The Twins of Destiny

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The twins, Jules and Julie

The Twins of Destiny (known as Les Jumeaux du Bout du Monde in French) was a 1991 animated television series produced by French writer Jean Chalopin. It followed the (fictional) quest of two children, Jules and Julie, in their travels across Eurasia seeking to overthrow the Dowager Empress of China, and consequently, release their fathers from imprisonment. It is not entirely clear if this Dowager is meant to represent Cixi, or merely another Empress.

[edit] Story

The story begins in Peking, China during 1897. Two children, Jules (a Chinese boy), and Julie (an English girl) are born, fulfilling the first part of a prophecy foretold by the soothsayer Lowtzay. That prophecy describes two children, born to different parents whose mothers both perish at birth ending the tyrannical rule of the Empress of China. In addition, the prophecy also states that this dethronement to occur, the so-called "Twins of Destiny" must replace two stone tablets at the Temple of Heavenly Harmony in the Forbidden City. As foretold, this would lead to collapse of the Empire.

The Empress is informed of this prophecy from her astrologer, and sends several eunuchs to kill the infants shortly after their birth. Although their fathers are captured, a member of the "Society of Freedom", Shou Cow, rescues the babies and arranges to send them to France via an arrangement made with a Captain Torneay and his first mate Martin Garson.

Meanwhile, the Empress imprisons the fathers of Jules and Julie, petrifying them to stone with the aid of her court Magician. Upon hearing that the Twins have survived, a pirate, Kung Lee, is sent to kill the twins. Although he successfully takes over the ship conveying Jules and Julie to Europe, he cannot bring himself to murder the children. The Empress hears of this betrayal.

Ten years pass. The twins, now living in France with Captain Torneay, attend school. Several bullies taunt Jules because of his Asian heritage. At around this point in their lives, the Twins start to realise they have command over a supernatural power whenever they hold hands. Using this power, they break a branch that another child was going to attack Jules with. They start to experiment with this power, and perform limited acts of telekinesis (such as moving a model boat back to the edge of a pond). Shortly thereafter, a Chinese ambassador becomes aware of the twins presence when they meet at a theatre, and Jules and Julie must escape. Their gardener, Ho Quan, a member of the Society of Freedom, assists them. However, their caregiver (and arguably surrogate father), Captain Torneay, dies of a heart attack. Martin Garson is now guardian of the Twins.

Shou Cow makes contact with the Twins, and Jules and Julie are given an explanation to their supernatural abilities. They are finally told of their mission - to travel to Peking and return the Stone Tablets to the Forbidden City. The Twins then begin to travel across Europe, avoiding capture by the Empire's henchmen.

Jules and Julie are required to work together to overcome many obstacles in their journey. After being separated from Martin, they continue to travel, with their powers slowly growing over time. They eventually meet the Great Sebatier, a travelling magician who helps the Twins evade the eunuchs with his magic tricks and illusions, and assists them in their passage to the Middle East and beyond. The Great Sebatier leaves them, to make two more appearances as the series progresses (once more in the Middle East, and finally in the last episode).

After being imprisoned and forced to work for several days in a sweatshop, Jules and Julie again meet up with Martin Garson and his love-interest, Paulette. This romance is explored in a minor subplot. Upon travelling on a ship destined for the Asia continent, the twins and all aboard are shipwrecked. Upon awakening on a deserted island, the Twins, separated from the other passengers, discover Giovanne, a seemingly supernatural.

At the end of the series, the twins, reunited with Martin and the others, finally reach the Gates of the Forbidden City, and enter via the sewers. Using the Third of the Seven Powers, they break the roof, providing them with much needed air and an escape route. Entering the Temple of Heavenly Harmony, they almost successfully replace the tablets, but are stopped by a Eunuch, Po Dung. The Society of Freedom launches an attack on the city, and the Empress flees to the Summer Palace.

Using a scheme involving fireworks and a hot air balloon, the twins enter the temple. Jules places the tablets on on the altar, reads the Chinese inscriptions and through a magical force their fathers, who are imprisoned in stone nearby, are freed. Po Dung and the other Eunuchs launch a final attack. Unfortunately for Jules and Julie, their powers start to fade. It becomes clear that the Seven Powers are tied to the Prophecy. Shou Cow explains that since the Prophecy has now been fulfilled, their power is no longer needed. However, the twins manage to call upon the Fourth of the Seven Powers one last time to attempt telekinesis, and together with their intelligence and a carefully planned strategy, manage to defeat Po Dung and the other eunuchs.

Giovanne makes a final appearance, congratulating the Twins on their success. He also reveals that he and the famous "Great Sebatier" are one and the same - a spirit whose goal was to assist the Twins in fulfilling the prophecy. He further explains that he was always watching over them, in one form or another, and appeared when the Twins were in times of great need. The rebels, now in charge of the Forbidden City, announce that China is free. Julie is set to return to her home in England, with her father. However, Jules and Julie are terrified at the prospect of being separated from one another, and the twins run away together into the moonlight.

[edit] Powers

The First Power: Illusion : The Twins can temporarily create illusions which, on several occasions, distract and confuses their enemies.
The Second Power: Protection : When holding hands, the Twins can protect themselves from attack. In one case, when travelling through India, the twins enter a Mosque and pay their respects to Allah. When a man enters to attempts to attack the children, they levitate, encapsulated in a barrier of light and are protected upon holding hands.
The Third Power: Explosions : Jules and Julie are also informed that they can cause objects to shatter and break apart.
The Fourth Power: Levitation/Telekinesis. : This allowed the Twins to move and manipulate objects from a great distance.
The Fifth Power: Mechanical Control : Allowing the Twins to manipulate and operate complex machinery.
The Sixth Power: Weather Control : This allowed the Twins to control weather patterns to a small degree.
The Seventh Power: Mind Control : This allowed the Twins to influence the thoughts of others. Giovanne explains, however, that this power should be used as a last resort, as it causes extreme fatigue. This was demonstrated during one part of the journey, when the twins successfully willed the Captain of a ferry to travel faster. They then became exhausted.