by Howard McGee
Copyright 2004
First Scene:
Gabrielle is on her ship at the end of her final
adventure with Xena. She is looking over the side coming to terms
with the loss of her best friend. Then a whistling sound and some
faint music startles her. She turns around to see a black gate or
doorway appear behind her. It grows to about 7 feet. Then she
notices a human form appear from deep inside it. She gets her
daggers ready for a possible fight. When the figure appears
Gabrielle is overcome by a powerful feeling of wellbeing.
The stranger is wearing a gleaming silver full helmet, which covers his face. It seams to have sparkling lights all over it. The rest of him is covered in sparkling chain mail armour. Down the full of his front is a sparkling golden Ankh. A large backpack is on his back. He is not armed at all.
The stranger speaks. "Gabrielle I have come to you in peace and virtue."
Gabrielle responds "Who are you and how did you get here?"
The Stranger replies "I have been known on my world as the Avatar. You met an Avatar in India who is a hero here. I am an Avatar in my dimension of Britannia. I know you have been to Britannia but I speak of a much more beautiful world in another dimension. I have come to your world through a device called a Moongate. I have come to ask you and Xena for help in saving Britannia from being consumed by evil."
Gabrielle asks, "How do you know of me?"
The Avatar explains "Since I died after my final quest on Britannia I ascended beyond mortality. I have spent many years in the void searching for a new hero to defend Britannia. I have watched you and Xena do amazing heroic acts in the name of good and love. My world needs you and Xena to save it from a large number of evil monsters that threaten to consume it."
Gabrielle asks, "Can you tell me more about yourself?"
Of cause, "A long time ago on my first visit to the united world of Britannia I went on a sacred quest to gain and prove my Avatarhood. When I completed my quest the evil half broke way and left Britannia. During the long years since it conquered many worlds. In some of my later journeys I was able to help most of them. But not that long ago it calling itself 'The Guardian' returned to Britannia. The only way I was able to defeat it was to reunite with it and leave Britannia. My reward was to become the Titan of either. This simply means I am able to cast magic almost at will. My days as a hero are over though, that is why I need you and Xena."
Gabrielle says, "You would then be aware that Xena is dead. We can not help you."
The Avatar then explains "I have learned powerful magic in my journeys. I can resurrect Xena with no harm to those who died because of her. But to do this you must come to Britannia with Xena's remains so I can perform the ritual to bring her back."
Gabrielle says, "Let me ask Xena first."
"Of course" the Avatar responds.
After one minute, Gabrielle is seen with her eyes closed standing dead still. She responds "Xena will agree after you first tell us of this Britannia of yours."
The Avatar responds "Certainly." He then reaches into his backpack and produces a leather book. "Gabrielle read this. It will explain the history of Britannia as well as showing you how magic works there. At the back there is a beastry listing most of the animals and monsters that exist there." Just as Gabrielle starts reading, a ghostly appearance stands next to Gabrielle. It is Xena. Together they read the book.
"While you read I will explain a few things. This Britannia we are going to is controlled by eight virtues. These virtues are Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality and Humility. You will need to follow all these to complete your quest." The Avatar explains.
After an hour, Gabrielle hands back the book to the Avatar asking, "So tell us more about this quest."
The Avatar explains "Britannia has always had monsters like what you have seen in the book but now their numbers have multiplied and now each city is under attack from hordes of monsters that the people can't hold back. I can't return to Britannia to help them like I have in the past and I need to seek new heroes to save Britannia. You and Xena are the best the Universe has. We need you and Xena to first save each town and then find a way to stop the monsters from flooding into Britannia. Do you accept this ultimate challenge?"
Gabrielle responds "We accept. How do we get to this world?"
The Avatar answers "Through this black gate. It will take you straight to Britannia. You will arrive in its capital, City Britain. Right in front of Lord British's throne. You will meet some of my best friends there, Iolo and Shamino as well as the King. They will help you with your first task, which is resurrecting Xena. I will not be there in person but at certain times I will be able to help you on your quest. Now enter the black gate and prepare for a new life.
'Before you are allowed in Britannia you must answer 7 virtue questions given to you by a powerful Gypsy. These questions will determine some of your starting abilities. There are no right or wrong answers. Answer what is right for you." Gabrielle then enters the black gate with the Avatar behind her. The gate then shrinks behind them.
Scene two:
Gabrielle is inside a Gypsy wagon already seated. The
Gypsy speaks "You are the new hero from another world who will save
Britannia one last time. I will now ask you 7 questions. Give each
one serious consideration before answering. Let us begin the
reading." In front of the Gypsy is a table. In her hands she holds
some cards with pictures on them. The Gypsy begins by laying 2 cards
on the table. "Question one. You are entrusted to deliver an
uncounted purse of gold. If you meet a poor beggar would you show
Honesty or Compassion?" The Honesty card Gabrielle notices has what
looks like a wizard or mage holding his hand up to a large open palm
on a wall. The Compassion card shows a female bard giving a coin to
a beggar. Behind them both is a heart. Gabrielle points to the
Compassion card. The Honesty card magically disappears first then
the Compassion card.
The Gypsy then places 2 more cards down and asks "You are but a peasant shepherd, but you have been discovered to be sole descendent to a noble family long thought extinct. Will you show Honor or Humility." She sees the Honor card has what looks like an important knight holding a goblet of wine. The Humility card shows a shepherd with crook in hand looking after a lone lamb. Gabrielle is seen thinking for a moment then points to Honor. The cards disappears as before and 2 more are laid on the table.
The Gypsy continues "Question 3. During a pitched battle, you see a fellow Knight desert his post, endangering many as he is fleeing. If you saw him set upon by several enemies, would you show Justice or Sacrifice?" The Justice card has a King sitting on a throne. One hand open in a sign of honesty, while the other has a heart floating over it. The Sacrifice card shows two people in a desert scene. One looks badly ill. The other is tending to him. There is a big teardrop over them. Gabrielle instantly points to Sacrifice. Again the cards disappear and she puts two more down.
"Question 4. If a local bully pushed for a fight, would you show Valor or Spirituality?" The Valor card shows a large red demonic face looking angrily down at a fighter brandishing a sword back at the creature. The fighter has a shield in the other hand. The Spirituality card shows a monk meditating in front of an Ankh. Again without thinking Gabrielle points to the Spirituality card. Then the Valor card disappears followed by the Spirituality card.
Then 2 more cards appear and the Gypsy continues "Question 5. You have sworn to uphold a Lord who participates in the forbidden practice of torture, and each night you hear the cries of tortured prisoners. Will you show Compassion or Honor? Without a second thought Gabrielle points to the Compassion card again. Just like before the Honor card disappears first followed by the Compassion card.
Then 2 more cards appear and the Gypsy continues "Question 6. You have spent your life in charitable and righteous work. If your uncle, an innkeeper, lay ill and asked you to take over his tavern, would you show Sacrifice or Spirituality?" This time Gabrielle thinks for a moment then points to the Spirituality card and she watches closely as the Sacrifice card disappears and then the Spirituality card. Then she takes one big breath as the last 2 cards appear.
The Gypsy speaks "Question 7. You have been taught to preserve all life as sacred. If a man were fatally stung by a venomous serpent and begged for a merciful death, do you show Compassion or Spirituality?" Gabrielle sits motionless for a short moment then slowly points to the Compassion card. She watches in amazement as the Spirituality card disappears and the Compassion card then floats up in front of her. The Gypsy speaks one last time. "You have chosen a life as a Bard. As a result you will have increased dexterity. Go now through the Black Gate outside. When you arrive, you'll be inside Castle British. There you will meet Iolo, Shamino, Geoffrey and Lord British. They will help you begin this Ultimate Quest." Gabrielle gets up without saying a word and walks outside and enters the Black Gate."
Scene three:
This scene starts inside Lord British's throne room.
The throne room is huge with many large stained class windows high
up on its walls. In the center back of the room is the throne. In
front of the throne is a long narrow patterned rug that leads all
the way to the front of the throne rooms and the large double wooden
doors leading out. The rug had the symbols of the eight virtues all
over it. There are four other much smaller wooden doors along the
side of the room. Two on each side of the throne room.
A very old and frail King sits on the throne with two large Guards standing either side of him. Lord British is wearing a full length purple gown that has gold trim. His face is almost completely covered in a white beard and moustache. The two guards are in full plate armour. Each is holding on to a three metre long halberd.
In front of him stands Geoffrey the Captain of the guards. He is also in full plate armour. He has a broad sword sheathed down his right side. With him are Iolo and Shamino. Iolo also has a full white beard like Lord British. He is outfitted in full leather armour. He has a tribble crossbow attached to the right side of his belt. Like the Avatar he has a large brown backpack. Shamino dressed in a green and brown ranger's outfit with a green hat. He has a large bow and a large quill of arrows on his back. Over that he also has a large brown backpack.
Then the same whistle and music are heard as before as a black gate appears in front of the group. From the gate appears a surprised and stunned Gabrielle. As she leaves the gate it shrinks and vanishes. Gabrielle is now wearing full-hardened brown leather armour. She has Xena's Chakram attached to her belt that is around her waist. Her two famous weapons are still attached to her boots. She to has a brown backpack. On the other side of her belt is an empty scaffold.
Then Shamino walks up and greets Gabrielle. "Welcome to Britannia. My name is Shamino and this is Iolo who is a Bard like you and this here is Geoffrey the Captain of the Guards. On the throne here is our great King Lord British. The Avatar told us in our dreams that a new hero would arrive soon to save Britannia from this most deadly peril."
Then Gabrielle asks, "What has happened to my dress and skirt?"
Shamino answers, " When you arrive in our world you are magically outfitted in armour that is customary here. If you go back to your world you will go back to your normal outfit." Gabrielle nods her head understandingly.
Then Gabrielle states, "I will gladly help but can you help me bring my best friend back?" She shows the group the urn containing Xena's ashes.
Iolo tells Gabrielle "What you ask is difficult but it can be done. We will need to go to our most sacred shrine of Spirituality to perform the resurrection. To get there we will need a device called the Orb of the Moons. Unfortunately it has been stolen by a powerful Lich and taken to the bottom of Dungeon Despise. If you can help us firstly by ridding Britain of large numbers of Skeletons that are attacking, we can then go to Despise and get the Orb of the Moons and meet the Avatar at the shrine where your friend can be brought back to you. We will need her and your ability in combat if Britannia is to survive."
Gabrielle answers "Show me the way."
Geoffrey then steps forward and holds out a very special sword. Gabrielle is amazed to see fire all along the blade. Geoffrey explains "This is a magical weapon called a fire sword. You will need its abilities if you are going to succeed out there." Gabrielle takes the sword carefully and sheafs it. Then Iolo armed with his tribble crossbow, Shamino with his magic bow and Gabrielle with the new fire sword and Xena's Chakram leave the castle to confront the skeletons.
Scene four:
The trio is seen walking through the town to the town
wall. Gabrielle puts, "This is an incredible city." Pointing to all
the shops that are on either side of the path. She wondered what
they were made from. They looked incredibly strong and very large to
her. She recognised some of the signs on the shops as they past
them. A blacksmith, armourer, baker and even a tavern. The city was
so big everywhere she looked there were more shops and houses.
Gabrielle continued, "There is nothing like it where I come from. Such beauty and size is amazing." She also noticed in the sky that there were two moons.
Iolo explained that they are called Trammel and Felucca. "They are very important to the moongates you have already traveled through." He continued. Iolo explains, "This City of Britain is built with compassion over a thousand years. You will find each town very different here."
A short walk later they make it to the town wall where a battle is already under way. The three climb the stairs to the top of the wall. The score of guards that Gabrielle can see are all in chain mail armour and each have a standard crossbow. In the centre of the wall right above the main doors is a single cannon (a weapon she did not comprehend). It was not being used since there was no more ammunition.
One of the guards speaks "Glad to see you three. This battle is not going well." Gabrielle looks down from the wall in horror to see hundreds of skeletons armed with swords and bows attacking the large door blocking their entrance into the city. Just then an arrow from a skeleton flies by Gabrielle's head.
Immediately the three spring into action, Iolo with his deadly crossbow, Shamino with the magic bow and Gabrielle with the Chakram. They on occasion have to duck an arrow headed in their direction. When Gabrielle can she puts Xena's Chakram to work. The Chakram proves especially effective against the horde killing many with each throw. After a battle at the wall that lasts about one hour the large horde is defeated.
Gabrielle notices after the fight a large number of wounded and dead guards. She asks Iolo, "What are we going to do with these fallen guards?"
Iolo answers, "Gabrielle Britain has healers who can help the wounded. The dead will be berried in our Cemeteries. They died with valor and honor."
Shamino then tells Gabrielle we need to find the skeletons camp so we can stop any more attacks on the capital." So the three climb down and head out of the city. Along the way they come up against more armies of skeletons. Gabrielle is effective with both the Chakram and the fire sword. Her abilities amaze both Iolo and Shamino. It does not take long for the small party to find the skeleton camp. It is occupied by a very large number of the undead. Gabrielle took the flank with Iolo and Shamino behind her. The fire sword was killing them in droves. Iolo and Shamino were equally effective with bow and crossbow.
Half an hour later with little damage suffered the battle is won. Shamino says, "We need to find the portal they used to arrive on the mainland."
Gabrielle points to a pad at the other end of the campsite. "Is that it?" She asks.
"Yes." Replies Shamino. "Now watch some more Britannia magic. An Ort Por Ylem." He then reaches into a pouch on his belt and pulls out one Mandrake Root, Nightshade, Black Pearl and Blood Moss. Then he throws them on the teleport pad. The pad glows brightly for a few seconds then disappears all together. Shamino then tells Gabrielle "You will be learning magic like that once we can get to the Island of Moonglow. I sense great magic ability in you. For now lets head to the Dungeon Despise and get the Orb of the Moons."
Iolo interjects "Should we not stop off first at the shrine of Compassion so Gabrielle can meditate?"
Shamino replies "You are right as usual Iolo."
Gabrielle asks, "What will happen at this shrine?"
"You will see" answers Iolo. "Come let's get to the shrine. By the way, the mantra you need to chant at the shrine is Mu. Say the chant three times at the shrine."