[Interior – Parker's Home – Afternoon]
Laser beams fly across the living room. Pillows are everywhere. Laughter echoes as Mai and Miles are in full play mode.
Mai (ducking behind a couch): Pew! Pew! Hey You got hit! You got hit!
Miles (diving for cover): No way! That laser barely touch me! I'm still in.
Jason and Daniel enter the house and freeze.
Jason: Uh… what the heck happened here?
Daniel (groaning): Are you two playing with my prototype laser tag system! I thought I locked that drawer…
Jason: And, you thought wrong.
Mai and Miles pop up from behind the couch with huge grins.
Miles: Jason! Come play with us! I need backup!
Mai: No fair, having him as backup.
Jason (grinning): As much as I'd love to shoot lasers at you guys, I've got training. You know, the whole tournament stuff.
Mai (pouting, arms crossed): Awww, Training's so lame.
Jason (smirking): And so is losing to your little brother in laser tag. (winks)
Mai looked at him confused then sees her Laser tag vest change color
Miles (Pointing the gun towards her): Bullseye
Mai: No fair, you cheated!
Miles: Tell that to the new laser tag champ.
Mai: You cheated.
Miles: Well in the real world, if you get shot, you get shot.
Mai: Still not fair, but its fine. I'll be back. FEAR MY RETURN!! walks out the room with an evil laugh
Then Miles's laser gun caught on fire with him screaming then Daniel also screaming put it out with a fire extinguisher.
Daniel (Yelling): YOU SEE, THIS IS WHY I HIDE THING FROM YOU GUYS!!
Jason (monologue): I know this tournament aren't gonna be easy, I mean we already have some of the top recruits joining, so I have to train like I never did before and I also find the time to train with Daniel too, till he get a partner.
Earlier…
At the Elite conference room
General Patricia: Now that you guys are in the tournament, we'll assign you to team up with one of your pair for better training and understanding your potential opponents, We will process with this next week. You're dismissed.
The Training Montage
Setting: Split between Uncle Ken's farm and Jason's home.
Jason lifting hay bales and sprinting through Uncle Ken's obstacle course with dodging swinging logs and small ditches.
At home, doing push-ups while Jessica counts.
Jason is doing muscle ups with Travis
He is meditating in his room, Jessica sees him and Jason jokingly responds
JASON (eyes still closed): You do know, I can see you right?
JESSICA (Rubbing the back of head): Ah.. right, sorry *walks away*
He's Jogging with Daniel & Lysa (with the twins watching from the sideline) (And with Mai chasing Miles with a pair of scissors because of her loss in laser tag)
Sparring with Travis in the barn — Jason gets knocked down at first.
Later, Travis almost lost his footing and Jason manages to sweeps Travis's leg in time and wins a spar — Jessica cheers.
Travis smirks and nods as Jason stands tall.
Jessica (clapping): Look at you! Mr. Elite in the making!
Jason (grinning, out of breath): You know ittttt.
Jessica (teasing): I'm just glad you're finally learning how to fight, now I don't have to defend you from bullies.
Jason: Rude!
They laugh together.
Outside the barn. Travis and Uncle Ken watch Jason from a distance.
Travis (smiling): He's really improving, huh?
Uncle Ken (arms crossed, Cigarette in mouth): He is, but Suspiciously fast.
Travis (confused): Huh? What do you mean, sir?
Uncle Ken: You heard me. If he keeps growing like this, he might ruin…everything.
Travis (lower voice): He won't get that far. And if he does… sigh let's just hope he doesn't.
As they watch Jason meditate
Later that night.
Jessica was outside the barn waiting for Uncle ken to get into the farmhouse
She saw he answering a phone call and she get suspicious
Jessica (quiet): Who is calling Uncle Ken this late?
Then Uncle Ken ended the call and walked into the farmhouse
She then sneaks her way into one of the warehouse picking the padlock with her hairpin. Inside, she finds dust-covered crates, old weapons, and one of the locked crates that says KEEP OUT.
Jessica: There it is.
She grabs a crowbar that she saw in the corner. Then she manages to pries it open.
Inside:
a syringe filled with glowing blue liquid, papers with unknown symbols, and photographs of strange mutant like beings.
Jessica (whispers): What... the…hell?
She looks back to see if anyone is around the she takes a picture and closes the crate.
DANIEL AT THE ELITE GYM
INT- ELITE FACILITY GYM
Daniel (trying to bench press some weights): Okay, Daniel you can do this. easy does it… one…two—oh no.
The weight presses into his chest.
Daniel (struggling): Help! I'm being crushed.
Amanda walks over, clearly amused.
Amanda: Well, what do we have here? Need some help?
Daniel (panicked): No. I Totally got this. *Tries lifting the weights again but fails* Ok maybe a little..
She lifts the weights off with one hand.
Daniel (Gasping for air): Thanks.
Amanda (smirking): Your welcome, noodle arms.
She laughs. And so does Daniel
Daniel: Oh Man, if I cant lift basic weights, how am I even gonna compete in the tournament.
Amanda: You do realize you don't need to lift weights for you to get stronger right?
Daniel: If you're suggesting, I should take shortcuts then no. Jason made me realize that the hard way.
Amanda: No foureyes, I mean have you try Acrobatics? or gymnastics? Or just basic self defense moves?
Daniel: Do I look like a bendy straw to you? Besides, Self defense really isn't my thing unless I have a non explosive weapon. And I literally have a body of a walnut, so no on the gymnastics thing.
Amanda: Just saying, if you don't find a solution for your lack of fighting skills soon, someone is gonna mop the floor with you.
Daniel: I know, that's why I even pushed myself to enter the gym today And besides I don't mind getting mopped, am just tired of being a weak link & i need to get stronger to protect the ones I love, you know.
They lock eyes. Silence. Daniel looks away first.
Daniel: Sorry…
Amanda (softly): Me too…
She sees a notebook poking out of Daniel's backpack
Amanda (grabbing his notebook, flipping through the pages): Hmmm.
Daniel (confused, trying to get his notebook): Wait—what are you doing?
Amanda (writing, teasingly): Insurance. If you want to learn how not to die in a fight, She presses the note to his chest give me a call.
Daniel (awkwardly): Oh… like a date?
Amanda blinks, surprised. Then smiles.
Amanda: Sure. Yeah… I guess.
She starts walking away.
Daniel (blurting out): Wait! Do you… like chocolate milk?
Amanda (shocked, dramatic voice): WHAT?! NO WAY! That's my favorite!
She spins around, runs back, grab the bottle and playfully punches his arm.
Amanda: How did you know about my chocolate milk thing, Were you spying on me?
Daniel (Nervous): No! Of course not, I just heard around and--
She kisses his cheek.
Amanda (flirty): Don't forget the number, Romeo.
She walks off with the chocolate milk in hand. Daniel stands frozen, hand to cheek.
Daniel (monologue): Did…did that just happen? A girl…KISSED ME!!
DANIEL FREAKS OUT, And had a mini celebration in his head with his nose bleeding a bit
Daniel (monologue, wiping the blood): That's the first time a girl's ever kissed me… Unless you count Grandma Edna that one time on my birthday. Man… I peaked.
DANIEL (Screaming): HELL YEAHHHH.
Everybody in the gym are staring at him
DANIEL (Quietly): *Chuckles* Sorry, everyone
BENNETT & VIKTOR'S HOME
We get a shot of Viktor and Bennett's upscale family home gym – sleek, private, well-lit with old portraits and training equipment.
Viktor is throwing punches into a reinforced dummy, aggressively with sweat pouring everywhere.
Viktor (grunting as he punches): This tournament will finally show them who's boss, and expose that imposer ass, Martinez.
Across the room, Bennett is calmly sitting on a bench, reading a book titled: "The Soul of Italy" with a calm look on his face.
Viktor (glancing over, annoyed): Hey Bennett, You just gonna read all day? Or are you planning to actually train?
Bennett (without looking up): I'll train later.
Viktor: Oh come on. You're gonna let little golden-boy Jason outshine you?
Bennett (flips page): Does it look like I care? besides, I don't need to prove anything to anyone. And you should too.
Viktor (mocking tone): Or are you too busy fantasizing about Italian architecture... or is it Maria?
In That moment Bennett freezes mid-page turn.
Bennett (quietly, calmly, lift his head up a bit): Don't.
Viktor (walking closer, still smug): What? I can't talk about your girlfriend no more? I still remember that note you sent to her, it was adorable. It's a shame on what happened... huh?
Bennett slowly closes the book, stands up. Then calmly walks towards Viktor
Bennett (low, menacing): Mention her name again… and I'll send you a note when I put you in the E.R.
They lock eyes
Viktor smirks, showing no fear, clearly enjoying pushing his brother's buttons.
Viktor (grinning): There he is. Where was this version of you during the starring session man?
Just before anything could escalates, the family butler — Edward, a tall, stern-looking man in a black suit — walks in holding a tray.
Edward (stern): Gentlemen. Perhaps save the sibling sparring for the tournament?
Bennett (Head down, calmly): Yes, sorry for my outburst, Sir.
Edward: Its alright, Sir Bennett.
VIKTOR: *groan* Worst timing, Edward. Go make us some tea or something.
Bennett walks away, brushing past Viktor.
Bennett (over his shoulder, voice calm): Don't let me do something that we'll regret, brother.
Viktor watches him leave, smirk fading just a bit. He looks down at the punching dummy and delivers a final heavy blow.
MEANWHILE SOMEWHERE...
OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN. DESERTED AREA - NIGHT
Marcus arrives in a black car. Uncle Ken is already there.
Uncle Ken: Chief, Been a long time. Sorry for the change of location, I know you city boys don't like the smell farm life *Chuckles*
Marcus: Cut the crap. You know why I'm here.
Uncle Ken: Sheesh, can't a coach tease his protege anymore? *suck on his teeth* Can't say I blame ya, you're the chief of police after all.
Marcus: Look I have the money *tosses the bag to his feet* Now tell me everything you know.
Uncle Ken (quietly):*slowly pulls out the cigarette from his mouth and puff* How much is in the bag?...
Marcus (Mocking): Enough to fill a whole oven…darling.
Uncle Ken smirks and put the cigarette back in his mouth
Uncle Ken: Yes, your daughter is alive, but since you disappeared, Frank & I has been taking care of some of her funds for about a year before she found a job. Of course I never admit that some of the money were from me because of my bad history with Herder, your ex wife, but it's the least I can do. I mean what's the point of having money when you gonna watch other people who don't have it suffer.
Marcus (Pissed): Ken, I keep telling you to stay out of my family prob--
Uncle Ken: And watch poor my niece suffer? Nah.
Marcus: She's not your niece and I came here because of that Martinez Kid that was on your ranch, 2 WEEK AGO. SO ANSWER ME DAMNIT!!
Uncle Ken: Woww, you're really determined. Ok Chief, here. *Give him some photographs*.
Marcus: The fuck are these?
Uncle Ken: Memories, but since you don't know what that mean, you can call them evidence.
Marcus gets annoyed but shuffles those the photos, the photos are Jason and Jessica when they were younger and even a recent picture from a year ago at Jason's birthday
Marcus: They…know each other?
Uncle Ken: Know each other? They're sibling…just…like…us.
Marcus: That's...that's...that's impossible, Jessica is--
Uncle Ken: So you're telling me, you and Herder never got intimate?
Uncle Ken (With Marcus having a pale look on his face): You are a funny man, Chief.
Marcus (On his knees): This is really fucked up, I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Uncle Ken is laughing uncontrollably
Marcus: You…BASTARD!!
As Marcus tries to pull out his gun, but just then...
Uncle Ken (Calm, pointing a gun to his head): You really thought you could beat me in a quick draw? *starts grinning* You really are funny, chief.
Ken starts laughing again, As Marcus body froze, he's shaking, and at the same time he's pissed off.
Uncle Ken: Okay, since you drove all this way just to see me and not God personally, I'll tell you everything.
Uncle Ken: That Martinez kid was here because he was training for a Fight tournament and Jessica is his legal guardian, you know why.…because Jason Martinez….is your son.
Silence. Marcus blood ran cold as the wind blows between them..