ACT 3.2: "I failed..."/Chief Prowlus
[EXT. FOREST CLEARING NEAR THE VOLCANO – EVENING]
The group approached a quiet clearing where the last light of day flickered softly through the trees. A sudden rustle drew their eyes to Castorp, standing tall and steady, a magnificent falcon perched proudly on his outstretched arm.
Castorp (with his deep German accent): Go now. Find Spyro and tell him I have found them.
With a sharp nod, the falcon launched into the sky, wings cutting through the fading light.
Nearby, Hare and Share Bear struggled with a shimmering tether, their efforts frustratingly fruitless.
Share Bear (irritated): This is hopeless... it won’t come loose.
Hare (trying to stay hopeful): Maybe if we twist it—
Share Bear (turning sharply): Twist what? It’s magic, Hare!
A chuckle broke through as Grumpy Bear sauntered up behind them.
Grumpy Bear: Ha. This is better than breakfast TV.
They moved closer to Castorp, pausing on the ridge to survey the horizon. The ominous silhouette of a volcano loomed, its mouth spitting fire and shadow.
Hare: The Dark Master... he’s back.
Castorp: Yes. Shortly after your disappearance, he struck with a fury, reclaiming the temple throne. Through dark sorcery, he now suspends it above the land—a cruel reminder of his dominion. We have been at war ever since. Every day, his forces multiply, and hope fades from our side.
As the words hung heavy, a crackling campfire flickered to life nearby, bathing the group in a warm glow.
Hare (voice low, weighed down): I failed. Everyone was counting on me, and I let them down.
Share Bear: Not everything was in your control. Don’t carry this burden alone.
Castorp: You’re alive—all of you. The creature we faced is no common foe. An ancient earth golem, forged in destruction by Malefor himself. These are dark times indeed.
Hare: Then it falls to me. I must stop him.
Funshine Bear (waving his paws nervously): Hey, hey, slow down there, big guy! No need to charge headfirst. We just woke up from a three-year nap—we’ve got some catching up to do.
Suddenly, from nowhere, a green burst of energy shot forward—striking Share Bear in the face. She gasped, then collapsed unconscious.
Funshine Bear (wide-eyed): What the—? Is she... asleep?
Before anyone could react, another blast struck Hare, knocking him down as well.
He spun around just as another energy bolt hurtled toward him. The world slowed, the moment stretching in desperate suspense.
[EXT. VILLAGE IN THE VALLEY – NEXT DAY]
At the base of a large water tower, Hare and Share Bear lay shackled. Their limbs were heavy with exhaustion, but their spirits still flickered.
Share Bear lifted her head weakly, eyes finding Hare’s as he stirred upright.
Before them, Castorp was bound to another tower, guarded by a trio of imposing, armored cheetahs.
Chief Prowlus strode forward, stern and unforgiving.
Chief Prowlus: Dragons... Do you truly have so little respect for our laws, forging alliances with those who brought us suffering?
Castorp (voice steady, eyes unwavering): Chief Prowlus! Malefor alone bears the blame. This warrior—Hare—is our last hope. You must believe that.
Chief Prowlus: The purple dragon? I know the tale. But I haven’t forgotten the shadows Malefor cast as a youth… nor the wounds he left behind.
He gestured to Hare, who glanced away, uneasy.
Chief Prowlus: I counted on you, Castorp—and on all of us—to protect this village. Instead, you abandoned us, bringing the outside world’s dangers to our doorstep.
Castorp: The dangers are here already. Ignoring them won’t save us.
Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out.
Blue Cheetah: Grublins at the valley’s edge! Ready your weapons!
A swarm of winged grublins descended, one hurling a blazing fireball at a nearby house, flames licking greedily at the timber.
Chief Prowlus (voice rising): Look what you’ve brought!
Share Bear (desperate): Release us! We can help!
Chief Prowlus: Our warriors are prepared.
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