Damon Day

Underdark Preview written by Author -E-mail FADE IN: INT. CAVERN There is a single white flower glowing a pitch black cave, along the walls are red arrows pointing to the left, and blue ones pointing to the right. There are falling pebbles from above, and a large rock falls near the flower. Sunlight beams into the cave, and a shadow falls. YEEEEAHA! UNKNOWN A human like creature dressed in a GREEN SUIT and MASK lands painfully next to the flower. Owwww.... UNKNOWN (CONT'D) The human creature gets up, and pointed ears are poking out from behind the mask, with snow-white hair and blue skin poking out from behind the mask. The creature is female, and there is a name tag on their coat. It reads ZELL, and appears to be around 17 years old. ZELL Ahhh, that's smarts...ugh, stupid rope breaking on me. Rudding wires... Zell gets up, and looks around in awe. Her mask is slightly cracked, but she pays it no mind. Her eyes fall on the blue arrows, and Zell brushes herself off. ZELL (CONT'D) Aw man, can't believe I fell into this--the book! Zell reaches around and pulls out her pack. Digging inside, she pulls out a large BOOK with two interlocking circles. She inspects it for damage, and breathes in relief. ZELL (CONT'D) Phew, it would be rud if this thing broke now. A rock falls next to her, and she looks up to see more rocks falling. Oh, poll. ZELL (CONT'D) 2. Zell scampers away from her spot, and looks up to see a large creature with teeth digging its way into the cavern. *Roars* CREATURE Zell winks at the creature, and waves goodbye. ZELL Gonna have to try harder then that friend! Go enjoy the Old World once more! Ya rad head... Zell dashes into a corridor as rocks fall. She proceeds to traverse down several other ones, and Zell eventually arrives at a LARGE STEEL DOOR. INT CAVERN - STONE DOOR - CONTINUOUS Multiple lights crisscross the floor, with reflective stones bouncing light offs. Zell takes her mask off. ZELL Okay, I can do this, I can do this. This is the third time, and that's the charm. Zell proceeds to tip toe around the lights, making sure not to trip on any of them. She makes progress, but stops when she see's a lizard like creature stuck under a rock. ZELL (CONT'D) Oh, great, a Riggi, please don't be the poisonous kind... The RIGGI let's out a whine, its tail is stuck in the floor. Zell is conflicted for a moment, but she moves carefully over to it and pulls it out. ZELL (CONT'D) There you-ack! The Riggi leaps at Zell's cheek, and bites. She falls back into a light beam and throws the Riggi off. It scampers away. Ow... ZELL (CONT'D) Zell rubs her cheek, and shakes her fist in anger. 3. ZELL (CONT'D) You shall rue this day riggi! RUUUUUEEE! The door behind her opens, and Zell winces. A group of heavily armed coat and mask wearing elves appear out of it, all of their weapons raised at Zell. Zell waves weakly, and there is a collective sigh. Again? ELF 1. ELF 2 Zell, this is the third time this week. Another elf walks forward and takes off her mask. Her name tag reads as ZLYN. She looks a lot like Zell, but with a hard face and wrinkles under her eyes. She looks to be in her late 40s. Zell winces as she approaches. ZELL Uh, ah... Hi mom. Zlyn growls. INT. GUARD STATION. Zlyn is dragging Zell by the ear, and Zell is wincing with each step. ZLYN How many times do I have to you tell you not to go to the surface young lady? ZELL It's about 13 times so far... ZLYN What was that? ZELL Nothing mom. Zlyn's face softens as Zell looks away. There is a BEAT, and Zlyn shakes her head. ZLYN Look, I know that...I haven't been the best mother to you. But you can't keep going outside! 4. Why not?! ZELL Zell gestures to her home, where a small town, where rows of stone homes made out of various materials, like steel, rock, and ceramic lay. But it lays within a enclosed cavern, with no sunlight. ZELL (CONT'D) Underwood is just a hole in the ground! ZLYN And going up into the radioactive sun is somehow better? Underwood is your home Zell, our family helped build this place! Zlyn gestures to the where bright lights hang from the roof, and artwork is painted on the highest walls. Some point to exits in the wall, others resemble the night sky. The largest painting, however, resembles the SUN. ZLYN (CONT'D) Our history, that of the elves, is made here! The Old World is gone, Zell. ZELL Its literally just dried paint, and our real history is out there! ZLYN The surface is dangerous! ZELL So what? Dad did it too. ZLYN And look where it got him! Both Zell and Zlyn registers what was just said, and Zlyn looks aghast at the words, and Zell forcibly pushes Zlyn away. ZLYN (CONT'D) Zell, waitZELL Oh, shut up Zlyn! There is deafening silence, and several other guards have stopped to look at them in shock. Zell herself is shocked, but before Zlyn can speak, Zell runs away. 5. Zell... ZLYN Zlyn stands there, hand raised, and another elf walks to her side. He is a burly, set elf, with a massive mustache. His name tag reads: CHIEF. CHIEF You can't keep her under forever. I know. ZLYN CHIEF Besides, we could always use another scout. It could be good for her, get that youthful energy all out of her system. A little rebellion never hurt anyone. Zlyn glares at Chief. He shrugs it off. CHIEF (CONT'D) Or, hey, build those walls and keep burning your bridges, it's your choice. He walks off, then pokes his head back in. CHIEF (CONT'D) Bridges, burn. Bad. Zlyn scoffs. INT. UNDRERWOOD VILLAGE - MARKET Zell is fuming as she walks through the village, there is no natural light, only lamps suspended from the ceiling. Shopkeepers wave to Zell as she passes. One calls out to her. VILLAGER Hey Zell, go out again? ZELL Maybe! You get injured? VILLAGER Yep. It's gonna take months to heal! The villager holds out their arm, and there's a shallow cut along their arm. 6. ZELL Oooh, that's nasty. You get the doc to check it out? VILLAGER Yep, good thing is: I won't have to chop this off, like this! They take a large cleaver, and swing it down. A big, blue fruit is cut in half. ZELL ....well! Good luck with that! VILLAGER Thanks, you too! Tell your mom I said hi! Zell groans, and continues to walk. Around Zell, there are various shops and homes. One of which sells mechanical hands and ARM BRACES. Zell is grumbling to herself as she walks. ZELL Stupid zly-Mom, what does she know? She's been stuck down here her whole life. Don't know what dad even saw in her. Zell kicks a bucket, and a voice speaks up from above Zell. UNKNOWN-BUCK Prepare to fall, vanquisher of buckets! Zell calmly steps to the side as a another elf falls flat on his face in the spot Zell was just standing. He appears to be around Zell's age, 17-18ish. ZELL Hey Buck, what's up? BUCK Ugh, not me. Zell chuckles and extends her hand to him. He takes it, and Zell helps him up. Buck is tall, lean elf that has a narrow face. Basically, a typical elf, but with short purple hair. BUCK (CONT'D) Did you go outside again? 7. Yep. ZELL BUCK You know your mom doesn't like that. Zell crosses her arms and huffs. ZELL Oh, so what? Not like she cares... Zell grumbles under her breath, and Buck sighs. BUCK Well, we have lived in Underwood since it was founded two hundred years ago. Something about escaping from the hostile world above, ever since it was burned in white fire. He gestures outward, where child elves play with makeshift toys as older adults return from a hard day's labor. BUCK (CONT'D) I mean, its not bad! ZELL But its not enough either. Zell points to an large support structure in the distance, which helps keep the cavern's walls up. ZELL (CONT'D) Sooner or later, we're gonna have to leave this place before the roof comes crashing on our heads. BUCK I don't disagree, but is that really your problem? ZELL We've been friends since we were kids, you already know the answer to that. Buck shrugs, giving up on the debate. BUCK Anyway, did you get anything interesting from the outside? Zell reaches into her bag. 8. ZELL More then that, look! Zell pulls out the book, and several pictures. The pictures show a large empty building with red and white flags poking out of it, a red tree, and a four legged animal with wings. One of the pictures looks like a Riggi, and the teeth are highlighted purple. Buck looks over the photos in amazement. BUCK Woah, how far did you go this time? The City? ZELL To the Far-Sign, actually. Any further then that will take too long to get back. And you know how my mom is. BUCK Are you two fighting again? Zell grumbles and throws her hands up in frustration. ZELL She's just so...gah! Gah? BUCK ZELL GAAAH! Do you know just annoying it is to live with her?! She's constantly: Oh Zell, stop being such a brat. Oh Zell, quit having dreams and go work in the mines for the rest of your life! BUCK Well, maybe she just wants you safe. ZELL Maybe, but we can't always dig in the mines! Sooner or later, we're gonna run out. Other villages are out there, but we haven't established trade with them! BUCK Do we need to? I mean, I like driving my driller... (MORE) 9. BUCK (CONT'D) I've also started to practice with the Cavern-copter to put new decorations at the top of the cavern. ZELL Do you want your kids to grow up in a mine, like you, and your great grandparents did? BUCK The mines aren't that bad... ZELL Oh, shut up! Buck winces, and Zell looks guilty. ZELL (CONT'D) Sorry, sorry. I'm just...mad, I shouldn't take it out on you. BUCK It's fine...kinda. ZELL Kinda? What kinda reason is kin-da da da... Zell stammers as she looks past Buck. Her mouth is agape, and she looks love stuck. Buck follows her gaze, and he sees Allion walk by. ZELL (CONT'D) Agaugada.... Allion has a very 'girl next door' appearance. Soft facial features, long hair, a sweet demeanor, and is 17ish, but she's wearing a armored guard uniform with a gun strapped over her shoulder. Buck waves a hand in front of Zell. BUCK Oi, Underwood to Zell, you there? ZELL Ah ha... Sorry, what? BUCK Just go talk to her, it's not Allion dislikes you, or something. 10. ZELL Eh? No, no no, I can't-nope! BUCK Zell, please be an elf for once in your life and just talk to her for once. ZELL What, you think I can just talk to the prettiest girl down here? Just like that? Zell turns away. ZELL (CONT'D) I mean, what am I supposed to talk about? How much I admire her laugh? Or her hair? Or how that one time she gave me her apple when I was starving? Buck glances to the side, and has a large smirk on his face. ZELL (CONT'D) Or, I dunno, maybe ask her about her day, or if she's free later, or...or...she's right behind me, isn't she? Yeeep. BUCK ALLION Oh, please, don't let that stop you. Tell me again that I have nice hair. Zell turns a bright shade of red, and runs for it. Buck and Allion share a look, then shrug. BUCK That girl just can't take anything head on, can she? ALLION Nooope. She's still cute though. BUCK If you say so.