"So, should we continue with Azula's story?" Aang asked.
Sokka shrugged. "Nah, we already know she's a crazy psychopath. Besides, if we read any more it's going to give Toph ideas," he added, glancing warily at the innocently beaming earthbender.
"Then what should we read then? I don't want to hear another romance story, I've had enough of those to last me for quite some time," Katara said, grimacing at the memory of the cursed stories.
Sokka had been flipping through the pages when he suddenly stopped. "Hey, this story sounds interesting. Listen to the summary: A member of the Gaang is plotting to kill them all. It isn't Zuko. Can you guess which one it is before the name is revealed? The rest of the summary's about weird stuff like 'favorites' and 'deviantart', but I think this is the crucial part."
Aang groaned. "Why is it that when the people who write the stories aren't trying to pair two of us together, they're trying to kill us?"
"Because this is a seriously cracked-up book, that's why. Okay then, let's do this!" And Sokka promptly began the story.
Nobody knows me. Good.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the title of the story, which is actually that first sentence I just read." Sokka stared at the story's title. "Strange name for a story, though."
Toph reclined on the couch. "Meh, we're used to strange stuff already."
"Well, as long as I'm not trying to kill anyone, like the summary says, then I'm fine with it," Zuko said.
Most of them don't question why I was there. Good.
Sokka raised an eyebrow. "Okay, why would we not question the presence of someone we apparently don't know? Especially if he's trying to kill us all."
"The same reason why the Cabbage Merchant wants to kill Aang, why you and Katara have a new and annoying older sister, and why people think you and I make a good couple," Toph answered. "In this book, logic is just a five-letter word."
At times, they all seem to forget I'm even here. Fantastic!
Sokka made a circling motion with his finger. "Okay, let's rewind. We know this guy who's trying to murder us is supposed to be a member of 'the Gaang', which I think is their name for Team Avatar, so he's actually one of us according to the summary."
"It could be a she," Katara added as she sent a sideward glance at Toph.
"Yeah, whatever. He (or she) apparently doesn't want to be noticed by us, and we don't for some reason, which is pretty weird, and… that's all we got for the time being."
"Maybe we should read more of the story before deciding who the murderer is," Aang suggested.
They all seem to have their strengths and weaknesses. Just like my old team did.
"New info: this guy used to be part of a team of people, which means it isn't me, you, Katara or Toph," Sokka said as he pointed to each person in turn. "You were stuck in an iceberg for a hundred years, and Katara and I have never left the South Pole before we met you."
"We might consider the kids back in the village as your supposed 'team', except they're not much of a team at all," Katara added.
"True, though I hate to admit it. Toph, on the other hand, could be counted as a member of the Earth Rumble Six contestants -"
"Except for the fact that in the competition we're all pitched against one another. Oh, and they once tried to kidnap me. Twice, in the case of Xin Fu."
"So that leaves her out as well, and we already know it's not Zuko from the summary." Sokka frowned at the book. "But that's excluded pretty much all of us in Team Avatar, so unless the murderer is another author-created character, in which case we would be murdered by someone who's not even from our world -"
"Wait, what about at the Western Air Temple?" Aang said as he remembered. "There were a bunch of us together at the time, and they could be counted as part of Team Avatar too."
"You're right, they could be the murderer. I don't think I can remember them all though." Sokka scratched his head as he dug into his memories. "Let's see… there was Suki, Dad, a few people from the invasion… did I mention Suki?"
"I think the only person you can remember well enough is Suki," Katara replied. "Let's just get back to the story, okay?"
The bald one, the all powerful avatar, he's the easiest. If it weren't for his sentiment and need to care about everyone and everything, he'd be the most dangerous person alive. Fortunately for me, he cares. Although, I suppose, if he didn't care, he wouldn't be the avatar and the point would be moot anyway. Heh heh, I guess that I have blessings to count after all.
Aang frowned. "Of course I care. I'm the Avatar and I'm supposed to maintain peace on the Earth, how could I not care about everyone and everything?"
