The Chronicles of Sir William
Ch 6
Smoke and Mirrors
OPEN ON:
EXT. THE OWL HOUSE - MORNING
Eda stands in the rubble of her living room, looking out
into the forest with a distant stare. Still in shock, she
barely hears the arguing taking place behind her.
AMITY
I can't believe you let it get away!
What happened to your phenomenal
powers, oh "Knight Protector"?!
WILLIAM
I don't recall your revolting sludge
magic doing much to help either!
WILLOW
If anyone wasn't helping it was Gus!
Shadow clones?! That has to be the
oldest trick in the book!
GUS
Oh, like plant magic is any less
predictable!
Eda blinks as Lilith appears at her side, trying to rouse
her from her trance. She herself appears stricken by panic.
LILITH
Eda?! Eda, speak to me! Tell me you
have a plan!
EDA
(absent)
S-she's gone...Taken away...I
couldn't save her...
Lilith starts shaking her violently.
LILITH
Snap out of it, Owl Lady! We can't
stay here! The Emperor will be
sending his guards to arrest us!
What do we do?!
King stands at the epicenter of all the chaos, feeling
helpless. Hooty writhes between them all, nauseous with
worry.
HOOTY
Oh, dear! Oh my! All this tension is
making me...*hurk*...I'm gonna-
*huurk*
Hooty regurgitates a mountain of trash on the living room
floor. Finally having had enough, King clenches his fists
and raises his muzzle in the air.
KING
ENOUGH!
A shockwave of vibrant magic erupts from his maw, shaking
the Owl House's very foundations. The magic courses through
everyone, revealing a green glow in their eyes that is
dispelled as the shockwave dissipates.
It seems the lingering effects of the sensory overload
spell were impairing their judgment. They shake off their
panic and anger with a look of guilt. Sulking, King paces
over and sits in the trash heap.
KING (cont'd)
None of this is helping Luz. We need
a plan.
As he settles in the trash pile, his tail dislodges a black
envelope which falls onto the floor in front of him. His
eyes widen, seeing the words "to King" written in gold ink
on the back.
KING (cont'd)
It looks like Hooty's been eating
our mail...
He opens the letter, a small bone fragment falling into his
hand. He then begins reading.
KING (cont'd)
"Dear King Clawthorne. If you wish
to know who you truly are, come to
this location and meet our warrior
clan.
Yours always, Elder Tarak"!
(stern)
Hooty! How long have you had this?!
HOOTY
(guilty)
Uh, a demon dropped it off here a
few weeks ago. I thought it was a
sweepstakes giveaway! I'm sorry!
KING
We'll have words later, Hooty. Right
now this could be the break we need!
King climbs to the top of the trash heap and assumes a more
authoritative tone, finally looking like a leader.
KING (cont'd)
Didn't you hear that, everyone?
"Warrior Clan". I think they might
be my family. Maybe they can help
us!
LILITH
Or it could be another trap...
WILLIAM
If that is the danger, then I will
go with King.
Sir William paces over and stands by King's side.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
(clenching his
fist)
If they mean to betray us, it will
be their very last mistake...
King then turns to Eda and Lilith.
KING
In the mean time, you two need to
find a place to hide.
LILITH
*erherm* Yes, just as I was saying-
EDA
-As you were bleating. There's no
way I'm just sitting on my hands at
Mom's place!
She turns away, pondering.
EDA (cont'd)
I may know someone on the inside who
can help us bust Luz out of the
clink.
(determined)
Then we can link up with King's
family and take the fight to Belos!
KING
Now that sounds like a plan!
AMITY
Alright! So, what should we do?
WILLOW
Yeah! How can we help?
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. HEXSIDE ACADEMY - MORNING
Gus, Amity, and Willow sullenly trudge along the path up to
Hexside.
GUS
(incensed)
I can't believe it! They sidelined
us!
AMITY
How do they expect us to focus on
school when Luz is in the hands of
that monster?!
WILLOW
Belos said he wanted Luz to "bear
witness" to the Day of Unity, so we
at least know she's safe until
then...
AMITY
But what good are we doing here?
WILLOW
You heard Eda. We can't tip Belos
off to our uprising. We've got to
act like everything's normal until
we're ready to move.
AMITY
(unsatisfied)
I guess...
GUS
What's the point of lying low now?!
The Day of Unity is less than a week
away. Belos is in his endgame and
we're stuck on the bench?!
Gus pauses in his tirade, seeing the school grounds in a
frenzied bustle.
PRINCIPAL BUMP (O.S.)
(PA System)
Attention Students. Please report to
the gymnasium. We have a special
guest here to speak on behalf of the
Emperor.
INT. GYMNASIUM - MORNING
Principal Bump addresses the assembly of students, sharing
the floor with the head of the Illusions coven. The stage
is surrounded by royal guards toting recording equipment
and cameras.
PRINCIPAL BUMP
Students, please give your undivided
attention to our guest, the
illustrious head of the Illusions
Coven, Adrian Graye.
Adrian takes the microphone with a gleaming smile, carrying
himself with the grace of a game-show host.
ADRIAN
(schmoozy)
Thank you. Love the emphasis you put
on "illustrious" there, Bumpy baby!
*titters*
(diplomatic)
Well, kiddos, I hate to be the bad
news brigade, but our exalted-and
studly-Emperor isn't happy about
the change in curriculum around
here.
The Principal stretches his collar, growing nervous.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(winking)
Now, don't act all innocent. We know
all about the "multi-track studies"
you've got going on here.
I know your well-meaning teachers
just want to "broaden your
horizons", but you can't afford a
conflicted heart on the Day of
Unity.
Adrian snaps his fingers and creates an illusion showing
the Boiling Isles as a shining idyllic paradise.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(tantalizing)
I can't reveal all the details yet,
but this upcoming Day of Unity will
mark the total transformation of our
society for the better. The Covens
are key to making it possible.
(matter-of-fact)
If you're not part of a Coven,
you're not part of the program.
The students all murmur with uncertainty.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
But don't worry! No young witch will
be left behind! Today we're holding
a special recruitment drive.
Several guards line up at the fore of the gymnasium, each
wearing branding gloves for the nine covens.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(diplomatic)
Now, we get it. Joining a Coven is a
big decision. That's why we're
offering some perks to grease the
wheel.
(theatrical)
Steve! Show 'em what's behind
curtain number one!
One of the guards pulls a sash, lifting a velvet curtain.
Behind the curtain is a multi-leveled pedestal on which
stand several teen-aged witches garbed in officious
uniforms and striking cool poses.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Those who join a Coven today will be
eligible for early graduation and
have first dibs on cushy jobs in the
new world order!
Many of the students look genuinely excited and eagerly
line up in front of the guards.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
So don't let this chance pass you
by! Burn your bridges behind you!
Your future awaits!
Suspicious, Gus calls out to the stage.
GUS
Hey! What if we don't join a Coven?!
Many of the students pause, curious at the response.
ADRIAN
(unfazed)
Well, in a word...nothing. Nothing
will happen to you-at all. In your
entire life. Forever...
Some of the students trade confused looks.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(bored)
This is the decision that separates
the winners from the losers, kid.
Don't be a loser.
BOSCHA
Too late!
GUS
But it's built on a lie!
Several gasps issue from the crowd. Adrian's smile seems to
crease a bit.
WILLOW
(whispering)
Gus, what are you doing?! Low-
profile, remember?
GUS
(heedless)
We know the truth! Belos marks us
with those Coven brands so he can
feed on our power!
ADRIAN
(nervous laugh)
Gee, for an illusionist you seem
pretty delusional.
Some of the students join him in laughter.
GUS
How's this for a delusion?!
Gus surrounds the auditorium with images of Belos' musings
from his journal.
BELOS
...the curse still gnaws at me,
demanding more and more magic...
But I know one day it will not be
enough...One day soon, it's hunger
will outstrip all the magic the
people of the Isles can possibly
provide...
The students continue muttering or whispering, unsure what
to make of the display. Adrian grows increasingly nervous.
BELOS (cont'd)
(desperate)
But I cannot stop now. The people
need me...Where would they be
without me...? Nothing but savages
trapped in the dark ages!
The students all gasp.
ADRIAN
Enough!
Losing his aplomb, Adrian Graye steps forward and uses a
spell circle to banish the illusions.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Hecklers are one thing, but I will
not tolerate this slander against
our
gorgeous-uh, I mean glorious
Emperor!
Guards, seize the delinquent!
Several guards approach Gus and strong arm him.
GUS
Hey, let me go!
Adrian approaches Gus, donning one of the branding gloves.
ADRIAN
(menacing)
For certain trouble-makers,
abstentions will not be considered!
The sigil on his glove changes from illusion to
abomination.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(sinister)
Nor will personal preference...
Gus desperately tries to wriggle free, seeing the glove
slowly approach his wrist.
GUS
(horrified)
No, no! Stay back! I said, stay...
BACK!
The word "back" echoes, and his eyes glow blue. Suddenly
the gymnasium is filled with illusions of different locales
and environments. All the student scramble in a panic.
Adrian looks at Gus, astonished.
ADRIAN
How are you doing this?
In the confusion, Gus manages to wriggle free and escape.
Amity and Willow slip away as well. Adrian draws another
spell circle, but instead of banishing the illusion he only
manages to freeze it on the Looking Glass Ruins.
GUARD CAPTAIN
Head Witch. It looks like the school
is covered in a giant...
ADRIAN
(impressed)
...Illusion. So much detail...
He walks over and examines a statue. When he touches it,
however, it simply passes through his hand. He smirks.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Find the boy who did this. Bring him
to me!
CUT TO:
EXT. POLICE PRECINCT 128 - DAY
A pair of guards make their rounds in the alleyways
surrounding the precinct. They are shadowed by winged
creatures from the rooftops ahead.
GUARD 1
Hey, what was that?
The guards grow increasingly nervous, catching glimpses of
their stalkers at the edge of their vision.
GUARD 2
Wha-?!
The moment one of them turns her back, she is seized in
Harpy Eda's talons and carried off into the shadows,
screaming.
GUARD 1
WE'RE UNDER ATTA-
Her counterpart is also snatched up by Lilith.
INT. PRECINCT HALL
Eda and Lilith enter the building, wearing ill-fitting
guard uniforms.
EDA
(awkward)
Hey, don't mind us! Just reporting
for our shift change!
Despite standing out, they go unnoticed as they pace
through the halls. Chaffing in her uncomfortable uniform,
Eda stops to scratch every ten feet.
EDA (cont'd)
*groan* Couldn't you have done a
better job modifying these uniforms?
LILITH
I did the best I could, alright!
(pondering)
You know, we might not have needed
these disguises if we brought that
illusion student with us...
EDA
No way! It's bad enough Luz is
wrapped up in all this. I'm not
landing another kid in hot water
too.
ROYAL GUARD CAPTAIN (O.S.)
We secured the Owl Lady's house
that's correct, Head Witch.
Eda overhears a conversation over a crystal ball coming out
of the communications room. She lingers to eavesdrop.
ROYAL GUARD CAPTAIN
No, there was no sign of her.
RAINE
Just keep looking until you find her
and only come to me when you do.
EDA
Raine...
ROYAL GUARD CAPTAIN
I'll do all I can to find the Owl
Lady. You have my word.
RAINE
Your word doesn't count much without
results. Just go.
The Captain leaves, Eda and Lilith slipping in behind her.
Lilith rummages through some log-books.
LILITH
There's been no record of Luz's
arrest. No registry in the
Conformatorium either.
EDA
Then she's at the castle. We need to
be on the next shift out there.
LILITH
(flipping through
ledgers)
I'll see if I can forge us some
badge numbers and insert us into the
next rotation.
While Lilith busies herself, Eda reactivates the crystal
ball.
RAINE
Captain, I thought I told you to-
*gasps*-Eda?
EDA
Please just give me a minute, I'm
not trying to stir trouble.
RAINE
(simmering)
You're wearing a stolen uniform.
EDA
(sassy)
And I am working it!
Listen, I don't know what you're
hiding, but I do know that somewhere
deep inside you still care about me,
otherwise you wouldn't have let me
walk free at the Coven Day Parade.
Raine, I know about the Day of
Unity. I know what it's really for.
RAINE
There's no time for your schemes,
Eda.
He moves to cut the feed, but Eda pleads further.
EDA
(desperate)
Wait! Belos is trying to make Luz
apart of it. He's captured her and
taken her to the castle! Raine,
please, you've got to help!
RAINE
(astonished)
He has Luz?! Alright, I'll see if
she's here and get her out if I can.
(stern)
Don't do anything foolish!
EDA
(winking)
No, guarantees.
Suddenly Terra Snapdragon appears behind Raine.
TERRA
Come along, sprout. Places to be,
hedges to trim!
Raine looks panicked before turning back and seeing Eda
having replaced her mask and standing at attention.
EDA
(saluting)
Awaiting further instructions, Head
Witch.
RAINE
(cryptic)
Stay put and I'll send you the
package.
TERRA
(leery)
Your uniform looks outdated,
captain. Looking like a pile of
compost.
Raine finally cuts the feed. Eda lets out a heavy sigh
before she turns and is confronted by a guard captain.
GUARD CAPTAIN
Hey. What are you two doing in here?
I thought you were back for your
shift-change...
The captain then turns and looks at Lilith, trying to hide
the mess of paper-work behind her back.
LILITH
(awkward)
Oh, yes, just...Er, just filing our
report before we go!
The captain pauses in silence for a moment...
GUARD CAPTAIN
Ugh, double-shifts, am I right?
Can't wait for the day after the Day
of Unity. Know what I mean?
EDA
(playing along)
Sure, but, I'm racking up OT like
crazy!
GUARD CAPTAIN
See you out there!
The captain cordially salutes and leaves the room, Eda and
Lilith sighing with relief when he's gone.
CUT TO:
INT. HEXSIDE - DAY
The interior of the school is mired in a kaleidoscope of
shifting illusions. Willow and Amity run through it as they
attempt to escape. Eventually, the illusion settles on the
Bonesborough Fairgrounds.
AMITY
Whoa, what? Where are we now?
WILLOW
It looks like the carnival.
Amity gets a ping on her penstagram scroll.
AMITY
I just got a text from Ed. He, Bump
and a bunch of others are in the
Healing Homeroom.
(dismissing the
scroll)
We should find our way over...if we
can find a way through all...this.
The two young witches look out on the fair, daunted at the
prospect of navigating the maze. Amity takes the lead.
AMITY (cont'd)
(doting)
Alright. Just stay close to me. The
guards can be rather tough. I don't
want you to get hurt.
Willow blushes with annoyance, Amity not realizing her
condescension. As they make their way through the illusory
carnival, a guard looms behind Willow.
AMITY (cont'd)
Willow! Watch out!
She attempts to draw a spell circle in the air, but the
Coven Scout is suddenly trapped in vines, having been
summoned by Willow.
WILLOW
(chuckling)
I got it!
AMITY
Wow! Lucky shot, Willow!
Willow glares at Amity as she moves on.
COVEN SCOUT
Hey, don't listen to her. You
totally got me!
INT. HEXSIDE, OTHER LOCATION
Gus dodges a group of guards, hiding in a forest locale.
Once they're out of sight, he rests near a pond examining
his glowing eye.
GUS
Ugh, not this again!
The surrounding illusions warp and reform into an image of
his memories, Hexside's hallways when he was a first-year
student.
A pair of school bullies corner his past self near the
lockers, but he bravely stands up to them.
PAST GUS
I'm not doing your assignments for
you anymore! Do your own work!
BULLY 1
(bored)
Hey don't blame us. If our dads
weren't making us take this dumb
illusion class, we wouldn't even
bother.
PAST GUS
Illusions aren't dumb!
BULLY 1
Oh yeah? Then think fast!
One of the bullies hoists Gus into the air with a tendril
of abomination sludge. Gus struggles, frantically panting.
PAST GUS
Hey! Let me down, let me...DOWN!
Gus' eyes glow and the hallway is filled with a jungle
scene, covered in toothy carnivorous plants.
BULLY 1
Whoa! Impressive...! But what good's
it doin' ya? We know it's just smoke
and mirrors.
BULLY 2
Yeah. Don't let that "prodigy" talk
go to your head. That just makes you
the best of the worst.
The bullies drop him on the floor and leave him to sulk.
GUS
(to himself)
No. Illusions aren't weak. I'm not
weak!
The scene shifts again, this time to a more recent scene of
Gus talking to his dad in his ready-room at the news
studio.
MR. PORTER
I was kind of hoping this human
obsession of yours was going to stay
a hobby, Augustus. I don't know if
there's much of a career for an
Illusionist in being a "human
ambassador".
GUS
But dad! You said Illusion was the
magic of imagination and creativity!
That's why I love humans so much.
They can do so many awesome things
without any magic at all!
Just picture a human documentary,
hosted by yours truly. We could fill
a whole network with the wonders of
the human world!
MR. PORTER
(diplomatic)
Son, Illusion is a very...
specialized field of magic. You need
to work your way up to the top
before people will start buying into
your big ideas...
(encouraging)
But I'm sure you'll get there
someday son.
GUS
(dejected)
Yeah..."someday".
MR. PORTER
I could get you a summer internship
with the studio. With your talent,
you'll climb the ladder in no-time.
GUS
I'll think about it...
Gus leaves the studio, not enthused at the prospect of
internship. Mr. Porter watches him leave from his mirror,
saddened.
GUS (cont'd)
I can stand out. I can make a
difference!
WILLOW
Of course you can, silly!
GUS
Willow?
Gus sees what appears to be Willow and Amity approaching
from the illusory trees. Willow dotingly grabs him in a
hug.
WILLOW
Gus, we were so scared!
GUS
(skeptical)
You were scared...?
AMITY
Don't be so down on yourself, Gus.
We believe in you!
WILLOW
Yeah! Now come on. Help us find the
others!
Gus backs away, drawing a spell circle.
GUS
Yeah...no.
Gus quickly dispels the illusions surrounding the two coven
scouts. They try to grab him but he slips between them,
making them trip over each other. Fuming, Head Witch Graye
emerges from cover, pinching his brow.
ADRIAN
Just what were those performances?
They're teenagers, not toddlers!
COVEN SCOUT
Sorry...
ADRIAN
Illusions can only do so much! You
have to act the part! Know your
character's motivations...
(pondering)
Like that young illusionist who
seems to be going through the
wringer...I have a plan.
INT. HEXSIDE
Amity and Willow fight their way through a squad of coven
scouts. Their captain summons a megalith and sends it
hurtling towards them.
WILLOW
I got this!
AMITY
No, I've got this!
Willow summons a tangle of vines while Amity conjures an
abomination. Willows vines end up impaling the abomination
and the megalith is left to plow through with impunity.
They both manage to dodge to the side before it crashes
into them, instead passing harmlessly through an illusory
wall.
WILLOW
What are you doing?!
AMITY
Please! I couldn't protect Luz!
(tearful)
At least let me protect my friend!
Willow pauses, giving one of the guards time to topple a
book-shelf onto her.
AMITY (cont'd)
NO!
Before the shelf can squash her, Willow summons vines to
suspend it above her head.
WILLOW
(grunting)
I don't want your protection! I want
you to see who I really am!
With a great heave she hurls the bookshelf at the guard
captain and scatters the other scouts with a withering hail
of thorns.
GUS
Whoa! Remind me not to make you mad!
WILLOW
Gus!
GUS
(bad acting)
Uh, yup! You're good old buddy Gus
here to save you!
From his tone, he's deliberately phoning it in.
WILLOW
Seriously?! You too?!
AMITY
Is that even Gus?! It has to be an
illusion!
GUS
Phew! It's really you guys!
WILLOW
(relieved)
And it's really you!
They bring him in to a hug.
AMITY
Can you stop the illusions?
GUS
I can't really control it. I never
cast one this big before.
WILLOW
Well, maybe we can figure something
out in the healing homeroom. It's
where the others are hiding.
GUS
I passed by there just a few minutes
ago. It's this way.
They both follow Gus through the corridors of the school.
Amity nervously loiters behind beside Willow.
AMITY
You've...grown quite capable,
Willow.
WILLOW
It's about time you saw.
AMITY
Have I really made you both feel
taken for granted?
GUS
Well, sometimes the way you talk to
us makes us feel...small...
AMITY
(contrite)
I'm so sorry, I...Luz was the one
who inspired me to change my
outlook. But I want to be worthy of
your friendship too.
Gus pauses consolingly clasps her shoulder.
GUS
(winking)
You've just gotta realize there's
more to most witches than meets the
eye.
Amity returns Gus's warm smile, but it suddenly changes to
a more sinister look.
"GUS"
Which, you're about to learn the
hard way!
"Gus'" tone suddenly morphs into the voice of Adrian Graye.
He reaches around Amity's neck and drags her into a hold. A
troop of Coven Scouts emerge from hiding and surround them.
Head Witch Graye then dispels his disguise and gives a bow.
ADRIAN
Take notes, gentlemen. THAT was a
performance!
The coven scouts all clap and cheer.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
(bowing)
Uh-thank you!
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
The real Gus watches from hiding as a pair of coven scouts
guard a hallway intersection. With a quick spell-circle,
Gus conjures and illusion of himself trying to run past
them.
COVEN SCOUT
Hey, it's that kid!
They take the bait, leaving Gus to breeze past their post.
Suddenly, the intercom system flares to life.
ADRIAN (O.S.)
Paging Augustus Porter. It's over,
kid. I've captured your trouble-
making friends.
GUS
Wait. How do I know you're not
lying?
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Adrian reclines in the principal's chair, casually twirling
the PA microphone in his hand.
ADRIAN
(sinister)
While disguised as you, I heard a
rather frank admission of guilt from
your friend, the Blight girl...It
seems condescension runs in the
family...
Amity is held nearby with Willow, also looking downcast.
INT. HALLWAY
Gus bows his head, knowing he's telling the truth.
ADRIAN (O.S.)
Now, here's what's going to happen.
You're going to dispel this illusory
fun-house and meet me in the gym. Or
else...
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Head Witch Graye nods to a pair of coven scouts, each
donning branding gloves. They hover over Willow and Amity's
wrists, bearing an Illusion and Plant Coven symbol
respectively.
ADRIAN
Your friends will have the biggest
decisions of their lives made for
them.
INT. HALLWAY
Gus furrows his brow.
ADRIAN (O.S.)
Don't keep them waiting.
With a deep breath, Gus calms his mind, allowing the school-
wide illusion to ebb away. He then heads for the
principal's office.
INT. HEALING HOMEROOM
Principal Bump, along with a few of the teachers and
students, finish listening to the exchange with
astonishment.
PRINCIPAL BUMP
That tears it! I won't allow this
vaunter to run roughshod over my
school any longer!
(to the teachers)
Remain here and protect the
students.
EMIRA
Wait! Let us help you!
PRINCIPAL BUMP
This isn't your fight, children.
(eyes narrowing)
This is between me and Graye...
INT. GYMNASIUM
Gus saunters into the gymnasium where he is quickly flanked
by a pair of coven scouts.
ADRIAN
Good of you to join us, Augustus.
He motions for the other guards to remove retract their
branding gloves from Willow and Amity's wrists.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Now maybe we can clear up this
little misunderstanding.
GUS
You're the one who doesn't
understand! You've got to listen,
the Emperor is-!
ADRIAN
-Cursed...? I know.
Gus, Willow, and Amity all looked astonished.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
The Coven Heads have all known for
quite a while.
GUS
So, you've all been lying to us?!
ADRIAN
What society isn't built on lies?
Moreover, who do you think tells
them? Our coven, Augustus.
Graye casually approaches Gus and paces around him.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
I know how hard it is for young
illusionists. All the other covens
think we're weak-because that's
what we let them think!
When really, we're the most powerful
coven of them all! We control public
opinion. Truth and fiction are
whatever we decide they are.
GUS
No! You're wrong. Illusion is more
than about lying to people. It's
about showing them possibilities!
ADRIAN
Then why are you standing in the way
of the greatest possibility of all?!
The Day of Unity is coming and the
covens all need their strongest
witches...and for us that means
you...
Graye slips on a branding glove and extends it to Gus like
he were offering a handshake. It blazes blue with the
illusion coven sigil.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Not to spoil the surprise, but we'll
soon be needing a powerful young
illusionist...with an affinity for
humans...
Gus briefly looks conflicted, but then quickly shakes it
away.
GUS
Forget it!
INT. HALLWAY
An illusory clone of Graye (or perhaps the original)
loiters outside the gymnasium doors, peering in through the
window.
ADRIAN
Hmm. Looks like he's not going in
for it...
He turns to a troop of coven scouts at his back.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Alright, take them all into custody
and cart them off to the
conformatorium.
He's interrupted as Principal Bump emerges from the far end
of the hall.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
I thought I ordered you and your
students into lock-down?
PRINCIPAL BUMP
We have three absentees. I have come
to collect them...unless you're
still holding them hostage...
ADRIAN
This is coven business. Stay out of
it.
PRINCIPAL BUMP
(formidable)
This is my school.
Frewin, Principal Bump's palisman, unlatches itself from
his forehead and morphs back into a staff which Bump then
aims at the guards.
PRINCIPAL BUMP (cont'd)
"Stay out of it".
He then leaps into combat with the scouts, thoroughly
trouncing them despite being outnumbered. Despite his
initial success, Bump is eventually pushed back, the coven
scouts better leveraging their superior numbers. Just when
Bump seems worn down, he is joined in battle by the more
rebellious of his students.
EMIRA
Leave our principal alone!
He smiles and joins them in the fray.
INT. GYMNASIUM
The sounds of battle rattle the gym, allowing Gus to see
the shimmering outline surrounding Graye. Gus quickly makes
a spell circle and reveals the Guard Captain hiding beneath
the image of the head witch.
GUARD CAPTAIN
Wrong move, kid.
Before the captain can strong arm Gus, he turns to see his
men being shaken off by Amity and Willow. They then trounce
the guard captain, fastening him to the far wall with vines
and abomination clay.
GUARD CAPTAIN (cont'd)
(struggling)
I will NOT be cowed by a bunch of
students!
WILLOW
Then how about just the two of us?
They both strike a pose.
AMITY
Nice one!
Wriggling in his bonds, the captain fishes an Abomaton
remote from his pocket and presses an activation switch.
INT. HALLWAY
Bump and his students seem to have victory in hand. But
then the ground begins shaking and they turn to see an
Abomaton crash through a wall and lumber into battle.
Gus, Willow and Amity burst into the hallway to see the
Abomaton subduing students with globs of sludge.
AMITY (cont'd)
I really have to talk to my parents
about this.
The trio leap into action, riddling the Abomaton's gooey
hide with thorns and fireballs. The towering sludge golem
easily shakes off the attacks and slimes them.
Principal Bump turns from dueling with Graye and nervously
sees his ranks thinning. Graye smiles at the sight of his
encroaching victory. Just when all seems lost, the silence
is broken by an electronic chirp like from a car remote.
The Abomaton spontaneously dissolves into a puddle of inert
slime, its creator, Alador Blight, standing behind it with
a master remote in his hand. Joining him is Perry Porter,
Gilbert and Harvey Park, and a throng of other parents of
Hexside students. None of them look pleased.
MR. PORTER
We got your message, Principle Bump.
What in blazes is going on here?!
Graye breaks into a nervous sweat and motions for his coven
guards to back off.
ADRIAN
Men, stand down!
He then turns to the adults with a forced smile and
placative gesture.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
Ladies and gentlemen, I can explain
everything!
CUT TO:
EXT. HEXSIDE ACADEMY
The coven scouts prepare to leave on their airship. Head
Witch Graye is still trying to appease the mob of angry
parents.
MR. PORTER
How dare you try to induct our
children into covens without
consulting us!
HARVEY PARK
And forcing them into one when they
didn't comply?!
The parents' grumbles of malcontent crescendo into outrage.
ADRIAN
Those were just a few bad eggs
trying to spoil the batter. We would
never force a rule-abiding student
into a coven...
(hopeful)
But now that you are here, it's a
good time to have a serious talk
with your children about their
future!
GILBERT PARK
We'll thank you to let us manage our
own affairs.
ADRIAN
I urge you to reconsider.
(grave)
You don't know it now, but you're
making a big mistake...
ALADOR BLIGHT
Not as big as the one you're making.
Alador thumbs a switch on his master remote and the newly
reconstituted Abomaton aims a fist full of spikes at Graye.
ADRIAN
(nervous)
As you wish then...
Graye boards the airship, turning back to address the
students in the crowd.
ADRIAN (cont'd)
But for those wishing to display
their own initiative, open
registration for the covens is still
available in your local guard
precinct. Think about it...
Some of the more ambitious students, like Boscha's posse,
consider the offer with a scheming grin. The airship then
takes off, leaving the main trio of young witches to
consider their options.
WILLOW
So much for pretending everything's
normal.
GUS
The Emperor forced our hand. There's
no going back now.
AMITY
But what's so important about the
Day of Unity that he'd risk
alienating our parents to get us all
into covens?
GUS
I don't know. I especially don't
like whatever part of it involves
humans.
The trio watch the airship disappear over the horizon.
Amity whispers a silent prayer to the sunset.
AMITY
Hang in there, Luz. We're coming.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. EMPEROR'S CASTLE - DUSK
Emperor Belos stands on the parapets of his castle,
expectantly watching the treeline surrounding his castle.
After a few moments of silence, a disturbance rumbles
through the thicket.
The echo-mouse monster emerges from the forest, panting
from its long journey. It then scales the castle walls and
presents itself to Belos.
BELOS
Was your mission a success?
The echo-mouse pauses for a moment. It begins convulsing
and gagging, finally regurgitating a thick glob of tar from
its gullet. The puddle of sludge ebbs away from the
unconscious body of Luz.
She gradually rouses from her torpor, her eyes prying open
to the blurry vision of Belos hovering over her.
BELOS (cont'd)
...Welcome back...
She struggle to keep awake, but fades back into
unconsciousness as the Emperor summons guards to carry her
away.
TO BE
CONTINUED...
