EXT. BATTLE ISLAND - DAY
A grassland clearing. Nothing around for miles. The only sound, the gunshots of opposing players in the vast distance.
The ground begins to shake. The ground tears itself apart outward. A plethora of weapons ranging from guns to knives to grenades to rocket launchers spew from the torn earth and piles around the area.
EXT. BATTLE ISLAND, ROCK RIDGE - DAY
The Phoenix Squad and Jacqueline sit around a fire staring at each other.
TYLER
Are… are we going to talk about… the elephant in the room?
GREG
You mean about whether or not we can trust her.
Greg motions to Jacqueline.
BAILEY
We don’t need to. I can tell you everything about this bitch.
Jacqueline stands up. Bailey does the same.
JACQUELINE
What did you call me?
BAILEY
You heard me. Bitch.
Jacqueline pulls out her Katana and Bailey pulls out her spear. The two prepare to fight but Daniel gets in between them.
DANIEL
Stop it. No one is fighting. Bailey, I don’t care what happened between you and her in the past. As far as I am concerned, that’s behind us. She saved our lives. Now apologize to her.
Bailey stares at Daniel in mild shock.
DANIEL
Bailey.
BAILEY
(Sigh)
I’m sorry for calling you a bitch.
The two women sit back down.
DANIEL
We have a bigger problem now. The Focal is no longer a neutral zone. Boss must be discovering his power.
JACQUELINE
Hey, yeah excuse me, who the hell is this Boss guy? You all seem to know him personally? Was he a member of your squad?
The group stares at Jacqueline.
JOEL
We should tell her.
GREG
We don’t know how she’ll take it.
JOEL
She saved our lives. We owe her that much.
GREG
You’re just saying that because you like her.
JOEL
Maybe. Maybe I’m just a good guy.
JACQUELINE
Tell me what exactly?
The group sits in silence.
DANIEL
Jacqueline. There’s something you should know.
INT. THE FOCAL - DAY
The Focal has been restored to its former condition. Players are out and about doing their business. Boss leans against the second-floor railing watching the crowd of players. Adrian joins him.
BOSS
Anything?
ADRIAN
Multiple squads have claimed that they saw them but no, nothing.
BOSS
Mmmm.
ADRIAN
We'll get them. Our allies are mobilized and ready to fight them.
BOSS
Good.
ADRIAN
There is another thing.
BOSS
Yes?
ADRIAN
A large deposit of weapons was detected in the grasslands.
BOSS
The grasslands? No one fights there.
ADRIAN
No one’s been there.
BOSS
These weapons could prove useful. With them, we can destroy Daniel and his friends.
ADRIAN
Unless they know about the weapons. For all we know, every player or squad knows about it.
BOSS
Then we better act fast. Tell our allies to meet us there.
Adrian nods and walks away.
EXT. BATTLE ISLAND, ROCK RIDGE - DAY
Jacqueline stares in shock at the group.
JACQUELINE
Let me get this straight, all of this... is a simulation.
Daniel nods.
JACQUELINE
Ummmmmm ok. Ok, that’s... not life changing news at all.
Jacqueline stood up.
JACQUELINE
I’m gonna go take a walk. Process this.
Jacqueline walks away.
GREG
I don't think she took it pretty well.
DANIEL
She knows now. It's important that she knew now that she’s with us.
BAILEY
Can we talk about that?
DANIEL
There’s nothing to talk about. She’s with us.
Jacqueline stands on top of a large boulder overlooking the coast. Joel climbs the boulder and joins her.
JOEL
You ok?
JACQUELINE
Why would I be ok? I just found out that everything about my life is fake and I’m just sitting in some pod.
Pause.
JOEL
I was going to say something comforting, but I can’t think of anything.
Jacqueline gives a slight smile.
JACQUELINE
Sorry about what happened at the Focal.
JOEL
No, I’m sorry. I now know that brushing the hair off of a girl's face only works in the movies.
Jacqueline chuckles.
JOEL
Why the katana?
JACQUELINE
What?
JOEL
Well, everyone here uses guns. It’s easier. But you, you use a katana? Why?
JACQUELINE
Because my favorite movie is Kill Bill.
JOEL
You like Kill Bill?
JACQUELINE
I like every Tarantino movie.
Joel stares at Jacqueline.
JACQUELINE
What?
JOEL
Where have you been all my life?
JACQUELINE
Excuse me.
JOEL
Look, I’ve dated a lot of women. Well, actually I haven’t since you know, all of this isn’t real but anyway, none of them made me feel the way I feel now. But you do. Jacqueline… I think I lo-
JACQUELINE
Let me stop you right there. Look, I’ll admit, you are slightly attractive, and I can see us being one of those cool couples. But think for a second. This isn’t real. Remember?
JOEL
Of course, it isn’t real. It’s a simulation.
JACQUELINE
Exactly, so in the real world, we might be completely different.
JOEL
I’ve been in the real world and I’m the same.
JACQUELINE
Even so, do you really think dating is something we should be thinking about? I mean, we have to stop this Boss guy.
JOEL
Daniel and Bailey are dating.
JACQUELINE
And that’s their choice.
JOEL
I’m sorry I’m confused. Are we doing this or not?
JACQUELINE
No. At least... not yet.
The two stand in awkward silence.
JOEL
Huh, I really thought this was gonna be a moment.
Tyler appears at the base of the boulder.
TYLER
You two need to see something.
The three rejoin the group. In front of them, a 3D hologram floats in midair. It is displaying a plethora of weapons.
JOEL
What is that?
DANIEL
We don’t know. It showed up a few hours ago.
GREG
All those weapons. We could take out all of Boss’ squad.
BAILEY
If we want them, we need to move fast.
She swipes the map and multiple red dots appear to be converging on the weapons pile.
TYLER
That is a lot of people.
BAILEY
As I said, if we want any of those weapons, we need to go now.
DANIEL
Ok, here’s the plan…
The group listens intently.
DANIEL
We go in, grab the supplies, and we get the hell out of there.
GREG
Great plan.
The group loads their gear, get on dirt bikes, and drive off.
EXT. BATTLE LAND, THE GRASSLANDS - DAY
The Phoenix Squad stands at the outskirts of the woods in the Grasslands. In front of them, is the weapons pile.
DANIEL
Looks like we’re the first ones here.
BAILEY
Let’s go.
Bailey steps out into the clearing. There are gunshots and bullets hit right in front of her feet. Bailey stops. The group joins her. They look over where the gunfire came from. Standing near them is Claire and the Sisterhood.
BAILEY
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
CLAIRE
Nice to see you again girlfriend. You too Daniel.
DANIEL
How the hell are you all alive?
CLAIRE
Don’t know, don't care. All I know is that I can finally get some payback. And also, a shitload of weapons.
Bailey turns to Daniel.
BAILEY
You guys go get the weapons. I’ve got this.
JACQUELINE
WE got this.
Jacqueline stands next to Bailey. The two nod at each other in agreement.
DANIEL
Let’s go.
Daniel and the others are running towards the weapons pile but gunfire hits near their feet. They stop. Near them on the other side of the clearing, is Winston.
DANIEL
Oh c’mon.
GREG
You know that guy?
JOEL
That's the guy that Daniel killed during our supply run.
DANIEL
I didn’t kill him.
WINTON
No, you just pushed me on a piece of rebar.
DANIEL
Ok look I’m sorry. But hey, you’re alive now so can we just forget the past.
WINTON
Okay.
DANIEL
Great, we’re just gonna go get some weapons.
WINSTON
I don’t think so.
Winston points his rifle at the men.
WINSTON
Those weapons are mine.
The Phoenix Squad, the Sisterhood, and Winston face each other. Each side gripping their weapons.
Suddenly squads and players emerge from the woods and into the clearing. They run towards the weapons pile.
Bailey and Jacqueline run at Claire and the Sisterhood. Bailey pulls out her spear and Jacqueline unsheathes her katana. Daniel and the others run towards the weapons pile. Winston also runs towards it.
The massive number of players reach the pile of weapons and all hell breaks loose. Players fight each other and vaporize all while trying to get weapons.
Bailey stabs some members of the Sisterhood and Jacqueline slices some others. Claire makes an ax materialize and she swings it at Bailey who blocks it with her spear.
Daniel, Joel, and Tyler gather weapons and Greg shoots players. Joel picks up a Glock.
JOEL
I’ve missed you.
Joel loads it and shoots two players who vaporize. Tyler is tackled by a player. He reaches for the nearest weapons and grabs a hunting knife. He stabs the player and the player vaporizes.
Greg’s gun clicks and he tries reloading.
GREG
Shit, I’m out.
Tyler looks around. He sees a chainsaw and picks it up.
TYLER
Greg!
Tyler tosses the chainsaw and Greg catches it. He revs it up.
GREG
Groovy.
Greg swings the chainsaw and takes out multiple players.
Daniel continues gathering weapons. He is hit by a bullet and falls over. His health bar goes down. Winston approaches him with his rifle raised. Daniel grabs his rifle, but Winston shoots it out of his hand. He shoots Daniel two more times and his health bar gets lower. Winton stands over Daniel. He lowers his gun. It dematerializes and is replaced with a piece of rebar.
WINSTON
Payback time.
Winston raises the rebar. Daniel looks around and sees a tomahawk. He grabs it and swings it into Winston’s knee.
Winston cried out in pain. He drops the rebar behind him. Daniel pulls the tomahawk out and kicks Winston who falls back onto the rebar which implies him and causes him to vaporize. Daniel stands up and continues gathering weapons.
Bailey’s spear and Claire's ax are locked together. Bailey headbutts Claire who stumbles backward. Bailey is hit by Victoria with an arrow. Bailey falls to the ground. Victoria loads another arrow into her crossbow and aims at Bailey. Jacqueline appears behind her and sticks her katana through her chest. Victoria vaporizes. Jacqueline walks over to Bailey and helps her up.
BAILEY
Thanks.
JACQUELINE
No problem.
The two girls raise their weapons and continue fighting.
At the pile, Daniel picks up more weapons. Joel shoots his Glock, Tyler stabs players with his knife and Greg eviscerates with his chainsaw. Each player they hit vaporizes.
Daniel picks up a grenade. He turns around and comes face to face with Boss.
BOSS
Hello.
Boss punches Daniel and he falls to the ground. He gets back up and pulls out the tomahawk.
BOSS
Nice weapon. I brought my own.
Boss taps his wrist and a mace appears in his hand. Daniel runs toward him and swings his tomahawk. Boss blocks it with his mace. Boss swings his mace and Daniel blocks it with difficulty. The two continue blocking and striking blows at one another.
Daniel catches Boss' mace with his tomahawk and disarms him. He swings and hits Boss in the arm. Boss falls to the ground.
BOSS
Nice one.
Daniel raises his tomahawk.
BOSS
But that’s not my only weapon.
Boss raises his hands towards the sky. It turns green. Dark grey clouds form in the sky creating a vortex. All the players stop and stare at the sky.
Daniel lowers his tomahawk.
DANIEL
What... in... the-
A concentrated bolt of green lighting strikes Boss. Instead of disintegrating, he absorbs it. The green bolt continues striking him and Boss continues absorbing the energy. He stands up.
There is a silent calm. Then, green bolts of lightning emit from Boss body and strike hundreds of players vaporizing them.
Joel, Tyler, and Greg dodge the bolts as do Bailey and Jacqueline.
More players are struck by Boss’ green lightning. Boss turns his focus towards Daniel. He raises his hand and a bolt of green lightning emits from his fingertips. The bolt hit Daniel and sends him soaring backwards. He lands on his back unconscious.
The remaining players retreat from the weapons pile which is less than it was before.
Boss walks towards Daniel. Green electricity dances across his body. He raises his hand. Bailey runs toward him and throws her spear. It hits Boss in the leg. Bailey jumps and kicks Boss in the chest sending him stumbling backward. Jacqueline joins Bailey, her katana raised towards Boss. Boss raises his hands.
Behind him. Joel shoots his Glock and hits Boss whose health bar lowers. He turns around. Joel reloads his Glock; Tyler points his knife and Greg raises his chainsaw.
Boss is surrounded by the Phoenix Squad.
BOSS
Until we meet again.
Boss vanishes in a flash of electrical green light. The Phoenix Squad are the only remaining players in the Grasslands.
Bailey runs over to Daniel’s unconscious body and gets on her knees.
BAILEY
Daniel? Daniel?
Bailey shakes Daniel. Daniel doesn't stir.
BAILEY
Daniel!
Bailey begins tearing up and begins shaking him harder. Joel pulls her back.
JOEL
Bailey-
Bailey starts crying. The Phoenix Squad kneels down next to Daniel’s body.
END.