Battle Lines II Production Draft

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Battle Lines II

Episode #8
Production #V0808

Written by: Brooks Wachtel

Directed by: Charlie Haskell

Production Draft - April 07, 1998
Pages 1, 3-4, 6, 8-9, 11, 14, 16-17, 19-21 - April 27, 1998
Pages 4, 15, 21, 24 - May 02, 1998

Pacific Island Pictures, LTD, All Rights Reserved © 1998

Cast List

Hercules
Jason
Iolaus - (ee-OH-lus)
Cheiron - (KI-ron)
Lilith
Strife
Discord
Cyane - (si-AN)
Simula (an Amazon Seer)
Cavil (a Centaur Elder; Strife in disguise)
Amazon Scout
Buff Amazon Guard
Centaur

Set List

Interiors:
Great Hall - Centaur Village
Ares' Throne Room
Amazon Council Tent
Cavern of Hephaestus' Torch

Exteriors:
Amazon Camp
Meadow
Forest
Forest Stream
Woods
Battlefield and Adjoining Forest
Another Part of the Forest
Forest Path

Teaser

RECAP:

FADE IN:

EXT. AMAZON CAMP - NIGHT

NARRATOR (V.O.) Previously, on Young Hercules...

Cyane We've finally found a place to call our own.

Hercules, Cyane, Iolaus and the Amazons crowd around.

Simula We were attacked! It was horrible!

Cyane Who was it? Who did this thing?!

Simula Centaurs!

INT. GREAT HALL - CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY

CAVIL You see? It has ever been thus between the Amazons and us! Their cunning against our strength! They accuse us of the very crimes that they commit!

Cheiron Return to the Amazons. Tell them, the choice is theirs. Leave, and avert the war. Or stay, and let it begin.

EXT. MEADOW - LATE DAY

Hercules Then two people I care about are going to spend tomorrow trying to destroy each other.

NEW MATERIAL:

INT. ARES' THRONE ROOM - MOUNT OLYMPUS - DAY

There's a huge chess board with Amazon and Centaur peices. DISCORD picks up an Amazon and Centaur -- balancing them in each hand like the scales of justice.

DISCORD The Amazons think the Centaurs have attacked them -- and the Centaurs think the Amazons have attacked them. Mortals are so clueless!

She smashes them together and they crumble.

Discord I just love it when my plans cause pain.

STRIFE, sipping from a glass, hands another glass to her.

Strife 'Your' plan?! My plan!

Discord (enough already) Okay, our plan.

They both grin like nasty kids who just got away with something really wicked. Strife raises his goblet for a toast.

Strife (gleeful) I feel gloriously loathsome! Uncle Ares is gonna...

Bolts of energy smash the goblets from their hands. ARES POOFS in dramatically -- hands still smoking from firing the blasts.

Ares ...be very, very upset!

Strife jumps back, screaming, startled. Discord stands her ground, unimpressed.

Discord What's your problem?

Strife I bet he hates your little scheme.

Discord shoots him a look. Ares fires a bolt that sends Strife tumbling across the room and toppling over Ares throne.

Ares It's not bad, except for one tiny detail.

Discord Let me guess -- the Amazons.

Ares Who said you could mess with my favorite mortals?!

Strife picks himself up off the floor and moves to Discord.

Strife Maybe next time you'll listen to me.

Discord ignores Strife, except for flicking her wrist and hitting him with another energy bolt that again hurls him across the room and toppling behind Ares throne. She adresses Ares.

Discord Okay, so Strife did get a little carried away. But after all, last time I checked, dear brother, you were the God of War.

Strife slinks from behind the throne as Ares moves toward him.

Strife Swords. Spears. Mayhem. You now, all that great -- war stuff. Isn't that worth a few Amazons?

Ares thinks, balancing Amazons on one hand and war on the other.

Ares War, Amazons... Amazons, war... (decides) War is good. Carry on. But, guys, one last thing...

Strife Be sure to wash our hands after every conquest?

Ares grabs Strife by the collar, brings him close, and growls:

Ares Hercules. That sniveling half-mortal spawn of Zeus. Daddy's coddled little favorite.

Strife (finishing thought) ...that you despise.

Ares Don't -- let me repeat this -- don't underestimate Hercules.

EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON

HERC and LILITH hurry through the woods toward the Amazon camp.

Discord (V.O.) I'm way ahead of you. Our miserable little half-brother's about to be history.

FADE OUT.

Act One

FADE IN:

EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS

As they walk, Hercules looks serious, lost in thought.

Lilith You haven't said a word in the last two miles.

Hercules Cheiron's only given the Amazons until dawn tomorrow to get out of Centaur territory or...

Lilith (heated) This is Amazon land now! And we aren't going to be chased off by anyone. If the Centaurs want a war -- we'll give them one!

Hercules There's got to be another way.

Lilith There isn't. They've been hunting us down when all we want to do is live in peace.

Hercules The Centaurs claim the Amazons are doing the same thing to them.

Lilith (struck a nerve) And you believe them?

Hercules Look -- I just don't want to see people I care about die!

Lilith That's not true! You're just taking that centaur's side!

Hercules (angry) His name's Cheiron! He used to mean something to you, Lilith. He was more than a teacher -- he cared about you.

She storms off. Herc starts after her, but realizes it's useless. He lowers his head and kicks the ground in frustration.

EXT. FOREST - STREAM - AFTERNOON

Hercules comes through the trees, calling:

Hercules Lilith?

He spots her sword and picks it up, concerned. He yells:

Hercules Lilith!

Then he spots something on the ground.

Hercules Centaur tracks!

He looks at the tracks in dismay.

EXT. AMAZON CAMP - DAY

The Amazons prepare for battle, readying weapons, honing skills. TWO PAIRS thrust and parry in sword drill while THREE ARCHERS swing down on vines from the trees, land as one and in unison fire arrows that hit the same mark. Other misc. preparations, as:

Iolaus (V.O.) Let me get this straight: You're deep inside Centaur territory -- Lilith is suddenly missing, there are Centaur tracks all over her last known location -- but the Centaurs are innocent...

Hercules and Iolaus talk, in the woods, just outside the perimeter of the Amazon camp (seen/heard in the distance).

Iolaus Herc, what's wrong with this picture?

Hercules What's wrong is that we're not looking at the whole picture... Someone planted those tracks.

Iolaus With their handy-dandy hoof-print makers?

Hercules Look, we both know that Cheiron's too honorable to lie.

Iolaus He wouldn't know where to start.

Hercules And I haven't known Cyane long -- but I know she wouldn't lie to send her people into battle.

Iolaus But they can't both be telling the truth.

Hercules Whoever fought Lilith left scorch marks on a tree branch. Centaurs don't fight with fire, neither do Amazons. Which must mean...

Iolaus (starts to get it) It's a set up!

Hercules (excited) She's got to listen to us now!

INT. AMAZON COUNCIL TENT - NIGHT

A dagger is thrust deep into a plank of wood, less than an inch from a red "X" bull's eye.

CYANE, having tossed the dagger, stands with Hercules, Iolaus, SIMULA, and TWO AMAZONS at the far end of the vast tent.

Cyane Lilith was from your own academy -- your blood should boil to avenge her!

Hercules Don't you see -- someone wants that rage -- wants this war!

Cyane Who? Do you have proof?

Hercules is stuck -- he knew she'd ask, but still doesn't have an answer. Simula strides forward.

Simula Of course the boy doesn't. The Centaur leader is his teacher -- he probably betrayed Lilith himself!

Hercules' honor is stung, but he holds his temper. He's got to make them listen. He ignores Simula and addresses Cyane:

Hercules All I'm asking is that you talk to Cheiron -- find out what's really going on before starting something that you won't be able to stop.

Cyane Don't lecture me about war. You play at it in the schoolyard -- I've seen the real thing!

Hercules Then you know how important it is to find another way.

Simula There is no other way! It has ever been this between the Centaurs and us! Their cunning against out strength! They accuse us of the very crimes that they commit!

