FADE IN

A battle raging in a large, open field. As the sight and the noise of the battle fade in, writing appears across the screen:

ONE THOUSAND YEARS AGO

As the camera zooms in, we see that the fighters, men and women, are wearing rugged clothes of animal skins and leather. They're armed with primitive spears and clubs.

The camera pans to show, from the back, a man and a woman striding through the battlefield. They're both very tall; the man is wearing black leather armor and has long shaggy hair, the woman is in a two-piece silver armor and a silver headpiece with long golden hair cascading down from under it. They are striding through the battlefield, swinging their swords and mowing down the warriors before them.

The camera pans around and we see that the man is Ares--but looking very different from what we're used to. He is much more rugged-looking, with a thick beard and shaggy hair. He wears a necklace of teeth and leather armor. The woman next to him is a beautiful blonde with green eyes.

Ares grins evilly as he guts a man with his sword. The woman laughs wildly as she throws a fireball towards a group of the men and sets them on fire. She continues to laugh as they scream. Zoom in on the fire, and then.

DISSOLVE TO

A fire burning low in the forest. The camera pulls back to show Xena around the campsite to reveal Darion huddled up in a blanket. He is sound asleep.

GABRIELLE (off camera, sound upset):
     It's his birthday, for crying out loud...

The camera pulls up to show Gabrielle seated on a log next to the fire looking frustrated. Xena sits across from her, staring thoughtfully into the fire.

XENA (somewhat defensive):
     Eve tried her best--it's the council...

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     I know. But he really wanted to have a birthday party with his sister, Eve and Klymene. (getting angry again) It's just for one day!

XENA (looks up, obviously pained):
      Gabrielle, it's the Amazon ways. That's the way it's always been.

Gabrielle gives a deep sigh as she stares into the fire. She looks back up at Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     I guess I just never really questioned it until... (her voice trails off, and she chuckles bitterly) He's just a kid, Xena. He's sweet, funny--harmless--

Gabrielle is cut off by a scream behind her--it's Darion. Gabrielle starts slightly and stares at Xena, her eyes filled with sorrow. From their reaction, we can tell this is not unusual.

Gabrielle gets up from the log and the camera pans over to show Darion. He is tossing in his sleep, obviously having a nightmare.

Gabrielle walks over to him.

DARION (cries out):
     Raise the roof!

Gabrielle kneels down next to him and shakes him gently, but he pushes her away.

DARION (crying louder):
     Momma...Daddy...come on! (louder) We have to get out of here! Lykia!

GABRIELLE (softly, shaking him again):
      Darion, wake up--

He wakes up with a start and sits up, gulping for air and trying to bring his frightened breaths back to normal. Gabrielle wraps her arms around him and he clings to her.

GABRIELLE (softly, shaking him again):
      Shh...Darion, it's okay...

Darion's breathing returns back to normal and he calms down.

GABRIELLE (stroking his hair):
     It's okay...it was a dream. (softer) Just a dream.

He stops struggling and Gabrielle lays him back down on his bedroll. He closes his eyes as she strokes his hair.

As his breathing grows steady, Gabrielle gets up, her face filled with sorrow, and walks back toward the campfire. She sits down.

GABRIELLE (softly):
      He's just a boy.

The camera zooms in on Xena's saddened expression.

XENA (managing a smile):
     Tomorrow, we'll come up with something. Amazon village or not, he's going to have a great birthday.

Gabrielle nods, then looks back at Darion. Move in closer on his sleeping form.

DISSOLVE TO

Sunrise. The sky is turning a soft pink. Birds are singing.

Pan down to Xena and Gabrielle are asleep in their bedrolls. Suddenly, Darion comes running onto the scene, swinging his arms around.

DARION (stopping just in front of their bedrolls):
     Xena! Gabrielle! Wake up!

Xena and Gabrielle jerk awake, wide-eyed, reaching for their weapons. They see Darion standing in front of them. Close up of Darion's face. His eyes are big and excited. Pull back on Xena and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (worried):
     What is it, Darion? What's wrong?

DARION (smiles brightly):
     Nothing!

XENA (slightly annoyed):
     Then what's with the rude awakening?

DARION:
     It's my birthday!

Gabrielle sighs and glances at Xena, who has put down her sword. Xena gives her a brief smile, then rolls her eyes.

XENA:
     The perks of traveling with a kid. (She lies back down, yawns and places her hands behind her head, closing her eyes) Darion, it's hardly even dawn yet.

DARION:
     Come on. We have to get going! (He starts tugging on Gabrielle's arm) Otherwise, I'll be late for my party with Lykia!

Xena sits up, instantly awake. She and Gabrielle quickly exchange looks of distress.

DARION:
     I can't wait to see her, and Eve, and Klymene...I wonder if they've planned some kind of surprise!

GABRIELLE:
     Actually... (glances at Xena, trying to think of a way to break the news) ...we aren't going to the Amazon village.

DARION (disappointed):
     I'm not having a party?

GABRIELLE:
     Well--the Amazons have been really busy, and--

She trails off. Darion looks crestfallen.

Gabrielle doesn't know what to say. She glances at Xena for answers. Xena thinks for a long moment, then looks at Darion.

XENA:
     Well, since you were turning ten and it's such a big day for you--we figured we'd plan a really big surprise for you ourselves.

DARION:
     Like what?

Gabrielle gives Xena a puzzled look. Xena flashes her a grin.

XENA:
     Now, if I told you right away it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?

She rises slowly to her feet.

XENA (calls out almost casually):
     Ares...

Pan to Darion as his eyes light up with anticipation.

There is a "whoosh" and a flash of light; in the next moment, Ares appears, his hands folded casually on his chest.

ARES:
     You rang?

XENA (almost with a straight face):
     Ares, we've got--something of an urgent situation.

As she comes closer, Ares looks at her quizzically and suspiciously, knowing she's up to something.

ARES:
     Let me guess. A warlord. (off Xena's head-shake) An army. (off her head-shake, again) A monster. (off her "you've got to be kidding" look, sighs) No, of course not--you wouldn't need my help for any of that. (he raises an eyebrow) Are you sure it's urgent?

XENA (comes even closer; in an almost husky voice):
     Oh, very. (She puts her hand on his shoulder)

ARES:
     Well, I hope so, because there's a good battle about to happen between--

Xena puts a finger to his lips, shushing him.

XENA:
     Today is Darion's birthday--he's turning ten. And you're going to give him a special present. (she smiles mischievously) A visit to Mount Olympus.

Ares' bemused expression turns to complete shock. Xena smirks at him. Pan to Gabrielle, who can barely hold back a smile. Zoom in on Darion's face, his eyes growing wide with excitement, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER