JUNE 2, 2025
INT. CLOSET ROOM – BAXTER BUILDING – MORNING
The room is dimly lit, cluttered with old gadgets, spare armor, and prototype suits hanging along the walls. Richard Ritchson is hunched over a storage crate, rummaging through spare uniform pieces with growing frustration.
RICHARD
(muttering to himself)
Where is it...? I swear I left the backup suit here last time... unless Mary stuffed it behind the snack machine again.
Suddenly, the door hisses open behind him.
N'KALLA
(leaning against the frame, arms crossed)
What are you doing, Rick?
Richard freezes, slowly turning to face her, raising an eyebrow.
RICHARD
Rick? Since when am I Rick?
N'KALLA
(grinning)
You know... short nickname. Rick. Feels more... grounded.
RICHARD
(dryly)
Right. Nothing says "super-scientist superhero" like Rick.
N'KALLA
Anyway, if you're digging for a suit, maybe try checking your hair first.
RICHARD
My hair?
N'KALLA
Yeah. It's not white anymore. It's brown. And your eyes hazel now.
Richard pauses, pulling a small reflective lens from the crate and checking his reflection.
RICHARD
(grumbling)
Great. Like I needed another identity crisis today. We're meeting the President in fifteen minutes. I can't go looking like I just woke up from a multiverse reboot.
N'Kalla walks deeper into the room, casually picking up a folded, sleek futuristic blue suit from a shelf.
N'KALLA
Then try this. Prototype suit. Designed by the Mr. Fantastic. Smart fabric. Auto-fit. Probably won't explode.
She tosses it to Richard. He catches it with a surprised look.
N'KALLA (continued)
And maybe while you're putting it on, figure out a proper hero name. Something less... sweater-dad, more world-saver.
RICHARD
(calling after her as she walks out)
Hey! Sweater-dad saved the multiverse, you know!
N'KALLA (from the hallway)
Exactly why it's time for an upgrade.
The door closes with a hiss, leaving Richard staring down at the prototype suit.
RICHARD
(to himself)
Hero name, huh... Fantastic Dad? Mr. Comeback? ...Nope. Definitely not Rick.
He sighs, pulls the suit over his shoulder, and mutters:
RICHARD
Let's just not explode today.
The sky above New York is bright, and the Fantastic Car hovers gently just above the launch pad, its engines purring with soft hums. N'KALLA is leaning back in the passenger seat, boots on the dash, arms folded behind her head. VALERIA sits in the pilot seat, tapping her fingers impatiently on the controls, glancing at the time.
VALERIA
(sighs)
I swear, where the heck are Franklin and Richard? We were supposed to be airborne fifteen minutes ago.
N'KALLA
(smirking)
Richard's probably still figuring out how to zip up that prototype suit... and Franklin?
(shrugs)
Being Franklin.
VALERIA
He better not be dyeing his hair again.
Suddenly, the bay door hisses open behind them. A figure steps into view dramatically it's RICHARD, wearing the sleek, new prototype suit. The material shifts slightly with his movements, the blue and silver tones catching the sunlight just right.
He stands with an exaggerated pose, arms slightly out, trying to look heroic but visibly unsure.
RICHARD
(grinning awkwardly)
Sooo uhh... how do I look?
Valeria and N'Kalla both blink, processing. A beat of silence.
N'KALLA
(deadpan)
Like a vending machine designed by Apple.
VALERIA
(snorts, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh)
You look like Dad if he tried to cosplay as a space ninja.
RICHARD
(tugs at the collar)
Okay wow. Harsh crowd.
N'KALLA
You asked.
RICHARD
I was hoping for more of a "whoa, that's our leader" kind of reaction.
VALERIA
Oh no, it's definitely giving "whoa"... just not in the way you think.
FRANKLIN (O.S.)
(from behind, walking up with coffee in each hand)
Hey, is this the part where we pretend he doesn't look like a rejected concept from a sci-fi cereal box?
Richard throws his arms up dramatically.
RICHARD
Okay, that's it. I'm filing for fashion harassment.
N'KALLA
(smirking, hopping in)
Get in, Rick. You can sue us after we save the world.
VALERIA
(grinning as she flips a switch)
Just try not to trip on your cape, Captain Prototype.
The Fantastic Car engines roar softly as it rises higher, carrying the bantering team off toward their next mission.
As the Fantastic Car soars smoothly above the Manhattan skyline, cruising toward their next mission. Inside, Valeria pilots the craft with one hand on the wheel, while N'Kalla lounges in the back, scrolling through mission files. Richard sits across from Franklin, still adjusting to the snug fit of his new prototype suit.
Richard squints, studying Franklin with suspicion. He leans forward slowly, narrowing his eyes.
RICHARD
Wait a minute...
(leans in closer, squinting more)
Did you dye your hair again?
FRANKLIN
(smirks confidently)
Nope. This is my real color. Blond and proud.
RICHARD
(points at him dramatically)
Liar. You were brunette last week.
FRANKLIN
(shrugs)
Solar flare exposure, unstable molecules, stress... who knows? The Richards gene pool is weird, man.
Richard scoffs, then looks him over again—this time focusing on his outfit. His nose scrunches.
RICHARD
And what is that suit supposed to be?
(gestures vaguely)
You look like you walked out of a 1960s sci-fi magazine cover.
FRANKLIN
Hey, this suit is vintage. Retro's in. Also, it's made from recalibrated Power Cosmic threads. Super durable. Super rare.
RICHARD
Yeah? Looks like you wrestled it off an astronaut at a comic con.
N'KALLA
(from the back)
At least his suit doesn't look like a fancy air fryer.
VALERIA
(chuckling)
Would you two stop roasting each other? We're five minutes from touchdown.
FRANKLIN
(grins, nudging Richard)
Jealousy doesn't suit you, Rick.
RICHARD
Please. I could outshine you even in pajamas.
FRANKLIN
Good to know for the next team meeting.
N'KALLA
(sipping on a drink casually)
So... Richard, you ever gonna settle on a hero name?
RICHARD
(blinks)
Hero name?
FRANKLIN
(looking at N'Kalla, confused)
What do you mean hero name? He's just... Richard.
N'KALLA
Exactly my point. You and I have codenames Powerhouse, Warbringer even Valeria has Brainstorm. Richard needs one too. It's only fair.
RICHARD
(grinning)
I was thinking about "Mr. Really-Stretchy-Guy."
N'KALLA
Dead last in the polls, try again.
VALERIA
(laughs)
You'll figure one out... someday.
SUDDENLY-BOOM!
A projectile slams into the side of the Fantastic Car, shaking the entire ship violently. The left wing catches fire, sending metal shards scattering into the wind.
VALERIA
(gripping the controls)
What the hell?! We've been hit!!
N'KALLA
(eyes wide)
Hull integrity is dropping!
The ship begins to tear apart, pieces flying into the sky. Wind howls through the fractured interior.
RICHARD
(to Franklin, urgently)
We're losing altitude! Bail out NOW!
The floor rips open, and Richard and Franklin are pulled into the open sky. Valeria and N'Kalla watch in shock from the shattered cockpit.
VALERIA
(shouting through wind and static)
FRANKLIN! GO AFTER HIM! I'LL HANDLE THE LANDING!
N'KALLA
(trying to stabilize controls)
We're going down fast, Val!
IN FREEFALL
Richard twists mid-air, attempting to parachute with his elastic body, but...
"WHAM!"
A second projectile rips through his shoulder, tearing muscle and sinew. Blood sprays as Richard cries out in pain and begins plummeting unconscious.
FRANKLIN
(activating his astro form)
Hold on, Rick I'm coming!
He dives through the sky, body turning into glowing energy as he races against gravity. Franklin catches Richard in a bright streak of light and braces for impact BOOOOM!
They crash through the trees, ripping through branches and earth before slamming into the forest floor with a quake. Dirt and leaves fly everywhere.
DOWN ON THE GROUND
Franklin kneels beside the unconscious Richard, cradling his bleeding form.
FRANKLIN
(breathing heavy, looking around)
Richard... damn it. That went through clean. Just stay with me.
He glances up and sees the Fantastic Car a burning meteor crash in the distance, nearly 10 kilometers away.
The wind howls around them.
FRANKLIN
(murmurs)
Now would be a really good time to have that hero name, bro...
RICHARD
(groaning, blood seeping through his torn suit)
Ugh... okay... maybe next time I'll use a real parachute instead of my ribs...
FRANKLIN
smirking despite the tension)
Yeah, maybe don't try to outsmart gravity next time.
RICHARD
(weak chuckle)
So... how about "Lastik-Man" for now? Not as catchy as Spider-Man... but it's a start, right?
FRANKLIN
(grinning as he walks through the thick underbrush)
You know what? I'll allow it. "Lastik-Man" it is. But for now... let me do the walking, hero.
Richard grunts in pain but gives a thumbs up with his good hand.
RICHARD
Just don't drop me, Blondie...
TIME SKIP – 10KM LATER
Smoke trails in the sky lead to a crash site just ahead. The two arrive at a clearing where the ground is torn apart trees splintered, metal wreckage scattered, scorched earth underfoot.
The remains of the Fantastic Car smolder nearby... but something feels off.
FRANKLIN
(looking around, anxious)
N'KALLA! VALERIA!
Only silence replies. A strange hum can be heard from below.
Franklin takes a few careful steps toward a large metal panel... then stops cold.
RICHARD
(still being carried, looking around groggily)
Where... where are they?
Franklin lowers him gently and moves some debris aside his eyes widen.
FRANKLIN
Richard... look.
A massive sinkhole, black and bottomless, yawns before them right beneath the wreckage. A twisted piece of the ship hangs precariously at the edge, flickering lights disappearing into the dark void below.
RICHARD
(heart skipping)
No...
FRANKLIN
They were here... but now they're....
RICHARD
(fists clenching, his voice shaky)
We're not leaving without them.
Franklin nods solemnly, standing beside his injured friend, eyes fixed on the abyss below.
FRANKLIN
Then we go down... into the dark.
Franklin and Richard stand at the edge, tension heavy in the air.
FRANKLIN
(with a grin, looking at Richard)
Alright, Lastik-Man... let's do this.
RICHARD
(eyes narrowing, still grimacing from the fall)
Yeah, sure... just don't forget who's been carrying you this whole time.
FRANKLIN
(chuckling)
Oh, trust me, I haven't forgotten. But here's the thing...
Without warning, Franklin grins mischievously, a spark of mischief flashing in his eyes.
FRANKLIN
(gesturing toward the sinkhole)
You go first.
Before Richard can react, Franklin suddenly uses his astral form to lightly toss Richard toward the edge of the sinkhole. Richard's eyes widen as his feet leave the ground.
RICHARD
(shouting, flailing)
WHAT THE HELL, FRANKLIN?! THIS IS WHY I HATE YOU!
Richard's limbs stretch to their limits, elastically snapping him forward. He yells in frustration, hurtling toward the sinkhole. His body becomes a blur of motion, twisting and contorting in mid-air.
FRANKLIN
(grinning wildly)
Don't worry, Lastik-Man! I've got your back... kinda!
RICHARD
(his voice filled with fury)
YOU'RE DEAD WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE!
Franklin watches as Richard's form stretches toward the edge of the hole, adrenaline pumping through him. But his grin quickly fades to concern as Richard's feet are just inches from the jagged rocks around the sinkhole's edge.
In a flash, Franklin leaps after him, his astral form transforming into a glowing light as he dives after Richard.
FRANKLIN
(shouting)
I'll catch you, don't worry!
Richard lets out a loud yelp as his body stretches toward the sinkhole, his hands nearly grazing the rocky ledge as he approaches the drop.
RICHARD
(frantically)
Franklin! I swear to god, if you let me fall, I'll haunt you forever!
Franklin's form envelops Richard just in time, catching him in mid-air. They tumble together, landing in a heap, their bodies stretching and snapping back into shape.
FRANKLIN
(panting, laughing)
You've got to admit, you did look like a rubber band about to snap.
Richard, still a little disoriented, groans as he slowly stands up, his limbs stretching back into their usual form.
RICHARD
(gritting his teeth)
I'll get you back for that, I swear.
Franklin simply chuckles and pats Richard on the back, trying to reassure him. But as they both look toward the sinkhole's depths, their smiles fade into focused determination.
FRANKLIN
Alright... ready to find out what's down there?
RICHARD
(sighing)
I'll never forgive you for this... but yeah, let's get it over with.
The two exchange a glance before Franklin activates his astral form once more, ready to descend into the unknown depths below, with Richard reluctantly following close behind.