MUTANIC KAIJUS - EPISODE 4
"The Hidden Claws Beneath"
INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM – MORNING
Leniel walks in just as the bell rings and takes a seat beside Nayoka. The teacher enters.
TEACHER
Good morning, class.
STUDENTS
Morning.
MIDAS
(whispering)
What's wrong with Leniel? He's had that face since morning.
NAYOKA
Yeah... it's nothing.
KAYA
And why is he staying at your place?
NAYOKA
It's nothing.
TEACHER
Well, today we have five new transfer students.
(The door opens. As the students enter, Nayoka drops his pen in shock.)
FIONA
(concerned)
Are you okay?
TEACHER
Kindly introduce yourselves.
FLORENCIA
My name is Florencia.
(She looks and suddenly recognizes Nayoka.)
LENIEL
(sighs)
Oh great. Could my life get any worse?
KELTON
I'm Kelton.
MAXI
You can call me Maxi.
DINNA
And I'm Dinna.
RODAN
...Rodan.
TEACHER
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time in this class. Find a seat, and let's begin.
(Florencia sits beside Leniel. Rodan takes the seat behind her.)
NAYOKA
(grumbling)
This just keeps getting worse.
FLORENCIA
Hi.
LENIEL
(ignores her)
FLORENCIA
Guess we're still not on good terms.
TEACHER
(sighs)
Well, seems I came in late again. My time's already up. Kotan, watch over your class till the next teacher comes in.
KOTAN
Yes, sir.
MIDAS
What do we have this period?
KOTAN
It's time for Physicals, and since the teacher's absent, I'll take over. Now, everyone to the racing track.
KAYA
Do we really have to do this?
KOTAN
Yes. Now change to your sports clothes.
(He removes his uniform.)
Hurry up.
(Everyone begins changing in class despite gender. Florencia glances at Leniel's not-so-muscular body and blushes. Dinna notices Nayoka's many scars.)
DINNA
How did you get all those scars?
NAYOKA
I used to fight a lot.
FLORENCIA
These aren't mere cuts.
NAYOKA
Those were from Hydrion.
DINNA & FLORENCIA
Huh?
NAYOKA
First time I encountered him.
MIDAS
(staring at the girls)
Aren't they cute?
FIONA
(pervert stare)
Pervert.
(She hides her chest.)
MIDAS
Not you... you don't have anything to hide in the first place.
(Fiona grabs Midas by the neck with an unescapable grip and throws him out the window.)
DINNA
Think you just killed him.
KAYA
He'll be fine. It happens every time.
FANBOY 1
You don't have to worry about being flat, our queen.
FANBOY 2
Yeah, just know that we like–
(He's uppercut mid-sentence.)
FIONA
Next person dies.
EXT. SCHOOL TRACK FIELD – MOMENTS LATER
KOTAN
Now, we're gonna divide into groups of three for different activities. First group: the athletes. Second group: the swimmers. Third group: volleyball.
LENIEL
(raises hand)
How about those who wanna take a nap?
KOTAN
They can do all these activities. Now separate yourselves into the group you see fit. Athletics stay here, swimming to the pool, and volleyball to the court.
(Kotan joins athletics with Kelton and other boys. Midas joins swimming with Rodan. Maxi, Dinna, Kaya, and Fiona go for volleyball.)
KOTAN
(to remaining students)
What about you three?
FLORENCIA
I'm not good with sports.
LENIEL
I don't wanna do any.
NAYOKA
And I'm already good at everything.
KOTAN
Then join the athletics. No questions.
EXT. RACING TRACK – CONTINUOUS
Participants line up: Kotan vs Kelton vs 3 students vs Nayoka.
REF
Ready... go!
(Kelton immediately takes the lead.)
LENIEL
(quietly to Florencia)
So he even has a boost to his normal human abilities.
FLORENCIA
Yes.
LENIEL
So you think he's gonna win?
FLORENCIA
It's certain.
LENIEL
Kotan will take 1st, Nayoka 2nd, the chicken mutant 3rd.
(He walks off to the washroom.)
FLORENCIA
Is that what he thinks?
(Kotan begins closing in. His speed increases. Nayoka follows 2 meters behind. Kotan catches up with Kelton.)
KELTON
Impressed, class prefect.
KOTAN
So soon?
(Kotan speeds up, overtakes Kelton, now level with Nayoka. Kotan takes a 5-meter lead.)
NAYOKA
Guess it's time I up my game.
(Nayoka slowly passes Kelton.)
KELTON
How the hell...?
FLORENCIA
Wait, how is this possible?
(Nayoka creates a 3-meter gap between him and Kelton, and is closing on Kotan.)
FLORENCIA
What's happening?
Kotan wins the race. Nayoka finishes 8 seconds later. Kelton follows 5 seconds after. The last student passes out at the finish line.
(Leniel returns to his seat.)
FLORENCIA
How did you know that would happen?
LENIEL
Simple. Your friend's a chicken, right?
FLORENCIA
Actually, he's a bat.
LENIEL
That means bats rather spend time in the sky. Kelton breaks his own speed records weekly. Nayoka is just a natural at everything.
FLORENCIA
What about you?
LENIEL
Not a sports guy.
FLORENCIA
Why? Thought all guys were into sports.
LENIEL
I just hate getting sweaty.
FLORENCIA
Wow.
(Thinking: "Thought I'd never hear that from a guy.")
LENIEL
Even if I did, I'd still end up in last place.
FLORENCIA
Same here. Hey... wanna check out the other groups?
LENIEL
Already did.
FLORENCIA
Then can you show me around the school?
LENIEL
That's a hustle.
(Florencia remembers Ms. Kelinza's advice.)
MS. KELINZA (V.O.)
If you bribe him with some chicken, he might hear you.
FLORENCIA
I'll buy you some chicken.
LENIEL
Then what are we waiting for?
FLORENCIA
Huh?
LENIEL
Let's go.
(Grabs her hand and drags her.)
FLORENCIA
(blushing)
EXT. SWIMMING POOL – MOMENTS LATER
MIDAS
What are you two doing here... and holding hands?
(Rodan sees them and clenches his fist in silent fury.)
MIDAS
Are you here to see my glorious victory?
LENIEL
Nope.
MIDAS
Well, too late. You missed me beat them all.
FLORENCIA
Even Rodan?
MIDAS
He gave me a hard time, but I taught him a lesson.
FLORENCIA
Rodan lost in swimming? What's going on?
(tries to convince herself)
Yeah... maybe he wasn't at his peak. He was tired. That's it.
LENIEL
Failing to accept reality, huh?
(Holds her hand again.)
Let's go.
(Rodan looks away, seething.)
EXT. VOLLEYBALL COURT – MOMENTS LATER
Florencia's eyes widen at the scoreboard.
FLORENCIA
What the hell's going on in this school?
LENIEL
You can't win just because you have mutated genes alone.
(starts walking away)
Since you don't have anything to say...
FLORENCIA
I actually wasn't lying when I said I wanted to talk to you.
LENIEL
What is it?
FLORENCIA
Can we get somewhere private?
LENIEL
The washroom?
FLORENCIA
(blushing)
No! Not there. Isn't there a bench around?
LENIEL
Over there. Now, where's the chicken you promised?
EXT. SCHOOL BENCH – LATER
Leniel munches from a bucket of chicken.
LENIEL
So, what did you want to talk about?
FLORENCIA
Your friend, Nayoka.
LENIEL
Huh?
FLORENCIA
How long have you two been friends?
LENIEL
About a year ago. Around April.
FLORENCIA
(thinking)
That was a month after Hydrion left with Ms. Kelinza...
LENIEL
What's he like?
LENIEL (CONT'D)
Very weird and unpredictable.
It's like he's new to everything.
His grades are off the charts.
He's good at controlling his temper.
He's every girl's dream.
He's very conscious of his surroundings.
He's not number one in physical activities, but he's one of the best in every sector.
LENIEL (CONT'D)
Weird enough... he's not the only one who acts like that.
Kotan, Midas, Kaya, and Fiona... they're all the same.
FLORENCIA
Is he in any club?
LENIEL
No, he always wants to go home early to do something.
...Do you have a crush on him?
FLORENCIA
No, I don't. I'm just helping a friend who does.
LENIEL
Oh, okay. Wanna know what he likes?
FLORENCIA
That won't be necessary.
Can I ask you a question you might consider crazy?
LENIEL
Well, what is it?
FLORENCIA
Would you consider him to be Hydrion?
LENIEL
To be honest...
He really would make a perfect Hydrion.
But he's much more of a polar bear character.
FLORENCIA
Really? You did?
What brought that up?
LENIEL
A lot of reasons.
FLORENCIA
Like what?
LENIEL
He knows more about Hydrion than even my mom told us.
He's never around when Hydrion shows up.
And for some weird reason...
He really hates you guys more than I do.
FLORENCIA
(taking mental notes)
Thanks a lot.
LENIEL
But I won't conclude just yet.
FLORENCIA
Huh?
LENIEL
There are quite a few people in this school—
Specifically in our class—
That I think the role of Hydrion would fit... genders aside.
FLORENCIA
Who?
LENIEL
Kotan, Midas, Kaya, Fiona...
Oh, and don't forget me.
FLORENCIA
Seriously?
You didn't even know anything about Hydrion until Ms. Kelinza adopted you.
You barely even know her.
(A beat. Leniel looks away, hurt.)
LENIEL
(sadly)
I knew I'd say something like that.
(stands up)
Guess I'll see you later.
FLORENCIA
(realizing)
Did I go too far...?
(grabs his hand before he leaves)
I'm sorry.
LENIEL
(smiles softly)
It's alright.
You weren't wrong to say that.
(He walks off. Florencia stays seated, flustered.)
FLORENCIA
Why would you go and say that? What's wrong with you...?
(blushing)
That expression on his face... I really hurt his feelings, didn't I?
(Cut to Leniel walking away, blushing.)
LENIEL
Why am I...?
(Camera pans. Hidden behind trees—Rodan is watching, furious.)
EXT. FOREST – NIGHT – FULL MOON
Rodan and Kelton walk through a dense, misty forest.
KELTON
Um, Rodan... what exactly are we doing in the forest in the middle of the night?
RODAN
The earlier we find Hydrion, the earlier we go home.
KELTON
Wait... I've actually taken a liking to this island.
I lost a race for the first time in my life.
RODAN
Well, I don't care.
We're getting this mission over with.
KELTON
And what makes you think we'll find him here?
RODAN
It's a full moon.
So he's going to show up.
KELTON
I thought we decided to take the longer plan to fish him out.
RODAN
I'm sick and tired of waiting.
KELTON
Do you even know where we're going?
What if we get lost?
(Rodan grabs Kelton by the collar and tosses him high into the air.)
RODAN
That's why you have wings, idiot.
(From Kelton's back sprout bat wings, fangs, tail, and sharp ears.)
KELTON
How the hell did I end up here...?
EXT. CLIFF ABOVE THE FOREST – CONTINUOUS
Hydrion sits on a rocky cliff feasting on a hippo. Blood drips from his claws.
INNER VOICE (V.O.)
So these are the mutants you fought almost two years ago.
What do you think?
HYDRION
(disappointed)
I'm disappointed.
Arkrion can't even smell the blood from up here.
Vatrion can't hear me.
Nothing's improved in their unique abilities.
Though physically...
I do see improvement.
INNER VOICE
Do you think they might just be able to excite you... for a while?
HYDRION
(stands up, grinning)
I think I'll do just that.
Time to teach them not to invade someone's property.
INNER VOICE
You don't own the forest.
You don't own anything.
HYDRION
Yes, I do.
In fact, I own the whole island.
EXT. FOREST – NIGHT
RODAN
Not even a drop of blood...
How's it on your side?
VATRION (V.O.)
Nothing but forest from up here.
Wait... there's something heading your direction.
RODAN
What is it?
KELTON
I can't see it.
I can only hear its footsteps—
And it's fast.
(Kelton transforms into full bat form.)
ARKRION (V.O.)
(activating transformation)
Let's see this thing...
TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE (MONTAGE)
Each mutant's blood pressure surges. Veins bulge beneath steaming skin.
Muscle fibers burst and reshape their frames. New muscle tissue rapidly forms fins, wings, and armored scales. Their skin color, fur, or scales complete the transformation. Massive claws and beast features emerge. Steam hisses off their bodies.
EXT. DEEP FOREST – NIGHT
ARKRION
Where is it?
VATRION (V.O.)
Right beside you. To your right.
(Arkrion turns and braces for impact... but out hops a small rabbit.)
ARKRION
...It's just a rabbit?
KELTON
(confused)
Are you sure?
What I heard sounded massive.
ARKRION
It looks like it was running away from something...
(The bunny frantically tries to flee. It's not afraid of Arkrion—it's terrified of something else.)
RODAN
You must be really—
(pauses)
...Huh?
(Suddenly, Arkrion turns—
HYDRION has his jaws around Arkrion's head,
ready to bite it clean off.)
RODAN
(terrified)
What the hell...?!
TO BE CONTINUED...