The below is a scene that was altered after editing. Ares has just appeared in the palace after her discussion with Cleon.
ARES (sarcastically):
If it isn’t Xena, the ruler of Athens. I’ve waited so long for this day to come. But wait, I thought you’d given up the desire to rule people?
Xena quickly turns around, shifting her eyes.
XENA:
Well, these are special circumstances.
ARES:
Either way, you do it well.
XENA:
What do you want, Ares? I can’t imagine you’re here just to chat. It’s not your style.
ARES (saunters toward her):
You’re right, actually. This war is cramping my style.
XENA (laughs):
Oh, this is rich--a war cramping your style? Please. You live for war, you adore war and this one should be the most fun. I mean, Sparta and Athens, the two most powerful cities in Greece, competing for the right to rule. I’d think you’d be thrilled.
ARES:
Sadly, no. That’s hard to say coming from me, but it’s true. If Sparta wins, then my greatest temples will be destroyed and I will loose a great deal of my worshipers. I can’t afford that.
XENA (shakes her head):
I should have seen that one coming--Ares out for himself again.
ARES (grins cunningly):
What can I say? I’m not a god without my temples or my worshipers.
Xena walks up to him, looks at him curiously.
XENA:
But why would the war have anything to do with the destruction of your temples?
ARES:
The Spartans don’t like me, not after the time that they lost a war even though they had prayed for my help. I would have helped them but at the time, I was just a mere mortal. If they conquer Athens, they will most likely destroy my temples. It’s taken me a long time for me to get back up to my god status after being a mortal for more than a year. I can’t afford devastation like this.
XENA (whiny):
Oh, I feel so bad for you. (walks over to the terrain map again, Ares follows her)
ARES (surveys the map):
So, you plan to attack the Spartan army from the sides? That’s good; it should work as long as they don’t see it coming.
XENA:
Well, I hope so. (pause) Ares, you still haven’t told me exactly why you are here.
ARES (shrugs his shoulders and grins):
I’m here to help.
XENA:
What? Did you just say what I think you said--you want to help?
ARES:
That’s right.
XENA (sarcastically):
Right. Ares, you’ve never helped anyone but yourself.
ARES:
Now, that’s not entirely true and you know it, Xena. I did help Gabrielle and Eve once upon a time.
XENA:
Well, yeah but that was different.
ARES:
How? (in a challenging way)
XENA:
Well...it just was.
ARES:
Okay, Xena. You may not believe me now but trust me; I think that will change in the future.
He’s gone in a flash of light.
