Post by americandragondude on Dec 29, 2005 14:02:39 GMT -5
The Hunted
« Thread Started on Today at 11:46am »
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JAKE - takes books out of his locker.
JAKE
He spins around and the door shut, revealing ROSE
standing behind it. She holds up her hand in a wave.
ROSE
Hi,Jake. Got a second?
JAKE
Oh, hey, Rose...
Jake catches himself, seeing--
THE DRAGON BIRTHMARK - on her hand. FLASH TO:
The ski trip the glove comes off Thorn's hand during the fight
in the blizzard to reveal the birthmark.
BACK TO PRESENT - Jake slowly backs away.
JAKE (cont'd)
...Uh, sure. I have a second. And
whoops, there it went. I, uh, I
gotta get going to the place, with
the people and I-Arghhhh!
Jake takes a final step back and falls down a flight of
steps. Rose deflates, calling after him.
ROSE
Uh, O.k. Some other time...
JAKE
Three...two...one...
Rose id walking home from school.
Jake, TRIXIE, and SPUD watching her.
JAKE (cont'd)
... It's just so wrong.
The girl of my dreams turning out
to be in tight with the Huntsclan.
SPUD
Things could be a lot worse. You
could be in love with your mortal
enemy. Oh, wait. Never mind.
JAKE
When I see her, it's like I don't
know whether to kiss her or
incinerate her with a fireball.
SPUD
Sounds like true love to me.
Trixie puts her hand on his shoulder.
TRIXIE
You best check yourself, Jakey.
Remember, Rose is Thorn and Thorn
is bad news. She would slay your
dragon tail in a heartbeat if she
knew the truth about you.
Jake stares after her as we--
ROSE - walks into her room--boy band posters, pink bed
Covers, old stuffed animals. She takes a photo off her desk.
THE PHOTO - Her and Jake at the school dance.
ROSE - smiles at the photo. There is POUNDING on her door.
HUNTSMAN
Thorn! It's time to prepare for the
Grand Equinox Hunt!
ROSE
Coming, master!
Rose - pulls the horn on a CUTE PORCELIN UNICORN on her desk.
The walls of the room slide and spin away, revealing a dark
Arsenal of MYSTICAL WEAPONS, TWISTED ANIMAL HORNS, and a RACK
OF THORN'S NINJA UNIFORMS (with day of the week labels).
Rose. She places the photo face-down on her desk and
Pulls A THORN MASK off the rack.
HUNTSMAN
Your training is nearly complete,
Thorn...
The Huntsman leads Thorn down the corridor as HUNTSCLAN
MEMBERS sharpen and prepare a variety of MYSTICAL WEAPONS.
HUNTSMAN
...but you still must slay your
first dragon in order to take your
rightful place in the Huntsclan.
THORN
I'm ready, Master.
HUNTSMAN
Good, because this year's Hunt will
feature a very special prize...
He POWERS UP his STAFF and projects a holographic image of
Jake (in dragon form) on the wall. As we PUSH IN on the
Image of Jake and--
HUNTSMAN (cont'd)
...The hide of The American Dragon.
A GLOWING GOLDEN APPLE - hangs from a branch that stretches
over a small stream.
and to reveal two groups of SPRITES, yelling at each
other from across the banks of the stream.
SPRITES
The apple is ours/Hands off, etc.
JAKE
What's with the ruckus, G.?
- GRANDPA, JAKE, and FU DOG watching from a hill.
GRANDPA
A dispute between two tribes of
Meadow Sprites. Observe...
the apple, the tree's branch stretching
over the stream, and the two bands of Sprites arguing.
GRANDPA (cont'd)
...The tribe on the Northern Bank
claims the enchanted apple because
the tree grows on their land. But
the fruit hangs over the territory
of the Southern tribe, so they
believe it rightfully belongs to
them.
JAKE, GRANDPA, AND FU - watch from the hill.
FU DOG
And if this don't get sorted out in
a hurry, things could turn ugly.
Sprites take their magic fruit very
seriously.
JAKE
So what up? I mean, who decides
which tribe gets the apple?
GRANDPA
You do, young one.
FU DOG
The American Dragon is judge and
jury, kid. So go ahead and judge
and, ya know, jurify.
Jake CRACKS his knuckles, getting thingyy.
JAKE
Yeah, O.k. No problem. Just sit
back and watch the Am Drag do his
thang. Dragon up, yo!
Jake TRANSFORMS into dragon form and flies Fu Dog whips
out a bag of dog biscuits.
FU DOG
I'm laying three to one biscuits
that the kid crashes and burns
inside of two minutes. Any takers?
Jake sweeps in for a landing under the apple, holding up his
hands, signaling the Sprites to stop.
JAKE
Listen up, y'all. American Dragon
is here to lay down the law on this
apple business, ya heard?
Jake picks the apple and holds it out to the Northern Tribe.
JAKE (cont'd)
I hereby declare that the apple
belongs to the Northern tribe. It
only seems fair since the tree is--
The SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF flies into Jake's face.
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
--What? The ancient texts of
Gurhan-Sigh clearly define air
space rights over all Sprite
territory.
JAKE
Really? Oh. My bad. Then I
decree that the apple rightfully
goes to the Southern tribe--
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
--Wrong! The sacred scrolls of
Hingham-Roo state that all fruit
belongs to the land from which the
tree holds its roots!
The Sprite tribes begin at each other. Jake
FLICKS out a single claw, motioning them to calm down.
JAKE
O.k. Just chill. Look, I'll just
slice this baby up and that way
both of you can share...
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
No! Cutting the apple will destroy
the fruit's magic properties!
JAKE
Oh. Yeah, right. I--I knew that.
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Choose and choose now, dragon. Or
our tribes will decide this matter
ourselves--through battle!
JAKE
No, hold up! There has to be a
peaceful way to settle this! Do you
guys know rock, paper, scissors?
Eeenie, Meanie, Minie, moe?
The Sprite Chiefs exchange a skeptical glance.
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Make war for the apple!
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Fight to the core!
The Sprite bands fly towards Jake and after the apple. Jake
holds it up, trying to keep it out of their reach.
JAKE
No, wait! Stop! GRANDPAAAAA!
Jake falls back into the stream with a SPLASH, MORPHING back
into human form and covered with mud. The Sprites are about
to collide around the apple when--
GRANDPA - swirls in (in dragon form) and grabs the apple.
THE SPRITE CHIEFS - stop and watch as--
GRANDPA - nonchalantly polishes it against his sleeve and
then drops it into his mouth, swallowing it whole.
GRANDPA
. There is no more apple.
And no more reason to fight. (extra
stern) Are there any questions?
ANGLE ON THE SPRITE CHIEFS - They exchange looks, nod and
reluctantly turn their bands away with some .
GRANDPA - MORPHS back into human form and offers Jake a hand,
pulling him out of the mud.
GRANDPA (cont'd)
Magical creatures look to dragons
for strong leadership and guidance.
Never forget that, young one. You
must always show great poise and-
! Excuse me.
Grandpa BURPS up the bare apple core. It lands in Fu Dog's
hands. He tosses it over his shoulder as they walk off.
FU DOG
Hey, you could've at least saved me
a bite. I'm hungry like the wolf
over here.
Jake is lost in thought as he sails over the rooftops of the
city in dragon form.
JAKE
Strong leadership...right. Whoah!
A MAGICAL GREEN ARROW (with energy tip) sails by his head and
into a BRICK SMOKE STACK behind him. He spins
around, spotting--
THORN - with a MAGICAL BOW on an adjacent roof.
THORN
How's my aim, Dragon Boy?
JAKE - assumes a thingyy mid-air kung fu pose.
JAKE
Totally lame. You missed.
THORN - raises an amused eyebrow.
THORN
Did I?
The chimney behind him pitches forward and the
BRICKS him successively over his head.
JAKE
Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!
THORN - leaps over the edge of the building.
THORN
Catch me if you can.
JAKE - shakes off the bricks and zooms after her.
THORN - hits the ground. With the flick of her foot, she
flips open a MANHOLE COVER and drops inside. Jake sails
through the hole after her.
JAKE - lands on the tracks in the dimly lit tunnel. His ears
prick and he turns his DRAGON EYES to see--
INFRARED DRAGON POV - Thorn cartwheels around a turn.
JAKE - flies around the corner and is suddenly blinded by--
TORCHLIGHT - as the HUNTSMAN, Thorn and several HUNTSCLAN
HUNTERS close in around him.
THORN
Congratulations, Dragon Boy.
HUNTSMAN
You've fallen right into our trap.
JAKE - spins around, kung fu-ing a few of the Huntsclan out
of his way. Jake takes flight and zips down a tunnel.
JAKE
Sorry, Hunts-fool. But you left
the back-door open. See ya!
THE HUNTSMAN AND THORN - He calmly raises his staff.
HUNTSMAN
All part of the plan, dragon.
You're about to catch the downtown
express...
He shoots a magical green BLAST that SIZZLES into--
A CONTROL SWITCH - on the side of the tunnel. It SPARKS.
The switch activates and
AN ONCOMING SUBWAY TRAIN - switches onto the oncoming track,
SCREAMING right towards
JAKE who tries to backpedal in mid-air, covering up.
JAKE
Uh-oh. Not the face! Not the face!
Too late. The train's headlights come in front of Jake and there
is a sickening CRUNCH and then--
TOTAL BLACKNESS
The serenity of unconsciousness. Jake hears:
CLOONEY
Heads...nope. Tails...uh-uh...
JAKE'S POV
A Leprechaun named CLOONEY comes into focus. He's sitting
next to Jake and flipping a GOLD COIN onto the palm of his
hand and trying to guess the results.
CLOONEY
Heads...wrong again. Wow, this
just isn't my day. Again.
Clooney's hands and feet are chained. He looks up.
CLOONEY (cont'd)
Hey, guys! The Dragon's awake!
Dragon Jake is chained and shackled to a group of other
magical creatures. Jake rubs his head, still woozy.
JAKE
Ohhhhhh. Since when is the
downtown express ever on time?
SILVER, a bright bookworm-ish Mermaid, yanks up his eyelids
and examines his pupils.
SILVER
No sign of intercranial trauma or
subdural haematoma...
JAKE
Uh, no sign or inter-what with sub
what what?
SILVER
You're fine.
BERTHA, a large dim-witted giantess is
crammed into the wagon. She claps her hands.
BERTHA
Dragon rescue us! Dragon rescue!
Clooney flips his coin.
CLOONEY
Rescued? Us? With my luck? Not
likely. (to coin) Tales...Nope.
Jake leans back in his seat, surveying his surroundings.
JAKE
Where am I? Who are--
REGGIE
Oy! Watch where yer tail's
sittin', dragon!
Jake leaps up off a high strung Brownie named Reggie
, who is chained next to him.
JAKE
Oh, sorry. I didn't even see you
down there.
REGGIE
How would you like to see my fist
heading down yer throat then?
Silver leans over and offers her hand.
SILVER
Don't mind Reggie. He's a Brownie
with some anger management issues.
REGGIE
Oy! I don't have anger management
issues. I manage to get angry just
fine, thank you very much!
Reggie slams his tiny fist through a wall of the wagon.
SILVER
I'm Silver. I graduated Aqua Cum
Laude, Atlantis U.
JAKE
Congratulations.
jake sees the rest of the group as Silver introduces them.
SILVER
The dim-witted Giant is Bertha...
Bertha is crammed in a position where her feet are pressed up
under her chin. A YELLOW ODOR wafts up from them.
BERTHA
Bertha's feets smells bad.
Reggie recoils from the odor.
REGGIE
Oy! That's putting it mildly!
(passing out) Are we going into a
tunnel? It's getting so dark...
He topples over.
SILVER
And the neurotic Leprechaun is
Clooney...
Clooney catches his coin, covering it with his hand.
CLOONEY
Look, I'm not neurotic, o.k.? I'm
just very, very unlucky. (re: the
coin) O.K. I'm thinking heads, so
I'll go the other way and guess
tails.(peeks under) Darn it!
Jake climbs to his feet.
JAKE
Look, the name's Jake Long. I'm
the American Dragon. Just hang
tight and I'll have us out of here
in no time flat.
Jake struggles against the chains. He breathes on his
shackles but it has no effect. Clooney waves off the smoke.
CLOONEY
Um, do you mind? I have
these sinus allergies...
SILVER
Save your strength, Jake. These
chains are reinforced with unicorn
horn. Even you can't break them.
JAKE
But--but what are we doing here?
Where are they taking us?
Silver glances through the bars up at the sky.
SILVER
See the elliptical position of the
moon? My guess is that we're the
"special guests" for the
Huntsclan's Grand Equinox Hunt.
JAKE
The Grand Equi what now?
HUNTSMAN
The Grand Equinox hunt...
The Huntsman paces before Jake, Silver, Bertha, and Reggie,
who are staked before a large bonfire.
HUNTSMAN
...For thousands of years, our
order has lived by one simple code-
the way of the hunt...
Thorn finishes locking Clooney to his stake and hitches A
GLOWING GREEN KEY onto her belt.
CLOONEY
Uh, could you stake me
downwind? There's the smoke and I
have these sinus allergies...(no
response) You know, forget it.
I'll be fine.
The Huntsman raises his staff to the rest of the clan.
HUNTSMAN
...Tomorrow, at dawn, each of these
creatures will be released and
given a ten minute head start.
Then, we shall track them down and
bag them as our trophies--
THORN
--But the grand prize is mine...
Thorn steps forward into the light of the fire. She removes
her glove and holds her birthmark up for all to see.
THORN (cont'd)
Tomorrow, I swear on our ancestors
that I will slay the American
Dragon and fulfill my destiny!
The Huntsclan erupt into applause
JAKE - exchanges worried looks with Silver, Reggie, and
Clooney. Bertha gets caught up and joins in the APPLAUSE.
BERTHA
Yay! Slay the dragon! Slay the
drag--(realizing) Oh, right. Sorry.
PAN OVER THE PRISONERS - staked by the fire. Clooney flips
his coin with his hands chained behind his back. Bertha
SNORES loudly. Reggie struggles against his chains.
REGGIE
Lemme at them Huntsclan! I'll take
'em all on meself!
Jake struggles against his chains and frees his tail just as-
THORN
Dragon...
Jake hides his freed tail behind his back as Thorn
approaches. She stands before him, staring him down.
THORN (cont'd)
I want to have a good look at you
before I slay you tomorrow.
JAKE
Look all you want. The view is
mighty pretty. But what say we
dial down the whole 'slaying' part?
She stares him down.
THORN
There's something about you...in
your eyes...something familiar.
REVERSE ON THORN - As Jake talks, his tail slips around her,
reaching for the key on the back of her belt, but she keeps
shifting. He can't quite get a hold of it.
JAKE
Yo, Thorn. Why are you doing all
this anyway?
Thorn raises her birthmark.
THORN
I am marked. It is my destiny.
JAKE
Hey, I got a birthmark on my rear
that's shaped like the state of
Idaho. Doesn't mean I'm gonna move
there. What matters is what's on
the inside.
Thorn turns away, exposing her back and the key. Jake's tail
reaches for it.
THORN
You don't know me, dragon.
JAKE
I know this--every Thorn has a
Rose...you know what I'm saying?
She spins around. Jake whips his tail behind him.
THORN
What? What did you just say?
JAKE
Uh, I just mean...I think there's
another side to you. You're not
like the Huntsman.
THORN
Not yet, but I will be. After I
slay you tomorrow.
She turns and stalks off.
JAKE
(calling after her)
What, no last meal? Come on, give a
dragon some love. That's just cold.
She turns and stalks off. Silver rolls her eyes.
SILVER
Nice try, lover boy. But it looks
like you struck out.
Jake holds up his tail to reveal the glowing green key.
JAKE
Guess again, Silver. Holla!
BERTHA
Hey! He has the key! (louder) He
has the key! Hooray! Hoor--
Jake's tail SLAPS over her mouth.
BERTHA (cont'd)
Oh. Right. Shhhh!
Jake finishes unlocking Clooney from his stake.
The group moves away from their stakes, but are still chained
together with a line of glowing green ankle shackles. Silver
walks around them awkwardly, using her tail fins as feet.
She takes the key and tries to unlock the ankle shackles.
SILVER
The key won't work on these locks.
We're stuck together.
Jake, Silver, Bertha, Reggie, and Clooney stumble over each
other as they make their way towards the trees line. They
stumble and end up in a tangled heap.
JAKE/SILVER/BERTHA/CLOONEY/REGGIE
Ooof/Ow!
Reggie lands face-first in between Bertha's stinking toes.
REGGIE
Ew, get them stinking toes outta my
face, ya wretched giant! (passing
out) I think I see the white cliffs
of Dover...
He topples over. Jake pulls him up.
JAKE
Keep moving. It's almost dawn.
THE BONFIRE EMBERS - still smolder as Thorn examines the
empty stakes with the Huntsman.
THORN
The prisoners have escaped, Master.
I--I don't know what happened.
HUNTSMAN
Disappointing, Thorn. (calling out)
Release the hounds...
A CAGE - opens and several THREE-HEADED CERBERUS DOGS wearing
armored plates come out.
HUNTSMAN (cont'd)
...and let the hunt begin...
HUNTERS - pour out of tents, grabbing weapons.
Jake, Silver, Clooney, Bertha, and Reggie all come to a stop,
JAKE
All right. No need to panic.
Everyone just keep cool...
The sound of the Huntsclan ECHOES through the trees.
BERTHA
Is that the ice cream man?
REGGIE
Guess again, ya daft giant!
SILVER
(panicking)
Every magical creature for
themselves!
They break in different directions, running into each other.
SILVER/CLOONEY/BERTHA/REGGIE
Watch the fins/ Ow/Duh/Oy!
Outta my way!
The group ends up in a comically tangled heap and drops to
the ground.
JAKE
Aw, man...
The sounds of Huntsclan HORNS and hounds BARKING echo through
the trees as--
THE HUNTSMAN AND THORN - lead the hunting party.
HUNTSMAN
Fan out. (hears something) Silence!
He and Thorn listen. There's a sound in the
distance. Thorn points.
THORN
That way, Master.
We hear the huntsclan as Reggie desperately hits down on
the glowing green chains between himself and Clooney.
REGGIE
Oy! Oy! Oy!
CLOONEY
Ow! Ow! Ow! That was my thumb!
Now I'll probably get a blister, I
just know it...yup, there it is.
Silver holds up the chain.
SILVER
This metallic alloy is fifty
percent iron, thirty percent
titanium and twenty percent unicorn
horn with a hardness level of--
Reggie continues pounding with the rock.
REGGIE
Oy! Miss Know It All Fish Tail!
Why don't ya shut yer big smart
hole for once!
SILVER
There's no way you can break these
by-!
JAKE
Everyone! Get down!
Jake gang tackles the whole group as several MAGIC GREEN
ENERGY BLASTS over their heads and through the
foliage. They look up to see--
HUNTERS - emerging over a hill in the distance, led by the
Huntsman and Thorn. They FIRE more BLASTS.
THE GROUP - Reggie pulls towards the Huntsclan.
REGGIE
Let's take 'em! We got 'em
cornered! I'll take the big 'un!
Jake pulls him back and spreads his wings.
JAKE
Fasten your seatbelts. You're all
about to fly Dragon Airlines. Now
can I get a whoo-whoo!
Silver whips out a tape measure and surveys his wingspan.
SILVER
Sorry, Jake. But it's
scientifically impossible for your
wings to diplace enough air to--
JAKE
Hey, all I know is, I'll get you
from displace to datplace. Chicka
check it out!
Jake starts flapping.
WIDE ON THE GROUP - Jake takes to the air, lifting Silver,
Reggie, and Clooney off the ground and over the treetops.
But Bertha's weight is too much. He's barely able to get her
off the ground.
JAKE (cont'd)
Clooney shoots a look down at Bertha as she spreads her arms.
BERTHA
Bertha flying! Bertha like
butterfly!
Jake clenches his eyes shut, struggling.
JAKE
Can't...stay...up.
BERTHA - into a tree, yanking the entire group down
with her into the branches of the tree.
JAKE/SILVER/BERTHA/CLOONEY/REGGIE
THE GROUP - swings from the branches in a tangled mess.
REGGIE
« Thread Started on Today at 11:46am »
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JAKE - takes books out of his locker.
JAKE
He spins around and the door shut, revealing ROSE
standing behind it. She holds up her hand in a wave.
ROSE
Hi,Jake. Got a second?
JAKE
Oh, hey, Rose...
Jake catches himself, seeing--
THE DRAGON BIRTHMARK - on her hand. FLASH TO:
The ski trip the glove comes off Thorn's hand during the fight
in the blizzard to reveal the birthmark.
BACK TO PRESENT - Jake slowly backs away.
JAKE (cont'd)
...Uh, sure. I have a second. And
whoops, there it went. I, uh, I
gotta get going to the place, with
the people and I-Arghhhh!
Jake takes a final step back and falls down a flight of
steps. Rose deflates, calling after him.
ROSE
Uh, O.k. Some other time...
JAKE
Three...two...one...
Rose id walking home from school.
Jake, TRIXIE, and SPUD watching her.
JAKE (cont'd)
... It's just so wrong.
The girl of my dreams turning out
to be in tight with the Huntsclan.
SPUD
Things could be a lot worse. You
could be in love with your mortal
enemy. Oh, wait. Never mind.
JAKE
When I see her, it's like I don't
know whether to kiss her or
incinerate her with a fireball.
SPUD
Sounds like true love to me.
Trixie puts her hand on his shoulder.
TRIXIE
You best check yourself, Jakey.
Remember, Rose is Thorn and Thorn
is bad news. She would slay your
dragon tail in a heartbeat if she
knew the truth about you.
Jake stares after her as we--
ROSE - walks into her room--boy band posters, pink bed
Covers, old stuffed animals. She takes a photo off her desk.
THE PHOTO - Her and Jake at the school dance.
ROSE - smiles at the photo. There is POUNDING on her door.
HUNTSMAN
Thorn! It's time to prepare for the
Grand Equinox Hunt!
ROSE
Coming, master!
Rose - pulls the horn on a CUTE PORCELIN UNICORN on her desk.
The walls of the room slide and spin away, revealing a dark
Arsenal of MYSTICAL WEAPONS, TWISTED ANIMAL HORNS, and a RACK
OF THORN'S NINJA UNIFORMS (with day of the week labels).
Rose. She places the photo face-down on her desk and
Pulls A THORN MASK off the rack.
HUNTSMAN
Your training is nearly complete,
Thorn...
The Huntsman leads Thorn down the corridor as HUNTSCLAN
MEMBERS sharpen and prepare a variety of MYSTICAL WEAPONS.
HUNTSMAN
...but you still must slay your
first dragon in order to take your
rightful place in the Huntsclan.
THORN
I'm ready, Master.
HUNTSMAN
Good, because this year's Hunt will
feature a very special prize...
He POWERS UP his STAFF and projects a holographic image of
Jake (in dragon form) on the wall. As we PUSH IN on the
Image of Jake and--
HUNTSMAN (cont'd)
...The hide of The American Dragon.
A GLOWING GOLDEN APPLE - hangs from a branch that stretches
over a small stream.
and to reveal two groups of SPRITES, yelling at each
other from across the banks of the stream.
SPRITES
The apple is ours/Hands off, etc.
JAKE
What's with the ruckus, G.?
- GRANDPA, JAKE, and FU DOG watching from a hill.
GRANDPA
A dispute between two tribes of
Meadow Sprites. Observe...
the apple, the tree's branch stretching
over the stream, and the two bands of Sprites arguing.
GRANDPA (cont'd)
...The tribe on the Northern Bank
claims the enchanted apple because
the tree grows on their land. But
the fruit hangs over the territory
of the Southern tribe, so they
believe it rightfully belongs to
them.
JAKE, GRANDPA, AND FU - watch from the hill.
FU DOG
And if this don't get sorted out in
a hurry, things could turn ugly.
Sprites take their magic fruit very
seriously.
JAKE
So what up? I mean, who decides
which tribe gets the apple?
GRANDPA
You do, young one.
FU DOG
The American Dragon is judge and
jury, kid. So go ahead and judge
and, ya know, jurify.
Jake CRACKS his knuckles, getting thingyy.
JAKE
Yeah, O.k. No problem. Just sit
back and watch the Am Drag do his
thang. Dragon up, yo!
Jake TRANSFORMS into dragon form and flies Fu Dog whips
out a bag of dog biscuits.
FU DOG
I'm laying three to one biscuits
that the kid crashes and burns
inside of two minutes. Any takers?
Jake sweeps in for a landing under the apple, holding up his
hands, signaling the Sprites to stop.
JAKE
Listen up, y'all. American Dragon
is here to lay down the law on this
apple business, ya heard?
Jake picks the apple and holds it out to the Northern Tribe.
JAKE (cont'd)
I hereby declare that the apple
belongs to the Northern tribe. It
only seems fair since the tree is--
The SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF flies into Jake's face.
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
--What? The ancient texts of
Gurhan-Sigh clearly define air
space rights over all Sprite
territory.
JAKE
Really? Oh. My bad. Then I
decree that the apple rightfully
goes to the Southern tribe--
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
--Wrong! The sacred scrolls of
Hingham-Roo state that all fruit
belongs to the land from which the
tree holds its roots!
The Sprite tribes begin at each other. Jake
FLICKS out a single claw, motioning them to calm down.
JAKE
O.k. Just chill. Look, I'll just
slice this baby up and that way
both of you can share...
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
No! Cutting the apple will destroy
the fruit's magic properties!
JAKE
Oh. Yeah, right. I--I knew that.
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Choose and choose now, dragon. Or
our tribes will decide this matter
ourselves--through battle!
JAKE
No, hold up! There has to be a
peaceful way to settle this! Do you
guys know rock, paper, scissors?
Eeenie, Meanie, Minie, moe?
The Sprite Chiefs exchange a skeptical glance.
NORTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Make war for the apple!
SOUTHERN SPRITE CHIEF
Fight to the core!
The Sprite bands fly towards Jake and after the apple. Jake
holds it up, trying to keep it out of their reach.
JAKE
No, wait! Stop! GRANDPAAAAA!
Jake falls back into the stream with a SPLASH, MORPHING back
into human form and covered with mud. The Sprites are about
to collide around the apple when--
GRANDPA - swirls in (in dragon form) and grabs the apple.
THE SPRITE CHIEFS - stop and watch as--
GRANDPA - nonchalantly polishes it against his sleeve and
then drops it into his mouth, swallowing it whole.
GRANDPA
. There is no more apple.
And no more reason to fight. (extra
stern) Are there any questions?
ANGLE ON THE SPRITE CHIEFS - They exchange looks, nod and
reluctantly turn their bands away with some .
GRANDPA - MORPHS back into human form and offers Jake a hand,
pulling him out of the mud.
GRANDPA (cont'd)
Magical creatures look to dragons
for strong leadership and guidance.
Never forget that, young one. You
must always show great poise and-
! Excuse me.
Grandpa BURPS up the bare apple core. It lands in Fu Dog's
hands. He tosses it over his shoulder as they walk off.
FU DOG
Hey, you could've at least saved me
a bite. I'm hungry like the wolf
over here.
Jake is lost in thought as he sails over the rooftops of the
city in dragon form.
JAKE
Strong leadership...right. Whoah!
A MAGICAL GREEN ARROW (with energy tip) sails by his head and
into a BRICK SMOKE STACK behind him. He spins
around, spotting--
THORN - with a MAGICAL BOW on an adjacent roof.
THORN
How's my aim, Dragon Boy?
JAKE - assumes a thingyy mid-air kung fu pose.
JAKE
Totally lame. You missed.
THORN - raises an amused eyebrow.
THORN
Did I?
The chimney behind him pitches forward and the
BRICKS him successively over his head.
JAKE
Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!
THORN - leaps over the edge of the building.
THORN
Catch me if you can.
JAKE - shakes off the bricks and zooms after her.
THORN - hits the ground. With the flick of her foot, she
flips open a MANHOLE COVER and drops inside. Jake sails
through the hole after her.
JAKE - lands on the tracks in the dimly lit tunnel. His ears
prick and he turns his DRAGON EYES to see--
INFRARED DRAGON POV - Thorn cartwheels around a turn.
JAKE - flies around the corner and is suddenly blinded by--
TORCHLIGHT - as the HUNTSMAN, Thorn and several HUNTSCLAN
HUNTERS close in around him.
THORN
Congratulations, Dragon Boy.
HUNTSMAN
You've fallen right into our trap.
JAKE - spins around, kung fu-ing a few of the Huntsclan out
of his way. Jake takes flight and zips down a tunnel.
JAKE
Sorry, Hunts-fool. But you left
the back-door open. See ya!
THE HUNTSMAN AND THORN - He calmly raises his staff.
HUNTSMAN
All part of the plan, dragon.
You're about to catch the downtown
express...
He shoots a magical green BLAST that SIZZLES into--
A CONTROL SWITCH - on the side of the tunnel. It SPARKS.
The switch activates and
AN ONCOMING SUBWAY TRAIN - switches onto the oncoming track,
SCREAMING right towards
JAKE who tries to backpedal in mid-air, covering up.
JAKE
Uh-oh. Not the face! Not the face!
Too late. The train's headlights come in front of Jake and there
is a sickening CRUNCH and then--
TOTAL BLACKNESS
The serenity of unconsciousness. Jake hears:
CLOONEY
Heads...nope. Tails...uh-uh...
JAKE'S POV
A Leprechaun named CLOONEY comes into focus. He's sitting
next to Jake and flipping a GOLD COIN onto the palm of his
hand and trying to guess the results.
CLOONEY
Heads...wrong again. Wow, this
just isn't my day. Again.
Clooney's hands and feet are chained. He looks up.
CLOONEY (cont'd)
Hey, guys! The Dragon's awake!
Dragon Jake is chained and shackled to a group of other
magical creatures. Jake rubs his head, still woozy.
JAKE
Ohhhhhh. Since when is the
downtown express ever on time?
SILVER, a bright bookworm-ish Mermaid, yanks up his eyelids
and examines his pupils.
SILVER
No sign of intercranial trauma or
subdural haematoma...
JAKE
Uh, no sign or inter-what with sub
what what?
SILVER
You're fine.
BERTHA, a large dim-witted giantess is
crammed into the wagon. She claps her hands.
BERTHA
Dragon rescue us! Dragon rescue!
Clooney flips his coin.
CLOONEY
Rescued? Us? With my luck? Not
likely. (to coin) Tales...Nope.
Jake leans back in his seat, surveying his surroundings.
JAKE
Where am I? Who are--
REGGIE
Oy! Watch where yer tail's
sittin', dragon!
Jake leaps up off a high strung Brownie named Reggie
, who is chained next to him.
JAKE
Oh, sorry. I didn't even see you
down there.
REGGIE
How would you like to see my fist
heading down yer throat then?
Silver leans over and offers her hand.
SILVER
Don't mind Reggie. He's a Brownie
with some anger management issues.
REGGIE
Oy! I don't have anger management
issues. I manage to get angry just
fine, thank you very much!
Reggie slams his tiny fist through a wall of the wagon.
SILVER
I'm Silver. I graduated Aqua Cum
Laude, Atlantis U.
JAKE
Congratulations.
jake sees the rest of the group as Silver introduces them.
SILVER
The dim-witted Giant is Bertha...
Bertha is crammed in a position where her feet are pressed up
under her chin. A YELLOW ODOR wafts up from them.
BERTHA
Bertha's feets smells bad.
Reggie recoils from the odor.
REGGIE
Oy! That's putting it mildly!
(passing out) Are we going into a
tunnel? It's getting so dark...
He topples over.
SILVER
And the neurotic Leprechaun is
Clooney...
Clooney catches his coin, covering it with his hand.
CLOONEY
Look, I'm not neurotic, o.k.? I'm
just very, very unlucky. (re: the
coin) O.K. I'm thinking heads, so
I'll go the other way and guess
tails.(peeks under) Darn it!
Jake climbs to his feet.
JAKE
Look, the name's Jake Long. I'm
the American Dragon. Just hang
tight and I'll have us out of here
in no time flat.
Jake struggles against the chains. He breathes on his
shackles but it has no effect. Clooney waves off the smoke.
CLOONEY
Um, do you mind? I have
these sinus allergies...
SILVER
Save your strength, Jake. These
chains are reinforced with unicorn
horn. Even you can't break them.
JAKE
But--but what are we doing here?
Where are they taking us?
Silver glances through the bars up at the sky.
SILVER
See the elliptical position of the
moon? My guess is that we're the
"special guests" for the
Huntsclan's Grand Equinox Hunt.
JAKE
The Grand Equi what now?
HUNTSMAN
The Grand Equinox hunt...
The Huntsman paces before Jake, Silver, Bertha, and Reggie,
who are staked before a large bonfire.
HUNTSMAN
...For thousands of years, our
order has lived by one simple code-
the way of the hunt...
Thorn finishes locking Clooney to his stake and hitches A
GLOWING GREEN KEY onto her belt.
CLOONEY
Uh, could you stake me
downwind? There's the smoke and I
have these sinus allergies...(no
response) You know, forget it.
I'll be fine.
The Huntsman raises his staff to the rest of the clan.
HUNTSMAN
...Tomorrow, at dawn, each of these
creatures will be released and
given a ten minute head start.
Then, we shall track them down and
bag them as our trophies--
THORN
--But the grand prize is mine...
Thorn steps forward into the light of the fire. She removes
her glove and holds her birthmark up for all to see.
THORN (cont'd)
Tomorrow, I swear on our ancestors
that I will slay the American
Dragon and fulfill my destiny!
The Huntsclan erupt into applause
JAKE - exchanges worried looks with Silver, Reggie, and
Clooney. Bertha gets caught up and joins in the APPLAUSE.
BERTHA
Yay! Slay the dragon! Slay the
drag--(realizing) Oh, right. Sorry.
PAN OVER THE PRISONERS - staked by the fire. Clooney flips
his coin with his hands chained behind his back. Bertha
SNORES loudly. Reggie struggles against his chains.
REGGIE
Lemme at them Huntsclan! I'll take
'em all on meself!
Jake struggles against his chains and frees his tail just as-
THORN
Dragon...
Jake hides his freed tail behind his back as Thorn
approaches. She stands before him, staring him down.
THORN (cont'd)
I want to have a good look at you
before I slay you tomorrow.
JAKE
Look all you want. The view is
mighty pretty. But what say we
dial down the whole 'slaying' part?
She stares him down.
THORN
There's something about you...in
your eyes...something familiar.
REVERSE ON THORN - As Jake talks, his tail slips around her,
reaching for the key on the back of her belt, but she keeps
shifting. He can't quite get a hold of it.
JAKE
Yo, Thorn. Why are you doing all
this anyway?
Thorn raises her birthmark.
THORN
I am marked. It is my destiny.
JAKE
Hey, I got a birthmark on my rear
that's shaped like the state of
Idaho. Doesn't mean I'm gonna move
there. What matters is what's on
the inside.
Thorn turns away, exposing her back and the key. Jake's tail
reaches for it.
THORN
You don't know me, dragon.
JAKE
I know this--every Thorn has a
Rose...you know what I'm saying?
She spins around. Jake whips his tail behind him.
THORN
What? What did you just say?
JAKE
Uh, I just mean...I think there's
another side to you. You're not
like the Huntsman.
THORN
Not yet, but I will be. After I
slay you tomorrow.
She turns and stalks off.
JAKE
(calling after her)
What, no last meal? Come on, give a
dragon some love. That's just cold.
She turns and stalks off. Silver rolls her eyes.
SILVER
Nice try, lover boy. But it looks
like you struck out.
Jake holds up his tail to reveal the glowing green key.
JAKE
Guess again, Silver. Holla!
BERTHA
Hey! He has the key! (louder) He
has the key! Hooray! Hoor--
Jake's tail SLAPS over her mouth.
BERTHA (cont'd)
Oh. Right. Shhhh!
Jake finishes unlocking Clooney from his stake.
The group moves away from their stakes, but are still chained
together with a line of glowing green ankle shackles. Silver
walks around them awkwardly, using her tail fins as feet.
She takes the key and tries to unlock the ankle shackles.
SILVER
The key won't work on these locks.
We're stuck together.
Jake, Silver, Bertha, Reggie, and Clooney stumble over each
other as they make their way towards the trees line. They
stumble and end up in a tangled heap.
JAKE/SILVER/BERTHA/CLOONEY/REGGIE
Ooof/Ow!
Reggie lands face-first in between Bertha's stinking toes.
REGGIE
Ew, get them stinking toes outta my
face, ya wretched giant! (passing
out) I think I see the white cliffs
of Dover...
He topples over. Jake pulls him up.
JAKE
Keep moving. It's almost dawn.
THE BONFIRE EMBERS - still smolder as Thorn examines the
empty stakes with the Huntsman.
THORN
The prisoners have escaped, Master.
I--I don't know what happened.
HUNTSMAN
Disappointing, Thorn. (calling out)
Release the hounds...
A CAGE - opens and several THREE-HEADED CERBERUS DOGS wearing
armored plates come out.
HUNTSMAN (cont'd)
...and let the hunt begin...
HUNTERS - pour out of tents, grabbing weapons.
Jake, Silver, Clooney, Bertha, and Reggie all come to a stop,
JAKE
All right. No need to panic.
Everyone just keep cool...
The sound of the Huntsclan ECHOES through the trees.
BERTHA
Is that the ice cream man?
REGGIE
Guess again, ya daft giant!
SILVER
(panicking)
Every magical creature for
themselves!
They break in different directions, running into each other.
SILVER/CLOONEY/BERTHA/REGGIE
Watch the fins/ Ow/Duh/Oy!
Outta my way!
The group ends up in a comically tangled heap and drops to
the ground.
JAKE
Aw, man...
The sounds of Huntsclan HORNS and hounds BARKING echo through
the trees as--
THE HUNTSMAN AND THORN - lead the hunting party.
HUNTSMAN
Fan out. (hears something) Silence!
He and Thorn listen. There's a sound in the
distance. Thorn points.
THORN
That way, Master.
We hear the huntsclan as Reggie desperately hits down on
the glowing green chains between himself and Clooney.
REGGIE
Oy! Oy! Oy!
CLOONEY
Ow! Ow! Ow! That was my thumb!
Now I'll probably get a blister, I
just know it...yup, there it is.
Silver holds up the chain.
SILVER
This metallic alloy is fifty
percent iron, thirty percent
titanium and twenty percent unicorn
horn with a hardness level of--
Reggie continues pounding with the rock.
REGGIE
Oy! Miss Know It All Fish Tail!
Why don't ya shut yer big smart
hole for once!
SILVER
There's no way you can break these
by-!
JAKE
Everyone! Get down!
Jake gang tackles the whole group as several MAGIC GREEN
ENERGY BLASTS over their heads and through the
foliage. They look up to see--
HUNTERS - emerging over a hill in the distance, led by the
Huntsman and Thorn. They FIRE more BLASTS.
THE GROUP - Reggie pulls towards the Huntsclan.
REGGIE
Let's take 'em! We got 'em
cornered! I'll take the big 'un!
Jake pulls him back and spreads his wings.
JAKE
Fasten your seatbelts. You're all
about to fly Dragon Airlines. Now
can I get a whoo-whoo!
Silver whips out a tape measure and surveys his wingspan.
SILVER
Sorry, Jake. But it's
scientifically impossible for your
wings to diplace enough air to--
JAKE
Hey, all I know is, I'll get you
from displace to datplace. Chicka
check it out!
Jake starts flapping.
WIDE ON THE GROUP - Jake takes to the air, lifting Silver,
Reggie, and Clooney off the ground and over the treetops.
But Bertha's weight is too much. He's barely able to get her
off the ground.
JAKE (cont'd)
Clooney shoots a look down at Bertha as she spreads her arms.
BERTHA
Bertha flying! Bertha like
butterfly!
Jake clenches his eyes shut, struggling.
JAKE
Can't...stay...up.
BERTHA - into a tree, yanking the entire group down
with her into the branches of the tree.
JAKE/SILVER/BERTHA/CLOONEY/REGGIE
THE GROUP - swings from the branches in a tangled mess.
REGGIE