ACT TWO

FADE IN:

12 EXT.-WOODS NIGHT

Callisto-X and Gabrielle walk along. Gabrielle is holding the reins to Argo. (NOTE: Argo is not being very cooperative.)

GABRIELLE
Xena. If Ares is helping Callisto...

CALLISTO-X
Then we'll just have to defeat him, too. We've done it before. You've done it.

GABRIELLE
So, what do you think her plan will be?

CALLISTO-X
She's going to try and get her army back. But I'm going to beat her to it. If I can remove Theodorus from power, his men might just be stupid enough to follow me.

Argo snorts and pulls back; Gabrielle tries to hold onto the reins.

GABRIELLE
Argo! What's the matter, girl?
(to Callisto-X)
Maybe you'd better take the reins.
Something's bothering her.

It's pretty obvious to us what the problem is. Argo can "sense" that something is different with Xena. She pulls away from Callisto-X.

CALLISTO-X
No, you hold her. She's picked up on my feelings. She was like this the last time I went up against Callisto.
(beat)

Gabrielle... I have something important to say. You should have killed Callisto.

Gabrielle starts at this.

GABRIELLE
What?

CALLISTO-X
You had every right to, not me. From me, it was murder. And the guilt is going to destroy me. I don't think I can do it again.

GABRIELLE
She has to be stopped.
(realizing)
It's up to me... ? Is that what you're
saying?

XENA
No, Gabrielle. But she's going to kill my mother. And I don't know if I can bring myself to stop her.

Gabrielle doesn't reply. She just looks to the ground, troubled by this. Callisto-X gives her a look and a small, evil grin.

CUT TO:

13 INT. UNDERWORLD - NIGHT

As before, except this time, Xena-C is not alone. Hades stands with her. He is pacing back and forth.

HADES
This is ridiculous. What you're saying is impossible! And it's just what I would expect from you, Callisto.

XENA-C
She got to me through my dreams, Hades.
Through my guilt. Ares helped her.

HADES
Guilt? Well... that is possible.
The dead can invade the dreams of the
guilty.
(then; smiling)
You are smart... so smart... I can see why Xena had to kill you.

XENA-C
I was down here with Marcus. Remember? You allowed him to go back up and help me get back your helmet!

HADES
That's no secret down here. And I'm
not comfortable talking about it.

XENA-C
I stabbed Marcus in the heart because I love him. You saw it. Who else would know that but you?

HADES
(darkens)
No one except Marcus. And he wouldn't
tell.
(rage)
I can't believe Ares would do this!
He's really overstepped his bounds.!

XENA-C
If you help me, we can defeat him.

HADES
You? Your guilt allowed her to escape, Xena. You're not totally innocent here.
(then)
I can only give you one full day to find Callisto. After that, someone goes to Tartarus. Take it or leave it.

Off this, we:
CUT TO:
14 EXT. WOODS 13 - NIGHT

Callisto-X is looking at Gabrielle's staff as they walk.

CALLISTO-X
I can fit the end of this with a dagger... A mere staff is not going to stop Callisto.

With that, she takes a stance that has the staff held like a pike. She jabs it forward. Then, hands it to Gabrielle.

XENA
Try it.

GABRIELLE
I'd rather take my chances without the
dagger.

CALLISTO-X
There are no chances with Callisto. She doesn't allow "chance". Not when she knows I killed her family.

GABRIELLE
But you didn't...

CALLISTO-X
I can't lie anymore. I knew there were women and children in that village. But I ordered it burned to the ground.
(then)
You can understand the pain Callisto feels... as if her very heart and soul were ripped out and burned to ashes... along with her family. What's death compared to that? And what would life have been without it?

A BEAT. Callisto-X is silent, as close to introspective as we've ever seen her. Then:

GABRIELLE
Xena... I can't feel sorry for her.
Not after all she chose to do.

CALLISTO-X
(snaps)
As if you know what choices are really
about!
(then)
I'm... sorry. It's hard for me to
think about... my guilt.

GABRIELLE
This scares me, Xena. I'm seeing a
side of you I never knew.

