SILVER SHOCK Episode #1 "Salvums Core" by David Arkon

FOURTH DRAFT 9/14/13

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FADE IN: EXT. SALVUM DISTRICT A city of lights and glamor. A void surrounds the city, laying within a domed force field, as if its the last place on Earth... EXT. ALLEY WAY A - NIGHT A storm brews. The once seemingly elysian atmosphere ceases to exist - the area is a wasteland. A figure surreptitiously darts across the drenched ground of a dark alley. He looks over his shoulder. A LYNX-CRAFT, a helicopter under the new type of law enforcement known as "LYNX", is still after him, spurting water drops to every corner. He faces forward again - yet his face is still unseen - and nearly runs smack into a wall. His fast reflexes evades the hit. He glances back one more time before running out into a street. EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS He stumbles on the curb, stopping short at the sight of the partially flooded street. As the LYNX-Craft flies by, blasting him with wind and water, he steps out into the street. An incandescent light FLASHES on him. His black hoody camouflages his face in the dark - leaving only a silhouette of his head. The light tails him. He continues running, panting. Another LYNX-Craft SWERVES to avoid him, but also forces him to a SLIPPING HALT. He GASPS, looks back. The two crafts close in. He continues running, knowing well that if he stopped, they would definitely catch him. He hops on the curb opposite to the alley way. He enters a deteriorated building.

2. INT. LYNX CRAFT - CONTINUOUS Two LYNX MARAUDERS, the law enforcers, sit side by side in the cockpit. Theyre in S.W.A.T. attire, except the title doesnt read "S.W.A.T.", it reads "LYNX". They talk on their communications system. On the other line is NICK STERLING, the CEO & Founder of LYNX. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Target acquired. LYNX MARAUDER #2 Give us the order and well eliminate the target, Mr. Sterling. NICK STERLING (O.S.) Stand by. INT. DETERIORATED BUILDING - CONTINUOUS The storm worsens. The figure SLAMS his back against the wall as a bright light passes by, revealing a fraction of his face. He attempts to leave the building, but --- A BEAM FLASHES BY. He winces, catches a glimpse of another alley way ahead. He runs. LYNX CRAFT The Marauders spot him running. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Target is escaping. NICK (O.S.) Open fire. STREET RATATATA! Bullets RICOCHET. The figure PANTS, his footsteps faltering momentarily, but he recovers and makes a sharp left turn, amazingly dodging those bullets. Hes skilled... He springs onto the curb and runs into the next alley way. The craft follows.

3. EXT. ALLEY WAY B - CONTINUOUS Suddenly, AMELIA STERLING, 16, a bundle of beauty and energy, with strawberry blond hair, bursts from the shadows. She darts towards the figure. The figure takes out a shimmering --- WHITE SHARD from his pocket. He flings it into the air as Amelia quickly catches it while running. She continues on in the opposite direction. INT. LYNX CRAFT - CONTINUOUS The LYNX Marauders spot Amelia running. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Theres two? LYNX Marauder #2 calls out to LYNX-CRAFT B. LYNX MARAUDER #2 (to LYNX-CRAFT B) Come in, Marauders. LYNX MARAUDER #3 (O.S.) Whats the situation? LYNX MARAUDER #2 There is a second suspect heading your way. Possibly an accomplice. Appears to be a female dressed in black. LYNX MARAUDER #3 (O.S.) Copy that. Well pursue the second suspect. EXT. ALLEY WAY B - CONTINUOUS The figure comes upon another deteriorated building. A beat, he perpends... He hops to the nearest window and breaks the glass. He jumps in as the LYNX-Craft descends to the window. A WHIRRING echo of the rotating blades blasts its surroundings with water. The Craft steadily ascends to the roof to dispatch --- TWO ARTILLERY BARRELS. One on each side. They begin firing in slow-mo. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: ON FIGURE -- He quickly dives into the floor without a moments notice. The floor COLLAPSES, bringing down everything with it.

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The SWOOSHING bullets dart over Kyle and SLAPS into a wall. Not a single bullet landed a hit on the figure. Hes really skilled... INT. LYNX CRAFT - CONTINUOUS The Marauders wordlessly admires the figures skills (was this whole thing a coincidence or was it all premeditated?) They shake off their thoughts and now, they are furious and irritated. Theyre not going to let a "simple" teenager outsmart them. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Lets bring this place down! EXT. LYNX CRAFT - CONTINUOUS An ARTILLERY BARREL slides up from the top of the Craft. It ILLUMINATES a red glow as it starts to spin rapidly until --- A RED SPHERE SHOOTS OUT. It CLAWS into the roof. INT. LYNX CRAFT - CONTINUOUS A steady BEEPING in the LYNX-Craft, steadily increasing. The Marauders look down at a screen. They half salute: "Good riddance" and it is then that we see --- A TIMER ON THE SCREEN. Counting down from 30 seconds. Fast. INT. DETERIORATING BUILDING - CONTINUOUS The figure bolts towards a giant gap in a wall. He stumbles at the edge to look down. He firmly stands his ground, a little shaken, but nevertheless, he looks ahead for the jump. He spots --- THE WINDOW ON THE OPPOSITE BUILDING. JONAH HENDERSON, 17, loyal to his friends, reaches his hand out towards the figure to encourage the distant leap. So this is premeditated... The storm continues. (CONTINUED)

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JONAH Jump! KYLE I cant! Its too far! JONAH Jump!!! The figure swallows hard, its now or never, its time to take the leap of faith. He slowly takes several steps back as well as a few fresh breaths before he ultimately DASHES towards the gap. EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS The timer starts counting down from five. INT. DETERIORATING BUILDING - CONTINUOUS The figure LEAPS from the gap when holy smokes! The whole building explodes in a cloud of smoke. JONAH NO!!! EXT. STREET - MOMENTS LATER Rain drops fall into a cloud of smoke. A hand pushes out of the debris. He rises into the rain, his hood down, and it is then that we see --- KYLE ZY, an instantly attractive young man with a rebellious look that goes hand-in-hand with his erratic and impulsive nature. ON KYLE -- He has several cuts and bruises on his face. Several lights suddenly FLASH on him. He winces. LYNX MARAUDER This is LYNX! Put your hands up now! Kyle squints as he slowly raises his hands. Hes completely surrounded by LYNX Marauders. END OF TEASER

(CONTINUED)

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6.

