NARRATOR:

From time immemorial,

the ancient Ukrainian forest

has harboured amazing

secrets and mysteries.

Behind the Dark Mountain,

in the forest's heart,

the Source of Life is hidden.

It provides the forest

and its dwellers

with their power, their spark.

But one winter,

while the forest

was fast asleep,

with the guardian

alone watching over it,

a human broke into the forest

through the passage

in the Dark Mountain.

It was the owner of the sawmill.

He needed at least one drop

from the Source of Life

to save his dying

newborn daughter.

But then he returned and

brought an army with him,

hoping to take over the

entire Source for himself.

And so a terrible battle began

that left no winners.

Only losers.

All humans who had trespassed

behind the Dark

Mountain vanished.

The Forest Guardian

lost all but an echo of

his ancient strength.

And when the forest

creatures woke in the spring,

they were greeted by the

horrific consequences

of the humans' treachery.

Look at what our

enemies have done.

For this reason,

no human shall set foot

behind the Dark

Mountain ever again!

This is the new forest law.

- [BOULDER RUMBLES]

- [SOMBRE MUSIC]

Many years have

passed since that day.

[YAWNS] Another winter is over.

Oh, I've slept so long.

I was having the

loveliest dream.

But this is better

than any dream.

[CHUCKLES] It's finally spring.

MAVKA:
Swampy!

It's the best part of

the best day of the year.

Time to wake up the forest.

Hark! Hush, the master

of sounds, approaches.

Happy spring, Mavka!

Hush! You can fly?!

That's kind of huge news.

They'll call me Hush,

who conquered the sky!

Just don't tell Lesh.

He'll think I'm

stork-raving mad. [LAUGHS]

- HUSH:
Whoa!

- [BIRDS TWITTER]

[VILLAGERS CHANT AND

PLAY UPBEAT TUNE]

- [PLAYS HIGH-PITCHED SOLO]

- [VILLAGERS CHEER AND APPLAUD]

VILLAGER:
Yeah! One more! More!

And the fans go wild!

We are so ready to

conquer the world.

Settle down, kid.

Hometown crowd.

Everybody knows us here.

Wow, I'm just so nervous.

What if things don't

work out in the city?

There are so many

other musicians there.

You have to believe

in yourself, Nina,

and let the music

show us the way.

Whatever that's

supposed to mean.

- [HORN HONKS]

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

VILLAGERS:
What was that?

[READS] "Big money

for an important job?"

Hm, not for a soon-to-be

musical legend like me.

But maybe Uncle

Leo can use this.

Lucas, your uncle,

he's not feeling well.

They called the

healer and everything.

Get home, quick.

Hopefully we'll see

you at the fair later.

- Hey, look!

- What is it?

- [DOOR LATCH UNLOCKS]

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

Greetings,

after so long, my

dear fellow villagers.

It is I, Kylina,

the daughter and only heiress

of the late sawmill owner.

The one that got burned

up by forest demons?

Yes, my father died tragically

in a forest wildfire,
but it had nothing to do with

your quaint superstitions.

After dear Daddy's death, my

mother and I left this place,

but soon I became an orphan.

- [VILLAGERS SIGH]

- Oh, poor thing. What a shame.

How positively tragic!

But now I am back to make

our village prosperous again.

I'm offering you all a job.

You'll have so much money

that you'll never

have to work again.

Not working is my dream job.

I'll rebuild the sawmill.

We'll start selling our

timber all around the world.

Aren't you all good and ready

to become rich and happy?

- Yeah!

- Absolutely.

- Yes!

- What do you want us to do?

All you have to do is pop

over the Dark Mountain...

- [VILLAGERS GASP AND MUTTER]

- VILLAGER:
What?

Oh, she's cuckoo.

Ugh, just like her father.

But I'm talking huge money.

You can't buy another life.

Tell the evil spirits I said hi.

- [WARBLES]

- [GULPS]

- [FAINT WHIMPERING]

- What's that?

Easy, easy.

MAVKA:
What's the matter?

- [CUB WHIMPERS]

- [GASPS]

A trap!

Probably left from

the old times.

Huh?

Huh?

[SQUEAKS AND SPEAKS

FOREST LANGUAGE]

The guardian is calling us.

- LUCAS:
Uh, how is he?
- [BARKS]

He's holding on, but my

herbs can only do so much.

Leo needs real

medicine from the city.

But... it's not

going to be cheap.

Uh...

"Per-du-cabri-co-carum"?

Just give this to the

pharmacist in the city.

He'll understand.

Thank you. Sincerely.

Great news, Uncle.

A little perdi-caca-something-um

and you'll be good as new.

Lucas, what are you doing?

You can't waste

your money on me.

I'm old and I've

had a good long run.

Spend it on a nice girl,

get settled down...

[SIGHS] ..so your old

uncle can die in peace.

Nobody's going to D-word.

I'll find the money

some... where.

Uncle, you'll be

fine. I've got you.

- I've got you!

- [DOG GRUMBLES]

SERVANT:
Oh, madam, it's

your family mansion.

How... rustic.

KYLINA:
Ugh, it's just

a revolting hovel.

A bunch of pathetic cowards!

All my plans are at risk

just because this primitive

mob is terrified by the forest.

- Move it, Frol!

- [FROL GROANS]

Oh, ma'am. Right

away. Just a second.

Do me a favour and get

these peasant rags off me.

How can they wear

this hideous stuff?!

Ugh, I hate it. Get

rid of it right away.

What a terrible piece

of tasteless trash.

Stupid, uneducated,

superstitious mob.

- Frol!

- Oh, my God.

This is so old-fashioned.

Don't get me upset, Frol.

It's bad for my complexion.

Oh, sure, madam.

- [FOOTSTEPS THUD]

- Oh!

Clumsy idiots!

Inside this case is... [GASPS]

Just be careful with it.

Mm?

What is it?

Uh, about this job offer...

Oh, forget it.

KYLINA:
Who's there?

Frol!

Oh, about THAT job offer?

Please come in.

Hi. My name's Lucas.

It says you'll pay well.

KYLINA:
Hmm.

Hmm.

I will.

If you're up to it.

Uh, I am.

I can do any job.

Good.

Eric, Derek, you go with him.

So... what do I have to do?

Find me the tree with this leaf.

Uh... Huh!

In the forest behind

the Dark Mountain.

Hmm.

FOREST-DWELLER:
What happened?

The guardian is

summoning everybody?

This hasn't happened

since I was a sapling.

- I'd rather take a nap.

- The guardian?!

Greetings upon the new spring,

my fellow forest-dwellers.

Is everyone here?

Mavka, did you

wake everybody up?

She's probably frolicking

through the crocuses

with Swampy again.

- [FOREST-DWELLERS CHUCKLE]

- I'm sorry I'm late, Guardian.

I was helping the lynx cub

get out of an old trap.

- How terrible!

- An old trap.

I thought they were all

removed after the battle?

Nymphs.

You are the forest's

armed forces.

Which one of you missed this?

Good job, Mavka.

You've embarrassed us in

front of the guardian.

Now, then,

listen, forest-dwellers.

The Supreme Spirits of Nature

whisper that dangerous

times approach.

Therefore, at midnight tonight,

in the heart of the forest,

the spirits shall

choose a new guardian.

Lesh, but what about you?

I have so little strength left.

The guardian's burden

has grown too heavy for me.

Lesh won't be the

guardian anymore?

Will the humans attack us again?

- Who else can protect us?

- HUSH:
Hark.

Hush the sky conqueror

can become the guardian.

Guardian chatterbox?

Yeah, just what we need.

HUSH:
I heard that.

But really, anyone can

become the guardian.

You mean like even you?

No, no, no, Mavka.

You may be the sweet,

pure soul of the forest,

but for this job you

are just way too nice.

No, I'm not.

Ooh. I feel unwell.

Ondina, are you alright?

See? So gullible and nice!

LESH:
Enough!

All will be decided at midnight

in the heart of the forest.

LUCAS:
People say that

behind the Dark Mountain,

the water nymphs and tree

spirits can tickle you to death.

Uh, you're laughing and laughing

and then bleugh!

We don't believe in

monsters of the forest.

Where do we go from here?

I think through this way.

Uh... [GULPS]

Uh-huh.

I didn't think we

came here to hunt.

This isn't hunting.

This is fun. [CHUCKLES EVILLY]

- Yeah.

- [GUN FIRES LOUDLY]

- [OWL HOOTS]
- [GASPS]

Impossible.

Today of all days.

It was an accident. I tripped.

I am extremely clumsy.

My childhood nickname

was Clumsy Lucas.

We'll make you Clumsy

Black-and-Blue-cus.

DEREK:
Mm-hm.

My brother thinks you

should go on by yourself.

If you find the tree,

mark it on the map.

OK.

I was gonna suggest that anyway.

I feel their fear.

Quiet down.

Everything is fine now.

What scared you so much?

Humans? Here?

I have to tell the nymphs.

Wait.

Come on, Swampy.

I'll deal with

the humans myself.

Let's show them how 'nice' I am.

Argh!

Where in the haunted

heck is this tree?

Believe in yourself, Lucas.

Let the music show you the way.

[SIGHS] Whatever that means.

Ohh!

It's so beautiful.

Oh, thanks. I...

Uhh...

Argh!

- [SWAMPY GRUMBLES]

- Argh!

Forest demon! [PANTS]

Argh!

Is the human dead?

- [GROANS FAINTLY]

- [SWAMPY CHITTERS]

Is this some sort

of human magic?

HUSH:
Mavka!

A lot of weird,

whistly, raspy sounds

coming from this

exact area and I...

- [GASPS]

- Uh, Hush.

You already learned how

to dismount the stork.

Nice.

I am on high alert.

Our forest has just been

incursion-ated by...

Argh! THE HUMANS!

I'll watch him. You

go get the nymphs.

Oh, no.

I say we can drive the human

out of the forest on our own.

So I would be Hush, the

first kicker-outer of humans?

Oh, I like that very much.

- Argh!

- [GROANS]

Uh... Argh! Evil spirits.

Keep back, I'm warning you.

I... I'm a... borscht

belt in combat polka.

[HUSH SPEAKS IN ECHOED

TONES] Pathetic little human!

You violated our

sacred forest...

Huh?!

..and tried to harm

these noble bison.

No! Super no.

That was the bouncer brothers.

In fact, I saved

the bison from them!

MAVKA:
What is this, then?

Oh. That's my flute.

I, uh, play my music

on it... with it.

'Music'?

And you were doing this

to try and magically

enchant me in some way?

No! Well, sure.

Music is kind of magic, but...

Wait, so you liked it, then?

You do not question

me, little human!

Why have you trespassed here?

A strange lady offered me a big

reward to find a special leaf.

Aha! You hear that? A reward!

I knew that all humans

were selfish and greedy!

- Why you little...

- [SWAMPY YOWLS AND HISSES]

- Ouch.

- [BELLOWS]

HUSH:
You see this!

Human treachery!

Huh?

Wow!

You are the most

amazingly beautiful demon

I have ever seen.

Your eyes.

I am not a demon.

I am Mavka, the

soul of the forest.

Well, I'm Lucas.

The soul of... myself?

Look, I can explain.

I need that reward to buy

medicine for my uncle Leo.

No. I have been warned that

humans are skilful liars.

You have broken the law of

the forest and I expel you!

No expulsion necessary.

I'll leave myself.

Just let me find

this silly leaf first

or else my uncle...

..dies.

How awful. I'm so sorry.

- [SWAMPY CHITTERS]

- Whargh!

[LAUGHS] Hey there, little...

What are you?

This is Swampy, the

last of the kittyfrogs.

LUCAS:
Awww!

It's so cute how

much he hates me.

- [GROWLS]

- Oh!

You want something super yummy?

Had a feeling you'd like that.

You're very different

from the evil humans

in all the forest legends.

- [FAINT RUSTLING]

- Huh?

Huh?

Derek, hold my boomstick.

Derek?

ERIC:
Derek? Where are you?

HUSH:
I'll teach you,

you filthy human!

Hush, what are you doing?

Swampy, spit it out immediately!

This grotty fleshbag is

trying to poison you.

Hey! It's my mother's recipe.

HUSH:
Oh, Mommy

poisons folks too, huh?

MAVKA:
Hush, stop!

Lucas, leave him alone.

- Huh?

- You gave it a name already?

- [LUCAS GROANS]

- [GRUMBLES]

Lucas. Stop it right

now! [VOICE ECHOES]

Well, he started

it. He has to leave.

I need the leaf.

Fine, here's a leaf. Now leave.

Not this one.

Are all humans this picky?

Lucas. It's not the

leaves you really need.

You need to heal your uncle

and I'll give you

the cure he needs.

LUCAS AND HUSH:

Really?!

Oh, thank you. You are so nice.

Hey, hey, hey.

Do you really want

to break the law

to help a human on such a day?

You heard him.

He saved the bison,

and for some reason...

I believe him.

- [INSECT BUZZES]

- Urgh!

After all, the

soul of the forest

must help all the living

creatures in the forest, right?

And Lucas is a living

creature who is in the forest.

- Huh?

- Therefore, I have to help him.

And you will help me help him.

Me?

No way! Never!

Never, never, never,

never, never, never, never!

- No!

- [BIRDS WINGS FLAP]

When will I learn that I'm

incapable of saying no to you?

Don't worry, Hush. We'll make

it before the ceremony starts.

I'll give Lucas the cure

for his uncle and...

And then he'll leave

the forest forever.

I promise.

Hmm?

[ONDINA'S VOICE

ECHOES] Come to me!

Don't be shy. Come closer.

Ahhh!

Huh?

Argh!

- [SCREECHES]

- [SHRIEKS]

How did I...

Curses!

- [HICCUPS]

- [SCREECHES]

- [WATER BUBBLES]

- Uh...

Oh.

[HICCUPS] Mm.

Huh?

Mavka, how can I thank

you for your help?

Just tell me and I'll

do it with pleasure.

Maybe you could play

your music for me?

Oh. Sure thing.

No, no, no, not now.

Nobody can know you're here.

No, let him play.

The nymphs will hide him

safely in the forest,

one piece here, one piece there.

MAN:
♪ Wonder, I pray

♪ The star you trace

♪ Here is our land

♪ Only tightly hold my hand

WOMAN:
♪ Ask me

and I'll tell... ♪

- [MAVKA GASPS]

- ♪ How in love I fell

♪ Flying, flying

♪ Keep flying with me

BOTH:
♪ My world, your world

♪ No, we do not need the words

♪ Two hearts but one history

♪ Always beat in harmony

♪ My world, your world

♪ Flash of everlasting love

♪ Two hearts but one history

♪ Always beat in harmony

♪ Talking, talking,

talking to the wind

♪ Talking, talking,

talking to the wind

♪ Talking, talking,
talking to the wind... ♪

WOMAN:
♪ Learn the language

♪ Of wind and rain

♪ Listen, listen

♪ To know me well

MAN:
♪ Cherish your will

♪ Your song, your magic skill

♪ Keep flying with me

♪ Keep flying with me

BOTH:
♪ My world, your world

♪ No, we do not need the words

♪ Two hearts but one history

♪ Always beat in harmony

♪ Talking, talking,

talking to the wind

♪ Talking, talking, talking... ♪

You know, humans are not

actually as terrible

as you've been taught.

We have a lot of nice things.

Like music. It's so lovely.

You must be the guardian

of music in your world.

[LAUGHS] Not yet.

But my dream is to fill

my whole life with music.

As soon as my uncle gets better,

my musician friends and I

are leaving for the big city.

"The big city".

What is the big city?

It's a place where everything

is made of bricks and stone

and there are as many buildings

as there are trees

in the forest...

HUSH:
Hurry up, hurry up. Move!

LUCAS:
What are you

doing? Back off, shrubby.

Hush! Mavka!

Are you the ones

making all this noise?

[GULPS] Too late.

Nice knowing you, Mavka.

Up until today, anyway.

Lesh, how's it going?

Busier than I'd like.

Who is your guest?

Uh, I'm... Hush's...

cousin. [LAUGHS SHEEPISHLY]

Yes, dropped by for a

visit from overseas.

[CHUCKLES] Right, Hush?

[CHUCKLES] Uh-huh.

A very, very

many-times-removed cousin.

Shmucas is his name.

Ah! Welcome, friend Shmucas.

[CHUCKLES] Come quickly. The

ceremony is about to begin.

Oh, great. What do we do now?

Do you realise how

illegal this is?

We just need to keep our

distance from the new guardian.

As soon as the ceremony is over,

I'll come up with something.

FROL:
You look just like

your parents, madam.

Hm, much better now.

Yeah. Lovely portrait.

Totally... horridness.

Hmm?

Hmm. Did you find the tree?

So what stopped you?

Bunnies? Squirrels?

The forest demons?

FROL:
Knuckleheads.

Totally useless. Oh!

Stop being such fools.

You are stupid idiots.

What am I paying you for?

And where is the boy?

Oh!

- Out of my way.

- [EXCLAIMS]

Oh!

Oh, damn!

I'm running out of time.

And where is this peasant loser?

Ohhh! Oh!

- Hey.

- [MEOWS]

Shhh!

It is time.

Hmm!

Oh! That's the...

The Supreme Spirits of Nature,

I summon you.
The One Who Dwells in the Earth,

I call on you.

The One Who Moves the Waters,

I call on you.

The One Who Flies

with the Wind...

..the One Who Sits

on the Rock...

..I call on you.

Those who protect us,

those who help us,

those who dwell at

the Source of Life,

please choose the new guardian.

Mm.

Hmm?

SPIRIT:
The guardian is chosen.

[GASPS] Huh?

- Her?

- Me?

What's happening?

Is it good or bad?

Please close the knothole

on the front of your face.

Lesh, why me?

I can't possibly

be the guardian.

I have to tell you something.

The Supreme Spirits are wise,

and they know who is capable

of protecting our realm.

Now the Supreme Spirits

will bestow their powers

on the chosen one.

[FOREST-DWELLERS

GROAN AND EXCLAIM]

- Incredible.

- Perfect.

So how do we "keep our distance

from the new guardian" now?

Mavka, you are now granted

the powers of the Supreme

Spirits of Nature.

It is for you now

to always remember

that our enemy -

the humans - are out there.

Defend this fragile,

sacred place

with your very life.

Please welcome our new guardian

of the Source of

Life and the forest.

That was just... whoa!

Our little Mavka is

now the guardian.

I always knew this would happen.

There has got to

be some mistake.

Why did the spirits not

choose the strongest one?

With her as guardian,

our forest is more

in danger than ever.

Hey. Easy there, friend.

Who are you supposed to be?

Me? I am, uh, Hush's cousin.

You... [SNIFFS]

You stink like a human.

Yeah, he stepped in some

human on the way here.

Uh, Cousin Shmucas.

If he's a noise keeper,

I'm the new guardian

of the forest.

And we all know...

- ..I'm not.
- [FOREST-DWELLERS GASP]

- [GASPS]

- Uh... oops.

Human?!

Run. Move your footsticks.

You treacherous human.

You have tricked me!

- Human?

- Oh, no, he's a human.

Don't let him get away!

Am I the only one here

who's completely confused?

LESH:
Hush!

You've got a great deal

of explaining to do.

Argh!

- Huh?

- [SCREECHING]

Argh!

Argh!

Argh! [SCREAMS IN SLOW MOTION]

Argh!

- Mavka.

- Get on, quick.

The lynx will take you home.

Whoa! Sounds safe.

[CHUCKLES] Nice... kitty.

Take this.

It will heal your uncle.

Thank you.

- Huh?

- [FOREST-DWELLERS APPROACH]

There's no time. Go...

and never return.

Death is the only thing

for a human to seek here.

- Go!

- Wait!

I promised I'd play for you.

Where is he? Where's the human?

He got away.

What? How did he...

You helped him?

You have the powers

of the guardian

at your disposal,

you could have -

no, you should

have - stopped him.

The guardian doesn't

need your help

deciding how and when to

use her powers, Ondina.

Mavka,

this human is no different

than all the others.

He will betray you.

And when he does, we

will all pay the price.

Hmm.

Frol!

Yes, madam?

There's something

about this boy Lucas

I don't trust.

Watch him.

I'm not so sure

he came back from the

forest empty-handed.

