Work Text:
(This would be in 2D and have the same sort of springy expressions the movie was going for that only work in 2D. Similar actions to the original will be done unless said otherwise. This will mostly just be the dialogue. This has a few historical inaccuracies, but oh well, it’s more effort than Disney put in.)
(Storybook scene):
Once upon a time, a young boy was born.
He had been blessed by the stars above, and so was one of the few people in the world who could perform magic.
He didn’t use his magic often. He saw no reason to.
Tragically, one day his village was destroyed.
From the remains of his village, he created a utopia with his magic so that nobody else would have to suffer again the way that his village did.
From all over the world, people came to live in this utopia.
And so, the Kingdom of Roses was born.
When people came, the King set up a system.
When you turn 18, you will give him your wish, and he will eventually grant it in a ceremony where many people celebrate their wish being granted.
Once you hand over your wish, you forget what it was so that you don’t have to live with the burden. And he could grant it perfectly, so there was no possibility of failure.
(fade into the new scene in Esha’s home.)
And there is no one more deserving of their wish being granted than my grandfather. He’s been waiting decades for his wish to be granted. He turns 100 years old tomorrow!
And on his 100th birthday, a wish-granting ceremony is being held? I don’t believe this is a coincidence.
I hope that tomorrow he finally gets it granted.
(Esha is helping her grandfather, Sabas, dress for the day. She is a teenage girl, 17, and he is an elderly man, 99. Esha dresses in an orange dress with faint, purple roses on it and her hair is in box braids, her skin is slightly dark and her eyes are a similar shade of brown. Her hair is a darker brown. Her dress has a pocket, and inside is a blue notebook and a few pencils. Sabas has completely grey hair and little of it. His clothes are red and in a medieval Mediterranean style. He has many wrinkles and his skin is of a similar colour, as well as his eyes. He uses a cane to walk.)
(Valentine the goat bleats.)
Esha: Calm down, Valentine! Ahaha, I wish humans could understand animals.
Sabas: You really believe that King Magnificent will grant my wish tomorrow? It’s quite far for a man my age to travel if it’s not...
Esha: Of course! It can’t just be a coincidence! When we get home, how about we bake a cake to celebrate?
Sabas: Oh, I love cake!
Esha: Of course you do, who doesn’t? Okay, I’ve got to go now, alright? I’ve got work. Take care of yourself, Sabas.
Sabas: I will, Esha. Have a good day at work.
Esha: I will, bye!
(She leaves, then immediately returns.)
Esha: Oh, also, I might be home a bit late tonight. I promised Dalia that I’d hang out with her today.
Sabas: No problem, have a great day sweetheart.
(She leaves again, and Sabas finds somewhere to sit down. Valentine jumps onto his lap to nap.)
(Esha arrives at Roses’ port)
Esha: Hello, are you all here for the tour today?
Tourists: Yes, we are!
Esha: Wonderful! Enjoy your stay at Roses. I am Esha and I will be your tour guide today. Just so you know, we have rather... different ways of introducing our tourists than most countries.
Tourists: Different? How?
Esha: Song!
(Music starts.)
(The song would be about Roses culture and also explain more about the wishes- how the king makes the kingdom perfect and no one in Roses ever fails thanks to him, how all danger is kept out and it is a perfectly safe place, how the wish given is what the person desires the most so the person doesn’t know which thing that they want will transfer- which explains why they can’t just have other people say what their wish was afterwards as the person doesn’t know which wish they gave — and overall how Roses is a perfect place.)
(They also see a wish-granting ceremony happen. Possibly hundreds of people get their wishes granted, and hundreds more give their wishes to the king. Some are citizens who are freshly 18, some are migrants who are older and only just got the chance.)
(In the middle of the song.)
Tourist: That all sounds amazing. So, Esha, can you tell us about what your experience is like living here?
Esha: Oh... Well, uh, that’s kind of complicated —
Tourist: Yeah, tell us!
Esha: Um... oh, look at the time! It’s time for me to show you to your hotel and then my shift’s over!
(She takes them to the hotel and gets them inside as fast as she can, before going back home via wagon. It’s a small village very far away. Esha looks sad.)
(The last part of the song plays.)
Esha:
I was banished from the city,
For my relation to a rebel,
Sabas wallows in pity,
If I meet the King, I can settle this!
That’s my wish!
And when I get there,
I know what I want to do,
Create new worlds for view!
From painting,
Or sculpting,
Writing,
Drawing,
Acting,
Singing,
Making,
Creating!
Will I get my wish?
(The visuals will match each lyric, and at the end the stars will form to make an image of her father whom she reaches out for. Sabas comes out.)
Sabas: Esha, are you thinking about your wish to live in Roses again?
Esha: Yes, grandfather...
Sabas: Esha, look... as much as I wish I could say I’m hopeful, it’s been 16 years since your parents execution for their betrayal of the state and 15 since our banishment. I don’t think it’s going to happen. It might be time to... give up. You’re just hurting yourself by wanting something you can’t have. It might be time to make do with what we have and find happiness here.
Esha: No, it isn’t! After 15 years, we get to appeal, remember? I’ve already booked the appointment for tomorrow!
Sabas: You booked an appeal appointment without telling me? And you also booked it for my birthday? My 100th birthday, no less?
Esha: Ehehehe... sorry, I forgot! And tomorrow was the only day they had available for over a year!
Sabas: Sigh... alright, but you must tell me these things in the future, alright?
Esha: Oh my God! And speaking of forgetting things — my hangout with Dalia! It starts in 5 minutes!
Sabas: Well, then you’d better get going! Have a good time, sweetheart.
Esha: Thanks a lot, Sabas!
(She leaves. Sabas returns inside.)
(Dalia is a Taiwanese immigrant. Her hair is short and black, and she wears glasses. To her side she has a walking cane because of a leg injury, and she has a Mediterranean style dress that’s a magenta red sort of colour with an apple decoration on it at the bottom of the dress)
Dalia: Esha! You’re here! And you’re late!
Esha: I’m so sorry, work has been hectic!
Dalia: Don’t worry, I haven’t started yet, and good luck for your interview with the king tomorrow!
Esha: God, I’m so nervous...
Dalia: You don’t have to be, after all, when we give him those cookies of his face he must understand that you admire him as much as anyone else! I’ll bet you few other people who appeal think to do that, it’ll stick in his mind.
Esha: Yeah, yeah, you’re right... The cookies will help.
(They bake together.)
Dalia: Do you want to practice questions?
Esha: Yeah, that sounds great!
Dalia: Why do you feel you deserve to live in Roses?
Esha: That’s easy, because I don’t even know what my mother and father did so I couldn’t possibly hope to copy them, I was a baby when it happened, Sabas is an elderly man and can’t even do anything traitorous anyway, because I admire King Magnificent greatly, because Roses is like Heaven and because it would be an amazing 100th birthday present for Sabas...
Dalia: Wow, do you even need my help? Sounds like you’ve got this in the bag!
Esha: But that was only one question, and that was the easiest one!
Dalia: You still came up with it all on the spot, you’ll be fine, trust!
(Dalia takes the cookies out of the oven.)
Gabe: I smell cookies!
Dalia: Oh no...
(Gabe bursts through the door. He has short brown hair, blue eyes and dark skin, like many other people in Roses. He has a pretty generic outfit compared to the other medieval citizens and doesn’t really stand out outside of his short height and his demeanour.)
Gabe: Give me the cookies!
Dalia: They’re not for you! They’re for Esha’s appeal interview tomorrow!
Gabe: Interview? Hah, come on, Esha, get your head out of the clouds. Those appeal interviews are only there to look like they care. Nobody ever actually gets their appeal accepted.
Esha: Oh, come on! King Magnificent would never do something like that! He’s too kind!
Gabe: Yeah, as kind as freeing the people you enslaved, I’m sure.
Dalia: Gabe, don’t say such things!
Gabe: Sorry, I just don’t like that guy! Look what he did to us! All for things we didn’t even do!
Dalia: Well, I did mine...
Gabe: Banishing someone because their disability makes the kingdom look imperfect isn’t reasonable, Dalia.
Dalia: Well, must see things from his perspective! It would be awful if tourists saw people like me and decided that he was falsely advertising his perfect place...
Gabe: No one would ever think he was falsely advertising a perfect place because someone inside was disabled. Say, why doesn’t he just fix your leg? He’s magic!
Dalia: I’m pretty sure that he can only do that if that’s what my wish was.
Esha: And knowing you, your wish was to marry him!
Dalia: Don’t say that out loud! I do not have a crush on our king!
Gabe: Ew. Sigh... well, you know what? I think that if my wish isn’t for the sucker to drop dead, my wish probably is for your leg to heal in full.
Esha: Aww, Gabe! I never knew you had such a sweet side!
Gabe: Do not call me sweet!
Dalia: I’m so flattered! That’s so nice of you!
Gabe: Well... don’t get used to it! I have a reputation for being grumpy that I need to maintain!
(Dalia and Esha give each other a knowing look. Simen walks in. He has blonde hair and paler skin. He’s from somewhere in Europe. His clothes are a mix of blue and green and also are of the times. He has heavy bags under his eyes and some freckles. He’s the tallest by far and moves sluggishly, unlike the others who have very cartoonish movements, especially Gabe.)
Esha: Hi Simen, how are you?
Simen: Oh, I’m good...
(He sits down and tries to sleep.)
Gabe: Are you okay? You've been really tired lately.
Simen: I know...
Dalia: Yeah, it's been ever since you gave your wish.
Simen: I don't get it, you guys aren't experiencing the same issues.
Dalia: Everyone experiences everything differently, Simen, don't feel too bad. We're all here to support you.
Simen: Esha, could you show me some of your drawings to cheer me up a bit?
Esha: Of course!
(She takes out the notebook and shows some drawings.)
Esha: This one's all of us when we climbed those really tall trees! And this one is that karaoke session we had!
Simen: Yeah, that was fun, you have a really nice singing voice... and you're really good at dancing.
Esha: Thank you! I took some theatre and acting classes back in the day, and this one here is that time Dalia accidentally dropped an egg onto Gabe's head while baking!
Gabe: You drew that?! Don't show everyone that!
Esha: You're my favourite little pouter
Gabe: AAAAAA —
Simen: Well, that definitely cheered me up.
Gabe: Glad my humiliation entertains you!
Simen: Esha, will you ever show us that drawing at the back you keep mentioning?
Esha: Ahaha, probably not. It's a very personal drawing.
Dalia: Oh my, look at the time! I'm sorry everyone, but it's well past my bedtime
Gabe: You still have a bed time?
Dalia: It's healthy! Goodnight, everyone. I'll give you the cookies tomorrow.
Simen: Oh man, I could really go for some sleep...
Dalia: And good luck for tomorrow, Esha. Come visit us if you succeed, okay?
Gabe: Yeah, good luck, not that it helps.
Simen: We wish you the best.
Esha: Thanks so much guys, and you think I won't be visiting every weekend? Of course I will!
Dalia: Bye!
(Esha leaves.)
Esha: Sabas, I'm home!
(He's already asleep. She tucks him in with a blanket, stares into the stars and starts drawing before falling asleep on top of her notebook. The drawing is of all of her friends and her baking together.)
(The next day, Esha arrives at the grand palace. The decor is spectacular, she is visibly amazed. Queen Amaia meets her, wearing symmetrical, dark clothing with a pigtail and her headpiece. She is clearly evil. On her shoulder is a cat which meows at Esha.)
Amaia: Good afternoon, I trust that you are Esha from the village nearby?
Esha: Yes, that's me!
Amaia: Yes, come this way. The King is expecting you.
Esha: Thank you, your majesty.
(They walk upstairs.)
Amaia: There are some rules. Do not touch anything, do not discuss things without prompting, do not speak unless spoken to, and lastly, most important of all, do not open that door over there.
Esha: Understood.
Amaia: Good. Love, we are ready!
(The king opens the door. Perfection is built into him, he looks almost holy in his appearance looking old but still with few wrinkles and the ability to move perfectly fluently. His outfit is perfectly symmetrical and fitted with diamonds and roses.)
Magnificent: Ah, is this Esha?
Amaia: Yes, it is.
Magnificent: Perfect, I can take it from here, thank you darling.
(Amaia leaves and Esha and Magnificent enter the room)
Esha: This place is beautiful.
Magnificent: Glad you think so.
Esha: Oh, and I have cookies for you!
Magnificent: Oh wow, they're of me? Nobody's ever done that for me before. And I'll say, they're quite tasty. Now, Esha, tell me why you think your banishment should be appealed.
Esha: Well, I have countless reasons! I know that neither me nor my grandfather would ever do anything to betray Roses, because I was a baby when my parents did and don't even know what they did, and my Sabas is 100 years old today.
Magnificent: 100? That's impressive!
Esha: Yes. And we both admire both the monarchy and the kingdom so much! And... living outside is very hard...
Magnificent: How so?
Esha: Well... Sabas is too old to work, so I have to be the tour guide here to make ends meet. Rent is expensive...
Magnificent: I see, and since there is no rent here you wish to live in Roses?
Esha: Yes... I mean, it's not just the financial incentives of course! It's also for my adoration of this place!
Magnificent: Yes, yes, I understand.
Esha: I just... I think that it would be a wonderful birthday gift to him if he were able to live here again... and if his wish was finally granted in the ceremony today after waiting for 82 years.
Magnificent: That's... a tall order.
Esha: I know, I know it is, but... I swear, if I lived here that I would do you proud. I'm a hard worker, I'm creative and I... I care too much. I care a lot. I love this place so much.
Magnificent: I would even think your love for Roses even rivals my own. You're a good child, I can see that.
Esha: Thank you.
Magnificent: You’re afraid of Sabas passing before he gets to live here again and his wish granted, aren’t you? You’re worried about the wish disappearing after he dies so you can’t even achieve it in his honour. I’d show you his wish, but I don’t let anyone in the wish room.
Esha: Yes, I am. Especially after my parents’ execution... Sorry. I didn’t mean to throw a pity party!
Magnificent: No, no... I sympathise... your father was an astronomer, yes?
Esha: Yes. Sabas told me he loved to talk about the stars and how they could give people powers...
Magnificent: Yes, that’s true. That’s exactly how I got my powers. However, it’s only limited. That’s why I only grant everyone one wish.
Esha: It’s limited?
Magnificent: Yes, even I am not all-powerful. But you know what? There’s a bit of a star inside everyone.
Esha: Star?
Magnificent: Yes. Stardust specifically. That’s why I believe humans are equal. We are made of the same substance. And that’s also why wishes are so powerful. It’s because of the way the stars bless us.
(Music plays. The song will be all about the wishes and to the same tune as you’re a star. It’s about how humans are made from stars, the solar system, how all living beings are connected and Magnificent’s powers from them.)
Magnificent: You have a lovely singing voice.
Esha: Thank you! You do as well.
Magnificent: I’m actually growing a soft spot for you. That’s rare.
(They look towards a tapestry. There’s a brief flashback to a burning village and Magnificent in the rubble.)
Magnificent: When I was around your age... my village was destroyed. So I understand the pain that you feel from your loss. I founded this kingdom so that everybody would be safe and would never suffer again, and could have their dreams given. And I can do it perfectly, no risk of anyone messing anything up.
Esha: That’s amazing...
(She sees the forbidden door open. Inside there are countless wishes inside.)
Esha: Are those the wishes?
Magnificent: Um...
Esha: Why are there so many? I thought you granted all of them, but the maths doesn’t work out for there to be so many with how many you grant...
Magnificent: Out!
Esha: Are you banishing people whose wishes you have no intention of granting?
Magnificent: I said out!
Esha: Not until I get an explanation! Why are these people not getting their wishes granted?
Magnificent: That is none of your business. Once I take the wishes, they’re mine and I can do whatever I want with them!
Esha: But they’re other people’s aspirations! You don’t have the right to steal them with the false promise of granting them!
Magnificent: Amaia, escort this lady out!
Esha: You’re targeting people to not grant based on how loyal they are! But the village is way too small to hold all those banished people. Where are you sending them?!
(Amaia enters and kicks Esha out.)
Amaia: Safe to say that your appeal will not be accepted, but don’t worry. He will look after Sabas’ wish, and your own when you give it to him forever. Goodbye now, this is what happens when little girls who run their mouth care too much.
Esha: I’ll never give you my wish!
Amaia: You don’t have a choice.
Esha: But I’m not even a citizen of Roses!
Amaia: Oh, I’m sure that we can make an exception.
(She slams the door and Esha goes back home on the wagon, crying.)
(At home, Valentine is bleating a lot.)
Esha:... Sabas?... I failed. The appeal was not accepted.
Sabas:... Sigh, I knew it. I knew it would go that way.
Esha: But I found more important information. I believe if he doesn’t like someone’s wish, he banishes them, but not here. Somewhere else.
Sabas: What makes you think that?
Esha: He grants everyone in Roses’ wish eventually, yet there were far more wishes in his chamber than there are people who he banished to this village. They also said that whether I want to or not, they’ll steal my wish.
Sabas: Oh... that is unusual.
Esha: I see him for who he is now. Magnificent is greedy and banishes anyone who makes his city seem imperfect.
Sabas: Yes, I think so too... don’t blame yourself, Esha. You did your best. Now we have to make the best of what we have, okay?
Esha: I understand...
Sabas: Now, go to your friends. They’ll also want to know.
Esha: Alright, bye...
Sabas: But come back quickly after. I have something to show you. Actually, 2 things to show you.
Esha: I will...
(she leaves.)
Dalia: Hey, Esha! How did it go?
Esha: My appeal didn’t get accepted...
Gabe: Well, we all knew that was going to happen. I’d say maybe 1% of all appeals are accepted.
Esha: But I discovered something even more important! Magnificent is banishing people whose wishes he doesn’t like!
Gabe: I knew it!
Dalia: But... he wouldn’t!
Simen: How can you possibly know that?
Esha: He left his wish chamber slightly ajar, and I saw inside. There were so many wishes in there, but everyone in Roses pretty much gets their wish granted, and there are way less people in the village that came here after giving their wish than there were in the room! It can’t be dead people’s wishes either. Ungranted wishes disappear after the person dies, Magnificent said so himself!
Dalia: You’re going to need way more evidence than that. They could have just left the kingdom!
Gabe: Why would anyone willingly leave Roses?
Dalia: I don’t know, but... It can’t be true...
Gabe: Think about it, Dalia! He banished you after 19 years of loyalty because of your leg! Is it so far-fetched to think that he’d banish anyone over anything that tarnishes his perfect kingdom?
Dalia: But... that would be so corrupt!
Gabe: Exactly.
Dalia:... But...
Simen:... Well, whatever happens... what could we possibly hope to do about that?
Esha: We have to change it! If I can get back into the castle and find some sort of records on migration, I can prove that it’s not that people simply left, it was really banishment, and then if I can see the wishes and see that few of those wishes deserve banishment then maybe we stop this!
Dalia: Esha, that’s breaking and entering! And how are you so sure those wishes are so innocent?
Esha: Because if they were so bad, he could have just said that instead of panicking and kicking me out! If I can just get inside —
Gabe: How exactly do you plan on doing that?
Esha: Well, I... don’t... know...
Simen: I’m sorry, Esha. But you can’t save the world single-handedly. It’d be better for you to just accept reality for what it is.
Esha: No, I can’t! I can’t just sit back and let this happen!
Dalia: Esha, you’re going to destroy yourself! Stop giving to other people for one minute and think about yourself for a moment! You’ll run yourself into the ground!
(Esha cries and runs away in frustration.)
Dalia: Wait, Esha, come back!
Gabe: As much as I agree with her opinions, that girl is so naïve. She’s gotta learn to take things for what they are.
Simen: I feel kind of bad for her...
Gabe: She’ll get over it. She’s naïve, but she’s also strong.
(Esha goes back to Sabas, ready to see what she wanted to show him.)
Esha: I’m back... what did you want to show me?
Sabas: This banjo... it’s been in the family for many generations. I wanted to show it to you because... I want you to remember that even if we can’t live in Roses, that we still have family and we still have memories.
Esha:... Thank you. It’s a beautiful banjo. And of course, no matter what happens, we always have each other.
Sabas: I love playing the banjo. I know it was related to my wish somehow, but obviously I don’t remember the specifics.
Esha: Your wish was related to your banjo?
Sabas: Yes. I don’t remember why, but... it makes me feel even closer to what matters. Even without my wish, I can still play. I think that’s a good way to think of things.
Esha: Yeah. It’d be much better to just... not grant people’s wishes than banish them... And a wish about a banjo, that couldn’t possibly be a corrupt wish. Magnificent has no excuse for his behaviour!
Sabas: Esha, I wasn’t there. I don’t have all the context you do for this to make sense.
Esha: I know, I’m sorry... I’ll try to stop talking about it.
Sabas: You may for a few more minutes. I have something else to show you. Come with me, help me walk.
(They go to a tree.)
Sabas: This is the tree your father would stargaze from while he was awaiting execution. While waiting, he wrote something he wanted on a piece of paper and hung it on the tree. Everyone else in the village then made it a tradition to write every wish we have that Magnificent couldn’t take from us. I want you to do the same.
Esha: That’s beautiful... thank you.
(She writes her wish.)
Sabas: Your wish is for everyone else to achieve their dreams? My dear Esha, you are too kind. You should think about yourself for once.
Esha: You can never be too kind!
(She finds her father’s wish. It says, “For my daughter to live a full life”. She tears up.)
Sabas: I’m going back home now. Spend all the time here you wish.
(He leaves. This is when the song “This Wish” happens. At the end, the sky lights up and it shows everyone looking mesmerised but Magnificent.)
Amaia: My, my, dear! Did you do that? It was spectacular!
Magnificent: No, I didn’t... I believe I have been threatened.
Amaia: Threatened? Well, we cannot have that. You know what to do.
(The cat meows as if confirming. Back with Esha.)
Esha: Valentine, you felt that, didn’t you?
(Valentine bleats. A small star came from the sky and got right into Esha’s face. She looks enamored. It suddenly becomes a boy.)
Starboy: Hi!
Esha: Ah!
Starboy: I’m Starboy!
Esha: Starboy?!
Starboy: You wished upon a star, and the star has answered! What can I do for you, malady?
Esha: Oh, uh... no need for the pleasantries.
Starboy: Why wouldn’t I give all the pleasantries to my love?
Esha: Love?! It’s far too soon to discuss such things. I only just met you!
Starboy: Oh, but Esha, I’ve known you all my life!
Esha: How could that possibly be?
Starboy: I’ve known you since the beginning of the universe. When the universe began, all living beings were made of the same thing.
Esha: Stardust...
Starboy: Yes! And the atoms that were together at the beginning of the universe... have now met again!
Esha: Are you saying you love me because our atoms were together when the universe began?
Starboy: Yes! That makes us soulmates!
Esha: Soulmates?! This is too much, too soon! And that’s such an absurd conclusion!
Starboy: Ahaha, I should have known you would be more pragmatic and less impulsive than me. Not to worry, Esha. We can take our time. After all, we have a bigger fight on our hands first. Magnificent.
Esha: Ok, ok... please. Let’s talk first. Are soulmates actually a thing, or is this a joke?
Starboy: Of course they are! I would never joke about something like that with you, my love. And not to worry if you don’t have feelings for me yet, you’ll get them.
Esha: That’s kind of creepy.
Starboy: Sorry! Us stars often act quite a bit differently from humans.
Esha:... So you’re really a star?
Starboy: Yes, I mean, I came from the sky and am called “Starboy” after all.
Esha:... Wow. I’m talking to a living star! Who could have possibly expected this? Am I dreaming? Valentine, am I dreaming?
(Valentine bleats.)
Starboy: You are not dreaming, love! I’m here because I heard that you made a very heartfelt wish...
Esha: You’re here to grant my wish?
Starboy: Of course! The way it is when stars have a human soulmate is that when they need us most, we come down to grant their wish.
Esha: Really?
Starboy: Yes, and now it is my time! So what do you need, Esha? Tell me everything that troubles you, my dear.
Esha: Well... I appealed to get back into Roses, but it was denied because I nearly uncovered the King’s dirty secret.
Starboy: Oh, my heart! I’m so sorry to hear that, Esha.
Esha: I think the King is banishing people whose wishes he doesn’t like.
Starboy: Are you sure the wishes aren’t harmful to the Kingdom and that’s why he’s sending them away? Some people are disgusting.
Esha: No, I’m not sure... yet. If I can get in and find some papers or find the wishes themselves, I can prove it. That’s my wish: justice.
Starboy: Yes, I understand, but tell me, Esha, why does this matter to you?
Esha:... Because if it’s true, that means my family has suffered because of a corrupt regime.
Starboy: Oh, my heart... you are so kind, my dear.
Esha: But I feel like maybe I shouldn’t... everyone else is saying there’s nothing I can do about it, and I can’t save the world on my own... so I should learn to just get on with it and live anyway.
Starboy: Yeah, yeah... That is a mature response, and true to a certain extent, but they’re wrong about one thing.
Esha: What is it?
Starboy: You’re not saving the world on your own. You’re saving the world surrounded by your friends.
Esha:... Yeah... you’re right!
Starboy: And future husband!
Esha:... I think I’m used to that already. So, you’re going to help me?
Starboy: But why would I not? You’re such a kindhearted soul. I can’t not help you! Nor can I just stand around while my love tries so desperately with no help.
Esha: So, what do we do?
Starboy: Well, first, I’m curious about this little guy.
(Valentine bleats. Starboy creates a small star which Valentine eats.)
Valentine:... I can speak!
Esha: You made him talk?!
Valentine:... Wow... I have a super deep voice.
Starboy: The little goat guy was so talkative, I had to fix that for him!
Valentine: Thank you! I am indebted to you, my friend.
Starboy: And next, we get your friends in on this with us. Theoretically, I could use magic for this, but... I am weak. I apologise, I’m still just a boy after all.
Esha: Don’t worry about that at all! You’re still a massive help!
Starboy: Let’s fly back!
Esha: Whoa!
Valentine: Ahh! I’ve never flown before! I’m gonna get motion sickness!
(Esha holds onto Valentine, who cuddles into her. They fly back until they can be seen again, then Starboy goes back to being a small star and hides in her pocket.)
Esha: Okay... I can do this! Should I tell Sabas or my friends first...?
Starboy: Who are your friends and Sabas?
Esha: Sabas is my 100-year-old grandfather. My friends are Dalia, Gabe and Simen. Actually, I’ve drawn them all a lot.
Starboy: May I see?
(She shows him.)
Starboy: You all look so cute! I especially love that one where Dalia’s given Gabe some hair braids.
Esha: He’ll kill me if he finds out I drew that, let alone showed someone...
(In the end she goes to Sabas first, but we don’t see her explain it to him. It’s only implied that she explained everything. She looks determined. It then cuts to King Magnificent pacing around his room. The cat meows.)
Amaia: Darling, you mustn’t stress so much. That could have been a magic user from another kingdom.
Magnificent: And if it wasn’t? We didn’t get this far by not stressing. We got this far by thinking about every single thing!
Amaia: Correction, dear, you got this far through overthinking. I got this far by stopping you from destroying yourself. I beg of you, be calm. You will not make rational decisions like this, and if there is a traitor, that panic could leave them a wide opening.
Magnificent:... Yes, you are right. I love you, darling.
Amaia: I love you too. But you’re right that we should do something about it. I say you discuss this with the kingdom. They love you and will do whatever you say. If they must destroy the traitor, they will.
Magnificent: Yes, I shall... they can destroy the traitor for me. They won’t stand a chance against so many. Even my magic could not take the entire kingdom. Everything is going to be okay, everything will be okay...
(With Esha and her friends.)
Dalia: Gabe, these cookies are for the King, stop eating them!
Gabe: But the cookies you make are so good! Even Simen loves them!
Simen: I don’t like that wording... but yeah, love them! They make me feel so much better.
Dalia: Aww, you guys... oh, hi Esha! Are you okay? You seem nervous.
Esha: Guys, I have something to tell you...
(Starboy bursts out.)
Starboy: Hi!
Friends: Ah!
Starboy: I’m Starboy!
Gabe: Esha, what are you doing. Are you crazy?! Only King Magnificent is allowed to use magic!
Esha: But I’m not the one using it, Starboy is!
Gabe: You’ll be guilty through association! And you’ll make us guilty too!
Dalia: Gabe, calm down!
Valentine: And I can talk, too!
Simen: Whoa, what?
Gabe: AAA —
Dalia: Oh my God... that’s adorable!
Valentine: That’s right, I am adorable! Although being able to speak is giving me... existential questions. Why do I exist?
Starboy: Let’s not get into that, little goat, right now. Esha needs your help! As she said she already told you, she suspects that your King is banishing people unfairly and seeks to prove it! Can you help us?
Gabe: We didn’t agree to any of this! We don’t even know who you are!
Starboy: Long story short, I’m her soulmate!
Dalia: Soulmate?
Starboy: Yes, our atoms were near each other when the universe began, that’s why we’re meant to be!
Esha:... Yeah, I don’t understand it either.
Simen: I’ll bet that Dalia’s atoms were next to King Magnificent.
Dalia: Hey!
Starboy: Let me look! Hmm... nope! King Magnificent was with Amaia. Dalia was with someone else.
Dalia: Someone... else?
Starboy: Yep! And that person is in this room right now...
Dalia:...
Gabe:...
Simen: I think we can all guess who —
Dalia: No! Change the subject, please!
Valentine: I feel so left out. I don’t think I have a soulmate!
Starboy: Aww, don’t worry little guy, not everyone needs a soulmate to be happy!
Simen: Starboy, can I ask... if you’re able to grant wishes?
Starboy: Certainly! But it’s for the best that I don’t just hand them out. I’m a firm believer in helping others achieve their dreams naturally!
Simen: Naturally... but what if you mess up?
Starboy: Well, then try again! What else?
(They seem stunned.)
Esha:... I’m the youngest of my friends, I’m the only one that hasn’t given my wish to the King.
Dalia: And we forgot what our wishes were.
Starboy: Oh, how terribly tragic! My heart weeps. If you help me and Esha, then we can help you get those wishes back!
(Pause.)
Dalia: I’m afraid.
Starboy: Huh?
Dalia: I’m afraid of getting it back. What if it’s something I couldn’t ever hope to do on my own?
(Starboy takes her hand.)
Starboy: That, Dalia, is an impossibility! If someone determined and courageous strives for something they deeply care about, they can achieve anything!
Gabe: That sounds cheesy.
Starboy: Cheesy, smeesy! You ever wonder why fairytales are so obsessed with that theme? It’s because it’s true, but people never listen to it! So listen to me, my darlings! Achieve your dreams through hard work and perseverence! You gain everything and nothing from having everything handed to you!
(They’re silent.)
Esha: Starboy... that’s such a nice thing for you to say.
Starboy: I know, that’s why I said it.
(He flicks his hair dramatically.)
Esha:... How would you feel if you found out your wish could never be granted?
Simen: I feel that every day.
Esha: And so does my dear Sabas... yet he still stays resilient. I want you to, too. Will you help me?
Gabe: You know we’re here for you unconditionally.
Dalia: What do you need?
Starboy: Your brilliant intelligence! Could you tell us a way to get into the King’s study? You seem like the type to know!
Dalia: What? But I’ve never done something like this before!
Starboy: Then it will be your first time.
(She goes quiet.)
Dalia:... I have an idea. Let’s go to the city, but we must not be seen.
Starboy: I can fly us there!
Gabe: What if someone looks up?
Starboy: We’ll be invisible, obviously!
Simen: Wait, what’s happening?
Gabe: We’re floating!
Esha: Whoa!
(Starboy holds her to help her balance.)
Esha:... This... feels magical. More than last time.
Starboy: It is magic.
(They fly. Gabe and Dalia are having a lot of fun together. Simen is half asleep. Valentine is trying to swim and keeps asking the sleeping Simen why he exists. Starboy and Esha are slightly further from the others.)
Starboy: Esha, can you feel it?
Esha: Feel what?
Starboy: The love in the air.
Esha:... Yes, yes, I can. I’ve known you only a day, but I feel I’ve known you a lifetime.
Starboy: We’ve known each other since the universe began. I love you, Esha.
Esha:... I think I’m falling in love with you, too. I feel it now. I feel it in my soul... like you said. We’re really meant to be?
Starboy: Of course!
(At all costs happens, but it’s the original version. It is a duet. I especially like the idea that Starboy likes to be upside down, so that’d be in the cinematography a lot. They nearly kiss.)
Gabe: Okay, lovebirds, break it up!
Esha: Ah!
Starboy: Ahahaha! Caught us!
(They arrive in Roses.)
Dalia: I never mentioned this before, but I briefly worked for the King before I was banished.
Gabe: And just when I thought he couldn’t get more selfish...
Dalia: I sent his food up these things to his study since I couldn’t go inside. You can sneak up in here.
(Starboy becomes a small star again to fit inside with her)
Valentine: Can I come? I don’t just wanna sit here and do nothing...
Esha: Sure, as long as you’re quiet.
Valentine: Got it! My lips are sealed.
(He presses his lips together dramatically and joins Esha inside the food hatch.)
Simen: Stay safe.
Dalia: You’ve got this!
Gabe: Bring me his head!
Esha: Ahaha, you got it! Dalia.
Stranger: Guys, hurry! The King’s demanding everyone go to an assembly now. It’s urgent!
Stranger 2: How do you know it’s urgent?
Stranger: He’s even asking for people from the banished regions to join. He only does that when it’s serious!
Esha: If that’s the case, Dalia, could you be a dear and stall him for as long as possible? I’ll need time to sort through all the papers!
Dalia: But how?
Esha: You’re the smart one, sorry! I’m more... the one that draws the situation after you fix it!
Gabe: And I’m the one that makes fun of it after.
Valentine: And I silently watch! Sorry, I forgot. My lips are sealed...
Simen: I also silently watch...
Gabe: Don’t say that! You may not say much, but when you do, we all notice.
Dalia: And we notice when you’re not there.
Simen: Really...? Thanks, guys...
(Esha nods and goes up the shaft, and the others go to the assembly.)
Magnificent: Now, I’m sure that you’re all wondering where that light came from...
Crowd: Whoo!
Magnificent: No, no cheering! It was done by someone who is a threat to Roses as we know it! There is a traitor! And don’t you worry, my wonderful people...
Amaia: When caught, the traitor will be punished!
(With Esha.)
Esha: Okay, we made it... Now, where was that door again...? There it is! Damn it, the room’s locked! Starboy, can you unlock it?
(He shakes his head.)
Esha: What? why?!
(Starboy becomes a boy again.)
Starboy: Sorry, but as Magnificent mentioned before, magic is limited! We can get more by being blessed, but we have to deserve it. I don’t want to waste it...
Esha: But with the door locked, we can’t get in! This seems pretty important.
Starboy: Esha, my love, you are a wonderful, creative woman. I’m sure that you can figure out the solution without relying on magic for help.
Esha: But... what if I mess it up and ruin the mission?
Starboy: Believe in yourself! Be the Esha I love and look up to!
(He cups her cheek.)
Esha: Okay, okay, I get it! You want me to be independent and not rely on your magic too much. No need to beat it over my head.
Starboy: I really don’t think I’ve been beating you over the head with it enough!
(He turns back into a star, and she thinks.)
Esha: Valentine, ram the door!
Valentine: But I don’t have horns!
Esha: We’ll find horns, look around!
(Back with Magnificent.)
Magnificent: My wonderful citizens of Roses, the state needs you! If anyone even has the slightest idea of who the traitor might be, we need information now! You could even come visit me or Amaia personally, that is how seriously we are taking this issue!
Amaia: I’ll be on the ground floor, so I’ll be the easiest to find.
Magnificent: And should anyone successfully locate the traitor, I’ll... yes, I’ll grant them a second wish! And no wait time!
Amaia: My goodness dear, are you sure?
Magnificent: Certain! And if anyone supports the traitor, they will be banished!... And should the person already be banished... let’s just say there are far worse places to go if that’s the case...
Dalia: Wait, King Magnificent!
Magnificent:... Yes?
Dalia: Uhh... Hi! I’m Dalia, and even though you banished me, I’m a huge fan of yours! I used to work for you. I actually made you some cookies!
Magnificent: Yes, I remember you... What do you want? Don’t think some cookies are going to make me change my mind.
Dalia: No, no, not at all! I just wanted to improve the existing relationship in hopes of maybe having a reconsideration in the future. Is it okay if we meet up maybe by the stairs so I can give them to you?
Magnificent:... I find it strange that you bring it up now of all times, but yes, I suppose I could...
Dalia: Thank you so much!
(She goes to meet him. Simen and Gabe look incredibly concerned.)
Gabe: Good work, Dalia... damn it, Esha needs our help! Simen, we have to go help her now!
Simen: But we’re banished. If we’re caught...
Gabe: We’re not getting caught!
Simen:... How about I wait here and make sure everything’s okay with him and Dalia? You go on ahead.
Gabe: Good thinking. Bye!
(He leaves. Back with Esha, Valentine has a makeshift set of horns.)
Esha: Now ram it!
Valentine: Ahhhhh!
(He successfully opens it.)
Valentine: Yeah, I did it!
Esha: Amazing! Now, let’s look inside!
(She sees all the wishes.)
Esha: Oh, I found some of my friends’ wishes... Oh wow, Dalia’s really was to marry the King! I don’t think he’d ever grant this one even if he was a good person... And Gabe’s... for Dalia’s leg to heal? That’s so sweet of him! And Simen’s... to become a knight. Aww, that’s precious! I wonder what mine is... Wait, where’s Sabas’?
Valentine: There’s no time for looking at all the wishes, Esha! Find the papers!
(With Gabe and Dalia.)
Dalia: I held him off as long as I could, but he started getting suspicious!
Gabe: It’s fine, it should have been long enough... Where’s Simen?
Dalia: After I left, he also went to distract the King.
Gabe: Got it, we need to help Esha.
Dalia: How?
Gabe: I don’t know, but we have to find a way! When she gets back, we need to help her spread the information!
Dalia: What if the information is false, though, and it’s all nothing?
Gabe: Goddamn it, Dalia! Get your head out of the clouds. After what he said, how can you possibly still believe he’s a good person! Are you that blind?! I thought you were supposed to be smart!
Dalia:...
Gabe:... I’m sorry...
Dalia: It’s fine, it’s fine...
Gabe: It’s not, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just stressed, okay?
Dalia: Okay...
(With Magnificent.)
Magnificent: I believe I know who the traitor is.
Amaia: Who, my dear?
Magnificent: Esha! That rat! The fact that this happened right after she glimpsed at that door — why was it even open?!
Amaia: I’m not sure I was certain I locked it.
Magnificent: It cannot be a coincidence.
Amaia: But we have no evidence. If we’re wrong, there could be a scandal.
Magnificent: I would crush the scandal!
Amaia: Now, now, no need to be so impulsive... think, let’s plan this.
(They have the next musical number. It’s “knowing what I know now” but an evil duet about how they’ll defeat Esha. Magnificent bursts through the door.)
Magnificent: I need to burn those papers!
Amaia: But we could need them later.
Magnificent: Screw needing them later, we need them gone! If these are leaked, it could wreak havoc!... Where have they gone?
Amaia: Have they been misplaced?
(The camera cuts to Esha, who is hiding the papers in a very uncomfortable place.)
Esha: How do I get out?
Valentine: I could distract them. They know who you are, but I doubt they’ll know me!
Esha: Star, is that a good idea?
(Star nods and Valentine jumps out and starts bleating.)
Magnificent: A... goat?
(He makes a mess.)
Magnificent: Get that goat away from this place!
(Esha runs while they’re distracted and goes back down the pulley thing.)
Amaia: Away with you!
(She tosses Valentine out, who runs away.)
Gabe: Esha, did you get the papers?
Esha: Yes, I did!
Dalia: Give them to me, I’ll see... Oh my God, you were right! He’s banishing people whose wishes he doesn’t like! It mentions other things too, like disabilities and family... and apparently to a nearby city...
Esha: Should we go there?
Gabe: Why?
Esha: To see what he’s doing to them! We need all the evidence we can get!
Dalia: Alright, but we need to get Simen first.
Valentine: What’s all that noise?
(They go to the noise. Simen and King Magnificent are on a stage.)
Magnificent: Everybody, I have a hero for you! Meet Simen. Today he has helped to save our kingdom by telling who the traitors are! We have Esha, Gabe, and Dalia from the village! Thank you, Simen.
Simen:... I want my wish now.
Magnificent: Yes, of course... you wished to become a knight! You are now a knight!
(He becomes a knight.)
Magnificent: And you will serve us with all your might?
Simen: Yes, I will... I feel guilty, though...
Magnificent: Don’t feel guilty, you did a good thing for Roses.
Simen:... For the first time in years, I don’t feel tired anymore...
Gabe: That traitor! How could he do this?! Now everyone knows who we are!
Dalia: Stay calm! We have to stay calm!
Esha: What do we do?
Gabe: This was your plan!
Dalia: Guys, please!
(Star turns to Starboy.)
Starboy: Welp, I think that I might have to step in here! We’re all invisible now.
Esha: What do we do now?
Dalia: Esha, calm down, please!
Gabe: How are we meant to be calm in this situation?
Dalia: You too, Gabe! Calm down, be quiet! We need to think!
Starboy: Stick to the plan! Once we go to the other city where the people are being banished, we can take some photos and then release the papers. That way, Magnificent should immediately catch public attention, and not in a good way!
Esha: Yeah, yeah... one thing at a time... We should go see Sabas and ask if he has a camera...
Dalia: Yeah, let’s do that...
(On their way back.)
Esha: Starboy... I’m having doubts.
Starboy: Doubts?
Esha: This is all so hard. I’m not used to being so... disliked.
(He hugs her.)
Starboy: It’s okay, darling. You’re a good person at heart, and that’s what matters most. And even if 99% of the world hates you, me and your friends all still love you for who you are. Unconditionally. And you’re strong, so so strong... you can do this... for that justice you want. And for your family.
Esha: For my family... yeah... I can do this!
(She goes inside with determination.)
Esha: Sabas, do you have a camera I can use?... Sabas?
(She touches his cheek, but Sabas is dead.)
Esha:... Sabas?
Dalia: Esha, what’s wrong?... Oh...
(She cries. The others also appear very solemn. Starboy comes to pat her back.)
Esha: Sniff... alright...
(She stands up, looking more determined than ever, taking one camera.)
Esha: That does it. I can’t let his death be for nothing. He was an inspiration to me, the wonderful man that raised me. I won’t let him down, no matter how hard it gets.
(The others nod back, looking confident. They place a blanket over Sabas’ body and leave to that city.)
Ferryman: We’re here!
Gabe: Did he really not care that we’re clearly fugitives?
Dalia: I don’t think he really cares to be honest.
Esha: That’s not why we’re here. Look for the people.
Valentine: Uhh... guys?
(They look over a hill to have the camera reveal that there are thousands of enslaved people. They’re singing as they work in filthy conditions.)
Esha: I was right! Oh my goodness, what’s happening to these people?!
Dalia: They look like slaves...
Gabe: There are pictures of Magnificent everywhere. It’s like they worship him!
Dalia: They probably do...
(Esha takes a picture.)
Starboy: Hide! Amaia’s here!
(Amaia emerges.)
Amaia: Remember what we told you. The harder you work, the more likely you are to get your wish.
(They cheer.)
Gabe: She’s lying!
Dalia: I don’t think she is, but... that doesn’t make it any less horrible...
Esha: We have what we need, now let’s go so we can free them as fast as possible!
Slave: Hail Magnificent and Amaia! Why aren’t you three working?
Gabe: Come with us, you’ll be freed from this life!
Slave: Nonsense! This is heaven; my wish was apparently too much to ask for, but I still get a chance if I work hard enough!
Gabe: But they’re lying, they won’t grant your wish!
Slave: Oh, but of course they will! Magnificent would never lie to us.
Gabe: But he has!
Esha: It’s not worth it! We have to go.
Slave: No one is allowed to leave this place.
Gabe: Well, we’re going to anyway!
(Suddenly Magnificent appears.)
Magnificent: No, I don’t believe you will.
Esha: What?! How did you find us here?!
Magnificent: Your good friend Simen told us it was you, and so we’ve told the people on this island to keep an eye out for you. Everyone in Roses is also in the midst of hunting you down...
(Cut to the slaves with pitchforks and then the citizens of Roses making pictures of Esha and her friends just to burn them. Esha looks distraught.)
Magnificent: But perhaps they don’t need to. You came right here. Like I wanted you to. And so you won’t be leaving, you’re going to go exactly where your parents went...
Esha: No...
Magnificent: Esha, I have to know... how did you even get your hands on that magic?
Esha: I know no magic.
Magnificent: Then explain that light! What, did you take a star from the sky?!
(Starboy shows himself.)
Starboy: We meet again... You opened that door so Esha would see what’s inside, didn’t you? For your petty revenge on behalf of people whom you didn’t even know?
Magnificent:... So we do. So you’re the star she took?
Starboy: I am, indeed. I also am her soulmate.
Megnificent: Soulmate? Well, then, in that case... I am going to enjoy locking you up with her so much more!
(She is taken to a dungeon along with the rest of her friends.)
Gabe: Well... that’s it. This is it. We’re all going to die.
Dalia: No, no we’re not! There has to be a way out, there has to be-
Gabe: Stop it! Just stop it, Dalia! You’re too hopeful, you’re too idealistic, you’re delusional!
Valentine: Guys!
Dalia: You know, I hoped that argument we had earlier blew over! But I guess not, because you can’t let things go!
Gabe: And neither can you! You don’t know when to give up!
Dalia: And you give up too quickly!
Valentine: Guys, I get it! Living is confusing and scary, and you’re stressed because we’re all going to die, but let’s think rationally here. We don’t need to scream at each other!
Gabe: This isn’t about how living is scary, this is about how dying is scary, you anthropomorphic goat! We’re all going to die!
Dalia: Stop saying that, you grumpy gremlin!
Valentine: Ahaha, alliteration! Nice one, Dalia!
Dalia: Shush, you annoying animal!
(Valentine whimpers.)
Dalia: Oh, I didn’t mean that! I swear!
Gabe: And now look at what you’ve done!
Dalia: Oh shush! You act like I’m the only person here with flaws!
Gabe: No, I’m not! I know I may be a pessimist, but that’s better than mindlessly pretending that everything will be okay, you need to face reality!
Esha: Laughs... face reality? Why should we do that? Reality is hopeless, reality has nothing good in it.
Valentine: Esha...?
Esha: Everyone in the whole world hates me except you guys, and you’re also trapped in here...
Starboy: I could break us out?
Esha: Don’t bother, we’ll just be sent back... because there’s no way even your magic would be enough to protect us from all of Roses and the slaves...
Starboy:...
Esha: Would it?
Starboy: No.
(Music starts. It starts slow and progressively gets angrier. It’s This is the thanks I get but about Esha and how she’s always done her best to be a good person, put herself in danger for other people, did her best to be an active member in the community, how she did more than what was expected of her, put in effort, and wanted to save the world. And now everyone hates her. For her hard work trying to save everyone, her thanks is hatred from the very people she is trying to save because they blindly follow their leader.)
Starboy: Esha, please stop!
(Esha breaks down and Starboy immediately takes her.)
Starboy: Esha, please...
Esha: What’s the point in trying anymore?! Magnificent was right, without magic, when you try you always fail!
(The others look concerned, but then look at each other with determination. Gabe and Dalia hold hands.)
Dalia: That’s wrong.
Gabe: If there’s one thing we’ve learned from you, Esha... it’s that the easy way isn’t always the best way. Sometimes, the only way to get the results you want is through hard work and perseverence.
Valentine: And you’ve shown me a meaning to life! To love it, and help each other!
Gabe: Valentine, please, that’s cheesy.
Dalia: True, though. People... they’re meant to work together.
Starboy: And we’re going to do this together, because you got this far from hard work against a man with magic, and there’s no way we’re stopping here!
Esha:... But what if everyone’s right? What if it’s naïve of me to think I can change anything?
Starboy: My love, there are many things in this world we cannot change and must accept, like that evil and good will always exist. But what we can change is this, and if we can change it we must. And we’ll do it together.
Valentine: You’re not alone!
Gabe: We’re here for you.
Dalia: Yeah... and... no matter how many times we argue... we’ll always get through it.
Esha:... Alright... let’s continue this journey!
Starboy: I don’t see a way out of here other than magic, so I’ll use it here. But... if I can help it, I don’t plan on using it again, okay? We do this the proper way.
(Cut to Magnificent and Amaia.)
Amaia: My darling, Esha and the others have escaped!
Magnificent: It was that star, wasn’t it?! We can’t defeat them unless we defeat that star... I will absorb him into my staff once we find them! Amaia, make sure that the entire country is after those rebels!
Amaia: Understood.
(She stands onstage, her cat is with her and grooming itself.)
Amaia: My people, we are still under threat by that rebellious Esha and her little playthings. If you see them, do not hesitate to kill!
(They cheer. Back to the others.)
Gabe: So what’s the plan?
Esha: We still need to distribute that information. I have the papers!
Dalia: We can spread them easily if we find somewhere high to speak.
Valentine: Yes, yes... good idea. What about the top of Magnificent’s tower? Everyone will see us there!
Dalia: Yes!
Esha:... Starboy... Magnificent knew you. How?
Starboy:... I wished I would never have to relive that moment...
Esha: Star, please tell us...
Starboy: Magnificent has shared before that his old home was destroyed, yes?
Esha: Yes... that was how he related to me losing my parents...
Starboy: Well... he was the one who destroyed it.
Dalia: What?!
Gabe: How did I not see that coming?!
Starboy: I came down to stop him, I felt I had to... but he was too strong for me. That’s why I’m so stingy with my magic... because then maybe one day he’ll have spent enough so that I am more powerful than him... and I can avenge all of those innocent people.
Esha: Well, Star... Today will be that day.
(They suddenly stop.)
Esha:... Simen?
Simen: Hello...
(Silence.)
Gabe: You traitor!
Simen: Yeah. I am... You can do whatever you want to me.
Dalia: What?
Simen: I feel terrible and just want to make up for what I’ve done. You can do whatever you want to me.
Gabe: Well, I’ll certainly do that!
(Dalia stops him.)
Esha: Why did you do it?!
Simen: Because... I was desperate... to feel something other than sadness... I felt so hollow without my wish... so I was willing to do anything to fill that hole, and I thought having it granted would fill that hole. But then it didn’t, and I did these horrible things for nothing.
Gabe: So you only feel guilty because it didn’t give the results you wanted?
Simen: No, no! I cared! I felt wrong before, during and after I did it! If I could choose between going back in time and not doing it and having things go my way, I would choose to erase it from history! Please, I’m sorry! I’m so... so sorry...
(Silence.)
Esha:... I...
Dalia: We... need time to think about this...
Simen: I understand.
Gabe: I sure don’t!
Esha: That’s because it’s you, Gabe, in the nicest way possible. You’re quicker to get mad.
Gabe: Yeah, because I have a realistic view!
Valentine: Does anyone really have a realistic view? We all have biases.
Dalia: The fact that a goat said that is making me go insane.
Esha: I’ll consider forgiving you, but I need time.
Simen: I understand... I’ll make it up to you, I promise!
(He disappears.)
Dalia: Back to the pulley, let’s get to the castle!
(Cut to the people hunting for Esha. Suddenly the roof of the Roses castle opens, with wishes releasing into the air.)
Person 1: Are those the wishes? Can we take them?
Person 2: No, if we take them back in then they will never come true just with our work!
Esha: That’s not true!
(Cut to her on the roof. The people started rioting.)
Esha: Cut it out! I have a message to give you! King Magnificent and Queen Amaia are both big fat liars! Look at all of this!
(She releases all the images into the air, and when people pick them up, they see evidence on paper and in photographs of the slavery and banishment purely on whether Magnificent saw someone as useful or good-looking to the Kingdom. They start murmuring: “Maybe it is wrong to banish people over leg injuries”, “They’re doing all that work without being paid?” “That’s such a stupid reason to banish someone!”, “Execution, for that?”. Soon, it even spreads to the people on the secret island who were enslaved, and they slowly realise that their situation actually was not fine at all and that they were being manipulated, “wait, this is wrong?”.)
Dalia: Everyone, take your wishes back before it’s too late!
(Esha is hit with a magical spell.)
Starboy: Esha, are you okay?!
Magnificent: I have done it! I have stolen your wish!
Esha: No!
Magnificent:... To have everyone else’s wish granted... your wish is to grant everyone else’s wish?! What, is this a joke? There’s no way someone could actually be so selfless!
Esha: You wouldn’t know because you’re the most selfish person I’ve ever met...
Magnificent: And now it’s time for me to take that Star!
(Star and Magnificent duel with a stream of magic, but Starboy fails and is sucked into Magnificent’s staff.)
Esha: No!
Amaia: Kitty, look after the staff while Magnificent deals with the girl.
(The cat meows and accepts the staff.)
Gabe: You’re a cowardly queen, why not look after the staff yourself?
Amaia: Silly boy, do I look magic to you?
Gabe: Not magic? Then I should be able to take you!
(They fight.)
Valentine: I’m not just gonna stand around doing nothing either!
(Valentine fights the cat.)
Magnificent: You think you can defeat me? I was blessed with more magic than anyone else in the world. That’s how I beat that silly little Star! A stupid young girl like you is no match for me!
Esha: No matter what you do to me, I won’t give up!
Magnificent: Then I won’t do it to you.
(He strikes Dalia, who falls off the roof. The crowd gasps as she screams.)
Esha: No!
(Magnificent restrains her, but before Dalia hits the ground, someone with a horse saves her. It’s Simen.)
Dalia: Simen?
Simen: I told you I’d make it up to you!
Dalia: You... look energised.
Simen: Well, I got my wish granted, didn’t I? Now I am your knight in shining armour!
Magnificent: Well, if that didn’t work, maybe I will have to go from the source!
(A bunch of people come from the pulley and attack Magnificent. They chant: “You liar!”, “You will not hurt Esha!”)
Magnificent: Ah! My love Amaia, help me!
(She can’t as she is fighting Gabe, and he is trampled.)
Magnificent: No!
(Esha gets to the staff thanks to Valentine distracting the cat.)
Esha: Star, can you hear me?
Starboy: Yes, yes I can hear you... the staff is repressing my magic... I can’t get out...
(Esha thinks for a moment, then takes out her notebook to look at all the pictures of her friends. Then, she goes to the back of it and there is a drawing of both her parents and herself, as well as a photograph of her as a baby, her parents and Sabas all together with his camera.)
Esha: You know... when I was a baby, my grandfather told me that my parents loved to read me fairytales... and in fairytales the tragedy was always solved with true love’s kiss...
Starboy:... And we truly love each other. Something that Magnificent could never feel, not for his magic, his kingdom, not even his wife. Kiss me.
(Esha kisses Starboy through the staff, which frees him. Then he traps Magnificent into the staff and it makes the Snow White mask on it once he is trapped for good. Then he turns his attention to Amaia and combines her with her cat, making her the cat from Cinderella.)
Starboy: We did it!
Esha: We did it!
(Everyone celebrates, and during the song, we learn how everything is continuing.)
Priest: And I declare Esha and Starboy husband and wife! You are now the King and Queen of Roses!
Starboy: I love you, Esha.
Esha: And I love you.
(They kiss.)
Starboy: My lovely wife, the stars want to bless you for your hard work and allow you to use magic.
Esha: I get to be a Fairy Godmother?
Starboy: Yes, you can grant the people who actually need magic’s wishes!
Esha: That’s a dream come true…
(She has her magical dress transformation, and it’s a stunning orange Mediterranean dress. During the wedding, they meet Gabe again.)
Gabe: I found Sabas’ wish.
Esha: Really? It says... to use music to inspire the next generation... Oh Sabas... you already did that.
(It finally fades away.)
Valentine: So, Gabe, are you and Dalia a thing yet?
Dalia: What?! No!
Gabe: Actually... I want us to be.
Dalia:... You do?
Gabe: Yeah... I think we’re soulmates.
Dalia:... I like you, too!
(They kiss.)
Esha: Well, seeing that so many wishes are being granted today, particularly giving freedom to the slaves and banished people, how about I grant a few more? Gabe, do you want me to fix her leg?
Gabe: Yes!
Dalia: Wait! I... don’t want to fix my leg. I know it makes life harder, but it’s part of who I am now, and I love that about myself.
Gabe: You do? Wow, I actually respect that a lot.
Valentine: Well, can you grant my wish then?
Esha: Only if it can’t be done without magic, what is it?
Valentine: I want to fly!
Esha: Ahaha, alright!
(She makes him fly.)
Valentine: Wheee!
Simen: Esha, hi, I just wanted to say thank you for making me head knight.
Esha: It was a no-brainer!
Gabe: Ha, to some people.
Dalaia: Sigh, you never change, do you?
Gabe: Nope, and I’m not gonna change just to meet other people’s standards!
Simen: What shall I do with the staff?
Esha: I’ll go with... the dungeon!
Simen: As you wish!
Starboy: Are you ready to go upstairs, my dearest?
Esha: Yes, goodbye everyone!
(They go upstairs and Esha is at her desk drawing something. She’s drawing her grandfather under that wish tree playing his instrument. The storybook closes.)