Int. WAR ROOM OF THE CITY OF BARRAKUS -- late afternoon
Leonardo is arguing with Hawk on opposite sides of the war map table. Against the wall on a divan is Taleru, his leg in a cast with his half clad women fawning over him, and servants. John has a head wound bandage next to Leo. Tavaris and Kisera are against the opposite wall both looking worse for wear, armors dented. Suki is next to Hawk and the Wolf is near the entrance with Diego not saying anything, listening.
LeONARDO
I can't believe your asking this of me. I am in your debt Lady Hawk and that of your friend Wolf for saving my people and will never be able to repay such in a thousand lifetimes but my people are suffering. Seven thousand citizens, not soldiers, citizens, women, children, all dead on the sands, almost my entire army never to share another laugh, drink, never to exhale a breath again. And you want them to get up and march to the other side of the Waste to take the viper that caused all this in his lair. No, no I can not ask this of my people!!!
John puts a hand on Leo's arm.
CommANDER LORIS
Leo.
Leo lets out an exasperated breath.
LEONARDO
I apologize. I think I am losing it. My father left to me the protection of these people and it doesn't seem as if I am living up to his expectations nor my own.
The hawk
Are you done?
Leo looks at her as does most everyone else.
The hawk (CONT'D)
You are not the only one to lose people. I lost Busari, a man who literally raised me, who was as family. The fat man lost his friend protecting your walls. We all have many sorrows to lay upon my brother's feet. But we need to lick our wounds, stand tall and take the fight to my brother. By my scouts estimates, he sent his entire army here. He will never be this vulnerable again. What would you have, wait for him to churn out more armies in his vast labs and do this all over again? We must strike now!
Leo sighs and puts his arms on the table.
Commander LORIS
I hate to say it Leo, I feel every ache in every bone I own. But she's right. We must cut the head off this snake.
Leo nods his head.
LeONARDO
We have maybe 15,000 troops that can raise arms. You have them and me. I will not have them go to this beast's den without their lord leading them.
ColONEL TAVARIS
Finally! You know something that looks as good as this doesn't sit well with nothing to do. I say we roll right up to the tar bird's lair and de-wing him, de-fang him, de-pluck him, whichever one fits your fancy.
Kisera groans.
ColoNEL KISERA
Why did I have to survive?
Tavaris grins.
COLONEL TAVARIS
You'd be lost without me and you know it my chummy chum chum.
The Wolf steps up.
The wolf
I have spent what seems a lifetime preparing for what's to come. I have just met most of you in the last few days but I see your mettle and your courage. Both will be needed to overcome this Lord Raven. But there is more at stake then just the lives of the people of the Waste. A kind old man showed me that much. It is the future of the world itself we fight for. We can not fail. And the days waste away and the blood we must spend to see ourselves clear ticks higher in it's cost for every breath we delay. I and my army march now. If you are to come then follow in it's wake.
With that the Wolf turns and leaves but not before sharing a look with the Hawk mixed with heavy emotions. Diego bows and moves after with Suki trailing behind with a look to Hawk.
COLONEL TAVARIS
Well that fellow is a real downer isn't he?
The hawk
No he's a man that has sacrificed more then most of us. He gave up ten years of his life just so he could help us deliver the Waste from my brother's madness. We have enough weapons from my brother's forces to help us bring him to heel and enough courage to see it through. We leave now but it is that man that is the key. I was told by someone I trust, that without him, we lose.
Ext. ThrONE ROOM, CITY OF TRIELLES -- DAY
The lighting is almost off, very dim. The Raven sits upon his throne quiet as a grave. One slave woman cowers in the far corner of the room, barely clothed. The Doctor walks in, sees the girl and shoos her out. She runs for her life. There are still 6 guards standing immobile, three to each side of the double doors. The Doctor walks to the edge of the steps and kneels, head bowed. The quiet holds for a few seconds then the Raven whispers.
The RAVEN
All of them dead, all of them. Did you hear me Doctor, all of them. And they come for me now Doctor, they come for me, the dream, always the dream. My dear sister and the suddenly appearing Wolf and his mutant army. It's my dream Doctor, it comes for me.
The Doctor rises.
Dr.IDRARI
My Lord you have your new troops. The dream is just a dream and this shall be the day you prove it so. I know the loss of our army out west is a large set back but your new soldiers are giants compared to the previous models, undefeatable, as are you. And let's not forget, they must deal with our walls. And they found victory at the mountain fortress but the cost was high, they are injured, tired and where they think to find us defenseless they will find nothing but strength. Your new soldiers are ready, hungry, waiting to wet their appetite in the blood of your enemies.
The Raven smiles.
THE RAVEN
You are right Doctor. Always lifting my spirits, always a boon to my strategies. What a brilliant choice not to kill you so long ago. My visions as usual, were correct. I saw you by my side through it all. You do notice I am getting better, more restrained. I didn't kill anyone today, no doubt due to my imminent rise to Godhood. And I finished my new armor, beautiful if I do say so myself. It amplifies my strength, speed, all my senses. Your right Doctor, again. We will crush them upon the heels of my ascension. I will slaughter their army then I will personally go and crush Barrakus. My sister's head and that of the upstart mutant degenerate, the Wolf, shall decorate my walls as an epiphany to the art of my spirit. I am invigorated, giddy, and my melancholy is drifting to the nethers of non existence as these words tumble off my tongue. What it is to be alive!!! Now Doctor, make yourself useful, go get the defenses and my new army prepared and find someone to make my General. The last one seems to not only have failed miserably but also inconveniently died. Ahh but what can one expect of mere mortals.
The Doctor bows.
DR.IDRARI
As you say My Lord.
The Doctor starts to leave and gets to the door.
THE RAVEN
Ah, one last thing Doctor, send that bed slave, you so discourteously sent away, to my chambers. Ahh that look my friend, do not worry, I forgive you your presumption. I am feeling generous and randy. (Smiles.) What a glorious future that comes upon our fate.
