FADE IN

As at the end of Act 3, we see a close-up of the top of Vesuvius with a flame shooting out, and then a wide shot of the arena with the people fleeing. Then the camera pans down to Xena and Agrippina.

AGRIPPINA:
     I've been meaning to ask you--

XENA (points to the mountain):
     Later--let's get out of here!

They run toward the exit. The "rain" of ashes is getting thicker and thicker, so that the day is beginning to darken.

CUT TO

Outside the amphitheater, people are running in a panic. Xena and Agrippina run out as well, the stampede threatening to overwhelm them.

XENA:
     This way!

She pulls Agrippina into a side street, away from the throng, where they stop to catch their breath.

AGRIPPINA:
     I have to go home and get Smyrna.

XENA (looks up at the dark sky):
     I'll go with you--we should stick together.

AGRIPPINA:
     I was going to ask you before--where is your friend, Gabrielle? I've read her scrolls--I thought you two were inseparable--

XENA (shakes her head, her look wistful):
     She's--not here. (Her lips tighten, and the look on her face changes to one of intense focus) Let's go.

CUT TO

Gabrielle stands before a mirror, adorning herself in her Queen regalia. Darion is seated on the edge of his bed. In his hand is a wooden replica of Xena's chakram.

DARION:
     Remember, you promised to teach me Xena's battle cry. (not knowing what else to do with it, Darion twirls the chakram around his finger) La la la la la la...

Gabrielle chuckles softly and fastens her necklace around her neck.

DARION:
     Where are you going tonight, Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE:
     I'm going to have a meeting with some of my Amazons.

DARION:
     They're supposed to do whatever you tell them, right?

GABRIELLE (laughs humorlessly):
     Sometimes they do. Sometimes it's the other way around.

DARION:
     They don't like me.

Gabrielle spins towards him.

GABRIELLE:
     What? No! No, that's not it at all. (she comes over to sit beside him on the bed and puts her arm around his shoulders) It's just that there aren't any other boys your age here in the village and--

DARION:
     I don't mind! I have you!

GABRIELLE:
     Darion, we need to have a talk about where you're going to be--

DARION:
     I mean, you don't have any kids, right?

Gabrielle flinches, clearly taken aback at the question. She considers her answer carefully.

GABRIELLE:
     I had a daughter once but she's...gone now.

She trails off into uncomfortable silence and Darion nods. For a brief moment he looks far older and wiser than his eight years.

DARION:
     You mean gone like my parents are gone, right?

GABRIELLE (nods sadly with a sigh):
     Yes--gone like your parents are gone...

DARION:
     So maybe you could be my mommy. I know it wouldn't be the same for you because I'm just a boy. But I bet there's lots of things I can do that your little girl couldn't. I can climb a tree, I know how to fish--

Darion continues listing his attributes as the camera pulls in closer and closer on Gabrielle's face, her expression pensive.

CUT TO

The hut of the Amazon council. A close up of Eve as she darts anxious looks between the council members and Gabrielle--who stands calm--in an almost aloof manner--at the center of the circle made up by the members.

CYANE (leaning over to Eve to whisper):
     I don't like the looks of this. What's she planning?

EVE (shaking her head):
     I wish I knew.

OTHILA:
     A week has passed, Queen Gabrielle. I trust you've made a decision regarding the boy's care?

GABRIELLE (nods):
     I have.

OTHILA:
     Excellent! The council is anxious to hear your plans!

GABRIELLE (casting a steady, unfriendly gaze at Othila):
     My plans... (she glances at Eve and Cyane, then clears her throat) I've decided that I'll step down in favor of my next in line.

The room erupts in shocked cries of dismay, shock and outrage. A close up of Eve's face as her mouth drops in disbelief and a touch of horror. Gabrielle gives her a small smile of reassurance as the scene slowly fades to black.

CUT TO

Outside Gabrielle's hut. Eve paces back and forth, clearly agitated.

EVE:
      Me? As Queen of the Amazons? Gabrielle, what were you thinking?

GABRIELLE:
     That I wasn't going to allow anyone to exile me. This way I can leave with my head held high--with my last official act being placing the Amazons into the hands of someone I trust.

EVE (shakes her head):
     I'm not ready for this, Gabrielle! You know that!

GABRIELLE:
     Cyane is willing to act as your Regent until you're prepared to take the throne.

EVE (snorts):
     I wonder if we'll ever see that day.

GABRIELLE:
     If I didn't think you were up to it, I never would have left the Amazons in your care. (she smiles sadly) Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be the one to convince them to change their ways and then Darion and I can return.

EVE (miserably):
     Let's hope it's one day soon.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm sorry if I've left you with my mess--

EVE (shakes her head):
     No. You did the right thing. Darion needs you.

GABRIELLE:
     It's not just that he needs me, Eve. These past few weeks have made me realize that I need him too. It's like...he's giving me back something I thought I lost a long time ago--my own innocence.

Eve squeezes Gabrielle's shoulder in understanding.

EVE:
     Where will you go now?

GABRIELLE:
     Tomorrow morning Darion and I are heading out towards Corinth to find Xena. (off Eve's despondent look) Stop looking so gloomy, Eve. I'll still be around, you know.

EVE:
     You will?

GABRIELLE:
     Once I find your mother I'll be back. I'm not about to let the bastards responsible for that village get away--especially when they're operating so close to Amazon lands. And I've promised Darion I'd find his sister.

EVE:
     Still--things won't be the same without you.

GABRIELLE (nods as her eyes mist up a little):
     You've got Klymene to keep you company. Besides, you don't need me to help you survive here anymore. You're capable of doing that all on your own.

EVE (her gaze drops and she shakes her head):
     There's so many things I've wanted to say to you. And right now I can't think of any of them. (she looks up) Thank you. I owe you...everything.

GABRIELLE:
     You don't owe me anything, Eve. We're family. We stick by one another no matter what.

EVE (smiles tenderly and nods in agreement):
     Family...

The two women hug tearfully.

CUT TO

Pompeii. The volcano is now in full eruption. Close up as billows of smoke and steam rise from the volcano's peak, lava flowing down the sides of the volcano at a rapid speed. The falling ashes are now mixed with large pieces of grey stone. A montage of shots of the city in mortal panic, with people running around screaming, running into their houses, and trying to gather up their possessions. As the smoke clears for a moment, we see Xena and Agrippina.

XENA (to a man who is about to run into a house):
     Is anyone in there?

MAN (wild-eyed):
     All my money--if I don't go in there, I'll lose everything I have--

XENA (shouting):
     You'll still have your life! Leave it all behind!

Shots of Xena and Agrippina directing the fleeing people. We can't hear what they are saying but they are obviously trying to keep people from panicking and making the scene even more chaotic than it already is.

Shots of the lava reaching the edges of the city, destroying everything in its path--leveling trees, crushing houses that moments later are engulfed in flames. The near-darkness from the ashes is illuminated by crimson flashes of fire from the volcano.

Shots of the fleeing people in the city. Many are hurt--some nearly trampled in the panic, others hit by the falling rocks, still others suffocating from the ashes. We see a man get hit in the head by a rock and fall unconscious by the threshold of a house. The falling ashes starts to cover him. The camera cuts away to show other people running and fleeing. Then it cuts back to where the fallen man was. He is now completely covered in ashes.

CUT TO

Agrippina in another part of the city pulling an unconscious woman out of a heap of ashes.

CUT TO

Xena running through the streets, dodging the falling rocks and the fleeing people. Hearing a desperate female scream, she runs to the location that it's coming from and sees Camilla, the priestess. She is lying on the ground, her arm pinned by a fallen piece of wood. She cannot move and ashes are already covering her. Next to her, a house is on fire and about to collapse. Xena leaps toward her, kicks away the board that is pinning her down and snatches her out of harm's way just as the burning house collapses.

CAMILLA:
     Oh! Thank you! Thank you! (recognizes Xena) I'm sorry, I'm really sorry--

XENA:
     Save it for later. Can you walk?

CAMILLA (looks over herself hastily and moves her feet):
     Yes... yes, I can.

XENA:
     Then get out of here as soon as you can. (points in the direction of the city gates, then stops a passing young man who seems to be calmer than the others) This is the priestess Camilla--can you help her?

YOUNG MAN:
     Yeah, sure. Come on, lady. (He puts an arm around Camilla's shoulders and helps her away)

CAMILLA (turns to Xena):
     Thank you...thank you!

XENA (looks after her, shaking her head):
     Don't thank your goddess...

Xena takes off running through the streets again, and stops for a moment as she sees the flow of red-hot, shimmering lava rolling down the street leveling everything in its path. Screams are heard from some houses but before she can do anything, the houses are engulfed in flames. A close-up of the pained look on Xena's face.

As Xena turns and runs from the lava, catching up with the stampede of still-fleeing people, a panicked woman stops her.

WOMAN (screams):
     My little girl! My little girl! She's in there!

She points to a house that is still standing but is surrounded by the fiery flow of lava. In the window is a red-haired little girl in a blue dress, crying and hugging a doll.

XENA (to the woman):
     Go on, run! I'll get her!

The woman lingers. Xena makes a dash and leaps, flipping in the air, prepared to snatch the girl--but before she can reach the girl, the house collapses, and Xena lands on a pile of wood that remains. The woman screams behind her. Desperately, Xena tries to lift the fallen boards, but the pile of wood is already going up in flames and Xena has to leap out of the way. With a horrified look, she turns toward the mother, who stands petrified, covering her mouth with her hands.

Suddenly, there is a flash of blue light, and Ares appears next to Xena holding the frightened but unharmed little girl in his arms. The mother cries out joyfully, then gives Ares a baffled look.

MOTHER:
     What--how did you--

XENA:
     Never mind that--your daughter's safe. (She comes up to Ares, smiling at him a little, and takes the child from his arms.) Thank you.

ARES (looks around at the destruction around them, and at Xena):
     Xena--

XENA (firmly):
     I'll take it from here.

She hands the little girl to her mother and they run off, leaving a thoughtful-looking Ares standing behind. Then Ares turns and strides off, walking right through a burning house.

CUT TO

A river outside the city. Fleeing refugees are swimming across the river or crossing it in boats or on rafts. Agrippina can be seen helping people get into boats. Xena comes running with the mother and the little girl. There are no more boats or rafts left.

XENA:
     Come on!

She hoists the little girl up on her back and then wades into the river. She swims across, Agrippina and the girl's mother swimming next to her.

As they face the camera, we see a background image of the city in the half-darkness. There are still flames and streams of lava shooting out of the top of the volcano. Lava is streaming down the sides. What is left of the city is covered by lava and engulfed in flames.

Another image is gradually superimposed on this image--that of the city a few days later. The image lightens. The sky is now clear. There is still smoke coming from the volcano. All that's left of the city is charred ground.

CUT TO

A refugee camp of hastily built tents on the other side of the city. Xena and Agrippina are tending to the wounded lying on mats on the ground. Agrippina brings some water to Fufius, whose face is badly burned. He avidly drinks the water and then looks up at her, embarrassed.

FUFIUS:
     Thank you...my Empress. I won't forget this.

Agrippina's lips spread in a contented little smile. She nods and moves on.

XENA (comes up to Agrippina):
     How's it going?

AGRIPPINA (shakes her head):
     Not well...there are too many injured, and not enough people to care for them.

XENA (sighs):
     I wish Gabrielle were here...she's good at this kind of stuff.

GABRIELLE (off-camera):
     Xena!

XENA (frowns):
     One of those rocks must have hit me too hard on the head.

GABRIELLE (still off-camera):
     Xena! Over here.

Xena whips around. Gabrielle is smiling at her, with Darion standing at her side. Xena's face lights up with joy.

XENA:
     Gabrielle!

She rushes toward Gabrielle and they embrace warmly.

XENA (after they pull apart):
     How did you get here?

GABRIELLE (looks away, slightly abashed):
     Uh...long story.

XENA (notices Darion):
     And who's this?

DARION:
     Wow--you're Xena! Look-- (points to the wooden chakram replica on his belt) I have a cha-cha- (finally gives up) a round flying thing just like yours!

XENA (stares at him):
     Yeah...so I see. That's great. (Turns to Gabrielle, somewhat uncomfortably) This I've got to hear.

GABRIELLE (smiles rather tensely):
     Uh...long story.

AGRIPPINA (steps forward):
     So you're the famous Battling Bard of Potidaea. You know, my son Domitius is a great fan of yours. He loves the Greek poets--in fact, he's traveling in Greece right now, taking in the culture.

Gabrielle nods and gives Xena a somewhat puzzled look.

XENA:
     Gabrielle, this is--Agrippina. She's been helping me with the rescue... Actually, it's kind of a long story too.

CUT TO

Inside a tent. Xena and Gabrielle are sitting on a rug talking; Darion is playing in a corner.

XENA (shakes her head):
     So you've left the Amazons.

GABRIELLE (takes her hand fondly):
     Xena--it was my choice. In the end, I decided that there were other things that were more important to me. Like-- (gazes into Xena's eyes, and then looks over at Darion) the people who are my family.

XENA (quietly):
     It's good to have you back, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     I've missed you too.

They hug for a moment. A close-up on Xena's face, and then Gabrielle; both have tears in their eyes.

XENA (pulling away):
     There's one thing you haven't told me yet. How did you find me?

GABRIELLE:
     Well, when we got to Corinth, they told me you had gone off to Pompeii...

DARION (excitedly, looking up in the corner):
     ...and then, when we'd only been on the road for one day, a nice man showed up and offered to get us here right away!

GABRIELLE (reddening):
      Darion! We weren't supposed to--

XENA (her eyes narrow):
     A nice man, huh?

She shivers slightly and smiles a catlike smile. In the next instant, Ares materializes in a flash of blue light.

ARES (in pretend fury):
     All right--that does it!

XENA (smiles at him teasingly):
     Saving children... Bringing Gabrielle and-- (looks at Darion and fumbles for the name for a moment) Darion here...that was... nice.

ARES (folds his arms on his chest):
     Don't push it, or I'll have to go start a war somewhere.

DARION (jumps up in excitement and runs up to Ares):
     Hey--uh--sir? How do you do that blue light trick?

ARES (momentarily taken aback, finally grins at Darion):
     Watch.

He glances at Xena, a twinkle in his eyes, and vanishes in a flash of blue light.

DARION:
     Wow. (to Xena) Do you know how to do that too?

XENA (shakes her head with a little smile):
     No, I don't.

DARION (briefly disappointed, then perks up):
     Well, maybe he can teach you sometime. (to Gabrielle) Gabrielle, you think he can teach me?

GABRIELLE (slightly at a loss for words, gently puts her hands on Darion's shoulders):
     I don't think so, sweetheart.

DARION (sighs):
     Oh well... (to Xena) You are going to teach me your battle cry, right? La-la-la-la-la...

XENA (glances wryly at Gabrielle):
     You taught him that?

Gabrielle blushes and looks down.

DARION:
     She taught me my favorite song, too! (sings) Joxer the Mighty, he roams through the countryside...

XENA (her mouth hanging open in shock, turns to Gabrielle):
     You taught him that?

GABRIELLE (blushes even more deeply):
     Well--I was telling him all about us and Joxer and--

DARION (dances around the tent, singing):
     With Gabby as his sidekick,
     Fighting with--

XENA (looks daggers at Gabrielle):
      Gabrielle!

DARION (singing):
     Righting wrongs and singing songs,
     Being mighty all day long,
     He's Joxer...

Close-up on Gabrielle as she raises up her palms in a helpless gesture of resignation.

DARION (singing):
     Joxer the Mighty!

FADE OUT

THE END

[Ares' title as God of War was put to shame after being called a "nice man" during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 8 Episode 1 The Bonds We Choose Story By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Written By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkinson Ares Kevin Smith Darion Alexander Gandar Agrippina Anjelica Huston Cyane Morgan Reese Fairhead Kodros Steve Cal Prokne Sally Kalmstock Lykia Katrinia Brownie Morai Catherine Hates Smyrana Ruth Elmson Othila Claudia Octa Nari Theresa Thrace Fufius Steven Montgomery Camilla Wheat Ostorius Paul McGuire Original Airdate November 9, 2002 Ares' title as God of War was put to shame after being called a "nice man" during the production of this motion picture. 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

This script is provided by GDev Resources.