HINTERREALM: The Animated

Tales A teleplay

Pilot

“Parnamina and the Steeds of Akkhan”

teleplay: j.e. burton

Created 11/9/11 Edited 3/31/14 adapted for television 4/7/15

eusouminhoca@gmail.com

Hinterrealm: the Animated Tales

“Parnamina and the Steeds of Akkhan”

Created 11/9/11 Edited 3/31/14

Story & Teleplay: J.E. Burton

ACT TWO

INTO THE VOID

114] TORI

(folds arms)

But which way is which? There aren't any signs nearby-And it's

cold.

115] LEONA

Hey Ellard, maybe you can pull something useful out of that hat?

116] OLSON

Yeah, like a Rolls Royce, and ride IN STYLE.

Ellard lifts his hat to conjure a spell.

117] ELLARD

Hat of hats, give mystic ride, help us hide, put us inside!

He pulls out a magic broom that flies off without them!

118] TORI

(sulks)

So much for a ride.

As they set out on foot, they hear minor groaning.

119] LEONA

Enh, Walking's good for us, anyway.

120] OLSON

(complaining)

Yeah, but who can do that on a growling stomach?? Isn't there

SOMEplace to grab something to eat around here?

WE HEAR a song of enchantment filling the vastness of air.

121] KEIJI

(amused)

Hey, guys! You hear that?

122] OLSON

(teases)

You're a little late, aren't you Tonto?

123] ELLARD

It sounds so... so sweet.

The growling grows louder. Tori folds her arms again.

124] TORI

(annoyed)

So the voice is nice. Big deal. It's Just a song.

The enchanted boys ignore the girls.

125] ELLARD

OLSON's got a point. Who's gonna eat slug burgers...withOUT the

burgers!?

126] KEIJI

Pipe down you guys. We'll find something on the way. And OLSON,

knock it Off with your stomach. I have a hard time hearing the

song over it.

127] TORI

(concerned)

Guys… what's gotten into you?

128] LEONA

(hushed)

Wherever it's coming from, Tori… whatever it is...it's affecting

Them but not us.

The growls grow even louder.

129] ELLARD

OLSON, cut it with your growling.

130] OLSON

I hate to tell ya, four eyes, but...that wasn't me.

131] ELLARD

Then who...

The groans of unseen ZOMBIES surround them in the fog.

Then two appear right in front of the boys, inching closer.

132] ZOMBIES

(groaning)

UNNNNH…. UNNNNHHH…

OLSON, normally the fraidycat in this situation, appears too

relaxed.

132] OLSON

Hey look, you guys... zombies. Should we run…

133] KEIJI

Not now… let’s, let's run… later.

134] ELLARD

Naah… They can join us. Maybe they like the song too. They

probably think We've got good taste in music.

135] TORI

(worries)

Or maybe they just think you TASTE good.

136] LEONA

(resolute)

We'd better do something Tori.

LEONA disposes of the first with her expanded staff into a morass.

Tori spots a dark chasm and lures the other toward her. Tori

moves this way, then mocks that.

137] TORI

Over here, paleface!

As the zombie chases her, she runs toward the black hole and dons

her cloak. He follows suit, into which he leaps and disappears.

The current crisis over, the girls drag the boys further along.

Meanwhile we

CUT TO

Adam, all out of options, as he decides to confront Roedak.

138] ADAM

Roedak took my sister and our friends away from us. We gotta get

‘em back Zoli!

139] ZOLI

Yeannh!

Adam emerges from hiding with club in hand, KNOCKING down the

Roedak's door! Adam -and Zoli charge through the hut... only to

find Roedak expecting them with net in hand, trapping them in it!

They SQUIRM about. Zoli concentrates on teleporting, in vain.

140] ADAM

(yells)

Ya big creep! What didja do with my friends? When I get out I'm

gonna make ya pay!!

141] ROEDAK

(laughs)

Predictable, foolish little boy! Have you not learned of my

cunning and sorcery in our first encounter? It is without equal.

142] ADAM

(triumphant)

Hahahahaha! You better hope KELWYNN didn't hear that....else

he'll lick ya just like last-time!

143] ROEDAK

Silence, you insouciant, tempestuous little urchin! And stop your

fighting! The more you struggle, the tighter the netting.

144] ADAM

You can do all you want with me, I don't care! Leave Zoli out of

it!

145] ROEDAK

Heady little brat, I am no longer interested in this wretched

little Zolicorn. As for you... you may yet be of some use to me.

Maybe...

Roedak strokes his beard. Zoli concentrates again.

146] ROEDAK

My field is quite barren. I COULD use some manual labor. After

all, you and your four-legged friend owe ME a new door.

147] ADAM

Oh yeah?! Well you shut up!

Barks Adam...partly... because he has no comeback line. Zoli

keeps trying.

148] ROEDAK

(snaps)

YOU shut up! It is YOU who are in the cage.

CUT TO

Vilith as the melodic SONG strengthens in clarity while they walk

further along. Tori hears Adam CRYING in distress.

149] TORI

(anxious)

Adam!!!... He’s... he’s got Adam! We’ve gotta save him!

150] LEONA

We’re doing our best Tori. Well… the two of US are.

The enchantment seems to abate. KEIJI tries to come to.

151] KEIJI

(slowly)

We... we were lookin' for somethin’ before...anyone remember?

152] LEONA

KEIJI…OLSON…Ellard... snap out of it! Remember our mission guys...

now we gotta find Princess Parnamina!

OLSON, lolling ahead, answers sing-song.

153] OLSON

Don't listen-ta-them... These gals.... just-don't-want-us-to-

have-Any-FUN.

154] LEONA

(shouts)

You guys’re idiots! You’re not makin’ any sense!

155] KEIJI

Wha-?... W.. Wait LEONA… what if this… what if the song IS the

way to find the princess...?

156] LEONA

Yyyyeah... that's the smartest thing you said all day, KEIJI.

157] ELLARD

It just keeps getting lovelier. When’ll we get there?

158] TORI

(shouting)Look! Over there! A bridge…

ANOTHER ANGLE

on a very OLD GUARD emerging from the edge of the bridge. His

armor is tattered and partly corroded. He seems world-weary, and

has seen better days.

159] OLD GUARD

(proudly)

…and a wonderful bridge indeed. Presided by Abberis, sole guard

of this Castille.

160]

(curtsies)

At your service. But it’s not just any bridge… it’s the famed

bridge leading to the Castille of HO-kar the Sorcerer, the man,

the myth-

161] LEONA

(quickly)

-the dead. He’s been dead for years. We’ve all heard about him.

162] OLD GUARD

Dead!!? Hah! You know not what you speak of! I have stood this

post for many many years! NO ONE has entered this bridge- or left

the Castille this way- since… else I would’ve seen ‘em.

Somewhat at ease now, the old guard relaxes his posture.

163] OLD GUARD

But now, children, I’m curious. Who told you about Akkhan?

164] TORI

(innocently)

KELWYNN. He sent us.

WE SEE the old guard’s ease is short lived.

165] OLD GUARD

(frantic)

V-V-KELWYNN? V-V-V-KELWYNN sent y-you!??

The old guard quickly steps aside.

166] OLD GUARD

G-Go right ahead. Please-

167] LEONA

Wait. KELWYNN told us he imprisoned the princess here. But he

didn’t tell us Why. Would you-

168] OLD GUARD

I… I don’t know… it must have been long ago. Tell you what, why

don’t you ask Him? I rather be going. P-P-Please d-don’t tell

KELWYNN I kept you. Good luck, an’ don’t stay around too long…

for soon, the deadly Steeds of Akkhan shall return. Goodbye!

REVERSE ANGLE

as The old guard gathers himself and heads home. Just as he’s out

of sight, the children hear neighing echoing across the sky.

169] TORI

(terrified)

Oh no! It’s THEM!!

170] OLSON

(dazed)

Ooh, horsies… Let’s catch a ride… save us a walk. Aye, KEIJI?

171] KEIJI

(mesmerized)

Yea… you too Ellard?

172] ELLARD

(spellbound)

Hubba hubba. Anything for a princess.

LEONA yanks KEIJI, OLSON and Ellard across the bridge, as Tori

pushes them from behind.

173] LEONA

(frustrated)

Guys, come on!! Do you want to die?!

174] OLSON

(defiantly, then soft)

No way! Not unless… unless I die… in the arms of a princess.

The winged Steeds advance ever closer to the kids… when Tori’s

eyes widen.

175] TORI

Everyone! Put your hands on my cloak!

176] BOYS

(idly)

Wwwwhat…

177] TORI

Grab my cloak, and hold onto it for a long time. We’ll… You gotta

see the princess. She’ll be happy to see you… ALIVE!

ANOTHER ANGLE

as the Steeds approach the bridge.

178] BOYS

Awww…

They all hold on as Tori cloaks herself- all the children

disappear as the Steeds missing them by mere feet. Tori breathes

a SIGH of relief, they all grasp Tori’s cloak while crossing the

bridge.

They just about cross the bridge when OLSON TRIPS on his own cape.

He BUMPS into KEIJI, who TOPPLES the girls and Ellard over.

179] KEIJI

WAIT yer turn, OLSON I was first in line!

OLSON

We’re comin’, princess!!

The children are rendered completely visible! But the boys are

still entranced by the hypnotic song of princess Parnamina. The

Steeds double back to charge after them!

180] TORI

(despair)

Where’s Hinterrealm Lordd when ya need him?

181] LEONA

Or KELWYNN?

POV

Of TORI

As the Steeds advance.

182] TORI

(flinching in panic)

Oh no LEONA… we’re… we’re too late!

FADE OUT

TO BLACK