11.16.1995 "PROMETHEUS" 2

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XENA

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And so, we tie up our bandit playmates. Bring them to authorities! Let *them* decide what to do.

Go to the nearest town. Just me, my chewing tag-along and my tied-up playmates whom I drag on a rope behind me. People stare at us for some reason.

Hey, there are young guys in the crowd. Oh no. I know what's gonna happen now.

We walk among them. And then Gabrielle uses her Eye Of Selection. Chooses the hottest young guy in town and makes her way to him. The poor sob.

Listen to me, honest people of this village! You are in great danger! I have brought horrible evil upon you! I have brought Gabrielle upon you! Hurry up and hide! Hide yourselves! And hide your young men! Hide them before they fall victim to this evil! Hide them well!

Forgive me, young men of this village. I have inflicted Gabrielle upon you.

Things used to be so quiet. But then I had to go to that forest clearing. And with that, I have unleashed Gabrielle onto the world. Now nobody is safe.

Forgive me, young men of the world. Be wary! There's a wild evil virgin wandering the countryside. Be on your guard - someday she may come to YOU, and then you'll never be the same. And then you may not survive her love.

Her name is Evil Virgin, and if you see her, run away!

And now she jumps at the hottest guy in town. Poor soul! But I save him. I drag her away. We don't have time! We had these bandits to take care of, remember? You can revel in debauchery later! Not now! I drag her away from guys by the ear.

... I hope she'll just forget about this later. I'll distract her with food or something.

Hey Gabrielle, are you hungry? She immediately beams up and forgets the guy. Good. We narrowly escape horrors. Better hurry up and distract her more.

The town has no prison and no hospice. Oh well, I just dump them by the town hall. The rest isn't any of my business!

And the wounded one. No hospice... to the tavern, then! Needed it anyway - Gabrielle's whining about being hungry again. And eyes some more guys. Oh no. Just you wait! I hurry up.

The tavern keeper isn't happy about the bandit, so I distract him with Gabrielle. Don't talk to me, you fool! Feed her instead! Feed her before she destroys this village, too!

And good luck trying to fill her bottomless stomach!

And with that, all problems solved. Time to rest. I sit down an dorder some port. ... Peace and quiet.

What a good few days it's been. Nothing of note has happened.

Days ago. This crazy, incredible story. When Gabrielle destroyed a village for fun. And then I had to fight the titans themselves. That was so much fun! Frightening, but so much fun. Now I wanna go again. We should wake them up again for fun sometimes before Gabrielle loses her virginity. Won't be long.

Such shenaginans. And now, quiet few days. It's like we're on a vacation. I kind of like this.

When my eyes have opened to what I really am. I thought I wouldn't live for long.

And now. I live, and I enjoy my life. I like the life I have right now.

I've committed incredible sins. I shouldn't be alive after everything I did. The future only holds horrors in it. It's all true. But I won't be thinking about that. I won't spoil this life I'm having. I won't spoil this goodness that I have. We live in a world of death, anyway. Our every day could be our last. No point in thinking about the bad stuff. I'll enjoy what I can when I can. We should just live in the now. The future does not exist. Just now.

This is a good day.

And just as I think that. Suddenly. The weather changes.

Suddenly, clouds as thick as a blanket. Cold wind and thunder. But it was so good before. Bummer.

Hey. This isn't how the weather was supposed to go.

If there was going to be thunder, I'd know, I'd feel it coming with my pores.

I have very sensitive skin, and I can sense incoming weather with my body hair.

This isn't natural. The gods are up to something again. Hope it's nothing grand. When the gods get angry, mortals die. I've dealt with Ares and the titans just recently, I'm not up for another round.

Which god is it anyway? I hope it's nobody important, so other gods will calm them down in no time.

Let it be somebody else's problem just this one time.

And just as I think that. My windpipe guy dies on me. Aw, but he was doing so well!

And then another guy dies. First one to severed throat, another one to cough. Now this is just silly.

I look outta the skies. So the gods decide to play big this time. But I wanted a vacation.

I strain my senses. Can I find a hint?

But I need no searching. The sound of some godly scream is filling the world. Now this is foreboding.

I think I know that voice. I've heard him scream before.

That's Prometheus, isn't it?

If he's captured... humanity will die.

And in order to release him... a sacrifice is needed.

A live sacrifice. Someone would have to die.

... Oh well. Just when I thought I can enjoy my life a little.

It looks like... it's the end.

I knew we couldn't stay together for long. I knew that our every day could be our last.

And now. It looks like this is it.

Looks like...

...

This will be our last day together.

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GABRIELLE

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We finish our melon and tie our bandit friends up, happily. It was so tasty! Shame we only got one. I feel I could eat ten.

I see Xena's been playing with my wig. I pat it lovingly. Looks just like her hair! Someday I'll save me enough money to buy me a leather dress, and then I'll put this wig on. And maybe even rename myself to "Xena". Two Xenas! Won't that be just wonderful! I wish the whole world was filled with Xenas. If only I was taller. But sadly, I'm not any good at wearing high heels. I wonder if there's any exercise to strench my bones?

Also I saw Marcus in his coffin. So Xena likes them Black, hm? The black wig may be useful in more ways than one. And I'm trying to get more suntan lately.

I make a quick trip to the river to wash up. And then I put on some lipstick. I started wearing make-up lately. I really want to get a date. Why can't I get a date? Maybe if I wore less clothes? If only I knew how to sew, then I'd be wearing a mini-skirt right now. But I've already tried sewing once before, and the results weren't pretty. I annihilated the item. It had to become a floor rag. Now I don't dare to try again. I can't afford to lose my only skirt - I can't just go around bottomless. I'm not that brave yet. At least not yet. But maybe in a few years I might.

And then we go into the nearest town. I see a crowd of people. Young guys among them. Hey that reminds me. Time to use my superpower!

And so I walk into the crowd of people. And I use my Eye Of Selection. I run my glance over the crowd. Looking for my intended target. Looking for my prey. And then I see it.

I see him. The hottest available guy in town, close enough to my age. I don't like them too old, after all!

Congratulations! You've been Selected!

I see my prey. And I jump at him. I throw myself at him. He falls down. He has no strength. He tries to resist me but I am stronger. I win! He's mine! He won't escape!

Hey handsome. How's it hanging? Wanna get married? Let's kiss! Let's make babies! Let's get naked! I tear his clothes!

But before we can make babies. Xena separates us. Nooo! Xena takes my glory from me. Xena drags me away physically. I try and resist but she is stronger. Nasty Xena. Flaunting her strength over me. I should start lifting weights just so one day I could overpower her. And then it'll be ME dragging HER around. Won't that be fun!

But now I see my prey escape from me. He would run from me?! But what about our babies? Nooo he's getting away! I must chase! For babies! Let go! Don't let him get away! Let go! Xena! Why are you denying me love, Xena? You can't fight love! Love will always win! You'll see! I'll show you yet! I will teach you the power of love! ! !

I resist but she reminds me that I'm hungry. Oh that's why! Sure, let's eat.

First I eat, then I chase him. In that order.

Some tavern. I immediately order food. That reminds me, I haven't had proper breakfast. A melon for breakfast wasn't enough! A melon isn't even really food.

It's mostly water. What were we thinking? We must eat more.

I'm slightly hungry, so I order everything.

The food is gross and greasy, but I'm hungry so I order more anyway. And more and more and more.

This is such a good day. First I witness Xena save a life. It's a gross thug, he was killing innocents. But it's a life anyway! Sorta-kinda.

And then I get to help! Then I get rewarded with a melon. And then I get a real breakfast, too. A perfect day!

A day as good as this requires celebration. I remember I aspired to be a poet before. Maybe I should give that a try? Right now!

"This good day will go as good as it may." ... Hey I really like that. I should write that down.

Actually, I love this good day so much, that I...

I hold my hands together in prayer.

I wish that this day would last forever!

...

There. The good deed of the day is done - wished for the improvement of the world. Time to reward myself. Let's eat!

And just as I praise the good day. Xena's thug friend dies. Bummer. Oh well, can't save everybody.

And then another dies. First one to cut throat, another to cough. Guess people are real fragile in these parts?

And then I hear it. Somebody screaming. It's like the whole world is filled with this scream. It's chillng to the bone. It's like a part of me has died when I heard that scream.

This is so frightening and terrifying. I can't figure out why. But I know something very wrong has happened. And we had a good day, too.

Xena says it's Prometheus. He's been captured by the gods. So now humanity will lose fire. And it'll lose healing.

Hey. Isn't that kinda bad? Losing fire? No more cooking? I quickly finish my breakfast while it's still hot.

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XENA

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The storm passes just as quickly as it started. Them damn gods, messing with our weather as they see fit. That's irritating. I like to be in control and know what weather is coming. What if I get surprised?

We get on our way on our latest mission, while it's still morning.

Latest. No. This will be our last.

Prometeus. The one who gifts us healing.

You'd think humanity is strong. You'd think we can decide our destiny ourselves. You'd think we don't need the gods if we just fight for ourselves.

And then it's things like this, that serve as a painful reminder.

Humans to the gods. We are slaves. We couldn't live a day without them.

We live... humanity lives... just because the gods allow us to. They want us gone... they can make us gone, with a snap of their fingers.

We who should be important, we who should matter. In the grand scheme of things. We're nothing.

I hate all this so much.

Our world. It's the world of death, of murder, of power, of misery.

And why it's like this. The reason. It's the gods.

They who can do anything and everything. They do nothing but awful things. They do nothing but keep the world an awful place.

The gods. They're the same as I was. The way I was before.

Simply living your life as you wish. Caring about nothing but your minute pleasures. Closing your eyes to everything that's inconvenient. Caring nothing about who you hurt.

Only living in the now. Caring nothing about what happens in the future.

That's who I was. I had no future.

The gods are all scum. All the same as me. If I could. I would kill them all.

All of them. Except this one. Prometheus.

He alone cares for humanity. He alone keeps us as his pathetic charity project.

And so. We all depend on him. The ENTIRE humanity. THOUSANDS of people! MANY thousands! All over the known world! All depend on just one being.

I hate this so much. We should live by our own strength! But there's no way out.

Prometheus. The one I know about. Because HE told me.

I was a monster with no future. And then I met him.

Hercules.

He saw a monster. And he let me live. And he helped me find a new life.

The life I have. I have it thanks to him.

Hercules and Gabrielle. The two people to whom I owe everything.

And now. Now it's time I pay back my debt.

He wouldn't tell me much. So I investigated on my own.

If Prometheus gets captured. A live sacrifice is required to free him.

And if Hercules is around. Then he will sacrifice himself.

The one who risked everything because he wanted to save me. Wanted to save me from myself.

And now he'll die to save humanity. He'll save humanity, and me among it.

And now he'll die to save me, too.

The one who saved me already. Will die for me this time.

The one to whom I owe my everything. Will die for me.

I can't let that happen.

He is a "good person". A hero of humanity. Humanity depends on him. He is humanity's hope. He should not be punished with death. He should be rewarded.

If anyone has to be punished, it's me.

He is humanity's hope. And I'm humanity's bane. Nobody ever should hope for me.

I had forgotten. How could I ever think that I could enjoy my life?

I forgot. I'm a monster. I should pay for my crimes. And more. We live in a world of horror. So if a sacrifice is required... then it should be me.

If someone has to die it, should be me.

But then...

Just when I thought I liked my life a little. Looks like my time has come.

But then...

What's at stake. Is humanity itself. Every scum. But also. Everybody I care about.

Gabrielle. Mother. Those three kids in the village where I got an arrow in the gut. My son if he still lives. (Is he alive? Have I killed him?)

Every kid, ever baby. All the children that live everywhere.

It's for them. Every sacrifice. It's always been for them. And it will be for them.

But if I die...

If a life is required. Then it should be mine. And so I get on my way.

We reach the temple of the oracles. Is this where I die?

But then... if I die... what happens to Gabrielle?

I look at Gabrielle. She's full of questions. The whole humanity's at stake, and she doesn't know a single thing.

It's good this way. The less you know, the less you hurt.

If I die... what happens to her?

Gabrielle. I wanted to help you build a life for yourself. I wanted to give you a good future. I wanted to teach you things.

I say that the meaning of my life is you. That I live just for you. Just so I could bring you somewhere nice. And yet.

And yet now I'll have to die. Without bringing her anywhere. Without giving her anything good.

What happens to her?

I knew we couldn't stay together for long. Whatever we could have, could only be short and brief.

I hoped we could stay together just a little longer. But it looks like our journey is this short. We didn't have a lot of time. I couldn't give you a single thing worth mentioning.

I failed on my goal. I couldn't give her a single thing.

But she is my soul!

But right now. The whole humanity's at stake. So it looks like the only thing that I can give you, is just this. The future for humanity. Just that.

And after this. You're on your own.

And I can't tell you a single thing. I can't let you know a single thing.

Forgive me Gabrielle. I have failed you in every way.

I can never tell you how much I love you.

You are my soul. And yet I'm leaving you.

This has happened once before. I thought I would die. And in a momentary weakness. I let you know. I smiled goodbye at you. And because of that... you were hurt. You were in danger. You've entangled yourself in misery for me.

I had let you know that one time. Thankfully, against all odds, you haven't figured it out. So never again. I'll never let you come to danger one more time. I'll never encourage you to love a monster one more time.

I will never let you know how much I love you.

That one time I did. You were hurt. And thanks to that, I lived.

So now I live just to make this sacrifice right now. So that one time before - the time I let you know - was a good thing. But only that one time. Never again.

I'll never let you know again.

This sacrifice right now. This is what I needed. This is probably what "redemption" means.

With the sins I comitted. I shouldn't live. I've spent a while looking for a good battle, for a good death.

So now with this. I finally find it. The reason I was born.

This must be it. The good death that I've been looking for. To die to save humanity. What can be better?

The reason I was born, is so I could save humanity this one time. Nobody else is a better sacrifice than me.

Or maybe the reason I was born was just for you.

And so I look at Gabrielle. She doesn't know. It's good.

Our journey's short. I couldn't give you much. But I can give you this. I can give you a future.

I am the killer of all futures. But now. With this. This development. I can give a future to another. I'm glad.

I thought our every day could be our last. And it looks like this is it.

I don't even dare to look at her for one last time. I'm afraid I'd crumble.

And just like that I leave. No goodbyes. She can't know. No more pathetic smiles. No displays of weaknesses. Just a walk away without looking back.

Please Gabrielle. Forget me. And have a good life.

Live a life that you would live if we never met. Live a life that you deserve.

And just like that. I leave her. She's life itself to me. And I leave her so she could live.

And just like that, I walk away. She is my soul, and I walk away.

I leave them. My two closest beings in the world. I'm glad they could get on friendly terms. I hope they'll take care of each other.

Goodbye, Gabrielle. We will never meet again.

Gabrielle. I couldn't give you much. But I give you this.

When I die, you get to have my horse.