FADE IN

On the same scene as before, with Xena facing Sabina.

XENA (getting over her shock):
     You are just about the last person I expected to see.

SABINA (looks over the cabin and over Xena):
     How the mighty have fallen.

XENA (throws down the firewood):
     What do you want?

SABINA:
     I want to talk to Xena. The real Xena.

Xena glares at her but Sabina wins the staring contest, and Xena looks away grimly.

XENA:
     There is no other Xena. This is it.

SABINA (gets up and slowly approaches Xena, then stops facing her):
     So you decided to throw in the chakram. (pauses, looking at her inquisitively) Why?

XENA (brusquely):
     None of your business.

SABINA (cocks her head, looking appraisingly at Xena):
     Rumor has it, Nero's mother was murdered on the island where she was sent into exile. Rumor also has it that she was a friend of yours--and that you were on the island with her at the time. (Xena stares at her, saying nothing) Is that it? Someone you promised to protect was murdered on your watch--and you've lost your nerve?

Xena gives her a long, thoughtful stare, then lowers her eyes.

XENA:
     I don't owe you any answers.

SABINA (with a small cold smile):
     Maybe not. But I think you just answered my question anyway. (She turns and paces slowly around the room, then stops and looks at Xena again.) So here you are, dressed like a common peasant, lugging firewood. And meanwhile, your beloved little bard is out there trying to serve the Greater Good all by herself.

XENA:
     If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get me to come back.

SABINA:
     Apparently, you don't know better.

XENA (narrows her eyes at Sabina):
     All right. What's your game?

SABINA:
     Maybe the world just doesn't feel right when Xena's not in business. (smiles) Come on, Xena, you know I'm your biggest fan. You think I want you walking off the job before I've had a chance to take you down?

XENA (with a crooked grin):
     I could almost believe you. (shakes her head) But that's not the whole story, is it.

Sabina paces around again, circling the room, then stops and sighs.

SABINA:
     You know there was a big fire in Rome, don't you?

XENA (reluctantly):
     Yeah.

SABINA:
     Your little friend tells me it was Nero who set it. (she pauses, waiting for Xena to say something, but Xena remains silent) Well, Nero needed a scapegoat. Who better than the people who don't worship the gods of the Romans?

XENA (flinches slightly):
     The followers of Eli...

SABINA:
     That's right. Twenty-five of them are to be thrown to the lions in the arena.

XENA (brusquely):
     When?

SABINA:
     In three days. We'll just make it.

XENA (eyes her skeptically):
     Don't tell me you're interested in saving a bunch of Elijans.

SABINA:
     Who knows--maybe I've become a do-gooder just like you.

XENA (sarcastic):
     Right. (looks probingly at Sabina) It's that girl, isn't it? Siran?

Sabina flinches slightly and pauses, then finally speaks.

SABINA (defiantly):
     And what if it is?

XENA (wonderingly):
     You care about that girl.

SABINA (cuts her off, raising a finger in a warning gesture):
     Don't. Don't start telling me that you see something good in me. We don't have time to waste on sentimental nonsense.

XENA:
     So she's an Elijan now. And she's sentenced to death.

SABINA:
     That's right. (Still self-possessed but with a touch of passion in her voice) I promised I'd always protect her, Xena. You know what that's like, don't you?

XENA:
     And you want me to help you save her. (with sudden bitterness) Why me?

SABINA (as if it's self-evident):
     Because you're Xena. (pauses) I'd love to tell you that I can do the job just as well. But you're still the best...at least for now. (A close-up on Sabina's face as she stares at Xena, looking as if she's trying to overcome her own resistance to something she has to say. Finally, she speaks in a choked voice.) Please.

Close-up on Xena's face. She looks bewildered and moved.

CUT TO

An overhead shot of the Collosseum.

Pan to a close-up of Nero, flanked by Tigellinus and Aquilo, sitting in the imperial box. He is smiling slightly, the expression on his face cold yet with a hint of eager anticipation.

The camera pans over the murmuring audience, then to the still-empty arena. The roaring of lions is heard. The camera zooms in on a metal grill on one side of the arena, with two attendants standing on the sides of the grill. Behind the grill, we see several lions; they are roaring and pacing around impatiently.

Pan to a metal grill on the other side of the arena, where we see the Elijans, dressed in white, and two Praetorians who are guarding them.

Pan back to the imperial box. Nero rises and raises his hand. A hush falls over the amphitheater.

NERO:
     Good people of Rome! Recently, a great tragedy befell our beloved city. It was swept by a fire that started in the temple of the divine Claudius and blossomed like a scarlet flower--a terrible scarlet flower of evil. (He looks almost poetic as he speaks; the camera pulls back to show Tigellinus and Aquilo exchanging worried looks.) Hundreds of Romans perished in that dreadful fire. Thousands were left without abode. (He pauses dramatically) We have found those responsible for the disaster, and they will now pay for their contemptible crime here before you. They belong to a sect that holds Rome and her gods in contempt-- (he pauses again, and then points to the arena with a dramatic gesture) --the followers of Eli!

The amphitheater bursts out in shouts and boos. Cries of "Traitors!", "Criminals", and "Death to the Elijans!" are heard.

Pan down to the arena--first to the grill behind which the Elijans are held, just as the attendants raise the grill; then to the grill behind which the lions are held, where the attendants prepare to raise the grill simultaneously.

Pan up to Nero, who sits down, a satisfied look on his face.

Pan down to the arena; the camera zooms in on a side entrance, also grilled, where we see Gabrielle standing next to an attendant. She is holding a staff.

ATTENDANT (nervous):
     I hope I don't get in trouble for this.

GABRIELLE:
     Don't worry, no one will ever know.

Pan to the Elijans, who are being pushed and prodded out into the arena. The camera pans over them, lingering on Siran and Felix before zooming in on Petronia.

PETRONIA:
     May our God help us die for our faith as bravely as Eli did!

Pan to the lions, who rush out into the arena. The arena is surrounded by a wooden fence with sharp spikes at the top.

The camera cross-cuts between the lions, who are charging at the Elijans, and the Elijans; Petronia and a few others, including Siran and Felix, stand calm and resigned in the middle of the arena, while some other Elijans scatter and run and huddle by the fence. As the lions get closer, Siran flinches and clutches Petronia's hand.

Pan up to Nero, who leans forward, watching avidly. Then, suddenly, a frown comes over his face as the audience erupts in murmurs.

TIGELLINUS:
     It's that little-- (Nero shoots him a warning glance and he swallows nervously) --bard.

Pan down to the arena, where Gabrielle now stands in front of the Elijans, swinging her staff.

GABRIELLE (raises her voice):
     Caesar! I'm here to fight for these people as their champion!

Pan up to the imperial box.

TIGELLINUS (looks worried):
     Caesar--shall I have the guard arrest her?

NERO (thinks a moment and purses his lips):
     Let her fight. (He rises and speaks up so that his voice rings through the arena) You may fight for these criminals, Gabrielle. If you defend them successfully, then I will spare-- (he pauses dramatically) --three of them, of your choosing. The rest will be put to death.

Pan back to Gabrielle, who freezes, hesitation and doubt on her face. One of the lions swipes a paw at her, nearly knocking the staff from her hands; she flinches and strikes back, hitting the lion across the muzzle. He recoils with a growl.

Pan up to Nero, who watches avidly.

Pan back to Gabrielle, who is still shielding the Elijans and fighting off the lions with her staff, leaping from one spot to another to block the lions' way as they try to charge their prey. She is doing an impressive job but she is clearly outnumbered. One of the lions leaps past her and knocks down Felix, who wrestles with the animal, trying to protect himself from its teeth.

GABRIELLE (turns and sees that Felix is in trouble):
     Felix!

She leaps toward him and jabs at the lion with her staff. The lion turns toward her, snarling, while another lion approaches her from behind; she spins and delivers a kick that at least for a moment drives it away. A scream is heard and she sees a young Elijan woman being mauled by a lion. Using her staff as a lever, Gabrielle leaps and kicks the lion in the side, pushing it off the young woman. She gets up, bloodied and battered, and limps toward the edge of the arena.

The lions are growing bolder and more aggressive, and while Gabrielle is fending off two of them others are starting to move in on the Elijans.

Pan up to Nero, who smiles with cruel satisfaction.

NERO (mutters to himself):
     You could have had everything, Gabrielle...

A wide shot of the arena. A whooshing sound is heard, and something is seen hurtling through the air. Gabrielle turns her head, and a momentary look of disbelief and, incongruously, joy flashes across her face. The chakram is hurtling toward the arena; it slashes at a lion who is about to attack one of the Elijans. The lion roars in pain and rears back.

Gabrielle looks up and sees Xena--wearing her leathers again--in the audience; as stunned spectators look on, she catches the chakram.

A murmur swells up through the amphitheater. Pan up to Nero, who has an incredulous and outraged look on his face.

AQUILO:
     It's Xena!

Pan back to Xena. She runs down the steps toward the arena and then, with a piercing battle cry-- "A-yi-yi-yi-yi!" --launches herself over the spiked barrier, flipping in the air. She lands in the arena, a gleeful grin on her face. She and Gabrielle face each other, and Xena's grin turns to a tender smile. Gabrielle smiles too--only to turn quickly and use her staff to beat back one of the lions.

Siran looks up and her face lights up suddenly.

SIRAN:
     Leonia!

Gabrielle looks up, stunned, to see Sabina--wearing leather armor and wielding a sword--leaping over the barrier and into the arena.

GABRIELLE (to Xena, clearly shocked):
     She's here with you?

Before Xena can answer, a snarling lion leaps at them and Gabrielle beats the animal back.

Sabina runs toward Siran when the camera pans over to Petronia. A lion is crouched in front of her, preparing to leap. Petronia stands frozen in terror.

Siran points to Petronia, screaming. Sabina jumps toward her, flipping in the air, and lands between Petronia and the lion. The lion charges and Sabina drives her sword into its chest.

Siran winces visibly.

PETRONIA:
     You didn't have to do that!

SABINA (rolls her eyes):
     Of course not--I could have just tossed the big kitty a ball of string.

Pan back to Xena and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (breathless):
     Xena--we have to do something do get them out of here--did you hear what Nero said?

XENA (grimly):
     Yeah--he's going to execute all but three of them... We have to do something.

SABINA (approaches them):
     I have an idea.

She runs toward the barrier surrounding the arena and starts chopping at it with her sword, then turns toward Xena and Gabrielle, who look at her, puzzled.

SABINA:
     Come over here, Gabrielle--maybe you can actually do some good with your little stick!

Pan up to the imperial box. Nero, Tigellinus and Aquilo stare down at the arena. We see a wide overhead shot of the arena, with Xena and Gabrielle trying to hold back the lions and Sabina chopping at the barrier.

TIGELLINUS:
     Who's the third one?

AQUILO (nonplussed):
     And what's she doing?

Pan back to the arena.

GABRIELLE (wielding her staff to fend off a lion, shouts):
     What's the idea?

SABINA:
     If we start a panic, everyone can get away!

With a powerful blow, she chops through the wood and starts widening the opening. Xena and Gabrielle are still fending off the lions as they talk to her.

XENA:
     A panic?

GABRIELLE (with dawning horror on her face):
     You mean--you want to let the lions loose?

SABINA (continues to chop):
     Clever girl.

XENA:
     You can't release a bunch of wild animals on the people out there!

SABINA:
     A bunch of Romans who came to watch some poor fools being torn to pieces by lions? Don't you think turnabout is fair play? (chops at the barrier, where the opening is now large enough for a person to get through)

Xena looks at her thoughtfully.

XENA:
     I've got a better idea. You and Gabrielle hold back the lions. I'll work on the audience.

SABINA (turns around, skeptical):
     What are you talking about?

XENA (forcefully):
      Do it!

As she speaks, she beats back a lion with the flat of her sword and kicks another one in the face. It retreats, its snarl turning to a whine.

Sabina gives Xena a thoughtful look, then shrugs and starts racing back toward Xena and Gabrielle; on her way, she leaps and flips in the air, landing next to them.

Xena steps forward and holds up a hand.

XENA:
     People of Rome--listen to me!

Pan up to the audience; people are looking at Xena curiously.

WOMAN:
     It's Xena, Warrior Princess!

Murmurs of "Xena!" roll over the audience.

Pan back to the arena. While Xena speaks, we see Gabrielle and Sabina fending off the lions in the background.

XENA:
     These people--the followers of Eli--did not set the fire that ravaged your city.

As Xena pauses, pan to a close-up of Nero, his face distorted by rage. Pan back to Xena.

XENA (points to the imperial box):
     Your own emperor did!

The camera pans over the audience as it erupts in louder and louder murmurs, then over to the imperial box.

NERO (leaps to his feet, shaking with rage):
     Lies!

Pan back to Xena.

XENA:
     The same emperor who sent assassins to murder his own mother! (The camera pans over the audience as it erupts in shouts and exclamations of shock, then back to Xena.) I was there when she died. I couldn't save her--but at least I can expose her murderer!

The shouts drown out her voice. The camera pans up to Nero, whose face turns purple.

NERO (shouts even louder, but his voice can hardly be heard over the pandemonium):
      Lies!

The camera pans over the audience.

MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN:
     So it's true!

YOUNG MAN:
     I've heard it too!

MAN IN HIS THIRTIES:
     She's lying!

YOUNG WOMAN:
     Why would she lie? She fought for Nero--she helped him become Emperor!

The camera pans over several people, young and old, male and female, shouting "Murderer!" Then the camera pulls back to show some people getting out of their seats and running up toward the imperial box.

A close-up of Xena as she smiles, obviously satisfied with the result.

Pan up to the imperial box.

AQUILO:
     It's a riot!

Nero turns to Tigellinus, his lips trembling with rage.

NERO (shouts):
     This has to be stopped!

TIGELLINUS (leans out of the box and gestures to the Praetorian guard standing around the box):
     Get out there--stop this!

The guards scatter into the audience, pushing the people back, knocking some of them down.

Pan back to the arena, where Gabrielle, Xena and Sabina are still holding the snarling lions back while the Elijans huddle by the barrier. They look shaken; some of them are bloodied.

XENA (turns to the Elijans):
     Come on-- (points to the opening in the barrier) --now we can get out!

The Elijans approach.

PETRONIA (shocked):
     People are going to get hurt! You--you can't sacrifice them for our escape!

SABINA (glances at her contemptuously):
     Oh, save it for later.

Petronia gapes at her, dumbstruck.

XENA:
     Let's get out of here.

Xena, Gabrielle, Sabina and the Elijans get out through the opening in the barrier, Xena and Gabrielle helping some of the injured Elijans.

Pan up to the imperial box. Nero is standing, his hands convulsively gripping the edge of the balcony; an overhead shot of the arena shows Xena, Gabrielle, Sabina and the Elijans getting out. Nero turns to Tigellinus and grabs his shoulders.

NERO (shouts):
     Do something! Don't let them get away!

Tigellinus runs out of the box and races down the steps.

Pan down to Xena, Gabrielle, Sabina and the Elijans. All around them, people in the audience are running, shouting, shaking their fists. The amphitheater is now in full pandemonium.

GABRIELLE (raises her voice to be heard by the Elijans):
     We have to scatter--it's easier for us to get out that way!

FELIX:
     Priscus' cobbler shop on the outskirts of the city--we'll meet there! We can hide out there until we can leave Rome!

The Elijans scatter into several groups and disappear into the audience.

Tigellinus runs down to the front-row benches, pushing the people aside, as the Praetorians around him try to control the crowd. He catches up with Petronia and grabs her.

TIGELINNUS:
     In the name of Rome--

SABINA (off-camera):
     Pick on someone with a sword.

Tigellinus releases Petronia and steps back, drawing his sword. As he recognizes Sabina, his eyes widen.

TIGELLINUS:
     You!

SABINA (chilly smile):
     Yes, it's me. That means it's personal.

Tigellinus and Sabina fight as the pandemonium continues around them.

Pan to a nearby section of the audience where a woman shouts, "Down with Nero!" A Praetorian guard grabs her and shoves her; as she stumbles, she bumps into Tigellinus from behind. He loses his footing for a moment--enough for Sabina to knock the sword from his hand and bring him down with a kick to the midsection. As Tigellinus tries to get up, Sabina plants a foot on his chest. A shot of Sabina from below, a slight, cold smile on her face.

SABINA (with a slight headshake):
     Xena would have spared your life. (grins a little) Too bad for you I'm not Xena.

She brings down her sword, running him through.

Pan up to the imperial box. Nero is still leaning over the edge of the balcony, his eyes wild, his lips trembling.

The camera zooms out for an overhead shot of the Collosseum as the shouts of the crowd grow more faint.

CUT TO

A road cutting through a field with a few scattered trees, early morning. The walls of Rome are visible in the distance. What looks like a caravan of merchants--three covered wagons, each drawn by two horses, loaded with goods--is moving down the road. The camera pans to Xena and Gabrielle, riding across the field.

GABRIELLE:
     There they are.

Xena and Gabrielle continue to ride until they reach the road. The three wagons slow down, then come to a stop not far from a pine tree. The camera zooms in on the driver of the head wagon, a woman in a bright embroidered robe with a turban on her head. It's Sabina.

XENA:
     So, you got them safely out of town.

SABINA:
     As you can see. (she grins a little) You know, you and I make a pretty good team.

Petronia, Felix and Siran come out of the head wagon. Xena and Gabrielle dismount and approach them.

PETRONIA:
     Xena, Gabrielle...we are grateful. If we haven't shown it as much as we should, it's because the bloodshed saddens us deeply....

FELIX:
     Even in our defense.

PETRONIA:
      Especially in our defense.

SABINA (rolls her eyes):
     By the time I get these people to Greece, they'll drive me insane.

GABRIELLE (shocked):
     Back to Greece? You're going to take them?

PETRONIA (gives Sabina a dubious look, obviously not sure whether this is good news):
     I thought you were just going to get us past the city gates, and then we would be on our own.

SABINA (wryly):
     On your own, you'd be sure to get Siran killed.

Close-up of Siran's face; she looks at Sabina with a timid, affectionate smile.

Pan to Xena and Gabrielle, who stare at Sabina in amazement, and then back to Sabina, who catches their stares and smiles scornfully.

SABINA:
     I hope you don't think I'm about to start saving babies from marauding armies or anything of the kind. Just looking out for a friend. (Her face turns almost tender as she smiles to Siran) Now--let's get moving.

GABRIELLE (takes Felix's hands):
     Good-bye, Felix. Good luck.

FELIX:
     Thank you.

GABRIELLE (walks over to Siran):
     Siran...

They hug.

SIRAN:
     Good-bye, Gabrielle. And thank you. (she smiles) You told me Sabina would come back for me...and she did.

XENA (smiles a little, obviously moved):
     Good-bye, Siran. (looks up thoughtfully at Sabina) Sabina...

SABINA:
     What?

While they talk, Siran, in the background, can be seen picking dandelions.

XENA (with an effort):
     Thank you.

SABINA (grins a little):
     That must have been hard.

XENA (her face hardens):
     Just remember...if you go back to your old tricks, you're going to hear from me.

SABINA (mockingly):
     Is that a promise?

Xena shakes her head with a small exasperated smile.

SABINA (to Siran):
     Come on, Siran--we'd better get moving. (points to the space next to her at the front of the wagon) You can sit up front with me and get some air now that we're out of the city.

SIRAN (a small bunch of dandelions in her hands, smiles at Sabina):
     Okay.

Xena pats her on the shoulder, and Siran climbs up on the wagon next to Sabina.

SABINA (nods toward the flowers):
     What's with those?

SIRAN (grins girlishly):
     I love dandelions. (thinks a moment) Hey--want me to make you a bracelet?

SABINA (shakes her head):
     You're such a baby...

SIRAN:
     Come on--hold out your wrist, I want to see how long to make it.

SABINA (rolls her eyes but complies):
     I'd have to be out of my mind to wear such a thing...

The camera pulls back. From a distance, we watch as Gabrielle and Petronia hug, and Xena shakes Felix's and Petronia's hands. Then, Petronia and Felix get back into the wagon and the wagon starts moving.

The camera moves, once again, on Xena and Gabrielle as they watch the caravan leave.

GABRIELLE:
     You think she's really changed?

XENA (shrugs):
     I trust her to do right by that girl. That's as far as it goes.

GABRIELLE:
     You've always said that one good deed can be enough to turn someone's life around...

XENA:
     Depends on where they want to go from there.

GABRIELLE:
     Speaking of which...I guess you're back in business?

XENA:
     Nah, I just thought I'd come back for one last gig. (off Gabrielle's stricken look, she smiles tenderly) Of course I'm back.

GABRIELLE (smiles back, obviously relieved):
     What made you change your mind?

Xena gazes thoughtfully into the distance. The camera follows her gaze. We see the figure of Agrippina, standing by a pine tree, smiling.

XENA (stares at her for a moment, then turns back to Gabrielle):
     I guess I finally listened to my conscience.

Gabrielle smiles at her. The camera pulls away to show them from the back, watching the wagons. Xena puts her arm around Gabrielle's shoulders and gives her shoulder an affectionate squeeze as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[The lions missed their lunch during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 8 Episode 17 Ashes To Ashes Story By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Written By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Edited by: Tango Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Agrippina Anjelica Huston Nero Hans Matheson Sabina Jennifer Garner Siran Ebonie Smith Tigellinus Matthew Pennington Felix Peter Johnson Original Airdate September 21, 2003 The lions missed their lunch 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.