EXT.TOWNSHIP UNIVERSITY - DAY
A group of students walks through a beautiful, open campus on a sunny day. CHARLOTTE walks in the center of her group of friends, chatting with them,
CHARLOTTE
I know, it's so nice to FINALLY be back at school.
TIFFANY
You want to be back in school?
BRITTANY
I wish it was summer forever!
WHITNEY
I didn't want it to end!
CHARLOTTE
Okay, you don't know what MY summer was like-
A student skateboards past them, looking at his phone. We breifly hear a news sound bite-
NEWS SOUNDBITE (O.S.)
-manos, once again, deliberately disrupting the downtown area, in spite of-
The girls don't seem to notice.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake. Clouds roll in and everyone is looking up and around in a panic as magma begins to burst out of forming cracks in the foundation.
MAGMANOS rises from the Earth, large and fiercly dramatic, and bends down close to the camera--
--To change his demeanor almost immediately, as he holds up a childish lunchbox.
MAGMANOS
You forgot your lunch!
Charlotte's friends look horrified, as does anyone caught in the background. CHARLOTTE, center frame, looks completely annoyed. Her eyes narrow and she glares at him for a moment before snatching the back from him, turning on her heel, and marching off.
Her friends inch after her, staring at Magmanos and then turn and run away.
2.
MAGMANOS stays hunched, watching after them for a beat.
MAGMANOS
...Okay! Have a good day, Sweetie!
SMASH CUT TO TITLE.
INT. MAGMANOS' UNDERGROUND LAIR
Beneath Township, MAGMANOS' Villain Lair is a bubbling mess of lava and rock, looking like an unearthly hellscape. Here, Magmanos 'paces' in the company of Clod and Laurence, lamenting about losing touch with his daughter, CHARLOTTE.
MAGMANOS
You should have seen her this morning, she was SO upset. I knew she'd have trouble going back to school, but I never realized it would be so hard on her.
MAGMANOS leans his elbows on the chunk of floating lava rock and sighs drearily.
MAGMANOS
It seems like just yesterday she was here with us. HOME. Where she belongs.
LAURENCE
It was yesterday, sir. She only left to go back to school this morning-
MAGMANOS
MAGMANOS DEMANDS SILENCE!
MAGMANOS slams a fist onto the floating rock, tilting it. Clod slides into the lava as Laurence hangs onto the rock's texture, standing again after MAGMANOS has opted to start pacing.
MAGMANOS
She misses her father! Summer didn't last long enough for her!
Laurence has taken to scooping Clod back onto the platform and rebuilding him
3.
LAURENCE
I don't think that's it, sir. Charlotte is an adult now, she's looking to become an independent person in the world she's expected to navigate. She probably snapped at you because you ignor-
MAGMANOS
You're right. She obviously wants to come home, she's just trying to tough it out, like her old man. Ah, but I can extend her vacation! She can go to school and enjoy her summer with Dad!
LAURENCE
Now I feel like you're ignoring me-
MAGMANOS
Good point, Laurence. The sooner the better! I MUST PLAN!
MAGMANOS descends into the lava in something akin to a twister, and disappears beneath the surface.
LAURENCE
[sighs] Good luck, sir.
CLOD
[ Chirps ]
LAURENCE pats him
LAURENCE
I know.
INT. SORORITY HOUSE - CHARLOTTE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Charlotte comes home from school and lets Chum out of her backpack, he waddles into the living room as she begins rifling through the refrigerator. Suddenly, Chum rushes back into the kitchen and tugs on her boots, pointing fervently at the doorway leading into the other room.
Charlotte looks concerned, but Chum runs back over through the door, and Charlotte cautiously follows—
—to find MAGMANOS has destroyed a part of the house to fill it with dirt and water, in an obnoxious recreation of a beach party. Magmanos holds a martini glass that is much too small for him, the other sorority girls have taken to the makshift party and seem to be enjoying themselves.
4.
MAGMANOS
There she is!
[ Other sisters cheer ]
CHARLOTTE
Dad? What are you doing here?
TIFFANY
Ohmygod Charlotte I love your dad!
BRITTANY
He’s so nice!
BETHANY
Look, he put summertime in the house!
Magmanos rises, moving around the company to greet Charlotte.
MAGMANOS
Do you love it? I made your back-to-school transition easier for you!
MAGMANOS gestures widely to what he imagines is an amazing scene in the living room. CHARLOTTE is livid.
CHARLOTTE
Dad, I told you when I left this morning that I didn't want you bothering me here!
MAGMANOS
You're having a hard time! I'm helping you deal with it!
CHARLOTTE
You never listen! I told you to leave me al-
CHARLOTTE halts, puts a finger up to him, and pulls out her phone.
CHARLOTTE
You know what? Fine. I can't get you to leave, but I know who can.
CHARLOTTE crosses her arms and puts the phone to her head, tapping her foot as she watches MAGMANOS with a searing glare as she talks to the operator.
5.
OPERATOR (O.S.)
Township Hardships, who's your hero?
CHARLOTTE
Yeah, can you get me Captain Mann, please? There's a GIANT, HORRIBLE MONSTER attacking my sorority and HE IS INCAPABLE OF TAKING A HINT.
OPERATOR (O.S.)
Is it Magmanos?
CHARLOTTE
Why, yes! It is Magmanos!
OPERATOR (O.S.)
We'll have the Captain over right away.
CHARLOTTE
Thank you so much.
CHARLOTTE clicks the call off.
CHARLOTTE
Deal with that.
MAGMANOS responds like a parent whose child is talking back.
MAGMANOS
If you keep that attitude up, young lady, you won't be invited to the luau tonight!
Sorority Sisters boo, CHARLOTTE screams in frustration and storms off to her room. Chum huffs a sigh and waddles off behind her.
INT. ACROSS TOWN — CAPTAIN MANN’S PENTHOUSE
Side Kick is on the phone, taking down details. Captain Mann is lounging on the couch tapping away on his phone.
SIDE KICK
Attacking the college--A sorority? Yes, of course we'll be there.
CAPTAIN MANN
Hey, can you and your girlfriend keep it down, I'm doing an AMA.
6.
SIDE KICK
I am speaking to the POLICE, Captain. Magmanos is attacking the college as we speak. Some people have real problems.
CAPTAIN MANN
Me ignoring my fans is a real problem! Check the twitter feed!
SIDE KICK
I don't think that is our priority.
CAPTAIN MANN
Look at trending! I have been number one for six days straight, the people have SPOKEN.
SIDE KICK
(checking his phone)
...You are not trending.
CAPTAIN MANN
(flips over in his seat)
Esqueeze me?
SIDE KICK
(reads off the list)
One, Hashtag Magmano-
CAPTAIN MANN
(rips the phone from Side Kick's hand)
MAGMANOS! He knocked me out of my spot!
SIDE KICK
--And is attacking civilians-
CAPTAIN MANN
OH, IT'S ON YOU FIREY... ROCKY... WATERY SORTA GUY. LET'S GO, SIDE KICK.
SIDE KICK
He's--It's lava, just say lava.
Captain Mann flies out, destroying part of the ceiling, and leaving Side Kick to cough in the dust.
SIDE KICK
Every time...
Side Kick sighs and jogs out a far door to catch up with him.
7.
INT. BACK ACROSS TOWN - CHARLOTTE’S SORORITY HOUSE
Charlotte is looking out her window, complaining to Chum.
CHARLOTTE
Who does he think he is? I get he's a monster but does he have to be such a monster?
CHUM
[...]
CHARLOTTE
I know, he never listens! He just does whatever he wants to and thinks his way is best! He's always done this, remember my 6th birthday party?
CHUM
[...]
CHARLOTTE
Right?!
Charlotte notices a News Van pull up to the house, they push a boy with a cell phone out and drive away. Charlotte runs into the living room, excited to tell her father.
INT. SORORITY HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Charlotte Enters, the 'Luau' is in full swing, with all five people in attendance. Chum wanders out behind her, and puts a lei on his head as a flower crown.
CHARLOTTE
Time's up, Old Man.
She points to the one boy with a camera phone, which makes Magmanos laugh.
MAGMANOS
That's your cavalry, is it? What's he gonna do, hashtag me?
CAPTAIN MANN (O.S.)
He already did!
Magmanos turns to find Captain Mann on the offensive.
CAPTAIN MANN
And now I'm gonna smashtag you.
8.
Side Kick skids to a halt behind him on a motorcycle, gets off, and tosses his helmet behind to join the battle.
SIDE KICK
I'm here, what'd I miss?
CAPTAIN MANN
So get out here and get your ash kicked!
SIDE KICK
(unamused sound)
Magmanos rises, angry at the intrusion.
MAGMANOS
So, you actually decided to show up?
CAPTAIN MANN
I think I've made that pretty clear.
MAGMANOS
So be it...
Magmanos growls and rears back, dramatic as all get out. Clouds roll in, lightning cracks, and the lava monster builds himself up to an overwhelming size with the magma that seems to flow to him from the earth below.
MAGMANOS
DARK FLAME UPON THE DEEP, SLEEPING DRAGON AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD, LEND ME YOUR FANG AND TALON TO CONSUME MY FOE AND LEAVE NOUGHT BUT CINDER, ARISE, MY SERVANTS!
The earth rumbles and thunder rolls!! Captain Mann and Side Kick take a step back, as do the girls, as a split forms and travels under the earth beneath them--
Only to burp up Clod.
Magmanos deflates.
MAGMANOS
Really? They sent you?
CLOD
[Stares at Magmanos]
9.
MAGMANOS
Are you telling me everyone else is busy?
CLOD
[ gurgles ]
MAGMANOS
Where is--Ugh, fine, whatever-ATTACK THEM!
Captain Mann and Side Kick rush Magmanos, who throws up a wall of Actual Lava. Captain Mann bursts through it, unaffected by the flames--while Side Kick is left to find a new way around. His path is blocked by Clod. Side Kick is confident about taking out the small rock creature, but as the magma falls, Clod absorbs it, beefs himself up to a larger and much more ferocious beast, and charges Side Kick.
Captain Mann is in flight, exchanging strikes with a massive Magmanos. Magmanos grabs him and squeezes, Mann bursts out of his grasp, Magmanos strikes him to the ground with a lava-rock appendage.
As the fight rages on, the girls are huddled together as a crowd begins to form. Charlotte is standing near the news boy, looking smug. She watches Captain Mann spring up and strike her father several times, Magmanos swats at him, and Mann gets a few more hits in. Charlotte begins to feel a little guilty about her decision.
She looks over to Clod, who is on top of Side Kick--but not for long. Side Kick launches a series of blows, knocking Clod off of him and causing bits of the bulk to break apart, slowly reducing Clod back to his original size.
As the tide turns more and more in the Heroes favor, Charlotte gets anxious; casually crossed arms see fingers digging into skin, and she shuts her eyes. The sounds of the battle get louder as we slowly zoom in on her face. Finally, she snaps, rushing into the center of the battle and laying a hard fist into the ground.
A sonic force erupts from the center of the impact, causing Captain Mann to turn. Magmanos takes the opportunity to flick Captain Mann out of the air, who lands with a thump into Side Kick, who drops Clod, who lands on his back and wiggles his feet like a flipped turtle. Chum scrambles over to try and flip him back up.
CAPTAIN MANN
[Standing up] Oh tHAT'S IT-
10.
CHARLOTTE
STOP!
Captain Mann does, as does Magmanos and the others. All eyes are on Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE
[turning to Captain Mann] I called in the threat, Magmanos wasn't really attacking us.
SIDE KICK
WHAT
CAPTAIN MANN
I missed an AMA for this!
NEWS BOY
I know, I was really looking forward to that.
CAPTAIN MANN
Right?!
CHARLOTTE
Guys!
CAPTAIN MANN
Sorry, go on.
CHARLOTTE
[turns to Magmanos] But you didn't leave me any choice! All I wanted was to go to school, and instead of supporting me, you made it about you!
Magmanos looks surprised and guilty about this, Charlotte continues off screen.
CHARLOTTE (O.S.)
And when I tried to talk to you about it, you ignored me.
Charlotte sighs, defeated.
CHARLOTTE
I didn't want Captain Mann to come here and beat you up, and I didn't want Clod to chew on Side Kick, or any of these people who are stupid enough to stand this close to get hurt.
11.
She turns to the crowd,
CHARLOTTE
Yes, all of you. Especially that camera guy.
The news boy looks around, suddenly embarrassed.
Charlotte turns back to Magmanos, who has returned to a reasonable size for a lava monster and hunches down to see his daughter.
CHARLOTTE
I know you miss me when I'm not home, dad. But I want to live my own life, and you need to let me do that. Even if it means being away from you.
Magmanos takes her relatively tiny hand in his, truly hearing Charlotte for the first time.
MAGMANOS
Someone wise said that you're an adult now, you're just trying to become an independent person in the world you're expected to navigate...I think it was me.
Charlotte, Chum, and Clod make doubtful expressions.
MAGMANOS
But I was right. I understand now, sometimes being an adult means doing things on your own. You don't need me anymore.
Magmanos pats her hand, looking a bit sad. Charlotte gives his skull a hug.
CHARLOTTE
Just because I don't need you as much as I used to doesn't mean I'll ever stop needing you, Dad.
The audience 'Awws'.
CHARLOTTE
But you gotta let me decide what I need for myself from now on, okay?
MAGMANOS
[nods and hugs her back] Okay.
12.
The audience 'Awws' again.
SIDE KICK
This is lovely, but Magmanos still destroyed a ton of public property and trespassed on-
CAPTAIN MANN
[loudly, for the audience] I couldn't possibly condemn a parent's bond with his child! A hero doesn't break families apart, he brings them together.
He turns back to Magmanos.
CAPTAIN MANN
This day, Captain Mann will spare you, Magmanos.
Audience cheers wildly, Captain Mann beams and waves to them.
SIDE KICK
Are you kidding, he's done so much damag-
CAPTAIN MANN
COME NOW, SIDE KICK. WE AWAY!
SIDE KICK
Wait, my bike!
Captain Mann lifts Side Kick and kicks off into the night to uprorious applause.
Charlotte breaks off the hug, wiping a tear from her eye and laughing a little through sniffles.
CHARLOTTE
Okay, all that's done--You should probably take the boys home and fix them. Clod's lookin a little rough.
They look to Clod, who Laurence is struggling to flip back on his feet.
MAGMANOS
Alright. Come on boys, lets-
Before Magmanos can finish, Laurence flips Clod back on his feet. Clod stumbles for a moment, before falling on his haunches, barely touching the wall of the sorority house.
13.
Which immediately and completely collapses, leaving Charlotte and Magmanos looking appalled in a cloud of dust.
MAGMANOS
Well,
Smash cut to the girls continuing their luau in Magmanos’ underground layer, having transformed part of it into a make-shift sorority house.
MAGMANOS
Isn't this great, Charlotte? Everybody wins!
Charlotte and Chum are sitting on the edge of a platform, chin resting on her hands. They both watch Clod totter up to sit beside them, and he pants like an loveably dumb dog.
Charlotte pushes him into the lava.
End
