The days stretched on longer than he'd ever known before, something he hadn't even thought possible.

Azula's visit had stirred the demons in his mind into a frenzy - how dare she stand before him and ask for his allegiance, the woman who had slain his friends and family? It sickened him to his very core that she would think he'd ever even contemplate the idea.

And yet, a dark voice whispered cruelly, what choice do you have? There is nothing left to fight for. Only ghosts and memories.

No matter how he tried, he couldn't drown out that tiny murmur, the constant urge to submit. It sank into his brain like a worm in an apple, chewing until there was nothing left.

He was so tired, his body ached like a wrinkled old man's, the pain not just in his flesh but deep in his spirit. Would it be so bad to give in, just for a moment?

To catch a glimpse of the moonlight he would sell his own soul.

He couldn't tell how long it had been since she had left him here to the tender mercies of his own guilt and doubt, but he knew it wouldn't be long until she reappeared. And then she would demand an answer.

He swallowed, his belly tight with hunger and anxiety, and nervously paced along the edges of his cell. Would he lick at her boots like a lapdog, or be cut down like the rest of his family?

Either way, his choice would damn him.

Her gaze was sharper than any blade, piercing through the hearts of men like a harpoon into the hide of a sharkwhale.

The assembled advisers nervously shifted in place, none of them eager to be the recipient of their Lord's ire. More than one man had met his end through her lightning.

"I wonder, Commander, if you can explain to me why I'm receiving reports of increased bandit activity in the Hana province."

Commander Geraku winced ever so slightly, a bead of sweat beginning to roll down the back of his neck.

"M-my Lord, it seems that another raiding party has crossed through the wastelands and is trying to disrupt our reign."

Her eyes narrowed into thin slits, the blue flames surrounding her throne flaring with her anger.

"Do you think me such a fool that I cannot tell the exceedingly obvious?" She hissed.

The other men began to inch their chairs away as subtly as they could.

"N-no, Your Highness, I merely-" Geraku whimpered.

"Silence. Your thoughts are worthless, I have no need for them. It matters little who these filthy peasants are, or what they want. I charged you with quelling dissent, and yet you have let more of these insects into our lands. I am starting to think that a replacement is in order," she declared.

Geraku's eyes widened in fear and horror.

"No, please, I beg of you," he grovelled before her. "I am sure I can exterminate these brigands, if given one more chance. I just need a little more time."

Azula gazed down at him with pure disdain, her lip curled in disgust.

"I'm afraid not, Geraku. You have proven yourself unworthy of your station. Fortunately, I already have a successor in mind."

At her command, two halberd-wielding guards stepped forward, grasping the still-protesting former Commander under the arms and dragging him away as he pleaded for mercy.

The aftermath was still for a moment, Azula's advisers hardly daring to breath lest they be next.

The Fire Lord closed her eyes for just a second, irritation at her subject's weakness and failure building within her before she quashed it, turning her gaze onto the pile of documents sat on the long table.

For a moment she regarded them, before standing up abruptly, the flames beside her extinguishing into smoke.

"You are dismissed," she declared, sweeping from the room as they bowed in respect.

It was time to see whether or not she had gained a new commander.

His fingers tapped against the wall, the sound of keratin on steel helping to focus his mind and keep the past at bay.

What if she had forgotten again? Or perhaps she hadn't and was simply content to let him rot in here forevermore. Maybe the food would stop coming, and he would simply starve.

A million nightmarish scenarios rang through his brain, each more terrifying than the last. The visions of burning flames were the worst - was that how his friends had gone, scorched into ash and blackened bones?

If she chose to end him like that, he wondered if he would even have time to scream.

Though he was deeply caught in his bloodstained imagination, the sound of footsteps still managed to filter into his brain. It only heightened his terror.

The lock on the door clicked, the heavy mechanism needing a moment to open, before it swung forward, revealing his jailer.

He could see now the resemblance to the girl he had once known, the predatory stance and gleaming golden eyes. Her hair was longer than he'd ever seen it, though still immaculately kept.

Most of all, he recalled her smirk - white teeth constantly glinting with smug satisfaction. But now her face was light and uncaring, as though this was simply part of a routine she was well-versed in.

She stared back at him, completely at ease with herself, knowing that he was no threat to her.

Once, her casual indifference would have enraged him. Though he had never been as strong as the other members of their group, he had always sought to be seen as an equal somehow, fighting tooth and nail against all the odds.

Now, he couldn't muster the energy to care - she was right to be so disarmed. Even at his peak, he could never hold a candle to her power. Years of confinement had only weakened him further.

After a moment of mutual regard, Azula raised a eyebrow.

"I trust you have given my words due consideration," she said.

Sokka blinked, his eyes turning away from her dragon's gaze.

"I have," he admitted softly.

Her ruby lips pursed at his limited answer.

"And what is your choice?" She demanded when he declined to continue.

Sokka sighed, running a hand over his face. He could feel every bone in his palm. For a moment he ignored her, his mind moving faster than it had done in years.

And then he stood up, staring into her eyes with defiance.

"I am the last Water Tribesman alive, aren't I?" He asked.

Her brow tightened a fraction in confusion.

"The rest of your kin were destroyed to ensure that no more Avatars would be born," she explained.

He nodded, having expected nothing else.

"Destruction. It's all you Fire Nation are good for," he said, turning away from her. "The Air Nomads were no threat, but you destroyed them. The Water Tribes were no threat, but you destroyed us. I can only imagine the fate that befell the Earth Kingdom."

He could imagine it quite vividly too, and often had.

"So you will not join us," Azula said, her voice hardened.

A weary shudder ran through his body.

"My ancestors would spit on me if I turned to my people's enemy," he said softly.

If it were Katara here instead of him, she would have fought to her last breath the moment the door had opened. Though he had long derided her and her bending, she had always been stronger than him.

He turned back to Azula, a black pit of despair in his heart. He thought of Yue and her sacrifice, her shining face as she gave her own life for her people.

"Mother, Father, Katara, forgive me," his words were barely audible even to himself.

"I will serve you," he said, hating himself for his cowardice.

A twisted grin emerged from her lips, and the glimmer of victory in her eyes was too much for Sokka to bear.

"Congratulations, Commander Sokka. You will be equipped to start subduing our enemies very soon. For now, I will find you more suitable accommodations, as befitting your new position. In the meantime, I would advise that you stay here."

She swept away, her long red cloak dragging behind her. He watched her go, feeling his heart tear itself apart.

There was no turning back now, he knew. He would be forever cursed by the souls of his forefathers for his betrayal. He had doomed himself for all eternity.

A sob burst free from his throat as he sat in the darkness a broken traitor.