(The scene opens as Nathal and Cosmic look around atop a rooftop)
Nathal: Hmm…
Cosmic:...
Nathal: Well, that’s that then. Nothing’s going on.
Cosmic: Yep.
Nathal: I hate it when Nakal’s quiet. Who knows what she could be doing.
Cosmic: I wish I could help Bellina.
Nathal: Me too, but we have to trust her right now.
Cosmic: Think she can get out on her own?
Nathal: Surely she’s got some kind of plan brewing related to that. If not, then I’m sure Kol’va will let us know. They’re planted deep in the Darkwatcher ranks.
Cosmic: I see.
Nathal: *Nod*
(Nathal looks around)
Nathal: Well, I’m feeling like doing some relaxing. You want to head to the beach?
Cosmic: The beach?
Nathal: Yeah, I could use a nice spot to relax.
Cosmic: Hm… Sure why not?
Nathal: Sweet! Here, hang on tight.
(The two speed off as they’re both seen at the beach)
Nathal: Here!
Cosmic: Sweet.
Nathal: Well, I’ll be right back
(Nathal speeds off and comes back now shirtless with some shorts)
Nathal: I’m back.
Cosmic: Oh, you changed?
Nathal: Well duh, I ain’t hanging out here in that stuffy uniform.
Cosmic: Heh, fair enough.
Nathal: What about you?
Cosmic: I’m good. Besides, I don’t have a swim suit.
Nathal: Ah, makes sense. Not like you were prepared to be stuck here huh?
Cosmic: Nope.
Nathal: Well, you’ll find ways to get comfortable. Just kick the boots off or something, I don’t know.
Cosmic: I’m good.
Nathal: You do you.
(Nathal speeds off, returns with a beach chair and sits down)
Nathal: I’m finally taking this chance to relax.
(Nathal sighs contently. Cosmic looks at him and just sits beside his chair)
Nathal: Oh yeah, this is nice…
Cosmic: I’ll say. You’ve been running around for days.
Nathal: Yeah. I need this break.
Cosmic: Don’t get many, huh?
Nathal: Eh, not on this planet I don’t. Always something going on.
Cosmic: Ain’t that the truth. This place is hectic.
Nathal: Yeah, all the people needing help in this oppressive place. It wouldn’t be so hard to take it down if not for all the weapons.
Cosmic: Where do they get the orange crap anyway?
Nathal: Believe it or not, there’s a few mines on the planet.
Cosmic: What??
Nathal: Yep. Tetrasten is a rare thing out in some parts of the universe, but there’s a good number of planets that have large deposits of it in their crust. People mine it for defense, just in case Titanians ever run afoul of their homeworlds.
Cosmic: Why would Titanians just go after random worlds? Aren’t you guys friendly?
(Nathal sits up. He looks around for a moment before he looks at Cosmic)
Nathal: *Whisper* I’m not supposed to tell you this. But the thing is… There are rumors going around space. About…. Titanians attacking planets.
Cosmic: Hm?
Nathal: *Whisper* A whole organization allegedly.
Cosmic: Titanians? Attacking innocent planets?
Nathal: *Whisper* Yeah, it’s quite dire actually. They go after worlds who can’t really defend themselves. If they don’t get what they want or run a planet dry of resources, well…that planet isn’t surviving long…
Cosmic: Is this all true?
Nathal: *Whisper* I don’t know. But it’s enough to make some planets in different galaxies scared.
Cosmic: Why doesn’t your government tell others about this?
Nathal: *Whisper* They don’t like being asked about it. Whatever this situation is…it brings them great shame. We’re supposed to protect people, act as what the universe could be if it stood united. For some of our people deciding to use the powers we were gifted with against innocent people it…. It shames the name.
Cosmic: I see…That’s horrible.
Nathal: Tell me about it. All those poor souls…
Cosmic: Well, at least the majority of Titanians aren’t monsters. I mean, we’re all doing some good, aren’t we?
Nathal: Absolutely.
Cosmic: Yeah, that’s what matters! Heh, I’m sure we’ll have everything on this planet figured out in no time!
Nathal: I sure hope so. I’d love to get off this dump…
Cosmic: You think it'll ever get it’s act together?
Nathal: Once Nakal is outta the way, yeah I think so.
Cosmic: I hope so. These people deserve to get back to their homes, and the ones who do live here can turn it into something less hostile.
Nathal: That’s where the Titanians come in. If they need help, we can send it once we’re off-world.
Cosmic: Good to hear.
(The two look out in the sea)
Nathal: So what’s your planet like?
