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...