T A O E

Episode 15: "To Burn a Pearl"

Writer:  C. A. E. Jones

9:07 AM 5/6/2010

[ INT. HALLWAY - DAY. : The light of day is visible through a set of doubledoors with large glass windows in them at the end of the hallway (reference episode 14). Wind, Hydron and Kejek stand near the doors, facing Anthon, a man wearing a visor. Elanmak approaches the group from further down the hall. ]

ANTHON (cont'd):
We do want to keep it quiet, though.

WIND:
Why are you telling us, then?

[ Anthon reaches into his jacket and pulls out a badge with "ISDA" written on it, holding it so that only Wind can see. Wind's eyes widen, and Anthon puts the badge back into his jacket. Anthon turns his attention back to Kejek. ]

ANTHON:
A suspicious number of things lead back to you, Mr. Facques. It could be coincidental, but don't be surprised if more questions come your way.

[ Anthon turns and walks back out the doors. Wind looks at Kejek quizicly, while Hydron looks through the door-windows after Anthon. ]

WIND:
You know... he has a point.

[ Elanmak stops a few feet behind Kejek, smirking. ]

KEJEK:
How's that?

WIND:
You show up on the same plane as Kamal and Dark Bob, find this book in some castle--where your mom went hiking with Shanan's parents, no less--Kairin's at the same school as you, and now you happen to know someone who saw the book-thieves.

KEJEK:
I haven't even seen Sejes since last Thanksgiving. His mom had them leave town after Fieron and that big guy fought out by that gas station.

WIND:
Fieron's involved, now?!

KEJEK:
I only heard about it. It was just down the road from where the police first saw him a couple years ago.

WIND:
So you're all from the same town as Fieron? That explains a lot.

[ Kejek shrugs. Elanmak makes a "pfft" sound and crosses his arms. Hydron looks back at Elanmak, whose smirk fades as he takes a step back. ]

KEJEK:
A lot of things lead back to you. The two of you were involved in most of those, too.

WIND:
Yeah, but...

HYDRON:
Coincidences are getting more common in this age.

[ Hydron looks toward the door. ]

HYDRON (cont'd):
We should probably get going.

[ Wind looks at Hydron in confusion. ]

WIND:
I... guess you're right.

KEJEK:
Well, see you later, then.

[ Hydron opens the nearest door. Wind steps out, glancing back at Kejek. Wind and Hydron both walk out of view from the doors; the opened door swings shut on its own. ]

ELANMAK:
What was that about?

[ Kejek turns to face Elanmak. ]

KEJEK:
How long have you been there?

[ EXT. VORTEX - TWILIGHT. : A black and white spiral fills the screen with a dimly-glowing pool of gray at its center. ]

THERACY (voice-over):
Is it safe to look inside?

ISDACHAIRMAN (voice-over, reverb):
Yellow.

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ INT. ISDA CONFERENCEROOM - DAY. : The ISDAChairman, Theracy, and BB15 are present, in their usual positions. Theracy's eyes are closed, and she leans forward intently. ]

BB15:
Satellites are watching now.

ISDACHAIRMAN:
Yellow.

[ Theracy opens her eyes and sits up, looking worried. ]

THERACY:
Sir?

ISDACHAIRMAN:
Do you have Retanretla's trail?

THERACY:
No, sir. I lost track of him in the explosion.

[ Reflections of Theracy's face briefly appear in her eyes before shimmering and vanishing. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN:
Noted. Fieron has been spotted on an uninhabited island in the north Atlantic. Your reconnaissance is requested.

THERACY:
An island?

[ Flash through white to... ]

[ EXT. OCEAN - EVENING. : The sky is dark by reason of dark clouds that span from horizon to the limits of sight. The water moves violently.* ]

[ A massive wake-wave approaches from the distance, the waters splitting into a silverish trench around it. A small boat (reference episode 13) appears behind the wave, with Kimal standing in it. ]

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ INT. ISDA CONFERENCEROOM - DAY. ]

THERACY:
I'll do reconnaissance right away.

[ Theracy closes her eyes and leands forward, her hands on her knees. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN:
The island is located ...

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ EXT. OCEAN - DAY. : From above, the ocean appears calm, occasionally rippling with modestly large waves. A few rocks can be seen poking out of the water in various places, though one larger island, roughly two to three acres in size, is visible. A half-completed sandy-colored structure is visible on the island. ]

[ Zoom in slowly on the island. The structure can be seen to resemble an unfinished building of some kind, with compacted sand, glazed glass and tightly-packed seashell fragments forming the bulk of the structure. A blue-and-orange flash appears nearby, and the camera dollies around the structure to reveal Fieron, surrounded in a pile of wooden spears, holding out his ungloved hands toward a rectangular collumn of sand. Blue sparks flow from Fieron and surround the sand-collumn, fire spiraling around Fieron's arms and the sparks to flow into the sand. ]

FIERON:
At last I am free to push my power to the limit.

[ The sand-collumn rises into the air. Orange flames drip from it and strike the sand below, raising a cloud of it. ]

[ From above, Fieron's sparks can be seen levitating the sand-collumn into place on the construction project. The sparks and fire fade, and Fieron steps toward the collumn, placing a hand on it. ]

FIERON:
The ocean teams with power.

[ Zoom out to the origin al view. ]

THERACY (voice-over):
The ocean does team with power.

[ Pan back and down. ]

THERACY (voice-over, cont'd):
But how much of it has he seen?

[ Through the water, the translucent image of the Nornish appears. ]

THERACY (voice-over):
Kimal left the Nornish here? But that means...

[ A bolt of lightning strikes from the sky to the Nornish. ]

[ Face the horizon. The view rotates so that the island is no longer visible. A circle of semitransparent, trapezoidal ships with green sails (reference episode 13) are visible. On the nearest such ship, a cannon can be seen, with a ghostly figure behind it. ]

THERACY (voice-over):
So it was you.

[ Zoom in on the closest ship. Several mostly-transparent figures, gaunt and emotionless, stand on the deck. Everything about them is thin and pale, though their images are blurred enough that it can't be seen if they are skeletal or grayscale flesh. Some of them hold muskets, while others wield swords. ]

THERACY (voice-over, urgent):
What do you want?

VOICE (chorused, reverb, booming near-whisper):
Freedom. Life. Power.

[ Fade to near-white, with the ship and its crew faintly visible. ]

THERACY (voice-over):
Oh? Is that so?

[ The whiteness fades and the scene is as it was. A translucent image of Theracy fades into existence on the deck, facing the ghostly crew. ]

THERACY:
You can't have me, or my power. But perhaps...

[ Theracy holds out her hand as though grasping something. A staff appears in her hand, and she rises a few inches off of the deck and hovers there. A translucent red skeleton appears around Theracy, larger than her, so that its feet reach the ground. ]

THERACY:
Perhaps we can assist each other.

[ Two of the muskets aim for Theracy and fire golden projectiles at her. Theracy spins the staff and catches both projectiles, striking one into the sky and the other into the deck, where it disintegrates and vanishes. Theracy glides forward, and two sword-wielding figures move for her and attack. Theracy easily blocks their attacks and turns the staff horizontally, using it to push the attackers back. ]

THERACY:
Testing me, are you?

[ Dissolve to... ]

[ INT. ISDA CONFERENCEROOM - DAY. : BB15 looks toward Theracy. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN:
Yellow, what's happening?

THERACY (muttering):
Knights did more with less...

BB15:
She seems more detached from the present than usual.

ISDACHAIRMAN:
Yellow, respond if you can hear me.

[ There are a few seconds of silence. ]

BB15:
Hey, Theracy!

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ EXT. GHOSTSHIP - DAY. : Theracy appears more opaque, though still surrounded in the translucent red skeleton and holding a staff. ]

[ Several of the ghostly swordsmen rush Theracy, who moves the staff expertly to block their attacks and strike several of them back. Gun-wielders form a circle around Theracy and fire golden projectiles from their weapons. Theracy holds her staff horizontally to block some, though the rest strike the ribs of the red skeleton and are absorbed there, sending golden light over it. Theracy stumbles back, and the golden light flows down the arms of the skeleton and into the staff. ]

THERACY (chorused):
Interesting. But you are still only testing me. Try harder!

[ Theracy sweeps the staff around her in an arc, releasing a ring of golden light that expands outward, throwing all of the ghostly figures back. Several swordsmen begin lunging at Theracy individually, and she fights them off skillfully with the staff. ]

[ The ghostly man at the larger cannon turns the cannon toward a spot on the deck. With a loud sound, a large ball of golden fire flies from the cannon. ]

[ Theracy jabs an oncoming swordsman in the chest with her staff, and he fades into a small cloud of silver mist that rises off screen. Theracy looks toward the background and pauses. ]

THERACY (chorused):
What's this?

[ Side view: The golden fireball flies at Theracy, who holds up her staff to block. The fireball knocks the staff aside and flies into Theracy's chest as she shouts in pain. ]

[ Fade to white. ]

[ Fade in to INT. ISDA HALLWAY - DAY. ]

[ Spectro, Black Eagle and Glacier walk through the hallway. ]

SPECTRO:
I've still got over a month. All the big stuff's coming up. Graduation and all.

BLACK EAGLE:
Retanretla's in the country; I'm sure you can get some deadlines pushed back. And if you can't, well, tough luck.

SPECTRO:
But they didn't call me for that. What's up this time?

[ Wind and Hydron enter from the opposite direction that Spectro Black Eagle and Glacier are traveling. Wind moves more quickly, and both look worried. Everyone stops once Wind is in arm's reach of the others. ]

WIND:
Am I glad to see you guys...

BLACK EAGLE:
You're back awefully soon.

WIND:
Something's wrong with Theracy.

SPECTRO:
Wrong? How?

[ INT. ISDA BREAKROOM - DAY. : Theracy is slouched in the chair farthest from the door. BB15 stands to her left, Aluben to her right. Gravitor is in the opposite chair, watching Theracy with a concerned expression. ]

[ Hydron walks in, followed by Wind, Spectro, Black Eagle and Glacier. ]

WIND (entering):
She went to look at something, and now she isn't reacting to anything.

[ Sweat starts flowing down Theracy's forehead. As everyone enters the room, they spread out to fill it, forming something of a circle to view Theracy. Glacier remains near the doorway, while Hydron backs into the corner on the other side of Gravitor's chair. Black Eagle stands nearest the table, while Wind and Spectro stand in front of Theracy. ]

SPECTRO:
How long's she been like this?

BB15:
Over an hour. She was muttering a bit at first, but she's been quiet for a while now.

BLACK EAGLE:
What was she looking at when it happened?

BB15:
Fieron's island.

[ Spectro and Black Eagle react with surprise. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Fieron?

SPECTRO:
Island?

BB15:
Yes. An agent working over seas spotted him on his way back, and we've been trying to observe what he's doing. Yellow found him quickly; we didn't even have to tell her his location before she started giving information. Then she started talking about the Nornish, and started muttering as though she was talking to someone.

SPECTRO:
The Nornish?

BLACK EAGLE:
It's some kind of statue built over a skull that Kimal wanted to use to unleash plagues on his enemies. We destroyed the keys that could have opened it, but we never found the Nornish. What's this have to do with Fieron, though?

GLACIER:
Fieron followed Kimal's boat to sea.

HYDRON:
He's right.

WIND:
And there was a strange storm when Kimal arrived. And Theracy couldn't stand looking at the Shadow Kro or the Nornish too closely.

BB15:
I don't know what it has to do with Kimal or the Nornish. We are pretty sure though that Fieron's building a fortress.

SPECTRO:
Is there anyone else on this island?

BB15:
So far as we know, it's uninhabited.

GRAVITOR:
What's he building it with, seashells?

[ BB15 shrugs. ]

BB15:
He's using his powers to get the most out of his surroundings. Yellow also mentioned some spears around him while he was working.

ALUBEN:
Fieron doesn't need spears, does he?

BLACK EAGLE:
Not to fight in person, no. Either he plans to build an army, or he's setting up traps. In either case, it's a military fortification.

ISDACHAIRMAN (over TV, OS):
The administration has reached the same conclusion.

[ Everyone in the room other than Theracy and Glacier turn toward the television (off screen in the foreground). ]

[ Change angles so that the television is visible. The ISDAChairman's head and shoulders appear on screen. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television, cont'd):
As this is being taken as military development on Fieron's part, it is manditory that we act. Negotiations must be attempted at the least.

[ Over the remainder of the ISDAChairman's line, the image of the surface of the ocean slowly dissolves into view. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television, cont'd):
Fieron is expected to be far less cautious, as he likely thinks himself out of United States jurisdiction.

[ EXT. OCEAN - DAY. : One of the ghost ships drifts into view in the background, though it appears very close. ]

[ Theracy, still surrounded by a glowing red skeleton and holding a staff, falls toward the water. ]

THERACY (chorused, pained):
Powerful...

[ Theracy flips upright and hovers above the water. Pan up as Theracy rises. The camera dollies around so that a ship is visible on either side of Theracy. ]

THERACY (chorused):
It won't happen again.

[ There are several BANG!s as small golden projectiles fly at Theracy from the direction of the ships. She spins her staff and catches most of them, leaving an arc of golden light from the tip of the staff. A large golden fireball flies from one of the ships toward Theracy, and she floats out of its path and jabs it with the staff. The fireball dissolves into a fluid-like goen glow that flows down the staff and into the still-visible arc of light. Theracy draws the staff around her, forming a thick ring of gold around her. ]

THERACY (chorused):
And even your cannons have failed.

[ Theracy holds out both arms, and the ring expands outward, striking both ships. A sudden flash of lightning centers on Theracy, and the red skeleton grows brighter, obscuring Theracy from view. ]

THERACY (chorused):
What?

[ A golden fireball flies from each ship, catching the red skeleton around Theracy in the ribs. The fireballs dissolve into golden light that flows into the skeleton as its color becomes more golden. After a second, the skeleton is glowing brightly gold. There is another flash of lightning, and the skeleton glows too brightly for bones to be distinguished. Theracy screams and sinks toward the water. ]

[ EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY. ]

[ Seen from below, the gold-glowing skeleton sinks into the water. Once it is completely submerged, it tumbles over, flailing its arms and legs, the staff flying into the water and dissolving. The golden glow fades enough that the red skeleton and Theracy are visible, and the red skeleton becomes more faint. ]

THERACY:
What... happening...

[ The hull of one of the ships comes into view. Theracy slows in her descent and flips horizontally, looking up toward the ship. The red skeleton glows slightly brighter. ]

THERACY:
If I could take a little...

[ Theracy extends her arms and drifts toward the ship. The closer she gets, the brighter the red skeleton glows. Once she is only a few meters from the ship, the staff reappears in her hand. ]

THERACY (chorused):
You are special, I know that much. But who are you? How did you get here?

[ Theracy turns upright and holds out the staff vertically in front of her. ]

THERACY (chorused):
There are powers you have yet to experience.

[ Theracy aims the staff at the ship, and blue sparks flood from the end of the staff. Golden sparks flow from the ship, and the two streams collide, creating a cloud of green sparks in the water between the staff and the ship. ]

THERACY (chorused):
So many lives... but not like I expected. This magic seems familiar... yes. I see.

[ A silvery mist drifts in from above and in the background. Once the mist is closer, it dissolves into the Nornish, which moves quickly toward Theracy. ]

THERACY (chorused):
Tell me everything. Perhaps I will--

[ The Nornish flies into Theracy's shoulder. She lets out a growling yell. ]

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ INT. ISDA BREAKROOM - DAY. : Theracy is still in her seat. Only BB15, Gravitor, Hydron and Aluben are left in the room. Gravitor is on his feet, Hydron is moving toward the door, and everyone is facing the exit. ]

[ Hydron exits. Theracy sits up, her eyes opening as she gasps for air. BB15 and Aluben look toward Theracy. ]

ALUBEN:
She's awake!

GRAVITOR:
Great timing.

[ Theracy looks around franticly. ]

THERACY (out of breath):
What's... happening? Where's...

BB15:
You're in the breakroom. Black Eagle's team is heading out to Fieron's island.

THERACY:
Fieron's island!?

[ Theracy jumps to her feet, a desperate excitement in her features. ]

THERACY (cont'd):
I'm going with you!

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
Remain where you are.

THERACY (indignant):
What?

[ Theracy turns toward the television. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
You must report what happened while you were catatonic.

THERACY:
There were ships, and... I can't... I have to go! There's more there... There's more information, but I have to go there to get it!

BB15:
Slow down. What exactly happened?

THERACY:
Can't I explain on the way?

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
You cannot be allowed to take part in this mission until an evaluation of your information has been made.

THERACY:
But I can't give it to you unless I go to that island first. Please, listen to me! I won't be any...

[ Theracy stops abruptly. A shocked expression appears on her face. ]

GRAVITOR:
Umm, everyone's probably at the access tunnel by now.

ALUBEN:
Are they?

THERACY (quietly):
I don't know.

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
What specifically must you do at the island to retrieve this information?

THERACY:
I have to touch the water. I won't get in the way of the mission.

[ There is a second of pause. ]

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
You may travel with this team for the purpose of traveling to and from the island.

THERACY (relieved):
Thank you!

[ Theracy turns and runs out of the room. Aluben looks toward the television, then toward Gravitor. ]

GRAVITOR:
I'm sure it's not my place to ask, but why the change of heart?

ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
Gravitor, Aluben, report to the access tunnel.

GRAVITOR:
Fine, then.

[ Gravitor slowly turns as Aluben moves toward the door. Gravitor holds out his arms as he glides toward Aluben, who catches his arm and leads him out the door. ]

[ EXT. SKY - DAY. : A familiar jet flies by. ]

[ INT. TROPICAL CARPORT - DAY. : The ceiling is composed mostly of the leaves of trees, with a few leafy branches and vines set across them to keep the ceiling together, though sunlight penetrates in several spots. One side of the pavilion features a knee-high wall of sand. A variety of seashells is scattered about the ground. A car-sized object fills up most of the space, with leaves, sand and seashells littering its top, and shadows obscuring its details. Fieron stands nearby, looking over the object, holding a large oyster shell in one hand. Sitting on top of the large object in a sunlit spot is a small calculator, from which a wire extends a few inches to a silver-and-brown walkman, from which static can be heard. ]

[ Fieron slides the oystershell along the side of the object and out of sight. ]

FIERON:
Until I can refine the carbon...

BB18 (over walkman, distorted):
...ur now ... ...iles northwest... ...land.

[ Fieron looks up toward the walkman. ]

FIERON:
Is that so?

[ Fieron reaches for the walkman and adjusts its position. ]

BB18 (over walkman):
Fieron's exact location on the island is unknown at this time.

FIERON:
To you, perhaps.

[ Fieron turns and faces away from the large object. ]

FIERON:
It seems it's time to put my creations to the test.

[ EXT. SKY - DAY. : The jet flies through the sky. ]

[ Zoom in on the jet. ]

[ INT. JET - DAY. : The cockpit door is opened. Black Eagle is visible in the cockpit. In the front row of seats are Gravitor, Wind, Hydron and Theracy, with Aluben, Spectro and Glacier behind them. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
All right. I'm going to kill the engine for a silent approach. Gravitor, you keep us from dropping too quickly. Wind, I'll need you in the cockpit to help with steering.

WIND (unsure):
O...k...

[ Wind gets up and moves into the cockpit. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Yellow, can you give us any info on Fieron right now?

[ Theracy shakes her head. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Ok. Spectro, how about you?

