Freedom Planet (film)/Transcript

This is the transcript of the 2016 film Freedom Planet.

Prologue: Avalice's Backstory & The Runaway Train
(The Lionsgate, Legendary Pictures, and Tencent Pictures logos 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 a James Bond-style theme playing in the background.)

Part 1: "Best Friends Forever"
(We fade into a shot of leaves, with a pair of squirrels climbing down the branches of a tree and down to the ground as the camera follows them. They scramble away as Lilac, Carol, and Milla stepped through the forest of Dragon Valley.)

Sash Lilac: And to think you all were scared I weren't gonna stop the train from falling down. Come on, you saw what happened when we battled Lord Brevon. I managed to fight him down to the death, and then boom! All went well afterwards.

Milla Basset: I didn't even get to see it.

Sash Lilac: That's because you fainted afterwards.

Carol Tea: So what now?

Sash Lilac: You know...

(A gust of wind blew across them with a musical-sounding note. Lilac sneered at that.)

Sash Lilac: I'm thinking of a song coming on.

Carol Tea: Wait a second, we're singing now?

Sash Lilac: Come on... Lighten yourself up! It's about time we spend some "friend time" together. As a team!

(The scene transitioned into a 2D-animated format.)

Milla Basset: Oh no, why are we 2D-animated now?

(A song titled "Best Friends Forever" played.)

Sash Lilac:

There was an age before we met

It was a scary time

But when you filled my heart with joy

It's time to flip the dime

So we've gone from nobodies

To some big-time heroes

And don't forget this piece of advice

Don't obey the haters who call you zeroes

Sash Lilac:

Cause we all stick together

And friends don't fight each other

So don't just stand there

All while we all are here

Cause we're best friends forever!

(Short break.)

Carol Tea:

I was a soldier of the Scarves

Until I met the only you

It was a rocky start for us

But I'm glad I changed my entire view

Milla Basset:

I was all alone in this world

Nobody to confess myself

But when I saw you down that end

"It's time to meet new friends" I said

And look where we are now, being with my good ol' friends

All:

Cause we all stick together

And friends don't fight each other

So don't just stand there

All while we all are here

Cause we're best friends forever!

Milla Basset:

But when the world is dark as now

And you're gloomy and have an upsetting frown

Sash Lilac:

Just know that we are all around

Here to flip that frown upside-down

And focus on the bright side now!

All:

Cause we all stick together

And friends don't fight each other

So don't just stand there

All while we're here

Cause we're best friends forever!

Cause we all stick together

And friends don't fight each other

So don't just stand there

All while we're here

Cause we're best friends forever!

(The song ends with Lilac, Carol, and Milla laughing to each other.)

Carol Tea: Hey, Lilac?

Sash Lilac: Yeah, Carol?

Carol Tea: Do you think where we will actually break up?

Sash Lilac: What do you mean?

Carol Tea: You know, if we somehow get the biggest quarrel we've gotten, we choose to go our separate ways and never plan to meet again? Like last time?

Sash Lilac: Hopefully not.

Milla Basset: I agree. This friendship has gotten stronger ever since we fought Lord Brevon.

Sash Lilac: I know.

Carol Tea: Anyways, what time did Neera ask us to meet with her at the bar?

Sash Lilac: Oh, yeah! I forgot about that! I believe it was 9:00 or something this evening?

Carol Tea: Mmm...

(She looked at the Sun above.)

Carol Tea: I think we still have time.

Sash Lilac: So what does that mean?

Carol Tea: It means we can spend some high-quality "friend time" together!

(We begin a montage of Team Lilac spending some real "friend time", such as playing at an arcade, feeding the ducks [but unfortunately get tackled], water-skiing, etc., as a variation of "Best Friends Forever" plays in the background. And finally, it was almost nighttime. Lilac, Carol, and Milla were exhausted as they laid back on the couches in their treehouse.)

Carol Tea: Ah, that's the stuff. Except for that duck feeding.

Sash Lilac: Carol, you've got a piece of duck feather on your hair.

Carol Tea: I know. Don't mind that.

Milla Basset: Wait! What about our meeting with Neera?!

Sash Lilac: Oh shoot, I forgot about that! Come on, girls! Let's go!

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla got up and left the treehouse.)

Part 2: The Meeting
(Fade in 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.)

Neera Li: What the heck have you girls been doing?

Sash Lilac: Kind of a long story. Very boring, too.

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 3: 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 2D-animated format 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, Kuro's assistant, popped up with a cup of tea on a plate.)

