I've recently started writing screenplays for my urban fantasy series in order to develop my creative writing skills while adding depth to the main characters of the series.
Much of the writing is for character dialogue, though there are descriptions in place for events that are unfolding where dialogue is not needed to advance the story.
Much of the writing is for character dialogue, though there are descriptions in place for events that are unfolding where dialogue is not needed to advance the story.
#1: The Adventurous Athlete
Emily decides to break family tradition and give up a prosperous sporting career to become an Adventurer, though not everyone in her family is particularly supportive of this idea
Emily decides to break family tradition and give up a prosperous sporting career to become an Adventurer, though not everyone in her family is particularly supportive of this idea
Spoiler:
PART ONE
INT. JUNIOR MARTIAL ARTS STADIUM ARENA – DAY
The final of the latest Junior Martial Arts Tournament is heating up, with the ANNOUNCER on the edge of her seat as much as the small CROWD is while EMILY and her OPPONENT, naturally wearing their Martial Arts Uniforms, stand ready for one more bout in front of the panel of JUDGES.
ANNOUNCER: (shouting into her microphone) And with the clock ticking, the end of this enthralling match is edging closer! Who will come out on top between these two talented young Martial Artists? Will Emily bring more glory to her family's name? Or will her streak finally come to a screeching halt?
EMILY: (confidently) Gotta give credit where it's due. I haven't been pushed this far in a while. But I think it's time to put an end to this match, once and for all!
OPPONENT: You're right about that last part, at least. Just not in the way you think, sadly.
EMILY: We'll see…
The battle continues, with the two fighters trading punches and kicks as the CROWD and JUDGES watch on with excitement. Eventually, EMILY backs her OPPONENT towards the edge of the ring, preparing for a Ring Out.
ANNOUNCER: (shouting into her microphone) Oh! Emily has her opponent right where she wants her! Could this be it!?
EMILY: (smugly) It's been fun, but I've got another trophy to take home.
EMILY winks at her OPPONENT
EMILY: See ya later!
EMILY delivers the finishing blow, sending her opponent flying out of the arena.
The CROWD goes wild, especially her PARENTS and SIBLINGS who are all in attendance. LIANA in particular is very happy for her younger sister, though CHLOE looks like she would rather be anywhere else right now.
LIANA: (screaming) Woo! You rule, sis!
CHLOE: (annoyed) Do you have to scream in my ear like that?
LIANA: Oh, come on! You should be happy for your sister! Don't be such a downer, Chloe!
CHLOE: Whatever. I only came here so Teri wouldn't bother me today.
TERI suddenly appears in the crowd. CHLOE looks irked as soon as she utters a word.
TERI: Ooh, she's really good. At least your sisters can win sometimes, right Chloe?
CHLOE grumbles in frustration as the HEAD JUDGE approaches EMILY with a trophy in her hand.
HEAD JUDGE: Congratulations, Emily! That's your fourth Junior Title in a row! I'm sure I'll be handing a lot more of these to you in the future.
The HEAD JUDGE hands a trophy to EMILY, who smiles as she lifts it into the air to the roar of the CROWD.
END OF PART ONE
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PART TWO
INT. JUNIOR MARTIAL ARTS STADIUM LOBBY — DAY
EMILY walks out of the changing rooms, back in her regular clothes. Her FAMILY walk over to her with beaming smiles on their faces, except for CHLOE who looks bored out of her mind.
LIANA: (proudly) Congrats, sis! Four trophies in a row!
EMILY: Thanks, Li! Your support really pushes me to do my best.
LIANA: And so it should!
LIANA eyeballs CHLOE, who is looking away from her and EMILY
LIANA: I just wish everyone could see it that way.
CHLOE: Hmph.
EMILY's mother, ELIZA, walks over to her and gives her a congratulatory pat on the head.
ELIZA: Well, honey, what do you say we head over to your favourite restaurant tonight? Our treat!
EMILY: (punching the air) Alright!
CHLOE: Well, at least I get something out of coming here today…
END OF PART TWO
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PART THREE
INT. BURGER RESTAURANT — NIGHT
The FRITZ family are all at EMILY's favourite restaurant, tucking into their meals. EMILY is gorging her Cheeseburger when LIANA looks up to ask her something.
LIANA: Hey, Em! You wanna come with me to the cinemas tonight? There's this action movie my friends were raving about all day, and I'd really like to see it before it gets spoiled for me.
EMILY: An action movie? Eh, I don't know. I've never really enjoyed any of the ones I've seen before.
LIANA: Yeah, but this one's supposed to be REALLY good! It's actually and Action Adventure! You haven't seen any Adventure movies before, have you?
EMILY: No, I guess not. Haven't really watched any movies since those first few Action movies. They didn't exactly convince me to keep going back to the cinemas, you know?
LIANA: Well, could you at least give this one a try? I really want to go with someone, but my friends have all seen it, and none of these wanna go either.
LYDIA: I told you I would if I didn't have a big game coming up tomorrow. I need to get to bed early tonight, or I'll be playing half-asleep!
LAURA: And I'm meeting my bf tonight, so you can count me out.
RYAN: (sadly) And I'm too young to watch the movie.
CHLOE: (bored) And I couldn't care less.
LIANA: See? Please, Em! Won't you come with me? My treat!
EMILY: (sighing) Fine, I'll come. Haven't got much else to do tonight, I guess!
LIANA: (happy) Woohoo! I promise, you won't regret it!
EMILY: I hope I don't…
END OF PART THREE
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PART FOUR
INT. CITRUS TOWN CINEMA HALL — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA arrive at the cinema and are met with a long queue waiting to see the hit movie everyone is talking about.
EMILY: Oh, wow. This movie really is popular, huh?
LIANA: (condescendingly) Either that or all these people wanna see that new Baseball movie, amirite?
EMILY gives LIANA a dirty look, being quite fond of Baseball herself.
EMILY: Well, I just this movie lives up to the hype. Maybe I'll go and watch the other one if I get bored.
As time passes, the queue starts to decrease, until EMILY and LIANA finally get to the front of the line. They ask for tickets and get a response.
EMILY: (annoyed) 20 minutes before the next showing!? Come on, we were standing in that line for about 40 minutes!
LIANA: It's all good, sis! Trust me, the movie will be worth the wait!
EMILY: (sighing) I never should have agreed to this. What am I doing, wasting precious training time just to watch a silly movie?
LIANA: (annoyed) Come on, don't you have a life outside of Martial Arts? Really, it's about time you expanded your horizons a bit. I mean, I love Martial Arts too, but there's more to life than kicking people's asses!
EMILY: Yeah, and that's why you really want to watch an action movie?
LIANA frowns at EMILY, before time passes until the movie is ready to start.
END OF PART FOUR
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PART FIVE
INT. CITRUS TOWN CINEMA SCREEN 5 — NIGHT
The movie commences in the currently silent theatre, with LIANA getting quietly pumped up for the movie while EMILY looks on in pure boredom, expecting the adverts currently playing to be just as exciting as the movie itself.
Soon after, the movie begins, with the protagonist EMILIA living out her normal life in her village. EMILY and LIANA watch on with contrasting emotions.
EMILY: (thinking) Honestly, who gets excited about these movies, anyway? It's always just people talking about boring crap for hours before you see about five minutes of actual action…
LIANA: (thinking) Oh, wow… You can just feel the tensity spiking up every second. Like something REALLY bad is going to happen at any moment!
As LIANA predicted, something bad does happen. A group of vicious BANDITS attack the village, with the GUARDS fending them off while EMILIA tries to keep her younger brother REYAN safe. Unfortunately, she is ambushed by the BANDITS and REYAN is taken away.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh girl, I'd hate to be in her shoes right now…
LIANA: (thinking) Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what's gonna happen next!?
With no other options, EMILIA decides to suit up in her travelling gear to go on an adventure to the BANDIT fortress and save her brother by herself. Her journey is long and perilous, fighting through waves of enemies and passing through dangerous caves, forests, and mountains. EMILY's pure boredom gradually turns into sheer awe as she witnesses the life of an adventurer for the first time.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh, wow! This really is amazing! It's been non-stop action ever since she set foot out of her village. So, this is the life of an adventurer, huh…
LIANA: (thinking) Huh, maybe this is it bit too much action for my liking. I though an adventure would be exciting, but even I would want to have a rest every so often…
Eventually, EMILIA reaches the fortress, where she does battle with the BANDITS within, bringing immense joy to EMILY's face, which LIANA takes pride in. EMILIA fights her way through the BANDITS before confronting their LEADER on the top of the fortress, who is the only thing standing between EMILIA and REYAN. A fierce battle commences between the two women, with EMILY barely being able to contain her excitement anymore.
EMILY: (thinking) Whoa! This is so cool! I didn't think adventurers would get to live such an awesome life! Just look at them go! Come on Emilia, you can do it!
The battle then comes to the climax, as EMILIA pushes the LEADER to the edge of the fortress and threatens to drop her off if she does not set REYAN free. To the shock of EMILIA and everyone in the cinema, the LEADER reveals herself as EMILIA and REYAN's long lost sister, who the whole time had merely wanted to be reunited with her siblings. She had been forced into hiding after being wrongly accused of a serious crime but had grown to miss her siblings over the years. The two sisters reconcile, with EMILIA promising that she will do whatever she can to clear her sister's name, who in turn sets REYAN free.
Applause then rings out as the credits begin to roll, with EMILY up on her feet in particularly rapturous applause, much to LIANA's mixture of surprise and delight.
END OF PART FIVE
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PART SIX
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA make their way home from the cinema, with their experiences in the cinema still firmly on their minds. EMILY is lost in thought about what she made of the movie, while LIANA is eager to discuss it.
LIANA: Girl, that was the best movie I've seen in ages! The action might have gotten a bit overboard, but it was still really exciting. Guess it beats talking for hours amongst five minutes of action, right sis?
EMILY: Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah…
EMILY starts to think again after LIANA interrupted her…
EMILY: (thinking) The life of an adventurer… If I'd always known it was that exciting, I might have considered doing that instead of Martial Arts…
LIANA starts discussing her thoughts in the background while EMILY keeps her thoughts to herself
LIANA: Ah, and that ending, too! Girl, I was totally caught off guard by that!
EMILY: (thinking) In fact, maybe I could still try it out. I mean, it might not be as exciting in real life as in a movie, but…
LIANA: You know, we've really gotta start doing this more often. You really enjoyed it too, right Em?
EMILY: (thinking) I could go to the Adventurers Guild tomorrow and ask them if they have any trials that I could try out for…
LIANA: Em? Yo, sis! Siiiis!
EMILY: (thinking) And hey, if I ever needed to defend myself on an adventure, I can always use my Martial Arts skills to…
LIANA: (shouting) Sis!
EMILY: (startled) Ah!
LIANA: Are you okay? You've been staring off into space like that for a while now.
EMILY: Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine… Just tired…
LIANA: Well, we'll be home soon. We can talk about it again tomorrow…
EMILY: (thinking) I probably shouldn't tell my family about this. I don't want them to worry that I'm getting myself in harm's way or anything. I'll just try one little trial and see if I like it…
The girls continue to walk home, as the screen fades and the day comes to a close…
END OF PART SIX
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PART SEVEN
INT. HOUSE FRITZ — DAY
It's Saturday, and Emily has only one thing on her mind today. She springs out of her bed in the early hours of the morning before heading downstairs to grab herself some breakfast in the dining room. She is greeted by LAURA, who as usual was the first one up on a Saturday.
LAURA: (surprised) Hey, Em! You're up early today.
EMILY: Yeah, I've got a lot of things to do today. You got tennis practice again today?
LAURA: Sure do. I've gotta keep in shape if I want to get my Tour Card someday.
EMILY: Well, good luck.
LAURA: And I assume you're heading over to the Gym after this?
EMILY: No, no, I've, uh… got other plans today
LAURA: Oh, really? You don't usually skip the Gym on a Saturday morning.
EMILY: I know, I just…
EMILY stops for a moment, not wanting LAURA to know she is heading to the Adventurers Guild today
LAURA: (concerned) What's wrong, Em? If something's bothering you, don't be afraid to tell one of us. We all support each other, after all.
EMILY: It's nothing! I'll tell you if something's really bothering me, okay?
LAURA: Well, alright. Just… don't be afraid to speak to us, okay? Anyway, I've gotta get going now. Good luck with whatever you've got planned today!
EMILY: Thanks, sis. You, too…
LAURA leaves the house, leaving EMILY alone to gather her thoughts.
EMILY: (thinking) I could have just told her what I was really doing today… But I still don't feel comfortable discussing it right now. If I really want to become an Adventurer, I'll let them know. But for now, I should…
LIANA suddenly appears in the dining room.
LIANA: (shouting) Hey, sis!
EMILY: (startled) Wah!
LIANA: Hey, you're up early today! You coming with me to the Gym today?
EMILY: Nah, I've got… other plans today.
LIANA: Oh, really? You don't usually miss Gym on a…
EMILY: (hurriedly) Ah, actually, I've gotta go! We can talk about the movie later if you like.
LIANA: (confused) Uh, okay! Catch you later, sis!
EMILY quickly leaves the house, not wanting LIANA to learn of her plans. She was particularly worried about how LIANA would react because of their shared interests in Martial Arts.
END OF PART SEVEN
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PART EIGHT
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — DAY
EMILY heads over to the Adventurers Guild, continuing to gather her thoughts about life as an Adventurer against life as a professional Martial Artist.
EMILY: (thinking) I've really enjoyed Martial Arts, but it always felt like something was missing. That it wasn't really what I wanted to do in life, even though I was good at it. Maybe I was just trying to make Liana happy… She'd always told me she wanted to compete with me in the future and… I just didn't wanna let her. But I need to decide what's best for me… And if that's adventuring, then she'll just have to accept that… No matter how hard it may be…
EMILY continues on to the Guild when she bumps into ADAM, one of her best friends and biggest fans.
ADAM: Hey, Em!
EMILY: (surprised) Oh! Hi, Adam! How you doing?
ADAM: I'm good, thanks. Congrats on the win yesterday!
EMILY: Thanks! So, uh, you busy today?
ADAM: Yeah, I'm meeting with Jake at the cinema to watch that new action-adventure movie. I hear it's really good. You seen it, yet?
EMILY: Sure have! Who knew the life of an adventurer was so cool?
ADAM: Yeah, though it does seem pretty dangerous. I don't think I'd ever want anything to do with it…
EMILY: Well, each to their own, I guess. Hope you enjoy it!
ADAM: Heh, I'd better get over there before the queue gets too long. Catch you later!
ADAM leaves
EMILY: (thinking) You know, I might upset more than just Liana if I do decide to join the Guild. But I still gotta check it out! It might not be for her or Adam, but maybe it is for me!
EMILY continues on towards the Guild, desperate to experience the life of an adventurer for herself…
END OF PART EIGHT
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PART NINE
INT. ADVENTURERS GUILD CITRUS TOWN BUILDING — DAY
EMILY enters the Adventurers Guild building and enters the main lobby, noticing the Bulletin Board in the middle and going towards it.
EMILY: That must be the Bulletin Board. People leave all sorts of requests on here. From the most basic of requests to the downright ludicrous…
EMILY scours over the job listings when the Guildmaster, SHEA, suddenly appears.
SHEA: That's right!
EMILY: (startled) Ah! Why does everyone keep doing that!?
SHEA: Who better to turn to when you need a hand than the Adventurers Guild? So, are you looking for something in particular? A rare gemstone? An un-meltable block of ice?
EMILY: No, no, none of that. I was wondering if I could try out for the Guild? Maybe complete a trial of some sort?
SHEA: Oh, I see. But wait, aren't you that Martial Artist everyone's been talking about? What makes you want a career change all of a sudden?
EMILY: I don't know if I wanna do that for certain just yet. I just wanted to see what life as an adventurer was like before I make my decision.
SHEA: Very well, then. I can give you the same trial as the other new recruits if you like. I am the Guildmaster, after all.
SHEA pulls out a map of Citrus Town and the surrounding areas. She points at Apple Forest, located to the left of the town.
SHEA: All you need to do is reach the end of Apple Forest. There'll be a chest with a Flag bearing the Guild's official crest on it. Bring that Flag back and the trial will be complete.
EMILY: That sounds… easier than I thought…
SHEA: Well, I don't want to put potential recruits in serious danger. Apple Forest is fairly small and lightly inhabited, so it works as a trial location. I know, with you being a Martial Artist and all, you can definitely defend yourself, but adventuring is about more than just fighting. You'd be travelling to all sorts of locations where you'll need a variety of skills to succeed. Puzzle solving, map reading, you name it. This trial will prove if you at least have enough basic skills to succeed as an adventurer.
EMILY: I understand. Don't worry, I'll have that Flag back here in no time!
SHEA: I certainly hope so!
EMILY leaves for the forest when an ADVENTURER enters the room and approaches SHEA
ADVENTURER: Uh, boss? Do you have a moment?
SHEA: Of course! What else do I do nowadays except talk to people? What is it?
ADVENTURER: Well it's just… We've been having numerous reports this morning. About "killer wasps" flying around in Apple Forest…
SHEA looks nervous upon hearing this.
ADVENTURER: Think we should… Send someone to check it out?
SHEA: (nervous laughter) Oh, well that's… Um… Uh… Oh dear…
END OF PART NINE
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PART TEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST — DAY
Unaware of the dangers within, EMILY enters the Forest and walks along the path set out by the Guild for the trial. She takes some time to admire the scenery.
EMILY: (thinking) Pretty quiet around here just now. Have to say though, this place looks pretty nice. Apples growing on the trees, the wind blowing through the leaves, huge wasps flying above me… Yeah, I think I might enjoy experiences like this…
EMILY stops after a few seconds
EMILY: (thinking) Wait… huge wasps?
She looks above and sees a swarm of huge WASPS flying around. They have not spotted her yet, but she is slightly nervous.
EMILY: (thinking) Whoa! The Guildmaster didn't tell me about those things. I don't if I can fight all of them on my own. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
EMILY hurries along the path, feeling slightly more nervous than before. She eventually comes across the chest containing the flags after getting through some parts of the forest, including swinging between trees to avoid gaps in the floor and sneaking past some giant WASPS.
EMILY: Alright! This must be the Flag Chest. I just need to take one back and I'm all done!
EMILY opens the chest and reaches for the flag when a swarm of giant WASPS approaches.
EMILY: Have to say, this has been really fun. Walking through an uncharted area, swinging across the trees, admiring nature, maybe this is what I was…
EMILY turns around and sees the giant WASPS hovering right before her.
EMILY: …made for…
The WASPS approach EMILY, who has become slightly nervous.
EMILY: Oh dear, there are… quite a few of these, aren't there? Come on, Emily, think!
She looks for a way to get through the WASPS baring down on her, when she sees a cave ahead of the Flag Chest.
EMILY: (thinking) That cave might be my only way out. Hate to run from a fight, but there are too many of these things right now.
As she thinks that, even more WASPS appear
EMILY: (thinking) Way too many of these things right now.
EMILY flees towards the cave, as the WASPS give chase. She climbs up a tree to jump between them, hoping to avoid being trapped by any dead ends on the floor.
END OF PART TEN
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PART ELEVEN
INT. APPLE FOREST CAVE — DAY
Upon entering the cave, EMILY ducks into a gap and hides, with the WASPS losing sight of her before flying away to seek another target. She breathes a sigh of relief before making a torch with some materials she picked up earlier to light up the dark cave.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh, girl… That was intense… But at the same time… exhilarating! The rush of running through the forest, away from a bunch of killer wasps. Something about it just… feels like it suits me. Maybe this really is what I like to do…
EMILY continues walking through the cave while gathering her thoughts.
EMILY: (thinking) Maybe if I train my adventuring skills with the Guild, I can get strong enough to fight entire groups of monsters on my own. But right now, even with my Martial Arts skills, there's no way I'm taking on all of those giant wasps by myself. I have enjoyed competing with others as a Martial Artist, but I've never gotten the same thrill out of that as I have with this. And if this is how I want to spend my life, I should just do it. It might upset some people, but I don't want to live doing something I don't really want to do…
EMILY continues to make her way through the cave, now convinced that she really does want to experience the thrills that a life of adventure will provide her.
END OF PART ELEVEN
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PART TWELVE
EXT. APPLE FOREST— DAY
EMILY exits the cave and returns outside, finding herself near a small lake with no WASPS in sight. She breathes a sigh of relief at this.
EMILY: Phew, okay. No more wasps around. Now I can head back and give Shea the Flag before anything else shows up.
However, she soon hears a roar coming from the surrounding trees.
EMILY: Or not…
A large BEAR jumps out from the trees and confronts EMILY. She is startled at first, but quickly regains her composure.
EMILY: (confidently)Well, what do we have here? Just one really angry-looking bear by the look of it. Hope for your sake you're not planning to fight me on your own, are you?
BEAR: *grumbles*
EMILY: (boastful) I mean, do you know who I am? I'm Emily Fritz! The toughest girl in Citrus Town Elementary! Three-time winner of the Junior Martial Arts Tournament! And…
She notices the BEAR approaching, ready fight.
EMILY: And you totally don't care, do you? Well, all you'll care about after this is fleeing from my sight!
EMILY and the BEAR engage in combat, with the prodigal Martial Artist using her many skills to quickly get the upper hand against her grizzly opponent. She unleashes a flurry of kicks and punches at the BEAR, causing it significant damage. The BEAR starts to tire as EMILY continues her relentless barrage of attacks.
EMILY: See? You don't stand a chance against me! Now, how about you run along before I start getting serious?
EMILY gives the BEAR a wink before approaching it, causing the BEAR to give in and run away from her. She stands proud to celebrate her latest victory.
EMILY: Now that was a fun fight! Me squaring off with a wild animal. Just another element of an adventurer's life. I'm loving every minute of this! Well, guess I should head back to Shea. Might wanna let her know how "safe" this forest is for the townsfolk…
EMILY heads to the forest entrance, intent on returning to the Guild as soon as possible.
END OF PART TWELVE
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PART THIRTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST ENTRANCE — DAY
EMILY arrives back at the entrance to the forest, where she sees SHEA waiting on word from both her and the other adventurers who were sent in after her.
EMILY: Huh? Guildmaster?
SHEA: (relieved) Oh, Emily! Thank goodness you're okay!
SHEA runs over to EMILY, who has the Flag in her hand.
SHEA: And you found the Flag! Very impressive, indeed!
EMILY: (exasperated) Yeah, a "fairly lightly inhabited forest", indeed…
SHEA: (apologetic) Ah, I'm sorry. We'd only just received word about those "killer wasps" after you'd already left. But it seems you managed to evade them.
EMILY: Yeah, I did. And I sent some giant bear packing to boot! Not bad, eh?
SHEA: (impressed) Very good! Your Martial Arts skills could really come in handy as an adventurer. So, what do you think? Want to join the guild and start properly living the life of an adventurer?
EMILY: Sure do! I had a ton of fun today and I don't wanna stop now! Especially if it only gets more exciting from here!
SHEA: Oh, it sure does! Just wait until you've seen the view from the top of Mt. Escala! Well, I'm happy to welcome you as a Junior member of the Adventurers Guild! For now, you'll be able to train with use and visit local areas, like the forest. Once you're old enough, you'll be able to operate across the province, or even beyond! Dedicate yourself to your training and you're sure to succeed!
EMILY: I will, ma'am! Thank you!
SHEA: Don't mention it! Though, uh, you should probably tell your family about this before we do anything else. I'd rather not have them come banging on our doors telling us to let you go, after all.
EMILY: Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be cool with it. They know I can handle myself!
SHEA: I hope so. You've built quite a reputation as a Martial Artist, though. I'm sure some people might be sad to see you bring an end to a career in Sports. Especially as a member of the illustrious Fritz family.
EMILY: Yeah, you might be right. But I don't have to be like the rest of my family. I'll be sure to let everyone know that one way or another!
SHEA smiles as the screen fades, with EMILY preparing to inform her family of her decision to join the Guild and quit her career as a professional Martial Artist.
END OF PART THIRTEEN
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PART FOURTEEN
INT. APPLE HOUSE FRITZ — NIGHT
At the dinner table, EMILY's family express their shock after she reveals her intention to quit her current career path to become a Full Member of the Guild someday, having already agreed to join as a Junior Member.
ELIZA: (surprised) You want to join the Adventurers Guild?
LIANA: (shocked) And you're quitting your Martial Arts career!?
EMILY nods as her family look at each other with looks of shock and concern.
LYDIA: But isn't that kind of dangerous? Even our local forest apparently isn't safe anymore, let alone wandering all across the wilderness.
EMILY: I know, but that's what excites me the most. It sounds strange, I know, but I got to experience that first-hand today, and I really enjoyed it! Before all this, I'd only ever known Martial Arts, but now I know… This is what I want to do.
CHLOE: I don't see the point in it. You've got a good thing going as a Martial Artist, why let it go to waste? Plenty of people would love to have the career you've been gearing up for.
EMILY: I know, but just because I'm good at it doesn't mean it's the only thing I should focus on in life. I really enjoy adventuring, and I want to devote myself to it from now on. I hope you all understand.
LIANA: (annoyed) Well I don't! You've always loved Martial Arts before today! What's with the sudden shift in attitude?
EMILY: I didn't know anything about it until… until we saw that movie last night. But that's not the only reason! As soon as I experienced it myself for the first time, I just knew it was what I was meant to do!
LIANA: No, you were supposed to be a Martial Artist! Like me! And we were supposed to compete with each other in front of huge crowds across the world! And now you're just throwing it all away!?
EMILY: Come on, Li! Just because you want that, doesn't mean I do!
LIANA: But why!? I was always happy knowing I'd be able to go on this journey with at least one of my sisters by my side! And now you're gonna abandon me just like that!? Argh!
