"canvas" animated pilot

8/10/2019 "Canvas" Animated Pilot

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Sunrise (Pilot Episode of Canvas)

By

Ali Dokus and Andy Schlebecker


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In Canvas, every detail--from the immense mountains to theblades of grass--looks as if its been painted by anArtist...

Perhaps it has.

INT. FACTORY - MORNING

A giant factory strewn with gears and springs. Workers weldBRASSARDS: Clockwork armor at large tables, sending sparksflying. An OVERSEER sits at the end. Then,

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

CELIA (O.S.)Owwwwww!

Everyone pauses and looks up at an AIR DUCT as itungracefully swings back and forth.

KO (O.S.)Shhh! I dont want to get caught!

CELIA (O.S.)Were not doing anything wrong.

KO (O.S.)But... this feels wrong.

CELIA (O.S.)Then stop feeling!

The workers pause, and look to the overseer.

The overseer shrugs.

The workers shrug.

They all go back to work.

BINT. FACTORY - AIR DUCT

CELIA, 17, drops down from the air duct onto a giant turning

gear suspended above the workstations. A scar slashes acrossher cheek. Her bun is coming undone. She settles debateswith her fist. It practically has a law degree.

She turns back to the Air Duct, gestures excitedly.

KO, 17, sticks his head out after her. He smooths down hisperfectly shaped doo. Hes handsome. Hes buff. But hes gotthe bleeding heart of a gangly acne-ridden poet.


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2.

CELIAYoure not scared, are you?

KOCelia, I trust you, but if I die wemight have to break up.

CELIAThen dont die.

KO(faux epiphany)

Whaaaat? Right. Why didnt I thinkof that?

CELIA(in a man-deep southernaccent)

Ya need to get on my level.

Ko CHUCKLES.

CELIA (CONTD)But seriously, get on my level.Ive been standing here for fiveminutes.

KOOh, right, yeah.

Ko cautiously places his toe on the moving gear. It pullshis leg out from under him, forces him into a painfully slow

split. Half of him is stuck in the duct.

KO (CONTD)Ah! Help!

Celia lifts him into her arms. She crosses the gear, placeshim on a ladder. He turns around and grins.

KO (CONTD)Heh. Thanks.

Celia pecks him on the cheek. He reddens.

KO (CONTD)Hey wait.

He pulls out a small silver PITCH PIPE on a chain.

KO (CONTD)I made this. So when Im gone...


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4.

CORNELIA (CONTD)That dirty rat wont know what hitit.

The soldier thumbs ups.

EXT. FACTORY - CLOCKTOWER

The top of the iron black CLOCKTOWER puffs out smoke. Fromit, POWER CABLES spread out weblike over the town ofOrigo--old Roman buildings caught in a nest of industry.

CLACK. A trapdoor flips open onto a railed balcony. Celiajumps out, pulling Ko after her.

Behind them, posters line the CLOCKTOWER: "CRUX FIGHTS FORHUMAN FREEDOM".

CELIAReady, Ko?

Celia clamors to the railing, smiling devilishly. Koclutches onto the railing, stifling vomiting.

KOIll get back to you.

Celia pulls out two zipline harnesses. Attaches one to aPower Cable. A spurt of electricity lashes out.

CELIA

This was a great idea! Im so gladI thought of it!

KOLook, its my last day here beforeI join Crux. Cant we just enjoythe view, bask in this cool autumnbreeze, you know, normal things?

CELIAWe can do both of those thingsswinging down this cable at fiftymiles per hour.

KOCelia. I leave tomorrow. Didnt wetalk about not dying--


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5.

CELIAMy dad always says: "dying is partof the adventure".

KOYeah, the end of the adventure.

CELIAOh come on. We have harnesses!Theyll hold!

She looks back over the railing.

CELIA (CONTD)...Maybe.

KOI know you dont want to thinkabout it, but we dont have much

time. Weve never been apart, andI--

CELIAOkay! You ready?

Celia grabs onto the harness. Prepares for lift-off.

KO(nervously to himself)

I love you and I dont want toleave you.

CELIAWhat?

KOI said... I dont want to leaveyou.

CELIAThats why we built two harnesses.

KONo, I mean... tomorrow.

CELIA(pausing)

Then dont go.

KOI need to join Crux. My wholefamily--


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6.

CELIAThe war is wrong, Ko. Its justmurder, and once you join... yourenot one of them.

KO

I have to!

CELIASays who? Youre going to go awayand Im never going to see youagain. It isnt right.

KOCelia, everyone in town is rootingfor me except you--

She kisses him on the lips.

CELIAI am rooting for you, Ko. Just notfor Crux.

They stand in silence. Neither of them can think of anythingto say.

CELIA (CONTD)Lets have some fun already.

She grips his hands to the harness. Uh-oh.

WHOOSH! She tosses him overboard.

EXT. POWERLINES - ORIGO

Ko zips down the Power Line, SCREAMING hysterically. Heslams into togas, underwear, shoes, punching bags and a gongall hung from the cables, sending them flying.

Celia zips along after him, WHOOPING with exhilaration.

They approach a fork in the power lines. Ko swings violentlyfrom side to side, out of control.

CELIALeft! Swing left, Ko!

KOCELIAAAAAAAAAA!

Ko whirls into the leftmost Power Line.


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7.

EXT. STREET - ORIGO

TITUS, 43, an eccentric, bearded man steps out of his housein an old musty robe. His beard is peppered with pinkcurlers. Yet somehow he takes himself seriously.

SHRIEKS pierce the air above him. Titus looks up--Ko andCelia zoom past, SCREAMING together.

CELIADad, hey!

Titus facepalms.

TITUSON THE POWERLINES?

Celia LAUGHS. Flies past.

BAM BAM BAM. Togas, underwear, shoes, and punching bags pelthim and the ground around him. He takes it, motionless. Afew seconds, then...

GONG! The metal gong CLANGS to the ground beside him.

TITUS (CONTD)Nope.

Titus walks back inside.

EXT. POWERLINES - ORIGO

Ko LAUGHS now, speeding down the lines as fast as he can go.Celia zooms alongside him.

They enter the TOWN SQUARE. Celia backflips off the harnessand lands, perfectly, on the edge of a FOUNTAIN in thecenter. It emits a spurt of water. Fireworks explode.Someone in a window holds up a sign with a "10" on it.

Gathering his kahunas, Ko leaps off the harness,ungracefully flying into a cable that catches his leg andsmashes him into every possible wall in the vicinity.

Somehow it spins him and he lands perfectly next to Celia.Then he falls into the fountain. SPLASH. A "3".

Townspeople run through the Town Square toward the TOWNGATE.


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8.

KOIs a picnic okay now--

CELIAShhh! Somethings going on!

She drags him toward the commotion.

EXT. TOWN GATE - ORIGO

TAURA, an ANIMA, has two soldiers clinging to her back.Shes elegant, ruthless. Like Vlad the Impailer in aballgown. As an Anima, she looks human but is taller, herbody slightly transparent. Her fingers are longer. Heririses glow RED.

TAURAYou cant hide, Moss! Ill find

you!

She tosses away the soldiers on her back like teddy bears.

She lowers her hand to the ground and PAINTS. Using her handlike a paintbush, she swipes the painted material of thedirt into her hand. She throws the paint like a javelin at asoldier. The paint STROKES through the air, strikes him,knocks him backward.

More soldiers surround her.

TAURA (CONTD)

Where are you? Dirty traitor!

She pushes farther into Origo.

Ko and Celia shove to the front of the crowd.

KO(angry)

An Anima...

CELIA(excitedly)

An Anima?

Kos been through this before, but he still tries, blesshim.

KOYou should... go home! Who needs apicnic anyways?


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9.

CELIAWhat, so you can be the hero whotakes her down?

KONo! So you dont make it worse for

yourself...

CELIAYoure saying I should let a bunchof wads hurt her for sport?

KOIm saying you should let Crux doits job.

Two more soldiers fly overhead, cast off Tauras back. SheROARS. The painted ground around her bleeds a RED hue.

KO (CONTD)Ive got to stop it.

CELIANo!

She grabs his arm.

CELIA (CONTD)You are not joining a mob on ourlast day together.

KO

Im protecting you.

He pulls away, but then...

BAM. People are tossed out of the way. Cornelia steps in.Its dramatic. Its kickass. On her arm shines the BRASSARD.

CORNELIAWell, look what weve got here.

SOLDIERYoure our leader!

TAURACome out, Moss! I know youre inhere!

CORNELIA(to Taura)

You speak when spoken to.


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10.

Taura PAINTS a stroke of paint at Cornelia, but Corneliaswings her Brassard into the stroke. Like an eraser, herarmored palm meets the paint and the metal cleaves throughit, absorbing it, leaving nothing behind.

Ko watches Cornelia with awe. Celia fumes and pushes her way

to Cornelia.

Taura PAINTS again, but Cornelia advances and lands herBrassard on Tauras shoulder. It splatters paint at Taura,stuns her, knocks her to the ground.

Soldiers with Brassards surround Taura.

TAURAIll find you, Moss! You cant hideforever!

SPLAT. Their Brassards blast her with paint. The Soldiers

hoist Taura by her armpits, subduing her. Cornelia turnsaway. Celia blocks her path.

CELIAWhat are you doing? Let her go!

The crowd turns to Celia. Ko shrinks.

CORNELIANot again.

TOWNSPERSONIts the Anima-lover! HISSSSSS.

Taura turns to Celia, fully registering her.

CELIAYou cant just attack an unarmedAnima, Cornelia.

CORNELIAUnarmed? I count two.

CELIAYou know what I mean.

CLAUDIUS, 18, throbbing with teenage angst, stridesunnecessarily to Cornelias aid.

CLAUDIUSHey! Dont talk to Lady Corneliathat way!


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11.

TOWNSPERSONYoure our leader!

CELIAAt least after tomorrow I wonthave to see you again, Claudius.Wad.

CLAUDIUSYeah. Ill be off in the gloriousbattlefield. Wherell you be?Wasting away in Origo with yourfat, ugly, heretic father--

Cornelias above teen squabbles. And the last few words irkher especially.

CORNELIAEnough!

But Celia always gets the last word.

CELIAJust because I didnt join yourpathetic army doesnt mean I canttake you down. I use hacks like youfor target practice.

CLAUDIUSYou mean hacks like Ko.

Celia gets into Claudius face.

CELIAYou wanna fight?

Claudius steps toward Celia.

CLAUDIUSI guess the war starts now.

Cornelia steps between them. Pushes their heads away fromeach other. She turns to Claudius.

CORNELIA

You want to enter the war with abroken arm?

To Celia.

CORNELIA (CONTD)Honey, I love your fire but youburn at both ends. We exterminatePainters.


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12.

CELIATheyre called Anima.

CLAUDIUSIt attacked our home.

CELIAAnd we attack theirs.

CORNELIACelia. Youre just in the way.

She turns to the soldiers.

CORNELIA (CONTD)Take the Painter to the holdingcell.

Cornelia strides past Celia. Claudius and the Soldiers drag

Taura right behind.

CELIAWhat are you people doing? This iswrong!

But nobody listens. People mutter angrily. Shove past her.She finds Kos face but he looks away. It hits her, hard:Kos embarrassed to be seen with her.

Cornelia stops in front of Ko.

CORNELIA

We need to talk.

KOOkay... mom.

Celia glares at them both. Then she breaks away, stormingout of the Town Square.

Cornelia strides away to the Clocktower, Taura and theSoldiers in tow. The town filters out. Ko is left standingalone.

Almost alone.

Behind a wall on the other end of the square stands MOSS, anANIMA, breathing heavily. Hes sardonic from his smile tohis toes. Its rotted him in the best way possible. Hes 170years old, and all hes got for it is a joke.

He watches Ko like a shark to blood.


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13.

ACT II

EXT. BROKEN PANTHEON - AFTERNOON

Time--or perhaps war--has imploded this old shrine. Only

half of it remains standing, cracked and cratered. Erodedcarvings cover the stone walls. Gleaming pipes snake acrossthe ground, puffing out steam.

Ko sits in the center on an old chunk, carefully tuning asmall LYRE. He plucks it sadly.

Moss sneaks around the side of the ruin. He glances in atKo, then pulls back to the wall.

MOSSAlright, Moss, this is it. A humanbodys right there. Literally

sitting on a rock. No slip-ups thistime. You just gotta possess thebody. Not the shadow. DO NOT LOOKAT THE SHADOW. The body, Moss. Thebody.

Ko STRUMS a chord.

KOAlright, Ko, all your musicaltraining has led up this onemoment. Youve got everything:poetry, a love song, and BUTTONS.

PULL OUT to a large COW standing next to Ko dressed like aMariachi band member. A guitar is around her neck. She MOOS.PULL IN again to Ko.

KO (CONTD)You just have to do it right. Donot cry. DO NOT CRY, KO. She hatescrying.

Moss peeks in his head to watch Ko.

Ko dramatically STRUMS.

KO (CONTD)(singing badly)

CELIA. OooooOOH CELIAA.

He nods. Good so far. Hes inspired now. Buttons wandersaway.


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14.

KO (CONTD)YOURE PRETTY MAD RIGHT NOW. OURLOVE. IS BEING TESTED.

Ko thinks.

KO (CONTD)CEEEEEEELIA. I KNOW IM LEAVING FORCRUX TOMORROW. AND YOU BELIEVE THISWAR IS NOT RIGHT BUT I AM A SOLDIERAND I GOTTA. Goooooo.

MOSSYeesh. I had to choose the brokenone.

KOI LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!I LOVE YOU.

Ko stops and pulls out a fountain pen. He scribbles down hislyrics on a piece of paper. Wipes his eyes.

KO (CONTD)Perfect. Shell... love it.

Moss puts his back to the wall. Takes a deep breath. Heregoes nothing.

STRUM. Ko strikes a chord. A dramatic chord.

Moss tiptoes around the Pantheon until hes behind Ko.

The STRUMMING crescendos.

Moss slinks toward Ko in time with the rhythm. Hes pleasedat how stealthy he is.

Kos getting into it now. This is no longer lyre music. Thisis lyre-rock fusion.

Moss is so close. He climbs onto a ruined column just behindKo, prepares to leap.

STRUM STRUM STRUM. Moss springs toward Kos unsuspectingback...

But Ko, overtaken suddenly by the music--thepassion--kick-flips off the rock. Hits the vamp. Over andover.

Mosss eyes grow wide. Hes not going to hit Ko. Hes goingto fall directly into KOS SHADOW.


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15.

STRUM. Ko plays the last chord. Lets it hang in the air, armraised like a rock god. He smiles, returning to his paperand scribbling it down.

KO (CONTD)And the lyre solo. Perfect.

INT. LIVING ROOM - TITUS HOUSE

Tituss House is cluttered with the mess of a man whodoesnt let anything go. Small Anima carvings stick in everynook and cranny. A lion statue snarls in the corner.

Titus stands at a desk, removing his beard curlers. He putsthem on a small embroidered pillow. But the last one isstuck. He tries to pull it out but to no avail.

BAM. Celia bursts into the house. Drops her things and sits

at the table with a big HHHMPH.

The walls quake. Trinkets tumble from the shelves: a fewbooks, a picture of baby Celia and Ko, and a gerbil-shapedflower vase. Titus catches them with practiced casualness.He slides them back into place without a second thought.

TITUSShouldnt you be with Ko? Thatscallywag--did he slip in withoutsaying hi?

He pauses.

TITUS (CONTD)Do you need me to step out?

He whispers.

TITUS (CONTD)Is he using the slow jams I gavehim?

CELIATheyre holding an Anima captive,dad.

TITUS(disappointed)

Oh.

CELIAAnd they didnt even talk to her,they just manhandled her and took

(MORE)


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16.

CELIAher to the cell where theyreprobably going to do away with herin some big tribute to the newrecruits!

Titus opens a bottle of wine, pours himself a glass.Parenting Celia is hard.

TITUSSo your plan is to shout a lot?

CELIAIf I dont, no one will listen tome!

TITUSThis is too complicated to solve,Celia. Humans and Anima have always

hated each other. You cant changethat.

CELIAYes I can.

TITUSI said the same thing.

He looks her straight in the eye.

TITUS (CONTD)Life will pass you by if you try to

save the world. It already has.

Celia is taken aback. Titus sits down across from her.

TITUS (CONTD)Wheres Ko in all this?

He takes a sip of wine. Scratches that one stuck curler.

CELIAHes... going to the front lines.You know that.

TITUSI mean now. Where is he now?

CELIAHes... uhhh...


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17.

TITUSIts your last day together and youdont know? What theyre doing iswrong Celia, I know, I know, buttheres things more important.

CELIAMore important than a war?

TITUSYes: Love.

Celia blushes. She has the cheesy emotional capacity of ateacup.

CELIAArtists, dad. Really?

TITUS

Youll regret it if you dont spendthe day with him.

CELIAI was trying!

TITUSThen why are you wasting time withme? Go to him now. You dont knowwhen youll see him again.

She stays quiet. Titus fiddles with the curler again. Chugsthe last of the wine.

TITUS (CONTD)Im sorry, I need to get rid ofthis curler. Beard Fashion: its anew thing! If its not a poodle onmy face I didnt do it right. Ithought of that myself.

He stands up, then stops. Rubs her cheek with a hopefulsmile.

TITUS (CONTD)Its going to be alright,sweetheart.

And then he ambles away.

Celia sits there, resting her head on her hand.


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18.

EXT. BROKEN PANTHEON

Kos shadow rises up from the ground like a figure surfacingfrom water. It rubs its forehead.

Its Moss.

Ko sits in front of him, happily dashing down notes for hismake-up song.

Moss looks at his hands. Theyre grey and transparent.Palpable dread washes over him.

He pivots, speed-walks away as if everythings fine. But theshadow beneath Ko lengthens and thins like a rubber band.

KOAND I THINK--hmmmm. AND I THINK YOUSHOULD--no... AND I THINK ISHOULD--fiddlesticks!

Moss only gets a few feet before falling as if stopped by aninvisible force. Tearing at the ground, he tries to clawaway.

Ko pleasantly tries out a few more lines. Behind him, Mossstruggles against the stretchy shadow.

KO (CONTD)AND YOU THINK WE SHOULD--darn!

Moss trips, slips, falls on his face. The shadow elasticitydrags him to Kos feet.

MOSSGive up.

KOAND I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE UP!Wait, what?

Ko turns around and spots Moss lying on the ground. Thecolor drains from his face.

KO (CONTD)AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Moss tries to get up.

MOSSWait, kid--

BAM. Ko hits him in the face with the Lyre.


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19.

KOYou chose the wrong day to attack,Anima! I, Ko, Cruxian soldier, willtake you down!

MOSS

With what? Your dinky little fists?

Ko gets into boxer position.

KOYeah, with my fists.

MOSSA Cruxian soldier without aBrassard? Youre about as uselessas underpants.

KO

Well, underpants are actually quiteuseful--SHUT UP. You evil Anima,prepare to get K-Od! Kod!

MOSSAlright, Mr. Macho. Lets not getahead of ourselves.

KOIM GONNA PUNCH YOU.

Ko tries to punch Moss, but Moss ducks easily.

MOSSHey, hey, stop!

They brawl like Irishmen.

KOIll never stop!

They tussle and tumble over each other.

MOSSYou can punch me as much as youwant but Im not going anywhere.

A punch to Moss face.

KOWhat are you talking about?

A punch to Kos face.


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20.

MOSSYou still dont understand whatshappened, do you?

Ko grips Moss by his neck with a SQUEAK. Then he getscontemplative.

KO... No I guess I dont.

Moss grins. Slithers out of Kos grasp like hes made ofwater. He flattens to the ground, Kos exact shadow.

MOSSIm your shadow! Boo!

Ko stares down, sees that his shadow extends from his feetall the way to Moss smug face. Ko SQUEALS.

KONo. What? You cant!

MOSSNow if you just calm down, I can--

KOI just... my shadow? You? You are?

MOSSLook, this has happened before, ifyou just shut up I can fixeverything and get us separated

lickity-split.

KOIm not going anywhere with you!

MOSSIm in. Your Shadow. Where I go,you go!

KOYou dont scare me.

MOSSYou should be scared. You were astep away from being my puppet.

KOIm a soldier, Im nobodys puppet!

Moss raises an eyebrow.


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21.

MOSSDo I need to paint you a new brain,too?

KOIf you paint a single brushstroke,

Ill have you stuffed in jail withthat other Anima.

MOSSDont flatter yourself. Youre justa weak little human who got reallylucky.

Ko lunges at Moss, elbows him in the stomach. Moss stumblesbackward, distorting and slinging back to Ko.

But not so fast. Moss digs his heels into the ground, holdshimself in place.

KOAre all you Anima this desperate?Do think Im dumb enough to believethat you can possess people?

MOSSYes. And youre right, Anima cant.

WHOOSH. Moss lets himself fly, launching into Ko using theshadows elasticity. Ko falls in a heap. Moss lands standingabove him.

MOSS (CONTD)Disappointing. I wouldnt have beenable to do much with that bodyanyways.

KONGGGHHHH!

Ko tackles Moss to the ground. They wrestle. Moss kickshimself away...

But Ko lands a punch in Moss stomach, sending him flyingover the Pantheon. Ko pauses, surprised he landed a hit.

KO (CONTD)Calling me dumb. Thats what youget.

But then Moss zips back, flying straight to the rock by KosLyre.


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24.

The third runs SCREAMING away. Only Claudius left now. Hejumps to his feet.

WHOOSH. Celia zips to him. He punches, but she grabs hisBrassard arm, thrusts it away.

Every move he makes is instantly countered with brute force.

Theres nothing Claudius can do. Hes out of hiselement--but shes living hers.

BAM. She nabs him in the stomach. He THUDS to the ground,unconscious.

Celia runs to the cage. Its dark inside. Really dark.

CELIAHey! Its safe! Are you okay? Didthey do anything to you?

A shifting in the darkness.

CELIA (CONTD)Hello?

Taura steps toward the bars.

CELIA (CONTD)Im going to let you out of here.Hold on a second.

She starts SMASHING the cages lock. Taura watches.

CELIA (CONTD)The people here are brainwashed.Once youre free, run to the forestat the east of town. Theres anAnima village not too far fromthere.

SNAP. The broken lock tumbles to the floor. Celia swingsopen the door. Smirks.

CELIA (CONTD)Dont worry--you dont have tothank me.

Taura steps directly in front of Celia. Towers overher--eight and a half feet tall.

TAURAI wasnt planning on it.

TAURA LUNGES FORWARD.


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25.

ACT III

INT. ATRIUM - KOS HOUSE - AFTERNOON

A crude mosaic lines the floor. A thousand clocks TICK andTOCK in perfect synchronization. Ko lies prostrate on the

ground, Moss flattened beneath him.

KOMom! Hahaha.... what a surprise tosee you here! In our house! That welive in!

CORNELIAIve been waiting for you. I gotyou a little something.

She turns around. Moss slithers out from under Ko and standsup in his original Anima form, grinning.

MOSSMommas boy? I should have guessed.

KO(shouting to Cornelia)

Oh! Oh, how exciting but I have athing... on me... on my mind!

He spins Moss away as Cornelia turns around, holding a smallgolden HARP.

KO(whispering to Moss)

Get back!

CORNELIATa-Da! I thought it was time toupgrade you from that old lyre!

KOMom, Cruxs packing instructionswere clear--nothing non essential!

Moss transforms into a small dog and bites Kos leg. Kos

eye twitches.

CORNELIABut youve always played music.

KOI cant bring a golden harp intothe army--do you know what theyddo to me?


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26.

He kicks Moss away behind him.

CORNELIAI was thinking... maybe yourepushing this soldier thing. Youregentle, thoughtful, careful... you

arent meant for the battlefield.If anything, your girlfriend shouldbe charging into the front lines.Not you.

Moss transforms into a small version of Ko with ashadow-lyre.

MOSSBards have their uses, right?

Ko spins around, grabs at Moss as he shapeshifts into aHEART, then SMOOCHING LIPS, then a little CHERUB. He deftly

avoids Kos snatches.

CORNELIAUhh... honey?

Ko whips back to face his mom again.

CORNELIA (CONTD)You could join the marching band.

Whoah. Ko doesnt know what to say. Thats where the dweebsgo.

MOSSWill he get the little tassels too?

Moss slowly floats up to Kos head in the shape of anairborne pufferfish.

CORNELIAOh, tassels look good on you!Remember the Augustus parade? Youroutfit was 100% tassels--Celia hadto fight four girls and one boyjust to dance with you!

Moss SNICKERS. Ko punches Moss. He POPS, spiraling away likea balloon.

KOMom, Im going to be soldier.

Moss lands as a cat, slinking through Kos legs.


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27.

MOSSAt least hell look fabulous.

CORNELIASee, I told y--

Cornelia stops. Realizes that cat just talked.

CORNELIA (CONTD)That cat... just talked.

KONo! Of course not--Im justpracticing my... ventriloquism--

MOSSYes I did. And my face is up here,lady.

He shifts from his cat form back into his Anima form,

crossing his arms.

BOOM. Titus BURSTS through the door. A chunk of his beard ismissing. Where the curler went, nobody knows.

TITUSHeyo! Thought Id pop by while ourchildren are--KO! I thought youwere... out.

Moss, Ko, and Cornelia turn to Titus.

TITUS (CONTD)Huh. Was not expecting this.

CORNELIAKo! Get back!

To Moss.

CORNELIA (CONTD)(fiercely)

Get out of my house.

MOSS

I got myself stuck to your kidsshadow. It was an innocentaccident--

Cornelia has her Brassard on before Moss can raise his arms.She bull rushes him.

But right before she reaches Mosss throat, a hand grabs herarm, yanks it around her back. Cornelia swivels her head.


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28.

Titus stares at her intensely.

TITUSYou are smarter than this.

Cornelia relaxes. Shakes Titus off.

CORNELIAAn Animas attacking my home.

TITUSAnd we attack theirs.

MOSSIm not here to antagonize. Imhere for your help.

CORNELIAMy help? Why would I help you?

MOSSTo separate your son from me.

Cornelia turns to Ko.

CORNELIAKo, what in Artists name is goingon?

KOHes holding me hostage orsomething, I dont know! He just

appeared... in--in my shadow!

TITUSAnima dont just appear in shadows.

Titus walks to Moss.

TITUS (CONTD)Whats your name?

MOSSMoss.

TITUSWhats your Doma?

MOSSDont have one.


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30.

MOSSYeah, Anima can paint. I get it.Thats scary. But you have yourBrassards now. Were equal. If weput aside the history well besplit apart by tomorrow morning. I

swear. Ill never do bad Animathings again.

TITUSSo whats your plan?

MOSSGet me to Agrum.

INT. FACTORY - WORKROOM - EVENING

In the center of the empty workroom is a statue of a

powerful-looking man in a long overcoat. Taura ties astruggling Celia to it, painting a rope out of the worktables. Celias Brassard is gone.

CELIAWhat are you doing? I saved you!

Taura doesnt respond.

CELIA (CONTD)Hello! Im a good Human!

TAURA

Nothings good or bad. Just weak orstrong. Me overpowering you.

CELIA (CONTD)You saw me punch out those guys? Ican do you the same.

TAURAOf course you could. But youre alone wolf. That makes you weak.

CELIAIm not a lone wolf.

TAURAFighting your own people? Freeingan Anima? You seem pretty alone tome.


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31.

CELIAAnd your army is where exactly?

TAURARight where I need them to be.

Taura finishes tying Celia.

TAURA (CONTD)Im going to trade you for mybrother. Hes somewhere in thiscity. If they know I have you,theyll fish him out.

CELIAYou chose the wrong girl. No one inthis town likes me.

TAURA

No one likes Moss either.

Celia glances at the PITCH PIPE around her neck. She wigglesher hand out of the rope behind her back.

TAURA (CONTD)Lesson number one, girl: You donthave to be liked to be worthsomething.

Celia PUNCHES Taura in the face.

CELIA

Screw you.

Taura lashes a brushstroke at Celia but misses, tearingthrough the rope. Celia breaks from the statue, kicks Taurain the chest.

Celia pulls out the Pitch Pipe.

CELIA (CONTD)Ive got people. I may have made alot of dumb decisions, spent thelast day with my boyfriend avoidingsaying goodbye, and ignored mydads advice, but Ive got them.Right where I need them to be.

She blows into it. SCREEEEE!


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32.

INT. KOS HOUSE

Moss stands in the center, arms crossed. Titus and Corneliastand around him, Ko by his mother.

MOSS

With Cornelia there, we coulddistract the hospital long enoughto sneak up to Agrum and have himpaint us apart--

A deafening SCREEEEE! Moss covers his ears.

MOSSOw!

TITUSWhat was that?

KOA perfect C?

CORNELIAWas that from the factory?

TITUSBut thats where the Anima... shedidnt.

CORNELIADidnt do what--

KOCelia definitely freed that Anima.

Beat. They reluctantly begin to mobilize for battle. Ko andCornelia strap on Brassards. Titus pulls on a GOLDENBRASSARD.

MOSSNo... no, you dont understand!Going after Taura will make thingsvery, extremely worse!

KOThings cant be worse than they areright now.


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34.

Celia stops a few feet before Ko. But before she can sayanything Ko scoops her into a big bear hug.

KOFreeing a bloodthirsty Anima?Really?

CELIAI couldnt help myself.

Ko CHUCKLES.

KOIm sorry I left you back there.

Taura takes a step forward. Reaches her arm out slowly...

Titus and Cornelia brace themselves.

Celia and Ko pull away from their hug.

CELIAIm sorry I wouldnt let us saygoodbye. I dont want to.

KO...Me neither.

CELIAIll follow you.

KO

Youll join Crux?

CELIANo, Ill follow you. Ill start myown army--either pro-Ko oranti-Claudius. I cant decidewhich.

Kos eyes water, glinty. Hes so happy.

KOCelia, I lo--

Moss springs up between them and pushes their faces apart.

MOSSI will not be a third wheel.


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35.

CELIAWho are you?

MOSSYour field of barley, your oblongshield, your princess warrior

magician healer.

Ko goes beet red. Moss slips the POEM into Celias pocket.

The clockwork in Titus and Cornelias Brassards slowlyGRIND.

Tauras hand hovers a foot above a workbench. Then halfthat. Then an inch. She pauses.

TITUS(to Cornelia)

And I just finished conditioning my

beard, too.

KABOOM. All hell breaks loose. Taura strokes the workbenchinto vicious needle-like brushstrokes.

Cornelia jumps in front of one. She cleaves her Brassardthrough it. The armor on her palm connects with the paint,absorbing it, erasing it. Titus erases several more. Koducks under two before Moss pulls him under a third.

Celia rockets forward, jumping and dodging the strokes,making her way toward Tauras dumb face.

PUNCH. MISS. SWOOP. Celias hit by a stroke, sending herflying.

Titus charges, catching her in his arms, bracing her fall.She gets up quickly, charges again--

But shes swung backward. Titus has her by the arm. And hesnot letting go.

CELIALet go of me! What are you doing?

TITUSGet out of here. Keep guard.

CELIAWere in the middle of a fight!

TITUSA fight youre running into withouta Brassard. You dont think

(MORE)


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36.

TITUSanything through, Celia! I cantlose you too--

SSSSHHHHH. A pipe behind them bursts, puffing out steam. Thelights flicker. Celia stares at him for a moment. But shes

not going to miss this fight.

CELIAYou didnt raise that type of girl.

She pushes her dad away. Charges forward.

Taura catapults herself into the air with a brushstroke,landing on one of the spinning gears suspended above theworktables. She SMASHES her hand into a piece of giganticmachinery, sending a massive brushstroke at Ko.

Ko raises his Brassard but Cornelia jumps in front of him,

erasing through the stroke.

Celia runs up a duct connecting the floor to the gearsabove.

Ko and Moss run forward, but their shadow gets caught on apipe in the center like two dogs tethered to opposite sidesof a tree. FWWWP. They SMASH together.

Celia jumps off the pipe at Taura. She strikes. She misses.

Titus bursts from the steam COUGHING. He looks up.

TITUSCELIA!

BAM. Taura brings her hands downward, breaking the gear. Themachinery cracks and dismantles from the wall. The wholeconstruct starts to fall. Celia waves her arms for balance.Taura prepares to leap.

Cornelia jumps up the falling debris and tackles Taura,knocking her into the CREAKING air duct.

They share a few punches but Taura knocks her away. Celialeaps in. Cornelia jumps back. Two on one.

CLACK, CLANG. Ko erases through a few gears that comefalling his way. Moss runs forward, but the shadowelasticity accidentally trips him off his feet.


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38.

Titus runs to Celia.

TITUSWhat were you thinking?

CELIA

I was saving you!

TITUSWe can handle an Anima! I neededyou outside!

CELIAOutside? Why--

BAM. A slew of Townspeople trample over the factorys doubledoors, pitchforks, torches and all.

TOWNSPERSON

Youre our leader!

Taura ROARS. Struggles. Cornelias Brassard CRACKLES.

CORNELIANo! Ive got her!

Claudius, purple and lumpy, pokes through the crowd. Heraises his Brassarded fist.

CLAUDIUSLets save the day!

The mob rushes forward, overwhelming Cornelia. She loses hergrip. Theres too much chaos.

Celia is swept away from Ko by the crowd. She strugglesagainst it but its like swimming upstream.

Titus pushes through it after his daughter.

Taura kicks Cornelia in the stomach. She sprints forward,knocking Townspeople out of the way like a bus with itsbrakes cut. They chase after her, trying to take her down.

TAURA(screaming)

MOOOOSSSSSS!

Celia follows Tauras line of sight to Ko. Uses all of herstrength to push back against the wave of people.

SMASH, SMASH, SMASH. Tauras FOOTSTEPS echo through thecrowded Factory.


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39.

Moss jerks his head toward the sound.

WHOOSH. Taura bursts from the mob. Careens directly at Ko.She ROARS.

Moss grabs Kos shirt. Pulls him out of the way. She barely

misses. Crashes past.

Moss turns to see where Taura went.

MOSSOh no...

Ko slowly pulls himself up.

KOWhat is it?

Before them stands Celia, arm outstretched, her mouth an O

of surprise. She falls to her knees, shaking, looking at Kowith desperation. She manages to get out a few words.

CELIAKo, please--

But then her expression turns blank. She draws herself upwith voluptuous confidence. Smiles.

TAURA(In Celias body)

Ooh. I like.

KOCelia? Celia!

MOSSGive it up, sis. You cant paint ina humans body.

TAURA IN CELIAS BODY runs toward the door. Ko turns toTitus and Cornelia. They cant pay attention. Theyreholding back a mob.

Its up to him now. Its never been up to him before.

He runs.


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40.

INT. THE CYCLE

A rocky cavern. A stream of water lazily flows in a circlelike an Ouroboros. The water looks like its reflecting aperfectly clear night sky. But the Cavern hasnt seenstarlight since it was created.

EXT. TOWN SQUARE

Taura in Celias body darts away from the Factory. Ko chasesher wildly, tripping over his own feet. Moss stumbles behindhim .

MOSSSlow down, kid! Ag!

Celia runs into the woods. He follows.

KOCelia!

INT. FACTORY

CRASH! A few loose gears fall from the ceiling. Cornelia andTitus struggle to keep order.

CORNELIAStop! Youve let the Anima escape!

But no one listens. Titus turns around. Celias gone. His

heart skips a beat. No.

INT. THE CYCLE

A few ripples break across the streams surface.

EXT. FOREST

Ko runs through the underbrush. Reaches out his arm. Thefoliage blocks his vision. Taura flickers in and out ofsight. Hes not fast enough. Hes not fast enough.

The ground around him REDDENS with every step. Shes almostgone...


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41.

INT. FACTORY

Cornelia SHOUTING. Titus reaches his Brassard into the air.BANG! Paint splatters over the crowd.

TITUS

ENOUGH!

A hush. People turn to Titus. Theres a reason he takeshimself seriously. That reason is this:

TITUS (CONTD)Where are our children?

INT. THE CYCLE

GLUG. A few bubbles burst to the streams surface

EXT. FOREST

Ko sprints through the underbrush.

KOCelia!

Hes losing her...

KO (CONTD)NO!

He smashes his hand into the dirt. The ground bubbles andspikes jagged, deep MAROONS. Its a tangled mess of shapes.

INT. FACTORY

Titus stands next to Cornelia. The mob is silent. A finalhanging gear CLANGS to the ground.

EXT. FOREST

Ko trips. Rises to his knees. Trips again. Collapses to theground, SOBBING.

Moss stops in his tracks.

MOSSYou... painted...


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"canvas" animated pilot

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