Book 3 Chapter 17: The Ember Island Players
Amity's Intro
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed her most, she vanished. A hundred years passed, and me, Willow and Gus discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Luz. and although her airbending skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone.
But I believe Luz can save the world.
The episode begins at Belos' home on Ember Island. Cut to an overhead shot of a courtyard where Luz and Lilith are practicing firebending using synchronized fire blasts. Cut to a ground-level shot of the two as they create sweeping arcs of fire that dissipate into the ground. They each raise an arm and leg, sending forth streams of fire before leaning forward and sending forth another stream of fire. Cut to a closer shot of Luz and Lilith as they stand upright, assuming a final fighting stance before closing their eyes, relaxing their postures, and taking a deep breath. Amity, Eda, Camila and Boscha are seen in the background, sitting on steps nearby. Luz and Lilith bow to one another, and the latter stretches his arms and walks away. Cut to Amity, Eda, Camila and Boscha, who is lying down on the ground, relaxing.
"Doesn't it seem kind of weird that we're hiding from the Fire Emperor in his own house?" Eda asked
"I told you," (Cut to Lilith sitting on a dry fountain and wiping her head with a cloth.) "Our father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy. And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us." Lilith said
(walks over to Lilith while her attention is on the others.) "She's right, dad hasn't been here for a long time since I wasn't born yet." Amity said
Cut to a wide view of the courtyard from where Eda, Camila and Boscha are sitting, their backs to the screen. Gus, Willow and Zora enter on-screen from afar, Willow holding a rolled-up piece of paper.
"You guys are not gonna believe this! There's a play about us." Gus said
(Cut to a close-up of her, Gus and Willow.) "We were just in town and we found this poster!" Zora said (Willow shows the poster for the play to the team. It depicts Luz, Amity, Gus and Willow with Lilith's scarred face in the background.)
"What? How is that possible?" Camila asked
"Listen to this ..." [Turns the poster toward him.] "The Girl in the Iceberg is a new production from acclaimed playwright Pu-on Tim," (Cut to a close shot of the poster as the camera pans up.) "who scoured the globe gathering information on the Avatar, from the icy South Pole to the heart of Ba Sing Se." (Shot changes to show Team Avatar.) "His sources include singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war, and a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage." Gus said
"Brought to you by the critically acclaimed Ember Island Players." Zora said
(Recalling a memory.) "Ugh! My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons every year!" Lilith complained
"Do you kids really think it's a good idea for us to attend a play about ourselves?" Eda asked
(Persuasively.) "Come on, a day at the theater? This is the kind of wacky time-wasting nonsense I've been missing!" Willow said (She holds up the poster anxiously and smiles sheepishly, Eda looks away, appears nonplussed.)
Fade to nighttime at the theater. Cut to inside the theater to show the stage and curtain. The camera zooms out to show the balcony as Luz, Amity, Eda and Boscha arrive, with Luz wearing a hat to cover her head tattoos. Amity, Eda and Boscha sit down, Lilith sits next to Amity as Luz tries to sit next to her. Luz stands back up.
(To Lilith, points to her seat and tries to act casual.) "Hey, uh ... I wanted to sit there." Luz said
(Removing her hood.) "Just sit next to me. What's the big deal?" Lilith asked
"I was just, I wanted to ... okay." Luz said (Sits down.)
Gus, Willow, Camila and Zora sit in the row behind the rest of Team Avatar.
"Why are we sitting in the nosebleed section? My third eye can't see a thing from up here!" Boscha said
"Don't worry, I'll tell your eye what's happening." Eda said
"Not funny." Boscha said
The curtain rises to reveal a set representative of the South Pole seas. Actress Amity, Actor Gus and Actress Willow are rowing their boat along. Cut to Amity and Gus who look thrilled to see themselves onstage, and Willow grabs their shoulders, pointing at them, herself, and the stage excitedly. Cut to a shot of Actress Amity, an older, more robust woman wearing Water Tribe garments.
(Sighs.) "Gus, Willow, my dear friends! We constantly roam these icy South Pole seas, and yet never do we find anything fulfilling!" Actress Amity said
(Cut to Actress Willow, a thin, lanky woman.) "All I want is a full feeling in my stomach! I'm starving!" Actress Willow said
The audience laughs. Cut to Amity, Gus and Willow as their faces fall, they look at each other, confused. Cut to an angled shot of the stage.
(Cut to Actor Gus, a round, tubby man) "Is food the only thing on your mind?" Actor Gus asked
(Cut to shot of the actress.) "Well, I'm trying to get it out of my mind and into my mouth! I'm starving!" Actress Willow said (Audience laughs.)