LIANA runs out of the room in anger, with EMILY looking worried about her.
EMILY: Hey, wait! Whoa, I never knew she felt that way about me…
LAURA: Me either! She's always been so competitive with us. I never knew she cared so much about us.
EMILY: I should try to catch up to her. Hopefully, I can still reason with her.
ELIZA: (worried) Alright, honey. Just make sure she doesn't get herself in trouble, okay?
EMILY leaves the room as her mother says this, with the rest of the family looking at each other worried about LIANA and her sudden outburst.
END OF PART FOURTEEN
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PART FIFTEEN
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — NIGHT
EMILY runs across the street in search of LIANA, who she finds sitting alone on a bench with her head held in her hands. She walks up to her in the hopes of reasoning with her.
EMILY: Hey, sis? Can I just…
LIANA: (angrily) Go away, Em!
EMILY: Come on, I just wanna talk to you.
LIANA: Well I don't want to talk to you! So just… leave me alone…
EMILY: Sis, I'm not doing this just to spite you. I've just found something I love to do more than anything else. Even Martial Arts!
LIANA: But you never cared about this before we went to watch that damn movie! Urgh, I wish I hadn't taken you to see it now!
EMILY: But it's like you told me back at the cinema! About how I need to "expand my horizons"! And as soon as I did that, I found out what I truly love to do! Martial Arts is fun and all, but it just doesn't offer me the same excitement as Adventuring. I know you might not feel the same way, but at the end of the day, we're two different people!
LIANA: (sighing) I just… I don't want to lose you, Em. We're all gonna be apart from each other once we start our professional careers. Heck, Laura's already set to leave home pretty soon. I was happy knowing I would at least get to be along with you throughout my journey. But if you're not there, then I…
EMILY: No, Li. You have to do what's best for you. I'm sure you'll love life as a Martial Artist, just as I'll enjoy adventuring across the world.
LIANA: But sis, I…
As LIANA is about to make another point, a distressed ADAM runs up to them.
ADAM: (panicking) Em! Em!
EMILY: Adam? What's up?
ADAM: (panicking) It's Jake! We went out to the forest after we watched the movie, but we got separated after these giant wasps came after us!
EMILY: What!? Adam, you boys shouldn't be hanging in a place like that anyway!
ADAM: I know, but I thought it would be safe. We've never seen those wasps in there before! I wish I could save him, but… I can't throw a punch to save my life and…
EMILY: Well don't worry, Adam! I'll go save him! I know that forest pretty well by now. And I certainly know how to throw a punch!
LIANA: I'm coming too, sis!
EMILY: Huh?!But…
LIANA: I'm not gonna sit by when Jake's in danger! Come on! We'll save him together! Plus, I can totally throw a punch better than you!
EMILY: Ugh, alright, let's go! We'll be sure to bring him back safe and sound, okay?
The sisters dash off to the forest to save JAKE from the killer WASPS.
ADAM: Be careful, you guys!
END OF PART FIFTEEN
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PART SIXTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA make their way through the forest, in search of JAKE. They both shout his name, but nobody answers.
EMILY: I can't believe those two would come here. Even without all the WASPS around, this is hardly the place for a couple of defenseless boys to be hanging out.
LIANA: (scoffs) Yeah, but it's nothing that the two toughest girls in town can't handle, right? Or, you know, soon to be, at least.
EMILY: Say whatever you want, sis. I'm still not changing my decision.
LIANA: Ugh, I don't know how you suddenly find this kind of thing more enjoyable than winning Martial Tournaments! What's so fun about walking through a dark forest at night, anyway!?
EMILY: You might not find this exciting, sis, but I do! Why can't you just accept that?
LIANA: Well don't come crying to me if you suddenly decide you miss the tournaments. Don't be saying I didn't warn you!
EMILY: Whatever. Let's just find Jake, already.
LIANA: Sure. Wouldn't wanna hang around in this dull forest for too long, amirite?
EMILY ignores LIANA's latest remark as the girls continue searching for Jake. They reach the same lake where EMILY fought the BEAR earlier. EMILY is keen to bring this up.
EMILY: Oh, hey! I didn't tell you about that bear I fought here earlier, did I? Sure was a fun battle, alright. Though I suppose serious fights like that aren't for everyone.
LIANA: (annoyed) If you think putting your life in danger is so much fun, suit yourself! I'd rather hear the roar from the crowd as I lift my latest trophy into the air.
As the two continue to argue, they hear a shout coming from deeper in the forest.
JAKE: (distant) Help! Someone!
EMILY: Did you hear that?
LIANA: Yeah. That's gotta be Jake!
EMILY: Let's hurry!
EMILY and LIANA hurry on over to the source of the shouting. They soon come across JAKE as he is being cornered by a singular killer WASP.
EMILY: Jake! Over here!
JAKE: Em!? Why are you…
EMILY: To save you, obviously. Get over here, quick!
JAKE runs over to EMILY, with the WASP in pursuit. EMILY quickly squares up to the WASP, intent on protecting JAKE. She turns to LIANA.
EMILY: Sis! Get him to safety, okay? I'll make sure the wasp doesn't follow us!
LIANA: (worried) What!? You're gonna fight that thing on your own!? But…
EMILY: (confident) Don't worry, sis! If I can beat a bear on my own, I can handle an overgrown wasp by myself!
LIANA: Sis…
EMILY smiles before turning to face the WASP, before LIANA decides to accept her sister's wish.
LIANA: Be careful, okay? Come on, Jake!
JAKE: Good luck, Em!
LIANA and JAKE leave as the WASP lunges itself towards EMILY, who uses her Martial Arts skills to repel the WASP as it continues to attack her. She manages to dodge the massive stinger before moving in to deliver a few blows to the WASP.
EMILY: How do you like that, huh? Not so fun when you're fighting someone your own size, is it?
The WASP gets agitated and continues to attack EMILY. The WASP's stinger does eventually manage to strike EMILY, causing her some pain. However, she quickly shrugs it off and continues her own attack on the WASP. She prepares to fire a ball of Light Magic at her buzzling opponent.
EMILY: Maybe I'll be able to use my magic more often as an adventurer. What do you say, buzzy? Wanna call it quits before I fire this thing?
The WASP lunges at her again, refusing to back down unlike the BEAR from earlier.
EMILY: (sighs) Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
EMILY fires the ball of light, causing a small explosion of light which is seen by LIANA and JAKE, who are now at the entrance of the Forest. As the smoke of the attack clears, the WASP is lying on the floor, unresponsive. EMILY breathes a mixed sigh of relief as well as disappointment of having to end the WASP's life.
EMILY: You didn't have to throw your life away like this. Well, hopefully the same won't have to happen with the rest of the wasps. I should probably get out of here before they decide to come looking for their friend here.
EMILY puts words into action and leaves the forest, hoping to avoid any more battles against overgrown insects for one day at least.
END OF PART SIXTEEN
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PART SEVENTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST ENTRANCE — NIGHT
EMILY arrives back at the entrance to the forest once again, where she finds a relieved LIANA and JAKE waiting for her.
LIANA: Sis! I'm so glad you're safe!
EMILY: Heh, I told you there was nothing to worry about. You didn't doubt me, did you?
LIANA: No, of course not. I just… don't want to see you get hurt, that's all.
ADAM appears and is happy to see JAKE is safe and sound.
ADAM: Jake! Are you okay!?
JAKE: Yeah, thanks to Emily and Liana here!
ADAM: Thanks for everything, you too! I don't want to think what could've happened if you hadn't been here right now!
EMILY: Don't mention it! We were never gonna stand by and let one of our friends be bullied by some giant wasps, right?
LIANA: Of course not!
ADAM: Come on, Jake! We've gotta get home before our curfew!
JAKE: Yeah, I've had enough excitement for one day! Thanks again, you guys!
ADAM and JAKE hurry on home to avoid any punishment from their parents as EMILY and LIANA wave them off.
EMILY: Take care, you two!
LIANA: And stay outta that forest!
EMILY: Well, don't you think we should head home, too?
LIANA: Wait. Before we go, I just… I wanna apologize, okay? For the way I was acting earlier? Look, I know I wanted you to carry on as a Martial Artist and all, but after watching you save Jake from that wasp earlier, I realized how much you could do as an Adventurer. You could really make a difference to this world, save so many people like Jake. So… If that's really what you wanna do… I won't argue with it.
EMILY: Thanks, Li. I'm glad you understand now.
LIANA: Have to say though, I'd still take the crowds singing my name any day of the week!
EMILY: (laughs) Each to their own, after all. So, you wanna head home now?
LIANA: Nah, we've still got plenty of time before our curfew! You wanna hit the cinema again?
EMILY: Sure! That sounds fun! And it's something we can enjoy together!
