ACT II – Scene 4
[Later that evening, we see Jack and The Girl sitting just in front of the fields, staring up in the full moon. Chirping crickets fill the night air. Jack and The Girl engage in conversation.]
Jack: It's so beautiful.
The Girl: Yes.
[A moment passes by as Jack and The Girl exchange sly glances.]
Jack: My um….ahem. My father said you took three lives today.
[The thought infuriates The Girl.]
The Girl: I hated it! I want to take it back, but I cannot! I thought I could protect the Kingdom, but…
Jack: Please…..
The Girl: -I never thought I could kill!
Jack: Please calm down.
[The Girl, still in a tantrum, starts to have tears well up in her eyes.]
The Girl: I FEEL WRETCHED! I THOUGHT I COULD-! I THOUGHT-! AUGH!
[The Girl, overcome with her emotions, falls in Jack's arms, and starts crying. Jack consoles her as she sobs. After a moment of sobbing, Jack talks gingerly to The Girl.]
Jack: You protected your Kingdom….your people….the ones who love you. You cannot lose sight of the end.
[The Girl continues to sob softly.]
The Girl: (sobbing softly) How did you overcome it?
[Jack closes his eyes in thought. FLASH! We see a black and white image of Jack, bearded and ragged, fighting the Daughter of Aku in the temple with a sword. Jack head-butts the Daughter, takes the dagger, and SLICE! slices her throat, letting out a big splash of blood, sending Jack back in stunned shock. Jack watches the Daughter fall to the ground. The Daughter's facemask cracks open to reveal the young woman's face, leaving Jack in emotional pain. FLASH! Back to Jack and The Girl in color, Jack still has his eyes closed, remembering the horrible memory.]
Jack: It was not easy….not at all. For almost fifty years, I destroyed nothing but artificial evil...machines of destruction. But, it was around the time I met Ashi when I had to first take a life. I hated myself for a long time. I had to reach deep….very deep….deep inside myself. I had to find the will and the wisdom that helped me through it all. The decisions you make, and the actions that follow, are a reflection of who you are.
[The Girl doesn't exactly understand as she raises her head from Jack's chest, revealing a good portion of his Kimono is soaked in her tears.]
The Girl: I….I don't understand.
Jack: My friend, you chose to stand for your people, our Kingdom….my father! You made hard, but important choices to protect those that you love. That shows that you are a good woman! You always were, and always will be. THAT is who you are! Take comfort in that! Always keep your people and your Kingdom in your mind and in your heart, now and in EVERY battle! Do that, and you will always find the way to the end of the fight!
[The Girl smiles and clutches Jack tightly. Although a little surprised by how tight she's holding him, Jack continues to comfort her. Suddenly, The Girl leaps her head up and plants a big kiss on Jack's lips, catching Jack completely off-guard, not sure how to react. The Girl breaks the kiss while Jack is still stunned in silence. The Girl sharply realizes her emotional mistake, and wipes off her tears with her Kimono sleeve.]
The Girl: Oh, oh my! Forgive me, My Prince. I was overcome! I am so sorry! I should've asked you before I just….leaped out at you. I-I am-I am so sorry! My Prince?
[Jack is still frozen in shocked silence.]
[The Girl, with a slight bag under her eyes, is concerned for her Prince.]
The Girl: My Prince? Are you alright?
[Jack slowly stands, and starts walking towards the Palace entrance. Jack barely speaks as he walks.]
Jack: I….I must go. Go-Good night, n-nurse.
[The Girl, thinking she made a catastrophic mistake as evidenced by Jack's response, starts berating herself. She eventually looks at the moon.]
The Girl: (to herself) Stupid! Stupid, foolish girl! How could you?! How could you?! (towards the moon) Well, Ashi….you may hate me if you wish.
[The Girl shakes her head as she continues her soft self-loathing. The camera follows her from a distance with the moon beaming down. The camera softly zooms out and fades to black and silence as The Girl continues.]
The Girl: (to herself) Foolish! Selfish! Idiot! Now what do you do?! You can't follow him! You'll look desperate! Oh, but he was so convenient! He's so handsome, and I was helpless, like that girl in those stories! Come, come! You're better than that! You're stronger than that! Maintain your head! Focus! You have a Kingdom to protect!