Writer: C. A. E. Jones
4:37 PM 5/26/2010
[ INT. ISDA BREAKROOM - DAY. : Focus on the table. ]
[ A newspaper is slammed hard onto the table. ]
[ Wide shot. Captain Fist stands near the table, his hand on the newspaper, posture and face showing anger. Spectro is seated in the chair nearest the door, and Black Eagle stands in the corner of the room opposite the door, arms crossed. ]
CAPTAIN FIST:
Homacidal maniac burglarizing chemical warehouses an experimenting on homeless people gets the attention of Nebraska state police. How exactly did that happen?
SPECTRO:
How should I know? I've been kept up here since graduation.
CAPTAIN FIST:
I know you can send radio signals.
SPECTRO:
Why would Nebraska police take a tip without proof?
CAPTAIN FIST:
Same reason Airport security chased off that Russian chick in 2000. People take those things seriously. All this over a couple burglaries; how do you think this affects us?
BLACK EAGLE:
Cool it, Fist.
CAPTAIN FIST:
You'll address your superiors with respect, Eagle.
BLACK EAGLE:
The police report points to evidence found in Omaha, "sir". Spectro couldn't have shown them that.
CAPTAIN FIST:
Our job is not to solve every freaky mystery in the world. We aren't Mystery Inc., da--
ISDACHAIRMAN (over television):
Captain Fist, you are requested for briefing.
CAPTAIN FIST:
... Next time, don't try to sneak around me.
[ Captain fist turns and storms out of the room. Spectro looks toward Black Eagle. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Any word from Theracy?
SPECTRO:
No. Kejek got Anthon off of the road before he could get run over, and he's doing fine. Then Kejek disappeared again.
BLACK EAGLE:
Fist should have sent you on that mission. There's something weird going on with those kids.
[ Black Eagle sighs. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
But Retanretla's on the move again. We don't have enough people that can handle him to spare babysitting and chasing book-thieves.
SPECTRO:
That book caused an ISDA special agent to lose to those petty book-thieves. At least they don't know what all it can do, yet. We know what Retanretla is willing to do.
[ EXT. BLUE MOUNTAIN POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DAY - ESTABLISHMENT SHOT. : A dark van is parked beside a sherif's car in the parking lot. ]
[ Zoom in. ]
[ Dissolve to... ]
[ INT. POLICE STATION - DAY. : A man--the sherif--sits on one side of a desk, Captain Fist seated on the other. ]
SHERIF:
We'd've looked ourselves, but we got that warning from the Omaha PD; figured if it is that bad, we wouldn't want them expecting trouble.
CAPTAIN FIST:
So they don't know there was a witness?
SHERIF:
Can't really tell. Had to keep it pretty quiet in my own office to make sure noone thought we're taking it seriously. Plenty of cops in this county don't like federal interference. Shoulda heard the griping when the FBI came and grabbed the leader of a drug ring a few years back. Had a deputy said he'd've gotten him with another hour.
CAPTAIN FIST:
Do you have the boy that saw this meeting?
SHERIF:
I can get a hold of him.
CAPTAIN FIST:
Do that. We'll have questions for him.
[ EXT. ISLAND - EVENING. : The ground here is mostly sandy, though in the distance, the ocean can be seen. Liquaro and Rani spar at lightning-quick speeds in the background, while Kairin and Fierox watch from the side. In the foreground, Vekin, Theracy and Kejek watch the sparring. ]
THERACY:
What is this fight for?
VEKIN:
Taharhin is a Tahea master - maybe the last. Tahea is an acupuncture-like technique that can, if performed by a master, heighten one's abilities to manipulate their own qi and their surroundings.
[ Rani jumps into the air and hovers ten feet above the ground. Liquaro jumps into the air as well, and extends a hand toward Rani, a white beam of light blasting from it. Rani flies out of the way of the beam and charges for Liquaro, and the two continue sparring in mid air. ]
VEKIN (cont'd):
Tahea makes things like flight and projecting light and force attainable for those who do not follow the dedicated path of Taiji Quan or Qigong, though even those alone do not teach such feats.
THERACY:
Why isn't something like that more popular?
VEKIN:
It is very difficult to perform the procedure, and if the results are not well trained, the enhancements can harm the recipiant. It is also rather restrictive; though you have seen some of what those who are Tahea can do, these two have yet to realize the versatility that comes with a true mastery of one's qi.
THERACY:
But why does this Taharhin guy want to fight them?
VEKIN:
Unlike Taharhin and their teacher and cousin Sarai, Liquaro and Rani were born Tahea. I suspect this excites Taharhin. He is growing old, and wishes to face a true challenge while he has the chance. He insists as I do that Tahea should not be used frivolously, but I am not convinced of his dedication to that idea.
[ Liquaro and Rani land and stop fighting. ]
LIQUARO/RANI:
They're coming!
THERACY:
Huh?
[ Wide shot. A comit-shaped white glow streaks through the sky. ]
[ The light--at least eight feet in diameter--lands in the center of the group. The light collapses, revealing Elanmak with a long metal sickle hanging at his waist, and Taharhin, a tanned, white-haired man with a thin mustache, clad in a black gi. ]
TAHARHIN:
Hello, boys. I can see you have been training.
RANI:
Yes, we have.
TAHARHIN:
Have you mastered the Spirit Lift, yet?
LIQUARO:
No.
RANI:
It takes both of us to do the Spirit Attack. Maybe the Spirit Lift is the same.
[ Taharhin blinks as a silverish haze briefly passes over his eyes. ]
TAHARHIN:
The Spirit Attack is impressive enough on its own. You have the one technique I could not master. Perhaps we can learn from each other when we do battle.
ELANMAK:
How much longer will we wait?
TAHARHIN:
A while longer. I'd like to put on my old armor for the occasion. Let us all rest and prepare. I'll fetch my armor. You all enjoy yourselves. You are going to witness something never seen on Earth.
[ EXT. ABOVE SUBDIVISION - EVENING. : The sun is moments from disappearing below the western horizon. Below, several houses are along a road, with the road turning off to one side. There is a vast grassy area behind the houses. ]
[ The sound of a plane can be heard, though none can be seen. ]
[ EXT. BACKYARDS - SUNSET. ]
[ There's plenty of sound, but the plane appears in the twilight close to the ground, never visible more than 20 feet from the ground. ]
[ Spectro's plane finally becomes visible as it lands. The entrance opens, and Spectro climbs out, followed by Wind and Hydron. ]
SPECTRO:
Not how I hoped to commemorate a college degree.
HYDRON:
We got a trip to the desert for our graduation.
WIND:
And more Fieron weirdness.
HYDRON:
We got you out of it, at least.
SPECTRO:
Heh. Would've been nice if I actually helped. Guess it was worth it, though.
WIND:
Are we just leaving your plane here?
SPECTRO:
I'll send it to Captain Fist's parking space.
WIND:
Get to Dakita street, he says. But land in the middle of nowhere first...
SPECTRO:
Well...
[ Spectro Holds out his hand, moves it around searchingly, then holds it aloft as some glows shoot up to the north and west (Background and screen left). ]
SPECTRO (cont'd):
... We can start that way.
[ Spectro, Wind and Hydron begin walking toward the glows. ]
[ Wide shot. The sun has completely set. The lighting dims slightly. ]
[ Close on Spectro, Wind and Hydron. ]
SPECTRO:
... Wait... That's strange.
WIND:
What?
[ Spectro lowers his hand, looks around, then raises his hand again, more defensively, a bright glow coming from around it to aluminate the night. ]
WIND:
What's the problem?
SPECTRO:
Do you see them?
WIND:
Some people coming toward us...
SPECTRO:
Look more closely.
[ In the distance, two teen-sized figures approach, though any exposed skin is covered in a green mossy substance. ]
HYDRON:
What... happened...?
SPECTRO:
Get ready. I'm catching them.
WIND:
What?
[ Mid shot: the green-covered teens approach Spectro, Wind and Hydron. It can be seen that one of the teens--TeenA--appears male, and the other--TeenB--female. ]
SPECTRO:
Hey, need something?
TEENA:
Run!
[ TeenA tugs at the girl's arm, then runs off to the south. ]
[ Hydron becomes water that rushes after the retreating teens. Wind jumps into the air and flies after them. ]
[ The teens run through the field. Wind flies over them and gets ahead of them. Wind turns and holds out her arms, a powerful gust of wind pushing the teens back. Water-Hydron approaches from behind, colliding with the two. The teens fall to the ground as Wind lands. Spectro runs up, and Hydron returns to human form; the teens are effectively surrounded by Spectro, Wind and Hydron. ]
WIND:
You didn't have to run, you know.
TEENA:
How did... ...
[ TeenA groans frustratedly. ]
SPECTRO:
If I give you a temporary makeover, will you calm down?
TEENB:
What do you mean?
[ Spectro raises both hands, which glow softly, and the odd growth-stuff on the teens is no longer visible. ]
TEENA:
Woah...
[ TeenA touches his face. ]
TEENA (cont'd):
But I still feel it...
SPECTRO:
It's a hologram. Not for sell, but if you like it, I might leave it up while we talk...
TEENB:
Can you fix it?
SPECTRO:
No idea.
TEENB:
He said he could--
TEENA:
No talking!
TEENB:
Did you see what they did? And look at me... I know you look better than he made you look when he told us.
SPECTRO:
Not many people "he" could be.
WIND:
What did he tell you?
[ TeenA sighs. ]
TEENA:
Not to talk to anyone that tries to stop us.
TEENB:
To meet him at the corner of Dakita and Harold.
SPECTRO:
Where's that?
TEENA:
... who Are you guys?
WIND:
We're here to help.
TEENB:
Back ... well, the way we were going when you found us.
SPECTRO:
... Hydron, you think you can...
[ Hydron nods, then becomes water that rushes off into the darkness. ]
WIND:
What's... up?
SPECTRO:
Our lead might be in trouble. She can get there faster than me, and can water her way out of his attacks.
TEENA:
So are you with the X--
WIND:
Can't really mention that.
TEENB:
What's going on? What have we gotten into?
SPECTRO:
All I can tell you is that it's probably going to get messy.
[ Spectro sighs. ]
SPECTRO (cont'd):
I should go after her... if need be, I can block him. Can you handle these two?
WIND:
... Handle? Um, I'm just ... asking awkward questions, right?
TEENA:
What... is that?
[ Wide shot. In the distance, smoke rises over the end of the distant line of houses. ]
TEENB:
OMG...! Is that smoke?
WIND:
He ... wouldn't burn the house, would he?
SPECTRO:
I wouldn't think so, but ... well, I'm going.
[ Spectro runs off into the night. ]
[ EXT. BEHIND HOUSE - NIGHT. : The color of the house suggests that it might have been white at some time years in the past. The back door is open, and smoke leaks from it. ]
[ Water-Hydron approaches and takes human form near the door. A boy somewhere between sixteen and twenty runs out the door, a look of terror on his face. ]
RETANRETLA (OS):
Running won't do you any good.
[ Retanretla appears in the doorway, holding a flashlight, which is on, its beam aiming toward the fleeing figure. ]
HYDRON:
It's a little dark for your tricks to work.
[ Retanretla turns, surprised. ]
RETANRETLA:
You again? Well, just because the sun's almost gone, it doesn't mean there isn't enough radiation in the air for me to roast you!
[ Hydron becomes water and rushes for Retanretla, who focuses the flashlight on her. The light quickly shifts to red before disappearing into a faint, erie glow, and Hydron seems to have trouble moving. ]
[ Water-Hydron tries to spread out and flow out of the path of the microwaving, but with limited success. ]
[ then there's a shout of "MORTAL KOMBAT!", as a suspiciously copyritten tune is heard, followed by near total darkness around the back of the house. ]
RETANRETLA:
Here at last, huh?
SPECTRO (OS):
Surrender?
RETANRETLA:
You insult me.
SPECTRO:
As you wish.
[ The light returns. Spectro stands a few feet from Retanretla, hand extended toward him. Intense light shines from Spectro's hand toward Retanretla's face. Retanretla yells as he puts his free hand to his face. ]
RETANRETLA:
Grr... Nice try... but... I... Still... Win!
SPECTRO:
Good luck with that one.
[ Hydron returns to human form, jumps up behind Retanretla and throws herself on his back. Retanretla staggers forward, narrowly avoiding falling to the ground. Retanretla grabs for Hydron's arm, and she lets go, only to punch him in the side of the face. ]
SPECTRO:
End of the line. You want to explain anything?
RETANRETLA:
When I'm done, you're dead.
[ Retanretla smacks Hydron in the head with the flashlight, and she falls back; Retanretla runs off screen. Spectro hurries to Hydron's side; Hydron clutches her head, wincing in pain. ]
SPECTRO:
You ok?
HYDRON:
... I... Yes. Someone ran out of the house. That way...
[ Hydron points off screen with her arm before bringing it back toward her head. ]
SPECTRO:
Stay with me so I can keep the light off of you. No telling what he's up to.
[ Hydron is hardly able to stay standing, and Spectro holds her up with one arm, the other held aloft in front of him. ]
[ EXT. BACKYARDS - NIGHT. : Wind stands with TeenA and TeenB. ]
WIND:
Are you the only ones?
TEENA:
So far as I know. I mean, I don't think anyone would want to talk about it.
WIND:
And this guy said he could fix it?
TEENA:
Yeah.
WIND:
Did you think that maybe he knew so much because he started it?
[ the relative calm around them is broken by the sounds of footsteps, running through grass, coming from several directions, certainly not from one source. ]
WIND:
... is that normal?
TEENA:
Huh? ... I haven't ... heard that before.
[ Wide shot. Several figures resembling TeenA and Teenb hurry across the fields in the distance. ]
TEENB:
Are they heading this way?
TEENA:
I can't tell...
WIND:
They're heading the same way Shanan and Spectro went...
TEENB:
Does that mean they're all going to the same place....?
[ A pair of figures approaches the three; the whole "standing in plain sight" thing makes them an easy target. ]
WIND:
I'm not so sure, now...
[ EXT. FIELD - ALONG ROAD - NIGHT. : Hydron and Spectro run several feet from the road. Spectro has one hand raised defensively, the other on Hydron's shoulder as she holds a hand to her head, her posture indicating that she is struggling to stand. ]
SPECTRO:
We can't catch him; he's got too big a head start.
HYDRON:
You can go on... I'll catch up.
SPECTRO:
No way. It's bad enough that Wind's on her own...
[ Three green-growth-covered teens jump out of the darkness and surround Hydron and Spectro. ]
SPECTRO:
What the...
[ one of the teens grabs Hydron and she falls to the ground. ]
[ one of the teens grabs at Spectro, who turns around and throws up his hand, after which there is a tremendous flash of light. ]
[ Hydron crouches between two of the teens; one looks down at her, and the other looks at Spectro, the darkness lifting somewhat . ]
[ Hydron transforms into water that shoots upward like a geyser, causing the greenling nearest to move aside while the other turns attention to the spectacle. ]
SPECTRO:
I don't know what you're deal is, but it's in your best interest to back off.
TEENC:
He's the one! Someone grab him!
[ One of the teens (not the one that spoke) tries to rush Spectro, but is struck by Water-Hydron and falls out of the way. ]
[ Spectro waves his hand, and an electronic-sounding song plays from three nearby sources. ]
SPECTRO:
Just as I thought.
[ Water-Hydron forms into a wave that knocks down another of the group. She then retrurns to human form, leaning on Spectro for support, panting. ]
TEENC:
What the...
SPECTRO:
Retanretla called you, didn't he?
TEENC:
What's it to you?
SPECTRO:
Oh, maybe because he's the one behind all of this?
TEENC:
Behind trying to help us.
SPECTRO:
Whose house is back there?
TEENC:
Huh? ... I don't know.
TEEND:
Rafe?
SPECTRO:
Does he have a sister?
TEEND:
Yeah. Freshman, I think. What's that got to do with anything?
SPECTRO:
I would tell you to ask him, but thanks to you, any chances we had of catching up with him got a lot smaller.
TEENC:
What're you talking about, master darkness?
SPECTRO:
Only that Retanretla was after him, and he wasn't playing nicely. Lucky we got there when we did. Except now he's ran off to save his life.
TEENC:
Why should we believe you?
SPECTRO:
You seem not to have trouble believing Retanretla.
TEEND:
He probably ran to that one new kid's place.
SPECTRO:
Wanna lead the way?
TEENC:
I wanna get the heck out of here.
[ TeenC runs off. ]
TEEND:
... I don't know where he lives.
TEENE:
I think he's on Harold, white house with a bunch of hedge animals.
SPECTRO:
Direction?
TEENE:
That way, I think.
[ TeenE points off to the right and toward the road. ]
SPECTRO:
Ah, thanks. Oh, and... you should come with us.
TEEND:
What?
HYDRON:
I ... don't know if that's wise.
SPECTRO:
I'm not forcing anyone to come. But if you want answers...
[ EXT. ISLAND - DAY. : Everyone seen here previously, sans Taharhin are standing around. Halei, a girl of about twelve with short, somewhat spiky hair, and Rande, a light brown-skinned boy of about Elanmak's height have joined the group. Fierox slowly circles the group, and Kairin holds his fanblade in one hand, watching the sun reflected in it as he slowly spins it. ]
KEJEK:
And he was about to throw the binoculars into the ocean.
ELANMAK:
We were just lucky we had something to stand on at all. Jumping through a magical gateway out into the middle of the ocean...
KEJEK:
You followed me.
KAIRIN:
Are you ever going to let anyone see those papers you found on that island?
ELANMAK:
You mean that fly-covered jungle we had to swim to when the gateway broke on us? Depends how much someone pays.
KAIRIN:
We might be able to fix the gateways with what's in those papers!
KEJEK:
I don't think the exiles could open gateways whenever they wanted. All I've ever heard talked about some Whale Elder. Of course, that was from the same people that thought the gateways were just a really well-organized boat lane.
VEKIN:
We often interpret what we observe to fit our beliefs. The mind likes to fill in incomplete pictures and make sense of them.
THERACY:
Kejek, how did you get off of that island if the gateway was broken?
KEJEK:
The island had another one. We just followed them from island to island until we found Kairin. Well, I found Kairin. Elanmak found Taharhin.
THERACY:
You make it sound easy to find these gateways.
KEJEK:
It's only easy if you know what to look for. We found the first one by accident. The second island had enough ruins from the exiles that it was easy to find.
VEKIN:
I think the gateways on the Twin Islands lured me there when I left my teacher's school and went out on my own. There are many unusual imprints left by the old masters that wandered this world.
ELANMAK:
Well, it's about time we had some new masters. So what if those guys in the thirteenth century could do all this stuff? If they could do it, then so can we!
VEKIN:
Have you dedicated your life to understanding the universe?
ELANMAK:
Have you?
VEKIN:
Not enough, I'm afraid. The ancients likely had generations of dedicated and well-learned masters on which to build their skills. The best we can hope for is to become the teachers that mold the new masters.
ELANMAK:
The best you can hope for, maybe. Taharhin can travel the world quicker than we could using the gateways.
VEKIN:
And yet, what has he created that will last?
[ Elanmak smirks. ]
HALEI:
Nothing lasts forever.
[ Halei looks toward Theracy. ]
HALEI (cont'd):
Hey, I haven't seen you before.
THERACY:
I'm Theracy.
HALEI:
I'm Halei. I guess you came with the rest of these American boys?
THERACY:
Well, yeah...
HALEI:
Of everyone here, I'm the only person that's actually from the Twin Islands. Liquaro and Rani have lived close by, but only Sarai ever came out that far.
THERACY:
Where is Sarai?
[ Liquaro looks down. ]
VEKIN:
She disappeared in the wave created by the giant that fell into the sea.
THERACY:
Oh. I'm sorry.
KAIRIN:
What are you appologizing for? You didn't do anything.
[ Liquaro turns and starts walking away. ]
RANI:
Liquaro! Doko e iku no!
[ Most everyone watches Liquaro walk off. Fierox stops near Liquaro and snifs at the air. ]
KEJEK:
He's bleeding.
[ Close on the back of Liquaro's legs. A thin trickle of blood comes from the back of his right pantleg. ]
[ Elanmak smirks. ]
ELANMAK:
He's not hurt. He's just being a girl.
[ Halei turns and slaps Elanmak in the face. Elanmak winces, and Halei turns to gaze back after Liquaro. ]
RANI:
Liquaro! Mate kudasai!
[ Rani runs after Liquaro. ]
[ Fade to black. ]
[ Break. ]
[ Fade in to EXT. BACKYARDS - NIGHT. : Wind, TeenA and TeenB are surrounded by at least three other green-skinned teens. ]
TEENF:
You didn't get the call?
TEENA:
No; we were going somewhere...
TEENG:
Wait, you guys too?
[ TeenB sighs and puts her hands over her face. ]
WIND:
This seems like a pretty big problem, if you ask me.
TEENF:
The Smith kid got it, and we're all pretty sure he's single.
TEENG:
Who are you, anyway?
WIND:
I'm here to help.
TEENG:
I'm not falling for that; he said...
[ TeenB lowers her hands. ]
TEENB:
What if he said wrong?
TEENG:
what?
TEENH (OS):
Hey, what's going on?
[ Another pair of green-skinned teens approaches. ]
TEENA:
I... guess there were more than just us.
[ EXT. OUTSIDE HEDGEHOUSE - NIGHT. ]
[ Spectro and Hydron, with Teens D and E, approach a house whose driveway is flanked by enough hedge animals to reenact the caucus races from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ]
SPECTRO:
Anyone want to do the honors?
TEENE:
I... don't really want to be seen.
SPECTRO:
Well, I can arrange that. But...
TEEND:
What?
HYDRON:
Don't give them holograms.
SPECTRO:
Wasn't going to.
TEEND:
You mean you can make this green junk invisible?
SPECTRO:
Something like that. But right now, hiding things isn't going to get us anywhere pleasant.
[ Spectro steps up to the door and rings the doorbell. ]
[ A few seconds pass. Then the door opens, revealing a well-lit room beyond. A boy, hereafter Noal, stands in the doorway. He is fairly thin and appears prepubescent, though by the length of his arms and legs he could be older than fourteen. ]
SPECTRO:
Is there a Rafe in the house?
NOAL:
Who are you?
SPECTRO:
Friends.
TEEND:
... Retanretla aint't here.
[ Noal surveys the group, then notices Hydron, who is no longer leaning on Spectro for support, but still looks faint and hurt. ]
NOAL:
I think you should come inside.
[ INT. HEDGEHOUSE - LIT. : A boy of about seventeen is peaking from around the wall dividing the front wall from the kitchen, an incomplete aluminum hat held as though without preparation near his head. A couch sits on the wall shared by both rooms, with an armchair squeezed into the corner beside it. A lamp stands on the other end of the couch, activated, its light contributing to that from the ceiling light of both rooms. ]
[ Noal stands at the door, letting Hydron and Spectro walk through before shutting it. Noal looks toward Spectro and Hydron. ]
NOAL:
So Fieron isn't with you?
[ Spectro's costume flickers briefly as a shocked expression appears on his and Hydron's faces. ]
SPECTRO:
What?! Why would he... do you know something we don't?
NOAL:
I guess not.
SPECTRO:
That's not something you ask without a reason.
[ Hydron rubs the side of her head. ]
NOAL:
Sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Do you want some ice?
HYDRON:
... I'll be fine, I think. Thanks, though.
[ Hydron lowers her hand from her head. ]
RAFE:
Who's outside?
SPECTRO:
Victims.
RAFE:
... they... did it, then?
SPECTRO:
Well, we were going to ask you. Apparently the color-changing maniac found out before we got here.
RAFE:
I already told the police...
SPECTRO:
And they told us. We knew this guy was up to something. We weren't expecting what you say he's done.
RAFE:
I saw him with the principal and some of the administration people. I heard them talking about planting the disease. I...
SPECTRO:
What gets the schoolboard involved in this? That's not his style. He works alone, and dumps whoever he gets as an ally as soon as it's convenient.
RAFE:
I didn't hear that part...
NOAL:
This town has an embarrassing record in the region. A lot of parents are still taking Algebra I.
SPECTRO:
An easy way for him to do experiments... but the school?
NOAL:
You'd have to guess. Maybe it made it easier to contaminate people, get health records, or something like that. The schoolboard might go with it if he promised to fix the problem without actually hurting anyone; maybe the "Blue Mountain epidemic" will give them something to fix?
SPECTRO:
Hmm. Well, in any case...
WIND(over radio):
Uh, guys...?
[ Spectro extends a hand toward the door, but keeps his attention on the people in the house. ]
[ EXT. BACKYARDS - NIGHT. ]
[ Wind is busy backing up from several of the infected teens; Teens A and B are standing off to the side confusedly. ]
SPECTRO(over radio):
We're with our witness. What's up?
WIND:
Retanretla ... called ... backup. So... can... I have some backup, too?
TEENA:
This... is... crazy. We should get out of here.
[ TeenB stares blankly at the scene. TeenA looks at her and reaches out toward her with a hand. ]
TEENA:
Hey, you ok?
TEENB:
Why is this happening?
[ Sirens can be heard in the distance ]
TEENH:
... The Cops?
TEENA:
Crud!
[ TeenA turns and runs off screen. TeenB turns to look after TeenA, facial expression becoming shocked and hurt. ]
TEENB:
Hey...!
TEENF:
Maybe it's an ambulance or something...
TEENH:
I'm not sticking around to find out!
WIND:
Actually...
[ Wind holds up her arms, and a vortex of wind forms around the group, throwing the teens off balance, but keeping them all in one area. ]
TEENG:
What the heck...?!
[ TeenB steps back, watching wide-eyed. ]
SPECTRO(over radio):
What's happening?
WIND:
Bluelights.
SPECTRO(over radio):
I'll signal Captain Fist.
WIND:
You do that...
[ EXT. FIELD - NIGHT. : TeenA runs through the field, which is relatively empty. ]
[ TeenA trips, falling facedown. ]
TEENA:
Ah... what was that?
[ TeenA tries to get up. ]
RETANRETLA:
The convenience of twilight.
[ Retanretla fades into visibility near where TeenA tripped. ]
TEENA:
... What do you want?
RETANRETLA:
What I said before. Well, get up.
[ TeenA stands up and faces Retanretla. ]
TEENA:
It got crazy back there.
[ Retanretla puts a hand on TeenA's shoulder. ]
RETANRETLA:
Well, you got away, at least.
[ TeenA tenses as though stung ]
RETANRETLA:
... You weren't coming alone, were you?
TEENA:
I told you, it's crazy back there. A bunch of people coming out of nowhere... cops are coming...
[ Retanretla makes a swift movement with his hand, revealing a needle held between his fingers. He presses the needle against TeenA's cheek. ]
RETANRETLA:
Well then, you should get home, shouldn't you?
TEENA:
But...
[ Retanretla raises his other hand, which holds a match. He strikes the match on the back of his sleeve. ]
RETANRETLA:
But first, take a look at this.
TEENA:
What about it?
RETANRETLA:
Can you do anything with it?
TEENA:
Like what? You're holding it...
RETANRETLA:
Focus on the light.
[ TeenA's face tenses, but nothing happens. ]
RETANRETLA:
Hmm.
[ Retanretla throws the match down, and the flame is out before it hits the ground. ]
TEENA:
What was that ...
[ Retanretla disappears into the darkness. ]
TEENA (cont'd):
... about...?
[ EXT. PRINCIBLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT. : A dark van is parked beside a sedan in the driveway. ]
PRINCIBLE (OS):
You're trespassing, sir.
[ INT. PRINCIBLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT. : The Princible, a man of at least fifty, stands near the entrance to a darkened hallway. Captain Fist stands in the middle of the room. ]
CAPTAIN FIST:
Most people don't call it that when there's a warrant.
PRINCIBLE:
Warrant? What are the charges?
CAPTAIN FIST:
I'm asking the questions, here.
PRINCIBLE:
I know my rights--
CAPTAIN FIST:
Do you know where he is?
PRINCIBLE:
Who?
CAPTAIN FIST:
You know who I'm talking about.
PRINCIBLE:
I'm calling the real police.
CAPTAIN FIST:
They called me.
SPECTRO(over radio):
Captain?
[ Captain Fist growls. ]
CAPTAIN FIST:
Make it quick.
SPECTRO:
Retanretla got to him first. He got away; we're with him. Retanretla called a lot of the victims and ran off.
CAPTAIN FIST:
I've got the princible. Where are you?
SPECTRO(over radio):
South on Harold. There's something else you should know...
CAPTAIN FIST:
Save it; I'm in the middle of an interrogation.
[ Lightning flashes through the windows of the house, bright enough to partially illuminate the room. ]
ALUBEN(over radio):
Glacier just left the roadblock. I think he heard something...
[ Captain Fist snarls and yells something starting with a "D", though a loud crack of thunder drowns out the word. ]
CAPTAIN FIST:
Did he give Black Eagle this kind of trouble?
ALUBEN(over radio):
He's following someone; I saw him from the lightning.
CAPTAIN FIST:
Is it Retanretla?
ALUBEN(over radio):
They're too far. The light's gone.
CAPTAIN FIST:
Spectro! I need someone to tail Glacier.
[ INT. HEDGEHOUSE - LIT. ]
SPECTRO:
It's just me and Hydron here, and she's recovering from ...
CAPTAIN FIST(over radio):
Where's Wind?
SPECTRO:
Dealing with the others...
[ EXT. FIELD - NIGHT. ]
[ It's starting to rain outside. A spear of ice shoots into the night. ]
[ Retanretla sidesteps as the ice-spear approaches him. Dolly and pan until Glacier is visible, facing Retanretla from several feet away, another ice-spear in his hand. ]
RETANRETLA:
Maybe it's too early to nuke this whole town, but I'm more than happy to dispose of you.
[ Retanretla raises the flashlight and clicks it, but it doesn't light. ]
RETANRETLA (mildly annoyed and surprised):
What? It must have broken across her head.
[ Glacier charges at Retanretla and thrusts his ice-spear at his chest. ]
RETANRETLA:
There's still enough radiation here to--
[ Retanretla falls back as the ice-spear bearly misses impaling him through the side! ]
[ Glacier swings the ice-spear at Retanretla's head, and the end of it goes flying away with a loud crack! ]
RETANRETLA (in pain, angry):
Aaarrrggghhh! Fine!
[ There is a flash of lightning, though it is colored an eerie blue-green. ]
[ A turtle-like shell of ice forms around Glacier's back, head and shoulders while a chestplate of ice forms over his chest. He holds up both arms, and a rod of ice grows out of both of them, the base growing around his arms into a cone that reaches the ground. The bottom of the cone extends toward Retanretla, while the rod at the top grows several feet into the sky. ]
[ Retanretla jumps out of the way of the cone's base. ]
RETANRETLA:
You missed, dumb--
[ Lightning strikes the rod. The ice explodes, and Glacier and Retanretla are both thrown to the ground as the rain intensifies. ]
[ INT. HEDGEHOUSE - LIT. : Teens D and E stand near the doorway, dripping water; the door is open, revealing the stormy night beyond. Noal and Hydron sit on opposite ends of the couch, while Rafe stands at the division of kitchen and living room. Spectro stands near the couch, facing the front of the house. ]
ALUBEN(over radio):
... Blue lightning?
SPECTRO:
We have to go after him. It might already be too late.
TEEND:
There are plenty of us here.
SPECTRO:
A lot of good that does against him. Do you have a basement?
NOAL:
Yes. But...
SPECTRO:
Hide there.
[ Spectro runs out the door and disappears into the night. ]
[ Hydron sighs. ]
[ EXT. OVER FIELDS - NIGHT. : Wind flies through the rain. ]
WIND (exasperated):
Just... great.
TEENA:
... Hey!
[ TeenA stands in the field, waving up at Wind. ]
[ Wind slows and descends toward TeenA. ]
WIND:
Oh, you again. I'm in a hurry.
[ TeenA points off to screen right. ]
TEENA:
He went that way, I think. I think he had needles and a match and...
WIND:
Just get inside.
[ Wind starts flying at a high speed. ]
[ INT. HEDGEHOUSE - LIT. : The door is now shut. TeenD, TeenE and Rafe are gone. ]
NOAL:
I don't like hiding.
HYDRON:
You'd like dying less.
NOAL:
What makes you so sure?
HYDRON:
You're trying to be helpful, aren't you?
NOAL:
So?
HYDRON:
Dying won't help anyone.
NOAL:
Maybe not.
HYDRON:
Why did you ask about Fieron?
NOAL:
Your costumes.
HYDRON:
Not many people would...
NOAL:
I thought he was mentioned on the news more than once?
HYDRON:
You don't know, though. Why would you think that?
NOAL:
Everyone knew about me. I thought they'd hear about him.
HYDRON:
You know him?
NOAL:
I'm not sure.
HYDRON:
You are.
NOAL:
I can't decide.
HYDRON:
Do you know a Niryc, then?
NOAL:
So you found out?
HYDRON:
If you knew...
NOAL:
But he didn't. I recognized him. He didn't recognize me. I wondered if it was my fault; I was trying not to be recognized, and it was his grandma, but...
HYDRON:
Are you...
NOAL:
The person that tried to hold Allie and Nanny for ransome? Yes.
HYDRON:
Why would you do that?
NOAL:
Desperation. My... mother... Hmm. I don't want to talk about it. Niryk came. He fought me. He called himself Fieron. He didn't recognize me. That...