Hercules recognizes the exact, word-for-word phrase used by CAVIL in the Centaur camp. He whispers to Iolaus while looking suspiciously at Simula.

Hercules Where have I heard that before?

Simula I say there's only one way to deal with Centaurs!

She tosses her dagger. It sticks the target near Cyane's.

Cyane looks at the other two Amazons. War or peace? They heft their daggers and toss them.

The two new daggers strike with such force that they shatter the wooden target.

Hercules looks at Cyane, hoping to change her mind, but the decision's been made, she's resolute.

Cyane My first duty is to my people. We attack at dawn.

EXT. AMAZON CAMP - NIGHT

Hercules and Iolaus walk toward the edge of camp. All around them the preparations and training for the war continue.

Hercules I don't know what to do. Both sides are so blinded by hate and distrust that they won't listen.

Iolaus Sure. If you want to trick somebody, make him so angry he can't think straight, and he'll do your work for you.

Hercules stops -- that's a good point -- then he spots:

Simula, at the edge of the camp, glances furtively, then steals into the woods.

Hercules (pondering) I think someone on each side knows your trick.

Hercules starts after her, then turns back to a confused Iolaus.

Hercules There may be a way out of this -- but if I'm not back by dawn...

Iolaus Back? Back from where?

Hercules ...do anything you can to stop the war.

Herc rushes off, leaving a very frustrated Iolaus.

Iolaus What?! (to himself) Stop the war! Sure, I'll just lie down in front of a charging Amazon chariot. No problem.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

Hercules follows Simula in the dark woods. She's elusive -- he sees her, then she's gone. She appears, then vanishes into the shadows, leading him deeper into the forest.

Hercules stops, he's lost her. Suddenly, she jumps him from behind with a flying kick that sends him sprawling.

Simula Looking for me?

Herc gets to his feet, ready to fight. Simula reaches up, grabs a thick branch and snaps it off like a twig. Herc is amazed.

Hercules How is it that an Amazon and a Centaur use the exact same words...

Simula ...when trying to start a war? Get a clue, bro...

Simula TRANSFORMS into DISCORD.

Discord I'm Discord - the half-sister you're gonna wish you never had.

Hercules reacts in surprise.

Hercules Sister!? How big a family do I have?

She sneers and tosses the huge branch. Hercules catches it, staggering back, then balances it and advances toward her.

Hercules Well, Sis -- when Cyane finds out the truth...

Discord grins and flings FIREBALLS, but Herc uses the brance to deflect them. Hercules lunges forward and uses the branch to pin her against a massive tree trunk.

Discord Uhn! And how's that going to happen? It'll be a trusted Amazon's word against yours.

Herc applies pressure, pushing the branch harder.

Hercules Where are the missing Amazons and Centaurs?!

Discord Okay! Back off. They're in the Cavern of Hephaestus' Torch.

He drops the branch, releasing her.

Discord You'll never free them and get back by dawn.

Hercules We'll see.

He rushes off to rescue the hostages. Discord sneers, making no effort to stop him. Strife POOFS in behind her.

Strife (angry, pissy) Wait until Ares finds ou that you spilled the beans!

Discord You mean that I've just sent Hercules to his doom?

Discord picks up the thick branch. Energy bolts flash from her eyes, turning it to kindling. She tosses the flaming log to Strife, staggering him back. He drops it like a hot potato.

Discord I think I can take the heat.

INT. CAVERN OF HEPHAESTUS' TORCH - NIGHT

Hercules enters and races deeper into the cavern.

He rounds a bend, coming to the TORCH CHAMBER and stops short. It's lined with dozens of highly polished shields.

In the center is a pedestal in the shape of a mailed glove, and in the open palm a large PULSATING RED CRYSTAL -- HEPHAESTUS' TORCH.

Bound against one wall by gleaming, six inch thick metal manacles are Lilith, the TWO MISSING AMAZONS, TWO CENTAURS, and the real SIMULA and CAVIL. They all spot Hercules.

Lilith Hercules! How did you find us?

Hercules A little goddess told me.

Herc examines the thick manacles -- They're too thick to break.

Hercules Hephaestus sure does solid work! Is there a key?

Lilith nods toward the opposite wall. A key of gold rests on a golden pin protruding from the jagged rocks.

Herc rips the key from the wall. There's a LOUD CRACKLE. The red crystal in the chamber's center FLASHES and an ENERGY BOLT blasts from it, streaking toward Hercules.

Hercules ducks and the energy bolt barely misses him, tearing a ragged chunk out of the stone wall. The crystal fires another. It hits one of the shields and REBOUNDS across the chamber into another chield. The energy bolt ricochets off shield after shield, picking up speed each time it hits.

Herc flattens as it nearly gets him. It recoils again, faster and faster -- he's on the ground and it's headed right for him. The deadly red energy fills the FRAME.

FADE OUT.

Act TWO

FADE IN:

INT. CAVERN OF HEPHAESTUS' TORCH - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)

Hercules rolls out of the way of a red energy bolt. The Torch Crustal fires several more bolts. They ricochet all through the cavern. The prisoners dodge as bolts blast walls around them.

Herc, twisting and turning, vaults clear of a bolt, landing hard.

Hercules I knew Discord gave in too easily!

The Torch Crystal fires again. Hercules rips a shield from the wall, using it to deflect the bolt. It hits another shield and ZINGS back at him.

The Torch spits out three bolts at once. Hercules is in the middle of a maelstrom -- they dart everywhere at blinding speed.

Lilith studies the battle. A bolt SMASHES the wall inches from her head. She barely reacts, keeping her focus on Hercules.

Hercules, one arm linp at his side, uses the shield bit he's giving ground -- there's just too many of the fast moving bolts.

Lilith Hercules. Remember Cheiron's lesson -- attack the dragon at its heart!

She's right! Hercules holds the shield in front of him and closes on the Torch. It fires several more bolts, but Herc's shield deflects them right back into the crystal. As they absorb back into the Torch it GLOWS brighter.

Herc closes to only a foot away. A CRACKLING arc of red energy jits the shield, which GLOWS the same crimson color. Hercules grimaces, fighting the pain and keeps advancing, keeps feeding the energy back at the source. There's an EXPLOSION of energy.

Lilith and the other prisoners watch intently. Is he all right?

The GLOW FADES revealing the smoking ruins of the pedestal and crystal. Hercules picks himself up from the ground.

He gets the key and undoes Lilith's bonds.

Hercules Thanks for the tip.

Lilith It looks like you were right all along. Maybe you cadets aren't such a lame bunch after all.

She gives him a warm smile. He shyly smiles back.

Hercules Not all of us.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD AND ADJOINING FOREST - DAY

TWO AMAZON SCOUTS peer out from the cover of trees.

There's an open field -- coming out of the forest at the far end is a SQUAD OF CENTAURS. One of the Amazons nods to the other, who rushes back into the woods.

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST - DAY

Cyane and TWO AMAZONS confer over a parchment map.

Cyane Your squad will destroy the Centaur rear-guard, then drive their main body into the woods...

A BUFF AMAZON GUARD, firmly gripping Iolaus' arm, hauls him closer and shoves him toward Cyane.

AMAZON GUARD The boy, Iolaus, requests an audience, your highness.

Iolaus rubs his arm -- her grip was like iron.

Iolaus Thanks, big guy.

Cyane Hercules is not in camp. Has his loyalty to Cheiron led him to change sides?

Iolaus Hercules doesn't have a 'side.' Cyane, please listen to me. I know a con when I see one, and this has set-up chiseled all over it. The Amazon Scout runs in.

AMAZON SCOUT Your majesty. The Centaur scouts have taken the field.

Iolaus Please give Herc time. He's a good guy and he cares a lot about you.

Cyane doesn't have time for this -- the war's about to start.

Cyane (to guard) Put him somewhere!

The buff Amazon Guard grabs Iolaus and pulls him away.

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