SPECTRO:
Once we're a little closer. And not moving so quickly.

BLACK EAGLE:
All right. Once we land, Gravitor and Hydron will be our forward team to scout for and disable any possible traps. Glacier and I will guard the rear. Wind and Aluben will cover our flanks, and Spectro will handle any visual or radio issues from the middle. Any questions?

GRAVITOR:
Do you think that formation is going to last if Fieron does attack us?

BLACK EAGLE:
If we do our jobs it can, but the situation will dictate. Theracy, what exactly do you need to do?

THERACY:
I just need to get to the water.

BLACK EAGLE:
How far out, and how long?

THERACY:
I don't know. It shouldn't take long.

BLACK EAGLE:
Spectro will send you a radio signal once we're inside Fieron's fortress. If you can make it back to the jet at that time, do so, and signal back.. If not, call us and say why. Otherwise, maintain radio silence unless there is a real emergency. And I mean something like Fieron attacking the jet.

THERACY:
Right.

[ The sound of the jet engine dies. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
All right. Gravitor, half gravity. Wind, air control.

[ EXT. ABOVE ISLAND - DAY. ]

[ The jet silently descends toward the island, landing on the northwest (screen left / back) corner, only within thirty feet of the water. ]

[ EXT. ISLAND - DAY. ]

[ The entrance to the jet opens, and Gravitor glides out. Hydron follows. Once Hydron is away from the jet, she grabs Gravitor's arm, allowing him to stand quasi-normally (though he grimaces at the assistance). Aluben and Spectro emerge, followed by Glacier. As everyone steps away from the entrance, Theracy appears within the jet, but Wind and Black Eagle pass her and step out. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Spectro, what can you see?

SPECTRO:
Well...

[ Spectro turns his head eastward (screen right) and holds up a hand that glows faintly silver. ]

[ From above, it can be seen that Taoe stands within fifty feet of the fortress, which is roughly the size of a single-story house, its walls a mix of gray, black, and reflective colors. The fortress is surrounded by a seven-foot wide pit, filled with wooden spikes. Slowly zoom in on the fortress. The nearest wall shimmers, then becomes transparent, revealing several large treelimbs and spears suspended in the air over a glassy floor that stands roughly a meter above the ground. ]

SPECTRO (voice-over):
No sign of Fieron. But he's definitely got that place boobytrapped.

[ The side of the fortress shimmers and the wall becomes opaque once again. ]

[ Back near the jet, Spectro lowers his hand. ]

SPECTRO:
I think I can find him with infrared, but it could be a little tougher than usual in this environment.

BLACK EAGLE:
Do it.

[ Spectro holds up his hand, and it glows red. ]

[ Higher shot: Taoe can be seen, as well as the fortress. A faint, red figure is visible through the wall. ]

[ Everyone turns to face the fortress. Theracy steps out of the jet and steps around Black Eagle and Wind to stand behind the group, her back to the water. ]

SPECTRO:
He's nearby. It looks like we'll have to go through the fortress to get to him.

GRAVITOR:
We all saw that coming, right?

BLACK EAGLE:
All right. Then let's find the way in.

[ Black Eagle looks back toward Theracy. ]

BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
You do your thing. And hurry.

[ Theracy turns and runs off screen. Wind looks back after her. ]

WIND:
Be careful!

BLACK EAGLE:
We want to keep quiet.

[ Black Eagle and Wind face the fortress. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Let's move, Taoe.

[ Taoe begins walking toward the fortress, other than Gravitor, who drifts in slow spurts alongside and at times behind Hydron. ]

[ Break. ]

[ EXT. NEAR FORTRESS - DAY. : Taoe stands at the edge of the pit surrounding the fortress. A door is visible in the north wall of the fortress in the form of a blackened rectangle framed in wood. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
All right. Gravitor, can you go knock on the door?

GRAVITOR:
Do you mean that literally?

BLACK EAGLE:
Yes. You go knock on the door. We'll wait. If he doesn't answer in some way in five minutes, we go in.

GRAVITOR:
All right. Falling doorward, then.

[ Gravitor holds up his hands, as though in preparation to shield himself, and falls over the pit and toward the door. Upon coming in reach of the fortress, Gravitor throws his hands into the wall and slows himself to a stop. ]

[ Spectro holds up a hand, which glows faintly as the door becomes semitransparent. ]

SPECTRO:
Be careful. Fieron had to know we could get across that pit. That door will almost definitely set off a trap if you aren't careful.

GRAVITOR:
Oh, I've got this.

[ Gravitor draws back a fist and brings it forward to strike the door. The movement pushes him away from the fortress, but he falls back toward it and lands on his elbows on the wall as though it is horizontal. Gravitor strikes the door three more times, then pushes off of the wall with both hands and flies over the pit. Wind jumps into the air and catches Gravitor, and both of them land safely on the edge of the pit. ]

GRAVITOR:
I had that, too.

WIND:
You're welcome.

[ EXT. BEACH - DAY. : Theracy walks toward the water. ]

THERACY:
Now that I'm here, I'm not even sure what to do. Or how I knew to come here...

[ Theracy slips off her shoes and leaves them on the sand, then steps into the water, which comes up to her ankles when waves come in. ]

THERACY:
All I know is that I have to go out there to get my powers back.

[ Theracy takes another step into the water, then stops, looking down at her hands; the burns can still be seen on one hand. ]

THERACY:
Then again, do I want them back? Maybe they'll leave me alone and let me go home.

[ Theracy slowly looks up and over the ocean. ]

[ Dissolve to... ]

[ EXT. BOAT - DAWN (DISTORTED) . : Fieron and Fierox stand behind Kimal, who stands behind a massive metal coil in the center of the rust-colored boat (reference episode 13). ]

FIERON (reverb):
I've heard your justification for attacking this land. That doesn't excuse attacking children.

[ Dissolve to... ]

[ ___ ]

[ EXT. BEACH - DAY. ]

THERACY:
I don't need your protection.

[ Theracy runs into the waves. ]

[ Close up. A wave that is slightly larger than most have been comes at Theracy. A translucent, purplish shape is carried through the wave. It brushes past Theracy's leg, and she gives a yelp and stumbles, the wave passing over her. ]

[ Close on Theracy as her head comes up from the water. Theracy coughs a bit and shakes water from her hair. ]

THERACY:
Gah! Stupid jellyfish!

[ The water recedes, and Theracy slips further from shore. ]

[ From above, a fin can be seen breaking the water only a few meters from Theracy. The fin approaches her; Theracy is busy regaining control of her motion through the water. ]

[ Seen from under water, a shark moves toward Theracy. ]

[ From above, an incoming wave can be seen throwing the fin toward Theracy. Theracy screams as she is thrown back, the shark's head appearing at the surface of the water near her. ]

[ Close up, with the end of the Shark's "snout" and Theracy's foot near screen center. The shark opens its mouth, and a silverish mist flows from it into Theracy's leg. Theracy's legs pull away, and the mist disappears as the water again recedes, pulling the shark hack. ]

[ Theracy screams as she flips around to face the shark. The burns on her hand are more distinct and blackened. A dark red steam flows from the burns and toward the shark, and the shark disappears in the waves. ]

[ Flash through white to... ]

[ EXT. WHEATFIELD - EVENING. : A field of wheat stands a short distance from a dirt road that sports a few visible ruts that would fit waggonwheels, as well as several hoofprints. A brown-haired youth and a woman both old enough and similar enough to be his mother duck behind a row of crops. ]

[ Several red-uniformed soldiers march down the road toward screen right. One of them closest the road looks into the field, spotting the two near the front crops. ]

SOLDIER1:
Captain, suspicious figures in the field.

[ The man at the head of the collumn raises a hand, and the group stops. The man--hereafter the captain--lowers his hand and faces the field. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
You there! Come here!

WOMAN:
Run!

[ The woman shoves the boy back, but the captain and two soldiers hurry into the field, quickly overtaking the woman. One of the soldiers stumbles over the crops in pursuit of the boy, but slams the heel of his hand into the boy's leg as he falls. The boy lets out a short gasp of pain, and falls to one knee. The soldier gets to his feet and grabs the boy from under both his arms, carrying him back to where the captain and the other soldier have the woman. ]

CAPTAIN:
Mrs. Saiyoshin, I see. So the rumors of your escape are true.

WOMAN:
Leave my son alone!

CAPTAIN:
Your son is nearly a man, and was found with you. Both of you are fugitives, first for your devilish practices, and now for the mess you made fleeing prison.

WOMAN:
He won't be doing you any harm!

CAPTAIN:
I know he won't. We could use shiphands. Working off your crime in labor for the royal navy should suffice until I receive other orders.

[ The captain turns and walks back to the head of the collumn. The two soldiers carry the woman and the boy to the back of the collumn, both struggling against their captors. ]

WOMAN (shouting):
Please, let us go!

SOLDIER2:
Quiet down, now. I don't want to have to hit a lady. Even a witch.

CAPTAIN:
Forward!

[ The soldiers continue their march. ]

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ EXT. HILLS - NIGHT. : A dirt path winds through the hills. ]

[ The group of soldiers marches along the path, the previously-seen woman and youth restrained in the back of the group. ]

[ A figure in a black cloak appears atop a hill ahead of the soldiers. On a nearby hill, another figure appears. The same occurs on three surrounding hills. ]

KRO (OS, shouting):
This is not yours!

[ The captain raises a hand and stops walking. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
Company, halt!

[ The soldiers stop marching, several peering at and around the hills. Several Kro warriors, wielding maces, broadswords and large battle axes pour from around the hills and rush at the soldiers. The woman in the back of the group screams as several soldiers draw sabers, while others aim muskets into the oncoming Kro and fire the guns. ]

[ Shot of one of the cloaked figures from behind, as the sound of men and Kro shouting can be heard. Gunfire can be heard, along with the sounds of steel on steel. ]

[ Dolly around the cloaked figure. It holds up a longsword, and a silverish talismen is visible beneath its cloak. ]

[ From above, the Shadow Kro can be seen raising its sword and leaping from the hilltop, gliding toward the battle below. Zoom out to see four other Shadow Kro likewise swooping onto the battlefield with weapons drawn as a cloud of black fog envelops the battle. ]

[ As seen from the back of the group, the soldiers restraining the woman and the boy are busy fighting off sword-wielding kro that press in from all sides. ]

BOY:
Now's our chance!

[ Two axe-wielding Kro stand behind the boy and the woman, weapons raised. The boy and woman turn to see their attackers, and both quickly raise their arms. A gust of wind catches the axes, causing the axe-wielding Kro to topple backward. The boy and woman run past the fallen Kro. ]

[ On a nearby hilltop, three Kro stand side by side, two wielding broadswords, and the one in the center holding a pike under one arm, a golden key in the other. ]

KEYKRO (shouting):
Let none escape! The Shadow Kro cannot die!

KRO3:
Herold, two have fled the battle.

KEYKRO:
The Shadow Kro shall deal with them.

[ The key-bearer raises the key into the air, and it gleams. ]

[ From one edge of the fogbank that obscures the battle comes a Shadow Kro, gliding into the night. ]

[ The boy and the woman run between two hills. The path is not in sight near them. ]

BOY:
One of them is following us!

WOMAN:
Just keep running!

[ The Shadow Kro swoops down on them, and the woman grabs the boy by the arm and pulls him out of reach of the Shadow Kro's blade. ]

WOMAN (shrieking):
STAY BACK!

[ The woman thrusts her hand forward, and a gust of wind catches the Shadow Kro's cloak, slowly forcing it back. The boy holds out his hand, and the wind intensifies, pushing the Shadow Kro back more rapidly. Once the Shadow Kro is several meters away, the boy and woman turn and keep running, circling the hill. The Shadow Kro begins to follow them again. ]

[ The boy and woman begin to run up a hill. ]

[ Atop the hill, the key-bearing Kro looks down on the battle below. ]

KEYKRO:
It won't be long now.

[ A gust of wind comes up behind the three Kro, and they all stumble forward. The sword-wielding Kro tumble down the hill, but the Key-bearing Kro jabs his pike into the ground and catches himself. The boy and the woman arrive atop the hill. The Key-bearing Kro turns to face the boy and the woman. ]

KEYKRO:
You fools!

[ The Key-bearing Kro jabs his pike toward the boy, who sidesteps and runs at the Kro. The boy throws himself at the Key-bearing Kro, and they both go flying down the hill. ]

WOMAN (shouting):
No!

[ At the bottom of the hill, the boy and the Key-bearing Kro roll to a stop, the pike falling to the ground. ]

KEYKRO:
Insolant fool!

[ The boy gets to his feet, holding the key. The Key-less Kro rises to his feet. ]

KEYKRO (furious):
That is mine!

[ The boy turns and runs up the hill. The Key-less Kro moves to pick up his pike, when a cloud of black fog rolls over him. ]

KEYKRO:
What?

[ From above, the black fog can be seen rolling through the hills and fading as the Shadow Kro glide away into the darkness. Roughly half of the red-uniformed soldiers remain standing, backed against the lower slopes of a hill with Kro all around on the lower ground. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
They've retreated! Finish the remaining lot while they're confused!

[ The soldiers advance, firing muskets and stabbing at the Kro with sabers. Soon, the Kro have fallen back amid the hills, leaving the soldiers to face the hill atop which the boy and the woman stand, the Key-less Kro advancing on them. The captain aims a musket at the Key-less Kro's back and fires. The Key-less Kro falls forward, drops his pike, and rolls down the hill and disappears in shadow. ]

[ Zoom in on the key in the boy's hand. Fade to white. ]

[ Fade to EXT. NEAR FORTRESS - DAY. ]

WIND:
I don't think he's answering. What if he's up to something right now?

BLACK EAGLE:
We've given him enough time. Let's get the door open. Glacier, give Spectro and Aluben a lift over the pit.

[ Glacier steps forward as an ice-platform expands beneath his feet, at least a meter in each direction. The platform slides up and forward as ice grows beneath it, and it comes to overlook the pit. Aluben and Spectro climb onto the platform and it moves a few feet forward. Gravitor falls toward the door, and Wind flies after him. Black Eagle's wings ignite and he jumps into the air, flying over the group. ]

SPECTRO:
We probably shouldn't touch the door if we can help it.

BLACK EAGLE:
Hydron, can you get inside?

HYDRON:
I can try.

[ Hydron becomes water that flies over the pit and at the door, slowly forcing its way between the door and the wall. ]

[ Spectro holds up a glowing hand. ]

SPECTRO:
Watch out.

[ Everyone looks up toward the doorway. A series of spears flies up from the pit. One strikes the bottom of the ice-platform and falls away. Glacier holds up his arms and a shield of ice forms in front of him. Aluben and Spectro step back as a spear flies past them. ]

[ Wind grabs Gravitor and flies to the side, dodging a spear. ]

[ Black Eagle holds out a hand and quickbeams an oncoming spear. The spear explodes into fragments of burning wood that fall into the pit and disappear from sight. ]

GRAVITOR:
How did he pull that off?

SPECTRO:
He's had plenty of free time.

[ The door slowly opens outward, rises a bit, then swings the rest of the way open, revealing Hydron in human form on the other side with a hand on the door. ]

HYDRON:
Is Everyone all right?

WIND:
So far as I can tell.

HYDRON:
It's safe to come in. Be careful stepping through the doorway, though. And watch your head. There are triggers on the top and bottom of the doorframe.

[ Glacier's ice-platform extends further across the pit. Wind flies through the doorway and takes Gravitor's arm, pulling him through. Hydron steps back, and Spectro climbs through the doorway. ]

SPECTRO:
Could use some light.

[ Aluben climbs through the doorway, followed by Glacier. Black Eagle lands on the ice-platform and watches the doorway grimly. ]

[ INT. FORTRESS - FRONT ROOM - DIM. : There is a small amount of light coming from a glazed, glassy panel in the middle of the ceiling, as well as from the open doorway. The room is otherwise unlit. There are various arm-sized vertical slits in the walls, from which wooden levers protrude. ]

[ Spectro holds up a hand, and the light in the room becomes brighter and more uniform. ]

SPECTRO:
That's better.

BLACK EAGLE (OS):
Gravitor!

GRAVITOR:
Yeah?

[ EXT. OUTSIDE FORTRESS - DAY. : Black Eagle stands at the edge of the ice-platform, which tilts forward dangerously under his weight. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Make me weightless.

[ Gravitor appears in the doorway. ]

GRAVITOR:
Whatever you say.

[ The ice-platform stops tilting. Black Eagle kicks lightly off of it and rises, reaching out to grab the open door to stop himself. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Keep it up and step aside.

[ Gravitor smirks and steps into the shadows. Black Eagle turns himself sideways along the door and pulls himself through the doorway horizontally. ]

[ INT. FORTRESS - FRONTROOM - DAY. ]

[ Black Eagle floats through the doorway, then flips himself so that his feet are on the ground. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Normal weight.

[ Gravitor shrugs, and Black Eagle stands normally, then takes two steps into the room. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
What are we looking at?

[ Spectro holds up a glowing hand and looks around the room, head tilted upward a bit to see higher. As Spectro looks around the room, the walls become transparent, revealing wooden rods set within them. ]

SPECTRO:
That other door should get us closer. But something's going to go off if we open it.

BLACK EAGLE:
And if we blow a hole in it?

HYDRON:
That'd still cause it to move too much.

SPECTRO:
We need to disable the trap with the switches around this room. Problem is, some of them will set off more traps. So we've got to work out the right sequence.

GRAVITOR:
I don't know, maybe these traps aren't as dangerous as we're making them out to be.

BLACK EAGLE:
Better safe than sorry. Do we have a way to figure out the sequence?

SPECTRO:
Sure. It's all built into the walls. If we can see through the walls, we can see how the switches work. And...

[ Spectro waves a hand toward one of the walls, which is transparent, revealing a network of wooden rods. ]

SPECTRO (cont'd):
We can see through the walls.

BLACK EAGLE:
Is the floor safe?

HYDRON:
It seems so.

BLACK EAGLE:
All right, then get to disabling the traps on the door.

[ Close on Spectro walking to a lever. ]

SPECTRO:
So I think we start with

[ Spectro pulls the lever. ]

SPECTRO (cont'd):
This one...

[ Hydron walks to another lever. ]

HYDRON:
It'll be this one... then that one.

[ Hydron pulls the lever with one hand and points off screen with the other. ]

[ Wind runs over to a lever and pulls it. ]

WIND:
The right one, I guess.

[ Glacier approaches a lever, places a hand on it, then turns and holds up a hand, a dome of ice growing from it. ]

GLACIER:
This will drop spears where the rest of you are standing.

[ Glacier throws the ice-dome off screen and pulls the lever. ]

[ Black Eagle catches the ice dome and holds it over himself, Aluben and Gravitor. Wind and Hydron step under the ice as spears rain down on it. Once all the spears fall to the ground, Black Eagle turns and sets the ice-dome down on the floor. ]

SPECTRO:
All right, I think the door's clear.

[ Hydron, Gravitor and Glacier approach a closed door similar to the door at the entrance. ]

GRAVITOR:
Do you want me to knock this time?

BLACK EAGLE:
Just open it.

[ Hydron grabs the edge of the door and pulls it open. Glacier holds up his ice-shield, but nothing happens. The room beyond is dark, other than a slight line of light in the opposite wall. ]

HYDRON:
It's empty.

BLACK EAGLE:
Is the floor safe?

