Writer: C. A. E. Jones
11:37 AM 5/28/2010
[ EXT. WASTELAND - DAY. : The sky is gray (reference episodes 3 and 12) and the ground bare. Taoe stands to one side, with Retanretla to the right (closer to center). Black Eagle steps toward Retanretla. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
You have ten seconds to explain.
RETANRETLA:
It wasn't my idea. I'd just have nuked the guy in the suit and been done with it. But then we couldn't get back, or so Fieron says.
BLACK EAGLE:
Fieron!?
RETANRETLA:
That's right. Pulled me out of that mess you left me in.
BLACK EAGLE:
And how does that get us here?
[ Retanretla shrugs. ]
RETANRETLA:
ask silver-man. Fieron said you know him.
GRAVITOR:
This looks like Eoce's place. And he does hang out in that suit. What's that got to do with you and Fieron?
RETANRETLA:
Ask him yourself.
[ There is a roar in the distance, then a shadow as a mass of distorted metal and purple descends to the ground several meters away. Taoe looks toward it. Retanretla smirks. ]
ALUBEN:
What is that?
[ Fieron lands between the group and the object. ]
FIERON:
A vehicle, from the looks of it.
BLACK EAGLE:
Explain things.
FIERON:
To the point, are we? I made space the domain of my exile after our last encounter. I found a ship floating high in the atmosphere, and entered to determine why it was apparently dead. While I was inside, this rift opened, and we fell in. We managed to spot the armored scientist that trapped you in 2001.
[ The purple shape, hereafter "the ship", makes a mechanical sound as an ovular opening irisses open in its side. ]
[ During Black Eagle's line, the opening in the ship reaches a horizontal diameter of about ten feet, with a height of about eight feet. Vekin steps out and walks slowly toward the space between Black Eagle and Fieron. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
That doesn't explain him
[ Black Eagle indicates Retanretla. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
or why he called us...
VEKIN:
Excuse me...
[ Black Eagle turns to look at Vekin. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
... or that.
FIERON:
Their ship was behaving strangely. I helped prevent a crash.
VEKIN:
And for that we offer thanks.
BLACK EAGLE:
Pardon my bluntness, but who are you, and why are you here?
VEKIN:
I am Vekin. I am traveling with a few others. Our journey has been long and strange, but it led us to the spaceship. We weren't sure of where we were, but the stars began to act strange. Something dark showed itself to us, and we began to fall as though dragged, until he (indicating Fieron) appeared.
BLACK EAGLE:
That's not much of an explanation.
VEKIN:
The long version will multiply the questions. But...
WIND:
Hey! I remember him...
[ She's not looking at Vekin, though, but at the ship, where Kairin and Elanmak can be seen looking out of the opening, Kairin holding the fanblade close to his chest, and Elanmak's hand at the handle of the sickle at his waist. ]
ALUBEN:
Is he the boy--
RETANRETLA:
Yes.
[ Wind shoots Retanretla a savage glare. ]
[ Kairin steps cautiously back into the shadows. ]
ELANMAK:
What are you hiding from?
[ One of Elanmak's feet inches back uneasily. ]
[ Close on Black Eagle, whose face is perplexed and frowning. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
What a lovely coincidence. Can someone explain to me how this happened?
[ Mid shot including Taoe. ]
[ During Wind's line, pan up to view a swirling blue area in the sky that seems to grow infinitely deep toward its center. ]
WIND:
Do we have time for that? This big hole in space is tearing the Earth apart.
RETANRETLA:
And I'm bored and hungry. And frankly, big parties like this are annoying.
[ Gravitor moves toward Retanretla. ]
GRAVITOR:
And what makes you think--
[ Black Eagle straightens and holds a hand up at face height. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Not now.
[ Black Eagle sighs. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
They're right.
[ Black Eagle looks to Vekin. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
What condition are you and your people in?
VEKIN:
Well enough. Restless.
BLACK EAGLE:
Can you get to Earth with that ship of yours?
VEKIN:
Can anyone get to Earth today?
BLACK EAGLE:
Good point. Do you have any sort of firepower? Defenses of any kind?
VEKIN:
The ship holds together well. It has survival gear that might double as weaponry. I can handle myself, and the boys have done well. They are not ready for what they have already survived.
ALUBEN:
One of those boys had power and a weapon when we first met him.
BLACK EAGLE:
All right.
[ Black Eagle looks toward Fieron with a distasteful expression. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
And you, what do you know about the situation?
FIERON:
Little. Eoce's stronghold is more open than what little I saw before. He's working very intensely.
RETANRETLA:
He was messing with a lot of machines. It looked like he was moving around a lot. He was so focused that we could have ambushed him before he knew what was happening.
FIERON:
He is not to be underestimated. When I first encountered him, he was able to hit me with his claws; that was reason enough to flea.
GRAVITOR:
... Claws? The mighty Fieron stands up against the full power of the Agents of Erosion, but runs away when he gets scratched?
FIERON:
Comparable to the wounds you inflicted on Retanretla,, except three, longer, across the chest. He was quicker to attack than... well, you. I only escaped because of speed and luck; waiting to see how the wounds slowed me was too risky. Or don't you recall how easily you slowed me down when next we met?
BLACK EAGLE:
Bull; that was over two months later.
FIERON:
I'm not so sure it was two months. In any case, my abilities didn't have much room to grow in recovering from that.
SPECTRO:
Hmm. I'm going to try and get a signal out.
RETANRETLA:
Any idea how to get it where you want?
SPECTRO:
We'll see.
[ Close on Retanretla. Over Retanretla's line, pan to Spectro. ]
RETANRETLA:
Together, we could make it impossible to miss it's target. Make it FM, and that kid in the ship could help us make it strong enough that every radio on the planet will pick it up.
SPECTRO:
Including Eoce. And we don't want to interfere in emergency communications down there; it was bad enough without us clogging up the air. Besides, you'll want something in return.
[ Close on Retanretla, who shrugs. ]
RETANRETLA:
Fine.
[ Mid shot of the group. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
What good's a signal going to do? If it's still as chaotic as it was when we left, no one's sending backup.
SPECTRO:
Fieron gave me an idea, believe it or not. Didn't you say you captured one of Eoce's rovers?
GRAVITOR:
Yeah, but it was damaged when Fieron broke our remote and we had to stop it.
SPECTRO:
You think it knew how to get to the Earth side of Eoce's lab?
BLACK EAGLE:
Of course... that's why it was trying to leave! If the chaos doesn't mess it up too much, it could lead people to the one place that might let them in here. Briliant! It doesn't give us an idea of what to do, though. Hydron, how are you doing?
HYDRON:
I can transform. As much as it hurt me before, I probably can't sustain it as long.
BLACK EAGLE:
We need to get information on how to shut this mess down. Can you do some recon?
HYDRON:
Maybe.
[ Shot of the opening in the ship, as Kejek (carrying the thorn-staff, whose roots appear far drier than in the past) and Liquaro step into view (still inside the opening). ]
KEJEK:
Did someone say Recon?
BLACK EAGLE:
We're not drafting kids.
KEJEK:
Well, ok...
[ Kairin takes a short step forward and shifts the fanblade's position a bit. ]
KAIRIN:
Hey, we can be useful.
[ Mid shot of Black Eagle, Fieron, Vekin and Retanretla, with Black Eagle as the focus of the shot. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
No way.
RETANRETLA:
Oh, why don't I sneak around and send you signals?
BLACK EAGLE:
You tell me.
RETANRETLA:
I want to get out of here just as much as you. But if you think I shouldn't....
BLACK EAGLE:
It's more that I know you're a back-stabbing, self-serving psychopath that makes me question your reliability.
[ Black Eagle sighs. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
. Ok, Mirror-boy.
[ Shot of the opening in the ship. Kejek turns toward Kairin and lightly taps his side with the thorn-staff. ]
KEJEK:
... I think he means you.
KAIRIN:
Huh?
BLACK EAGLE:
Quickly: how do your powers work? Are you safe from radiation?
KAIRIN:
I... absorb light and throw it back? So I guess I could be.
BLACK EAGLE:
And what can the rest of you do?
KEJEK:
Well, spacecamp, boyscouts, and magic tricks.
BLACK EAGLE:
Not good enou--
VEKIN:
He is good enough. Perhaps not to fight, but to look...
[ Dissolve to... ]
[ INT. TAHEA ARENA. : The area is a room no less than fifteen feet in each direction, the walls, floor and ceiling all glowing white, occasionally flickering to reveal the starry vastness of space beyond, with the atmosphere of the Earth visible close below. Gathered against the far wall to the left are Kairin, Kejek, Elanmak, Vekin and Fierox. Liquaro and Rani stand in the middle of the scene, backs to the screen. Taharhin stands a few steps away, facing them, wearing purple and orange chest armor with faded purplish shoulder guards. ]
TAHARHIN:
Welcome!
KEJEK:
Are you sure you can keep this place up and fight at the same time?
TAHARHIN:
So long as I am conscious, this arena will remain safe from the void, and the earth will be no hendrance. Now, are we ready to begin?
LIQUARO/RANI:
Yes.
TAHARHIN:
Very well. Vekin, will you honor us by declaring the opening?
VEKIN:
As you wish.
TAHARHIN:
Splendid.
[ Taharhin lowers himself in a bow. Liquaro and Rani return the gesture, and the three straighten. ]
VEKIN:
Begin.
[ Liquaro and Rani glance at one another, then face Taharhin. Liquaro and Rani lunge simultaneously, too quickly to follow. Taharhin's forearms are up in time to catch both, then pushes forward with both hands, throwing the twins back. ]
[ Side view, with the spectators in the background. Liquaro and Rani fly back and land on their feet, then charge again. They jump to either side and begin attacking Taharhin with punches and kicks at blurring speeds. Taharhin easily blocks each attack with minimal movement. ]
TAHARHIN:
Don't wear yourselves down in the warmup!
[ Taharhin throws out both of his arms. Liquaro and Rani fly back a short distance, and Taharhin disappears from sight. ]
[ Close on Kairin, Kejek and Elanmak. ]
KEJEK:
Huh.
ELANMAK:
He just jumped.
[ Kejek and Kairin look upward. ]
[ Taharhin hovers near the ceiling. He aims his hands down and out to either side. ]
TAHARHIN (quietly, but with force):
Tahea Laser.
[ A beam of light flows from Taharhin's right hand. Once it is off screen, another flows from his left hand. ]
[ On the ground, Liquaro and Rani look up in time for the first beam to catch Liquaro in the face, causing him to fall back. Rani jumps to the side, and the second beam strikes the floor and disappears into it. Rani jumps into the air with a fist drawn back. ]
[ Rani flies close to Taharhin. ]
TAHARHIN:
Too slow.
[ Taharhin moves out of the way and off screen in a blur, leaving Rani to punch the air. Rani turns quickly, and Taharhin flies quickly behind him and delivers a palm-strike to his back. Rani yells as the blow sends him flying to the ground. ]
[ Rani hits the floor and rolls. Liquaro runs to his side, and Rani jumps to his feet. ]
LIQUARO:
He's fast!
