Wha... what's going on?
Huh... huh...
Wha... huh...
No, no, no.
At last, you are awake. We can begin.
What are you gonna do?
Claim my trophy.
All the hunters, warriors,
now their strength is my own,
just as yours soon will be.
No! I need Gelfling alive.
Must bring before Emperor.
I will have my trophy.
I will have this Gelfling’s tongue!
No!
After I drag him back to castle, yes?
After Emperor sees my triumph.
After General is humiliated.
After I have my seat back.
My trophy.
Pathetic! You hunt a chair!
No. I hunt power.
You have your trophy, I have mine. Hm?
I will honor your hunt.
- Take your trophy... - Mmm...
...and I will take mine.
But if you deny me...
Yes! Yes!
Hunter will never stop until hunt is finished.
Mmm...
Where is it?
Here?
Or here?
Get away from me! Leave me alone!
- Mira! No! - Here it is!
No! No!
Yes.
- Good. - No!
Give it back! Give it back!
Ah!
Give it back!
No! Mira!
No!
- No! - Ha!
No! No!
Tasty.
- Tasty! - No! No!
And now...
we send her back to Thra.
Mira!
Be careful, All-Maudra. There's Landstrider dung everywhere.
Ugh.
- Thank you, Paladin. - Mm.
The entire Landstrider herd went missing last night.
At first, we assumed some foolish Gelfling had left the pen open.
But then we discovered the fences had been broken from the inside.
The Landstriders went mad?
I’ve never seen such a thing.
- How many in the herd? - Almost 80.
This is the only one we found. The rest ran off.
That's what I thought,
until I saw her eyes.
Easy. Easy.
Easy.
The farmers tell stories of a strange blight
marked by purple veins in the ground.
I’d assumed they were making excuses
to justify their lack of tithes.
But only a fool does not believe their own eyes.
Easy. Shh...
- Best we return the beast to Thra. - Stop! Hand me your blade.
- But... - It's not a request, Paladin.
As you command.
Watch out!
Thra will decide the beast's fate...
as it decides all our fates.
Of course, All-Maudra.
I'll send Seladon to inspect the rest of our Landstrider herds.
- All-Maudra! - Huh?
All-Maudra!
- The Skeksis lords! - What about them?
They're in Ha'rar. They're waiting for you in your chambers.
Hm...
Get back.
Meh!
You and Kylan find Gurjin and make for Ha'rar.
My mother will grant you safe harbor.
What about you?
I want to know what the Skeksis are up to.
Try not to get yourself killed, Vapran.
Until our paths meet again, Drenchen.
Hm.
Yes.
Come.
Yes.
Now we shall see.
Give me all.
Good!
Yes.
Yes!
As I’d hoped.
Huh?
Spying eyes.
Hup?
Am I going the wrong way again?
Deet...
What?
No go Ha'rar.
But I have to go.
The All-Maudra has to know about the Darkening
and what happened to Rian.
What's wrong, Hup?
Hup scared.
I understand.
I was scared, too.
Hup ne scared.
Hup... Hup scared Deet.
You're... scared for me?
Hup want to protect Deet.
Otsa ne sword?
Otsa spoon! Silly spoon!
Hup ne Paladin.
Hup nobody.
Did nobody rescue me from the Spitter?
Did nobody stand up for me at Stone-in-the-Wood?
Did nobody protect me from the gobbles?
Ne.
Hup did.
That's right.
You're on your way to Ha'rar to become a Paladin.
But if you ask me...
you already are.
To Ha'rar! Hup!
Curse these low Gelfling ceilings.
My lords...
this is an unexpected pleasure.
Hm...
- What is this? - That is a unamoth chrysalis, General.
The sigil of the Vapra clan.
No!
Blech!
Ugh! Disgusting. Terrible.
Mm...
We bear ill tidings, All-Maudra.
The Arathim grow increasingly bold.
Ill tidings indeed.
Arathim have been sighted as far south as the Great Sog.
Another rebellion appears...
inevitable.
The Vapra stand ready to defend Thra.
Ha! Exemplary!
We require the seven strongest Gelfling from each clan.
They will have the privilege of fighting alongside their lords.
Of course, we cannot guarantee the volunteers' safe return.
Perhaps the Arathim's aggression has something to do with the blight.
- There is no blight! - General, I...
You will present us with seven volunteers.
We will take them with us when we depart tonight. That is all!
As you wish, my lords.
Don't.
Ugh.
Hm, better.
Struggle is pointless,
but Gelfling is welcome to try if helps pass time.
Don't play with your food, coward.
Just kill me now.
Kill?
Not kill. Dead Rian is no good to Chamberlain.
No good to Skeksis. Need Rian alive.
So you can drain my essence?
So Rian can stand before Gelfling and say lied about Skeksis.
That'll never happen.
I'll make sure that all of Thra knows what you truly are.
And what are Skeksis? Hmm?
Evil.
Delightful. How are Skeksis evil?
Please, you tell.
You killed Mira.
All things kill.
Is z'nid bird evil because it eats crawling Nurloc?
Birds eat to live.
So do Skeksis.
All living things consume other things to survive.
Not evil. Natural.
There was nothing natural about what you did to Mira.
Death is unnatural. Death is cruel joke.
Death mocks life, mocks Skeksis.
But no more. Skeksis conquer death.
And you, Gelfling, will do same in Skeksis' place.
We are nothing alike.
When friend being drained, what did Gelfling do?
Stop us? Fight Skeksis?
- There was nothing I could do. - You run.
Yes. And when Drenchen friend is caught, what did Gelfling do?
- Well, Gurjin told me... - Run, yes? Save self.
And father, too.
Gobbled up by gobbles, so son could run.
Save self.
I tried.
- I just couldn't save him. - Mm.
Now Gelfling tells truth.
You couldn't save any of them.
But what if Rian could save all the rest?
Mm?
First you erase a Sifan Elder's memory,
then you desert the Order of Lesser Service.
His memory will probably return in time. Would you stop... Seladon!
And now I find you scheming
with a monster beneath the throne.
You make it sound so much more nefarious than it really is.
I heard you and that thing...
His name is Lore!
...conspiring to end Skeksis rule.
What happens to the Gelfling if the Skeksis fall?
What happens to Mother?
Is it Mother you're worried about?
Or her crown?
- Why, you... - Seladon!
- Mother, you must listen to me... - Mother, I found a secret chamber...
Enough! Enough! Enough!
Brea, why aren't you with the Order of Lesser Service?
I ran away,
but for a very good reason!
I found a secret chamber...
I don't have time for stories today, Brea.
The lords are here.
The Skeksis are here?
Mother, Brea built a monster beneath the throne...
- I didn't build him, I awakened him! - ...and she intends to turn it
against the Skeksis.
- And he's not a monster! - Brea!
You have defied me time and again.
- I mean no disrespect. - Yes, you do!
To me, to the Skeksis,
to anyone who values tradition over self-righteous disobedience.
I value truth!
I value knowledge.
Right now an ancient creature
holding a mysterious message is waiting
in a secret chamber beneath your throne!
Don't you want to know what he has to say?
Mother, think of your responsibilities.
Imagine the possibilities.
Show me, Brea.
- But, Mother! - Seladon,
I'm sending you south to our Landstrider herds.
I must know more about this mysterious blight.
But... you need me.
Let me stay and help you. I... I don't understand.
You will...
when you're All-Maudra.
Now, take me to your monster.
All Gelfling are in danger.
Rian must confess to murder of Mira.
Stand with Skeksis and silence whispers of rebellion.
Stop war before it starts.
- You don't care about the Gelfling. - False.
I am friend.
I am only reason Gelfling still alive.
So that we can live as your slaves.
Is Gelfling slave if Gelfling does not know it is slave?
Now Gelfling happy.
Eating, dancing, drinking...
running like Fizzgig.
- We're not your pets. - False.
You live only a few trine.
Skeksis are immortal.
We are to you as you are to crawlies.
The choice is pets or enemies.
Choose wisely.
Hm...
And if I say what you want, will you stop draining Gelfling?
Cannot promise.
Hm.
Then I refuse.
All Gelfling lose, or few Gelfling lose all!
War is end!
Unless we win.
Halt!
Fine! Go then.
Run. Have your war!
But it will be on Rian's head when all Gelfling die
because you chose to run.
Again.
Mm...
Ah...
At last, a Gelfling with sense.
Mm...
Is difficult being voice of reason in such crazed world.
"Hear the song," Mystic says.
"Only Thra can teach the song," Mystic says.
So, Aughra will try Mystic way to make Thra sing for Aughra.
Ah! Stones are no help! Bah!
Leaves have nothing to say.
No help!
Uh... uh...
Bah! No help!
Smoke is no help!
Mystic ways don't work.
Aughra ways don't work.
Old ways don't work!
Aughra cannot make Thra sing.
Huh?
Oh?
What's gotten into you?
No good.
The Darkening has consumed you, little one.
Aughra cannot help you. Aughra cannot heal you.
Aughra cannot stop the Darkening.
Aughra cannot even make Thra sing.
No. I have failed you.
I have failed Thra.
Aughra gave Crystal to Skesis.
Foolish.
Aughra made so many mistakes.
Now...
too late for Aughra.
Maybe not too late for you.
Sanctuary Tree, I abandoned you as I abandoned all my children.
I don't ask for forgiveness.
Do not deserve it.
I beg for your help...
for this creature,
for all who suffer because of Aughra's mistakes!
Do what Aughra cannot!
Please, I beg of you.
Oh...
Welcome back.
On your way then.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening, old friend.
Hm...
Perhaps that is the lesson.
Instead of making Thra talk,
Aughra will simply sit with her friend awhile
and listen.
Friend.
Ha'rar is beautiful.
Uh...
What's the white stuff?
- Snow. - Look at that.
- What is snow? - Is that a Grottan here in Ha'rar?
Nurishi. Cold.
Move, Podling.
The Gelfling here are all so... different.
Yeah, rude!
Watch out.
Huh?
Hm...
If I couldn't get in to see Maudra Fara dressed like this,
then we'll never get in to see the All-Maudra.
Huh.
Mm!
Huh?
Hmph!
Right back.
Over here!
- Huh? Whoa! - Everything for sale! Over here!
I'm going to a party. I need a dress.
You have come to the right place, madam.
I have many perfect dresses. Ah!
- Take a look here. - Oh, no, no, no!
I want something fun in a somber way.
Past the calf but above the knee.
I see. I see.
Do not worry. You're safe in my hands.
Maybe I could tunnel my way into the citadel.
Hm... I’m going to need a big shovel.
You look a vision in blue.
- Oh... ah... - Pink is out, blue is in.
Uh... I'm not sure.
Or maybe...
I could pretend I have some kind of illness, like spotted rump-spickle.
I could make an exception.
Pardon me.
I guess I could take a bath.
- We go! We go! - Hup, where did you get all that?
Ah..
Ha! Muah!
Oh! Um...
How do I look?
Deet always beautiful.
Hup!
I told you already.
I can't let you in. The All-Maudra is busy.
Please, my wife and I would just like a few moments of the All-Maudra's time.
It's not going to happen.
- Time for you both to move along. - I've got to see the All-Maudra!
- If we could just speak with her... - I said...
This will never work. They're not going to believe I'm Vapran.
Will work. Watch.
- Who's next? - Paladin!
Huh?
- Brother Paladin! - Hup!
- Mm? - Wait! No, Hup. Hup!
Protector...
Vapran lady.
Noble quest. Important message for All-Maudra.
Ooh! Look at that fancy lady with that Podling.
I shall escort you personally to the All-Maudra.
Come along inside then.
The rest of you, stay back. Right this way, my lady.
Hello. Thank you.
Well, it is a lovely dress.
This way, Mother.
All this beneath my throne. I...
- Hm... - I... I had no idea.
Easy.
Oh...
This is Lore.
Greetings...
Lore.
Aaah...
This volunteer's teeth are very disappointing.
Argh.
Weak haunches, too.
What's wrong with that one's face?
Hm?
I think it's just old.
Well, I don't like it. Get it out of here!
Uh... Go.
I'm not that old.
Hurry.
Faster!
Oh! Red hair possesses a strong aura.
I don't know. Freckles.
Mm.
Oh...
- I like the ugly one on the end. - Huh?
But it's so small.
It's not about size.
It's about... vigor.
Uh...
Huh?
Mm?
Huh?
Mm...
What's that?
Hello there.
Gurjin!
- Hey, Rian! - Huh?
- Naia! - It’s time to go.
So long!
No!
Gelfling, come back!
- Thank you! - It's good to see you, Rian.
No!
And you, Gurjin.
Watch out!
Rian! Hold on!
Watch out!
Jump!
Are you hurt?
No! We're fine!
Whoa!
Speak for yourself!
No! Not good.
Unhook the Armaligs!
- They'll carry us to safety! - Good plan!
Come on!
Gelfling! No, stop!
Gelfling, stop!
No! Come back, Gelfling!
No! Not good! Not good!
"Join the guard," they said.
"Nothing ever goes wrong at the castle," they said.
Come on, Drenchen!
- What's taking so long? - It's stuck!
Ready?
Hurry, Naia!
Wait! Not yet!
Gelfling!
Let me help.
Almost. Come on! Come on!
- Go! - Oh... go.
Whoa!
Yes!
Well, that was fun.
So long, Chamberlain!
Gelfling!
Whoa!
Go on. You've earned a rest.
Oh! You've returned.
And, Rian, you're safe!
Yes, I am.
- Thanks to these two. - Mostly me.
Despite whatever stories my brother will surely tell you.
Gurjin, is everything all right?
No.
Just a little tender after my stay with the Skeksis.
It's so good to see you again.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy.
- Tender, remember? - Oh...
Of course. I'm sorry.
And I made broth.
- Wow. - Come along this way.
Ahh!
Stop.
- Who are these two? - Princess Seladon,
this Vapran lady needs to speak with the All-Maudra.
- The All-Maudra is indisposed. - Oh, please. It's important.
You're no Vapran lady.
Uh... Yes, I am.
No.
You're just wearing Vapran garments.
Poorly.
Well... Uh...
my name is Deet. I'm a Grottan.
I was sent by Maudra Argot to warn the All-Maudra.
The Sanctuary Tree gifted me with a vision.
My apologies, Princess.
She obviously has some frenzy.
- I'll escort them both out immediately. - I... What? Wait!
- Come on, you two impostors. No! - The blight is real!
- Thra's in danger! The Darkening is here! - Out with you, none of this! Come on!
Wait!
I'll speak with them.
- Alone. - Yes, Princess.
- Thank you. - Tell me of this Darkening.
My message is for the All-Maudra.
You can either speak with me,
or you and your ridiculous dress
can slink back to your cave.
Choose.
Uh...
Well, it all began when I was bitten by a baby Nurloc...
Mm...
Hm...
Mmm...
Deratea.
- So then Hup stole this dress... - Oh, no tell that.
- And now we're here. - Mm!
Hmm...
You spin quite the tale, Grottan.
But do you offer any proof?
Dreamfast with me.
When was the last time you washed your hands?
Why would I ever wash my hands?
Deatea...
Deratea...
Kidakida...
Arugaru.
Brea, I'm sorry I doubted you.
- How did you discover this place? - Let me show you.
Deatea, Deratea,
Kidakida, Arugaru.
Dea-tea!
My father sacrificed his life...
for me.
I'm sorry, Rian.
He was a good captain.
I grew up in the castle.
I thought I knew every last Skeksis, but...
I've never seen this one before. It...
It wore a mask.
Show us.
Dea.. tea...
Kida... kida...
Arugaru.
Deatea, Deratea, Kidakida, Arugaru.
Dea... tea...
Dera... tea...
Kida... kida.
Deatea.
Deratea.
Kidakida.
Kida!
Deatea, Deratea,
Kidakida, Arugaru.
Deatea, Deratea, Kidakida...
I'm back in the castle. But how?
I hear it!
Oh! I feel the Song of Thra in my heart.
Longneck was right!
I see all the paths laid before me!
- Whoo! - Huh?
Ha! Ha, ha, ha!
Ha!
Oo-ooh!
Ooh-wah!
- Rian! - Hm?
- Deet! - What is this place?
- It's the Skeksis Castle. - Wrong, brave Rian.
Wrong!
This is Dream Space.
What is she doing?
- Mother Aughra? - Yes, gentle Deet.
I have returned.
She's dancing!
Ha, ha, oh!
There's the rest of you.
Huh?
- Hello. - Hm.
- My... - Hello.
Welcome, clever Brea.
The Crystal, it's cracked. It's missing a shard.
Quiet! I'm not done.
- Sorry. - Now, where was I?
Ah! Yes.
Welcome, proud All-Maudra.
Mm.
- Fierce Naia. - Ha.
- Wise Kylan and Gurjin. - Hm.
That's it? Just Gurjin?
How did we come to this place?
- We were dreamfasting, and... - Me too! I was in Ha'rar.
Ah... body still is.
The Dream Space is a spirit realm.
Dream Space?
The source of magic and prophecy.
- The world within our world. - Exactly.
The Crystal of Truth has brought you here to ask for your help.
Our world is dying.
We all have a part to play in restoring the balance
- and defeating the Skeksis. - Treason.
Loyal Seladon.
We are nothing without the Skeksis, Mother. Remember who you serve!
I remember, Seladon. I serve Thra.
This isn't the will of Thra.
This is a sordid plot of a power-hungry witch!
- Oh! - Stop, Seladon!
- I don't see... - Me!
You never see me!
Seladon.
Will you not heed Thra's call?
I will not give in to chaos!
Pity.
Wha... wha?
- What have you done with my daughter? - I sent her back.
Different Gelfling, different paths.
Now, gather round.
- You! - No hurt Deet!
- More traitors! Paladins! - Oh! Oh!
The citadel is infested with traitors.
I shall inform the Skeksis lords personally.
- Don't let these two out of your sight! - Wake up.
Deet, wake!
Deet!
Good!
Now, feel the power of the Crystal!
Come on, then. That's it! Hurry up!
What's happening?
Behold, Thra cries out to you.
Listen close. Each one of you is part of the song.
It's time all of you heard the truth.
Yes! That's it!
Now you will see!
Behold!
Mira!
- Mine! My turn! - I want some!
I demand a taste!
- The Skeksis! - They're draining us!
The volunteers!
- We shall answer Thra's call. - Good.
- You must travel to Ha'rar, Rian. - Hm.
Join Brea and Deet.
Together, you three will follow Lore to the Circle of the Suns
where the key to ending Skeksis power waits.
And where does our path lead, Mother Aughra?
To the Seven Corners of Thra.
The clans must know the horrible truth about the Skeksis.
You must light the Fires of Resistance!
The first fire already blazes.
Ha'rar and the Vapra will stand against the Skeksis!
Now go, you heroes of Thra.
Go and save our world!
Deet.
We can't allow the Skeksis to leave with the volunteers. Come!
No! Wait here. I will return.
Now, get in the wagon.
Go! You too, Freckles.
Ah...
My lords.
Forgive the interruption, but I must speak with you.
- You are always welcome, Princess. - Yes.
Thank you.
Which Princess is this?
Haven't got a clue. They all look the same to me.
Mm...
Now, what vexes you, child?
Traitors conspire against you.
Come. Tell us everything.
Deet!
- Brea! - Paladins!
Stand down! These are not our enemies.
Apologies, All-Maudra.
All-Maudra!
Oh...
Uh...
- Not now, Hup. - Is this Podling in his right mind?
He wants to be a Paladin.
No time for ceremony now, Podling.
Innocent lives are at risk.
Stand and prove the strength of your spoon by my side.
Hup!
Let's hope we're not too late.
This is invaluable information, Princess.
Get away from my daughter.
What now?
The Princess was just sharing a very distressing story.
Seladon, you have to stop! You don't know what you're doing!
- I know exactly what I'm doing. - I demand
- you release my Paladins. - Release?
They are not prisoners. They are volunteers.
They are under my protection.
I am the All-Maudra!
Mother, don't.
You are All-Maudra because we allow you to be All-Maudra.
And as All-Maudra,
I have turned a blind eye and said nothing
while you steal from Gelfling. No more!
I have allowed you to buy my loyalty with cheap trinkets.
- No more! - Bah!
I have bowed my head
and called you lords while you drained us!
But... no... more!
Then you are no more!
No!
Mother!
Mother.
No! All-Maudra!
Please, no.
Ah! Mother!
She's dead.
- It's your fault. - No!
Shh...
Come. Come, Princess.
There's nothing you could have done.
You said yourself. Your mother was a traitor.
You...
You are loyal.
Always.
You know then what you must do.
No.
It's not too late.
Think of Mother. And Tavra.
Paladins!
Huh?
- Take these traitors away! - No! Wait!
Move.
- Please! - Seladon!
You're my sister!
- Come. - You are no sister of mine.
Seladon! No!
Please!
Seladon!
No!
You've been through a terrible ordeal.
Justice must be served.
Best we take the troublemakers?
Yes.
Of course.
Thank you.
Our pleasure...
All-Maudra.