FADE IN

Where we last left off. Xena paces uncontrollably across the clearing.

ARES:
     Damn it... (to Xena, embarrassed) This is my fault. Xena... (she turns to look at him) I'm sorry.

XENA (trying to stay calm):
     They could be anywhere. Ares--can you still find them?

ARES (shaking his head):
     She took my powers. She took everything--expect my immortality.

A look of despair fills Xena's face.

ARES (thinking for a moment):
     Wait a minute...her fortress.

XENA:
     What fortress?

The camera moves in on Ares.

ARES:
     It was built on the site of her greatest battle--only a few hours' ride from here. It's where I think she'd take them.

XENA (gives him a probing look):
     All right--then let's go.

She walks briskly toward Argo.

ARES:
     Xena.

Xena stops and looks back at him impatiently.

ARES (continues):
     Enyo is still a goddess--and now that she's taken my powers, she's even stronger than before. (short pause) We need a way to kill her.

XENA (impatient):
     Last I checked, I used up all the god-killing weapons.

ARES:
     Maybe not.

As Xena stares at him in shock, Ares walks over to the other horse and mounts.

ARES:
     We need to make a quick stop at one of my temples.

Ares brings his horse around and gallops fast into the forest. Xena leaps in the saddle and urges Argo on, following close behind him.

CUT TO

A dark dreary dungeon. Enyo materializes with a tight hold of Darion, and Gabrielle with a tight grip on her shoulder. Gabrielle quickly lets go of Enyo and looks around to figure out where she is.

ENYO (to Gabrielle):
     Now I understand why Xena could never get rid of you. You're quite the hanger-on.

Enyo grabs Gabrielle and forcefully shoves her into an open prison cell.

DARION:
     Gabrielle!

ENYO:
     Oh, don't worry. You're coming with her too.

She grabs Darion and pushes him in behind Gabrielle, then slams the door shut. She grabs a key hanging by the door and locks it shut. Then she closes her hand around the key as smoke appears around her fist. She opens her hand to reveal the melted metal from the key. She lets it drip onto the floor.

Gabrielle looks around, Darion clinging tightly to her side.

ENYO:
     Make yourselves at home. It's the last place you'll ever see in this life. And you better hope Ares gets here before I get too bored.

Enyo laughs and vanishes in a flash of red light.

Zoom in on Darion as he hugs Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion--I'm not going to let her hurt you. You hear that?

CUT TO

A large temple to Ares. Ares walks in the door, Xena follows close behind him. He walks over to the stone altar in the center of the temple. He walks towards the edge and grabs onto the end.

ARES (motioning to the other side):
     Here, help me lift this.

Xena nods and grabs hold of the other side, lifting the large stone tablet off the altar. They drop the stone tablet, which reveals a hollow space in the altar. In it is a wooden box. Ares lifts it and opens it, taking out a familiar dagger with a curved blade.

XENA (shocked):
     The Dagger of Helios?

Xena gives Ares an uneasy look, obviously reliving that moment, then lowers her eyes.

XENA:
     I thought you destroyed it.

ARES (looking the dagger over):
     Why would I do a thing like that? A god-killing weapon could always come in handy, especially with all the talk of the Twilight. I just zapped it someplace safe. Of course, once you gained the power to kill gods, this thing was pretty useless.

Xena glances at the weapon, then at Ares.

XENA:
     Let's finish this.

They head out of the temple.

CUT TO

Jail cell. Gabrielle is sitting on the ground with her arm wrapped around Darion. Both have the same expressionless look on their face.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     I'm sorry we couldn't give you a better birthday, Darion.

DARION:
     It's not your fault, Gabrielle.

Darion notices Gabrielle's sadness.

DARION (trying to cheer her up):
     You know, when I turned seven my mom accidentally left my birthday cake in the oven for too long. (managing a small smile) So she and Dad and Lykia got a loaf of bread instead and put frosting and candles on it and everything.

A sad expression comes across his face and he looks away.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     Darion...think about the good times you and your family had.

DARION (quietly):
     Do you...do you still think about your parents?

GABRIELLE (trying not to get choked up):
     Of course I do. (wiping a tear) Every day. I think about them--about the things I should have done differently--what I should have told them...

DARION (whispers):
     Do you dream about them?

GABRIELLE:
     I used to...a lot.

Darion remains silent.

GABRIELLE:
     But you know what else I think about? (adding joy to her voice) I think about the times we went to the river together, my mom and dad and my sister and I. We would sit in the sun on the riverbank and eat snacks, and dad would play ball with my sister and me and we'd swim in the river...

Darion manages a smile.

DARION:
     That sounds like fun.

GABRIELLE (thoughtful):
     It was.

DARION (softly):
     I miss them a lot...

Darion wraps his arms around Gabrielle into a tight hug.

DARION (whispering):
     ...but I'm glad I have you, Gabrielle.

Zoom in on Gabrielle's face, as she gently strokes his hair.

GABRIELLE (whispering):
     Me too, sweetie. Me too.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares and Xena ride fast through the forest. They approach a hillside overlooking a large lake. Ares examines the surroundings.

XENA:
     Ares?

Ares snaps out of it, glancing over at Xena.

ARES:
     Sorry. (looking around) The fortress is just beyond the lake.

Xena nods and kicks her stirrups bringing Argo into a gallop. Ares looks back at the lake, and then gallops forward following behind her.

DISSOLVE TO

Fortress. The door creaks open. Inside the large ancient looking building is mostly cobwebs and old remnants of war. Xena enters, with Ares right behind her.

ARES (looking around):
     If they're here, they're probably being held up in the dungeon. I know where it is.

A loud battle cry is heard echoing throughout the halls.

XENA (glancing down the hallway):
     She's here all right. (to Ares) You go find Gabrielle and Darion, I'll deal with Enyo.

ARES (worried):
     Xena...

XENA:
     You know where the dungeons are. Free them and get them out of here.

ARES:
     I don't want you going up against her alone.

XENA (brusquely):
     I don't want you going up against her--at all. She's already taken your powers; next, she'll take your immortality and then kill you.

ARES (firmly):
     She's my problem, Xena. You shouldn't have to deal with this.

XENA:
     Well, Ares, it seems that now she's my problem too. Give me the dagger.

ARES:
     Look--why don't we go down to the dungeons together and then go after--

XENA:
     No. We have no time to lose. (repeats firmly) The dagger.

ARES (reluctantly hands her the dagger):
     Be careful.

They stand still for a moment, looking at each other.

ARES (getting emotional):
     Xena--I--

XENA:
     Shh.

She presses a finger to his lips, stopping him, then leans forward and gives him a brief, passionate kiss. As she pulls back, they exchange a small smile. Then Xena straps the dagger to her side and heads down the hallway. Ares heads towards a different door.

CUT TO

Main room. A big empty room, filled mostly with cobwebs, comes to view. Enyo stands in the center, sparring with the empty air.

Xena's ululating battle cry--"A-yi-yi-yi-yi!"--cuts through the silence. Enyo stands still, then lowers her sword. Xena charges into the hall.

ENYO:
     Where's Ares?

XENA (casually):
     Never mind Ares. You have me to worry about.

ENYO (scornfully):
     I should have known he'd be too much of a coward to face me. Or, wait-- (looks probingly at Xena) is he trying to free your son?

Xena stares at her, realizing Enyo's misunderstanding.

ENYO:
     No matter--it won't be long before he sees his dead girlfriend lying on the floor.

XENA (drawing her sword):
     You mean dead ex-girlfriend.

ENYO:
     I'm a goddess, Xena--or have you forgotten?

XENA:
     Trust me, I haven't.

Enyo laughs and charges towards Xena, their swords clashing.

CUT TO

Ares runs through a small doorway, entering the dungeon area. The camera pulls around as Gabrielle gets to her feet, Darion close beside her.

DARION (shouts joyfully):
     Ares!

Ares rushes over to the cell, looking the bars over.

GABRIELLE:
     Can't you use your powers or--

ARES:
     My powers are gone--Enyo took them.

He starts hacking at the lock with his sword.

CUT TO

Main hall. Xena and Enyo continue to duke it out, their swords clashing in a fierce battle. While Xena seems to be fighting with all of her strength, Enyo looks as if she is drawing the battle out.

Enyo then in one swift move, spins around and then kicks Xena in the stomach, sending her to the ground. Xena's sword strikes the floor away from her.

ENYO (grinning):
     You know Xena, for a special favorite of the God of War, you're really overrated.

Enyo swings her sword down, but Xena spins out of the way and then jumps back on her feet. She grabs the Dagger of Helios off her side and leaps forward, making to stab Enyo.

ENYO (laughs):
     A dagger? Please.

She uses her free hand to grab the dagger by the blade--only to cry out in pain and let go of the blade, blood dripping from her hand.

Taking advantage of her shock, Xena lashes out at her again; but Enyo regains enough focus to spin and deliver a kick that blocks the blow, knocking the Dagger of Helios out of Xena's hand and sending it across the room. Enyo then backhands Xena and knocks her down.

Enyo stares angrily at the cut in her hand.

ENYO (viciously):
     Well, Xena--you're full of surprises. I guess Ares finally found his god-killing toy. Too bad I was taking it easy on you.

Enyo rushes fiercely toward Xena but Xena manages to roll over, grab her sword and jump to her feet. She and Enyo spar again. Pan to the Dagger of Helios lying on the floor.

CUT TO

The dungeon. Ares breaks the lock and the door swings open.

ARES (to Gabrielle):
     Get out of here--I'm going back to help Xena.

CUT TO

Enyo and Xena are sparring.

ENYO:
     Did you really think you could defeat a god?

XENA (with a wicked grin):
     You know, whoever told you all about me must have left out a few things.