(Leans forward in her seat, clearly annoyed.) "This is pathetic! My jokes are way funnier than this!" (Extends her arm in a dramatic gesture.)
(Laughing.) "I think she's got you pegged!" Boscha said
(Cut to the stage where Actress Amity now stands in the canoe.) "Every day, the world awaits a beacon to guide us, yet none appears!" (Cut to a close-up of the actress who holds her hand out and clasps her hands together dramatically.) "Still, we cannot give up hope! For hope," (Begins to cry.) "is all we have! And we must never relinquish it, even ..." (Sniffs and falls back into a sitting position.) "even to our dying breath!" Actress Amity said (Leans over the side of the canoe and buries her face in her hands, crying.)
Cut to the team, Zora holding her hand over her mouth to suppress a laugh and Willow looking over at Amity with an amused smile, while Boscha and Lilith are enjoying the play.
(With crossed arms, displeased.) "Well, that's just silly. I don't sound like that." Amity said
(Elated.) "Oh man! This writer's a genius!" Boscha said
Cut to Actress Amity still slumped over the side of the canoe. An iridescent light suddenly appears from above and she turns her head upward, shocked. Cut to shot of the stage where a model iceberg can be seen, the vague shadow of a figure visible from behind. The three actors stand up in the canoe.
"It appears to be someone frozen in ice, perhaps for a hundred years." Actress Amity said
(Closer shot of the silhouette swaying from side to side inside the iceberg prop.) "But who? Who is the girl in the iceberg?" Actress Willow asked
Cut to Luz who smiles and leans forward in her seat. Cut to a close-up of the model iceberg where Actor Gus stands before the silhouetted figure, Actress Amity and Actress Willow are hosting themselves onto the prop.
"Waterbend! Hi-yah!" Actor Gus said
He performs a karate chop, mimicking waterbending. The silhouette disappears from view and the prop splits in half, sending forth a jet of steam. An actress, meant to portray Luz, leaps up on screen and poses, winking and with one hand on hip. The actress is visibly wearing a flesh-colored cap over her hair to portray herself as bald, the cap also bears the airbending mastery tattoo. She wears an excessive amount of blush on her cheeks and her overall physiognomy and demeanor clearly display her femininity.
Cut to a shot of the actual Luz who momentarily closes her eyes and cringes in disbelief before leaning forward over the railing even more, eyes bugging out. Cuts back to the actors on stage.
"Who are you, frozen girl?" Actress Amity asked
(Laughs, in a high-pitched voice.) "I'm the Avatar, silly, here to spread joy and fun!" Actress Luz said (She leans toward Actress Amity, laying a finger on her lips, and also motions toward Actor Gus and Actress Willow before standing upright and spreading her arms out in a cheery gesture.)
"Wait, is that a cheery woman playing me?" Luz asked
A crude, costumed-version of Appa suddenly bursts up from behind the four actors, loud festival music previously heard in the episode "Avatar Day" is presently played. The replica of Appa sways from side to side before leaping off the iceberg prop. Cut to a wide shot of the stage as the three actors wearing the bison costume, only their legs visible, land to the right of the stage, run across to the left side, and finally behind the iceberg prop.
(Gasps.) "An airbender!" (Clasps her hands to her chest.) "My heart is so full of hope," (Drops down on one knee emotionally.) "that it's making me tearbend!" Actress Amity said (Begins to cry and grabs on to Actress Luz's leg. Cut to a close-up of Actress Amity who continues to bawl dramatically. Cut back to a shot of the four.)
"My stomach is so empty, that it's making me tearbend!" (Throws her arms up hopelessly before dropping to her knees, clutching onto Actress Luz's other leg, and crying.) "I need meat!" Actress Willow said (Cut to a close-up of Actress Willow as Actor Gus pinched the bridge of his nose.)
(Stoops down, puts her arm around Actress Willow's shoulders, and points upward.) "But wait! Is that a platter of meaty dumplings?" Actress Luz asked (Cut to the actual Luz whose head and arms rest lazily on the railing, unimpressed.)
Cut back to shot of the four, Actress Luz now sitting down, her legs dangling over the edge of the iceberg prop. Actress Amity, Actress Willow and Actor Gus are kneeling down.
(Excitedly, shielding her eyes with her hand and turning her head, searching for the alleged dumplings.) "Ooh, where, where?" Actress Willow asked
(Laughs and swings her arm jovially.) "Did I mention that I'm an incurable prankster?" Actress Luz asked (Crosses her legs as the audience laughs.)
(Cut to a wide shot of Team Avatar. Luz extends her arm toward the stage, angry with the actress' bad portrayal.) "I don't do that! That's not what I'm like! And I'm not a cheery woman!" Luz said (Throws hands up in frustration.)
(Laughs and turns to face Luz.) "Oh, they nailed you, Twinkle Toes!" Boscha said (Continues to laugh.)
Cut to the stage where the four actors and iceberg prop are no longer present, the scene continues to depict the South Pole seas. A model Fire Nation ship prop glides onto stage from the left, a woman portraying Lilith as an ex-commander stands at the bow of the ship, garbed in Lilith's outfit from Book One and peering through a telescope. The actor portraying Kaldo stands at the helm.
Cut to a shot of Actor Kaldo, a very rotund, round-faced man sporting a slightly exaggerated imitation of the real Kaldo's mask style, complete with a top-knot, beard, and sideburns.
(Looking toward Actress Lilith, at ease.) "Commander Lilith, you must try this cake!" Actor Kaldo said (Holds up a platter of cake with one slice missing.)
Cut to Actress Lilith looking through the telescope. She wears a headpiece that sports the ponytail Lilith once wore, albeit slightly exaggerated, and Lilith's scar, the replicated scar, while realistic, is worn over the wrong eye.
(Determined.) "I don't have time to stuff my face!" (Lowers her telescope and turns to Actor Kaldo.) "I must capture the Avatar to regain my honor!" Actress Lilith said (Faces out into the audience, clutching her hand in a fist assertively.)
(Cut to a wide shot of the model ship.) "Well, while you do that," (Actress Lilith looks at him, annoyed.) "maybe I'll capture another slice." Actor Kaldo said (He holds the cake up higher before bringing it toward his face and proceeding to gobble it down ravenously and noisily.)
(Turns her view from Actor Kaldo, in disgust.) "You sicken me!" Actress Lilith said
Cut to a shot of Amity and Lilith in their seats, both with their arms crossed. Lilith appears displeased with her character portrayal while Amity looks at her with a smug smile.
(Gestures toward the stage.) "They make me look totally stiff and humorless." Lilith said
(Complacently amused.) "Actually, I think that actor's pretty spot on." Amity said
(In protest, holding her arms out.) "How could you say that?" Lilith asked
Cut to the bow of the model ship where Actress Lilith has resumed peering through her telescope. Actor Kaldo stands behind her.
(Completely at ease.) "Let's forget about the Avatar and get massages!" Actor Kaldo said
(Turns toward her lieutenant, leaning forward menacingly, shouting.) "How could you say that?!" Actor Lilith asked
Cut to Amity and Lilith, the former continues to smile smugly as the latter slumps down in her seat, defeated and dismayed to find her claim accurate.
Fade to a background drawing of the Southern Air Temple. The camera pans down to show Actress Luz searching, and finds a tail behind a bush prop.
"Hey look, I think I found something!" (Tiptoes to the bush. Actress Willow scratches her head while Actress Amity and Actor Gus shrug. Actress Luz picks up the Momo prop, a rabbit-dog puppet.) "It's a flying rabbit-dog! I think I'll name him, King! (Laughs, using the puppet.) "Hi everybody, I love you!" Actress Luz said (The audience laughs.)
"Ugh." Luz said
Cut to Actress Zora, holding up two fans. She lifts them up. Actor Gus enters in the Kyoshi Warriors' uniform.
(Pointing to his backside.) "Does this dress make my butt look fat?" Actor Gus asked
Audience laughs, as does Zora. Gus gives her an embarrassed look.
Cut to Actor Wrath with an Omashu background.
"Riddles and challenges you must face," (Camera pans back to show the whole stage.) "if you are ever to leave this place!" Actor Wrath said (Laughs.)
Actress Luz dodges a swaying rock while a goat gorilla chases Actor Gus and Actress Willow across the stage. Actress Amity stands amidst a jennamite prop.
(Lifting up a piece of the jennamite prop.) "Ugh! Oh!" Actress Amity said
Amity gives a disgusted look and sticks out her tongue. Cut to the stage with a pirate ship background with the Team Avatar players in center stage. The pirates enter the stage from both sides holding weapons in the air and attack them. The Team Avatar players slip away, with Actor Gus holding a large scroll. They tiptoe off stage.
"Why did you have to steal that waterbending scroll?" Actress Willow asked
(Crying.) "It just gave me so much hope!" Actor Gus said (Gus narrows his eyes.)
Cut to a stage hand holding a sheet of metal, which he shakes to make a sound effect. Cut to the stage to show Actress Luz tied to a platform guarded by six Fire Nation soldiers. Actress Lilith stands in front of the platform.
"The Avatar is mine!" (Looking off stage.) "Wait, who's coming?" Actress Lilith asked
(Jumps on stage holding two swords and has a large mask.) "I'm the Blue Spirit, the scourge of the Fire Nation, here to save the Avatar!" the Blue Spirit Actor said
The Blue Spirit Actor walks across the stage waving his swords. The guards fall down and Actress Lilith runs around the platform and throws a red strip of paper to symbolize firebending. The Blue Spirit Actor points a sword at Actress Lilith, who runs away.
"My hero!" Actress Luz said (Jumps on top of the Blue Spirit Actor's large mask.)
The Blue Spirit Actor walks off stage. Luz and Lilith frown, giving each other an embarrassed look.
Fade to a stagehand using a crank to lower the actors. Actress Amity and Actor Ket appear on a small rope platform. Actress Amity cries.
"Don't cry, baby! Ket will wipe out that nasty town for you!" Actor Ket said
A large blue banner pulled by a stagehand dressed in black crosses the stage. Actress Amity and Actor Ket ascend on their platform.
"Oh Ket, you're so bad." Actress Amity said
Both exit. Amity appears embarrassed. Boscha laughs.
Fade to the team traveling on a large Appa prop with mountains painted in the background.
(Gasps.) "Look! It's the Great Divide! The biggest canyon in the Earth Kingdom!" Actress Luz said
"Eh, let's keep flying." Actress Willow said
Cut to a stagehand dropping a bag of fake snow on stage in one spot. Cut to Actress Willow and Actor Loe with a Northern Water Tribe background painting.
"Don't go, Loe! You're the only woman who has taken my mind off of food!" (Kisses Loe. Gags.) "Wait, did you have pickled fish for dinner?" Actress Willow asked
"Goodbye, Willow! I have important moon duties to take care of!" (Exits on the moon prop.) "And yes, I did have pickled fish!" Actor Loe said
(Laughs.) "You never told me Willow made out with a Moon Spirit." Zora said
(Placing a finger on Zora's lips) "Shhh! Willow is having a hard time with it." (Zora, surprised by Willow's teary look, looks away, and folds her arms.)
Cut to miniature Fire Nation ships being pulled across the stage by ropes. Actress Luz, wearing a Koizilla costume, stomps on them. She waves a doll of Bhao.
(Laughs.) "The Avatar is back to save the day! Yay!" Actress Luz said (Actress Luz stomps three more miniature ships before tripping over her Koizilla costume and falling.)
Curtain drops. The audience cheers and Boscha laughs. All the other members of Team Avatar appear disgusted. Lilith puts on her hood.
"Ugh!" Luz said
Cut to outside the theater. The camera pans to Team Avatar sitting on a flight of stairs during intermission.
(Unimpressed) "So far, this intermission is the best part of the play." Lilith said
(Walks down the stairs holding a bag of flaming fire flakes and sits next to Boscha.) "Apparently, the playwright thinks I'm an idiot who tells bad jokes about meat all the time!" Willow said
(Hint of sarcasm.) "Yeah, you tell bad jokes about plenty of other topics." Gus said
(Punches Gus' arm then eats a fire flake.) "I know!" Willow said
(Angry.) "At least the Willow actress kind of looks like you." (Willow becomes furious over Luz's remark while Gus gleefully smiles.) "That woman playing the Avatar doesn't resemble me at all!" Luz said
"I don't know, you are more in touch with your feminine side than most girls." Boscha said
(Standing up, angrily.) "Argh!" Luz growled
"Relax, Luz. They're not accurate portrayals. It's not like I'm a preachy crybaby who can't resist giving over emotional speeches about hope all the time." (Everyone looks at her.) "What?" Amity asked
(Turns around and sits down. Sarcastically.) "Yeah, that's not you at all." Luz said
"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." Boscha said
"At least they have actors, they didn't put me in it, I joined the team on the same day as King." Eda said
Fade to a painted background with Earth Kingdom buildings. The Team Avatar players stand next to a large rock.
"Well, here we are in the Earth Kingdom!" Actress Amity said
(Opens up her miniature air glider prop.) "I'd better have a look around to see if I can find an earthbending teacher!" Actress Luz said (Jumps up into the air with a cable lifting her up.)
"This is it, this must be where I come in!" Boscha said
Actress Luz flies around the theater, over the audience, and returns to the stage.
"I flew all over town, but I couldn't find a single earthbending master!" Actress Luz said
(Joyfully) "Here it comes ..." Boscha said
(Enters the stage from a trapdoor beneath the rock prop and holds it above his head.) "You can't find an earthbending master in the sky, you have to look underground!" Actor Boscha said (Throws away the prop.)
Luz, Amity, Gus, Willow, Eda, Camila and Zora laugh. Lilith looks up from a piece of paper and stunned, drops the paper. And Boscha is still looking eager.
"Who are you?" Actress Luz asked
(Spits.) "My name's Boscha," (Flexes.) "because it sounds like roscha, and that's just what I am!" Actor Boscha said (Audience laughs.)
"Wait a minute," (Picks at her ear with her pinky, confused) "I sound like a guy. A really buff guy." Boscha said
"Well Boscha, what you hear up there is the truth. It hurts, doesn't it?" Amity asked
"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have cast it any other way!" (Laughs as Amity looks away in dismay.) "At least it's not a flying bald lady!" Boscha said (Camera pans to Luz, who turns toward the stage in annoyance.)
"So, you're blind?" Actress Luz asked (Waves a hand in front of Actor Boscha's eyes.)
(Laughs.) "I can see you doing that. I see everything that you see, except I don't 'see' like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth." (Screams very loudly at the Team Avatar players. The audience and Team Avatar grimace at the scream, Luz claps her hands over her ears, Lilith grips the railing in front of her, Gus and Zora hug each other in terror, and Amity, Eda and Camila grits their teeth while Boscha looks excited.) "There. I got a pretty good look at you." Actor Boscha said (Actress Luz and the audience claps.)
Cut to a stagehand operating a light. The shot changes to show the Actors Lilith and Kaldo.
"Lilith, it's time we had a talk ..." (Points to Actress Lilith, who now wears a large wig.) "About your hair, it's gone too far!" Actor Kaldo said
"Maybe it's best if we ... split ... up!" Actress Lilith said (Actors Lilith and Kaldo walk away from each other.)
Cut to the Team Avatar players and Actors Lilith and Kaldo cornering Actress Kikimora.
"Kikimora, my old friend, what are you doing here?" Actress Lilith asked
"You caught me. Wait, what's that?" (Points in the distance.) "I think it's your honor!" Actress Kikimora said
"Where?" Actress Lilith asked (Everybody looks while Actress Kikimora escapes through a door.)
(Turning to the audience.) "She escaped, but how?" Actress Amity asked
Fade to a stagehand sitting on a stool while he rotates a lever. Shot changes to show a large drill prop which Actress Kikimora stands on while it drills through a wall that Actress Luz attempts to stand on. One stagehands dressed in black clothing shakes the wall while another waves smoke onto the stage.
"If she continues drilling, this wall will come down for sure!" Actress Luz said
A stagehand offers Actress Luz a rock prop, which she throws at Actress Kikimora.
(Blocks the rock prop.) "Haha, yes! Continue drilling! The city of Ba Sing Se can no longer hide!" Actress Kikimora said
Actress Luz throws two more rock props at Actress Kikimora. The shot changes to show members of the audience yawning and falling asleep.
Cut to Actor Ket jumping in front of the camera. He wears googly eyes and waves his hook hands around. Camera zooms out to show the Team Avatar players surrounding Actor Ket.
"No, Ket! What did they do to you?" Actress Luz asked
"Must ... serve ... Earth King!" (Begins swinging his hook hand wildly at Actress Luz, Actor Gus and Actress Willow.) "Must ... destroy!" Actor Ket said
A stage hand is seen throwing a hollow rock prop which floats down. Actor Ket falls down so that he lands underneath the prop and crawls all the way under.
"Did Ket just... die?" Lilith asked
"You know, it was really unclear." Willow said
Fade to Actress Amity with the stage background painted as the Crystal Catacombs.
"I have to admit Commander Lilith, I really find you attractive!" Actress Amity said
(Shot changes to show her sitting on a rock bench.) "You don't have to make fun of me." Actress Lilith said
"But I mean it!" (Sits down with Actress Lilith.) "I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me!" Actress Amity said (Amity and Lilith inch away from each other, slightly uncomfortable. Luz narrows her eyebrows.)
(Stands up.) "Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl!" Actress Lilith said (Luz nods.)
(Laughs.) "The Avatar?" (Stands up and walks toward Actress Lilith.) "Why, she's like a little sister to me!" (Laughs.) "I certainly don't think of her in a romantic way." (Luz grows concerned.) "Besides, how could he ever find out about ... this?" Actress Amity asked (Actress Amity and Actress Lilith embrace and hold hands while Actress Amity pops up one leg. Luz gets up.)
(Whispering.) "Oh, you're getting up?" (As Luz leaves.) "Can you get me some fire flakes?" (As Gus puts his arm around Zora, only to slap the back of his head and whispers to Luz again.) "Ooh, and fire gummies!" Willow said (Sits back down as Gus puts his arm back around Zora, which both look slightly annoyed.)
Cut to Actress Lilith standing between Actress Kikimora, who has a Fire Nation flag behind her, and Actor Kaldo, who has an Earth Kingdom flag behind him. A light shines on Actress Lilith.
"Well, my dear friend, what's it going to be? Your nation, or a life of treachery?" Actress Kikimora asked
(Stops drinking from a cup.) "Choose treachery, it's more fun!" Actor Kaldo said (Winks and gives a thumbs up sign.)
Actress Lilith walks toward Actor Kaldo.
"No way!" Actress Kikimora said
(Pushes Actor Kaldo over and walks to Actress Kikimora.) "I hate you, Kaldo! You smell, and I hate you for all time!" Actress Lilith said
The Earth Kingdom flag falls on Actor Kaldo as Actress Lilith and Actress Kikimora exit.
(To Lilith.) "You didn't really say that, did you?" Amity asked
"I might as well have." Lilith said
Cut to Actress Lai, who pulls a sword out of her hair and gives it to a ninja, who takes a guard away. The shot changes to show the stage is set up to resemble the Earth King's throne room. Actress Ky Mee jumps to the other guard, kisses her finger and touches the guard's shoulder, causing him to fall over. Actress Lai jumps behind Actress Ky Mee and they pose. The audience applauds. Actress Luz jumps in from behind the set.
"Avatar State, yip yip!" Actress Luz said
The stage light shines on Actress Luz, causing her tattoos and eyelids to glow. A stagehand runs across the stage and ties a rope to Actress Luz. Actress Luz closes her eyes while the rope lifts her into the air. Actress Kikimora jumps on stage from behind the smoke.
"Not if my lightning can help it!" Actress Kikimora said
Actress Kikimora throws a blue streamer at Actress Luz. Actress Luz peeks from behind her closed eye and grabs the blue streamer, shaking and screaming in feigned pain. The audience looks at the scene in shock. Actress Luz's limp body is slowly lowered to the stage. Actresses Ky Mee and Lai pose on both sides of Actress Kikimora, who stands in front of Actress Luz.
"The Avatar is no more!" Actress Kikimora said
Audience applauds loudly, while Team Avatar again gives disgusted looks.
Fade to outside the theater, where everyone except Luz is present for the second intermission.
"It seems like every time there's a big battle, you guys barely make it out alive. I mean, you guys lose a lot!" Zora said
"You're one to talk, Zora. Didn't Kikimora take you captive? That's right, she did!" Eda said
(Looks at Eda seriously as Gus puts a hand on her shoulder.) "Are you trying to get on my bad side?" Zora asked
"I'm just saying ..." Eda said
"Well I wasn't in it like you, Eda." Camila said
"Does anyone know where Luz is?" Amity asked
"She left to get me fire gummies, like, ten minutes ago. And I'm still waiting!" Willow said
"I'm gonna check outside." Amity said
Cut to Luz standing alone on a balcony. Amity enters and walks up to her.
"Are you all right?" Amity asked
(Angered.) "No, I'm not! I hate this play!" Luz shouted (Yanks her hat off and throws it on the ground.)
"I know it's upsetting, but it sounds like you're overreacting." Amity said
"Overreacting? If I hadn't blocked my chakra, I'd probably be in the Avatar State right now!" Luz shouted
Cut to the rest of Team Avatar inside the building. A kid wearing a Luz costume runs by.
"You know, there should be a way for the players to make it a bit better." Gus said
"Zora, what are the chances you can get me backstage? I got some jokes I want to give to the actor that plays me." Willow said
(Seriously.) "I'm an elite warrior who's trained for many years in the art of stealth." (Smiling.) "I think I could get you backstage!" Zora said (Gus, Willow and Zora leave.)
(To Lilith, after observing everyone's reactions.) "Geez, everyone's getting so upset about their characters. Even you seem more down than usual, and that's saying something!" Boscha said
"You don't get it, it's different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself, taking down ten bad guys at once, and making sassy remarks." Lilith said
"Yeah, that's pretty great!" Boscha said
"But for me, it takes all the mistakes I've made in my life, and shoves them back in my face. My lieutenant, 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." Lilith said
(Sits down next to her.) "You have redeemed yourself to your lieutenant. You don't realize it, but you already have." Boscha said
"How do you know?" Lilith asked
"Because I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you." Boscha said
"Really?" Lilith asked
"Yeah, and it was kind of annoying." Boscha said
"Oh, sorry." Lilith said
"But it was also very sweet. All your lieutenant wanted was for you to find your own path, and see the light. Now you're here with us. He'd be proud." Boscha said (Punches Lilith on the shoulder.)
"Ow! What was that for?" Lilith asked
"That's how I show affection." Boscha said
The same kid with the Luz costume comes by and sees Lilith.
"Your Lilith costume is pretty good, but your scar's on the wrong side." the kid said (Runs off.)
"The scar's not on the wrong side!" Lilith shouted (Covers her face with her hood.)
Cut to backstage as the actors talk with each other and prepare their costumes. Gus, Willow and Zora peek backstage and spot Actress Willow.
"She's coming this way!" Zora said
"I hope you're prepared to do this." Gus said
Willow jumps out in front of Actress Willow.
"Can I help you?" Actress Willow asked
"Actually, I think I can help you. I'm a big Willow fan, but I don't think you're representing her quite as well as you could be." Willow said
(Starts walking away.) "Aww no, another fan with ideas." Actress Willow said
(Runs in front of her.) "Just hear me out." (Pulls out some cards.) "Here's something I think the real Willow would say." (Clears throat.) "What does the cabbage merchant use to fix his cabbages? A cabbage patch" Willow said
Zora gives herself a facepalm as Gus pinches the bridge of his nose in the background.
(Chuckles.) "That's actually pretty good! Let me see those!" (Takes the cards from Sokka. Reads one and laughs.) "'A rocky relationship' ... not bad!" Actress Willow said
(Puts her arm around Actress Willow's shoulder.) "Also, don't be afraid to make up some phrases, especially before an attack. Something like ... 'Flying kick-a-pow!'." Willow said (The two begin to walk away.)
"Who are you, anyway?" Actress Willow asked
"I'm just a girl who likes comedy." Willow said
(Turns to Zora, whispering.) "I did not think that would work." Gus whispered
Cut to the full moon. The shot changes to show Luz and Amity alone on the balcony.
"Amity, did you really mean what you said in there?" Luz asked
"In where? What are you talking about?" Amity asked
"On stage, when you said I was just like a ... sister to you, and you didn't have feelings for me." Luz said
"I didn't say that. An actor said that." Amity said
"But it's true, isn't it? We kissed at the Invasion, and I thought we were gonna be together. But we're not." Luz said
"Luz, I don't know." Amity said
"Why don't you know?" Luz asked
"Because, we're in the middle of a war, and we have other things to worry about. This isn't the right time." Amity said
"Well, when is the right time?" Luz asked
"Luz, I'm sorry, but right now I'm just a little confused." Amity said
Luz tries to kiss Amity.
"I just said I was confused! I'm going inside." Amity said (Exits the balcony.)
(Frustrated.) "Ugh, I'm such an idiot!" Luz said (Puts down her head on the balcony railing.)
Fade back to inside the theater. Luz returns to the rest of the group and sits in the back row with Gus, Willow, Camila and Zora.
"Here's what you missed ... we went to the Fire Nation, and you got better, and Amity was the Painted Lady, and I got a sword, and I think Combustion Man died. Oh, look, the Invasion's about to start! Shhh!" Willow said
Cut to Actresses Luz and Amity standing on one of the submarines.
"I just wanted to let you know, Luz, that I'll always love you. Like a sister." Actress Amity said
(Punching the air.) "I wouldn't want it any other way!" Actress Luz said
The two shake hands. Actress Luz opens her miniature glider and flies up via a rope. Actress Amity waves. Luz curls up and uses her hat to cover her face. Actresses Amity and Willow and Actors Gus and Boscha looking around on top of the submarine.
"Hey Boscha, would you say you and Luz have a 'rocky relationship'?" Actress Willow asked (Audience laughs as Actors Gus and Boscha were confused.)
(Laughs hysterically at Gus, Zora and Luz. Lifts up Luz's hat.) "I told her to say that!" Willow said
"I hope everyone's ready for the Invasion! Slap-a-pow!" Actress Willow said (Actress Amity and Actors Gus and Boscha became surprised from the sudden joke as the audience and Sokka laughed.)
The curtain rises, two stagehands clad in black finish pushing the Royal Palace prop and run off stage. Actresses Amity and Willow and Actors Gus and Boscha enter from the sides of the stage, while Actress Luz is dropped in from above the stage.
"We finally made it to the Royal Palace, but no one's home!" Actress Luz said
Enter Actress Lilith, stage right and Actress Willow raises her boomerang.
"Actually, I'm home, and I want to join you!" Actress Lilith said
(Lowers her boomerang.) "I guess we have no choice. Come on!" Actress Willow said (All exit stage left, except for Actress Luz, who is lifted off stage.)
(Stands up and stretches.) "I guess that's it. The play's caught up to the present now." Willow said
"Wait, the play's not over!" Camila said
(Sits back down.) "But it is over, unless ..." (Dramatically.) "this is the future." Willow said
Cut to Actor Belos on stage. The shot changes to show him standing on the Royal Palace prop. An orange lantern held by a small cable with paper flames slowly moves across the stage.
"With the energy harnessed from that comet, no one will be able to stop ..." (Lifts his hands in the air.) "the Fire Nation!" Actor Belos said
Actress Kikimora enters.
"Emperor, Lilith and the Avatar are at the Palace. They're trying to stop you!" Actress Kikimora said
"You take care of Lilith. I shall face the Avatar myself!" Actor Belos said (Disappears behind a smokescreen.)
Actress Lilith jumps on stage and a rope lowers Actress Luz on stage as she holds her miniature glider prop.
"Luz! You find the Fire Emperor, I'll hold her off!" Actress Lilith said
The cable lifts Actress Luz off stage.
"You are no longer my friend. You are an enemy!" Actress Kikimora said
"No! I am the rightful heir to the throne!" Actress Lilith said
"We'll see!" Actress Kikimora said
Actress Lilith pulls out her blue streamer and snaps it at Actress Lilith who ducks out of the way. Actress Lilith holds two red streamers and jumps to the other side of Actress Kikimora. She throws her two red streamers at her and Actress Kikimora jumps over her. Actress Kikimora raises her hand not holding the blue streamer. Five red paper resembling flames shot from the ground starting at Actress Kikimora, the last one covering Actress Lilith so that only her silhouette can be seen.
"Honor!" Actress Lilith said (She drops off stage through a trapdoor with the flames.)
Actress Kikimora bows. The audience cheers. Lilith looks worried and the rest of Team Avatar looks at her. The shot changes to show the stage, which has small paper flames fluttering upstage. Actress Luz walks across the stage and looks around while Actor Belos sits on his throne beneath the Sozin's Comet prop.
"So, you have mastered all four elements?" Actor Belos asked
(Pointing her staff prop at him.) "Yeah, and now you're going down!" Actress Luz said
"No! It is you who are going down!" (Stands up.) "You see, you are too late! The comet is already here," (Actress Luz looks in concern at the audience. Luz widens her eyes.) "and I'm unstoppable!" Actor Belos said
Actor Belos wields two red streamers. He attacks Actress Luz, who jumps out of the way. Actress Luz opens her glider, which now has two small blue banners pop out. She twirls the weapon. Actor Belos circles his streamers while Actress Luz jumps over him with the help of a rope. She tries to get close to Actor Belos, but Actor Belos makes her back away using his red streamers. Actress Luz jumps over Actor Belos, who fires a constant stream of red streamers at her. When Actress Luz lands, Actor Belos sends a large red sheet painted as fire at her. A black clad stagehand lets go of the prop and runs away.
(Becomes wrapped in the fire blanket.) "Noooo ...!" Actress Luz said (Falls to the stage with her eyes closed.)
"It is over, Emperor. We've done it!" Actress Kikimora said
"Yes! We have done it! The dreams of my father," (Large fire sheets rise behind him and a platform lifts him up.) and my father's father, have now been realized!" (A Fire Nation flag drops.) "The world ... is ... mine!" Actor Belos said
The audience, except Team Avatar, cheers loudly and gives a standing ovation. Team Avatar is noticeably concerned by the events.
Fade to outside the theater, as Team Avatar is walking away, all of them showing annoyed looks.
"That ... wasn't a good play." Lilith said
"I'll say." Luz said
"No kidding." Amity said
(walking with Zora.) "Very bad." Gus
"Horrible." Zora said
"You said it." Boscha said
"It was the worst." Eda said
"We are not going back there again." Camila said
"But the effects were decent." Willow said
Fade to credits.
