Robot Force (episode)/script

 Robot Force 

Season 1, Episode 1

OPENING THEME

Act One

(Opening shot; fade in to a long shot of the playhouse, seen in the original series’ episode “Kai-Lan’s Playhouse”. There are several green/red balloons nearby. It is daytime. Kai-Lan runs into view and stops to wave at the camera, wearing a pink party hat.)


 * Kai-Lan: (to the viewers) Ni-hao! I’m Kai-Lan! I’m so glad you’re here. Come inside! Today is Lulu’s birthday!

(Inside: six of her friends are present with their own pink party hats, and a lively tune plays on the radio on the floor. There are more balloons in here. A glittery banner with the words “Happy Birthday Lulu!” in pink, bubbly letters hangs above the front door. Rintoo and Hoho are dancing, Lulu and Tain Tain talk by the refreshment table, and Xin Xin and Tolee toss a red balloon back and forth to each other. Kai-Lan enters to join her friends, then approaches the two girls.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni-hao, Lulu and Tain Tain!
 * Lulu, Tain Tain: Ni-hao, Kai-Lan!
 * Kai-Lan: Lulu, happy birthday!
 * Lulu: Xiè xiè, Kai-Lan. I’m also happy that I’m meeting Xin Xin and Tain Tain for the first time. And I’m happy to hear that the foxes and bears became friends.
 * Kai-Lan: It wasn’t easy, though. They were all unhappy with each other. The foxes were mad at the bears because their dancing makes the ground shake, and the bears were mad at the foxes for singing too loud.
 * Tain Tain: And I wanted to become friends with Xin Xin, but they wouldn’t allow it since the foxes are mad at the bears.
 * Lulu: Oh. But everything worked out fine, right?
 * Kai-Lan: Yeah. Once we understood what they were mad about, we spoke to the Fox King and the Bear Queen. When they talked about their problems, they became friends.
 * Lulu: Well, that’s good to hear. I’m glad they’re getting along.
 * Tain Tain: Me too! (to Kai-Lan) And Kai-Lan, I love everything about this playhouse!
 * Kai-Lan: Xiè xiè, Tain Tain!

(Cut to Xin Xin and Tolee as they continue their game.)


 * Tolee: Xin Xin, how was everything at the Kingdom of Friends?
 * Xin Xin: Everything was great. I was glad we all got along.

(Xin Xin bumps the balloon a little too hard and it flies away from the two, but Kai-Lan managed to catch it.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni hao, Tolee! Ni hao, Xin Xin!
 * Tolee, Xin Xin: Ni hao, Kai-Lan!
 * Kai-Lan: I really am happy that you and Tain Tain could make it to Lulu’s party, Xin Xin.
 * Xin Xin: Me too. I can’t wait to see what fun stuff she has planned for today.
 * Tolee: Ooh! We might go to her house later today. It’s on a cloud.
 * Xin Xin: Whoa! A cloud house? I’ve never been to one before. (Pause.) Although...I’m not sure if Tain Tain and I are gonna stay for long. We might have to go back home later today. (Cut to Kai-Lan and Tolee.)
 * Kai-Lan: Oh, Xin Xin. You did tell us that before. We understand.

(The dancing Rintoo and Hoho are soon accosted by Kai-Lan, who joins in.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni-hao, Rintoo and Hoho! Having fun?
 * Rintoo, Hoho: Ni hao, Kai-Lan!
 * Rintoo: We’re having a blast!
 * Hoho: This is the best party ever!

(Long shot of the seven partiers.)


 * All except Lulu: Happy birthday, Lulu!
 * Lulu: Xiè xiè, everyone!

(An o.s knock gets their attention and the music ends abruptly. At the door is Yeye, holding a bouquet of flowers.)


 * Yeye: Knock, knock! I have wonderful news, everyone!

(The seven kids come over to him; close-up as Hoho jumps onto his left shoulder.)


 * Hoho: Who are those flowers for, Yeye?
 * Yeye: Our new neighbors. A family of eight just moved here yesterday. (Cut to frame all.) Would you all like to meet them?

(Kai-Lan and friends trade smiles before nodding in response.)


 * All: Yeah!
 * Kai-Lan: Ooh! I want to give them something, to welcome them to our neighborhood!
 * Rintoo: Awesome idea, Kai-Lan! I want to give them something too!
 * Hoho: Ooh! Me too, me too!
 * Yeye: Come with me, everyone.

(They follow him out the playhouse, then dissolve to a long shot of a two-story house; its exterior is painted a light blue color with a black roof, a porch on the front side, a chimney running up the left side of the house, and a garage on the right side. The very bottom part of the house is all bricks, and two large windows on the bottom and two more on the top.)

(A short creature flies through one of the open windows. In the creature’s arm is a present. He takes the appearance of a dragon; light orange horns, light reddish-gray on the inner parts of his wings, very light green skin, and a slightly pointed nose. The brighter orange tuft on the end of his tail matches his unkempt hair, which ends in slight curves. He has on a dark red sweater with a high collar; red pants; dark gray ankle-length shoes. This is Wyvern. Behind him, the windows appear to have yellow drapes and walls are painted lavender. He eyes the present for a minute; they are dark brown.)


 * Male voice: There you are.

(Cut to the doorway, a light violet unicorn with human-like features who enters with a slight look of annoyance on his face. His mane and tail are scruffy and dark blue. His eyes are purple. He wears a black sweater with a high collar held by yellow buttons; dark blue pants; black ankle-length shoes. This is Shadow. He enters as Wyvern sets the present down on a dresser. Shadow’s voice marks him as a serious-minded thinker.)


 * Shadow: Wyvern! Have you seen that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies? (puzzled) What’s that for?

(Wyvern’s voice has a rockstar-like quality to it.)


 * Wyvern: Well, just a gift for a party. I don’t see you with one, brah.

(This shot reveals that Shadow is only a few inches taller than Wyvern.)


 * Shadow: Oh, Wyvern...you know I don’t have time for that sort of thing.
 * Wyvern: Bogus! Would it kill you to have some fun for once, man? (gesturing to a bunk bed) Oh, and your thingy is under Lumino’s pillow. The dude’s probably curious about it.

(As Shadow eyes part of a book tucked underneath a blue pillow; his horn flares brightly and it floats free and towards him. As Wyvern picks up the present, Shadow lets his magic do the walking once he finds the book.)


 * Shadow: Elements, Elements, E, E, E...aha! (reading) “Elements of Friendship…” (stops and gasps) What?! (Groan.) Lumino!
 * Wyvern: Hey, Shadow. Come on, man. You keep your nose in your books all day and everyday. (as Shadow walks away) Put those books down and learn to live a lit… (looks around; groans) Fine. Your life.

(This shot picks out a few more details of the room; a drum set, an amplifier, and a bean-bag chair. Wyvern takes the present. Dissolve to a shot of Rintoo’s home as he exits, carrying two pineapples. Kai-Lan runs over to him with a basket of apples. As Rintoo speaks, a figure with a head of fluffy, curly golden blonde hair and fair skin approaches from the other end of the area. He appears to be wearing a sky blue, high-collared sweater with matching ankle-length shoes, and neon yellow pants.)


 * Rintoo: Hey, Kai-Lan. Looks like we’re both bringing fruit!

(The third newcomer is now seen in close-up: monkey, with a small black nose, and the ends of the sleeves are white. He stops in front of the pair and regards with narrowed, medium blue eyes and a smile. Kai-Lan and Rintoo turn to see him.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni-hao! I’m Kai-Lan!
 * Rintoo: And I’m Rintoo!

(The yellow monkey responds with a massive gasp of pure surprise, a leap that leaves him briefly suspended in midair, and a sudden dash o.s that nearly blows Kai-Lan’s hair off.)


 * Rintoo: Whoa! He’s fast! I wonder why he ran off like that.
 * Kai-Lan: I’m not sure. Maybe we’ll see him again later. Come on!

(Both run off. Dissolve to the pair proceeding down a path leading to the boathouse. One koala and one monkey peek out from the edge of the boat; the former has a present and the latter carries a few bananas.)


 * Kai-Lan: Tolee! Hoho!
 * Rintoo: Do you guys have your gifts? (Cut to the pair in the boathouse in close-up.)
 * Tolee: We sure do.
 * Hoho: I’ve got bananas for them!

(A cheerful female voice brings them up short.)


 * Female voice: Xiao niao!

(Quick pan to the speaker, a light pink dog with brown hair, tied back into a ponytail with an orange bow. She wears a cream yellow dress; white shirt collar; white long gloves; orange belt with matching tights; white boots. Her dark brown eyes are fixated on a blue bird above her head. Racing up to it, she tries to jump up to it. The bird eventually takes a landing on a log, and she kneels down next to it. The angle of her head exposes the inner parts of her ear, which are light red. This is Terra. Tolee and Hoho join their two friends on the ground and each eye the dog girl with curiosity.)


 * Kai-Lan: She must be new here too.

(The foursome approach Terra with polite smiles. This shot shows that Terra is at least a few inches taller than them.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni-hao. Wo jiao Kai-Lan, and these are my friends.
 * Rintoo: Wo jiao Rintoo!
 * Tolee: Wo jiao Tolee.
 * Hoho: Wo jiao Hoho! (The bird flies away without Terra knowing.)
 * Kai-Lan: Welcome to the neighborhood.

(Terra suddenly scoots over to the apples in Kai-Lan’s basket.)


 * Terra: Oh ‘em gosh! Apples! (takes one) Ping guo! I totes love apples! Like, xie xie! I’m Terra! I totes love your names, and I totes love making new friends!
 * Kai-Lan: Well, that’s great. So do we.
 * Tolee: Are you with someone or is it just you? (Terra stands up.)
 * Terra: Oh, no. Like, I have four brothers and three sisters.
 * Rintoo: Wow! So you must be with the family that moved in yesterday!
 * Hoho: Wow! That’s a lot of siblings!

(Long shot; Lulu, Xin Xin, and Tain Tain enter the scene. Lulu has a present, while the fox-and-bear duo carry a few peaches.)


 * Lulu, Xin Xin, Tain Tain: Ni-hao, everyone!
 * Terra: (to Lulu) Ooh! Balloons! (jumping around) Qì qiú! Qì qiú! I totes love balloons! I’m Terra! (suddenly shocked) Oh ‘em gosh! Sorry, but I have to, like, get home right now! Maybe we’ll talk again some time! (as she runs off) Huí tóu jiàn!
 * All kids: (waving to her) Huí tóu jiàn!
 * Tain Tain: Terra?
 * Lulu: She must be new here.

(With no warning, a multicolored blur flashes across the screen and plows her away. Globs of mud splatter back from the puddle in which they have landed; underneath Lulu is a very light gray pegasus girl whose unruly shoulder-length hair is striped with all the colors of the rainbow. She has reddish-violet eyes; white shirt collar; dark grayish-blue dress with a darker edge, matching her long gloves; purple tights; Converse-style grayish-blue boots. This is Gusty. Lulu gets off of the girl; her friends run over to her with concern.)


 * Kai-Lan, Tain Tain: Lulu!
 * Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho: Are you okay?
 * Xin Xin: You’re not hurt, are you?

(Lulu shakes the mud off of her.)


 * Lulu: Don’t worry. I’m not hurt. Although… (looking at Gusty) ...I’ve never seen you here before.

(Gusty gets upright with a big goofy grin. Her voice has a raspy, tomboyish quality to it.)


 * Gusty: (laughing sheepishly, to Lulu) Uh…sorry?
 * Lulu: Oh...it’s okay. I’m not hurt, really.
 * Gusty: Uh, are you sure? You still have some mud on you. Wait, let me help you.

(Off she goes, and returns with a gray cloud into position above Lulu. The others stand back, looking slightly worried. Close-up of one koala and one fox.)


 * Tolee: (hushed) Whoa. She can move clouds?
 * Xin Xin: (hushed) Looks like it.

(Back to Gusty. A few stops on the cloud’s top produces a quick shower that leaves Lulu and her balloon clean but soaked. Cut to Gusty on the cloud.)


 * Gusty: Oh. I guess I overdid it. (kicks cloud away) Oh, hold on! I don’t think I introduced myself. I’m the one and only Gusty Chang!
 * All kids: Gusty?
 * Gusty: Yep. (hovering) You heard of me?
 * Kai-Lan: Well, not really. (smiling) It’s nice to meet you, Gusty. My name is Kai-Lan, and these are my friends.
 * Rintoo: I’m Rintoo.
 * Tolee: I’m Tolee.
 * Lulu: (gathering her gift) I’m Lulu.
 * Hoho: I’m Hoho!
 * Xin Xin: I’m Xin Xin!
 * Tain Tain: And I’m Tain Tain! (Gusty lounges on a cloud.)
 * Gusty: Those are cool names, all right.
 * Xin Xin: So, what do you like to do?
 * Gusty: Well, I’m an awesome flyer, so I gotta practice.
 * Hoho: Practice? For what? (Back to Gusty.)
 * Gusty: (pointing) The Thunderbolts!

(Quick pan in the direction she has indicated, stopping on a poster pasted on a wall. Silhouettes of four pegasi streak across its starry sky, while three more—two stallions and a mare—stand proudly in the foreground. All three of these wear red goggles and teal jumpsuits that leave snouts, ears, and manes exposed, and their manes are electric blue. Three lightning bolts are displayed at the bottom, the center one having a pair of wings. Zoom in slightly.)


 * Gusty: (from o.s.) They’re gonna perform at the celebration tonight! (Back to her, doing a loop to another cloud.) And I’m gonna show ‘em my stuff.
 * Rintoo: The Thunderbolts? The most talented flyers in the world?
 * Gusty: That’s them. (Hoho goes on top of Rintoo’s head.)
 * Hoho: Wow! How fast are you exactly?
 * Gusty: Whoa! Are you questioning my flying skills? I could clear the sky in ten seconds flat.
 * Rintoo: Prove it.

(The pegasus girl regards him from beneath lowered eyebrows for another moment, then springs into action to kick apart one cloud after another. The wake of her movements blows the kids back and forth as they watch.)


 * Gusty: Loop-the-loop around, and wham!

(After this last hit, the sky above them is left without a cloud in it.)


 * Gusty: What’d I say? (She drops onto the ground in front of them.) Ten seconds flat. I’d never leave anyone hanging. So, hey. What’s up with the fruits and presents?
 * Kai-Lan: It’s to welcome you to the neighborhood.
 * Gusty: Cool! Hey, you could leave those at my house? It’s not that far a walk. (pointing) Just take that dirt path right there.
 * Kai-Lan: Xiè xiè, Gusty!
 * All kids: (as they run off) Huí tóu jiàn!

(They run off toward the house, and dissolve to the front porch. Hoho pushes on the door a little, and it swings open. Around them, banners and flowers have been hung on the walls and windows.)


 * Tolee: Wait. Wouldn’t it be rude to just barge in?
 * Lulu: Yeah. Someone might be in there. (Rintoo gets a look at the decor.)
 * Rintoo: (breathlessly) Beautiful.
 * Kai-Lan: Yeah. Look at the decorations.
 * Tain Tain: They’re very beautiful.

(Between them, some distance back, a cat girl can partially be seen: white body with a very faint gray tinge; purple hair tied back with a light blue scrunchie; purple dress with a darker belt and a matching hem; light blue long gloves with matching tights; purple boots. She appears to have two tails.)


 * Rintoo: Not the decorations...her!

(On this last word, the camera zooms in past the pair to focus on the eighth—a nekomata girl standing on a small dais at the back of the room. She wears pale blue eyeshadow, and her appearance and bearing mark her as a sophisticated type even before her voice confirms it. This is Crystal, who opens her eyes to expose vivid blue irises while holding a few ribbon samples for a closer look.)


 * Crystal: No...no...no… (Back to Rintoo, imaginary hearts above his head; she continues o.s.) ...oh!...goodness, no...hmmm…
 * Rintoo: (grooming himself) How is my tail? Is it straight?

(His friends just give him funny looks before approaching the cat girl.)


 * Kai-Lan: Ni-hao.
 * Crystal: (glancing briefly toward her) Just a moment, please. I’m in the zone, as ‘twere. Ah, yes! (tightening a glittering red bow on the banister) Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Crystal, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help—Oh!

(She looks on with surprise upon getting her first good look at the children and the presents they’re holding, seen in a close-up.)


 * Crystal: (from o.s.) Oh, my stars, darlings! Are those gifts for moi?
 * Kai-Lan: Yes, they are! To welcome you to our neighborhood. Wo jiao Kai-Lan, and these are my friends Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu, Xin Xin, and Tain Tain.

(Pan and stop on each as she names them, then cut to frame all eight as soon as she finishes talking. This shot reveals more of the room; carpeted green floor, beige walls, a fireplace, and a coffee table in one corner.)


 * Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu, Xin Xin, Tain Tain: Ni-hao!
 * Crystal: Oh, how wonderful! I’m Crystal, dearies. (pointing) Just leave the presents on the table in the kitchen. It’s over there.
 * Xin Xin: I have a question. Are you a friend of Gusty?
 * Crystal: Friend? Oh, no! I may not look like it, but I’m her sister. (The children trade confused looks.)
 * Tain Tain: But...she has wings and you don’t.
 * Crystal: She’s a pegasus, darling.
 * Hoho: What’s a pegasus?
 * Lulu: It’s a horse with wings, and they’re so beautiful!

(Cut to the nekomata girl.)


 * Crystal: Beautiful? Oh, nonsense. If anyone’s the pretty one in my family, it’s me. (Hoho jumps closer to her.)
 * Hoho: You look like a cat, but...you have two tails. (Kai-Lan joins him.)
 * Kai-Lan: Well, Crystal, even if you have more than one tail, I do think you’re beautiful.
 * Crystal: (setting aside a teal ribbon) Why, thank you, young girl.

(Her happy reverie breaks when she takes a good look at Kai-Lan’s apples.)


 * Crystal: Apples?! Oh, darling, my sister Terra adores them!

(Kitchen: the children leave their presents on the table, like they were instructed. This room has the same green carpeting as the other room Crystal is in. The walls are baby blue. The table is long and covered by a white table cloth, and ten black chairs. The yellow tiger sighs contentedly.)


 * Rintoo: Guys, I think I’m in love.

(Like before, he gets a round of funny looks in his direction.)


 * Tolee: Um, Rintoo? We just met her.
 * Tain Tain: Yeah, but she’s very pretty. (frowning) Honestly, I thought Gusty is pretty, too. I really love her hair!
 * Lulu: Me too.

(The sound of an opening door interrupts their thoughts, and the voice—male, gentle-sounding—gets their attention in a hurry.)


 * Male voice: Crystal, where are the others? I have boxes of cupcakes here.

(Cut to just behind Lulu and Tolee on the end of this, the camera pointing over their shoulders toward the door. The speaker is visible only as a silhouette, carrying three boxes; he heads toward the kitchen.)


 * Hoho: (excitedly) Ooh! Cupcakes?
 * Rintoo: Awesome! I love cupcakes!
 * Crystal: (from o.s.) Really, Bubbles, I’m too in the zone to worry about that!

(Close-up of the box as it is set down on the coffee table. Zoom out to frame the newcomer: a rabbit boy with a very light blue body and medium sea green eyes. Adjusting his white, elegantly curled hair, he sports a medium blue sweater with black fabric at shoulder and collar, teal pants, and medium blue ankle-high shoes. As Crystal goes up a flight of stairs, Kai-Lan and Xin Xin walk up to the rabbit boy.)


 * Kai-Lan, Xin Xin: Ni hao! (The rest join them.)
 * Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu, Tain Tain: Ni hao!

(Bubbles stops short.)


 * Bubbles: Huh? Hey, er, I think I’ve heard of you guys before.
 * Rintoo: You do?
 * Bubbles: (organizing the boxes) Yes. I’ve heard of someone’s grandfather coming over here to meet us.
 * Kai-Lan: Ooh! That’s Yeye! I call my grandpa Yeye!
 * Bubbles: You’ve probably heard it from Crystal, but my name is Bubbles. (Cut to Kai-Lan and her six friends.)
 * Kai-Lan: My name is Kai-Lan, and these are my friends Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu, Xin Xin, and Tain Tain.
 * Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu, Tain Tain: Ni hao!
 * Xin Xin: Ni hao! Wow, you’re a bunny rabbit!
 * Hoho: We left some gifts in the kitchen! (Bubbles picks up one box.)
 * Kai-Lan: Yes! To welcome you to our neighborhood!
 * Bubbles: Well, that’s very sweet of you guys. (Hoho gets on top of his head.)
 * Hoho: Can I have a cupcake please?
 * Bubbles: Huh? Um...actually, they’re for the celebration, which is tonight. (opening box) But okay.

(Rintoo and Hoho helped themselves to a cupcake, the rest followed suit seconds later.)


 * All kids: Xiè xiè.

(Bubbles leaves the room. The next voice surprises them.)


 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) INCOMING!!

(Snap to black.)

Act Two

(Opening shot; fade in to a hail of streamers pouring down from somewhere above; seven children duck and cover as they fill the screen, eventually covering them all. After this brief onslaught, they extract themselves from the multicolored fallout for a look around, and the camera cuts to Wyvern as he takes a landing at the doorway. He took a look at the kids and smirked.)


 * Wyvern: Well, whazzup, you guys!
 * Rintoo: Whoa! (approaching Wyvern) You’re a dragon!
 * Wyvern: Hm. I’m guessing you’re a fan of ‘em. (The rest walk over to him.)
 * Rintoo: I sure am! Roar! (Laughter from the kids.)
 * Wyvern: Awesome, brah! (hovering) So, I’m Wyvern, in case you’re wondering.
 * All kids: Wyvern.
 * Kai-Lan: It’s nice to meet you, Wyvern. I’m Kai-Lan, and these are my friends Lulu, Tolee, Hoho, Rintoo, Xin Xin, and Tain Tain.
 * Wyvern: Sweet names. So, I’ve heard you guys left presents for us.
 * Tain Tain: Oh, we did. (pointing) They’re in the kitchen.
 * Hoho: To welcome you to our neighborhood.
 * Wyvern: Whoa! Me? Just me?! Our whole family is here. I’ve got three bros and four sisters. (landing) I’m sure you saw Crystal, my sister, and Terra and Petunia, my other sisters. Then there’s Bubbles, Shadow, and Lumino. Oh, and I’m sure you’ve met Gusty, my other sister.

(The kids trade confused glances.)


 * Tolee: Um, question; how are you guys related if you look so different?

(Crossing to them, Wyvern gives a small smirk.)


 * Wyvern: Well, believe it or not, we’re actually robots.

(The kids’ confusion yields to surprised stares.)


 * Xin Xin: Wow! Seriously?
 * Lulu: Wow. That’s really amazing!
 * Kai-Lan: Yeah! Super amazing! So what do you like to do?
 * Wyvern: Well, for one thing, I own loads of instruments. But my favorite one would have to be my red axe!
 * Xin Xin: Wow! So you’re a musician? And you can play any instrument?
 * Wyvern: That’s right, dude.

(Close-up of Tolee and Lulu.)


 * Tolee: But wait. Who’s...Petunia and Lumino?
 * Lulu: Yeah. I don’t think we’ve met them yet.

(Zoom out; Wyvern is now above them with his arms crossed.)


 * Wyvern: Petunia’s my lil’ sis. She’s in the garden outback. (Cut to Lulu and Tain Tain.)
 * Lulu: Ooh, I’d like to see that.
 * Kai-Lan, Tain Tain: Me too!

(The three girls go off.)


 * Rintoo: Hey, Wyvern, can we see the instruments you have?
 * Wyvern: Yep! Come on!

(Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, and Xin Xin follow the dragon boy up the stairs before the view dissolves to a close-up of a rose; zoom out a bit to show Tain Tain getting a look at it. Behind her are many flowers of several types beside a tree.)


 * Tain Tain: Ooh, Lulu! Look at this one! Méi guī! (Lulu hovers by; Kai-Lan joins them.)
 * Lulu: Wow! They’re all very pretty!
 * Kai-Lan: Ooh. Méi guī! I bet Yeye would love those!

(The girls stop short upon hearing a fanfare being whistled somewhere up ahead; they hide in some bushes and poke their heads out to watch. Pan away from them to the source—several birds perched in a tree, with a fairy hovering in front of them and facing away from the camera. Light blonde hair in pigtails held by pastel pink hair bands, light green dress with a darker green hem, pink tights, medium green boots, and a pair of fairy wings. One of the birds is noticeably out of time, drawing the pony’s worried attention. A close-up presents Petunia for the first time—girl, with blue-green eyes, straight bangs with sidelocks, white shirt collar, long pink gloves, and a soft, gentle, timid voice.)


 * Petunia: Oh, my, um, stop, please, everyone. (Silence; she flies up to the bad singer.) Um, excuse me, sir. I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny tiny bit off. (Back up.) Now then, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one, two, three.
 * Kai-Lan: (from o.s., calling to her) Hello!

(The shout not only startles the fairy girl, but scares her entire vocal ensemble out of the tree.)


 * Petunia: Ah! (She sees Kai-Lan, now out of the bushes.)
 * Kai-Lan: Oh, I’m really sorry about that, but I can’t help but overhear the music. It sounded beautiful! My name is Kai-Lan.

(Petunia touches down, looking at Kai-Lan sidelong or not at all, and fidgets one foot against the ground without saying anything. In terms of height, Kai-Lan is shown to be up to the fairy girl’s chin.)


 * Kai-Lan: Wo jiao Kai-Lan. (Silence; Petunia still avoids eye contact.) What’s your name?
 * Petunia: (softly) Um...I’m Petunia.
 * Kai-Lan: I’m sorry, what was that?
 * Petunia: (even softer, backing away) Um...my name is Petunia.
 * Kai-Lan: Sorry, I still can’t hear you.

(The meek blonde can do no more than voice a tiny squeak and look at Kai-Lan sidelong, as if trying to disappear behind the tree, which the birds return to seconds later.)


 * Kai-Lan: Oh. It looks like your birds are back. You seem busy, though.

(Another tiny little noise from Petunia.)


 * Kai-Lan: I’ll be going back to my friends. Feel free to join us!

(Petunia just stands there, eyes downcast.)


 * Lulu: (from o.s.) Kai-Lan!

(Cut to Petunia’s perspective of Kai-Lan and Lulu, who has come from the other side of the garden holding a yellow twirly-whirly flower.)


 * Lulu: I found a few yellow twirly-whirlys over there.
 * Kai-Lan: Ooh! Huáng sè! I’ve never seen a yellow twirly-whirly before!

(Back to Petunia, who comes to life with a gasp and a flutter of wings that scares all the birds off again. Now she gets some lung power behind her voice.)


 * Petunia: A pink rhino! (She zips over to Lulu, nearly knocking Kai-Lan away.) Oh! I’ve never seen a pink rhino before! And she uses a balloon to fly! How cute!
 * Lulu: Aw, you’re sweet.
 * Petunia: Oh, my. She talks. Oh, I just love animals. What’s your name?
 * Lulu: I’m Lulu.
 * Petunia: Hi, Lulu. I’m Petunia.
 * Lulu: And this is my friend Kai-Lan. We’ve been best friends for a long time.
 * Kai-Lan: Yeah. (to Petunia) Would you like to be our friend? (Petunia smiles.)
 * Petunia: Oh, absolutely! I can’t wait to get to know you.

(Kai-Lan and Lulu start away, while Petunia hurries after them; the conversation continues.)


 * Kai-Lan: Me too. Oh, and Petunia. Me and my friends left you some gifts, to welcome you to the neighborhood.
 * Petunia: Aw, how sweet. But it’s not just me. I have four brothers and three sisters.
 * Lulu: We know. Do you like twirly-whirly flowers?
 * Petunia: I do. In fact, this garden has lots of them of different colors.

(Kai-Lan and Lulu’s eyes widened in surprise.)


 * Kai-Lan: Wow! Can we see those?
 * Petunia: Of course.

(Dissolve to the trio entering the house through the back door; now Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Xin Xin, and Tain Tain are seen chatting with Wyvern, Bubbles, and Terra.)


 * Wyvern: And that’s the story of our lives—well, up until today. What else do you guys want to know?
 * Hoho: Ooh! Have you guys heard of the Monkey King?
 * Wyvern: The Monkey King? (hovering) That guy’s a legend!
 * Bubbles: We’re all huge fans of the Monkey King! (Shadow comes down the stairs carrying a book.)
 * Terra: Totes! (frowning) Well, except for Shadow.
 * Shadow: What? Well…I’m just not interested.

(The younger animals aim a confused look in his direction.)


 * Shadow: Well, my poor baby sister Terra needs her nap.
 * Terra: (confused) I do? (He nudges her a little with a big phony grin.)
 * Shadow: (leaning to her, baby talk) Aw, wookit that. She’s so sweepy, she can’t even keep her wittle bawance.

(The “sweepy” dog girl is still confused, but the dragon boy glares at his stupidly grinning face before being swept up by Petunia.)


 * Petunia: Poor Terra. I’ll put her to bed.

(Realizing that things are getting out of hand, Shadow gets his horn glowing—he levitates Kai-Lan and her friends out of the house.)


 * Shadow: Thanks, Petunia. (to Kai-Lan and co) We’re very sorry, but we’ve got a whole lot to do right now.

(Door slam, leaving seven befuddled children on the step. Cut back to the interior as Crystal joins her siblings; Petunia and Terra do so moments later.)


 * Shadow: Guys, there’s the possibility that Doctor McRozki is escaping from jail and we’re running out of time.
 * Crystal: McRozki? Have you forgotten what that evil man has done to us last year? What makes you so sure he’s coming back for revenge?
 * Bubbles: We know McRozki has made some rather terrible choices, but I don’t think he’d be crazy enough to try to escape.
 * Shadow: Look, I just need some peace and quiet for now.
 * Terra: Aren’t you gonna, like, help us get ready for the celebration tonight?
 * Shadow: I can’t. I just need to be alone so I can gather some information without a bunch of crazy people trying to make friends all the time. Now, I need to go make a phone call.

(He lets his eyes spin in their sockets on “crazy people”. Once he’s done talking, he walks up the stairs and into a bedroom, presumably his. A large, circular room whose walls are lined with bookshelves; other volumes are scattered around lofts set into the walls above them, but the rest of the space has been cleared to make room for a bunk bed, a house plant, a small floor mat, and a table by the window with a bust of a unicorn on it. A purple clock has been mounted on the wall, and a telescope stands at the window. The unicorn boy takes out his phone, and cut to outside the door as Bubbles, Wyvern, Crystal, Petunia, and Terra are standing here trying to listen in on his conversation.)


 * Bubbles: (hushed) Should we really be doing this?
 * Crystal: (hushed) Quiet!
 * Shadow: (from inside, muffled) I just know he is! I...Really?! But I thought he’s not welcome in this country. Why is he...Okay. It’s just...Ugh, why would he always try to disrupt everything? I wish he had better things to do than put innocent lives in danger.
 * Terra: (hushed) Is he talking about his pet dog?
 * Crystal: (hushed) Oh, get real, Terra! He doesn’t even have a dog!

(Gusty enters moments later.)


 * Gusty: Hey, what’s going on here?
 * Crystal: SHH!! (hushed) Shadow’s on the phone!
 * Bubbles: (hushed) Crystal, I really don’t think it’s okay to eavesdrop.
 * Crystal: Shhhh!
 * Shadow: (from inside, muffled) You’ve known him since high school. How can you not know about this? Wait, does mom know? I thought...Wait, seriously? It’s gonna be cancelled? (Twelve pairs of eyes widened at this piece of info.) There are lots of people… (sighing sadly) All right. Thanks for letting me know.
 * Gusty: (hushed) He’s cancelling the celebration? Ugh! I’m gonna rip someone’s head off!
 * Wyvern: (hushed) Bogus! I’ve been looking forward to it!
 * Terra: (a little too loudly) Me too! What meanie wants to take that away from us?
 * Crystal: TERRA!!

(Shadow suddenly opens the door, startling his siblings a little.)


 * Shadow: Guys, what the heck?!
 * Petunia: Oh, please don’t be mad, Shadow!
 * Shadow: You guys know how I feel about you eavesdropping in on my conversations with other people, especially with authoritative figures.
 * Terra: So...he’s not a toy?
 * Shadow: No, Terra. Look, dad is just having some friend problems, that’s all. How much did you hear?
 * Crystal: Just enough for me to realize that we’ve been making preparations for nothing. (turning away, crossing arms) Hmph!
 * Shadow: You haven’t been making preparations for nothing. Dad told me there’s a possibility that the mayor might cancel the celebration. It doesn’t mean he’s going to actually do it. If he was thinking of cancelling it, then he’ll let us know.

(A jingle from his phone prompts him to step back into his room for a moment, closing the door behind him; moments later, Shadow steps out.)


 * Shadow: Dad says the mayor won’t cancel it.

(Cheers from six robots and they go their separate ways. Dissolve to a long shot of the seven kids on top of a hill. Xin Xin and Tain Tain are now sitting on a cloud, both carrying a peach of their own.)


 * Kai-Lan: We hope you guys can visit us again another time.
 * Tolee: You sure you don’t need us to come with you? (Close-up of them.)
 * Xin Xin: We’ll be okay. Thanks for asking, though.
 * Tain Tain: We’ll definitely come back to see our new friends again. (Back to all seven.)
 * Kai-Lan: Okay. Get home safe, you two!
 * Xin Xin, Tain Tain: (as the cloud takes them away, waving) Xià cì jiàn!
 * Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho, Lulu: (waving) Xià cì jiàn!

(Zoom in slowly on the five.)


 * Kai-Lan: (worried) Oh, Lulu, I hope your birthday wasn’t too bad.
 * Lulu: What do you mean? I loved it!
 * Tolee: Really? But...we haven’t told our new friends that it’s your birthday today.
 * Lulu: (worried) Oh. We haven’t.
 * Kai-Lan: We have been so busy getting to know them that we haven’t invited them.
 * Rintoo: Well, why don’t we go tell them now?
 * Hoho: Yeah! That’s a great idea! (Pause.) The party’s not over, is it?
 * Rintoo: It isn’t over yet, Hoho. There are still a few things Lulu wants to do on her birthday.
 * Lulu: That’s right. I did like having the party at the playhouse, but I think it would be even more fun if we had it at my home. (Cut to her perspective, panning slowly across her four friends.) My birthday was already great because all my friends were there. It’s not totally ruined.

(Back to her.)


 * Lulu: So you guys still want to come to my house?

(All cheered in agreement. Dissolve to a long shot of the rhino’s home, zooming in slowly, then cut to the pitch-black interior. The doors open to reveal the dimly lit figures of the five children and the seven robots; zoom out as everyone enters. Mr. Dragon can be seen behind them, but only for a second before he flies off. Evidently the non-fliers have hitched a ride on him. The robots’ eyes gleam in the darkness.)


 * Tolee: Um, Lulu, are you okay with it being this dark?
 * Lulu: Well, I don’t really leave the lights on unless I’m out of the house.
 * Wyvern: Dude, I can’t believe you actually live in a cloud!
 * Gusty: Yeah! I thought only pegasi can stand on clouds.
 * Shadow: That isn’t scientifically possible.
 * Gusty: Aw, shut up and have fun for once.
 * Shadow: Whatever. So...where are the lights?

(Her question is answered when the lights suddenly come on, revealing many friends of Kai-Lan’s, who are all hoisted by red or green balloons and blowing on noisemakers in their mouths. Streamers hang from the upper reaches.)


 * Crowd: SURPRISE!!

(Confetti rained down over the group, and went their separate ways. A party favor is blown out in front of one thoroughly grumpy-looking unicorn boy who moans wearily. Fade to black.)

Act Three

(Opening shot: fade in to the surprise birthday party in full swing. The yellow monkey who dashed away so quickly upon first seeing Kai-Lan and Rintoo pops his head into view to address the pink rhino. This is Lumino, whose voice is cheerful, energetic, and slightly-hyperactive sounding.)


 * Lumino: Happy birthday! Hi. I’m Lumino, and I threw this party just for you! (hopping around) Were you surprised? Were you, were you? Huh? Huh? Huh?
 * Lulu: Very surprised! Thanks so much for this surprise birthday party! (Kai-Lan and Tolee approach her.)
 * Kai-Lan: We’ve been planning this surprise party for a while.
 * Tolee: We hoped you liked this one. (Rintoo and Hoho jump into view; Lumino hops in a circle around the five.)
 * Lulu: Oh, I do! I see all of our friends are here! (Lumino stops hopping.)
 * Lumino: That’s because I know everyone, and I mean everyone, in Chinatown! (goes back to hopping) You see, I saw the girl and her tiger friend with fruit, and she was all, “Ni-hao,” and I was all— (Stop and gasp.) Remember?

(Close-up of Kai-Lan and Rintoo.)


 * Kai-Lan: Oh yeah! Rintoo and I did see you before.
 * Rintoo: Yeah. You must be the fastest.

(Zoom out as Lumino crosses to them.)


 * Lumino: It’s actually Gusty that’s the fastest. She’s a pegasus who loves to go fast!

(Behind him, Shadow comes to a refreshment table. He takes a red bottle and pours its contents into a waiting glass. Other bottles on the table are green.)


 * Lumino: (from o.s., talking full tilt) She’s like a stunt superstar! A tough one, that is! Then there’s Wyvern! He’s a dragon! Ooh, and he’s also a rockstar! Crystal is a nekomata, which is a cat with two tails! And she is one beautiful nekomata! She’s also a fashion designer! Then there’s Bubbles, who makes the bestest cakes and cupcakes and cookies anyone has ever eaten! Then there’s Petunia, the cutest fairy ever and she can talk to animals and they understand her! Ooh, and there’s Terra!

(Close-up of the glass as Shadow puts a straw into it. The green bottles’ labels display filled glasses, while the red one shows flames. On the start of the next line, cut to frame Shadow as he starts to sip.)


 * Lumino: (from o.s.) She likes fashion too, and she’s just the most friendliest and sweetest and cutest doggy ever! And Shadow...SHADOW!! (His siblings quickly gather around him; Kai-Lan and the others join them moments later.) Shadow here is the smartest unicorn ever! Now you guys have lots and lots of friends!

(Shadow’s eyes pop as big as dinner plates and he turns to face the ground, his face suddenly beet-red with a quivering mouth and streaming eyes due to the effects of his drink. Zoom in quickly to a close-up.)


 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) Dude, are you doing all right?

(Longer shot; Shadow jumps up with steam whistling from his ears, his mane and tail briefly turning into flames, and zips off at top speed. Lumino’s next words get a round of puzzled looks.)


 * Lumino: Hey, he’s so happy he’s crying!

(As Shadow leaves the house to get some relief, Bubbles picks up the bottle and regards its label; close-up of this.)


 * Bubbles: (from o.s.) Hot sauce.

(Lumino’s hand goes into view and tops the bottle so that the sauce dribbles over one of the cupcakes on the table.)


 * Lumino: (from o.s.) Huh…

(If his previous words had the others confused, his next action—to pick up the snack and eat it in one bite—really throws them for a loop.)


 * Lumino: (mouth full) What? It’s good!

(They smile again at the sheer silliness of the monkey’s appetite. Dissolve to the exterior of the cloud house. Shadow is huddled on the porch with his fingers in his hair. However, muffled, pounding dance music can be heard from the other side of the doors, indicating that the party is still going. He lifts his head and takes note of the party with a groan. It is now late in the afternoon. One of the doors is heard opening, and Shadow stands up.)


 * Rintoo: (from o.s.) Hey, Shadow!

(Floor level; he has just stepped out, lampshade on head, and is still grooving to the beat that can now be heard very clearly.)


 * Rintoo: Lumino’s starting Pin the Tail on the Dragon! Wanna play?
 * Shadow: No! In case you couldn’t tell already, I’m leaving.
 * Rintoo: Why? Do you not like parties? (Cut to Shadow; he continues o.s.) Lulu really wants all her friends there. (Ground level, framing both.) Come on, Shadow. It’s a party! Don’t you wanna have fun?
 * Shadow: (groans) Just go!

(With a tilt of the shade and a shrug, the yellow tiger steps back into the house and closes it; the unicorn boy mimics his tone of voice with gibberish as the door closes. Overhead view as he sits back down and grunts.)


 * Shadow: Here I thought I’d have time to learn more about the Elements of Power. But, silly me, all this stupid friend-making has kept me from it!

(Dissolve to an extreme close-up of a brass knob as a light blue hand grasps and turns it, revealing a sliver of a very dimly lit space beyond, then to a point a few feet up. The door creaks open to expose a close-up of a single round overhead fixture casting its light almost straight down from a high vaulted ceiling, and a slow tilt down picks out an identical one several yards back. Bookcases and cabinets are set up along the side and back walls, and a high bookshelf runs the full circuit of the room. The farther of the two lights shines on an imposing desk; an ornate, high-backed chair is placed behind this, its back to the camera, and each far corner of the room sports a pillar topped by a brass spheroid set with a mosaic of blue crystal pieces.)

(Cut to a close-up of two legs walking inside the room. Seen from the knees down, they are attired in medium turquoise pants and the feet sport dark grayish-blue ankle boots. The camera tilts up to reveal the owner of these features. Unicorn boy, sporting dark blue hair that goes a little past his shoulders and dark purple eyes. Dark grayish-blue uniform shirt with a high collar, blue and yellow stripes on the midsection and elbows of the sleeves. This individual has a black mask around his eyes—this is Cosmo.)

(A tall endoskeleton stands off the side opposite the door, in front of a group of shelves loaded with plaques and trophies, and two more pillars with the odd brass/crystal creations are placed in these two corners. The blue unicorn simply steps across the empty expanse of floor, the camera zooming out slightly to frame the front edge of the desk and a sliver of a figure seated in the chair. Dark purple-clad shoulder, frizzy orange hair with a few strands sticking upwards. The blue unicorn rolls his eyes and kicks the door shut and approaches the desk without a care in the world. His voice sounds as Shadow’s might in a few years—same tone of seriousness, but a bit lower in pitch and with a bit of a “tough-guy” edge.)


 * Cosmo: Hey, McRozki, you dead or something?

(The chair swivels to present most of Doctor Roy McRozki, as the camera zooms in. Young man; light skin; hair spiking out; deep brown eyes; dark purple blazer with a cyan undershirt. His face is set in an expression of haughtiness, accented by a slight smirk. His voice is a combination of a snobby gentleman and a mad scientist.)


 * Roy: Oh, Cosmo. Forgive me. I have a lot on my mind today.

(He stands up, exposing a sliver of medium violet pants and a black belt with a yellow, square-shaped buckle.)


 * Roy: You are aware of my loss two years ago, are you not… (Cut to the blue unicorn; he continues o.s.) ...Cosmo?
 * Cosmo: Well, yeah. Everyone did. So talk, old man. Why do you want to see me?

(Now the man has circled around to a group of silver trophies on display at a side wall.)


 * Roy: Cosmo, I’ll be honest. (plucking one from the shelves) It doesn’t matter whether or not I lose or win against Rei.

(Up comes a cloth, which he rubs over the surface until it reflects his mild countenance.)


 * Roy: The important thing is that I made a promise to myself that I would succeed because I, Roy McRozki, have a reputation. (The trophy goes back on the shelf; he crosses back to Cosmo.) And it is that reputation— (staring him down) —my reputation—that is responsible for everything I have here. But not everything you’ve done here. (circling around the desk) And you didn’t do much for Doctor Chang himself, did you?
 * Cosmo: (uninterested) I don’t know what you’re talking about.
 * Roy: Of course you do. (Sit.) You are one of Doctor Chang’s robots, are you not? (Toy with a pencil lying free.) What I can’t understand is why you won’t join me.
 * Cosmo: For world domination? No thanks.
 * Roy: I can see it’s not really your cup of tea, Cosmo, but I’m certain there’s one thing that you’re not aware of. Rei Chang has been getting under my skin for years, and I absolutely despise the man for constantly trying to one-up me. Not only that, but has also stolen a very precious woman from me. (Stand up.) Today is the day I finally make him suffer for good. If that man thinks he can do better than me at everything, then he is dead wrong.

(On “dead”, the camera zooms into an extreme close-up of his eyes and he narrows them menacingly.)


 * Cosmo: So...what you’re saying is that you’re jealous.
 * Roy: Cosmo, are you even paying attention? Don’t forget, you left him for a reason. Your weak heart? (Cut to a suddenly surprised Cosmo; he continues o.s.) You refused to let him fix it, so you ran away. Is that right?

(Now Cosmo silently snarls under his breath.)


 * Roy: Oh, Cosmo, I—

(Cosmo leans in toward him, clearly very irked.)


 * Cosmo: Don’t you dare bring that up! (pointing a finger at him) No one should know about my weakness! (backing away) I didn’t even ask to be part of your stupid plans for world domination. You better leave the Chang family alone, because they hate that you put innocent lives in danger for no reason other than for your own selfish needs.
 * Roy: (sitting down, crossing arms) Hmm. It’s...refreshing to hear those words coming from you.
 * Cosmo: What?
 * Roy: You’re not one who cares much about others, Cosmo. What changed?
 * Cosmo: Many things, old man. You think I’m that cold?

(On the end of this, the camera cuts to Roy’s side of the desk.)


 * Roy: Maybe you have changed, Cosmo, but you’re still an arrogant little boy… (Zoom in slightly on him.) ...at least, to me. I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I send my greatest invention out to harm the Chang family.

(Cut to the uncaring blue unicorn and zoom in slowly.)


 * Roy: (from o.s.) So, Cosmo, what will it be?

(Dissolve to an overhead view of Shadow reading a book. He lowers it.)


 * Shadow: I hope dad was right. I hope Doctor McRozki doesn’t come back to cause trouble. (Door opens.)
 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) Hey, Shadow! (Cut to him, wearing a green fez.) We’re going to the celebration right now! Wanna come with?

(Wipe to the exterior of the town square pavilion, its windows glowing into the night as several ponies make their way to the door and the music fades. Inside, the camera tilts down from the many banners and the pegasi admiring them to frame a hushed, packed house. A curtained archway is behind the balcony railing. The profound silence is shattered when Lumino zips up to Shadow. It is now nighttime.)


 * Lumino: Isn’t this exciting? Are you excited? ‘Cause I’m excited, I’ve never been so excited, well, except for the time that I saw the girl and her tiger friend walking together and I went— (Gasp.) But I mean, really, who can top that?

(The birds Petunia was rehearsing earlier perform a short fanfare, and a spotlight picks out the vacant balcony and descends to the dais. Here now stands a male, light pink pony wearing gold-framed half-moon glasses, and a white shirt collar secured with a green tie. His waved mane and tail are three shades of blue. He is Mayor Robert Clydesdale, and his voice has a tone of dignity that comes with age and experience in office.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: Ladies and gentlemen!

(Close-up. The eyes behind the spectacles are bright violet.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: As Mayor of Chinatown, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Festival!

(Cheering from all except a very uneasy Shadow, then silence.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: In just a few moments… (Tilt up slowly toward the windows, putting him o.s.) ...our town will witness the magic of the festival and celebrate this, the beginning of a great season!

(The camera has stopped on a dark blue banner. Back to Shadow and Lumino, Kai-Lan is now with them.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: (from o.s.) And now, it is my great honor to introduce you to a very special man…

(During this line, Shadow looks up at the sky and is stunned to see a large UFO-like object hovering rather slowly towards the town. Zoom in to a silhouette of a figure with familiar frizzy hair and menacing brown eyes seen behind a large glass window on the front side of the flying machine. A very wide grin appears on its face, before the camera cuts back to Mayor Clydesdale on the start of the next line.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: ...the very man who wishes to create a world where robots can live peacefully with humans… (Pan through the jubilant throng; he continues o.s.) ...to experience harmony and friendship with them…
 * Petunia: (to her birds) Ready? (Back to Mayor Clydesdale.)
 * Mayor Clydesdale: ...Doctor Rei Chang!

(Quick tilt up to Crystal, who grabs a nearby rope and hauls on it. The curtains part, the spot hits the balcony as another fanfare plays, and Crystal—now seen to be standing at its edge—looks toward the pool of light. However, there is no one and nothing in it.)


 * Crystal: Huh? (General confused murmurs; cut to Shadow and zoom in.)
 * Shadow: (fearfully) This can’t be good.
 * Kai-Lan: What’s going on? (Hoho gets on top of her head.)
 * Mayor Clydesdale: Remain calm, everyone. There must be a reasonable explanation. (Back to Shadow/Kai-Lan/Hoho/Lumino on the end of this.)
 * Lumino: (hopping in place) Ooh, ooh! I love guessing games! Is he hiding?
 * Hoho: Hiding? Why would he be hiding?
 * Crystal: He’s gone! (Gargantuan gasp from all present.)
 * Lumino: (to Shadow) Ooh, she’s good. (Terra joins the foursome.)

(Lumino’s good cheer goes bye-bye in a split second as Terra voices a panicked cry while glancing up toward the balcony. The UFO-like machine has begun to descend slowly toward the balcony and stop there as another gasp rises from ground level. Zoom in on Shadow, who remains fully illuminated and moves closer to the camera as if on a conveyor belt; the lights dim on the rest of the crowd.)


 * Shadow: (softly) Oh, no.

(The silhouette inside the flying machine moves closer to the window, revealing himself to be none other than Roy himself. Kai-Lan gathers Hoho in her arms. Four, red, mechanical arms spring out from underneath the machine and cut to Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho as each of them are suddenly grabbed by the torso.)


 * Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho: Whoa!

(They disappear through an opening underneath the UFO and it closes once they’re dragged in. Back to Roy.)


 * Roy: Well, well. I’d never thought I’ll see Chinatown again. It’s been so long, hasn’t it? I haven’t seen your precious little faces in a long time.

(The camera cuts here and there among the terror-stricken crowd during the second half of this line, then frames a boiling-mad Gusty in close-up.)


 * Gusty: What did you do with our dad?!? (She starts into a flying charge, but Wyvern grabs her tail to stop her.)
 * Wyvern: Hey, hey, Gusty! Chill!
 * Roy: (chuckling richly) Why, am I not good enough for you? Don’t you know who I am? (leaning over Petunia, scaring her/scattering birds) Does my existence no longer count, now that I have been put away for a year?

(Now he looks down at Crystal.)


 * Roy: Who here has paid attention all this time? That it was me who has worked with charming little Rei for some time?
 * Shadow: (from o.s.) I did! (Cut to him.) And I know who you are! You are Doctor Roy McRozki, a scientist who majors in robotics just like my parents. You’re also a man with a rather twisted view of the world and planning to use robots for your own terrible benefits! (Crowd gasps.)
 * Roy: Well, well, well. Looks like someone has paid attention after all! Congrats to you, Shadow Chang!

(He pulls out a laser gun and aims a red beam toward Shadow; it strikes him on his left cheek and he falls backwards. Cut to a terrified Lulu and Yeye.)


 * Lulu: (to Yeye) He’s got Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho!
 * Yeye: (calmly) I know, but who will stop him?

(Lulu moans and falls back, but Yeye managed to catch her in time. Long shot of Roy in his aircraft, seen through the crowd; zoom in as he lets go with a growing chuckle.)


 * Roy: Remember this day, citizens of Chinatown, for it was your last. From this moment forth, I’ll be the one taking charge! I’ll be the man of honor this year, while little Rei is gone forever!

(Zoom out quickly as he laughs exultantly. At ground level, Shadow stands back up and grits his teeth out of raw anger, the camera zooming in on his face. Fade to black.)

Act Four

(Opening shot; fade in to a close-up of Roy as he laughs. Zoom out at the end of Act Three, then cut to Mayor Clydesdale in the crowd.)


 * Mayor Clydesdale: Seize him! Only he knows where Doctor Chang is!

(On the end of this, ten pegasi fly up and close in on Roy. He pushes a button that makes a large metallic hand effortlessly swat them away. The hand matches the appearance of the ones that captured Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho in Act Three. The UFO begins flashing and flies off with incredible speed. Meanwhile, Wyvern has kept his grip locked on Gusty’s tail ever since the end of Act Three; the pegasus girl finally snaps it loose and charges after Roy. Cut to a hill as she gives chase.)


 * Gusty: COME BACK HERE!!

(The orange-haired fugitive in the UFO is too fast and has too great a head start, and Gusty can only hover and watch as she clears the edge of town. Footsteps from ground level; she spots Shadow running out.)


 * Gusty: Where’s he going?

(Wipe to a close-up of the pink rhino on a floor mattress. She comes to with a start after a few seconds. Details of the floor indicate that she has been placed in the Chang home.)


 * Lulu: (half-dazed) Have to...save...my friends!

(Out she goes again; a blanket is draped over her and Bubbles eases close to look her over.)


 * Bubbles: (softly) Oh, poor Lulu. Must be terrifying to watch her friends get kidnapped.

(The lights go out and he snores quietly—right through a commotion that shakes the entire room for a moment. Its source is the fully lit reading room, where books are scattered all over the floor and being flung into view. A ladder stands propped against the wall for use in reaching the topmost shelves, and a large table stands in the center of the room.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Elements, Elements, Elements…

(Head-on view; he voices a loud, frustrated groan while levitating book after book and letting them fall.)


 * Shadow: How am I supposed to know what the Elements of Friendship are?! Mom and dad never talked about them! (Gusty flies into her face, angry.)
 * Gusty: And just what are the Elements of Friendship?! (slowly backing him up) And how did you know about McRozki’s escape from jail, huh? Are you a spy? (She gets yanked back, hard.) Whoa!

(Wyvern is now on the scene and has again has his grip in reining in Gusty, but quickly lets go and gets a dirty look for her trouble.)


 * Wyvern: How about you back up, Gust? (Bubbles, Lumino, Crystal, Petunia, and Terra come in.) He’s no spy. (All seven move closer.) But he sure knows what’s going on...don’t you, Shadow?

(The unicorn turns this over for a second, then drops his gaze.)


 * Shadow: I read all about Doctor McRozki’s escape from jail in the newspaper. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Friendship are the only things that can stop him. (looking out a window) But I don’t know what they are, where to find them. I don’t even know what they do! Mom and dad never talked about this to us before!
 * Lumino: (from o.s.) The Elements of Friendship.

(Quick pan to him, inspecting a book on a shelf at the other side of the room, whose title he was just reading off.)


 * Lumino: A Reference Guide.

(In no time flat, he gets plowed aside by Shadow.)


 * Shadow: How did you find that?!
 * Lumino: (hopping across room, singsong) It was under “E”! (Shadow shoots him a funny look.)
 * Shadow: Oh.

(He floats the book to the middle of the room and flips pages. The binding of this one is red, with gold bands on the spine and a matching unicorn head on the cover, surrounded by eight diamonds.)


 * Shadow: “There are eight Elements of Friendship, but only seven are known.” (Slow pan across the others; he continues o.s.) “Kindness, forgiveness, laughter, love, generosity, honesty, and loyalty.”

(Overhead view of all eight. As he continues, the camera slowly backs up through the house’s window, where Cosmo pauses as if listening in.)


 * Shadow: “The eighth is a complete mystery. It is said the last known location of the seven Elements was in the ancient Castle of Royalty.”

(It quickly zips away as she finishes; back to inside the reading room, the camera set just behind the six.)


 * Shadow: “It is located in what is now…” (Shudder.)
 * All: (fearfully) ...the Vinebush Forest?!

(On these last three words, the camera backs up a bit and the scenery around them dissolves to a road leading into a very large, very overgrown, and very foreboding wilderness. They regard it with silent trepidation for a long moment before Lumino speaks up, cheerful as ever.)


 * Lumino: Whee! Let’s go! (He runs ahead.)
 * Shadow: Not so fast! (Stop.) Look. I appreciate the offer. But I’d really rather do this on my own.
 * Wyvern: No way, man. We sure ain’t letting any friend of ours go into that wicked place alone. (Shadow flinches a bit on “friend”; the rest trot ahead.) We’re sticking to you at all times.
 * Bubbles, Crystal, Gusty, Petunia, Bubbles: Mmm-hmm!
 * Lumino: Especially if there’s candy apples in there! (Another funny look from Shadow; he heads in.) What? Those things are good!

(The young crusader finds himself alone, all right—with the other seven already on their way into the forest. He sighs resignedly and starts in after them, the camera tilting up to the stars.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) So… (Tilt down.) ...you guys have been in here before?

(Stop of the eight, making their way along with Shadow now walking point.)


 * Crystal: (shuddering) Heavens, no! (Slow pan through the untamed wild; she continues o.s.) Just look at it. It’s dreadful! (Cut to Terra.)
 * Terra: It’s disgusting! (Then to Wyvern.)
 * Wyvern: And it’s not natural at all.

(Tilt down past the edge of the cliff on which they are walking. Cosmo dashes into view and permeates the exposed rock face.)


 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) Everyone’s been saying the forest works in mysterious ways, and not the good kind.
 * Shadow: (from o.s.) What’s that supposed to mean?
 * Gusty: (ominously, emerging from shadow) Nobody knows. You know why?
 * Wyvern: Gusty, stop that!
 * Gusty: ‘Cause anyone that’s ever come in has never...come...out!

(By this point, she has advanced so far as to be face to face with Bubbles, Crystal, Petunia, and Terra, and she leaps up menacingly on the last word. The real scare, however, comes when the edge of the cliff crumbles away and takes all five non-winged androids screaming with it.)


 * Gusty: Guys! Quick!
 * Wyvern: Let’s go! (Both dive in.)
 * Petunia: (following) Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

(As the others keep going down with the rockslide, Gusty hoists Lumino and Bubbles clear and Petunia has her grip onto Crystal’s tail to put on the brakes. Wyvern dives in for Shadow, who is left alone to skip toward the edge of a very long drop. Reaching the edge, he grabs Shadow’s hands in his. Many feet underneath are several, large ice shards.)


 * Shadow: Wyvern! Help!

(Long, tense pause as Wyvern squeezes one eye shut from the strain on his arms; he aims his open one skyward for a moment before turning both of them toward the hanging Shadow.)


 * Wyvern: Dude...let go.
 * Shadow: Are you crazy?!
 * Wyvern: No, bro, I’m not. I promise you’ll be safe.
 * Shadow: That’s not true!
 * Wyvern: Let’s not let things get too heated, bro. What I’m telling you is the honest truth. Let go, and you’ll be safe.

(Shadow’s popping eyes betray the fight between his panicked robotic brain and the instinct telling him to trust his little brother who is holding him at the edge of oblivion. Instinct finally wins this round, and he releases his grip and plunges screaming over the side—only to suddenly submerge into a body of water with no warning. A longer shot of the hopelessly bewildered and soaked Shadow reveals that most of the ice has melted. Wyvern finishes up the rest with a burst of red fire from his mouth.)


 * Shadow: Phew.

(Petunia and Gusty hoist her out of the water—only for a sudden weight shift causes him to nearly slip out of their grasp with a yell, before they compensate for it and lower him steadily away from the water.)


 * Petunia: Sorry, guys. I’m not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two.

(On the end of this, Shadow and the camera both focus on the cliff, where Wyvern descends down. Unnoticed by all, Cosmo whisks away from the scene and pours himself into the silhouette of a hulking creature some distance away; it spreads bat wings and lashes out with a scorpion tail as a lion-like head roars. Fade in to all but Gusty walking through the forest.)


 * Gusty: (from o.s., excitedly) And once Bubbles, Lumino, and Crystal were safe… (flying to catch up) ...whoosh! Me, Wyvern, and Petunia looped the loop around, and wham! Caught you right in the nick of time.

(She demonstrates the move while describing it and lands next to Shadow on “wham!”)


 * Shadow: (irritated) Yes, Gusty, I was there. (smiling a bit) And I’m very grateful. But we gotta—

(He stops with a gasp when the beast silhouette drops into view in front of the group; cut to a fully illuminated shot of it. Lion body, bat wings and ears, scorpion tail.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) A manticore! (Roar; back to them.) We gotta get past it!

(On the end of this, zoom in on the hovering, worried Petunia. The creature leaps at Crystal for a swipe of its paw, but Bubbles jumps in and counters with a slap of his ears that knocks it back.)


 * Crystal: (irritated) Bubbles, I can defend myself, you know!
 * Bubbles: Just looking out for you, sis.

(Its response is a full-volume roar directly into their faces, leaving their hairs a frizzed-out shambles due to the moisture in its breath.)


 * Crystal: My hair!

(A low growl touches off a little cry from them and sends them into a retreat past Petunia, who stands watching.)


 * Petunia: Wait!

(The manticore gives chase but stops suddenly due to Wyvern having jumped onto its head.)


 * Wyvern: Aw yeah! (It starts trying to buck him off.) We gettin’ wild, man!

(One last good heave sends the little dragon flying.)


 * Wyvern: Whooooooaaa! (tumbling past hovering Gusty) All yours, Gusty.
 * Gusty: (saluting) I’m on it! (She zooms past Petunia.)
 * Petunia: Wait!

(Gusty goes into a flying charge, but a lash of the scorpion tale knocks her out of it and sends her toward the trees with a yell. She slides to a stop, face first.)


 * Terra: Gusty! (to the manticore, angrily) It’s not nice to throw people!

(Now the little dog girl braces herself with a snort, the manticore sets up for round four, and seven animal androids start into a charge. Bubbles and Crystal’s hair have sorted themselves out. From the sidelines, Petunia throws herself in their path.)


 * Petunia: WAAIIIT!!

(As both sides stand down for the moment, she looks behind herself, then ahead, and walks toward the beast. It raises one meaty paw, ready to disembowel her on the spot; cut to the cringing other seven.)


 * Petunia: (from o.s., tenderly) Shhh, it’s okay.

(They peek nervously forward and catch sight of Petunia sniffing at the paw not lifted for a strike. The manticore uncertainly un-clenches it to reveal a large thorn stuck in the pad.)


 * Petunia: Oh, you poor, poor little baby.
 * Gusty: Little?!
 * Petunia: Now this might hurt for just a second.

(She eases her hand toward the thorn; a sudden pluck, and the huge mouth lets go with a massive roar at point-blank range.)


 * Others: (Shadow and Crystal in view, others o.s.) PETUNIA!!

(The fairy girl not only fails to get torn limb from limb, but is being cradled and licked by the suddenly pacified monster.)


 * Petunia: (giggling) Aw, you’re just a little old baby kitty, aren’t you? Yes, you are. Yes, you are.

(During this line, the other seven shift from befuddled gapes to warm smiles, and move past the manticore without any trouble. Shadow hangs back for a moment so Petunia can catch up, her hair still swept up into a thick blonde cowlick by its show of affection. Lumino hops along on as if his legs were pogo sticks.)


 * Shadow: How did you know about the thorn?
 * Petunia: (walking past and o.s.) I didn’t. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.

(The purple unicorn ponders this for a second, smiles to herself, and follows. Quick pan to the discarded thorn, which begins to spin in place and turns into Cosmo. He zooms on down the path. Wipe to the eight androids moving through yet another area. Petunia’s hair is back to normal. Up ahead, several firecrackers home in on them.)


 * Gusty: Watch out!

(One of them catches her upside the head and knocks her spinning. Another rams into Terra, propelling her across to Bubbles, who catches her by the arms.)


 * Bubbles: You okay, Terra?
 * Terra: Totes! (Cut to Shadow.)
 * Shadow: Where are they coming from? (Zoom out; he addresses the others.) Take cover!

(Head-on view of several more homing in on them. The androids turn around to dodge into a clearing, but the firecrackers still keep coming up. Ground level; ones that didn’t hit the androids combust into flames once they made contact with the ground. They begin to grow larger; cut to an overhead shot of the eight robots as the flames create a large circle and eventually close in on them. Close-up of Crystal and Terra.)


 * Crystal: Oh, what ever shall we do? (Pan to Gusty, who is above her.)
 * Gusty: Just watch me! (wings flap slowly) Are you kidding me?! (Groan.) Why can’t I fly?! (Pan to Shadow and Wyvern.)
 * Wyvern: What are we gonna do, man?! We’re all gonna overheat and explode if we don’t get out of this!
 * Terra: (scared) E-E-E...EXPLODE?!?
 * Lumino: We need water!
 * Bubbles: (from o.s.) Guys… (Pan to him.) ...no, we won’t. (The others look at him like he’s insane.)
 * Shadow: Are you crazy?! There’s no way out!
 * Bubbles: Yes, there is!

(And with that, he slams a fist to the ground, creating a wave of water that easily took all the flames out. In front of them they are met by two clones of Rintoo; one dark purple and the other orange.)


 * Dark purple clone: Oh, are you guys okay? We didn’t know the firecrackers would go crazy like that. We hope you’re not hurt or anything!
 * Orange clone: Can you guys forgive us? We’re sorry for causing so much trouble.

(Several groans from the androids.)


 * Gusty: (angry) Well, duh! Do you guys realize just how much trouble you put us through?
 * Wyvern: (angry) Yeah, and seriously?! Fireworks?! How can you guys be so stupid? (Bubbles puts a hand on his shoulder.)
 * Bubbles: Wyvern, that’s enough. (crossing to the Rintoos) They’re just kids. They don’t know better.

(He steps out towards the kids, who are cowering and kneeling, begging for the rabbit boy’s forgiveness for their accident.)


 * Bubbles: Children, do not fear. You probably just wanted to handle the firecrackers by yourself, but next time you should leave that up to your parents.
 * Dark purple clone: But...we almost…
 * Bubbles: That’s okay. We’re not severely injured, so you’re forgiven.

(The two tigers smiled warmly and hugged him.)


 * Orange clone: Thanks so much, Mr. Rabbit!

(Once the two kids move past them, the androids go the opposite way without any harm.)


 * Shadow: (as Bubbles walks past) What kid plays with fireworks, and at that age? And Bubbles… (Stop.) ...you’re not even at least a little bit angry?
 * Bubbles: Don’t worry about me. I just go with the flow.

(Once the rabbit boy goes o.s., Shadow smirks in his direction, and follows the rest. Wipe to the eight androids moving through another part of the forest. The squishing steps indicate that they have entered a boggy or swampy area.)


 * Crystal: (shuddering) My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck.

(Within moments, the trees have thickened to the point that no light gets through them, leaving the screen completely blacked out. Snap to a dim view of the group.)


 * Crystal: Well, I didn’t mean that literally. (Cosmo snakes past the eight.)
 * Shadow: (from o.s.) That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces, and we wouldn’t even know it!

(Cosmo gets his horn glowing, casting a spell onto a twisted old tree as a scramble of muttering complaints is heard from farther back for some seconds.)


 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) Oh, wait. (Cut to him.) I think I stepped in something.

(Petunia and Terra scream.)


 * Terra: (disgusted) Gross! This is why brown is my least favorite color!

(Wyvern pays no mind and moves on, a bit exasperated.)


 * Wyvern: Don’t be a bunch of babies. It’s just mud.

(And a gruesome face on the tree trunk before him, with a gaping, toothy maw formed from an opening in the bark and two glaring knothole eyes. Wyvern bolts with a yell while others stare wide-eyed at the leering, snarling visages that have suddenly appeared on all the trees around them. Screams rip the air as the view snaps to black.)

Act Five

(Opening shot: fade in to an overhead view of seven terrified androids—all but Lumino. They scream for their lives, the camera cutting to ground level, but a peal of laughter from the o.s yellow monkey stops them cold.)


 * Others: Huh?

(Before them, Lumino is giggling at one of the horrid faces and making a few goofy ones of his own in response.)


 * Shadow: Lumino, what are you doing?! Run!

~(Song)~


 * Lumino: (laughing) Oh, guys, don’t you see?

(Zoom in on him as the light level increases somewhat and he marks time with his boots and tail to sing.)

[Lumino]

When I was a little monkey and the sun was going down


 * Shadow: Tell me he’s not…

[Lumino] (poking head into view from above)

The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown


 * Crystal: He is.

[Lumino] (hopping around them)

I’d hide under my pillow from what I thought I saw

But Granny Chang said that wasn’t the way to deal with fears at all


 * Gusty: (annoyed) Then what is?

[Lumino]

She said, “Lumi, you gotta stand up straight, learn to face your fears

(hopping to a tree)

You’ll see they cannot hurt you, a laugh and touch they’ll disappear

Ha, ha, ha!

(Finger on the bark; the sparks of electricity he leaves make the face vanish to leave an otherwise-normal twisted old tree before him. The others gasp in surprise and begin to laugh at the menacing apparitions, which also wink out, sparks flying out afterwards; Shadow gets a little push from Lumino to help him find the spirit.)

[Lumino]

So giggle at the grossy, guffaw at the ghostly

Crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy

Chuckle at the crazy, snicker at the spooky

(rapid fire)

And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone

And if he thinks he can scare you then he’s got another thing coming

And the very idea of a silly thing just makes you wanna…

(One more bout of the laughs. The remaining faces disappear from sparks as he holds out the last note.)

Laugh!

~(Song ends)~

(He flops onto his back next to Shadow for a good long one, the camera zooming out to frame the others doing likewise. Normal visibility and light has been fully restored. Dissolve to a patch of bushes; he hops cheerfully out and leads a crew of giggling androids to the bank of a raging river. Here they come to a very surprised stop, each android skidding into the back of the one in front of him. The other seven poke their heads out from behind Lumino for a good look at the broad torrent.)


 * Bubbles: How can we cross this? (Distant moaning and wailing.)
 * Lumino: Huh?

(Taking cover in a clump of bushes, they see a long, sky blue, scaly tail thrashing about. Pan several dozen yards along the river, passing coil after coil of snakelike body, until the head comes into view—this thing is an immense serpent with skinny arms and long, dark blond hair/mustache/eyebrows, and a tuft of purple beard. The right half of the mustache has been raggedly cut or ripped off. This is Scaly Waters, who speaks in an effeminate male voice.)


 * Scaly: What a world! What a world!
 * Terra: Aw, why are you crying, sir?
 * Scaly: Well, I don’t know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this strange little horse just took a branch and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off!

(He leans in to show them the damage on the end of this line, the camera zooming in to accentuate it for good measure.)


 * Scaly: And now, I look simply horrid!

(He flops full length into the river, soaking all the androids, and launches into a fresh hissy fit. Assorted groans.)


 * Gusty: (annoyed) Oh, gimme a break!
 * Wyvern: (annoyed) That’s what all the fuss is about? (Crystal shoulders her way past them.)
 * Crystal: Why, of course it is! Ugh! How can you be so insensitive? (baby talk) Oh, just look at him.

(As she continues in her normal tone, cut to the dumbstruck others—now dry again—then back to her stroking Scaly’s snout. She too has dried out by this point.)


 * Crystal: Such lovely luminescent scales.
 * Scaly: (sniffling) I know! (Tilt up to the hair.)
 * Crystal: (from o.s.) And your expertly coiffed mane. (He stands up.)
 * Scaly: (patting it down) Oh, I know, I know! (Back to Crystal.)
 * Crystal: Your fabulous manicure.
 * Scaly: (gasping) It’s so true!
 * Crystal: All ruined without your beautiful mustache.
 * Scaly: (sobbing) It’s true, I’m hideous! (Cut to Crystal and zoom in on her narrowed eyes.)
 * Crystal: (resolutely) I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!

(In a longer shot, she lifts her arms slowly as snowflakes begin to form and rise from behind her. They gather into one clump high above her head. Crystal’s mates watch as the clump grows bigger as more snowflakes rise. Cut to the rest of the androids.)


 * Shadow: Crystal, what are you—?

(All seven pairs of eyes widened at the flash of a light, and Scaly’s jaw nearly hits the ground. The next shot shows the source of the faint glow—all the snow and ice form a large, ice-themed tuxedo and undershirt. Zoom out as she moves her arms slowly to hand it over to him and he tries it on; it fits perfectly. In addition to that, she thrusts her hands forward on one of his scales so she can yank it loose.)


 * Scaly: OW!! What did you do that for?

(She lifts the scale’s razor-sharp point toward the sky and lifts up her ponytail with the other hand. Cut to Shadow, Bubbles, and Terra.)


 * Bubbles: Crystal?

(All six eyes pop at the sound of a slash, and Scaly goes over in a dead faint. The next shot shows the target of Crystal’s strike—her own ponytail, of which only a ragged nub remains and she is missing her scrunchie. Zoom out as she tosses the scale aside and uses her hands to levitate the cut swath; the curly purple hair attaches itself to the ruined half of the blond mustache. He comes to and straightens up with a jubilant laugh.)


 * Scaly: Oh my scales! I look lovely!
 * Crystal: You look smashing.
 * Shadow: Oh, Crystal, your beautiful hair!
 * Crystal: (turning to face the others) Oh...it’s fine, my dear. It doesn’t take long for my hair to grow back.

(Shadow smiles gently, having grasped the good deeds Crystal made to keep this mission going. Shadow looks ahead and gasps happily; the river has completely calmed down now that Scaly has been pacified.)


 * Shadow: (wading into it) We can cross now! Let’s go!

(The water is barely up to his knees, but he yells and is nearly thrown off when a coil of Scaly’s body suddenly rises beneath Shadow. A longer shot reveals that he is using himself as a line of stepping stones.)


 * Scaly: (as all cross) Allow me!

(Dissolve to the group on dry land, Shadow again leading the others. He looks ahead.)


 * Shadow: There it is!

(Cut to “it”—a tumbled ruin of a castle that stands in a small clearing just ahead—and zoom out. It is situated on the far side of a mist-choked abyss, with the posts of a collapsed bridge still embedded in the ground on both sides. This is the Castle of Royalty, referred to by Shadow during his research in Act Four.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) The ruin that holds the Elements of Friendship. We made it!

(Back to the group; he is first to put his feet in high gear.)


 * Wyvern: (as others follow) Shadow! Wait for us!
 * Shadow: We’re almost there!

(Not watching the road, he loses his balance and slides halfway over the edge with a yelp, scrabbling at the broken bridge that hangs from these posts. Gusty drags him back by the tail.)


 * Gusty: What’s with you and falling off cliffs today? (All eye the broad gap; Terra gasps.)
 * Terra: Like, now what?
 * Gusty: Duh!

(She gives her wings a twitch.)


 * Terra: Oh. Are your wings broken? (Gusty sighs.)
 * Gusty: Wings, Terra! I have wings!
 * Terra: I still don’t get it.
 * Wyvern: She can fly across, Terra.
 * Terra: Oh, yeah! I knew that!

(The pegasus girl gets clear of the ground and dives into the mist, only to emerge a moment later with the snapped bridge ropes in her hands. As she hauls them up onto the far end and gets one of them tied down, an echoing female voice causes her to stop short.)


 * Voice: Gusty…

(She drops the other rope with a gasp; Cosmo drifts up from below.)


 * Gusty: Huh?
 * Voice: Gusty… (The mist starts to thicken around her.)
 * Gusty: (punching the air) I ain’t scared of you! Show yourself!
 * Voice: We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in the world.
 * Gusty: Who?
 * Voice: Why, you, of course.
 * Gusty: (eagerly) Really? (catching herself) I mean...oh, yeah! Me! Hey, uh, you wouldn’t mind telling me the Thunderbolts that, would you? ‘Cause I’ve been trying to get into the group for, like, ever!
 * Voice: No, Gusty. We want you to join us.

(The silhouettes of three pegasi appear within the murk, galloping toward her with uncanny speed. They skid to a stop, resolving into a dark red-maned mare and two purple-maned stallions, all wearing full-body jumpsuits and red goggles similar to those used by the Thunderbolts. However, the bodies are purple and the heads/hooves black, with yellow lightning bolts marking the boundaries. Each outfit displays an emblem consisting of a winged pony skull on their flanks. The mare speaks in the voice just heard, but without the echo. Her coat and wings are light gray, while those of the stallions are a darker shade.)


 * Mare: The Lightningbolts! (Cut between her and the puzzled Gusty as she continues.) We are the greatest aerial team in Vinebush Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in the world. (leaning in close) But first...we need a captain.

(The young daredevil’s eyes go wide, a big smile creasing her face, as the speaker flies slow circles around her.)


 * Mare: The most outstanding…
 * Gusty: Uh-huh.
 * Mare: ...fastest…
 * Gusty: Uh-huh!
 * Mare: ...bravest flyer in the world. (Close-up of Gusty.)
 * Gusty: Yep. (laughing) It’s all true.
 * Mare: (from o.s.) We need… (leaning in whisper in her ear) ...you.
 * Gusty: (leaping up) Woo-hoo! Sign me up! (moving to get the loose rope) Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal.

(The Lightningbolt mare zips across to stop her, with a far more menacing tone.)


 * Mare: NO! It’s them or us! (Gusty recoils slightly.)
 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Gusty!

(Cut to the other seven on their end.)


 * Shadow: What’s taking so long? (softly) Oh, no. (His perspective of the four at the far end; he raises his voice.) GUSTY!

(The mare’s eyes blaze yellow behind her goggles, causing the visibility to drop to zero in a lot less than ten seconds flat.)


 * Shadow: (muffled) Don’t listen to them!

(The mechanical brain under the head of rainbow hair works overtime as the camera cuts to a close-up of Gusty and zooms in slowly.)


 * Mare: (from o.s.) Well? (Long pause.)
 * Gusty: You. (The mare smiles broadly; Gusty leans toward her.) Thank you...for the offer, I mean.

(And with that, she whips back to the bridge and ties off the other rope, leaving three very surprised Thunderbolts to gape after her.)


 * Gusty: But I’m gonna have to say no.

(One last malevolent glare, and the pegasi disappear in three puffs of dark blue smoke that come together and slink away. At the other end, Gusty flies across the repaired bridge as the fog dissipates to the sound of the others’ cheering; all eight head across, with her flying to lead the way.)


 * Gusty: (to Shadow) See? I’d never leave my friends hanging.

(After this demonstration, the purple unicorn boy has a lot less trouble understanding the point. Just before the group can approach the front entrance of the ruined castle, muffled yelling from beneath the ground causes them to stop and look around. They see a large flower rise into view. This large plant has large, slightly pointed red petals, a cream yellow face, purple eyes, and dark green leaves and a stem. This is Rose Petalina, who speaks in a stern tone. Like with characters such as Tolee and Hoho, she has a small, pink “blush sticker” on each cheek.)


 * Rose: Halt! You are not allowed to pass! I suggest you leave before I force you to leave. (Lumino walks up.)
 * Lumino: Ooh! What if we give you candy apples?
 * Rose: No.
 * Bubbles: Or a cookie?
 * Rose: Uh-uh.
 * Crystal: A flower? Come on, tell me you want a flower.
 * Rose: Nope.

(Assorted groans from the androids.)


 * Gusty: Are you kidding me?
 * Wyvern: Why won’t you let us pass? (Close-up of Rose.)
 * Rose: Because… (suddenly sorrowful) ...because I lost the key to the door. I’ve buried it somewhere here, but I can’t remember where I hid it.
 * Shadow: Well, maybe we can help.
 * Petunia: But how? (Terra taps on Shadow’s shoulder.)
 * Terra: Ooh! Shadow, can I find the key? Like, I know where it is.
 * Crystal, Lumino, Petunia: Really?

(The others watch as they catch sight of Terra sniffling at the ground. Ground level; her nose nearly touches the dirt and continues like a dog searching for its bone. Terra comes to a small sapling, and stops here; she emits a happy gasp and begins to dig away at the dirt. She stops once half her body is visible, and pulls herself back up with a silver key in her hand.)


 * Terra: Got it!

(Once she returns to Rose, she gives the flower a big hug.)


 * Rose: What is it?
 * Terra: A hug. You’re not a really mean flower, are you?
 * Rose: N-No. I’m just so lonely! No one wants to talk to me.
 * Terra: That’s totes horrible! Maybe people will, like, talk to you if you are nice to them.

(Rose takes the key and opens the door; her petals function like arms.)


 * Rose: Well...maybe you’re right. (smiles softly) Thank you, pink puppy. (opens door) You may all enter.
 * Terra: (to Shadow) All she needed was some love.

(The purple unicorn gives a soft smile and nod; dissolve to an overhead view of the group in the main hall just inside. Before them is an apparatus consisting of eight round stone tablets mounted at the ends of radial shafts, with a larger orb at the center; the entire rig is heavily overgrown with moss and vines. The three tablets facing the camera each have a gem-shaped carving that stands out in relief on the surface. Overall, this setup bears a resemblance to the framework that held the Elements of Friendship.)


 * Wyvern: Wow...come on, Shadow. (Close-up, panning across the group.) Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for?

(Cut to a slow pan across the device, seen from the androids’ side. The tablets here also have gem reliefs.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) The Elements of Friendship. We’ve found them!

(Wyvern, Gusty, and Petunia fly up and take one tablet each, lowering them to the floor.)


 * Shadow: Careful...careful…
 * Lumino: One, two, three, four, five, six...there’s only seven. (Petunia brings down the last one.)
 * Gusty: Where’s the eighth?
 * Shadow: (kneeling on one knee) The book said, “When the seven are present, a spark will cause the eighth Element to be revealed.”
 * Bubbles: What does that mean?
 * Shadow: I’m not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. (Zoom in as they do so.) I don’t know what will happen.

(He squeezes his eyes shut and gets his horn working.)


 * Bubbles: (leading the others away) Let’s go, guys. He needs to concentrate.

(Cosmo slips into the chamber, unseen by all, and gradually envelops the seven stone rounds before him. As the young mage steps up his efforts, Cosmo gets his horn working and forms a whirlwind that lifts the tablets off the floor. When Shadow opens his eyes, he cuts his powers off with a cry upon seeing the cyclone and his blue counterpart; cut to the others, who have left the castle and retreated to the bridge.)


 * Others: SHADOW!!

(Inside, the tornado grows in size and power, nearly reaching the ceiling.)


 * Shadow: Cosmo?!
 * Cosmo: Sorry it had to be this way, Shadow.

(He jumps forward and grabs the purple boy by the arm, and both dived into the storm, which shrinks away to nothing and takes them with it just as the others return to the scene. Confused, fearful reactions all around. Cut to a close-up of Wyvern, standing past as the others race to and fro around him.)


 * Wyvern: Shadow! Where are you?
 * Crystal: (from o.s.) Look!

(Quick pan to her, gazing intently out a window at a tower in another part of the castle. White light pours from all the windows.)


 * Wyvern: Come on!

(Six wings and eight feet redline it out the door. In another part of the castle, a ball of brilliant light appears on the floor and explodes in a blast of smoke; when it clears, Shadow is seen kneeling and coughing in the middle of this chamber. This is the location Crystal spotted from the window. When Shadow gets his head and lungs clear, he looks up and utters one wide-eyed gasp; across the room, a smirking Roy and his aircraft hovers over a crumbling dais, chuckling nastily as the seven Element tablets are in the grip of a mechanical arm coming out of one side of the UFO. Lightning cracks out, another gasp, and Shadow lowers his head and paws the ground to work up steam for a charge.)


 * Roy: My, my, Shadow. I’m surprised these are what you’re looking for. Are you sure you want to do this, my child? (The arm pulls out a large ray gun.) Well, you don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ll make sure these are safe and sound while you take a little nap. After all… (charging up) ...little boys are supposed to be asleep at this hour.

(Fire; Shadow dodges the beam and barrels straight toward the dais, his horn firing up as he goes. Roy gets the gun charging up again, but an instant before the two can collide, Shadow disappears with a flash. Roy’s eyes pop wide at this and takes a puzzled look around, only to see Shadow re-materialize on the dais. Evidently he has the ability to teleport, but his woozy moan indicates that it takes a lot out of him. He quickly comes to and dips his head toward the Elements.)


 * Roy: (smirking) Shadow, you’re not being a good little boy. Now hold still so things will be easier for me.
 * Shadow: (ignoring him) Just one spark. (Horn blazes.) Come on, come on…

(The seven stones begin to glow as well, surprising Roy no end.)


 * Roy: (looking around) Cosmo, where are you?!

(Said blue unicorn jumps into view. Shadow takes a step back.)


 * Shadow: Cosmo? What are you doing?
 * Cosmo: Be quiet.

(And wastes no time firing a bright blast from his horn; Shadow dodges it by simply tilting his head. Cosmo keeps his composure as Shadow tilts his head back to horizontal as his blue counterpart gets ready for another go.)


 * Shadow: What are you doing, Cosmo?
 * Cosmo: Stop talking.

(Another blast; Shadow simply steps out of the way.)


 * Roy: Keep going, Cosmo. Don’t stop until you are sure he is tiring.

(After a slight nod and smirk, Cosmo summons a tornado and whips himself near the dais. The magic kicks back hard on Shadow, throwing him across the floor.)


 * Roy: What?!

(Shadow smiles, knowing he has the upper hand—and then the Elements’ lights go out. He gasps in pure shock.)


 * Shadow: But...where’s the eighth Element? (Cut to Cosmo.)
 * Cosmo: What eighth Element?
 * Shadow: (walking to Cosmo) It has been said from the book that when all seven Elements are together, an eighth one is supposed to appear.

(Cosmo nails him with another blast from his horn, leaving him smoking.)


 * Cosmo: (from o.s.) You haven’t changed at all, Shadow. (Cut to him.) You’re still the same naive and nerdy little boy years ago.
 * Roy: Thank you very much, Cosmo. Now, leave. I will no longer need your assistance.
 * Cosmo: What?!

(A moment later, Cosmo disappears with a flash. Back to Roy, now laughing full throttle. One mighty blast from the huge gun causes the stones to shatter into gravel as Shadow stares helplessly.)


 * Roy: Honestly, Shadow. You never know when to stop, do you? Such a foolish little boy like yourself thinks he has what it takes to defeat me, Roy McRozki? I’m sorry to say this, Shadow, but you will never see your friends or parents ever again.

(He laughs again. Fade to black.)

Act Six

(Fade in to a close-up of Roy as he laughs. The look of utter defeat in Shadow’s eyes changes to bewilderment when he hears the muffled voices of his seven friends coming from the general direction of a stairway that leads up into this room. Their shadows appear on the walls in due time; zoom in on the stunned pupils and purple irises, which narrow almost to points and then widen to block out nearly all the whites. He voices a deep gasp, and a tiny flicker of light plays across the center of each gigantic black pupil—something has just hit him right where it counts. Now, with all his old confidence restored, he turns to address Roy over his shoulder.)


 * Shadow: You think you can destroy the Elements of Friendship just like that? Well, you’re wrong—because the spirits of the Elements of Friendship are right here!

(On the last word, zoom out to frame the other seven ranged around him. The stone shards at Roy’s machine begin to glow and float free of the ground.)


 * Roy: What?
 * Shadow: Wyvern…

(Quick pan to a flashback: the pair at the cliff.)


 * Shadow: (voice over) ...who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of honesty!

(Flash to Wyvern in the chamber; several bits start to circle around him. Pan to Shadow.)


 * Shadow: Petunia…

(Quick pan to a flashback: the manticore licks Petunia after having the thorn pulled out.)


 * Shadow: (voice over) ...who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of kindness!

(Flash to Petunia; shards start to orbit her as well.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Bubbles…

(Quick pan to a flashback: the two Rintoo clones .)


 * Shadow: (voice over) ...who held no resentment towards the tigers despite their actions, represents the spirit of forgiveness!

(Flash to Bubbles as several shards circle him as well.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Lumino… (Pan across him.) ...who banished fear…

(Quick pan to flashback: Lumino making fun of the twisted tree faces, sparks fly out as the faces disappear.)


 * Shadow: (voice over) ...by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of laughter!

(Flash to Lumino, grinning hugely as pieces gravitate to him, then tilt quickly up to Shadow and into a flashback: Crystal giving her tail to Scaly and making an ice tux for him.)


 * Shadow: (voice over) Crystal, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with two meaningful gifts, represents the spirit of generosity!

(Flash to Crystal, eyeing the fragments that now circle her. Quick pan to flashback: Gusty declining the Lightningbolts’ offer  and securing the bridge.)


 * Shadow: (voice over) Gusty, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart’s desire, represents the spirit of loyalty!

(Flash to Gusty, who has the shards spinning around her now. Shadow crosses the screen, the view changing behind him to a flashback at the entrance: Terra finding a key and returning it to Rose, who gets a hug from the dog girl.)


 * Shadow: And Terra, who helped a stern flower realize that even she deserves to have friends… (now o.s.; voice over) ...represents the spirit of love!

(Flash to the pink dog girl, who eyes the last pieces spinning around her with awe, and zoom out to frame all eight on the start of the next line.)


 * Shadow: The spirits of these seven androids got us through every challenge you threw at us!
 * Roy: Me? Please. Cosmo helped. It’s not just me. (narrowing eyes) But you still don’t have the eighth Element! The spark didn’t work!
 * Shadow: But it did. A different kind of spark. (turning to the others; cut to them and pan as he continues.) I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you— (now o.s.) —to see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me… (Back to him.) ...when I realized that you all… (turning to face Roy) ...are my friends!

(Shafts of intense white light pierce the gloom from above, coming from an eighth stone tablet that has materialized overhead. It bears its own gem relief and descends to stop above Shadow’s head; Roy is the only one to shield his eyes. Back to it, tilting down to Shadow.)


 * Shadow: You see, Doctor McRozki, when those Elements are ignited by the spark that resides in the heart of us all… (Cut to the suddenly scared Roy; he continues o.s.) ...it creates the eighth Element. (Back to the group.) The Element of magic!

(The light from the floating Element flares out to encompass all eight, and the stone bits around all but Shadow form into gold necklaces, each set with a shaped jewel with its wearer’s main color of their pants/tights: pink butterfly for Petunia, teal teardrop for Bubbles, light blue lozenge for Crystal, red fireball for Wyvern, orange rock for Terra, yellow lightning bolt for Lumino, purple wings for Gusty. As for the violet unicorn boy, the unbroken Element becomes a gold crown on his head, studded with small purple jewels and topped by a large dark blue one in the shape of a six-pointed star. Two rainbow-striped shafts of light, one red/orange/yellow and the other green/blue/violet, emerge from the group as a double helix and shoot toward the ceiling before joining into a single broad ribbon that swoops down on the UFO.)


 * Roy: NOOOOOOO!! (The lights spirals around him.) THIS CAN’T BE!! I, ROY MCROZKI, CAN’T BE DEFEATED!! NOOOOOOO!!

(It concentrates into an impossibly small twister as he screams again. Shadow’s seven companions float serenely in the white light, “standing” on their feet with their jewels glowing. He opens his eyes to reveal that they have also begun to glow white. One last flare from these fills the screen, then fades away to give a long overhead shot of the eight lying sprawled on the floor. They start to come around gradually.)


 * Gusty: (groaning) My head! (Cut to Bubbles.)
 * Bubbles: Is...everyone okay?
 * Crystal: (from o.s.) Oh, thank goodness! (She and Petunia are up; her ponytail and scrunchie are back.)
 * Petunia: Why, Crystal, it’s so lovely.
 * Crystal: (toying ponytail) Oh, I know! I’ll never part with it again!
 * Petunia: No, your necklace. (Close-up of it; she continues o.s.) It matches your gloves.
 * Crystal: Hm?...ooh… (She notices.) And that pink butterfly matches your stockings!

(Petunia gasps happily at it, and the others begin to take notice of their new adornments.)


 * Terra: Ooh, mine matches my stockings too!
 * Lumino: (hopping over to Wyvern) Look at mine, look at mine!
 * Gusty: Aw, yeah!

(Pan to a close-up of Shadow, who looks up at the crown perched behind his horn.)


 * Wyvern: (from o.s.) Shadow, my man. (Cut to the others.) I really didn’t get where you were coming from when you said those things. (Zoom out to frame Shadow also.)
 * Bubbles: But it turns out, we really do represent the Elements of Friendship.

(A gentle male voice speaks up from in front of them.)


 * Male voice: Indeed you do.

(Roy and his machine are nowhere in sight; in their places stand two young adults—man and woman. The man has dark brown hair that is combed down with side-swept bangs and narrowed,  blue-green eyes. He dons a dark blue sweater with a high collar and lighter blue cuffs; very dark gray pants with matching shoes, which have black soles. His narrowed eyes indicate that he is Asian. The woman next to him is an inch shorter. Light blonde, shoulder-length hair; blue-green eyes; lavender eyeshadow. Her outfit consists of a lavender shirt with rolled-up sleeves and white cuffs, white shirt collar, gray pants, white socks, and black slip-on shoes. All but Shadow gasp and smile before them; the last just lets out a happy gasp. These two are Doctor Rei Chang and Lori Chang, the former mentioned by Roy a few times and was the speaker.)


 * Shadow: Mom! Dad!

(The eight androids run over to them, where they all share a group hug. This shot is close enough to show that the parents are at least foot taller than Bubbles and Gusty.)


 * Rei: Children, you saved us. We knew you could do it.
 * Shadow: But...the celebration is still going, right?
 * Rei: It is.
 * Lori: So you have nothing to worry about.

(Cut to a slow pan across the androids as they break away from the hug.)


 * Rei: (from o.s.) I saw the signs of McRozki’s return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to stop him. (To Shadow, who starts to understand it all.) But you could not unleash it until you let peace and true friendship into your heart. (He shares a look with the others and his wife.) Now if only another will as well.

(All look worriedly across the room; cut to the far end, strewn with the smoking remains of Roy’s machine. A short pan reveals the orange-haired madman half-crouched amid the debris, as if trying to hide. He tries to wipe the dust off of his clothes.)


 * Lori: (from o.s.) McRozki.

(The man looks up with a gasp. He lifts his head as Rei crosses to him.)


 * Rei: I had a feeling you’d be causing trouble. (Roy cringes slightly.) Let’s put our differences aside, Roy, and be partners again.
 * Roy: Well…

(Rei holds a hand out to his opponent, who eyes both it and his gentle smile with the clearest indecision. The suspense starts to get the better of Shadow and company; they lean in expectantly, Lumino going a little too far.)


 * Lumino: (toppling to floor) Whoa!

(One hand rises tentatively, pauses, reaches forward with agonizing slowness…and then slaps the proffered limb away as the brown eyes narrow in fury.)


 * Roy: You are a complete idiot, Doctor Chang! There is no apology you could ever present that will stop me from doing what I please!

(Without another word, he whips up a controller and pushes one button. In an instant, a hoverboard flies through the window and steps onto it.)


 * Roy: Remember this, Doctor Chang. (as it lifts him up) You and I are sworn enemies, and that’s how it’s going to be from this day forward!

(With that, he is taken away. Shadow and the others race over to the window for a closer look and spot him zooming away over the forest and into clear skies. Rei lets out a sigh in defeat over being unable to talk Roy around, but his wife puts a comforting hand on his shoulder.)


 * Gusty: Dad, why didn’t you stop him?!
 * Wyvern: Yeah! You should have given him the what-for!
 * Rei: Well, I can be certain the police have already caught up to him by now.
 * Rintoo: (from o.s.) Hey, guys!

(All turn to the source of the voice; Kai-Lan, Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho have risen up from the debris. The androids dash over to them.)


 * Terra: Oh my gosh! You’re not hurt, are you?
 * Tolee: We’re completely fine. That explosion didn’t hurt us for some reason. (Rei and Lori cross to them.)
 * Shadow: Well, what matters is that you guys are okay.
 * Lori: (worriedly) My goodness. Roy even went as far as to kidnap four children. (kneeling down next to them) I can’t imagine what horrid things he did to you.
 * Hoho: It’s okay. We’re not hurt.
 * Kai-Lan: That’s right. (Gasp.) Lulu! Is Lulu okay?
 * Crystal: Oh, don’t worry, sweetie. She is fine.
 * Kai-Lan: If only I understood why that man is so mean.
 * Rei: Don’t worry about it, Kai-Lan. I’m hopeful that one day, Roy might see the error of his ways and become a better person.
 * Shadow: Dad...I saw Cosmo, and...I don’t know who he is and why he looks like me. And why is he working for Doctor McRozki?
 * Rei: I think…we’ll save that discussion for next time.
 * Lori: (standing up) I agree.


 * Lumino: Hey! You know what this calls for?

(Quick pan to a stretch of meadowland, fully decked out for a celebration. Lumino pops up in the foreground, no longer wearing his necklace.)


 * Lumino: A party!

(Confetti and streamers rain down as he and many other cheering locals race through the meadow. Dissolve to a long shot of the exterior of the Chang house, where the party is being held. Rei and Lori walk together down a dirt path while holding hands. Lulu hovers over the crowd to give Kai-Lan the biggest hug she can manage, and does the same to Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho. The eight core members have removed their jewelry. Yeye eases his way through the crowd, only for the young foursome to dash over to embrace him. Yeye smiles gently, while Kai-Lan directs a slightly teary-eyed little smile at him, glad to be away from Roy but extremely happy to see her grandfather again all the same. Pan from them to Shadow, now standing at a short distance and looking very downcast.)


 * Rei: (from o.s.) Shadow, why so glum? (Longer shot, framing both.) Are you not happy that your quest is complete?
 * Shadow: It’s not that. I thought a lot about Cosmo earlier. (Slow pan across the saddened others and the young fivesome; he continues o.s.) Just wish I knew why he had to leave you. (Back to the pair as Lori walks up.)
 * Rei: Shadow, I’m very sorry we never told you.
 * Shadow: Mom, dad, I’m not too upset. Really, I’m not. I’m just glad he’s not working for McRozki.
 * Others: So do we.

(Cut to the exterior of the house again; now, the scene around it dissolves the next day at sunset. Party’s over. The front door opens to show Shadow stepping out and running off somewhere.)


 * Terra: (from inside) Like, where’s Shadow going?
 * Lori: (from inside) Don’t worry about it, Terra.

(Dissolve to a long shot of the four-way intersection leading to four different paths, as seen in the original series’ episode “The Ladybug Festival”. Pan away from it to show Shadow, seen in close-up as he turns his head here and there, as if looking for something or someone.)


 * Shadow: Cosmo?
 * Cosmo: (from o.s.) Shadow! (Quick pan to him, perched on a tree branch.)
 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Cosmo! (Back to him.) How did you know I was here?

(Cut to one speaker in turn.)


 * Cosmo: I didn’t. It’s just that...I didn’t expect to run into you.
 * Shadow: Cosmo, this whole time, you’re my...brother?
 * Cosmo: Why are you surprised? It’s really me, Shadow. I have to say...that was pretty cool back there. I thought you were just spitting out lots of nonsense, but...it turns out you and the others do represent the Elements of Friendship.
 * Shadow: Last time I checked, you seem pretty skeptical about it.
 * Cosmo: I’ll admit I was, but I couldn’t believe it.
 * Shadow: So, Cosmo, now that Doctor McRozki is defeated, what do you say you join me and my family? You’ll make a great addition to the team.

(Back to the blue unicorn; he thinks hard for a moment.)


 * Shadow: (from o.s.) Also, it might make my parents happy to see you’re safe and sound.
 * Cosmo: Oh...wow. (turning head) Will you accept my answer, Shadow?
 * Shadow: I won’t force you, Cosmo. Whatever you choose, I’ll accept.
 * Cosmo: Well...I think you and the others are fine as a team of eight. I may not be around much, but that doesn’t mean I won’t help you guys foil McRozki’s plans.
 * Shadow: (confused) Where will you go?
 * Cosmo: Nowhere in particular. I’ll be...in different places.

(Close-up of him, now facing the camera and waving goodbye.)


 * Cosmo: Well, I better get going now. See you, Shadow.

(The purple unicorn nods and gives a smile, as Cosmo’s silhouette emerges over a hill in full view of the locals, framed by the setting sun. He waves back to his purple counterpart one last time before racing off o.s. The purple unicorn sighs and grins again, watching Cosmo set off to the unknown. Just before Shadow was about to walk back, Lumino pops into view in front of him.)


 * Shadow: Lumino!
 * Lumino: Hiiiii, Shadow! So, isn’t this great? I mean, we stopped McRozki and that’s just...ah!

(Shadow walks off, but the yellow monkey follows behind. An “iris out” to black begins around her as she speaks.)


 * Lumino: He won’t be causing trouble to us again! I mean, seriously, that’s so exciting! Are you excited? ‘Cause I’m excited, I’ve never been so excited! Well, except for the time that I went— (Gasp; the “iris out” retracts a bit, then resumes.) But I mean, really—

(The rest of the sentence is cut off when the transition finishes.)

End of episode.