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TRANSCRIPT
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PLANET XERONIS
2ND DRAFT
BENJAMIN NKOMO
OCTOBER 2015
00263 774 885 215
00263 713 303 460
00263 775 224 491
00263 733 375 260
“Copyright ©2015
This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the
author”
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EXT/INT. OUTER SPACE
SOLAR SYSTEM, 2050
A small space ship is in trouble. A young man, BEN (26), is struggling
to stabilise it. Alarm is blaring. Suddenly a hole rips open in
space-time... a sucking worm hole that pulls the ship into it and
vanishes.
EXT. GORGE - DAY
PLANET XERONIS
Ben lies before the open worm hole. His ship has crashed into the
gorge wall not far off. He is weak and only catches sight of the
vanishing worm hole. The hole disappears into a large two pillar
supported mirror with some controls on it.
EXT. GORGE - DAY
Ben is sitting idly before his dust covered ship. Suddenly a huge
body blocks the sun’s light as it flies by. Ben looks up. It flies
by again. His knees go weak at the sight. He stands still facing up.
A giant winged reptilian creature hovers in the air and lands on the
plateau looking down into the gorge. It roars down at him and shows
its sharp teeth.
This is a dragon... a real dragon! Ben backs off, slowly at first
and then he sprints off.
The dragon dashes after him.
-
EXT. GORGE - DAY
Ben looks up and sees the dragon pursuing and leaping off plateau
to plateau across the gorge. There are large rocks which he can crawl
under and take cover around this part and he is glad because now it
will be easy to lose the monster. The dragon lands and starts looking
for him but he is hiding behind a rock. He sneaks off to the other
rock.
He can keep going but he steps into a snare.
As he places his right leg upon a pile of dead leaves, a very long
rope secures itself tightly around his ankle. The rope jerks upwards
violently making Ben fall on his back and knocking the wind out of
him as a large rock counter-weight falls a stone throw away. The rope
pulls him up and hoists him in the air.
He is swung from a tree and as he turns around, he knocks his head
violently against the juxtaposed rock.
He watches the dragon approach him through upside down blurry vision.
The world then dims for him as he goes unconscious.
EXT. GORGE - DAY
After moments in the dark, Ben opens his eyes to see a beautiful girl
kneeling down before him, NANCY (19). She is dressed in a gold
glittering outfit.
NANCY
Where did you come from?
Ben is not calm when he sees the dragon, WONDERBEE (2), inspecting
his ship behind Nancy.
NANCY
She brought you back here. That's your ship?
Ben can't concentrate on her but on the dragon. She notices.
NANCY
Don't worry... she is vegetarian.
BEN
Honestly?
WONDERBEE
Yuk! You thought I was going to eat you?
Nancy chuckles. She moves to the great mirror to type in some code.
-
NANCY
Her name is Wonderbee. She is my best friend.
Wonderbee approaches Ben who looks like he can run anytime. She sniffs
him up and down like a dog.
But the dragon is not large as he had first thought it to be. It is
two metres tall, has dark purple scales, large bat like wings, two
horns that point backwards from the head and a set of three small
horns projecting backwards again from either jaw, and has wide
luminous eyes.
WONDERBEE
Take off like that again and I will not save you.
Ben is quick to discern that it is a girl dragon.
BEN
Uh... okay.
NANCY
Damn it! This gate is drained.
She looks at Ben's ship.
NANCY
No wonder.
BEN
Who are you?
She turns for Ben after clearing her throat.
NANCY
I am Princess Nancy... and I am just leaving.
She curtsies and starts to leave.
NANCY
Come Wonderbee.
Ben can hardly believe it. He rises.
BEN
You can't just leave me here. I need help.
NANCY
-
I can... I don't even know who you are or where you came
from.
BEN
My name is Ben. I’m from Earth.
The two suddenly come to a screetching halt.
WONDERBEE
(excitedly)
An earthling...!
Then she looks playfully at Nancy.
NANCY
And you just had to say that. You will slow us down Ben.
Ben follows.
BEN
I will not.
NANCY
I can't take you to the palace with me, obviously. They
don't even know about
these excursions.
She comes before a parked FLYING BIKE.
BEN
Leaving me here would be very un-princessly.
Wonderbee eyes Nancy with her bulging eyes and manipulating smile.
WONDERBEE
The bounty hunters will make sport of him if we leave.
BEN
I don't like the sound of that.
Nancy quickly considers.
NANCY
Okay, we will take you to some friends. Nothing fancy...
just a
secret hide-out
She moves to mount her bike.
-
BEN
Well, it's better than here.
EXT. GORGE, FLYING BIKE – DAY (CONT’D)
Wonderbee is following the flying bike after them. Ben is looking
down as they ride on the wind, seeing the landscape below. He looks
ahead as they are going straight and the breeze knocks in his face
the way it would if at the back of an open truck.
Here it is rocky landscape with deep gorges and barren highlands.
EXT. GORGE RANGE, FLYING BIKE – DAY
NANCY
(calls)
Having fun?
BEN
It’s awesome.
Then she hits into a finger imprint and a glass-shield pops out from
the board in front of the controls. With that, she increases speed
as she falls into a gorge-way that spreads for miles and branches
into many pathways.
BEN
Where are we?
NANCY
Abandoned mines. We are just passing through.
Ben then looks way ahead and sees the portion ahead covered in fog.
The bike flies out of the gorge way as it ended and steep drops, rocky
hills and fog meets them.
EXT. FOG AREA – DAY (CONT’D)
Way down in the depths runs rivers of molten rock and burning
brimstone. The fog makes seeing very difficult. The raised rocky
walls are now more imposing to Ben. He does not like this part of
the tour.
Even Wonderbee is attentive now as she leads them here.
-
NANCY
What is it girl?
WONDERBEE
We are not alone.
Her ears wiggle back and forth.
WONDERBEE
I will go check it out. Don't wait for me.
Wonderbee quickly takes off in the opposite direction before Nancy
can stop her.
NANCY
WAIT!!! Urgh... I hate it when she does that.
BEN
You two seem very close.
NANCY
I know... we are an odd looking pair.
BEN
(chuckles)
Not what I meant but yeah... very odd.
As he looks about for Wonderbee who seemed to have disappeared, their
bike is suddenly intercepted!
A huge dragon just rises from the depths below and knocks their bike
hard and tries to flip it over. This is a huge surprise and they are
almost thrown over but Nancy is quick to reclaim the controls.
BEN
What was that!?
But she has not seen it. As they continue looking around and going
steadily a large dragon emerges to block their path... she emerges
with the clouds of mist and she flaps her wings to steady herself.
Nancy brakes to hover before the beast of a dragon. The dragon is
very large... larger than Wonderbee, and darker looking. She has a
crown of horns and a set of very large teeth and she does not look
friendly. She roars terribly at them.
BEN
Please tell me that is your other friend.
-
NANCY
I wish.
The dragon breathes fire against them and the bike shields them. Even
Nancy is in shock. The dragon breathes again but Nancy suddenly
accelerates forward to make a curve to the right. Ben looks back and
sees flames hit into the rock wall behind him, flames that were
supposed to hit him. After the flames go out, the dragon emerges from
the curve in pursuit.
This is not Wonderbee. This dragon is larger, darker, and
different... of another breed.
BEN
Nancy, step on it!
She gets the hint. There is a mist below them like a cloud layer,
and then rock pillars emerge from below to form an intricate system
like stone henges. Some are rocky mountain tops. Some rocks make
tunneling patterns that Nancy can swerve around. But the dragon is
bulldozing into these weak rocks sending dust and fire after them.
Nancy is using the environment to their advantage as best as she can.
But it's not enough. They are like fighter jets dancing on the wind.
The dragon pushes and pushes on the air just to reach them.
BEN
It’s closing in!
Nancy has an idea. The dragon dashes in again, its powerful wings
bringing it closer to the bike with each flap.
NANCY
Hold on!
Then Nancy suddenly pulls the bike back following a half circle and
avoiding the obstacle ahead and putting the dragon in direct
collision with it, slowing it down. She then quickly dives into
another path, losing the dragon so easily before it can make a turn.
Nancy rolls the bike on air sideways and safely plants them in a gorge
way that leads eastward.
Ben sighs as he can not see the dragon anywhere behind them.
BEN
That was good.
NANCY
Years of practise.
-
The rings underneath the bike propel the vehicle by releasing a blue
stream of gas, a gas that disappear immediately after coming in
contact with the air.
The engine is as silent as the breeze. This fog makes them almost
invisible... almost.
A powerful shock comes from underneath the bike and throws it
awkwardly forward with the front facing down and the bike in a dizzy
spin. Before she can master her bike, the dragon comes knocking the
bike again and this time the engine shuts down. Gravity takes over
and the bike falls into the mist below, and only their cries ascend.
Then everything goes quiet, including the roars of the dragon.
EXT. PLANET XERONIS, LEDGE ON GORGE - DAY
After a few minutes, Ben picks himself up to look around. They have
crash-landed on a smooth and wide ledge of the gorge. He hurries to
Nancy who lies on her belly; she is unconscious.
BEN
Nancy...?
He searches for a pulse in her neck and he dares not move her. He
gets on his feet and looks at the flying bike which lies on its side.
He moves to it and touching it sends an electric current coursing
through his veins. He jerks backwards from it and shakes his hand
from the pain.
He looks at the gorge wall and sees a rising path which disappears
into the mist above.
Then Ben has an idea. He runs to the walls and begins to make the
ascent. Before long the mist turns red as the dragon descends to
inspect his kill.
EXT. GORGE, ASCENT – DAY (CONT’D)
Ben does not stop running up.
EXT. GORGE, LEDGE – DAY (CONT’D)
The dragon nears, its towering shape silhouettes against the red sky.
EXT. GORGE, ASCENT – DAY (CONT’D)
Ben stops and picks a rock, and he looks down below. He then hurls
-
the rock which goes spinning down till it hits the dragon on the head,
drawing its attention upward.
BEN
Hey, pick on someone your own size!
The dragon roars ferociously at him and then it comes back up and
flaps its wings to hover before Ben. Ben moves back to the walls -
the dragon is really large.
The dragon throws its head back but Ben is not going to wait to be
roasted alive. Then the dragon blows out a spray of flames from its
mouth, a spray that moves upwards with its embers leaping at Ben as
he runs up, and raised rocks that come between them shields his
hide... but not for long.
The dragon hits immediately in front of him with its ten horns that
stick on his head like a crown. Chunks of rocks fall as the passage
upward is destroyed.
Ben means to turn back but the dragon’s tail destroys the path again,
leaving him standing on a raised platform and unable to escape.
EXT. GORGE, LEDGE - DAY
Nancy opens her eyes and she sits up straight. She then looks around
and upwards and then her heart races. She gets to her feet and runs
to her bike. She pushes it over and mounts it.
EXT. GORGE, ASCENT, RAISED PLATFORM - DAY
Ben presses hard against the wall as he looks the dragon in the eyes.
The dragon growls and grins as it comes closer to the platform.
DRAGON
Where is she, human?
The voice of the dragon is a bass that rumbles from deep within its
belly.
BEN
Where’s who?
DRAGON
The princess!
The dragon thrusts his hand and holds him firm against the wall with
his claws. The force dazes Ben a little.
-
DRAGON
You reek of her.
BEN
I don’t know what you are talking about.
DRAGON
You lie.
Then the dragon looses his flames on the rock not far from Ben’s right
so that he writhes away from the heat.
DRAGON
(demands)
Where is the girl?
BEN
I don’t know...
Then another breath scorches the rock and begins to turn it red. Ben
begins to groan and then moan in pain as his skin begins to hurt.
DRAGON
Where is she?
Ben looks at the dragon defiantly. It makes to breathe again but he
holds out his hand and speaks.
BEN
Wait... wait... I’ll show you to her.
DRAGON
Where?
The dragon hisses. Ben hesitates a little.
BEN
Inside the mines.
DRAGON
Why do you lie for her? You don't even know her.
Then the dragon takes Ben into his right hand to bring him closer
to his face. The dragon now clutches on the walls like a bat.
DRAGON
-
Would you die for a person you have just met?
BEN
How do you know I have just met her?
DRAGON
I know everything! She is a naive little girl who doesn't
need someone as great as
me to put her out of the picture. Very soon her escapades
would have brought her to
her own ruin.
BEN
Why do you want to kill someone as high ranking as her?
Did someone send you?
As the dragon speaks Ben is struggling now and again to loose himself
from the iron grip but he is failing.
DRAGON
Her fathers reigned terror upon this planet and they took
over what was not theirs.
But now their time has expired. We hid for so long,
forgotten, but now we rise again.
BEN
There are more of you?
DRAGON
Enough! Let's finish this.
The dragon leaps off the wall and flaps as he looks around.
DRAGON
Oh princess! Come out from wherever you are.
But Nancy has been close all along. She is hiding behind a large rock
boulder and peeping over to Ben and the dragon. Ben cannot free
himself.
DRAGON
Come out right now or he is putty in my hands.
BEN
Don't listen to him. Flee to your people. You are more
valuable alive.
-
DRAGON
See how noble he is. Not even thinking about his own life.
Would you let him die?
Then the dragon begins to crush Ben in his hand such that he groans
in pain, unable to breathe or speak.
BEN
Don't you dare... come.. out!
Nancy thinks for a little while under pressure then makes her choice.
NANCY
Wait! Don't hurt him.
She hovers on her flying bike out to the open. The dragon sees her.
DRAGON
Oh there you are! Now you die.
The dragon takes a deep breath and Ben can see flames gather through
the translucent skin on the beast’s throat.
BEN
No!
Nancy raises her hand to cover and brace herself. Wonderbee shoots
out of the mist in the nick of time just to save her. She comes ramming
into the bigger dragon with her horns and the impact drives them in
a trajectory and sends flames flying everywhere. The black dragon
releases Ben in free fall and Nancy reacts quickly and dives after
him.
The black dragon recovers quickly and it grabs Wonderbee and swings
her into the gorge wall. Wonderbee responds by belching out flames
and loosing them upon him. He recoils in an attack with his tail.
Ben looks helplessly as he falls and he sees Nancy dashing in faster
and faster towards him. She holds out her hand and he reaches out,
grabs it and she pulls him up to her back on her bike so she can pull
up again before they can splash into the molten rock below.
Wonderbee dashes and sinks her teeth in the throat of the black dragon
who roars in pain. He grabs her and falls with her into deeper parts
of the gorge, a gorge that descends without end.
The two soon meet a ledge which finally resist their shock but shakes
the whole gorge. Wonderbee lets go and flames scorch her.
Nancy has reclaimed control of the flying bike.
NANCY
-
Wonderbee!
Wonderbee rises to fly after her but the bigger dragon grabs her by
the tail and tugs her back.
WONDERBEE
Nancy go! I'm right behind you.
So Nancy then drives away.
EXT. GORGE RANGE, FOG AREA – DAY (CONT’D)
Then they are leaving this misty barren land. An odd and sad silence
hangs over the air on which they ride. Nancy is shaking terribly.
She slows down because she cannot stop looking back for her friend.
But Wonderbee is not following. So she stops.
BEN
He is going to kill her we need to turn back now. We cannot
just run away.
NANCY
But I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.
BEN
Be strong. Doesn’t this thing engage? Is it armed with a
defence mechanism of some sort?
NANCY
I haven’t had need to use it.
BEN
Now you have.
Ben places his hand on her shoulder.
EXT. GORGE, LEDGE - DAY
Wonderbee is sent crashing and cracking the ledge floor. The black
dragon roars triumphantly as she fails to rise.
NANCY
Hey!
The black dragon has to turn to look at who would address him with
-
such authority.
NANCY
Eat this!
Nancy places her palm on the imprint that is on the dashboard of her
bike and there is a powerful electrical discharge from two metal
prongs in front of the vehicle which then connects with the dragon
and begins to electrocute him continuously.
The dragon rises into the air and knocks himself into the walls with
hopes of losing the current but Nancy keeps them connected.
NANCY
(commands)
More!
The voltage increases and illuminates the air. Then she releases the
dragon with a final thunder, like that of lightning, and then the
beast falls into the depths like a lizard struck by lightning... he
falls into the mist and disappears, never to emerge again.
Nancy set the bike down and they all hurry to Wonderbee. Ben stands
back a little as Nancy kneels before her. Wonderbee turns to look
at them and she smiles.
NANCY
You are a very brave girl. Are you okay?
Wonderbee looks at Ben.
WONDERBEE
I’m okay now. Let’s get out of here.
She staggers to her feet.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE, GORGE RANGE – DAY
Then they are flying out of the misty country side.
EXT. GROVE – DAY
They veer into new territory... into a grove. They fly past some river
and moments later, have come before an old derelict mansion.
EXT. GROVE, OLD MANSION – DAY
-
The mansion stands an imposing three floors in the midst of tall
trees.
BEN
Who lives here?
Ben asks as they dismount. He looks at the mansion in wonder.
NANCY
Friends.
Nancy moves past him to go push and open the big doors.
BEN
This house must be pretty old.
WONDERBEE
Its two hundred years old.
Wonderbee moves past him too and walks inside.
NANCY
Stay here. I’ll go check for them inside.
Then the two friends disappear inside. The mansion fascinates Ben.
BEN
Unbelievable.
He wonders at the similarity this mansion has with gothic earth
mansions.
Then there is a cracking sound in the thicket behind him. He turns
and sees a large black dog growling and slowly advancing towards him.
Three more follow at the sides of this great dane. There are hounds.
BEN
Oh – oh.
Ben realises the trouble he is in. Then he starts to slowly back away
for the mansion but they quickly have thrust him into their circle.
Their rising growls make him feel like prey.
Then they attack!
Ben shrinks from the biting he anticipates.
NANCY
Hold it!
-
Nancy emerges from the mansion before they can touch him. Ben turns
to look at her gladly since the dogs listened to her.
NANCY
He’s a friend.
The great dane, MATHAYAS, then speaks with a deep voice full of
authority as he and the rest of the dogs bow.
MATHAYAS
Forgive us princess.
Nancy nods her head then the dogs slowly retreat back into the woods
leaving Mathayas with her.
Nancy comes to Ben as he sighs.
BEN
That was close.
NANCY
I want you to meet their leader. His name is Mathayas.
Mathayas meet Ben.
Mathayas bows his head slightly.
NANCY
He’ll be your companion... at least for a time till I open
the portal and send you
back to your home.
BEN
It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mathayas.
MATHAYAS
But the pleasure is all mine. Consider yourself a guest.
I’ll show you in.
Mathayas starts to head inside.
NANCY
I’m afraid we won’t be joining you. We need to be heading
back.
Nancy then looks at Wonderbee with concern.
NANCY
-
You are coming with me big girl. You are seriously hurt.
Wonderbee drops her head.
NANCY
I never said thanks.
Nancy looks at Ben
NANCY
You were really a big help.
BEN
No thanks necessary. It is me who is getting the bigger
help.
Then he pats Wonderbee on the head.
NANCY
Mathayas will show you to the garden at the back. There
are a lot of fruits there.
None is poisonous.
BEN
Haha, I thought you wanted to get rid of me quickly.
Ben chuckles.
NANCY
No, not yet.
Nancy smiles.
NANCY
I will bring a real meal tomorrow.
BEN
That’ll be great.
MATHAYAS
Don’t worry princess... he’s in good hands.
Mathayas comes to the door.
NANCY
That’s what I’m afraid of.
-
She chuckles then,
NANCY
Ben...
She moves to him and hugs him. Ben is taken by surprise.
BEN
Um... tomorrow it is.
She releases him. Then she moves to her bike and mounts it before
putting it into the air and Wonderbee ascends too. After looking at
him briefly they then shoot away.
Ben turns to get inside when they disappear from view.
INT. OLD MANSION – DAY (CONT’D)
The mansion is big and beautiful with classical design of hallways
and living rooms.
MATHAYAS
You’ll have to keep out of sight of bounty hunters.
They are ascending the stairs.
BEN
You catch on pretty fast. I haven’t encountered them yet.
MATHAYAS
Never did and never shall.
They get to the second floor and head towards a room.
INT. OLD MANSION, ROOM – DAY (CONT’D)
Ben opens the door into a dusty room. He steps inside to look around.
MATHAYAS
Say hello to your room. Needs to be cleaned though...
seeing you are a human and all.
Ben pulls a sheet off the bed and shakes the dust off it which rises
like a cloud to fill the room.
BEN
-
You’re right.
He smiles and coughs lightly.
BEN (CONT’D)
But the room is great. I’ll take it.
EXT. PLANET XERONIS, THE ONIS CITY, CAPITAL – DAY
Nancy drives the flying bike out of the woods and she comes to join
other flying vehicles that slow down as they come to pass through
the wide gates that lead into the city. She has drawn the hood over
her head so no one would recognize her. The city is protected by a
very high wall made from brick that has been made from a metallic
element that is tar black. More walls reinforce this main outer wall
and they are several feet thick and about fifty meters in height.
The city is a combination of a civilization that has made large leaps
technologically but still prefers the medieval look of stone and
bronze architecture. Though this is a xeronian city, it is very
similar to a human civilization, but not all xeronians are human
beings. Xeronis is composed of a mix of various intelligent life
forms.
EXT. ONIS CAPITAL, THE PALACE – DAY
Nancy approaches the palace, the grandest design, which stands a big
mansion with a lot of chandeliers inside. She parks her bike near
the royal garden and she hurries to the walls of the palace and only
stopping to walk normally when people were looking. She pushes a few
select bricks and a two-square meter block on the wall turns
horizontally 180degrees on its axis opening a path for her before
shutting again. This was her secret entrance into the palace.
Wonderbee just flies up.
INT. PALACE, GREAT STAIRS – DAY (CONT’D)
She ascends the great stairs and is ignoring the nobles who are
looking at her with shocked faces. She is hurrying to her room when
she bumps into her aunt, AUNT JOSEPHINE (45).
AUNT JOSEPHINE
What in God’s name happened to you?
Her aunt looks at her from head to toe.
-
NANCY
Uh... hi aunt. It's a long story.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
A princess has never looked like the street folk.
Then she touches Nancy’s chin and studies the sides of her face.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
It’s almost dinner time and I can’t have you looking like
a warrior before guests.
I’ll help you clean up and get dressed as a princess should.
Come.
Then she leads Nancy by the hand and Nancy does not dare protest.
EXT. GROVE, OLD MANSION, GARDEN - SUNSET
Ben is now in the garden amongst the trees. He plucks a red pear which
he washes in a concrete-plastered fountain before taking a bite. The
sweet juice flooding his mouth makes him smile. He then takes in the
sweet fragrance of the fruit before looking at the setting sun.
Xeronis is not very different from earth, except for the talking
animals.
The dark descends and covers the valleys like a blanket.
INT. OLD MANSION, ROOM - NIGHT
A howl in the night causes Ben to open his eyes from sleep with a
start. He gets out of bed and puts on his shoes before taking the
lantern that glows giving off a blue light, and he leaves the room.
INT. OLD MANSION, STAIRS – NIGHT (CONT’D)
The two bright moons outside cast their light in through the windows
and curtains.
BEN
Mathayas.
Ben calls as he descends the stairs. No one answers back so he calls
again.
-
BEN
Mathayas.
The mansion is empty. He then moves to the doors which he pushes
slightly open and squeezes outside.
EXT. OLD MANSION – NIGHT (CONT’D)
He meets with the cold air but no sign of the dogs.
BEN
Mathayas...!
He looks out into the woods. He steps out to the open keeping his
gaze into the dark woods where he has seen a shadow move.
BEN
Is that you Mathayas?
He sees the shadow advance. He then begins to hear a rising growl.
The shadow is of a dog so he holds his ground until he sees the shadow
rise to stand erect like a man.
The figure steps from under the trees to bathe in the moonlight and
Ben can feel his knees go weak.
He is looking at a creature that is like a dark and heavy furred wolf;
a wolf that balances perfectly on two legs. It stands seven foot tall
and it has round shoulders that testify of its strength. This is an
unusually large wolf.
The erect wolf, WOLF 1, does not advance any further as they both
eye one another. He sniffs in the air as if he is reading Ben and
Ben gets to observe shining scars on his body, scars that even the
fur can not conceal.
The beast takes another sniff and then suddenly he looks up at the
nearest moon and releases a loud and long terrifying howl.
Ben is a bit unnerved.
When other two or more howls call back, Ben whirls round and charges
for the door.
The wolf was expecting this so he leaps after Ben and gets down to
chase after him on all fours.
Ben darts inside, swings round, shuts the big doors, and presses hard
against them to keep the beast outside as the doors have no locks.
INT. OLD MANSION – NIGHT (NIGHT)
But the doors are knocked hard with the strength of a charging bull.
-
The impact forces open both doors and throws Ben paces back. He
crashes on his belly dazed and before he can rise, the beast stands
above him. It lowers its muzzle and saliva drips from the grinning
teeth to wet the floor before Ben’s eyes.
Ben lies still, paralysed with fear. With his ear to the floor, he
can pick up vibrations that tell him that numerous feet are charging
towards them. He is done for.
The beast raises his head and instead of seeing his friends, five
dogs pounce on him.
Their force drive the beast back and Ben sees the opportunity to crawl
away from the canines that were trying to tear each other apart. The
dogs sink their teeth into the beast’s sides and back, and the beast
fights to shake them off.
Ben gets to the base of the stairs and looks back to see the wolf
grab one dog and continue to swing him against the door. Then he is
reaching for the dog on his back.
MATHAYAS
Go upstairs!
Mathayas is suddenly standing before Ben.
BEN
What do they want?
MATHAYAS
Go upstairs they follow a scent!
Mathayas is firm so Ben runs up the stairs. He hears glass shatter
as another wolf, WOLF 2, forces his way inside through the windows.
He rolls and then stands before Mathayas who growls and attacks him.
The first wolf, Wolf 1, throws the dogs back and his eyes fly to rest
on Ben who stands halfway up the stairs, watching the show while
horrified at the same time.
This wolf charges him again and Ben flies up again and runs in the
passage way of the first floor.
