Goddess of the Earth Flipbook PDF

Gaia, Goddess of Earth sets out to stop Nyx, the wicked Goddess of the night, from casting Earth into total darkness.

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GODDESS OF THE EARTH

Written by Daniel Reiss

BLACK SCREEN A WOMAN’S VOICE, SOFT AND SERIOUS: GAIA (V.O.) A long time ago, gods of darkness took control of Earth. The gods and goddesses who once ruled fell from power, and Nyx, the goddess of the night, took reign. A YOUNG GIRL’S VOICE: SAFIYA (V.O.) Is this a scary story? GAIA (V.O.) It’s a little scary. But it’s really a love story. FADE TO WHITE. GAIA (V.O.) It started with the fall of Mount Olympus, a thousand years ago... EXT. MOUNT OLYMPUS - DAY SINKING THROUGH WHITE CLOUDS ... DESCENDING TOWARD MOUNT OLYMPUS. A GOLDEN CITY gleams in sunlight. GAIA (V.O.) It was the day of a wedding. EXT. TEMPLE OF MARRIAGE - CONTINUOUS SHOT: A GOLDEN TEMPLE littered with FLOWERS. HERA (O.S.) Their marriage shall be an unbreakable union that neither darkness nor light can dismantle. INT. TEMPLE OF MARRIAGE - CONTINUOUS HERA, GODDESS OF MARRIAGE, stands at a podium, looking down at APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE, and HEPHAESTUS, GOD OF VOLCANOS AND THE FORGE. HERA Let it be known in the presence of the Twelve Olympian Gods... (MORE)

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HERA (CONT'D) Betrayal of this union calls for punishment of the highest degree. ANGLE ON ARES, GOD OF WAR, jealous eyes peering through his SPARTAN HELM. ANGLE ON ZEUS, GOD OF THE SKY -- He stands by Aphrodite, confident and poised. HERA (CONT’D) As it states in the Law of the Gods, their marriage will be bound until the end of time... ANGLE ON POSEIDON, GOD OF THE SEA, seemingly uninterested. ANGLE ON HESTIA, GODDESS OF THE HEARTH, and ATHENA, GODDESS OF WISDOM, watching patiently. HERA (CONT’D) From this moment forth, the holy matrimony of Hephaestus and Aphrodite has been solidified in the temple of marriage ... May god and goddess unite. Hephaestus and Aphrodite kiss. The temple fills with CHEER. APOLLO, GOD OF MUSIC, pulls out a VIOLIN and plays a CELEBRATORY SONG. Zeus embraces Aphrodite, kissing her forehead. GAIA (V.O.) Aphrodite was Zeus’s adopted daughter. Zeus loved her more than anything in the world, including his wife, Hera... Hera watches Zeus. GAIA (V.O.) Hera knew this, so she arranged Aphrodite to be married to her son, Hephaestus, the undesirable god of volcanos and the forge. Zeus shakes hands with somber Hephaestus. Zeus’s eyes find Hera. Hera averts his gaze. INT. ZEUS’S PALACE - NIGHT ANGLE FROM ABOVE: APOLLO’S VIOLIN fills the HALL. Zeus and Aphrodite dance center floor while the other gods LAUGH and drink wine.

3.

DIONYSUS, GOD OF WINE, CHUCKLES as he pours WINE from a large jug. He gives a goblet to Hestia, then offers one to Athena, who declines. ARTEMIS, GODDESS OF THE HUNT, pours wine into the slapping tongues of her TWO HOUNDS. ANGLE ON HEPHAESTUS, drinking alone. ANGLE ON ARES, glaring off. ANGLE ON ZEUS AND APHRODITE, dancing intimately. GAIA (V.O.) It was obvious. The love they had for each other. That night more than ever... ANGLE ON HERA, watching from a second floor BALCONY. She turns and leaves. Ares sees this, then casually finds an exit. EXT. ZEUS’S GARDEN - NIGHT Hera stands in the garden, transfixed on the sky. Ares comes to her side. He waits for her to speak. HERA ... When can we summon them? ARES When there is cover from the light. Selene is watching... SHOT: A CRESCENT MOON sinking below the horizon. ARES (CONT’D) Are you sure you want this? HERA Yes ... I’m sure. Zeus must pay for his sins like the rest of the us. ARES And what of Aphrodite? HERA Marrying Hephaestus was her punishment. SHOT: The MOON disappears below the skyline. ARES Do you have the dove?

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Hera removes a WHITE DOVE from her robes and hands it to Ares. SNAP! The dove drops to the ground, neck broken. A BLACK GHASTLY ESSENCE rises from the dove, expanding into the cloaked figure THANATOS, GOD OF DEATH. Thanatos surveys the palace. He LAUGHS hissingly. THANATOS I knew this night would come. HERA Enjoy it while it lasts, Thanatos. Your father will take Zeus to Tartarus, then your family will never return here. THANATOS A more than generous offer, Hera. But you should know. My mother was very upset you didn’t invite her. So upset, she said she wanted to kill you. ARES (warning) Thanatos... THANATOS I can’t wait to hold your soul. A BLACK FLASH! NYX, GODDESS OF THE NIGHT, holds Hera hostage, a SHADOWY BLADE to her neck. Nyx LAUGHS WICKEDLY. NYX Oh, Hera. How nice of you to invite my family to your little party. I must have missed my invitation. HERA (choking) You are not welcome here. NYX Clinging to your pride with a knife to your neck. Fool. This blade has the power to end you. And it will ... Marriage is dead. ARES (desperate) This isn’t what we agreed on! NYX Say goodbye to your mother, Ares.

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Ares lunges at Nyx, Thanatos restraining him. Hera falls to the ground, a SHADOWY WOUND gaping her neck. Thanatos goes to Hera. He reaches in her chest, pulls out a shimmering GOLD SPIRIT, then hides it in his cloak. Ares spits at Nyx. ARES How dare you. NYX Don’t worry, Ares. You will see her in the next life. And you will be spared, of course. I can’t thank you enough... ARES I asked you to take her to Tartarus ... Not this. NYX Relax. You got what you wanted. Aphrodite will now be yours. Unless you want me to kill her too? Words can’t describe how much it would please me. ARES (desperately) Please don’t... NYX Another night perhaps ... I believe my husband is here. NYX VANISHES -- CUT TO BLACK. SAFIYA (V.O.) This is a scary story. GAIA (V.O.) Don’t worry. The scary part is almost over. FADE IN: INT. ZEUS’S PALACE - MOMENTS EARLIER The party is dying down. Apollo plays a SLOW MELODY on the HARP, Zeus and Aphrodite still dancing. SUDDENLY! THE TORCHES GO OUT -- DARKNESS. LIGHTNING fills the hall with BLUE LIGHT. ANGLE ON ZEUS, glowing with ELECTRICITY.

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ANGLE ON EREBUS, GOD OF DARKNESS -- He towers over Zeus, stretching higher. EREBUS Tartarus awaits, god of the sky. Artemis fires an ARROW at Erebus, going through him with no effect. Athena throws her SPEAR -- useless. LIGHTNING FLASHES. A WHIP CRACKS! CUT TO BLACK. APHRODITE SCREAMS. NYX LAUGHS, ECHOING... EXT. MOUNT OLYMPUS - NIGHT WIDE-SHOT: The GOLDEN CITY CRUMBLES down the mountainside. GAIA (V.O.) Nyx and Erebus destroyed the City of the Olympian Gods. INT. TARTARUS PRISON CHAMBERS

- NIGHT

Zeus is thrown into a DARK CELL. A WHIP lashes him. He cowers against the wall. GAIA (V.O.) Nyx took Zeus to the underworld prison called Tartarus, where he was tortured in darkness for over a thousand years... The CELL DOOR CLOSES. CUT TO BLACK. GAIA (V.O.) Order was lost, and the gods and goddesses of this world were divided. SAFIYA (V.O.) What did you do? GAIA (V.O.) I went into hiding somewhere far away. A place called Zion... EXT. ZION CANYON - SUNSET SHOT: GAIA’S SILHOUETTE disappearing in the TREES. GAIA (V.O.) I too feared the powers of darkness...

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SHOT: The SUN sinks beneath a DISTANT CANYON. GAIA (V.O.) I lost faith in the sun and the moon, and for a thousand years Earth suffered. PANNING UP to see a FULL MOON in the sky. The sky gets DARKER, cluttering with STARS. EXT. OREGON FOREST - NIGHT PANNING DOWN from the NIGHT SKY -- A monstrous FOREST-FIRE devours a HILLSIDE. TREES BURN, FLAMES filling the FRAME. EXT. AHVAZ, IRAN - SUNRISE SHOT: SMOKE BILLOWS from a FACTORY PIPE. WIDE-SHOT: THICK SMOG covers the CITY. EXT. YAMUNA RIVER - DAY LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: TRASH and HUMAN WASTE cover the river’s surface. An ENGINE HUMS as a RIVERBOAT passes, trash bobbing in its wake. EXT. BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST - DAY ANGLE FROM ABOVE: A vast area of CLEARED LAND. We HEAR A CHAIN-SAW WHINING. A MAN cuts a THICK TREE with a CHAIN-SAW, WOOD-CHIPS flying. A BULLDOZER PLOWS over a cluster of THIN TREES. TREES BURNS. The CHAIN-SAW STOPS. LOOKING UP FROM BELOW: A MASSIVE TREE comes CRASHING down on us -- CUT TO BLACK. GAIA (V.O.) But when the threat to Earth became too great, I had no choice but to resist it. A BIRD WHISTLES. FADE IN: EXT. ZION CANYON - MORNING CLOSE ON GAIA, GODDESS OF THE EARTH -- She awakes, GREEN EYES looking back at us.

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Gaia stands and stretches. She has EARTHY SKIN, dressed meagerly. She runs her hands through her FOREST-GREEN HAIR and awakens a nesting BIRD. The bird retreats, a BLUE FEATHER floating down. Gaia adds the feather to her HEADDRESS. FOLLOWING A RED SQUIRREL, scurrying down a tree, then leaping onto Gaia’s shoulder. Gaia turns to the squirrel. GAIA Hello, little one. The SQUIRREL SQUEAKS urgently. Gaia listens. GAIA (CONT’D) And you are sure it was Yawgdrasil who asked for me? The squirrel nods. GAIA (CONT’D) Wonderful. I haven’t seen ol’ Yawgy in a dozen moons. Gaia pulls out an ACORN. The squirrel takes it and scrams. MINUTES LATER Sunlight fills the forest with warmth. Gaia strolls peacefully, soaking it in. We ZOOM OUT, LOOKING DOWN on GREEN TREETOPS, then PANNING UP to see: WIDE-SHOT: ZION CANYON beneath a BLUE SKY. SUPER: GODDESS OF THE EARTH EXT. ZION CANYON - NOON FLYING OVER ZION CANYON ... Gaia hikes along a shallow STREAM. ANGLE ON GAIA -- She stops, looking up the canyon wall. Then she starts to climb. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S CLIFF - AFTERNOON ANGLE FROM ABOVE: A PROTRUDING CLIFF hosts an old BRISTLECONEPINE TREE. This is YAWGDRASIL. Gaia climbs over the cliff’s summit. She steps towards Yawgdrasil. GAIA’S POV: Yawgdrasil’s BROWN EYES look back at us. A smile cracks his weathered bark. YAWGDRASIL Gaia ... My old friend.

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GAIA It’s great to see you, Yawgy. How are those old roots holding up? YAWGDRASIL Five-thousand, two-hundred and eighty-five years I have been planted here ... I think my time is finally nearing its end. GAIA Nonsense. I feel another century of life in you. At least. Yawgdrasil chuckles. YAWGDRASIL Always an optimistic one. Fortunately, you are wrong... Yawgdrasil becomes serious, gathering his next words. YAWGDRASIL (CONT’D) I called you here for a reason, Gaia. There is something important I need to share before I pass ... I have been hearing rumors. Something terrible is about to happen. GAIA Rumors? You have never been one for gossip, Yawgy. YAWGDRASIL I remain skeptical of everything, but sometimes there is no avoiding the truth ... Gaia. There is going to be an assault on Earth. Nyx is plotting to bring the planet into total darkness. GAIA ... Total darkness? YAWGDRASIL From what I have heard, Nyx plans to exterminate the humans. She will rid the planet of their lights, then she will use Zeus to cloud the skies, blocking out the sun and moon forever... GAIA Where did you hear all this?

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YAWGDRASIL From the birds, of course. GAIA Bird gossip can’t be completely trusted... YAWGDRASIL The birds have seen many horrors on Earth. The wars. The trees dying ... I trust the information I was given. Gaia thinks for a moment. GAIA That must be why Nyx kept Zeus alive. She wants to use him as a weapon... YAWGDRASIL She obviously hasn’t broken him yet. But in the meantime, she is doing whatever she can to destroy the humans. Ares is on her side, and word is, Poseidon has agreed to join as well. GAIA That can’t be true. Poseidon wouldn’t betray me like that. YAWGDRASIL It would seem Earth is doomed either way... Gaia shakes her head in disbelief. GAIA What should I do? YAWGDRASIL You could try to free Zeus. Though, the consequence of failing might mean an eternity in darkness. GAIA Right. And what about the humans? YAWGDRASIL Let Nyx get rid of the humans. Earth is better off without them. Gaia shoots him a dirty look.

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GAIA Has old age made you so cynical? The humans are the way they are because of the curses Nyx placed on them ... They don’t need to be exterminated, they need to be healed. YAWGDRASIL And who will heal them, Gaia? You? Gaia looks away. YAWGDRASIL (CONT’D) I implore you to be reasonable. Do not resist Nyx. What power do you have against her? What power do any have at this point? Gaia looks up. GAIA’S POV: A FADED MOON in the BLUE SKY. GAIA Not all are powerless. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S CLIFF - EVENING Gaia meditates by Yawgdrasil, who SNORES peacefully. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: MOONLIGHT shines on the nearby forest. ANGLE ON SELENE, GODDESS OF THE MOON, taking shape in the moonlight. She walks gracefully through the trees. Selene approaches the cliff, SPARKLING. Gaia’s eyes open, filling with light. GAIA Selene... SELENE Hello, Gaia ... I know what you might say -- it’s been too long since we last spoke. Surely you understand why. GAIA Of course I do. SELENE I may not speak tree, but I know what this one said to you earlier.

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GAIA What do you know? SELENE There is a terrible plot to conquer Earth with darkness. GAIA So Nyx really does-SELENE (hushed) Shhh ... Do not speak her name. Few secrets can be kept in the night. (then) What the tree told you is true, and that’s all I can say. I fear she may be watching. GAIA What is there for you to fear? We HEAR the WIND HISS. Selene looks around, paranoid. SELENE I must go. Selene dissolves into MOONLIGHT. SELENE (CONT’D) You have allies, Gaia. Find them ... If you still have hope. GAIA Selene, wait--

SELENE (CONT'D) I will watch over you.

Selene BEAMS UP to the MOON. WIND BLOWS across the cliff, HISSING. Spooked, Gaia goes to Yawgdrasil and rests against his trunk, closing her eyes. The WIND WHISPERS as we FADE TO BLACK... NYX (V.O.) This world belongs to darkness. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S CLIFF - DAWN Gaia sleeps against Yawgdrasil, morning light awakening her. She gets up to stretch, looking out. She turns to Yawgdrasil and kisses his trunk. GAIA Take care, old tree. I’ll be back soon. There’s someone I have find.

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Gaia moves into YAWGDRASIL’S FOREST. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S FOREST - NOON SHOT: The SUN, high in the sky. Gaia strolls though the forest. A DEER, TWO PORCUPINES, and FOUR PRAIRIE-DOGS follow her in a line. Gaia stops at a CLIFF. The ANIMALS gather besides her. GAIA’S POV: SCANNING THE VALLEY below, we see a CORNFIELD and an adjacent LAKE. CLOSER, we see a FARMER’S HOUSE, SMOKE pouring from its CHIMNEY. Gaia descends the cliff. EXT. CORNFIELD - AFTERNOON Gaia pushes through CORNSTALKS. We HEAR DOGS BARKING nearby. Gaia passes a SCARECROW. A CROW lands on the scarecrow’s arm. CROW Hello, Gaia. GAIA Hello... Gaia keeps walking. CROW I suppose you heard the news. GAIA Sorry. I’m not interested in wire gossip. CROW Just know the crows fully support Nyx. She has promised us a magnificent feast... CORNSTALKS SWIPE at the crow, possessed by Gaia’s spell. The CROW SQUAWKS, retreating. EXT. FARMER’S YARD - AFTERNOON Gaia steps into the farmer’s yard. GAIA’S POV: A FIRE PIT in the yard. Next to it is HESTIA. A LARGE MAN, CHUCK, carries a bundle of logs over to the fire, followed by TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS. The dogs run over to Gaia, tails wagging.

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CLOSE ON HESTIA, turning to see Gaia. She removes her hood, revealing FIERY HAIR. HESTIA Look who it is... GAIA It’s a pleasure to see you, Hestia. HESTIA I know why you are here. These are dark times we are living in. Even for those who hold the light. GAIA I am here because I need your help. HESTIA You need much more than that... CHUCK returns, now carrying a COOLER. TWO OTHER MEN, TEDDY and JEFFREY, join him by the fire. Chuck tosses them each a BEER, cracking open his own. TEDDY Man it feels good to get away from my wife. I can’t get a moment’s peace with that woman yappin’ in my ear all the time. CHUCK I feel you, Teddy. It’s like havin’ a dog that won’t stop barkin’ -- no matter how many times you tell it to shut up! The MEN LAUGH. JEFFREY I can drink to that. Jeffrey raises his beer. He chugs it entirely, then crushes the can on his forehead. Chuck and Jeffrey do the same. Gaia and Hestia exchange looks. HESTIA What women would breed with them? They move away from the fire... GAIA Hestia, you observe the humans as much as any god or goddess. What do you think of them?

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Hestia glances at the men. HESTIA They are an interesting species... Many of them have developed destructive natures, like those three. Yet, others are capable of the most profound love and compassion I have ever seen. GAIA Nyx plans to exterminate them. HESTIA I am aware... GAIA I have been wondering if it’s possible to stop her. Or if it’s even worth trying to stop her. HESTIA The same thoughts have consumed my mind for some time now. GAIA What can we can do? HESTIA ... Free Zeus. Gaia is slightly taken back. HESTIA (CONT’D) You are the only one who can open the entrance to Tartarus. Without Zeus, Nyx won’t be able to achieve total darkness. GAIA I can’t go into Tartarus. Not with Earth at stake ... Besides, even with Zeus free, Nyx will still destroy the humans. HESTIA I have always admired your compassion for the humans. I personally believe they are beyond saving ... But maybe I am wrong. GAIA Maybe you are right. Either way, I won’t give up on them.

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A beat. HESTIA Come with me. I want to show you something. Hestia leads Gaia to the FARMER’S HOUSE. They peer through the window. INT. FARMER’S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS We see a cozy interior, logs burning in the FIREPLACE. Hestia stands by the fire, watching TWO GIRLS chase their YOUNGER BROTHER around the room. Their MOTHER catches the children in her embrace, kissing them repeatedly. The children LAUGH, squealing... HESTIA Pure joy. Only something truly evil would want to take that away. EXT. FARMER’S YARD - CONTINUOUS Gaia steps away from the house. GAIA We have to do something. Nyx has to be stopped. I won’t let her take Earth without a fight. HESTIA What else can be done? Freeing Zeus might be your only option. GAIA There has to be another way. I just need to figure it out... ANGLE ON DEMETER, GODDESS OF HARVEST -- She steps out of the cornfield, moving across the yard with a BASKET of FRUIT. DEMETER When a goddess need answers, she looks inside herself. HESTIA I thought you might show up. Demeter joins them. DEMETER Hello, Gaia. Hestia.

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GAIA Demeter. I’m glad you’re here. DEMETER Unfortunately we must meet under such dire conditions. But let’s not focus on our woes. Demeter takes out an HERB POUCH. DEMETER (CONT’D) Do you have your pipe, Hestia? HESTIA (grinning) Of course. Hestia takes out an elegant METAL PIPE. CHUCK (O.S.) Look, Jeffrey. Teddy’s all ready passed out. What a sissy! Teddy slouches in his chair, unconsciously holding a beer. He slides to the ground. Chuck and Jeffrey LAUGH hysterically. DEMETER Let’s go somewhere where we can talk in peace. EXT. FARMER’S LAKE - DUSK MEDIUM-SHOT: A DOCK sits on a peaceful lake. Gaia and Hestia follow Demeter to the end of the dock. They take a moment to absorb the scene. DEMETER You should know Thanatos paid me a visit this morning. He told me to destroy all of the humans’ crops. He said if I refused to do so, Nyx would take me to Tartarus ... She’s not one to make empty threats. GAIA What did you tell him? DEMETER I told him I wouldn’t do it, of course. Without the harvest, I would have nothing.

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GAIA All will be lost if we allow Nyx to succeed... HESTIA Then let’s not allow her to. Demeter fills Hestia’s pipe with a GREEN HERB. She puts the pipe to her lips and Hestia ignites it. Demeter inhales, then passes the pipe to Gaia. DEMETER This herb will help you, Gaia. It shows us things we cannot discover with our everyday minds. Gaia puffs the pipe, blowing out smoke. DEMETER (CONT’D) It shows us the answers to questions dwelling deep inside our hearts. As well as our fears. Gaia hands the pipe to Hestia. She looks out on the lake, allowing the herb to take effect. DEMETER (CONT’D) How do you feel? GAIA I feel. So ... Powerless. It feels like Earth’s fate is completely out of my control. HESTIA That is fear you are feeling. Let it be your compass, Gaia. Let it guide you to where you need to go. DEMETER Close your eyes, Gaia. GAIA’S POV: Closing her eyes -- BLACK. Then, a GLOWING ORANGE BALL, forming into a PUMPKIN. GAIA (O.S.) I see a pumpkin. Gaia opens her eyes. DEMETER There’s a pumpkin field not far from here. Perhaps you should go there next. (MORE)

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DEMETER (CONT'D) You might find something insightful to our situation. Gaia almost smiles. GAIA Our situation ... It does feel better knowing I’m not alone in all this. HESTIA Far from it. EXT. FARMER’S YARD - EVENING Gaia, Demeter, and Hestia return to the farmer’s yard. Chuck and Jeffrey sleep in their chairs, Teddy on the ground. DEMETER The pumpkin field is on the other side of that forest. SHOT: A dark, eerie forest, FOG gathering across its floor. DEMETER (CONT’D) It’s not far. GAIA Will you come with me? DEMETER The sun has set on these lands. I must go to avoid Nyx. GAIA Hestia? HESTIA I can’t venture too far from the hearth, but you can always light a fire if you need me. GAIA Okay... DEMETER It seems you must go alone. For now at least. Don’t be afraid, Gaia. Selene will protect you. Demeter gives the HERB POUCH to Gaia. DEMETER (CONT’D) Take this...

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DEMETER (CONT’D) Use it only when you need it. No more, no less. GAIA Thank you, Demeter. Demeter hugs Gaia, then disappears in the cornfield. HESTIA You have my light whenever you need it, Gaia. The darkness can’t harm you under my protection. GAIA Thank you, Hestia. I will see you soon. Hestia jumps into the fire, FLAMES SPLASHING. Gaia moves towards the spooky forest. EXT. SPOOKY FOREST - NIGHT Gaia steps carefully through HEAVY FOG. The forest is quiet. A WHITE OWL lands on a high branch, watching Gaia. OWL’S POV: The WIND BLOWS, fog dancing wildly. Gaia looks around, frightened. ANGLE ON EREBUS, forming from the FOG. EREBUS None hide from darkness. Gaia sprints past Erebus. A MOONBEAM hits Erebus and his FOGFORM DISPERSES. EXT. PUMPKIN FIELD - NIGHT WIDE-SHOT: A PUMPKIN FIELD, blanketed with fog. Gaia escapes the forest, hurrying across the field. GAIA’S POV: MOVING toward a SCARECROW in the distance, PUMPKINS as far as we can see. SHOT: CLOUDS move over the moon. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: WIND BLOWS across the field, fog sweeping towards the scarecrow. The fog assembles into Erebus, darkening to BLACK. A WHIPS CRACKS! Gaia jumps. We HEAR NYX LAUGH.

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NYX (O.S.) You are powerless against us, goddess of the dirt. Gaia rushes at Erebus, BLASTING PUMPKINS and EARTH in a futile effort to attack him. Erebus swings a DARK SWORD, knocking Gaia backward. She lands with a THUD. NYX (O.S.) (CONT’D) That’s right, Gaia. Feel the power of concentrated darkness. Erebus steps to Gaia. NYX (O.S.) (CONT’D) Do it, Erebus. Erebus raises his sword for a final blow, bringing it down -SUDDENLY! A MOONLIGHT SHIELD encases Gaia, breaking Erebus’s sword into a billion dark particles. Erebus CRIES, backing away and dissolving into nothingness. SHOT: The MOON SHINING through a gap in the clouds. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: Gaia lays unconscious, MOONLIGHT beaming down on her. FADE TO BLACK. INT. TURKEY WAREHOUSE - (DREAM) Gaia stands in warehouse full of frantic TURKEYS. She looks around in confusion. The turkeys scramble to get near Gaia. ANGLE ON A TURKEY, transforming into MORPHEUS, GOD OF DREAMS. Morpheus smiles at Gaia. GAIA Morpheus? This is just a dream? MORPHEUS (O.S.) This world is as real as the earthly plane you reside on. The difference is, in this world, life moves instantaneously. Morpheus SNAPS his FINGERS -- CUT TO: INT. CONTROL ROOM - (DREAM) Gaia and Morpheus appear in a control room. Gaia looks around curiously. A MAN SNORES in his chair. We see a long CONVEYOR through a glass window.

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MORPHEUS I want you to see something. Morpheus SNAPS. BEEPING from the man’s watch and the man awakes, pulling a lever. A LIGHT TURNS ON and the conveyor starts moving. Gaia goes to the window, watching closely. INT. SLAUGHTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS (DREAM) A BLADE SPINS viciously at end of the conveyor. A LINE OF TURKEYS appear from the left, hanging upside-down by their feet. Fear fills their eyes as the conveyor carries them towards the blade. The first turkey meets the blade -- SLIT! BLOOD SPURTS from it’s neck and it passes into the next room. The following turkey submits to the same death and the line moves on -- a holocaust of turkeys. INT. CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS (DREAM) Gaia turns away in horror. GAIA Please. I can’t watch any more. Morpheus SNAPS. CUT TO: EXT. ENDLESS GREEN FIELD - (DREAM) Gaia and Morpheus appear on a grassy plain, stretching endlessly under blue skies. GAIA Why did you show me that? MORPHEUS Every year the humans slaughter over fifty billion animals, just like those turkeys. I thought seeing that slaughterhouse might change your perspective. GAIA So, you want the humans gone too? MORPHEUS Not exactly. Creating dreams for the humans is my greatest joy. But Nyx is my grandmother, and I am sympathetic to her situation.

23.

GAIA I won’t allow her to take Earth without a fight. I won’t sit back and do nothing. MORPHEUS I’m not against you, Gaia. I just thought I could lend you some wisdom. GAIA Okay. Well, what would you do? If you were me. I would try Let her get perhaps she the planet. night. It’s

MORPHEUS compromising with Nyx. rid of the humans and will spare the rest of Give her back the all she really wants.

GAIA I ... can’t. I believe there is still hope for the humans. Nyx cursed them. That’s why they slaughter so many animals. That’s why Earth is the way it is. MORPHEUS You might be right ... Just know, Gaia. Nyx is doing everything in her power to get rid of them. Stopping her will be incredibly difficult. A beat, Gaia taking this in... GAIA Morpheus, what happens if Nyx is successful? Where will I go if Earth dies? MORPHEUS Only the god of death knows that answer... GAIA Can you summon him for me? MORPHEUS I could. GAIA Please, Morpheus. I need to know.

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MORPHEUS (reluctant) Okay... Morpheus SNAPS. A BALD MAN APPEARS, standing lifelessly like a mannequin. Morpheus points a BLACK PISTOL -- BANG! A bullet pierces the man’s forehead and he falls to the ground. Gaia GASPS. MORPHEUS (CONT’D) What? ... Something had to die. A BLACK ESSENCE rises from the man’s head, forming into THANATOS. Thanatos collects a WHITE SPIRIT from the man’s chest. MORPHEUS (CONT’D) Wait a moment, Thanatos. Someone here wishes to speak with you. Thanatos turns to see Gaia. He HISSES, disappearing. GAIA (yelling) Who named you the god of cowards? HISS! THANATOS If you request my council, meet me at an old tree’s funeral. I will be there shortly... Thanatos vanishes completely. GAIA Quick, Morpheus. Wake me up! I’ve got to get to Yawgdrasil before Thanatos does. MORPHEUS Relax, Gaia. Thanatos has never been one for truth-telling. GAIA (demanding) Wake me up NOW! Morpheus SNAPS. EXT. PUMPKIN FIELD - MORNING Gaia jolts awake on a cloudy morning. She gets up and runs.

25.

