ACT II – SCENE 3
[At night a few days later, we see The Girl in her night robes, lying flat on her back in her bed. A couple candles light up the room slightly. Ashi's bed is still made up with her robes on it.]
[The Girl's eyes are closed, in deep meditation with a hint of fear.]
[The Girl's eyes open. She turns her head to Ashi's bed.]
[We see Ashi's bed in the shadows of the candlelight. We barely hear a faint voice in the background.]
Ashi: (very faint, in the distance) …..take care of….
[The Girl's eyes widen for a moment, but goes to sadness.]
[We see Ashi's bridal robes on her bed. Ashi's voice is heard stronger.]
Ashi: (in the background) Take care of Jack.
[The Girl's eyes close in remorse. We hear doors close in the background, prompting The Girl to open her eyes.]
[The Girl tip-toes around her room door, ready for anything. Suddenly, we hear a horse's gallop from outside the Palace, prompting The Girl to run towards a window.]
[The Girl arrives at the window and peaks out to look.]
[We see Jack riding off from the Palace into the night.]
[The Girl gasps at the sight.]
[She turns from the window about to run again, but is stopped with a gasp.]
[The Emperor and Empress, in their night robes, standing in concern.]
Emperor: He needs time alone.
Empress: He did not say where he is going.
[The Girl, deeply concerned, inquires.]
The Girl: Did he say how long?
Emperor: No. But, you, my wife and I are in charge of protecting the Kingdom.
[The Girl, still concerned, takes a deep breath, and bows to the Emperor and Empress in respect.]
The Girl: So we are.
[The image fades to a red-orange sunrise among the fields of red and gold shimmering trim. From left to right, Jack rides a steady gallop clear across the fields, sending various crickets and bugs scampering for dear life.]
[We see a close-up of Jack's face as he squints to avoid the bugs as he rides through the fields.]
[A cricket lands on Jack's kimono around his right leg area, clasping to the fabric for dear life as other bugs keep scampering.]
[We follow Jack from behind as he rides on through the fields as more bugs scamper away.]
[The image fades to a few nights later. We see Jack meditating calmly in front of a healthy campfire.]
[The camera is planted just below Jack, in deep meditation. The campfire glow keeps his body and face visible. The star-filled skies run like normal, but then THOOOM! Jack remains in deep meditation as the universe behind him spins and colorful clouds fill the area, consuming Jack. Then, WHOOM! Jack's face swiftly zooms in and fills the screen. All sounds silent. Jack opens his eyes gently. He is slightly surprised by what he sees.]
[We see Jack in a blank, white void. Not much else is seen. Jack looks around and starts to walk forward.]
[In the Kingdom, The Girl is in a stretching regimen with the Female Army. Suddenly, a male Messenger, in good shape, runs in sharply.]
[The Messenger runs to The Girl and stands firm next to her. The Girl, sensing his presence, talks gently as she works out her split position.]
The Girl: Yes?
[The Messenger whispers something in The Girl's ear, prompting her eyes to open in concern.]
[A moment later, we see The Messenger and The Girl in a lookout tower just next to the Palace. They're squinting pretty hard towards the West.]
[We see an approaching Army, seeming small at first, but gradually showing the vast numbers.]
[The Messenger talks gently.]
Messenger: They will be here before dawn.
The Girl: We need the Prince's help.
Messenger: Where did he go?
The Girl: North. He did not specify.
Messenger: I am an excellent tracker. I will find him.
The Girl: Thank you. Hurry.
[The Messenger leaves as The Girl looks on in concern.]
The Girl: Jack, please come back.
[In the white void, we see a few cloud masses just pass by in the silence. After a moment, we see Jack, looking around, slowly approach through the cloudy masses.]
[We follow Jack from behind when a faint whispering sound catches his ear, stopping him and quickly looks about.]
Ashi: (faint whisper) Jack…..
[Jack still looks around swiftly, looking for something dear to him.]
Jack:Hello?!
[Jack still looks, but gradually recedes back to within himself, thinking it may have been his desperate imagination.]
[Jack keeps walking into the cloudy mass.]
[We see the hands of several Volunteer Army Women grabbing their swords from a rack.]
[We see the hands of several Volunteer Army Men grabbing their swords from a rack.]
[We see several shots of the Women putting on their somewhat thin, metal-based armor.]
[We see a few more shots of the Men putting on their somewhat thicker, metal-based armor.]
[Outside the Palace, we see The Girl in the warrior's armor and sword in hand. She is joined by the Emperor and Empress, also in their battle armor, and the remaining Men and Women Army, all battle ready. There are also a few townsmen and townswomen, with poorly-made knives or poles as their weapons. The total amount of willing fighters is about 60 or more.]
[From behind The Girl, we see the slow approaching wave of black coming up the hill.]
[The Girl shows a scowl, reminiscent of Jack.]
[In a purple-blue cloud mass, we hear soft echoing voices of random men and women. Jack listens to the voices intently, but he doesn't make sense of the soft madness.]
Man1: I do miss her. Please come home.
Woman1: When will he come back? I love him.
Man2: What have I done? I hope she's alright.
Woman2: Can he ever forgive me? Do I deserve his love?
Man3: I love her. I want to find her again. She needs to be home.
Woman3: Where did he go? Can I please find him?
[The camera is fixed on Jack's face. Fed up with the noise, Jack covers his ears, and all sounds are silent. Jack slowly opens his eyes, and gasps at the sight. The camera zooms out to find that Jack is now on a green grass field next to a gentle stream of flowing water.]
[Suddenly, Jack is shaken awake by the Messenger. Jack, startled, jumps and unsheathes his sword instinctively, sending the Messenger into jumping away from the shock.]
Messenger: My Pri-IIII-INCE! My Prince! MY PRINCE! Please! It is only me!
[Jack, recognizing the Messenger, calms down and puts his sword away.]
Jack: Oh, yes. But, why you bother me-?
Messenger: Forgive me, my Prince, but the Kingdom is being invaded by an Army of thousands. You must help.
[Jack, not liking the news, shows his famous scowl.]
[The Volunteer Army, led in front by The Girl, is standing tall outside the Kingdom. The rumbling of heavy footsteps gradually approaches the Kingdom. Eventually, the ground in front of the Army is covered by a shadow silhouette.]
[In front of the Army is a battalion of bandits in basket masks, concealing their identity. The bandits are armed with poles or swords. After a momentary staredown, The Girl speaks.]
The Girl: Why have you come?
[The Lead Bandit speaks with a snarky growl.]
Lead Bandit: This Kingdom is the home of the very man who destroyed Aku. We come to destroy him!
[The Girl shows a scowl.]
The Girl: No, you won't.
[The Lead Bandit is intrigued by the response.]
Lead Bandit: No, we-wait! You?! You are going to stop us?
[The Emperor steps up from behind the lines.]
Emperor: I'd prefer that you just leave.
[The Lead Bandit recognizes the Emperor.]
Lead Bandit: YOU! You killed my father!
[The Emperor takes a moment, and recognizes the Bandit.]
Emperor: I did what I had to do to protect my family. I only wish it was not at the expense of your father's blood. However, you and your Army have this one opportunity to leave now and live. Should you stay, I fear the worst for you.
[Fueled in rage, the Lead Bandit yells and charges the Army, with his fellow bandits following him.]
Lead Bandit: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
[The Girl unsheathes her sword quickly. The remaining Army follows suit.]
[The Bandits charge at the Army.]
[The Army is ready for a fight.]
[The Lead Bandit raises his sword to strike.]
[CLANG! The Emperor uses his sword to block the Lead Bandit's attack, which is followed by a quick attack sequence. The Lead Bandit attacks with seven various swipes, all blocked by the Emperor.]
[The Girl crosses swords with Bandit2. Bandit2 starts with six sword slash attacks, all countered by The Girl who counters with seven slash attacks and a prying finisher, which gets Bandit2 in the abdomen, sending him down screaming in fateful pain. The Girl swiftly removes the sword and immediately blocks an attack from Bandit3. Bandit3 pries further with three slash attacks, all blocked. Bandit3 tries another slash attack, but The Girl jumps up to avoid and swiftly slashes down Bandit3, sending him screaming in fateful pain.]
Bandit2: UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHH!
Bandit3: AAAAAAAHH!
[We see Norio handily dispatch three bandits with four swift, bone-crunching attacks with his fists.]
[We see Masaka quickly disposing four bandits with six swift, bone-crunching attacks with her fists and legs.]
[The Emperor is fighting the Lead Bandit ferociously as the remaining Army continue to fend off the remaining Bandits.]
[Suddenly, SLASH! The Lead Bandit's sword gets a considerable hit on the Emperor's shoulder, sending the Emperor back in pain.]
Emperor: AAAAAAHHH!
[The Lead Bandit stands defiantly for a brief moment, and then raises his sword to attack.]
[The Emperor blocks three more attacks from the Lead Bandit before SLASH! The Lead Bandit's sword gets another considerable hit on the Emperor's other shoulder.]
Emperor: AAAAAAAHHHHH!
[The Girl turns her head towards the scream. She sees the danger and scowls.]
[The Lead Bandit appears to prepare to deliver a final strike. We hear a light chuckle from the Lead Bandit.]
Lead Bandit: (a little soft) Heh, heh, heh, heh…..
[The Emperor, battle-torn, tries to raise his sword to defend, but is weakened. Suddenly, SLASH! A little splash of blood splashes on the Emperor's face. The Emperor opens his eyes, and his eyes widen at the sight.]
[We see the Lead Bandit's beheaded body, standing briefly, then falls on its back, revealing The Girl with blood on her sword standing in the wake. The Girl is somewhat stunned by her actions.]
[The Emperor, a little stunned, but mostly hurt, calls to The Girl.]
Emperor: HELP!
[The Girl regains her focus and sharply goes to the Emperor. She lifts him to his feet with his weight on her shoulder. She fights off a couple of Bandits as she runs with the Emperor towards the Palace.
[The Girl swiftly assists the Emperor up the steps towards the palace as the battle rages on behind them.]
[Two nurses brave the warzone and rush to help The Girl and the Emperor.]
The Girl: TAKE HIM!
[The nurses carry the Emperor together into the palace. The Girl turns swiftly with rage in her face.]
[Suddenly, The Girl jumps to her right and slices a Bandit down, spilling a little blood on the ground. Then, The Girl jumps to her left and with her sword, destroys a bandit's wooden weapon and beheads the Bandit.]
[A Bandit's voice screams out, forcing The Girl to look straight into the camera.]
Bandit: STOP! STOP! RUN AWAY! SAVE YOURSELVES!
[The Girl stands defiantly at the Palace door and points her blood-soaked sword towards the running cowards.]
The Girl: RUN THEM OUT!
[The remaining Bandits, some in mid-fight, retreat swiftly, but the Army gives chase.]
[All remaining Bandits are seen from above running away from the Palace, with some Army soldiers giving chase.]
[We see the last remaining Bandits, a couple limping, running away from the Kingdom into the misty forest in the sunrise. The feet of the Army stop in front of the camera as they are at the edge of the Kingdom.]
[The Girl and the Army look on, some battle-worn with light cuts, bruises, and little splashes of blood.]
The Girl: Time for another soak.
[The male volunteers are soaking in the river, laughing and having a great time as they bathe.]
Man1: I must tell you….I was really impressed with our Acting Commander. She really let those thieves have it.
Man2: Oh, yes. I'm sure the Prince would be very impressed. I was not sure she had the nerves to take a life, let alone three.
Man1: Yeah, a woman killing three men? That is something of legend.
Man2: Yes, indeed! You like her, don't you?
Man1: Well, yeah who does-oh, WAIT! Wait! No, no, no! Not in that sense! I mean she's beautiful and all, but as a wife, I don't think the Prince would approve.
Man2: Oh, that's nonsense. She can choose any man she wants! And think about this….a warrior who could bear sons of another warrior? That could only make our Kingdom stronger!
Man1: If there's any warrior who could want sons stronger than any of us, it's the Prince. Oh, but his Ashi….
Man2: Ah, yes. His dearest love.
Man3: The only woman capable of catching the Prince's heart.
Man1: After hearing such an endearing, yet tragic tale, I don't know if the Prince could ever love another again.
Man3: So, if the Prince doesn't wed and bear a child, the throne will become a free-for-all. Attracting more bandits, evil ones, more Aku sympathizers.
Man2: It's possible, but we cannot let that happen!
Man3: How?
[The Men think about that, then calm down to meditate in silence.]
[In the pools, the female Army volunteers and The Girl soak in the waters in deep meditation.]
[Masako opens her eyes, looking around. The Girl, her eyes still closed, chimes in.]
The Girl: Relax, Masako. Meditation is important for the warrior's soul.
Masako: Hai, sensei!
[The women further meditate in the waters.]
[In the hot sun of the mid-day, Jack rides into the Kingdom, sword drawn.]
[Jack stops in the middle of the Kingdom, seeing the fallen bodies of the Bandits, but no sign of the Army. This startles Jack. He calls out loud, making echoes.]
Jack: FATHER!
[A female voice chimes in from the Palace doors.]
Nurse1: MY PRINCE! He is inside.
[A moment later, Jack and the Empress are inside the Palace, looking over the Emperor, who is tended to by the nurses.]
Emperor: It was a bloody fight, my son.
Jack: You're hurt!
Emperor: I'm not as young as I was before. I have come to accept that fact. Son, the battle could have been much worse. I think when they saw The Acting Commander kill 3 bandits, they ran away in fear.
Jack: The Nurse?
Empress: Yes! She fought bravely! She did not hold back!
Jack: The Nurse?! SHE killed three bandits?!
Emperor: Son, go see that the Army knows how proud you are of their gallantry.
Jack: Oh, yes….ahem. I will see them.
[A few moments later, the male Volunteers have dressed back up in their Kimonos, laughing as they walk from the river.]
Man2: So, you want to fight me for her?
Man1: I told you, no! Go fight yourself!
[The Men all laugh at that quip. Jack chimes in, silencing the Men.]
Jack: Who?
[The Men bow to their Prince.]
Men: My Prince!
[The Men rise as Jack speaks.]
Jack: Rise, men! Before you fight each other for any foolish reason, I congratulate you on a successful defense of our Kingdom! You have made me, my family, and the Kingdom very proud!
[The Men bow again.]
Men: Hai, sensei!
[Jack continues as the Men rise again.]
Jack: Again, rise. I was also relieved to hear that we did not lose a single man or woman in the battle. I also heard that a woman was able to take down three of the Bandits before they…..ran away?
Man1: Yes, sir! Your Acting Commander!
Man3: Yes!
Man2: The pretty nurse!
Man1: She's not a nurse! She's a warrior!
[Just then, the Men start escalating the argument. During this argument, Jack backs away silently and starts walking towards the Pool area.]
Man1: She's a fighter! A fearless woman! A warrior princess! She's stronger than you, that much is certain! I bet she can destroy you in under a minute! I KNOW she can beat me in five seconds, maybe less! That's why she's not my type!
Man2: She's pretty alright, but she's too good for you! I bet she'd want me first before you! I'll bet that I can beat you in a minute! You cannot even make it through a decent training session! I lasted longer than most of you!
Man3: Wait! Wait a minute! I said wait a moment! Doesn't she have a say in this?! After all, we all would like to know her better! Then again, with all of you arguing, she might not want to get to know you at all! I know I would not!
[In the Pool area, the female Volunteers and The Girl, in their Kimonos, all sit outside the water, breathing deep. Suddenly, there is a knock outside the Pool area. The Girl, slightly annoyed, responds for the women.]
The Girl: Yes? Who is it?
Jack: It's me….the Prince!
[The women instantly stand where they are, softly giggling as they make sure their hair feels good. The Girl speaks.]
The Girl: You may enter, Your Majesty.
[Jack enters from beyond the curtain and, professionally, addresses the women.]
Jack: My fair ladies….
[The women giggle at the words, including The Girl.]
Jack: Yes, yes. I only wanted to tell you how proud I am of your defense today. You have protected our Kingdom and our people from another threat. And for that, I am humbled.
[Jack bows to the women. The women giggle and gasp in awe at the great honor. The women politely bow back to their Prince.]
Women: Arigatō, watashinoōjisama!
[Jack rises with a smile and points to The Girl.]
Jack: You, my acting command. When you find a moment, can you find me outside the Palace? I wish to discuss some things with you.
[The Girl, realizing the situation, swiftly rises to her feet.]
The Girl: Now, My Prince?
Jack: Whenever you can.
The Girl: Now, My Prince.
Jack: When-
[Jack realizes.]
Jack: Oh, yes. Well, come.
[The Girl smiles excitedly as she dashes away from the women.]