EXT. GARDEN SPRING AMPHITHEATER - DAY
PRINCESS HIPPOLYTA (17) stands defiantly before a bubbling hot natural spring. Her unbound obsidian hair cascades over her broad shoulders. She wears a loose fitting ivory toga that reaches her ankles. Her feet are bare. MINEWA (40s), a holy priestess, detaches a silver girdle from around Hippolyta's mid-section and then backs away to where a pair of AMAZON GUARDS block the only exit.
AMAZON WOMEN observe the Princess from stone theatre seating carved from the earth of an Eden-like rambling rose garden. Presiding over them is their queen, DEIANEIRA (32). Her gown is crimson red, latched in the middle by a golden girdle. She paces the opposite edge of the spring as she addresses those assembled. Most peculiar is that the queen and princess share the same face! The queen's is older, more weathered by life, but the resemblance is exact.
DEIANEIRA
Personal revival has served as the cornerstone of Amazon society since Hera plucked our island, Themyscira, from the Earth and saved our race from extinction at the hands of men. For years, we suffered as prizes to be won, slaves to service their desires with our bodies, and as vessels to give birth to their sons. This is neither legend nor myth. This is our history.
Many in the crowd hang on her every impassioned word. Just as the queen and princess are young and older versions of the same person, many of the Amazons are similarly paired. Many of the faces are seen twice. In some cases, more than that, always different by a generation.
DEIANEIRA
Separated from man, protected from their reach by the invisible horizon, we reclaimed our pride. Our island is a paradise, where no woman need live in fear and where the love and compassion we share for one another has supported thousands of years of peace. We are stronger now than we have ever been.
From the crowd, ANTIOPE (14), is stirred by the queen's speech.
ANTIOPE
Hera be praised!
DEIANEIRA
Hera be praised, sister. But we are not immortal. We are not the gods. Divorced from man's world, our continued survival is dependent entirely on the great revival. And so, when we come of age, we submerge ourselves in the spring of life. Our blood is renewed within its life giving aura, and we are reborn inside our own womb; the same flesh, but a new life. Those of you who have experienced pregnancy, carrying a life inside you, know that it is a cherished time in a woman's life.
Deianeira eyes her daughter. Hippolyta remains steely-eyed.
DEIANEIRA
Only woman can know this love. It is a beautiful thing to be a woman, and a great responsibility. It cannot be understated. I celebrate my daughter's life every day. She has my face. She has my voice. One day, she will replace me as your queen, and I ache for that day.
The Queen again addresses the assembly.
DEIANEIRA
But today we gather to celebrate my daughter's own miracle. We gather to celebrate her revival. Today, she will step into the spring and lend her blood to her womb. She will conceive and embrace life. We gather to bear witness and love her on this special day.
Deianeira closes her eyes in silent prayer, her back turned to Hippolyta. There is a desperate sadness to her face.
In the crowd, a tall redheaded warrior by the name of ARTEMIS (22) sits with friends and companions XANTHIPPE (18) and SCYLEIA (18).
SCYLEIA
Do you think today, Artemis? Finally?
ARTEMIS
Not a chance.
Hippolyta eyes the spring for barely a moment before taking one step backwards.
HIPPOLYTA
I will not condemn a child to live in a world I cannot myself endure.
Rumblings from those assembled. Deianeira opens her eyes and turns to address her daughter directly.
DEIANEIRA
You find the life of a Princess in paradise so burdensome? So unbearable?
HIPPOLYTA
Yesterday, I awoke in the same bed I have slept in every day of my life. I said the same prayers to a goddess who has never spoken to me. I trained at the stadium with Artemis and read Aristotle with Circe. When I finished my studies, I tended this very garden, where I know every root and petal and thorn as I know my own skin. After services and supper, I sat with loving friends in silence until we had drank enough beeler juice to enjoy the same stories from our youth we have told each other hundreds of times, as if telling ourselves stories was itself something new to do.
In the crowd, Antiope sighs.
HIPPOLYTA
When finally I believed my body tired enough to rest the voices of discontent inside my soul, I returned to my quarters and laid there listening to the wind chime I have in my window, and I tell you surely as the sun lights up the sky, the wind blew the same song it had blown the night before. Tomorrow, I will live the same day again, and the day after that, and the day after that, until I again find myself in this very spot one month from now. And on that day, mother, you will ask me if I find it so unbearable to be well fed, physically fit, schooled, and among friends, and I will tell you that not only is it unbearable... it is unconscionable.
CIRCE (24), purple hair and the only Amazon wearing a green toga, stands from her seat in the front row. She and Minewa converge on the devastated queen, who appears so hurt that she can't even speak. Circe holds the Queen's arm and whispers something to which Deianeira can respond only with a nod.
Circe extends her hand in the direction of the two guards. They take up gong-like instruments and the assembled disperse to the rumbling gongs. Hippolyta is left standing on her own.
INT. THRONE ROOM – DAY
An enormous throne fit for the grandest of all Caesars sits beneath a great marble monument to the goddess Hera. Colossal columns support a golden dome overhead. The Queen stands in front of the throne surrounded by Circe, Minewa, and a small group of ADVISORS. Hippolyta stands not far away, the subject of great consternation, separate from the others.
DEIANEIRA
How many more indignities must I endure? Have I not humored you? We have all suffered the confusion and uncertainty of youth. I had hoped this foolishness would have given way to peace and clarity of mind by now. How many times must we find ourselves here?
HIPPOLYTA
As often as you insist on thrusting me before the masses in hopes I will submit to pressure and intimidation.
Enraged, Minewa breaks from the group to rush over and slap Hippolyta across the face.
MINEWA
Your mother... NEVER!
DEIANEIRA
Minewa. Step away from my daughter.
Tears in her eyes, Minewa leaves.
Hippolyta grips her own cheek, shocked by Minewa's strike.
DEIANEIRA
You are my own flesh and blood, Hippolyta. We are the same. How is it that we can at once be so different? Do the years truly make us two different persons?
HIPPOLYTA
We are the same person, mother. That is how you know I am no mere victim of my own naiveté and inexperience, nor am I prone to wanton fits of childish rebellion. Do you think I cannot recognize pain on my own face?
CIRCE
What you see is the pain of a mother wounded by an ungrateful and impudent child!
HIPPOLYTA
No. I have long known that you were unhappy, mother, and I have long blamed myself. I thought, perhaps, if I were a better child... but I have heard the stories, and now I know it is a different wound that vexes your soul.
CIRCE
Lies. How little you must respect yourself lend credence to idle gossip, and to cast aspersions on your fellow sister by implying that they would betray their Queen by whispering about her into the wind.
ADVISOR I
You should reflect on your honor, Princess.
HIPPOLYTA
Let me hear it from my own mouth, then. Let me hear it from my mother that she did not once stand where I am now, that in her youth she herself didn't recognize how this stagnation of Amazon society slowly destroys our people. Hera may have saved our flesh when she separated us from man's world, but she cursed our souls. Tell me that you did not once stand up to my grandmother and refuse to take part in this infinite cycle that shackles us and keeps us from ever becoming more than what we have always been.
ADVISOR II
We were all children once.
DEIANEIRA
You do not know what I know.
HIPPOLYTA
Perhaps, but I dream of knowing more than you could ever know. Think of the flower. What you do not allow to grow will never bloom and will eventually die.
CIRCE
And a seed that is never planted will never live.
(to Deianeira)
We should quarantine her. We cannot allow her to spread discord among the children. We could say she has dedicated herself to her studies.
DEIANEIRA
My daughter will not be a plague against me, Circe.
The Queen looks at Hippolyta. It was as much an order as self-reassurance
DEIANEIRA
My daughter will continue to be treated with the respect due her lineage and title. No one is to whisper about her or question her openly. All will love the Princess as I love you all.
Circe and the advisors agree and disband.
INT. HIPPOLYTA'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Antiope reads from an ancient text while sitting on Hippolyta's bed. Meanwhile, the Princess packs garments and belongings into a sack. Unlike before, Hippolyta wears a more formal uniform, sewn from animal hide, like something one might wear under heavier military armor.
ANTIOPE
This speaks of harvesting dark magic to penetrate the barrier and reach man's world. How can you be sure it is safe?
HIPPOLYTA
There is no such thing as dark magic. There is only magic and it is a tool like any other, used for good or corrupted by the one who wields it.
Hippolyta steals the book away and shoves it in the sack.
ANTIOPE
Man's world is dangerous. They would make a slave of you.
HIPPOLYTA
I do not believe that all men are bad any more than all Amazons are great poets, or have the same color hair, or...
Hippolyta touches Antiope's cheek.
HIPPOLYTA
...or are as sweet as the kinest of all of us. Besides, those among them foolish enough to trifle with this Princess will find my blade most difficult to tame.
Hippolyta slings a sheathed sword over her shoulder.
ANTIOPE
No Amazon has ever left the island. Where will you go? How will you feed yourself? Let me come with you. Surely, the two of us would have a better chance if...
HIPPOLYTA
No, no, lovely girl. This is my burden to bear. If I am right, and there is a life for us out there, then I will return one day soon to usher in a new era for our people. But if I am wrong, let the sacrifice be my own. Besides, you must take care of my mother. You must let her know... I do not hate her.
INT. QUEEN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Over one hundred candles flicker int he night air before a personal shrine to the goddess Hera. The Queen kneels down on a crimson pillow in front of the shrine and opens a small drawer near the base of the shrine. She removes from it an unlit candle and places it on the shrine.
INT. HIPPOLYTA'S QUARTERS
Hippolyta lifts the sand and slings it over her shoulder. She takes Antiope's hand and the two of them walk to the doorway.
HIPPOLYTA
There will be questions... accusations. They will be difficult. Some will slander my name. I beg you to ignore them. Do not take up the battle for me, for I feat it may prevent you from doing what I need you to do. Instead, devote your heart to your Queen. There is a hurt inside her. She denies it, but I know it is there. I do what I do now as much for her as I do it for myself, but she may not be able to bring herself to believe it. You are the kindest of us all, the most loving. I can think of now one better suited to care for her than the one person who has been able to make me smile all these many years.
They hug. Hippolyta kisses her lightly.
ANTIOPE
I will do as you ask, and pray to Hera for your safe return, and that you might find the peace you are looking for.
INT. QUEEN'S QUARTERS
Queen Deianeira lights the unlit candle as a tear streaks down her face. She removes her golden girdle and sets it aside, then unwraps the midsection of her toga, exposing her belly. The image is gruesome. Her entire midsection is marked by as many separate two inch scars as there are candles by the shrine.
EXT. PALACE - NIGHT
Hippolyta sneaks away from the palace under the cover of night, her line of sight set on the horizon. For a moment, she pauses, looks back.
HIPPOLYTA
Goodbye, mother. I love you.
INT. QUEEN'S QUARTERS
The Queen pulls out a harrowing dagger, the blade of which is as wide as her scarred over wounds. She cries.
DEIANEIRA
I'm sorry, Hippolyta.
The Queen stabs herself in the stomach and yanks up on the blade.
EXT. PALACE - NIGHT
Hippolyta eludes an Amazon patrol and continues her march when, suddenly, a blood curdling scream rings out in the night.
ANTIOPE (O.S.)
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Hippolyta looks back toward the Palace. She runs back the way she came.
INT. QUEEN'S QUARTERS
Hippolyta races in and finds Artemis struggling to calm Antiope in the corner. Antiope's white toga is drenched in blood.
