No One's Hero But Mine

Written: 1997
© Julie Ruffell 1997
Timeline: Season three
Disclaimer: Xena: Warrior Princess is the copyright property of Renaissance Pictures, Universal Studios and Studios USA. This fan fiction story was written for entertainment purposes only.
Description: Xena loses her path, and becomes an evil warlord once more. Far into the future, this has thrown the world in chaos. Natasha, a warrior from this time, is sent back to assassinate the Warrior Princess, only to come home to a world worse than the one she left.

"No One's Hero But Mine"

TEASER

FADE IN:

1 INT. TEMPLE, TABLET ROOM - DAY

We move into a temple. There are two statues, each the same; it's Hera with a griffin at her feet. In between the two statures is a tablet. The tablet is filled with carvings of images and Greek writing. The voice of ELDER MILTIADES is heard as he tells the story.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
Many years ago, a terrible griffin roamed the land.

The camera PANS to a CLOSE UP of the tablet and a carving of a griffin upon it. As it ZOOMS in on the griffin, we CUT TO:

2 EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Villagers flee in terror as a huge GRIFFIN soars over head. Fire leaps from its mouth and torches buildings.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
It terrorized villages, killing hundreds of people.

CUT TO:

3 EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

Hera's temple stands on a grassy hill.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
Near the village stood s temple, dedicated to Hera, Queen of the Gods. In her temple was her loyal servant. He got to his knees and begged the goddess for a weapon which could be used to defeat the griffin which had slain all heroes who had attempted to stop it.

CUT TO:

4 INT. TEMPLE, ALTAR ROOM - DAY

In this room, there is a statue of Hera with an altar before it. The servant, YOUNG MILTIADES, is kneeling before the statue.

YOUNG MILTIADES
Hera, greatest of the Olympians, I beg for you to grant me a weapon to stop the griffin, who spreads greater destruction on us mortals every day that it roams free.

A large, blue RUBY appears on the altar.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
Hera gave her loyal servant a ruby as blue as the sky. The servant was confused with Hera's gift.

YOUNG MILTIADES
I thank you great Hera, but what am I to do with this? How can I defeat the griffin with a ruby?

Hera's eyes flash to life on the statue. A peacock feather flutters down and lands on the altar.

HERA (v.o.)
You must take this ruby and embed it into the griffin's forehead. Do this, and no longer shall you mortals need to fear it.

YOUNG MILTIADES
(bows his head)
Yes, Great Hera.

CUT TO:

5 EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Young Miltiades enters the village to see the griffin, who sits amoung the trashed village.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
Hera was wise, so the servant, as noble and brace as he was, set out after the griffin. He found it in the nearby village and engaged it in battle.

The griffin sees Young Miltiades and SHRIEKS, then takes flight and attacks him. The two battle, and the day turns to night.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
The battle lasted from the day until night. Both were growing tired, but neither would give.

The battle now begins to shadow the narration.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
The griffin lunged at the servant, yet the servant was ready. As the griffin brought its head to the ground, the servant jumped into its beak. He held up the ruby and with all his might, planted it deeply into the griffin's brow. With a monstrous cry, the griffin reeled back, throwing the servant to the ground. Right before the servant's eyes, he watched as Hera's ruby encased the griffin in stone.

CUT TO:

6 INT. TEMPLE, GRIFFIN ROOM - NIGHT

We see the statue of the griffin and focus in on its head, seeing the bright blue ruby in its forehead.

ELDER MILTIADES (v.o.)
But the servant had been warned by Hera that if ever the ruby was removed, the griffin would once more bring death to Earth.

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

7 INT. TEMPLE, HALL - DAY

A group of bandits burst into the temple. Elder Miltiades walks over to them.

ELDER MILTIADES
Have you come to offer a gift to the goddess, Hera?

The LEAD BANDIT grabs Elder Miltiades by his collar.

LEAD BANDIT
I'm sick of giving things to the gods. It's time to take. I want the Griffin Ruby.

ELDER MILTIADES
No one may take the Griffin Ruby; it's forbidden!

LEAD BANDIT
Well, I've never been one to follow the rules.