"Which is why the guy said the point would be moot," Sokka said. "You need to pay more attention to the story, Aang."
A hostage won't be the way to go. With all four elements, he could quickly separate them from me and then take me out. No, not the way to go at all.
Sokka glanced up at Aang. "Well, he's got that right. What with you having mastered three elements and learning the fourth at the time, you were about as close as you can get to being fully-realized. Add your freaky Avatar State to that and we're talking big hazard."
"Yet for all his Avatar awesomeness, he can still get his butt whooped by me in a game of earthball," Toph smirked. "I guess even Avatars have their limits."
The best way will be to get him to practice with me. I can't do it when Zuko is around, though. Zuko would tell in a heart beat that I was playing too rough. I'll have to get a few "private lessons" from the avatar himself before I make my move. Can't do it on the first time, others will still have doubts about me.
Heh, people are so untrusting these days.
"We're in a war that has been going on for a hundred years, buddy," Sokka told the book. "Of course we would be suspicious. In fact, I'm still surprised at how we haven't questioned you being around yet."
"And we still don't know who he is either," Aang added.
"I've been thinking: the story said he (or she) used to be in a team, right?" Katara looked around at the others. "Don't get me wrong, but it could be Suki, since she's leader of the Kyoshi Warriors and she could take any of us in a fight. She's already beaten Sokka before."
Sokka huffed indignantly. "That's ridiculous! Suki would never turn against us!"
"She might have been tempted to after living with you for too long," Toph smirked as Sokka continued the story, ignoring her on purpose.
The next easiest will be the blind girl. I know she can see everything that touches the ground, but she can't see what's in the air. I just need to figure out how far away she can clearly see. Then, I'll launch a few attacks while jumping. I gotta make sure there's a lot of noise going while I attack. Can't risk her hearing me. If she does, I'm dead, can't lie about it.
Toph frowned at the book. "For your information, I can 'see' clearly for quite a distance. Just because I can't tell where Twinkletoes lands doesn't mean I'm that lousy. I bet I could take this guy down in a second."
"He must be really good to be able to attack you while jumping," Aang observed.
"Suki's great at jumping! But she's NOT the murderer!" Sokka insisted before turning back to the book.
But… if I can get Sokka close enough to me if she finds me out, I maybe, just maybe be able to last.
Sokka raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means Toph might not attack the murderer if you're close to him," Aang explained.
"Why would Toph hold back from pulverizing the guy just because I'm in the way?"
"Because she likes you and she doesn't want to get you hurt," Katara said coyly.
"Excuse me! I do not like Snoozles AT ALL!" Toph barked.
"Then why are your cheeks growing pink?" Katara smirked as the blind girl turned her face away hastily. "As for you, Sokka, you -"
"Ahem, let's just get on with the story," Sokka said as he raised the book up in an attempt to hide his own face.
Sokka… that'll be interesting. He and Suki are nearly inseparable. But they trust me. I just need to get close enough to them and take them both down in one movement. It'll have to be a good moment and it'll have to be when they're off guard. Plus, I'll have to make sure Sokka's only critically hurt if I want to have insurance against Toph.
"So I'm just a human shield," Sokka grumbled. "Great."
"Hey, at least you're an effective human shield against Miss Beifong," Katara smirked, glancing sideways at a simultaneously enraged and blushing Toph.
"Snoozles, just continue the story," Toph ordered as she ignored Katara's meaningful looks.
I know what I'll do, though. I'll get them when they are about to go off on one of their little "training sessions." They'll be so impatient to get going, me stopping them to talk will make them angry and high strung. That'll be the time. Sigh. They are so young, so in love, and so out of luck.
Aang scratched his head as if he was trying to understand something. "Is it just me or do those 'training sessions' sound like Sokka and Suki are -"
Sokka cut him off abruptly. "Wow, this guy sure sounds like he's got a great plan! Right, Zuko?" he asked as he beamed cheerily at the scarred Fire Lord, who was caught off guard by being suddenly addressed to.
