Phoenix Rising Project

www.phoenix-rising-prj.deviantart.com

[phoenix-rising-project]

Copyjack

Hey, guys! First, I’d like to apologize for my absence; the insanity train has started moving full speed with me still on board.

But, I have an announcement! Myself and three other people, who I will not name here, have begun work on a film. Below is what we have of the first draft of the script - it’s not the greatest, since it is only a first draft, but I thought I’d offer it to you as a peace offering since I’ve been gone so long.

I apologize in advance for both the ridiculous length (it’s about 26 pages) and the formatting - Tumblr isn’t exactly script-format-friendly.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

First person - copycat

A young woman runs away from Copycat. She looks over her shoulder and trips. Copycat catches her before she can get back to her feet.

Copycat (muffled) I'm sorry...

Copycat shoves the woman against the wall, punches a hole in the wall next to the woman's head, sets a chunk of jade in the hole, and draws his knife.

Copycat (muffled) So sorry...

FADE TO BLACK

The young woman screams.

FADE TO:

INT. THE BUNKER/DORIATH'S OFFICE

Phoenix stands in front of Doriath's desk.

Doriath Are you sure you're up for this case, flameheart?

PHOENIX Yes. It isn't the first of his copycats I have hunted.

Doriath sighs and slumps in his chair.

DORIATH Alright then, take your boys and get to the airport, you leave at five. And Phoenix?

PHOENIX Yes?

DORIATH Don't hesitate to call if you need me, alright?

Phoenix smiles.

PHOENIX I won't.

Phoenix leaves the office and shuts the door behind her. Doriath sighs and leans over his desk.

Doriath What am I going to do with that girl?

Fade TO:

INT.  AIRPLANE - DAY

A closeup of Rameses' watch, reading 5:02.

RAMESES Why did we have to leave so early?

PHOENIX This was the earliest time that both a plane and a pilot capable of making the flight became available.

RAMESES Why can't you just let me complain?

FAIZ (teasing) Give it a rest, Grumpface.

RAMESES You--!

PHOENIX (cold) There will be no violence inside of an airplane in flight.

Ace flops onto a couch.

ACE I'm going to- (yawns) I'm going to sleep.

Faiz sits down on the floor and begins practicing pulling magical energy from himself and storing it in a chunk of jade. Daedalus starts pacing.

RAMESES You can sit down, Techhead. He's not here.

Daedalus (agitated) You don't know that!

Rameses sighs. Phoenix sits at the booth and pulls out the casefile Doriath gave her.

FADE TO:

INT.  AIRPLANE - DAY

The clock on the wall reads 7:14.

Ace is sleeping. Faiz is building a house of cards on Ace. Daedalus is in one of the chairs, reading a book, and Rameses is next to him playing solitaire on his phone. Phoenix is speaking with someone over the phone.

PHOENIX (distant) And there is nothing new? The file contains everything up to date? (pause) I see.

FADE TO:

INT.  Airplane - DAY

The clock on the wall reads 9:22.

Ace is still sleeping. Faiz's house of cards is bigger and more elaborate. Daedalus is dozing, though twitching in his sleep. Rameses watches Faiz continue with his house of cards, amused. Phoenix sits at the booth again, working on an old mission report for Doriath.

FADE TO:

INT.  AIRPLANE - DAY

The clock on the wall reads 11:37.

Ace is still sleeping. Faiz's house of cards, while more impressive, is currently abandoned. Faiz himself is staring out the window and trying to cloudwatch. Daedalus is at the booth with Phoenix, working on something on his laptop. Rameses grins.

Rameses Hey, Phoenix?

PHOENIX Hm?

RAMESES (mischievous) Are we there yet?

Phoenix twitches.

FADE TO:

INT.  AIRPLANE - NIGHT

The clock on the wall reads 1:45.

Ace is still asleep. Faiz is working on his house of cards again, which now almost completely covers Ace and incorporates about ten decks of cards. Rameses is asleep. Daedalus is doing something on his phone. Phoenix is sitting in the booth and staring at the ceiling.

FADE TO:

INT.  AIRPLANE - NIGHT

The clock on the wall reads 2:57.

Phoenix climbs out of the booth and stretches.

PHOENIX Faiz, Daedalus. Wake the others. We've arrived.

Daedalus shakes Rameses' shoulder, and Rameses wakes up, complaining.

Faiz takes a picture of his house of cards, then shoves Ace off the couch. Ace wakes up.

Ace ... Why am I surrounded by cards?

FAIZ Doesn't matter, we're here! We landed! Come on, let's go!

Ace blinks and looks at Phoenix.

Ace Did I sleep the entire flight?

Phoenix Yes.

Phoenix exits the plane.

FADE TO BLACK

INT.  AIRPORT/SECURITY - NIGHT

The metal detector goes off. Faiz stops, steps back, and frowns.

AIRPORT WORKER Are you carrying any other metal items?

Faiz's frown deepens in thought. Phoenix sighs.

PHOENIX Faiz.

FAIZ Yeah?

PHOENIX Your bottlecaps.

FAIZ Oh!

Faiz digs two bottlecaps out of his pocket and drops them in the basket the confused airport worker holds out to him. He steps through the metal detector again, which stays silent.

FAIZ (sheepish) Sorry, I forgot about Ivan and Loraine.

Faiz reclaims his bottlecaps and the group moves on.

FADE TO:

INT.  AIRPORT/BAGGAGE CLAIM - NIGHT

Phoenix approaches the two uniformed Order Members waiting for them in baggage claim, her duffel bag over her shoulder. The boys trail behind, each carrying their own bag.

PHOENIX You are?

MINERVA I'm Agent Minerva. This is Agent Atlas.

Atlas nods to Phoenix.

MINERVA And as to who you are, it's obvious enough - but who are your companions?

Phoenix starts to walk out of the airport. The boys and the Agents follow her.

PHOENIX These are my Apprentices, Ace, Rameses, Daedalus, and Faiz.

Each of the boys nods as Phoenix says their name. Phoenix walks out the door.

CUT TO:

EXT.  AIRPORT/PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Phoenix walks out the door of the airport, her Apprentices and the Agents close behind her.

MINERVA This way, Grandmaster.

Minerva leads the others to a large van, and Atlas starts putting the bags into the back.

CUT TO:

INT.  ORDER VAN - NIGHT

MINERVA So, where can I take you?

PHOENIX Take us to the murder scene. I wish to examine it myself.

Minerva sighs.

MINERVA Which scene do you want to see?

Phoenix scowls.

PHOENIX To the extent of my knowledge, there was only one murder. Why did you not tell me of the second?

MINERVA It happened between your call and your arrival - I didn't want to interrupt your preparations when I could tell you in a few hours anyway.

PHOENIX I see. Take us to the more recent scene.

FADE TO BLACK

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/SECOND MURDER SCENE - NIGHT

Everyone exits the car. Phoenix turns to watch one of the connecting alleys, and Diyekre bolts.

RAMESES Hey!

Rameses begins to chase after Diyekre.

PHOENIX RAMESES!

Rameses ignores Phoenix's summon. He catches up to Diyekre and attacks him. Diyekre knocks Rameses back with one hand.

RAMESES What the-?

Rameses goes to attack again. Diyekre grabs him and flips him. In the time it takes for Rameses to get back to his feet, Diyekre has disappeared.

RAMESES Gah! How did he do that?

PHOENIX Rameses!

Rameses turns around.

RAMESES Huh? Oh, hey Phoenix. Imagine meeting you here...

Phoenix glowers at him.

PHOENIX You are grounded, bratling. You will not leave my sight until we are back in Virginia.

RAMESES What?! That's so not fair!

Phoenix says nothing, only grabs his arm and drags him back towards the murder scene.

PHOENIX There is nothing helpful at the scene. We will go to our hotel and resume work in the morning.

Phoenix shoves Rameses into the van and climbs in after him.

FADE TO:

INT.  HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

RAMESES Why am I grounded?

PHOENIX Because you ran after a dangerous unknown on your own while ignoring my command to stop.

Rameses begins to complain, but Phoenix turns out the light.

PHOENIX Go to sleep.

FADE TO:

INT.  HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

The hotel room is quiet, and everyone is asleep. Daedalus wakes up with a start, though he doesn't make a sound. He climbs out of bed and goes to the window, opening it and sticking his head out.

DAEDALUS (weakly) ... need some air...

Daedalus grabs some clothes and steps into the bathroom to change. He comes back out, fully dressed, and glances at Phoenix before leaving the hotel room.

CUT TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

Daedalus exits the hotel and sighs, breathing deeply.

DAEDALUS (softly) That's better.

Daedalus glances back at the hotel before disappearing into an alleyway.

FADE TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/ALLEY - NIGHT

Someone walks by on the main street, laughing too loud and talking to their companion. Daedalus jumps.

DAEDALUS It's okay, it's okay. It's just people... it's not HIM. HE'S not here. Calm down, moron, it's okay...

Daedalus sighs and leans his head back against the wall.

DAEDALUS Whatever. "Keep Moving", right?

Daedalus pushes off the wall and walks off.

Fade to:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/THIRD MURDER SCENE - NIGHT

Daedalus turns the corner and stops, ducking back behind it. Copycat sets a chunk of jade in the hole in the wall.

COPYCAT So sorry...

Daedalus frowns. Copycat draws his knife.

CUT TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/THIRD MURDER SCENE - NIGHT

Daedalus shrinks back against the wall. Copycat begins killing his victim off screen. Daedalus gets more distraught the longer the sounds go on.

CUT TO:

INT.  HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Rameses rolls over and groans. Then he sits upright, alarmed.

RAMESES (whisper) Daedalus?

The room is silent.

RAMESES Stupid Techhead.

Rameses rolls out of bed and crosses to Phoenix's bed. He reaches for her shoulder and she wakes up before he even gets close to her.

PHOENIX Rameses?

RAMESES Daedalus is gone, probably one of his walks. His bed's cold. I'm going after him.

PHOENIX Go. We will be right behind you.

Rameses leaves the room.

FADE TO:

EXT.  HOTEL - NIGHT

Rameses exits the hotel and looks around quickly.

RAMESES (muttered) No, no, too big, too bright, too likely to have people--

Rameses sees a narrow alley. Rameses groans.

RAMESES Of course. The things I do for you, Daedalus...

Rameses slaps his hand against the wall at the entry to the alley and a bright light flares. Rameses bolts down the alley.

CUT TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

Third person, top down.

[speed x2-3]

Rameses runs through the web of streets and alleys, choosing his path based on where he thinks Daedalus would go. At each branch, he taps the wall and light flares up for a second. Rameses is headed towards the murder scene.

Diyekre approaches the murder scene from the opposite direction, moving quicker than Rameses.

Rameses stumbles on the murder scene.

CUT TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/THIRD MURDER SCENE - NIGHT

Rameses stumbles onto the murder scene, stepping in the puddle of blood when he can't stop moving fast enough. He stares blankly at the scene before stumbling backwards.

RAMESES (softly) Another one? (alarmed) Daedalus!

Rameses turns a full circle before spotting a ladder leading to the roof of one of the buildings. He begins to climb it. His foot slips.

RAMESES Gah!

Rameses reaches the top of the ladder.

CUT TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/THIRD MURDER SCENE/ROOF - NIGHT

Rameses climbs over the edge of the roof and looks around. Daedalus is huddled on the ground near Diyekre.

RAMESES You again?!

Daedalus and Diyekre look towards Rameses; Rameses runs and jumps over Daedalus, landing between him and Diyekre.

DAEDALUS (startled) Rameses?

RAMESES I left a trail of markers, Dae, they'll lead you to Phoenix! Get out of here!

Daedalus hesitates.

RAMESES Go!

Daedalus jumps to his feet and hurries to the ladder, disappearing over the edge of the building. As soon as Daedalus is out of sight, Rameses launches himself at Diyekre.

DIYEKRE Have we not done this before?

Diyekre sidesteps Rameses' attack and catches him, pinning him. Rameses struggles and kicks, but Diyekre's hold never falters. Rameses sighs and stops fighting.

RAMESES (faux brave) So what now, huh? You gonna kill me, too?

Diyekre's eyes widen.

RAMESES (bitter) It's not exactly how I pictured going out, but when do things ever go to plan?

Diyekre opens his mouth, then freezes.

DIYEKRE (softly) I am sorry, but you know too much to be left alone. We cannot have this information in the wrong hands, you must understand.

Rameses frowns.

RAMESES What are you talking about?

Diyekre hits the back of Rameses' knees and lowers him to the ground, then leans over to whisper in his ear.

DIYEKRE (whisper) I will come for you when you are alone.

Diyekre releases Rameses and runs to the edge of the building, leaping over the side. Rameses sits on the ground and stares at his hands.

PHOENIX Rameses?

Rameses abruptly looks up at Phoenix.

RAMESES Phoenix? Where did you come from?

Phoenix frowns.

PHOENIX (gently) Did you hit your head?

RAMESES No, I'm okay. (bitter) I'm always okay, right?

Ace climbs up over the edge of the building.

ACE Phoenix? Is something wrong?

PHOENIX (controlled) No. Take him back to the hotel, I will be along shortly.

Ace walks over and pulls Rameses to his feet.

ACE Yeah, okay. Come on, Rameses, up you get.

RAMESES (grumpy) I'm not three, stupid, or concussed, stop talking down to me.

ACE Whatever you say. Let's get back to Daedalus, he was really worried about you.

Ace begins to climb down the ladder.

Rameses ... he was?

Rameses follows Ace down the ladder. Phoenix walks to the edge of the building and walks down the wall.

RAMESES Show-off.

PHOENIX Hotel.

Ace and Rameses leave, carefully not looking at the murder scene. Phoenix begins to examine the scene, looking first at the hole in the wall and then reaching out with her magic to examine the area. Phoenix frowns.

PHOENIX Unusual.

Phoenix leans closer to the body and reaches out with a magic covered hand.

PHOENIX Intriguing.

FADE TO BLACK

INT.  HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Phoenix steps into the hotel room.

FAIZ Phoenix, you're back!

PHOENIX I am. Has Daedalus calmed down any?

Faiz looks at Daedalus, who's sitting in the corner.

DAEDALUS (dull) He was stealing their magic.

Phoenix's eyes widen a fraction before she regains her composure.

Ace He keeps saying that, but he won't explain.

DAEDALUS He was stealing their magic! There's nothing to explain!

Phoenix steps forward.

PHOENIX Daedalus.

DAEDALUS Yeah?

PHOENIX Did you see what type of material he was storing the energy in?

ACE Wait, he was being literal?

PHOENIX Yes.

RAMESES Why does the material matter?

Faiz jumps to his feet, his hand in the air.

FAIZ Ooh, ooh, pick me! I know this one, pick me!

Phoenix silently points at Faiz, who's bouncing in his excitement.

FAIZ

Different types of materials store different types of magic better! Like the sapphire I was using on the plane is best for storing raw energy, and diamond is better for emotion-heavy energy. Stuff like that.

PHOENIX Very good. Now, Daedalus, do you know what the material was?

DAEDALUS (hesitant) I know it was green...

PHOENIX Jade, then.

Phoenix rocks back on her heels.

PHOENIX Potential energy...

Phoenix stands abruptly and pulls out her phone. She stands perfectly still as she waits for Minerva to answer, her twitching fingers the only sign of her impatience.

MINERVA (over the phone) Hello?

PHOENIX There's been another killing.

MINERVA (over the phone) Yes, we've seen it.

PHOENIX One of my apprentices witnessed it. The killer is stealing their victims' potential energy.

MINERVA (over the phone) WHAT?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? It's more likely to blow up in their face than store properly!

PHOENIX But it is what happened. When you post guards on the high-threat targets, you will assign my team to the most likely.

MINERVA (over the phone) What, why-- I have to go. I'll send you your charge later.

Phoenix puts her phone back in her pocket.

ACE So... what now?

Phoenix looks over at the boys. All four are staring at her.

PHOENIX Now we wait for our assignment. And you four will catch up on sleep - I will not hear complaining later.

Ace yawns.

ACE You got it, boss.

Ace flops face-first onto his bed.

FADE TO BLACK

INT.  HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Phoenix sits on the wall. Ace, Rameses, Daedalus, and Faiz are all asleep. There is a knock on the door.

MINERVA (through door) Grandmaster Phoenix? It's Minerva.

Phoenix jumps off the wall, landing silently, and opens the door.

PHOENIX Agents.

MINERVA Grandmaster.

ATLAS Grandmaster.

Phoenix steps aside. Minerva steps inside. Atlas stands in the hall.

PHOENIX You may enter, Agent.

ATLAS Thank you.

Atlas enters the hotel room. Phoenix closes the door and sets her hand against it. A circle rune appears for a moment before fading away. Phoenix turns back to the Agents.

PHOENIX One moment, please.

Phoenix points towards the still-sleeping boys, and a wave of water crashes down over them. The boys scramble out of their beds.

RAMESES PHOENIX! What was that for?!

PHOENIX We have company.

The boys freeze.

RAMESES WHAT?!

ACE Breathe, Rameses.

Rameses spins towards Ace and raises an arm to punch him. Faiz, completely dry and dressed in day clothes, grabs his arm.

FAIZ (using magic) Dry, change.

Rameses, now in the same state as Faiz, backs off.

RAMESES (sulky) Thanks, crazytown.

Faiz grins and turns to Phoenix.

FAIZ So, what are we doing today?

Phoenix looks towards the Agents.

MINERVA First of all, as the last murder was so close to where you all are staying - and with all of you being priority targets - the Order would like to offer you guards.

PHOENIX Declined. If my Apprentices are foolish enough to get killed by an imitation of a nightmare, they deserve it.

Daedalus winces.

MINERVA (unsettled) Well, um - the second reason we're here is to inform you that we've determined the high-priority targets and are in the middle of assigning guards. We've brought you your next assignment.

Phoenix raises an eyebrow.

PHOENIX And did you meet my criteria?

Minerva nods and holds out a hand to take the file from Atlas, then passes it to Phoenix.

MINERVA This is Copycat's most likely target, Freya Butler. Seven years old, she was adopted from the United States at age four after her parents were killed. She Awakened in the same event. Due to a lack of instruction, she's very weak, but she has a lot of potential. She's exactly his type.

Ace hesitantly raises a hand, and Phoenix points to him without looking away from the file.

ACE If she's his ideal victim, why hasn't she been attacked already?

Minerva smiles approvingly.

MINERVA Good question... Ace, was it?

Ace nods.

MINERVA She and her adopted parents just moved into Copycat's hunting grounds yesterday - she was previously an unreachable victim, considering she lived halfway across the country.

PHOENIX (using magic) We accept the assignment. (normal) We will leave immediately.

FADE TO:

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/NEAR SIDE - DAY

Phoenix reclines against a wall. Ace, Rameses, Daedalus, and Faiz stand near her.

PHOENIX That's her.

RAMESES Who?

Rameses starts to turn his head towards the group of people.

PHOENIX (quietly) Don't turn your head! Look from the corner of your eye. The blonde in the blue jacket.

FAIZ I see her.

Phoenix nods.

PHOENIX Rameses, I want you to set up and maintain monitoring spells on apartment 409. Daedalus, tracking spells and injury alerts on the parents. Ace, you will watch for any suspicious persons and tag them with differentiating tracking spells. You three will remain here until further notice. If the girl leaves, Faiz and I will follow her.

ACE Right!

FAIZ Got it!

RAMESES Yeah, whatever.

DAEDALUS Okay.

Phoenix carefully pulls a brick from the wall and crushes it into a sphere, then closes her eyes. Magic flashes for a second and Phoenix nods once, then sets the brick sphere in her pocket.

DAEDALUS What was that?

PHOENIX A simple enchantment. The brick will warm and vibrate as the girl becomes distressed and injured.

Ace walks up the wall and sits on a ledge of brick that forms beneath him, staring out towards the entrance of the building.

PHOENIX Ace!

ACE (sheepish) Sorry. (using magic) Shaden.

The shadows darken until Ace is completely hidden.

FREYA (O.S.) Come on, let's go!

ANNE (O.S.) Slow down, Freya!

Phoenix spins around. Freya and her mother are leaving the building.

PHOENIX Rameses, Daedalus, positions. Faiz, with me.

Faiz Got it!

Faiz grabs onto Phoenix's arm, and they disappear.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/FAR SIDE - DAY

Phoenix and Faiz appear. Their appearance changes into a Caucasian woman and a five-year-old boy.

FAIZ Ooh, fun~

PHOENIX (English accent) Behave.

Phoenix takes Faiz's hand and leads him down the street after Freya.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/PLAYGROUND - DAY

Freya is swinging. Her mother sits on the only bench in the playground. Phoenix leads Faiz to the playground, kneels, and hugs him.

PHOENIX (warmly; spoken & signed) Have fun, sweetie, and be careful!

FAIZ (signed) I will!

Phoenix sighs fondly and stands. She approaches the bench where Anne sits.

PHOENIX Do you mind if I sit here?

ANNE No, go ahead. (pause) Is this a nice place, do you come here a lot?

Phoenix laughs.

PHOENIX Three times a week for two and a half years. This is James' favorite place to play.

ANNE Oh? Do many people come here?

PHOENIX You're new around here, aren't you? No, nobody really comes here. I've only seen maybe five other people.

ANNE Just moved in today, actually. I-

Freya leaps from the swing at its highest point and goes flying.

ANNE Freya!

Phoenix stands and takes two quick steps forward, and Freya slams into her.

PHOENIX Easy there... Freya, was it?

Freya nods.

PHOENIX You're okay now, Freya.

Anne rushes over.

ANNE Freya, are you okay?

PHOENIX She'll be alright, I've- here, take her!

Phoenix passes Freya to Anne and spins around just in time to catch Faiz. She sets him down on the ground.

PHOENIX (signed) How many times have I told you, young man, you can't fly? Humans don't have wings, and if you keep trying to break gravity, you're going to wind up breaking yourself!

Phoenix turns back to Anne.

PHOENIX I'm so sorry, James does this all the time. I've never seen him drag anyone else into it though. How is Freya?

Freya stops clinging to her mother.

FREYA I'm okay. I didn't think I would go that high, though. Thank you for catching me!

Phoenix crouches down and holds out a hand for Freya to take.

PHOENIX No problem, Freya! I'm sorry James roped you into his tricks; I'll be having words with him when we get home.

Phoenix stands up and glances towards Faiz, who's still sitting on the ground.

ANNE Thank you so much. I'm Anne Butler.

PHOENIX I'm Callie Hunter. It's nice to meet you, Anne.

ANNE It was good to meet you, too, Callie, but I think Freya and I should head home now.

PHOENIX Of course, of course! Good-bye, Anne, Freya.

FREYA Good-bye, Miss Callie!

ANNE Yes, good-bye.

Anne and Freya leave. Phoenix turns to Faiz.

PHOENIX (cold, emotionless) What reason do you have for your actions?

FAIZ I'm sorry, I was just trying to act like a little kid. I didn't expect her to try and swing higher than me!

PHOENIX You should have. Our assignment is to protect the girl, not kill her ourselves before the Copycat has a chance to.

Faiz hangs his head.

FAIZ I know, I messed up, I'm sorry.

PHOENIX Sorry isn't good enough.

Phoenix removes the illusion on Faiz and turns away from him.

PHOENIX You will make your own way back to the apartment building.

FAIZ Phoenix?

Phoenix disappears. Faiz droops, trying not to cry.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/NEAR SIDE - NIGHT

Phoenix reclines on the wall. Ace sits on his shadowed ledge. Faiz, Rameses, and Daedalus sit or stand in various places.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

Copycat stalks down a darkened street.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/NEAR SIDE - NIGHT

Phoenix's head snaps up. Footsteps sound from the street. The boys snap to attention.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

Copycat approaches a building.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/NEAR SIDE - NIGHT

Phoenix crouches on the wall near the edge of the shadows. The boys are all near.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END - night

Copycat starts climbing up the wall.

EXT.  LONDON/EAST END/APARTMENT BUILDING/NEAR SIDE - NIGHT

Phoenix lets her magic coat her hands as the footsteps get closer.

INT.  LONDON/EAST END - NIGHT

Copycat climbs through the window into a bare bedroom.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Creature Sketch: Darahajaes

Darahajaes are particularly unique within magical circles, as they are not naturally occurring. The first Darahajae was created in the year 1861 by the Corrupted called Abaddon, by way of twisting and distorting the human mind.

Abaddon’s manipulation effectively erased his victims’ morality, while leaving their mind, emotions, memories, and base personality intact. They also developed a few physical characteristics: a strong sense of smell, an allergy to nuts, and increased physical strength and speed. Due to the magic required to cause these changes, non-magicals cannot be converted - though unawakened magicals can.

Darahajaes eat the same food as humans, and need to eat a lot of it to support their fast metabolism. They also need sleep, though only half as much as humans on average. They can be killed by all the same means as a human except for hanging, which only serves to annoy them.

Some Darahajaes are content to live their lives in peace, whether they pursue a path of creation or learning, but even these few would not hesitate to harm or kill a human that inconvenienced or annoyed them. Most Darahajaes set out to attack humans, or just to cause general destruction, because they’re bored.

Darahajaes will fight amongst each other for power, entertainment, or revenge. The only reason for peace or cooperation is if it serves their purposes better than violence.

In general, Darahajaes do whatever they want whenever they want because they literally cannot comprehend the concept of right and wrong.

--

Despite the name, there isn’t an actual sketch. If anyone feels the desire to draw them, go ahead.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Twelve Times

“Really, Kali? You’re going to play that card?”

A derisive laugh echoes from all around me.

“Please. You couldn’t pull off noble to save your life.”

My vision tunnels until all I can make out is that smirk; that gray-lipped, shark-toothed twist of his mouth that displays his contempt for me, for my actions.

“Now hand them over.”

It seems cold; it’s a summer afternoon, it should be warm. My chest feels hollow and my frame is shaking. Every fiber of my being aches to drop to my knees, surrender, give him whatever he wants- anything to get my brother back.

In the back of my mind, I know he isn’t my brother any longer- he’s Abaddon now. Still, my knowledge doesn’t dampen the urge in the slightest. My knees shake, and I want nothing more than to fall. Behind me, someone moves. It’s small, only a moment’s shifting; it’s enough to break me from my daze and remind me just what he asks of me.

I spread my arms to form a barrier- however symbolic- between my boys and Abaddon, and raise my head to look the man who used to be my brother in the eye. “I said, you can’t have them.”

A little sigh sounds from everywhere at once, and I’m surprised to hear a hint of true regret in it.

“Very well. I didn’t want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice.”

My mouth drops open in a choked gasp and my hands move almost without my permission, coming to rest on my stomach and brushing torn flesh and cold steel. I am intimately familiar with the pain of knives, though that doesn’t mean I like them.

One hand- my leather glove now partially covered with blood- curls around the grip, and I pull it free, letting it fall to the ground from my suddenly-shaky fingers. I’m shaking harder than before, and it’s hard to think of anything besides the pain.

I want to laugh. I’m supposed to be this invulnerable warrior, and here I am, crying from a little stab wound.

Crying?

Tears roll down my cheeks. … How long has it been since I last cried?

Abaddon speaks again, and I force myself to focus on his words on the off chance he says something important.

“Tsk tsk, Kali. You cry now, too? You are getting soft, aren’t you?” he asks. I cannot respond.

“The girl I knew, she was unstoppable. If she had to, she would hold her guts in with one hand and rip your throat out with the other.”

It’s so hard to focus on his words, now. My knees finally give out on me, but instead of hitting the ground like I expected, one of my boys catches me. I nearly scream as being caught pulls on my wound, but I don’t have enough breath for it. It comes out as a sort of pained gasp instead.

“You’re not her. Not anymore.”

I look up, trying to keep my foe within my sights, and I meet his gaze. I’m shocked to find actual sorrow in his eyes. Suddenly, he perks up, the change coming over him like the flip of a switch.

“Ah, but no use dwelling on the past, is there?” he asks, with a near-manic grin. He takes a step forward, and Faiz puts himself between us, calling up the strongest shield he knows.

“My, my. Awfully protective, aren’t they?”

The one holding me growls, and I realize that it’s Daedalus.

“Anyway, Kali, be a dear and try not to take too long, will you?” Abaddon continues. “I have plans for you.”

He’s gone, then, and my boys are crowded around me. With no threats present, I let my guard collapse completely for the first time in years.

“Bunker,” I force out. “Doriath.”

Then my focus is gone, and all I can do is cry. Someone carries me, and I nearly scream with each step. I’m set down, somewhere, and I curl into the tightest ball I can manage without hurting myself further- a completely useless protective gesture, since the damage has already been done.

People are talking around me, but it hurts too much to focus on their words. I realize I’m in the backseat of my truck when it goes over a large bump, and a scream is finally torn from my throat. With the dam broken, all control is lost, and I can’t stop screaming- pleas for the pain to stop, vivid threats of agonizing death to the one responsible, and wordless screeches of suffering; I made them all.

My sense of time is lost, and the next thing I am wholly aware of is Doriath standing above my prone form, a pained look on his face.

“Hey, Mourning Dove,” he forces through clenched teeth. I try to smile at him, but it only lasts a moment before an agonized grimace takes over my face. Two healers step into the room, one approaching Doriath and the other coming to me. Magic pulls at me, telling me to sleep, and I manage to glower at the healer for one, two, three heartbeats before my grimace returns.

My last thought before succumbing to magic’s pull is that my boys are nowhere to be seen.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #14- Wainscot Society

 Wainscot Society

The Order as a whole, and each Base in specific. ... Okay, for this post, we’re going to delve into the history of the Order.

The Order was founded in England in the year 975 by King Edward the Martyr, after his younger brother Ӕthelred was attacked by a supernatural creature. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very well thought-out (excusable, since he was twelve or thirteen when it was formed) and barely survived his death- its survival is wholly due to the fact that his second within the Order assumed control and completely changed the way it worked.

Over time, the Order changed from an organization to a society, although it didn’t truly become one until the year 1328, when a young nobleman of the ninth generation (meaning his family had been members of the Order since his great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather) had a set of small houses built in a far corner of his land. Members of the Order moved into these houses, and shops were started from their houses, and it became a village. Over time, more and more buildings were added to the village, and it became a town, hidden from the rest of the world, where every member knew the secrets of the world and the creatures. Some learned how to spot and track the creatures, some learned to treat the injured, and some learned how to maintain the town, but all learned how to fight and defend themselves and their fellows.

For the first time, members of the Order had a place where they could live where they didn’t have to hide. The base where they could go for information, or treatment if they were injured, was nice, but the town was better. It didn’t have to be temporary; it could be their home. Over time of living around others with the same knowledge and burdens, traditions and celebrations and holidays and practices formed almost on their own, and the town became a true society.

Thirty years after the founding of the town, a small group worked together to purchase a piece of land a good distance away, packed up, and moved. When they arrived, they built a second village, and over the years, the second village grew into a town to rival the first. As the years passed, more and more villages were founded and grew into towns.

Then, eventually, a high-ranking member of the Order traveled overseas and realized that the problems with supernatural creatures were just as present in other countries, and that the local group for dealing with them was very poorly put together. He stepped in to help, and eventually, the group decided to become a branch of the Order, and people came over from the various towns to help them get started.

In the 1500s, the main Indian Branch abruptly ceased all communication with every other branch. Some of the best Agents were gathered and sent to investigate the sudden silence. What they found was a seventeen-year-old girl in the middle of tearing the place apart. A young Agent realized she was scared and talked her down. She later went on to become one of the Order’s best Agents, the Phoenix.

In the early 1600s, the Order sent the Phoenix and a group of younger members along with the colonists headed to America to establish a branch. As the years and decades and centuries passed, the American Branch grew and expanded and more Bases were built.

(The American War of Independence. Guys. THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. Members of the Order fight alongside the normal people. But they have this unspoken agreement with the English Branch members they meet on the battlefield: Not you. I won’t fight family.)

(GUYS GUYS GUYS! THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR. A war with two parts. Of course, the for/against slavery that everyone knows about. Then, among the Order members, it has another level. The enslavement of supernatural creatures. And possibly the kill them all/give them a chance debate, but I think they’ve solved that one already.)

(... can you tell I’m American?)

... I don’t think there’s anywhere to go from there. At least right now. Though I will be touching on Roanoke at some point, because Roanoke is fascinating.

As a note, it’s been a while since I’ve studied either the American War of Independence or the American Civil War, though I will brush up on them if I plan to write anything in more detail. Also, all of my knowledge on King Edward the Maryr and his brother came from Wikipedia, so it may be completely wrong. Feel free to correct me.

... I’m not sure how a trope post became a massive history...

Oh well, it was fun.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #13- Bazaar of the Bizarre

Bazaar of the Bizarre

There's one of these in the middle of New York City. Phoenix takes the boys to it in the second episode to pick up some more specialized equipment and see about information on Abaddon's recent moves. It's loud and colorful and busy and crowded and INSANE. Some areas don't follow even the simplest rules of reality, and some even have non-ecludian geometry.

Yeah, that’s going to be a fun episode to design the background for. (What does it say that even I can’t tell if I’m being sarcastic or not?)

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #12- Adventures in Comaland

Adventures in Comaland

Phoenix, in the “Reality Check” arc in season 6. It’s due to the effect of a supernatural creature. As of this moment, I haven’t decided what that creature will be. Much more research is needed before I can make a final decision.

As far as Phoenix is aware, she’s always lived a normal life in a normal neighborhood, with a normal job and normal hobbies and normal friends. The only weird part of her life is her dreams, where she’s a thousand-year-old assassin who can’t die. Then it turns out that she’s actually asleep, and Jessie (who’s jumped into her head to help out) has to help her wake up.

Yeah, it’s kind of a weird story, and it gets weirder in summary.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #11- Alchemical Elementals

Alchemical Elementals

I’m not sure yet if they’ll show up in the actual series, but there exists in the Phoenix Rising universe one High (or Major, or Greater) and two dozen Low (or Minor, or Lesser) of each of the elementals.

The High Elementals are the avatar (or, if you’re like me and like cool words, Anthropomorphic Personification) of their element. So long as their element exists, the High Elemental cannot be killed.

The Low Elementals are a support for the High. They have less power (the combined power of all of the Low Elementals is equal to half the power of the High Elemental), but they have much more fine control. A good way to look at it is like pottery. The High Elemental provides the power, the clay, while the Low Elementals shape it and design it.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #10- Berserk Button

Berserk Button

Each of the main characters has their own berserk button. Well, Faiz’s is more like a “Tranquil Fury” Button (which is just as terrifying), but still.

PHOENIX

Phoenix actually has a couple of berserk buttons:

1. Harming a child

2. Attacking Doriath or (more recently) one of her boys.

3. Calling her emotionless or unfeeling. This one isn’t strictly a berserk button, because she won’t physically attack you, but she becomes furious and stops just short of a physical attack.

ACE

Ace has two berserk buttons, and he’s only violent in pretty much any form when one of his buttons has been pushed.

1. Bullies

2. Any sort of attack or insult against Faiz. This one is mostly a habit, since Ace has been looking out for Faiz for years.

FAIZ

Faiz, like I mentioned above, doesn’t have a true berserk button. Instead, he has a Tranquil Fury button.

1. Telling him what he should or shouldn’t do, say, think, or feel.

2. Upsetting or harming his baby sister. Well, not baby sister, she’s twelve, but still.

RAMESES

Out of all the main characters, Rameses has the most berserk buttons, although one of them isn’t technically a berserk button.

1. Attacking or upsetting Daedalus.

2. Calling him worthless, stupid, or a brute.

3. Calling him anything along the lines of “Kitty”. This one is actually on two layers- one, because he doesn’t like being compared to a cat, and two, because his sister always called him that, and being reminded of her hurts.

4. Overall stupidity, being surrounded by stupid people. Again, not strictly a berserk button, because he doesn’t physically attack, but he gets incredibly angry/frustrated and becomes louder, meaner, ruder, and rougher.

DAEDALUS

Daedalus only has one berserk button, and in fact, is only violent when this button is pressed. He’s similar to Ace in this aspect, but where Ace mostly ignores challenges and attacks unless they press a button, Daedalus’ default response is to run away.

1. Making light of how Rameses has protected him over the years.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #9- 100% Adoration Rating/100% Heroism Rating

100% Adoration Rating

100% Heroism Rating

Phoenix, of a sort. She’s something of a unique case. She’s not a ruler, and she would definitely claim to not be a hero. However, she’s the closest to famous that exists within the Order.

She’s a living legend. Imagine growing up hearing stories of a woman who’s been around for longer than anyone can remember, who saves people and kills monsters and protects the world, who never stops working, never stops moving, and never stops fighting. Parents, grandparents, friends, strangers- everyone swaps stories of that one time they met her, the time they saw her in a crowd, one guy who claims to have kissed her once (and the friend who snorts and says he did- that’s where his obviously broken nose came from).

