FADE IN

Morning. A wide shot of Xena on horseback racing over a plain.

DISSOLVE TO

A mountain road. A caravan of merchants is moving slowly. Pan to Xena, who rides up behind the caravan. It is blocking her way.

XENA (gritting her teeth):
     Oh, come on!

Finally, she yanks Argo's reins and directs her up the rocky slope of the mountain.

XENA:
     Yah! Yah!

She gallops away along a narrow path. The camera pans over the faces of the merchants as they follow her with curious stares, then pulls away for a long shot of Xena riding away.

CUT TO

An exterior shot of the Theban royal palace. It is high noon.

CUT TO

A soldier is running through a palace hallway.

CUT TO

The soldier bursts into a room in the palace. The camera pulls back to show Actaeon sitting up in bed. Antigone, sitting on a stool by his bedside, rises and turns, alarmed.

SOLDIER (out of breath):
     Sire--they're on the move again!

CUT TO

Antigone, Gabrielle and Hercules are standing in another room in the palace.

ANTIGONE:
     We need to push them back now, before they start attacking the city. (resolutely) I have to lead the troops out into the field.

HERCULES (dubious):
     Are you sure that's such a good idea?

GABRIELLE:
     Don't even think about it. I'll do it.

HERCULES:
     But wait a minute--

ANTIGONE (speaking at the same time as Hercules):
     Gabrielle--

GABRIELLE (determined):
     I can do it. I've fought with the Thebans before. They know me-- (to Antigone) they know I have your trust.

ANTIGONE:
     It's not a question of trust. You need to take care of yourself.

GABRIELLE:
     I will. (curtly) Let's go. I'll need a helmet and a sword.

Gabrielle walks briskly toward the doorway, then turns to Antigone, her expression softening.

GABRIELLE:
     Take good care of Darion... (sighs) I'll go talk to him.

She leaves. Hercules looks at Antigone and shrugs, as if to say, "What can I do."

DISSOLVE TO

A long shot of the city walls and the fields in front of the city. The sky is overcast and it's starting to drizzle. The camera pans around to show the Areopagus looming over the field, and the armies of Althea and Otus on the move.

CUT TO

Xena rides up to the entrance of a cave, dismounts.

XENA (whispers):
     Hold on... I'm coming.

CUT TO

Holding a torch, Xena makes her way through the cave.

CUT TO

The large cavern with the sarcophagus and the Eye of Haephestus, emitting a faint, barely visible glow.

XENA (off-camera, her voice echoing faintly):
     Ares!

CUT TO

Xena walking through the cave.

CUT TO

Xena walks into the cavern with the tomb, looks around and runs up to the sarcophagus. She looks up at the Eye of Hephaestus and stands still for a long moment; thinking, then takes the chakram off her belt and holds it up.

XENA:
     Can't hurt to try.

She hurls the chakram toward the Eye of Hephaestus. It strikes the eye and flies back; Xena catches it and places it on her belt. An orange light shoots out from the center of the eye and strikes the sarcophagus. It glows bright as the coffin starts to shake, and its lid moves a little. The light fades. Xena rushes toward the sarcophagus but before she can reach it, Ares pushes off the lid and sits up. He looks somewhat dazed as he gasps for breath.

ARES (whispers):
     Xena--

XENA:
     It's all right--I'm here.

She helps Ares out of the coffin. He draws her into his arms with an almost convulsive movement and they are locked in a long, passionate kiss. Then, Ares pulls back and grins at her.

ARES:
     What took you so long?

XENA (grins back):
     Traffic was a bitch. (after a brief pause) Come on, we've got to get back to Thebes.

Ares stands still, looking at her thoughtfully.

CUT TO

The battle raging in the field. It's raining. The camera zooms in on Gabrielle, wearing a helmet, fighting opponents with a sword. Hercules is also fighting nearby, using his strength to repel and knock out the attackers.

Pan to Althea in another part of the field. She is on horseback next to her lieutenant Callios.

ALTHEA:
     Bring in the reserve troops! If we make one final push, we'll be close enough to the walls of Thebes to use our catapults and breach their defenses.

CALLIOS:
     But my queen--we've already lost far too many men--

ALTHEA (snaps):
     I want the city in our hands by nightfall!

Pan to the top of the Areopagus. There are two flashes of light, green and gold. Artemis and Apollo appear. They look at each other and smile gleefully.

Pan to the battlefield where Gabrielle is fighting. She is sparring with two men at once; as one of them staggers back, she spin-kicks him and knocks him down.

XENA (off-camera):
     A-la-la-la-la-la-la--SHEE-ya!

Gabrielle whips around. Xena flips over the heads of several soldiers from Otus and Althea's armies and lands next to Gabrielle. She swings and punches out two warriors, then kicks down two more.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena!

XENA (shakes her head):
     Gabrielle...

GABRIELLE:
     I know. I know you asked me to stay in the palace. I just couldn't sit back and rest while you were away and Actaeon was wounded. Xena, would you stop worrying about me?

She spins around to block a soldier's sword thrust and spars with him. Xena draws her sword and she and Gabrielle fight back to back.

GABRIELLE (yells as she spars with enemy warriors):
     So, did you get Ares out?

XENA (likewise):
     Yeah, he's fine. (after a brief pause) How are we doing?

GABRIELLE:
     We're holding our own--but I'm not sure how much longer we can keep this up. They just keep coming.

There is a momentary break in the fighting and Gabrielle turns toward Xena, lowering her sword.

GABRIELLE (continues):
     It's like--they're determined to take the city, no matter the cost.

Xena gives her a thoughtful look.

CUT TO

Apollo and Artemis on the hilltop, still looking on. There is a flash of blue light and Ares appears standing between them, looking rather grim. Apollo and Artemis glance at him, shocked.

APOLLO (unpleasantly surprised):
      Ares.

ARES:
     No getting rid of me, is there?

ARTEMIS (regaining her composure):
     Oh please. We knew you'd get out--we just wanted to slow you down a bit.

APOLLO:
     It doesn't matter now. By nightfall, the city will be ours.

The three gods stand side by side, remaining completely dry in spite of the rain.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle in the field.

XENA:
     These men don't really want to fight here--at least most of them don't, not for the gods. If we can take out Althea and Otus, this whole thing would stop.

GABRIELLE (nods thoughtfully):
     I don't think there's any other choice. (after a brief pause) Can you?

The camera pulls around to show Althea and Otus on horseback, facing each other and talking. To the left of them is a giant catapult. They are surrounded by their troops. The visibility is dimmed by the thin drizzle that is still falling.

XENA:
     I'll give it a shot.

She takes the chakram off her belt and throws it.

A shot of the chakram flying toward the camera.

The chakram hits the catapult, bounces off it, and flies toward Althea and Otus. They turn their heads at the sound. Their eyes widen.

The camera pulls back to show Otus swaying and falling off his horse; Althea falls a moment later, her body landing on top of his.

Pan to Xena catching the chakram, grinning.

Pan to another part of the battlefield where Otus and Althea's men are clearly in disarray.

Pan to the three gods on the hilltop. Apollo and Artemis look furious.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Oops.

An overhead shot of the field. The tide of the battle has clearly changed and Otus' and Althea's men are now fleeing.

ARES (to Apollo and Artemis):
     Had enough?

ARTEMIS:
     As a matter of fact--I have.

She disappears. Ares looks after her, puzzled.

CUT TO

The battlefield. Gabrielle takes off her helmet and throws her head back, catching some rainwater on her tongue.

XENA (concerned):
     You okay?

GABRIELLE (turns toward her with a smile):
     Yeah.

CUT TO

On the hilltop. Artemis reappears in a flash of green light. She's holding a struggling, terrified Antigone with the right hand, a squirming Darion with the left. Ares gapes at her, bewildered.

ARTEMIS:
     I'll make it simple, Ares. There's another way we can increase our powers at your expense--without taking your worshippers or your temples. Give up your godhood to us--or these two die.

ARES (his face hard):
     What makes you think I care?

With a snarl, Artemis grabs Darion by the throat and lifts him up so that he starts to choke, wheezing as he tries to call for help.

ARES (flinches):
     Stop!

Artemis puts Darion down, grabbing him by the collar, and sneers at Ares. Darion coughs, rubbing his throat.

ARTEMIS (contemptuously):
     I rest my case. You've gone soft. After all the time you spent hanging around with those mortals, living as one of them--you think their little lives actually mean something.

APOLLO:
     And besides, your girlfriend might get upset with you if you let them die.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, and Hercules out in the field.

XENA:
     It's over.

Hercules' eyes are riveted to the gods on the hilltop.

HERCULES:
     Something's going on there...look! (he points ahead)

Pan to Gabrielle as her eyes widen with horror.

GABRIELLE:
     She's got Darion!

She runs toward the hill, across the battlefield littered with dead and wounded. Xena and Hercules take off running as well.

CUT TO

The hilltop.

ANTIGONE (trying bravely to hold back tears):
     Please don't let her kill me.

ARTEMIS:
     Give it up, Ares. Let's face it, you don't have what it takes to be a god anymore.

Ares lowers his head for a moment. The camera pans down to zoom in on his hand. He is holding the piece of thread the Fates gave him. He runs his thumb along the thread. A flash of light fills the screen.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares stares at Apollo and Artemis; his gaze glides over Darion and Antigone.

Ares looks at Artemis, struggling with himself.

Ares stares at Artemis.

Ares takes a deep breath, then nods.

ARES:
     All right.

Apollo and Artemis exchange a gleeful look.

ARTEMIS:
     Excellent.

Standing on different sides of Ares, Apollo and Artemis each raise a hand; Artemis lets go of Antigone but continues to hold on to Darion.

Ares holds up both hands with the palms outwards. A blue glow begins to radiate from his hands. Artemis' outstretched hand begins to glow a bright green, while Apollo's hand glows gold. Their eyes also begin to glow, his gold, hers green. Beams of blue light radiate from Ares' hands and connect to theirs.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules racing up the hillside.

GABRIELLE (shouts):
     Darion!

CUT TO

The hilltop.

The glow from Ares' palms fades. Drained completely, he staggers and drops to his knees.

Artemis and Apollo laugh triumphantly; the glow in their eyes and around their hands fades. With a casual gesture, Artemis throws Darion aside.

ARTEMIS:
     We've won.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules are running up the hillside.

CUT TO

The hilltop.

Ares rises to his feet.

ARES (to Apollo and Artemis):
     Enjoy your reign while it lasts. It won't be long.

APOLLO:
     Longer than you'll enjoy life as a mortal.

He lifts his hand, a fireball forming in it.

DARION:
     No!

He tries to run toward Ares but Antigone restrains him.

APOLLO (snickers):
     Look at that--the kid wants to help. (He lifts his hand, a fireball forming in it; to Ares) Say good-bye.

Close-up on Ares' face. His hair is now wet from the rain. He tenses, closing his eyes as he awaits the final blow.

There is a swishing sound and then a thud. Pan to a close-up on Apollo as he makes a choked sound and his eyes widen with shock and pain.

The camera pulls back to show Apollo stagger back. The blade of a dagger is protruding from the left side of his chest. He gasps, his hands going toward the dagger.

Pan to Xena, who stands facing him, her face grim. Gabrielle and Hercules are behind her.

Apollo falls.

ARTEMIS (screams in anguish and rage):
     Nooooooooooooooooo!

Xena leaps forward, flipping over her head, and lands next to Apollo. With a quick move, she yanks the dagger from his chest. It's the Dagger of Helios.

In the background, we see Gabrielle rush toward Darion. She kneels next to him and hugs him tightly; it looks like she's asking him and Antigone if they are okay. Antigone gets up.

With a cry of rage, Artemis takes a step toward her but Xena holds out the dagger, holding her at bay. Xena backs away slowly to stand next to Ares. Artemis kneels next to her brother, gathering him in her arms as blood spurts from his wound.

ARTEMIS:
     Brother--I'm so sorry--

Xena looks on, her expression softening to an anguished look. Ares looks away grimly. Xena squeezes his hand, still holding the dagger in her other hand.

With one last gasp, Apollo dies. Artemis rises to her feet and faces Ares and Xena, her fists clenched.

ARTEMIS:
     You're going to pay for this!

There is a flash of golden light and Athena materializes between her and Xena and Ares.

ATHENA (calmly):
     You are not going to harm them, Artemis.

ARTEMIS:
     Who asked you to get involved?

ATHENA:
     I'm here because what you're doing isn't right.

ARTEMIS:
     If the rest of you acted like gods, none of this would have happened!

ATHENA:
     Have you learned nothing from the last time, except hate and selfishness? (forcefully) Leave them alone, Artemis; you've done enough.

Artemis kneels next to Apollo's body and puts her arms around him, much like Athena cradled Ilainus' body in Amphipolis Under Siege. She vanishes with his body in a flash of golden light.

ATHENA (to Xena):
     The Dagger of Helios. Where did you get it?

ARES:
     It isn't her fault, Sis. I gave it to her. (off Athena's probing look) Look, I was hoping I wouldn't have to. But after that stunt Apollo and Artemis pulled with the Eye of Hephaestus, I knew they'd stop at nothing. I just wanted her to be able to defend herself if it came to that.

Xena gives Ares a quick, tender look. In the background, Hercules looks stunned. Gabrielle and Darion are looking on as well.

XENA (hands Athena the dagger; anguished):
     Take it. (glances at Ares) No more Xena, Slayer of Gods. (to Athena) I know it will be in safe hands with you.

ATHENA:
     Thank you, Xena. (She takes the dagger and puts it in her belt) I'm glad I didn't have to ask you for it. I promise you--as long as I'm around... (she pauses and looks away) she will not harm you in any way. (to Ares, with a small but warm smile) Brother...take care of yourself.

She vanishes in a burst of golden sparks.

Everyone stands silently, digesting what has just happened. The rain has tapered off. Finally, Darion speaks.

DARION (to Ares):
     So when are you going to get your powers back?

ARES (after a moment's silence):
     I--think I'm done with the god thing for good. (After another brief pause, he grins) Sorry, kid--no more tricks.

Darion looks disappointed.

ANTIGONE (to Ares):
     I...I don't know how to thank you...

Ares nods, embarrassed.

HERCULES (to Ares, reluctantly):
     That was...a good thing you did.

Ares turns to look at him.

ARES:
     You know, I really don't have to take that from you.

Xena chuckles and gives Ares a somewhat exasperated, but affectionate look.

HERCULES:
     Right.

DARION:
     Hey, look--the sun's out!

Pan to show the clouds parting. The hilltop is flooded with sunlight.

GABRIELLE:
     Great. Come on, let's get back to the palace.

Gabrielle, Darion, Antigone and Hercules start to walk down the hill. They are followed by Xena and Ares.

ARES (his voice fading as he and Xena start walking down the hillside):
     I almost forgot the best part. The walking.

DISSOLVE TO

Evening. A small room in the palace. Ares is sitting in front of the fireplace staring pensively into the fire. Xena comes in.

XENA:
     There you are. Dinner's about to start. Are you coming?

ARES (distracted):
     Sure.

Xena takes another chair and moves it, then sits down next to Ares.

XENA (quietly):
     Are you okay?

ARES:
     Yeah, I guess, considering... (trails off)

XENA (gently):
     Are you sorry?

ARES (looks up at her):
     You know, back when you were wounded in Moesia, you told me that this mortal/immortal thing was always going to come between us. Well...not anymore.

Xena smiles, almost tearing up, and kisses him tenderly. She puts her hands on his face as their kiss deepens. When Xena pulls back from Ares, she takes his hands and holds them tenderly.

XENA (whispers):
     I love you.

She kisses the tips of his fingers. He reaches up to rub her cheek and she puts her hand over his.

DISSOLVE TO

Noon. A long shot of Xena, Gabrielle, Darion, Ares and Hercules leaving the gates of Thebes. Xena and Gabrielle are leading their horses.

CUT TO

The group walks down a country road. The Areopagus is visible in the distance. Ares turns to look at it.

GABRIELLE:
     I guess it ended up being a double celebration. For Antigone's and Actaeon's baby, and for Thebes' victory.

XENA:
     I'm glad we could be there.

DARION (to Hercules):
     So, are you gonna travel with us for a while?

ARES:
     Don't give him any ideas.

Xena punches him playfully in the shoulder; he punches her back.

HERCULES:
     Well, I'm supposed to be heading to Thessally to meet Iolaus...

ARES:
     Guess what. I'm pretty sure we're going in the opposite direction.

HERCULES (wryly):
     Really. (to Xena) How do you put up with him?

ARES (insinuating):
     Oh, she puts up with me fine.

DARION:
     Hey! Stop fighting! I'll race you both to that tree. (points to a tree in the distance) Come on!

Ares is about to say something when there is a flash of green light in front of them. Artemis materializes and stands glaring at Xena, Ares, and the others. Darion clings to Gabrielle, frightened; she puts a protective arm around him.

XENA:
     What do you want?

ARTEMIS:
     You killed my brother, Xena. And before that, you killed my only son. You're going to pay. (to Ares) And so will you--traitor.

Xena and Ares stare at her, shocked. Artemis extends her hands and launches a surge of green lightning. Xena dives away from the bolt, pulling Ares with her. The bolt hits a tree behind them, setting it on fire.

Artemis raises her hands again, taking aim, and releases another bolt of lighting; but another, golden firebolt explodes from behind Xena and Ares, intercepting Artemis' bolt. The two bolts clash in a huge explosion; after a moment the light and smoke dissipates. Artemis looks furious. Xena and Ares scramble to their feet and turn to see Athena.

ARTEMIS (yells):
     Athena, get out of my way!

ATHENA:
     No. I told you--you aren't going to harm them.

ARTEMIS:
     I won't be satisfied until they're dead.

ATHENA:
     Then you won't be satisfied--as long as I'm here.

Artemis screams and sends a fireball flying toward Athena. Athena shoots a fireball back at Artemis and they start throwing lightning bolts and fireballs at each other. Argo and Klio whinny in fright.

Gabrielle pulls Darion back. Hercules takes a few steps back as well. Xena and Ares remain closest to the fight.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena! Move back!

Artemis sends another surge of lightning toward Athena; once again, the lightning bolts of the two goddesses collide. The huge explosion creates a great ball of energy with a blue swirling vortex at the center. The ball explodes and then dissipates, creating waves of energy that ripple through the air. Close-ups of Gabrielle, Darion and Hercules shielding their eyes from the blinding light.

The light finally fades. Artemis disappears in a flash of green light.

GABRIELLE (to Darion):
     Are you okay?

DARION (nods):
     Yeah, I'm fine. (He looks around and his eyes widen) Hey, where's Ares?

Gabrielle looks around. The camera pans around. There is no one there except for Hercules, Darion, and Athena, as well as the two horses.

GABRIELLE:
     Where's Xena?

There's a brief silence as everyone looks around. Athena shakes her head, mystified.

The camera pulls away for a long shot of the small group on the road.

GABRIELLE (shouts):
     Xena? Ares?

HERCULES (shouts):
     Xena? Ares?

There is only silence.

GABRIELLE:
     What happened to them?

FADE OUT

THE END

[The future changed during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 16 Showdown Story By: Aurora and LadyKate Written By: LadyKate, Aurora and Ryan Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Darion Alexander Gandar Artemis Josephine Davison Apollo Scott Michaelson Athena Paris Jefferson Antigone Kate Elliot Actaeon Rob Flank Hercules Kevin Sorbo Althea Julia Cathla Otus Robert Stewart Zeus Charles Keating Hera Meg Foster Aphrodite Alexandra Tydings Clotho Rebecca Kpacka Lachesis Micaela Daniel Atropos Elizabeth Pendergrast Original Airdate December 31, 2006 The future changed during the production of this motion picture. DEDICATED TO KEVIN SMITH All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent. © Shipper Seasons www.shipperseasons.com

This script is provided by GDev Resources.