Writer: C. A. E. Jones
7:10 PM 1/22/2010
[ EXT. ALLEYWAY - AFTERNOON. : Close-up on a brick wall. Some of the bricks rattle briefly. Some water starts to trickle out from between the bricks, then a few bricks explode outward as a large volume of water pours out from the wall. ]
[ View of the alley. The water flows out over a pile of broken cement, atop which Gravitor is sprawled. Glacier is on one knee beside the cement-pile, appearing tense; sweat or water (or both) might be visible flowing down his face. ]
[ Wind lands from above, staggering and clutching her head as she catches her balance and her breath. The water rises to a human-sized mass and churns a bit, takes human shape, then returns to spiraling. ]
WIND:
Charles? Shanan?
[ Glacier reaches to the cement-pile and picks up a piece a little smaller than his hand and throws it into the water; the cement-piece disappears and the water becomes Human-Hydron, who is panting. ]
WIND:
Is everyone uall right?
HYDRON (panting):
I... think so.
[ Wind stumbles over to the cement-pile and tries to reach for Gravitor. ]
GLACIER:
He's alive.
WIND:
He's out cold...
[ She manages to get close enough to put a hand on Gravitor's chest, scattering a lot of cement in the process. ]
OFFICER1 (OS):
We've got people in the alley.
[ Wind looks up. ]
[ A police officer enters the alley from the end closest to Glacier (though still several meters away). ]
WIND:
Thank goodness your hear! This man needs help.
[ The officer stops near to where Glacier is still half-kneeling and looks over the group, then speaks into his microphone. ]
OFFICER1:
Four of them. Two women, two men; all in costumes. One of them is unconscious in a pile of cement. I can't see where the debris is from.
[ Some of the cement-chunks shift under Wind and Gravitor and Wind struggles to avoid slipping to the ground. ]
OFFICER1:
Please stay where you are.
WIND:
He needs an ambulance...
OFFICER1:
Just stay where you are.
[ Another police officer enters the alleyway from the same direction as the first and stands near Officer1. ]
OFFICER1:
Does one of you want to tell me what you're doing here?
WIND:
We just...
[ Wind pauses and looks more uneasy. ]
HYDRON:
We don't know where we are.
OFFICER1:
You're talking to the Kayef County Police department.
HYDRON:
Near where the beam started?
[ Briefly, the image of a lightning-like beam of light splitting the sky with its origin between two buildings flashes into view before dissolving (reference the previous episode). ]
WIND:
We need an ambulance...
[ A dark van with tented windows blocks the end of the alley opposite that from which the police entered. ]
BB20 (Over radio):
We'll take them from here, officer.
OFFICER1:
That'll be your ride.
[ EXT. BESIDE DRIVE-IN - AFTERNOON. : Though it is mid afternoon, there are more vehicles entering the drive-in than waiting or leaving, though few can be seen, as the focus of the scene is along a ditch that runs close to a wall of the building, though a covered concrete walkway separates the building from the grass. ]
[ Fieron kneels in the walkway, facing the ditch. Both of his gloves are off and shoved into his belt; one hand is under the "shirt" of his outfit; if any skin is visible beneath, it bears streaks of blood. Fieron breathes as though suppressing pain. ]
FIERON (muttering, slightly pained):
Claws. I've blocked bullets and fire... but get hit by claws.
[ There is a high-pitched whining sound, and Fieron looks toward the ditch, where a red fox is spasming in pain, struggling to crawl up the embankment toward the building. A fragment of smoking, coiled metal lies in the ditch; the grass near it smokes slightly. ]
FIERON:
A fox?
[ Fieron moves toward the ditch, though still bent over. Once he comes in reach of the fox, he withdraws his hand from under his shirt, revealing that it is covered in blood. He holds out the hand, and the fox weakly reaches for it and licks. Fieron's hand tenses momentarily as a thin field of golden sparks extends from the fox's mouth to his hand. ]
FIERON:
You were hit by pieces of Eoce's machines.
[ Fieron extends both hands, placing one under the foxe'schin, and the other on its leg; the golden sparks flow freely between the two, and soon the fox is glowing and peacefully licking the blood from Fieron's hand. ]
FIERON:
You must have been too scared to channel the power. But I can help with that.
[ Dissolve. to... ]
[ INT. QUARANTINE HALLWAY - DIM. : The floor is linoleum tyle, and the walls appear to be made of a shiny matterial that possesses very fine vinal-like ridges through it vertically. ]
[ Gravitor paces anxiously up and down the hall. ]
WIND (OS):
Are you trying to walk a hole in the floor?
[ Wind enters; Gravitor stops and the two face one another in the middle of the hall. ]
GRAVITOR:
I'm just sick of being in that room all day. This place is like a prison.
WIND:
They'll let us out soon. They have to. They've had plenty of time to be sure we didn't catch anything from Eoce's place.
GRAVITOR:
Eoce...
[ Gravitor glares angrily at the floor. ]
GRAVITOR (cont'd):
Metal-faced piece of trash went to a lot of trouble to put us in here. And we still don't know what any of that was about.
