Nayoka leaves for home.

INT. DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Everyone eats.

MS. KELINZA

So… what brought you all here?

FEMALE 2 (DINNA)

Mrs. Gen sent us to investigate Hydrion.

LENIEL

Then why are you here?

FLORENCIA

We couldn’t get a place near the forest. We were wondering if…

MS. KELINZA

Of course. You can stay here.

LENIEL (stands)

Are you kidding me?!

MS. KELINZA

What’s wrong?

LENIEL

You just invited monsters into our home! Monsters who tried to kill you!

MS. KELINZA

That was in the past. They had just woken.

LENIEL

I’m going to Nayoka’s.

(leaves)

I’ll be back when this nonsense ends.

MS. KELINZA (sighs)

FLORENCIA

Did we ask for too much?

FEMALE 2

Does he really hate us that much?

MS. KELINZA

I don’t blame him. You did try to kill his mother.

RODAN

Where’s Hydrion?

FLORENCIA

You were supposed to wait.

RODAN

The sooner we move, the sooner they’ll reconcile.

MS. KELINZA

If you try anything, Hydrion will return. He does what he wants… but he protects me.

RODAN

Then let’s use you as bait.

MS. KELINZA

He’s human. He’s not dumb enough to fall for that.

FLORENCIA

So what do you suggest?

MS. KELINZA

Two options.

Short: Go to his domain on a full moon.

VATRION

That’s this Friday.

MS. KELINZA

Right. But that’s when his powers peak.

FLORENCIA

How?

MS. KELINZA

Arkrion thrives in water. Vatrion at night. Hydrion… under the full moon. Like a werewolf.

FLORENCIA

You really know a lot about them…

MS. KELINZA

I helped create them.

RODAN

So what?

MS. KELINZA

Last time wasn’t a full moon. Vatrion had night advantage. Arkrion had moist ground. Yet Hydrion beat you both.

VATRION

You really know how to rub it in.

FLORENCIA

What’s the long option?

MS. KELINZA

You can stay on this island for a few months. Study the people here. Mutants have a bond—when they get close to one another, they sense it… even if it’s not very strong.

DINNA (FEMALE 2)

You’re not wrong about that.

MRS. KELINZA

So what I’m saying is—when you get to know most of the people on this island…

FLORENCIA

We’ll meet Hydrion along the way.

MRS. KELINZA

The average number of people on this island is about 5,000.

RODAN

Why are you helping us capture Hydrion?

MAXI (FEMALE 1)

Yeah… it’s kinda weird.

MRS. KELINZA (smirking slightly)

Nice question. I was kinda hoping you’d ask.

There are two reasons I’m helping you.

(She pauses and leans in with an intense gaze.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D)

One—so I can end this quickly and go back to living a peaceful motherhood life with my son.

Two—because even if you do find Hydrion… the maximum chance of defeating him, even with all of you combined, is 42%.

The chances of successfully taking him back to Mrs. Gen are 36%.

And the chances of all of you dying in the process… is 58.5%.

The room falls silent.

MAXI

So what you’re trying to say is… we’ll fail.

MRS. KELINZA

Precisely.

(She crosses her arms.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D)

Let me explain.

The sins you all possess—wrath, envy, lust, and greed.

I’m sure you can testify to that.

As for Hydrion…

FLORENCIA

He’s gluttony.

MRS. KELINZA (slightly surprised)

Correct. I’m surprised you know that.

FLORENCIA

Don’t remember when exactly… but someone once told me.

MRS. KELINZA

Ah. I forgot your father knew about that.

KELTON

Gluttony… as in eating too much?

MRS. KELINZA

Very good.

RODAN

What does that have to do with this?

MRS. KELINZA

Hydrion has to satisfy himself… or he’ll go berserk.

Killing… eating anything in sight.

I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.

Because of that, he developed two new attributes.

DINNA

Wrath.

MAXI

And greed.

MRS. KELINZA (surprised)

How did you know that?

