THE SILVER SURFER

REBIRTH

(FORMERLY: BATTLE CRY)

(#2147-17)

WRITTEN BY

LARRY BRODY

REV. PAGES *

FINAL DRAFT
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THE SILVER SURFER

"REBIRTH"

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. A NEW STAR SYSTEM - CLOSE ON A COSMIC BOLT

EXPLODING through the BLACKNESS of space. WIDENING, we SEE

the SILVER SURFER on his board, soaring over the planet of
Zenn-La, with the rest of the worlds in the new system
visible in b.g.

SILVER SURFER
Shalla Bal is gone! Gone!

Frustrated and furious, he FIRES again and again. His BOLTS

are random, directed at nothing in particular, until:

NEBULA VIRAL (O.S.)

Get yourself together, Surfer.
You've got a job to do for me --

ANOTHER ANGLE

The NEBULA VIRAL floats in space near the PLASMA JUMP we all
remember from #2147-16. The Surfer's board slides toward it.

SILVER SURFER
Nebula, you are the one
responsible! Viral in form -- yet
still pirate in heart!

And, in his rage, the Surfer FIRES TWIN COSMIC BOLTS that
EXPLODE against the Viral's ENERGY BUBBLE! The Nebula Viral
CRIES OUT WORDLESSLY, and the BUBBLE goes plummeting down,
down toward:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - MEADOW OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY - DAY

Where the Nebula Viral CRASHES down to the ground, shaken but
unhurt in the intact ENERGY BUBBLE. In b.g., surprised
students look on as the Surfer soars down after her. The
Viral rears upward.

NEBULA VIRAL (V.O.)

Stop! Surfer, we have a bargain!

SILVER SURFER
A bargain already broken by your
treachery! You caused the crisis
in the Soul Hunter's Dimension!

NEBULA VIRAL (V.O.)

(wryly)
How else could I get you to help
a poor pirate?

Furious, the Surfer POWERS UP, FISTS GLOWING as he extends

his arms to FIRE ano
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THANOS (O.S.)
Silver Surfer...!

ANOTHER ANGLE

As Thanos moves out from inside the Academy to stand across

from the Surfer, with the Nebula Viral between them.

THANOS
You dare commit violence here?

The Surfer stops, and his face fills with anguish. He speaks
to Thanos haltingly:

SILVER SURFER
Shalla Bal is lost, Thanos, ever-
dwindling through the subatomic
structure of the universe.
(beat)
I tried -- but was unable to pull
her through the inter-dimensional
rift!

THANOS
(crying out)
Not Shalla Bal...!

NEW ANGLE

The Nebula Viral's big head turns toward Thanos, and its
mental voice drips with disgust:

NEBULA VIRAL (V.O.)

The Surfer blames me because he
was slow on the draw!

(to the Surfer)

I'm the one left high and dry --
because you couldn't save the
Master of Zenn-La!

SILVER SURFER
(shaking with fury)
You go too far!

And again he looses a pair of COSMIC BOLTS. We ANGLE WITH

them as they streak toward:

THE NEBULA VIRAL

The BOLTS are about to hit the ENERGY BUBBLE when they are
struck -- by a PURPLE BEAM. The two ENERGY FORCES EXPLODE
together, the ENERGY BUBBLE SHATTERING, as, crying out:

THANOS (O.S.)
I say no!!!

THANOS

Gestures, and a PURPLE ENERGY FIELD appears around him

protectively. It floats upward, and within it he leans
forward, battle-ready.
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THANOS
As the Protector of Titan I grew
more and more appalled by the
violence of which I was a part...

THE NEBULA VIRAL

No longer protected by the BUBBLE. Something strange is

happening to it now: It shakes its head, and the head MORPHS
into the human head of Nebula, then MORPHS back to that of
the Viral as:

THANOS (O.S.)
And vowed to learn the ways of
peace, renouncing the use of my
power when I came to Zenn-La...

Again the Viral head MORPHS into a human one -- and this time
we SEE a human neck and shoulders as well. Then it all
MORPHS back to Viral form as:

WIDER

Thanos' PURPLE ENERGY FIELD sweeps over the grass, moving

closer to the Silver Surfer -- and Nebula as well.

THANOS
But I cannot allow you to attack
even Nebula. To do so would
violate every tenet of Zenn-La --
and all Shalla Bal believed in!

The Surfer moves in closer as well.

SILVER SURFER
You were not there! You did not
see what I saw, feel what I felt --

NEBULA VIRAL (V.O.)

Or fail the way you failed!

The Viral is goading the Surfer -- and it works. He FIRES

his BOLTS -- and Thanos' PURPLE BEAM stabs out. Once more,
the two forces meet -- and EXPLODE directly over the Nebula
Viral!

THANOS

Drops to his knees his own BEAM ricochets back through the
PURPLE ENERGY FIELD and hits him as:

THE NEBULA VIRAL

SPARKS CASCADE over the Viral, and its head and entire body
MORPH completely into NEBULA! Looking down at herself, the
newly reconstituted human woman LAUGHS with pure joy.

NEBULA
At last...!

And, like someone stretching, she does a series of martial

arts moves beneath the Surfer and Thanos.
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NEBULA
(continuing)
I knew I could count on you boys
if I pushed the right buttons. It
wasn't your precious Shalla Bal I
needed to help the Surfer sever my
link to the Virals...
(beat)
It was Thanos!

WIDER

From Nebula's CYBERNETIC EYE comes a TRACTOR BEAM OF BLUE

LIGHT that stabs across the meadow and into the wall of the
nearby Space Museum. Quickly, Nebula steps into the TRACTOR
BEAM and WHOOSHES at the museum.

NEBULA
Ahh! Nothing like some petty
theft to bring back old times!

SILVER SURFER
What is she doing?

Nebula VANISHES into the wall of the museum, and the Surfer
turns to Thanos. Shaking his head to clear it, Thanos
returns to his feet, but, before he can say anything:

CLOSER ON THE SPACE MUSEUM

Debris flies everywhere, and nearby students CRY OUT

WORDLESSLY, trying to race for shelter, as an antiquated
spaceship like that in which Norrin Radd first flew to
Galactus BLASTS through the roof!

THE SILVER SURFER AND THANOS

Speed toward the disaster, the Surfer on his board, Thanos

gliding in his ENERGY FIELD.

SILVER SURFER
Even in human form, Nebula proves
herself a monster!

Both men FIRE at the debris, BLASTING it into nothingness

before it can hit the ground. Together, they look down at
the dissipating ENERGY, like PURPLE and GOLD smoke.

THANOS
Her actions -- they remind me of
much that I have tried to forget!

We TIGHTEN ON Thanos' stricken expression as:

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA - THE ANCIENT SHIP

Speeding from the planet as from within it, O.S., comes

NEBULA'S LAUGHTER. The little ship FORESHORTENS INTO WARP,
and we ANGLE PAST IT TO:

A KREE FLEET

WARPING INTO the system. A SERIES OF ALARMS SOUND, O.S.,

 6

from within the ships, and we TIGHTEN THROUGH the awesome

array of destroyers, bristling with weaponry, TO:

INT. KREE FLAGSHIP - THE BRIDGE - VIEWSCREEN

Showing Zenn-La and the other planets in the new system.

DAY-RON (O.S.)
An entire system of inhabited
planets, never before known in
this sector...

As he talks, we WIDEN to see CAPTAIN DAY-RON, commander of

the fleet, looking out from the command chair. He turns to
his First Officer and smiles, well-pleased.

DAY-RON
Prepare to annex our discovery in
the name of the Kree Empire --

He breaks off as, suddenly, another IMAGE appears on the

viewscreen -- that of R'ANDOM, the Commander of the Skrull
armada that was in the Soul Hunter Dimension with Zenn-La.

R'ANDOM
Attention, Kree commander...

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA

Where the Skrull armada streaks toward the Kree fleet.

R'ANDOM (O.S.)
This system is under the
protection of the Skrull
Confederation!

More ALARMS SOUND, BECOMING EVEN MORE SHRILL, and, as the

ships from both sides start FIRING THEIR ENERGY WEAPONS at
each other, a full-scale battle beginning, we

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA - THE SPACE BATTLE

Fast and furious, with both the Kree and Skrull ships trying
to outflank and outmaneuver their opponents, ENERGY WEAPONS
FIRING CONTINUOUSLY.

A SKRULL SHIP

HIT by Kree FIRE, it EXPLODES!

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - MEADOW OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY - DAY

Where the Surfer, on his board, and Thanos, still within his
 7

PURPLE ENERGY FIELD, are heading for the Academy. Suddenly,

the Surfer shudders, and he winces as though in pain. Thanos
does the same.

SILVER SURFER
Thanos! Did you feel that?

THANOS
A disruption in the harmonic flow!

SILVER SURFER
It came from -- out there!

The Surfer stops in mid-flight, and both he and Thanos turn

their heads upward to:

THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - BEYOND THE ATMOSPHERE

TIGHTENING TO airless space above the planet -- just as a

Kree ship EXPLODES!

SILVER SURFER (O.S.)

A space battle rages -- between
the Kree and the Skrull!

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER AND THANOS

The Surfer turns back to Thanos. A PURPLE BEAM OF MENTAL

POWER comes from the big man's forehead, going out to space.

THANOS
I can sense their thoughts.
(as the BEAM vanishes)
They vie for control of this
system -- and Zenn-La!

SILVER SURFER
Ever does the greed of conquerors
rage!

We ANGLE WITH the Surfer as, bending low on his board, he

soars upward. Thanos glides with him, then stops, and,
realizing he's alone, the Surfer calls back down:

SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
Thanos! Are you with me?

THANOS

Starts upward, stops again. His tone that of a man torn:

THANOS
(calling)
Already have I broken my vow! I
must not allow myself to use my
power again!

THE SILVER SURFER - DOWNSHOT

Nodding, he speeds up, streaking upward.

THANOS
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Doesn't move from his spot in the air, watching the Surfer
go. Suddenly, we hear a DEEP VOICE:

DEEP VOICE (V.O.)

Fool! You are using your power!
Look at yourself, standing in that
energy field! Look!

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

An IMAGE of himself, glowering and cruel, APPEARS in the air,

within an ENERGY FIELD of its own. With a maniacal LAUGH
we've heard before, the IMAGE VANISHES almost immediately and:

BACK TO THANOS

Looking all around, but the only others here are other Zenn-
Lavians. The DEEP-VOICED LAUGHTER continues, V.O., as:

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA - A SKRULL SHIP

EXPLODING as a Kree BLAST takes it out! We WIDEN TO SEE the

Surfer soaring toward the BATTLE, EXPLOSIONS LIGHTING the
space around him.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

Look at them! I would marvel at
the folly of this war if I did not
know the pain it has caused so
many innocents...!

A BLAST comes right at him. Quickly, the Surfer banks

away -- directly into the path of another. His board
virtually leaps over this one as:

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

(continuing)
I did not recreate the cosmos to
continue its idiocy!

And, as he says it, the Surfer FIRES TWIN COSMIC BOLTS. We

ANGLE WITH them as they strike the very center of the densely
packed Kree fleet!

INT. KREE FLAGSHIP - THE BRIDGE

Rocking with the impact. Day-Ron glares at the image of the

enraged Surfer on the viewscreen as:

DAY-RON
The Silver Surfer?!

THE SILVER SURFER

FIRES ANOTHER PAIR OF BOLTS, which continue at:

A SKRULL SHIP

Struck broadside. Out of control, it careens helplessly out

to space! We ANGLE PAST IT TO:

INT. SKRULL FLAGSHIP - THE BRIDGE

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Reeling from the CONCUSSION. R'andom leaps up from the

command chair. Like Day-Ron, he too stares at the Surfer on
the viewscreen.

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA - THE SPACE BATTLE

As the WEAPONS FIRE TAPERS OFF, a HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE of

R'andom appears in space before the Silver Surfer.

R'ANDOM
Silver Surfer -- you'll regret
what you've done!

Now another HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE appears: Day-Ron.

DAY-RON
The Kree fear you not, Silver
Surfer. You are ours!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Once again, both sides FIRE -- but at the Surfer this time!
Instead of trying to avoid the BLASTS, the Surfer stands his
ground, raising his hand to create an ENERGY SHIELD before
him.

SILVER SURFER
(hard)
I believe, gentlemen, that it is
time you all felt afraid!
(beat)
Already have I lost everything.
Now will you know what that is
like!!!

The BLASTS HIT the Surfer's SHIELD -- and carom back, at:

THE SKRULL ARMADA AND THE KREE FLEET

The IMAGES of R'Andom and Day-Ron blink out of existence,

and, from within the ships we hear AD LIB WALLAHS OF DISORDER
AND FEAR. Desperately trying to avoid their own FIRE, the
vessels turn tail, speeding up and WARPING AWAY!

THE SILVER SURFER

Stands alone in space on his board. He circles over Zenn-La.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

The battle is over, but only for
now...

The Surfer arcs away from the planet, soaring toward the edge
of the star system.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

(continuing)
My homeworld -- my universe! --
cannot be safe until the leaders
of both sides change their ways...

He starts going faster and faster.

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SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

(continuing)
It is time they learned a lesson
only the Silver Surfer can teach!

And, as he FORESHORTENS INTO WARP:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - MEADOW OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY - DAY

Where Thanos, still encased in his PURPLE ENERGY FIELD,

floats beside the Academy. A PURPLE BEAM like the one we SAW
earlier comes from his forehead. It VANISHES again as:

THANOS
(calling out)
Silver Surfer! I hear your
thoughts. Be not guided by your
anger -- !

He stops short as again we hear:

DEEP VOICE
Let him roar! As you should be!
Always has anger been Thanos'
greatest weapon!

THANOS
I reject all weapons!

DEEP VOICE
Which is why I must reject you!

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

Again, the IMAGE of a cruel Thanos appears. LAUGHING, it

FIRES A PURPLE BEAM right at him -- and again DISAPPEARS.

BACK TO THANOS

Careening backward as though his. His face contorts with

pain.

THANOS
Where are you? Who are you?

But the only answer is that LAUGH...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. KREE-LAR - DAY

The magnificent Kree capitol city last seen in #1875-08, in

all its towering, overpopulated splendor. HUGE SCREENS are
everywhere, showing everything that goes on as:

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE (O.S.)

This stalemate with the Skrull has
lasted for eons, my Prime
Minister...

As he talks, we TIGHTEN THROUGH the Central Plaza TO:

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EXT. PARLIAMENT BUILDING - THE PRIME MINISTER'S

BALCONY - DAY

Where PRIME MINISTER ZAREK stands before a viewscreen showing

an IMAGE of THE SUPREME INTELLIGENCE itself, a huge face to
which are attached myriad tentacles.

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE
And that is eons too long!

ZAREK
The problem, Supremor, is that our
race has grown stagnant. My
geneticists are working
frantically --

QUICK SERIES OF SHOTS - A COLLECTION OF LOUDSPEAKERS

Located all along the Plaza. Zarek breaks off as from them
comes a SHRILL SIREN, followed by the ELECTRONIC VOICE OF THE
CITY:

CITY
Code Alpha! Kree-Lar defenses
have been breached...

EXT. THE PLAZA - DAY

The Kree stop what they're doing to watch the viewscreens in

shock.

CITY
The invader is being repelled by
our deflectors...!

We TIGHTEN ON one of the screens -- and SEE the Silver

Surfer's TRANSMUTATION BEAM HITTING the ENERGY BARRIER that
surrounds Kree-Lar. (See #1875-08.) The BARRIER WAVERS --
and collapses in on itself like a Dali painting of a limp
watch.

CITY
(continuing)
The invader is entering the
atmosphere!