INT. OLD MANSION, FIRST FLOOR, PASSAGE – NIGHT (CONT’D)
Wolf 1 throws himself up with all his might and sends himself digging
his claws on the ledge of the first floor directly in front of Ben
who skids to a stop and turns round to run the other way. The beast
climbs over and follows Ben into the next chamber.
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR – NIGHT (CONT’D)
-
The other dogs then come to the assistance of Mathayas and the second
wolf, Wolf 2, is quick to see his disadvantage. He throws Mathayas
paces back, slams one dog who is still in the air aiming for his
throat, and then he races outside through the open doors.
MATHAYAS
After him!
The other dogs pursue Wolf 2.
EXT. OLD MANSION – NIGHT (CONT’D)
Wolf 2 turns around the mansion and then he leaps onto the walls,
digging his claws into the brick. He then begins to climb up. But
the dogs can not follow and they can only bark up at him.
INT. OLD MANSION, PASSAGE-WAY AND TOWER - NIGHT
Ben drops a grating in the narrow passage way and Wolf 1 knocks
uselessly against the chain. As he then continues in the passage,
the windows immediately behind him shatter as the wolf climbing the
wall outside, Wolf 2, knocks his way in.
Ben does not stop for introductions. He races up the stairs that rise
up inside the tower. Another wolf, WOLF 3, burst in, the third, and
he sprawls and rolls and stands on fours as he looks at the ascending
human.
The two wolves look at each other. Wolf 2 then races after Ben,
following the stairs that curve upwards against the walls.
INT. OLD MANSION, STAIRWAYS – NIGHT (CONT’D)
This pattern of the rising stairs allows for the remaining wolf, Wolf
3, to leap very high and to hurl himself towards Ben in an attempt
to intercept him. But Ben ducks low and dodges Wolf 3 who flies past
him hitting into the windows that shatter at the encounter, and then
he falls outside.
EXT. OLD MANSION –NIGHT (CONT’D)
Wolf 3 falls like a rock but meeting the trees on his way down allows
him to use his claws against a tree trunk and to break his fall.
-
INT. OLD MANSION, THIRD FLOOR – NIGHT (CONT’D)
As Ben gets to the third floor, he feels Wolf 2 gain up on him and
this makes him to turn around and to receive the beast in his arms.
Wolf 2 is too heavy for him so he falls on his back and he has to
hold the beast’s throat to prevent him from taking a chunk out of
his face.
Sharp teeth knock into each other not more than three inches from
his face as the wolf presses down upon him.
Ben looks up paces away from his head and he sees a thick broken leg
from a wooden chair. His other hand hurries to reach for it and brings
it back hitting the wolf in the face continually.
The beast retreats back and Ben gets up. The wolf recovers and swings
his hand against Ben who dodges and his claws dig into the weak walls.
Ben picks a large potter vessel on a stand and breaks it on the beast’s
back.
The wolf swings his hand again and his claws slash Ben’s back who
has turned to flee. Ben screams as he feels his back burn as if he
has been cut with razors and he crashes to the floor which is wooden
and weak.
Wolf 2 grabs him and sends him knocking into the walls. He is turned
around and the beast’s large hand wraps around his throat.
But the beast does not finish him off. Instead, he begins to shrink
in size a little as his fur begins to disappear. Wolf 2 changes and
becomes a man who is wearing nothing except for a stretching kilt.
He has long black dreadlocked hair.
Ben is amazed.
WOLF 2
(surprise)
You...?
The man releases Ben. He sniffs in the air like a dog.
WOLF 2
Been in the company of someone lately,
someone important?
Ben does not say anything. He is just looking at him with amazement,
as if he is seeing a ghost.
WOLF 2
Tell me and I promise not to hurt you.
Ben nods.
-
WOLF 2
Where is she?
Ben remains quiet. This irritates the man.
WOLF 2
(threateningly)
Tell me...!
He makes to move towards Ben when suddenly the floor beneath him gives
way and falls in on itself. He is too heavy and it can not support
him any longer.
Ben hurries to look through the hole and he sees the man fall, break
through the wooden floor of the second floor and change into the wolf
mid air, break through the wooden floor of the first floor again,
and then land onto the concrete of the ground floor on his back.
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR – NIGHT
Wolf 2 rises and limps. He then hits into the windows to fall outside,
but the dogs swarm upon him. Then Wolf 2 lets out a dying wail.
EXT. OLD MANSION – NIGHT
Wolf 1 leaps out of the mansion to land in the woods where he meets
with Wolf 3. The two are too late to save Wolf 2 from the dogs’ jaws.
Wolf 1 turns from the shaggy animal into a man with locks again and
a little beard.
WOLF 1
(grief)
Brother...!
He cries out holding out his hand. Wolf 3 on his side gets down on
fours and lets out a long howl into the air. He then turns and
disappears into the woods.
WOLF 1
We’ll come back for you!
The man cries out looking at Ben on the balcony who then feels a
shudder up his spine.
The man transforms back into the beast, howls, and then darts back
into the woods leaving behind a horrid silence.
-
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR - NIGHT
Then Ben is running downstairs to come meet the dogs in the hall.
He stops to look at Mathayas.
BEN
You saved my life.
MATHAYAS
It’s not safe for you to stay here anymore.
Then the dogs head outside. Mathayas stops to look at him awhile,
and then he too heads outside to guard the mansion for the rest of
the night.
Ben reaches for his back to feel the scratch marks of the wolf’s claws.
There is no blood, only bruises that hurt and a torn shirt. Then he
sits on the stairs. With all that has just happened, he is not going
back to sleep.
EXT. ONIS CITY, PALACE – DAY
The sun rises to grace the walled city with yet another day. The palace
is lively with a lot of carriages and flying vehicles coming and
leaving the parking area of the palace vicinity.
INT. PALACE, WIDE CHAMBER, ONE OF NANCY’S ROOMS - DAY
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Come, come. Here will do.
Aunt Josephine bursts into a wide chamber that belongs to Nancy, with
Nancy following behind with a team of maids fixing her dress. They
come and stand at the centre of this wide room and Nancy is dressed
as a normal princess would, a princess who would not spend her time
running in the jungle like a common girl. She wears a rose woollen
gown styled in medieval fashion with trailing sleeves, an embroidered
neck, and an exquisite leather belt decked with jewels. The dress
closes at the back with snaps. Aunt Josephine wears a similar but
violet coloured dress.
NANCY
Why do they surprise us like this?
-
AUNT JOSEPHINE
If you knew how to be formal we wouldn’t have
to go to all the trouble. Thank you girls that
will do.
Aunt Josephine dismisses the maids. A train of guards comes in and
stands sentinel. The king, KING GORDON (50), then approaches with
a tall lady, EMERALDA (36), who holds a fan in her hand. She has long
black hair which is heaped and held with a pin. She wears a gown in
vibrant green with draping sleeves, gold trim, and a shimmering under
layer of gold brocade accent.
NANCY
Is she the one?
Nancy whispers to her aunt who only shushes her.
EMERALDA
Josephine.
The lady smiles and Aunt Josephine smiles too as the two hug.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Emeralda.
EMERALDA
It’s been a long time Josephine.
They release each other.
EMERALDA
What, fourteen years?
AUNT JOSEPHINE
It has been dull without you Emeralda.
The king laughs delightedly.
KING GORDON
Well she’s been on the road a full day at my request.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
It takes a request to get you to come see us? You disappoint
me Emeralda.
EMERALDA
You’ll have to forgive me I’d hate to disturb you. It must
-
be busy here at the capital.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Oh nonsense, even Gordon needs some help.
KING GORDON
And help she will.
The king moves to Nancy who has been silent all along,
KING GORDON
You remember her don’t you? The last you saw her she was
still a toddler but now she stands a fair lady.
NANCY
Madam Emeralda.
Nancy curtsies.
EMERALDA
Hello dear. I hear you’re causing such a stir. Your father
sent for me to come and
remedy that.
Emeralda is walking around and observing Nancy, including how she
stands.
NANCY
Father...?
Nancy needs an explanation.
KING GORDON
Oh yes. My guests have been more critical than I imagined.
We are holding a ball this season and I want her lessons up
and running.
NANCY
Lessons...?
KING GORDON
Teach her how to behave in the company of lords and nobles
and importantly, how to
address the Council.
NANCY
You brought her all the way here for that?
-
EMERALDA
We’ll start with discipline. You must never question your
father in public.
Emeralda stops beside the king.
NANCY
I’m not even supposed to dispute anything am I?
KING GORDON
You are to respect Emeralda as you respect a queen. She’ll
be in charge over you until
I see some improvement. And that’s a king’s order.
NANCY
(exaggeratedly)
Yes, Your Highness.
EMERALDA
Well, fair enough. We begin tomorrow. Right now I must
rest. Josephine...
Emeralda says with a smile and a slight bow.
KING GORDON
This way.
Then the king leads her out of the room along with the king’s train.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
That went well.
Aunt Josephine goes to sit on the chairs.
NANCY
She’s the last thing I need.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
She’s here to help you, you know?
NANCY
Court manners? I need to be out there and not spend time
in council chambers.
Nancy opens her large closet, gets in and closes the door.
-
AUNT JOSEPHINE
You’re a princess. You can’t give that up. Would you rather
you were a pauper?
NANCY (O.S)
I’d rather not be a prisoner.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
NANCY (O.S)
What ever happened to chasing dreams?
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Be careful what you wish for.
NANCY (O.S)
I just want to be left alone. Is that too much to ask?
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Sorry big girl – you are under the spotlight here.
NANCY (O.S)
I can’t believe you are taking their side.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
You for once are not being reasonable like they are. You
go out there, abduct a
human from my home planet, and almost get yourself eaten
by a wild dragon... I say
taking their side is more reasonable and the wisest
decision I’ll ever make.
Nancy peeps out through the closet door.
NANCY
You know about that? How?
AUNT JOSEPHINE
You forget that Wonderbee was my present to you?
NANCY
She reports to you?
AUNT JOSEPHINE
What were you thinking?
-
NANCY
I didn't exactly abduct him. I was just tinkering around
with this old abandoned
star gate in the Study and didn't know it was going to pull
someone here.
Then Nancy opens the closet doors and walks out. She now has a peach
cotton blouse with trailing sleeves, matching pants and gladiator
sandals.
NANCY
How do I look?
She whirls. She has also tied her hair at the back to leave a ponytail.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
You dress up for him too?
NANCY
He is my responsibility. If I brought him here then I will
make sure he is safe.
Aunt Josephine comes with her to the windows and they both see
Wonderbee hovering in the air with a lunchbox in her hands.
AUNT JOSEPHINE
Just be more careful okay?
NANCY
I will.
She drags a chair, stands on it and hops outside onto Wonderbee’s
back.
NANCY
I’ll see you later.
Then Aunt Josephine waves at her as the dragon takes off.
EXT. THE ONIS CAPITAL, CITY - DAY
Wonderbee soars above the walls and she turns for the distant woods.
EXT. GROVE, OLD MANSION - DAY
-
After some time the mansion comes into view and they have to land.
Nancy gets down and is surprised to find no one waiting for her
outside, and it is unusually quiet. Her eye sweeps around and she
does not like seeing the broken windows. She looks at the floor and
the sight of blood upsets her.
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR - DAY
She bursts inside and is relieved to see Ben sitting on the foot of
the stairs... then she begins to move towards him. More blood stains
are on the floor and there is broken furniture from last night’s
struggle.
WONDERBEE
This does not look good.
At Ben’s feet lies ten poles two metres in length and he is sharpening
their ends with a small sharp knife in his hand.
NANCY
Is that blood?
BEN
Three wolves attacked me yesterday. One, the dogs killed
but the other two escaped.
They can turn themselves into men as well.
Then he places the pole down on the pile of potent spears. Nancy falls
silent in shock. She then looks at him helplessly.
NANCY
Ben, I don’t know what to say.
BEN
Get me out of here.
She comes to sit on the foot of the stairs with him, and she holds
her head in thought.
NANCY
And go where?
Ben then looks down and sighs.
BEN
I... don’t want to die on this planet.
-
NANCY
You are not in this alone. Do not doubt Mathayas and his
pack. I’ve brought you here
because he can protect you when I am not here.
Mathayas and two dogs then enter the mansion. Nancy and Ben just look
at them.
INT. PALACE, NANCY’S LIVING CHAMBERS - SUNSET
Nancy has a worried look as she looks out to the setting sun. She
is not really paying attention to her maid, SONI (22), who is reading
her letters to her.
SONI
And this one is from the equestrians you met last season.
Nancy quickly looks from the window.
NANCY
That’s enough for today Soni.
SONI
Is something on your mind, princess?
NANCY
I’ll be alright. You may go now.
Then Soni rises from the chair, curtsies and leaves the chambers.
Wonderbee comes to the window.
NANCY
Oh there you are. I need you to do something for
me.
WONDERBEE
Anything.
NANCY
Were-wolves are most active after midnight. Will you get
up and go assist Ben?
WONDERBEE
I thought you’d never ask.
-
NANCY
I thought you’d never agree to it.
WONDERBEE
With what he did for you back at the mines, I was going
to go even if you hadn’t asked.
NANCY
Thanks big girl, and be careful.
Wonderbee nods.
EXT. GROVE - NIGHT
It is night time again and the two satellites of Xeronis are up and
high in the sky, the other now a crescent and the other still a full
moon. Two wolves run in the cover of the trees.
INT. OLD MANSION, BEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
Ben opens his eyes from sleep after a long and loud howl tears the
silent atmosphere. He immediately clutches the silver headed spear
beside his pillow and he gets out of bed.
It is awfully quiet inside the mansion and he tip-toes to the passage
way and continues to crouch on the stairs to wait, spear in hand and
ready.
All is set.
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR - NIGHT
Ben looks below and on the entrance lies a net as if it is some carpet.
The doors creak open and then the first thing he spies with the help
of the moonlight is the muzzle of the sniffing beast. Wolf 1 sniffs
his way in and he stops before the strange carpet... but he seems
to smell the trap, and then he turns back and disappears outside.
He is coming in through the windows. Ben changes his position.
He bends low as he silently rushes to the walls and then he presses
his back hard against them to listen to the sounds outside.
INT. OLD MANSION, FIRST FLOOR - NIGHT
Ben now can hear the claws of the beast dig into the walls as he climbs.
-
Then Wolf 1 leaps in from outside through a window shattered from
yester night, and he rolls onto the floor and does not see Ben spring
alert from his cover. Ben thrusts his spear and gores the beast from
the back and leaves the spear sticking out from the belly.
Wolf 1 wails in pain but still finds the strength to whirl round and
smack Ben with the back of his hand, throwing the human paces back.
Ben rises to see a man start to reach in an attempt to pull the spear
out.
Wolf 3 then bursts into the chamber and Ben swings round and speeds
for his life. The wolf comes charging after him.
Ben turns and stops as he gets to the door of the next chamber, and
he holds this door as he watches the wolf advance, almost rising to
run like a man.
The wolf pounces and Ben violently slams the door in his face, and
then he has to quickly dive down as the wolf shatters the door to
pieces with his strength just like Ben knew he would. The wolf blindly
passes over him as Ben sleeps on the floor.
Ben wastes no time in rising and in sprinting forward towards the
destroyed floor with the weaker wooden flooring. He leaps over the
edge in a rising spring towards a dangling rope which he manages to
grab and continue to swing out of reach of Wolf 3 who has also leapt
after him.
As Wolf 3 fails to grab Ben with his claws, gravity does not fail
to pull him down. Then he is falling down some twenty feet before
he comes to land upon sharp, long poles that Ben had spent the whole
day preparing for this task.
Wolf 3 does not survive the impaling.
Ben swings off the rope and gets onto the safer floor, still conscious
of the other wolf man.
He runs into the other chamber and sees the dreadlocked man on his
knees holding the spear he has just pulled out of his body.
WOLF 1
Brother...?
It dawns on Wolf 1 what has happened to his mate. He suddenly looks
at Ben with eyes that burn with rage... a rage that equals madness.
Suddenly, dark fur grows astonishingly fast on the man’s skin as he
turns himself back into the animal. Muscle stretches as his size grows
considerably large.
Ben shoots out of the chamber with the wolf on his heels.
INT. OLD MANSION, GROUND FLOOR - NIGHT
Ben is making the descent on the flight of stairs when the wolf
pounces, hurling himself so that he is going to land on the human.
-
As he makes the descent, and the human is not more than a claw away
below him, something intervenes and interrupts this transition by
pushing him towards the walls.
It is Wonderbee.
She has come and as the wolf pounces on Ben, the dragon comes knocking
him into the walls and Ben stops to look back.
Wonderbee bites the wolf and then swings him from the first floor
and throws him way down to the ground floor.
She opens her wings and leaps to go land on the concrete floor.
Ben remains on the stairs.
Wolf 1 rises and then attacks Wonderbee by leaping onto her throat.
Wonderbee’s scales protect her as she swings him off. She warns him
by belching flames before his feet. The wolf backs away to the door
and he steps onto the net unconsciously.
Ben then sees his mistake.
Ben runs and leaps off the stairs in one bound, grabs a dangling rope
that lowers him down to the concrete floor while the net rises like
a curtain to blanket and bag Wolf 1.
Ben pulls and hoists Wolf 1 off the ground but Wonderbee snatches
the net into her claws and continues to fly out with Wolf 1. Ben is
surprised by her move and he rushes outside to see where she is going.
EXT. OLD MANSION - NIGHT
As Ben comes outside the dogs emerge from the woods and they howl
after Wonderbee who takes off and disappears into the night sky. Ben
can only watch her go.
Then he sees a flame light up in the sky and then something burning
as it falls towards the ground.
EXT. OLD MANSION - DAY
Ben sits down on the stub outside the old mansion as he begins to
eat what Nancy has brought for him. Wonderbee is back and she sits
close to Nancy. Nancy sits beside him. She has brought him some
clothes and toiletries from the city and they lie in an open box that
she has set on his feet.
NANCY
There’s a river not far from here, you can take your bath
there.
BEN
Thank God! I was starting to live like an animal. No offense
to your friends.
-
Ben chuckles.
NANCY
You have a remarkable survival talent.
BEN
It’s all thanks to Mathayas and his pack and to Wonderbee
too. They’re all heroes.
WONDERBEE
He is too modest.
Nancy sighs then she looks down.
BEN
What's on your mind?
NANCY
It’s my cousin. She’s been up on my tail criticizing
everything in my life. I don’t
know what to do to keep her from finding out where I go
when I leave the palace.
WONDERBEE
I’ve been picking up a bad vibe from her. I don’t know what
it is yet. I don’t trust her.
Nancy makes to protest against what Wonderbee is saying,
WONDERBEE
I am telling you the truth Nancy. You must use your amulet.
NANCY
I would not. After all, she is my cousin. Why would I
suspect anything bad of her?
WONDERBEE
Exactly!
NANCY
You really believe that don’t you?
Wonderbee nods.
NANCY
Then I must find out – tonight.
-
BEN
How exactly will you do that?
NANCY
With this.
Nancy shows him the amulet in her neck. It is a small almond shaped
green gem.
NANCY
It was a gift from the Enchantress when I was 2years old.
When I rub it, it opens my
mind to telepathic channels. I can tap into anyone’s mind
and read their secrets. I
could say it makes me a half psychic.
BEN
You can do that just by rubbing an amulet?
NANCY
Yes.
BEN
Prove it to me.
NANCY
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Nancy takes a deep breath and relaxes. She takes the amulet between
her fingers, rubs it softly and closes her eyes. After a little while
she opens her eyes again to look at him. Her expression is empathetic.
NANCY
You loved someone once...
He looks at her.
NANCY (CONT'D)
...four years ago; that’s all I could pick up. Your head
is like a maze it’s difficult
to pin-point what is imagined and what is memory. You do
that a lot don’t you? Fantasize.
This girl, you were willing to give the world for but was
taken away, dominates your
thoughts and only adds to the wound of a broken heart. Ben,
I don’t know what to say.
-
Ben swallows hard as he momentarily retreats into thought.
BEN
I’m convinced. Go and read your cousin. She won't be able
to hide anything from you,
that is, if she really has anything to hide.
Ben and Nancy look at Wonderbee but she does not comment. Nancy clears
her throat loudly.
NANCY
It’s so sad but I have got to leave you now guys. But there’s
always tomorrow.
BEN
Perhaps it’d help if you came earlier. You give me food,
a place to stay, and yet I feel like I don’t know you that
well.
NANCY
I’ll try.
Nancy smiles.
NANCY
Well, like Ben always says, tomorrow it is.
ALL
Tomorrow it is.
They then all chuckle.
EXT. PLANET XERONIS
The sun descends and paves way for the night, paves way for the Xeronis
moons and starry sky
EXT. OLD MANSION, THIRD FLOOR BALCONY - NIGHT
Ben comes to join Mathayas on the third floor who sits on the destroyed
balcony, looking out to the forest expanse. Ben is wearing one of
the things Nancy has bought for him: a black leather waist coat with
a white t-shirt inside, black trousers, and laced shoes.
-
BEN
I couldn’t help but notice something very odd.
Ben breaks the silence. Mathayas looks at him so he continues,
BEN
It’s the princess and how she roams freely without any
guards or soldiers.
MATHAYAS
And...?
BEN
If you ask me I’d say there is something wrong with this
picture.
He makes a gesture as if he is holding an invisible frame.
BEN
The princess thinks it’s trivial to have such security
because she has never met any
real threats towards her life.
MATHAYAS
That’s quite an observation.
BEN
An observation anyone is likely to make... even an enemy
of the kingdom.
MATHAYAS
What are you implying exactly?
BEN
You tell me. There have been two attacks already. There
was a dragon at the
abandoned mines, and I don’t think the wolves were after
me, initially. I just
carried her scent and got in the way. If you ask me I’d
say someone is trying to
assassinate the princess!
He lets it sink before shifting his full attention to Mathayas.
BEN
Mathayas, you must tell me all you know about the wolves.
-
Mathayas wants to protest but Ben adds,
BEN
Nancy’s life depends on it.
MATHAYAS
You are very intuitive.
BEN
You have no idea.
Mathayas looks into the woods ahead and then he begins,
MATHAYAS
What you guessed is correct; there has been an increased
wolf activity in the surrounding parts of the kingdom. My
pack and I then decided to investigate.
FLASHBACK START
EXT. GROVE, VALLEY - DAY
Mathays and his dogs come to stand on a plateau as they spy upon a
secret meeting in the valley. Two parties are gathered in the valley.
One party wears dark robes and hoods and their faces are not seen.
The other party has shirtless soldiers to watch their well dressed
leaders.
MATHAYAS (V.O)
Werewolves have allied with bloodrubis, and they are both
hostile towards this kingdom.
Bloodrubis are the natives of these lands.
One leader of the other party removes his hood to shake hands with
the leader of the other party. Mathayas now sees his features. He
has porcelain white skin and a bald head and long fingers.
MATHAYAS (V.O)
Their empire collapsed a long time ago in a war that reduced
them into tributary states.
But their numbers have been expanding and soon they will
leave the caves and the
forests and attack the cities to reclaim the land that was
once theirs.
Mathayas and his pack then leave.
-
FLASHBACK END
EXT. OLD MANSION, THIRD FLOOR BALCONY - NIGHT (CONT'D)
BEN
But where do the werewolves come in? Why this alliance?
MATHAYAS
Werewolves are not full time beasts. They are very
intelligent and they have their own societies. They want
to settle in the cities and not have to hide away their animal side.
BEN
They have to be warned. I have to tell Nancy.
Ben gets up.
MATHAYAS
You think they don’t know?
WONDERBEE
Tell her what, Ben?
Wonderbee moves from the shadows and comes towards them.
BEN
That someone is trying to kill her.
MATHAYAS
You’ll only trouble her for no reason. We checked again
and again and it seems
there were only three wolves. Their scent mostly lingered
in places where the
princess usually dilly-dallies.
WONDERBEE
If something is threatening our princess, then we ought
to do something about it.
Let’s say protecting her ourselves (without telling her
of course, she tends to hate
that kind of attention).
BEN
You are right. We ought to protect the princess. Are you
with us, Mathayas?
-
Mathayas sighs.
MATHAYAS
I am.
EXT. ONIS CITY, CAPITAL, PALACE - NIGHT
The woods are very quiet this time of the night except for the sound
of the crickets in the background, their cricketing chorusing in the
dark and accentuating the occasional shriek or rustle in some
thicket. In stark contrast is the capital. At the palace it is always
as If there is a party.
INT. PALACE, DINING HALL - NIGHT
Nancy sits quietly on her place at the large dining table whereas
everyone is jolly and alive with conversation. Her aunt senses her
displeasure but just decides to let it go.
INT. PALACE, PASSAGEWAY TO EMERALDA'S ROOM - NIGHT
After dinner everyone is retiring to their bed chambers. Nancy hides
around a corner. A stone-throw away is Emeralda’s bedroom chambers.
Emeralda comes from the other passage reading a letter. She never
suspects that she is being watched so she goes straight to unlock
her doors, gets in and shuts them again.
Nancy wastes no time.
She comes out from the blind corner and comes to stop before the shut
door. She rubs her amulet and closes it in her right palm as it begins
to glow. She then closes her eyes in order to start learning
Emeralda’s secrets.
After a few moments she opens her eyes to rub her amulet anew.
She tries to pry into Emeralda’s mind again but she seems to fail
as if a shield is in place.
INT. EMERALDA'S ROOM - NIGHT (CONT'D)
Emeralda unlocks a drawer and takes out a small wooden box
contraption. She places it on the floor and turns a key which seems
to release a hologram – a three dimensional live picture being
transmitted from another location in real time.
She looks at the giant figure before her, the hologram of a caped
-
being with a hood casting his face in shadow.
CAPED BLOODRUBI
Report.
The caped being has a deep voice.
EMERALDA
You can imagine my surprise. I thought I was coming to a
funeral, but there is no
such thing.
EXT. EMERALDA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Nancy, on the door, can certainly hear voices inside Emeralda’s room.
She then presses her ear on the door and struggles to make out
sentences of what is being said, she can only catch single words.
INT. EMERALDA'S ROOM - NIGHT
CAPED BLOODRUBI
This points to one thing; the assassins have failed.