DINNA

It’s kinda obvious.

MRS. KELINZA (shrugs)

Oh right.

(She begins walking away, then turns back.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D)

If you now understand everything I mean, then I don’t need to continue.

(She turns again, then pauses.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D)

Oh—and here’s a little something.

She lifts her shirt slightly and raises her hair, revealing four long, scar-like scratches running diagonally along her spine.

KELTON (blushing)

What are you doing?

DINNA (shocked)

Wait… Hydrion did that to you?

FLORENCIA (stunned)

…

Ms. Kelinza calmly adjusts her clothes back to normal.

FLORENCIA

Why?

MRS. KELINZA (softly, with warmth)

Because he’s a good boy.

And I love him just the way he is.

(She begins climbing the stairs slowly, her tone suddenly shifting from warm to cold.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D) (intense gaze)

If he could do this to the one he was supposed to protect…

Then what do you think he’ll do to those who try to kill the one he was supposed to protect?

(She pauses at the top of the stairs, then smiles sweetly.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D) (cute tone)

Oh—and here’s a tip.

Sharks have a strong sense of blood from miles away.

A bat has good echolocation and excellent hearing.

And a wolf? A wolf can smell from very, very far.

(She turns serious once again.)

MRS. KELINZA (CONT’D)

Good night.

(She gives one last cute smile, then disappears into her room.)

Silence fills the room again.

MAXI (softly)

She’s scary.

FLORENCIA (grimly)

What she’s trying to say…

Hydrion knows we’re here.

INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM – MORNING

Leniel walks in just as the bell rings and takes a seat beside Nayoka. The teacher enters.

TEACHER

Good morning, class.

STUDENTS

Morning.

MIDAS

(whispering)

What’s wrong with Leniel? He’s had that face since morning.

NAYOKA

Yeah… it’s nothing.

KAYA

And why is he staying at your place?

NAYOKA

It’s nothing.

TEACHER

Well, today we have five new transfer students.

(The door opens. As the students enter, Nayoka drops his pen in shock.)

FIONA

(concerned)

Are you okay?

TEACHER

Kindly introduce yourselves.

FLORENCIA

My name is Florencia.

(She looks and suddenly recognizes Nayoka.)

LENIEL

(sighs)

Oh great. Could my life get any worse?

KELTON

I’m Kelton.

MAXI

You can call me Maxi.

DINNA

And I’m Dinna.

RODAN

…Rodan.

TEACHER

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time in this class. Find a seat, and let’s begin.

(Florencia sits beside Leniel. Rodan takes the seat behind her.)

NAYOKA

(grumbling)

This just keeps getting worse.

FLORENCIA

Hi.

LENIEL

(ignores her)

FLORENCIA

Guess we’re still not on good terms.

TEACHER

(sighs)

Well, seems I came in late again. My time’s already up. Kotan, watch over your class till the next teacher comes in.

KOTAN

Yes, sir.

MIDAS

What do we have this period?

KOTAN

It’s time for Physicals, and since the teacher’s absent, I’ll take over. Now, everyone to the racing track.

KAYA

Do we really have to do this?

KOTAN

Yes. Now change to your sports clothes.

(He removes his uniform.)

Hurry up.

(Everyone begins changing in class despite gender. Florencia glances at Leniel’s not-so-muscular body and blushes. Dinna notices Nayoka’s many scars.)

DINNA

How did you get all those scars?

NAYOKA

I used to fight a lot.

FLORENCIA

These aren’t mere cuts.

NAYOKA

Those were from Hydrion.

DINNA & FLORENCIA

Huh?

NAYOKA

First time I encountered him.

MIDAS

(staring at the girls)

Aren’t they cute?

FIONA

(pervert stare)

Pervert.

(She hides her chest.)

MIDAS

Not you… you don’t have anything to hide in the first place.

(Fiona grabs Midas by the neck with an unescapable grip and throws him out the window.)

DINNA

Think you just killed him.

KAYA

He’ll be fine. It happens every time.

FANBOY 1

You don’t have to worry about being flat, our queen.

FANBOY 2

Yeah, just know that we like–

(He’s uppercut mid-sentence.)

FIONA

Next person dies.

EXT. SCHOOL TRACK FIELD – MOMENTS LATER

KOTAN

Now, we’re gonna divide into groups of three for different activities. First group: the athletes. Second group: the swimmers. Third group: volleyball.

LENIEL

(raises hand)

How about those who wanna take a nap?

KOTAN

They can do all these activities. Now separate yourselves into the group you see fit. Athletics stay here, swimming to the pool, and volleyball to the court.

(Kotan joins athletics with Kelton and other boys. Midas joins swimming with Rodan. Maxi, Dinna, Kaya, and Fiona go for volleyball.)

KOTAN

(to remaining students)

What about you three?

FLORENCIA

I’m not good with sports.

LENIEL

I don’t wanna do any.

NAYOKA

And I’m already good at everything.

KOTAN

Then join the athletics. No questions.

EXT. RACING TRACK – CONTINUOUS

Participants line up: Kotan vs Kelton vs 3 students vs Nayoka.

REF

Ready… go!

(Kelton immediately takes the lead.)

LENIEL

(quietly to Florencia)

So he even has a boost to his normal human abilities.

FLORENCIA

Yes.

LENIEL

So you think he’s gonna win?

FLORENCIA

It’s certain.

LENIEL

Kotan will take 1st, Nayoka 2nd, the chicken mutant 3rd.

(He walks off to the washroom.)

FLORENCIA

Is that what he thinks?

(Kotan begins closing in. His speed increases. Nayoka follows 2 meters behind. Kotan catches up with Kelton.)

KELTON

Impressed, class prefect.

KOTAN

So soon?

(Kotan speeds up, overtakes Kelton, now level with Nayoka. Kotan takes a 5-meter lead.)

NAYOKA

Guess it’s time I up my game.

(Nayoka slowly passes Kelton.)

KELTON

How the hell…?

FLORENCIA

Wait, how is this possible?

(Nayoka creates a 3-meter gap between him and Kelton, and is closing on Kotan.)

FLORENCIA

What’s happening?

Kotan wins the race. Nayoka finishes 8 seconds later. Kelton follows 5 seconds after. The last student passes out at the finish line.

(Leniel returns to his seat.)

FLORENCIA

How did you know that would happen?

LENIEL

Simple. Your friend’s a chicken, right?

FLORENCIA

Actually, he’s a bat.

LENIEL

That means bats rather spend time in the sky. Kelton breaks his own speed records weekly. Nayoka is just a natural at everything.

FLORENCIA

What about you?

LENIEL

Not a sports guy.

FLORENCIA

Why? Thought all guys were into sports.

LENIEL

I just hate getting sweaty.

FLORENCIA

Wow.

(Thinking: “Thought I’d never hear that from a guy.”)

LENIEL

Even if I did, I’d still end up in last place.

FLORENCIA

Same here. Hey… wanna check out the other groups?

LENIEL

Already did.

FLORENCIA

Then can you show me around the school?

LENIEL

That’s a hustle.

(Florencia remembers Ms. Kelinza’s advice.)

MS. KELINZA (V.O.)

If you bribe him with some chicken, he might hear you.

FLORENCIA

I’ll buy you some chicken.

LENIEL

Then what are we waiting for?

FLORENCIA

Huh?

LENIEL

Let’s go.

(Grabs her hand and drags her.)

FLORENCIA

(blushing)

EXT. SWIMMING POOL – MOMENTS LATER

MIDAS

What are you two doing here… and holding hands?

(Rodan sees them and clenches his fist in silent fury.)

MIDAS

Are you here to see my glorious victory?

LENIEL

Nope.

MIDAS

Well, too late. You missed me beat them all.

FLORENCIA

Even Rodan?

MIDAS

He gave me a hard time, but I taught him a lesson.

FLORENCIA

Rodan lost in swimming? What’s going on?

(tries to convince herself)

Yeah… maybe he wasn’t at his peak. He was tired. That’s it.

LENIEL

Failing to accept reality, huh?

(Holds her hand again.)

Let’s go.

(Rodan looks away, seething.)

EXT. VOLLEYBALL COURT – MOMENTS LATER

Florencia’s eyes widen at the scoreboard.

FLORENCIA

What the hell’s going on in this school?

LENIEL

You can’t win just because you have mutated genes alone.

(starts walking away)

Since you don’t have anything to say…

FLORENCIA

I actually wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to talk to you.

LENIEL

What is it?

FLORENCIA

Can we get somewhere private?

LENIEL

The washroom?

FLORENCIA

(blushing)

No! Not there. Isn’t there a bench around?

LENIEL

Over there. Now, where’s the chicken you promised?

EXT. SCHOOL BENCH – LATER

Leniel munches from a bucket of chicken.

LENIEL

So, what did you want to talk about?

FLORENCIA

Your friend, Nayoka.

LENIEL

Huh?

FLORENCIA

How long have you two been friends?

LENIEL

About a year ago. Around April.

FLORENCIA

(thinking)

That was a month after Hydrion left with Ms. Kelinza…

LENIEL

What’s he like?

LENIEL (CONT’D)

Very weird and unpredictable.

It’s like he’s new to everything.

His grades are off the charts.

He’s good at controlling his temper.

He’s every girl’s dream.

He’s very conscious of his surroundings.

He’s not number one in physical activities, but he’s one of the best in every sector.

LENIEL (CONT’D)

Weird enough… he’s not the only one who acts like that.

Kotan, Midas, Kaya, and Fiona… they’re all the same.

FLORENCIA

Is he in any club?

LENIEL

No, he always wants to go home early to do something.

…Do you have a crush on him?

FLORENCIA

No, I don’t. I’m just helping a friend who does.

LENIEL

Oh, okay. Wanna know what he likes?

FLORENCIA

That won’t be necessary.

Can I ask you a question you might consider crazy?

LENIEL

Well, what is it?

FLORENCIA

Would you consider him to be Hydrion?

LENIEL

To be honest…

He really would make a perfect Hydrion.

But he’s much more of a polar bear character.

FLORENCIA

Really? You did?

What brought that up?

LENIEL

A lot of reasons.

FLORENCIA

Like what?

LENIEL

He knows more about Hydrion than even my mom told us.

He’s never around when Hydrion shows up.

And for some weird reason…

He really hates you guys more than I do.

FLORENCIA

(taking mental notes)

Thanks a lot.

LENIEL

But I won’t conclude just yet.

FLORENCIA

Huh?

LENIEL

There are quite a few people in this school—

Specifically in our class—

That I think the role of Hydrion would fit… genders aside.

FLORENCIA

Who?

LENIEL

Kotan, Midas, Kaya, Fiona…

Oh, and don’t forget me.

FLORENCIA

Seriously?

You didn’t even know anything about Hydrion until Ms. Kelinza adopted you.

You barely even know her.

(A beat. Leniel looks away, hurt.)

LENIEL

(sadly)

I knew I’d say something like that.

(stands up)

Guess I’ll see you later.

FLORENCIA

(realizing)

Did I go too far…?

(grabs his hand before he leaves)

I’m sorry.

LENIEL

(smiles softly)

It’s alright.

You weren’t wrong to say that.

(He walks off. Florencia stays seated, flustered.)

FLORENCIA

Why would you go and say that? What’s wrong with you…?

(blushing)

That expression on his face… I really hurt his feelings, didn’t I?

(Cut to Leniel walking away, blushing.)

LENIEL

Why am I…?

(Camera pans. Hidden behind trees—Rodan is watching, furious.)