ELDER MILTIADES
Guards! Stop them!

The Lead Bandit knocks out Elder Miltiades as several guards run in from the three adjoining rooms. The guards and the bandits fight. The bandits are superior fighters and defeat the guards.

LEAD BANDIT
Search the rooms! I want that ruby!

The bandits begin to tear up the temple.

CUT TO:

8 INT. TEMPLE, GRIFFIN ROOM - DAY

BANDIT #1 enters the room to see the statue of the griffin. The ruby shines.

BANDIT #1
In here! I've found it!

The Lead Bandit and the rest of the gang enter.

LEAD BANDIT
Look at the size of that thing. Get it down!

The bandits find a ladder and set it against the statue. Bandit #1 climbs up and uses his dagger to pry the ruby from its setting. He stares at it, amazed, and then climbs down. He hands it to the Lead Bandit who smiles.

LEAD BANDIT
Let's go.

The bandits leave, but we PAN UP to the head of the statue. Stone crumbles away from the eyes to reveal the griffin's eyelids. They slowly open, its fiery red eyes glow. The statue begins to crack and move and suddenly the griffin break free with a loud SHRIEK. It blows fire, but there is only stone in the room, so the walls are only scorched. The griffin smashes into the roof, opening a large hole, which it flies out of.

CUT TO:

9 INT. TEMPLE, HALL - DAY

Elder Miltiades wakes up the sound of the griffin's SHRIEK and the FALLING ROCK. He gets to his feet and runs into the Griffin Room.

CUT TO:

10 INT. TEMPLE, GRIFFIN ROOM - DAY

Elder Miltiades runs into the room to find it destroyed and the griffin gone.

ELDER MILTIADES
By the gods...it's free.

CUT TO:

11 EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

XENA and GABRIELLE enter the village; Xena is leading ARGO. People are running around, trying to put out the fires that consume the buildings, others are helping the wounded; many lie dead. Xena wastes no time and starts helping to put out the fires as Gabrielle helps with the wounded. We watch Xena tossing buckets of water on the leaping flames and then pan to Gabrielle who tending to a wounded man and speaking with a PANICKED WOMAN.

GABRIELLE
I want everyone who is not seriously injured to get me some clean rags and blankets. I'll need some thread and a needle. If you can get some beds out here, that would help.

PANICKED WOMAN
But what if it comes back!? We'll all be killed!

GABRIELLE
My friend and I will help you. Now go get those supplies I asked for, or more of you will die now.

The Panicked Woman pulls herself together and goes to retrieve what Gabrielle requested. Gabrielle continues to help the wounded man, who has three, large claw marks across his chest. She looks about at the carnage.

GABRIELLE
(to herself)
What did this?

CUT TO:

12 EXT. VILLAGE - MIDDAY

Xena walks over to Gabrielle who has set up a mini clinic. Gabrielle is stitching up a young woman's arm. Xena stands behind her.

GABRIELLE
We certainly get ourselves into these situations a lot, don't we?

XENA
I've been talking with some of the villagers. They told me that a griffin attacked.

Gabrielle stands and faces Xena.

GABRIELLE
A griffin! I thought they were extinct.

XENA
Well, looks like there's at least one still around.

Xena looks around, then looks at Gabrielle again.

XENA
I was told that it headed due-north. I'm going to go check it out.

GABRIELLE
I'm going with you.

XENA
No, you stay here.

Gabrielle opens her mouth to protest, but Xena holds up a hand.

XENA (CONT'D)
These people need you to help tend to the wounded. I shouldn't be gone long.

Gabrielle puts her hands on her hips.

GABRIELLE
Xena, it's not like you're fighting some small minded thugs, this is a griffin we're talking about. You know, the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The fire it shoots from its mouth is hotter than Hephaetus' forge.

XENA
Gabrielle, I know what a griffin is.

Xena places her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders.

XENA
I'll be fine.

Xena turns around and walks over to Argo. She mounts and rides off.

GABRIELLE
(to herself)
Be careful, Xena.

