DARK STALKERS: 805-06 "Ghost Hunter" 05/30/95 by Katherine Lawrence TEASER FADE IN: EXT. - PYRON'S SHIP - ESTABLISHING SHOT - NIGHT The huge ship orbits the bright blue Earth, its dark surface absorbing light. MALE ANNOUNCER (V.O.) It's ten o'clock. Do you know where your children are? MORRIGAN (V.O.) (bored) Next. SFX: STATIC as MORRIGAN surfs to the next channel. INT. - PYRON'S SHIP - NIGHT DEMITRI paces in the background. In the foreground, Morrigan lounges in a control chair watching the over-size monitor, channel surfing. She looks exceedingly bored. FEMALE ANNOUNCER (V.O.) ... and at 1:00, on INCREDIBLE SIGHTS talk to a man with proof the legendary Feathered People of China really exist, and see the first clear videotape of Sasquatch. Morrigan spins the chair around to face Demitri. MORRIGAN (sarcastically) Oh mighty General, why is it that these wretched humans can find the other Dark Stalkers, but you fail, time and again? Demitri SNARLS at her, baring his vampire fangs. DEMITRI Watch it, Morrigan. I bested you once, and I can do it again. He storms over to the monitor and glares at it. DEMITRI (CON'T) Ship! Show me the location of all those with Dark Stalker Blood. The huge screen shows a map of the Earth, and for each person with Dark Stalker blood, there's a red light on the screen. Many of them are concentrated in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janiero, London, Paris, Vienna, Nairobi, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. There are other scattered in the most remote parts of the world including Northern Canada (the Sasquatches) and the mountains of Wales (Jon Talbain). There is also a single dot in Capetown, South Africa. MORRIGAN There aren't very many of us, are there? DEMITRI Ship! Why are there so few? Are you sure you're showing all of them? SHIP'S COMPUTER VOICE The screen shows all descendants of the original Dark Stalkers. The reason for the scarcity is ... unknown. Insufficient data. MORRIGAN Makes one wonder if someone has been hunting us. DEMITRI That's impossible. We're too strong for humans to destroy. EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - PRE-DAWN It's just before dawn, and the full moon is setting in the northwest, in the Atlantic Ocean. The houses scattered along the beach are dark, and the tide is out, revealing a long stretch of clean white sand. In the b.g. is Table Mountain from the West side. (Color photocopy available of beach and mountain.) A werewolf, HENDRIK FAHR, stops on the beach to watch the setting moon. A few feet away, an ectoplasmic cloud begins to solidify into the shape of a Chinese woman, HSIEN-KO, with very long, silver, mechanical arms, ending in multiple curved blades. HSIEN-KO Hendrik Fahr. You have been found guilty of crimes against humankind. Do you have any justification for your actions? HENDRIK (growling - South African accent) Yah. I'm faster, stronger, and smarter than humans. I take what is my right. Who are you to judge me? HSIEN-KO I am not your judge. The Lady of Mercy has seen your actions. I am Her Hunter. The curved blades begin to SPIN as Hsien-Ko MOVES TOWARD the werewolf. FADE OUT: END TEASE: DARK STALKERS "Ghost Hunter" ACT ONE: FADE IN: EXT. - HARRY GRIMOIRE'S VICTORIAN - NEW YORK CITY - DAY It's early afternoon as FELICIA in human form, wearing casual attire opens the wrought iron gate at HARRY GRIMOIRE's house, and MOVES up the sidewalk to the porch. Harry opens the front door before she reaches it and almost drags her inside. HARRY Felicia, you've got to see this! INT - HARRY GRIMOIRE'S VICTORIAN - CONTINUOUS Harry pulls Felicia up the stairs to Harry's bedroom. HARRY (CON'T) I was checking out a newsgroup on the Net and you won't believe what I found! Inside Harry's bedroom, Harry pulls her over to his desk and pushes her into the chair in front of his computer. He stands behind her and points at the monitor. HARRY (CON'T) Something really weird happened last night in Capetown, South Africa. Look! Felicia leans forward to look at the screen. FELICIA (reading screen) The body of Hendrik Fahr, CEO of Land & Ocean Investments, was found on Clifton Beach. The police have no comment pending the Coroner's report, but witnesses said it looked as if he was attacked by a wild animal of unusual size. Felicia looks up at Harry. FELICIA (CON'T) What's that got to do with us? HARRY I checked. There aren't any large predators down on the Cape. Sounds to me like a Dark Stalker. FELICIA But Jon's in Wales, and he wouldn't do that anyway. HARRY So, if not Jon, who could it be? FELICIA Perhaps another werewolf? One we don't know about? HARRY (excited) We've got to go check it out. FELICIA Not a chance. Even though you're in the advanced classes, you still have to show up at school occasionally. HARRY Felicia! FELICIA And I have that musical I'm in off-off- off Broadway. (beat) But you're right. We ought to find out more about what's going on. Perhaps Rikuo would want to take a look. If it is a new Dark Stalker, we need to know as soon as possible. INT. - PYRON'S SHIP - NIGHT Demitri and Morrigan are facing each other, each glowing with sorcerous power, but not doing anything with it at the moment. MORRIGAN But you saw the light go out! Something down there is destroying us! DEMITRI It's probably just a mistake on the ship's part. I keep telling you, we can't be destroyed. SHIP'S COMPUTER VOICE I do not make mistakes. Morrigan flings one arm out to point to the monitor. MORRIGAN See! We've got to find out what's happening. Demitri SHRUGS. DEMITRI Lord Raptor is in that area. I will have him take a look, but I am certain he will find nothing. MORRIGAN Raptor? That smelly excuse for a rock star? Why bother? Demitri GLARES at Morrigan. DEMITRI It's Raptor or no one. My mind is made up. MORRIGAN (muttering) What mind? Demitri contacts LORD RAPTOR using the ship's beam. [NOTE: As much as possible I have Raptor using song titles from Billboard's Top 100 singles. Song titles have all words capitalized (and aren't a copyright problem). Saying them with the rhythm of the actual song would be cool.] DEMITRI Raptor, you are to go to Capetown immediately. LORD RAPTOR (V.O.) That's cool. This tour stinks anyway. Only sold twelve tickets last night! What you want I should do there? DEMITRI Check for any reports of sorcerers or anyone capable of harming us. LORD RAPTOR (V.O.) Live And Let Die is what I say, but you got it. Maybe they'll like my sound better in Capetown than here in Jo-burg. It's All Rock'N Roll To Me. Lord Raptor signs off with a really awful V.O. SFX: ELECTRIC GUITAR CHORD. EXT. - D.F. MALAN AIRPORT - CAPE TOWN - AFTERNOON A 747 lands at the Cape Town airport, tires SCREECHING, the engine guards ROARING as they deflect the air from the jet engines. Right behind it is Lord Raptor in his Ectoplasmic Biplane, bouncing up and down in the turbulence from the huge jet. EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - CAPE TOWN - NIGHT Lord Raptor visits the beach where Hendrik Fahr's body was found -- precisely where Hendrik met Hsien-Ko in the Teaser. The people on the beach give Raptor a wide berth, staying upwind. Quick Cuts as it gets later and the people leave, while Raptor walks the beach, scanning the sand. As before, we see a cloud of ectoplasmic energy condense into the form of Hsien-Ko. This time, Hsien-Ko is facing the ocean, kneeling in meditation. At her feet, unattached, are her long, sleeve-clad silver arms. RAPTOR Get Back! Who are you? Hsien-Ko doesn't shift from her position with her back to him, kneeling on the sand, facing the ocean. HSIEN-KO I am Hsien-Ko, a Hunter of Evil. Raptor LAUGHS and FIRES a bolt of electricity from the neck of his Stratocaster at Hsien-Ko's back. RAPTOR (mad laughter) I was told to be Waiting For A Girl Like You. Hsien-Ko ducks the bolt, and slips her hands into the sleeves at her feet. She STANDS and TURNS, looking as she did when we first saw her, long arms extended in front of her, blades showing. HSIEN-KO I did not expect another battle so soon. My prey rarely comes to me. Hsien-Ko rises into the air, RUNS ON THE AIR toward Raptor, her arms and their blades extended in front of her. Raptor PLAYS a chord, and the SFX: BASS VIBRATION makes Hsien-Ko's arms vibrate in sympathy. HSIEN-KO (moan of pain) She falls to the ground, landing on her feet, her arms drooping so the blades are on the sand. Raptor approaches and LOOMS over her. RAPTOR Nowhere To Run. I Got You Babe. Hsien-Ko falls backwards, leaning on her arms, and kicks up at Raptor (as in the game) with both feet, in a martial arts move. HSIEN-KO Hi-ya! Raptor staggers backwards, nearly dropping his Stratocaster. RAPTOR Hurts So Good! Hsien-Ko bounces from her shoulders up to her feet in a standing position (check Jean-Claude Van Damme movies).) HSIEN-KO Who sent you to find me? Raptor and Hsien-Ko circle each other, Hsien-Ko with arms ready to attack, Raptor ready to use his Stratocaster. RAPTOR Cum On Feel The Noize. Raptor strikes another power CHORD with his Stratocaster. And a second CHORD. Hsien-Ko SHUDDERS in pain, and droops in place as if helpless. HSIEN-KO (haltingly, through pain) Who sent you? Raptor again comes closer, thinking he's won. RAPTOR I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Hsien-Ko whips up her silver arms and slices the Stratocaster in half at the base of the neck. SFX: WILD NOTES AS STRINGS BREAK. HSIEN-KO I need a name. Raptor DROPS the broken Stratocaster (we can always repair it for the next episode), and LEAPS at Hsien-Ko with his CLAWS ready to slice'n dice. RAPTOR Nowhere To Run. You can't Get Away Little Girl. Hsien-Ko meets Raptor's claws with her silver blades, and SPARKS FLY as claws meet silver. Raptor and Hsien-Ko retreat, and go back to circling each other. HSIEN-KO Let us try again. I need the name of the one who sent you here. Hsien-Ko flings a BOOMERANG at Raptor. He DUCKS away. She uses her arm to TRIP Raptor who goes splat face-first on the sand. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) The name! RAPTOR Since I Fell For You, Another One Bites The Dust. Raptor reaches out with one arm, and SWIPES at Hsien-Ko's ankles, knocking her to the sand as well. HSIEN-KO (hitting sand) Omph! They stand and again circle each other. Raptor ATTACKS again with his claws. SFX: CLANG/SCRAPE as they slide across Hsien-Ko's silver arms, SHREDDING the silk robe she wears. RAPTOR Got To Get You outta My Life. Hsien-Ko DROPS to her shoulders and KICKS again with both feet, into Raptor's "stomach." HSIEN-KO If you will not tell me the name, then your existence must end. Raptor sails backwards a good 8-10 feet up the beach. RAPTOR I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues. Hsien-Ko THROWS HER ARMS at Raptor, where he lies on his back in the sand. (Her silver "arms" disconnect from her hands but are still controlled by Hsien-Ko.) HSIEN-KO The Lady desires your presence. The BLADES SPIN and go straight for Raptor's throat. Raptor rolls sideways. RAPTOR Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? The blades DIG a deep furrow in the sand where Raptor was. Sand sprays high into the air. The arms stop with the blades buried in the sand. RIKUO (O.S.) Stop right there! Raptor and Hsien-Ko both look (o.s.) toward the voice. RIKUO comes up from the waves like the Creature From The Black Lagoon. Hsien-Ko turns to Raptor. HSIEN-KO (to Raptor) So, you have called for reinforcements. They will not help you. Hsien-Ko backs up so she can watch both Raptor and Rikuo. Her silver arms fly through the air, back to her hands. One points at Raptor, one at Rikuo. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) I have hunted the Evil Ones for more than a century. I am more than a match for both of you. Rikuo REACTS as he recognizes Raptor. RIKUO There is some sort of misunderstanding here. Rikuo moves toward Hsien-Ko, hands flat and palms raised to show he's weaponless. RIKUO (CON'T) I am not Evil. I refused to join them when they ordered me to. Rikuo is closer to Hsien-Ko than Raptor is to her. Hsien-Ko LEAPS FORWARD, arms extended, blades whirling, to attack Rikuo. HSIEN-KO I do not believe you. Rikuo somersaults backwards, just barely avoiding her attack. RAPTOR My turn. Raptor SMILES and steps forward. He takes a deep breath and EXHALES. A CLOUD of rotting odors moves forward to surround both Hsien-Ko and Rikuo. RIKUO (gasping) No! Rikuo staggers out of the dense cloud, toward the water. He falls face-forward into the water and disappears beneath the waves. The Cloud dissipates, revealing Hsien-Ko standing there calmly. HSIEN-KO I am a spirit, a ghost. I have no need to breathe. Your magic will not work on me. In a sudden, whirlwind attack, Hsien-Ko goes on the offensive, blades whirling at an impossible (to easily imitate by kids) speed, arms flying up and down in chopping motions. Raptor retreats before the furious attack, frantically back-pedaling in the sand. He trips on a rock, and falls on his bony butt. Abruptly the beam from Pyron's ship hits the sand, highlighting Raptor, and the broken Stratocaster, nearby. The beam pulls Raptor up into the sky, towards the invisible ship overhead, with his broken Stratocaster. RAPTOR Release Me! Let me Take It To The Limit! Hsien-Ko leaps into the air, blades whirling, but just misses Raptor. RAPTOR (CON'T) (voice fading in distance) Beat It! I'm Tuff Enuff. She's My Girl! Demitri!!!!!! Hsien-Ko REACTS to the name Demitri. We DISSOLVE INTO a FLASHBACK. EXT. - GUANGZHOU (CANTON) HARBOR - CHINA - 1858 - NIGHT A Clipper Ship docks at the Harbor in Canton, just after the end of the Anglo-China war. In the flickering torchlight, a tall man, in 1850s black frock coat with matching trousers and a hat, walks down the gangplank. It's Lord Demitri Maximoff. He's met under a "CUSTOMS" sign by Hsien-Ko's FATHER, in Mandarin outfit. With Father are two twelve-year-old girls: Hsien-Ko and her twin, MEI-LING. The two girls watch Demitri. Father BOWS deeply to the foreign Lord, in the Chinese style. FATHER Lord Demitri. Welcome to Guangzhou. Please permit this humble official to invite you to dine with my household. DEMITRI I accept your invitation. It has been some time since I've ... dined. SFX: WATER SPLASHING END FLASHBACK EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - CAPETOWN - NIGHT Rikuo climbs out of the water and up the beach towards Hsien-Ko. The water has restored him to full health. Hsien-Ko goes on the offensive. She sends one metal arm flying straight for Rikuo, the whirling blades acting like a propeller. HSIEN-KO Evil must be punished! The blades change shape as they reach him, into claws that fasten around Rikuo's throat, choking him. RIKUO (gasping) Hsien-Ko attacks with the other arm. The multiple blades at the end of the arm spin rapidly, like a power saw. Hsien-Ko stabs straight for Rikuo's mid-section. FADE OUT: END ACT ONE DARK STALKERS "Ghost Hunter" ACT TWO FADE IN: EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - CAPETOWN, R.S.A. - NIGHT Rikuo somersaults backwards to avoid the spinning blades, the other arm still holding his throat. He lands on his feet. He immediately puts both arms high in the air, hands open, in the classic gesture of surrender. RIKUO I'm not evil! Hsien-Ko vaults towards Rikuo using the arm still attached as the vaulting pole. She lands close to Rikuo and shoves her hand into the other arm that's grasping his throat. HSIEN-KO I have been told that before. Evil often lies. Rikuo stands perfectly still. RIKUO What can I say to convince you of my innocence? Rikuo gestures with one hand, behind his back, and a LARGE BUBBLE forms from the sea foam. It sneaks up behind Hsien-Ko. Hsien-Ko continues to hold Rikuo by the throat, but more loosely. Her other arm hangs at her side, blades unmoving. HSIEN-KO Nothing. Hsien-Ko raises her other arm, getting ready to swing it horizontal to the ground and slice Rikuo's head off. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) All Dark Stalkers must be destroyed! The sea foam Bubble sneaks up behind her and with an SFX: POP! encloses her inside it. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) Noooo! She releases Rikuo's throat to fight the bubble. The bubble obligingly surrounds her other arm as well, imprisoning her in its elasticity. (It's obviously not just a water bubble -- think of The Prisoner and their latex bubbles, but less opaque.) Hsien-Ko fights frantically against the bubble, but it gives to every slice of her blades, and doesn't pop. Rikuo watches. RIKUO I haven't hurt you, and I won't. It was the only way I could stop you long enough to listen to me. Hsien-Ko stops fighting the bubble, and glares at Rikuo. HSIEN-KO So talk. Rikuo sits on the sand at the base of the bubble. RIKUO I'm here investigating the possibility of there being a new Dark Stalker. There are those of us with Dark Stalker blood who reject Demitri and those who've joined him. We're not all evil. Hsien-Ko frowns inside the bubble. HSIEN-KO Then you too were hunting Hendrik Fahr? RIKUO Who? Oh, the business executive. Not exactly. HSIEN-KO Then why are you here? RIKUO Back up. You hunted the executive? Why? HSIEN-KO He was a werewolf, a Dark Stalker. He had been preying on people for decades. He had to be stopped. The Lady wants humans protected from his kind. RIKUO So you really are a hunter. Who's this "Lady?" Hsien-Ko gestures at the bubble. HSIEN-KO Perhaps you could let me out, first? Rikuo looks at her, then gestures with one hand, and the bubble SFX: POPS! and disappears into sea foam. RIKUO Please don't attack me again. By not harming you, I hope you realize I'm one of the good guys? Hsien-Ko kneels in the meditation position we saw her earlier (heels tucked beneath her butt, not a half-lotus), facing Rikuo. HSIEN-KO Yes, I believe you. I ... apologize for attacking you. Hearing that name after so long.... I was not myself. RIKUO (confused) What name? I don't understand anything of what you're talking about. The Lady? HSIEN-KO It began when Mei-Ling and I were twelve. FADE INTO FLASHBACK #2. EXT. - GUANGZHOU HARBOR - CHINA - 1858 - NIGHT Same scene as before (page 12). Demitri arriving and being invited to Father's home, without sound. HSIEN-KO (V.O.) Father welcomed the visiting Lord Demitri Maximoff to our land, and invited him into our home, as Father's superior had asked him to do. EXT. - HSIEN-KO'S HOUSE - NARROW GUANGZHOU STREET-1858 - NIGHT The house is unornamented stone, with a black-painted door. Demitri enters their house and the door closes. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) Soon after his first visit, our mother disappeared. Father said she'd gone to visit her own family, but she would have told us, not just disappeared. EXT. - GUANGZHOU HARBOR - CHINA - 1864 - NIGHT Same Clipper Ship as in 1858, but the Harbor looks different, and Demitri has different clothing -- a many-caped Great Coat, and a different hat. He disembarks and disappears into the city streets. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) He came back six years later, seeking unique sculptures, or so he claimed, and again our father welcomed him into our home. EXT. - HSIEN-KO'S HOUSE - NARROW GUANGZHOU STREET-1864 - NIGHT The alley and house look older. Again, Demitri knocks, and is invited inside. The door closes behind him. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) That night, something woke me up. I went to check on our Father, and found Lord Demitri was there. INT. - HSIEN-KO'S HOUSE - 1864 - NIGHT The inside of the house is plain, but clean. Household is poor without a lot of fancy furniture. One beautiful trunk, and cushions. NOT Western furnishings. A small fire bowl (like but not identical to a hibachi) is in one corner, with wok and utensils next to it. A blanket is over something human-size and lumpy, against one wall (subtle, but there). Hsien-Ko stands in a doorway to an inner room. A short (14") piece of fabric hangs at the top of the doorway (no door). In the main room stands Demitri. Hsien-Ko (and later Mei-Ling) are dressed in thin shifts and barefoot, having been asleep. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) He told me a messenger had come and our father had left immediately. Demitri begins to GLOW, with the very beginning of the Brain Drain. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) Then he looked at me, and I could not move. Mei-Ling came out to see what was going on, why I wasn't in bed. Mei-Ling peeks out from behind Hsien-Ko. She bumps Hsien-Ko and Hsien-Ko blinks, breaking the hypnotism. She looks at Mei-Ling. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) Shomehow, when Mei-Ling bumped me, I woke up, and was suddenly able to move again. That's when Lord Demitri attacked us. Demitri rushes toward the two girls, his arms outstretched to grab both of them. They rush past him, and out the door, into the night. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) We managed to get past him, somehow, and ran outside. EXT. - HSIEN-KO'S HOUSE - NARROW GUANGZHOU STREET-1864 - NIGHT Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling rush outside, followed closely by Demitri. Hsien-Ko is in the lead, Mei-Ling behind her. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) He chased us. We ran as fast as we could, but he was faster. Demitri speeds up (blurs) and grabs Mei-Ling by her hair. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) I ran as fast as I could, but Mei-Ling wasn't as fast. He caught her. Hsien-Ko stops and turns back, but Mei-Ling waves her to continue. To flee. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) She yelled at me to run, to get away. Hsien-Ko runs down the street and turns a corner, disappearing from sight. Leaving Demitri and Mei-Ling facing each other. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) That was the last time I saw my sister, or any member of my family. DISSOLVE BACK TO CURRENT TIME EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - SOUTH AFRICA - CURRENT YEAR - NIGHT Hsien-Ko's head is bowed, looking at her lap. She is NOT crying. Rikuo sits quietly. RIKUO (softly) What happened after that? DISSOLVE BACK INTO FLASHBACK EXT. TEMPLE RUINS - CHINA - 1864 - DAY The remains of a stone-built temple are strewn across the top of a small hill. It's a cloudy day -- looks cold. Hsien-Ko looking very thin, dirty and ragged, rags wrapped around her feet, stumbles up the hill into the ruins. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) I was afraid to return to town, for fear Lord Demitri would find me. I wandered the roads, begging for food, but no one would help me. Hsien-Ko trips over a large, rectangular stone, and it shifts position, revealing a hole underneath. Hsien-Ko shoves the stone away, and finds a pottery jar. She breaks the seal and pours out the contents, into one hand. It looks like powdered cornflakes, or old, yellow rice. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) In the ruins of an ancient temple, I found what I thought was a jar of rice. Hsien-Ko quickly eats the powdered contents. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) I was so hungry, I ate it without tasting it first. Hsien-Ko gasps, shudders, and collapses across the stone, unconscious. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) It was an ancient powder made of ground topaz and other things. As the old stories told, such things transform people. It made me what I am today, a ghost. An amorphous cloud rises from the ruins, near Hsien-Ko. It solidifies into the form of a slim Chinese Woman in an ancient kimono (the old Chinese style, not modern Japanese) -- KUAN YIN. HSIEN-KO (V.O.)(CON'T) The Lady of Mercy, Kuan Yin, came to me then. DISSOLVE BACK TO CURRENT TIME EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - SOUTH AFRICA - CURRENT YEAR - NIGHT Hsien-Ko looks at Rikuo. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) She told me I was no longer human, I was an immortal. I pleaded with her to let me be human again, so I could find my sister, but the Lady said it was impossible. RIKUO Doesn't sound very merciful to me. HSIEN-KO Her mercy is not always the same as ours. She offered me the chance to become Her Hunter. There were those like Demitri, who were not human, who preyed on Her children. RIKUO The Dark Stalkers. HSIEN-KO Yes. So since then, I have been doing Her will, making this world safer for human kind. And someday, I will find Lord Demitri Maximoff. EXT. - PYRON'S SHIP - ESTABLISHING SHOT - NIGHT As usual, the huge ship orbits Earth serenely, ignoring the shouting coming from inside. RAPTOR (O.S.) Turn Me Loose. INT. - PYRON'S SHIP - NIGHT Inside Pyron's ship, Lord Raptor faces Demitri, the broken Stratocaster at Raptor's feet. Morrigan leans against a console, arms crossed, enjoying the "show." RAPTOR (CON'T) You have no right! Demitri beings to GLOW, the way he does while building energy for the Darkening Bolt. DEMITRI You will never speak to your General like that again, undead. Raptor REACTS. RAPTOR U Got The Look. DEMITRI Must I force obedience? Raptor backs down, shoulders slumping in submission. RAPTOR I'm leaving this Danger Zone. Raptor picks up his Stratocaster, and shuffles off into the darkness. Morrigan smiles at Demitri. MORRIGAN I told you not to send him after the Hunter. Demitri turns on her, FURIOUS. DEMITRI If you are so certain of everything, you deal with it. Morrigan pushes off the console and stands. MORRIGAN I am more than a match for any human, no matter what magic they use. Later, oh General. EXT. - TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN - WEST END (NEAR TRAM) - NIGHT Morrigan "beams down" to the top of Table Mountain, at the west end, over-looking Clifton Beach. It's just past the full moon, so there's quite a bit of light. [Color photocopies of Table Mountain available.] MORRIGAN I prefer battle on ground of my choosing, Hunter. Morrigan ABSORBS energy from the mountain itself until she glows with magical power, then sends a LIGHTNING STRIKE down to Clifton Beach. EXT. - CLIFTON BEACH - NIGHT The lightning strikes between Rikuo and Hsien-Ko, flinging them apart. SFX: BLAST. The surface of the sand fuses into glass. Hsien-Ko looks up at the distant top of the mountain (3500' high). There's a BRIGHT FLASH as Morrigan sends another lightning strike down on them. SFX: BLAST as the second lightning bolt strikes the sand between them. HSIEN-KO One of the evil ones you spoke of, I presume. RIKUO At a guess, that's Morrigan. She's a sorceress as well as a Dark Stalker. HSIEN-KO It only matters that she cease harming humans. Hsien-Ko floats into the air, then runs on air up toward the distant light that is Morrigan. RIKUO (calling to her) Best of luck! Rikuo looks around, but the cable car is on the far side of Table Mountain from Clifton Beach. RIKUO (CON'T) And now to find my own way up there. EXT. TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN - CAPETOWN - R.S.A. - NIGHT On top of the mountain, Morrigan waits for Hsien-Ko, drawing energy up from the ground. Hsien-Ko steps down from the air, onto the mountain, and BOWS to Morrigan. HSIEN-KO Greetings, Morrigan. I am Hsien-Ko, the Lady's Hunter. Morrigan SMILES. MORRIGAN I hunt only for myself. Morrigan creates a Battering Blade of rock, from the mountain itself, and attacks with it as if it were a two-handed sword. Hsien-Ko defends with her silver arms, as if she were a two-weapon fencer: sword and main-gauche. They exchange blows, and end up nose to nose, Morrigan's blade and Hsien-Ko's arms crossed above them. Morrigan does a snap kick to Hsien-Ko's knee. Hsien-Ko leaps backwards to avoid the blow, and the weapons disengage. Hsien-Ko starts off the next flurry of blows by flinging one metal arm at Morrigan (intentionally missing Morrigan, to land blade-down in the ground behind her). Morrigan dodges the flung metal arm, and whips up her Battering Blade to attack. Hsien-Ko uses the other arm as a vaulting pole (as before) and lands feet-first on Morrigan's chest. Hsien-Ko's attached arm then completes the swing, knocking Morrigan's Battering Blade from Morrigan's hands. Morrigan retreats, and trips over the arm Hsien-Ko had previously flung, landing on her back on the ground. Hsien-Ko follows up with a spike ball that shoots out of her attached arm, straight for Morrigan. Morrigan calls up her Blowing Blade and deflects the spiked ball to one side, just barely in time. Hsien-Ko flings her attached arm at Morrigan, the blades transforming into a Cuisinart (perpendicular to the arm rather than the usual parallel to it). Morrigan tries to deflect again with the Blowing Blade, but has to roll quickly to one side to avoid getting pureed. Morrigan flings a small lightning bolt from the ground, without getting up, but it misses. Hsien-Ko calls the first arm back, and with a martial arts walk-over somersault, lands with one leg on either side of Morrigan, the arm at Morrigan's throat, ready to slice and dice. HSIEN-KO Sorceress, do you have any reason why I should not end your existence right now? Morrigan starts to kick up with both legs, to knock Hsien-Ko away, but Hsien-Ko's second arm returns to Hsien-Ko's hand and blocks the kick. SFX: CLANG! MORRIGAN Oww! I'd really prefer to continue with this existence, Hunter. What reasons would be acceptable to you? HSIEN-KO Do you know of the one who calls himself Lord Demitri? Morrigan stares at Hsien-Ko, then LAUGHS. MORRIGAN (laughs) I know of him. Far too well. I'd gladly exchange his life for mine. Hsien-Ko hesitates. Then decides. HSIEN-KO If you can bring him within arms' reach, you have my word that I will let you live. Morrigan smiles. MORRIGAN Gladly. But I suggest you let me up. He might be watching, and we have to make this look good. Hsien-Ko steps back, away from Morrigan. Morrigan stands, and brushes the dirt off. MORRIGAN (CON'T) That's better. Now to call him down here. This is going to be fun. EXT. TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY - CAPETOWN - NIGHT A single car goes up the cable toward the top of Table Mountain. The cars are white, with orange roofs (video tape available of cars and view). It's so late, there are few lights in Capetown. At the top of the cable, at the upper station, there are flashes of bright light from the battle between Morrigan and Hsien-Ko. On the roof of the car is a sprawled figure, hanging on with every inch of skin -- Rikuo. His head is raised, as he watches the battle above him. NOTE: The Table Mountain Cableway stops running at 10:30pm in summer, 6pm in winter. I'm presuming there's a way to do a maintenance run of a single car. NOTE #2: The "up" car runs on the left, not the right as it would here in the U.S. RIKUO (to himself) I really should have flown up there in the Skyfish. No one's awake now to see anyway. EXT. TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN - CAPETOWN - R.S.A. - NIGHT Demitri "beams" down to Table Mountain. Morrigan waits for him, with Hsien-Ko behind and to one side of her, her eyes down on the ground, not looking. DEMITRI I thought you said you could handle the Hunter yourself, Morrigan. MORRIGAN It's all been a mistake. The Hunter isn't what we thought. She's like us. She's heard of you, and wants to join. DEMITRI If she's one of us, why have I not heard of her before? MORRIGAN (shrugs) No idea. Perhaps ... she's stronger than you are? Hsien-Ko looks up and REACTS to Demitri's appearance, the first time she's seen him in 130+ years. DISSOLVE TO FLASHBACK EXT. HSIEN-KO'S HOUSE - NARROW GUANGZHOU STREET - 1864 - NIGHT Same shot as before (page 18), this time with sound. Demitri speeds up and grabs Mei-Ling by the hair. MEI-LING (screams) Run! Hsien-Ko turns and looks back. Mei-Ling struggles in Demitri's arms, and Demitri looks AT CAMERA (Hsien-Ko o.s.). DEMITRI It will be your turn soon, my dear. DISSOLVE TO PRESENT EXT. TABLE MOUNTAIN - CAPETOWN - 1 HOUR BEFORE DAWN Dissolve from Demitri's eyes staring at camera in 1864 to Demitri's eyes staring at camera in present time, Hsien-Ko's p.o.v. DEMITRI She's not stronger than I am. Morrigan watches as Demitri stares into Hsien-Ko's eyes. The silver arms rest on the ground, though Demitri is well within range. Hsien-Ko is lost in horror. Slowly, Demitri raises a hand to Hsien-Ko's cheek. DEMITRI (CON'T) She's merely human. I remember her. Her sister was ... delectable. RIKUO (O.S.) Hsien-Ko! Don't let him touch you! Demitri whirls around and looks (o.s.) toward Rikuo's voice. DEMITRI Merman! Rikuo leaps off the top of the tram car, and quickly ducks behind a rock. DEMITRI (CON'T) Morrigan, deal with him. Hsien-Ko comes out of her memories and SHAKES HER HEAD. HSIEN-KO No. Never again! Hsien-Ko raises her silver arms and ATTACKS Demitri. She opens with a double-armed attack with blades whirling (crude, but occasionally effective). Demitri backs up and sends a Darkening Bolt at Hsien-Ko. DEMITRI You're making this easy. Hsien-Ko deflects the bolt, the silver arms reflecting it back towards Demitri . HSIEN-KO You will not be allowed to do to others what you did to me and my family. Hsien-Ko throws a spiked ball (bowling-ball size) from one metal arm at Demitri, and follows up immediately with a high martial arts KICK. Demitri side-steps the spiked ball, but is knocked backwards by the high kick. DEMITRI Oof. Morrigan silently applauds. Rikuo uses the scant amount of cover provided by low bushes and rocks, to get closer to Morrigan. The eastern sky, over Capetown, begins to lighten as dawn approaches. Demitri leaps into the air and does a somersault, landing in front of Hsien-Ko on his feet (karate move). He reaches out with both hands and holds her face. DEMITRI You are now mine, as your mother, your father, and your sister were. Hsien-Ko avoids his eyes, drops to her shoulders using her silver arms for balance, and kicks up with both feet. HSIEN-KO Do not ever mention their names again. You have no right. Demitri doubles over in pain and staggers back a step. Hsien-Ko jumps to her feet in one move, and attacks Demitri with one arm, the blades whirling. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) You deprived me of my parents, my twin, my childhood, and my life! Demitri straightens up and begins to GLOW. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) Over one hundred years of guilt for escaping you, when they could not. Hsien-Ko's other arm swings up, blades spinning, going for Demitri's head. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) You shall not harm anyone else, ever again! The blades change direction, sweeping sideways. Demitri barely has time to duck before they connect. But they do connect, giving the vampire a crewcut. A Marine-style crewcut. Demitri stops glowing as both hands reach for his head, and the feel of his new haircut. DEMITRI (rage) You dare?! Morrigan smiles. MORRIGAN (to Demitri) Nice style for you, Demitri. Suits you. Morrigan looks from Demitri to the eastern sky, which is considerably lighter. There are shadows now, though Demitri lacks one. MORRIGAN (CON'T) (to herself) General Morrigan. I like the sound of that. Rikuo skulks closer to Morrigan, having to take the long way around due to the lack of cover. Demitri gathers his energy and GLOWS BRIGHTLY preparatory to doing a Chaos Flare. (His back is to the east.) DEMITRI No one touches Lord Demitri! His eyes blaze and sparks fly him off in all directions. The energy builds, until a bolt of dark energy jets toward Hsien-Ko in a CHAOS FLARE. Hsien-Ko raises both silver arms as shields, and though she SHAKES with the strain, they block the dark energy. HSIEN-KO (voice shakes with effort) Is that the best you can do? And to think I was terrified of you all these decades. Demitri ups his energy levels (yup, draining himself in the process) until he's SPITTING SPARKS of dark energy. DEMITRI You should always be terrified of Lord Demitri, Master of the Dark Stalkers! Demitri powers up, about to let loose a second CHAOS FLARE at Hsien-Ko. He's at maximum energy, just before releasing it, when the SUN RISES. DEMITRI (agonized scream) The CHAOS FLARE goes wild, sending energy in every direction. QUICK CUTS as Hsien-Ko, Morrigan, and Rikuo each duck behind the nearest rock. Demitri whirls around to face the rising sun. He raises his arms (and cape) to turn into a bat, but nothing happens. No energy at all. DEMITRI No! Demitri turns to Morrigan. DEMITRI (CON'T) Morrigan, help me! Morrigan smiles at him, and raises one hand to examine her fingernails. MORRIGAN I don't think so. General. Demitri focuses and a very FAINT GLOW APPEARS. With an SFX: POP! His coffin appears next to him. Demitri scrambles into the coffin, pulling the lid down over him. Hsien-Ko and Morrigan walk over to the coffin and get ready to pull the lid up, exposing the vampire to sunlight, and death. Rikuo has finally made his way close enough to Morrigan. He grabs her with both arms, and holds her. RIKUO Hsien-Ko, now is your chance. Destroy her too. Morrigan struggles, but Rikuo is too strong (for the moment). Hsien-Ko looks from the coffin to Morrigan. HSIEN-KO No. I gave my word. She gave me Lord Demitri. She goes free. Rikuo REACTS. RIKUO What! Well, I never promised her anything. Say goodnight, Morrigan. Rikuo lifts Morrigan above his head (wrestling move) so he can fling her to the ground. In the air, at the top of Rikuo's reach, Morrigan calls the ship. MORRIGAN Ship! Now! The beam from Pyron's ship appears and PULLS Morrigan up into the air, out of Rikuo's grasp. The beam extends diameter, and also pulls Demitri and his coffin into the air, faster than anyone can react. Hsien-Ko runs towards the beam, but bounces off. It's not just a beam, but a force field when it chooses (and the ship's computer chooses). She tries again, this time trying to cut her way into the beam, but her blades also bounce off. HSIEN-KO No!!! Not after all this! Rikuo watches the beam take Morrigan and the coffin up toward the waiting ship. RIKUO There will be a next time. Hsien-Ko huddles on the ground, her silver arms lying on either side of her, her hands over her face. HSIEN-KO (sobbing) I failed. Rikuo crouches down next to her. RIKUO Hsien-Ko, think of all the lives you've saved by hunting and destroying evil. You may not have saved your own family, but you've saved many others, I'm sure. An ectoplasmic cloud appears nearby, and solidifies into the form of Kuan Yin. KUAN YIN He's right, my daughter. Hsien-Ko looks up, tears streaming down her cheeks. Rikuo looks stunned at Kuan Yin's appearance. HSIEN-KO But it's all useless. KUAN YIN Useless? (soft laughter) You have learned tears again, compassion for yourself, not just the rest of the world. That's a victory in itself. Hsien-Ko looks down at the silver arms on the ground. HSIEN-KO And as Rikuo said, there will be other opportunities. Hsien-Ko rises to her feet, and HUGS Kuan Yin. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) Thank you. You are indeed the Lady of Mercy. Rikuo stands and bows deeply to Kuan Yin. RIKUO And my thanks too, Lady. Hsien-Ko does not stand alone, in fighting evil. KUAN YIN Though not human, you are indeed one of my children. Kuan Yin discorporates back into mist, that shows a brief rainbow in the rising sun, then disappears. Hsien-Ko takes up her silver arms again. HSIEN-KO (to Rikuo) If you need me, call. Hsien-Ko then fades into ectoplasm mist too. HSIEN-KO (CON'T) No matter where I am, I will hear. Rikuo looks around, and SHAKES HIS HEAD. RIKUO Wait until Felicia hears about this! SFX: LAUGHTER (o.s.) Rikuo looks and REACTS. The first of the morning tourists are arriving via the aerial cable cars. Rikuo calls up the fog and disappears into it. EXT. - STAGE DOOR - ALLEY - OFF-OFF-OFF BROADWAY - NIGHT Harry grabs Felicia the moment she comes through the stage door. She looks tired, but happy. HARRY Wait'll you hear what happened! It wasn't a Dark Stalker at all, it was something lots better! Felicia and Harry head down the alley, toward the street. FELICIA And I'm sure you're going to tell me what it was, right? HARRY It was a Ghost who hunts Dark Stalkers! Well, she used to. Now, Rikuo said, she knows some of you are good, so she only hunts the evil ones. EXT. CITY STREET - NEW YORK CITY - LATE NIGHT Ordinary New York City street. A few people, but not a horde. Felicia and Harry come out of the alley, and turn, walking up the sidewalk. FELICIA That's great! We really don't need a second Donovan to watch out for. HARRY Wish I'd gotten the chance to meet her though. She's Chinese and might have been able to teach me Chinese magic. FELICIA I'm sure there will be other chances to meet her. But for now, why aren't you home? Don't you have school tomorrow? HARRY Felicia! FADE OUT: END ACT TWO: