INT. an office/sometime in the future – DAY
A cloth with Native American designs is spread out on a desk. Various Indian artifacts sit on top of the cloth. A man is at the desk, but we can’t see his face. He’s wearing a Native American vest. His long grey hair drapes over the vest. A time-worn, shaky hand reaches for a metal, sand dollar-sized family crest attached to a cord necklace. The man puts the necklace around his neck. The crest has a castle with an egret superimposed over it and Japanese writing. The man speaks.
NARRATOR (O.S.)
I was once a great fighter but that was a long time ago. Now I’m old and all of my battles take place behind this desk, where my skills I’m afraid . . .
SIGH
. . .aren’t so great. My memory is pretty much intact though, and I have an unforgettable tale I’d like to share with you.
The man places the artifacts in the center of the cloth, and bundles up the cloth.
NARRATOR (O.S.)
There was once a unique warrior who like myself came from a distant time. It was a miraculous machine that brought him to my world one day.
The man ties the cloth. We get a good look at the castle crest.
He was on the verge of dying . . . his life had been filled with such tragedy. His name was Hiro “Hero” Yamada, and his story began 2 centuries before I was even born.
EXT. Himeji(year 1820), a Japanese castle town – DAY
Hiro Yamada, a Samurai swordsman,(25), a guy who could cream a unit of Navy Seals on his worst day, crashes through a reed patch into a clearing. Bodies litter a blood-stained field. There’s a white castle in the background. Hiro sees another Samurai ready to cut off the head of a man dressed like a noble, on his knees. The kneeling mans eye’s plead with Hiro. The “executioner” pauses while 2 new Samurai rush at Hiro with their swords poised for attack. Hiro takes out a small sword, dodges the first Samurai’s attack, and at the same time buries the small blade in his opponent’s chest. Hiro then spins with his long sword drawn like he’s a participant in an Olympic hammer throw, drops to his knees and cuts through the second Samurai’s legs. He then rushes at the executioner, who raises his sword above the kneeling noble’s neck. Hiro heaves his long sword like a spear and sends the executioner to his maker, but not before the executioner’s sword deals a lethal blow to the noble. Hiro pulls his long sword from dead man and wipes the blood from the blade as he sheaths it. He bows deeply to the body of the kneeling man.
SCREAMING
Hiro turns his head back toward the reed patch and sees the castle burning. His eyes grow with horror. Hiro runs in the direction of the smoke. He passes through a town, people are running around frantically. Some, trip over bodies. A frightened villager points to the sky at a helicopter and shrugs his shoulders. Hiro soon comes to within twenty-five feet of a house and stops. A Ninja, wearing a black outfit, whose face we can’t see clearly, emerges from the house dragging a sack. The Ninja stops after a few feet and stands up straight. The Ninja, whose nose and mouth are covered looks at Hiro and reveals his blue eyes. Hiro looks surprised, draws his sword and runs at the “Caucasian” Ninja. The Ninja tosses a smoke bomb at Hiro. Hiro fights his way through the smoke and arrives where the Ninja was, only to find the space empty. Hiro turns his attention back toward the house, and bolts through the entrance. Hiro’s face screams in Japanese.
NOTE: THE NINJA PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE STORY
Hiro
Noooooooooooooooooooo!
We don’t know what Hiro’s looking at. Hiro drops to his knees, plants his sword in the ground hilt first, and throws his body on the sword. Silhouetted figures can be seen coming through the door in the background. TONGA TOATUI, (31) comes into view. Tonga could be mistaken for Bigfoot in a human suit. His Maori facial tattoos look more like tiger stripes than decorations. A large club and Samurai clothes complete this warrior’s ensemble.
TONGA
We’re too late, I think they’re all dead.
Tonga runs over to a man on the ground in a pool of blood. The man, Army captain Doug Duncan, is dressed like a Japanese peasant. A pistol lays next to him. Tonga shakes his head.
TONGA
Duncan’s had it.
ZENA, (23), a savage beauty who could kill with both her looks and bare hands, appears behind Tonga and looks around the room. She’s wearing the outfit of a female Samurai, only she is carrying a “reverse” bow with arrows.
ZENA
The others. Check just to make sure.
Tonga moves out of sight examining the room. He ends up next to Hiro, waving a small cell phone-like device over his body. Hiro groans and moves slightly.
TONGA
This one’s only been down two minutes!
ZENA
Better hurry. Where’s Sergeant Stods? He was supposed to make sure this didn’t happen.
Tonga shrugs and then bends over to pick up Hiro.
TONGA
Thought you’d commit Hara Kiri Samurai, well Today’s your lucky day.
Zena looks around the room one last time, then at Hiro.
ZENA
Well, if we can save this one, the mission won’t be a total bust.
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