Sokka's face grew grimmer and grimmer and grimmer as Aang explained, a horrible feeling of helpless frustration sinking into the pit of his stomach. It was like trying to figure out Azula all over again, but even worse. Because there wasn't just anger and frustration. There was helplessness, greater than anything he had felt before. His friend, his little brother, was telling him that Sokka had to let him die instead of helping him if it came down to it. He shook his head, grasping his sword. He was silent for a moment, and then spoke, quiet, almost unheard.

"If that's what you want. If that's what we have to do, then we will. But we're going to do everything we can to figure out how to get you out of there. I won't let you go without a fight, Aang. Not after everything we've been through together. You know better than to expect me to just give you up without a fight, right?" He laughed, the sound almost too loud, too grating to be real amusement.

"But...we'll do what we have to. I promise. We won't let you...we won't let you hurt anyone if that's what it comes down to."