Greed – Avaritia

Azula strode through cavernous corridors and hallways of the royal palace with a triumphant smirk gracing her red lips. She had been betrayed by her friends and by her brother, the thought nearly made her smile fade away. But if she couldn't have friends to trust she would have a retainer instead. Someone that was under her absolute control and followed her orders to the letter. Yes, she could see the stricken expressions of her former friends and their new associates as Azula came to destroy them with him by her side doing her bidding! It would be magnificent!

As always Azula's thoughts drifted to the time she fought Zuzu on top of the cable car not so long ago. They cooperated so well, Zuzu and that watertribe warrior. When Zuzu defended, the warrior attacked with his black sword. A perfect dance that foiled all her attacks… The thought ought to make her angry but it didn't, it made her… covetous.

She had all the power and all the glory! Why had Mai and Ty Lee chosen her good-for-nothing brother instead of her? It was a lost cause, they had known but chosen to walk that path nevertheless. And Zuzu had been taken in by the Avatar and his retainers. Zuzu had helped the warrior to break free that ridiculous painted warrior girl, girlfriend to the watertribe warrior. The man that Azula couldn't get out of her head.

Sokka, that was his name.

Azula never said his name out loud since it always caused a shiver to run down her spine. Yes, to have him fighting by her side would be glorious!

And Agni was smiling on her because not long ago Azula had had the opportunity to take him! And take him she did. Kicking and screaming, but Sokka, warrior of the Watertribe was now in her possession!

A dark and malicious chuckle burst out of her at the thought of Sokka in her grasp! He was down in the royal prison, her torturers hard at work to make him hers.

He would never follow her out of his own free will, unfortunately. So Azula had decided to break him so thoroughly that the only thing left was what Azula allowed it to be.

She had that done to other prisoners, mostly to see how far she could go. And Sokka was strong, she could press him very, very far before risking anything valuable.

As Azula lightly stepped inside the damp corridors of the prison with its cells and prisoners she could feel her excitement rise, how she wanted to have him fighting by her side when she faced Zuzu and his wretched companions next time… It would be glorious!

Eyes shining with anticipation and excitement Azula stepped into the torture chamber, but suddenly she stopped in shock.

She had stepped into a bloodbath! Unmoving and dead bodies lay everywhere in twisted heaps. Blood was splattered over the walls and even the ceiling. It was a disaster!

Her eyes found Sokka on the other side of the room, he had managed to get free from whatever torture devise they had him strapped to and killed them all!

But not without great cost! Blood covered him and she could see several severe wounds, some of them most likely deadly. With a wordless scream Azula rushed over to him, he could not die! He was supposed to fight by her side!

"What have you done?" Azula snarled at him. She could see that he was dying but she refused to acknowledge it.

Sokka managed to open his eyes and when he saw that it was his true tormentor that knelt by his side he could not help but smile.

"I am glad…that I didn't die before I saw you, Azula." Sokka wheezed painfully. A wound in his chest bubbled as he laboured to speak.

"Why did you do this?" Azula demanded furiously of him. "You must have known that you would have died if you tried to break free?"

Suddenly Sokka's smile was mocking and his eyes full of malice or was it pity?

"I rather die as myself…than live as someone else." Sokka once more managed to say. Then he seemed to find some strength because he now spoke clearly.

"If you win or lose doesn't matter, Azula. You will be forever alone and unloved…" Sokka said sadly.

Azula recoiled as if attacked, her face pale and her eyes large in sudden dread.

"No, that is not true! I am not alone!" Azula gasped. But Sokka didn't hear her, he had died…

Azula sat staring at the dead man for a long time before rising to her feet. She turned to go but couldn't help but to glance back at the man that should have fought beside her.

Princess Azula walked out knowing in her soul that she indeed was alone and unloved…

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Author's note:

Last chapter will be Pride. You have to wait for it some more because Opposite Elements is taking up all my time at the moment.