The curtains reopened, and it showed the fountain where Actor Roku had asked Actor Ning out. The very same couple was currently sitting on the edge of the fountain, talking and laughing. Then all of a sudden, he asked her to cover her eyes.
She blinked, but soon after obeyed. "When can I open them?" she asked.
"Not yet." He said, standing up and looking around the square, which was covered in unlit lanterns.
"Oh." Zuko said, slapping himself on the head. "I know what he's going to do."
"What?" Mai asked, curiously. Zuko just smiled mysteriously.
Then, all of a sudden, Actor Roku went around, pointing one finger at each individual lantern as they lit up. "Okay, you can open your eyes now." He told Actor Ning, who removed her hands and gasped as she looked around.
"Wow." She said, leaping out to give him a hug. "This is amazing!" Music started out, sweet and true.
Actor Ning:
All those days
Watching from the windows
All those years
Outside looking in
All that time
Never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here
Blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here
Suddenly I see
Standing here
It's oh so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
(Music shifted to more like it was in the beginning)
All at once
Everything looks different
Now that I see you
There were a few more moments of sweet instrumental, as the two just sort of held each other, and then:
Actor Roku:
All those days
Chasing down a daydream
All those years
Living in a blur
All that time
Never truly seeing
Things the way they were
Now she's here
Shining in the starlight
Now she's here
Suddenly I know
If she's here
It's crystal clear
I'm where I meant to go
Both:
And at last I see the light
Actor Roku:
And it's like the fog has lifted
Both:
And at last I see the light
Actor Ning:
And it's like the sky is new
Both:
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
(Music became sweeter)
All at once
Everything is different
Now that I see you
Both kissed, then pulled away for the last line.
Now that I see you
The audience clapped as the curtains closed. When they reopened, it showed Actor Irah standing on her balcony…with Actor Hakoda on a giant Appa puppet, floating off of it.
"So, Mr. Dashing Hero, how did you come up with this idea?" she asked wirily.
"A little breeze told me." He said, making the audience laugh. "So, are you coming or not?"
She paused for a second, as the music started up.
Actor Hakoda:
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
you last let your heart decide?
She hopped on, and the balcony moved seemingly on its own as the backdrop became a starry night's sky.
Actor Hakoda:
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways, and under
On a magical, wondrous ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
Actor Irah (starry-eyed):
A whole new world
A dazzling place i never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Actor Hakoda (echoing):
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Actor Irah (clinging to him for sheer excitement):
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world!
Actor Hakoda (right after):
Don't you dare close your eyes!
Actor Irah:
A hundred thousand things to see
Actor Hakoda (following)
Hold your breath, it gets better
Actor Irah:
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
Actor Hakoda:
A whole new world
Actor Irah:
Every turn a surprise!
Actor Hakoda:
With new horizons to pursue
Actor Irah:
Every moment gets better
Both:
I'll chase things anywhere, there's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
Actor Hakoda:
A whole new world
Actor Irah:
A whole new world
Actor Hakoda:
That's where we'll be
Actor Irah:
That's where we'll be
Actor Hakoda:
A thrilling chase
Actor Irah:
A wondrous place
Both (staring into each other's eyes):
For you and me…
As the last few moments twinkled like stars in the painted backdrop, the two grew closer, finally kissing. Zuko clenched his fists, but didn't allow the moment to bait him to take away his friends. Then, on stage, something totally unexpected happened.
Sinister laughter filled the air, and the two broke apart. "Who are you?" Actor Irah asked, trying to sound brave.
"I am the one who watches and waits." A sinister voice says. "I am the one who comes now to begin my quest for destruction." And the apparent source of the voice entered – a large figure, draped in black cloth, looking like a shadow, apparently flying across the sky. Actor Hakoda looked worried and scared, and hugged Actor Irah closer, who looked terrified. The puppet-Appa swung back and forth in apparent fear.
"Ah…a firebender." The shadow-thing whispered. "How lovely."
Actor Irah swallowed loudly, gulping down her fears. "I am Agni's servant." She said. "I am not yours."
The thing chuckled. "That remains to be seen." It said. "But what have we here?" It turned to Actor Hakoda, also frightened, but less so than Actor Irah. "An outcast. A son of two nations, and, as such, no more than any piece of dust that will one day blow away in the breeze." It got more up in Actor Hakoda's face, making the puppet twitch more. "Do you really believe that wooing a princess of the blood will make you belong? Do you really thing that she can ever care for you?"
"Go away." Actor Hakoda gasped out.
"Defiance. I like that, but not quite as much as evil."
"What do you come for?" Actor Irah asked, quivering.
"The same thing as always." The thing almost seemed to smile. "Destruction. But do not blame myself, Firebender, for your people's chaos has brought about mine and my brethren's return. You may look for us at the place of your first evils – if you do not all flee in terror first." He exited to loud, evil-sounding music (think The Imperial March).
Actor Hakoda and Actor Irah looked at each other. "I think we should tell my father." Actor Irah said first.
"Right." Actor Hakoda said, swinging the puppet around to move offstage as the curtains closed.
The members of Team Avatar looked at each other. "What was that thing?" Sokka asked.
"I don't know." Katara said nervously. "But I think we are going to find out."
Note: Irah isn't a coward. That creature just means something different to her than it does to Hakoda – and we'll find out what next chapter.