Work Text:
Fade In:
- EXT. centuries old Churchyard. mid-night. 1
(slow intro music fades up)
Among the darkness of the night sky, a full moon is veiled by grey clouds.
Within a perimeter wall of stone with gates of iron, resting among a field of dark green grass are rows of tombstones.
Leading through the front gate to the doors of church lies a gravel path.
Nearby a forest is seen.
(intro music fades down)
Seen sneaking onto the premises is a mid-length blonde-haired teenage girl, BARBARA.
She is accompanied by her friend, a short blonde-haired teenage boy, FREDDY, who’s carrying a small duffle bag.
They slowly explore the area with flashlights in hand.
(a dramatic, yet ominous character theme slowly fades up)
Perched upon a high branch of a tree in the nearby forest, the silhouette of a figure with features of a human with the wings of an Owl veiled by the darkness of night is seen watching from the shadows, the silhouette of Talon.
The Talon watches them stop to catch their breath as a chilling breeze cause them to shiver as the wind gently blows and the branches of nearby trees begin to creak.
The hoot of an Owl startles the teens who accidentally stumble upon a false wall which opens revealing a passage which makes them gasp in surprise.
Talon watches the teens nod to each other and cautiously enter as the door suddenly closes, trapping them inside.
(ominous character theme fades down)
- Int: Dark corridor, night. 2
As the teens use their flashlights to navigate and find 2 paths to go down, they hear a creepy whisper.
(creepy music slowly fades up)
unknown (o/s)
(slow whisper)
Beware the Order of Owls, ever watchful, they see all, they know all, watching from the shadows, through granite and lime. They watch you in your hearth, they watch you in your bed, speak nor whisper a word about them or beware and fear the Talon shall cometh for your head.
(creepy music slowly fades down)
Barbara
(quietly)
Freddy, did you hear that?
Freddy
Sounds like something from my one of comic books, let’s split up to find a way out of here, we might be in a labyrinth.
Barbara nods in agreement as she turns left while he turns right.
- Int: church, underground monastary, 2 leveled hidden chamber, night. 3
(sinister chorus music fades up)
Gothic architecture and decor are faintly seen in the dimly lit chamber.
Dark robed figures in owl masks occupy a gallery.
Yet, among them is only one man not masked.
This man is garbed in green robes, black boots, a green cloak, and wears a golden ring on his right index finger.
He has black hair with gray highlights, and bright green eyes.
Ra’s al ghul
(authoritative)
The Order passes its judgement and demands our justice be swift, tis our will for these interlopers who dare commit sacrilege of this sacred sanctuary to die. See it done, Talon. My will is the Order’s to carry out without question or hesitation, my son. Or by my blade those you hold dear shall be sent into the abyss and flame of eternal damnation.
(sinister chorus music fades down)
(Talon’s theme fades up)
The TALON, who’s wearing black armor, a dark cape imitating owl wings, boots, black gauntlets, a throwing knife bandolier, and a black owl-like mask, stands in the middle of the lower level, with its dark red eyes looking up at Ra’s Al Ghul, the Demon’s Head.
Talon
(creepy voice)
As you wish, my Master.
Talon vanishes as the dim light fades.
(Talon’s theme fades down)
- int: dark corridor, first labyrinth path, night. 4
With absolute silence in its movement, Talon moves like a shadow in the night, a hunter stalking its prey.
It slows its advance as it finds the boy all alone.
Talon observes the torch stop working while the boy puts his bag down.
The boy gets out a silver handled object.
Talon remains perfectly still, mere steps in front of its prey who turns on a replica lightsaber which emits a small humming sound.
(Talon’s theme fades up)
It neither moves nor makes a sound as its prey gasps in fright, steps back and holds up his lightsaber replica in a defensive stance.
Freddy
(fearfully)
Stay back, I know how to use this
Talon
(whisper)
You’re scared, you should be, there is no escape. You are sentenced to die.
(Talon’s theme fades down)
(creepy fight music fades up)
Talon draws a knife and slashes at his prey who blocks with his lightsaber replica and proceeds to counter.
Thankfully for Talon’s prey, the replica doesn’t immediately break due to the blade being carbon fiber covered by heavy plastic.
The two of them counter and strike at each other, though it’s clear that Talon is merely toying with its prey, allowing him to falsely believe he stands a chance.
In Freddy’s hubris, he fails to realise the blade of his lightsaber replica is starting to break.
In the blink of an eye, Talon steps back then strikes, now with a sword in hand.
The sharp blade of Talon’s sword cuts the replica lightsaber’s blade clean in half.
A swift hit to a pressure point sends Talon’s prey to the ground, landing on his back.
Watching its terrified prey immobile and helpless, Talon approaches the boy, reaches down with its right hand, picks him up by the throat, crushing it with only a single hand while its other hand rips out his heart as it beats for the last time.
Talon releases its grip and watches as Freddy’s dead body falls to the floor.
(creepy fight music fades down)
- Int: dark corridor, second labyrinth path, night. 5
(slow suspenseful music fades up)
Silently on the hunt for Barbara, Talon discreetly follows a trail of chalk tally marks.
Talon forms a fist in anger at the vandalism.
Talon learns where Barbara is presently as there is light further down the path.
- Int: hidden dungeoun, night. 6
Entering a dark room, Barbara, whose flashlight’s run out of power, gasps in surprise as the room becomes dimly lit by bowl-like torches mounted upon the walls.
Racks, stocks, cages, ropes, blindfolds, various types of cuffs, chains, an iron chair, and wall mounted shackles are seen.
There is also a weapons rack near a wall.
A padlocked trunk rests upon a stone table next to a seat.
She nervously chuckles upon realising what the room is for.
It feels warm in the room, so she takes off her jacket and hangs it over a seat which she sits in.
She takes a sip of water from a drink bottle.
Talon sees all of this from the shadows veiling its presence, perched on the rafters above her.
(suspenseful music fades down)
(slow curious music fades up)
Talon slightly tilts its head as its prey walks over to and picks up some pieces of rope, cheekily grins, then returns to her seat.
Talon briefly shakes its head upon realising what she’s about to do.
Barbara takes off both her shirt and her bra which she puts on the table, and her shoes & socks which she puts under a seat.
She starts walking towards an iron chair.
Talon (interior voice)
To execute the Great One’s justice upon sinners and criminals is one thing, but this girl and her friend were mere trespassers, that is until they desecrated these halls.
It sees the girl start tying her legs together with rope, naive and oblivious to the imminent danger.
(curious music fades down)
It sees the foolish girl finish restraining herself to the iron chair.
(creepy suspenseful music fades up)
All sources of light within the room suddenly go out.
She gasps in surprise at the sudden loss of light.
Silently dropping down from the rafters, Talon slowly steps towards the interloping female who dares to intrude and desecrate the sacred halls.
As it becomes audible, a slow & deep breathing sound startles her.
Barbara
(whimpering)
Freddy, is that you? It’s not funny, hello? Freddy?
(creepy suspenseful music fades down)
As the room lights up, she screams in fright.
(Talon’s theme fades up)
Talon
(menacingly)
No, I’m not Freddy.
Barbara
(fearfully)
What do you want?
Talon
(creepily)
You have desecrated these sacred halls and holy grounds. For your sacrilege upon this place, you are found guilty. You are sentenced to die, vile wretch. Now rid of your debauchery shall be this place, by the hand of Talon.
barbara
(nervously)
Wait, if I can have a last request, if you’re going to kill me, I want to see what my executioner really looks like, not just some creature in a mask. Please?
Seeing no harm in indulging the trivial request from the condemned prey for who he feels nothing but pity, Talon lowers its hood and takes off its mask revealing his face.
(Talon’s theme fades down)
Barbara gasps in shock at the sight of Talon’s face.
It’s not what she expects him to look like.
He has short black hair, pale skin, and ocean blue eyes.
Barbara
(shyly)
Why do all the handsome ones have to be the monsters? Do you have a name besides Talon?
Talon
Prometheus.
To her surprise, he gently presses his lips against hers.
She shudders as he lay his hand upon her firm breast.
Their lips slowly part.
She looks into his eyes.
There is a pause as he looks into her eyes.
He again presses his lips against hers.
She trembles as his ocean blue eyes turn crimson red.
(solemn music fades up)
As their lips part, his knife pierces her stomach.
She looks down to the blade being withdrawn, covered in her blood.
Tears trickle down her face.
Her vision begins to blur.
Talon
(whisper)
I’m sorry
He rips her heart out.
Her heart stops beating.
He gently closes her eyes and steps back.
He puts his mask on and pulls his hood up.
(solemn music fades down)
- Int: hidden dungeoun, night. 7
A slow clap becomes audible.
Talon turns and kneels before Ra’s Al Ghul.
(Ra’s’s theme fades up)
Ra’s indicates for Talon to stand.
As Talon stands, Ra’s places a hand on its shoulder.
Ra’s al ghul
You have done well, my young apprentice. A fine example of showmanship on your part.
Talon
I was taught that theatricality and deception are powerful weapons against our enemy.
Ra’s al ghul
The Order shall not have you in their service forever, my son. One day soon; you will answer a higher calling, my young apprentice.
Talon
Master, what does this mean?
Ra’s al ghul
The Shadows are nearly ready to induct you into their ranks, my son. Now, look me in the eyes without your mask, and see my pride with your own eyes. For your final test begins thus.
As he steps back, Talon removes his mask.
Ra’s locks eyes with the younger man.
Ra’s steps back.
(Ra’s’s theme fades down)
(dramatic music fades up)
Drawing his sword, Talon slashes at Ra’s who swiftly dodges with ease.
(dramatic music fades down)
(dramatic fight music fades up)
His sword in hand, Ra’s strikes back as his apprentice blocks then counters.
Their blades clash as the battle rages.
As he blocks the sword, Ra’s catches Talon’s other hand as the young assassin strikes at him with its fist.
Ra’s knocks him back with a punch to the gut then an uppercut.
They counter each other’s strikes until Talon’s sword is cut in half by his master’s sacred blade.
Ra’s swiftly blocks and parries as Talon strikes at him with two daggers.
Talon leaps back and discards his cape.
Talon throws his daggers at Ra’s who blocks them.
Taking a bow and quiver from the weapons rack, Talon shoots arrows as Ra’s.
Ra’s narrowly dodges the arrows, but one hits him in the chest.
Ra’s pulls the arrow out of his chest and casts it aside.
Talon look into Ra’s’s eyes.
Ra’s sheaths his blade.
(fight music fades down)
ra’s al ghul
You’ve passed your trial, now kneel before Ra’s Al Ghul
Talon kneels.
end