FADE IN

Dawn rises over the Areopagus.

DISSOLVE TO

Inside the majestic but ancient temple. Ares is standing at the altar, looking at a large plate with offerings. Something catches his eye. He picks up an object and looks at it, curiously and somewhat nervously. The camera zooms in on the object and we see that it is the pendant Ares gave Xena in the dream in "What Dreams May Come" (Season 7) --Ares' rune symbol circled by Xena's chakram.

XENA (off camera):
     I thought that would get your attention.

Ares turns his head to see Xena standing in the doorway of the temple. He looks at the medallion. Xena walks slowly toward him.

ARES:
     You're returning this?

Xena comes up to him and stops.

XENA (shakes her head):
     No.

ARES (bewildered):
     Then what--

XENA (cuts him off):
     You called it a token of love when you gave it to me. This is my way of saying...I want us to go back to that.

ARES:
     To the way things were?

XENA (quietly):
     Is that possible?

In response, Ares takes the pendant and fastens it around Xena's neck. She shivers at his touch, closing her eyes for a moment. He leans in and gives her a short, gentle kiss, then pulls back.

ARES (looks at Xena with a grin):
     There, now everything is back where it belongs.

Xena looks at him, smiling, then leans in and kisses him back.

XENA (in a low voice):
     It was also my way of saying...I'm sorry.

ARES (surprised):
     For what?

XENA (grins):
     Being too hard on you sometimes.

ARES (with pretend nonchalance):
     Before you go all soft on me, there's something I need to tell you. (serious) It has to do with the Twilight.

XENA:
     So you already know.

ARES:
     Eve told me. (uncomfortably) I--take it she told you, too.

XENA (bewildered):
     Eve? What does Eve have to do with this?

ARES (puzzled):
     Are we talking about the same thing? Eve told me that (uneasily) Eli came to her in a dream. He told her that the gods have a choice. To fade away and turn to ghosts...or give up our godhood and live out the rest of our lives as mortals.

XENA (stares ahead pensively):
     Mortals... (looks at Ares) Have you told the other gods?

ARES:
     I have--and not even half of them believe it. They're afraid that Eve could be trying to trick them into giving up their powers. They still think they can hold on to their godhood if they can just keep their worshipers.

XENA (looks at him probingly):
     What about you?

Ares pauses a moment, then shrugs.

ARES:
     I don't think she has any reason to lie.

XENA (gestures toward the altar):
     You still have plenty of worshipers.

ARES (quietly):
     The truth is... (he looks away) I don't care about them so much anymore. (Off Xena's surprised look) Being the God of War--isn't what it used to be.

XENA:
     Just recently, you seemed pretty anxious to hold on to it.

ARES:
     I know. (pauses) I was afraid of what the future would bring. But let's face it, there's no going back to the past. I've known that ever since you gave me that apple.

XENA (puts her hand on his arm):
     You were mortal, Ares--and it's changed you.

ARES:
     Sometimes, when I look at slain soldiers in the battlefield, I think that I could have been in their place. (Off Xena's sympathetic look) Oh, don't get me wrong, I've still enjoyed my job. But it's only a job. Before, it used to be--more of a lifestyle. And now that it's come between us... (he shakes his head and trails off)

They stare silently at each other. Then, Ares holds up his hand, showing Xena a piece of thread.

XENA (puzzled):
     What's that?

ARES:
     The Fates' Loom is vanishing. They gave this to me. (softly) They said that the threads from the past will bind with the future.

Xena reaches out and touches it; a flash of light fills the screen.

DISSOLVE TO

The Temple of the Fates.

The Fates continue to tend to the crumbling loom, which is in far worse shape than before. A flash of green light illuminates their faces as Artemis appears before them.

ARTEMIS:
     Hello, ladies.

The Fates don't look up at her and continue to weave. Atropos quickly cuts a thread.

ARTEMIS (irritated):
     I came here for answers. I'm not about to spend eternity a ghost and I'm sure as hell not going to turn mortal just to eke out a few more numbered days. So I'll put this simply--how can I live forever?

CLOTHO:
     The more we tell you--

LACHESIS:
     --the faster the Twilight--

ATROPOS:
     --will happen.

CLOTHO:
     The Slayer--

LACHESIS:
     --of Gods--

ATROPOS:
     --will strike again--

CLOTHO:
     --and shed--

LACHESIS:
     --new--

ATROPOS:
     --Olympian blood.

Atropos cuts another thread.

Close-up on Artemis' face. She looks terrified.

CUT TO

Xena and Ares in the temple. Xena takes Ares' hand, weaving her fingers through his.

XENA (tenderly):
     Ares--I trust you to make the right decision.

ARES (chuckles bitterly):
     Never thought I'd hear you say that.

