TDGChapter1Script

The Dark Guardian

Dark Forces Arc

Canto I: The Dark Guardian

Created By
Nicolas Bluetreich and John Baker

Written By
 John Baker

Quote
“I looked, and behold a pale horse. Its rider, Death. And Hell followed with him."
-King James (1611)

EXT. CITY IN RUINS- EVENING

Our story begins with a still shot of a skyline of destroyed buildings. We get multiple shots of buildings and other parts of a city in disarray.

As the silence begins to settle, we get a closeup panel of the ground, and then a single boot steps into frame.

SFX
STOMP

We zoom out to see a man dressed in a black trench coat, sleeves rolled up to his elbows wearing a black undershirt, a pair of fingerless gloves and knee high brown army boots walking through the city. The man has light tan skin, medium length black hair with a distinctive curl and a pair of intense eyes, with long eyeslashes.

This man is our protagonist, our unnamed hero (for now) and as he waunders the decrepit streets something catches his eye...

Just on the outskirts of the city, far beyond his location, the man spots a small village a few miles north from where he stands. We see him contemplate where to go next...

INT. TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

SFX
CLUNK!

The scene jumpcuts to a new location. We are taken inside of a tavern, where a man slams his mug down on the bar.

A wide panel shows the life inside this establishment... Its dingy, musty, dirty and filled with some not so well-to-do folk. The only two nice looking people in the whole place are the elderly bartender and his younger assistant; a young woman of about 21 who is helping bring drinks to some of the patrons sat in the farther corners of the room.

Random Bar Guy #1
Hey hot pants how about topping me off another bit of ale, and this time some shit that ISNT flat!

Random Bar Guy #1's Friend
Ahhhh you ask for too much man, there hasn't been a carbonated drink in The Frontier* for more than a fucking decade!

*Authors Note: The Frontier is the colloquial name given to The United States area after The Demon invasion.

Some single panels reveal a few of the activities going on inside: a group of men play cards around a table, a man and a woman make out and feel each other up in a corner of one of the booths, and some other men throw knives at a crudely drawn picture of a Demon on a dartboard.

The story begins to focus on a group of shady looking folk who are sat around a large table, about 6 in total. These people are MARAUDERS, thieves and murderers who will do anything to get their hands on what they deem valuable. Sat at the head is a large, nearly inhuman looking man of pure muscle and fury named MADS, next to him is the skinny and tweaked out GIB and his cousin BIG followed by RALPH, TORN, JACK, and TIM.

The group are showing off some of their collectibles they have gathered in their travels throughout The Frontier.

Gib
Alright boys, dig on this right here.

Gib takes out a switchblade from his pocket and shows it around.

RALPH
A switch? Whats the big deal?

Gib
This!

SFX
FLICK

Gib flicks the knife open, revealing a Nazi Swastika on the base of the blade.

The men ooooh and aaaaah at the sight of it.

Tim
That is interesting

Ralph
Yeah, pretty rare.

Gib
Ya think? I found it on some old guys corpse back on that raid in Akron. Nazi stuff is pretty valuable too, so im gonna start me a little collection.

Ralph
Big, what about you?

Big
Alright you all might wanna sit back for this one.

Big takes out an old dirty porno magazine. He opens up the page and reveals a full spread of a nude model.

All in unison
Dammmmn!

Ralph
Look at the size of her tits!

Jack
Psh.

Tim
God I miss when women looked like that, times were good then.

Torn
Hmph... All this stuff doesnt even hold a candle to what I got.

Torn begins digging in his bag to reveal his sacred treasure to his friends who all wait in anticipation to which he reveals....

A compass. With a tiny little Star Wars logo branded on the back.

Gib
Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me a fucking compass??

Ralph
Of all the things you could grab and you choose the most boring thing. Why do we even bring you with us?

Torn
No! Its also a STAR WARS compass? See the back?? It has the symbol-

SFX
WHACK

Ralph smacks the vintage collectible out of Torn's hands.

Torn
Hey! Whats your fucking problem!?!

Ralph
My problem is I dont want to die of fucking boredom.

Torn
You know Ralph, im really getting tired of your bull-

Mads
Shut up. Both of you.

The two quickly go silent and stare at their boss.

Mads
If you want to see something that isnt useless junk and requires you to use your brain, then look at this..

Mads takes something out from his satchel and puts it down on the table. The men move in closer to view it.

A full page spread reveals a stained piece of paper, a wanted poster to be exact. The poster depicts a picture of our protagonist shown earlier in the chapter.

Above his portrait at the top of the page in bold letters, it says "WANTED DEAD" and the next row stating "THE DARK GUARDIAN" a description beneath his portrait states the following: BY ORDER OF THE NEW AMERICAN REPUBLIC, THIS MAN IS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE FOR MASS MURDER, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT TERRORISM, AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. ANY INFORMATION TO HIS WHEREABOUTS IS REWARDED AND UPON RETURN OF HIS REMAINS SHALL BE HIGHLY REWARDED. PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THIS TARGET IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND ANY CONTACT SHOULD BE MET WITH ABSOLUTE HOSTILITY.

Ralph
A wanted poster? No offense boss, but thr army puts these things up everywhere what makes this so special exactly?

Mads
Maybe you should read the poster rather than just pass judgement.

Mads puts his finger to the particular line he wants Ralph to read, running it along the page.

Ralph
Any... Info, to his wearabouts will be rewarded... And upon return of his remains... Shall be highly rewarded... I have read this a hundred times before though boss im failing to see the big picture here.

Mads
Its because I heard a rumor that our little friend has been making his way around these parts.

Gib
Seriously?!?

Jack
Hmph.

Ralph
And you want to go after him?

Mads
Precisely. Why? You scared or something?

Ralph
Its just that in the almost ten years this guy has been around people who come across him tend to go uh... Missing...?

Mads
Missing sounds a lot like a substitute for being dead.

Ralph
They say the guy isnt even human, that he is half DEMON. He has all these crazy powers and he cant even be killed-

Mads
If it bleeds. It can be killed.

Ralph
Right! But this guy has some history behind him I mean for gods sake Mads, the fucking army cant even catch him. There are tons of gangs out there with bigger numbers than us who cant even get him.

The group all look at eachother, unease setting in.

Mads
All true things Ralph. All very true.

Mads takes a large chug from his glass.

Mads
But unlike these other idiots out here I have something called a brain. And you all, my boys, my most trusted compatriots also have one. Even Gib.

Gib
Oh.

Mads
I feel like we have been pigeonholed as just lowly gang-scum. All we are are just raiders, savages, MARAUDERS and CRIMINALS. I feel this is the job that will put us on top. You all have special skills that no one else has.

Mads begins pointing at each member as he recites their skills.

Mads
Ralph, you are the brains of our group. Gib and Big, my soldiers. Jack, the hunter. Torn, my scouter. And Tim, you are my wild card, always ready to suprise us with a great scheme.

Ralph
But what about you? What are you in this group?

Mads chugs the remainder of his drink before slamming it down to the table satisfyingly.

SFX
CLINK

Mads
Its as you always say my friend, im THE Boss. And with me in charge? Nothing can stop us. It doesnt matter how many numbers we have, what matters is our skills, and what I see before me is nothing but raw skill.

Mads lifts his glass, initiating a toast.

Mads
To us.

The group all raise their glasses.

Ralph, Jack, Gib, Big, Tim
TO US!

EXT. TOWN-NIGHTTIME

The scene switches to the outside of the tavern. A pair of legs step into frame. The panel cuts off the full-body view of this character.

They walk towards the tavern, as they get closer the pov switches to theirs and as they out a hand on the door and begin to open it...

SFX
CREEEEAAAK

INT. TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

We get a full page spread revealing our protagonist: The Dark Guardian, in all his glory.

As our hero walks indoors he makes his way towards the bar.

On the other side of the room, Mads and his gang continue their conversation.

Ralph
So I was thinking maybe we ask around from some of the locals and see what we can get out of them. That would be my first move-

Gib
Hey you guys keep going, im gonna take a piss.

Gib sits up from his chair and begins walking when he freezes in place.

Gib
I'll be a son of a bitch.

Gib locks his sights on The Guardian, who conversates with the bartender before walking away to sit down at an empty table.

Gib begins shaking Mads shoulders to get his attention.

Gib
Uh-uh Boss I think you should-

Mads
Hang on Gib.

Gib
N-no seriously I think you REALLY should-

Mads
And im telling you that I dont give a f-

Gib
M-Mads this is serious for fucks sake-

Mads grabs Gib by his shirt, ready to pound the shit out of him.

Mads
What. Do. You. Want?

Gib
N-N-N-No, LOOK.

Gib points towards The Guardian.

Mads eyes widen as well as the rest of the gangs as they state astonishingly at the man they were just seconds ago, planning on tracking down.

Almost as if fate had brought them together, the grizzled gang leader smiles.

Mads
Come on boys, lets go have a talk.

The Guardian sits alone at his table, he has barely been sat down for more than a few seconds when his silence is interrupted.

Mads walks over and stands over him.

Mads
Well, well well. Looks like christmas came early this year huh?

Mads gets close to his face.

Mads
Say, we dont mean to bother you but we are looking for someone. Do you think you could help us out?

The Dark Guardian
...

Mads
Ralph, does this guy happen to look familiar to you by any chance?

Ralph
Yeah... I think he does.

Ralph holds the wanted poster in front of the mans face. Still no reaction from him.

Ralph
Weird huh? Like looking into a mirror wouldn't you say?

The bartender walks over and brings The Guardian a drink; it appears to be a mug of a draft beer of some kind.

Bartender #1
Here's your drink. We didnt have much left so its going to be a little more expensive due to the shortage of...... Um-

The Bartender fearfully looks at the group of marauders who all stare her down. Without a word she scurries off, trying her best not to get in the way.

Mads
You hear that? Guy likes to drink the fancy kinda stuff.

The Guardian begins sipping on his drink. Ignorning Mads remarks completely.

Mads
Ya know, its rude to ignore people when they are talking.

Mads grabs the drink and throws it against the wall, shattering it.

SFX
CRASH!

Mads
Oh, im sorry... Did I ruin your little drink Mr.Fancy Pants?

Mads pokes his finger repeatedly into his chest.

The Guardian sits unresponsive.

Mads
 Did I hurt your little feelings? Dont tell me you're gonna cry now-

In an instant the jabbing is stopped. The Guardian holds Mads by his fat index finger.

Mads
Oww! Hey! What the fuck-

The Guardian begins bending back his finger.

Mads
HEY!!!!

The Dark Guardian
Im going to give you one simple warning. Stop touching me, and go away.

Mads
Let me go you fucking-

He continues to bend his finger back, th e digit slowly giving way under the tension until-

SFX
CRACK!!!!

The once tough as nails gang leader reals back in pain holding his broken finger.

Mads
FUCK!!!! You son of a bitch!!! My fucking finger!!

Mads holds out his wound for his gang to see. From the look they give him, he can see their faith in him and the situation instantly fading. In a fit of rage, he grimaces.

Mads
Dont just stand there you idiots!!! Take his fucking head!!!

Ralph draws a pistol from his hip and points it towards the back of The Guardians head, just as he pulls the trigger, the man moves his head to the side, the bullet firing into Mads shoulder.

SFX
KA-POW!!

Mads
Aaarrraghhhh!!!!!!!!

Mads is sent tumbling to the floor. The patrons of the tavern all begin flooding through the exits, the two bartenders crouching behind cover at the bar.

SFX
CRASHH!!!

The Guardian grabs Ralph by his arm, and with one quick strike snaps his arm causing the gun to drop. He then elbows him in the face, breaking his nose and sending him staggering back, before finishing him off by throwing his chair into his legs causing Ralph to fall face first onto the floor, knocking him out.

SFX
CRACK!!! THUD! CRACK!!! CRACK! SMACK!

