The Bell Wishers (5) CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Farina's face. She notices the far away look in Jason's eyes. She knows his thoughts are not on the journey and realizes she must keep him focused on the dangers surrounding them at every moment. CAMERA PULLS BACK as a stiff wind sends her reeling head over heels. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as tree branches part, ripping Jason from his reverie. He falls against tree limbs in a crazy, spiralling descent. Jason grabs frantically at snapping twigs, clawing desperately at the tree's massive trunk, hoping anything will slow his fall speed. A crashing tree top narrowly misses his head. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jason swings Teathergund outward. Propelling himself straight into the crook of another giant tree where he regains his balance. JASON (yells to Farina) Are you all right? FARINA (screaming back) Safe for the moment! CUT TO: FAR SHOT as fifty yards away a thunderous footstep sounds against the forest floor. Both travelers can see treetops parting like matchsticks in the wind. Farina cowers in fright, hiding under a large leaf. EFX as Jason flies to her side with Teathergund. FADE TO: INT. BANTUK'S LODGE. Higgles peers over Jewel's shoulder in the dusk. Stacks of books lie everywhere in monumental piles. Leather-bound books, covered in strange scribblings, line endless shelves. JEWEL Do you know how much info is here? You've got records dating back to the start of the island. Doesn't say anything about how it got here. But everything else I've seen so far is listed in the index. HIGGLES The way it was. Before Devonika changed everything. JEWEL (insists) How could she change it all? HIGGLES Don't know. Don't want to know. If I did, she might come after me. I'd be a threat to her plan. JEWEL You know, I've heard just about all I want to regarding her. All she's evidently done is cause trouble for everyone. And nobody wants to stop her. HIGGLES (frowns) You don't get it, do you? (wrinkles his brow) What we're up against. Why, every living thing on the island fears her. JEWEL She's a witch. Nothing more than a sham. It's time somebody backed her into a corner. Showed her what life's all about. HIGGLES (warningly) We may not have the opportunity. If she finds us first. JEWEL Oh right. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as she notices a scant shadow behind him at the open window. JEWEL Somebody's out there. What do we do? HIGGLES (softly) Remember your training. Higgles vanishes under a pile of books. JEWEL (sternly under her breath) Great advice! She reaches for the shell at her neck, but her hand brushes against the smallest book in the mound surrounding her. Her eyes widen in recognition. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of the small book. Embossed on the cover is a familiar bell symbol surrounded by a circle. CUT TO: FAR SHOT as she tucks the book inside a jeans pocket and scrambles in the direction she'd last seen Higgles. Before she travels two steps, the lodge door bursts open. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of four violent sets of dark eyes glaring at her. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of eight arms locking together to form a circle. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of gnashing teeth, dripping with saliva. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jewel lets a primal scream burst forth. She leaps high over their heads and spins through the thatched roof of the hut. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER (guttural growl) Quick! We lost the grunt. She's our last chance. Or we go back hungry. CUT TO: EXT. BANTUK'S HUT. Jewel fumbles in her jeans and draws forth her waterproof lighter and makes a torch. She holds it forth as the Tugg-Ugglies emerge from the hut. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER What are you? And what manner of weapon is this? Jewel is surprised momentarily by coherent speech from such a primitive race. JEWEL Stay back! This can cause great damage. And I'm not afraid to demonstrate. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Understood. Why would you use such a thing against us? We mean you no harm. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of Jewel. Her eyes narrow, suspicious of the Tugg-Ugglies. Instinctively, she draws the shell to her lips. EFX as a strange, unearthly sound fills her ears. It sounds like the crashing of waves on a shore. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT of the Tugg-Ugglies. The effect of the shell is immediate. They cover their ears and manage small whimpering sounds. The growing roar continues in their minds. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER All right, make it stop! The leader sinks to his knees, drawing both arms over his face. JEWEL You must speak the truth. So tell me exactly what you planned and the pain will stop. But it must be the truth, no lies. Or it continues. Jewel smiles, confident in her newfound ability to use the shell. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Deal! We were going to eat you for dinner. Then take the remainder back to our tribe. COMPANION Grunt got away. Or it would have been a bigger meal. Jewel blows into the shell again, sounding a single tone. It reverberates in waves toward the suffering attackers, calming the previous note's effect in their heads. JEWEL Thank you. That seemed a good choice. So, what are your plans now? Am I still on tonight's menu? TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Of course not. We don't treat our own kind that way. JEWEL But I'm not your kind. Why would you think that? TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Easy. (points to her face) If you weren't one of us, you'd be considered� JEWEL (tearing up) Don't say it. I know my beauty's gone. The leader's expression changes. He realizes he'd touched a nerve inside her. But he also begins to understand that he could use the emotional response to his advantage. He can break down the courageous fa�ade and destroy her internal resistance. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Oh, not at all. In our tribe, you'd be considered of exceptional beauty. Any Tugg-Ugglie would be proud to fight for your affections. JEWEL A comforting thought. She feels a sense of dread creeping over her. She doesn't like his deadpan glare of innocence. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER Why don't we head back to our camp? We can introduce you to our other members. Get you situated. Before we head out on our nightly rounds. JEWEL Thanks for your hospitality. Please, lead on. TUGG-UGGLIE LEADER (manages a cautious smile) Come. I will show you the way to our camp. And my name is Tristan. JEWEL I'm Jewel. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT as Jewel sees Higgles leap silently above their heads. The hedgehog is scurrying swiftly through tree branches that register no sound of his surveillance or pursuit. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as Jewel follows Tristan through the forest. The two companions bring up the rear guard, scanning for the slightest irregularity in normal forest activity. As they round a bend in the trail, an oozing, glistening liquid drips from every tree branch. The tree limbs are pasted together in all directions from the liquid, and indicate a clear path forward. JEWEL What do you think caused this? Tristan points a finger to his lips for silence, then makes a sweeping motion all around. He indicates they may be watched by whatever made the trail. Jewel clutches the shell around her neck. She looks overhead to locate Higgles, but he is nowhere to be found. EFX as a deep-throated roar sounds all around them. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as two thick tentacles snake into view, wrapping around tree trunks almost ten feet apart. Additional tentacles appear, completely encircling the huddled group. The creature's roar sounds again, rattling Jewel's teeth. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jewel and Tristan. TRISTAN Stay together! This will be to the death. FADE TO: INT TREE HOLLOW. Farina is seen circling Jason, her wings beating furiously. EFX as sparkles of light transform Jason down to Farina's size. Teathergund, unaffected, lies full sized in the crook of the branch. JASON No! I can't leave Teathergund unprotected. CUT TO: DIFF. ANGLE. Jason remains diminutive, but his hand plumps back out to its previous shape. His muscles turn instantly back to their previously fat, under-worked shape. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Farina flies to encircle Teathergund with her power. EFX as the gold and silver hammer blurs once, then twice more before altering into a large tree branch covered in thick leaves. Jason settles back in the hollow of the tree, satisfied that the hammer is safe for the time being. FARINA It's the best I could do. Given the time we had to work with. JASON It's perfect. Now, let's hope whatever's coming this way doesn't find us. Farina notices for the first time his physical transformation. She knows his ego must have undergone just as much change in the process. FARINA (whispers in his ear) Right. We need to be deeper in the tree before it gets here. Even the bravest on the island fear the unknown. Now, be silent or we may not have another chance. JASON For what? To be crushed inside a giant tree? FARINA No, silly to study the adversary. Strengths. And more important, weaknesses to use for our advantage. JASON Okay. Let's get a better vantage. He begins climbing toward a bigger knothole in the tree trunk. Misjudging his altered lack of strength, he slips nimbly off a worn perch point. Slick as glass, it affords no sure grip to keep from plummeting off. Farina screams as he falls into the inky darkness below. His small yell of shock and fear vanishes quickly after him in the deep root system. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Farina begins her pursuit. She is instantly stopped by a thunderous rocking motion. The tree sways dizzily at a 120 degree angle, then snaps back to an almost upright position. She is flung back against the stiff bark, knocking the wind from her lungs. Then, she is rocketed forward as the tree rights itself. Her head hits solidly against the opposite side of the tree's interior, knocking her unconscious. CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS Jason as he scrambles through a slight opening in the roots toward the outside. He clings tightly to one of the larger roots, but the movement doesn't go unnoticed. The hovering menace above sweeps all underbrush aside with a twisting powerful wind which threatens to blow Jason away with the swirling debris. JASON (shouts hoarsely) Hey! KARMEN (thunderous voice) What speaks in the path of my pleasure? Jason clutches both of his ears tightly. The voice was louder than a jet would have been ten feet from his head. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as a blinding flash of light descends. Branches are shoved aside as an immense ball of light hits the forest floor. The resultant thud rocks matter in all directions. Jason flies head over heels into a nearby rosebush, narrowly missing deadly ominous thorns. Rainbow-hued rose petals blanch white in the light's glare. Shielding his eyes, Jason sees the gigantic spinning orb. It stands almost eighty feet tall, a matrix crisscrossing in clouds of white. At the center an intense cobalt blue emanates. The ball raises once more and smacks down harder in its second contact with the ground. Reverberating shock waves send Jason flying once more into a nearby flower stalk. His handhold brings the stem to earth. JASON (yelling upward) My name is Jason! CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the orb ceases spinning for a moment. KARMEN (intones) What is the bell's power? Noting the tone's effect on Jason's hearing, the ball lowers volume accordingly. JASON (to himself) It's the Karmen! CUT TO: EFX as a hand suddenly forms from cloud and light, pointing downward at Jason. KARMEN (icily) Disclose the bell's power! JASON (to himself) It doesn't know the bell's secret. That means Devonika doesn't have the bell. I've got to turn the Karmen against itself. (drawing himself up and calls loudly) Here I am! I know the bell's power. And how to use it. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE and EFX as the hand of light and cloud draws back inside the orb. A mouth appears, then two enormous eyes, burning with hatred. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jason raises his eyes defiantly at the creature. Seeing the fires of hatred flaming against him, he kneels and braces himself for the onslaught. But the simple act of obeisance softens the Karmen's intensity. Its eyes change hue, calming interior rage. EFX as a misty finger extends toward Jason. KARMEN I am waiting. Tell me the bell's secret and you shall live. JASON (grins) I'm considering the alternative. Never like hasty decisions. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the creature's shape fluctuates slightly for a moment. Jason notes the immediate change as a strong wind blows through the trees overhead. EFX as the defining outer boundary of Karmen's cloud outline dissipates very minutely, then reassembles. In its normal passage through the forest, wisps of the creature's border had been affected by solid objects passing through. Small pockmarks of various spots across the surface attested to that. Jason smiled, knowing this simple observation could be the enemy's greatest weakness. JASON Being so close to the ground and all, I can't decide. Maybe if I could see what's beyond the forest. Yeah, that would definitely be enough for me to choose. KARMEN (snappily) Then raise yourself up! JASON I'm sorry. I can't. It's too far to imagine being that high off the ground. KARMEN Then tell me what I want to know. My patience is at an end. JASON If you could lift me up to that high branch, I could probably decide very quickly. It's not that hard for you to accomplish, I'm sure. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE and EFX as the sound of wind being expelled from the cloud almost knocks Jason back into the dangers of the rosebush. A deep, hearty laugh echoes and then bursts forth from the Karmen, rattling tree bark and the very fiber of the roots surrounding them. KARMEN It is but a small thing. CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS Jason's ascent by the Karmen. The boy is lifted upward into the nearby crook of tree he'd just left. Straining to regain his footing, Jason soundly grasps a stout leaf-laden branch. JASON (to himself) Now, we'll see how well you survive a champion's attack. FADE TO: EXT. FOREST BATTLE SCENE with Tristan and Jewel. Tristan and his band of Tugg-Ugglies move swiftly to the left of the slimy, translucent creature which continues wrapping itself around trees to pull itself inward toward them. EFX as a sucking sound, like some huge vacuum cleaner draws loose leaves and dirt whirling toward Jewel. Turning her head away to keep most of the grit from her eyes, she doesn't notice a moderately-sized branch whirling toward her. It strikes the back of her head, almost graying out her vision. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jewel focuses on the monstrosity confronting them. She is trying to size up the situation and the monster's weaknesses. The crawling half-jellyfish, half-octopus continues slithering closer. Sensing her indecision, the creature strikes, snapping a tentacle around Jewel. She screams and looks down. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of her stomach as a thousand tiny sharp needle-like stingers prick her mid-section, burning a welt across her stomach. CUT TO: ANOTHER WIDER ANGLE as suction cupped tentacles wrap around her legs, then immobilize her arms. All fight vanishes from her in the grip of entrapment. A single tear drops from her eye and bounces off the edge of the shell around her neck. CAMERA FOLLOWS the tear as it almost falls to earth, but instead encounters an invisible shoulder. An inherent roar building deep inside the monster silences as the moisture enlarges, outlining an unseen warrior. EFX as the figure of an old Tugg-Ugglie tribeswoman materializes from thin air. TRISTAN Sageus! She's saving the girl! SECOND TUGG-UGGLIE Not with me. She has no power over such a creature. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Sageus' face. She is deeply concerned with Jewel's plight even to the point of dying for her. CUT TO: WIDER SHOT as Tristan realizes the extent of Sageus' concern. TRISTAN (to his companions) Come on. She counseled Murranzo before he was taken from us. Now she champions the girl. We must help them. The others agree, but before they can move, Sageus raises her arms wide, exactly matching the creature's descending tentacles to engulf her. The wise woman throws a glittering handful of dust at the beast's single eye. SAGEUS (intoning) Ere the turn of timely hand, Where sea meets shore on bed of sand, Return you now to prior plan, Of form before you stepped on land. EFX as a twinkling shimmer of light engulfs Jewel and the monster. Tristan and his companions turn away from the unbearably bright light. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the light fades. Nothing remains of the creature except a slow moving slug on the forest floor. Sageus hugs Jewel tightly to her as the girl returns the hug with all the gratitude within her. SAGEUS There now, dear. That will do nicely. Mustn't overdo anything in the face of adversity. You might need reserves later. JEWEL I might at that. Where did you come from? How did you know exactly how to handle that thing? TRISTAN That creature happens to be one of Devonika's dark servants. And we're well rid of it. That's all you need to know. SAGEUS For now. But next time she will need the power herself. TRISTAN (grimly) We don't teach outsiders our ways. SAGEUS (to Tristan) You are uncertain, young one. You ought to trust more. TRISTAN Trust lost on strangers gives no reward. Sageus says nothing more to Tristan, merely smiles. She remembers when all Tugg-Ugglies used to greet each day as a new beginning. Now their daily struggle just to survive kept everyone from seeing the desperate situation. Without hope for eventual peace with neighboring tribes and animals, their doom was sealed. And Sageus had vowed never to abandon hope for change. SAGEUS (grasps Jewel's shoulder) Come, princess. Open your mind to a new opportunity. She leads Jewel off into the forest. TRISTAN Wait! You mustn't do this. It isn't right. SAGEUS (grins back at him) In whose opinion? CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Sageus draws a small, grey elastic headband from her right pocket. Swiftly stretching it over her forehead and hair, she then draws forth a single white feather from her other pocket, nimbly placing it at the back of the headband. EFX as a thousand sparkles of shimmering light, every color of the rainbow, engulfs her. As the light dims, Jewel sees the largest white goose she'd ever laid eyes upon standing in Sageus' place. SAGEUS Climb aboard, quickly! We must fly to escape the earthbound prejudice of my own people. JEWEL How sad. Jewel quickly climbs aboard Sageus' back. SAGEUS But fortunate for freedom to soar above the obvious. Hold tight or we won't make it past them. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the Tugg-Ugglies run fiercely forward at Tristan's command. But they are too late as the goose takes three sure-footed steps and beats a strong northern arc into the brilliant orange sky overhead. Jewel clings tightly upon takeoff, then relaxes once they're airborne. Sageus flies west, knowing the safest air routes for crossing the island. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jewel surveys the scenery below. Northward, a heavy mist clings to every object, obscuring even the tallest tree. Squinting, Jewel sees a single spire rising ominously from an icy mountaintop. A cold shiver runs down her spine. SAGEUS Don't look that way. She may take notice of a single flight-laden traveler. JEWEL Devonika? SAGEUS Exactly. We aren't ready to confront her yet. When the time comes, then we head north. But there are friends and survivors to the west. There we will rest and prepare you for battle. JEWEL (eyes widening) Hey, I never said anything about fighting her. It's a beautiful island and I'm tired of seeing everybody living in fear. But I can't stop the evil on my own. SAGEUS You'll never be on your own here. There are too many friends you've yet to meet. They will be your army. And you will lead them to victory! JEWEL What if I can't? CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Sageus' eyes twinkling at Jewel, before turning back to the horizon. SAGEUS (quietly) There is much to learn but courage to face challenges must come from within. JEWEL Fly on, then. I can't abandon my only chance to see my parents again. SAGEUS A wise choice. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jewel begins earnestly studying the island's layout. Several distinct regions are visible. The first runs almost the length of the eastern shore. Lush, tropical rainforests blend into a wide, far-reaching plain. Strange small shadows scurry into secure hiding places amid tall, strong grass. Golden sheaves bend in the shallow wind below. Jewel feels peace slowly spreading through her and she closes her eyes for a short rest. CAMERA FOLLOWS as Sageus swoops toward a waiting camp far below in the brightening dawn. FADE TO: EXT. JASON'S FOREST BATTLE SCENE. Jason's hand touches the edge of the hidden, oversized Teathergund. EFX instantly as he regains his former size. Fat vanishes from every muscle, leaving him restored to champion status. KARMEN (roars) You shall perish at my hands for this! CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason leaps into the air, swinging the hammer of justice. Teathergund slices completely through the Karmen's mid-section, opening a gaping hole. Treetops behind the opening sway from the force of the blow. Instinctively, Jason continues slinging Teathergund in a circling motion, mimicking a helicopter blade. In response, the magical weapon keeps him airborne. CUT TO: WIDER SHOT as the Karmen dissolves into two complete shapes, then three, then four, and continues dividing itself into eight. All resemble the original, except none are as tall as the original. Jason notes the size reduction immediately. JASON (to himself) Strength in numbers doesn't mean multiplication of force. I don't think you're invincible any longer. (yelling at Karmen) It won't work! You're no match for Teathergund. He swings mightily and dispatches two of the duplicates. They fall solidly to the ground, then each divides into two more creatures. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jason's face as his eyes narrow to slits. CUT TO: PULL BACK to show the consternation on his face. JASON This isn't good. CUT TO: WIDER SHOT as a deep silence falls over everything. Each of the Karmen's duplications pause, cocking an ear toward the sky. SOUND EFX as a soft, haunting melody begins building in intensity. VIZ EFX as a crackling burst of light forms into a great curtain. Despite a lack of color, it appears very similar to the Aurora Borealis. All of the Karmens move away from the atmospheric disturbance as it closes behind Pipercall. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as ten bright fingers draw back the light curtain. A dark-haired, bearded figure appears. He stands about five foot high, giving an elfish outline, and is dressed in an interwoven cloak of leaves and branches. The visitor is thin, emaciated, and rather tall compared to the other inhabitants of the island. Two green eyes focus on Jason. Instantly taking in the situation and the numerous splitting Karmens, the slender-limbed man draws forth a wooden pipe and raises it to his lips. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of the instrument. It is a primitive style of flute. Holes cover a long base with open spots for trained fingers. One hole at the center is closed by a handmade key, blocking one of the central tones. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as great gusts of wind begin swirling around them. The divided Karmens begin sucking enormous amounts of air into their lungs, preparing for an attack. PIPERCALL (calls to Jason) Back away! And hold your ears. JASON Okay. Pipercall begins playing his flute. A soft clear tone sounds, turning all attention to its unspoken message. The instrument causes memories to surface and stirs long forgotten emotions in anyone who listens. Jason realizes the musical charm hides a powerful tool in its tones and keeps both hands clamped tightly over his ears. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as the Karmens begin changing. Every succeeding note from the flute sends their attention spinning into the blank nothingness of their creation. There was nothing to remember for them. No joy in a bright day filled with idleness or hours spent exploring an undiscovered part of the island. Total isolation surfaces in each creature. Their cries of despair sound above the flute's sad song. The main Karmen tries to reach Pipercall, but Jason intervenes. The boy swings Teathergund directly at Karmen's head, striking solidly. A horrible scream fills the air, then all duplicate Karmens begin re-entering the original, reassembling for full power and assault capability. PIPERCALL (yells to Jason) Use Teathergund! Isolate the Karmen before they're all back together. JASON How? PIPERCALL Stamp Teathergund on the ground. Head up to summon fire, down to summon earth.
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Copyright © 2001 Emmett O Saunders Iii |