EPISODE SIXTEEN
“The King”
Written by Michael Ryan
Original Air Date: May 31, 2003
Supervising Producer: Lloyd Goldfine
Producers: Gary Richardson, Frederick U. Fierst, Al Kahn, Norman Grossfeld, Thomas Kenney
Supervising Director: Chuck Patton
Story Editor: Lloyd Goldfine
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Donatello (Sam Regal)
Leonardo (Michael Sinterniklaas)
Michelangelo (Wayne Grayson)
Raphael (Frank Frankson)
Splinter (Darren Dunstan)
April (Veronica Taylor)
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
Kirby
Fantastic Monsters
Fantastic Warriors
MAIN LOCATIONS, VEHICLES AND ACCESSORIES:
April’s Apartment and Apartment Building Basement
Fantastic World Drawn by Kirby
Synopsis:
Intro: Don is commenting on the fantastic world that he has found himself in and the danger that he’s facing there. (This basic scene repeats itself later in the main action).
The Turtles and Splinter are in April’s apartment discussing when and how to go about finding out what the Foot is up to down in the sewers, and whether it is yet safe to return to the lair. April tells them that they are welcome to stay with her for as long necessary, in spite of the fact that they are not the greatest house guests in the world.
Raph goes to take a shower, but finds there is no hot water. Don agrees to go look at the hot water heater in the basement. As he leaves, April tells him to watch out for her new tenant, Kirby.
When Donatello reaches the basement, a winged creature suddenly flies through the room. Don chases after the beastie, but it disappears. Donatello spots an open door with light imminating from it and he moves in to investigate. Inside the room, an artist is sitting at his drawing board sketching away – and miraculously, the bug-like thing that he creates springs to life and flies out the door – nearly colliding with Donny. Kirby looks up from his drawing board and spots the bewildered mutant. The man comments that he doesn’t remember drawing Don and then assumes that the ninja has come to retrieve the “magic” crystal that allows the drawings to spring to life. Donatello assures Kirby that he hasn’t come for the crystal, but he asks where it came from. Kirby explains that he found the gem in a pile of coal the other day and decided to attach to his pencil. Since then, everything Kirby draws comes to life (and Kirby draws a lot of things)! The amicable artist hands Donatello the pencil and tells him to try it. The Turtle agrees and draws a stick figure, which leaps off of the page and then attacks Don by kicking him in the shins. The mutant is not amused by this and he readies his bo staff – the annoying little stickman backs off and then zaps out of existence. Kirby explains that this happens to all of his drawings, they come to life and then quickly disappear.
The one exception to the transitory nature of his drawings is a weird portal Kirby drew. It flew off his art page and has remained in his room since then. Always curious, Don goes over to the portal and sticks his hand into the energy field. Satisfied that it’s safe – Donatello walks through the portal and disappears! Kirby calls out to his new friend in a panic, and thankfully Donatello pops his head through the gateway and invites the artist to join him on the other side, where they find an incredible and fantastic world.
As the guys survey the scene, Kirby realizes that most of what exists in this fantastic realm came from his sketchbook. Far off in the distance, Kirby and Don see a beautiful floating city, connected to the ground by a long, arcing bridge. The pair decide to check it out. As they approach the bridge, a strange creature passes them. Kirby flips through his sketch pad and finds the exact drawing that the creature came from. The two friends follow the beast and they see a battle is going on. Four strangely garbed human warriors are fighting a gang of weird monsters, and the situation doesn’t look good for the humans.
Donatello rushes to the aid of the humans. With Donny’s help, the warriors defeat the group of monsters. The soldiers thank Don and Kirby for their assistance, but they explain that an army of beasts will be returning shortly. There will be too many enemies for the small band to be able to defend the bridge and city. Just as the lead warrior finishes this tale, a swarm of monsters flows over the horizon, and a battle royale erupts.
In spite of heroic efforts by Donatello and the four warriors, the monsters are winning the fight and making their way up the bridge towards the city. Suddenly, Kirby gets an inspiration. Since he drew all these creatures, perhaps he can draw some weapons and devices to help fight them off! The talented artist quickly whips out his paper and crystal-powered pencil and begins sketching furiously. He first draws a weapon for Donny to use that negates the gravity of the monsters and sends them flying into the air – unfortunately there are so many enemies that the ninja’s new gun quickly overheats. Next, Kirby draws a giant robot that captures the monsters, but there are just too many to catch. As the beasts breech the bridge and make their way towards the women and children of the city, Kirby gets one last idea and he renews his efforts in the sketchbook. Just as it looks like the monsters’ mission will succeed, they are suddenly bound! Kirby has drawn various forms of bindings to thwart the invading army – good thing he can draw so fast! The warriors look upon Kirby as a powerful sorcerer and state that he is welcome any time. Don pats his new friend on the back and tells him that it’s time to go home. Kirby reluctantly agrees (he’d like to spend more time investigating the marvelous world) and the two head back to the portal.
When they arrive at the gateway, it is fluctuating wildly, threatening to close entirely. Kirby insists that Donatello go first, so the ninja dives through headfirst. Unfortunately the portal closes quickly and Donny gets stuck with his body half in the real world and half in the fantastic world! Kirby grabs Don’s feet and gives a mighty push, popping the mutant through the portal and into the basement of April’s apartment building. Donny turns and sees the tiny portal closing. Realizing that Kirby isn’t going to make it home, Donatello falls to his hands and knees, head bowed. Just before the portal completely disappears, a paper airplane comes floating out. Don catches the paper and tucks it into his belt before heading upstairs. The depressed mutant runs into a demanding Raphael on his way up, but Don ignores his brother and continues upwards in silence. Raph wonders what’s wrong with Donatello, and we see the glum ninja by a window, where he takes out the note and opens it. We see the drawing that Kirby had done of Don with the antigravity gun in hand. Accompanying the artwork is the message:
Don –
“Life at best is bitter sweet.”
Take care of yourself,
– Kirby
