(This scene opens November 15th; two years later 1996. The “Boys” have finished up a concert in New York and are drying off backstage. Brian and Nick are on stools, when a knock is heard on the backstage doors)
Nick: (towel drying his hair) Come in!
Brian: (steps off his stool, leaving the towel on it) Strange how someone got this far without being cornered by our bodyguards.
AJ: (to the intruder) If you’re any newspaper, news crew or media member, take a hike!
Nick: Hey J, be nice it could be fans.
AJ: Or some sicko ready to take photos they can later post up on the net.
Nick: (confused) why are you so paranoid?
AJ: Because we’ve dealt with every kind of bastard there is.
Nick: (shakes his head and jumps off the stool) I’m letting him in.
(Nick brushes past Brian to open the door, but instead the door opens on it’s own and there stands a man with long blue hair and orange eyes) Who…(The man walks in)
Man: No time for this foolishness… you are the Backstreet Boys and I am the husband of the woman who gave the amulets to you. It is time for you to train, it has been too long already.
Nick: Leanna never mentioned a husband.
Brian: Maybe not, but he’s here and I’m anxious to find out our purpose so lets go. (Everyone finishes drying off and they take the man to a gym a few blocks from the arena)
(The scene takes us into the gym where the man is standing in front of the “Boys” sternly)
Man: I am Astrick.
(Each of the “Boys” greet and state their names quickly)
Brian: We should play a game of b-ball later?
Nick: Yeah!
Astrick: What is… b-ball?
Brian: (pretends to maneuver a slam dunk) Basketball. We’ll teach it to you later.
AJ: (sarcastic) Yeah and than maybe a friendly game of hockey.
Brian: (thrusts a punch into AJ’s arm) You don’t even like that game.
Kevin: (Annoyed) Come on lets get on with this already. I have another purpose waiting for me at the hotel.
Howie: (circling Kevin) Jennifer again huh?
Brian: (smirks) Two nights in a row? That’s a new record.
Kevin: Okay enough of that and grow up.
(Howie and Brian snicker)
Astrick: (waves his hands out to produce a training area) This all must be done properly or there could be fatal difficulties.
Kevin: (nods seriously) All right that sounds fair.
(The “Boys” seat themselves on the floor and Astrick points to Nick).
Astrick: You will go first. (He motions for the other 4 to take seats on the bleachers.)
AJ: Aww man why does Nicky go first?
Nick: (tauntingly calm) Be patient AJ you’ll get your turn. (Takes his position in the middle of the floor.)
Astrick: (to Nick) First I must ask that you remove your amulet.
Nick: (obeys) All done what next? (Places amulet into his pocket)
Astrick: Go to the end wall and pick out a sword that will be neither too light nor too heavy.
(Close up on the wall where the swords are hanging up in a row).
Nick: (glances to wall) Sure. (Walks over to the swords and picks one out.) Looks kinda sharp. (To Astrick) Hey do ya think I should be slingin a sharp blade around like this on my first time?
Astrick: (shrugs) whatever suits you.
Nick: (analyzes the sword he’s carrying) O… kay. (to himself) This can’t be too hard.
(Approaches Astrick).
Astrick: Perfect. Now try a jab.
Nick: Try a what?
Astrick: Thrust your sword out.
(Nick shrugs and throws his sword in the air).
Nick: Move it cause I’m not catchin that!
(Nick and Astrick rush out of the sword’s way and it falls, tip down, into the floor.)
(The “Boys” laugh)
Nick: (to Astrick sheepishly grinning) I saved your life, does that give me points?
(Astrick approaches the sword to yank it out of the floor and jabs the sword through the air only inches away from Nick’s stomach).
Astrick: That’s a jab.
Nick: No, that would’ve been murder if ya got any closer, man. What ya tryin to do?
Astrick: (annoyed) I’m trying to find out if you have any skill.
Nick: I have never used a sword before in my life. What makes you think I’ll know anything about sword slinging?
Astrick: You don’t need experience to have talent.
Nick: That is way over my head, man.
(Close up on Brian)
Brian: Think about it Nick. Did you need to learn how to sing to know you were good at it?
(Cut to Nick)
Nick: (trying to understand) No… but that was a gift.
Brian: Leanna said they would be. Remember?
(Each of the “Boys realize this and agree)
Astrick: Exactly and I was just checking to see if you already had the gift without the amulet.
Nick: (muttering) Obviously I suck.
Astrick: (Understanding tone) Try it with your amulet now.
(Nick brings his amulet out of his pocket to clasp around his neck. With a rub to the amulet he begins to change into an armor of black and silver clamped over his clothes and a helmet that cuffs his ears and allows a ponytail of his blond hair to come from the back. Two red eye gems are shining from it. On his belt is a gold sword sleeve and provided inside is a sword; HIS sword.)
(Close up on AJ’s surprised expression)
AJ: Now THAT was cool.
(Cut to all 4 guys)
Brian: Lookin good Nick!
Howie: (Leans to AJ) Are we gonna look like that?
AJ: I hope so.
Kevin: (softly) Gotta wonder.
(Cut to Nick slipping the sword out of it’s sheath)
Nick: Man this is awesome!
(Like an expert he slings the sword, jabbing and slicing the air)
Astrick: There, you see? A gift.
Nick: (sighs) From Leanna.
Astrick: Y… yeah.
Nick: (dazed) She’s amazing, Astrick. How did she accomplish all this?
Astrick: She’s a sorceress who’s done a good job in casting a spell on each of your amulets in order to give whomever possesses them special super powers.
Nick: But without them…
Astrick: You worry none about that, Nick.
Nick: Could I learn to sword sling without my powers?
Astrick: That’s what I’M here for.
Nick: How long is this training?
Astrick: As long as it takes to get you established.
Nick: (swinging his sword) One day we’ll get it right. For Leanna… (smiles.)