[ Noal moves a hand to his eye. ]
NOAL (cont'd):
I... just... ran, when they let me out. Not to go anywhere. Just...
[ Noal sighs, struggling not to cry. ]
NOAL (cont'd) (cont'd):
I came to Blue Mountain because I wanted to make it all worth it. Somewhere where nobody that hurt me would find me. Somewhere that I could try to help...
[ A loud beating comes from the door. ]
HYDRON:
You should get to the basement.
BB14 (OS):
Open up! This is the police!
[ Hydron walks to the door and pulls it open. BB14 steps through the doorway and into the room. ]
BB14:
Where's the witness?
[ Hydron shuts the door. ]
HYDRON:
Taking cover.
BB14:
Where?
HYDRON:
The basement. We already questioned him.
BB14:
Take me to him.
NOAL:
What are you going to do?
[ BB14 turns to look at Noal. ]
BB14:
Who are you?
NOAL:
What are you going to--
BB14:
I asked you a question.
NOAL:
I asked first. And you're not the police.
BB14:
Get up.
NOAL:
No.
BB14:
I'm not letting you out of my sight. Get up, or I'm dragging--
NOAL:
And I'll see you in court.
BB14:
Big attitude for someone so small. Get you a--
HYDRON:
I'll hold him.
[ EXT. FIELDS - NIGHT. : Retanretla and Glacier lie on the ground amid fragments of ice. ]
RETANRETLA (in pain):
That... was... lucky.
[ Retanretla gets to his feet. A bar of ice shoots from Glacier's left foot at Retanretla, who clumsily jumps out of the way. ]
RETANRETLA:
Once I get started, you can't stop me. Go ahead and try to knock me down; by then it'll be too late.
[ A gust of wind knocks Retanretla off his feet ]
[ Wind descends from above and lands between Retanretla and Glacier. ]
WIND:
You were saying?
[ There is another lightning flash, but this time, something like a face is visible in the light. ]
WIND:
What was that?
RETANRETLA:
... He's here. Perfect.
[ The background surrounding Glacier, Retanretla and Wind becomes black, though the lighting is normal on them. Spectro appears to the side, facing Retanretla. ]
SPECTRO:
That's right.
[ Glacier Suddenly leaps up and lunges at Retanretla, ice surrounding his arms like pointed gauntlets. ]
RETANRETLA:
But you're too sl--
[ Glacier strikes Retanretla off of his feet. Retanretla yells in pain as Glacier strikes him again, this time with both ice-sheathed arms. ]
RETANRETLA (furious):
You...
[ Retanretla grunts. ]
RETANRETLA (cont'd):
Will...
[ Retanretla grunts. ]
RETANRETLA (cont'd) (cont'd):
DIE!
SPECTRO:
Glacier, ease up. We've got him now. Hydron's with the boy; we've won.
RETANRETLA (in pain):
Oh... really...?
SPECTRO:
Yes, really. You can't nuke anyone if I've got the light off. And you won't nuke this town with all the work you've put into it.
OFFICER (OS):
Step into the light!
[ Retanretla chuckles. ]
WIND:
We've got it under con--
[ Shot of the wall of darkness, with faint silhouettes of Taoe and Retanretla visible within. Two police officers stand near the darkness, holding lit flashlights. ]
OFFICER:
I said step into the light.
[ Back inside the darkness, with Glacier still keeping Retanretla on the ground, but no longer attacking. ]
RETANRETLA:
Well, since they have light...
SPECTRO:
Don't try it.
[ Outside the darkness, the light from the flashlights turns blue. ]
OFFICER2:
Is that light turning blue?
[ Inside the darkness, Glacier smacks Retanretla in the face with an ice-gauntlet. ]
RETANRETLA (in pain, but laughing):
Go ahead, make me bleed!
OFFICER (OS):
Tase 'em!
WIND:
Wait, what?
[ One of the police officers jumps into the darkness near Spectro, wielding a taser. ]
SPECTRO:
DON'T!
[ The taser discharges, and Spectro yells as he is hit and begins convulsing at the electricity. The darkness lifts, restoring the background (and the rain) to visibility. ]
RETANRETLA:
I win!
[ Glacier holds up an arm, and a short ice-spear grows from it; Glacier holds it at Retanretla's throat. ]
[ Another officer, wielding a gun, steps into view, takes aim at Glacier, and fires. Glacier makes a pained sound and lowers his arm. ]
WIND:
No!
[ Retanretla Throws Glacier off of him and gets to his feet. ]
RETANRETLA:
Let me take care of that red stuff for you...
[ Wind throws out her arms, and a gust of wind throws Retanretla into the air. ]
OFFICER:
Hands on your--
[ Wind aims her hands at the officer, and another gust throws the officer off of his feet. Wind runs to Glacier's side. ]
[ Spectro pulls away from the tasing officer and holds up a hand. The rain and the background return to blackness. ]
[ Retanretla steps out of the darkness and into the rain. ]
RETANRETLA:
I'd love to stay, but I have disease to cure.
[ Retanretla runs into the distance. ]
[ Wind kneels beside Glacier. ]
WIND:
Glacier!
GLACIER:
Warn the others.
[ The gun-wielding officer approaches Wind. ]
WIND:
Are you ok?
GLACIER:
He might go after Shanan.
OFFICER:
Hands on your head.
WIND:
Stay away!
SPECTRO (panting):
Signal's out.
OFFICER2:
You're under arrest. You have the right too--
[ Spectro throws his hands into the air. ]
SPECTRO:
What's that?
[ A cloud of multi-colored lights suddenly begins to circle the group, and images of people move around franticly. ]
WIND:
What's going...
GLACIER:
Diversion. Run.
WIND:
But...
[ An ice-slide rises from under Glacier and pushes both himself and Wind away ]
[ Several translucent images of Spectro and Wind appear, running off in different directions. ]
[ The officers look around in bewilderment. Spectro runs past them and off screen; the illusions fade while the officers face the direction opposite that which the real Spectro exited. ]
[ Elsewhere in the rainy fields, Wind and Glacier ride on an ever-growing sheet of ice, Wind kneeling and Glacier on his side. Spectro runs along side them. ]
SPECTRO:
We don't want an ice trail.
WIND:
He's hurt...
[ The ice stops moving. Glacier gets to his feet. A bubble of ice covers his right side, and his right arm rests atop it. ]
GLACIER:
I can walk.
[ EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT. : Aluben sits in the passenger's seat of a dark van, the window rolled down; Aluben leans just noticeably toward the inside of the van, though it cannot be clearly seen if the rain goes through the open window. ]
[ Wind, Spectro and Glacier walk up along side the van. ]
ALUBEN:
Where's Shanan?
SPECTRO:
With the witness.
[ Aluben looks at Glacier, and his expression becomes horrified. ]
ALUBEN:
What happened?
WIND:
Shot.
ALUBEN:
Shot?
SPECTRO:
Where's Fist?
ALUBEN:
Still with the princible.
[ INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT. : Rafe, TeenD, TeenE and BB14 are gathered in the darkness. ]
TEEND:
I swear, man, that's all I know...
BB14:
You'll come with me.
TEEND:
Me?
BB14:
All of you.
RAFE:
But...
BB14:
Pastluck to Captain fist...
[ There is a brief sound of radio static. BB14 makes an annoyed sound. ]
BB14:
No signal down here.
[ Hydron enters. BB14 turns to look toward her. ]
BB14:
Did you leave that kid?
HYDRON:
Retanretla's gotten away. The police--
BB14:
Did you have to take your eyes off of him for that?
HYDRON:
Since other people are in danger besides you...
BB14:
Watch him.
[ Hydron looks indignant, turns and exits the way she came. ]
[ INT. HEDGEHOUSE - LIT. : Noal sits on the couch. ]
[ Hydron enters from the foreground, screen right, walking to the couch and sitting down. ]
NOAL:
He's a jerk.
HYDRON:
He's... doing his job. ... How did you know Niryk?
NOAL:
School.
HYDRON:
If you were disguised when he fought you, why would you expect him to recognize you?
NOAL:
I lived with him for a while.
HYDRON:
But you didn't stay with him?
NOAL:
My dad came back.
HYDRON:
He left?
NOAL:
He said he went to get a better job to support us. But we didn't hear from him. When he came back, he wanted me to go with him.
HYDRON:
What about your mom?
NOAL:
Nn. I don't want to...
HYDRON:
Sorry.
NOAL:
But, I guess that's part of why I didn't go with him.
HYDRON:
Where did you go, then?
NOAL:
I tried to get back to where we used to live. But it was for sell since no one was paying for it.
HYDRON:
How old were you?
NOAL:
Twelve.
HYDRON:
By yourself?
NOAL:
Nn.
SPECTRO(over radio):
Shanan?
HYDRON:
I hear you.
SPECTRO(over radio):
Aluben's coming to pick you up. I'd do it, but our wonderfully-named Captain thinks it'd be safer, since the police would recognize me. I thought I might explain why that doesn't make any sense, but I thought Aluben might be bored. Well, and I've been running a lot, so he'd be less likely to pass out...
NOAL:
That was kinda long.
HYDRON:
I hope it means it's all over.
NOAL:
It's not. Nothing ever is.
HYDRON:
Were you trying to forget it all?
NOAL:
Sometimes. But I know better.
HYDRON:
I'm sorry we had to dig it up.
NOAL:
Maybe it's for the better. Dealing with this disease is only half of what we'll have to do.
[ Knocking comes from the door. Hydron gets up and walks to the door, pulling it open to reveal Aluben; the rain outside has weakened considerably. ]
ALUBEN:
Hello.
HYDRON:
Should I get...
ALUBEN:
What?
HYDRON:
Our Buff Brigade guy is in the basement. I think you should tell him.
ALUBEN:
Ok.
[ Aluben looks around, then walks off screen (foreground right). ]
NOAL:
He'll try to bring everyone with him.
HYDRON:
It certainly would catch us by surprise if you got away before he could.
NOAL:
I run when I'm either really happy, or drowning in sadness. I'm not running now.
RAFE (OS):
We told you everything... why can't we ...
[ Aluben, BB14 and Rafe enter from foreground right. ]
BB14:
That's for the Captain to decide.
[ The light in the room takes on a faint bluish tint as a faint cloud begins to form around Aluben. ]
ALUBEN:
Wait...
BB14:
Wait?
ALUBEN (urgent):
... Get back in the basement!
BB14:
What is it, now? I thought we were...
ALUBEN:
He must have seen me...
[ Hydron grabs Noal by the arm. Hydron becomes water, and Noal slips toward the floor and staggers to his feet ]
[ Aluben runs over to Noal and places himself over him as though to shield him. ]
BB14:
Retanretla.
[ BB14 draws a gun and cocks it, then charges out the door. ]
NOAL:
What's...
[ Aluben grabs Noal and pulls him to foreground right. ]
[ EXT. OUTSIDE HEDGEHOUSE - NIGHT : BB14 takes long, dramatic strides from the still open door of the house and toward the road. ]
BB14 (calling):
Show yourself, coward!
RETANRETLA:
I wasn't hiding.
[ Retanretla and TeenC stand across the road. ]
TEENC:
He's got a gun...!
RETANRETLA:
I have worse.
[ BB14 aims his gun. The light from the house behind him becomes orange, then red. BB14's gun begins firing rapidly. ]
[ TeenC screams, turns to run, then falls to the ground and goes silent. ]
RETANRETLA:
You can't aim to save your life, can you? You should have shut the door so the light inside couldn't reach you.
BB14:
I have plenty of bullets, and you can't dodge them all!
[ Retanretla smirks, standing at the edge of the road, as bullets strike the ground all around him. ]
RETANRETLA:
Your aim is dead. I killed it.
BB14:
Hold still!
RETANRETLA:
I'm not moving. Your brain is melting.
[ BB14's colors appear in redscale. BB14 lets out a yell and charges. ]
[ Aluben runs out the door, surrounded in a thick, dark-orange cloud. ]
ALUBEN:
Enough!
[ Aluben holds out his arms, and the cloud around him moves toward Retanretla. ]
[ BB14 runs through the cloud toward Retanretla. ]
RETANRETLA:
Shoot me!
[ BB14's gun fires, and the cloud bursts into flames. BB14 disappears amid the flames as Retanretla laughs. ]
RETANRETLA (laughing):
Too easy!
[ Retanretla turns and runs away. The flames dissolve into steam as the rain strikes the burning cloud. Beneath the haze of the steam, rain and risidual hydrogen, BB14 can bearly be seen lying in the road motionless. ]
[ A police officer runs into view along the road, gun drawn. ]
ALUBEN:
No! He can't...!
OFFICER2:
Hands in the air!
ALUBEN:
Wait! You don't--
[ The officer's gun fires. Aluben yells, clutches his abdomen, and doubles over before falling to his knees. ]
[ A large mass of water flows from behind Aluben, moving for his abdomen; there is enough of a dark reddish tint to the water to reveal that Aluben is bleeding. ]
[ Noal walks out behind Aluben, then around him, approaching the road. ]
NOAL:
Stop!
OFFICER2:
Freeze!
NOAL:
No one's going anywhere.
OFFICER2:
On the ground!
NOAL:
The ground's wet.
OFFICER2:
I said on the ground!
[ Noal points to where TeenC and BB14 are lying unmoving on the ground. ]
NOAL:
The ground is wet.
[ Officer2 rushes toward Noal; Noal stands his ground. ]
[ A wave of water rises from Aluben and moves for Officer2, knocking him off of his feet. ]
NOAL:
And it keeps getting wetter.
[ The water gathers between Noal and Officer2 and becomes Hydron. ]
HYDRON:
We're surrendered, if you'll stop attacking.
OFFICER3(over radio):
We have a code red at west Dakita. Requesting backup.
OFFICER2:
Apprehending gunmen. Can't...
OFFICER3(over radio):
We have a man down!
[ Sounds of gunfire can be heard over the radio, distinct from the sound of thunder in the distance. ]
NOAL:
I'll be here.
[ Officer2 gets to his feet, frowns, and runs off up the road. ]
[ Spectro fades into visibility in the middle of the road onceOfficer2 is gone from sight. ]
SPECTRO:
Ah, yeah. Afraid he'd notice the thunder. Couldn't plan for that.
HYDRON:
Aluben's...
SPECTRO:
I heard. I'll try to clear the house.
HYDRON:
We need to get to the hospital.
SPECTRO:
Already called Nine-one-one.
[ EXT. PRINCIBLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT. : Officer2 runs toward the house. ]
PRINCIBLE (OS):
I have half a mind to sue you for making slanderous allogations.
[ INT. PRINCIBLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT. ]
CAPTAIN FIST:
Save it for the judge.
[ The door bursts open, and Officer 2 enters, gun drawn. Captain Fist turns to face him. ]
OFFICER2:
Freeze!
CAPTAIN FIST:
Stand down, officer.
OFFICER2:
Hands in the air!
CAPTAIN FIST:
Captain Fist, ISDA. Stand down.
[ Fade to black. ]
[ INT. HOSPITALROOM - LIT. : Gravitor lies in bed; though there is plenty of light, none comes from the window. ]
[ Black Eagle enters, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a gray suit. ]
GRAVITOR:
Black Eagle? I hardly recognize you without that uniform... Nice hat, by the way.
BLACK EAGLE:
How's your back?
GRAVITOR:
Better than they give me credit for.
BLACK EAGLE:
Still not walking?
GRAVITOR:
Not when anyone's looking, anyway.
BLACK EAGLE:
I feel the same way.
GRAVITOR:
I don't know... is a demotion that much like it?
BLACK EAGLE:
You can get around just fine, can't you?
GRAVITOR:
Yeah. I can cut gravity, if nothing else.
BLACK EAGLE:
But they tell you not to. Just like I can still be useful, but I'm stuck in that blasted foxhole base.
GRAVITOR:
It really does suck. Can't even be there with them...
BLACK EAGLE:
A kid got shot. A Blue Mountain police officer is in ICU for radiation poisoning; they don't think he'll last the week. Fourteen is dead. Glacier and Aluben are both in the hospital for gunshot wounds. And the only complaint that's getting attention is if the government will pay the medical bills!
GRAVITOR:
Shot? What happened?
BLACK EAGLE:
Captain Fist hid in one suspect's house and sent everyone else around like he knew what was happening. The police had no idea what was going on. Glacier had Retanretla on the ground. He'd've gotten him, but the police couldn't see the gamma rays. So Glacier's the one they went for. Fist sent Aluben to get Hydron's group instead of Spectro, so Retanretla followed him. If I had to pick someone to lead that mission, it'd've been you. And if you were stuck here... well, Spectro made more responsible decisions last night than Fist has made in his life.
GRAVITOR:
They'll let you back in.
BLACK EAGLE:
No they won't. Everyone knows what happened in Japan. Fist will blame the police like the coward he is.
GRAVITOR:
Hey, Japan was my fault. Besides, that was one thing, and it was an immediate threat. If Captain Fist had it his way, we wouldn't even have known Retanretla was in Blue Mountain to begin with.
BLACK EAGLE:
See how well that works on the 'committees'.
[ EXT. OCEANSIDE CLIFF - DAY. : Liquaro stands on the cliff, looking out at the ocean. ]
LIQUARO:
Naze.
[ Rani runs into sight atop the cliff, stopping beside Liquaro. ]
RANI (Japanese subtitled):
Liquaro, why did you run to this place?
LIQUARO (Japanese subtitled):
Sarai. Her little brother. Because of me, the sea took them both.
RANI (Japanese subtitled):
Because of you? If you had done nothing, it would have taken them. We have to protect what we have together!
LIQUARO (Japanese subtitled):
What is there?
RANI (Japanese subtitled):
Our lives, our home, everything that Sarai taught us! Sarai wants us to be the best possible! Let's go and do it!
[ Liquaro looks toward Rani. ]
LIQUARO (Japanese subtitled):
Ok. Let's go.
[ EXT. ISLAND - DAY. : Everyone sans Halei and Rande is gathered as before, with the addition of Taharhin, who wears purple and orange armor over his chest and shoulders. ]
TAHARHIN:
There isn't a problem, is there?
VEKIN:
The only people that can answer aren't here.
[ Liquaro and Rani walk into view and keep walking until they stop in the middle of the group. ]
RANI:
Are you ready?
TAHARHIN:
I have been ready for a very long time. The question is, are you ready?
LIQUARO:
Yes.
RANI:
Yes!
[ Everyone but Taharhin, Liquaro and Rani begin to step backward, forming a circle around Taharhin and the twins. ]
TAHARHIN:
Oh, that won't be necessary. This will truly be a fight like none on Earth. We will fight in an arena of my design. All those who wish to watch, step forward now, but I warn you, this battlefield will be hazardous to onlookers.
[ Kairin and Elanmak step forward simultaneously. Kejek follows, as does Vekin. Fierox crouches behind Kairin, peering at Taharhin. Theracy shakes her head and steps back. ]
THERACY:
I'm sorry. I've seen too much danger. Besides, I'd just be in the way.
TAHARHIN:
Are you certain?
THERACY:
Definitely. I've had enough adventures for one lifetime.
TAHARHIN:
Very well. Then...
[ Taharhin raises his hands over his head, clasped together. ]
TAHARHIN (cont'd):
TAHEA!
[ Taharhin's hands begin to glow white. ]
TAHARHIN (cont'd) (cont'd):
SPIRIT... LIFT!
[ A sphere of white light rapidly expands from Taharhin's hands until it has engulfed everyone but Theracy. The sphere rises into the air and flies up into the sky, finally disappearing from sight. ]
[ Theracy looks on in amazement. ]
THERACY:
Wow. But... how can I get home?
[ Footsteps in sand can be heard from off screen to the left. Theracy turns toward the source of the sound. ]
THERACY:
Huh?
[ Sarai (see episode 16), clothes hair and skin soaked with splotches of seaweed over her, walks across the sand. ]
SARAI:
Darn, I missed them!
[ Theracy looks on with an uneasy expression. ]
THERACY:
Who... are you?
[ Sarai stops walking about seven feet from Theracy and looks at her. Sarai smiles. ]
SARAI:
Don't tell me you don't recognize me, Theracy.
[ Close on Sarai's face. Fade to black. ]
8:27 PM 5/26/2010
