FADE IN

On the same scene: Hercules, Xena, Gabrielle, and Antigone. In the background, Darion has stopped eating.

ANTIGONE:
     Which direction were they coming from?

HERCULES:
     From the south--from Delium.

ANTIGONE (puzzled):
     But that makes no sense! Thebes has never had any hostilities with Delium. We've always had a good relationship, traded with each other--

XENA:
     Maybe we can go out to them and find out what they want.

The door is flung open and Actaeon comes in. He looks troubled.

ACTAEON (briskly):
     Xena, Gabrielle--Hercules. I'm delighted to greet you all as guests, but I'm afraid I've just been informed of some bad news.

ANTIGONE:
     We already know. (off his surprised look) Hercules told us. There's an army headed this way from Delium--apparently with hostile intent.

ACTAEON (taken aback):
     Delium? You mean, Leuctra.

Pan to Hercules, who looks surprised.

HERCULES:
     I saw an army coming here from Delium--from the south.

ACTAEON (puzzled):
     I just got a report from our scouts that there's an army headed this way from Leuctra, from the north.

ANTIGONE:
     Are you sure?

ACTAEON:
     That's what they said. (He walks over to the table, pours himself some wine from a jug and drinks it, then looks at the others, bewildered) Don't tell me there are two armies coming toward us from different sides?

ANTIGONE:
     What if they're not coming here to fight us? (off his questioning look) They could be after each other, couldn't they?

ACTAEON (thinks a moment):
     Even if that's true, we'd be trapped between two warring armies. That would be very bad news for us.

Xena walks up to the open window and looks out. The Areopagus and the temple of Ares looms in the distance. Obviously getting an idea, Xena turns around.

XENA:
     Actaeon--your father--

Quick pan to Actaeon, who presses his lips tightly together and looks away. Antigone puts a hand on his arm, comforting him.

XENA (continues):
     --went to war because he wanted to take the Areopagus and the sacred medallion of Ares. The one that was reputed to bestow almost godlike powers on whoever possessed it. (Quick pan to Hercules, who looks curiously at her) What if that's what these armies want, too?

HERCULES (skeptical):
     Godlike powers.

GABRIELLE:
     The medallion has no actual powers. It's a myth. But it wouldn't be the first time people have fought a war over a myth.

ACTAEON (shakes his head):
     I don't think that's it. As far as I know, no one else has heard of this medallion.

XENA:
     Rumors spread easily.

HERCULES:
     Wait. You said, the sacred medallion of Ares. What if Ares put them up to it? Two armies making war over his sacred medallion...

Pan to Xena, who looks grim and almost heartsick.

HERCULES (continues):
     ...what better way to shore up his fan base? (off Xena's stricken look) Look, I know you and Ares are--friendly these days. I don't try to understand it because--well, I'm sure you have your reasons. But that doesn't change what he is.

XENA (quietly):
     It's possible.

ACTAEON:
     Whatever or whoever's behind it, we need to be ready.

ANTIGONE:
     We have to call a meeting of our commanders.

XENA:
     Before you do anything, we should try and find out what these armies are after.

ANTIGONE:
     We'll send messengers.

GABRIELLE:
     How about if we (indicates Hercules, who is standing next to her, and Xena, who is still by the window) go out and try to talk to them? It might work better than a formal embassy from Thebes.

Actaeon and Antigone exchange a look, then turn toward Gabrielle and Hercules.

ACTAEON:
     We'd be very grateful.

GABRIELLE:
     Then that settles it. (To Hercules) You can head south--Xena and I will go north and see if we can talk to the leaders of that other army.

Xena comes over toward Gabrielle and puts a protective hand on her shoulder.

XENA (quietly):
     Shouldn't you stay here and get some rest?

GABRIELLE (laughs lightly):
     Xena, I'm not an invalid. I'll go with you.

She goes over to Darion and is seen talking to him in the background.

ANTIGONE (to Xena and Hercules):
     Thank you again. If there's anyone we'd want on our side at a time like this, it's you.

XENA:
     I'm glad we could be here. With luck, we'll be able to get this settled peacefully.

ACTAEON (puts a hand on Antigone's shoulder):
     Come on, Antigone--let's go talk to the council. (to Xena and Hercules) We'll see you later.

ANTIGONE (to Xena and Hercules):
     Good luck to you both.

Antigone and Actaeon leave.

HERCULES:
     I'll be on my way toward Delium, then.

XENA (concerned):
     Be careful. You don't know what they could be up to.

HERCULES (smiles):
     You took the words right out of my mouth.

Hercules walks out. Gabrielle comes up to Xena, glancing uneasily after Hercules.

