Between the Lines


TEASER

Clouds. Caption:

"What we sow in this life,
we reap in our future lives.
This is our karma."

From the Xena "Blue" Scroll

Author Unknown

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Village. Xena is in a dressing room and Gabrielle waits for her in the street.

GABRIELLE
Xena, it's not as if people will stare at you.

XENA
(from the dressing room) I'm not worried
about that.

GABRIELLE
It's the latest rage in India. You know what
they say, "When in Rome--"

Xena sticks her head out.
XENA
Oh, please.

GABRIELLE
Okay, different analogy. Um-m-m-m-m.
When you want to fly with eagles--

XENA
Don't dress like a turkey?

Xena steps out, now dressed in India clothes, like Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Ooh.

XENA
I don't know, Gabrielle. Look, this is just not me.

GABRIELLE
No, no. It--it is you. Uh, the color, the
jewelry. It's, um, it says, um, "Casual." It says,
"Sexy." It says--

Xena jumps up and does a roundhouse in the air.

XENA
She-e-e-e-yah-h-h-h!

GABRIELLE
It says a lot. Glad to see you're getting into the
swing of things, Xena.

EXTRA
Four.

Xena pays the merchant and bows her head.

GABRIELLE
There's a lot to be said about immersing yourself
into the culture of a new land.

A funeral line moves in, carrying a body and Naiyima.

XENA
What's that?

GABRIELLE
I don't know. Some sort of procession?

XENA
Let's go check it out.

The funeral line moves to a burning pyre. They toss in the dead body. Naiyima is helped up and led to the pyre. Two men pick her up. Xena flips over with a yell and stands before them.

XENA
What has this woman done?!

SUHLEEMA
Naiyima's husband is dead. She must join him.

GABRIELLE
Has she been found guilty of murder?

SUHLEEMA
Her? Our custom has been passed down and
can only be changed by a Darsham, an enlightened
one. Her husband died. She must join him. That is
the law.

XENA
Well, a law is about to be broken!

Xena fights several men.

XENA
(whispers) Come on.

Xena helps up Naiyima.

XENA
Gabrielle, take her.

GABRIELLE
Get back!

Gabrielle leads Naiyima away. Xena and Gabrielle fight. Xena wets her cloth and straightens it out. It is now a staff and she fights several attackers with it. Xena catches a spear that is thrown at her and digs it into a tall stone column.

GABRIELLE
Come on!

Gabrielle leads Naiyima off.

XENA
Come on! Come on! Go! Run!

They run.

EXTRA
Get them!

EXTRA
Come on!

EXTRA
Get those women!

EXTRA
Stop them!

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They run.

SUHLEEMA
There they are!

XENA
Back!

GABRIELLE
Run! This way! Run!

Xena fights. They move into a building and lock the door.

EXTRA
Come on! Take some men and surround the
back of the house.

EXTRA
You men, come with me!

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Inside. Gabrielle and Xena board up the door.

XENA
Pile up some more furniture. I'm gonna look
for a way outta here.

SHIMLAI
(yelling from outside) Naiyima, you must
follow your husband.

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Xena enters another room. Naiyima enters and closes the door.

XENA
No windows, fantastic. Naiyima, I don't
know what you think you're doing.

Naiyima removes her cloak and starts to dance. A blue sphere appears over her head. She shrinks it and closes it in her hand. The Mehndi on her chest glows. A white swirl of light surrounds her body and then hits Xena. She vanishes.

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Clips from "The Way," crucified people, a cross, a baby that was just born, clip from "The Gauntlet," a baby, an army, Arminestra standing.

NAIYIMA (voice-over)
Have courage, Xena. I'm sending you on a
journey into your future. A journey to save...your
karmic circle.

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Xena takes over Arminestra's body. Caption: A Future Life.

KHINDIN
All this talk is tiring, Arminestra. You wanted
to negotiate. But I've heard nothing that appeals
to me.

XENA
What?

Xena looks to see the broken spear in the stone column.

XENA
That spear. I put it there.

She looks at a shield and sees the reflection of Arminestra. She touches her face and so does the reflection.

END OF TEASER



ACT ONE

Xena touches her face.

KHINDIN
Is the great peacemaker deaf as well?

XENA
Arminestra?

Khindin holds several people hostage.

XENA
What is your business with these people?

KHINDIN
My business. My business is to own them, life
and soul. Kill the men. Capture the rest.

XENA
Wait a minute!

KHINDIN
Uh. Well, the Mother of Peace has a backbone
after all. Interesting, but I have an army and all you
have are a handful of villagers, and your message
of peace. The odds are in my favour,
I think. Kelta.

Kelta moves forward when a flaming rock lands on the battlefield. Khindin draws her sword.

KHINDIN
To arms!

EXTRA
Ready! Aim! Fire!

More flaming rocks fly. The villagers fight Khindin's army. Shakti rides in with others.

SHAKTI
Find Arminestra! Find the Mother of Peace!

Khindin kills people. Xena picks up a sword and limps over to Khindin with her cane. She loses the sword. She grabs Khindin's hand. Lightning flashes and Khindin becomes Alti.

XENA
Alti?

ALTI
Xena! I knew I'd find your soul, eventually.

SHIMLAI
Revered Mother, run!

He pushes Xena away from Alti, and Alti kills him. Shakti runs to Xena. Alti kills more men. Shakti helps Xena up. Acklin rides in.

SHAKTI
Take her to safety, Acklin.

XENA
Who are you?

SHAKTI
Shakti. The army needs me. Go now!

ACKLIN
Come, Arminestra.

XENA
I can't leave.

ACKLIN
You're the only hope the people have, Arminestra.
Come now!

Alti kills more men. Shakti fights. Alti hits him with an arrow.

EXTRA
Shakti! Yah! Yah!

Another horse rides in and the rider helps Shakti up.

ACKLIN
Come on!

Xena gets on the horse with Acklin with help.

XENA
Ah-h-h! Uh!

They ride off.

ALTI
Xena, the great warrior in the body of Arminestra,
the peacemaker. She's mine!

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Gabrielle piles up furniture.

GABRIELLE
Xena, you better hurry! Xena?

She steps into the room Naiyima is in.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

NAIYIMA
Make move, sweet thing.

GABRIELLE
Look, I don't have time for this. Where is Xena?

NAIYIMA
Xena. Xena, in the sea. In the sea. In the sea.
In the sea. In the sea.

She faces Gabrielle and her Mehndi glows and send out glowing shapes, which move to Gabrielle.

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Future. Alti looks at the captured villagers. Skeletons hang everywhere.

ALTI
(to Martyr) Arminestra must have a place of hiding.
Where is it? Where was she taken?! Fear. I can feel
it within you. You see, there once was a powerful
shamaness, named Alti. And Alti knew
what was in the hearts of men and women.

She grabs his neck.

ALTI
You are experiencing the torment of a thousand
lifetimes, past and present.

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Clips of battles.

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The Martyr is in pain.

ALTI
Talk to me. Tell me where Xena is.

The Martyr dies.

ALTI
He didn't know.

KELTA
Who is this Xena? I thought you wanted Arminestra.

ALTI
Xena is Arminestra. She's an old, old friend
of mine. And once I capture her and make
her power mine, I will have everything that
has made her who she is. Timeless. And I will be
the Destroyer of Nations.

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The shapes dance around Gabrielle.

NAIYIMA
It is the beauty of the universe. Each line has its
place. Each has a meaning, each drawing on the
other to complete its totality.

The shapes go back into Naiyima's Mehndi.

GABRIELLE
That is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

NAIYIMA
There is a great evil in the future that is hunting
Xena's soul. It has found her. If it succeeds Xena's
karmic circle will end, along with all the good of
her future lives.

GABRIELLE
Who is her enemy?

NAIYIMA
I don't know. I had to send her there quickly to
defend herself. I was not able to tell her much
before she left.

GABRIELLE
Send me there.

NAIYIMA
I'm not sure that's wise.

GABRIELLE
This karma that you're talking about, can you
see mine? Can you see how much Xena's a
part of that?

NAIYIMA
Yes, in many lives, past and future. You are right.
But if you are to go, I must give you the weapon
I could not give her. You must learn the Mehndi.

GABRIELLE
(whispers) Teach me.

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The Future. Camp.

EXTRA
You're feeling better.

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Inside the tent. Acklin tents to Shakti.

SHAKTI
Is it a problem, Acklin? Break the tip and pull it out.

ACKLIN
It's not that easy. There could be damage to the
lung, and if I pull it out, it's possible that we'll--

Xena enters.

XENA
Let me take a look at that.

ACKLIN
Good mother, this is not something for you to
see. I said I'd come and get you when we--

XENA
I'm not much one for waiting around. I've been
checking out your army. Low numbers, and even
lower morale. I've seen much of armies. One does
when one is a messenger of peace.

Xena breaks the tip off of the arrow.

SHAKTI
Uh!

XENA
But just in case.

Xena does a pinch on his chest.

SHAKTI
Uh.

XENA
There. That'll take care of the bleeding.

SHAKTI
Amazing.

XENA
Well, we're not out of the woods, yet. Grit your teeth.

She shoves the arrow through him.

SHAKTI
Uh-h-h!

She takes out the arrow.

XENA
Ah, there's not many people who can take a
crossbow bolt through the shoulder and still
keep their arm.

SHAKTI
Your abilities are surprising, Arminestra.

XENA
Just take it as a thank you for saving my life.

SHAKTI
What man of peace wouldn't?

XENA
Hmm.

SHAKTI
You have ended wars throughout the subcontinent,
but I'm afraid, Khindin has no soul and she's
already won. I will fight as long as I am able.
But I have to think about my people.

XENA
Shakti, if you surrender, your people will be
enslaved and you--

SHAKTI
Oh, I'll be executed, that's a given. But enslaved
or not, at least my people will be alive.
And as long as they are, there must be hope.

XENA
No not with this one. Trust me Shakti. I've known
her a very long time.

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Naiyima sits with Gabrielle.

NAIYIMA
Just remember, the key is the Mehndi. Together,
you and Xena must use it to trap the evil and bring
it back to be destroyed.

GABRIELLE
I understand.

NAIYIMA
Mehndi is the path to enlightenment. Feel it.
Don't try to understand it. (whispers) Accept.

She gives Gabrielle a box with the Mehndi paint inside.

NAIYIMA
This is to create the Mehndi. It will be waiting for
you in the future. There, hidden in the wall.

The symbol on the wall is the female symbol.

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Outside the house.

EXTRA
The men are in position.

SHIMLAI
Then it's time. Break the door down now!

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Inside.

NAIYIMA
You are ready. Tell Xena the evil can only be
destroyed here, where she's still powerful.

The men are almost in. Naiyima creates the same magic she used to send Xena away and Gabrielle is transported.

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Clip from "The Way."

GABRIELLE
Xena!

Clip from "The Quest," the vision, clouds, Gabrielle's face, Shakti's face.

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Gabrielle awakens in the body of Shakti, though is still shown as Shakti, not Gabrielle. She covers her bare chest. Xena looks at him.

XENA
Something wrong?

GABRIELLE
No. No, I'm fine. I was, just thinking of someone
I need to find. What--what were we talking about?

XENA
I was saying that Khindin's not afraid of your army.
She lives off the fear of others. She's more than
just a warrior.

GABRIELLE
A warrior. Khindin?

XENA
I know this doesn't make much sense to you,
but she's trying to recreate powers she lost
long ago.

GABRIELLE
Is she still tall, black hair, a particular war cry
when she attacks?

Gabrielle puts on the shirt.

XENA
(to Acklin) Leave us.

Acklin leaves. Xena touches Shakti and he becomes Gabrielle to Xena's eyes.

XENA
(whispers) Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Xena? Is that really you? Naiyima didn't tell me
that you'd--you'd look so different.

XENA
So do you. Your name is Shakti. You're the leader
in this land.

Gabrielle looks in a mirror and sees her reflection.

GABRIELLE
This is my karma. This is my reincarnated soul?
Naiyima sent you here. You have to defend your
soul against a great evil. I don't know what that is.

XENA
Alti. The great evil is Alti.

GABRIELLE
I thought you killed Alti.

XENA
Her evil just moved on to its next life. And
this time, it not only has her spirit, but the strength
of a warrior. That's why the Mother of Peace had
no success with Khindin.

GABRIELLE
The Mother of Peace?

XENA
Me. First things first, we'll have to set free the
people that Khindin captured.

GABRIELLE
Xena, the Mehndi is the key. It's the only way we
can bring Alti back to our world. We have to use it,
so you can defeat her there.

XENA
We capture her, and her men will take revenge.
We'll have to set them free at the same time.

GABRIELLE
I'm sure your mind is as sharp as ever, but how?

Xena looks at her reflection remembering she's an old, crippled woman.

XENA
That's a good question.

END OF ACT ONE



ACT TWO

Alti talks to the villagers.

ALTI
I'm so close to my goal. I knew one day I would
find the body of Xena's karma. I've been searching for
it, hoping beyond hope that I could take her power
and now, I've found it. She couldn't have done it
alone. I have an enemy in the past, and I don't
know who it is. Now, I need a sacrifice.

She points to a Young Girl.

ALTI
Her.

WOMAN
No! No! Don't! No-o-o-o-o-o!

The soldiers take the Young Girl.

WOMAN
No, please don't! No-o-o-o-o-o-o!

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Xena and Gabrielle watch.

GABRIELLE
You know? If this doesn't work, it all ends here.
Everything. Us. Our souls.

XENA
We don't have any choice. It's funny. Here you're
the warrior, the hero.

GABRIELLE
Xena, in this lifetime, the Mother of Peace would
be a goddess to me. That's a hero.

XENA
Be careful.

Gabrielle leaves with the men. Acklin moves to Xena's side.

ACKLIN
Good Mother, I'm afraid I don't understand a lot
of this.

XENA
Just trust me, Acklin. You're clear on where to
find the box.

ACKLIN
Yes, it'll be done.

XENA
Good.

He leaves.

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Alti stands over the Young Girl.

ALTI
Ah-h-h, fear. I want that fear. I want that power
inside you. I want the power of your fear
and I can take it from you.

Xena enters.

XENA
The blood of an innocent gives power to no one.
I should know.

Soldiers move to take her.

ALTI
No one touch her. She's here to plead for life.
This one and those. Right, Xena?

XENA
Let the girl go, and I'll give you the answer to
your question.

ALTI
I posed a question?

XENA
You know why I'm here. But you don't know
how, or who sent me.

ALTI
Take the girl away. (to Xena) Fine...let's talk.

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Shakti's men knock out the guards and enter the village, Gabrielle in the lead.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti faces Xena.

ALTI
We have so much to catch up on. Last time I saw
you...you were killing me. You know
what I'm after.

XENA
I can guess. Your soul has moved on along with
your evil. You're looking for that spiritual power
you once had. You found it in the karmic circle.

ALTI
(chuckles) Very good, but I was shortsighted. The
spiritual power I was feeding on was nothing
compared to this. Every person here has generations
of power, just waiting for me to take. And do you
know the key?

XENA
Fear.

ALTI
Fear.

XENA
I know. It's like heat radiating from your victim.
But fear is a flaw, Alti. A subtle, human flaw,
given to us by the gods so that they can exploit
us. You think it's wonderful to have that power,
but it's not.

Alti grabs Xena's neck.

ALTI
It's not?! With the power fear gives me, I can look
into your mind for the truth. Who sent you, Xena?
Who is it? Who's my enemy from the past? Is it
an enlightened one? A Darsham?

She tightens her grip.

GABRIELLE
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Gabrielle leads the attack. Alti moves away from Xena. The armies fight. Xena frees the villagers.

XENA
Hurry up! Okay, run! Run!

EXTRA
Thank you Arminestra!

XENA
Head for the trees!

EXTRA
Quickly!

XENA
Spread out! Run!

The armies fight. Xena can only watch.

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Acklin find the symbol and the box.

NAIYIMA (voice-over)
Mehndi is the path to enlightenment. It will be
waiting for you, in the future hidden in the wall.

Acklin leaves.

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Alti kills men. The armies fight. Alti tries to shoot Gabrielle, but her crossbow won't work. Xena picks up a dagger and raises it over Alti.

ACKLIN
No! Good Mother! You can't kill!

Alti elbows Xena in the face.

XENA
Uh!

Alti shoot her crossbow and the arrow hits Acklin in the stomach.

ACKLIN
Ah-h-h-h!

Gabrielle is knocked out.

GABRIELLE
Uh!

Xena moves to Acklin.

ACKLIN
Oh-h-h!

XENA
Let me see.

ACKLIN
I've never known such pain. I'm sorry, Mother,
but I couldn't let you kill.

XENA
I know you were protecting my soul, otherwise,
Arminestra's...my karma would have been destroyed.

ACKLIN
I've done what you asked.

He gives her the box.

XENA
Thank you friend.

He dies. Alti stands over her.

ALTI
Well, how pathetic. The great warrior can't kill.
Take her away!

She laughs wickedly.

END OF ACT TWO



ACT THREE

Gabrielle lies unconscious on a cot. Xena sits next to her, wiping her face with a cloth. Alti enters.

ALTI
I'm in awe, Xena. I truly am. I see you found your
friend. Gabrielle, was it? Yes. She has a lot of
power. Her past lives have filled her. Soon, that
power, your power, will be mine.

She moves to touch Gabrielle. Xena reaches out to stop her. Alti grabs Xena's neck.

ALTI
No not here. The people need to witness
the death of their heroes, Shakti and Arminestra,
on the stakes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Men are dead on the stakes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The hut.

ALTI
But don't worry. You'll die slow. I wanna feel every
delicious moment of your pain.
(to her men) Get out!

They leave. Gabrielle awakens.

GABRIELLE
Xena.

XENA
Alti just left. If we're gonna bring her back to the
past and beat her, you'd better start painting.

GABRIELLE
What if I don't remember everything Naiyima
taught me?

XENA
Don't try to think, Gabrielle. She said that the
Mehndi was the path home. Trust that. Just
let it happen.

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Gabrielle paints a design on Xena's feet.

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Gabrielle paints the design on her hand.

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Xena watches.

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Alti's men dig holes for the stakes.

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Gabrielle paints a design on Xena's arm.

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The pyre burns. Naiyima is carried to it.

SUHLEEMA
It's time. You must join your husband, Naiyima
in death.

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Gabrielle paints the design on Xena's back.

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The stakes are raised. Alti smiles.

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Xena moves her fingers over the Mehndi on Gabrielle's collarbone.

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Naiyima is held up over the pyre.

SUHLEEMA
Your spirit will rise, like smoke from the fire.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti enters the hut.

ALTI
It's judgment day. Today I realize what I was truly
meant to be.

Gabrielle is facing Alti, but Xena has her back to them. Xena and Gabrielle move in union. Xena turns and stands behind Gabrielle. Xena holds her hands over the Mehndi on Gabrielle's collarbone and Gabrielle holds her hands in front of Xena's. The Mehndi lights up and creates the swirling white light. It hits Alti and takes her back to the past, as well as Xena and Gabrielle.

ALTI
Ah! Ah-h!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naiyima is held over the pyre.

SUHLEEMA
So the gods have told us, so it must be done.
Give her to the flames!

Naiyima is tossed in. A portal opens and Xena and Gabrielle jump out the flames as themselves, with Naiyima. Fire explodes from the pyre.

XENA
Get Naiyima to safety! Go!

GABRIELLE
Come on!

XENA
Hide her!

Gabrielle runs off with Naiyima.

XENA
(to people) Run! Run!

The people run.

GABRIELLE
Watch out.

Alti spins into form before the pyre, laughing.

ALTI
Ah-h-h-h, another chance! You brought my soul
back to try to defeat me, Xena.

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Clips from "Destiny."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena is sent flying back like the beam hit her.

XENA
Ah-h-h-h!

She crashes into a cart.

XENA
Ow-w-w-w-w!

She gasps in pain.

ALTI
The problem is you also brought back my powers!

END OF ACT THREE



ACT FOUR

Xena stands in pain.

ALTI
What's the matter, Xena? Having a problem fighting
me in my spiritual state? Don't worry. I'm real,
formed from the evil of the earth.

Xena runs at her.

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Clip from "Daughter of Pomira."

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Xena takes the hits and falls, sliding across the ground. Alti jumps over her. Xena attacks Alti, punching her. She ululates as she runs up Alti's body, kicking her in the face and flips away. She hits Alti again, but then Alti catches her hands.

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Clip from "Callisto."

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Xena takes the hits.

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Clip from "When in Rome..."

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Xena takes the hit, and goes flying back into another cart. Xena stands, a cut on the side of her head.

ALTI
And I'm a much better fighter than you ever dreamed.

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Clip from "When in Rome..."

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Xena takes the hit.

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Clip from "Daughter of Pomira."

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Xena takes the hit.

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Clip from "The Deliverer."

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Xena takes the hit.

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Clip from "The Deliverer."

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Xena takes the hit and is knocked to the ground, bleeding. Gabrielle runs in. She sees Xena and faces Alti. She holds up her staff and attacks. Alti takes her staff and beats her up with it. Xena slowly stands. Alti picks up Gabrielle by the hair and then holds her neck.

ALTI
What's she told you about me, little girl?! Has
she told you about my powers?! Has she told
you about this?!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vision of the crucifixion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is shocked.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vision.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alti holds Gabrielle.

ALTI
That's my gift to you! That's your future! She's
responsible for your death!

XENA
You bi-i-i-i-i-itch!

Alti looks at Xena.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clip from "Destiny."

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Xena collapses, screaming in pain from her broken legs. Alti lifts Gabrielle up by her hair and neck.

ALTI
Give me that pain! Give it to me!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vision.

XENA
You're the best thing in my life.

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Gabrielle cries out in pain as the nails dig into her hands. Her hands pour blood from them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vision.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle groans in pain.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vision.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle screams as the nail goes in, and her feet bleed. Xena forces herself up and throws her chakram which cuts Gabrielle's hair, freeing her from Alti. Alti looks at Xena, who holds her hand out, ready to catch the chakram.

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Clip from "Maternal Instincts."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena's head is knocked back by the hit, and the chakram slices over her neck. Alti laughs and tosses Gabrielle's hair aside. Naiyima enters and faces Alti.

ALTI
You must be the Darsham, the one that sent
them. I can feel it. I'll have Xena's power, but yours,
nothing can compare to that.

She grabs Naiyima's neck.

ALTI
And I will have it!

Alti is thrown back. Xena looks at her Mehndi to see it glowing.

XENA
Gabrielle, Naiyima's not Alti's enemy! It's
the Mehndi.

Alti stands. Gabrielle rises to her knees. The Mehndi glows and reaches out to hold Alti within a rope of light, as Naiyima's does the same. Xena stands painfully and faces Alti. Xena makes a chakram of light out of the Mehndi. She throws it at Alti, but Alti knocks it away. Xena catches it and throws it again. Alti knocks it away. Xena catches two and throws them at Alti. Alti explodes. Gabrielle drops, no longer having to hold Alti. Alti's spirit flies out as a burning skull and is gone. Xena collapses. Xena and Gabrielle crawl to each other.

XENA
Gabrielle. Gabrielle.

They hug. The villagers come out of hiding.

EXTRA
How can it be?

Naiyima kneels before Xena and Gabrielle. The villagers all kneel too.

NAIYIMA
Thank you, Xena. You destroyed Alti at the one
time in her karma when she was most powerful.

XENA
The one time?

NAIYIMA
Oh, yes. Her soul is not destroyed. It will return
many times, filled with evil, but you will always be
there to meet it. And you, Gabrielle, you both walk
a path together. Think of yourselves as lines in
the Mehndi. Separated, but forever connected.
Mehndi contains truth.

Naiyima stands. She holds up her hands and her Mehdni glows. A wave of light washes over Xena and Gabrielle, healing them. Naiyima rises into the air, a ball of light and disappears.

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Xena has a Mehndi design of a chakram on her foot. Gabrielle enters with her hair in the pixie cut that was in the vision. She sees the chakram on Xena's foot.

GABRIELLE
I guess it's a day for changes.

XENA
Oh, yeah.

She messes Gabrielle's hair.

XENA
How does this feel?

GABRIELLE
Feels pretty good. I wish I had some word in it,
though. You know it was like this in that vision?

XENA
I know. I've been thinking about that.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They walk out of the village.

GABRIELLE
Xena, Alti was evil. Why should we believe anything
she showed us? The Mehndi contains the truth.
I wish there was some way that--that we could do
that again, just--just to really know.

XENA
Naiyima could have told us.

GABRIELLE
Yeah. There's so many questions I wish I had
asked her about what this all means. You know
what she said? She said that your karma and
mine, they're intertwined.

XENA
Well, maybe it's not the first time we've walked
down this road, huh?

GABRIELLE
Maybe it won't be the last. How would I recognize you?

XENA
We need a sign.

Xena takes the paint and makes her chakram into the female symbol.

XENA
This way, no matter how we look, we'll always
remember the women we were. Like it?

GABRIELLE
I love it.

END OF ACT FOUR


STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle

GUEST CAST
Claire Stansfield as Alti
Tharini Mudaliar as Naiyima
Ajay Vasisht as Acklin
Gabriella Larkin as Khindin
Saras Govender as Arminestra
Colin Mathura-Jeffree as Shakti
Jaswant Singh as Kelta
Wimal Wickramasuriya as Suhleema
Jason Fonseca as Shimlai
Sheikh Nabi as Martyr
Radhika Rani as Young Girl
Nira Bottinga as Woman

Written by: Steven L. Sears
Directed by: Rick Jacobson

Disclaimer: Xena's Chakram got Gabrielle by the short hairs during the production of this motion picture.