Raya and the Last Dragon (Sam the Editor's Version)/Transcript

[The film begins with the logos before cutting to a barren jungle. A statue stands in the middle of it as something rolls past it. A large rolling object rolls through a desert with a woman in a robe, straw hat and wearing a mask over her mouth and nose riding on it past old ruins and statues of people toward a river.]

Narrator: Let me tell you the story of the leader of the squad. A dystopian world, A land that's gone to waste. Once upon a time, there was a world between humans and dragons called Kumandra. 500 years ago, our land was whole, and we lived harmoniously alongside... dragons. Magical creatures who brought us water and rain and peace. It was paradise. But then, the Druun came. A mindless plague that spread like wildfire, multiplying as they consumed life and turned everyone they touched into stone. The dragons fought for us the best they could, but it wasn't enough. That's when the Mighty Sisudatu, the last dragon, concentrated all her magic into a gem and blasted the Druun away. Everyone that was turned to stone came back. Except the dragons. All that was left of Sisu was her gem. It should have been this big inspirational moment, where humanity united over her sacrifice. But instead, people being people, they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic. Borders were drawn, Kumandra divided. We all became enemies, and the gem had to be hidden. But that's not how the world broke. That didn't truly happen until 500 years later, when she came into the story.

[The scene changes to a younger Raya putting on gloves and grabbing two bo staffs which she puts on her back. She runs down the corridor but stops when she sees a bracelet shining in the moonlight. She puts it on her ponytail and tightens her face covering before whirling to look determinedly at the camera. The title comes up: "Raya and the Last Dragon". The scene changes in three split halves to reveal Raya now standing on the window ledge. She jumps on to the ground and runs toward a giant curve shaped mountain with a palace on it. Raya crept into the hallway and runs her hand across the wall. She look to see that half the wall is solid. Raya looks down to the corridor as she removes her face covering and smirks. She bends down to the floor and examines the walls. She moves her hand over one of the cobblestones in the floor which sinks into the floor, triggering a net. Raya quickly ducks out of the way.]

Raya: Hmm. Huh. Looks like someone's trying to be clever.

[She brings out her pet which is part-pill bug, part-armadillo, and part pug and taps it's shell, causing to uncurl]

Tuk Tuk: (chittering)

Raya: All right, Tuk Tuk, let's show 'em what clever really looks like.

Tuk Tuk: (chittering)

[Tuk Tuk rolls underneath the nets but stops when he sees a bug and tries follow it]

Raya: Tuk Tuk! Come on! Focus!

Tuk Tuk: (chitters)

[Tuk Tuk curls back up and continues]

Raya: Thank you.

[Tuk Tuk rolls under the final net and into the wall at the end of the corridor. He uncurls]

Raya: Hey, bud, that was awesome. Give me some shell.

[Tuk Tuk tries to high five her only to end up on his back]

Raya: (laughs as she pushes him up right again) I got ya.

[Raya studies the door and uses her stick weapons to turn unlock it. The door opens revealing a chamber within. Raya removes her shoes and follows the water, which is flowing up instead of down, up the stairs to a room where Sisu's gem is suspended in the air surrounded by a pool of water and dragon statues. Raya stares at it amazed]

Raya: Whoa.

[Raya looks around but then she becomes suspicious]

Raya: Wait a second.

[She turns to look at the chamber door]

Raya: This feels too easy.

[She turns back around see a figure in a mask, Chief Benja, her father, standing behind her on two of the stepping stones in the pool of water surrounding the gem]

Raya: Chief Benja. Look, I know it's your job to try and stop me, but you won't.

Chief Benja: Don't mistake spirit for skill, young one. I promise you will not set foot on the Dragon Gem's inner circle. Not even a toe.

Raya: You might wanna take out that blade. You're gonna need it.

Chief Benja: Not today.

[Raya takes out her sticks and a fight ensues. She tries to get past Chief Benja on both sides only to be blocked both times. They clash weapons and Chief Benja manages to strike Raya. The tip of her nose barely touches the water as she gets back up and leaps at Chief Benja before their weapons clash again. Eventually, Chief Benja disarms Raya and knocks her to the ground. He aims his sword at her, looking as if he is about to deliver the killing blow. Instead, however, he boops her on the tip of her nose with it]

Chief Benja: Boop. (removing his mask) Like I said, not one foot on the inner circle. You lost, Raya.

Raya: Did I?

[She and Chief Benja look to see Raya's pinky toe is touching the edge of the inner circle. Benja smiles]

Chief Benja: (gasps) Raya... (helping her up) I probably should've said two feet.

Raya: Hey, don't beat yourself up too much, Chief Benja. You gave it your best.

Chief Benja: I won't. And it's either "Father" or "Ba" to you. You did good, dewdrop. You passed the test.

[He turns her to face the Dragon Gem which is surrounded by tiny droplets of water floating around it]

Raya: Wow. The spirit of Sisu.

[They both kneel before the gem and bow making a circle shape on their foreheads before lowering their hands]

Chief Benja: For generations, our family has sworn to protect the gem. Today, you will join that legacy. Raya, Princess of Heart, my daughter, you are now a Guardian of the Dragon Gem.

[He pours water on Raya's head which turns into droplets and flows to the gem. Raya and Benja stare at it. The next day, the sun shines over Heart and we view a variety of people making food, banners and arranging flowers in bird baths. Raya and Tuk Tuk catch up with Benja in the corridor as Raya performs karate moves]

Benja: (chuckles) Well, someone's excited.

Raya: Well, yeah! I mean, anyone hoping to steal the Dragon Gem now has to face the fury of the two baddest blades in all the lands.

Benja: I'm glad you feel prepared, dewdrop, because I have something important to tell you. The other lands, they're on their way here, as we speak.

Raya: They are? Uh... Okay. Okay, no, we can do this. I'm ready. I know exactly how we'll stop them.

Benja: Really? Tell me what you know about the other lands.

Raya: First... Tail. A sweltering desert with sneaky mercenaries who fight dirty. Second, Talon. A floating market famous for fast deals and fighters with even faster hands. Third, Spine. A frigid bamboo forest guarded by exceptionally large warriors, and their giant axes. Fourth, Fang. Our fiercest enemy. A nation protected by angry assassins, and their even angrier cats.

Cat: (hisses)

Tuk Tuk: (chitters)

Raya: Okay, so we're gonna need some crossbows and catapults and... Ooh! What about flaming catapults?

Benja: Or, how about shrimp paste from Tail, lemongrass from Talon, bamboo shoots from Spine, chilis from Fang and palm sugar from Heart?

Raya: We'll poison them?

Benja: (chuckles) No, we're not going to poison them and we're not going to fight them. We're going to share a meal with them.

Raya: (scoffs) Wait, what?

Benja: I invited them.

Raya: But they're our enemies.

Benja: They're only our enemies because they think the Dragon Gem magically brings us prosperity.

Raya: That's ridiculous. It doesn't do that.

Benja: They assume it does, just like we assume things about them. Raya, there's a reason why each land is named after a part of the dragon. We were once unified. Harmoniously as one. Kumandra.

Raya: That's ancient history, Ba.

Benja: But it doesn't have to be. Listen, if we don't stop and learn to trust one another again, it's only a matter of time before we tear each other apart. This isn't the world I want you to live in. I believe that we can be Kumandra again. But someone has to take the first step. Trust me.

[Benja looks at the window as Raya takes what he says into consideration. Later, the other lands stand together in silence all glaring in suspicion, making Raya uncomfortable]

Narrator: All the other lands came to Raya's 12 birthday. Even the trio of the tribe chiefs who sought to foster peace and goodwill.

Raya: Things look a little tense, Ba.

Benja: Don't worry, I'm gonna open with a joke.

Raya: Please don't.

Benja: (chuckles) I'm kidding, I'm kidding. (inhales, to the other lands) People of Tail, Talon, Spine, and Fang, welcome to Heart. For far too long, we have been enemies, but today is a new day. Today, we can be Kumandra once more.

Tail Chief: (while she claps slowly) Nice speech, Chief Benja. But why'd you really bring us here? Are you gonna rob us?

Talon Chief: Why would he need to rob us? The land of Heart already has everything.

Spine Chief: Oh, it's easy to pontificate on Kumandra when you hold the mightiest weapon in all the lands.

Benja: The gem's not a weapon. It's a sacred relic.

Raya: (waves her hand) Hello.

Spine Chief: Oh. Greetings, Princess Raya. I'm Yen of Spine.

Talon Chief: I'm Dang Hai of Talon, good princess.

Tail Chief: And I'm Xian of Tail, Princess Raya of Heart.

Raya: (whispers to Benja) They bring gifts for me.

Spine Chief: (laughs) These aren't just any old gifts.

Tail Chief: For, you see, we're warriors.

Talon Chief: And very good with people.

Benja: So, Raya, who would you prefer to choose?

Raya: Hmm. Let me see. Oh, I know. I'll choose the princess of Fang who has the same age as me.

Namaari: (chuckles softly)

Spine Chief: Very well. Chief Benja shall grant you the princess of Fang, Namaari.

[Raya and Benja approach Namaari and Virana while the other lands grumble.]

Talon Chief: Settle down, now, everyone. Let's not get angry on Raya's 12th birthday. Let's all be happy and be polite.