CUT TO:

13 EXT. FOREST TRAIL - MIDDAY

Xena slows Argo to a trot and continues along. Suddenly, she hears the SHRIEK of the griffin. Argo WHINNIES nervously and stops in her tracks. Xena pats Argo's neck.

XENA
Easy girl. Come on.

Xena tries to urge Argo back into a trot, but Argo refuses to move. Xena dismounts and runs off in the direction she heard the shriek from.

CUT TO:

14 EXT. FIELD - MIDDAY

JOXER is in the field, his sword in his hand, the griffin before him.

JOXER
Surrender now and I promise not to hurt you...too much.

As Joxer finishes speaking, we PAN to see Xena as she bursts out of the forest, about ten meters from the battle. She looks at the griffin and then sees Joxer at its feet.

XENA
(under her breath)
I swear he has a death wish.

We CUT back over to Joxer and the griffin. The griffin swings its paw at Joxer, and Joxer SCREAMS. Xena unhooks her chakram and throws it. The chakram shoots through the air and smacks into the griffin's claws. The griffin and Joxer turn to look at Xena.

JOXER
(to himself)
Oh great, she's going to steal my show.

Xena grabs the chakram as it comes back to her, and then flips into the air, ululating. She lands beside Joxer.

XENA
Hiya, Joxer. Looks like you could use a hand.

JOXER
I can handle this, Xena.

XENA
Are you kidding me?

JOXER
Hey, anything you can do, I can do better. You know, that would make a good song.
(singing)
Anything you can do, I can do better...

Joxer is not paying attention, so he doesn't see the griffin lunge. Xena pushes Joxer out of the way. Xena kicks the griffin in the side of its head. It pulls back and SHRIEKS. It attacks Xena with a clawed paw, but Xena ducks and the claws just miss her head. The griffin lunges once more and Xena see the imprint on its brow from the ruby.

XENA
(to herself)
Maybe griffins have the same weak spot as giants.

Xena flips onto the griffin's beak and just as she is about to thrust her sword into its brow, it shakes its head and she falls to the ground. The fall dazes her. The griffin prepares to strike, when a rock hits it just under its eye. It turns to see Joxer, who is waving his hands.

JOXER
Over here, Ugly! You want a piece of me, huh?!

He throws another rock.

JOXER
Come and get me! I'm right here!

The griffin forgets about Xena and goes after Joxer. Xena gets up just in time to see the griffin taking a swipe at Joxer. He isn't ready and is moving too slow. Xena leaps with her sword out, and we move in SLOW MOTION as the griffin's claws rip into Xena's side. Xena's blade hits its mark as well, and cuts the griffin's leg. The griffin SHRIEKS and flies off, leaving Joxer with an unconscious Xena bleeding in his arms.

JOXER
Xena? Xena, are you okay? Come on, wake up! If you die Gabby's gonna kill me. Xena?

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

15 EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

Gabrielle is tending to a BURNT MAN. She finishes trying the bandage on his arm.

GABRIELLE
There. That should do it.

BURNT MAN Thank you.

Gabrielle pushes some hair out of her eyes.

GABRIELLE
So, do you know where the griffin came from? Last I heard, there weren't anymore.

BURNT MAN
This is the only griffin left in the world. It came from Hera's temple up on the hill.

GABRIELLE
Are you saying Hera sent the griffin to punish you for some reason?

BURNT MAN
No, I'm saying that the griffin that had been encased in stone in Hera's temple for the last thirty-seven years has escaped.

GABRIELLE
Oh, well, that was my second guess. (pause)
How did it escape?

BURNT MAN
The legend says that a servant of Hera's trapped it with the Griffin Ruby that was given to him by the goddess.

GABRIELLE
Trapped it how?

BURNT MAN
You'd have to ask Miltiades for more details. He knows the whole story. I never believed it. I thought it was a myth. (shakes his head)
I don't anymore.

GABRIELLE
Where can I find this Miltiades?

BURNT MAN
He lives in the temple. It's just up that road.

He points out the road to her.

JOXER
Gabrielle!

Gabrielle turns to see Joxer entering the village. He is waving his left hand, and holds Argo's reins in his right. Gabrielle gasps when she sees that Xena rides Argo, but is leaning over the saddle, clearly in pain.

GABRIELLE
Xena!

Gabrielle runs over to them and takes Xena's hand.

GABRIELLE
Xena? What happened?

Joxer stands beside Gabrielle and the two of them help Xena down. They takes her over to one of the beds that have been set up.

JOXER
I was in the field, and I was getting a drink, as I was thirsty since I had just battled and defeated several warriors. Then, a shadow fell over me and-

XENA
(rolling her eyes and interrupting)
The griffin got me.

JOXER
Well, yeah, that's the short version.

Gabrielle lies Xena down on the bed. She begins to examine the wounds through Xena's ripped leather.

GABRIELLE
I told you to be careful. I should have gone with you!

XENA
This wasn't your fault, Gabrielle. I'm a warrior. Getting hurt comes with the job.

GABRIELLE
This isn't funny.

XENA
No one is laughing.

Xena hisses in pain as Gabrielle dabs at her wound with a sponge.

XENA
Did you learn anything?

GABRIELLE
I was told to speak with Miltiades who lives in Hera's temple up the road. That's where the griffin came from.

Xena sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed.

XENA
Then we'd better head out. I want to stop that griffin before it causes anymore harm.

GABRIELLE
Xena! You need to rest. You're in no condition to take on that griffin again.

Xena ignores Gabrielle and starts to walk down the path. She stops and looks over at Gabrielle and Joxer with a raised eyebrow.

XENA
Are you two coming?

Gabrielle and Joxer look at each other, and then Joxer follows Xena.

GABRIELLE
(under her breath)
Of all the stubborn...

Gabrielle follows.

CUT TO:

16 INT. TEMPLE, HALL - NIGHT

Xena opens the doors to the temple. Joxer and Gabrielle enter behind her. The temple is still damaged, due to the fight earlier.

JOXER
Wow! Looks it looks like Ares had a rampage in here! I wonder what happened.

GABRIELLE
(sarcastically)
Large, mythical creature maybe?

JOXER
Right, I knew that. I was just...testing you, to make sure you had been paying attention. We are dealing with a large, mythical creature after all.

Gabrielle rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

XENA
Quiet you two. Listen.

As they fall silent, we can hear Elder Miltiades' voice drifting into the Hall from the Altar Room.

ELDER MILTIADES
Please goddess, Hera, I need your help again. I am too old to retrieve the Griffin Ruby.

CUT TO:

17 INT. TEMPLE, ALTAR ROOM - NIGHT

Elder Miltiades kneels before the altar and Hera's statue.

ELDER MILTIADES
Send me a warrior who is strong enough to complete the task.

Xena enters the room with Gabrielle and Joxer.

XENA
Maybe the gods are listening for once. My friends and I are here to help. If you're Miltiades, I was told you knew how to stop the griffin.

ELDER MILTIADES
I am he. And you are?

XENA
The name's Xena.

ELDER MILTIADES
Hera does indeed listen. I've heard of you. I can't think of a warrior more suited. You will need the Griffin Ruby. By placing it on the imprint on the griffin's brow, it will once more be turned to stone.

XENA
Where can I find this ruby?

ELDER MILTIADES
Unfortunately, it was stolen this morning by a group of bandits. The theft is what caused the griffin to get free and without it, it can't be stopped.

XENA
(smiles)
I think I can convince them to give it back.

CUT TO:

18 EXT. BANDIT CAMP - PREDAWN

Xena's POV: The bandits laze about their camp. Just before the sun rises, Xena ululates and attacks. The bandits are awake at once and on their feet. Gabrielle and Joxer join Xena and the fight begins. It carries on for several moments and we cut to Xena battling. She round houses a bandit, who slams into the dirt. Xena doubles over, grabbing her stomach in pain from her injury. Bandit #1 come up behind her and punches her hard. She falls, unable to fight any longer. Bandit #1 draws his sword.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

19 EXT. BANDIT CAMP - DAWN

Bandit #1 prepares to strike Xena with his sword, when Gabrielle's staff connects with his jaw, knocking him unconscious.

GABRIELLE
Didn't your mother ever teach you to keep your hands to yourself?