RANI:
Yeah. Strong attacks will just waste energy if he dodges.
[ Above, Taharhin clasps his hands over his head. ]
TAHARHIN:
How fast are you?
[ Taharhin's hands glow white. ]
TAHARHIN:
I won't put my full strength into this, but it will still hurt if you can't dodge.
[ Liquaro and Rani look upward. ]
LIQUARO:
Rani, we should dodge while he's preparing!
RANI:
Right!
[ Liquaro and Rani both jump into the air and turn to fly in separate directions. ]
[ Taharhin appears in Rani's path and kicks him in the sternum. Rani flies back, colliding with Liquaro, and both tumble to the ground. Taharhin flies over them and turns so that his back is to the spectators. ]
TAHARHIN:
Tahea Thunderbolt!
[ Taharhin thrusts his hands down, and a lightning-shaped bolt of light flies from them and down toward the twins at a high speed. ]
[ On the ground, Liquaro and Rani look up in time for the bolt to strike them both; the blasts bursts into a short-lived explosion of sparks as Liquaro and Rani are thrown to either side and away from the spectators. ]
[ Close on Taharhin as he lands lightly. The arena flickers continuously for roughly a second. ]
[ Close on Liquaro as he gets to his feet, clutching his left side. ]
[ Close on Rani as he gets to his feet, clutching his right side. ]
[ Wide shot with the spectators in the background and Taharhin in screen center. ]
[ Fierox growls and takes a step forward. Kairin edges closer to Fierox. ]
KAIRIN:
Fierox, stay back.
[ Fierox looks toward Kairin, then slowly steps back. Liquaro and Rani step both take a couple steps toward Taharhin. ]
RANI:
Liquaro, ashi-to-re!
[ Liquaro thrusts a hand toward Taharhin. ]
LIQUARO/RANI:
Tahea...
LIQUARO:
Laser!
[ Taharhin moves his hand to block before the beam fires from Liquaro's hand. ]
[ Focus on Rani. ]
RANI:
Lightbreaker!
[ Rani leaps forward and kicks. Both of his feet are surrounded in balls of white light, and he begins kicking so quickly that his legs are a blur. ]
[ Taharhin catches Liquaro's beam, and Rani rushes at him, kicking rapidly. Taharhin's expression becomes surprised before he turns and braces himself as Rani's flashing feet hit him, pushing him back. As Taharhin stumbles, Rani lands, and Liquaro lunges, kicking Taharhin in the side. Taharhin staggers, then turns the stagger into a jump and spins to aim a fist at Liquaro. Liquaro blocks and moves forward, beginning a rapid exchange of blurringly quick attacks. Rani lunges at Taharhin and begins attacking as well, and Taharhin is pushed back. ]
[ Above, close to a wall: Liquaro and Rani force Taharhin back to the wall. Taharhin crosses his arms in an X-block, and the entire room moves so that the fight is back in the middle. ]
[ By the wall, Kairin and Elanmak look around. ]
ELANMAK:
Are we moving?
VEKIN:
Yes.
[ Taharhin's arms are still crossed as he blocks the twins' attacks. Liquaro and Rani pull back, both preparing to kick. Taharhin swings both of his arms outward, pushing both Liquaro and Rani back. ]
[ Taharhin moves in a blur behind Liquaro, tossing him toward Rani. ]
[ While Liquaro and Rani try to recover, Taharhin rushes to them and begins attacking with lightning-fast strikes from his hands. Liquaro and Rani attempt to defend themselves, but fall back and off screen. ]
[ Close on Liquaro and Rani as they both fall into the wall and to the ground. ]
RANI:
He's the strongest fighter I've seen!
[ Mid shot of Taharhin. ]
TAHARHIN:
The two of you are impressive enough that I am glad to hear that.
[ Taharhin pulls off his armor and gently sets it on the ground behind and to his left. ]
TAHARHIN (cont'd):
I only became Tahea after a friend of mine who studied it failed to liberate a temple in Korea during the war. That was around sixty years ago, and the man that pushed us back has remained my image of a warrior. I think you could give him a challenge. I believe that were he in his prime today, I could defeat him. Please, surpass him!
[ Taharhin raises a fist. ]
[ Close on Liquaro and Rani. The wall behind them distorts and bulges toward them, pushing them forward. ]
[ Liquaro and Rani jump into the air as the wall returns to normal. A burst of light flies out of the floor toward them, and they fly apart to evade it. Once the floor-blast is off screen, two blasts fly from the ceiling, and Liquaro and Rani fly back toward one another to dodge them. Once the ceiling-blasts disappear into the floor, a thunderbolt flies from Taharhin's direction and strikes Liquaro and Rani, throwing them both back into the wall. ]
[ EXT. ABOVE EARTH - DAY. : The atmosphere of the earth dominates the bottom of the screen, with space beyond. In the middle of it all is a glowing white object that seems to change shape from a cube to a sphere to a prism and back, occasionally flickering or crackling with sprays of sparks. ]
[ INT. TAHEA ARENA - DAY. : Taharhin is locked in an exchange of attacks with Liquaro and Rani. ]
[ Focus on the face of each--Taharhin, Liquaro, and Rani--in succession, each showing signs of tiring. ]
[ Liquaro and Rani both sweep one of Taharhin's legs. As Taharhin falls back, he throws his feet up and kicks both Liquaro and Rani in the chests, and the three of them fly away from one another. ]
[ Close on Taharhin as he hits the floor, which flickers intensely. (From here on, the arena flickers continuously until otherwise noted.). Taharhin catches his breath, takes a firm stance, and clasps his hands in front of him. ]
[ Liquaro and Rani both strike the wall (again) and fall to the floor. ]
[ Close on Liquaro. ]
LIQUARO:
Rani...!
