After the surrender of Omashu, Princess Azula visited the circus, searching for her childhood friend Ty Lee, who had been employed there as a tightrope walker. After Ty Lee declined Azula's invitation to join her mission to capture Zuko and Iroh, the princess asked to see one of her performances. The circus hosted a private show in her honor, featuring an acrobatic performance by Ty Lee, who walked the tightrope while, under Azula's orders, the net was set aflame and the circus' entire menagerie ran loose. After this terrifying experience, Ty Lee decided to resign from the circus and join Azula on her quest.