Yoru: Your tea, sir?

Lord Kuro: Oh, yes, please!

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

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

(Yoru left.)

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

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

Part 4: 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!

+5 SARCASM

(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.

Sash Lilac: Okay, all we need to do is make sure everyone in Avalice has preparations.

(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.

+5 UNCERTAINTY

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 Shuigang, Prince Dail sat on his throne. His assistant Shiro came up.)

Shiro: Son of the Fallen Kingdom, we have a problem.

Prince Dail: What important deed do you have that has to bother me at short notice?

Shiro: It involves Lord Kuro.

Prince Dail: Ugh. This is getting on my nerves.

Shiro: We understand that, but everyone is asking what you'll do.

Prince Dail: This isn't our problem at this time.

(Then, at Shang Tu, the Royal Magister overlooks the city. His assistant Lóng and General Gong, the general of the army, comes up as well.)

Lóng & General Gong: Your Excellency.

Royal Magister: What brings you here, my chosen ones?

General Gong: We believe you are aware of the rumors of Lord Kuro?

Royal Magister: Ah. Him. What seems to be the problem?

Lóng: Everyone keeps protesting about it all day! We have to do something.

Royal Magister: I can assure you we are doing the best we can to contain the situation.

Lóng: Please, Your Excellency. This is important news.

Royal Magister: Okay. I'll invite Prince Dail of Shuigang and Mayor Zao of Shang Mu over to Shang Tu for a board meeting discussing the situation.

Lóng: Thank you.

Royal Magister: Take care, you two.

(Meanwhile, at the watch tower in Shang Tu...)

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, Sash. 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 said both of you will be at truce for a short while, then you'll be enemies again, just like before.

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.)

Ai: You think those two get along so well?

Lei: I doubt it.

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

(Carol and Milla sniggered.)

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

Sash Lilac: Shut up.

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 5: A Visit At Lei & Ai's
(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.

Mr. Ember: Alright, now that we've said our farewells, you're gonna go or what?

Sash Lilac: (chuckling) We will.

Carol Tea: Goodbye! Thanks again for having us!

Milla Basset: See you soon!

Mr. Ember: Take care, kiddos!

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla were gone.)

Mrs. Ember: Something's up with them, don't you think, honey?

Mr. Ember: Nah, probably some work they have to do.

Part 6: "All to Ourselves"
(Back up in space, Lord Kuro approached a digital globe from a blue light. Yoru and two other assistants, Hoshi and Eirian, were with him.)

Lord Kuro: Okay, my minions. How would we eliminate all life on Avalice?

Yoru: We could either use a laser beam that burns up the plants there, or just come down, and use them as our slaves.

Lord Kuro: Good idea, but we could do something better.

Hoshi: What about destroying its ozone layer?

Lord Kuro: Closer.

Eirian: Blowing up its star?

(The room remains silent.)

Eirian: What?

Lord Kuro: You are a goddamn genius, Eirian. I hope you know that.

Hoshi: But boss, isn't this a bit too much?

Yoru: Yeah, we could just make peace with them and live in harmony.

Eirian: Like in the books! It's not hard.

Lord Kuro: But you three, you know we could have the planet to ourselves.

Eirian: Tell me, why do we need another planet when we already have one that's like, not too far away. This is just stupid!

Lord Kuro: Think of it as this.

(Lord Kuro snaps his fingers, which enacts a musical number titled "All to Ourselves".)

Yoru: Oh no, is this a musical number?

Eirian: Shut up, Yoru. He's gonna hear you.

(As the instruments build up, the scene transitions to a 2D-animated format.)

Lord Kuro:

Let's start off with a short excerpt

You can't get out there without a gut

But once you do, so make it true

You'll put the planet on a rut

The Avalice is your predator

Out on a hunt, on a killing spree

Your poor, little soul is the heart of its tongue

So rebel back, and you will be free!

(A paper containing these lyrics drop in front of Yoru, Hoshi, and Eirian.)

Lord Kuro:

Our birds of prey have been swept away

Their predators have decided their fates

We don't want to suffer their conjurings

And our hearts have been filled with hate

Sometimes, the house is all packed with guests

And we will keep out the pests of our shelves

With some training, a grip and a grief

The planet will be all to ourselves

Yoru:

My mother was an expert in biology

Until a lion feasted on her heart and brain

Her agonizing cries flamed my youth for love

Until I see her, make it rain

Hoshi & Eirian:

Aliens of another world are full of trash

They're rumored to use their weapons for a thrash

But I, Hoshi, won't take their so-called "guns"

So let it begin, it will be fun!

Yoru, Hishi & Eirian:

Our birds of prey have been swept away

Their predators have decided their fates

We don't want to suffer their conjurings

And our hearts have been filled with hate

Sometimes, the house is all packed with guests

And we will keep out the pests of our shelves

With some training, a grip and a grief

The planet will be all to ourselves

Lord Kuro (spoken): Excellent, my pretties!

Eirian:

But what's that?

An Avalician with a passion?

Yoru:

Or worse, a soldier

Who feeds on our guts!

Hoshi:

Either way

We can stop their day

And cause havoc in a lifetime

Which is all they'll say!

All:

Our birds of prey have been swept away

Their predators have decided their fates

We don't want to suffer their conjurings

And our hearts have been filled with hate

Sometimes, the house is all packed with guests

And we will keep out the pests of our shelves

With some training, a grip and a grief

The planet will be all to ourselves

Our birds of prey have been swept away

Their predators have decided their fates

We don't want to suffer their conjurings

And our hearts have been filled with hate

Sometimes, the house is all packed with guests

And we will keep out the pests of our shelves

With some training, a grip and a grief

The planet will be all to ourselves

(The song ends. Lord Kuro claps at Yoru, Hoshi and Eirian.)

Lord Kuro: Bravo, my henchmen! Bravo!

(Yoru, Hoshi and Eirian sneered.)

Yoru: You know, boss, maybe we were wrong before.

Eirian: Yep. I think we do want to kill Avalice once and for all. It's vengeance for our loved ones!

Hoshi: And count me in that too!

(Lord Kuro chuckled evilly.)

Lord Kuro: Perfect.

Yoru: So now what do we do?

Lord Kuro: You prepare. Guards!

(Alien guards saluted to Kuro.)

Lord Kuro: Get yourselves ready. Our reign of terror begins.

(The aliens left the bridge, and several of them entered smaller ships, which took off from the main ship.)

Eirian: Wait, we're starting now?

Lord Kuro: You bet we are.

(Lord Kuro turned his back, overlooking Avalice from the distance.)

Lord Kuro: Get your gear ready, boys. 'Cause once our reign of terror is now, the planet of Avalice will drop to its knees, and bow to us as our masters.

(Yoru, Hoshi, and Eirian walked up behind Lord Kuro, smiling evilly as the screen faded to black, with their eyes only being visible before it fully faded.)

Part 7: The Race to Shang Tu
(A subtitle saying: "The Next Morning" appeared before cutting to a shot of Lilac's treehouse, with the song "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" playing. Inside the treehouse, we cut to Lilac's bedroom, where an alarm clock rings before Lilac turns it off.)

Sash Lilac: Ahh... today's the day.

(Lilac got out of the bed, with Carol and Milla still asleep. Lilac chuckled.)

Sash Lilac: Wake up, my friends! It's time for our meeting with Neera and the others!

(Carol and Milla jumped.)

Carol Tea: Give us a few more minutes...

Milla Basset: Yeah... please, Lilac... it's been a long day yesterday.

Sash Lilac: Yeah, I'm not buyin' it. Come on.

(Lilac left the room as Carol and Milla got up tiredly. They both yawned.)

Sash Lilac: Ah, those two. When will they learn?

(The telephone in Lilac's living room rang. Lilac picked up the phone.)

Sash Lilac: Yello?

Neera Li: Ah, you're up.

Sash Lilac: Well, technically just me. Carol and Milla are still tired.

Neera Li: ''Well, tell 'em to snap out of it. The mission's almost up.''

Sash Lilac: I will.

(Carol and Milla walked out of Lilac's room. They were already energized.)

Sash Lilac: Well, well, what happened to being hungover and stuff?

Milla Basset: The mission?

Carol Tea: Yeah. We know saving the world means you have to not be tired.

(Lilac laughed.)

Sash Lilac: You're right right there.

Milla Basset: Well, we're ready?

Sash Lilac: If you're ready, I'm ready.

(Carol looked in the drawers.)

Carol Tea: Okay... okay... Yep! I'm all set!

Sash Lilac: Great! Last one there buys a round of soda after?

Carol Tea: Oh, you're on!

Sash Lilac: That's what I'd been hoping to hear.

(Fade transition to the exterior of Lilac's treehouse.)

Sash Lilac: Alright. Here's the path we'll take.

(Cut to a tutorial-esque diagram.)

Sash Lilac: The region is filled with lots of mountains, but we'll go through the south side of the mountain. Once we do so, we'll follow the Phoenix Highway toward Shang Tu. And then, once we see the watch tower, that's the finish line. First to get there wins.

(Back to reality.)

Sash Lilac: Got it?

Carol Tea & Milla Basset: Got it!

Sash Lilac: Good.

(Lilac and Milla walked over to the starting point, being the rock, while Carol used her motorcycle.)

Sash Lilac: On your marks...

(Carol revved her motorcycle.)

Sash Lilac: Get set...

(Milla flapped her ears.)

Sash Lilac: GO!

(Carol raced off with her motorcycle, Milla used her "Puppy Float", and Lilac sped off her "Super Speed." The race was on! Lilac and Carol raced through the forest.)

Carol Tea: Dang, you're pretty fast without a motorcycle!

Sash Lilac: Well, what can you expect? I'm a dragon.

(Milla flew through the air with her ears, looking down from below.)

Milla Basset: How's it going down there?

Sash Lilac: Well, I'm glad you asked, puppy!

(Lilac boosted her speed and shot off like a rocket.)

Carol Tea & Milla Basset: Oh, it's on!

(They both raced off quickly. Shang Tu was visible in the distance. Meanwhile, Neera and the others were at the front door.)

Lei: They did say we should meet at this time, right?

Neera Li: I did tell them that.

Ai: What's taking them so long?

Spade: Don't ask me. I haven't called them.

Neera Li: Well, we'll just go inside now- Hm?

(They spotted Lilac, Carol, and Milla approaching the perimeter.)

Ai: Oh, it's them!

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla screeched to a halt just by Neera.)

Sash Lilac: Ha! I got here first!

Carol Tea: No, I did!

Milla Basset: You're all mistaken! It was definitely me!

Neera Li: Guys, what in the hell are you playing at now?

Sash Lilac: We had a race to see who'd get here first.

Neera Li: This isn't a race, you guys. Plus, it isn't all about competition.

Carol Tea: We know. We were just playing.

Neera Li: Well, cut it out. This is some serious business we're dealing with here.

(Lei's stomach rumbles.)

Lei: Oh dear... I'm not feeling well.

Ai: Oh crap. Lei, just shake it off! It'll all be over soon!

(Lei winced in pain.)

Lei: I'm sorry, Ai. I can't take it anymore.

(Lei left the group in a hurry.)

Milla Basset: She'll be okay, right, Ai?

Ai: I hope so.

Neera Li: Well, I've managed to get in touch with the Royal Magister and General Gong about this, and they'll be in charge of overlooking Shang Tu 'til we get back.

(Out of the door came the Royal Magister, a dragon, and General Gong, a panda.)

Royal Magister: Sash Lilac, Carol Tea, and Milla Basset.

(Lilac, Carol, and Milla bowed.)

Royal Magister: The fate of our home planet Avalice depends on you. Your skills will be tested to the extreme. You three, along with four other crew members, will be boarding a rented rocket ship and launching into space to fly into Lord Kuro's spaceship and defeat him forever. But remember this. One fatal mistake, and this world, everyone you know and love, will disappear off the face of time and space... permanently.

Sash Lilac: Roger that.

General Gong: Prince Dail of Shuigang and Mayor Zao of Shang Mu have also been called to Shang Tu to attend a board meeting discussing the possible outcomes of the mission, shall it not succeed. We, the generals of our armies, wish you luck.

Milla Basset: Okay.

(Just then, two helicopters flew from above them, landing near the tower. Out stepped Mayor Zao, Prince Dail, and their assistants.)

Mayor Zao: Well, hello, hello. Looks like I'm late to the party, eh?

Prince Dail: Spade, just what the heck do you think you are doing?

Spade: Chill, big bro. I know what I'm doing here.

Prince Dail: You do realize you're working with an arch-enemy of yours, right?

Spade: Relax. I did tell Lilac we could have some kind of bonding, at the very least.

Prince Dail: Then be my guest.

Spade: Says the panda who tried to kill someone under Lord Brevon's command.

Prince Dail: It wasn't my fault, okay? It was his! I was brainwashed!

(Dail folded his arms and looked away from Spade.)

Mayor Zao: I believe we were supposed to come here to Tu for a meeting, I suppose?

Royal Magister: Correct. Come this way, Mayor Zao and Prince Dail.

(Dail forms a V-sign with his fingers at Spade.)

Sash Lilac: Hey, Spad-

Spade: Shut up.

Sash Lilac: Okay.

General Gong: As for you guys, you will be transported to the launch pad shortly.

Carol Tea: Launch pad?

General Gong: Yes. Your shuttle shall arrive here... now.

Sash Lilac: Alright. Fair enough.

(Gong entered the building, just as the bus arrived.)

Ai: Perfect timing!

(Lei gulped.)

Spade: Time to prove my brother wrong.

Neera Li: At least I can watch over those two if they cause any trouble.

Milla Basset: Now I'm definitely going to be a Super Dog!

(Lilac looked at Carol.)

Carol Tea: Friends stick together, don't they?

Sash Lilac: Yeah. They do.

(They both walked onto the bus as it left the building.)

Part 8: Board Meeting
(Inside the tower, the leaders of Avalice enter a room with a table. They all take their seats.)

Mayor Zao: Uh, can someone raise my chair a bit higher? I'm too small.

(A duck soldier pulled on the pedal that rose Zao's chair by just a feet.)

+5 HEIGHT

Mayor Zao: You better make this quick. I have some important meetings to attend after this.

Prince Dail: For once, I agree with him. Just cut to the chase now.

Royal Magister: Affirmative.

(The Royal Magister throws two folders next to Dail and Zao. Then he takes a seat.)

Prince Dail: What did you just give us?

Royal Magister: Open the files.

(Dail and Zao opened the folder, which contained the picture of Lord Kuro's spaceship and contingency plans.)

Royal Magister: I'm pretty sure both of you are aware of the rumors of Lord Kuro coming to destroy us, is that right?

Mayor Zao: Yes.

Prince Dail: That's right.

Royal Magister: Good. Have you done anything about it?

Prince Dail: We did try to tell our citizens to remain calm about it, and that it'll all be taken care of.

Mayor Zao: Same here.

Royal Magister: Alright.

(The Magister flips a board, which faced the white board. He pointed a stick on it.)

Royal Magister: This here is a demonstration of what will happen shall the heroes fail to defeat Lord Kuro.

(Cut to a 2D-animated format sequence.)

Royal Magister: Once Lord Kuro's ship lands on Avalice, his army will deploy, wreaking havoc everywhere as we know it. If we have any time, we could evacuate as many of our citizens as we can get into the underground shelters established just in the heart of the Valley Region. A bunker just for us were also built.

Prince Dail: Wait, why one just for us?

Mayor Zao: Yeah, why?

Royal Magister: That way, we could know each other more while the world is ending.

General Gong: Okay, you don't have to say "world ending." It's not going to end.

Royal Magister: I'm saying that in the worst-case scenario it does.

General Gong: Alright. I'm just saying.

Royal Magister: Back to what I was saying...

(Fade back to the 2D sequence.)

Royal Magister: Once we get everyone to the bunkers, our armies will form a pact to eradicate Kuro's army. As long as there are no disputes against each other, if they successfully defeat his army, everything will go back to normal, and the war will be a thing of the past.

(Cut back to reality.)

Royal Magister: Any questions?

General Gong: If the armies don't defeat Kuro's army..?

Royal Magister: Then we'll have to resort to living underground.

Prince Dail: But if they somehow find us...

Mayor Zao: And are outnumbered than us?

Royal Magister: Then we are doomed. We can't evacuate the planet because it'll take long 'til we find another.

Mayor Zao: We can just use cryogenic chambers.

Royal Magister: Too complicated. Plus, everyone's going to pile in.

General Gong: So our last resort is living underground?

Royal Magister: If the army doesn't blow up the planet's surface, we might rebuilt Avalice by then.

Prince Dail: Pardon my interruption, but what is that over there?

(The Royal Magister turns around to see a ship headed towards them.)

Royal Magister: Oh, it's one of Lord Kuro's ships coming straight at us. Wait a second! It's one of Lord Kuro's ships coming straight at us! Everybody get down!

(Prince Dail, Mayor Zao, General Gong, and the Royal Magister take cover under the table as the ship crashes through the window, splattering concrete and glass everywhere.)

Royal Magister: Is everyone okay?

Mayor Zao: I am.

Prince Dail: Me too.

General Gong: Me three.

(The four leave the table and walked back from the ship. The soldiers walk slowly to the ship with their spears aimed.)

Royal Magister: Careful, you three. We don't know what vile thing is beneath that outer wall.

(The soldiers opened the hatch of the ship. Out of the smoke came a dark-green alien screeching at them and one of them stabbed their spear on its head, which oozed a green liquid. It then collapsed into the smoke, invisible.)

General Gong: Your Excellency, what in the world was that?

(The Royal Magister said nothing.)

Prince Dail: What's going on?

Mayor Zao: Yeah. What do we do now?

Royal Magister: Get as much Avalicians as you can inside the bunkers. It's a lot sooner than we expected.

(Cut to black.)

Part 9: Launch Day
(The bus taking our heroes passes under a tunnel.)

Carol Tea: Hey, Lilac?

Sash Lilac: Yeah?

Carol Tea: Have you ever asked yourself if this battle is really worth it out there in space?

Sash Lilac: What do you mean by that?

Carol Tea: Think about it. When we fought Lord Brevon, we were around the lower orbit of Avalice. That caused the parts of his ship to plummet down to the surface. But Kuro's ship is a long way up from there, so everything will just float helplessly into the dark depths of space, with no possible way of coming back to Avalice.

Sash Lilac: Actually, now that you say it, it does kinda make sense why Lei would be afraid of outer space. It's just an endless void where no matter which direction you take, you keep going that way forever unless you find a way to thrust yourself.

Carol Tea: I'll just go ask her. That fear has gotten up into my mind.

(Carol got up from her seat and walked over to Lei and Ai.)

Carol Tea: Hey, girls.

Lei & Ai: Hello, Carol.

Carol Tea: Lei, I just have one question for you.

Lei: What's up?

Carol Tea: What made you so afraid of space?

Lei: Oh, that...

(Lei sighed.)

Lei: ...it's kind of a boring story if you ask me.

Ai: Apparently, we watched this movie not too long ago about some astronauts being stranded in space. It is very scary if you ask me, but in the end, I managed to get through it. But for Lei? Not so much.

Lei: Yep. Exactly what she said.

(Lei shivered in fear.)

Carol Tea: I understand you'd be scared from movies like that, but come on! Chances like that are near to zero!

Ai: Don't jinx it, please.

Carol Tea: I won't.

(Then, Carol went to Milla.)

Milla Basset: Oh, hey, Carol!

Carol Tea: Hey, Milla. So whatcha thinking about?

Milla Basset: Oh, nothing. Except May.

Carol Tea: That girl has gotten into your mind, huh?

Milla Basset: You could say that again. When we played imagination, it reminded me of how much I used to be friends with Mr. Stumpy. He made me cope with my loneliness ever since my parents and I got separated.

Carol Tea: May, huh? She's given you a blast of the past, hasn't she?

(Milla giggled.)

Milla Basset: You know, since we are going on that rocket ship, we're gonna blast through the clouds. And with that, this could be my one chance of seeing my mom and dad there. If only they knew what I was up to right now...

Carol Tea: I bet they'd be proud.

(Milla leaned to the window.)

Carol Tea: Well, I'm headed back to my seat. Nice talking to you, Milla, Lei and Ai.

(Carol got up and went back to Lilac.)

Sash Lilac: So how was it?

Carol Tea: Lei is scared of space because she and Ai saw a movie about some astronauts being stranded in space. And for Milla, May reminded her of when she was friends of Mr. Stumpy.

Sash Lilac: Oh, really? That's nice.

Carol Tea: Yep. That girl's gotten into her head.

Bus Driver: Okay, passengers. If you look to your left, you'll see our destination is coming up shortly.

(Everyone in the bus looked out the window. There was a rocket in a launch pad, with vehicles roaming around. There was also a crowd gathering.)

Carol Tea: We get to ride in that? Ohmygush, yes.

(The bus entered through the gate.)

Lei: Okay. Get yourself together, Lei. It's all be over soon.

(Lei curved into a fetal position.)

Ai: What are you doing?

Lei: Getting myself together. You don't understand what we're about to enter, do you?

Ai: Come on, Lei. How bad can it be?

Lei: A million times bad, okay?

(Ai sighed.)

Milla Basset: Mom, dad, I hope I've made you proud.

(The bus came to a stop near a red carpet.)

Lupa: We're live at the Avalice Astronomical Association launch center, where seven heroes are about to launch themselves into space to kick Lord Kuro's butt off the face of the Avalice. This is a big one, folks, because Kuro might be destroyed once and for all!

(Cut to the Embers' house.)

May: Wait a second. Is that who I think it is? Mom, dad, Lei's on TV!

Mr. and Mrs. Ember: What?

(Mr. and Mrs. Ember ran to the TV to see Lei among the group.)

Mrs. Ember: Is that Lei?

Mr. Ember: Why didn't she tell us she was going to save the world?

May: Beats me!

Mr. Ember: Oh, she's definitely getting grounded when she gets home.

Mrs. Ember: For saving our lives?

Mr. Ember: Yep. I do not want her to do that again.

(The song "Eye of the Tiger" plays. We cut back to the launch pad, where Lilac, Carol, Milla, Neera, Spade, Lei, and Ai walk the red carpet in an action-style motion. Everyone cheers for them.)

Carol Tea: This is definitely going to be awesome!

Sash Lilac: Keep it to yourself, Carol.

Spade: Oh, wow. Everyone is here.

Neera Li: If only I had something to give them to honor their trust.

Bystander #1: Good luck out there!

Bystander #2: Come on! Give me a fist bump!

(Lilac gave Bystander #2 a fist bump.)

Bystander #2: Did you see that? She gave me a fist bump! It hurts a little, but it was definitely worth it...

(Bystander #2 faints. The seven reach an elevator.)

Milla Basset: Don't panic, everyone! I'm 100% positive we could do this! All you have to do is just believe!

Ai: Not now, Milla.

Milla Basset: Take my advice, everyone! Just stay optimistic and-

(The elevator door closes.)

Milla Basset: Darn it.

(The elevator goes up to the door of the rocket.)

Neera Li: Well, everyone, I hope you're ready. Especially you two, Lilac and Carol.

Sash Lilac: Yes, we know.

Carol Tea: You don't have to tell us twice.

Neera Li: I'm just saying. This doesn't excuse you from your troubled past with the Red Scarves.

Lei: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hang on just a moment there.

(Lei turned to Lilac and Carol.)

Lei: You two were part of the Red Scarves?

Spade: I'm also part of it. Still am.

Lei: Whatever.

Sash Lilac: Yes, Lei.

Ai: What the heck is wrong with you?

Carol Tea: Look, we changed, alright? That doesn't matter now.

Lei: Okay. But still, the Red Scarves are considered to be the most dangerous organization in all of Avalice!

(Milla popped up under Lei and the others.)

Milla Basset: Guys, let's just forget this whole conversation and focus on the mission here!

Spade: She's right. Saving Avalice is all that matters now.

(The elevator finally reaches the top near the door of the rocket.)

Lei: Ah, crap. Still not ready for this.

(The seven walk through the bridge and into the rocket. Then they all take their seats.)

Carol Tea: Can't wait to tell my sister about this. She's gonna lose her mind. Heh heh.

(Ai noticed Lei applying more seatbelts on herself.)

Ai: Lei, are you serious right now? You brought more seatbelts with you?

Lei: Yes. In fact, believe it or not, we are going to actual outer space. Y'all are acting like this is a road trip or something.

Sash Lilac: Lei, come on, man. We'll be fine if we stick together.

Lei: But it's true! You know what? I just wanna abort this mission and go home with my family. At least they know what to do in a big situation.

Ai: Lei, cut it out. You're not a child anymore.

''Intercom: Commencing countdown. Engines: on.''

(Engines of the ship fire up.)

Sash Lilac: Well, say goodbye to Avalice. For now.

Milla Basset: I'm coming, mom and dad!

Announcer: T-Minus: 30 seconds.

(Outside of the rocket, everyone cheers for them.)

Lupa: This is it, folks! The rocket is launching, and we are set for a day the world will never forget!

Announcer: T-Minus: 15 seconds.

(Engines have reached maximum power, as everyone in the rocket brace for launch.)

Announcer: ''T-Minus: 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Booster ignition and liftoff.''

Milla Basset: Wait a second, we didn't even do space training!

(The rocket releases from the launch pad and flies up.)

Announcer: And we have liftoff of Freedom shuttle on Operation: Save Avalice mission.

(The crowd cheers in excitement as the shuttle rises into the sky. A melody similar to "Space Oddity" plays.)

Lupa: There they go! Up, up and away to the stars! May God's love be with them always.

(The takeoff vibrates the whole interior of the rocket. The seven tried to hold on to their seats for as long as they can.)

Ai: This is it, Lei!

Lei: I know that, Ai!

(The rocket pasts just through the stratosphere and into the mesosphere.)

Milla Basset: Oh my... Here it comes...!

(The rocket pasts through the Kármán line and stars could be faintly visible.)

Carol Tea: Is that space?

Sash Lilac: Yes, Carol! We're almost there!

(After a couple of shakes and outside burning, a black background with white dots reflected from their eyes. Lilac's pigtails and Milla's ears began rising.)

Carol Tea: No way...

(Lilac began to laugh.)

Sash Lilac: We're in outer space! Ha ha!

(Meanwhile, Lei looked down to the surface of Avalice.)

Lei: Oh dear...

Ai: Lei, just let it go.

Lei: I can't, Ai. It's too... scary.

Ai: Hey, I know the fate of the world resting on your shoulders gives you the shudders, but we're in this together, right, Lilac?

Sash Lilac: Absolutely!

(The rocket passes through the screen, transitioning back to Avalice, where the Royal Magister, Zao, and Dail were in Shang Mu.)

Prince Dail: Tell me again, why are we here?

Mayor Zao: We need to get some supplies.

Prince Dail: And this is just for us?

Mayor Zao: The civilians' shelters have been pre-made, right?

Royal Magister: Indeed, Mayor Zao.

Mayor Zao: So yep, Prince Dail.

(Dail sighed.)

Prince Dail: Sometimes, I wish I was still brainwashed so that I could try to attack you.

Mayor Zao: What was that?

Prince Dail: Nothing.

Mayor Zao: Hmm...

+5 SKEPTICISM

(The three arrived at Zao's Shopping Paradise.)

Prince Dail: Hold on a second here! You have an entire shopping mall dedicated in your honor?

Mayor Zao: Indeed. Eat your heart out, Dail.

Prince Dail: Why, you little son of a-!

Royal Magister: Boys, this is no time for pointing fingers.

Prince Dail: But he started it!

Royal Magister: Ah, ah, ah, ah. Remember, we don't want to point the blame to anyone else again...

(He slowly moved his head to Dail.)

Royal Magister: ...unlike last time.

Mayor Zao: He's right, you know.

(The vein-popping symbol appears on Dail's head.)

+5 PRIDE

Mayor Zao: Well, let's get to it.

(The song "Let's Rock" plays as the Magister, Zao, and Dail enter the mall. They all had a shocked expression on their faces.)

Prince Dail: Oh my god.

(Everyone in the mall was celebrating like animals in a party. They stood on the handrails, danced on the floor, and threw confetti everywhere.)

Prince Dail: Holy crud. Look at this place! It's mind-blowingly crazy!

Mayor Zao: This isn't how it's supposed to work, you guys.

(Zao spotted Lóng.)

Mayor Zao: Hey, Mitt!

Mitt: Oh, Mayor Zao! Can you believe this? It's going bonkers around here! Whoo!

Mayor Zao: Yeah, about that...

(He cleared his throat.)

Mayor Zao: WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?!

(Everyone stopped what they were doing, startled by Zao's angry expression, including Lóng and Shiro, who were also there too.)

Prince Dail: You too, Shiro?

Royal Magister: Lóng. I expected better from you.

Mitt: Well, it's not what it looks like, you three. You see, I managed to get in contact with these guys here to celebrate the launch of the seven brave heroes who went into space to stop Lord Kuro. You know, something we were all hoping it'd happened. And now it did!

Shiro: Yeah!

(Shiro put a roll of sushi in his mouth.)

Shiro: Oh man! You gotta try this sushi, Prince Dail. It's off the charts!

Lóng: And this carbonated water!

(Lóng and Shiro fist-bumped.)

Royal Magister: Okay, maybe we are a bit excited that our heroes are up in space to save our planet, but that doesn't excuse you for this mess you made here.

Mitt: Yeah, we know.

Mayor Zao: So you're gonna clean this up or what?

Mitt, Shiro & Lóng: Uhh...

(Swoosh to two crowds.)

Mitt, Shiro & Lóng: Listen up, everyone! Our leaders need this place cleaned up in five minutes!

All: Yes, sirs!

(Everyone rushed out, picking up things and putting them away.)

Mayor Zao: See that? That's what happens when you know what you're doing.

+5 GLORY

Mayor Zao: And for you two being my guests of honor- Hold on, let me see if I have them...

(Zao rummaged through his pockets. Then he took out two coupons.)

Mayor Zao: Here! You two will get a 5% discount off selected brands in Zao's Shopping Paradise!

5% OFF!

Royal Magister: Thank you for the offer, Mayor Zao, but we are in a tight schedule. And this is not the time for offering selections.

Mayor Zao: Right!

(He put the coupons away.)

Mayor Zao: Let's get on with the hunt, shall we?

(A panda walked across the screen, which shifted to the next part.)

Part 10: Operation: Infiltration is a Go!
TBA.