WIND:
We got away from him alive. That's the important thing.
GRAVITOR:
Lucky for him.
WIND:
Stop that.
[ Metallic clatter is audible from offscreen (to the right); Gravitor looks up. ]
WIND:
Sounds like Glacier's still having trouble.
GRAVITOR:
Eoce probably did that on purpose, too.
WIND (patience masking frustration):
Maybe I'll go ask him.
GRAVITOR:
Do that.
[ Gravitor walks past her; Wind gives a frustrated sigh/groan, then walks off in the other direction. ]
[ INT. QUARANTINE ROOM - DIM. : The room is small and the floors and walls are bare, the same style as seen in the previous scene. There is a cot covered by a white sheet on one wall, a closed door with a dark metal handle on the other. Light comes from a single fluorescent tube in the ceiling. Tiny fragments of metal are scattered over the floor. Glacier stands in the middle of the room, staring blankly at his outstretched right hand, facing the door. ]
[ There comes a knocking from the door. Glacier disinterestedly looks up and reaches out to flip the door handle enough that the lock clicks open, then he steps back. The door slowly pushes open and Wind glances inside from the equally dim hall from beyond. She notices the floor and looks at it curiously. ]
WIND:
What is that? Is that metal?
[ Wind looks up toward Glacier. ]
WIND (cont'd):
Where did you get that?
GLACIER:
Eoce's machines.
WIND:
Where have you kept it?
GLACIER:
With the ice.
WIND:
I haven't seen you make ice since we got back.
GLACIER:
That's because I haven't.
WIND:
Can you make other things than ice?
GLACIER:
... I can't make anything.
WIND:
What do you mean?
[ Wind steps inside; the door shuts on its own when she releases it. ]
WIND (cont'd):
You've gotten all that ice from somewhere.
GLACIER:
It's not free.
WIND:
What do you mean?
GLACIER:
I can't use ice without putting something else in its place.
[ Wind glances at the metal on the floor. ]
WIND:
Did you replace it with this?
GLACIER:
Yes.
WIND:
Can you replace people with ice?
[ Glacier shakes his head. ]
WIND:
I didn't see any of this disappear.
GLACIER:
The closer it is to people, the harder it is to use. I usually pick things to use later.
WIND:
Can you get it back?
[ Wind She looks at the floor again. ]
WIND (cont'd):
Well, I guess so.
GLACIER:
I couldn't before we went through the portals.
[ Wind looks at Glacier uneasily. ]
WIND:
Can you still make ice?
GLACIER:
I haven't been able to since the portals. I'm running out of matterial in here.
WIND:
Can you use air?
GLACIER:
Air is too light. It's possible, but I avoid it.
[ There are a few seconds of silence. ]
WIND:
Hey! You still haven't told anyone your name!
GLACIER:
Has that been a problem?
WIND:
Well, what are we supposed to call you?
GLACIER:
Has that been a problem?
WIND:
Well, do you like just being called "Glacier" all the time?
GLACIER:
It's worked to now.
[ Wind sighs. ]
WIND:
All right then, "Glacier". Is there anything you will tell us?
BLACK EAGLE (OS, distant):
Wind! Glacier! Report to the meetingroom.
WIND:
Black Eagle? Maybe they're letting us out of here!
[ Glacier shrugs. ]
WIND:
... Come on.
[ She takes Glacier's arm in one hand and opens the door with the other, then hurries out with Glacier following. ]
[ INT. STATE CAPITOL - DAY. : The scene opens on a vast rotunda, with marble-railed balconies encircling it several feet above the ground, and staircases on either end. A well-dressed man flanked by uniformed guards approaches the staircase on the left, and the camera follows him up the stairs until he makes his way to a carpeted hallway branching off of the current path. He comes to an open door and the guards stop. ]
[ INT. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE - DAY. : The office isn't exceptionally large, though it does seem big enough to double as a bedroom were it not dominated by a large desk. There is a neat stack of papers sitting on the desk. ]
[ The previously-seen well-dressed man, hereafter referred to as "the governor", walks to the desk and takes a seat with an audible sigh. He withdraws a pen from his pocket and moves some of the papers aside, then suddenly goes still when he picks up a certain page (what is on it cannot be clearly seen). The governor slides the remaining pages aside and flattens the one on the desk and brings his pen down as though to write. ]
FIERON (OS):
Ratifying something, are we?
[ The governor jerks with a start, the pen making a stray slash across the page. The governor looks up, and Fieron is visible (gloves on his hands), watching motionlessly. ]
GOVERNOR (frightened, stuttering):
Y... You! Security!
[ The previously-seen guards rush into the room as the governor frantically flees from his desk. Fieron quickly raises a hand, and the page the governor was about to sign flutters off of the desk and into the floor. ]
GUARD1:
Freeze!
FIERON:
So you're a coward, then. Pity.
[ One of the guards pulls the governor aside as the other stands between the governor and Fieron, a gun in hand; as he takes his position, the page in the floor is crushed beneath his foot. Fieron turns and is engulfed in blue sparks before rushing out of the room. ]
[ INT. STATE CAPITOL - DAY. ]
[ Fieron rushes down the stairs and off screen, obscured by the sparks surrounding him. ]
GUARD1 (OS, reverb):
We have a three eighteen!
[ EXT. OUTSIDE CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY. : The previously-seen fox stands at the bottom of a large set of stairs leading up to a stately-looking building, watching the entrance. ]
[ Fieron, still sheathed in sparks, streaks out of the building, at the same time as a pair of armed guards. Fieron stops near the fox and the sparks fade. ]
GUARD2:
Don't move!
FIERON:
Why not?
[ The fox leaps up the stairs; its fur stands on end as it is surrounded in a golden glow. ]
GUARD2:
He's got a fox!
[ A gunshot is fired at the same instant that the fox snaps at the air in the direction of the guards. ]
[ Slow-motion as the fox's golden aura extends outward from its head for a foot or so; a bullet glances the aura and is deflected so that it narrowly misses the fox's head. A wave of fire emerges from the edge of the aura and expands in the direction of the guards. ]
[ Normal speed: The wave of fire forces the guards back. ]
FIERON:
Fierox!
[ The fox turns and approaches Fieron. ]
FIERON:
Our work is done. No need to get yourself shot.
[ Fieron crouches beside the fox and places a hand on its back. Blue and golden sparks engulf them both as they speed out of sight. ]
[ Fade to black. ]
[ INT. QUARANTINE MEETINGROOM - DAY. : The room is the same linoleum-and-vinal style as seen previously. There is enough room that the room isn't quite crowded with five people within, Black Eagle standing on one side of a long table, with Hydron, Gravitor, Wind and Glacier on the other (all are in their customary outfits). ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Once you all pass your final physicals, you're out of quarantine.
GRAVITOR:
About time.
BLACK EAGLE:
You're being briefed, Gravitor. You're being pulled out to participate in a major operation.
GRAVITOR (half-phececious):
Sir... What qualifies as "major"?
BLACK EAGLE:
Fieron's been interfering with increasingly powerful people. He showed up at a governor's office last week. So we have orders to catch him. Dead or alive.
HYDRON:
Has anyone tried reasoning with him?
BLACK EAGLE:
It's not easy to get a chance. When there's someone trying to burn you, stopping to chat gets you killed.
WIND:
Sir... how are we supposed to catch him?
BLACK EAGLE:
Eoce's rover that you took down at the collider has been modified. It's now a remote-controlled Fieron robot.
WIND:
Fieron robot? How will that help?
BLACK EAGLE:
Fieron's big on covering his back. If he hears about someone looking like Fieron burning things, he'll come to see who it is.
GRAVITOR:
His ego could use a shrinking.
BLACK EAGLE:
That it could.
WIND:
Wait, burning things?
BLACK EAGLE:
The city's given us permition to use some condemned buildings. The fire department has been warned.
WIND:
But if we start destroying things... aren't we the same as him?
BLACK EAGLE:
Do you have a better idea, Wind?
[ (beat) ]
WIND:
No.
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY. : A rigid figure, similar in appearance to Fieron, stands on a wooden porch with a ramp leading from it to the ground, which is damp with traces of snow off to the sides. ]
[ The Fieron look-alike raises an arm, and fire shoots from it into the foreground (angled below the camera). ]
[ EXT. ROADBLOCK - DAY. : Black Eagle, Glacier, Wind, Hydron and Gravitor all stand near a baricade crossing a narrow street. Off to one side of the screen, flames are visible. ]
WIND:
As cold as it is, that won't last long.
BLACK EAGLE:
It only needs to last long enough to get Fieron's attention.
WIND:
Do we really have to wait outside?
HYDRON:
Fieron can escape in the time it'd take us to get out of a van or building.
BLACK EAGLE:
Exactly. For now we wait. And try not to let anyone overhear you.
GRAVITOR:
It may be a little chilly, but it's better than being in quarantine a second longer.
WIND:
Well, that's true.
[ Glacier raises his eyebrows, smiles momentarily, then looks down and sighs quietly. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - AERIAL VIEW - DAY. : Another fire pops up, and the smoke drifts southward (the sun should be visible to the southeast, though obscured by translucent haze). ]
[ EXT. FIELD BEHIND BUILDING - DAY. : The identity of the building is unclear, though its back wall is visible and appears to be sided in metal covered in white paint, much of which has been chipped away to reveal dull silverish colors. There is a narrow concrete walkway running along the wall, and an open dumpster stands near it. The field extends off screen and out of sight, though a few poles and bushes are visible in either direction not obscured by the building. A two-meter ditch, half filled with mud and obscured by tall weeds, lies around ten meters from the building. ]
[ Blue sparks streak over the field and give way to Fieron, who descends to land audibly on the grass below. Fieron remains still for a moment, then moves his head as though looking for something. ]
[ A distant fox-cry is heard, and Fieron turns to face the direction of the sound, as the previously-seen fox, hereafter referred to as Fierox, comes running toward the ditch from the side opposite the building. ]
[ Fierox leaps into the air upon reaching the ditch and flies over it with a faint spark-trail. Fierox runs to Fieron and stands facing him, holding up a paw. ]
FIERON:
Hello, Fierox.
[ Fieron pulls off his gloves and shoves them into his belt, then puts a hand on Fierox's head and another on the raised paw. Blue and gold sparks flow freely between Fieron and Fierox. ]
FIERON:
It seems there is something that requires our attention. It's a bit farther than you've traveled, I think, but I know the way.
[ Fieron withdraws the hand from Fierox's paw and turns so that he is standing beside the fox. Blue and gold sparks engulf them both and streak off to the left of the building. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY. : A group of BB agents are gathered between a van and a small house, which appears to be burning. The agents have a clear view around the side of the house (though from this angle, we do not). ]
POLICECHIEF (over radio):
Street patrol's spotted something moving fast, and sparking too much to make out clearly. They said it was size enough to be a cyclist.
BB10:
Copy on that. Good work, chief.
BB18:
Team element, the turkey is being delivered.
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - ROADBLOCK - DAY. : Taoe is still in place. Flames are visible on both edges of the screen. Wind's arms are folded and she is visibly shivering, while Hydron's head is lowered tiredly. ]
BB18 (over radio):
Repeat, the turkey is being delivered.
[ Hydron's head lifts. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
That's our cue. Look sharp, team.
[ Wind lets her arms down to her side, though they are unusually tight against her. Glacier turns around and scans the sky. ]
HYDRON:
Is the robot still working correctly in this weather?
[ a tongue of blue flame flies into the air near the foreground from the top right of the screen, quickly fizzling out of existence. ]
GRAVITOR:
Looks like it.
[ EXT. SIDESTREET - DAY. : Burning houses are visible across a six-foot-high barier composed of four strands of barbed-wire. ]
[ A blue streak of sparks flies into the iddle of the screen and fades to reveal Fieron, who looks toward the flames. A golden streak approaches from the same side of the screen, fading into Fierox before it stops near Fieron. Fierox circles Fieron once, then stops beside him, looking toward the flames. Fierox growls softly. ]
FIERON:
Baricades? Now, who would set fires in my costume inside a baricade?
[ Fieron places a hand on the second-highest strand of barbed-wire, just between two barbs. ]
FIERON:
Perhaps this will tell us.
[ Blue sparks ignite around Fieron's hand and race along the wire; after a moment, the other wires are covered in sparks, though less intense than those nearest Fieron's hand. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - BEHIND HOUSE - DAY. : The BB agents are still waiting between the van and the burning house. Static is audible. ]
BB10:
The barbed-wire is electrified.
BB18:
Team element, do you copy?
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - NEAR ROADBLOCK - DAY. ]
BB18 (over radio, distorted):
Do you copy?
BLACK EAGLE:
This is Black Eagle. You're breaking up.
[ There is a loud crack, and a smoking fence-post flies over head; all of Taoe ducks as it passes. The post whips back around as though connected to a rope (or wire). ]
WIND:
What was that?
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - ABOVE BURNING HOUSE - DAY. : The robot Fieron stands on the ground beside the ramp leading to the previously-seen porch. ]
[ The flying fence-post, now visibly connected to a glowing wire, flies toward the burning house, but strikes the ground before it gets there, sending up a collumn of smoke. Sparks intensify around the post and the wire, and the post is tugged back off screen. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - BEHIND BURNING HOUSE - DAY. ]
BB18:
Is the robot still responding to commands?
BB12:
It should be backing up...
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY. : The robot Fieron backs away from the ramp, then raises an arm. Fire shoots from the arm and the ramp begins to burn. ]
[ EXT. SIDESTREET - DAY. : Fierox has backed away from Fieron, who is still holding a strand of the barbed wire. ]
[ Beyond Fieron's reach, the wire flails. It coils inward, and drags in the smoking fence-post, which strikes the lower strands, and there is an electrical crackling as sparks flash between them. ]
FIERON:
This is taking too long.
[ Fieron removes his hand from the wire, and the sparking dies and the post falls, still smoking. Fieron aims a hand toward the area where the loose post struck the wire, and thrusts his hand toward it. A burst of orange flame the size of his forearm flies from his hand and strikes each strand of wire in succession, severing it and leaving it to fall limp. ]
FIERON:
You're free to enter, Fierox. Not that you couldn't have found a way before.
[ Fieron steps over the fallen wire and toward the burning building. Fierox watches intently. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - NEAR ROADBLOCK - DAY. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Hold your position. Gravitor, ready the balls. Wind, stand by on gas control.
[ Black Eagle turns toward the flames off to the right. Wind, Hydron and Glacier follow; Gravitor looks toward something obscured by the barier. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY. : The Robot Fieron moves through the burning remains of the porch-ramp, as Fieron approaches from the opposite direction. ]
FIERON:
You chose an odd day for arsen. And an odd disguise.
[ Robot-Fieron's arm aims toward Fieron, and flames erupt from it. ]
[ Fieron blocks the fire with his hand, which smokes slightly. A field of blue sparks forms around Fieron's hand and expands to push back the flames. ]
FIERON:
Careless. And clearly artificial.