[ Spectro walks to the doorway and holds out a hand that glows yellow. ]

[ INT. FORTRESS - BACK ROOM - DAY. : The lighting increases as Spectro stands in the doorway. ]

SPECTRO:
It looks about the same. The floor looks a little different, but I don't see any triggers for traps in it.

[ Spectro steps into the room, followed by Hydron, Glacier, Gravitor, Wind, Aluben and Black Eagle. ]

WIND:
Hey, shouldn't we call Theracy now that we're inside?

BLACK EAGLE:
Spectro, go ahead and send. Let's keep our radios quiet.

[ Spectro raises a hand that glows green briefly. He then lowers his hand to just below face-height. ]

GRAVITOR:
Where's Fieron? What's up with this fortress if he's not in it?

BLACK EAGLE:
Spectro?

SPECTRO:
Hmm.

[ Spectro looks around the room, then extends his hand. ]

[ Another door is visible in the back wall of the room. The wall fades away, and Fieron is visible, standing atop a thin treebranch that crosses a pit of spikes. Fieron reaches out his hand, and a wooden lever appears in front of him. Fieron grabs the lever and pulls it hard. ]

[ Taoe reacts with surprise. ]

WIND:
What is he...

BLACK EAGLE:
Everyone down!

[ There is a loud grinding sound, and the floor folds away. Taoe begins to fall into the space below them. Wind and Aluben (at least) yell as they fall. ]

[ EXT. BEHIND FORTRESS - DAY. ]

[ Fieron turns and walks along the branch across the pit. Once he is on the ground, Fieron turns back and holds out a hand, tossing a fiery projectile that strikes the branch. The branch begins to burn, snapping in half and falling into the pit. ]

FIERON:
That should hold them long enough to finish my project.

[ Fieron walks off screen. ]

[ INT. FORTRESS - PIT - DIM. : The ground is made up of unevenly spread sand littered with fragments of wood and seashells.* ]

[ Taoe falls toward the ground. ]

[ Gravitor's fall stops accelerating. ]

GRAVITOR:
Time to go weightless.

SPECTRO:
Don't!

[ Spectro and the others strike the ground, giving varying noises of discomfort as they fall. Glacier alone remains standing. ]

[ Several spears fly across the pit. Gravitor's expression becomes alarmed. ]

GRAVITOR:
Ah, right! Double gravity!

[ Gravitor drops quickly below the spears and lands hard in the sand, yelling in pain before falling forward. Hydron moves in to catch him. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Is it safe to get up?

SPECTRO:
Give me a second.

[ Spectro sits up and looks around, holding up a glowing hand. ]

WIND:
Shouldn't Theracy have answered by now?

BLACK EAGLE:
Unfortunately, we have our own problems to deal with at the moment.

WIND:
Fieron's out there; what if he finds her?

GRAVITOR:
Yeah, what if she finds him?

[ There is an audible hissing sound. Sand begins to flow into the room from the sides of the pit. ]

ALUBEN:
More sand is filling the pit.

BLACK EAGLE:
Then let's get out of here.

[ Black Eagle gets to his feet. ]

BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
Spectro, point me to the door.

SPECTRO:
If you say so.

BLACK EAGLE:
I do!

[ Spectro stands up and holds up his hand. The door is illuminated brightly above and in the back wall. Black Eagle holds out a hand toward the door. ]

HYDRON:
It might be boobytrapped.

[ A quickbeam blasts from Black Eagle's hand, punching a hole through the door and pushing it off of its hinges. Several spears fall from above. Gravitor pushes himself upright, nearly causing Hydron to fall in the process. The descent of the spears ceases to accelerate, but they continue to fall. Wind jumps up and holds up her arms, and a gust of wind catches the spears and throws them toward the door. ]

GLACIER:
That was a mistake.

ALUBEN:
Mistake?

[ The walls shutter, and the entire room begins to lean in the direction of the door that opens to the outside. ]

WIND:
Why is the room moving?

BLACK EAGLE:
The sand flowing in must have disrupted the foundation. Glacier, Gravitor, get Spectro and Aluben into the air. Hurry!

[ Black Eagle jumps into the air and his wings ignite. several spears fall through the air, but Black Eagle dodges them, deflecting some with his fiery wings. Wind and Gravitor rise up after Black Eagle. Hydron becomes water and flows toward and through the door. An ice-platform rices from the pit; Aluben and Spectro climb onto it. The ice-platform tilts and falls in the sand. ]

ALUBEN:
We're falling!

SPECTRO:
The ice can't stand in the sand!

[ Wind dives for Spectro and Aluben. ]

WIND:
Charles, weight!

GRAVITOR:
Right!

[ Wind grabs Aluben and flies into the air with him in her arms. Spectro jumps, flying lightly through the air. Glacier holds up his arms as though to dive onto a knee-board. Ice expands from his front in the shape of a surfboard, and Glacier flies toward the door as the wall closes in behind him. ]

ALUBEN:
Someone help Glacier!

[ A turtleshell-shaped mass of ice grows from Glacier's back as he slides toward the door, though the wall slips, falling downward, making the door farther away. ]

[ Glacier kicks at the sand and slides along his ice-board up the now sloped wall. ]

[ EXT. BEHIND FORTRESS - DAY. : The fortress is leaning over and becoming structurally unsound as it falls toward the spike-pit, in which a small fire burns. ]

[ Black Eagle flies out of the collapsing fortress, Gravitor behind him. Water-Hydron flows into the pit and over the flames, extinguishing them. Wind and Aluben fly out of the door, quickly landing across the pit. Wind breathes heavily. ]

GRAVITOR:
Whatever happened to everyone trying to nuke us?

WIND:
Where's... Spectro ... and Glacier?

[ Spectro flips out of the doorway, though it is by now leaning so far downward that he falls toward the pit. ]

[ Water-Hydron rises from below, slamming into Spectro and pushing him over the pit, though he yells at the impact. Black Eagle steps toward Spectro and grabs him by both arms, pulling him away from the pit. ]

[ Water-Hydron flows onto the edge of the pit and rises and takes human form. ]

HYDRON:
Glacier won't make it out at this rate. I'm going back for him.

WIND:
You could get crushed in there!

[ Hydron becomes water again and flows into the pit. ]

[ From above, the roof of the fortress can be seen collapsing into different sections as the previously-front-now-top wall falls inward. ]

[ INT. FORTRESS - DIM. ]

[ Glacier slides toward the opening that was the door, though it now faces a sea of spikes. A section of roof drops into Glacier's path, blocking the door, as another chunk of ceiling falls onto Glacier's ice-shell, pushing him back down the slope that used to be a wall. ]

[ Water-Hydron gushes into the room, pushing the piece of ceiling off of the door. She gathers on the edge of the doorframe and returns to human form. ]

HYDRON:
Glacier! Send me something and I'll grab it!

[ Glacier holds out a hand and a T-Handled bar of ice extends toward Hydron. Hydron reaches out to catch the ice, but the wall on which she stands lurches and she stumbles back. Hydron arches her body and grabs onto the doorframe, the spikes inches below her back. She manages to roll aside and grab the ice-bar. ]

HYDRON:
I've got it! Hurry! It won't last long in this heat!

[ Glacier pulls himself up the ice-bar, holding on to small protrusions along the way. There is a loud crash as the wall shutters. ]

[ Above, a large portion of wall to the side falls away, and the remaining wall and ceiling behind Glacier rapidly falls downward. ]

HYDRON:
Come on!

[ Hydron tugs at the ice-bar, but it doesn't rise any. ]

[ A piece of ceiling falls onto the ice-bar between Hydron and Glacier, snapping it. Glacier slides back down the wal as the wall that falls from above falls over him. ]

HYDRON:
GLACIER!

[ Fade through white to... ]

[ EXT. ABOVE HILLS - NIGHT. : What remains of the group of red-uniformed soldiers can be seen marching along a dirt path through the hills. ]

[ EXT. DIRT ROAD - NIGHT. : The soldiers march along, one of them behind the brown-haired youth, keeping him in line. Another soldier is behind the woman, who walks forward with her head lowered, frequently stumbling as though she struggles to stay awake. ]

SOLDIER1:
There be no sleepin' til we're at sea. And there won't be much sleepin' there, neither.

BOY:
It'd be easier for all of us if you'd just carry her and let her rest.

[ The soldier behind the boy smacks him in the side of the face with the back of his hand. ]

SOLDIER3:
Mind your place, witchboy. Prisoners ought not give suggestions to soldiers.

[ EXT. HARBOR - NIGHT. : The harbor's design, along with the ships docked therein would suggest a seventeenth century British harbor. ]

[ Slowly zoom in on one of the ships as a few men can be seen boarding from above (though at such a distance that they are hard to recognize). ]

[ EXT. SHIPDECK - DAWN. : The captain and two sailors stand in sight of the edge of the ship, beyond which the relatively calm waves of the ocean can be seen. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
Raise anchor!

[ After a second or so, the ship gives a slight lurch, and begins to rock a bit in the waves. ]

SAILOR1:
A strange fog been spotted movin' toward the harbor.

CAPTAIN:
It is no concern to us at sea.

SAILOR1:
A strange thing, though. Fog usually comes off the water, not the other way around.

[ EXT. OCEAN - DAY. : The previously-scene ship sails through the water, several similar ships following it. ]

[ EXT. SHIP'S RIGGING - DAY. : The brown-haired youth stands in the rigging, pulling at some ropes. ]

BOY:
What do they expect me to do? I don't know a thing about sailing.

[ The boy pulls himself up into a spot where he can half-crouch. He reaches into the pocket of his shirt and pulls out the previously-seen golden key. A serpent can be seen on the head of the key (reference episode 5). ]

BOY:
Where is this key from? And how'd that Kro pikeman get it?

[ The boy turns the key over in his hand, gazing at it in bewilderment. ]

BOY:
I'm not sure what it is, but I feel something from it. Something... stilling.

