Freedom Planet (film)/Transcript

This is the transcript of the 2022 film Freedom Planet.

Prologue: Avalice's Backstory & The Runaway Train
(The Lionsgate and Tencent Pictures logo appear. Then, we fade to a shot of space.)

Narrator: Hello, everyone. I'm pretty sure you're all asking yourself: What is this movie about? Well, let's see.

(The camera transitions to a planet known as Avalice.)

Narrator: This is the planet of Avalice, home to many kinds of species. How is this planet a thing, you may ask? Well, let's look over its history.

(Transition to a storybook-like sequence.)

Narrator: A long time ago, Avalice was like many other planets: Small, filled with life, and quiet. That is until a spaceship crashed into the surface. A spaceship full of dragons.

(Show a scene where dragons appear from the ship.)

Narrator: When it was found that Avalice had some inhabitants, the dragons used their technology to help the Avalicians survive and prosper. This, along with the Kingdom Stone, merged with each other to form a new one. One that was stronger than ever. The three kingdoms, Shang Tu, Shang Mu, and Shuigang were established with their own power. The Dragons also established their own location in Pangu Lagoon, allowing their influence to pass into one another's generation.

(The screen transitioned back to the shot.)

Narrator: Anyways, let's see what our heroes are up to, shall we?

(Fade to black for a few seconds., Then, fade in to an overhead shot of a field.)

Narrator: The wonderful sights of Avalice is beautiful, don't you think? From the buzzing bees to the whistling birds, nothing can go wrong in-

(A passenger steam train passes by very quickly.)

Narrator: Wait. What's going on?

(The train was moving at a very fast speed, with passengers inside it!)

Passengers: Help!

(A motorcycle passed by too, which was chasing the train. Driving the motorcycle was Carol Tea, a green wildcat, 12 years of age. Carol took out a walkie-talkie.)

Carol Tea: It's no use, Milla! I can't get any closer to the train!

(The screen froze to display her details in a green background. Then cut to Milla Basset, an ivory-white Hush Basset, 10 years of age.)

Milla Basset: We have to stop it somehow! The train has no engineer on it and is headed straight for danger!

(Again, the screen froze to display her details in a white background.)

(The train continued steaming down the line at a very fast speed. Carol was losing the train.)

Carol Tea: The train is going too fast! My motorcycle can't reach it in time! Where's Lilac?!

(Then, out of the bushes, came a lavender half-water dragon. It was Sash Lilac, 15 years of age.)

Sash Lilac: I'm on my way, you guys!

(Finally, the screen froze to display details in a purple background.)

Carol Tea: Yeah! You got this, Lilac!

(Since she is a dragon, Lilac managed to reach the train.)

Passenger #1: Who is that?

(Lilac winked at them.)

Passenger #2: She winked at us!

(Lilac jumped onto the steam engine. She looked around for the brakes.)

Carol Tea: Lilac! You have to stop the train now! It's approaching the broken bridge!

Sash Lilac: What?!

(She looked out.)

Sash Lilac: Oh, no!

(The camera quickly moved towards the broken bridge, which led down to the cliffs and the river below. Lilac popped her head back into the cab and looked for the brakes.)

Sash Lilac: Brakes! Where's the brakes?

(She frantically looked around desperately for the brakes.)

Carol Tea: Hurry!

(Then, Lilac found the brakes.)

Sash Lilac: A-ha!

(She applied the brakes. Milla was looking over from a watch tower.)

Milla Basset: Come on, come on, come on...

(The train was still moving pretty quickly.)

Carol Tea: Lilac! You gotta get outta there! It's not gonna stop in time!

Sash Lilac: Not now, Carol!

Carol Tea: Come on! Ah!

(Carol stopped as she almost fell in the cliffs. Lilac pulled the brakes as hard as she can. The train had bashed through the danger barrier.)

Milla Basset: Oh, no! I can't dare to look!

(Milla covered her eyes. And then, with a screech and a scratch, the train stopped just in time over the edge. The passengers cheered and whooped for joy.)

Sash Lilac: Phew. That was close.

(Milla opened her eyes, and she also cheered.)

Milla Basset: She did it! She did it!

(She used her puppy float to fly over to Carol. Carol was amazed.)

Carol Tea: Saved the day again, huh?

(Lilac backed the train up to where she can get off safely.)

Sash Lilac: Yep. Now I'm starting to love my new job: Protector of Avalice!

(Milla arrived.)

Milla Basset: Hooray for Lilac!

(Lilac chuckled.)

Sash Lilac: I never thought you wouldn't come.

(A couple minutes later, the police department arrived to help the passengers exit the train safely. Neera Li, a panda, 20-25 years of age, was at the scene too.)

Neera Li: You three outdid yourselves today. And I like that.

Carol Tea: Well, you could say we've trained ourselves a LOT since that battle with Lord Brevon.

Neera Li: Anyways, I'm headed back Shang Tu. I need you to meet me at the temperance bar by 9:00 p.m. today. I've got special news for you.

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: Got it!

Neera Li: Okay. Don't be late!

(She left.)

Carol Tea: What do you think it is?

Milla Basset: A prize for what we've done to Avalice!

Carol Tea: Don't get ahead of yourself, Milla. Whatever it is, we mustn't be late.

(Lilac took a deep breath.)

Sash Lilac: Well, team, should we go?

Carol Tea & Milla Basset: Yeah!

Sash Lilac: Alrighty.

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: Shang Tu Palace, here we come!

(The three walked together towards the camera before it freezes midway to a stylized opening credits sequence, with "Danger Zone" playing in the background.)

Part 1: The Meeting
(Cut to a temperance bar in Shang Tu, where Lilac, Carl, and Milla arrive.)

Milla Basset: So this is where she wants to meet us?

Carol Tea: Beats me.

Sash Lilac: Cut it out, girls. We've got some meeting to do.

(The three enter the bar. They look for Neera. She was waving her hand at the bar itself.)

Neera Li: Girls, over here!

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla went over to Neera.)

Carol Tea: So why'd you call us here, Neera.

Neera Li: Remember that package I sent you?

Sash Lilac: The stuffed animal?

Neera Li: Yeah, that. Did you open it?

Sash Lilac: What?

(Neera sighed.)

Neera Li: You didn't open it, did you?

Carol Tea: What are you talking about, Neera?

Neera Li: That stuffed animal I sent you came with a message.

Sash Lilac: Well, what is it about?

Neera Li: I'm not gonna tell you a lot, but it's about something called "grievance". From someone known as Lord Kuro.

Milla Basset: Who?

Neera Li: Lord Kuro. Remember those protests happening yesterday? About Lord Kuro coming to invade Avalice?

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: Uhh...

(Cut to various sequences of protests and riots in many places across Avalice.)

Protestant #1: Lord Kuro is about to destroy us!

Protestant #2: Do something about it!

(Then, cut back to present day.)

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: No...

Neera Li: Ugh. Goddamn it.

(Then, a TV broadcast from the ceiling interrupts their conversation.)

TV Broadcast: And now, for some more breaking news.

Milla Basset: Guys, the news!

(Lilac, Carol, and Neera look up to the TV.)

''News Reporter: Tonight, hundreds of Avalicians have stepped through the doors of Shang Mu City Hall protesting about the invasion of Lord Kuro. This guy again? Anyway, we cut to our correspondent Lupa, who is at the scene. Lupa?''

Lupa: ''Thank you, Steele. We're live at Shang Mu City Hall, where the doors have just broken down from the frames, and everyone is rambling inside to speak to Mayor Zao. We've got some people here to ask about why this is happening.''

Interviewer #1: ''Everyone, if you have a telescope, look up into the sky and look closely. If you spot it, you got it.''

Interviewer #2: ''I'm telling you, we've got proof! And you're not helping!''

(Interviewer #3 just stood there, shivering in front of the camera.)

Lupa: Not much detail from them, but-

(The TV shuts off.)

Bar Owner: Okay, everyone. I'm sorry to say this, but by order of the Shang Tu Police Department, we are all forced to close down business and go home now.

Neera Li: What? But I'm the chief of the Police Department. There's no way someone other than me ordered this.

Bar Owner: Sorry, chief. All royal guards have made this decision.

(Neera was dumbfounded.)

Sash Lilac: Hey, Nee-

(Neera shuts her up.)

Neera Li: I'll see you tomorrow.

Sash Lilac: See you tomorrow, I guess.

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla exited the bar.)

Carol Tea: What in the world was that?

Sash Lilac: Dunno.

(The three walked back to their treehouse. An hour later, at their treehouse, they all climbed in. Carol yawned.)

Carol Tea: It's getting late. I should probably head to bed now. See ya tomorrow.

Sash Lilac & Milla Basset: Goodnight!

(Carol closed her room door.)

Milla Basset: Lilac?

Sash Lilac: What's up?

Milla Basset: You don't think the rumors about Lord Kuro are true, right?

Sash Lilac: That? Pfft, those are just fake news! I don't know where they got it from, but they're just faking it!

Milla Basset: I hope so. I don't want things to happen like before.

Sash Lilac: Don't worry, Milla. Carol and I will protect you, no matter what.

Milla Basset: You will?

Sash Lilac: I will.

(The night outside was getting darker.)

Milla Basset: Oh dear, it's getting late. Let's go to bed now.

Sash Lilac: Yeah. I'm already tired.

(They both went inside their rooms.)

Part 2: Discovery
(It was 12:00 A.M. Everyone in the nearby Shang Tu was fast asleep. All except for Neera, who was looking over a watch tower there.)

Neera Li: Lord Kuro... What ever is this thing?

(She looked up into the sky and spotted an unusually small bright object in the sky.)

Neera Li: What the?

(She went inside to grab a telescope and pointed it to the sky.)

Neera Li: Wait a second, is that...?

(She took a closer look to see a spaceship-like object in the sky.)

Neera Li: No. It can't be, can it?

(She ran back inside to look at some paper files. Many of the papers read: "Lord Kuro is coming to destroy us all!")

Neera Li: Oh no. I've gotta call them!

(Meanwhile, back at Lilac's treehouse, a telephone rung. Lilac was tired to walk, but she didn't want to miss the call.)

Sash Lilac: (tiredly) Hello? You've reached Sash Lilac.

Neera Li: Sash, you, Carol, and Milla have to come here now!

Sash Lilac: What? Why? It's twelve in the morning.

(She yawned.)

Neera Li: Come on, it's very important.

Sash Lilac: Just cut to the chase.

Neera Li: It's about Lord Kuro.

Sash Lilac: Wait. Lord Kuro?

Neera Li: ''Yes! I think I've found him.''

(Lilac was surprised.)

Sash Lilac: Hold on, really?

Neera Li: Just come here now!

Sash Lilac: Okay, okay! I will! Just let me wake Carol and Milla first.

Neera Li: ''Whatever. Just come here quickly.''

(The telephone hung up.)

Sash Lilac: Oh dear. Lord Kuro is actually real? Yeah, I'm definitely going to see Neera.

(She ran to Carol and Milla, who were sleeping.)

Sash Lilac: Carol! Milla! Get up! We have to meet Neera!

(Carol and Milla woke up; they both felt hungover. Carol yawned as she woke up.)

Carol Tea: Why? It's very late. What's so important that she had to call us there to Shang Tu to meet her? We just talked with her hours ago!

Sash Lilac: Well... This has something to do with the Lord Kuro incident.

(Carol and Milla were surprised.)

Milla Basset: You mean, like that bad guy who was rumored to destroy Avalice as we know it?

Sash Lilac: Yes, that Lord Kuro!

Milla Basset: Oh no...

Carol Tea: I don't feel like going right now...

Sash Lilac: Come on!

Carol Tea: Okay, just give us ten minutes.

Sash Lilac: Fine. I'll be waiting outside.

(Lilac closed the door.)

Milla Basset: What was that?

Carol Tea: I dunno.

(An hour passed, and Team Lilac arrived at the watch tower. Neera was waiting nearby.)

Neera Li: Took you long enough.

Sash Lilac: Blame it on those two.

Carol Tea: It's not our fault!

Neera Li: We'll talk about that later. For now, this is what we have to worry about.

Milla Basset: What is it?

Neera Li: Come with me.

(Neera entered the watch tower. The rest of Team Lilac followed.)

Neera Li: So I know it sounds completely crazy, but I think I might have spotted Lord Kuro's ship. You know, the one everyone's been talking about?

Carol Tea: That guy? Pssh! It's an old rumor. There's nothing to worry about!

Neera Li: It may so at first. Go look at it on the telescope yourself.

(Carol shrugged. Then she looked through the telescope.)

Carol Tea: I don't see anything.

Neera Li: To your upper right.

(Carol moved the telescope to the upper right and spotted a white dot in the sky.)

Carol Tea: That thing?

Sash Lilac: Hold on, let me check it.

(Carol moved aside to have Lilac look through the telescope. Lilac looked at the dot.)

Sash Lilac: It seems like...

(Then, she gasped.)

Sash Lilac: A spaceship!

Neera Li: See? I told you he's real.

Sash Lilac: But how can that be?

Neera Li: Beats me.

Milla Basset: So what does that mean?

Sash Lilac: Don't ask me. For the first time in a long time, I don't know what to do now.

Neera Li: Well, don't fear, because I have a plan.

Carol Tea: Which is?

(Neera Li sneered. Then, she pulled off some tarp to reveal a white board with some markings on it.)

Neera Li: I've concocted a plan the moment I've found that. We're gonna have to get up there ourselves.

Milla Basset: Into outer space?

Neera Li: Exactly.

Sash Lilac: Whoa, whoa, whoa, Neera! We've done this already! There's no reason for us to go back up there into space again!

Neera Li: Look, do you want to save the world again or not?

Sash Lilac: Well, we don't want the whole world to end for a second time, so-

Neera Li: There. Enough said.

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla looked at each other.)

Carol Tea: Okay, so if we are going to get up there, how will we do that?

Neera Li: Here's the plan.

(Cut to an animated sequence.)

Neera Li: We need resources such as rocket fuel. And especially, everyone knows you need titanium to build a rocket to space. Otherwise, the rocket will tear apart, exposing you to the vaccum of space, and eventually, kill you.

(Milla's expression went dark upon hearing that. Carol wrapped her arms around Milla.)

Carol Tea: Dude. Too far.

Neera Li: Well, sorry.

Sash Lilac: Okay, then what?

Neera Li: Once we get to space, we'll have to fly through the field undetected, because the guards of Lord Kuro's ship are up 24/7. So we need to find a way to get through stealthily without causing a scene.

Carol Tea: Yeah, no way we're gonna get out of this successfully.

Neera Li: If we do get through, however, we'll sneakily walk through the halls of the ship without being spotted. Because once again, the guards are up all day, no matter how tired they are. And then, once we find Lord Kuro, we fight him off to the death. If we manage to defeat him, we leave the ship, which somehow mysteriously blows up the minute we exit, and all is all, Avalice is saved!

(Fireworks exploded in the background of a starry night sky. Then, the sequence ends.)

Neera Li: Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Sash Lilac: Okay, so let me get this straight. We go back up to space, enter a spaceship, track down this massive lord that could potentially destroy us all, brawl to the death, with a slight chance of winning, and if we do, we leave the ship, and hooray, hurrah, Avalice is safe. Is that it?

Neera Li: I only recruited you for this mission because of your sense of bravery fighting Lord Brevon.

(Carol sighed.)

Carol Tea: Look, just because we saved the world from some bad evil guy doesn't mean we could do something like it again.

Neera Li: How about you look here. Avalice is in total risk of being annihilated, and you're all not even wanting to save it from happening. Are you even aware of the gravity of this situation? Look at you three. Proclaimed the heroes of Avalice. If Lord Kuro destroys this world, who will be the one responsible for it?

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla frowned as they listened.)

Neera Li: Exactly. Now, are you going to help this poor little world from dying from an intergalactical lifeform, or just leave it and let it do its thing?

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: We're going up there and kick Lord Kuro in his butt!

Neera Li: That's what I'd like to hear.

Carol Tea: Hold on. Don't we need some new recruits for this type of mission? I mean, they may have stuff that could be useful if something comes up.

Milla Basset: Oh, that's a great idea! It's not bad to ask for someone new on our team.

Neera Li: Well, I suppose that could work. I'll allow that. Now, let's get started.

(Pan up to space, where Lord Kuro's ship was approaching Avalice at high speeds. A dark green alien approached the console of the ship. He sneered evilly.)

Lord Kuro: Enjoy your last days of life, Avalice. For you will be annihilated completely.

(He cackled maniacally before Yoru popped up with a cup of tea on a plate.)

Yoru: Your tea, sir?

Lord Kuro: Oh, yes, please!

(Kuro took the cup from the guard's plate and drank it. Then he placed it back on the plate.)

Lord Kuro: Lovely drink. Keep up the good flavoring!

(The guard left.)

Lord Kuro: Now, where was I? Oh yes!

(He continued cackling before the screen faded to black.)

Part 3: Recruitments
Sash Lilac: What do you mean "you're not going to help us save the world?" You live here too!

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla were operating a table, handing clipboards with a signature box near the Shang Mu City Hall. Mayor Zao popped out of the hall door.)

Mayor Zao: Hey, how's that marketing of yours going?

Carol Tea: It's flunking right now. Literally no one is signing up!

Mayor Zao: Oh. Well, good luck with that. I know you can do it!

(A phrase saying "+5 Sarcasm" appeared above Zao's head, though no one seems to notice it. Zao went back inside. Milla sighed.)

Milla Basset: Let's just face it, guys. No one is going to join our team. I mean, look at the gravity of this situation, for crying out loud! We could be risking our lives a second time just to save Avalice from total devastation!

Carol Tea: Maybe so, but it's better than just not doing anything at all and let Kuro do his thing, right?

Milla Basset: Yeah, you might be.

Sash Lilac: No, no, no! Wait! Come back!

(A citizen shoves Lilac off of him and walks away. Lilac looked away.)

Sash Lilac: This is impossible. Does anyone on this planet know what "the end of the world" means?

Milla Basset: Maybe they're just walking it of as fake, so as to not do anything.

Sash Lilac: You could be right, but they just protested about it yesterday! So I don't know why they immediately don't do anything. It's stupid if you ask me.

(Carol sighed. Then the three turned their backs away from the table.)

Carol Tea: Face it, Lilac. No one's going to help us. We're on our own now.

(Then, without even noticing, a red panda and a white/baby-blue fox walked up to the table and signed the boards.)

Carol Tea: ...so now, we're going back.

(When the three turned back, they saw the two and were surprised.)

Lei: If you still have room?

Ai: Yeah. We'd like to help!

(Lilac looked at Carol with a big smile on her face.)

Sash Lilac: You were saying?

Carol Tea: Ugh...

(Freeze on Lei and Ai. Then their names appeared on the screen.)

Narrator: Lei and Ai. The two characters that are the name of their block.

(Cut to a flashback.)

Narrator: Ever since they met one Saturday evening on a bench, the two formed a bond they never thought they'd form. They always like the same thing, they like the same activity, and they even loved the same idols. So now, you know about them.

(Cut back to present day.)

Milla Basset: So you're gonna help us?

Lei: Yeah. I mean, why in the heck wouldn't we? Avalice is our home! We never want to see it go.

Ai: And whoever doesn't is just a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Lei: Ai, I don't think that's how it works.

Sash Lilac: Well, say no more! You're hired!

(Lei and Ai beamed with excitement, jumping up and down in a sparkly background.)

Lei & Ai: Yay! We're gonna be heroes!

Carol Tea: Now hold on just a moment there.

(Lei and Ai stopped midway. They hit the ground with a thud.)

Carol Tea: This is mainly our mission. So you're just gonna be the secondary soldiers.

Milla Basset: Carol, don't say that! Sorry, girls. There was a bit of a mishap there. You will be heroes.

Ai: So we will be. Wildcat, get your facts right.

Carol Tea: I'm not trying to be mean here, but we're the organizers of the whole world-saving mission right here.

Ai: We'll take it!

Carol Tea: (to herself) I'm telling you, this might be a big mistake, you girls.

(Inside the Shang Mu City Hall, Zao stood by a window overlooking the city.)

Mayor Zao: What shall I do? What shall I do? What shall I do?

(Then, Mitt, one of his assistants, burst through the door.)

Mitt: Chief!

Mayor Zao: What is it, Mitt?

(Zao sat on his throne.)

Mitt: A spotting of Lord Kuro's ship was just confirmed! See for yourself!

(Mitt flipped a picture over, showing Lord Kuro's ship in front of a space background.)

Mayor Zao: Where did you find this picture?

Mitt: One of our agents sent it over from Shang Tu.

Mayor Zao: Shang Tu?

(Then, Zao realized who sent it.)

Mayor Zao: (to himself) Neera...

Mitt: What shall we do with it? Shouldn't we issue an emergency plan or something? I mean, Lord Kuro could be coming here at any moment now! We can't stand around here sitting ducks!

Mayor Zao: Don't worry, Mitt! I'm sure all this would blow off eventually.

(The phrase "+5 Sarcasm" appears above Zao's head a second time, but again, no one notices it.)

Mitt: Okay, chief. But you've gotta atleast do something.

Mayor Zao: I will. I will.

Mitt: Thank you.

(Mitt left Zao alone in his throne room. Meanwhile, at Shang Tu Watch Tower...)

Sash Lilac: WHAT?!

(The screen cuts to reveal Spade, a panda; around 18-20 years of age.)

Sash Lilac: We have to work with him?!

Spade: Chill, Lilac. It's only temporary.

Sash Lilac: Neera, why did you get him on our side? He's our nemesis, for crying out loud!

Neera Li: I spoke with Spade a few hours ago. He'll say he'll give a truce for a short while, then everything will go back to normal.

Spade: Exactly what she said.

(Then, Spade walked over to Lilac.)

Spade: (whispering) Hey. Between you and me, I think this could be a good way to at least bond together.

(Lilac was furious. An anime-like vein-popping symbol was seen on her forehead.)

Neera Li: Now, now, Ms. Sassy...

(Carol and Milla sniggered.)

Carol Tea & Milla Basset: "Ms. Sassy."

Sash Lilac: Shut up.

Ai: You think those three get along so well?

Lei: I doubt it.

Neera Li: So I've already gotten a crew to set up for our mission.

Ai: Like an actual mission control?

Neera Li: Yeah. If we're gonna get up there, we need some guidance.

Lei: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on. Hang on a second there!

(Everyone looked at Lei.)

Lei: All of us are going to space?

Neera Li: Yeah. What else would we be doing?

(Lei began hyperventilating.)

Ai: Lei? Calm down. Calm down!

(Ai turned to everyone else.)

Ai: She's just a bit worrisome about space, because well, you know, the dangerous effects it lurks up there?

Carol Tea: Can't blame her for that.

(Then, Lei finally fainted and fell to the ground. Lilac turned to Neera.)

Sash Lilac: When do we start?

Neera Li: Tomorrow. Be here early at 7 a.m. sharp.

Sash Lilac: Got it. Come on, guys.

Ai: I'll just carry Lei.

(Lilac, Carol, Milla, and Ai, with Lei in her hands, left the building.)

Spade: You do know why I became enemies with Lilac in the first place, right?

Neera Li: Yeah. You don't have to tell me.

Part 4: Lei & Ai
(Lilac, Carol, Milla, and Ai, with Lei in her hands, were walking down a street.)

Sash Lilac: Hey, uh, we never got to introduce ourselves to each other, so I'll start. I'm Sash Lilac. These two are Carol Tea and Milla Basset.

Carol Tea: Hello.

Milla Basset: What's up?

Ai: Nice to meet you, Sash Lilac.

Sash Lilac: I prefer to be called Lilac. Nothing personal, just Lilac.

Ai: Well, in that case, nice to meet you, Lilac. I'm Ai. The panda that just fainted is my best friend Lei.

Carol Tea: I feel bad for her.

Ai: How come?

Carol Tea: Just moments ago, she fainted.

Ai: Oh, she just has astrophobia.

Sash Lilac: What?

Ai: Fear of space.

Sash Lilac: Well, why'd you guys sign up at the table in the first place?

Ai: We didn't think the mission would be to go to actual outer space, per se.

Sash Lilac: It just said "Come with us to save the world!"

Ai: Look, we thought this would be about some environmental protest or something.

Milla Basset: I think it would be important for you to read the context next time you sign up for something big.

Ai: Yeah, I know. Lesson learned.

(The four girls arrived at Lei's house. It had two stories.)

Carol Tea: Is this your house?

Ai: No, this is a stranger's house.

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla looked at Ai in confusion.)

Ai: Of course this is our house! Well, technically, Lei's house. I just spend most of the days with her in this very house.

Sash Lilac: Anything else you'd like to point out?

Ai: Oh, yeah! Lei has a sister. She's a bit playful and she always cares for those she loves, and I think you'll be one of them soon.

Milla Basset: She sounds fun.

Ai: Believe me, "fun" is her middle name.

Milla Basset: Really?

Ai: I'm just kidding. Come on in, guys!

(Ai unlocked the door leading inside the house, and they all entered.)

Ai: Mr. and Mrs. Ember! We're back!

(Mr. and Mrs. Ember went to the living room.)

Mr. Ember: Oh, hello, Ai! Who are these new friends you brought here?

Ai: I'd like to introduce you to Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, and Milla Basset.

Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, & Milla Basset: Hello.

Mrs. Ember: Well, it's lovely to meet you all. Do you want some coffee or a donut or some crackers?

Carol Tea: No thank you.

Milla Basset: I'd like some crackers!

Mrs. Ember: Okay. Until I prepare them, why don't you three get comfy on that couch? You must've had a long day already.

Mr. Ember: Yep. Make yourself at home.

Mrs. Ember: By the way, what happened to Lei?

Ai: It's kind of a long story.

Mrs. Ember: Okay. I'll be right back.

(Mrs. Ember went to the kitchen, while Lilac, Carol, Milla, and Ai sat on the couch beside Mr. Ember.)

Mr. Ember: While she's making the crackers, why don't you three tell me a bit about yourselves?

Sash Lilac: Sure! I'll start. I'm Sash Lilac, though I prefer to be called Lilac. I'm a water dragon, though I have a genetic defect that prevents me from breathing underwater, so I'm just a "dragon".

Carol Tea: I'm Carol, Lilac's best friend. I drive a motorbike around the woods for fun and I tend to sleep for half a day.

Milla Basset: And last but not least, I'm Milla. I became friends with Lilac and Carol after I saved them from a collapsing cave months ago. I tend to be shy most of the time, but I'm always willing to help people every step of the way!

Mr. Ember: Oh, wow. You three seem to be a perfect trio.

Sash Lilac: Thanks. We tend to get into arguments sometimes, but we'd never want to split up.

(Carol coughed.)

Carol Tea: (whispering to Lilac) What about the time we got into a big fight and I ran away from you?

Sash Lilac: (whispering to Carol) That doesn't count.

(Lei woke up from her fainted sleep.)

Lei: Oh. I'm home.

Mr. Ember: As always, Lei.

Lei: Dad? Where's Mom?

Mr. Ember: She's making some crackers for our new guests here.

Ai: Their names are Lilac, Carol, and Milla if you hadn't heard yet.

Lei: Well, that's good.

(Suddenly, from upstairs came a smaller red panda half the size of Lei. Milla's ears twitched.)

May: Hey, big sister!

Lei: May! What's going on?

May: You'll never guess what happened while you were gone!

Lei: What is it?

May: Okay, so you know how I play poker with my friends online, right? And I lose always?

Lei: Yeah...?

May: Well, I finally beat 'em!

Milla Basset: Lei, is this your sister?

Lei: Yeah, why?

Milla Basset: Ai did tell me she'd be playful.

Ai: Well, it's mainly on the games, but it still kinda counts.

(Then, Mrs. Ember came back with crackers and water.)

Mrs. Ember: Alright, everyone, snacks are served!

Sash Lilac: Oh, thank you! I am starving!

(Lilac took a cracker from the plate and popped it in her mouth.)

Sash Lilac: Hm. What kind of cracker is this?

Mrs. Ember: Wheat.

Sash Lilac: Oh. This tastes different.

Mrs. Ember: (whispering) Secret recipe.

(Lilac nodded.)

May: Lei, who are these girls?

Lei: These are our new friends: Lilac, Carol, and Tea.

Milla Basset: You're Lei's sister, right?

May: You got that right!

Milla Basset: So you've got any activities you like?

May: I like playing pretend with some of my toys, if you're interested in that.

Milla Basset: Oh, really? I like to imagine stuff too! In fact, before I met Lilac and Carol, I was friends with a tree stump named "Mr. Stumpy."

May: Really? That's adorable!

Milla Basset: I know! Hey, why don't I come up with you so that we could play pretend?

May: You do?

Milla Basset: Yeah!

May: Yay! New playmate!

(Milla and May ran upstairs.)

Sash Lilac: Well, it looks like Milla made a new friend already.

Mr. Ember: Whoa, whoa, guys, be quiet!

News Reporter: ''Tonight, more protests take place as Avalicians march in anger throughout all kingdoms in Avalice. They seem to be related to the upcoming attack by Lord Kuro. My god, will everyone keep bothering us about this? Anyway, live at one of the protests is my correspondent Lupa. Lupa?''

Lupa: ''Thank you, Steele. It's like a total snowstorm out here! Every single citizen is marching in anger about this stupid Lord Kuro coming to attack us. I'm surprised it hadn't died out.''

Mr. Ember: My goodness, where did this "Lord Kuro" myth even come from?

Carol Tea: If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Ember, I believe it came from a picture by one of the observatories in Shuigang, where they noticed a spaceship-like object in the cosmos. And when they posted the statement about it out there, everyone went ballistic and dubbed it "Lord Kuro." Now this just happened.

Mrs. Ember: Jeez. To think that all of this came from one picture is hard to believe.

Carol Tea: Believe me, I know.

Lei: Umm, hate to interrupt, you guys, but I can see some fire in the distance. You don't think...?

Mr. Ember: We must be too close to the protests. Come on, help me lock the doors.

Sash Lilac: Wait, but what about us?

Mrs. Ember: It's too dangerous to go out there on your own.

(Mr. and Mrs. Ember shut the window blinds and secured the door entrance.)

Sash Lilac: But we have something important to do tomorrow.

Mr. Ember: Like what?

Sash Lilac: Uhhh...

(Lilac looked around to find something as an excuse. Then, she saw some files on a table.)

Sash Lilac: We have to file some papers at the office tomorrow!

Carol Tea: Yeah! Nothing involving the crisis going on!

(Mr. Ember looked at Lilac and Carol skeptically.)

Mr. Ember: Okay.

Sash Lilac: Just let me get Milla first.

(Lilac went upstairs. Milla and May were playing pretend with plastic swords, wielding them like real swords. This scene took place in a medieval-esque setting.)

Milla Basset: You stand no match for me, peasant.

May: You killed my father. Vengance will be mine.

(The screen zoomed in to both faces, before turning back to the widescreen ratio. Milla and May charged at each other, jumping in the air and yelled their battle cries in slow-motion before Lilac interrupted by opening the door, frozen in mid-air.)

Sash Lilac: Psst! Milla!

(Milla and May fell to the ground.)

Milla Basset: Oh, hey, Lilac!

Sash Lilac: Yeah, it's about time we're going.

May: Wait, what?

Milla Basset: About that, May, we were here so that we'd get to know your sister and your parents.

May: But what about our game?

Milla Basset: Don't worry! The next time we come back here, we'll continue where we left off. But for now, let's just say we're in... commercial break.

May: Right! Commercial break!

(May saluted. Milla laughed.)

Milla Basset: That's right.

(Fade transition to the exterior of the Ember's house.)

Sash Lilac: Thank you for letting us stay for the hour! It was a pleasure knowing you!

Mrs. Ember: Anytime. You want to stop by for a cup of tea, just let us know!

Mr. Ember: Be careful out there. You'll never know what happens in the dark, evil lurking about.

Carol Tea: We're not that young, you know.

Mr. Ember: Still.

(Milla walked over to May.)

Milla Basset: Hey. Be good 'til I get back, okay?

May: Will do!

Lei: (whispering to Lilac) So what time are we meeting?

Sash Lilac: (whispering) 7 A.M. at the latest. But come in early just in case.

Lei: (whispering) Okay. I'll tell that to Ai.

TBA.