INT. LADY TREMAINE'S OFFICE - DAY
Merida slouches in the chair before Lady Tremain's desk.
LADY TREMAINE
Thieves seem to be alarmingly abundant behind these walls. Do you have anything to say for yourself?
MERIDA
What's the point? It never matters.
LADY TREMAINE
Very well. Your punishment is to polish the equipment you fancy so much until you can see every detail of your untamed mane on every surface. Carry along.
INT. SPORTS EQUIPMENT CLOSET - DAY
With a bucket and rag in hand, Merida opens the door to the sports equipment closet and halts.
A handful of other girls stop what they're doing, swords, shields and other weapons frozen midair, their frolicking battle interrupted. Merida savors the sight of it. Her bucket drops to the floor.
MERIDA
Mind if I join you?
INT. DANCE STUDIO - DAY
Dance instructors LUMIÈRE and FIFI stand before the student dancers.
LUMIÈRE
You all were inspiring, truly. Some more than others.
His eyes flick over to Drizella and Anastasia who cling onto each other in anticipation.
LUMIÈRE
We shall deliberate and you will know if you have made the team by--
Cinderella runs into the dance studio wearing dazzling dance attire. Aurora waits outside the window.
CINDERELLA
Wait! Please! I want to audition.
DRIZELLA
She can't do that.
ANASTASIA
She's late. It's against the rules.
FIFI
At Highcastle, everyone is allowed an opportunity to showcase their potential. (to Cinderella) Make the most of it.
CINDERELLA
Thank you.
She looks at Aurora. Aurora starts the music. Cinderella closes her eyes, takes a breath, and dances. It's magical. Jacques stands to attention. He recognizes those moves.
JACQUES
It's her.
Anastasia and Drizella exchange horrified looks. This cannot be happening. All eyes are on Cinderella as she moves, in her element. In slow motion, she leaps into the air, soaring. Born for this moment.
INT. DINING HALL - NIGHT
Mulan is discussing strategy with Li as they head out of the dining hall.
MULAN
Getting that flag is impossible for me. I don't understand how you make it look so effortless.
LI
Lots of practice, scars, and an unfortunate amount of splinters. You'll get it eventually. You just have to do what works best for you.
Kronk and Kuzko join them.
KRONK
Hey, you guys want to chill in my chamber tonight? Party at Kuzko's.
MULAN
Sorry, I can't. Beat from practice.
KUZKO
Don't be such a baby. Hey, let's take a selfie of the newest legends of Highcastle. Those other teams don't stand a chance.
He takes out his phone and pulls Mulan in for the shot, Kronk and Li crowding around them. Mulan tries to squirm out of the shot as Kuzko goes to click the Magic Mirror Camera.
MULAN
Maybe some other time. I'm a mess.
KUZKO
We can't all be this handsome. Prince Kuzko on three. One, two...
The camera focuses on their faces, identifying them. Identifying Mulan.
KRONK
Camera must be busted. That says Mulan. Clearly, that's Uh.
The boys look at her, confused.
LI
Mulan?
Mulan stares back at him, lost for words.
YOU ARE READING
Crowns of Highcastle
Teen FictionWelcome to Highcastle Academy, the "magical" school where dreams come true. Promising students travel from all over the world of Disney for a chance to fulfill their destiny and become who they were born to be. Some are legacies, hoping to step in w...
