ACT THREE

FADE IN:

22 EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT

Gabrielle, now full-on Bacchae, flies at Xena. Xena notices just in time to dive out of the way. Gabrielle flies over her, flipping in the air, and landing on her feet. She turns to face off again --

XENA
(in shock)
Gabrielle... ?

JOXER
(alarmed; re: Gabrielle)
I knew it! What did I tell you?

Xena tosses the pack with Orpheus to Joxer, just as Gabrielle takes another running leap at her. Xena quickly falls to her back, catching Gabrielle with her feet, and propels her over her head. Gabrielle tumbles behind Xena. They both jump to their feet, then

XENA
(easing her)
It's all right, Gabrielle. I can
help you...

But Gabrielle isn't listening. She makes a grab for the Dryad bones, but Xena quickly kicks them away. Gabrielle flies past her and SPOTS a black, yawning cavity of tremendous size. This is the OPENING to the BACCHAE CATACOMBS. Gabrielle rushes towards it and escapes inside.

XENA
Gabrielle! Wait!

JOXER
Where's she going?

XENA
The catacombs. Come on.

Xena rushes in. Joxer picks up Gabrielle's fighting staff and follows.

CUT TO:

23 INT. CATACOMBS - NIGHT

Joxer follows Xena as they creep along the dark passageway.

Then, we HEAR a MUFFLED VOICE.

JOXER
(to Xena)
Did you hear that? Someone's trapped.
It sounds like he's right on top of us.

Xena reaches for the pack on Joxer's back.

XENA
He is.

She takes out Orpheus.

ORPHEUS
You're wasting time! we should be in
Bacchus, lair by now.

JOXER
We're looking for Gabrielle. She's
turned into a Bacchae.

ORPHEUS
There's no time for that. We have to
kill Bacchus before midnight. Forget
the girl.

XENA
I can't do that.

ORPHEUS
I never should have trusted you. Once
again your selfish desires come first.
(then)
Don't you understand? Bacchus is using
Gabrielle against us. If you try to save
her, you'll fall right into his trap.

XENA
(her mind made up)
Save your breath. I'm going
after Gabrielle.

ORPHEUS
Then Bacchus has already won.

Xena looks back into the dark catacombs, concerned for Gabrielle, and the rest of the world.

DISSOLVE TO:

24 INT. DEEPER INTO CATACOMBS - NIGHT

Moments later, Xena leads Joxer and Orpheus (held by Joxer) deeper into the catacombs.

Joxer holds Gabrielle's fighting staff as he peers into the vast darkness.

JOXER
I can't see a thing.

XENA
It's all right. Just follow me.

They continue on, Xena several paces in front of Joxer, as Orpheus whispers to Joxer.

ORPHEUS
That's right, Joxer. Follow Xena
blindly to your death.

JOXER
We know what we're doing.
(then)
What do you mean?

ORPHEUS
Gabrielle's been bitten. It's only
a matter of time before she bites
Xena and makes her a Bacchae, too.
(then)
Xena's friendship with Gabrielle
has blinded her to the mission.
You have to take control. The
world is counting on you, Joxer.

Joxer considers, then throws down Gabrielle's fighting staff, and takes out a Dryad bone.

JOXER
All right. If Gabrielle gets in our
way again, I'll do what I have to.

Joxer puts Orpheus back in the pack. As he passes, we SEE Gabrielle, lurking in the dark shadows. She scurries backwards, up the wall, like a lizard in reverse.

CUT TO:

26 INT. CATACOMBS - NIGHT

Xena leads Joxer deeper into the catacombs. Gabrielle is right behind him.

XENA
(calling back to Joxer)
Keep your eyes open. She's around here
somewhere.

Joxer grips his Dryad bone.

JOXER
Don't worry. I'm ready for anyth--

Then, a SCREECH and a BAT flies at Joxer. He SCREAMS and ducks. It flies off ...

JOXER
(relieved)
Ha. Just a bat ...

Suddenly, when he least expects it, Gabrielle flies out of nowhere, RIGHT AT JOXER! and lands on his back. Joxer spins out of control ...

JOXER
(calling)
Xena!!!

Just before Gabrielle takes a chunk out of him, Xena flies at her, knocking her off. They slam against the cave wall and land on the ground. As they recover from the blow --

Joxer retrieves his Dryad bone and goes after Gabrielle. He raises his arms to stake her, hesitates, and then:

XENA
Joxer! Don't!

Xena rushes Joxer, knocking him over. Meanwhile, Gabrielle scrambles to her feet and flies at Xena. Xena avoids her with a series of BACK-FLIPS, but Gabrielle MATCHES HER, MOVE FOR MOVE! The two friends go at it, Xena countering every Gabrielle attack with a defensive martial arts move.

Finally, Xena grabs hold of Gabrielle and flips her high over head. She lands hard, but quickly springs to her feet. Gabrielle looks at Xena with a menacing smile, then rushes deeper into the catacombs.

XENA
(to Joxer)
After her! Come on!

Xena chases after Gabrielle. Joxer breathes a heavy sigh, then follows.

CUT TO:

27 INT. CATACOMBS/BOTTOMLESS PIT NIGHT

Xena and Joxer, still chasing Gabrielle, round a corner and put on the brakes. Xena peers down into:

A BOTTOMLESS PIT

GABRIELLE

is on the other side, standing with Bacchus. Suddenly, a FEW Other Bacchae drop from the ceiling, surrounding Xena and Joxer.

XENA
(calling to Bacchus; re:
Gabrielle)
Stay away from her.

Bacchus smiles, petting the wild-eyed Gabrielle like a dog.

BACCHUS
She's mine now, Xena. Soon,
you'll be mine, too.

XENA
Never.

BACCHUS
Don't resist me, Xena. With your beauty
and fighting skills, you'd be the perfect
leader for my growing legion of Bacchae.
Join us.

The Bacchae begin a low CHANT of "join us," as:

XENA
You don't charm me, Bacchus.
I see the evil that's in you. I see
how you destroy innocent lives ...

BACCHUS
Well, then. Perhaps your little friend
here will be more convincing.
(then; to Gabrielle)
She's all yours.

With that, Gabrielle LEAPS over the pit, landing near Xena. She moves closer, revealing her fangs. The Other Bacchae also move in -- backing Xena up toward the pit.

XENA
Gabrielle! You're not one of them
yet! You can fight him!

The Bacchae continue to advance. Xena takes out TWO DRYAD BONES. She jabs at her attackers.

BACCHUS
Give up, Xena. There's no way out. You won't kill your friend. Let her bite you, and become one of us.

Gabrielle draws nearer, opening her mouth, ready to taste Xena's blood. Xena backs closer to the pit, then

XENA
(to Bacchus)
I'd rather die than join you.
(calling to Joxer)
Joxer! Take Orpheus and run!
(sadly; to Gabrielle)
I'm sorry.

With that, Xena takes a final step back, and PLUNGES INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT!!

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE