WarOnOlympus

Tales of the Argo:

War on Olympus

Featured Selections*

FADE IN:

EXT MOUNT OLYMPUS - ESTABLISHING

KELGUS (V.O.)

When the earth was fresh, and the gods not yet born, the Ancient Ones ruled the Universe. But their pride shattered the unity they once knew; thus were born the Titans.

The Titans, huge and ferocious warriors, battle each other, and the Ancient Ones.

The top pinnacle of Mount Olympus shatters, and a SLAB OF ROCK rises up.

KELGUS (V.O.)

The Titans fared no better than the Ancients. To the Titans were born the Olympian Gods. Their war scarred beautiful Mother Earth. It seemed that the earth was forever destined to be a battleground.

An unseen HAND writes in glowing letters on the Rock Slab.

KELGUS (V.O.)

The day that Man was born, a prophesy appeared on the Pinnacle of Olympus. "The Ocean's Son shall give battle until darkness is no more. In the last rays of godly twilight, Man shall uncover truth and reign forever."

At the very instant the Unseen Hand finishes writing, beneath the ocean, THETIS, the Nereid, is born.

KELGUS (V.O.)

Poseidon, god of the Ocean, loved many women.

The ocean froths and churns angrily. A grown woman, THETIS the Nereid, climbs from the water. Tears streak her beautiful face. She places a hand on her belly and looks back to the ocean.

KELGUS (V.O.)

But his jealous wife would tolerate none of them.

Thetis the Nereid gasps as she gives birth.

KELGUS (V.O.)

It was prophesied that any son born to Thetis the Nereid would be greater than his father.

On the field of battle, PERICLES rises up, slaying many with his sword.

KELGUS (V.O.)

Even now, the thick darkness of war blankets the land, veiling the face of evil from those who could destroy it ...

EXT BATTLEFIELD - DAY

Bodies darken the expansive battlefield. In the distance, the clash of weapons is heard. High above the fracas, the first vultures circle.

PERICLES (apparent 30's), sits atop a magnificent war horse. He points his sword toward the enemy army.

PERICLES

They are falling back. But it's a trap. You two, go this way. The rest of you, come with me.

Pericles leads a few men after the retreating army.

On the other side of the body-strewn battlefield, atop a small rise, two dark-cloaked figures watch in cold calculation. AMPHITRITE turns her back on the battle and looks at her rings instead.

AMPHITRITE

It appears we have won.

SOTERIOS, completely swathed in dark cloaks, looks beyond the battle to the ocean. He pulls his cowl further down over his face, deepening the shadows around his angular visage.

SOTERIOS

It is of little consequence. The Stone is all that matters.

Pericles runs through the ruins, chasing the leaders of the enemy forces. An arrow zips out and buries itself in a pillar next to Pericles. Pericles stops short, his eyes search the ruins for the hidden sniper.

PERICLES

Come out and you might live.

An archer, PHALERUS (40's), steps out nocks another arrow. He points the arrow directly at Pericles.

PHALERUS

No one shall pass.

PERICLES

Phalerus. Put down your bow. It's me.

PHALERUS

Prince Periclymenus. Forgive me, I didn't know.

PERICLES

No one does. My name is Pericles now.

Phalerus lowers his bow slightly.

PHALERUS

What are you doing here?

PERICLES

Same as you.

PHALERUS

So you fight for money?

PERICLES

I have nothing else.

PHALERUS

Fighting for money, could there be a more noble cause? Well, fighting for a woman, of course.

Phalerus looks around, but keeps his arrow nocked.

PHALERUS

What legion do you fight for?

PERICLES

The Delphic Army.

Phalerus stiffens his jaw.

PHALERUS

So we're on different sides.

PERICLES

It appears so.

PHALERUS

Turn and walk away, Pericles. We don't have to let this come between us.

PERICLES

I don't have a choice. I gave my oath.

Pericles raises his sword and steps into a defensive position.

PHALERUS

Pericles, don't do this.

PERICLES

Your leaders don't care about you. They don't care if you die.

Phalerus pulls his arrow back into firing position.

PHALERUS

They've paid me for my loyalty.

PERICLES

You were an Argonaut. Is this how far you've sunk?

Pericles lowers his sword and walks away.

Phalerus lowers his bow. He can't shoot a friend in the back.

PHALERUS

I see why Aspasia chose you over me.

That name hits Pericles harder than any arrow. His knuckles whiten on the hilt of his sword. He slowly turns around, eyes smoldering.

Phalerus steps back nervously, even though he's ten yards away.

PHALERUS

I ... I'm sorry. I know how much she meant to you.

Pericles clenches his teeth. The words hiss out, barely restraining the turmoil within.

PERICLES

You know nothing.

The shattered building beneath Phalerus explodes in a hail of stone. Pericles dives over a low wall for cover. He peeks over to see Phalerus half-buried in the rubble.

Pericles looks over to the distant army. Soterios mockingly bows as a black funnel cloud descends. It envelops both Soterios and Amphitrite and disappears into the heavens.

---------

EXT FLOATING FORTRESS - DAY

A huge fortress floats out in the ocean. A crude crane lowers a hook into the water. Soterios and Amphitrite look on from one of the towers.

Nearby, on the shore, a rocky promontory juts out into the water. Two great pillars, The Pillars of Poseidon, rise up nearby.

EXT ROCKY PROMONTORY - CONTINUING

Pericles looks out at the floating fortress. He puts a small whistle to his lips, and blows. The pure note echoes over the water.

EXT FLOATING FORTRESS - CONTINUING

On the fortress, Amphitrite looks out in panic.

AMPHITRITE

No! Hurry, we must get the stone raised.

EXT ROCKY PROMONTORY - CONTINUING

A silver dolphin leaps over the waves and swims to the water's edge. The dolphin beaches itself then transforms into a beautiful sea nymph, DELPHINUS.

Delphinus stands and wrings the water out of her long silvery hair. She walks up the beach and falls on her knees in front of Pericles.

DELPHINUS

My Prince, it has been years since you called.

PERICLES

If Poseidon finds out ...

DELPHINUS

He will not. We all are sworn to silence.

PERICLES

How many?

DELPHINUS

Enough.

Pericles breathes a small sigh of relief. He reaches out and takes Delphinus' hand, drawing her to her feet.

PERICLES

I have a favor to ask of you, Delphinus.

DELPHINUS

Speak, and it shall be.

PERICLES

That fortress out there must be destroyed. They try to raise the Dark Stone.

Delphinus grins mischievously.

DELPHINUS

Do you want it in big pieces or little pieces?

Pericles smiles at her exuberance.

PERICLES

I leave that to your discretion. But one thing ...

Delphinus pauses at the water's edge.

PERICLES

If Poseidon finds out about this, it was all you.

DELPHINUS

He is your father, why don't you try to reconcile with him?

PERICLES

He won't listen. He has too many voices in his ears.

Delphinus returns to Pericles and kisses his hand.

DELPHINUS

Farewell, my Prince.

PERICLES

Goodbye, Delphinus. Be safe.

DELPHINUS

Always. I'll call the Kraken.

PERICLES

May the oceans be fruitful for you.

DELPHINUS

And the lords of earth and sky watch over you.

Delphinus leaps into the water. She changes instantly into a laughing dolphin. She slaps her tail once, then disappears beneath the waves.

EXT FLOATING FORTRESS - CONTINUING

The ocean surface froths and churns around the fortress. Great geysers of water erupt forth as the KRAKEN bursts from below. The Kraken swats at the fortress, easily ripping it in two.

The crane topples and the rope snaps. The Dark Stone sinks once again into the ocean.

EXT ROCKY PROMONTORY - CONTINUING

Pericles watches from the land. The Kraken rips apart the entire floating fortress.

PERICLES

Good. Thank you, Delphinus.

Pericles looks up to the sky, squinting against the brightness of the sun.

PERICLES

The stars will not be aligned again for eighteen years. We'll be safe till then.

---------------

EXT ACADEMY OF WAR - DAY

Pericles and Anteus walk away from the Academy. Pericles fumes as he walks down the path. Anteus hurries to keep up.

ANTEUS

You don't really believe him, do you? Thestius has been out to get me since day one.

PERICLES

Thestius should be the least of your worries. I paid a lot of money to put you through the Academy.

ANTEUS

The other guy pushed me first.

Pericles stops and stares right into Anteus' face.

PERICLES

So you pushed back.

ANTEUS

What else was I supposed to do?

PERICLES

(walks away)

How about walking away? Ever think of that?

ANTEUS

Like you walked away from your problems.

Pericles stops and raises a single finger to Anteus. Though Anteus towers over Pericles, he backs up a step.

PERICLES

I walked because I had to. There was nothing left for me there.

ANTEUS

Look, I don't care if you killed her or not. I don't care that Poseidon exiled you forever. Look at my face. I don't care.

Pericles looks at Anteus, as if peering into his soul. Shaking his head, he turns and continues down the path.

ANTEUS

Hey, I've got a lot to curse, too. My life hasn't exactly been a cakewalk either.

PERICLES

You're too young to waste your life on vengeance.

ANTEUS

Maybe I should just feel sorry for myself - like you.

The barbs sting Pericles deeply. But he refuses to turn around and face his nephew.

PERICLES

I should have died that day.

(quietly)

I did die. But I am cursed with immortal blood.

ANTEUS

My father didn't fight back, and now he's dead. I won't make the same mistake.

PERICLES

Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

ANTEUS

I learned that if you don't fight, you die.

Pericles gestures to a large rock. Anteus sits down.

PERICLES

I wish it were that simple.

ANTEUS

Look at my father. He refused to fight. See where it got him?

PERICLES

Ancaeus was one of the greatest warriors ever to walk this earth. Of all the Argonauts, only Hercules and Jason were stronger.

(smiles, remembering)

For years, the axe of Ancaeus was spoken of with reverence by the Tiryns. He single-handedly slew the great serpent that plagued them.

(sighs)

After all of that, he no longer wanted war. So he settled down to raise a family.

Anteus grimaces at the memories.

ANTEUS

I honor my father as a warrior.

PERICLES

But you remember him as a farmer. Tell me, Anteus, what does your father think of you?

Anteus frowns; confusion crosses his face.

ANTEUS

He's dead. It doesn't matter.

PERICLES

His body is dead, but he lives on. Think about it. If you had to face him right now, what would he say to you?

ANTEUS

I hope he'd say he was proud of me.

PERICLES

But you don't think he would.

Anteus gets up from his seat and kicks a stone.

ANTEUS

What does it matter? He's gone. Forever.

Pericles continues down the path, leaving Anteus with his thoughts. He looks out toward the ocean, prompting a flash of memory.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT POSEIDON'S PALACE - ROYAL CHAMBERS - FLASHBACK

Pericles quietly opens the door to his chambers. His wife, ASPASIA, lies still on the bed. Her long black hair flows down over the edge of the bed.

PERICLES

Aspasia? I'm back.

A goblet lies on its side next to the bed. A small amount of liquid pools in the side of the cup.

Pericles reaches out gently and touches Aspasia's arm. Cold.

PERICLES

Aspasia?

He shakes her, trying desperately to wake her from the sleep of death.

PERICLES

No! Don't leave me!

Pericles cradles his wife in his arms. He screams in agony of soul.

Grief turns to anger. Pericles swings about wildly, destroying everything in the room.

After the anger subsides, he turns to the goblet on the floor. He quaffs the small amount of liquid in a single gulp. Then he lies down on the bed, next to Aspasia's body.

Spasms of pain rack Pericles. He curls up in the fetal position. His eyes screw shut in pain of soul and body. His mouth opens in a silent scream.

The door bursts open and guards rush in. They are led by AMPHITRITE, wife of Poseidon.

AMPHITRITE

The fates have cursed him for killing his wife. Take him!

The guards drag Pericles to the throne of Poseidon.

AMPHITRITE

Poseidon, your son has killed his wife and newborn child. He must be punished.

PERICLES

(gasping in pain)

Where is my son? Show me. Please.

POSEIDON

You shame yourself even now. Aspasia and her child shall be given back to the sea. But you ... you shall never have place in the seas again.

EXT ROCKY COUNTRYSIDE - DAY - REALITY

Pericles shakes his head, coming to himself. Anteus stands waiting a few steps away.

ANTEUS

Did you hear what I said?

PERICLES

You asked what Aspasia would say to me.

ANTEUS

So?

PERICLES

She would curse me for leaving her. I left to go to war. I came back too late.

Anteus studies the ground for a minute, searching for the right words to say. He gives up and changes the subject.

ANTEUS

So where are we going now?

PERICLES

Home. To Delphi.

---------------

EXT BEACH - SUNSET

The heroes emerge from a small cave onto a wide beach. The sun sets into the azure sea, turning the waves to gold.

In the distance, a solitary figure sits on a rock. He holds a staff in one hand, and smokes a large pipe with the other.

Pericles approaches the man.

PERICLES

A little late to be out alone.

The old man, KELGUS, turns his bright eyes to Pericles. He takes a puff of his pipe and smiles thoughtfully.

PERICLES

We could be thieves, you know.

KELGUS

Yes. I know.

MEGAERA

What are you doing out here?

KELGUS

Waiting.

MEGAERA

Okay. I can see that. Waiting for what?

KELGUS

I was told of the gods that four heroes would meet me here today.

Pericles looks up and down the empty beach.

PERICLES

The day is gone. I don't see anyone. Looks like the gods told you wrong.

Pericles walks away. Atalanta grabs him by the arm.

ATALANTA

What if he means us?

PERICLES

He doesn't. We're not heroes.

ATALANTA

But we could be. What about the basilisk?

PERICLES

That was luck. We're not heroes. Not anymore. Not unless you give me the Crown.

ATALANTA

Why? What do you need it for?

PERICLES

I have to talk to someone.

ATALANTA

How is the Crown going to help?

Pericles pulls Atalanta out of hearing range of the others. He whispers harshly to her.

PERICLES

That Crown is the only chance I have to go back to my kingdom.

(points his finger in her face)

If you don't give it to me, I'll just have to take it.

ATALANTA

You wouldn't dare.

PERICLES

This is the real world out here, kid. Only the strong survive.

Atalanta pulls the Crown of Apollo from her satchel.

ATALANTA

All right. What if I did give it to you? What does it do?

PERICLES

It lets the wearer see into another's soul - to see if they speak the truth. Or if they are hiding things.

ATALANTA

So why didn't Megaera want me to put it on?

PERICLES

Talk to her about it. May I have it?

Atalanta reluctantly hands over the Crown to Pericles.

PERICLES

Thank you. Pleasure doing business.

Kelgus waits patiently for Pericles to return to the conversation.

KELGUS

Now that you have the Crown of Apollo, what will you do with it, Son of Poseidon?

PERICLES

That is my business, Old Man.

MEGAERA

Pericles, he knows things - things no one else does.

PERICLES

Wonderful. Maybe he can provide some competition for the Oracle.

ANTEUS

What's gotten into you?

PERICLES

This is where I go my own way. Have a good life.

Pericles walks down to the water's edge.

KELGUS

I have a ship waiting nearby. You are welcome to come with us.

PERICLES

And what if I don't want to?

Kelgus just smiles.

PERICLES

What? What is it you're not telling me?

Kelgus plants his staff in the sand; it stands upright by itself. The sun disappears below the horizon, but the staff glows from within.

A disembodied voice emerges from somewhere in the staff.

ORACULAR STAFF

Hear me, my chosen ones. You have been gathered to protect this world. A growing evil plagues the gods. They no longer have the strength to stand against it. My servant, Kelgus, will accompany you on your quest. Go with trust in each other - son of Poseidon, grandson of Poseidon, Twice blessed of Athena, and Virgin Huntress.