[ Fieron holds up his free hand. ]
FIERON (cont'd):
I can do far more with less.
[ Fieron thrusts his hand up and forward, and a forearm-sized burst of fire flies from it, following a curved path; the projectile strikes the robot's shoulder, causing its costume to start to burn, but the flamethrower doesn't cease. ]
[ EXT: ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - NEAR ROADBLOCK - DAY. : Glacier is now holding a canister with a nozzle on the end. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Now!
[ A cloud of yellow-green mist sprays out of the canister that Glacier holds. Wind holds out her hands, and the cloud is guided by the wind off toward the flames. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - BEHIND BURNING HOUSE - DAY. : BB12 is standing nearer the corner of the house, holding out a remote control as though aiming it. ]
BB10:
At this rate, Fieron will dismantle the robot before--
[ bathed in golden sparks and flames, Fierox flies into view and lands in front of BB10. ]
BB18:
What the...!
[ Fierox snaps at BB10's leg. BB10 jerks his leg to the side, but sparks and fire flow from Fierox's head and strikes the side of BB10's leg. BB10 staggers as smoke flies from the point of impact. ]
BB18:
Back, boy...
[ BB18 aims a large gun at Fierox. BB12 looks at the scene. ]
BB12:
Is that a fox?
[ Fierox turns and backs away; a trail of fire from Fierox's tail leaves smoke rising from the ground over which it passes. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - IN FRONT OF BURNING HOUSE - DAY. ]
[ The previously-seen cloud of gas rushes at Fieron from his right. ]
FIERON (coughing):
What the....
[ A coconut-sized metallic orb flies toward Fieron from the same direction, though it accelerates as though falling. ]
[ Fieron turns out of range of the robot's flames, which subsequently die. Fieron puts a hand up near his face, and ducks; the orb flies past him, but slows and falls back toward his head. Fieron coughs again, then raises a hand to strike the orb off course again. ]
[ A beam of sparks and light strikes Fieron from off screen, and he falls backward, rolling across the ground; the orb catches him in the thigh, then falls to the ground. ]
[ Black Eagle, flanked by the rest of Taoe, approaches. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Gravitor, hold him down!
GRAVITOR:
I'll try...
BLACK EAGLE:
Do, don't try.
FIERON:
Weight... isn't enough to hold me.
[ He struggles to his feet, still surrounded by the yellow-green gas-cloud. ]
[ The robot Fieron faces Fieron, and its flamethrower ignites again. Fieron holds up both arms to block with a spark-shield. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
We'll wear him down; keep on him.
[ Black Eagle extends both hands, and sparks and light flow from both and join into one large beam that blasts toward Fieron. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - BEHIND BURNING HOUSE - DAY. ]
BB18:
Ten, are you ok?
BB10:
Yeah.
[ BB10 shakes smoking leg. ]
BB10 (cont'd):
You want me to grab it?
[ Fierox jumps high, flames igniting around him/her/it. BB18 moves his gun to aim, but Fierox strikes it aside with fire from his/her/its paws. Fierox sails over BB18 and toward BB12, who dives to the ground to dodge. ]
[ BB10 makes a leap for Fierox, but fire from Fierox's tail pushes BB10 back. A large burst of golden sparks bursts from Fierox's head to the ground, sending a sparking shockwave toward BB12. The remote Control flies out of BB12's hand, sparking until it strikes the ground and cracks, smoking. ]
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - IN FRONT OF BURNING HOUSE - DAY. : Fieron still struggles against Black Eagle's and the robot's beams, surrounded in the gas-cloud, apparently struggling under his own weight. ]
[ The robots flames abruptly die, and it backs up, turns, and heads around Taoe and off screen. ]
HYDRON:
Why is the robot leaving?
BB18 (over Radio):
We've lost the remote! Repeat, we have lost the remote! The robot is running on auto-pilot!
[ The gas-cloud around Fieron begins to spread and thin. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Don't let up! Glacier, spray him again!
[ Fieron lowers his head and breathes deeply and loudly. ]
[ More of the gas sprays from Glacier's canister. ]
BLACK EAGLE (struggling):
Hydron... follow the robot.
[ Hydron nods, then takes water form and rushes off in the direction the robot went. ]
FIERON:
Are you ready for me to start fighting back?
BLACK EAGLE:
Wind! Give us a hand!
[ A fiery aura ignites around Fieron, and Black Eagle's blast is overtaken in flames that throw him back, all the way to the pavement. ]
FIERON:
It feels as though we've done this before, Black Eagle. Ah yes, I remember; this is how our last meeting ended.
[ The silver orb falls at Fieron's head. He holds up a hand and the orb is trapped in a net of blue sparks. ]
GRAVITOR:
Awe jees...
FIERON:
Blocking metal projectiles was one of my first feats of wonder.
[ Flames shoot up from Fieron's hand and engulf the orb. When the fire fades, tiny metal fragments scatter into the air and vanish. ]
[ The sound of a gunshot breaks the air. Black Eagle gets back up. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Spray him again!
FIERON:
I'm ready for it this time. Besides...
[ Another gunshot is audible. Fieron extends his hand, and blue sparks stream from it toward Glacier. Glacier blocks with the canister, though the nozzle gives off smoke. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Glacier, drop it! Before--
[ The nozzle explodes, and yellow-green mist burst out around it, fluid dripping toward the ground. Glacier releases the canister and steps back. ]
FIERON:
Admirable attempt, but if this was all just to get my attention...
[ Fierox runs on screen and toward Fieron. ]
FIERON (cont'd):
Then I'll be on my way.
BLACK EAGLE:
Stay right there.
FIERON:
Do I have a reason?
[ Black Eagle's fists glow blue. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
I'll be glad to give you one.
[ Fierox growls. ]
GRAVITOR:
What's with the... is that a fox?
FIERON:
How kind of you to notice.
[ EXT. ALLEYWAY - DAY. : The Fieron robot, burned shoulder and all, moves swiftly along the road, without moving its limbs. Water-Hydron pursues, and is gaining. ]
BB10 (OS):
I see it...
[ BB10, BB18, and BB12 run onto the scene. ]
BB18 (into radio):
Requesting remote deactivation.
[ Water-Hydron gets in front of the robot and rises to strike it; it falls to the side, but turns and rockets sideways, striking the groundn with an arm and flipping itself into the air, then stablizing. The robot keeps moving, but the BB agents are able to get closer to it. ]
[ Hydron takes Human-form. ]
HYDRON:
I had to get inside it to deactivate it the first time.
BB18 (into radio):
Robot is still active!
[ EXT. ABANDONNED NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY. ]
FIERON:
Go ahead and attack me; you know what will happen.
[ Black Eagle glares at Fieron, but his fists stop glowing and lower. ]
FIERON:
Now, if you don't mind...
[ A cloud of smoke suddenly erupts from Glacier, and hits Fieron full in the face. Fieron coughs and ducks, turning to run, only to run into the corner of the burning house, scattering burning fragments of wood around him. ]
[ Black Eagle appears incredulous. ]
GRAVITOR:
My turn!
[ Gravitor leans toward the building. ]
[ A burning board falls from the house toward Fieron. A spark-field comes into existence around Fieron, but the board still strikes him in the back, and he is nearly face down on the ground for a moment. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Got him!
[ Black Eagle runs toward Fieron, but Fierox jumps into the air and intercepts him, surrounded in fire. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Stupid mut...!
[ Black Eagle blasts Fierox into the house with a beam from his hand, a burning hole forms in Fierox's wake. ]
FIERON:
That was a mistake.
[ Fieron jumps up and toward Black Eagle, a two-meter-high wall of sparks roaring outward from him, throwing Black Eagle back. ]
[ A strong gust of wind catches Fieron's hood, but Fieron turns his back toward Gravitor and Wind, and the hood stays up. ]
FIERON:
Fierox!
[ Fierox jumps out of the hole in the wall, tail smoking. ]
FIERON:
Good, good... Now, let's be off.
GRAVITOR:
No need to hurry. Why don't the two of you get a little closer first?
[ Fierox suddenly falls from the ground, though without moving, and falls toward Fieron. Fieron holds out an arm and catches Fierox, who twists in confusion. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
It'll take more to--
FIERON:
Enough!
[ Fieron extends his free arm, and a stream of fire flies toward Taoe. Fierox falls to the ground, landing in a crouch. ]
FIERON:
Impressive trick with the smoke, I admit. I noticed you jumping from a train to meet Eoce; I also noticed that the smoke you hit me with was similar to that from the train. You'll no doubt have much more from these fires. But it will not be enough to catch me. Attack me or Fierox again, and I will retaliate. Within my legal rights, at that.
GRAVITOR:
You can't take all of us.
FIERON:
I'm afraid I can.
BLACK EAGLE:
You won't escape me again.
FIERON:
Hmmph.
[ Fieron crouches and places a hand on Fierox's head. Sparks envelope the both of them and streak past Black Eagle and across the street. ]
[ Black Eagle spins around, his fire-wings bursting into existence in the process. He jumps into the air and flies after the spark-trail. ]
GRAVITOR:
Come on; we might be able to catch him!
BB18 (over radio):
The robot won't shut down! It's heading east; we can't stop it without backup.
GRAVITOR:
Just great...
WIND:
I'll go after the robot; you help Black Eagle!
[ Wind flies into the air and heads off toward the roadblock. ]
GRAVITOR:
Well, fine...
[ Gravitor looks toward the fading points of light in the sky, and soon lifts off the ground and accelerates toward them. ]
[ Glacier walks toward the burning house and holds a hand toward the hole that Fierox fell through. A small spray of oil falls from his hands, igniting near the flames and sending up a cloud of black smoke. Glacier steps back and looks down at his oil-soaked gloves, then rips them off and throws them into the flames. He stares at where the gloves disapear for several seconds, and tears start to flow down his cheeks before he turns and walks away. ]
[ EXT. CITY STREET - DAY. : This street runs by somewhat run-down, but in current use buildings, though at this hour, most people in the area are leaving. There are occasional vehicles--mostly small cars or minivans--that drive down the street, and a thick cloud of smoke is visible to one side. ]
[ The Fieron Robot moves rigidly and swiftly along the sidewalk, paying no apparent heed to its surroundings. Water-Hydron flows along the sidewalk after it, spreading thin to keep up. BB12, BB10 and BB18 follow close behind. ]
BB19:
It's way too close to civilians. If Eoce's programming is taking over, it might attack anything that gets in its way.
[ A powerful gust of wind blows the hood of the robot back, revealing a plaster head-shaped model painted in a pale, caucasian skin-tone. ]
[ Wind lands a good distance down the sidewalk, closer to a curb at least fifteen meters away from the robot. ]
WIND:
You built a remote for it, dressed it up like Fieron, even built that creepy fake head... but let Eoce's programming stay?
[ Hydron is gaining on the robot. Wind holds out her arms as though to command a halt, though the robot is unphased. ]
WIND (to herself):
Maybe the only way to slow it is to make it attack. I don't think I've seen it torch and move fast at the same time.
[ Wind lowers her arms and starts running toward the robot. ]
WIND (cont'd):
I hope I can dodge that flamethrower...
[ EXT. ABOVE SUBDIVISION - DAY. : Black Eagle Flies intently, his body angled so that he is just above horizontal, looking down and forward. ]
GRAVITOR (OS):
Incoming!
[ Gravitor accelerates toward Black Eagle, already traveling quickly. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Lemburen, you idiot! I can't track Fieron if you plow into me!
[ Gravitor stops accelerating, though keeps moving. He kicks with both of his legs, allowing him to slide over Black Eagle. He glides past him at first, but Black Eagle catches up and the two are traveling in parallel. ]
GRAVITOR:
Did you see where he went?
BLACK EAGLE:
Somewhere in this maze of old houses.
GRAVITOR:
You haven't lost him yet?
BLACK EAGLE:
That fox didn't fly like Fieron does. They were sticking close to the ground. That means there's a limited number of places they could have gone.
GRAVITOR:
Sounds easy enough.
BLACK EAGLE:
I wish. A limited number is still too big a number. I'm not letting him humiliate me and get away without having to work for it, though.
[ Below, a brief flash of blue is visible moving between two houses to the left of the path on which Black Eagle and Gravitor were traveling. ]
GRAVITOR:
Did you see that?
BLACK EAGLE:
Yes. Don't lose sight of him!
[ Black Eagle dives, and Gravitor flips upright and falls toward a rooftop along the path of the light, though the light is now gone. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
There's a street up there. I might be able to cut him off...
[ The road is narrow and gray and void of traffic, be it pedestrian or automobile. Black Eagle lands and his wings retract and fade in a quick burst of smoke. He catches his breath as he looks around. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
He couldn't have passed here already. I don't see any sign of him nearby...
[ EXT. ROOFTOP - DAY. : Gravitor nearly slides off of the roof once he "lands" on it, but is able to push off of it with a hand and flip back up to a high place where he stands at an angle as though the roof were horizontal and not at an angle to the ground.* ]
GRAVITOR:
Nothing. Maybe he's running around the houses to throw us off.
[ EXT. STORECORNER - DAY. : Fieron and Fierox stand on the sidewalk at the corner of a building of faded whitewashed brick. Fieron is in the process of lowering his hand from an outstretched position and to Fierox's head. ]
FIERON:
They took the bate. That should teach them to rely on their eyes.
[ Fieron kneels slightly and takes Fierox's paw in his other hand, and sparks flow freely between his hands and Fierox. ]
FIERON:
I think it's time we went home.
[ EXT. CITY STREET - DAY. : Wind is running toward the Robot Fieronn, which is still moving obliviously down the sidewalk, with a vast puddle and three BB agents pursuing it. ]
BB12:
What is she doing?
BB18:
Keep your distance! It's weapons are still operational!
WIND:
That's what I'm counting on, unfortunately.
[ As she comes close to the robot, she draws her arms up in front of her chest with her palms forward. The robot raises its arm toward her, and she throws herself down and forward. Fire shoots from the robot's arm, but a powerful gust of wind fands the flames over Wind's head and back toward the robot as it slows to a stop. The robot's arm lowers to keep its aim on Wind, but she rolls aside, gets to her feet, and holds out her arms again, as the wind intensifies. The Flamethrower stops, but a large portion of the false face and the top of the costume are burned. ]
BB10:
She made it burn itself! Won't stop it, though.
[ The robot starts to move forward, but before it can pick up much speed, Water-Hydron rushes under it and rises around it in a funnel of water. ]
WIND:
Yeah, stand up through this!
[ A final gale throws the robot and the water off of the sidewalk and onto a small lawn. The water-cacoon tightens around the robot. As the water pulls away from the robot's head, it is revealed that the paintjob on the "face" has been completely destroyed, leaving a mix of offwhite plaster and scorchmarks with a few streaks of miscolored paint marring it. ]
BB10:
That'll do it!
[ All three BB agents surround the robot. BB10 jumps on it and holds onto its flamethrower arm with one hand, while reaching under the remains of the costume with the other. He finally rises, and Water-Hydron takes human shape near to Wind and returns to human form. ]
BB10:
It should be off now.
BB18:
Nice work, agents.
[ EXT. SUBDIVISION - DAY. Black Eagle stands on the road, now facing the previously-seen houses. ]
[ Gravitor lands lightly beside Black Eagle. ]
GRAVITOR:
I didn't see anything. Well, nothing to do with Fieron.
BLACK EAGLE:
He tricked us. That dirty...
[ Black Eagle looks like he wants to say more, but breathes deeply and calms before raising a hand to his face. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
This is Black Eagle. The turkey has left the kitchen.
GRAVITOR:
We almost had him.
BLACK EAGLE:
Only because of that wif of gas. Every time we got close, it was something in the air. All that power, and Fieron has a sensitive nose.
[ Black Eagle blows out his nose indignantly. ]
[ INT. COSUME SHOP - DAY. : The shop is alive with noise, though it doesn't seem incredibly crowded. There isn't much space, though, as the store itself is small and divided by narrow isles formed by tightly-packed clothes-racks and a few shelves. ]
[ Glacier stands near a shelf in the back of the store, holding a pair of yellow gloves in one bare hand and looking at it with a frown. (Glacier's eyes might appear reddened, as though he has been recently crying.). ]
[ Glacier turns and walks toward the counter at the center of the store, where a young woman stands, smiling patiently. ]
CLERK:
Will you be buying these, sir?
GLACIER:
Do you have any blue ones?
CLERK:
I don't know; I can check the back.
[ There is brief noise as the door opens and a skinny teenaged boy with a brown mullet ending in slight curls enters the shop. ]
CLERK:
Is there any particular shade you'd like?
[ Glacier takes a few steps back and lifts a knee, revealing his boot. ]
GLACIER:
This shade.
CLERK:
I'll check.
TEENAGER:
So you aren't going to buy those?
GLACIER:
I might.
TEENAGER:
Are there any others like that?
GLACIER:
Yes.
[ The teenager nods and disappears down an isle. The clerk turns and looks toward the opposite side of the store. ]
CLERK:
Hey Tod!
TOD (OS):
Yeah?
CLERK:
Can you check in back and see if we have any blue gloves?
TOD (OS):
Sure!
CLERK:
If you'll wait just a minute...
TEENAGER (OS, muttering quietly):
Noal was always better at this...
CLERK:
Are you on your way to some kind of event?
GLACIER:
No.
CLERK:
Ok. It's just that usually if people walk in with an incomplete costume, they're going somewhere in a hurry.
GLACIER:
I'm not in a hurry, but I would like quick.
CLERK:
So would I. I am sorry for the wait, though. It's getting toward the holidays, and it's hard to keep everything stocked. You wouldn't think people would be buying up so many costume supplies this long after Halloween, but they just keep--
[ A loud clatter comes from somewhere offscreen, though muffled as though in an adjacent room. ]
CLERK:
Sounds like Tod's having a little trouble.
[ The clerk turns to face off screen. ]
CLERK (shouting):
Tod! You ok?
TOD (OS):
Yeah!
[ Tod, a male that could be anywhere in his twenties, walks in, carrying a cardboard box. ]
TOD:
Sorry. They were on the top shelf, and I thought I saw a fox out the window.
CLERK (laughing):
You're just clumsy.
[ Tod smiles. ]
TOD:
I guess so.
[ Tod sets the box on the counter. ]
TOD (cont'd):
These were the only blue gloves I could find.
[ He pulls out a pair that is almost identical to Glacier's old pair. Glacier takes them and slides his hand into one. He opens and closes it a bit. ]
ISDACHAIRMAN (over radio):
This is the chairman. Turn off the oven.
[ The Clerk and Tod exchange confused glances, then look toward Glacier. ]
TOD:
Yours?
GLACIER:
How much are these?
CLERK:
All our gloves are the same price, right?
TOD:
So far as I know.
[ The Clerk picks up the yellow gloves and sets them down near the cash register. ]
CLERK:
They'll be four forty-eight.
[ The previously-seen teenager approaches the counter, carrying a plain black shirt. Glacier places a plastic card on the counter (from where it comes is obscured by the teenager's arrival). The clerk takes the card and swipes it (the card and her hand are out of view as she does so), then hands it back to Glacier. ]
CLERK:
Thank you.
[ The clerk presses some buttons on the cash register, and it reacts noisily as it prints out a receit. The clerk tears the receit and hands it to Glacier. ]
CLERK:
Thanks very much. Have a great day!
[ Glacier tears the second glove from the one on his hand and places it over his hand, then steps away from the counter. The teenager sets the black shirt on the counter and reaches for the yellow gloves. ]
TEENAGER:
Can I get those, too?
CLERK:
You sure can!
[ The clerk picks up the shirt. Glacier hands his receit to the teenager, who holds it uneasily. ]
GLACIER:
Burn it.
[ The teenager messes with his hair with his free hand, then pockets the receit. Glacier turns and walks away. ]
