Warning: this short story contains western influences in the form of Voodoo and Halloween. It is also slightly AU because it takes place after Zuko joins the group but before he becomes Fire Lord, because I am pretty sure trying to turn the Fire Lord into a zombie would have a serious punishment. Also this story contains romantic relationship between Sokka and Zuko because I think I may actually have a condition that prevents me fromwriting ATLA fiction without some sort of Zukka. I say that because this started out in my head with no Zukka other than friendship but apparently my fingers have minds of their own and they typed it right on in there.
You have been warned. I don't own ATLA or anything related to it.
ONLY Part 1 is mostly dialogue. The rest of the story is normal.
Part 1- Legend of the Pufferfish
"Come on, Zuko. It'll be great! You've just got to get into the spirit of the holiday!"
"I don't know. This just doesn't seem... safe."
"You'll be fine. Don't you trust me?"
"I did."
"Ugh. You're not looking at the bigger picture. If we can pull this off, it will be amazing!"
"IF. Sokka, I would give my life for you but... I'd rather not have to do it so that you can play a prank on the Avatar and your sister."
"And Toph."
Zuko's eyes widened when the other boy didn't make an attempt to convince him that his life would not, in fact, be put in danger.
"You're missing my point."
"And you're being a baby. I've planned it all out, down to the last detail. We'll have them shaking in their boots."
"Toph doesn't wear boots."
"Figure of speech!" The young warrior threw his hands up in the air to emphasize his frustration with his chosen, if unwilling, partner in crime. "Zuko, buddy, you just need to have faith in the plan."
"Isn't there some way we could do this that doesn't involve me ingesting poison and putting myself into a, possibly permanent, coma? Couldn't I just pretend to be dead?"
"No! Even if you could hold your breath for the amount of time it would take to convince everyone that you died, Toph would be able to feel your heartbeat. This is the only way to do it. The poison will numb your body and slow your heart until it's practically not beating but you'll still be alive and you'll be unconscious so it's not like you'll be in any pain."
"But..."
"I can do this, Zuko. I've read all about it and it looks pretty easy. As long as I cut the fish right and you get just the right amount of poison, theoretically you should be fine."
"Theoretically?"
Sokka laid a comforting hand on the firebender's upper arm.
"Just trust me. I'm the plan guy. When have my plans ever failed?"
The pale ex-prince just stared at the Water Tribe boy, biting his lip against the urge to answer that question.
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Zuko approached tentatively, watching the young waterbender and the Avatar practice the element with admiration. He waited patiently until the airbender noticed him, an excited grin taking over his face.
"Hey Sifu Hotman!"
Zuko ignored the moniker and addressed the girl.
"Katara? Could I talk to you for a minute?"
She looked at him suspiciously but nodded.
"Um, keep practicing Aang. I'll be right back."
She walked over to where Zuko stood, curiosity prevalent in her blue eyes. He shuffled his feet awkwardly for a second, unsure of how to broach the subject. Luckily for him she spoke first.
"Zuko? What's wrong?"
He looked her in the eye and sighed.
"I... I think your brother might be trying to kill me."
Katara snorted and immediately covered her face when an embarrassed blush crossed her cheeks.
"I'm sorry." She tried to stifle a giggle. "Are you two having relationship problems?"
It was Zuko's turn to blush, an act that was much more obvious on his pale skin.
"What? No! We are not in a... relationship!" He hung his head and ran his hands through his hair in frustration, mumbling. "I knew this was a bad idea. I should just go hide in a cave until this stupid holiday is over."
"Relax Zuko. It was a joke... You are really on edge today."
"Oh. Right."
Zuko looked up, his face stoic. The jovial expression on Katara's face fell away as she regarded her former enemy.
"You can't really believe that Sokka's trying to kill you."
"I'm not sure. I didn't think so at first but... "
"But?"
Zuko looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening, then took a deep breath and launched into the story.
"It's this ridiculous holiday."
"Halloween?"
Zuko nodded. "He wants to play a prank on your group." He hesitated, unsure of the best way to explain Sokka's plan.
