FADE IN:

EXT. PLAIN OF DREAMS - ESTABLISHING

A surreal, fog-shrouded plain, stark and brooding.  In b.g., dimly
glimpsed through the mists, are monoliths of basalt that suggest
huge Stonehenge-like dolmens and menhirs.  We cannot tell if it is
day or night -- the gray fog itself seems luminous.  SFX: FARAWAY
WINDS.

                            DUNGEON MASTER (O.S.)
                Venger?

ANOTHER ANGLE

DUNGEON MASTER stands in the midst of the desolation, looking about
him.  He is not afraid; on the other hand, he doesn't look overjoyed
at being here.

                            VENGER (O.S.)
                I am here, old man.

Dungeon Master turns in time to see a MAGIC BOLT SPLIT a monolith.
It CRASHES to either side, revealing VENGER amidst the swirling
fog.  He looks down at Dungeon Master.

                            VENGER (CONT'D)
                Dungeon Master, you are a fool.

FAVORING DUNGEON MASTER

He raises a polite eyebrow, but does not reply.

                            VENGER (CONT'D)
                Your pupils are doomed to failure.
                They are brave only because they know
                you stand behind them.

                            DUNGEON MASTER
                Not so.  They can triumph over anything
                in the Realm -- as you well know.  They
                will not fail.

CLOSE ON VENGER

He scowls, then smiles craftily, as if an idea has just occurred to
him.

                            VENGER
                Well, then -- perhaps you would not be
                adverse to a test of their courage?

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He looks wary.

                            VENGER (O.S. CONT'D)
                We shall see how brave they are when
                you turn away from them.  If they
                succeed, they will find the Key.

                            DUNGEON MASTER
                And if they fail -- what do they lose?

ON VENGER

He raises a fist CRACKLING with Kirbyesque power.

                            VENGER
                Everything.  Their weapons -- and
                their lives.

CLOSE ON DUNGEON MASTER

He bows his head and folds his hands together.

                            DUNGEON MASTER
                So be it.

                                                    SHOCK CUT TO:

EXT. MOORS - DAY

As the seven heads of an enormous HYDRA lash straight at us! SFX:
HISSING.  PULL BACK to include BOBBY, HANK, ERIC, DIANA, SHEILA,
UNI and PRESTO, all running for their lives across a moody expanse
of swampy moors with the hydra in hot pursuit.

                            KIDS
                    (ad lib)
                Look out!  Run!  Here it comes!
                (Etc.)

                            HYDRA
                    (roars)

REVERSE ANGLE - OTS HYDRA

Lumbering forward, big enough to CRUSH small trees under its feet,
its heads SNAPPING and HISSING at our guys.

                            HYDRA
                    (hisses)

                            ERIC
                Do something, Hank!  You're the
                leader!

ON HANK - RUNNING

He stops and fires an energy arrow up O.S.

ON HYDRA

The energy arrow streaks INTO SHOT and wraps about the hydra's
necks, pinning them together for an instant.  But the hydra BREAKS
the glowing bonds and keeps coming.

                            HANK (O.S.)
                It's too strong!

ON ERIC - RUNNING

One of the heads swoops down, grabs Eric by the cape and lifts him
up O.S.

                            ERIC
            Haaaallp!

ON BOBBY

He swings his club at a dead tree, KNOCKING it loose from its
roots.  The tree begins to topple.

                            BOBBY
            Timberrr!

ON HYDRA

Still holding Eric with one of its beaks.  The tree falls INTO
SHOT and the head dodges, releasing Eric as it does so.  Eric
falls O.S.

                            HYDRA
                    (hisses)

ON GROUND

Eric sprawls in the mud.

                            ERIC
                    (impact grunt)

He rolls over and scrambles out of the way of another striking head,
just in time.

                            ERIC
                This thing's got more heads than
                Tiamat!

ON DIANA - RUNNING

She dodges one head and leaps over another.

                            DIANA
                There's no place to hide!  It's
                gonna get us, sooner or later!

ON PRESTO, SHEILA AND UNI

Cornered against a small spur of rock by two SNAPPING, HISSING heads,
Presto has no room to use his hat.

                            HYDRA
                    (hisses)

                            PRESTO
                It's got us cornered!

                            UNI
                    (frightened whinny)

ON BOBBY

He raises his club over his head.

                            BOBBY
                Hang on, Sis!  I'm coming!

A head swoops down INTO SHOT and seizes Bobby's club, lifting him
from the ground.  He dangles helplessly.

                            BOBBY
             Whooah!

ON ERIC

Scrabbling across the marshy ground on his hands and knees.  There's nothing funny about this -- he's crawling for his life.  Then he
looks up O.S., and grins in sudden relief.

                            ERIC
                All right!  Everything's gonna be
                okay now!

He points O.S.

ON HANK AND DIANA

Backing up warily before another SNAPPING head, Diana holding it off
with her staff.  Hank has an arrow nocked.  They risk a look up
O.S., and then grin in relief.

                            HANK
               Dungeon Master!

THEIR POV - DUNGEON MASTER

Standing on an overhang of rock, looking down on the kids, who are arrayed in a loose semicircle with the hydra in the middle, its heads
weaving on long, snaky necks.

                            KIDS
                   (ad lib)
                Dungeon Master, help!  Get us out
                of this!  Take care of this thing,
                willya?  (Etc.)

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He is looking down O.S. at them with a grim expression on his face.

                            DUNGEON MASTER
                You got into this by yourselves, my
                young friends --

CLOSE ON HIM

His expression is more than grim now -- it's stern, unforgiving.

                            DUNGEON MASTER (CONT'D)
                -- Now get out of it by yourselves!

He turns his back and steps down off the rock, disappearing from
view.

CLOSE ON ERIC

He stares up O.S. in disbelief.

                            ERIC
                    (despairing disbelief)
             Huh?!

He reacts in fear to an O.S. ROAR.

HIS POV - HYDRA HEAD

Lunging straight for us!

                            HYDRA
                    (roars)

FAVOR ERIC

Hank dives THROUGH SHOT, knocking Eric out of the way as the beak
SNAPS on empty air.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Hank pulls Eric to his feet.  Eric has a look of sick betrayal on
his face.

                            ERIC
                I don't believe it!  He deserted
                us!

ON HANK

Another O.S. ROAR snaps him around.

                            HYDRA (O.S.)
                    (roars)

                            HANK
                We'll worry about that later -- if
                there is a later!

He FIRES three energy arrows O.S. in quick succession.

ON PRESTO, SHEILA AND UNI

Still trapped by the hydra's heads.  An arrow ENTERS SHOT and
STRIKES the rock wall to one side of them, SPLITTING a fissure
down the middle of it.  They scramble through it.

                            UNI
                    (squeal of fear)

ON BOBBY

Still dangling from one of the hydra's beaks.  The second arrow
STRIKES the club, knocking it free of the beak's grasp.  Bobby
lands and runs O.S.

                            BOBBY
                    (lands, runs)

ON DIANA

Still fending off another head with her staff.

                            HYDRA
                    (roars, hisses)

                            DIANA
                    (effort)

The third arrow steaks INTO SHOT and EXPLODES like a flare before
the hydra's eyes, causing it to jerk back.

                            HYDRA
                    (surprised hiss)

Diana leaps over a low spur of rock and runs O.S.

ON RIDS - DOWNSHOT

They regroup, weapons at the ready, as the hydra lurches menacingly
toward them again.  Uni shrinks back against Bobby.

                            HYDRA
                    (menacing hiss)

                            SHEILA
                It just keeps coming!  What're we
                gonna do?

ON HANK

He looks about desperately, then spots something O.S.

                            HANK
                This way!  Move it!

He runs O.S.

WIDE ANGLE - MARSH

The kids run THROUGH SHOT, tripping on roots and patches of mud,
SPLASHING through noxious pools, getting their clothes caught on
bushes.  Their faces are full of fear.  Uni gallops alongside them.
The hydra is right on their heels as they run for their lives.

                            HYDRA
                    (roars, hisses)

ON HANK - RUNNING

His eyes fixed on something ahead O.S.  From behind one of the
heads GAINS INTO SHOT, almost within reach of him.

                            HANK
                    (runs)

PAN AHEAD TO INCLUDE a nasty looking bog -- a pool of green, slimy
water that looks like it could kill a bubonic plague bacillus.

HANK'S POV - BOG

PUSH IN on it, HANDHELD TRUCK, as if we were running toward it.

                            HANK (O.S.)
                    (effort)
                Get ready --

OVERHEAD SHOT - WIDE

The kids and Uni reach the edge of the bog.

                            HANK (CONT'D)
             Now!  Scatter!

They break off to either side, running along the edge of the bog as
the hydra's momentum carries it ahead into the morass.

                            HYDRA
                    (hissing)

ON HYDRA

It blunders in the middle of the bog with a tremendous SPLASH!  Mud
and slime fly everywhere.  The hydra sinks in the morass, floundering helplessly, its heads STRIKING and SNAPPING futilely as it ROARS and
HISSES angrily.

                            HYDRA
                    (angry roars, hisses)

ANGLE INCLUDES KIDS

They regroup on the edge of the bog, out of the hydra's reach.
They're exhausted, mud spattered, breathing heavily.  Presto slumps
to his knees.  Bobby huddles in Sheila's cloak.  Diana leans wearily
on her staff.  Uni sprawls in the mud.  Hank braces himself, hands
on knees.

                            HANK
                    (breathing hard)
                We did it.  We're still alive.

ON ERIC

He looks grim.

                            ERIC
                Yeah -- no thanks to Dungeon Master.

                                                        WIPE TO:

EXT. SALT FLATS - CROSSROADS - EVENING

The two suns are low in the sky, shading the salt flats red.  The
kids, still looking much the worse for wear, are at the junction
of two roads through the wasteland, neither of which look
particularly appealing, though the east fork appears the better
traveled.

CLOSER

A signpost of weathered gray wood is mounted at the crossroads.
One of the signs has fallen; the other hangs from a single rusty
nail, pointing at the sky.  Presto looks at it.

                            PRESTO
                According to this, the Flame
                Mountains are -- that way.

He points straight up, mimicking the sign.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Bobby picks up the other sign, rubs some rime from it.

                            BOBBY
                    (reads)
                "This way to the Sea of Sorrow."

WIDE ANGLE

Sheila looks at the two roads.

                            SHEILA
                Great.  Which road leads where?

ON ERIC

He looks very down.

                            ERIC
                Who cares?  It doesn't matter.
                    (beat)
                I can't believe he would just abandon
                us like that.

He starts to trudge down the eastern fork.

FAVORING HANK

He realizes it's up to him to make a decision.  He looks from one
road to the other, then points to the western fork.

                            HANK
                We go west, Eric.

Eric just looks at him. He makes no move to return.

                            ERIC
                Why?

                            HANK
                It's downhill.  We're more likely
                to find water.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric returns to the crossroads, looking at Hank.  He's frowning
slightly.  The other kids watch uneasily; they sense tension.

                            ERIC
                The other way's a better road --
                might lead to a town.

Hank is somewhat nettled, but trying to keep his cool.

                            HANK
                I'm the leader, Eric.  You said so
                before -- remember?

TWO SHOT - HANK AND ERIC

Eric steps up to Hank, locking gazes with him.

                            ERIC
                I was under a lot of pressure then.
                Maybe I see things clearer now.
                    (beat)
                Maybe it's time we had a little
                election.  Whattaya say, Presto?

REFIELD to include the others as Eric turns to Presto for support.
Presto looks at the others nervously.

                            PRESTO
                Uh -- well, the eastern road does
                look better ...

WIDE ANGLE

Bobby steps over to Hank, as does Uni. Diana is already by Hank's
side.

                            BOBBY
                Yeah?  Well, I think the west road
                looks better.

Uni looks at Eric disdainfully.

                            UNI
                    (horselips)

ANOTHER ANGLE - FAVOR SHEILA

Sheila looks uncertain; as always, she tries to mediate.

                            SHEILA
                Now wait a minute, Bobby --

                            BOBBY
                    (interrupting)
                Keep out of this, Sis!

Sheila, stung, takes a step backwards, which puts her closer to
Eric.  A full-blown ARGUMENT erupts, the kids SHOUTING and pointing
fingers at each other accusingly.  Hank is the only one who doesn't
take part in it; he looks from one side to the other in shocked
disbelief.

                            KIDS
                    (ad lib)
                You don't know what you're
                talking about!  Aw, dry up!
                You're always throwing your
                weight around!  (Etc.)

FAVORING HANK

He steps between the two factions and raises both hands.

                            HANK
                    (shouts)
                Hold it, hold it!

The others stop and look at him.

                            HANK (CONT'D)
                C'mon, we all know what this is
                really about.  We're not mad at
                each other -- we're mad at Dungeon
                Master.

The others know he's right; they look embarrassed, avoiding each
other's gaze.

CLOSE ON HANK

He makes a helpless gesture.

                            HANK (CONT'D)
                I don't know what to tell you --
                except that it's getting dark, and
                we'd better find a place to camp.
                     (beat; to Eric)
                You want the point, Eric?  You got
                it.  Lead the way.

FAVOR ERIC

He looks somewhat resentfully at Hank, then turns and takes the
eastern road O.S.  The others follow him.  Hank watches them go.
Bobby and Uni are the last; Bobby turns and looks back at Hank.
Hank follows, stone-faced.

                                                        WIPE TO:

EXT. SEA OF SORROWS - NIGHT - CLOSE ON DRIFTWOOD

A pile of weathered wood on the sand.  An energy arrow from O.S.
STRIKES it, turning it into the flames of a campfire.  PULL BACK
to show the kids and Uni sitting on stones and logs around the
fire.  Hank slings his bow and sits down with them.  In b.g. we
can see the moons' reflections shimmering on the surface of the
sea. SFX: BREAKERS.

                            DIANA
                Maybe it wasn't really Dungeon
                Master ...

FAVOR ERIC

He pokes at the flames with a stick.  SPARKS scatter.

                            ERIC
                It was him.  D'you think I wouldn't
                know him?
                    (beat; bitterly)
                This whole Realm is a dungeon, y'know
                that?  And we're all prisoners.  We
                thought Dungeon Master was our friend,
                but it turns out he's just another
                guard.

FAVOR SHEILA

She huddles closer to the fire, shivering more from fear than
cold.

                            SHEILA
                What're we gonna do now?  If Dungeon
                Master's abandoned us, who's gonna
                help us?

                            VENGER (O.S.)
             I will help you.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

They know that voice.  In an instant all are on their feet, weapons
ready, staring into the darkness that surrounds the fire.

DRAMATIC ANGLE - VENGER

He steps out of the darkness into the flickering light of the fire.
PULL BACK to include the others.  Uni hides behind Bobby.  Venger
holds out his hands in a gesture of peace.

                            VENGER
                Be at ease, my young enemies.
                I shall not harm you.

ON HANK

Watching suspiciously from behind a nocked energy arrow.

                            HANK
                Move very slowly, Venger.

ON VENGER

One corner of his mouth lifts slightly at Hank's warning.  He
looks at the kids.

                            VENGER
                So Dungeon Master has finally
                shown his true colors.  Have you
                never wondered why his advice
                always led you into battle, and
                never back to your world?

ANGLE INCLUDES KIDS

Eric, Sheila, and Presto look somewhat uncertain.  Bobby, Diana
and Hank still hold their weapons at the ready.  The BREAKERS counterpoint the uneasy silence.

                            VENGER (CONT'D)
                It has been convenient for you to
                see Dungeon Master as good, and me
                as evil.  But things are not that
                simple.

ON VENGER AND CAMPFIRE

Venger stares broodingly into its flames.

                            VENGER (CONT'D)
                I have granted you your lives before.
                Aid me now, and I shall grant you your
                dearest wish -- I will send you back
                to your own world.

CLOSER

He makes a gesture at the flames.  They BLAZE UP, forming a
miniature portal in which can be seen the amusement park.

ON ERIC, SHEILA, PRESTO

They stare longingly at the flickering image.

                            VENGER (O.S. CONT'D)
                Far to the south lies Realm's Edge.
                There you will find a cenotaph -- an
                empty tomb.  Within it is a key, which
                you must cast into the Abyss.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

Venger makes another gesture and the image vanishes in sync with a
particularly loud CRASH OF SURF.

                            VENGER (CONT'D)
                Do this, and you will go home.  You
                have my word.

The flames BLAZE UP again, higher than ever.  When they die down,
Venger has vanished.

ON KIDS

They look at each other, speechless.  Suddenly Hank fires the
nocked arrow O.S. skyward in a gesture of defiance.  It EXPLODES
above them like a flare, providing eerie light.

                            HANK
                Forget it, Venger!  No way we're
                working for you!

CLOSER

Eric steps forward.

                            ERIC
                Wait a minute, Hank.  What choice
                do we have?  Dungeon Master's
                abandoned us -- Venger may be our
                only ticket home.

Presto steps INTO SHOT alongside Eric.

                            PRESTO
                I think Eric's got a point, Hank.
                Venger's ruthless, but he's got a
                code.  I believe him.

Sheila joins them.

                            SHEILA
                So do I.  All I want is to go home
                -- and I don't care who's responsible
                for sending us there.

ANGLE FAVORS HANK, BOBBY, UNI, DIANA

They look at the others incredulously.

                            DIANA
                You guys can't be serious.  You know
                Venger's bad news.

Hank steps toward Eric, extends a hand toward him.

                            HANK
                Eric, we gotta stick together --

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric brushes his hand aside.

                            ERIC
                    (angry)
                Why, Hank?  We always stick together
                -- and it hasn't gotten us home.
                    (beat)
                You guys can do what you want -- but
                we're going after that key.

He turns and EXITS SHOT.  Presto hesitates, then follows.  Sheila
turns, then looks back at Bobby.

                            SHEILA
                Bobby -- won't you change your mind?

ON BOBBY

He looks very young and uncertain, but he shakes his head and
moves closer to Hank.

                            BOBBY
                I think you're making a mistake,
                Sheila.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Sheila turns and runs into the darkness after the others. Hank,
Bobby, Diana and Uni watch her go.  SFX: BREAKERS.

                                                        WIPE TO:

EXT. SEASHORE - NIGHT

The breakers, foamy with salt in solution, CRASH on the rime-
crusted shore.  An ancient galleon is wrecked there, sails hanging
in tatters, salt stains glittering in the moonlight.  Eric, Presto
and Sheila ENTER SHOT and climb onto the canted deck.

                            ERIC
                Think you can make this thing
                fly, Presto?

ON PRESTO

He takes off his hat and makes magic passes over it, frowning in
concentration.

                            PRESTO
                Magic in the hat be free; let us
                use the sky as the sea.

WIDE ANGLE

A shimmering arc of magic light ERUPTS from the hat, engulfing the
galleon and lifting it, with much CREAKING and SNAPPING of aged
wood, free of the sand.

CLOSER ON THEM

The ship rises, the remnants of sails FLAPPING uselessly.  Eric
faces the bow, looking grimly ahead.  Sheila stands behind him.

                            SHEILA
                Are we doing the right thing,
                Eric?

Eric doesn't look at her.

                            ERIC
                I don't know.  But we're not
                turning back.

                                                        CUT TO:

EXT. CAMPFIRE - ON HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

Standing by the dying embers of the fire, watching the silhouette
of the galleon sail across the three moons.

                            HANK
                We've got to get to Realm's Edge
                first, somehow --

An O.S. ROAR interrupts him; they all look O.S. and react.

                            BRONZE DRAGON (O.S.)
                    (roars)

THEIR POV - SEASHORE

A huge BRONZE DRAGON lands at the water's edge, its wings spraying
foam and sand.

ON KIDS

Bobby steps back warily, raising his club.

                            BOBBY
                Just what we need -- more problems!

                            UNI
                    (horselips)

Diana steps forward.

                            DIANA
                Wait, Bobby.  That's a bronze dragon
                -- it might help us.

ON BRONZE DRAGON

It watches Diana as she steps forward, her staff raised.  She TAPS
it gently on its horns with her staff, like a mahout gentling an
elephant.  With a SNORT, the dragon lowers its head.

                            BRONZE DRAGON
                    (snorts)

Diana looks at the others triumphantly.

                            DIANA
                All aboard!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Bobby, Uni and Hank join Diana on the bronze dragon's broad back.
There is room enough for Uni to huddle between two of the dragon's
huge dorsal plates.  Diana sits behind the beast's horns.

                            HANK
                I hope you know what you're
                doing, Diana.

                            DIANA
                So do I.

WIDE ANGLE

She TAPS the dragon's horns again.  With a THUNDERCLAP of wings
the great creature lifts into the night sky.

AERIAL LONG SHOT - BRONZE DRAGON AND FLYING GALLEON

The bronze dragon flies after the shrinking form of the galleon,
as we --

                                                        DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. REALM - AERIAL SHOT - DAWN

Much the same shot as before, with the bronze dragon still pursuing
the flying ship.  They are flying south over a rocky, barren land
which rises to mountains in the distance.  To the west the two suns
are rising.

ON BRONZE DRAGON'S BACK - PANNING

Diana, Bobby and Uni are asleep, curled up in the hollows between
the plates, well ahead of the STROKING wings.  Hank stands in
another hollow, looking grimly ahead, the WIND ruffling his hair.
PUSH IN on him as he stares O.S. after the galleon.  Suddenly
Diana's hand ENTERS SHOT and touches his shoulder.  He turns to see
her behind him, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

                            DIANA
                    (sleepily)
                You should get some sleep.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Hank looks off into the distance, frowning.

                            HANK
                Why do you think we're here,
                Diana?

                            DIANA
                In the Realm?
                    (beat)
                I always thought it was to defeat
                Venger.

Hank looks ahead again.

                            HANK
                So did I -- but I'm beginning to
                wonder.  Maybe Venger's right about
                one thing -- maybe things aren't
                that simple.

                            BOBBY (O.S.)
                Hey, look!

ANGLE INCLUDES BOBBY

Be and Uni are now awake.  He stands atop one of the plates,
pointing ahead excitedly.

THEIR POV - FLAME MOUNTAINS

They are approaching the range of mountains now, and we can see
 they consist of active volcanoes.  Curtains of smoke and ash
hang over bubbling cauldrons of lava.  Incandescent fountains shoot
up.  None of the peaks are in the throes of a major eruption, but
all together they present a dangerous gauntlet to run.  SFX:
RUMBLING, BUBBLING LAVA.

ON GALLEON - PANNING

It weaves its way through the deadly peaks.  Eric looks over the
side and GULPS as they pass very close to a lake of fire.

                        ERIC
                (gulps)
            Hey, we're slowing down, Presto!

ON PRESTO

He takes off his hat and shakes it as though trying to dump more
magic out of it.  Nothing happens.

                        PRESTO
            I think my spell's running out of
            gas!

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

Sheila looks back O.S.

                        SHEILA
            They're gaining on us!

THEIR POV - BRONZE DRAGON

Flying through the clouds of ash.  We can see Hank leaning around
one of the plates, looking down.

                        HANK
            Stop, you guys!  Please!

REVERSE ANGLE

Eric looks up defiantly.

                        ERIC
            No way!  This is our last chance
            to go home!

ON HANK - PANNING

He looks angry.  He pulls back an arrow.

                        HANK
            Have it your way --!

Diana grabs his arm.

                        DIANA
            Hank!  What're you doing?

                        HANK
            I'm gonna force them down!

He pulls free of Diana's arm and FIRES the arrow down O.S.

ON ERIC

He raises his shield; the arrow RICOCHETS from it O.S.

DOWNSHOT - VOLCANIC CRATER

The arrow plunges straight down into the the seething molten rock,
setting off a tremendous ERUPTION that hurtles straight up at us!

ON GALLEON - MOVING

A rain of fiery fragments SHOWERS down on its deck, setting the
bits of sailcoth afire.  Glowing clouds surround the ship.  Sheila
and Presto crowd under Eric's shield as chunks of brimstone bounce
off it.  Smoke obscures the scene.

                        ERIC, SHEILA, PRESTO
                (fearful walla)

ON BRONZE DRAGON - MOVING

Bank, Bobby, Uni and Diana stare in horror O.S.

                        BOBBY
            Hank!  What've you done?!

ON VOLCANO

Red-hot boulders are hurled from its crater into other nearby ones.
The entire side of a neighboring peak BLOWS OUT, sending a searing
STONE WIND -- a deadly cloud of incandescent gas and powdered stone
-- O.S.

ANGLE INCLUDES HANK, BOBBY, DIANA, UNI

Reacting in fear as the STONE WIND BOILS toward them.

                        HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI
                (fearful walla)

ON BRONZE DRAGON - MOVING

It turns in an attempt to escape the wall of superheated stone mist swiftly overtaking it as we

                                                        FADE OUT
 
 

FADE IN:

EXT. FLAME MOUNTAINS - DAY

ERUPTIONS proceeding in full force, and the STONE WIND hurtling
toward the bronze dragon, who is attempting to outrun it.

ON BRONZE DRAGON'S BACK - PANNING

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni hold on for dear life. Hank looks
back at the approaching WIND, coming like a roiling black wave.

                            HANK
                It's too fast for us!

                            UNI
                    (frightened whinny)

FAVORING DIANA

She reaches forward with her staff and TAPS the dragon under the
jaw.

                            DIANA
                Go up!  Up!

WIDE ANGLE - BRONZE DRAGON AND STONE WIND

The bronze dragon swoops up O.S.  PAN TO FOLLOW as the boiling crest
of vaporized rock just misses it.

EXT. LAVA PLAINS - DAY

With the Flame Mountains in the distance painting the sky a baleful
red.  Rivers of lava glow along the horizon.  The exhausted bronze
dragon lands in f.g.

CLOSER ON BRONZE DRAGON

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni disembark, and the bronze dragon flies
O.S.  The four of them, grim-faced, turn to look back at the range of
fire in the distance.  Bobby is crying.

                            BOBBY
                    (sniffling)
                They didn't make it, did they?

                            DIANA

                    (false cheer)
                Sure they did!  They've come through
                tougher spots than this!

Bobby ignores her, looking at Hank.

                            BOBBY
                Hank?

TWO SHOT - HANK AND BOBBY

Hank stares O.S. at his friends' funeral pyre.  His shoulders
drop; he bows his head.

                            HANK
                I'm sorry, Bobby.  It was my fault.

Bobby turns away.  Diana ENTERS SHOT and puts her hand on Hank's
shoulder.

                            DIANA
                What do we do now, Hank ?

Hank straightens; life must go on.

                            HANK
                The volcanoes won't let us go
                back.  We'll have to go on -- to
                Realm's Edge.

Hank turns and looks in the other direction O.S., as does Diana.

THEIR POV

The plain rises for a considerable distance, and ends at the edge
of a cliff which stretches in either direction as far as they can
ee. At the edge, barely visible, is the cenotaph -- a lonely,
crumbling tower on the edge of the world.

                                                            WIPE TO:

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF PLAIN - DAY

Eric, Sheila and Presto are picking their way over the cracked
Black lava plain.  The wrecked and smoldering galleon is visible in
b.g.  Sheila scrambles to the top of an angled slab and looks O.S.
this way and that.

                            SHEILA
                Bobby?  Bobby?!

ON ERIC

He looks up O.S. at her.

                            ERIC
                Any sign of them?

HIS POV - UPSHOT - SHEILA

The WIND plucking at her cloak. She looks around a final time,
then lowers her head.

                            SHEILA
                Nothing.  They must've been --

She hides her face in her hands and sinks to her knees on the slab.

RESUME ERIC

He looks down at the ground also.  Presto ENTERS SHOT, looking at
him sympathetically.

                            PRESTO
                It's not your fault, Eric.

                            ERIC
                Yeah, right.  Somebody else used my
                shield to bounce a flame arrow into
                a volcano.
                    (beat)
                If you hadn't gotten your magic hat
                to bail us out, our gooses would be
                charcoal now.

WIDE ANGLE

Sheila climbs down to join them.

                            ERIC (CONT'D)
                Come on.  The least I can do is
                find Venger's key and get you two
                home.

He turns and trudges O.S.  Presto, looking concerned over his
friend, follows.  After a beat, Sheila brings up the rear.  There
are tears on her face.

                                                        WIPE TO:

EXT. REALM'S EDGE - ESTABLISHING - DAY

The cenotaph rises, skyscraper high, on the edge of the cliff.
PUSH IN on a moucharaby near the top, where two figures stand:
Venger and Dungeon Master.  They look down O.S.

                            VENGER
                You will lose, old man.  Their
                desire to return to their home is
                stronger than anything else.
                Without your support they will
                crumble.

ON DUNGEON MASTER

He looks concerned, but is determined not to let Venger get to him.

                            DUNGEON MASTER
                Their courage will not fail them.
                They will do what has to be done.

THEIR POV - DOWNSHOT - LAVA PLAINS

We can see the two groups of kids making their way slowly toward
the tower from opposite sides.  The rough terrain hides each group
from the other.

                            VENGER (O.S.)
                We shall see.  That which is in
                the cenotaph will test their
                courage.

                                                        WIPE TO:

EXT. CENOTAPH ENTRANCE - ESTABLISHING - DAY

A huge door in the shape of a stylized dragon's head, the open
jaws framing the entrance.  Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni ENTER SHOT
and stand before it.

                            DIANA
                We're here.  Now what do we do?

Hank leans wearily against the door.

                            HANK
                I don't know, Diana.  I think we've
                gone as far as we can go.
                    (beat)
                I guess I've lead us straight to
                disaster.

INCLUDING DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

They look at each other; they don't know what to say.  Uni nuzzles
et Hank, who rests his head on his arm in an attitude of despair.
then:

                            ERIC (O.S.)
                Hey, look on the bright side -- you
                beat us here.

They all snap around and stare O.S., then react in joy.

                            HANK
                    (disbelieving joy)
                Eric!

THEIR POV - ERIC

Standing atop a small rise, his cape flowing behind him, looking
cocky.  Sheila and Presto scramble up into view behind him.

                            SHEILA
                    (ecstatic)
                Bobby!

She runs down O.S.

SHEILA AND BOBBY

They run toward each other and embrace.  PULL BACK to include the
others as they take turns hugging each other.  Uni capers about
them all, BLEATING in joy.

                            UNI
                    (happy unicorn bleats)

                            KIDS
                    (ad lib)
                Boy, am I glad to see you!  We
                thought you were goners!  How'd
                you get out of that?  Let's never
                split up again!  (Etc.)

FAVORING HANK AND ERIC

With their arms around each other's shoulders.

                            ERIC
                I'm sure glad you guys are okay.
                Now all we have to do is get that
                key and we can go home.

Hank steps back from Eric.  He looks surprised.

                            HANK
                You're not still planning on that,
                are you?

ANGLE INCLUDES ALL

We see that, consciously or not, they've divided into two groups
again.

                            ERIC
                You bet we are!  I want to sleep in
                my own bed tonight!

                            DIANA
                Eric, you're already sleeping --
                and dreaming -- if you think Venger's
                gonna follow through on his promise.

                            SHEILA
                If there's even the slightest chance,
                we've gotta take it.

FAVORING HANK

He stands before the door.

                            HANK
                Forget it, Eric!  Nobody opens this
                door!

ON ERIC AND PRESTO

Eric stares defiantly O.S.

                            ERIC
                That's what you think!  Presto, show
                him!

                            PRESTO
                    (doubtfully)
                Well -- okay ...

Presto takes off his hat and aims it O.S.  A bolt of magic force
ERUPTS from the hat O.S., surprising the young magician as much as
anybody.

                            PRESTO
                    (surprised grunt)

ON HANK

He tries to dodge as the the bolt streams INTO SHOT, but a tendril
of it lifts him and gently sets him aside, while the main force of
the bolt BATTERS through the cenotaph's door, SPLINTERING it.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Eric, Presto and Sheila run forward, into the cenotaph.

                            ERIC
                That's three, Presto.  You're on
                a roll.

ON HANK, DIANA, BOBBY, UNI

Trapped by the dissipating coils of Presto's spell.

                            KIDS
                    (struggle)

By the time they free themselves, the others are out of sight.

                            HANK
                We've got to stop them -- they're
                playing right into Venger's hands.

TRACK WITH THEM as they run into the cenotaph.

INT. CENOTAPH - ESTABLISHING

A huge empty chamber, with a side door leading to a stairwell.
Eric, Presto and Sheila have already started up it when an energy
arrow BURSTS in the air ahead of them, bringing them to a halt.

ON ERIC

He looks back O.S.  REFIELD to include Hank, Bobby, Uni and Diana
standing in the doorway.  Hank has another arrow drawn.

                            HANK
                Don't do it, Eric!

                            ERIC
                    (quietly)
                How you gonna stop me, Hank?

ON HANK

He has an arrow drawn, but not raised.  Now he raises it.  Diana
and Bobby look at him anxiously.

                            HANK
                I don't know -- but neither of
                us want to find out.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Emphasizing the standoff for a moment; then the floor suddenly
shakes, accompanied by a deep RUMBLING.  Everyone looks about apprehensively.

                            SHEILA
                What was that?

ON FLOOR

The RUMBLING comes again, much louder now.  Huge flagstones CRACK.
The cracks web out from the center, becoming fissures.  From the
fissures flow viscous, jelly-like streams of translucent
protoplasm.

ON DIANA, HANK AND OTHERS

The streams flow toward them, pseudopodia rising and questing
blindly for them.  Hank pushes Diana and Bobby toward the stairs.

                            HANK
                Get off the floor -- quick!

WIDE ANGLE

They run quickly up the stairs.  The floor is now covered with the
semi-solid mass, which begins flowing after them.  It rises and
forms into a huge, amoeba-like creature.  SFX: GURGLING, SLURPING.

REVERSE ANGLE

Hank, Diana, Bobby and Uni join the others, and they all back up
the stairwell.  The amoeboid surges after them, almost flowing over
Uni's front hooves.  She dances back wildly to avoid it.

                            UNI
                    ("yuck!")

ANOTHER ANGLE
the kids back up the stairs, weapons ready. The amoeboid flows glutinously after them.

                            DIANA
                What is it?

                            PRESTO
                Whatever it is, it knows what we
                are: lunch!

FAVOR HANK

He aims the arrow he nocked earlier down O.S.

                            HANK
                Yeah?  Let's see if it likes its