“The Villain Saga” – (FINALE) Episode 10, Part 1

(Table of contents) (See previous)

INT. EREWHON PRISON, JUPITER’S LAB –  EVENING

FADE IN.

We open this episode where we left off, with DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU watching the completion of the beginning of JUPITER’S experiment. All four prisoners are in their places now, hung in suspended animation in a sleep-like state, with JUPITER looking proudly on.

MOREAU

…So…what will happen to them?

JUPITER

(Pacing)

Ideally, I will have removed all their evil temptations and desires, and I will be able to prove them as good, law-abiding members of society.

(Con’t)

But reality is often not ideal. I doubt this will change them at all–at best, the chance for these things to go wrong is quite high.

(Con’t)

But we must all make sacrifices for our goals…I’m sure you would understand.

DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU don’t respond. They likely don’t have any moral opposition to this sort of experimentation, but they’re still very stunned and confused.

JUPITER

Now, if you’ll leave us be—

A lab assistant walks up to the bottom platform, sitting in a chair under the devices. A helmet slowly attaches to his head, and the entire machine lights up, nearly blinding all in the room.

Once the lights are gone, so is the assistant, with the helmet and chair empty as though nothing had happened at all.

JUPITER

–I’ll let my assistants get started on exploring their minds.

(Con’t)

Let Stage 1 of the Dream Machine Project begin!

FADE OUT.

EXT. OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM – DAY

TEXT

“ONE MONTH LATER…”

We enter on an oil platform in the middle of the ocean, with a city skyline far in the distance in one direction, and storm clouds in the other.

A small boat is settled near the edge, so far unnoticed by any of the workers. While we don’t get a good view, there’s a brief shadow of a person, making their way into the structure

Meanwhile, inside a control room at the topmost platform…

OIL RIG WORKER #1

…Doctor, we’re working night and day out here as it is. I don’t have any manpower to spare for you!

The computer screen is a garbled, glitched mess, but there’s just barely a view of JUPITER’S face.

JUPITER

…no, no, just trust me once more. One more person, and I’ll double your wages…fast, barely more than a day…

OIL RIG WORKER #1

You’ll just have to find someone else.

The connection breaks. OIL RIG WORKER #1 sighs and slumps in her chair.

A young woman enters–actually, she’s only still a teenager. She isn’t wearing any of the uniforms or safety gear as everyone else on the structure. She has long, dark hair, wearing a vest with a fluffy collar.

OIL RIG WORKER #1

Hey, kid, what are you doing here?

???

Calm down, my boss just wanted me to drop these off from the mainland.

(She holds out some official-looking papers)

Is Jupiter still bothering you?

OIL RIG WORKER #1

…I knew we’re getting new hires, but I didn’t expect a kid to come all alone out here.

(She takes the papers)

They told you about Jupiter? Yeah, he’s still requesting for people–some of the guys here were the ones who built the prison for him.

(Con’t)

The pay’s far better, but I can’t send one more person.

???

Why not?

OIL RIG WORKER #1

We’ve got our own work ahead, and besides…no one who’s gone has come back yet.

???

Need me to go along?

OIL RIG WORKER #1

Ha! I’m already risking my career with whatever happened to those guys, I’m not sending a random girl.

The stranger sighs.

???

Hate to bring this out…but…

She pulls an ID from her pocket–at least, it looks like an ID. It’s so worn and scratched over that you can barely make out the contents, but just enough is visible: “Poptropica Heroes Union” and “Jade”.

OIL RIG WORKER #1

…Oh.

(Con’t)

You’re not at all with my boss…

(Con’t)

I’ll uh, send someone over soon…not sure what you’re doing with those people either but…take care.

CUT TO a helicopter landing near the control room. JADE, with some hesitation, enters, and OIL RIG WORKER #1 waves goodbye as they head off.

CUT TO inside the helicopter. JADE is sitting in the back, with headphones on to block out some of the surrounding noise. She’s looking down at the badge, with a strange look on her face.

JADE

I’m not doing this just for all you guys…

HELICOPTER PILOT

Hey, just warning ya–it’s going to get bumpy.

(Con’t)

This area’s had weird storms for a month, but they won’t let anyone close to find the cause.

JADE

…not surprised, from what I’ve heard about Jupiter.

(Con’t)

Has he told you…anything about this?

HELICOPTER PILOT

…

CUT TO outside Erewhon. JADE is on the cliffside, near the entryway as the helicopter leaves again. She pulls a small box, about the size of a ring case, from a pocket, cracking it open. Inside are four tiny objects, like marbles, although that doesn’t seem to be their intended use. They’re almost glowing in the dark.

She snaps the box shut when a security camera swerves toward her, bending up and down as though someone on the other end is trying to figure out who she is.

There is a short montage–JADE enters the prison and talks to security, although it’s unsure what they’re saying. They seem satisfied with whatever explanation she gave them, and lead her further into the building.

CUT TO JUPITER’S lab. It’s dimmed again–not as pitch dark as before, but much of the machinery–and test subjects–are in shadow. The entry door opens, and JADE walks in.

JUPITER

Hello th–

(con’t)

Ah, I see it was an assistant they sent. I wouldn’t expect you to be on an oil rig.

JADE

You’re right–I don’t like them very much anyway.

(She fiddles with the box in her hand, not showing it to him)

But I’m sure I can get this done.

JUPITER

I don’t care how many people it takes, but I just don’t like the wait.

JADE

…where are the people who’ve come so far?

DR. JUPITER smiles at her, as though he either doesn’t grasp–or doesn’t care–about the potential severity of what happened to previous volunteers.

JUPITER

No need for you to worry.

(Con’t)

I just need you to get into that stand over there and put that helmet on–I’ll do the rest to get you in.

Without another word, or another question, JADE up to the stand, unknowingly placed between BINARY BARD and DR. HARE as they remain practically frozen. She closes her eyes as JUPITER adjusts the heavy levers by his station, bringing the room to blinding life again.

In just a few moments, she is gone too.

But not…gone gone. When JADE opens her eyes, she stares ahead at a vast dreamscape, an amalgamation of strange sights. The sky is a vibrant galaxy, with the planet’s surrounding Poptropica looming ahead. The path forward is lined by carrots and surrounded by farmland, and ahead are a swirling ocean around a grand pirate ship, all contained in a bottle, and a dark building covered in cobwebs, but still with newly completed paintings on display.

It’s all like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, an utter maze with no interest in following any physical limitations or laws. JADE has to force herself to stop looking.

JADE

No wonder people got lost…

(Con’t)

But none of them came prepared.

She pulls the box from her pocket again, then rushes forward, on a mission to get this done and done fast.

---

Episode factoid: Jade is a very old character of mine that I revived just for this part. I have some ideas on how to incorporate her backstory but I’m still figuring out when I’ll fit it. The only detail I’ve really kept is her being from Alaska, which I hope to visit again :>

Castori honorem ~ Smart Bubbles