We Are All Dragons/Transcript

(In the Kingdom of Imperium, Percival leads the ninja through the city.)
Percival: All clear. Come on. Our secret HQ is close. Stick to the shadows.
Lloyd: Sticking to shadows is one of the things ninja do best.
Arin: It's kinda weirding me out how we're on the same side now, Percival.
Percival: I can imagine. But just think of it like when an Earth Dragon builds a nest with an Ice Dragon. Nothing is stronger.
Arin: Since when do you know stuff about dragons? All you used to care about was joining the Claws to hunt them.
Percival: A lot's happened since we last saw each other, Lampshade.
Arin: Oh, uh, you can call me Arin.
(Wyldfyre sings loudly while sneaking, and everyone stops.)
Lloyd: Kai, can you please?
Kai: Of course. Wyldfyre, this is a stealth mission, so the theme would go more like... (He sings in a quieter voice.)
Wyldfyre: Oh, yeah, got it.
(They sing together.)
Lloyd: I forgot there's two of them now. (They continue running.) When we were flying to Imperium, we saw a massive explosion. Did you see it too? It looked like Dragon Core energy.
Percival: Who didn't see it? It came from the Advanced Systems Lab. That's where you'll find your Core. But first, we gotta get to our base and out of sight of any guards. The entrance to the tunnel is right around —
(Suddenly, Beatrix lands in front of them in her mech, along with some Claws.)
Beatrix: Imperium citizens siding with the ninja? Traitors! You will be executed for your treason! And you, ninja? You dare invade my kingdom? How foolish can you be?
Kai: You have no idea how foolish some of us can be. No offense, Lloyd.
Beatrix: Your sad ninja training, your pathetic elemental powers, they are nothing compared to my power! Attack!
----
(In the skies, Nya, Sora, and Riyu approach Imperium on Jiro and Zanth.)
Nya: For as rotten as this kingdom is, it does look perfect from the outside.
Sora: The citizens still think it is perfect. Just ask my parents.
Nya: Maybe after this is over, we can talk to them. Convince them that —
Sora: No. My parents believe in Imperium more than anything. More than they believe in their own — (She sighs.) There's no talking to them. (She notices a fight in the city.) Look!
Nya: (She gasps.) Is that an elemental fight? Maybe we're not the only ninja to have our plans derailed by Imperium.
Sora: Let's hope the armor I built Jiro is enough to break through.
----
(In Imperium, the ninja take on Beatrix. Her mech absorbs an ice attack from Zane.)
Kai: Did that just happen?
Beatrix: (She laughs.) My mech is impervious to your elemental powers. You think your powers make you so superior!
Lloyd: Huh? We don't think we're better than anyone 'cause of our powers.
Wyldfyre: I do!
Beatrix: You will learn that no one is superior to Empress Beatrix!
Kai: (He sees Nya and Sora flying towards them.) Look! Is that who I think it is?
Lloyd: Nya and Sora? Tell me they didn't forget about the electro barrier!
(Jiro opens fire on the barrier as they approach.)
Beatrix: Fools! We are Imperium. None can shatter what we build!
Sora: Nya, hold up! It's not gonna — (She watches as Jiro breaks the barrier.) Never mind! Woo hoo!
Beatrix: Impossible. That — (Jiro tackles her to the ground.)
Nya: Good Empress? Looks like Mediocre-at-Best Empress to me.
Beatrix: Claws, get them! All of them!
(A fight ensues between the ninja, the dragons, and Beatrix's forces.)
Sora: (To Lloyd.) Fancy meeting you here. Imperium steal your Dragon Core too?
Lloyd: Not ours. But they did get Kai and Wyldfyre's Core.
Kai: Hey, it's not a competition.
(Jiro roars at Riyu, who pulls on Arin's sleeve.)
Arin: What? Riyu, we can't run away. (To Lloyd.) Lloyd, I think Riyu's trying to tell me the big dragons will keep the Empress occupied, so we can get out.
Lloyd: But they'll need help!
(Zanth roars at them.)
Arin: You wanna argue with the dragon?
Lloyd: Point taken. Percival, let's go!
Claw Hunter: After them!
(The ninja run off. Percival leads them to a dumpster and leaps inside.)
Kai: I've jumped in worse.
Arin: Secret dumpster chute. Nice.
Percival: Come on. Our HQ's close.
----
(At the Source Dragon of Energy's prison, Jordana and her team attempt to drain the dragon's energy.)
Scientist 1: Test number seven, ready.
Jordana: The adjustments we made should do the trick. Let's show Dr. LaRow you can drain a Source Dragon's power. (She activates the machine, but it fails.) No!
----
(Outside, Jiro and Zanth continue to fight Beatrix. Jiro blasts Beatrix into a building, but is attacked by the Claws.)
----
(Underground, Percival leads the ninja through tunnels.)
Nya: Hey, that's part of the weird techno cocoon we found Zane in, in that underground monastery.
Percival: Yeah. The Empress took all that stuff apart. Most of it got sent to the Land of Lost Things. That's where we dump all our old tech.
Sora: Yep, we've become pretty familiar with that place.
Nya: And this explains why part of the portal gate was there.
Zane: And why I could not connect to this gate again. This would've been useful to know before I expended so many days on my failed attempts.
(They reach the Imperium Teen Resistance Force's headquarters.)
Lloyd: How does the Empress not know you're all hiding out down here?
Percival: When we were the Imperium Teen Protection Force, we learned where all the security cameras are, so now we can avoid them. It's how we've been able to build up the Resistance without getting caught.
Arin: And how big is the Resistance?
Percival: We're the leaders, but we have people inside all kinds of places. That's how we got this access card. This will get you into the Advanced Systems Lab to find your Dragon Cores.
Sora: I don't get it. Last time I saw you, you were dragging poor Riyu to the Empress.
Percival: We all saw you ninja free those dragons with our own eyes. So when the Empress said it didn't happen, we got skeptical and started digging, and uncovered all kinds of lies. We were told our old Emperor died in an accident, but it turns out the Empress and Ras caused that accident.
Sora: Seriously? Even I didn't know that.
Percival: We've all known people who've mysteriously disappeared. We believe anyone who tries to express themselves in a way the Empress disagrees with is imprisoned. (He turns on a screen.) This footage was never broadcast, but in it, the Empress admits to her lies. One of her biggest? That dragons are only mindless beasts. Did you know dragons have super advanced IQs? And almost all dragon species live in cooperative communities, just like us.
Wyldfyre: Obviously. Everyone knows that.
Percival: Not in Imperium. But I'm confident when the rest of our people learn the truth about how we treat dragons, they'll rise up.
Sora: But how will they learn the truth? The Empress controls all the information in Imperium.
Percival: We have an insider that can get us access to the broadcast tower tonight. If we can hack through the encryption, we can stream this to every screen in Imperium. That's why we think it's fate you've shown up here now.
Lloyd: How is it fate?
Percival: Because she's here. (He points to Sora.) You're who inspired us to do this, Ana. I mean, Sora.
Sora: Me? I'm just a runaway who's good at tech stuff.
Teen: Our whole lives, the Empress told us what to do, how to dress, how to think. And we just did it, no questions.
Percival: But you defied LaRow and the Empress. You resisted.
Teen: You did what no one had ever done. When we learned the truth about what happened to you, why you left...
Percival: We had to do our part to try and save Imperium. None of us can hack the broadcast encryption, but we believe you can.
Sora: I'm in.
Arin: Not without me! I've always got your back, Sora!
Lloyd: Great. You do that, we'll get the Dragon Cores from the lab.
Teen: One thing. I saw that lab after the explosion. It's now on lockdown. Guards on guards on guards.
Kai: Then they'll need a distraction.
Wyldfyre: You had me at massive explosion!
Kai: I didn't say massive explosion.
Wyldfyre: You implied it.
Kai: Yes. Yes I did.
Lloyd: Alright, then. Time to save the world.
----
(Outside, the dragons continue fighting Beatrix. She slams Zanth to the ground, and Jiro charges her.)
Beatrix: Filthy lizard! (She grabs Jiro with her mech.) No dragon is a match for me! (She raises her sword and slices off his armor.)
----
(Lloyd, Nya, and Zane sneak through the streets of Imperium. They run into a guard carrying a watering can, and they dodge behind some plants. The guard waters the plants and bumps into Lloyd.)
Guard 1: Hey! You almost done up there, Melvin?
Melvin: I think? (He waters the ground.) Went to the eye doctor today, got my pupils dilated. Can't see a thing. Should have taken the day off, but you know how the Empress is. Oh well. (He moves on, and the ninja sneak away.)
----
(In a different part of Imperium, Kai and Wyldfyre look for the armory.)
Wyldfyre: Alright, map says that's the armory.
Kai: Doesn't look like anyone's home.
Wyldfyre: Knock knock.
Kai: Who's there?
Wyldfyre: Ka!
Kai: Ka who?
Kai and Wyldfyre: Kaboom! (They shoot fire at the armory, laughing. They sing while shooting even more fire, blowing up the building.)
Wyldfyre: Wait. Where's the massive explosion? If this is where they keep their rockets and weapons and blowing-up stuff, shouldn't there be more loud booms?
Kai: Y'know, I was just thinking the same thing. This is the armory, right?
Wyldfyre: Totally. See?
Kai: (He takes the map from her.) Wyldfyre, this map is upside-down!
Wyldfyre: Oh. Uh, well. You let a kid raised in the Wyldness be in charge of a city map, so... your fault.
Kai: Truth. But I'm sure this building is still something very, very important, so no doubt we pulled a strategic move to help the Resistance.
Guard 2: Not the shoulder pad storage! (She sobs loudly as Kai and Wyldfyre nervously crept backwards.)
----
(Percival takes Sora, Arin, and Riyu to the broadcast tower.)
Sora: I can't believe you managed to get an insider into the broadcast tower. That's, like, Triple A level clearance.
Percival: And wait till you see who it is.
(They arrive at the top to find Rapton.)
Sora and Arin: Rapton?!
Rapton: Hey, if you need an inside guy, Rapton's your man. (Riyu tackles him to the ground.) Hey! (Riyu headbutts him.) Ow. Boy, someone's really holding on to an old grudge.
Percival: (To Riyu.) Come on, please. We need him if we wanna save Imperium.
Arin: (He sighs.) Hey, buddy. I hate Rapton too, but let's at least hear him out.
(Percival picks Riyu up and sets him aside.)
Sora: How do we know you're not a spy for the Empress?
Rapton: 'Cause I can't stand her! Ugh. Look, all I ever wanted was to hunt dragons. (Riyu growls at him.) Okay, okay. I'll admit. Wasn't reading the room there, heh. Look, the Empress has gone off the rails. She's so obsessed with destroying ninja, she doesn't think about anything else! She's built this MergeQuake weapon, and she's too far gone to realize she'll destroy the whole world trying to get revenge.
Arin: What's that got to do with you?
Rapton: When I didn't get the Dragon Core she sent me for, I had a real moment of clarity. Why was I helping her end the world? Rapton needs the world. Rapton likes living in it.
Percival: He heard about the Resistance and came to me. We made him a fake Dragon Core to give to the Empress.
Rapton: I was hoping with a fake Core, her weapon just wouldn't work, and she'd give up. But that kind of explosively backfired.
Arin: The lab explosion? That was you?
Rapton: Yeah. Rapton barely got out of there alive. But, now I hear the Empress has another plan to get her weapon going, so we gotta work fast. Her real strength is the loyalty of her people, and we're betting a pirate broadcast to the truth will end that. So, you trust me or not?
Sora: Fine. Truce. But it's only temporary.
Rapton: Absolutely. I hate you all too, like, so much. Now, one hand scan and you're in. Go to town.
----
(Lloyd, Nya, and Zane approach the Advanced Systems Lab.)
Lloyd: Street's all clear. Let's go!
(Suddenly, one of Jiro's blasters passes by in front of them and Beatrix lands in front of them in her mech.)
Nya: I gotta admit, she's good with dramatic entrances. Wonder where she learned that.
----
(Atop the broadcast tower, Dorama electrocutes Rapton.)
Dorama: Yet another dramatic drama entrance! Please, hold all applause until the end of the performance. (He deflects Riyu's attack.) Ha ha! I knew following that heel Rapton would lead to a plot twist. Now look at what I've upstaged. (He deflects more attacks.) The Empress will be thrilled with me.
Percival: How can you work for her? Her rule is nothing but lies!
Dorama: Oh, naïve child. The lies of the stage are how we find our inner truths. (He tries to attack Percival, but Riyu tackles him.)
Percival: Thanks, Riyu.
----
(Outside, Beatrix confronts Lloyd, Nya, and Zane.)
Beatrix: You stick some guns on a dragon and think it can take me?
Nya: Where are our dragons?
Beatrix: Where all dragons should be. Imprisoned, preparing to be drained for their energy, so they can't help you this time. I know you've come for my Dragon Cores, but you will not get them!
(The three ninja battle Beatrix.)
----
(At the Source Dragon's prison, Jordana hits the machines frustratedly.)
Dr. LaRow: I warned you. Your pathetic desire to compete with Ana has caused you to bite off more than you can chew.
Jordana: Ugh. Don't ever say that name to me, Dr. LaRow.
Dr. LaRow: Ana doesn't even know who you are. You can't do this. Admit it.
Jordana: Guards! Get her out of my sight!
Dr. LaRow: It can't be done, Jordana. (She is taken away by guards.)
Jordana: Remove all safety protocols. Increase yield 400%.
Scientist 2: That could destroy the system, blow us all up.
Jordana: Just do it!
(They do as told. The Source Dragon roars in his sphere.)
----
(On the streets, Kai and Wyldfyre are still searching for the armory.)
Kai: See, those are power lines, not rivers. And — are you even paying attention?
Wyldfyre: (She points at a screen.) They did it.
----
(Beatrix slams all three ninja into a wall, defeating them.)
Beatrix: Your powers disgust me! We — (She is interrupted by Sora's broadcast.)
Beatrix (video): We must eliminate repulsive and aberrant freaks from our city, like I did to my sister and my father.
Beatrix: Exactly! Wait, what? (She turns to see the broadcast.)
Beatrix (video): And I assure you all there has been no dragon escape. Anyone suggesting that is a traitor.
Dorama (video): And we're clear, Empress. Stunning performance!
Beatrix (video): I don't need a good performance. The brainless people of Imperium will believe anything I tell them. With those dragons now gone, tell LaRow to increase draining the few we have left. Last thing I need is pathetic citizens complaining.
Beatrix: What is this?! What's happening?
Lloyd: Just your own words, Empress.
Beatrix (video): Faster! More!
Dr. LaRow (video): The dragon can't take much more.
Beatrix (video): Who cares? Drain it until there's nothing left! Imperium's power must be infinite!
(The video feed shows Zanth roaring in pain.)
Citizen 1: Hey, she lied to us.
Citizen 2: Boo!
----
(Atop the broadcast tower, Arin watches the citizens' reactions.)
Arin: It's working!
Sora: Good. Now it's time I do something.
(Percival starts livestreaming Sora.)
Sora's father: (He and Sora's mother watch the broadcast in their home.) Ana?
Sora: People of Imperium! You've heard the truth from the Empress herself. Imperium is not the perfect place we've been told it is. It tortures dragons. It drains them of their very life. Every comfort you have, every privilege, comes at the expense of other living beings. This cannot, must not continue! And she doesn't only abuse dragons. Our entire culture is in service to her. The Empress used me for my work, then threw me away when she couldn't control me. Just like the dragons, I was a mindless beast. That's how she sees all of us, but we are all stronger than she realizes. We must rise up. We must be free! Because today, we are all dragons!
(On the streets, Imperium citizens take down Beatrix's posters.)
Citizen 3: Her father was a leader, she's just a liar!
Citizen 4: Boo! (The crowd heads for the palace.)
Citizen 5: She's using us! We are like dragons to her!
Citizen 6: Down with the Empress! Down with the Empress!
Citizen 7: She's a liar!
Citizen 8: Boo!
Citizen 9: Down with the Empress!
Citizen 10: Boo!
(The guards at the palace run away.)
----(Another group of protesting Imperians throw rocks at the Claws holding down Zanth and Jiro.)
Citizen 11: Boo!
(Zanth and Jiro are eventually freed and immediately roar.)
----
(Two guards run toward the armory.)
Guard 3: There's an uprising. Let's gear up!
(The armory explodes, blowing them back. Kai and Wyldfyre emerge from the flames triumphantly.)
Kai: Now that's an armory.
----
(Beatrix flees through the streets, where angry citizens boo her.)
Beatrix: Those videos were faked! You know me! Argh, I am good! (A rock is thrown at her.)
Citizen 12: The Empress is a liar!
Citizen 13: Boo!
(Beatrix grabs a nearby guard and throws him at the crowd, shocking them before she resumes running.)
Citizen 14: Down with the Empress!
Beatrix: (She resumes running as Jordana contacts her.) This better be good news, Jordana!
Citizens: (Chanting.) We are all dragons! We are all dragons! We are all dragons!
(Percival and the others watch the protest from the broadcast tower.)
Percival: You did this.
Sora: We did this. We are all dragons!
----
(In his cell, Ras hears the chanting and peeks out of his cell.)
Guard 4: She's been lying to us this whole time! (He throws his tablet down.) I can't believe it!
(Ras growls and snarls as he smirks.)
----
(Lloyd, Nya, and Zane reach the Advanced Systems Lab.)
Lloyd: The teens weren't kidding. That is a lot of guards. Let's go!
Guard 5: The armory is on fire! Come on! (All the guards leave.)
Nya: Did my brother's dumb plan seriously work?
Zane: It would appear so.
(They get closer, but Beatrix blocks their path.)
Beatrix: Looking for these? (She holds up the MergeQuake weapon, displaying two Dragon Cores and a replacement one.)
Lloyd: How does she have three Cores?
Beatrix: Now, even MergeQuakes are mine to command! Prepare for your complete and utter destruction, ninja! (She fires the weapon, opening a huge rift in the sky. She laughs maniacally.)
(End of the episode. For more information, click here.)
Category:Transcript
Category:2023
Category:Season 1 (Dragons Rising)