S3 E10: The End

Shh, it's starting. There are kids in this world who are different. Special. I think it's a hoverboard. They look like us and they act like us. But they are not us. You're Mother Nature. Who wants a selfie with the Grim Reaper? There's a girl flying in the water. Find her treasure. She belongs to the world of good. It's a broken locket. Exactly like mine. Don't run! GCN shows. Mars out. Imagination amplified. Built as a centerpiece of the 1962 World's Fair here in Seattle, the Space Needle was built to withstand winds in excess... Record. I'm approaching the rocket, which appears to be under construction. The spacecraft is over 180 meters tall Molly, people are going to think you're talking to yourself Father, I'm detailing the dimensions of the rocket ship on my wrist recorder This so-called rocket ship is nothing more than a two-bit tourist trap Space needle my foot Don't listen to him, Molly Your father has no imagination Go on pretending Mom, what if the needle really is a way to travel to space? Yes, and what if one day we'll all get on a rocket and fly to Mars? But here's the arm Go buy cotton candy for us to share. I don't want... Oh, very well. It's not healthy. He told his teacher he was going to live on the planet Mars one day. Will you let the boy dream? He'll outgrow this space fixation soon enough. That's what you said about his fake British accent. Record. I've located the service entrance and am about to enter. Note to self. Bring back cotton candy. Whoa! What is this place? I have entered a room containing what appears to be 20 large reflective surfaces. Oh, when I touch one... It ripples, like water. But if I look at it, it's as if I'm looking through a window into space. Are those spaceships? Hundreds of them! Alien spaceships! Wait! Where is it going? Wait, hello? Come back! Ollie! Where are you? Where is that blasted boy? Father! Mom! There you are! Where have you been? Did you finish the cotton candy already? Mom! Dad! The space needle is real! It's a real space needle. Rather, it's not a ship, but it's a... Calm down, Ollie. People are staring. I could see another world. I think there were aliens, real aliens, and the ships were floating in the sky. Ollie. Come see, follow me. Come back here. He'll outgrow it, will he? It was that door, right there. Keep your voice down. Ollie, please. Look inside, I'll show you. See for yourself. Mops and brooms. A custodial closet. But it wasn't. None of this was here. I think it's time to go home, sweetheart. I saw it. I saw ships and aliens and... Listen to me, boy. This is what's real. Your mother and I, Earth. I don't want to hear you speak of space or rocket ships or aliens ever again. Your dreams are just that, dreams. Do you understand me? But... Do you understand me, Oliver Pruitt? Yes, father. Thank you. Tardigrades are the aliens. Yes, Mars. The giant creatures we call the tardigrades have their own civilization many light years from Earth. You knew all along? When I was younger than you are, I discovered quite by accident that there was life beyond our world. And you never told anybody? I tried. My parents didn't believe me. Like most adults, they had no imagination. You would know something about that. Am I right? I guess. I spent my entire childhood waiting for them to come back, wondering what I had done wrong when they didn't reappear to me. Then, one day, I decided I'd go searching, and perhaps find them myself, or at least prove myself worthy of contact. I set the planet Mars as a destination, and recreated aspects of it here on Gale Island. When I discovered an egg in the forest and it hatched, I simply assumed it was a creature I had created indirectly. Muffin. Yes. Little did I realize that while I was studying her, she was studying me. Meanwhile, I started my podcast to recruit elite kids for my colony. Do you remember the episodes entitled Ask Oliver Pruitt? Of course. Thousands and thousands of questions came in from kids all over the world, Mars. I listened to them all and played as many as I could on the broadcast. But I never played this one. Oliver James Pruitt. We have been watching from across the universe and we had a question. Are you ready? It's Earth ready You may answer when we meet Soon I had waited my whole life for proof I wasn't crazy But what do they want? Why did they take the grown-ups and what is their plan? Look up in the sky, Mars Spaceships? They're the reason we couldn't find Earth all those months Why are they here? The Tardigrades have finished terraforming parts of Mars. Most of them have boarded their ships and will soon be moving on. So they're leaving us forever? Leaving Earth forever. But you and I will be going with them. What? Your mother, Syrah, is on board, asleep in a pod. Soon we will join her and leave planet Earth together as a family. Coast is clear. I don't see any more tardigrades. Droni, scout the grounds. Look for a way into brute prep. Jonas, I thought you said there's a way around the side of the gymnasium. There used to be. Now it's blocked by- The aliens. What? The tardigrades. They're the aliens Mr. Pruitt was talking about. Duh. Of course. Geniuses aren't supposed to say, duh. By the way, sorry, but you don't have to be a genius to put together the pieces. I mean, they've been here all along, right? They stormed the Mars colony. They took over Pruitt Prep. According to Mars, Cupcake and Muffin were there when the Space Needles activated. But what do they want? Why did they take Mars? I'm going to see if I can reach him, wherever he is. Pick any theory about what these aliens are up to. One, based on the Fermi Paradox. I was just going to say that. The Fermi Paradox posits that even though the universe has billions of habitable planets, we've never found intelligent life because worlds like Earth eventually destroy themselves through pollution, weapons, disease. Ah, you had. There's so many voices. As soon as I opened up my mind, they all came flooding in. What voices? The adults. The missing adults. They're all here. You want me to get on this giant spaceship with you and leave forever? It's the ultimate adventure, Mars. As a family, you, your mother, and I will roam the universe with the Tartigrades. Seeing things that could not be imagined. Learning what this world cannot teach. and bringing salvation to thousands of other civilizations in danger of destruction. Saving civilizations by breaking them apart? Separating the kids from their families? This is how they've always done it. And what will happen to the adults? They will be sent to Mars, where they will hopefully find a way to survive. Hopefully? The Space Needles will be destroyed, and Pruitt prep too. And then the power will come back on. Earth will reboot. led by kids. Humanity will have a second chance. And the three of us will just be off roaming the universe. You dreamed of this too, Mars. You're like me. You knew there was something else out there. That's what makes you special. No. I never asked for this. I just wanted to find my friends. I don't want to see the universe with you. I'm going to stop you. And stop the aliens. Toothpick, do you see that giant thing landing on the roof? It's an alien ship. It's like a flying football stadium. We're never going to make it inside Peru Prepper if there's a whole other shipload of tardigrades about to unload. I think they're leaving. Yeah, well, those ones over there aren't leaving. They just spotted us. Let's move this way, by the planetarium. You okay to move, cats? Yeah. JP and I will help you walk. You really hear all of the adults, Caddy? Do you know where they are? They're... stuck. They're mines. You mean like Mars was On the ship I think so Tardifade 9 o in closing Run go without me No way Leave no one behind You said that once. Hop on my bed. Which way, Jonas? Left. No right. No straight. Jonas, make up your mind. There are tardigrades after us. Just run. Ready to start your business? Go on with the Handels Platform for Entrepreneurs. Shopify helps you to start, run and expand your company. With an adjustable themes you can build your brand, marketing tools let your products fall and integrated presentations will save time for starting and growing companies. Both online, personally and on the way. Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you. You can join for your period of 1 euro per month on Shopify.eu. To listen without ads go to gzmshows.com. Guys, in here, through this air vent. Aurora? Hurry, before they see you. Excellent timing, Aurora. I try. Come on, pick. In, Jonas. You too, JP. Kent, let me help you. What's wrong? She's... on overload. I gotcha. This way, follow me. Hey, G, you're okay. Yeah, Jonas. I've been hiding out from the tart buggers this whole time. Crawling around in the vents. They're aliens. They have our parents. I know, toothpick. But why? Are they just going to leave them here forever? No. From what I can tell, JP, they're planning to move them. Soon. You mean beam them away. For good. The aliens believe the Earth is better off without them. We can never see them again. Mom and Dad. Caddy, when Mars was in that weird fake world, you woke him up, right? Do you think you can do that for the adults? I don't know. There's so many of them. I could try. I could see if there's a way to boost your signal. I could smash things if it helps. They've got to be below us, right? Several square kilometers of storage would be required for so many pods. We can get to them. Right through the store is a staircase that heads straight down. Are you sure? Because I've spent more time at Pura Prep than any of you, and I remember... I think I hear tardigrades coming. Move it. Everybody in. Go, go, go. Wait, I don't remember this being... This is just a power closet. Wait, I'm sorry. Sorry, guys, but the world is better off without the adults who ruined it. Their time is over. I can't let you get in the way of them leaving. I never wanted to force this on you, Mars. I always wanted you to choose your own destiny. All you've done is lie and trick me into following yours. I only want the best for you, Mars. From the day you came into this world, I imagined sharing a moment like this with you. Just be honest with him, Pruitt. Aurora, you're okay. Hey, Mars. Fancy meeting you here. Jonas said when the tardigrades stormed Pruitt Prep, you... I stayed. You stayed on purpose. You're helping them. The tardigrades. Yes. We're a caddy the others. They're safe. What does that mean? I think it means Aurora understands what needs to be done for this world. Am I the only one who realizes how crazy this is? Mr. Pruitt, you keep talking about how much it means to me that I'm your son. But what about all the other parents of kids out there? Don't they matter? The world is at stake, Mars. I couldn't agree more. Because a world where you let them split up every single family for good is not a world anyone wants to live in. Speak for yourself. Even you, Aurora. You're better than this. Someday soon you'll understand, Mars. But right now it's time for us to go. Did I mention Aurora is the worst? Guess we should have seen this coming, JP. She really has a thing about grown-ups. She can't hold us in here. I mean, not when we're powered up. Right, Vic? It's a pretty secure room. Yeah, but we're super else. We have to get free and find Mars. Caddy, your headache seems better. Yeah, Pic. The voices are quieter. Good. Then stand back and smash the store and get us out of here. Maybe give Toothpick a chance to think, GP. Fine. Go think. This looks like a control panel. So what's the deal with the powers anyway, Pic? Any idea why they kick in here? As far as I can tell, poop. Did you say poop? I had Droni analyze the soil, both here, on Gale Island, and on Mars. What makes it unique is a tardigrade's waste. It was all over the place. I get my power from poop? Okay, well, let's use that poop power to get us out of this closet. JP, help me open this panel. It's stuck. Well, I'd rather smash something, but it'll do. You alright, Caddy? Jonas, I'm trying to hear Mars, but it's not working. I don't know why. Didn't you hear him all the way across the universe? What if we loosen this over here? Okay, let's give this a try. One, two, three. Maybe a better warning next time? Was that supposed to happen? No. I must have miscalculated. JP, did you... JP? You're bleeding. I am? I am. And I miscalculated. And I'm not hearing voices. Our abilities, they're fading. The Tardigrades are clearing the island and boarding the ships. They've begun to erase any sign that they were here. Except that they're taking the adults. You can't stop them, Mars. They've been planning this for generations. So you might as well make the best of it. What if I refuse to go with you? That's not a choice you get to make. Cupcake, muffin, you can understand me, can't you? What about free will? What about kids making their own choices? Do I get to choose? Guess the aliens have spoken. Very well. What are you going to do, Mars? There's not much time. The adults will be beamed away. We'll take off and Pruitt Prep will be no more. I'll go with you, but on one condition. What is it, son? You let me say goodbye to my friends. Help me up. I really shouldn't... Here, JP, you can lean on me. I can't believe I'm hurt. We're normal again. You're still a long way from normal, Vic. Thanks, JP. How do we get out of this closet? I guess someone just opens the door. Tartar grapes! Leave us alone! No, Caddy, don't touch! Look, Cad, what's wrong? It's letting her touch his head. What is happening? We do not want to hurt you! What? Marscatel wants to say goodbye Caddy, what is happening? Come with us, time is short Oh, what just happened, Caddy? I think they talked through me We have to follow them Okay, okay, easy. I just got blown up. Mars! Muffin, cupcake. Thank you for bringing my friends up here. Mars, what's going on? Why did the tardigrades bring us up on the roof? Maybe because they have an actual plan, unlike some people? You stay out of this, Gertrudez. Guys, I'm leaving. What do you mean, leaving? On that ship? Mars, his mother and I are departing on an incredible journey. You can't just leave with him, Mars. Not again. But Mars, I heard them. I mean, I talked for them. I mean, the tardigrades. Can we stop it? How? We don't even have our powers. JP, you're hurt? Oh, Liv, pay attention to Caddy, Mars. Somehow the alien was able to talk through her. Really? You heard them speak? We must go, Mars. Say your goodbyes. I don't want to say goodbye. Okay, Pic, I've been thinking about all the laughs we've shared. Like that time Joey Lupo tried to live stream a video of his butt to JP, but you rerouted the signal so it was sent to all the parents' homes. Huh? Rerouted the signal? I wish we could do that again. Right now. Oh yeah, that was great. I would like to relive that moment. I don't remember... I'll miss you guys. We'll miss you too. Have a great trip, Mars. That's it? Have a great trip? He's made up his mind, JP. We should go and let him have a moment with Caddy and Aurora. But... Ow! Ow! Easy there, pick. Let's go, guys. Okay, what's going on? Yeah, that story Mars just told, it never ha- Oh, you've got a plan. Mars Patel always has a plan. Jonas, can you get me to where they're keeping the adults? I think so. Caddy, do you trust me? Of course, although I can't hear your thoughts anymore. But you can always feel me right Always with or without powers Time to say goodbye Caddy We not saying goodbye because Caddy is coming with us She is? Yes, she is. This way. The catacombs are down here. Jonas, stop. If I could just rest for a second. We have to keep moving, JP. If Mars is right, it's going to happen soon. They're going to... Whoa. Yes, we're here. There must be millions of pods here. Billions. All of the adults. It's like they're all sleeping. And dreaming. Just like they did to Mars. They needed to control him while they carried out their plans. My mom and dad are in there somewhere. How could we ever find our families? We can't. And my dad wouldn't want me to spend time looking for him. Do your job, Randall. That's what he'd say. Make us proud, sweetheart. That's my mom. I want to make them proud, even if I never see them again. Yeah, me too. Me too, Peck. Troni! Where have you been, boy? You think you can help me with this transporter? What is that? What is happening to the pods? Oh no. I think they're getting ready to beam them away. They're lowering the gangplank. Time for us to depart. Mars, Caddy, you're really leaving? I never thought... Aurora, do you remember what I said to you in the plane? When the power went out? You said friendship is supposed to work both ways. Find Pic, JP, and Jonas. Help them. No matter what happens, you're gonna need each other. Caddy, I'm... I'm sorry for... I know. Take care, Aurora. After you, Mars. Caddy, you're about to do something no human being has ever done. Set foot aboard an alien spacecraft. You want to go first, Caddy? How about we walk on together? I'd like that. Goodbye, Aurora. Bye, Mars. Isn't it magnificent? We're seeing technology mankind could only dream of. And this ship is just the start. When do we take off? As soon as the rest of the adults have been transported to Mars. What's that? The beam. It's beginning to activate. No! Trust me, Caddy. Our friends. They're going to stop it. The End I can. JP, you don't have your superpowers. Yeah, I know. But if they attack... I always wanted to be a hero. They're here! Hurry, Pick! The device is firing up. It's now or never. I'm working as fast as I can. Come on, droney. Pick, they're trying to disappear. They're beaming away. We're losing them. Wait, I think I... Hey! The beam. It stopped. That means my parents, they're gone for good. Yes. Mars. I know. I thought you said our friends would stop it. How could you let this happen, Mr. Pruitt? There was no other way. Come back, you cowards! The aliens are gone. Probably headed to their ship. Pick! What happened? Was too thick? Oh no, Randall! Pick! Pick! Talk to me, man. He's breathing, but he's unconscious. Jonas, look! The pods! They're empty. It didn't work. They're gone. They're all gone. All gone. We failed? We failed. After all of that, we lost. But we never lose. What do we do now? Proctrapia self-destruct in T-minus ten minutes. We need to get out of here. But you're hurt, JP. Without you to carry him, how are we going to move Toothpick out in time? I'll help. Aurora? No, thanks. Traitor, please. I have a cart. We can put Toothpick on it and that can get us through the tunnels and off of Gale Island. You locked us up. You're part of the reason our parents are gone. I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing, and now I... I just want to make it better. Why should we trust you? Because of Mars. Because he wanted us to help each other. Because you guys all helped when I was missing, and because we're all we've got left. T minus nine minutes. Okay, we'll take the cart. But Droni pulls it, and I drive. Deal. Let's go. Whoa, wait. What do you mean we're all we've got left? Where is Mars? Gone. Mars and Caddy are gone. Mars, Caddy, this is it. Our journey begins to the start. Don't say it. This can't be happening, Caddy. We can't do this, Mars. We have to get off before it's too late. It is too late. I know it doesn't all make sense to you yet, but in time you'll come to embrace it. And I want you to know, I consider you part of this family now. I don't care what you consider me. Caddy, it's going to be okay. Okay? Mr. Bruin, Dad, can I go with my mom now? Yes. She's right down the hall. She'd want to be here as the journey begins. There's gotta be another way. Caddy, please, come with me. Mars, I... Okay. Mars. Yes? I want you to know how much it means that you chose to join me. I missed out on so much of your life. But I'm proud to be your father. And I'm proud of the young man you've become. I looked up to you my whole life. Before I knew you were my father, you were my hero. The things you've accomplished in this world and others, nobody else could have done. I love how big your dreams are and that you never stopped going after them. I'm glad that we finally met And I'm glad you're gonna finally get to live out the dreams you had When you were a kid I love you, Dad And I always will I love you too, Mars Go find your mother Mars! Mars, hold up! We need to get to my mom. Yeah, well, I'll never see my mom again. Caddy, I think there's a way to save your parents. Are we here, Dronie? All clear, JP. Jonas, we're on the other side of the water from Gale Island. Help me get Pick out of the tunnel. Got him. Hey, come on, Pick. Time to... What was that? That was the end of Pruitt Prep. Can't say I'm sorry to see it go. Pick? Pick, can you hear me? JP, the beam. Are you okay? We know. You tried, and it almost killed you. But it didn't work. It beamed the adults away. All of them. But it's okay, Randall. It's not your fault. Without your genius power, you... What? That's my phone. Must have come back on with the power. That's mine. I'm ringing too. Me too? Answer it, guys. Hello? No. Mom! Your mom? Answer your phone, JP. Yes, I... You too, Aurora. Where are you? Hey, what's going on? Hello? Mom? Aurora! Ah, sweet girl. Mom! I'm sorry, Aurora. I'm so sorry for everything. Remember? Dad! You guys keep it down back there. You're back? You're all back? Mom? Dad Are you there Randall Where are you Are you alright Can I be any safe I safe Hold on a sec guys And how are they home We saw the beam Oh yeah, I rerouted it so that all of the adults went back to the places they were when they disappeared in the first place. But I thought- Pick, you're a genius even when you're not a genius! Thanks, but it was Mars' idea. That's why he told that crazy story on the roof. He knew what to do. Mars Patel always knows what to do. Okay. That's my mom in the pod. What's going on, Mars? Did the adults beam away or not? What? If Pic did his job, your mom is sitting at home right now, wondering what in the world is happening. She rerouted B. Now we need to get my mom and leave this ship. How? Mars! I know. It's Muffin. I've been waiting for her. You've been... This is why I'm here. To help you talk to Muffin. Will you? Okay, Muffin. Let's see if we can do this again. Caddy? Mars Patel, that was very clever what you and your friends did. Then it worked. Vic rerouted the beam. You must know. We can simply take the adults again any time we choose. I know, but you don't want to do that. This is the way we've always done it. For more years than you can imagine. When the world begins to fail, when it nears its breaking point, we have civilizations start over. I don't care how we've always done it. This is our home. A home that has been poisoned and corrupted over many generations. Isn't it better off without those who destroyed it? I know they made bad choices. Bad choices. They started wars. They ruined the environment. They disrespected their planet and all the living things on it. But they did great things too. They wrote books and made art and movies. And they loved their kids. That woman in there, my mom, she sacrificed everything for me. And I didn't even know it. They weren't perfect. They took us kids for granted. Just like we took them for granted. Until they were gone. You've done fine on your own. Both on Mars' hands here. You've found amazing viewers like Hattie Patchett and where would be more like her? There's no one else like Hattie. And even if us kids can... Keep power on by themselves... We need our families. And they need us. Because that's who we are. That's what makes us human. I know we can do better. Parents and kids. Together. You could still fail. Maybe we will. But don't we deserve a chance to try? We've been together since all over the universe. And you, Mr. Tull, are something unique, special So I've heard But if I've learned anything since this whole unexplainable craziness started It's that what makes someone special isn't an ability or a superpower It's the people we have around us Our friends, our families So if you ask me, we're all kind of special We'll be watching. And if you fail, if Earth fails, we'll be back. Good luck, Mars. You can tell. Mars? Caddy, you're back. Thank you, Muffin. Did it work? Mars? Mama G, you're awake. I'm honored. What happened? We're getting our second chance I can't wait to go see my mom and dad I bet my family will have about ten pizzas and a thousand wings waiting Seeing my mom, it's gonna be wonderful Aurora? I've got to admit, I kind of miss them too. I have a feeling it's going to be better with my parents this time. Especially if you tell them that you might be president. I don't know about that. Why not? It's not like we're going to go back to normal. We kids have done too much. And we're all going to have to work together to rebuild. Maybe it's time for a kid-adult co-presidency. I can live with that. I'd vote for that. Huh. Our bikes are still here. Mars and Caddy are gone. Aurora, Jonas, I guess you can use their bikes. But if you use our bikes, how will we get home? Yeah, seems kind of rude. Mars, Caddy! You're back! Excellent observation, JP. Mrs. Patel? Did I miss anything? How did you get here? Mars can be very convincing. You don't have to tell us that. We've bowed the guy across the solar system. And we'd do it again. Thanks for saying that, pig. But for now, I think I want to keep both feet planted on Earth for a while. Do you feel me, Caddy? I always feel you, Mars. What about your pops? Where's Pruitt? We left him on the ship with the aliens. Look, my phone. Prue just posted a new podcast episode? It just popped up on my phone, too. Should we listen? What do you think, Mars? Yeah, Mars. We won't listen if you don't want to. I'm okay, guys. I know I'm where I belong. With all of you. Here on Earth. And my father is getting to live out his dreams. Hit play. Hitting play. Hitting play. Hitting play. The End And yet, I'll be undertaking it alone, without my son, Mars Patel. He's chosen a different destiny, and the Earth is lucky to have him. I hope someday to return home, to bring with me the knowledge of the universe, and to see my boy. But the mysteries of the galaxies await. So this is it, friends. The end. But just because I'm gone doesn't mean you should stop dreaming or believing. Look to the heavens, but never stop appreciating what you have on Earth. Good friends, your family, people who love you. My loyal listeners, each of you is special. Mars, if you're listening, I love you, my son. Out my window I see planet Mars passing by. Jupiter is in view. We're gaining speed. I'll continue this broadcast as long as I can. I made this podcast for you to know anything is possible. I see Neptune now. The colors are so beautiful. I have no words. But I see. I am. We are. I finally understand. Podcast listeners, anything is truly possible. Thank you for taking this journey with me. At Astra. To. The. Son. For more great stories, visit gzmshows.com. Shh, it's starting. GZM Shows. Imagination Amplified. Hey teachers, parents, and curious kids. Want to bring your favorite GZM show to your classroom? Check out gzmclassroom.com, the ultimate hub for middle-grade students and educators. We've got engaging podcasts that bring storytelling to life, plus free instructional resources to make learning exciting and easy. Whether you're a teacher looking for fresh ideas or a student hungry for adventure, we've got you covered. Visit gzmclassroom.com today and start exploring. That's gzmclassroom.com. Because learning should never be boring.