“The Villain Saga” – Episode 2, Part 2

(Table of contents) (See previous)

CUT TO:

DIRECTOR D. and MADEMOISELLE MOREAU are in their office, waiting during another break between patients.

MOREAU

So, what’s taking so long? We have them, let’s go.

DIRECTOR D.

They’ve been tightening security even more than usual, and it doesn’t help that any of the helicopters have to be permitted by the computers in that “off-limits” upper floor.

MOREAU

Ah yes, Jupiter’s lab. Hasn’t Black Widow entered many highly-guarded museums before? She ought to be able to do something.

DIRECTOR D.

I asked her, and…

CUT TO BLACK WIDOW laughing for a solid few seconds, before answering dead-faced.

BLACK WIDOW

No.

CUT TO present.

DIRECTOR D.

…not very positive.

Enter CAPTAIN CRAWFISH, who upon entering takes a seat and rests both his remaining leg and peg on the table. One of the AGENTS remains behind.

AGENT

(To PRISON GUARD)

I can handle it.

GUARD

Oh, okay. Extra lunch time!

The GUARD leaves, and CRAWFISH begins chewing on one of his nails, much to MOREAU’S disgust.

CRAWFISH

So, what’re you up to? I’ve never been sent here before.

DIRECTOR D.

We just wanted to help you through your feelings–

CRAWFISH

Cut to it. I saw both of you outside the grub room, you be planning something.

DIRECTOR D. chuckles, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

DIRECTOR D.

You always keep being smarter than we expect…

CRAWFISH

Oi, what’s that supposed to mean?

DIRECTOR D.

Oh, nothing! We just hoped we were a little less obvious.

(slightly under his breath)

Especially with that Jupiter watching us so closely…

CRAWFISH

Ah, I’m just bored. That man’s up in his head, thinkin’ whatever he be schemin’, and all the other prisoners? They can’t see beyond their noses either. Too busy with their revenge and pain and anger.

(con’t)

I’ve simply…retired, at least for now. Although, I might be interested in whatever you’re up to, if you’re willing to spare some words.

DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU share a glance.

MOREAU

(sighs)

I guess you’ll have to know sometime…

She looks at the AGENT at the door. He takes a glance out the window, then gives them a thumbs-up. MOREAU pulls a book out, a giant, worn copy that should be at least a century old. She lays it open on the table, revealing a page of broken paragraphs and barely visible drawings.

CRAWFISH

I am sure your baby will grow to be a fine artist, but I’m not here for that.

MOREAU

Shut, you know what this is.

DIRECTOR D.

As you know, our world of Poptropica is a combination of different dimensions. However, more evidence and theories have been coming out that the more these dimensions interact, the more they’ll start to…break, I suppose.

CRAWFISH finally appears to be taking in the seriousness of the situation. His expression turns grave as he takes a closer look at the book.

DIRECTOR D.

If these theories do happen to be true, well, eventually everything in this world will become such a jumble of wormholes that not only will one need a Ph. D to understand “basic” history, but every bit of life will be fractured and torn across these dimensions.

(He points at a faded image in the book.)

One of our dimensional “islands” contains this. It’s the Golden Apple of immortality. Some have tried to claim it before but, considering this is near the famed Mount Olympus, there is no way to obtain it without challenging literal gods.

(con’t)

This is where the fractured dimensions come in. If we strike at the right time, as everyone is distracted and confused by all the chaos, we could obtain this and if the description proves true, gain immortality and unknown power.

MOREAU

We can become, well, gods.

DIRECTOR D.

(chuckling)

A bit of a dramatic way to put it, but yes, that’s the jist of it. And with the knowledge that we’ll gather over our journey, we have a chance of learning how to survive the break and start a new world.

There’s a long pause. CRAWFISH leans back in his chair, taking in all this information slowly.

CRAWFISH

And what if this isn’t true? If it’s just a pretty apple?

DIRECTOR D.

(shrugging)

We’ll get a little snack before the world ends, and it would go that way if we didn’t try this anyhow. So, why not try?

CRAWFISH pauses again.

CRAWFISH

I will admit, this sounds far more like something that Mordred would care about than I. I’m one for riches and adventure, but no great power or leadership beyond my crew–or at least the crew I used to have.

(con’t)

That all said…

Another pause, even longer than the first two. MOREAU taps the table anxiously.

MOREAU

…yes?

CRAWFISH

In exchange for giving me my freedom, I will join you. You’ll probably need some navigation help along the way.

DIRECTOR D.

But I have helicopters–

CRAWFISH

Bah! The sea is always better.

(con’t)

And who knows? Perhaps I’ll find some treasures or battles along the way. In this temporary world, I might as well savor temporary joys.

MOREAU and DIRECTOR D. grin, with the latter clapping a couple times. The AGENT whistles, and MOREAU quickly hides the book before the Erewhon guard from earlier enters to take CRAWFISH away. Once they are out of earshot, DIRECTOR D. mutters:

DIRECTOR D.

Now we’ve just got to explain all that to the others.

MOREAU

Ugh!

[FADE OUT.]