Act II: Scene 56
Location: The Royal Bedroom
* King Sabian is having sex with his wife. The queen's face is quite expressionless, like that of an old whore who has long given up on faking enthusiasm for her clients. The wizard thrusts his pelvis into hers without a care. One of his mutant guards bursts into the room unannounced. *
Pig-Mutant: My Lord!
Sabian: (Not pausing in his 'love making') Can't you wait a moment? Don't you see I'm busy?
Pig-Mutant: My apologies, My Lord! But there is an emergency!
Sabian: (Still not stopping) Well? What is it?
Pig-Mutant: A jailbreak in the dungeons! The slaves are all fleeing!
Sabian: (Continuing to have sex with his wife) So? Recapture them!
Pig-Mutant: The problem is, they're all gladiators and rebels! They're far tougher than your average slave. They've been fighting past whatever guards try and stop them!
Sabian: (Not stopping) Then send more guards! Do I have to think of everything?
Pig-Mutant: They've scattered, Sir! In order to round them all up, we'll have to go mounted!
Sabian: (Still not stopping) Then mount up!
Pig-Mutant: That's the problem, My Lord. They've managed to scatter the horses. By the time we manage to round them up, the escaping slaves will be long gone.
Sabian: (Still humping his wife) Clever. Who orchestrated this little coup?
Pig-Mutant: It was Princess Ariel, sir.
Sabian: What? (He finally stops having sex with his wife. He gets off of her and stands before the mutant) Where is she?
Pig-Mutant: We don't know, My Lord. She escaped on horseback with those two slaves who were scheduled to be executed. The barbarian and the mok.
Sabian: Get after her! Find her! Whatever the cost! Bring her back to me alive and unspoiled!
Pig-Mutant: But the horses are-
Sabian: Round up the horses and get after them!
Pig-Mutant: What about the other escaping slaves?
Sabian: The slaves are nothing! Only the princess matters! Return her to me or by The Demon Lords Of Hell, I swear you will suffer greatly for your incompetence!
Pig-Mutant: Aye, My Lord!
* The pig-mutant bows and leaves the room to do as he was bid. Sabian turns and glares at his wife. *
Sabian: That daughter of yours is a real trouble maker. Good thing she won't be around for very much longer.
* Queen Lee sits naked on their bed, staring at her husband with blank, emotionless eyes. Scene fades to black. *
Act II: Scene 57
Location: The kingdom of Couver's farmlands, in what was once known as Cloverdale.
* Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla bring their horses to a halt at a clear pond. They tether their mounts to allow them to graze and drink. *
Thundarr: This is far enough. We should rest here.
* Ookla starts drinking from the pond. Princess Ariel lies down on the grass. Thundarr sits down on a large rock and begins peeling off his fur vest. He stifles a wince as it begins to slide down his back. *
Ariel: What's wrong?
Thundarr: It's nothing. Forget it.
Ariel: If we're going to be traveling together we need t be honest with each other. Now what's wrong?
Thundarr: I told you. It's nothing.
* Ariel gets up and walks over to Thundarr. She helps him remove his vest, revealing several fresh wounds across his back, where the leather whip tore his flesh. There are also multiple scars left over from earlier such injuries. *
Ariel: (Gasping) By the Gods!
Thundarr: Souvenirs of your step-father's . . . hospitality.
Ariel: I never really-
Thundarr: I'm fine! I just need some time to heal!
* Ariel gets up and begins to walk away. Thundarr grabs her by the wrist, stopping her. *
Thundarr: Where are you going?
Ariel: I'll be back soon. I just need to collect some plants to put on your wounds to help them heal.
Thundarr: Are you sure you'll be safe?
Ariel: We are in the farmlands. The peasants are few and far between out here. As such, the patrols of soldiers are far less frequent. And it will take a long time for any search party to catch up to us. I'll be fine.
* Thundarr lets go of Ariel's wrist. She heads off to the nearby bushes to find what she needs. *
Act II: Scene 58
* Ookla walks up to Thundarr with an armload of firewood and kneels down. He begins to build a campfire. *
Ookla: [Are you sure we can trust her?]
Thundarr: Honestly, I don't know, Old Friend. She says she hates her stepfather. And she hasn't done anything to betray us so far. But I don't like the callous way she used the other slaves as a diversion.
Ookla: [Neither do I. But can we honestly say we wouldn't make the same decision?]
Thundarr: No, probably not. Still, she is a sorceress. We should be cautious.
Act II: Scent 59
* Princess Ariel returns with a small bundle of fresh plants that she has picked in the bushes. Ookla is trying to get a fire going by rubbing two sticks together, without much luck. *
Ariel: I can help you with that.
Ookla: [No thanks.]
Thundarr: He says he's got it.
Ariel: It's no trouble. Really.
Ookla: [I can manage it.]
Thundarr: He says no. He's done this before.
* Princess Ariel begins piling up her gathered plants onto a flat piece of rock. She then looks around for a larger rounded stone to grind the plants up with. Then, in a very nonchalant manner, she points her finger at the small bundle of firewood at Ookla's feet. The bundle of firewood bursts into flame, surprising the mok and causing him to fall back on his butt. Ookla growls at the sorceress. Princess Ariel looks back at him with a smile and a shrug. *
Ariel: I told you I could light that for you.
Ookla: [You nearly set me on fire!]
Thundarr: He says you should be more careful.
Ariel: This is a better way of starting a fire anyway. The flames are enchanted. As long as we're in the light of the fire, we will be protected from magical scrying.
Thundarr: Why didn't you mention that in the first place?
Ariel: You never asked.
* Thundarr can't help but smile and shake his head. Ookla growls some more, but puts several more large pieces of wood onto the fire. Princess Ariel goes back to mashing up the plants she had gathered.*
Act II: Scene 60
* Princess Ariel begins smearing the green paste she had made out of the plants she had gathered over Thundarr's wounds. Ookla pokes at the fire while eying her suspiciously. *
Thundarr: Where did you learn to do that?
Ariel: I read about it in my stepfather's library.
Thundarr: Why did you help us escape?
Ariel: I told you. I needed to run away, and you're my best chance at escaping successfully.
Ookla: And what of the others?
Thundarr: Yes. What of the others? The ones you left behind as a diversion?
Ariel: They were all gladiators, and suspected members of a secret underground rebellion. I figured, if anyone could fight their way out of the dungeons and disappear, it was them.
Thundarr: So is that the only reason you helped us? For your own survival?
Ariel: No. I . . . I remembered you. From years ago, when you were first brought to the kingdom. I felt such shame for my stepfather's actions. And such sorrow for your loss. I felt I needed to help you.
Thundarr: I see.
Ariel: It's late. We should get some sleep. We can continue on in the morning.
Ookla: [Continue where?]
Thundarr: Yes. Continue where?
Ariel: I don't know. Further south, beyond the farmlands. From there, maybe we can join up with the rebellion . . . if they even exist.
Ookla: [What?]
Thundarr: You mean you don't know if they even exist?
Ariel: No one knows for sure, at least not anyone in The Royal Family or loyal to them. Just rumors and innuendo. But there are too many whispers for them not to hold a grain of truth.
Thundarr: Then you intend to find out.
Ariel: And help them if I can.
Ookla: [I would enjoy helping the rebels deliver some payback.]
Thundarr: As would I, Old Friend. But Ariel's right. We need sleep right now. We can search for these rebels in the morning.
* Thundarr folds his vest into a bundle and tucks it under his head as he lays on his side, closes his eyes, and goes to sleep. Princess Ariel lays on her back in the grass next to him. Ookla stretches out in the grass on the opposite side of the campfire and drifts off to sleep. *
* Scene fades to black. *
Act II: Scene 61
* The sun crests the eastern horizon and shines down on the three sleeping companions. Princess Ariel has spooned up to Thundarr, using his arm as a pillow. Thundarr is sleeping on his side, his fur vest tucked under his head as a pillow, and his arm draped over Princess Ariel's sleeping form. Ookla is still snoring contentedly on the other side of the now smoldering campfire. Thundarr is the first to wake. He sees how intimately he and Ariel slept together and moves away so as not to disturb her. Then he gently shakes her awake. Her eyes flutter open, then rolls over and looks up at the barbarian. *
Ariel: Good morning.
Thundarr: Hi. Sleep well?
Ariel: Fine. You?
Thundarr: Pretty good. We'd better get a move on.
Act II: Scene 62
* Thundarr helps Ariel to her feet. He turns and begins walking over to rouse Ookla, showing his back to the sorceress. The wounds have scabbed over nicely. *
Ariel: Your back looks better.
Thundarr: It feels better. You have a gift for healing it seems.
Ariel: You'll find I'm much more than a pretty face, Thundarr.
Thundarr: Indeed.
* Thundarr roughly shakes Ookla, rousing the large mok from his slumber. *
Thundarr: Come, Ookla! Time to wake up, Old Friend!
Ookla: [What? What is it? Is it morning?]
Thundarr: Aye, Old Friend. And time to get back on the road!
Ookla: [What about breakfast?]
Thundarr: We have no food now, I'm afraid. But we are in farm country. We should be able to find a few fruits or vegetables somewhere here. Maybe even some stray livestock. But not before we put some distance between us and this campsite.
Ookla: [Very well, my friend. Lead the way.]
* Thundarr helps Ookla to his feet. The three of them kneel by the pond and drink of the clean, clear water. Thundarr and Ariel splash water on their faces in order to revitalize themselves. Then the three of them mount up and ride off through the farm lands. *
Act II: Scene 63
* Musical montage showing scenes of Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla riding across the country. Interspersed with them are scenes of mounted pig-mutant soldiers tracking them. They find the remains of the campsite, then follow the tracks through farm country.*
Act II: Scene 64
* Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla have ridden past the last of the farmlands. They are now in the fringes of The Wild Lands. Trees are thick all about them. The chattering of various animals is all around them. Thundarr looks from side to side, his stolen broadsword at the ready, ever wary of a possible ambush. Princess Ariel looks up into the branches of the trees, as they loom uncomfortably above her. Ookla sniffs the air, seeking the scent of any enemies in waiting. The mok reigns his equart to a halt and holds a clawed hand out to his companions. *
Ookla: [Wait! Stop!]
* Thundarr and Ariel reign their horses to a stop. *
Thundarr: What is it? What do you smell?
Ookla: [Trouble.]
* Princess Ariel looks around at the surrounding trees and bushes. The forest has become eerily quiet.*
Ariel: What is it? What does he smell?
Thundarr: An ambush.
Act II: Scene 65
* The three of them wait for a trap to spring. After several moments, nothing happens. So they spur their mounts forward. The three of them travel several more yards when the trap is sprung. Five pig-mutants, mounted on horses and armed with spears and axes, come charging out of the bushes up ahead of the trio. Seven more, also mounted on horses and armed with clubs and nets, come charging up the trail behind them. A dozen battle droids burst forth from the bushes to the sides, armed with taser rifles and traveling on foot. Princess Ariel raises her hands above her head and conjures a protective globe of energy around herself and her two companions, just as the battle droids try to blast them with their taser rifles. The lightning like energy bolts bounce harmlessly off of the globe and ricochet out in multiple angles. Some of the blasts strike the battle droids and pig-mutants, while most fire harmlessly out into the trees. *
Act II: Scene 66
* Thundarr draws his broadsword and spurs his horse, Lightning, towards the charging pig-mutants ahead of them. *
Thundarr: Yaaaaa-hee!
Act II: Scene 67
* As Thundarr charges forward, he swings his broadsword in an upward slash, knocking the lead pig-mutant's spear up harmlessly. He then continues the slash across and decapitates the other pig-mutant on the other side of him. Princess Ariel blasts the spear wielding pig-mutant with her magic, knocking him from his horse and rendering him unconscious. *
Act II: Scene 68
* Princess Ariel once again blocks the battle droids taser blasts with her magic, this time creating a concave energy shield forcing the blasts back to where they came. The battle droids all are hit by their own tasers and collapse in a heap. She then turns and blasts the other battle droids with her magic, smashing them to pieces. *
Act II: Scene 69
* Ookla turns his equart, Comet, about and spurs it towards the pig-mutants charging them from behind. He rides between two pig-mutants with his arms outstretched, clotheslining them both from their mounts. A third pig-mutant stops and tries to throw a net over Ookla's head. He grabs it with one clawed hand and pulls the mutant from his horse. The other four mutants turn their horses about and charge the mok. Ookla rides Comet right between two mutants who have a net stretched between them. Comet and Ookla's charge is so fierce that it knocks the mutants from their mounts. Ookla rips the heavy net to shreds as though it were made out of cotton threads. A mutant rides up to Ookla and swings a heavy wooden club at the mok's skull. Ookla catches the club in mid-swing, claws the mutant down the face, then smashes the other mutant's head with skull shattering force. *
Act II: Scene 70
* Thundarr rides Lightning past an ax wielding mutant and slashes it across the chest. The mutant tumbles from its horse and bleeds out on the forest floor. Then Thundarr clashes with the final mounted pig-mutant. Steel rings out as sword and ax clash in strikes and parries, until Thundarr slips his sword through the mutant's defenses and stabs it through the heart. He rides back to his two companions, admiring the results of their team work. *
Thundarr: Nicely done, Princess.
Ariel: You weren't too bad yourself.
Ookla: [Not to ruin the moment, but the fight isn't finished.]
Act II: Scene 71
* Several more pig-mutants come out of the bushes, all armed with crossbows, longbows, and taser rifles. Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla turn their mounts about so that they're looking out at all angles. *
Thundarr: Come, mutants! Taste Thundarr's fury!
Act II: Scene 72
* Suddenly humans spring from the bushes, attacking the pig-mutants from behind. They hack at the mutants with swords, knives, and axes. The mutants are quickly overwhelmed. Now the three companions are surrounded by several grim faced humans. *
Rebel Commander: Welcome. You are now guests of The Rebellion.
Act II: Scene 73
Location: Secret Rebel Base, The Ancient Sewer Tunnels Beneath Langley BC
* The human rebels enter the hidden base. Thundarr, Ookla, and Ariel are with them. Several of the rebels are carrying the discarded weapons of the defeated pig-mutants and battle droids. The commander of the small band that rescued the three companions heads into what appears to be the command center. He motions for Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla to follow him. They readily obey. The rebel leader is standing at a table looking over several maps, notes, and papers. Like Ariel, and many of the human rebels, he too is Chinese. He takes no notice of them. *
Rebel Commander: Sir! We've found more volunteers!
Rebel Leader: Send them in.
Act II: Scene 74
* The rebel leader looks up from his maps and notes and takes a look at the three new arrivals. He looks first at Thundarr, sizing up his size and strength. Then Ookla. Then his gaze falls upon Princess Ariel. His jaw drops in surprise. He quickly moves around the table and drops to one knee, bowing his head until it touches the floor. *
Rebel Leader: Your Highness! Forgive me!
* The other rebels fall to a knee and bow, the same as their leader. Thundarr looks to Ariel for an explanation. *
Thundarr: You know these men?
Rebel Leader: We were once the Elite Royal Guard. Until Sabian murdered our king, married our queen, and then replaced us all with mutants and robots.
Ariel: Then you became rebels?
Rebel Leader: Well, those of us who survived your stepfather's purge anyway.
Thundarr: How many of you are there?
Rebel Leader: Of The Elite Guard? Maybe a few dozen or so. But we've been recruiting new members for some time now. Teaching them how to fight. Biding our time.
Ariel: New members? From where?
Rebel Leader: Oppressed peasants mostly. Escaped slaves on occasion.
Ariel: And how many of them have you recruited?
Rebel Leader: Maybe a hundred or so. We've managed to recruit a fair number of veteran gladiators over the past few days. I understand we have you three to thank for that.
Thundarr: They managed to escape? They weren't all recaptured?
Rebel Leader: Those who had the good fortune to team up with people being charged with inciting a rebellion made it out okay. Ironically, they weren't all trumped up charges for once. Some of those prisoners actually were my people. They know where you can hide in the city. Who's sympathetic to the cause. Who'll turn you in for a loaf of bread. The gladiators who went running through the streets of Couver without a guide, I don't know what happened to them. Some might make it. As for the others . . .
Thundarr: How many do you think made it out?
Rebel Leader: Half, maybe. Maybe more, maybe less. Your setting all the horses loose certainly slowed them up. But it'll still take several days for the majority of the slaves who made it to reach us.
Ariel: Do you really think that your motley crew of rebels will be able to overthrow my stepfather and his mutant army?
Rebel Leader: Before today? No. I'd put any one of my Elite Guards up against any ten of Sabian's mutants or tin soldiers! But even with our superior kung fu, we'd be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Thundarr: What's "Kung Fu"?
Ariel: An ancient fighting style, taught throughout the generations of our people.
Rebel Leader: Up until now, we've had to simply hassle the wizard's troops. Stealing his taxes and such. We just never had the manpower to do more. But with you here, that's all changed!
Ariel: What do you mean?
Rebel Leader: You are the rightful heir to the throne. You have not been corrupted by your stepfather's evil. You're a leader the common folk can get behind. With you to lead us, all of the oppressed masses will rise up behind us! The slaves will join us! We will trample your stepfather's mercenaries under foot!
Ariel: I don't know.
Thundarr: Your sorcery would be most useful against the wizard's magic.
Ariel: This morning was the first time I've ever tried using my magic in a combat situation! I've never tested myself against anyone as powerful as Sabian!
Rebel Leader: With your magic, our skill, and the power of the masses behind you, you're sure to win.
Ariel: I don't know . . .
Thundarr: Your stepfather killed my parents and enslaved my tribe! I hunger for vengeance!
Ookla: [As do I!]
Ariel: I want my stepfather defeated as much as any of you! He killed my father! He turned my mother into a mindless puppet! He promised me to a demon! I just don't think I'm strong enough to lead!
Rebel Leader: I understand. Leadership, especially in days such as these, is a scary thought at best. Perhaps I may have something that might help.
* The Rebel Leader rummages through the papers on his table. He picks up a wooden box and hands it to Ariel. *
Ariel: What is it?
Rebel Leader: It belonged to your father, The King. It was his greatest fear that this would ever fall into the wrong hands. He entrusted it to me for safe keeping. I took it with me when I escaped Sabian's "retirement plan".
* Princess Ariel opens the wooden box. Inside the box is an ancient, rolled up piece of paper. She takes it out and unrolls it. Written upon it is a message she doesn't understand. *
Ariel: What does it say?
Rebel Leader: I don't know. It's written in a language I've never seen before.
Ariel: That's understandable. It's written in Norse Runes.
Thundarr: Can you read that language?
Ariel: The thing is, Norse Runes aren't really a language. They weren't used for writing messages as we understand the concept.
Rebel Leader: What were they used for?
Ariel: Soothsaying. Fortune telling. They would carve these runes into a set of stones. Then they would put them into a small leather sack and shake them up. Then they would take out three stones and use them to read a person's fortune.
Thundarr: Then how can your father use them to write you a message?
Ariel: Years ago, scholars had begun using Norse Runes for writing purposes. They had devoted a particular rune to a specific letter in the alphabet. It never caught on as a manner of writing because there are fewer Norse Runes than there are letters in the alphabet. As a result, many words had to be written phonetically.
Thundarr: Phone-net-tick-call-lee?
Ariel: That means words are spelled as they sound rather than what's considered "proper".
Thundarr: Shouldn't the "proper" way to spell a word is to do it the way it sounds?
Ariel: In a perfect world . . . sure.
Ookla: [Civilized humans are strange.]
Thundarr: I couldn't agree more, Old Friend.
Rebel Leader: Do you understand the alphabet that the scholars used for these runes?
Ariel: I think so. I read a book about them in my stepfather's library.
Act II: Scene 75
* Musical montage of Princess Ariel deciphering the message written in Norse Runes. Eventually she has it all written out. She looks at her translation with a look of satisfaction on her face. *
Rebel Leader: Do you know what it says?
Ariel: I think so.
Rebel Leader: You think so?
Ariel: It looks like it was written in Phonetic Latin.
Thundarr: Lah-tin?
Ariel: An ancient language. Rarely used even in the days just prior to The Great Catastrophe.
Rebel Leader: Can you translate it from Latin into Common?
Ariel: It looks like, "The World's most powerful weapon is beneath The City Of Sea hawks. May he who wields it for just reasons, rule in peace. May he who wields it for selfish reasons, show us mercy and grant us a swift death."
Thundarr: Lords Of Light! What does that mean?
Ariel: I wish I knew.
Act II: Scene 76
Location: Kingdom of Couver. Sabian's Royal Meeting Hall.
* Sabian and Queen Lee are sitting on their thrones. The captain of the Pig-Mutants staggers in, beaten, bloodied, with his clothing torn and dirtied. He's pushed forward by two of the mutant guards assigned to the Royal Hall this day. Sabian glares at the Pig-Mutant, his eyes glowing an unnatural green glow. *
Sabian: Well? Report!
Pig-Mutant: My men and I tracked your daughter and her companions into the kingdoms farmlands. We managed to set a trap for them in the wilds just past the farms. They fought through our first wave, but the second wave had them trapped. We were about to recapture them when we were attacked. Rebels came out of nowhere! I barely got out of there with my life! I came back for reinforcements.
Sabian: Did I not give strict instructions not to return without my stepdaughter?
Pig-Mutant: Aye, My Lord.
Sabian: And did I not make myself clear that failure would not be tolerated?
Pig-Mutant: Aye, My Lord.
Sabian: And what have you done?
Pig-Mutant: I've failed you, My Lord.
Sabian: That's right. You . . . FAILED!
Act II: Scene 77
* Twin beams of green energy shoot forth from Sabian's eyes, hitting the pig-mutant square in the face. The mutant squeals in agony. His head glows green, his eyes bulge, and his flesh begins to blister. The mutant drops to his knees, clutching his head with his cloven hands. His skull swells up like a balloon, until it finally explodes, showering the room in red gore. The headless carcass collapses to the floor of the Royal Hall. Sabian then turns his attention to his other mutant guards. He points his finger at one of them. The guard gulps in fear. *
Sabian: You! Go find me someone who can track down my stepdaughter and bring her back to me! Someone who can defeat her companions without harming so much as a hair on her head! Someone who will not fail me!
Mutant: Yes, Lord Sabian!
Act II: Scene 78
* The mutant guard turns on his heel and runs to do Sabian's bidding. Sabian sits back in his throne. He glares down at the headless carcass messing up his Royal Hall. *
Sabian: And somebody take care of this mess! Take the body to the kitchen. I'm in the mood to have pork for dinner tonight.
* Fade to black.*