FADE IN

A village square. A large group of people are gathered in a circle. Gabrielle is standing on a makeshift platform, looking out over the crowd, in the middle of an impassioned speech.

GABRIELLE:
     How much longer are we going to let this go on? How many more innocents will be slaughtered by the Monarch's soldiers? How many will be forced into her army? How many parents will have to watch their children die and how many children will grow up without parents?

The people begin to talk among themselves, many nodding in obvious agreement. Xena stands, among the villagers, wearing a blue dress and a wrap, watching Gabrielle with a small but proud smile.

GABRIELLE:
     I say, we rise up and stop her once and for all. We don't deserve to be treated this way. Together, we can build a new world in which we are the masters of our lives, not her!

The crowd erupts in applause. Gabrielle smiles, pleased with herself. She glances down at Xena and they share a smile.

Callisto, also in simple peasant dress, rushes up behind Xena.

CALLISTO:
     Varinia! (Xena turns around) Trouble. There's a patrol of the Monarch's soldiers headed this way.

Xena looks concerned; Callisto glances up at Gabrielle, who is basking in the villagers' applause.

CALLISTO:
     I knew it was a bad idea for her to go around making flowery speeches to the peasants. (shakes head) We need action, not words.

XENA:
     What good is action if the people don't have any hope? (nods toward Gabrielle who is smiling at the villagers) She gives them hope.

Xena beckons to Gabrielle, who comes down from the platform, makes her way through the crowd and walks up to Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Something wrong?

XENA:
     We've got to go.

Xena turns to the people.

XENA:
     Everyone! The Monarch's soldiers are on their way.

The villagers exchange frightened looks.

XENA:
     I want you all to get out of here. Now.

Just as the villagers start drifting away, a dozen soldiers ride into the square. They are led by a captain, a big man with a feathered helmet.

CAPTAIN (sarcastic):
     Hope we're not interrupting anything important. (pause) What's going on?

Gabrielle steps forward boldly. Xena looks concerned but doesn't have a chance to hold her back.

GABRIELLE (smiles brightly):
     Excuse me, sir. I'm a traveling bard and I was just here entertaining the people with some stories, that's all. No harm done.

CAPTAIN:
     A traveling bard, huh? We've been hearing stories of some girl bard going around the countryside inciting people against the Monarch. That wouldn't be you, would it?

GABRIELLE (laughs):
     Really, sir. Do I look like a rebel?

CAPTAIN:
     Well, if you're not a rebel--then you have nothing to fear if we bring you in for questioning. (Gestures toward her, to the other soldiers) Take her.

Two soldiers dismount and walk toward Gabrielle. Zoom on Xena, who starts to reach under her wrap. Callisto puts a hand on her arm, restraining her.

GABRIELLE (backs away, holding up her hands):
     Look--this is a mistake...

CAPTAIN (addresses the villagers):
     Now--if we find out you pathetic yokels have been harboring a rebel here--you know what's going to happen. So if she was inciting rebellion--you better come clean right now.

Pan to the crowd. The villagers exchange nervous looks. Finally, an old man speaks up.

OLD MAN:
     She was inciting rebellion! (points to Xena and Callisto) And those two are in cahoots with her.

CAPTAIN:
     Get them!

Most of the soldiers dismount--except for two in the very back--and advance, drawing their swords. The villagers back away, Gabrielle with them, while Xena and Callisto stand in front, readying themselves for the fight. Callisto reaches down and grabs two daggers out of her boots while Xena throws off her wrap to reveal the chakram hanging at her hip. She grabs it and tosses it toward the men. It splits in two, each half whizzing in a different direction. The men see the flying object coming toward their heads and duck out of the way as the chakram half whizzes over them.

One soldier is not quick enough; the blade slices across his side and he falls down, dead. Another soldier jumps out of the way as the blade slices across his arm, cutting a deep gash. He falls to the ground in pain.

Callisto grins and attacks the soldiers with her daggers, using them to repel their swords (like "our world" Gabrielle with her sais). She manages to disarm one of the soldiers, then drives the dagger into his chest. He clutches the wound as he dies.

The whizzing chakram halves continues to make their rounds. The captain eyes the two blades in awe, following them until both halves join in mid-air and fly back toward Xena. She catches the chakram, placing it back at her side. The captain shakes his head, impressed in spite of himself.

The fight continues as Xena and Callisto repel the soldiers, their dresses now ripped and tattered. Xena divides the chakram into halves and uses them in hand-to-hand combat. Xena flips over a soldier and kicks him in the back, knocking him to the ground while Callisto spins and kicks another man in the side, knocking him over.

Xena uses half of the chakram to repel the swing of the sword from one of the soldiers that attacks her. She pushes him back and snarls.

Off-screen, Gabrielle's scream is heard. Xena whips around.

Pan to show two of the soldiers with their hands on Gabrielle, dragging her away as she struggles. Xena's eyes widen in fear. The momentary pause is all one of the soldiers needs as he charges up behind Xena and swings his sword. She senses someone behind her and looks back, but it is too late--his sword slices across the front side of her leg, leaving a large, bleeding gash.

In pain, Xena stumbles and sinks on one knee. The soldier attempts another deadly blow but Xena is ready for him this time. Holding the chakram blade, she turns toward him and rams it straight into his chest. He gasps and falls dead.

Xena looks toward Gabrielle, who is still struggling. Gritting her teeth, she stands and charges forward, attacking the soldiers who are hauling Gabrielle away. She is weakened by her wound, though, and the soldiers are able to land a few kicks and punches before one of them hits her in the head with a club. She is knocked to the ground, unconscious. Gabrielle screams.

Pan to Callisto, just as she kills the last of the soldiers she was fighting. She looks around to see Xena lying on the ground, one of the soldiers about to pick her up. With a fierce cry, she rushes to Xena's side and kicks the soldier in the head, knocking him down. The other soldiers step back. Callisto grabs Xena and throws her across the back of a brown horse standing by the side of a house. She mounts the horse in a jump and rides off.

CAPTAIN:
     After her!

Two soldiers take off after Callisto. They are gaining on her when she turns and throws two daggers with a fierce cry.

Zoom on the daggers flying through the air, toward the camera.

Both of the soldiers fall dead as Callisto gallops away.

Pan back to the captain who punches his knee in frustration. He looks around to see only four soldiers left standing. Two of them are holding a struggling Gabrielle. They haul her toward the captain's horse and throw her down.

CAPTAIN:
     Well, it's not a total loss. (grins) We got us a bard.

Gabrielle looks up at him, fear and hatred in her eyes.

CUT TO

A close-up on Xena's face. She is unconscious, her face bashed up and streaked with blood.

Some water is splashed in her face and a hand lightly slaps her cheek. She stirs and takes a deep breath. A flask of water is brought to her mouth. She swallows some, then coughs and splutters. She opens her eyes and raises herself up on her elbow.

The camera pulls back to show Callisto squatting down next to her. They are in a small clearing by a brook, surrounded by forest.

Xena brings a hand to her head and rubs the side of her head, wincing. She looks up and her eyes widen in shock for a moment as she sees Callisto; that changes to a look of recognition as she remembers where she is.

XENA:
     Where's Gab- (quickly catches herself) Where's Charis?

Callisto gives her a curious look, then speaks after a moment's pause.

CALLISTO:
     Bad news, I'm afraid. The soldiers got her.

Xena sits up abruptly.

XENA:
     What? (she grabs Callisto's shoulder) And you let them?

CALLISTO (insulted):
     Hey! For your information, I saved your life back there.

XENA (with disgust):
     By sacrificing Charis.

CALLISTO (passionately):
     You're a great warrior! With you, we can win this. We can beat that monster--win our freedom back--avenge the lives she's destroyed. That little girl means nothing!

With sudden force, Xena grabs her by the throat.

CALLISTO (gasping and wheezing):
     What--? Are you mad?

XENA (through clenched teeth):
     That little girl is my friend, Callisto. You don't get that, do you?

She lets go of Callisto and rises to her feet, still a little wobbly.

XENA:
     We're going back to that village and we're going to find out what happened to her.

CALLISTO:
     But--

XENA (fixes her with a glare):
     I'm going. With or without you.

Callisto raises to her feet, rubbing her neck, and gives Xena an unfriendly stare.

DISSOLVE TO

The soldiers riding. One of them has Gabrielle in the saddle in front of him, hands tied behind her back.

CROSS-FADE TO

Ares riding fast along a road.

CROSS-FADE TO

A group of peasants in the village square, looking fearful.

MIDDLE-AGED VILLAGE WOMAN (in a near-whisper):
     They said they were taking her to Corinth!

Pan to Xena, standing next to Callisto in front of the villagers.

XENA:
     Then that's where I'm going.

CALLISTO (exasperated):
     It's useless! You can't do anything for her! You'll only get yourself killed!

XENA (gives her a grim stare):
     Well, that's my business, isn't it.

As she speaks, an image of her galloping fast along a road fades in over the close-up of her face.

CROSS-FADE TO

Gabrielle is riding on a horse in front of a soldier, surrounded by other soldiers.

CROSS-FADE TO

Ares is riding fast along a road.

CUT TO

A medium close-up of Ares on horseback, standing still.

EPHINY (off-camera):
     She's not here.

Pan to Ephiny, who stands facing Ares.

EPHINY (continues):
     She went to Corinth after her friend, Charis.

ARES (taken aback):
     Charis?

FEMALE VOICE (off-camera, sarcastically):
     Yeah, her little bard friend.

Startled by the familiar voice, Ares turns and sees Callisto who has just come up. He does a double take.

CALLISTO:
     A little girl dumb enough to get herself captured by the Monarch's soldiers. (Sighs) Too bad--Varinia was a great fighter to have on our side. (Off Ares' stare, smiles coldly) What's the matter? Never seen a girl with a scar before?

ARES (shakes his head):
     No, you just--looked familiar. (after a brief pause) Thanks.

He turns his horse around and rides off. Ephiny and Callisto stand watching him ride away, then exchange a puzzled glance and a shrug.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares gallops fast along the road.

DISSOLVE TO

Day. Xena is riding through a forest. She is visibly weak, swaying a little in the saddle.

There is a loud noise in the trees as some animal runs by. Startled, Xena's horse rears up and she is thrown off.

DISSOLVE TO

A short time later. Xena sits up with a groan. She notices that the bandage on her leg is soaked in fresh blood. Wincing, she removes the bandage.

DISSOLVE TO

Xena is stitching up the gash in her leg.

DISSOLVE TO

The Monarch's soldiers riding with Gabrielle.

CUT TO

An exterior view of the Monarch's palace in Corinth.

CUT TO

The Conqueror is seated on her throne, in the same throne room we saw before. The captain who captured Gabrielle stands in front of her.

CONQUEROR XENA (pensively):
     So the girl is a bard. And one of the other two was a woman who looks like me and has a metal disc for a weapon. (businesslike) She was hurt?

CAPTAIN:
     Wounded and knocked unconscious, Conqueror. I wouldn't be surprised if she was dead by now.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     I would. (pauses) Where is the girl now?

CUT TO

Gabrielle lies unconscious on a narrow pallet in a dank cell. It is dimly illuminated by one flickering candle. Slowly she rouses and a voice comes out of the darkness.

VOICE:
     Gabrielle?

Gabrielle picks her head up groggily, squinting around the cell.

VOICE:
     Good, you're not dead. I had wondered.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena?

Conqueror Xena lifts the candle close to her face. For a moment joy flickers in Gabrielle's face--only to give way to a look of recognition and horror.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Boo.

Gabrielle scrambles to sit up.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     You know, I've executed people for addressing me in so casual a manner. (she looks Gabrielle up and down.) But in your case I'll make an exception.

GABRIELLE:
     What do you want with me?

CONQUEROR XENA (chuckles):
     Want? Maybe I need a new pet now that my old one has gone off on a moonlight flit.

Gabrielle looks away and brings her knees up to her chest, hugging them.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     But enough time for that later. Right now we've got business to attend to.

GABRIELLE:
     You might as well kill me. I'm not telling you anything.

CONQUEROR XENA (sneering):
     Of course not. You would never betray your precious Xena, would you?

Gabrielle glares sullenly and Conqueror Xena leans closer.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     The trouble is, she's not your Xena. She doesn't belong in this world.

GABRIELLE (shocked):
     How do you know--?

CONQUEROR XENA:
     I have my sources. (pauses) I know all about her. How she used to be like me in her world and then turned around and became a do-gooder. How, in that world, you're her best friend. (pauses) Well, not you--her own Gabrielle. You're nothing but a cheap understudy to her.

GABRIELLE:
     That's not true!

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Face it, Gabrielle. In this world, I am your Xena. (Conqueror Xena smirks and leans even closer.) Scary, huh?

GABRIELLE:
     You're not Xena! You're nothing like her. Xena is good and gentle and kind--

CONQUEROR XENA:
     We're the same, Gabrielle. She has the same darkness inside her. She's just better at hiding it.

GABRIELLE:
     Then maybe you're not so bad at hiding things yourself. If you and Xena have the same darkness, then maybe you have the same goodness too. Maybe you can find that somewhere inside you. Maybe then you could have the same kind of love and devotion Xena has.

Conqueror Xena is moved by Gabrielle's words despite herself. Her lip quivers once, barely noticeable.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     You believe that?

Gabrielle sighs heavily.

GABRIELLE:
     I look at you and there's so much sadness and misery. You've conquered the world--and the only way you know to hold onto it is by ruthlessness. You've paid the price for that with your soul. You killed my father, you killed my betrothed. You killed--a dear friend of mine. And only the gods know how many other orphans and widows you've made. And now you're asking if there's any redemption for you? You think I could give you that? (she thinks a moment.) I'm sorry, my forgiveness just doesn't extend that far.

Conqueror Xena's teeth flash white as she snarls, almost animal-like.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Good. At least I won't have any pangs of conscience when I put you on the cross tomorrow. Good-bye, Gabrielle.

Conqueror Xena rises swiftly and marches out of the cell.

CUT TO

The palace square. The Conqueror is sitting on a richly decorated seat on a platform in the center of the square. The people are assembled around. There is a cross resting on wooden supports.

Gabrielle is dragged out by guards, amidst murmurs from the crowd.

The Conqueror rises and raises a hand, waiting for the murmurs to die down.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     People of Corinth! Under my rule, you have enjoyed five years of peace and order. Now, that order is threatened by a rebellion that seduces people with talk of freedom (she spits out the word) but will only bring you chaos and ruin. One of these rebels is now before you.

As she speaks, the camera pans away from her and into the crowd, moving over the grim and fearful faces of the people. Then it moves further back into the crowd--and focuses on Ares, making his way through to the front as he looks around cautiously. Meanwhile, Conqueror Xena continues to speak.

CONQUEROR XENA (off-camera):
     She's been offered a chance to change her ways and be a loyal subject. But she would rather die. Now, she is about to get her wish.

Pan back to the Conqueror, who motions to the guards.

The guards drag Gabrielle toward the cross as Gabrielle struggles.

GABRIELLE (shouts to the crowd):
     All I did was raise my voice to speak for you! How many of you have loved ones who are dead--or rotting in a dungeon--because of her? Have you no dignity--no rights? Have you forgotten that you're people, not animals to be led to the slaughter?

Pan to Ares in the crowd as he rolls his eyes. The crowd listens in fearful silence.

CONQUEROR XENA (mockingly):
     I guess they don't hear your voice. (to the guards) Put her on the cross.

The guards start tying Gabrielle go the cross as she continues to struggle.

ARES (off-camera):
     Wait.

A murmur rolls over the crowd. The guards pause, stunned. Gabrielle lifts her head, gasping, not sure what's going on. Pan to the Conqueror, who looks shocked, then furious.

Pan to Ares at the front of the crowd. He steps forward and walks up to the platform as the Conqueror gapes at him. Recovering somewhat from the shock, she turns to the guards who stand by the platform and is about to motion to them; then, she obviously reconsiders and stares at him expectantly.

ARES (stops in front of the platform):
     Conqueror--a word.

CONQUEROR XENA (coldly):
     Step up.

Ares climbs up on the platform and approaches her as the camera moves in on them.

CONQUEROR XENA (in a near-hiss):
     You. What do you think you're--

ARES (in a low but emphatic voice):
     Don't do this.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     What are you talking about?

ARES:
     The girl. You (at a loss for words) --you can't do this.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Watch me.

ARES:
     Look--you don't get it. She's--

CONQUEROR XENA (mockingly):
     She's what? She's my little soulmate in another world? That bard you were telling me about? I know. (harshly) Well, this is my world--and in it, she's my enemy. So keep out of this.

ARES:
     She's just a kid. You really think she'll be a threat to you if you let her live?

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Yes, I do. Those pretty speeches of hers are more dangerous than ten armies.

ARES:
     Listen to me. If you kill her--

CONQUEROR XENA:
     --I'll lose my soul? It's a little too late for me to worry about that.

She turns to the guards and raises her voice.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Proceed with the execution!

Pan to Gabrielle as the soldiers finish tying her to the cross. Her face is filled with terror but she struggles not to cry.

The cross is hoisted up, with Gabrielle facing the platform.

GABRIELLE (shouts to the Conqueror):
     You can kill me now--but your time is running out!

The Conqueror looks at her almost regretfully, then shrugs and turns to the guards.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Break her legs.

She turns to Ares and raises a hand to caress his face.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Oh, and--welcome home, my sweet.

Gabrielle's piercing scream is heard off-camera.

SMASH CUT TO

Night. Medium close-up of Gabrielle hanging from the cross. She is unconscious. The camera pulls back to show three sentinels under her cross, playing dice. The area is lit by two torches on poles.

DISSOLVE TO

A street in Corinth. A tall shadow falls on a wall.

DISSOLVE TO

The Conqueror's bedroom. The Conqueror is her bed asleep, wearing a red kimono. She tosses and stirs, her sleep obviously troubled.

Pan to Ares, who is sitting in a chair by her bedside. He is still in his brown leathers. He looks at the sleeping Conqueror and sighs deeply, then rises very cautiously and moves soundlessly toward the door.

CUT TO

The place square. The sentinels are still playing dice. A noise draws their attention; they look up and then rise to their feet.

SENTINEL #1:
     Who goes there?

Ares comes into the light. He is carrying a jug of wine.

SENTINEL #2 (chuckles):
     Hey, I know you! The Monarch's boy-toy. They were sayin' you ran off.

ARES (nonchalantly):
     Do I look crazy? (He holds out the wine jug.) Here--compliments of the Conqueror.

SENTINEL #3:
     Now you're talkin'!

He takes the jug and drinks from it, then passes it on to Sentinel #2. Taking advantage of their distraction, Ares grabs Sentinel #1 and #3 by the collars and slams their heads into each other, knocking them out, then grabs the jug from Sentinel #2 before he can recover from the surprise and smashes it over his head. Sentinel #2 collapses in a heap.

ARES (to the fallen sentinel, dusting off his hands):
     Don't ever call me a boy-toy.

He walks over to the cross and looks up at Gabrielle.

ARES (winces):
     Don't know if there's much I can do for you...

He pokes cautiously at her leg. Gabrielle stirs and moans.

ARES:
     Well, at least you're alive...

He goes over and takes the sword off one of the sentinels. Going back to the cross, he cuts the rope around Gabrielle's ankles and then the ones on her wrists. She collapses into his arms.

ARES:
     Easy...

He looks at her face in the torchlight. She looks very pale, her face swollen; there is blood on her lips and her breath is coming out in short shallow spurts. Ares shakes his head.

ARES (mutters):
     All right--let's get you out of here...

He starts walking when a steely female voice behind him stops him in his tracks.

VOICE:
     Hold it right there.

Ares tenses and whips around--

only to find himself facing Xena. She is wearing a gray cloak, the hood around her shoulders. She is holding the chakram.

Close-up on Ares as he stares at her in shock; then, pan to Xena, who looks incredulously from Ares to the unconscious Gabrielle in his arms, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE