Hsgdstewyhjew - SimplyScripts
THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
BY
RICHARD ASHCRAFT
BASED ON THE DC COMICS CHARACTERS
1
FADE IN:
EXT. THE METROPOLIS SKYLINE – DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT
The time is the Thirtieth Century. A legend appears on the screen: METROPOLIS 2958 C.E. The city is full of futuristic
buildings that are connected by various bridges. Flying vehicles, big and small, move in the city.
MONTAGE
There are various scenes of HUMANS and EXTRATERRESTRIALS
interacting with one another. Some are TOURISTS, some are
VENDORS, some are PASSERSBY, and so on. They all wear
futuristic clothes that look somewhat conservative.
EXT. THE BRANDE BUILDING – DAY
It is the tallest, most massive, and most impressive building
in Metropolis.
INT. BRANDE’S OUTER OFFICE
It has a couch and several chairs next to the entrance. TRIAD (LUORNU DURGO) is a teenaged brunette seated at the reception-
ist’s desk. She is typing on a keyboard while a holographic screen appears in front of her face. What she types on the keyboard also appears on the holographic screen. It is a business letter.
A few moments later, LIVE WIRE (GARTH RANZZ), a teenaged red-head, enters. He is very nervous as he approaches Triad.
TRIAD
Hello, sir. How may I help you?
LIVE WIRE
Uh, hello. I’m Garth Ranzz. I
have an appointment with Mr.
Brande. I may be a little bit
early. I didn’t want to get lost.
This is my first time on Earth.
TRIAD
Oh, yes. Now Mr. Brande is in a
2
TRIAD (CONT’D)
meeting. He should be here shortly.
Please be seated.
LIVE WIRE
Thank you.
He sits. Triad resumes typing. Then TRIAD TWO, a twin of the first, walks in with some small metallic canisters. Live Wire does a double take as Triad Two smiles at him.
TRIAD TWO
Hello, sir.
LIVE WIRE
Uh, hello.
TRIAD ONE
Luornu, this is Garth Ranzz.
TRIAD TWO
Oh, yes. You’re meeting with Mr.
Brande later today.
LIVE WIRE
Yes . . . I am. I never thought
I would see twins on my first day
on Earth. They’re pretty rare on
this world. On my world--Winath--
everyone has a twin.
TRIAD TWO
Actually, Mr. Ranzz, we’re not
earthlings. We’re from Cargg.
LIVE WIRE
Cargg? I never heard of it.
TRIAD ONE
On Cargg, everyone has the power
to turn into three people.
LIVE WIRE
Wait. Are you saying that the two
of you are . . . two thirds of the
same person?
3
The Triads nod in unison.
LIVE WIRE
Oh, grief. So where is the third
one of you?
TRIAD ONE
I haven’t made her materialize.
I only needed to cover the desk
and retrieve some holo files on
another floor, so . . .
TRIAD TWO
There are just the two of us.
LIVE WIRE
Can you make your . . . third
self appear?
TRIAD TWO
You really want to see her?
LIVE WIRE
I’ve heard of triplets, but I’ve
never seen any before. It would
be a . . . great pleasure for me.
TRIAD ONE
Well, we cannot deny our guest
his first great pleasure on Earth.
So . . . here she is.
TRIAD THREE materializes in between the other two. Live Wire gasps at her. Then he gapes at all of them. He stutters a bit
incoherently. Just then, R.J. Brande, a white-haired man in his late forties with a mustache, enters. He is a kind-looking man.
Triad Three walks over to Brande as Live Wire stands up.
TRIAD THREE
There you are, Mr. Brande. This
is Garth Ranzz.
LIVE WIRE
Uh, hello, sir. I am pleased to
meet you.
4
BRANDE
Hello, Garth.
Brande extends his hand out to Live Wire, who looks at it with
confusion.
TRIAD TWO
Mr. Ranzz, it is customary on Earth
to shake people’s hands when you
first meet them.
LIVE WIRE
Oh, I apologize. I should have
studied up on Earth customs before
coming here. Please forgive me.
Live Wire shakes Brande’s hand.
BRANDE
There’s nothing to forgive, lad.
Now let’s go into my office.
Luornu, please hold my calls.
THE TRIADS
Yes, sir.
Brande and Live Wire exit.
INT. BRANDE’S OFFICE – DAY
Live Wire is seated in front of Brande.
BRANDE
Garth, your letter stated that you
can supply me with a cheap source
of electricity. Just how can you
do you that?
LIVE WIRE
Well, actually, sir . . .
(hesitantly sighs)
I am the cheap source of electricity.
I have the power to create electrical
energy.
Live Wire’s hands crackle. Brande is impressed.
5
BRANDE
You are a superhuman?
LIVE WIRE
Uh, well, I guess you can call me that.
May I demonstrate my power to you?
BRANDE
Not here. But there is another,
more appropriate place for such a
demonstration.
INT. BRANDE’S POWER PLANT – LATER
Garth stands alone beside a large capacitor. It has two large
cables, which he is holding. He looks at the control booth, where Brande, Triad, and a uniformed ENGINEER are standing. Brande speaks over the intercom system.
BRANDE
All right, Garth. We’re ready for
you.
Live Wire grits his teeth and moans as his body crackles with electricity. The energy is almost blinding. Triad smiles while Brande and the engineer gape at Live Wire.
BRANDE (CONT’D)
By damn!
ENGINEER
Look at these readings! He is
creating the equivalent of a
lightning storm! He could charge
up all of your capacitors in just
minutes, Mr. Brande!
The cables start to smolder. Live Wire sees this and yells.
He lets go of the cables, and his body stops crackling. He smiles in embarrassment at the others.
LIVE WIRE
Sorry about that. I guess I don’t know my own . . . limits.
Brande grins as he speaks over the intercom system.
6
BRANDE
Welcome to Brande Industries, son.
INT. AN EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT – LATER
Live Wire, Brande, and Triad are eating while they talk. In the background are other PATRONS and WAIT STAFF.
BRANDE
So tell us, son. Were you born
with your electrical powers?
LIVE WIRE
No, Mr. Brande. I got my powers
through a freak accident not too long ago. The Winathian govern- ment had captured some lightning beasts of Korbal, which is an asteroid that orbits my world.
(takes a drink)
The beasts were put on display at our local zoo. I was at the zoo when one of the beasts broke out of the insulated cage. It charged me with its electrical force. That’s how I can create electricity. And I’ve been cursed ever since.
TRIAD
Cursed? What do you mean by that?
LIVE WIRE
When my people found out about my powers, they treated me like a freak. Nobody else on Winath had super-powers before. Winathians didn’t know how to deal with . . . my situation. I scared them.
Triad looks at him with knowing sympathy.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
I tried to get work providing
7
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
electricity for power plants, but
they wouldn’t hire me. I heard
Earth had a long history of super-
humans, so I thought I should come here in search of work. The Winathian government was only too happy to pay for my trip here.
BRANDE
Well, I am extremely happy that
you are here with us, Garth.
TRIAD
You’ll love being on Earth. There are so many exciting things that happen here. Like the magno ball tournament at the Metropolis Sports Arena tonight. Mr. Brande has front-seat reservations for it.
BRANDE
Would you like to join us, Garth?
LIVE WIRE
Would I? I’d love to go!
INT. THE METROPOLIS SPORTS ARENA – NIGHT
It is a large stadium filled to capacity with HUMANS and ALIENS.
Various holograms are hovering over the CROWD. They read:
METROPOLIS MAGNO BALL TOURNAMENT
MEDIUM SHOT – ARN KWIN
He is in his early forties and looks a bit worn out. He is dressed most conservatively as befits a man of his occupation, a world representative. He waits anxiously in a front-row section of the sports rings.
XAMUEL (V.O.)
Arn. We are now coming down the aisle.
Arn turns around. He smiles.
8
ARN’S POV
XAMUEL IVAR, a balding white-haired man in his late forties, is walking down the aisle with SATURN GIRL (IMRA ARDEEN), a teen-aged blonde. On their lapels, they each wear a yellow emblem that resembles the planet Saturn. As they go down the aisle, the SPECTATORS give them dirty looks. Xamuel and Saturn Girl take it in stride.
ARN, XAMUEL, AND SATURN GIRL
Arn gets up to greet them.
XAMUEL
Arn Kwin, I would like you to meet Imra Ardeen.
Arn puts his hands to his temples. Saturn Girl returns the gesture. This is Titan’s version of shaking hands.
ARN
It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss
Ardeen.
SATURN GIRL
It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr.
Kwin. And please. Call me Imra.
ARN
I will if you’ll call me Arn.
SATURN GIRL
It’s a deal, Arn.
They laugh lightly while they sit down. Arn looks to the side and sees an ANGRY COUPLE glaring at them. Xamuel and Saturn
Girl also see the angry couple, who get up and walk away. Arn’s
mood turns sour.
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
It’s all right, Arn. We’re used to it. People always leave when they see our emblems. Not too many people want to be near us telepaths.
9
Saturn Girl smiles.
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
The Earth criminals sure won’t once I become a Science Police Officer here.
Arn and Xamuel now smile.
ARN
Your telepathy should come in very handy in that position. And congratulations are in order. Xamuel told me that you graduated from the Titan Institute with the highest honors.
XAMUEL
She is the only teenager on Titan whose telepathic potential may be the most powerful in history.
ARN
Really?
SATURN GIRL
That’s what they say. Personally, I don’t believe it.
ARN
Just don’t let your powers become weak, Imra. I’ve been a world
representative so long, I let my magnetic abilities atrophy. I couldn’t levitate a magno ball even if I tried.
Arn laughs. Saturn Girl laughs weakly. Xamuel has a faint frown.
XAMUEL
You need to take a rest, Arn.
You’ve been working too hard.
The United Planets can wait.
Saturn Girl turns away out of embarrassment.
10
ARN
I will. Right after the tournament.
I’m going back to Braal for a very
overdue vacation.
XAMUEL
Good. I’m glad to hear it.
SATURN GIRL
Well, at least all of your hard
work has paid off, Arn. This
place is entirely full. The tournament should help solidify your home world’s relations with the United Planets. I’ve never seen so many ambassadors together in one place.
ARN
Look over there. There’s R.J.
Brande. He’s the richest man on Earth. He’s also the sponsor of this tournament. I wonder who those other people are. They look like teenagers.
BRANDE, TRIAD, AND LIVE WIRE
They are seated in another front-row section. Live Wire looks at the ring with awe.
TRIAD
Is this your first magno ball game, Garth?
LIVE WIRE Yes, it is. Winath doesn’t get any sports broadcasts from other worlds. I don’t even know how this game is played.
BRANDE Well, let me tell you how it’s
done, lad.
11
NOLLA ATERM, WINEMA WAZZO, AND APPARITION (TINYA WAZZO)
They sit in another front-row section. NOLLA is the fortyish, dignified President of Earth. WINEMA is a very stern-looking brunette in her late forties. APPARITION is Winerma’s teenage daughter, who resembles her mother. But with a much more cheer-
ful disposition.
WINEMA
When are they going to get on with it? Typical males. They can’t be depended on to do anything right.
APPARITION
Motherrrrrr--
NOLLA
Winema, take it easy. And for the
United Planets’ sake, smile. We’re supposed to be welcoming Braal to our organization. The vid-cameras could be on us right now for all we
know. We have to project a positive image.
APPARITION (V.O.)
Ha! Good luck, Madame President.
WINEMA
All right. I shall project a
positive image.
Winema’s smile is way too phony. Nolla sighs loudly while Apparition suppresses a snicker. Nolla turns to Apparition.
NOLLA
Tinya, how do you like Metropolis University?
APPARITION
Oh, I love it. Everyone there is
so nice and friendly.
Apparition looks at Winema with a knowing smirk.
12
APPARITION (V.O.)
It’s a great change of pace.
INT. A LOCKER ROOM
COSMIC BOY (ROKK KRINN) is suiting up. He is a very handsome, dark-haired teenager. CUSPIN, his middle-aged manager who uses a cane, hands Cosmic Boy his boots.
CUSPIN
Here you are. Better hurry, Rokk.
They’ll be calling for you soon.
COSMIC BOY
I am almost ready.
Cosmic Boy puts on his boots. Cuspin sits beside him.
CUSPIN
Something’s bothering you. You
nervous about the game?
COSMIC BOY
A little bit. They say it’s a
packed stadium.
CUSPIN
It is. You are going to become a
hero tonight.
COSMIC BOY
Some hero. I’ll be playing a little
child’s game in front of all those Earth people.
CUSPIN
Sports do matter in the United Planets.
Especially on Earth. Politics are put aside for sporting events. Well, most
of the time.
LONG SHOT – LELAND MCCAULEY
He is an arrogant-looking blond man in his thirties. He is walking down the aisle with several BODYGUARDS. The SPECTATORS whisper to each other as MCCAULEY walks by them.
13
AN ASSASSIN
He is dressed like any other sports fan. He turns his head and glowers.
ASSASSIN
(whispers in anger) McCauley! Finally!
ARN, XAMUEL, AND SATURN GIRL
Xamuel and Saturn Girl suddenly react and turn their attention to the aisle. Arn looks at them.
ARN
What is it?
SATURN GIRL
Thoughts . . . of murder! They’re
so powerful! Full of hatred!
XAMUEL
They’re directed at Leland
McCauley! I’m trying to locate
who is thinking of them!
MCCAULEY AND BODYGUARDS
They are walking by the assassin, who is sitting in an aisle seat. The assassin takes off his glove to show a glowing disk on his right hand. He puts the disk on the aisle floor, and the steps disintegrate. McCauley and his bodyguards lose their balance and fall down into the spectators. The assassin runs to the fallen McCauley and puts his disk in front of McCauley’s face.
MCCAULEY
What? Who are you? What is that?
What are you doing?
The assassin pushes a button on his lapel, and he quickly morphs into MANO. His jet-black head gives off blue sparks. McCauley gasps at him.
MCCAULEY (CONT’D)
Oh, my God! Mano!
14
MANO
Your chemical weapons murdered my
people! And made me a grotesque freak! That is why I am going to kill you, McCauley! Now!
Mano puts the disk on McCauley’s chest. McCauley yells in agony as he slowly disintegrates into nothingness.
MONTAGE
Arn, Saturn Girl, Xamuel, Brande, Live Wire, Triad, Winema,
Apparition, and Nolla react to the prolonged scream.
INT. THE OBSERVATION DECK
Cuspin and Cosmic Boy are there. Cosmic Boy is shaking hands with KORT GREZZ, a blond teenager, in front of many REPORTERS.
They all react to McCauley’s scream. They rush to the glass pane and look downward.
COSMIC BOY
Look! Something’s happening in
that aisle! Over on the right
side!
MANO
He disintegrates a few of the bodyguards. The nearby spectators scream and run away.
ARN, XAMUEL, AND SATURN GIRL
They are now standing and react to the chaos.
XAMUEL
Imra, you calm the crowd down!
I’ll mesmerize Mano!
Xamuel and Saturn Girl put their hands to their temples and close their eyes.
RESUME MANO
He disintegrates the last bodyguard. As he raises his right hand to his head, he suddenly stiffens.
15
XAMUEL
Stop! Stand perfectly still! Do
not--
His disk glows very brightly.
RESUME ARN, XAMUEL, AND SATURN GIRL
Xamuel’s head briefly glows like the disk, and he yells in agony. He then passes out. Arn catches him.
ARN
Xamuel! Xamuel! Imra, what
happened to him?
SATURN GIRL
The last image in his mind showed his telepathy suddenly being cut off! The shock was too much for
him! We have to get him to a
hospital!
ARN
I’ll do it!
Arn levitates off the ground with Xamuel in his arms.
INT. THE OBSERVATION DECK
Cosmic Boy and Kort Grezz see Arn levitating with the uncon-
scious Xamuel. Arn staggers in the air.
COSMIC BOY
That’s Representative Kwin!
KORT GREZZ
They’re about to fall! We’ve got
to help them!
Kort Grezz quickly flies out of the room. Cosmic Boy flies right behind him. Cuspin and the reporters gape as they watch the pair zoom away.
ARN WITH XAMUEL
They are about to fall. Then they rise back up in the air.
16
ARN
Grife! What’s going on?
KORT GREZZ (V.O.)
Don’t worry, Mr. Kwin! I got you!
Kort Grezz and Cosmic Boy fly close to them. They point at the older men.
ARN
Rokk! Kort! Help me take Xamuel
to the hospital!
COSMIC BOY
I don’t know where that is!
KORT GREZZ
I do! I’ll take you there!
COSMIC BOY
Then I’ll stay here and help!
ARN
Just keep away from Mano! The
glowing disk on his hand can
destroy anything it touches!
Arn points to the side. Cosmic Boy looks over there. Then Kort Grezz levitates Arn and Xamuel out of the scene.
COSMIC BOY’S POV IN THE AIR
Mano is now surrounded by some SCIENCE POLICE OFFICERS. They fire their ray guns at Mano, but his right hand moves at super-
speed. Thus, his glowing disk is able to negate their blasts. Then Mano touches two rows of chairs. They explode, and the debris hits the Science Police. They fall down.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
Even if he isn’t wearing magnetic
fibers, his body must have some magnetic properties!
Mano then is pulled up into the air. He yells in confusion and anger.
17
WINEMA, NOLLA, AND APPARITION
They look up in gaping astonishment.
NOLLA
Oh, my God! It’s Mano!
WINEMA
Tinya, turn intangible and run
straight home! I’ll stay here and protect President Aterm!
NOLLA
Winema, no! You go with Tinya!
WINEMA
The Bgtzl government will impeach me if I left you alone with Mano! Besides, if he does confront us, I can always turn intangible and keep him distracted until you can run to safety!
(glares at Apparition)
Tinya! Run straight home! Now!
APPARITION
Yes, Mother! Be careful!
WINEMA
You be even more careful! Now
run, Tinya! That’s an order!
Apparition passes through the front row and the scared SPORTS FANS like they were not solid.
BRANDE, LIVE WIRE, AND TRIAD
They look up. Triad smiles. Live Wire gasps.
TRIAD
Rokk has used his magnetism to
capture Mano! How wonderful!
BRANDE
Oh, no! Look! Mano’s starting
to free himself!
18
COSMIC BOY AND MANO IN THE AIR
Mano’s disk glows brightly, and he waves his hand all about him-self. He starts to float back down to the ground.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
Grife! He’s disintegrating my
magnetic hold over him!
MANO
He lands in a deserted section. Apparition looks behind her and doesn’t know that she is running to him.
MANO
Out of my way, girl! Don’t make
me want to kill you!
Apparition gasps. Then she ponders.
WINEMA (V.O.)
I can always turn intangible and
keep him distracted!
APPARITION
I’d like to see you try, you ugly
nasshead!
Mano growls and tries to touch her with his disk. However, his hand just passes through her. She laughs at him. He continues to pass his hand through her.
COSMIC BOY IN THE AIR
He looks down at Mano and Apparition underneath him.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Rokk! While she has him confused,
use your magnetism to bring the spotlights down on him!
COSMIC BOY
Who said that?
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
I’m a telepathic friend of Arn Kwin!
19
COSMIC BOY
You’re a Titan telepath!
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Yes! Now knock Mano out! Don’t
worry about her! The spotlights
will just pass through her body!
He looks at some nearby spotlights. He uses his magnetism to break them off of the ceiling. Then he hurls them downward.
APPARITION AND MANO
The spotlights fly to them. They pass through her while he uses his disk to disintegrate them. She screams.
BRANDE, LIVE WIRE, AND TRIAD
Live Wire stands on a seat and looks to the side. The lighting is bright in some spots and dim in others.
LIVE WIRE
If only I could get a clear shot
at Mano! I can knock him out with my lightning! I need to get higher
up!
TRIAD
I can help you with that, Garth!
Triad puts her head through his legs.
LIVE WIRE
Luornu! What are you doing?
TRIAD
I can triple my strength if need
be!
BRANDE
Now I see what you’re doing!
TRIAD
Get ready to go up higher, Garth!
One! Two! Three!
20
Triad lifts Live Wire on her shoulders while he lets out a yell.
Then she climbs up on the chair that Live Wire was standing on.
He looks all around.
BRANDE
Well? Have you spotted Mano yet?
LIVE WIRE
I don’t--Wait! Grife! What’s
happening over there?
LIVE WIRE’S POV
Mano and Apparition continue to avoid the flying spotlights in their unique ways.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Garth Ranzz! I’m communicating
with you telepathically! Rokk’s
getting weaker! He can’t keep hurling the spotlights at Mano much longer! And the girl’s
phantom power can only confuse
Mano, not capture him! You need to electrify him now!
LIVE WIRE
He aims his hands to the side and emits a blinding flash of electricity.
RESUME MANO AND APPARITION
He disintegrates the last spotlight when the electricity strikes his body. He yells and quivers. She screams as the voltage phases through her body.
COSMIC BOY
He is barely aloft in the air. He wipes the sweat off of his brow. He looks down and sees Mano being hit by electricity.
He starts to descend too quickly. He quickly stops his fall.
COSMIC BOY
I’m too close to the electricity!
It might hit me!
21
SPLIT SCREEN – LIVE WIRE, SATURN GIRL, AND COSMIC BOY
Live Wire continues to project lightning. Saturn Girl has her hands to her temples. Cosmic Boy is about to collapse.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. )
I sense Mano’s unconscious now!
When Garth stops projecting his
lightning, you’ve got to keep Mano from falling, Rokk! Or else his hand will create an explosion!
MANO AND APPARITION
The electricity stops bombarding Mano, and he levitates a few feet off the ground. She gapes. Then she smiles as she leans on the backrest of a chair.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
So tired! Passing out! I can’t
keep hold of him!
Mano slowly floats back down to the ground. Apparition gasps in horror.
APPARITION
Hey! What’s going on?
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Grab Mano! Don’t let his hand
touch anything!
Mano slowly falls in front of her, but she manages to keep his disk from touching anything. She sighs loudly. Then she grins.
APPARITION
Titan telepath?
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Yes. And you’re a Bgtzl phan--
Rokk!
COSMIC BOY IN THE AIR
He looks very tired and is barely floating.
22
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
Overdid it! Can’t levitate! Ohhh!
Cosmic Boy passes out and falls.
LIVE WIRE ON TRIAD’S SHOULDERS AND BRANDE
They look up in horror.
TRIAD
Quick, Mr. Brande! Catch Garth!
Triad shoves Live Wire off her shoulders. Brande is barely able to catch him. Triad runs to the side at a fast speed.
THE FALLING COSMIC BOY
Triad leaps high into the air and catches him. Then they land.
Triad sets Cosmic Boy down. Even with her triple strength, that was quite a feat. She sighs loudly.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Way to go, Lu! Now we’ve got to
get him to a medic!
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
I’ve already summoned one for him,
Mr. Brande.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Who said that?
APPARITION, MANO, AND FOUR SCIENCE POLICE OFFICERS
The officers hold down Mano’s arms and legs while Apparition looks on.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
I’m Imra Ardeen of Titan. The
Science Police are taking Mano
into custody. It’s all over.
Thank the rings that Tinya turned solid for a moment. Otherwise, my thought would have never entered her mind.
23
INT. A HOSPITAL – LATER THAT NIGHT
Seated in the couches around a table are Brande, Triad, Live Wire, Apparition, Winema, and Nolla.
LIVE WIRE
Who is this Mano guy? And why did he kill that man?
NOLLA
Mano is the lone survivor of Angtu,
Garth. Leland McCauley, the man he murdered, sold unstable chemical weapons to the revolutionaries of
his world.
BRANDE The chem war killed everyone except Mano. Who mutated into that bizarre being we saw today. He must have found a spaceship on Angtu and flew to Earth to get his revenge on McCauley.
NOLLA
The United Planets heard about Mano after he robbed and killed some people on Earth. The few witnesses he let live gave us his description. They said he didn’t want to kill anyone. He just wanted their money.
APPARITION
But how was he able to get into the stadium? With his looks, the Science Police should have seen him instantly.
BRANDE I think he used an illegal holo- image projector. With it, he could have passed himself off as an ordinary Earth man. Those things are very expensive on the black market.
24
WINEMA
That’s probably why Mano robbed
those people. To pay for it.
TRIAD
And to pay for an aisle seat at the stadium. So he could get McCauley when he passed by.
LIVE WIRE He certainly did. But how did he know that McCauley would be there?
BRANDE McCauley was a sports fan. Mano knew he would go to the earthly premiere of magno ball.
Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Cuspin, Kort Grezz, and Arn walk up to them. Brande and the others get up.
TRIAD Rokk! You’re all right!
COSMIC BOY
Yeah. I just overexerted myself.
WINEMA
How is Xamuel doing?
SATURN GIRL
He’s conscious, and he seems to be all right physically. However,
the shock to his brain may have
permanently damaged his telepathic powers.
NOLLA
Oh, no.
SATURN GIRL
Doctor Aven of the Titan Institute is the only one who can properly assess Ivar’s injuries. He’s our top telepathic physician.
25
Saturn Girl turns to Nolla.
SATURN GIRL
President Aterm, Doctor Aven must get
here as soon as possible. Can you
arrange for his transportation from
Titan?
NOLLA
Of course. I’ll get on it right
away.
BRANDE
And send the bill to me, Nolla.
Nolla sits and takes out a briefcase. She opens it up to reveal a unique personal computer. She starts typing on it, and a holographic screen appears in front of her.
NOLLA
This may take some time though.
WINEMA
Well, there’s nothing more we can
do. Come along, Tinya. Let’s go home.
BRANDE
Actually, Winema, before you go,
I’d like to extend a personal
invitation to you and Tinya to visit me at my mansion tomorrow morning.
APPARITION You’re . . . inviting us?
The teens look at each other in amazement. The adults do the same.
KORT GREZZ Uh, thank you, Mr. Brande, but I
have to return to Braal tomorrow.
My family is having a wedding this week, and I promised to be there.
26
BRANDE
That’s too bad, Kort. We could have used you on our team.
ARN
What have you got on your mind, Mr.
Brande?
INT. BRANDE’S MANSION/GIANT LIVING ROOM – NEXT MORNING
Brande, Arn, Nolla, Winema, and Cuspin are standing on one side. Saturn Girl, Live Wire, Cosmic Boy, Triad, and Apparition are standing on the other. Everyone stares at Brande.
SATURN GIRL
You cannot possibly be serious!
COSMIC BOY
Us? Team up?
LIVE WIRE
Just what is a super-hero?
WINEMA
R.J.! They’re only children!
BRANDE
They are at the age of majority,
Winema. On all of our worlds.
ARN
Mr. Brande, I cannot permit Rokk to be part of such an outlandish scheme. And I promised Xamuel that I would watch out for Imra in
his absence. He would never allow
this.
BRANDE
Why not? Imra was about to join
the Science Police. That group has had its share of danger like any law-enforcement organization. All I’m proposing is that these five teens create a similar group.
27
NOLLA A band of superhumans to aid the United Planets during emergencies. I like the idea.
WINEMA Nolla! Have you gone crazy?
NOLLA But I do not like the idea of these youngsters being part of that team. Perhaps with older, more experienced people . . .
BRANDE
These young people showed more experience and teamwork last night than I’ve ever seen in the Science Police. Mano could have killed us both if their super-powers hadn’t stopped him. We’re powerless earthlings. We need a legion of superhumans to battle the evil, powerful aliens that are coming to our world. If Mano could get here so easily, what’s to stop the next super-villain from invading us?
TRIAD Surely not the Science Police. Mano beat them easily last night.
BRANDE
Exactly, Luornu. Because Earth’s Science Police Force is made up only of non-powerful earthlings.
SATURN GIRL
Not anymore. I’ve been accepted into their ranks.
BRANDE
But you will be their first super- powered agent, Imra. Am I right?
28
SATURN GIRL Yes, but . . .
BRANDE And you were not exactly welcomed with open arms by them, were you?
SATURN GIRL
Uh, no. Hardly.
BRANDE
The Science Police is no place for you. They don’t have anyone else with super-powers. No one else who can relate to your superhuman status.
(to all the teens)
All of you truly belong together. By damn, you were a team last night. I want your team to stay together. With my financial back-
ing--and with the cooperation of the U.P.--you can remain a team. You five captured the universe’s most dangerous man. Imagine what else you can do with your powers.
What do you say?
LIVE WIRE
I’ll do it, Mr. Brande. I’ll be part of your team. Come on, guys.
Are you with us?
TRIAD Mr. Brande has never steered me wrong. I’m definitely in.
SATURN GIRL
Even without telepathy, I know that you would respect me more than the Science Police would. I accept your offer, Mr. Brande.
COSMIC BOY
I would like to join.
29
CUSPIN
Rokk, what are you saying?
COSMIC BOY
But I still owe Mr. Cuspin a lot. He made me what I am today. I-I just can’t abandon my coach.
CUSPIN
Rokk, do you really want to do
this?
COSMIC BOY
I do. But I have a contract with you. I must honor it. I can
always join Mr. Brande’s team later on.
BRANDE
Mr. Cuspin, how about I buy out Rokk’s contract? I’ll give you ten times what it’s worth.
COSMIC BOY
What?
CUSPIN
(very eagerly)
It’s a deal, Mr. Brande.
BRANDE
I’ll have the lawyers make up the
contract.
(to Cosmic Boy)
Will you join the team now, Rokk?
COSMIC BOY
Will I? Count me in.
ARN
Rokk, I don’t think this is a good idea.
COSMIC BOY
I’ll be representing Braal in the team. That should help Braal’s
30
COSMIC BOY (CONT’D) relations with the U.P. That will make your job a little bit easier, sir. After all your hard work, you should take it easy.
APPARITION
Mother, I can represent Bgtzl in this team. Just like you represent Bgtzl in the U.P. We can both do good work for our world. Oh,
Mother. Please let me join.
WINEMA
Tinya . . . dear. Part of me just hates the idea of you risking your life. But part of me is proud of what you did last night. Because you listened to what I said. And since your phasing power protects you from harm, you will not really be in danger.
APPARITION
Mother! You mean I can join Mr.
Brande’s team?
WINEMA
On one condition. You must always use your phasing power in public. As long as you are a phantom, you will be safe. Even if it means having to let one of these other teens die, I forbid you from turning solid among strangers.
The others are a bit put off by that statement. Apparition
hugs Winema, who is startled by this.
APPARITION I promise, Mother! I’ll always be a phantom in public! Oh, thank
you, Mother! Thank you for having faith in me!
Apparition smiles at Winema, who becomes serious again.
31
WINEMA
But if I hear that you break this promise, I’m pulling you off of the team. That part is simply not negotiable, R.J. Got it?
BRANDE As well as it should be, Winema.
NOLLA
Before we go public with this team, I must insist that they receive special training. I can
arrange for a liaison from the Science Police to educate them in combat strategies, criminal psychology, and so forth.
BRANDE
An excellent idea, Nolla. And until I can build a headquarters suitable for them, they shall be staying here at my mansion. It has plenty of rooms.
WINEMA
(very icily)
Just make sure you keep the girls separated from the boys, R.J.
BRANDE
Naturally, Winema. Nolla, I’ll give your liaison total control over my mansion. Whatever is needed for their education, bring it here. And charge everything to me. I want the very best for my team.
LIVE WIRE
Just exactly what are we going to call our team?
SATURN GIRL
I liked what Mr. Brande said before.
A legion of superhumans.
32
TRIAD That doesn’t sound quite right.
COSMIC BOY
I think the Legion of Super-
Heroes sounds better.
APPARITION
I love that name!
BRANDE
Then long live the Legion of Super-Heroes!
INT. THE BOYS’ ROOM IN THE MANSION – ANOTHER MORNING
Live Wire and Cosmic Boy are dressed in their costumes. Live Wire looks at himself in the full-length mirror on the wall.
He beams. Cosmic Boy looks at him.
COSMIC BOY
You sure look happy.
LIVE WIRE
I’ve got good reason to be happy.
Yesterday I was the electrical freak from Winath. Now I’m their representative in the Legion. For the first time in my life, my luck has changed for the better.
(looks at Cosmic Boy)
Hey, your costume looks terrific,
Rokk.
COSMIC BOY
Thank you. It’s also functional,
too.
(with a knowing smirk)
Look at the metal disks on my chest.
LIVE WIRE They look great. Wait a minute.
They’re made of iron, aren’t they?
Cosmic Boy gestures, and the disks fly around Live Wire. Live Wire laughs.
33
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
Hey! That’s fantastic! Your own little magno balls to play with!
COSMIC BOY
Work with, you mean.
The disks fly back onto Cosmic Boy’s chest.
LIVE WIRE
Uh, yeah. That’s what I meant.
COSMIC BOY
What about your costume? Can your
electricity go through your gloves without damaging them?
LIVE WIRE
Sure!
Live Wire’s gloves crackle with electricity.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
My whole costume can’t be damaged by my lightning. But it’s also
porous. The little holes let my lightning go out of my costume.
Live Wire stops creating the electricity.
COSMIC BOY
What is your code name going to be,
Garth?
LIVE WIRE
Well, first I thought I would call myself Lightning Lad. But that sounded kind of wimpy. I think
I’ll call myself Live Wire instead.
COSMIC BOY
It’s certainly appropriate.
LIVE WIRE
What are you going to call your-
self?
34
COSMIC BOY
I already got a nickname. Cosmic Boy. The magno ball sports fans called me that after I won the Cosmic Championship Tournament. So I guess I’ll stick with that.
LIVE WIRE
What’s it like to be a celebrity?
COSMIC BOY
Why do you ask?
LIVE WIRE
Because I’m about to become one myself. I need all the pointers I can get on how not to make a nasshead of myself in public.
COSMIC BOY
I can certainly help you there.
Rule number one, be very polite and respectful in public. No
matter what happens, always be
on your best behavior. People
love to pick apart celebrities who have temper tantrums.
LIVE WIRE
Got it.
COSMIC BOY
Rule number two concerns girls.
They’re not called the opposite sex for nothing. Their thought process is different than ours.
They are more emotional. Usually
because they tend to be more
open with other people.
INT. THE GIRLS’ ROOM IN THE MANSION – SAME MORNING
They are dressed in their costumes. Apparition is looking at herself in the full-length mirror on the wall. Saturn Girl puts on her earrings while Triad puts on her gloves.
35
APPARITION
Oh, Mother. If only you can see me now. You would be so proud of me. For a change.
SATURN GIRL
I’m sure your mother would be
proud of you no matter what you
did in life.
APPARITION
Ha! My mother was never proud of me. I never could do anything right.
(softens)
At least until I took on Mano.
It’s ironic. I had to put myself in danger in order to get my mother’s love.
SATURN GIRL
Your mother does love you, Tinya.
I could sense it telepathically when you hugged her. She just wishes you would follow her advice and not think of it as nagging. She’s very strict with you because
she wants you to have the highest standards in everything that life offers you.
APPARITION
I don’t know. Could be. What is your mother like, Imra?
SATURN GIRL
She’s not very strict. The few times I visit with her, she lets me get away with anything I want.
APPARITION
The few times you visit with her?
What do you mean by that?
Saturn Girl pulls back her hair as she sighs.
36
SATURN GIRL
At the age of five, I was accepted into the Titan Institute, which was the highest honor for any telepath. But in order for me to go to the Institute, I had to
leave my family.
APPARITION
You left your family when you were five years old? That’s terrible!
SATURN GIRL
Oh, I still get to see them on holidays and vacations. But my parents didn’t want my telepathic potential to be wasted. So off I
went. And it paid off. Because of my training, we were able to capture Mano.
(beat, looks at Triad)
Oh, how rude of us. We didn’t let Luornu take part in our conversation. Sorry, Lu. We didn’t mean to leave you out.
APPARITION
Tell us about your family. What are they like?
Triad stammers incoherently at first. Then tears fill up in her eyes. Finally she breaks down sobbing, and Saturn Girl and
Apparition reach out to her.
APPARITION (CONT’D)
Luornu! What’s wrong?
SATURN GIRL
Tinya, don’t ask! She’s very
upset!
TRIAD
You read my mind, didn’t you?
SATURN GIRL
I didn’t mean to . . . pry.
37 TRIAD
But I was thinking too hard, huh? Since you know, I might as well tell Tinya. I’m an orphan. I
don’t have any family.
APPARITION
Oh, Lu! I’m so sorry!
TRIAD
You see, on Cargg, when people triplicate, their copies are supposed to be identical in every way. Physically,
emotionally, and intellectually.
But I was born different. Each one of my selves has a different personality. My father couldn’t cope with my . . . He walked out on my family.
APPARITION
Oh, no!
TRIAD
My mother tried her best to raise me alone, but the pressure was too much. She began to drink. A lot.
She drank herself to death.
Now Saturn Girl and Apparition have tears in their eyes. Triad smiles weakly.
TRIAD (CONT’D)
Thank Valor for Grandma Murlu.
She took me in. She actually
encouraged the differences in my
three selves. Because the same thing happened to her. She knew it was wrong for Carggites to be one-third master and two-thirds
slave. She said our people were lucky. We could see life three different ways and then blend back into one person.
38
Triad wipes a tear from her eye.
TRIAD
But somewhere in our history,
conformity in triplicate became the “normal” thing to do. She was the only person to say that the three of me were right. I’ll always love
her for that.
(deeply inhales)
Unfortunately, Grandma Murlu was sick. She was dying. She knew I would be placed into an asylum when she died. So that I cam be “corrected.” Mr. Brande heard
about her terminal illness and came to Cargg. She never told me, but I think they were lovers at one point. She made him promise on her deathbed that he would take care of me. That’s how I became his personal assistant. That’s why I was able to help you all against Mano. Because of her.
Apparition uses her cape to wipe away her tears.
APPARITION
That’s the saddest story I ever heard.
TRIAD
At least it has a happy ending.
Now as Cargg’s representative in the Legion, I might be able to convince my people that triple conformity is wrong. It may take time. Years even. But I’m going to do it. In memory of Grandma.
SATURN GIRL
She would be so proud of you.
APPARITION
If only she could have lived to see you become Triplicate Girl.
39
TRIAD
I don’t want to become Triplicate
Girl. Triplicate means three perfect copies. That’s not me.
But a triad consists of three beings with different aspects who are joined as one. That’s what I want to be called. Triad.
SATURN GIRL
Then Triad it is.
APPARITION
That sounds very impressive. In
fact, I want my code name to be like that. So forget Phantom Girl. I’m calling myself Apparition.
TRIAD
Oooo, that sounds scary. What is your code name going to be, Imra?
SATURN GIRL
Since I’m forced by intergalactic law to wear a Saturn emblem, I guess I’ll be Saturn Girl. Which will be ironic considering that I come from Titan.
APPARITION
How did the Saturn emblem come to represent telepaths if you all were born on Titan?
SATURN GIRL
Because Titan is one of Saturn’s moons. The Titanites had to choose an emblem to let other sentients know that we’re telepaths. They picked the Saturn emblem because it was the easiest for everyone to remember.
Saturn Girl suddenly moans in surprise. Then she composes herself and smiles.
40
APPARITION
What’s going on?
SATURN GIRL
Our liaison with the Science
Police has met Mr. Brande. I sense she’s bitter about teaching us. But she’s intrigued by us, too.
INT. THE COMPUTER ROOM IN THE MANSION – LATER
The five teens are seated at their computer terminals. Brande enters with SHVAUGHN ERIN, a redheaded Science Police Officer in her early twenties.
BRANDE
Legionnaires, this is Shvaughn Erin, your liaison with the Science Police.
The Legionnaires ad-lib various greetings to her.
SHVAUGHN
Hello, Legionnaires. I’m going to be honest with you. I was not too thrilled to receive this assign- ment. I am still recovering from a work-related injury, and the higher-ups in the Science Police were not going to send an able- bodied officer to train you. So they picked me to do it.
TRIAD So the Science Police doesn’t consider any of us to be a high priority?
SHVAUGHN Correct. I thought it best that we all know what we’re getting ourselves into. Especially with a telepath among us.
SATURN GIRL
Officer Erin, I would never use
41
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
my telepathy to invade law-abiding people’s privacy.
SHVAUGHN
I know. But you are bound to . . . hear . . . what I am really thinking from time to time. I’ve read your profile, Imra. You can receive other people’s thoughts without even trying. And it’s only normal for students to tell each other what they know about teachers. I’ve done it myself at the Science Police Academy. So our only course is to be completely honest with one another.
Shvaughn bends down and faces Imra.
SHVAUGHN (CONT’D)
Besides, Imra, I’m counting on you to use your powers to make the others learn their studies all the more faster. With your mesmerism and memory-implanting abilities, the five of you should learn every- thing a Science Police Cadet must know. And in a matter of days, not months.
(to the others) Does anyone have a problem with Imra using her telepathy on you?
TRIAD I don’t.
APPARITION
Neither do I.
COSMIC BOY
I trust Imra completely.
LIVE WIRE
She can do whatever she wants with me anytime.
42
SATURN GIRL
(now embarrassed)
Garth!
While Saturn Girl blushes, and Garth covers his face, the others
snicker.
LIVE WIRE
Oh, grife! That didn’t come out right!
SATURN GIRL
I’ll say it didn’t.
SHVAUGHN
I see one of you is going to need extra lessons in diplomacy.
Everyone laughs, including Live Wire and Saturn Girl who both nervously smile at each other. The other teens look at each
other with knowing looks. The ice is officially broken.
SHVAUGHN (CONT’D) Now let’s get started.
MONTAGE
First the Legionnaires demonstrate their abilities to Shvaughn in Brande’s massive yard. Shvaughn records the information into a digital computer that projects holograms.
Then she uses computer-generated holograms of SCIENCE POLICE OFFICERS in action against CRIMINALS to teach the Legionnaires battle strategies.
Saturn Girl is shown mesmerizing the other teens while Shvaughn looks on.
The Legionnaires wear virtual-reality headgear and gloves.
In the virtual-reality field, they are fighting ZORAZ, a gray-and-gold armored man. They defeat him.
The teens take off their VR equipment. Shvaughn and Brande
congratulate them.
43
MONTAGE CONTINUED
Shvaughn teaches every Legionnaire how to drive a space cruiser both in the earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
While still inside the cruiser, Shvaughn shows the teens how to put on their transuits, which are transparent outfits. They each have an armband and a wrist unit.
Then the teens demonstrate their powers while in the transuits.
EXT. LONG SHOT – THE CRUISER IN OUTER SPACE
Shvaughn and the Legionnaires exit the cruiser. They all wear armbands and wrist units. The teens gape in great surprise. Shvaughn smiles at them knowingly.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Shvaughn! This is . . . amazing!
SHVAUGHN (V.O.) I told you. Now tune me into the others’ thoughts, Imra.
Apparition looks at her armband and wrist unit.
APPARITION (V.O.)
I can’t believe these flimsy tran-
suits are protecting us in outer space! This is so bizarre!
Live Wire does a loop the loop.
LIVE WIRE (V.O.)
This is sprocking incredible!
Cosmic Boy moves from side to side. He is the only one who can fly in outer space. Live Wire frowns at him.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
It’s so weird to fly without feeling gravity! I like it!
TRIAD (V.O.) I hope my weak sister doesn’t go berserk on me! Us!
44
Triad triplicates herself. Each persona has an armband and a wrist unit. Triad Two is very pleased to be in outer space and strikes a sensuous pose. Triad Three screams in terror. Triad One looks at her with great concern. Triad Two turns and glares at Triad Three.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.) Luornu! Are you all right?
TRIAD THREE (V.O.)
I-I’m all right. Now. It’s just being out here was so scary. Now it’s . . . sort of . . . nice.
TRIAD TWO
Nice? We’re hovering a million
clicks from any world, and that’s
all you can say? It’s sort of
nice? Sweet Trinity!
SHVAUGHN
Well, at least we know that our comlinks work. Now does everybody feel all right? Not every sentient being handles weightless- ness very well. If any of you feels ill, let me know right away.
The teens ad-lib variations of “No.”
SHVAUGHN (CONT’D)
Good. However, we’ll still spend a few minutes getting adjusted to this environment. Sometimes there can be a delayed reaction.
(to Triad Three)
And I’m proud of you, Luornu. For overcoming your fear. The purpose of this trip was to see how you all would react to being in an unusual environment with only your transuits to protect you. Many Science Police Cadets are disqualified at this
point. But you all adapted very
well. You have just passed one of your hardest tests.
45
The Legionnaires smile at each other.
LIVE WIRE
Hey, Rokk. Since we’re out here, why don’t you use your magnetism to make us all fly? I’d like to know how it feels when you do it.
COSMIC BOY
I’d be happy to, Garth. But I can only do it if you were wearing magnetic fibers like I am. If I use my power on the magnetic
minerals in your body, I could accidentally kill you.
SATURN GIRL
How about we join hands, and you pull us along?
COSMIC BOY
I can do that.
(to Triads)
But I can do it easier if I had
fewer people to pull.
TRIADS
We understand.
The Triads merge into one girl. Cosmic Boy is in front of the others as they join hands. Then he pulls them far away from the cruiser. They all rejoice.
SHVAUGHN
Garth was right! This is sprocking incredible!
APPARITION
You know, if we all were to wear metallic fibers, then Rokk could be our main source of transportation.
SATURN GIRL
If we all could fly, we could sneak up on our enemies easily.
46
COSMIC BOY
That’s a thought. However, it might be best if you all wore metallic belts. My magnetism works better when I concentrate it in small areas.
SHVAUGHN
You think you can levitate every- one, Rokk?
COSMIC BOY
Well, it’s easy out here in outer space where we’re weightless. The real test would be against the gravitational pull of a planet.
SHVAUGHN
Do you all want to test that theory?
THE LEGIONNAIRES
Yes!
MONTAGE
The Legionnaires are now wearing gold metallic belts, and they fly over Brande’s mansion while Cosmic Boy guides them. Brande and Shvaughn look on from below. They beam at the teens, who are doing tricky aerial stunts.
INT. THE COMPUTER ROOM IN THE MANSION – LATE NIGHT
Live Wire, now dressed in casual attire, is talking to a holo-gram of his MOTHER, his FATHER, and his twin sister AYLA.
Behind them is a sunny background.
MOTHER Son, you look exhausted. What’s wrong?
LIVE WIRE
Nothing’s wrong. You caught me in the middle of the night, Mother. I guess I’ve gotten used to Earth hours.
47
AYLA
So what’s it like to be a Legion- naire, big brother? Have you gone on any missions yet?
LIVE WIRE Not yet. We’re still in training.
FATHER I wish you would reconsider your career plans, Garth. We’re not comfortable with you being in that group.
LIVE WIRE It’s the only place where I really belong, Father. With my powers, I’m not wanted elsewhere.
MOTHER Oh, that’s not true. We want you back here with us.
LIVE WIRE
You’re the only Winathians who feel that way, Mother. Everybody else hates me.
FATHER Actually, Garth, you’re wrong.
When you helped capture Mano, you gave our world more prestige in the United Planets.
LIVE WIRE
Really?
FATHER
Yes. Our ambassadors in the United Planets have told us that they are very proud of you. What you did gave them a public relations coup that Winath never had before. They have been working overtime just to take advantage of that.
48
AYLA
(with mock jealousy)
You lucky nasshead. I wish I were the one who gained electrical powers. Then I would have been the hero in this family.
Live Wire laughs. The others laugh, too.
LIVE WIRE
Well, you’ll always be the smart twin, Ayla. No one is ever going to take that away from you.
The hologram starts to fade out. Static is heard.
FATHER Garth? Garth, can you--
LIVE WIRE Father? Mother? Ayla? Can you
hear me?
The hologram totally disappears. Then the lights and the computers go out. Live Wire then uses his electricity to light up his path. Then he yells.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
Mr. Brande! Mr. Brande! The
power has gone out in your mansion!
INT. THE UPSTAIRS HALLWAY – NIGHT
Live Wire lights up the corridor with his electricity. Brande and the teens are wearing night clothes.
LIVE WIRE
I was talking to my family on the warpspeed communication line when the power went out.
TRIAD Did you short out the place with your electricity, Garth?
49
LIVE WIRE
No. I would never do that.
SATURN GIRL
I believe you. I’m picking up on other people’s thoughts. At least those who are still awake. The
entire city is in a blackout.
APPARITION How can that be? Isn’t a Quintile Crystal the city’s power source?
LIVE WIRE What’s that?
BRANDE
It’s a gem of incredible energy.
One crystal has been powering all of Metropolis for the last three decades.
COSMIC BOY I didn’t think they ran out of energy.
BRANDE They don’t. I wonder if maybe the crystal has been stolen.
The lights turn back on. A low noise is heard.
BRANDE (CONT’D)
Ah. The emergency generator kicked in.
APPARITION How could it have been stolen?
BRANDE I don’t know, Tinya. But we’re going to find out. Get into your costumes, gang. I think you just got your first mission. And I’m coming with you.
50
TRIAD Mr. Brande, do you think that’s wise? You don’t have any super- powers.
BRANDE No, but I have influence. The Powersphere guards aren’t going to let strange teenagers into the building. With me there, you’ll all have a better chance to investigate. Now get changed.
LONG SHOT – BRANDE AND THE LEGIONNAIRES
They wear their costumes and metal belts (except for Brande).
Triad pilots the open-air, anti-gravity vehicle through the air.
Brande tries to use a cellular phone, but to no avail.
BRANDE By damn. The blackout has affected the communication lines. I can’t get this old antique to put me through to the Powersphere.
SATURN GIRL Quiet, everyone! I’m picking up on some strange thoughts! Give me a moment to concentrate!
(closes her eyes)
Lu, stop! Now!
They stop in midair.
COSMIC BOY What is it, Imra?
SATURN GIRL
The crystal has been stolen! I’m sensing the thief’s thoughts! In that direction!
(points to the side)
I’ll keep us in mental communica-
tion! He hasn’t spotted us yet!
Rokk, fly us down lower so he
51
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
won’t see us! I’ll guide you to him! Mr. Brande, you contact the Science Police and bring them here!
BRANDE Right, Imra.
Brande takes control of the vehicle. Cosmic Boy gestures, and
the Legionnaires levitate out of it. Then the teens descend. Brande flies the vehicle away.
THE LEGIONNAIRES
They descend behind a building.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
He’s coming this way.
TRIAD (V.O.)
Who is he?
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
It’s the Persuader.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
The Persuader! I’ve heard of him!
He robbed some people on Braal a few days ago!
APPARITION (V.O.)
What powers does he have?
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Physically, he’s extremely strong.
Almost invulnerable. His body has
been fortified artificially. But
his Atomic Axe is what we have to worry about. It can cut through matter and energy by canceling molecular bonds. He’s invisible because his axe is cutting the light beams before they can touch his body.
Cosmic Boy gapes.
52
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
So that’s how he escaped from the Braalian Police Force! They never saw him make his getaway!
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
He stowed away on a flight leaving Braal. His invisibility works best at night. When there are fewer light beams. Also, more people are asleep at night. It makes it easier for him to rob them.
Saturn Girl turns to the others and gestures for them to stand back.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
He’s almost in range for me to use my mesmerism on him. Don’t let him see us.
The Legionnaires duck behind the corner. Saturn Girl closes her eyes.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
Stop where you are!
A HAZY OUTLINE of a BIG MUSCULAR MAN and a LARGE AXE forms in front of the building. Saturn Girl groans.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D) Uhh. His mind isn’t like other people’s! The strain . . . almost too much to take!
(with authority)
Now put down your Atomic Axe and walk away from it!
The outline shows the man struggling to put down the axe. He obviously resists the urge to do it. Saturn Girl moans.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
Put down your axe! Do it now! I command you!
53
The outline shows the man swinging the axe. Saturn Girls yells in pain while the outline morphs into the PERSUADER. He wears blue armor and an armored face mask. He holds the Quintile
Crystal in his other hand.
LIVE WIRE
Imra!
SATURN GIRL
I’m . . . all right! I got out in time!
The Persuader leaps in front of them.
PERSUADER Bloody nass! A telepath from Titan! And you other kids! What the hell is going on here!
Live Wire projects lightning at the Persuader. The axe cuts short the lightning, much to Live Wire’s shock.
LIVE WIRE
Grife! That’s impossible!
Cosmic Boy gestures. The Persuader’s axe and crystal are pulled in Cosmic Boy’s direction. However, the Persuader still holds onto them.
PERSUADER
A Braalian magnet man? Good thing my axe can negate magnetic forces!
The Persuader’s axe glows, and it and the crystal are no longer pulled in Cosmic Boy’s direction. The Persuader runs to Cosmic
Boy. Apparition gets in between them.
APPARITION
Rokk, run!
Cosmic Boy runs from them. The Persuader raises his axe to Apparition. She smirks.
PERSUADER
So you want to die in his place?
Fine by me, girl!
54
The Persuader swings his axe at Apparition. It merely passes through her. She laughs at him. He swings the axe at her again with the same result.
PERSUADER (CONT’D)
A Bgtzl phantom! Well, you can’t hurt me anymore than I can’t hurt you! But I can hurt them!
The Persuader leaps to where the others are. Cosmic Boy gestures, and they fly away from the villain. All except for
Apparition.
PERSUADER (CONT’D)
Good move, magnet man! But my axe can cut through gravity, too!
As Apparition looks on, the Persuader leaps up to where the
others are hovering. He then swings his axe around next to them.
PERSUADER (CONT’D) Just like it cuts through magnetic forces!
The others fall to the ground. Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Live Wire are knocked unconscious. Triad lands gracefully on her feet.
TRIAD (V.O.)
Triple strength, I love you! Got to wake them up before--
The Persuader lands in front of Triad.
TRIAD (V.O. CONT’D)
Oh, nass!
TRIAD AND PERSUADER
PERSUADER
You’re strong, girl! But just how tough are you?
TRIAD (V.O.)
Got to triplicate above him!
55
The other two Triads materialize over the Persuader and fall on him. He still holds onto his axe as he falls.
TRIAD ONE
Grab his axe! Use tri-karate on
him!
Triad Two tries to take the axe while Triad Three gives him a karate chop to the neck. Neither are successful. Persuader
turns on his side and is about to use his axe on the Triads.
TRIAD ONE (V.O.)
Got to get them away from him!
Triads Two and Three disappear, leaving the remaining Triad standing some distance from the Persuader. He stands up and prepares to throw his axe at her. Before he throws his axe, Triads Two and Three appear behind him. He throws the axe at Triad One, who then disappears. Behind him, Triads Two and Three merge into one girl. The axe hurls back into the Persuader’s hand. He looks at where Triad One used to be. Triad smirks.
TRIAD
You can’t catch me! Not when I can appear in three places and merge back together again!
Triad sticks out her tongue and puts her hands to her ears. The Persuader is about to throw his axe at her again.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
NO! LEAVE HER ALONE!
The Persuader suddenly stops getting up. He groans while the axe, the crystal, and Triad fly away from him.
TRIAD
She and the objects fly to the Legionnaires. Cosmic Boy pulls the crystal and axe into his hands. Live Wire smiles knowingly and raises his hands.
LIVE WIRE
Now that Triad is safely out of the way . . .
56
THE LEGIONNAIRES AND PERSUADER
Live Wire projects intense lightning at the Persuader. The Persuader yells in pain, but he struggles to stand up.
LIVE WIRE
Nass! I can’t stop him! And I’m using full power!
SATURN GIRL
Keep blasting him! But leave his mind to me!
Live Wire blasts the Persuader under his neck. Saturn Girl closes her eyes. Cosmic Boy gestures.
COSMIC BOY
Plenty of magnetic metal in his armor! Garth, you strike his feet while I crush his armor!
Live Wire now blasts the Persuader’s feet. Then Cosmic Boy makes the Persuader’s armor crush itself into his body. He screams in pain before he finally collapses.
SATURN GIRL
He’s unconscious! We did it! We
stopped him!
Live Wire and Cosmic Boy stop using their powers. Triad looks at them and Saturn Girl in astonishment.
TRIAD
I thought you guys were knocked out by the fall.
APPARITION
They were. But I quickly woke up Imra. Then she telepathically woke the boys up. In time for Rokk to save you.
SATURN GIRL
(rubs her cheek)
Ow! Did you have to slap me so hard, Tinya?
57
APPARITION
Just don’t tell my mother that I turned solid during this. Or else she’ll phase me out of the team as quickly as possible.
SATURN GIRL
I sense Brande is coming here with the Science Police. They can take the crystal to the Powersphere.
LIVE WIRE
But why did he want the crystal?
Was he going to sell it on the black market?
SATURN GIRL
No, Garth. He wanted the crystal to power his own warpspeed cruiser.
So he can go from one world to
another in minutes. He was going to steal the cruiser later on.
APPARITION Grife. If he had done that, then no one could have possibly stopped him. Garth, if it weren’t for you being awake tonight . . .
LIVE WIRE
We couldn’t have captured him.
(beams)
Wait until I tell my family how they played a big part in this.
They’ll never believe me.
TRIAD
(very somberly)
Enjoy every minute you have with your family, Garth. You never know when they might leave you in the future.
The others give Triad a look. Live Wire starts to say something
but he is stopped by:
58
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
No, Garth. Don’t ask what she meant by that. I’ll explain it to you later.
BRANDE’S MANSION/DINING ROOM – NOON
The Legionnaires, dressed in regular attire, are having lunch. Then Brande walks in with a gigantic smile on his face.
BRANDE
Everyone, I have great news. The United Planets were very impressed with your capturing Mano. So they decided to sponsor the Legion.
TRIAD
Oh, Mr. Brande. That’s terrific.
APPARITION
Hold that thought, Lu. The U.P.
must be wanting something in return. What is it, Mr. Brande?
BRANDE
The United Planets . . . with
matching funds from me . . .
will build Legion headquarters and provide you with all the necessary equipment for your missions. And they will make you law-enforcement officials on all of the U.P. worlds.
(beat, hesitantly)
Provided that the Legion recruit new members.
APPARITION
Aha. I knew it. The U.P. wants to tell us how we should operate.
BRANDE
Representatives Ivar and Kwin told me that the U.P. will not be the overseers of the Legion.
59
SATURN GIRL
If Xamuel said that, then I
believe it.
TRIAD
But I don’t want strangers on our team.
COSMIC BOY
We knew the Legion couldn’t be charter members forever. And truth be told, we could use more diversity and manpower in our ranks.
SATURN GIRL
And with the U.P. supporting us,
our reputation will become even more enhanced.
APPARITION
Or ruined. If the political situation gets bad, we could be in a lot of trouble. I’ve seen
my mother’s ambassador friends suffer because of politics. It’s not going to be easy, guys.
TRIAD
Tinya has a point.
LIVE WIRE
But we can’t pass up the chance to
become official representatives on our worlds.
(to Triad)
This might help us change things for the better on our planets.
TRIAD
Hmm. I never thought of that.
COSMIC BOY
Will the U.P. be choosing the new Legionnaires?
60
BRANDE
No, you will choose the recruits.
But the U.P. does insist on one
condition.
APPARITION
And that is?
BRANDE
The applicants must be graduates
of the Science Police Academy on their worlds.
SATURN GIRL
That will save us time since we won’t have to train them.
BRANDE
Exactly.
LIVE WIRE
How many applicants are there?
BRANDE
Well, so far there are only four.
But there may be more of them on the way.
COSMIC BOY
Where will the auditions be held?
BRANDE
The U.P. has generously donated their largest meeting for just that occasion. You can hold the auditions there while Legion Headquarters is being built. And you can hold future auditions in your headquarters.
LIVE WIRE
Future auditions? We’ll have to do this more than once?
BRANDE
But of course, my lad.
61
COSMIC BOY
Well, I say we should accept the U.P.’s offer. How about the rest of you?
SATURN GIRL
I vote yes.
LIVE WIRE
Same here.
TRIAD
If it will help . . . make things easier in the long run, who am I to argue?
BRANDE
Tinya, what do you think?
APPARITION
As long as we know what we’re in for . . . all right.
INT. THE UNITED PLANETS MEETING HALL – MORNING
The hall is shaped like a medium-sized stadium. The nine APPLICANTS are standing in the pit. Next to them is a huge block of metal. The applicants look up at the costumed
Legionnaires, who are seated in the center of the upper arena. Cosmic Boy then stands up and presses a digital computer. A small holographic screen appears in front of him. He looks at the names on the screen.
COSMIC BOY
Applicants, when I call out your name, please step forward and demonstrate your abilities to us.
Our first applicant is Querl Dox of Colu.
The green-skinned, blond-haired BRAINIAC steps in front of the Legionnaires. The applicants whisper to each other. Brainiac wears a yellow compartmentized belt.
BRAINIAC I call myself Brainiac. As you
62
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
know, the Coluans’ advanced tech-
nology was responsible in creating the United Planets. We gave the U.P. ambassadors gravium rings. So they could not be harmed by another world’s greater gravity.
Brainiac lifts up his right hand. On his middle finger is a golden ring. The stone is cut to show an “L” next to a star-burst symbol.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
I have made an improvement in the gravium ring. Which I shall now demonstrate.
Brainiac rises up almost to the ceiling. The others react as he does several aerial tricks.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
My new flight ring allows its
owner to redirect gravity and
fly. It is controlled solely by the owner’s will power. It can lift up to 180 kilograms of weight.
And its maximum speed is 120 kilometers per hour.
Brainiac then lands in front of the Legionnaires.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
My flight ring also contains a midrange tracking device and a holographic communicator. I can invent more flight rings for all the Legionnaires.
COSMIC BOY
That would my job easier. I wouldn’t have to levitate all of us anymore.
BRAINIAC
Exactly. And my force-field belt is another invention of mine.
63
Brainiac now glows in a white aura.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
Not only does it protect me from harm, but it also filters the carbon dioxide I exhale. It takes away the carbon atoms and leaves pure oxygen for me to breathe.
My will power controls my belt. I can make it project the force field anywhere.
Brainiac loses his aura while the Legionnaires are put inside of one.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
Even around you Legionnaires.
LIVE WIRE
Hey! Let us out of here!
BRAINIAC
I shall. But only after you try
to escape from my force field.
Cosmic Boy and Live Wire try their powers against it, but to no avail. Apparition cannot pass through it.
LIVE WIRE
Grife! It absorbs my lightning!
COSMIC BOY
And my magnetism! Incredible!
SATURN GIRL
It blocks my telepathy, too!
APPARITION
Even I can’t free myself! It’s an anti-phasing field! Just like the ones Colu created for the Bgtzl
prison camps!
The force field disappears. Brainiac smiles. Live Wire sighs in relief.
64
BRAINIAC
I do apologize if I frightened you
Legionnaires. I merely wanted to demonstrate the effectiveness of my force-field belt. I am also knowledgeable of all the inter-
galactic sciences, healing skills,
and languages. My intellect, flight rings, and force-field belt are what I have to offer the Legion. Will you allow me to join your team?
LEGIONNAIRES
Yes!
INVISIBLE KID
He is a cocky-looking, dark-haired teen. He smirks at the Legionnaires.
COSMIC BOY
Lyle Norg of Earth.
Invisible Kid steps in front of the Legionnaires.
LIVE WIRE
Hey, what’s going on here? Earth-
lings don’t have super-powers!
INVISIBLE KID
This one does. I call myself the Invisible Kid.
He suddenly fades away into nothingness. The others react modestly while Live Wire gapes in shock.
INVISIBLE KID (V.O.)
For obvious reasons. I am a
child prodigy. I graduated from
Metropolis University at the age of eight. With honors in
biochemistry.
Invisible Kid reappears, but he does it many feet away from where he had disappeared.
65
INVISIBLE KID
I developed a serum that renders myself and my clothing invisible. I can remain invisible for an indefinite period of time. No one can find me. Well, maybe someone with radar. Or heat and motion
detectors.
(looks at Saturn Girl)
And telepathy. But invisibility is not my only talent. My intel-
lect has been rated in the 99th percentile among Earthlings. The Metropolis University will verify that. And my biochemistry back- ground qualifies me as a medic.
SATURN GIRL
My telepathy tells me that he speaks the truth. His power and intelligence would be great assets to the Legion. I nominate him
for membership.
LIVE WIRE
I second the nomination.
APPARITION He gets my vote.
TRIAD
Mine, too.
COSMIC BOY
And I make it unanimous. So congratulations, Invisible Kid.
INVISIBLE KID
Thanks. You won’t regret it.
SHRINKING VIOLET
She is a brunette dressed in purple. She stands among the applicants. She appears to be overwhelmed by all of the people around her.
66
COSMIC BOY
Salu Digby of Imsk.
She steps in front of the Legionnaires.
VIOLET
(very shy and quiet)
I . . . call myself . . . Shrinking
Violet.
TRIAD
What’s that? We couldn’t hear you.
VIOLET
(too loudly)
I call myself Shrinking Violet!
Except for Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Brainiac, the others laugh. Violet blushes.
COSMIC BOY
Ignore them, Salu. Show us what you can do.
VIOLET
On Imsk, everyone can shrink down in size to a few centimeters. But I can shrink myself down to sub- atomic size if need be.
Violet slowly shrinks in size. The others react.
VIOLET (CONT’D)
I can shrink slowly. Or very
quickly.
Violet quickly shrinks out of sight. The others react with shocked expressions. Then Violet quickly grows to her normal size almost instantly.
VIOLET (CONT’D)
As well as grow quickly back to
my normal size.
The others react to this. She shrugs and faintly smiles.
67
VIOLET (CONT’D)
In my subatomic size, I shrink down air molecules with me so I can breathe. I also cannot be stopped by barriers. I can pass through the space that is in between their molecules.
APPARITION
That’s what I do. Amazing.
VIOLET
(now with a bold grin)
Of course, if I had one of
Brainiac’s flight rings, I could go through them even
faster.
Saturn Girl stands up and looks solemnly at Violet.
SATURN GIRL
Violet. Salu. While we think your power is very impressive, I sense everyone is concerned about your shy nature. Would you mind if I did a telepathic scan of your personality? To be sure that you have what it takes to become a Legionnaire?
VIOLET
I do not mind at all. Go ahead.
Saturn Girl closes her eyes and puts her fingers to her temples.
VIOLET
She is dressed in a Science Police uniform. She wears a jet pack and flies through the areas in between some very large molecules. Violet also carries a ray gun.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
I see you on your most important case for the Science Police. A case only you could handle because
of your subatomic shrinking. You
68
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
used a jet pack to fly yourself
around some molecules.
INT. A RUN-DOWN HOUSE – NIGHT
There are several armed TERRORISTS in there. Three of them are building a bomb, which remains in many pieces.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Amazing. Despite your inherent shyness, you took on the worst radicals on Imsk by yourself. You
flew around the wall of their hide-
out. You examined their explosive device and knew it would not go off accidentally.
Violet quickly grows and blasts the radicals with her ray gun. They all pass out.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
Then you blasted them unconscious.
Violet lands and keeps her ray gun on them. She then dials a digital phone and speaks silently into it.
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
And summoned your fellow Science Police Officers to pick them up. Very impressive. You captured all of them with minimal force.
RESUME VIOLET IN FRONT OF THE LEGIONNAIRES
Saturn Girl opens her eyes and smiles at Violet.
SATURN GIRL
She truly is the best that Imsk has to offer us. I nominate her for membership.
LIVE WIRE
Anyone Imra endorses automatically gets my vote.
69
TRIAD
I like her. I vote yes.
APPARITION
We have a lot in common. I also
vote yes.
COSMIC BOY
It’s unanimous. Congratulations,
Shrinking Violet.
Violet smiles bashfully at them.
VIOLET
Thank you. Thank you very much.
XS
XS is a black girl. She stands among the other applicants.
COSMIC BOY
Jenni Ognats of Aarok.
She walks in front of the Legionnaires.
XS
I call myself XS.
She then runs at super-speed. At every pause in her following lines, she is seen standing at a different place before speeding off to another one. The Legionnaires strain to keep their eyes on her.
XS
For . . . the . . . obvious . . . reason . . . that . . . I . . . can . . . move . . . at . . . super . . . speed.
XS then stops in front of the Legionnaires.
SATURN GIRL
How can you move so fast? The people of Aarok don’t have super-
speed powers.
70
XS
I guess being a half-breed Earth-
ling/Aarokite will do that to you. I can run on water, and I’m immune to friction heat. I can break the sound barrier without creating a sonic boom. But if you want me to create a sonic boom against your enemies, I can do that, too. So what do you say?
COSMIC BOY
I nominate her for membership. We need someone with quick reflexes.
LIVE WIRE
I agree. I like her spirit.
SATURN GIRL
My telepathy says she will need more formal training with her powers. But she is eager to
learn. She gets my vote.
APPARITION
Brainiac can easily train her. I vote to let her join the Legion.
TRIAD
I’ll make it unanimous. Welcome to the Legion, XS.
XS
Thank you. I promise not to let the Legionnaires down.
LYDDA JATH
She is a brunette dressed in a black-and-gray outfit.
COSMIC BOY
Lydda Jath of Kathoon.
Lydda steps in front of Cosmic Boy and smiles at him. He smiles back at her. Obviously sparks are flying between them.
71
LYDDA
I call myself Strong Girl.
She approaches the huge block of metal.
COSMIC BOY
Really?
LYDDA
Yes. When I was a child, I became very ill with a rare virus. My father was a scientist who used a vitalizing ray to heal me. But it also gave me super-strength and stamina. As I will now demonstrate for you.
Lydda bends down and puts her hands under the block. She tries to lift it up, but she can’t do it. No matter how hard she strains and groans.
COSMIC BOY
What’s wrong?
LYDDA
This is impossible! I’ve lost my strength! How can that be?
Brainiac walks up to Lydda.
BRAINIAC
Miss Jath, is this your first time
away from Kathoon?
LYDDA
Yes, it is.
BRAINIAC
And Kathoon is a world that is in perpetual darkness, correct?
LYDDA
Yes. All of my people can see in the dark as a result of that.
72
BRAINIAC
You were never exposed to light before today, were you?
LYDDA
No. What are you getting at?
BRAINIAC
Based on the facts we have just established, my deduction is that you lost your super-strength when you were exposed to the light on Earth.
LYDDA
Ohhhhh . . .
COSMIC BOY
Nooooo . . .
SATURN GIRL
Lydda, I am truly sorry, but we must reject your application to join us. A Legionnaire must have superhuman powers at all times.
Cosmic Boy is totally crestfallen just like Lydda is.
LYDDA
I . . . I understand. I would
only be in the way under these
circumstances. I’ll go back to Kathoon.
Lydda turns around and heads for the exit. Cosmic Boy looks at her. She turns her head and looks back at him. Live Wire sees
that they are obviously smitten with each other.
LIVE WIRE
Lydda, wait!
LYDDA
Yes?
LIVE WIRE
We can’t let you leave without
73
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
a consolation prize. It’s the least we can do for you. Since you took the time to audition for us.
LYDDA
What is the consolation prize?
LIVE WIRE
Since you’re a heroine on your world, you need to get around as fast as possible. So a flight ring would really help you.
BRAINIAC
It certainly would, Live Wire. I shall be most pleased to provide Miss Jath with a flight ring. Of course, I must measure her finger for a proper fit. Since I must do the same for the Legionnaires, it would only make sense that I measure all of you at the same time. You must stay, Miss Jath, so we can make an appointment agreeable with our schedules.
LYDDA
Thank you. I will.
Lydda walks away while she looks at Cosmic Boy. He has a big grin on his face. Saturn Girl looks at Live Wire.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
You’re a romantic at heart, aren’t you, Garth?
LIVE WIRE (V.O.)
I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Imra.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Come off it. You knew Rokk and Lydda liked each other. But they
74
SATURN GIRL (V.O. CONT’D)
were both too shy to do anything about it. Now, thanks to you, they have a second chance. I think you’re one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met.
LIVE WIRE (V.O.)
(too lustfully)
Ohhhh? Really?
Saturn Girl now frowns at him, much to his surprise.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Garth, please don’t ruin this nice moment with your lewd thoughts.
Live Wire looks away in embarrassment.
ANDROMEDA
She is a six-foot blonde with a healthy physique and a strong beauty. She is wearing a transuit.
COSMIC BOY
Laurel Gand of Daxam.
Gasps are heard from the others. Andromeda flies over the applicants and lands next to the huge block. She smiles at the Legionnaires.
TRIAD
A Daxamite? But they can’t be on a world with lead! Just a trace of lead kills them! Even if they have super-powers while under a yellow sun!
Andromeda points out the armband and wrist unit on her transuit.
ANDROMEDA
That is why I am wearing a tran-
suit. It protects me from the lead in Earth’s atmosphere. You can call me Andromeda.
75
COSMIC BOY
Laurel Gand? Lar Gand was Valor’s real name. Is there any relation between you and Valor?
ANDROMEDA I am his direct descendant. I was named in his honor.
The others react with oohs and aahs.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
I possess all of Valor’s powers.
Whose might surpassed that of the legendary Superman. Virtual
invulnerability, speed, flight,
enhanced senses, and laser vision are what I can offer the Legion.
She then lifts the block up and holds it over her head. The others gasp and point at this sight.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
Not to mention super-strength.
She gently sets the block back down.
TRIAD
You are as powerful as Valor!
LIVE WIRE
But if you wear a transuit, it
might be torn on a mission. Then you might die from lead poisoning.
We can’t let you take that risk.
APPARITION
After all, it is fairly easy to rip your transuit.
ANDROMEDA
With my powers, it would be
impossible for anyone to take me by surprise. To prove it,
I dare anyone here to try and touch me.
76
The Legionnaires and applicants stare at Andromeda. All except for Saturn Girl, who has her eyes closed and concentrates. She then moans in pain and opens her eyes. Andromeda smiles know-
ingly at Saturn Girl.
SATURN GIRL
Her mind . . . too tough to
control.
ANDROMEDA
My super-brain cannot be mesmer-
ized. Now come on, Legionnaires.
Surely one of you can--
(beat, smiles)
Ah! I see one of you is already trying to attack me! Nice try,
Cosmic Boy!
Andromeda’s eyes glow red, and then they project red beams in front of her.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
But my super-vision detected your magnetic forces approaching me. My laser vision will negate your power since great heat cancels out organic magnetism.
Andromeda stops shining the red beams.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
I know you wouldn’t have torn my transuit, but you could have
readjusted my wrist-control unit.
Just to show that you could have affected my transuit.
Andromeda then flies upward and comes down again with her hands in clutching positions.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
You can’t sneak up on someone who has super-hearing, Invisible Kid.
I heard your heartbeat as you approached me.
77
Invisible Kid materializes in her hands.
INVISIBLE KID
All right! I give! Let go!
She lets go of him. He gives her a dirty look as he walks away.
LIVE WIRE
Even if I tried to throw a light- ning bolt at you, you would just run away at super-speed.
ANDROMEDA
Or I could fly. Your power only affects grounded objects. If I were hovering, your lightning would pass through me harmlessly.
Apparition passes through the arena wall and lands in front of
Andromeda.
APPARITION
Let’s see you capture a phantom from Bgtzl! I can touch you, but you can’t touch me! I can rip your transuit at any time!
ANDROMEDA
I suppose I could fly from you.
But that would look cowardly.
Andromeda lets out a super-shout. The others cover up their ears, especially Apparition. Andromeda then grabs Apparition by her shoulders and lifts her up.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
I could have easily knocked you out. Instead, I chose to show everyone how easy it was to
capture you. Just one little shout to make you lose your concentration. And you turned solid again. Long enough for me to touch you.
Andromeda lets go of Apparition, who walks away very stunned.
78
XS then runs at Andromeda at super-speed. However, Andromeda uses her super-speed to keep away from her.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
XS, compared to me, you’re just too slow.
XS stops. Then Andromeda does the same. Then Andromeda flies
upward at super-speed. Where she stood is a force field created by Brainiac’s belt. He smiles up at her. She smiles back at him.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
I can even see the energy coming out of Brainiac’s belt before it can form a force field around me.
Andromeda lands in front of the Legion.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
So . . . am I in or out?
THE LEGIONNAIRES
You’re in!
ANDROMEDA
That’s the best decision you all ever made.
REFLECTO
He is a blond teen wearing a golden costume and cape. He stands among the other applicants.
COSMIC BOY
Reflecto of Rimbor.
Reflecto steps in front of the Legion. Brainiac quickly walks up beside Reflecto.
BRAINIAC
Excuse me. Before you continue,
there is something I must do.
COSMIC BOY
Why do you have to do it now?
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BRAINIAC
You shall see momentarily. Reep, stand close to me.
Reflecto stands next to Brainiac. A moment later, they are surrounded by a force field.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
You are safe now, Reep. You may reveal your true identity.
Reflecto morphs into CHAMELEON, an orange-skinned, bald teen with antennae. The Legionnaires and applicants react in shock at him. Some of the applicants approach the force field while prepared to attack or defend themselves.
XS
Oh, my God! He’s a Durlan!
TRIAD
Those shape-shifters aren’t allowed to leave their world!
APPARITION
How did he breach our security measures?
CHAMELEON Please! I mean you no harm!
INVISIBLE KID
He’s auditioning for the Legion!
ANDROMEDA
What? You can’t be serious!
BRAINIAC
How astute you are, Mr. Norg.
Saturn Girl closes her eyes and concentrates.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Everyone, remain calm. Brainiac has the situation under control.
Now please step away from them.
80
The applicants back away from Brainiac and Chameleon.
SATURN GIRL
You can turn off your force field,
Querl. I’ve calmed everybody down telepathically.
CHAMELEON
I apologize for the deception, Legionnaires. I would have preferred to audition in my true form. But the U.P. High Council feared for my safety. That is why they asked Brainiac to escort me to Earth. So he could protect me from any over-anxious people with his force field.
BRAINIAC
As you know, Durla is the only
U.P. world that does not have representatives on other planets.
Because the U.P. representatives believed that the Durlans might camouflage themselves and invade those worlds. However, the Durlan government asked the High Council to make changes. The High Council thought that it was a reasonable
request.
CHAMELEON
My applying for Legion membership would be the first step to more U.P. representation for my world.
To show all U.P. representatives that Durlans can be trusted.
COSMIC BOY
A shape-shifter can be most useful
in our missions. Just what are the limits of your powers?
CHAMELEON
I can assume the form of anyone that I have seen.
81
Chameleon quickly morphs into COSMIC BOY TWO. The other people, except for Brainiac, are stunned by this.
COSMIC BOY TWO
However, while I look and sound like Cosmic Boy, I do not possess his power of magnetism. Durlans can only assume the forms, not the powers, of other creatures.
But in these forms, we do have some of their abilities.
Cosmic Boy Two morphs into a BIRD. The bird opens its beak in sync with Chameleon’s lines.
CHAMELEON (V.O.)
For example, while I cannot lay a bird’s egg . . .
The bird then flies over the arena.
CHAMELEON (V.O.CONT’D)
I can fly like a bird. And as
you can hear, I can talk with my normal voice while in animal form.
The bird lands next to the block. Then the bird morphs into an identical block.
CHAMELEON (V.O. CONT’D)
I can also assume the forms of
inanimate objects. And still talk despite not having a mouth. While I am more massive and tougher in this form, I am not as massive or as tough as the actual block. But now I am a large barrier to non-
superhumans.
The duplicate block now morphs into a dark mist.
CHAMELEON (V.O. CONT’D)
I can also blind my enemies by
becoming a very thick smoke
screen.
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The dark mist now becomes a large net with heavy weights on the ends. The weights crash on the floor.
CHAMELEON (V.O. CONT’D)
I can bind my foes by becoming a net.
The net now becomes a curving slide that reaches up to the ceiling.
CHAMELEON (V.O. CONT’D)
I can rescue people from a burning
building by changing myself into a fireproof slide.
The slide now turns into a large pile of foam.
CHAMELEON (V.O. CONT’D)
I can even put out fires by
becoming fire-extinguishing foam.
The foam morphs into Chameleon.
CHAMELEON
I can change shapes instantly.
And I can retain a singular shape for an indefinite period of time.
BRAINIAC
Those abilities are quite rare on his world.
CHAMELEON
I promise to use my powers only for Legion missions.
(to Saturn Girl)
And I willingly submit myself to your telepathic probing. To prove that I sincerely wish to join the Legion and help my people achieve more U.P. representation.
SATURN GIRL
There is no need. I sensed your sincerity during your audition.
83
She faces the Legionnaires.
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
He is telling the truth. And I nominate him for membership.
LIVE WIRE
Then I second the nomination.
TRIAD
Change is good for everyone. I vote yes.
APPARITION
My mother is on the U.P. High
Council. If she thought this was a good idea, then I must agree with her. I vote yes as well.
COSMIC BOY
And I make it unanimous. Welcome to the Legion . . . uh . . . I’m
sorry. I don’t know your name.
CHAMELEON
I’m the one who should apologize.
I didn’t give it to you. My real name is Reep Daggle. But you can call me the Chameleon.
LEVIATHAN
He is a big, muscular, brown-haired teen. He stands with the other applicants. Violet smirks at him. He smirks back.
COSMIC BOY
Gim Allon of Mars.
Leviathan steps in front of the Legionnaires.
LEVIATHAN
I call myself Leviathan.
Leviathan then grows to gigantic size, much to the shock of the others.
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LEVIATHAN (CONT’D)
For obvious reasons. Not only can I become giant sized, I also gain the proportional strength of a giant.
Leviathan bends down and picks up the metal block. He groans a bit as he does this.
BRAINIAC
Of course. You would need super-
strength to keep from being crushed by your massive weight.
LEVIATHAN
Correct.
Leviathan puts the block back down. Then he shrinks back to normal size.
APPARITION
I thought Mars was a colony of Earth’s
government. So isn’t Earth violating the audition rules by having two men
apply for Legion membership.
LEVIATHAN
Actually, Apparition, Mars is now an
independent planet. This happened within the last year.
APPARITION
(instantly blushes)
Well, I’m embarrassed.
LEVIATHAN
No need to be. Most people still consider Mars to be a colonized planet. No one expects you to keep up with every planet’s history.
TRIAD
If you are descended from Earthlings,
how did you gain your super-power,
Leviathan?
85
LEVIATHAN
I was almost hit by a radioactive meteor that landed on Mars. Its weird radiation gave me my growth power. I can grow up to one hundred feet maximum, but that tires me out very quickly. When I grow up to only thirty feet or so, I can remain that size for over an hour.
SATURN GIRL
Can you use your power very quickly?
LEVIATHAN
I can shrink and grow as fast as Violet can change her size.
Violet smiles at Leviathan. He returns the smile.
LIVE WIRE
You’d make a good barrier if
nothing else. I nominate him for Legion membership.
SATURN GIRL
And I second the nomination.
APPARITION
So do I.
COSMIC BOY
I also want him in the Legion.
TRIAD
Then it’s unanimous. Big Boy here is now a Legionnaire.
LEVIATHAN
I am? Thanks, guys! I promise not to let you down!
Violet walks over to Leviathan and shakes his hand. She talks very quietly.
VIOLET
Congratulations . . . Leviathan.
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LEVIATHAN
Thank you, Violet. It will be a pleasure to work with you.
VIOLET
I know it will be for me.
POLAR BOY
He is wearing a purple parka. He stands with all the other applicants.
COSMIC BOY
Brek Bannin of Tharr.
Polar Boy steps in front of the Legionnaires.
POLAR BOY
I call myself Polar Boy. Because I have the power to create intense cold. As I shall now demonstrate.
Polar Boy gestures. Suddenly, frost forms in the room, and the others, except for Andromeda, turn blue and shiver.
TRIAD
St-St-Stop! We’re fr-freezing!
POLAR BOY
Oh, nass!
Polar Boy stops projecting the cold. Andromeda shines red beams on the others and the frost.
ANDROMEDA
This will warm you all up.
The people moan in delight as they feel the beams hit them. The frost also melts. As this happens, Saturn Girl speaks to Polar Boy.
SATURN GIRL
Polar Boy--Brek. I am sorry, but until you gain complete control over your power, we cannot allow you to become a Legionnaire.
87
POLAR BOY
I understand. I want to apologize to all of you for what I’ve done.
I didn’t mean you any harm. Truly I did not.
LIVE WIRE
We know that. Accidents happen. It took me some time before I was able to control my power. Why don’t you reapply again after you learn to control your power?
POLAR BOY
(weakly smiles)
Thank you. I’ll do that.
BRAINIAC
Your power would be put to better use in hot arid places. You could bring cool relief to the sentients on those worlds. I shall recommend to the United Planets that they hire you just for that purpose.
POLAR BOY
(beams)
Really? Thank you! Thank you very much!
BRAINIAC
And, of course, I shall provide you with a flight ring to aid you on those worlds.
POLAR BOY
Oh! I-I don’t know what to say!
BRAINIAC
I do. Now that the auditions are over, I can begin issuing flight rings to all of you. If you shall follow me to the Coluan Embassy, we may start the process.
The others react with ad-libs of delight to that idea.
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INT. THE COLUAN EMBASSY/LABORATORY – LATER
Brainiac stands near a desk that has a finger-measuring kit on it. Behind him are various chemicals and microcomputers on another desk. Andromeda has her right hand on in front of his face. He measures her middle finger with his kit.
ANDROMEDA
Brainiac, I’d like to offer my services to you.
BRAINIAC
You do? In what capacity?
ANDROMEDA
I’d like to donate my body to Colu for medical examination. To find a cure for Daxamite lead poisoning.
Brainiac looks at her.
BRAINIAC Andromeda, I admire your good intentions. But the Coluans have tried to find that cure several times. And we have always failed.
ANDROMEDA
But your test subjects weren’t the descendant of Valor. He was the only Daxamite not to die from lead poisoning.
BRAINIAC
That was because he was a mutant. And I mean that in the sincerest form of the word.
ANDROMEDA
I know. It was that mutation that allowed him to become a legend
throughout the universe. Some of his genetic code exists in my body. With it, perhaps you can unlock the secret of how he was immune to lead poisoning.
89
BRAINIAC
That is theoretically possible. And most intriguing.
ANDROMEDA
Now you know why I auditioned for the Legion. So I could meet a Coluan like yourself. Your people are supposed to be the most intel- ligent sentients in the universe.
Surely with your latest technology, one of you can find my people the cure they most desperately need.
BRAINIAC
Andromeda, I accept your proposal.
ANDROMEDA
You accept? You mean, you want to find the cure?
BRAINIAC
Once Legion Headquarters is built. I shall have the most up-to-date Coluan laboratory within its premises. In between Legion missions, we can work on finding the cure.
ANDROMEDA
That’s perfect. That will--
(frowns, realizes)
Oh, wait. You’ll have to take tissue and blood samples from me. I’m invulnerable under Earth’s yellow sun. I lose my powers only under a red sun like Daxam’s. So that means you can not take any samples while I’m on Earth. We will have to go to Daxam instead.
BRAINIAC
I can create a red solar lamp that shall take away your powers on a temporary basis. Then I can take the necessary samples from you.
90
ANDROMEDA
Oh, Brainy! You think of every- thing!
She quickly grabs his head and gives him a kiss. His eyes bug out as she releases him. She is instantly embarrassed. He shakes his head in confusion.
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
Oh, Brainiac, I am sorry about that. It’s just that Daxamites are very emotional beings, and, well . . .
BRAINIAC
I understand, Andromeda. And I am most glad that you have chosen me to perhaps become your world’s savior. I promise to do my best to help your people.
ANDROMEDA
Oh, I can’t wait for your lab to be built! I want to get started right away!
BRAINIAC
First things first. I must make you a flight ring right now. If only to give you its tracking and communications signals.
ANDROMEDA
Whatever you say.
He resumes measuring her finger.
THE TWELVE LEGIONNAIRES
They are flying over the Metropolis skyline. Brainiac, Violet,
Andromeda, Chameleon, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, and XS now wear
their uniforms. Andromeda still wears a transuit. She, Cosmic Boy, and Brainiac are very skilled at flying. The others are a bit clumsy as they get used to it. They look from side to side as if searching for something. Except for Brainiac. He keeps his eyes in front of him.
91
INVISIBLE KID
We should be getting close to it.
BRAINIAC
Look ahead of you. There it is. Our new headquarters.
Brainiac points to the side. The others look that way and smile. Some ooh and aah.
THEIR HEADQUARTERS
It is a 12-story golden building that is shaped like an “L” from the air.
APPARITION (V.O.)
It’s . . . beautiful.
LEVIATHAN (V.O.)
Look at the size of it! What’s all in there?
BRAINIAC (V.O.)
Just two hangers for our space cruisers, a personal suite for each of us, a Coluan laboratory for me, a main meeting room, two smaller meeting rooms . . .
RESUME THE LEGIONNAIRES IN THE AIR
They look at Brainiac as he continues speaking.
BRAINIAC
A monitor room, a briefing room,
two conference rooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria with an adjacent kitchen, a library with state-of- the-art archives, an infirmary, a trophy room, a recreational lounge, a chapel, a virtual- reality room with control center, four detention cells, an office for our Science Police liaison, an interrogation center, three
92
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
storage rooms, eight guest suites, a security entrance, a lobby, a reception area, a green room, two arboretums, and ten suites for our non-Legion staff, which includes the monitors, medics, and personal chef.
INVISIBLE KID
The usual kind of stuff, huh?
Brainiac gives him a look.
TRIAD Even Mr. Brande’s office building isn’t this impressive! And it’s much bigger!
ANDROMEDA
Well, what are we waiting for?
Let’s go inside!
BRAINIAC
In a moment, Andromeda. Let me send my holo-signal to the monitor staff. They shall let us inside.
Brainiac presses his flight ring. A small screen with MARLA LATHAM’S face appears from the ring. Marla is Brande’s age and has white hair.
MARLA
Welcome, Legionnaires. We have
been expecting you.
BRAINIAC This is Marla Latham, one of the civilian worker in the monitor room.
The others ad-lib greetings to Marla.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
Please open hanger one, Mr. Latham.
The Legion is about to make their
93
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
first entrance into their head-
quarters.
MARLA
I am opening it right now, Brainiac. And please. Call me Marla.
BRAINIAC
I shall do that, Marla. Now ending transmission signal.
Marla’s screen disappears, and the Legionnaires fly to the top floor of the headquarters. One of the hangers opens up, and they fly inside the place.
THE EMERALD EMPRESS AND THE EMERALD EYE
She is a green-haired beauty wearing a green costume and cape befitting a noblewoman and a female warrior. The Eye is a medium-shaped sphere that looks like a green eye. It hovers next to her. It is late at night in a strange land.
EMPRESS
Eye, I want you to show me where the Legionnaires are now.
The Eye projects a hologram, which shows the new Legion head-quarters.
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
Now take me to them.
They glow in green auras. Then they vanish in a green burst of light.
INT. THE GYMNASIUM – DAY
The Legionnaires look at the stylized equipment in there. It is a very spacious room with a high ceiling.
BRAINIAC
This gymnasium shall also be our training area for new members.
Brainiac presses some buttons on the wall.
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BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
I noticed most of you still need experience in using your flight rings. A lot of experience.
Various metallic loops of different shapes and sizes come out of the ceiling.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
This flight course shall help you master your flying abilities. We shall be flying through the loops. Slowly at first. Then we shall pick up the pace.
SATURN GIRL
Brainiac! I sense . . . some
other thoughts! Thoughts that are friendly! But also threatening at the same time!
BRAINIAC
Where do you sense these thoughts?
SATURN GIRL
I don’t know! They’re nearby!
And yet they’re not! Like they’re appearing out of nowhere!
The Empress and the Eye materialize next to them. They react to her as she smiles at them.
EMPRESS
Hello, Legionnaires. I am the Emerald Empress. I have traveled across the galaxy to become your newest member.
XS
Nass! Where did you come from?
EMPRESS
The Emerald Eye brought me here from Vengar. That is my home
world.
95
BRAINIAC
I do not believe this! That is the Emerald Eye of Ekron! An artifact from Zarrox!
SATURN GIRL
Zarrox? Wasn’t that the world of mystics before it was destroyed?
EMPRESS You are correct. The Emerald Eye survived the destruction of Zarrox and drifted in space for centuries before it landed on Vengar. Then I found it, and it changed me into the Emerald Empress. Now that I control the Eye’s great power, I decided to become a Legionnaire.
She approaches Cosmic Boy with a smile.
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
Mostly because of you, Cosmic Boy.
COSMIC BOY
What do you mean?
EMPRESS
I have been in love with you ever since you became a magno-ball
celebrity. You are exactly my type. Tall, dark and . . . very attractive.
Cosmic Boy nervously steps back from her. He awkwardly smiles at her. She giggles as she stares at him.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Everyone, I sense the Eye’s power has corrupted her personality!
She is determined to get whatever
she wants at any cost! She wants to be one of us now, but she might turn against at the slightest whim!
She is very unstable!
96
BRAINIAC (V.O.)
It figures. The Emerald Eye was instrumental in creating the civil war that destroyed Zarrox. If someone is exposed to its power, his or her basic urges become paramount.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
I’m trying to mesmerize her, but my telepathy has no effect on her mind! Brainy, do you have any ideas on how to stop her?
BRAINIAC (V.O.)
I do. We simply cut her off from the Emerald Eye’s power.
Brainiac projects his force field around the Eye. The Empress screams in horror. Cosmic Boy runs from her to the others.
EMPRESS
What are you doing? Release the
Eye! Damn you, release it! I command you!
BRAINIAC
You shall thank me for this.
EMPRESS
Eye, get out of there! Escape
from his force field now!
The Eye glows with green light, but the force field contains it and its light.
BRAINIAC
The Eye cannot teleport out of my force field.
The Eye glows with even more green power, but the white force field still contains it.
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
Now that she has lost contact with the Eye, she shall become powerless.
97
The Empress moans as she shimmers in a green aura. She falls to her knees.
CHAMELEON
Look! She’s changing!
BRAINIAC
I think back into her real self.
The Empress changes into SARYA, a plain, overweight girl with pimples. The Legionnaires gasp as her as she gets up and looks around in confusion.
SARYA
W-What? Where am I? Oh, Rokk!
Rokk Krinn! And the Legionnaires!
What’s going on? Where am I?
SATURN GIRL
Take it easy, Sarya.
SARYA
How did you know my--Oh, right.
You’re the telepath.
SATURN GIRL
I’ll tell you telepathically what has happened to you. Be prepared for quite a shock.
As Saturn Girl closes her eyes and concentrates, Violet looks at the Eye. It becomes greener with each passing second. Violet
looks very scared.
VIOLET
That Eye . . . It’s still glowing!
Why is it doing that, Brainiac?
BRAINIAC
It is still acting on Sarya’s last command to escape from my force field. But do not worry. It can not escape.
INVISIBLE KID
But how long will your force field
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INVISIBLE KID (CONT’D)
last? Won’t your belt run out of energy before the Eye does?
BRAINIAC
Good point. I had better create another force field around the Eye. One powered by a Quintile Crystal. Let us go to my labora-
tory, and we shall begin building the force-field machine.
The force field around the Eye starts to dim. Violet points at it.
VIOLET
Brainiac, look! Your force field!
It’s . . . shrinking!
BRAINIAC
No! It is not possible!
The Eye totally destroys the white force field. Sarya then turns back into the Empress. Andromeda flies to the Empress and punches her. However, the Empress is not affected in the least. Andromeda gapes at her.
ANDROMEDA
By Valor!
Andromeda punches her many times at super-speed, but it is to no avail.
EMPRESS
The Eye’s power protects me from harm! You cannot stop me,
Andromeda! But I can stop you!
Literally!
The Eye shines a beam on Andromeda, who becomes paralyzed. The Eye stops shining its beam, but Andromeda remains within a green aura. The other heroes gape.
ANDROMEDA Grife! I can’t move!
99
SATURN GIRL
By the rings! Andromeda’s totally paralyzed!
LIVE WIRE
Legionnaires, attack!
COSMIC BOY
But keep away from the Eye! I’ll deal with it!
Live Wire projects his lightning at the Empress, but she is not affected. Cosmic Boy gestures at the Eye, but it’s not affected
either. The others start to fly to the Empress, but Brainiac
stops them.
BRAINIAC
No! Stay back, or you shall be electrocuted!
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
Nass! My power is useless against the Eye!
EMPRESS
You dare to attack me? Eye, freeze all in time! Permanently!
The Eye shines beams at the Legionnaires. One passes harmlessly
through Apparition. Invisible Kid turns invisible before one hits him.
APPARITION (V.O.)
Those beams can’t touch me! But what about the others?
INVISIBLE KID (V.O.)
Barely did it! My invisibility saved me!
Brainiac is inside a white force field, which disintegrates the green beam striking it.
BRAINIAC (V.O.)
My belt still works! But the Eye
might absorb this force field, too!
100
Triad triplicates, and they hold one another. The green beam does not affect the three of them.
TRIAD (V.O.)
Just as I thought! The beam was made to paralyze only one person!
All of us are too much for it!
But how long can we keep this up?
Leviathan grows as much as he can. The beams strikes part of him.
LEVIATHAN (V.O.)
Can . . . barely move! Even . . . if I could . . . I’m too big . . . to reach her!
XS speeds out of the path of her green beam, but it follows her.
XS (V.O.)
It’s not letting up! And if Andromeda can’t hurt the Empress,
then neither can I!
Chameleon changes himself into a sphere-shaped mirror. The green beam reflects off of it and shines against the wall.
CHAMELEON (V.O.)
I can’t reflect the beam back at her! It might hit someone else!
Cosmic Boy levitates the metallic gym equipment in front of him. The beam strikes them instead.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
I blocked that beam! But Imra’s
going to be hit by another one!
Live Wire steps in front of Saturn Girl and projects his blind-ing lightning at his and her beams. Their energies cancel each other out. Saturn Girl closes her eyes and concentrates.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Garth, your lightning outshines the Eye’s beams! Keep blasting it! Everyone else, get her!
101
Live Wire projects his lightning at the Eye and cancels out its beams. Cosmic Boy gestures, and the disks on his chest fly to the Empress. But Leviathan flies in their way, and they hit him. He falls.
COSMIC BOY
Oh, no! Gim!
Brainiac’s belt starts to project his force field to the Empress. However, the Triads fly in the way, and the force field traps them instead.
BRAINIAC
Triad!
XS starts to speed to the Empress, but then something happens. She collides into something invisible, and she falls. Then Invisible Kid becomes visible as he falls next to XS. They are both unconscious. Apparition flies over them.
APPARITION
Grife! They’re all colliding into each other!
The Empress grabs Live Wire and hurls him into Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy. They all fall unconscious. Then the Empress points
at Brainiac, who has just released the Triads. The Eye shines
beams at them, and they all pass out. Just as the Empress turns around, she sees her exact double, EMPRESS TWO, running to her and the Eye.
EMPRESS
What? How?
EMPRESS TWO
Eye, I command you to disappear!
The Eye starts to fade away. Empress turns and sees it becoming transparent.
EMPRESS
No! Don’t!
The Eye becomes solid again. It then fades in and out in sync with the Empresses’ lines.
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EMPRESS TWO
I command you to vanish!
EMPRESS
Don’t leave me!
EMPRESS TWO
Go! Now!
EMPRESS
Stay here!
EMPRESS TWO
Disappear and never come back!
EMPRESS
Don’t do it!
The Empress then pounds the ground with her foot. The impact of it is so powerful that it knocks Empress Two off of her feet. The Empress runs over to Empress Two and kicks her in the face. Empress Two passes out and changes into Chameleon. Empress glowers at him.
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
I should have known that it was
the Durlan! Eye, I command you
to--
Suddenly the deafening shrill screams of a girl are heard. The Empress yells in agony and covers her ears. The screaming continues.
APPARITION AND EMPRESS
Still hovering, Apparition watches the Empress cover her ears and writhe in agony. The girl’s screams are not heard. At least not by Apparition.
APPARITION (V.O.)
What’s happening to her? Why is
she covering her ears like that?
Apparition turns around and sees the Eye hovering in the air. She flies to the set of barbells on the side.
103
APPARITION (V.O. CONT’D)
Can’t worry about that now! I’ve got to destroy the Eye while I got the chance!
She picks up a barbell and flies to the Eye. She is about to hit the Eye with the barbell. Then the Eye flies away from her and goes over to the Empress. The Eye shines a beam into the
Empress’s ear. Suddenly Violet grows to full size next to the Eye. Violet screams at the top of her lungs until she sees the Empress.
VIOLET
(barely above a whisper)
Oh, grife.
EMPRESS
Of course! Only you could have been inside my ear!
The Eye shines a beam on Violet, and she groans in pain. The Empress glowers at her.
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
You’ll die first! And slowly!
Apparition flies with the barbell to the Empress.
APPARITION
Leave her alone!
Apparition hits her, but the Empress is unhurt by the blow. She yanks the barbell easily out of Apparition’s hands. She then tries to hit Apparition with it, but it merely passes through the heroine’s body. Apparition laughs at the Empress.
APPARITION (CONT’D)
You can’t hurt me!
EMPRESS
But I can kill your friends!
Starting with her!
The Eye shines a greener beam on Violet’s body. She screams in pain.
104
APPARITION
No! Don’t! Please! Stop!
Violet screams louder. The Empress laughs viciously.
ANDROMEDA
She is still paralyzed in her green aura. But her eyes start to glow red.
ANDROMEDA (V.O.)
My eyes! I can use my laser vision!
Red beams come out of Andromeda’s eyes.
THE EMERALD EYE
Red beams shine on it, and it turns red-hot.
FOUR SHOT – THE EMPRESS, VIOLET, APPARITION, AND THE RED-HOT EYE
The Empress gasps as the Eye stops shining its beam on Violet.
Apparition grabs Violet and flies her out of the scene.
EMPRESS
No! NOOOOOOO! What’s happening?
Eye, protect your--
The Eye explodes. The Empress screams.
ANDROMEDA
The green aura vanishes, and she slowly starts to move. She rubs her eyes.
ANDROMEDA
I did it! I destroyed the Eye!
But I feel so stiff! Can barely move!
THE EMPRESS
She stands over the shards of the broken Eye. She cries as she starts to change back into Sarya. Then all the shards fly into the air. They band together and slowly form back into the Eye.
The Empress has now changed back to the terrified Sarya.
105
SARYA
Oh, no! Not again! Oh, please!
Don’t!
RESUME ANDROMEDA
She still moves slowly and awkwardly. She looks to the side and gasps.
ANDROMEDA
By Valor! No!
HER POV
The Eye hovers next to Sarya, who changes back into the Empress. The Empress looks very tired.
EMPRESS
Eye, take us someplace where they cannot find us!
ANDROMEDA
She flies to the Empress, but not very quickly. The Eye shines a beam on the Empress, and she and it disappear. Andromeda just
barely misses them.
ANDROMEDA
Nass!
Apparition and Violet fly next to her. Violet is still very weak. Apparition learns her into Andromeda’s arms.
APPARITION
Andy, use your penetrating vision to see how bad Violet’s injuries are! Then examine the others!
I’ll go get the medics!
Apparition flies upward and passes through the ceiling. Andromeda projects blue beams from her eyes. They shine on Violet.
ANDROMEDA
I don’t see any permanent damage
done to you. Thank Valor.
106
VIOLET
I’m all right. Just a bit weak.
Is Gim okay? And what about the others?
Andromeda turns and flashes her blue beams on the unconscious Legionnaires. Then she stops.
ANDROMEDA
Most of them have concussions.
No broken limbs, though. Good.
The medics can heal them easily enough. You wake up Saturn Girl
so she can rouse the others. I will try to find Sarya with my
locating vision.
Violet flies to the unconscious Saturn Girl. Andromeda shines purple rays out of her eyes. She shines them in all directions.
ANDROMEDA (V.O.)
Grife! I can’t see her anywhere!
The Eye must have made her invisible even to me!
THE EMPRESS AND THE EYE
They are in outer space within a green force field. She is crying. Then she wipes away her tears and composes herself.
EMPRESS
I must have overtaxed your power.
Even you must have some limits. Our trip through space, paralyzing Andromeda, making me invulnerable to the Legionnaires’ powers. It was too much for you. I . . . I’m sorry.
(a beat, now angry)
But we must defeat the Legion! We must have our revenge! But how? We need more power on our side! Where are we going to find the power necessary to conquer them?
She smiles viciously as she thinks of an idea.
107
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
Eye, show me the most powerful villains on Takron-Galtos, the prison planet!
The Eye creates four holograms. Two show Mano and Persuader in steel stockades. Another one shows THAROK, who is human on his right side and a robot on his left side. Tharok sits in a dark cell. The last hologram shows VALIDUS, a misshapen giant whose brain shows through his skull. His brain gives off electrical charges, but they can’t penetrate the force field that surrounds
him. The Empress stares at the holograms.
EMPRESS (CONT’D)
I know about the Persuader and Mano, but who are the other two? A cyborg and a grotesque giant who can create mental lightning. The cyborg could be fitted with special weapons on his robotic side. And the giant’s size and power along should be enough to take on Andromeda.
(a beat, viciously smiles) Eye! Take us to Takron-Galtos!
The Empress and the Eye vanish in a burst of green light.
INT. LEGION HEADQUARTERS/MAIN MEETING ROOM
It is a large room with a very high ceiling. Consoles and chairs are arranged in a circle. A pathway is in the center of the circle. Shvaughn sits with the Legionnaires. Brainiac and Andromeda are not in the scene. Shvaughn holds a digital computer in her hands.
SHVAUGHN
Before I contact the Science
Police with this wild story, I need all the information you have about this Emerald Eye. Chief Zendak won’t believe this if I don’t give him any hard facts. Where’s Brainiac?
Cosmic Boy approaches Shvaughn.
108
COSMIC BOY
He and Andromeda are in his lab. They’re working on a weapon that will render the Eye powerless.
SATURN GIRL
Brainiac gave me a telepathic glimpse into the Eye’s origins.
It used to belong to Mordru, a benevolent sorcerer on Zarrox.
But when he gained possession of the Eye, its power corrupted him. Mordru tried to take over Zarrox by starting a civil war. The other sorcerers destroyed their world rather than let Mordru enslave them and the rest of the universe. Somehow the Emerald Eye survived the destruction of Zarrox and landed on Vengar.
Both planets were in the same solar system.
LIVE WIRE
I don’t understand something. If the Zarrox sorcerers all died, then their history died with them. So how come Brainiac knows all about them?
SATURN GIRL
The Coluans have a Time Institute, Garth. They can see into the past by viewing distant light waves. Which have recorded historical events. The Coluans read the sorcerers’ lips and deciphered the Zarrox language.
SHVAUGHN How did the Eye survive the destruction of Zarrox?
SATURN GIRL
If the Eye is broken, its pieces
merge back together. The Eye
109
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
simply repaired itself. However, since Zarrox exploded, the Eye’s shards were scattered across the solar system. It must have taken decades for all the pieces to come back together again.
SHVAUGHN
What are the limits to the Eye’s power?
SATURN GIRL
The Eye has a telepathic link to its owner, but my telepathy could not disrupt that link. And the Eye also made Sarya immune to my mesmerism.
LIVE WIRE
My lightning bolts can outshine the Eye’s green beams. But the Eye gave Sarya great strength and near-invulnerability. My light- ning can’t affect her.
CHAMELEON The Eye’s beams can be deflected away by mirrors. When I assumed Sarya’s new form, I had limited control over the Eye.
APPARITION
The Eye is very fragile. It can be broken easily. But it repairs itself almost instantly. And it can fly away before it can be hit by something. Like it has a reflex action to defend itself.
VIOLET
The Eye does have the capacity to think for itself. It came up with a way to escape from Brainiac’s force field on its own.
110
COSMIC BOY
Don’t forget its teleportation power. Sarya said she came all the way from Vengar. The Eye must be able to teleport things quickly, regardless of distance.
LEVIATHAN
And it froze Andromeda in time. Our most powerful member fell victim to it. That scares me.
XS
But it was at a great expense of the Eye’s power.
SHVAUGHN
Anything else?
SATURN GIRL
The Eye enhances the natural abilities of its host body to a large degree. Mordru was a very minor sorcerer until he gained possession of the Eye. Then he became the most powerful mystic on Zarrox. Since Sarya is a mortal, the Eye could only give her limited power. And since she is still learning how to use the eye, her inexperience gave us the edge. The most dangerous aspect of the Eye is making its owner act on his or her basic urges. This make Sarya very susceptible to mood swings.
SHVAUGHN
The least little thing can set the witch off. Wonderful.
COSMIC BOY
But we may be able to use that to our advantage.
111
TRIAD
What do you mean, Cos?
SATURN GIRL
(gasps)
Rokk! No, you can’t do that!
LEVIATHAN
Do what?
COSMIC BOY
Sarya said she came here because she was in love with me. Maybe if I surrender myself to her, she might leave the rest of you alone.
The others react to this.
CHAMELEON
You’d sacrifice yourself?
LIVE WIRE
Rokk! I don’t believe this! We can’t let you do that!
COSMIC BOY
It may be the only way we can placate her.
TRIAD
She’s unpredictable! She might kill you!
COSMIC BOY
Better to let her kill just me than all of us. The Emerald Eye has already destroyed one world. I don’t want to be responsible for it destroying Earth.
SATURN GIRL
You’re not responsible for this,
Rokk!
LIVE WIRE
This is all Sarya’s fault!
112
SHVAUGHN
Stop it, all of you! The last
ting we need is in-fighting!
XS
Besides, guys, you’re forgetting Brainiac’s weapon. There is no need for Rokk to sacrifice him- self if that will destroy the Emerald Eye.
INVISIBLE KID
Provided that it will work. The Coluans’ experiments rarely are successful on their first try.
APPARITION
Imra, do you know what kind of weapon Brainiac is making?
SATURN GIRL
I’m not sure. Before he left, I got the impression that it has something to do with changing the color of the Eye’s green light. If that changes, the light might lose its magic power. But it definitely will have the power to outshine the Eye’s beams.
LIVE WIRE
Why don’t you use your telepathy on Brainiac and find out the whole story?
SATURN GIRL
I don’t think I should be wasting my power when Sarya could return any moment. I’m still recovering from her attack.
COSMIC BOY
It doesn’t matter how strong we’ll be when she comes back. She’ll remember the tricks we used on her. She’s bound to take steps
113
COSMIC BOY (CONT’D)
to keep them from affecting her again. Face it. The only option we have is to let me surrender myself to her.
LIVE WIRE
Like nass!
SHVAUGHN
Rokk is right. We must appease her. She’s too powerful for you to take on.
SATURN GIRL
We can only appease her once!
What happens when she decides to conquer the universe?
COSMIC BOY
At least I can buy you all some time before that happens. Give you a chance to perfect Brainiac’s weapon. Maybe even create new ones.
Marla’s holographic image is projected from a console. He looks very worried.
MARLA
Legionnaires! Officer Erin!
LIVE WIRE
Did you find Sarya?
MARLA
No, but she must have appeared on Takron-Galtos! Mano, Persuader,
Tharok, and Validus disappeared!
All the reports say that they
vanished in bursts of green light!
The others react to the news.
APPARITION
Holy grife!
114
SHVAUGHN
Saints preserve us! They’re the
most dangerous criminals in the universe!
CHAMELEON
I heard about Mano and Persuader,
but who are Tharok and Validus?
SHVAUGHN
Tharok was a minor criminal on Zadron. He tried to steal a can of an extremely hazardous micro- solvent from an armory. But the Zadron Science Police had him surrounded. Just as he was about to throw the canister at them, one of the officers shot at him. Only the ray blast hit the canister.
The solvent leaked and dissolved Tharok’s left side. The Zadron
scientists saved his life by giving his body a makeshift robotic half.
LEVIATHAN
I guess they couldn’t resist using him as an experiment.
SHVAUGHN
Could be. Anyway, his new cyborg brain rivaled Coluan intelligence. And he used his intellect . . . and robotic might . . . to break free from the medical center. It took the entire Science Police Force on Zadron to capture him.
(a beat, sighs)
Validus is a giant monstrosity of incredible strength and near- invulnerability. He can project electrical blasts out from his forehead. Validus used to be an
ordinary baby on Cyrem, but that world’s radioactive waste products
transformed him into a monster.
115
SHVAUGHN (CONT’D)
Before he could destroy all of Cyrem, the Coluans captured him with a force field machine that was powered by two Quintile Crystals.
APPARITION
But why would Sarya free them?
SATURN GIRL
Because the Eye is not powerful enough to defeat us. But with those villains’ powers combined with hers, the five of them could defeat us in battle.
SHVAUGHN
A battle to the death. The four escaped prisoners are murderers.
VIOLET
(almost a scared scream)
The Eye must be teleporting those villains back here!
MARLA
I’ll contact the Science Police,
Shvaughn. Any instructions you want to give them?
SHVAUGHN
Tell them to being evacuating the city, Marla. The less people around Legion Headquarters, the better.
MARLA
Will do. Ending transmission.
XS
Maybe I should help them evacuate the city! Metropolis is a large place!
116
Brainiac and Andromeda fly into the room. Brainiac is holding a large light projector with a red lens. They land next to the others.
BRAINIAC
You stay here, XS! We need all the power we can get to battle those villains! Andromeda over- heard Marla’s broadcast and told me of the situation!
LIVE WIRE
What have you got there, Brainy?
Brainiac holds up the light projector.
BRAINIAC
It is a red solar lamp, Garth! I have boosted the power cells so it can shine a blinding red beam on the Eye! The red beam will change the Eye’s green rays into brown!
Which shall take away the Eye’s magic powers!
INVISIBLE KID
What if it doesn’t work? Has it ever occurred to you that you may be wrong?
BRAINIAC
Never! Do not worry, Lyle! This shall work!
INVISIBLE KID
But what if you’re wrong about this? We can’t depend only on that one idea!
BRAINIAC
I have never been wrong about any- thing before, you mental inferior!
ANDROMEDA
Brainy, stop it! Calm down!
117
ANDROMEDA (CONT’D)
(to the others)
Everybody, the lamp will work! Even if it doesn’t take away the Eye’s magic, it can still outshine the Eye’s beams and cancel them out! We have to think of a way to defeat those other villains!
TRIAD
I can capture Mano!
LIVE WIRE
You can? How?
BRAINIAC
I think I understand your plan, Triad. Everyone, leave Mano to her. Cosmic Boy’s magnetism shall control Tharok’s robotic side.
COSMIC BOY I still think I should surrender myself to Sarya.
INVISIBLE KID
Rokk, Sarya won’t listen to you. She wants to fight.
XS
(a bit scared)
I-I suppose I can steal the Persuader’s axe in a flash!
ANDROMEDA
Leave Validus to me. I’m the only one here powerful enough to fight him.
BRAINIAC
I am not sure if those are the wisest strategies for you and XS to use.
Saturn Girl gasps very loudly.
118
SATURN GIRL
I sense the villains’ thoughts! They’re getting closer to us! Sarya’s teleporting them here!
Shvaughn and the seated Legionnaires quickly stand up and go to Brainiac and Andromeda.
BRAINIAC
Garth, distract Sarya with your lightning! Then I’ll shine the projector onto the Eye!
LIVE WIRE
Right!
BRAINIAC
You other Legionnaires stay out of the way and protect Shvaughn!
The Empress, Validus, Mano, Tharok, and the Persuader appear around them. The Empress and the Eye hover over the heroes.
BRAINIAC, LIVE WIRE, SATURN GIRL, AND THE EMPRESS
Live Wire projects his lightning at the Empress while Brainiac shines the projector at the Eye. The lightning and the red beam simply go through the Empress and the Eye, much to the boys’ surprise. Saturn Girl, however, knows the awful truth. She looks the other way.
SATURN GIRL
That’s not Sarya! They’re just illusions of her and the Eye!
They’re right behind us!
The Empress and the Eye vanish and reappear behind the heroes.
The Eye shines a beam on the heroes, and they pass out. The lamp crashes on the floor and breaks apart.
ANDROMEDA AND VALIDUS
He growls loudly as she looks up to him. She flies to his face and punches it with all of her might. However, he barely stag-gers from her blow. Andromeda hovers in midair as she gapes at him.
119
ANDROMEDA (V.O.)
Grife! That was my mightiest punch, and he barely felt it!
Validus quickly snatches her in his hands. He starts to crush her. Andromeda struggles to break free. She then shines her red beams at Validus’s forehead. He growls as he projects his mental lightning. It cancels out her laser vision.
MANO AND TRIAD
She flies to him. He raises his disk to her.
TRIAD
Everyone, keep away from Mano!
He’s mine!
MANO
What? One lone girl daring to battle me? Are you mad?
She triplicates, and her other selves materialize behind Mano. They grab his arms.
TRIAD ONE
Hardly!
She then punches him, but he is not hurt. She hits him again. She stares at him in surprise.
TRIAD ONE (CONT’D)
Sweet Trinity! How tough are you?
His right-hand disk glows, and he is able to lift Triad Two into the air.
TRIAD TWO
What the nass?
TRIAD THREE
He’s negating the gravity under you!
He swings his hand forward, and Triad Two is hurled into Triad One. Mano puts his disk on Triad Three’s arm. She screams in
agony as she vanishes. Triad One screams in horror. Triad Two looks very disoriented.
120
TRIAD ONE
Luornu!
Mano approaches them. They back up against a narrow corner. It is curved on top, and it blocks their pathway to an easy escape. Mano’s disk glows brighter.
XS AND THE PERSUADER
She runs to him at super-speed just as his axe starts to glow. He swings it, and she suddenly takes off into the air.
XS (V.O.)
My God! He cut off the gravity under me!
She almost crashes into a wall, but she quickly gains control of her flight.
XS (V.O. CONT’D)
Flight ring, I love you!
The Persuader throws his axe at her. She barely avoids it in the air by backing away from the wall. The axe flies back to the Persuader. He throws it again. It comes even closer to XS. She screams.
XS (V.O. CONT’D)
Flight ring’s too slow! And I
can’t get any traction in the air!
The axe comes back to him, and he throws it at her once more. It gets closer to her. She screams.
COSMIC BOY AND THAROK
Cosmic Boy flies over Tharok. Tharok smiles knowingly. Cosmic Boy gestures at him. However, nothing happens to Tharok.
COSMIC BOY (V.O.)
Grife! His robotic half must be made of nonmagnetic metals! I’ll knock him out with my disks!
121
Cosmic Boy gestures again, and his disks fly to Tharok. Tharok raises his robotic arm and knocks the disks away. His robotic hand fires ray blasts at Cosmic Boy, who barely flies out of their path.
COSMIC BOY (V.O. CONT’D)
Nass! Have to try something else!
Cosmic Boy gestures, and a console breaks apart from its chair. Then the console flies to Tharok. His robotic hand merely catches the console. Then he flings it at Cosmic Boy. Cosmic Boy gestures, and the console flies in another direction. Tharok hits Cosmic Boy’s right arm with a ray blast. Cosmic Boy crashes to the ground unconscious. Tharok aims his hand at Cosmic Boy’s head.
THE EMPRESS AND THE EYE
They hover over Apparition, Leviathan, Violet, Invisible Kid, Chameleon, and Shvaughn. The Eye shines a green ray, but Leviathan grows in size. He keeps the ray from hitting the others. He yells in agony.
VIOLET
Gim! No!
Shvaughn steps to the side and fires her ray gun at the Eye. The purple beam shatters the Eye. The Empress screams as she falls to the floor. Shvaughn keeps shining the purple beam on the Eye’s shards. The Empress changes back into the sad Sarya. Leviathan reaches for Sarya and picks her up. He is pretty weak and shaky.
SARYA
No! Let me go! Let me go!
LEVIATHAN
Quick, guys! Save the others!
Shvaughn and I will look after Sarya!
The other Legionnaires fly into the air. Violet looks down at Shvaughn.
122
VIOLET
Take good care of him!
The Legionnaires fly away.
VALIDUS AND ANDROMEDA
They still try to blast one another. Then Apparition flies in front of Validus. The energy discharge merely goes through her.
APPARITION
Hey, Validus! Why don’t you pick on somebody your own size?
He looks at her in confusion and stops projecting his lightning. Andromeda’s laser vision hits his head and gives her the chance to fly out of his hands.
APPARITION (V.O.)
Great! Now if only Andromeda can find a way to defeat him! Wait! I’ve got it!
Andromeda flies around his head. He emits his lightning at her again, but she flies at super-speed to avoid it. Apparition cups her hands to her mouth and yells as loudly as she can.
APPARITION
Laurel! Do to Validus what you did to me at your audition!
Apparition flies through the ceiling. Then Andromeda lets out a deafening cry. Validus slams his hands to the sides of his head. He reels from the impact of the blows. Andromeda stops flying and grins as she realizes something.
ANDROMEDA (V.O.)
Of course! Only Validus is tough enough to knock himself out!
Andromeda flies to Validus’s hand and grabs his wrist. She then uses her super-speed to make his hand hit his head many times.
Validus’s head explodes in a blinding flash of lightning. Andromeda and his hand are hit by the lightning. She screams.
123
PERSUADER AND THE HOVERING XS
He is in the foreground, and she is in the background. His axe barely misses her again. It flies back to him, and he catches it. Suddenly Violet grows behind him. As he is about to throw the axe again, she grabs his torso and flies him to the side. He yells in surprise, and he throws the axe far away from XS. XS uses the opportunity to fly to the wall and put her feet on it.
XS (V.O.)
Thank you, Violet!
XS runs down the wall at super-speed. Violet shrinks out of the scene, and the Persuader falls to the floor. XS runs to him and punches him several times at super-speed. He pounds the floor with his foot. The impact rocks the ground, and XS falls and passes out. The Persuader then stands up.
PERSUADER
Little girl! Show yourself, or I will kill your friend here!
THAROK AND COSMIC BOY
Tharok aims his robotic hand at the unconscious Cosmic boy. Chameleon flies over them.
CHAMELEON
Tharok!
Tharok turns his attention to Chameleon. He fires a ray blast at the hero, who changes into a dark cloud. The ray is absorbed into it.
CHAMELEON (V.O.)
Can’t let the ray hit anyone else!
My black cloud should absorb all of it!
Tharok then aims his robotic hand back at Cosmic Boy.
THAROK
You move any closer or try any- thing, and I will kill them!
124
CHAMELEON (V.O.)
I should have kept quiet! Now I’ve lost the element of surprise!
MANO AND THE TRIADS
His hand glows even brighter as he steps closer to them.
MANO
One of you could fly away, but I’ll get the other one!
INVISIBLE KID (V.O.)
The sprock you will, nasshead!
MANO
What?
Mano’s right arm straightens out instantly to the loud sound of bones cracking. Mano screams in agony as the Invisible Kid materializes behind him. Invisible Kid’s hands hold Mano’s right arm at both sides of his elbow.
INVISIBLE KID
Bad break for you, Mano!
Triad One yells in anger and grabs Mano’s throat.
TRIAD TWO
Luornu, no!
INVISIBLE KID
Triad!
TRIAD ONE
Don’t try to stop me! He killed Luornu!
(screams at Mano)
YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED ME!
Triad Two tries to pry Triad One away from Mano, but to no avail. As they struggle, Invisible Kid starts to lose his grip on Mano’s arm.
INVISIBLE KID
Grife! Can’t hold him much longer!
125
VALIDUS
He starts to fall, but the miniature Andromeda flies in front of him and catches his torso. She gently lowers him first on his knees. Then on his stomach. She flies out from underneath him and lands next to his head.
ANDROMEDA
She is sweating profusely and falls to her knees. Her transuit and costume are torn. Her face and legs are covered with brown rashes. She groans.
ANDROMEDA
By Valor! Why do I feel so . . .
(sees the rashes)
Oh, no! No! NOOOOOOO!
THE PERSUADER
He approaches the unconscious XS. Then he stops as he clutches his throat and gasps for air. Persuader falls to his knees and struggles to breathe. He yanks off his mask to show that he is of Asian descent. His face is starting to turn blue. He then passes out.
VIOLET (V.O.)
It worked!
The miniature Violet flies out of the Persuader’s open mouth. She then flies to XS’s ear. She shrinks and flies inside of it.
XS
VIOLET (V.O.)
Jenni! Wake up! I’ve defeated the Persuader!
XS awakes with a start. She turns to the side and sees the unconscious Persuader. The miniature Violet flies out of XS’s ear and grows to normal size. Violet lands in front of XS. She helps XS up.
XS
Violet, what did you do to him?
126
VIOLET
In my small size, I flew down his throat! Then I grew big enough to clog up his windpipe! I choked him from the inside out! But I don’t think I killed him!
XS looks to the side and gapes in horror.
XS
Gotta go!
XS speeds out of the scene, much to Violet’s surprise.
THAROK
He still aims his robotic hand at Cosmic Boy. The black cloud hovers in the background. Then XS speeds into the scene and takes Cosmic Boy away in a blur. They exit the scene.
CHAMELEON (V.O.)
Way to go, XS!
The cloud changes into a giant wave. It forces Tharok into a wall. The water swirls around Tharok and short-circuits his robotic half. Tharok yells and then passes out. He remains very still.
THE TWO TRIADS, MANO, AND THE INVISIBLE KID
Triad One still chokes Mano. The weak-looking Triad Two tries to pull her away. Invisible Kid is about to let go of Mano’s arm.
INVISIBLE KID
Triad! I’m losing my grip on him!
TRIAD TWO
Triad, Luornu is still alive!
Triad One gasps and lets go of Mano. She then looks at Triad Two in shock. Invisible Kid twists Mano’s arm behind him. Mano bends over and falls to his knees.
TRIAD ONE
What?
127
TRIAD TWO
It’s true! When Mano reached out to her, she started to merge her-
self into my body! Because I was closest to her! That’s why she disappeared! Not because Mano killed her!
TRIAD ONE
(smiles)
Lu, let me see her again!
TRIAD TWO
(now gasps for air) I can’t! Mano touched her arm! It’s gone!
TRIAD ONE
Oh, grife, no!
TRIAD TWO
If I make her materialize, she’ll bleed to death! It’s only my life force keeping her alive! But it’s more than I can take! I can feel my life force draining away!
Triad Two moans as she falls to her knees. Triad One runs to her.
TRIAD ONE
Lu! No!
Triad One merges Triad Two into her body. The singular Triad now looks very weary. She moans as she rubs her head.
TRIAD
Nass! It’s worse than I thought! We’re--I’m dying!
She groans as she sits down on the floor. Invisible Kid twists Mano’s arm some more. Mano screams.
XS AND COSMIC BOY
She quickly revives him with super-fast CPR.
128
XS
Rokk! Thank God you’re all right!
COSMIC BOY
W-What? Owwww! My arm! Grife!
XS
Oh! Lie still! I’ll go get help!
She speeds away from him.
APPARITION
She passes through the ceiling and starts to land. The sobbing Andromeda sits with her back to Apparition.
APPARITION
You did it! You knocked out--
(looks at Andromeda)
Hey! Laurel, what’s wrong?
Apparition lands behind her. Andromeda turns around and shows Apparition her brown rashes. Apparition gasps.
APPARITION (CONT’D)
Nass! Laurel! What--
ANDROMEDA
Validus’s lightning destroyed my transuit! He must have had . . . traces of lead . . . on him!
Andromeda starts to cry again. Apparition reaches out and hugs her.
XS, SATURN GIRL, BRAINIAC, AND LIVE WIRE
XS uses her super-speed and CPR to revive the heroes.
XS
Brainyyou’vegottohelpRokkHe’sbeen injured!
BRAINIAC
What?
129
XS
I’m sorry! You’ve got to help
Rokk! He’s been injured!
LIVE WIRE
What? Oh, grife!
SATURN GIRL
(gasps)
He’s not the only one! Brainy, go to Laurel! Her transuit has been torn! She has lead
poisoning!
BRAINIAC
No! Where is she?
SATURN GIRL
Over there!
She points to the side. Brainiac flies in that direction. XS pulls on his arm.
XS
Wait! What about Rokk?
SATURN GIRL
Lyle can take care of him! Go, Brainiac!
XS lets go of Brainiac, who then flies out of the scene. Live Wire looks to the other side and points.
LIVE WIRE
Lyle can’t help Rokk! If he lets go of Mano, Mano will kill him!
SATURN GIRL
No, he won’t!
Saturn Girl closes her eyes and concentrates.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Mano, fall asleep! Lyle, set him down gently!
130
INVISIBLE KID AND MANO
Mano passes out. Invisible Kid sets him down, making sure not to let Mano’s disk touch anything.
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Now go help Rokk! He’s injured!
INVISIBLE KID
On my way!
Invisible Kid flies out of the scene.
APPARITION, ANDROMEDA, AND BRAINIAC
Apparition lets Andromeda cry on her shoulder. Brainiac lands next to them. Apparition smiles at him, but he remains glum.
APPARITON
Laurel, Brainy’s here! Everything is going to be all right!
BRAINIAC
If only that were the case!
Brainiac bends down and takes Andromeda out of Apparition’s arms.
APPARITION
What are you talking about?
ANDROMEDA
Th-There’s . . . no cure for . . .
Andromeda groans and passes out. Apparition stands up and glares at Brainiac. Tears run down his cheeks.
APPARITION
Brainy! You’ve got to do some- thing! Quick! She’s dying!
BRAINIAC
There is nothing I can do, Tinya! Laurel is entering the final stages of lead poisoning!
131
He gently caresses Andromeda’s hair as he looks at her lovingly. Apparition is speechless.
INVISIBLE KID AND COSMIC BOY
Cosmic Boy has tears running down his cheeks. He cries in agony as Invisible Kid rips off the fabric covering his arm.
INVISIBLE KID
Sorry.
Invisible Kid examines the arm. He gapes in horror. The arm has an infected wound. The wound is slowly spreading. As it spreads, it destroys the skin tissue.
INVISIBLE KID (CONT’D)
Oh, my God! He used tissue-eating radiation!
COSMIC BOY
Grife! You mean--
INVISIBLE KID
If you don’t have the arm amputated, it’ll spread to the rest of your body! Rokk, I’m sorry, but we’ve got to do it as soon as possible!
COSMIC BOY
D-Do it! It hurts too much!
LIVE WIRE AND SATURN GIRL
She has her eyes closed and concentrates.
SATURN GIRL
Garth, summon the medics!
LIVE WIRE
Huh? I thought you were doing that!
SATURN GIRL
I’m using my telepathy to keep Validus asleep! If he wakes up--
132
LIVE WIRE
Oh, grife! I’m on my way!
Just as Live Wire starts to fly, Chameleon lands next to them.
CHAMELEON
Wait! The Emerald Eye can take care of Validus! And heal all of our friends!
LIVE WIRE
Are you crazy? The Emerald Empress will never help us!
CHAMELEON
But if Saturn Girl mesmerizes Sarya before she turns back into the Empress, she’ll have to help us!
SATURN GIRL
I can’t take the risk that Validus will wake up! It’s taking all of my telepathy just to keep him unconscious!
CHAMELEON
Nass! Then it’s hopeless!
LIVE WIRE
No, it’s not, Reep!
(yells to the side)
XS, get over here! Now!
XS speeds into the scene and stops next to the others.
XS
What is it, Garth?
LIVE WIRE
Take Sarya as far away from here as possible! I don’t care if you have to go overseas! I’ll explain everything later! Just get her and go!
133
XS
I’m going!
XS speeds out of the scene.
LIVE WIRE
Leviathan, let Sarya go!
THE LARGE LEVIATHAN
He still holds Sarya in his hand. XS speeds over to him and stops. He reluctantly lets Sarya down.
LEVIATHAN
I hope you know what you’re doing,
Live Wire!
XS grabs Sarya, and they speed out of the scene.
LIVE WIRE, SATURN GIRL, AND CHAMELEON
LIVE WIRE
Reep, you had control over the Emerald Eye when you assumed the Empress’s form! Assume her form again!
CHAMELEON
Of course! With Sarya gone, I’ll be in control of the Eye!
Chameleon morphs into the Emerald Empress.
LIVE WIRE
Good! But we’d better take some precautions against the Eye!
Live Wire turns to the side and yells.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
Brainiac, we need your force field around the Emerald Eye! So we can keep it from going to Sarya again!
We’re going to make the Eye obey Reep and heal our friends!
134
BRAINIAC, ANDROMEDA, AND APPARITION
BRAINIAC
What? The idea is ludicrous!
APPARITON
But it might save Laurel, Brainy!
We’ve got to try something! And we know the Eye can affect Laurel’s body! It froze her in time, didn’t it? Now get your green butt over there! I’ll look after Laurel!
Brainiac hands Andromeda to her. Then he flies away.
BRAINIAC, SHVAUGHN, AND THE EMPRESS
They are inside Brainiac’s force field. Shvaughn still shines her ray on the Eye’s shards.
SHVAUGHN
I don’t know about this!
EMPRESS
We can’t let Rokk and Laurel die, Shvaughn!
BRAINIAC
Hurry! Laurel is minutes away from death!
Shvaughn stops shining her ray. The shards then fly up and come together. They form back into the Eye.
EMPRESS
Eye, I command you to obey me!
Prove it by making me rise in
the air!
The Empress rises upward. She and the others smile.
SHVAUGHN
It’s working! Oh, thank God!
BRAINIAC
I shall expand the force field
135
BRAINIAC (CONT’D)
around all of us! As long as the Eye remains cut off from Sarya, Chameleon should have complete control over it!
The force field expands in size. It soon covers the area from wall to ceiling.
APPARITION AND ANDROMEDA
Apparition feels Andromeda’s pulse and panics.
APPARITION
Laurel’s pulse has just stopped!
Hurry!
THE EMPRESS AND THE EYE
EMPRESS
Eye, I command you to heal Laurel!
Make her as healthy as she was before!
The Eye flies away at a fast speed.
RESUME APPARITION AND ANDROMEDA
The Eye flies over them. Apparition flies away from it. It then shines a beam on Andromeda. Her brown rashes disappear. Apparition smiles at this.
APPARITION
The Eye’s healing Laurel! Her rashes are disappearing!
BRAINIAC AND EMPRESS
They look at the off-camera Eye.
BRAINIAC
Chameleon, order the Eye to make Laurel permanently immune to lead poisoning! So this shall never happen to her again!
136
EMPRESS
Eye, render Laurel forever immune from lead poisoning!
APPARITION AND ANDROMEDA
The Eye shines a brighter beam on Andromeda, whose brown rashes are now completely gone. Then the Eye stops projecting the beam and she wakes up. Apparition grins in relief and flies to her.
ANDROMEDA
Uhhh! Ohhhhh!
(sees the Eye)
OH!
Apparition lands and embraces Andromeda.
APPARITION
Laurel, you’re all right! The Eye saved you! Thank the spirits!
INVISIBLE KID AND COSMIC BOY
Invisible Kid backs away as the Eye flies over Cosmic Boy.
EMPRESS (V.O.)
Now heal Cosmic Boy! Make his arm as good as new!
The Eye shines a beam on Cosmic Boy’s arm. The skin tissue is instantly restored to its undamaged form. The Eye stops
shining its beam. Cosmic Boy looks at his arm. He grins.
Invisible Kid looks at the arm. Then he turns to the off-camera Empress.
INVISIBLE KID
Chameleon, don’t forget Triad!
TRIAD
The Eye flies over her. She weakly looks at it.
EMPRESS (V.O.)
Eye, heal Triad! Make all three of her selves become whole and
healthy!
137
The Eye shines a beam on Triad. She perks up instantly. The Eye stops shining the beam and flies away.
TRIAD
Sweet Trinity! I think it worked!
Triad triplicates. All three of her selves don’t have any wounds. They see each other and shriek in delight.
TRIAD THREE
It did work! I’m--We’re completely healed! We’re all together again!
The others look at her, and they all shriek again.
SATURN GIRL
She stands next to Validus’s head. Her eyes are closed, and she concentrates. Then little bursts of electricity come out of Validus’s head. She opens her eyes.
SATURN GIRL
Oh, no! The Triads’ screaming must have waken him up!
She is almost hit by lightning. Live Wire quickly lands next to her. He raises his hands in Validus’s direction.
LIVE WIRE
Imra, get out of here! I’ll absorb his lightning bolts! Keep them from hitting anyone!
SATURN GIRL
Garth, no! If he gets his hands on you, he’ll crush you to death!
LIVE WIRE
Not if I keep flying around him!
SATURN GIRL
But you’re not good at flying, remember?
He gives her a dirty look.
138
EMPRESS (V.O.)
Eye, change Validus back to his former self!
The Eye hovers over the heroes. Just as Validus wakes up with a growl, the Eye shines a beam on him. He then screams and emits
lightning bolts. Live Wire draws them into his body. He groans and grits his teeth, but he keeps it up.
SATURN GIRL
Garth, stop it! You can’t take much more! He’s too powerful!
Validus stops projecting the lightning. Then he shrinks in size. The heroes gape as he continues to change. Validus eventually morphs into a NUDE BABY. The Eye stops shining its beam and flies away. Saturn Girl and Live Wire cautiously approach the baby. The baby smiles at them.
SATURN GIRL
By the rings!
LIVE WIRE
Grife! I don’t believe this!
She bends down and tickles the baby’s chin. The baby laughs. She laughs back at him. Then she looks at Live Wire.
SATURN GIRL
Isn’t he just the cutest thing?
LIVE WIRE
Now!
THE UNCONSCIOUS MANO
The Eye hovers over him.
EMPRESS (V.O.)
Eye, I command you to change Mano back into a baby! One without any powers or memories!
The Eye changes Mano into BABY TWO, who is asleep on top of Mano’s clothes.
139
BRAINIAC, EMPRESS, AND SHVAUGHN
SHVAUGHN
Chameleon, why did you do that?
EMPRESS
He’s the only survivor of Angtu.
The last child of any deceased planet should bring honor to his
world. Mano will now get that chance. Besides, he deserves a second chance at life after what he has been through.
Violet flies next to them and lands.
VIOLET
Hey, you forgot about Gim! He still hasn’t recovered from being attacked by the Eye! You’ve got to help him!
EMPRESS
No problem, Vi!
THE OVERSIZED LEVIATHAN
He is sitting down. He sweats profusely. Then the Eye flies over him.
EMPRESS (V.O.)
Eye, make Leviathan as good as new!
The Eye shines a ray on Leviathan. He moans in delight as he shrinks down in size. The Eye stops shining its beam and flies away.
LEVIATHAN
That’s much better.
Violet flies into the scene and lands next to them.
VIOLET
Gim! Thank the gods you’re all
right!
140
She helps him to his feet.
LEVIATHAN
That I am, Violet. Because of you.
Thanks for caring about me.
Violet instantly blushes and looks away. He smirks.
SATURN GIRL, EMPRESS, AND SHVAUGHN
The Eye hovers beside them. The Empress smiles eagerly.
EMPRESS
This is only the beginning. We can use the Eye to solve every problem in the universe. There won’t be any more crime because I can brainwash criminals into
becoming law-abiding sentients.
And war will be abolished once I brainwash the leaders on all of the U.P. worlds. And then I--
SATURN GIRL (V.O.)
Shvaughn, shine your ray gun on the Eye!
SHVAUGHN (V.O.)
With pleasure!
Shvaughn fires her ray at the Eye. It shatters, and the shards fall to the floor. The Empress screams while Shvaughn keeps on shining the ray on the shards.
EMPRESS
No! What are you doing?
SATURN GIRL
Saving you from the Eye’s power, Reep. It was corrupting you just like it corrupted Sarya.
The Empress changes into Chameleon. He is very embarrassed.
CHAMELEON
I don’t believe this!
141
Saturn Girl and Shvaughn smile at him.
CHAMELEON (CONT’D)
Grife! I was going to take over the universe for its own good! I wanted to become a . . . dictator!
Saturn Girl touches his shoulder.
SATURN GIRL
Even the best of intentions become twisted under the Eye’s power. At least you were able to resist the Eye’s corrupting influence longer than Sarya could. Long enough to save the other Legionnaires.
CHAMELEON
(grins)
I did save them, didn’t I? My people are going to be so proud of me!
SATURN GIRL
They won’t be the only ones proud of you, Reep.
She smiles at him, and he smiles back at her.
INT. THE MONITOR ROOM
Marla looks at a holographic screen, which has the image of Nolla’s face.
MARLA
Madame President, the Legion has everything under control. I have recorded the Legion’s battle against the . . . uh, Fatal Five.
I did that to confirm Shvaughn’s
call for evacuating Metropolis.
NOLLA
The Fatal Five? Who are they?
Marla punches a few button on his console.
142
MARLA
They are the four escapees from Takron-Galtos. And the Emerald Empress. She broke them out, and they attacked the Legion.
NOLLA
How did she do that?
MARLA
I shall transmit the holo-images
to you and Chief Zendak of the Science Police. And to the United Planets Building. They shall explain everything. You should be receiving the images now.
BRAINIAC
He touches the side of his flight ring. The holographic image of XS appears in front of him.
XS
Brainiac? What happened? Is everything all right?
BRAINIAC
Everything is perfectly fine, XS.
The Emerald Eye has healed our injured comrades.
XS
What? How did you get the Eye to do that?
XS AND SARYA
They are on an island. Sarya stands behind XS and wipes the tears from her eyes. XS is looking at the holographic image of Brainiac coming out of her flight ring.
BRAINIAC
All shall be explained when you and Sarya return to Legion Head-
quarters.
143
SARYA
I have to know! Am I going to prison?
BRAINIAC
The Legion shall testify to the United Planets that you were not responsible for your actions. Do not worry, Sarya. Everything shall be fine once the quarantine is over.
XS
Quarantine?
BRAINIAC
Here are Legion Headquarters. The
United Planets have requested it.
Since we were all exposed to the Eye’s magic, it is only reasonable that they want us tested for any ill effects. That is why I have contacted you, XS. To get you both back here as soon as possible.
XS
We’re on our way! Bye, Brainy!
XS touches her flight ring, and Brainiac’s image vanishes. She turns to Sarya, who is crestfallen.
SARYA
Grife! Now all of us are under quarantine!
XS
Sarya, don’t blame yourself for this. We should be happy that things worked out like they did. It could have been worse. So much worse.
SARYA
What do you mean?
144
XS
Suppose someone else had found the Emerald Eye? Someone who wanted to take over the universe. Or destroy it.
SARYA
Nass! What a horrible thought!
XS
The way I see it, when you found the Eye, you kept it from falling into the wrong hands. Now the Legion has the Eye. I can’t think of anyone else that should have it. So in a weird way, Sarya, you’re a
heroine.
XS grins at Sarya. Sarya weakly smiles back.
SARYA
Thanks, XS. I really needed to hear that.
XS
Now let’s get back to Legion
Headquarters. Are you ready?
SARYA
I am. Let’s go.
XS takes Sarya’s hands, and they speed off in a blur.
BRANDE’S MANSION/DEN – EVENING
He sits on a large, comfortable chair. He is wearing a robe, slacks, and slippers. He holds a digital recorder in his hand. He turns it on.
BRANDE
Digital diary. Cataloguing March 15, 2958 C.E. The Legionnaires
have been released from their quarantine. The Coluan scientists
145
BRANDE (CONT’D)
have determined that they and the others are not suffering from any trauma or ill effects. Not were any traces of the Emerald Eye’s residue magic found in any of them. What a relief.
SARYA AND MAKE-UP ARTIST
Sarya is have her make-up done in a dressing room. Sarya is smiling.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Sarya Kesh has been pardoned by the United Planets due to the unusual circumstances in her case. Strangely enough, she has become the darling of the interplanetary news media. As the former Emerald Empress, she has been bombarded with requests for interviews and offers to buy her memoirs. While I do not understand the public’s morbid interest in her story, I am glad that she is making the best of her unpleasant experience.
THE EYE’S SHARDS
They are encased in metallic shells and are set on a stand.
BRANDE (V.O.)
The Emerald Eye of Ekron has been permanently destroyed. The Coluans have coated its shards with inertron, the hardest metal in the universe. The inertron prevents the shards from reuniting. The shards are now in the Legion’s trophy room.
THE ATOMIC AXE
It is also encased in inertron and is set on a stand.
146
BRANDE (V.O.)
The Coluans have also coated the Atomic Axe in inertron to render
it powerless. The axe is also in the Legion’s trophy room.
THE PERSUADER
He is inside a giant block of metal. Only his head is seen. He is unconscious. He is inside a cell.
BRANDE (V.O.)
After Shrinking Violet made the Persuader choke, he became comatose. Although he is not expected to come out of his coma,
the Coluans encased him in a block of inertron to prevent him from escaping. The Persuader is currently being held in a Legion detention cell until he can be returned to Takron-Galtos.
THAROK’S BODY
It lies on a funeral pyre. The circuitry in his robotic half-body is totally burned out. The flames start to engulf him.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Tharok died after Chameleon short- circuited the robotic half of his body. Since Chameleon acted in self-defense, no charged were filed against him. Tharok’s body was returned to his home world of Zadron for cremation, their standard procedure for disposing of the deceased.
INT. A NURSERY
The Validus and Mano babies are sleeping in their cribs. A NURSE checks on them. She puts a blanket on one of them.
NURSE
There. Now you’ll get warm.
147
BRANDE (V.O.)
The Validus and Mano babies have become the temporary wards of the United Planets. Since neither of them have any next of kin, they will be put up for adoption. I have promised to provide for their welfare in the meantime. When Mano is older, the Coluans will use his DNA to develop a new race of Angtuans. I only hope that this new breed does not repeat the terrible mistakes of their ancestors.
ANDROMEDA AND BRAINIAC
They are in his laboratory. She lies on an examining table
where a red lamp shines on her. He is withdrawing blood from her arm. The blood flows from a tube into a plastic container. He then stops the flow of blood and seals the container. Then he turns off the red lamp.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Laurel is completely cured of her lead poisoning. She no longer needs to wear a transuit. She and Brainiac have used their time in quarantine to find a cure for Daxamite lead poisoning. Brainiac believes that the newly-charged properties in her blood are the key to the cure. They are stock- piling her blood for many future experiments.
Brainiac walks off with the container. He returns with a large platter of vegetables, nuts, and fruits and a big glass of water. At super-speed she consumes them in a matter of seconds.
He smiles at her while she wipes her mouth with a napkin.
BRANDE (V.O. CONT’D)
With the right amount of food and the return of her super-powers, Laurel can instantly replenish her
148
BRANDE (V.O. CONT’D)
own blood. Should it provide a cure, then the Daxamites can be vaccinated in a short amount of time. By damn, I hope so.
THE LEGIONNAIRES
They stand at attention in the U.P. building. The stadium is full. Every member wears a medallion.
BRANDE (V.O.)
The United Planets presented the Legion of Super-Heroes with the highest-ranking award of honor on Earth.
THE SUPERMAN MEDALLION
It hangs from Cosmic Boy’s neck. The fabric is blue, and the diamond symbol is red and gold.
BRANDE (V.O.)
The Superman Medallion. Forged in memory of the greatest super- hero that the Earth has ever known.
ARN AND XAMUEL
They smile at the off-camera Legion. Then they smile at each other.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Xamuel Ivar has completely recovered
from Mano’s attack. And Arn Kwin took time off from the U.P. in order to build up his magnetic powers again. They presented the Superman medallions to Imra and Rokk.
WINEMA AND NOLLA
They smile at the off-camera Legion. Then Nolla offers the crying Winema a handkerchief. Winema takes it and dries her eyes.
149
BRANDE (V.O.)
I never thought that I would see Winema Wazzo cry. She usually
comes off as a heartless . . .
Well, she surprised me today.
The mother of Tinya Wazzo can’t be all bad.
TRIAD AND BRANDE
They are eating dinner. She wears her costume and Superman medallion. They speak silently.
BRANDE (V.O.)
Luornu gave me all the gossip about who’s in love with who in the Legion. Gim and Salu seem too shy to ask each other out, but Lu’s working on making that happen. Laurel wants to date Querl, but his schedule doesn’t leave him with any free time.
Jenni seems to have a crush on Rokk, but he only has eyes for someone named Lydda Jath.
LYDDA JATH
She waves at Cosmic Boy, who wears his Superman medallion. He eagerly smiles back at her.
BRANDE (V.O.)
And I think I saw her at the awards ceremony. I can see why he’s attracted to her.
BRANDE
He speaks into his digital computer.
BRANDE
There’s one Legionnaire who really has to prove his mettle.
Because I think he wants to pursue the one girl who knows his every thought. Literally.
150
INT. SATURN GIRL’S SUITE – NIGHT
She is dressed in casual attire. There is a buzz at her door.
SATURN GIRL
Door open.
The door slides open to show Live Wire dressed in casual but stylish clothes. He smiles and enters.
LIVE WIRE
(nervously)
H-Hello, Imra.
SATURN GIRL
Hello, Garth. What brings you here?
LIVE WIRE
Well, after being cooped up in our headquarters for so long, I thought it might be nice if we got out for a little while. You know, maybe see a holo-film and have dinner later.
SATURN GIRL
Garth, are you asking me out on a date?
Live Wire remains stunned for a beat. Then he summons up his courage.
LIVE WIRE
Of course I’m asking you out on a date. I can’t play mind games
with a telepath.
Saturn Girl giggles. Live Wire then does the same.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
So what do you say, Imra?
SATURN GIRL
Are you sure you want to go out with a girl like me?
151
LIVE WIRE
If I didn’t, would I have gone to the trouble of putting on my best clothes and coming down here?
They both laugh.
LIVE WIRE (CONT’D)
Besides, when I was in danger, I sensed your thoughts of concern for me.
(imitates her voice)
“I’ve got to help Garth!”
SATURN GIRL
You did? Oh, no! I must have subconsciously telepathed them to you!
LIVE WIRE
I’ve read up on Titan telepaths. Your people do that only when they really care about someone.
SATURN GIRL
Oh, I am so embarrassed!
LIVE WIRE
It’s nice that I’ll know what’s on your mind from time to time. It levels out the playing field here and there.
SATURN GIRL
It’s nice knowing that I can do that. I’ve never done it with anyone else before.
(smiles at him)
All right, Garth. I’ll meet you in the lobby after I change.
LIVE WIRE
It’s a date. Please don’t take
very long, Imra.
He approaches the open door.
152
SATURN GIRL
I won’t. Now go.
He exits and turns down the corridor.
SATURN GIRL (CONT’D)
Door close.
The door slides shut. She leans on it and sighs with great admiration. Then she has a look of horror.
SATURN GIRL
Grife! What am I going to wear?
SATURN GIRL AND LIVE WIRE
She is now dressed in stylish, casual clothing. They are flying in the nighttime air and are holding hands. They then stop in midair, embrace, and passionately kiss each other. Next to them is the SUPERIMPOSED IMAGE of the letter “L”. The words in it are shaped as:
T
H
END
LEIGIONAIRES (V.O.)
Long Live The Legion!
FADE OUT.
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