EXT. CORNFIELDS - MORNING Gaia runs past the cornfield. Chuck rides a HARVESTER, looking sickly. He turns and VOMITS. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S FOREST - NOON MEDIUM-SHOT: Gaia pulls herself over a cliff, onto flat land. She takes a step forward, something catching her attention. GAIA’S POV: TWO BEAR CUBS rush towards her. BROTHER CUB It is her. I told you! SISTER CUB Lady Gaia! We need help! GAIA I’m sorry little ones. There’s somewhere I desperately need to be. SISTER CUB You don’t understand. Our brother is stuck in a tree and the branch is breaking! GAIA Where’s your mother? SISTER CUB She’s down by the river, but the branch is gonna break any second -we gotta hurry! Gaia follows the TWO CUBS into the forest, stopping a tall PINE TREE. SHOT: A CUB, BEAU, hangs from a breaking branch. SISTER CUB (O.S.) (CONT’D) (yelling) Hang on, Beau! We HEAR WOOD SPLITTING, gravity pulling Beau down. The branch SNAPS and Beau falls. ANGLE ON GAIA, standing under the tree, arms out. BEAU (O.S.) Woahhh... Plop! Beau lands safely in Gaia’s arms.

26.

GAIA’S POV: Beau looks up, stars in his eyes. BEAU (CONT’D) That was awesome! Gaia puts Beau down and he immediately wrestles his brother. ANGLE ON MOTHER BEAR, hustling over with a SALMON in her mouth. She drops the salmon. MOTHER BEAR Beau, behave yourself! Do you know who this is? (then) I’m sorry, Gaia. I can’t turn away for a minute without this one getting into trouble. SISTER CUB Mama, you missed it. Beau fell from the top of that tree and Lady Gaia saved him! Just like in the stories you told us. MOTHER BEAR Thank you so much, Gaia. How can I ever repay you? GAIA That won’t be necessary. I’m actually in a rush to see Yawgdrasil, so you will have to excuse me. MOTHER BEAR I understand. Thank you again. Gaia rushes off. MOTHER BEAR (CONT’D) Beau, what did I tell you about climbing too high? You would have broken your neck if Gaia wasn’t there to save you. BEAU Come on, mama. Nothing bad happened... MOTHER BEAR I will put the fear in you if it’s the last thing I do. You have to be more careful.

27.

She scoops up Beau, carrying him off. MINUTES LATER Gaia runs through the forest. GAIA’S POV: MOVING towards Yawgdrasil in the distance. He looks back at us, EXHALING DEEPLY. Yawgdrasil’s eyes close, his branches sagging. EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S CLIFF - CONTINUOUS Thanatos appears. He removes a shimmering GREEN SPIRIT from Yawgdrasil’s trunk, stashing it in his cloak. GAIA No! Gaia rushes past Thanatos, wrapping her arms around Yawgdrasil. GAIA (CONT’D) Yawgy ... Be strong. THANATOS You are too late, Gaia. His spirit has passed... Gaia sobs quietly. THANATOS (CONT’D) What life it must have been. Stuck on this cliff. He was lucky to have a friend like you to help pass the time... GAIA I didn’t get to say goodbye... THANATOS Death is a natural part of this world. You and I must move on to more important matters. GAIA What’s more important than a best friend? THANATOS He is gone, Gaia. Let him go. Let the humans go. Let Earth go, and you will find peace.

28.

GAIA I will find peace when Earth is safe again. Your mother will not take it from me. THANATOS Yes, she will ... You and I both know it’s true. Resisting us will only cause you more suffering. GAIA Earth suffers from the curse your mother placed on the humans. But there is still hope. I believe in a better world. Thanatos laughs. THANATOS Your optimism is astoundingly delusional. What makes you think you have the power to stand against us? None have ever succeeded, and none ever will. GAIA I will do what I feel is right. THANATOS You fear the truth, Gaia. My mother will take Earth, and she will make it better than you ever could. GAIA Your mother is a witch. THANATOS I will make sure she knows you said that ... Now. I have work to do. Thanatos VANISHES. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: Gaia hugs Yawgdrasil, burying her face in his trunk. SNOWFLAKES flurry down as we SLOWLY ZOOM OUT ... FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: INT. TARTARUS TORTURE CHAMBER - NIGHT CLOSE ON ZEUS, chained to a wall, eyes closed and trembling. A WHIP CRACKS and Zeus flinches.

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ANGLE ON NYX, whip in hand. NYX It won’t be much longer, Zeus. Your will is breaking ... I will find Aphrodite, and when I do you will have no choice but to submit to my demands. ZEUS (grumbling) You will never find her. Nyx whips Zeus again. Thanatos appears. THANATOS Mother. I just spoke with the Earth goddess. NYX Not here, Thanatos... (then) While I’m gone, Zeus. I want you to imagine how it will feel when I gut Aphrodite in front of you. Her love will spill, never to be tasted by god or human again. I’m going to send her back to Chaos just like your dead wife. Zeus SCREAMS angrily. Nyx and Thanatos disappear. INT. NYX’S CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS Nyx sits on her THRONE. Thanatos hovers before her. THANATOS Gaia means to resist us, mother. She is defiant in her thinking... She called you a witch. NYX (standing; enraged) A witch?! Nyx breathes, calmly sitting. NYX (CONT’D) Not to worry ... Gaia will yield to me eventually. She just needs more persuading.

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THANATOS What would you like me to do? NYX Continue your plans with Ares. I will handle the Earth goddess. I want her to really understand our situation. Thanatos VANISHES. CLOSE ON NYX, GREEN FLAMES reflecting in her BLACK EYES. FADE TO: INT. MOTHER BEAR’S CAVE - NIGHT A SMALL FIRE. Gaia and Hestia rest against the cave wall, watching the flames. HESTIA Poseidon and I were never close as siblings. He was never close with anyone, except maybe you or Zeus. GAIA He never let anyone see into his depths. I need to speak with him. If he is on Nyx’s side, maybe I can change his mind. HESTIA It would definitely help. Gaia gets up and leaves the cave. EXT. MOTHER BEAR’S CAVE - CONTINUOUS The surrounding forest is covered with SNOW. Gaia exits the cave, looking to the MOON. GAIA Selene, please send word for Poseidon. Tell him I’m coming to see him. Gaia stays fixed on the moon. OWL (O.S.) Good evening, my lady. GAIA’S POV: A WHITE OWL perched on a low branch.

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Gaia approaches the owl. GAIA You are a creature of the night. Tell me. What do you know about the goddess, Nyx? OWL Ah, Nyx. I may thrive at night, but she is not my queen ... From what I know, Nyx’s influence is spreading rapidly. Earth is in danger, my lady. We can all feel it. GAIA I will do anything to save it. Though, it feels like there’s not much I can do... OWL Do you want my opinion? GAIA Yes. Please. OWL I believe the humans’ wars are the biggest threat to Earth. Ending those would be a good start toward saving it... Gaia thinks about this. OWL (CONT’D) But there are many things wrong with this world. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the hope. GAIA I know what you mean... (then) Thank you for the advice. OWL I hope it does you well ... We are all counting on you, Gaia. Even those who live at night. The owl flies off. Gaia heads for the cave. INT. MOTHER BEAR’S CAVE - MOMENTS LATER Gaia enters. Beau comes over to her.

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GAIA What’s wrong, Beau? Can’t sleep? BEAU Sleeping is so boring. I want to go on an adventure. GAIA You better rest up. I feel a storm coming... Gaia sits by Hestia. Beau joins them. GAIA (CONT’D) Hestia, there’s something I need you to do. HESTIA Anything. GAIA You have relations with Ares, right? HESTIA Uh-oh... GAIA I need you to speak with him. If we can get him to end his wars, Nyx’s plan will fail. HESTIA You want Ares, the god of war, to end his wars? Ares is as stubborn as they come. Swaying him will take more than a friendly conversation. GAIA Ask him to meet with me. Maybe we can work something out. HESTIA I will speak to him, but don’t have much faith in my success. GAIA We have to try. HESTIA Okay ... I’ll try. Hestia steps into the fire.

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BEAU Lady Gaia, who are you talking to? GAIA A friend of mine. Hestia. She’s the goddess of the hearth. Hestia sinks into the hearth and we FOLLOW, TRAVELING through a FIERY VORTEX. EXT. BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OUTSKIRTS) - NIGHT ANGLE ON HESTIA, leaping out of a FIRE. A DOZEN REBEL SOLDIERS gather around the fire. Their SQUAD LEADER joins them. ARES steps to the squad leader’s side, WHISPERING in his ear. The squad leader SHOUTS IN ARABIC: SQUAD LEADER The devil’s armies will fail to defeat us! Our will is strong, but our faith is stronger! Let the courage of our people be known! The SOLDIERS CHANT excitedly, running off. Hestia approaches Ares. HESTIA Manipulation of pride. Easiest tactic in the book... Ares smirks. ARES Come to join the fun? HESTIA I guess you could say that ... A friend of mine requests to speak with you. ARES Friend? I spend my time making enemies. Which makes me wonder why I’m talking to you. HESTIA Aw. Are we friends? ARES Your fires have been of great service to me. As well as your beauty...

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Ares brushes Hestia’s cheek with his hand. Hestia grabs his wrist with a FIERY HAND and Ares recoils. HESTIA Let’s keep strictly to business, okay Ares? Gaia wishes to speak with you. And if you wish to keep your fires blazing, I suggest you meet with her. ARES Is that a threat? HESTIA Call it a backwards bribe. ARES You know how I respond to threats. Hestia laughs. HESTIA Oh, Ares. You think of yourself as this all powerful god, yet you allow Thanatos to pull your strings like a muscular puppet. Ares spits. ARES How dare you belittle me. I have work to do. Join me, if you wish. You can watch Thanatos clean up my mess when I’m done. HESTIA Ares, meet with Gaia. Hear what she has to say. ARES Gaia will perish... Ares marches off, disappearing in a SANDY GUST. CLOSE ON HESTIA, concerned. INT. MOTHER BEAR’S CAVE - LATER THAT NIGHT Gaia rests by the fire, Beau next to her. BEAU And then my sister fell in the river and my mama had to swim all the way downstream to get her...

35.

Gaia breathes, trying to relax. BEAU (CONT’D) I laughed so I hard I fell in too! Hestia appears in the fire, stepping out. GAIA How did it go? HESTIA I think I irritated him. GAIA That’s not good. HESTIA Definitely not ... He said he wouldn’t meet with you. GAIA Well, thanks for trying. HESTIA What will you do now? GAIA I suppose I should head for the coast to find Poseidon. Beau jumps in Gaia’s lap. BEAU You’re going to the coast? Can I come with you, Gaia? Please-pleaseplease? GAIA I’m sorry, Beau. It’s not safe for a cub like you. Plus, think how much your mama will miss you. BEAU No way. She would be happy to get me out of her fur. Mother Bear stirs in the back of the cave, coming over. MOTHER BEAR Back to bed, Beau. BEAU Mama, can I please go to the coast with Gaia? Please-please-please?

36.

GAIA I’m sorry, Beau. I can’t take you. It’s a dangerous world out there... Maybe when you’re older. BEAU Awww. MOTHER BEAR Now say goodbye to Gaia. BEAU (stubborn) Bye, Gaia. Beau slumps down by his brother and sister. GAIA (to Mother Bear) I have to leave now. I greatly appreciate your hospitality. MOTHER BEAR Before you go... Mother Bear goes to the back of the cave, returning with a BROWN FUR. MOTHER BEAR (CONT’D) This belonged to my husband ... He was killed by human hunters when I was pregnant with the cubs. We were using his fur as a blanket so it would be like he was still with us. GAIA I can’t possibly accept this... MOTHER BEAR Please do. It only makes me miss him more. Besides, it’s the least I can give you for saving my son ... Please, Gaia. Gaia takes the fur, wrapping it around herself. GAIA It’s so warm. MOTHER BEAR Just like he was ... Kobi would be honored. We would all be honored. Hestia observes by the fire.

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MOTHER BEAR (CONT’D) I must return to rest. Good luck on your journey, Gaia. Our prayers will be with you GAIA Thank you... Mother Bear returns to her cubs. HESTIA What did she say? GAIA She gave me her husband’s fur. Gaia looks at the fur despairingly. HESTIA What’s wrong? GAIA If I don’t stop Nyx, everything will be lost. All the world’s beauty will be gone. HESTIA Don’t give in to fear, Gaia. Keep your faith strong. It’s the only way we can win. Faith in the light... Gaia hugs Hestia. GAIA See you tomorrow night. HESTIA I look forward to it. Gaia leaves the cave. We PAN TO the FIRE, FADING TO: EXT. BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NIGHT LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: BUILDINGS BURN. GUNFIRE sounds in all directions. ANGLE ON THANATOS, hovering over a DEAD SOLIDER. He reaches into the soldier’s chest and pulls out a BLUE SPIRIT, then hides the spirit in his cloak. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: A MILITARY JET performs a lightningfast AIR-STRIKE, hitting the city with a MASSIVE EXPLOSION. Buildings crumble, smoke rising from the debris.

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CLOSE ON THANATOS, pleased by the destruction. Ares appears from the debris, marching over to Thanatos. THANATOS We need more bombs, Ares ... Yes. More bombs everywhere. As many as you can. ARES It will be done. MORE GUNFIRE. A SOLDIER CRIES OUT. ARES (CONT’D) You should know Hestia paid me a visit earlier. THANATOS Is that so?... ARES She requested I speak with Gaia. Thanatos laughs. THANATOS Gaia is desperate to save her precious planet, and she will fail. ARES What should I do? THANATOS More bombs, Ares... Thanatos VANISHES. EXT. MT TRUMBULL - NIGHT ANGLE ON NYX -- She hovers below DARK CLOUDS, looking down. NYX’S POV: A BLIZZARD assails MT. TRUMBULL. NYX So it’s true ... You have decided to go against me. After everything that’s happened, still your sympathy lies with the humans. ANGLE ON GAIA -- She treks up an icy mountainside, using the fur to shield herself from the storm.

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NYX (O.S.) (CONT’D) What is there to gain, Gaia? Only suffering... The WIND BLOWS fiercely, testing Gaia’s balance. Gaia is resilient, pressing up the mountain. NYX (O.S.) (CONT’D) Be wise, Earth goddess. Understand what you are up against... EXT. MT. TRUMBULL - MORNING ANGLE ON GAIA, hiking DOWN the mountain. She stops on a boulder. CLOSE ON GAIA -- She looks off, her hair and eyebrows frozen. We HEAR a RIVER close by. EXT. COLORADO RIVER - NOON ANGLE ON GAIA, hiking along the RIVER BANK. A BEAVER DAM slows the current. A BEAVER, pops out of the water and climbs onto the dam with a FISH in its mouth. It bites into fish, then spots something upstream and jumps into the water. Gaia looks upstream. FOLLOWING A LOG -- It moves quickly downstream, BEAU clinging on. The log crashes into a rock, spinning out of control. Beau submerges beneath the current, still hanging on. The log comes to a gradual stop at the dam where Gaia awaits it. Gaia pulls Beau out of the water and he GASPS for air. She carries him to shore. BEAU You saved me... (panting) Again! GAIA How did you find me? BEAU I followed you last night after my mama fell asleep. You’re fast, Lady Gaia, but I’ll never forget your smell. GAIA I have a smell?

40.

