Devi


TEASER

India village.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the village. A man swallows a burning sword.

EXTRA
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h.

Xena and Gabrielle move through the village.

GABRIELLE
India is so different and yet, there's this
connection, too you know? It's so exotic, so
mysterious, so...look.

A man walks on burning coals.

GABRIELLE
Maybe that's India's way of rolling out the red carpet.

XENA
That's gotta hurt.

GABRIELLE
India is completely different. It's such a strange
place. It's...

XENA
Well, it ain't Greece.

GABRIELLE
Look.

Xena and Gabrielle stop before a man who has his legs crossed over his head.

GABRIELLE
Now, do you see why I do yoga every day?

XENA
So you don't end up like that?

GABRIELLE
Xena, he's a master. I can only hope to
achieve that kind of power.

XENA
Don't get me wrong, the gods know I've done
stranger things, but yoga's just not for me.

GABRIELLE
That's all right. When you're crippled and old, and
I'm doing headstands, I'll remind you of this.

XENA
Oh, I bet you will.

ELI
No trick here, people. True magic!

GABRIELLE
Come on.

Xena and Gabrielle move over to a large crowd, gathered around Eli.

ELI
And now, for the ultimate test! So dangerous, that
few have ever dared to attempt it. Maya, the rope
and basket, please. Good people, prepare to be
astonished as I send my brave assistant, Maya
into the land of the spirits. Hi-lah!

Eli throws the rope up and it hangs straight in the air.

GABRIELLE
How did he do that?

XENA
My guess is the coiled end supports the rope.

ELI
Any skeptics are welcome to join me and prove
it's but an illusion.

GABRIELLE
Here's one.

Gabrielle shoves Xena forward.

XENA
Ah. Well, since you ask.

Xena draws her sword.

XENA
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!

Xena cuts the rope at the bottom, separating it from the coiled end. The rope hangs in mid-air. The crowd is amazed.

ELI
Satisfied? Good.

Xena moves back into the crowd.

ELI
Come along, Maya, up you go. We mustn't keep
the spirits waiting.

Maya climbs the rope.

ELI
There she goes people, up to that land beyond
this earthly veil. A place known only in songs and
legends. A region completely unchartered
by humans. Until now. Wish her luck, folks! Dekayah!

Maya disappears.

ELI
Ladies and gentlemen, if it's true that seeing is
believing then you have just witnessed a miracle.
But please don't take my word for it. Ask her yourself.
Maya, return to us!

Nothing happens.

ELI
Maya, return to us!

Nothing happens for a moment then Maya falls from the sky, but her body has been severed into several pieces.

ELI
Maya! By the gods! What's happened?!

Eli puts the pieces in the basket and brings the rope down.

ELI
Wait. There's still a chance I can save her, but I
will require complete silence. Spi-re-yah!

Maya rises from the basket, back together.

EXTRA
It's a miracle!

ELI
Maya. Thank the gods you're all right. For a moment
I thought something went wrong.

Maya hisses. She has been possessed by Tataka.

ELI
Maya, what's wrong?!

She picks up two swords and starts to twirl them.

ELI
This isn't part of the act. Maya stop!

Xena flips onto the stage, ululating. Maya turns to face her.

ELI
Be careful. Something's wrong.

Xena uses her whip and pulls Maya to her. She pushes Maya, and when the whip unwinds, Maya is sent flying through the air. She crashes into a stand.

END OF TEASER



ACT ONE

Maya jumps out of the wreckage and twirls her swords.

ELI
She's possessed.

Xena throws a watermelon at Maya, and she cuts it to pieces. Xena flips at Maya, ululating and knocks Maya back.

ELI
Abba, help me!

Maya falls into Eli. Her body starts to convulse at lightning speed and she screams. Gabrielle moves to her side and places a hand on her.

GABRIELLE
Stop!

Tataka's spirit flies out of Maya's body and vanishes over Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
It's okay! Are you okay?

Vikram enters.

VIKRAM
Fear not! A higher power has prevailed and driven
the demon from her.

VILLAGER #1
It's her! She has the higher power!

VILLAGER #2
He's right! She beat the demon!

VILLAGER #1
She's a Devi! The girl's a Devi!

EXTRA
Praise her!

EXTRAS
Devi. Devi.

VILLAGER #2
Devi.

EXTRAS
Devi. Devi. Devi.

GABRIELLE
What's a Devi?!

ELI
It's a healing deity. They're saying that you cured
her, that you exorcised the demon.

VIKRAM
Devi or not, there are spirits at work here.

EXTRA
Devi.

Vikram looks at Eli.

VIKRAM
Spirits that you have brought to us.

ELI
Wait a minute. I'm just a magician. I don't have
any spiritual powers. Even if I did, I'd use them to
help people, not to hurt them. I just
do illusions! That's all! J--just illusions!

VIKRAM
What about Aja the baker? Burned alive the day
you got here. And Chandra the seamstress,
blinded by her own hand.

VILLAGER #1
Kill him!

XENA
(to Gabrielle) I don't like the sound of this. I'm
gonna get him outta here.

Xena leads Eli into a closet. Gabrielle faces the crowd.

GABRIELLE
I'll--I'll handle the crowd.

VILLAGER #1
Kill the devil monger!

GABRIELLE
Wait! Um, y--you can't kill him because you think
that he's evil! You see -- you need proof!

Vikram goes to the door.

GABRIELLE
Wait! No.

Vikram opens the door to the closet, but no one is inside.

EXTRA
You're the Devi!

EXTRAS
Devi. Devi.

GABRIELLE
No, no, no, no. You're wrong. I'm not.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Village.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Eli enter a temple.

ELI
Look, I appreciate your help, but I can't hide in here.

XENA
Sure you can. Why not?

ELI
You saw that priest. He wants me dead.

XENA
Exactly. He won't look here.

ELI
Ri-i-i-ight. The name's Eli.

XENA
Xena. My friend's name is Gabrielle.

ELI
I guess I really owe you two, not only did you save
my life and everyone else's, but your friend
saved my assistant's soul.

XENA
I'm glad we could help. If I were you, I'd lay low
'til things calm down, and then get out of town fast.

ELI
So, is she?

XENA
What?

ELI
You friend, Gabrielle. Is she really a Devi?

XENA
Not last time I looked.

ELI
Well, then, how'd she do it? The demon, how'd
she cast it out?

XENA
I don't know.

ELI
Right. You tell me she's not a Devi and yet the
demon just...popped out at her touch. That's
some trick.

XENA
You think so?

ELI
Oh, I know it is.

Eli starts to move his hand over a flame, again and again, hypnotizing Xena.

ELI
What I don't know is how she did it. But I will.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The villagers walk along with Gabrielle.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
No!

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
No!

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
No! No! No! No! No! I'm not!

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
I'm not what you think I am.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
I--I'm not a Devi.

EXTRA
Oh, Devi! Devi!

GABRIELLE
I wish I could help you. I can't.

Ravi steps forward. He has only one good eye.

RAVI
You drove out the demon! Praise to our Devi!
Praise her!

He takes her hand and touches his face to it.

RAVI
Ah-h-h! My eye! I can see! I can see!

He covers what was once his only good eye.

RAVI
Look, Chaka! Kamal! I can see you! (to Gabrielle)
You did it! You cured me!

He draws his sword and plants the blade down.

RAVI
Your servant and defender, Devi! My sword for you!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple.

ELI
Very, very heavy. So heavy, you can hardly
keep them open. Don't try. Close your eyes, Xena.

Xena does.

ELI
Sleep, hearing only the sound of my voice.

XENA
Your voice.

ELI
That's it. Good. Now, tell me, was it real what
your friend did? Saving someone possessed?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Village.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

BODYGUARD #1
My sword for you, Devi!

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

BODYGUARD #2
My sword for you, Devi.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

A woman puts a red dot on Gabrielle's forehead.

VIKRAM
(to himself) Suffer not, demonizer among you.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple.

ELI
Where haven't I looked? Tell me. Has she found
the power? Tell me.

Xena opens her eyes. She was faking it.

XENA
I got a better idea, you tell me.

ELI
The power to work a miracle, no tricks.

XENA
What kind of miracle?

ELI
When I was thirteen, my father's best friend collapsed.
He had chronic convulsions, and I was left with
him while my father went for help. And all I could
do was stand there, helpless. As I reached out,
trying to calm him, I guess, I felt this kind of white,
hot surge go through me. And when I touched him,
it stopped. Whatever, or whoever gripped him let
go. He never convulsed again. I'm sorry if I tried
to trick you, but I've searched so long, I just
thought that if your friend had found a way to ease
people's suffering, that maybe she could share
it with me.

Vikram enters and Eli hides.

VIKRAM
You? What are you doing here?

