Golden Blade III

Fade in Crickets and Run Bloody Monkey Pictures Graphic

Scene One - Sister Returns

Fade in. We watch CU's of Sister Wang's footsteps. She is walking at a moderately fast pace holding a tattered and faded red bag tied shut with a golden rope. We hear sounds of crickets, birds and a light breeze and we see shots of beautiful landscapes, bugs, flowers, and other natural images.

As she walks, the sky darkens and the trees get creepier. The ground becomes rockier where she is walking, and the sounds of birds, etc. fade into sounds of wolves and harsh wind.

Sister finds her way to the mighty Wang Fortress. As she approaches the gate, the two gatekeepers/guards are enthralled in an ancient dice game they are playing inside the gates. CU of game and one guard takes the money of the other after a roll of the dice. Cut to Sister Wang outside gate behind bars. Cut back to the winner's face all happy looking at his money, and then looking up with the smile on his face dropping as he realizes it is Sister Wang.

Sister Wang: (to the winner) And what kind of guard are you?

The guards jump to attention and the winner opens the gate. Sister Wang walks through the gateway, and then, without dropping or harming the bag she is holding, proceeds to thoroughly kick their asses, starting with the loser. After the ass kicking, she scolds them…

Sister: Fools, pay attention!

The guards jump up to attention again, shaken and bleeding.

Sister: (to guard) Alert me when my brother Chun arrives… (she pauses) Understood!?

Guards: (sniveling) Yes highness.

Sister takes off towards the doors to the castle.

Cut to dwarf man sitting just inside the castle doorway with cauldron and fire. He lights a torch from the fire as he watches Sister approach. When she passes by him he hurriedly chases after her to hand her the torch.

Dwarf Man: Granddaddy awaits you, yes ma'am, yes Granddaddy looking for you, yes.

Sister snatches the torch, and the dwarf man returns to his post grumbling. She winds through the castle, up staircases, and finally, into the courtroom. Granddaddy enters with his entourage…

Granddaddy Wang: Ah, Sissy, have you found delight in your journey out today?

Sister Wang: You mock my passion Granddaddy. But maybe this will give you a thrill…

She opens the bag and pulls out the Head of Sung Wang. Granddaddy Wang is horrified. Cut to black.

Scene Two -- Chen Training with Uncle At Chen's Dojo

Close up on Chen's face, then pull back to reveal Chen breaking stick of wood. Pow! Freeze frame and Golden Blade III credit drops in. Opening music starts at the same time. White flashes fade in each new shot of Chen breaking different sized wooden sticks with various Kung Fu moves and freeze frames and credits. On the last one, flash fade to black.

Fade out of black to CU of Uncle cooking - pull out to reveal Chen entering the shot carrying the bundle of sticks (yes, a faggot). He sets the wood next to the fire pit.

Uncle: Finished yet?

Chen: Yes, I have practiced Raven Stance a dozen times, and Panther Twist, and Mighty Elephant Crunch twenty each, Uncle.

Uncle: What about the Eating Lunch Stance, eh?

They laugh.

Chen: I have not practiced that in days!

They chuckle again.

Chen: What are you serving today?

Chen takes the top off the pot, and Uncle smacks his hand with the stirring spoon causing Chen to drop the lid back on making a loud noise.

Uncle: It's missing something.

Chen: What?

Uncle: We need to go to see Tang Len in town.

Chen sits down next to uncle, weary from his training. Uncle stands up quickly.

Uncle: Ready?

Chen has a look of exhaustion, takes a deep breath, and stands up. Uncle grabs his walking stick, Chen pauses, then runs into the Dojo. Cut to interior of the dojo. Chen unwraps the Golden Blade, looks at it for an endearing moment (8.79sec), and then places it in his belt with a swoosh. Chen meets Uncle back outside. They leave the shot as we push in on steaming kettle. Long shot of the Dojo and its surroundings, the kettle, the barn, the mountains, the field, etc.

Scene Three -- The Trip to Town

Cut to various tracking shots (long and close up) of them walking through the woods, and by neighboring farms. As they walk, they have a conversation about what has just happened (in Golden Blade II)…

Chen: Yesterday sure was a day to remember.

Uncle: And what did you learn yesterday, Chen?

Chen: That the Blade is mighty?

Uncle: Wrong. You learned that you know not even a fraction of its powers.

Chen: But I harnessed its strength to defeat K'an.

Uncle: Wrong again! The Blade harnessed your strength. As I told you before, the Blade is a reflection of its bearer. It is a window through which your inner powers can shine.

Chen: Well, my training has also taught me strength.

Uncle: You think that breaking firewood is like breaking an enemy? How foolish. When you inflict damage to a person, you damage yourself. You must learn to avoid combat at all cost. Ancient master say: Best way to win fight… No be there! But when you must confront the enemy, there are ways to let them beat themselves. You must anticipate their movements, and guide their energy back upon them. This way, you do not damage yourself and their damage is inflicted by only themselves.

Scene 4 -- Sung's Head

Back to the evil Wang Fortress. Sister is holding the head. She sets the head on a nearby table, and plunks it right on the nose. The eyes of the head pop open and the guards reach for arms. Granddaddy Wang's eyes grow wide and wild as he is pulled closer to the head by mere amazement. Without taking his eyes off the head, he waves his arms, signaling his guards to stand down.

Head of Sung: Granddaddy!

The guards mumble in surprise amongst themselves. Granddaddy waves his arm and they hush up.

Granddaddy: (to Sister) What's this?

Sung's eyes roam downward and he realizes that he is just a head.

Head of Sung: Oh damn! I forgot all about this! Granddaddy look at me! K'an did this to me. With Chen Zen's stupid sword! (his eyeballs look at Sister) This is all her fault!

Sister: I think not young brother Sung, you have made a mess of yourself on your own.

Head of Sung: Why didn't you just get it yourself?

Granddaddy: (he waves his hands) Enough!! Where are your brothers? You say K'an did this to you?

Head of Sung: Yes. A week ago, Sister sent K'an after the Golden Blade. K'an did not return, so she sent Chun and I to find him and retrieve the Blade ourselves.

Granddaddy: Have I not forbidden you to interfere with the Zen family?

Head of Sung: But Granddaddy, when we got to Chen's dojo, he was planting a tree on our poor brother's grave! Of course we challenged him.

Granddaddy: K'an's grave, eh? Then how did he chop you?

Head of Sung: Sorry Granddaddy, but I tried my hand at magic with the Golden Blade. I thought I could bring K'an back to life, but he was not himself, he was a demon.

Granddaddy: You had the Golden Blade? You're just a little bastard! Where is it?

Head of Sung: I told you, K'an came back to life, took it and chopped me with it.

Granddaddy: Where is K'an now?

Sister: (solemnly) K'an is no more. Chen has slain him twice over.

Granddaddy: (to Sister) You have disobeyed me, and your brothers have paid the price. Poor K'an, my best pupil…and Chun? Where is Chun?

Sister: Granddaddy, you must be calm. I will take Sung to my laboratory and find out everything.

Scene 5 -- The Village

Uncle and Chen are still walking a path on a beautiful day and are still talking…

Chen: And where were you the whole time?

Uncle: I was nowhere and everywhere.

Chen: (mockingly) And what did you see and not see?

Uncle: I sure did not see a true master of the blade. But what I did see was a young girl dressed in red watching you.

Chen: What?

Uncle stops them, grabs Chen by one ear, pulls the ear close to his eyes, examines the ear (all the while, Chen is moaning in pain), pulls his head down to where his lips are right by the ear, and…

Uncle: You have nice ears.

He lets go of Chen's ear.

Uncle: Use them!

They enter the heart of the village. Shots of the village.

Uncle: You know how Tang is, you wait around here. I'll find you later.

Uncle goes one way, and Chen strolls the other way into the market. Lots of people selling food, animals and merchandise. Chen spies pretty woman (Misa), smiles, and approaches her fruit stand. She has lovely melons.

Chen: (to woman) Are they ripe?

Misa: What?

Chen: Those melons you have.

Misa: (beginning to flirt with Chen) You have to squeeze them to find out!

They laugh. Stupid little cute laughs.

Chen: I can tell without squeezing ma'am.

Pull out of the fruit stand as Chen and Misa talk.

Scene 6 -- Tang Len's Shop

Cut to Uncle opening the door to Tang Len's Shop. He gazes at the many items in the shop as he walks towards the back. Peng Wang, the Tax Collector and his two goons come out from behind a curtained doorway. Peng is clutching a bottle. We hear Tang's voice from the back room…

Tang: (from back) You know, Peng, only to you would I give the last bottle of my finest!

Peng: See you next time. And remember what I said.

Tang: (still from back) You know I will.

Peng and goons brush by Uncle sneering at him. Uncle smiles at them. They slam the door behind them. Tang comes out from the back room through a curtained doorway. He is delighted to see Uncle.

Tang: My old friend! How are you?!

They bow, then do a secret handshake (slappin' fives).

Tang: Hold on.

Tang goes to the door and flips the open sign to closed, locks the door, and draws the curtains.

Tang: (turns and shouts to the back) Fong! Quit pretending to sleep in the chair. They're gone! Come see your friend!

Uncle: Good to see you again, Tang. How is your little shop doing?

Tang: Shitty. The Wangs have raised their tax again. And the worst part is that some of their collectors will try to take even more for themselves.

Uncle: Why don't you just move out of town and set up in the country?

Tang: Well, they don't really bother me too much. Of course, I slip them a bottle here and there.

Uncle: I hope they left some for a foolish old man.

Tang: And which foolish old man might that be, you or me? (they laugh) Fong! Bring a bottle of my finest.

Uncle: I hear your friend Peng got your last bottle.

Tang: (raising an eyebrow to uncle) You think I would give him the last of my anything?

Uncle sits down at low table. Cut to CU of a bottle slamming down in the middle of the table. Cut up to Fong looking down at Uncle and smiling a big jovial smile.

Fong: You shouldn't be hanging with us criminals, don't you have a garden or something to tend to old man?

Uncle: Vegetables would never plump up a belly like yours.

He pokes Fong in the belly. Fong smiles and they both laugh. (secret handshake)

Tang: Think this will hold you till the next time you come to town? -- you hermit!

Uncle slides some silver coins across the table, and Fong reaches for them. Tang smacks Fong in the forehead and then boings him in his round belly just as Moe from the three stooges would smack around Curly.

Uncle: To foolish old men!

As their glasses touch to toast, we hear a loud crash…

Scene 7 -- Chen Saves the Old Lady

Cut to CU of fruit flying out of a basket. Cut to Chen with Misa still at her fruit stand. He hears the crashing, turns his head and sees Wang tax collectors are harassing another fruit stand merchant (old lady) down the way a bit. They have kicked over her stand and are stomping on her fruit that has rolled into the street. We see Chen's point of view, and zoom from long shot to CU of the action as if we are the eagle eyes of Chen focusing in on the situation.

Peng Wang: Not enough money, huh?

Old Lady: I'm sorry, I don't have anything.

Peng Wang: Take off your shoes.

The old lady takes off her left shoe and we see there is nothing in it.

Peng Wang: The other one.

She takes off the right shoe and we see a single silver coin in it. The Tax Collector snarls and looks at her. The goons stop and look at him. Cut to CU of Old Lady terrified.

Old Lady: (almost in tears) It was for my daughter's wedding.

Peng Wang: Give it to me.

She reaches down into the shoe, picks up the coin, and hands it to him trembling. He clenches it in his fist, and recoils that same fist to strike her. As he swings to hit her, Misa, out of nowhere, grabs his wrist. She presses his thumb harder and we cut to Misa staring the guy down. CU of the Tax Collector's face in pain. The Tax Collector's hand opens in agony and he drops the coin. CU of the coin being caught by her other hand. As she gives the coin back to the Old Woman, Peng sneers and gets ready to punch her with his other hand, but Chen suddenly catches his arm.

Chen: Scoundrel!

Peng Wang: And who are you then, foolish children?

Chen: I am Chen Zen and you are about to leave.

Peng Wang: I will deal with you!

Two ninjas surround Chen.

Fight in Market

Chen beats them using minimal force, reflecting on Uncle's wise advice from the walk earlier. As they swing at him and lunge at him, he moves out of the way and they injure themselves by falling and smacking each other in various humorous and humiliating ways. Just when we think Peng has Chen, Chen uses meditation with the blade to become fully aware, anticipating their moves. They run away, but one of them sees Misa walk up to Chen. The goons leave the town. Chen picks up the fruit for the old lady.

Old Lady: Take whatever you like.

Chen takes a lovely fruit and hands it to Misa. Then, he takes a fruit for himself, and just as he is about to bite it, Uncle grabs his hand from out of nowhere.

Chen sets the fruit down on the stand.

Uncle: Chen! Let's Go.

Chen and Misa look at each other smiling.

Chen: Uncle, I would like you to meet--(he looks at her questioningly)

Misa: Misa

Uncle bows.

Uncle: No use hanging out and being lazy.

Uncle walks on. Chen bows to Misa, and runs after Uncle, occasionally looking back at her. CU of bottle under Uncle's arm.

Scene 8 -- Sister and Head of Sung Conspire

Sister's laboratory, deep in the Wang fortress. Head of Sung on table. Gorilla caged in shadowy background. Sister pacing. She is eating a bowl of rice with chopsticks.

Sister: I thought I told you not to speak a word of our plan to anyone.

Sung: Not even to Granddaddy?

She flicks rice onto his face.

Sister: Especially not him.

Sung: What are you up to?

Sister: Do you want to be a whole body again someday, brother?

Sung looks at her.

Sister: (looking wild) Then don't ask me stupid questions.

Sung: OK, but I still don't know how you even found me in that bag.

Sister: I was right on your trail foolish brother! You know that I am the mistress of camouflage. I saw the fight, and I saw Chen destroy K'an. Wait till that brother of yours returns, I saw how he helped Chen, got stabbed, and then Chen healed him with the Blade. He even bowed in honor to Chen and Chen's silly Uncle! He could have taken the Blade, but he turned and walked away!

Horn blast interrupts the conversation.

Sister Wang goes to window. From the window, we see a scuffed up Chun walking in the gates.

Sister: That oaf of a brother of yours returns, Sung.

She swiftly walks out of the room, leaving the head of Sung on the table.

Sung: Hey, sis, if you're going to leave me, could you at least close the window?

We hear the sound of some bugs closing in on the rice still on Sung's face. One lands on him, and he can't get it to leave him alone. He tries to blow it away, but it just keeps landing on his face.

Scene 9 -- The Return of Chun Wang (AKA The Gorilla Scene)

Chun hobbling down a castle hallway. Sister Wang racing down another hallway. They meet in a place where the two hallways come together.

Sister: Chun! Where have you been? (she hugs him but we know she's faking this shit)

Chun: Sung and K'an are dead.

Sister: Come with me to the lab.

Chun: But I must tell Granddaddy!

Sister: Granddaddy is training his students - you know he doesn't want to be interrupted.

She touches the scars on his face, and he pulls back wincing.

Sister: Come on, I will rub some pine chutney on your wounds.

She grabs him by the arm and pulls him to down the hall. Cut to inside the lab, Long Shot from behind the monkeys head inside the cage. Sister enters first, pulling Chun behind her. We see Chun's reaction as he sees the head.

While Chun and Sung talk, Sister begins preparing a bag of chemicals which she then proceeds to sniff and get high on all through this scene.

Chun: Oh my poor brother!

Sung: Lucky you - heh! Look at me!

Chun: Oh damn! The Blade left your head alive! (turning to Sister) You were wrong to send us after it! (pauses and thinks for a second, then turns to Head of Sung) Where is your body?

CU of Sung's face wondering. Cut to Body of Sung out in the middle of nowhere, running into trees and falling down.

Cut back to our scene.

Sung: I heard you didn't get the Blade when you had the chance.

Chun: But you must hear me, the Blade deserves to be his.

Sung: What! You coward! You should have killed him. You dishonor us all.

Chun: He brought me back from death!

Sister: (after taking a big huff out of her bag) So how do we know that you won't betray us like K'an did to poor Sung?

Chun: But that was when he used the Blade (he points to the menacing head). Chen's power is pure, and you both should respect that.

Sister: Is that so? (she lurches in at him with crazy look)

Chun: I'm not crazy, you're crazy.

He starts for the door. Sister zooms across the room and steps in front of him.

Sister: I'm sorry brother, don't go, I want you to see something first.

She pulls him over to the Gorilla cage. She slides a curtain so that light falls onto the gorilla face.

Sister: They just brought him in from Peking. Granddaddy paid a fortune for him. He does tricks, want to see?

The Gorilla Fight - She pulls the pin out of the cage door, picks up a whistle flute and plays a note. The gorilla bursts out of the doors of the cage and is all over Chun. They fight, they smash laboratory, the head goes flying, and finally, Chun wins by smashing the Gorilla's head over and over and over on the ground until blood is slinging wildly (perhaps on the camera lens). Cut to the look of death in the eye of the dead Gorilla.

Scene 10 - Dinner at Chen's

CU of soup bubbling in pot. Uncle is stirring with wooden spoon. It is close to dusk. Uncle tastes the soup. Chen is in the background doing a handstand. CU of his stomach and we hear it growling.

Uncle: Perfect.

Chen: Can we eat now?

Uncle: You cannot eat while you are upside down.

Chen flips to his feet.

Uncle pops the top off the bottle from Tang, pours two cups, and hands one to Chen.

Uncle: This is Tang's finest, so be careful. (he raises his glass to toast) May you find honor and peace in your training with the Golden Blade.

Chen: And here's to your delicious soup, Uncle.

They touch glasses and drink. Chen is stunned by the powerful wine.

Chen: (stunned) Ouch! What a fine drink, Uncle.

Uncle: Yes, Tang is by far the greatest master of elixirs in the land.

Chen takes a huge gulp.

Uncle: Slow down boy, that empty stomach of yours will do you in!

Uncle fixes two bowls of his delicious soup and they sit down to eat. Chen gobbles his down like a dog, as Uncle watches.

Uncle: You must learn some patience, young Chen.

Uncle sings Chen an ancient song about patience as we pull out of the scene. They are sitting by the fire, and it is getting dark.

Uncle's Song: La La La You need some patience

La La Lo Just a little patience

Like a cat, hee haw

In the grass, ho hee

La La Lo Dee Dum.

Scene 11 - Granddaddy Busts In

Back in Sister's laboratory. Chun is still on top of the dead gorilla clutching it by its bloody head. Granddaddy and his ninjas bust in the door of the laboratory.

Granddaddy: What's all this, then?

Chun looks up at Granddaddy dumbfounded.

Sister: Oh Granddaddy! (she runs and hides behind him) He's gone mad. He tried to strangle me! The Zen's have put a curse on him!

Granddaddy: What curse?

Chun: I was dead.

Granddaddy: Dead? My gorilla is dead, you are alive and well.

Sister: Didn't you hear me Granddaddy, he tried to strangle me, don't let him charm you. That is not your grandson, Chun, it is a demon just like poor K'an.

Granddaddy: (picking up the Head of Sung off the ground) Sung! Is this true, Is your brother a demon?

Sister throws a look at Sung and he cowardly lies to Granddaddy…

Sung: I must say… yes. Yes Granddaddy, just like K'an.

Chun: Sung you rotten skull!

Granddaddy: Enough! (to ninjas) Seize him!

The ninjas grab Chun, and he does not put up a fight as they pull him up off the dead gorilla.

Granddaddy: Throw him in the dungeon.

The ninjas take Chun out the door and down the hallway.

Granddaddy: (to Sister) Do you like our castle?

Sister: Yes.

Granddaddy: Do you like it when you walk in the village and the people bow at your feet?

Sister: Yes.

Granddaddy: And why are these things yours, Sissy?

Sister: (looking down) Because you are the Master.

Granddaddy: Then do as I say and leave the Zens alone. And let me rule my kingdom without you sneaking around behind me causing so much trouble.

Sister: (still with her head down in shame) Yes Granddaddy.

Granddaddy: This place has been a hell today, and you are to blame.

A sentry enters…

Sentry: Master, Peng Wang has returned with the collection.

Granddaddy: Money! Now that's the secret to ruling, my little Sissy, not some silly magic sword that can cause so much trouble. Now clean up this mess! (he points to the gorilla)

Granddaddy rushes out of the room.

Scene 12 - Chun Goes to jail

Cut to a hallway. Ninjas dragging a limp Chun down the hallway. They take him all through the castle, through many hallways and down multiple stairways. CU of the footsteps of the ninjas and Chun's dragging feet. CU of Chun's face. He is distraught with thoughts of doom. CU of the ninjas footsteps and Chun's dragging feet again. Cut to inside the dungeon and a prisoner in chains hears something. The prisoner puts his ear to the wall. We hear the footsteps and dragging, then we see the CU's of feet and dragging again. Cut back to inside the dungeon again. More prisoners are rising from their positions on the dirt floor and noticing the sound of a new prisoner being brought to the dungeon. Some of the prisoners go to the door and look through the barred window in the door. Pull out of the bars on the other side to reveal two guards. Way down the hallway, the ninjas and Chun come around the corner. One of the ninjas yells to the two guards.

Ninja: Prepare to open the door.

Guard: (to the prisoners through the door's window) Step back pigs!

The prisoners step away. Cut to Chun's face as he is being dragged. He seems to have a plan. They arrive at the door. One of the guards takes the keys and unlocks the door. As the door creaks open, Chun wakes up and kicks all of their asses. We see a few prisoners peeking out of the doorway. Chun runs off down the hall and we see one of the prisoners reach out and take the keys from the dead guard.

Scene 13 -- Peng Wang Brings the Money

In the Wang Courtroom. Peng Wang is inspecting his goons. He is carrying a small chest under his arm. The goons are standing in an orderly line. He walks around them looking for weaknesses. He stops at one of them…

Peng Wang: You! Stand up straight, Granddaddy will be here any minute. (to all of them) The collection is short.

Cut to one of the goons with a scared look on his face.

Peng Wang: (to scared goon) You! Hands up.

The goon raises his arms. Peng searches him.

Peng Wang: Take off your shoes.

The goon nervously takes off his right shoe. CU inside the shoe. It is empty.

Peng Wang: The other one then.

The goon nervously takes off the other shoe. Empty.

Peng Wang: (stepping in on the goon) Where is it?

The goon is silent. Peng grabs the back of the goon's hair, and yanks his head back. The goon yells in pain. As his mouth opens, Peng grabs his tongue and there is a single silver coin resting on it. Peng takes the coin, and rears back to hit him just as Granddaddy enters. Everyone comes to attention.

Granddaddy: Peng! You are early tonight!

Peng: Master! (Peng bows to granddaddy, Granddaddy notices Peng's torn clothes)

Granddaddy: What has happened to you? Is my money safe?

Peng: There was (pauses and looks at the floor) trouble in the village.

Granddaddy: Trouble! That's all I hear, Trouble! (looks at the chest) Open it!

Peng nervously opens the chest of coins. It is half empty.

Granddaddy smacks the chest across the courtroom. Coins roll everywhere.

Granddaddy: That's it!?

Peng: (cowering in fear) It's not my fault! Chen Zen ambushed us in the market! He…he took the money and ran!

Granddaddy: (shouting) Chen Zen!!? I'm getting tired of hearing that name!

Peng: Honest, master! He was fast. He beat all of us!

Granddaddy: (to Peng's goons) Is this true?

Goon #1: Ah…Yes, lord Wang.

Goon #2: Chen Zen beat us, Sire.

In a side passage, Sister Wang is quietly listening in on the conversation, unseen to those inside.

Granddaddy: (getting really angry, starts pacing around) You're supposed to be my best guards! How can I sleep at night not knowing if my money will be safe?!

Peng: (Groveling on the floor) Master, I would not steal from you!

Granddaddy: Eh? You wouldn't, huh?

Granddaddy steps in close to Peng. Looks him over.

Granddaddy: Take off your shoe!

Peng quickly takes off his shoe. It is empty.

Granddaddy: The other one!

It too, is empty. Granddaddy picks Peng up by the hair. Peng groans in pain.

Granddaddy shakes Peng back and forth until coins start raining out of Peng's clothing

all over the floor. Granddaddy throws Peng to the floor.

He turns around disgusted and sits down on his throne. He stares off into space.

Peng slowly crawls up to Granddaddy's feet.

Peng: Master! I…I was only hiding those coins from that robber, Chen! I had forgotten them! Please forgive me!

Granddaddy: Silence, dog! (he stands up quickly) I've heard enough of this Chen Zen. Go find him and bring him to me! And don't bother coming back without him!

Peng: (scrambling to his feet) Yes, lord!

Peng and his goons bow repeatedly as they walk backwards out of the hall. They turn and start down the corridor Sister has been hiding in. As they all turn a corner, Sister steps out in front of them. Peng is startled.

Peng: Mistress Wang! Please stand aside, we are on a mission of great importance to your Granddaddy.

Sister: You think you clumsy bastards can beat Chen Zen?

Peng: How do you know th…?

Sister: I know everything, thief! Which just so happens to be a lucky thing for you. I can give you what you need to defeat him.

Peng: What is it? How?

Sister: Follow me, and do exactly as I say.

Sister leads Peng and his goons down thru the passage.

Granddaddy Wang still sitting on the throne. A servant is leaning over the back of it massaging his temples. Another is pouring wine for him. Granddaddy is mumbling, but he's not really talking to them.

Granddaddy: Today has been a very rotten day. Am I left with no choice? There will be no peace with this young Zen warrior until one of our families has been destroyed. He must be killed. How else can I maintain the people's respect? And that cursed blade he has inherited must be destroyed as well.

A Ninja guard enters quickly, and out of breath.

Ninja: Master Wang! The prisoners have gotten loose and Chun cannot be found!

Scene 14 -- Chun Escapes

CU of Chun out of breath and bloody hiding behind some plants in a large walled-in courtyard. He is watching a large group of guards beat up several escaped prisoners. One prisoner breaks away and runs for the gates. A guard yells at him, but he keeps running. Suddenly, the prisoner is struck by an arrow, screams and falls to the ground. Another prisoner sees this and starts to run to the far end of the courtyard. The guards notice and run after him into the fortress. Chun creeps out of the bushes and heads quickly for the gates. A guard jumps out in front of him to stop him. Chun smashes into him knocking him over. He looks back to see that two bowmen have noticed him. They start firing arrows at him as he runs through the gates into the black night.

Scene 15 --Drunken Chen

It is well into the night outside Chen's dojo. Chen and Uncle are sitting around the fire talking after their meal. They each clutch a mug. They are laughing and are obviously drunk.

Chen: This is indeed the finest in the land!

Uncle: Ah, you are correct, though you can't possibly know that until you've tried them all! (he raises his cup) Why don't you put some more wood on the fire?

Chen stands up quickly, swoons and falls back down.

Chen: Uncle! My eyes won't focus!

Uncle laughs.

Uncle: That's no excuse for laziness, young Chen!

Uncle hurls his cup spinning into the air over Chen's head. Chen reaches out and catches the cup with a twisting motion. CU of cup still full of wine sloshing. Uncle laughs and picks up a bowl. He throws it and Chen races to catch it with the cup still in his hand. Before he gets it, Uncle hurls more cups and bowls and bottles into the air. Chen races around catching all of them before they smash into the ground. Uncle is laughing hysterically.

Uncle: Good! Very good! You see? Spirit transcends the body. Now show me Creeping Leopard stance!

Uncle leaps up toward Chen, who is still holding the cookware, does a wobbly drunken version of the creeping leopard to dodge him. Chen manages not to drop a single thing.

Uncle: Show me Sparrow Perching!

Chen does his best.

Uncle: The Forbidden Two Headed Cobra stance!

Chen looks puzzled and the plates begin to fall from the stack he is holding. He tries in vain to stop them, so Uncle jumps in and catches each one and sets them down one by one (filmed in slow motion to be sped up). Uncle sits down on log and chuckles. Chen sits next to him. CU of Uncle's face as he talks…

Uncle: You are not so bad for a drunkard! But your technique needs more relaxing. You must be calm, Chen. Take all of yourself, and add all of this (he opens his arms to the sky and looks up and around), and be at one. (he chuckles and the camera creeps out into 2 shot revealing Chen as uncle speaks his next lines) Chen… the secret to the Universe is the same as the secrets of a woman. The only thing you must remember is… (the camera is now fully showing Chen and Uncle revealing that Chen is sitting sound asleep on the log)

Scene 16 - Ninjas in the Dark Hunt Chun

The scene name says it all for this one. Chun, while wading across a river, is attacked by masked ninja from under the water. He defends himself and the ninja disappear into the water. Chun looks around yet sees nothing. They attack again and Chun goes down. The water becomes still. Suddenly, blood, then dead bodies float to the surface, they roll over and are not Chun, of course. Chun Surfaces a few moments later on the opposite bank and quietly slips into the woods on the other side.

Scene 17 - Chen's Dream

Chen has a wild and crazy dream, some foreshadowing, but mostly weird. Lots of backward shots.

When Chen wakes up, Uncle is there awake and staring at him. It is early morning.

Uncle: Chen! Get up! I had a terrible dream. You and the Blade are in danger. You must leave here and go into the forest.

Chen: Yes, Uncle, I will go. But why?

Uncle: You will know soon enough, I'm afraid. Now hurry!

Chen quickly picks up the Golden Blade.

Chen: Uncle…

Uncle: (holding up his hand to silence Chen) Do not worry. Now, Go!

Scene 18 - Misa is Arrested

Back at the village. Cut to interior of Misa's House. Misa is tending to some plants. A knock on the door, and Misa answers the door. Sister, Peng and Ninjas try to arrest her, but she fights them. Sister finally wears her out and binds her hands with shackles. Misa's father challenges the Ninjas, and Peng Wang throws a sharp object at him stabbing him right in the gut.

Misa: Papa!

The Ninjas look at the old man and his wife rushing to hold him as he lies slain (he's not quite dead yet). The ninjas look at Peng…

Peng: What? We are in a hurry!

Sister: Come fools!

They drag Misa away.

Scene 19 - Chen Saves Misa

In the woods, we see Chen. He is hiding out and practicing his Kung Fu as he walks. He hears a sound, and rushes for cover. Down the path comes a frightened Misa, bound at the hands. Wang Ninjas and Peng Wang pursue her. Chen jumps into the path and they stop…

Peng: You! I have been looking for you.

Chen: Well you have found me then.

Peng: Now I have my revenge. Ha!

Peng lunges at Chen and they fight. The Wang Ninjas also join Peng in fighting Chen. He defeats them all, and he and Misa go running off into the woods. (fight in tree???)

One of the Ninjas on the ground: (to Peng) Why didn't she beat him while his back was turned.

Peng: Silence! Get up! …lets go.

Cut to Chen and Misa running through the woods until they come to a beautiful waterfall.

Misa: Are you always such a hero, Mr. Chen Zen?

Chen: Why are you in so much trouble with those Wangs?

Misa: They wanted to take me prisoner.

Chen: Come… I will take you home.

Misa: We can't go to my house, they will be there.

Chen: This way (he points), we will find safety for the night.

They start to go, and Misa takes Chen's hand, stops him, looks him sweetly in the eyes, and then kisses him softly on the cheek. Chen smiles then quickly turns and they run off.

Scene 20 - Peng and Ninjas Fight Uncle at Chen's Dojo

It is late afternoon. Uncle is at the Dojo, doing various things around the house, and outside. He is humming a tune. We follow him through some chores, and after a few chores, he is carrying a bundle of sticks (yes, another faggot), looks up from under his hat, and Peng Wang and Ninjas are standing in front of him.

Peng: Where is Chen?

Uncle: And how are you today Mr. Taxman?

Peng: Old man, tell me where he is.

Uncle: Who?

Peng: Aaarrrgghhh!!!

Peng lunges at Uncle, and Uncle steps aside, and Peng crashes into the kettle. Ninjas run at Uncle, and he steps aside as they crash into each other. Uncle is still carrying the faggot. Peng has recovered, and lunges again at Uncle. Cut to storm brewing in Uncle's eyes. Cut to long shot of New Location high atop some cliffs. Peng is lunging at nobody, and the Ninjas are still on the ground stunned. But the Dojo and Uncle are nowhere. Uncle has sent them far away with a spell.

Scene 21 - A New Friend

It is evening. Chen and Misa are sitting next to a fire in the woods.

Misa: So why are you out here alone?

Chen: I am searching (he looks to the sky).

Misa: For what?

Chen: Myself.

Misa: Let me know when you find him, so I can thank him for his kindness.

They are lit perfectly for a kiss in the firelight. They look at each other, she leans in to kiss him, and…

Tsuto: Huh-humph (we recognize Tsuto as one of the prisoners from the Wang Dungeon)

Chen and Misa are interrupted, and Chen stands up quickly.

Tsuto: (bowing) I meant no alarm. I am traveling alone, and saw your fire. I have this to offer for your flame.

He pulls out a slain rabbit all bloody and limp.

Chen: (looking at Misa for reassurance) Food is always a better trade than gold. (He turns to Tsuto) I cannot turn you away, there are dangerous men in these woods tonight, our fire is your fire.

Tsuto: Then let's eat this fine creature! (he laughs) I had to stomp him to kill him! So he is tender, wouldn't you say!

Misa is wary of this guy, but Chen is amused. Tsuto jams a stick through the rabbit, sits down and starts cooking it over the fire.

Tsuto: I am Tsuto! Great Master of the Five Deadly Hits! (he hands the stick with the rabbit on it to Misa, and stands up to demonstrate) Kang-To! --- Bang-Roon! --- Show-Kaa! --- Foo-Tang! --- And Pow-Rangdoon!

Chen applauds him laughing.

Chen: Well, I will try to stay on your good side!

Tsuto: You have no worries new friends, what are your names?

Chen: I am Chen, keeper of the Golden Blade. (he bows)

Misa: (standing up and bowing) I am Misa… Just Misa.

Tsuto: I must excuse myself for my filthy appearance. Luck has not been my best for many moons.

Chen: You are not the only one.

Misa: I think we have a cooked bunny!

CU of the burnt bunny. Pan down to the fire, we hear the fire strong. Time goes by as the fire dissolves into a small fire and crickets fade in loud. About an hour has passed. Pan over to CU of Tsuto's fingers as he breaks up some herbs on a rock lit by the last flickers of the fire. Cut to Misa resting against Chen as he sits in a meditative stance. Tsuto rolls up the herbs in a leaf paper, and lights it with a stick from the fire.

Tsuto: I came upon this herb today, lucky me. The gods impress me with their creations! (he passes it to Chen) Here Chen, you will not believe its potency!

Chen takes the fatty, and tokes it. He coughs profusely and drools a little. Tsuto laughs. Chen passes it to Misa, and she tokes it and also coughs. CU of Chen's red eyes, then Misa's. She passes the fatty to Tsuto. He tokes it, and says…

Tsuto: He who sit in forest see many wonders. Many times have I seen things not of this earth. Spirits, yes. But they are without a name. Still, I can see them. I have the trained eye. I see many things that others do not!

Cut to Chen and Misa asleep. Cut to Tsuto taking a big toke off the fatty. He looks at them again, squints, and gasps. Cut to Chen and Sister Wang asleep. He looks at the fatty, and then back at them, and it is Chen and Misa. He shrugs his shoulders and takes one last huge crackling toke off of the fatty. Shot of the moon moving across the sky as dawn creeps in. Cut to the dead fire pit. Pan over to Chen sleeping. Cut to CU of Tsuto sleeping. Cut to bird in tree starting to chirp. The chirping wakes up Chen.

Scene 22 - The Blade is Gone

Chen realizes that Misa is not there. He reaches for the Blade in his belt, and it is gone.

Chen: The Golden Blade! No! Tsuto!

Tsuto opens his eyes. He springs to his feet.

Tsuto: (already in a fighting position) I will fight them! Where are they?

Chen: Misa is gone and the Golden Blade is gone with her! I must GO!

He turns and runs off. Tsuto is still groggy, and looks for his herb, he can't find it.

Tsuto: My herbs! No! Chen!

He grabs his stuff and runs off after Chen. Cut to Chen running down a trail. Tsuto is behind him. Tsuto catches up to him.

Tsuto: (running beside Chen) Where are we going?

Chen: We?

Tsuto: I will help you.

Chen: Then we are going to the village.

He speeds off, and Tsuto follows.

Cut to Old Lady selling fruits at her fruit stand. Chen and Tsuto run into the shot.

Chen: (to Old Woman) Where is Misa?

Old Woman: Have you not heard? The Wangs came and took her prisoner. They killed her father.

We see a robed figure watching this conversation and then slip off out of the shot.

Chen: They are in the Wang Fortress then?

Old Woman: I am sorry Chen, I don't know where they took her.

From behind, Tang Len approaches with the robed figure tagging along.

Tang: Chen!

Chen: Tang Len!

Tang: Come with me. Hurry!

Tang, Chen, Tsuto and robed man run off through the village.

Cut to inside Tang's shop. They enter. Tang locks the door.

Tang: Through here.

Tang leads them to the back room through the curtains. Cut to the secret back room. Many ruffians are preparing and talking. In the background stands Chun. He sees Chen. Chen sees him. Chun starts for Chen, reaches him and bows.

Che