EMERALDA
How did she manage it? We were terrible in underestimating
her.
CAPED BLOODRUBI
We still don’t need her in the picture.We move to the
contingency plan.
EMERALDA
With me here it should be easy.
Emeralda smiles.
CAPED BLOODRUBI
I hope so. Expect him soon. He still needs to...
EMERALDA
Wait.
Emeralda hisses. She senses something. She then begins to sniff in
the air like a dog trying to catch some scent.
She nods to the cloaked being and the hologram disappears as the
-
transmission stops. Emeralda takes the contraption back into its
drawer and locks it inside.
INT. PALACE, PASSAGE BEFORE EMERALDA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Nancy is still on Emeralda's door. She opens her eyes and is aware
that her open window has passed. So she hurries away and disappears
around the corner.
Emeralda opens her door but she does not see anyone. But she is
suspicious. She lingers for a few more seconds before going back
inside and closing the door after her.
INT. OLD MANSION, BEN'S ROOM - DAY
She opens the curtains and hurt his eyes with the light that rushes
in.
NANCY
Wake up sleepy heads.
Ben turns over to look at her. She wears a gold radiating outfit that
is a mini-skirt, the top, and boots.
BEN
Good morning.
NANCY
Any trouble with anything of the night?
Ben raises his head to look towards his feet where Wonderbee lies.
BEN
Nope.
He then sits.
BEN
What’s the occasion?
NANCY
You asked to spend some time with me. Now, I had to cancel
my busy schedule, and lie to
my cousin so that I would show up early to this occasion.
BEN
-
You listened to me.
Now she is smiling and starting to walk towards the door and looking
back at him.
NANCY
Hurry up and get dressed. I’ll be downstairs.
Ben then looks at Wonderbee who sleeps snoring on the carpeted floor.
BEN
Seems we are going to need another hour.
EXT. GROVE NEAR OLD MANSION - DAY
After a little while the small group is taking a walk in the woods
with Mathayas and his pack on the look out.
BEN
Did you read your cousin last night?
NANCY
Yes.
BEN
What did you find out?
NANCY
That’s the problem... nothing! She went to a lot of trouble
to protect her mind from unwarranted intrusions.
BEN
Could it be the reason why Wonderbee drew her conclusions?
WONDERBEE
Dragons are barely wrong.
NANCY
That’s not all. I overheard her conversation with someone
in her room whom I couldn’t
detect with my amulet.
BEN
And why was that?
NANCY
-
It could have been a transmission. I couldn’t make sense
of what they were saying of course, but it seems she is
expecting a visitor.
Ben clears his throat and passes a nod to Mathayas way in front.
NANCY
But I’m sure it was nothing.
Nancy says as she watches Wonderbee take off into the sky, circle
around and then come back down to walk beside them. She looks at the
odd behaviour of the dogs; they act as if they are scouting for
something. She recognises what they are doing, she sees the guards
do it everyday. Ben passes another nod to Mathayas who has looked
back at him.
BEN
Then it was a false alarm.
Ben looks at Wonderbee.
WONDERBEE
My instincts are right. There is something fishy about
Emeralda and I’ll prove it to you.
Nancy can not hold back anymore.
NANCY
(demands)
Is there something you’re not telling me?
WONDERBEE
What makes you say that?
NANCY
I know when secrets abound.
Then her left hand flies to rest on her amulet,
NANCY
It’s either I do this or you tell me everything... your
choice.
Everyone purses their lips. They are found out.
WONDERBEE
Since you were attacked by a fire breather, we figured the
-
wolves were not an accidental threat but that there is a
conspiracy against your life... bloodrubis are involved too.
NANCY
Bloodrubis?
WONDERBEE
Mathayas found it out. We have all vowed to protect you
against these assassins.
Mathayas, who overhears everything, comes to them.
NANCY
Is she telling the truth?
MATHAYAS
I am afraid so.
Nancy sighs, then,
NANCY
If I need bodyguards there are plenty qualified under my
father’s payroll. I need
friends not bodyguards, that is why I sneak away from the
palace.
MATHAYAS
We should have told you but...
Mathayas wants to explain but Nancy cuts him short.
NANCY
Bloodrubis? Don’t you think this is all too far fetched?
And feeding Ben with such
stories? I never should have left him in your care
Mathayas. You out of all should
know better.
Ben observes Mathayas who now looks down and does not dare look in
her eyes. She is now speaking as his princess whom he is supposed
to submit to. As if she had given him specific instructions on how
to handle Ben when she entrusted him to his care, she now scolds him.
Ben decides to help Mathayas out.
BEN
It is not his fault.
-
Ben steps between the two so her attention shifts to him.
BEN
I pushed him into telling me your kingdom’s history and
I just put the pieces together myself. It was I who
unseated their nerves when I told them that I suspected you were
in danger and came up with our vow to watch over you. If
you are mad, be mad at me. Not them.
Then they fall silent; surprisingly, Wonderbee too.
NANCY
Well...
She avoids Ben’s eyes;
NANCY
Since I run away from bodyguards at the palace, I’m going
to run away from bodyguards
in the woods... till you renounce your escapade.
Then she is walking away.
NANCY
Don’t bother following me.
She calls back at them.
MATHAYAS
Thank you.
BEN
Looks like we ruined a perfect afternoon.
WONDERBEE
What are you hinting at? Did you have any plans?
Wonderbee closely inspects Ben.
BEN
What do you think? Surprisingly royalty has this strange
effect on me.
Wonderbee chuckles.
WONDERBEE
If I didn’t know better I’d say you feel something for her.
-
MATHAYAS
If you feel something for her, then your concern for her
is genuine. She won’t
forget this.
Mathayas then calls to his team to head back to the mansion.
WONDERBEE
(soflty)
Do you really feel something for her?
Ben smiles as if amused.
BEN
I don’t know.
Then he is following Mathayas.
WONDERBEE
Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.
BEN
No secret is safe around her.
Ben calls back to her.
EXT. OLD MANSION - DAY
It is not a lively afternoon for Ben so he just sits in an armchair
on the balcony of the second floor. Wonderbee is lying in the shade
below the trees with Mathayas and the rest of the dogs scattered on
the veranda of the mansion.
BEN
We make a wonderful lot.
Ben says aloud after observing them,
BEN
We lazy around the whole day as if there’s no world to tour
– just for the taking.
MATHAYAS
What world?
-
BEN
That’s the spirit my friend... just what I mean.
Then they are silent again.
WONDERBEE
Don’t you miss earth?
BEN
Don't rub it in.
WONDERBEE
Sorry. The people you left behind, they must miss your
humour. Who’d tire of that?
BEN
I like you Wonderbee. You overlook my flaws.
As they are talking, something is descending from the sky. Nancy
slowly puts the flying bike to the ground and then shuts it down.
BEN
You came back?
Ben has got to his feet and is looking over the balcony.
NANCY
Come down.
He does not hesitate. He runs down the flight of stairs and rushes
out of the mansion.
He stops before her. He then realises there is something odd in the
atmosphere and he has to clear it with her.
BEN
Look, maybe I ought to apologise about...
NANCY
Have you ever flown one of these?
She abruptly cuts him,
NANCY
Because they are quite thrilling.
She turns for the bike and strokes it.
-
NANCY
It’s quite easy to fly once you learn the basics. Maybe
I’ll teach you, now.
Then she takes out a small crystal rod from the controls while saying,
NANCY
Would you like to try it out?
BEN
Sure.
NANCY
Come.
Then he moves to her side.
NANCY
Let me first reconfigure the pass code so it won't zap you
or anything.
Then she is tapping some type of code into the rings beside the palm
imprint.
NANCY
Here.
She hands him the crystal.
NANCY
Just stick it in between the controls.
He follows her instructions. Then the palm imprint on the dashboard
is glowing.
NANCY
Place your palm on the imprint.
But Ben hesitates.
NANCY
Go on.
She encourages him and he does so. The bike levitates a foot off the
ground and hovers.
NANCY
-
Mount it.
BEN
For real?
He can not believe it but she nods and smiles at him. Then he is on
top of the flying machine. She mounts and sinks in the seat behind
him. Ben instinctively grabs the controls.
NANCY
Now, this thing is remote controlled with your mind through
a mental link you have
just established.
BEN
What?
NANCY
You fly it with your mind. Now, rise with it into the air.
WONDERBEE
I’m going to love this.
NANCY
No, you are not invited on this one girl. Ben and I need
to hang out alone for awhile... away from your whimsical
tales.
Wonderbee then drops her head disappointedly.
NANCY
Will us away Ben.
BEN
Okay.
He concentrates. Just then the flying bike begins to ascend higher
and higher.
Ben laughs.
NANCY
What, I never said it was going to be hard.
Nancy embraces him from behind.
BEN
Better hold on tight.
-
Then the bike shoots away.
EXT. ABOVE GROVE - DAY
It is Nancy’s turn to scream and laugh with excitement as Ben speeds
them with the flying bike. Ben looks around at the terrain below as
if they are looking down from a helicopter. He sees a gorge covered
with vegetation ahead and he sinks lower to glide between its walls
and to observe this wonder. He spies a waterfall and in a moment he
is flying vertical until he beat the fall’s height.
NANCY
Take us to those tall trees.
Nancy points left. Ben smiles and heads towards the unusually tall
trees to come and fly in their midst. The trunks are huge which makes
it more fun navigating around them. He then soars higher again after
a while and lets the bike glide on air as they just look around.
EXT. ABOVE GROVE - DAY
Nancy rests her head on his back with a smile on her face, evidently
enjoying the ride.
Ben feels her arms tighten around him and he feels her warm body press
against his back.
BEN
You were right. I have never ridden anything this thrilling
before, and that
is so light to drive.
NANCY
Well, now you have. When I open the wormhole I want you
to take it back with you, to your home. It’s my gift to you
so you won’t forget me.
BEN
I won’t need a gift to remember you.
NANCY
You won’t? You will remember me?
BEN
Of course. The princess who is surrounded by danger but
-
who chooses to see the goodness
of the universe and is willing to give it a chance when
most of us see darkness everywhere...? It is
people like you who give hope to societies. When you become a queen
one day, this is what will make you a great.
Nancy smiles.
NANCY
What else?
BEN
What?
NANCY
I mean, tell me more. What have you observed about my world
and me in it?
Ben smiles and looks at the setting sun before turning to look in
her green eyes. With her arms around him, she is so close to him and
he sees that she is so beautiful and he is falling in love. But he
is afraid that the moment he will go back to Earth and leave her here,
a huge hole in his heart will accompany him. He clears his throat
after pulling his stare from off her.
BEN
I think we should head back.
NANCY
I have something to say. I want to remember you too. I want
to know you more. Is this
all there is, or there is something more to you? Is there
a side you haven’t revealed
to anyone? I feel in my heart that you are a warm person.
Ben chuckles.
BEN
You flatter me. What side have you not revealed to anyone?
NANCY
I don’t know. I never experimented with sides before. It
was just me and Wonderbee and ... you are different.
BEN
Is it that I don’t have scales or fur?
-
NANCY
No...
She giggles.
NANCY
You are human like me... and very handsome.
Then Ben’s words caught in his throat and he can only look at her
and she senses his discomfort.
NANCY
Did I say something I shouldn't?
BEN
Oh no; actually I was not expecting it... to come from
someone so beautiful.
He observes colour come into her cheeks. She smiles.
NANCY
You think I am beautiful?
Ben nods but then looks ahead, avoiding her.
BEN
Let's head back now.
Then she frowns as if she does not want to. She suddenly embraces
him tighter from behind causing him to freeze.
NANCY
I know what you are afraid of. But that does not mean you
should push me away.
Ben turns to look at her but something hits the bike from underneath
and sends an electro-magnetic pulse coarsing through the machine.
BEN
Hold on!
Ben cries as the bike spins out of control and continues to sink and
spiral towards the ground.
EXT. GROVE - DAY
-
They crash land but escape without cuts and bruises. Ben rises from
where he is thrown and hurries to Nancy who stands before the bike.
She removes what appears to be an iron rod with two prongs that has
stuck in the sides of the bike.
NANCY
I know this.
She shows Ben.
NANCY
It’s fired from small cannon and has the ability to shut
down any machine.
BEN
You are saying we were shot down?
But he does not have to wait for her answer as they hear shrubs being
broken as something is charging towards them.
BEN
Come.
Ben takes her hand and they begin to flee in the opposite direction
of whatever is coming.
EXT. GROVE - DAY
She does not need his help. She has learnt to sprint from a tender
age when she discovered the woods outside the city. Then Ben lets
her run in front of him.
Whoever has shot them down has given chase and Ben begins to fear
for her. The woods here have grown thick and it is getting dark. But
they have to run even if they are getting tired. The chasers have
remained determined that Ben does not trust that they are going to
out run them. Something has to give.
Suddenly Nancy comes to a halt and her hands fly to stop Ben too as
if something frightful lies ahead.
NANCY
Stop, the traps!
She is breathless.
NANCY
This whole ground ahead of us.
-
She says as her hand sweeps in front of her. Ben is surprised as to
how she can tell when he cannot.
Then shrubs and branches are snapping vigorously behind.
BEN
Hide.
Ben says and she runs to her left and hides behind a huge tree while
Ben runs to the right. Then he uses a tree for cover. He peeps around
to see their pursuers.
From this position he can see Nancy and he suspects this has
everything to do with her.
Five erect figures materialise from the bushes. They look very much
like men but they are seven foot tall, having porcelain coloured skin,
ears that lie flat to their bald skull, wide glistening eyes, and
they have two holes were there is supposed to be a nose.
They wear black furred animal leather and they have spears in hand
like hunters. They all stop as they look for tracks on the ground.
BLOODRUBI 1
Varipi?
(SUBTITLE: Where are they)
Ben can clearly see them now.
BEN
(to himself)
This is not good.
BLOODRUBI 2
Tsoka idzi.
(SUBTITLE: Footprints)
They start to follow Nancy’s trail. Ben sees two beckon to the other
three to circle the tree where Nancy hides. Nancy has seen the trouble
she is in and she crashes down on her heels almost surrendering.
Ben is really uneasy now.
Just then, Ben sees her unsheathe two small daggers from the sides
of her boots. She is going to fight them off.
Ben can only shake his head. Then he steps out from his hiding place.
BEN
(shouts)
Hey!
The five beings suddenly look at him. Ben then raises his hands and
-
takes three steps towards them.
BEN
I’m unarmed. It’s me you’re looking for. I’m alone.
He gets down on his knees, hands still raised.
The five beings turn around surprised at this sudden outburst, and
then they begin to move towards him. Nancy looks over and catches
Ben’s eyes. Ben slowly shakes his head to her.
The unexpected happens. One of the beings suddenly shouts to the one
in front who then falls on his back and is hoisted up leg first by
a strong rope.
BLOODRUBI 2
Mira!
(SUBTITLE: Wait!)
He has stepped into his own trap. He is now swinging like a pendulum
from a tree and others have to cut him down. The other in the group
uses his knife to cut the rope and release his fellow. Then when the
excitement grows down after some few curses they turn around for Ben
but they do not see him anywhere.
EXT. GROVE - SUNSET
Ben has gained ground and he is sprinting as fast as he can – leaping
fallen branches and pushing leaves that dangle in his way. An electric
bolt flies past him and hits into a tree exploding like a firework
and causing the tree to fall.
The electric bolt came from one of the spears of the beings that still
pursue him. Another bolt misses him and he tries evasive manoeuvres
– ducking around trees and sort.
But the chasers are not going to give up.
As Ben runs, he feels something secure around his left leg and to
pull so hard against it that he falls on his face. Then a rope is
pulling him back as he searches on the ground for somewhere to hold
on to.
BEN
No!
A cry leaves his lips as he is hoisted up to dangle and swing from
a tree.
It is the traps!
The swing is going to knock him against a tree but he uses his hands
to stop himself and to hold onto the trunk.
-
BEN
You have got to be kidding me.
Then the beings catch up to him. He then looks at them from an upside
down view and says nothing.
He is now their prisoner so they bind his feet and hands to a pole
which only two hoist upon their shoulders. Then they are carrying
him away.
EXT. GROVE, CAVE - SUNSET
They have not detected Nancy and she follows them to a cave where
a large number of the bloodrubis guard the entrance. Then Ben
disappears with the five into the mouth of the cave. Nancy sees all
this from the bushes where she is hiding. There is nothing she can
do for him now except to go back and avoid capture herself.
EXT. OLD MANSION - EVENING
She is almost breathless when she makes it to the old mansion.
WONDERBEE
What took you so long?
Wonderbee says standing before her. Mathayas comes to meet her too.
WONDERBEE
Where is Ben?
Nancy can only look at them.
MATHAYAS
Is everything alright, princess?
Mathayas senses trouble.
NANCY
(gravely)
Ben has been captured by bloodrubis!
WONDERBEE
What, how?
Wonderbee can not believe it.
-
NANCY
We were shot down and they chased us but he...he allowed
himself to be captured over
me. They were after me. He was right. You were all right.
Nancy looks at them regretfully.
NANCY
I should have listened to you and because I didn’t Ben gets
to pay for it. How could I
be so stupid?
WONDERBEE
(softly)
Nancy, it’s not your fault.
NANCY
Yes it is and...
Then an idea hits her.
NANCY
We must save him.
MATHAYAS
From the bloodrubis? That’s impossible.
NANCY
I have a plan. But first I must go to the palace.
Then she hurries to Wonderbee.
NANCY
You’ll take me.