"Here's what you missed," Sokka whispers when I return from the bathroom. "We went to the Fire Nation, Aang got better, Katara was the painted lady, and I got a sword, and I think Combustion Man died."
"Did I get an entrance?" I ask eagerly.
"Um no, but aren't you supposed to be a secret anyway?"
I say nothing and turn to the play. Actor-Sokka makes some joke, prompting real Sokka to point and gasp, "I told him to say that!"
I don't really pay attention to the rest. That is, until real Sokka says confusedly, "But that's the end, unless…this is the future!"
Our group sits up a little straighter, dying to see what the Fire Nation has dreamed up for our ending.
The Actor-Fire Lord harnesses the power of the comet and prepares to destroy us, while Actor-Azula delivers him messages of our entrance into the castle. Actor-Fire Lord Ozai tasks Actor-Azula with killing Actor-Zuko, but he wants the Avatar for himself.
Actor-Azula and Actor-Zuko argue for a little about the rightful heir and who is really the enemy, but they soon get on with the paper party streamer special effects. Before long, Actor-Azula overpowers him, and Actor-Zuko dies, crying, "Honor!" The entire audience cheers and claps. I feel Zuko deflate beside me and I give his hand a squeeze. Was he really that unpopular in the Fire Nation?
The scene flips to Actor-Aang versus Actor-Ozai, with taunts thrown back and forth. With every word Actor-Ozai says about the comet making his unstoppable, I see the real Avatar quake with fear. That poor kid, I think, having to take on this monster all on his own.
They break out the party streamers again, but as soon as they run out, a wave of fabric fire engulfs Actor-Aang and she falls dramatically to the ground.
Actor-Ozai makes a victory speech, much to the delight of the audience. I can't even hear his words over the applause and cheers. I don't even see him wither, since I'm too busy sharing frightened and shocked looks with the rest of my group.