The following episode written for The Xena Warrior Princess Virtual Season is a work of fiction based upon the television series Xena: Warrior Princess. The original characters are used strictly for fan purposes and not for profit. There is no intent to infringe upon or violate any copyrights held by Studio USA, Renaissance Pictures, Universal Television or any other organization that owns the rights to this series.

The script, story ideas, and any characters created by the authors that are not part of the original series are copyrighted and remain the sole property of those authors. Also, any original artworks are copyrighted and remain the sole property of those artists. Permission to use any of the written or drawn works herein must be submitted to the original author(s) and artist(s).

Episode 7.5: The Game

Written by Magenta

Directed by Sall

TEASER

FADE IN:

1. GABRIELLE'S DREAMSCAPE - TIMELESS

This is a dreamscape of an unnamed city under attack by hitherto unknown assailants. There is a cacophony of sounds: screaming, the flapping sounds of small winged creatures flying about, masses of feet running every which way. It sounds like a battle. A huge shape with bat's wings and great talons swoops into frame for a moment. Suddenly, all sounds cease. A beat later, Cleopatra walks into frame.

CLEOPATRA

This is from a time when history was not recorded...when the Old Ones, lead by a god named Cthulhu, tried to usurp the gods of the Canaanites, descending upon them like locusts from R'lyeh, their forsaken city hidden from prying mortal eyes by the depths of the Mediterranean Sea.

(pauses)

The Old Ones became more powerful with the defection of one of the more powerful of Canaanite gods, Dagon, to their cause. In theory, such a loss should have crushed the hopes of the Canaanite pantheon, but instead, they rose to the challenge and sent the Old Ones back to their city beneath the sea to lick their wounds, hoping they would never return.

(pauses)

Return they have; however, this time, the game is different. Each side must choose a champion to fight for them. The Egyptian god Ra has chosen you to fight not only for the Egyptians, but for all the people of the world.

(pauses)

Please, go to Alexandria... Help my people. Cthulhu has chosen his warrior. Please be careful! It's-

Before Cleopatra can finish, the large winged creature swoops into frame again and we see, almost subliminally, green skin and a squid-like head.

CUT TO:

2. EXT. CAMP - NIGHT

The screen goes black and, almost instantly, Gabrielle's head pops up into frame as if awaking from a bad dream, beads of perspiration rolling down the graceful lines of her neck. She looks behind her and sees Argo's daughter sleeping as peacefully as her mistress.

DISSOLVE TO:

3. XENA'S DREAM - TIMELESS

There are echoed chants of "Xena" coming from a sea of black forms in a military-style lineup dotted by preternaturally glowing red, blue and green eyes. They are miniature versions of their master, the green skinned shape from Gabrielle's dream. As he stands shrouded in darkness, we can see his eyes glow an eerie red. He can't speak directly to the mortals of Earth; however, he can contact certain individuals through their thoughts and dreams...and Xena is such an individual.

CTHULHU

(telepathically)

You have no need to fear, Xena. I have heard that you are the finest among warriors and your combat skills cannot be matched by any mortal...and it is for this reason I've come to you with a request.

Cthulhu steps into the light and the red of his eyes is set off even more by the green of his skin. The tentacles on his face writhe slowly, almost hypnotically, as he communicates. He slowly circles Xena.

CTHULHU

(continued)

I have been watching the gods and goddesses of Egypt and their treatment of their people distresses me. Sekhmet is causing wars among the mortal tribes that have no reason to be fought, sending her people into the land of Canaan to conquer those lands, and Ra simply sits back and watches...perhaps even takes some sort of perverse pleasure from the proceedings. I'm sure such behaviour comes as no shock to you, but your first thought is for those innocents he and his brethren harm on a daily basis...I know it.

(pauses)

I'm a god in an ageless pantheon, a god who is sickened by the gross mistreatment of the people of Egypt...and I need your help to come back to power so I can give the people of Egypt their lives back. I know you hold no love for any gods, but I want to set things right. I fear that if you don't help, Ra and his brethren will eventually destroy all of mankind. Please, you must help us all.

(pauses)

I can give you that which you desire most. Is there a regret which hangs over your head more heavily than that of your past wicked life? An old lover who died due to decisions you had to make? Children you never got to raise? I can give you back that time, should you wish it. All you need to do is help me. Come to Alexandria.

As Cthulhu starts to fade into the darkness, we pull back and out of the dreamscape.

DISSOLVE TO:

4. EXT. CAMP - PREDAWN

We pull back and Xena opens her eyes, the chanting echoing into nothingness. We pull back into a two-shot and we see Gabrielle is already awake and staring at a blank scroll, her quill poised and her eyes glazed in hard concentration. Xena sits up and leans back onto her elbows and looks at her, puzzled as to why she didn't hear Gabrielle stir...and why Gabrielle was up before dawn.

XENA

G'morning, Gabrielle.

The bard doesn't reply, just keeps staring. Xena smiles.

XENA

(continued - louder)

G'morning, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

(distracted)

We're still going to Egypt, right?

XENA

Yeah, we are.

(sotto voce)

Good morning, Xena...sleep well?

Gabrielle overhears and sighs.

GABRIELLE

I'm sorry, Xena... I haven't written for a while and I had this really interesting dream, but I can't seem to put it into words...you know how I get when thoughts like that leave me.

XENA

Yeah, I know.

GABRIELLE

Good morning.

Xena smiles, then stands.

XENA

I'll be right back...then we've gotta get out of here after breakfast, okay? Do me a favor, though. Make a list of what supplies we'll need to get before we board the ship for Egypt.

GABRIELLE

(distracted)

Uhhuh...

As Gabrielle starts scribbling on a piece of parchment, Xena departs into the bushes to gather their morning meal. Gabrielle gets a faraway look in her eyes as she starts to remember her dream.

CLEOPATRA

(V.O., filtered)

Please...help us.

Gabrielle shakes it off and continues to write as she stands to break camp.

CUT TO:

5. EXT. CAMP PERIMETER - SAME

Xena looks behind her as she hears Gabrielle packing up their things.

CTHULHU

(V.O., filtered)

(telepathically)

I can give you back that time. Come to Alexandria.

She slowly turns to face forward again and her eyes display a very faint red glow in the irises, not unlike the glow in Cthulhu's eyes.

FADE TO BLACK.

ACT I