JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED

Episode 103: "A Shout in The Darkness"

Written by

Luis Filipe

Based On Characters From DC Comics

Copyright © 2020

This is a Fan Script

luisfilipearaujo13@gmail.com
 TEASER

INT. PRIVATE OFFICE - DAY

This time there is no one in the office. The leather cover
BOOK rests on the desk, open.

HOLD a few seconds on this shot. Then, the office door is

opened and SHUT hard in O.S.

Our strange ARTIST steps into frame, RESTLESS. He roams

around the room rubbing his hair.
ARTIST
(murmurs)
Stop talking... stop talking...
For a moment, the Artist stops and stares at the book on his
desk. What's on those pages are some random, seemingly
meaningless PAINTINGS.

He looks as if he's mesmerized by it. Suddenly a GUTTURAL,

menacing GROWL sounds inside his mind.

The man immediately closes the book, and opens a drawer under
his desk. He pulls a REVOLVER from within, checks its bullets
-- cylinder full.
ARTIST (CONT’D)
Get out of my head -- get out of my
head!
He leaves the office and raises the gun toward his own head.

INT. HALLWAY - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

An OLD LADY -- neighbor of the artist -- walks over to his
apartment door.
OLD LADY
Mister? Are you alright? I have
noticed that you have been strange
in recent days, and heard some
strange noises inside. I just--
ARTIST (O.S.)
Get out of my head!
Right after his scream -- BANG! A single shot inside the
apartment and everything goes silent.
The Old Lady takes a few steps back in SHOCK. She doesn't
know how to react at that moment until...
 2.

... BLOOD starts to drain under the door. Startled, the lady
hurries back to her apartment.
END TEASER
 3.

ACT ONE

EXT. PENTAGON - WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY

Establishing.

INT. HALLWAY - PENTAGON - DAY

TRACKING with a WOMAN striding down the hallway. Meet AMANDA
WALLER. Tough, imposing.
WALLER (PRE-LAP)
Yesterday, our biggest concern was
governments that could send a
nuclear warhead to the heart of any
place at any time by pushing a
single button.

INT. SITUATION ROOM - PENTAGON - DAY

Waller sits at the table along with some important figures
and HIGH-RANKING OFFICERS -- one of them is GENERAL EILING.
WALLER
Now we have people with that level
of power walking the streets of our
own country. Among the people we
must protect. Measures need to be
taken before it is too late.
EILING
The people of Metropolis seem to
love their flying blue man.
WALLER
For now. Maybe Luthor is right.
Maybe he's trying to earn our
confidence to strike first.
OFFICIAL
But with that power, I think he
would already have--
WALLER
(interrupting)
Any step we take will be risky,
since we do not know what they are
capable of. That is why the Project
Cadmus is now a priority.
The others in the room exchange confused looks.
 4.

ANOTHER OFFICIAL
I thought Project Cadmus was vetoed
by the president two years ago.
WALLER
That was the official intel. Now,
with the world on the brink of
collapse, the project can not be
ignored.
(beat)
General Eiling, what about the Sea
Man?
EILING
Our battleships were positioned. At
any sign of him, we'll be ready
this time.
OFFICIAL
Secretary Waller, that way we can
start an unprecedented war.
WALLER
War is inevitable. But I want to
have the bullet in the barrel when
it arrives.

INT. UN BUILDING - DAY

A hectic MASS of people swarm the perimeter of the building
as police officers try to keep them behind the protective
barrier.

CHYRON: New York City.

However there are not only civilians there, but also

REPORTERS and CAMERAMEN from all over the world. They seem to
be expecting something... or someone.

Moments later, a MAN in the crowd sees something in the sky

and gets excited.
MAN
(points up)
Look! Up in the sky!
REVEAL: SUPERMAN hangs in the air like a divine figure. His
red cape gently billows with the wind.

Superman lands and walks toward the building as the people

YELL for his name. Even the police officers GAPE at him.
 5.

TV CAMERA'S POV: A REPORTER speaks into the camera as we see

Superman heading for the building while he waves shyly at
people.
REPORTER
After months of their meeting
request, the Protector of
Metropolis so far has arrived in
the United Nations building to
discuss this wave of Metahumans and
vigilantes scattered around the
world.

INT. GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL - UN BUILDING - DAY

Different LEADERS OF NATIONS and other representatives fill
the great hall. Lois Lane sits in the area reserved for the
press.

Superman stands in the center of the hall, facing the UN

LEADERS in front of him.
SUPERMAN
Honored delegates, thank you for
allowing me to join this session.
It means a lot to me.
One of the UN Leaders reads something at the table.
UN LEADER #1
In your interview for the Daily
Planet, you said you came from
another distant world. Am I right?
SUPERMAN
Yes.
UN LEADER #1
What are the risks we run on this?
Do you still have contact with your
people? Are they peaceful beings?
SUPERMAN
My planet exploded years ago when
its sun collapsed, and I was still
a baby. I'm the only survivor. The
only one of my kind nowadays.
UN LEADER #2
Most of these masked vigilantes
appeared after your public
appearance, coincidentally or not.
(MORE)
 6.
UN LEADER #2 (CONT'D)
Do you feel responsible for them
somehow?
SUPERMAN
I believe they want to do good, but
in their way. The people fear what
they do not understand or have no
control over, so the fear will
continue. But I have hope that they
will accept these super-beings as
their protectors.
UN LEADER #1
This may end up opening many
precedents, Superman. Don't you
think these vigilantes are above
the law? Who will be able to stop a
man capable of raising a car with
one hand?
SUPERMAN
I understand that the social
balance we hold is a delicate one.
Freedom and order are ideals that
are often in opposition. While
trying to maintain one, the other
may suffer.
(beat)
Unfortunately, I don't know all the
metahumans, but what I can say,
from what I have seen over the
course of these months, is that
it's men and women using their
gifts to devote to the betterment
of the world.
UN LEADER #2
Are you telling us to just accept
that everything is okay?
SUPERMAN
What I'm asking is that they give
us a chance to try. A chance to be
worthy of your trust.
UN LEADER #3
I confess that your optimism is
enviable, boy, but I do not think
part of the population sees it in
the same way.
SUPERMAN
I may not be from Earth, but I've
grown my whole life here.
(MORE)
 7.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
My parents taught me to love this
world as if I were a part of it, my
home, and I will do everything to
protect it. I think those masked
people risking their lives are
doing the same thing.

INT. HALLWAY - UN BUILDING - DAY

After the session ends, Superman walks down the corridor. In
the end, a crowd of reporters clamoring for an interview.

That's when Lois reaches him.

LOIS
Beautiful words back there,
congratulations.
SUPERMAN
Thanks, but I do not know if I
could be very convincing.
LOIS
I think it was enough to make them
think a little before bed. But to
be honest? They will fear the
uniformed vigilantes even though
they do the right thing.
SUPERMAN
Does not have to be this way
forever. I just wanted to know if
I'm going the right way.
LOIS
Your only mask is the one you use
to be one of us. They will only
listen to someone with a face. So
yeah, I think you're on the right
road.
They stop and face each other.
SUPERMAN
(smiles)
Your support is always gratifying,
Miss Lane.
LOIS
I'm just giving back.
Superman returns to walk as Lois stays.
 8.

LOIS (CONT’D)
Hey.
(off his look)
Do not give up. If you do, everyone
else will.
Superman nods to her and keeps moving as Lois watches him go
to that group of reporters.

EXT. A BURNING BUILDING - NIGHT

The office building is spewing SMOKE and FLAMES from its
windows on the top story.

CHYRON: Central City.

POLICEMEN keep some curious civilians away from the building

as FIRE TRUCKS arrive.

SUDDENLY --

-- A BLUR OF SPEED AND LIGHTNING STREAKS toward the building

with a GUST OF WIND, blowing away all the cops' HATS as it
enters the building.

The people around CHEER because they know exactly who that
is. The cops just stare.

PULL BACK FROM the commotion to a BLACK VAN parked on the

other block.

INT. BLACK VAN - NIGHT

Inside is a MOBILE COMMAND CENTER, packed with electronic
equipment monitored by TWO TECHNICIANS.

On the monitors they watch the building on fire from every

angle.
TECHNICIAN (INTO HEADSET)
He’s coming.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - BURNING BUILDING - NIGHT

BLAM! THE FLASH bursts through the door. Red and Gold. He
comes across with a sea of fire and TEN OFFICE WORKERS lying
on the ground, unconscious.

Flash stretches his arms forward and ROTATES THEM AT SUPER

SPEED, creating a GALE that blows the flames out in seconds.
 9.

After that, he approaches an OFFICE WOMAN and helps her to

rise.
THE FLASH
Are you all right?
OFFICE WOMAN
(weak)
Help...
THE FLASH
Don't worry. Everything is fine
now. You're safe.
Flash looks at the others still fainted. He doesn't realize
that the woman seeks something in her POCKET.
THE FLASH (CONT’D)
I'll get you out of here, then--
Without a warning, the woman STABS A SYRINGE INTO FLASH'S
THIGH and injects a strange fluid into his body.

Flash SHOUTS OUT and pushes the woman away. He gets up but
groggily, dizzy, feeling his body WEAKER and heavier.

Meanwhile, the woman stands up normally. She was faking it

because she was actually an undercover AGENT.
THE FLASH (CONT’D)
What... what did you do to me?
OFFICE WOMAN
I injected you with a sedative that
can bring down an elephant.
Flash struggles to stand on his wobbly legs.
OFFICE WOMAN (CONT’D)
This time we came well prepared for
you.
THE FLASH
We?
All other workers also stand up. They are agents too, who
were pretending from the beginning. Flash is cornered.

Each of them draws a STUN BATON.

OFFICE WOMAN
This time you are ours, speedy.
You're now a property of the
government.
 10.

With the sedative still flowing in his body, Flash VIBRATES

his right arm until it BLURS.

One of the agents ATTACKS. Flash HITS him with his vibrant
arm, THROWING him BACKWARDS.

Another agent comes from behind. Flash realizes him in time.

He VIBRATES HIS LEG and KICKS the agent, sending him into a
concrete column.

But a third agent comes close enough and THWACKS Flash with
the baton -- it unleashes an ELECTRIC CHARGE as it makes
contact with its target.

Flash falls on one knee as more agents join in, BATTERING him
with the batons. The Speedster SHIELDS himself with his arms.

THE FLASH'S POV: A FUZZY VISION. But in the midst of that

beating, Flash spots a SCAFFOLD outside the window. A chance
to escape.

Flash GRABS the arm of one of the agents and SPINS HIM IN
SUPER-SPEED, SHOVING everyone around away. Flash then stops
and drops the agent, who is about to throw up.

Flash STUMBLES, still suffering the effect of the sedative.

He leans on one of the columns to maintain his balance.

In that moment -- WHAM! That Office Woman SMASHES FLASH IN

THE BACK with her baton, dropping him again.
OFFICE WOMAN (CONT’D)
It seems that we underestimated
you.
She SWINGS DOWN her baton to another strike, but this time
Flash CATCHES the stick and holds it.
Consequently, the electric charge courses through his body.
But Flash doesn't let go of the baton yet. Flash rises still
being electrocuted and takes baton from agent's hands, then
tosses it away.

Off her reaction, Flash grabs the agent and HURLS her on a
desk using a bit of his super-speed.

Flash shakes his head trying to stay conscious. The other

agents recompose themselves.

Before they can reach him, Flash uses all his effort to DASH
toward the window in SUPER-SPEED --
 11.

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

-- CRASHING THROUGH the glass. He LANDS HARD on the scaffold,
which hangs outside the building.

Flash begins to vibrate his body at MOLECULAR SPEED,

expelling the sedative out.

The agents appear at the broken window and look down. In that
moment, Flash BOLTS OFF across the building frame to the
street, disappearing from view.
DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BARRY’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Establishing.

INT. BATHROOM - BARRY’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Just wearing his underwear, BARRY ALLEN sits on the toilet
bowl using a TWEEZERS to remove some small glass SHARDS in
his leg.

After pulling out the last fragment, Barry lets out a

relieved breath and rests.
END ACT ONE
 12.

ACT TWO

EXT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES - NIGHT

Establishing.
CHYRON: Gotham City.

INT. LOBBY - WAYNE ENTERPRISES - NIGHT

A PARTY takes place inside. The hall is full of WELL-DRESSED
GUESTS. Waiters and waitresses wander everywhere with
appetizer trays.

In the crowd is BRUCE WAYNE, talking to a group of

executives. They laugh and drink.
VOICE (O.S.)
Mister Wayne?
Bruce turns to a man called RAY PALMER. He doesn't wear a
suit as expensive as the others there.
BRUCE
Excuse me, gentlemen.
Bruce approaches Ray. They shake hands.
BRUCE (CONT’D)
In the flesh.
RAY
It's a great pleasure to meet you
in person, sir. My name is Ray
Palmer, I'm a professor at Ivy Town
University.
BRUCE
Good to meet you too, Ray. I hope
the party suits you.
RAY
Oh, definitely. And I'm sorry for
interrupting your... business.
BRUCE
Don't worry. In fact, you saved me
from those boring old men.
 13.

RAY
Well, I came to you to present my
scientific project that I have been
developing for two years.
BRUCE
What kind of project?
RAY
The kind of project that can change
the world. With Wayne Enterprises'
investment this would become
possible.
Bruce feels confidence in Ray's words.
BRUCE
I think the world needs projects
like this. Can you come to my
office tomorrow?
RAY
Seriously? Of course.
BRUCE
Great. And don't forget to enjoy
the party, Mr. Palmer.

EXT. PLANET OA - SPACE

An immense LONG SHOT of a resplendent AQUAMARINE PLANET.
CHYRON: OA. Homebase of The Green Lantern Corps.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - OA - DAY

KANJAR RO finds himself stuck in HIGH-TECH CUFFS on his
wrists and ankles. KILOWOG stands in front of him.

They have been there for some time. But Kanjar Ro continues
to act like crazy.
KILOWOG
This need not last longer, Kanjar
Ro. Start answering what I want and
maybe I won't break some of your
teeth.
KANJAR RO
He chose me to serve... he will
rise again and I need to be
there...
 14.

KILOWOG
What the hell are you talking
about?
KANJAR RO
He is weak and needs us all to
strengthen himself...
Kanjar Ro starts to struggle, trying to break free at all
costs. Even though it's impossible at that moment, he doesn't
give up. He yells and jolts on the chair.

Kilowog turns around and walks to the wall in the back of the
room. The wall gets TRANSPARENT, revealing TOMAR-RE behind
it.
KILOWOG
We're in a dead end. Ro is
completely nuts.
TOMAR-RE
Let's take a full neural readout on
him and see if we find anything.
KILOWOG
Agreed.
CUT TO:
A BROADCAST. The journalist SNAPPER CARR reports to the
camera.
SNAPPER CARR
Here is Snapper Carr directly from
Happy harbor bringing the breaking
news to you. We have the
information of a distress call
coming from the oil station near
our coast. The worker who sent the
request says that the Sea Man is
the author of the attack.

EXT. OCEAN - DAY

A U.S. BATTLESHIP cruising the waters. In the main deck,
SOLDIERS getting ready for an incoming battle.

INT. BRIDGE - BATTLESHIP - DAY

BINOCULARS POV: in the distance -- an OIL RIG.

REVEAL: GENERAL EILING as he hands the binoculars to the

ADMIRAL of the ship.
 15.

EILING
Tell them to prepare.

INT. PLATFORM - OIL RIG - DAY

ANGLE ON: 300 OIL RIG WORKERS, all held prisoners kneeling
and hanging head.
VOICE (O.S.)
The oceans are 3/4 from around the
world, and you use it as if it were
a simple backyard for your actions.
But this is over. I command it to
end.
We just hear the heavy FOOTSTEPS of the owner of the speech.
Some workers tremble in fear at his presence.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT’D)
My Kingdom suffers from your
decisions, and as a duty of a king,
I must protect it...
This man is AQUAMAN. Handling his GOLDEN TRIDENT, now
pointing it to the workers.
AQUAMAN
... whatever the cost.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
I'm sorry but I'll have to
disagree.
Aquaman turns to Superman, who lands on the platform.
AQUAMAN
Superman, the dweller of skies.
Since your military can not stop
me, they sent their greatest
champion?
SUPERMAN
I have not come to fight, just want
to talk.
AQUAMAN
Talk? About how men act like pigs?
SUPERMAN
I know you do not want to hurt
these people. There were no
casualties in your attacks, but
this needs to stop.
 16.

AQUAMAN
Give me a good reason.
SUPERMAN
Because if it's not in my way, it
will be in theirs.
Superman points to something on the water. Aquaman spots that
battleship coming for the oil rig.
AQUAMAN
They can try. I will protect my
people as you protect yours. And
these rigs... pollute the sea. My
people. This thing must crumble.
SUPERMAN
People like us must have a
responsibility with our own
abilities. People are afraid --
afraid of us when the feeling
should be the opposite.
AQUAMAN
I'm not a simple vigilante that
hang out there after bad guys. My
father taught me the value of life,
but when I became who should be, I
learned the value of a king.
SUPERMAN
You know I can not afford you to
continue this madness. Sooner or
later, will come out of your
control.
AQUAMAN
I’ll take the risks.
Aquaman GRIPS his trident as Superman clenches his fists. The
Man of Steel realizes that he has no choice.

Tension increases. The two super-beings stare at each other.

The battle can erupt at any moment.

BUT --

CLOSE ON SUPERMAN'S EAR: he hears a MECHANICAL SOUND with his

SUPER-HEARING.

Whatever it is, took his focus away from Aquaman.

Aquaman CHARGES at Superman, trident up.

 17.

But Superman PUSHES the King of Atlantis back and JUMPS INTO
THE AIR shielding himself as --
-- BOOM! SUPERMAN IS HIT FULL ON BY A CANNON-BLAST, LAUNCHING
him meters away in the oil rig.

Aquaman climbs to his feet as Superman falls past him,

smoking. He runs up to the platform edge and sees the
battleship TAKING AIM at the rig.
AQUAMAN (CONT’D)
(to the workers)
Go to the cargo hold!
They all look at each other, confused. Aquaman strikes his
trident on the ground.
AQUAMAN (CONT’D)
NOW!
Then everyone starts to RUN.

INT. BRIDGE - BATTLESHIP - DAY

General Eiling sees Aquaman in the platform's edge, looking
at him directly.
EILING
Fire again!
ADMIRAL
General, there are people up there.
Workers.
EILING
I have orders directly from
Secretary Waller to eliminate the
target. It is this order that I
will fulfill.

EXT. PLATFORM - OIL RIG - DAY

The battleship's cannon rotates, pointing right to Aquaman,
but he's not intimidated.

As Aquaman LEAPS off the platform, the cannon FIRES at him.

The King of the Seas SLASHES the projectile with his trident,
BLOWING IT UP IN MID-AIR.

BLACK SMOKE swells up. Aquaman LUNGES through the smoke,

falling toward the ship.
 18.

EXT. DECK - BATTLESHIP - DAY

Aquaman LANDS in the middle of the armed soldiers. All of
them aim their guns at him.

The soldiers OPEN FIRE, but Aquaman EVADES at SUPERHUMAN

SPEED. Using only his trident and his agility, he knocks down
the soldiers with BRUTAL blows.

The poor men are thrown meters away thanks to the strength of
the king. No one is a match for him.

Aquaman hears weapons cocking from behind.

Three soldiers fire as Aquaman whirls for them PROPELLING HIS

TRIDENT and REPELLING the bullets off. Aquaman approaches the
shooters and takes them out.

One of the soldiers drops his empty rifle and pulls his
PISTOL in a desperate act.

BANG. He fires a single shot into Aquaman's HEAD, making it

tilts backwards.

The deck falls in silence. The scared soldier steps back.

Aquaman brings his head forward, smoking from the shot spot
in his forehead. He stares at the shooter, with fire in the
eyes.

Aquaman raises his trident and HURLS it to kill the soldier.

But in that instant...

... Superman lands between the man and the trident. He GRABS
Aquaman's weapon with his bare hands. The force makes him
SLIDE a few inches back.
SUPERMAN
Enough! No more fighting! You did
not realize what you are doing
here? All you are willing to make a
senseless war risking innocent
lives?!
Superman tosses the trident back to Aquaman.
SUPERMAN (CONT’D)
It’s over.
AQUAMAN
You're still very naïve, Superman.
I hope you do not continue with
this blindness for long.
 19.

SUPERMAN
I’m trying to open their eyes.
Aquaman turns and jumps off the ship, diving into the water.
That's when General Eiling comes in.
EILING
(to Superman)
You! What do you think you're
doing?!
SUPERMAN
Saving lives, unlike you.
EILING
You let that maniac escape! Are you
on his side?
SUPERMAN
I have no sides. You almost blasted
an entire oil rig with 300 workers
there!
EILING
In a war there are always
consequences that we have to deal
with. But you're an alien and you
do not know what that is.
Superman can not believe what he hears, disgusted with the
man in front of him.
EILING (CONT’D)
If you are not on our side, you are
one of them. I do not care how many
fans you have.
Superman just turns his head and shoots his HEAT VISION to
MELT Eiling's gun. He drops that HOT piece of metal.

Superman then TAKES OFF into the skies.

END ACT TWO
 20.

ACT THREE

EXT. SKY - DAY

The lull of the gorgeous crisp blue sky. A sea of clouds
stretches as far as the eyes can see.

SUDDENLY --

-- A MODERN FIGHTER JET goes SCREAMING through the frame,

feeling like it's TEARING the fabric of the sky.

INT. FIGHTER JET COCKPIT - DAY

The pilot is HAL JORDAN. He maneuvers that machine with
mastery, always at ease.

A FEMALE VOICE sounds over his radio.

FEMALE VOICE (OVER RADIO)
How's the test going, Highball?
HAL
A cakewalk.

INT. CONTROL TOWER - FERRIS AIRCRAFT - DAY

A wide 360 degree view of the sky. TECHNICIANS monitoring
their screens. Among them is CAROL FERRIS -- talking with Hal
through her headset.
CAROL
I hope you're serious, because that
is what I like to hear.
HAL (V.O.)
The little bird is doing well,
believe me. One day I'll still take
you on a tour of these.
CAROL
I've been flying since I was
thirteen, Highball. You'll need to
think a lot about how to impress
me.
HAL (V.O.)
I love challenges. I bet you've
never flown high enough to touch a
star.
 21.

CAROL
That's right. But first, I want you
to put down my two hundred million
bird safely.
HAL (V.O.)
Roger that.

INT. LOCKER ROOM - FERRIS AIRCRAFT - DAY

Later that day, Hal is alone changing his pilot suit when his
power ring BEEPS. He checks if there's nobody around first.

From the ring, a GREEN HOLOGRAM of Kilowog appears.

HAL
Good news?
KILOWOG (HOLO)
I would love to say yes, but Kanjar
Ro has not cooperated during the
interrogation.
HAL
How so?
KILOWOG (HOLO)
He's totally out of this world. He
keeps talking about voices in his
head all the time and practically
ignores anyone near him.
HAL
Have you ever tried to do a
complete neural readout with him?
KILOWOG (HOLO)
Yeah, and that's the interesting
part. Our scanners detected his
synapses as a real mess, as if
someone had brainwashed him. Tomar-
Re is still trying to access his
memories that he still has.
HAL
Okay, it's a start. What about the
drawings on the wall?
KILOWOG (HOLO)
Nothing yet. I'm going to meet the
Guardians now to try to find out
something.
 22.

HAL
All right. If you need anything,
you know you can count on me.
Kilowog nods and the hologram winks out.

INT. APPLIED SCIENCE DIVISION - WAYNETECH - DAY

Ray Palmer and Bruce step off the elevator and into that vast
space.
BRUCE
Have you done any tests?
RAY
Of course. But unfortunately,
working with this type of
technology, close attention to all
details is needed.
BRUCE
Nothing is easy these days, Ray.
RAY
That's why men like us exist to
make it easier.
They stop at a table where Ray Palmer's SHRINKING DEVICE
resides. Bruce gazes at it, curiously.
RAY (CONT’D)
Here it is: the first shrinking
device in the world.
BRUCE
Shrinking?
RAY
I tried to go against the tide, Mr.
Wayne. With this, we can search for
survivors trapped more easily; make
more accurate surgeries; bring tons
of food to needy countries... save
the world.
BRUCE
Okay, show me what it can do.
Excited, Ray begins to prepare the apparatus, adjusting
various mechanisms of it.
 23.

RAY
A major problem was to try to
maintain the stable molecular level
during the reduction process. But I
believe I have solved.
Ready. But before using it, Ray takes from the pocket a
BASEBALL BALL and places it in the device platform. He takes
a deep breath. This have to work.
RAY (CONT’D)
Here we go.
Ray TURNS IT ON. Seconds later, the device bathes the
baseball with a BLUISH LIGHT coming out of its lens. Then the
light goes out.

Bruce and Ray wait for the reaction... but NOTHING happens.
RAY (CONT’D)
It's just a matter of time.
The ball starts to SHAKE strangely. Something is happening.
Ray's eyes fill with hope when in truth...

... the ball POPS, turning into DUST. Ray gets completely
speechless.
RAY (CONT’D)
No, no, no, no...
BRUCE
Ray...
RAY
It should not do that. I fixed--
BRUCE
Ray, your project is promising, you
managed to convince me. But needs
to work harder on it. You think you
can fix it with my resources?
Ray is taken aback.
RAY
Y-Yes, I can do it.
BRUCE
Great, it was what I needed to
hear. Now I have to go.
Bruce turns and heads toward the elevator.
 24.

BRUCE (CONT’D)
Take the rest of the day off,
professor. You seem very tense.
Lunch is on me.

EXT. ATLANTIS - DAY

The majestic sunken city, gleaming at the seabed. SENTRIES
monitor the gates wielding their sharp SPEARS and mounted on
HUGE SEAHORSES clad in CORAL ARMOR.

MARINE ANIMALS swim everywhere. Some are so exotic that we've

never seen them before.

The buildings are marvelous, almost alien-like. The whole

kingdom is lit by bioluminescence lights.

CHYRON: Atlantis.

INT. ROYAL BEDCHAMBER - ATLANTIS - DAY

The heavy doors are opened by QUEEN MERA. She steps into the
room, finding...

... Aquaman in the balcony -- her husband -- thoughtful.

MERA
Arthur.
Aquaman turns to her.
AQUAMAN
Mera... I'm sorry, I did not see
you.
He walks up to her.
MERA
You always stand there when
something happens.
AQUAMAN
I did not tell you, but... on my
last visit to the surface, I found
Superman.
MERA
And why did this shake you?
AQUAMAN
I respect him, he's an honorable
man. But he really believes in
humanity. I see in his eyes.
 25.

MERA
Maybe because he decided to give
them a second chance, everyone
deserves it. Have you tried to do
it, my king?
AQUAMAN
No.
MERA
You should. I believe your father
would have the same desire. It took
me a while, but I managed to accept
it.
Mera touches her husband's face kindly.
AQUAMAN
You always brightens my mind, my
queen.
MERA
It’s part of my job.
They KISS.

But in that moment, Aquaman breaks off. In ALERT.

MERA (CONT’D)
What is it?
In silence, Aquaman steps up to the balcony again, looking
out his kingdom.

AQUAMAN'S POV: A SHOAL of thousands of miscellaneous fish

swim through the city, fleeing FRIGHTENED and hurried.
It's not a good prediction, and Aquaman knows that. He CLOSES
his eyes, concentrating.

Aquaman uses his SONAR to communicate with the fishes.

His brows furrow. The eyeballs budge under the eyelids.

Something is wrong.

When he opens his eyes again, there is a great feeling of

concern.
AQUAMAN
Something is wrong under my domain,
Mera. Whatever it is, it threatens
all marine life.
 26.

Aquaman returns to the bedroom and begins to wear his scaly

armor shirt.
MERA
I have a bad feeling about this.
Now suited up, Aquaman takes the last item: his trident, and
approaches Mera.
AQUAMAN
I know. But I can not run away from
my duties. I'll be back.
After another kiss, Aquaman leaves.

EXT. OCEAN DEPTHS - DAY

Aquaman TEARS through the water like a human torpedo. He
swims with an AMAZING SPEED, quicker than anyone or any fish.

EXT. RIDGE ABOVE FISSURE - OCEAN DEPTHS - DAY

Upon arriving at his destination, Aquaman stands on the edge
of the ridge gazing at the horror OFF CAMERA.
AQUAMAN
(under his breath)
In the name of Poseidon...
REVERSE: A COLOSSAL FISSURE stretches for miles on the
seabed. A gap that had gradually opened up over the thousands
of years

Off Aquaman's shocked face...

... a terrible and telepathic SHRIEK sounds loudly in

Aquaman's mind, making him drop on his knees grabbing his
head.

While he suffers there, it's possible to hear the rocks

moving away, collapsing as LAVA FLAMING LIGHT leaks through
the fissure.

Followed that, a DEEP MONSTROUS ROAR. Much like the creepy

voice we hear other times. Whatever is there, is coming.
BLACK.

END OF EPISODE