PR Eternal Sect- Redeux Episode 1- post 1/2
-Episodes split into multiple posts to ease stress on servers
POWER RANGERS ETERNAL SECT
EPISODE I:
THE SHADOW AWAKENS
-Redeux-
INT. RYUJI CAVERN- DAY
A massive cave with tunnels leading in every direction from it full of stone warriors standing in ranks which are all facing a stage type area at one end with a large isle leading up the center. There is a small staircase leading up from the center of the large isle to the top of the stage and four more statues are placed equally around the perimeter, facing the stone troops, two on each side of the stairs. A black mist fills the room, creeping across the floor as it heads for the stage, rising up into the air to form a writhing mass of black energy above it. A sinister yet sickly whisper fills the room.
AKURYU
Rise, my Ryuji Horde! It's time to fight for your lord once again! It's time to take the world above... and everything in it... and destroy mankind. RISE!
Cracks start appearing on the two statues nearest the stairs as red light pours out. Two shadowy forms break free, falling to their knees with gasps.
GENERALS
Lord Akuryu, we live only to serve!
AKURYU
Excellent!
Suddenly, the stone warriors begin following suit, breaking open in a wave that gets faster and faster, starting closest to the stage & rippling back through the crowd. The only thing is that they aren't human, but red crab-like monsters with an array of swords, bows & spears. They begin cheering for their master.
______________________________________________________
Cut to: sweeping views of Japan. we begin in the cities and urban centers & move to older ruins- temples, palaces & Shinto shrines. Finally, we end up in the wilderness- in the forest where...
EXT. FOREST- DAY
A Young Asian-American man, Rhett Shirasoto, is kneeling with his eyes closed. He is wearing traditional training garb and holds a kitana across his lap as he waits for some sort of sign. Suddenly, an older man, Takeru Shirasoto, leaps out from the bushes, swinging his own kitana down for a killing blow from behind. Rhett leaps up, spinning around to block the attack with his own weapon in an instant. They hold the position, locking eyes for a moment.
RHETT
Now, dad. That isn't very polite, now is it?
TAKERU
You expect politeness from someone who is trying to kill you?
RHETT
(shrugs)
Point taken.
They throw each other back. Takeru quickly leaps back in, throwing a couple of punches, which Rhett barely dodges. Takeru kicks and Rhett catches it, smiling in triumph. That is, until Takeru manages to toss him up into the air. Rhett turns it into a flip and swings his sword down to take advantage of the moment, but Takeru takes a step back and brings his own weapon out to block him. With a twist and flick, Takeru rips Rhett's blade from his hand. Rhett spins backward into a kick and knocks Takeru's from his. They begin using strictly martial arts- mainly Jujutsu, a favorite among samurai. After this carries on for a few moments, Rhett breaks away diving for his sword and ducking into a roll. He spins around, only to, once again, meet his father's blade in the nick of time. They clash swords expertly, circling, pushing each other back and forth. Finally, Rhett gets tired of the charade. He throws in a judo move, taking his father to the ground and pinning him with his sword. Takeru isn't pleased.
TAKERU
What was that? Judo's not part of the rhetoric!
RHETT
It got the job done, though. Didn't it?
TAKERU
A Samurai is nothing without his honor!
RHETT
What's the point? If this had been a real fight, would it have mattered whether I killed my foe honorably or not?
TAKERU
It would matter to your soul.
Rhett relaxes a bit too much, leaning in close.
RHETT
Yeah, well... all the same, I'm counting this one as-
Takeru grabs Rhett's shin between his legs and drops him to the ground, springing up with his own sword in hand and using it to pin Rhett's own sword against his throat.
TAKERU
-My point?
RHETT
Dad! That's not fair!
TAKERU
What was that again?
RHETT
I said it's not... oh! Ok, very funny! Now, let me up.
TAKERU
Let you up? Hmmm... how about I just leave you there until you figure it out?
RHETT
What!
TAKERU
If you figure it out, training is over for today.
RHETT
...Ok. I can do this.
