O verdadeiro final de Caverna do Dragão!

Quem não lembra do cartoon Caverna do Dragão? Este fez grande sucesso nos anos 80, e passa até os dias atuais nas manhãs da TV Globo, mas muitos sabem, que ele não teve um final. A partir disso alguns supostos finais começaram a circular na internet, conheça um deles:

Neste, são feitas revelações fortes. O Mestre dos Magos e o Vingador, na verdade seriam o mesmo ser, um ser maligno, o demônio e o Uni seria aliado dele, se comportando como uma espécie de espião. A verdade é que os garotos nunca voltariam para casa, pois estavam mortos desde o primeiro episódio e teriam sido enviados ao inferno, por não serem bons garotos. Nesta versão, Tiamat na verdade seria um anjo enviado para contar-lhes que eles nunca voltariam para casa. Essa parecia ser uma justificativa, para o último episódio não ter sido produzido, na teoria a produtora teria julgado o final muito cruel para um cartoon.

Esta versão foi exaustivamente repetida e circulava por todos os sites do gênero na Internet, sendo assim, muitas pessoas à tomaram como verdadeira. O boato era tão forte que obrigou o criador da série a desmenti-lo.

A versão da revista Herói 2000 botou um fim nas especulações sobre o final da trama, acompanhe um trecho da entrevista com os dois roteiristas e o criador da série:

“Gary Gyrax, produtor e criador de Caverna do Dragão, é quem define: “Não há verdade alguma nisso. Nenhum episódio assim foi produzido. Tiamat não é um

anjo e nem ajuda de maneira nenhuma”. Já Mark Evanier, um dos roteiristas da

série, é mais enfático: “Isto é completamente falso! Apesar de vários finais

possíveis terem sido discutidos, nenhum último episódio foi realmente

produzido”. O escritor Michael Reaves, roteirista de oito episódios,

completa: “Caverna do Dragão foi um desenho muito sombrio para sua época –

tanto quanto foi Gárgulas nos anos 90. Nós o levamos o mais longe possível para um

programa infantil”. Apesar de Caverna ter sido um desenho à frente de seu

tempo, Reaves diz que não haveria chance nenhuma de uma história deste tipo

ter ido ao ar: “Os garotos não ficaram presos no inferno, nem o Mestre dos

Magos é o demônio ou coisa parecida. Essa história toda é absurda”, diz.”

Assim, surgia a dúvida, qual e como é o verdadeiro final?

O escritor Michael Reaves foi quem escreveu o roteiro do último episódio, o título é Requiem, porém as duas produtoras responsáveis pela animação não entraram em acordo, logo após faliram e assim o final de Caverna do Dragão nunca ganhou uma versão animada.

Acompanhe agora um resumo do roteiro do último episódio da série:

Requiem

O capítulo começa com o grupo às voltas com uma gigantesca hidra, que quase consegue ter êxito onde o Vingador falhou. Prestes a perecerem, os seis avistam o Mestre dos Magos – que se recusa a ajudá-los. Com sorte, eles acabam com a criatura, mas sua fé no Mestre fica terrivelmente abalada. Mais uma vez sem rumo, Hank, Presto, Eric, Diana, Sheila e Bobby recebem a visita do Vingador, que vem em paz. Numa rápida conversa, ele sugere que o Mestre dos Magos sempre foi o causador da desgraça deles: “por que vocês acham que seus conselhos sempre levam vocês a batalhas?”. Dito isso, o vilão propõe uma missão que, se bem sucedida, garantirá ao grupo a passagem de volta para casa: destruirem uma chave guardada numa tumba na fronteira do mundo.

A novidade divide o grupo. Eric, Presto e Sheila decidem ajudar o Vingador, enquanto Hank, Diana e Bobby permanecem fiéis ao antigo mentor. Começa uma corrida até o local da torre, que quase acaba em desastre. Quando Hank dispara uma flecha para tentar a atrasar o outro grupo, Eric a reflete, fazendo-a cair dentro de um vulcão, que entra em atividade. Por pouco o cavaleiro, a ladra e o mago não morrem na lava e o desespero toma conta dos seis, que acabam percebendo que sua separação só trará problemas. Quando enfim decidem entrar na tumba, os amigos deparam-se com um visão perturbadora. A figura do Vingador estampa o sarcófago, mas sem as asas, chifres e presas. Dentro do caixão está a chave que devem destruir. Depois de uma dramática luta com uma criatura ameba gigante e da aparente morte de Hank, Eric decide honrar o último desejo de seu amigo e não destrói a chave, como queria o Vingador. Ele prefere utilizá-la para abrir uma porta que havia dentro da tumba. O resultado é cataclísmico: raios começam a destruir as fortalezas do mal, portais são abertos em diversos pontos do planeta e levam raças inteiras de volta para suas casas e o Vingador é desintegrado. Em seu lugar, surge a figura do sarcófago!

No final, o próprio Vingador – em sua nova versão – explica que ele havia escolhido seguir um mestre maligno há muito tempo e que foi totalmente dominado por ele, transformando-se numa espécie de diretor da masmorra dimensional que era aquele mundo. Sua essência estava trancada na tumba – o único lugar do planeta onde o Mestre dos Magos – seu PAI – não podia entrar. Ao abrir a porta, Eric liberou a essência e todo o mal que ele tinha realizado se dissipou. Depois de reencontrarem Hank – que estava vivo – os seis amigos param em frente à porta que os levará para casa. “Mas claro que vocês podem ficar para nos ajudar a acabar com tudo de ruim que ainda existe por aqui”, oferece o Mestre. Antes que a resposta seja dada, a cena abre, mostrando o exterior da tumba, a planície e diversos cenários do mundo de Caverna do Dragão. O episódio acaba assim… sem sabermos se Hank, Presto, Eric, Diana, Sheila e Bobby decidiram voltar para casa ou se estão – até hoje – lutando ao lado do Mestre dos Magos e seu filho, para a libertação total do mundo transformado em prisão pelo mestre maligno do Vingador.

Roteiro original

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

"Requiem"
UNPRODUCED SERIES FINALE
by Michael Reaves

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. PLAIN OF DREAMS - ESTABLISHING

A surreal, fog-shrouded plain, stark and brooding.  In b.g., dimly
glimpsed through the mists, are monoliths of basalt that suggest
huge Stonehenge-like dolmens and menhirs.  We cannot tell if it is
day or night -- the gray fog itself seems luminous.  SFX: FARAWAY
WINDS.

DUNGEON MASTER (O.S.)
Venger?

ANOTHER ANGLE

DUNGEON MASTER stands in the midst of the desolation, looking about
him.  He is not afraid; on the other hand, he doesn't look overjoyed
at being here.

VENGER (O.S.)
I am here, old man.

Dungeon Master turns in time to see a MAGIC BOLT SPLIT a monolith.
It CRASHES to either side, revealing VENGER amidst the swirling
fog.  He looks down at Dungeon Master.

VENGER (CONT'D)
Dungeon Master, you are a fool.

FAVORING DUNGEON MASTER

He raises a polite eyebrow, but does not reply.

VENGER (CONT'D)
Your pupils are doomed to failure.
They are brave only because they know
you stand behind them.

DUNGEON MASTER
Not so.  They can triumph over anything
in the Realm -- as you well know.  They
will not fail.

CLOSE ON VENGER

He scowls, then smiles craftily, as if an idea has just occurred to
him.

VENGER
Well, then -- perhaps you would not be
adverse to a test of their courage?

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He looks wary.

VENGER (O.S. CONT'D)
We shall see how brave they are when
you turn away from them.  If they
succeed, they will find the Key.

DUNGEON MASTER
And if they fail -- what do they lose?

ON VENGER

He raises a fist CRACKLING with Kirbyesque power.

VENGER
Everything.  Their weapons -- and
their lives.

CLOSE ON DUNGEON MASTER

He bows his head and folds his hands together.

DUNGEON MASTER
So be it.

SHOCK CUT TO:

EXT. MOORS - DAY

As the seven heads of an enormous HYDRA lash straight at us! SFX:
HISSING.  PULL BACK to include BOBBY, HANK, ERIC, DIANA, SHEILA,
UNI and PRESTO, all running for their lives across a moody expanse
of swampy moors with the hydra in hot pursuit.

KIDS
(ad lib)
Look out!  Run!  Here it comes!
(Etc.)

HYDRA
(roars)

REVERSE ANGLE - OTS HYDRA

Lumbering forward, big enough to CRUSH small trees under its feet,
its heads SNAPPING and HISSING at our guys.

HYDRA
(hisses)

ERIC
Do something, Hank!  You're the
leader!

ON HANK - RUNNING

He stops and fires an energy arrow up O.S.

ON HYDRA

The energy arrow streaks INTO SHOT and wraps about the hydra's
necks, pinning them together for an instant.  But the hydra BREAKS
the glowing bonds and keeps coming.

HANK (O.S.)
It's too strong!

ON ERIC - RUNNING

One of the heads swoops down, grabs Eric by the cape and lifts him
up O.S.

ERIC
Haaaallp!

ON BOBBY

He swings his club at a dead tree, KNOCKING it loose from its
roots.  The tree begins to topple.

BOBBY
Timberrr!

ON HYDRA

Still holding Eric with one of its beaks.  The tree falls INTO
SHOT and the head dodges, releasing Eric as it does so.  Eric
falls O.S.

HYDRA
(hisses)

ON GROUND

Eric sprawls in the mud.

ERIC
(impact grunt)

He rolls over and scrambles out of the way of another striking head,
just in time.

ERIC
This thing's got more heads than
Tiamat!

ON DIANA - RUNNING

She dodges one head and leaps over another.

DIANA
There's no place to hide!  It's
gonna get us, sooner or later!

ON PRESTO, SHEILA AND UNI

Cornered against a small spur of rock by two SNAPPING, HISSING heads,
Presto has no room to use his hat.

HYDRA
(hisses)

PRESTO
It's got us cornered!

UNI
(frightened whinny)

ON BOBBY

He raises his club over his head.

BOBBY
Hang on, Sis!  I'm coming!

A head swoops down INTO SHOT and seizes Bobby's club, lifting him
from the ground.  He dangles helplessly.

BOBBY
Whooah!

ON ERIC

Scrabbling across the marshy ground on his hands and knees.  There's nothing funny about this -- he's crawling for his life.  Then he
looks up O.S., and grins in sudden relief.

ERIC
All right!  Everything's gonna be
okay now!

He points O.S.

ON HANK AND DIANA

Backing up warily before another SNAPPING head, Diana holding it off
with her staff.  Hank has an arrow nocked.  They risk a look up
O.S., and then grin in relief.

HANK
Dungeon Master!

THEIR POV - DUNGEON MASTER

Standing on an overhang of rock, looking down on the kids, who are arrayed in a loose semicircle with the hydra in the middle, its heads
weaving on long, snaky necks.

KIDS
(ad lib)
Dungeon Master, help!  Get us out
of this!  Take care of this thing,
willya?  (Etc.)

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He is looking down O.S. at them with a grim expression on his face.

DUNGEON MASTER
You got into this by yourselves, my
young friends --

CLOSE ON HIM

His expression is more than grim now -- it's stern, unforgiving.

DUNGEON MASTER (CONT'D)
-- Now get out of it by yourselves!

He turns his back and steps down off the rock, disappearing from
view.

CLOSE ON ERIC

He stares up O.S. in disbelief.

ERIC
(despairing disbelief)
Huh?!

He reacts in fear to an O.S. ROAR.

HIS POV - HYDRA HEAD

Lunging straight for us!

HYDRA
(roars)

FAVOR ERIC

Hank dives THROUGH SHOT, knocking Eric out of the way as the beak
SNAPS on empty air.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Hank pulls Eric to his feet.  Eric has a look of sick betrayal on
his face.

ERIC
I don't believe it!  He deserted
us!

ON HANK

Another O.S. ROAR snaps him around.

HYDRA (O.S.)
(roars)

HANK
We'll worry about that later -- if
there is a later!

He FIRES three energy arrows O.S. in quick succession.

ON PRESTO, SHEILA AND UNI

Still trapped by the hydra's heads.  An arrow ENTERS SHOT and
STRIKES the rock wall to one side of them, SPLITTING a fissure
down the middle of it.  They scramble through it.

UNI
(squeal of fear)

ON BOBBY

Still dangling from one of the hydra's beaks.  The second arrow
STRIKES the club, knocking it free of the beak's grasp.  Bobby
lands and runs O.S.

BOBBY
(lands, runs)

ON DIANA

Still fending off another head with her staff.

HYDRA
(roars, hisses)

DIANA
(effort)

The third arrow steaks INTO SHOT and EXPLODES like a flare before
the hydra's eyes, causing it to jerk back.

HYDRA
(surprised hiss)

Diana leaps over a low spur of rock and runs O.S.

ON RIDS - DOWNSHOT

They regroup, weapons at the ready, as the hydra lurches menacingly
toward them again.  Uni shrinks back against Bobby.

HYDRA
(menacing hiss)

SHEILA
It just keeps coming!  What're we
gonna do?

ON HANK

He looks about desperately, then spots something O.S.

HANK
This way!  Move it!

He runs O.S.

WIDE ANGLE - MARSH

The kids run THROUGH SHOT, tripping on roots and patches of mud,
SPLASHING through noxious pools, getting their clothes caught on
bushes.  Their faces are full of fear.  Uni gallops alongside them.
The hydra is right on their heels as they run for their lives.

HYDRA
(roars, hisses)

ON HANK - RUNNING

His eyes fixed on something ahead O.S.  From behind one of the
heads GAINS INTO SHOT, almost within reach of him.

HANK
(runs)

PAN AHEAD TO INCLUDE a nasty looking bog -- a pool of green, slimy
water that looks like it could kill a bubonic plague bacillus.

HANK'S POV - BOG

PUSH IN on it, HANDHELD TRUCK, as if we were running toward it.

HANK (O.S.)
(effort)
Get ready --

OVERHEAD SHOT - WIDE

The kids and Uni reach the edge of the bog.

HANK (CONT'D)
Now!  Scatter!

They break off to either side, running along the edge of the bog as
the hydra's momentum carries it ahead into the morass.

HYDRA
(hissing)

ON HYDRA

It blunders in the middle of the bog with a tremendous SPLASH!  Mud
and slime fly everywhere.  The hydra sinks in the morass, floundering helplessly, its heads STRIKING and SNAPPING futilely as it ROARS and
HISSES angrily.

HYDRA
(angry roars, hisses)

ANGLE INCLUDES KIDS

They regroup on the edge of the bog, out of the hydra's reach.
They're exhausted, mud spattered, breathing heavily.  Presto slumps
to his knees.  Bobby huddles in Sheila's cloak.  Diana leans wearily
on her staff.  Uni sprawls in the mud.  Hank braces himself, hands
on knees.

HANK
(breathing hard)
We did it.  We're still alive.

ON ERIC

He looks grim.

ERIC
Yeah -- no thanks to Dungeon Master.

WIPE TO:

EXT. SALT FLATS - CROSSROADS - EVENING

The two suns are low in the sky, shading the salt flats red.  The
kids, still looking much the worse for wear, are at the junction
of two roads through the wasteland, neither of which look
particularly appealing, though the east fork appears the better
traveled.

CLOSER

A signpost of weathered gray wood is mounted at the crossroads.
One of the signs has fallen; the other hangs from a single rusty
nail, pointing at the sky.  Presto looks at it.

PRESTO
According to this, the Flame
Mountains are -- that way.

He points straight up, mimicking the sign.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Bobby picks up the other sign, rubs some rime from it.

BOBBY
(reads)
"This way to the Sea of Sorrow."

WIDE ANGLE

Sheila looks at the two roads.

SHEILA
Great.  Which road leads where?

ON ERIC

He looks very down.

ERIC
Who cares?  It doesn't matter.
(beat)
I can't believe he would just abandon
us like that.

He starts to trudge down the eastern fork.

FAVORING HANK

He realizes it's up to him to make a decision.  He looks from one
road to the other, then points to the western fork.

HANK
We go west, Eric.

Eric just looks at him. He makes no move to return.

ERIC
Why?

HANK
It's downhill.  We're more likely
to find water.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric returns to the crossroads, looking at Hank.  He's frowning
slightly.  The other kids watch uneasily; they sense tension.

ERIC
The other way's a better road --
might lead to a town.

Hank is somewhat nettled, but trying to keep his cool.

HANK
I'm the leader, Eric.  You said so
before -- remember?

TWO SHOT - HANK AND ERIC

Eric steps up to Hank, locking gazes with him.

ERIC
I was under a lot of pressure then.
Maybe I see things clearer now.
(beat)
Maybe it's time we had a little
election.  Whattaya say, Presto?

REFIELD to include the others as Eric turns to Presto for support.
Presto looks at the others nervously.

PRESTO
Uh -- well, the eastern road does
look better ...

WIDE ANGLE

Bobby steps over to Hank, as does Uni. Diana is already by Hank's
side.

BOBBY
Yeah?  Well, I think the west road
looks better.

Uni looks at Eric disdainfully.

UNI
(horselips)

ANOTHER ANGLE - FAVOR SHEILA

Sheila looks uncertain; as always, she tries to mediate.

SHEILA
Now wait a minute, Bobby --

BOBBY
(interrupting)
Keep out of this, Sis!

Sheila, stung, takes a step backwards, which puts her closer to
Eric.  A full-blown ARGUMENT erupts, the kids SHOUTING and pointing
fingers at each other accusingly.  Hank is the only one who doesn't
take part in it; he looks from one side to the other in shocked
disbelief.

KIDS
(ad lib)
You don't know what you're
talking about!  Aw, dry up!
You're always throwing your
weight around!  (Etc.)

FAVORING HANK

He steps between the two factions and raises both hands.

HANK
(shouts)
Hold it, hold it!

The others stop and look at him.

HANK (CONT'D)
C'mon, we all know what this is
really about.  We're not mad at
each other -- we're mad at Dungeon
Master.

The others know he's right; they look embarrassed, avoiding each
other's gaze.

CLOSE ON HANK

He makes a helpless gesture.

HANK (CONT'D)
I don't know what to tell you --
except that it's getting dark, and
we'd better find a place to camp.
(beat; to Eric)
You want the point, Eric?  You got
it.  Lead the way.

FAVOR ERIC

He looks somewhat resentfully at Hank, then turns and takes the
eastern road O.S.  The others follow him.  Hank watches them go.
Bobby and Uni are the last; Bobby turns and looks back at Hank.
Hank follows, stone-faced.

WIPE TO:

EXT. SEA OF SORROWS - NIGHT - CLOSE ON DRIFTWOOD

A pile of weathered wood on the sand.  An energy arrow from O.S.
STRIKES it, turning it into the flames of a campfire.  PULL BACK
to show the kids and Uni sitting on stones and logs around the
fire.  Hank slings his bow and sits down with them.  In b.g. we
can see the moons' reflections shimmering on the surface of the
sea. SFX: BREAKERS.

DIANA
Maybe it wasn't really Dungeon
Master ...

FAVOR ERIC

He pokes at the flames with a stick.  SPARKS scatter.

ERIC
It was him.  D'you think I wouldn't
know him?
(beat; bitterly)
This whole Realm is a dungeon, y'know
that?  And we're all prisoners.  We
thought Dungeon Master was our friend,
but it turns out he's just another
guard.

FAVOR SHEILA

She huddles closer to the fire, shivering more from fear than
cold.

SHEILA
What're we gonna do now?  If Dungeon
Master's abandoned us, who's gonna
help us?

VENGER (O.S.)
I will help you.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

They know that voice.  In an instant all are on their feet, weapons
ready, staring into the darkness that surrounds the fire.

DRAMATIC ANGLE - VENGER

He steps out of the darkness into the flickering light of the fire.
PULL BACK to include the others.  Uni hides behind Bobby.  Venger
holds out his hands in a gesture of peace.

VENGER
Be at ease, my young enemies.
I shall not harm you.

ON HANK

Watching suspiciously from behind a nocked energy arrow.

HANK
Move very slowly, Venger.

ON VENGER

One corner of his mouth lifts slightly at Hank's warning.  He
looks at the kids.

VENGER
So Dungeon Master has finally
shown his true colors.  Have you
never wondered why his advice
always led you into battle, and
never back to your world?

ANGLE INCLUDES KIDS

Eric, Sheila, and Presto look somewhat uncertain.  Bobby, Diana
and Hank still hold their weapons at the ready.  The BREAKERS counterpoint the uneasy silence.

VENGER (CONT'D)
It has been convenient for you to
see Dungeon Master as good, and me
as evil.  But things are not that
simple.

ON VENGER AND CAMPFIRE

Venger stares broodingly into its flames.

VENGER (CONT'D)
I have granted you your lives before.
Aid me now, and I shall grant you your
dearest wish -- I will send you back
to your own world.

CLOSER

He makes a gesture at the flames.  They BLAZE UP, forming a
miniature portal in which can be seen the amusement park.

ON ERIC, SHEILA, PRESTO

They stare longingly at the flickering image.

VENGER (O.S. CONT'D)
Far to the south lies Realm's Edge.
There you will find a cenotaph -- an
empty tomb.  Within it is a key, which
you must cast into the Abyss.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

Venger makes another gesture and the image vanishes in sync with a
particularly loud CRASH OF SURF.

VENGER (CONT'D)
Do this, and you will go home.  You
have my word.

The flames BLAZE UP again, higher than ever.  When they die down,
Venger has vanished.

ON KIDS

They look at each other, speechless.  Suddenly Hank fires the
nocked arrow O.S. skyward in a gesture of defiance.  It EXPLODES
above them like a flare, providing eerie light.

HANK
Forget it, Venger!  No way we're
working for you!

CLOSER

Eric steps forward.

ERIC
Wait a minute, Hank.  What choice
do we have?  Dungeon Master's
abandoned us -- Venger may be our
only ticket home.

Presto steps INTO SHOT alongside Eric.

PRESTO
I think Eric's got a point, Hank.
Venger's ruthless, but he's got a
code.  I believe him.

Sheila joins them.

SHEILA
So do I.  All I want is to go home
— and I don’t care who’s responsible
for sending us there.

ANGLE FAVORS HANK, BOBBY, UNI, DIANA

They look at the others incredulously.

DIANA
You guys can’t be serious.  You know
Venger’s bad news.

Hank steps toward Eric, extends a hand toward him.

HANK
Eric, we gotta stick together —

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric brushes his hand aside.

ERIC
(angry)
Why, Hank?  We always stick together
— and it hasn’t gotten us home.
(beat)
You guys can do what you want — but
we’re going after that key.

He turns and EXITS SHOT.  Presto hesitates, then follows.  Sheila
turns, then looks back at Bobby.

SHEILA
Bobby — won’t you change your mind?

ON BOBBY

He looks very young and uncertain, but he shakes his head and
moves closer to Hank.

BOBBY
I think you’re making a mistake,
Sheila.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Sheila turns and runs into the darkness after the others. Hank,
Bobby, Diana and Uni watch her go.  SFX: BREAKERS.

WIPE TO:

EXT. SEASHORE – NIGHT

The breakers, foamy with salt in solution, CRASH on the rime-
crusted shore.  An ancient galleon is wrecked there, sails hanging
in tatters, salt stains glittering in the moonlight.  Eric, Presto
and Sheila ENTER SHOT and climb onto the canted deck.

ERIC
Think you can make this thing
fly, Presto?

ON PRESTO

He takes off his hat and makes magic passes over it, frowning in
concentration.

PRESTO
Magic in the hat be free; let us
use the sky as the sea.

WIDE ANGLE

A shimmering arc of magic light ERUPTS from the hat, engulfing the
galleon and lifting it, with much CREAKING and SNAPPING of aged
wood, free of the sand.

CLOSER ON THEM

The ship rises, the remnants of sails FLAPPING uselessly.  Eric
faces the bow, looking grimly ahead.  Sheila stands behind him.

SHEILA
Are we doing the right thing,
Eric?

Eric doesn’t look at her.

ERIC
I don’t know.  But we’re not
turning back.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMPFIRE – ON HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

Standing by the dying embers of the fire, watching the silhouette
of the galleon sail across the three moons.

HANK
We’ve got to get to Realm’s Edge
first, somehow —

An O.S. ROAR interrupts him; they all look O.S. and react.

BRONZE DRAGON (O.S.)
(roars)

THEIR POV – SEASHORE

A huge BRONZE DRAGON lands at the water’s edge, its wings spraying
foam and sand.

ON KIDS

Bobby steps back warily, raising his club.

BOBBY
Just what we need — more problems!

UNI
(horselips)

Diana steps forward.

DIANA
Wait, Bobby.  That’s a bronze dragon
— it might help us.

ON BRONZE DRAGON

It watches Diana as she steps forward, her staff raised.  She TAPS
it gently on its horns with her staff, like a mahout gentling an
elephant.  With a SNORT, the dragon lowers its head.

BRONZE DRAGON
(snorts)

Diana looks at the others triumphantly.

DIANA
All aboard!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Bobby, Uni and Hank join Diana on the bronze dragon’s broad back.
There is room enough for Uni to huddle between two of the dragon’s
huge dorsal plates.  Diana sits behind the beast’s horns.

HANK
I hope you know what you’re
doing, Diana.

DIANA
So do I.

WIDE ANGLE

She TAPS the dragon’s horns again.  With a THUNDERCLAP of wings
the great creature lifts into the night sky.

AERIAL LONG SHOT – BRONZE DRAGON AND FLYING GALLEON

The bronze dragon flies after the shrinking form of the galleon,
as we —

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. REALM – AERIAL SHOT – DAWN

Much the same shot as before, with the bronze dragon still pursuing
the flying ship.  They are flying south over a rocky, barren land
which rises to mountains in the distance.  To the west the two suns
are rising.

ON BRONZE DRAGON’S BACK – PANNING

Diana, Bobby and Uni are asleep, curled up in the hollows between
the plates, well ahead of the STROKING wings.  Hank stands in
another hollow, looking grimly ahead, the WIND ruffling his hair.
PUSH IN on him as he stares O.S. after the galleon.  Suddenly
Diana’s hand ENTERS SHOT and touches his shoulder.  He turns to see
her behind him, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

DIANA
(sleepily)
You should get some sleep.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Hank looks off into the distance, frowning.

HANK
Why do you think we’re here,
Diana?

DIANA
In the Realm?
(beat)
I always thought it was to defeat
Venger.

Hank looks ahead again.

HANK
So did I — but I’m beginning to
wonder.  Maybe Venger’s right about
one thing — maybe things aren’t
that simple.

BOBBY (O.S.)
Hey, look!

ANGLE INCLUDES BOBBY

Be and Uni are now awake.  He stands atop one of the plates,
pointing ahead excitedly.

THEIR POV – FLAME MOUNTAINS

They are approaching the range of mountains now, and we can see
they consist of active volcanoes.  Curtains of smoke and ash
hang over bubbling cauldrons of lava.  Incandescent fountains shoot
up.  None of the peaks are in the throes of a major eruption, but
all together they present a dangerous gauntlet to run.  SFX:
RUMBLING, BUBBLING LAVA.

ON GALLEON – PANNING

It weaves its way through the deadly peaks.  Eric looks over the
side and GULPS as they pass very close to a lake of fire.

ERIC
(gulps)
Hey, we’re slowing down, Presto!

ON PRESTO

He takes off his hat and shakes it as though trying to dump more
magic out of it.  Nothing happens.

PRESTO
I think my spell’s running out of
gas!

WIDE ANGLE – ALL

Sheila looks back O.S.

SHEILA
They’re gaining on us!

THEIR POV – BRONZE DRAGON

Flying through the clouds of ash.  We can see Hank leaning around
one of the plates, looking down.

HANK
Stop, you guys!  Please!

REVERSE ANGLE

Eric looks up defiantly.

ERIC
No way!  This is our last chance
to go home!

ON HANK – PANNING

He looks angry.  He pulls back an arrow.

HANK
Have it your way –!

Diana grabs his arm.

DIANA
Hank!  What’re you doing?

HANK
I’m gonna force them down!

He pulls free of Diana’s arm and FIRES the arrow down O.S.

ON ERIC

He raises his shield; the arrow RICOCHETS from it O.S.

DOWNSHOT – VOLCANIC CRATER

The arrow plunges straight down into the the seething molten rock,
setting off a tremendous ERUPTION that hurtles straight up at us!

ON GALLEON – MOVING

A rain of fiery fragments SHOWERS down on its deck, setting the
bits of sailcoth afire.  Glowing clouds surround the ship.  Sheila
and Presto crowd under Eric’s shield as chunks of brimstone bounce
off it.  Smoke obscures the scene.

ERIC, SHEILA, PRESTO
(fearful walla)

ON BRONZE DRAGON – MOVING

Bank, Bobby, Uni and Diana stare in horror O.S.

BOBBY
Hank!  What’ve you done?!

ON VOLCANO

Red-hot boulders are hurled from its crater into other nearby ones.
The entire side of a neighboring peak BLOWS OUT, sending a searing
STONE WIND — a deadly cloud of incandescent gas and powdered stone
— O.S.

ANGLE INCLUDES HANK, BOBBY, DIANA, UNI

Reacting in fear as the STONE WIND BOILS toward them.

HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI
(fearful walla)

ON BRONZE DRAGON – MOVING

It turns in an attempt to escape the wall of superheated stone mist swiftly overtaking it as we

FADE OUT
END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. FLAME MOUNTAINS – DAY

ERUPTIONS proceeding in full force, and the STONE WIND hurtling
toward the bronze dragon, who is attempting to outrun it.

ON BRONZE DRAGON’S BACK – PANNING

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni hold on for dear life. Hank looks
back at the approaching WIND, coming like a roiling black wave.

HANK
It’s too fast for us!

UNI
(frightened whinny)

FAVORING DIANA

She reaches forward with her staff and TAPS the dragon under the
jaw.

DIANA
Go up!  Up!

WIDE ANGLE – BRONZE DRAGON AND STONE WIND

The bronze dragon swoops up O.S.  PAN TO FOLLOW as the boiling crest
of vaporized rock just misses it.

EXT. LAVA PLAINS – DAY

With the Flame Mountains in the distance painting the sky a baleful
red.  Rivers of lava glow along the horizon.  The exhausted bronze
dragon lands in f.g.

CLOSER ON BRONZE DRAGON

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni disembark, and the bronze dragon flies
O.S.  The four of them, grim-faced, turn to look back at the range of
fire in the distance.  Bobby is crying.

BOBBY
(sniffling)
They didn’t make it, did they?

DIANA

(false cheer)
Sure they did!  They’ve come through
tougher spots than this!

Bobby ignores her, looking at Hank.

BOBBY
Hank?

TWO SHOT – HANK AND BOBBY

Hank stares O.S. at his friends’ funeral pyre.  His shoulders
drop; he bows his head.

HANK
I’m sorry, Bobby.  It was my fault.

Bobby turns away.  Diana ENTERS SHOT and puts her hand on Hank’s
shoulder.

DIANA
What do we do now, Hank ?

Hank straightens; life must go on.

HANK
The volcanoes won’t let us go
back.  We’ll have to go on — to
Realm’s Edge.

Hank turns and looks in the other direction O.S., as does Diana.

THEIR POV

The plain rises for a considerable distance, and ends at the edge
of a cliff which stretches in either direction as far as they can
ee. At the edge, barely visible, is the cenotaph — a lonely,
crumbling tower on the edge of the world.

WIPE TO:

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF PLAIN – DAY

Eric, Sheila and Presto are picking their way over the cracked
Black lava plain.  The wrecked and smoldering galleon is visible in
b.g.  Sheila scrambles to the top of an angled slab and looks O.S.
this way and that.

SHEILA
Bobby?  Bobby?!

ON ERIC

He looks up O.S. at her.

ERIC
Any sign of them?

HIS POV – UPSHOT – SHEILA

The WIND plucking at her cloak. She looks around a final time,
then lowers her head.

SHEILA
Nothing.  They must’ve been —

She hides her face in her hands and sinks to her knees on the slab.

RESUME ERIC

He looks down at the ground also.  Presto ENTERS SHOT, looking at
him sympathetically.

PRESTO
It’s not your fault, Eric.

ERIC
Yeah, right.  Somebody else used my
shield to bounce a flame arrow into
a volcano.
(beat)
If you hadn’t gotten your magic hat
to bail us out, our gooses would be
charcoal now.

WIDE ANGLE

Sheila climbs down to join them.

ERIC (CONT’D)
Come on.  The least I can do is
find Venger’s key and get you two
home.

He turns and trudges O.S.  Presto, looking concerned over his
friend, follows.  After a beat, Sheila brings up the rear.  There
are tears on her face.

WIPE TO:

EXT. REALM’S EDGE – ESTABLISHING – DAY

The cenotaph rises, skyscraper high, on the edge of the cliff.
PUSH IN on a moucharaby near the top, where two figures stand:
Venger and Dungeon Master.  They look down O.S.

VENGER
You will lose, old man.  Their
desire to return to their home is
stronger than anything else.
Without your support they will
crumble.

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He looks concerned, but is determined not to let Venger get to him.

DUNGEON MASTER
Their courage will not fail them.
They will do what has to be done.

THEIR POV – DOWNSHOT – LAVA PLAINS

We can see the two groups of kids making their way slowly toward
the tower from opposite sides.  The rough terrain hides each group
from the other.

VENGER (O.S.)
We shall see.  That which is in
the cenotaph will test their
courage.

WIPE TO:

EXT. CENOTAPH ENTRANCE – ESTABLISHING – DAY

A huge door in the shape of a stylized dragon’s head, the open
jaws framing the entrance.  Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni ENTER SHOT
and stand before it.

DIANA
We’re here.  Now what do we do?

Hank leans wearily against the door.

HANK
I don’t know, Diana.  I think we’ve
gone as far as we can go.
(beat)
I guess I’ve lead us straight to
disaster.

INCLUDING DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

They look at each other; they don’t know what to say.  Uni nuzzles
et Hank, who rests his head on his arm in an attitude of despair.
then:

ERIC (O.S.)
Hey, look on the bright side — you
beat us here.

They all snap around and stare O.S., then react in joy.

HANK
(disbelieving joy)
Eric!

THEIR POV – ERIC

Standing atop a small rise, his cape flowing behind him, looking
cocky.  Sheila and Presto scramble up into view behind him.

SHEILA
(ecstatic)
Bobby!

She runs down O.S.

SHEILA AND BOBBY

They run toward each other and embrace.  PULL BACK to include the
others as they take turns hugging each other.  Uni capers about
them all, BLEATING in joy.

UNI
(happy unicorn bleats)

KIDS
(ad lib)
Boy, am I glad to see you!  We
thought you were goners!  How’d
you get out of that?  Let’s never
split up again!  (Etc.)

FAVORING HANK AND ERIC

With their arms around each other’s shoulders.

ERIC
I’m sure glad you guys are okay.
Now all we have to do is get that
key and we can go home.

Hank steps back from Eric.  He looks surprised.

HANK
You’re not still planning on that,
are you?

ANGLE INCLUDES ALL

We see that, consciously or not, they’ve divided into two groups
again.

ERIC
You bet we are!  I want to sleep in
my own bed tonight!

DIANA
Eric, you’re already sleeping —
and dreaming — if you think Venger’s
gonna follow through on his promise.

SHEILA
If there’s even the slightest chance,
we’ve gotta take it.

FAVORING HANK

He stands before the door.

HANK
Forget it, Eric!  Nobody opens this
door!

ON ERIC AND PRESTO

Eric stares defiantly O.S.

ERIC
That’s what you think!  Presto, show
him!

PRESTO
(doubtfully)
Well — okay …

Presto takes off his hat and aims it O.S.  A bolt of magic force
ERUPTS from the hat O.S., surprising the young magician as much as
anybody.

PRESTO
(surprised grunt)

ON HANK

He tries to dodge as the the bolt streams INTO SHOT, but a tendril
of it lifts him and gently sets him aside, while the main force of
the bolt BATTERS through the cenotaph’s door, SPLINTERING it.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric, Presto and Sheila run forward, into the cenotaph.

ERIC
That’s three, Presto.  You’re on
a roll.

ON HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

Trapped by the dissipating coils of Presto’s spell.

KIDS
(struggle)

By the time they free themselves, the others are out of sight.

HANK
We’ve got to stop them — they’re
playing right into Venger’s hands.

TRACK WITH THEM as they run into the cenotaph.

INT. CENOTAPH – ESTABLISHING

A huge empty chamber, with a side door leading to a stairwell.
Eric, Presto and Sheila have already started up it when an energy
arrow BURSTS in the air ahead of them, bringing them to a halt.

ON ERIC

He looks back O.S.  REFIELD to include Hank, Bobby, Uni and Diana
standing in the doorway.  Hank has another arrow drawn.

HANK
Don’t do it, Eric!

ERIC
(quietly)
How you gonna stop me, Hank?

ON HANK

He has an arrow drawn, but not raised.  Now he raises it.  Diana
and Bobby look at him anxiously.

HANK
I don’t know — but neither of
us want to find out.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Emphasizing the standoff for a moment; then the floor suddenly
shakes, accompanied by a deep RUMBLING.  Everyone looks about apprehensively.

SHEILA
What was that?

ON FLOOR

The RUMBLING comes again, much louder now.  Huge flagstones CRACK.
The cracks web out from the center, becoming fissures.  From the
fissures flow viscous, jelly-like streams of translucent
protoplasm.

ON DIANA, HANK AND OTHERS

The streams flow toward them, pseudopodia rising and questing
blindly for them.  Hank pushes Diana and Bobby toward the stairs.

HANK
Get off the floor — quick!

WIDE ANGLE

They run quickly up the stairs.  The floor is now covered with the
semi-solid mass, which begins flowing after them.  It rises and
forms into a huge, amoeba-like creature.  SFX: GURGLING, SLURPING.

REVERSE ANGLE

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni join the others, and they all back up
the stairwell.  The amoeboid surges after them, almost flowing over
Uni’s front hooves.  She dances back wildly to avoid it.

UNI
(“yuck!”)

ANOTHER ANGLE
the kids back up the stairs, weapons ready. The amoeboid flows glutinously after them.

DIANA
What is it?

PRESTO
Whatever it is, it knows what we
are: lunch!

FAVOR HANK

He aims the arrow he nocked earlier down O.S.

HANK
Yeah?  Let’s see if it likes its
food spicy.

He FIRES the arrow.

ON AMOEBOID

Almost filing the stairwell below them.  The arrow streaks toward
it.  A pseudopod rises and engulfs it without visible effect, save
for a luminous rippling that spreads down the pseudopod.  Then the
entire mass surges forward again.

ERIC (O.S.)
(gulps)
Looks like it liked it just fine!

ON KIDS

Presto steps forward, one hand stirring the air over his hat.

PRESTO
Lemme try!

His hand dips into the hat and pulls out a glowing sphere of magic,
which he hurls O.S.

ON AMOEBOID

It absorbs the magic ball much as it did the arrow, and with much
be same result.  It flows toward us faster than ever.

AS BEFORE – PRESTO

He looks crestfallen.  The group continues backing up the stairs.
The amoeboid is gaining on them.

PRESTO
Where’s Steve McQueen when you need
him?

DIANA
We’d better think of something.
This bowl of jelly means business.

FAVOR BOBBY

He hefts his club determinedly.

BOBBY
Yeah?  Well, so do I!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Bobby runs forward O.S.  Sheila grabs for him but misses.

SHEILA
Bobby!  Be careful!

ON AMOEBOID

THE Lovecraftian horror rises above Bobby threateningly as he steps
INTO SHOT.  Bobby SMASHES his club against one wall of the stairwell,
then the opposite wall.  The walls CRACK and CRUMBLE, BURYING
the amoeboid beneath tons of debris as Bobby dashes back O.S.

ON KIDS

They retreat from the dust and flying fragments of rock.

SHEILA
Bobby?  Are you all right?

A beat; then Bobby runs out from the thick cloud of dust.

BOBBY
Good news and bad news — that
thing’s been buried —

ANGLE ON DUST CLOUD

It clears, revealing that the stairwell is blocked.

BOBBY (O. S. CONT’D)
But we can’t go back down.

FAVORING HANK AND ERIC

Eric looks at Hank in satisfaction.

ERIC
Which means we have to go up.

Hank looks at him and nods slowly.

HANK
You win — for now.

WIDE ANGLE – ALL

They turn away from the cave-in and continue up O.S.

WIPE TO:

INT. SANCTUM – ESTABLISHING ó DAY

The topmost part of the cenotaph is the sanctum — a huge,
cathedral-like chamber with a gigantic vault on one wall and an
ornate sarcophagus in the middle of the floor, the lid carved in
the shape of a figure in repose.  The wall opposite the vault has collapsed, revealing the abyss beyond the Realm.  The stairwell
opens off another wall.  Venger and Dungeon Master stand beside
the sarcophagus.

DUNGEON MASTER
They are coming, Venger — doubtful
and suspicious of each other and
their quest, but still coming.

VENGER
Bah!  They can yet fail — and they
will.

ANGLE ON VENGER

He looks down at the carved figure on the sarcophagus lid with an
unreadable expression, then turns away.  We cannot see the features
on the figure from this angle.

VENGER (CONT’D)
Do not celebrate your victory yet,
old one.

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He approaches the sarcophagus lid and looks at it.  We still can’t
see what’s on it clearly.

DUNGEON MASTER
(cryptically)
It is not I who will be the winner,
Venger — it is you.

A FOOTFALL O.S. causes him to turn.

DUNGEON MASTER (CONT’D)
They are here.

ON STAIRWELL

Eric, leading the rest, comes into view. He stops and looks
around him O.S.

ERIC
So this is it.  Doesn’t look like
much.

ANGLE INCLUDES SANCTUM

Which is now empty, save for the sarcophagus and the kids.  Diana
points toward the broken wall and the abyss beyond.

DIANA
(awed)
Look …

ON BROKEN WALL

The kids approach cautiously and look out over the ultimate gulf.

BOBBY
(awed)
It goes on forever …!

THEIR POV – REALM’S EDGE

An endless cliff dropping into the mists of night thousands of
miles below.  Stars twinkle in the depths.  Barely visible is the
suggestion of titanic, continent sized pillars that support the
Realm.

ON VAULT

Sheila approaches the vault.  Almost hidden among the ornate
intaglio of its surface is a keyhole.

SHEILA
There’s a keyhole here.  This is
a door.

ON SARCOPHAGUS

Presto steps up to the sarcophagus and looks at the face of the
figure carved on it.  He reacts in astonishment.

PRESTO

Look — on the lid! It’s —

CLOSE ON LID

At last we see clearly the carved figure.  It is a man in warrior’s
garb, arms crossed on his chest.  His face, though noble and serene
and lacking the fangs, horn, wings, and other accouterments of evil,  nevertheless is unquestionably that of Venger.

PRESTO (O.S. CONT’D)
Venger!
ANOTHER ANGLE

The others gather around, staring at the figure.

BOBBY
I don’t get it.  Who’d want to make
old hornhead look good?

FAVORING ERIC

Looking down at the figure.

ERIC
Only one way to find out.
(beat)
Open it.

WIDE ANGLE

The kids all line up on one side of the sarcophagus and push at the
heavy stone lid.  With a GRATING of stone on stone, it slides over.

CLOSE ON SARCOPHAGUS

As the lid moves slowly to one side, revealing the interior of the
sarcophagus.  It is empty, save for an ordinary brass key lying at
the bottom.  PUSH IN on it.

ON ERIC

He reaches in and grabs the key.

ERIC
We’ve got the key!  Now all we’ve
got to do is throw it in the abyss
and we’ re home free.

He turns toward the abyss.  Hank ENTERS SHOT, blocking his path.

HANK
Don’t you get it yet?  We’ll never
get home by trusting Venger.

ANGLE INCLUDES OTHERS

As Hank and Eric face off.

ERIC
Outta my way, Hank.

Hank shakes his head.

HANK
No!  I’m right about this — I
know it!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric raises his shield — and then, suddenly, all of them are
thrown off their feet by the SHATTERING of the floor next to the
sarcophagus.

KIDS
(surprised walla)

ON FLOOR

The amoeboid rises from the floor, pseudopods lashing out in all directions.  The kids scatter to avoid it.

KIDS
(ad lib)
Look out!  That thing’s back
again!  Watch out for those
tentacles! (Etc. )

ON ERIC

Bolding the key.  A pseudopod surges THROUGH SHOT, STRIKING his
shield and sending him sprawling O. S.

ERIC
(impact grunt)

ON EDGE OF FLOOR

Eric lands near the edge of the abyss.  He looks at the key, then
raises his hand to throw it in.

CLOSE ON HIS HAND

Bank’s hand ENTERS SHOT and grabs his wrist.

HANK
No!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric tries to pull his hand from Hank’s grasp.

ERIC
Let me go!

ON DIANA

Backing up before a surging wave of the amoeboid, her staff held
out before her.  A pseudopod extrudes from the main mass and wraps
about her staff, pulling Diana toward it.  Diana braces her feet,
but the thing is too strong for her.

DIANA
(struggles)

ON PRESTO

Holding his hat out before him as he backs away from the oncoming
horror.

CLOSE ON HAT

It glows, but before anything can emerge a pseudopod wraps about
it, closing it and seizing Presto’s arms.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Presto is lifted off his feet.  He dangles helplessly in the
pseudopod’s grasp.

PRESTO
Hey!

ON ERIC AND HANK

They are on their feet now, both holding onto the key. Hank’s back
is to the abyss.

ERIC
Let me do it!  Do you want to be
a prisoner here forever?

CLOSE ON HANK

His eyes widen in sudden realization.

HANK
Eric!  Remember what you said about
this whole Realm being a dungeon?

ON ERIC

Still holding onto the key as Hank speaks.

HANK (O.S. CONT’D)
I think you were right!  We’re all
prisoners here — including Venger!
And this is the key!

ON UNI

Backed into a corner.  A pseudopod wraps about her and lifts her
O.S.

UNI
(bleat of fear )

ON SHEILA

She flips her hood up over her head as another pseudopod reaches
for her.  She becomes invisible, but the amoeboid evidently uses
other senses than sight to track its prey. It wraps about Sheila’ s
invisible form.

SHEILA (V.O.)
(screams)

The hood falls away and she becomes visible again as she is lifted,
kicking, off the floor.

ON BOBBY

Backed into another corner, swinging his club to keep a pseudopod
at bay.  He sees what’s happening O.S.

BOBBY
Sheila!  Uni!

He raises the club over his head and SLAMS it down on the floor.

WIDE ANGLE – AMOEBOID

The SHOCK WAVE ripples through its protoplasmic form, causing it
to drop Sheila, Uni, Diana and Presto.

SHEILA, UNI, DIANA, PRESTO
(impact grunts)

ON HANK AND ERIC

The SHOCK WAVE rocks them both; Hank lets go of the key, drops his
bow and staggers backward.  He hovers for a second, arms
windmilling, on the edge of infinity — then falls.

HANK
(trailing cry)

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric lunges for him, but it’s too late — he’s gone.

ERIC
Hank!

ON AMOEBOID

It’s recovered from the effects of Bobby’s blow.  The kids are
grouped together now. The amoeboid flows toward them like a sentient wave, surrounding them.

ANOTHER ANGLE

They try to free themselves, but it’s like trying to run through
heavy oil.  The protoplasm flows up around them — another moment
and it will encase them completely.

KIDS
(struggle)

ON ERIC

He looks back toward his O.S. friends, then at the abyss.  He
looks at the key in his hand.

WIDER ANGLE

Venger suddenly MATERIALIZES before him.  He points toward the
abyss.

VENGER
The key, Cavalier!  Throw it into
the abyss — or you will never see
your home again!

ON ERIC

He looks at the abyss, then O.S. in the opposite direction.

HIS POV – VAULT

PUSH IN on it, emphasizing the keyhole.

RESUME ERIC

He makes his decision — he turns and runs for the vault!

ON VENGER

He spreads his wings in wrath.

VENGER
(roars)
Stop!

Be hurls a MAGIC BOLT O.S.

ON ERIC – RUNNING

The bolt SPLASHES against his shield, staggering him, but he keeps
going.

ON VENGER

He raises his hand to hurl another blast, but just then a pseudopod
ENTERS SHOT, wrapping about him, pinning his arms.  He struggles.

VENGER
(struggles)

ON VAULT

Eric comes to a halt before the vault.

ERIC
Hank, you’d better be right –!

He thrusts the key into the lock and turns it.

ON VENGER

He frees himself of the pseudopod with a BURST of magic.  His eyes
grow wide as he realizes he’s too late.

VENGER
No!

ON VAULT

The massive door swings open.  A cascade of coruscating light
bursts forth, momentarily silhouetting Eric, who staggers backward.
The pyrotechnic forces sweep outward O.S.  APPROPRIATE SFX.

ON KIDS

The amoeboid’s mass has nearly risen over their heads when the
EFX wash over it.  The amoeboid shimmers and VANISHES in a burst of
brilliance.  The kids fall to the floor.

ON VENGER

He steps backward, holding his hands out in a futile attempt to
warn off the magic, which engulfs him.

VENGER
(cry of fear)

CUT TO:

EXT. CENOTAPH – LONG SHOT

Streams of magic BURST from the tower, spreading away from Realm’s
Edge and O.S.

EXT. FIELDS – DAY

Several SERFS toiling among crops.  A magic bolt from the vault
IMPACTS near them like an incandescent meteorite, and a portal
opens there, showing the single sun of Earth shining over a medieval town.  The serfs drop their mattocks and rush toward the portal.

SERFS
(happy cries)

EXT. PLAIN – NIGHT

Another magic bolt ZAPS a portal near a group of LIZARD MEN.  The
world opened for them is that of a tropical jungle, with three red
suns shining above it.  The lizard men rush into the portal.

LIZARD MEN
(hisses)

WIDE ANGLE – REALM – PANNING

A SLOW PAN that shows bolts from the cenotaph descending in all
parts of the Realm, creating portals wherever they STRIKE.

EXT. VENGER’S CITADEL – DAY

ORCS, BULLIWOGS and other servants of Venger flee in terror as a
bolt arcs toward the citadel.

ORCS, BULLIWOGS
(panicked cries)

CLOSER

SHADOWDEMON emerges, reacts to the approaching destruction, then hightails it O.S.  A moment later the citadel is STRUCK AND
DESTROYED by the bolt.

CUT TO:

INT. CENOTAPH – VAULT

As the last of the magic streams out and O.S., leaving Eric
sitting, dazed, before a huge, empty vault.  Diana, Sheila,
Presto, Bobby and Uni run INTO SHOT.  Presto helps Eric up.

ERIC
(awed whisper)
Did you see that?

PRESTO
You kidding?  We were all ringside.

DIANA
Looks like Hank was right …

ON ERIC

He reacts to this in shock.

ERIC
Hank!!

He rushes O.S.  The others follow.

ON EDGE OF ABYSS – UPSHOT

The kids gather around the edge of the abyss and look down,
fearing the worst.  Then they smile in relief.

HANK (O.S.)
Well, don’t just stand there —

REVERSE ANGLE – DOWNSHOT – HANK

Hanging from a rocky outcropping over the abyss.

HANK (CONT’D)
Get me outta here!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Diana extends her staff to Hank.  It glows as he pulls himself up
hand over hand to stand beside them.  He picks up his bow and
looks O.S.

HANK
Hey!  What’s happening to Venger?

They all look O.S. and react as shimmering light begins to bleed
INTO SHOT.

THEIR POV – VENGER

Still wrapped in the luminous spell.  It TRANSMOGRIFIES him,
changing him into the noble, majestic figure whose likeness is
carved on the sarcophagus.  He looks down at himself in disbelief.
When he speaks, his voice is that of Venger, but without the
sinister reverb.

ON KIDS

Watching in awe.  Hank raises his bow in a gesture of triumph.

HANK
I was right!  Our mission in the
Realm was not to defeat Venger —
it was to redeem him!

WIDE ANGLE – KIDS AND VENGER

As the new Venger approaches the kids.  Then, before them all, a
burst of prismatic light appears and forms into Dungeon Master.
He looks at Venger, and smiles.  Venger kneels before him.

VENGER
Father — I have returned.

CLOSER – KIDS, DUNGEON MASTER, VENGER

Uni nuzzles Venger’s hand as Dungeon Master, tears in his eyes,
turns toward the kids.

DUNGEON MASTER
(emotionally)
Thank you, my young pupils.  You
have done the one thing it was not
in my power to do — you have
returned my son to me.

The kids look at each other in confusion.

ERIC
(to Dungeon Master)
You’re Venger’s father?

PRESTO
There’s not a big family
resemblance …

ON VENGER

He smiles.

VENGER
Thousands of years ago, I chose to
follow another Master — one of evil.
I imprisoned in this cenotaph all that
which Dungeon Master had given me.
And now you have set me free.

ANGLE INCLUDES VAULT

Dungeon Master raises his hands, and a final bolt streaks from the
vault, IMPACTING near the kids and forming a portal.  Within it
they can see the amusement park.

KIDS
(gasps)

DUNGEON MASTER
And you have given those trapped in
this Realm their freedom.  I can do
no less for you.  You are free to
return to your world now, if you
wish.

ANGLE ON KIDS

They look at each other in disbelieving joy as Dungeon Master
continues.

DUNGEON MASTER (O.S. CONT’D)
Or you may stay here, in the Realm.
There is still much evil to be dealt
with, and many adventures yet to be
had.

WIDE ANGLE

The kids and Uni stand in front of the portal, with Dungeon
Master on one side and Venger on the other.

DUNGEON MASTER (CONT’D)
The choice, my children, is yours.

The kids look at each other, grinning, tears of happiness in their
eyes, ready to make their greatest decision of all, as we PULL
BACK, through the broken wall of the cenotaph, BACK, rising over
Realm’s Edge, BACK STILL FURTHER, craning up above mountains,
through clouds, until at last we encompass an incredible vista:
the Realm itself, with its myriad lands and lifeforms, its dangers
and its joys; a new Realm now, but still, and always: the Realm
of Dungeons and Dragons.

FADE OUT

THE END

Fanzines

Requiem

O último capítulo de Caverna do Dragão.

Roteiro: Michael Reaves

Desenho: “The Fox”

Ano: 2004

Capa: Boy