Toph frowned. "Seriously though, what do you and Suki need to train together? I mean, you two aren't benders or anything, and you don't need a partner to practice sword skills or fan combat, right?"
"Just keeping us in shape, that's all. On with the story!" And Sokka turned back to the book before anyone else could say anything more.
Next up will be Katara and Zuko. I don't know what happened between those two and I really don't care. Either way, he tries too hard to make her happy, like he's trying to make up for something. Weird, though, he doesn't have to try that hard with the others. Oh well, just more blessings for me to count. What's more, she goes out of her way to show that she doesn't want or need him around. I'm sure once they've emotionally drained themselves after one of their all-to-common arguments, attacking them at the same time will prove quite easy.
Heh. Who knows? I may get to hear final apologies out of the two of them and finally find out what the heck happened.
"Oh yeah, you were refusing to talk to Zuko at the time," Sokka said as he remembered the days at the Western Air Temple. "We didn't get that sorted out until after we left the temple."
"Well, that's all behind us already, right?" Katara looked towards Zuko, who nodded his agreement.
"Still, it were seriously annoying when you weren't on speaking terms with him," Toph said. "The whole temple was like it was in sub-zero temperatures."
The Duke and Teo are to easy of targets to bother planning. A toddler and a crippled? If it weren't for the sheer joy I get from doing this stuff, they wouldn't even be worth it.
Sokka gave a low whistle. "Woah, serious psychopath. At least we can cross off some suspects now."
"Yeah, Suki's out because the guy was planning to murder her (and I don't think she'd have done it anyway), and Teo and the Duke are out too." Aang counted them off his fingers as he listed them out.
"Right then, that makes things a whole lot easier. Let's solve this mystery!" Sokka said enthusiastically.
Haru… there's a character. I haven't seen him fight, yet. I'll save him for second to last. He may have a few tricks or he may let his guard down faster than Suki's dress probably does during her and Sokka's training sessions. Course, I don't know for sure. I'm a psychopath, not a pedophile.
"Well, at least that counts Haru out," Aang pointed out.
Sokka frowned at the book. "Okay, I've had enough. What's with all the sexual references to me and Suki's training sessions? Is this author a pervert or something?"
"He seems to think you two have lost your innocence already," Toph said, stating the obvious.
Sokka looked highly offended. "We have NOT! Suki's still a virgin and so am I!"
"I dunno Sokka, you might have done something with Yue back at the North Pole that no one else knew about," Katara said, wryly raising a suggestive eyebrow at her brother.
"Stop insulting Yue's memory, please," the Water Tribe boy muttered darkly.
"Um, I think we're getting off topic," Zuko interjected. "About the identity of the murderer: since we don't have many suspects left let's just not say anything until we reach the end of the story. Deal?"
"Deal," Sokka answered as the others nodded their agreement. "But I still don't think it's Dad."
"It could be, though. Since when have we ever been able to be sure of anything in this book?" Toph said as Sokka continued the story.
Finally, there's Hakoda. He's the exception to the room full of gullibles. I definitely have to take him on last. He won't let his guard down. Even now when he's over there, talking with his kids. We've been here a whole week and the three of them still love sharing memories with each other. Ah, family. Maybe if my dad was like that, I wouldn't be like this. Well, can't change the past.
Now, how to take him out? Can't jump him by surprise. Can't use this temple to my advantage, he knows it as well as I do. I've seen him going off on his own, saying he's just exploring. I know what he's doing. He's smart. He's memorizing the terrain. He's been through his share of battles and I know he doesn't trust me. I can tell by the way he and I talk.
He never reveals too much of his past, his battle tactics, the way he fights, nothing. Only details that I probably would get out of his kids by just talking to them. I'll have to just find a spot that I think I'll have the upper ground and fight him face to face there.
"Yup, Dad's pretty awesome," Sokka grinned.
"Hush Sokka, we're not supposed to say anything until the end of the story," Aang chided him.
"Sorry, sorry. Okay, on with the show."
You know, it's a wonder. He's the only one who must realize that there was a reason that I was there. Even if I was forced there by his enemy, he still must know that there's a reason. It's strange why he hasn't asked me why and have Toph verify if I'm lying or not. I guess he doesn't want to risk provoking me. Probably thinks that I'll hurt someone if I'm exposed.
Hmmm… Could I kill his kids first and antagonize him with that fact. Sure… he wasn't there for his wife, now his kids, and…
No. Stupid! He'd see through that. A guy like him definitely knows that you can't get revenge if you fail and die. I guess it's back to head to head. Heh. It'll be fun. I haven't had a head to head since I killed my commanding officer.
An audible gasp was heard in the room, although who it came from was not verified.
Yup, I still remember it all. My entire platoon, dying at my hand; mostly one-by-one. But, there were some duos and triples. Their corpses, lying there, motionless. Wow, it was exhilarating. All of that work and planning finally paying off. I knew the moment was right when I "fractured" my leg before that huge battle that they fought.
I barely had to do anything while they wore themselves out. Yup, brilliant plans are so much fun to pull off.
This guy's a complete nutso, Sokka thought. I'd say it was Azula if I didn't know better. Also, I think we all know who it is now, he thought as he looked around at the others and the comprehension dawning on their faces.
Aw, shoot. I'm daydreaming again. Ok, back on task. Now, what's the order? Ok, first, I gotta get me some private lessons going with the avatar. Gotta wear threw everyone's suspicions before I make my move. Also, when I get the others, I gotta make sure at least Hakoda is out to get supplies or something. Yeah, that'll make Sokka and Suki even more anxious to get to training.
Ok, but for order, I gotta get Sokka and Suki first. Dump Suki and place Sokka somewhere in the right place so he'll be there if I need a shield against Toph, who I'll get next. Then, Zuko and Katara. Heh, what is it with her? He saves her dad and she's still angry at him. More blessings.
Let's see, after Zuko and Katara, I'll get a private lesson from the avatar and get him to screw around and let me demonstrate a few moves on him. Yeah, without Zuko there to be suspicious, he'd never see it coming.
The Duke and Teo will be easy pickings, then comes my fun with Haru. Lastly…
Oh crud! How did I forget about the lemur and a ten-ton bison?
"Go Momo and Appa! Don't let him kill you!" Aang yelled, only to be shushed by the other four.
Ok, it's ok. Let me think.
I could make a huge vat of sleeping potion. I don't like to use those, makes it too easy. But Momo's a freaking loose canon and Appa is… well… Appa. I'll knock them out with the sleeping potion before Sokka and Suki and then take them out after Haru but before Hakoda.
Yeah, then you're all mine, Hakoda. We'll see what you can do.
"Hey, earth to newbie!"
Crud, Toph's calling me.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was daydreaming." I hate that nick name. I introduce myself as new and I'm stuck as "newbie." Oh well, it'll make killing more satisfying.
"Must have been something fun. You were getting pretty excited. Care to share?"
Oh, crud. That got Hakoda's attention. He's even stopped talking to his kids. He'll be listening to this like his life depends on it. Heh, I guess it makes sense then.
"I'm curious myself, what got you so excited."
Damn! Hakoda's definitely on to me.
"Oh just about what's happened to me in my life and hopes of getting back at people for things they've done." Hey, being born is something that they've done.
"Ok, I was just wondering. Doesn't sound that exciting."
Good, Toph's satisfied. I guess I'm better than I thought. Still, the big guy is still staring at me. I guess he knows that what I said was just truthful enough to not be a lie.
Before he dies, he really will hate me. After all, he and his son helped me escape from the Boiling Rock. I don't miss that place at all or my friend and girlfriend. I'd have just taken them out too, at some point.
"Jerk," Sokka muttered under his breath as he turned to the next line.
Hmm, you know what? It's mid-day. Aang's not doing anything. I suppose I should start those private lessons.
"Excuse me, Avatar?"
"I've told you, just call me Aang, please."
"I'm sorry, Aang. It's just that, well, being with the avatar is a rare occasion. I'd hate to walk away from this without testing my firebending against yours."
I'm sure that's shot up a million and three red flags in Hakoda's head.
"Ok, let's go. We'll practice on the platform where Zuko teaches me."
"Wait, Aang." And there's Hakoda, in a perfectly calm voice. He's not letting anyone know he's on to me. "Zuko!"
"What's up, Hakoda?"
"Call him 'sir.'" Ouch, that was a rather raspy voice, Katara. They guy saved your dad. At least pretend to be decent to him.
"He's got a point, Sugar Queen. Okay, okay, don't glare at me like that, I'll shut up so we can finish the story."
"Katara, we've been over this. It's ok if he calls me by my name. Also, you really should start getting along with him. Good team spirit and cooperation can save your life. Bad teamwork could leave you dead."
Wow, he is good! I wonder if I'll have to attack everyone while he's still here? Oooo! That'd be so exciting if I could pull it off.
"Fine, whatever, I don't care what Zuko does."
Ok, she's definitely going to die a few seconds before Zuko. For what he did for me, he deserves seeing her die.
"Actually, I don't really want to see anyone die before me," Zuko said.
"And here you were the one who suggested we all keep quite in the first place. Play by your own rules, Fire Lord," Toph grumbled.
"Sorry."
"Ugh… Anyway, Zuko, you should watch them. You know, make sure they are doing everything correctly. It's not a good idea for someone who isn't a master to train someone as if he were."
"Sounds fine with me, Hakoda. If you guys, don't mind, I'll watch you."
"It's ok with me!" That Aang, always wanting more and more people around. "How about you?"
"I'm ok with it. Sure, that'll be even better."
"You guys should take off your shirts and any other loose clothing. Don't want to accidentally burn yourselves."
"I know, Zuko, I know. You tell me that before every lesson."
"Hehe, yeah, I suppose I do."
"Do you get the feeling that Zuko might be hitting on Aang or something?" Sokkka asked. "I mean, that 'hehe' back there made him sound like he's always trying to rape him during every lesson they have."
The others stared at him in silence for a minute before Katara spoke. "That… is a very bad mental image."
"To set the record straight, I have no intention of violating you, okay Aang?" Zuko looked towards Aang, who nodded hastily.
"Alright, now we get back to the story," Sokka said as he lifted the book again.
Man, sometimes Zuko acts like he's Aang's dad.
"Hey, you coming or what, Chit Sang?"
"Oh, sorry Aang. I was just letting my mind wander."
Before you pass judgment on me, know this. I'm not for the Fire Nation winning the war and I don't have any stake in balance or not. I just like to kill things in beautiful ways.
There were a few moments of silence. Then Sokka looked around at the others. "Okay, at which line did you realize it was Chit Sang?"
"Somewhere after he mentioned Dad," Katara answered.
"For me it was the part where he talked about killing his commanding officer and such," Zuko answered. "Though it probably isn't real, since mutinies aren't really that common in our military."
"Same for me," Toph said. "That author makes him sound even worse than Azula."
"I began to suspect him at that point too, but it wasn't until Toph called him 'newbie' that it hit me," Aang said. "Come to think of it, why did we let him stay with us when we knew he was imprisoned in a high-security Fire Nation prison until recently? I mean, didn't anyone ever wonder why he might have been in the Boiling Rock in the first place, and whether that might mean any danger to us?"
More silence followed. Finally Sokka stated the obvious, "I guess we're not as smart as we think we are after all."
This story was written by my dear beta Dave, an amazing writer and mentor. He's helped me a lot with my earlier fanfic 'A Tale of Two Princesses', so when I was planning this fic I asked him back and he accepted. I couldn't have done it without you Dave, and thanks for everything. As for you readers, I hope you had fun guessing who the culprit was! Bet you already forgot about Chit Sang, eh? Maybe this helped you refresh your memory! *grin*