EXT. OPELUCID CITY - TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
The town center's stage is surrounded by the blue-hooded TEAM PLASMA grunts. On stage stands GHETSIS. Team Plasma's frontman and N's right-hand-man... Crowds of curious faces look at Ghetsis.
Ghetsis raises his hand into the air, toward the SMOKE and crackling ELECTRICITY where the bridge is, obscured by the trees.
The crowd's murmuring dies down - curious to what he has to say.
GHETSIS
Our lord N has combined his power with the legendary Dragon-type Pokémon Reshiram and intends to create a new world. We herald the return of the hero of Unova, founder of this region.
(beat)
What happened on the bridge today was a combination of the foolish ignorance of a boy who felt the need to interfere with our plans, and the reiteration of a legend. If anyone furthers their attempts at stopping Team Plasma - what happened today will happen again. More lives will be lost. More chaos will ensue.
There's a dark pause as everyone in the crowd laments...
GHETSIS (CONT'D)
Pokémon are different from people. They are living beings who contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. They are beings whose greatness we should acknowledge! Beings who should be freed from our oppression! We, Team Plasma, invite you to join us. We all want to create a new world where people and Pokémon are both free. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you now... Please, release your Pokémon. And so I end my plea to you today. Thank you one and all for your attention and I hope you consider my gesture... The extension of my mercy unto you.
Ghetsis turns - leaving the stage solemnly. The crowd erupts into a murmur.
From the TREELINE between ROUTE 9 and OPELUCID CITY, HILBERT, SHELDON, and IRIS watch this. Hidden in the shadows. Though it's obvious that Hilbert's itching to get out and show himself...
HILBERT
I'm going over there.
IRIS
No. They'll grab you on the spot, Hilbert!
HILBERT
Not with the International Police everywhere-
IRIS
They're busy with the bridge, besides Team Plasma seems to have quite the connection if they're allowed to perform ceremonies like this...
HILBERT
Have you forgotten that Unova promotes free speech? They can do what they want, that's the sad part!
A slight song interrupts their banter, snapping their attention back to -
THE STAGE.
A tune is playing. Beautiful. But yes. HAUNTING.
The crowd's murmurs disappear and turn into melodic humming. It's very creepy.
ON HILBERT
He's had enough.
HILBERT (CONT'D)
This is crazy! What the -?
He goes to run as he sees the group gathering into a straight line and start marching toward the grunts, but Iris grabs him by the arm and drags him back. He tenses up and tries to wriggle free, but Iris proves stronger than him.
IRIS
Don't! It's the music that's hypnotizing them-! The closer you'll be, the more likely it is YOU'LL give up your Pokémon too...!
HILBERT
What?!
IRIS
There's a Legendary Pokémon. It's called Meloetta. Its melodies are sung with a special vocalization method that can control the feelings of those who hear it. I have a feeling Team Plasma must've gotten hold of it -
Hilbert is conflicted - he inches back, finally giving in.
HILBERT
But-But how?
IRIS
I don't know. But we have to get out of here - I know where to go.
HILBERT
What?
IRIS
Just trust me!
Hilbert and Iris lock eyes. She takes him by the hand and he takes Sheldon's paw... The three of them rush through the trees and darkness...
EXT. HUT - NIGHT
ESTABLISHING SHOT.
A HUT on a hill at the outskirts of town. It's very comfortable looking despite its small size. The bustling city below can be seen from this hill as HILBERT, IRIS, and SHELDON climb it.
Iris is in front as she approaches the hut. Raps on the door carefully.
It swings open - revealing DRAYDEN.
At least 80, white-haired with tortured eyes. He's seen plenty of horrors in his lifetime, and his hardened face isn't willing to sugarcoat it.
Drayden and Iris lock eyes - there's a sense of confusion and WORRY in Drayden's face. But that warps into a genuine SMILE.
DRAYDEN
Iris. You're so... you're so grown-up.
IRIS
Grandpa...
She wraps him in a hug.
ON HILBERT AND SHELDON
They stand, watching. A smirk on their faces.
HILBERT (V.O.)
This was a pretty awkward moment. Sheldon and I just kinda counted how long the hug lasted to pass the time. I bet they'd last at least ten.
TIGHT on Iris and Drayden as they hug. Hilbert mouths to Sheldon - "five. Six. Seven. Eight."
They break.
Hilbert gives a grumble, cursing under his breath as Sheldon sniggers. I win.
FREEZE.
HILBERT (V.O.)
(beat)
...I lost. I had to promise to take Sheldon shopping after all this was over and buy whatever he wanted. I knew I'd regret that the moment I accepted that bet, but I was so SURE I'd win...
Drayden eyes the boy and his Pokémon, nodding to Iris.
DRAYDEN
These friends of yours?
IRIS
Yeah. His name's Hilbert. He helped me escape - well. Them.
DRAYDEN
Your parents aren't bad people. They're just misinformed.
IRIS
Yeah, well, they need a reality check. I'm not a face for TV. I was born for this.
Hilbert's confused.
HILBERT
Would you, mind, uh - giving me a 'Previously on...' recap here?
DRAYDEN
Yes. But inside. With what's going on down there, it's not safe to be out here.
Hilbert and Sheldon follow Drayden and Iris inside. He shuts the door and we CLOSE on it as we hear the CLICK of it LOCKING.
INT. DRAYDEN'S HUT - NIGHT
HILBERT sips down a cup of coffee, sitting at a table. IRIS sits beside DRAYDEN on the other side.
DRAYDEN
I'm the gym leader of Opelucid City... This place has been taken over by Ghetsis and his hooded folks. I've been ill and I couldn't get on my feet very often the past few days... I don't think I'll be able to take up the gym any longer...
He looks to Iris... She can see it in his face. Her eyes light up.
IRIS
Are you... are you saying?
DRAYDEN
That your journey has finally come to an end? That you can take up the mantle here as gym leader? Yes. I think you're more than capable to be a Dragon-type master...
IRIS
Oh my god... Honestly, I can't believe this is happening.
HILBERT
Wait? Take up the gym leader spot? As in... you're gonna stay here?
Iris nods giddily.
IRIS
Yeah!
Freeze-frame on her happy smile. SPLIT-SCREEN with Hilbert's unsure facial expression. Totally blindsided.
HILBERT (V.O.)
I had the most awkward feeling. What would she do without me? Who am I kidding - what was I gonna do without HER? It was like I was laying down on a patio chair and a brick fell and hit me in my bare stomach. I couldn't explain how I felt to her in words... I didn't want to show weakness. But I knew that if this happened, we wouldn't be traveling with each other anymore and honestly? I knew I'd miss her.
BACK to Iris - she's smirking.
IRIS
C'mon Hilbert. You want this last badge to get to the League right?
She flips a Poké Ball out and catches it. That cocky smirk still plastered on her face and she rushes out...
Hilbert sighs, putting on a straight face, and follows her out.
HILBERT
Bring it on!
FREEZE-FRAME on Hilbert.
HILBERT (V.O.)
Okay. I look confident, but in reality I was crapping my pants...
FREEZE-FRAME on Iris.
HILBERT (V.O.)
I mean come on the girl's been waiting for this day her whole life. And she's pretty tough... I was worried.
INT. DRAYDEN'S HUT - GUEST BEDROOM - NIGHT
HILBERT (V.O.)
That's why Sheldon and I decided to come up with a strategy. So we locked ourselves in Drayden's back room and decided to think somethin' up.
His cap flipped backward, Hilbert sits on the guest bed, cross-legged with a pen in his hand and a notebook on the bed in front of him. Sheldon the Dewott is sprawled out on his stomach, legs kicking in the air.
FREEZE-FRAME ON HILBERT, DEEP IN CONCENTRATION:
"HILBERT used BACKWARDS CAP.
Serious shit is about to happen!"
ON IRIS as she peeks in - she looks surprised. Freeze-frame.
"It's super effective!"
Iris looks back at Drayden, who peeks in with her.
DRAYDEN
He's been like that for ages now.
IRIS
It's unusual for Hilbert, to think of actual strategies for a battle. Let's hope he doesn't develop wisdom teeth from this.
DRAYDEN
Don't be thinking about going easy on him because he's your friend. Give it your all.
IRIS
Of course. I never even considered it.
Drayden nods.
Hilbert lets out all of his Pokémon - RAICHU, LEAVANNY, ARCHEOPS, MINCCINO, and KROOKODILE on the floor. They're all lined up next to SHELDON...
He scans them back and forth, trying to rationalize which Pokémon to use. Raichu starts making noises and Hilbert nods.
HILBERT
You're right. The fire moves of Iris's Larvesta will have little effect on you, since you're an Electric-type.
Raichu does a fist pump, excited. Sparks fly from his cheeks. He wants this battle.
HILBERT (CONT'D)
On the other hand, what if she doesn't use Larvesta? This is a Dragon specialist gym after all. Your Electric-type attacks will be largely ineffective against Fraxure, or Deino, or Druddigon...
Raichu sighs, looking disappointed.
HILBERT (CONT'D)
You know, this time I wanna give my other Pokémon a chance too. There's going to be plenty of time at the Pokémon League for all of you to shine, but Leavanny and Archeops could use more battles to level up. Sheldon will be very useful in this battle, according to my Pokédex he's nearly of level to learn Ice Beam. And since Ice attacks are super-effective to Dragon type Pokémon... I'd like to see Sheldon take part in this battle.
Hilbert's voice drowns out as we FOCUS on Raichu, who plops down on his butt and gives a heavy sigh.