The sisters head off to the cinema once again as the episode draws to a close.
LIANA: It sure is! I'll let you pick the movie this time!
EMILY: (sarcastically) I hear that Baseball movie's pretty good…
LIANA: And I already regret my decision…
THE END
INT. JUNIOR MARTIAL ARTS STADIUM ARENA – DAY
The final of the latest Junior Martial Arts Tournament is heating up, with the ANNOUNCER on the edge of her seat as much as the small CROWD is while EMILY and her OPPONENT, naturally wearing their Martial Arts Uniforms, stand ready for one more bout in front of the panel of JUDGES.
ANNOUNCER: (shouting into her microphone) And with the clock ticking, the end of this enthralling match is edging closer! Who will come out on top between these two talented young Martial Artists? Will Emily bring more glory to her family's name? Or will her streak finally come to a screeching halt?
EMILY: (confidently) Gotta give credit where it's due. I haven't been pushed this far in a while. But I think it's time to put an end to this match, once and for all!
OPPONENT: You're right about that last part, at least. Just not in the way you think, sadly.
EMILY: We'll see…
The battle continues, with the two fighters trading punches and kicks as the CROWD and JUDGES watch on with excitement. Eventually, EMILY backs her OPPONENT towards the edge of the ring, preparing for a Ring Out.
ANNOUNCER: (shouting into her microphone) Oh! Emily has her opponent right where she wants her! Could this be it!?
EMILY: (smugly) It's been fun, but I've got another trophy to take home.
EMILY winks at her OPPONENT
EMILY: See ya later!
EMILY delivers the finishing blow, sending her opponent flying out of the arena.
The CROWD goes wild, especially her PARENTS and SIBLINGS who are all in attendance. LIANA in particular is very happy for her younger sister, though CHLOE looks like she would rather be anywhere else right now.
LIANA: (screaming) Woo! You rule, sis!
CHLOE: (annoyed) Do you have to scream in my ear like that?
LIANA: Oh, come on! You should be happy for your sister! Don't be such a downer, Chloe!
CHLOE: Whatever. I only came here so Teri wouldn't bother me today.
TERI suddenly appears in the crowd. CHLOE looks irked as soon as she utters a word.
TERI: Ooh, she's really good. At least your sisters can win sometimes, right Chloe?
CHLOE grumbles in frustration as the HEAD JUDGE approaches EMILY with a trophy in her hand.
HEAD JUDGE: Congratulations, Emily! That's your fourth Junior Title in a row! I'm sure I'll be handing a lot more of these to you in the future.
The HEAD JUDGE hands a trophy to EMILY, who smiles as she lifts it into the air to the roar of the CROWD.
END OF PART ONE
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PART TWO
INT. JUNIOR MARTIAL ARTS STADIUM LOBBY — DAY
EMILY walks out of the changing rooms, back in her regular clothes. Her FAMILY walk over to her with beaming smiles on their faces, except for CHLOE who looks bored out of her mind.
LIANA: (proudly) Congrats, sis! Four trophies in a row!
EMILY: Thanks, Li! Your support really pushes me to do my best.
LIANA: And so it should!
LIANA eyeballs CHLOE, who is looking away from her and EMILY
LIANA: I just wish everyone could see it that way.
CHLOE: Hmph.
EMILY's mother, ELIZA, walks over to her and gives her a congratulatory pat on the head.
ELIZA: Well, honey, what do you say we head over to your favourite restaurant tonight? Our treat!
EMILY: (punching the air) Alright!
CHLOE: Well, at least I get something out of coming here today…
END OF PART TWO
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PART THREE
INT. BURGER RESTAURANT — NIGHT
The FRITZ family are all at EMILY's favourite restaurant, tucking into their meals. EMILY is gorging her Cheeseburger when LIANA looks up to ask her something.
LIANA: Hey, Em! You wanna come with me to the cinemas tonight? There's this action movie my friends were raving about all day, and I'd really like to see it before it gets spoiled for me.
EMILY: An action movie? Eh, I don't know. I've never really enjoyed any of the ones I've seen before.
LIANA: Yeah, but this one's supposed to be REALLY good! It's actually and Action Adventure! You haven't seen any Adventure movies before, have you?
EMILY: No, I guess not. Haven't really watched any movies since those first few Action movies. They didn't exactly convince me to keep going back to the cinemas, you know?
LIANA: Well, could you at least give this one a try? I really want to go with someone, but my friends have all seen it, and none of these wanna go either.
LYDIA: I told you I would if I didn't have a big game coming up tomorrow. I need to get to bed early tonight, or I'll be playing half-asleep!
LAURA: And I'm meeting my bf tonight, so you can count me out.
RYAN: (sadly) And I'm too young to watch the movie.
CHLOE: (bored) And I couldn't care less.
LIANA: See? Please, Em! Won't you come with me? My treat!
EMILY: (sighing) Fine, I'll come. Haven't got much else to do tonight, I guess!
LIANA: (happy) Woohoo! I promise, you won't regret it!
EMILY: I hope I don't…
END OF PART THREE
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PART FOUR
INT. CITRUS TOWN CINEMA HALL — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA arrive at the cinema and are met with a long queue waiting to see the hit movie everyone is talking about.
EMILY: Oh, wow. This movie really is popular, huh?
LIANA: (condescendingly) Either that or all these people wanna see that new Baseball movie, amirite?
EMILY gives LIANA a dirty look, being quite fond of Baseball herself.
EMILY: Well, I just this movie lives up to the hype. Maybe I'll go and watch the other one if I get bored.
As time passes, the queue starts to decrease, until EMILY and LIANA finally get to the front of the line. They ask for tickets and get a response.
EMILY: (annoyed) 20 minutes before the next showing!? Come on, we were standing in that line for about 40 minutes!
LIANA: It's all good, sis! Trust me, the movie will be worth the wait!
EMILY: (sighing) I never should have agreed to this. What am I doing, wasting precious training time just to watch a silly movie?
LIANA: (annoyed) Come on, don't you have a life outside of Martial Arts? Really, it's about time you expanded your horizons a bit. I mean, I love Martial Arts too, but there's more to life than kicking people's asses!
EMILY: Yeah, and that's why you really want to watch an action movie?
LIANA frowns at EMILY, before time passes until the movie is ready to start.
END OF PART FOUR
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PART FIVE
INT. CITRUS TOWN CINEMA SCREEN 5 — NIGHT
The movie commences in the currently silent theatre, with LIANA getting quietly pumped up for the movie while EMILY looks on in pure boredom, expecting the adverts currently playing to be just as exciting as the movie itself.
Soon after, the movie begins, with the protagonist EMILIA living out her normal life in her village. EMILY and LIANA watch on with contrasting emotions.
EMILY: (thinking) Honestly, who gets excited about these movies, anyway? It's always just people talking about boring crap for hours before you see about five minutes of actual action…
LIANA: (thinking) Oh, wow… You can just feel the tensity spiking up every second. Like something REALLY bad is going to happen at any moment!
As LIANA predicted, something bad does happen. A group of vicious BANDITS attack the village, with the GUARDS fending them off while EMILIA tries to keep her younger brother REYAN safe. Unfortunately, she is ambushed by the BANDITS and REYAN is taken away.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh girl, I'd hate to be in her shoes right now…
LIANA: (thinking) Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what's gonna happen next!?
With no other options, EMILIA decides to suit up in her travelling gear to go on an adventure to the BANDIT fortress and save her brother by herself. Her journey is long and perilous, fighting through waves of enemies and passing through dangerous caves, forests, and mountains. EMILY's pure boredom gradually turns into sheer awe as she witnesses the life of an adventurer for the first time.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh, wow! This really is amazing! It's been non-stop action ever since she set foot out of her village. So, this is the life of an adventurer, huh…
LIANA: (thinking) Huh, maybe this is it bit too much action for my liking. I though an adventure would be exciting, but even I would want to have a rest every so often…
Eventually, EMILIA reaches the fortress, where she does battle with the BANDITS within, bringing immense joy to EMILY's face, which LIANA takes pride in. EMILIA fights her way through the BANDITS before confronting their LEADER on the top of the fortress, who is the only thing standing between EMILIA and REYAN. A fierce battle commences between the two women, with EMILY barely being able to contain her excitement anymore.
EMILY: (thinking) Whoa! This is so cool! I didn't think adventurers would get to live such an awesome life! Just look at them go! Come on Emilia, you can do it!
The battle then comes to the climax, as EMILIA pushes the LEADER to the edge of the fortress and threatens to drop her off if she does not set REYAN free. To the shock of EMILIA and everyone in the cinema, the LEADER reveals herself as EMILIA and REYAN's long lost sister, who the whole time had merely wanted to be reunited with her siblings. She had been forced into hiding after being wrongly accused of a serious crime but had grown to miss her siblings over the years. The two sisters reconcile, with EMILIA promising that she will do whatever she can to clear her sister's name, who in turn sets REYAN free.
Applause then rings out as the credits begin to roll, with EMILY up on her feet in particularly rapturous applause, much to LIANA's mixture of surprise and delight.
END OF PART FIVE
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PART SIX
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA make their way home from the cinema, with their experiences in the cinema still firmly on their minds. EMILY is lost in thought about what she made of the movie, while LIANA is eager to discuss it.
LIANA: Girl, that was the best movie I've seen in ages! The action might have gotten a bit overboard, but it was still really exciting. Guess it beats talking for hours amongst five minutes of action, right sis?
EMILY: Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah…
EMILY starts to think again after LIANA interrupted her…
EMILY: (thinking) The life of an adventurer… If I'd always known it was that exciting, I might have considered doing that instead of Martial Arts…
LIANA starts discussing her thoughts in the background while EMILY keeps her thoughts to herself
LIANA: Ah, and that ending, too! Girl, I was totally caught off guard by that!
EMILY: (thinking) In fact, maybe I could still try it out. I mean, it might not be as exciting in real life as in a movie, but…
LIANA: You know, we've really gotta start doing this more often. You really enjoyed it too, right Em?
EMILY: (thinking) I could go to the Adventurers Guild tomorrow and ask them if they have any trials that I could try out for…
LIANA: Em? Yo, sis! Siiiis!
EMILY: (thinking) And hey, if I ever needed to defend myself on an adventure, I can always use my Martial Arts skills to…
LIANA: (shouting) Sis!
EMILY: (startled) Ah!
LIANA: Are you okay? You've been staring off into space like that for a while now.
EMILY: Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine… Just tired…
LIANA: Well, we'll be home soon. We can talk about it again tomorrow…
EMILY: (thinking) I probably shouldn't tell my family about this. I don't want them to worry that I'm getting myself in harm's way or anything. I'll just try one little trial and see if I like it…
The girls continue to walk home, as the screen fades and the day comes to a close…
END OF PART SIX
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PART SEVEN
INT. HOUSE FRITZ — DAY
It's Saturday, and Emily has only one thing on her mind today. She springs out of her bed in the early hours of the morning before heading downstairs to grab herself some breakfast in the dining room. She is greeted by LAURA, who as usual was the first one up on a Saturday.
LAURA: (surprised) Hey, Em! You're up early today.
EMILY: Yeah, I've got a lot of things to do today. You got tennis practice again today?
LAURA: Sure do. I've gotta keep in shape if I want to get my Tour Card someday.
EMILY: Well, good luck.
LAURA: And I assume you're heading over to the Gym after this?
EMILY: No, no, I've, uh… got other plans today
LAURA: Oh, really? You don't usually skip the Gym on a Saturday morning.
EMILY: I know, I just…
EMILY stops for a moment, not wanting LAURA to know she is heading to the Adventurers Guild today
LAURA: (concerned) What's wrong, Em? If something's bothering you, don't be afraid to tell one of us. We all support each other, after all.
EMILY: It's nothing! I'll tell you if something's really bothering me, okay?
LAURA: Well, alright. Just… don't be afraid to speak to us, okay? Anyway, I've gotta get going now. Good luck with whatever you've got planned today!
EMILY: Thanks, sis. You, too…
LAURA leaves the house, leaving EMILY alone to gather her thoughts.
EMILY: (thinking) I could have just told her what I was really doing today… But I still don't feel comfortable discussing it right now. If I really want to become an Adventurer, I'll let them know. But for now, I should…
LIANA suddenly appears in the dining room.
LIANA: (shouting) Hey, sis!
EMILY: (startled) Wah!
LIANA: Hey, you're up early today! You coming with me to the Gym today?
EMILY: Nah, I've got… other plans today.
LIANA: Oh, really? You don't usually miss Gym on a…
EMILY: (hurriedly) Ah, actually, I've gotta go! We can talk about the movie later if you like.
LIANA: (confused) Uh, okay! Catch you later, sis!
EMILY quickly leaves the house, not wanting LIANA to learn of her plans. She was particularly worried about how LIANA would react because of their shared interests in Martial Arts.
END OF PART SEVEN
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PART EIGHT
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — DAY
EMILY heads over to the Adventurers Guild, continuing to gather her thoughts about life as an Adventurer against life as a professional Martial Artist.
EMILY: (thinking) I've really enjoyed Martial Arts, but it always felt like something was missing. That it wasn't really what I wanted to do in life, even though I was good at it. Maybe I was just trying to make Liana happy… She'd always told me she wanted to compete with me in the future and… I just didn't wanna let her. But I need to decide what's best for me… And if that's adventuring, then she'll just have to accept that… No matter how hard it may be…
EMILY continues on to the Guild when she bumps into ADAM, one of her best friends and biggest fans.
ADAM: Hey, Em!
EMILY: (surprised) Oh! Hi, Adam! How you doing?
ADAM: I'm good, thanks. Congrats on the win yesterday!
EMILY: Thanks! So, uh, you busy today?
ADAM: Yeah, I'm meeting with Jake at the cinema to watch that new action-adventure movie. I hear it's really good. You seen it, yet?
EMILY: Sure have! Who knew the life of an adventurer was so cool?
ADAM: Yeah, though it does seem pretty dangerous. I don't think I'd ever want anything to do with it…
EMILY: Well, each to their own, I guess. Hope you enjoy it!
ADAM: Heh, I'd better get over there before the queue gets too long. Catch you later!
ADAM leaves
EMILY: (thinking) You know, I might upset more than just Liana if I do decide to join the Guild. But I still gotta check it out! It might not be for her or Adam, but maybe it is for me!
EMILY continues on towards the Guild, desperate to experience the life of an adventurer for herself…
END OF PART EIGHT
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PART NINE
INT. ADVENTURERS GUILD CITRUS TOWN BUILDING — DAY
EMILY enters the Adventurers Guild building and enters the main lobby, noticing the Bulletin Board in the middle and going towards it.
EMILY: That must be the Bulletin Board. People leave all sorts of requests on here. From the most basic of requests to the downright ludicrous…
EMILY scours over the job listings when the Guildmaster, SHEA, suddenly appears.
SHEA: That's right!
EMILY: (startled) Ah! Why does everyone keep doing that!?
SHEA: Who better to turn to when you need a hand than the Adventurers Guild? So, are you looking for something in particular? A rare gemstone? An un-meltable block of ice?
EMILY: No, no, none of that. I was wondering if I could try out for the Guild? Maybe complete a trial of some sort?
SHEA: Oh, I see. But wait, aren't you that Martial Artist everyone's been talking about? What makes you want a career change all of a sudden?
EMILY: I don't know if I wanna do that for certain just yet. I just wanted to see what life as an adventurer was like before I make my decision.
SHEA: Very well, then. I can give you the same trial as the other new recruits if you like. I am the Guildmaster, after all.
SHEA pulls out a map of Citrus Town and the surrounding areas. She points at Apple Forest, located to the left of the town.
SHEA: All you need to do is reach the end of Apple Forest. There'll be a chest with a Flag bearing the Guild's official crest on it. Bring that Flag back and the trial will be complete.
EMILY: That sounds… easier than I thought…
SHEA: Well, I don't want to put potential recruits in serious danger. Apple Forest is fairly small and lightly inhabited, so it works as a trial location. I know, with you being a Martial Artist and all, you can definitely defend yourself, but adventuring is about more than just fighting. You'd be travelling to all sorts of locations where you'll need a variety of skills to succeed. Puzzle solving, map reading, you name it. This trial will prove if you at least have enough basic skills to succeed as an adventurer.
EMILY: I understand. Don't worry, I'll have that Flag back here in no time!
SHEA: I certainly hope so!
EMILY leaves for the forest when an ADVENTURER enters the room and approaches SHEA
ADVENTURER: Uh, boss? Do you have a moment?
SHEA: Of course! What else do I do nowadays except talk to people? What is it?
ADVENTURER: Well it's just… We've been having numerous reports this morning. About "killer wasps" flying around in Apple Forest…
SHEA looks nervous upon hearing this.
ADVENTURER: Think we should… Send someone to check it out?
SHEA: (nervous laughter) Oh, well that's… Um… Uh… Oh dear…
END OF PART NINE
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PART TEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST — DAY
Unaware of the dangers within, EMILY enters the Forest and walks along the path set out by the Guild for the trial. She takes some time to admire the scenery.
EMILY: (thinking) Pretty quiet around here just now. Have to say though, this place looks pretty nice. Apples growing on the trees, the wind blowing through the leaves, huge wasps flying above me… Yeah, I think I might enjoy experiences like this…
EMILY stops after a few seconds
EMILY: (thinking) Wait… huge wasps?
She looks above and sees a swarm of huge WASPS flying around. They have not spotted her yet, but she is slightly nervous.
EMILY: (thinking) Whoa! The Guildmaster didn't tell me about those things. I don't if I can fight all of them on my own. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
EMILY hurries along the path, feeling slightly more nervous than before. She eventually comes across the chest containing the flags after getting through some parts of the forest, including swinging between trees to avoid gaps in the floor and sneaking past some giant WASPS.
EMILY: Alright! This must be the Flag Chest. I just need to take one back and I'm all done!
EMILY opens the chest and reaches for the flag when a swarm of giant WASPS approaches.
EMILY: Have to say, this has been really fun. Walking through an uncharted area, swinging across the trees, admiring nature, maybe this is what I was…
EMILY turns around and sees the giant WASPS hovering right before her.
EMILY: …made for…
The WASPS approach EMILY, who has become slightly nervous.
EMILY: Oh dear, there are… quite a few of these, aren't there? Come on, Emily, think!
She looks for a way to get through the WASPS baring down on her, when she sees a cave ahead of the Flag Chest.
EMILY: (thinking) That cave might be my only way out. Hate to run from a fight, but there are too many of these things right now.
As she thinks that, even more WASPS appear
EMILY: (thinking) Way too many of these things right now.
EMILY flees towards the cave, as the WASPS give chase. She climbs up a tree to jump between them, hoping to avoid being trapped by any dead ends on the floor.
END OF PART TEN
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PART ELEVEN
INT. APPLE FOREST CAVE — DAY
Upon entering the cave, EMILY ducks into a gap and hides, with the WASPS losing sight of her before flying away to seek another target. She breathes a sigh of relief before making a torch with some materials she picked up earlier to light up the dark cave.
EMILY: (thinking) Oh, girl… That was intense… But at the same time… exhilarating! The rush of running through the forest, away from a bunch of killer wasps. Something about it just… feels like it suits me. Maybe this really is what I like to do…
EMILY continues walking through the cave while gathering her thoughts.
EMILY: (thinking) Maybe if I train my adventuring skills with the Guild, I can get strong enough to fight entire groups of monsters on my own. But right now, even with my Martial Arts skills, there's no way I'm taking on all of those giant wasps by myself. I have enjoyed competing with others as a Martial Artist, but I've never gotten the same thrill out of that as I have with this. And if this is how I want to spend my life, I should just do it. It might upset some people, but I don't want to live doing something I don't really want to do…
EMILY continues to make her way through the cave, now convinced that she really does want to experience the thrills that a life of adventure will provide her.
END OF PART ELEVEN
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PART TWELVE
EXT. APPLE FOREST— DAY
EMILY exits the cave and returns outside, finding herself near a small lake with no WASPS in sight. She breathes a sigh of relief at this.
EMILY: Phew, okay. No more wasps around. Now I can head back and give Shea the Flag before anything else shows up.
However, she soon hears a roar coming from the surrounding trees.
EMILY: Or not…
A large BEAR jumps out from the trees and confronts EMILY. She is startled at first, but quickly regains her composure.
EMILY: (confidently)Well, what do we have here? Just one really angry-looking bear by the look of it. Hope for your sake you're not planning to fight me on your own, are you?
BEAR: *grumbles*
EMILY: (boastful) I mean, do you know who I am? I'm Emily Fritz! The toughest girl in Citrus Town Elementary! Three-time winner of the Junior Martial Arts Tournament! And…
She notices the BEAR approaching, ready fight.
EMILY: And you totally don't care, do you? Well, all you'll care about after this is fleeing from my sight!
EMILY and the BEAR engage in combat, with the prodigal Martial Artist using her many skills to quickly get the upper hand against her grizzly opponent. She unleashes a flurry of kicks and punches at the BEAR, causing it significant damage. The BEAR starts to tire as EMILY continues her relentless barrage of attacks.
EMILY: See? You don't stand a chance against me! Now, how about you run along before I start getting serious?
EMILY gives the BEAR a wink before approaching it, causing the BEAR to give in and run away from her. She stands proud to celebrate her latest victory.
EMILY: Now that was a fun fight! Me squaring off with a wild animal. Just another element of an adventurer's life. I'm loving every minute of this! Well, guess I should head back to Shea. Might wanna let her know how "safe" this forest is for the townsfolk…
EMILY heads to the forest entrance, intent on returning to the Guild as soon as possible.
END OF PART TWELVE
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PART THIRTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST ENTRANCE — DAY
EMILY arrives back at the entrance to the forest, where she sees SHEA waiting on word from both her and the other adventurers who were sent in after her.
EMILY: Huh? Guildmaster?
SHEA: (relieved) Oh, Emily! Thank goodness you're okay!
SHEA runs over to EMILY, who has the Flag in her hand.
SHEA: And you found the Flag! Very impressive, indeed!
EMILY: (exasperated) Yeah, a "fairly lightly inhabited forest", indeed…
SHEA: (apologetic) Ah, I'm sorry. We'd only just received word about those "killer wasps" after you'd already left. But it seems you managed to evade them.
EMILY: Yeah, I did. And I sent some giant bear packing to boot! Not bad, eh?
SHEA: (impressed) Very good! Your Martial Arts skills could really come in handy as an adventurer. So, what do you think? Want to join the guild and start properly living the life of an adventurer?
EMILY: Sure do! I had a ton of fun today and I don't wanna stop now! Especially if it only gets more exciting from here!
SHEA: Oh, it sure does! Just wait until you've seen the view from the top of Mt. Escala! Well, I'm happy to welcome you as a Junior member of the Adventurers Guild! For now, you'll be able to train with use and visit local areas, like the forest. Once you're old enough, you'll be able to operate across the province, or even beyond! Dedicate yourself to your training and you're sure to succeed!
EMILY: I will, ma'am! Thank you!
SHEA: Don't mention it! Though, uh, you should probably tell your family about this before we do anything else. I'd rather not have them come banging on our doors telling us to let you go, after all.
EMILY: Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be cool with it. They know I can handle myself!
SHEA: I hope so. You've built quite a reputation as a Martial Artist, though. I'm sure some people might be sad to see you bring an end to a career in Sports. Especially as a member of the illustrious Fritz family.
EMILY: Yeah, you might be right. But I don't have to be like the rest of my family. I'll be sure to let everyone know that one way or another!
SHEA smiles as the screen fades, with EMILY preparing to inform her family of her decision to join the Guild and quit her career as a professional Martial Artist.
END OF PART THIRTEEN
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PART FOURTEEN
INT. APPLE HOUSE FRITZ — NIGHT
At the dinner table, EMILY's family express their shock after she reveals her intention to quit her current career path to become a Full Member of the Guild someday, having already agreed to join as a Junior Member.
ELIZA: (surprised) You want to join the Adventurers Guild?
LIANA: (shocked) And you're quitting your Martial Arts career!?
EMILY nods as her family look at each other with looks of shock and concern.
LYDIA: But isn't that kind of dangerous? Even our local forest apparently isn't safe anymore, let alone wandering all across the wilderness.
EMILY: I know, but that's what excites me the most. It sounds strange, I know, but I got to experience that first-hand today, and I really enjoyed it! Before all this, I'd only ever known Martial Arts, but now I know… This is what I want to do.
CHLOE: I don't see the point in it. You've got a good thing going as a Martial Artist, why let it go to waste? Plenty of people would love to have the career you've been gearing up for.
EMILY: I know, but just because I'm good at it doesn't mean it's the only thing I should focus on in life. I really enjoy adventuring, and I want to devote myself to it from now on. I hope you all understand.
LIANA: (annoyed) Well I don't! You've always loved Martial Arts before today! What's with the sudden shift in attitude?
EMILY: I didn't know anything about it until… until we saw that movie last night. But that's not the only reason! As soon as I experienced it myself for the first time, I just knew it was what I was meant to do!
LIANA: No, you were supposed to be a Martial Artist! Like me! And we were supposed to compete with each other in front of huge crowds across the world! And now you're just throwing it all away!?
EMILY: Come on, Li! Just because you want that, doesn't mean I do!
LIANA: But why!? I was always happy knowing I'd be able to go on this journey with at least one of my sisters by my side! And now you're gonna abandon me just like that!? Argh!
LIANA runs out of the room in anger, with EMILY looking worried about her.
EMILY: Hey, wait! Whoa, I never knew she felt that way about me…
LAURA: Me either! She's always been so competitive with us. I never knew she cared so much about us.
EMILY: I should try to catch up to her. Hopefully, I can still reason with her.
ELIZA: (worried) Alright, honey. Just make sure she doesn't get herself in trouble, okay?
EMILY leaves the room as her mother says this, with the rest of the family looking at each other worried about LIANA and her sudden outburst.
END OF PART FOURTEEN
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PART FIFTEEN
EXT. CITRUS TOWN STREET — NIGHT
EMILY runs across the street in search of LIANA, who she finds sitting alone on a bench with her head held in her hands. She walks up to her in the hopes of reasoning with her.
EMILY: Hey, sis? Can I just…
LIANA: (angrily) Go away, Em!
EMILY: Come on, I just wanna talk to you.
LIANA: Well I don't want to talk to you! So just… leave me alone…
EMILY: Sis, I'm not doing this just to spite you. I've just found something I love to do more than anything else. Even Martial Arts!
LIANA: But you never cared about this before we went to watch that damn movie! Urgh, I wish I hadn't taken you to see it now!
EMILY: But it's like you told me back at the cinema! About how I need to "expand my horizons"! And as soon as I did that, I found out what I truly love to do! Martial Arts is fun and all, but it just doesn't offer me the same excitement as Adventuring. I know you might not feel the same way, but at the end of the day, we're two different people!
LIANA: (sighing) I just… I don't want to lose you, Em. We're all gonna be apart from each other once we start our professional careers. Heck, Laura's already set to leave home pretty soon. I was happy knowing I would at least get to be along with you throughout my journey. But if you're not there, then I…
EMILY: No, Li. You have to do what's best for you. I'm sure you'll love life as a Martial Artist, just as I'll enjoy adventuring across the world.
LIANA: But sis, I…
As LIANA is about to make another point, a distressed ADAM runs up to them.
ADAM: (panicking) Em! Em!
EMILY: Adam? What's up?
ADAM: (panicking) It's Jake! We went out to the forest after we watched the movie, but we got separated after these giant wasps came after us!
EMILY: What!? Adam, you boys shouldn't be hanging in a place like that anyway!
ADAM: I know, but I thought it would be safe. We've never seen those wasps in there before! I wish I could save him, but… I can't throw a punch to save my life and…
EMILY: Well don't worry, Adam! I'll go save him! I know that forest pretty well by now. And I certainly know how to throw a punch!
LIANA: I'm coming too, sis!
EMILY: Huh?!But…
LIANA: I'm not gonna sit by when Jake's in danger! Come on! We'll save him together! Plus, I can totally throw a punch better than you!
EMILY: Ugh, alright, let's go! We'll be sure to bring him back safe and sound, okay?
The sisters dash off to the forest to save JAKE from the killer WASPS.
ADAM: Be careful, you guys!
END OF PART FIFTEEN
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PART SIXTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST — NIGHT
EMILY and LIANA make their way through the forest, in search of JAKE. They both shout his name, but nobody answers.
EMILY: I can't believe those two would come here. Even without all the WASPS around, this is hardly the place for a couple of defenseless boys to be hanging out.
LIANA: (scoffs) Yeah, but it's nothing that the two toughest girls in town can't handle, right? Or, you know, soon to be, at least.
EMILY: Say whatever you want, sis. I'm still not changing my decision.
LIANA: Ugh, I don't know how you suddenly find this kind of thing more enjoyable than winning Martial Tournaments! What's so fun about walking through a dark forest at night, anyway!?
EMILY: You might not find this exciting, sis, but I do! Why can't you just accept that?
LIANA: Well don't come crying to me if you suddenly decide you miss the tournaments. Don't be saying I didn't warn you!
EMILY: Whatever. Let's just find Jake, already.
LIANA: Sure. Wouldn't wanna hang around in this dull forest for too long, amirite?
EMILY ignores LIANA's latest remark as the girls continue searching for Jake. They reach the same lake where EMILY fought the BEAR earlier. EMILY is keen to bring this up.
EMILY: Oh, hey! I didn't tell you about that bear I fought here earlier, did I? Sure was a fun battle, alright. Though I suppose serious fights like that aren't for everyone.
LIANA: (annoyed) If you think putting your life in danger is so much fun, suit yourself! I'd rather hear the roar from the crowd as I lift my latest trophy into the air.
As the two continue to argue, they hear a shout coming from deeper in the forest.
JAKE: (distant) Help! Someone!
EMILY: Did you hear that?
LIANA: Yeah. That's gotta be Jake!
EMILY: Let's hurry!
EMILY and LIANA hurry on over to the source of the shouting. They soon come across JAKE as he is being cornered by a singular killer WASP.
EMILY: Jake! Over here!
JAKE: Em!? Why are you…
EMILY: To save you, obviously. Get over here, quick!
JAKE runs over to EMILY, with the WASP in pursuit. EMILY quickly squares up to the WASP, intent on protecting JAKE. She turns to LIANA.
EMILY: Sis! Get him to safety, okay? I'll make sure the wasp doesn't follow us!
LIANA: (worried) What!? You're gonna fight that thing on your own!? But…
EMILY: (confident) Don't worry, sis! If I can beat a bear on my own, I can handle an overgrown wasp by myself!
LIANA: Sis…
EMILY smiles before turning to face the WASP, before LIANA decides to accept her sister's wish.
LIANA: Be careful, okay? Come on, Jake!
JAKE: Good luck, Em!
LIANA and JAKE leave as the WASP lunges itself towards EMILY, who uses her Martial Arts skills to repel the WASP as it continues to attack her. She manages to dodge the massive stinger before moving in to deliver a few blows to the WASP.
EMILY: How do you like that, huh? Not so fun when you're fighting someone your own size, is it?
The WASP gets agitated and continues to attack EMILY. The WASP's stinger does eventually manage to strike EMILY, causing her some pain. However, she quickly shrugs it off and continues her own attack on the WASP. She prepares to fire a ball of Light Magic at her buzzling opponent.
EMILY: Maybe I'll be able to use my magic more often as an adventurer. What do you say, buzzy? Wanna call it quits before I fire this thing?
The WASP lunges at her again, refusing to back down unlike the BEAR from earlier.
EMILY: (sighs) Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
EMILY fires the ball of light, causing a small explosion of light which is seen by LIANA and JAKE, who are now at the entrance of the Forest. As the smoke of the attack clears, the WASP is lying on the floor, unresponsive. EMILY breathes a mixed sigh of relief as well as disappointment of having to end the WASP's life.
EMILY: You didn't have to throw your life away like this. Well, hopefully the same won't have to happen with the rest of the wasps. I should probably get out of here before they decide to come looking for their friend here.
EMILY puts words into action and leaves the forest, hoping to avoid any more battles against overgrown insects for one day at least.
END OF PART SIXTEEN
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PART SEVENTEEN
EXT. APPLE FOREST ENTRANCE — NIGHT
EMILY arrives back at the entrance to the forest once again, where she finds a relieved LIANA and JAKE waiting for her.
LIANA: Sis! I'm so glad you're safe!
EMILY: Heh, I told you there was nothing to worry about. You didn't doubt me, did you?
LIANA: No, of course not. I just… don't want to see you get hurt, that's all.
ADAM appears and is happy to see JAKE is safe and sound.
ADAM: Jake! Are you okay!?
JAKE: Yeah, thanks to Emily and Liana here!
ADAM: Thanks for everything, you too! I don't want to think what could've happened if you hadn't been here right now!
EMILY: Don't mention it! We were never gonna stand by and let one of our friends be bullied by some giant wasps, right?
LIANA: Of course not!
ADAM: Come on, Jake! We've gotta get home before our curfew!
JAKE: Yeah, I've had enough excitement for one day! Thanks again, you guys!
ADAM and JAKE hurry on home to avoid any punishment from their parents as EMILY and LIANA wave them off.
EMILY: Take care, you two!
LIANA: And stay outta that forest!
EMILY: Well, don't you think we should head home, too?
LIANA: Wait. Before we go, I just… I wanna apologize, okay? For the way I was acting earlier? Look, I know I wanted you to carry on as a Martial Artist and all, but after watching you save Jake from that wasp earlier, I realized how much you could do as an Adventurer. You could really make a difference to this world, save so many people like Jake. So… If that's really what you wanna do… I won't argue with it.
EMILY: Thanks, Li. I'm glad you understand now.
LIANA: Have to say though, I'd still take the crowds singing my name any day of the week!
EMILY: (laughs) Each to their own, after all. So, you wanna head home now?
LIANA: Nah, we've still got plenty of time before our curfew! You wanna hit the cinema again?
EMILY: Sure! That sounds fun! And it's something we can enjoy together!
The sisters head off to the cinema once again as the episode draws to a close.
LIANA: It sure is! I'll let you pick the movie this time!
EMILY: (sarcastically) I hear that Baseball movie's pretty good…
LIANA: And I already regret my decision…
THE END