The Calm Inside/Transcript

(In a flashback, a young Lloyd trains with Master Wu on a stormy mountain.)
Past Wu: (He swings some pendants around quickly.) Now you must focus and connect with each target.
Past Lloyd: But, Master Wu, they're moving too fast!
Past Wu: Focus.
(Lloyd tries multiple times, but misses every time and falls.)
Past Lloyd: Did I hit any? (He sees that he failed.) Oh.
Past Wu: Try again.
Past Lloyd: (He fails again.) I'm not even gonna bother to look. I missed them all, right? This is impossible! The rain, the thunder, I can't even hear myself think! How am I supposed to hit moving targets?
Past Wu: (He sighs.) That, my young nephew, is precisely the lesson. It is easy to hit targets when your environment is exactly what you want it to be. But that is almost never a reality. In life, there will be times of chaos, when everything around you is a raging storm. The goal is to find a way to tune out the chaos.
Past Lloyd: But how do I do that, Uncle?
Past Wu: When there is no calm outside of you, you must find the calm inside of you. Find your inner peace, your balance, and the outer chaos will go away.
(Lloyd concentrates, and tries again. This time, he succeeds.)
----
(At present day Imperium, Lloyd, Wyldfyre, and the dragons fight off the Photac Beasts.)
Lloyd: Arin and Sora better find Riyu, because if they don't, we're not going to survive this.
(Arin and Sora search for Riyu as they ride away from the battle.)
Arin: Riyu? Hello?
Sora: Where are you, Riyu? Hold up, Sora.
Arin: Wait, this dragon has the same name as you? How is that possible?
Sora: Long story. So, you haven't seen Riyu since you got separated trying to escape the Imperium Student Feelgood Club?
Arin: The Imperium Teen Protection Force. I hope they didn't find the little guy. They all wanted to be in the Claws of the Imperium. All they cared about was capturing him.
Sora: If they did, they'd have to report it in the security logs, which would be bad, but at least we'd know where they took Riyu.
Arin: You want to hack Imperium logs? But that means going back to ...
Sora: The Security Station. (To dragon Sora) Sora, go back and help Lloyd and the other dragons. (The dragon leaves.)
Arin: Two Soras. This is going to get complicated.
(Sora punches him lightly, and they enter the Security Station. They sneak past a guard watching the commotion on his screen.)
Melvin: Oh, that battle looks pretty intense. They might need my help. But those dragon claws are sharp. Oh. What if I get really scratched up? No! You're an Imperium Guard, Melvin. You should definitely ... stay here and guard, away from even the tiniest discomfort.
(Melvin leaves through a door, followed by Arin and Sora. The two round a corner to see a snoring guard.)
Sora: He's asleep.
(They sneak past the sleeping guard and reach a computer.)
Sora: I'm seeing all the recent dragon captures, but nothing fits Riyu's description. Where could he be?
----
(At the palace, Percival arrives with Riyu.)
Percival: Hello? Can anyone help me? I caught a dragon all by myself!
Imperium Guard: The dragons are attacking the main gate! Come on!
Percival: I think the Good Empress would be impressed with my work. (The guards run past him.) Hello? (He enters the palace.) Ugh. Why won't anyone listen to me? I just want to impress the Empress!
(Suddenly, a door before him opens. Beatrix walks out with some guards.)
Beatrix: Really? Do tell.
Percival: Uh, all hail the Good Empress!
Beatrix: (She sees Riyu behind him.) Look what you have brought me. Well done, my boy.
(Percival smiles.)
----
(In the skies, Ras is flying on his hover chariot when Beatrix calls him.)
Beatrix: Ras, I have something you need to see. Report to the palace immediately.
----
(In the mysterious monastery, Kai and Nya question each other in confusion.)
Kai: You were in the Cloud Kingdom, Nya. How'd you get under the monastery?
Nya: I'm not under the monastery. I'm under the Cloud Kingdom, which is exactly where you should not be.
Kai: Uh, no, that can't be right. I was just playing video games and then —
Nya: Big shock.
Kai: Hey. Stopping MergeQuakes by myself isn't easy. I needed some self-care. Anyway, I heard some weird whispers, so I started following them.
Nya: I heard weird whispers too, in the Cloud Kingdom archives. Like they were calling out to me.
Kai: But they were just gibberish, like ... (He speaks gibberish.)
Nya: (She gasps.) Mine too!
Kai: Then I saw this weird ghost thing. A ghost thing that knew my name.
Nya: Same! It led me down some strange halls and then through that gate.
Kai: I walked through the same gate, but it was under the monastery. Is that some kind of portal?
Nya: If it is, it sent us both to the same place. Here. Wherever "here" is. Kind of looks like a strange monastery, doesn't it? (She sees a symbol on the wall.) Dragon sun? Dragon energy?
(Suddenly, the voice starts whispering again, interrupting them.)
Nya: (She gasps.) That's my whispery ghost thing.
Kai: Mine too.
(They look towards the source of the voice and find a strange capsule.)
----
(At the main gates, the battle continues.)
Wyldfyre: Eat flame, you bunch of flame-eaters! (She is sent flying by a Photac Beast.) Not fair!
Lloyd: Wyldfyre! (He pulls her away to safety.)
Wyldfyre: Release me! I must fight!
Lloyd: Yeah, you're welcome, by the way. (Into his communicator) Arin, Sora, come in. We really need some good news out here.
Arin: Oh no. Is it that bad?
Lloyd: It's that bad.
Sora: I've hacked the city's surveillance network, and we're scanning through it as fast as we can to find Riyu.
Lloyd: If you can't find Riyu, you're going to have to do this yourself, without a spark.
Sora: I've never been able to use elemental power on my own. You know that.
Lloyd: Sora, it's your —
Sora: True Potential. Yeah. You told me a million times. But ... what if my potential isn't as true as you think it is?
Arin: Stop! Wait! Go back! (Sora does so.) There! Look! (They see Riyu in the palace.)
Lloyd: What are you seeing? You found him?
Sora: Here's the good news you wanted. We know where Riyu is. But the bad news? He's in the worst possible place.
----
(In the palace, Beatrix addresses Percival.)
Beatrix: The Empress is pleased. I see bright things in your future, young Percival. Your efforts in the name of Imperium will not be forgotten.
Percival: All hail the Good Empress! (He bows and leaves.)
Beatrix: So, this is the little dragon that is so important to your big plan, Ras? The one that gave you so much trouble?
Ras: The ninja make everything more ... difficult.
Beatrix: So you say, and yet a child just brought this beast to me on his toy hoverboard. (Ras growls. She turns to Riyu.) When your friends see what I'm going to do to you, it will break their spirit. This rebellion will end and none shall ever begin again. (To Ras) Call Dr. LaRow. Have her come here and drain the dragon's energy. Completely.
Ras: You can't do that yet. My plan for — (Beatrix pushes him, and he snarls.)
Beatrix: I am Empress Beatrix Vespasian-Orus, absolute ruler of Imperium and protector of the true path. I will not be told what I can and cannot do by underlings, especially outlanders. Your plans are nothing. Your thoughts are nothing. All that matters is my will alone.
Ras: (He growls and bows reluctantly.) All hail the Good Empress.
Beatrix: Good. Call Dr. LaRow. Drain the dragon.
(Ras leaves.)
----
(Kai and Nya approach the capsule.)
Kai: So our weird ghost guy wanted us to see this? What is it? Really, really ugly art?
Nya: Beats me. Its power functions are inactive. I can hook it up, so it can do whatever it is it does, but ... what if what it does isn't good?
Ghostly orb: It must rise.
Nya: (She gasps.) Was that ...
Kai: Master Wu? It sounded like Master Wu to me.
Nya: That makes no sense. What if this is all just a trick?
Kai: Well, only one way to find out.
Nya: I guess you're right. (She starts to fix the capsule.)
----
(On the streets, Arin and Sora head to the palace.)
Imperium Guard #1: Hey, like my new shoulder pads?
Imperium Guard #2: Oh, yes. I love how they're identical to mine and everyone else's. I'm so jealous.
Sora: (To Arin) Most of the guards must be dealing with the dragon breakout. With our ninja stealth training, getting past those two will be no problem.
Arin: Lloyd hasn't given us stealth training. You're just talking about that time we snuck out to the carnival.
Sora: It was informal training.
(They sneak past the guards, but Arin trips and falls.)
Imperium Guard #1: Hey! What's that? (They approach.)
Sora: Someone learned nothing from informal stealth training. (She gets ready to fight.)
Imperium Guard #2: Are you okay, kid? That looked like a nasty fall.
Arin: Oh, uh, yeah. Uh, thanks.
Imperium Guard #1: How did you trip, anyway? It's perfectly smooth ground here.
Sora: Oh, see, he was so upset by what those mean people were saying, he didn't look where he was going.
(Arin laughs nervously.)
Imperium Guard #2: Meanies? Where? What did they say?
Arin: Two streets over. They said the palace guards had ugly shoulder pads that looked way different than everyone else's.
Imperium Guard #1: Oh, did they now? No wonder he was upset. We'll handle this!
Imperium Guard #2: Don't you worry, kid. We'll make 'em pay for such meanery! (They leave.)
Arin: I can't believe that worked.
Sora: Sometimes, I forget how weird my hometown is. What did you trip on, anyway?
Arin: We don't need to discuss my clumsiness. I punched myself in the face yesterday, remember?
(Sora laughs. They approach the palace doors. Arin tries and fails to kick the door open.)
Sora: Maybe we should try sneaking into a window.
Arin: Good idea. Going up! (They reach a window with his grappling hook and find Riyu in a cage.)
Sora: There he is. Let's get him out of there.
(The two lower themselves, but some Dr. LaRow and Jordana enter the room. They quickly backtrack.)
Arin: Oh, no!
Dr. LaRow: What a delightful little specimen.
Beatrix: Time to justify that research budget, Dr. LaRow.
Dr. LaRow: The Good Empress is always generous to the cause of science.
Beatrix: Only when science is generous to me. Remember that.
(Sora slips a little and grunts. Ras notices the noise, but does not look for the source. The scientists turn on the machine, which whirs loudly. Sora mouths at Arin to go, and they swing to safety.)
Dr. LaRow: Ahem. Now, little dragon, time to drain every last ounce of life out of you.
----
(At the main gates, the battle continues.)
Lloyd: Arin! Sora! How long — ah! (He screams as he is knocked away by a blast. He gets up and watches the chaos around him in a haze. He clutches his head and falls.)
Arin: (He whispers.) Lloyd, come in. We're in the palace and we've got eyes on Riyu. But Ras is here, and that Empress lady. We don't know what to do! Lloyd? Do you hear me? Lloyd!
(In his daze, he sees a gold Wu appear before him, swinging the pendants like in his flashback. He hears Wu's voice in his head.)
Past Wu: In life, there will be times of chaos, when everything around you is a raging storm. When there is no calm outside of you, you must find the calm inside of you.
Lloyd: The calm inside. (He concentrates and calms himself.) Arin. Sora. I'll get Ras and the Empress out of there. Then, make your move.
Arin: You will? Uh, okay. Got it.
Lloyd: (To Wyldfyre) I know what to do. Turn around!
Wyldfyre: Dragons do not run from battle!
Lloyd: We're not running! We're attacking the palace of the Empress! Let's take this battle to the heart of the Imperium!
Wyldfyre: Now that's a good idea! (She roars, and gets the dragons to follow her away.)
Imperium Claw Hunter: Where are they going? What do they want that way?
Rapton: What am I, a dragon psychologist? Who cares? Just get after 'em!
----
(In the palace, the scientists are about to drain Riyu when the entire building starts shaking.)
Beatrix: A direct assault on the palace? Such an affront is intolerable!
(She and Ras leave. Outside, the dragons attack the palace.)
Rapton: Hey! I have an office in there! What'll happen to my collection of delicate porcelain unicorn figurines? (Everyone looks at him oddly, even the dragons.) What? Unicorns have horns on their faces! It's hardcore! So, shut up!
Beatrix: Ninja! How dare you lay siege to Imperium Palace, the seat of my power?
Lloyd: How dare you treat these dragons like objects just to be drained, so you can keep the lights on?
Beatrix: An Empress owes no explanations to lesser beings! Attack! Spare no one!
(A battle breaks out.)
Wyldfyre: Taste our fangs!
----
(In the underground monastery, Kai kicks the capsule repeatedly.)
Nya: Quit it! Why would you do that? How would that help?
Kai: I don't know how to do anything else. I'm not an engineer like you.
Nya: Maybe not, but I can't actually finish this without you. I need spot welds here, here, and here.
Kai: Now we're talking. (He lights up his hand.) Done, done, and ... done.
Nya: Okay. Now let's see what the Master-Wu-ghost-who-hopefully-was-not-a-trick wanted us to fix.
(She pulls a lever, but nothing happens.)
Kai: Seriously? That ghost jerk made us come all this way for nothing? (He kicks the capsule angrily. Suddenly, it starts whirring.)
Nya: Oh no. What have we done?
(The capsule breaks apart, revealing a deactivated Zane inside. He reactivates and leaps down from the capsule. Nya gasps.)
Kai and Nya: Zane?!
Zane: My friends, where am I? Last I recall, we were flying into that flickering storm.
Nya: The Merge? Zane, that was years ago.
(The control panel next to them starts beeping.)
Zane: That is a binary distress call. There must be trouble. (He attaches a cable to his head.) Receiving data from this unit. Our friend urgently needs us. "It is time for the Imperium Monastery to rise."
Nya: The Imperium Monastery?
Zane: Hold on. (He presses a button, and the entire monastery quakes.)
----
(In the palace, Dr. LaRow notices the quake.)
Dr. LaRow: Ugh. More drama in the streets? How is a scientist to do her best work under these conditions?
(Behind her, Arin and Sora sneak towards Riyu's cage, but are knocked aside by the scientists.)
Dr. LaRow: Intruders.
Jordana: Finally. The day we've both been waiting for. A chance to finish our bitter rivalry once and for all!
Sora: Rivalry? With me? Do I ... know you?
Arin: Lloyd, come in. Problem ... huh? (Jordana grabs him and takes his communicator.)
Lloyd: What problem? We're getting slammed out here! If Sora doesn't shut down the ...
Dr. LaRow: A communicator?
Jordana: (She smashes it.) Not anymore. (She takes Sora's communicator and smashes it as well.)
(Outside, Lloyd tries to contact the two.)
Lloyd: Arin, Sora, come in! (Suddenly, the fight pauses as the ground shakes.) Don't tell me things are about to get worse.
(In front of the palace, a structure rises from the ground.)
Wyldfyre: What is this strange house?
Lloyd: No clue. Prepare for anything.
(Kai, Nya, and Zane burst through the doors.)
Kai, Nya, and Zane: Ninja never quit!
(End of the episode. For more information, click here.)
Category:Transcript
Category:2023
Category:Season 1 (Dragons Rising)