BEAU Uh-huh. It’s like nothing I’ve ever smelled before. It’s like dirt and trees and birds and berries all combined. GAIA I can’t believe you survived the blizzard last night. BEAU Yeah, I’m tough. I’m not afraid of anything. GAIA Apparently not. But didn’t I say you couldn’t come with me? A RED CARDINAL lands on a nearby branch, eavesdropping. BEAU You have to let me come. Pleaseplease-please-please-please. It’ll be so much fun. GAIA It’s too dangerous, Beau. It’s not all forests and fields out there. There are human towns and cities all over this planet. Those are no places for a cub. BEAU My mama told me about the humans. She said they were the ones who killed my dad. She said they didn’t even want to eat him. They just left him in the dirt. GAIA That’s awful... BEAU Yeah. Mama says he’s in a better place though. And now he’s with you wherever you go. The cardinal swoops down, landing on Gaia’s shoulder. CARDINAL Hello, my lady. May I say what a magnificent fur you have.

41.

GAIA Thank you. It saved me in the blizzard last night. CARDINAL Good Gaia, what a terrible storm that was ... You know, this fur would make an excellent cloak. I can sew it into one, if you wish. GAIA (to Beau) What do you think? Beau nods excitedly. CARDINAL Splendid. I will be right back. The cardinal flies off. MINUTES LATER TEN GOLDFINCHES fly in V-PATTERN, gliding down to Gaia. The goldfinches lift the FUR into the air, collapsing the end into a hood. A WOODPECKER swoops down to do the CUTTING and SEWING. The cardinal flutters to the scene, a GOLDEN BROOCH in his beak. He secures the brooch below the hood. The goldfinches lower the CLOAK onto Gaia, then join the cardinal on a nearby branch. Gaia examines her new cloak. GAIA It’s wonderful. The cardinal bows graciously and the goldfinches CLAP. CARDINAL Think of it as a token of appreciation from the birds. The crows may have betrayed you, but the rest of still sing for you. GAIA Thank you all very much. CARDINAL We wish you well on your journey, Gaia. The birds fly off. GAIA Come on, Beau. There’s no time to lose...

42.

BEAU (ecstatic) You mean I can come? GAIA I don’t have time to bring you back to your mother, so I have no choice but to take you with me. BEAU Yes! This is going to be the best adventure ever! Beau falls over, awestruck. Gaia hikes downstream. CLOSE ON BEAU, imagining the adventure ahead. GAIA (O.S.) (calling) You better keep up, Beau... Beau snaps out of his fantasy and chases after Gaia. EXT. PRESCOTT FOREST - AFTERNOON The river turns west. Gaia and Beau continue south. BEAU Gaia, why are we going to the coast? GAIA To see an old friend of mine. He’s the god of the ocean. BEAU I heard about the ocean. My mama said its filled with fish. GAIA More fish than you can possibly imagine. BEAU Whoa... They walk for a beat. Then, BEAU (CONT’D) Gaia, are you afraid of humans? GAIA No. But I am afraid for the humans.

43.

BEAU How come? My mama says the humans are evil. GAIA They aren’t evil, but they are sick. They were cursed by a goddess who wants to destroy them. BEAU Why did she curse them? GAIA Let’s save that story for another time. Looks like we have another tough night ahead of us... GAIA’S POV: DARK CLOUDS gather over the forest ahead. EXT. PRESCOTT FOREST - NIGHT SHOT: HEAVY SNOWFALL attacks the forest. GAIA’S SILHOUETTE fights the wind. ANGLE ON GAIA, shielding Beau with her cloak. EXT. PRESCOTT FOREST - EARLY MORNING The forest is still, BRANCHES BURNING in snow. Gaia sleeps against a tree, Beau in her lap. Hestia watches over them. EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY Gaia hikes up icy boulders. Beau jumps to a boulder and slips. He recovers, determined to keep up with Gaia. EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE - LATE AFTERNOON ANGLE ON GAIA, hiking down the mountainside, Beau now on her shoulders. She stops and looks off. GAIA’S POV: We see a FROZEN LAKE in the valley below, proceeded by desert. GAIA There it is ... Can you see the ocean? It’s just past that desert. BEAU I only see the desert.

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GAIA We should be there by tomorrow. Let’s find somewhere to rest for the night. Gaia proceeds down the mountain. EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE CAVE - EVENING Gaia stands outside a fire-lit CAVE. GAIA’S POV: A CRESCENT MOON low in the sky. INT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE CAVE - CONTINUOUS Gaia enters the cave. Beau and Hestia rest by the fire. Hestia looks up. Gaia forces a smile. HESTIA What’s wrong? GAIA Nothing ... I’m just worried. HESTIA You’ve been in the cold for too long. Come warm your spirit by the fire. Gaia sits by the fire. BEAU Gaia, can you tell me that story now? The one about the goddess who cursed the humans? GAIA I don’t think that’s a good bedtime story. BEAU Pleeeeease. GAIA Okay, okay. But you have to promise you won’t get scared. BEAU I told you. I’m not scared of anything. GAIA Okay then...

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Beau jumps into Gaia’s lap. GAIA (CONT’D) The story starts with the creation of the gods... EXT. OUTER SPACE - (FLASHBACK) SHOT: EARTH -- a rocky, barren planet. GAIA (V.O.) Billions of years ago, Earth was a nothing but lifeless rock. GAIA’S SPIRIT appears behind Earth. GAIA (V.O.) I was created from Chaos, appointed with the single task of seeding Earth with life... SPEEDING UP, Earth becomes lusciously GREEN and BLUE. GAIA (V.O.) From then on, Earth had two rulers: Helios, the god of the sun, and Nyx, the goddess of the night. Gaia disappears. NYX appears by the dark half of Earth (left), HELIOS, GOD OF THE SUN, by the bright side (right). GAIA (V.O.) Helios brought light to Earth, giving the planet energy and sustenance, and Nyx brought darkness, giving Earth time to rest and restore ... Their pairing worked in perfect harmony. Nyx and Helios vanish as we ZOOM ON EARTH. GAIA (V.O.) Many other gods were appointed to rule over Earth, one of them being Zeus, the god of the sky ... The problem started when Zeus and Helios made a bargain... EXT. ZEUS’S PALACE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) Zeus stands on his balcony, looking up.

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GAIA (V.O.) Zeus created the moon, allowing Helios to shine his light where Earth was in darkness. ZEUS’S POV: A FULL MOON illuminates the night sky. GAIA (V.O.) In return, Helios crafted the beautiful goddess, Selene ... She was made from pure light, and her heart would forever belong to Zeus. Selene saunters over to Zeus, wrapping her arms around him. GAIA (V.O.) This made Nyx furious. EXT. OUTER SPACE - (FLASHBACK) Nyx looks down at Earth, READING from a SPELLBOOK. Tamash jaatah Tamash jaatah

NYX (V.O.) karmani aatmabhaava ke asi aashna ... karmani aatmabhaava ke asi aashna.

GAIA (V.O.) ... Zeus adored the humans, so as punishment for the moon, Nyx cursed them with egos, bringing fear and hatred into their worlds.

EXT. CARTHAGE, TUNISIA - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) ROMAN SHIPS land on the beach, FLAMING ARROWS raining down. SOLDIERS leap from the ships, charging up the beach with swords and shields. EXT. MOUNT OLYMPUS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) SHOT: CITY OF THE OLYMPIAN GODS CRUMBLES down the mountain. GAIA (V.O.) Still thirsty for vengeance, Nyx destroyed the City of the Olympian Gods, and took Zeus to Tartarus to forever be her prisoner. We HEAR NYX LAUGHING. EXT. LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK - DAY (FLASHBACK) A battalion of BRITISH RIFLEMEN stand in a line, firing MUSKETS. A CANNON FIRES, SMOKE filling the FRAME.

47.

GAIA (V.O.) The humans survived, despite Nyx’s curse... INT. EDISON'S LABORATORY - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) ANGLE ON THOMAS EDISON, holding a LIGHT-BULB. GAIA (V.O.) Eventually they began to think of themselves as gods. And in a way they are... Edison screws the bulb into a socket. It GLOWS. Edison stares in delightful awe. GAIA (V.O.) The humans discovered that they too could generate light. EXT. EARTH - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) WIDE-SHOT: Earth’s DARK HEMISPHERES. GAIA (V.O.) Within decades, Earth became covered with human lights... LIGHTS TURN ON, human cities expanding across the globe’s dark surface. GAIA (V.O.) Night on Earth lost its darkness, and Nyx lost power... INT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE CAVE - NIGHT (PRESENT) Beau gives Gaia his full attention. GAIA Ever since then, Nyx has sought to destroy the humans. And she won’t stop there... BEAU I hope she destroys them. They killed my dad. GAIA Yes, but those humans were under Nyx’s curse, and they still are.

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BEAU You mean they wouldn’t have killed him if they weren’t cursed? GAIA That’s right. BEAU So it’s that night goddess’s fault... (huffs) I’m gonna bite her in the butt if I ever see her. GAIA Me too ... Now, let’s get some rest. We have a long hike tomorrow. Beau curls up. Gaia puts her head back and shuts her eyes. LATER THAT NIGHT Gaia and Beau sleep by the FIRE, SNOW falling outside. A WOLF steps to the mouth of cave. Gaia awakes, spotting the wolf. GAIA Can I help you? The wolf bows. WOLF Lady Gaia. The god of darkness requests your council. GAIA Did he not have the courage to tell me himself? Beau awakes. He sees the wolf and GROWLS. GAIA (CONT’D) Don’t worry, Beau. This wolf won’t hurt you. WOLF I am merely a messenger. Erebus would like you and the goddess Selene to join him on the lake. In interest of a compromise. GAIA Compromise?... (thinking; then)

49.

GAIA (CONT’D) Fine. Tell him we will be there. The wolf bows, leaving. HESTIA Do you think it’s a trap? GAIA I should be fine if Selene is with me. HESTIA Are you sure? Cloudy skies tonight. GAIA The storm is passing. I’ll be okay, Hestia. Faith in the light. HESTIA (smiling) That’s right. GAIA Beau, stay in this cave no matter what. Understand? BEAU Can’t I come with you? I don’t want to be alone. What if the wolf comes back? GAIA You’re not alone. Hestia is watching over you. As long as you stay by the fire, she will protect you. Just close your eyes and pretend you’re in your mama’s cave. Beau squeezes his eyes shut. Gaia rubs his head. HESTIA Good luck, Gaia. GAIA Thank you. EXT. FROZEN LAKE - NIGHT Gaia hikes down the mountainside, stopping at a FROZEN LAKE. GAIA’S POV: A dark, SHADOWY ESSENCE swirls at the lake’s center.

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ANGLE ON GAIA, walking onto ice. GAIA’S POV: MOONLIGHT shines down, flourishing in intensity. The SHADOW SPINS faster. ANGLE ON SELENE, forming from the moonlight. ANGLE ON EREBUS, morphing from the shadow. Gaia approaches them. Erebus tips his crown. EREBUS Good evening ... I must say, Gaia -you look stunning in the dark. SELENE Skip the flirtation, Erebus. If you have business to discuss then do so. GAIA Please. EREBUS Very well ... My wife has requested I speak with you both. She has been gracious enough to offer a compromise. One last chance to save your planet. GAIA I’m listening... EREBUS Allow us to exterminate the humans without resistance, and the rest of the planet will be spared. Gaia and Selene exchange looks. SELENE I don’t believe this... EREBUS This is your final chance. If you resist us, you will soon find yourself in Tartarus darkness. SELENE Go ahead and try to take me to Tartarus, you stupid shadow. GAIA Nyx is worried, isn’t she?

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EREBUS Not in the slightest. We only wish for our plans to go smoothly... GAIA Well, I refuse your compromise. I won’t allow the humans to perish. EREBUS ... Ignorant fool. You will regret this. GAIA Be gone, Erebus. This discussion is over. EREBUS Your disrespect won’t go without severe punishment! SELENE (yelling) She said be gone, darkness! Selene BLASTS MOONLIGHT into Erebus’s chest. He vanishes. GAIA Thank you, Selene. SELENE I always enjoy that... (then) I think you’re right, Gaia. Nyx is must be worried... ZOOMING OUT ... SNOW blows across the ice. FADE TO: INT. NYX’S CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS Nyx sits on her throne. Erebus appears, bowing. NYX Well? EREBUS The goddesses refused... NYX (surprised) Really? ... Gaia doubts my powers. EREBUS She does indeed.

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NYX Very well. Her stubbornness will be her downfall. We will act swiftly. EREBUS Yes, my queen. NYX Be gone, Erebus. Erebus vanishes. CLOSE ON NYX, disturbed. EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT The ocean shimmers in moonlight. Nyx appears above the water. NYX (yelling) Poseidon! ANGLE ON POSEIDON, rising from the water. POSEIDON Yes? NYX I suspect the Earth goddess is on her way to see you. She thinks she can turn you against me. POSEIDON I can assure you that won’t happen. My mind is made. NYX It better be ... When you do speak with Gaia, I want you to crush her spirit. Erase any hope she has of saving this planet. Then, I want you to destroy every human city within your reach. Show this world the height of your power. POSEIDON It would be a dream. EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAINSIDE CAVE - MOMENTS EARLIER Gaia, Selene, and Hestia stand outside the cave. Selene goes into a trance, gathering information from far away.

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SELENE I see Nyx. She’s speaking with Poseidon. GAIA What is she saying? SELENE She is warning him that you will come to see him ... She has asked him to destroy every human city in his reach, and he seems happy about it ... She’s gone now. Selene comes out of her trance. GAIA I’ve come all this way... SELENE It’s too late to go back now. Nyx will show no mercy after declining her compromise. GAIA You’re right. I have to speak with Poseidon. Even if it’s useless. I have to try... FADE TO: EXT. CABEZA PRIETA - DAY WIDE-SHOT: A VAST DESERT scattered with cacti and shrubs. We see Gaia in the distance, hiking towards us. Beau catches up with Gaia, sniffing. GAIA Do you smell the ocean? BEAU It smells gross. Is that how it’s supposed to smell? GAIA I don’t think so. Gaia and Beau stop at a CEMENT ROAD. A RED TRUCK zooms past. BEAU Holy cow! What was that?

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GAIA That was a human. They use those machines to travel faster. Let’s cross before another one comes. Gaia and Beau cross the road, climbing a sandy hill. We HEAR WAVES CRASH and SEABIRDS CAWING. EXT. GULF OF CALIFORNIA - CONTINUOUS Gaia and Beau reach the top of the hill, looking out. GAIA’S POV: GREY CLOUDS above the ominous SEA. BEAU This is the ocean? It’s just a big lake. I thought it was gonna be way cooler than this. GAIA The ocean is most powerful force on the planet. You should never underestimate it. Beau catches a whiff of something. BEAU Wait a second. I know that smell. SHOT: A DEAD WHALE on the beach, FLIES BUZZING. Beau follows his nose to the whale, Gaia chasing after him. BEAU (CONT’D) This is the biggest fish ever! Gaia looks sadly at the whale. THANATOS (O.S.) It’s a pity what the humans are doing to these magnificent beasts. PANNING UP to see Thanatos. THANATOS (CONT’D) But you know how I am -- the more dead, the merrier. GAIA What do you want, Thanatos? I just had the displeasure of speaking with your father. Beau looks around.

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BEAU Who are you talking to, Gaia? GAIA You’ll meet him one day... Thanatos laughs. THANATOS I came here because I wanted to watch your hopes of saving Earth end up like this whale. (louder) Let the truth be told, Poseidon! A WAVE grows forty feet tall. Gaia and Beau back up, the wave crashing on the beach. In its remains is POSEIDON. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: Gaia steps forward. She and Poseidon face off where ocean meets earth. POSEIDON Gaia... GAIA Poseidon. THANATOS Poseidon, tell this goddess where your allegiance lies. GAIA I would appreciate if you left, Thanatos. I would like to speak to Poseidon without your verbal-venom filling his ears. THANATOS I do what I please, goddess of the dirt and trees. POSEIDON Thanatos. Let me speak with Gaia alone. There’s no need to worry. Thanatos vanishes with a HISS. Gaia looks at the whale. GAIA What happened? POSEIDON The humans polluted these waters long ago, along with the rest of our planet.

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Gaia studies his expression. GAIA So it’s true. You plan to help destroy them. POSEIDON I look forward to it. GAIA You can’t. Poseidon ... Has it really come to this? POSEIDON The ocean is all I have, Gaia. The humans are raping it. They have consumed half the sea life, poisoned the rest. Something must be done. GAIA There has to be a way we can rid them of Nyx’s curse. Maybe we can heal them somehow. They can learn to respect the planet. Poseidon shakes his head. POSEIDON It’s too late, Gaia. The humans will die with respect. Their cities will crumble with it. GAIA Is there no way I can change your mind? POSEIDON No ... I’m sorry, Gaia. This is what feels right. GAIA What about Zeus? How can you betray your brother like this? POSEIDON Zeus is imprisoned in Tartarus, where he belongs. Besides, that lightning-loving pervert cares for no one but himself. GAIA Zeus adores the humans. He took part in their creation.

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POSEIDON We all know why he adores them. It’s the same reason he “adores” Aphrodite. GAIA Aphrodite... (realizing) Of course. POSEIDON What? Gaia backs away. GAIA Thanks for the talk, Poseidon. Come on, Beau. Time to leave. CLOSE ON BEAU, biting the whale. He lets go. BEAU But we just got here. GAIA And now we’re leaving... Poseidon watches them, confused. He sinks into the water. EXT. CABEZA PRIETA - MINUTES LATER Gaia hurries across the desert, Beau keeping up. BEAU Where are we going now? And who were you talking to back there? GAIA I was talking to the god of the ocean. BEAU Oh ... Is he your friend? GAIA Not anymore. EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN - DAY Poseidon rises from the water. Thanatos awaits him.

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THANATOS Time to teach the humans to respect the god of the ocean. POSEIDON (determined) Yes... THANATOS It will start with the city called New York. Over eight-million humans inhabit this city. Show their souls into my hands. POSEIDON Gladly. EXT. NEW YORK CITY - AFTERNOON SHOT: THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, looking out on the ATLANTIC OCEAN. A FREIGHT SHIP moves toward us. ANGLE ON A TSUNAMI, forming miles from shore. SHOT: The shoreline recedes, pulling the freight ship out to sea. A two-thousand-foot TSUNAMI charges towards the city... SERIES OF SHOTS: The FREIGHT SHIP SMASHES into a SKY-SCRAPER, WATER violently FLOODING NEW YORK CITY ... BRIDGES COLLAPSE ... BUILDINGS FALL like dominos ... People run through TIMES SQUARE. The tsunami washes them away. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: New York City is devastated, buried in water. We HEAR THANATOS LAUGHING, his SHADOWY ESSENCE engulfing the FRAME. EXT. CABEZA PRIETA - DAY It’s raining. Gaia and Beau hike across the desert. Gaia suddenly stops, placing a hand on her chest. BEAU Are you okay, Gaia? GAIA I think something horrible just happened... EXT. CABEZA PRIETA - NIGHT Gaia rests against a rock, SMOKING HESTIA’S PIPE. She passes it to Hestia.

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HESTIA There’s no knowing where Poseidon will attack next. Nor can we stop him ... We need a new plan. GAIA Our only hope is to find Aphrodite. HESTIA No one has seen Aphrodite since the fall of Mt. Olympus. Besides, how can she help us defeat Nyx? GAIA Aphrodite can persuade Ares to end his wars ... Also, I believe she might be the answer to healing the humans. HESTIA I don’t know about that, but I do know that Aphrodite is all Ares has ever wanted... Hestia puffs the pipe. HESTIA (CONT’D) It could work ... But what if you can’t find her? There’s no time to lose. GAIA I have to find her ... Aphrodite is the answer. I just know it. HESTIA Listen to the light in your heart. Do what feels right. Hestia smokes the pipe more, thinking. EXT. AMAZON RAINFOREST - DUSK ANGLE FROM ABOVE: WIND BRUSHES the TREES, the day’s light disappearing. Nyx appears above the trees, SPELLBOOK open. NYX Raatri patangaah jahn... Raatri patangaah jahn... Raatri patangaah jahn...

NYX (V.O.) ... It will be here, in Peru, where I will give birth to your worst enemy yet ... The Nyx Moth.

THOUSANDS of BLACK CATERPILLARS fall onto the treetops.

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CLOSE ON THE CATERPILLARS, devouring the leaves. NYX (V.O.) They will be ravenous. Gluttonous insects. EXT. AMAZON RAINFOREST - DAY ANGLE FROM ABOVE: The trees are completely BARE. SHOT: MOTHS breaking from their COCOONS. NYX (V.O.) And they will spread from one forest to the next... The moths spread their wings and take flight. EXT. AMAZON RAINFOREST - AFTERNOON SHOT: A forest covered with WEB-NESTS. We HEAR CATERPILLARS MUNCHING LEAVES. EXT. AMAZON RAINFOREST - NIGHT SHOT: SAME FOREST, now BARE and illuminated by MOONLIGHT. Hundreds of moths fly across the FRAME. NYX (V.O.) And you will suffer, Gaia. You will suffer until Earth is mine and you are gone... FADE TO: EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - DAY ANGLE ON GAIA, hiking through the forest with Beau on her shoulders. SHOT: A SNAKE spirals a tree branch. Gaia walks beneath the branch and the snake comes face-toface with Beau. Beau YELPS, swiping at the snake in fear. The snake dodges his paws, dropping to the ground. SNAKE Lovely to see you, Gaia. A little birdie told me you were on a quest to save us all.

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The snake BURPS up a RED FEATHER. Gaia smirks, continuing forward. The snake slithers after her. SNAKE (CONT’D) Perhaps I could be of assistance. GAIA I doubt that. I’m looking for a goddess who hasn’t been seen in a thousand years. SNAKE I can’t imagine it will be easy finding her on foot, my lady. If only you had wings... Gaia contemplates this as they arrive at a clearing. GAIA’S POV: SUNSET CRATER in the distance. PANNING DOWN to see a group of TOURISTS snapping photos from afar. BEAU (whispering) Humans! GAIA We will go around them. BEAU What if they try to hunt us? GAIA Don’t worry. Those humans aren’t hunters. SNAKE Do you mean to go into the volcano, my lady? GAIA Yes... SNAKE It is rumored that a hideous god lives there. Some say they hear him weeping at night. GAIA That’s who I’m looking for. Thank you, snake. You have been of assistance after all. SNAKE It was my pleasure...

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The snake bows, then slithers off. EXT. SUNSET CRATER - AFTERNOON Gaia and Beau survey the volcano from a nearby tree. SHOT: A TUNNEL PASSAGEWAY burrowing into the VOLCANO. GAIA Okay. Stay here, Beau. BEAU Aw. I can’t come? GAIA It’s too dangerous. Please. I won’t be long. Just stay right here. BEAU Okay... GAIA You promise? BEAU I promise. Beau sits, arms crossed. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: Gaia enters the volcano tunnel. INT. SUNSET CRATER - CONTINUOUS ANGLE FROM ABOVE: HEPHAESTUS stands on a platform, staring down at the lava. Gaia enters from the tunnel. GAIA’S POV: Hephaestus turns his head, revealing his stone face. His expression is filled with sadness -- the look of a broken god. HEPHAESTUS (croaking) Gaia... Hephaestus CLEARS his THROAT. GAIA Hello, Hephaestus. Are you okay? You look awfully sad. HEPHAESTUS Just the usual...

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Gaia examines the volcano’s inner walls, which are covered with detailed ENGRAVINGS OF APHRODITE. GAIA Where is she, Hephaestus? Where is Aphrodite? HEPHAESTUS She left. After my mother died... She said Hera was the only reason we were together, and that her love did not belong to me. (then) I don’t blame her. How could she love something as ugly as me? GAIA Don’t say such things. True beauty is a measure of soul. Hephaestus sobs. GAIA (CONT’D) Maybe you should live in another volcano. Instead of this shrine. HEPHAESTUS They all look like this. Every single one. Hephaestus CRIES OUT, flinging his arms in the air. EXT. TOURIST AREA - CONTINUOUS LAVA and MOLTEN-ROCK burst through the volcano’s lid. The TOURISTS GASP excitedly, snapping pictures. INT. SUNSET CRATER - CONTINUOUS Gaia pulls Hephaestus away from the lava. GAIA Hephaestus, listen to me. You will be okay. I promise you. HEPHAESTUS How can I ever feel love again after losing her? HOW? GAIA Do you know where she is? Maybe I can talk to her.

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HEPHAESTUS Nobody knows where she is. No one will ever find her... GAIA Please, Hephaestus. I have to find her. If I don’t, Nyx will turn Earth into a dark, soulless rock. HEPHAESTUS I don’t care about Earth. (shaking his head) Earth has brought me nothing but pain. Aphrodite’s love will curse me until the end of time. I want nothing more than to forget ... I want Earth to end, Gaia. GAIA What are you saying? HEPHAESTUS I spoke with Nyx ... She promised me peace. GAIA Hephaestus, no. Hephaestus steps to the platform’s edge. HEPHAESTUS I’m sorry if I’ve let you down, Gaia. If only you could understand my pain... GAIA Hephaestus! Hephaestus falls from the platform. LAVA SPLASHES violently. The VOLCANO WALLS COLLAPSE. Gaia runs for the tunnel. EXT. SUNSET CRATER - MOMENTS LATER The VOLCANO EXPLODES. Gaia escapes through the tunnel, lava chasing her into the woods. EXT. TOURIST AREA - MINUTES LATER Gaia pushes through leafy branches, calling: GAIA Beau ... Beau?

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ANGLE ON BEAU, popping out from hiding. A WOMAN SHRIEKS. TOURIST WOMAN (O.S.) Look! A little cub! The tourists surround Beau, CAMERAS FLASHING. Beau trembles with fear, eyes darting from one person to the next. TOURIST WOMAN #2 How adorable. I can’t wait to put this on my FaceBook. ANGLE ON GAIA, hiding behind a tree. GAIA Pssst. Beau, over here. Beau turns to see Gaia. GAIA (CONT’D) Quick! Beau runs to Gaia. They disappear in brush. TOURIST MAN (to the group) Nobody follow it. It’s mother might be close by... EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - EVENING Gaia and Beau stop. Beau catches his breath. BEAU What the heck just happened? ... Did those humans steal my soul? GAIA No, you still have your soul. BEAU I don’t know. Those lights hurt my eyes. I’m kinda dizzy now... GAIA You’ll be fine. I promise. GAIA’S POV: SUNSET CRATER continues to erupt, setting flame to the surrounding area. GAIA (CONT’D) Come on. We’ve got to get moving. Gaia puts Beau on her shoulders, running off.

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EXT. KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN - DAY WIDE-SHOT: The city of KAGOSHIMA next to the VOLCANO, SAKURAJIMA. The VOLCANO ERUPTS... ANGLE FROM ABOVE: MOLTEN ROCK and LAVA rain down on Kagoshima. Buildings catch fire. People run for shelter, SCREAMING. EXT. BÁRÐARBUNGA, ICELAND - DAY A STRATOVOLCANO bursts open, LAVA SPLASHING. EXT. ALEUTIAN ISLANDS - DAY FOUR VOLCANOES ERUPT: One ... after another ... after another ... after another. EXT. CATANIA, ITALY - NIGHT WIDE-SHOT: MOUNT ETNA BLOWS OPEN. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: LAVA POURS into the bright city of CATANIA. Buildings catch fire as we HEAR NYX LAUGHING. FADE TO: EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - NIGHT Gaia and Hestia sit by a fire. Beau sleeps by their side. HETSIA Hephaestus was a tortured soul. It’s no surprise Nyx got to him first. GAIA He said that no one knows where Aphrodite’s hiding, and no one would ever find her... HESTIA Many gods have looked for her. Ares did everything he could to find her. Aphrodite’s love was all he ever wanted, and it was always denied from him. That’s where his passion for war comes from. A place of great pain and frustration... FADE TO:

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INT. BOEING B-52 (COCKPIT) - DAY A PILOT flies the jet. We PAN 180 DEGREES to see that it’s really Ares flying the jet. EXT. BOEING B-52 - CONTINUOUS Thanatos flies over the cockpit. THANATOS Punish the world for denying your only wish. Make it crumble with regret... INT. BOEING B-52 (COCKPIT) - CONTINUOUS Ares secures his hand on the DROP BUTTON. THANATOS Release it... Ares presses the button. THANATOS (CONT’D) See you on the ground. EXT. BOEING B-52 - CONTINUOUS A GATE OPENS and a NUCLEAR BOMB drops from the plane. EXT. SKY - MOMENTS LATER ANGLE ON ARES -- He rides the nuke to the ground, cape flapping. EXT. TEHRAN, IRAN - MINUTES LATER WIDE-SHOT: The nuke cascades towards the city of TEHRAN ... BOOM! Tehran is obliterated in a MUSHROOM-CLOUD EXPLOSION. FADE TO WHITE. EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS) Gaia falls over. HESTIA (worried) Gaia!

68.

Hestia and Beau help her up. GAIA Something happened... Gaia BREATHES through the pain. GAIA (CONT’D) Something I have felt before. INT. KAIBAB FOREST - MORNING ANGLE ON GAIA, meditating by a tree. ANGLE ON BEAU, laying on his back, watching the sky. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: A HAWK circles above the trees. FOLLOWING A RABBIT, racing through the forest. The hawk snatches the rabbit in a FLASH. CLOSE ON GAIA, WHISTLING sharply. MINUTES LATER The hawk lands by Gaia, the rabbit squirming in its talons. The hawk bows. HAWK My lady... RABBIT Oh, thank you, Gaia. You sweet, merciful goddess. GAIA It’s not my intention to save you, rabbit. SHOT: A CROW lands on a nearby branch, undetected. GAIA (CONT’D) (to the hawk) I am looking for the goddess Aphrodite. I was hoping you could help me find her. RABBIT I know where she is! If you let me live, I’ll tell you exactly where. GAIA Tell me...

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The hawk tightens its grip on the rabbit. RABBIT She’s -- ow! She’s... HAWK I do not know of Aphrodite’s whereabouts, but if you allow me this rabbit I will gladly help you find her-RABBIT No, wait! She’s in the forest. Deep in the forest. Where no one can find her. Gaia smirks. GAIA I don’t like liars ... The world needs less of them. Gaia nods. The hawk SNAPS the rabbit’s neck. BEAU Awesome! The hawk tosses the rabbit to Beau. HAWK It’s yours. I will find another. BEAU (exuberant) Holy cow! Thank you! Beau takes the rabbit and finds a good spot to eat. HAWK I will speak with my brothers and sisters. Perhaps one of them might know something. GAIA That would be very helpful. Thank you... HAWK I will return when the task is finished. The hawk returns to the sky. SHOT: The crow flies off.

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EXT. DEATH VALLEY - AFTERNOON FOLLOWING THE CROW, high above a desert canyon. It dives down, gliding through a SMALL GAP in the CANYON WALL. We FOLLOW into DARKNESS. INT. TEMPLE OF DARKNESS - LATER FOLLOWING THE CROW, FLYING OVER GREEN FIRE, ENSLAVED TITANS, and DRAGONS chained to the walls. INT. NYX’S CHAMBER - MINUTES LATER The crow glides into the chamber, landing on Nyx’s welcoming hand. NYX What news do you bring, my feathered friend? The CROW CHATTERS and Nyx listens. NYX (CONT’D) (laughing) Aphrodite? It would seem Gaia is getting desperate... (yelling) Erebus! Erebus appears instantly. EREBUS Yes? NYX Double your efforts to find Aphrodite. I want her brought to me immediately. EREBUS We have been searching for the last millennium, my queen. She is nowhere to be found. Nyx stands angrily. Erebus flinches. NYX ... She must be under a spell. One that keeps us from seeing her. EREBUS Exactly my thoughts.

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NYX So, how do we break this spell? ... Or do we have to? ... No. Either Gaia will lead us to Aphrodite, or she will fail to find her. Either way, Earth is mine. EREBUS What would you like me to do? NYX Go away, Erebus. Erebus vanishes. Nyx turns to the crow. NYX (CONT’D) Keep watch of Gaia at all times. I want her every move watched and reported to me directly. The crow nods, then flies off. NYX (CONT’D) (to herself) What could the Earth goddess possibly want with Aphrodite? (thinking) A bribe perhaps ... Yes. A bribe for Ares. (then; yelling) Thanatos! Thanatos appears. THANATOS Yes, mother. NYX Tell Ares I want his war fully commenced. Tell him if he doesn’t destroy the humans within Earth’s next rotation I will throw him in a dark cell. THANATOS All of the pieces are in place, but it will take more time than that. NYX Make it take less time, Thanatos. Now, be gone! Thanatos vanishes.

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EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - NIGHT Beau sleeps happily by the fire. The RABBIT SKELETON lays next to him. Hestia LIGHTS her PIPE for Gaia. HESTIA The herb will help with the pain... I don’t know how many more of those bombs you can take. Ares has to be stopped. GAIA Aphrodite is our only hope of stopping him. HESTIA What will you do if the birds can’t find her? GAIA I don’t know... HESTIA Go into Tartarus, Gaia. Free Zeus. Perhaps he can restore some order in this world. GAIA I will only go into Tartarus if I have no other choice. HESTIA What choice do you have? We are out of options. And time... Gaia smokes the pipe, contemplating. EXT. KAIBAB FOREST - MORNING CLOSE ON A BUTTERFLY, fluttering about the forest. Beau pounces on it. He bites its wing, then spits in disgust. Beau finds Gaia meditating by the fire. BEAU Gaia, how long do we have to wait here? GAIA Until the hawk returns. BEAU Well, he’s taking forever.

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GAIA Nature’s secret is patience. Beau sits with a “humph”. NOON Beau now lays on his back. He perks up, spotting something. BEAU Gaia! There he is! Gaia stands. The hawk lands on her arm. HAWK My lady. There is someone who would like to speak with you. GAIA Who is it? HAWK It’s one of Zeus’s eagles. Andiotelís. He’s not far from here. GAIA Show me the way. The hawk takes off. Gaia and Beau chase after it. MINUTES LATER FOLLOWING THE HAWK, gliding through the forest as Gaia and Beau follow from below. The hawk leads them to a CLIFF, then continues into the sky. GAIA’S POV: Watching the hawk fly off, then PANNING DOWN to see the GIANT EAGLE, ANDIOTELÍS, perched on a dead tree. Andiotelís bows. Gaia does the same. ANDIOTELÍS The honor is mine, good lady of Earth. The hawk told me you are searching for Aphrodite. GAIA I am. Do you know where she is? ANDIOTELÍS She’s on an island in the west, protected by an invisible charm. I was told not to speak of her location, but time is against us.

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GAIA Let’s not waste a moment. Can you take me to her now? ANDIOTELÍS Of course... Andiotelís spreads his wings and Gaia settles on his back. She turns to Beau. GAIA Come on, Beau. BEAU You want me to get on that giant... bird? GAIA Well you can’t stay here. Beau gulps. GAIA (CONT’D) I thought you weren’t afraid of anything? BEAU I’m not... GAIA Then come on! Beau comes over hesitantly. Gaia scoops him up and secures him in her lap. Andiotelís leaps from the cliff, carrying them into the sky. EXT. ARIZONA SKY - MINUTES LATER Andiotelís soars through the sky. BEAU This -- is -- AWESOME! Andiotelís dives down. BEAU

(O.S.) (CONT’D)

Woooooo! EXT. CALIFORNIA SKY - HOUR LATER SERIES OF SHOTS: Andiotelís flies over mountains ... cacti and desert ... the PACIFIC OCEAN, massaging the coast.

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EXT. SOUTH CHINA SEA - NIGHT ANGLE ON POSEIDON, conjuring a MASSIVE TSUNAMI. Nyx and Thanatos hover above Poseidon. THANATOS Seven million souls... NYX Take them. Thanatos melds with the tsunami, riding it towards mainland. EXT. HONG KONG - NIGHT WIDE-SHOT: HONG KONG decorated with lights ... The TSUNAMI swallows the city with a swift, catastrophic blow. EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - LATE AFTERNOON Andiotelís now flies over the OCEAN. Gaia clenches her chest. GAIA (weak) There was another attack... GAIA’S POV: HUNDREDS of CROWS circle the distance sky. ANDIOTELÍS Looks like crows ahead. I’ll try to avoid them... Andiotelís flaps hard, picking up altitude. SHOT: CROWS surge after Andiotelís. Andiotelís speeds through the air, pumping his wings harder. Crows dive-bomb Andiotelís. One hits his wing, throwing them off balance. Andiotelís recovers, pushing forward. Then a crow SMASHES his head, knocking him out. MEDIUM-SHOT: Andiotelís cascades for the water, Gaia and Beau falling off. Anidiotelís hits the water with a SPLASH, crows diving in after him. Gaia emerges above surface. She looks around in a panic, then goes back under. GAIA’S POV: Beau sinks, air bubbles escaping his mouth. Gaia’s hand reaches out and grabs him.

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Gaia resurfaces with Beau. He COUGHS up water, gasping. Gaia scans for Anidiotelís, crows swarming their heads. ANGLE ON ANDIOTELÍS, floating motionlessly. BLACK MIST rises from the water around him, forming into Thanatos. THANATOS Well isn’t this ... Delicious. ANGLE ON FIVE SHARKS, move rapidly through the water. THANATOS (CONT’D) I hate to disappoint the crows, but I have other friends who need feeding. GAIA Those sharks won’t harm me. THANATOS Maybe not. But your little friend looks like a yummy snack. Thanatos LAUGHS. A DOLPHIN emerges next to Gaia. DOLPHIN Hop on, Gaia. I can take you to Aphrodite. GAIA How did you--

DOLPHIN (CONT'D) Quickly!

Gaia wraps an arm around the dolphin, the other holding Beau. The dolphin zooms through the water, the sharks chasing after them. ANGLE ON THE DOLPHIN, suddenly stopping. GAIA’S POV: MORE SHARKS circle ahead, BLOOD diffusing the water. Thanatos reappears, sniffing the bloody water. THANATOS It seems this is the second dolphin to pass this way. How pleasantly foolish of them both. DOLPHIN Take a deep breath! The dolphin dives beneath the surface, Gaia and Beau holding on. They swim under the sharks, coming back up for air. ANGLE ON THE DOLPHIN, soaring above the water. Gaia and Beau take a DEEP BREATH, plunging back in.

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ANGLE ON THE SHARKS, trailing close behind, Thanatos flying over them. Thanatos stops. THANATOS (yelling) Poseidon! Show them no mercy! A MASSIVE WAVE forms, drawing in the dolphin and sharks. The wave builds higher and higher... EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - CONTINUOUS PSHHHHHHH! The WAVE CRASHES on the BEACH, water spewing everywhere. CUT TO BLACK. EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - EVENING GAIA’S POV: Her eyes open, vision blurry. She looks around the vacant beach. GAIA (disoriented) Beau? ... Beau? GAIA’S POV: Her eyes close -- BLACK. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: Gaia lays unconscious in the sand. The tide washes up to her head, mirroring the evening sky. FADE TO WHITE. We HEAR WAVES rolling in, softer and softer... FADE IN: EXT. YAWGDRASIL’S CLIFF - EVENING (DREAM) GAIA’S POV: A PURPLE SKY behind YAWGDRASIL, who smiles down at us, a joyous gleam in his eyes. YAWGDRASIL Hello, Gaia. GAIA Yawgy ... You’re alive. YAWGDRASIL I always will be. Gaia sits up, looking around. Yawgdrasil watches her in calm delight. MORPHEUS appears beside Yawgdrasil, arms crossed. YAWGDRASIL (CONT’D) You did well, Gaia.

78.

GAIA What do you mean? I haven’t accomplished anything. YAWGDRASIL You were right about the humans. They can be saved. Earth can be saved ... Love, Gaia. Love has the power to heal the world. GAIA (breathing) Yes... YAWGDRASIL Spread it to the humans like a disease. Dose it in their drinking water. Shower their cities with it. CLOSE ON GAIA, her eyes filling with hope. MORPHEUS Time to wake up, Gaia. Morpheus SNAPS. CUT TO: EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - MIDNIGHT Water splashes Gaia’s face and she awakes. She gets up slowly, looking around. GAIA (calling) Beau? Gaia walks up the beach, stopping at a forest. GAIA’S POV: TWO TORCHES hover side-by-side in the dark, moving towards us. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: Gaia waits by the forest’s edge. A LARGE BUCK walks onto the beach, a TORCH in each antler. BUCK Welcome, Lady Gaia. (bowing) The goddess of this island has been informed of your arrival. I will take you to her. Gaia nods, following the buck into the forest. She eyes him curiously.

79.

GAIA If you don’t mind me asking -- how did you get here? BUCK The goddess of this island brought me here. On the back on an eagle. GAIA Aphrodite did? BUCK Yes ... My parents were both killed when I was a fawn. Aphrodite found me not long after, and she saved me. I have lived here since, along with many of her adopted children. We HEAR EXCITED CHATTER up ahead. A FIRE’S GLOW extends into the forest. GAIA Sounds like a party... The buck leads Gaia into the clearing. EXT. APHRODITE’S GARDEN - CONTINUOUS A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN, flourishing with BRIGHT FRUITS and FLOWERS. We see a SMALL POND at the garden’s center, where a tall THRONE seats APHRODITE. Aphrodite stands. APHRODITE Welcome, Gaia, goddess of Earth. Aphrodite bows gracefully. She steps down from her throne and TWO SWANS carry her over to Gaia. APHRODITE (CONT’D) After all these years. I didn’t think it would be you who would find me... GAIA I found you out of desperation... Aphrodite, I have a tremendous favor to ask of you. APHRODITE I have a favor to ask of you as well. Perhaps we can work out a deal... Aphrodite looks to the sky.

80.

APHRODITE (CONT’D) A full moon ... Come. Join me by the fire. We have much to discuss. Gaia and Aphrodite walk around the pond. FOUR SEATS surround a FIRE. Gaia and Aphrodite sit in opposite seats. BIRDS and ANIMALS gather around, staring at Gaia. APHRODITE (CONT’D) Don’t mind my children. They have heard many stories about you. Your little friend likes to talk. GAIA Beau? He’s here? Beau jumps into Gaia’s lap, rubbing his head against her affectionately. Gaia hugs him. GAIA (CONT’D) Thank goodness! I was afraid the sharks had gotten you. BEAU No way. I scared away those sharks with a single growl. Beau shows his teeth and Gaia LAUGHS. APHRODITE He showed up a few hours before you did ... He seems to like it here. A GIRL CUB comes over to them. Beau jumps from Gaia and chases the girl cub across the garden. GAIA I see he’s fallen for one of your charms. APHRODITE Actually, no. Their affection for each other is completely natural... Aphrodite studies Gaia, a calming warmth in her gaze. APHRODITE (CONT’D) So. What is this favor you wish to ask me? GAIA Well. I’m not sure if you know what’s been happening outside this island of yours.

81.

APHRODITE I know exactly what’s been happening. Why do you think I have been hiding? GAIA Aphrodite, we need you to persuade Ares to break his allegiance with Nyx. He’s destroying Earth. We don’t have much time before it’s too late. Aphrodite contemplates this. APHRODITE Persuading Ares would be easy... But if I am to do this, I will need something from you first. GAIA Anything... APHRODITE I want you to free Zeus from Tartarus. Succeed, and I will do what you have asked. Gaia shakes her head. GAIA I can’t go into Tartarus. Not now. Aphrodite -- your love is the only way we can save Earth. Going into Tartarus is too much of a risk right now. APHRODITE I would rather perish than be apart from Zeus for any longer. Saving Earth without saving him would only prolong my suffering. GAIA There must be something else. APHRODITE There’s not. Free Zeus, and I will convince Ares to break his allegiance with Nyx. Gaia stares into the flames. APHRODITE (CONT’D) What other choice do you have?

82.

GAIA This is what Hestia has been telling me to do all along... APHRODITE Excellent. She can join us. Aphrodite places a hand near the fire. APHRODITE (CONT’D) Join us, Hestia. Hestia materializes in the flames. She gapes at Aphrodite. HESTIA Aphrodite... (then) Gaia. You found her. Aphrodite looks to the moon. APHRODITE Come down to Earth, Selene. We need your assistance. WIDE-SHOT: MOONLIGHT beams down on APHRODITE’S ISLAND, piercing a transparent PINK SHIELD. ANGLE ON SELENE, taking shape in the moonlight. She sees Aphrodite and smirks. SELENE This is a surprise ... You’ve been hiding for too long, you beautiful thing. APHRODITE It’s good to see you in your goddess form, Selene. You are just as stunning as I remembered. SELENE You are enchanting beyond comprehension. Selene and Hestia take seats by the fire. Beau comes to Gaia’s side. Gaia stands, everyone awaiting her words. GAIA Aphrodite has asked me to free Zeus from Tartarus. In return, she will persuade Ares to break his allegiance with Nyx...

83.

HESTIA It’s our best chance of saving Earth. Though, none of us can help past the entrance. Our light cannot penetrate Tartarus’s depths. GAIA Somehow I knew it would come down to this ... I’ve been avoiding it since the fall of Mt. Olympus. APHRODITE It’s not too late. Gaia breathes deeply, apprehensive. BEAU You’re not afraid -- right, Gaia? Gaia looks to Beau. GAIA I’m very afraid... SELENE ... There is someone who can help you. A goddess as sly as the shadows. As crafty as they come. APHRODITE (realizing) Athena... SELENE Yes ... She can disguise you, Gaia. It’s your best chance. GAIA If I fail, Earth will be lost. APHRODITE Earth will be lost if you don’t try... GAIA (breathing) You’re right ... I have no choice. (then) Selene, find Athena and tell her to meet me in Death Valley. If she’s willing join me... SELENE Something tells me she will be.

84.

APHRODITE So it’s settled... The goddesses stand, bowing. APHRODITE (CONT’D) We will meet again soon ... Council adjourned. Selene beams up to the moon. Hestia dissolves in the fire. Aphrodite and Beau watch Gaia. HOLD ON GAIA, flames reflecting in her worried eyes. FADE TO: EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - LATE NIGHT ANGLE ON NYX -- She hovers over Aphrodite’s island, MUTTERING a spell. She gives up in frustration. NYX (yelling) Thanatos! Thanatos appears. THANATOS What is it now? NYX Are you sure it was this island? Gaia is nowhere to be found. The entire island is vacant. THANATOS I am positive. I watched her land on this very beach. NYX Then why can’t I find her, Thanatos? WHY? THANATOS Maybe she left. Or perhaps its a trick of the moon... Nyx looks to the sky. NYX Curse you, Selene ... Just wait. I will suffocate you with darkness. (MORE)

85.

NYX (CONT'D) Earth will never see your pretty face again... Nyx vanishes, then Thanatos. EXT. THE ACROPOLIS, ATHENS - DUSK MEDIUM-SHOT: The ACROPOLIS GLOWS at the peak of Athens, a FULL MOON in the PURPLE SKY. ANGLE ON ATHENA -- She stands on the Acropolis, looking down at Athens. MOONLIGHT BEAMS down, Selene materializing by Athena’s side. ATHENA Hello, darling. How can I help you? SELENE Gaia requests your aid. She is opening the entrance to Tartarus. ATHENA So the time has come... Athena WHISTLES. ZEUS’S EAGLE, ELÉFTHEROS, lands beside her. ATHENA (CONT’D) The mighty Zeus will return to the sky once again. Eléftheros CRIES OUT. Athena mounts him. ATHENA (CONT’D) We bring the fight to Nyx. Tell Gaia I will meet her at sunset. (then; to the eagle) Fly swiftly, Eléftheros. The fate of your master rests on your wings. Eléftheros leaps from the Acropolis, carrying Athena into the sky. Selene beams back the moon. EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - SUNRISE The sun creeps over the watery horizon. Gaia stands alone on the beach, gazing out. Aphrodite walks over to her. APHRODITE We will leave when you are ready. GAIA You’re coming with me?

86.

APHRODITE Only to the entrance. I want to be the first thing Zeus sees when he returns to Earth. GAIA ... So, you really believe I can do this? APHRODITE I have to believe. Otherwise I would have nothing... Aphrodite WHISTLES SHARPLY. An EAGLE CRIES. Moments later, ZEUS’S GOLDEN EAGLE, AETOSDIOS, lands on the beach. APHRODITE (CONT'D) This is--

GAIA Aetosdios...

Gaia and Aetosdios bow to each other. APHRODITE (CONT’D) Zeus’s golden eagle. He came to live with me when Zeus was taken to Tartarus. AETOSDIOS And I will continue to serve those with noble hearts. Zeus may be imprisoned in darkness, but he is not forgotten. GAIA No, he is not. And neither is your brother. AETOSDIOS I will make the same sacrifice as my brother if it means my master’s freedom. Aetosdios spreads his giant wings, allowing Aphrodite and Gaia to mount him. AETOSDIOS (CONT’D) Crows will not catch me. That I can assure you... BEAU (O.S.) (yelling) Gaia! ... Wait! GAIA’S POV: Beau hurries down the beach.

87.

Gaia gets off Aetosdios. Beau reaches her. BEAU (CONT’D) You weren’t gonna say goodbye? GAIA Aw, I’m sorry, Beau. I didn’t want you to worry. Goodbyes are too sad... BEAU You’re coming back, right? Gaia hugs Beau, kissing his head. GAIA I hope so. You will be safe here. I promise. SHOT: The girl cub watches from the forest’s edge. GAIA (CONT’D) I have to get going. Go play with your new friend. Beau turns to see the girl cub waiting for him. GAIA (CONT’D) I love you, Beau. BEAU I love you too, Gaia. Gaia watches Beau run off. He and the girl cub disappear in woods. Gaia settles onto Aetosdios. AETOSDIOS Are we ready? GAIA Ready. Aetosdios pushes off the ground, climbing into the air. EXT. CALIFORNIA SKY - NOON Aetosdios soars above scattered clouds. Gaia and Aphrodite ride his back, looking down at mountains and rocky desert. AFTERNOON Aetosdios makes a sharp dive for the earth, Gaia and Aphrodite holding on tightly.

88.

INT. SIDEWINDER CANYON - MOMENTS LATER Aetosdios lands smoothly inside SIDEWINDER CANYON. Aphrodite and Gaia dismount him. AETOSDIOS I can’t take you any further. There are too many spies -- crows, vultures. They will suspect something if they see us. GAIA Thank you, Aetosdios. We will travel on foot from here. AETOSDIOS I will stay close for when I am needed again. I look forward to reuniting with my master. APHRODITE We can only hope. Thank you, Aetos. AETOSDIOS Best fortunes to you both. We FOLLOW Aetosdios out of the canyon. EXT. SIDEWINDER CANYON - CONTINUOUS LOOKING DOWN: A deep crack in desolate land. Aetosdios rises from the canyon, flying off. INT. SIDEWINDER CANYON - LATE AFTERNOON Gaia and Aphrodite follow the twists and turns of the canyon. GAIA’S POV: Turning a corner, a long stretch leads to orange skies. APHRODITE Finally... Aphrodite sits on a rock, cooling herself with a FAN. GAIA I forgot you aren’t used to traveling by foot. APHRODITE There were times when I never had to take a step. (MORE)

89.

APHRODITE (CONT'D) Men, gods, even women would gladly carry me wherever I needed to go. Just for a taste of love. GAIA I understand their desire. I feel it when I’m near you. It’s so powerful... APHRODITE Beautiful, isn’t it? GAIA More beautiful than anything I have ever known. APHRODITE Though, nothing comes without a price. Countless wars have been fought to possess my love. Millions of men have died, gods have been slain ... But no one will ever take it from me. My love belongs to me. GAIA I believe your love has the power to cure the humans of Nyx’s curse. If we save them, we can save Earth. We can make a better Earth. APHRODITE It would take all of my love to cure the humans completely ... And I’m not willing to give that away. A CLOAKED FIGURE appears, stepping toward them. Gaia COLLAPSES the CANYON around the figure. It jumps forward, quickly revealing itself to be ATHENA. ATHENA Whoa! Easy girl. It’s just me. Gaia stops. GAIA Athena... ATHENA I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s not safe to be this close to Tartarus undisguised. She gestures her head and Gaia looks up.

90.

SHOT: TWO VULTURES circle the sky. Aphrodite continues to fan herself. Athena comes over to her. ATHENA (CONT’D) You know, I could never figure out whether you were a goddess or a princess. So which is it? APHRODITE Hello, Athena. ATHENA Hello, adopted sister. How are you? APHRODITE I will be well when I see father again... ATHENA Even if I do break him out of Tartarus, you will still his favorite. Though, I suppose it’s not your fault. APHRODITE No, it’s not. ATHENA What a burden it must be -- to be loved so feverishly. By so many... Aphrodite looks away, sadness in her eyes. DUSK The vultures finish scanning the area, flying off. GAIA The vultures are leaving... Athena lights a fire. Hestia appears. ATHENA (to Hestia) Protect Aphrodite while we’re gone. Nyx has been looking for her since the fall of Mt. Olympus. APHRODITE You’re just saying that to scare me... Athena gives her a serious look.

91.

HESTIA She will be safe with me. Good luck to you both. Earth prays for your success... Gaia and Athena turn to leave. Aphrodite takes Gaia’s hand. APHRODITE If you don’t come back ... Send Zeus my love. Gaia holds eyes with Aphrodite, her worry dissolving. EXT. DEATH VALLEY - EVENING Gaia and Athena travel across a rocky, barren valley. We FOLLOW them down a winding path. They come to a SMALL WINDOW in the canyon wall. ATHENA Here it is. Just large enough for a crow... Gaia WIDENS the GAP in the rock, opening a DARK TUNNEL that burrows deep into the earth. She stares into the darkness. GAIA I created this tunnel thousands of years ago. I remember being in this very spot before I sealed it. Standing here. Staring into the darkness ... It made me feel afraid. ATHENA Now we get to see what the darkness has to offer... GAIA What’s the plan? Athena casts a BLACK CLOAK over Gaia. ATHENA Follow my lead. She hands Gaia a GOLDEN SPEAR. ATHENA (CONT’D) You will need this. Athena enters the tunnel, Gaia following.

92.

INT. BRIDGE TO TARTARUS - HOUR LATER WIDE-SHOT: A STONE BRIDGE arching over an empty void. We HEAR PAINFUL SCREAMS and HIGH-PITCH LAUGHTER. Gaia escorts Athena across the bridge. INT. TARTARUS GATES - CONTINUOUS ANGLE FROM ABOVE: THE TARTARUS GATES, guarded by THREE GIANT BEASTS, each with a HUNDRED ARMS. Gaia approaches the gate with Athena as her captive. ATHENA (yelling) Do you know who I am? I am Athena, daughter of the mighty Zeus. Let me go at once! The GATEKEEPERS LAUGH. GATEKEEPER #1 Hand me her spear. I will take her to Nyx. GAIA (angry) You will not. I captured her. I will take her to Nyx. The gatekeepers exchange looks. GAIA (CONT’D) Every second you stand in my way you give this prisoner another chance to escape. Step aside or I will report you for negligence. One gatekeeper reluctantly KNOCKS the GATE with ten fists. We HEAR LOUD RUMBLING and the gatekeepers step out of the way. The gates open slowly, SMOKE pouring out.. INT. TEMPLE OF DARKNESS - CONTINUOUS Gaia hauls Athena through the smoke. We HEAR the GATES CLOSE behind them. ATHENA (quiet) Great work so far. Now we have to find where they keep the prisoners.

93.

The smoke disperses, unveiling the temple of darkness. SERIES OF SHOTS: GREEN TORCHES light the temple ... CROWS swarm above their heads ... A DRAGON ROARS, unable to escape its chains ... FORGOTTEN TITANS swing pickaxes, hideous BEASTS whipping their backs. SHOT: A MURAL on the TEMPLE CEILING -- MOUNT OLYMPUS crumbles. Nyx drags Zeus into Tartarus. Gaia pushes Athena further, unsure where to go next. The CROWS CAW LOUDLY. A HIGH-PITCH, WICKED LAUGH, then Nyx rises from the temple floor. Gaia throws Athena to the ground. Nyx looks down with delight. NYX Help me, Athena, I have obviously been mistaken. I thought you were the goddess of wisdom... ATHENA My wisdom pertains to war, which you have brought upon yourself. Nyx LAUGHS. NYX You bring war to Tartarus? Tell me. Where is your army? Gaia hands Athena’s spear to Nyx. NYX (CONT’D) A magnificent weapon... Nyx tosses the spear to a nearby GUARD. NYX (CONT’D) (to guard) Bring this to my husband’s chamber and have him examine it. The guard runs off. GAIA What should I do with the goddess? NYX Hmmm ... I’m sure you would like a reward of some sort. And I suppose you deserve one for capturing such a crafty goddess ... Take her to the torture chamber and do with her what you wish. (MORE)

94.

NYX (CONT'D) Throw her in an empty cell when you are finished. I will deal with her later... GAIA Thank you, my queen. Gaia carries Athena off. NYX Wait a second... They stop. NYX (CONT’D) ... Be sure to keep her in a cell far away from her father’s. She’s very tricky, this goddess. I don’t want the two of them conspiring. GAIA Of course, my queen... Nyx vanishes. INT. EREBUS’S CHAMBER - MINUTES LATER Erebus sits by a hearth, manipulating GREEN FLAMES with his shadowy hand. A GUARD enters the chamber with Athena’s spear. GUARD King Erebus. The queen asked me to give you this. The guard presents the spear. EREBUS It can’t be. Erebus takes it. EREBUS (CONT’D) Athena? GUARD Aye, sir. Erebus eyes the spear more closely. EREBUS (to himself) What trickery could this be? He holds the spear over the flames. It turns to DUST.

95.

EREBUS (CONT’D) (to the guard) Quickly -- secure the gates. No one leaves this prison until I say so. The guard runs off. Erebus disappears. INT. NYX’S CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS Nyx contemplates on her throne. Erebus appears. EREBUS

NYX Did you examine the spear?

My quee--

EREBUS (CONT’D) It was a fake. A decoy. NYX WHAT? EREBUS Where is Athena now? NYX My servant is taking her to the torture... (realizing) Go to Zeus’s cell. Quickly. Erebus vanishes. INT. TARTARUS PRISON CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS Gaia escorts Athena down a prison corridor. They pass a cell and Gaia peers through the tiny barred window. GAIA’S POV: A ONE-EYED CYCLOPS lunges at us, SCREECHING. Gaia and Athena jump back in alarm. They continue to end of the corridor. Gaia peeks inside the last cell. GAIA’S POV: Zeus rests against the cell wall. Athena takes out a KEY, inserting it into the cell lock. GAIA Where did you get that? ATHENA This is a special key I crafted. It can open any lock.

96.

The LOCK CLICKS and the cell door swings open. INT. ZEUS’S CELL - CONTINUOUS Zeus remains unconscious. Athena runs over and embraces him. Zeus awakes, GASPING. ZEUS I must be dreaming... ATHENA We’ve come to rescue you, father. But we must hurry. ZEUS I don’t have much strength. ATHENA Let us help you up. Athena and Gaia raise Zeus to his normal hover. GAIA Cloak him, Athena. We have to get out of here. ZEUS And who is this? Gaia removes her hood. ZEUS (CONT’D) (disbelief) Good Gaia... Athena CLOAKS Zeus, then herself. INT. TARTARUS PRISON CHAMBERS - MINUTES LATER SHOT: Cloaked Gaia, Athena, and Zeus move slowly down the corridor. ANGLE ON EREBUS -- He appears at Zeus’s cell, finding it empty. EREBUS NO! INT. TEMPLE OF DARKNESS - MINUTES LATER Tartarus is on total lock-down, GUARDS and BEASTS running in all directions.

97.

Gaia, Zeus, Athena hurry across the temple unnoticed. Erebus appears at the temple’s center, his head swiveling. He sees the three cloaked figures, pointing. EREBUS (shouting) Guards! Seize them! Guards rush towards Gaia, Athena, and Zeus. They look around in panic. ATHENA There are too many of them. SHOT: A DRAGON ROARS, fighting its shackles. Gaia eyes the dragon, recognizing it... GAIA (gasping) Follow me! Gaia climbs a rocky slope, Athena and Zeus following. The dragon makes an aggressive leap at Gaia, its chains holding it back. Gaia removes her disguise. The dragon calms down. GAIA (CONT’D) Hello, Typhon. TYPHON Hello, mother. Gaia mounts Typhon. GAIA Athena, take care of his shackles. Athena unlocks Typhon’s shackles. She throws Zeus onto the dragon’s back and leaps on after. Typhon jumps from the ledge, flapping his wings hard. ANGLE ON EREBUS, pointing. EREBUS Kill the dragon! An ARMY of BEASTS fire FLAMING GREEN ARROWS, showering the temple. Arrows pierce Typhon’s wings and back. He struggles to stay in flight, CRASHING into the GATES... INT. TARTARUS GATES - CONTINUOUS SHOT: The GATES SHATTER! The GATEKEEPERS get knocked into the void, DEBRIS FLYING.

98.

Typhon slides through the rubble, Gaia, Athena, and Zeus jumping from his back. They run for the bridge. Gaia stops to look back. GAIA’S POV: Typhon lays dead in the debris, his head needled with arrows. Guards pour through the crumbled gates. EREBUS (O.S.) SEIZE THEM! Gaia runs across the bridge. EXT. DEATH VALLEY - NIGHT SHOT: TARTARUS’S TUNNEL ENTRANCE -- Gaia, Athena, and Zeus escape into Death Valley ... An ARMY OF BEASTS pour through the tunnel, chasing after them. Gaia and Athena help Zeus across the valley. ANGLE ON NYX -- She appears above Zeus, taking out her whip. MOONLIGHT hits her, knocking her away. ATHENA We have to reach the canyon! GAIA’S POV: MOVING toward Sidewinder Canyon where Hestia and Aphrodite wait by the FIRE. EXT. SIDEWINDER CANYON - MOMENTS LATER Gaia, Athena, and Zeus reach the fire safely. APHRODITE (crying) Oh, father! Aphrodite hurls herself into Zeus’s arms. ZEUS There are... (panting) They are coming. SHOT: An ARMY OF BEASTS rushes toward the canyon. EXT. DEATH VALLEY - CONTINUOUS Athena takes out her spear and launches it. FOLLOWING THE SPEAR -- it pierces a beast in the neck, killing it. ANGLE ON GAIA, HURLING BOULDERS into the horde.

99.

ANGLE ON HESTIA -- She sprays FIRE from the hearth, burning the army to the ground. A BEAST catches FIRE, rushing at Aphrodite. Aphrodite SCREAMS. A SPEAR lances the beast in the head and it falls to the ground. Athena smirks from a distance. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: The beasts lays dead in the valley, burning to ash. Aphrodite embraces Gaia. APHRODITE Thank you, Gaia. Thank you so much. Zeus drops to his knees. ZEUS Sweet Gaia. You are the only purity ever to be born of Chaos. Gaia puts a hand on Zeus’s shoulder. GAIA It’s okay... ZEUS I have undoubtedly paid for my wrongdoings. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I will forever be in your debt. GAIA There is something I need you to do ... Return to the sky. Zeus rises to his full stature. ZEUS It would be my honor. He studies the sky. ZEUS (CONT’D) A millennium spent in darkness. I don’t believe the stars... APHRODITE It fills my heart to have you back, father. ZEUS As it does mine... (stretching) (MORE)

100.

ZEUS (CONT'D) I’m starting to feel like my old self again. ANGLE ON A BEAST, rushing towards them. LIGHTING ZAPS the beast and it dies instantly. Zeus blows smoke from his fingertips. ZEUS (CONT’D) Still got it. ATHENA We should get moving... ANGLE ON ANOTHER BEAST -- It stands on top of the canyon, looking down. It jumps... The beast lands on the fire, EMBERS SPRAYING. Hestia disappears. A WHIP CRACKS! Zeus flies backward, Nyx towering over him. NYX Still got it. Nyx SHRIEKS with LAUGHTER. MOONLIGHT hits her and she HISSES, paralyzed. Aphrodite runs to Zeus. An EAGLE CRIES. ZEUS (weak) Aetosdios... Aetosdios and Eléftheros swoop down, landing beside the gods. Gaia and Athena mount Eléftheros, Zeus and Aphrodite mount Aetosdios, and the eagles take off. ANGLE ON NYX, reappearing, free from moonlight. She cocks back her whip. OVER ZEUS’S SHOULDER: Aphrodite holds him tightly. Nyx stands below them, casting her whip. The whip catches Aphrodite’s neck, ripping her off the eagle. ZEUS (CONT’D) NOOOOO! Aphrodite SLAMS the ground. Nyx reels her through the dirt like a limp fish. Zeus leaps from Aetosdios, coming down on Nyx with the full force of his LIGHTNING. Nyx absorbs it, unharmed. NYX Fool! You cannot defeat me. Nyx releases Aphrodite and whips Zeus.

101.

NYX. (yelling) Erebus! Erebus appears by Zeus, restraining him. Nyx hovers over Aphrodite’s unconscious body. NYX I thought you were smarter than this, Zeus. I guess a thousand years in darkness has dulled your mind ... Or perhaps something else deludes you. Perhaps it’s love. Yes, I remember your perversions, Zeus. The acts you wouldn’t dare commit while the sun was shining. But there is no hiding from the night... Nyx lifts Aphrodite into the air, twirling her by the spell of her finger. NYX (CONT’D) It’s a pity ... You two made a cute couple. A SHADOWY BLADE materializes in Nyx’s hand. EXT. SKY - CONTINUOUS ANGLE ON ELÉFTHEROS, diving at Nyx. GAIA (yelling) Selene, NOW! EXT. DEATH VALLEY - CONTINUOUS Selene materializes on the ground, wielding a WHITE SHIELD. Nyx cracks her whip and Selene blocks it. Erebus jumps at Selene, swinging a dark sword. Selene BLASTS Erebus with MOONLIGHT and he melts away. SHOT: THOUSANDS OF BATS blocking the moon. NYX Ha! My bats my arrived... ANGLE ON SELENE, vanishing. Nyx seizes the opportunity, lunging the shawdowy blade through Aphrodite’s chest.

102.

ZEUS (screaming) NOOOOOOOO! Aphrodite falls to the ground. LIGHTNING fills the sky from Zeus’s rage. DEAD BATS rain down. Selene reappears. ANGLE ON ATHENA, quickly crafting a fire. Hestia materializes in the flames. She, Athena, Gaia, Selene, and Zeus all surround Nyx. NYX It’s too late. I all ready won. Zeus, Selene, and Hestia combine forces, CAGING NYX in a PRISM OF LIGHT. They place Nyx in Sidewinder Canyon. Zeus picks up Aphrodite. ZEUS Bury her, Gaia. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: SIDEWINDER CANYON COLLAPSES, burying Nyx with rubble and dirt. LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: A SHADOWY WOUND gapes Aphrodite’s chest. Zeus CRIES, rocking her dead body in his arms. ZEUS (CONT’D) (crying) WHY? ... Curse you Nyx! Curse Chaos for birthing you! Zeus WEEPS more. The others stand by, overcome with sadness. FADE TO BLACK. EXT. DEATH VALLEY - EARLY MORNING SHOT: Glimpses of sunlight over a distant canyon. We HEAR A FIRE CRACKLING. PAN DOWN... Selene, Hestia, and Athena stand around a roaring GREEN FIRE. ANGLE ON ZEUS -- He holds Aphrodite’s body, staring ahead. Gaia comes to Zeus’s side. GAIA You’re sure about this? ZEUS I have never been so sure of anything in my existence. (MORE)

103.

ZEUS (CONT'D) I can’t think of a more beautiful way to repay this world for such a wonderful life. GAIA Earth will know your sacrifice. Zeus carries Aphrodite to the fire. He addresses the others. ZEUS Tell the world of our love ... Tell them the truth. He steps into the flames, facing Gaia. ZEUS (CONT’D) Thank you, Gaia. Our love has been set free... CLOSE ON GAIA -- Tears run down her cheeks, Zeus and Aphrodite burning in her eyes. ANGLE ON ZEUS AND APHRODITE, combusting into WHITE and PINK SMOKE, swirling into the sky. PINK CLOUDS spread across the horizon. THUNDER RUMBLES. The gods look up curiously. SHOT: PINK LIGHTING STRIKES the ground! MORE THUNDER. Then, PINK RAIN showers Death Valley. CLOSE ON GAIA, rain wetting her face. She closes her eyes and smiles with ease. She LAUGHS, so foolish to have ever been worried. GAIA Thank you all so much ... We did it ... Earth will know love once again. EXT. AMAZON RAINFOREST - AFTERNOON PINK RAIN showers a BARE FOREST. Nyx’s MOTHS and CATERPILLARS fall from the trees, dying in the rain. LEAVES grow, the forest regaining its vibrant green life. EXT. CHICAGO - DAY PINK RAIN downpours a BUSY STREET. CARS and BUSES stop. People get out of their cars, others dropping their things in awe. Strangers embrace, LAUGHING joyously.

104.

EXT. MOUNT VESUVIUS - NIGHT LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE: PINK RAIN showers the volcano. Hephaestus lays in a river of LAVA, sobbing. He turns to stone as the lava hardens. EXT. LOS ANGELES -

AFTERNOON

WIDE-SHOT: PINK CLOUDS quickly gather over the city of LOS ANGELES. LIGHTNING STRIKES a tall building. EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - CONTINUOUS ANGLE ON POSEIDON, riding a TSUNAMI towards Los Angeles. LIGHTNING STRIKES the ocean, PINK RAIN coming down. Poseidon stops, holding out his hand. CLOSE-SHOT: Pink rain puddles in his palm. Poseidon reads liquid. He sinks into the ocean and the tsunami dies down, reaching the shore as gentle wave. EXT. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - DAY Ares leads a squad of MARINES through a run down district. We HEAR RAPID GUNFIRE. Thanatos hovers over a DEAD SOLDIER. MEDIUM-SHOT: The sky grows dark. THUNDER CRACKLES, PINK RAIN falling upon the ruined city. The GUNFIRE CEASES. RAIN hits Thanatos and HISSES, disappearing. The marines look up, rain wetting their face. They put down their guns and remove their helmets, smiles washing over them. The marines hug one another, CRYING with blissful joy. ANGLE FROM ABOVE: Ares drops his spear, falling to his knees. He removes his helmet, craning his head to the sky. The rain soaks his face and Ares WEEPS. We SLOWLY ZOOM OUT, rain coming down HEAVILY. EXT. APHRODITE’S ISLAND - DAY Beau chases the girl cub through the forest. A PINK RAINDROP lands on his nose. Beau stops, looking up. BEAU’S POV: PINK RAIN falling through the trees. GAIA (V.O.) It rained for eleven days and eleven nights...

105.

Beau and the girl cub sit together, watching PINK STATIC light up the clouds. GAIA (V.O.) Aphrodite’s love showered Earth, soaking all of its oceans and continents... Beau catches a raindrop on his tongue. GAIA (V.O.) It took root in the hearts of Earth’s children, yearning to spread and to grow. FADE TO BLACK. GAIA (V.O.) And then the rain stopped ... That was when I met you. FADE IN: INT. SAFIYA’S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON A LITTLE GIRL, SAFIYA, presses her face against a glass door, watching the rain. SAFIYA’S MOTHER comes over. SAFIYA’S MOTHER Safiya, what did I tell you about standing by the door? No one knows why the rain is pink, but it might be bad for you... EXT. SAFIYA’S BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS The RAIN STOPS and the CLOUDS BREAK, revealing blue skies. INT. SAFIYA’S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS Safiya’s mother joins Safiya by the door, SUNLIGHT shining on their backyard. SAFIYA’S MOTHER (relieved) Thank the Lord. I thought we’d never see the light again... (then) I’m gonna go wake your father. Safiya’s mother hurries into the other room.

106.

EXT. SAFIYA’S BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS The earth soaks up PINK PUDDLES like a sponge. Safiya opens the door and runs across the yard, skipping and dancing. ANGLE ON GAIA, coming to the edge of Safiya’s yard. GAIA’S POV: We watch Safiya dance on the grass. She stops, looking at us curiously, then comes towards us. GAIA Hello, little one. SAFIYA Who are you? GAIA My name is Gaia. You might know me as Mother Earth. SAFIYA (excited) You’re Mother Earth? GAIA Yes, Safiya. SAFIYA So -- do you know why the rain was pink? GAIA Yes I do. It was raining love. SAFIYA Love? GAIA That’s right. Did it get you wet? Safiya nods. GAIA (CONT’D) Good ... Love is the most important thing in the world, Safiya. It’s the soul of the universe ... Love is in you, the plants, the animals. It’s in your water. It’s even in the air... Safiya takes a DEEP BREATH and holds it in, grinning. GAIA (CONT’D) Always remember, Safiya. Love is all that matters.

107.

Safiya EXHALES. SAFIYA I know. Gaia smiles. GAIA I know you do. We ZOOM OUT, LOOKING DOWN at SAFIYA’S HOUSE in the FOREST. SAFIYA (O.S.) Mother Earth? GAIA (O.S.) Yes? SAFIYA (O.S.) How did all that love get in clouds in the first place? GAIA You want to know how? (O.S.) SAFIYA (O.S.) Yes, please. GAIA (O.S.) Okay ... Let’s go for a walk. This might be a long story. ZOOMING OUT, rising above Earth and into the sky until we are ENGULFED by CLOUDS. PINK and WHITE PARTICLES bounce around rapidly. One stops CENTER FRAME: THE LOVE MOLECULE: The amalgamation of ZEUS and APHRODITE’S SPIRITS. IT IMPLODES, DRAWING IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE -BLACK. THE END.