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"Darkness Visible" Episode 107/604 [TEASER] Man: [Screams] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Man's Voice: "All right?" H: "The object of the game-- is to score as many points as you can by throwing the ball-- through the hoop. Like that! Now, I want you to line up, and practice your shots. Then we'll break into teams. Come on, go!" Orphan-runner [Orp]: "The children _so_ look forward to your visits, Hercules." H: "Ah-h, believe me, I get as much out of it as they do." Orp: "I wish more people were as generous with their time. The orphanage can only provide them with food and shelter. Good role models are harder to come by." H: "Thank you, but it's my pleasure." I: "So, did you invent this game?" H: "Ah, nah. It's just somethin' I-- picked up when I was-- trotting the globe." I: "You know, you could 'a taught 'em something useful, like-- like hunting or-- or smearing yourself in yak fat to keep warm in freezing water." H: "This is useful. It's good exercise-- teaches them teamwork, hand-eye coordination--" Thief: "Gimme that!" Woman: "Help! Thief! Stop him!" H: "The laws of physics." Woman: "Hm-m-m! I'll take those, you good-for-nothing low-life!" H: "Huh?" I: "Do you _ever_ miss?" Mateas [Mat]: "Excuse me-- but you must be Hercules." I: "How'd you guess? Ow!" H: "Can I help you?" Mat: "I bring an urgent message from an old comrade. Perhaps you remember, Prince Vlad of Daysha?" H: "How could I forget? We fought together in the battle of Antioch." I: "Yeah, he's a great commander. We all respected him." Mat: "The prince is in dire need of your help. He's waging a losing battle to defend his kingdom against-- the Strygoia." H: "I thought they were a myth." Mat: "Tell that to the dead. I: "This isn't good, is it?" H: "Nope." I: "We're gonna go with him, aren't we?" H: "Yep." I: "What's a-- Strygoia?" H: "Vampires." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ACT I] Sailor's Voice: "Trim that line!" I: "So, that's Daysha, huh?" A Sailor's Voice: "Tell me what you see up there!" I: "Well, it doesn't look very inviting." H: "It's not really known as a vacation spot." I: "Yeah. If I know Vlad, his castle is way at the top of those mountains and it's gonna take us days of-- pain and crippling physical effort to get there." H: "Probably." I: "Typical Vlad. He always did like to capture the high ground." H: "Yep." I: "What, have we got any horses, or-- ?" H: "Nope." I: "It's never easy-- is it?" H [Sighs]: "Nope." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Galen [Gal]: "If I were you-- I'd get right back on that ship." H: "I appreciate the concern-- but we didn't come this far to turn around." Darius [Dar]: "We weren't asking." H: "Neither was I." Gal: "Think you're fast enough to outrun an arrow-- stranger?" H: "Do you think you're fast enough to outrun me after I do?" Man's Voice [In Background]: "Save me! Someone, please!" Gal: "And I'm here to defeat the Strygoia-- and I'm not about to let you or anybody else-- feed their army with your blood." H: "Then it looks like we have the same agenda. Hercules." Gal [Laughs]: "Why didn't you say?" H: "Well, you, uh-- didn't-- give me much of a chance now, did you?" Gal: "Galen. Darius." I: "Mateas. Iolaus." A Man's Voice: "The sooner we're out of here, the better!" H: "Ah, we're on our way to Vlad's castle." Gal: "So are we. When the Strygoia first showed up, Vlad offered his home as refuge. My sister went up there. Trouble is, she never came back." Mat: "I assure you, the prince is taking fine care of his guests." Dar's Voice: "So, why haven't you heard from them?" H: "Let's go find out." Gal: "We might as well travel together." Mat: "I must object, Hercules. The prince summoned you-- and you alone." Dar: "And I'm not splittin' my pay with anyone." H: "Well, there's-- safety in numbers. So, it looks like you've been outvoted-- both of you. Shall we?" Dar: "I still want my blood." Gal: "You'll get your dinars. Now, cork it." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: "So, what do these vampires look like?" H: "Just like you and me." I: "Wait a second. I-I thought they were-- blood-suckers, you know? Red eyes, fangs?" Dar: "You can't tell them apart from the rest of us-- till they sink their teeth in your neck." I: "Anything else you'd like to-- share with the group?" H: "There are-- other ways to spot them." I: "Like?" H: "One thing, they don't have a reflection." Gal: "You can kill them with this-- right through the heart-- no mercy-- no matter what they say." I: "So-- depending on how many there are-- we could be in this place-- a long time." Dar: "Not necessarily. If we're lucky enough to find the leader of the Strygoia-- then killing him-- will bring the others back to normal. So, that's where he got the name of-- `Vlad the Impaler.'" I: "Vlad did this?" Mat: "Only an enemy of our country uses that name. I caution you not to do it again!" Dar: "That sounds like a threat!" H: "Hey, hey! All right! All right! Come on! We're all tired. We'll camp here, and move at dawn." I: "Here? You wanna camp here?" Dar: "You know the [?] been near here." H: "That's why we'll be safe. We take turns on watch." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Strygoia: "There's always one who can't resist the glitter." Dar: [Screams] Strygoia: [Screams] H: "Nice shot." Gal: "He's lost too much blood! He's turned!" H: "I'll go along with that." Dar: "I don't usually kill for free-- but I think this time-- I'll make an exception." H: "How nice of you." [Fight] H: "Are you hungry?! Try this-- stake!" Dar: [Screams] I: "Got a plan?" H: "Let's just-- go to the castle." I: "Yeah." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: "Say, Herc, do you think Vlad could'a-- changed a little since we last saw him?" H: "We'll soon find out." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vlad [Laughs]: "My old friends! Welcome." I: "Hi." Vlad [Laughs]: "I trust your journey was a safe one. Hmm?" H: "Not exactly. We lost a man on the way here." Vlad: "The Strygoia." H: "Hmm." Vlad: "Then you know what I'm up against." H: "We're starting to get the picture." Gal: "What about my sister? She came here looking for shelter, and I haven't seen her s-s-- since." Vlad: "The Strygoia-- have been attacking with greater frequency. I've admitted hundreds of refugees into my home-- and they have remained indoors for their own safety. I am quite sure-- your sister is among them. Come. Please. Come inside. I've prepared a feast." H: "Good to see you, old friend." Vlad: "Good to see you. Good to see you both!" [Laughs] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ H [Laughs]: "That was one crazy night." Vlad [Sighs]: "How long has it been since you tasted plum brandy?" H: "Oh, no-- thanks-- only at weddings. But please, don't-- let me stop you." Vlad: "Ah-- no. I never drink alone. What's wrong, Hercules? You seem troubled." H: "Vlad, I, uh-- just didn't expect to step over so many bodies on the way here." Vlad: "Much has happened since Antioch." H: "Ah. Well-- I'm listening." Vlad: "I returned from the war to find my kingdom-- on the verge of collapse. My father seemed not to care. It was as if he had become-- a different person in my absence. Then one night-- while I was sleeping-- he tried to murder me. I had no choice but to kill him in self-defense." H: "You killed him?" Vlad: "When the news-- of my father's death reached the Turks-- they decided to [?]-- hoping to catch us in a moment of weakness. I assure you, Hercules-- the men you encountered were not left to die as you found them. They were killed in battle. I regret that I was forced to desecrate the dead, but what I did-- I did out of necessity." H: "The extreme-- always makes a point." Vlad: "The bodies were a warning to others-- to make sure-- that they think _twice_ before taking moreDaysian lives." H: "And now you-- need my help to fight the Strygoia-- " Vlad: "Who better to turn to in times of need-- than an old friend?" H: "Yeah. I'm sorry to hear about your f-father, Vlad." Vlad: "All I have left of him now are memories. But you know, Hercules-- sometimes, when I look into the mirror, I can still see part of him." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ACT II] I: "Hey-- is anyone hungry?" Vlad: "I-- had a friend over for dinner before your arrival." Gal: "Hey, what about my sister?" Vlad: "My men are searching for her as we speak. Galen-- you have my word-- by dawn-- you will be reunited. But for now, most of the guests have turned in for the night. Perhaps, we should do the same." H: "Good idea. I'm feeling pretty tired, myself." I: "Come on. You're _never_ tired." H: "Yeah, well-- there's always a first time." Vlad: "Gentlemen-- I bid you good night. Mateas will show you to your rooms." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: "Huh-- I really like what Vlad's done to the place. It's got that-- scary-- don't-look-under-the-bed kind 'a feel to it. Huh. Whoa!" H: "Don't worry. You won't be getting any sleep tonight." I: "What? I thought you were tired. Oh-- you were be-- oh. So-- wanna fill me in?" H [Sighs]: "You were right. Vlad isn't the same person we used to know. I'm starting to wonder if we ever really knew him at all." I: "You think he might be hiding something?" H: "I don't think we should stick around to find out. Let's find the refugees and-- get outta here." Gal: "OK-- I should'a knocked." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: "I don't get it. The place looks deserted. Where _is_ everybody?!" Gal: "This place gives me the creeps." I: "Hey, look, come on, Hercules. It's a castle. There are no secret passages." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: "You think these people are all dead?" H: "No, but they've lost a lot of blood." Gal: "These are the refugees?" I: "Oh. Oh. Why would Vlad lie to us?" H: "Because he's one of the Strygoia. When Darius was attacked-- it didn't take him very long to turn. These people have been here a long time, but they're still human." Gal: "My sister's not here-- and I'm not about to let her end up like this. I have to find her." H: "No-- you two stay together and help these people down. They'll need their strengh to get out of here. I'll find your sister." Gal: "Hercules-- hemlock." I: "You mean, vampires can be killed with poison?" Gal: "It weakens them-- but that's not what I'm offering. If you get bitten, swallow it before you turn. It'll take a little while to work, but you'll be a lot happier dead-- than undead." H: "Aa-ah-- thanks." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Claudia [Cla]: "There's something I want you to do for me." Vlad: "You need only ask." Cla: "I want you to spare my brother." Vlad: "For your own sake, my dear-- I urge you-- to detach yourself from your former life. These feelings will only bring you grief. You've experienced the intoxication of our power. Why deny your brother that gift?" Cla: "I want him to be-- as I remember him. I don't _want_ him to change." Vlad: "In time-- these feelings, too, will pass." Cla: "Then I ask only this-- let me do it." H: "I would have knocked-- but I'm not feeling very polite." Vlad: "Well, while you're here, Hercules-- do not make the mistake of rushing to judgment-- not before you know the whole story." H: "I already _know_ the whole story! Your father didn't go insane. He was a vampire-- and now he's turned you into one. You tell me I'm wrong!" Vlad: "I killed him before I understood what he had done to me! Like father-- like son." H: "Why did you send for me?! You know I can't let this go on!" Vlad: "When I realized what I was becoming-- I sent for the only man I knew-- who had the fortitude to take action against me-- in spite of his heart." H: "You wanted me to kill you." Vlad: "Yes-- at first. But as I waited for your arrival-- I realized something. I finally have the power to protect my people. After all-- who would dare oppose an army of the undead-- and you know better than anyone, Hercules-- that your strength inspires fear in even the most committed opponent." H: "Do you really think-- turning your subjects into vampires is doing them a favor?" Vlad: "In time-- they will come to accept themselves as I have." H: "And what about the people in the dungeon? They've been bitten-- but they haven't turned." Vlad: "They've been chosen for a different purpose." H: "You're using them as food. You drink from them, but you don't kill them." Vlad: "A small price to pay-- for the greater good." H: "I doubt they see it that way-- and neither do I." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gal: "Do you think they'll live?" I: "They've lost a lot of blood." Cla's Voice: "Galen-- Galen-- " Gal: "Claudia? Claudia" Cla: "Galen-- it's me." Gal: "Oh-h-h" Cla: [Laughs] Gal: "Oh, not you." Cla: "Don't I get a chance to explain? After all we've been through-- I'm your sister!" Gal: "No, you're dead." Cla: "No, you're wrong. For the first time-- I'm alive!" Gal: "You're not human." Cla: "And what-- exactly-- do we owe-- to humanity, Galen? All those men that struggled [?] down in battle-- they were humans, weren't they? Who were those men that tried to separate us when we were children-- because we would sell better that way in the black market? Huh?" Gal: "No, you're talking nons-- oh!" Cla: "I don't know a dangerous place in this world. For the first time-- I know what it's like to live without hopelessness. Let me show you how it feels. Let me show you." Gal: "No! No!" Cla: [Screams] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gal's Voice: [Screams] I: "Galen?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I [Screams]: "Galen? Galen." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ H: "Galen's arm. It looks like it was chewed off." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I: [Screams] H: "Hey! That's my friend you're suckin' on!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ACT III] H: "Easy, buddy. Still with me?" I: "Am I-- dead-- a-again?" H: "No." I: "It's cold." H: "I'm gonna getcha outta here." I: "Good. I don't think I can move." H: "Then, don't think." Gal [Laughs, then yells]: "Herc-- kill me." H: "No." Gal: "Please! It's my only chance for peace." H: "I'm sorry, but there's gotta be a better way." Gal: [Screams] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ H: "Iolaus! Iolaus, stop!" I: "I can't! He's in my head!" H: "Fight him! Come on!" I: "Please-- help me. I-- must-- obey!" [Screams] Vlad: [Laughs] H: "Think I won't kill you because we used to be friends? You better think again." Vlad: "Should I take that as an official declaration of war?" H: "Take it any way you want." Vlad: "When I took-- Dragon's Peak in the battle of Antioch-- I captured a small band of soldiers. Before I killed them-- I cut off the index finger of each of their hands and I sent them back to the emperor-- just to make a point." H: "I wish you'd make one now." Vlad: "The point is, Hercules-- in order to win the war, I was willing to do anything." H: "Well, then it looks like we still have a few things in common." Vlad: "Good. Then, it's safe to say that you would give your life to save your friend's." H: "I've got a better idea. You let him go-- and I'll stake you quickly." Vlad: "The gods have blessed you-- with blood more powerful than my own-- and I want it. In exchange-- I'll spare your friend's life. Make your decision quickly-- for with each passing moment, he comes closer and closer-- to death." I: "No-o-o-o!" Vlad: "Or should I say-- rebirth." H: "Hold on, buddy." I [Laughs]: "Look on the bright side. Now I've got armor-piercing teeth." H: "That's not funny." I: "You know what? We can still be friends. Come 'round to my cave-- hang upside down with me for a while." [Laughs] H: "I'm not kidding, Iolaus." I: "Neither am I. Herc-- you cannot let Vlad do this." H: "Yeah. I know. But if you come up with a better idea-- let me know." I: [Yells] H: "Easy-- Iolaus." I [Sighs]: "Ah, yeah-- yeah. Sorry, I--I'm just a little thirsty." [Chuckles] H: "Then I'll get you some water." I: "Herc-- don't give Vlad your blood. Give it to me. [Chuckles] I can't help it." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ H: "I'm ready." Vlad: "A wise decision." H: "Tell them to back off! Or no deal." Vlad: "No! Back away. Please-- be my guest." H: "Iolaus first." Vlad: "I've been more than patient, Hercules. Do not insult either of us by pretending that you have a choice in the matter. When I have what I want-- I will release your friend." H: "And why should I trust you?" Vlad: "You don't-- have a choice. Now, please-- make your self comfortable. You think I'm a monster. Can you blame the eagle for feeding off the field mouse? One cannot deny one's nature." H: "You have no idea how right you are." I: "Hah. No. Hercules. No." Vlad: "Release him. With the union of our bloodlines-- the Strygoia will truly be immortal. To your health, old friend." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [ACT IV] Vlad [Laughs]: "Come, my minions. Feed." Strygoia: [Gasp] Vlad: "What have you done?!" H: "Let's just say-- I stopped for a drink on the way here. Hemlock. Poison might have killed me-- if ya hadn't drained it from my system. So I guess I owe you a thanks-- old friend." Vlad: "Poorly played, Hercules. I cannot be killed with poison." H: "Oh, I know. But at least now we'll have a fair fight." I: "No-o-o-o! [Yells] No! No-o-o-o!" Vlad: "I can imagine no better trophy than your head-- displayed outside my castle wall." H: "You talk too much." Vlad: [Laughs] I: "No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! Hercule-e-e-es! [Laughs] No-o-o-o-o!" [Yells] Vlad: "My old friend-- decision time. Join me-- in eternal life-- or die now." H: "My-- friend-- died a long time ago." Vlad: [Screams] H: "Welcome back, buddy." I: "You did what you had to do." H: "Yeah-- I know. How you doin'?" I: "I could use a drink." H: "Huh-- I'm feeling a-- bit-- drained myself." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cla: "Thank you so much." H: "Oh-- please, that's not necessary." I: "Yeah, could have been a lot worse. Well, you know, we could have been-- werewolves, uh-- biting the heads off whippets, running around in circles-- you know." H: "Always lookin' on the bright side, aren't you?" Cla: "You sure you can't stay a while? Let me show you the true beauty of Daysha." H: "Ah, thanks." I: "No, no-- " H [Interrupts]: "We-we've got a boat-- " I: "Yeah, and it's kind'a-- " H: "Anyway, uh-- be well." Cla: "Thank you." I: "Galen." Gal: "Iolaus." Cla: "Thank you." Gal: "Thank you." H: "Take care." I: "You know, Hercules? I'm a little stiff." H: "What's wrong, Iolaus? Feeling _long_ in the tooth? Get it? Ha-ha-- long in the tooth?" I: "Yeah-- unfortunately. Look-- just stick with the lifting the heavy things, big guy, and let me do the jokes, OK?" H: "All right, because you were such a barrel of laughs, today." I: "Hey, I _never_ lost my sense of humor-- even in the face of death-- or-- undeath, or-- I don't know." H: "Yeah-- you were real funny when you were lookin' at me like I was a six-pack." I: "Hey-ey-ey-ey-- I was just window shopping. It's nothing personal." H: "Mm-hmm-- well, at least our struggle wasn't in _vain_!" [Laughs] I: "Oh, please-- Hercules, let _me_ do the jokes!" H: "Come on, that was pretty good!" [Chuckles] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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