SOLDIER1 (shouting):
'Ey! Witchboy! Get to work!

[ The boy closes his hand over the key and puts it back into his shirt pocket. ]

BOY (distainfully):
Work.

[ EXT. SHIP'S DECK - DAY. ]

SAILOR1:
Strange ship approachin', Cap''in.

CAPTAIN:
Indeed.

[ EXT. OCEAN - DAY. : A modified sixteenth century Spanish tradeship approaches. ]

[ As the ship draws closer, pan up to view the people on the deck, including various tanned men, one of which wears a black patch over one eye, another holding a musket with a hand that is lacking two fingers. In the front of the crew is a fare young woman, within a decade of the brown-haired boy's age, wearing a sailor's clothes. Her skin shines silver, and her silverish blond hair flows past her shoulders. She wears a cutlass at her side and holds a musket. ]

PIRATE1:
There be half an armada, cap''in. Are you sure this be wise?

SILVERQUEEN:
They want us to return Admiral Amouring, don't they?

PIRATE1:
Aye, Cap''in, but I don't expect they'll be willin' to negotiate for him when they have enough ships and firepower to stand a chance at sinkin' us.

SILVERQUEEN:
They won't sink us, and you know it. They want the glory of bringing the Silver Queen of Pirates in alive to be publicly executed. They'll sink us if they fail at that. But since they won't try sinking us until last, we'll have what we want and be gone.

[ EXT. SHIPDECK - DAY. ]

CAPTAIN:
So the Silver Queen of Pirates approaches. Not even she would be fool enough to attack this many sanctioned warships.

SAILOR1:
I'm beginnin' to think those prisoners 'ave brought some manner uh bad luck on us.

CAPTAIN:
I'll here nothing of such foolishness. Ready the cannons. With the support of our companions, negotiations will end quickly.

[ EXT. SHIP'S RIGGING - DAY. : The boy stands in the rigging, looking out toward the sea. ]

BOY:
That ship... Haven't I heard of a ship that looks like it?

[ There is a low gust of wind that causes the ship to shutter. The boy looks off to screen right. ]

BOY:
What...

[ The boy's mouth hangs open as he gasps. ]

[ From above, a bank of black fog is visible drifting over the waves toward the ships. The sky slowly grows gray and cloudy. ]

[ EXT. SHIPS - DAY. : The two ships, one with the Silver-skinned woman at the helm, the other with the red-uniformed captain, approach one another. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
Silver Queen! Do you have Admiral Amouring?

SILVEQUEEN (shouting):
Admiral Amouring is aboard my ship.

CAPTAIN (Shouting):
You are to hand him over to me at once. Unharmed.

[ The Silver-skinned woman laughs. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
How much the admiral wishes to return to you is questionable, but your demands are within reason. But what benefit do I gain for this transaction?

CAPTAIN (shouting):
Half an hour's head start.

SILVERQUEEN (shouting):
Why should I need a head start to escape from you? Why should I wish to escape? And so soon? I need a better deal, Captain!

CAPTAIN (shouting):
You have five minutes to produce Admiral Amouring. Five minutes from then to prepare him for transfer into my custody. If either of these deadlines is not met, I will take him by force.

SILVERQUEEN (shouting):
Your bargains are rotten, Captain! I still have no insentive to meet your demands! Perhaps a few chests of silver would be a bargain for the admiral's return?

CAPTAIN (shouting):
You will receive nothing more than a half hour's grace if you comply with my demands!

[ Close up on the silver-skinned woman, hereafter Silverqueen. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
Prepare the crew to board.

PIRATE1:
Board, Cap''in?

SILVERQUEEN:
Now!

PIRATE1:
Yes, Cap''in.

[ Dissolve to... ]

[ EXT. BEHIND FORTRESS - DAY. : Taoe, sans Hydron and Glacier, stand on the edge of the spike pit as the fortress collapses on the other side of the pit. ]

WIND:
Shanan! Glacier!

[ Gravitor puts a hand on Wind's shoulder. ]

GRAVITOR:
They both took Kimal's suicide attack better than me. They'll make it.

WIND:
I... really hope you're right.

[ Spectro extends a hand toward the ruins of the fortress. ]

SPECTRO:
I should be able to make them visible through the debris.

[ There is a distant, loud, electrical sound that continues over the following lines. ]

ALUBEN:
What's that?

[ Close up on Black Eagle's face as his eyes narrow. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Fieron.

[ INT. TROPICAL CARPORT - DAY. : Fieron stands near the previously-seen car-sized object. Sparks flow from Fieron's arms and over the object. ]

[ Fieron slowly moves his arm from side to side, moving the stream of sparks along with it. ]

FIERON:
That had best be enough.

BLACK EAGLE (OS, shouting):
Fieron!

[ The sparks die and Fieron turns around. ]

[ EXT. ISLAND - SANDY GROVE - DAY. : The area is a clearing of sorts amid tall fruit trees, though many of the trees bear marks that indicate they have been recently stripped of some branches. ]

[ Taoe, sans Hydron and Glacier, walk across the sand. In the background, the collapsed fortress is visible, and debris from the fortress flies from it and falls toward Gravitor, who hovers an inch off of the ground, holding onto Wind's arm. ]

[ Fieron steps out from among some closer, more thickly-leaved trees, takes several steps forward, and stops. ]

FIERON:
Tell me, whose laws govern this island?

[ From above and to the side, Fieron and Taoe are both visible, at least ten feet apart. Gravitor pushes himself a couple inches higher. Three chunks of debris fall toward him from behind, and he reaches up to strike each piece off course. The debris continues to fall toward Gravitor, but on such a path that it orbits him. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Doesn't matter when you're a fugitive. Especially one who just dropped a building on some friends of mine.

FIERON:
I think I'm within my rights to forceably remove you from this place. After all you did just do a lot of damage to something that took a few months to build.

BLACK EAGLE:
So are you going to fight all of us? Or are you running away again?

FIERON:
Those aren't the only options.

[ Fire rises around Fieron as sand rises into the air, forming a cloud around Fieron. A few sparks can be seen flying about in the sand-cloud. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Aluben, go for an explosion.

FIERON:
Your levels of power aren't enough to harm me!

ALUBEN:
Huh? Ok...

[ A slight haze appears around Aluben's head. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Is that as fast as you can go?

ALUBEN:
Normal light is harder to replace.

[ The haze grows into a small cloud around Aluben. ]

GRAVITOR:
In the mean time...

[ Gravitor leans forward, and each of the objects orbitting him flies free and falls toward Fieron. ]

[ Fieron casually holds up a hand, and a net of blue sparks appears in front of him, deflecting each projectile into the sand off to the side. ]

FIERON:
I made those with these powers; do you think I can't block them?

[ Around Aluben, the cloud has grown slightly more opaque. Aluben brings both hands in front of him, drawing the cloud into a compact ball in front of him. The ball flies forward. ]

[ The ball of gas flies at Fieron, expanding as it does. The gas collides with the sparks in the air near Fieron, resulting in an explosion that briefly obscures Fieron's upper body. A wall of blue sparks appears behind the explosion, and the sand swirls aside, leaving Fieron standing unscathed within the spark-wall. ]

FIERON:
... It's a funny thing, energy... When I'm in the right mood, I might be able to control it even if it's used against me!

[ Fieron holds out both hands, and the Spark-wall expands rapidly. There is a flash of white light and a thunderous sound as the spark-wall moves rapidly toward Taoe. When the spark-wall is halfway to Taoe, it snapes in half horizontally, resulting in a brief but large explosion as everyone but Fieron falls backward. ]

[ Black Eagle, Aluben and Spectro get to their feet. Spectro takes a step back. As Wind gets up, she grabs Gravitor by the arm and pulls him to his feet as well. ]

WIND:
Haven't you ever heard of fighting fair?

FIERON:
How many of you are there? Seven? And you talk to me about fair? This is how life works: some people get better starting chances than others. But in the end everyone can achiev the highest; but I don't know that constantly facing an opponent you can't defeat speeds that in the slightest.

[ INT. FORTRESS - PIT - DAY. : Hydron stands over a pile of debris, in which an entire fallen wall is lodged. ]

[ Hydron pushes smaller bits of debris aside, her feet winding up deeper and deeper in the sand as she goes until the sand is well over her waist. ]

HYDRON:
Not yet... it might... collapse further...

[ Hydron struggles to lift something out of the debris, but finally falls forward and catches her breath, leaning on the debris-pile. ]

HYDRON (panting):
Water... water can get it open...

[ Hydron straightens up, struggles to control her breathing, then becomes water that slowly forces its way under the debris. Some of the debris falls into the space left behind. A portion of the water rises and tosses some of the debris aside before returning to the bottom of the pile. ]

[ Close on the sand at the bottom of the debris. As the water forces its way through, the sand shifts, and the debris falls lower. ]

[ From above, the fallen wall can be sinking further into the sand. ]

[ Below the wall, the water pushes up against the wall, but only spreads the sand below. The water gathers in one place and returns to Human Hydron, who struggles to breathe. She coughs as she digs her feet into the sand. ]

HYDRON:
No room... too... heavy... GLACIER!

GLACIER (OS):
I'm here.

HYDRON:
Are you ok?

GLACIER (OS):
Moving is difficult. But I'm not injured.

HYDRON:
I can't move the wall. I don't think I can get in or out without being water.

[ Elsewhere under the Debris, Glacier is surrounded in a tube of ice. ]

GLACIER:
I'm trying to make a tunnel. If you can clear some of the sand at the end, it should be able to reach outside.

[ Hydron is still stuck between the fallen wall and a lot of sand. ]

HYDRON:
I'll do my best.

[ Hydron becomes water that drains into the sand. ]

[ EXT. SANDY GROVE - DAY. ]

[ Fieron throws fiery projectiles at Taoe. Aluben dives out of the way of a burst of fire that strikes the ground where he was standing, sending up sand. Wind steps back, pulling Gravitor with her. Black Eagle steps forward and raises a hand, a quickbeam blasting from it toward Fieron. Fieron holds out his hand and the quickbeam strikes it harmlessly before fading. ]

FIERON:
You will not defeat me. You can't summon enough gravity to offset my balance. You can't make enough ice to break my shield; you can't summone enough wind to get past my defenses. And I can make even light pass through my body with the right energy circuit. Impressive as your powers are, they can't beat me!

[ INT. BELOW FORTRESS - DARK. : Sand fills the screen. ]

[ Water flows through a point in the sand, swirling to pack the sand outside of its area. An ice-drill advances through the sand, catching up with the water. ]

[ EXT. SANDY GROVE - DAY. ]

GRAVITOR:
Wind, make our friend short on breath!

WIND:
Hmm.

[ Wind steps forward and holds up her arms. ]

[ The sand around Fieron swirls in a vortex of air. All the sand is focused in a spiral that doesn't touch Fieron. ]

FIERON:
What is this supposed to be?

GRAVITOR:
That power of yours isn't quite so great if you're passed out from lack of oxygen.

FIERON:
Hmmph. Nice try.

[ Fieron holds out a hand, and a net of sparks flows from it and toward Wind. The spark-net closes around Wind, and she tries to pull back, but is unable to move beyond the spark-net. Wind yells in pain as the spark-net collapses into her body and disappears. Wind falls to the ground, making pained sounds. Gravitor looks down at her, then looks up angrily. ]

[ Fieron lowers his hands. ]

FIERON:
Innovation. If you had some of that, Black Eagle, you might--

[ The sand beneath Fieron's feat shifts and bulges. Fieron steps back and looks down. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Unguarded!

[ Black Eagle thrusts out his hand and quickbeams Fieron. The blast catches Fieron in the face. Fieron draws back, bringing a hand over his face and standing at his full height. ]

FIERON:
Idiot.

[ Fire forms around Fieron's forearm as he aims his hand at Black Eagle. The bulging sand below splits, and Water-Hydron rises out in a geyser that hits Fieron from below. Fieron steps back and takes a firm stance. Water surrounds Fieron, and within the water sparks appear and begin go surround Fieron. ]

FIERON:
No... you... don't...!

[ Fieron takes two steps forward. ]

[ Aluben, Spectro, Gravitor and Black Eagle look on. ]

SPECTRO:
Hydron!

ALUBEN:
Shanan!

[ Wind shakily gets to her feet. ]

WIND:
Shanan?

BLACK EAGLE:
Now!

[ Black Eagle aims his hand at Fieron. ]

[ The sparks around Fieron expand outward and force the water upward. ]

FIERON:
Persistent. But you can't stay like that longer than I can fight you off.

[ The bulged section of sand explodes as an ice-drill emerges from it. ]

ALUBEN:
And Glacier!

[ The ice-drill continues to rise and move toward Fieron. Fieron's spark-shield intensifies. ]

[ Glacier rises from the sand, his ice-shell slipping and falling into the new-formed pit in the process. Ice continues to grow from Glacier's feet, filling the hole and pushing Glacier forward to put force against Fieron with the ice-drill. ]

ALUBEN:
If Fieron can shield himself against so much...

SPECTRO:
Glacier's drawing Fieron's defenses to one point. That might let another attack get through somewhere else.

[ Black Eagle's wings ignite and he leaps toward Fieron. Black Eagle flies in horizontally over the ice drill and holds out a hand. A continuous beam of sparks and light flows from Black Eagle's arm, battering Fieron's spark-shield. ]

FIERON:
Not ENOUGH!

[ A large cloud of sand rises around Fieron as flames ignite around him. Both the fire and the collection of sparks surrounding Fieron move forward rapidly, reforming into a massive wave of sparks and fire that push Black Eagle and Glacier (and his ice-drill) back before dissolving in a cloud of flame. Water-Hydron lands behind Glacier and returns to human form. ]

SPECTRO:
Hey, together, everyone!

[ Spectro holds out a hand that glows bright yellow. Wind holds out her arms, and Gravitor leans toward Fieron with his fists raised. ]

[ A vortex of moving air and sand forms around Fieron, quickly isolating the air and sand outside of contact with Fieron. Fieron starts slowly sinking in the sand. ]

FIERON:
Trying to take my air and make me heavy?

GRAVITOR (OS):
Just keeping you on your toes!

[ Fieron begins to rise, nearly leaving the ground. A bright light flashes over Fieron's face, and he closes his eyes tightly. ]

[ The camera begins to rotate around Fieron, slowly rising and pitching to look down at Fieron and continue to rotate. Light continues flashing in Fieron's face. Below, Hydron transforms into water and Glacier gets up, lifting the drill from the ground. ]

[ Zoom in on Fieron as Water-Hydron rushes at him in a narrow stream. Fieron makes an annoyed sound. ]

[ The camera-spinning stops at such an angle as to view Glacier charging with the ice-drill from the foreground-left. Zoom in on the end of the drill as it collides with Fieron, who is bathed in blue sparks as he falls to the ground. Zoom out and pan to where Black Eagle stands. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Hydron, go!

[ Water-Hydron forms into a water-cacoon around Fieron. ]

SPECTRO:
You know, we could lose right now, and this would be our best Fieron fight yet.

ALUBEN:
If we hit him with everything we have, we should be able to win.

SPECTRO:
I'll power your hydrogen, then.

[ Spectro holds up a hand that glows blue-violet. A thick yellow-brown cloud forms around Aluben. Aluben holds out his hands as the cloud moves toward Fieron. ]

GRAVITOR:
We don't want him having an easy time getting up...

[ Fieron pushes against the ground with a hand, half sitting up, though his hand seems to be sinking into the ground, as do his legs. Aluben's cloud surrounds him. ]

[ Black Eagle aims at the cloud and a quickbeam fires from his hand. ]

[ The beam strikes the cloud, and there is a large explosion that throws up a volumous cloud of sand. Water-Hydron flies out of the cloud and lands near Glacier, returning to human form. ]

[ Taoe looks on. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
That had to have hurt him.

[ As the dust settles, Fieron is visible, standing in the shallow crater produced by the explosion. His head is down, and he is wiping his face with one hand. As the air clears further, it can be seen that Fieron's hood has fallen back. Fieron reaches back, keeping his head lowered as to hide his face, and pulls his hood up. He adjusts something in front of his face, presumably his mask, and looks up. There is a large tear in his sash that is at a slight angle off of vertical from bottom to three fourths of the way to the top. ]

FIERON (struggling to mask that he is somewhat winded):
That took... every bit of power you had, didn't it? Just to give me a few burns?

[ Fieron flies at Glacier's ice drill and lands on top of it. ]

FIERON (cont'd):
Well done. Now this fight is over.

[ Fieron punches through the ice. A blast of sparks and steam erupts from the back of the drill, forcing Glacier to release it and step away. ]

[ Blue sparks surround Fieron and the ice-drill. The ice-drill is carried into the air by the sparks and thrown toward Wind and Gravitor. ]

GRAVITOR:
Jump!

[ Wind holds onto Gravitor's arm and jumps, taking both of them out of the path of the ice-drill. More sparks flow at the ice-drill and pull it back, flipping it around to aim upward. ]

[ Black Eagle aims another quickbeam at Fieron, with no effect. ]

[ The ice-drill flips and flies at Black Eagle. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
Great, now he thinks he's telekinetic!

[ Black Eagle faces the approaching ice-drill and hols up both hands, a torrent of light and sparks flowing from his arms and toward the ice-drill. Black Eagle's blast catches the ice-drill and halts its movement. The sparks already surrounding the ice-drill fade, and it shatters in a cloud of mist and steam. The rest of Taoe shields their faces from tiny ice-fragments that fly from the breaking. ]

[ Fieron breathes deeply, then aims both hands at the ground. Orange flames flare up around both of Fieron's forearms, then flow into the sand below, stirring up a cloud of it. Fieron turns and walks quickly away. ]

[ Everyone that was shielding themselves from pieces of ice stop and look toward the cloud of sand. ]

GRAVITOR:
More dust-clouds?

SPECTRO:
That won't work.

[ Spectro holds up a hand. ]

[ The dust-cloud fades to invisibility, revealing Fieron stepping out of sight amid a few trees. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
After him!

[ INT. TROPICAL CARPORT - DAY. : Fieron enters and places a hand on the still-hard-to-make-out car-sized object. ]

FIERON:
It's time to see if you can fly.

[ EXT. SANDY GROVE - DAY. : Taoe runs toward the thicket of trees into which Fieron fled. ]

SPECTRO:
He's ... getting inside... something...

[ EXT. OVER ISLAND - DAY. : A neutral-colored, vaguely airfoil-shaped object rises into the sky, obscured by a cloud of dust. The object flies up and into the background. ]

[ INT. TROPICAL CARPORT - DAY. : The large object is gone, there is more sunlight thanks to a fresh part in the leaves overhead, and a large portion of the sand wall has been destroyed. ]

[ Glacier, Hydron and Black Eagle enter. ]

BLACK EAGLE:
He's flying away again... Again!

[ Wind and Gravitor enter, followed by Aluben and Spectro. ]

GRAVITOR:
Hah, no problem...

[ Gravitor looks upward and holds his arms at his sides, clenching his fists. A large mass of fire descends from above, breaking into several smaller flames that rain down on Taoe. Gravitor attempts to duck, a small flame striking him between his spine and right shoulder. Wind pulls him toward her with one arm, raising the other as a gust of wind catches the flames and blows them away. ]

GRAVITOR:
He still can't get away...

ALUBEN:
Where is he going?

BLACK EAGLE:
There's nowhere he can hide.

HYDRON:
But he took a vehicle this time.

WIND:
Yeah... normally he just flies away.

HYDRON:
Exactly. Which means he's either transporting resources, or going somewhere he can't fly on his own...

SPECTRO:
That ship isn't rocket propelled. It's not saving him energy to use it.

BLACK EAGLE:
Tracking him shouldn't be hard.

SPECTRO:
No, definitely isn't.

[ Spectro holds up a hand that glows red. ]

[ Above, a red light is visible in the distance. ]

SPECTRO (cont'd):
Though I can't expect to hold that forever.

BLACK EAGLE:
We came close today. Closer than ever before.

GRAVITOR:
Yay teamwork?

WIND:
Hey, Theracy still hasn't signaled back!

[ Spectro lowers his hand and it stops glowing. ]

SPECTRO:
Should I signal again?

WIND:
We should find her! For all we know, she was in that ship that Fieron flew off in!

[ EXT. SHIPS - DAY. : The Silverqueen's ship is within meters of the ship helmed by the red-uniformed captain. A boarding plank spans the distance between the two ships, and several pirates are pushing their way along it, with one musket-wielding soldier blocking their path. Several soldiers and sailors line the deck of the naval ship, already engaging pirates that have made it across the plank in intense swordfights. ]

[ The soldier defending the plank fires his weapon at the oncoming pirates. The closest pirate falls off of the plank. The next pirate in line charges the soldier guarding the plank and forces him back with fierce sword attacks. The remainign pirates rush onto the ship, entering battle with any non-pirate on the deck. ]

[ Silverqueen stands on her side of the gangplank, watching the proceedings. ]

SILVERQUEEN (shouting):
Bring back all the silver you find!

[ Close up on the red-uniformed captain, who stands at a cannon. ]

CAPTAIN:
If the Kro hadn't weakened us on the road to the harbor, we'd have them outnumbered on this ship alone. Perhaps I will have to take the queen now.

[ The captain rotates the cannon. ]

[ Across the plank, Silverqueen smiles and shakes her head. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
No, Captain.

[ Silverqueen begins walking across the plank. ]

SILVERQUEEN (cont'd):
I have you more beat than I realized. I must at least tell the admiral why. He has so much faith in your vallor.

[ Closeup on the captain and the cannon. ]

CAPTAIN:
So she'd board my ship herself to prevent me from using the cannon on her? Bold, but foolish.

[ The captain steps away from the cannon and draws his saber. ]

CAPTAIN:
I hope she surrenders. I'd hate to have to fight a woman to the death.

[ From above, the battle on the deck of the ship can be seen, as well as Silverqueen stepping onto the ship, and the captain approaching her. ]

CAPTAIN:
Are you come to surrender?

[ Silverqueen draws her cutlass. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
Not to the death, Captain. But first tell me how it is that such a respectable force is being so easily overtaken?

CAPTAIN:
On our way to the harbor, we were ambushed by...

BOY (OS, shouting):
Kro!

SILVERQUEEN:
Crow?

[ EXT. ABOVE SHIPS - DAY. : The various naval ships are moving into position to surround the Silverqueen's ship and the ship to which it is connected. ]

[ A large bank of black fog rolls into the circle of shipps. ]

[ EXT. SHIP'S RIGGING - DAY. : The boy sits in the rigging, watching the spectacle below in astonishment. ]

BOY:
Maybe... Maybe the Silver Queen will help us escape. But not if the Kro overtake us her first!

[ The boy climbs down from the rigging. ]

[ EXT. SHIPDECK - DAY. : The deck is a mob of duels between pirates and soldiers. ]

[ The captain raises his saber. ]

CAPTAIN:
If you will not surrender, then I must arrest you.

[ Silverqueen raises her cutlass and touches the tip of her blade to the captain's saber. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
And I must resist.

[ The captain and Silverqueen draw back their weapons and advance, gracefully exchanging blows, with neither able to break the other's defense. ]

[ The sky begins to darken. ]

[ The boy lands on the deck and runs through the fights, holding up a hand. Some swordfights draw close to him, but he waves his hand and the wind pushes the fighters from his path. He makes his way to where the captain and Silverqueen are dueling. ]

BOY:
The Kro in the cloaks. They've come.

CAPTAIN:
Foolishness! The Kro hide in the hills; they lack seafaring vessels! Do not interfere, Saiyoshin!

[ From above, black fog can be seen flowing onto the deck. Out of the fog glides a Shadow Kro, weapon drawn. The Shadow Kro moves across the deck, ignoring the fights that it passes through. Several soldiers and pirates alike stop to watch. ]

PIRATE1:
What in Davy Jones is that?

[ The Shadow Kro approaches the duel between the captain and Silverqueen. The boy turns to face the Shadow Kro, a look of terror on his face. ]

BOY:
What are you...?

[ The Shadow Kro moves toward the boy, raising its sword. The boy pulls the key out of his bocket and holds it high. ]

BOY:
Is this what you want?

[ The boy throws the key into the air. ]

[ Close up on the key as it flies through the air. It spins, then holds a single path as though directed by the wind, landing in the middle of the gangplank. ]

[ The boy looks at the Shadow Kro hopefully. ]

THE BOY:
Well?

[ The captain and Silverqueen turn away from one another to face the Shadow Kro. ]

CAPTAIN:
The boy was right.

SILVERQUEEN:
What is this?

[ The Shadow Kro turns and moves for the gangplank. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
You won't board my ship so easily, dark thing!

[ Silverqueen pursues the Shadow Kro. ]

CAPTAIN:
No, it killed half my crew; I will see justice!

[ The captain charges the Shadow Kro. Silverqueen and the Captain both land on the gangplank. The Captain stabs at the Shadow Kro, who spins to block the attack. Fog begins to rise from the Captain's saber, but he continues to attack. The Shadow Kro's attacks become more aggressive. Silverqueen slips past the Shadow Kro and picks up the key from the plank. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
So, you were after this key.

[ The Shadow Kro stabs the plank, and black fire rises to consume it. The captain jumps back toward his ship. ]

CAPTAIN:
How... what sorcery is this?!

[ The plank splits in half, and Silverqueen steps back several feet to avoid falling off as the black fire moves toward her. ]

BOY:
No... she's my only way to freedom!

[ The boy runs for the plank and jumps, catching the edge of the plank that is burning with black fire. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
Don't be stupid, boy!

[ Silverqueen pockets the key and reaches for the boy, but the fire continues to consume the plank and he loses his grip and falls. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
Accursed black fire!

[ Silverqueen retreats several more steps. ]

[ Closeup on the boy as he falls. He turns upright and holds up his arms. ]

BOY:
If mine is the blood of Shinomi... let it not die without casting out this fog!

[ The wind around the boy becomes intense, and his descent slows, but does not stop. Water rises from below and surrounds him. ]

[ The waterspout rises, striking the burning plank and extinguishing the black fire. A ring of black fog rises around the waterspout, and the vortex expands, pushing the two ships apart. ]

SILVERQUEEN:
I won't lose my crew to this magic!

[ Silverqueen runs onto her ship and moves for the wheel. ]

[ EXT. ABOVE SHIPS - DAY. : A wall of black fog surrounds the two warring ships, and another such wall surrounds the other ships that surround the battle. ]

[ Silverqueen's ship moves toward the naval ship., striking it and causing both ships to quake violently. ]

[ EXT. SHIPDECK - DAY. : Many swordfights are still in progress, though roughly half of those present have stopped to watch the strangeness around them. ]

SILVERQUEEN (OS, shouting):
Silver crew, abandon the attack!

PIRATE2:
Abandon?

PIRATE1:
We're winnin'...

SILVERQUEEN (OS, shouting):
For your lives, retreat!

SOLDIER3:
There won't be retreatin' here!

[ The pirates turn and move for the railing, with the soldiers pressing on them. The fights cintinue as the pirates attempt to jump from the naval ship to the Silverqueen's ship. ]

[ From above, the two ships can be seen to be rotating together. The black fog closes over them. ]

[ On the Silver Queen's ship, several pirates have landed safely. ]

PIRATE1:
Why are we retreatin', Cap''in?

SILVERQUEEN:
There is an evil here unlike any I have ever seen. It'll have all our souls if we don't leave at once.

[ EXT. ABOVE SHIPS - DARK. : The sky is completely black. ]

[ The Silver Queen's ship sails out of the fog, the Shadow Kro gliding after it. ]

CAPTAIN (shouting):
What... is... happening!

[ The black fog flows over all of the ships, except for the now offscreen Silver Queen's ship. ]

[ Fade to white. ]

[ Dissolve to EXT. BEACH - DAY. : Theracy lies on her back in the sand. ]

WIND (OS):
Theracy? Theracy! Are you ok?

[ Wind and Hydron run into view and kneel beside Theracy. Hydron takes her wrist. Spectro, Aluben and Gravitor approach and stand behind the girls. ]

HYDRON:
She's got a regular pulse.

[ Theracy's eyes open. ]

THERACY:
Huh? But... Silverqueen....

WIND:
What happened? Are you all right?

[ Theracy sits up. ]

THERACY:
I'm... fine. Just ... fine.

[ Theracy gets to her feet. Hydron releases her wrist. Theracy attempts to brush the sand from her back, but tenses and pulls her burned hand back to where she can see it. ]

THERACY:
It's gotten bad again...

WIND:
What has?

HYDRON:
Something's irritated her old burnwounds.

THERACY:
I'm fine. But I saw...

[ Theracy closes her eyes and shakes her head. ]

THERACY:
I'll tell you on the way home.

GRAVITOR:
Fieron got away again.

[ Theracy suddenly opens her eyes, with an expression of shock. ]

THERACY (surprised):
He's already gone?

SPECTRO:
It's been a while. We had time to go through his fortress. And then escape said fortress while it collapsed. But... we'll tell you on the way home.

[ Wind and Theracy laugh. Fade out. ]

2:
42 AM 5/9/2010

HOME