"So far, this intermission is the best part of the play" Zuko grumbled as Takara and I sat down beside the twins. I couldn't agree more with the scarred teenager's statement as the Kyoshi Warrior bandaged my bloodied knuckles.
"Apparently", Sokka said as he sat down next to Suki, a bag of fire flakes in his hand and some in his mouth, "the playwright thinks I'm an idiot who tells bad jokes about meat all the time!"
"Yeah, you tell bad jokes about plenty of other topics" Suki said sarcastically.
"I know!" Sokka agreed emphatically, not picking up on his girlfriend's tone of voice.
"At least the Sokka actor kind of looks like you" Aang countered as he pouted at the bottom of the stairs. "That woman playing the Avatar doesn't resemble me at all!"
"Just be thankful that your actor isn't wearing a ridiculous mask that covers most of his body" I added, crossing my arms. "He looks like a walking, talking statue. Not to mention that Jin and Li don't even have actors!" Beside me, the twins nodded vigorously, their feelings on the matter effectively voiced.
"I don't know" Toph said casually, looking in Aang's direction. "You are more in touch with your feminine side than most guys".
While the blind girl smirked in amusement, the Airbender was not so pleased, growling as he stood up. Katara, ever the healer, came to his defense and said "Relax, Aang. They're not accurate portrayals. It's not like I'm a preachy cry-baby who can't resist giving overemotional speeches about hope all the time". We all turned to face her, and I honestly hoped with every fibre of my being that she recognized the irony of her statement. "What?"
"Listen, friends: it's obvious that the playwright did his research. I know it must hurt, but what you're seeing up there on that stage is the truth".
The bell signaling the end of intermission then rang, and we all reluctantly got up and made our way back to our seats, bracing ourselves for whatever atrocities the acting troupe were going to throw at us. The curtain was raised, revealing Actor Aang, Actor Katara, and Actor Sokka in an Earth Kingdom village next to a conveniently-placed boulder.
"Well, here we are in the Earth Kingdom" Actor Katara said, yet again providing needless exposition.
"I'd better have a look around to see if I can find an Earthbending teacher" Actor Aang said, holding out a tiny glider in her hand and raising it up as she was lifted into the air by a wire.
"This is it!" Toph quietly exclaimed as Actor Aang swung around the theatre. "This must be where I come in!"
Actor Aang soon landed back on-stage. "I flew all over town, but I couldn't find a single Earthbending Master!" On cue, the boulder was lifted into the air by an actor in a green Earth Kingdom costume who was raised onto the stage by a platform.
"You can't find an Earthbending Master in the sky" he rumbled, holding the boulder aloft on his prodigious muscles. "You have to look underground!" He then tossed the boulder aside before striking a heroic pose. My brow furrowed for a moment as I examined the scene before me. Then, my eyes suddenly widened in shock upon realizing that Toph was being played by a man.
I looked at Takara, who had a similarly shocked expression on her face. The others were quite entertained by this, laughing hysterically as Actor Aang asked "Who are you?"
Actor Toph spat into a nearby brass bowl before pointing a thumb at himself and replying "My name's Toph, because it sounds like 'tough', and that's just what I am". He proceeded to flex his muscles, which looked to be strong enough to crush an airship in half. In the face of such a ridiculous portrayal, the audience broke out into raucous laughter, joining our comrades.
"Wait a minute", Toph said, cleaning some wax out of her ear, "I sound like… a guy. A really buff guy!"
Katara all too eagerly sidled up next to the blind girl, smugly saying "Well, Toph, what you hear up there is the truth. It hurts, doesn't it?"
"Are you kidding me?" the blind girl asked in return. "I wouldn't have cast it any other way! At least it's not a flying, bald lady". Aang seemed decidedly unpleased at the comment, slumping into his seat.
"So", Actor Aang said, drawing our attention back to the stage, "you're blind?" She demonstrated this by waving a hand in front of Actor Toph's eyes, which were covered up by his black bangs.
He chuckled before saying "I can see you doing that. I see everything you see, except I don't see like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth". He then turned to the rest of the actors and let out a shrieking scream that made my bones shiver, forcing me to cringe and cover my ears with my hands. Thankfully, the spirits took mercy on us, as Actor Toph finally stopped the assault on our ears after several moments. "There, I got a pretty good look at you".
The audience applauded, and I rolled my eyes as we were then treated to seeing Zuko with a wild mane of hair on his head while he told Actor Iroh and Actor me that it was time for them to 'split up'. After watching Actor Azula trick Actor Zuko by pretending to see his 'honour', the scene shifted and showed Actor Katara being imprisoned with Actor Zuko. "I have to admit, Prince Zuko, I really find you attractive".
I arched an eyebrow at the bold scene, and I caught Katara and Zuko pointedly shifting away from each other. "You don't have to make fun of me!" Actor Zuko bit back, looking away from his co-star.
"But I mean it" Actor Katara insisted, sitting down next to the man. "I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me".
"Wait!" Actor Zuko suddenly said, standing up. "I thought you were the Avatar's girl!"
Actor Katara laughed heartily. "The Avatar?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why, he's like a little brother to me! I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. Besides, how could he ever find out about… this?" The two of them then held each other close as romantic music played from somewhere off-stage.
Aang suddenly stood up, looking even more displeased with the production than he was before. "Oh, you're getting up?" Sokka asked. "Can you get me some fire flakes? Oh! And fire gummies!"
"Well, my brother" Actor Azula began as a spotlight shone down on Actor Zuko. He stood in between her and Actor Iroh, who were in turn standing beneath Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom flags, respectively. Actor Me was standing behind Actor Iroh, his insufferable wooden mask always there to set my teeth on edge. "What's it going to be? Your nation, or a life of treachery?"
"Choose treachery" Actor Iroh suggested, his mouth stuffed full of cake. "It's more fun!" Actor Me nodded, a herculean task considering how much that mask must have weighed.
Actor Zuko, after much strife, walked over to Actor Me and Actor Iroh, prompting Actor Azula to cry out "No way!" Actor Zuko looked over at her, and then back at us, before he shoved us both to the ground.
He then joined Azula and pointed at Actor Iroh and Actor Me, shouting "I hate you both! You smell, and I hate you for all time!" The two siblings then walked away, and the Earth Kingdom flag cascaded down, coming to cover the two defeated men.
"You didn't really say that, did you?" Katara asked Zuko, who found it difficult to look anyone in the eye at that moment.
"I might as well have" the scarred teenager said, his voice tinged with so much regret. Fortunately, he had learned from his mistake in Ba Sing Se, and I was certain that, in time, Iroh would forgive him, as I had done.
Soon enough, we were taken into the Earth King's throne room, where a silent Mai and Ty Lee dispatched two Earth Kingdom soldiers. Actor Aang suddenly bounded into the scene from behind the lofty throne, landing gracefully and saying "Avatar State, yip yip!" The set was then darkened, allowing the actor's arrow and eye shadow makeup to glow in the telltale blue. She was lifted into the air with her arms extended to her sides, until Actor Azula suddenly appeared from the fog.
"Not if my lightning can help it!" she declared, throwing a blue ribbon at Actor Aang, who caught the end of it and shook as if she were being electrocuted. She then became limp, and the vivid image of Aang's broken body flashed before my eyes as the three girls stood over her. "The Avatar is no more!" The audience proceeded to give a standing ovation, while the rest of us merely groaned in exhaustion. This night could not end quickly enough.
"It seems like every time there's a big battle, you guys barely make it out alive" Suki commented. "I mean, you guys lost a lot". We were once more in intermission, and I could safely say that all of us were glad for the break from that monstrosity inside. Shan We and I leaned against the railing, observing the rest of the audience as they filed into the common area.
"You're one to talk, Suki" Sokka smugly bit back. "Didn't Azula take you captive? That's right, she did!" I turned to look at the idiotic Water Tribe boy, whose face was real close to Suki's in a vain attempt to get her back for her earlier words.
Suki's brow furrowed, and she stared at her boyfriend intensely and asked "Are you trying to get on my bad side?"
"I'm just saying" Sokka hastily said, the damage already done. I looked down at the floor, the mention of Suki's capture bringing up all-too unpleasant memories for me. Luckily, I felt a warm arm wrap around my shoulders, and I gratefully leaned into Shan We's embrace.
"Hey, does anyone know where Aang is?" Katara asked. That was a good question, I thought to myself as I glanced around. I hadn't seen the bald boy since he had stormed out after the insulting words of Katara's stage counterpart, and now I was starting to get a little worried.
"He left to get me fire gummies, like, ten minutes ago!" Sokka griped. "And I'm still waiting!"
"Sokka, your bottomless stomach can wait for a few more minutes" Shan We scolded, sounding almost as exasperated as I felt. This night was taking a toll on all of us, and I, for one, was eager to leave and head back to camp.
"I'm gonna check outside" Katara said at last.
When Aang finally returned, he looked decidedly upset. The play had been back on for some time now, and given how long he was absent, his problems were eating away at him. Once he sat down, Sokka leaned in and whispered "Here's what you missed: we went to the Fire Nation, and you got better, and Katara was the Painted Lady, and I got a sword, and I think Combustion Man died. Oh, look! The invasion's about to start!"
The whole time Sokka was talking, Aang's gaze was firmly fixed on Katara, and I immediately knew the source of his troubles. As if the Spirits had a cruel sense of ironic timing, Actor Katara spoke first. "I just want to let you know, Aang, that I'll always love you… like a brother!"
I winced involuntarily, placing a comforting hand on the Airbender's shoulder as his stage counterpart said "I wouldn't want it any other way!" She then flew off, leaving the cruel statement hanging in the air as Actor Sokka and Actor Toph came into view atop the submersible.
They peered off into the distance for a few moments before Actor Sokka turned to look at Actor Toph. "Hey, Toph, would you say you and Aang have a… rocky relationship?"
The audience burst into laughter, while Sokka was practically jumping for joy. He leaned uncomfortably close to me and exclaimed "I told him to say that!" I smiled a little as I gently shoved him back over to his seat.
"I hope everyone's ready for the invasion. Slap-a-pow!" The audience once more laughed heartily, and judging by the other actors' faces, their co-star's lines were unscripted.
The scene then shifted to the Fire Nation Royal Palace, the throne room specifically. Dramatic music played as Actors Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph assembled before the vacant throne. "We finally made it to the Royal Palace, but no one's home!" Actor Aang declared. I slapped my forehead; oh great, now it was time for someone else to provide needless exposition, I thought scornfully.
"Actually, I'm home!" a voice responded as a separate spotlight was turned on, illuminating Actor Zuko, with a new, spiky haircut. "And I want to join you!" From what the others had told Takara and I about what had happened while we were imprisoned, this wasn't at all how things had played out.
"I guess we have no choice. Come on!" Actor Sokka said, completely skipping past the real-life resentment and hostility that had been present in the actual joining. The five then ran off, bringing events to the present day.
"I guess that's it" Sokka said, voicing what we were all thinking. "The play's caught up to the present, now".
"Wait", Suki said, stopping him as he stood up, "the play's not over".
I exchanged confused glances with Takara before returning my gaze back to the set. What more could they possibly do? At this point, the only things they could portray would be fictional, entirely-theoretical events. "Unless… this is the future!"
Suddenly, an actor portraying Fire Lord Ozai entered, proudly declaring "With the energy from that comet, no one will be able to stop the Fire Nation!" As he spoke, he pointed to a brightly-painted ball that was slowly moving across the top of the set by a string. I sighed; so, this was to be yet another propaganda piece depicting my people's ultimate victory in the war.
"Father" Actor Azula said as she stepped on-set, bowing to Actor Ozai. "Zuko, the Avatar, and Shan We are at the palace! They are trying to stop you!"
"You take care of Zuko and Shan We!" Actor Ozai ordered. "I shall face the Avatar myself!" With a puff of smoke, he was gone. Just then, Actor Zuko, Me, and Aang entered the throne room, ready for battle.
"Aang, you find the Fire Lord!" Actor Zuko said. "We'll hold her off!"
"And we will do it together… stoically, and without emotion!" Actor Shan We proclaimed, pounding a fist against his heart. I rolled my eyes at the melodramatic display.
Actor Aang zoomed away, while Actor Azula glared at the two men and said "You are no longer my brother! You both are enemies!"
"No!" Actor Zuko refuted firmly. "I am the rightful heir to the throne, and Shan We shall serve me as head of the military!"
"We shall see" Actor Azula said menacingly. She then cast a blue ribbon at the others, and the three of them began an intricate and surprisingly well-choreographed ribbon dance that simulated a Firebending duel. With the ridiculous mask on his face, Actor Me could barely move for fear of falling to the floor due to the weight, so he was forced to simply walk about, casting blue ribbons as Actor Zuko and Actor Azula leaped about and performed fairly impressive acrobatics.
Suddenly, Actor Azula extended her arm forward, and several paper flames rose up in sequence, eventually enveloping Actor Zuko, who cried out "Honour!" as he fell to the floor, dead and defeated. Actor Me cast his ponderous mask towards his fallen comrade as the audience applauded before returning his attention to his opponent. "You cannot defeat me, child! I am your better in every way!"
"Oh, sweetums!" a familiar voice called from somewhere off-stage. Actor Me turned and watched as Actor Takara sauntered her way onto the set. Instead of her usual Kyoshi Warrior kimono, she was instead garbed in a simple green top that barely covered her prodigious chest, leaving her arms and midriff bare, as well as a flowing skirt that left little to the imagination.
Beside me, Takara was silently fuming, her fingernails digging into the back of my hand as she held mine in a death grip. The pain got to be so bad that I winced, and she hastily eased her grip. "Sorry" she apologized, smiling awkwardly.
"Oh, my sweet honey flower!" Actor Me said dreamily, turning his back to Actor Azula. That proved to be a mistake, as she cast a blue ribbon at him. It struck him in the back, and he contorted in simulated pain before crumpling to the floor, the damnable mask facing towards the audience. Actor Azula then did the same to Actor Takara, who pitifully shrieked in fear before falling to the floor as well. Actor Azula took a bow, and the audience applauded even louder this time.
The scene shifted to an open area bathed in flames as Actor Aang descended onto the floor, looking for the Fire Lord. A moment later, a spotlight was turned on, illuminating the man sitting on an elaborate chair. "So, you have mastered all four elements?"
"Yeah, and now, you're going down!" Actor Aang confidently replied.
"No" Actor Ozai countered. "It is you who are going down! You see, you are too late! The comet is already here, and I'm unstoppable!" He then launched his assault, casting several red ribbons at the young woman, who leaped out of the way as smoke rose up from where the ribbons fell to the floor. Actor Aang then twirled her staff in elaborate patterns as she danced around Actor Ozai, which was supposed to represent an epic Bending battle.
After the young woman leaped over her opponent, Actor Ozai thrust his arms forward, and a massive sheet of flame shot towards her. It soon came to completely envelop her, wrapping around her lithe form as she shouted "Noooo!" until she fell to the floor, apparently dead.
Actor Ozai smirked smugly at his defeated opponent as Actor Azula came on stage. "It is over, father" she told him. "We've done it!"
"Yes, we have done it!" he agreed. "The dreams of my father, and my father's father, have now been realized!" As he spoke, he was raised up on a pedestal as a Fire Nation banner unfurled behind him. "The world is mine!" The audience gave an ecstatic standing ovation, while we simply sat in our seats, dumbstruck at what we had just seen.
Eventually, we left the theatre, and the abomination known as 'The Boy in the Iceberg' behind us. As we walked along the beach, Zuko finally broke the silence and said "That… wasn't a good play".
"I'll say" Aang agreed.
"No kidding" Katara added.
"Horrible" Suki said.
"You said it" Toph agreed.
"But the effects were decent" Sokka said cautiously. I grudgingly agreed with him, but that did not take away from the completely insulting and, quite frankly, idiotic production we had just witnessed. We continued to walk along the sandy beach, the silence of the night smothering our distaste and contempt and leaving us with our doubts and fears.
My apologies for the confusion, folks! By the time I was done writing part two, I had no idea how short it would be, so I had to do some creative shuffling so as to make them both more or less equal in size so that I would still be able to deliver a new chapter to you guys this week.
Now that I'm back at school, I'm in a much better place, both emotionally and psychologically. Work was so soul-crushing that I'm amazed I made it out in one piece. But, I am back at my happy place, and I am only more motivated to do the crunch now that we're in the home stretch!
Please review and favourite; we're almost there!