Me?!

Madam, I am a fashion

tsar in the making,

not a spy.

Oh, that's too bad.

If I get what I want,

I could establish you

as the number one fashion god...

..in the world.

With my own Soul of Frol

Manly Lace Boutique?

With a global chain

of whatever insane

thing you just said.

Then, if you need a spy,

why, Frol is your guy.

Ugh. Uh!

Silks, ribbons and laces

don't have to be disgraces.

That's the Soul of Frol.

No. This really happened

to me. Last night.

The forest is full of -

not demons - but creatures.

And they are not

fond of us at all.

Except Mavka. She is very nice.

Danger or no, I have to

go back to the forest

to Mavka, to thank her.

Lucas, look, if you've been at

the village fair all night long

and plan on going back,

you can just tell me.

Busted. You know me.

Party animal.

Best carnival ever.

- [KNIFE BLADE RINGS]

- FROL:
Mmm!

So how is this,

uh, perdi-caca-something-um

supposed to work?

I have less than no idea.

- [MUSIC DISTORTS]

- Huh?

Uncle?

Whoa!

Hah! And no pain.

I haven't stood this

straight in 20 years.

It's a miracle. [LAUGHS]

It is a miracle.

It's a miracle of

perdi-caca-something-um.

I've got so much energy.

Now I'll be Hercu-Leo.

Hey, let's take up curling.

- [DOG BARKS]

- [LEO CHUCKLES]
- [ROOSTER CLUCKS]

- [KNIFE BLADE RINGS]

- [ROOSTER CAWS]

- [SCREAMS]

FROL:
Cock-a-doodle-doo.

Cock-a-doodle-doo.

Yeah, it's bit more

complicated now.

But, Swampy, think for yourself.

How can he play his beautiful

music without his flute?

We have to return this to Lucas.

What if something happens in

the forest while I'm gone?

What if nothing

happens while I'm here?

You're absolutely right.

I'm the guardian now. I

can't leave the forest.

Humans are enemies.

I somehow managed to live

without Lucas before.

Or his music.

Or his eyes.

Or his smile.
Or this feeling

that now lives right here.

- [SIGHS]

- [FINGER SQUEAKS]

Hmm. Mmm.

Madam! Madam! Where's Madam?

- [STAMMERS]

- [GUNSHOT BLASTS]

- [CHANDELIER THUDS]

- [GRUNTS]

- [BANGS PIANO]

- [GROANS SOFTLY]

[GASPS] Madam is

probably upstairs.

- [WARDROBE CLATTERS]

- Gah!

Madam! Madam!

Madam, you were right!

[SPITS] Eugh!

- [EXHALES]

- [ATOMISER SPRAYS]

That icky boy lied to you!

Here.

Oh. [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Lucas was at the Source of Life.

The heart of the forest.

And I also found this.

Finally it will be mine!

But... but there is

nothing marked here!

Now think! Did Lucas say

anything about the tree?

[STAMMERS] No!

Nothing about the tree,

but he just said he will

go into the forest again

to see the nice forest.

The magma! Boy, what a fool.

It doesn't make sense.

The nice forest magma?

Yeah, that's what he said.

He probably wants to keep

the source to himself.

- Frol.

- Yes, Madam?

- Keep an eye on this boy.

- [CLICKS FINGERS]

When he decides to

go to the forest,

we need to keep him

company by all means.

MAVKA:
But on the other

hand, as the guardian,

shouldn't I learn as much

about our enemies as I can?

If Lucas isn't evil, maybe

other humans aren't evil either.

Oh, stop croaking about

the law of the forest!

Maybe it's time for

things to change

so that the forest-dwellers

and humans could live in peace.

Oh!

Uhh, no! I can't show

up looking like this.

- [PURRS]

- Hm!

- [GIGGLES]

- [SCREECHES]

Huh?

Gotta find something

a human would wear.

- [CROAKS SOFTLY]

- [WHINES CURIOUSLY]

- [CROAKS]
- [WHIMPERS]

Hey, boy. I'm making a gift.

Yes, Dot, Mavka is

going to love me.

Uh, it! It.

- [SCREECHES]

- [DOT GROWLS]

And... done.

- Hey, where are the pies?!

- [WHIMPERS]

[CHUCKLES] Pie-demolisher!

- [WHINES SOFTLY]

- It's fine.

I'm not perfect either.

For instance, I'm about to

break my promise to Hush

and the forest law

in order to keep my

promise to Mavka.

- [GASPS]

- [MAVKA GASPS]

Mavka, are you here?

Your hair! How are you here?

Aren't you happy to see me?

No. I mean, yes!

Heart-burstingly happy,
which is a thing I probably

shouldn't say out loud.

Oh, is this your nest?

[CHUCKLES] I prefer to

think of it as a cave.

Is this for making music too?

- [TOOLS CLANG]

- Uh, no. [CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY]

Those are regular instruments,

not musical instruments.

I've come to return your flute.

It was broken, but I...

Here.

Thank you.

Now you can go to the stone

forest and follow your dream.

Just play for me one last

time and then I'll leave.

No. No, don't leave!

Uh, I have an idea.

I'll play even

better music for you.

There's a festival in town and

my band is playing. Let's go!

- Uh...

- [CHUCKLES] Don't be afraid.

It'll be good for

guardian of the forest

to know more about

us humans, right?

Uh...

- You're gonna love it.

- [GIGGLES]

Huh?

Mavka, let's find you

an outfit that says,

"I am a non-alarming

local human."

What's wrong with this one?

Well, it kind of screams,

"Howdy, I'm a barely

disguised forest demon

"from behind the Dark Mountain."

Oh!

[ELECTRONIC FOLK

MUSIC CONTINUES]

Oh.

- [GOAT BLEATS LOUDLY]

- Oh!

- Hm?

- [BOTH LAUGH]

- [BOTH GRUNT]
- [KNUCKLES CRACK]

- And this is my uncle Leo.

- Oh!

He's the one you

saved with your gift.

- [STOMACH RUMBLES]

- [GASPS]

Hm? [LAUGHS]

[GASPS] What have you done?

Oh! Those are my

friends playing.

- [MAN TRUMPETS MELODY]

- [WOMEN TRILL RHYTHM]

- [MUSIC STOPS]

- [VILLAGERS LAUGH AND CHEER]

This music, the dancing

- how delightful!

But you still play

better than anybody else.

MARCO:
He was born that way!

So, Lucas, Uncle

Leo is recovered.

He looks better than you now.

Isn't it time to show your

talent to the big city?

Um, well...

Or has the music shown

you a different way?

A very beautiful way.

Well, your call, Romeo.

We're always happy

to have you with us.

Pack up. We gotta go.

Oh, that's right, it's

late. I must go too.

Thank you for the wonderful

time and for the gift.

Wait! I haven't

fulfilled my promise yet.

- Look! A demon from the forest!

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

- She's glowing!

- Green hair!

An evil spirit from

behind the Dark Mountain!

WOMAN:
What shall we do?

She's come to kill

our lovey ones

and destroy our food crops!

No! It's not true!

FROL:
This lad is trying

to protect the demon.

She has bewitched him.

- She'll put a curse on us.

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

Get her!

No! She won't hurt anyone.

- Lucas!

- [LUCAS GASPS]

MAVKA:
No!

- [GROWLS] Hm...

- Argh!

- [LUCAS GRUNTS]

- [SHOVEL THUDS]

- [GROANS]

- [SHOVEL CLANGS]

- [GRUNTS]

- [BLOW THUDS]

MAVKA:
Let me go! Lucas!

What do we do?

- Burn her, right?

- No, they drown witches!

Let's do both!

My fellow villagers,
I was wrong.

The evil spirits of the

forest are very real.

And now I see that it was her

kind that burned up my father,

the goodly sawmill owner.

MAN:
How dare she!

But fear not!

My eyes are open now

and I will find out what the

demons have in store for us,

be it plague...

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

- ..drought...

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

- ..famine, fire or flood!

And where the Source of Life is.

- [TORCH HISSES]

- Oh!

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

- What is this?!

- What's happening?

- Black magic!

- [BOTH GROAN]

- [MAVKA GASPS]
- Argh!

- [HISSES, YOWLS]

KYLINA:
Don't let her get away!

- [CHIMING, CREAKING]

- [VILLAGERS GASP]

- Lesh!

- [ROARS]

- [SWAMPY SCREECHES]

- [LESH GROANS]

- MAN:
Where'd he go?

- WOMAN:
Is he gone?

All is lost!

My strong silks, my robust

ribbons, my manly laces,

the Soul of Frol - gone!

Oh!

It isn't over yet,

my whiny little pet.

My poor, dear, terrified

fellow villagers,

we underestimated

the demon's power

and the results were tragic.

- [STALL RUMBLES]
- [VILLAGERS GASP]

But this is not the end.

They'll soon be back!

- Oh, no! What do we do?

- Oh, this is terrible!

There's only one way

to stop this evil.

Strike first!

[SOBS] Lesh, how

did you find me?

Hush told me everything.

I don't understand what's

happening. Those humans...

Calm down now.

Those humans obviously conspired

to lure you into a trap.

I love how no matter where you

look, you see goodness, Mavka,

but you have made the

same mistake I made once

in trusting a human.

Lucas would never do that.

I'm sure he can

explain everything.

- Mavka!?

- [MICE SQUEAK]
Now, Lucas,

be a good boy of limited

intellect and integrity

and mark the Source of Life

on this crudely drawn map.

Never gonna happen, lady.

Somebody found a backbone!

Let's see if we can't just

melt it like meringue.

Ooh, I'm peckish.

Oh, no!

Don't touch her!

The source...

- [WHIMPERS]

- ..or she dies.

Now let Mavka go!

Sure thing, ding-a-ling.

Oh, Lucas! Smooch,

smooch, swoon!

Oh, you saved me! You saved me!

You're so, so dumb. [LAUGHS]

No! Kylina, you won't

get away with this!

- Ah! Ah!

- [KYLINA LAUGHS]

Really? Guess I'll

just stop, then.

Have a nice swim, sweetie!

So much water has flowed

past since that fateful day,

the time has come for me

to tell the full truth.

The battle all

those winters ago -

I've never told anyone the

reason why it happened.

The sawmill owner

came to me in tears.

He was begging me to save

his newborn daughter...

..and I believed

in goodness in him.

I gave this human

a drop from the

Source of Life itself.

Soon, he returned with...

..well, with an army of humans.

They wanted the Source

of Life for themselves.

So, I called for the Supreme

Spirit of the Underworld,

the One Who Sits in the Rock,

to give me the Spark of Rage.

And, may all those

I love forgive me,

he did.

Everything good in me was

replaced by sheer rage.

I burned and the world burned.

Humans and the forest alike.

Fire and hatred without end.

Have you seen Lucas?

Have you seen my boy, Lucas?

[CONDESCENDINGLY] Oh!

Your boy's been taken by

the evil forest demons.

- Huh?

- Stings, right?

But you can still save

him if you join us.

Take the weapon, old man.

I'm on a schedule here!

You stay here and make sure

nobody finds the boy...

..unless you were just

dying to be in the battle?

This is for our home!

[QUIETLY] And my youthful skin.

[LOUDLY] Now let's go

eradicate those demons

for the good of

all we hold dear!

- Yes!

- Yes! Death to the demons!

Start the forest killer!

Humans are preparing

to attack the forest.

Uh!

Hey! Somebody! Anybody! Hey!

Dot? Dot, is that you?

Good boy!

Run! Find someone

to help me! Hurry!

So, that's it. War is here.

The sawmill owner's daughter...

[GASPS] I know what to do!

What? Decorate their

axes with flowers?

I know what we all

need to do - fight!

No! There's another way!

I am the guardian and this

is my call. Wait here.

- [SCOFFS]
- Don't look at me.

She is the guardian.

[VILLAGERS SHOUT

OVER EACH OTHER]

What's going on?

Whoa!

MAVKA:
Please stop!

Hm.

I might've frightened

the people at the fair,

but the forest means

no harm to humans.

We can live in peace and

even help each other.

"Help each other"?

A long time ago, the

forest gave a drop

from the Source of Life to

the owner of the sawmill

so he could heal his

sick newborn daughter.

The forest saved you!

What? Nobody ever told me!

It is the truth.

The truth?
The truth is the sawmill

owner never had a daughter,

but he had a beautiful wife

that came up with a tragic story

about a little sick daughter.

My husband was

obedient but weak.

He only got me

the one lousy drop

that kept me young and

fit for all these years.

But how does this

make us enemies?

Oh, you'll never understand

this. Look at you!

You're Nature's queen,

glowing and gorgeous forever!

You don't know nothing about

crow's-feet, turkey neck,

back fat.

You'll never get old and

saggy and shrivelled.

But I can give

you one more drop.

That is so nice of you,

but, see, if I get hold of

the entire Source of Life,

I will not only be young

and beautiful forever,

but it'll also make me

the richest, most

powerful woman ever.

But without the Source of

Life, the forest will die.

It's gonna die one way

or the other, honey,

so why not just

get out of my way?

Hm.

Not all humans are as cruel

and selfish as you are!

Oh, you're thinking about

that lad of yours? Lucas?

Huh?

Do you have any

idea where he is?

- [GASPS]

- [CHIRPS]

I... [GASPS]

I'll tell you another

truth, sister.

I paid Lucas very well so

he would find the source

and lure you into the village.

- Huh?

- He took his money and left.

To the city?

Exactly.

Oh.

- [VILLAGERS EXCLAIM]

- [TENDRILS RUMBLE]

And one more thing.

Lucas told me it was

almost too easy to fool you

because you're just so nice.

Oh.

Now get out of my way

and take your freaky

woodland zoo with you!

Mavka! I knew we couldn't

trust that Shmucas!

I got it so wrong, Hush.

Humans really are

all evil. Lucas is...

HUSH:
Huh! Huh!

- [SCREAMS]

- [TREES ROAR]
Who are you, friend?

You're saying Shmucas

didn't betray us?!

- Do you believe him?

- [CROAKS]

Then I have an idea.

Mm! Frol Style! Madam

is going to love it!

- [SIGHS]

- [EAGLE SCREECHES IN DISTANCE]

Huh? [GASPS]

Well? Where's our hero?

- [HUSH GASPS]

- [SCISSORS CLICK]

Hm! Hm!

Go get Shmucas and I'll

deal with this one.

- [GRUNTS]

- Huh?

Hm!

Argh!

I will slice you into

robust little ribbons!

- [CROAKS]

- [BARKS]
LUCAS:
Dot? [BANGS ON DOOR]

Get back here, you

rotten cabbage!

FROL:
Oh-ho-ho! You have

awakened the beast now!

Knock, knock! Anybody home?

Ooh!

- [VILLAGERS CHEER]

- [LYNX ROARS]

- [CHATS SWEETLY]

- Hm.

- [YOWLS]

- [GROANS]

[GASPS] Am I glad to see you!

Ooh!

Oh-oh-oh!

Huh? Oh!

- [VILLAGERS SHOUT]

- [GASPS]

- [BISON BELLOWS]

- [CHAINSAW BUZZES]

- [VILLAGERS SHOUT]

- [NYMPH HISSES]

Hm.

So, that's where you're

hiding, you rotten old stump!

This is all my fault.

I have to stop this.

Supreme Spirit,

the One Who Sits in the Rock,

I call on you!

No! Mavka, don't!

You have called me, Guardian.

I beg you, give me the

strength to answer my calling.

I need the Spark of Rage

to protect the forest.

The Spark of Rage has its price.

The price paid by

the previous guardian

was his enormous strength.

The rage burned him

out from the inside.

And you,

the Spark will

cost you your life.

You shall enter the

Nothingness for eternity.

I agree, for this

treacherous feeling here,

now it brings only pain.

As you wish, Guardian.

Ondina was right.

I was too nice.

- [SPARK ROARS]

- [GRUNTS, PANTS]

- [TORNADO BOOMS]

- [VILLAGERS SCREAM]

Whoa! [GRUNTS]

- [CHAINSAW BUZZES]

- [FROL LAUGHS MANIACALLY]

I forgot to mention...

I've got you now, weed-face!

..I'm allergic to chainsaws!

- [GROWLS]

- [WAILS]

Hush, you alright?

Oh, Shmucas!

I'm fine. Got some yellow

spots, but, overall, fine.

- [FROL SHRIEKS]

- Huh?

This village has the worst aura!

- [CHAINSAW BUZZES]

- [WARDROBE CRASHES]

Hush, please, I

need to find Mavka!

What the hometown

hurricane is that?!

It seems that IS Mavka.

Oh! [SCREAMS]

- [POLE CRACKS]

- Whoa!

Mavka!

It's me, Lucas! I'm here!

Argh, I've got to get closer!

I might be able

to help with that.

Thank you, dear cousin.

Ha! They'll call me Hush,

who first befriended humans.

Uh... uh... Whoa!

- [BLEATS]

- Whoa!

Mavka! It's me!

Please! You have to stop!

Aah!

Whoa! Aah! Oh!

- [GRUNTS]

- [STORK TRILLS]

- [BLEATS]

- Oh!

Where are you going?

You're gonna die!

I don't care. I

have to save her.

There's nothing you can do.

She can no longer understand

your words. Do you copy?

What did you say?

I said she can't

hear your words! Run!

Hush, you are a genius!

Finally I can scratch hearing

that off my bucket list!

She can't hear my

words, but what if...

I got it! I got it!

They need our help.

We should all do this together!

Mavka, it's me.

Hear me, please!

Come back to me. Please!

MAVKA:
Is this what

Nothingness feels like?

SUPREME SPIRIT:
This is the

place of no phantom dreams,

where no songs are

carried by the wind.

The fire of hate and

rage does not burn here.

MAVKA:
Rage doesn't burn

in my heart anymore.

I heard his voice and now I

know he never betrayed me.

SUPREME SPIRIT:
You have chosen

to spare the lives of the humans

who have caused

you so much pain.

MAVKA:
But they also

gave me something

I've never felt before.

SUPREME SPIRIT:
We have

made the right choice

making you the new guardian.

You have bridged the

gap between the humans

and the forest-dwellers,

but now you have to

pay the promised price

and remain in the

Nothingness forever.
For eternity.

MAVKA:
No.

I'm alive and I

will live on forever

because now my heart is full of

something that will never die.

Through the darkness,

I heard your music.

It filled me here.

Your music is the real magic.

No.

The only magic

humans have is love.

[VILLAGERS AND FOREST-DWELLERS

EXCLAIM SOFTLY]

Uh? [CHUCKLES GENTLY]

SONG:
♪ Sing me your

woodland ballad... ♪

- [CROAKS GLEEFULLY]

- [HOWLS, BARKS]

I think it's time

to end our feud.

Peace?

♪ And let there be

endless pride... ♪
- [TRILLS HAPPILY]

- [LAUGHS]

♪ Let the star

rise and shine... ♪

Peace, friend.

♪ Be on my side

♪ Fly as the wind, my only dream

♪ Here's our home

♪ And here's our will

♪ Pure love, pure love

♪ Save us from the dark

♪ Only love, only love

♪ That keeps our souls alive

♪ So, let the dawn fires

♪ Keep burning

♪ Warming and lighting

♪ Our hearts

♪ And olden times

♪ Sacred knowing

♪ Lead us the way to a new start

♪ And olden times

♪ Sacred knowing

♪ Lead us the way to a new start

♪ Faith and fate now

♪ Be on my side

♪ Fly as a wind, my only dream

♪ Here's our home

♪ And here's our will

♪ Pure love, pure love

♪ Save us from the dark

♪ Only love, only love

♪ Fly as a wind, my only dream

♪ Here's our home

♪ And here's our will

♪ Pure love, pure love

♪ Save us from the dark

♪ Only love, only love

♪ Let there be endless pride

♪ Let the star rise and shine

♪ Faith and fate now

♪ Be on my side

♪ Fly as a wind, my only dream

♪ Here's our home

♪ And here's our will

♪ Pure love, pure love

♪ Save us from the dark

♪ Only love, only love

♪ That keeps our souls alive. ♪

I've found it! I've

finally found it!

It's finally mine! [WHEEZES]

Yes!
Mmm!

Take that, ravages of time!

Fresh and firm forev...

Huh? What? No! No! No!