7.07 Dark Reign

ACT FOUR

FADE IN

Sunrise. Outside the old temple of Isis, which looks slightly dilapidated inside just as it does on the outside. Xena and Ares are sitting on the steps of the temple.

ARES:
     Xena, I've been thinking...

XENA:
     That could get to be a nasty habit.

ARES:
     You know, even if this prophecy is true, we might not come out of this alive.

XENA:
     I know, Ares. Mortal warriors deal with that every time they go into battle.

ARES:
     Well, I can't say that's very much of a consolation. (he takes her hand) Xena...since this may be the end of the world as we know it, how about a proper goodbye?

XENA (eyes him warily):
     What do you mean?

Ares wanting to kiss Xena

ARES (smiles slightly):
     A kiss, Xena. What did you think I meant? (Xena looks hesitant) Besides, it's a good way to find out if we really do share a special bond.

XENA (looks uncertain for a moment):
     All right...

She takes Ares' face in her hands and kisses him lightly at first, but before she knows it they are melting into each other in a passionate kiss. Gabrielle comes out of the temple and looks away, embarrassed. They finally break the kiss.

ARES (grins):
     I think we do.

XENA (a little flustered):
     You think we do what?

ARES:
     Have a special bond, of course.

ANCKTARI (off-screen):
     I certainly hope so, for the sake of the universe.

Pan over to Ancktari and six warriors with tattoos like hers, two men and four women, standing at the steps of the temple.

ANCKTARI (sternly):
     So the Olympian is back. Are you ready to take on the vessel and her god?

XENA:
     We are. I have a plan, Ancktari. But it will put your life and your warriors' lives in danger.

ANCKTARI (scornfully):
     You forget that my life is already forfeit, Warrior Princess. When the vessel dies, my allotted term in this world runs out. As for my warriors, there is not one of them who would not gladly die to stop the vessel.

CUT TO

The temple of Osiris, which now looks empty. Ares materializes in the temple, holding a bound Ancktari.

ARES (raises his voice):
     Hey, Cass! Are you here? I've got something for you.

In a slow, sensuously swaying walk, Cassiopeia comes out from behind a giant statue.

CASSIOPEIA:
     Ah...Ancktari. Just who I've been waiting to see. (she tilts her head, pressing a finger to the side of her chin in a quizzical gesture) Now, let's see...what do you think I should do with you? Should I just let history repeat itself? (she turns around and waves her hand, and the flame that burns before the altar flares up) Or maybe come up with something more creative...

ARES:
     Hold it, girlie. I'd love to listen to your twisted little fantasies but before we conclude this transaction, I need some assurance that you'll hold up your end of the deal. No harm comes to Xena or Gabrielle.

CASSIOPEIA (laughs):
     You already have my master's promise. Is the word of a god not enough for you?

ARES:
     Oh please. I know how that game is played.

CASSIOPEIA:
     So, do you want it in writing or what?

ARES:
     Not a bad idea.

Cassiopeia bursts into peals of laughter. Just then, with a loud bang, the temple doors swing open and the six warriors of Isis burst in, armed with swords and spears.

WOMAN WARRIOR #1:
     Hold on, Ancktari! We are here to fight the witch!

CASSIOPEIA (laughs):
     Ooooh, reinforcements. How exciting.

She shoots a bolt of energy at the woman but she manages to avoid it by leaping high into the air. She lands right next to Ancktari, grabs her from Ares' hands and, with a quick motion, cuts her bonds with a dagger. Ares vanishes.

ANCKTARI (taking the sword the woman warrior hands her):
     So, vessel. Now you have to face me in a real fight, instead of slaughtering me when I am bound. Disappointed?

CASSIOPEIA:
     You think you can fight me? How amusing. Of course, I could summon my lord Set and he'd turn you all to dust in the blink of an eye, but this is going to be so much fun!

The warriors circle her, and then the fight begins. Cassiopeia uses her warrior skills to disarm two of the warriors with powerful kicks and then kills them with her sword. Then, she knocks out two more with a bolt of energy that leaves them alive but immobilized. Laughing gleefully, she starts to fight Ancktari and the remaining woman warrior.

Ares, Xena and Gabrielle materialize in the middle of the temple.

CASSIOPEIA (turns):
     Oh...what a touching reunion. I think the whole gang is here now. Ares, I see you're being your usual double-crossing self. (she fends off a blow from Ancktari and delivers a kick that sends her opponent flying across the hall and landing in a heap at the foot of a column, then stuns the other warrior with an energy bolt.) What a surprise. Oh--Xena, Gabrielle, I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting my master yet. (she raises her voice) My lord Set!

There is a flare of dark blue and golden lights, and Set materializes next to her.

CASSIOPEIA:
     And now that we've completed the introductions...let's get this show on the road!

Cassiopeia shooting lightning

Cassiopeia and Set clasp hands and direct a stream of blinding light at Ares, Xena and Gabrielle. Ares and Xena join hands and deflect the energy bolt back at Set and Cassiopeia, making them sway a little.

CASSIOPEIA (jeering):
     Well! I love a challenge.

XENA:
     Nice to see that you think so highly of us, Cassiopeia.

CASSIOPEIA:
     Come on, give us your best shot!

Joining hands, Ares and Xena shoot a fireball at Set and Cassiopeia, who manage to block it. Set suddenly transforms into a monster with the snarling head of a grey dog.

XENA:
     Uh, Cass...I think your boyfriend is a little challenged in the looks department.

CASSIOPEIA:
     Oh, Xena, you're so shallow. It's not the looks that count.

There begins a ferocious battle of the two gods and their chosen mortals. Fireballs and energy bolts fly wildly. The temple begins to tremble, with some statues, pedestals, vases and sacred objects crumbling to pieces and others being shattered by firebolts. Gabrielle is nearly hit by some falling pieces of stone. A column falls, sending up a huge cloud of dust that envelops everything. Only lights are seen coursing through the dust, indicating that the battle is still raging on. When the dust clears, Set is sprawled on the steps of the throne, knocked out, while Xena and Ares are aiming at Cassiopeia.

CASSIOPEIA (puts up her hands, with a suddenly plaintive look on her face):
     No, wait! Please! Xena, what gives you the right to kill me?

XENA:
     What gives me the right? How about the fact that you've spent the past few days trying to kill me and my friends?

CASSIOPEIA:
     I wasn't born bad, Xena. I am who I am because my family was destroyed by a warlord--just like the one you used to be. (Xena looks troubled) I was seduced by power and I became a killer just like you did, Xena.

ARES (glances over at Xena):
     Um, Xena--can we skip the chitchat and finish the job?

CASSIOPEIA:
     And then I got another chance, a chance to live my life as a good and innocent woman, and I lost it because of you, Xena!

XENA (looks shocked and lets go of Ares' hand):
     What?

CASSIOPEIA:
     You let the assassin live, Xena! You saw Ancktari try to kill an innocent defenseless girl and you let her go! If she hadn't followed us the next day, you wouldn't have run off in pursuit of her and left Gabrielle and me alone to face the bandits on that road! And I wouldn't have taken a life! I'd still be that innocent girl I was when we first met!

Xena is visibly torn.

ARES (grabs Xena by the shoulders):
     Xena, come on! This is a really bad time for one of your guilt trips!

There is a flash of light, and Set is standing at Cassiopeia's side again. They clasp hands and burst into a gleeful laugh. Suddenly, Cassiopeia's laugh turns into a shriek of pain and rage. The tip of a blade, glistening with blood, comes out of her chest. She lets go of Set's hand as her hands go toward the wound.

SET (howls):
     Nooooooooooooo!

He changes back into human form and catches Cassiopeia as she sags forward. Standing behind her is Ancktari. She yanks her sword out of Cassiopeia's back, and Cassiopeia collapses into Set's arms.

CASSIOPEIA (shock on her face):
     You killed me...Ancktari.

ANCKTARI:
     Guess who gets the last laugh.

Blood bubbles up on Cassiopeia's lips, and she dies. Set throws his head back and screams. The temple shakes, and there is a blinding flash of dark blue and golden light. When the shaking stops and the light fades, both Set and Cassiopeia are gone.

ANCKTARI:
     It is done. The vessel is dead, and the evil god is again banished from the mortal realm.

She suddenly sways and falls. Xena rushes to her side.

XENA:
     Ancktari...is there anything I can do to help you?

ANCKTARI:
     No, Xena. I have told you, my life ends with that of the vessel. You and the Olympian have done more than I could have ever asked. Thank you for everything.

XENA (holds her up):
     No. Thank you, Ancktari. You reminded me once again that nothing in this world is safe if people like us aren't willing to die to protect it.

Ancktari smiles and reaches up to touch her face. Then, she dies and her body crumbles to dust.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, and Ares coming down the steps of the temple of Osiris, facing the setting sun.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, are you all right?

XENA (looks a little distracted):
     Yeah...I keep thinking about what Cassiopeia said. Maybe it is my fault that she killed again.

ARES:
     Xena, you never cease to amaze me. Don't you see that the witch was just messing with your mind?

XENA:
     Doesn't mean she didn't have a point.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Xena, it's not like we could have spent our lives babysitting Cassiopeia. Who knows what else might have happened to her sooner or later? It's like Ancktari said...Cassiopeia never really did anything to redeem herself. She lost her evil side through a magical rite. And the rite didn't work completely because Cassiopeia had mortally wounded the priestess who performed it. (she puts her hand on Xena's arm in a comforting gesture) Look at it this way, Xena. At least, thanks to you, Ancktari was able to fulfill her mission.

XENA:
     And to die doing it.

GABRIELLE:
     But she died as a warrior, not as a victim.

ARES:
     So...back to Greece?

XENA:
     Back to Greece. You know, Gabrielle, I guess there are advantages to having a god on your side... (smiles affectionately) ...even when it's a conniving bastard like him.

ARES:
     And there are advantages to having a mortal on your side, even if it's a stubborn hellcat like you. Come on.

He puts his arms around the women's shoulders and they all disappear in a flash of light.

CUT TO

A field in Greece. Ares materializes in a shower of sparks with Xena and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (brightly):
     Home, sweet home... By the way, where are we?

ARES:
     About a half-mile from where you left your horses stabled. (to Xena) Say, it took the threat of the end of the world for you to admit that we have a special bond.

XENA:
     Yeah, and I'm sure it will take the end of world for you to shut up about it. (growing serious, she squeezes his hand) Ares...thanks for your help.

ARES:
     You know something else, Xena?

XENA (warily):
     What?

ARES:
     When I told you about Cassiopeia, you said you could always tell when I was up to no good. I guess you shouldn't always be so sure of yourself.

His comment leaves Xena momentarily at a loss for words. Ares smiles slyly and gives her a kiss on the cheek before vanishing in a flare of light. Xena remains glued to the spot, in a slight daze.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena? (waves a hand in front of Xena's face)

XENA (flinches, snapping out of it):
     Yeah?

GABRIELLE:
     I was thinking--now we can finally continue that trip to Prytus and go shopping.

XENA (smiles):
     Yeah...maybe relaxing a little isn't such a bad idea after all.

FADE OUT

THE END

[No actual priestesses of Isis were actually harmed during the production of this motion picture. The temple of Osiris, however, was left badly in need of repairs.]



















Xena: Warrior Princess
Shipper Seasons
Season 7

Episode 7
Dark Reign


Story By: Kim
Written By: Kim
Written and Adapted By: LadyKate
Collage By: Aurora
Images Gathered By: Aurora


Cast

XenaLucy Lawless
GabrielleRenee O'Connor
Ares
Kevin Smith
CassiopeiaAlison Wall
SetSimon Melish
AncktariCarrie Samson
HymniaCiara Calus
EnyaMaria Gregory
CaptainHarry Lark
ThugCarl Grandson



Original Airdate

November 10, 2001


No actual priestesses of Isis were actually harmed during the production of this motion picture. The temple of Osiris, however, was left badly in need of repairs.






DEDICATED TO
KEVIN SMITH





All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent.




© Shipper Seasons
www.shipperseasons.com











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