THE PLAN
GALEN
Oh..Oh...This is bad...I mean, it’s
all bad...but It wasn’t this bad.
It was my magic they felt...I
should have guessed...but your
lives...!
VORLAUF
What is that? What in land’s name
are you afraid of?
KEVIN
Listen Vorly. There’s a whole lot
to be afraid of right now.
ANN
Hey! Watch It...
KEVIN
You be scared of whatever you want.
Me? Right now it’s the thousands of
undead.
Before that It was loose rocks.
ELIZABETH
Ivan? Galen, is It really him?
ORA
From your story?
GALEN
It’s not “MY STORY”. It’s “The
Story”.
ELIZABETH
Oh...
ANN
What story?
LINUS
Who is Ivan?
GALEN
He’s the dark guardian. One of
them, anyway. He, he, he was one of
the three that led the upheaval of
the guardians --
LINUS
Wait wait wait... So you’re telling
me that’s a...and you’re a...
GALEN
Yes, yes, that’s It. Guardian...we
guard!
LINUS
But...but...
GALEN
But, but but, but. But what? I’m
not real? I’m evil? I was wiped
out? Which is It? What story have
you been telling yourself all these
years? The same one your parents
told you, no doubt? Don’t worry. No
don't worry. I am at least four
times as old as you are, so you did
not miss killing me as a child. I
may have even saved your families’
lives years and years ago, but no
matter. Would you like to kill me
now?
LINUS
We defend the land, ss-ss-ssir!
GALEN
(Laugh)
Well, I can’t argue with that. I
have been living in fear for
decades since I became the scourge
of the land instead of it’s hope.
How’s the land doing, by the way?
Everyone happy? Doing well? Loving
each other?
LINUS
Stay back!!
ORA
Vorlauf! You swore!
VORLAUF
Linus, stop It.
LINUS
NO! He...u-u-unnatural... that’s
what you said...unnatural!!
GALEN
Yes yes yes yea. That does sound
like something someone would say...
Well...you have the upper hand, my
friend. My magic can’t kill you,
but your sword can kill me.
LINUS
You...LIAR?!
GALEN
Awwwww
ELIZABETH
Galen...it’s alright. The rest of
us know...
GALEN
Did they not teach you that part?
Is that not part of the story these
days?
IVAN
Hahahahaha!
Magic...naughty, naughty magic...
VORLAUF
Linus! Lower your sword!
GALEN
But his magic? His magic could kill
us all...
Isn’t that fun?
VORLAUF
Put It down, Linus. We will be
alright.
LINUS
I...I...no. No! (Blah)
ANN
He will be alright.
Just breath, you’ll be okay.
VORLAUF
It’s a lot to take in.
LINUS
(Blah)
FORMOSA
Ugh. I can’t say I blame him...
ORA
Nor I...
GALEN
I’m...I’m sorry...
ELIZABETH
Oh hunny, you did nothing wrong.
History is not your fault.
GALEN
Really?
VORLAUF
Come...I could use a cup of tea...
KEVIN
Really?
VORLAUF
I keep some with me.
KEVIN
Really?
ANN
Ya’ know that’s getting old...
KEVIN
Really?
KARRAS
I’ll make a fire.
ORA
I’ll get Spirit’s bags that we hid
and some water; Kevin, come help
me.
ELIZABETH
And I’ll sit here and rest.
GALEN
I can do that, too!
ELIZABETH
Let me know when the water’s
boiling.
SCENE BRAKE
ANN
I don’t know what this is, where
you got It, or how you cooked
It....but It almost makes me glad
you got away at the tournament.
FORMOSA
Oh ha. Thank you. My cousin taught
me.
KARRAS
Formosa, how is your shoulder?
FORMOSA
A little weak...but better. Thanks.
GALEN
Well, It must be, because It did
not stop you from making literally
the best thing I have eaten in
years and years.
ELIZABETH
Ha! I’m not sure that’s a good
measure, but It is quite good, and
the mint tea also helps bring out
the flavor.
VORLAUF
I’m glad you like It; I dry my own
tea, actually.
KARRAS
How?
VORLAUF
Oh, I have picked up a few things
over the years.
GALEN
Feeling better, fella’?
LINUS
Ummm...yes? I think...I-I mean...
sure?
ELIZABETH
Kevin, would you like some tea?
Kevin...? Are you Okay?
KEVIN
I...Uhhh...
ELIZABETH
What’s wrong?
KEVIN
It’s just...uhh...looking around at
who's here - knowing what we just
went through - this is the
strangest conversation I have ever
heard...
FORMOSA
I’m going to bring some tea to Ora.
Here, Ora...it’s already starting
to get cold.
ORA
Thanks.
FORMOSA
How does your back feel? Did those
plants work?
ORA
If I don’t think about It, It feels
great.
FORMOSA
Give It some more time.
ORA
It’s not really what I’m thinking
about now anyway.
FORMOSA
What? The door?
ORA
It wouldn’t open...
FORMOSA
You can’t think that meant anything
back there. We were in the middle
of fighting for our lives.
ORA
But, we failed. There’s a dark
guardian out there waiting for us
along with who knows how many
undead still walking around.
KEVIN
Ora, would you like some food?
It really hits the spot.
ORA
No, thank you.
KEVIN
Ya’ know...I might be crazy, but I
think it’s a lot colder over here
away from the fire.
You angry about the door?
ORA
I’m angry because we failed...
again. We keep....
KEVIN
Failed? What are you talking
about?! Look at us! Have you seen
Galen? That guy is scary. We just
gotta’ think of a plan.
ORA
OH...A plan to get to the door? Had
one, didn’t work.
KEVIN
OKAY! That’s enough. What is wrong
with you? I’m so tired of...
This!
ORA
What?!
FORMOSA
What?
KEVIN
Every time something doesn’t work
out the way you want It to, you say
It failed...that it’s all your
fault.
FORMOSA
You know that’s not....
KEVIN
We keep failing?! Over and over?!
Really?! First of all, we’re not
dead from monsters or Vigiles or
whatever else has tried to kill
us!! And second, no one else thinks
we failed, but you keep telling us
we did!
FORMOSA
Easy Kevin.
KEVIN
NO! She needs to stop pitying
herself. Because every time she
feels bad, we have to give her this
big talk about how it’s “not her
fault” and blabbity blah, blabbity
blah.
ORA
What is your problem?!
KEVIN
Well - according to you - you are
all of our problems!
ORA
Oh! So you think this is my fault
too?!
KEVIN
I have been listening to you this
whole trip and that’s all you keep
saying!
ORA
What do you want from me?!
KEVIN
Well, maybe this is all my fault!
Did you ever think of that?!
ORA
What?
KEVIN
I mean I have been here, too. Or
maybe it’s Spirit’s fault! Or
Formosa’s! You aren’t the only one
to blame and you need to stop
ignoring us!
ORA
So you want me to blame you?!
KEVIN
What? No! What?! Wait...
FORMOSA
I think you’ve lost your path...
KEVIN
NO! I want you to stop telling
yourself things that you would stab
someone else for saying about you.
ORA
Shut up, Kevin.
KEVIN
Oh, here we go again! “Shut up,
Kevin!” “You’re embarrassing
yourself, Kevin!” Well, why don’t
you shut up Ora!
ORA
NO, YOU SHUT UP!
KEVIN
Fine!
ORA
FINE! Give me that meat!
EVERYONE
(Laughing/inaudible convo)
ORA
Hello! How is everyone’s evening!
ANN
Well...It was pleasant a moment
ago...
ELIZABETH
Is everything alright?
KEVIN
Oh yes ORA! Is everything alright?
ORA
Yeah, it’s all great. Turns out
you’re all to blame for us failing.
ELIZABETH
What?!
ANN
Really?
LINUS
Great...
KARRAS
Formosa?
FORMOSA
Just go with It.
KEVIN
SEEEE?! WAS THAT SO HARD?!
ORA AND KEVIN
(Laughing)
KARRAS
(Fakes Laughing)
GALEN
And I thought I was a little off...
ORA
Sorry, sorry. I’m fine! I’m fine.
VORLAUF
I see...
Ignoring the spurts of insanity for
a moment, did you have anything
remotely resembling a plan?
FORMOSA
Well, the forest will help us. At
least keep us safe as long as we
stay inside It.
ELIZABETH
If that’s truly Ivan, there is some
good news.
GALEN
Good news? Good news?!? You’re a
monster. A lying, old monster.
Oh...I’m sorry. You’re not old. I’m
much older. Ancient, even.
FORMOSA
If there’s a dark guardian on the
other side, I don’t see how we get
around that.
ELIZABETH
We suspected these undead were
under the control of a necromancer,
yes?
ORA
Stands to reason.
ELIZABETH
Well...I think we found our
necromancer.
LINUS
I...I think I need some more tea...
ANN
How is knowing that good? Hooray!
We found the most foul, evil thing
in the world! We win!!
KEVIN
You are not helping you know.
GALEN
It means we don’t have to kill all
the dead...we just have to kill the
necromancer. Once Ivan is dead
there’s nothing keeping his army up
and walking around.
VORLAUF
Hmmm, that does sound like a more
attainable goal but, and pardon my
ignorance here, but how does one go
about killing a dark guardian?
They’re basically death itself, are
they not?
GALEN
Bup bup bup. Not quite. Guardian or
dark guardian, strip away all that
magic and they’re just mortal men
and women.
KEVIN
Wait! Let’s not forget all of the
undead between us and him.
GALEN
You’re right. The more undead he
controls, the stronger he is. He’s
strong, too strong. OOO...Too
strong. So
strong. The strongest!
ANN
But if they’re just mortals, can’t
you just torch him, “Mr. Flying
Fireball”?
GALEN
My magic can’t hurt him.
KEVIN
Of course It can’t.
ORA
What do you mean?
GALEN
He is too powerful. I’m sure all
the dark ones are impervious to
direct magic by now. If they can
raise the dead, they certainly
found a way to survive magic-based
attacks. Plus...
FORMOSA
What...?
GALEN
Well, my magic is not that strong
any more...I’ve been locked away
for a very long time...so long, too
long, the longest...
KEVIN
What do you talking about?! You
saved us with a huge fire bomb!
GALEN
But just one. That took so much out
of me that I could not do that
again any time soon. So....I’m
afraid I won’t be too much help in
killing him...
ANN
Great, so let’s just walk up to him
and stab him in the eye.
GALEN
That would work! Can we do that?!
LINUS
No...
ORA
So...what do we do?
FORMOSA
Wait one moment.
VORLAUF
Didn’t realize she had these sorts
of abilities. Assumed her
performance in the tournament was
the best she had.
ANN
Giving up rather than killing a
Lusus Naturae? Kinda fits that
she’s a good tree climber.
KARRAS
She could take both of you.
VORLAUF
Of course.
ORA
Look!
FORMOSA
Okay, coming down!
KEVIN
Nice!
FORMOSA
I just wanted to get the lay of the
land. The forest has been keeping
the undead out, but they can’t keep
It up forever. If the risen wanted
in badly enough....
KEVIN
That’s not good!!
FORMOSA
But they don’t know we’re here
specifically, and the forest will
make It very hard for them to find
us.
ELIZABETH
That sounds promising.
FORMOSA
It’s dark, but I could see Ivan
too, or at least, I think It was
him. Slender; black, unkempt hair;
floating a few feet off the
ground...
GALEN
Sounds like Ivan.
FORMOSA
He’s hard to miss. He is right in
front of the door. I’m sure he can
see everything.
ORA
And we know what we need to do and
we know where we need to get to...
ANN
This is fun, it’s like a terrifying
puzzle.
ORA
Exactly! I have the start of an
idea...
VORLAUF
I’m sure you do, and I certainly
don’t mean to offend, but I’ve seen
how your plans pan out and I think
we need to do better than the
“start of an idea.”
ORA
Well, what do you suggest?
VORLAUF
I’ve been listening and taking note
of the talents and skills of our
little company.
KEVIN
And...?
VORLAUF
And...I may have an actual plan...
ANN
Oooooh. I like the sound of that...
ORA
Alright! Let’s hear It.....
SCENE BRAKE
ANN
Doing alright, Linus? Not going to
throw up on me, are you?
LINUS
No...I’m ready.
ANN
You really think this plan will
work?
LINUS
Yes!
VORLAUF
Not quite sure.
LINUS
What?!
ANN
I’ve never known you to not be sure
of a fight.
SPIRIT
(Whinnies)
VORLAUF
It’s alright Spirit. It’s alright.
We will see them all again soon.
SPIRIT
(Blows)
VORLAUF
It will work as long as they all do
their part.
LINUS
Why are we doing this?
ANN
I hate to side with Linus, but...
I trust you, I just don’t trust
them.
VORLAUF
I trust them...enough. I know the
loyalty they have to their Prophecy
quest. They would never betray
us...because to them, that would be
betraying their mission.
ANN
Sure, but...
VORLAUF
Means to an end, Ann. Means to an
end. We will not betray the vow we
took...ever. Time will prove that.
The sun is starting to rise...get
ready....
SCENE BRAKE
KEVIN
You can see them...you can see the
dead from here.
ORA
What are they doing?
KEVIN
Well, the group who chased us in to
the woods are just...waiting...
ORA
Well...so are we...
KEVIN
I hate being visible like this.
ORA
They don’t know where we are, so as
long as we stay out of site they
won’t see us. They will just stay
where they are... I think...
KEVIN
I know, it’s...it’s just very
unnerving...sun’s almost up behind
us, we’ll be seeing the signal
soon...
ORA
The plan is good. Everyone knows
their part. It’s good...
KEVIN
I know...I know...
ORA
It’s good...
SCENE BRAKE
KARRAS
I like the forest. I don’t
understand It much, but I like It.
FORMOSA
There was a woman in my family who
used to say that the first step to
understanding the forest is to
realize there is no way to
understand It.
KARRAS
Oh...well, I guess I got that part.
FORMOSA
(laughs)
I guess that’s true.
Feels like we might have the easy
job...I’m worried about the others.
KARRAS
Kevin will be okay. I know It.
FORMOSA
(snickers)
Still, I can’t help but feel like
you and I could be more use out in
the open.
KARRAS
I like fighting with you.
FORMOSA
(Sings)
The wind through the tall grass,
called her Children. From the soil
they rose with their arms held high
to embrace their mother, and she
swayed them to sleep. And she said
soon children will sow what they
reap. Many days many seasons an
age. All her children slumbered
there. Dreaming of many days not
yet dawned. When this age would be
gone.
(Spoken)
It’s almost time. The sun is about
to peak over the trees. Shall we?
The forest will keep us safe for as
long as possible, but once the dead
know we’re in here...
KARRAS
I know the plan...
FORMOSA
There...the edge is just beyond the
dark patch up ahead. You can just
see It through the trees.
KARRAS
How do you know? I can’t see
anything beyond It?
FORMOSA
That’s how I know...do you need to
get closer?
KARRAS
Bigger head start if we’re here.
KARRAS (CONT'D)
Ready?
FORMOSA
No.
KARRAS
Me either.
RISEN
(Roar)
KARRAS
Go!
FORMOSA
No wait! We have to make sure they
make It though, and they know where
we are!
RISEN
(Roar)
FORMOSA
NOW, RUN!!
KARRAS
They are coming!
FORMOSA
It’s only a small gap, only one can
make It through at a time. We can
make It!
FORMOSA (CONT'D)
What are you doing?
KARRAS
Buying us time!
FORMOSA
What was that?
KARRAS
Galen?
FORMOSA
No, I don’t think so...it’s too
soon and...
KARRAS
Look! Fire!!
FORMOSA
The forest...the forest is on fire!
They are burning a hole...RUN!!
SCENE BRAKE
KEVIN
It’s starting!
ORA
Good. The sun will be directly in
their eyes now.
KEVIN
Wow...somehow it’s even worse
watching from here than being in
the middle of It.
ORA
Well...You say that now...
KEVIN
Do you really trust Vorlauf? You
really think they’ll come through?
ORA
I do...
KEVIN
It makes me really uncomfortable,
but I do too...
ORA
Ha! Who would have thought that...
KEVIN
Umm, Ora? Look!
ORA
What...? I know that sound...
Oh no....
Galen? What is he doing?!
KEVIN
I don’t think so. Look! It’s coming
from the doors of Carcerem! Look at
the light!
IVAN
Bahahahaha!!
ORA
It’s Ivan!
IVAN
(Laughing)
Oh, it’s been so long! I like to
play!!
ORA
The dead are going to get Karras
and Formosa!
KEVIN
Wait! Follow the plan. They know
what they are doing.
ORA
But...
KEVIN
Trust them! Stick to the plan!
ORA
Right...the plan.
SCENE BRAKE
LINUS
What was that?
ANN
That...that came from the...
VORLAUF
Does not change anything. Get
ready...
Spirit, come here girl.
LINUS
But that was a fire...a
big...something!
ANN
Linus, get ready. The next signal
is our go.
LINUS
But, but that...
ANN
Linus???
VORLAUF
It’s alright, we just need to...
LINUS
I don't need to do anything! I did
not sign up for this...I just
wanted to...It was just a...
ANN
HEY! Calm down!!
KARRAS
Formosa!!
LINUS
No! No! I can’t! I cant!!
ANN
Linus!!! YOU COWARD!!! I’LL FIND
YOU!!!
VORLAUF
You’re on your own now...can you
handle that?
ANN
Just watch me...
END OF EPISODE 29