This episode went through a fair amount of re-writes, by LadyKate. The scenes below were altered after editing and certain parts were moved to other parts of the episode or deleted altogether. These are just some of the original scenes.
When Xena first meets Cassiopiea after saving her and recalls her powers:
XENA AND GABRIELLE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF SCARED GIRL, THEY ARE NOT VERY HAPPY WITH HER AT THE MOMENT. XENA LOOKS AT HER.
XENA
Well?
SCARED GIRL
My name is Cassiopeia. I live in that village, Pryrus it is called. She wants to kill me.
XENA
(LOOKS FRUSTRATED)
That's lovely for you, but WHY is 'she' chasing you?
CASSIOPEIA
I… she… she thinks I killed some people. I didn't, honest! Please, don't kill me!
GABRIELLE
(PUTS A HAND ON CASSIOPEIA'S SHOULDER)
Don't worry, we'll make sure that you don't get hurt. I'm Gabrielle And this…
(TURNS AND POINTS AT XENA)
…is Xena, the Warrior Princess
CASSIOPEIA
(LOOKS AWESTRUCK)
You're Xena? Really? Oh my, this is such a pleasure! You have no idea how much I have read about you from these scrolls that I have! You are the most amazing…
XENA
I get it, me, hero, you, damsel in distress. I don't need it pointed out to me by you. Just tell me what they think you did already.
CASSIOPEIA LOOKS HURT BY XENA'S COMMENTS, WHICH EARNS XENA AN ANGRY LOOK FROM GABRIELLE. XENA GLARES BACK, BUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING.
CASSPIOPEIA
Well, it all started a few nights ago…
FADE OUT
FADE IN
TAVERN - NIGHT
(FLASHBACK)
CASSIOPEIA IS TALKING TO A MAN IN HIS THIRTIES, THERE IS LOUD MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND, AND CASSIOPEIA HAS A DRINK IN HER HAND.
CASSIOPEIA (VOICE OVER)
I was having a really nice night. I was talking to this man, Armanus I think he was called. And we were really hitting it off. He was a really nice guy. But I don't think that he really wanted to talk to me, I think he wanted to talk to my friend, Ilyna, but I was all he could get.
FOUR MEN ENTER BEHIND CASSIOPEIA AND ARMANUS. THEY ARE VERY BRAWNY. CASSIOPEIA IGNORES THEM AS THEY START TO TALK TO HER AND ARMANUS. IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE GETTING ANNOYED AT THE RUFFIANS, BUT WHEN ARMANUS TRIES TO PUSH THEM AWAY, THEY DRAW THEIR WEAPONS AND BEGIN TO THREATEN CASSIOPEIA.
CASSIOPEIA (VOICE OVER)
I don't know what happened next, it is all kind of a blur to me, but the next thing I knew, I was radiating with this blue energy…
BLUE FIRE FLOWS AROUND CASSIOPEIA AND SHOOTS OUT AT THE MEN THAT ARE THREATENING HER AND ARMANUS. IT KILLS THEM INSTANTLY, BUT ARMANUS IS CAUGHT IN THE FIRE TOO, AND IS KILLED.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
FOREST - DAY
CASSIOPEIA
Then they were all dead, Armanus and the men. I don't know how it happened. I didn't do anything wrong I swear it!
XENA
Are you sure you didn't do anything? Nothing at all? Not a word?
CASSIOPEIA
(STARTS TO WHIMPER)
I swear it on my fathers grave! I didn't do anything!
XENA
Okay then, we'll see what we can do to sort this whole thing out.
CASSIOPEIA HUGS XENA, AND THEN TURNS AND DOES THE SAME TO GABRIELLE. SHE SMILES AT THEM AND PUTS HER HANDS IN FRONT OF HER, IN A PRAYER-LIKE POSITION.
CASSIOPEIA
Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!
XENA
I think I have a fair idea.
GABRIELLE
We should go and find a place to stay for the night. She'll be looking out for us I'm sure of it.
XENA NODS. SHE GETS BACK ONTO ARGO 2 AND EXTENDS A HAND TO CASSIOPEIA, WHO TAKES IT GRATEFULLY AND THEY GET UP ON THE HORSE. GABRIELLE SADDLES HER HORSE AND TOGETHER THEY RIDE AWAY.
Xena's first meeting with Ares:
XENA IS SITTING AT A TABLE WITH GABRIELLE AND CASSIOPEIA. GABRIELLE AND CASSIOPEIA ARE STUFFING THEIR FACES FULL OF FOOD. ALL OF A SUDDEN, XENA SITS BOLT UPRIGHT.
XENA
(AT CASIOPEIA AND GABRIELLES LOOKS)
Excuse me for a moment. I'm going to go to my room.
XENA FISHES HER COIN PURSE OUT OF HER CLEAVAGE AND TOSSES TWO GOLD COINS FROM IT ON THE TABLE. SHE THEN STANDS UP AND WALKES UP THE STAIRS TO HER ROOM.
XENA OPENS THE DOOR AND STEPS IN. SHE THEN CLOSES IT, AND LOCKS IT.
XENA
You've been watching me all day. What do you want?
ARES MATERIALIZES IN FRONT OF THE WARRIOR PRINCESS IN A BLUE FALSH OF SPARKS AND MOVES TOWARDS HER SLOWLY. HE LIFTS HER HAND TO HIS LIPS AND GENTLY KISSES IT.
ARES
Nothing really. I just wanted to see how my favourite warrior was holding up. After all, you do have an insane sorceress on your hands.
XENA
(SCOWLS)
You'd like me to think that wouldn't you?
ARES
You know damn well that I would never do anything to hurt you princess.
HE DROPS HER HAND AND PUTS ONE OF HIS OWN HANDS AROUND HER WAIST, DRAWING HER CLOSER TO HIM. XENA LOOKS MIGHTY PISSED OFF BY HIS ACTIONS.
ARES
So, do tell, why are you been so hostile towards me today? You aren't normally this angry at me. what have I done this time?
XENA
Nothing. You just turned up at the wrong place at the wrong time.
ARES
You know that if you help Cassiopeia, you are going to be in more danger than you could ever imagine.
XENA
Why do you think that?
ARES KISSES HER CHEEK LIGHTLY AND MOVES HIS LIPS CLOSER TO HERS. THEY ARE NOW ONLY MILLIMETERS APART
ARES
Because Cassiopeia is no ordinary sorceress. She is the most powerful witch to ever walk the earth, and the most evil.
XENA
You're lying.
ARES
A god need never lie. Especially not to his favourite warrior.
XENA
Prove it.
ARES CHOSES THAT MOMENT TO KISS HER ON THE LIPS. IT IS THE MOST PASSIONATE, WILD KISS THAT ANYONE COULD IMAGINE. XENA PUSHES HIM AWAY LIKE HE IS SOME SORT OF DISEASE.
XENA
What the hell are you doing?!
ARES
You know you want me, why don't you just accept it princess? You want me so badly that you are confused by it.
XENA
No I don't… I don't…
ARES MOVES TOWARDS HER QUICKLY AND SHOVES HER AGAINST THE DOOR, KISSING HER MADLY. XENA KNEES HIM IN THE GROIN. ARES DOUBLES OVER IN PAIN. XENA GIVES HIM ONE LAST LOOK BEFORE SHE GOES OUT TO TALK TO GABRIELLE AND CASSIOPEIA.
ARES GETS UP AFTER A SHORT TIME
ARES
She wants me.
ARES VANISHES
After the visit from Ares:
XENA WALKS FROM THE STAIRS TO SIT WITH GABRIELLE AND CASSIOPEIA. XENA LOOKS OVER TO THE OPPOSITE WALL, AND SEES A YOUNG WOMAN, IN HER 20'S, EGYPTIAN, LEANING AGAINST THE WALL. SHE LOOKS LIKE A WARRIOR, SHE HAS LOTS OF PEIRCINGS ON HER FACE, AND A TATTOO ON HER RIGHT CHEEK.
XENA
Cassiopeia, just a question, did you practice sorcery before that night?
CASSIOPEIA
I used to. I gave it up a few years ago. I thought it was too dangerous for me. I just wanted to get married and all that. You know what I mean?
XENA
No.
GABRIELLE
What Xena is trying to say is that she has given up men for the moment. We don't really have the time in our lines of work.
CASSIOPEIA
But what about that man that you were talking to a moment ago? You seemed to like him enough.
GABRIELLE
(WITH A CURIOUS LOOK)
Really? Well Xena, do tell.
XENA
(SCOWLS)
Don't get your hopes up Gabrielle. Ares and I are not going to get together.
GABRIELLE NEARLY FALLS OFF HER CHAIR, BUT CASSIOPEIA CATCHES HER BEFORE SHE CAN HIT THE GROUND. XENA NOTICES THAT THE EGYPTIAN WOMAN HAS STARTED TO MOVE TOWARDS THEM. SHE IS NOW ONLY A COUPLE OF TABLES AWAY, EYEING WHAT THE THREE WOMEN ARE DOING.
XENA
(STANDS UP AGAIN)
Do you think it's time you girls turned in? Knowing you Gabrielle, if you don't get some shut up soon, you won't wake up tomorrow.
(TURNS TO CASSIOPEIA)
And I think you might want to get some rest too, it's been a long day.
CASSIOPEIA AND GABRIELLE BOTH NOD, AND QUICKLY HEAD UP THE STAIRS TO THEIR ROOMS.
Just after Cassiopiea reveals herself as an evil sorceress and there's a fight:
ARES KNEELS DOWN BESIDE XENA
ARES
Are you okay?
XENA
Yeah. I've been better though.
(SMILES)
You were right. Cassiopeia is evil, and very powerful. How did you know that?
ARES HELPS XENA TO SIT UP.
ARES
Cassiopeia was one my hit list of warriors to recruit when you died. But she was changed into that simpering moron before I could do anything about it.
XENA
Nice.
ARES
It could have been worse. I could have tried to find someone better than you.
XENA
She is better than me you dork.
ARES
But nowhere near as beautiful my dear.
ARES PLANTS A KISS ON HER FOREHEAD BEFORE HELPING HER UP. XENA IS A BIT SHAKEY ON HER FEET, BUT SOON REGAINS HER BALANCE. ARES LOOKS OVER AT ANCKTARI
ARES
Now that is one hell of a fighter. What's her name?
XENA
Ancktari, and she is going to be sent to hell the moment that we kill Cassiopeia. She is already on her second life time. Cassiopeia burned her alive when she was fourteen
ARES
So she is an angry little woman?
XENA
I wouldn't call her angry. She wants revenge.
ARES
(LOOKS AT XENA)
Don't we all?
GABRIELLE GETS UP AND LOOKS AROUND. SHE SEES ANCKTARI ON THE FLOOR, AND XENA TALKING TO ARES. SHE IS CONFUSED.
GABRIELLE
What the hell happened? Where is Cassiopeia?
XENA AND ARES TURN TO GABRIELLE
XENA
Cassiopeia is evil. She killed some priestesses in Egypt before one of them cast a spell over her, making her an innocent until five days after she killed again.
GABRIELLE
So… Cassiopeia is evil?
ARES
Unless you want to count the gods, oh, that's right, you killed them all didn't you
XENA SNARLS AT ARES
XENA
Shut up and get over it, You're still here to enjoy it aren't you?
On the ship, when Xena and the others are discussing sleeing arrangments and Xena and Ares share a room:
ARES
There is no way that I am going to sleep anywhere near either of those two Xena.
ANCKTARI
You close your mouth you stupid infidel.
ARES
You're talking to a god here sweety, watch your mouth.
ANCKTARI
You have no idea what you are dealing with!
XENA
All right, shut up. Gabrielle, you bunk with Ancktari, you two obviously don't wanna be anywhere near Ares. Ares, you're with me.
GABRIELLE (whines)
Xena…
XENA
No arguments, if you say a word, I'm cutting you all open here and now.
ARES AND XENA LEAVE.
THEY WALK INTO THEIR ROOM. IT IS SMALL WITH ONE SINGLE BED. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO HAVE SOMEONE SLEEP ON THE FLOOR EITHER.
ARES
Well, this is a nice situation isn't it?
XENA
Yeah, lovely.
ARES
C'mon Princess, we're all adults here aren't we?
XENA
I suppose so.
ARES
Well this shouldn't be any trouble then should it?
XENA
Don't even…
ARES
I won't try anything my dear. Don't you worry that pretty head of yours.
XENA
Fine.
XENA TAKES OF HER LEATHERS, LEAVING ONLY HER SHIFT ON. ARES REMOVES HIS VEST AND SWORD. THEY BOTH CRAWL INTO BED. XENA SNARLS AND KNOCKS HIM FLAT ON HIS ASS ON THE FLOOR
XENA
You didn't think I actually meant it did you?
(laughs)
Come on Ares, I'm not that dumb.
ARES
A man can always hope.
XENA
Not you.
Ares talks about Cassiopeia's powers while they are on the ship, and about Set:
GABRIELLE SEES THE WATER APPROACHING THEM. SHE NODS SHORTLY.
GABRIELLE
Do you want me to start getting people off here?
XENA
That would probably be the best idea.
AS GABRIELLE LEAVES, ARES AND ANCKTARI COME RUSHING UP ON DECK. ARES SEES THE WAVE AND SMILES.
ARES
You think that is Cassiopeia?
(laughs)
I find that hard to believe. The person that is doing this is my Egyptian cousin Set, the god of evil.
XENA
Cassiopeia has the god of evil on her side?
ANCKTARI
Is this true? Is Set supporting the vessel?
ARES
Not really. What Set is doing is protecting his favourite mortal, who is our sorceress.
Gabrielle realizes the special bond between Xena and Ares that can defeat Set and Cassiopeia:
GABRIELLE PUTS DOWN THE SCROLL AS REALIZATION DAWNS ON HER FACE. SHE STANDS UP AND STARTS YELLING.
GABRIELLE
Ares! Ares come here quick!
ARES APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE. HE RAISES AN EYEBROW.
ARES
Yeah?
GABRIELLE
It's you! You and Xena, you are the two who can stop Cassiopeia and 'her god' from taking over the world!
ARES
(laughs)
Keep on dreaming Gabrielle. The only way that it could be me and Xena is if by some miracle, we had something that would connect us for eternity.
GABRIELLE
But you do! Don't you get it! You and Xena are the thing that you will always share! Without you, Xena is empty, and without Xena, you are nothing.
ARES
You have to be eating henbane again…
GARIELLE
I'm serious! Think about it! You and Xena… it makes sense. Xena is the most powerful warrior in the world, and you are the most powerful god!
(SHE SUDDENLY LOOKS TO THE GROUND)
And no matter what I have ever said to you, you two have a bond, you are the definition of 'Two souls joined as one.'
Xena and Ares share a moment before the big battle with Set:
ARES
Well, there is no time to rest. We have to find Cassiopeia and Set before they start to kill again.
XENA
(FROWING)
Ares, can I talk to you for a moment?
ARES
Of course my dear.
XENA
Outside?
ARES
Even better.
CUT TO
NIGHT - TEMPLE DOORSTEPS
XENA AND ARES ARE SITTING ON THE TEMPLE STEPS, EYEING EACH OTHER.
XENA
Ares, look, I don't know why you want to help me but…
ARES
You know why. Stop pretending would you?
XENA
Okay, so you think you love me. but you are willing to kill anyone on the face of the earth to save me. What is that?
ARES
This is me, trying to do what is right. Nothing more, nothing less, no strings attached. Except one.
XENA
(EYES NARROW)
And that is…?
ARES
To kiss me by the time this is all over. Not one of those 'I feel sorry for you kisses ether, just a nice kiss. That's all I want.
XENA
You're kidding me right?
ARES
Why would I lie to you?
XENA
I don't know…
ARES
Well then stop doubting and kiss me would you?
XENA KISSES ARES LIGHTLY, BUT IT RADIDLY ESCALATES FROM THERE. ARES WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.
BUT BEFORE IT GOES ANY FURTHER, XENA LETS HIM GO AND LOOKS UP AT THE TEMPLE DOOR. GABRIELLE IS STANDING THERE.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
XENA SITS UP, ARES IS STILL SITTING THERE, BEWILDERED
XENA
Gabrielle, I…
GABRIELLE
You what? Xena you do realize that you were kissing the god of war right? You're not drunk or anything are you?
XENA
No, I'm just giving Ares his payment.
GABRIELLE
And what, pray tell, would that be?
ARES
One kiss. Why?
GABRIELLE SCOWLS AND LEAVES. XENA AND ARES BOTH START LAUGHING BEFORE THEY GET BACK UP AND GO INSIDE.
The ending after the Cassiopiea is defeated:
XENA, ARES AND GABRIELLE ARE STANDING ON A CLIFF, WATCHING THE SUN GO DOWN. XENA IS SMILING.
ARES
Do you think it was worth it?
XENA
What? Sacrificing Ancktari's life?
ARES
Yeah.
XENA
No. It isn't right that Ancktari had to go to hell, not when she was little, not today either. But she went a proud woman, and that is what makes it all worthwhile.
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