GABRIELLE (in a low voice):
     Do you really think that Ares--

XENA (with quiet anguish):
     Gabrielle, it's the Twilight. Having worshipers is not just about ego anymore. It's--

GABRIELLE (nods):
     --a matter of life and death. So, if Ares thinks that if he can get people to fight over this medallion in the hope of gaining great powers... (she trails off, shaking her head)

XENA (her face hard):
     Then we'll just have to stop him.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle riding out of the gates of Thebes.

CUT TO

An overhead shot of an army camp. The sun is setting.

Quick pan to inside the camp, with the soldiers walking around and a few men sitting around a fire. The camera moves in on a large, richly decorated tent.

CUT TO

Inside the tent, lit by candles and oil lamps. A woman with short, curly brown hair, wearing silver armor, is sitting in a chair, sipping wine. Two officers, a man and a woman, stand in front of her.

MALE OFFICER:
     If we leave at dawn, we'll be there tomorrow before noon.

LEADER (curtly):
     Good.

FEMALE OFFICER:
     Our scouts saw no sign of troops around the hill.

LEADER (puts aside the empty goblet on a small tripod table near her chair):
     Even better. Then we set out at first light. You're both dismissed.

The officers linger, exchanging an uncertain look.

LEADER (impatient):
     Any questions?

FEMALE OFFICER:
     Queen Althea... You know we are devoted to you as much as we were to your late mother and father, may the gods rest their souls. But--

ALTHEA (nails her with a stern gaze):
     Are you questioning my decision, Zoe?

The officers are silent for a moment.

MALE OFFICER (sighs):
     No, my queen. But some of the men--

ALTHEA (haughtily):
     The men will do as they're told. (firmly) Dismissed.

The two officers bow and turn around to leave.

CUT TO

Outside the tent. The two officers are walking away.

ZOE:
     I'm telling you, Callios, no good can come of it.

CALLIOS:
     I know, but--

They both stop short. Quick pan to Xena and Gabrielle, who are standing in front of them.

ZOE (after a moment's silence):
     Who are you?

XENA (businesslike):
     Xena. (off Callios and Zoe's awed look) Yes, Xena, the Warrior Princess. This is Gabrielle. We need to talk to whoever's in charge.

CALLIOS (bitterly):
     Queen Althea? You think you can change her mind? Good luck with that.

Xena and Gabrielle exchange a quick, curious look.

CUT TO

Inside the tent. A guard stands in front of Althea.

GUARD:
     Xena, Warrior Princess, and Gabrielle are here to see you, my queen.

Althea purses her lips in displeasure.

ALTHEA (more to herself than to the guard):
     I didn't expect to go up against them. (to the guard) Show them in.

The guard goes outside; a moment later, Xena and Gabrielle walk in.

XENA:
     Queen Al--

ALTHEA (interrupts brusquely):
     Let's skip the introductions. I know who you are. I also know you have a bad habit of meddling in other people's plans.

XENA (firmly):
     If those plans include attacking Thebes, then we'll have no choice but to meddle. (Off Althea's silence) What is your quarrel with Thebes?

ALTHEA:
     It's not my quarrel, Xena. I'm fighting for a cause--far greater than my own.

GABRIELLE:
     Look, if you're after the sacred medallion of Ares --

Althea reacts visibly to the mention of Ares, then shakes her head.

ALTHEA:
     I don't know of any medallion.

Xena stares at her intently, lowering her gaze from Althea's face to her armor. Zoom in on Althea's breastplate, which bears a golden design depicting two crossed arrows, a half-moon, and a laurel branch.

Pan back to Xena, who narrows her eyes at Althea.

XENA:
     The symbol of Artemis. Are you acting on her orders?

ALTHEA:
     I don't owe you any answers, Xena.

XENA:
     I'll take that as a yes. (after a moment's pause) Let me guess. Thebes has the greatest temple of Ares in all of Greece--and his oldest temple on the sacred hill is just outside the city walls. You want to conquer them in the name of Artemis. Is that right? (Off Althea's silence) Why do you want to do the bidding of some power-hungry goddess? Artemis cares nothing for the well-being of your people. She--

ALTHEA (interrupts):
     Be quiet!

She rises from her seat, furious, and strides up to Xena and Gabrielle. She's a fairly short woman, about Gabrielle's height.

ALTHEA (almost hissing):
     When I was twelve years old, I was badly injured in a hunting accident. I was dying. My parents prayed to Artemis, and the goddess healed me. I vowed then that I would dedicate my life to my goddess. (Her voice fills with hate) I know you killed her once, Xena. But now--she's back and nothing will stop me from serving her. Not even you. (She raises her voice) Guards!

The flaps of the tent open and two guards rush in.

ALTHEA (pointing to Xena and Gabrielle):
     Take them!

XENA (shakes her head):
     Big mistake. Cheeh-yah!

She kicks one of the guards so hard the he flies backwards, slamming into two other guards who are just rushing in.

XENA (continues, to Althea):
     Of course, you're not the first to make it.