Cosmic: Earth? Well let’s see…
(Cosmic looks at the water)
Cosmic: It’s got a lot of water like this one.
Nathal: Ah so supports various forms of life.
Cosmic: Tons. Hundreds of thousands forms of life.
Nathal: Ooooh.
Cosmic: Humans are the dominant species. They’re a very interesting bunch.
Nathal: How so?
Cosmic: Heh, well there’s a lot of humans back there with powers of their own.
Nathal: So your people are like us.
Cosmic: Alot do, but the grand majority do now. And in terms of space travel, aside from the superheroes on our planet, humanity hasn’t made it very far beyond the solar system.
Nathal: Still growing then huh?
Cosmic: Yeah, but they seem to be getting there. Slowly but surely.
Nathal: Very cool! Sounds like we may have to see these humans some day.
Cosmic: Lizun said the same thing. But, there’s more than just humans there.
Nathal: Oh? You guys got aliens or something?
Cosmic: Not really. We got creatures called mermaids.
Nathal: Mer-Maids?
Cosmic: Well, Atlanteans are the preferred name. But they’re sort of like half-human, half-fish in a sense.
Nathal: Ooooh! Interesting.
Cosmic: Ever seen anything like that?
Nathal: No, but who knows? There are planets that are basically underwater cities.
Cosmic: Really?
Nathal: Yeah! They’re amazing places.
Cosmic: You ever been to an underwater planet city?
Nathal: Once when I was 12. My mom took me to one before I got to the academy so I could get a taste of space travel.
Cosmic: Really? That’s sweet!
Nathal: Yeah it was! You should’ve seen it! Whole cities built inside giant energy domes, all kinds of alien sea life roaming the seas, the tech, the people, all of it!
Cosmic: You’ll have to take me there sometime if that’s cool.
Nathal: Hehe I’ll remember that.
(Cosmic laughs back a bit as the two sit there)
Cosmic: You’re something else.
Nathal: You think so huh?
Cosmic: Yeah. Crazy fast, you don’t mess around, but you also know a time to stop and rest.
Nathal: Heh yeah. I learned alot of this stuff from the academy. My teacher, he- …..
(Nathal looks to the side)
Cosmic:... Nathal?
(Nathal doesn’t answer as he looks away)
Cosmic: Y-...You okay?
Nathal: Hm? What?
Cosmic: Are you okay?
Nathal: Yeah. I’m good.
Cosmic: You sure?
Nathal: P-Positive.
Cosmic: Um…right, if you’re sure.
(Cosmic looks back at the water as Nathal just sits there)
Nathal:....
Cosmic:.. *Clears throat* So… H-How did you meet the others?
Nathal: Oh, the team?
Cosmic: Yeah. You all met at this…”academy” right?
Nathal: Yeah. As we mention it’s meant to be a place for young Titanian’s who’s talents stand above the average ones. I met Danea during one of the classes. We talked, we bonded, and have to say, I’m glad I met him. This guys is the best.
Cosmic: Is that so?
Nathal: Oh yeah, he’s a natural born warrior. Dude’s so skilled it seemed like he didn’t need to be there!
Cosmic: Wow. I have to see him in action more.
Nathal: You’ll be impressed for sure.
Cosmic: I bet. What about Lizun and Bellina?
Nathal: I met Bellina one day while seeing some of the science labs. I was really surprised to see it was true there’s such a rare event where a Titanian is born without the powers most are, but she was without the doubt the smartest person I ever met.
Nebula: I can believe that. And Lizun.
Nathal: Heh well… It was an experience to say the least.
Cosmic: Oh?
Nathal: Yeah, it was…interesting.
Cosmic: I take it she tried something?
Nathal: More like “succeed”. No one can say no to her
Cosmic: Heheh, that makes sense.
Nathal: Yeah, she’s got a crazy silver tongue. No one could ever explain why.
Cosmic: Believe me, I know.
Nathal: I bet. She’s been really interested in you. I dare say I think she likes you.
Cosmic: Pfft, n-no way.
Nathal: I don’t know, she’s been all over you. And in all the time I’ve known her, if she spends as much time with someone as she does with you, it means she likes you. I have experience, believe me.
Cosmic: Huh. Well, that explains a lot then.
Nathal: Oh I bet.
Cosmic: Still, she’s real nice.
Nathal: She is. A bit forceful with that tongue of hers, but she’s a good person. She does need to lay off Bellina sometimes.
Cosmic: I have noticed she always reminds her she’s got no powers and she’s the youngest.