[ Liquaro reaches out his hand toward screen right. ]
[ Close on Taharhin, who raises his clasped hands over his head. ]
[ Close on Rani, who reaches his hand toward screen left. ]
[ Close on Liquaro and Rani's hands as they clasp. ]
[ Close on Taharhin. His hands glow. ]
TAHARHIN:
Tahea.... Thunderbolt...
[ Close on Liquaro and Rani. ]
LIQUARO/RANI:
Tahea... Spirit...
[ A bar of white light shines from Liquaro and Rani's joined hands, rising from the ground to the ceiling. ]
[ Wide shot. The bar of light grows wide, and Liquaro and Rani are obscured by it. ]
[ Taharhin brings his hands down, and a bolt of light blasts from it. ]
[ The white collumn of light completely obscures Liquaro and Rani. The arena, when visible, becomes less opaque. ]
[ A black and white figure flies out of the light. Taharhin's thunderbolt flies at the light, and the figure swats it aside. ]
[ The figure resembles Liquaro or Rani, though its skin is a briliant white, with an offwhite 'q'-shaped mark on the forehead. ]
[ The figure flies at Taharhin, punches him into the air, follows, punches again, then holds out both hands and fades into a mass of blazing white light that flies into Taharhin, hurling him to the ground. The light dissolves. ]
[ Taharhin falls to the ground, face in pain. ]
[ The collumn of light fades, and Liquaro and rani lie on the ground. ]
[ The arena grows dim. ]
[ Close on the spectators. All but Vekin stagger. Elanmak's hand is on the handle of the sickle at his waist, and it is pulled up a couple inches. Kairin holds the fanblade at shoulder height. ]
KEJEK:
This place is done for.
KAIRIN:
Do we have a way out?
VEKIN:
Taharhin, bring us to the earth. You can no longer sustain this arena.
[ Close on Taharhin, who struggles and fails to sit up. ]
TAHARHIN (tired, struggling):
I... can still... fight...
[ The floor fades dangerously. Taharhin drops a bit before the floor returns. ]
[ Kejek raises the thorn-staff and walks toward the center of the arena. Elanmak steps after Kejek. ]
[ From above and behind Kejek, the Earth can be seen below. Kejek looks down., and adjusts his position so that he is aligned with the now-visible polaer icecaps. ]
KEJEK:
It's not going to work like this...
[ Kejek holds out the thorn-staff. The arena becomes more opaque, but continues flickering. ]
[ Liquaro and Rani get to their knees and crawl toward one another. ]
LIQUARO:
Rani, we have to try it...!
[ Liquaro and Rani struggle to their feet and join hands. ]
LIQUARO/RANI:
Tahea... Spirit... Lift!
[ White light expands outward from Liquaro and Rani's hands. ]
[ Close on Vekin, Kairin and Fierox as the light flows over them. ]
[ Close on Taharhin as he weakly reaches across the flickering floor. ]
TAHARHIN:
No... I... cannot... return to Earth... not... now...! Tahea!
[ The light flows over Taharhin, and he disappears from sight. ]
TAHARHIN:
SPIRIT LIFT!
[ EXT. ABOVE EARTH - DAY. : A sphere of light flies along the atmosphere of the Earth. Its path curves, the sphere traveling in a circle, then it flies up and off into space. ]
[ Fade to black. ]
[ Break. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO HIGHLAND - DAY. : The sky is purple, though the grass is still a bright green. The land is rough and slopes downward to one side. ]
[ A comit-shaped mass of white light descends from above and strikes the slope. The light fades, and Liquaro, Rani, Taharhin, Kejek, Elanmak, Kairin, Vekin and Fierox fall to the ground. Vekin recovers his balance before hitting the ground, and Fierox scrambles out of the path of the others. Taharhin falls onto his back and yells as he rolls down the slope; his armor tumbles after him. Liquaro and Rani collapse to the ground. Kejek stumbles low, but turns, bringing the thorn-staff around to kcatch Rani before he can fall down the slope. Kairin and Elanmak fall to the ground. ]
[ Vekin steps between Kairin and Kejek and reaches down, pulling Liquaro back. ]
VEKIN:
Is everyone all right?
RANI:
Sukare...
[ Elanmak steps closer to the twins, hand on the handle of his sickle. ]
[ Further down the slope, Taharhin gets to his hands and knees, looks around, and crawls to where his armor sits a couple feet away. He puts his arms around the armor, then gets up to his knees, and rises into the air, moving forward along the slope. ]
[ Elanmak looks up, then steps around the twins and jumps off of the slope, gliding through the air. Kairin and Kejek look after him. ]
KAIRIN:
Where are they going?
[ Elanmak and Taharhin fly down the slope. The ground becomes flat not too far below, and there is a narrow gorge in the distance. ]
[ Fierox walks slowly, weaving between Kairin, Kejek and Vekin. ]
VEKIN:
Taharhin is tired from his fight with these two, and he doesn't know what to make of their final attack.
[ Vekin shakes his head. ]
VEKIN (cont'd):
Neither am I.
[ Fierox stops behind Kejek, peering down the sllope, tail straightening. ]
KEJEK:
The sky doesn't look right.
[ Kejek looks up, then looks around. Kairin does the same. ]
VEKIN:
It is not a sky meant for us.
[ Liquaro and Rani weakly raise their heads. ]
KAIRIN:
Where were we trying to go?
RANI (tired):
Earth.
LIQUARO:
But...
[ Liquaro lowers his head to the ground. ]
VEKIN:
Taharhin was determined not to return to Earth until the battle was truly over. Did you want to go to the earth, or to someplace with breathable air?
KAIRIN:
So we're on some planet with air, but not Earth?
VEKIN:
Possibly.
[ Vekin turns to look down the ridge, then abruptly stiffens. ]
VEKIN:
Stand behind me.
KAIRIN:
Huh?
[ Kejek steps back and looks down the slope. ]
[ Coming across the gorge is a group of no less than a dozen figures clad in all red, most well over six feet tall, but slender, riding on small, push-style lawnmower-like vehicles that hover less than four inches above the ground. Some of the figures have gray, humanoid faces, though with some distorted eyes and noses; three, including the one in front, are four-armed, with their arms positioned in a tentacle-like manner and awbern hair in patches atop their heads and down their arms. The entire group rides toward the bottom of the slope. Elanmak and Taharhin cannot be seen. ]
[ Fierox steps back beside Kairin. ]
KEJEK:
Definitely not Earth.
KAIRIN:
You think they're friendly?
[ Below, the team on the mowercrafts stops at the bottom of the slope, and the four-armed leader raises both of his arms. ]
DAUQ:
Lao kreh! Sir X heh lao shaka!
VEKIN (calling):
Do you speak English?
[ There are collective growls of irritation from the team at the bottom of the slope. ]
DAUQ:
Wesh heh lao fwoa hufeh! Kreh!
[ Vekin holds up his hands. ]
VEKIN:
Nihongo ga dekimasu ka?
DAUQ (shouting):
Haka!
[ The three four-armed members of the team below raise their upper arms, aiming their lower arms downward. Fiery auras form around all three of them, and seven-foot walls of fire roar forward from them and up the slope. ]
[ Fierox growls then runs down the slope. ]
KAIRIN:
Fierox, wait!
[ Vekin holds out a hand, and turns his palm toward the closest wall of flame. The fire falls back and splits into three waves of fire. ]
[ The three waves from the broken wall fall back onto the gray-faced riders, and they yell and swat at the flames. Fierox leaps down the slope, bathed in a golden aura. Fierox plows into the lead four-arm, hereafter Dauq. ]
DAUQ:
Shwahk?
[ Dauq kicks at Fierox. Fierox jumps, and a wave of golden light flows from the fox's head, pushing Dauq back from his mowercraft. Dauq falls back, and the nearest gray-faced riders hold out their fists. The fists glow red, and Fierox is thrown back. ]
[ Kairin steps alongside Vekin. ]
KEJEK:
I guess they aren't that friendly.
KAIRIN (calling):
Fierox!
[ A wall of flame rises up the slope, and Kairin jumps back. Kejek jumps forward and holds out the thorn-staff. Kejek swings the thorn-staff in an arc, and the firewall bends along the arc, diverting around the group. Kairin looks toward Kejek. ]
KAIRIN:
Ok. Can you throw it back?
VEKIN:
It can be done, but that would destroy the cover the fire provides.
[ Kairin holds up his hand that isn't holding the fanblade and aims its palm at the flames. ]
KAIRIN:
Fierox is still out there.
KEJEK:
So are Elanmak and Taharhin.
[ Below, two of the four-armed riders jump from their mowercraft and begin monkey-running up the slope. Fierox runs toward the nearest climbing four-arm, aura thin and fading to a fiery shade of orange. ]
DAUQ:
Ra pera!
[ Dauq faces Fierox as a wall of fire forms around him, then rages toward Fierox. ]
[ The firewall approaches Fierox as Fierox flies through the air. The fire abruptly stops, and Fierox lands atop one of the four-arms, biting it in the arm. ]
[ Vekin descends from above, holding both hands toward the stationary wall of fire. Vekin appears to be struggling, but spreads his arms wide, and the firewall shatters into three separate waves that fall back down the slope. ]
VEKIN:
Fierox, let's go.
[ The four-arm swings its arm and yells, trying to throw Fierox off. Fierox jumps up toward the four-arm's shoulder, a wave of flame flowing from the fox's head and hitting the four-arm in the face. ]
[ Dauq leaps up the slope and stands at his full height. ]
DAUQ:
Lao ra faht!
[ Vekin turns toward Dauq and holds up his hands. ]
VEKIN:
No.
DAUQ:
Ra faht heh hifna Sir X neyahk!
[ Dauq lunges at Vekin. Vekin holds out a hand, blocking Dauq's advance with his fingertips. Vekin steps down the slope with one foot and bends his wrist, bringing his hand down.; Dauq falls to his knees in the process. ]
[ at the bottom of the slope, the gray-faced riders aim their fists up the slope, and they all glow red. ]
[ Vekin grimaces as red light reflects off of his arms. Fierox falls onto the slope, aura growing dim. ]
[ Atop the slope, Kairin and Kejek look on. ]
KAIRIN:
We can take them from behind.
KEJEK:
And leave Liquaro and Rani defenseless?
KAIRIN:
They're all down there. Vekin and Fierox can't take all of them!
[ A wall of fire rises up the slope toward the boys. Kejek holds out the thorn-staff and begins moving it in an arc, directing the fire to form an arc around them. ]
KEJEK:
All right, fine. But I'm not letting anyone in here unless I can tell for sure who it is.
[ Kairin smirks, holds the fanblade shield-like in front of him, and runs behind Liquaro and Rani and around the edge of the flames as Kejek guides them to form a circle around him and the twins. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO RIDGE BOTTOM - DAY. : The tall gray-faced riders on the mowercrafts hold out their fists, moving them as though taking aim, their fists periodically glowing red. The group moves into one line along the bottom of the slope. ]
[ Kairin runs past the farthest of the riders and stops behind him, thrusting his free hand toward him. ]
KAIRIN:
Bio Flash!
[ A flash of light comes from Kairin's hand, and the last rider turns to look toward Kairin. ]
RIDER (shouting):
Kahchfaht heh riim!
[ Several other riders look behind them, and their mowercrafts begin to make noise as they turn and move in circles to point toward Kairin. Kairin tilts the fanblade and jumps toward the closest mowercraft and swings toward the shaft of the handbar. The blade strikes the shaft, but to no effect. The mowercraft accelerates, and Kairin yells as he grabs onto the shaft and jumps toward the side to avoid getting ran over by the mowercraft. ]
[ Kairin holds onto the shaft of the mowercraft's handbar and swings around it, striking the rider in the leg with the fanblade. The rider staggers, and the mowercraft turns. Kairin lets go, and the mowercraft flies round him and into the slope, where it pitches back, throwing the rider off before it flies out of control and flips upside down. ]
[ Kairin looks around as six mowercrafts maneuver around him. ]
RIDER2:
Jeh!
[ The riders all aim their fists at Kairin. Kairin holds up both of his arms, and there is a brief flash of light. The riders make noises of annoyance, though a couple laugh. Kairin dives to the ground and rolls toward one of the mowercrafts. The fists of the riders glow, and most of them stagger back as light reflects from their abdomens. ]
[ Kairin jumps onto the front of the nearest mowercraft and holds up the fanblade, spinning it toward the sky. ]
KAIRIN:
Metalliiic...
[ Kairin aims the flat of the fanblade across the circle of riders. ]
KAIRIN:
Flash!
[ An intense flash of light comes from the fanblade, and one of the riders yells and falls back. The rider on the mowercraft on which Kairin stands reaches past the shaft holding up the handbar and punches Kairin in the back. Kairin yells and falls forward. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO SLOPE - DAY. : Dauq leaps up and begins punching at Vekin, who guards against the attacks from all four arms. ]
[ One of the four-armed ex-riders falls to the ground, Fierox standing on his chest. Fierox's fiery aura grows intense, and the fox jumps from the slope. ]
[ The riders that remain facing Vekin turn to look toward Fierox, as the blazing fox flies at them. Fierox strikes one of the riders, sending him to fall backward off of his mowercraft. Fierox lands on the abandonned mowercraft, then leaps toward the rider to the side, a wave of fire preceding the fox, pushing two of the riders off of their vehicles. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO - RIDGE BOTTOM - DAY. : Kairin lies face down as the mowercrafts close in on him. ]
[ Fierox flies into one of the riders, and he falls aside. Kairin scrambles to his feet and jumps onto the fallen rider's back. One of the riders aims his fist at Kairin, and it glows red; Kairin angles the fanblade so that the red light reflects off of it, and red light shines in the rider's face as he yells and stumbles backward. The abandonned mowercraft rides on top of the fallen rider, and Kairin jumps at it, grabbing the shaft, then jumping off of it. The mowercraft flies across the circle, knocking another rider from his vehicle. Fierox leaps toward another rider, and he goes flying. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO HIGHLAND - DAY. : The circle of fire surrounding Kejek and the twins is slowly growing lower. ]
[ Rani lifts his head. ]
RANI:
Nani ga...
KEJEK:
We're under attack. Try to recover your strength.
[ A four-armed ex-rider leaps over the circle of fire and toward Kejek. Kejek spins the thorn-staff so that the top of it touches his chest and slides it up his torso. ]
[ The four-arm reaches for Kejek, but as Kejek brings the thorn-staff upward, the four-arm's fists fly up and over Kejek's head. Kejek raises the thorn-staff high and swings it into the four-arm's face. The four-arm yells in rage. Kejek steps to the side and sweeps the thorn-staff low. ]
[ The four-arm prepares to lunge at Kejek as the remains of the fire-wall rise up, following the thorn-staff. Kejek swings the thorn-staff over his head, and the four-arm blocks it with a fist, only for the fire to fly over it and strike the four-arm in the face. ]
[ Kejek crab-steps to the side, pulls the staff back, and runs at the four-arm, tackling it. The four-arm tumbles backward, and he and Kejek both go down the slope. ]
[ EXT. NICKATODEO - SLOPE - DAY. : Vekin swipes his arms in front of him, not hitting Dauq, but forcing him back a foot or so with each motion. ]
[ Kejek and the remaining four-arm tumble down the slope. The four-arm lands on its back, and Kejek jumps up, turns, and taps the slope with the thorn-staff before quickly running up it. ]
[ The fallen four-arm struggles to get up, when a shadow appears over it. ]
[ Elanmak stands over the fallen four-arm, holding his sickle with both hands, drawn, held with the inside of the blade toward the four-arm. ]
FOUR-ARM:
Chah... lao chah feh?
[ The four-arm jumps up and punches toward Elanmak. Elanmak swings the sickle, catching the attacking arm inside the curve. Flames rise from where the blade touches the arm, and a cloud of yellow-brown gas consumes the arm from the blade down. The cloud explodes, and the four-arm falls off screen, screaming, as the sickle is forced upward. ]
ELANMAK:
So that's what it does.
[ Close on Vekin as he thrusts his palm forward. ]
[ Dauq flies back and falls to the ground. ]
[ Dauq gets into a crouch and looks back toward the rest of the riders. ]
DAUQ:
Shwahk? Neya nahnt!
