FADE IN

Mount Olympus. Stock footage from "Motherhood." We can hear the gods arguing inside.

DISSOLVE TO

The Great Hall. All of the gods have gathered around Zeus' throne, arguing. The gods we notice: Artemis, Athena, Discord, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus. Hera stands by Zeus' throne, looking off to the side. She's on her best peaceful and virtuous behavior.

Zeus seems frustrated as everyone is yelling at him all at once. He looks as if he is going to explode.

ZEUS (roaring):
     Would you all shut the hell up?!!

Thunder sounds on cue as all of the gods fall silent and back off in fear.

ZEUS (sighing):
     One at a time.

Artemis steps forward--the red-haired goddess dressed in a golden warrior outfit with a quiver at her back.

ARTEMIS (sighs):
     As I've been trying to say for the past five minutes, Ares is mortal and Xena is now a goddess.

There are gasps of shock. Hera alone looks unperturbed.

ATHENA:
     How is this possible?

The camera pans over to an innocent-looking Aphrodite.

DISCORD (steps forward):
     Xena must have sucked--

ARTEMIS (gasps in shock):
     Discord! Keep your perverted fantasies to yourself!

DISCORD (angry):
     That's not what I meant! Xena must have sucked Ares' godhood out of him...

There's a collective "ohhhh"--obviously, Artemis wasn't the only god expecting something else.

DISCORD (continues):
     ...just like that freak Caligula did to Bimbolina over there!

Pan to Aphrodite, whose mouth hangs open in outrage.

APHRODITE:
     Go wax your mustache, Discord!

ZEUS (angry):
     Both of you stop it! (calming down) Xena, a god. That could be a threat to us all.

HEPHAESTUS:
      She brought us back to life at some risk to herself and her friends. Would she want to become a goddess just so she could overthrow us all?

The other gods chew on this for a moment.

ARTEMIS:
     Well, even if you're right--what about Ares?

HERA (peacefully):
     Ares is my son, and even though he and I haven't exactly had a close relationship--we can't just leave him as a mortal. We have to bring him back.

DISCORD (rolling her eyes):
     Who cares about Ares? Xena's the one we should be worried about.

ATHENA (imperturbably):
     I can work with Xena. As far as I'm concerned, she could be a much better War God than Ares.

DISCORD:
      Right. (in a taunting tone) Xena, the kinder, gentler God of War.

APHRODITE (giggles):
     Hey, I think Ar is a kinder, gentler God of War these days.

A quick succession of close-ups of all the gods turning to look at Aphrodite, each of them with a whooshing sound (Discord's sounds more like a screech). Only Hera remains unperturbed, still staring ahead peacefully. In the complete silence that falls, one can hear crickets chirping.

APHRODITE (cringes and smiles sheepishly):
     Uh...joke? Just trying to lighten the mood. (under her breath) You guys can be such sourpusses sometimes.

DISCORD (moving right along):
     Oh yeah...a kinder, gentler War God. I'm sure that's what Xena would like to be. Well, I'm not going to make it easy.

Suddenly, blue light flashes in the middle of the hall, and we hear Ares' trademark materializing roar. All the gods turn toward the sound. The camera zooms in on Xena as she materializes, a self-assured smile on her face. She looks towards Discord.

XENA:
     Well, well. I believe I heard my name.

DISCORD (looks daggers at Xena):
      Look what we've got here. The Skank Goddess.

APHRODITE:
     Skip the introductions, Discord--she knows who you are.

The other gods laugh.

DISCORD (hisses at Aphrodite):
     And what are you, the Goddess of Snappy Comebacks? (turns to Xena) This isn't over.

In true villain style, Discord vanishes in a dull blue light, with a sound that resembles a cat screeching.

Athena steps forward and looks over Xena's armor with what seems like a touch of envy.

ATHENA:
     What exactly happened?

Xena is obviously about to speak. Then she stops.

Pan over to Zeus's throne. The other gods are standing in front of it, all waiting for an answer. Even Hera, finally, turns to look at Xena. Off to the side behind Zeus' throne, Aphrodite is waving her hands frantically in a criss-cross "no" motion and shaking her head with a pleading look. Out of the corner of her eye, Zeus catches the motion and turns. Aphrodite puts on her best innocent look, weaving her fingers through her long blond curls.

Back on Xena.

XENA (a little hesitantly):
     I--we're not sure. (more confidently) But for now, this is how it is. And I would suggest that you all let me do my job until we can get back to normal.

Close-up on Xena--it's her trademark steely gaze, except that there's a bit of white glow in her eyes.

Pan to the gods standing together in front of Zeus' throne, looking somewhat alarmed. Aphrodite gives Xena a tiny appreciative wave.

CUT TO

The campsite. The camera pans around to show Gabrielle and Haimon sitting on a log reading a scroll, and then to show Ares sitting on a tree stump polishing his sword while Darion looks on curiously.

DARION:
     You know, it's funny...

ARES:
     Well, I'm glad someone sees something funny about all this...

DARION:
     You're just like Xena, sitting there and--you know-- (He points to the sword, then thinks a moment) Are you sure you can't do any more tricks?

ARES (getting frustrated):
     Oh, believe me, I'm sure.

DARION:
     Can you try?

ARES (losing his patience):
     Look, kid--I promise, once I get my powers back I'll show you some tricks.

The camera pans over to Gabrielle and Haimon sitting on the log. Haimon folds the scroll and looks tenderly at Gabrielle.

HAIMON:
     It's wonderful.

GABRIELLE:
     It's for you. (She smiles timidly) I can't tell this story to the world because everyone has to believe Nero is dead. But you...

He puts his hands over hers and they gaze tenderly at each other.

VOICE (off-camera):
     Xena! Xena!

Startled, Gabrielle turns to see a villager running into their camp. He is a short man with a small beard. He is out of breath.

VILLAGER (exhausted):
     I need... (pants) ...to see Xena.

Gabrielle gets up. In the background, we see Darion still pestering Ares.

GABRIELLE:
     She's not here.

VILLAGER (taken aback):
     But--I'm in need of her help. We've heard she was nearby. My village has been attacked by bandits--they've threatened to burn the village if we don't pay them tribute.

HAIMON (cocks an eyebrow at her):
     All in a day's work, huh?

Gabrielle leans down and picks up her sais off the ground.

GABRIELLE (placing sais in boots):
     Definitely. (to the villager) All right, where's your village?

VILLAGER (concerned):
     You? By yourself?

Gabrielle gives him "the look"--not exactly as powerful as Xena's look but still good.

GABRIELLE (sarcastically):
     No, not by myself. (She turns to Haimon, who gets up. Then she thinks a moment and turns to Ares as the camera zooms in on him) Let's go.

ARES (looks up and points at himself in shock):
     Who, me?

HAIMON:
      Him?

The villager looks suspiciously from Gabrielle to Ares and back.

GABRIELLE:
     Yeah. You. You have to see the world through Xena's eyes, remember? That means you have to do what she does.

ARES:
     Great. And I have to start by fighting some small-time thugs over some worthless little village.

The villager looks insulted.

GABRIELLE:
     Oh, fine. I'll go by myself. (Intercepting Haimon's scandalized look, she catches herself) I mean--I'll go with Haimon. You can stay here and baby-sit Darion.

Darion jumps up in excitement.

DARION:
     Yeah! Just you and me! (he tackles Ares, knocking him down on the ground) I can show you some wrestling moves I learned from my friend Klymene!

They roll around on the ground as Ares struggles helplessly.

ARES (in a muffled voice):
     Yeah--great idea.

Gabrielle shakes her head and grins.

ARES:
     Let up, kid! You're choking me! (Darion straddles him, laughing triumphantly, and Ares looks up helplessly at Gabrielle) Get him off me, will ya?

GABRIELLE (comes up to them, chuckling):
     Come on, Darion. Get up. Haimon will play with you.

Haimon doesn't look very amused but Gabrielle doesn't notice as she pulls Darion off Ares, who gets to his feet, dusting himself off.

VILLAGER (to Gabrielle):
     Who is this?

Gabrielle pauses and thinks for a moment.

GABRIELLE:
     This is...uh...Bob.

The villager gives Ares a skeptical look while Ares glares daggers at Gabrielle.

VILLAGER:
     He doesn't look like much of a warrior. And what kind of a name is Bob, anyway?

ARES (outraged):
     Now that just about does it! Not much of a warrior?! (points menacingly at the villager) For your information--I am the greatest warrior you're ever going to see.

Gabrielle shakes her head, smiling.

