Eli

I have my moments.

 

Gabrielle

Careful Eli. Pride comes before a fall.

 

Int-Tunnels

Eli, Gabrielle, Eve and Hope enter the tunnels to find three possible routes.

 

Gabrielle

Which one Hope?

 

Eve

Does it really matter?

 

Gabrielle

Don’t start acting like your

mother.  I don’t mean Xena.

 

Eve

Ha-ha.

 

A green mist appears in the corner and Rachel appears.  Gabrielle faces off with her.

 

Rachel

Mother, before you run

will you tell me one thing?

 

Eve

What?

 

Rachel

Do you really hate me?

 

Eve

I don’t hate you Rachel. 

I just can’t help you in

your fight against good.

 

Gabrielle and Hope share another meaningful look.  This is all too familiar with them.

 

 

Gabrielle

Hope, pick one and run for it.

I’ll follow shortly, I promise.

 

Rachel

I love you Mother.

 

Eve

I love you too sweetheart.

Good-bye.

 

They all take off down he center tunnel, which Gabrielle blocks with her body.

 

Gabrielle

You spit on me again and I’ll

kick your ass worse than it ever has

been before.

 

Rachel

You’re threats can’t even begin to

compare with the one Lucifer is

holding over my head right now.

 

Gabrielle attacks Rachel.  They clash swords.  Rachel manages to get Gabrielle’s sword from her hand but loses her own in the process.  Gabrielle spins twice, kicking at Rachel who ducks both kicks.  Rachel sneaks in a solid punch to Gabrielle’s stomach, who returns it to Rachel in kind.  Gabrielle attempts to hit Rachel seven more times but Rachel blocks each blow. 

 

Int–Tunnel

 

Hope, Eve and Eli run down the tunnel at full speed. 

 

Int–Chamber. 

 

Gabrielle and Rachel continue to attempt to kick and punch one another.  Gabrielle finally gets in one good punch that sends Rachel flying into the back wall.  She slides down, nearly unconscious.  Gabrielle turns and runs down the tunnel with them.

Finally she catches up with the others only to find the tunnel is a dead end.

 

Gabrielle

We’re going to have to go back.

 

The sound of demons coming up the tunnel alerts them that the way they have come is blocked off.  They have no choice but to continue forward. Suddenly an arm reaches out of the wall behind Hope and wraps around her waist.  Hands come from everywhere, the walls, the floor, pulling on Hope, Eve and Gabrielle, but they do not touch Eli.  They attempt to fight them off but they are unsuccessful.  One demon’s hand starts to choke Hope.

 

Eve

Hope!

 

Gabrielle

Hope!  They’re not grabbing

you Eli!

 

Eli

Hold onto me!

 

When the women touch Eli the appendages let go of them with screaming noises coming from the walls.  Gabrielle takes the Chakram and prepares to throw it at the support beam.

 

Eve

Gabrielle don’t!  This is a dead

End tunnel, we’ll be trapped.

 

Gabrielle

If those demons get to us,

we’re going to dead end.

Trust me Eve.

 

Gabrielle collapses the tunnel and they are thrown into darkness but a small beam of light comes through from above.

 

Eve

You see what I see?

 

Gabrielle

I think I do.

 

Gabrielle throws her Chakram and it tears through the small hole in the ceiling.  They begin to climb out.

 

 

Ext-Final battle field.

 

When everyone emerges from the tunnel they see the sky has mysteriously cleared and the sun is almost set.  Suddenly Eve is afraid as Eli touches her shoulder.

 

Eli

Eve, it’s time.  You know

what I have to do now.

 

Eve

Gabrielle, I want to tell

you that you’re like a mother

to me.  I love you and…

 

Gabrielle

Go. Be with Xena.  Be sure to

tell her how much I love her and…

 

Gabrielle and Eve break down into tears and Gabrielle pulls Eve close in one final hug. 

 

Gabrielle

If I could die for you I would.

I wish I could save you.

 

Michael

Maybe you can save her.

 

The group turns to face Michael, not noticing Rachel hovering above the group, studying the setting sun

 

Lucifer

This is your last chance Rachel.

Fail now and you will burn forever.

I will personally see to it.

 

Rachel hears his threat and it visibly scares her+.  She draws her sword and flies oward Eve.

 

Gabrielle

He heard my prayers and those are

His answers?  What do they mean?

 

Michael

I don’t know.

 

Gabrielle

What do you mean you don’t

know?  You’re an angel!

 

Michael

That doesn’t mean I have

all the answer’s Gabrielle.

 

Rachel lands behind them.

 

Rachel

I need to talk to you Mother.

 

Gabrielle moves in to defend Eve.  She’s not about to allow her to try anything with Eve at the last moment.

 

Gabrielle

You’re not taking her to Hell. 

 

Eve

Gabrielle, I think I can handle

this.  Please.

 

Gabrielle grudgingly steps aside to let them face off.

 

Rachel

You said you loved me. Did you

mean that?

 

Eve

Yes.  I meant it with all

my heart.

 

Int-Lucifer’s throne room

Lucifer watches the exchange with disgust.  Its time to end this once and for all.

 

Lucifer

I knew she was weak. Legions!  Attack!

 

Ext-Battlefield

 

Rachel

Even though it means I will

suffer for eternity, I want you

to know that I quit.  I won’t try to

take you back to hell. I love you.

 

Eve

I know you love me sweetheart.

 

Eve takes Rachel into an embrace and as they hug, the ground begins to rumble. Suddenly, all across the field portals open and thousands of demons fly out. 

 

Gabrielle

How are we supposed to stand up to that?

 

Michael

You’re not. Heaven will.  Watch.

 

A bright ball of light appears over the field, like the one seen at the beginning of “Fallen Angel” and thousands of angels fly from it to land on the earth.

 

Gabrielle

My God. The war in Heaven

has come to Earth.

 

The angels land and go into a massive battle with the demons.

 

Gabrielle

Eli, keep Hope safe.  I think

I know what I have to do to

save Eve. (she closes her eyes

and tilts back  her head in prayer)

I give up my will and my desires…

 

Eve faces Rachel and looks down at the sword Eli had given her and God’s answer suddenly has meaning.

 

Eve

I know what to do. I know

how to save you.  I understand.

 

Suddenly Eve attacks Rachel, who instinctively fights back.

 

Rachel

I thought you loved me!

 

Eve

I do love you  That’s why I

have to slay the demon!

 

Eli

(whispering)

My time has come and I have

no one to take me.

 

Eve and Rachel fight while Gabrielle prays in the middle of the battle.  Hope, who has heard Eli, pulls him aside.

 

Hope

I heard what you said to

mother about returning

to earth.  Eli, you gave me

a new lease on life. You gave

me my mother.  Let me

return the favor.