And the Surfer is doing just that, zooming DIRECTLY AT

CAMERA, bobbing and weaving to avoid the ENERGY FIRE from the
warships that give chase as:

EXT. PARLIAMENT BUILDING - THE PRIME MINISTER'S

BALCONY - DAY

EXPLOSIONS SOUND O.S., and citizens SCREAM. The Prime

Minister whirls from the viewscreen to see the Surfer diving
down and grabbing him under each arm.

SILVER SURFER
Prime Minister Zarek, I would have
a word with you --

ANOTHER ANGLE
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On the viewscreen, the Supreme Intelligence's tentacles wave

angrily. Beyond it, ELECTRONIC SYNAPSES ZAP like lightning.

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE
Silver Surfer!?

SILVER SURFER
And you alone!

The Surfer FIRES A COSMIC BOLT, destroying the viewscreen.

We ANGLE WITH him as, CREATING AN ENERGY BUBBLE around Zarek,
he sweeps skyward, heading for:

EXT. SPACE OVER KREE-LAR - SEVERAL KREE BATTLE CRUISERS

ROARING through the upper atmosphere. The SIREN SOUND IS SO

LOUD it's almost overwhelming as:

CITY (O.S.)
Do not fire! The Silver Surfer
has taken the Prime Minister...

We ANGLE to the Surfer and Zarek, speeding past the deadly

ships.

CITY (O.S.)
(continuing)
Stay with them. Track where they
go --

ANOTHER ANGLE

Zarek pounds on the ENERGY BUBBLE uselessly.

ZAREK
Silver Surfer, where are you
taking me? This is not like you!

SILVER SURFER
People change, Zarek. Just as you
must change too!

And with a burst of speed the Surfer leaves the Kree ships as
though they're standing still, he and the Prime Minister
FORESHORTENING INTO WARP as we

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PLANET OF TARNAX IV - NIGHT

PANNING ACROSS THE COMPLICATED CITY TO the Royal Palace, hive-

like center of the Skrull Federation, as:

KIAR (O.S.)
Does your ineptitude know no
bounds? It's been months since
the Silver Surfer took the Royal
Egg...

INT. ROYAL PALACE - PRIME MINISTER'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

The utmost in Skrull luxury. Skrull PRIME MINISTER KIAR

stands before a viewscreen, glaring at ADMIRAL ZEDRAO, who is
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somewhere in space on the bridge of his ship.

KIAR
Why can't you find it?

ZEDRAO
I'm doing my best, Kiar!

KIAR
Just remember -- if the future
Skrull Mother falls under the
wrong influence we'll both end up
planetary fertilizer!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Suddenly, a SERIES OF ALARMS SCREECH, O.S., along with the

SOUND OF ENERGY WEAPONS -- and the IMAGE on the viewscreen
splits in two, the face of another Skrull officer appearing
beside Zedrao:

SKRULL OFFICER
Prime Minister! We are
attacked -- !

As the Officer speaks, a COSMIC BOLT SMASHES through a wall,

the Silver Surfer soaring in.

SILVER SURFER
I would request an audience, Prime
Minister Kiar, but I have no
patience for bureaucracy these
days --

ZEDRAO SKRULL OFFICER

Kiar...! Prime Minister -- !

The Surfer FIRES ANOTHER COSMIC BOLT, destroying this

viewscreen as he did the other. Before Kiar can say a word,
the Surfer snatches him up, ENCASING him in an ENERGY BUBBLE
and sweeping back out to:

EXT. SPACE OVER TARNAX IV - A MINE FIELD

As the Surfer slaloms through it with Kiar. Behind them, the

mines EXPLODE like a series of mousetraps, first one going
off, then another, then all the rest! As the Surfer
continues, Kiar SHAPE-SHIFTS into a METAL-SKINNED BEING and
POUNDS on the ENERGY BUBBLE without any effect.

KIAR
Where are you taking me? This
isn't like you!

SILVER SURFER
Truly is it amazing, how alike
politicians are...

With that wry remark, the Surfer FORESHORTENS INTO WARP and we

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - NIGHT

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Barren and forbidding, like Earth's moon with an

atmosphere -- but many times larger. From O.S. we hear an
indignant voice:

ZAREK (O.S.)
I am the Prime Minister of the
Kree Empire!

As he calls out, we TIGHTEN ON a wide, deep crater, PUSHING

INTO its DARK interior TO:

INT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - NIGHT

CAMERA MOVES through a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, lined

with (and dimly LIGHTED by) huge, GLOWING statues that look
almost Egyptian in design. Again from O.S., we hear:

KIAR (O.S.)
I'm the Prime Minister of the
Skrull Federation!

We TURN a sharp corner TO:

INT. AN INTERSECTION - NIGHT

Wider and higher than the rest of the tunnels. No longer in

their ENERGY BUBBLES, Zarek and Kiar stand nose to nose,
while the angry Surfer circles over their heads.

ZAREK KIAR
My soldiers will grind you My forces will rend you in
to dust! two!

SILVER SURFER
(roaring)
Enough!!!

ANOTHER ANGLE

The Prime Ministers stop. The Surfer flies closer to them.

SILVER SURFER
You are here not to argue, but to
put an end to the Kree-Skrull War!
After which will I return you to
your people!

In spite of their situation, both Zarek and Kiar LAUGH.

ZAREK
Our conflict with the Skrull will
end only when they bow before us!

KIAR
It can't stop until the Kree no
longer exist -- !

