Ten Years of Difference

Chapter Ten

Zuko had feared the contraption – a mesh of machinery, including a sort of boiler, wheels and a large furnace – since he'd first laid eyes on it. Theo had been adamant that using it would allow the ship to reach speeds sufficient to discourage any pursuit.

Looking at it, the former prince had only been convinced that reckless usage would simply blow the ship up. Because of that certainty – which, given some of Theo's inventions, had some truth to it – he had elected not to use it unless it was an emergency.

"According to the mechanic who installed this," Jee was saying, "If we pour in enough coal, it will boil the water contained in the boiler and allow a stream of steam to gush into the water, pushing it forward at a formidable pace."

"You don't sound too thrilled at the prospect." Zuko mused with a slight grin. Jee shifted uncomfortably at this.

"I have to admit… it's a daunting little thing, this invention." The grey-haired man sighed, "But we don't have much choice, do we?"

The scarred young man shook his head, and turned to look at the two women with him. Katara had asked to help, and that was fine by him. However, he'd been resistant when Toph had said she'd help as well. It had angered the young woman.

"I'm not some pretty, fancy-pants noblewoman, Flame Brains!" she'd said with heat, her eyes glaring straight ahead of her. "Don't you dare ever insult me again like that! I'm helping1 And if you don't like it, deal with it!"

He'd ended the conversation at that. Stuck with the two women, his mind had eventually concocted something to better their chances of escaping their enemies. It was a bit insane, but he couldn't find anything else.

"We'll work this contraption once we've started it up." he told them. He first pointed to himself. "I'm a Firebender. I can control how much heat is given. Heat is energy, so it should provide for a stronger push." He then shifted his attention to Toph.

"The coal, right?" The woman grunted before he could speak. "I'll bend it into that thing steadily. Easy thing. Can do it for hours." She shrugged. Had she not trembled slightly, one would have thought she was fully back to what she once was.

"Then what do I do?" the Water Tribeswoman asked, a bit irritated at all this. She seemed to hate the contraption even more than Zuko himself did. "I am Waterbender. I'm not much use in steel and fire."

"Yes, you are." Jee interjected suddenly. "Actually, I think you could really be useful!" Everyone looked at him, blinking, but then the young royal nodded.

"He's right. I'll provide energy. Toph'll provide a steady feed. You… you'll cool the whole thing so it doesn't blow up in our faces."

The young, brown-skinned woman looked at the blind, pale-skinned one a moment, and something seemed to pass between them. Zuko felt that he was being put out of the loop, which was a strange feeling.

"He's insane. You're right." Katara mused.

"You bet. But he's not COMPLETELY stupid." Toph deadpanned. At that moment, Zuko would have cheerfully thrown them both off the ship in a childish impulse. Fortunately, the needs of the present stopped him, so he simply gave a huff.

He didn't wish to argue further, at any rate. He gave a nod to Jee, who bowed slightly and moved towards the doorway, heading for the main bridge. Very soon, they would either escape or would have to fight many enemies. The young man was ready for both.

He gestured to the men to open the furnace, and Toph, touching the coal, began to Earthbend. Carefully, she manipulated it towards entrance, as Zuko began to Firebend, starting it faster than it ever could have.

Once started, the process went smoothly, with Toph steadily sending a stream of coal in, and Zuko using the heat of it to generate greater heat. After a moment, the boilers began to hiss and sputter.

As they began to protest, they were suddenly covered by water, which turned to frost. Although it melted almost immediately, Zuko saw that Katara was doing her best to maintain the cold. The metal would be a wreck by the end, but whatever blast the contraption would give, it would be a big one.

"This… is getting… boring." Toph said. He saw that she was unsteady, and made a tentative step towards her. She must have felt him, however, because she straightened immediately, giving a scathing look in his general direction. "What're you doing? Keep doing your stuff, idiot, and I'll keep doing mine!"

"What do we do?" Katara said, her voice rising as the sounds from the machine increased. "How do we release it?"

"There's a lever. I'll pull it when it feels right!" he answered. He eyed the machine. Theo, that thing better not blow up on me, or I'll haunt you and your crazy father forever! Still, he kept pouring fire in. Despite Katara's best efforts, the metal was beginning to glow an ugly red.

"Can't hold it!" Katara growled fiercely, sweat glistening down her face. "Its too much!"

"We're done!" Toph said at the same time. "That thing can't take much more! Is it enough?!" They were shouting over the din, now.

Zuko looked at the lever. Theo would be rolling around his wheeled chair in glee to do it, but the scarred man had no such desire. He gave a small prayer to the spirits, especially to his uncle's, for protection.

"Look's like we'll know! Hold on to something!" he shouted, and pulled the lever.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the entire contraption seemed to shiver. Wheels and gears turned, faster and faster, in a maddening rhythm, and the noise went so loud that they all covered the ears as best they could. Still, nothing happened. There was no movement.

"Damn you, Theo! This better work, or I'll…" Zuko began to shout to the eccentric mechanic – who wasn't present to hear of it, of course – when suddenly, there was great, loud hiss.

And all three were driven to the ground by the force behind the surge. Zuko found himself flat on his back, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

"Guess… it works!" was all he found to say.


Being in the air had always been Aang's bliss. Ever since Appa had been large enough to carry him, he'd taken the habit of flying whenever he could, often bothering his teachers with his antics.

It had, of course, only gotten worse as he'd grown up, his spectacular mastery of Airbending allowing him to quickly master the glider, and eventually leading him to invent the Air Ball, on which one could ride. All things to do with Air. All about flying, hovering, being IN the air.

He had never thought he'd be using his talents for war. Even when he had learned of his fate as the Avatar, the idea hadn't crossed his mind. He had been bothered by responsibility, but hadn't actually detailed what they implied in his mind.

He knew it now. And what frightened him most was that, although it disgusted him, he also found himself readily accepting it. As Appa circled around the three Fire Nation ships, he forced the winds to rebel, affecting the sea, and slowly but surely creating a small tempest. So annoying had he been, that the ships had stopped and targeted him.

Good. That's what I want. Target me, for all the good it'll do. The young Avatar thought more fiercely than he had thought himself capable of thinking only days ago. He'd learned the limits and patterns of the Fire Nation ships and their Firebenders, always staying just ahead of them.

Deep down, of course, he knew the reasons which made him fierce and cold. He had seen the crushed homes of his people, the place where they had died fighting, defending their homes. Although he felt no particular hatred for the Fire Nation itself, its soldiers were another thing entirely.

And then there were the people he was with at the moment. Zuko, with his scarred face and gloomy attitude. Katara, warm, protective and clinging to hope. They and the people on the ship had helped him, had comforted him when he'd briefly lost hope.

It was a good feeling. He'd shared it with Gyatso and the students of the Air Temple. He had lost that forever, now. But there's no way, NO WAY, I'm losing it again! I won't fail to protect those important to me ever again!

Still, it was easier said than done. Appa was beginning to tire, and the strain of Airbending was beginning to take its toll on the young monk's body. Airbending could only do so much by itself.

Isn't that what Roku meant? I mean, if I could Waterbend, Earthbend and… and Firebend, I could do so much more. Instead of stalling the ships, he was sure, he could have created a storm of steam, a lacerating elemental cyclone.

He felt a bit of satisfaction at the thought. It was what they deserved, after all. Those people had begun the war, Zuko had said, so it was up to the Avatar to crush them and restore balance. With more power, he was sure to succeed.

And then Gyatso's disapproving face flashed in Aang's mind, and the boy recoiled in horror. Spirits…spirits… what was I thinking?! I can't be like that! I'll never be like that! He chastised himself firmly. If nothing else, Aang intended to maintain his own integrity.

He was tired, he realized. His thoughts were muddy, and his irritation was starting to gain him over. There was no way he could go on. With a sigh, he gently tapped Appa's side. The bison grunted in a bestial question mark.

"Let's go, buddy." He said, "We've done all we can. Let's see how the others are doing."

Appa answered in a relieved grunt, and began to fly away from the enemy, towards the ship that the both of them had pretty much adopted as their home lately. The boy looked back at the ship. The wind had abated already, the sea calmed. They were already giving pursuit.

Not enough. Not enough to make a real difference. I need to learn the other Bending styles as quickly as I can. He decided. And then I'll… I'll do something. I need to stop all this from happening! If nothing else, I'll do that at least!

He searched for the ship, and was surprised when he didn't see it immediately. He blinked a few times in wonder, and urged the air Bison to get farther from the ships. Appa could fly much faster than any ship, so he surmised he'd see them eventually.

Sure enough, he did, but it wasn't anything he'd expected. After sighting it, he actually rubbed his eyes in dazed wonderment. He was seeing a jet of… steam?… streaming out of the ship, and the ship itself was going at speeds that Appa would have a hard time keeping up with.

Zuko told me he'd do something to pick up speed, but… this is crazy! The ship'll blow up! There was no way the enemy ship would ever catch them, however, since these were already far behind Aang. They certainly had no hope of seeing their prey now.

Although he didn't like it, the young monk urged Appa faster, and the bison answered with a somewhat annoyed affirmative. At first, they seemed not to gain much ground, and his old companion grunted fiercely, seemingly taking that as a challenge to him. Appa's always been stubborn at times like these. They then started to gain ground quickly.

Too quickly. The ship's suddenly stopped streaming steam, and slowed down to nearly normal levels. Consequently, the rushing duo actually shot past, and had to swerve past. Appa gave a satisfied grunt: he'd won his self-made challenge. This, in turn, made the Avatar actually chuckle despite the bleak outlook the last days had given.

"Good work, Appa!" he said, and the Bison seemed to heartily agree. They swiftly landed on the ships's deck.

It was covered in water, and slight damage could be seen everywhere. Aang could see crewmembers picking themselves up, some limping, some nursing an arm or a leg, all wincing. To the boy's relief, everyone seemed to have survived the mad dash.

He saw Jee giving orders from farther off, setting those crewmen who still seemed alright into a flurry of activity. The ship was returning to normalcy. For some reason, this made the Avatar feel better about things. It was a strange impression, but he quickly decided not to fight it, but to accept it.

I guess this isn't the Air Temple. Nowhere's going to be like it. He thought. But, here, at least, I feel like I'm… home.

Yeah… I'm home. I guess.


Born into the luxury and wealth which had characterized the Bei Fong family for generations, Toph had actually never considered herself a prim and proper noblewoman. She actually prided herself on her ability to eschew noble privileges, and her capacity at living a rough and dangerous life. She rarely regretted her disposition.

As she held on to a pipe for dear life, however, she definitely felt that she wished she'd simply been born with sight, selfish and scared of breaking a nail, like all those other noble girls. This was the last straw.

The engine that Theo and his father had invented – this was actually cause for some concern, as the two were known for their reckless enthusiasm – had worked, after a fashion. However, she doubted that the burst of speed was supposed to flatten people on the walls. She'd heard shouts and cries of pain, and her own injuries screeched.

"Are you okay?!?" Asked the person holding on beside her. Although born blind, Toph had also been born with a very acute sense of second sight, as long as she touched the ground, like wood, earth or metal. It had been the main reason why she'd been able to refine her Earthbending to the levels she had.

Thus, although she was blind, she 'saw' Katara nearly as well as a normal person, in her own way. The Waterbender's heart was racing, but felt more excited than frightened. Of course she does. She told herself, Since when does ZUKO attract normal people?

The Prince, she felt, had actually not been quite able to hold onto something, and was pretty much flat on his back, clearly embarrassed about the whole thing. It actually almost made the Earthbending master grin.

"Yeah, of course!" she answered, as she answered any questions about her health. So I had it rough. Yeah, it was rough, but I'm okay, dammit! I'm the Blind Bandit! It takes more than a few flashy fireballs to get me down!

"Zuko!" Katara shouted. "How long is this going to last?!?"

"You're asking ME?!?" The prince shouted back.

"Who ELSE am I gonna ask?!" The young woman asked with clear irritation in her voice. Not the kind to use with Zuko. But she – like Toph herself – didn't seem to care.

"How am I supposed to know?!" came the equally irritated retort, "It's not like I can… wait! I think it's… yes, its slowing down!"

Toph could have said it before herself, as she felt it through her senses. The ship quickly slowed its maddened dash, eventually coming back to a fast, but manageable, speed. Both women let got with relief, as Zuko stood up and brushed himself. He walked towards them and looked at them awkwardly.

"Are you alright?" He asked hesitantly. Katara huffed, but nodded rather curtly. He looked back at the contraption, hissing and puffing still. "Spirits, I hope we NEVER have to use it again! How about you, Toph? Are you…"

He asked his question hesitantly, but genuinely, gently touching her arm a moment. A moment was enough. A presence which SCREAMED 'Firebender' was touching her. She recoiled from him for a brief moment.

Toph immediately regretted the move. She hadn't meant it that way, but the damage was done. Zuko snatched his hand away, and the emotions she felt from him at that moment were sadness, and a dull ache.

She wanted to go to him, to tell him something to make up for the move. But she didn't. Words wouldn't come. And a small part of her, it seemed, didn't want to apologize at all. As if she had done the right thing. Maybe it WAS rougher than I wanna admit, She told herself sombrely.

"Yeah, well…" Katara had seen the whole thing, of course, and her emotions told Toph that the other woman really wanted to be elsewhere. "Let's see how the ship held up." She proposed.

Toph felt Zuko nod quickly. Much too quickly. She knew that he was upset, even hurt, by her distance. But he'd never pry or bother her about it. It was a point of his personality she had come to genuinely like of him over the years, this respect of another's inner thoughts. Except that right now, it's just making it worse.

But she wouldn't budge, either. The years of forging her own identity, her own worth, stopped her, just as any river or ice rendered her just as blind as anyone else with that ailment. She had seen that as a point of pride. Until now.

She followed them, trying to keep herself as aloof as she always wanted people to believe her to be. However, from the way people went out of her path, it was clear the tension was showing. She noticed that people seemed to give Zuko a wide berth. Katara's feeling of unease only kept increasing.

"That was crazy! But it was pretty amazing!" a voice exclaimed, and another presence made itself felt. Its step was so light that she hadn't seen him coming. Now she saw that it was a boy, much younger than she was, and smaller than even her rather short stature. Still, there's something… strong in there. But what?

"A compliment from the Avatar himself!" Zuko stated, with a point of good humour. "I'll make sure to tell Theo right before I belt him for inventing something so insane."

Huh?!? "YOU're the AVATAR?!" Toph couldn't help but exclaim. "A little…Twinkle-Toes?" The boy never actually seemed to feel slighted, although Katara bristled.

"Yeah! I'm Aang, an Airbender! I still haven't learned the other elements but…" she felt him give a look around him. "But I think I've met the right people."

"Aang…" Katara mused.

"You're good at Waterbending, Katara. Zuko's good at Firebending, and I've seen…err…"

"Toph." Zuko supplied.

"Right! Toph was amazing in Earthbending!" his grin could be felt without sight. "So, how about it?"

As far as Toph was concerned, none of it made any sense. The Avatar? Alive after so long? Nobody believed in the Avatar, except maybe Bumi, as far as she was concerned. How was she supposed to simply take all this? NO WAY!

"No. Leave me alone." She said. And before anyone – especially Zuko – tried to stop her, she left. She'd given enough. She wanted to rest a bit. The world could wait, the Avatar could wait, it could all wait. All of it.


Sokka was feeling rather glad that he was returning home. Living on the road, with danger all around, had been almost fun a decade ago, but it had lost its lustre over the years. Not that he wasn't willing to do it when necessary. Still, he was glad.

He found it ironic that his hideout had been built within a forest – albeit one which had access to coves from which Resistance ships could safely launch or hide. It was ressembling Jet's idea, although he'd never tried to have the place built in the trees.

"Home at last, Usha." He told his somewhat-bodyguard, somewhat-protégé.

"As much as a home as we can afford to have." Came the answer. Once again, the slightly fatalistic tone reminded the boomerang-using freedom fighter of Zuko. She's really starting to fully emulate him. I don't think Zuko likes that, either.

Memories of her arrival – a young, hollow-eyed girl clinging to a mildly embarrassed former prince – surged in his mind. It was the old days of the Resistance. In those day, he remembered, Hakoda led easily, Iroh provided counsel and wisdom, and there seemed to be nothing they couldn't do together.

And, in those days, Suki and he had been more than close. They had shared their fears, their dreams, their hopes. At length, he considered her more than a lover, and more like a wife. In those days, he believed she felt the same.

Why am I bothered by her these days? He wondered, shaking his head. Grow up, Sokka. Your not the kid who went to look for his dad in a little boat! Snap out of this and look forward. Of course, it was easier said that done.

"I have a question, sir." Usha mused.

"Usha, you've known me way before I was leading anything. Stop calling me sir." He waited, and when he received no question, mentally rolled his eyes. Zuko. Too much like Zuko. "What's your question?"

He saw her lick her lips a moment, a rare sign of nervousness from the woman who'd been drilled to fighting peak by two highly-skilled men. "Why do you want to eliminate Jet's unit? Is it because you hate Jet, or because of what his group did? Why?"

Sokka continued to walk, appreciating the morning air as he considered his answer. It was the kind of question he'd half-expected for some time, and he wasn't surprised it came from her, whose mental baggage with Jet's group was understandably extensive.

"Its not because I hate Jet." He said at length. "I hate quite a few people, and some of them deserve it. Some of them don't. So I don't act purely on that." Nice words. Hopefully, they're true.

"But you're right about their actions." He continued, and this time he felt no doubt. "They've killed people, innocent and guilty, in the name of freedom. I can't stand that. Never could. I was raised by honest, good-hearted people. That kind of hypocrisy Jet shows is just the opposite of what they stood for."

He shrugged. He realized that he might not have made that much sense, and he also knew there might be another reason he'd pushed for Jet's destruction, badly enough to petition Bumi himself. But that was also as far as he could articulate it.

The young woman seemed about to speak, then stopped, even as Sokka's eyes narrowed. Her blades were out even as the man was taking out his boomerang. They'd heard noise. He realized that, this close to the hideout, it was nearly impossible for it to be an enemy. But the possibility existed, and that was more than enough.

Then he saw Usha lower her blades slightly, listening, and he strained to hear. Zuko had taught the girl how to listen to one's footsteps, and the harsh drills allowed her to know who was coming easily, if she knew them. Sokka, for his part, had never had time or ability for it.

"Its…Suki, I think." She said after a moment, and lowered her blades. Sokka's eyes widened, and he lowered his own weapon a bit.

Sure enough, Suki came into sight. Skilled as she was, the young man was certain that she could have hidden her presence better. That she hadn't done so showed that something was up. Her face, by itself, was cause for some concern.

Seeing that face brought ache to Sokka's heart. Only the memory of the younger sister he'd left behind had ever ached more fiercely. Aside from Katara and his own mother, he'd never felt that level of affection for any woman.

"Suki." He said, and found himself speechless. Words wouldn't come, no matter how hard he tried.

"S-Sokka." Suki answered, panting. It was clear, from her clothes and ragged breath, that she'd come looking for him, through the usual back roads he used and that she knew so well about. "Sokka, you have to listen to me. This is… this is big."

An angry, confused retort formed on his lips, but he found himself incapable of saying it. Damn her. All these years, all this resentment… and I still love her just as much as those first weeks, running from the Fire Nation, looking for Dad's group.

He coughed. "Okay… its big. What's going on?" he asked. "If it's about Jet…"

"It's not about Jet." She cut him off, surprising him with the vehemence when she said Jet's name. "It's about Ty Lee. She's in the camp, Sokka. As our prisoner."

"W-what?" Usha uttered. "Ty Lee, captured? Just like that? I don't believe it!"

Sokka couldn't, either. He'd known the woman a long time, had seen her fight. She was one of the most formidable martial artists he knew. To capture her… would be a major undertaking.

"I know why you'd say that, but its true." Suki answered, "And she wasn't captured. She let herself BE captured. She never resisted. Said, you needed to meet her. That it was urgent."

He was already moving by then. He'd heard enough to know that time was short. Ty Lee had been a secret source for years. For her to come out into the open, meant that events were about to become ugly.

"What does she want to talk to me about?" He asked, and Suki's answer far from surprising him, nonetheless chilled him to the bone.

"About Azula."


This wasn't exactly what Ty Lee would call having a good time. Even though she well knew that it was a necessary gesture, she wasn't the type to meekly accept being captured and locked up. Still, one did what one had to do.

She lay on the cot which had been set in the small, rocky room the Earthbenders had carved for her and thrown her in. They had bound her hands in front of her with a rocky mesh, and done the same to her feet. They seemed certain that it would hold her.

It showed that these Earthbenders were either foolish or overconfident. It was a common theme with Benders, however, thinking that those without their powers could never hurt them. In fact, Ty Lee had already devised a way to free herself.

At least, they're feeding me. Not exactly noble-level food, mind you, but it's a feed. She eyed the water and bread she'd been given. No violence, either. Guess Suki DID do something in all this.

That the Kyoshi warrior had taken her to the base – albeit bound and blindfolded – was proof that the other woman at least believed PART of what she'd said. At least, Ty Lee hadn't miscalculated on that part. Another chance taken the right way. Whew.

She'd been left alone for three days, now, except for an Earthbender delivering her meal twice per day. In her mind, she found that she'd almost preferred more violent means. Inaction was a bore, and she was one to act rashly when bored.

Damn it… Sokka, this isn't the time to fool around. She thought, I can't save these people, I don't have what I need. But maybe you can. People trust you, inside and outside the Resistance. You gotta come quickly.

As if someone had heard her, the wall opened into a door, and four strongly-built men sporting the style of Earthbenders came in. She immediately rose to a sitting position. She wasn't ready to fight, but she wasn't about to be meek, either.

"Is Sokka here?" she demanded. As expected, they didn't answer.

Instead, two of them grabbed her by the arms, and forced her hands up. Earth erupted from the ceiling and engulfed her forearms, even as the saw the other two Earthbenders work on her feet, also imprisoning them.

Professional work, but overconfident swagger, she sniggered inwardly, I could have used at least twenty ways to get free and take you out here. You're a lucky little bunch, and you don't even know it.

Her amused thoughts came to a screeching end as three people entered. Suki was one of them, and the Kyoshi warrior was still eyeing the acrobat with clear distrust. The other was a black-haired woman whose traits spoke of both Fire and Earth parentage, dressed in deep red and black. That woman – younger than Suki by several years – was looking at Ty lee with distrust, but also confusion and a certain longing.

None of that mattered at the moment. At that moment, the tired woman gave a radiant grin at the man standing in the doorway. Although handsome in his own way, her elation had nothing to do with anything physical. It felt more like a prayer being answered.

"'Bout time. I was getting tired waiting for you to show up." She nearly laughed as the Earthbenders seemed to bristle. "Long time, no see, Sokka."

The man she had once known as an enemy, and that she knew now in a different way, seemed changed from what she remembered. Years of leading had taken its toll. Although she still saw hope in the man's eyes, it seemed to be dampened by something bleak, grim.

The face of a leader with a conscience, she reflected, something Azula could never, ever be.

Her first encounter with the then-naïve, excited youth didn't quite prepare her for his calm presence. He took note of her with a nod, and then motioned to the Earthbenders standing by, his face remaining as still as stone.

"Thank you. Leave me alone with her for a moment." He ordered. The men seemed ready to protest. The two woman stared at Sokka like he was insane, even as he came forward. They never had the chance to say anything before he spoke again, in a tone which allowed no challenge. "This isn't a whim, I assure you. She's not insane. Leave me."

They did. Reluctantly, grudgingly. They gave ground, she saw, out of respect, not fear. Also very different from Azula. Much harder to attain. Zuko was like that too, respect rather than fear, for the little while it lasted.

The only one who hesitated still was Suki. The man gave her a look, and her shoulders sagged a bit. Nodding, she left, and the doorway disappeared, leaving only the cell's lamp illuminating the space. It was only at that moment that he sighed.

"They really respect you." She noted.

"Can't say why, really. I'm not that great at it. I guess they see me as Hakoda's shadow, what remains of his will." He shook his head with a half-grin. "Its been a long time, Ty Lee, just like you said."

Ty Lee gave a smile, forgetting her posture and the nature of her captivity a moment, and she found herself wanting to be beside this man. Then the moment passed, and she remembered why she was here. Duty first, me? Who'd have thought it?!?

"I'd love to chat, but I've got to tell you things. About the city, and about me. Azula's up to no good."

"Yeah, I've heard a bit from Suki. Azula's always up to no good. I guess its just…bigger, this time." The young man noted, "So, what's she planning?"

She grimaced. He knew, but he didn't know enough. His tone didn't have the urgency of someone who knew the damage, the horror, the ruthless princess intended to visit upon the people of the defeated Earth Kingdom.

"Sokka, listen to me, it's larger than anything you've had to deal with before. Heck, I can barely deal with the thought, myself! But you gotta do… I don't know…something!"

"NOW, you're scaring me. What is it?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"Ba Sing Se, Sokka. Azula's tired of dealing with it. She's going to lash out against it. Badly. And knowing her, its going to be ordered, efficient and deadly."