CALLISTO-X
And I had hoped you never would. But it's eating me away inside. I'm so afraid that it might destroy my soul. And I might become like Callisto.

This thought truly frightens Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
No! I'm here for you. I'll do
whatever I can.

CALLISTO-X
I know you will. I know.

They continue walking.

CUT TO:

A couple of FISHERMEN are on the shore, throwing nets into the water. Their swords are on the ground. One of them feels something pulling on the net. He reacts. His friend comments:

FISHERMAN II
That's a fish!
They see their catch is:

FISHERMAN II
It's... It's Callisto!

They turn to run, but Fisherman II gets tangled in the net and falls. Xena-C stands over him.

FISHERMAN II
Please! I'm from Darman... you wiped out my village. Please, have mercy on me!

XENA-C
I'm not Callisto.

FISHERMAN II
Okay! You're not Callisto! Just don't
kill me, please!

XENA-C
Very well. But I'm taking your sword.
Now, go. Run.

The man nods, scrambles to his feet and rushes off. This is going to be extremely difficult.

CUT TO:

Someone is watching Callisto-X and Gabrielle work out. Callisto-X is sitting on a stump, looking mildly bored and more than a little angry. Gabrielle holds her staff, trying to imitate the "pike" position we saw Callisto-X do earlier.

CLOSER - GABRIELLE AND CALLISTO-X

As Gabrielle lunges the staff into a tree.

CALLISTO-X
Again!

Gabrielle hits the tree again.

CALLISTO-X
Again!!

She repeats it, frustrated.

CALLISTO-X
Come on! What are you doing? Focus on
your enemy!

GABRIELLE
I'm trying! This is new for me, okay?

CALLISTO-X
It's not new, it's just buried. You had that fire when you went after Callisto the first time, remember

GABRIELLE
Yes, I remember! And t don't want to go there again! Xena... I can't do this! The idea of killing...

CALLISTO-X
That's not what we're talking about. Callisto is already dead. She has to be sent back to Tartarus.
(re: the staff)
Now this is your weapon. And
this (re: tree)
is your enemy. Strike!

Gabrielle hesitates, then jabs the staff against the tree.

CALLISTO-X
Harder! Brace your back foot! Lunge
with your body!

Again. Still not energetic. Callisto-X stands right in front of her, her eyes flashing with anger.

CALLISTO-X
All right, Gabrielle. I'm Callisto! Right here, in front of you! I only look like Xena, but I'm really Callisto! Kill me!

Gabrielle jabs, but Callisto-X deflects it easily.

CALLISTO-X
I said kill me, little girl! Here...
in the chest! Put me Out Of MY misery!
Come on!

Gabrielle is getting angry. She jabs quicker, but Callisto-X is still able to deflect it.

CALLISTO-X
You're hopeless! I killed your love! Remember? I put my sword through him and felt his warm blood on my hand, and you can't even avenge his --

With a YELL, Gabrielle shoves the staff forward, catching Callisto-X by surprise. The staff hits her in the chest and knocks her to the ground. Gabrielle can't say anything, she just breathes heavily, consumed by her emotions. Callisto-X looks up at her.

CALLISTO-X
That's good, Gabrielle. That's very,
very good.

She stands and takes the staff from her. As Callisto-X, attaches her breast-dagger to the end of it:

GABRIELLE.
I think I'm going to be sick.
Gabrielle drops onto the ground, exhausted and upset.

GABRIELLE
For a moment there... in my mind... you
were Callisto. And I hated you.

CALLISTO-X
Hatred is not something to be feared. It's a part of all of us. And, for some... it's all we've ever known.
(then)
I know it's not easy. And I'm proud of you. Now, stay here and rest. I need to talk to the man who's spying on us.

Gabrielle looks around. When she looks back, Callisto-x is gone.

18 EXT. NEAR WOODS - DAY

The man, MORLAN, creeps along. Someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns...

CALLISTO-X

stands there. He pulls a dagger out but her hand strikes with the speed of a cobra, gripping his neck in a vice-like claw. She applies pressure and takes the dagger from him.

CALLISTO-X
Thank you.
(recognizing)
Morlan... how good to see you!

He only gurgles in response.

CALLISTO-X
How many times did I tell you to follow from the trees? But, no, you're too lazy. Oh, that's right. You don't know who I am. No matter. Now, I'm going to release your neck ever so slightly so that you can answer a question, okay? And don't try anything or I'll rip your spine out of your throat.

He nods. Her grip loosens slightly.

CALLISTO-X
Good boy. Now, where is Theodorus'
camp? Hmmmm?

MORLAN
At... at the base of the cliffs... near the rockfalls.. in the caverns...

CALLISTO-X
Thank you.

CLOSE ON CALLISTO-X

as the muscles in her arm tighten and we HEAR the sickening sound of flesh and bone being crushed. She smiles for a beat, then her demeanor changes and she spins with a SCREAM.

WIDER ON SCENE

Callisto-X pulls her sword just in time to deflect the blade of Ares! He smiles. Callisto-X returns it.

ARES
Very good, my sweet.

CALLISTO-X
Don't call me that.

Another attack and counter. And another. As serious as the attack is, it's just foreplay...

ARES
Oh, you'll be so good. As soon as I finish training you. Rebuilding your army is a good idea, but what are you doing with the brat?

CALLISTO-X
That's my business, I have plans for
her.

ARES
Stop thinking about revenge. Xena is sure to have left the Underworld by now. Don't even think of taking her on yet.

Another clash of blades. Their faces are close.

CALLISTO-X
Don't think of stopping me.

She kisses him savagely, then pushes him back and swings at him. He blocks it.

ARES
Hades has given her only one day.
After that, she'll be condemned to
Tartarus for eternity in your place.
You've only to avoid her until then.
Now, kill the girl and move on.

CALLISTO-X
First things first. I promised you an army, Ares. I promised my allegiance to control this world. But, you promised me satisfaction!

He knocks her sword from her grasp and spins her around, until he holds her tightly in his arms.

ARES
I did, didn't I?

With that comes another savage kiss. As they drop out of FRAME:

DISSOLVE TO:

19 EXT. WOODS 14 - DAY

Gabrielle is practicing with the staff/pike. Argo's saddle is on the ground. Argo is tied to a tree. Gabrielle is concentrating as she jabs the staff forward, using her entire body to enhance the thrust. Then, in a move that Callisto-X obviously taught her, she twists the shaft as if ripping the flesh. She freezes for a moment, holding the image as her eyes close for a beat in pain. Argo's snort alerts her.

Callisto-X comes out of the woods, walking past Argo, who pulls back. Callisto-X barely gives Argo a look

GABRIELLE
Xena! Who was following us?

CALLISTO-X
A spy. Or, an assassin. Or both. He
told me Theodorus is taking the army to
a cave not far from here.

GABRIELLE
Where is he? The spy, I mean.

CALLISTO-X
I let him go With a warning to leave
this area.

Callisto-X picks up the water canteen from the saddle and washes her hands. Argo snorts again. Callisto-X looks at her.

CALLISTO-X
We have to get moving now. There's
always the chance that the spy didn't
take my advice.

GABRIELLE
Okay. As soon As we get Argo
saddled...

CALLISTO-X
No. Argo has to stay here. She's not
herself. I don't want to risk her
getting hurt.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure? I mean, she's just been
a little skittish.

CALLISTO-X
Gabrielle, let's move along. I have to
get Argo's reins off and hide the
saddle. I'll catch up. Go.

Gabrielle nods. She picks up her gear and takes off. Callisto-X takes a drink from the canteen and looks off after Gabrielle. When she is sure Gabrielle is out of sight, she turns back to Argo.

CALLISTO-X
You can't figure it out, can you? I look like Xena. I smell like Xena. But something tells you I'm not.

Callisto-X approaches Argo. Argo pulls back, but the reins hold her fast.

CALLISTO-X
Poor dumb animal. You don't know what's going on. You can't figure out whether to run or stay. Well... you should have run.

ARGO'S POV - ON CALLISTO-X

as she pulls her sword out of her scabbard, swings it overhead and down TOWARD CAMERA. As we imagine the impact, we go to BLACK:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO