My random rewrite of episodes 4-10
I know this isn’t well-written but if I use Chatgpt to make the prose better you guys would murder me. I did flush out my ideas with Chatgpt, so maybe a few sentences are AI, honestly don't really remember, anyway, here you go.
Before we begin my rewrite of episodes 4-10, here are my ideas.
- Biggest one, we are told so many times no weapon can hurt Aku. It said nothing about punching and kicking. So Jack won't get his sword back to defeat Aku, instead he will win by a cool martial arts battle with him and destroy Aku with his fists...something something something will of the warrior (not a retcon, proved in Episode XLVIII).
- The Guardian will be a much more important character
- In the old Samurai Jack the best scenes were just quiet stretches of 7-10 minutes, we will be sure to do that again instead of stupid filler crap, penis jokes, and rape innuendos.
- You will see how I do it, but Ashi will not be a student, more of a friend. At the end though (you will see why) we can leave her future relationship with Jack in the air
Episode 4. We keep most of it the same in the original but we add a few extra scenes. In the middle of the episode Jack can tell Ashi about the guardians portal and how it's multi-dimensional (Jack can go back to the past, but it creates a new timeline) and reveals he was planning on just leaving the future (he has no hope) but the guardian stopped him a 2nd time and wouldn’t let him use it. Also in episode 4, during Akus depression cycle he randomly checks if Jack is dead with his mirror portal thing, sees Jack and Ashi in the belly of the beast. So he communicates to Ashi directly, they reveal he is her father and he tries a father-daughter bonding moment (it's awkward and funny) and he gives her the vial. At the end of the episode when they get out, Ashi is about to drink it, but like in the original sees the lady bug and decides not too.
Episode 5. We keep the scene when Scotsman army battles Aku. Just a couple switches. Make Aku less powerful here for the final fight, but demonstrate how weapons don't work. At the end, the Scotsman presses a button on his wheelchair to launch himself at Aku which knocks him down. Aku kills the Scotsman like the original and he gets ghost form. This little adjustment is important because it shows weapons are useless against Aku, but human physical attacks work. Also, this scene reminds us Jack has allies for later this episode. In the original Ashi was like, "yo Im out". but Jack was like, "come back bitch". Then they went to the city of Aku and had a boring filler adventure with no consequence then split up. This one, they do split up, for real. So we established at the end of episode 4 she is no longer trying to kill Jack, great, we don't need to backpadel. She is confused as to why Jack saved her, Jack says it felt like the right thing. Ashi at this point is refusing to be a companion to Jack, but she promises "she owes him one" and leaves. Ashi appears to be wandering aimlessly when she sees the Samurai Ghost from episodes 1-2. She thinks it's important so she follows from a distance. Now she does as she did in original episode 6 did, Ashi meets Jack's former allies (for the main battle at the end of the season) and continues following the Samurai Ghost. Towards the end of the episode we return to where Jack fought the Guardian in Episode XXXII. The Samurai Ghost uncloaks, it's the Guardian with Jack's sword strapped to him. (end episode right here)
Episode 6. Start with a staredown, Ashi and the Guardian. Ashi (being in the cult knows this, so it's not dues ex machina) that is Jack's sword. She knows Jack could either use his sword or use the portal, and she tells the Guardian she owes him one and demands one of them. Guardian is like, "NOPE". (he is voiced by Samuel L Jackson like in the original series). Ashi grows impatient and finally attacks the Guardian, to which the Guardian wins the fight. The Guardian explains the sword is holding Jack back and he doesn't need it. Ashi then asks nicely if he can use the time portal, to which the Guardian says, "Only one man can use it and that man hasn't proven himself yet". The portal though calls to Ashi, the Guardian says she can approach but if she tries to use it he will "break her". (Cut to commericial, halfway point) We cut back to Jack. He wonders back to the same inn as the one in Episode XLII. Jack gets attacked by a red ninja, Jack defeats him, the ninja takes off his hoods, Reintroudes the Da' Samurai. Some people may say this is fanfictiony, but Jack taught him the ways of the Samurai, so it's better Da' Samurai reteaches it to his former master. Da' Samurai takes Jack along on a mission to free the Emoji Aliens from The Taxidermist King A flamboyant alien warlord who collects living species and freezes them in glass emoji-like expression masks. His power is emotional imprisonment: he traps victims in exaggerated emotional states, joy, terror, rage, grief, and displays them as art.His powers: can fire mask shards that force emotional reactions, can freeze people in a single facial expression, uses floating glass panels as shields, speaks like an art critic describing suffering as “composition.” No rape innuendos. No boring electric hands. Actual personality. Jack and Da’ Samurai fight him. Jack has no sword, so he must rely on fists, movement, environment, and discipline. This is where we quietly build the finale rule. Jack punches through one of the villain’s glass masks. His fist bleeds. He does not stop. He adjusts. He breathes. He fights like a martial artist again. Da’ Samurai sees it and smiles because Jack is coming back. Da' Samurai and Jack kick some ass, but Jack is out of weapons and uses his fists. This shows a few things. Jack is slowly getting his mojo back, he still has allies, Jack can kick ass without his sword. Jack and Da' Samurai separate after the mission, saying goodbye. The end of the episode. Jack in the distance is walking through some ruins. The Guardian (wearing the Ghost Samurai clothing) is standing next to Ashi. Ashi is holding the vile of something that Aku gave her. The Guardian asks Ashi if she is sure she wants to do this, Ashi says she is sure and this is the best way to pay him back (end episode)
Episode 7. A few minutes of pure visuals, no dialogue, classic Samurai Jack style: Jack trudging through the overgrown ruins, wind howling, his long hair and torn gi whipping around him. Green mist starts rising from the cracked stone. He hears Ashi yelling his name in the distance. Jack sprints toward the sound, then slows as the mist clears. The Guardian stands on a raised platform, face uncovered so Jack instantly knows who the “ghost” really is. Ashi is chained to an ancient stone pillar in front of him. She looks determined, not scared. The Guardian is holding the vial of black liquid. Jack steps forward, swordless, fists clenched. The Guardian looks at him calmly (Samuel L. Jackson voice, deep and serious). The sword has been holding you back for fifty years, samurai. You keep looking for it like it’s the only thing that can end Aku. It isn’t.”
Ashi says. “This is how I pay you back for saving me. I volunteered. The Guardian said it’s the only way you’ll believe it.” The Guardian uncorks the vial and pours it down Ashi’s throat. Her body convulses. Black tendrils explode across her skin as she transforms into the full Aku-monster form from Episode C, pure essence of Aku. The chains snap. She lunges. What follows is a raw, intense chase and fight sequence across the ruins. Jack first tries using weapons, none work. (mostly visuals, minimal dialogue, beautiful animation). Jack dodges her slashing tentacles and energy blasts, using the environment . At one point Jack is cornered. The Guardian steps in once, punches the monster-Ashi square in the chest with his massive fist — the blow actually staggers her and sends black ichor flying. “See? Weapons aren’t the only thing that can hurt him. Your will is.” The Guardian steps back. “This one’s on you, samurai. No sword. No tricks. Just you.” Jack’s eyes narrow. The lesson clicks. He drops the broken spear he grabbed earlier, stands his ground, and goes in with nothing but his fists and pure martial-arts fury. The fight becomes is hand-to-hand combat against an Aku-level threat. Jack takes hits, gets slammed into walls, but keeps getting up. With every punch you see the “will of the warrior” buildin, glowing faintly around his fists. He lands a final, devastating series of strikes straight to the core of the monster. The evil is literally punched out of Ashi. She collapses back to normal, gasping, exhausted but alive. Silence for a beat. Jack stands over her, breathing hard. Ashi rubs her head, half-smiling despite the pain. Jack stares at her, then at the Guardian. A small, exhausted smile breaks through. He lightly slaps the back of her head. Jack looks down at his own fists, flexing them. For the first time in decades, real confidence returns to his eyes. He turns to the Guardian. Jack stands there for a long moment. The camera lingers on his face, determined, at peace. He tells the guardian he will destroy Aku and “prove he is worthy”. End of Episode 7.
Episode 8. Unlike in the original where Jack's allies just came out of nowhere. The first half Jack and Ashi is recruiting them. They get a bunch of allies like the Spartans and the Scots. The 2nd half, no words, just 10 minutes of Jack and his allies getting ready for the final battle. We end on the image that was hinted in Episode XXXII
Episode 9, the army of Jack is approaching Aku's tower, the same scene opening to episode 5. We quickly cut to the Guardian, watching from the portal. Important though, Jack doesn't fight at all this episode, he is in the rareguard. We see his allies fight some robot bugs and stuff. As they get closer we get a cool 3v3 fight between 3 of Akus mercaneries vs Ashi, Da' Samurai, and Flora. Anyway, towards the end. The army waits by Aku's den. Jack comes forward, annoyed Aku comes out out, quickly recognizes it's Jack and is about to flee, but sees he doesn't have his sword, grins saying Jack will be destroyed. Jack doesn't plan on it and raises his fists. (end episode)
(I had Chatgpt make the villains, I was lazy)
- The Glass Monk A silent assassin made of reflective crystal. He predicts attacks by reading reflections. Good opponent for Ashi, who has to stop fighting emotionally and fight unpredictably.
- The Iron Mantis A tall machine-warrior with four bladed arms. Perfect opponent for Da’ Samurai, because it tempts him into flashy swordplay. He wins only when he uses Jack’s lesson: restraint over style.
- The Laughing Butcher A huge brute with a cleaver-like energy weapon and a cheerful personality. Good opponent for Flora/Scots fighter because it becomes a raw brawl.
(Back to my writing) The fight should end with teamwork, not three isolated wins. Ashi saves Da’ Samurai, Da’ Samurai creates an opening for Flora, Flora knocks one mercenary into Ashi’s strike. That makes the army feel unified.
And episode 10. The first half, Jack fights Aku hand to hand, Jack wins, destroys Aku, injured as fuck and taken to the campsite to be treated. Flora, Da' Samurai, and Ashi visit Jack at the hospital, they say the fight is far from over, many of Aku's evil minions remain. They ask if he is gonna use the portal, create a new dimension and see his parents again, but Jack says he won't, he will stay here and help, but the three won't accept that. They say he did more than enough here and it's ok if they take it from here, they convince him to just be selfish for once. Then we cut to the sky, then back to the portal. Flora, Da' Samurai, and Ashi are seeing Jack off. The Guardian tries to hand Jack his sword back, (Little comedy scene) Guardian: Here Jack, you have earned this back Jack: no need, the true will of the warrior... Guardian: Jack, take your damn sword and get out of here already Jack smiles, takes his sword back, and waves them goodbye. He steps in the portal, sees old Aku, Jack utterly destroys him, no contest. Then final scene Jack sees his parents and they embrace. Cut to credits Post Credit scene- Jump back to when Jack enters the portal (Another funny scene) Ashi seems like she lost someone important Guardian: Just go Ashi: But you said only one man can use the portal Guardian: Well you ain't a man, so go. Ashi thinks for a second then runs to the portal and we end for real.