"He just wants to play a prank? Don't you think you're overreacting a little bit?"
"No. It's not the prank, it's how far he wants to take it. He expects me to ingest pufferfish poison in order to make you guys think that I'm dead."
"What? That's so dangerous! How could he be so reckless?
"Because he actually wants me to die?"
"I don't believe that. You're his friend. Why would he suddenly want to kill you?"
Zuko shrugged. "That's why I came to you. I've told him that I think it's a bad idea but he refuses to let it go. He's convinced that his plan is infallible and that I won't get hurt."
"Well, did you ask him why he couldn't be the one pretending to be dead?"
"He said something about being the plan guy and that the plan won't work if the plan guy is in a coma."
Katara chewed her lip thoughtfully.
"So what's the plan? You 'die' and then what? Suddenly come back to life and pretend to be a zombie?"
"Essentially."
"Ugh. For someone so smart my brother can be the biggest idiot. "
"No arguments here."
"Well, what do you want to do about it? Do you want me to talk to him?"
"I don't really know. Do you think that will solve things?"
"I don't really know either. Are you sure you didn't do anything to make him mad?"
"Yes!" He hissed.
"Okay, okay... I don't know if just talking to him will be enough. This isn't the first time he's gotten himself into trouble because of a scam or a prank."
"At least you're not all in on it."
"Haha, what? You are way too paranoid, Zuko. You're part of the group now. We don't want you dead... anymore."
"Right..."
They both startled at the sound of shuffling feet behind them.
"Ahem. Listen Sparky, Sugarqueen, if you two really want to teach Sparky's boyfriend a lesson then I believe I can help you."
"He is not my boyfriend!"
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"I've thought it over."
"And?"
"You're sure I'm not going to die?"
"Zuko! Yes, I'm sure!"
"And this is the only way?"
"Believe me, I've looked at every other possible scenario. I don't want you to have to poison yourself but this is the only way to fool everyone. "
"Couldn't we just let Toph in on the joke?"
"No. This is our thing. You and me."
Sokka rested a hand on the firebender's shoulder, looking him the eye in an attempt to establish trust. Zuko hung his head in defeat, hiding a devious smirk.
"Then I'll do it. For you."
"I knew you'd come through, buddy. I promise you won't regret it when you see the looks on their faces."
"No," he murmured quietly, "I don't think I will."
**********************************************
"Correct me if I'm wrong but, I thought the whole point of turning the joke back on Sokka was to spare me from having to poison myself."
"You won't actually do it, Sparky. Just make it look like you are, so that he believes it and thinks that everything is going exactly to his plan. Then we'll set our plan in motion and Sokka won't know what hit him." The blind girl slammed a fist into her open palm, emphasizing her point.
"Toph... Isn't this a bit mean?" Katara's face was full of concern for her brother. "I know he can be a pain but I feel like we might be going too far."
"This is exactly what he wanted to do to us, Sugarqueen. Our plan is just better. Snoozles is gonna freak!"
"Um, what about the ava... Aang? Shouldn't we let him in on the plan?" Zuko pulled at a stray thread on the hem of his tunic.
"Hmm... We're gonna have to keep Twinkle Toes in the dark. I don't think we can trust him not to get over excited and blow the whole thing."
"I don't feel right about tricking Aang."
"I don't feel right about doing this to anybody." Zuko looked down, still uncomfortable about his place in the group.
"Don't be such wimps! It's a harmless little prank."
"Harmless to you..." Zuko muttered.
"Look, as long as everybody does their part everything will go smoothly and Sokka will learn a lesson. An awesome, scary lesson. Sparky, you just make sure that Sokka thinks you've taken the poison, Sugarqueen and I will do the rest."
"I still think we should tell Aang..." Katara fiddled with an errant piece of hair nervously.
"Ugh fine. I guess his airbending will be pretty useful when Princess over here comes back from the dead the second time... but he's your responsibility. Make sure he doesn't blow it."
"I still don't know..." Zuko hedged.
"Scared your boyfriend might break up with you for tricking him?"
"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
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continued