STAR WARS: Aphelion
"The Prince"
Based on the enthralling galaxy and characters within by
George Lucas
Story and Script by: Silas McCord
I DO NOT OWN ANY COPYRIGHTED CHARACTERS, PLACES, NAMES, IMAGES, OR MUSIC. THIS IS A FAN-FICTION. I MAKE NO PROFIT OFF ANY CONTENT HERE WITHIN.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
STAR WARS
APHELION
EPISODE IV: THE PRINCE
EXT. AHCH-TO - CARETAKER VILLAGE - DAY
The Lanai clad in white hurries past the huts and through alleyways. Our trio follows.
We see just outside the village, a police transport ship has landed. Several troops pour out of the still-steaming ramp.
The Lanai climbs aboard a small sailboat. It waits for our trio to hop on before pushing off with it's birdlike foot. It scrambles to the center of the boat and unleashes the sail. A powerful gust of wind rushes through the canvas and tugs the boat along with it. The Lanai then goes back to the stern and twists the rudder around, forcing the boat to travel along the coast, behind the island and out of view of the troops.
Lucy and Mooni watch the island as it fades away in the distance.
INTRO: embed/ODOZ-gCnIW8?start=196
EXT. AHCH-TO - OCEAN - DAY
Lucy watches the wakes form from the stern. The Lanai fishes off the side of the boat. Aug attempts to converse with it.
AUG
Looo... lo goe'th karob- karoboa?
The Lanai gives him a dirty look. Aug sighs and accepts defeat.
AUG
I used to know Lanai so well.
Mooni sits on the floor of the boat. With the sun in her eyes, she watches Lucy. When Lucy finally breaks away from staring at the wakes, Mooni quickly looks away and turns her attention toward Aug.
MOONI
Are we gonna go back to your home first?
AUG
...I think we're going wherever this Lanai takes us.
LUCY
They're probably already searching his house.
Aug nods casually.
AUG
That too. I'd be surprised if my home hasn't already been ransacked and bugged.
Lucy frowns and continues to stare off into the ocean.
LUCY
I ruined your life...
After a beat, Aug chuckles.
AUG
Nooo. If anything...
He shakes his head out of the absurdity of what he's about to say.
AUG
(quietly, so Lucy doesn't hear)
...you saved it.
Mooni continues to stare off into the clouds, daydreaming.
We linger on the moment-the three of them silent, amidst the vast blue sea.
LUCY (V.O.)
Yeah. I thought I'd been here before!
EXT. AHCH-TO - CLIFFSIDE BEACH - LATER
Clumps of wet sand break apart as the bow breaks through the beach. The Lanai struggles to pull the boat all the way onto the shore. Aug helps it, much to its disgust.
MOONI
Really?
LUCY
It's where I tried ocean water. Wouldn't recommend.
MOONI
Ahaha, ew! Everyone knows you can't drink that.
LUCY
Not if you've been in a cage for most your life.
MOONI
I guess so. ...Wait-
LUCY
What?
MOONI
(whispering)
Is the cage place near here?
Lucy points to the right, along the coast.
LUCY
Just up there.
MOONI
Do you think your mom might still be there?
The question seems to deeply sadden Lucy. She does not answer.
The Lanai trudges on up the slope.
AUG
Better keep up.
He waves the girls on and they all continue to follow after the Lanai.
EXT. AHCH-TO - SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL - LATER
The basalt columns are bare of any Lanai, leaving only the lone waterfall gushing into the pool at the base of the cliff. The Lanai leads them around the edge of the cliff, behind the waterfall and into a dark tunnel. Lucy stops before entering and turns to the backside of the waterfall. She puts her fingertips in the water.
INT. DARK TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS
Eventually, they reach torchlight and a small murmur coming from further down the tunnel. Lucy and Mooni both run their hands along the cave wall.
INT. CAVE - CONTINUOUS
The tunnel opens up into a sprawling cave system, wooden pathways and houses built into the walls of the cavern. A tapestry hangs on the back wall with an image of the Skywalker saber, ignited and skyward. Several more Lanai clad in white go about their daily business. The particular Lanai leading our trio rushes into the center and yells something aloud, its echo travelling through the branching caves. All the Lanai stop what they're doing and look straight at Aug.
LANAI #1
Bekethke!
LANAI #2
Shok ra bluta!
All the Lanai come crowding around Aug and the two girls. They grab torches off the wall.
Aug looks around at the commotion, confused.
MOONI
What's going on?
AUG
I don't know.
One Lanai gets close enough to Aug and takes his lightsaber off his belt.
AUG
Hey!
He tries to use the Force to get it back but the Lanai holds tight and then crouches on top of it. Behind him, he hears a quick, startled scream from Mooni. He turns around to see Mooni and Lucy in headlocks, torches lowered to their necks.
AUG
No! Get your grubbing hands off them!
Another Lanai violently kicks the back of Aug's leg, making him fall, kneeling on the ground. The torches get closer to the two girls' necks.
He puts his hands up, indicating surrender.
AUG
Ok! Ok! Damn it.
The Lanai bind his hands behind his back. They do the same for the two girls, also tethering them together. As the rope is tied between them, Lucy looks down, defeated. Mooni looks up, to Aug, worried.
MOONI
We've been through worse, right!?
Aug nods.
They are led through another cave and pass by the Lanai who brought them there, looking quite smug and proud of itself.
INT. PRISON CAVE - CONTINUOUS
They enter a cave lined with four iron-barred cells-two on each side. As Lucy and Mooni are shoved into the last one on the left, Lucy notices that across from them is the boy from the containment facility! He is sound asleep. The Lanai lock the cell for both them and Aug before leaving the cave.
Lucy looks around. The cell, the boy across from her-it's too familiar. She takes deep shallow breaths and scratches her thumb. Mooni notices.
MOONI
Hey, what's wrong? We've been through worse! It's gonna be okay.
Lucy shakes her head, staring blankly at the ground.
LUCY
No...
Suddenly, she gets up and starts pacing before taking a breath and grabbing the bars.
LUCY
YOU!
The boy wakes up with a start.
LUCY
Who are you!?
NOLE
The hell?
Nole rubs his eyes.
NOLE
What?
LUCY
Who are you?
NOLE
I am Prince Nole. Wha-
LUCY
Where's my mom!?
Nole takes a closer look at the girl across from him.
NOLE
Oh shoot! You're her! Uh...
LUCY
You were with my mom. Where is she?
NOLE
Yeah... uhh. I- I'm not a hundred percent sure.
LUCY
Is she alive?
NOLE
Uh, geez, girl. It's been a minute. I think she was still at the place you were...
LUCY
But was she still alive!?
NOLE
I didn't see her die.
She turns and looks Mooni straight in the eye with a wide smile.
MOONI
That's good!
Lucy nods vibrantly.
Aug shouts from the other side of the wall.
AUG
Apologies for interupting. But may I ask how we're going to get out of here? I'd rather do it without a slaughtering.
Nole shakes his head and sits back against the cave wall.
NOLE
Dude. This is not a prison.
He looks closely at the two girls, still bound together with their hands tied behind their back.
NOLE
Well... maybe it is for you all. But they have been treating me... like a god. It's beautiful.
A Lanai walks into the cave, holding an embellished silver platter piled high with delicious-looking, still-steaming food. With one hand, the Lanai opens the door to Nole's cell and places the platter down on the ground. Nole bows his head.
NOLE
Thank you very much.
The Lanai bows back and exits. Nole digs in.
Lucy and Mooni watch him with slight disgust.
EXT. AHCH-TO - SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL - LATER
A wideshot of the sprawling, open and green landscape beyond the waterfall. The sun begins its descent toward the horizon.
INT. PRISON CAVE - CONTINUOUS
A Lanai comes in and opens up Nole's cell. He looks at the girls and smirks.
NOLE
Here we go!
A different Lanai comes in and unlocks the girls' cell. It keeps a torch to their backs as it leads them out of the cave. Finally, another Lanai passes through and lets Aug out, also keeping a torch to his back.
EXT. AHCH-TO - SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL - CONTINUOUS
The Lanai all gather atop their own individual basalt columns. Lucy, Mooni, and Aug are held off to the side in the back. Nole is taken up to the top of the cliff, right above the waterfall. Aug leans over to the two girls.
AUG
I don't like that boy.
LUCY
Me neither!
Mooni remains silent, watching Nole as the Lanai begin the ritual.
A Lanai with a ceremonial gold necklace approaches the pool, carrying a lightsaber. They kneel down and raise the saber up. Then jumping up quickly, they throw the saber high up into the air. As soon as it leaves the Lanai's hand, Nole jumps off the cliff and catches it. He ignites it and splashes into the water below. He keeps the saber ignited, sizzling in the freezing water. Steam rises in massive clouds as Nole continues to wave the saber back and forth underneath the water.
When he deems he is finished, he unignites the saber. The Lanai cheer, jumping back and forth onto different basalt columns until they collectively strip down to their undergarments and jump into the pool. As each one enters, they make a very relaxed "aaahh" sound. They exalt Nole and he bows in return.
The Lanai staying back to watch our trio stares at the celebration in the pool with his mouth open. Aug notices that he's distracted. Aug looks over at Lucy.
AUG
Don't do anything until I tell you to. And when I do, do it.
Lucy understands and takes a breath.
Aug spins around, sweeping the legs of the Lanai. It falls onto its back. With his hands still tied behind his back, Aug Forces Nole's lightsaber into his hand, igniting it and cutting the ropes binding him.
The Lanai's celebration comes to a screeching halt. One Lanai scrambles up the side of the pool and back into the cave.
Nole gets out of the water and runs up to Aug.
NOLE
What the hell!?
Aug points the saber directly at Nole, preventing him from running any closer.
AUG
We're going to get Lucy's mother. Are you with us or not?
Nole stares at him, breathing heavily, almost in shock.
The Lanai sprints out of the cave with Aug's lightsaber.
LANAI #6
Bath'ka!
Nole looks over. The Lanai chucks the saber across the pool. Nole catches it and ignites it.
AUG
What are you doing?
NOLE
I-
All the Lanai cheer him on. Nole's shock turns into a smug smile. He waves them on to cheer louder.
NOLE
Alright. A simple saber fight. You win, I go with you. I win, I stay with the people who actually appreciate me.
AUG
Why play games, boy? Do you not care about the girl? Her mother?
Nole gives a subtle grimace and a slight head shake.
NOLE
(whispering)
I mean. Not really.
Aug takes a step back and swings first. Nole counters.
Meanwhile, Mooni looks at Lucy, desperately.
MOONI
(whispering)
What do we do?
Lucy watches the fight, not knowing how to answer.
Nole blocks the strike, taking a step forward. He goes from the block into an aggresive attack from above. Aug sidesteps the attack, moving behind Nole, and moving his saber to his left hand and around Nole's head so that the blade nearly touches Nole's neck. Nole freezes. Then, with his right hand, Aug grabs Nole's wrist and squeezes tight. Nole yelps and drops Aug's saber.
Aug switches off Nole's saber and hands it to the boy. He bends down and picks up his own.
He turns around to the Lanai, who look astonished. He raises his saber skyward and ignites it. The Lanai continue to stare in awe. One of them crawls onto land and bows down before him. The others follow suit. Aug walks over to the two girls and cuts their bonds.
AUG
Come on.
Aug walks onward, past the waterfall, up the hill. Lucy and Mooni glance at each other. They follow after Aug. Nole takes deep breaths and looks at the Lanai in defeat. They get up and turn their backs on him, returning to their cave. Nole walks behind our trio with his head down.
Lucy looks back past the hill at the disappearing Lanai.
LUCY
What was that.
EXT. AHCH-TO - CLIFFSIDE - NIGHT
A small fire burns, lighting up the dewey grass and the side of the cliff. Several rocks and a few boulders suround the fire on which our trio sit. Nole lies in the grass. Aug finishes up making a fire.
MOONI
I think they just worshiped lightsabers...
Lucy looks over, resting her chin on her shoulder.
LUCY
Maybe. But what were all the white clothes for?
Mooni shrugs.
LUCY
...Creepy.
MOONI
Mmm.
Nole rests with his eyes closed and his arms behind his head. He gets up and runs his fingers through his hair. Mooni watches him closely, suspiciously.
NOLE
Well. They were worshipping me-
Without a beat, Lucy cuts him off.
LUCY
Not anymore.
Nole scoffs.
Aug gets up and brushes his hands off.
AUG
Okay, I'm gonna hunt for some porg. I'll be right back.
Lucy looks at him with a pitiful frown as he walks off into the dark. After he walks some distance away, Nole looks right at Lucy.
NOLE
Why do you hate me?
MOONI
Are you kidding me?
NOLE
I wasn't asking you!
MOONI
You abandoned her mom, you jerk! She could've died!
NOLE
I was forced to come here with her! You think I wanted to come to this stupid planet?
MOONI
...This planet is my home!
NOLE
Oh okay. Yeah. You're right. It's not stupid. You convinced me.
Mooni is aghast. The two cease talking to each other.
LUCY
I don't hate you. I just don't think you deserve anything good in this world.
Mooni chuckles.
MOONI
Oh my...
Nole sits up fully and crosses his legs.
NOLE
(sternly)
Look. On Pang-that's our planet-your mom's an actual criminal. She's started so many riots-violent riots! And to get her to calm the hell down, we allowed her to go search for her kid... as long as one of the princes went with her. I got the short straw. So, yes. I do hate your mother because she's an awful person ...I don't have against you, though.
It gets silent. After a beat, Nole scoffs and looks up to the stars. He runs his hands through his hair. Mooni watches him, conflicted.
Lucy starts to cry.
LUCY
I don't believe you.
She gets up and wipes her tears, going around to the dark side of the boulder. Mooni watches her leave but doesn't go after her. She slides down off the rock and into the grass. She hugs her knees and stares at the ground.
MOONI
Why do you think my home is stupid?
NOLE
Ok, people always told me how incredible Ahch-to was. But you get here and it's just... cold... and so wet. And the Lanai aren't the brightest saber on the belt. As demonstrated earlier. Of course not everyone is like that, though.
Mooni glares at him.
MOONI
...What's your planet like?
NOLE
It's a lot more colorful than this. This is just all brown and muddy green and gray. Pang is vibrant. Purple, pink, red, and blue. And... there's some gray, too. But that's mostly underneath-where the people are.
They hear the squawk of a porg in the distance.
NOLE
I don't know... it's complicated.
MOONI
Colors?
NOLE
No. People. Here. And on Pang. A lot of them are infuriating. But some of them are really cool.
Mooni nods, staring distantly.
MOONI
People are complicated.
NOLE
I really hope I get to be king some day.
MOONI
I think I'd give anything to be a ruler.
Nole smirks in disbelief.
NOLE
Really? It's not a fun job.
MOONI
There's just so much that needs fixing.
Nole squints at her for a second, still smirking. It shifts into a genuine smile.
NOLE
Yeah. It'd be nice to have that kind of power. I think you'd make a good king.
Mooni considers this.
NOLE
You're one of the cool ones, by the way.
Mooni shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
MOONI
Don't say that.
She smiles.
They stop talking as Aug's footsteps grow nearer and nearer. Finally, he appears in the light with two porgs in hand.
AUG
Tonight, we feast!
He looks around and then at Mooni.
AUG
Where's Lucy?
Mooni points behind her. Aug drops a porg in front of her.
AUG
Could you start plucking that, please?
He tosses the other one to Nole.
AUG
Make yourself useful and do the same.
Nole grumbles and picks up the dead porg. Aug walks back around the boulder.
There, he finds Lucy sitting cross-legged, plucking at the grass.
AUG
What happened?
Lucy briefly steals a glance at him.
LUCY
Nothing.
Aug stands his ground, folding his arms. He raises his eyebrows at her. Though Lucy doesn't see him, she knows he won't leave her be. She sighs.
AUG
You can talk t-
LUCY
I know.
Lucy pulls her knees up to her chest.
LUCY
What if my mom... isn't a good person?
AUG
What?
Aug lowers himself to the ground and sits next to her.
AUG
I'm sure that's not true. She came all the way here to save you...
LUCY
Yeah but she let me get taken away in the first place.
AUG
Oh... Lucy, you can't blame your mother for that.
LUCY
Nole says she's a terrible person. And that everyone on my home planet hates her.
AUG
Okay, but Nole's an idiot. We both know that.
Lucy stays quiet for a moment. In that silence, a sudden laughter comes from Mooni on the other side of the boulder.
NOLE (O.S.)
(laughing)
Wait wait wait... what if- what if-
His voice gets quieter and trails off. Lucy rolls her eyes, blinking away any oncoming tears.
LUCY
Mooni doesn't seem to think so.
Aug takes a deep and thoughtful breath.
AUG
Well. Maybe he's not irredeemable. One of the most important things a Jedi can believe is that everyone can change for the better.
Lucy nods.
AUG
In the meantime, though. Don't listen to that boy. Your mother cares deeply for you I'm sure. Keep your mind set on that.
As Lucy continues to pluck the grass, Aug scratches his head.
AUG
Was that helpful?
Lucy smiles and halfheartedly nods.
AUG
Okay.
Aug gets up, grunting.
AUG
...You want some porg?
Lucy shakes her head.
LUCY
I don't want to eat porg.
AUG
Well, you have to eat something.
Lucy sighs. She takes a handful of grass and shoves it in her mouth. She glares at Aug like "is this good enough," making him chuckle.
AUG
Have it your way, cow.
EXT. AHCH-TO - CLIFFSIDE - LATER
Aug finishes a porg leg when he notices Lucy walking forward, arms wrapped around herself in desperate need of warmth and comfort. The first thing she sees is that Nole has taken her spot on the rock next to Mooni. They eat together casually.
Lucy walks over and sits next to Aug. He offers her the other porg leg. She takes it and stares at it, holding it loosely, fidgeting with it as though she wanted to let it drop onto the ground. But she doesn't. And she takes a bite.
OUTRO: embed/9zNS-YD-zso?start=28&end=163
Based on story and characters by George Lucas
Written by Silas McCord
MUSIC:
"Win" by Disasterpeace, arranged by David Peacock, and performed by Augustine Mayuga Gonzales
"Requiem - Instrumental" by Shey Baba
COVER ART:
"Cliffs of Mohar 2" by Conor McGuire
All copyrighted characters, terms, and phrases are owned by Lucasfilm LTD. and Walt Disney Studios.
END.