XENA
I thought that temples welcomed everyone.

VIKRAM
Not to those who help the dark ones.

XENA
Come on. He's just a guy who does tricks.

VIKRAM
Your friend, what is she? A Devi, or a harbinger
of evil?

XENA
Some people see evil everywhere.

VIKRAM
A Priest is trained to be vigilant.

XENA
Well, that's good, 'cause you're gonna need to
watch your back. A man like you must have
many enemies.

Xena leaves.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunset.

XENA (voice-over)
Aw, yeah, that's great.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Gabrielle are in a room. Gabrielle massages Xena's shoulders.

XENA
Maybe you are a Devi after all, huh?

GABRIELLE
Maybe I am.

Gabrielle stops.

GABRIELLE
Xena, something happened to me. And I've been
trying to think of how to tell you.

XENA
What? What happened?

GABRIELLE
I did it. Xena, I healed someone. A man
came to me. He had lost his eye. Xena, I brought
back his sight.

XENA
Gabrielle-

GABRIELLE
I can't explain it. It was real, Xena. I'm wondering.
I know that you had a spirit inside you. What does
that feel like?

XENA
Is that what's happened? 'Cause, Gabrielle, there
are spirits that are good and bad, but they're smart,
and sometimes you can't tell one from another.

GABRIELLE
Whatever this is, it wasn't bad, Xena. How could
it be? It was beautiful. I healed! That is all
I have ever wanted to do. That is all I've ever dreamed
about doing. Now that I have this ability...I think I
understand that power...the power to control life
...and death.

END OF ACT ONE



ACT TWO

Xena sits, looking at the window. She looks over at Gabrielle.

XENA
Gabrielle, are you asleep?

Gabrielle is awake. She faces Xena.

GABRIELLE
Not anymore. What's up?

XENA
Us. At least, we should be. Come on, get up. We
can go do some yoga, get somethin' to eat. We
can be on the road by noon.

GABRIELLE
Yoga? We're gonna do yoga. As in you and me?

She chuckles.

GABRIELLE
Okay, who are you, and what have you done
with Xena?

XENA
Ha-ha.

GABRIELLE
I know what you're doing. You're checking to see
if I'm the same Gabrielle as always. Admit
it, Xena, you're afraid the power I have
is bad.

XENA
When it comes to special powers, I've learned
you can't be too careful.

GABRIELLE
You're right. Relax. I bet--I bet it was a fluke.
Most people have probably forgotten it.

XENA
Well...maybe you're right.

They step onto the balcony.

EXTRA
Look! There she is!

EXTRA
The Devi!

EXTRA
Praise her! Praise the Devi!

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!
Devi! Devi! Devi!

Xena runs off.

EXTRAS
Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi! Devi!

Gabrielle smiles.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs into the temple.

XENA
Vikram!

Vikram is hanging by a rope around his neck. Xena draws her sword and throws it.

XENA
Ah-h-h-h-h!

The sword hits Eli's shirt, pinning him against the wall.

ELI
Uh!

XENA
I thought you were leaving town.

ELI
I was, as soon as it's safe. That's why I was about
to duck out. I thought you might be trouble.

XENA
What makes you think I'm not?

ELI
You don't think I had anything to do with that?

XENA
Nobody else here.

ELI
There doesn't have to be. The man killed
himself. Look, the man was a suicidal zealot!

Xena takes her sword.

XENA
That priest did not kill himself.

ELI
Sure, he did! He tied up the rope and climbed
up on the altar and jumped down! Wait. If he jumped
down from the altar, why is he hanging above
it? You know, on second thought, leaving town
right now does have its advantages.

Eli starts to leave. Xena stops him.

XENA
You're not going anywhere until we get to
the bottom of this.

Xena leaves.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The people move with Gabrielle through the streets.

EXTRA
Make way for the Devi!

EXTRA
Keep back!

ELI
What's with all the muscle?

XENA
Don't let 'em throw ya.

People crowd around Gabrielle. When they pull back, the bodyguards are gone.

ELI
Where did bodyguards go? They're gone.

XENA
I'm gonna go check it out. You stay here. I'll come
back for ya, later.

She leaves.

ELI
Uh...

EXTRA
It's the Devi! The Devi! Out of my way!

Eli runs. He stops and sees a growling dog in front of him.

ELI
Hey, big fella. Sit. Nice doggy.

Eli runs. He finds three more growling dogs. The dogs chase Eli. Eli runs into Xena.

ELI
Ah-ah-h!

The dogs run at them.

XENA
Drop!

They duck and the dogs jump over. The dogs turn and run after them. Xena throws her chakram.

XENA
Ah-h-h!

The chakram takes down a clothesline, which drops sheets over the dogs.

XENA
Come on!

They run. The dogs follow. They turn a corner and hide. The dogs run by. They run back the way they came. The dogs turn and follow.

XENA
Eli! The wagon!

They tip a wagon of baskets.

ELI
Ah-h-h-h-h!

The dogs leap over and follow them. They run by. Xena and Eli pop out of a house and run the other way. They reach a dead end.

ELI
Huh!

Xena faces the dogs. She uses her whip to grab onto an overhead beam. She picks up Eli and ululates as they swing over the dogs. They land and keep running. They find Gabrielle and the people. Gabrielle is possessed now by Tataka, though Xena doesn't know it yet.

TATAKA
Thank you for the pearls. They're beautiful.

Eli runs into Gabrielle and spills her pearls.

ELI
Whoa!

TATAKA
My pearls!

The dogs run away. Eli kneels before Tataka.

ELI
Please! Save me, Devi! The demons have me!
Please! Free me! Please!

Eli rises into the air.

ELI
Bless you. Bless you, Devi. Bless you.

Eli is lowered to the ground.

ELI
Bless you. Thank you, Devi. Bless you.

He stands.

ELI
She did it. She healed me. She lifted me
up! You saw! Praise the Devi!
Praise the Devi!

GABRIELLE
What's going on here?

ELI
You witnessed it! I plead again! Praise the Devi!

EXTRAS
Praise the Devi!

ELI
Praise the Devi!

GABRIELLE
Xena, I didn't heal anything.

ELI
Praise the Devi!

EXTRAS
Praise the Devi! Praise the Devi! Praise the Devi!
Praise the Devi! Praise the Devi!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple. Eli collects some Ganges water in a small vial.

XENA
Why'd you bolt? I told you I was coming
back. Why'd you leave?

ELI
Are you kiddin'? The way her bodyguards vanish
the moment I show up? And then those demon
dogs just happen to attack me? Come on,
doesn't take much to make the connection or to
figure out who killed the old priest, 'cause he was
right. There's evil here.

Xena takes his vial.

XENA
So, why'd you come back, hmm? This?

ELI
Sacred water from the Ganges. It pays to be
prepared. The old man wasn't the only priest in
the province. And if I can get that into the right
hands it'll work against a-

XENA
Against who?

ELI
Against any demon you name. Take your pick.
They're all here. It's evil incarnate.

Xena looks at paintings on the wall of demons.

XENA
Huh.

She stops before a woman who looks like Gabrielle. She wears a pearl outfit and a crown.

XENA
Who's that?

ELI
Her name's Tataka, a conniving little demon who
converted hundreds with her sweet face and
deceptive good works.

XENA
Deceptive, how?

ELI
She cured the sick and deformed, only to send
them to the slaughter against the great god,
Rama. Oh, she's a real gem, duping people who
need her. Yeah, she's a real pearl.

XENA
Pearl? Pearl.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tataka sits before the people, dressed as she is in the painting. People bow at her feet. Xena enters, and knows that Gabrielle is possessed by Tataka.

END OF ACT TWO



ACT THREE

Xena enters their room to see Gabrielle before a mirror. Xena carries a water bag. She stares at Gabrielle, saying nothing.

GABRIELLE
That bad, huh? Okay, it's a bit much, I know. What
can I do? These are all gifts from the people
that I've healed. Now, how can I refuse that?

Gabrielle hands Xena the crown.

GABRIELLE
Besides, I think the more that I dress like them,
the more they seem to turn to me for my help. I
mean underneath all this I'm still me.

XENA
Oh, thank goodness. For a moment there, you
had me worried.

Xena moves the stuff in her hands and drops the vial of Ganges water. Gabrielle picks it up.

GABRIELLE
What's this?

XENA
A little insurance I took out. Sacred water from
the Ganges.

GABRIELLE
Insurance? Against what? Against me?

XENA
Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Against my being a demon?

XENA
That's ridiculous.

GABRIELLE
Is it? Why else would you have it? This is a test.
Fine. You wanna test me? Let's do it. Let's see
if sacred water eats through my skin, shall we?

She pours it on herself.

GABRIELLE
Huh? Am I sizzling, now?! Am I burning?!
Am I still evil incarnate, Xena?

Xena takes the vial from her.

XENA
It was not a test. It couldn't be. Ganges
water only burns in the hands of a priest or exorcist.

She holds up the skin.

XENA
I took all the holy water 'cause I knew that
Eli wouldn't leave town without some.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry.

Xena puts down the crown and throws the skin.

GABRIELLE
I just know you have doubts about me. And I tell
you that this power is good, that it's my
calling. And instead of being happy for me, you
think that I'm evil.

XENA
Gabrielle. Eli told me about the picture in the temple-

GABRIELLE
Eli? You're taking the word of a street
magician over mine?

XENA
It's not that.

GABRIELLE
Why is this so hard for you to accept? Xena, I do
not hurt people. I heal them.

Gabrielle starts to cry. Xena holds her.

XENA
Hey. Oh, no, don't, don't cry. Don't cry, now. I'm
sorry. (whispers) I'm sorry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple. There's a sound. Eli looks for the source.

ELI
Xena? You back? I guess not.

He steps out to be met by Ravi.

RAVI
Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?!

Eli tries to run. Ravi picks him up.

RAVI
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h!

ELI
Ah-h-h!

Xena enters.

XENA
That's not nice.

RAVI
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!

Ravi tosses Eli. Xena fights Ravi. Eli stands and Ravi kicks him.

XENA
Eli!

Eli goes flying. Xena fights Ravi. They draw swords and keep fighting.

XENA
Eli! Sacred water, use it.

Xena tosses the skin to Eli. He sprays it on Ravi. Ravi screams as his face burns.

ELI
What was that about?

XENA
I guess Tataka figured it out.

ELI
Tataka? Figured what out?

XENA
Same thing I did. Gabrielle's not the Devi, Eli.
You are.

ELI
What?

XENA
Think about it. I pushed your assistant, Maya,
into you. But in the chaos, all anybody saw
was Gabrielle pull her up. The burning water just
proves it. She didn't cast the demon out, you
did...straight into Gabrielle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tataka sleeps, in full control of Gabrielle at this time. Xena enters.

XENA
Gabrielle. Gabrielle. Wake up.

TATAKA
What? What is it?

XENA
Eli's been attacked. If I hadn't shown up and
scared away whoever did it, he'd be dead
by now. As it is-

TATAKA
He's alive?

XENA
Barely. I need you to come and heal him.
If he dies, so does our best chance of
finding out who's behind all of this.

TATAKA
Take me to him. I should probably tell Ravi. He
might send out a search party or...

Tataka opens the door.

TATAKA
Ravi! Ravi!

Bodyguard #1 one steps up and bows.

BODYGAURD #1
Forgive me, Devi, but Ravi's not back. May I be
of service?

TATAKA
He's not back?

BODYGAURD #1
No.

TATAKA
No. Thank you.

She closes the door and faces Xena.

TATAKA
So, Eli's hurt, is he, Xena?

XENA
Not as bad as Ravi...Tataka.

She hisses and faces Xena. She now talks as Tataka, not as Gabrielle.

TATAKA
Well, it's a good thing I sent backup.

Xena runs out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eli runs through the woods. Xena follows. Eli nearly runs into Xena.

ELI
Yah-h-h!

XENA
I thought we had an agreement. I saved your life.
You save Gabrielle's.

ELI
I can't do it. Believe me, I wanna help you. But
I can't.

XENA
Then there's no choice. We have to have an exorcism.

ELI
Exorcism.

XENA
It's either that, or kill her, and I won't
kill Gabrielle.

Eli laughs.

ELI
I can't do an exorcism!

XENA
Then, I'll do it!

ELI
You?

XENA
Well, if you don't have the guts, then I'll have
to. What do I need to know?

ELI
Uh, you need an icon from Gabrielle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tataka moves along with the bodyguards following.

TATAKA
First I eliminate Xena and then Eli won't have
a prayer.

END OF ACT THREE



ACT FOUR

Xena sneaks through the village. She flips onto the balcony of their room.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Xena moves to Gabrielle's bag and goes through it.

XENA
Icon, icon. Her quill.

EXTRA
Where is Xena?!

EXTRA
We must find Xena!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena steps outside. People are herded like sheep by the bodyguards. Tataka watches.

TATAKA
Psst. Forgive them. I know they're rough. But we're
all in danger, until we find Xena.

Xena flips down with a yell and lands before Tataka.

XENA
Looking for me?

TATAKA
Ha! Not anymore.

Xena holds the quill and the vial of water. She flips off the cork. Tataka laughs.

TATAKA
An exorcism?! Really, Xena? Now, don't you think
that's the pot calling the kettle?

She kicks the vial and quill out of Xena's hand. The vial empties into the dirt.

TATAKA
You want me out? You're gonna have to kill this
sweet, little body to do it. I don't think you can.

XENA
Watch me.

Xena kicks her. Tataka flies and lands on burning coals. She stands, digging her feet in.

TATAKA
S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s.

Xena throws her chakram and knocks a bottle of water on the coals. They smoke. Tataka and Xena face each other.

XENA
I'm warning you, Tataka, get out while you still can.

TATAKA
And give up this face? And this firm, strong,
body? Fat chance!

Tataka licks Xena's face, burning her.

XENA
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!

Tataka and Xena fight.

XENA
Ah-h!

Tataka is beating Xena. Tataka kicks Xena and sends her flying. She lands, almost falling on a bed of nails. Xena holds herself over them. Tataka gives an evil laugh. She jumps and lands on top of Xena. She jumps on her, trying to push Xena into the spikes.

XENA
Ah-h!

Xena cries out in pain as Tataka jumps on her.

TATAKA
I think your time in this life is over, Xena.

XENA
Ah-h! Ah-h-h-h-h! Think again!

Xena pushes up and sends Tataka flying off of her. Tataka stands with a snake and dances.

XENA
Give Gabrielle back!

TATAKA
(whispers) Come and get her.

Xena attacks her. She flips Tataka over and holds her sword at her throat.

TATAKA
Xena! Xena!

Tataka gives Gabrielle back control.

GABRIELLE
Xena! Xe...Xena!

Eli runs in.

GABRIELLE
(whispers) Xena.

Xena holds her sword high, ready to bring it down.

XENA
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h!

ELI
No-o-o-o-o-o! Let me try and save her.

Tataka takes back control. She throws dirt in Xena's eyes and kicks the sword from her hand. She picks it up and runs at Eli. Xena flips at her, yelling and knocks her down. Xena puts The Pinch on her.

XENA
We have thirty seconds.

TATAKA
Charlatan! Fraud! Who are you to
challenge me?! The power you seek...
it's a lie.

She passes out.

ELI
I failed.

XENA
Eli, don't believe her! Keep going! Eli, you find
that power and you save my friend.

ELI
Abba, help me.

Eli touches Gabrielle's forehead. Gabrielle convulses at lightning speed and Tataka leaves her body. Xena takes off The Pinch.

GABRIELLE
(whispers) Xena.

Gabrielle takes Eli's hand. Xena picks her up and cradles her.

XENA
(softly) It's all right. It's all right. You're gonna be
all right.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later.

XENA
I guess this is where we part company.

GABRIELLE
Why don't you come with us for a while?

ELI
Yeah, I'd like to, but I think I've had my share of
adventure for a bit.

GABRIELLE
Where will you go?

ELI
Somewhere where I can just sit and think.

XENA
Some things don't bear too much thinking about.
Some things you've just got to take on faith.

GABRIELLE
She's right. I know the power I had with my
healing. And I know it was bad, but I think that
because it exists, there has to be another power
out there. Maybe for good...and stronger.

ELI
Yeah. Stronger.

GABRIELLE
Why don't we travel with you for a while?

ELI
No, really. I'll be fine.

GABRIELLE
I don't think you should be alone.

ELI
You know, I don't think I am. Goodbye, Gabrielle.
Take care. Xena.

XENA
Eli.

They hug.

XENA
Thank you.

ELI
Thank you.

GABRIELLE
What do you think he meant? He's not alone?

XENA
I don't think even Eli knows that yet.

END OF ACT FOUR


STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Renee O'Connor as Tataka

GUEST CAST
Timothy Omundson as Eli
Monroe Reimers as Vikram
Mukhtar Ali as Ravi
Alex Reekers as Maya
Ajay Sharma as Villager #1
Sant Ram as Bodyguard #1
Sreejith Soman as Villager #2
Ron Lal as Bodyguard #2
Kamahl Santamaria as Hypnotized Man

Written by: Chris Manheim
Directed by: Garth Maxwell

Disclaimer:
In Memory of Women's Best Friend:
Bear
Dodger
Kali
Samantha
Taffy
Bear.