INT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY – Day

Richard looks up at the high ceilings, amazed by the beauty inside the school.

A REPORTER LADY scurries behind him.

REPORTER LADY

You're Richard Beltran, aren't you? The star of that TV SHOW "Teen Jesus?"

Richard ignores her and runs around the inside of the school, admiring everything.

REPORTER LADY

No one has heard of you since you GOT FIRED from that show!

Richard pushes out a fake smile to her and then runs into the next room.

The Reporter Lady frowns and makes a "Hur-rumpf" sound. Then she motions to her cameraman like he's a henchman to get Richard.

The cameraman obediently takes the cord of his camera and uses it to trip the teen. Richard goes crashing to the floor.

RICHARD

OW!

REPORTER LADY

The people want to know–

RICHARD

Look, we're not talking about this, OK? I've put the whole issue behind me. I'm putting Hollywood as a whole behind me.

He sighs and looks up at the dome-shaped ceiling. There's a beautiful mural painted there of all kinds of ancient gods, glittering stars, and zodiac symbols made of gold.

RICHARD

I just want to live as a normal kid. And go to school with other normal kids, have normal friends, and duck my adult responsibilities with as much vigor and skill as I've ducked pedophiles in Hollywood.

As the Reporter Lady stops and considers that last line. Richard spins around, admiring the fantastic interior of the school.

RICHARD

Besides, look at this place!

He opens his arms wide, presenting the beautiful space before them.

RICHARD

It's gonna be so cool to go to school here!

REPORTER LADY

(Nods)

It is lovely.

REPORTER LADY

(Looks around)

But, all that you've said about being a normal kid in a normal school...Is this place supposed to be "Normal"?

She sighs and looks back down at him.

REPORTER LADY

All part of a new world order, I guess. Thanks to your uncle, Kaye.

She walks past Richard.

Richard stands there a bit stunned. His green eyes are wide as he remembers what he couldn't quite remember before... the water image of Kaye looking down at him as he and the other boys drown, and then the blast of light.

He snaps out of it.

RICHARD

I want to see what the guys are doing outside. There's probably windows we can look out of upstairs.

EXT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY 3RD FLOOR WINDOWS – DAY

Richard pokes his head out of the window and sees that it's snowing.

RICHARD

WOW! Look at it!!

REPORTER LADY

(Pokes her head out)

Snow? It's August!

RICHARD

It's an illusion.

He sticks his hand out and feels snowflakes falling on his arms.

RICHARD

A very good illusion!

EXT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY – Day

Down below is a gorgeous Christmas scene. Seth is sitting on a grand piano being played by Professor Diaz. They both appear as if they stepped out of "A Christmas Carol," with coats, scarves, and coachmen's top hats on their heads.

Chris looks like a charming holiday butler. He serves apple cider and festive cakes to the spellbound protestors.

CHRIS

(Sings)

...And for YOU, and for you! Comment allez-vous? Tres bien, et tou?

Eddie pops up behind a snowman dressed as Santa Claus with a snowball in his hand.

EDDIE

You dare attack my dojo, protestors? 雪合戦 に 備えて!!

(Subtitles: Prepare for snowball war!!)

Enchanted by the charm of the Christmas scene, the protestors' anger fades. Laughter fills the air as some throw snowballs at Eddie, getting into the game.

Even Adam Kirage sits chibi on his collapsed Mecha, sucking a candy cane as the holiday cheer continues all around him.

Seth, all grins and holiday spirit, dressed as a festive vagabond, swings his legs as he strums his magical guitar. With a twinkle in his eye, he begins to serenade the protestors with a merry tune:

SETH

I know what Christians like...

Winter snow. Less yes, more no!

Chris spins across the scene in front of Seth with his golden tray of goodies.

CHRIS

Peppermint and Hot Cocoa!

SETH

Pine Trees. Tea and cream...

Holds his hands up, smiling as he lets the snow hit his face.

SETH

Brilliant sparkling Christmas scenes!

Santa Eddie, entrenched in a snowball showdown, ducks behind a towering crucifix with Jesus on it. With a cheeky grin, he gives the camera a thumbs-up.

EDDIE

Morbid death Idolatry!

SETH

(Laughs)

All of which, as a witch, I do agree!

All of which, as a witch, there's camaraderie!

Seth runs his fingers across his guitar strings.

EXT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY 3RD FL WINDOW – SAME

The Reporter Lady has her head out the window and watches in open-mouthed amazement.

EXT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY FRONT YARD – SAME

Circe and Portia are with a band of Christmas carolers braving the soft snow, harmonizing hymns to the faithful from the "Rebels of Light" church.

EXT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY 3RD FL WINDOW – SAME

Richard watches, his eyes landing on Portia and staying there for a moment. She suddenly seems more beautiful and angelic than the other singers in Richard's eyes.

REPORTER LADY

This is amazing!

RICHARD

Yep, and imagine all the great spells we'll learn once the school opens!

He notices something strange on the horizon. There was a school bus approaching.

RICHARD

More protestors?

REPORTER LADY

So what?

RICHARD

(Shakes his head)

Illusions like this are delicate. You need to build an illusion in people's minds to enchant them. The people on that school bus didn't get the buildup! They probably won't even see the illusion, and they'll wake up the people down below!

He starts waving his arms frantically out of the window, trying to get their attention.

RICHARD

SETH!! CHRIS!!...EDDIE!?

REPORTER LADY

No one can hear you from here.

He looks down, trying to figure out what to do. He pulls out that busted wand.

RICHARD

Discount magic wand will have to do.

He starts waving the wand around dramatically.

REPORTER LADY

Uh...what are you doing?

RICHARD

I'm gonna freeze that bus!

REPORTER LADY

(Squinches her face)

Are you sure that's a good idea?

RICHARD

You doubt my power, WOMAN? I'm Kaye Beltran's nephew!

He points the wand out the window.

RICHARD

Abracadabra! Chumbawamba!!

The school bus revs up and starts rushing towards the crowd below even faster.

RICHARD

DAMN IT!

CAMERA MAN

The bus is revving up!

1067

Richard tries yelling out the window again, but his voice is lost in the loud music and cheering below. The school bus is racing towards the crowd at full speed.

Richard pulls away and speeds down the hall.

REPORTER LADY

Mr. Beltran?!

Richard ignores her as he runs down the hall. He raises the thin wooden wand, tapping his head with it.

RICHARD

ABRAHCADABRA, SHALAMAR!

He zaps himself several feet forward. He looks back, sighs sadly, spins back around, and keeps running.

RICHARD

What? I need to get downstairs, NOW!

He swings the wand around again.

RICHARD

ABRAHCADABRAH, SHALLAMAR!!!!

He taps his head with the wand again, but this time, he unexpectedly finds himself embedded in the wall.

The Reporter lady unleashes a scream as she looks down the hall and sees Richard. The cameraman has the camera trained right on him.

The reporter carefully walks up to Richard, looking at him with a mix of terror and fascination.

REPORTER LADY

What-in-the-hell?

A hard crashing sound comes from outside. The crash sends a shock wave through the building, making it quiver.

Another scream from the reporter, and she falls backwards. She trembles as she makes it back to her feet, still looking at Richard, half-fused into the wall.

She stands and grabs the cameraman's arm.

REPORTER LADY

Let's get out of here!

RICHARD

WAIT!

The reporter and the cameraman stop in their tracks and look back at Richard.

RICHARD

(Cries)

Please...send someone to help me!

REPORTER LADY

(Yells)

What happened to you?

Richard hangs his head and starts to cry.

RICHARD

(Cries)

I botched the spell! I tried to get downstairs with a spell, but...

The cameraman grabs the reporter's shoulder.

CAMERA MAN

We gotta cover that school bus! The way it was racing towards the school, I know that's what made that crashing sound!

REPORTER LADY

(Nods and turns to Richard)

I'll send someb-

She turns back to Richard and sees he's hanging there, limp, passed out.

She and the cameraman hurry through the door that leads to the staircase.

They quickly dash downstairs.

EXT. FRONT YARD OF THE SCHOOL HOUSE – DAY

Richard lies on the grass, bound in rope, as if discarded, the soft glow of a nearby fire casting light over him. He stirs awake, and as the scene widens, Portia comes into view—also tied up, lying on the ground facing him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Richard watches her for a moment, bewildered, before sitting up in alarm. On his other side sits Eddie, also bound, his back to the group, the fire’s warmth illuminating his face and body.

As Richard regains his bearings, Chris’s voice reaches him—muffled at first—slowly growing clearer as he steadies himself.

CHRIS

--you idiot!

SETH

You're blaming me for this?

CHRIS

It's Eddie's fault too!

CHRIS

(Cries)

I told you we should have crucified the little "Teen Jesus" dip shit! I told you! The Christians woulda loved it!

EDDIE

Shut up, Chris!

Circe, bound in rope, still manages to kick her foot out to hit Chris's knee.

CIRCE

You are such a dork! I swear!

RICHARD

(Breathing hard, eyes opened)

The people...on the school bus?

CHRIS

They're fine! No thanks to you!

EDDIE

(Mutters)

It's ok, no one got hurt in the accident, thank God. But a huge chunk of the school got destroyed.

Richard struggles in his binds to turn around and face the school. Smoke billowed from the beautiful school building. A school bus jutted out from the lower right side, while flames erupted from inside.

Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances surrounded the scene. A big crowd stands by, watching the chaos. There were other news reporters and news vans now.

Richard looks down at Portia. Although she'd quieted down, she was looking past him to the schoolhouse with tears in her eyes.

It was like she refused to make eye contact with him. Richard often got shy around her and rarely could say much to her, but she never seemed to have a problem meeting his eyes before.

Was she disappointed in him? Was everyone disappointed in him?

RICHARD

What's going on? Why are we tied up?

He looks at Seth and Chris crying.

RICHARD

Where's Professor Diaz?

Eddie doesn't answer the last question. Instead, he raises his chin to the bonfire. His serious look remains as he watches what's burning.

Richard follows Eddie's eyes and let's loose a scream as he finds Professor Diaz tied to a stake, being burned alive.

Seth lets loose a trembling wail as tears slide down his face.

Chris's face was red and shiny with shame, turning away from his professor, who was about to be executed.

Circe's eyes were wet with tears, but somehow, she still managed to be chewing on something even though she was bound in rope.

EDDIE

...They tied us up because they didn't want us to try to save our teacher.

Richard gawks up at Diaz in disbelief.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Terrified but fighting it)

D-don't cry, children. Everything will continue to go a-as scheduled. As your teacher, I will g-g-grade you boys on your performances today!

In spite of the horror and drama, everyone looks up at Diaz, confused.

CHRIS

What?

EDDIE

You're about to die, though.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Duty calls, and I will perform my duties till the very end!

His glasses are falling down his nose. He tries to wiggle them in place. He's sweating profusely. The glasses fall off, and he realizes he has bigger worries.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Eddie, the idea for the illusion was beautiful and brilliant! For thoughtfulness, you get an "A." Seth, you're amazing. I have never seen so much power coming from a s-sound mage, you also get an "A". And Chris, ahhh, my Christopher Robyn!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(Cries)

You didn't kill anyone or make things worse. So, A+ for you!

Chris turns to Seth and whispers.

CHRIS

You heard that? The teacher is on my BALLS and said I'm better than you! Haha!

\

PROFESSOR DIAZ

And Richard...

Richard looks up at his professor with his face wet with tears, still trying to get out of the rope.

Professor Diaz's face strains as he looks at this beautiful, precious young man, trying to find something uplifting to say to him.

But he finally gives up.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

F@#! YOU, VEGAS!!

Then he screams out and flails his head back and forth frantically as the fire starts burning his feet. His screams sound like mad laughter.

Richard gawks up at him, heartbroken and confused.

The other children look away, unable to take the horrible screams of their master. Well, except Circe, who seemed to have dissociated and was blowing bubbles with her bubble gum.

As the camera continues to pan out, some older Christians dance in celebration as a hippie-looking guy plays a guitar.

Adam unzips his tracksuit jacket and uses it as a blanket as he lies down on his mech, getting ready to take a nap on it, warmed by the bonfire's heat and Diaz's witch roasting, mocking the magic school students.

And the scene closes with a shot of the magic school kids, still bound and defeated.

Music and merry carry all around them, as Circe, still completely lost in a daydream or something, blows a big pink bubble that pops, and the scene fades to black again.

INT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY – DIAZ'S OFFICE - DAY

RAHBEEM ROTH, now 37 and thinner, sits in front of the principal's desk in stunned silence.

In response, Professor Diaz smiles and relaxes into his plush office chair, somehow very satisfied by the disturbed look on Rahbeem's face.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

–And THAT'S why it took me so long to call you back after your job interview.

Rahbeem tilts his head to the side as he tries to work this equation out in his mind.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

The school had to be shut down for an extra year for repairs and a few adjustments.

RAHBEEM

So...

His eyes shift to the left, contemplating, then shift forward to give Diaz another funny look.

RAHBEEM

–How is it that you are alive now?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Simple. I'm Immortal, Professor Roth.

RAHBEEM

Immortal?

RAHBEEM

(Amazed)

You mean you can't die...EVER?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Well, certain things in this world can kill me.

He shrugs and smiles.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Fire doesn't happen to be one of them.

RAHBEEM

Ok...but, what are you going to do if those protestors come back and try to burn down the school AGAIN?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I'm not too worried. To appease our Christian friends, I added the Demon Hunter's School.

Diaz points to a poster on the wall behind him advertising it.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

The Golden Redemption School for Spiritual Warfare. That's part of the reason why it took so long for us to rebuild.

Rahbeem admires the poster, but still looks a bit...confused.

RAHBEEM

Wow...a...Demon Hunters school?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Yes, it was a last-minute decision, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of "diversifying–"

He makes air quotes.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

–the supernatural curriculum. So...

He stands up and walks over to the other side of his office, where there are many other posters.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

I then added the "Tora Myst School for Superhuman Sciences."

He taps a poster showing people dressed as superheroes in tight spandex and capes.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

These are for superpowers that involve science more so than witchcraft. Radioactive insect bites, chemical spills, getting hit by space debris, genetic anomalies.

He exhales and admires the poster with a sense of pride.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

You can say the Tora Myst School is more for mutants than magicians.

RAHBEEM

(Nods impressed)

I can dig it!

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Then I created the "Shinewell School for Paranormal Technology".

He taps yet another poster showing a cartoon of children performing experiments in a lab, with what looks like smiling ghosts assisting them.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Affectionately referred to on campus as the "Ghostbusters." They are the science component of the Demon Hunters' school.

Diaz saunters back over to his desk.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

You see, on one side, we had the religious groups burning us with fire, and on the other, we had the science community flaming us online. So, to make everyone happy, we have two kinds of "spirit schools," and each spirit school has a "science school" doppelganger.

Diaz gets comfortable in his seat.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

And it's good this way. We have balance. Humans like you need to learn all facets of the supernatural world quickly. And since humans are familiar with science, let's use that as a tool to explain the supernatural to them.

RAHBEEM

No more burning down the school? Everybody's happy now?

PROFESSOR DIAZ

More or less...

PROFESSOR DIAZ

(a beat)

But just in case there's any more insurrection, we have plenty of security in place...

RAHBEEM

...In-sur-rection?

Professor Diaz purposely ignores the alarmed look on Rahbeem's face.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

Remember those gigantic machines you saw today when entering the main building? The Tommy Walkers? Yes, they are equipped with firefighting and bomb-disarming capabilities.

Rahbeem's face scrunches in slow, comical horror as he remembers "The Tommy Walkers"...

RAHBEEM

Yes...I remember...

INT. ABSOLUTION ACADEMY FRONT CAMPUS – FLASHBACK

A gigantic frog-shaped death machine is stomping around the front of the school as screaming staff and teenagers try to escape it. The Monster Machine demands to see "I.D." and starts shooting lasers at random when it is not fed the "I.D."

A police car rolls up, and some cops hop out and start shooting at Tommy Walker, but he shoots a laser at a cop car, causing it to explode as the police duck for cover.

PROFESSOR DIAZ

We just gotta work out a few kinks.

He smiles as if those demented androids were not a bigger threat to the school than any angry protestors.

The disjointed look doesn't leave Rahbeem's face. Diaz suspected this look would be a permanent fixture on Rahbeem, so long as he worked in this magic school.

This idea delighted Diaz. It's like Rahbeem would be artwork, walking around the school, decorating each part of it with that delightful look of pure amazement...

808