Chapter Text
Sheeta and Pazu follow the robot through a ruined garden. There are fallen pillars and pools of water. Dragonflies hover around these pools and beaver like creatures with four red eyes and fat tails with no visible limbs. They jump into the water and swim away when the three of them walk bye.
“What the heck is that!?” Aiko asks.
“It looks like a beaver,” Sheeta says.
“A mutant beaver,” says Tombo.
“Hey, there are creatures like that in my time too!” Nausicaa shouts. “They exist in a small respiratory of animals called The Garden. They are supposed to be released back into the wild when the water is purified. But they only exist in Laputa at this time?”
“Our beavers have two normal eyes and flat tails, and legs,” Pazu says.
Sheeta and Pazu rush over to the pool in awe. They see a submerged piece of the city with strange fish swimming around.
“Those are some weird fish,” Ponyo says.
“Indeed,” says Haku. “Laputa has a variety of strange creatures.”
“Both those fish and the Laputan Beavers are common in our timeline,” Kokiri says.
“I wonder if they were genetically engineered by the Laputans for some reason,” Nausicaa says.
“I don't recall reading anything on those types,” Souske says.
“Laputa is amazing,” Sho says.
“I hope we can go there when all this is over,” Arrietty says.
“Darn right we are!” Pazu shouts.
“It does look beautiful,” Sheeta says.
Pazu and Sheeta follow the robot up the steps and through an overgrown jungle. Pazu holds Sheeta’s hand and comments that the place is amazing. They hear caws and see birds flying in front of a transparent wall.
“Wait! How can you see the sky!?” Pazu asks.
Aiko shrugs. “Magic? Camera’s on the outside and screens on the inside.”
“But what about the storm?” Ashitaka asks.
“Yeah, what about the clouds?” Sheeta asks.
“Your spell,” Kiki says.
“It must have undid the seal!” says Kokiri.
“The island is waking up,” says Pazu, worried.
Indeed, while the wall looks transparent on one side, a view from the opposite side shows a stone wall with a few square window holes in it.
“Amazing,” Sho gasps.
“This world is so incredible,” Arrietty says. “It makes mine feel so small. Although I suppose it really is.”
Pazu asks what could have happened to the Laputans if they were this advanced.
They walk through a grove of giant trees and through a bush. They gasp as they see the robot standing before a MASSIVE tree, reaching and branching out at the very top of the dome.
The camera pans over, showing that the top of the tree has spread out so that it covers the whole top of the castle, of the floating island of Laputa.
“By the spirits!” San says, eyes wide and sparking.
“Magnificient,” says Ashitaka.
“It-it's beautiful,” Sheeta says, fully in awe at the kingdom that her ancestors ruled over. She sees Pazu crying by her side. “Pazu? Are you ok?”
Pazu wipes a tear. “Yeah. I’m not crying. I-I just wish my father was here to see this.”
“Room! Can you do that!?” Lisa yells to the ceiling. Nothing happens. “Oh come on! You brought Eboshi of all people here!?”
“Hey!” Eboshi protests.
“I wonder what sort of spirit that tree would produce,” says Haku.
“Big-” says Chihiro.
“That tree was one of the few recoverable parts of Laputa,” Kiki says.
“It's a shame given what we're seeing now,” says Tombo.
Sheeta and Pazu approach the tree and the robot. In the wood is a plaque that bears an enhanced version of the symbol found on Sheeta’s necklace. It is Laputa itself, as a multi-layered island, with wings and two spheres on its top and bottom.
Sheeta takes out her necklace and looks at the symbol, smiling about what it means.
“Can you read that?” Pazu asks the witches.
“No, sorry,” Kiki says.
“I only know what the royal family's name was,” says Kokiri.
“Its a grave,” Haku deduces.
“For one that big it must have been royalty,” says Eboshi. “Maybe the last king before everything went south.”
Pazu identifies it as a grave and says he wishes he could read it. Sheeta notices flowers left on it and asks the nearby robot if he left them there. However, they realize it is a different robot. It has vegetation growing on it, deactivated for a long time. Sheeta and Pazu notice many other dead robots in the distance. They are all grown into the tree and have moss on them.
Sheeta nearly cries.
“The grave, it must be for the robots,” she deduces. “Built by the last one as they all broke down one by one.”
“They were gardener robots,” Pazu says in realization. “They were told to protect the island even after all the people left.”
Pazu and Sheeta see the robot they know approaching with another flower. Sheeta asks him if he did this, and the robot hands the flower to her. Pazu asks if there are still other robots left and he is all alone.
“That's so sad,” says Sheeta. “I wonder how long that robot has been all alone.”
“Maybe you can activate them with your magic words?” Souske suggests.
“With Muska outside that might actually be a good idea,” says Yuki.
“No, I don't think so,” Tombo says. “Most of them look too damaged.”
“He’s right,” Kokiri says.
Fox-Quirrels climb on the robots body.
“Teto’s!” Ponyo yells.
“Fox-Squirrels!” Nausicaa shouts.
Everyone looks at Nausicaa’s pet.
“Yeah, I said that Fox-Squirrels are from Laputa too. Didn't I?” Kokiri asks.
“It’s not scared,” Chihiro says.
“The native fauna are likely used to the robots' presence,” San says.
More Fox-Squirrels run down the tree and play together on the robot's body. The robot beeps and walks away. Sheeta cries tears of joy, realizing that the robot still has friends in the animals and isn't so lonely.
Sheeta does in the audience as well.
As do some other audience members like Sho and San.
A pair of hands press down on a lever and a door explodes. Frightening away the flamingo/swan like birds (they have long and white bodies but pink and black wings).
The audience groans.
“UGH! No! What's happening now!?” Chihiro asks, annoyed.
“I know! Right!?” adds Kiki.
Pazu and Sheeta rush out and follow the sound of the explosions. They run across the floating terrain and notice parts of it being destroyed.
The screen pans and it shows that Muska and his ship have made it to Laputa. They are unloading at the base. The pirates ship is nearby but busted.
Sheeta and Pazu gasp.
“No, they made it,” says Pazu.
San slams her hand on her seat. “Damn it!”
“I hope the pirates are ok,” says Sheeta.
The soldiers set off another explosion, and Pazu points to where the pirates are being kept prisoner by the general and Muska.
“Oh no, they are prisoners!” Sheeta exclaims.
“Oh no, the pirates are prisoners,” Yuko says, sarcastically.
“They seemed to be nice enough later,” Sheeta reminds her.
Yuki shrugs.
“Also, they hang pirates,” says Pazu. “Dola and the others could die.”
“Well, to be fair none of the pirates tried to actually kill the kids,” says Eboshi.
“They also used tear gas instead of actual guns,” says Lisa.
“Pazu said she was nice after spending a day with her,” says Chihiro.
“She also seemed to smile fondly hearing that,” says Ashitaka.
“Save them if you can,” says San.
Sheeta and Pazu decide to help them.
A soldier runs up to the general and says they found a way in. The soldier then shows the general a piece of gold treasure they found inside. The general and the pirates are in awe.
Eboshi’s eyes light up.
“Oh, shiny. I don't need to harvest any Iron if I can get treasures like that.”
San crosses her arms. “I bet that metal and jewels were dug from the ground.”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Ashitaka says. “But it was likely dig so long ago that the area it came from has likely healed over by now.”
“It's already excavated anyway,” says San.
The general cruelly taunts the pirates saying he can give them some of the treasure, around their necks (as a noose to hang them). The general then asks Muska if he reported that they found Laputa. Muska says that he was about too, and the general says to make the code complicated before rushing into the cavern with his soldiers.
“Complicated?” Arrietty asks. “Wouldn't that make it hard for his people to decipher?”
“I think that's the point,” says Sho.
“Huh?”
“The greedy bastard wants the treasure for himself,” San says.
“His soldiers are already looting,” says Haku.
Arrietty scoffs. “Well, the Borrower code is that if we find it it's ours but we atleast share it with our own. If they are working for a system it should go to everyone involved.”
“Some people are just selfish,” says Eboshi.
“Indeed,” says Nausicaa.
“Souske, Ponyo, no stealing,” Lisa tells her kids.
“I know,” Souske says.
“Yeah,” says Ponyo.
When they are gone, Muska comments that it is a perfect distraction for them, calling them idiots.
Everyone’s eyes widen.
“I knew he was up to something else,” Pazu says.
Muska walks away. Pazu and Sheeta run down the stairs but they come to an end, with the Goliath a long drop below them.
“You guys need to find another way,” says Tombo.
“There isn’t time,” says Pazu.
Sheeta looks at her necklace and agrees.
Pazu comments on the roots, then he and Sheeta start climbing down them.
“Ok, that's much safer than what I was thinking you would do,” says Kiki.
“Wait, did you think we were going to jump?” Pazu asks. “That’s suicide.”
“Yeah…” says Sheeta.
“Still, climbing all the way down, from so hight up…” Chihiro gets dizzy just thinking about it.
Haku pats her and she calms down.
Sheeta and Pazu climb down to a window and they see the soldiers going crazy while looting the ruins. They set off explosions and break down doors as they throw down gold chests, a gold dragon head, and various other treasures into a large pile.
‘I gotta go to Laputa,’ Eboshi thinks.
‘Thats so much gold,’ Aiko thinks in awe.
“That's a lot of deliveries,” Kiki says aloud.
“Greedy humans,” says San in disgust.
“No argument there,” says Ashitaka.
“Well to be fair, there aren't even any be-people living here anymore so they are free to take what they want,” says Arrietty.
“Although they are still trying to keep a large chunk of it for themselves and not the government, which would use it to help their citizens,” Sho tells her.
“True, that would be better.”
“They are no better than thieves!” Pazu says in disgust. “If they reach the garden…”
“We need to stop them,” agrees Sheeta.
“They are destroying historical ruins!” shouts Nausicaa.
Pazu tells Sheeta they can only stop them if they find her necklace. Pazu deduces that when Sheeta used her spell the seal around the island broke, parting the clouds and allowing them to land. The kingdom welcomed the army because they had the stone and Muska will become king.
“Oh, you don't have to worry about that, kid,” Jiji says, though only meows are heard from the non-witches besides San.
“We tried to reactivate what was left of the island but it just couldn't be done,” says Kokiri.
“Yeah, you need to be a royal,” says Tombo.
“Like Sheeta with the necklace,” says Kiki.
Sheeta asks what she must do once she has the stone again, then she remembers the destruction spell.
“Are you sure about this, Sheeta?” Pazu asks.
“It may be the only way,” says Sheeta.
“I hope not for the robot and animals sakes,” says San, thinking Sheeta may have to destroy the island to keep Muska from using the technology that's supposed to be there.
They are heard by a soldier, but Sheeta and Pazu hide.
Pazu and Sheeta sky on the army and Pazu notices a dangling piece of the castle's structure. They run all the way down and they see the platform several feet away from where they are. It is a long jump, but it would place Pazu and Sheeta right under where they need to be.
Pazu steps back saying that he will go first.
“Oh god,” Sho clasps his heart.
“I can't watch!” says Lisa.
“I will be fine,” Pazu says. “I think.”
Everyone in the audience worries for Pazu and Sheeta. If they miss they will just end up falling hundreds of miles to their deaths. And Sheeta doesn't have her necklace now. Haku, Nausicaa, and the witches wish they could be there to just fly them over or catch them.
Pazu runs and reaches the platform!...But it breaks as soon as he lands on it and he has to grab onto the pillar to avoid falling.
Sheeta and Pazu’s hearts race seeing his near fall. Everyone else stares in shock or is hyperventilating.
“That was a close one,” says Tombo.
“No kidding,” says Kiki.
Sheeta watches in horror as Pazu climbs up the pillar. He grabs on as a large block he was supporting himself on falls, leaving him dangling by his hands.
Everyone watches with concern for the boy.
“Do NOT jump too!” Lisa tells Sheeta, who nods.
Pazu struggles, but he pulls himself up and climbs up what is left of the pillar.
Pazu smiles at himself proudly on the screen. Even if he flinches when another piece falls off.
“Please reach the top before the entire pillar falls!” Sheeta pleads.
“I will,” Pazu says.
Sheeta is horrified watching Pazu climb to avoid his death. Then she overhears Muska with his men looking for something at her floor level.
Muska looks around with his tiny book as Pazu continues to climb behind him.
“You are so dead if he turns around, man,” Tombo says.
“He can do it,” Ashitaka says. “He is brave and strong willed.”
Pazu smiles, proud to receive praise from Ashitaka.
Sheeta prays to God as Pazu climbs.
Muska finds another symbol of Laputa and places the necklace on it. It glows and an opening appears.
Everyone is confused.
“Wait, I thought only royals can use the necklace,” says Chihiro.
“Maybe it’s working now since Sheeta already got it to show Laputa,” Tombo suggests.
“Maybe…” Kokiri says. “I hope.”
The army is alerted by screams and they see Pazu trying to climb. He is almost near the top and another piece of the pillar falls. One of Muska’s men takes out his gun to shoot.
“NO!” shouts Pazu.
“Son of a bitch!” shouts Lisa.
“Climb kid! Climb!” shouts Aiko.
“I’m climbing!” shouts Pazu.
The bullet barely misses Pazu. Sheeta runs and tackles the man with the gun.
The audience cheers. The women are the loudest.
“Thank you, Sheeta,” Pazu says.
“Nice one!” shouts Arrietty.
“Remind me to make you a knife,” San says with a proud smile.
“You go, girl!” says Kiki.
“You can improve your form, but still good,” says Eboshi.
“Grab the gun and run!” says Nausicaa.
All the adults agree.
Sheeta runs, and Muska demands that she be brought in alive.
“But he has the necklace, why does he still need me?” Sheeta asks confused.
Muska grabs Sheeta by her braid. Sheeta winces as he pulls and calls her a princess.
“You let her go!” Pazu shouts.
Everyone else voices their agreement.
Pazu calls out to Sheeta and the soldier fires his gun again. The bullet grazes (though enough to cut and bleed) Pazu’s cheek and he falls backward into a window.
Pazu touches his cheek.
“Pazu!” shouts Sheeta.
“Relax, I’m here,” says Pazu. “And it didn't kill me. It just cut me.” Pazu looks at Ashitaka. “I guess you and I are future scar guys!”
“I have no intention of cutting Ashitaka this time,” San says.
“And we're here to avert all this,” says Ashitaka.
“Oh, right…”
The soldiers above Pazu ask what happened. Muska lies and says a pirate escaped and is under them.
“You lying bastard!” Lisa shouts.
All the adults shout death threats at Muska.
Pazu yells for Sheeta to wait for him, as Muska and his men drag her into the opening and it closes behind them. Pazu becomes trapped by the soldiers' gunfire. One asks for a grenade.
Sheeta covers her eyes while everyone else worries for the boy.
The pirates realize that its Pazu, as a soldier throws a grenade in the window. It explodes and Dola is pushed upward for a bit.
Pazu winces, thinking that might have killed his counterpart. Everyone else is pale in horror.
The pirates all look at Dola thinking she farted. Dola shouts that wasn't it. The brick from under Dola falls.
Ponyo giggles. But everyone else is too horrified and worried for Pazu to laugh at the pirate's immature idiocy.