It's midday as Matt and Harriet cruise along in the Duster van, hanging out the windows slightly as Duster plays music. They're just waking up. Ahead of them appear the chapter words.
Note that the sky is overcast for most of this chapter.
Chapter 7: Paint
Duster
Uh-oh…
Harriet (stretching, yawning)
What?
Duster
This might take awhile…
We now see that there is a traffic jam ahead of them.
Harriet
What the heck? Where did all these cars come from? These roads are always so empty…
Duster
It's probably because this road leads to Vega, and everyone is heading there on their winter break.
Matt
So now what do we do?
Duster
The only sensible thing to do!
Close up on Duster's hands turning the wheel sharply. The van goes off road. Matt and Harriet bounce up and down in the seats.
Harriet
D-D-Duster, t-t-this is c-c-crazy! A-t-t l-least F-Fuel's c-c-car had good s-s-suspension!
Matt
D-don't t-talk, H-Harriet, you'll b-bite your t-tongue! Ouch!
Duster (aggressive)
Hahaha, we don't need roads! We're adventurers! We make our own roads!
Matt
(He's lost his mind!)
Duster plows through a fence with a sign near it with an angry funny animal on it.
Duster
Oops.
Harriet
Um, Duster, I have the feeling we're in some kind of wildlife preserve for insane animals…
Matt
Ahh! Harriet!
We look down at the van. Angry animals are now charging at it from the left and right.
Harriet
Oh, great! This place is full of those insane animals!
Duster
Keep them off the van, then!
Matty and Harriet poke their heads and arms outside of the van. Harriet uses Flash while Matty uses PSI Hold to shove a few away to stave off the large variety of animals. Some balding eagles also come down and peck at the van. Harriet scares them off with the twirler. After a little bit, a small house comes into view, surrounded by cages filled with rabbits.
Harriet
That house might be safe!
A rhino comes out of nowhere and bashes into the front of the van, making smoke come out. Duster skids up to the house and parks pretty messily. A familiar face is on the porch, petting a rabbit. Once he sees the rhino, he stands up and tosses a smoke bomb at it. It takes in the fumes, and then its eyes return to normal and it walks away bored. Everyone gets out.
Duster
Um, thanks. Ugh. Looks like the Duster van took some damage…
Marvin
How did you get in here?
Duster
Uh, I kind of drove through your fence. Sorry.
Marvin
Oh. Well darn. I guess I'll have to fix it.
Matty
How did you ward off that rhino?
Marvin
Oh, that?
Marvin puts the bunny into a cage.
Marvin
I run a harmless bunny farm out here, so someone decided that I was a good candidate to watch over all these poor mad animals. So they built a big enclosure around my house…
Duster
So these "mad animals"—are they just being caught and brought here?
Marvin
Yeah, pretty much from all over the world. No one really seems to know what's wrong with them, but I've
developed a formula of sorts that calms them down for a bit.
Harriet
So why don't they attack you?
Marvin
I guess because I don't really bother them? I don't know. They're not exactly mindless, killer beasts out
for blood… They're just very defensive. Overly so. And their eyes glow red. Which is a little creepy at
night, but other than that—
Harriet
Who are you?
Marvin
I'm Marvin. I run this bunny farm. Would you like to buy a bunny?
Harriet
They're really cute, but I don't think we can take care of one right now.
Duster
Yes, we're on the move.
Marvin
Oh. An adventure, right? Are you trying to make the animals return to normal?
Duster
We'll see what we can do.
Marvin
Well, hey, if you're going out and about, let me give you some of these calmer-downers I've made.
Come inside for a bit.
Duster
My van got hit pretty hard. Is there anyway you can repair it?
Marvin
I could try, I guess, but I'm not a great mechanic. But come in. I don't get a lot of visitors out here.
Inside of Marvin's place, there are a lot of stuffed bunnies that freak out Matt and Harriet a little.
Marvin
Those are my older friends that have already lived their lives to the fullest.
Matt
Harriet… they're staring at me…
Cut ahead to them drinking tea. Matt is sitting next to a stuffed bunny that is staring at him.
Marvin
I see. I've never heard of these towers, but it's going to be a little hard getting up north right now with
the traffic. And the mountains are really getting dangerous because of the time of year. And probably full of more mad animals now.
Harriet
So they're all over the place, huh…
Duster (lost in thought)
At least these animals are still the way they should be…
Everyone just stares at him.
Harriet
What do you mean?
Duster
Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking out loud.
Marvin
Wait, Duster, were you talking about what I think you were? Are you… an islander?
Duster
…
Matt (to Harriet)
Do you have any idea what they're talking about?
Harriet shrugs.
Duster says nothing. Marvin puts the tea down and rolls up his sleeve to reveal a small pigmask tattoo logo. Duster's eyes grow a little wider. Marvin rolls his sleeve back down.
Marvin
I know what you're talking about, Mr. Duster…
Duster
So… you're a… You were that guy in that one fairy person's… with the bunnies and… And then a Gorilla…
Marvin and Duster look at really confused Harriet and Matt.
Duster
Well, anyway, thanks for the tea. We should probably get going.
Marvin
Of course. I'll get a batch of the vapor bombs.
Marvin leaves.
Harriet
Duster, what was all that just now? What were you talking about?
Duster
Nothing you should concern yourselves over right now.
Harriet
You grownups are so weird…
Marvin comes back with three blue pouches and hands them out.
Marvin
You can toss these at any animals that attack you and not have to hurt the poor dears.
Duster
Thanks.
Marvin
The fastest way to get to the northern mountains would be to go through Big Ravine. But, hm…
Harriet
What?
Marvin
You'll probably run into the most peculiar looking village if you head down that way. I don't know anything about the people that live there, really, so I hope they're friendly.
Duster
I'm sure they will be. See you later, Marvin.
Marvin
Yeah. I'll see what I can do about your van.
They leave the house. Matt and Harriet grab their backpacks from the van before departing through a metal gate. Just ahead is the Big Ravine, as advertised by a nearby sign. They quickly notice that it's full trees, and a large variety of them.
Matt
That's strange. It's full of trees.
They go down into the ravine. This place is filled mostly with more giant snails, but they have different colored shells than last time. As they get further in, they notice something weird about the trees. Matty feels the leaves of one.
Matt
What the… These trees are fake.
Harriet
Why would they be fake?
Matt
I don't know. It's pretty strange.
After some more walking, they come to a village on a small hill. A sign written in paint greets them. Harriet goes up to investigate.
Harriet
Welcome to Cadmium Village! Home of the Painters. "Painters?" Sounds familiar…
Duster
(This must be…)
They go ahead and go up to the front gate. A lone guard, Markos, dressed in typical painter clothes, stands wait here and looks over the group.
Guard
Hello. What business do you have here?
Duster
We're actually just passing through.
Guard
Right… I'm sorry about this, but I can't permit anyone in right now. Not with all the weird stuff going on.
Harriet
But your sign made it seem like visitors are welcome.
Guard
They used to be. Until one of the children was kidnapped.
Matt
One of your children was kidnapped?
Guard
She's back now, thankfully, but then just yesterday, we were attacked by a boy who then stole some of
our… paint (not special font). So you must understand, we've been through a lot recently.
Matt
Wait a minute… This child who was kidnapped—was she taken by someone, or did she just happen to
wander into another village?
Guard (accusatory)
She… had gone out to a village… How do you know that? Were you in on it?
Harriet
What? No! Her name's Delphia, isn't it? We were the ones that freed her!
Guard
You're the people that helped Delphy? She's said so much about you. And now that I think about it, I
guess you do match her descriptions. But who's this weird looking guy?
Harriet
He's with us. This boy who attacked you yesterday—what color was his hair?
Guard
A light brown. I remember.
Harriet
(Oh, Winston… How could you?)
Matt
… Was… Was the damage bad?
Guard
Bad? Ha! He tore up the entire village with some psychic power! Didn't leave a house standing!
Harriet
That's horrible!
Guard
Well, not for us, actually. We're almost done with repairs as we speak. The important thing is that no one was seriously hurt. The bad thing is he stole a good supply of our… paint (again not special).
Matt
Why is this Paint (special from here on out) so important?
Guard
Well, since you're friends with Delphia, maybe you should go in and look.
The guard opens the doors and guides the visitors in. This place is actually quite fancy for a village. All the houses are beautiful and made of stone, and look very artistic. Everyone wears similar clothing, and the older teenagers and above have a small mark below their right or left eyes of varying symbols. They eventually come to village square, where a vacant lot rests. The guard stops.
Reggie can appear in the crowds somewhere. He's actually a Painter now himself. He dresses differently than most so he stands out.
Guard
Ah, just in time…
A cleanup crew finishes taking away debris, leaving the lot empty. The group turns their attention to an old guy with a big mustache. A crowd watches him put the finishing touches on an intricate work of art of a house on a large glass plate. He then extends his palm, concentrates deeply, causes the glass to glow, and then in a very cool effect, shoots the paint out into reality. The paint turns into a real thing through some nice transitions, and turns into a house. Everyone claps.
Matt
Wow! Did you see that? How did he do that?
Guard
That is the ability of the Painters.
Harriet
Painters?
Guard
It's something you probably wouldn't be able to understand. It uses a power called PSI.
Harriet
We use PSI! Except Duster here…
Guard
What? Impossible. No one can use PSI outside of the Painters. And… that boy that attacked us.
Matt
We can! We're not joking!
Harriet proves it by making a small PK Flash and twirling it around in her fingers.
Guard
A-amazing! The village chief should definitely see you both! Only… she isn't here right now. She set off
some time ago, and we still don't know to where… But never mind that. Let's take you to Delphy.
The guard leads the way to a small park area that seems to be a training ground. They watch as four kids, including Vaughn, Delphia being one of them (and the oldest), make trees. Only, Delphia's isn't that great. Afterwards, assistants take the trees away.
Matt
So is this like a class or something?
Harriet
I can see where all those trees are coming from… Those fake trees…
Guard
We can't really make living things. But imitations of trees are a perfect training subject. They're natural, yet very unique. Simple in design, yet with complicated patterns…
They get a little closer. Delphia looks angry.
Brat
What's the matter, Delphy? Still can't make a stupid tree right?
Vaughn
You're never going to graduate!
Prissy Girl
Poor poor Delphy, going to be held back again.
Delphia
Gah, just shut up!
Delphia picks up her glass and is about to smack her with it when the teacher stops her.
Teacher
Delphia, that is no way to behave! You need to concentrate! All of your friends have already graduated. Don't you want to join them?
Delphia
Oh, who cares? I Paint just fine and I'm old enough to travel the world anyway.
Teacher
That may be true, but until you're a certified Painter, you won't be permitted to carry any pigments.
You're already in trouble as it is after you left with some the last time.
Delphia (sulking)
That was just a tiny tube of it for my own protection! And I don't like painting dumb trees over and over…
All those details and stupid leaves… Booooring!
Teacher
Oh, dear. What are we going to do with you? Class dismissed, everyone.
Harriet
(I wonder if that teacher knows Ms. Marsh…)
Delphia grabs her stuff and comes over to the guard.
Guard
Hello, Delphy.
Delphia
Hello, Markos. You here to criticize, too?
Markos
No, just to show you some visitors.
Markos slides out of the way to reveal the gang. Harriet waves and Delphia smiles.
Delphia
Hey! How did you guys get here? Was my cousin here a pain? He doesn't like having to put up with
guard duty.
Markos
Delphy!
Delphia
Do you guys like our village so far?
Harriet
It's really incredible! How is that you Painters can use PSI?
Delphia
None of us know for sure, but our powers seem to be waning a bit these days.
Markos
Back when the adults were in their prime, they helped design entire cities before anyone moved into
them. It's even said that our chief painted the night sky. But that's probably just an overblown rumor.
Delphia
We don't actually have that much PSI; just a little bit. We use it to "push" our creations into life.
Markos
In other words, whatever we Paint on these plates of glass can be brought to life with a little special
pigment and some power of the mind.
Delphia
Only… (sigh) I'm not that great at it. I just hate practicing. That's why I still haven't graduated yet…
Harriet
Well, I'm sure that it's just a hard thing to pull off, right?
Delphia
Peh… Not for most Painters…
Markos
Maybe you're just a perfectionist, Delphy. When you don't like what you're seeing halfway through, you
give up because you're not satisfied.
Delphia
Maybe. Whatever. Hey, you guys came all this way, I'm sure you'd like to see some more interesting things come to life than just trees, right?
Harriet
Sure!
Delphia
Markos, can I borrow your Paint tube? I won't use much of it. I'll just practice a bit outside of the village.
Markos
(sighs) Fine. Just be back soon and don't go too far.
He hands over the long tube hanging on his back to Delphia.
Markos
I'm serious this time, Delphy. Only use a little bit and be back within the hour. If you're late or I sense
something funny going on, I'll send Taras after you.
Delphia
Okay, fine. Come on, you three.
Each interested, they follow Delphia to the other end of the village, go through the gate, and enter a path surrounded by real trees, although they are sparse. The ravine cliff sides are more visible here. They talk while they walk.
Delphia
So what have you guys been doing on your journey out here?
Matt
Well, we—
Harriet
We saw Clad in Rad in Azura City!
Delphia
Ewwww, you actually like that kind of music? It's so loud and obnoxious. And their fan girls! No shame.
Harriet (taken aback)
…
Matt
Well, that's something we agree on.
Delphia
Oh, you don't like them either, huh?
Matt just makes a gagging face.
Duster (hungry)
So can you make food?
Delphia
No. We can't make anything living or edible. But we can make things like machines when we get really
good at our abilities. We're not supposed to abuse our powers or use them for profit or anything like
that of course. Here, watch.
Delphia draws a boulder and pushes it to create… a weird looking boulder that is shaped like Matty's
head for some reason.
Harriet
It's… a strange rock.
Delphia
Okay, okay. So I don't like making details. At least I had more fun drawing that than another tree.
Matt
I don't know. I kind of like it. Hm?
Matt looks down and sees drops of paint.
Matt
There's drops on the ground.
Delphia
Yeah, I see them. They must be drips from the Paint that boy stole…
Harriet
Right… the one who also destroyed your village…
Delphia
Yeah. But as long as we have Paint, we can rebuild it no matter what happens.
Matt
Do you think we should follow the drips?
Delphia
A little ways, I guess. But I'm not supposed to go too far out with this stuff yet…
They walk a little ways and turn around a large pileup of rocks. On the other side is a white, long figure in a futuristic poncho. The group freezes. The figure is examining paint drops.
Matt
W-w-what is that?
Delphia
It's… some sort of… creature…
The alien now levitates above the ground, still with its back facing the group. The group approaches cautiously. Then, it suddenly turns around, and for the first time, we see its face. The group is shocked at first.
Matt
It's… an alien life form!
Alien (speaks directly into their minds)
Humans… How troublesome…
Harriet
Hey, do you guys hear that?
Duster
Yeah, it's like he's whispering into our minds or something.
The alien lands and walks up to them.
Alien
You are Harriet and Matthew… The siblings of the Winston child…
Harriet
Huh? Who are you? How do you know about Winston?!
Alien
You should really stop pursuing him. He is working for us now. He is doing something important.
Harriet (angry)
I don't know what the heck you are, but give us back Winston!
Delphia
Who is Winston?
Matt
He's our younger brother… He ran away a few nights ago, and we've been chasing after him.
Alien
There is no reason for me to harm you… Just return home…
Harriet
No!
Alien
Foolishness…
The alien blasts out a clear wave of PSI that knocks everyone on their backs.
Alien
You don't understand. We must use Winston.
Matt
And what does that have to do with stealing this special paint (not special)?
Delphia
What? Your… your brother did this?
Alien
He is under our control now. We commanded him to do as such. And we've tried several times to keep
you two out of the way.
Matt
You're the one sending those UFOs and robot things after us?
Alien
Your persistence is a detriment to our work here, and now is the perfect chance to deal with the lot of you. If you don't resist, perhaps I will only incapacitate you.
Harriet
Not a chance! Now give us back Winston!
Harriet tries PK Shock, but the alien only absorbs it like nothing happens.
Alien
Humorous. Trying to befuddle a mind much more advanced than your own…
Matty uses PSI Hold to surround the Alien with control energy. Harriet gets really mad and fires a large PK Songbird. The alien doesn't even need to put up a shield. He just flicks his arm to blast the attack away.
Matty
(My telekinesis didn't even slow him a bit!)
Alien
My people created PSI, you insufferable child! That will never work on me!
Duster
Then what about this?
Duster comes in with a kick, but the alien floats away to dodge it, and then a second time. The alien launches a psychic wave attack, which Matt blocks with a shield.
Alien
Such a nuisance…
The alien fires out a blue wavy wave, giving the group a headache.
Harriet
Ugh… I can't… concentrate…
Alien
Since it's useless against me anyway, I've disabled your PSI abilities.
Delphia
Wanna bet?
Alien
???
The alien turns to see that Delphia has drawn an ice symbol on her glass canvas.
Alien
Curious…
Dephia shoves the symbol out, and it turns into a freezing wind. When it clears, the alien is encased in ice. Its eyes slant a little in a small panel, and then he breaks himself out of the ice and takes to the air. Delphia draws lightning bolts repeatedly, which get shoved out and turned into real lightning that try to strike the alien down.
Alien
Interesting… I've never seen PSI used in this manner before…
The alien lands and launches some psychic waves at Delphia, who jumps away to avoid them. Delphia draws fire and pushes it out, creating a fire ball. The alien actually has to make a shield this time to protect itself. Duster, Harriet, and Matty get in close to attack, but the alien just shoves them away again.
Duster
We can't get close if it's going to keep doing that…
Delphia
Yeah, I'll try draining its PSI.
Harriet
What?
Delphia
It's a technique Painters use to disable another Painter. You know, if they're being bad or something.
Alien
(This is becoming troublesome…)
Delphia draws an interesting looking wave of some kind (energy plus negative symbol or something?), then pushes it out. The wave hits the alien and drains PSI from it, giving it to Delphia. The alien stops hovering and falls to the ground, one arm on its knee. It looks tired now.
Harriet
It worked!
Alien
(This is no good… Their bodies are so much stronger than ours… Can't get hit…)
Matty comes over, swinging his monopod. The alien dodges and jumps each swing, and then takes back to the air.
Matt
Where's Winston? What have you done to him?
Alien (touches hands to head)
You've forced me to use something more powerful…
Delphia (screws up drawing a symbol)
Crud! I screwed it up…
Harriet
Then try again! Just hurry!
Delphia (wiping away paint)
I'm trying!
Alien
Now…
He fires out a sphere of unstable psycho energy, but then a wall of crystals jolts up in front of the kids. The sphere goes into it, exploding and shattering the crystals, which then turn to harmless dust.
Delphia, Matt, Harriet
Huh?
They look over to see Taras, paintbrush in one hand, canvas in the other, toothpick in mouth, and looking cool.
Taras
Hey. Who's the tall pale naked guy?
Alien
Another one…
The alien extends his arm to prepare for an attack, but Taras creates something in the blink of an eye and shoots it out. Dust surrounds the alien's arm.
Alien
???
The dust concentrates and solidifies, forming a crystal around his arm and disabling him. He uses his other arm to cast a wave that blows apart the crystal.
Alien
(I need to rest… How annoying.)
The alien just flies away.
Harriet
Hey! Get back here!
Alien
(Embarrassing…)
Taras fires some crystals at the alien, but they all miss. He's out of sight now.
Taras
Darn.
Delphia
Taras… Thanks for helping.
Taras
Dunno who that guy thing was, but do you want to chase after it?
Harriet
He's already gone. There's nothing we can do but keep going… Delphia, thanks for everything. We'd like to hang around a little longer, but we've got to get back after our brother. He's in a lot of danger.
Delphia
I know…
Duster
Hey, look.
They turn to see some of the villagers, including Markos and the old guy from earlier. Their expressions tell us that they saw the whole thing.
Delphia
Oh. Hi, everyone…
Some of Taras's fangirls come over and swoon over him.
Taras
Ladies, please. They did all the work.
He just walks away.
Taras (looking back)
Oh, and Delphia just more than proved herself.
Girls
Taras, you're so modest!
Matt (to Harriet, who isn't amused by the comment)
So… he's like the one-man boy band around here, huh…
Cut to a fancy dinner feast in the village gallery, which is lined with beautiful paintings. The party is among those eating. At some point in this scene show Reggie and Duster talking without dialogue.
Matt
So where is Delphia?
Harriet
I'm not sure, but I have the feeling that this whole dinner thing has something to do with her.
Duster
This food is… so delicious! Truly, they are artists of cuisine, as well!
There is a small stage at the end of the dining hall. We see Markos peeking behind a curtain. Then we go backstage where Markos's dad is and Delphia parents and uncle are. Delphia is looking at her new outfit, suited for a graduate and a wandering painter.
Markos
Don't be nervous now, Delphy. You don't even have to say anything.
Delphia's Dad
We're so proud of you, Delphia. We always knew you were a talented Painter. You just like to do things differently than everyone else.
Delphia's Uncle (older)
Well, so did you, remember? You drew your trees on fire.
Markos
Delphia's just too creative to draw plain, boring old trees that the village expects. We're not just Painters
you know. We're artists first.
Uncle
It's easy to forget that…
Mom (Korean like)
Delphia, do you think you'd like to stay with your new friends awhile longer?
Delphia
I think so. Besides, if I go with them, I might be able to get back the missing Paint. I know how important
it is that the stuff doesn't get in someone else's hands.
Dad
Just be careful, Delphia. That creature they said you fought sounds very powerful…
Delphia nods and hugs her parents. Taras comes over.
Taras
Right, well, I guess I got to approve this since Mother isn't around right now. Um, so, Delphia…
Good job and everything. So you're an official Painter now. Yeah, I guess that's all I have to say.
Mom
Good thing you're not the one giving the speech.
Taras
Yeah, I know. Sorry I can't stay, but I'm going to get back on those alien guys and figure out what
they want, and how they connect to that Winston kid. And maybe find my mom and tell her what's
going on. I guess I'll see you around, Delphy.
He leaves. Delphia goes back to looking out from the curtain. Back on the stage, the old guy from earlier comes out and says a few words. The group pays attention.
Painter Patriarch, aka the Old Guy with Mustache
We are here tonight to honor our newest official Painter, who has certainly proven herself to be capable
and worthy of the title. She is a unique breed, one who makes her own rules… One who struggles more against a system us adults have set up, but one of the few who may have the creativity
to change it…
Matt
What's this old guy talking about?
Duster and Harriet shrug.
Old Guy
Delphia, please come out now…
Delphia comes out in her new pretty Painter uniform. The people at the dinner clap quietly. One of the brats from earlier, sitting near Harriet, sulks and makes a rude comment. Harriet knocks over a glass of water on his pants, and he screams and runs away. Delphia steps up to the podium.
Old Guy
Delphia Tamara, now that you are a real Painter, it is your task to help make this world a better place for all of its inhabitants. Make it more beautiful and repair injured landscapes. What color have you chosen to represent yourself?
Delphia
Indigo, p-please.
Old Guy
Very well. Indigo it is.
An assistant brings an indigo paint tube and hands it to Delphia. The old guy takes out a stencil, puts it on her face, and uses an airbrush to paint the symbol of Delphia's family under her right eye.
Old Guy (giving her the tube)
And you'll be wanting this… Since it comes off pretty easily. When you're older, you can get a tattoo if
you wish. But trust me. It hurts.
Matt
This place is so cool… I wonder if I could become a Painter. I have PSI…
Harriet
Yeah, but their PSI is different somehow.
Delphia runs down to the group.
Harriet
Hey, congrats, Delphy.
Delphia
Thanks! So look… I was wondering if I could join you guys for a bit.
Harriet
Really? You really want to? Is it okay with everyone?
Delphia
Yes. I've been allowed to travel the world since I turned thirteen, anyway.
Matt
Well, you really want to come… I'm sure we could use the help.
Delphia
So you're Matty and Duster… Hm, I guess I'll have to get used to you both.
Matt
H-hey… what's that supposed to mean?
Duster
People never get used to me…
Cut to the new team departing the village at sunset, waving to them. They turn to head out of the ravine.
Delphia
So we're heading to this Tower of Water place next, huh?
Harriet
Yes. And if we hurry, maybe we can stop Winston there…
Delphia
You know, Matty, you're kind of cute now that I notice…
Matt (blushing)
Um, w-what? I'm c-cute?
Delphia
Yeah. I think it's the glasses.
Matt
H-Harriet, what am I supposed to say?
Harriet and Delphia giggle.
Duster (put off by girlishness)
We've got a long way to go…
Up at the top of the ridge, the two aliens watch the two.
Boss
The Winston child needs to get to the next tower before they do…
Partner
His PSI is awakening. He should make it. I'm more worried about that thing…
We see that a holographic image of Starface is at their side. They turn to look at it. The partner takes the holo device and puts it in a bag hanging at his side.
Partner
What do you suppose it is?
Boss
I don't know. This world… is a strange one.
The two aliens activate a tractor beam that pulls them up to their ship. We then see that Taras was watching from behind a tree or rock, and makes a sketch of the ship in a sketchbook as it shoots away. Fade out on the sketch of the ship.