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 while the credit comes up: "Walt Disney Pictures presents".]

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. Today's your 12th birthday.

Raya: Wow. That's fantastic, Ba.

[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.

Tail Chief: (giggles) These aren't just any old gifts.

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

Spine 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.

Virana: Let's meet them.

[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.

[The other lands stop to grumble.]

Namaari: Hello. I'm called Namaari of Fang. And this is my mother, Virana.

Raya: Hello. I'm called Raya of Heart. And this is my father, Benja.

[Raya and Namaari giggle.]

Benja: Greetings, Chief Virana. I'm Chief Benja of Heart.

Virana: Benja. I love that name. I'm Chief Virana, and I'm your new step wife.

Benja: Awesome. I have a new step wife. You have a husband?

Virana: Yes. When Namaari was six, my husband passed away.

Benja: My wife, too. When Raya was six. (Virana chuckles) My new step wife and I will bake a cake for Raya, and you're all invited to Raya's 12th birthday. Let's have a feast.

Raya: That's right, Namaari. Come, have you eaten yet? (gives Namaari a piggyback ride) Wow. You weigh lightly. We have rice, meat, spring rolls, fish and soup.

Namaari: Wow. This is actually the first time I've had rice in a while.

[Raya takes Namaari to the throne room. At the throne room, Raya and Namaari talk and have lunch while Benja and Virana bake a cake for Raya. As the festivities are underway, Tuk Tuk climbs onto the plate as he attempts to eat a skewer of fish, but Namaari grabs it then Tuk Tuk grumbles.]

Raya: (laughs) Seriously? Your mom actually said that? Awkward. Okay, next question. Hand-to-hand or swords?

Namaari: Blades all day.

Raya: Right?

Namaari: (chuckles) Okay, dressy or casual?

Raya: Only a monster would choose to wear this outfit on the regular.

Narmaari: (laughs)

Raya: Uh, rice or stew?

[Namaari looks down at the two dishes]

Raya: I didn’t think that’d stump you.

Namaari: Uh… This is actually one of the first times I’ve had rice in awhile.

Raya: Really?

Namaari: Fang may look nice on the outside, but we have some pretty big holes on the inside.

Raya: Oh.

Namaari: Sorry. Didn’t mean to bring it down. So, where were we? We both have single parents who are terrible at telling jokes. We’re both warrior women who despise uncomfortable formal wear.

Raya: And we’re both Sisu superfans.

Namaari: (laughs) Yeah. You know, Fang legend says she’s still out there.

Raya: Sisu? You’re kidding, right?

Namaari: (taking out a folded up scroll) Wanna see something?

Raya: (gasps, whispering) Are you supposed to have that?

Namaari: (scoffs) No. According to this, after the Mighty Sisu blasted away all the Druun, she fell into the water and floated downstream. Legends say she’s now sleeping at the river’s end.

Tuk Tuk: (chitters)

Raya: But which river? There’s, like, hundreds.

Namaari: I don’t know. But if we could find it, could you imagine? A dragon back in the world. Things could be so much better.

[Raya looks at her father who talking to the servants and guests]

Raya: Yeah. Maybe we really could be Kumandra again.

[Namaari takes off her dragon pendant and gives it to Raya]

Namaari: Here.

Raya: Whoa. Really?

Namaari: From one dragon nerd to another.

Raya: Thanks, dep la. Oh, there's something I'd like to show you. I present to you my nicest pet in Kumandra. (shows Tuk Tuk to Namaari) Ta-da. Namaari of Fang, I introduce you to Tuk Tuk. Tuk Tuk, say hello to Namaari of Fang.

Tuk Tuk: (trills softly)

Namaari: (gasps) Aw, look at him. He looks adorable.

Raya: (giggles) Yeah, I know.

Namaari: That was really nice of you presenting Tuk Tuk to me. Oh, and I have a nice pet like yours. (makes kissing noises) Buwan, come here.

[Buwan approaches Namaari and Namaari picks him up.]

Namaari: This is Buwan, my serlot kitten. I hope he loves your pet.

Buwan: (meows and looks at Tuk Tuk)

Tuk Tuk: (trills excitedly and Buwan hops onto his back)

Raya: (puts Tuk Tuk to the floor as he and Buwan get along) Aw, look at that. They've become furry buddies.

Namaari: I know, dep la. You've been very useful. You know, in another world, I think we'll be best friends from now on. I wouldn't probably say lovers.

Raya: Oh. Well, that's good to hear.

[The door opens as the Heart baker rolls the cake to the throne chair and lights 12 candles. They all sing the happy birthday song in Filipino until Raya closes her eyes and blows out the candles. They applaud for Raya.]

Benja: Good blowing, dewdrop.

Raya: Thanks, Ba.

Spine Chief: Come, we should all go to the temple. Just you, me, Namaari, your father, Chief Virana, Dang Hai and Xian.

[Raya, Namaari, Benja, Virana, Spine Chief, Talon Chief and Tail Chief walk to the temple as they enter and look at the Dragon Gem.]

Namaari: (whispers) Wow. The presence of Sisu. We could feel it.

Spine Chief: Princess Raya, I wish for you the gift of love. (blows air)

Talon Chief: My wish is that you'll never be blue, only happy, all the days of your life.

Tail Chief: Raya of Heart, my wish shall be that you'd be loyal, brave, and true.

Virana: Dear Raya, my wish for you shall be...

[Suddenly, a crack appears on the ground and emerges Chen and Zang.]

Spine Chief: It's Chen the Druun leader and her shapeshifting assassin Zang.

[Chen and Zang stand before Benja and Virana menacingly.]

Chen: Well, well. (chuckles) What a delightful party, Chief Benja. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and... (laughs sinisterly) How quaint. Even the rabble.

Zang: (clicks tongue) I must say, we really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation.

Benja: You're not welcome here.

Chen: Not what? (chuckles) Oh, dear, what an awkward situation.

Virana: And, you're not offended, Your Excellency?

Chen: Why, no. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on your daughter.

Benja: No! We don't want your gift!

[Chen approaches Raya.]

Spine Chief: Stay away from the princess!

Tail Chief: Yes, stay away!

[Chen uses her magic to toss aside Spine Chief, Talon Chief and Tail Chief and they land onto the ground. Chen looks at Raya for a moment.]

Chen: Hmm. Listen well, all of you. The princess shall indeed become the leader of the squad also known as the Dragon Searchers.

Virana: That's a lovely gift.

[Chen looks at the Dragon Gem.]

Benja: Don't do this.

[Chen holds the Dragon Gem on her hand and drops it to the ground, shattering to five pieces.]

Chen: Oops. But... before the Druun attacks Fang on the fifth day after her 18th birthday, she will reassemble the Dragon Gem and fall into a sleep like death! A sleep from which she will never awaken!

Benja: Chen, please don't do this, I'm begging you.

Chen: I like you begging. Do it again.

[Benja hesitates a moment before he kneels in front of Chen and Zang.]

Benja: I beg you.

Chen: All right. The princess can be woken from her death sleep, but only by true love's kiss. (summons the Druun) This curse will last until the end of time! No power on Earth can change it!

[With a blast of purple light surrounding them, Chen and Zang leave, laughing maniacally.]

Spine Chief: She's summoned the Druun! Raya, pick up the pieces and give them to us!

Raya: Okay! [picks up one piece and gives it to the Spine Chief] One for you. [picks up another piece and puts it in her pocket] One for me. [picks up the third piece and gives it to Virana] One for Virana. [picks up the fourth piece and gives it to the Tail Chief] One for Xian. [picks up the last piece and gives it to Talon Chief] And one for Dang Hai.

Namaari: Raya, are you sure we'll see each other again in six years after we write letters?

Raya: Yes, I'm sure we will. Goodbye, dep la. We'll write letters to each other.

Virana: And thank you for giving me the piece of the gem. Come on, Morning Mist. We're going back to Fang.

Namaari: Take care of yourself, Raya.

[The tribes run away from the Druun as they scream and retreat to their lands.]

Raya: Are you gonna come with us, Ba?

Benja: Raya, I... I'd love to, but... you must be safe with your new friends. You'll have to move to Tail with Yen, Xian and Dang Hai. And don't forget to take your pet. (Raya is about to cry and he hugs her, shushing) It's all right. Everything's gonna be fine, you'll see. (kisses Raya on the forehead) I love you, my little dewdrop. Goodbye.

[Benja pushes Raya to the river and gets turned into stone by a lone Druun. Yen, Xian and Dang Hai dive into the river and they swim to Tail with Raya and Tuk Tuk.]

Narrator: Princess Raya, Yen, Xian and Dang Hai have become safe from the Druun's attack in Heart after the Dragon Gem were shattered into five pieces. Secretly, she formed a squad of her own named the Dragon Searchers as they spent for six years searching for Sisu in the desert wastelands of Tail. Chen and Zang made the campgrounds from across the five lands as she turned the Druun into soldiers where they rode far and wide to hunt Raya and her friends down. After Xian set the traps in her kingdom and built a bridge, she built a house made of mud and rocks that they might never again suffer the touch of Fang soldiers or the Druun. Virana placed the piece of the gem on her staff as she taught her daughter, Namaari, to become the leader to take Raya to Fang. Yen, Xian and Dang Hai began their charge to raise Raya in a house made entirely out of mud and rocks.

Spine Chief: Oh, no! Is this it?

Talon Chief: Looks muddy to us.

Spine Chief: (huffs) Come on. I'm really sorry for your loss, Raya. You'll be completely safe from the Druun and the Fang soldiers.

Talon Chief: I think Yen's right. We'll look after you so we can cook and eat every morning, afternoon and evening. I'm sure we'll be completely safe from the dangers of evil.

Tail Chief: (her stomach growls as she moans) I'm so hungry. Good thing I have leftovers from Heart. (eats a handful of meat) Mm. Juicy. (swallows) Now, there'll be no questions asked. We're all safe from the Druun, we're the three chiefs of the tribes raising the princess of Heart in my homeland. So, let's go inside. Oh, and one more thing. You said you'd write letters to Namaari.

Raya: Yes, I did.

Talon Chief: We're all in the middle of the desert.

Spine Chief: At least no evil will find us here.

[As they enter the house, Tuk Tuk trills and the Spine Chief opens the door and picks him up.]

Spine Chief: There you are. Why are you always hiding? Come on. I'll take you to Raya.

[Spine Chief reenters the house and closes the door. At the Druun campgrounds, Zang informs Chen who squeezes the cloth.]

Chen: So, you have news?

Zang: The tribe chief trio begins to raise Raya in the Tail desert.

Chen: Good. We will find Raya wherever she lives until the Fang army is on its knees. And then... the Fang kingdom will be laid bare. The last dragon will be mine to turn into stone. You have proved useful, assassin.

Zang: (grabs Chen's throat) Not assassin. Warrior. (exhales shakily) I could tear you to pieces before you blink.

Chen: But you won't. Remember what you want, a place where your powers will not be vilified. A place where you are accepted for who you are. You won't get what you want without me. (takes Zang's hand off her throat) When I found you on the Kumandra forest wandering alone, you were exiled. A scorned dog. When I sit on the throne, that dog will have a home. (chuckles)

Zang: We will finish what we started.

Chen: And you will see to it that nothing and no one stands in my way.

[The scene goes to Raya who's 18 years old as she rides on Tuk Tuk to the shipwreck. The text comes up: "Six years later". Tuk Tuk stops as Raya dismounts and looks at the map. Spine Chief, Talon Chief and Tail Chief approach Raya.]

Narrator: As Namaari had said, Raya did turn 18 where the seasons changed.

Spine Chief: Well, this is the place. And I'm sure we'll summon Sisudatu once we get inside.

Raya: Of course we will.

Talon Chief: Hmm. I think I could feel the presence of Sisu as well.

Tail Chief: So can I. You have the dragon pendant Namaari gave you.

Raya: Yes, I have. And that was just six years ago before the Druun returned.

Tuk Tuk: (grunts softly)

[A Druun soldier charges at Raya while he yells.]

Tail Chief: Watch out! (stabs a Druun soldier's heart) It's all right. It's just a Druun soldier. (a Druun soldier disintegrates) Oh, Tuk Tuk. Let me help you up. (helps Tuk Tuk up) There. Good as new.

Spine Chief: That's strange. A soldier just disintegrated. Man. I have a very bad feeling about this.

Raya: Me too. Let's go inside the shipwreck.

Talon Chief: Great idea.

Raya: Tuk Tuk, stay here. My friends and I are gonna summon Sisu.

[Tuk Tuk whines as Raya, Spine Chief, Tail Chief and Talon Chief enter the shipwreck. At the shipwreck, Raya unrolls the scroll and places the dragon pendant on the grail.]

Raya: Oh, Sisu. Please hear us. We spent six years searching the whole land for you. I missed my father so much. (cries softly) I wish I could see him again. The world was broken, and now we need your help. Please, Sisu. I need you to come to us.

[Raya summons Sisu as she sings in Filipino. The droplets float and the blue smoke summons Sisu.]

Sisu: (in deep voice) Oh, great one who summons me, terrible one who commands me, I stand by my oath. Loyalty to wishes three.

[Raya stares in awe at her]

Sisu: (clears throat) I said, oh great... (in normal voice) Excuse me, have you seen my siblings?

Raya: Uh...

Sisu: Help me out here, where's my siblings? If I was just gonna talk to myself, I coulda just stayed in the pendant. Hello! (Raya swallows) Use your big girl voice.

Raya: I'm... talking... to a big blue hairy lizard?

Sisu: No! (warbles) I am not a lizard. I am a dragon. There is a difference. Lizards have wings to fly. Have you seen my siblings?

Raya: Your siblings?

Sisu: Yes, and who are you?

Raya: I'm Raya. And those are my friends who raised me like a family. Yen of Spine, Dang Hai of Talon, and Xian of Tail.

Spine Chief, Talon Chief, Tail Chief: (bowing to Sisu) Almighty Sisu.

Sisu: Wow. I didn't know you made new friends. And you have a team of your own.

Raya: That's right. And I called the team the Dragon Searchers.

Sisu: I see. And what do we have here? (picks a jackfruit jerky) Hmm. I haven't had one of these before. (takes a bite into it) Mm. This tastes really... fruity but jerky to me. So, you must be Raya, right? (Raya nods her head) Huh. That's good to hear. I'm Sisudatu, the last of the dragons.

Spine Chief: Wait, you said you had siblings, right?

Sisu: Yes, I have two brothers and two sisters. Pengu, Jagan, Pranee and Amba.