POWER RANGERS MYTHIC KNIGHTS
EPISODE 39: Vendetta
WRITTEN BY JOEY TURNER, JIMMY MAEHER, ZAK KAYES, AND KATHERINE HAWKINS
(6TH CENTURY AD)
(The 6th century, years before Alexis and Terretto began chasing the demons into the future, was some of the happiest days of young Alexis's life. She could still remember when she was five years old. Her father scared away some boys who were teasing her with his blacksmith hammer, and then cheered her up by giving her a push on her favorite swing, just a plank of wood held up by two sturdy ropes. At age 7, her father taught her archery. The first time she shot an arrow, it completely missed the target, but after her father helped her level her arms out, she got a perfect shot. When she was 9, her mother started teaching her magic. She started learning how to conjure up water, but she ended up drenching the two of them. Alexis was disappointed in herself, but her mother just smiled and encouraged her to keep practicing. By the time she was 11, she had already learned twelve new spells, and things looked good for the family. But then Alexis turned 14 and in the middle of the night some time after her parents had tucked her in, she awoke to the smell of smoke and the sound of crackling flames. Her house was on fire and she escaped the house as fast as she could, ready to prepare a water conjuring spell. But when she tried to conjure the spell, she couldn't focus. She was too tired and too much in shock. She looked away for a split second to see a silhouetted figure in the bushes turn and walk away.)
(KNIGHT RANGER BASE - JT AND ALEXIS' ROOM - MORNING)
(Alexis jolted up in bed, wide-awake, sweating, and rapidly breathing. She looked around, realizing she was back in her and JT's room. A small tear quietly started to escape her eye, until she suddenly felt a warm embrace wrap around her. She looked to her right and saw it was a sleeping JT. Alexis couldn't help but smile. When she was feeling down, she could always count on JT to cheer her up, even when he wasn't even conscious to do so.)
(JUNDAI MOUNTAINS CAVE - MORNING)
(Yuranzo sat bored on his throne, looking through his mirror..)
YURANZO (He sighed bitterly): Boy, nothing cures depression after suffering loss after loss AFTER LOSS, than looking at the past BEFORE I got mixed in with all this Power Ranger Knight crap! ...Oh, I remember that, my very first day as a Jester. My jokes were so horrible, they pushed me into the lava pit. You can never relive such good times! Let's see, what else is on and…(Suddenly, an image started flashing on the screen and Yuranzo found himself shocked.) Hello, what have we here?
(He saw what it was and even though it was distorted, it showed Alexis at a young age unable to save her parents. It looked like it was taken from the perspective of the figure Alexis had seen.)
YURANZO: Isn't that…? (Suddenly a wicked grin formed on Yuranzo's twisted face. He couldn't help but snicker.) Oh-ho-ho-hoooo. Someone's been a very naughty boy. (He made the mirror disappear and reached for his Psycho Sword, morphing into his armor.) You know something? I think it's time I came out of hiding. After all, nothing cures depression like a little night of chaos! (He cackled evilly as he opened a shadow portal and stepped through.)
(OPENING CREDITS)
(KNIGHT RANGER BASE - MORNING)
(JT silently tiptoed down the stairs and walked into the living room, only to be confronted by Calisto and Arbusto. JT jumped in surprise and covered his mouth.)
ARBUSTO: JT, what are you doing?
CALISTO: You're not usually up this early, man.
JT: Uh…nothing! I was just uh…(He picked up a random magazine.) I was just reading the Bible! (Opens it) LOOK, EGYPTIAN DUDE, IF THE JEWS WANNA PART THE RED SEA AND TAKE AWAY ALL THE FIRST BORN BABIES, WHO ARE YOU TO TELL 'EM NOT TO!?
ARBUSTO: …JT, that is a lady's periodical. (He read the cover.) "9 Tips for Silky Feet?" Why would you read this?
JT (His eyes shifted): Because SOME people (Raised his bare foot) care about the smoothness of their feet! TELL ME you would not brush your kitty's butt with this foot!
CALISTO: …yeah, I don't buy that. Training was supposed to start by now. We were waiting on Alexis, but the others just went on without her..
ARBUSTO: She was supposed to have been up one hour and three minutes ago.
CALISTO: You counted. bro? It doesn't need to be exact.
JT (He looked guilty, then sighed): Look, Alexis didn't get enough sleep last night, so I thought it'd be good to let her sleep in for a little bit while I got her something to eat.
CALISTO: Was she up buried in her books again? She seemed fine last time I saw her.
JT (He started shifting nervously): Uh…(Raising his arms up) I HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT! Anything I say can and will be sent back to me in a nasty chain letter with spam attachments!
CALISTO (He cocked his eyebrow confused): ...Okay, then. Look, just tell me why Alexis couldn't sleep last night.
JT: I cannot, my dear reptilian brutha! I promised I wouldn't tell.
CALISTO: She made you promise? (He got a little too close to JT.) What could she possibly want you to…?
JT: INAPPROPRIATE DISTANCE! INAPPROPRIATE DISTANCE! NO MEANS NO! (Calisto and Arbusto just looked confused as JT continued.) I AM NOT THAT TYPE OF WOMAN...I'M NOT EVEN A WOMAN!
(At that moment, Vance, Curtis, Sondre, Quintin, Gale, and the rest of the dragons walked in, looking tired and rather annoyed.)
VANCE (He groaned): JT, it's too early for this. And where's Alexis? Training was supposed to start an hour ago.
ARBUSTO: An hour and four.
CALISTO (He dope slapped his brother): Doesn't matter, bro. Apparently she's getting extra sleep, and JT over here is acting all suspicious about something.
JT (He gasped): SUSPICIOUS?! Why I resent that, good sir! And I for one will not stand for this slander and...
ALEXIS: It's okay, Jack.
(Everyone turned toward the stairs to see Alexis, fully awake in her usual clothes and standing there awkwardly, pushing her hair back. She walked into the living room.)
ARBUSTO: There you are, now can we please get to tr...
ALEXIS: Arbusto, please, I do not want to have to set your tail on fire again. (Arbusto clutched his tail briefly and she shook her head.) I knew I couldn't keep this from the others, and I shouldn't have tried. (She glared toward Calisto.) Of course putting my boyfriend on the spot isn't exactly the best way to find out what is going on with me.
(Calisto looked away awkwardly. Alexis sighed as she sat down.)
ALEXIS: Everyone, sit down, please. There's something I need to tell all of you. (Everyone looked a bit concerned, but they sat down anyway. Alexis first turned towards the Knights.) I've known you guys for a very long time. I know when we started out, I was really hostile, but now I see almost all of you as family. (She looked to Quintin.) No offense.
QUINTIN: No worries. I can go if you want.
ALEXIS: No, it's fine. (She looked to the dragons.) And you dragons have become just as important to us as family. So I think it's time I told you the truth. Terretto and all of you are the only family I have left because way back before me and Terretto travelled to the future, my parents were killed when I was young.
(The others, except JT and Vance because they were already told of this once before, shared expressions of shock.)
QUINTIN: Said every superhero or main character ever. (He shrugged while Glaciem and Curtis elbowed him from both sides.) OW! I'm just saying.
ALEXIS: When I was 14, our house was set ablaze. My parents died in the fire that night. I couldn't put out the fire in time. I was too scared. Even when Terretto showed up to put out the fire, he couldn't save my parents. I thought maybe Dad's Knight gem would have saved them but…
GLACIEM: Wait, your father was a Knight?
ALEXIS: A Mythic Knight. The original Yellow Knight, and I'm still grateful to know his gem survived the fire.
LUCERNA: Interesting. We met the 6th century Knights only a few times when we were young. I do not recall their names though.
VANCE (He leaned his head down slightly): My mom was a Knight. Same with my father. Sondre was one too.
ARBUSTO: It's a small world after all. (He looked to Alexis.) And so you joined with Terretto to become a Knight. Thus, as they say, the rest is history.
ALEXIS: But it doesn't mean the nightmares can't exist.
CICUTA: Join the club. (Calisto looked to her. ) So you tell us a sob story about your problems, I get it. But what exactly is that supposed to mean to us?
LUCERNA: It means that we know why she was late.
CICUTA: Oh, okay. So if I just say I have nightmares, I have an excuse to sleep in? Gee, I'll use that more often now.
ALEXIS: I never asked for your opinion, Cicuta. I've used that memory in my head for years to strengthen myself and remind me that fear cannot stop me. I wish I could have snapped out of it to save them, but I cannot change the past and dwelling on it won't make anything better.
CICUTA: Well you ain't getting any sympathy from me, "princess."
ALEXIS: Princes...excuse me?
CALISTO: Cicuta, leave it, alright?
(Before anything else could happen, Quintin and JT gently pulled Cicuta and Alexis backward.)
VANCE: Well I don't think it's an excuse. We're all here for you, right? (The others nodded minus Cicuta who shrugged.) All of us have been through pain and loss, but that's what makes us stronger. (He looked to Alexis.) And others should know about the road you've gone down as opposed to not caring and never knowing.
(Alexis nodded and sighed, noticing JT's hand on her shoulder. She touched it and smiled. Just then the alarm rang out and everyone dashed to the command post.)
(KNIGHT RANGER BASE: COMMAND POST)
(Curtis dashed to the main seat, typing away at the keyboard as everyone raced in.)
VANCE: What is it today, Curtis? Is it Xavious this time?
(A green screen popped up as yellow words appeared in the form of a message.)
CURTIS: No, it's a message.
ALEXIS: Who could send us a message? (She read the message) "Greetings to my favorite little playmates. It has been way too long. I have what you lost, and if you want to see it again, come and get me at the old abandoned funhouse in ten minutes."
CURTIS (He read the rest of the message.): "And get ready for a night of fun and surprises. Signed…Yuranzo?!"
(The Knights gasped.)
JT: So, he's finally done hiding? It's too easy. Yuranzo loves hiding, almost as much as he hates me!
GLACIEM: Wait, he mentioned he had something that we lost.
VANCE: Terretto!
ALEXIS: You don't think….no, that's impossible.
GALE (She raised an eyebrow): You really think Yuranzo is capable of taking Terretto? He's not exactly Grieger or Xavious material.
SONDRE: It's true. Yuranzo isn't very powerful. He wouldn't even last a second against my father, but he isn't stupid either. This isn't right. It has to be a trap.
VANCE: Maybe it is, but does it matter? That little freak's out in the open for the first time in months. With our new powers, we can finally take him out!
JT: I APPROVE OF THIS! I've been itching to do a little rearranging of Clowny's face!
LUCERNA (She cracked her neck): Oh why not? I could use a little clown pummeling before lunch!
GALE: What if it's a trap and me and Sondre can't help?
ALEXIS: If it's Yuranzo, we already know it's a trap, but we can't take the chance.
QUINTIN: Besides, it'll probably be just a bunch of Demonites. Even JT can take them on.
JT: Yeah, even JT can…HEY!
GALE: We'll keep a close eye on what's going on. I don't like this anymore than you do.
SONDRE: We may not be able to morph as much but we can still fight. Let us know if you need help.
VANCE: Got it. Let's go, everyone! (The rest of the group left the Command Post.)
(ABANDONED SPOOKY SAM'S FUNHOUSE - MORNING)
(The Knights, including Quintin's own Jet Streamer made by Curtis, wasted no time getting down to what was once Spooky Sam's Funhouse, a dilapidated warehouse with the entrance decorated like a creepy oversized clown mouth, with the neon letters on the top all burnt out. The Knights and dragons arrived right in front of the entrance. No one had morphed yet.)
CURTIS: So, this is the old funhouse?
JT: Sure is, buddy. Has this always been here?
QUINTIN: Yeah, but ever since that accident twenty years ago, nobody's spoken of this junkpile.
PRISMIO (He gulped) What k-kind of accident?
QUINTIN (He shrugged): Beats me. Nobody ever found out what really went on in there. I think some kid went in there and was...
JT: ATTACKED BY BADGERS!?
ARBUSTO: What is it with you and badgers again?
JT: Never trust a badger, Busty! NEVER...TRUST...A BADGER!
ALEXIS (She rolled her eyes): It makes sense. You want to track a twisted clown, you track him to his twisted playground. Stay on guard. The minute you see the glow of his demon eyes, we morph, fight, and take back whatever he took.
CURTIS (He noticed something): And what happens if Xavious gets involved?
ALEXIS: Why would Xavious want to get involved with Yuranzo?
JT (He pointed ahead): Why don't you ask them?
(Sure enough, there stood an army of Demonoids, armed and ready for battle.)
CALISTO: And I believe THAT'S our cue!
(He, Glaciem, Arbusto, Prismio, and Cicuta morphed into their Burster forms.)
VANCE: We'll deal with these things first, then we go after Yuranzo.
ALEXIS: That's the plan.
KNIGHTS (They crossed their arms and raised their Bursters): DRAGON FURY, IGNITE!
(The Knights morphed and drew their weapons. Alexis was surrounded, but she kicked one of the demonoid's blasters out of its hand, then roundhouse kicked the soldier, causing it to fall onto another. Then she used her falchion to slice through three demonoids at once. She backflipped out of the circle she was in and spun like a tornado, swiftly crashing her blade into the demonoids around her. Vance and JT both worked together with their respective weapons, keeping each other protected while they flipped and struck the foot soldiers with their weapons. Then they took out their Bursters and fired their respective colored blasts at the Demonoids to destroy them. Lucerna leapt at a demonoid, knocking it down, then quickly shot three arrows with her bow. Curtis roundhouse kicked a demonoid, followed by five more and then he Uni-Sliced through two more demonoids. Quintin kicked a demonoid away, then struck one in the stomach with his hand, and sliced a few more backwards with his Toxic Stryker. Alexis sliced at two more demonoids, but then she felt her blade clash with something stronger. She looked up and saw that she was now locking blades with Triano, who was just as surprised as she was.)
ALEXIS: Triano?
TRIANO: You? (He growled.) Why can't I ever go anywhere without clashing swords with a Knight!? What are you doing here?
ALEXIS (She scowled): I could ask you the same thing. I haven't seen you since you ran away from our last fight!
TRIANO: I don't have to run from a fight with you, or your little teammates!
(Triano raised his sword up but stopped, now noticing the Knights had surrounded him with their weapons.)
CURTIS: You sure you wanna stand by that?
TRIANO: I have no time for you today! I'm here for that rat of a jester!
ALEXIS (She tilted her head, confused): Wait…you're here for Yuranzo too?
TRIANO: Yes, that fool of a fool had the gall to send me a message, stupidly revealing his location out in the open! Why do you think I brought those Demonoids?
VANCE (His eyes narrowed suspiciously): You got a message from him? He sent us one too. He said he had something we lost.
TRIANO: In mine, he said he had something I WANT.
JT (He inhaled deeply) I do declare I smell me a CONSPIRACY!
(Right at that moment, Yuranzo leapt out of a shadow portal.)
YURANZO: WARRIIIOOOOOORS, COME OUT TO PLAY-AAAAY! (He cackled evilly.)
(The Knights gasped and held their weapons preparing to strike.)
JT: First of all, kid's aren't going to get that reference. Second, YURANZO, the anti-me! So we meet again…at last...AGAIN!
YURANZO: Ah yes, my favorite old playmates! Let's see, we got an idiot, a witch, a techno fairy, two of Arcana's factory rejects, and a glorified iguana and her little siblings (Lucerna growled.) Six months in stone can give you a lot of time to think, (He bitterly turned towards Triano.) but you and ole King Xavious wouldn't know that, would you? Because I don't go around turning demons to stone!
TRIANO: Oh give it a rest, Yuranzo. As it just so happens, his Majesty has been searching endlessly for you.
YURANZO: Well I don't…(He blinked, in confusion.) wait, he has?!
TRIANO (He smirked): Oh yes. Ever since you escaped, the King has thought long and hard about your place in the Demonic Empire and…(He walked towards Yuranzo and pulled out a scroll of parchment.) I think we've finally found it.
YURANZO (He excitedly grabbed the scroll): A place?! FOR ME?! Holy crap, I can't believe it! I always knew you guys missed me down...
(Yuranzo unrolled the scroll and his heart sank. On the scroll, there was a picture of Yuranzo, and written upon the top read, "Wanted Dead or Alive." and on the bottom, "Reward: 5 Gold Coins, and a place in King Xavious's court.")
YURANZO (His bottom lip trembled): ...He...he placed a bounty on me?! For only FIVE MEASLY COINS!?
(JT, Curtis, and Lucerna laughed hysterically. Vance, Alexis, and Quintin did what they could to not laugh themselves.)
YURANZO: ARE YOU QUITE FINISHED!?
JT (He calmed down): Okay, we're good.
YURANZO (He growled and crumpled up the scroll): I can't believe this! Before that high-lord windbag came around, I was practically RUNNING that castle! I worked my fingers to the bone making sure Grieger had all his precious little monsters! Now I can't even step foot in the Nether anymore!?
TRIANO: Oh I wouldn't worry about that, "old friend." You won't have to worry about this bounty, because I'm taking you to the King myself! You are to be put on trial, examined, and if we're all lucky…executed! (He pointed his sword towards Yuranzo's throat, but then JT used his staff to block Triano's sword.)
JT: Hold the hippo there, Snacky Pants! Now look, Triano, let's talk this over man to...demon. You want Yuranzo dead, we want Yuranzo dead, so how about this? You go on back to your little Kingy-hole, we turn Yuranzo into a sidewalk rigatoni alfredo a la dragon, and then we all kick back for the weekend and watch cartoons and drink orange soda like in the 90s? What do you say, huh, huh?
TRIANO: Tempting, but I prefer my plan of taking the clown to the King, myself!
QUINTIN: We called the clown first!
TRIANO (He glared at Quintin): You don't know who you're dealing with, you filthy little halfling!
QUINTIN: Yeah, well this "filthy little halfling" and his team are walking away with that clown whether you like it or not.
YURANZO: Aww, don't tell me ya'll are fighting over little-old-me?
KNIGHTS/TRIANO: STAY OUT OF IT, YURANZO!
ALEXIS (She stepped away from Triano): Wait! Hold it! Let's not forget why we're here. (Approached Yuranzo, staring him down) Explain yourself, Yuranzo! You said in your message that you had something we "lost." What could you have taken from us?
YURANZO (He didn't even flinch): Well what do you THINK I took from you? For all you know, maybe it was me who took your beloved Grand Master.
ALEXIS (She pointed her falchion straight at Yuranzo's throat): Do you think we're idiots? (Yuranzo pointed at JT, which only made Alexis angrier.) Call him an idiot again and you'll be made into firewood! You gravely underestimate Terretto. He may be old, but he can fight like ten oxen. What are you really hiding?
YURANZO: Whaaat? You don't trust me? (Alexis said nothing.) ...Damn, you ARE the smart one. Okay, you caught me. I don't have your precious Grand Master, but I DO have something you lost, or more accurately, what you JUST lost!
(Yuranzo snapped his fingers, and then two shadow portals appeared right behind the Knights. All of a sudden, Braygo popped out of one of the portals and grabbed Vance.)
VANCE: What the? Hey! Let go of me, you big dope!
BRAYGO: Duuh, lookie boss! I got-ed one!
(Just as he uttered that, out of the other portal popped two giant sandy hands that grabbed hold of Curtis and Lucerna. The sandy figure revealed a familiar face, which belonged to Sandalora.)
JT: Oh come on! MORE recurring monsters!?
SANDALORA: Nice to know that you missed me, Power Brats! Say goodbye to your little friends!
QUINTIN: What the? This is your big plan? A stupid ambush!?
YURANZO: Oh-ho, this is just Step 1, kiddies! (He turned to Sandalora and Braygo.) Take them inside, then get back to the lair!
(Braygo and Sandalora bowed their heads, then disappeared through the portals, taking Vance, Curtis, Lucerna, Glaciem, and Prismio with them; leaving only Alexis, JT, Quintin, and their dragons behind.)
ALEXIS: Give back our teammates!
YURANZO: Relax, you'll get them eventually. (Sneered) But first…(He summoned his Psycho Sword, which glowed purple.) How about you all take a little nap?
(He raised his sword, which shot purple lightning at Triano, JT, Quintin, Alexis, who all demorphed. JT, Quintin, and Triano passed out on sight; but Alexis struggled to maintain consciousness, her eyes glowing purple.)
YURANZO (He spun his sword in his palm): Oh this? Aw just a little knock-out spell I picked up on. (He smirked.) And that's not the only thing I picked up on.
ALEXIS (She held herself up with her hands, but the spell was affecting her): W...what are you talking about?
(From Alexis's point of view, the world around her became fuzzier.)
YURANZO: Oh you'll find out, dear Lexi, but why spoil the surprise?
(The world around Alexis faded to black, but she could still hear Yuranzo's fading voice.)
YURANZO: And trust me, the surprises are on their way!
(DARK ROOM - SEVERAL HOURS LATER - NIGHT)
(When the world finally came back into view, Alexis slowly got back up, still aching.)
ALEXIS: Oh, my head. (She looked around, noticing the weirdly patterned floor.) What the? Where am I? (She looked to her left and saw Calisto, JT, Arbusto, Quintin, and Cicuta were unconscious as well. Feeling her strength come back to her, she crawled over to JT and shook his shoulder.) Jack? Jack, wake up.
JT (He stirred and mumbled in his sleep): No, I don't wanna kiss the puppet! No! NO! GET AWAY, EVIL PUPPET! (He woke up screaming, which caused the others to wake up.)
QUINTIN (He groaned and rubbed his head): And once again, thanks to our annoying little alarm clock! (He looked around.) Hey, where are we now?
VOICE: Inside Yuranzo's sick little funhouse.
(The Knights glanced over to the source of the voice, showing Triano, who was already fully awake.)
ALEXIS: You too? He already has us, what does he want with you? And where'd he take Vance and the others?
TRIANO: I've no idea, and I for one don't intend to find out! (He called out.) Yuranzo, you worthless, flaccid, little worm! Show yourself! You already have the Knights, what do you want with me!?
(Then a large booming laughter filled the room.)
YURANZO (His voice filled the room): Welcome to my little Funhouse, said the spider to the flies! I'd give you all the full tour, but we're a bit pressed for time...three hours to be exact!
JT: Alright, Clowny, what's the game? And wait, what do you mean three hours? Three hours until what?
YURANZO: I WAS GETTING TO THAT! (He groaned) As you might have guessed, Knights, the something you lost was your own team mates!
CICUTA: Great, so Alexis called your bluff and we fell right into your trap?
CALISTO: Didn't really hear you stop her, Cicuta.
YURANZO: Yep, am I good or what?
TRIANO (He called out): You also said you had something that I wanted!
YURANZO: Yeah…ME! Duh! I had a feeling you'd be crawling after me. I'm just too irresistible.
JT (He muttered): Yeah, so were Sophia Grace and Rosie for like five seconds. (He called out.) What did you mean we have three hours? And where are our friends?
YURANZO: Oh yeah, how silly of me. Here's the game! I've hidden your little teammates in a little treasure room at the far end of the funhouse…and I've upgraded the house with a few...creative obstacles of my own design. (He snickered.) The rules are simple. You will be split into teams: a team of one, and two teams of three. Each of you have three hours to make it to the end of the funhouse to the treasure room if you want to save your friends. And because I'm feeling super nice, I'll hide myself somewhere in the funhouse as well, and whoever finds me gets one free shot.
ALEXIS: ...what happens in three hours if we don't make it out of the maze?
YURANZO: Oh, that's a surprise. Let's just say you REALLY should try to find your friends in time.
(Alexis looked at her remaining teammates and Triano and sighed.)
ALEXIS: Alright, we'll play your little game. (To her team) Jack, Calisto, you're with me. Quintin, Cicuta, Arbusto, you're Team B. Triano, you can go off on your own.
TRIANO: I prefer it that way, but make no mistake. Once I find Yuranzo, you're all on your own.
ARBUSTO (He glanced nervously at Cicuta): Um…may I have a say in our "team selection?"
YURANZO: Oh-ho. No, no, no. You don't get to choose teams. I don't even get to choose teams. Here's where the fun truly begins!
(The lights suddenly came on, giving the Knights a better look at where they were. The room was mostly blank, with three doors. The floor was arranged into a separate round section, with Yuranzo's cult symbol taking up almost the whole floor.)
JT (He realized what the floor was and looked terrified): Oh crap!
ARBUSTO: What? What is it?
JT: We're standing on one of those spinning disk floors!
TRIANO: Spinning disk?
JT: Yeah, it's this weird room in a funhouse where the floor spins around and around until the kids get all dizzy and disorientated!
QUINTIN: Ah geez, I HATE the spinning disk! It's like one false move and BOOM! You go crashing down!
YURANZO: Tempting, but I got something else in mind tonight, kiddo! (The floor jerked a bit, and suddenly magical clamps clamped onto the everyone's feet.) And now, who's up for a little Funhouse Roulette?
(Then, the floor started spinning. It started slow at first, but then it spun faster and faster. The clamps held everyone tightly, but they tried breaking away.)
QUINTIN: STOP THE RIDE! I WANNA GET OFF!
JT: WE'RE GONNA DIE! WE'RE GONNA DIE! Well at least I got that kink out of my back, BUT I'M STILL GONNA DIE! GRANNY, TELL IT TO STOOOOP!
TRIANO: YURANZO! If you don't stop this madness now, I'M GONNA MAKE YOU SUFFER IN WAYS YOU CANNOT IMAGINE!
(The floor only spun faster and faster. Then Alexis's clamps snapped, and Alexis was sent flying, right through one of the doors titled Door 1.)
JT: LEXI!
(Not long after that, JT's clamps broke, and he was sent soaring through another one of the doors titled Door 2. The same happened to Cicuta, then Arbusto, Quintin, Calisto, and finally Triano. Cicuta and Triano were forced into the same door Alexis flew through, Arbusto and Calisto flew through the door JT went through, and Quintin was pushed into the last door, Door 3, alone.)
(DOOR NUMBER 2)
(Arbusto flew right into JT, and Calisto flew into Arbusto.)
ARBUSTO: Calisto, brother, I am one for brotherly bonding, but this is a tad excessive!
CALISTO: Oops, sorry man. (He and Arbusto got off each other, and looked to JT, who was shivering.) JT? You okay, buddy?
JT (He sounded slightly panicked): S-spinning! Room…always…SPINNING! No-no more with the spinning! (He looked around, still shaking.) Am I still spinning?
ARBUSTO (He pat JT on the head, trying to calm him): It'll be okay, JT. It's all over. We aren't spinning anymore, alright?
JT: NOT MORE SPINNING!
ARBUSTO: Well, for the time being, it appears as though we're one of the teams of three.
CALISTO: Uh-uh, no way! No offense, guys, but I gotta get back in there! Alexis can't morph without me.
(He tried opening the door but it wouldn't budge.)
CALISTO: What the?!
YURANZO (V.O.): Up-pup-pup! No tradesies! You gotta stay with your designated group!
CALISTO: What?! But Alexis can't morph without me! How is that fair?
YURANZO: That's the beauty part…IT ISN'T! Have fun, everyone! (He laughed wickedly until his voice faded away.)
CALISTO (He growled): I already hate that little creep.
ARBUSTO: I believe we ALL do, brother, but we must make haste. As it were, the others are not going to save themselves! (He slapped JT on the face a few times, trying to snap him out of it.)
(DOOR NUMBER 1)
(The door had just slammed on the first door, leaving Alexis, Cicuta, and Triano trapped in their own hallway.)
TRIANO (He banged on the door): YURANZO! In the name of the King, I demand you RELEASE US!
ALEXIS: You're wasting your time, Triano. You really think Yuranzo, of all demons, cares where you come from?
TRIANO: Oh believe me, he will care once my Lord stuffs him into the dungeon in eighteen different pieces! (He growled again) Why did you have to call his bluff in the first place!?
ALEXIS: The same reason you did. That maniac was out in the open. You think we wouldn't jump at the chance to take care of him?!
CICUTA: Don't be so daft. (She shook her head in disgust.) You'd think the "mighty" Triano would actually get something done for once. (Smirking as she looked at Triano) You're not worth our time. I can take you out myself.
TRIANO (He drew his sword): Is that a threat, BIG girl?
CICUTA: Maybe, you want to dance?
TRIANO: Lead the way!
(Before either of the two could strike, a stream of fire burst just above both their heads. They ducked, and looked to see that Alexis had shot the fire.)
ALEXIS: Enough! We're wasting our time and energy like this! (She looked at Cicuta) Look, you don't like me, (She turned to Triano) and I REALLY don't like you...
TRIANO (putting his sword away): The feeling is mutual.
ALEXIS: But like it or not, we're stuck together. We need each other if we're ever going to get out of this funhouse! The most we can do is keep going until we at least reach the halfway point. Then if we find Yuranzo, Triano can take him for all I care, and Cicuta and I will find the others. Does that sound fair to everyone?
(Neither Triano or Cicuta said anything, but then Cicuta just scoffed to break the silence.)
CICUTA: Whatever.
TRIANO (He paused impressively at Alexis): I would've figured you'd jump at the chance to finally get rid of me.
ALEXIS: Even though I could, getting rid of you isn't going to help us get out of this stupid game.
TRIANO: Wise words coming from you. We should get going.
(Alexis just nodded and started walking down the hallway as Triano followed quietly. Cicuta just looked at Alexis and then at Triano as she followed behind.)
(HALL OF MIRRORS)
(Quintin walked cautiously through the halls , making his way to the lone door at the end of the hall. Without Cicuta he was only at half his strength, and he didn't want to be caught off-guard by one of Yuranzo's traps. He had forgotten how frightening it could feel to be alone.)
QUINTIN: Come on, Quintin, keep it together. You just need to find the others.
(Shaking his head, he opened the door before him and entered it. The second he was through, the door slammed shut behind him and vanished, leaving him trapped. Frowning, he pressed onward into the dark room, only to walk face-first into something.)
QUINTIN: OW! Son of a…what the? (He felt the object in front of him, realizing it was almost as large as he was.) What the hell is this?
(In an instant, the image of the Black Knight appeared directly in front of Quintin. He yelped and jumped back, the Knight doing the same thing. Quintin remained tense for a moment before realizing the Knight was mimicking his movements completely. He reached forward, and his hand pressed against a barrier.)
QUINTIN: A mirror. I get it. It's some sort of reflection. (He looked at the Knight.) One of Yuranzo's tricks. Well I'm not falling for it.
(He turned away from the mirror and headed in a different direction. Another mirror came into view, and his reflection this time was normal. Quintin looked for a moment before the mirror suddenly cracked, the reflection shattering into little pieces. Behind it was another mirror, and this reflection was surrounded by fire, his hands dripping blood. Quintin clenched his fists and turned another way, immediately seeing another reflection, this one of him standing over Vance and JT with a twisted grin. More and more mirrors began appearing around him.)
QUINTIN: This won't work, Yuranzo! You can't trick me with these illusions!
(A scream was heard, and Quintin turned sharply. A school girl, no older than 16, stood in one of the mirrors, her hands pressed against the glass, her expression terrified and pleading. He instinctively went over to help her, but the girl collapsed to the ground, bleeding from an invisible wound. The entire mirror was full of other bodies, and in the middle of them stood himself. The outside of the mirror began to drip blood, and it slowly pooled at Quintin's real feet. Slightly shaken, he turned away, looking for a way out.)
QUINTIN: Relax, Quintin. They're illusions. They're not real.
(A familiar roar sounded, and Quintin relaxed. It belonged to Cicuta, and he headed towards the noise, only to stop when he saw it was yet another mirror. He and Cicuta were standing in the Nether, looking down on a wrecked village. Quintin felt a lurch in his stomach. Shaking his head he turned away from the image, more and more reflections appeared around him. The Black Knight, the demolished school, the murdered innocents, himself covered in blood and engulfed by shadows. Every which way he turned, he saw all the terrible things done by his hand. He fell to his knees, clutching his head in both hands.)
QUINTIN: NO! STOP! I'M NOT THAT PERSON ANYMORE! I'M NOT A MONSTER! I'M NOT A MONSTER!
(In a desperate moment, Quintin lashed out at the mirrors with his dark energy. One by one, they shattered, all falling to pieces on the ground. He panted harshly, rattled to his core. Quintin shakily got to his feet, looking around, his eyes eventually falling on the place where the first mirror had stood. The glass had fallen out, and now a path was exposed. Clenching his fists to stop his hands from shaking, Quintin pressed on.)
(HALLWAY OF DOOR NUMBER 1)
(Alexis, Cicuta, and Triano walked down the hallway of the door into which they were thrown in. They came across another hallway that went to the right while the other continued straight. They turned down to the right and began walking down a very long corridor. Alexis and Triano were leading the way while Cicuta kept her distance as she watched the others in front.)
ALEXIS: I think if we keep heading straight, we might reach the center of this place Yuranzo might be there..
TRIANO: Hopefully we do, because the moment we find him, Yuranzo is going to be added to the demon spirit room like the rest of his little cronies.
ALEXIS: I never thought I'd see another who hates that jester just as much my friends and I do.
TRIANO: Girl, you have no idea what it was like when he was in the castle. He had all those cards and acted as if he was the best thing Grieger III ever had. All he did was sit back while Ziara and I did the real work. Even the King himself had to get involved, and yet not even once did he show up to be of any real assistance. Only on rare occasions would he ever leave to fight.
ALEXIS: Well that explains it. I just don't know why he has such a hatred for JT. It's like there's something connecting them to this anger, more than just wanting to take over the human world. It just makes me want to end the clown's life myself.
TRIANO: Then I guess we both know where we stand with him, but it seems like Xavious wants to make him suffer more than I do. I can't let him do that. I sometimes think I'd be better off if I just left the castle and got Yuranzo before he could. But I…
ALEXIS: But what?
TRIANO: I…just wouldn't know where to go. There's hardly any Nether village that would accept me because of my current status, and this human world will never allow me to live anywhere among their kind.
ALEXIS: I'd feel the same way if I had to live in your world. It's a shame you're an enemy and a demon. Otherwise, my team would allow you to stay with us.
TRIANO (surprised): You…you would? But why?
ALEXIS: Everyone needs a good home and even if you're just fighting someone for your own benefit, it'd be better if you're fighting for the sake of good rather than the other way around.
TRIANO: No one's ever said those things to me before. That's actually…nice.
CICUTA (listening in): Just keep talking, big guy, just keep talking.
(Triano took a quick glance at Alexis, who quickly glanced back. Suddenly, an image of a destroyed village popped in front of Triano's eyes, followed by an image of a dead 6th century man and woman and a little girl wearing blue crying. Triano grabbed his head with one hand and grabbed his chest with the other. He groaned as he stumbled back against the side of the hallway and slumped down.)
ALEXIS: TRIANO! (Kneeling down to him) Triano, are you okay?
(Cicuta simply ignored what was happening and just walked past the others.)
ALEXIS: Cicuta, where are you going? Triano might need some help. (Cicuta still said nothing as Alexis got up to walk after her.) Cicuta, come back here!
(In an instant, a wall suddenly shot down from the ceiling and separated Alexis and Cicuta from Triano as he stood up, recovering from his ailment. Alexis ran back to the wall while Cicuta stopped and looked back, completely unmoved by what had happened.)
ALEXIS (banging on the wall): Hey, what is this? Where did this wall come from? (Calling out) Triano, can you still hear us?
TRIANO: Yes, I'm fine, but how did this wall just appear?
YURANZO (VO): It's just a little something I whipped up just for a few laughs.
ALEXIS (calling out): Yuranzo, what's the meaning of this? You said we'd be a team of three. Now we have a team of two and another team of one.
YURANZO: My game, my loopholes. I never said you couldn't split up in your designated door. So just for the fun of it, I decide to make one more team.
ALEXIS: That makes no sense! You really think splitting us apart would have worked?
YURANZO: Perhaps covering more ground on your own could find me faster, but then again, it might not if you're all alone. Quintin might know that.
TRIANO (calling out): You're not gonna get away with this, you know that?
YURANZO: Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Let's just see where the fun takes you this time! (Fading cackle)
ALEXIS: Triano, should we break down the wall?
TRIANO (tapping the wall with his fist): It won't do any good. This wall is too thick. Our swords would never be able to break it, even at full power. It looks like we will have to split up after all. I'll take the hallway we passed before this one and see where it goes. Good luck,...Alexis. (Taking off quickly)
(Alexis was shocked to hear those words come from Triano. Alexis just turned around to see Cicuta roll her eyes and continue walking down the hallway. Alexis quickly caught up to her.)
ALEXIS: I hope Triano makes it the treasure room okay, or even finds Yuranzo.
CICUTA: Why do you care what happens to him? You said always you hated him.
ALEXIS: I do, but...I understand why he's doing what he's doing. If he can eliminate Yuranzo before we can, then that's one less villain on our hands. If anything, we should at the very least support him in a goal similar to ours.
CICUTA: You would really support the same demon who did vile things to innocent humans?
ALEXIS: You're one to talk. You did vile things yourself.
CICUTA: Well I never took anything very precious from a teammate, or in your case, an ally.
ALEXIS: I don't know what you're talking about, and quite frankly, I don't have time to hear it. (Starting to walk ahead)
CICUTA (stopping): You know? I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but it's all because of Triano that your parents are dead.
(Alexis stopped dead in tracks. Her hands twitched and slowly inhaled and exhaled. Her eyes went angry and turned around.)
ALEXIS: What did you just say?
CICUTA: Truth hurts, doesn't it?
(Alexis ran back with her arms extended out and pushed Cicuta against the wall.)
ALEXIS (angered): YOU BETTER NOT JOKE AROUND ABOUT MY PARENTS! They were my world and I'll never let anyone speak lightly of their passing!
CICUTA (shoving Alexis): Get off of me! I wouldn't say it if wasn't true.
ALEXIS (angered): How would you even know how my parents died? Were you there? Were you involved with Triano when it happened? ANSWER ME!
CICUTA: Just shut up! No, I wasn't involved whatsoever, but I did overhear the bandits who stole me from my family talk about how some demon named Triano killed two Gallows people from Querravale. That's all I know.
ALEXIS: You're lying! You're making this all up just to throw off my concentration! I need to find the others. Now don't get in my way again.
CICUTA: You know you can't deny the facts…
ALEXIS: JUST GET AWAY FROM ME!
(Alexis ran off down the rest of the hallway and ran down another hallway leading to the left. Cicuta simply shook her head and ran after her.)
(UNKNOWN HALLWAY)
(Yuranzo crept through an unknown hallway, a mischievous smile never leaving his face.)
YURANZO (He snickered): Only a few months ago, my back was aching from the stone. Now I feel like I'm sleeping on Cloud 9. Should I let them squirm a bit more, or should I just pop the surprise now?
VOICE: Or you could just come with me now!
YURANZO: Come with you? Why would I come with…? (He looked behind him and there was Triano with his sword drawn.) YOU?! (He looked nervous.) I…uh…T-T-Triano…buddy. H-h-how's it going? Uh…you weren't supposed to actually find me yet.
TRIANO (He just smirked): You make your own rules, I make mine. Rule 1, you're coming with me!
(Yuranzo screamed in agony and dashed full speed in the opposite direction. Triano only smirked as he chased him, chasing him up three small flights of stairs. Finally, Yuranzo found himself boxed in a corner of a room. He tried to summon a shadow portal, but he couldn't focus long enough to properly make one.)
YURANZO (He was panicking): Come on! COME ON! (He groaned) Why can't I ever summon portals UNDER PRESSURE!? (He turned around and gasped as he saw Triano slowly approaching, the smirk never leaving.)
TRIANO: Well, well, well. I'd say you're trapped like a rat, but that'd be an insult to rats.
YURANZO (He gave a terrified laugh): Ha, good one, Triano. Uh…just like the old days, remember? Uh, Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk?
TRIANO (He momentarily stopped): ...You haven't done that in a long time.
YURANZO: Yeah well, I'm bringing it back. (He resumed being terrified.)
TRIANO (He kept inching forward): You know I must admit, I'm disappointed in you, Yuranzo. You underestimate the Knights AND my intelligence.
(Triano raised his sword, Yuranzo bracing for the final blow. But Triano wedged his sword into the wall and grabbed hold of Yuranzo's collar, pulling him close to his face.)
TRIANO: You didn't lure all of us here just to destroy us. What is your real game? Why did you bring us here?
YURANZO: Whaaaat? You don't trust me? (Triano said nothing.) ...Dang, smart man. Alright, I'll tell you. I brought you all here, because I did a little field research on your past life, Garrison!
TRIANO (He growled): My life is of no concern to you. If you think for a moment...
YURANZO: And I looked more into the night you became what you are, (His mischievous smile turned more sinister.) and I know what you did.
(Now Triano was becoming more uneased, and Yuranzo acted like he had the whole situation under control.)
TRIANO: You know nothing. Your words are nothing but strings on a web of lies! I've done many things under Grieger's rule!
YURANZO: Yeah, but ONE thing still sticks in your mind! You don't know why, I don't know why, but this particular deed you can't get out of your brain.
TRIANO: Silence your tongue before I cut it! (He grabbed the sword from the wall and was ready to strike.)
YURANZO: Yeeees, YEEES! You pillaged and burned down an innocent village! And you robbed a little human girl of the only family she ever had!
TRIANO (He started getting defensive): W-what do you care?! If you had the capabilities, don't deny you wouldn't have done the same!
YURANZO: Oh, I ain't denying anything. I just find it interesting that you managed to kill off...oh, who was it again?
TRIANO: Yuranzo, I swear…
YURANZO: Oh NOW I remember...
TRIANO: You better...
YURANZO: I believe it was...
TRIANO: SHUT UP!
YURANZO: MR. AND MRS. ANDREW GALLOWS!
(Triano gripped the side of his head, trying to drown out Yuranzo. But then a sharp gasp filled the room; Triano turned around and there stood Cicuta and a very disheartened looking Alexis. She just stood there. Her arms had gone limp, her mouth hanging open, and dead serious eyes. Triano knew this look. It was the feeling of betrayal with running tears as Alexis fell to her knees.)
YURANZO: ...Whoops, surprise.
TRIANO (scared): Alexis. I…I can explain.
ALEXIS (She spoke just above a whisper): It was you all along...
TRIANO: You understand nothing. I didn't...
ALEXIS: I actually started to trust you. Before I was a Knight, my parents were the most important people in my lives.
TRIANO: Alexis, please, I had no choice, I was given orders and I...
ALEXIS (Her voice became completely furious): AND YOU TOOK THEM AWAY FROM ME!
(A geyser of fire poured from Alexis's mouth and Triano and Yuranzo were quick to roll out of the way. Alexis stared angrily at Triano. Triano felt genuinely afraid. Then Alexis shifted her gaze at Yuranzo.)
ALEXIS: AND YOU!
YURANZO (He stopped smirking, looked afraid): Wait, what? Me?!
ALEXIS (She summoned her falchion): You based this whole game around my pain and suffering! What, do I AMUSE YOU?! Is your life so pathetic that you only find joy in toying with one's emotions?!
YURANZO: Well…yeah. (Nervously pointed to Triano) B-but what about HIM?! He's the one who did the deed!
CICUTA: Don't you try to deflect her words, you coward. (She looked to Alexis.) Let him have it.
ALEXIS: ...No.
CICUTA: What!? You're just gonna let him go!? He MURDERED your family! He's taken everything away from you!
ALEXIS (She took a deep breath, calming herself, and spoke): I know what he did, and I'll never forgive him for what he's done to me. But my parents and Terretto wouldn't want me to become what he is. I can see the regret in his eyes, and rather than kill him, I'd rather have him live with what he's done. (Triano only lowered his head in shame, Cicuta only growled in more anger. Alexis turned towards Yuranzo.) THIS ONE, however, I have no problems dealing with!
YURANZO (Terrified gulp): Okay, SO not working out the way I wanted!
CICUTA (She growled): You've gotta be kidding me! You lack the guts to avenge your own family? (She huffed and her eyes glowed red, her voice becoming distorted.) No, that will not happen. This so-called warrior will not live after what he has done. He deserves to be punished. So if you wont fight, then I will!
(Triano stepped back once Cicuta began to glow her color and suddenly thrust her claw out, sending a wave of dark red energy waves at Alexis. She screamed out suddenly in pain, her body twisting from the pain before she dropped her head, still clutching her sword. She rose her head up slowly with a twisted smirk on her face, her eyes completely black and glowing. Her whole body glowed burgundy and she wielded her falchion, ready to fight. She roared out with a sound of frustration, anger, and sorrow, all jumbled together. Triano was frozen in fear. Yuranzo was shaken, but he had his grin back.)
TRIANO: What…what have you done to Alexis!?
CICUTA: Oh, Alexis won't be joining us for the rest of the evening. But what do you think? It's just a little side effect of being the dragon of poison. This is the power of pain!
TRIANO (He scowled): You latch onto people and take control of their actions? So you're just using your regular human as a host like a parasite?
CICUTA: Oh no, Quintin and I are bound by the crystal, so even if I wanted to take control of Quintin like this, I'd never get the chance. But others, like our little "Lexi" here, need a little more…"convincing." I'm only giving her the means to do what she is too weak to do herself! I have lived all my life seeking justice yet my brothers and sisters tell me it's wrong. Well they aren't here AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!
(Alexis suddenly lunged forward at Triano, swinging her sword in an attempt to destroy him. Triano immediately brought his blade up and stood in a stalemate with Alexis.)
TRIANO: This isn't right! If she wishes to face me, she does so on her own accord.
CICUTA: You dare try to instill honor into your merciless slaughter!? HA! You demons know nothing of honor!
(Cicuta hadn't noticed that Yuranzo had taken the time to summon a shadow portal and vanish, leaving Triano and Alexis ready to fight. Triano shoved Alexis back and seemed hesitant at first to deliver the first slice. Alexis caught onto this and charged forward, her sword charged with fire as it clashed against Triano's blade. They clashed several times until Alexis got the upper hand and slashed into his armor. She tried to stab him through the chest, but Triano deflected her move, grabbing her and throwing her against the wall. Triano rose his palm up and shot a ball of dark energy intent on stunning the Knight. Alexis jumped off the wall and dodged several dark energy blasts thrown at her, front flipping over Triano and slashing into his chest again. Triano brought a heavy offense to Alexis and clocked her in the face with the back of his sword. He sliced hard a few times into her chest before Alexis countered and drove her own sword into Triano's shoulder. He groaned and managed to get the sword out of his shoulder before any major damage could be done.)
CICUTA: Come now, put up a better fight! I can take you down without even breaking a sweat!
TRIANO: Then I'm gonna love disappointing you!
(Triano charged towards Alexis once more, switching up his game and using his power to his advantage, jumping up and hitting a kick that made Alexis skid away. Alexis ducked under another kick and brought her sword up, meeting Triano's again. Alexis angrily hacked and slashed away at Triano, pouring her temper into each of her strikes. She grabbed Triano by the leg and slammed him hard into the ground, suddenly swinging him and throwing him against the wall. The force broke the wall and Triano landed near a large window with clock hands on it. The whole room now resembled a room in a clock tower. Alexis jumped over to Triano and Cicuta walked over, watching the fight.)
ALEXIS (Her voice suddenly became demonic and distorted): You...you murdered my family! YOU SHOULD ROT IN HELL FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!
TRIANO: Alexis, this needs to stop! Snap out of it! This isn't like you!
ALEXIS: What do you know about me!? What do you know about my life!? YOU DESTROYED IT!
TRIANO: I never meant to do so! I had no idea what I was doing!
ALEXIS: LIAR! YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME! YOU ARE A MURDERER!
(Triano jumped out of the way and found himself near another clock window. Alexis leapt up and her aura glowed darker.)
(HALLWAY OF DOOR NUMBER 2)
(After finally escaping a hallway, JT, Calisto, and Arbusto ran quickly down another hallway, no idea where they were.)
CALISTO: Arbusto, how much time do we have left?!
ARBUSTO: Taking into account how long we were stuck in that hall of doors, we have barely eleven minutes left!
JT: Okay, I would just like to say, THIS WASN'T MY FAULT THIS TIME! I should not be legally responsible for my terrible door-picking skills!
CALISTO: Hey, if it wasn't for you we'd still be stuck in that door filled with...tap-dancing scorpions! Okay, how demented is Yuranzo!?
(Before JT could answer, he collided with another body and fell to the ground. The body was revealed to be Quintin, the two of them groaned as they stood back up.)
JT (He noticed Quintin): Quintin!? There you are! Where were you?
QUINTIN (The memory of what happened in the hall of mirrors was still fresh in his mind): Nothing, freaky mirrors and stuff. We need to find Alexis and get the hell out of here, NOW.
(Just as he said that, a bright light flashed and a large door opened. The four of them were hesitant at first, but they slowly approached the door, momentarily blinded by the light. When their eyes cleared, they found themselves near a staircase. They walked up and stood on a platform leading to a large, circular room. In the middle of the floor sat Vance, Curtis, Glaciem, Prismio, and Lucerna, bound together by shackles of white colored energy. The others ran to the captured heroes.)
LUCERNA: There you are!
CALISTO: Thank God you guys are alright. Did he…?
VANCE: Nah. He just up and left. You do realize this is a trap, right?
JT: Relax, we got this!
CURTIS: You guys MIGHT wanna get a move on though. Look down.
(The three looked down over the platform and saw a lot of plastic balls)
QUINTIN: A ball pit? I see no one takes this sort of thing seriously.
JT (He started twitching): Must…resist…urge…to...JUMP IN PIT! (He prepared to jump but Quintin and Arbusto grabbed hold of him.)
ARBUSTO: NO, JT! I understand the siren call of a ball pit is tempting…
LUCERNA: But you should probably reconsider jumping in THIS ONE!
ARBUSTO (He peered down at the pit): Wait a minute, those are not even balls at all… THOSE ARE BOMBS!
JT: Ball pit bombs!? Well I give him points for originality.
YURANZO (He popped out of a shadow portal in front of them): YOU'RE CORRECT, SIR! These little bombs have enough fuel in them to turn this funhouse into a parking lot! And the only thing between you getting your pallies out of here...IS ME!
CALISTO: Based on that, I think we're more worried about the bombs.
YURANZO: Oh ha-ha! It is to laugh! (He spun his sword in his hand and pointed it at the group.)
JT: We'll see who's laughing in the end, Yuranzo. (He extended his hand and Arbusto morphed into his Burster form and JT raised the Burster up.) DRAGON FURY, IGNITE!
(JT morphed, and wielded his staff, then rushed directly toward Yuranzo. The two clashed weapons and forced each other back. While they duked it out, Calisto and Quintin snuck around and rushed towards the others, moving them towards the wall to avoid getting caught up in the fight.)
CALISTO: You think we should have helped him?
QUINTIN: Nah, Collins can take care of himself! (He skidded right in front of the captured others and quickly summoned his Toxic Stryker) Vance, hold your arms out! (He swiftly sliced through the shackles with his sword. The cut made the shackles dissolve. Quintin did the same for the others.)
LUCERNA: FINALLY! I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough "fun" for one night!
VANCE: Let's shut this place down then, for good.
(Meanwhile, JT and Yuranzo's weapons clashed repeatedly. JT stomped his foot on the ground to cause a vibration throughout the funhouse. The vibrations stunned Yuranzo and allowed JT to charge in with his staff, hitting Yuranzo in the stomach to make him keel over and following it up with a sweep of the legs to knock him down. He tried to stab the staff into Yuranzo, but he blocked and rolled away, shooting dark electricity at his face. JT took the blast and skidded back, Shaking it off, he spun his staff and started shooting green energy shot at Yuranzo. Yuranzo easily blocked each of them before charging in. He leapt over JT and hit several slices into him before suddenly being hit with an ice ball from Vance, who morphed when no one had noticed. He turned and JT shot out an energy vine to wrap around Yuranzo's neck to stun him. Curtis and Lucerna, now morphed as well, appeared alongside Vance who turned his blaster back into its axe form.)
LUCERNA: Let 'em have it, guys!
VANCE: On it! FROZEN TUNDRA STRIKE!
CURTIS: UNI-CRUSHER!
(The two attacks slashed into Yuranzo and he screamed out in pain, dropping his sword. JT used the vine around Yuranzo's neck to pick him up and slam him into the ground before flinging him at the wall. He crashed and slumped to the ground, demorphing out of his armor.)
YURANZO (He noticed his sword missing): Wait…MY SWORD! WHERE'D IT GO!? WHERE IS IT?!
JT (He smiled mischievously with his hands behind his back): Looking for THIS?! (He pulled the Psycho Sword from his back.)
YURANZO (He gasped in horror): Of all the people to get the sword! Give that back to me, get away from it!
JT: Sure, Clownski. I'll give it back…but first tell us where Alexis is, or else!
YURANZO: No, not the sword! You wouldn't dare!
JT (He raised his knee and held the sword over his head): TRY ME!
(But before JT could do anything, the sound of clashing sword was heard near the entrance of the room. Everyone turned to see Triano and Alexis, who were still fighting, clashing up the staircase. The two fought their way along the platform, being careful not to fall over the edge. Triano feel to the ground, looking up at a charging Alexis. She furiously struck against his sword with all she had and disarmed him suddenly, driving her knee into his face and then grabbed his head to slam to send him through the air and into the wall of the circular room. Triano slowly got up.
ALEXIS (Her voice was still distorted): Why won't you die?! (Walking toward the room's entrance)
(The Knights just stared in shock having never seen Alexis act like this. They stepped back as Alexis and Triano fought again.)
JT: Alexis? ...Lexi? What's going on!?
ALEXIS (She momentarily stopped, her eyes retaining their color and the aura slightly fading): J-Jack? What…what's going on? What's happening!?
JT (to Yuranzo): What did you do to her?!
YURANZO: I didn't do anything, (He looked at Quintin) but your little burgundy dragon friend did a lot!
(Suddenly, bolt of dark lightning shot at Alexis from the door. Her eyes lost their color again and she picked Triano up by his head and tossed him across the room near one of the entrance's sides. Cicuta walked through the entrance, a proud grin on her face as her claw glowed burgundy.)
CICUTA: That's right, Princess. Show this piece of trash what happens when he takes away the ones you loved!
TRIANO (He struggled to get up): ...Let her go, crazy bitch.
(Cicuta shocked Alexis again, forcing her to kick Triano in the jaw.)
JT: What the hell is she doing to her!?
QUINTIN: It's her power.
JT (He roared in anger and grabbed Quintin by the chest plate): MAKE HER STOP. DAMN IT! SHE'S YOUR DRAGON. MAKE HER STOP!
QUINTIN: You really think I can!? Once she pumps her opponents with those energy waves, she's got control! Your girlfriend's fighting as best she can against it!
CALISTO: So she's poisoning Alexis?!
JT (He wielded both the staff and Yuranzo's sword): Not on my watch! (He spun his Staff, then slammed it into the ground, creating two boulders that levitated in the air, one aimed at Cicuta, the other aimed at Yuranzo.) Get your damn claws away from my Alexis!
(Cicuta just laughed and zapped Alexis again. Alexis stopped pummeling Triano and glanced at JT.)
ALEXIS: Don't interfere with my vengeance, you worthless little twerp!
(She shot a geyser of fire at JT, blasting him backwards, causing Yuranzo's sword to fly out of his hand. Yuranzo secretly managed to grab it. The minute JT landed on the ground, and demorphed, Alexis regained control again.)
ALEXIS: J-Jack?! (Tears escaped her eyes.) N-no. Not again! (She struggled to turn her head at Cicuta) Cicuta! Please let me go! I don't want this! (The aura around her pulsed again, and she screamed in agony as she was forced to raise her Falchion and point it at Triano's head.) HELP ME!
(Calisto looked at the burnt JT and Arbusto, then glanced at Cicuta's wicked grin, and then at the suffering Alexis. Unable to take any of this anymore, Calisto did the only thing he could do. A massive fireball shot out of his mouth, and blasted Cicuta in the chest. Her eyes stopped glowing as she stumbled backwards. Alexis froze in place, her eyes regaining their natural color, and the aura around her fading. She dropped her Falchion as her body became limp and started staggering on her feet. JT got up feebly, and with one last effort, he ran over to Alexis caught her in his arms before she fell. Alexis was unconscious, a lone tear in her eye.)
CICUTA (She got up, looking furious.) STAY OUT OF THIS, CALISTO! We could have been rid of one of the demons once and for all!
CALISTO: By turning our partners into blood-lusting murderers?! We're supposed to work with these humans, not torture them into killing for us! Alexis is better than that.
CICUTA (She growled): I should have known! You and the rest of my so-called "siblings" are just as weak as your little human pets!
LUCERNA: Don't you dare insult your own family!
CICUTA: I HAVE NO FAMILY!
(Cicuta pounced at Calisto, but a white beam froze her in place, encasing her in ice. The others looked in surprise to show that it was Quintin who froze Cicuta with Vance's ice axe.)
QUINTIN (He sighed): Sorry, Cicuta.
VANCE: Whoa. You didn't have to do that.
QUINTIN: Yes, I did. I couldn't let history repeat itself. (He looked awkwardly at JT.) Is she okay?
JT (He checked Alexis's pulse): She's breathing. (He looked at Alexis) It's gonna be okay, babe. We're gonna get you out of here!
LUCERNA (She noticed Yuranzo was missing): Wait a minute. Where'd the clown go?
CURTIS: Damn it! He got away! (He looked to Vance) We need to get out, NOW!
VANCE (He looked around): There's no exit, and our signal's blocked so we can't teleport out of here! Everybody get down!
(The Knights and dragons all huddled together, even with the frozen Cicuta, weakened Triano, and unconscious Alexis, all preparing for the big explosion. There was a bang from the pit below the platform, but no destruction. Everyone looked up, confused.)
CURTIS: Uh, what just happened?
VANCE: Something from that pit ball, but what?
(Everyone walked near the platform and saw that the balls below only released confetti.)
ARBUSTO: Confetti bombs? They were CONFETTI BOMBS?!
(Everyone walked back into the room.)
JT: You mean to tell me we came all this way, went through spinning disks and mirrors and tap-dancing scorpions, me and Busty nearly getting barbequed, and Alexis nearly getting poisoned by some crazy dragon, for CONFETTI BOMBS?! Could he be any more stupid!? (Above their heads, the ceiling opened and more confetti fell down on everyone. JT growled.) When I get my hands on that clown, I'm gonna beat him into a sock monkey!
(Vance, Curtis, and Lucerna demorphed as everyone brushed off the confetti.)
LUCERNA: Why he go through all this trouble just to screw us over!?
TRIANO (He struggled to get back up): Because he never cared about the rest of you. In the end, it was all about me and Alexis.
VANCE: And he just took us along for the ride just to show that he could mess with us. Well it worked. This means he's a much bigger threat than we give him credit for.
CURTIS: He got more powerful, but so did we! And next time, we'll get him!
JT (He looked to Triano): What did happen with you guys in there?
TRIANO (He hesitated): It's not important. Just get Alexis home and take care of her. She's one of the bravest warriors I've ever fought in my days. (He wielded his sword with the last of his strength, and blasted a hole in the far off wall which led to a large slide. The Jet Streamers were at the bottom.) And one day, I hope she'll understand why I did what I did. (Triano disappeared into a shadow portal, leaving the Knights, dragons, and frozen Cicuta behind.)
(KNIGHT RANGER BASE - JT AND ALEXIS'S ROOM - NIGHT)
(Alexis was back in her bed. She was wiped out, too weak to even sit up. She looked around and struggled to sit up. JT, relieved, stood at the foot of the bed.)
JT: Lexi! (He gently threw his arms around Alexis) Oh thank cheddar you're okay!
ALEXIS (She chuckled weakly): Hey, Jack. What happened back at the funhouse?
JT: Oh you know, Cicuta made you act like a bloodthirsty assassin, you tried to kill Triano, and we snapped you out of it. I'm glad we did. Arbusto said that much poison in your system could've killed you! (Alexis quickly cupped JT's cheek and used her thumb to wipe his eye. JT cleared his throat.) But we got you home, and that's all that matters. What happened in there with you and Triano?
ALEXIS (Her smile dropped into a frown): I-I promise, Jack, I'll tell you once I have the energy to. But all I can tell you is, I found out something about him...something that never wants me to see his cowardly face again.
JT: Aye, and to think he barely did anything last season. (He and Alexis shared a weak chuckle.)
CALISTO (He knocked and entered from the door): Hey, sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to see how you guys are doing. (to Alexis) How are you doing, Alexis?
ALEXIS: I've been better.
CALISTO: Listen, what happened out there...I can't really defend Cicuta for what she did. Lucerna and Arbusto are really giving her a hard time. She's...a wildcard. We're even considering taking her off the team.
ALEXIS: I don't think it would be wise. We don't need another rogue threat to worry about. Xavious, Arcana, Yuranzo, Triano, do we need anymore problems?
JT: I could say how she was raised by Quintin…but I think I'll save it for another day. Just thanks for saving Alexis, Dragon Brutha.
CALISTO: No sweat, man. Just didn't want to see my partner turn into a psychopath, you know? Besides, I talk a big game but without her, I don't know what else I got for me.
ALEXIS : Don't talk like that. Even without me, you'd still have a lot to your name. But do yourself a favor, and never try to think of yourself as the best. If you do, you'll find yourself deep in a hole when you suffer a loss. You're only as good as your effort shows, but right now, I can safely say I'm lucky to have you. (She turned to JT and smiled) Both of you. (She kissed JT on the cheek.)
JT (He scooted up to Calisto): And to show my thanks, my red reptilian brutha, I present thee...(He pulled out a weird-looking sandwich and presented it to Calisto.)...with the sandwich of eternal solidarity!
CALISTO (He cringed): Uh… it's full of peanut butter, marshmallows, and salami.
JT: Your loss, Candy Apple.
(JT scarfed down the sandwich and burped loudly. The three of them laughed, but Alexis looked out the window sadly, questioning what to do next with Triano should they meet again.)
(SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNDAI MOUNTAINS)
(Triano stood solemnly at the edge of a cliff, staring down at Sundraville. After a few seconds he let out an earth-shaking roar.)
TRIANO: WHY?! Why is it the death of this girl's family the only one that's affecting me?! How could I have fouled up the only escape to a normal life I'll ever have?! And why did Yuranzo of all demons have to find out first?! (He growled) Well mark my words, Yuranzo, I WILL find out what it is about that night that affects me! And when I find you, I will do the world a favor and end your existance!
(FADE TO BLACK, END CREDITS)
