Birdcage
HIYOKO: Not long ago billions of birds flew through the blue skies.
HIYOKO: They were just a part of this world, like every creature on Earth.
HIYOKO: Then avian influenza spread across the land.
HIYOKO: This strain was amazingly deadly to humanity. Everyone was afraid and desperate.
HIYOKO: As a last ditch effort,  science attempted to counter this virus with a virus of its own.
HIYOKO: This virus backfired. The birds that didn’t die of it became stronger, larger, smarter.
HIYOKO: Science had failed us utterly. So we turned to magic!
HIYOKO: Using ancient magic obscured for centuries we turned our power against every bird on the planet.
HIYOKO: We sealed them all in a valley, with a cage of energy keeping them from leaving.
HIYOKO: But that was a big mistake.
HIYOKO: Removing all the birds from the ecosystem upset the balance of nature.
HIYOKO: Our world is on the verge of collapse.
HIYOKO: It’s been 20 years since that date, and I was chosen to go undo our mistakes.
HIYOKO: I’ve young and healthy enough to survive the bird flu!
HIYOKO: Though there’s something about me being an “acceptable loss”…
HIYOKO: I’m sure that’s not important! I’m going into Birdcage valley and I’m going to save the world!
(Hiyoko steps into a grove of wisteria trees. She spots a mourning dove, exclamation point over her head)
NAGEKI: There’s… A human…! Have I ever even seen one…?
HIYOKO: I’ve never seen a creature to handsome! You’re a bird? What kind of bird are you? What are feathers like? Can you fly?
NAGEKI: Thank you…? Isn’t that obvious…? I’m a mourning dove. They’re… Soft I guess? And I can but not very far…
HIYOKO: My name’s Tokasa Hiyoko! An ambassador for humanity! I’m here to set everybody free!
NAGEKI: … Not that I don’t appreciate the effort but… How?
HIYOKO: Something about the power of the human soul! I wasn’t entirely paying attention.
NAGEKI: I see. They sent only the best and the brightest…
NAGEKI: Somehow this feels familiar… But I can’t trace why.
NAGEKI: I should take you to the King.
HIYOKO: Birds have a monarchy?
NAGEKI: No… He just calls himself the King… He’s not all there but… He’s usually the one who deals with humans…
NAGEKI: Follow me Ms. Tokasa… I’ll take you to him.
(They leave the grove and head to the next room. It’s a little isthmus through a sparkling pond) (There’s a deformed bird creature in there)
HIYOKO: I was shown a lot of pictures of birds. But I didn’t see any that looked like them!
NAGEKI: He’s not… An ordinary bird.
COOLENE: I’m just Coolene. I just go about my day. I try not to bother people. Help out when I can.
NAGEKI: Are you sure that’s your name…?
HIYOKO: It sounds sort of foreign to me.
COOLENE: It’s just Coolene. That’s the tag on my leg, so it’s the best name I have.
HIYOKO: Fascinating! Pleased to meet you Coolene!
(He turns around)
COOLENE: It’s a human! A human! I can’t believe it!
NAGEKI: We should take her to the King.
COOLENE: We can’t yet, Nageki! I’ve got to teach her something first.
(Cue battle screen) (Hiyoko is in green soul mode)
COOLENE: The King can be a lot to handle. It might be best for you to learn how we birds fight.
HIYOKO: I actually know a lot about fighting! My dad taught me before…
COOLENE: Sorry, but I’m not sure we have the time for this.
COOLENE: We birds have grown a lot since ancient times. But our bones are still very brittle.
COOLENE: The King is especially fragile. So I wouldn’t touch him. It might be REALLY bad idea.
COOLENE: Instead you might want too…
(A white king quail wearing a crown appears)
KING: The King spots a human! The King must be sure. Are you a human? He asks.
HIYOKO: Umm… Yes! Yes I am Mr. King!
KING: This makes the King very happy. Are you happy to meet the King?
HIYOKO: Um… Yes.
KING: This makes the King shed tears of joy! The King is so happy!
(The King’s eyes start to water)
COOLENE: Oh boy. Here we go.
COOLENE: The King often hurts people with his magic. He doesn’t even intend to, I don’t think.
HIYOKO: You birds have magic too! Darn, I thought I could impress you with my training.
COOLENE: Never mind. Just… Your soul is GREEN. You can’t move to dodge his attacks. You have to block.
HIYOKO: No problem, Coolene! I’ve got this!
(The King’s tears drop down into the battle box. They drop at first from the top and then from the left and right)
HIYOKO: Heh! I told you Coolene!
KING: Did the King hurt you? This makes the King sad!
COOLENE: No! Please no more crying, King. If you don’t stop, this will only lead to tears and dehydration.
KING: (Sniff) Very well, fair Coolene. I will stop for her.
HIYOKO: Thank you, Mr. King. I’m obviously kind of new here. Will you show me around?
KING: Indeed! The King and Coolene will help you.
HIYOKO: What about Nageki?
KING: Nageki? The King has never heard of that bird…
HIYOKO: But he’s right here…
KING: Human girl. You are mistaken. There is nobirdie here but the King and Coolene.
HIYOKO: Huh? What!?
KING: The King is sure you are simply confused. Follow the King. The King will keep you safe. Stay with the King.
(He leaves the room)
HIYOKO: Why can’t he… See you?
(She turns to Nageki)
COOLENE: Nageki… His story’s a complicated one.
COOLENE: Maybe he’ll tell you when he’s comfortable with you.
NAgeki: Indeed Ms. Tokasa. How about we simply move on?
HIYOKO: Well I don’t want to be rude so... Yeah! Let’s go!