Daytime. A long shot of Corinth; the camera slowly closes in on the empty field in front of the city gates, with dense woods on both sides.

Quick cut to the woods. The leaves part and we see, in close-up, Gabrielle with dark war paint on her face. Gabrielle looks around, an expression of intense focus on her face, then abruptly raises her arm. A harsh bird-like cry is heard.

The camera pans over to several warriors from Sabina's army who are sitting on the ground amidst the trees. Some of them look up sharply at the sound. In the same instant, Amazons leap out of trees and come crashing down on them.

The camera pulls back to show more of Sabina's soldiers. Some, who have been sitting down, jump to their feet; others, who have been standing, turn around in bewilderment. All seem confused by the attack. Meanwhile, more Amazons are streaming out of the underbrush and leaping out of the trees with terrifying war cries.

Close-up on the face of one of Sabina's soldiers. He looks terrified and confused.

SOLDIER:
      We were supposed to ambush them!

Close-up on the painted face of an Amazon, filled with the exhilaration of battle.

AMAZON:
     I guess we had other plans!

She strikes at the soldier and he backs up. The camera pans quickly from one part of the battle to another to show the Amazons attacking Sabina's men. Gabrielle, her face distorted in a battle yell, is seen striking down on an enemy soldier. Haimon, the only man fighting with the Amazon forces, is battling by Gabrielle's side. For a moment the camera focuses on Eve, who is not wearing war paint. She fights with a staff, apparently making an effort to knock out or push back her opponents without killing them.

Some of Sabina's men regain their bearings but they are no match for the stealth and quickness of the Amazons, who soon start pushing them back through the woods.

An overhead shot of the field. The sounds of battle--clashing metal, battle cries, screams of pain--are now heard from the woods. Finally, Sabina's troops start streaming out of the woods, some of them running, some backing up and trying to contain the Amazons. The camera pans down to focus on Sabina, who gallops across the field, a look of rage on her face.

SABINA (to running soldiers):
     Stop, you cowards! We've got them outnumbered! There must be at least three of us for every one of them!

Quick cut to Gabrielle spinning around and knocking one of Sabina's soldiers down on his back with a powerful kick to his midsection, running her sword through another soldier at the same time, and striking down a third soldier who runs up to her. The camera pans over to Haimon, who looks somewhat uneasily at Gabrielle, clearly taken aback by her rage. Then he turns to parry a blow from one of Sabina's soldiers.

The camera pans back to Sabina, following her as she rides around the battlefield trying to rally her soldiers. Several shots of Sabina's soldiers striking back at the Amazons. We see shots from the flashback in the teaser: A tight shot of an Amazon being pierced by an arrow and crumbling to the ground with a gasp. The camera pans closer for a close-up of her face, her eyes open and frozen in death, a thin trickle of blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Then the camera pulls back and up, for an overhead shot of the battle. Sabina's soldiers are starting to regroup and push back the Amazons.

Just then, Xena's battle cry, "A-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!" pierces the air.

A close-up of Gabrielle turning her head abruptly, a quick flash of joy on her face.

A close-up of Eve turning her head abruptly, smiling.

A close-up of Sabina turning her head abruptly, her jaw clenching as her eyes flash with anger.

The camera pulls back for a long shot of Xena riding in at the head of several columns of soldiers.

HAIMON:
     Praise the gods--it's the Athenians!

GABRIELLE (with a harsh, edgy laugh):
     Are you implying that the Amazons aren't good enough?

HAIMON:
     No, just that we need any help with can get. (he strikes back at one of Sabina's soldiers, then glances at Gabrielle, who is breathing hard, her eyes sparkling, her right arm and her chest spattered with blood) Are you all right?

GABRIELLE (looks at him and blinks hard, as if coming out of a daze):
     Yeah...

Haimon tenderly touches her arm and she gives him a tense smile.

A wide shot of the battlefield. The camera pans down to focus on Xena just as she comes face to face with Sabina.

SABINA (with a forced smile):
     Xena. I knew we'd meet again like this.

XENA:
     Still trying to play it cool? (smiles coldly) By the way, I have bad news. Theron isn't going to keep his date with you.

SABINA (flinches and gives her a slightly shocked look):
     How did you--

XENA:
     Let's just say I have my sources.

With a piercing battle cry, Xena dismounts in a leap and flies at Sabina, knocking her off her horse. The two women roll on the ground, then leap to their feet and face off, sword in hand. They fight, both displaying impressive combat moves, spinning, kicking, leaping in the air, parrying the blows of each other's swords. At one point they find themselves staring at each other up close, their swords crossed.

XENA:
     You know something, Sabina? I have no idea what Ares told you about Mavican, but you and she do have something in common. (off Sabina's glare) You both bit off more than you could chew.

With a cry of rage, Sabina pushes her back. The two women charge at each other again.

CUT TO

Gabrielle and Eve in another part of the battlefield, Gabrielle fighting with a sword, Eve with her staff. Eve pauses for a moment, a strange look on her face.

GABRIELLE (turns to Eve):
     Are you all right?

EVE (nods):
     Yeah...I just never thought I'd find myself on a battlefield again.

GABRIELLE:
     Hang on, Eve. It'll be over soon.

She looks over at Xena, who is battling Sabina just a few paces away. Then, she looks around.

GABRIELLE (an anxious look on her face):
     Where's Haimon?

EVE:
     I don't know--I haven't seen him...

Gabrielle grabs the arm of an Amazon who is racing by. The Amazon spins around and almost strikes Gabrielle before recognizing her.

AMAZON:
     Queen Gabrielle? Is something--

GABRIELLE (trying to keep her emotions under control):
     Haimon, the young man who was with us--have you seen him?

AMAZON:
     I have, my queen.

GABRIELLE:
     Where is he?

AMAZON:
     I don't know, my queen--I saw him before, when he was fighting next to you in the woods...

Exasperated, Gabrielle lets go of her and stops another Amazon.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon--have you seen Haimon?

AMAZON #2 (puzzled):
     Oh, the young man? I did see him just a few minutes ago, over on the southwest side of the field-- (waves in that direction) --battling with some of the Athenians.

GABRIELLE (wild-eyed):
     Was he all right?

AMAZON #2:
     Well, there was a lot of blood on him--whether his own or someone else's, I don't--

Without listening any further, Gabrielle rushes in the direction the Amazon pointed out. As the two Amazons and Eve look after her, puzzled, they are attacked by several soldiers and start fighting back.

CUT TO

Xena fighting Sabina. Sabina's movements are becoming less coordinated, more enraged and less controlled, until finally Xena knocks the sword out of her hand. Sabina lunges to pick up her sword but, in a quick leap, Xena puts her foot down on it, even as she holds Sabina at sword point.

XENA (sarcastic):
     You and your men have fought well, Sabina. I think it's time to call it off and surrender the city.

Off-camera, Eve is heard crying out, and an Amazon's voice cries, "Princess Eve!" Xena turns, a panic-stricken look on her face, and sees Eve on the ground, with one Amazon (Amazon #2) standing next to her fighting off several soldiers from Sabina's army.

XENA (in a terrified near-whisper):
     Eve!

She rushes toward Eve. Sabina takes a deep breath and picks up her sword; she looks after Xena, frowning, as if pondering her options, and runs off.

CUT TO

Xena, who makes short work of the soldiers threatening Eve and, with the help of Amazon #2, helps Eve to her feet. Eve has a bleeding cut on her side.

XENA (looks at the wound, then breathes a sigh of relief):
     It's all right--it's not deep. We need to get you to safety. Come on. (puts her arm around Eve's shoulders)

EVE (weakly):
     No, Mother--you have to stay on the field--they need you. (she winces in pain) You can't let Sabina's army regroup--

XENA:
     Eve, I have to make sure you're--

EVE:
     They'll take care of me. (points to Amazon #2 and two other Amazons who approach) Go on.

XENA (frowns suddenly):
     Where's Gabrielle?

EVE (moans slightly):
     She--she had to help someone... Mother, please...

XENA (looks around her):
     They're retreating. Look, Eve!

An overhead shot of the field. Under relentless attack, some of Sabina's men are retreating back inside the city gates, while others are running off in all directions and still others falling to their knees and throwing down their weapons in surrender.

A tight shot of Xena and Eve, leaning on Xena's arm.

XENA (her face impassive):
     It's over. Now it's only a matter of time.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

[FLASHBACK]

The headquarters hall in the Corinthian palace. Sabina paces back and forth, her face grim. Finally, she stops and stands very straight and still.

SABINA (her voice steady):
     Ares! (after a long pause, as nothing happens) Ares! (There is no response, and she continues to pace around the hall, then stops again, leaning on the desk, and raises her voice) Ares!

There is a flash of light, and Ares appears.

ARES:
     Care to dedicate this battle to my glory?

SABINA (bites her lip):
     I may still have a victory to dedicate. I don't give up that easily. But--

ARES (mockingly):
     But--?

SABINA (with an effort):
     But a lot of my men do. They're deserting me. (she tries to smile) Ares, I was thinking--one little appearance by the God of War to show that he's on my side, and it could turn things around.

ARES (looks conspicuously bored):
     Motivational speaking? Not quite my thing.

Sabina turns away. Ares looks at her thoughtfully, with a sudden flash of sympathy in his eyes.

ARES:
     Look at it this way, Sabina. You wanted to be like Xena--the old Xena, didn't you? Well, I think you're about to relive her experience at Corinth.

SABINA (stares at him pensively):
     Maybe with a different ending.

ARES (smirks):
     I wouldn't count on that.

Ares vanishes. Sabina stands still, looking bitterly at the spot where he vanished. Then she smiles slightly and shakes her head.

SABINA:
     All right, Xena. The city is yours.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

[FLASHBACK]

Night. A zoomed-out shot of the Amazon encampment outside Corinth. The camera slowly pans down to show Gabrielle asleep next to Haimon, his arm around her, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder; then over to Xena, who is sleeping nearby, and finally to Eve, who is also asleep, her side bandaged.

AMAZON (off-camera):
     Alarm!

Xena sits up abruptly, rubbing her eyes and staring. The cry of "Alarm!" is repeated. Another off-camera female voice cries, "Fire!" Gabrielle and Haimon sit up as well; Eve raises her head with a slight groan.

GABRIELLE:
     What's going on?

CUT TO

An Amazon, who is breathing hard. Behind her, the sky has a strange orange glow.

AMAZON:
     The city is burning!

Xena, Gabrielle, Haimon and Eve stare. The camera pans closer to the walls of Corinth. Flames are seen leaping above the city walls. Distant screams echo through the night as people start streaming out of the city gates.

A close-up of Xena's face, bitter and hard as stone.

A close-up of Gabrielle's face, her eyes wide open in shock, her lips trembling slightly.

GABRIELLE (whispers):
     Sabina...

CUT TO

Daytime. Xena, Gabrielle, Eve, and Haimon are riding slowly through the streets of Corinth, looking around them with sadness and horror. There are charred remnants of buildings everywhere; some houses are still on fire. Dazed people, some of them half-naked, some with singed hair or with soot on their hands and faces, wander aimlessly around.

Arriving at the end of a square, Xena and her companions stop.

MAN'S VOICE (off-camera):
     Run! It's going to fall!

People run past in a panic. The camera pans over to a large marble building with columns, enveloped in flames (from the teaser flashback). The building crumbles in slow motion.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Important Tips Before Viewing Credits: Choose the scrolling speed from the "Speed" button before pressing "Start". Pressing "Start" first before choosing the speed will result in the script running faster in Netscape and Firefox than in Internet Explorer (because the browsers interpret the speed differently). So, for best results, choose "m" (for medium) before running the script and then press "Start". To replay the credits after they have completed, you must choose "Top" (to return the script to the beginning) and then press "Start". Pressing "Start" multiple times will speed up the scrolling and pressing "Stop" multiple times will slow it down.