Original subtitles

Good morning, Bastian

I had another dream, Dad, about mom.

I understand, son.

But we have to get on with things, right?

Bastian, we each have responsibilities.

We can't let Mom's death...

...be an excuse for not getting your done, right?

Yeah.

Son, I think it's time you and I had a little talk.

I got a call from you math teacher yesterday.

She says that you were...

...drawing horses in your math book.

Unicorns. They were unicorns.

What?

Nothing.

She also says that you haven't been turning in your homework on time.

I'm very disappointed that you didn't even try out for the swimming team.

As for those riding lessons you wanted...

You say you love horses, yet you seem to be afraid to get on a real one.

Now Bastian, you're old enough to get your head down out of the clouds and...

...and keeping both feet on the ground, right?

Okay.

Stop daydreaming. Start facing your problems. Okay?

Okay.

There, I think we've had a nice talk.

We should have more.

You have a good day, son. Don't be late for school again.

But, yesterday I wasn't.

Hey, it's the weirdo.

Hey weirdo, got any cash for us today?

Come on, wimp.

Let's get him!

Yeah!

Your dead, weirdo!

You can't get away, jerk!

You're dead, chicken!

We're gonna get you!

- Where's you money? - I don't have any!

No money? Mamma's boy is holding out on us.

If you ain't got no money on you, you're going into the garbage!

No!

Maybe the chicken can lay an egg in there.

Hey man, who said you could get out of the garbage?

Get back in there!

No, not again.

- No, not again! - Where do you think you're going, wimp?

- He went that way. - Which way?

Get out of here! I don't like kids.

Are you still here? Didn't you hear what I said boy?

You're hiding, aren't you?

- No, I was... - The video arcade is down the street.

Here we just sell small, rectangular objects. They're called books.

They require a little effort on your part and make no b-b-b-b-beeps.

On your way, kid

I know books! I have a 186 of them at home.

Aaaahh... comic books.

No, I've got Treasure Island...

The Last Mohican, Wizard of Oz...

Lord of the Rings, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Tarzan.

Come here.

So...

Who are you running away from?

Just some kids from school.

Why?

They wanna throw me in the garbage.

Why don't you give them a good punch in the nose, hm?

Well...

I don't know.

What's that book about?

Oh, this is something... special.

What? What is it?

Look.

Your books... are safe.

While you're reading them...

...you get to become Tarzan or Robinson Crusoe.

But that's what I like about them.

Ah, but afterwards you get to be a little boy again.

Wha... what do you mean?

Listen.

Have you ever been...

...Captain Nemo...

...trapped inside your submarine...

...while the giant squid is attacking you?

Yes.

Well, aren't you afraid you couldn't escape?

But it's only a story.

That's what I'm talking about.

The ones you read... are safe.

And that one isn't?

Don't worry about it.

What's so different about it?

Oh...

Nothing.

But... but you just said it was...

Forget about it.

This book... ...is not for you.

Math test. Oh no!

"It was midnight in the Howling Forest.

"The wind whistled through the tops of the ancient trees.

"Suddenly, something enormous...

"...crashed and rumbled through the eerie woods.

What's that?

Excuse me...

Wou... would it be alright if I joined you this evening?

You see...

I've been traveling all day.

A-haaaa!

Now I see why you picked this camp!

A delicious looking limestone rock...

Nice bouquet!

Must be a real vintage year.

Yes, you're right!

Those delicious rocks are the reason we camped here, right?

- Is he... a nutcase? - No, he's a Rock Biter.

A Rock Biter!

Oh my.

Ow!

Aw!

Poor baby.

That was limestone, with a dash of quartz.

Very tasty.

Whe... whe... where I come from in the North, we used to have exquisite gourmet rocks.

Only now...

Now...

...they're all gone.

I know how it happens.

I... I swear it wasn't me.

No... I think I know what it was.

Tell us more.

Near my home, there used to be a beautiful lake.

But then...

Then it... is was gone.

Did the lake... dry up?

No. It just wasn't there anymore.

Nothing was there anymore.

Not even a dried-up lake.

A hole?

A hole would be something. No, it was nothing.

And it got bigger... ... and bigger.

First, there was no lake anymore, and then finally...

...no rocks.

If he keeps stuffing his face like that, soon there won't be any rocks here either.

Night Hob, this could be serious.

Rock Biter...

...what you told us is also happening where I live in the west.

A strange sort of nothing is destroying everything!

Yes. We Night Hobs live in the South and it's there too.

So... It's... It's not just in our part of Fantasia?

Maybe, it's already everywhere.

Maybe our whole land is in danger.

What can we do?

My people are sending me to the Ivory Tower, to the Empress, for help.

We are on the same...

We are on the same mission!

After all, if the Empress can't save us... ... who can?

Then why are we all just sitting around here?

- Instead of taking off for the Ivory Tower? - Right!

What are we waiting for?

Yes! Yes, let's go now.

Wake up!

- Come on, old girl. - We can't just hang around here!

Wake up! Ready for takeoff.

Oh! Stupid bat!

We can't wait for a snail. Can I carry you?

Don't worry. It's a racing snail.

But-but... but we can't even wait for a racing snai...

Tally ho!

It really is a racing snail.

And nobody gives a hoot about me and my stupid bat!

Maybe I'll take a few of these yummy gourmet rocks, for the road...

Oh no!

The Nothing!

Look!

There is is!

The Heart of Fantasia!

I never knew it was that beautiful.

Stay awake!

I told you to stay awake!

The home of the Empress.

She's our only hope.

Friends, I know why you are all here.

The Nothing...

...is destroying our world.

I also know that you...

...have come to beseech...

...the Empress for help.

But I... I have terrible news.

The Empress herself has become deathly ill.

There seems to be a mysterious link between her illness and the nothing.

She's dying.

So she cannot save...

...us.

But there just might be one chance.

The Plains People who hunt the purple buffalo...

...have among them a great warrior.

He alone has a chance to fight the Nothing and save us.

He is our only hope.

His name...

...is Atreyu.

Atreyu.

"The Empress had already sent for the great warrior.

"When he finally appeared on the terrace of the Ivory Tower...

"...he carried with him the hopes of all Fantasia."

A little boy!

A little boy!

I'm sorry, but this is not the time nor place for children.

I must ask you to leave.

If you don't want me here, you shouldn't have sent for me.

- Is he a nutcase? - It was not you we sent for.

We wanted Atreyu.

I am Atreyu.

Not Atreyu the child.

Atreyu the Warrior.

I am the only Atreyu of the Plains People.

But I'll be happy to go back to hunting the purple buffalo.

No, wait!

Come back, please!

If you really are the Atreyu we sent for...

...you would be willing to go on a quest?

Yes, of course.

What kind of quest?

Find a cure for the Empress...

...and to save our world.

No one can give you any advice, except this:

You must go alone.

You must leave all your weapons behind.

It will be very dangerous.

Is there any chance of success?

I do not know.

But if you fail...

...the Empress will surely die...

...and our whole world will be utterly destroyed.

When do I begin?

Now. And you must hurry, Atreyu.

The Nothing grows stronger every day.

Take this.

The Auryn!

He who wears the Auryn speaks for the Empress.

It will guide... and protect you.

Take care!

"At the same time... ...elsewhere in Fantasia,

"a Creature of Darkness also began his quest."

"They had been traveling aimlessly for almost a week...

"...but they could not find a cure for the Empress.

"Neither Atreyu nor his horse, Artax, had the vaguest suspicion...

"...that the Creature of Darkness, the Gmork...

"...was already tracking them down."

What?

What is it, Artax?

Is it time... to go... already?

Ah...

I know what you want. It's time to eat.

Good idea.

No, it's a great idea!

No...

Not too much.

We still have a long way to go.

"Atreyu and Artax had searched the Silver Mountains...

"...the Desert of Shattered Hopes and the Crystal Towers...

"...without success.

"And so, there was only one chance left.

"To find Morla, the Ancient One...

"...the wisest being in Fantasia...

"...whose home was the Shell Mountain...

"...somewhere in the deadly Swamps of Sadness."

Come on, boy. Come on.

It's okay.

You're doing fine.

Come on, Artax.

What's the matter?

What's wrong?

Come on, boy!

What's the matter?

I understand.

It's too difficult for you.

Artax, you're sinking! Come one!

Turn around! You have to! Now!

Come on!

Artax!

Fight against the sadness, Artax.

Artax, please.

You're letting the sadness of the swamp get to you.

You have to try. You have to care.

For me.

You're my friend.

I love you.

Artax, stupid horse.

You've got to move or you'll die.

Move. Please.

I won't give up. Don't quit!

Artax!

The Shell Mountain.

Morla. The Ancient One.

Morla.

Where are you?

Morla!

Aaaaaaaaah!

But that's impossible. They couldn't have heard me.

Are you Morla, the Ancient One?

Not that it matters, but yes.

Please help me, Morla. Do you recognize this?

Well...

...we haven't seen the Auryn in a long time.

We?

Is there someone else here, too?

We haven't spoken to anyone else...

...for thousands of years.

So we starting talking...

...to ourselves.

Morla, I bring terrible news.

Did you know that the Empress is very ill?

Not that it matters, but yes.

Actually, we don't care.

If I don't save her, she'll die.

There's a terrible Nothing sweeping over the land.

Don't you care about that?

We don't even care...

...whether or not we care.

Do you have a cold?

No. We're allergic...

...to youth.

You know how I can help the Empress, don't you?

Not that it matters...

...but yes.

If you don't tell me and the nothing keeps coming, you'll die too. Both of you.

Die?

Hm, now...

...that at least would be something.

Please help me.

You said you...

We're tired of sneezing. Go away! Nothing matters.

That's not true. If it didn't really matter to you, you could tell me.

- Clever boy. - Tell me, please!

We don't know.

But you can ask...

...the Southern Oracle.

How can I get there?

You can't.

It's 10,000 miles away.

But that's so far.

That's right.

Forget it.

Give up.

No.

Atreyu wouldn't quit now.

Oh, boy!

"After days nights of unconsciousness...

"...Atreyu slowly opened his eyes...

"...and found himself in strange surroundings.

"He was clean and his wounds were dressed."

Leaving so soon?

I-I... I was just... going to...

I-I... I have to...

- I was trying to... - Sneak away?

I like children.

For breakfast?

Never. I'm a luck dragon.

My name is Falkor.

- And my name is... - Atreyu. And you're on a quest.

How did you know that?

You were unconscious.

And you talked in your sleep.

Could you... get round...

...and scratch behind my right ear?

I can never quite reach it.

Here?

Yeeees...

Yeah...

That's so good. Thank you.

So, little fella, you're on your way to the Southern Oracle?

Yes. But it's hopeless.

- It's too far away. - Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say that.

You... You know how to get there?

Why sure. It's around the corner.

How this all this happen?

With luck.

You've already brought me the entire 10,000 miles?

No. Only 9,891...

...as the dragon flies.

You're amazing!

Having a luck dragon with you is the only way to go on a quest.

Things will work out fine, Atreyu.

Never give up, and good luck will find you.

It's good to have a friend again.

You have more than one.

Look.

Get out of my light, wench.

You're disturbing my scientific work.

You and your scientific work!

What the boy needs now, is one of my potions.

The boy will need my scientific advice much more.

Yes, yes.

But not until he's well. Get back to your own corner, Engy.

I'm always find you in my place.

Aaah! He's well!

Now it's my turn with him.

Oh no, you don't!

I decide when he's well. It's your turn when I say it's your turn.

Well, little man, still in pain?

A little, but it's alright.

I like that. The patient telling the doctor it's all right.

It's all right, when I say it's all right.

It has to hurt, if it's to heal.

Here.

Drink that.

Good, hm?

That's my bat-wing broth.

There's eye of newt in there, tree mold, old lizard brains...

...scales from a rancid sea serpent.

Flavored with sand worms.

Organically grown, of course.

It's just, where did you and your dragon come from?

What are you up to?

Anything of interest to the scientific community?

He thinks he is the scientific community.

My name is Atreyu. I came to find the Southern Oracle.

Here we go again.

You've come to the right place, my boy.

I am somewhat of an expert on the Southern Oracle.

"It is my scientific specialty."

It is my scientific specialty.

Why don't you sit down and be quiet for once?

You keep quiet, wench. It's now my turn.

My name is Engywook. She's Urgl. Ever heard of me?

- I don't think so. - Oh.

You don't move in scientific circles.

I am the expert on the Southern Oracle.

You've come to the right place, my boy.

There's no fool, like an old fool.

Wait! Stay here.

The observatory. To the winch, wench.

Come on, lazybones! Can't you go any faster?

I've been studying the mysteries of the Southern Oracles for years.

Some day, I'll publish my book:

"A Century of Studying the Southern Oracle", by Professor Engywook.

"Volume I: The Early Years."

Have you ever been to the Southern Oracle?

What do you think?

I work scientifically.

That's what you think!

Don't gargle, Urgl!

Look.

Is that the Southern Oracle?

Oh no.

It's the first of the two gates you must pass through...

...before you reach the Southern Oracle...

...and get me the final information for my book.

Of course, most people...

...never get that far.

Why?

The Spinxes' eyes...

...stay closed until someone who does not feel his own worth...

...tries to pass by.

Ah!

Here comes one that looks fancy.

Let's see what he really thinks of himself.

Look, look.

Go on, scaredy-cat!

Oh, go on!

Oh, it's my turn. Let me see. I'm the scientist.

He's going on.

I think he's gonna make it.

The Spinxes' eyes, are the open or shut? Let me see.

They're shut.

For real?

No, wait!

The eyes are opening!

Oh no!

Did he make it?

Did he?

No.

Fancy armor doesn't help.

The Sphinxes can see straight into your heart.

Listen, boy!

Next time, let me see what happens. It's my telescope.

- I'm going to try. - No!

Don't go yet! I have not told you about the next gate.

It's even worse than this one.

Atreyu!

Atreyu!

He'll never make it! He'll never make it!

Oh no!

Don't start to doubt yourself. Be confident.

Be confident!

Be confident!

Run, Atreyu, run!

Run, Atreyu!

Run! Now!

He made it! He made it!

He made it!

He made it!

It has to hurt, if he's to heal!

He made it!

Atreyu... he made it through the Sphinx gate

- I always said he could do it. - Oh, good!

But that's no reason for you to fall out of the basket again.

I knew he would be safe.

Nonsense. You don't understand anything.

The worst one is coming up.

Next is the Magic Mirror Gate.

- Atreyu has to face his true self! - So what?

- That won't be too hard for him. - That's what everyone thinks!

But kind people find that they are cruel.

Brave men discover, that they are really cowards.

Confronted with their true selves...

...most men run away screaming.

Now this is going too far.

What if they...

...really do know about me in Fantasia?

The Southern Oracle?

Do not be afraid.

We will not harm you

We have been waiting for you, a long time, Atreyu.

Are you the Southern Oracle?

Yes, we are.

Then you must know what can save Fantasia.

Yes, we do.

Well, what is it? I have to know!

The Empress...

...needs...

...a new name.

A new name? That's all?

But that's easy!

I can give her any name she wants.

No one from Fantasia...

...can do it.

Only a human child...

...can give her this new name.

A human child? Where can I find one?

You can only find one...

...beyond the boundaries of Fantasia.

If you want to save our world...

...you must hurry!

We don't know...

...how much longer we can withstand the Nothing.

Falkor!

Falkor!

Hurry, Falkor! The Nothing's everywhere.

Don't worry.

We'll reach the boundaries of Fantasia.

- Do you know where they are? - I have no idea.

Then how do we find a human child?

With luck!

Faster, Falkor, faster! We have to hurry.

All right. Hang on tight!

What a shame they don't ask me.

Mom...

She had such a wonderful name.

"On and on they flew, until they reached the Sea of Possibilities..."

"...where they could go no further."

Look, Atreyu. The Nothing.

Falkor!

Where are you?

Atreyu!

It's real.

Falkor!

Falkor! Where are you?

Falkor!

Atreyu! Where are you?

Atreyu!

Falkor!

Atreyu!

They look like big, good, strong hands, don't they?

I always thought that's what they were.

My little friend.

The little man with his racing snail... ...the Night Hob...

...even the stupid bat.

I couldn't hold on to them.

The Nothing...

...pulled them right out of my hands.

I failed.

No, you didn't fail.

I'm the one who failed.

I was the one chosen to stop the Nothing.

But I lost the Auryn.

I can't find my luck Dragon.

So I won't be able to get beyond the boundaries of Fantasia.

Listen.

The Nothing...

...will be here any minute.

I will just sit here...

...and let it take me away, too.

They look...

...like good...

...strong...

...hands, don't they?

Morla?

Artax!

Artax.

Leave me alone.

Can I help you?

If you come any closer...

...I will rip you to shreds.

Who are you?

I am Gmork.

And you, whoever you are...

...can have the honor of being my last victim.

I will not die easily.

I am a warrior.

Brave warrior.

Then fight the Nothing.

But I can't. I can't get beyond the boundaries of Fantasia.

What's so funny about that?

Fantasia has no boundaries.

That's not true.

You're lying!

Foolish boy!

Don't you know anything about Fantasia?

It's the world of human fantasy.

Every part...

...every creature of it...

...is a piece of the dreams and hopes of mankind.

Therefore...

...it has no boundaries.

But why is Fantasia dying then?

Because people have begun to lose their hopes...

...and forget their dreams.

So the Nothing grows stronger.

What is the Nothing?

It's the emptiness that's left.

It is like a despair...

...destroying this world.

And I have been trying to help it.

But why?

Because people who have no hopes...

...are easy to control.

And whoever has the control...

...has the power.

Who are you, really?

I am the servant...

...of the power behind the Nothing.

I was sent to kill the only one...

...who could have stopped the Nothing.

I lost him in the Swamps of Sadness.

His name...

...was Atreyu.

I have stopped him for so long.

I am almost too weak to kill you.

But I will find the strength.

Let me give you no strength, Gmork!

If we're about to die anyway, I'd rather die fighting.

Come for me, Gmork! I am Atreyu!

Falkor!

Atreyu!

"That was the end of Fantasia.

"Only a few fragments of this once...

"...rich and beautiful world had been left by the Nothing."

Good old Falkor.

- Can you see anything? Anything at all? - No.

All the land is gone.

I know. And all because I failed.

You tried.

Do you suppose the Ivory Tower is still standing?

Let's hope so, Atreyu. Let's hope so.

Let the Auryn guide you.

If the Ivory Tower still stands, take us there.

The Ivory Tower!

The Princess.

Atreyu.

Why do you look so sad?

I failed you, Empress.

No. You haven't.

You brought him with you.

Who?

The earthling child.

The one...

...who can save us all.

You know about the earthling child?

Of course.

I knew everything.

My horse died, I nearly drowned.

I just barely got away from the Nothing.

For what? To find out what you already knew?

It was the only way to get in touch with the earthling.

But I didn't get in touch with an earthling!

Yes, you did.

He has suffered with you.

He went through everything you went through.

And now, he has come here...

...with you.

He is very close, listening...

...to every word we say.

What?

Where is he?

If he is so close, why doesn't he arrive?

He doesn't realize he's already part of The NeverEnding Story.

The NeverEnding Story?

What's that?

Just as he is sharing all your adventures...

...others are sharing his.

They were with him...

...when he hid from the boys in the bookstore.

But that's impossible!

They were with him when he took the book...

...with the Auryn symbol on the cover...

...in which he's reading his own story...

...right now.

I can't believe it.

They can't be talking about me.

What will happen if he doesn't appear?

Then our world will disappear.

And so will I.

How could he let that happen?

He doesn't understand that he's the one who has the power to stop it.

He simply can't imagine...

...that one little boy could be that important.

Is it really me?

How could I make any difference?

Maybe he doesn't know what he has to do.

What do I have to do?

He have to give me a new name.

What if he doesn't come up with the right name?

He's already chosen it.

He just have to call it out.

Where is he? Why isn't he here?

He still does not have the confidence.

But it's only a story. It's not real. It's only a story.

Atreyu, no!

Atreyu!

Don't you have the courage...

...to save us?

Bastian!

I wish I could!

Why don't you do what you dream, Bastian?

But I can't. I must keep both feet on the ground.

Call my name!

Please.

Call my name.

Bastian!

Please!

Save us!

All right! I'll do it!

I'll save you. I will do what I dream.

Why is it so dark?

In the beginning, it is always dark.

What is that?

One grain of sand.

It is all that remains of my vast empire.

Fantasia has totally disappeared?

Yes.

Then... everything's been in vain.

No, it hasn't.

Fantasia can arise anew...

...from you dreams and wishes, Bastian.

How?

Open you hand.

What are you going to wish for?

I don't know.

Then there will be no Fantasia...

...anymore.

How many wishes do I get?

As many as you want.

And the more wishes you make...

...the more magnificent Fantasia will become.

Really?

Try it.

Then my first wish is...

Falkor, it's even more beautiful than I thought!

- Like it? - Falkor, it's wonderful.

Falkor, it's like the Nothing never was!

Atreyu, Artax!

What would you like to wish for next?

(Indistinct talking).

Look, there they are.

It's a monster!

Get them, Falkor! Let's see how you like it, chickens!

Down here!

We're going to get you, guys!

Bastian made many other wishes...

...and had many other amazing adventures...

...before he finally returned to the ordinary world.

But that's...

...another story.