The Bell Wishers (9) Farina's rescue is important. But Gabe's right. We do need to save Jewel first. CUT TO: MULTIPLE CLOSE SHOTS as the three mull over their decision. CUT TO: WIDER SHOT as Pipercall calls for the decision. PIPERCALL Vote then! We must be in agreement before entering the curtain. Or we may wind up in several different locations. That's a definite possibility in using the orb. GABE Save the island. JASON I agree. PIPERCALL Then, it's settled. Pipercall takes the orb from Gabe. PIPERCALL Here we go. (pauses) Do you smell that? CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the wind begins to pick up. Pipercall listens, his face assuming a deep grimace. GABE What's wrong? CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of the boughs overhead. Clouds were gathering to block both suns in their afternoon spiral toward the horizon. CUT TO: FAR SHOT of the travelers. PIPERCALL There's no sound. No birds. No animals moving. Nothing. JASON Perhaps they rest? Everything doesn't move all the time. PIPERCALL Oh, but it does. There's no life without motion. Always changing. Forever in flux. Without it, creation becomes decay. Progress fails. Time as we know it stops. No reason to move forward. No challenge. Gabe stares bleakly. He feels something probing his mind. GABE Something is here. PIPERCALL Do you feel it, too? We are being examined for clues. JASON More than that. I've felt this before. Underwater. In almost total isolation. That's where this creature lives. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as each companion looks at the other with fiery eyes. Hatred burns at the discovery. Hope starts rising in each to flush out the intruder. As one, they join hands. Looking skyward the feel the ground begin to rock violently under them. EFX as a shape begins forming in the middle of the circle. A ponderous, cloud-like mass erupts. Formless at first. Then expanding higher with each passing second. Thunder rolls as the Karmen's dark, dreadful shape appears. In the smoky cloud, the creature towers upward. Touching the sky. KARMEN You puny heroes! Give me the bell and I will release you from further torment! Gabe's eyes narrow, eyeing the monstrosity. GABE (to Jason and Pipercall) He's not solid. We can't battle smoke! And we can't lead him to Jewel. We don't need another problem before Stonelight detonates. JASON I'm open to suggestions. GABE (yells upward) The flyscout Farina has it! JASON (fiercely) What are you doing? PIPERCALL (squeezes Jason's hand tightly) Wait! We can use the Karmen's strength against himself. KARMEN WHERE IS SHE? Hundred-year-old trees, rocked by the sound, begin splitting in two to crash all around them. GABE See, that's the thing of it, she's not here. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as two colossal arms of cloud clear a path on either side of them. Pipercall strains to keep Jason in check. The young champion's tendons bulge at containing his fury against the monster. KARMEN BRING HER TO ME NOW! Gabe holds the orb aloft over his head. GABE The flyscout you seek, escaped using this. We don't know which direction it took her. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of the cloud as a horrid face materializes immediately. Two enormous dark eyes bead down at him. Two lips sneer menacingly at the small gold object. GABE (maintains control) No problem, though. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE and EFX as Gabe twists the top half while turning the side, which activates the device. Pipercall grabs Jason and Gabe forcefully, then jumps into the wall of light just as it snaps shut, leaving the Karmen behind. CUT TO: EXT. ICE LANDSCAPE. Biting winds send all three companions tumbling against each other as they emerge onto the surface of a vast landscape of ice. An immense ice castle reflects the rays of the two afternoon suns at them, providing no warmth at all. Everything lies frosted solidly in the frozen glacier bed. GABE (chatters) We've got to find shelter. PIPERCALL It won't take long to freeze out here in the open. Jason stomps off toward the castle. Never glancing back, he is soon joined by the other two. GABE Where are you going? You can't be thinking of fighting Devonika now! JASON I haven't heard any better suggestions. Think about it. Who created the Karmen? The flying spiders? For all we know, she might have sent the Frygund to kidnap Farina. Daring us to take the bait and fight on her home ground. PIPERCALL Yes, that does make sense. I can draw the Frygund here, whether he still has Farina or not. GABE Do it. I'd rather deal with a thousand Frygunds than the witch who lives in this frozen lair. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as a tree bough, crusted in ice, snaps overhead. It falls directly between them and begins separating on the ice. EFX as it reassembles into Devonika's form. DEVONIKA (spits back) The feeling is mutual, Landmover! Her breath shoots out in short quick gasps, freezing into drops of ice as they hit the ground. DEVONIKA You are all intruders here and will be destroyed. Jason steps forward, drawing Teathergund into battle-ready position. He is unsure of her power, but filled with faith in his own strength of purpose. PIPERCALL (diplomatically) We mean you no harm. Our search is for a flyscout named Farina. DEVONIKA I know. The Frygund brought her to me as I planned. It was the only way to lure you here. Now it will be simple to deal with all three of you at once. She raises her hand and EFX as she transports them instantly inside the ice castle. They had covered miles in the blink of an eye, and the three heroes stand amazed at the moment's journey. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason glances quickly around and sees Farina trapped inside a moderately-sized crystal at one end of the room. He gives no notice of the discovery to the others. Pipercall tries secretly drawing Windwood from his shoulder pouch. But the queen's fierce gaze tears it loose. Sending the entire pouch spinning against the far wall. Jason's tight grip on Teathergund keeps the hammer from a similar fate as the dark witch begins a shrill screech at the top of her lungs. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as huge, ice-hardened stalagmites rise from the floor. Meeting descending stalactites, they interweave with similar icy lances sliding into place from the side walls. Each of the three companions are now trapped within a waffle of thick ice. Unable to move, they feel the cold frost spears spreading numbness through every organ and limb of their bodies. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of Farina screaming soundlessly inside her crystal prison. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of Jason's fingers drooping from the numbing cold. The half-foot thick ice bars blocking any movement makes defense impossible. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jason's face glaring at Devonika, as he runs through options for an attack in his mind. CUT TO: FAR SHOT as a fire of hope lights Jason's consciousness from within. JASON Stalemate! DEVONIKA (laughs hideously) You fool! Trapped in a prison of ice and you still think to confront me as worthy enemies? You're nothing! JASON Hear me out, if you want to keep your castle. DEVONIKA Speak then. Choose your words well. Your fate lies in them. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of Pipercall and Gabe as they close their eyes, losing consciousness. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason struggles to get the words from his frozen lips. JASON You don't have the bell. That's the reason for getting us here. Without it, you've nothing to use against the island. DEVONIKA Clever boy! But no one here knows that. JASON Yet. DEVONIKA Well, you're in no position to tell them. But don't let me stop you, I'm not holding you back. JASON (whispering) You don't care if the whole island is destroyed? DEVONIKA Why should I? No one's ever cared about me. Besides, why would I believe the word of some trapped would-be hero? You have no proof this device can obliterate the entire island. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT of the queen as she stands staring out at the vast icy wasteland beyond the palace. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT as Jason's eyes gloss over in one final blink and a single tear falls to the floor. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the queen's gaze snaps back to attention. She focuses on the single tear in mid-air. EFX as it hangs motionless, frozen in descent but not in substance or intent. Born from the last realization that Jason had failed to stop the destruction and the return home would never happen. The glistening drop of moisture reflects every color of the rainbow inside. Shifting shades of regret in a single expression of grief. DEVONIKA What is this? What have you done? JASON (croaks out) Pity for you. The queen's eyes widen in horror as her power wanes. She searches the boy's face for the truth in his response. DEVONIKA No one has ever felt anything for me except hatred. You have changed the balance within by this tear. Mutual abhorrence by everyone on the island for me, and I for them, has been destroyed forever. She waves her hand and the tear continues its descent, splattering on the ice beneath her feet. DEVONIKA Ice, release them! CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as the frost-strengthened spikes shatter into a million crush fragments surrounding the travelers. The three friends remain motionless on the floor until Devonika kneels, helping Jason to his feet. Then Pipercall and Gabe begin showing signs of life. GABE (turns neck slowly left and right) What happened? PIPERCALL Her majesty saved us. She found her heart and the love locked inside. DEVONIKA (nonchalantly) Rubbish! I was merely concerned for my castle. JASON Don't ever deny your feelings. (holds her hand to his lips and kisses it) They're all that matters in friendship. DEVONIKA (warningly) Boy, you go too far. But you are wiser than your years. The legend is fulfilled in you. JASON Thank you. SMALL TIME LAPSE as they quickly explain the purpose of their mission before the sun rises, a scant few hours away. DEVONIKA You're positive of the danger? PIPERCALL It is so. We now have the tender mercy of darkness to deal with in reaching Stonelight in time. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as twin beams of red and orange light the panorama outside. The ice palace's walls grow dim. Devoid of their reflective light source, they resume a cold, rigid fa�ade against the night. A slight smile crosses the queen's face. She begins leading them down an oversized passage, motioning for them to follow. DEVONIKA I've located your friend Jewel. But she's in grave danger. We must hurry. Gabe surges forward between Jason and Pipercall. Wisely, his companions hold him securely in check, waiting to see how far Devonika's help would extend. She knocks on a fifteen-foot-high ice block, intricately carved by hand and invites them through the portal. They enter a ballroom-sized area filled with artifacts gathered from numerous travels across the island. There are unusually tall strange objects that twinkle from open-air starlight just visible overhead. Pipercall stands enraptured by the discovery. PIPERCALL Each one of these holds volumes of information about the different areas and people of the island. I could spend hours investigating these. Devonika notices Pipercall's interest. Then realizes his beloved Windwood is missing. DEVONIKA You seem to have forgotten something, musician. She raises her arm and extends her palm. The coversack sails gently through the air to Pipercall. DEVONIKA I return that which was lost. Pipercall opens the bag and his eyes tear up immediately. He spreads the pieces that remain of the instrument out in front of them. PIPERCALL Thank you, but it is finished. To be played no more. DEVONIKA Nonsense! She picks up the pieces and returns them to the bag. Then she picks up a shiny tubular pipe inscribed in an ancient tongue. The instrument's metallic sheen glimmers. EFX as it dissolves into a liquid mass in her hands. She pours the substance directly into the bag, completely covering the remainder of Windwood. She chants the former instrument's inscription in a strange tongue. Raising her voice slightly at the end of the chant, the satchel begins to glow. Devonika reaches inside the bag and draws forth a restored Windwood, glittering with spring-infused metal keys over former open holes. The hybrid instrument's mouthpiece now shines. Pipercall bows in awe. PIPERCALL You are too generous. DEVONIKA Come. We haven't a minute to spare. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as she hurries them into the far corner of the room. A large, ice-hewn mirror has been carved into the wall. The room's reflection catches in its depths, expanding the space to twice its normal dimensions. Jason checks to make sure Teathergund is at his side, then follows Gabe and Pipercall to join Devonika. He keeps glancing behind him, as though expecting something to materialize. Approaching the mirror, he sees no solid surface. Jason feels the softly-moving liquid plane and immerses his fingers in what lies beyond. A thin, gel-like substance, pleasant to the touch greets his exploration. GABE What do you make of it? JASON Not sure. Never seen anything like this before. DEVONIKA Watch and see where your friend appears. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as the queen points to the center of the mirror. At once, a long dark hallway materializes, glimmering against the other side of the reflective surface. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT and EFX as an invisible force knocks Pipercall and Gabe into the queen, sending Jason spinning directly into the mirror. KARMEN (thunderously) NOW I HAVE YOU AND THE BELL IN MY GRASP! Pipercall, Gabe and Devonika immediately regain their feet. DEVONIKA Quickly! The Karmen has him! They stride directly through the mirror's surface, determined to find Jason and the intruder. WIPE TO: INT. CAVE AT CLIFF'S EDGE. Professor Kindgarden stares at the waves crashing against the shoreline. KINDGARDEN Thank goodness Caphus set me here. My nerves couldn't take much more of this. He draws a small piece of worn cloth from his pocket to wipe sea spray from his forehead. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as he sees a small glimmer of light shining down the beach at a distance. KINDGARDEN Now who could that be? As he watches, the light becomes a steady stream, separating into a hundred pairs of beating wings which reflect the moon's lavender hues. They surround him, casting a black light effect over his features. His eyes grow wide as he recognizes the forms of flyscouts. KINDGARDEN I heard you existed. But I never thought I'd actually see you. FERGUSON Only the gravest circumstances bring us forth in great numbers. I am Ferguson, head counsel to Farina, our leader. KINDGARDEN I am Professor Kindgarden. Why have you come? FERGUSON Farina is trapped by a creature known as the Karmen. The vile monster erased her capture from the minds of her traveling companions. She sent us warning and a plea for help. KINDGARDEN I vow my assistance as well. But I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. My friend, Sageus, is beneath the water with her. And I've no way to reach them. FERGUSON Oh, but you do. You hold Bantuk's cloak in your hand. Kindgarden glances down at the scrap of cloth. It was smaller than a handkerchief with a small bell insignia surrounded by a circle in the center. KINDGARDEN This? I found it in the cave where I do experiments. Evidently carried there by some animal. I cleaned it and started using it to wipe down my tables. FERGUSON (points to the symbol) There is Bantuk's symbol. With this, you may travel anywhere your heart desires. KINDGARDEN (gasps) I could go home. FERGUSON Or with us to save your friend. KINDGARDEN Of course. How could I have been so selfish? FERGUSON (commands) Unfold it, then step into the middle. Kindgarden lies the cloth down and EFX as it begins to expand. Ferguson motions for all the flyscouts to join them. FERGUSON Now repeat after me. In the heat of the morning, By the cool of the night, Cloak, take me now, For my wish, soar in flight! CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as the cloak nestles all of them in its folds. Closing tightly, the cloak rises swiftly into the night sky. Heading directly out to the farthest reaches of the horizon before plunging straight into the pounding waves. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT within the cloak. Everyone is checking for leaks or water pouring in. There are no breaks in the cloth. They remain totally dry. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as the cloak sinks deep into the sea's darkest dropoffs. It doesn't slow until the huge underwater cube looms ahead. Then the cloak turns transparent with its occupants and soars through the cube's immense front wall. Materializing inside, the cloak lands and opens, releasing the travelers. The scream of a small child rings out directly ahead of them. FERGUSON It's Farina! Follow my lead! The flyscouts form a V-shaped wedge battle formation and speed down the hall, not waiting for Kindgarden's response. The professor retrieves the cloak that has shrunken back to its original size. He looks up to see the trail of the flyscouts growing dim. Torches light only a small portion of the hallway, revealing only fifty feet ahead. Stairways lead in every direction. He pauses, and is taken aback by a thin figure stepping cautiously from the shadows. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and EFX as a young girl removes a worn headband from her hair. Her entire form, previously composed of sand shifts into her more normal appearance. JEWEL Don't be frightened. I'm glad you've come. KINDGARDEN I've no idea where we are. But whatever assistance I can provide is yours. JEWEL (offers her hand) My name is Jewel. KINDGARDEN Mine is Professor Kindgarden. I'm in search of one friend and involved in saving another. JEWEL Seems to be the way of things here. Right now, I can only tell you we're under the sea. In a sand castle of sorts. Built by some monster who's holding the one item I need to get home. KINDGARDEN Do you live on the island? JEWEL Hopefully just a vist. I arrived with a friend, but we got separated. It's a long story. KINDGARDEN I hope we'll have time to exchange adventures later. Right now, we'd better face facts. We may be out of time to save our friends. JEWEL Don't even think it. Sageus taught me how to survive. I won't let her lessons be lost in the midst of such evil. KINDGARDEN I, too, came to rescue Sageus. And save my traveling device. The Cyclops call it Stonelight. JEWEL It is an evil thing. Set to destroy the island at sunrise. We have only a few remaining hours to find and disarm it. KINDGARDEN Oh no, my dear. I built the device to open doorways of exploration. Never dreaming it would maroon me here. JEWEL You can't control it? KINDGARDEN Under normal circumstances, yes. But my trip here was unplanned. An accident of fate. Still, once it's activated, the dials must be set to its original departure point. Otherwise, it travels forever in the dimension outside space and time. JEWEL What if we just leave it alone? KINDGARDEN Not a good idea. If it vanishes with no one at the controls, there's no telling what might be drawn into the opening with it. JEWEL (sighs) Just what I figured. Let's concentrate on one thing at a time. KINDGARDEN (tersely) Agreed. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE and CAMERA FOLLOWS as they round the final corner blocking the light. A horrifying sight greets them. A clear gelatinous mixture, extending two stories high, spreads out the length of the room. All of the flyscouts are tightly embedded in the substance. They are unable to move or offer any defense against the glistening monstrosity. JEWEL It's a giant jellyfish, without stingers. EFX as a portion of the mixture reaches for her, forming a hand-like appearance. JEWEL But it does have hands. She reaches for a torch on the wall as Kindgarden grabs her shoulder. He pulls her back around the corner to safety. JEWEL Leave me alone! I could've at least cut part of it away. KINDGARDEN Without knowing its composition? How wise is that? You might have set the entire creature on fire. And the flyscouts along with it. JEWEL I'm sorry. I didn't realize the danger. KINDGARDEN No harm done at this point. But whatever we do must be done quickly. I seriously doubt if the creature intends on keeping them around very long. JEWEL There was a dark object in its center. Maybe that holds the beast's central organs. If we strike at the heart, it might dissolve. Freeing the prisoners. KINDGARDEN That wasn't its heart. You didn't see it from the same angle that I did. It looked like a young boy trapped in the middle. JEWEL Was he moving? KINDGARDEN Breathing faintly was all I could tell. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jewel's face. She believes her reunion with Jason will end with his death. CUT TO: WIDER ANGLE as she shakes her head in disbelief. JEWEL I can't let it end like this. I've got to save him. Yelling at the top of her lungs, she turns and ignores Kindgarden's attempt to restrain her. Dashing headlong back around the corner, she draws forth her headband and recites the transformation chant. Diving headlong into the center of the liquid, she disappears into the very essence of the Karmen's deadly grasp. CUT TO: INT. KARMEN. Jewel is seen swirling into the center of the creature. She swims for Jason's faintly breathing form. His eyes are closed. Pushing through layers of the thick gelatin, Jewel grows weary of forcing aside each succeeding barrier. An ominous voice suddenly sounds directly behind her.
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Copyright © 2001 Emmett O Saunders Iii |