Natha: Yeah, sometimes she loves to mess with people. But I sometimes think she reminds her as a sign she cares about her.
Cosmic: Very…interesting way of doing that.
Nathal: Well, I know she means no real harm in it.
Cosmic: Hm. Yeah I think you’re right. She was really sad when Bellina got captured. Blamed herself. She opened up about some girl at the academy.
Nathal: Ah, Teela.
Cosmic: You know her?
Nathal: We all kinda did.
Cosmic: Who was she?
Nathal: She was also a gifted Titanian that got into the academy. Her talent was an odd, but unique one. She could create a powerful yet very pleasant scent in the air. It had such a pleasant smell, that even the most intense fighting stops almost instantly.
Cosmic: Oh so she had a talent to stop conflict.
Nathal: Exactly.
Cosmic: Sounds pretty useful for you guys.
Nathal: Sure was.
Cosmic: And she and Lizun were close?
Nathal: Very. If anything, Teela I think could have been part of the team given how close they were.
Cosmic: But that’s not the case.
Nathal: No. They’re friendship pretty much ended at the academy.
Cosmic: Lizun did mention that before. Said it was her fault.
Nathal: That so?
Cosmic: Yeah, but she didn’t explain what happened to me. Just said a mission got messed up and Teela was blamed for it.
Nathal: Hm… It’s not my place to say it. You’d have to ask Lizun about it.
Cosmic: But-
Nathal: I respect my teammates too much to talk about things like that behind their back.
Cosmic:... Right. Sorry.
Nathal: It’s okay.
(Cosmic nods as the two look at the water)
Cosmic:...
Nathal: So what do you wanna do now?
Cosmic: Not sure. You have any thoughts?
(Nathal thinks but Cosmic suddenly gets some bad feeling)
Cosmic:....
(Cosmic stands up and turns away from the water)
Nathal: Hey are you okay?
Cosmic: I’ll be right back.
(Cosmic flies off leaving Nathal confused)
Nathal:....
(Cosmic is shown flying)
Cosmic: This feeling…Something’s wrong, something nearby…
(Cosmic keeps flying for a bit. She looks around and spots something in the woods)
Cosmic: Hey that’s…
(Cosmic goes down and lands on the ground. She spots one of those black mist making objects Archeon’s worshippers were around before. But none were there this time)
Cosmic:...
(Cosmic slowly begins approaching the object)
Cosmic: What is this…? They have something to do with Archeon… But-
(Cosmic reaches out touching the object, but suddenly black mist begins to shoot into Cosmic’s body. Cosmic yells out and begins to feel intense pain. Grabbing her head she thrashes about for a moment. She stops, growling, her eyes glow black. She yels out as demonic fire appears around her body again. Suddenly the fire shoots out to her left and right. Cosmic pants for a moment and looks at the fire as it begins to take shape)
Cosmic:....
(The fire forms into a humanoid shape, appearing female with orange glowing eyes and small, horn-like “growths” on its head. It makes eye contact with Cosmic)
Cosmic:.... What the hell….?
(As Cosmic stares at the strange firey copies suddenly a dark portal opens up behind her. Cosmic turns as suddenly robed demons appear. They pull out the daggers looking ready for a fight)
Nebula: Oh great, the cult is back…
(The lead cultist holds up its dagger. They impale themselves. They wreath in pain before they explode in black mist. Cosmic holds up her arms as the mist surrounds the area. When it clears, Cosmic finds herself, the copies, and the rest of the demons in a familiar dark void, the same place she encounter Archeon)
Cosmic: Oh not this place again…
(Cosmic looks back at the demons as they stand ready for battle)
Cosmic: Sure you wanna do this?
(The demons all hiss and growl at Cosmic)
Cosmic: I’ll take that as a yes…
(Cosmic then sees her copies take her side, standing ready to fight with her)
Cosmic: Whoa wait you’re on my side? Hm… This’ll be interesting.
(The cultists screech and charge at Cosmic. The two copies rush up, uppercutting the a couple of them, knocking their heads clean off as they fade in black mist)
Cosmic:....
(Cosmic smirks)
Cosmic: Oh yeah this’ll be VERY interesting!
(Cosmic shoots head vision at some cultists burning them to black mist. The demon copies tear open another pair of demons open. The two copies float up and shoot a powerful stream of fire burning more of the demons as Cosmic busts open the head of another)
Cosmic: *Thinking* Man these fire copies are just as strong as me with a nice fiery boosts to boot.
(Cosmic watches as a copy picks a demon up and lifts it over their head. It then goes and tears it in half at the waist with its bare hands)
Cosmic: *thinking* Hoo, violent copies they are too. I can get behind this.
(Cosmic finishes the last one with another uppercut. The copies land near Cosmic. They stare for a moment, before they vanish)
Cosmic: Hm. Guess they don’t stay.
(Cosmic then notices reality return to normal as she finds herself back in the forest)
Cosmic: Speaking of staying. Not sure what happened there, but the less I spend time in eternal darkness, the better.
(Cosmic goes and takes flight)
Cosmic: I should get back, tell the others…
(Cosmic flies off heading back to the city. As she does the scene changes back to the palace where Bellina is seen continuing her work)
Bellina:.....
(Bellina looks around at the room, noticing a few people, including a guard)
Bellina:.... *Thinking* Let’s see what they are working on.
(Bellina pulls up a monitor and she quietly looks at it, as it shows various data on the Darkwatch)
Bellina:....
(Bellina goes through the data and sees various blueprints, files and other projects)
Bellina: Hm….Interesting…
(Bellina notices the guard coming up as she shuts the monitor down resuming her work)
Guard: Hey what are you doing?
Bellina: Working, so if you don’t mind.
Guard: Don’t think because Nakal wants you around you’re safe.
Bellina: That supposed to be a threat?
Guard: What do you think?
Bellina: If it was, try one that scares me.
(The Guard glares for a moment before walking off)
Bellina:....
(Bellina then presses a button on her wrist)
Bellina: *Thinking* If I do everything correct, Lt. Moria should get a message.
(Bellina presses another button as she sends something. The scene shows Kol’va, disguised as Moria, standing watch elsewhere inside as she receives a message)
Moria: Hm?
(Moria checks a device seeing a message from Bellina, along with a file. In the message it says “Get to others”)
Moria:....
(Moria looks around for a moment before walking off)
Moria: “Get to others” huh? Hmm, let’s see what you sent.
(Moria checks the message. She scrolls and goes through as her eyes widen a bit)
Moria: Holy…Bellina you sly dog, I’ll get this to them ASAP.
(Moria goes off as Lizun and Danea are seen in the meeting room)
Lizun: Any ideas yet?
Danea: I’m thinking.
Lizun: Think harder.
Danea: Hey you know me, not one to think with my head that often.
Lizun: Ironically considering you always have a plan.
Danea: Still, we’ll get Bellina.
Lizun: I hope so…
(Danea looks at Lizun)
Danea:.... Sorry I… Got on your case before.
Lizun: You were right to…
Danea: Still, it was wrong of me to be so aggressive. I let my heart do the talking when things get stressful, but it’s not always correct…
Lizun: Well, all that matters now is finding a way to get Bellina back, right?
Danea: Exactly.
(As Danea looks back at the map, beeping is heard. He justs his comms to see a message)
Danea: It’s from Moria.
Lizun: Wait isn’t that-
(Danea looks stunned)
Danea: Oooh my…
Lizun: W-What? What is it??
(Danea smiles)
Danea: Bellia you always deliver no matter what.
Lizun: I-Is she okay?
Danea: Hehe yeah, and she just gave us a jackpot.
(Danea transfers the files to the monitors in the room as they’re displayed on screen. Lizun looks at them)
Lizun: Whoa…
Danea: Yeah.
Lizun: Bellina thank that big beautiful brain of yours.
Danea: Yeah. With all this stuff, we now have a good start to freeing her.
Lizun: No kidding! We might be able to really deal damage to the Darkwatchers too with this!
Danea: Let’s get the team together, and let’s see what we can work with.
Lizun: Right. Cosmic needs to explain where she went earlier.
Danea: Indeed, she did kind of just fly off with Nathal without warning.
Lizun: Maybe she saw or heard something?
Danea: Hmm… Well whatever, we got things to figure out.
Lizun: Right.
(The two hear a beep)
Lizun: Hm?
Danea: Ah, that must be her.
(Danea answers his comms)
Danea: Cosmic that you?
Cosmic: *Voice* Yes, I’m heading back. Nathal should be coming back soon. I got somethings to say
Danea: You can tell us soon as you possible, but when you get back, we got news on Bellina.
Cosmic: *voice* Good or bad?
Danea: Heh, well it definitely ain’t a terrible thing.
Cosmic: *Voice* I like the sound of that.
Danea: Come down quick and I’ll tell you everything.
Cosmic: *Voice* Roger that.
(Danea hangs up)
Danea: Wait here, I’ll bring her in.
Lizun: Right.
(Danea goes off)
Danea: Right… Let’s get this started.
TO BE CONTINUED…