| The following episode written for The Xena Warrior Princes
Virtual Season is a work of fiction based upon the television series Xena: Warrior
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Xena Warrior Princes Virtual Season
Season 7.16: All Roads Lead to Rome
Written by Joseph Connell
Illustrated by: Scully & Alejandros
TEASER
1. INT. - DARKENED CORRIDOR
We sense more than see we are moving through a stone corridor,
perhaps far underground. There is a faint rumble in the background. It is not ominous, but
we are given the feeling of something powerful behind it.
This continues for a few more seconds, then...
FADE TO:
2. INT. - DARKENED CORRIDOR
We now hear and see a little more clearly: there are torches along
the walls, and a crowd of voices somewhere ahead of us. We can't make out any words yet.
The distant roar comes from many, many throats.
This continues for a few more seconds, then...
FADE TO:
3. INT. - VIEWER'S BOX - DAY
We realize we've been walking through a dimly lit corridor leading
to a viewer's box of the Coliseum in Rome. The setting is opulent: tapestries of royal
violet embroidered with gold and silver thread cover the floor or hang from the walls,
gold and other shining metals are abundant.
We continue to move forward. A couple of legionnaires, in full
armor, snap to attention as we pass the entryway. There are others present: a few more
legionnaires standing at full attention and a couple of older
men in Senatorial robes bow respectfully towards us. Our vision seems to bow in return.
As we continue forward to the box's throne we see the bleachers of
the Coliseum crowded to capacity. The crowd is so thick it almost moves like a wave of
humanity.
It is now clear we have been following from someone's POV. We have
no idea just who yet.
We then...
MOVE TO:
3. INT. - VIEWER'S BOX - DAY
We swing around to see it has been Gabrielle's POV we've been
following. She is dressed in Roman finery: white robes and golden jewelry. More puzzling,
she looks decidedly confused at being there. The Senators move forward obsequiously,
saying something to her that is lost in the noise of the mob beyond. Gabrielle can only
nod and continue to look about, confused and nervous.
A commotion within the mob outside directs her attention across the
Coliseum. We see Emperor Nero step into view from his own box. He is a tall man, slightly
rotund, but not quite fat, with dark hair slicked back and
somewhat chubby cheeks. He isn't terribly bad looking, but not quite handsome either.
We see Nero flash the crowd a wide, handsome smile and throw his
arms wide as if to embrace them all.
NERO
Friends...!
The crowd cheers wildly at this. We can start to make out some of
what they're chanting.
CROWD
(chanting)
Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!
CUT TO:
4. EXT. - EMPEROR'S BOX - DAY
Nero tries to wave them into silence, without success. His smile
becomes a little forced now.
NERO
(shouting now)
Friends! Romans! Welcome all to the games!
The crowd goes almost insane at hearing this. Nero eats this up,
smiling even more widely.
CUT TO:
5. EXT. - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle begins to breath slightly harder, as though on the verge
of a panic attack. The Senators and legionnaires either don't see this or are unconcerned.
Nero again gestures expansively to the crowd.
NERO
Let the games begin!
CUT TO:
6. EXT. - COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
The crowd roars loudly as the gates open at either end of the main
floor. Out of one strides a giant gladiator, dressed head to toe in black armor that
vaguely resembles Ares'. He wears a helmet that covers his head entirely, so we have no
idea who it might be. He carries a circular shield and a large battle-axe, which he
promptly hefts upward in salute to the crowd.
The crowd in turn cheers him on.
CROWD
(shouting)
Yaaa! Fight! Fight! Fight!
CUT TO:
7. INT. - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle visibly pales at the sight of him. The giant begins
marching to the center of the floor as his opponent steps into view.
CUT TO:
8. EXT. - COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
The opponent is a woman, dressed in the same armor as Eve wore in
"Strange Tidings" (episode 7.3), but wearing a full-head helmet like the
giant's. She is armed with a sword and a shield, though she
simply marches forward.
CUT TO:
9. INT. - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle leans forward in her seat, eyes on the woman, clearly
recognizing the armor. She seems to try to say something, but this too is lost in the roar
of the mob.
CUT TO:
10. EXT. - EMPEROR'S BOX - DAY
Nero manages to wave the mob to semi-calm. The air fairly simmers
with anticipation. He salutes to the floor below.
CUT TO:
11. EXT. - COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
The two gladiators look up to the Emperor's box. The giant returns
the salute but says nothing. The woman simply turns back to watch her opponent. The two
hardly seem evenly matched.
The giant suddenly turns and brings his axe down
on the woman, who manages to block the attack with both sword and shield. The mob roars in
approval.
CUT TO:
12. INT - EMPEROR'S BOX - DAY
Nero smiles broadly, clearly amused.
CUT TO:
13. INT - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle flinches, but continues to watch in almost horrid
fascination.
FADE TO:
14. EXT - COLISEUM - DAY
The action slows down. The giant strikes again and again, the woman
blocks and attempts to counter each blow. Each blow in turn brings a new roar from the mob
above.
Gabrielle's image is briefly laid over the action. She flinches
every now and then, eyes reflecting her fear.
Eventually the giant gains the upper hand, and the woman suffers a
blow to the head, which knocks her helmet completely off as she falls to one knee. She
nevertheless manages to rise and look up; it is Xena.
The mob roars again.
CUT TO:
15. INT - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle jumps to her feet. She cries out in slow motion.
GABRIELLE
Xeeeeennnnnnaaaaa!
CUT TO:
16. INT - EMPEROR'S BOX - DAY
Nero clearly roars in laughter along with the mob.
CUT TO:
17. EXT - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
The fight continues, both warriors moving in slow motion: Xena
staggers, her footing unsure as the giant relentlessly batters her.
She is soon sent sprawling back to the dusty ground, her sword and
shield knocked from her hands. The giant holds his axe at her
throat as Xena defiantly glares up at him.
We zoom towards Gabrielle's box, which we can see over the giant's
shoulder. Gabrielle is horrified, holding the edge of the box with a white-knuckled grip.
CUT TO:
18. EXT - EMPEROR'S BOX - DAY
Nero stands, still smiling, and gives the thumbs-down.
CUT TO:
19. EXT - SENATOR'S BOX - DAY
Gabrielle sees this and screams again.
GABRIELLE
No!
Outside the mob roars.
CROWD
Yesss!
CUT TO:
20. EXT - COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
The giant looks down and raises his axe, swinging it down with
irresistible force.
GABRIELLE
(v.o.)
Nooooo!
The world goes completely red and we...
CUT TO:
21. EXT - CAMPSITE - NIGHT
Gabrielle abruptly sits up, fully awake and sweating profusely.
She's dressed normally and finds Xena asleep beside her.
She looks up towards the night sky, a terrible
knowledge reflected in her eyes.
END TEASER
ACT
I
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