| ACT FOUR |
FADE IN
The interior of Poseidon's temple. Xena and Gabrielle walk in, looking very determined.
XENA (raises her voice):
Poseidon!
GABRIELLE:
What makes you think he'll show up? They haven't been worshipping him for years; maybe he's abandoned this temple.
XENA (yells):
Poseidon! I need to speak to you.
The water in the pool in front of the altar begins to swirl, and then forms into the watery figure of Poseidon rising. He is not quite as gigantesque as he was when rising from the ocean, but still towering above the two women. His features are now clear rather than watery. His blue eyes are very hard and cold.
POSEIDON:
Warrior Princess. We meet again.
XENA:
And as always, not under the best of circumstances.
POSEIDON:
Aren't you afraid, now that you're in my domain?
XENA:
I've never been afraid of the gods and I'm not about to start--on land or underwater.
POSEIDON:
What do you want?
XENA:
The question is, what do you want. You're trying to make this war happen, aren't you.
POSEIDON:
The people of Atlantis have grown too arrogant and too powerful. They have to be stopped.
XENA:
And you can't do this without destroying them--or getting a lot of the sea folk killed as well?
POSEIDON:
I don't answer to mortals--especially not to you. You have some nerve confronting me this way when you are the one who cost me my worshipers! You killed me.
GABRIELLE:
You were trying to kill us--and Xena's daughter. And don't forget--we went down to Hell to save the gods. We brought you back to life.
XENA:
Stop this war, Poseidon.
POSEIDON:
It's out of my hands. They're doing this of their own free will. It's greedy mortals who start these wars--whether they have legs or fish tails, it's all the same.
XENA:
What if I'm able to stop the war? Will you spare the Atlantians then?
POSEIDON (chuckles):
I'd like to see you try. Stop the war--and the Atlantians' lives will be spared.
Water starts swirling around his figure, turning into a vortex that shrinks and disappears into the pool. Xena and Gabrielle stand still for a moment looking at the spot where he vanished.
CUT TO
The square before the palace. A large, raucous crowd. Voices are heard shouting "Death to the tritons!" and "Kill the half-breeds!"
A nervous-looking Panthius is standing on the palace steps. Several guards haul out Agenor, the triton.
VOICES IN THE CROWD:
--Kill him!
--Death!
--Kill them all!
A struggling Agenor is pushed down on the ground, his hands tied behind his back. One of the guards raises his sword.
Close-up on Panthius as he obviously steels himself in resolve.
PANTHIUS:
Do it.
The camera pans to Darion, who is standing in the crowd with Keyana, Cassandra and Calypso. He winces and hides his face in Keyana's side.
CASSANDRA (with quiet despair):
I failed again...
Calypso squeezes her shoulder sadly.
As the guard starts to bring down his sword, the "whoosh" of the chakram is heard. Pan to the chakram flying toward the camera.
The crowd gasps as the top of the sword is sliced off.
Close-up on Darion as he looks up, gasping with joy.
DARION:
Xena!
Pan over to an angry-looking Xena as she catches the chakram.
PANTHIUS:
Xena. You're intent on meddling in our affairs, aren't you.
XENA:
I'm intent on saving your lives, Panthius. (gestures toward Agenor) What's the meaning of this?
PANTHIUS (furious):
Our people were ambushed and killed by the tritons. The people of Atlantis want justice.
GABRIELLE:
Don't you mean vengeance?
PANTHIUS:
Call it what you will--he has to die! (to the guards) Seize them!
Pan to Darion.
DARION (shouts out):
Mister, you just made a serious mistake.
There is laughter in the crowd, but the laughter quiets quickly as several guards rush Xena and Gabrielle and Xena lets out her battle cry.
XENA:
A-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!
She leaps up in the air and knocks down two guards down as she lands, grabbing a spear from one of them as he stumbles. She uses the spear as a staff to knock down to other guards before tossing it to Gabrielle, who uses it to fight four of the guards while Xena spars with two others and then disables them with powerful spin-kicks.
Xena bends down and slashes the rope Agenor's hands are tied with. He sits up, gaping at her in amazement.
XENA:
I guess asking if you can walk would be pointless. (to Calypso) Get a cart!
Calypso slinks away into the crowd while Xena hauls up Agenor on her shoulders and runs, moving as fast as she can and staggering a little under the triton's weight. Gabrielle runs after her, still holding the spear. An agitated murmur runs through the crowd.
ATLANTIAN #1:
Someone stop her!
Cassandra steps forward.
CASSANDRA (raises her voice as much as she can):
People of Atlantis--please listen to me! Forty years ago, your parents did not believe me when I had a vision of the city sinking.
VOICES IN THE CROWD:
--Who is she?
--Cassandra!
--Who?
--She's crazy!
--She's telling the truth!
CASSANDRA:
Now I'm back, and I've had more visions of doom. The only way you can avoid it is to stop the war with these sea creatures--before it starts!
Pan to Panthius, who looks uncertain.
While the crowd reacts to this with loud murmurs, Xena and Gabrielle disappear from view.
CUT TO
Xena, with Agenor on her shoulders, reaches the edge of the square. Calypso drives up in a crystal-powered cart.
XENA (puts down Agenor with a grunt):
All right--I'll take over from here.
CALYPSO:
But you've never driven--
XENA:
Just tell me what to do. I'm a quick learner.
CUT TO
Xena driving along a street in Atlantis, with Agenor perched uncomfortably in the back of the small cart. Passerby in the street turn their heads in amazement.
XENA:
Hang in there--it won't be long.
AGENOR:
Look, I'm sorry I didn't trust you before. Thank you--
XENA:
Save your thanks. I need you to talk to your mother and tell her to call off the war.
AGENOR:
Impossible! The people of Atlantis aren't like you. They think we're just animals. They won't stop until they've taken over all of the seas.
XENA:
I can talk some sense into them. Look, Agenor, there is always time to go to war. But sometimes, it's too late to make peace. Don't let that happen.
CUT TO
The crowd on the square is getting more agitated; Panthius finally makes a decision.
PANTHIUS:
Go after her!
Several guards run off in pursuit.
CUT TO
Xena pulls up by the wall of the dome.
XENA:
Well?
AGENOR (sighs):
Look, you saved me and I owe you. I'll talk to Mother. If the Atlantians want to meet and negotiate, we'll meet with them.
XENA:
Good. (She smiles a little) Eventually, you'll see I'm right. Stay safe.
She jumps out of the cart, hauls out Agenor and helps him toward the crystal that opens the wall. A guard is standing by the crystal, looking at her in bewilderment.
GUARD:
What do you think you're doing?
VOICE (off-camera):
Stop her!
The guard steps forward, uncertainly starting to draw his sword.
XENA:
I don't have time for this.
She knocks him out with a punch and pushes the crystal.
The glass opens; Xena quickly pushes Agenor out into the opening and pushes the crystal again, closing the glass.
Pan to Agenor swimming on the other side of the glass. He smiles to Xena and waves. Close-up on Xena as she smiles and waves back at him.
Gabrielle comes running, slightly out of breath. The two women stand together, facing the palace guards as they run up.
GUARD #1 (a little sheepishly):
You better come back with us.
XENA:
With pleasure.
CUT TO
Back in the palace square. Panthius paces nervously in front of the palace. Cassandra, Calypso and Keyana stand apart from the crowd, Darion with them. The crowd looks agitated, with a lot of people talking.
Xena and Gabrielle come into view, escorted by the guards.
GUARD #2:
Your majesty, we couldn't stop her--she released the animal.
Pan to Cassandra, who breathes a sigh of relief, and then to Panthius, who doesn't know whether to look angry or relieved.
XENA:
Panthius--be a wiser man than your father was. Listen to Cassandra and listen to me. Cassandra was right; Poseidon does want to destroy you. Your only chance is to stop this war.
PANTHIUS (hesitates visibly):
But the tritons and naiads--
XENA:
--they're willing to negotiate peace. Agenor gave me his word. Take this chance, Panthius. You may not get another one.
Panthius struggles as he ponders this; then he sighs.
PANTHIUS:
All right. I'll negotiate. (raises his voice) People of Atlantis! I know how angry you are about the violence we've suffered at the hands of the half-breeds. But I'm persuaded that for the good of the city--we should negotiate peace.
There is a loud murmur from the crowd; then, cheers, which eventually prevail.
CASSANDRA (overjoyed):
It wasn't in vain!
She hugs Keyana, then Calypso.
DARION (to Xena and Gabrielle):
I knew you'd do it!
Xena looks around warily.
GABRIELLE:
What is it?
XENA:
Something is happening...
She points to the top of the dome, where the water is swirling and churning.
CUT TO
An outside view of the dome; from the outside, the city looks like a snow globe.
Through the waters, the giant figure of Poseidon is seen. He raises his trident and strikes the dome, shattering it.
CUT TO
Inside Atlantis. People are screaming and running around as water crashes into the city.
Close-up on Xena, her face filled with fury.
XENA (yells):
Poseidon!
A montage of images as the city is crushed under the waves, buildings collapsing and being swept away. Close-ups of Gabrielle hugging Darion, then Cassandra's horrified face.
CASSANDRA:
Oh, Keyana--I'm so sorry--I had no right--
CUT TO
The spires of the royal palace collapsing under the crashing waters.
CUT TO
Poseidon holding out his hands, sending forth a wave of power.
DISSOLVE TO
The waters settling.
As the churning and foaming stops, we see Pantheus swimming toward the camera. He looks shocked.
The camera pans down to show that he now has a triton's tail, flapping in the water under the mantle he's still wearing.
The camera pulls back to show people swimming around. All the Atlantians have become tritons and naiads. The people are gasping in shock and disgust as they look at their new forms.
Pan to Xena.
XENA (bitterly, her voice muffled by water):
So this is how Poseidon kept his word.
GABRIELLE (bewildered):
Xena--are we--
XENA (grimly):
Yes, we are.
The camera pulls back to show that they both have fish tails, as do Darion, Cassandra and Keyana.
DARION (frightened):
Gabrielle?
Without a word, Xena propels herself upward, flapping her naiad tail.
CUT TO
Xena diving out of the sea.
XENA (yells furious):
Poseeeeeeidon!
The watery figure of Poseidon rises, towering over her.
POSEIDON:
What's the matter, Warrior Princess? You don't like the way I kept my promise?
XENA (through clenched teeth):
Can't say that I do.
POSEIDON:
I said I'd spare them. I didn't say how. How many times have you played games with words to get something you wanted?
XENA (narrows eyes):
You know, Poseidon--if you think you want me in your domain, you'd better think again. Give me a month or two and you might find that the naiads aren't quite the docile subjects you're used to having.
POSEIDON:
Feisty as ever, Warrior Princess. I'll miss you. (He gives a roaring laugh, then looks down at Xena) Anyone who is not one of my subjects will return to human form once they're back on land. I hope that pleases you.
XENA (grimly):
I'm overjoyed.
She dives under the water.
CUT TO
A long shot of Xena swimming under the water, swishing her tail as she dives downward.
CUT TO
The beach on Thera, under the bright blue sky. Xena surfaces in the water and swims toward the shore, followed by Gabrielle and Darion. When she rises from the water, she is in human form again. Gabrielle and Darion follow.
GABRIELLE (looking down at herself):
Well, that's a relief.
DARION:
Wow. Actually, it was kinda cool to have a fish tail for a while. And to be able to breathe underwater. As long as it wasn't for too long.
GABRIELLE (laughs nervously and musses his wet hair):
Right.
Cassandra and Keyana, wet but otherwise all right, rise from the water. Calypso swims up behind them, then stops.
CASSANDRA (to Calypso):
Come on.
Calypso shakes her head, her eyes filling with tears. She pulls herself up, using her arms, and flips her fish tail.
CALYPSO:
It's like Poseidon said. Only those who are not his subjects can turn back. We became his people long ago... when he saved us.
XENA (bitterly):
And I bet he thinks you deserve his gratitude.
CASSANDRA (sighs as she kneels down in the water next to Calypso):
Sister--I'm so sorry I couldn't help.
CALYPSO:
You did the best you could.
They hug tenderly.
CALYPSO:
I can't believe I'm losing you again--just as I found you.
They break the embrace.
CASSANDRA:
Good-bye, sister. I hope you find--some joy in your new life.
XENA (her face filled with sadness):
Good-bye, Calypso.
GABRIELLE and DARION:
Good-bye.
CALYPSO:
Thank you for trying to help.
She starts to swim away. As she does, Echo rises from the water and leaps up, chattering.
CALYPSO (looks back):
At least I still have my friend.
She hugs Echo, and they dive and disappear under the water.
Xena, Gabrielle and Darion stand watching them. Keyana helps Cassandra stand up.
KEYANA:
Grandma...I'm so sorry.
CASSANDRA:
Don't be. If we hadn't made this journey, they'd all be dead.
KEYANA:
Do you really think they'd prefer this? You saw how they felt about the sea-creatures. They've become what they despised the most.
XENA (sighs):
I guess you could say there's a certain--poetic justice to that. (Off Cassandra's reproachful look) I'm sorry about your loss.
CASSANDRA:
You did the best you could. But sometimes, when the gods decide to play with people's lives, even that isn't enough.
DISSOLVE TO
Xena, Gabrielle and Darion walking along the beach. Keyana and Cassandra are following in the distance.
GABRIELLE:
Think they'll ever be happy?
XENA:
You'd be surprised the things people get used to.
There is a flash of blue light in front of them and Ares appears. He looks tired and worried.
XENA (chuckles lightly):
What happened to you?
ARES:
Don't start with me. It's been a very busy week. And then, when I feel like taking a vacation--I can't find you anywhere. (worried) Where were you?
XENA:
Spending some time in your uncle's realm.
ARES (squints at her, puzzled):
What--Hades?
XENA:
Not quite.
She waves toward the water.
ARES:
Poseidon? (off her grim nod) Doesn't sound like you had a lot of fun.
DARION:
It was kinda fun, at first. There was this big underwater city, with castles and spires and things--
ARES:
Oh yeah, I heard something about that. Atlantis--Uncle Poseidon's pet project.
DARION:
And then it got really scary and all the people got turned into fish people. You know, kind of like centaurs only with fish tails. Even we did.
ARES (uncomprehending):
Say what?
DARION:
We had fish tails. Just for a little bit until we got back to land. (grins) Actually it was kinda cool, except I was scared we'd get stuck that way.
Ares looks down at Darion, curious, then looks up at Xena and Gabrielle.
ARES:
The kid's making it up, right?
XENA:
Nope.
The camera starts to pull away as they walk down the beach, their voices fading gradually.
ARES:
You--had a fish tail.
XENA:
That's right.
A brief silence.
ARES:
Well, I'm certainly glad you didn't get stuck that way. I mean--I would have had to have a serious chat with Uncle.
XENA (with a somewhat bitter laugh):
Oh--would you, now? Just think--
Their voices fade as we:
FADE OUT
THE END
[Xena's passion for fishing may have been damaged during the production of this motion picture. Stay tuned for updates.]
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Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 10 Beneath the Waves Story By: Aurora and LadyKate Written By: LadyKate Adapted From Original Script Written By: Aurora Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast
Original Airdate March 12, 2006 Xena's passion for fishing may have been damaged during the production of this motion picture. Stay tuned for updates.  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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