"I've been waiting." "The Ouroboros restored." "For your master." "My half of the bargain." "At last I can return to the plateau." "And this time no one can stop me." " This way." " Veronica!" " Veronica!" " Veronica, wait for us!" "We've lost her again." "This way." " I can't keep this up all day." " Looks like we don't have to." "That's it?" "She ran out this morning saying she knew where to find her parents." "She's been led astray before, but this is the first... time she's been told where to go by a dream." "Maybe this time it will be different." "Veronica?" "What is it?" "When I woke up this morning," "It was as if my mother's pendant was... guiding me... telling me..." "I've been here before!" "You have?" "When?" "It's that Trion thing." "The Eye of Heaven." "What is she doing with her pendant?" "Well, that was a whole lot of nothing!" " Veronica!" " Uh!" "At the dawn of the last century" "A band of explorers searched for a prehistoric world" "Driven by ambition" "Secret desires" "A thirst for adventure" "And seeking the ultimate story" "They are befriended by an untamed beauty" "Stranded in a strange and savage land" "Each day is a desperate search for a way out... of the Lost World" "Here!" "Her pulse is steady and strong." "Then why doesn't she wake up?" "And why is that thing still glowing?" "Veronica!" "Veronica!" "Veronica, is that you?" "Sounds like there's someone in the jungle." "Maybe I'm wrong." "Maybe... it's just a silly little monkey!" "Mom, I'm not a monkey!" "I'm an Avatar warrior!" "Veronica, who told you about the Avatars?" "Assai!" "She tells me all the Zanga magic stories." "The Avatars are everywhere, watching everything on the plateau, and if little kids aren't careful, they'll come and steal them away!" "Now I don't want Assai giving you nightmares... about make-believe stories." "There are no such things as Avatar warriors." "And no one is every going to take you away from daddy and me." "No one." "I think we should take her back to the treehouse... where Challenger can examine her." "I say we bring Challenger back here." "Until we know what's happened, it may not be safe to move her." "Don't look at me!" "I mean, what ever it is that knocked Vee out, at least it put a smile on her face." "Daddy, we're getting closer now... and I'm certain I saw it here," "Over by that tree!" "Here it is!" " Are you sure?" " Hypercallum perferatum." "just what mom's been looking for." "Very good, Veronica." "You're going to make a fine botanist one day." "Yeah." "But nobody's better than mom!" "She's one of a kind all right." "Let's do your lessons." "You pick." " Do the rules." " All right." "Rule number one:" "What do you do when an adult says 'Danger'!" "I do what I'm told." "I hide or run." "And I don't make a noise until the battle is won." "Good girl!" "Now it's my pick." "Do the 12 times table." " Dad..." " Come on now." "12 times 12 is...?" "12 times 12 is 144." "12 times 13 is... 156." "12 times 14 is... a dinosaur with a wooden leg... right?" " Veronica, danger!" " Run or hide?" "Neither." "Not yet." "There's something out there but... not sure if it's ape men or..." "There!" "I wouldn't fool around with that, Finn." "Well, maybe we should." "I mean, the second Vee touched this to the stone, she went out like a light." "What's your point?" "Well, if this is like some kind of switch or something, then maybe we should try and turn it off!" "The sooner the better." "Veronica's not smiling any more." "You have no right to be here." "We made an agreement with your leaders." "The Protector is dying." "No." "No, that's just a legend." "It was never true." " The line must be preserved." " No!" "Daddy!" "Stop it!" "Leave my father alone!" "Daddy, who is he?" "He's an Avatar warrior." "But mom says Avatars aren't real." "No questions, Veronica." "Tell him to get out of our way." " Tell him, Veronica!" " Get out of our way." "Now tell him not to stop us." "Don't stop us... and don't you dare follow us!" "Good girl!" "Your mom will be proud of you." "Daddy, why did he have to do what I said?" " Am I magic?" " There's no such thing." "Now come on." "We have to hurry." "Careful, John." "Well, there's definitely some source of energy connected to it." "Challenger's found lines of energy running all through this plateau." "Yeah, well we found another one, I guess." "Got it!" "Any change?" "Nothing." "That's that, then, I'll get Challenger." "Marguerite, wait." "Now, Roxton, you go with her." "Okay?" "I can take care of myself and Veronica." "All right, I'll be back with Challenger soon." "It's okay, Vee." "I'm right here." "I wish I knew what was going on in there." "Hey guys, are you all right?" " Yeah, I'm okay!" " Abigail!" " Abigail!" " Daddy, what happened?" " Mr. Layton!" " Lewis!" "Where's Abigail!" "?" "Speak, man!" "Veronica, go untie the other men." "Let me know if anyone's hurt." "Now what didn't you want to say in front of my daughter?" "Avatar warriors attacked us." "More than we could count." " They took Abigail" " It's the only reason they stopped, sir." "She gave herself up to save us." "It's not your fault." "I'll round up the men." "We'll find her, Mr. Layton." "You wouldn't know where to look." "But I do." "Where?" "Get the balloon uncrated and ready for flight." "I'll be back as soon as Veronica's safe." "Struggle and you die." "Where is she?" "The Protector..." "I know she is near." " Answer me!" " Never!" "The line must be preserved." "Not by you it won't." "She cannot escape me this time." "Don't worry, Veronica." "If anyone can work out what's doing, it's the big guy." "As soon as he gets here you'll be fine." "Finn?" "Vee!" "You're okay!" "Where am I?" "Well, you got a shock, and they went to get Challenger." " I had the strangest dreams!" " Yeah, well I'm not surprised." "I mean, once you stuck this in the stone, you got zapped... pretty bad." "Zapped?" "Vee, the shaman that gave you that pendant... must have known what was going to happen." "I think he set a trap for you." "No, not a trap." "A message." "The men said that Avatars came and took Mom away." "I'm going to bring her home in the balloon." "You knew about the Avatars." "Mom said they weren't real, but you KNEW they were!" " And now she's not safe." " Veronica," "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you or your mom." "That's why you've got to stay with Assai at her village." "You knew about the Avatars, and you lied to me!" "So all of a sudden, you're... having all of these memories you never had before." "It's as if I've always known just... never remembered." "Well, don't leave me hanging, I mean, what happens next?" "See you at the clearing." "Is this where the warriors came?" "Who are you?" "This stronghold... where is the woman who lives there?" "You'd better wait until the boss comes back." "Not just any woman, the Protector herself." "Tell me where she is." "I don't know what you're talking about." "She wears a pendant at her throat." "A pyramid of light rising from the storm." "I've never seen anything like that." "Whosoever wields the Eye of Heaven controls the plateau." "You know who I mean!" "Help!" "Go warn Layton!" "This man is after his wife!" "So the protector has a mate." "From the treehouse!" "Veronica!" "Veronica, danger!" " Run or hide?" " Hide!" "Now!" "I'll protect you, Edward, You'll be safe." "Lewis!" "Lewis!" "8 times 80..." " is one hundred..." " It's safe, Veronica." "It's safe." "Daddy, why were they shooting?" "Ape men!" "We have to keep moving." "This isn't the way to Assai's village." "The Zanga are peaceful people." "We need more powerful friends." "The protector has a child." "Do you think Veronica will ever really find her parents?" "I hope so!" "Even discovering their fate would bring her some peace." "How old were you when you were adopted." "Oh, no more than a year." "Would I be prying if I asked another question?" "Yeah, probably, but that's never stopped you before!" "Do you think it will ever be the same between us?" "You can't deny there was... well there is a, a something, you can call it what you will... a closeness, a connection." "Is this the man who was voted the most... eloquent speaker in the House of Lords." "No, this is the man..." "Marguerite, don't you shut me out here!" "I never let you in, Lord Roxton!" "Yes, you have!" "More times than you know!" "You don't even know if my real name is Marguerite." "Neither do you." "What?" "Marguerite, wait!" "Marguerite, I didn't mean it like that!" "I'm sorry." "Please..." "Look..." "Marguerite is the name I know you by." "If you want to be called Madge, Adrienne, or... just plain Jane, I don't care!" "I know who you are." "I know the courage you displayed during the war... when no one else could know your identity... and I know the fierce resolve that brought you on this plateau." "I also know the strength and friendship that you've shared with all of us, as well as the disappointments you've had to bear alone." "So that's who you are to me." "So whatever name you choose, by... whatever terms you care to mention..." " I love you, Marguerite." " No, you can't, John." "I'm sorry, but you just can't!" "Why not?" " Why?" " For a thousand reasons." "I don't care what secrets you still have!" "I do!" "I do!" "This is really bad timing." " Who the hell are you?" " Right place, wrong woman." "You're not the one I am looking for." "The Ouroboros!" "That's it!" "That's Xan's medallion!" "You know about Shanghai Xan!" "Of course!" "You're the fabled Miss Smith!" "The one Xan told me about." "You came so close to getting this for yourself..." "Having all your questions answered." "And then..." "You lost everything." "I asked for you to identify yourself." "I'm not going to ask you again!" "You're right, you're not." "Too little too late, Miss Smith," "Xan told me you excel at making deals." "So you and I shall make one now." "Give me the location of Veronica Layton, and I will let you keep your life." "Miss Smith, you hesitate." "Xan told me you value no one's life higher than your own." "You must have me confused with somebody else." "A variation then." "The Layton girl for this man's life." "I don't know who you are..." "Who I am is Mordren." "What I am exceeds your comprehension." "Exceed this!" "Xan told me you were a student of the Ouroboros." "As long as I possess this, your weapons cannot harm me." "But for your ignorance, his death shall be slow and his suffering immeasurable." " No!" " Damn you!" "Shoot him now, Marguerite!" "Marguerite!" "Roxton!" "Good heavens!" "What was all that shooting?" " Veronica's in danger." " We'll explain on the way." "Vee?" " Vee!" " Sorry, I...." "It was more than a dream." "It was as if my father was really there." "Really where?" "And where did he take you next?" " Safe?" " Safe." "I'll be just ahead." "You stay right here." "Safe." "Here I am!" "Come out!" "We don't need secret signals, Diana." "If my acolytes discovered I was dealing with a man... as an equal, they would rise up against me and end my rule." "I know what you Amazons do with your men." "You are set apart from other men, Thomas Layton." " I'm not important..." " No man is." " But my daughter..." " It's more important..." " than even you can know." " I do know." "Why else do you think I sent you that message to ask you to meet me here?" "You are offering your daughter to us?" "No!" "Yes." "No, not yet." "But if I don't come back..." "I have to know that Veronica will be safe." "How can she be otherwise?" "She is the child of this plateau." "We will permit nothing to harm her." "Her mother was born here." " Our lady protector." " And she has been harmed." " How?" " Taken against her will..." " to Avalon." " Avalon is... where the protector belongs!" "We had an agreement." "My wife wouldn't go there until our daughter came of age." "The leaders of Avalon agreed to that when Abby and I were married." "This plateau must have a protector." "Abigail's mother is dying." "It's time for Abigail to take her place." "We had an agreement." "So you are going to Avalon to try to get her back." "And if I can't... if anything goes wrong and I don't make it back..." "I need to know that you'll watch out over Veronica." "At our village?" "Until she comes of age." "When that time comes..." "if it comes... joining you will be her decision." "On my honor, the line of the protector shall be preserved." "All I want is for my wife and my daughter to be safe... and with me." "I will wait for your return, and I will slay them both." "and then Diana came for me." "And that was the last time I saw my father." "I can't even remember the last time I saw my pop." "But up until now I..." "I remembered it differently." "I mean..." "I..." "I can still remember my father telling me... all the members of his expedition had been killed by ape men." "I can still see my... parents leaving for their Sunday walk... just to gather samples..." "and then they never came back!" "But now I know that's not what happened!" "It must be like Malone and his memories of the war..." "I just refused to remember!" "I mean, I wasn't honest with myself!" "But some of these memories, you just told me you weren't even there to see." "So I'm making it up?" "I'm lying to myself all over again?" "No, you're not, I think you're right the first time." "Someone is sending you a message." "My mother!" "Do you think she had something to do with putting that symbol on the stone?" "The shaman said it was my time to know." "This must have been what he meant." "Time for you to know the story of your life." "And what really happened to my parents." "Where did you come from?" "Ask Veronica." "She couldn't possibly forget who I am." "And when I say danger, Edward... you have to say, 'run or hide.'" "And you have to do what I tell you." "Ready?" "Daddy!" "Diana!" "Diana!" "Dad's found Mom!" "I saw his balloon!" "It's been almost six month, Veronica." "Dad promised he'd come back..." " with Mom!" " I hope you are right." "Though I will be sorry to see you return to your treehouse." "You have the makings of a fine Amazon warrior." "I don't want to be a warrior." "You are your mother's daughter." " Daddy!" " Veronica!" "Daddy!" "Mom!" "Oh, I've missed you so much, Veronica." "Our lady protector." "I've missed you so much." "Mom?" "There's something you need to know, dear heart." "You came to say good-bye to me." "Oh, Veronica," "I have so much to tell you... how I left the plateau to explore the world beyond... how I met your father... and fell in love." "I brought him back here so that we could share our life together." "More than anything, that's what I longed for... an ordinary life with your father." "And for you, the life of an ordinary little girl." "Are we magic?" "No." "But we are so much alike my love." "You were born on the plateau, just as I was, and my mother and her mother before her." "All of us the same, children of the Plateau." "And each of us, when our time comes... protector." "The role of the Protectors is finished." "The Plateau is mine." "Mordren!" "Who's Mordren?" "Who is he, Abigail?" "His line is the reason ours exists." "I don't understand." "That which our line protects..." "his would destroy." "He must be the one who killed Lewis and the men!" "You'll have to take Veronica, She'll never be safe with that man here!" "Angel, go with your mother." " I love you!" " Daddy!" "Thomas, no!" " I love you, Veronica!" " Daddy!" "Go to Avalon!" " Get out of my way!" " Leave my family alone!" "Daddy!" "Wait!" "No you don't!" "I said leave them alone!" "You cannot stop me." "Daddy!" "You!" "You murdered my father!" "He stood in my way." "Finn!" "Leave her!" "She is of no concern to you or me." "You..." "murdered my father!" "That day, he kept me from you and your mother." "He gave you time to go to Avalon, and she sent a thousand avatars against... me to drive me from the Plateau!" "My mother is still in Avalon?" "Only until I kill you." "Then she'll come after me... and with the Ouroboros shielding me," "I will finally kill her too." "We'll never outrun someone who can travel by magic." "However this character used the Ouroboros to get here, his supposedly magical appearance has to be... covered by a rational scientific principle!" "After 3 years on this bloody plateau," "I think I'm safe in saying no, it doesn't." "Let's save that debate for back at the treehouse." "Why are you doing this?" "The Plateau belongs to me!" "Not as long as I'm alive." "You won't be for much longer." "Give me the Trion." " My mother's Pendant?" " Soon to be mine." "It belongs to me!" "Give it to me... or you shall watch me dissect... this woman, nerve by nerve!" "No." "Give it to me!" "You can't take it, can you?" "I have to give it to you!" " No!" " I won't ask for it again." "Okay!" "It's yours!" "After you answer my questions." "Please tell me that came from behind us." "No such luck Over there." "Do you think it saw us?" "Run!" "I'll distract him." "We run when you run." "Now is not the time to be stubborn, George." "Exactly." "Now may we run?" " Stop!" " John!" "Go!" "Veronica needs you!" "She needs all of us!" "Come on!" "In there!" "I don't suppose there are any more magical medallions around here." "As far as I know, there is only one." "Do you have any idea where the Ouroboros comes from, Marguerite, or who made it?" "Legend says it's as old as the two fundamental forces of creation." "The two fundamental forces of creation... electromagnetism and gravity." "No, George!" "Good and evil!" "How does my mother protect the Plateau?" "You don't know?" "My friend says it's a gathering point... for lost worlds, lost time, lost lives." "Your friend is a fool!" "The Plateau is not a collector of life!" "It is the source... of everything!" " What?" "!" " The power... that courses through the lines of this Plateau... is the power to control life itself." "The Protector denies it... to those who can use it best!" "You." "Is he really leaving?" "So soon?" "There is only one creature more impatient than a hungry T-Rex." "Lord John Roxton." "It's all clear!" "He's run off." "Then so shall we." "No more questions." "The Trion or this woman dies!" "You touch her, and I swear you'll never take another breath." "I am protected by the power of the Ouroboros!" "Nothing you can do can harm me!" "No!" "I've been waiting for this fight all of my life." "So do I." "Give me the Trion, Veronica, The Plateau is mine!" "NO!" "Never!" "Veronica?" "Now I remember everything that happened here." "Daddy..." "I found you." "All of the members of The Layton expedition finally accounted for." "Why did they come here in the first place?" "My father wanted to build a life here with my mother." "He loved it here." "Called it paradise." "In a way it is." "It killed him, Challenger!" "He died to save you and your mother." "No one could love you anymore than that." "I just wish I could remember the rest." "What happened in Avalon, how long I was there until my mother... brought me back to the tree house..." "Why she left me?" "She just wanted you to have the life that she couldn't." "A normal life." "You're the protector of this Plateau, Vee." "What IS that?" "I don't know, Finn." "Now Veronica knows her mother is alive." "She'll eventually learn everything she wants to know." "Wherever this place called Avalon might be, perhaps we can find it." "I don't think Veronica needs to search for her mother any more." "When it's time for me to do whatever it is I'm supposed to do," "I know now that you'll come to me." "*"