EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS – NIGHT

Hydrion holds his own against the four mutants. He stands face to face with Florencia.

FLORENCIA

… (afraid)

HYDRION (roaring in her face)

I’m coming after you next.

FLORENCIA

Huh?

MRS. KELINZA (stepping forward)

That’s enough.

Hydrion shifts behind her.

MRS. KELINZA

She’s mine.

MRS. IVY (thinking)

I guess I underestimated the kid…

Twelve fighter planes launch from a ship toward Hydrion.

MRS. KELINZA

Bring them all down.

Hydrion charges, ignoring missiles and bullets. He leaps into the sky, lands on a plane, pulls the pilot out and slams him into another. He jumps, smashes an engine, and punches side wings of two approaching planes, sending them crashing. He lands; the remaining planes circle and fire with no opening. Hydrion runs opposite them, leaps from plane to plane, tearing engines, killing pilots, rising higher until—

—He bursts from the sky full of flames and smoke.

HYDRION

(ROARS)

MRS. KELINZA

I like your persistence—but it’s futile.

Arkrion injects a glowing fluid into his neck. His eyes glow blue. Veins and muscles bulge, ice spikes form on his back, glowing bright.

HYDRION

Just how far would you go?

MRS. IVY

Impressive, don’t you think?

MRS. KELINZA

Not really.

MRS. IVY

This is the advanced form of Arkrion.

ARKRION

(Roars louder than before)

He fires a freezing laser. Hydrion dodges, but his leg gets frozen to the ground. Arkrion charges, smashes him, freezes his face and shatters it. As Arkrion rises—

—Hydrion’s arm rips through his chest.

Hydrion grabs Arkrion’s face with his other hand, but it’s frozen. Arkrion regenerates, faster than ever, and freezes Hydrion’s upper body.

MRS. IVY

That should be able to hold him for some time.

MRS. KELINZA

Think so?

The ice cracks under steam pressure rising from Hydrion.

MRS. KELINZA

Your new form might hold any mutant—but Hydrion’s different.

The ice shatters. Hydrion regenerates, roars again.

MRS. IVY

I truly underestimated you.

MRS. KELINZA

And though Hydrion may not evolve…

Hydrion’s muscles expand.

MRS. KELINZA

…in raw power—he dominates.

The two mutants rush each other. Arkrion’s frost laser freezes Hydrion’s chest, but it shatters. Hydrion grabs Arkrion’s jaws, pulling until blood pours and Arkrion falls. As Arkrion prepares a blast, Hydrion breaks his lower jaw and slams him down.

Arkrion shoots frost, freezing Hydrion’s arm. Hydrion continues forward, driving his frozen hand through Arkrion’s throat.

MRS. IVY

What the hell?

MRS. KELINZA

Please hurry it up.

HYDRION

Are you done already?

ARKRION

No… not yet.

Arkrion freezes Hydrion’s feet, hugs him, then freezes his entire core. He smashes Hydrion into pieces and collapses, unconscious.

MRS. KELINZA

Didn’t see that one coming.

MRS. IVY

So… do you have anything to say?

MRS. KELINZA

I thought Arkrion’s form had a time limit. I guess I’m impressed.

MRS. IVY

Take her. Separate Hydrion’s pieces into different ships.

MRS. KELINZA

Not a bad idea.

Two soldiers flank Kelinza as they walk into a ship.

MRS. KELINZA

Kids—

KOTAN & OTHERS

…Yes?

MRS. KELINZA

Until I return, consider this your vacation.

MRS. IVY

Who are they?

MRS. KELINZA

My students. Leave them alone.

Tybeast is carried onto another ship.

EXT. DOCKING BAY – MORNING

KOTAN

What do we do now?

MIDAS

Continue our normal life, I guess.

KAYA

It’s been a long time since I heard the word “normal.”

FIONA

Well, it won’t last long—so let’s enjoy it. (turns)

MIDAS

Yeah…

They arrive at an island—a modernized city.

MRS. KELINZA (to Tybeast)

Whoa…

MRS. IVY

When was the last time you were here?

MRS. KELINZA

Never been.

MRS. IVY

What do you mean “never”?

MRS. KELINZA

I’ve never been here. (walks forward)

INT. CENTRAL BUILDING – ELEVATOR – DAY

They descend beneath the city into an endless underground facility.

Hydrion, fully regenerated, sleeps inside a dense glass cube.

MRS. IVY (taps the glass)

Wake up.

HYDRION (yawns and stretches)

Where am I?

MRS. IVY

My place.

HYDRION

It sucks.

MRS. IVY

It’s not meant to favor you. Now—according to our data, you’re Hydrion.

HYDRION

How dumb are you? Can’t everyone see that?

MRS. IVY (calmly)

And your host is Nayoka.

HYDRION

Now I really think you’re an idiot.

MRS. IVY (presses a button)

I’m already sick of you.

Dozens of fire-powered weapons aim lasers at Hydrion’s head.

MRS. IVY

Piss me off again and you’ll regret it. (cools down) Good. Now, since we’ve confirmed you’re Nayoka…

HYDRION

You really are dumber than you look.

She presses the button. Guns fire.

MRS. IVY

That should put you in your place.

HYDRION (calmly)

And what was that supposed to do?

Hydrion destroys all the weapons.

HYDRION

If you think I’m like the rest—you’ll regret it.

MRS. IVY (trembling)

MRS. KELINZA

By the way, where’s Tybeast?

Tybeast dodges bullets in another corridor.

TYBEAST

This is fun.

MAXI

How is he doing that?

MRS. KELINZA

Fastest reflexes and longest stamina.

FLORENCIA

Is there anything we can do to help?

MRS. IVY

No. You guys can have a day or two off. Just relax.

FLORENCIA

Um… okay. (leaves)

KELTON

Great.

Florencia walks past Mrs. Kelinza, who’s eyeing the security feeds.

MRS. KELINZA

See you later.

RODAN (leaves as well)

MRS. IVY

Aren’t you going, Florencia?

FLORENCIA

Um… sure. (thinking) Something’s not right.

Rodan starts toward her—

KELTON

Hey, Rodan.

RODAN

Yeah?

Florencia passes them.

KELTON

Remember when we caught that other Hydrion… their dog?

RODAN

What about it?

KELTON

Don’t you think it was too easy?

RODAN

What’re you talking about?

KELTON

It avoided everything… then let you get it. What do you think?

FLORENCIA

Are you sure about that?

KELTON

It let itself get caught. It remembered something… then gave up.

FLORENCIA

All I know is… something’s coming. I don’t like the look on her face.

RODAN

Relax. Mission complete.

FLORENCIA

You’re right. But…

RODAN (takes her hand)

Boss gave us a day off—let’s enjoy it.

FLORENCIA

Yeah, sure. (removes hand)

DINNA / MAXI

Ouch!

INT. GIRLS’ ROOM – LATER

Florencia, Dinna, and Maxi are sitting together. Boys play video games in the other room.

DINNA

Hey, Florencia.

FLORENCIA

Yeah?

DINNA

Can I ask something… about Leniel?

MAXI

Oh right—Mrs. Kelinza’s son.

FLORENCIA (blushing)

MAXI

Wait, are you blushing? That’s… kind of sexy.

FLORENCIA

No, I’m not.

MAXI

You like him! He’s cute and hot. You fell for him!

FLORENCIA

No, I didn’t fall for anyone!

DINNA

I have evidence.

FLORENCIA

Huh?!

DINNA

So don’t lie.

FLORENCIA

What evidence?

DINNA

After you made him chicken…

FLORENCIA

You were there?!!

DINNA

I stayed till the end. Took a pic too.

MAXI

Can I see?! (grabs the phone)

FLORENCIA

Fine—I like him! Please delete it.

DINNA

It’ll go to the main server anyway.

FLORENCIA

(turns to her, shocked)

MAXI (seeing the photo)

Whoa… I’m impressed.

DINNA

Right?

FLORENCIA

I hate you both.

MAXI (to Dinna)

Rodan likes her, huh?

DINNA

Yeah. I know.

MAXI

This is messed up…

DINNA

We’ve gotta do something.

MAXI

Chances she sees Leniel again—5%.

DINNA

Still, not zero.

MAXI

So we pick a side?

DINNA

Yeah.

MAXI

But we can’t ditch Rodan. He’s like a brother.

FLORENCIA

I have an idea.

DINNA / MAXI

What?

FLORENCIA

Leave me alone.

DINNA / MAXI

Not happening.

FLORENCIA

Quiet—Kelton might hear you.

KELTON (already heard)

Florencia likes Leniel, Rodan likes her… I’m not getting involved. It’s not like Leniel will just appear.

EXT. SHIP – NIGHT

A suited figure drops from the sky, invisible to cameras, and bypasses guards. He reaches Hydrion’s cell.

HYDRION (waking up)

Took you long enough.

Hydrion cracks the glass, punches through.

HYDRION

I’m tired. (steam hisses from his body)

INT. BOYS’ ROOM – NIGHT

KELTON

Rodan!

RODAN

Huh?

KELTON

Something’s wrong.

Alarm blares. Soldiers rush two escapees—

KELTON / RODAN

Wait… it’s Leniel?!

Florencia sees him—

FLORENCIA

Leniel?

MRS. IVY

You know this kid?

FLORENCIA

That’s Mrs. Kelinza’s son!

LENIEL

Yeah, I passed out… thanks to you.

FLORENCIA (blushing)

That’s not what I meant!

MRS. IVY

What does he mean?

FLORENCIA

I don’t know!

DINNA

Thank goodness he didn’t hear that.

MAXI

Yup.

LENIEL

Heard commotion from shore… tagged along.

MAXI

How?

LENIEL

Held on to the ship till we got here.

MRS. IVY

You’re joking.

MAXI

He did that for his princess.

RODAN

Huh?

FLORENCIA

Shut up! (slaps Maxi’s neck)

MAXI

Ouch!

MRS. IVY

How did you avoid all cameras?

LENIEL

I didn’t.

FLORENCIA

Wait—that means…

MRS. KELINZA

Your suggestion was right. I turned off the security.

MRS. IVY

You hacked it?

MRS. KELINZA

Nope. Waited till the guards left and shut it off.

FLORENCIA

Why tell us?

MRS. KELINZA

I like revealing my failed plans.

INT. HYDRION’S CELL – NIGHT

DINNA

You really pushed past your limit, huh?

NAYOKA (blurred)

Doesn’t matter.

MRS. IVY

I need sleep. We’ll continue tomorrow. Kelinza—you’re rooming with me.

MRS. KELINZA

Am I?

MRS. IVY

Old times’ sake.

INT. GIRLS’ ROOM – NIGHT

MRS. IVY stares at KELINZA on the bed.

MRS. KELINZA

I can’t sleep if you keep staring at me.

MRS. IVY

Can’t take my eyes off you.

MRS. KELINZA

Hydrion was right.

MRS. IVY

Huh?

MRS. KELINZA

You’re dumber than you look.

MRS. IVY

Why?

MRS. KELINZA

My son freed Hydrion. How’d you think he did it?

MRS. IVY

The button’s right there.

MRS. KELINZA

Only you and officers have access.

MRS. IVY

So you did it?

MRS. KELINZA

Didn’t have time.

MRS. IVY

Then how?

MRS. KELINZA

That’s your question.

MRS. IVY

He broke it? Impossible—it’s part diamond!

MRS. KELINZA

You locked a monster in a broken cage. Good night.

Hydrion howls from afar, smiling.

MRS. IVY

Shit.

TO BE CONTINUED….