Dangerous Prey
TEASER
Marga runs through the woods. She keeps looking over her shoulder. She hides behind a tree. She has cuts and bruises on her face. Prince Morloch walks slowly, trailing her. Marga runs again, but a rope trips her. She falls and an arrow fires from a crossbow hidden in the weeds, but Marga dodges it, however, she's still injured when her hand gets caught in a leg trap. Prince Morloch walks over to her while Marga tries to escape. He stands before her and she gets her hand free.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Oh, and you Amazons have such a reputation.
She kicks him and runs. He throws a chakram-like weapon which catches her behind her knee and she falls. She pulls herself along. Prince Morloch grabs her by her hair.
MARGA
If you're gonna kill me, just do it!
PRINCE MORLOCH
Oh, where's the fun in that? Before you die...you'll
deliver a message for me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Gabrielle enter a quiet, empty Amazon camp. They dismount.
GABRIELLE
Where are they?
XENA
They're watching us. (shouting) We come alone,
and in peace.
Varia steps out.
GABRIELLE
Varia?
VARIA
What are you doing here, Xena?
GABRIELLE
Marga invited us here.
The Amazons come out of hiding. Amazon #1 moves towards Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Zana.
Gabrielle shakes her hand.
XENA
What's goin' on here?
AMAZON #1
One of our warriors went missing in the sacred
canyon Every time we went to search for her, another
one of us disappeared. Finally, Marga went alone
to find whatever was out there.
XENA
Perhaps we can help.
VARIA
We don't need your help. This is an Amazon problem.
(to Amazons) She's been gone for days. We're
wasting time.
AMAZON #1
Marga ordered us not to come after her.
VARIA
It's been too long. We've gotta do something.
XENA
Rushing blindly into the hands of whatever's out
there isn't going to help Marga.
VARIA
Neither is standing around here talking to you.
XENA
Let me go, Varia.
VARIA
Marga is our queen. This is our responsibility.
Varia leaves.
XENA
I'll get her.
Xena leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marga stumbles along. She falls. Xena enters and sees her.
XENA
Marga. Marga! (runs to her) Marga.
MARGA
Xena.
XENA
Sh-h. Don't talk. Don't talk.
MARGA
Varia will try to avenge me. If she dies, the Amazons
are lost. Promise me you'll protect her.
XENA
(whispering) I promise, Marga.
MARGA
Teach her to be a true warrior, as you are. The
fate of the Amazons...
Varia enters. Marga rips the necklace off of her neck and hands it to Xena.
MARGA
...is in your hands, Xena.
Varia glares then runs and holds Marga who has died.
VARIA
Marga. Margo. No.
Xena sees writing carved into Marga's skin.
XENA
There's a message.
VARIA
Can you read it?
XENA
"Is this the best that the Amazon nation has to
offer?" It's a challenge to all comers.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Four Amazons carry Marga's body away. Varia watches. Gabrielle is with Xena.
XENA
It was all internal damage. It's pressure points,
Gabrielle. Marga was meant to crawl back to
camp before she died.
GABRIELLE
Why would someone do that?
XENA
So she'd bring us the message?
Xena turns her head. Varia is gone.
XENA
Where's Varia? Gabrielle, try to keep everyone
in the camp till I find out what's goin' on.
Xena runs off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varia moves through the woods with speed and stealth. She draws her sword. She steps in a hidden lasso which captures her legs and pulls her into a tree, hanging her upside down.
VARIA
A-a-ah!
Raczar enters with Prince Morloch's men.
RACZAR
Prince Morloch will be pleased. She looks like
she'll give a good chase.
She scratches him. He grabs her.
RACZAR
You know? You should feel honored. Prince
Morloch only hunts the best.
She hits him and he backs up.
RACZAR
Take her down.
They reach up with collars attached to long poles.
EXTRA
Watch out. Careful. We're gonna have some fun
with you.
The chakram cuts off all of the collars and Xena catches it. Prince Morloch's men fight Xena.
EXTRA
Come on! Get her!
Raczar watches. Xena takes the men down one by one.
RACZAR
(to himself) Prince Morloch has to hear about
this one.
Xena defeats Prince Morloch's men, capturing the last one in a second trap like the one Varia is in. Raczar leaves.
VARIA
Get me down!
Xena throws the chakram which breaks the rope, dropping Varia.
VARIA
Uh!
She flips up to her feet and moves to attack the man hanging by his feet.
XENA
Wait a minute. Don't hurt him. Just watch him. I
need some information out of him.
Xena watches Raczar ride off.
RACZAR
Yah! Ya! Ya!
XENA
He's gone. At least we can find out where.
Xena looks at the hanging man who has white foam coming out of his mouth. There's a small vial in his hand. Xena takes the vial.
XENA
I told you to watch him.
VARIA
One less to worry about.
XENA
These men have a leader and they are more
afraid of facing him than they are of death. What
does that tell you?
VARIA
All I need to know is where to find him.
Varia moves to leave. Xena draws her sword and slams it into the ground. It sets off a leg trap that Varia almost stepped on.
XENA
There's a whole lot of things you need to know.
This entire canyon is rigged like a hunting ground.
There are traps everywhere.
VARIA
A few little snares is not gonna stop me from
finding Marga's killer.
XENA
I promised Marga that I would protect you.
VARIA
I don't want your protection.
She moves to leave. Xena cuts the chain and clasp holding the trap to a stick free, leaving the leg trap on the ground.
XENA
Varia!
Xena throws the trap and it catches Varia around her neck like a leash.
VARIA
Are you crazy?!
XENA
If you want to find Marga's killer, and remain in
one piece, you'll do what I say when I say it.
VARIA
Get this off me now.
XENA
And until then, you're on a leash. Come on.
Xena pulls her.
VARIA
Uh!
They leave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch's tent. He ties a blindfold over his eyes. He breathes deep and does a few punches in the air. He then turns to face the men who are kneeling before him. They stand and draw their weapons. Prince Morloch defeats them all with the blindfold still on. He gets a sword and throws it at the entrance of the tent, where it becomes implanted in a pole. Raczar isn't concerned. Prince Morloch removes the blindfold.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Don't you knock, Raczar?
RACZAR
You'll forgive my lack of manners, Prince Morloch
when you hear my news.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Fresh sport?
RACZAR
An Amazon - one of a kind.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena leads Varia along.
VARIA
Let me go! Get this thing off me.
XENA
Believe me, this chain's the best friend you've
got right now.
VARIA
I lost my queen. Most of my tribe is gone. And
you won't let me loose so I can stop the man
who's killing them?
XENA
If you don't stop acting like a child and start trusting
me to help you, this man will hunt your people
to extinction.
VARIA
You'd know about that. You wiped out a whole
tribe of my sisters all by yourself.
She punches Xena. Xena looks at her and is quiet for a moment.
XENA
I'm gonna let that one go.
VARIA
I hate you!
XENA
Yeah? Well, it won't be the last time you say that.
Come on.
Xena shoves her forward.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch's tent. He moves over to a stuffed tiger.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I've hunted almost every creature that crawls or
walks on this Earth, Raczar. Every one turned
out to be an easy kill. When I set my sights a little
higher, I looked for something that might provide
a real challenge. But even these so-called ultimate
warriors - the fierce, cunning Amazons, ha ha - I've
been disappointed. It feels like some camping trip.
RACZAR
This one is different. She has the speed of lightning.
She has the strength of many men. She thinks
three steps ahead.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Only three? This isn't another of your big build-ups, Raczar.
RACZAR
Trust me, Prince Morloch. She's a worthy adversary
for you.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Well, then...you'd better prepare the men. This
afternoon I hunt.
Raczar leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thunder rumbles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Xena shoves Varia in and closes the door.
VARIA
I heard Marga say our fate was in your hands.
If you think you're replacing her, you're wrong.
XENA
It's not what she meant.
Xena takes off the collar.
XENA
Marga wanted me to teach you about being a
warrior. Well, I can't do that if you won't learn.
Varia attacks her. She throws the chain at Xena, but she ducks. It goes skidding along the floor, but stops just before it falls into a giant crack in the floor.
VARIA
I don't need to learn.
Varia fights Xena.
XENA
Anger makes you vulnerable, Varia.
VARIA
It's making me do what I should have done the
moment you stepped into the Amazon village.
Varia attacks her again, but Xena kicks her back.
XENA
You gotta control your anger, Varia. Otherwise, you
don't got a chance against the one who killed Marga.
Varia jumps and kicks Xena. They battle.
XENA
Is this the way you're gonna save the Amazons, huh?
They fight. Xena throws Varia into a pillar which falls over when she hits it.
XENA
Come on, lesson's over.
Xena holds out her hand.
XENA
Let's get outta here.
VARIA
You haven't beaten me.
Varia takes Xena's hand and gets up, she then pulls Xena's hand behind her back. They carry on the fight.
XENA
Marga is dead, Varia. The village is next. You
can't save them on your own. You've gotta trust me.
VARIA
Trusting outsiders has done nothing but get us killed!
She attacks Xena again, but Xena spins out of the way and Varia falls into the giant crack in the floor.
VARIA
A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah!
Varia catches onto the side.
XENA
Varia!
She reaches out her hand.
XENA
Come on. Take my hand!
VARIA
Never.
Varia struggles to get up on her own, but can't. Xena picks up the chain. Varia grabs a piece of the ledge but it comes off in her hand. She falls.
VARIA
A-a-a-a-ah!
Xena catches her hand with the chain and holds her.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Varia grabs a piece of the ledge but it comes off in her hand. She falls.
VARIA
A-a-ah!
Xena catches her hand with the chain and holds her. Xena starts to pull her up.
XENA
All right, Varia. Come on.
Xena pulls her up over the ledge.
VARIA
You saved me.
XENA
For the last time. I'm not going to waste energy
protecting someone with a death wish.
VARIA
I thought you made a pledge to Marga.
XENA
Because she saw somethin' in you. Look...if you
don't want my help, that's your choice. But just
know that your sisters will live or die by what you
decide to do.
Xena moves off.
VARIA
Xena!
Xena stops and looks back.
VARIA
I know that I can learn a lot from you. And I know
that you've helped my people. I shouldn't have
said what I did about you.
XENA
Varia, you almost died in there, rather than admit
defeat. You gotta learn when enough's enough
and when the fight is over.
VARIA
Yeah, but you-
She stops, looking at Xena. She is quiet for a moment.
VARIA
I'll work on it.
XENA
Good.
Varia leaves, hitting Xena's shoulder with hers as she passes. Xena looks up and shakes her head slightly with a smile as though to say, "Kids," then follows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woods. Prince Morloch's men move along.
EXTRA
There! This way!
Xena drops on one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena ties up the man she captured. Varia takes out the cork in the barrel he is carrying and smells it. She holds out the cork to Xena.
VARIA
Whatever this is, one drop of it'll make a nice bonfire.
XENA
Is that right? Now we'll find out exactly what we
need to know.
VARIA
What can we find out when he's got a gag on?
XENA
Exactly who's hunting Amazons out of season.
Xena grabs him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The man is tied up high to a tree trunk. Prince Morloch's men have surrounded him, looking up in confusion.
EXTRA
I don't know how he got up there.
EXTRA
(muffled) Help me!
EXTRA
Someone's gotta get him down.
EXTRA
Hold him down.
Xena and Varia are watching the men trying to get the tied up one down.
VARIA
What about that tall one?
XENA
He's not the leader.
VARIA
How about that other guy?