Maybe you see her yourself. Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who’s around when she’s stuck at the base because she’s hurt and she goes out to the place where children gather and joins them in harmless little games. Maybe you only hear stories. Maybe you’re one of the handful she actually has a conversation with. No matter what you do or where you go, you’re surrounded by her. She pops up in conversation, hotshot teens are held up to her image and left to come crashing down when they can’t measure up, some people (the ones she personally saved, you think) even swear by her name.

You can’t help but adore her. You didn’t always. Maybe you resented her popularity, maybe you feared her power, maybe you just don’t like to go along with the flow, but you can’t hold it against her when you see how hard she works. She’s earned every bit of praise she receives.

If she approaches you (YOU, out of everyone she could have gone to), if she asks you a favor or requests that you do something, you won’t argue. After all, if she wants it done, it must be important. If you hear that she’s hurt (and that is the kind of news that’s passed from base to base like wildfire) you worry, and you’re never quite calm again until you hear she’s well, and maybe you send her an e-mail or a get-well card or a present. That last one is usually a children’s thing, but sometimes you just can’t help yourself.

You would do anything for her.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #8- And I Must Scream

And I Must Scream

Iole, from her “death” in Sawdust until she’s reformed in Restored. For over four hundred years, she was completely awake and aware of her surroundings, but unable to move.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #7- Enmity With an Object

Enmity With an Object

Faiz has an unending hatred of/rivalry with plastic bottlecaps. Oddly enough, he adores and has a collection of metal bottle caps.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #6- Resurrective Immortality

Resurrective Immortality

As the result of a curse (caused by failing to fulfill a prophecy), Phoenix has a form of this. It’s not that she can’t die, it’s that she doesn’t stay dead. Every time she dies, her body burns, and then a new body is formed from the ashes.

She’s always reformed at eight years old, and the only scars she has are ones from blows that killed her. She’s died around a dozen times, possibly more.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #5- Headless Horseman

Headless Horseman

Well, not exactly. N’kori commands a group of creatures referred to as The Nine (original, I know). In order to control them, he holds their heads and hearts, which allows him to manipulate their minds and emotions.

The creatures are headless, and they typically ride horses. However, that’s where the similarity ends. They aren’t dead (somehow, despite not having heads or hearts), they don’t haunt forests or roads (although they often kill in wooded areas, and they lately have to follow roads to track their targets), and they don’t pick out their own victims.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #4- A Boy and His X

A Boy and His X

Or rather, a girl and her drake. Phoenix’s bound servant (familiar) is a Lesser Drake (think small dragon with four legs, wings, long tail, horns, and a frill) around the size of a large cat or a small dog.

Drakes of all kinds have human-level sentience, and Phoenix only trapped Kalidasa in a bond at his request, so that they can find each other at any time.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Tropes #2 & 3- Cloudcuckoolander and Cloudcuckoolander’s Minder

Cloudcuckoolander

Cloudcuckoolander’s Minder

This is a two-part trope. First, Cloudcuckoolander.

This applies to Faiz. He’s odd, sometimes needs his weird phrases translated, and can flip out over the strangest things. This brings us to to the second half, Cloudcuckoolander’s Minder.

This applies to Ace, Faiz’s best friend. Ace is the one to do any necessary translation and calm Faiz’s freak-outs, as well as more mundane things, like reminding him to eat.

[phoenix-rising-project]

Trope #1- Things That Go Bump In The Night

Things That Go Bump In The Night

The general feel of the world, to those in the know. For most people, it seems just like our world. For those in the Order, every shadow holds something that may or may not want to kill you.

Unfortunately, our main characters know from personal experience that some of the worst monsters are all too human.

[phoenix-rising-project]

The Madman

It’s quiet. Where am I?

I look around. Trees, grass, bushes, and moonlight. I take a step, and leaves crunch under my boots. My breath clouds in the cold air.

I don’t know this place. I’ve never seen it before in my life. Where am I? How did I get here?

My heart skips a beat. Could... could he have brought me here?

I shake my head. No. I would have remembered. Wouldn’t I have? I always have before, but that doesn’t mean I always will. Maybe he was playing with me, letting me remember.

I shiver, and start walking. No matter how I got here, I need to find my way to civilization. People means shelter, food, safety. Out in the open like this, if it was him, I’m vulnerable. Nothing stands between us.

Something is wrong, but I can’t put my finger on it. I scowl, but keep walking. A gentle wind blows through my hair, and I freeze on the spot. Like lightning, I know.

Silence.

I take a step. Silence. I look down. I’m still standing in dead leaves.

A rabbit bolts past me. Something behind me scares it more than I do. I can’t hear a thing as it passes.

I start coughing, and I bring my hand to my mouth. As the fit passes and I draw my hand away, I see blood on my palm. My vision goes black, and I bolt.

Sweat coats my skin, and a thin line of pain flares on my cheek. At some point I had left the path and stumbled into the trees. My heart pounds, hard and fast. I can feel it in my fingertips. My legs scream and my lungs ache, and I’m coughing so hard I can barely breathe and blood is running down my face.

I slam into a tree and feel my glasses break as I fall backwards. I try to stand but my knees buckle, my arms give way as I try to catch myself.

Slowly, my hearing comes back to me. Footsteps crunch in the leaves; I can barely hear them over the sound of my own panting. The steps grow closer. I take a deep breath and screw my eyes shut.

A hand settles on my shoulder, and I scream.