The Bell Wishers (2) CUT TO: DIFFERENT ANGLE of the lion and children. LION It's the work of Devonika. You'd better take cover while I drive them back. JEWEL Who's Devonika? The lion pushes her into the underbrush where she remains shaken but unharmed. LION (snarling) An evil enchantress and there's no time to explain. Lie still and don't run. They attack anything that moves. JEWEL (whispers to Jason) What are they? Jason makes no answer, but joins her and holds her tightly. CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS ACTION as the lion heaves a magnificent challenging roar at the descending raiders. The swirling grey mist surrounding them doesn't obscure eight legs of each attacker landing on the ruler, completely obscuring him for a moment. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT of the children. JASON (gasps) They're giant flying spiders. Big as eagles. JEWEL (whispers back) He'll never be able to fight them alone. We've got to help him. JASON (replies quickly) No. He told us to stay put. That's his battle. CUT TO: OVERHEAD ANGLE as the lion shakes off the winged insects. The monarch swats at the remainder with the bell clasped tightly in his free paw. Seeing the chance they'd been waiting for, the spiders begin a furious tug of war with the bell. Swiftly dislodging it, they take off back into the sky with the prize. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as the lion is drawn to his knees by the insects' weight. A thousand feet crawl through his mane and over his torso, seeking a vulnerable spot to drive home deadly venom. JEWEL (screams) Jason, they took the bell! Jason grabs a stout tree branch and runs to help the fallen monarch. Instantly, sensing motion, the insects turn their attention to Jason. Jason swings valiantly and brings down several of the larger spiders before his legs become covered in swiftly spun webs. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of a bright flash of light. PULL BACK to show Jewel swinging viciously back and forth with a flaming tree branch. The lion's look of amazement is immense. The monarch shakes the rest of the spiders toward the burning branch as Jewel backswing boots them in all directions at once. The insects retreat into the air. JEWEL We won�and don't come back! LION (paces cautiously in front of her) Oh, they won't. Not against a superior weapon like that. JASON (regaining his feet) You've never seen fire? LION No, but I can feel its power from here. Are you an enchantress, little girl? JEWEL (snuffs out the torch) What do you mean? Like a witch? LION If that's how you look at it, yes� JEWEL Heaven's no. (manages a small laugh) My parents always make us carry a few camping essentials. One of them just happened to be a lighter. JASON How'd you know it would work here? You could have caused a tremendous explosion if the atmosphere hadn't been similar to our own. JEWEL I didn't know. But I didn't want you both eaten by the spiders either. LION You mentioned your atmosphere. So, you're not from around here. And parents � what are they? JASON Look, lion� LION The name is Lord Alessandro Balthezar de Iglesias Panthadere. JASON Well, how about we just call you Ali for short? LION You may call me Lord. You may call me King, but never call me Ali. JEWEL (disagreeing) I think Ali's a delightful name. And so much easier to remember. My name's Jewel. ALI Pleased to meet you, I'm sure. Very well, then, Ali it shall be. JASON Mine's Jason. Jason offers his hand and the three exchange handshakes. JEWEL As to your question, we're not from around here. No, not at all� JASON What she means is, we're not quite sure where we are. ALI That's easily remedied. You're in the Land of Remote. A wonderful place to explore and filled with adventure. JEWEL If it's like what we've already been through, I've had about enough. ALI Oh, that's nothing. Once Devonika sees that her plan to destroy me didn't work, she'll send something far greater to do the job. Jewel shivers, wondering what could possibly top the already menacing nightmare they had just experienced. Jason pats her shoulder reassuringly. JASON It's okay. We've got to get back to Mom and Dad. They won't leave without us. JEWEL How do you know? ALI (rolls the words around, savoring the syllables) Mom and Dad? JASON Our parents would never leave us alone in a place like this. ALI Evidently, the choice wasn't theirs to make. JEWEL (glares at Jason) You're right about that. ALI Well, in any event, I must admit my curiosity has been aroused. These people you speak of � are they important in your lives? JASON The most important in anybody's life. Without them, it'd be hard to get through a single day. ALI But not impossible. Because in the Land of Remote we've gotten through a great many without them. JEWEL There are no parents here? ALI None whatsoever. JEWEL We're in big trouble. ALI With a big adventure ahead. FADE TO: OVERHEAD SHOTS of miles of jungle searing in the afternoon heat. Beautifully plumed birds soar high overhead. A chorus of song in four and sometimes five-part harmony can be heard faintly in the distance of the birds' trail. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the travelers near a clearing. JASON I'm hungry. ALI What exactly do you eat? (nudges a branch aside) I know what I like. But you're a different story. JEWEL He eats just about anything�anytime�anywhere. JASON (disagrees quickly) Don't think so. I like a lot of stuff, just not too crazy about veggies. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Ali's face with a quizzical stare. He is beginning to see a new slant on his kingdom. A lack of parents seems a great loss. A place called home seems another mystery. Being able to go anyplace as king of the forest used to be of monumental importance. Now, the children have shown him that being there without people who care about you is something to be avoided. The two travelers have given him a lot to think about. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE JASON I guess you like veggies? JEWEL His mom makes him eat them. She balances on one foot, emptying a shoe full of dark grey sand. ALI Then it's a good thing. To force people into doing something they don't like? JASON Not always. JEWEL But sometimes it is�sometimes trying new things can be good. JASON If I didn't eat stuff like veggies that I don't like, then I'd never appreciate other things that I do. CUT TO: TIGHTER SHOT as Jason swats at a buzzing noise near his ear. FARINA Hey! Watch out who you're slapping! CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jewel blinks twice. Unable to believe the tiny voice that yelled beside Jason. It pealed like the tones of a small wind chime caught in a breeze. But the amazing thing was the creature it emanated from, the smallest girl airborne by a set of tiny wings. JASON What is this? ALI That, my boy, is a flyscout. (smile widens) Farina, by name. JEWEL What's a flyscout? Jewel held out the palm of her hand. The winged creature landed nimbly between thumb and forefinger. Then looked wonderingly at the girl. Farina had never seen creatures like this before. The flyscout realized they must be strong and stouthearted for her friend Ali to tolerate them. ALI Allow me to introduce my companions. This is Jason and the one holding you is Jewel. FARINA She's not holding me. (tosses a head of red haired curls disdainfully) Her hand was just a convenient landing area. That's all. Farina paces back and forth across Jewel's palm. ALI Flyscouts aren't known for their manners. (winks at Farina) Just fierce trust and loyalty. FARINA We have heard of Devonika's deceit within the kingdom. JEWEL Flying spiders carried off our bell. We can't get home without it. FARINA I know. (flutters her wings) Sorry, have to beat away the sad feelings. We can't tolerate those. JASON You know about the bell? FARINA Yes. My brother carried the bell with him by request of the Grand Vizier. It never left his side until his last battle with Devonika. JASON Devonika, Schmonika�I'm not interested in hearing any more about her. Or the stupid tricks she pulls to keep everyone here scared. ALI It's more than fright, I assure you. JEWEL Jason, her brother died at the hands of this witch. We should have some respect for her loss. JASON I'm sorry. (bows to Farina) But just how do we get the bell back? FARINA That is up to you. JASON Hey, wait a minute. I thought you were going to help us? FARINA That, too, depends on how bad you want my help. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Farina flies from Jewel's hand to alight on a nearby tree branch. ALI We do need your wisdom, my friend. There's no telling what she will do with the bell. JASON Well, she could be the most powerful witch in the Land of Remote, but she doesn't know the poem that goes with it. FARINA (eyes widening with interest) Poem? JASON A little poem that got us here in the first place. Without it, the bell means nothing. ALI (shakes his head disdainfully) Ah, I see, nothing. Farina's small tinkling laugh escapes her lips before she flies off into the forest. Jewel's eyes narrow on Jason, disgusted at his arrogance. ALI (places paw on Jason's shoulder) My friend, look at this plant here. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of a large, strawberry-colored leaf waving gently in a soft breeze. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jason runs a finger over the top of the plant. JASON What is it? ALI Food for you and Jewel. It's been here all along. JASON (tugging greedily at the stalk) Why didn't you say so? ALI (warningly) Things are not always what they seem. And don't be deceived by mere appearance. The most useful items seldom have roots at the surface. Jewel tastes the small plant gingerly. JEWEL It tastes like strawberries. But it's so filling. (sets aside the larger portion of the plant) I'm done. JASON Cool, that leaves more for me. ALI Careful with that. It only takes a little to fill you up. Jason ignores the warning and greedily eats the rest of the plant. But before the last bite, his stomach begins rumbling. Jewel gasps as Jason's belly starts growing to three times its original size. She clamps a hand over her mouth stifling a giggle. JASON Oh no. I should have stopped eating when you told me. ALI Yes, you should have. JEWEL What are we gonna do? We can't go on like this. He'll never fit through the trees. ALI (nods toward a dirt trail up the side of a tall mountain in the distance) Guess that's our only alternative now. Since someone couldn't control an appetite. JASON (shakes his head in despair) We'll never make it up that. JEWEL (corrects him quickly) We have to � or we'll never get the bell back. JASON (sighs) Or get home again. (pats his stomach and squints downward) Maybe the exercise will work some of this off. I can't see my feet. I should have listened. ALI Then hear me now. We're going up that mountain. It would have been far easier to travel through the forest. But that's no longer an option. So we have to make the best of it. Put one foot forward and let's get started. JASON What if I fall over? I may not be able to get back up. JEWEL We can help you. But you have to make the effort, Jason. We've got to get home. JASON I'll try. (puts one foot in front of the other) This isn't too difficult. And I feel the same as I was�thin. There's just more of me to get moving. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as clouds blow across the sun. A cooling shadow falls over the three friends as an ominous voice sounds overhead. Jewel glances skyward instantly. A four-winged raven cocks its head haughtily at her. RAVEN Not one of you will survive the journey. JEWEL (fires back coldly) You're wrong. RAVEN We'll see. CUT TO: EFX as the raven flies swiftly off into the clouds, reigniting the afternoon sun around them. FADE TO: EXT. Jewel tries keeping up with Ali's loping gait over the well worn path up the side of the mountain. JEWEL Ali! Jason can't keep going like this. We need to rest. ALI Take a break, then. I'll check out the trail ahead. Make sure Devonika hasn't set any more traps for us. JASON (puffing) Good idea. This isn't a good time to deal with her evil plans. JEWEL Well, when do you think a good time would be? JASON I�m sorry. (starts to tear up) JEWEL Don't start that. You didn't know what we were getting into. JASON (wiping away a single tear) I should never have rung that bell. We would be back with our parents right now, if I hadn't dragged you onto that cloak. JEWEL You didn't drag me anywhere. I was just as curious as you were. Besides, we're here now. And we just have to deal with it. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as the faint sound of running water reaches their ears. Jewel points to a small clearing through the trees. JEWEL Let's get a drink before Ali gets back. JASON I can't fit in there. But see if you can bring me back some. JEWEL Do my best. She disappears into the underbrush for a few seconds, then a piercing shriek chills Jason to the bone. JASON Jewel! Hang on, I'm on my way� CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jason pummels through the trees, splintering, cracking them away by his onslaught. He reaches her almost instantly, but he freezes when he sees her staring into a small pool of water. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jewel's face reflecting back from the water. Her beaming blue eyes have sunken into folds of flesh that almost cover them completely. The skin has dried to a pasty greyish color. CUT TO: WIDER SHOT as she begins crying, pushing into the surrounding growth. JEWEL Don't look at me! I don't ever want anybody seeing me again. JASON Hang on� (grabs her shoulder) You can't go tearing off into the woods. We don't know what's out there. JEWEL (pauses, then turns to face him) Can't be any worse than this. JASON (giggles momentarily, then stops himself) JEWEL You're laughing at me! JASON No, I'm not. You're just different, that's all. JEWEL I can't go home looking like this, Jason. JASON Well, neither can I. (cracks a smile at her) They'd have to adjust the shocks on both sides of the van. JEWEL This isn't funny. I can't face anybody. JASON And you think I enjoy weighing my alternatives like this? (slaps his belly in dismay) Somebody's planned all of it. And I think we both know who. JEWEL Devonika? JASON Exactly. Now we have to find a way to beat her at her own game. And the first step is acceptance. JEWEL (eyes brightening slightly) You're okay with the weight gain? JASON I don't like it. But I have to accept it. For the moment. JEWEL Maybe we can find a way to reverse it? JASON And if not�(resignedly) perhaps we get to see who we are beneath everything. Both children smile at each other. JEWEL (pointing back to the path) Let's get going. We need to find Ali. He's probably given up trying to find us. JASON Kinda doubt that. He needs us to defeat Devonika. There's no telling what she's cooking up for the three of us. CUT TO: OVERHEAD VIEW as Farina is seen calling from a branch high above them. FARINA Four! CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS as the flyscout swoops down to the children. FARINA Hurry, or we'll be stuck in the worst part of the island after dark. JEWEL
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