph was speechless for once.
Then Ty Lee burst into laughter, clutching her sides. "Oh spirits, Tai Lung! You told me about him before, but I thought you were joking!"
Tai Lung's expression remained perfectly calm. "Some truths are too strange to be believed," he said.