XENA
Couldn't hunt butterflies.
VARIA
Why won't he show himself?
XENA
Be patient. He'll play his hand at some stage.
Xena looks up, sensing something. To the left of Xena and Varia, Prince Morloch watches her with Raczar and another of his men.
PRINCE MORLOCH
You could be right, Raczar. She's a clever one.
RACZAR
She's in a perfect position to strike, but she doesn't.
PRINCE MORLOCH
She doesn't want them.
Xena moves her head, sensing Prince Morloch eyes upon her.
PRINCE MORLOCH
She wants me.
VARIA
What is it?
XENA
Something's not right. Varia, this is where you
get to do exactly what I say when I say it.
VARIA
Just give me the word.
XENA
Get ready to take your clothes off.
They stand and Xena whispers to her.
XENA
(whispers) I said, get ready to take your clothes off.
VARIA
(whispers) No.
Prince Morloch watches. Raczar points at the chakram.
RACZAR
(whispering) That's the weapon she used to
attack us. It flies like it's got a mind of its own.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I'll add it to my collection.
Xena and Varia move off, Varia taking the barrel.
RACZAR
(whispers) What are they doing?
PRINCE MORLOCH
Sh-h-h.
Varia steps back in sight a second later, though she is now dressed in Xena's clothes.
RACZAR
(whispering) Where'd the other one go?
PRINCE MORLOCH
(whispering) I don't care about her. I want this one.
Varia squats, watching Prince Morloch's men.
PRINCE MORLOCH
(whispering) Where's her weapon? Something's
not right.
Prince Morloch's eyes dart about and he smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena enters to the right of where Prince Morloch was. She is dressed in Varia's outfit. She throws her chakram.
EXTRA
Yah!
It hits the man wearing Prince Morloch's cape. Xena catches the chakram and runs over to him. She turns him over. Prince Morloch claps.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Bravo. Come on in.
Prince Morloch enters a cave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is putting on her gauntlet, her and Varia each in their own clothes again.
VARIA
All right. Let's go.
XENA
Where do you think you're going?
VARIA
I'm goin' in there to help you.
XENA
No, we had an agreement, remember? You
stay here.
Xena enters the cave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Prince Morloch is hiding in the cave. They do not see each other for this entire conversation. Xena is looking for him, though he doesn't move.
PRINCE MORLOCH
If I'd known how much fun you Amazons'd be, I'd
have come to this country years ago.
XENA
I'm not an Amazon.
PRINCE MORLOCH
But you're so tall.
XENA
It's the boots.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I don't usually do this, but I'd like to know your
name before I kill ya.
XENA
You first.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I'm Prince Chesnick Bloodicarr Morloch - Upper
Scheherazadestan.
XENA
Well, Xena of Amphipolis - Warrior Princess,
Warrior Mom.
She has entered the part of the cave he is in. He throws his chakram-like weapon, which Xena flips away from.
XENA
Who conquers Prince Chesty Forlock of Upper
Whateverstan.
Prince Morloch catches his weapon.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Ah, impressive.
Xena runs off.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Very impressive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside.
VARIA
Come on.
She sighs.
VARIA
Come on.
Varia picks up the barrel, draws her sword and enters the cave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Varia enters.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena moves through the cave. Again, they don't see each other for this conversation.
XENA
Those Amazons you murdered were good friends
of mine.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I'm not a murderer, Xena. The gods make some
men poets...they make some men seers. They
made me a hunter.
He enters the section of the cave she is in, where she holds her chakram ready.
XENA
A hunter hunts animals, not people.
He throws his chakram-like weapon, but misses her. She throws the chakram and the two weapons bounce around the section of the cave. Prince Morloch's weapon returns to him.
PRINCE MORLOCH
In this world, there is only the hunter and the hunted.
Xena catches the chakram. She sees Varia.
XENA
Varia! Get down!
Prince Morloch throws his chakram-like weapon and it catches Xena on her upper right arm as she is looking at Varia.
XENA
Oh!
The weapon bounces off of the wall and straight towards Varia. She flips out of the way, but right towards Prince Morloch, who catches the weapon and then grabs her.
XENA
Varia!
Prince Morloch has Varia.
PRINCE MORLOCH
You're not worth adding to my collection.
He punches her.
VARIA
Uh!
Varia slumps to the floor. Prince Morloch holds up his sword, ready to kill her. Xena enters and sees what is about to happen.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
XENA
Varia!
Xena throws the chakram which hits Prince Morloch's sword. Varia escapes and runs over to Xena.
XENA
Go, Varia, go!
Varia runs. Xena follows. Prince Morloch smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena catches up with Varia.
XENA
Varia...
VARIA
I just wanted to see the master in action.
Raczar enters with Prince Morloch's men, carrying torches. They join Prince Morloch.
EXTRA
They're here, somewhere.
Varia picks up the barrel. Xena draws the chakram.
XENA
(whispering) This way - go.
Varia leaves. Xena follows.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Kill the girl. Leave Xena for me. You two.
He motions and two men follow him.
RACZAR
Follow me.
Raczar leads the rest of the men the other way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raczar walks along with the men.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch walks through a puddle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raczar leads the men. Varia runs by.
RACZAR
There she is! Fire!
The archers shoot, but Varia dives out of the way. Raczar moves over to where Varia landed. Her boots are sticking out, so he thinks she is dead. A man picks up the boots, but Varia isn't in them. The barrel is open, and the contents have leaked onto the ground. It catches on fire.
RACZAR
Ru-u-u-u-un!
It explodes. The men scream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The men who weren't killed run.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varia and Xena are out of the cave. Varia has bare feet.
VARIA
Why'd we have to use my boots?
XENA
'Cause Amazons have tougher feet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The explosion rips through the cave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch and the two men with him are hit by the blaze.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The blaze explodes out from the cave. Xena and Varia look back at it.
VARIA
Do you think the fire killed him?
XENA
Nah, this guy's not easy to kill.
VARIA
Neither are we.
XENA
You know what, Varia? I'm tired of being the prey.
Maybe it's time we hunted him. Come on.
They move off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch stands.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Oh, well done.
Prince Morloch steps over his dead men.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch's tent.
PRINCE MORLOCH
This Xena is the kind of prey I've searched for.
She's always anticipating. She creates situations.
And just when you think you've got her-
He imitates the sound of an explosion.
RACZAR
We're down to four men. If you insist on continuing
this hunt-
PRINCE MORLOCH
Insist?! This is the kind of quarry I've been searching
for my entire life. Her skill nearly matches my
own. Well...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Varia look at Prince Morloch's camp.
XENA
He'll see us coming a mile away. We'll go around
the hill - sneak in back. (whispering) Let's go.
Xena stands and moves off. Varia looks after Xena and sees a crossbow hidden in a tree.
VARIA
(whispering) Xena!
Xena looks back as Varia runs over to her.
XENA
Varia!
Varia trips a second wire and a second crossbow, hidden in the weeds, fires an arrow which catches Varia in the ankle. Xena moves over to her.
XENA
Varia.
VARIA
I thought it was gonna hit you.
XENA
I can take care myself, thank you.
VARIA
If this had happened earlier today, I bet you would
have just left me here.
XENA
Don't get too cocky.
Xena pulls the arrow out.
VARIA
Uh!
XENA
I still might.
Varia smiles in amusement.
VARIA
I think I'm startin' to grow on you.
XENA
Varia, Marga had a lot of faith in you. I'm beginning
to see why.
Xena looks over to see two deer run away and birds take flight. Smoke moves closer to them.
XENA
A forest fire - they're flushing us out. Can you walk?
VARIA
Yeah.
XENA
Come on.
Xena helps her up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two of Prince Morloch's men throw liquid everywhere. Raczar is with Prince Morloch with a bow and arrow. Prince Morloch has a torch.
RACZAR
Let's go! We're lighting it!
PRINCE MORLOCH
They can't hear me. Light the fire.
RACZAR
They're right in the middle of it.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Oh, that's a shame.
Prince Morloch lights his arrow.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Do it!
Raczar fires. The arrow lands and the trees set instantly ablaze. The men run.
EXTRA
This way! Go!
They cannot escape it. The fire engulfs them and they scream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smoke rises from the woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A deer runs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena helps Varia along.
XENA
Come on. The fire's moving faster.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Varia move as fast as they can.
XENA
Lean on me. There.
VARIA
I'm slowing you down.
Xena looks at the flames.
XENA
They're squeezing us between two lines of fire.
He wants us to run right down the middle, right
into his camp.
VARIA
I'll never be fast enough. We won't make it. But
you will. My sisters need you. Just go.
XENA
Not a chance. Varia, saving you is saving the
Amazon people.
Xena moves over to a vine hanging from a tree.
XENA
(whispering to herself) You've just gotta have a little faith.
Xena pulls on the vine, bringing the tree lower to the ground. Varia helps her as best as she can. Xena ties the vine around another tree.
XENA
(whispering) There we go. There we go. Okay.
(to Varia) Varia...I want you to get on.
VARIA
Get on? Wh...
XENA
Come on.
Varia climbs onto the branches.
XENA
There's a marsh on the other side of the fire line.
Wait for me there till I've dealt with Morloch.
Xena draws her sword.
VARIA
What am I supposed to do about landing?
XENA
Tuck and roll.
Xena cuts the vine and Varia is shot into the air.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch and his remaining men are waiting with a catapult.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Now!
Raczar pulls the lever and a net flies up and captures Varia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena sees Varia getting caught.
XENA
Varia!
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Xena sees Varia getting caught.
XENA
Varia!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varia falls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch watches as Varia falls.
VARIA
Aaah!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varia hits the ground.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Morloch looks to Raczar. Raczar moves forward.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Let's go.
The men follow Raczar. Prince Morloch stays where he is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smoking woods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs through the woods, fire all around her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena stops and looks around at the fire.
XENA
Varia!
Xena runs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raczar and the men drag an unconscious and still netted Varia before Prince Morloch. Raczar feels for a pulse.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Take her to the arena.
RACZAR
She is nearly dead. What good is she to us?
PRINCE MORLOCH
Do what I say. I have plans for her.
Prince Morloch moves off.
RACZAR
(to the men) Take her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The forest burns.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs through the burning woods.
XENA
Varia!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs into a clearing.
XENA
Varia!
VARIA
Xena!
Xena looks to see red cloths creating a giant circle around Varia. She is on top of a large block made of logs, stacked like a game of Janga, about three stories high. Varia is tied to a pole on top. Xena throws the chakram, but Prince Morloch's chakram-like weapon hits it and knocks it off course. It plants itself into one of the logs on the block. Xena draws her sword and stabs it through the red cloth, but just misses Prince Morloch. They both flip over the cloth and land on the side the other one was just on. They both stab through the cloth, missing each other, but tear a hole. Prince Morloch steps through.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Face to face at last. What's the matter, Xena?
Don't like seeing your friend up there? Why
don't you go and get her?
XENA
Why don't you come and get some of this?
They fight.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Know what I like about swords? When I kill ya, I
get to see the look in your eyes.
They fight again. Prince Morloch cuts Xena on her shoulder with her own blade.
PRINCE MORLOCH
O-oh, I nicked you.
XENA
Where'd you get that? Shaving?
He reaches a hand to his face to find blood there. She pushes him back.
PRINCE MORLOCH
No one ever drew my blood before.
XENA
There's plenty more where that came from.
The fight continues. They have moved over to the block. They both spin onto it.
XENA
She-e-e-e-yah!
They each land on one side and the block shakes. Prince Morloch moves a log with his sword, trying to tip it, but Xena uses her sword to put it back. He kicks out another log, than flips over to Xena, who flips over to land on the log sticking out. They fight. Prince Morloch cuts the log and Xena spins to another part of the block.
XENA
Che-e-e-e-e-yah!
The block shakes. Xena and Prince Morloch look at each other through the logs. They each stick their swords into the middle to fight, than each bring their sword down, cutting a few logs. The block shakes and logs fall. It starts to come down. Xena jumps over to the hole and puts herself in the middle holding up the entire block. (which is a whole bunch of logs, Varia and Prince Morloch!) Prince Morloch climbs up to Varia.
PRINCE MORLOCH
I enjoyed making your friend beg for mercy. But
even more fun - I get to watch you die.
VARIA
You're the one that's gonna die.
PRINCE MORLOCH
O-oh.
Prince Morloch moves over to the side and looks down at Xena who is holding up the block with great strain.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Xena!
He attacks her and she fights, still holding up the block, now with only one hand. She fights him back, than kicks a log into place. She kicks another which comes swinging at her and she kicks it into place, holding the block firm once more, freeing her. Prince Morloch jumps down. They fight again. Xena flips.
XENA
A-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
She lands on the top.
VARIA
Xena.
Xena cuts Varia free.
XENA
You all right?
VARIA
Yeah.
XENA
Good.
Xena looks for Prince Morloch, but he's nowhere to be seen.
XENA
Okay, Varia, take off.
VARIA
Not until he's dead.
XENA
Varia, don't fight me on this one. Not this time.
Varia jumps down. Prince Morloch is behind Xena. She turns as he brings down his sword and blocks it.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Your skills match mine on every level. We could
do this all night long. But sooner or later, I will
get the upper hand. You know why?
XENA
Tell me.
PRINCE MORLOCH
Because I'm enjoying this. This fight is the fight
I've been searching for my entire life.
XENA
You're right.
Xena lowers her sword.
XENA
So why would I give it to you?
Xena turns and jumps down with a flip, joining Varia.
PRINCE MORLOCH
You will fight me!
Xena retrieves her chakram. Prince Morloch kicks the pole that held Varia at Xena.
VARIA
Watch it!
Xena moves as the pole lands.
PRINCE MORLOCH
You will fight me! Yah-h-h-h-h-h!
He jumps. Xena uses her foot to lift up sharpened pole, which Prince Morloch lands on, the log going through his chest. Xena lifts up his head.
XENA
You lose.
She drops his head. Prince Morloch groans and dies. Xena helps Varia walk.
XENA
Here.
VARIA
This whole time, all I could think about was
avenging Marga's death. But I'm here. He's gone.
I guess that's revenge.
XENA
That's right. That's right.
They move off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle lights Marga's pyre on fire. The Amazons are all gathered around. Xena and Gabrielle move over to Varia.
XENA
Varia...
Xena holds out the necklace.
XENA
Marga wanted you to have this.
GABRIELLE
She chose you as her right of caste. You're the
new leader of the Amazons.
VARIA
I still have a lot to learn to honour Queen Marga's
memory. (to Xena) I will always be in your debt.
Xena hugs her.
XENA
You don't owe me anything.
Varia turns to look at pyre and takes a step forward.
VARIA
I will make you proud, Marga.
The Amazons mourn in silence, looking at the burning pyre.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Tsianina Joelson as Varia
Sandy Winton as Prince Morloch
Craig Hall as Raczar
Sela Apera as Marga
Sara Wiseman as Amazon #1
Thomas Kiwi as Henchman #2
Written by: Joel Metzger
Directed by: Renee O'Connor
Disclaimer: Raczar mysteriously disappeared at the completion of production of this motion picture and is rumored to have been living under the guise of "Prince Vhalimar Barblqueem Raczar of Lower Alibabaston."
