You've got this, baby.
Just like gym class.
I almost failed gym class.
Hurry up!
This door isn't gonna hold much longer!
The bell!
I've got it.
And I've got you.
We're almost there!
Kicks don't fail me now!
Our ancestor stole this from you a long time ago.
But this is where it belongs.
Please call off your curse and send your watchdog away!
I don't know how much more of this my fragile psyche can handle.
Yeah, I like the traveling, not so much the constant almost dying.
You've both been so brave, but a part of me wonders
if I should have protected you from all this.
Well, that's what Dad did. Look where that got us.
Hey, we're all just doing the best we can.
How did you two get so wise?
-Genetics. -Video games.
Let's go.
We still have a lot of work to do if we're gonna get Dad back.
We returned everything else on Larry's map.
Finally, the end of the red-thorned briar.
This should be the last artifact we need to get Dad back.
But it's just a bunch of pictures of Cornelius.
Are these cursed?
I wouldn't be surprised.
Look.
The briar doesn't end here.
It continues through this crack in the wall.
A hidden room within a hidden wing.
I'm sure there's nothing to be worried about in there.
Now this is the official end of the red-thorned briar.
And the last artifact before we free Dad.
Let's do this!
Hold up, Speedy.
We don't know anything about this box yet.
Wow. It's a puzzle box.
And judging by the amount of pieces,
there could be millions of different configurations.
This has my name written all over it.
You too, Russ. Careful. I know what you're like around puzzles.
Mom, I understand the gravity of the situation, and I will control myself.
Great. Let's go see if we can find any records of this thing.
I so hope there's a genie in there.
Mate, what are you up to?
I didn't want the pieces to fall out and get lost.
This is not controlling yourself.
The best sailor in the world still knows to steer clear of a squall.
I'm just straightening things up.
There isn't a puzzle made that can beat me.
I wouldn't--
Uh-oh. Russ?
Oh, no.
I knew my puzzling obsession would be my downfall.
O wise one, I have traveled many days and nights to learn at your feet.
Cornelius?
I am reluctant to turn away a traveler in need.
But our order does not accept outsiders.
I understand.
There must be many men like me,
eager to receive instruction from the keeper of the sacred Memory Box.
Memories?
May I see it?
Even a glimpse of the box would make my journey worth it.
Very well.
The Memory Box was designed
by our order endless generations ago,
to store our most important memories.
For those of us who have given up speech,
it is a way to pass our customs from brethren to brethren.
Only those with skilled minds can unlock the puzzles on its surface.
I've always had a gift for puzzles.
I'm sure you do, but this is not a game.
It is our legacy.
I understand completely.
And I thank you for sharing it with me.
You are correct to keep such majesty locked away.
-No! Put that back! -What?
Who are you?
You can see me?
How? I thought you were a memory!
How did you get that? Answer me!
You're not the only one who's good at puzzles.
Russ! Are you okay?
I think so.
I thought I was the one who was reckless.
'Twas quite a sight.
Your body was here, but your mind was distant, and the box was gone!
I saw Cornelius.
And he saw me.
A box holding Cornelius's memories? And they can talk to you?
That even sounds scary to me.
And not in a good way.
Could you tell where this monastery was located?
We've been searching the journals and can't find any references to it.
It was in the Himalayas somewhere.
How are we supposed to uncurse the box if we don't know where it even came from?
I know you'll probably shoot this down, but what if we reenter the Memory Box
to find out where it came from and return it to where it belongs?
That's not a bad idea.
It's not?
It's not ideal, but I can see it working.
There is no obvious physical danger, no traveling.
Plus, we don't have too many other options.
A spy mission behind enemy lines to find out an evil mastermind's weakness!
I can get behind that.
Then may I make a request?
Sure, Stanley. What is it?
Larry and I would like to accompany you
on your adventure.
You wanna come with us?
You have not wished us to leave the house for obvious reasons.
But this time, we would not have to.
Because you would just be in a memory, not out in public.
We believe we could be of great help to the family.
Plus, we talking skulls have very few opportunities for outings.
Since you put it that way, how can I say no?
Welcome aboard, fellas.
Now, everybody, place your hands on the box.
And remember, they can see you and hear you.
Here goes nothing.
Oh, no! Where's Linda?
She wasn't touching the box, so she's probably outside the memory.
That's a bummer. She'd really enjoy the field trip.
We're still in the restricted wing?
I thought we were going to the monastery.
I did what I did last time.
I don't know why it didn't--
Wait a minute.
This part here is one notch over.
Each one of these must be a different memory.
Like you're changing channels on a remote control.
Look at this.
They were still constructing the security system.
Is this how you remember it back in the day?
No, we weren't awake yet.
We didn't come to until after old Corny was already petrified.
Russ, are you having trouble figuring this thing out?
-I can help. -Well, I get the on-and-off switch.
It's the jumping between memories I'm still working on.
Yes.
I've never seen anyone so happy about a big box of blacksmithing tools.
Now, now where is that blasted incantation?
Yes, yes, yes. There it is.
"Sound of steel cries.
From the forge of Vulcan, rise!"
Wha--
Is someone in here?
He's heard us!
Capture the intruders!
He's only a memory. He can't do anything.
Right, Russ?
I'm not so sure.
Memory or not, we are out of here.
Hurry up and change the channel!
I'm trying.
There's a metal monster chasing after us. Try harder!
I think I've got it.
Stanley, Larry, hurry!
Put your hands on the box.
Oh, dear.
We need to go back and get them.
Russ? Can you get us back there?
Yes, I think so.
I just don't know exactly where they are.
Or where we are, for that matter.
June 1909.
Does that help?
June 1909?
That's only two months before Cornelius's journal entries stop.
And two months before he likely turned to stone.
Great. So we know Stanley and Larry are trapped sometime before this.
Let's go get them.
If it is there as you say…
Quick. Hide.
…then an expedition might be in order.
I've been studying the region for years.
I'm the only person who can take you to Tlatoani's Defense.
That chest will be the centerpiece of my collection.
Now, where is it?
No offense, but I've heard you're not that trustworthy, Mr. Vanderhouven.
I will guide you to the exact location once we get to Mexico.
Why should I believe you
when I have a dozen men with university degrees
telling me such a thing does not even exist?
Because none of those scholars have accounted for the fact
that the river has shifted west in the last four centuries.
I forge my own path.
And if you fund the expedition, that path will lead you right to the chest.
Tlatoani's Defense has intrigued me for years.
The immense power such an acquisition would bring, one can hardly imagine.
Make the arrangements.
Very good, Mr. Vanderhouven.
You think this chest has anything to do with the family curse?
The timing does line up.
Then let's go see what the old gargoyle's up to.
I've never seen that tunnel before.
Check it out.
This is where the hourglass usually hangs.
And all that briar, it's not here.
I wonder what's been hiding back there all these years?
It's a big metal door, like a vault.
What would he need to lock up that's more dangerous
than the rest of the cursed things out here?
I understand this Memory Box now.
It's a cipher based on chronological input rather than--
Who are you?
And how did you get my Memory Box?
It's not yours. You stole it.
Mark my words, you hooligan.
You'll rue the day
you trespassed upon Briarstone Manor.
If you do not answer my questions,
I will be forced to become increasingly unpleasant.
How unpleasant?
Like, rude looks, passive-aggressive remarks?
I see by your obstinance I will need to be more persuasive.
Okay, okay. I will tell you everything.
I'm your great-great-great-grandson,
Horus Vanderhouven.
You? My progeny?
I think not.
Hey, you think I want to be related to you?
You're the one who ruined our family legacy with your greed.
How dare you?
No. How dare you?
This is all your fault.
Plus, you aren't even real.
You're just a memory.
And you are a lying two-bit thief
who has snuck into my home to pilfer my precious belongings.
If I was just a thief, how would I know my way around the restricted wing so well?
How do you know that's what I call this area?
Because I live here.
Same way I know about the golden baboon head you stole from the Congo.
Or the scryer bowl you cheated Mr. Pechman out of.
Or how you stole this Memory Box from the monastery in the Himalayas.
You know, the one on Mount "Kashmanika"?
It wasn't "Kashmanika," you ignoramus.
It was Adrsya.
That proves you are nothing but a charlatan.
What is Russ doing?
He's tricking Cornelius into revealing the location of the monastery.
You're right. You busted me.
But if you give me the box back and let me go,
I promise I will never tell anyone about your secrets.
Of course you won't.
Because I will ensure
you never leave here.
But I'm family!
You may have the Vanderhouven name, but you are not family.
Way to squeeze that information out of him, big brother.
Thanks,
but we need to get that box back if we want to get out of here.
And go rescue Stanley and Larry.
This guy is basically an all-you-can-eat-buffet of secrets.
Yes, I am hungry.
That looks like a bank vault.
If he locks that box in there, we're never getting it out.
This time, I've got a plan.
Come on, this way.
Hey!
How many of you trespassers are in here?
It would be a shame to smash these.
I'm sure they have quite a one-of-a-kind cursed history.
You wouldn't dare.
Wanna try me?
-Let's go. -Wait.
Fine.
What do you want?
All we want is that box so we can go home.
Never.
Too bad.
No!
Russ! Do your thing!
Get off me, you cretin!
Trust me, I don't want to be anywhere near you!
Even the memory of you stinks!
Russ, catch!
Ready.
One stop before we go home.
Oh, no, Larry!
Get away from him, you old rust bucket!
Hey, be nice.
He was just giving me a quick trim. And his name is Hank.
Turns out Hank was cursed by an angry blacksmith, but don't say anything.
He's rather sensitive about it.
Sorry, Hank.
Thanks for the trim.
See you on the other side.
All right.
Let's go home.
Hey, girl. Miss me?
Good to be home, but I'm gonna miss Hank.
He may still be here somewhere.
We should go find him.
That's great and all, but let's get this box back to Mount Adrsya first.
We feel terrible that Cornelius stole your Memory Box.
I don't know if any of your stories are left.
Our memories were not erased.
They were simply locked away where no thief could defile them.
Partitioning the hard drive.
Smart.
That should be the last artifact to end the curse. Let's go see Dad!
I can't wait to tell him we met Cornelius.
I have so many questions to ask him.
We're on our way, Alex.
Oh, no.
He's still stone?
I don't get it.
That should have been the final artifact.
What else do we have to do?
Well, we've checked all the rooms.
Except for the one we didn't know existed until now.
Look, behind the hourglass, in the corridor we saw in the memory!
There's one last strand of red-thorned briar.
And it leads right to Cornelius's vault.
Luckily, I remember the combination.