The Doctor grimaces and leaves.
Ext. Deserts surrounding trielles -- day
The army of the Hawk and Wolf look down upon the river desert city of Trielles. The River Inir moves from under the city flowing to the south then east, it's rushing waters forming a natural barrier to a consolidated frontal assault on the walls. A large titanium gate comes down through the river where it flows under the walls. Flechette large guns line the walls as well as an army that shouldn't be there. Larger and more fierce looking then the one they just defeated. The Hawk and the Wolf are by themselves on a dune overlooking all while a mile back their army sets camp as a line of vehicles and war lizards and troops organize themselves.
The wOLF
Looks as if your theory that your brother was out of troops has a few thousand holes in it.
Hawk notices the Wolf's rigid status.
The hawk
It was an untruth as it left my lips. But the High Lord of Barrakus needed impetus to move forward. My brother might be mad but I did not think him so tactfully unsound that he would leave himself defenseless.
THE WOLF
These soldiers look much more formidable then the ones we left as corpses upon the sands of the Waste.
THE HAWK
They do. So what is your issue Wolf of the Burn. You care to tell me what is eating away at your spirit besides, oh I don't know, the end of the world, the death of all we know, my brother's madness leaving half the land piled with corpses, etc, etc.
The Wolf turns and looks into her eyes.
THE WOLF
It is the old man's last words to me. He said your brother is not the only enemy. He said a much larger threat is coming but didn't elaborate or couldn't.
The Hawk steps up and puts an arm on his shoulder, he flinches away.
THE HAWK
One enemy and world ending event at a time, it's a rule, didn't the old mutant teach you that one.
The Wolf smiles uncomfortably.
THE WOLF
No, he skipped the programming on that one in the machine I lost half my life in.
The Hawk grimaces as if punched.
THE HAWK
I think there is more to what's bothering you then all of this though for most that would be enough or more. I'm sorry you've been dragged within the madness of all this.
The Wolf smiles and this time it is warm.
THE WOLF
At least my life has meaning. What I do holds importance. I would have it no other way and as for the rest, just a child's fancy. I will get over it.
THE HAWK
As you say. We should get back to the rest. Enough of me dodging the High Lord's displeasure at my brother's heavily fortified defenses.
The Wolf turns, a burning hunger in his eyes.
THE WOLF
I might actually have an idea on that.
THE HAWK
Good cause without something I do not think we can win this.
The Hawk starts walking down the hill as the Wolf watches her swaying hips and ass. She turns and quickly he averts his eyes. She laughs.
The hawk (CONT'D)
By the way. Kisera is just a friend, nothing more.
She continues walking away and The Wolf has a grin from ear to ear.
Int. Command tent at battle of trielles -- day
John and Leo sit at a tech map of Trielles, large gates on each side of the river, leading to large courtyard areas that then lead up broad steps to main city, the main building through the right gate the lair of their enemy. Suki is conferring with her father on the far side of the tent in whispers and Tavaris and Kisera both, are on the opposite side of the tech map then John and Leo.
CommandER LORIS
Well we can establish that this is a suicide run with those new fangled soldiers of his and big guns sitting up on that wall. And that river makes any assault problematic at best. We will need to assault the West Gate but that puts us on the opposite side of the city then our target even if we could get through the gate. Is there any way we can just say he wins and get our backsides back to home?
Leonardo smiles.
LeONARDO
Afraid not my old friend. Regardless of how reluctant I was in coming, in the end it was the only choice there was to make. We need to end this if we can. He shows the Hawk's ascertations in clarity with a new batch of demons already sitting on those walls. Give him another few years and he would just keep creating more and more until he finished what he started so many years ago.
ColoNEL TAVARIS
And where would be the fun in that. At least we have a sporting chance as it is now. We have 130,000 troops with us counting the nomads we added on the way here. From Suki's estimates on her fly over he has maybe 50,000 of those ugly brutes.
CommANDER LORIS
Yes but they look a lot meaner then the ones who for the most part handed us our asses.
COLONEL TAVARIS
Hey, speak for yourself. Noone handed me my ass. A win is a win is a win my old grandma used to say or was it my uncle Demarkus?
The hawk
Enough joking, it is not the time.
The Hawk enters followed by the Wolf. Kisera bows his head.
ColoNEL KISERA
It's like asking a bird to not fly.
THE HAWK
My long lost mutant savior has a plan that just might work.
Everyone looks at him with hope in their eyes.
The wolf
Might is the key word I would say. Everyone has heard I take it of Trielles's infamous Pits?
Diego and Suki have moved up.
LeONARDO
Of course. Barrakkus doesn't believe in slave labor but we are the one rarity of the Nine in that regards and Trielles's Pits is the most infamous of the slave camps. It is a sad occurrence by all measures but what merit does it have in our current situation.
Diego growls.
DieGo
Sad city man. Thousands of ma people sweatin' years breaking they backs with a whip to lick they hunger ta do so and sad is tha word ya use.
Suki
Papa, we all fightin' on same side. Riso, say what ya have to say.
The Wolf smiles at Suki, showing fangs.
The wolF
(Taps his guns.) If a dying mutant could of made more of these our lives would be easier but alas he didn't.
The Wolf hits a button and moves the 3-D map of Trielles off the grid to the west and brings up a rock outcropping maybe 2 miles along the mountains.
The wolf (CONT'D)
Savaru Asul, who besides Hawk, none of you had a chance to meet, before he died, some of the knowledge he passed included schematics of the city. There is a secret entrance here, which proves all your cities seemed to think pertinent to put in. An old mutant saying, where city folk can be found, treachery breeds. This entrance leads underground to the Pits which then leads up to the city proper.
Leo's eyes light up.
LeonARDO
You plan on using this entrance to open the gates?! That could turn the tide of this war.
Commander LORIS
I don't know if that is so. It will take time for him to do so as I doubt it is undefended. And even if he can do so I still don't believe we have the numbers to win this fight.
Kisera looking at the map and a 3-D projection of battle estimates raises his head.
CoLONEL KISERA
I would have to agree with the Commander's assessment. Though the Lady knows my life is hers to do with what she wills.
The Hawk puts an arm on his which elicits a tightening of the Wolf's eyes.
The hawk
I think my Wolf has more in the offing then just a back door surprise.
The Wolf's eyes light up when he hears her say my.
The wolf
Yes, yes I do.
Suki's eyes light up.
SukI
Ya gonna free tha slaves?!
The Wolf grins, a mischievous light dancing in the back of his eyes.
Ext. Outside the walls of trielles -- day
The Hawk stands before the entire army of 130,000 in assault vehicles and infantry troops with assault ladders. Next to her is Suki as well as Leo and John.
CommandER LORIS
Are we ready for this?
LeonarDO
We are as ready as it will get my friend.
The hawk
My wolf needs us to hit them hard, hard enough to keep their eyes from wandering, so no half measures. We live or we die but we bleed on those walls till they dig us a grave or we dig their's.
CommanDER LORIS
Your friend better not let us down or we are corpses already.
Suki growls.
Suki
Riso will win through, faith city boy.
She takes flight, her hands reaching in her pouch and her other hand, on her spear.
LeoNARDO
I wish I shared your friend's blind belief.
The Hawk pulls her rifle.
The hawk
As she said High Lord, faith. Commander, if you would.
The commander lifts his rifle and hits his amplifier.
CommANDER LORIS
Before you stands the lair of the Demon that has killed and enslaved and terrorized the Waste for too many long years! Now!!! Now is the time for justice!!!! Now is the time for retribution!!!! Lift your weapons and your hearts!!!! We go to BATTLE!!!!! WE GO TO WAR!!!!!
An entire army rushes towards the walls of Trielles. Weapons unload on both sides.
Int. Tunnels underneath Trielles -- afternoon
Wolf stalks down a tunnel as wide as 6 people, dimly lit by lights on the walls, followed by Tavaris and Diego and a ways back, shadows of more mutants(200), all with hand to hand weapons out. Even Tavaris has two knives out, his rods too loud in their discharge. Wolf comes around a corner carefully and sees Kisera lowering a dead guard to the ground, pulling out a large knife from his throat, another is slumped against the wall with another knife in his skull. Kisera walks over and calmly pulls it out wiping it off on his leathers.
The wolf
You are good.
CoLONEL KISERA
Killing has always been a gift.
ColonEL TAVARIS
That is the tenth set of guards, all human, looks like their slaves don't merit the big boys.
The Wolf grunts.
The wOLF
We've already been at this for two hours. We need to start being less quiet and more thunder. Every minute here we're losing good lives on the walls. Tavaris, you and I will take point with Kisera. Diego give us a 10 second separation at a steady pace.
The Wolf grins and removes his axe.
ext. outside the walls of trielles -- afternoon
The Hawk came up the scaling ladder as three of her men fell in various stages of mutilation around her while others climb the ladder alongside. The battlefield in front of the wall was littered with the dead, destroyed war vehicles, and some were the Raven's new soldiers. There were multiple shield vehicles, large titanium walls, soldiers hid behind that weren't actively rushing the walls, and also for the injured, all of the shield walls battered. Scaling ladders lined the wall in multiple places. A few of the wall cannons were destroyed, others were heat locked but still in the battle, occasional weapons releasing from heat lock, firing here and there. The Hawk as she almost hits the top sees another soldier come off in pieces. She concentrates and disappears. ON top of wall corpses of her soldiers lay unmoving as do a few defenders. Many of the new cybernetic soldiers start moving again towards the ladder as they cut down the two remaining soldiers, mutants. At once explosions rip across the top of the wall for twenty feet, followed by Suki landing, ripping a soldier apart with her rifle, sticking another through with her spear. He snaps her spear in half and keeps coming but then it's head comes off as another's midsection blows out, then Hawk comes back into focus as she cleaves another's arm off and sticks her second sword through it's head. More mutants and a few human soldiers make the wall as the Hawk clears space. She moves like lightning but these new soldiers are almost as fast.
The haWK
Suki, take to the air and see to the High Lord and Commander along the wall!!! Get them to safety. (Blocks a sword stroke and grunts with the strength of these creatures as another man is eviscerated next to her) They are too strong.
Suki flips in the air to avoid a lightning sword stroke scraping the wall. She gives Hawk a look as she disembowels another and takes it's head. Suki elevates in the air then swoops below the wall out of sight. A goat headed mutant's head is crushed in one of the cybernetics hands as it impales another mutant with it's back to it. The Hawk kills another but then sees more moving down the wall with still 5 cutting down her troops like wheat.
The haWK (CONT'D)
Retreat!!!!!!! Back to the shield walls!!!!!
She focuses and disappears again and another cybernetic stumbles and falls as the top of it's head streams blood high in the air as if punctured from above, followed by another's leg suddenly severed as it collapses. Men and mutants are seen retreating down the ladders as the call for retreat is sounded. The Hawk comes back into focus as she fires her pistol, downing the two remaining soldiers until it heat locks. One still crawls towards her and she sees more behind, one with a now unheat locked rifle firing as she flips out of it's way, landing and sliding down the scaling ladder into a tumble, up to her feet and looking back up at the wall.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
THE HAWK (CONT'D)
Wolf, fulfill my faith.
Int. ThroNE ROOM, CITY OF TRIELLES -- DAY
The Raven is giddy, doing a dance around his throne as the Doctor waits patiently. The Raven's guards still stood immobile along the walls and doors, twelve in all.
The RAVEN
Say it again Doctor!!! Say it again!
The Doctor sighs.
Dr.IDRARI
Yes My Lord. The rebels are almost broken, estimates put them at 40 percent strength while our own losses have been minimal, maybe a few thousand. They still for the most part hide behind their shield walls with short lived excursions to the walls. In fact my Lord. If they survive the day at all would be a surprise at the continued pace and if they seek to keep enlisting the same strategies.
A great maniacal laugh echoes against the walls.
THE RAVEN
Gloriously beautiful Doctor. So beautiful even beautiful in it's most beautiful beauty doesn't begin to describe it. The dreams are almost dead, gone, never to be. My sister's bleeding corpse shall soon be at my feet and her head decorating my walls and the ever elusive Wolf, ahh, the vision, the key to all, I shall use his flesh as a throw rug! All is within my grasp!!!! Soon I shall finish what I started so long ago and rule the entire Waste! Doctor, are you seriously playing on your PDA while I am delivering my gloating victorious speech? It is very rude to say the least.
The Doctor looks up from the PDA with a worried look.
DR.IDRARI
I apologize my Lord but it seems as if we are experiencing a riot in the Pits.
The Raven's eyes narrow.
THE RAVEN
A riot Doctor. My slaves think their salvation is at hand, how little their intellects serve them, no wonder, slavehood, is their calling. Order a detachment of a 100 of my new soldiers from the wall to help the militia regain control of the Pits. And Doctor, tell them to make an example of a few dozen of the slaves. They must learn their position on the great pyramid of life, the bottom, ever the bottom.
The Doctor bows.
DR.IDRARI
As you say My Lord. I shall be back momentarily.
THE RAVEN
Do so my friend. I would have you at my side when we have finished the remains of this rebel army.
The Doctor leaves.
Ext. the pits of trielles -- afternoon
Two Techs sat inside the command center of the Pits looking out the observation glass at sheer chaos. An army of mutants were attacking the guards of the Pits and an all out battle was raging no more then a few hundred yards from where they sat. Slaves, manacled still, joined the battle. One tech looks at the other. The tech touches a button on the console.
Tech 1
Alert, alert, all stations. We have a riot going on in the Pits, please send reinforcements, copy, please send reinforcements.
The door to the command center blows off it's hinges as The Wolf kicks it in aiming a strange weapon at both techs.
The wolf
If you gentleman would be so kind to turn off the communications. Would hate to have to kill two such young promising gentleman.
They looked at each other. A voice cracks over the receiver.
Command voice
This is command. Please repeat. Again, repeat. What is...
The tech hits the off button as he looks at Wolf's burning eyes and feral mutant face and the weapon aimed at his head. The Wolf smiles, fangs showing.
THE WOLF
Thanks so much gentleman, very cooperative. Now if you can release the slaves of their manacles you will go to the top of my list of great people I have met today.
The one tech looks down as he wets himself and it drips down the chair hitting the floor. The other tech looks at his friend then at Wolf and quickly hits a button.
Tech 1
The manacles are unlocked sir.
The Wolf smiles.
THE WOLF
Great, great. You might want to change your pants when you get a chance. Now if you can all step back.
The two techs immediately step back as the Wolf shoots out the console, obliterating it with a pulse shot. Then he eyes a door in back of the command center.
The wolf (CONT'D)
Is that a latrine? (They nod) Good, you might want to hide in it. I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the freed slaves being as understanding as I.
The two techs fall over each other to open the latrine, crowding into a small space, then the door closing with a sound of a lock. Tavaris ducks his head in.
CoLONEL TAVARIS
Are you done playing around in here. We could (looks back and fires his pistol) use a little help.
THE WOLF
My pleasure, my business is done and our former slaves should now find much more enjoyment with their limbs their own again.
Tavaris leaves as more weapon fire and battle sounds. The Wolf grins and pulls his other pistol as he rushes out.
Ext. OuTSIDE THE WALLS OF TRIELLES -- DUSK
The Hawk and Leo and Suki and John along with many battered troops hide behind a shield wall, one of many spread out in a line. Everyone seems injured. The base of the wall is heaped with the dead as is the ground between the shield walls and the wall. It is dusk but lights have come up all along the wall. John has a head injury that is bleeding profusely. Suki has a gash to her arm she has bandaged but is seeping through. Leo has a black eye. Even Hawk has a cut on her lip.
LeoNARDO
I hate to say it Lady Hawk but I believe your friend has failed and so have we. Our men are exhausted, three fourths of them, their spirits back into the sand. We don't have enough strength to make another run at the wall and we have barely dented these monsters your brother created.
The Hawk sighs.
Commander LORIS
Have we won brother?
John shakes his head as if he is in a fog. Leo puts his hand on his friend's arm and looks at Hawk.
LEONARDO
Rest my oldest friend.
John's eyes take clarity.
COMMANDER LORIS
No I'm sorry my friend. Lost it for a second. Are we ready for another run at the wall? I got some demons to send back to their daddy. (Weak smile)
The Hawk looks at all the tired men then at Leo.
The haWK
There is no choice High Lord, Leo. If we are to die, we are to die. We must have faith in something higher then ourselves, greater then the pain and the hurt. We must show future generations that even in the darkest hour we will not break. Get the men ready, we charge the wall one final time.
Leo looks sad, then resigned, and nods his head. He looks at his friend, blood streaming down his face. John who had stooped back into his dazed delirium comes into focus and sees his friend. He postures up and grabs his friend's forearm.
COMMANDER LORIS
Leo, always my brother, from womb to death.
John struggles to stand but when Leo goes to help John waves him off with his infamous grin, blood streaming down his face. He hits his amplifier. He pulls his two axes.
ComMANDER LORIS (CONT'D)
One final time my lads. For your lord,, your city, yourselves, your children and for me, The Bear of Barrakus!!!!!!!!! Charge!!!!!!!
And with that, John leaps from behind the shield wall as a giant roar sounds from the entire army as all the men, mutant and human alike charge. Leo, tears in his eyes pulls a sword and a pistol and screams himself, Suki taking flight with her rifle and a saber, Hawk, her two blades, joins. And as they charge they realize half way to the wall they are not being shot at, noone is on the wall. They stop but 30 yards from the gate, looking at each other, quizingly, when the gates peel open on their hinges as they see a giant battle raging across the courtyards, slaves, free. Diego is battling a soldier and Kisera and Tavaris are battling two of them, protecting the team of mutant slaves that is opening the gate. John grins at Leo.
LEONARDO
Kill the beasts!!!!
The entire remaining army charges through the gates.
Ext. City of trielles -- dusk
The Hawk rolled in with John and Leo seeing that the mutants struggled on the far side of a bridge spanning the river into another courtyard. The army frees up Kisera and Diego, overwhelming the demons they fought. She nudged Leo.
The Hawk
Take the bridge and the other side of the courtyard. (Motions to the approaching Kisera and Diego and Tavaras), hold this position.
They all nod and Leo motioned to a somewhat staggering John.
Commander LORIS
With me and Lord Silvestri, take the bridge!!!!
They charged with most of the army towards the bridge as the mutants streaming still from the pits were motioned by Diego to take on the demons still descending from the wall. Hawk moved further into the melee, the slaves streaming up from a hall to the west. The Hawk fought tooth and nail, each of her brother's soldiers had 4 or 5 mutant slaves climbing over them and still they slaughtered the mutants like chafe though died as well. The Hawk kept an eye out as she disappeared for a second here and there, taking a head, reappearing and gutting another, followed by impaling it in it's eye, then she was backhanded by one she didn't see and flew back into some crates, stunned. She looked up to see it over her head swinging a great sword down towards her as a form flew into it knocking it out of her line of sight. She raised her head and saw Wolf, moving, though not nearly as fast, but his eyes blazing, fangs extended, as if he knew what was coming before the demon made it, ducking three strikes by not being there then planting his axe in the thing's skull while calmly turning and shooting another, there was no way he could see, about to shoot him, his pulse weapon blowing half it's torso off. Hawk shakes off her malaise and retrieves her swords sheathing one and pulling a pistol checking it's heat lock as green. She grins at Wolf who is bloodied and he grins back.
The wolf
You didn't doubt me did you?
The hawk
No, never. Though you did take your time.
THE WOLF
Ever the critic. I believe your brother awaits and a few thousand of his creations in our way.
They nod and start moving up the stairs into the courtyard, the mutants already fighting, now a human guard, and more demons. The Wolf leaps into the fray his battle axe leading the way. The Hawk smiles and charges in behind shooting one demon and rolling underneath a human's sword strike then turning on a dime and lunging from her knees taking him through the head.
Ext. East courtyard trielles -- dusk
Leo and John and his soldiers struggle to push back the demons. They are 3/4ths of the way across the bridge. They outnumber the demons on this side 3 to 1 but each demon is a killing machine. Periodic fire of weapons as they unheatlock but mostly hand to hand fighting. Leo sweeps under the blades of a demon slicing both legs out from under it but still it grabs Leo's leg as it collapses to it's own and flips him, up and over, landing 5 feet away on the edge of the bridge, starting to fall over to a 100 foot drop to the rushing rive below. He feels a hand on his ankle and he looks up to see John barely conscious holding his entire weight. John smiles but then Leo sees a sword come out John's shoulder, his eyes light up in surprise.
LeONARDO
John!!!!!!
John smiles, blood bubbling out of his mouth.
CommanDER LORIS
The Bear of Barrakus. I'll always remember the wolves and the cave my friend.
With a mighty heave he pulls and throws Leo onto the bridge as he spins, bear hugging the demon, shoving it's own sword into it's chest and head butting it over and over again, then pulling a pistol and shooting it's head out. Leo is just getting up, John on the ground. Leo sees two more demons stepping towards them both cutting down 5 mutants with no effort. Leo scrambles to look for his swords when one lifts a rifle with one hand while wielding a large sword single handed. John somehow stumbles up, pulling both of his axes, and charges, a sword stuck through his shoulder, throwing one axe taking the one with the rifle in the head, causing his arm to rise, firing the weapon into the air. He charges the other but stumbles and falls, blood gushing out of his mouth. The other demon, now above John, without breaking a stride decapitates him. Leo screams, his swords now in hand, running, so as the demon looks up from killing John, Leo is leaping on it's chest sliding both of his swords, one through the neck, the other through it's head. Leo doesn't stop now, an animal in rage, and charges the remaining demons, his men inspired, follow him.
Ext. West courtyard of trielles -- early evening
Diego fought with two pistols in his lower arm and two jagged blades in his higher with his long knives at his waist. Even older, he killed and killed, yet still the demons took ganging up on to finish and there were many more mutilated slaves and troops then demons on the ground. Kisera had so much skill, even the demon's advantages of speed and strength, could not stop him as he ducked and dived and took hearts with the help of Tavaris who covered his flank using his electric rods. Diego was just finishing one when a mutant carcass slammed into him from a demon who was then overwhelmed by a leaping Kisera who cut into it's shoulder with one arm then took it's leg with another followed by Tavaris who shoved electric rods into it's skull. Diego threw the dead mutant off him but then was grabbed by a demon from behind who picked him up into the air then slammed him into the ground, then did it again, Diego coughing blood, then it picked Diego up by the throat and slammed him against a wall a few feet off the ground. A lizard mutant jumped on it, stabbing it through the arm, but the demon turned and looked as if it had an infant stuck to it and crushed the mutant's head in it's grasp. It took the sword, pulled it out, then thrust it back to kill Diego but then Suki flew in with a sword, landed on it's back, stabbing it over and over again. It dropped Diego, who collapsed to the ground.
SukI
Ya na hurt my Papa!!!!!!
The demon, unfeeling to the heavy wounds Suki inflicted, grabbed her from his back and slammed her to the ground then pulled back his arm to stab Suki when Diego throws himself on it, two arms around it's arms from behind with his two lower arms with long knives stabbing the demon again and again.
Diego
Ya..not...hurt...my....girl...(Blood spitting from lips)
The demon now falling to it's knees, still had it's sword, and broke the arm holding it free from Diego's arms, stabbing Diego through the chest as Diego put a knife in it's skull. Suki got up and saw her father collapse, his eyes slowly closing.
SukI
Papa! Na, ya no die!!!
Diego doesn't answer. Suki turns, her face, bloodied and bruised, one arm useless at her side and with a feral roar runs half flying at the nearest demon. Kisera and Tavaris take one look at DIego and join her.
Int. ThRONE ROOM, CITY OF TRIELLES -- evening
The Raven was furiously pacing back and forth, his throne in pieces against the wall, the long table, against the opposite wall. The Doctor with a bloodied lip lay near the steps.
The raVEN
How?!!!!!!! How has it come to this???!!!!! They are in my city!!!! They are taking my city!!!!! I am a God!!!!! Why do they not bow to me!!!!!!
He falls to his knees, eyes raving, his hands to his head, tears in his eyes, fear.
The RAVEN (CONT'D)
It is the dream, the dream that doesn't die. They come for me. They will kill me. Why does my sister hate me, why? Why did my father not love me as he did her?
The Doctor has willed himself to his feet.
Dr.IDRARI
My Lord, you must join the battle. We can still win. You are stronger then them all. You can kill your sister and this Wolf.
Fear is etched in the Raven's eyes then as he looks at the Doctor, anger, betrayal. The Raven in the blink of an eye has the Doctor by the throat.
THE RAVEN
You have failed me Doctor. Everyone fails me. But you, dear dear Doctor, own the largest failure, that of betrayal. You must of helped my sister, aided her. You wanted my death, like all the others.
DR.IDRARI
No(Whisper, throat choking) I did....
His neck cracks as the Raven breaks it and flings the Doctor against the wall.
THE RAVEN
You, you I loved. Your death is bitter sweet. I forgive you Doctor.
He looks at his 12 elite guards.
The raven (CONT'D)
Find my sister. Find the Wolf. Kill them. Bring me their heads. Go.
The guards are gone in demon speed their hands holding their short spears.
Ext. Main courtyard -- upper level -- night
Wolf dodged a blow from a giant sword by rolling to the side then lunged back planting an axe in it's chest then kicking it's head to an audible crack. But when Wolf attempted to pull the axe it was stuck as Hawk pushed him out of the way firing her rifle taking another demon out but then her rifle heat locked and she tossed it and pulled out her blades. The demons were few and far between in the upper courtyard as the mutant slaves overwhelmed them. The courtyard was full of mutants taking down the few remaining demons. The Wolf finally pulled his axe out of the demon's chest.
The wolf
Looks as if we have our shot at your brother.
His eyes glowed and he slammed Hawk out of the way, both tumbling to the side as a spear slammed where they were. A new type of demon, smaller, faster and lined with cybernetics were exploding from the citadel. He kept rolling with her till they were behind a small wall, several more short spears implanting in the ground. Wolf looked over, firing his pistol, but missed the elite guard who moved as fast as Hawk, then fired again, his eyes still glowing, taking it in the spot it moved through, still just clipping it but taking it's arm off though it still moved along with 11 others. All moved towards them, several tearing down mutants who sought to intervene. In fact most of these new demons were busy battling mutants but were killing them with little effort. The Hawk saw all the slaughter and her anger simmered as she focused and disappeared. Wolf sighed and leaped out, firing a shot, his eyes still glowing as he nailed one who had three mutants on it, taking out one leg, though it still killed two of the mutants on it before it's head severed from it's body. Hawk reappeared with her two blades in the back of another and out it's chest. Another threw a spear at her but hit a mutant who had thrown himself in front. The mutant was dead before it hit the ground, the spear half way through it's back. Wolf holstered his pistol and charged the demon, throwing his axe, and as the beast dodged it with supernatural ability, Wolf tore up with brutal strength, a statue, hurling it, but the demon leaped an amazing height in the air, dancing off the top of the hurled statue, landing in a roll and swiping at Wolf with a long knife which he barely leaned out of the way of, only to feel a tear in his armor and a flinging of blood as the demon nailed him with it's other blade. He staggered back, but eyes blazing, spun as a blade scored a piece of his armor, sparking with an indirect hit as his elbow slammed into the demon's face continuing the spin with his fist into it's face, then as he grabbed it's throat back with his left hand, locking his hip behind it to flip it in a judo throw but it went with the movement falling to a hand stand and flipping over back to it's feet minus it's blades it had released, but then it was forward striking and Wolf even seeing it's moves in his vision could barely duck and got clipped twice with the strength of a sledge hammer, then a side kick that had him on his back sliding into a wall. He rolled to the left as it again had it's blades as it's strikes rolled the ground and it flipped to a side crawl, throwing downward strikes at the still rolling Wolf, until Wolf, again, rolled back and shot it face first with his pistol, taking it's head, just bits of circuitry and flesh left from it's neck. Wolf then rolled forward with his other pistol shooting a hole through the chest of another who had been moving in at him that he couldn't of seen. Hawk was fending off two with her blades but they matched her for speed till she disappeared, taking one's hand with it's spear, then a hole opening up through it's face, out it's back, but then as she reappeared, the lightning quick remaining demon had struck with a flying knee careening into her chest, sending her flying against a wall as Wolf shot once with each pistol, in which one clipped it's fast dodging, grazing it's hip. It retreated as Wolf looked down and saw both pistols heat locked. He had accomplished what he wanted picking up his battle axe. He moved to cover Hawk, picking herself off the ground, retrieving her swords. 12 surviving mutants with various hand held weapons but freed slaves, no armor and malnutritioned, took positions beside them. They faced off against 7 remaining demons, one of which was the one without the arm and another with it's hip grazed, moving slowly. More mutants, this time at least half soldiers, came up the steps assessing the situation and spreading out.
The wolf (CONT'D)
Hold your ground men!! (To Hawk)These demons are your brother's nightmare puppeted into life. We must stop his madness.
The hawk
Easier said then done. I think they might actually be faster then I am.
Wolf saw that the remaining demons were between them and the door to the citadel where Lord Raven resided.
THE WOLF
You must get to your brother and end this.
Hawk shakes her head no.
THE HAWK
I can't leave you to these, they will kill you.
Wolf smiles.
THE WOLF
Faith my Hawk, faith. Do what you know you must do. I shall send these devils to their fate.
THE HAWK
A philosopher now huh? Stay alive Wolf or I will kill you myself.
Wolf grunted with a twinkle in his eyes as Hawk disappeared. Wolf looked at the mutants surrounding him.
THE WOLF
Time to get off this merry go round. Take these beasts.
Wolf, eyes blazing, teeth elongating, claws extending, his axe held firm charges as do all the mutants. The demons move like fire in a blaze, darting here and there, licking out with spears or long knives, killing mutants with small whip movements. The demon with the bad hip killed three in as many seconds but was then overwhelmed. Wolf charged two of the demons, one with a spear, another with long knives. He moved to the side as he saw the spear before the spear moved, striking space he had been occupying. He tossed his axe to the other demon, whom with surprise, dropped it's knives, catching it as Wolf grabbed the extended spear, twisting it with his hip, ripping it out the demon's hands and continuing his spin thrusting it through the head of the demon holding his axe, then rolling forward as the demon whose spear he just took had already unsheathed his knives and was sweeping where the Wolf had just been. Out of the roll he swept up his axe out of the hands of the still falling dead demon then reversing his move, swinging his axe in an uppercut, but the demon again with sheer speed leaned out of the way and the Wolf had a knife planted in his gut. A shock of pain leapt into the Wolf's eyes as he fell backwards and the demon moved in for the kill. The Wolf grimaced in pain.
The woLF (CONT'D)
They are too damn fast, too fast.
The Wolf, in shock, was helpless to the demon coming for his life. All of a sudden, a giant hand encompassed not only the demon's head but shoulders and squeezed, crushing the demon, it dropping lifeless. Wolf looked up into an apparition, a fully grown, supposed to be dead, childhood friend, Toh.
ToH
Sorry took so long Riso. I wa in deep mines when ya free slaves, ya know how it is, troublemaker they call me. I see nothing change though when come to having dig ya out of trouble.
Toh used his large hand to pluck the Wolf up and set him on his feet. Toh looked down and saw the deep wound in Wolf with wide eyes. They both turned and saw three demons still standing, killing most of the remaining mutants, though they themselves, wounded.
THE WOLF
You are supposed to be dead my friend. And your wife is going to be angry with you no doubt.
TOH
Sorry ta not be breathin' And Suki here?
THE WOLF
Wish I could say you will be reunited but I don't know if we can take these.
The demons finishing off the last of the mutants start approaching the two.
Toh
Ya talkin' funny Riso. And who say we na be standin after these dung see grave. Do ya na remember? Toh as strong as vidrari lion.
Wolf smiles and they both ready themselves for death.
Int. ThrONE ROOM, CITY OF TRIELLES -- EVENING
The Raven sits upon the steps leading up to where his throne was. The lights are dim and the room is silent as a grave.
The raven
The burning ones come and I have failed. Humanity is doomed. Father, your death was inevitable for I knew you would not understand what I see. They come and I thought to have this land ready. I have now failed and the world shall suffer for it. So come sister, come and we shall both know the eternity of death.
The door opens as if on cue yet the Raven sees noone. He smiles.
The rAVEN (CONT'D)
Ahh dear sister, at last. I was just talking about you, our rendezvous with death's inevitable embrace. (Looks around as he stands up) Why so quiet sister? So reliant on the damdable chameleon nano tech are we? After so many years of troubling my plans and now this, no gloating, no grandiose tirade of my evil? I see I must stimulate the conversation.
With that the Raven touches the side of his helmet, closing the face plate and activating all the visual components of his armor. He switches from infra red and sees nothing, to ultraviolet and still sees nothing.
THE RAVEN (CONT'D)
Father really outdid himself with your tech. It truly does make you invisible but I have looked at what schematics I could find of yours and I surmise you must focus for it to work and it is tiring is it not sister? (Amplified hearing catches a small sound) Let's make it more exciting shall we?
The Raven turns towards the back of the room, his forearm weapon shooting his spikes as he sweeps his arm, planting the wall one after the other with spikes embedded deep till at the end of his swing, into the corner of the room, he sees blood splatter against the wall and his sister rematerializing, rolling into a tumble and coming back up fluidly, her swords flashing as she leapt and in an awe inspiring move of sheer acrobats and speed, wall walked, then leaped from the wall, her blades leading, until the Raven, at the last second, leaned back, out of the way of her swords.
The RAVEN (CONT'D)
At last sister, so good, so very good but alas not good enough, you missed.
The Hawk grins blood dripping from her grazed ribs.
The hawk
Did I brother?
She looks at his forearm. He looks down to see his forearm weapon hanging on by a thread of wiring. He growls and rips it from his arm. He looks at her and sees not her, but the image of the giant Hawk from his dreams, taking a step back, but then shakes his head and leaps across the room and in mid air grabs a glaive from the wall of weapons that lines the room, above the decomposing heads of his enemies. He lands and looks back to see his sister has disappeared again.
THE RAVEN
This is getting tiresome sister. Stand and fight me, this is no dream, this is not some helpless lamb in the sands of a nightmare!!!!! I will tear you limb from limb!
He starts spinning and swinging his long poled glaive like a mad man.
The raven (CONT'D)
Come to me!!!!!
He slams the glaive through the remains of the table in frustration, splintering it into pieces. Behind him, his sister comes back into view, lunging at his back. He smiles and spins with unbelievable speed, not only her lunge missing, but his glaive coming at her head, which she forward rolls out of, cracking into the wall. He yanks the blade out of the wall, ripping chunks along with it, as he turns and has his sister in his eyes.
The raven (CONT'D)
Yes sister, that's it, feel the glory, the blood!!!!! (He tests her with slight lunges with glaive which she swats with her blades.) You feel it, don't you, the end looming above you, ready to pounce?
He lunges seriously this time and she spins up his polearm but he catches her wrist in mid swing, smiling, then he flings her across the room, her crashing into the throne against the wall.
THE RAVEN (CONT'D)
Are you surprised sister? We who were once created equal are far from such now. This wondrous armor I created makes me much greater.
He leaps across the room with the glaive pointing down looking to spit her but she back hand stands out of danger, pushing off her hands with tremendous strength to then push off the wall with her legs, blood coming from a cut forehead, her side, her shoulder and punches one of her blades through his shoulder, the other, him blocking sideways with his forearm. He grimaces as she continues to roll, leaving her one blade in his shoulder, then pivots back in a ready position. He turns, yanking the sword out and throwing it to the far side of the room. He looks again, seeing his sister, then the image of the Giant Hawk appears again.
THE RAVEN (CONT'D)
No!!! NO!!!! This is no dream, death can not find me!!!!
He throws his glaive which she barely ducks, planting into the wall opposite as he leaps again up to the wall closest, pulling down two spiked maces. He does wrist spins with the maces. The Hawk starts back pedaling, heavily injured, with only one blade, up the stairs back towards the raised dais. He sees the dead corpse of the Doctor and smiles. He positions himself, smiling, behind it, then kicks it at his sister, running in behind it. She does the splits under it, then blocks one mace to the side but she was hit with the other in her gut, sending her flying into a wall. Her blade falls out of her hands as blood coughs out of her mouth. Her brother is above her gloating. The Hawk's eyes are sad and full of pity.
The haWK
I feel sorry for you brother. No child was meant to see the shifting sands of future steps. It broke you. Our father loved both of us. He wanted us to make it a better world.
THE RAVEN
A better world? I was making it a better world, one in which I was a God. Ahh my lovely beautiful sister, at least the dream ends and I still breathe. Do you know I have slept with and killed a thousand bed slaves for the sheer fact they looked like you. However, they pale in comparison to the genuine article. Too bad I don't have time to taste the actual fruit. In the Old world, in a place called Rome and others, many siblings mated, did you know? Alas I feel you are disappointed but it is the way, how did they say it, the cookie crumbles(Maniacal laughter.) It is time for the dream to be put to it's eternal rest. (Whistling theme of good, the bad and the ugly.)
The Raven does a little dance as the Hawk is breathing heavy, trying, but failing to get up. He does a twirl then spins his mace for a downward stroke on her skull when the door slams open.
The wolf
Time to reap what you sowed Lord Raven!!!!!
The Raven sees the Wolf but with an over image of the giant wolf of his dreams, then looks down at his sister and sees the image of the giant hawk screeching at him.
THE RAVEN
No!!!! No, leave me alone!!!!! Can't you see the world needs me?!!!! The Burning Ones will win without me, don't you understand??!!!!!
The Wolf stalks into the room, his axe in hand.
THE WOLF
What I see and understand is a mad dog needs to be put down.
With that he charges, leaping up to the dais, then leaping again, his eyes blazing, dripping blood from various wounds, with his axe coming down at the Raven's head but at last second the Raven shakes his fear and cross blocks the axe. He realizes with all the strength the Wolf is exerting the Raven is not moved at all. The Raven finally smiles, throws the axe up and front kicks him, sending the Wolf flying down onto the floor below, his axe skidding out of his grasp. The Raven laughs as a sword exits through his chest, causing him to drop his maces, grabbing the exited blade, then turning and backhanding his sister as she also flies. He stalks up to her bleeding, his lungs hacking up blood.
THE RAVEN
I will kill the dream myself!!!! You can not stop me!!! I am a God!!!!!! I am the one that shall save this world from the Burning Ones!!!!!
THE WOLF
We will save ourselves.
THE RAVEN
Impudent..
The Raven turns as he says it only to see the Wolf's axe split his head, the wolf overlaid with the animal Wolf. He stands for a moment with the axe in his head, the sword through his chest. The Wolf pushes with one finger and he is falling timber hitting the ground. The Wolf, bloodied, bruised and an arm hanging loosely along his side, moves to Hawk who looks as bad as he is.
THE WOLF
A real charming fellow your brother, what we call a winning personality.
The Hawk smiles.
The haWK
What can I say, every family has a black sheep.
She touches the Wolf's face.
The hawk (CONT'D)
I guess Old Man was right, you were the key.
The Wolf is embarrassed.
The wolf
Ahh shucks mam, anyone could of dunnit.
THE HAWK
Don't let it go to your head.
The Hawk's face grew serious.
THE HAWK (CONT'D)
What are the Burning Ones, he mentioned them a few times?
THE WOLF
Savaru also said your brother was just the beginning, a greater evil was coming. But one enemy and world ending event at a time, didn't the old man ever teach you that? C'mon my Hawk, the battle is not over yet.
The Hawk lets him help her up then looks back at her brother as they walk towards the door.
THE HAWK
No, the Devil still walks the road.
A pull out view of still battling in the city out to the Waste out to the Burn and a heavy shadow of something gigantic looming over the planet.
The End.