[Child's laughter]
So let's go. Don't leave us hanging.
Come on!
I wanna know what happened!
I think we got 'em.
So who's the guy that brought the chest to Sardo?
Yeah. And where was the cemetery?
And how come only Rush could open the chest?
Let's have a little recap here
to get you back up to speed.
OK. Rush and Max were brothers
who didn't really get along.
All rich wanted to do was grow up,
but Max was always keeping him down.
Rush and Max had different ideas of what fun was.
Rather than pound Max in the dirt,
Rush bought him a magic set to keep him busy
and far away.
But there was an odd treasure chest at the magic mansion
that no one could open except Rush.
Inside was a strange spyglass
that showed Rush images of a spooky cemetery
and played tricks on Max.
The spyglass was haunted,
and it lured some horrifying ghosts.
One of the ghosts kidnapped poor Max,
and only Rush knew.
Rush didn't know what to do. Max was gone,
and he couldn't contact his parents.
That's where we left off.
Kick it.
Submitted for the approval
of the Midnight Society,
we call this story...
Mr. Sardo?
Mr. Sardo, you in there?
[Knocking]
Sardo. Sardo!
Oh, this is hopeless.
Go away! We're closed until--
You!
I knew you'd be back!
Look, buddy, I don't know what this thing is,
but it's making ghosts show up in my house.
Ghosts? Yes, well, they're probably just illusions.
Yeah? Then 2 illusions
just snatched my little brother.
Either you tell me what's goin' on,
or I'm coming back with the cops.
I'm not so sure the police would believe you
any more than I do.
They don't. I've already tried.
Look, Mr. Sar--
I mean Sardo.
All I want is my brother back.
I'm afraid I don't know
much more than you.
But there's someone who does.
"The Wild Boar Coiffure"?
A barber shop?
It's run by the same man who gave me the chest.
I suggest you go and talk to him.
Excuse me.
I'm looking for the guy who--
You found him.
Vink's the name.
Dr. Vink.
Dr. Vink?
Precisely!
I've been waiting for you.
You have?
What do you think of my latest endeavor?
Of course, patrons are less interested in coiffure
than they are in my unique hair tonics.
They have such interesting properties.
[Sniffs]
Shall I...
Massage a few drops into your scalp?
Uh... no, thanks.
Of course not.
We have work to do.
Look, my little brother's in trouble--
I know all about your brother,
and I can help you find him
as long as you understand one thing.
What's that?
I am not a nut bag!
How do you know about--
Jonas Cutter.
What?
Captain Jonas Cutter, he called himself.
A murderous galley slave.
Who led the bloodiest mutiny in maritime history.
They say he took the name Cutter
because of his love for the blade
and what it could do to flesh.
History says he concealed an immense treasure
in a secret vault that, to this day,
has never been found.
Why are you telling me this?
Because I do believe
I've tracked the beggar down.
That's the guy!
We gotta tell the cops!
The police can't help you, lad.
W-why not?
Because Jonas Cutter has been dead for 200 years.
I don't believe this.
This chest belonged to the one man
who tried to defeat Cutter,
but instead met with a grisly death.
That's from the Magic Mansion!
I left it there myself,
hoping to find the champion.
Who?
Before he died,
this brave soul vowed that one day
a champion would come
to avenge the deaths of all of Cutter's victims.
These tools...
Were empowered by the souls of those victims.
Legend says that whoever opened the chest
to retrieve them
would be the one to do battle.
No.
You opened the chest, didn't you?
Y-yeah, but--
What's your name, your full name?
Russell Ian Keegan.
So what?
This belonged to your ancestor.
You are the one, lad.
You have to finish what he began 200 years ago!
Forget it. I'm just a kid.
Perhaps you're right.
I suppose it's easier to hide behind the veil of youth
than to face the responsibility
for a brother you despise.
I don't despise Max!
I want him back!
Then accept your destiny.
A cemetery!
Perfect!
Now what do we do?
The spyglass brought you here.
You'll need these...
To continue.
What do I do with them?
You'll know...
When the time comes.
Why are you doing all this?
If all goes well,
a few pieces of treasure
will help to fund some of my unique endeavors.
And if all doesn't go well?
It must!
It's your destiny!
I've done this before.
It's like my dream.
That means--
Grandson.
Aah!
Who are you?
Sir, you know who I am.
Ian Keegan?
[With dread] Oh, man.
Look, I don't know about any curse.
All I want is my brother back.
The dagger has the power.
Grandson.
Do not be fooled.
What he wants
is not what he desires.
What does that mean?
All our hopes go with you.
Don't go. You gotta help me!
Grandson.
Look everywhere.
Yuck!
Welcome aboard, skipper!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Aah!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Aah!
Swell.
Man: Not leavin' so soon, are ya?
You just came aboard.
Uh...I know who you are.
Do ya, now?
Heh heh heh heh heh!
Then let's see if you can find me.
Pity!
Your first choice was a poor one.
Not a good start.
Oh, careful, now.
Get the point? Hee hee hee!
Look, I'm no hero.
I don't wanna hurt you or anything.
Doh!
Heh heh heh!
Does I sound afraid?
Mmm. This is gettin' interestin'.
Heh heh heh!
Let's see what other fires we can stop.
Heh heh heh!
Max!
Max! Are you OK?
Come on, let's go!
Come on! What's the--
Sorry.
Just... doin' me job.
Rush!
I-it's really you, isn't it?
Yeah! Get me outta here!
I didn't think you were gonna come.
What are you talking about?
You said you hated me.
Look, Max, I said a lot of stupid things I didn't mean.
I'm sorry.
Can I be on your team again?
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Touching. Very touching.
Ha ha ha.
I am so moved, I can almost die!
But then again...
I am already dead.
Look, I don't want any trouble.
But you went through all that trouble trackin' me down!
You went through all the trouble running my gauntlet
and dispatchin' Mr. Noise!
You went through all the trouble
breaking into my treasure room!
Yes, I think you're looking for trouble,
and, skipper, you found it!
Look...
I didn't want any part of this.
You were the one--
I've stood guard here
for 2 centuries,
waitin' for ya to come, waiting for a grand battle!
I don't wanna fight.
Then you've come to the wrong place!
The fight will be a fair one.
I think swords will do just fine.
I--I don't have a sword.
Pity.
Then you really are in trouble!
I have looked forward to this.
I haven't skewered anyone in nearly 200 years!
I'm enjoying this!
Ha ha ha ha!
You're forgetting, lad. The dagger.
Use the dagger!
Is this it?
Is this the grand battle
I've been waitin' for?
Get up and fight!
I can't. I don't know what to do.
Then there's nothin' left for me to do...
But to put ya out of my misery.
I don't think so!
Leave him alone!
Oh, 2 boys!
2 boys.
2 dead little boys!
Who wants to go first?
You do.
How'd you do that?
Good show, lads!
There's only one thing left to do.
Who are you?
You must run him through with the dagger
and fulfill your destiny.
Come on, skipper!
Use the bloody dagger!
Ha ha ha! You cannot hurt me!
Ha ha ha ha ha!
I'm already dead!
Go on, lad.
Use it.
You won't do it, will ya?
Yer just a scared little boy.
How you fear the dagger!
But your fear should be of me!
For I'll be comin' after ya, skipper.
But before that,
I'll get your little brother!
No!
Ah ha ha ha ha ha!
What's the trouble, lad?
What he wants
is not what he desires.
That's what Ian's ghost said.
He was a fool!
Finish! Finish the deed!
No.
This isn't right.
You're afraid, aren't ya?
Yeah, I am.
And I think you are, too.
You've been guarding this treasure,
but there's no one to guard it from.
That's why you took Max.
To make sure I would come.
You wanted one last battle.
Nonsense talk!
Use the dagger!
This treasure's no good to you anymore, is it?
But you have to guard it forever.
I believe you're right, lad.
Use the dagger, and Cutter's wretched soul
may be released from this prison!
No, it's not true!
What do I do?
Justice for Cutter's victims
is in your hands.
Use it wisely.
Use it, blast ya!
Use it!
Curse ya!
Curse ya all!
[Rumbling]
It's caving in!
Where'd he go?
Come on.
Ah, you cowards!
Cowards all!
No!
No, don't leave me here!
Go!
No!
Please don't leave me alone!
Noooooo!
Come on! Hurry!
Grab my hand!
Pull!
I gotcha! Come on!
Cool!
Grandson.
I'm proud of you.
Did I do the right thing?
The dagger was meant to punish Cutter for his evil ways,
and that's what was done.
Aye, ya did the right thing.
Farewell, grandsons.
Thank you.
No one's ever gonna believe this.
Good show, lads!
What happened to you?
I thought it best to leave you to your own devices.
After all, this is your adventure.
Sorry you didn't get the treasure you wanted.
No matter! Treasure doesn't last.
It's the adventure, the excitement,
the game!
That's what stays with you a lifetime.
Remember that.
Though a little treasure never hurt, right?
Wow!
I guess you didn't come away empty-handed.
No, but I did!
We had a deal.
I delivered. Now I expect you to.
Please. I intend to double your fee.
Double.
Oh, well. That's different.
Uh... maybe we could, uh...
[Horn honks]
Mom and Dad!
I don't know who you guys are,
but I don't think I'll ever forget you.
Listen...
What other little adventures
do you think we might be able to cook up together?
Mom, Dad!
Whoa! What's this about?
You're never gonna believe this--
You're never gonna believe this.
We had the most amazing weekend.
Wait'll we tell ya. It's the most unbelievable thing you ever heard.
[Sighs]
Are we gonna tell them?
I don't think so.
Rush and Matt never told anyone their adventures
because they were afraid
someone might look for Cutter's treasure.
If they found it,
they'd also find the ghost of the pirate captain,
lying in wait for one last battle.
The end. The end.
Awesome story.
Excellent!
That was a really awesome story.
I declare this meeting of the Midnight Society
closed.
Captioned by Grant Brown