Scene 1
Carion: I’m sorry, but this is not the time nor place for children. I must ask you to leave.
Atreyu: If you don’t want me here, you shouldn’t have sent for me.
Carion: It was not you we sent for. We wanted Atreyu.
Atreyu: I am Atreyu.
Carion: Not Atreyu the child, Atreyu the warrior.
Atreyu: I am the only Atreyu with the plains people, but I’ll be happy to go back to hunting the purple buffalo.
Carion: No wait! (Atreyu pauses as the old man continues…). Come back please.
Atreyu walks back up the stairs. The old man looks at him more urgently now.
Carion: If you truly are the Atreyu we sent for, you would be willing to go on a quest?
Atreyu: Yes of course, what kind of quest?
Carion: To find a cure for the Empress….and to save our world.
No one can give you any advice except this, you must go alone and you must leave all your weapons behind. It will be very dangerous.
Atreyu: Is there any chance of success?
Carion: I do not know, but if you fail the Empress will surely die and our whole world will be destroyed.
Atreyu’s eyes grow large and he closes them and hangs his head down. Then he opens them back up and looks at the old man determinedly. He takes off his bow and quiver of arrows.
Atreyu: When do I begin?
Carion: Now and you must hurry Atreyu, the nothing grows stronger every day.
Scene 2
Bastion: At the same time, elsewhere in Fantasia, a creature of darkness also began his quest. They had been traveling aimlessly for almost a week, but they could not find a cure for the Empress. Neither Atreyu or his horse, Artax, had the vaguest suspicion that the creature of darkness, the G’mork, was already tracking them down. Atreyu and Artax had searched the Silver Mountains, the Desert of Shattered Hopes, and the Crystal Towers without success. And so, there was only one chance left. To find Morla, the ancient one, the wisest being in Fantasia who’s home was the Shell Mountain somewhere in the deadly Swamps of Sadness.
Scene 3
Atreyu pulls his horse along saying reassuring things the whole time.
Atreyu: That’s it. You’re doing fine Artax
Suddenly, Artax stops and Atreyu pulls on the reigns. Artax doesn’t budge
Atreyu: Come on Artax, what’s the matter? What’s wrong? Come on boy!
I understand, it’s too difficult for you. (He tries pulling him in a different direction and steps into a puddle up to his waist. Suddenly he notices that Artax is sinking)
Atreyu: Artax, you’re sinking! Come on, turn around, you have to! Now! Come on! Artax!
He goes closer to him and hugs him
Atreyu: Fight against the sadness Artax. Artax, please.
You’re letting the sadness of the swaps get to you. You have to try, you have to care. For me, I’m your friend, I love you.
(Artax doesn’t move and Atreyu slaps the puddle sending water flying toward the horse. He yells at him again)
Atreyu: Artax, you’re sinking! Come on, turn around, you have to! Now! Come on! Artax! Fight against the sadness Artax. Artax, please.
You’re letting the sadness of the swaps get to you. You have to try, you have to care. For me, I’m your friend, I love you.
Artax! Stupid horse! You’ve gotta move or you’ll die! Move, please! I won’t give up! Don’t quit! Artax! Please!
(then he pleads with him)
Atreyu: Move please. I won’t give up! Jump quick! Artax please!
