The grenade clicked a few times and then made a soft popping noise. Then Azula was enveloped in a familiar green smoke that lingered only briefly before the wind scattered it over the sea.
All conflicted expression was gone once more from the woman's face. She simply stood, calmly and natural.
"Are you still in there, Azula?" Sokka remained a safe distance until he was sure no more gas remained.
"Yes, Mighty Sokka." It was almost unnerving how claim she was. Calm Azula tended to be very dangerous.
"And do you still want to kill me?"
"Yes, very badly. I can't stand this. It's humiliating."
Sokka pondered his position for a minute. He had one of the most dangerous women in the world, a mass-murdering monster, and a Fire Nation total at that, in the palm of his hand. He didn't relish the idea of destroying a person's mind, but he knew deep down that it would be better for everyone if Azula were less... Azula.
"You said you enjoyed feeling small and ****. Where did that come from? Are you secretly submissive?"
"No. I've never relished being **** to submit. I hate it."
"Then why did you say it?
"In the moment, it was true, Mighty Sokka. I admire you. On some level, I always have. You have never had any bending yet you are the truest warrior I've ever encountered. To be brought low by you..." She shuddered slightly, despite the potent grip of the ****. "It's exciting."
"I see. So it's just... me."
"Yes. I don't think I would respond the same towards anyone else."
Sokka recalled all their previous encounters. He and his friends had fought her several times. She was always a terrifying combatant, but he had to admit from a certain angle it did seem she gave him an odd sort of preferential treatment. He'd always assumed it was just her dismissing him as a threat.
"You've done some terrible things to me and my friends."
"I regret nothing. I couldn't admire you if you'd falter in the face of something so trivial."
"You're a monster."
"Yes." She said flatly.
"Do you even want to be a good girl?" He'd meant to say 'good person,' but seeing Azula so helplessly pliable was arousing something in him, as well as some residual anger towards her.
"Yes. I seem to always get it wrong. The monster is what everyone expects, so it's just easier to lean into it. I also tend to enjoy it."
Sokka reached a decision. For the good of the world, and as a matter of personal payback, he was going to obliterate the person known as Azula.
"I will fix you. You will be a good girl when I'm done with you."
"I'm glad it's you doing it. But I will still try to kill you if I can."
Sokka shook his head. "I know, you crazy bitch. I know."
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