The other four pull out their remaining weapons: Gib pulls out his pocket knife, Big pulls out a climbing axe, Torn draws a gun out, and Jack pulls out her oversized bowie knife.

Gib looks over at Mads who holds his bleeding shoulder, and tries with all his might to stand up.

Gib
Boss! Whats the plan?!

Mads
Didnt you idiots hear me before? His HEAD! I want his FUCKING HEAD! Bring it to me!

Gib and Big charge first. The Guardian parry's Gib's attack, knocking the knife out of his hand and sending him flying on his ass across with one quick palm strike.

Big wildly swings with his axe, The Guardian dodging each of his blows until he is backed against a wall.

Big
This is for hurting my cousin you freak!

Big brings his axe down with full force, but his opponent dodges once again with ease, the axe now stuck in the wall.

SFX
THUNK

Big struggles to pull it out.

Big
Fuck!

SFX
YANK, YANK, YANK

Our hero grabs Big by his hair, and shoves his head into the wall.

SFX
BASH!

He repeatedly smashes his face into the wall... Over, and over, and over again until the wall is completely stained in blood. Bigs face completely fucked beyond belief, eyes and face swollen and bloody, with a barely a few teeth hanging in his mouth.

SFX
BASH! BASH! BASH! BASH! BASH!

Torn readies his gun to fire.

Torn
Stand still you sonuva' bitch!

He fires.

SFX
POW! POW! POW!

Using Bigs body as a human shield, he protects himself from the hail of gunfire. The bullets penetrate his chest, a few of them hitting his face. Instantly killing him.

SFX
THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

As Torn continues to fire The Guardian reaches for the axe still imbedded in the wall and rips it out, and throws it towards Torn.

SFX
RRRRRIP, WHooSH

The axe flies straight into his head. He drops the gun and goes down as quickly as he had come. Another one dead.

The Guardian drops Big's bullet ridden corpse to the floor.

SFX
PLOP

Gib stands to his feet, seeing the body of his beloved cousin brings him to tears.

Gib
No...!! How is this happening...!?!

Jack flips her knife, now holding it in reverse.

Jack
Im not scared of this jack ass. If you sackless band of pussies cant kill him, I think i'll take the bounty on him myself...

The Guardian steps closer.

The Dark Guardian
...

Jack
Haarrrghh!!!

Jack charges, ready to sink her knife deep into her enemy.

Gib tries to stop her.

Gib
NO! Wait!

Just as she is mere feet from him. The Guardian sweep-kicks Jacks feet out from under her. As she is falling, he follows it up with one swift roundhouse kick to her gut, sending her flying to the otherside of the bar, and outside the window.

SFX
CRASHH!!!

EXT. TOWN-NIGHTTIME

We cut to the outside of the bar where Jacks almost ragdoll like body flies forcefully out the glass, stained window and plops roughly into the muddy streets. Blood and glass staining the roads.

She sits motionless and quiet, its hard to determine whether she is even ALIVE or knocked unconscious.

INT. TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

Inside, the bar is now quiet (save for the few still around in the fight) two of the bartenders poke their heads from behind the bar to see if the chaos has ended. Gib sits motionless staring at The Guardian, who still stands, posed in the position from when he had kicked Jack.

Bringing his foot down he sighs. He darts his eyes towards Gib, and begins to make his way towards him.

Gib
Oh god! P-please no! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Gib begins to panic as this seemingly unkillable machine comes to end his life.

SFX
CLICK

A noise causes him to freeze. The panel pulls out to reveal Mads holding the two magnums dropped by Ralph and Torn.

Mads
Alright, thats enough.

The Guardian
...

Mads
I'll admit, I have severly underestimated you.

Gib
Mads... He-

Mads
Shut the hell up you useless sack of shit. ALL OF YOU are useless to me.

Mads pulls the hammer back on the other magnum.

SFX
CLICK

Mads
As for you though, I have two guns. And as far I can see your hands are empty.

The Dark Guardian
I suggest dropping your weapons. Final warning.

Mads
Making demands?? To ME?? Oh, im going to enjoy killing you.

Mads begins to pull the triggers.

We get a closeup of The Guardians eyes which glance towards Mads.

EXT. TAVERN- NIGHTTIME

SFX
POW! POW!

We cut outside of the tavern, only treated to gunshots. The sky is blanketed in dark clouds with a half crescent moon proving what little light it can across the dreary old village.

INT-TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

When we come back to the scene, Gib looks off-panel at something with full fear and terror in his eyes.

The two bartenders also crouch up once again from their hiding spot. The female bartender shrieks and points also off-panel at whatever has transpired.

Cut to a closeup of Mads face, still stuck in the expression it was last in.

Pulling out, its revealed in a full page spread that his head has been completely decapitated, and is now flying through the air (along with both of his arms, still gripping the guns)

Mads headless, armless body stands upright for a moment, spraying a giant plume of blood before plopping over.

SFX
SPLAT

Bright red blood floods the floors, Gib begins backing away as the pool reaches him.

The Guardian is shown holding something large, almost like a staff. As the panel reveals the hilt more and more its revealed to actually be a sycthe, a VERY large scythe. Its long, almost the same size as the one wielding it; the hilt made of some rough wood material, almost like its made from bark. The blade is quite long and curved, and made from a bone like material. A closeup reveals glowing runes, etched into the blade. The scythe has somehow, manifested into his hands, black wispy like energy radiates from the weapon.

Mads head slams into the floor right before Gib's feet. He is locked, frozen in fear as his sight darts between his dead bosses decapitated skull, and the man responsible for killing his fellow marauders.

SFX
PLOP


Gib (voice-over)
How is this happening! We outnumbered him! And yet he killed everyone! Like it was nothing!

The Guardians eyes dart towards Gib who begins to weep from pure terror.

The Dark Guardian
You.

Gib
P-p-please... Please just l-let me go!!

The Dark Guardian
I want you to tell me something.

Gib stands to his feet, backing away slowly with his hands raised.

Gib
I-I-I will give you anything you want! Y-you want money?

Gib removes two small pouches from his coat and tosses them at The Guardians feet.
SFX
SHINK SHINK

Gib
Here! Take it! You can have it! Now just-

The Guardian points his scythe, holding the blade horizontally.

The Dark Guardian
Be quiet.

Gib lets out a loud gulp, and keeps his hands raised.

SFX
GULP

The Dark Guardian
I heard one of those little shit birds refer to you as their cousin. Am I mistaken?

Gib
Y-yes...

The Guardian Guardian
I'm MISTAKEN?

Gib
N-no! He is my cousin...

The Guardian Guardian
What was his name?

Gib
Big...

The Dark Guardian
And what is your name?

Gib
Gib.

The Dark Guardian
So your name is literally just your cousins name backwards?

Gib
I dont-

The Dark Guardian
What?

Gib
Yes!

The Dark Guardian
Well Gib I have some good news for you. Want to know what it is?

Gib
W-what.

 The Dark Guardian
Its the day you buy your freedom.

Gib
My freedom...?

Suddenly, The Guardians scythe begins to change shape. The hilt begins bubbling and moving, shifting the blade to be pointing completely horizontal just as the hilt is, essentially turning the weapon into a spear (for convenience sake, lets in the future call this form "spear mode")

SFX
KRACK, SSSK

He points the tip of the scythe right to Gib's throat, a small tiny droplet of blood runs down the blade. Gib can do all he can to hold back the snot and tears running down his face.

Gib
Dear god...

The Dark Guardian
Yes. YOUR freedom.

Gib
O-o-okay...

The Dark Guardian
I am very tired, I have been walking all day and I thought the least I could do is rest my legs and have a drink for an hour or so before I go back out. Not be harassed by a group of country bumpkin fucks like yourself.

Gib
I-im sorry...

The Dark Guardian
But its okay. Because im letting you go. Arent I?

Gib does not know how to respond and only sniffles and chokes on his tears.

The Dark Guardian
The longer you stay quiet... The more I start thinking im making a mistake.

The Guardian begins to be surrounded by a black aura, a closeup shot of his face reveals his eyes, a glowing Demonic yellow replaces his once normal human eyes, and the whites of his eyes being transformed black. His teeth now also seem sharper, almost fanged.

The Dark Guardian
Im worse than any Demon you will ever encounter out here. You wont find anyone more willing to end one of you bastards faster than me. I could crush your head under my foot, and I wouldnt feel a thing. Because lowlife murdering leeches like you dont deserve life.

Gib
I-I I just want to go! I dont to be part of this!

The Dark Guardian
I bet you dont. Tell me, what's your name again?

Gib
Its Gib...!

The Dark Guardian
Do you know what my name is?

Gib
I-I, I dont...!

The Dark Guardian
Good. But I know yours. And I hope you remember that.

Closing his eyes, The Guardian lowers his scythe. The black aura fading away. He opens his eyes once again, now reverted back to their normal form.

The Dark Guardian
Now get out of here.

Gib awkwardly steps around The Guardian as well as all the blood and gore covering the floor. He gets to the door before looking back one last time.

The Dark Guardian
Run.


EXT. TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

Gib sprints out the door and down the street. He doesnt look back again, he runs until he is completely gone. More than likely never to be seen again, and probably traumatized for life.

INT.TAVERN-NIGHTTIME

The Guardian taps the hilt of the scythe to the floor, the blade returning to its normal shape once again.

SFX
TAP, SSSSHK

Letting go of the weapon, the scythe poofs out of existence, leaving only a few plumes of black shadowy trails behind.

SFX
POOF, SKRRREEEEE

The man sighs, and looks at the carnage he has caused all around the tavern. He bends down to pick the two pouches full of money that Gib had tossed to him.

SFX
CHUCHAK

The Guardian turns around to see the second bartender (an older man) holding a pump-action shotgun, pointed straight at him.

Bartender #2
T-thats far enough! W-we would like it if you left this place right now!

The Guardian takes a step toward him, then another.

Bartender #2
I-I swear! This is your final warning! Not another step!

He approaches the counter The Bartender shakes uncontrollably.

Bartender #2
Puh-Puh-Please.... Please leave us alone...

The Dark Guardian
I want to make a complaint.

Bartender #2
A complaint...?

The Dark Guardian
Yeah, the drink you gave me was flat, I want a fresh one.

Bartender #2
W-we are short on fresh stuff... Supplies have been short around here. Its going to be expensive.

The Dark Guardian
Money isnt an issue.

The Guardian places the two pouches on the counter.

The Dark Guardian
All I wanted was a drink. I'll leave afterwards.

The 2nd bartender lowers his gun and nods at the other one who quickly grabs a bottle from under the counter as well as a large mug. She begins trying to pop the cork off until The Guardian places his hand over hers.

The Dark Guardian
No. Just give me the bottle.

He takes the entire bottle from her hands, he bites into the cork and spits it out and begins chugging the drink.

SFX
*GULP* *GULP* *GULP*

He finishes the bottle and smacks the bottom, getting the last droplets out. He then places the remains on the bar.

The Dark Guardian
Thank you.

The Guardian then walks away from the bar, he reaches the door and stops, looking back one last time at the room. The carnagr and blood he left in his wake, he takes it all in for moment and then promptly exits.

EXT. TOWN- NIGHTTIME

He walks through the dark, dimly lit town. A few townsfolk keep their distance from him, and stare in a combination of bewilderment and fear.

The Guardian approaches a large gate that surrounds the town, with a sigh he JUMPS over the 12 foot high structure as though it were nothing, landing on the other side without a hitch.

SFX
STOMP!

He begins to walk down the road. Ahead of him, the path goes through a dark forest.

The Dark Guardian (Narration)
I cant stop. My goal still lies in front of me.

A full page shot of The Guardian walking down the open road towards destinations unknown.

The Dark Guardian (Narration)
And no one, will get in my way. No one.

End of Canto I