ACT ONE INT. LYNX HQ The only headquarters in Salvum City for LYNX Marauders. A sanitary atmosphere. The floor looks untouched, the room is well lit - the whole building is like a luxury hotel. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS Just like any other interrogation room. A cold, heartless area where the police constantly grill their suspects, but in this case, its a worried father lecturing his son. A BOOMING slam on a metal table. Kyle remains disinterested. His hands are cuffed to his chair. He avoids eye contact with DR. RICHARD ZY, early-fifties, whose profession is clearly marked by his lab coat that reads "A.T.L.A.S." on the back. RICHARD What the hell were you thinking, Kyle?! You broke the law by sneaking out of the city! (beat) LYNX has made it clear that outside the city was a restricted area. KYLE Nothing. I wasnt thinking. RICHARD Thats exactly your problem! You dont think! Kyle remains disinterested - but with a look of guilt. He still avoids eye contact. Richard exhales. RICHARD (CONTD) What would your mother think of this? KYLE You dont know anything about her! RICHARD Dont you dare say that! Kyle remains silent.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: RICHARD (CONTD) Kyle, do you know what day it is tomorrow? KYLE Thursday, December 12. The twelfth anniversary of moms death. RICHARD Yes, and I know that I havent been there for you most of the time-Kyle furiously faces Richard in a blink of an eye. KYLE --most of the time?! Youve rarely been there! You missed moms funeral! You missed all my birthdays!

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ON RICHARD -- He glares sternly at Kyle, withholding his true emotions. We can see that because his hands are trembling with fear (or is it guilt?) A beat, Kyle furiously glares him down, making the scene more dramatic. He continues: KYLE (CONTD) You missed my childhood. RICHARD Kyle-KYLE --youre not my dad. (beat) I hate you. Richard does not know what to say. He nods and silently exits the room. Kyle looks up at the security camera - restraining his anger. EXT. INTERROGATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS Richard walks out, rubbing his forehead. He approaches Nick Sterling, late-forties. He is a man with authority and style, which complements the way he dresses - Armani. He is also Amelias father. Nick stares at the security camera feed.

(CONTINUED)

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RICHARD Did you hear all that? NICK Yeah... Richard stares down at the screen. RICHARD Its hard raising a 17-year-old when youre rarely there. NICK I know exactly how you feel, except I also have a 16-year-old daughter, Amelia, who was apparently with Kyle during his apprehension. RICHARD Where is she now? NICK I gave her a free pass. Nicks answer quickly catches Richards attention - clearly surprised. RICHARD You gave her a free pass? How about Kyle?! NICK Look, JACK is about Kyles age and Ive taken him in too. He grew up to hate me, but at least hes disciplined now. Plus, this is Amelias first time, so I decided to give her a free pass, just this first time. (beat) But for Kyle, this isnt his first. Hes been taken in a couple times beforehand and Ive already done a handful of favors for you. RICHARD But, Nick! I know that my son has caused some trouble-NICK --some trouble?! Kyle broke a total of three laws in one night!

(CONTINUED)

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RICHARD Nick-NICK --Im sorry, I cant help you, Richard. (beat) Now, Im late for a meeting. Richard exhales. RICHARD You have to understand that tomorrow marks the twelfth anniversary of my wifes death. My wife that you-NICK --I know. You can spare the details. RICHARD His mother, Nick. He lost his mother at a young age and I havent been much of a father to him. NICK Maybe you shouldve spent more time with him. (beat) Im late for a meeting. Nick walks away. RICHARD Wait! NICK What? Richard hesitates. NICK (CONTD) (insistent) Tell me. RICHARD Its the Core. The topic interests Nick.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: NICK What about it? RICHARD Its going unstable. I estimate we have fewer than 24 hours until it... It incinerates everything. NICK What do you need? RICHARD Kyles help. Nick perpends: "What am I to do?"

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NICK No, no, I cant do that. RICHARD Just help me on this, Nick! Lets get on the same page. NICK Same page? Were not even in the same book. RICHARD I owe Kyle! I havent been there for him his entire life, and Im sure I cant make up for it anymore. (beat) The least I can do for him is get him out of here one last time. NICK Alright. (beat) Ill release him from custody, but only because he can assist you in repairing the Core. RICHARD Thank you... Nick spots TRISHA NOE, early-thirties, dressed like a typical assistant, with her hair tied back and holding a packet of papers. In a way, its sexy. TRISHA Mr. Sterling, the Board is waiting for you.

(CONTINUED)

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NICK Thank you, Trisha. I was just leaving. A beat, Nick and Richard exchange a worried look until Nick walks away with Trisha. EXT. ZYS HOUSE - LATER The storm continues. From the distance, a car speeds through the puddles until it comes to a SCREECHING HALT along a sidewalk. INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS Richard exhales. Kyle looks outside the window, shunning Richard. RICHARD Look. (beat) I think youve been through a lot today, so I wont even talk about punishment but-KYLE --all youre thinking of right now is punishing me? RICHARD Kyle, I-KYLE --whatever. Like I said earlier, (beat) I hate you. Kyle steps out of the car. A BOOMING slam of the door closing. Richard watches Kyle walk away. His phone suddenly rings. Its CHARLES. CHARLES (O.S.) Richard, where the hell are you?! We need you in A.T.L.A.S.. Now! RICHARD Im sorry, its just... Kyle.

(CONTINUED)

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CHARLES (O.S.) The Cores activity is increasing! If we dont find a way to reverse this, then you wont see your son again! RICHARD Im already dead to him... Richard takes a deep breath. RICHARD (CONTD) Im on my way, Charles. Richard glances at Kyle walking through the front door. Theres still a chance for him to talk with Kyle, but he decides to leave anyways... INT. KYLES ROOM - MOMENTS LATER A typical boys room. Dirty clothes by the end of the bed. Unkempt bed. Table next to the bed with a laptop and a night switch. Different gadgets and gizmos in the room as well. Kyle walks in and flicks the light switch. He goes straight to the bed and slams down. He rolls to his side to spot his moms picture on the table. He grabs it. Sitting up on his bed, he looks down at her picture. KYLE What happened to you mom? ... Kyle shuts his eyes tight -INT. ZYS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM (TWELVE YEARS AGO) -- and snaps open. BANG! A RICOCHET of a gun shot. A BOOMING slam of ANGELA ZY, late-thirties, Kyles mom, falling to the ground. ON KYLES EYES -- They tremble with fear. They continue trembling --

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INT. KYLES ROOM (PRESENT) -- until Kyle blinks away the image. He winces. KYLE (CONTD) What was that? ... Kyles phone rings. Its Jonah. INT. HENDERSONS HOUSE - JONAHS ROOM - CONTINUOUS Jonah in his room full of computers, cables, and comic books. He sits at his desk, staring at a laptop. JONAH Kyle, youre alive! INT. KYLES ROOM - CONTINUOUS The scenes of Kyle and Jonah transition back and forth. KYLE Why wouldnt I be? JONAH Dude, you fell off of an exploding building! Im pretty sure no one else couldve survived that! Kyle looks down at his --- MOMS PICTURE. She smiles happily, standing in front of the A.T.L.A.S. structure. KYLE I guess I got lucky... JONAH Some luck! Next time that happens, you come to me first, okay? KYLE Next time? One time was already enough. JONAH Pft, whatever! Kyle takes a deep breath.

(CONTINUED)

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KYLE So did Amy get to you with the shard? JONAH Not really, but I still managed to learn a few things about it. KYLE Sweet! What did you find? JONAH Yeah, I did, and you were right. LYNX is hiding something outside the city. INT. LYNX HQ - MEETING ROOM - CONTINUOUS A cleared obsidian oval table in the center. Five chairs on each side, one on each end. Nick Sterling stands in front, facing the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NICK Ladies and gentlemen, I have called this meeting to present LYNXs most advanced weapon. A weapon of pure destruction that will strike fear into our enemies and guarantee victory in any war. DIRECTOR #1 And how is this different from any of the weapons you have previously distributed? NICK LYNX is the corporate power running this city and we distribute our latest innovations in weaponry to our Marauders. These weapons will ensure safety for the public. DIRECTOR #2 Sterling, dont you think youre going the wrong direction with this? NICK Wrong direction? Im leading this company to success.

(CONTINUED)

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DIRECTOR #1 With weapons, Sterling. Weapons start war. NICK And weapons end war. Nick bends down at the table and pokes it as --- HOLOGRAPHIC SCREENS scatter across to each person. Some are charts. Some are blueprints of a gun (similar to Nerfs Switch-Shot). NICK (CONTD) This is LYNXs latest product. The NS-1. The Board murmurs among themselves. NICK (CONTD) The NS-1 makes up for its size with its blast. Although containing only three bullets, each bullet contains millions of explosive Nanoids pressurized and packed together. When the shell is released, the Nanoids will immediately break free and attach to a desired object and self-destruct in seconds. DIRECTOR #1 Are you crazy, Sterling?! Nano technology has not yet been mastered yet! NICK Oh, but it has been. A BOOMING knock on the door. Trisha enters. TRISHA Mr. Sterling, theres something you have to see. NICK Can it wait, Trisha? TRISHA No. It cant. Trisha wordlessly signals Nick with her eyes. He immediately picks up that somethings wrong. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

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Nick looks to the Board, holding a smile. NICK Ladies and gentlemen, it seems were going to have to reschedule. INT. LYNX HQ - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER Nick and Trisha frantically walk through the hallway. NICK This better be important or Im going to have to find a new assistant. TRISHA I was going through the security feed from the LYNX-Crafts and I found this. Trisha hands Nick her tablet. ON TABLET -- The alley scene from earlier. Kyle runs through the rain in a black hoodie. Amelia runs out. Kyle throws the shard. Trisha jumps in and pauses the video. She zooms in on the shard. NICK This is... TRISHA Dr. Zy lied to you, Mr. Sterling. He didnt completely dispose of the element. NICK So it was outside the city... (beat) Trisha? TRISHA Yes, Mr. Sterling? NICK Please, call me Nick.

17. INT. A.T.L.A.S.. - SECTOR ZERO - CONTINUOUS Richard comes bursting in through the door of Sector Zero inside A.T.L.A.S. CORP. (Advanced Technological Laboratories and Alternate Systems Corp.), the most advanced scientific research facility in the world. He approaches Dr. Charles DIMNEX, wise looks, gray hairlines, early-fifties, the Founder and CEO of A.T.L.A.S. RICHARD Charles, whats the situation? They walk along a hallway in haste. CHARLES In the past couple hours, the Core has exceeded its normal containment level by 83 percent and counting. Ever since then, its been spurting flares. RICHARD 83 percent? Thats odd, it increased three times as much from yesterday... And flares? Like solar flares? CHARLES Exactly like solar flares. Richard and Charles stop at a gate. Richard smiles. RICHARD I have an idea we can try... INT. JONAHS ROOM - CONTINUOUS Jonah swiftly jabs his fingers into the keyboard, typing with haste. A screen of data scrolls down on the screen. JONAH Get on your laptop. Im sending you some files. INT. KYLES ROOM - CONTINUOUS Kyle opens his laptop as different screens suddenly pop up over one another. Jonahs clearly hacking into Kyles computer, with skill. The files all have one thing in common: theyre all files related to LYNX and A.T.L.A.S. He zooms in on an article with the headline: (CONTINUED)

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"DR. RICHARD ZY DISCOVERS NEW ELEMENT" KYLE Why are you sending me articles of my dad? JONAH (O.S.) Its a moment of history. The day your dad discovered a new element. KYLE Yeah, and? He promised everyone that the element was able to generate everlasting energy. (beat) He wasnt wrong, completely. The element produced too much energy and here we are in a globe. JONAH (O.S.) Can you provide more details? KYLE Nope. JONAH How often do you pay attention in history class? KYLE Almost never. JONAH (O.S.) Well, when the element began emitting too much radiation, your dad managed to dispose it. KYLE How do you dispose an element? JONAH (O.S.) I dont know, but he managed to do it, and one thing youre not going to believe. This shard... Kyle pulls up an image of a --- CRYSTAL. He stares at it in amazement: "Whoa" KYLE Is part of the element. END OF ACT ONE (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: ACT TWO INT. A.T.L.A.S.. - SECTOR ZERO - LATE NIGHT

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Richard and Charles inside Sector Zero, wearing radiation suits. Richard brings over a --- BEAKER. It contains a wave of energy that is always fluctuating. It looks like a shifting fog emitting a bright golden glow. RICHARD Okay. Lets initiate the experiment. CHARLES Richard, I thought we discussed this. Using it is too dangerous! I thought you destroyed it! RICHARD I did, but I kept a few fragments. Nothing much. Practically harmless, but it can still provide energy. CHARLES You do know that doing this could mean no power for the whole dome! RICHARD Yes, that could happen. But would you rather have the whole dome incinerated? CHARLES No, but well be sending humanity back into the dark ages... RICHARD Dont worry, theres a good chance that we could stabilize the Core before all the power runs out. Charles give an unsettling look to Richard. RICHARD (CONTD) Look, this is A.T.L.A.S. only hope! CHARLES Okay... I understand, do what you must.

(CONTINUED)

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RICHARD And once this is all over, (beat) I plan on taking Kyle fishing first thing in the morning! Richard nervously chuckles. RICHARD (CONTD) We used to go fishing all the time when he was a boy, that is, until his mothers death... And ever since then, we havent fished. CHARLES Im sure youll have your chance... RICHARD We will! (beat) Okay, bring out the Zyluxrium. Charles walks over to a metal container and takes out the Zyluxrium, an element synthesized by Richard twelve years ago to generate everlasting energy. ON ZYLUXRIUM -- It gives off a luminous silver-blue glow. INT. JONAHS ROOM - CONTINUOUS Jonah leans back on his chair. JONAH So what are you going to do? KYLE (O.S.) Meet me at Amelias house. JONAH Dude, are you crazy?! Her dad hates you! KYLE (O.S.) Dont worry, I have a plan. Just be there in half an hour. JONAH Sure, I guess?

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EXT. STERLINGS HOUSE - FRONT YARD - LATER Kyle climbs on top of a tree until he reaches a window on the second story. INT. STERLINGS HOUSE - AMELIAS ROOM - CONTINUOUS Amelia lays on her bed, listening to music on her ear phones. EXT. FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS Kyle reaches for the window and manages to lift it open with one hand. He shakes the tree a little to gain distance, then he leaps onto the window. He barely makes it, but he hangs on to the edge, struggling to keep his fingertips on the edge. INT. AMELIAS ROOM - CONTINUOUS A TAPPING emits from the window. Amelia glances at it and sees a hand moving. She proceeds to investigate. AMELIA Kyle?! KYLE Hi, Amy! AMELIA What are you doing here?! My father would kill you if he was here! KYLE Can you help me up first? AMELIA Oh my god... Kyle grunts as he pushes himself through the window. He rolls into Amelias room, panting. AMELIA (CONTD) What do you want?! I already got caught by my dad. KYLE Well, I was in your neighborhood and I noticed that you had some (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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KYLE (CONTD) very fine pine cones on that tree over there, so I tried to pick some. There was one that was on a fragile branch that was very close to your window, so I tried reaching for it, but then I fell, and here we are! ON AMELIA -- She looks down on Kyle with dissatisfaction: AMELIA Youre an idiot. KYLE Did I say pine cones? I meant... lime... mo-ns... lemons! AMELIA Just stop. KYLE You can tell, huh? AMELIA Anyone can. (beat) So why are you here? You were just caught by my father and now youre back here trying to get into more trouble? Kyle gets up. KYLE Okay, we need to talk about what we found outside the city. AMELIA The shard? KYLE Yeah, do you still have it? AMELIA Um, yeah. Amelia walks to her closet. KYLE Your dad didnt find it?

(CONTINUED)

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AMELIA No, he didnt even search me. KYLE Thats good, where is it? AMELIA Its here in my drawer. Amelia opens her drawer and takes out --- THE SHARD. Its glowing constantly. AMELIA (CONTD) Its been glowing like this for awhile. KYLE Wow... Kyle takes the shard of Amelias hand. Kyle gazes at its eternal silver glow and blinks -INT. ZYS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM (TWELVE YEARS AGO) -- and hes suddenly staring at his dad holding a medium-sized BLACK SPHERE, the size of a soccer ball. It constantly glows blue. The glow emits from a --- CRYSTAL that is inserted through a small opening at the top. The image lingers as Amelias voice calls out "Kyle. Kyle! KYLE!!!" INT. AMELIAS ROOM (PRESENT) -- and Kyle snaps back into reality to find Amelia shaking him. AMELIA Kyle!!! KYLE Im here! Im here! What happened? Suddenly, the door swings open, sending a JOLT of fear through Kyles heart, forcing a SHRIEK out of him.

(CONTINUED)

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KYLE (CONTD) Holy-Jonah enters. JONAH --Kyle? KYLE Jonah, dont scare me like that! JONAH How did you get in here? AMELIA Through my window. And you, Jonah? JONAH Through the front door. KYLE Whatever. I made use of my ninja skills. JONAH/AMELIA What "ninja skills"? A beat, no one moves a muscle. KYLE Did you see that? JONAH/AMELIA See what? KYLE Exactly. Jonah and Amelia blankly stare at Kyle. AMELIA You can be a flibbertigibbet sometimes. INT. LYNX HQ - UNDERGROUND CORE ROOM - CONTINUOUS The Core, a mini ball of fire, glows a magnificent orange color as it SPINS rapidly and spurt waves of immense energy.

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INT. AMELIAS ROOM - CONTINUOUS The lights in the house flash on and off. Suddenly, a small shock wave SHAKES the room, forcing everyone to the floor. The shaking ceases. Kyle on the floor: KYLE What just happened?! AMELIA I dont know! Jonah rushes to the T.V. and turns on the news. EXT. A.T.L.A.S.. - CONTINUOUS NEWS REPORTERS are already lined up in front of what was A.T.L.A.S.. The building is nothing more than a pile of ash. LYNX Cruisers surround the area, BLARING sirens and securing the area. NEWS REPORTER #1 We are live here at A.T.L.A.S.. Witnesses around this area saw the renowned building explode-We move to our left to see NEWS REPORTER #2, talking with haste. NEWS REPORTER #2 --the cause of this incident is currently under investigation by LYNX as we speak-We move to our left again to see NEWS REPORTER #3. NEWS REPORTER #3 --we just got a report from some LYNX officers that LYNX and A.T.L.A.S. have been hiding an energy source that has been powering this dome and, according to them, this source, this Core, is starting to malfunction. (beat) There has been no word on survivors in the A.T.L.A.S. explosion... oh my god! If youre watching this, these may be my last words. My (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: NEWS REPORTER #3 (CONTD) advice to everyone is to run. Just run. INT. AMELIAS ROOM - CONTINUOUS Kyle stares at the T.V. screen, oblivious to his surroundings. KYLE A.T.L.A.S.... oh my god! Dad! Kyle darts out the door. AMELIA Kyle!

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Jonah helps Amelia up. He grabs her by her arm and drags her towards the door. Amelia resists. JONAH Come on! AMELIA Where are we going?! JONAH To A.T.L.A.S. EXT. A.T.L.A.S. - LATER A nonplussed crowd scramble on the scene as the storm continues. A perfect combination for chaos. Kyles motorcycle SWERVES to a screeching halt to avoid crashing into the crow. Kyle tries to process the scene. He hurries to join the back of the crowd and navigates his way towards the front. LYNX Officials try to prevent Kyle from entering. He ignores them and forces his way in. LYNX MARAUDER Hey! Hey! You cant go in there! (beat) Hey! All the clamor around Kyle slowly fade away. He remains oblivious to his surroundings. A LYNX Marauder reaches out to Kyles shoulder. Kyle shakes it off and pushes him away. His mouth opens slightly as he stares at something we do not see. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

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Kyle slowly retreats, his steps faltering momentarily, until he finally collapses to his knees. We take in his grief and finally share his P.O.V. on a gray, impenetrable, tower of smoke, ascending from a gigantic crater where A.T.L.A.S. once stood. END OF ACT TWO

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: ACT THREE EXT. A.T.L.A.S. - POLICE LINE - LATE NIGHT

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Kyle gazes at the rising smoke, his eyes following it, as if he could see the souls of those who died ascend to heaven. Several LYNX Marauders move in towards Kyle, but a FURIOUS Kyle savagely fights them off. KYLE (CONTD) No! No! Get away from me! A Marauder jumps on Kyle and attempts to cuff Kyle. Kyle swiftly parries. The LYNX Marauder collapses, but quickly recovers. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Son of a-CHARLES --wait, wait, wait! Charles intrudes the Marauder and Kyle, before things got messier. CHARLES (CONTD) (to Marauder) Go back to your post! I need to talk to the boy. LYNX MARAUDER #1 Well, why-CHARLES Go! (beat) Before I splash acid all over that ugly face. The Marauder SCOFFS, but hes not willing to test Charles bluff. As Kyle sees Charles, we see one last glimmer of hope in his eyes. CHARLES (CONTD) Kyle... KYLE Please... Tell me that hes with you! Hes always by your side! So if youre alive then-(CONTINUED)

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A beat, Charles wordlessly apologizes. To Kyle, this can only mean one thing... KYLE (CONTD) Hes... Dead? Charles embraces Kyle. CHARLES Im sorry... KYLE What were you doing outside?! You were supposed to be by his side! CHARLES Kyle-KYLE --youre his friend! He stops for a beat, swallows deeply. KYLE (CONTD) You were supposed to be on his side... Charles does not know what to say. Kyle takes a deep breath and withholds his anger... KYLE (CONTD) What happened? Charles does not reply. Kyle sternly glares at him. CHARLES Your father and I were experimenting with the Cores energy. KYLE Core? CHARLES There is a Core located in a secure location deep beneath LYNX HQ. It regulates, and controls, everything in the dome. KYLE The energy source?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

30.

CHARLES Yes, but its starting to go unstable, and in a matter of hours, the Core will eradicate everything... KYLE (wanting him to repeat) What? Charles hesitates to repeat, but Kyles glare insists on it. CHARLES The Core will eradicate everything in a matter of hours... KYLE Why?! What happened?! What the hell was A.T.L.A.S. and LYNX working on?! CHARLES Kyle, can you please just... KYLE What? Calm down?! Ill calm down when I get some god damn answers! A beat, Charles wordlessly expresses his worry. CHARLES We dont know... KYLE You dont know? And you call yourself a scientist?! CHARLES It can be anything ranging from a disturbance within the molecular structure to a system failure. Kyle perpends, pacing back and forth. KYLE And you said we only have a few hours? CHARLES Im afraid so...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

31.

KYLE What triggered the A.T.L.A.S. explosion? CHARLES Your dad experimented with the last fragment of the element. He fused it with a beaker of the Cores energy. KYLE Zyluxirum? CHARLES Yes. KYLE Didnt he "destroy" it? CHARLES Not all of it... Kyle thinks for a beat. Suddenly, Jonah and Amelia approaches Kyle. JONAH/AMELIA Kyle! Amelia faces the crater. AMELIA Oh my god... What happened? KYLE My dad died trying to save the dome... JONAH Aw man... Jonah pats Kyle on the shoulder. Amelia hugs Kyle. An INEPT Kyle watches the smoke. KYLE My last words to him was... "I hate you". AMELIA You didnt mean it. KYLE But I did!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CHARLES You shouldnt be too hard on yourself, Kyle. KYLE I... I... A beat, Kyle tightly closes his eyes --- and then they SNAP open with confidence. KYLE (CONTD) I need to finish what he started. To stop the Core from erupting.

32.

Kyle hastily spins around and bumps into JASON FANG, 17, a darkly handsome young man. Hes wearing a cap that partially hides his face. The --- SHARD falls out of Kyles jacket and jabs the ground. JASON Sorry... Jason kneels down and retrieves the shard. He offers it to Kyle. Kyle hesitates, giving Jason an unsettling look. JASON (CONTD) Isnt this yours? Kyle winces. He snaps back into reality. KYLE Yes. Yes! Thank you. He storms off. ON JASON -- He watches Kyle for a beat. Walks away. Jonah, Amelia, and Charles remain where they were, lost, and confused. JONAH What was that?! AMELIA Where is he going?! CHARLES Hes headed to LYNX HQ to stop the Core.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

33.

JONAH The energy source? CHARLES Yes! He has no way of stopping it! His dads theory was using the last fragment of Zyluxrium to reset the Core--a jump start! Kyle doesnt have Zyluxrium! Its practically extinct! Charles notice Jonah and Amelia exchange an unsettling look. CHARLES (CONTD) What? What is it?! The duo hesitates. CHARLES (CONTD) (insistent) Tell me. AMELIA When we went outside the city, we found a white shard. JONAH Upon researching, we discovered that the shard was, in actuality, a fragment of the element Zyluxrium. CHARLES No... Then that means-JONAH --Kyles going jump start the Core with the fragment. CHARLES No, no, no! We experimented with just a small portion of the Cores energy fusing with the element, and that incinerated A.T.L.A.S. in a blink of an eye! If Kyle fuses the shard with the actual Core, the consequences will be much worse than being incinerated! AMELIA We have to go stop him!

34. EXT. HIGHWAY - LATER Traffic on the highway. Kyle speeds through on his motorcycle, oblivious to the clamor around him. EXT. HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS Charles, Jonah, and Amelia enter the highway but traffic forestalls them. Charles SLAMS his fists into the steering wheel. CHARLES Dammit! (beat) Okay. We need to get out of this car; well get no where in this traffic jam. The trio quickly get out of the car and runs like theres no tomorrow. INT. HIGHWAY - FARTHER DOWN - MOMENTS LATER Kyle speeds past a limo on the opposite lane. INT. LIMO - CONTINUOUS Nick Sterling SPOTS Kyle. NICK Thats him. Kyle. The kid with the shard. TRISHA Hes headed towards LYNX HQ. NICK Dammit! We were just there. TRISHA Do you think hes going for the Core? NICK Most likely. (to Driver) Hey! How fast can you get us to LYNX HQ? The DRIVER turns around to face Nick. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

35.

DRIVER Say... 45 minutes to an hour? Nick gets out and watches Kyle speed away. He enters the limo again, glares sternly at Trisha. NICK Lets get ready. EXT. LYNX HQ - LATER A LYNX Marauder runs towards Kyle as Kyles motorcycle TAILSPINS to a SCREECHING HALT. LYNX MARAUDER Hey-KYLE --no time for this. I am Dr. Richard Zys son, Kyle Zy. I know about the Core. So show me where it is and I can help you. Dont show me, and I hope you havent committed any sins. LYNX MARAUDER The Core containment area is restricted. KYLE Un-restrict it! The contract between LYNX and A.T.L.A.S. states that in a time of a cataclysm, everything will be under A.T.L.A.S. orders, so Nick Sterling is no longer your superior. (beat) I am. Effective immediately. So show me the god damn Core or I swear, if the Core goes off, you will be shitting enough bricks to make a pyramid. The Marauder thinks: "What am I to do?" He makes the right call... LYNX MARAUDER Of course, Mr. Zy.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: KYLE Call me Kyle. Mr. Zy was my father. The Marauder nods. He leads the way. EXT. LYNX - ROOF - CONTINUOUS

36.

A THUNDEROUS ROAR of the rotators of a LYNX-Craft landing on the roofs helicopter pad. All the LYNX Marauders clear a path. The wind picks up. Rain begins to fall. A DARK AND OPPRESSIVE force is approaching. Unbelievably, its --- NICK STERLING! But somethings different about him... The Marauders salute him with absolute confidence, yet most of them are still TREMBLING. Nick walks down the aisle and comes near a NERVOUS LYNX MARAUDER. He looks down at the Marauders gun, retrieves it and holy smokes! He fires --- THE GUN. A SPLASH of a body slamming into a puddle. The Marauders remain still in the B.G.. NICK LYNX isnt for cowards. INT. LYNX HQ - UNDERGROUND LAB - MOMENTS LATER Enter Kyle and the Marauder into the lab controlling the Core. Kyle looks through the window to see --- THE CORE. A magnificent ball of fire being held by FOUR GIGANTIC CLAWS outside the lab. It has a bright golden flare that endows a warm glow into the scene. KYLE My dad created this? LYNX MARAUDER LYNX invested most of the money into the project in order to preserve the city and its inhabitants. Kyle looks down at --- THE SHARD. It GLOWS rapidly. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

37.

He examines the lab. Various equipment - gadgets and gizmos of all sorts - at every turn. Kyle rushes over to a holographic computer monitor hinged on the wall. He extracts TWO HOLOGRAPHIC SCREENS from it. The left screen shows an analysis of the Core. The right screen shows an algorithm. Kyle EXPANDS the right screen. KYLE An algorithm... Of the Core? Kyle pulls up another screen out of thin air. He presses the --- WHITE SHARD against it. A red laser runs through it as data floods the screen. The screen with the algorithm BLINKS green. The word: "MATCHED" appears on the screen. KYLE (CONTD) An algorithm of the element... Marauder, I need you to guard the entrance. LYNX MARAUDER Yes, sir. The Marauder exists the room. Kyle takes a seat and begins unscrambling the algorithm. He compares the shards algorithm with the previous algorithm. Kyle SLIDES over to a nearby machine. He gently places the shard on it as a green laser scans it. A shell begins to embed it. Kyle pulls up a holographic screen that shows the shards composition. KYLE My dad wasnt completely wrong on jump starting the Core... He just needed to alter the fragments composition to match the Cores level. A beat, Kyle looks up and exhales. KYLE (CONTD) Great, Kyle. Youre talking to yourself now... But you sure are a genius. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (beat) Done! Now all I have to do is fuse this with the Core and hope the Core accepts it. A BOOMING SLAM of something falling O.S. averts Kyles attention. He closes all the screens and retrieves the shard.

38.

He tiptoes towards the entrance to the lab. He SLAMS his back next to it, breathing slowly. He listens closely. Its quiet... Too quiet... Kyle turns to the door, but suddenly, the door FLINGS out and SLAMS him onto the floor. ON KYLE -- He grunts as he pushes the door off him. He coughs up some blood. He looks up and sees Nick approaching him. Kyle continues coughing as he scrambles to his feet, still dazed, but he manages to regain his balance. He checks his pockets, notices somethings wrong. He looks down and spots --- THE SHARD. Laying near the broken door. NICK Hello, Kyle. KYLE What are you doing, Nick? NICK My last hope... KYLE What do you want? NICK That shard. KYLE Thats almost sacrilegious! Youre not gonna get it! NICK Really? KYLE Im warning you! Im a top notch student at LYNX Academy. A beat, Nick smiles, surprised: "Really?" (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

39.

NICK Militarily or academically? KYLE Both! Kyle suddenly drops down and retrieves the shard. Nick remains motionless, letting Kyle escape. ON NICK -- He slowly turns and watches Kyle run into the Core containment area. INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS A pathway leads to a circle-shaped platform. Ahead is the Core, being held in one place by four large claws that are anti-gravity manipulators. Kyle stands in the center, marveling at the sight. Nick slowly follows after Kyle. The two stop for a moment to gaze at the Core in awe. EXT. LYNX HQ - CONTINUOUS The storm lightens, delivering only rain, and forestalling the lightning and thunder. A car stops in front of LYNX HQ. Charles, Jonah, and Amelia immediately exits the vehicle. Charles and Amelia rushes into the building while Jonah stays behind to talk with the DRIVER. JONAH So sorry that this has to happen! Its just that my best friends dad just died and now hes going to-CHARLES (O.S.) --Jonah! JONAH Coming! (to Driver) Again, we are really, really-CHARLES (O.S.) --JONAH!!!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

40.

JONAH (to Driver) Gotta go! INT. LYNX HQ - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS Lights flicker as thunder RUMBLES O.S. CHARLES The storms intensifying. Come on, we have to find Kyle! INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS Nick and Kyle stand on opposite sides of the platform. KYLE Why do you want the shard? NICK I have my reasons. KYLE Might as well tell me. (beat) This shard may be our last hope of stabilizing the Core. If we cant, then everything will be destroyed. NICK That is possibly the last fragment of Zyluxrium. KYLE What if it is? NICK Trust me Kyle, I know more about your dad than you think you know. KYLE Im trying to save lives here! If I give it to you, everyone dies! (beat) My dad died trying to find a way cease the Core from eradicating everything! The least I can do is to help him achieve that!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: NICK What do you have to prove? KYLE Everything... Nick approaches Kyle. Kyle backs away. KYLE (CONTD) Stay back! NICK (chuckling) Are you afraid? Kyle has no answer... KYLE I-CHARLES (O.S.) --Kyle!

41.

A SMILING Kyle looks back to see Charles, Jonah, and Amelia run onto the pathway. They dare not to step onto the platform. KYLE Dr. Charles! Jonah! Amy! NICK Hello, Charles, how have you been? Nick uncovers a pistol from his coat. He aims at Charles. His index finger rubs the --- TRIGGER. Suddenly, Kyle tackles Nick. BANG! A bullet escapes. It PIERCES Charles in the arm, forcing him to let out a scream. CHARLES (to Jonah and Amelia) Get inside the lab! Charles, Jonah, and Amelia retreat into the lab in the B.G. as Kyle and Nick prepares for a face-off. The duo engage in an intensifying, life or death fight. Kyle aims a punch at Nick but Nick quickly parries and twists Kyles arm up behind him. Kyle drops -(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

42.

-- SHARD. KYLE Youre not going to get it! NICK On your knees! Nick kicks Kyle on the back of his legs, Kyle crumples to the platform and, before he can backtrack, Nick elbows Kyle in the face and kicks him away, leaving the shard vulnerable. Nick finally gets his hands on the --- SHARD. He scrutinizes its unique properties, but does not notice Kyle regaining his balance in the B.G. Suddenly, Kyle kicks Nick down, but Nick quickly recovers. The two struggle for the shard... Kyle slams his head into Nicks head, dazing both of them for a moment, but Nick still has the shard. Kyle, out of breath, makes his final attempt to retrieve the shard... He deceives Nick by aiming his hand for the shard, but he quickly drops down and JERKS Nicks pistol away. He aims it at Nick. KYLE Give me the shard! NICK Youre persistent, Ill give you that. KYLE (To Charles) Okay... Lets test how well you know your own building! Charles, activate the EXE Protocol... INT. CORE LAB - CONTINUOUS Charles, Jonah, and Amelia standing in front of the holographic monitor hinged on the wall, watching everything unfold.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

43.

CHARLES No! I cant do that! KYLE (O.S.) The shield should hold the blast long enough for you to exit the lab! From there... Run. A beat, Charles thinks: "What am I to do?" KYLE (O.S. CONTD) DO IT! AMELIA Dr. Charles, whats the EXE Protocol? CHARLES The Execution Protocol... A lock down. (beat) An indestructible plasma shield will trap anything inside the Core containment room. JONAH No, no, no! Does he have a death wish?! Hes going to die! INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS Kyle continues pointing the gun at Nick. NICK Funny. Your dad and I were in a situation similar to this. KYLE Yeah? Were you trying to steal something from him? NICK The exact opposite. He was stealing something from me. He was also pointing a gun at my face, just like you are right now. You know what they say, like father, like son. KYLE Youre lying!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: NICK Am I?

44.

Kyle does not know what to say. He ignores the question. INT. CORE LAB - CONTINUOUS Everyones eyes are glued to the screen. KYLE (O.S.) Jonah, youre my best friend, and youll always be my right hand man... Im going to have to take a rain check on our CTF rematch game. AMELIA Kyle, Im not going to let you-KYLE --DO IT! (beat) Now! INT. CORE LAB - CONTINUOUS A beat, Jonah and Amelia turn to Charles, who pulls up a holographic screen and begins typing in a code. He hesitates on the last key... CHARLES Youre a good kid, Kyle... He forces himself to press the last code. Suddenly, alarms BLARE in every corner as a plasma shield SLAMS DOWN at the entry to the Core containment area. INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS Kyle firmly stands his ground, still aiming the pistol at Nick. Suddenly, Nick swiftly steals the gun away from the Kyle and smacks him in the head with it. Kyle, his face bleeding, sees the --- SHARD LAYING IN FRONT OF HIM. He reaches for it, but Nick retrieves it and kicks Kyle over. KYLE You have the element... now what? You have no way out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

45.

NICK Override the emergency protocol. KYLE You cant. My dad created it, only he knows how to stop it... Dr. Charles only knows the activation code. NICK Dammit! Kyle sits up, chuckling. KYLE (looking up with a smile) All this for nothing, huh Nick? Nick furiously strides Kyle and aims the gun at him execution style. The danger escalates as Kyle pushes the gun away and struggles with Nick for the gun. He fails, but he manages to get his hands on the element again. In his last attempt for the gun, he refers to street methods - stepping on Nicks foot and delivering a right hook. He retreats a distance away from Nick. KYLE (CONTD) You want the element? Kyle runs his finger through --- THE SHARD. It continues to glow rapidly. KYLE (CONTD) You got it! Kyle tosses the shard as Nick pulls the trigger. The shard enters the Core. A bullet pierces Kyles chest, pinning him to the floor. Nick faces --- THE CORE. It begins to spin rapidly and emits a bright orange glow. Its burning hot with energy. Its size expands. Nick slowly retreats. NICK What did you do?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

46.

Suddenly, the Core decreases its size and emits a dark blue glow. It appears calm... KYLE I saved the dome... INT. CORE LAB - CONTINUOUS Charles, Jonah, and Amelia stare at the holographic screen, relieved about the core, but worried about Kyle. INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS The Cores dark blue color diminishes as it REIGNITES and EXPANDS rapidly. ON KYLE -- Hes weak and out of breath. The Cores light reflects off his eyes... KYLE Maybe it didnt work... well, (to Nick) see you in hell. AMELIA (O.S.) KYLE!!! The Core EXPLODES in a BURST OF FLAMES, INCINERATING everything inside the containment area. We go into the inferno... FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: INT. MOLECULAR SCALE OF KYLES BODY Pitch black. But then, theres a WHITE SPARK... Then TWO... Then THREE... Then SEVERAL... Molecules suddenly light up, beginning to fill with life once more as a WHITE WAVE OF ENERGY intersperses. We follow one of its streams as molecules FUSE, synthesizing various colors. We zoom through as tissues begin to form. Red blood cells rush through us.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

47.

Sparks SURGE. The spectacle nears its end as we blast forward at maximum speed! A swift wave of energy pulses greet us until we --- DIVE INTO A WHITE FLASH. INT. CORE CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS A pair of AGHAST eyes SNAP open. Its Kyle! His body begins to slowly form out of thin air THE REGENERATION PROCESS. Sparks surround him. The process finishes as he attempts to walk, his steps faltering momentarily until finally, he collapses. ON KYLE -- He breathes heavily, but then, he realizes: Hes breathing. He suddenly sits up -KYLE Holy-FADE OUT: THE END