The glow retreats and the staff becomes as normal once again. Everyone looks in stunned amazement at Kelgus. He just smiles wisely.

-------------

EXT OLYMPUS - DAY

Black clouds gather around the usually idyllic mountain. Thunder shakes the entire mountain.

INT OLYMPUS - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUING

The assembled gods look around in confusion. The doors burst open. Soterios enters, holding Hermes in the air by the back of the head.

ZEUS

Who are you?

SOTERIOS

I am the Deliverer.

Ares charges at Soterios, sword gleaming. Soterios easily sidesteps the blow and pounds Ares in the stomach. As vicious as the god of war is, Ares is no match for Soterios.

After a brief dazzling display of swordsmanship, Soterios knocks Ares out cold.

SOTERIOS

Is that any way to treat a guest?

ZEUS

Who sent you?

SOTERIOS

Come, come, Zeus, you should know that. You imprisoned him inside a stone.

Realization hits Zeus and he sits slowly in his throne.

ZEUS

Hyperion.

SOTERIOS

Give the man a prize!

Hera steps forward.

HERA

We destroyed him once. We can do it again.

SOTERIOS

Sorry. Last time you had the Cyclopes and Giants to help you. The Cyclopes are dead. The Giants hate you. You don't stand a chance.

Zeus angrily hurls the thunderbolt at Soterios. Soterios blocks it with his outstretched palm. The thunderbolt fizzles and dies.

SOTERIOS

You can go quietly. Or, if you prefer, I can destroy you. The choice is yours for the next five seconds.

All the gods surround Soterios.

SOTERIOS

So be it.

Aphrodite seductively approaches him. A gold pendant, THE HEART OF APHRODITE, glitters on her chest.

APHRODITE

You don't want to fight us. I can take you someplace you've never been.

She drapes herself over his arms.

SOTERIOS

Doubtful. But I could send you someplace you've never been.

Soterios yanks her head backwards and drops Aphrodite on the ground. He leans down and snaps the gold chain on her neck, taking her pendant.

APHRODITE

Hey!

Soterios whips around and backhands Ares in the face, sending him crashing into the wall.

SOTERIOS

I gave you your chance.

Hermes leaps on Soterios' back. Soterios reaches up and grabs Hermes, flipping him up and over. Hermes twitches once after hitting the ground, then lies still.

HERA

You wouldn't dare strike a woman.

SOTERIOS

Equal rights for all.

Soterios blasts Hestia with a bolt of magical power. Hestia crashes through a side door and disappears.

Soterios grabs Hera by the hair and yanks her head back.

SOTERIOS

Listen close, because I will only say this once. Leave this earth and you will live.

HERA

Never.

Soterios throws her to the ground.

In the background, Artemis draws back an arrow in her bow.

Soterios stands to his full height slowly. He stares straight at Zeus. His eyes never move, but he knows full well that Artemis is behind him.

SOTERIOS

Artemis, do you really think you will hit me with that arrow? If you miss me, you hit Zeus.

Zeus narrows his eyes. He looks to Artemis and nods.

Artemis lets loose with a volley of arrows. Soterios dodges each and every one, his motions blurring with speed.

Zeus slumps wounded in his throne, an arrow in his shoulder and one in his chest. Behind the throne, arrows stick out like a pincushion.

The mighty Thunderbolt drops from Zeus' weakened hand.

Soterios steps over the fallen gods to pick up the thunderbolt. He leans close to Zeus and whispers mockingly.

SOTERIOS

Have a nice day ... pincushion.

He flicks one of the embedded arrows, drawing a gasp of pain from the king of the gods.

The doors slam behind Soterios as he exits.

---------------

INT OLYMPUS - VISTA OF ETERNITIES - SAME TIME

All around the spacious room, scenes from the mortal world play out. One single small door lies at each end of the room.

Zeus lies on a small cot. Hera binds his wounds. Athena stands over them.

ZEUS

Athena, you must stop him.

HERA

Shh. As soon as you heal, we can leave this place.

Zeus props himself up on his good arm, drawing a grunt of pain from deep within.

ZEUS

No! We stay! Olympus is ours!

ATHENA

Poseidon's Trident has been stolen.

HERA

That leaves only Hades' Helm of Invisibility.

ATHENA

Why one so powerful would need a helmet of invisibility ... ?

Zeus slumps back down on his cot.

ZEUS

He is going to free Hyperion.

ATHENA

But that takes all the artifacts.

ZEUS

No. It only takes six. We six original Olympians have kept it from you, so that we could stay in power.

The hurt of betrayal crosses Athena's face.

ATHENA

I see. And now that knowledge is out of your hands.

Hera tries to shoo Athena away.

ATHENA

You may have killed us all, Zeus.

Zeus smiles weakly. A droplet of blood trickles from the corner of his mouth.

ZEUS

The mortals will be better without us.

ATHENA

They need someone to look up to. Right now, we don't seem to be living up to their expectations.

Athena storms out.

HERA

Rest now. Everything will be all right.

-------------------

EXT POSEIDON'S PALACE - SAME TIME

The palace is curiously silent. No fish or merfolk swim nearby at all.

INT POSEIDON'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUING

Poseidon straps a sword on his back. Delphinus helps him get into his armor.

POSEIDON

Ready my chariot.

--------------

EXT POSEIDON'S PALACE - SAME TIME

Poseidon races away from his palace in his chariot, drawn by two sea dragons. He wields a gem studded trident in place of his other one.

Delphinus swims behind him, in dolphin form.

EXT HADES - ENTRANCE - SAME TIME

Hades' chariot races out of the entrance, towards the Pillars of Poseidon.

INT OLYMPUS - VISTA OF ETERNITIES - SAME TIME

Zeus watches his brothers as they drive toward their destinies. He sighs wearily.

ZEUS

I should be with them.

HERA

You would be slain as well.

ZEUS

How do you know? I am the King of the gods, and here I tremble in fear, when I should be out there. Fighting.

HERA

You didn't get to be ruler by force. You earned it by treachery. Let them fight it out. We can find a new cosmos.

Hera takes Zeus' hand and leads him out the door. Zeus' courage crumples as he joins Hera.

ZEUS

Maybe you're right.

--------------

EXT CAVERN OF HYPERION - CONTINUING

Hades stops his chariot a short distance from the cave.

HADES

I cannot help you any further.

PERICLES

You're a coward, just like the rest of them.

HADES

I know my place. See that you know yours.

PERICLES

You'll see me soon enough.

Hades smirks at Pericles' boast.

HADES

We shall see, Son of the Oceans.

Hades snaps the reins and drives away.

MEGAERA

Any last requests?

Everyone remains silent.

PERICLES

Let's go. Atalanta, I want you to come with me. Megaera, you and Anteus hold back for a minute. We'll have a two-pronged attack.

MEGAERA

I think we should all stay together.

ANTEUS

I'm inclined to agree with her.

ATALANTA

No, I think I know what he has in mind.

But Pericles has already turned away. Guilt clouds his eyes for a moment, then he hides it, and turns back to the group.

PERICLES

We haven't got much time.

ANTEUS

I think I need to go find a tree.

MEGAERA

If you can't hold your water, tie a string around it. You're just nervous.

--------------

Pericles glares defiantly at Soterios.

SOTERIOS

It is done. Hyperion shall return.

PERICLES

But you won't live to see him.

SOTERIOS

If Zeus himself could not defeat me, what makes you think-

Pericles hits Soterios with a magnificent punch that staggers him.

PERICLES

I'm not Zeus.

EXT PILLARS OF POSEIDON - SAME TIME

Posiedon's chariot bursts forth out of the water. He leaps to the shore, casting off his cloak behind him. The brilliant moonlight shines off his polished armor. He takes his shield and jeweled trident and strides toward the cave.

INT CAVERN OF HYPERION - CONTINUING

HYPERION the Titan pulls himself from the portal. A crown of horns circles his head. Great clawed hands hang at his sides. He breathes deeply of the air and laughs.

Right behind Hyperion, evil demons burst free of their otherworldy prison.

Chaynock coughs weakly on the altar, clinging to life, but just barely.

CHAYNOCK

My queen ... help me.

Megaera yanks Amphitrite's hair, pulling her head back. Megaera drives her knee into Amphitrite's back.

MEGAERA

One of your subjects wants you.

AMPHITRITE

Get off me, you harlot!

A demon rakes Megaera's back with its claws. She rolls to the ground and slashes upward, severing the demon's hand.

MEGAERA

Pericles, we've got demons!

Anteus scans the room, looking for the best use of his efforts. He tosses a demon into the wall and stomps on its chin, snapping its neck.

By the entrance, Atalanta sets the baby behind a rock.

ATALANTA

Stay here, where you won't get hurt.

ANTEUS

Atalanta, go! Get out of here!

--------------

POSEIDON (O.S.)

HYPERION!!!

Hyperion whirls to face Poseidon - just in time to catch the hurled trident right in the chest. The impact throws him against the wall.

The crunch of demon bones behind Hyperion signals another demon dead.

HYPERION

Poseidon. Come to crash my party.

POSEIDON

Spawn of evil. I will send you back to your murky prison.

HYPERION

I don't think so.

Hyperion stands and plucks the trident easily from his chest.

HYPERION

You're not as strong as you used to be.

-------------

Anteus hurls the Thunderbolt at Hyperion. It scorches Hyperion's shoulder, then returns to Anteus' hand. Hyperion is caught between Anteus - with the Thunderbolt - and Poseidon and his Trident.

POSEIDON

(to Anteus)

He is not fully in this world. We can drive him back.

Poseidon presses his attack, driving Hyperion back toward the portal. A demon lashes out at Poseidon, but he grabs it by the neck, stopping it in mid-air. A quick snap of the wrist, and the demon falls dead.

----------

AMPHITRITE

You fool. You can't kill a god.

Anteus hurls the Thunderbolt at Hyperion. Hyperion sidesteps the blow and catches the Thunderbolt, hurling it back at Anteus. Anteus jumps, as the ground beneath him explodes. He crashes against the wall and doesn't move.

Poseidon blasts Hyperion with his Trident. Hyperion falls back against the portal.

Soterios catches Pericles' arm and twists him around. As the Titan falls toward them, Soterios throws Pericles off balance.

Soterios dives out of the way. Unknowing, Pericles catches the full brunt of Hyperion's fall. Pericles falls backwards into the portal. His outline stretches outward toward infinity, and then he is gone.

Poseidon blasts Hyperion once more, and the Titan falls back through the portal.

A bright light flashes once. The portal closes.

EXT OLYMPUS - VISTA OF ETERNITIES - SAME TIME

Athena watches alone as events play out. Zeus has already left. She bites her lip nervously.

Hades enters.

HADES

So it is finished?

ATHENA

Pericles wasn't supposed to die. The prophesy says that he lives.

HADES

All heroes die.

ATHENA

No. Not him. Not until the war is over.

HADES

Nothing can bring him back now. The prison is locked. He is gone from our world.

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INT OLYMPUS - VISTA OF ETERNITIES

Athena and Hades look on in disbelief.

HADES

What is he doing? We've already won.

Athena shakes her head slowly.

ATHENA

I hope he's not doing what I think he's doing.

HADES

He's letting Hyperion out.

ATHENA

No. Something even more dangerous.

INT CAVERN OF HYPERION - CONTINUING

The portal flashes open - Arcane energies swirl within. Without hesitation, Poseidon picks up his Trident and steps through to Gehenna. Mystical lights flash, and he disappears.

---------------

POSEIDON (V.O.)

When a god dies, the world should listen and take note ... but they didn't. When all the gods fall, no one will care. So long as there are heroes, there will be hope.

** Author's note - the dividing lines ( ---------) indicate a jump in scene. I've added enough of the story for the reader to get a feel for it. I'm holding back the whole screenplay, because I'm trying to market it to both the film and television markets.