Gabrielle helps Xena up, now that all the bandits lie groaning in the dirt.

GABRIELLE
Will you let me take care of that now?

XENA
(grimaces)
When we're finished.

Xena kneels down next to the Lead Bandit. She not too lightly slaps his face to wake him. He groans.

XENA
Tell me where the Griffin Ruby is.

LEAD BANDIT
I don't know what you're talking about.

XENA
(sighs)
Why can't you filth ever just cooperate?

She puts the Pinch on him.

XENA
Now let's try this again. I've just shut off the flow of blood to your brain. You'll be dead in less than a minute unless you tell me where the ruby is. The Lead Bandit coughs then reaches into the pack on his belt.

LEAD BANDIT
(panicked)
Take it! Take it! Just undo this!

XENA
See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?

Xena releases him then punches him out.

XENA
(to Gabrielle and Joxer)
We got what we came for, now let's find that griffin.

CUT TO:

20 EXT. FOREST - DAY

Xena holds Argo's reins in her hand. Gabrielle is walking on her right. Joxer and Elder Miltiades walk behind them.

GABRIELLE
Xena, it could get infected. At least let me change the bandage.

XENA
We don't have time Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
We need you to defeat this griffin. We can't afford to not take the time.

XENA
(exasperated)
It's not that bad, Gabrielle. As soon as we've stopped the griffin, you can call the shots. For now, I've got work to do.

GABRIELLE
But-

XENA
Enough, Gabrielle! The longer that thing is free, the more people it will kill.

Xena mounts Argo.

XENA
I'm going to scout ahead.

She rides off.

JOXER
Where's Xena headed?

GABRIELLE
To her death.

JOXER
What?

GABRIELLE
Let's hurry up. I don't want to lose her.

CUT TO:

21 EXT. FOREST - DAY

Xena stops Argo. She touches her fingers to her wound and hisses in pain. She looks at her hand and sees blood. A giant shadow is cast over Xena, and she looks up to see the griffin flying over her head.

XENA
Got you.

She turns Argo and follows it.

CUT TO:

22 EXT. FOREST - DAY

The griffin soars over Joxer, Gabrielle and Elder Miltiades' heads.

GABRIELLE
There it is!

ELDER MILTIADES
Quickly! Don't lose it! We've got to stop it!

Xena rides in.

XENA
We will Miltiades! Come on!

CUT TO:

23 EXT. FIELD - DAY

The griffin sets down near a small lake. It bends down to drink. We hear Xena's ululation, and cut to see her enter the field, riding atop Argo. Xena flips off of Argo's back and lands before the griffin.

XENA
Hello handsome.

The griffin SHRIEKS, a mixture of surprise and anger, and Argo rears, WHINNYING loudly then gallops off. Gabrielle, Joxer and Elder Miltiades enter, to see that Xena has already engaged the griffin. Gabrielle can see that Xena is a bit sluggish, so when the griffin lunges, she cries out:

GABRIELLE
Xena!

Xena turns her head to look at Gabrielle, and the griffin's beak slams into her body. Xena is thrown against the ground. The Griffin Ruby falls out of her belt bag.

GABRIELLE
No!

The griffin towers over Xena. Gabrielle runs and stands between them. Joxer and Elder Miltiades follow her lead.

GABRIELLE
You'll have to go through me if you want her.

The griffin lowers its head to Gabrielle's level. The sun shines on the Griffin Ruby, flashing blue light. The griffin rears back, clearly afraid.

ELDER MILTIADES
It fears the ruby.

Joxer looks down at the ruby then picks it up.

JOXER
It has to be stopped.

Joxer runs towards the griffin.

GABRIELLE
Joxer, what are you doing!?

JOXER
(over his shoulder)
What needs to be done!

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

29 EXT. FIELD - DAY

Joxer is now behind the griffin. He tosses his helmet and armour aside and begins to climb up the griffin, using its tail like a rope. Elder Miltiades helps Xena to her knees.

XENA
Where's Joxer?

GABRIELLE
On the griffin's back.

XENA
What?! He's going to get himself killed!

ELDER MILTIADES
He has the ruby. He might succeed.

XENA
You don't know Joxer.

We cut back to Joxer, who is now climbing up the griffin's neck. The griffin is SHRIEKING loudly and trying to shake Joxer off.

XENA
That crazy idiot might just make it.

Joxer is now on the griffin's head. He holds the ruby.

ELDER MILTIADES
You must return the ruby to the griffin's brow is we are to win this day!

Joxer nods. He holds the ruby high and prepares to drive it into the imprint, but the griffin's paw is coming down on him.

GABRIELLE
Joxer, look out!

Joxer ignores Gabrielle. Xena rises painfully to her feet and unhooks her chakram. We cut back to Joxer. He lying flat on the griffin's head, and is straining with one arm to fit the ruby into the imprint. The ruby touches the brow, when the griffin's paw finds Joxer. The griffin grabs Joxer and pulls him off of its head. The ruby wobbles in the imprint. Joxer starts SCREAMING. We cut to Xena. With the last of her strength, she throws the chakram. CHAKRAM POV: it cuts through the air and slams into the Griffin Ruby, planting it into the griffin's head. The griffin SHRIEKS mix with Joxer's SCREAMS. The chakram bounces off of the ruby, to a rock and then implants itself into a tree. We cut back to the griffin who begins to turn to stone, from the legs up. Xena drops to her hands and knees. Gabrielle kneels beside her, but watches in amazement as the griffin continues to turn to stone. The griffin drops Joxer, who SCREAMS as he falls. He hits the ground, knocking his head on a rock, but he lifts his head to see the griffin.

JOXER
I did it. I actually did it.

The griffin lets out a final SHRIEK as the stone covers its head. Xena smiles then loses consciousness.

CUT TO:

30 INT. TEMPLE, GRIFFIN ROOM - DAY

We are looking at Xena's eyelid, which slowly opens to reveal her ice blue eye. We pan out to see the room and that two beds have been set up, Xena lying on one and Joxer sitting on the other, with Gabrielle tending to a wound on his head. Xena looks down to see that her armour and leather have been removed. She is dressed only in her white under garment. A light blanket is pulled up to her chest. She cautiously feels her wounded stomach, and only cringes slightly. We cut back to Joxer and Gabrielle.

JOXER
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. Ow! That hurts!

Xena chuckles softly. Gabrielle turns to look at her.

GABRIELLE
Well look who's back in the land of the living.

Gabrielle pats Joxer's knee then joins Xena. She sits on a stool beside the bed.

GABRIELLE
How are you feeling?

XENA
Much better. What about you Joxer?

Joxer points to the large bruise that covers one of his eyes.

JOXER
This? Ha, ha! Nothing phases Joxer the Mighty!

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other and smile. Elder Miltiades enters.

ELDER MILTIADES
Ah, warrior, you're awake.

XENA
Yes. We'll be heading out soon.

ELDER MILTIADES
Take the time you need to rest, Xena. You did me a great service, the least I can do is offer you a place to heal. I feared the griffin would be released again one day. It's a good thing you and your friends showed up when you did. I would not have been able to stop it again myself.

GABRIELLE
"Again"? Wait, are you-

ELDER MILTIADES
Yes.

JOXER
"Yes" what? Who is he?

GABRIELLE
The servant of Hera who stopped the griffin the first time.

ELDER MILTIADES
In my youth. Now I shall add to the tablet, adding the three of you to the legend.

GABRIELLE
I'm a bard. I'd love to help you.

ELDER MILTIADES
I would be honoured.

The two leave. Joxer stands and picks up his helmet. He looks over at Xena.

JOXER
Well...good job saving everyone, Xena. Again. I guess I'll be heading out.

XENA
I didn't save everyone, Joxer, you did. You did good back there. It took a lot of guts.

JOXER
But you're the one who finished the job.

XENA
If you hadn't climbed up there and put the ruby in place, there would have been nothing to finish.

JOXER
(pause, thinking)
You know, you're right. Joxer the Mighty, hero.

XENA
You have your moments Joxer.

Joxer walks away, but trips on his way out.

XENA
Though they are short lived.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR