FADE IN

The same scene as before. Gabrielle, Haimon and Ares stare at a still-silent Xena.

ARES:
      Xena?

Xena looks at him distractedly. Ares frowns, concerned.

GABRIELLE:
      What's wrong?

XENA (hesitates):
      Gabrielle...maybe it's not such a--good idea to stop the two armies.

GABRIELLE:
      What do you suggest? Leave them to work out their problems by slaughtering each other?

XENA:
      So? We'll have two less warlords that we'll have to deal with in the future.

Gabrielle gives her a horrified look.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena...what's happening to you?

XENA (irritated):
      Nothing! I'm just saying that stopping them may not be the best option. They'll leave the town alone if they're busy fighting each other. It's a win-win situation here.

GABRIELLE:
      Are you sure this has nothing to do with being worshipped? With having two armies call out your name as they battle to the death?

Xena looks at her silently, her face reflecting a struggle.

ARES:
      Of course it does.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena...we can't let this happen.

HAIMON:
     They'll destroy the whole valley around Naupa, including the crop fields.

GABRIELLE:
      That's right. So maybe they'll destroy each other but the people of Naupa won't have enough food to last them through the winter.

XENA:
      I'm a goddess, Gabrielle. I could help them.

Gabrielle shakes her head in dismay.

HAIMON:
      So you're not going to stop them? You'd rather watch a battle than do the right thing?

Xena gives him an uncertain, rather guilty look.

ARES:
     Wait--she can't stop them.

GABRIELLE (shocked):
     What?

ARES:
     For us to go back to--normal, we have to do each other's job, right? And if she just went out and stopped both of the armies...that wouldn't exactly be doing my job.

XENA:
     He's right.

GABRIELLE:
     Are you sure you aren't just saying that because you want to see blood shed in your name?

XENA (frustrated):
      So maybe I do! Or at least--this power inside me does. Gabrielle, that's what this power was created for--and I just have to deal with that. The other part of me knows that the war has to be stopped--but it shouldn't be up to me. (She stands up and stares meaningfully at Gabrielle and Ares) Do what you have to do.

She vanishes in a flash of light.

After a moment's silence, Gabrielle turns to Ares.

GABRIELLE:
      You realize how important it is that we stop these armies, don't you?

ARES:
      Yeah, yeah...

GABRIELLE (dead serious):
      You don't get it. When Xena becomes herself again, she'll never forgive herself for allowing a war to be fought in her name.

ARES (serious, nods):
      I know. So... (looks around at Gabrielle and Haimon) ...the three of us are supposed to stop two armies.

DARION:
     Hey, there are four of us.

ARES:
     I stand corrected--the two of us. Someone has to stay behind and babysit.

HAIMON (sighs):
     I'll stay. (off Gabrielle's guilty look) Hey--I understand. Ares has to play the hero if things are going back to the way they were.

Gabrielle moves closer to him.

GABRIELLE:
      Haimon... (She trails off and gives him a tender kiss)

HAIMON:
     Good luck. (pauses) I'll wait for you.

GABRIELLE:
      I know. (She gives Darion a tight hug and kisses him) You're going to be a good boy, right?

ARES:
     Don't answer that, kid. (chuckles)

DARION (to Gabrielle):
     You'll be back soon?

GABRIELLE (tenderly):
      Promise.

She lets go of Darion, gets up and walks over to Klio. As she gets in the saddle, Ares puts on his swordbelt and, after a moment's hesitation, goes over to Argo. As he puts his hand on the mare's neck, Argo snorts and tosses her head. After a moment, she calms down and compliantly allows him to mount her. Gabrielle looks on, surprised. She turns to wave to Haimon and Darion once more as she and Ares ride off into the woods.

GABRIELLE (turns to Ares):
     So. Do you have a plan?

ARES:
     No. Do you?

GABRIELLE (sarcastic):
      A lot of help you are, Ares. What kind of hero are you going to be if you can't even think of a simple plan? Or maybe you want your sidekick to think of the plans while you get all the credit?

ARES (with a smug grin):
     It's called delegating.

GABRIELLE (gives him a look that says, "very funny"):
     Hah.

A wide shot of the two of them riding away down the road.

CUT TO

A wide shot of a town in a valley, with mountains on the side. The camera zooms in past the town and on the mountains, then pans up to a ledge on a cliff. There is a flash of blue light and Xena appears. She stands on the ledge, looking down on the town and the valley below.

XENA (whispers to herself):
      Naupa...two armies headed this way...

She closes her eyes.

ARES' VOICE (in flashback from "Path of Vengeance"):
      ...both of them worshipping me for success in battle, oh--what a blast. I am the God of War and that's what I do.

Xena opens her eyes and sighs, obviously torn between conflicting emotions. In frustration, she turns around and lobs a fireball at a cliff above her, blasting off pieces of rock.

XENA:
     Yeah!

Lifting both hands, she starts shooting more fireballs at the cliffs, exploding them right and left, the thrill evident in her face. Throwing her head back, she lets out a yell as she blasts away a large cliff.

As the sound of the explosion subsides, there is a cackling laugh off-camera. Xena lowers her hands and whips around to find Discord standing behind her.

DISCORD (smirks):
     Xena, Goddess of War. Working off excess energy?

XENA:
      Discord. Do you have nothing better to do or do you just like annoying me?

DISCORD (pretends to think):
      Hmm...both, actually.

Xena shakes her head and turns away from Discord.

XENA:
      Go away.

DISCORD:
      So. You're about to watch two armies fight in your name. How does that feel?

Xena narrows her eyes at Discord, a look of realization on her face.

XENA:
      You! It was you who put them up to it.

DISCORD (smirks):
      My, my...you are good at playing detective, aren't you? So...what do you think that will do to your reputation, hmm? You think people will believe that it wasn't you who sent those two armies to slaughter each other for your glory? (Xena looks troubled) And if and when you go back to being mortal...how's that going to make you feel? Think anyone will ever buy your hero act again? So much for the good Xena.

Trying not to show her anxiety, Xena straightens up and puts on a sarcastic face.

XENA:
      What makes you think I'm here to watch, Discord? You think I can't stop two armies? Please. I'm a goddess. I've had tougher chores as a mortal.

DISCORD:
      Yeah, I thought of that. But you see... (she smirks, and a gruesome-looking sword with a jagged blade and a black handle appears in her hand with a flash of light) ...that's gonna have to wait--because you've got a goddess to deal with first.

XENA (sarcastic):
      The highlight of my day.

Xena draws her sword. She swings at Discord and their swords meet, sparks flying everywhere. They exchange blows, using their swords, fists and feet, anticipating and parrying each other's moves. Each clash of their swords, each punch, kick and head butt creates bright flashes of light on impact.

Xena punches Discord in the face, making her stagger back; she growls, then hurls a fireball toward Xena. Xena moves out of the way and it hits the rock ledge behind them, sending a few rocks down to the ground.

Discord growls and charges at Xena. They struggle and Xena tosses Discord over the edge of the cliff. Discord screams in rage as she falls and she disappears in midair. Xena chuckles, rubbing her hands together.

XENA:
      Much better.

Xena suddenly feels a jolt and gets a shocked look on her face. She looks down. We follow her gaze to see Discord's sword protruding from her chest. She turns around, the sword still stuck in her chest and finds Discord looking back at her, an evil grin on her face.

DISCORD:
      You're not the only one with many skills, Xena.

Xena reaches back, yanks out the sword and throws it up into the air. It vanishes in a shower of sparks, only to reappear in Discord's hand. Discord cocks her head, smirking.

Xena charges Discord, sword at the ready, but Discord vanishes. Xena slams into a rock, then shakes herself off.

DISCORD (off-camera):
      Over here!

Xena whips around and finds Discord standing on a thin ledge on the other side of the cliff. Xena disappears and reappears beside Discord, punching her in the face even as she materializes. Discord staggers back but almost immediately recovers and zaps Xena with a fireball, which momentarily stuns her. Before Xena can recover, Discord leaps at her and repeatedly pummels her in the face with rapid punches, slamming her head into a rock. After a moment Xena regains her bearings, pushes Discord back and slams a knee in her chest, then kicks her away. Discord disappears and reappears on another ledge. Xena follows her--but just as she appears on the ledge, Discord vanishes and reappears on yet another ledge.

DISCORD (cackles):
      You enjoy a nice game of tag?

XENA:
     I prefer a good butt-kicking.

The two goddesses fly at each other and collide in the air, sparks flying. They hang in the air, sparring with their swords.

CUT TO

Glacus' army, now in a field, marches on. The walls of Naupa can be seen in the distance.

SOLIDER:
      A rider approaches!

Glacus turns. From the side, a rider on a palomino, dressed in black, is coming toward the troops. As he gets closer, we see that it's Ares. He rides up to Glacus, who stops.

GLACUS:
      What do you want?

ARES:
      Oh-- (casually) --just to take over your army.

GLACUS:
      You and who else?

ARES:
      Oh, I don't need anyone else. I'll do fine on my own.

GLACUS (laughs):
      And what makes you think my men are just going to let it happen?

ARES:
     Maybe because serving under the former God of War doesn't seem like a bad idea?

GLACUS (shocked):
      God of War? You're Ares?

There is an audible murmur among the soldiers.

ARES:
      That's right. So...unless you'd rather lose face in front of your men, you'd better fight me now. Otherwise, it might get embarrassing.

He draws his sword and dismounts. So does Glacus. Ares moves toward him and they circle each other. Glacus finally makes the first move and swings at Ares, but Ares easily eludes his blow, causing Glacus to charge right past Ares. Glacus turns and tries again. Their swords clash. Ares easily parries Glacus' blows; after a brief swordfight he kicks Glacus' sword out of his hand and kicks it away. Glacus draws a dagger and charges at him, but Ares knocks him down with a swift kick and puts his sword to Glacus' throat.

GLACUS (gasping):
      You're just doing this to get in Xena's good graces, aren't you? Probably scheming to get your godhood back!

Ares presses the tip of his sword against Glacus' throat and Glacus gasps and whimpers slightly.

ARES:
      Why I'm doing this is none of your business. Now, stay down like a good little warlord while I take over your army.

Ares steps over Glacus who does not move a muscle, frozen with fear. Ares looks at the men, who remain silent.

ARES:
     Well? Are you going to follow me?

After a moment, one of the soldiers raises his sword.

SOLIDER:
     Hail, Ares!

SOLDIERS (chanting):
     A-res! A-res! A-res!

Ares grins, obviously enjoying the attention.

ARES:
      On to Naupa!

He mounts Argo and rides at the head of the army.

CUT TO

Discord and Xena are still going at it. They are now in hand to hand combat again and clearly, have reached a stalemate. They are on one of the small rocky ledges.

DISCORD:
      Face it, Xena. You can't beat a goddess who knows all the tricks in the book and who's been doing this for centuries.

Xena glances up at the ledge above them and sees a large pile of rocks. She grins and looks at Discord.

XENA:
      Well, I have some tricks of my own.

She lobs a fireball at the ledge. The rocks come crashing down right on top of Discord; she screeches, unable to move out of the way before they hit her. Xena mouths a "bye, bye" and waves to her and flashes away as Discord is buried.

Xena reappears on another rock ledge, watching. When the dust settles, Discord is left under a huge pile of rocks.

XENA:
     That should slow you down for a while. (grins) You should have gotten a few tips from Callisto.

She smiles and crosses her arms, obviously pleased with herself. Then she approaches the edge of a cliff and looks down.

An overhead shot of the entrance to the walled town and the large open field in front of it. The two armies can be seen heading toward each other. The camera zooms in to show Ares at the head of one of the armies; the other army is lead by the commander in the black cloak and silver helmet, his face still invisible. The armies ride toward each other until they are only several feet apart. They stop.

ARES (raises his sword):
     I am Ares--the former God of War! I have pledged to conquer this town in the name of Xena, the new Goddess of War!

We now see the face of the other commander. It's Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (likewise raises her sword):
     And I am Gabrielle, the Battling Bard of Potidaea--I have pledged that I will conquer it in the name of the new Goddess of War!

Quick pan to Xena, standing on the ledge. Her eyes widen in shock; then, suddenly, she smiles.

Quick pan to Ares and Gabrielle facing each other.

ARES:
     I suggest that instead of shedding the blood of our men, we settle this between us. Whoever wins takes the town.

GABRIELLE:
      Agreed. (looks upward) And if what we are doing here displeases the goddess, let her send us a sign!

Ares and Gabrielle both dismount, Gabrielle removing the helmet and the cloak, and walk up to each other, swords drawn. They assume a combat stance, raising their swords. Their swords clash--and, in the same instant, both shatter to pieces.

There are gasps of shock on both sides. Some of the men are heard muttering, "The goddess!", "A sign!", "She's angry!"

Gabrielle suddenly gasps and clutches at her heart. She sways, drops to her knees, and then slowly falls to the ground. The murmur among the soldiers grows louder as they exchange nervous looks. They stare at Ares as he, too, starts to totter and gasp.

ARES (with some exaggerated eye-rolling):
      I--can't--breathe!

He collapses on the ground. The soldiers are now visibly terrified.

SOLDIERS:
     --The goddess! She's killed them both!
     --Are they dead?
     -- Let's get out of here!

In the next moment the two armies run away in a panicked stampede.

Close-up of Xena on the cliff. She shakes her head and laughs as she vanishes in a flash of blue light.

An overhead shot of the field as the two armies run away. Soon no is left except Ares and Gabrielle, lying motionless on the ground, and their horses wandering about.

DISSOLVE TO

A close-up of Gabrielle, lying on her stomach, as she opens one eye to make sure the field is clear. Then she sits up. So does Ares.

GABRIELLE:
     That was the worst acting I've ever seen in a death scene.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Well. I guess now we know that if I stay mortal, theater just isn't my calling. (He gets up and dusts himself off)

GABRIELLE (gets up):
     But you know, other than that...we make a pretty good team.

ARES:
      As long as you remember who's the hero and who's the sidekick.

GABRIELLE (smirks):
     Oh, I do. After all, it was my plan.

Ares fixes her with a mock glare. Then they grin at each other almost affectionately; in the next moment Ares clears his throat and looks away, embarrassed. Gabrielle looks away as well with a little "hmph."

There is a flash of light beside them, accompanied by the trademark sound of Ares (and now Xena) materializing. They turn to find Xena standing there, smiling.

XENA:
      Good job.

Quick close-ups of Ares and Gabrielle smiling back at her.

XENA (continues):
      So you took over those armies and switched the swords, huh?

GABRIELLE:
      You never know when ceramic replicas of ceremonial weapons can come in handy.

They all laugh.

ARES:
     So...what were you doing all this time?

XENA:
      Slugging it out with an old friend of yours. (off his questioning look) Discord.

GABRIELLE:
      What happened?

XENA (chuckles):
      Let's just say she's caught between a rock and a hard place right now. (points up to the mountains; off Gabrielle's puzzled look) You know--the old, reliable way of dealing with a psycho goddess...

Gabrielle nods and grins in understanding.

Xena glances at Ares, who is smiling at her. She becomes more serious and looks at him for a quiet moment. Then, Argo trots up to Xena, nuzzles her and neighs.

XENA (pats Argo's neck, then gives Ares a mock-angry look):
      I can't believe you rode my horse. (turns to Argo) And you let him.

ARES:
      Hey, she's a smart horse. She knew I was supposed to take your place and I guess she didn't have a problem with that.

A brief pause.

XENA (quietly):
      Do you?

ARES:
     Hmm...I'll get back to you on that.

Another brief silence.

GABRIELLE:
     Come on. We should get back to camp. Haimon and Darion will be waiting for us.

XENA:
     I'll take you there.

CUT TO

Close up of Haimon's face. Pulling back, we get an overhead view of him--he is sprawled on the ground, his arms spread out. He looks exhausted. Darion lies next to him, fast asleep.

There is a flash of blue light. Xena appears with Ares and Gabrielle and their horses. Haimon sits up.

HAIMON:
      All done?

ARES:
      Piece of cake.

Gabrielle looks at Haimon and the still-sleeping Darion, then comes up to Haimon and sits on her haunches next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

GABRIELLE:
      Are you all right? It looks like you had the tougher job.

HAIMON (smiles a little):
      Just a little worn out after a couple of dozen rounds of tag. (looks up at Xena) Maybe you should try it next time. I think it would take a god to keep up with the kid.

GABRIELLE (gazes at him tenderly):
     Haimon...you've been great.

Ares glances at them uncomfortably, quietly rolling his eyes.

ARES:
      I'm off to get some water from the lake.

He picks up a waterskin and walks away.

Xena stands still, looking at Gabrielle and Haimon, her face inscrutable. Then she smiles, but there is a little anguish in her smile.

XENA:
     Gabrielle--I think I need to, uh--take care of some god things.

GABRIELLE (looks up at her):
     Is everything okay?

XENA (smiles):
     Yeah. I'll be back soon.

She vanishes in a flash of blue light. Gabrielle turns to Haimon and they look at each other silently.

XENA'S VOICE:
     Gabrielle... (Gabrielle starts a little) Don't worry, he can't see me or hear me.

Close-up of Gabrielle's face--she looks startled and somewhat alarmed.

HAIMON:
     What is it, Gabrielle?

XENA'S VOICE:
      Don't you think it's about time you told him how you feel?

A faint "whoosh" is heard, signaling Xena's departure. Gabrielle shakes herself a little, as if snapping out of a trance.

HAIMON:
     Is something wrong?

GABRIELLE (smiles):
      No, Haimon. Everything's all right.

She lifts her hand and touches his cheek. The camera pulls back to show Darion, who stirs and sits up, rubbing his eyes.

DARION:
     Gabrielle?

Gabrielle turns to him.

DARION:
     You're back! Did you get the bad guys?

GABRIELLE:
      Yes, we did. (smiles warmly) And Ares was a real hero. Come here.

She hugs Darion and ruffles his hair.

CUT TO

The lake. Ares is squatting by the water, filling the waterskin. Suddenly alert, he sits up.

ARES:
      Xena...I know you're there.

There is a "whoosh" and a flash of blue light behind him. He turns around and looks at Xena standing there. She smiles.

XENA (playfully):
      What is it about me? You always seem to know when I'm around. I must have a certain...presence around you.

Ares walks toward her.

ARES (smiles):
      Presence? Maybe it's just that I'm drawn to you...like a moth to the flame.

He runs a hand along her arm and she closes her eyes.

XENA (whispers):
     Who is the moth... (she reaches over and intertwines her fingers with his) ...and who is the flame?

As they hold hands, a red glow forms around their fingers.

Then it fades but they continue to hold each other's hands. Xena opens her eyes.

XENA:
      This has been quite an experience, huh?

ARES:
      I'll say. (thoughtfully) You know, when I was helping those villagers...when I saved that kid from the bandits...I never knew it could feel so good to be...good. (he chuckles in disbelief and shakes his head)

Xena lets go of his hand and steps back.

XENA:
     Ares...now that I know what it's like to be you...

Ares' smile fades.

ARES (interrupts her, anticipating the worst):
     You know I can never change--is that it? And you think we shouldn't be together? (He shakes his head, frustrated but resigned) I should have known it wouldn't last.

Ares turns around and starts to walk away but Xena appears in his path, her eyes very tender. He tries to walk around her but she grabs his shoulders.

XENA:
     Let me finish. Now that I know what it's like to be you--I know that I can accept you the way you are. When we go back to normal, that is. (smiles mischievously) I'll still have to stop you, of course. (grins) And kick your ass, sometimes.

ARES (grins back at her):
     But you'll accept me.

XENA (smiles teasingly):
     I wouldn't have it any other way.

They melt into a loving, passionate kiss. As they kiss, a blue aura begins to glow around them. It gets brighter until it explodes in a brilliant flash of blue light.

When the light dissipates, Xena and Ares step away from each other, opening their eyes. Xena is wearing her traditional leathers and armor again. Ares looks subtly different--his hair is now smooth, all traces of dust gone from his leathers. They look each other over. Ares raises his hand and looks at it; blue sparks crackle between his fingertips.

ARES (grins):
      Back to normal at last.

XENA (looks herself over, then looks up at Ares and smiles):
      Back to normal.

APHRODITE (off-screen):
      Yoo-hoo!

Ares and Xena turn to look at her.

ARES (scowls):
     Sis.

APHRODITE (beaming):
     I think that definitely qualifies as a success story. Have fun, you two!

She waves at them and dissolves in a shower of golden sparks. Ares and Xena shake their heads, looking at the spot where she vanished. Then Ares turns to Xena.

ARES:
      Well, I was right about one thing.

XENA:
      What?

ARES:
      You'd make a magnificent Goddess of War. (He smiles and touches her face) But I think I like you better this way.

They smile at each other. Xena puts her hand over his.

XENA (grins):
     You'd better send out a memo to your worshippers. Otherwise, they'll continue to think I'm the Goddess of War.

ARES:
      Right. I'll take care of that later.

XENA (raises an eyebrow):
      Later? What did you have in mind for now?

ARES:
      Oh, I don't know. Maybe a good round of swordplay?

XENA (chuckles):
     Good idea. (weaves her fingers through his) But... (she leans close to him, speaking in a low, sensuous tone) ...there's something very important we've got to do first.

ARES:
     What's that?

XENA:
     You promised to show Darion some tricks.

The camera pulls back for a long shot of Xena and Ares laughing. Then, still holding hands, they walk off toward the campsite together as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Xena and Ares got under each other's skin during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 8 Episode 23 Behind Your Eyes Story By: Aurora, Ryan, LadyKate and Tango Written By: Aurora, Ryan, LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Haimon Michael Vartan Aphrodite Alexandra Tydings Darion Alexander Gandar Discord Meighan Desmond Zeus Charles Keating Hera Meg Foster Athena Paris Jefferson Artemis Josephine Davison Hephaestus Julius Garner Gregogonlashimus Gregory Towers Glacus Simon Frankson King Nikandros Joey Noss Original Airdate June 28, 2004 Xena and Ares got under each other's skin 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.