The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Another world.

Another time. Another age.

Thra...

a wondrous planet circling three suns.

And at its center, the Crystal of Truth,

the heart of Thra and the source of all life.

Since the land was young, Aughra protected the Crystal...

for she knew that the Crystal...

...connected all the creatures of Thra.

But closest to her heart were the Gelfling.

Seven clans of Gelfling call Thra home.

From the proud Vapra in the mountain city of Ha'rar...

the most cultured of the Gelfling,

who rule over the Seven Clans...

to the fierce Stonewood,

who dwell in the Endless Forest,

renowned for their prowess in battle...

and the gentle Grottan,

who live deep beneath the ground...

in perfect harmony with all of Thra,

forgotten by the world above.

For uncounted millennia, all of Thra existed in perfect balance.

But then, new beings came,

not of Thra.

The Skeksis.

They bewitched Aughra with stories of the Universe

and built her an orrery...

so that she might discover the mysteries of the Cosmos for herself.

And so, Aughra turned her eye to the stars...

and entrusted the Crystal of Truth...

to the Skeksis.

Almost a thousand trine have passed

since the Skeksis declared themselves Lords of Thra.

Now, once again,

the Skeksis gather in secret

as another day dawns...

to steal life from the Crystal they have sworn to protect.

Ahh!

So they may replenish themselves.

Cheat death...

...by harnessing the power

of their treasure.

Their prize.

Their prisoner.

The Dark Crystal.

Hm?

The Crystal fails us once again.

Well, what did you expect?

Nothing yesterday, nothing the day before.

Why? Why does this happen?

Just look at the Crystal! We've taken too much! Ha!

It's gluttony!

Pure gluttony! Oh...

- Pathetic! - Huh?

You sound like frightened Podlings.

But, Emperor, if the Crystal will not give,

we will die.

Die! Die!

Huh?

Never!

We have nothing to fear.

Already a solution lies within the Scientist's very grasp.

- Is that not so? - Uh.. uh...

Our mighty Emperor speaks true.

I am hard at work on this troublesome inconvenience, yes.

Patience. We are Lords of the Crystal.

We have ruled for an age and will rule for all ages yet to come.

- We are eternal! - Yes.

- Eternal. - Eternal.

Mm-hmm.

Now, go.

The Emperor is wise.

Emperor, Emperor...

- Emperor! - Yes, what?

I... I would not dare question your wisdom,

but you know I have found no solution.

Ah.

The Crystal is the heart of Thra.

They are one and the same.

But the more we take, the less it gives.

All our survival is at stake!

So, find a solution.

Of course, Emperor. Forgive me.

I did not build an empire

only to watch it turn to dust.

I will find the answer, Emperor. You will see!

I will not fail you! I will not fail you!

Hmm...

The Gelfling know nothing of the Skeksis' crimes.

The truth must come to light.

The fires of rebellion must be lit.

And a new age must begin.

The Crystal of Truth has been corrupted.

That corruption spreads through Thra

and into its creatures.

Even the ones locked in the Skeksis' cages,

captives...

...until today.

Uh...

- Rian! - So...

hello again.

Easy, friends.

It's my sworn duty as a castle guard to keep the lords safe.

How do I know these aren't poisoned?

- Well, there's only one way to find out. - No!

I'm sure the lords wouldn't mind if a few went missing.

After all, the Skeksis are generous.

And you have to admit,

these do look tasty.

Hm...

Psst. Hey.

I didn't take anything! See?

- You don't have to be rude. - Mira, run!

Thank you!

- See you tomorrow! - Let's get out of here.

- Did you see those Podlings' faces? - It's almost too easy.

They never seem to learn.

- Race you to the Spy Glass! - Last one there's a flat-footed Nebrie!

Uh...

Huh?

Made it.

Hello!

There you are. I was afraid you got lost.

- You cheated. - I win again.

You won because you have wings.

Course I do. I'm a girl.

And you're a flat-footed Nebrie.

Do you remember the first time we came up here?

How could I forget?

Show me.

You mean... dreamfast?

Yes! I mean...

if you wanted to.

- Well, uh... I do if you do. - Yes.

- I want to dreamfast. - Oh, good.

I do too.

I remember everything about that night.

I was so nervous.

I could tell.

I used every trick I had to try and impress you.

You certainly did try.

I was distracted. All I could think about was kissing you.

And I got sick of waiting.

So I kissed you.

- Mira! - Wait, what...

Must've snuck in.

An Arathim soldier wouldn't risk entering the castle.

Well, that one is!

Then we have to tell the captain. Come on.

Remember your oath.

We protect the lords.

The lords protect the Crystal.

When one of us fails in our duty, we all fail!

By the Crystal!

Positions!

Another trine,

another wretched carriage ride to Ha'rar,

another interminable tithing ceremony.

I enjoy the Gelfling capital.

I think it possesses a certain malodorous charm.

Oh, that mountain air plays havoc with my pustules.

Well, I have read of a Grottan potus

that might offer some relief.

- It's pointless. - Shoo! Shoo!

They always come back.

Always!

Oh, dear.

- Bring in the Armaligs! - That was a long one.

Get a move on!

Secure that Landstrider!

- Load up the weapons! - Secure the harness!

- Captain Ordon! - We need to talk to you.

It can wait.

Plans have changed. I will now escort the lords to Ha'rar personally.

- Huh? - You're leaving?

Mm-hm.

Then you need a Gelfling to lead the guard while you're gone!

Yes. A Gelfling who has excelled in all the drills.

A Gelfling who has spent his whole life in the castle.

A Gelfling who respects tradition.

- That's why I chose Tolyn. - Huh?

Tolyn?

- Really? - Hm...

But I'm ready!

It's a job for a soldier,

not childlings who steal treats when they should be on patrol.

Tattletales.

- That was just a bit of fun. - That's all it ever is with you.

Perhaps one day you'll prove worthy of taking up my mantle.

- But, Father... - Captain.

Yes, Captain.

What's the hold up?

Ah... the second brother is in its zenith.

Let us be gone!

Yes. Saddle up!

Captain Ordon, please. Before you go...

So, we saw...

What did you see? Make it quick.

Uh...

- Uh... - Go on. Tell him, Rian.