She grabs another guard by the wrists, flips him over her head and throws him toward the back wall of the tent, where he knocks over a bowl of fruit as he lands. Meanwhile, Gabrielle yanks out one of the poles of the tent and swings it like a staff, knocking out two more guards.

ALTHEA (clenches her fists in fury):
     Fools!

CUT TO

Outside the tent. Dusk is falling; the camp is now lit with bonfires and torches. Xena and Gabrielle fight their way out, Gabrielle using her makeshift staff, Xena using her sword to parry the blows of her attackers. With her "A-yi-yi-yi-yi!" battle cry, Xena leaps in the air, knocking out two soldiers with a split kick as she lands, then kicking down a third and slamming him into two more soldiers behind her. Xena whistles and Argo comes galloping toward her, followed by Klio.

XENA:
     Come on, Gabrielle!

Gabrielle knocks down two more soldiers and mounts Klio, tossing the pole at the soldiers and knocking down a few more of them. Xena delivers a spin-kick that knocks the sword from an attacker's hand, then downs him with a punch and jumps in the saddle.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle riding toward Thebes.

GABRIELLE (glances cautiously at Xena):
     At least now we know Ares has nothing to do with this.

Xena flinches slightly, then looks at Gabrielle, her face unreadable.

XENA:
     Yes, now we know.

CUT TO

A close-up on Hercules' face. He looks wary and puzzled.

HERCULES:
     With all due respect, King Otus--this is madness. Why would you want to do this in the name of Apollo?

The camera pulls back to show a man with short blonde hair, wearing gold and silver armor and leather, sitting in a chair facing Hercules. There is a frightening intensity in his eyes.

KING OTUS:
     Why do you care, Hercules? I've heard a great deal about you--

HERCULES:
     Then I'm sure you've heard that I make it my business to care.

KING OTUS:
     I also know there is no love lost between you and your half-brother Ares. Why would you want to protect his temples?

HERCULES (sarcastic):
     How about--to stop innocent people from dying in a senseless war? Besides, if there's one god I like even less than Ares, it's Apollo. Has he ever done anything for you?

KING OTUS (stares intensely at Hercules):
     It's funny you should ask. (off Hercules' questioning look) Let's just say he has and leave it at that.

DISSOLVE TO

A marble tomb in a forest clearing, bathed in moonlight and covered with flowers. A small stone statue of a male warrior stands atop the tomb. The camera lingers over the inscription on the tomb, as subtitles appear to translate it:

BELLEROPHON

The camera pulls around to show Artemis standing in front of the tomb, looking somber. Apollo stands at her side.

ARTEMIS (whispering):
     She killed him. My only son. (sighs) I wasn't even there to protect him. The son I had to make sure my legacy lived on.

APOLLO (snorts):
     So much for the virgin goddess thing.

Artemis glares at Apollo.

ARTEMIS:
     You are so pathetic, bro. Don't you get it? (pointing at Bellerophon's grave) This is what awaits us! We become mortal--then someday, we die. We remain gods and lose worshippers--we die anyway.

APOLLO (irritated):
     I get it, Artemis. Hey, I'm on your side, remember?

Artemis shakes her head, staring at the tomb.

ARTEMIS:
     I remember that you chickened out the first time. (glances wryly at Apollo) You just had to take a long vacation in--what was it, Egypt? (mocking) A much nicer climate than Hell. (The mocking smile fades from her face as she grows serious) You've never even felt real pain. You've never felt your own blood in your fingertips, knowing that you only have seconds left to live, and that each breath you take could be your last.

APOLLO (scared and angry):
     You don't have to rub it in. We all know this is serious business. Zeus--

ARTEMIS (snaps):
     Zeus knows nothing! His wait-and-see approach isn't going to help anyone. Well, if our father wants to be a goody-two-shoes like Hercules--let him. At this point, it's every god for himself. (meaningfully) And if we can increase our power at another god's expense...

APOLLO:
     You can count on me, sis.

ARTEMIS:
     Can we count on your man in Delium?

APOLLO (smirks):
     Oh, yeah. Otus owes me big time. He once sent his own half-brother into a death trap on the battlefield because he had a thing for his sister-in-law.

ARTEMIS (snorts):
     Men.

APOLLO:
     Well, guess who granted him a cleansing and got the Furies off his back. (chuckles) The crazy fool will fight for me to the death.

ARTEMIS (grins):
     Good.

APOLLO:
     Of course, you realize what this means. Sooner or later, we'll have to face off against Ares.

ARTEMIS:
     That was bound to happen anyway. Ares has already sold out the Olympian order twice--first for Dahak, then again for (sarcastically) his beloved Xena.

APOLLO (nods):
     We can't trust him.

ARTEMIS:
     We can't trust anyone--except each other.

Apollo stares at her for a moment.

APOLLO (nodding):
     I'm with ya 'til the end.

They clasp hands as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE