FADE IN

A long shot of the Amazon village. The camera pans over to a field just outside the village, where about a dozen Amazons are discussing something. Morai (from "The Bonds We Choose" and "Grey Areas") seems to be stirring up trouble as usual.

MORAI:
     With a goddess on our side, the Amazons will achieve the greatness we deserve.

The other Amazons nod and murmur in agreement.

AMAZON #1:
     We should bring it up at the Council. A decision needs to be made!

AMAZON #2:
     That's right!

VOICE (off-camera, calmly):
     That's right.

The camera pulls around as the Amazons turn, startled, to see Artemis standing behind them, obviously un-noticed until now. A hushed silence falls over them as they are awed by the presence of a goddess.

MORAI (drops on one knee, bowing her head):
     Artemis...

ARTEMIS (shakes her head):
     Rise, Morai.

As Morai gets up, Artemis looks at the other Amazons.

ARTEMIS:
     You are among the few who have seen that Eve has made the wrong choices. If you continue to follow her, the Amazon Nation will suffer.

Again, the group of Amazons nod and murmur in agreement.

ARTEMIS (continues):
     Since when have the Amazons allowed some pathetic villagers to stay on their lands? (forcefully) The Amazons were once strong, feared warriors. What has happened to that?

The Amazons cheer, looking fired up. Mora flashes a gleeful smile.

ARTEMIS:
     This is your chance to restore the glory of the Amazon Nation, with me at your side once again.

MORAI:
     A council meeting has been requested, my goddess.

ARTEMIS (sneers):
     Do you really expect the Council to go against the Queen? It's Eve who will decide whether the Amazon nation will worship me or not.

MORAI:
     And if she's against it--

ARTEMIS:
     Well, then we'll just have to do something about her.

XENA (off-camera):
     Not so fast.

The camera pulls around to show a pissed off Xena with her sword extended, pointing towards Artemis. Artemis chuckles as she turns to face Xena.

ARTEMIS (contemptuous):
     You know Xena, there comes a time when you should just let your daughter fight her own battles.

The other Amazons stand behind her.

XENA (angrily):
     When a vengeful goddess is after my daughter, then it becomes my battle. Now you leave this tribe alone, or--

ARTEMIS (laughing):
     Or what? Your power to kill gods is long gone, Xena.

Xena comes closer and points her sword at Artemis.

XENA:
     I know you're worried about the Twilight happening all over again. Well, I can guarantee you that if you or any of the other gods come after Eve...then history will repeat itself. (snarls) I hear Hell is lovely this time of year.

This seems to strike a chord with Artemis and fear fills her face for a moment, but she quickly regains her composure.

ARTEMIS (irritated):
     So I see Ares can't keep his mouth zipped--among other things. (sneers) Must be nice to have a god as your lap dog.

Xena gives her a cold stare.

ARTEMIS:
     But don't worry, I won't make the same mistake twice.

With a smirk, Artemis vanishes in a flash of green light. Morai gives Xena a cold stare.

XENA:
     I wouldn't get overconfident if I were you, Morai. You're not immortal.

Morai turns around without a word and walks off with the other Amazons. Xena stands watching them, sheathing her sword.

CUT TO

A montage of the sun sinking behind the trees. The camera pulls down to reveal the Council Chambers.

DISSOLVE TO

The Council meeting.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares' temple. The typical God of War temple comes to view. There is a flash of green light and Artemis appears next to the altar. With a snarl, she launches a green fireball at a statue of Ares, knocking it down, then throws another fireball at the wall, burning a black hole in a wall painting of a battle, and at another wall, causing a lot of swords and axes to fall down with a deafening clatter.

A priest, wearing a long dark robe, comes running out of a back room, a terrified look on his face.

PRIEST (shocked):
     What are you--?

Before he can finish, Artemis launches another fireball at him, hitting him in the chest. He falls dead.

Ares appears in a flash of blue light.

ARES (angrily, looking at the dead priest):
     What in Tartarus--?

ARTEMIS (shrieks in rage):
     Traitor!

She launches another fireball at Ares, which he manages to duck.

ARES:
     Stop it, Sis!

Artemis holds up her hand; one of the swords lying on the floor, with a skull handle, flashes into her hand and she charges Ares. He draws his own sword and their weapons clash. They go at each other with shouts of rage, spinning, kicking and sparring. After a few moments Ares distracts Artemis with a false thrust, then kicks the sword out of her hand; it flies up toward the ceiling and falls on the floor with a clatter.

ARES (sneers):
     I'd stick to arrows if I were you.

Artemis takes advantage of this moment to kick out his legs from under him, and Ares sprawls on his back with a shocked "Whoa!" while Artemis kicks the sword out of his hand and sends it flying across the floor, grinning evilly. He, in turns, kicks at her ankles; she falls on top of him with a cry of rage, and he throws her back and gets up.

Artemis rises to her feet and they charge each other with bare hands, punching and kicking as blue and green sparks fly from their blows. The whole temple trembles as the two gods fight each other. Finally, Ares manages to grab one of Artemis' wrists. She swings back her other hand, forming a fireball in it.

ARES (yells hoarsely):
     Enough!

Out of breath, Artemis lowers her hand. He lets go of her wrist and they both step back, glaring at each other.

ARES:
     You know, this is not a good time to be killing worshippers-- (he nods toward the dead priest) or fighting each other!

ARTEMIS (spits out):
     Or to spill everything to your little girlfriend.

ARES (rolling his eyes):
     She's Xena. It wouldn't have taken her long to figure it out for herself.

ARTEMIS:
     Yeah, but you had to go and make her job easier. (snorts) I can't believe the way she's got you wrapped around her little finger. (viciously) Of course, what should we expect after the first time you betrayed the whole family and sided with her!

ARES (in her face):
     Don't you forget that Xena and I went down to Hell to save you.

ARTEMIS:
     Yeah, well, I have no intention of going back there. Aunt Demeter is dying. The rest of us will follow if we don't do something. The last thing we need is Xena on our case.

ARES (shouting):
     Xena wouldn't be on our case if you weren't stupid enough to go after her daughter!

ARTEMIS (with a sinister smile):
     Are you so sure her daughter has nothing to do with the Twilight, Ares? The prophecy was about her.

ARES (angrily):
     Yeah, a prophecy that fulfilled itself because you went after Xena and her child. Dammit, Artemis--I don't plan on betraying my own family again--but you keep doing this, and you're going to get us all killed!

ARTEMIS (shaking her head):
     No, I'll ensure my survival. Now stay out of my way, and let me do what I have to.

Artemis vanishes, as Ares lets out a deep breath and shakes his head.

DISSOLVE TO

Council chambers.

Morai is standing up in front of the crowd of Amazons and is shouting to get her point across.

MORAI (shouting):
     With a goddess on our side, how can the Amazons lose? The Amazon Nation is weakened--we need someone to protect us in our times of need. We can't just stand and let ourselves by pushed around by some pathetic farmers!

Eve raises her hand.

EVE (holding back anger):
     Thank you, Morai--that's enough. Now, would someone like to speak for the other side?

Gabrielle stands up from her seat.

EVE (smiling):
     Gabrielle.

Gabrielle turns around to address the Amazons.

GABRIELLE (speaking to the Amazons):
     If you expect to find your answers in the hands of a god...then you're wrong. Just a couple months ago I saw Artemis seek deadly revenge against a woman who defied her nearly fifty years ago--after she killed the woman's husband and all of her children. (A murmur ripples through the crowd) Artemis doesn't give a damn about the Amazons. She only cares for herself. I'm saying this only because I want what's best for the Amazons--

The camera moves over Morai as she stands up in anger.

MORAI (shouting to Gabrielle):
     No, you only want what is best for you and Xena!

EVE (standing up):
     Morai, let Gabrielle speak!

Some of the Amazons start to chime in.

MORAI (shouting):
     Whatever you say about Artemis, I would much rather have a goddess leading our tribe than someone who slaughtered our sisters!

GABRIELLE (trying not to shout):
     No! I will not stand by and watch the Amazons fall into Artemis' clutches. Artemis has never cared for the Amazons in the past--where was she when the Amazons were in danger?

VOICE (off-camera, speaking loudly):
     Dead, thanks to Queen Eve and her beloved Mother.

The camera pulls around to reveal the voice...it's Artemis. She is standing in the opposite corner of the council chambers.

The camera pulls in on the doorway to show Xena, standing in the shadows unseen by everyone else, with a tight grip on her chakram.

ARTEMIS:
     You know, I find it very hypocritical of you, Gabrielle, to judge me for not "being there" for the Amazons when they needed me. (pursing her lips) And where were you, Gabrielle? For years, you were a queen of this tribe--and what did you do except, make a couple of guest appearances every now and then? Mostly to use the Amazons as your personal army, as you did in the war at Corinth.

The camera pans over the Amazons' faces as they listen closely to the goddess' points.

GABRIELLE (forcefully):
     But I defended them when they needed it. I can't say the same for you.

ARTEMIS (smiling):
     You know, the way you act, you'd think I was going to do something awful like sell a lot of Amazons into slavery.

She grins to herself as the camera pans over to Eve, who looks distraught.

ARTEMIS (smoothly):
     All I am asking is for the Amazons to accept me back into their lives. (to the Amazons, with an apologetic look that we can tell is fake) I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry I abandoned you when you needed me the most. (glaring at Eve) Because I should have stopped the Bitch of Rome from marching into these lands and slaughtering your sisters years ago. (after a dramatic pause) Who would have thought I'd return only to find her as Queen of the Amazons?

The camera pans across the Amazons in the audience, many of whom look distressed or angry, and then to Eve. She looks helpless.

ARTEMIS (to Eve, with quiet venom):
     You don't deserve to rule the Amazons.

Eve abruptly stands up with a fierce look on her face.

EVE:
     I challenge you, Artemis. (off Artemis' shocked look, there is a muttering of voices in the background) No god powers, no tricks--a fair fight. And if I win, you leave this tribe alone--forever.

ARTEMIS (pensively):
     And if I win?

EVE (quietly):
     Then the Amazons are yours.

ARTEMIS (astonished):
     You are unbelievable. (pondering for a moment) I accept. I'll give you time to...say your goodbyes.

Artemis vanishes from the council chambers leaving the Amazons in silence, with shocked looks on their faces. Eve walks away, as Gabrielle gives Xena a concerned look. Morai looks pleased.

CUT TO

Eve's hut. Eve is wrapping up her hands, preparing herself for the fight. Xena storms into the hut, with Gabrielle behind her.

XENA (angrily):
     What the hell do you think you're doing?!

EVE (brushing off her mother):
     Ending this.

XENA:
     By sacrificing both yourself and the rest of the tribe?

GABRIELLE:
     Eve, she's a goddess. If you think you can beat her--

EVE (looks up sharply):
     She promised no tricks or god powers. I have a chance. If I win, the Amazons will be safe.

XENA:
     But if you lose...

EVE:
     I will gladly die for the Amazons. I owe them that.

GABRIELLE:
     And leave them in Artemis' control?

EVE (looking at both of them):
     Please, for once, let me fight my own battle. (whispers) Have faith in me.

Eve walks briskly out of the hut. Xena looks upset and Gabrielle puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.

CUT TO

Amazon village square. All of the Amazons have gathered around the fighting mat used in "Path of Vengeance."

The camera pulls on Eve, who is talking to Cyane. Xena and Gabrielle come up behind her. Xena reaches out to her.

XENA (softly):
     Eve--

Klymene (the teenage Amazon who became Eve's surrogate daughter) comes running as well.

KLYMENE (distraught):
     Eve, you're going to fight Artemis?

Eve turns around, a pained look on her face, and quickly hugs Klymene.

EVE:
     I'll be okay, I promise.

There is a "whoosh" and a flash of green light, and Artemis materializes on the mat. Eve quickly turns away from her mother, and stares at Artemis. She walks towards the center. Cyane follows her.

ARTEMIS:
     I'm surprised. I thought you'd have Mommy fighting in your place. (glares scornfully at Xena)

EVE (angrily):
     I can fight my own battles, Artemis.

CYANE:
     The rules are simple. The first to stop fighting--dead or...otherwise (she gives Eve an anxious look) loses the match. If the Queen loses, then the title shall be passed on to the one who defeated her. Eve, as the challenger, you may chose the weapon.

EVE:
     No weapons.

Artemis grins.

CYANE:
     Then you may begin.

Cyane clears out of the way.

MORAI (from the crowd):
     We're with you, my goddess!

Close-up on Artemis, who looks pleased.

Eve raises her fist in a boxing block movement. Artemis moves forward, kicking forward. Eve quickly blocks it. Eve swings around, striking her fist around only to be blocked by Artemis. She flings her leg around and her foot strikes Artemis' chest, pushing her back. Many in the crowd cheer for Eve. Pan to Xena and Gabrielle, who exchange a nervous smile, then to Morai, who looks grim.

Artemis charges forward, flipping in the air and striking Eve to the ground. Eve quickly regains her stance, but Artemis has the upper hand and side-smacks Eve across the face.

The camera pulls to Xena, who flinches, and quickly reaches for her chakram. Gabrielle grabs Xena's hand.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     Not yet.

The camera pulls back on Eve, tripping Artemis and sending her to the ground. Artemis, enraged, gives a solid kick to Eve's shin, sending her falling to the ground. The pro-Artemis faction of Amazons, led by Morai, cheers loudly.

ARTEMIS (standing back up):
     Did you really think you could beat a goddess?

Eve gets up to her feet. In one swift movement, she grabs onto Artemis and thrusts her foot to Artemis' stomach, then rolls Artemis behind her, sending her crashing into the ground. The pro-Eve Amazons cheer.

Artemis rolls back to her feet and then charges forward towards Eve. She gives a solid one-two punch and Eve crashes to the ground.

The camera pulls on Xena as she begins to move through the crowd of Amazons.

Artemis pulls back her foot and kicks Eve in the rib cage, causing her to roll over in pain. She kicks her again, even harder and Eve screams out in pain. Blood drips from her mouth.

Pan to the crowd. Gabrielle looks horrified. Xena is breathing hard, her jaw clenched, her face a mask of quiet rage.

KLYMENE (cries out):
     Eve!

Artemis picks Eve up by the arm, as Eve struggles to break free. She pulls back and hits her across the face, letting her hit the ground. Before Artemis can make another move, Xena charges forward and points the chakram at her neck.

ARTEMIS (contemptuously):
     Mommy to the rescue. I knew it.

XENA (furious):
     It's over. You won.

Artemis grins in triumph and glances at the crumpled Eve, nearly unconscious, as Gabrielle comes up to help her. She looks back up at Xena.

ARTEMIS:
     Good. Now, get out of my tribe.

Xena lowers her chakram, as Gabrielle helps Eve to her feet. The Amazons look stunned. Xena wraps her arms around Eve, and leads her away from the mat.

Cyane approaches Gabrielle.

CYANE (pained):
     Gabrielle--

GABRIELLE:
     Don't worry about me. It's the tribe you should be worried about. (Squeezes Cyane's hand) Be careful.

She follows Xena and takes Eve's other arm, helping lead her. Klymene starts to walk after them but Morai grabs her shoulder.

MORAI:
     Where do you think you're going, little girl?

KLYMENE (distraught):
     Eve--

MORAI:
     She's not your mother. And she's not your sister--not anymore. You stay here with your tribe.

Pan to Morai, who raises her first in salute.

MORAI:
     All hail, Goddess Artemis, Queen of the Amazons!

AMAZONS:
     Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!

Close-up of Artemis; she throws her head back in satisfaction as her eyes begins to glow a faint green.

Then, pan to Xena, Gabrielle and Eve. They have stopped for a moment, looking back at the Amazons cheering Artemis. Eve is barely conscious and bleeding. All three women look utterly sickened as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO