| ACT FOUR |
FADE IN
Amazon village. The Renegades have gathered in the center of the village. Andromache stands before them.
The Renegades cheer, chanting Andromache's name. Andromache stands still, obviously pleased, then finally speaks.
ANDROMACHE:
Hear me out.
The cheers continue and she raises her voice.
ANDROMACHE:
Quiet!
The cheers begin to die down and Andromache speaks.
ANDROMACHE:
It's too early to celebrate. We may have the village, but Livia and the fools who choose to follow her are still out there. (reflects for a moment) They retreated too easily.
PHANIA:
Do you think it's a trick?
ANDROMACHE:
Yes--they're probably just trying to bide some time and regroup. No matter. If they come back, we'll be ready for them.
The others cheer around her.
CUT TO
King Melodic's army advancing through the woods.
OFFICER #1:
Watch out for any movement in the trees. The Amazons are famed for their tree-fighting tactics.
The soldiers look around, clearly intimidated.
CUT TO
A cave. The Amazons are all gathered inside, including some young girls as well as Alyssa and the children from the Lanis settlement. Some of the women are seen tending to the injured. Many seem in shock.
The camera pans over to Xena, who is tending to a cut on the shoulder of a seated Gabrielle. Eve is standing next to them. Gabrielle sighs and closes her eyes.
XENA:
You all right?
GABRIELLE (sighs again):
Yeah, just--so tired all of a sudden. (She yawns.)
XENA:
It's been a long day.
EVE:
So Ares warned you that King Melodic--
XENA (curtly):
Yup.
GABRIELLE:
So...what next?
XENA (businesslike):
Next--I assume Melodic's army will attack the village.
EVE:
They'll think that Andromache and her band are the Amazons.
GABRIELLE (uneasily):
And--they'll wipe them out.
Xena, Gabrielle and Eve exchange troubled looks.
XENA (dryly):
I guess that'll take care of the outlaw Amazons.
EVE:
And then Melodic will destroy the village and take over these lands.
There is a short pause as the three of them look uneasily at each other.
EVE (softly):
Mother?
XENA:
I promised I wasn't going to let that happen.
Cyane approaches.
CYANE:
What are we going to do?
They look at each other silently.
DISSOLVE TO
Melodic's army approaches the edge of the woods and rides out into a clearing, with the village straight ahead of them.
CUT TO
The Amazon village. A Renegade runs fast through the village, out of breath, approaching the area where the others have gathered.
RENEGADE (shouting):
We're being attacked!
ANDROMACHE (shocked):
They're back?
RENEGADE:
No--not them! Soldiers--an army! They're just outside the gates!
Andromache looks shocked for a moment, then lets out a loud whistle.
ANDROMACHE (shouting):
Defend the village!
DISSOLVE TO
The village gates. King Melodic and his men approach on horseback. As the Renegades run out toward them, brandishing spears and swords, they are met with a volley of arrows that immediately brings down a large number of them.
ANDROMACHE (yells):
Get down! Take cover!
Andromache hurls a spear, killing one of the archers; as he falls, he knocks several others out of balance and the volley of arrows stops.
ANDROMACHE:
Amazons, attack!
KING MELODIC:
Kill the savages! Avenge the settlers of Lanis! (he brandishes his sword) With Ares on our side, we can't lose!
The camera pulls up to show Ares materialize on an intact part of the wall, watching.
A full-scale battle erupts. A montage of images:
* A Renegade falling, struck down by one of Melodic's men.
* Another Renegade is cut down by a soldier on horseback.
* A soldier is killed by a Renegade's spear.
* Everywhere, Renegades and soldiers are fighting.
* Andromache kills a soldier, running him through with a savage cry.
* Phania battles two soldiers with punches and kicks.
* A Renegade falls on her side, facing a dying or dead soldier on the ground; they stare at each other with unseeing eyes, in a tableau reminiscent of the warrior and the boy on the ground in CALLISTO.
* More scenes of Renegades and soldiers fighting, the Renegades being overpowered by the soldiers' superior numbers though many soldiers are being killed or wounded as well.
* Phania falls to the ground, wounded
* Ares on the wall, watching impassively, his arms folded
* A solder shouting, "For the glory of Ares!"
* An overhead shot of the village with the battle raging near the gates.
The camera zooms down for a tight overhead shot of Andromache and three other Renegades, surrounded by the soldiers who are pointing swords and spears at them. Melodic rides up on his horse.
KING MELODIC:
Surrender! There is no way out for you!
Andromache looks around, her mouth drawn into a snarl.
ANDROMACHE:
No. But at least we can take some of you with us. (screams) Amazons--attack!
The Renegades charge at the encirclement with loud battle-cries. Two soldiers fall but the Renegades who killed them are quickly cut down, as is a third. Andromache's sword is knocked out of her hands; she spins, kicks and punches furiously.
KING MELODIC:
Take her alive!
Andromache is brought down with a blow to the head and falls.
KING MELODIC:
Victory is ours!
The soldiers cheer, raising their swords in the air. The cheers die down.
KING MELODIC:
Now let's burn this village to the ground!
XENA (off-camera):
Not so fast.
A close-up on King Melodic as he turns his head, startled.
Zoom out to show that Melodic's men are surrounded by the Amazons, their bows and spears trained on the soldiers. Eve stands in front of Amazon ranks, her expression stern, her staff at the ready; Gabrielle and Cyane are at her side. Xena stands slightly apart from them, her sword pointed toward Melodic.
KING MELODIC (shocked):
Xena. (pauses, digesting what happened) So this was a trap. You let us kill your own fellow Amazons so that you could ambush--
EVE:
They are not our fellow Amazons. They're outlaws who were banished from our tribe a long time ago.
XENA:
They're the ones who attacked your settlement. They attacked this village as well.
The camera pulls in on Andromache; while everyone's attention is directed towards the Amazons, she grabs a hold of a dagger off one of the dead soldiers. She pulls back and throws it through the air. The camera follows the dagger as it heads straight towards King Melodic.
Xena quickly takes notice and throws her chakram forward. A shot of the dagger and the chakram flying through the air. The chakram hits the dagger, shattering it, then whizzes uncomfortably close to the stunned King Melodic's face, and returns to Xena, who catches it.
Two soldiers grab Andromache and tie her up.
KING MELODIC (catching his breath; to Xena):
Uh... Thank you.
XENA (grimly):
Don't mention it.
KING MELODIC:
So...you're telling me that the Amazons did not attack the settlement?
EVE:
They did not.
KING MELODIC:
And how do I know that you're telling me the truth?
VOICE OFF-CAMERA:
My lord--if I may speak...
The camera pans to Caleb. The Amazons part their ranks to let him through. He is accompanied by Othila. His head is bandaged.
EVE (surprised):
Caleb!
KING MELODIC:
Who are you, boy? Are you from the Lanis settlement?
CALEB:
I am. (He is obviously fighting back tears) My lord, those savage women--led by her--(he points to the bound Andromache, a flash of anger and hate in his face)--they came and destroyed our village--killed my mother--killed everyone and burned our homes. (His eyes fill with tears) They weren't the Amazons. The Amazons came and helped us. They also sheltered my sister and the other children.
KING MELODIC (slowly):
I--I see. (strokes his beard) Well--that does obviously change things.
EVE (to Melodic):
Take the people responsible for attacking your settlement--and leave us in peace.
KING MELODIC (plaintively):
But--my people expect a victory over the Amazons--
XENA (grins):
Well, it looks like they're not going to get it, doesn't it.
KING MELODIC:
But--but lord Ares--
Xena frowns, obviously hurt.
Ares materializes next to King Melodic, a stern look on his face. The camera pans to Xena, her eyes narrowing on the God of War. Ares remains standing next to Melodic, with his arms folded across his chest.
ARES (staring at Xena as he talks to Melodic):
Take the outlaws and get out of here.
KING MELODIC (confused):
What?
ARES (raises his voice, obviously irritated):
Take them and go!
KING MELODIC:
But my lord--you said--
A close-up on Xena's face; she remains impassive.
A close-up on Ares' face, staring at her grimly.
The camera pulls back to show King Melodic staring in confusion from Xena to Ares. Ares vanishes with no further word.
KING MELODIC (composing himself):
All right then. (looks around) How many of them are alive, besides (nods toward Andromache) this one?
SOLDIER:
It looks like there's only one other, my lord.
Two soldiers approach dragging the wounded Phania, who is barely conscious.
Shocked, Eve stares at Phania as we:
DISSOLVE TO
|
[FLASHBACK]
[END OF FLASHBACK] |
EVE (forcefully):
You are not taking this woman.
KING MELODIC (taken aback):
And why not?
Pan to Xena, who gives Eve a sympathetic look; then to Phania, who looks up at Eve, her eyes opening for a moment. There is a flash of hatred in her eyes as she moans.
EVE (thinks on her feet):
Because--she's not one of them.
Gabrielle darts Eve a surprised look but says nothing.
EVE (continues more confidently):
She's one of our own wounded--she was left behind in our retreat.
Some of the Amazons give her surprised looks.
SOLDIER (doubtful):
My lord, that can't be true--I'm quite sure I saw her being struck down--
KING MELODIC (to Eve):
Now look here, lady--
EVE:
You've got their leader. (Pan to Andromache, a nasty sneer on her face) The rest of them are dead. What difference does it make if you bring back one more prisoner? (More forcefully) You are not taking this woman!
KING MELODIC (sighs in resignation):
Fine. But my soldiers must be allowed to collect trophies from the dead to bring home.
EVE (nods coldly):
All right.
KING MELODIC (nods toward Andromache):
Put her on a horse.
As two soldiers start dragging Andromache, she screams suddenly, turning toward Eve.
ANDROMACHE:
You're going to let them kill me?
EVE (shakes her head):
You brought it on yourself, Andromache. You and your friends attacked and slaughtered innocent people.
ANDROMACHE:
You should talk! We were all victims of your bloody raids! I know what you did to the slaves on that ship--
EVE (edgy):
I can't help you.
ANDROMACHE:
You could at least let me die with honor--at the hands of my sister Amazons and not these--men! Are you going to let them drag me through the streets like an animal?
Eve hesitates, looking as if she's almost physically in pain. The soldiers drag a struggling Andromache toward a horse.
EVE:
Wait--
KING MELODIC (impatient):
What now? We had a deal. She and those others killed our people. She must answer by our law.
ANDROMACHE (shouts):
I should die like an Amazon!
Eve makes as if to step forward. Gabrielle turns away, looking as if she's going to be sick. Xena grabs Eve's arm.
Othila steps forward.
OTHILA:
I saw your handiwork in that settlement, Andromache. If you're an Amazon--I'm ashamed to bear the name! (She spits on the ground, then turns to Eve) My queen--she deserves no mercy.
XENA (quietly):
Let it be.
A long shot of Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Cyane, watching in anguish as Andromache is slung over the saddle of a horse.
DISSOLVE TO
A quick montage of clouds in the sky with the sun setting, then rising.
"Two Days Later" appears across the screen.
DISSOLVE TO
King Melodic's room.
King Melodic is sitting in a chair at his desk. Sitting across from him is Eve. She is draped in a dark cloak with a hood.
KING MELODIC (business-like):
Well, I'm glad we were able to work things out. I appreciate your helping the survivors at Lanis.
EVE (likewise):
It was the least we could do.
KING MELODIC (a note of surprise in his voice):
It seems that some of them want to stay in your village for now--rather than return to Ascania. You have no objection?
EVE:
We'll take them in.
KING MELODIC:
Well, thank you again. As for your lands, there will be no more settlements. I hope you're satisfied.
EVE (rises to her feet; bitterly):
Do you think I wanted any of this?
King Melodic clears his throat uneasily and is rescued from the awkward situation by a knock on the door.
KING MELODIC (visibly relieved, raises his voice):
Come in!
The door opens and a guard comes in.
GUARD (bows):
Your majesty--it's time for the execution.
KING MELODIC (brightens):
Oh yes--the execution.
He gets up and walks toward the door, then turns to Eve.
KING MELODIC:
Well, uh--thank you, again.
Eve remains silent.
CUT TO
Ascania city square.
Andromache stands on a scaffold, her arms bound behind her back. She stares rigidly ahead of her. The crowd gathered in front of the scaffold is shouting and jeering at her. Cries of "Death to the Amazon!" and "Murderer!" are heard.
A soldier places a noose around Andromache's neck.
Another soldier stands by a wooden lever at the side of the platform.
The noise of the crowd dies down as the camera pans back to show King Melodic sitting in a chair on a podium across from the scaffold. He raises his hand.
KING MELODIC:
Let justice be done!
Andromache stares forward. Suddenly, her eyes flicker. The camera follows her point of view to show her locking eyes with Eve, who is standing in the crowd wearing her cape with the hood.
ANDROMACHE (in a sneering voice):
All hail, my Queen--Livia!
Melodic looks worried for a moment. There is a puzzled murmur in the crowd. After a moment Melodic brings his hand down.
The soldier pulls the lever. A quick shot of Andromache falling through the drop, then pan to the jeering crowd and zoom in on Eve's anguished face.
CUT TO
Eve walking through the city streets.
VOICE (shouting off-camera):
Read all about it!
Eve turns to see a man on a corner selling scrolls.
VENDOR (yells):
Read all about it! Only three dinars! The true story of King Melodic's glorious victory over the Amazons!
Eve shakes her head, her mouth tightening in disgust, and walks on.
CUT TO
A wide shot of the Amazon village. The battle has definitely taken its toll on the village. The Amazons, many still sporting cuts and bruises, are doing their best to clean up and rebuild.
Zoom in on Gabrielle, who is holding onto Darion's hand and walking next to Lykia.
LYKIA (shocked):
I just can't believe this. I should have been here. I should have been fighting.
GABRIELLE (gently):
Lykia...everything is fine. You can help rebuild.
DARION (suddenly excited):
Hey, look! There are boys living here now?
Pan to Caleb coming out of one of the huts. He sees Gabrielle and waves to her.
LYKIA (surprised):
It's--the boy Morai put on trial.
GABRIELLE:
Yes, he is one of the survivors from the village. Lykia, he helped out Xena, Eve and me when Artemis gained control of the tribe. For now--he's staying here. (after a pause) You should talk to him.
Lykia gives her a bewildered look.
GABRIELLE (to Lykia):
He's been through a lot. His mother died in the attack. His home has been destroyed. Maybe you could--help him.
LYKIA (uncertainly):
Maybe.
She nods, looking thoughtfully at Caleb as he approaches.
CUT TO
Xena is sitting by a stream, throwing pebbles into the water. The trees part and Gabrielle approaches.
XENA (looks up):
Hey, you're back. How are you?
GABRIELLE:
Fine. (sits down next to Xena and suppresses a yawn)
XENA:
Not getting enough sleep?
GABRIELLE:
It was a long trip to Corinth.
A brief silence.
XENA:
So...how's Darion?
GABRIELLE:
He's fine. (She smiles a little) I think Lykia and Caleb are--getting along well.
XENA:
Oh. (after a moment's silence) Gabrielle...you were right. Trying to talk peace to Andromache was pointless--and it almost cost my daughter's life. (she sighs, staring into the river) I'm not sure why I encouraged Eve to go ahead with the talks.
GABRIELLE (pensively):
It's something I would have done, once...
XENA:
Maybe that's why...
Gabrielle looks stricken for a moment. Absently, she picks up a small rock and throws it in the stream.
Suddenly, Xena sits up straight, as if sensing something. Gabrielle glances at her and nods slightly, understanding.
GABRIELLE:
Well, I'm going to go back to the village and...make Darion some lunch.
XENA:
Yeah. See you later.
Gabrielle walks away and Xena sits silently for a moment.
XENA (her voice flat):
Ares. I know you're here.
Ares materializes next to a tree.
ARES (dryly):
Curses. Foiled again.
Xena stands up to face him.
XENA:
I...I don't know whether to thank you for the warning, or-- (her voice breaks off for a moment) or to hate you for--what you did.
ARES:
And what's that?
XENA (vehemently):
You promised Melodic your help!
ARES:
I told you--when he asked me for help, I didn't know he was going up against the Amazons.
XENA:
And when you found out--
ARES:
Look. I warned you so that you'd move the Amazons out--get them somewhere safe.
XENA (angrily):
I'm not going to let them lose these lands, Ares! It's about survival!
ARES (stares at her heavily):
You're right. It's about survival.
He vanishes in a flare of light.
XENA (softly):
Ares, wait.
Nothing happens. Xena stares silently into the empty space where he vanished as we:
FADE OUT
THE END
[The Amazons' unbroken streak of bad luck continued during the production of this motion picture.]
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Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 12 The Outlaws Story By: Ryan Written By: Ryan Edited By: LadyKate Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast
Original Airdate July 24, 2006 The Amazons' unbroken streak of bad luck continued 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 |
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