EXT. FLAME MOUNTAINS - DAY
ERUPTIONS proceeding in full force, and the STONE WIND hurtling toward the bronze dragon, who is attempting to outrun it.
ON BRONZE DRAGON'S BACK - PANNING
Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni hold on for dear life. Hank looks back at the approaching WIND, coming like a roiling black wave.
HANK: It's too fast for us!
UNI: (frightened whinny)
FAVORING DIANA
She reaches forward with her staff and TAPS the dragon under the jaw.
DIANA: Go up! Up!
WIDE ANGLE - BRONZE DRAGON AND STONE WIND
The bronze dragon swoops up O.S. PAN TO FOLLOW as the boiling crest of vaporized rock just misses it.
EXT. LAVA PLAINS - DAY
With the Flame Mountains in the distance painting the sky a baleful red. Rivers of lava glow along the horizon. The exhausted bronze dragon lands in f.g.
CLOSER ON BRONZE DRAGON
Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni disembark, and the bronze dragon flies O.S. The four of them, grim-faced, turn to look back at the range of fire in the distance. Bobby is crying.
BOBBY: (sniffling) They didn't make it, did they?
DIANA: (false cheer) Sure they did! They've come through tougher spots than this!
Bobby ignores her, looking at Hank.
BOBBY: Hank?
TWO SHOT - HANK AND BOBBY
Hank stares O.S. at his friends' funeral pyre. His shoulders drop; he bows his head.
HANK: I'm sorry, Bobby. It was my fault.
Bobby turns away. Diana ENTERS SHOT and puts her hand on Hank's shoulder.
DIANA: What do we do now, Hank?
Hank straightens; life must go on.
HANK: The volcanoes won't let us go back. We'll have to go on -- to Realm's Edge.
Hank turns and looks in the other direction O.S., as does Diana.
THEIR POV
The plain rises for a considerable distance, and ends at the edge of a cliff which stretches in either direction as far as they can see. At the edge, barely visible, is the cenotaph -- a lonely, crumbling tower on the edge of the world.
WIPE TO:
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF PLAIN - DAY
Eric, Sheila and Presto are picking their way over the cracked Black lava plain. The wrecked and smoldering galleon is visible in b.g. Sheila scrambles to the top of an angled slab and looks O.S. this way and that.
SHEILA: Bobby? Bobby?!
ON ERIC
He looks up O.S. at her.
ERIC: Any sign of them?
HIS POV - UPSHOT - SHEILA
The WIND plucking at her cloak. She looks around a final time, then lowers her head.
SHEILA: Nothing. They must've been --
She hides her face in her hands and sinks to her knees on the slab.
RESUME ERIC
He looks down at the ground also. Presto ENTERS SHOT, looking at him sympathetically.
PRESTO: It's not your fault, Eric.
ERIC: Yeah, right. Somebody else used my shield to bounce a flame arrow into a volcano. (beat) If you hadn't gotten your magic hat to bail us out, our gooses would be charcoal now.
WIDE ANGLE
Sheila climbs down to join them.
ERIC (CONT'D): Come on. The least I can do is find Venger's key and get you two home.
He turns and trudges O.S. Presto, looking concerned over his friend, follows. After a beat, Sheila brings up the rear. There are tears on her face.
WIPE TO:
EXT. REALM'S EDGE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
The cenotaph rises, skyscraper high, on the edge of the cliff. PUSH IN on a moucharaby near the top, where two figures stand: Venger and Dungeon Master. They look down O.S.
VENGER: You will lose, old man. Their desire to return to their home is stronger than anything else. Without your support they will crumble.
ON DUNGEON MASTER
He looks concerned, but is determined not to let Venger get to him.
DUNGEON MASTER: Their courage will not fail them. They will do what has to be done.
THEIR POV - DOWNSHOT - LAVA PLAINS
We can see the two groups of kids making their way slowly toward the tower from opposite sides. The rough terrain hides each group from the other.
VENGER: (O.S.) We shall see. That which is in the cenotaph will test their courage.
WIPE TO:
EXT. CENOTAPH ENTRANCE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A huge door in the shape of a stylized dragon's head, the open jaws framing the entrance. Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni ENTER SHOT and stand before it.
DIANA: We're here. Now what do we do?
Hank leans wearily against the door.
HANK: I don't know, Diana. I think we've gone as far as we can go. (beat) I guess I've lead us straight to
disaster.
INCLUDING DIANA, BOBBY, UNI
They look at each other; they don't know what to say. Uni nuzzles at Hank, who rests his head on his arm in an attitude of despair. then:
ERIC: (O.S.) Hey, look on the bright side -- you beat us here.
They all snap around and stare O.S., then react in joy.
HANK: (disbelieving joy) Eric!
THEIR POV - ERIC
Standing atop a small rise, his cape flowing behind him, looking cocky. Sheila and Presto scramble up into view behind him.
SHEILA: (ecstatic) Bobby!
She runs down O.S.
SHEILA AND BOBBY
They run toward each other and embrace. PULL BACK to include the others as they take turns hugging each other. Uni capers about them all, BLEATING in joy.
UNI: (happy unicorn bleats)
KIDS (ad lib): Boy, am I glad to see you! We thought you were goners! How'd you get out of that? Let's never split up again! (Etc.)
FAVORING HANK AND ERIC
With their arms around each other's shoulders.
ERIC: I'm sure glad you guys are okay. Now all we have to do is get that key and we can go home.
Hank steps back from Eric. He looks surprised.
HANK: You're not still planning on that, are you?
ANGLE INCLUDES ALL
We see that, consciously or not, they've divided into two groups again.
ERIC: You bet we are! I want to sleep in my own bed tonight!
DIANA: Eric, you're already sleeping -- and dreaming -- if you think Venger's gonna follow through on his promise.
SHEILA: If there's even the slightest chance, we've gotta take it.
FAVORING HANK
He stands before the door.
HANK: Forget it, Eric! Nobody opens this door!
ON ERIC AND PRESTO
Eric stares defiantly O.S.
ERIC: That's what you think! Presto, show him!
PRESTO: (doubtfully) Well -- okay...
Presto takes off his hat and aims it O.S. A bolt of magic force ERUPTS from the hat O.S., surprising the young magician as much as anybody.
PRESTO: (surprised grunt)
ON HANK
He tries to dodge as the bolt streams INTO SHOT, but a tendril of it lifts him and gently sets him aside, while the main force of the bolt BATTERS through the cenotaph's door, SPLINTERING it.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Eric, Presto and Sheila run forward, into the cenotaph.
ERIC: That's three, Presto. You're on a roll.
ON HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI
Trapped by the dissipating coils of Presto's spell.
KIDS: (struggle)
By the time they free themselves, the others are out of sight.
HANK: We've got to stop them -- they're playing right into Venger's hands.
TRACK WITH THEM as they run into the cenotaph.
INT. CENOTAPH - ESTABLISHING
A huge empty chamber, with a side door leading to a stairwell. Eric, Presto and Sheila have already started up it when an energy arrow BURSTS in the air ahead of them, bringing them to a halt.
ON ERIC
He looks back O.S. REFIELD to include Hank, Bobby, Uni and Diana standing in the doorway. Hank has another arrow drawn.
HANK: Don't do it, Eric!
ERIC: (quietly) How you gonna stop me, Hank?
ON HANK
He has an arrow drawn, but not raised. Now he raises it. Diana and Bobby look at him anxiously.
HANK: I don't know -- but neither of us want to find out.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Emphasizing the standoff for a moment; then the floor suddenly shakes, accompanied by a deep RUMBLING. Everyone looks about apprehensively.
SHEILA: What was that?
ON FLOOR
The RUMBLING comes again, much louder now. Huge flagstones CRACK. The cracks web out from the center, becoming fissures. From the fissures flow viscous, jelly-like streams of translucent protoplasm.
ON DIANA, HANK AND OTHERS
The streams flow toward them, pseudopodia rising and questing blindly for them. Hank pushes Diana and Bobby toward the stairs.
HANK: Get off the floor -- quick!
WIDE ANGLE
They run quickly up the stairs. The floor is now covered with the semi-solid mass, which begins flowing after them. It rises and forms into a huge, amoeba-like creature. SFX: GURGLING, SLURPING.
REVERSE ANGLE
Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni join the others, and they all back up the stairwell. The amoeboid surges after them, almost flowing over Uni's front hooves. She dances back wildly to avoid it.
UNI: ("yuck!")
ANOTHER ANGLE
The kids back up the stairs, weapons ready. The amoeboid flows glutinously after them.
DIANA: What is it? PRESTO: Whatever it is, it knows what we are: lunch!
FAVOR HANK
He aims the arrow he nocked earlier down O.S.
HANK: Yeah? Let's see if it likes its food spicy.
He FIRES the arrow.
ON AMOEBOID
Almost filing the stairwell below them. The arrow streaks toward it. A pseudopod rises and engulfs it without visible effect, save for a luminous rippling that spreads down the pseudopod. Then the entire mass surges forward again.
ERIC: (O.S.) (gulps) Looks like it liked it just fine!
ON KIDS
Presto steps forward, one hand stirring the air over his hat.
PRESTO: Lemme try!
His hand dips into the hat and pulls out a glowing sphere of magic, which he hurls O.S.
ON AMOEBOID
It absorbs the magic ball much as it did the arrow, and with much be same result. It flows toward us faster than ever.
AS BEFORE - PRESTO
He looks crestfallen. The group continues backing up the stairs. The amoeboid is gaining on them.
PRESTO: Where's Steve McQueen when you need him?
DIANA: We'd better think of something. This bowl of jelly means business.
FAVOR BOBBY
He hefts his club determinedly.
BOBBY: Yeah? Well, so do I!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Bobby runs forward O.S. Sheila grabs for him but misses.
SHEILA: Bobby! Be careful!
ON AMOEBOID
THE Lovecraftian horror rises above Bobby threateningly as he steps INTO SHOT. Bobby SMASHES his club against one wall of the stairwell,
then the opposite wall. The walls CRACK and CRUMBLE, BURYING the amoeboid beneath tons of debris as Bobby dashes back O.S.
ON KIDS.
They retreat from the dust and flying fragments of rock.
SHEILA: Bobby? Are you all right?
A beat; then Bobby runs out from the thick cloud of dust.
BOBBY: Good news and bad news -- that thing's been buried --
ANGLE ON DUST CLOUD
It clears, revealing that the stairwell is blocked.
BOBBY: (O. S. CONT'D) But we can't go back down.
FAVORING HANK AND ERIC
Eric looks at Hank in satisfaction.
ERIC: Which means we have to go up.
Hank looks at him and nods slowly.
HANK: You win -- for now.
WIDE ANGLE - ALL
They turn away from the cave-in and continue up O.S.
WIPE TO:
INT. SANCTUM - ESTABLISHING - DAY
The topmost part of the cenotaph is the sanctum -- a huge, cathedral-like chamber with a gigantic vault on one wall and an ornate sarcophagus in the middle of the floor, the lid carved in the shape of a figure in repose. The wall opposite the vault has collapsed, revealing the abyss beyond the Realm. The stairwell opens off another wall. Venger and Dungeon Master stand beside the sarcophagus.
DUNGEON MASTER: They are coming, Venger - doubtful and suspicious of each other and their quest, but still coming.
VENGER: Bah! They can yet fail -- and they will.
ANGLE ON VENGER
He looks down at the carved figure on the sarcophagus lid with an unreadable expression, then turns away. We cannot see the features on the figure from this angle.
VENGER: (CONT'D) Do not celebrate your victory yet, old one.
ON DUNGEON MASTER
He approaches the sarcophagus lid and looks at it. We still can't see what's on it clearly.
DUNGEON MASTER: (cryptically) It is not I who will be the winner, Venger -- it is you.
A FOOTFALL O.S. causes him to turn.
DUNGEON MASTER: (CONT'D) They are here.
ON STAIRWELL
Eric, leading the rest, comes into view. He stops and looks around him O.S.
ERIC: So this is it. Doesn't look like much.
ANGLE INCLUDES SANCTUM
Which is now empty, save for the sarcophagus and the kids. Diana points toward the broken wall and the abyss beyond. DIANA: (awed) Look ...
ON BROKEN WALL
The kids approach cautiously and look out over the ultimate gulf.
BOBBY: (awed) It goes on forever ...!
THEIR POV - REALM'S EDGE
An endless cliff dropping into the mists of night thousands of miles below. Stars twinkle in the depths. Barely visible is the suggestion of titanic, continent sized pillars that support the Realm.
ON VAULT
Sheila approaches the vault. Almost hidden among the ornate intaglio of its surface is a keyhole.
SHEILA: There's a keyhole here. This is a door.
ON SARCOPHAGUS
Presto steps up to the sarcophagus and looks at the face of the figure carved on it. He reacts in astonishment.
PRESTO: Look -- on the lid! It's --
CLOSE ON LID
At last we see clearly the carved figure. It is a man in warrior's garb, arms crossed on his chest. His face, though noble and serene and lacking the fangs, horn, wings, and other accouterments of evil, nevertheless is unquestionably that of Venger.
PRESTO: (O.S. CONT'D) Venger!
ANOTHER ANGLE
The others gather around, staring at the figure.
BOBBY: I don't get it. Who'd want to make old hornhead look good?
FAVORING ERIC
Looking down at the figure.
ERIC: Only one way to find out. (beat) Open it.
WIDE ANGLE
The kids all line up on one side of the sarcophagus and push at the heavy stone lid. With a GRATING of stone on stone, it slides over.
CLOSE ON SARCOPHAGUS
As the lid moves slowly to one side, revealing the interior of the sarcophagus. It is empty, save for an ordinary brass key lying at the bottom. PUSH IN on it.
ON ERIC
He reaches in and grabs the key.
ERIC: We've got the key! Now all we've got to do is throw it in the abyss and we' re home free.
He turns toward the abyss. Hank ENTERS SHOT, blocking his path.
HANK: Don't you get it yet? We'll never get home by trusting Venger.
ANGLE INCLUDES OTHERS
As Hank and Eric face off.
ERIC: Outta my way, Hank.
Hank shakes his head.
HANK: No! I'm right about this -- I know it!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Eric raises his shield -- and then, suddenly, all of them are thrown off their feet by the SHATTERING of the floor next to the sarcophagus.
KIDS: (surprised walla)
ON FLOOR
The amoeboid rises from the floor, pseudopods lashing out in all directions. The kids scatter to avoid it.
KIDS (ad lib): Look out! That thing's back again! Watch out for those tentacles! (Etc. )
ON ERIC
Bolding the key. A pseudopod surges THROUGH SHOT, STRIKING his shield and sending him sprawling O. S.
ERIC: (impact grunt)
ON EDGE OF FLOOR
Eric lands near the edge of the abyss. He looks at the key, then raises his hand to throw it in.
CLOSE ON HIS HAND
Hank's hand ENTERS SHOT and grabs his wrist.
HANK: No!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Eric tries to pull his hand from Hank's grasp.
ERIC: Let me go!
ON DIANA
Backing up before a surging wave of the amoeboid, her staff held out before her. A pseudopod extrudes from the main mass and wraps about her staff, pulling Diana toward it. Diana braces her feet, but the thing is too strong for her.
DIANA: (struggles)
ON PRESTO
Holding his hat out before him as he backs away from the oncoming horror.
CLOSE ON HAT
It glows, but before anything can emerge a pseudopod wraps about it, closing it and seizing Presto's arms.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Presto is lifted off his feet. He dangles helplessly in the pseudopod's grasp.
PRESTO: Hey!
ON ERIC AND HANK
They are on their feet now, both holding onto the key. Hank's back is to the abyss.
ERIC: Let me do it! Do you want to be a prisoner here forever?
CLOSE ON HANK
His eyes widen in sudden realization.
HANK: Eric! Remember what you said about this whole Realm being a dungeon?
ON ERIC
Still holding onto the key as Hank speaks.
HANK: (O.S. CONT'D) I think you were right! We're all prisoners here -- including Venger! And this is the key!
ON UNI
Backed into a corner. A pseudopod wraps about her and lifts her O.S.
UNI: (bleat of fear )
ON SHEILA
She flips her hood up over her head as another pseudopod reaches for her. She becomes invisible, but the amoeboid evidently uses other senses than sight to track its prey. It wraps about Sheila' s invisible form.
SHEILA: (V.O.) (screams)
The hood falls away and she becomes visible again as she is lifted, kicking, off the floor.
ON BOBBY
Backed into another corner, swinging his club to keep a pseudopod at bay. He sees what's happening O.S.
BOBBY: Sheila! Uni!
He raises the club over his head and SLAMS it down on the floor.
WIDE ANGLE - AMOEBOID
The SHOCK WAVE ripples through its protoplasmic form, causing it to drop Sheila, Uni, Diana and Presto.
SHEILA, UNI, DIANA, PRESTO: (impact grunts)
ON HANK AND ERIC
The SHOCK WAVE rocks them both; Hank lets go of the key, drops his bow and staggers backward. He hovers for a second, arms windmilling, on the edge of infinity -- then falls.
HANK: (trailing cry)
ANOTHER ANGLE
Eric lunges for him, but it's too late -- he's gone.
ERIC: Hank!
ON AMOEBOID
It's recovered from the effects of Bobby's blow. The kids are grouped together now. The amoeboid flows toward them like a sentient wave, surrounding them.
ANOTHER ANGLE
They try to free themselves, but it's like trying to run through heavy oil. The protoplasm flows up around them -- another moment and it will encase them completely.
KIDS: (struggle)
ON ERIC
He looks back toward his O.S. friends, then at the abyss. He looks at the key in his hand. WIDER ANGLE
Venger suddenly MATERIALIZES before him. He points toward the abyss.
VENGER: The key, Cavalier! Throw it into the abyss -- or you will never see your home again! ON ERIC
He looks at the abyss, then O.S. in the opposite direction.
HIS POV - VAULT
PUSH IN on it, emphasizing the keyhole.
RESUME ERIC
He makes his decision -- he turns and runs for the vault!
ON VENGER
He spreads his wings in wrath.
VENGER: (roars) Stop!
Be hurls a MAGIC BOLT O.S.
ON ERIC - RUNNING
The bolt SPLASHES against his shield, staggering him, but he keeps going.
ON VENGER
He raises his hand to hurl another blast, but just then a pseudopod ENTERS SHOT, wrapping about him, pinning his arms. He struggles.
VENGER: (struggles)
ON VAULT
Eric comes to a halt before the vault.
ERIC: Hank, you'd better be right --!
He thrusts the key into the lock and turns it.
ON VENGER
He frees himself of the pseudopod with a BURST of magic. His eyes grow wide as he realizes he's too late.
VENGER: No!
ON VAULT
The massive door swings open. A cascade of coruscating light bursts forth, momentarily silhouetting Eric, who staggers backward. The pyrotechnic forces sweep outward O.S. APPROPRIATE SFX.
ON KIDS
The amoeboid's mass has nearly risen over their heads when the EFX wash over it. The amoeboid shimmers and VANISHES in a burst of brilliance. The kids fall to the floor.
ON VENGER
He steps backward, holding his hands out in a futile attempt to warn off the magic, which engulfs him.
VENGER: (cry of fear)
CUT TO:
EXT. CENOTAPH - LONG SHOT
Streams of magic BURST from the tower, spreading away from Realm's Edge and O.S.
EXT. FIELDS - DAY
Several SERFS toiling among crops. A magic bolt from the vault IMPACTS near them like an incandescent meteorite, and a portal opens there, showing the single sun of Earth shining over a medieval town. The serfs drop their mattocks and rush toward the portal.
SERFS: (happy cries)
EXT. PLAIN - NIGHT
Another magic bolt ZAPS a portal near a group of LIZARD MEN. The world opened for them is that of a tropical jungle, with three red suns shining above it. The lizard men rush into the portal.
LIZARD MEN: (hisses)
WIDE ANGLE - REALM - PANNING
A SLOW PAN that shows bolts from the cenotaph descending in all parts of the Realm, creating portals wherever they STRIKE.
EXT. VENGER'S CITADEL - DAY
ORCS, BULLIWOGS and other servants of Venger flee in terror as a bolt arcs toward the citadel.
ORCS, BULLIWOGS: (panicked cries)
CLOSER
SHADOWDEMON emerges, reacts to the approaching destruction, then hightails it O.S. A moment later the citadel is STRUCK AND DESTROYED by the bolt.
CUT TO:
INT. CENOTAPH - VAULT
As the last of the magic streams out and O.S., leaving Eric sitting, dazed, before a huge, empty vault. Diana, Sheila, Presto, Bobby and Uni run INTO SHOT. Presto helps Eric up.
ERIC: (awed whisper) Did you see that?
PRESTO: You kidding? We were all ringside.
DIANA: Looks like Hank was right ...
ON ERIC
He reacts to this in shock.
ERIC: Hank!!
He rushes O.S. The others follow.
ON EDGE OF ABYSS - UPSHOT
The kids gather around the edge of the abyss and look down, fearing the worst. Then they smile in relief.
HANK: (O.S.) Well, don't just stand there --
REVERSE ANGLE - DOWNSHOT - HANK
Hanging from a rocky outcropping over the abyss.
HANK: (CONT'D) Get me outta here!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Diana extends her staff to Hank. It glows as he pulls himself up hand over hand to stand beside them. He picks up his bow and looks O.S.
HANK: Hey! What's happening to Venger?
They all look O.S. and react as shimmering light begins to bleed INTO SHOT.
THEIR POV - VENGER
Still wrapped in the luminous spell. It TRANSMOGRIFIES him, changing him into the noble, majestic figure whose likeness is carved on the sarcophagus. He looks down at himself in disbelief. When he speaks, his voice is that of Venger, but without the sinister reverb.
ON KIDS
Watching in awe. Hank raises his bow in a gesture of triumph.
HANK: I was right! Our mission in the Realm was not to defeat Venger -- it was to redeem him!
WIDE ANGLE - KIDS AND VENGER
As the new Venger approaches the kids. Then, before them all, a burst of prismatic light appears and forms into Dungeon Master. He looks at Venger, and smiles. Venger kneels before him.
VENGER: Father -- I have returned.
CLOSER - KIDS, DUNGEON MASTER, VENGER
Uni nuzzles Venger's hand as Dungeon Master, tears in his eyes, turns toward the kids.
DUNGEON MASTER: (emotionally) Thank you, my young pupils. You have done the one thing it was not in my power to do -- you have returned my son to me.
The kids look at each other in confusion.
ERIC: (to Dungeon Master) You're Venger's father?
PRESTO: There's not a big family resemblance ...
ON VENGER
He smiles.
VENGER: Thousands of years ago, I chose to follow another Master -- one of evil. I imprisoned in this cenotaph all that which Dungeon Master had given me. And now you have set me free.
ANGLE INCLUDES VAULT
Dungeon Master raises his hands, and a final bolt streaks from the vault, IMPACTING near the kids and forming a portal. Within it they can see the amusement park.
KIDS: (gasps)
DUNGEON MASTER: And you have given those trapped in this Realm their freedom. I can do no less for you. You are free to return to your world now, if you wish.
ANGLE ON KIDS
They look at each other in disbelieving joy as Dungeon Master continues.
DUNGEON MASTER: (O.S. CONT'D) Or you may stay here, in the Realm. There is still much evil to be dealt with, and many adventures yet to be had.
WIDE ANGLE
The kids and Uni stand in front of the portal, with Dungeon Master on one side and Venger on the other.
DUNGEON MASTER: (CONT'D) The choice, my children, is yours.
The kids look at each other, grinning, tears of happiness in their eyes, ready to make their greatest decision of all, as we PULL BACK, through the broken wall of the cenotaph, BACK, rising over Realm's Edge, BACK STILL FURTHER, craning up above mountains, through clouds, until at last we encompass na incredible vista: the Realm itself, with its myriad lands and lifeforms, its dangers and its joys; a new Realm now, but still, and always: the Realm of Dungeons and Dragons.