NEW ANGLE

Suddenly, the ground RUMBLES and shakes violently, throwing

the two Prime Ministers into each other. In b.g., the
statues tremble. The Surfer regards the two leaders icily.
 15

SILVER SURFER (O.S.)

The civilization that inhabited
this world abandoned it only
recently...

Again the ground shakes, more violently now, and a statue

CRASHES to the floor of the intersection. CRYING OUT
WORDLESSLY, Zarek and Kiar go tumbling. In the air, the
Surfer is untroubled.

SILVER SURFER (O.S.)

(continuing)
Upon discovering how unstable it
was. In fact, their scientists
predict that it will break up in
mere hours!
(as another quake
HITS)
Were I in your place I swiftly
would reach an accord -- !

WIDER

The Surfer stops as from behind him come a ROAR and a CRASH!
Terrified, the two Prime Ministers stare:

ZAREK KIAR
Silver Surfer, we may not We're all going to die here!
even have that much time!

Whirling on his board, the Surfer SEES:

A BLAZING BALL OF GAS

ERUPTING from the ground behind him. So huge we can't SEE it

all, the ball of gas BURNS LIKE A MINIATURE SUN, spouting
streams of FIRE and LAVA!

REVERSE ANGLE

The sides of the tunnel MELT away instantly, and the roof
starts to fall in. Involuntarily, the Surfer throws up his
hands, and Earth and FLAME COVER him and the others, making
it impossible for US to SEE anything else as the Prime
Ministers SCREAM and we

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - MEADOW OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY -

DAY - THANOS' ENERGY FIELD

HOLDING ON only the PURPLE EDGE OF THE FIELD as it DIMS, THEN

BRIGHTENS, THEN VANISHES AND REAPPEARS as:
 16

THANOS (O.S.)
No! I will not fight you...!

We WIDEN TO SEE Thanos standing in the PURPLE ENERGY FIELD.

He stares in pain at:

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

Where his evil IMAGE is BLASTING PURPLE BEAM AFTER PURPLE

BEAM AT CAMERA! It speaks in the Deep Voice:

DEEP VOICE
You are fighting, fool! Your mind
is torn asunder, because you fight
yourself!

BACK TO THANOS

Staggering and reeling as though from blow after blow -- even

though we can SEE no battle now. He tries to gather himself,
closing his eyes in deep concentration -- and the PURPLE
ENERGY FIELD VANISHES completely. Thanos goes tumbling to
the ground, looks up at:

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

Where the IMAGE has stopped FIRING. Again, it LAUGHS.

DEEP VOICE
You see, imposter? You cannot
defeat me. Shackled in your
subconscious though the real
Thanos has been -- still am I
filled with chaos' raging power!

BACK TO THANOS

Staring at what seems to be nothing. Weakly:

THANOS
The "real" Thanos? Then what am I?

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

The evil Thanos smiles widely:

DEEP VOICE
Nothing, now. Nothing at all!

And again he BLASTS, the BLAST FILLING THE SCREEN as we

CUT TO:

INT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - AN INTERSECTION - NIGHT

Filled by the sun-like BLAZING ball of gas, its FIERY

STREAMERS igniting the huge pile of earth that has filled the
area where the Surfer, Zarek, and Kiar were.

Suddenly, the ball of gas EXPLODES, destroyed, and what's

left of the tunnel collapses -- as, FIRING TWIN COSMIC BOLTS,
the Silver Surfer soars out of the center of where the ball
once was. Flying behind him is another ENERGY BUBBLE,
 17

carrying the two Prime Ministers to:

EXT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - NIGHT

As the Surfer BLASTS his way to the surface, bringing Zarek

and Kiar with him! He circles at a low altitude, the entire
planet RUMBLING and SHUDDERING beneath him.

ZAREK
Silver Surfer, you have made your
point. Now return us to our homes!

SILVER SURFER
Do you still not understand...?

The Surfer gestures, and the ENERGY BUBBLE DISAPPEARS,

spilling the two men out onto the ground.

SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
Unless you bring peace to the
universe...

WIDER

A huge piece of the planet breaks off, and shoots out toward
space.

SILVER SURFER
Never will you see Kree- Lar or
Tarnax Four again!

Across the landscape, another BALL OF FIERY GAS ERUPTS from

the ground, and beyond it more of the planet breaks off with
a ROAR and heads out to space. The world is now less than
two-thirds the size it was before!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Zarek and Kiar stare at the devastation, and Kiar shakes his
fist at the Surfer.

KIAR
Have you lost all reason? This
plan of yours is insane!

SILVER SURFER
This is a universe of unreason!
And now I know that to prevail I
must become the most unreasoning
of all!

He unleashes another COSMIC BOLT, and it kicks yet another

piece of the Planet of the Monoliths out to space. Zarek and
Kiar shudder, but before they can say anything we hear:

THANOS (O.S.)
Silver Surfer...I need you...

THE SILVER SURFER

Skids to a stop in the air. He looks around in puzzlement.

 18

SILVER SURFER
Thanos?

Like a searchlight, one of Thanos' PURPLE BEAMS appears

before the Surfer. Within it is the IMAGE of Thanos. But
when he speaks it's as:

DEEP VOICE
Thank the gods I have found you!
You must return immediately,
Silver Surfer. Zenn-La faces
great peril!

The PURPLE BEAM and the IMAGE of Thanos VANISH. Quickly, the
Surfer calls out:

SILVER SURFER
Thanos!

WIDER

The Surfer turns to the others.

SILVER SURFER
I will return -- to learn the
terms of your agreement!

Before they can respond, the Surfer soars upward.

ZAREK KIAR
Come back! Do not leave us!

But it's too late. The Surfer streaks into space, out of
sight. We TIGHTEN ON Zarek and Kiar as, reluctantly, they
turn to each other.

ZAREK
Even if we wanted to negotiate,
ending the war will not be easy.

KIAR
We've been fighting so long, it's
as though the war has a life of
its own!

They're interrupted by a new RUMBLE that sends both men

falling to the ground --

A NEARBY PIECE OF GROUND

Breaks away and heads out to space.

ZAREK AND KIAR

The shaking stops, and they get up cautiously.

KIAR
(reluctantly)
I suppose it hurts no one to talk.

Zarek considers.

ZAREK
 19

Not as much as it will hurt not

to...

His thought is punctuated by more RUMBLING. Again, Zarek and

Kiar hit the ground, while we

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE NEW STAR SYSTEM - THE SILVER SURFER

WARPING INTO the system.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

For Thanos to use his mental
powers to call me, the situation
on Zenn-La must be dangerous
indeed!

ANOTHER ANGLE

As the Surfer nears Zenn-La. Over the planet is another Kree

fleet -- FIRING at the Surfer's homeworld!

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

The Kree have returned?! How can
that be? I scattered them so far
that never should they have found
their way back!

The Surfer increases his speed, calling out:

SILVER SURFER
Warriors of the Kree! Cease your
attack on Zenn-La!

The Kree don't respond, their FIRING CONTINUING. The Surfer

FIRES A COSMIC BOLT at:

THE NEAREST SHIP

The BOLT hits it -- and the ship DISSOLVES without a

trace...or an EXPLOSION!

THE SILVER SURFER

Puzzled.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

My power cosmic has never done
anything like that before! And
yet the ship is gone!

All he can do is FIRE again!

ANOTHER KREE SHIP

Struck by the Surfer's next BOLT. It too DISSOLVES without

an EXPLOSION.

THE SILVER SURFER

Still surprised. He slows, becoming more wary.

 20

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

Again do I succeed -- when it
seems I should not! What can be
happening here?

And he FIRES A STEADY STREAM OF COSMIC BLASTS at:

THE KREE FLEET

Ship after ship is hit by COSMIC BOLTS, all of them

DISSOLVING! The remaining ships continue FIRING at Zenn-La.

THE SILVER SURFER

Banks around the fleet.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

I have destroyed half the Kree
ships, yet still do they not
acknowledge me!?

Frustrated, he sweeps forward, and we WIDEN as the Surfer

flies into the heart of the fleet, FIRING his COSMIC BOLTS.
Again, the ships just DISSOLVE!

ANOTHER ANGLE

As the last ship DISSOLVES, a Skrull fleet WARPS IN, all

around the Surfer. It too begins FIRING on Zenn-La!

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

Now the Skrull return to fire on
Zenn-La? While they too act as
though I were not even here?

Swooping under the nearest Skrull ship, the Surfer looks to:

THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - ZENN-LA

As the Skrull ENERGY WEAPONS FIRE, we TIGHTEN TO SEE that in

spite of all that is going on -- and has gone on -- the
planet remains green and unscathed!

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

The planet is undamaged! How can
both the Kree and Skrull weapons
have had no effect?

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER

He arcs upward and flies directly at the Skrull ship -- and

it too DISSOLVES -- as soon as he touches it!

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

The ship was not there! Is it all
an illusion!

Banking around, he barrels into the Skrull fleet once more --

and as soon as he reaches each ship it too DISSOLVES, until:

WIDER

The Surfer stands alone in space, all his potential foes gone.
 21

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

This was the peril Thanos alerted
me to? Attacking vessels that are
naught but energy images such as --

Suddenly he stops, and we TIGHTEN ON the Surfer's face as he

realizes:

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

(continuing)
Only he can make!

And, beginning to get the picture of what's really happening

here, the Surfer soars toward Zenn-La!

SILVER SURFER
Thanos!!!

The Surfer enters the atmosphere, continuing downward, as we

CUT TO:

EXT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - NIGHT - A CHUNK OF THE

PLANET

HEADING DIRECTLY AT CAMERA as it breaks off and flies out to

space. We ANGLE PAST IT TO:

ZAREK AND KIAR

Without realizing what they're doing, the two Prime Ministers

each take a step toward the middle of what's left of the
planet (about one-third of its original size) -- and toward
each other.

KIAR
Our space must be inviolate,
Zarek! Before we discuss anything
else, you must agree to honor the
Skrull borders.

ZAREK
Borders you have violated ten
times ten times ten thousand times!

ANOTHER ANGLE

More RUMBLING -- and the planet splits in two, right between

the two men. Zarek loses his balance, and starts to fall
into space --

ZAREK
(crying out)
I cannot breathe --

Kiar SHAPESHIFTS, his entire torso and upper body stretching

upward to grab his foe and pull him back. Zarek gasps,
taking in a pair of deep, needed breaths.

KIAR
About our borders...
 22

ZAREK
(nodding)
A small price to pay, for a war
that weighs so heavily -- on both
sides...

And as Kiar smiles back we

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - MEADOW OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY - DAY

As the Surfer sweeps down from the sky. A PURPLE BEAM hits
the board, knocking it from beneath the Surfer's feet.

SILVER SURFER
My board?!

The Surfer goes one way, the board another, both of them
CRASHING to the ground! The Surfer hits -- hard.

DEEP VOICE (O.S.)

No, Silver Surfer -- the board is
mine now...

THANOS

Glowering and evil, he glides from the Academy within his

PURPLE ENERGY FIELD. He points his finger, and a PURPLE BEAM
creates a similar FIELD around the Surfer's board. Then,
still speaking in the Deep Voice, Thanos turns to the Surfer.

(NOTE: At no time during this sequence should we see the

back of Thanos' head.)

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
As are you.

He points at the Surfer this time, and we WIDEN as another

PURPLE BEAM stabs out, surrounding his fallen foe in another
ENERGY FIELD.

SILVER SURFER
I should have known you could
never be trusted!

Rolling to his feet, the Surfer FIRES at the ENERGY FIELD.

SPARKS FLY -- but the FIELD stays intact!

ANOTHER ANGLE

As Thanos LAUGHS.

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
Your battle with Zenn-La's
nonexistent invaders has sapped
you of your usual strength, Silver
Surfer -- exactly as I intended.
(beat)
And my energy field will keep you
from absorbing any new power.

The Surfer isn't buying. Again and again he FIRES at the

 23

ENERGY FIELD that holds him.

SILVER SURFER
I cannot be held! I will not be
held!

The ENERGY FIELD WAVERS but stays in place, and the Surfer's
next COSMIC BOLT SPUTTERS and dies. The Surfer slumps back,
exhausted. Thanos continues to LAUGH:

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
It would seem that your self-
confidence is misplaced...

NEW ANGLE

Thanos glides closer to his victim, holding out his arms.

PURPLE ENERGY CRACKLES from his fingertips.

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
I will have my retribution now,
Silver Surfer -- for all your
crimes against me!

The Surfer tries to pull himself up as he did before --

SILVER SURFER
The only crimes that were
committed, Thanos were yours!

He gets to his knees, and can go no further.

SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
You have misled all of Zenn-La
about your true nature -- but how?

The CRACKLE becomes another PURPLE BEAM that envelopes the

ENERGY FIELD in which the Surfer is trapped.

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
Because I too was misled...!

We TIGHTEN ON the Surfer, trying to block himself with his

hands and arms as the PURPLE BEAM MOVES THROUGH THE ENERGY
FIELD -- and ZAPS into him!

THANOS/DEEP VOICE (O.S.)

After you turned Lady Chaos
against me and stole my victory
over the universe itself...

CLOSE ON THANOS

Thanos smiles humorlessly, hitting the Surfer with more and

more of his PURPLE BEAM

THANOS/DEEP VOICE
I was still so much a part of the
creation of the new universe that
my original personality remained
alive -- a prisoner deep within
the mind of a new alter ego...
 24

CLOSE ON THE SILVER SURFER

Writhing as he is inundated by the PURPLE BEAM.

THANOS/DEEP VOICE (O.S.)

The only power great enough to
release me was my own! And when
this universe's Thanos was struck
by it while you and he fought --
at last was I freed!

The Surfer is in a bad way. He turns from SILVER to GRAY as,

through gritted teeth:

SILVER SURFER
What happened...to the second
Thanos? Where...is he now?

CLOSE ON THANOS

At the question, Thanos' BEAM falters and stops. His head

whirls around like that of a man literally possessed, and at
last we SEE the back of it -- on which is ANOTHER THANOS'
FACE!!! (NOTE: This should be completely sudden and
unexpected -- very, very eerie.)

The kinder, gentler face speaks:

THANOS
I am here, Silver Surfer...!
(beat)
Please...help me...

THE SILVER SURFER AND THANOS

The Surfer forces himself all the way up to his feet, leans
against the ENERGY FIELD that encloses him.

SILVER SURFER
(weakly)
Look upon me, Thanos -- a man who
has worked wonders fit for a god!
I have created! I have preserved!

I have healed!
(sagging)
But now -- the only one who can
purge the evil within you is --
you!

THANOS
But how? How...?

SILVER SURFER
Think, Thanos, think -- what would
your foe do to you?

CLOSER ON THANOS

Figuring it out. He raises his hands toward his face -- and

suddenly his head whirls again, exposing the evil face, as:
 25

DEEP VOICE
DO NOT DO IT!!!

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

The IMAGE of the evil Thanos BLASTS AT CAMERA, A CONTINUOUS

STREAM OF PURPLE BEAMS!

BACK TO THANOS

Falling before an onslaught that only he can see! All his

reactions are those of a man being beaten by the strongest of
foes.

THE SILVER SURFER

Watching closely, calling out:

SILVER SURFER
Thanos! Remember -- what you see
is not real! You must act now --
while you have control of your
body -- !

THANOS

Fights to his knees. Again he lifts his hands and turns them
toward his chest -- FIRING HIS PURPLE BEAMS at himself!

THANOS' POV - DIRECTLY BEFORE HIM

PURPLE BEAMS EXPLODE against Thanos' evil IMAGE!

WIDER

As the entire meadow EXPLODES as well! We HOLD a suspenseful

beat as the PURPLE HAZE CLEARS, REVEALING the Surfer and
Thanos, and the Surfer's board lying on open ground. All the
PURPLE ENERGY FIELDS are gone!

THE SILVER SURFER

Groaning, he looks skyward, and his color changes again --

the SILVER RETURNING. He gets up, moves to Thanos, bending
down over him. Abruptly, Thanos' eyes snap open, and he
reaches out...only to clap the Surfer on the shoulder!

THANOS
Silver Surfer -- I did it! By
turning my power upon myself I
have forced the evil from my brain.

The Surfer tenses, looks at Thanos closely. He lets out a

deep breath:

SILVER SURFER
He must be gone. Were he not, I
would yet be fighting for my life.
(realizing)
"Fighting?" I must hurry while
there is still time!

The Surfer turns, calling out:

 26

SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
To me, my board!

The board sails to the Surfer, who leaps upon it and starts
heading away. We ANGLE WITH him and

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE PLANET OF THE MONOLITHS - NIGHT

All that remains of it is a small section with barely enough

room for Zarek and Kiar to stand and cling to each other.
The two Prime Ministers CRY OUT WORDLESSLY as their little
patch of ground flies at another piece of the planet, the two
about to crash, until:

THE SILVER SURFER

Sweeps to them, enveloping both beings in one large ENERGY

BUBBLE and continuing on with them in tow. Behind them, the
two pieces of planet collide EXPLOSIVELY!

KIAR
Silver Surfer!

SILVER SURFER
Am I correct in assuming you have
completed your negotiations?

ZAREK
We have drafted a plan, Silver
Surfer --

SILVER SURFER
Zarek, Kiar -- the whole universe
will thank you!

And, as the Surfer and the others FORESHORTEN INTO WARP we

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PLANET OF TARNAX IV - DAY - THE SILVER SURFER

Flying over the city with Zarek and Kiar, bringing them to:

INT. ROYAL PALACE - PRIME MINISTER'S QUARTERS - DAY

The Surfer soars in with the two Prime Ministers, as:

ZEDRAO (O.S.)
Good morning, Kiar...

We WIDEN TO SEE Admiral Zedrao, surrounded by Skrull soldiers.

KIAR
Admiral Zedrao -- what's the
meaning of this outrage?

ZEDRAO
Not an "outrage," Kiar -- a
"coup." In your absence I've
 27

taken command of the government.

SILVER SURFER
Kiar and Zarek have made a pact to
end the War!

ZEDRAO
I'd have to repudiate anything
like that, Silver Surfer. And,
of course, the Kree would do the
same.

Zedrao flicks on the viewscreen, and we TIGHTEN TO SEE the

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE speaking out to the people of Kree-Lar
from the capitol's many screens.

SUPREME INTELLIGENCE
Prime Minister Zarek has been
replaced. Your new Prime Minister
is --

ANOTHER ANGLE

Zedrao turns off the viewscreen, speaks to the soldiers:

ZEDRAO
Guards -- take these men into
custody!

The Skrull soldiers start forward.

SILVER SURFER
I am the Silver Surfer! You will
listen to me --

The Surfer FIRES A COSMIC BOLT that takes out the wall beside
the soldiers, and they stop. The Surfer glares -- and sees:

THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE SKRULL SOLDIERS

Their eyes are wide with fear, and their bodies tremble, yet
they stand their ground.

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER

His expression softens. In spite of himself, he shakes his

head. With the "former" Prime Ministers still in tow, he
turns and soars from the palace.

ZEDRAO
Stop them!

We HOLD ON the soldiers, rushing after the Surfer and FIRING

their ENERGY WEAPONS to no avail as we

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - THE SCULPTURE GARDEN - THE

STATUE OF NORRIN RADD

As a TRANSFORMATION BEAM hits it -- turning the statue into

one of Shalla Bal. We WIDEN TO SEE the Surfer finishing his
work of art from where he stands in the air on his board,
 28

just above Thanos, whose feet are firmly on the ground.

SILVER SURFER
Suddenly I realized that in my
grief for Shalla Bal I was being
a tyrant! Like the Supreme
Intelligence, or Zedrao, or --

The Surfer breaks off, but Thanos knows where he's headed:

THANOS
Or Thanos. True peace cannot be
imposed, Silver Surfer. It must
come from within. You did the
right thing by trying to stop the
war.
(beat)
And by realizing you could not.

SILVER SURFER
And I do the right thing now.
(circling new statue)
This world bears too many memories
of sorrow and loss. My place is
beyond!

ANOTHER ANGLE

The Surfer flies skyward. Behind him, Thanos calls out:

THANOS
But without you, who will be the
new Master of Zenn-La?

SILVER SURFER
(calling down)
You are a courageous man, Thanos,
and a wise one. Is there anyone
else who could do the job as well?

The Surfer soars out of sight, and we HOLD ON Thanos as he

stares, overwhelmed by the implications. Then:

KIAR (O.S.)
Master...!

Thanos turns, and we WIDEN TO SEE a group of students heading

to him -- led by Zarek and Kiar.

ZAREK
We await your bidding.

And, as Thanos waves them forward:

EXT. SPACE OVER ZENN-LA - THE Silver SURFER

Flying TOWARD CAMERA. He shoots off and circles the planet,

taking one last look.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

I hope those on Zenn-La find the
answers they seek...
 29

The Surfer and his board start away from the planet, moving
through the star system.

SILVER SURFER (V.O.)

(continuing)
I search elsewhere to ease my
troubled soul. Such is the price
the Silver Surfer must pay!

And, as he FORESHORTENS INTO WARP, we

FADE OUT:

THE END
30