Them Bones, Them Bones
TEASER
Gabrielle uses her sai to dig in a mud puddle.
GABRIELLE
Xena what does this herb look like?
XENA
A mushroom. Just a plain old mushroom.
GABRIELLE
I think this is it. You're telling me that this is
going to help you with morning nausea.
XENA
That's what they say. Come on. Gimme, gimme.
Al-l-l-l-l-l right. Well, bottom's up.
She eats it.
XENA
Uh, some warrior, huh?
GABRIELLE
You look beautiful.
XENA
Huh!
GABRIELLE
You do!
XENA
I feel like a slug. A pregnant slug.
GABRIELLE
You're happy Xena.
XENA
Oh, yeah?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. You know how I know?
XENA
No.
GABRIELLE
'Cause it's the only time you make fun of yourself.
XENA
Well maybe I'm happy 'cause I know I don't have
to go through this alone.
GABRIELLE
I'm not eating mushrooms.
Xena chuckles and then grabs her stomach in pain.
XENA
Oh-h-h! Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
You okay?
XENA
Yeah. Yeah, I think it was just a cra-
Xena bends over in pain.
GABRIELLE
Do I take you to a healer?
Xena screams and falls to her knees. Gabrielle holds her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena screams.
MIDWIFE
Come on! Come on! Bring her in quickly!
Xena is brought in on a stretcher.
XENA
Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Something's gone wrong!
Something's wrong!
MIDWIFE
How far along is she?
GABRIELLE
Uh, about a season.
Xena screams and her arms flail about, knocking things over.
XENA
Get this off me!
GABRIELLE
Healer, give her something!
XENA
Get it off me!
MIDWIFE
I've never seen anything like this!
Xena screams and rips at her clothes.
XENA
Get it off me! Get it off! Get this off me!
Xena pulls off her clothes from her stomach and it bubbles. A baby skeleton rips out of Xena's stomach and she screams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena wakes up.
XENA
Gabrielle?! Gabrielle?
Gabrielle moves to her side.
GABRIELLE
Hey, you're just dreaming.
MIDWIFE
When your friend brought you in, you were in
considerable pain. I gave you a sedative.
XENA
My baby.
MIDWIFE
I can't find anything physically wrong with you
or your child. The best thing for both of you now
is bed rest.
Amarice runs in as the Midwife leaves.
AMARICE
A trader told me he saw you come in here. Are
you okay?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, she just needs more sleep.
Xena sits up.
GABRIELLE
What are you doing?
XENA
Yakut. She'll know what to do.
AMARICE
Who's Yakut?
XENA
Shamaness. Leader of the northern Amazons.
AMARICE
The northern Amazons. (to Gabrielle) Isn't that a
long journey for a pregnant woman to take?
XENA
That was no dream I had. It was a premonition.
Something's trying to kill my baby.
Xena is worried.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Clouds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena, Amarice and Gabrielle ride as sun sets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They ride through a river.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They ride past a tree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tornado.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They ride along a beach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon village. They ride in.
EXTRA
Look.
EXTRA
Ah, Xena's come.
EXTRA
Xena's here.
Xena stops and dismounts. Yakut walks over to her. Gabrielle and Amarice dismount.
YAKUT
Welcome Xena. We've been expecting you.
AMARICE
(to Gabrielle) Let me guess, she saw it in some
kind of vision.
YAKUT
In fact I did.
Amarice stops smiling.
XENA
It's good to see you again Yakut.
YAKUT
Come. We have much work to do.
They move off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is lying down. Yakut holds her hand on Xena's stomach, eyes closed. She draws a symbol in the dirt.
YAKUT
Your child is being drained of its life force in the
spiritual realm.
XENA
Tell me whatcha saw.
YAKUT
The entity that stalks your child, Xena, bears the
mark of the shamaness. You know who it is,
don't you?
XENA
Alti.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clip from "Adventures in the Sin Trade."
ALTI
I wanna tap into the heart of darkness. The sheer
naked will behind all craving.
Clips from "Between the Lines," "Adventures in the Sin Trade II" and "Between the Lines."
ALTI (voice-over)
I'll become the face of death itself, capable of
destroying not only a person's body, but their soul.
Help me, and I'll make you, Destroyer of Nations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside.
GABRIELLE
But Xena killed Alti.
YAKUT
That's why she can only attack through the
spiritual realm.
AMARICE
Wait a minute. I'm still a little confused on this
whole 'spiritual realm' thing.
YAKUT
Nature is composed of several plains of reality
Amarice and they're all united by one thing. The mind.
Amarice is confused.
AMARICE
Oh, yeah that explains it.
YAKUT
Think of it this way. In the day, when you're awake,
is one reality. At night, when you dream, there's
another. And what all these realities have in
common is your awareness of them.
GABRIELLE
Then how do we kill someone that we can't see?
YAKUT
Xena is preparing to do battle with Alti in her
realm but I'm afraid, in her condition, she won't win.
GABRIELLE
Then I guess I have to convince her to let me go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the yurt.
XENA
No. I have seen Alti rip the hearts out of people
that I love. I'm not going to take that chance with you.
GABRIELLE
Xena, we don't have a choice. I was there in India.
I know who we're dealing with.
XENA
I might not have the strength to stop Alti, Gabrielle,
but I can stop you.
GABRIELLE
Xena I love your baby like it were my own. I will do
anything I have to, to fight for its life and I deserve
that chance as much as you do. Let me.
XENA
Looks like you're going to learn the ways of the
shamaness sooner than I thought.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle hunts.
XENA (voice-over)
The ritual of crossing over. To do battle with Alti
on the spiritual plane, you must be unified with
one who's recently passed over. Choose a creature
of the forest.
Gabrielle sees an elk.
XENA (voice-over)
This being, killed with a ceremonial dagger of a
shamaness, will be your bridge to the realm of souls.
Gabrielle fires the arrow and kills the elk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle carves the elk's body. She wipes blood on her face and dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle enters the village, dressed in the elk's skin, blood on her face and a skin filled with blood in her hand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun sets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons dance.
YAKUT
Just as daughter becomes mother, the student
becomes the teacher. Their strength will be their
unity. Their courage will be their guide!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is dressed in skins. She picks up a dagger.
XENA
Give me your hand.
Xena cuts Gabrielle's hand.
XENA
The stag's blood mingled with your own will carry
you across to the other side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amarice watches the Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle cuts Xena's hand.
XENA
My blood, mixed with yours, will be your link to
the physical world.
They clasp hands and their blood runs into the bowl with the stag's blood.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena paints a line of blood on Gabrielle's face. Gabrielle puts on her headdress.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amarice watches the Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside yurt.
XENA
When you drink, you will begin to cross over.
Carry the dagger with you. On no account should
you let go of it. It's our only chance to kill Alti in the
spiritual realm. If we can destroy her there, we
destroy her soul.
GABRIELLE
I understand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amarice watches the Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the yurt.
XENA
Remember, don't let go of the dagger.
GABRIELLE
I won't. Xena don't let go of me.
XENA
Never.
Gabrielle drinks the blood.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
X-Ray of the blood moving into her stomach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloodstream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle drinks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloodstream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle drinks and coughs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloodstream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something yellow inside the body.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle shakes her head and stands.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something yellow flows like water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow tunnel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle falls down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow tunnel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle falls in the woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wave crashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waves crash.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erupting volcano.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lighting flashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spider.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle spins in the woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle spins in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle spins in the woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright light.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle spins in the woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red waves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle spins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning flashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lies in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erupting volcano.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lies in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Erupting volcano.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lies in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright flash.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lies in the woods. She opens her eyes. She is in the Spiritual Realm. She looks at a burning fire, which freezes. A rock falls in the water, but the splash freezes. Gabrielle looks to see a dove flying and it freezes. She sees Alti standing in blue leather far way from her.
ALTI
Xena's little bitch.
Alti reaches out and holds Gabrielle by the neck, though Alti has not moved from her spot.
ALTI
Welcome to the doghouse.
Alti holds Gabrielle in the air by her neck.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Xena sits with Gabrielle's body.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti holds Gabrielle. Gabrielle raises her hand with the dagger, but looks in surprise to see it's not in her hand. Alti smiles and looks away from Gabrielle. Gabrielle is still standing where she entered, with the dagger, but Alti holds some other form of her, which gives her control of the Gabrielle with the dagger.
ALTI
Ha. You see things aren't exactly the way they
are in your realm.
Alti hits the Gabrielle in her hands and the other Gabrielle feels the hits too.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's body moves with the hits.
XENA
Use your dagger Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti hits her. Gabrielle falls.
ALTI
Here, the strongest mind wins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's body takes the hit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is confused.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena touches Gabrielle's head.
XENA
Keep goin' Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle gets up.
GABRIELLE
Your war is with Xena, not her child!
Alti picks up Gabrielle by her throat.
ALTI
You've got me all wrong. I don't wanna hurt the
baby any more than you do. I need it to be born.
Fortunately, I don't need you.
Alti moves the hand with the dagger to Gabrielle's throat and the other Gabrielle (floating in the air as though being held) has the dagger moving closer to her neck.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's hand shakes.
XENA
You have the dagger. Use it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alit forces Gabrielle's hand to her neck.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's hand shakes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dagger touches Gabrielle's neck.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks to see a cut on Gabrielle's neck.
XENA
Alti. All right Gabrielle, that's enough. Come back now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti forces Gabrielle's hand to her neck. Gabrielle kicks away from Alti.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks at Gabrielle.
XENA
All right, that's enough!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lands. Alti walks over to her. Gabrielle crawls.
ALTI
I'm gonna count to ten. And during this you will
feel your body shutting down. Your heart will stop.
You will cease to breathe.
GABRIELLE
Uh!
ALTI
And at the count of ten, you will die.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is with Gabrielle's body.
XENA
I want you back here! Gabrielle you can do no
more good!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle crawls.
ALTI
One.
Gabrielle stops crawling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena grabs Gabrielle.
XENA
Can you hear me?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle keeps crawling.
ALTI
Two.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena holds Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle crawls.
ALTI
Three. Four. Sharp pains in your arms as your
blood pressure lowers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena places her hand over Gabrielle's mouth to feel for her breath. She rests her head on Gabrielle's chest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti stands over Gabrielle.
ALTI
Six. Your brain is screaming. Seven.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks up at Gabrielle.
XENA
(whispers) Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti looks at Gabrielle.
ALTI
Eight.
Gabrielle is in pain.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks at Gabrielle.
XENA
Alti's not gonna defeat us this time. Come on Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti looks at Gabrielle.
ALTI
Nine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's body gasps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's spirit gasps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle gasps.
XENA
(whispers) What's wrong?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti looks at Gabrielle.
ALTI
One more count and you will be dead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena holds Gabrielle.
XENA
Gabrielle this is not your destiny. Come on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti looks at Gabrielle.
ALTI
Ten!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's body stops breathing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle rolls over.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's body stops moving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle dies and Alti laughs, evilly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena feels for a pulse.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is dead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena gasps.
XENA
Come on Gabrielle!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is dead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena shakes her.
XENA
(whispers) No.
Xena gives Gabrielle mouth-to-mouth.
XENA
Come on.
Xena gives her mouth-to-mouth.
XENA
No. Come on.
Xena gives her mouth-to-mouth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's spirit gasps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's gasps and wakes up.
XENA
I gotcha. I gotcha. I gotcha now. Don't you ever
do that again. You never do that again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon village.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena moves over to Gabrielle. Yakut and Amarice are with them.
GABRIELLE
I failed.
XENA
You made it a back in one piece, didn't you?
Believe it or not, I feel a whole lot better now.
YAKUT
You managed to buy us some time.
GABRIELLE
There's something else. Alti doesn't want to hurt
your baby. She wants it to be born.
Xena has a worried look on her face.
AMARICE
What does that mean?
XENA
Alti wants to steal my baby's soul. She wants
to replace it with her own.
GABRIELLE
I'll try again.
XENA
No you barely made it back the last time. Yakut,
you remember the burial ritual for restless souls?
YAKUT
That ritual never worked Xena.
XENA
Well unless you got a better idea, we've got no choice.
Xena leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They step out of the yurt.
XENA
The tree of amber grows in the temple of Chi'ah.
If we can get our hands on some of it, we can
use it to cover Alti's remains.
GABRIELLE
How will that stop her?
XENA
When the amber hardens, it will trap Alti's soul.
AMARICE
Sounds easy enough.
XENA
All right, we'll split up. Yakut, you come with me.
We're going to go and dig up Alti's grave. Gabrielle,
I want you and Amarice to go to the temple. Bring
back some of the amber.
YAKUT
Uh, a word of warning. The tree is guarded by
an Amazon mystic named Chi'ah. She has the
power to see the truth in your heart. You may lie
to yourself, but you can't lie to Chi'ah.
GABRIELLE
I'm ready.
XENA
Then what are we waiting for?
They leave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Yakut ride.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Yakut look over the land.
YAKUT
We're close. She knows we're coming.
XENA
Something wrong?
YAKUT
No. It's you I'm worried about Xena. There aren't
many women in the world who can carry both
child and weapon with equal grace. And yet, I
sense that your heart is not yet fully committe
to motherhood.
XENA
Part of me wants this child so bad, that I'm counting
the days till I have it. Another part of me wonders
if bringing a child into this world is the right thing
to do. It's not even born yet and already it's suffering.
YAKUT
And you blame yourself?
XENA
Of course. It's my child. It's my responsibility.
YAKUT
You're right. Do you remember the story of the world tree?
XENA
Of course. Shaman elders believe that at the
golden navel of the Earth there is a tree that has
more branches than even the gods can count. And
on these branches perch the souls of unborn children.
YAKUT
The part I didn't tell you is that when a mother
finally accepts what she is about to become the
child will send her a message in the form of a dove.
XENA
And what is it saying?
YAKUT
"Thank you."
XENA
You've come a long way since I first met you.
YAKUT
I wish that were true.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti's yurt. Xena and Yakut enter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Xena pulls the woods off of Alti's grave and sees her skeleton, but the skull isn't there.
XENA
The skull's missing. We've come all this way to
rob a...grave.
YAKUT
This is all my fault.
Alti's skull falls out of Yakut's bag.
YAKUT
I wanted to harvest Alti's power to use it for good.
I needed her skull for my ritual but all I did was
unleash her soul. And now you and your baby are
paying the price. I'm so ashamed. I didn't wanna
disappoint you.
XENA
Disappoint. You don't want to disappoint me.
Yakut my friend almost died yesterday.
YAKUT
I know. That's why I wanna finish what you two
started. Let me face Alti myself.
XENA
No! We stick to the plan!
Yakut nods and moves off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena wakes up. She looks over at Yakut. Yakut is bleeding from several cuts. She is in the Spiritual Realm.
XENA
Yakut. Yakut.
Xena picks up the bag of blood and drinks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloodstream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena's eye.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The baby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena's body sinks into the ground and her hands dig at the dirt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blood cells.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena crawls at the dirt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cricket.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is blue with pink eyes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The baby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A crocodile eats a fish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena falls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena screams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena lies on the ground.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena screams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright flash.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena awakens in the Spiritual Realm. She stands and walks through the pink woods with green fire. Yakut grabs her shoulder and spins her around.
XENA
Yakut whaddya think you're doing?! I thought
you were hurt!
YAKUT
I'm okay. I wanted to defeat Alti myself. I needed
your forgiveness.
Xena punches her and Yakut turns into Alti. Alti reaches inside Xena's stomach.
ALTI
I've always wanted to be inside of you Xena.
She pulls out a light from Xena's stomach and Xena falls to her knees in pain.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Alti is gone. Xena stands.
YAKUT
Xena?
Xena turns to see a trapped and battered Yakut. Alti stands next to her.
ALTI
It's such a pleasure to see you again Xena or
should I call you Mommy?
XENA
There aren't many guarantees in life Alti but I
promise you this. If you harm my child, I will hound you.
I will hound you throughout all time, in between
worlds. I will be your eternal damnation.
ALTI
Well at least we'll be together again. I've so
missed these intimate little moments.
XENA
I'd kill myself before I let your soul replace my child's.
ALTI
Tempting, but no, I like having you around too much.
I have a way that we can both win Xena. I'll give
you your soul of your child. But you must bring
me back to the physical world.
XENA
I can't do that.
ALTI
Not by yourself. But if you convince the Amazons
to put their minds to it then anything is possible.
Alti sends Xena back to the physical realm and laughs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena sits up. Yakut sits up and moves over to Xena, who is gasping.
YAKUT
I'm sorry.
XENA
Let's get back to camp.
Xena leaves and Yakut follows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun rises.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cave. Amarice and Gabrielle enter.
AMARICE
Sure this is the right cave?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I think so.
AMARICE
All right, well, let's get the amber and get outta here.
GABRIELLE
What about Chi'ah?
AMARICE
What, the mystic that can see right through you?
She chuckles.
AMARICE
O-o-o, scary.
CHI'AH
No need for me to appear frightening my child.
Facing oneself can be crippling, even for the
most hardened warrior.
GABRIELLE
We've come for the-
CHI'AH
Amber.
GABRIELLE
Will you help us?
CHI'AH
As the Amazon protector of the sacred amber I
can only release it to a fellow Amazon and one
of you is not an Amazon. I can see the truth Amarice
and you dare to come here hiding behind an identity
you have not earned.
GABRIELLE
Is it true?
Amarice looks at Gabrielle and then leaves. Chi'ah looks at Gabrielle.
CHI'AH
You, on the other hand, may pass.
Gabrielle leaves with her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the cave. Gabrielle walks over to the horses, holding the amber. Amarice stands a little ways away.
GABRIELLE
I've got it.
AMARICE
You and Xena were right. What you see isn't
always what you get. I thought if I denied that
enough times, I'd make it true. I had no identity,
so I created one. The thing I always wanted to be.
An Amazon. You know, I just wanted to feel like
part of something.
GABRIELLE
Amarice look, for many years I walked in Xena's
shadow. I wanted to be her. She taught me
something. It's warmer standing in the sun.
AMARICE
Yeah.
She sighs.
AMARICE
Well you better get going. She's waiting for you.
GABRIELLE
She's waiting for us. Come on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon camp.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle enters the yurt.
GABRIELLE
We have the amber.
She looks at Yakut.
GABRIELLE
What happened to you?
YAKUT
I'm okay.
Amarice enters.
YAKUT
Alti's got the baby's soul.
Gabrielle moves to Xena.
GABRIELLE
What do we do?
YAKUT
We can't use the amber until we know the baby's
soul is safe. Otherwise, we'll risk trapping them
both forever.
XENA
The strongest mind wins. We're gonna have to
beat Alti at her own game.
GABRIELLE
What are you thinking?
XENA
She wants us to bring her back. Why don't we do that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cave. The Amazons dance around a fire and Xena around Alti's body. Lightning flashes.
YAKUT
Our focus is our unity. Our minds the creator of worlds.
Gabrielle brings a cup to Xena. Xena drinks the blood.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Something yellow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloodstream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena lowers the cup.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning flashes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yakut watches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stars move.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright flash. Xena dances, bright flashes coming from her hands.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena dances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena falls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright light.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti picks up Xena in the spiritual realm.
ALTI
What's it gonna be Xena?
XENA
All right, you win. You give me my child's soul
and I will take you back to my world.
ALTI
Tsk-tsk. First, you take me back, then you get
your child.
XENA
The ritual's already begun. All you have to do is
take my hand.
ALTI
I knew you'd see things my way.
Alti takes Xena's hand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright flash.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena awakens in a new spiritual realm, (set in the cave) though unknown to Alti.
XENA
Damnit.
Xena gets up and looks at Alti's bones. She moves away. Alti's bones attach and she rises, a skeleton. Xena turns to face her.
ALTI
Now the real fun starts.
Xena looks at Alti.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Xena looks at Alti.
XENA
All right Alti. Give me back my child's soul.
ALTI
Motherhood has made you weak. The Xena I
knew would have never given into this so easily.
XENA
You're right I'm a big softie. Now a deal's a deal.
Alti holds up the baby's soul.
ALTI
Is it?
Alti swallows the soul, so it rests in he ribcage.
ALTI
Even in this world I'm even more powerful than
you ever dreamed.
XENA
You'd be surprised what I can summon up in
my dreams.
Xena rips off her head to reveal a skull.
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Alti's skeleton lies on a stretcher and Xena's body on another. Amarice, Yakut and Gabrielle are gathered around her.
AMARICE
Do you think we fooled her?
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Alti looks in surprise at Xena.
ALTI
What have you done?
XENA
When you thought you were stepping into the
real world, you let your guard down. I took you
from one dream world into another. Welcome!
Xena rips off her body, now a full skeleton. Hers is nice and white, while Alti's is old, dirty and damaged.
XENA
Like you said, once you put your mind to it anything's
possible. Imagine what several can do.
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Several Amazons sit in concentration.
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Alti makes a scythe appear and attacks Xena. Xena jumps and ululates. Xena kicks the scythe from Alti's hand. They both makes swords appear and fight.
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Xena takes a hit.
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Xena and Alti fight.
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Gabrielle kneels before Xena.
GABRIELLE
Come on Xena. Give me a signal!
Gabrielle puts her hand on Xena's stomach, where Yakut already has both of hers.
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Xena and Alti fight. Alti digs a curved blade into Xena's shoulder and throws her.
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Xena takes the hit.
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Xena gets up and they keep fighting. Alti disarms Xena and kicks her. Xena goes flying back.
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Xena takes the hit, blood coming from a cut on her lip and her nose. Amarice kneels and slowly puts her hands on Xena's stomach.
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Alti flips over to Xena.
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Xena's body.
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Alti flips over and Xena kicks her in the face. Alti drops her curved blade. Xena throws Alti into the wall. Alti rips off one of Xena's ribs.
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Blood pours from Xena's mouth.
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Alti digs the rib into Xena's eye and starts to slam her into the wall.
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Amarice has her hands on Xena's stomach. She looks over at Xena's face to see it's shaking.
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Alti bangs Xena's head into the wall.
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A large cut has formed on the side of Xena's head and it bleeds. Xena shakes.
AMARICE
She's killing her. We should get her out.
GABRIELLE
Give her more time!
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Alti bangs Xena's head into the wall. Xena breaks free and starts kicking and hitting Alti. She kicks Alti's leg off and then catches it.
XENA
This has gotta hurt.
Xena wields Alti's leg like a sword. She breaks off Alti's other leg and then one of her arms. Xena reaches her hand into Alti's chest.
XENA
You have something that belongs to me.
Xena breaks off Alti's other arm and then pulls out the soul of her baby.
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Xena's stomach rises.
AMARICE
Did you feel that?
GABRIELLE
She's got her baby. That's the sign.
Gabrielle runs off. Xena's body is still shaking. Gabrielle runs and picks up the amber. She starts to pour it over Alti's bones, which hiss.
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Alti looks up at Xena.
ALTI
Xena!
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Gabrielle pours the amber.
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Xena makes a sword appear.
XENA
Stay out of my nightmares.
Xena hits Alti with the sword.
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Gabrielle pours the amber. Xena's body shakes violently.
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Xena hits Alti with the sword and then cuts her in half. Alti screams and turns to smoke.
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Alti's bones smoke. Gabrielle backs up. Alti screams in a voice-over as she bones scatter. Xena lies still. Gabrielle runs to her. Xena is not moving.
GABRIELLE
Xena, come on.
Xena gasps and cries out.
XENA
Gabrielle.
Gabrielle helps her up and Xena cries out in pain.
GABRIELLE
You did it.
XENA
We did it.
Gabrielle holds Xena.
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Later. Gabrielle is out of her shamaness clothes. She moves over to Amarice.
AMARICE
Xena must think I'm a joke.
GABRIELLE
I didn't tell her what Chi'ah said.
AMARICE
Why not?
GABRIELLE
Because I don't think it's true anymore. I have
this Amazon necklace and it's from my tribe.
There's a stone on here for all my sisters. I just
added another one. For you.
Gabrielle holds out the necklace to Amarice. Amarice laughs and takes it, smiling.
AMARICE
Thank you.
GABRIELLE
Better hurry. Xena and I are ready.
AMARICE
Actually Gabrielle, um, I'm gonna stay here.
Learn a few things.
GABRIELLE
(whispering) Okay.
Gabrielle nods.
GABRIELLE
See ya.
Gabrielle moves off.
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Xena and Yakut walk along. Xena is out of her shamaness clothes.
YAKUT
I don't know what to say.
XENA
What would you say to any friend who was leaving
for a time?
YAKUT
You're not like any other friend. I'll miss you Xena.
Xena hugs her.
XENA
Take care of yourself Yakut.
YAKUT
Be careful. It doesn't take a vision to know the
child of Xena is gonna be someone to behold.
You'll be a target again and so will your baby.
XENA
I know. That's why I'm headed east. I figure I
could learn a few new tricks.
YAKUT
Your baby's lucky to have you.
Xena looks up to see a dove.
XENA
I'm the lucky one.
Xena leaves and the dove flies off.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Jennifer Sky as Amarice
Claire Stansfield as Alti
Kate Elliot as Yakut
Donogh Rees as Chi'ah
Beryl Te Wiata as Midwife
Rachel Hayward as Amazon
Teleplay by: Buddy Williers (AKA: Steven L. Sears)
Story by: R.J. Stewart and Steven L. Sears
Directed by: John Fawcett
Disclaimer: Xena and Alti were Bad To The Bone during the production of this motion picture.