They continue to fight. Xena delivers a few powerful kicks, making Enyo stagger back, but she can do no real damage. She manages to knock the sword from Enyo's hand but at the same time Enyo kicks her leg out from under her and sends her sprawling down on the floor. Before Xena can get up, Enyo raises a hand, a fireball forming in it.

ARES (shouting, off-camera):
     Enyo!

Grinning, Enyo snaps her head toward him.

ENYO:
     Here to watch your Princess die, Ares?

ARES (forcefully):
     Your war is with me.

Enyo vanishes in a flash, then reappears next to Ares.

ENYO (mocking):
     You? A pathetic has-been?

Enyo holds out a hand and her sword reappears in it.

In the background, we see Xena scrambling to her feet.

ARES:
     You're the has-been, Enyo. There's no place for you anymore in this world.

ENYO:
     No place, huh? (grins) Well--your place or mine. Either one will do.

ARES (taunting):
     You? Take my place? Even without my powers, I'm twice the god you are.

With a cry of rage, Enyo charges him. They spar. Enyo advances on Ares, backing him up against the wall. He gets in a few blows, but she is now clearly the stronger of the two. After a few moments she knocks the sword from his hand. She comes closer.

ENYO:
     And now...a kiss good-bye.

As she advances on Ares, there is a swishing sound behind her. She whips around to see the Dagger of Helios flying toward her; Xena stands across from her, lowering her arm. Enyo screeches and raises a hand to catch the dagger; just then, Ares, who is now behind her, grabs her arms. The dagger plunges into her chest just above the armor.

Enyo lets out a long scream of pain and fury. As Ares releases her arms and steps back, she reaches toward the dagger, then staggers and falls back. A suddenly regretful look on his face, Ares catches her and eases her down on the floor. She coughs, blood trickling from her mouth.

ENYO (looks up at Ares):
     You know...all those years ago...if you had wanted to stay with me... I really wouldn't have--betrayed you... (coughs)

Pan to Xena who stands apart looking on, a grim, anguished look on her face. Ares darts a quick look at Xena, then looks at the dying Enyo. He clearly believes what she said.

ENYO (her voice fading):
     I was a war goddess--but--I could love...

Ares reaches out as if to caress her; then, he grabs the handle of the dagger and yanks it out of her chest as she cries out. Ares rises to his feet, his face changing to a stern, hard look.

ARES:
     I couldn't.

With a groan, Enyo dies. A blue glow envelops Ares body and he throws his head back, his powers returning. After a moment the glow fades. Ares sighs and tucks the dagger into his belt. Xena approaches Ares and stands next to him as they look at the dead body. She takes his hand.

XENA (gently):
     You all right?

ARES (after a moment's pause):
     My powers are back. (pauses, then looks at Xena) You?

XENA (winces slightly):
     Never better.

Gabrielle comes in and breathes a sigh of relief.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena! You're all right--

ARES (sarcastic grin):
     So am I--thanks for asking.

XENA:
     Everything's fine. Where's Darion?

GABRIELLE:
     Don't worry, he's safe. (with a sad look) You know, he still hasn't had a very happy birthday--

Xena looks at her with a smile, obviously thinking of something.

DISSOLVE TO

Campsite. Night.

The fire has died down, and Darion is huddled in his bedroll. The camera pulls over the campsite to reveal a half-eaten birthday cake and some toys.

Xena and Gabrielle are seated on two logs sitting next to the fire.

GABRIELLE:
     That was great.

XENA:
     If the boy can't come to the Amazons--there's no law that says Amazons can't come to the boy.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm so glad Lykia could make it. And Eve and Klymene, too...

XENA:
     Who knew my daughter could bake such a good birthday cake.

GABRIELLE:
     Want another slice?

XENA:
     No, thanks, I, uh-- (looks sheepishly at Gabrielle) I have a date. (she rises) You and Darion are going to be fine on your own?

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     Sure.

CUT TO

Xena and Ares sitting on the edge of a cliff over the sea, looking at the moon.

ARES:
     We work pretty well as a team, don't you think?

XENA (chuckles):
     Ares, I'm not looking for a sidekick.

ARES:
     I am.

XENA (smirks):
     In your dreams.

There is a brief silence. Both of them turn serious.

ARES:
     Xena...back when Enyo and I were together, I was-- (trails off)

After a brief pause, Xena finishes for him.

XENA:
     --different.

ARES:
     I guess you could say that.

XENA:
     So...I'm not the only one with regrets about the past.

ARES:
     Xena... (shakes his head) ...we're not in the same boat.

Xena turns and looks at him in the moonlight, then reaches out, takes his hand and laces her fingers with his.

XENA (gently):
     Close enough.

Pull back to show them sitting on the cliff, the moon big and bright above them, as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Olympus failed a child safety inspection during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 8 Unleashed Story By: Ryan, Aurora, and LadyKate Written By: LadyKate, Aurora and Ryan Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Darion Alexander Gandar Enyo Asa Lindh Original Airdate August 15, 2005 Olympus failed a child safety inspection 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.