| The following episode written for The
Xena Warrior Princess Virtual Season is a work of fiction based upon the television series
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Xena: Warrior Princess Virtual Season
Episode 7.17: We Who Are About to Die
Story by Joseph Connell
Illustrated by: Kat, Rich, Vio and Jen Tucker
TEASER
1. INT. DREAMPLACE
ANNOUNCER
(v.o.)
Previously on "Xena".
We open to a scene from "Strange Tidings": Michael is
menacing Gabrielle, who is looking decidedly out of sorts.
MICHAEL
There is a new ruler in Rome.
CUT TO
2. EXT. EMPEROR’S – BOX
We see Nero standing in his box in the Coliseum, waving to the
adoring crowds.
GABRIELLE
(v.o.)
Nero.
CUT TO
3. INT. DREAMPLACE
Back to Michael and Gabrielle in the Dreamplace. Michael is looking
even more intimidating than before.
MICHAEL
He must be stopped.
CUT TO
4. INT. IMPERIAL PALACE – DAY
From "All Roads Lead to Rome": Nero is about to strike Eve
down with his sword. The senior legionnaire runs in and salutes.
SENIOR LEGIONNAIRE
Caesar! There is...there are...people approaching the
city.
CUT TO
5. EXT. PALACE COURTYARD – DAY
Gabrielle has just arrived and Beowulf announces her to Nero.
BEOWULF
I present our Queen and Liege Lady: Gahilda, Maiden of
the Ring of Fire.
CUT TO
6. INT. NERO’S THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
Nero sitting on his throne, Gabrielle and the Senators listen to his
announcement.
NERO
I have therefore decreed a contest shall be held
tomorrow within our great Coliseum: a contest between champions.
CUT TO
7. INT. GABRIELLE’S ROOM – NIGHT
Scene of Michael confronting Gabrielle over her plan.
MICHAEL
Should Nero continue his plans...
CUT TO
8. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR – DAY
Scene of Eve and Hercules fighting. Both have their helmets off and
Eve has been knocked to the ground.
MICHAEL
(v.o.)
I will have no choice but to burn Rome to the ground.
CUT TO
9. EXT. EMPEROR’S BOX – DAY
Nero gives the thumbs-down.
CUT TO
10. INT. SENATOR’S BOX – DAY
Gabrielle is leaning over the ledge, looking desperate.
GABRIELLE
(screaming)
No!
CUT TO
11. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
Hercules brings his axe down with irresistible force. Eve however
rolls backwards just as quickly, causing Hercules to hit only
the empty earth. Eve rolls to her feet, quickly stomps upon
the blade with one foot, pulling it from Hercules’ grip.
Around them, the crowds again roar with approval.
CROWD
(screaming)
Fight! Fight! Fight!
CUT TO
12. INT. EMPEROR’S BOX – DAY
Nero clenches his teeth and sighs in disappointment.
CUT TO
13. INT. SENATOR’S BOX – DAY
Gabrielle pounds a fist onto the ledge of the box, unable to resist
grinning. She is clearly relieved by this turn of events.
CUT TO
14. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR - DAY
The demigod looks at Eve with surprise, a glimmer of recognition in
his eyes. Eve sees this and takes full advantage. She drops to a crouch
and sweeps his feet out from under him. Hercules crashes to the ground, hitting hard on
his back. A wheezing sound comes from his lungs as tries to
catch his breath, momentarily winded.
Eve spins away and retrieves her sword from the ground. As she does
Hercules staggers to his feet. The crowd loves this and shows it by shouting
encouragement.
CROWD
(screaming)
Yessss! Fight!
Eve swings her whole body around, holding the sword with both hands
slashing at Hercules. Hercules easily blocks this clumsy-looking strike and grasps Eve by
her wrists. With a great heave he literally throws her off her feet while ripping the
sword from her hand.
Eve is sent sailing a short distance across the Coliseum floor. She
lands hard on the ground and rolls.
ZOOM IN
15. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR – DAY
Eve lands near her shield, which had been knocked away earlier in
the fight. A grin of satisfaction plays across her mouth. Evidently things are working out
just as she planned!
CUT TO
16. EXT. COLISEUM FOOR – DAY
Hercules flips the sword about so he holds it by the handle, then
turns to face Eve again, his lips curled in a snarl of fury.
Just as he turns, a crouching Eve throws her shield at him as Xena
would the chakram. Hercules is caught completely by surprise, as the shield clips him on
the temple and causes him to drop the sword. He doesn’t collapse, however, but is so
stunned he is left literally swaying on his feet.
Eve springs into action now: she sprints forward and slams
into the semiconscious demigod like a battering ram, causing him to stumble back. As he
stands there, swaying, she seizes his right arm and flips him over her shoulder. The
ground shakes and a cloud of dust flies up from the impact.
The crowd is nearly wild with glee.
CROWD
(frenzied)
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
On the ground, Hercules shakes his head trying to clear it, only to
find the point of Eve’s sword at his throat. Eve stands over him with a triumphant
grin. One would think she is Livia once more.
Around them the crowd explodes in cheers.
CROWD
(as one)
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
Eve looks up over her shoulder at Nero’s box, a single eyebrow
raised in question.
CUT TO
17. EXT. NERO’S BOX – DAY
Nero slowly stands, careful to keep his expression as calm and
neutral as possible. His eyes tell us he is seething inside.
Slowly, deliberately, he extends his right fist so it is
outstretched for all to see.
Amazingly, the crowd slowly goes quiet in anticipation. The silence
is tense, ready to break into frenzy at any second. Nevertheless, no one calls for either
mercy or death!
CUT TO
18. INT. SENATOR’S BOX – DAY
Gabrielle is still gripping the box’s ledge, equally tense and
silent. She’s breathing hard, her shoulders set and tense as a coiled spring. She
looks between Nero and Eve, completely at a loss as to what might happen next.
CUT TO
19. EXT. NERO’S BOX – DAY
Nero extends his thumb...and turns it downwards.
The mob roars in bloodthirsty delight.
CROWD
(screaming frenzy)
Yes! Kill! Kill! Kill!
CUT TO
20. INT. SENATOR’S BOX – DAY
Gabrielle shakes her head, whether in disbelief or denial we are not
sure. She looks at Eve, desperation in her eyes.
CUT TO
21. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR – DAY
Eve sees Nero’s judgment and turns back to Hercules, a wicked
gleam in her eye. She stomps a foot on his chest, pinning him
to the ground, and draws her sword back to deliver the killing blow.
CUT TO
22. INT. SENATOR’S BOX – DAY
Gabrielle pales at the sight of this.
GABRIELLE
(whispering)
Eve...don’t...
CUT TO
23. EXT. COLISEUM FLOOR – DAY
Eve, grinning wildly, brings her sword down.
FADE OUT
END TEASER
ACT I
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