Chapter 1

Narrator: “What does it feel like to be alive with purpose?

I’ve made a deal with the devil that pulls me further into ruin..”

The narrator is portrayed in darkness, no face concealment - just hung words upon the starting page. Birds flying through the air - within the next moment they vanish - pan into Tyranny clearing onto the main scene.

Setting: Morning - Summer

9 year old portrayal of Daisuke, Tadashi and Shoto.

The scene unfolds with three boys running, as they run through the village of Tyranny. Passing a larger number of people heading towards the village square, posters are littered on the front stalls - posters of recruiting for the Regiments. People are selling produce from their farmlands, clothing, warm food to eat, the boys are bickering as one grasps an apple from one of the stalls on their way past. The stalls are bright in colour, no ounce of repression, the skies clear.

Daisuke: “Tadashi, we’re late! Zero is going to be pissed!”

There’s panic in the boy's voice as they continued their run, the boy - Tadashi, who grasped the apple grinned and tugged it from his teeth, spit drawing with.

Tadashi: “I’m sorry! I lost track of time Daisuke” - he looks back at Shoto who is desperate to get ahead of them, falling behind for a moment as he runs past his Mom who immediately waves her hand out at him with her finger outstretched to tell him off.

Tadashi: “He’s going to put me in the hot box again isn’t he?”

Reflected memories of the hot box - Tadashi and Daisuke back to back, melting in the process from the underground shelter in the middle of one of the fields. Beads of sweat dripping off their foreheads, head’s lowered in exhaustion.

Daisuke: “Make that two.

What the hell were you doing?” he pauses

Don’t tell me you were barking at Mother Nature”

There’s evident tease held in the tone, an expression of knowing as he stared across the stalls at his best friend. Their runs become a mere blur between stalls - other merchants yelling at them to slow down.

Shoto: “Me three..

All because you wanted to howl on a fence” - there’s mocking in his expression, offering his snide remark. Feeling a hand cuff around his shirt pulling him back, stopping him in his tracks.

Tadashi: “Give me a break. All I do is train, can’t I take two minutes off to do my own thing for once?”

Daisuke gives him a knowing look. Tadashi scoffs in defence.

Tadashi: “That does not involve any form of barking or howling”

Tadashi shot a glare at his best friend before glancing behind him at Shoto - Tadashi and Daisuke joining as they slowed but Shoto is still behind after being collared by his Father this time.

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Tadashi: “Shoto’s going to be in bigger trouble later” - there’s amusement on his features but that quickly turns serious as he walks side by side with Daisuke.

Tadashi: “..Are you nervous?”

Daisuke: “We didn’t have the luxury of having a family that lived, Tadashi. We know what we have signed up for.

You just happen to be the one to initiate it”

Tadashi: “You’re not answering my question”

Tadashi elbows his friend, but Daisuke’s face is still serious.

Daisuke: “A world of freedom and peace.” he ponders in thought.

If we don’t go, they’ll just keep ripping families apart.

The rebellion must be successful..” his expression changes, a nervous smile hitched on his lips.

So am I nervous? Sure as hell I am - but we’ve got each other”

Shoto soon catches up but both boys start running again. As they reached the larger outstretch of greenery and fields. Crossing over the bridge to the other side, their shoes gripping against dirt as they skid to a stop, dust from the skid by their feet.

They’re panting - Daisuke is leaned over, clutching at his knees. Tadashi is pressed up against the fencing, ripping another bite of the apple whilst Shoto catches up and groans in exasperation.

Along the fields they see a number of Cadets formed in line, Sergeants stationed at the back. The land outstretched showing a number of training grounds built in place amongst the fields a few larger tents have been pitched in the distance. Zero is standing on one of the podiums overlooking the cadets.

Zero: “Form a line!

Tyranny! What is it that we stand for?”

Cadets & Sergeants: “Freedom”

Zero: “and how will you get freedom?”

Cadets & Sergeants: “We correct the wrongs and make it right!”

Zero: “Tyranny! For centuries our ancestors have tried to correct all wrongs.

The Abnormal becoming the normal, both with Traits and Glitches.

A meaning of power that has been grasped into their hands at birth!”

Fingers curl into a fist as Zero speaks. A span over the Cadets and their eyes trained on him, hanging onto every word.

Zero: “Those children were taken from their families the moment they showed even a spark of ability.

Broken down and forced into a fake civilization against their will.”

Zero’s hand moves in motion, his finger outstretching towards the sky, there’s a panel zoom in of his eyes as he speaks.

Zero: “Their judgement has been clouded by a false god they know as an Emperor, putting him high on a pedestal.”

Lips expose the aggression, rage within his features.

Zero: “Those people. They are OUR people, we are the same regardless of power!” - his voice raises

“We have a glitch right here that will set this path in motion”

As Zero glances over the young recruits of all ages - from 9 upwards, he doesn’t spot Tadashi. This does not disrupt him as he continues on with his speech.

Zero: “We will fight.

We will infiltrate Liberty for the first time in history.

We will bring about peace where everyone can live as one.

Are you with me?”

A form of salute as fists clash into open palms, outstretched in-front of them just as the three (Tadashi, Daisuke and Shoto) that were missing from the line join the end and offer the same salute.

Cadets & Sergeants: “For Tyranny.

We lay down our lives to welcome peace”

Zero: “Next week history will be made!” - he forms his salute

“Now carry on with your training”