XENA (pensive):
     So...most of the other gods haven't received Eve's message very well.

ARES:
     Didn't think they would. They'll still fight to keep as many worshipers as they can.

XENA:
     Yeah. Even if it means stealing them from you.

ARES (surprised):
     What are you talking about?

XENA:
     Two armies moving on Thebes--from Delium and from Leuctra. (Off Ares' expectant look) It's Artemis and Apollo's work. They're after your temples.

ARES (clenches his fists and scowls):
     So they want to play hardball. Fine. I'll show them how that game is played.

XENA (guarded):
     I thought you didn't care about worshipers or temples anymore.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Yeah, well--that doesn't mean I'm going to let those two spoiled brats take away my toys, does it? (very serious) Xena, if I decide to give it all up, it's going to be my choice--on my terms. (harshly) I deserve no less.

XENA (nods slowly):
     I understand. (after a brief pause) If the attack can't be stopped, Gabrielle and I are going to help Antigone and Actaeon defend Thebes.

ARES:
     Be careful. If this is Apollo and Artemis you're playing against--

XENA:
     It wouldn't be like them to get involved directly. That's why they've had their followers raise those armies.

ARES:
     The rules are different now that they're in fear of their lives. I think it's time for me to have a chat with my dear brother and sister and slap a little sense into them.

XENA (worried):
     Be careful. You said it yourself--they're desperate.

ARES (scoffs):
     Oh, please. What do I have to worry about? Apollo will beat me to death with a musical instrument?

Xena laughs and Ares joins in her laughter; then, the laughter fades to smiles as they look at each other.

ARES (quietly):
     It's good to hear you laugh again.

XENA (teasingly):
     Especially at your jokes.

They kiss.

DISSOLVE TO

A temple to Zeus on a hilltop, the same one we saw in "God Fearing Child".

CUT TO

Hercules stands in the quiet temple, looking slightly apprehensive.

HERCULES:
     Zeus. (no answer) Zeus!

There is a whooshing sound and in a swirl of lightning and thunder, Zeus appears, standing in front of Hercules. They look at each other for a moment, both of them slightly uncomfortable.

ZEUS (moving closer to Hercules):
     My son. I was wondering when we'd see each other again.

Hercules looks at Zeus, then looks down, obviously struggling with something.

HERCULES (quietly):
     I'm sorry. I should have come to see you sooner after you--returned.

ZEUS:
     Hercules...

HERCULES:
     It's not easy to face your father when, the last time we met... (trails off)

Zeus approaches and puts a hand on his shoulder.

ZEUS:
     The last time we met, you did what you had to. I understand that.

HERCULES:
     It wasn't until after you were gone that I realized how much you mean to me... (looks up at Zeus) Father.

ZEUS (smiles):
     I seem to recall that you vowed never to call me 'Father' anymore.

HERCULES (guilty):
     Father--I--

ZEUS:
     Wait, let me finish. I told you that you had never disappointed me--and I meant it. It wasn't your fault that things happened the way that they did. I was afraid of losing everything and I acted rashly and--stupidly.

They embrace. After they pull apart, Zeus looks probingly at Hercules.

ZEUS:
     Now, why do I have a feeling that your visit today has something to do with the Twilight happening again?

HERCULES (nods):
     Xena told me about it.

ZEUS:
     Has she. (He steps away and looks out the window) I'm not sure what's worse: to live out a mortal lifespan and then face whatever the afterlife holds...or fade and wander the earth as a ghost for all eternity--to look on as we are forgotten, and as new generations are born that don't even believe we ever existed. (He turns toward Hercules again) You know, I'm determined to find a better way to deal with it this time. (smiles faintly) I just wish I knew such a way.

HERCULES (bitterly):
     Well, I can tell you how Artemis and Apollo are planning to deal with it. They've raised armies to go up against Thebes to take over Ares' temples.

ZEUS (shakes his head):
     I knew they were up to something. Those fools. Fighting amongst ourselves will only ensure our destruction.

HERCULES:
     Not to mention the destruction of a few thousand mortals who get caught in the crossfire.

There is a long pause, Zeus obviously struggling with a decision.

ZEUS:
     Hercules...I don't know how much longer I have, or which among the Olympian gods will outlast the others. There's something that I think you should know.

Hercules looks at him expectantly.

CUT TO

Artemis' quarters on Olympus, richly decorated with hunting weapons, deers' antlers, animal skins and other hunting trophies. Ares appears and lobs a fireball at a pair of antlers on a wall, causing them to crash; then, looking around, he fireballs a tapestry depicting a hunt, leaving a burnt hole in its middle.

Artemis materializes in a flash of green light.

ARTEMIS (yells):
     Hey! What do you think you're doing?

ARES (glares):
     I could ask you the same thing.

Apollo materializes next to Artemis.

APOLLO (nonchalant):
     Problem, sis?

ARES:
     Yeah, and it's your problem too, (sarcastically) bro. (points a hand with outstretched fingers at them both, with blue bolts of energy crackling between his fingers) Stay away from Thebes. Stay away from my temples and my followers. Is that simple enough for you?

APOLLO (laughs):
     Oh, Ares. You take everything so seriously.

ARTEMIS:
     Don't worry. We'll pull back the armies. Actually, we've just found out something that solves our problem with no need for new temples and no need to get mortals involved in any wars.

ARES (lowers his hand and narrows his eyes at them):
     What are you talking about?

APOLLO (mysteriously):
     The tablets of the Fates.

ARES:
     What?

Artemis approaches him and stares at him intently. She reaches out and puts a hand on his arm. He looks down on her hand, as if irritated at the touch of a foreign object.

ARTEMIS:
     They're supposed to reverse the effects of the Twilight. Come and we'll show you.

ARES (steps back):
     Oh, I get it. You're playing some kind of game to stall for time. Forget it. I'm not going anywhere.

ARTEMIS (glances wryly at Apollo):
     I think he's scared.

APOLLO:
     He thinks it's a trap. (to Ares, mockingly) Hey, why don't you bring your darling Xena along to protect you.

ARES (stung):
     I don't have to take that from you. All right, I'll play your little game.

CUT TO

Inside a dark cave studded with stalactites. There are three flashes of light--blue, green and gold--and Ares, Apollo and Artemis materialize. Ares looks around and, with a sweep of the hand, causes torches to appear, lighting the cave.

ARES:
     All right, so where are those tablets of yours?

ARTEMIS:
     They're supposed to be embedded into one of the walls.

Skeptical but curious, Ares walks along the wall, looking at the rock. Something alerts his senses, causing him to tense and then whip around--just in time to see Apollo and Artemis send two fireballs toward him. Ares extends his hands, repelling the fireballs, so that Apollo and Artemis are barely able to dodge them.

ARES (contemptuously):
     I knew it. (draws his sword) Well, I'm always up for a good workout.

Even as he charges Apollo and Artemis, they hold up their hands and swords appear in them. They spar. Ares spins around and delivers a kick to Artemis' midriff that sends her flying back and slamming into a wall with a shout of rage. Meanwhile, he spars with Apollo, knocks the sword from his hand and elbows him in the stomach and then in the face. Apollo falls down, groaning. Ares shakes his head.

ARES:
     Stick to playing the lyre, bro. You were never any good with a sword.

APOLLO (grits his teeth):
     Yeah? Well, maybe I've improved.

He leaps to his feet and makes his sword fly upwards from the floor of the cave and into his hand. Artemis joins him and they spar again. As Ares simultaneously parries blows from both of them, Apollo and Artemis manage to kick the sword out of his hand, then deliver a couple of kicks to his chest and stomach, accompanied by lightning bolts. As Ares staggers back, they fly forward and slam into him, pushing him back and into what looks like an open sarcophagus at the base of the wall.

ARTEMIS:
     Now!

She and Apollo lift their hands, directing streams of light at something on the wall, just above the camera's range. After a moment they lower their hands.

Ares tries to get up but realizes that he can't move, as if held in place by an invisible energy field. He tries to dematerialize but the blue light flares up around him and quickly fades.

ARTEMIS:
     Ah-ah-ah. You're not going anywhere.

ARES (frightened but trying not to show it):
     What are you talking about?

APOLLO (clicks his tongue):
     Tsk-tsk. I'm afraid you've fallen into one of Haephestus' little traps.

ARES:
     Are you insane? What are you planning to do, keep me trapped here forever?

ARTEMIS (gleefully):
     Oh no. Not forever. I'm sure the Twilight will eventually catch up with you and you'll just-- (with mock regret) fade away. Then I guess you'll find out whether or not this tomb will hold a ghost, as well as a god.

ARES:
     And you think you can get away with this?

APOLLO:
     You've been too much of a liability to the family, Ares. You think they'll get you out of this mess just so you can betray them again? (snickers) In the meantime, we'll have your temples and your worshippers.

With a desperate effort, Ares tries to free himself again but sinks to the bottom of the coffin with a groan.

APOLLO and ARTEMIS (in unison):
     Sweet dreams.

They extend their hands, using their powers to lift a lid from the ground and deposit it on top of the sarcophagus. The camera moves in on the sarcophagus; the lid has the image of a person carved into it. Then, the camera pulls away to show the Eye of Hephaestus pulsing with a red glow above the sarcophagus. Apollo and Artemis direct another beam of energy at the Eye and its glow dies down. Apollo and Artemis disappear and the camera lingers for a moment on the empty cave as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO