Episode 20
The 4th Horse
(dream sequence)
(Noelle is outside. She sees a man in the distance. She tries running to him, but the closer she gets, the more he fades away until he is completely gone. She then sees a little girl...it’s Kaigara! Suddenly, Kaigara looks more grown up and mature as if she went from a 10 year-old girl to a 17 year-old. She stands there, smiling at Nova, but does not speak a word.)
Noelle: Kaigara? (silence) Is that you? Are you OK? (still silence) Kaigara, why won’t you answer me?? (Noelle desperately tries to grab one of Kaigara’s hands, but Noelle’s hand goes right through as if Kaigara was a ghost. A chill runs up Noelle’s spine. Kaigara gives a quiet, eerie laugh as she drifts away and disappears) (cries out) KAIGARA!!! (Noelle wakes up, sweating, and breathing heavily)
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Noelle: I have got to find another place to hide my horses.
Tsuta: Why? Aren’t they fine where they are?
Noelle: Yeah, but I think they are starting to get crowded.
Tsuta: Well, if you stopped stealing them...
Noelle: I’m not stealing them! They need my help and I’m just trying to protect them!
Tsuta: (folds her arms) Then why don’t you just go to the police...
(Noelle opens the door to the cabin. Mika is inside feeding Sunstar) They don’t look that crowded to me. Besides...where are you going to find another place? You’re lucky just to have this cabin...
Noelle: Yeah, I know. But these horses really need something better.
Tsuta: I’ve helped you a lot, Noelle. I don’t want to get any more involved in this. (she turns her back to Noelle) You are leaving me no choice, Noelle...
Noelle: Tsuta!
Tsuta: I can’t keep this a secret any more. I’m going to have to tell someone...
Mika: Noelle! Look! (Noelle and Tsuta spin around to see Sunstar glowing)
Noelle: Sunstar...
Tsuta: She’s glowing...Noelle, what’s going on here?
Mika: It must have been the bananas.
Tsuta: Bananas? (there is a pile of banana peals next to Sunstar)
Noelle: She’s glowing because she is...she is...sick.
Tsuta: (turns to Noelle) Sick? With what? Glowingitesis?
Noelle: No. It’s called Neoniosis. It’s a new disease I’ve been studying...
Tsuta: You can’t take care of them, Noelle! They need professional help!
Noelle: It had to do with the fruit they eat. It’s not really a disease. But if this gets out...it could cause some real problems for the horses.
Tsuta: Well, I guess that makes sense. Ok, fine. I’ll help you find a place to hide them. Chinou has been playing in the woods with Zaisan and he mentioned something about an old clubhouse back there that some kids built several years ago. We could go check that out.
Mika: Do you know where it is?
Tsuta: Well, I have a rough idea. I’ll talk to Chinou and I’ll let you know.
Noelle: We should go at night, so we won’t be seen.
Tsuta: But, won’t night be worse? If they’re glowing in the dark, anyone would be able to see them!
Mika: (quickly) We’ll use blanket!
Tsuta: Blankets?
Mika: Noelle has some old blankets in her attic...your mom showed me. We could use them.
Noelle: Ok. That would work. Tsuta, let us know as soon as you talk to Chinou.
Tsuta: Sure thing.
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(Noelle and Mika are walking through the woods with Stardust, Orange, and Sunstar following them. They have blankets on top of their backs)
Mika: It was real difficult trying to get the info. out of Tsuta and then head toward the clubhouse without her noticing.
Noelle: The forth horse should be coming tonight. There was no way she could come.
Mika: Can’t blame her for being nosy though. Why don’t you tell her anyways, Noelle? You told me.
Noelle: That’s because I think we have some connection...the lock symbol, remember? (Mika pulls the chain the ring is on from under her shirt and holds it in her hand) I’m really not suppose to tell anyone. This can’t get out to people.
Mika: (squinting through the darkness) Are you sure we’re going the right way?
Noelle: Yeah, see? There’s that fallen tree and the tree with that huge knot in its trunk. We take a right there and it shouldn’t be too much further.
(The two girls walk in silence until they finally reach the clubhouse)
Mika: (shakes her head) This is a mess.
Noelle: Well, there’s nothing else we can do. It’s better than nothing at this moment. (Noelle opens the door)
Mika: What are you doing?
Noelle: Transforming. Stay there for a moment and keep guard.
Mika: (sighs) Fine, but hurry up. We need to get going.
Noelle: I know. Hold on! (she steps out)
Nova: Ok, you take Stardust and I’ll take Sunstar. We’ll leave Orange here.
Mika: Fine. (after getting Orange in the clubhouse, Nova and Mika get on their horses and take off) Hey, Noelle!
Nova: It’s NOVA!
Mika: Oh, sorry, Nova. But, do you have any plans to keep kids from going in there or getting curious about the horses?
Nova: Yes, but I’ll talk about that later. We need to hurry.
Mika: We didn’t come through this way...
Nova: Sssh! I know! We don’t want Dark Star to find the clubhouse right away, do we? (the two finally make it to where the original cabin stood, now empty. Stardust and Sunstar slow down. Mika and Nova both jump off) An open field is good, because we got plenty of places to run.
Mika: But not many places to hide.
Nova: Well, I’d prefer the woods, but that’s just the opposite. And the Firewidows would catch everything on fire. We’ve done this before, so we know what we’re getting ourselves into anyways. (Nova opens up her locket and pulls out the key. She opens up the jewelry box which she was holding and takes out the red and yellow ring from her pocket where both Butterjewels transform. Spirey wakes up from Mika’s pocket and gives a little yawn as he looks around his surroundings. Meanwhile, Nova lifts up the green ring, which is glowing. As she is about to lock her jewelry box, a dark shadow emerges from the sky and Dark Star’s figure becomes more clearer. When he is completely visible, he and his Firewidow land softly on the ground. Mika leans back, her hand over Stardust’s neck)
Dark Star: So, we’re all gathered together for this lovely ceremony again, are we? (snaps fingers and 2 other Firewidows appear) Let’s make this interesting, shall we? Oh, and yes. These aren’t usual Firewidows of course. Thought I should do something special for the occasion. They are the Flash Duet. You’ll see why in just a moment. Now, GO ATTACK! (in an instant, both Firewidows disappeared.)
Mika: (looking around panicking) Where did they go? (Suddenly, one appears in front of Nova and flashes it’s tail in front of Nova’s face. The burning sensation forced a painful scream to emerge from Nova’s mouth as she dropped the key, which she did not manage to get into her locket in time. Both Butterjewels flinched. In a flash, the Firewidow was gone. Nova fell on her knees, her hands covering her face.)
Mika: (crying) Nova, get up! Oh, the other’s behind you! (sure enough, the other Firewidow came charging toward the back of Nova. Sunstar leaped in between Nova and the Firewidow, blocking the attack. She gave a little kick at Nova who was slowly getting back to her feet.) Spirey! (Spirey jumped out of Mika’s pocket, gleefully crying out a Koochee!) Of all the times I could lose you! (The first Firewidow of the Flash Duet appeared again on the other side of Nova.)
Nova: Stardust! Attack Power! (Stardust leaped into action, but the attack missed the Firewidow. It disappeared, and then returned behind stardust, it’s burning tail twice as huge as Dark Star’s Firewidow.) No! (Nova shrieked as she jumped. Sunstar, who was injured from her previous opponent who had disappeared, joined in with Nova and Stardust, an Attack Power ready. Again, the attack missed, but as Nova put her hand on Stardust, she felt the strange presence of the Firewidow...) That way! Attack Power! (As the Firewidow flashed back in sight, it had no time to dodge Stardust’s attack. It gave a small wince of pain) Keep at it Stardust! (The other Firewidow sent a flash attack with its tail at Sunstar. Sunstar gave a startled shriek and bucked. The Firewidow tried to disappear again, but for some reason, it only lasted a few seconds. It seemed to be just as confused with this as Nova was.)
Mika: Look! Stardust’s almost beaten that other Firewidow! (sure enough, as the Firewidow was growing weaker, the one that attacked Sunstar could not flash into thin air as it had been doing before.)
Nova: This is your chance, Sunstar! Go for the kill! Attack Power! (the first Firewidow disappeared) Thanks Mika...Mika!!!
(Mika was lying on the ground, unconscious. Dark Star was meanwhile crawling on the ground, looking for the key) Oh, no you don’t! (Nova jumped on top of him, attempting to push him to the ground. However, because she was so much lighter, this had little effect other than aggravating him.)
Dark Star: Get off me you little brat! (Dark Star’s Firewidow came galloping to the scene to help his master, but as he did so, Stardust charged from the side sending him flying. Her opponent had disappeared and now she was coming to Nova’s aid. Dark Star threw Nova off his back who rolled roughly onto the ground. Stardust took Dark Star’s crouching position to her advantage and kicked him right in the behind. Sunstar, who had also defeated the last of the Flash Duet, lifted up Nova by the shirt with her mouth. Dark Star’s Firewidow came charging again, and the attacks continued. Stardust stuck her unicorn in the Firewidow’s side as he bit her neck. Sunstar trampled over Dark Star who jumped up, pushing her over on her side. Nova leaped and grabbed his hair as his arms went for her neck. Sunstar made another charge at him, her unicorn stabbing his side. Stardust stuck her unicorn again in the Firewidow’s side, this time doing an Attack Power while doing this. The Firewidow cried in horror. Nova rubbed her neck as the disgruntled Dark Star got back to his feet.)
Dark Star: You stupid girl! You will pay for this! You will pay for all you and your family has done to me! And I will make you suffer just like you have all done to me! (with a snap of his finger, he and his Firewidow disappeared. All very weak from the battle, Sunstar toddled over to Mika and began performing a Healing Power. Stardust did the same to Nova. When she was done, Nova turned to stare at the spot in which Dark Star had previously stood)
Nova: What did he mean by that...what did my family do to him? (she closes her eyes and goes into a mocking voice) Probably just trying psychic warfare or something. Go figure.
Mika: (slowly rising, groans) eeeee...what happened? (she rubs her head) Huh? Oh, Nova, I’m so sorry! While I was trying to find Spirey, Dark Star knocked me out from behind! What happened? Did you get your new Butterjewel? Spirey...oh where did he go?? Spirey!!!
Spirey: (from the grass) Koochee! Koochee! (he starts jumping)
Mika: Spirey! (she runs over to her snail who picks up something with his mouth before she scoops him up) You always worry me when you do that! What’s this? (Spirey drops the key in her hand) Nova! The key!!!
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(Mika and Nova are sitting down in the grass, gazing at the sky. Both Butterjewels are lying down, resting themselves.)
Nova: It’s time. (She puts on the green ring. The stars in the sky emerge into the same pattern as the emerald jewel in the ring. The green Butterjewel emerges and comes flying toward the grown.) She’s beautiful. (Mika smiles) (The green Butterjewel lands on the ground with grace.) I think I’ll name her...Sherbet!
Mika: (sighs) You sure got some weird names for your Butterjewels, Nova. (the two girls get up and run to their new companion. The Butterjewels watch from a distance with a bit of disgust in their eyes) She’s so pretty!
Tsuki: (comes in riding on her Unijewel) Well, sure looks like you guys can handle Dark Star without me very well. Nice job, Mika. So busy looking for your stupid snail you were completely useless.
Nova: Hey! You shouldn’t be insulting Mika! Where were you anyways, Tsuki?
Tsuki: (folding her arms) How am I suppose to know? I’m not like you! I don’t transform at will! I just do! If you can figure it out, clue me in, okay? (her Unijewel turns around and starts trotting away)
Nova: Fine, be that way! Just leave! (Tsuki does not turn back) (grumbling to herself) The one who’s always acting childish is her.
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(at the clubhouse)
Tsuta: Wow! I really like your clubhouse! But Noelle... (folds her arms) why didn’t you tell me you were moving them?
Noelle: Well...I...
Mika: It was a spur of the moment thing.
Tsuta: oh....um, Noelle?
Noelle: What?
Tsuta: Where did (pauses and points to Sherbet) this one come from?
Noelle: Sherbet...well, she was here when we got here.
Tsuta: Sherbet? (shakes her head) If you weren’t my friend, I’d really think you were crazy. Though I must admit, I already do.
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(The three girls have just left the woods and are heading back home when Mika points out someone who is poking around the old cabin)
Mika: Hey, Noelle, someone’s there.
Noelle: Hmmmm? (she stares at it carefully. Sure enough, it was Daraku) Daraku, go figure...
Tsuta: Hey, Daraku! (Tsuta starts running over to the cabin as Noelle lets out a long sigh. She and Mika follow) Daraku!!! (Daraku turns around, his face goes red)
Daraku: Tsuta, Mika, Noelle...what brings you guys out here?
Noelle: (narrowing her eyes) I was about to ask you the same question.
Daraku: Well, I’ve seen your horses here before...was wondering where they went.
Tsuta: (smiling happy) Oh, we moved them. They’re in the...(Mika and Noelle both covered Tsuta’s mouth and gave nervous little laughs)
Mika: I think Tsuta and I will walk back now. Bye Daraku! (Tsuta attempted to bite at Mika’s hand who gave her a little kick. The two fought the rest of the way home)
Noelle: I’m guessing you were trying to sabotage them, eh?
Daraku: What else would I be doing?
Noelle: Daraku, can I ask you another question?
Daraku: What
Noelle: What...what did my family do to you?
Daraku: (stares at her; in a cocky way) I have no clue what you are talking about.
Noelle: You know. You’re just being a jerk.
Daraku: Heh. Thought you knew that already.
Noelle: Oh, I don’t know why I even bother. (Noelle turns around and starts heading back home)
Daraku: Hey, Noelle?
Noelle: Hmmm?
Daraku: Though we live different lives when we are not fighting, I’d prefer you don’t come talk to me any more. That includes your friends, too.
Noelle: Daraku, won’t that make things obvious?
Daraku: No. Talking to me....that would make things obvious. (without a word, he walks away, leaving Noelle quite confused).