[ Dauq stands straight and faces the riders. ]
DAUQ:
Sir X Hakafaht! Boan hehr!
[ From above, the riders can be seen directing their mowercrafts to pull away from Fierox and Kairin, turning away from them and retreating back across the flatlands. ]
[ Close on the gorge as the mowercraft and their riders zoom across it, Dauq bringing up the rear on his mowercraft. ]
[ Dissolve to... ]
[ EXT. WASTELAND - DAY. : Black Eagle frowns. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
All right, I get it. Aluben, you take those two
[ Black Eagle indicates Kairin and Kejek. ]
BLACK EAGLE (cont'd):
and look around. Hydron, can you cover them, maybe check different places?
HYDRON:
I think so.
BLACK EAGLE:
All right. Get going. And try not to be noticed.
GRAVITOR:
And the rest of us?
BLACK EAGLE:
I want you and Wind to stand by if they need backup. Spectro, keep up with communications, and keep an eye on Retanretla. Glacier, I want you to back him up.
FIERON:
You're running out of people.
BLACK EAGLE:
That depends on how cooperative you are.
FIERON:
My goal is the same as yours here. Despite your insistance that I am your enemy, I think you know I have no reason to complicate this situation.
BLACK EAGLE:
You assume a lot.
FIERON:
As do you.
BLACK EAGLE:
While we're assuming, I'm going to give you more trust than Retanretla and Eoce. So, for my first cooperative suggestion: how did you get into space?
FIERON:
I flew.
BLACK EAGLE:
What about air? Maybe you can push yourself that high, but you're supply of oxygen wouldn't last forever.
FIERON:
I'd been working on something to simplify my travels after realizing just how much flying I'd been doing. If you'll recall, I used it to leave our last battle.
BLACK EAGLE:
Where is it now?
FIERON:
Around here somewhere.
BLACK EAGLE:
And the jet that Retanretla came in?
FIERON:
Worse off, but still here.
BLACK EAGLE:
I want you to show me. Spectro?
SPECTRO:
Yes?
BLACK EAGLE:
If I don't call you in the next five minutes, consider us betrayed. And I'll be using AM so that Retanretla can't fake it.
RETANRETLA:
Cranky, cranky soldier. Well, since you don't need me...
SPECTRO:
No, you're staying here until he gets back.
RETANRETLA:
Oh?
[ Glacier holds out an arm, and a wall of ice grows out of him and behind Retanretla. ]
RETANRETLA:
Ah, fine. Could stand to rest my back after what you did to it, anyway.
[ EXT. WASTELAND - PLANES - DAY. : An object seemingly composed from glazed glass, graphite and coral (reference episode 15) sits in the middle of a vast expanse of bare land beneath the gray sky. A few meters away sits a jet (episode 20), though its body appears to be charred in a few places, with visible dents in others, and a jagged three-and-a-half-foot hole visible on the top near one side. ]
[ Fieron and Black Eagle walk toward the smaller object. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
This is it? I don't see how you managed to fly this Seashell... refrigerator box... thing.
FIERON:
That's how we differ. There are many hows you don't see.
BLACK EAGLE:
Give it a rest, smarta--
[ The sound of thunder in the distance cuts Black Eagle off. ]
FIERON:
I hope you don't expect me to know.
[ Black Eagle sighs and turns to take a few steps toward the jet. ]
BLACK EAGLE:
Well, this jet won't be flying without an expert at the controls. And I doubt we can get it air-tight after what it's taken. Charles and Sara might be able to make it usable if we need it.
[ EXT. EOCE'S COMPOUND - PERIMETER. : A large building, though not very tall, composed of both chunks of concrete and steel, sits, surrounded by narrow towers. Atop the towers are metal dishes with antennae rising from them, and there are a few antennae visible rising from the roof of the building. ]
[ Kairin, Aluben and Kejek stand a few feet outside of the circle of towers, a few meters away from one of them. ]
ALUBEN:
It's like ... a circle of pillars?
KEJEK:
Broadcast dishes.
KAIRIN:
So what are they for?
KEJEK:
They're probably for controlling different ... stations, or satellites, or something.
ALUBEN:
That means there are more machines than those in Eoce's base. Can we stop them by damaging the dishes?
KEJEK:
I don't know.
[ Kairin raises the fanblade to face-level, and a glint of light reflects from it. ]
KAIRIN:
We can try.
KEJEK:
Um, you probably shouldn't.
KAIRIN:
Yeah, maybe not.
[ Kairin lowers the fanblade. ]
[ A group of soccerball-sized hovering bots approaches the group from between a distant tower and the building. ]
ALUBEN:
Eoce's robots!
[ Aluben jumps at the nearest antenna, trying (and failing) to climb up it. ]
KEJEK:
What are you doing?
ALUBEN:
Trying to use the signal for more power.
KEJEK:
Well...
[ Kejek hurries to the tower and lightly touches the base of it with the tip of the thorn-staff. ]
[ Kairin holds a hand toward the sky, then toward the bots. ]
KAIRIN:
Bio Flash!
[ Light flashes from Kairin's hand, and one of the bots spins in confusion, before it and another come toward Kairin. ]
KEJEK:
You didn't have to do that.
[ Kejek moves the thorn-staff around the base of the antenna, and Aluben suddenly has an easier time shimmying to the dish halfway to its top. ]
KAIRIN:
Hey, it worked, right?
[ Kairin hits a bot back with the fanblade, but recoils when a small burst of sparks comes through the bot and the fanblade into his hand. ]
KAIRIN:
Ow! Probably shouldn't touch them.
ALUBEN:
Watch out!
[ Aluben stands atop the dish, a thin cloud of yellowish gas swirling and thickening around him. ]
[ Aluben holds out his hands, and the cloud flows over the edge of the dish and downward in a tight spiral. ]
[ The cloud descends on the group of bots, and there are a few sparks around most of the bots before the cloud bursts into short-lived flame. All but two of the bots fall to the ground, some mostly intact, while others have been blown to bits of metal and plastic. ]
[ The remaining two bots circle one another and move toward Kairin. Kairin aims his hand at one, and a flash of light illuminates it. The light-struck bot spins into the other, and they both fall to the ground. ]
[ Water-Hydron flows into view in front of the antenna and rises, then takes human shape. ]
HYDRON:
Eoce is just watching things, now.
[ Aluben jumps down from the dish and lands between Kairin and Hydron. ]
ALUBEN:
So he saw that, then?
HYDRON:
Probably. Which means he knows we're here.
ALUBEN:
So what do we do?
HYDRON:
I think you should get back to the others. I'll see if I can figure out where these antennae are pointing. I think it's too late for breaking them to help, but they can tell us where to find what we can do something about.
ALUBEN:
If they won't help us, why would what they're pointing at?
HYDRON:
This isn't just one of his portals. He's actually merging part of this universe with ours. For an area as big as this, he'll have machines in different places. That'd explain the antennae and how much he was doing when Fieron and Retanretla saw him. If we can stop those machines, it might stop the merger. But even if not, it's not safe to stand here.
[ Hydron Hydron becomes water, which flows into the base of the nearest antenna, and Aluben turns toward the way they came. ]
ALUBEN:
Well, let's go!
[ EXT. MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON - DAY. ]
[ A comit-shaped mass of white light descends from above. ]
[ Close on a small yard surrounded by a ten-foot high barbed-wire fence, with the wall of the building in the background. The light lands, and fades, leaving Zevrai and Theracy standing in the yard. ]
THERACY:
I was thinking of her cell.
ZEVRAI:
I told you, the spirit-lift doesn't do well going through solids. Besides, we're plenty close.
[ An armed security guard steps into view, aiming a taser at the girls. ]
GUARD:
Who are you, and what did you just do?
[ Theracy and Zevrai turn to face the guard; Theracy's expression is fearful, though Zevrai appears relaxed. ]
ZEVRAI:
We're here to visit an innmate.
GUARD:
All visiters should check in at the main desk, and should have planned well in advance. No visitations are on the calendar for today.
THERACY:
Please, Sir... the landing was our mistake.
GUARD:
Yeah, it was.
[ Zevrai lightly punches Theracy in the shoulder. ]
ZEVRAI:
Remember why you know where we are.
THERACY:
Huh?
GUARD:
You ladies will follow me.
THERACY:
Oh!
[ Theracy takes a step forward and attempts to straighten her posture. ]
THERACY (cont'd):
I'm Agent Yellow of the Intensive Situation Defense Agency. I've been given authorization to question prisoner two one five nine.
GUARD:
Not comin' in here like--
[ The ground begins to shake violently. All three stumble, though Zevrai catches herself and pulls Theracy to her feet. ]
GUARD:
The blazes?!
THERACY:
Why is the ground shaking?
[ Zevrai takes a firm hold on Theracy's arm and runs past the guard, pulling Theracy behind her. ]
GUARD:
Stop!
[ INT. PRISON HALLWAY - DAY. : It is dim, though easily bright enough for the intense shaking of the whole building to be visible. As several guards run about, Zevrai and Theracy run through the hallway. ]
THERACY:
We're in for it now! Tell me you didn't cause this Earthquake!
ZEVRAI:
I didn't! Can't you feel that? Something's happening above the Earth!
THERACY:
Taharhin?
ZEVRAI:
There's no way that old man could be responsible for what I'm sensing.
[ INT. JAIL CELL - DAY. : Hoita Nono stands, looking at the bars of her cell curiously while the room shakes around her. ]
HOITA:
Ah, the Earth trembles. But the question remains: will this building suffer enough damage for my freedom without killing me in the process?
[ Zevrai and Theracy run into view on the other side of the bars. ]
HOITA:
Ah, my remote-viewing friend. What brings you here?
ZEVRAI:
Dr. Nono, I presume?
HOITA:
And who are you?
THERACY:
She's what's left of whatever gave me my power! Is this building going to hold up?
[ Hoita shrugs and smiles. ]
HOITA:
Hard to tell. Wouldn't it be a pity for your best resource on the multiverse to be lost in a collapsing prison?
ZEVRAI:
Best resource? I've seen things that I'm sure you haven't even dreamed of!
THERACY:
Do we have time for this?
HOITA:
Do you?
[ Hoita steps forward and takes hold of one of the bars, holding it tightly. ]
THERACY:
What are you doing?
HOITA:
Timing.
[ After a moment, Hoita pulls upward on the bar, and the entire set of them falls forward, Theracy jumping back and covering her head with her arms as Zevrai reaches up to catch one of the bars. ]
HOITA:
Aren't harmonics wonderful?
[ Hoita steps to the edge of the fallen bars and pulls on them until they fall even further, then pulls herself along them and jumps into the hall. ]
HOITA:
I'd love to here about what brings you to see me, but I have some fresh air to meet.
[ Hoita runs off screen. Zevrai hurls the fallen bars back toward the now empty cell. ]
ZEVRAI:
Follow her!
[ Theracy turns and runs after Hoita, and Zevrai follows as the bars fall back toward the ground. ]
[ Fade to black. ]
11:33 AM 6/1/2010