HIPPOLYTA
Antiope?
ARTEMIS
(shakes head)
Your mother.
Hippolyta turns to see Circe hovering over Minewa as the elder Amazon priestess struggles to stop Deianeira's bleeding. The Princess runs to the Queen's side, kneels down, and holds her mother's hand.
HIPPOLYTA
Mother! Who has done this? Who has attacked you?
CIRCE
(confused)
These wounds are by her own hand.
Near death, Deianeira rests the blood soaked knife against Hippolyta's belly.
DEIANEIRA
Protect yourself.
She dies. Minewa gives up trying to revive her and collapses over the dead body, crying.
Hippolyta screams.
EXT. TEMPLE OF ATHENA - NIGHT
A funeral pyre rages as all the Amazons gather to mourn the death of their Queen. Hippolyta's stoic tears are scrutinized by many, perhaps by some who blame the Princess for her mother's death.
Hippolyta eyes the inferno that consumes her mother's body, observes the two coins over Deianeira's eyes, but is shocked backwards as, for an instant, the flames appear to morph into a demonic face with eyes for the new queen.
CIRCE
Do not let the guilt consume you, Queen Hippolyta.
HIPPOLYTA
Guilt?
CIRCE
Over your mother's death. I'm sure a part of her knew you loved her, but you must be strong now, for your sisters. They need to see that you are ready to meet the challenges ahead. They need to see that you are the Queen your mother would have wanted you to be and are ready to lead them.
Grief stricken, Hippolyta runs off. Confusion stirs among those gathered. Artemis makes a move to follow, but Circe warns her off.
CIRCE
Sisters, your Queen is in mourning. Let her mourn... alone.
Circe conceals a twitch of a smile to late to hide it completely from Minewa, who eyes her from across the fire.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Hippolyta races through the forest as if pursued by someone... or something. She runs by a tree and snags a piece of her gown on one of the branches. Several seconds later, a dark shape stope by the torn fabric long enough to sniff it.
HORRIBLE VOICE
My Queen...
EXT. A CLEARING - NIGHT
Hippolyta exits the trees and runs through a clearing of high grass. The moon above slips behind a dark and forbidding cloud. Tears stream down her face as her legs move faster and faster. She comes upon a patch of trees which looks to be an entrance into another section of forest, but her next step sends her falling down a steep hill.
EXT. SHORELINE - NIGHT
Her clothes in tatters, sand caked to her face, Hippolyta picks herself up and runs along the shoreline as it begins to rain. Lightning crackles out along the horizon. Thunder blasts once, twice, and then is replaced by what sounds more like a great roar.
Hippolyta freezes. Slowly, she pulls from her dress the dagger her mother used to kill herself. She is afraid, but she is also an Amazon warrior, and she stands tall to meet her stalker. But when she turns, there is no one there. There is only...
She screams in pain as her right side is torn open by claws from an invisible beast. She swings her dagger around to the right, but then her left leg is mauled. Blood mixed with rain trickles down her legs as she falls to one knee, still without even having captured sight of her attacker.
HIPPOLYTA
Hera! Hera, help me!
Behind her, a feral black wolf of hideous proportions rises up on its hind legs. She does not see its bloodthirsty fangs or it shoulders morph into human-like shape. Its fur recedes into its skin.
HIPPOLYTA
Heraaaaa!
The BEAST-MAN reaches for her from behind when a bolt of lightning suddenly slams to the ground between them. The beast-man is sent hurtling backwards while Hippolyta is flattened.
She picks herself up out of the mud and turns to find a crater left by the blast. She peers into the crater to see that, where the lightning struck, the sand has been altered into a clay-like state. And at the very center, the pouring rain uncovers a small shape, that of a baby. It wiggles and cries and reaches out for someone to hold it.
Propelled by instinct, Hippolyta reaches into the crater and lifts up the child of clay. There is an instant connection as she pulls the baby tight to her breast. As if recognizing the child's origin, she holds the crying child up towards the sky. The rain washes over it and the baby begins to dissolve like the sand, but instead of disappearing back into the earth, the dispersed clay is absorbed into Hippolyta's skin. The new Queen screams out and doubles over in pain.
From where the beast-man was shot backwards, a towering man-god now approaches. He is ARES, god of war, and wears thick battle armor and a navy helmet with spikes of bone down the center. It totally obscures his face except for two glowing red eyes. He marches to Hippolyta's side and turns the now unconscious Queen onto her back, revealing a protruding pregnant stomach.
Ares' red eyes burn even redder, like smoldering metal. The brute curses the sky with his fists.
ARES
Heraaaaaa!
In a flash of flame, Ares vanishes.
From the tree line, Minewa runs to Hippolyta's side.
MINEWA
My Queen! Queen Hippolyta! Queen Hippolyta!
CUT TO:
INT. QUEEN'S QUARTER - NIGHT
SUPER: 3 MONTHS LATER
Hippolyta, sweating, screams from the agony of child birth.
Minewa frantically tends to Hippolyta. As many Amazons as can fit in the room have gathered around the Queen's bed to watch the birth.
ANTIOPE
Would it not be more merciful to simply cut it out?
MINEWA
I wish you all would leave. The birth of a child is not a play for your amusement.
CIRCE
Trust us, old woman, no one here is amused.
MINEWA
Push, my Queen. Push!
Hippolyta screams, pushes.
XANTHIPPE
What if it's a boy?
The room goes silent for several seconds until that silence is eventually interrupted by the cries of a newborn baby.
MINEWA
She's beautiful.
Hippolyta, tears in her eyes, summons all her remaining energy to look up from her pillow.
ANTIOPE
She?
Minewa cleans off the baby with warm water from a nearby basin. She then wraps the child in a linen cloth before handing it to Hippolyta.
MINEWA
You have given birth to a beautiful baby girl, my Queen. Our newest sister.
Hippolyta cradles the happy newborn in her arms, just as she one did at the shoreline. She falls instantly in love with the child, as do the other Amazons in the room... except for Circe.
Hippolyta reaches out with one hand and motions for Antiope to come closer. Antiope sits at her side and admires the sweet child.
HIPPOLYTA
What do you think of your niece?
ANTIOPE
Oh, my beautiful, amazing, sister... She is a wonder.
HIPPOLYTA
Yes, she is, isn't she? Princess Diana of Themyscira... my little wonder girl.
Circe quietly sees herself out of the room.
Close in on the baby as she sleeps.
INT. ARES' WAR ROOM
Demon heads on pikes adorn Ares' lair. At one end of the volcanic cavern, Ares sits on a massive thrown carved from the skull of a dragon. On either side, seven foot tall WINGED DEMONS stand with spears at the ready.
Circe approaches the throne and kneels.
CIRCE
The child is born, Lord Ares. A girl. There was nothing I could do.
ARES
Then, you have failed me for a second time, witch.
CIRCE
The Queen, she is still fertile. You could go to her again and...
Ares screams. The ground shakes. Circe keeps her balance, but is shaken.
ARES
And touch that which has already been touched by another god? And on that island, where Hera's protection of them is renewed like her rage? That would truly test the limits of my immortality. No, I will have a son by the queen of the Amazons, but it cannot be Hippolyta, and it cannot be there. Fortunate enough for you, I have use for you yet.
CIRCE
I only wish to serve you, Lord Ares.
Ares stands from his throne and approaches Circe the same as he once approached Hippolyta. He reaches out for her with his jagged and disgusting claws.
ARES
And serve me you shall. But first, you will satisfy my hunger.
EXT. ARES' VOLCANO LAIR - NIGHT
Smoke billows from the hellish volcano as Circe's screams fill the night.
CUT TO BLACK: