ACT I

FADE IN:

12. DIRT ROAD - DAY

Xena and Gabrielle are riding their horses over a treeless plain, the forest they were in last night a mere shadow behind them. The sky is bright and cloudless and the sun is shining brightly, but their faces are a study in dark thoughts.

And then, she was free from the lava.

You think this is one of your prophetic dreams?

I'm sure of it. I haven't dreamed of Velasca for a couple of years now...not since the temple of Mnemosyne, at any rate.

Gabrielle casts her eyes down in regret for a moment before she swallows her guilt and looks up at Xena, who regards her with understanding, but no ill-will.

We'll be on Amazon lands shortly. Then, we'll figure out what to do from there.

Sounds good.

Gabrielle and Xena smile at each other then continue forward in silence.

CUT TO:

13. VILLAGE - SAME.

In a whirl of wind and lightning, Velasca arrives in the town, much to the surprise of the citizens. She steps forward and looks around, puzzled.

What are you doing here, on Our land?!

The villagers look at each other as Velasca steps further into the town. An older gentleman, still spry for his advanced years, runs toward Velasca. She sizes him up with disgust.

Good day to you, young woman. How can I help you?

You can help Us by explaining to Us what you're doing on Our land. This is Amazon territory.

No...I'm afraid it isn't. It hasn't been part of the Amazon land for twenty, twenty five years, if I'm remembering properly.

What?!

Now, now, there's no need to raise your voice -

You've stolen Our lands...you've broken Amazon law and for that you will pay!

Velasca lets loose endless streams of lightning and fire, decimating the town and all who live in it.

Once strong buildings go up like so much kindling and people run in every direction - some to fetch water, others in flight.

I am Velasca, Queen Goddess of the Amazons and We take back that which you have stolen!

Velasca reaches forward and snaps the neck of the other man she was questioning, then walks further into the town, killing anyone who comes within an arm's length of her. Dark clouds of smoke waft into the air and screams shatter the peace of the afternoon.

Leave this place. No commoners will mingle with Amazon blood and sully Our lands any longer!

In another whirlwind, Velasca is gone and the village is shattered.

CUT TO:

14. ROAD - SAME

Xena and Gabrielle are riding along, enjoying the day and the company, when they hear faint screams and see several columns of smoke rising into the sky in the distance. Without missing a beat, the two of them urge their horses into a gallop and ride hard towards the town.

CUT TO:

15. TOWN - SAME

When the bard and the warrior arrive, the people shrink away from them. They dismount and tie their horses to a post. Several of the bigger men step forward, brandishing swords.

Leave now. We'll be gone soon...then you can have your land back.

What are you talking about?

You damnable Amazons. We bartered for this land fair and square...but your Queen Goddess came and razed what little we had.

Gabrielle pales. Xena sees this and steps up.

We saw the smoke from the road and came to offer help. We're not on a mission from the Amazons.

A house falls in the background.

We don't need help from the likes of you... Leave.

With a look, Xena and Gabrielle mount their horses and ride away. The men watch them leave, then go back to putting out the fires so they can retrieve what few possessions may have survived.

CUT TO:

16. ROAD - SAME

They're riding hard, Xena in front leading Gabrielle.

Where are we going, Xena?

To see the Amazons.

They spur their horses on harder.

DISSOLVE TO:

17. MOUNT OLYMPUS - SAME

Aphrodite is sitting on the steps by Zeus' old throne. Her expression is contemplative as she toes a piece of marble. A loud thunder is heard and the goddess of love stands and goes behind a pillar to hide.

Velasca bursts through the doors, angry.

ARTEMIS! Show yourself! Explain to Us your treachery in letting the Amazons bend to commoners! WHY ARE THEY ON OUR LAND?!!

Aphrodite tries to keep quiet, but she accidentally knocks around a piece of marble, attracting Velasca's attention.

Come out, whoever you are. Show yourself to Us.

Knowing that hiding is futile, the goddess steps out from behind the pillar.

Aphrodite. What an unpleasant surprise. Where are the others?

Who wants to know?

We are Velasca, Queen Goddess of the Amazons. We're here to challenge Artemis.

Too little, too late, sweetpea. She's dead.

Dead?

Shyeah, you know, shuffled off this immortal coil, pushing up the proverbial daisies, as it were. She can't really go to meet her maker since she's a Goddess and we don't have makers…or do we? Oh yeah...the Titans. Whatever. Anyhoo, it happened a long time ago.

What happened?

Duh, the Twilight of the Gods. Where you been?

Twilight of the Gods? If that's true, then why are you still here?

The goddess of love shrugs.

The world needs some lovin'.

The world needs Amazons more. It's no wonder then that men and their families have invaded Amazon territory. The Nation is weak. We came along at the right time...

We?

We must find Our Amazon sisters and reform the Nation. When We're finished with it, it's glory will shine like a beacon.

Aphrodite...did Callisto die in the Twilight?

Well, the Twilight didn't kill her...Xena did after Gabrielle leaped into the pit of Dahak, taking her daughter with her. It was a big bummer.

How did Artemis die? Was it painful?

Probably, I mean, Xena killed her, too.

on Velasca's puzzled expression

Something tells me that I shouldn't have told you all that...

To avenge Ourselves, the Nation, and the fallen Artemis, We will hunt down what remains of Xena and Gabrielle to the ends of the Earth and back.

Velasca turns and leaves the hall. In a poof of pink sparklies, Aphrodite leaves, too.

DISSOLVE TO:

18. AMAZON LANDS - SAME

Xena and Gabrielle arrive in the forest and raise their crossed arms over their heads. Several Amazons rappel down from the treetops and salute them. The leader of the detachment, Marielle, steps forward and lifts her mask. Xena and Gabrielle dismount.

Good day, Xena...Gabrielle.

We need to see the queen right away.

Of course. Follow me.

She leads the bard and the warrior into the heart of the Amazon lands as the detachment climbs back up to their posts.

The walk is short into the Amazon main village. Marielle looks at them briefly before running into the Queen's hut.

Xena...it's Velasca...it's got to be.

I think you're right.

Moments later, the door to the hut opens. Marielle exits first, followed by the Queen - Medora - and two guards: Oephelia and Varia. Varia tentatively smiles when she sees Xena and Gabrielle. The former queen has a scar on her cheek and a scar over her left breast. Xena and Gabrielle salute and the salute is returned.

I am Medora, queen of the Amazon Nation. What is your business with us?

I'm Gabrielle and this is Xena. A town on the outskirts of our land was attacked by a woman claiming to be the Queen Goddess of the Amazons. Do you know anything about this?

Scouts have reported the attack to us, but we haven't heard anything about a Queen Goddess.

I have reason to believe that it was Velasca who attacked the village and my next guess is that she's headed here.

Who is Velasca?

An Amazon claiming rights to the Mask of the Queen that she does not have... We thought we had contained her after she became a goddess, but I guess it really was only a matter of time before she was freed.

This is dire news indeed. Oephelia, alert the guard. Varia, tend to Gabrielle and Xena. I'm sorry that I cannot speak with you more, but I have a treaty that demands my attention, even with a threat so close. If you have any problems, please don't hesitate to find me.

Medora and Oephelia leave and Varia stands there, nervous. She motions for a young girl to come over.

I want you to take these horses to the stables and tell Kari to take extra special care of them.

The girl nods and smiles as she takes the leads and walks the horses away.

Well...welcome home...

Gabrielle smiles. They start to walk towards the guest huts.

So, you're on the Queen's Guard, now?

Yeah. Soon after you left and crowned Ariael queen, we were attacked by a few bounty hunters. I tried to save her and got this...

...and this...

...but they still succeeded in her assassination. I got revenge, however, and killed them all. My sisters gave me the Mask of Queen after that and said that I had redeemed myself to the Nation. When Medora and a few others came from the Western tribe to live with us after it was decimated, and she carried the staff of their Queen, I gave her the Mask. I didn't feel right with it anymore.

Gabrielle nods and puts her hand on Varia's shoulder.

Thank you for taking care of the tribe, Varia.

Y'know, I remember Velasca. Vaguely. I was very young when Melosa accepted her into the tribe, but I remember my mother talking about her... She was used as a story to frighten us kids for a long time. "Behave or Velasca's gonna come get you!"

In a flash of sparkling pink, Aphrodite arrives.

Guys, Velasca's coming to get you...

What?

She just left Mount Olympus.

How did you find us?

Umm, hello, Chosen One right there.

You two had better skedaddle cuz she's on her way.

Oh, and uh...she - heh heh - knows about the Twilight and the killing Gods thing...

Varia and Xena look at each other then usher the bard and the goddess into a nearby hut.

I couldn't help it...she kinda looked right through me...made me nervous and babbly.

Just as Xena closes the door, thunder claps in the clear blue sky, and a gale whips over the village. Amazons cover their daughters' eyes and head for cover. Velasca has arrived.

We are Velasca, heir to the throne of Melosa, and Queen Goddess of my Amazon sisters. We command that she who now holds Our Mask step out and relinquish it to its rightful owner.

Medora steps out of her hut, wearing the mask.

I am Medora, Queen of the Amazons. We know your name, Velasca, but we have no Goddess. Not since the Twilight. You are unwelcome on our lands. By attacking that village, you have broken the word-bond of the Amazons to those people. Such is treason and punishable by death.

Velasca's eyes flash.

You cannot kill Us...We are a Goddess and Queen of the Amazons. All those who resist will perish.

Amazons line up around her, weapons in hand.

Why do you insist on weakening the Nation? We can rebuild, We can make it stronger than ever...but you need Our help!

How can we do this?

Give Us the mask and deliver the traitor Gabrielle and her champion, Xena.

FADE TO BLACK

END ACT I

ACT II