The Tale of Benthomaar/Transcript

(Under the sea, a flashback begins as Benthomaar narrates his backstory.)
Benthomaar: I have no memories from before that fateful day. No memories of my real father, or my real mother. I remember only the family who adopted me, the father who took me in.
Past Kalmaar: Look, Father! A sunken ship from the surface.
Past Trimaar: Careful, Kalmaar! Shipwrecks can be dangerous.
Past Kalmaar: You worry too much, Father! And are clearly trying to change the subject.
Past Trimaar: Son, the Great Serpent Wojira is not a subject I wish to discuss. It was a creature of chaos. She threatened not only the surface-dwellers, but our people too.
Past Kalmaar: Why do you care about the surface-dwellers? They're clearly inferior to us.
Past Trimaar: Inferior? All living creatures have a place in this world. You should spend more time appreciating the kingdom we currently have, rather than dreaming of long-lost sea monsters.
Past Kalmaar: I'm only curious, nothing more. But tell me, could the serpent be reawakened?
Past Trimaar: (He hears a screeching noise.) What's that?
Past Kalmaar: Changing the subject again, I see.
Past Trimaar: Those eels are attacking something.
Past Kalmaar: Whatever it is, it isn't our concern.
Past Trimaar: If someone is in danger, we must try to help, son!
Benthomaar: He fearlessly took on all of the eels, saving my life. To this day, it is the most heroic thing I have ever seen.
Past Trimaar: Who are you, little one? Are you all alone?
Benthomaar: This was the moment I met the one who would raise me. The one I would call Father.
Past Kalmaar: Ew, what is that thing? It looks weak.
Past Trimaar: An orphan, I fear. Kalmaar, meet the newest member of our family.
Past Kalmaar: Ugh, your compassion really is never-ending, isn't it, Father? (He turns and leaves.)
Past Trimaar: What shall I call you? How about ... Benthomaar? It means "deep sea". Would you like that? (Past Benthomaar giggles.)
Benthomaar: King Trimaar was caring, attentive ...
Past Benthomaar: Woo hoo!
Benthomaar: He accepted me and treated me just like his own son.
Past Benthomaar: Whoa! (He nearly crashes into some coral, but Trimaar pulls him back just in time.)
(He swims up to Kalmaar's window and knocks.)
Past Benthomaar: Brother! Come with me. Come play!
Benthomaar: Although, not everyone was so accepting.
Past Benthomaar: Please, brother? Just for a bit?
Past Kalmaar: I have no time for your childish games, Bentho. Leave me.
Past Benthomaar: But Father --
Past Kalmaar: You do realize he's not your real father. He adopted you, Benthomaar.
Past Benthomaar: I -- I know that.
Past Kalmaar: Just because my father is willing to share this world with an inferior and obviously lesser species, doesn't mean I am. (He crushes the coral he was writing with.)
Past Benthomaar: You mean, the surface-dwellers?
Past Kalmaar: I mean any creature that's not of our royal blood.
Benthomaar: I wanted only to earn Kalmaar's love. I thought one day, if I kept trying, he would accept me as his father did.
(Some time later, he knocks on Kalmaar's door carrying some scrolls.)
Past Benthomaar: Look what I found! Some sea scrolls! I thought you might like these, brother.
Past Kalmaar: I read those ages ago, Benthomaar. (He tosses the scrolls back at him.)
(Some more time later, he knocks on Kalmaar's door again, this time carrying a handmade model of Wojira.)
Past Benthomaar: Look what I made for you! I made it out of -- (Kalmaar shuts the door on him.)
Benthomaar: But nothing would please Kalmaar. I began to lose hope. I feared he would never view me as his brother. But then, one day ...
Past Trimaar: At the royal manta races, I'd place all my pearls on Undersea Biscuit. (The guards nod in agreement. Just then, Kalmaar enters.)
Past Kalmaar: Father, I've recently uncovered lost historic accounts of --
Past Trimaar: Ah, my son the scholar. I'm so proud of your academic --
Past Kalmaar: Ah, yes, yes. Just tell me, Father. Is there any truth to these claims of an ancient temple at the bottom of Tartarus Trench?
Past Trimaar: Where did you find that sea scroll?
Past Kalmaar: It took some digging in the vaults. Almost as if someone was trying to hide it.
Past Trimaar: The scrolls in the vault are forbidden, Kalmaar! You know this. The Tartarus Trench is a dangerous place. Many souls have been lost there. Even the strongest swimmers do not brave those waters, for they are treacherous and filled with poisonous vents. That is why the scroll was hidden!
Past Kalmaar: But if the records are true -- (He holds up the scroll, only for Trimaar to snatch it away.)
Past Trimaar: No! As your father and as your king, I forbid you from entering that trench!
Past Kalmaar: As you wish, Father. (He leaves the throne room and starts complaining to Gripe.) My father is a coward! He's too weak to see that the power of Wojira is worth any risk!
Past Gripe: But the King has a point. The Tartarus Trench is notoriously dangerous.
Past Kalmaar: But not impossible to pass. Whoever built that temple was able to get through, which means we can.
Past Gripe: You're going to try to swim into --
Past Kalmaar: Not me! I need a guinea fish. Someone who's an incredibly strong swimmer, but easily manipulated. And entirely expendable.
(Benthomaar is practicing his aim when Kalmaar arrives.)
Past Kalmaar: Nice throw, brother! You know, that's why I've always admired you.
Past Benthomaar: You ... admire me?
Past Kalmaar: Of course! You're good at anything you put your mind to. A scholar, an athlete, a fine swimmer.
Past Benthomaar: Well, I try.
Past Kalmaar: Don't be modest! (Sighs.) I owe you an apology, Benthomaar.
Past Benthomaar: For what?
Past Kalmaar: For not treating you as a true brother. I always felt I was competing with you for Father's attention, so I never wanted to accept you. But I see how childish that was now. Can you forgive me? Can we start afresh, brother? (He extends his hand to Benthomaar.)
Past Benthomaar: Of course! (He takes his hand, then pulls him into a hug.)
Past Kalmaar: Let's start right now!
Past Benthomaar: Start what?
Past Kalmaar: Spending more time together, as brothers! Let's go exploring!
Past Benthomaar: Explore where?
(They take mantas to the temple.)
Past Benthomaar: I don't know about this, brother. I heard about the Tartarus Trench. It's supposed to be very dangerous.
Past Kalmaar: Oh, I see.
Past Benthomaar: See what?
Past Kalmaar: That perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps you're too young. I shouldn't have brought you here. I'll come back later with friends my own age.
Past Benthomaar: No! Wait. Please. I can do it.
Past Kalmaar: I'm not sure that's wise.
Past Benthomaar: No, I -- I want to do it. Please! Brother!
Past Kalmaar: Well, if you're sure ...
Past Benthomaar: (They pass through the trench, dodging the sulfur vents.) Whoa! (He sees a skull.) What are -- (He is hit by a vent and knocked off his manta ray.) Swim below that stone there, and you should be safe. That was close. I -- (He sees the temple.) What's that?
Past Kalmaar: It's real? It's actually real!
Past Benthomaar: What is it? (He sees an eel preparing to attack Kalmaar.) Brother! Look out! (He tackles the eel and chases it off using his arrows.)
Past Kalmaar: The Temple of Wojira. I knew it! I knew that simpering old fool was trying to conceal it from me!
Past Benthomaar: Fool? What do we do now?
Past Kalmaar: Nothing. You go home. You have fulfilled your purpose.
Past Benthomaar: But—I thought we were gonna spend time together, as—as brothers.
Past Kalmaar: You are not my brother. You're just another reminder of my father's pitiful compassion. Now go! Leave me!
Past Benthomaar: (He turns and leaves sadly.) I hope what you find makes you happy, br—Kalmaar.
Benthomaar: I understood then—for the first time, I think—that Kalmaar would never love me. My father was the only one who cared about me, and—and now he's gone. And—and I'm alone.
Nya: No, Bentho. We might not be family, but I promise you, you're not alone.
Jay: Yeah, Bentho. We're here!
Lloyd: We can't pick our family, but we can pick our friends. And I'm proud to call you a friend.
Nya: Now let's get to that island and make sure we get the amulet before Kalmaar does.
(End of the episode. For more information, click here.)
Category:Transcript
Category:2021
Category:Seabound
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