The Secret Kingdom (2023) - full transcript

Many moons ago,

when the lands of The Above
and The Below were one,

a young king ruled
with a power of imagination
so great

that his very thoughts
brought light and peace to all.

But near the 12th year
of his reign,

a great tragedy befell
the young king,

and his grief so great,
split the world...

...into the lands of The Above
and The Below,

where all memory of the tragedy
was buried.

And so it was
that time stood still...

...and a great darkness
fell across the land.

And in that darkness
grew a creature

made of fear itself.

A creature known as the Shroud.

Peter, ça va?
Are you okay?

Yeah.

Yeah.

"Welcome to Wilson."

This is it! This is it!
This is it!

Wow!

Verity.

Come on, Peter.

I used to spend my summers here
when I was a kid.

This place has everything
that we've ever dreamt of.

High ceilings,
period features.

Peeling of paint,
rising of damp,
cracking everywhere.

That's where
the light gets in.

Come on,
let's go take a look.

Peter, ça va?

Try and make it there
in three seconds.

Did you make it?

Come on,
we can do this.

Mon Dieu!

How long
do we have to stay here?

Oh, no, no.
We are just here to clean.

Look what I found.

Wow!
They're in here too.

They're quite wonderful.

I will keep them.

Treasure, careful.
The floors look very old.

Okay, Mama.

It has a swimming pool!

Hello,
Mr. Frog Prince.

I'm the fairy queen.

That's--
That's not a swimming pool.

I was only talking
to the Frog Prince.

There's no such thing
as a "frog prince."

You know, I once saved
your mother from a frog prince.

Ah, smell that.

That's the smell
of inspiration.

Who could be calling?

Close your eyes.
What do you see?

I see magical creatures
and a wondrous kingdom.

And I am their queen.

The Kingdom of Imagination
awaits you.

What is thy decree,
Your Majesty?

What do you see, Peter?

Come on, Pete.
Think outside the box.
What do you see?

David,
there's a moving truck.

Okay, why don't you
go get cleaned up?

Oh, no! I'm late
for the royal tea party!

I'm not even dressed
for it yet!

David?

Vivianne,
we lost the house.

The bank foreclosed.

What?

But we had time.

This is the change
that we really need.

It's only been a year,
and I'm still dealing
with this too.

All right!

This family
loses too much.

Come on, Peter.

Quickly,
we have to go.

Verity, wait.
Where are you going?

Verity, come back!

Verity! Wait!

I found it! The entrance
to the Land of Nowhere.

Quickly, it's about
to close up forever.

Verity.

Verity.

Verity.

Verity.

Verity.

Quickly.
She knows we're here.

I smell something.

Verity, get out of there. Now.

I smell children.

Come out, young lady.

Let me see you
in that pretty coat.

Hi, I'm Verity,
and this is Peter.

We just moved here today,
but Peter's not very happy
about it.

Could you really smell us?

Verity, come on.

What do I smell like?

You smell of sugar, spice
and all things nice, of course.

Does Peter smell
of slime and snails?

No, he smells of something else.

Fear.

Fear of things
he does not yet see.

That was very clumsy.

No, no, it wasn't me.

There was a rat or something
in the wall.
A rat?

Yes. I-- I mean, well,
there was something.

I saw something.

How much is it?

This is all I have.

Just the right amount.

For now.

Okay. Verity, let's go.

Don't forget your purchase.

No, thank you.
You can keep it.

No, no, no, Your Majesty.

It is yours now.

Smell you later.

Come on, Verity.

We found it. We found it.

Hey, it's late.
Where have you been?

Well--
No, no, no, no. Wait up.

Wait up, Peter. Wait, come here.
I need your help with something.

Okay.

I want you to close your eyes
and imagine the very best think
you can.

I love this game.
I'm going to catch
the best think ever.

Choose a hand.

I'm no good at this.

Come on, come on.
You used to love this game.

Give it a go.
Use your imagination.

I'm sure there's still
some magic in there.

Have you got a think yet?

I'm thinking.

Okay.

Great.

What did you do, Peter?
You let them all out.

Peter, where have you been?
Are you okay?

Hold on.
I have something for you.

Grandpa's compass.

He promised this to you,
yes?

If not for this compass,
you and I may not be here.

In the first war,
this saved him many times.

Okay, okay, no hugs.

Do you hear that?

Can't you hear that noise?

A funny thing
licked my ear.

It's really sticky.

Can't you hear that?

I need the thing.

Ugh, what thing?

The thing you broke
in the store. I need it.

Why?

I'm not supposed to say.

It's magic.

Look, Verity,
I'm in no mood for your games.

Just go back to bed.

So, can I have it?

You're not gonna let up,
are you?

Just--

If you want it so badly,
I'll sell it to you.

One penny, two penny,

three penny, four penny--
Verity, just stop.

Give me the jar,
and I'll give you
the battered puzzle thing.

Peter!

Peter! Jump!

Peter! Please!

Peter!

Don't let me go!

Verity, are you okay?

Peter, I'm scared.

It's okay.
It's gonna be okay.

Hold on.

There's nothing there.
There's nothing there.
There's nothing there.

There's nothing there.
There's nothing there.
There's nothing there.

Peter, open your eyes.
They're everywhere.

No, they're not.
There's nothing there.
Stop saying that!

We're gonna close our eyes,
and we're gonna count to three.

Then we're gonna open our eyes,
and we're gonna see
there's nothing there.

All right?

One, two, three.

Oh, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

- Peter, they said to hold on tight!
- What?

No. No!

Is that so?

Well, thank you.

Don't worry, Peter.
They're very friendly.

Who are you talking to?

Oh, of course.

He can't understand you yet.

Peter,
you have to hold very still.

You'll find it tickles,
but it doesn't hurt a bit.

What do you mean?
What are you talking about?

Oh!

What was that?

Your satchel, sire.

They can talk.

They can talk.

Well, of course they can.

Um...

Huh...

What is the meaning of this?

General Rumph,
we are victorious.

We have saved the king.

And just in time.

You fools!

You've risked our position
for nothing.

This is just a child.

Our king shall not
be judged by his years,

but by his deeds.

He looks most important.

Look, Verity,
I'll do the talking.

Why?

Because I'm the oldest,
and that's the rule.

That is not a rule.

You just made that up.

These guards
have deliberately
broken protocol.

We now risk a direct attack
from the Shroud.

Protocol does not
trump prophecy, my dear general.

Respectfully,
the pangolin have lost too many
to this prophecy of yours.

And many more shall be lost,

should the prophecy
not prevail.

I have waited for this day
a long time.

A long, long time.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

Why, thank you.

- I'm Verity, and this is Peter.
- Shh.

Who are you, and why have
you brought us here?

My apologies, Your Majesty.

I am Elwyn,
leader of the pangolin.

Keepers of the prophecy.

Your arrival was foretold
many moons ago.

I'm sorry, but I think
you've mistaken me
for someone else.

You are Peter.

You are to reunite
our two great lands

and restore light
and peace to The Below.

No, but that can't
possibly be me.

I just moved here today.

You carry with you an object
of great, great power.

A golden piece

inscribed with the language
of prophecy.

You mean-- You mean this?

Behold your king.

No, no. Everyone,
everyone, this is just
a big misunderstanding.

I'm not a king.

My brothers and sisters,

on this great, great day,

the prophecy
has delivered unto us

our promised king.

Come, Your Majesty.

There is much for you to see.

No, Verity, wait.

Come on, Peter. We mustn't
keep them waiting.

No.

I'm sorry, but we don't
belong here, and we really
have to get back home.

But I don't wanna
go home yet.

The portal to The Above
has been closed

for your protection.

The way back is shut.

But do not fear, young Peter.

Your path ahead
is quite clear.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Oh, I just love your dress.

Ooh, Your Majesty.

Hello. It's lovely
to meet you all.

Pling.

Yes, sir.

You're late.

Um, yes, Uncle.

I-I mean, sir.

Sorry.

It won't happen again.

What did I miss?

The compass! It's him!

I mean, you.

You're here.

You're really here.

Oh-Oh, my.

I-- I mean, Your Majesty.

Pling, fetch the sacred book
and join us in the cave.

Um, yes.

Of course, Uncle.

I-I mean, Master Elwyn.

It's really you!
Now, Pling.

Of course, Uncle.

Wow!

Pling.
Oh. Uh...

Behold the prophecy.

Wow!

It's a bird.

And a dragon.

Oh, wait, there, look!

A unicorn!

This part of the prophecy
tells of the time before.

The time when the lands
of The Above and The Below
were one.

A time before the Shroud.

Um, I mean no disrespect,
but why are we here?

That looks like me
in my pretty nightdress.

That's my necklace.

It can't be.
That's impossible.

This is the foretelling
of your arrival.

"A golden piece
from deepest cave.

A chosen king,
both fair and brave,

whom guardians from below
will save.

Pieces five, a king will find

and in the Citadel will bind

to defeat the Shroud
and reset time."

What does it mean?

It speaks of the great clock
of the Citadel

that has the power
to bring the light
back to The Below.

What was that?

The Shroud has found us.

I warned you.

Hold your ground.

Assemble a troop
and prepare for safe passage.

The king must not be harmed.

If he is the king,
let him face it.

He is not yet ready.

What's a shroud?

The Shroud is a creature
said to be made of fear itself.

It is indeed
the nemesis of the king.

When we heard
it had bridged the boundary
between our two worlds,

we knew it would come for you.

We knew it was time.

That is why
we have brought you here.

Why does it
want Peter?

It fears but one thing:

the power of the king.

I-I'm sorry. I can't
possibly be your king.

I don't have any power.
I don't belong here.

You are everything
the prophecy promised.

Your path ahead is clear.

You must find
the missing pieces

and take them to the great clock
of the Citadel.

But I'm not brave
or powerful or anything.

All you need is within you.

But what if--
What if you're wrong?

Then all shall be lost.

All will be forgotten.

I'm here.

Sorry, Master.
I thought I'd put it
under "P" for "prophecy,"

but it was somewhere else.

Amongst these pages
are the five lost songs
of prophecy.

Each one reveals the location
of a piece of the great clock.

There's--
There's nothing in here.

The songs are hidden.

Hidden from the Shroud.

You will go to the Luminere.

He will teach you
to see them.

Take them at once.

You must go through
the stronghold.

The Shroud's minions
are everywhere.

You will take them
to the Luminere.

It is foretold.

These are my orders.

Trust no one.

The Shroud has many forms

and many under its control.

The Luminere will help you
to see all that you must see.

Hurry. You must leave now.

Pling,
you will go with them.

Me? Really?

You are to be their navigator.

Oh! Thank you, Uncle.

I mean, Master Elwyn.

I live to serve
Your Majesty.

May the prophecy guide you.

♪ Rocks, count ten
Then paces four ♪

♪ One, two, three, four ♪

♪ Shine a light
For a hidden door ♪

♪ Shine a light
Shine a light ♪

♪ Three-holed lock
Fit for a claw ♪

♪ Click clock
Twist the lock ♪

No.

That's the right. Hmm.

Excuse me, Your Majesty.

You can call me Peter.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I don't think
this is the right way.

This is the wrong song.

The wrong song?
What do you mean by that?

We use songs
to remember the paths to places.

Each line tells us where to go.

This is not the song
to the Luminere, sire.

Uh, General Rumph, may I ask,
where are we going?

We journey
to the stronghold.

But Mr. Elwyn said
for you to take us
to the Luminere.

There'll be no more talk
of this prophecy nonsense.

Well,
that's very disobedient.

While you're under
my protection,

you'll do exactly
as I say.

Hey.

Hey!

I command you
to take us to the Luminere
immediately.

You command me?

Insolent child, you're no king.

But you were given your orders,
and we have to see the Luminere.

I've seen what the Shroud can do
with my own eyes.

If you value your safety,
you'll not question me again.

Take cover!

Peter!
Verity, no!

Verity!

Verity! Verity!

Verity, are you okay?

Pling!

Oh! Oh!

Hold tight.

That was very close,
Mr. Pling.

You almost fell
right over the edge.

Oh.

Now we're never going
to get home.

On the contrary,
King Peter,

I have been studying
hieroglyphs for years.

What I mean, Your Majesty,

is that this was foretold.

Being attacked
and almost falling off a cliff
was foretold?

Y-- Yes, Your Majesty.

Look!

"A king with kin,
who fell from height,

with path below,
all bathed in light,

saw a city
on the edge of night."

That's a bit clever.

How did the prophecy know
we were gonna fall exactly here?

That's what a prophecy does.

It tells of things
before they happen.

That's how we knew
you and King Peter would come.

Pling, please.

Enough
with the prophecy talk.

I'm not a king. Okay?
Uh...

He just gets like that sometimes
when he doesn't know what to do.

But don't worry, Mr. Pling.
I've caught a think.

A "think," Miss Verity?

Yes.
And a very good think too.

You see,
Peter does not know
how to be king

because he's afraid
of everything.

So I think
that I shall be king.

Well, queen, actually.

I've had a lot
of princessing experience.

Oh...

I've been a fairy princess,
a forest princess,

princess of whales.

Well, dolphins, actually.

I think I'm the perfect person
for the job.

I'm sorry, Miss Verity,

but I'm afraid one cannot merely
declare themselves royalty--

Well, that's very silly.

Why not?

Pling.

Sire?

Do you know how to get
to the Luminere?

Yes. Yes, of course.

I majored in cartography.

I know all the songs
to all the places.

Even the secret ones.

I could possibly
triangulate our location

and find the appropriate verse
to start from.

Would this help?

Oh!

Oh, yes, sire!

Um...

Yes. North. Northwest.

Perfect.

No.

Uh-- Uh, this way, sire.

We start
from the third verse.

♪ From landing's ledge
To forest hedge ♪

♪ Then it's slow descent
To lowest edge ♪

Pling,
you don't have to sing.

Oh, it's no trouble, sire.

It's my absolute pleasure.

♪ There's a rock with the spire
All marked with fire ♪

♪ And the fern with the glow
Where the mushrooms grow ♪

Mr. Pling.

I don't understand something.

If Peter doesn't want
to be king...

then why can't I be king
instead?

Well, the law states

a monarch may only be named

through succession
or challenge.

They are the rules,
Miss Verity.

Well, that's very silly.

My dad said that I could
be anything I want

if I just think
outside a box.

- A box?
- Exactly.

I've heard of
the law of squares,
Miss Verity,

but I've never heard
of the law of boxes.

If I make it there
in three seconds.

If I make it to the tree
in three.

Okay.

If I make it there
in six seconds.

Sire, may I inquire
what that song
you're singing is?

It's--
It's nothing, Pling.

Might you teach it to me?

I--

Go away!

We're here
to see the Luminere.

Hey, cut it out!

I said, go away.

We have to see
the Luminere.

The Luminere is far too busy
and--

and important and clever, and--

No!

I said, go away.

We're here to see the Luminere.
We were told he could help us.

Impossible! I'm not here.
You're the Luminere?

- No. No, I'm not. I'm busy.
- I said, go away.

Wait, wait, come back.

What do you want?

To steal?

To steal my idea?

To steal for the Shroud? Hmm?

No, of course not.

We're not thieves.
We're on an adventure.

Pangolin Master Elwyn
told us to come here.

He said you could help us,
and he gave me this.

This cannot be!

You're but a child. Hmm!

Oh. You are not a king.

That's what
I've been telling everyone.

Not a king yet.

You do not see.

Wait!

Well,
he wasn't much help.

- Come. Come.
- Much to learn, not much time.

Okay,
first we check eyes.

Look my ear.

Look, balloon. Yes? Good.

Mmm.

Okay, read first line.

I-I don't understand.

Wait. Wait.

Ah. Now you read.

Read what?

Okay, we change.
Now you see?

Ah, yes, good.
Now which one better? One? Two?

Huh?
One, I think, yes. Ah!

One? Two?
Better now? Yes? No?

Which one better? Two, yes?
No. Stop, please.

Eye is fine.

Boy is problem.

Come, me fix.

Book.

Piece. Hmm?

Yes.

Look, Peter.
It was hiding there
the whole time.

Each piece knows
another's place. Hmm.

"In forest deep,

where many are one,

where roots are tied
and trunk undone,

in space between the dark
and light...

a piece is hidden,
in plain sight.

Held in safety for a king,

released by power held within."

Well,
that's a funny sort of rhyme.

It's a riddle.

To see, you must look.

Look around you. Ha!

I don't--
I don't see anything.

Close mouth, open eyes.

"Many are one."

"Many are one."
Hmm...

"Roots are tied."

This-- This isn't a forest.
This is just one big tree.

Ah!

Now you start to see.

Peter,
do you see anything?

Um, I'm not sure.

Oh, wait, look there!

I see it! I see it!

I see it.
Voilà!

How do I get it?

A king must arrive
at his power.

My power?
How do I do that?

Ah. Now, this is a question.

Come, we find answer.

Ah!

Mmm.

Lumen use power within
to help problem, hmm?

Close eyes.

Ask it when I'm going
to become queen.

This not a game.

Close eyes, concentrate.

Power flow from quiet mind.
Mmm.

Yes. Mmm.

Hmm? Mmm.

You did not concentrate.

Lumen done. Poof! Kaput!

I can't.
I just can't do it.

Mmm...

You have great fear.
Great, great fear.

Open mind. Let think flow.

Try again. Hmm.

Concentrate.

Breathe slowly.

Think slowly. Hmm.

Concentrate.

Think is flowing.

Concentrate.

Ooh la la.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I just can't. I can't do it.

Enough sorry.
Look, you do it already.

Peter, you did it!

Aha! Boy now working, mmm?

"Where time is ten
and two strokes end,

a boy will find the age of men.

Creatures blind,
a count of three,

a piece is hid
where eyes must see.

Kings head forth
to find the piece,

in times before
where man fought beast."

I believe it refers to
an ancient arena, sire.

A ruin from the time before.

The song to here
continues right by there.

Well, that must be
a very long song, Mr. Pling.

Not too long, Miss Verity.

If we skip
the instrumental part,
we can be there by morning.

Find pieces,
take to Citadel and fix clock
before great eye close. Mmm.

Okay, Pling,
lead the way.
Oh. Uh...

♪ From a garden good
Hidden in the wood ♪

♪ Moving in
The right direct-- ♪

♪ Perfection ♪

♪ Perfection ♪

We've arrived, sire.

What is it?
It's a kind of sundial,
an old way of telling the time.

What time does it say?

I'm afraid
it's too early to tell.

When the eye begins to close,

the shadow will move
about the dial

and the time after
will begin.

"When time is ten
and two strokes end."

Twelve.

Twelve.

XII is 12.

"A boy will find
the age of men."

What's the age of me?

I'm nine,
but the numbers are funny.

X is ten
and nine is one before ten.

Therefore, you are IX.

Here I am.

One and X.

"Boy will find the age of men."

If two strokes end,

then that'll make it 13.

But that doesn't make sense.

Thirteen?
Clocks only go to 12.

Excuse me, sire, if I may.

Many cultures consider 13
to be the age of men.

A time when childhood
is left behind.

You're right, Pling.

There must be a number 13
around here somewhere.

"Mark is scored with three.

A stone is hidden
where eyes must see."

The 13!

Yes!

Finally. Okay.

Okay, so, "Where eyes must see."

"Eyes must see." Come on.

What is it?

"When eyes must see."

The three blind mice.

Okay.

I got it!

Peter!
Verity!

Quickly, Miss Verity.

Peter!

Verity!

Okay.

If I make it there
in three seconds.

If I make it there.

Peter!

If I make it there.
I can make it there
in three seconds.

If I make it there
in three seconds.

Verity.

Leave my sister alone!

I am your king!

You will yield!

Please! Please,
forgive me, Your Majesty.

What are you
crying about?

You near frightened us
to death.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

I'm just so hungry.

We are most definitely not food.

I wa--
I wasn't going to eat you.

Honest.

I don't eat people.

I'm an empath.

I suppose you could say
I eat my feelings.

Probably how I got so big.

Oh, the shame!

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

I will accept any punishment
you see fit.

I deserve it.

It's okay. You're not
gonna be punished.

Really? Really?

Of course not.

Oh! Your Majesty,
thank you.

Thank you.

You are indeed
a great and generous king.

I am forever in your debt.

What is your name?

My name is
Navitatis Immutatio
Puerili Mendax.

You've changed.

It's true.
I'm changed, reformed even.

I promise I'll never scare
another soul.

No. He means
your body has transformed.

Oh, that.
That happens with age,
I'm afraid.

Lost elasticity.

I used to be able
to change into anything,

but these days,
I'm more comfortable
in larger, less fitted forms.

You can change
into anything?

This creature does not appear
anywhere in the prophecy, sire.

I'm not sure we can trust it.

But you can. I-I promise.
Cross my heart.

Please, sire,
let me come with you.

I can be quite useful.

We could do
with some transport.

Oh, I can be very fleet-footed.

This creature
could be dangerous.

Oh, I can fix that.

Safety first.

That's not what I meant.

Where to, Your Highness?

"East within the desert stands,

a temple carved
in mountain sands.

Within the tomb beyond the hall,

a clue is written on the wall.

Amongst the glyphs
with faces kin,

a piece is hidden deep within."

That looks to be
the Temple of Limbus.

To get there, we follow
the "Song of the East."

Starting from...

Oh, uh,

verse 138.

There is no time to waste.

♪ A hollow log
A tree that looks
Just like a frog ♪

♪ A cloven track, a hidden place
A boulder that looks
Like a face ♪

♪ Forest green to lichen log
Seven stones to mossy bog ♪

♪ Ruins two and fro is three
Set within a banyan tree ♪

♪ Wall-less window
Floorless door, a temple
Stood that is no more ♪

What is it,
Your Majesty?

Are you okay, Pling?

We are just going a little fast
for me to keep pace
with the lyrics.

I'll be okay, sire.

Uh, how about we take it
line by line?

Uh...
What's our next target?

Verse 187.

Mossy rock to gravel patch.

Your Majesty,
if I sprint to each mark,
we can save time.

Good thinking, Mendax.

I bet I can make it there
in three seconds.

Sorry, what did you say?

Oh, it's nothing,
Your Majesty.

Um, just a game I play
with myself sometimes.

I pick a target
and try to make it there.

It's silly, really.

Makes me feel better
when I feel uneasy.

You do that?
I do that too!

You do?

Yeah.
Okay, we leave on three.

One, two, three.
One, two, three.

Yes!

Oh!

Okay.
What's the next line?

Uh, 200 paces
right to the thatch.

Okay, on three.

One, two, three.
One, two, three.

This is the best adventure ever!

It's not an adventure.

It's a quest!

Yes!

Right, sire.

I'm glad you agree, Pling.

No, we need to go right.

The Shroud army.

It has been here before us.

They are searching
for the pieces.

Looks like they failed.
It's still on here.

Your Majesty,
how can you be sure
the artifact is here?

The compass is attracted
to the hidden pieces.

Your Majesty,
I could do with a rest
after the journey.

Besides, small spaces
make me feel rather uneasy.

That's okay, Mendax.
You stay here and keep watch.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

"East within the desert stands,

a temple carved
in mountain sands.

Within a room beyond the hall,

a clue is written on the wall."

A place beyond the hall.

It's just ruins.

This is hopeless.
We're never gonna find
the next piece.

Whoa!

Did it see you?

Who goes there?
Show yourself.

Shh. Maybe they'll go away.

I'll go out. You stay.

I said show yourself.

I told you not to move.
No, wait! Stop!

Verity, wait!

Hello, I'm Verity,
and this is Peter.

- And that ball over there is Pling.
- Oh.

They seem quite friendly.

Not like foe.

Come on out. I cannot know.

Don't be afraid.
We won't hurt you.

I'm not coming out.
There might be more.

Oh, come on out,
you curmudgeonly bore.

This is a bad idea.

Oh, my!

Kneel, you dimwit!
Did you not look?

If a knee is took,
I'll crick my crook.

It's the king, you fool.
Can't you see?

Oh, my goodness.

Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.

Please, you don't
have to do that.

But are you not
the prophesized king?

Well, of course he is.
Look, he holds the thing.

Yes, he is.
But he still doesn't
really believe it yet.

Oh... A man of the people.
True humility.

A king, indeed,
of great ability.

I am Verity.

Pleased to meet you.
It's an honor indeed.

You are truth itself,
I must concede.

You're both so funny.
What are your names?

I am Ego.
And that is Ergo.

We are humbled
by your presence,
Your Majesty.

How may we be of service?

Well, you can't
unless you can tell me
how to find the clue.

Ah, yes, uh, the clue.

The clue.
Uh, it was on a wall.

Ah, it sat right there
just before the fall.

What do you know about it?

Ooh, there is much to know.

We know a part.

I shall tell it
from the start. Hmm?

♪ Misery ♪

♪ Misery ♪

Don't do the drama.

Just tell them.

He's doing the drama.

Always with the drama.

In temple deep
by sea of night,

beasts of two
with wings of flight,

when gazed upon
with distant sight,

reveal a code
when turned to fight.

Thank you. Thank you.

Great. Another riddle.
What does it even mean?

Well, I interpret it to mean
that there is a temple.

On the edge of a sea
as black as night.

Possibly,
but there is most definitely
a temple involved.

And in that temple,

there are two
magnificent creatures.

What does that mean?

Well, um, the king
asked you a question.

What does it mean?

Well,
I'm not quite sure.

We haven't got time
for this.

Oh, I do apologize for him,
Your Majesty.

I see you are vexed.
Never fear, sire.

I'm working
on the subtext.

Peter, you are being very rude.
They just want to help.

Well, they're not.

And I'm sorry,
but we're running out of time,

and we need to find
the next puzzle piece.

This is hopeless.

You're being like you used to.

I thought you were going
to be brave.

Why would you think that?
I'm not brave.

You go around telling everyone
how afraid of everything I am.

And I am. I agree.
I'm terrified.

Just because you're scared
doesn't mean you're not brave.

Look at all those things
you've done, even though
you were scared.

What did I do, Verity?
Tell me, what did I do?

You came in after me
when your bed fell
into The Below.

You jumped in when that thing
attacked us in the cave

and I went down
the slippery slide.

And you saved me
when Mendax was being all scary,

even though
there were cracks everywhere.

That's why you're being brave.

You did all those things
even though you were scared.

Now, everyone gets scared,

but not everyone
does brave things.

What should we do, sire?

I don't know.

I'm going outside
to make Mendax
into a proper unicorn.

Do you think the unicorn
was a metaphor?

Her context seemed
quite literal.

Wait.

Two winged beasts.

Oh! Yes. Griffins.

Are those the winged beasts
you spoke of?

I suppose they could be.

Indeed, they should be.

Pling, what do the symbols
underneath read?

I'm not sure.

I've never seen symbols
like this before.

Tell me the clue again.

In temple deep, on sea of night,

beasts of two
with wings of flight,

when gazed upon
with distant sight,

reveal a code
when turned to fight.

"Gazed upon with distant sight."

Distant sight.
What am I missing?

Uh, the chamber is quite small.

I don't see how it is possible
to see these from a distance.

That's it! Distant sight.

Pling, relax your eyes
and look up at the wall.

Look beyond the griffins.

Do you see it?

Oh, I see. Yes.

Pling, tell me the symbols.

Uh...

Oh, uh...

"M" with a tail.

Two arcs with a cross.

A squiggly something.

A squiggly line
or squiggle with a dot on top?

A squiggle with a dot.

Oh...

Um, uh...

A horseshoe with a line

and a circle with a tail.

Oh, yes! Yes!

Yes!

Peter!

Verity!

Miss Verity!
She needs our help.

I concur.
That was her yelp.

Peter!

Let her go!

I said let her go!

The pieces to the great clock...

...you will give them to me.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

I don't know.

Where is the last artifact?

I don't know!

I don't know!
I haven't found it yet!

Attack!

Miss Verity.

Let go.

Whoa!

For glory!
Or death!

Oh, we missed out again.

I told you so.

We missed out
because you're too slow.

Yes!

Yes, we did it!

I shall write a song
of this great battle, sire.

Your deeds shall be sung
far and wide.

What are you talking about?
You didn't even see it.

Quiet, you philistine.

Great art
does not require witness.

It feels funny.

What? What is it?
What's wrong?

She doesn't have much time.

Much time?
What are you talking about?
She's fine.

Right? Right, Verity?
It feels really funny,
Peter.

Pling, what do we do?
You must find the final piece
and get to the Citadel.

Piece? No, we have to help her.
We need to take her to someone.

Mendax is correct, Peter.

The prophecy states
that the fallen
will only be released

when the great clock
is restarted.

Am I going to be a statue,
Peter?

I don't want
to be a statue.

Pling, this happens, right?
This is part of the prophecy.

I can't move my fingers.

Yes, you can. Show me.

I can't.

No.

Mendax, wings.

We'll fly north.

♪ In Distant North
Where ocean bounds ♪

♪ A land alone
Where sky meets ground ♪

Ah, this is the life.

Sun on my face.
Wind in my hair.

Oh, what are you talking about?
You don't have any hair.

Ugh, you're ruining
the moment.

Smell that air.

I don't like this.

Oh, try living with him.

I mean flying.

Upon thy wing a king doth ride,

a perilous flight
to mountain spied.

Can you stop that?

"Peril" is not a word one wants
to hear at great heights.

Statistically speaking,
flying is the safest form
of transport.

M-Miss Verity.

Peter, she must not sleep.

Verity, wake up.

I'm really tired.

Verity,
you have to stay awake.

Peter, your compass.

"Where sky meets ground."
The mountain, that's it!

I see it, Your Majesty.

Come on, Mendax.

Everyone, hold tight.

This place looks familiar.

I feel we've been here before.
Don't you?

Absolutely, I concur.
Déjà vu.

- Peter.
- Don't speak.

Verity, we're here.
There's another piece here.

I'm so tired, Peter.
I'm just gonna have a rest.

No, you can't do that.

You have to stay awake
just a little bit longer.

But I can't feel my feet.

Peter, you have to remember.

Remember what?

You have to remember me.

No, no.
Verity, just stay awake.

Look,
I'll be right back.

Verity?

Verity, wake up.

Mendax, stay with her.
Keep watch.

Of course, Your Majesty.

We'll stay too.
She shall not sleep.

There will be no counting
of the sheep.

Your Majesty,
there is something
I must tell you,

but I can't recall.

Alas, we've hit a wall.
Whatever it is, it has to wait.

Come on, Pling.

What do I do?

I'm not sure.

Oh...

Ah. Something just happened.

Oh, okay. I get it now.
It's just a game of memory.

We have to match the symbols.

Whoa!

Peter!

Pling, are you okay?

It seems there may be
consequences to losing.

I think
you might be right.

Peter.

Come on, come on,
come on, come on.

Yeah.

Yes!

I've got this. I've got this.

Oh! Whoa! Peter.

Pling, tell me the part
of the prophecy that says
we don't die here.

Oh, well, in the prophecy,

the king makes it all the way
to the Citadel.

Then there's nothing
to be afraid of, right?

Mmm... Uh...

Um...

Well...

...it's just that
many of the events

that have occurred
on our journey

are not in the prophecy.

Wait, so what do you mean?

The-- The book
and the pieces and...

Wait, if this isn't part
of the prophecy,

then that means
I'm not the chosen king.

I knew it!

I knew it.

I mean, then
why are you still here?
I mean, why?

Why are you here with me,

risking your life,

when you know
that I'm not the king?

Because you are my friend,
and...

and I believe in you.

Hmm.

There are two possible
combinations left.

You can do this.

Oh, please, please, please.

Yes!

Yes, yes!

Yes! We did it!

You did it, Peter.

Oh...

How did you do?

It wasn't there.

Is it possible
you may have missed it?

What are you doing?

Back up, you oaf.

Mendax, move now.

Very well.

Peter.

Verity.
Verity, I'm here.

You have to see now.

Peter, you have to see.

See?
What do I have to see?

Verity!

Verity!

Verity!

Verity!

No!

A king, he stands
with trouble on high,

with heavy heart
and teary eye,

but to save the truth,
he again must fly.

Stop it.
Read your audience.

This is no time
for your dramatics.

It's the requiem,

my favorite
of all the prophetic prose.

The next part
is really rather lovely.

Cathartic, actually.

Oh, yes! Oh!

That's right!

I remember now.

This is the part
where he throws the book.

Exactly.

The book!
The book!

Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!

Oh. Oh, no.

A beautiful moment.

The death of certainty.

And at the same time,
rebirth.

Oh! Hurry.
We must tell him the rest.

The rest of what?

Don't go that way.
It's too high.

- This way's quicker.
- Ow!

Oh, my!

I think
we broke something.

We?

You!
You broke something.

Get your hand
out of my face.

You okay?

The missing piece.

Ah!

That's where we put it.

Oh...
You had it all along?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

That's what
I was trying to recall.

I didn't know
it was there at all.

You seem to have dropped this,
Your Majesty.

The final part.

"In the Citadel awaits,

a final test, a shrouded fate,

only the face of truth within."

What is it, Peter?

"Only the face of truth within

can release a fallen king.

In the presence of the clock,

puzzle complete will unlock,

but only in a king's domain,

shall the key within be gained.

With tiny key and bravest heart,

time when wound again
will start."

Oh...

The prophecy says
that when the great clock
is restored,

the fallen will be released.

Mendax,
we're going to the Citadel.

Very well, Your Majesty.

We shall stay
and watch over her.

Besides,
we're not really dressed
for the Citadel.

Where to now?

We are
in the Treasury Square.

The tower is located
just ahead.

Yes.
Yes, that is correct.

It was here
that the great battle
for The Below was fought.

You seem to know a lot
about this place.

Oh, I've heard the stories.

Your kinfolk
fought most gallantly,
young Pling.

Although, in the end,
their sacrifice
was rather... unnecessary.

- The gauntlet!
- Indeed.

The gauntlet?
What gauntlet?

Armored sentinels
that guard the tower.

They are impenetrable.

And you wait until now
to tell me this?

I only just remembered.

Not even the Shroud himself
was able to defeat them.

Only a true king
will be permitted to pass.

Then this is about
to be over real quick.

Come, Your Majesty.

We've made it this far.

Halt!

Who goes there?

My lords,

I present to you Peter,
King of The Below.

Eyes.

Hmm... Interesting.

What is it?

I believe it's a child.

A mild what?

No, I said a child.

I am Peter.

Ears.

Yes, sir. Here, sir.

What is he saying?

It's a child, sir.

I said, I am Peter.

I have come to--
A child, you say?

We're running out of time.

I command you to let us pass.

Let us through, you oafs.

Oh! Shh, shh, shh.

Forgive us.

What was that last part again?

I-- I command you
to let us pass.

Oh, he's thrown down
the gauntlet.

You gotta
hand it to him.

He must have
some big hands.

You know what they say--

Big hands, big glass.
Big glass.

The prophecy must be fulfilled.

Mendax.

That beast
has no power here.

Get ahold of yourselves.
You are in the presence of--

Only the king shall pass.

Well, I am that king.

Boss...

A false claim of kinghood
is punishable by death.

If you are the king,
you will prove your power,

or you will be destroyed.

Well, how do I prove my power?

A king does not ask how.

Oh...

Then I--

I-- I challenge you to a game.

What sort of game?

A game of...

Oh...

...rock, paper, scissors.

Challenge accepted.

Oh.

Three rounds.

Best of three.

If you win, you shall pass.

If you do not, you shall perish.

Okay. We throw on three.

Acceptable.

One.

Two.

Three.

He's gone scissors.

We saw that one coming.

Blind Freddy
could see that one coming.

No, I couldn't.

That is one point,
us.

Oh...

One.

Two.

Three.

That is two points, us.
But scissors beats paper.

Two points, us.

That's cheating.
All decisions are final.

You have one turn left.

Maybe don't go scissors again.

One.

Hurry up, child.

Stop stalling.

One.

Two.

Three.

What is that?

It's dynamite.

Dynamite?
He's cheating.

Fall in.

Attack.

Oh, my goodness.

"In the presence of a clock,

puzzle complete will unlock,

but only in a king's domain,

shall the key within be gained.

With tiny key and bravest heart,

time when wound again
will start."

Almost there.

I-I don't understand.

Why isn't it working?

You've come this far, Peter.

Maybe-- Maybe I just have
to think outside the box.

There's
that peculiar saying again.

I'm still not sure
I understand it.

It means to
see something differently,

to find a new solution.

Uh, Pling, do you know
what a king's domain is?

Uh, I'm not sure
I understand the question.

A king's domain...

is a castle.

Oh, my!

That is how
you think outside the box.

Pling--

Pling.

Well done, Your Majesty.

Mendax? What have you done?

Fear is such a powerful emotion.

It can literally
make you freeze.

What are you?

I am the sands of time.

I am the chains that bind.

I am everything you do not see.

I am what you make of me.

You're the Shroud!

Yes.

You are indeed
a wise little king.

You lied to me!
I thought you were my friend!

You used me!
You used me to get the pieces
and to find the key!

And still you do not see.

Why have you done this?

You did this, Peter.

You made me.

I am your fear.

But I could be so much more.

For I can become anger.

I can become rage.

I know what pains you, Peter.

I know what you keep
buried below.

Show yourself!

What form shall I take?

Show yourself, you coward!

Coward?

If I show myself
in three seconds,
nothing bad will happen, right?

I command you to show yourself!

Will I? Won't I?

What does the prophecy say?

What happens next?

Looking for something?

Watch out for the cracks, Peter.

With each panicked breath,
each frenzied heartbeat,

I grow stronger.

Let me be more.

Let me free of this Below
and let me be all
you need me to be.

What do you see, Peter?

Verity! Wait!

It's magic.

It's only been a year, and I'm
still dealing with this.

This family loses too much.

Verity!

No!

So now you see.

The clock
will never be restored.
The time before is over.

Only I can give you
the control you crave.

You need me.

I control you.

I own you.

Not anymore.

I own me.

It's over, Pling.

Oh, my.

It's done.

It is as the prophecy foretold.

I told you
we were underdressed.

You said
a tire was suitable.

No, I said we needed
suitable attire.

Hello.
Hello.

Verity!

I'm proud of you.

You did the brave thing.

You saw
what you needed to see.

Does this mean
I get to be queen now,
Mr. Pling?

Yes, Miss Verity.

You have to let me go now,
Peter.

Yeah, mate, we're gonna have
this room fixed up
before you know it.

Did you do--

I guess the light
got in.

Dad, close your eyes
and tell me what you see.

Okay, so, it was crazy.

Um, I was sitting on the bed,
just in the middle of the night,

and suddenly,
it fell down straight through.

Uh...

Oh, oh, oh. Uh--