Hidden Truths 2/Script

Opening Diologue
​(Flash of light as the three take on new outfits) ​(Odin attacks Lilith) ​ (Lilith summons Vallite soldiers)
 * Anankos: There. We have arrived. Welcome to the great kingdom of Valla, young warriors.
 * Owain: Whoa! Why are those rocks floating?!
 * Inigo: That lake... is upside down. That's, um, different. What's going on here?
 * Anankos : Haha, I am not surprised you find my home to be a bit strange.
 * Severa: Why is it so quiet? Do people really live here?
 * Anankos : No, they do not. Hardly anything dwelling here is alive anymore. Vallite soldiers are the only ones that roam around outdoors.
 * Owain :  Oh, I see. Is that what those things were that followed you into our world?
 * Anankos : Yes. All of the soldiers in this kingdom are reanimated puppets of the dead.
 * Owain :  So they ARE zombies! I mean... I'm sorry, that was tactless.
 * Anankos : No need to apologize. I'm afriad that's not far from the truth. This was once a prosperoud kingdom... Now it's nothing more than a wasteland.
 * Inigo : Mr. Anankos, if I may be so bold... You're essentially a god, correct? Then why would you bother yourself with saving this dying kingdom? Did you come to us for help because you love this place? If so, I can definitely understand that?
 * Anankos :  What you say is partially true... and partially untrue.
 * Inigo : What do you mean?
 * Anankos :  *sigh* To properly answer your question, I must first tell you a story about a dragon.
 * Severa :  A dragon?
 * Anankos :  Yes. It's a tale of the dragon that helped build this kingdom. This dragon loved humans with all of his heart. So he gave them knowledge and longevity. He even chose to live among them. He was especially close with a long of great kings, whom he spent much time with. But hundreds of years ago, the dragon realized something terrible. His ancient animal instincts were beginning to invade his thoughts. Though he adored his kingdom, he also felt an intense desire to destroy it. Each day, those feelings grew stronger, and his control over them began to wane.
 * Severa :  That sounds familiar. A friend of ours can turn into a dragon as well. She said sometimes she gets an incredible urge to rampage a bit. Is that what you mean?
 * Anankos :  Hmm, perhaps it was something very similar to that. But as the dragon had tremendous power, those urges were also tremendous. He knew someday those urges would drive him mad, and the thought terrorized him. That is why he left an ancient and powerful song with the Vallite king of the time.
 * Inigo :  A song? Interesting. What happened when someone sang the song?
 * Anankos :  Singing the song weakened the power and destructive urges of the dragon. However... Only those with the same ancient blood could unlock the song's power. That alone was not enough, as a fragnent of his Dragonstone was also required. To ensure this world's safety, the dragon increased his blessings of power over time. He bestowed this gift upon each geeration of the royal family, and them alone. He did so hoping one day, when the time came, they might be able to stop him. Sadly, the final king in that royal line was killed before he could sing the song.
 * Owain :  Does that mean... did the dragon...?
 * Anankos : Yes. It all started with a single act of rage. The dragon could not contain himself and obliterated an entire forest. Fortunately, no one was killed, but humans still cursed the dragon for the destruction. Believing he had grown dangerous and murderous, they tried to kill him. And that is when the dragon lost himself to a most unfortunate thought... That humans were loathsome things. It was he who had blessed them with such power and prosperity. To turn on their benefactor, their god, and try to destroy the hand that fed... He felt it could only mean one thing.
 * Owain :  Gods...
 * Anankos : The dragon went into isolation, locking himself away in a remote mountain cave. He spent his days detesting mankind and cursing their very existence.
 * Severa : The poor thing. What an awful situation. I feel sorry for him.
 * Owain :  Yes, it's easy to see why the dragon would feel that way.
 * Inigo :  True. After all, the people he tried to help ended up trying to kill him. It's sad.
 * Anankos :  You are all kind souls. In truth, there were people that said those very things to the dragon. The king and his family... They alone continued to believe in the dragon. They visited him in his isolation countless times and tried to salvage his mind. They tried explaining things to the people as well, but it was no use. The dragon simply wasn't strong enough to believe in humans anymore. In a moment of weakness and madness, he attacked his one true friend.
 * Inigo : No...
 * Anankos : Killing his friend, the king, was the last straw. Madness overcame him. Now alone in his insanity, he began to destroy the kingdom he once loved. But before this, in a final moment of clarity and desperation, he tore out his soul. That soul took on the form of a human and began to think and act on its own. That soul... stands before you now.
 * Severa : WHAT?!
 * Owain : Are you serious?!
 * Inigo : So that means you're the dragon who made this land flourish... and also the one who destroyed it.
 * Anankos : It is so. The desolation you see is my fault for not being able to suppress my rage. I grew to detest even the people who I cared for most and who cared for me. I could not believe the king when he said he trusted me still. Everything that happened is because I was weak. And now my entire kingdom is...
 * Inigo :  Mr. Anankos...
 * Anankos : I am sorry. Please give me a moment to compose myself. Now is not the time for sorrow. I must finish telling you my story. After breaking free from my former body, I lost all of my memories. I wandered aimlessly for an indeterminable amount of time, lost in shadows.The one who saved me was the Vallite queen's younger sister, Mikoto. Over time, she and I fell in love. Eventually, she gave birth to our child.
 * Owain : Whoa! Back up! You have a kid?!
 * Anankos : I do. He has never known me, nor called me his father though. Just before Valla fell to ruin, I finally regained my memories. I told Mikoto everything and did all I could to help her escape this kingdom. She took our son and left, along with her sister, Arete, and her sister's little girl. That was the last time I saw him... Still a tiny, helpless babe. He can't possibly remember me.
 * Severa : But wouldn't Mikoto have told him about you?
 * Anankos : No. I asked Mikoto to never speak of me to him.
 * Severa :  Why?
 * Anankos : Consider what knowledge like that would do to a child's mind. Knowing your father is to blame for destroying an entire kingdom... I did not wish to burden him with the sins of my past.
 * Inigo : Do you ever regret your decision? Wouldn't you like to hear him call you Father one day?
 * Anankos : I'd be lying if I said I did not wish for it every day. But in this world, just as any world, some truths are better left unspoken.
 * Inigo :  Oh...
 * Anankos : I fear we have strayed off topic again. When I helped those four escape, the dragon sensed my existence. For years, it has been only good fortune that has enabled me to avoid his wrath. When my powers of foresight returned, I saw a distant world... One where brave warriors defeated a fell dragon. It gave me hope. I decided to try bringing those warriors to my world.
 * Owain : Ah, so that's why you contacted us.
 * Anankos : Now that you have heard my tale, you must listen carefully. The knowledge you have acquired today cannot be spoken outside of Valla. Anyone who speaks of such things elsewhere will vanish.
 * Owain : Understood. We promise not to repeat anything we've heard today.
 * Anankos : Now, for the task I wish to ask of you. First, I'll need you to travel to the kingdom of Hoshido.
 * Severa :  Hoshido? That's outside of Valla, I'm guessing?
 * Anankos : You're very sharp, Severa. Yes, it is. Hoshido is one of the two great kingdoms outside of Valla. It's where Mikoto fled to. I'm sure she would be happy to offer safe harbor to all of you. I want you to accompany our child in a quest to obtain the five divine weapons. Once you have them, I trust that fate will somehow lead you back to this land. When you return here, I want you to defeat me... to defeat the beast I have become.
 * Severa :  You want us to WHAT?!
 * Anankos : This is your final goal. I need to you to kill me. You must kill the Silent Dragon, Anankos. I know how much he is suffering, for his pain is my own. That pain and anguish will not stop until he has destroyed every last trace of mankind. But he is wrong. So very wrong. It is he who must fall, not mankind. Just as a parent whose children have grown, he has served his purpose. But rather than offering love and support, he now only offers hate and despair. There is nothing left for him but to die. It is the only way.
 * Inigo : But... Now that we know you, how can we...?
 * Anankos : Because that is the way it must be. It is the only way to save this world. My world. And do not try to say you cannot do it. I know you have slain a dragon already.
 * Owain : ... So be it. I suppose we should start by learning more about your son. Tell us anything you can about him? What's his name?
 * Anankos : Yes, that is a fine place to start. His name is---
 * ???: So THIS is where you've been hiding, you filthy impostor!
 * Anankos : I do not know you, creature. Who are you?
 * Lilith: I'm Lilith. The daughter and most loyal servant of the great King Anankos!
 * Anankos : What?!
 * Severa : Wait! You have TWO kids?! You should have told us!
 * Anankos : It is a lie. This creature is no child of mine!
 * Lilith : Of course I'm not! I said I'm the daughter of KING Anankos. You are merely a disgusting fake, not the true Silent Dragon.
 * Anankos : Impossible! The wicked dragon that is my former self fathered a child?!
 * Lilith : Heh. I'm surprised you didn't know about little ol' me. Guess you can't foresee everything, can you? Like, say, the fact that your son resides in Nohr, not Hoshido.
 * Anankos : He's in Nohr?! But how? They must have kidnaped him for use as a pawn...
 * Lilith : ...
 * Anankos : How could this happen? What about the future I saw?
 * Lilith : Oh, I like that look of despair on your face, you impostor Anankos. My father things you're nothing but trouble. So it's time to die, OK?
 * Owain : Ha! As though we'd allow that to happen! HYAAAA!!
 * Lilith : Out of my way, outsider!
 * Owain : ARRGGGGHHH!
 * Inigo : Owain! Oh, now you've gone and done it. Now I'm REALLY mad! Take this!!
 * Lilith : Hmph!
 * Inigo : My attacks aren't hurting her!
 * Lilith : Of course not! You're nothing more than annoying little bugs in this world. Aww, you look like you still want to fight. Do you wish to die that badly?
 * Inigo :  Grrrr!
 * Anankos : Stop this! Now!
 * Lilith : Oh, really now? Trying to immobilize me? As though a cheap magic trick could help you defeat me!
 * Anankos : You three! use the crystal ball! Do it now! You can still escape! Please, return to your world while you still can!
 * Severa : Huh? Are you kidding me?!
 * Anankos : I'm so sorry... It seems my powers are weaker than I thought. The fact that my former body has created a daughter means the future of this world... is far, far bleaker than I foresaw. I once had a vision of a daughter, and her presence meant the death of you three! I can't ask you to remain in a world that is beyind saving!
 * Owain : NO! I won't accept that!
 * Anankos : Do not worry. Your reward will remain even though you are retreating. I regret not giving you the chance to decide where you truly wish to return to... But thank you for believing me. It's time to go. NOW!
 * Severa : Not a chance! We're not going anywhere just yet. You can't make us, either!
 * Anankos : What?!
 * Severa : Are you dense? After all that's happened, you STILL can't believe in people?! It's not like we're destined to die here, you know! You sure sounded like you regretted not trusting humans before... So how about picking a different path and living without regrets, you fool!
 * Inigo : Why would you tell us to abandon you? You said we were your last hope! We've bet our entire lives on hope before. It's the only way to live. Countless times, hope was all we had, and look how far it took us! Hope saved us, and it saved our world. We'll prove it can save your world too! Please, Anankos... trust us! Believe in us like we believe in you!
 * Anankos : Trust you...?
 * Owain : Yes! We came here knowing the risks. So give us our new powers! Hurry! Names and all that don't matter now... Give us the power to fight for this world! Don't believe in some bleak future you saw in a dream. Believe in the ones who are with you here and now!
 * Severa : I...
 * Inigo : I...
 * Owain : I... will fight for you until the end!!
 * Anankos : Owain, Inigo, Severa... Understood.
 * Lilith : Huh?!
 * Anankos : I will trust you. All of you. I will trust you with all of my heart... and bestow new strength upon you. As the ruler of ancient knowledge... As ruler of the world when it began... With light from the land of rainbows, fill our last hope with power! Protected by the FIrst Dragons, they shall henceforth be known as---
 * Odin: Whoa! I look so different! And I feel so light on my feet!
 * Laslow : I can't believe it. I've never felt this way. It's like I'm burning with power!
 * Selena: Is this what your power can do in this world, Anankos?
 * Anankos : Yes. My power... it's strengthened by my belief in you three. Odin. Laslow. Selena. Those are your new names, my warriors.
 * Odin : Odin? That's so cool!!
 * Laslow : Thank you, Mr. Anankos. Thank you for believing in us.
 * Selena : See? This is what you can do if you put your mind to it! You won't regret believing in us, I promise!
 * Anankos : Thank you... For helping me believe in mankind once more...
 * Odin : This power feels incredible! There's no way we're gonna lose! Now, it's time for payback! HYAAAA!!
 * Lilith : AHHH!!
 * Selena : It worked!
 * Laslow : *phew* We can actually put up a good fight now!
 * Lilith : Don't get ahead of yourselves...
 * Selena : More of those things?! You don't know when to quit, do you?
 * Lilith : You may be a little stronger now, but you're nothing compared to my puppets! I hope you like it here. This will be your final resting place!
 * Laslow : Not a chance! We have places to go. Things to do. Worlds to save. Get out of our way, or pay the price!