DARION (snickers):
     Come on, that wasn't even scary.

Ares raises a finger at him and glares, as if about to say something, but evidently can't think of anything to say and lowers his hand.

Gabrielle squats down in front of Darion, strokes his hair and kisses his cheek.

GABRIELLE:
     I'll be back soon, okay? (strokes Darion's face)

DARION:
      I know. (gives Gabrielle a quick kiss on the cheek, then grins) You always come back.

Gabrielle looks very moved. She ruffles Darion's hair and gets up to find herself looking at Haimon.

GABRIELLE:
      Haimon--you don't mind, do you?

HAIMON (a little bitterly):
     It's just that I keep thinking you and I are supposed to be a team.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon--we are! It's just that--Ares has to start doing Xena's job, or they'll never get switched back. You understand, don't you?

HAIMON (nods):
      I do.

VILLAGER (calls out impatiently):
      Hey, missy--

GABRIELLE:
      Yeah, yeah--I'll be right with you.

VILLAGER (nods toward Ares, who is putting on his swordbelt):
     What about Bob?

ARES (turns toward him, striking a heroic pose with his hand on the hilt of his sword):
     Let's go stop those bandits.

CUT TO

Countryside. The villager walks along a worn out path as Gabrielle and Ares follow behind him.

ARES:
      Let's get this straight. I am not your sidekick.

GABRIELLE:
     Ares, I've been in this business a lot longer. So I think I should be the hero and you--

ARES:
     Oh, no, no, no. I'm not going to be your tagalong. Besides, I'm supposed to trade places with Xena. So there.

GABRIELLE (chuckles):
     Whatever you say...Bob.

ARES (shoots her a murderous glance):
     Leave it to you to come up with a stupid name like that.

GABRIELLE (defensive):
     Look--I had to think of something on the spot, okay? It was just the first thing that popped into my head.

ARES:
     You and your ideas. Discussing my love life with my sister--

GABRIELLE:
     I was concerned about my friend, okay?

ARES:
     Why don't you think about your own problems for a change.

GABRIELLE:
     And what is that supposed to mean?

ARES (chuckles):
     The way you treat that boyfriend of yours--how long do you think he's going to run after you like a lovesick puppy?

Gabrielle is momentarily speechless with outrage. Finally, she regains the gift of speech.

GABRIELLE (indignantly):
     I don't know what you're talking about.

ARES (rolls his eyes):
     Then it's even worse than I thought.

GABRIELLE (narrows her eyes at him):
     You want to talk about lovesick puppies--how long did you run after Xena, Bob?

ARES (bristles):
     That was below the belt!

GABRIELLE (gives him a nasty look):
     Oh, I bet it was.

They stop and glare at each other.

VILLAGER (off-camera):
     Hey! (the camera pans to show him standing in the middle of the path, looking at Gabrielle and Ares in obvious exasperation) Are you coming or not?

Ares and Gabrielle look at each other and sigh.

GABRIELLE:
      Look. We're supposed to fight the bandits, not each other, right?

ARES (grumbles):
     Right.

They turn and start walking, looking away from each other.

CUT TO

Ares' halls on Olympus (as seen in "God Fearing Child"). Weapons and armor hang on the walls along with skulls and gruesome war murals. Xena materializes in a flash of blue light and begins walking along the wall examining the place.

XENA (sarcastically):
     Nice taste in decorations. (Xena makes one quick scan of the rest of the place) Ares, Ares, Ares...I don't suppose you'd have a scroll around here with a daily planner on it, would you? (She looks around and sigh) Guess not.

She suddenly straightens up, as if listening to something. Then she walks off, flashing away in mid-stride.

CUT TO

A temple of Ares. Torches are circling a large stone altar in the center.

A king wearing purple robes and a small crown, with a short gray beard, stands at the altar holding a beautiful, richly jeweled ceremonial sword. He lays it down on the altar.

KING (reverently):
     Oh great and mighty God of War, accept this humble gift from--

Blue light flares by the side of the altar. The king trails off, terrified; the sword drops from his hands and clatters down on the altar. When the light and smoke clears, Xena is standing there.

KING (stammering):
     W-who are you? An emissary of Ares?

XENA (curtly):
     No, his replacement--for now. The new Goddess of War.

The king looks at her in astonishment, then nods doubtfully.

XENA (continues):
     Who are you, and what do you want with the God of War?

KING:
     I am Nikandros--king of Leuctra. Great goddess--please accept this--humble gift. (points to the sword) I am about to go to war against my neighbo --Actria--and I need your favor.

He kneels, folding his hands in supplication.

Xena sighs, then leans forward, puts her hands on the altar and addresses him as if he were a little kid.

XENA:
     Do you really need to go to war?

The king looks at her in shock.

KING NIKANDROS (stammers disbelievingly):
     The Goddess of War--asks me if I really need to go to war?

There is a flash of golden light and Aphrodite materializes next to the king, invisible to him. She gives Xena a friendly wave.

APHRODITE:
     Hey babe. You know--if you really want to change back, you have to walk a league in Ar's boots. See the world through his eyes, remember?

XENA:
     Meaning what?

KING NIKANDROS (disconcerted):
     Well--you just asked me if--

Xena silences him with a gesture. He looks at her, puzzled.

APHRODITE:
     Meaning--you gotta do his job.

Aphrodite dematerializes. The camera zooms in on Xena's face, as she slowly bites her lips and thinks for a moment. She looks up at the king, her eyes narrowing.

XENA:
     All right--why do you want to go to war?

KING NIKANDROS:
     We have no other choice, great goddess. Actria has blocked off our access to the river Pella, which is our only option for travel and trade. We have tried to negotiate--but the tolls they demand are so exorbitant that it would bankrupt my city.

XENA (looks at him probingly):
     You wouldn't be stupid enough to lie to a god, would you?

KING NIKANDROS:
     No, great-- (pauses) What shall I call you?

XENA:
     Xena. (off his stunned look) Yeah, yeah, the Xena. The Warrior Princess.

KING NIKANDROS:
     Great Xena--I am a man of peace. I have-- (nervously) --I hope this doesn't anger you, but I have never prayed to a war god before. It's the only choice I have left.

Xena closes her eyes, as if surveying something she sees in her mind's eye. Then she opens her eyes again.

XENA:
     All right--you have my favor.

KING NIKANDROS (joyfully):
     So if we need to call upon you during battle--

XENA (reluctantly):
     I will help.

A close-up on Xena's face.

KING NIKANDROS (off-camera):
     Thank you! Thank you, Xena, Goddess of War!

Xena looks stern, her gaze inscrutable.

CUT TO

Village. Your typical ancient farm village, the Xenaverse version. All of the villagers have gathered in the village square, busy fixing up a large banner on two poles. There is Greek lettering on the banner--two words in huge letters, followed by two words in much smaller letters and, between them, several other words that are crossed out.

Subtitles appear on the screen:

All of the villagers seem excited about the arrival of the Warrior Princess. Some women do their best impressions of Xena's war cry, though it sounds more like someone yodeling while choking on their own saliva.

Zoom in on a middle-aged man in a dark blue caftan and an embroidered cap standing in front of the crowd. He appears to be the village chief.

CHIEF (loudly):
     Please quiet down! Now Xena should be here any minute, so lets rehearse our welcoming song for her one more time. From the top...

The villagers all begin to sing. Picture N'SYNC, Britney Spears, William Hung from American Idol, your local church choir, and the Furies (if they ever decided to sing) all singing at the same time. In other words, it's bad.

VILLAGERS (singing):
     Xena, thank you for coming to our aid,
     We hope you like the banner we made!
     With you on our side we can't lose,
     We are so excited to see the bandits bruise--

Thankfully, we don't get to here to the rest of the song because the villager who went to get Xena comes into the square.

VILLAGER:
     They're here!

Everyone turns around excitedly (with squeaky sound effects). Then, the excitement on their faces quickly fades to disappointment. The camera pulls around to Ares and Gabrielle entering the square.

Pan to the banner, then back to Ares and Gabrielle. Ares smirks while Gabrielle fumes visibly.

GABRIELLE:
     You'd think that after all these years they'd remember my name...

Gabrielle then notices the villagers' disappointed faces. There is an awkward silence, broken by a young boy's voice.

BOY (shouting):
     Where's Xena?!

VILLAGER (scratches his head):
     Well--Xena couldn't make it, so instead I brought the sidekick and--a new hero. Meet Bob.

The crowd heaves a disappointed sigh, followed by loud comments:

VILLAGERS:
     --Bob! What kind of a name is that for a warrior?
     --We spent so much time on the banner, too!
     --Not to mention rehearsing a song we didn't even get to sing.

The camera zooms in on Gabrielle, as she smirks a bit.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm really sorry you didn't get to...uh...sing your song, but trust me, Ar...I mean...Bob and I will take care of the bandits, don't you worry.

OFF-CAMERA VOICE:
     The bandits! They're coming!

CHIEF (to villagers):
     All right folks, the exits to the village can be found--

VOICE (laughing):
     Too late for that.

The camera pulls around as a group of about dozen bandits approach the village square. For some reason they actually look more like pirates than bandits, wearing colorful but patched-up clothes and bandannas. Some of them have eye patches, and one even has a peg leg and a hook for a hand. The leader of this band has a long, scraggly black beard and an eye patch. From the looks of it, he has been in a lot of fights, though it doesn't seem like he has ever attempted to fight plaque and gingivitis.

LEADER OF BANDITS (growling):
     All right, you worthless village idiots. You got my message, didn't you?

CHIEF (terrified):
     Yes, we did, Gre--Gre--

LEADER OF BANDITS (irritated):
     It's Gregogonlashimus, you moron! Well, if you got my message, you know that my men and I will burn your village if you do not pay us!

The village chief cowers. Gabrielle and Ares step in front of him, standing face to face with Gregogonlashimus and his band of merry men.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, Gregohymelengus--I'm afraid we can't let you do that.

GREGOGONLASHIMUS (laughing wickedly):
     And who is going to stop me? You and your friend?

The men all laugh, their laughs of course being their death wish.

The camera pulls back on Ares as he draws his sword.

ARES (grinning):
     I'm ready to kick some ass.

Gabrielle draws her sais.

GABRIELLE (to Gregon-whatshisface):
     Bring it on!

The bandits draw their swords and charge forward with a fierce yell. One of their faces meets Gabrielle's fist, sending the man hard to the ground. Gabrielle then whips around and trips another bandit; he hits the ground with a very loud thud. Kicking, punching and using her sais to deflect their blows, Gabrielle fights back against the bandits (who, as usual, are polite enough to attack only one or two at a time).

The camera pulls around to Ares as he turns around and finds himself facing the bandit with the hook and peg leg.

ARES (rolls his eyes):
     You've gotta be kidding.

PEG LEGGED BANDIT (to Ares, speaking, for some reason, with an Irish accent):
     Get a taste of this!

As their swords clash, he swings his hook at Ares, nearly slashing his face, and uses his peg leg to kick him hard in the shin.

ARES (winces in pain):
      Ow! (mutters to himself) I'd forgotten what that was like.

PEG LEGGED BANDIT (still in Irish accent):
     Not so tough now, are we?

Their swords clash. Ares deflects his blows, then kicks hard at his good leg and sends the bandit tumbling on the ground.

PEG LEGGED BANDIT (screaming):
     Ow me leg!

Another bandit charges Ares, as Ares swings around and their swords clash. After a quick fight Ares knocks the sword out of his hand.

The camera pans over the villagers as they watch the fight in awe and excitement.

CHIEF (calling out to villagers):
      Another banner! Somebody get another banner!

A little boy steps out in front of the crowd so he can get a better view.

Pan to Ares--he knocks down the bandit he was fighting and raises his sword over him, about to skewer the man.

Pan to the little boy, who is suddenly grabbed by one of the bandits. The bandit scoops up the boy, cackling evilly.

BANDIT:
     We got us a hostage!

The boy screams in terror.

Pan to Ares, still holding his sword over the cowering bandit. He turns at the boy's scream.

Pan to Gabrielle--looks over her shoulder as she sees the bandit taking off with the little boy. But she can do nothing as two other bandits attacks her and block her way.

The boy's mother sees him being carried off and starts screaming as well.

MOTHER:
     My boy! My boy!

GABRIELLE (shouts):
      Ar-- (she quickly catches herself as she kicks one of her opponents in the midsection) Bob!

Ares rushes toward the bandit holding the boy. He does a spectacular flip over the heads of two other bandits (of course, we can tell that it's a stunt double who doesn't look much like Ares, but no one cares) and lands right in front of the bandit in a threatening stance, holding out his sword.

BANDIT (holds the screaming, squirming boy in front of him as a shield):
     Whatch'a gonna do, hero? Skewer the kid?

Ares distracts the bandit with a false move, getting him to move the boy to the left; then he deftly slashes at the bandit's right arm and at the same time quickly grabs the boy and sets him down on the ground. Roaring with pain and frustration, the bandit charges at him.

Ares fights in a manner worthy of Xena, protecting the boy as he fights. He easily disarms the bandit and knocks him down to his knees, then raises his sword to kill him. The bandit blubbers in terror. Ares pauses and glances at the little boy, who is staring at him fearfully. Then, instead of running the bandit through, he knocks him out cold with the hilt of his sword.

BOY (claps):
     Yay!

The little boy's mother runs up and tearfully sweeps him up in her arms, kissing him. Then she turns to Ares.

MOTHER:
     Oh, thank you! Thank you!

The boy, in his mother's arm, reaches over, hugs Ares and kisses him on the cheek. Ares is taken back at first; then he cautiously pats the boy on the shoulder, rather the way he first petted Horace in "Old Ares Had a Farm."

ARES:
     You're all right, kid.

He looks around. The camera follows his stare to see Gabrielle knocking down another bandit. Growling angrily, the bandit advances toward her. She twirls her sais as she watches him approach, his sword bared. He attacks. Gabrielle deflects his blade with her sais, stomps hard on his foot, and then delivers a series of kicks to his midsection that makes him stagger back, stupefied.

A hand taps him on the shoulder. Gregogonlashimus turns around and sees Ares. In the next moment Ares' fist flies toward his face. The powerful blow sends the bandit flying through the air, flailing and screaming. He lands right in front of a pig rooting about on the edge of the square. Moaning, he lifts his head to see the pig sniffing at him. His head drops and he closes his eyes, whimpering.

VILLAGERS (cheering):
     Bob! Bob! Bob!

Ares cringes at the name but seems to be enjoying the praise. As the cheers die down, the village chief speaks up.

CHIEF:
     Bob! Over here, please!

Ares turns to look at some villagers hoisting up a new banner into the air. The Greek lettering is translated by subtitles:

GABRIELLE (shakes her head):
     I don't believe this.

CUT TO

Field. Xena is seen standing on a tree, much like Ares was in "Eternal Bonds", the wind is softly blowing back her hair. We hear the sounds of swords clashing. She looks down...

The camera moves down to show a battle going on in the field below her.

At one side we see King Nikandros leading his troops. They are giving it all they have. The king is shouting orders from his horse as his men are charging forward. Their swords clash, both sides look evenly matched.

The camera zooms in on Xena. She is watching the battle with obvious relish almost as if it were a spectacle.

An overhead shot of the battlefield. King Nikandros' army is now being pushed back, many of its soldiers falling under enemy onslaught.

One of the enemy soldiers charges at one of King Nikandros' warriors and slashes him across the chest. The warrior falls to the ground, screaming out.

WARRIOR (crying out):
     Xena, Goddess of War, help us!

Other warriors start crying out Xena's name. The camera zooms back in on Xena as she closes her eyes and then starts slowly to lift her hands. Her hands begin to glow with a red light.

She opens her eyes. They are glowing a bright white.

The camera pulls back in on the troops as they suddenly seem to be recharged with energy.

KING NIKANDROS (shouts):
      Charge! Push them back!

With a roar, the army charges forward, colliding with the other side.

Montage of shots:
-- King Nikandros cutting down a warrior
-- One of King Nikandros' warriors thrusting his sword forward and killing an enemy
-- An enemy soldier is knocked down with a blow to the head
-- The enemy troops are pushed back even further
-- The other side's leader calls out a retreat

An overhead shot of the other army retreating. The king's warriors begin to cheer.

KING NIKANDROS (raises his sword over his head):
     Xena!

His warriors pick up a chant of "Xena! Xena! Xena!"

Up on the tree, Xena flashes away, only to materialize in the battlefield before the troops. King Nikandros dismounts from his horse and drops on his knees.

KING NIKANDROS:
     Hail Xena, Goddess of War!

The king's warriors cheer, raising their swords in the air.

Close-up on Xena as she smiles, taking in the chant.

The camera pulls out to show a wide shot of the warriors gathered around Xena and hailing the goddess as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO