Katara claps with glee when Toph's character appears on stage. The man—that's right, man—playing her looks like a beefed up wrestler the director pulled right from the ring.

"You can't find an Earth bending master in the sky," Actor-Toph grunts lifting a prop rock. "You have to look underground."

Our group laughs at Toph's entrance; we're sure she's about to eat her words.

"Who are you?" Actor-Aang squeaks onstage.

"My name's Toph," Actor-Toph spits and flexes, "because it sounds like 'tough.' And that's just what I am!"

Toph cleans out her ear, looking confused. "Wait a minute, I sound like a guy! A really buff guy!"

"Well, Toph, what you hear up there is the truth," Katara throws her words back at the Earth bender. "It hurts, doesn't it?"

"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have cast it any other way!" She laughs. "At least it's not a flying bald lady."

I see Aang sink lower in his seat, his big ears turning bright red.

The next scene is between Zuko and his Uncle Iroh. Iroh thinks Zuko needs a haircut, but Actor-Zuko likes it and leaves his uncle behind. Next to me, real Zuko to run a hand through his own shaggy hair.

"Maybe I do need a haircut?" Zuko asks me.

"Hmm," I sigh, "nope, I like the long hair. Better than that pony tail you had in act one."

The next scene is Azula fighting and eventually escaping from the gang. Then is her drilling through the Earth Kingdom city Ba Sing Se, only to be defeated by Aang. Still in Ba Sing Se, the rebel Jet from first act goes crazy and attacks the group. But a floating boulder lands on top of him

"Did Jet just…die?" Zuko asks.

Sokka scratches his head. "You know, it was really unclear."

I shush them as the curtain opens for the next scene. It looks like an underground cavern filled with jewels. Actor-Zuko and Actor-Katara are alone.

"You know prince Zuko," Actor-Katara says, "I really find you attractive."

"You don't have to make fun of me!" Actor-Zuko snarls.

Actor-Katara leans in close. "But I mean it. I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me."

I unintentionally glare at Katara sitting in front of me while she slumps down, trying to make herself invisible. Zuko squeezes my shoulder as he puts his arm around me. Aang gives Zuko a sideways glance, which proved hard to do from the row in front of us, but he managed.

"Wait!" Actor-Zuko shouts dramatically. "I thought you were the Avatar's girl!" Aang nods his approval.

Actor-Katara laughs. "The Avatar? Why, he's like a little brother to me!" She laughs again. "I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way." I risk another glance at Aang and see him deflate a little in his seat.

"Besides," Actor-Katara continues, "how could he ever find out about this?" She and Zuko embrace onstage, much to the delight of the audience. After all, they didn't see that plot twist coming—and obviously neither did Aang. He rose and angrily stormed out.

I barely paid attention to the next few scenes, which involved Zuko betraying his uncle; Mai and Ty Lee fighting the group, then Actor-Aang going into the Avatar State and ghetto stomping them all—at least until Azula shoots her with lightning.

Before I know it, it's time for another intermission.

"It seems like every time there's a big battle, you guys barely make it out alive," I comment.

Suki has the same idea. "You guys lose a lot."

"You're one to talk, Suki," Sokka crosses his arms. "Didn't Azula take you captive? Oh, that's right—she did!"

"Are you trying to get on my bad side?"

"Just saying."

"Does anyone know where Aang is?" Katara walks up looking worried.

Annoyance twists itself onto Sokka's face. "He went to get me fire gummies, like, ten minutes ago…and I'm still waiting!"

The Water bender wanders towards the terrace. "I'm going to check outside."

A kid wearing one of the souvenir Avatar Aang hats whirls around the corner with a gleeful squeal. I contemplate buying one, but soon realize that I don't have any money—we spent the last of it on some food inland.

Sokka straightens up. "Hey, Suki, what are the chances you can get me backstage? I got some jokes I want to give to the actor me."

I think Sokka's in for it, I really do. Suki says, in this deadly, threatening voice, "I'm an elite warrior who's trained for many years in the art of stealth." Her face brightens. "I think I can get you backstage."

As they wander off, Toph comes out of hiding. "Jeez, everyone's getting so upset about their characters. Even you seem more down than usual, Zuko, and that's saying something."

"You don't get it," Zuko explains angrily. "It's different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself taking down ten bad guys at once and making sassy remarks."

Toph smiles. "Yeah, that's pretty great."

"But for me, it takes all the mistakes I've made in my life and shoves them back in my face. My uncle, he's always been on my side. Even when things were bad, he was there for me. He taught me so much, and how do I repay him? With a knife in his back. It's my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself."

"You have redeemed yourself to your uncle," I pat his shoulder.

"You don't realize it, but you already have," Toph adds.

"How do you know?" Zuko seems intrigued.

"I once had a conversation with the guy," the young Earth bender explains, "and all he would talk about was you."

Zuko flips back his hood and smiles. "Really?"

"Yeah, and it was kind of annoying," Toph sasses. "But it was also very sweet. All your uncle wanted was for you to find your own path and see the light. Now you're here with us. He'd be proud." She suddenly reaches out and slugs him in the shoulder.

"Ow!" he exclaims. "What was that for?"

Toph smiles. "That's how I show affection."

We sit in silence for a few moments.

"At least you've seen your characters so far," I grumble. "I'll be lucky if I get so much as a line."