He makes a quick attempt to move, but can't push past his own blade. He only rises a few inches off the ground & falls back down. Takeru smiles to himself. From an overgrown area nearby, a shadowy figure watches, tapping a feminine hand with long acid green fingernails against the trunk of a tree while she thinks.
GENERAL
It's them... I can sense it in their blood! The Haburi!
EXT. FOREST, PATH- DAY
A while later, Takeru & Rhett are walking along a path decorated with flags and the occasional Shinto style gate. Rhett is grimy, sweaty, carrying their gear and doesn't look happy. Takeru is oddly grim as well and seems to be keeping his eyes open for something.
RHETT
Dad, why do I need to carry this stuff if we're just visiting some old shrine?
TAKERU
Those are old and valuable blades. I don't want them getting stolen from the car.
RHETT
So why didn't we leave them in the hotel room?
No answer.
RHETT
Where is everybody? I thought this place was a local attraction.
TAKERU
That is a good question.
RHETT
Dad... I know you. What aren't you telling me?
He stops, seeming to take something into consideration before turning to his son.
TAKERU
You remember that old tale I used to tell you? About the samurai and the Emperor?
RHETT
Yeah... what does that have anything to do with-
TAKERU
Say it for me.
RHETT
Why?
TAKERU
Rhett!
Rhett rolls his eyes.
RHETT
Ok. Fine. Four Thousand years ago, while Japan was still young, the land was ruled by a just and powerful Emperor, Ishu, whose massive armies and lands were divided amongst his most trusted generals...
EXT. ANCIENT CITY- DAY
A procession marches through the city streets, cheered on by massive crowds of Japanese peoples. In the front are standard bearers, followed by six generals on horses, their armor decorated with different cloth streamers marked out with the colors of red, blue, green, yellow, pink & black. After that, came a procession with an elaborate golden travel box holding the Emperor &, beyond that, a procession of soldiers holding a platform containing a small, polished wooden box.
RHETT (VO-CON’T)
...The Emperor was fond of travel, making allies across the lands and beyond the seas. On one such occasion, he found a place of legend- the Isles of the Immortals. Upon those islands, he came across a great power and brought it home with him. Yet, this power was so great, it inspired envy, even among his own.
The samurai general with the black standard seems very unhappy about something. He turns his attention, and anger, to the gold traveling box containing his Emperor.
EXT. FOREST- NIGHT
The black general stands before a massive army, rousing them for battle.
RHETT (VO)
Ishu’s favorite general betrayed him, taking on the name Akuryu- the Dark Dragon- and turning many warriors and lands to his cause. He became little more than a cruel, loathsome warlord, conquering every inch of Japan on his way to the Emperor’s home and slaughtering anyone who refused him the loyalty and respect he thought himself due.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD- DAY
The other samurai lead their armies into battle.
RHETT (VO)
Lord General Shiba led the fight against Akuryu, but he was too powerful. They could not be beaten and the five remaining generals could do nothing to halt Akuryu’s advance.
INT. ISHU’S THRONE ROOM- DAY
Shiba enters, bowing before his Emperor.
RHETT (VO)
Eventually, Ishu saw that they would fail, but he knew Akuryu had become too greedy and too cruel. He could not be allowed to gain the power of the Haburi. Therefore, he called Shiba to him, who had become his new favorite, and asked him and the others to take it and flee, leaving him behind, and to only return when the battle had been won. Shiba didn’t wish to do so...
EXT. FOREST- DAY
The five samurai flee with the polished wooden box, watching the royal city behind them go up in flames.
RHETT (VO- CON’T)
...But he did anyway. He, and the other four generals, Ikanami, Tami, Hiranai & Shiraishi took the box and fled. It wasn’t long until the rumors reached them. Akuryu had breached the palace and slaughtered the Emperor. He was coming for them and the Haburi. What was worse, he was spreading horrible lies, claiming that Emperor Ishu had begged for his life, begging to do anything Akuryu wished to save himself from death. Shiba could stand for this indignation no longer.
INT. ROOM- NIGHT
The five samurai open the box and gather around it, holding out their hands to accept the power.
RHETT (VO)
Shiba saw the power as too great for one man, therefore, the five of them divided it amongst themselves, gaining power over each of the ancient elements that make up the world- Fire, Water, Nature, Earth and Wind. They waited and faced the Emperor’s forces head on by themselves.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD- DAY
The five samurai stand ready as soldiers surround them. They easily use their powers to devastate everything around them.
RHETT (VO)
Together, they destroyed his forces, sending them into purgatory forever and sealing them in an unbreachable tomb far beneath the Earth for all of eternity. Akuryu himself was utterly destroyed down to his soul.
After the battle, a small, black cloud of energy rushes away towards the horizon, fleeing the samurai. Shiba turns to the others, sorrowfully.
RHETT (VO)
Unfortunately, that soul escaped them, running away to roam the Earth as an Oni- an evil spirit- for all eternity. In his wisdom, however, Shiba knew he would one day return and try to revive his army. Regretfully, he asked the others for the ultimate sacrifice. The five of them and their first-born children on into the future would pass down their skills and powers to the day of Akuryu’s return. From that day on, they were the Kagirinai- those who will not die... the Eternal Sect.
EXT. FOREST, PATH- DAY
The two have arrived at a shrine on top of a forested hill. The sea can be seen and heard in the distance. In the center of the clearing is a strange rock.
RHETT
There, you happy?
TAKERU
I’m glad you remember so well... because things are just as I feared.
RHETT
What are you talking about?
TAKERU
You don’t feel that disturbance?
Rhett looks confused and a little worried.
RHETT
Dad, are you ok?
TAKERU
Rhett, there are a lot of things I have to tell you, right now! Listen to-
He freezes, staring off past Rhett. Rhett gives him a confused look and turns around to see a figure standing in the road behind them, head bowed. All Rhett can see from this distance is that it appears to be wearing yellow and red.
RHETT
It’s a monk! Calm down, you’re starting to give me the creeps.
TAKERU
Rhett, get over here now! Before-
The “monk†pulls out a sword and powers it up, shooting an energy beam that sends Rhett flying across the clearing. He looses his swords and lands next to the rock shrine, narrowly missing cracking his head on it. Takeru snatches up one of the swords as the area begins flooding with the creatures from the cave. Takeru tosses the other one in Rhett’s direction, however Rhett is mesmerized by what he sees on the rock- a symbol similar to a samurai helmet painted gold and surrounded by five stylized Japanese characters for fire, water, wood, earth & heaven painted red, blue, green, yellow and pink. He quickly comes back to reality and snatches up the kitana laying near him, just as the monsters attack.
The creatures swarm into the area as Rhett & Takeru go back to back, holding their kitanas at the ready.
TAKERU
I hope you remember your training!
RHETT
Dad, what the heck is going on?
TAKERU
I'll tell you when we get a chance, for now just focus on-
FEMALE GENERAL
Ryuji Company, halt!
The creatures freeze, standing down. A beautiful, young Asian woman enters gracefully in a yellow, vine print concubine dress modified for battle, sleeveless, and ripped into an angled midriff top and a split skirt. Beyond that she also has her hair in a bun, held together with twin chopsticks, and a silver metal vanbrace and glove that completely covers her right arm from elbow to fingertips. It ends in a claw-shaped protrusion that sticks out over the elbow. Rhett's eyes go wide when he notices the bizarre golden color of her eyes. Beside her walks another monster, a red and white skeletal being with a kitana hung over his shoulder, his head hung down as he walks with the posture of a warrior.
RHETT
Who are they?
TAKERU
(to himself)
Gedoshu... the warrior generals of Akuryu himself.
FEMALE GENERAL
Correct. And you two are the descendants of Shiba- that much is already clear.
RHETT
Wait, what?
MALE GENERAL
I am the Gedoshu General, Zyu, of the Ryuji horde! This is Gedoshu General Yameneko! You will bow before us, or perish.
RHETT
Ok... now this is getting a bit weird.
YAMENEKO
Weird? But, Lord Shiba, were you not supposed to pass on the power and knowledge from one generation to the next? Embarrassing that you seem to have... forgotten?
TAKERU
Enough! Do you wish to do battle, or not?
Zyu begins stepping forward, but Yameneko holds her arm out, stopping him.
YAMENEKO
We do not do battle. The Ryuji are powerful enough for this. Attack them! Leave none alive.
The Ryuji spin their weapons into an attack stance with a unified yell and charge the two. Takeru instantly meets the attack, but Rhett is still surprised, nearly getting hit.
TAKERU
Rhett! You have to fight, or you will fall!
Rhett looks from him, to the Ryuji and back, gathering himself and nodding. He blocks three blades with his own and sweeps his leg, bringing them down, then jumps to his feet and begins battling the other Ryuji, spinning his sword in flashing arcs around him and lashing out at random with his arms and legs. Takeru is doing much the same, but more expertly than his son. Zyu and Yameneko watch on, somewhat impressed. Eventually, though, Rhett starts getting beaten up and Takeru becomes overwhelmed. Rhett looses his sword and gets thrown at Takeru’s feet. Takeru helps him up, still fighting with one arm.
RHETT
What do we do?
TAKERU
Just give me a-
RHETT
Dad, I lost my sword, I can’t-
TAKERU
You don’t have to, just give me a moment!
He catches five blades on his and throws them all back with both hands on his sword, yelling out in the process. He brings his hand back and begins gathering a ball of red energy which gives off flames. Zyu gets nervous.
ZYU
Stop him! He’s going to-
He and Yameneko begin rushing in to face the two themselves when Takeru throws it at them. It bursts at their feet, creating a wall of fire which forms a shield around the two. Rhett looks on in awe. Takeru grabs his arm and leads him to the back of the flaming wall.
TAKERU
Come on!
RHETT
Dad, I lost me sword, we need to-
TAKERU
It doesn’t matter! We’ll worry about that when we get out of here!
They stop in front of the fire.
RHETT
What now?
TAKERU
Jump!
RHETT
Are you crazy?
Takeru gives him a look, grabs him by the upper arm and leaps into the fire. A hole opens up for them and they pass through, landing back in the clearing. Takeru slashes down a few Ryuji as they race off into the forest.
A while later, twin grunts sound out and the fire explodes away. A very angry Zyu and Yameneko march through the smoke, searching around wildly.
YAMENEKO
Where are they!?!
ZYU
They couldn’t have gone far!
YAMENEKO
Find them immediately! They will pay for their insolence to the rightful Emperor!
The Ryuji spread out in all directions, searching the forest.
EXT. CITY ALLEY- DAY
Rhett stops Takeru and the two lean back against the wall, panting heavily.
RHETT
Ok, so all that stuff from the story is real?
TAKERU
Yep.
RHETT
Well... thanks for telling me about that earlier!
TAKERU
I was going to tell you... the age of induction is fifteen.
RHETT
Dad, I’m nineteen. Why didn’t you tell me before?
TAKERU
You were too... immature. I didn’t think you were ready for that kind of responsibility.
Rhett shoots him a look, but then drops it.
RHETT
Ok, well I would yell at you, but I think that kind of bit you in the butt already. By the way, what the heck was all that about, I thought they were supposed to be sealed away!
TAKERU
They were. The reason I wanted to come out here was mainly because I felt a... disturbance. I can’t believe they escaped! How could they have-
RHETT
You know they’re probably following us, right?
TAKERU
They are. They’re a long way back, though. If I know any better, I’d assume those two Gedoshu went back to Akuryu to report. He’s not going to be happy we escaped.
They begin walking again.
RHETT
Dad... the woman- I think it was a woman- anyways... I could have sworn she called us the descendants of Shiba?
TAKERU
That’s right. We aren’t just part of the Eternal Sect- we’re the leaders of it. And it offers certain privileges.
RHETT
Why haven’t I ever seen any of the others?
TAKERU
After the sect left Japan and expanded out into the world a few hundred years back, we decided to remain out of contact unless something happened. That way, we can keep the other members safe and remain invisible.
RHETT
Well... something happened. And what privileges?
TAKERU
I’ll show you when we get back to the hotel.
RHETT
Oh. Well, that's just... that’s six more blocks.
