Hounded by the Gods, Xena & Gabrielle turn to the Fates to question the prophesy and understand
how they can stop the Olympians attacking them. The answer they recieve may change their lives forever.
Ramius: "Ah, but it isn't just any scroll. No, my friends. I have in my hands the last known scroll transcribed by the Bard of Poteidaia herself! It describes in breathtaking detail the final adventures of Xena, the legendary Warrior Princess who dared to defy the gods …"
He boasts that he has in his possession the missing scroll belonging to the bard of Poteidaia.
A man turns around.
Ramius: "What's say we start the bidding at -"
Bald Man: "10 Dinars!"
Bidder #2: "20 Dinars!"
Bidder #3: "25 Dinars!"
Joxer: [to the bald guy] ... "Cover your tab."
Bald Man: "You should talk, Joxer, you deadbeat … 30!"
Bidder #2: "35 Dinars!"
Joxer: "65 Dinars! Sold!" …
Joxer is inside his house, talking to Meg. We hear her scolding him for spending their money. She reminds him that Xena and Gabrielle are dead and that he can't do anything about it.
Joxer goes out to the barn. Two children, a girl and a boy join him. He asks if they want to hear the tale of a beautiful warrior princess. He begins to read.
Xena: "I hope you don't mind, we were in the neighborhood."
Maiden Fate: "The Fates always welcome you here, Xena. We are pleasantly surprised."
Xena: "Finding your kid topping Olympus' most wanted makes you do some pretty surprising things. This is one of them."
Girl Fate: "You wish to speak of your child. Your child, Xena --"
Crone Fate: "Will bring forth the Twilight, and usher in a new beginning."
Xena: "Yes, I heard. I was hoping you could humor me with a date."
Maiden Fate: "The Twilight will occur in time."
Xena: "That's not very specific."
Girl Fate: "The time depends on you, Xena."
Xena: "It's me that determines when the Twilight begins? How?"
Crone Fate: "You must die, Xena."
Girl Fate: "Only in the essence of death will the child find salvation and the Twilight be set in motion. Until then, a storm without end lies in your path and hers."
Gabrielle: "You're saying the sooner Xena dies, the faster Eve brings about the fall of the gods?"
Gabrielle: "Xena, let's go … Hey, what are you doing? You're not listening to them? Xena, you have always said we determine our own fate. It's not written for us. You've always believed that."
Xena: "I still believe that, Gabrielle. So do they. It's the only way. I have to die, Gabrielle."
Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve make their way through the woods. Bolts from the blue cut through the trees, so both of them crouch down but neither of them can see anything.
Xena tosses her chakram and knocks an invisible Hades to the ground, shaking loose his Helmet of Invisibility. Athena and her warriors arrive. The helmet falls near Xena so she hurls it away from the two gods.
Athena tells Xena to hand over the child. Xena throws her chakram, Gabrielle fights warriors. Xena gets cut on the upper left arm. Gabrielle gets a cut on her face. Gabrielle yells for Xena to throw Eve to her, but Xena doesn't, and Athena makes a remark about Xena not trusting Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: "Xena! Toss Eve here!"
Xena: "No, Gabrielle!"
Athena: "What's wrong, Xena? No longer trust even Gabrielle to protect your child?"
Gabrielle: "Any ideas?"
Xena: "Yeah, let's give them their hat back."
Gabrielle: "Xena, what Athena said about … um ... your not trusting me with Eve …"
Xena: "Hey, it's not a matter of trust where Athena is concerned. Giving Eve to you would have bought her a few more seconds, but we know they would have killed her if the could have … regardless of whose arms she was in. We got lucky … she's just a baby."
On Mount Olympus, Athena is planning her next move. Ares is there, too.
Athena: "Xena never dies, and why is that?"
Hephaestus: "Just get her in my chains, Athena. Then, we'll see how long she lives."
Athena: "Thank you, Hephaestus. Your youthful exuberance is greatly appreciated."
Ares: "If you ask me, Sis - and you haven't - I can think of no better expert to pose your query to than … [a woman carrying a candle and wearing a white flowing robe materializes] …
Death, herself."
Celesta, Death herself, is called forth, and asked why she hasn't just taken Xena. Celesta says she will always be needed, and the gods surmise that Death/Celesta is immune to the prophecy. Celesta says it is forbidden for a mortal to be taken before her rightful time. Athena is angered by this and orders Celesta to follow her instructions.
Xena goes to Hephaestus.
Xena: "So, if you're the god of Arts & Crafts … what do you do for a hobby?"
Hephaestus: "Help my family kill your child by first killing you."
Xena: "No, that's a perversion, not a hobby."
She fights him. He beats her badly. He tosses her against something, she is bleeding, cut on the right arm, blood from her mouth.
Celesta appears. Hephaestus asks Xena how it feels to be in the presence of Death herself. Xena says, "What took you so long?" Hephaestus goes to deliver the final killing blow, but Gabrielle stops him. Xena grabs some chains of Hephaestus, and wraps them around Celesta while Gabrielle fights Hephaestus. Xena stops him from killing Gabrielle, and kicks him over a cliff.
Celesta: "Xena … what are you doing?"
Xena: [to Gabrielle] … "Check her hands."
Gabrielle: "It worked. She can't touch us."
Xena: "Good."
Gabrielle takes Celesta away. Xena limps behind, and picks up Celesta's candle.
Outside the cave, Octavius hands Eve to Gabrielle. Celesta, Eve, and Gabrielle are all loaded into a wagon. Taking Eve, Xena and Gabrielle say goodbye to Octavius and then leave.
Athena and Ares talk. Athena reminds Ares that he fought at Xena's side in Amphipolis
Athena: "First there was Eli. The masses adored him and the message he conveyed … and you killed him."
Ares: "Again with the Eli. He had to die, Sis. How many times do-"
Athena: "His death started the uprise against us that Xena capitalized on at Amphipolis. Where you chose to fight at her side, I might add. What's left to come?"
Hephaestus: "Athena … Xena took Celesta."
Ares: "Well, I guess you got your answer."
Celesta: "Xena, this isn't like you, or you, Gabrielle. At one time, you both fought to free me."
Xena: "You're right. Somehow motherhood has made me harder."
Celesta: "Even giving birth to a child isn't enough to sway someone so grounded in their beliefs."
Xena: "And how's that?"
Celesta: "By holding me here, you're condemning to eternal suffering those who would otherwise find their Peace."
Xena: "Lady, since we last met, I've decided that you cause a lot more suffering than you end."
Celesta: "Death is nothing to fear, Xena. For I only visit those who's rightful time it is-"
Xena: "'Rightful time'?! Who decides when it is the 'rightful time'? You are at the beck and call of every warlord and murderer."
Xena: "Solan, my only son, his 'rightful time' came when someone else decided it should, and you came running - no questions asked. You didn't end the suffering of my little boy, Celesta. You stole his life! And Marcus! And Lyceus!"
Celesta: "Your brother …"
Gabrielle: "Xena--"
Xena: "Lyceus! He wasn't just a brother. He was my best friend. Growing up, he was everything to me. He accepted me for who and what I was. And if you hadn't taken him, he would have grown up--"
Gabrielle tells Xena to stop. Celesta is immortal, she will never know loss, or understand the pain of losing someone.
Gabrielle cuddles Eve.
Xena: "Yes, she will. Yes, she will. Because you have a brother, too."
Celesta: "Yes. Hades. He's my only family. The first to accept me for who and what I am. I may not agree with his actions, Xena, but I believe he thinks he is doing what is right. He's always been true to his convictions, and sometimes that makes him a little stubborn. But I think it is his noblest quality. To lose him … is unthinkable."
Xena: "And what if he lost you? What would he say about that?"
Celesta: "I may never know."
Xena: [wiping a tear from Celesta's cheek] … "Death can end suffering, Celesta. Suffering just begins for those left behind. I can't lose what's left of my family, and I won' t lose another child."
Gabrielle: "You know, she's right about one thing, Xena. The gods will stop at nothing. Holding Celesta prevents them from killing anyone, but they'll inflict pain, suffering."
Xena: "Starting with the one most vulnerable."
Athena's Soldier: "Athena thanks you for being Xena and Gabrielle's most high-profile acquaintance."
They grab Joxer. Athena whacks Gabrielle as she attempts to help Joxer.
Hades takes Gabrielle to kill her, but Athena says no. They can't kill the child until Celesta is free.
Athena: "Hades, Gabrielle is no use to us dead. You can't kill the child until Celesta is free. Given our time restraint, diplomacy is the best way of accomplishing that. But, then again … [Athena uses her power to pull Joxer towards her outstretched hand] … Where is she?
Hades takes Gabrielle to kill her, but Athena says no. They can't kill the child until Celesta is free.
Athena: "Hades, Gabrielle is no use to us dead. You can't kill the child until Celesta is free. Given our time restraint, diplomacy is the best way of accomplishing that. But, then again … [Athena uses her power to pull Joxer towards her outstretched hand] … Where is she?
Joxer: "Don't tell her anything, Gabrielle. Anything goldy-pants here can dish out, I can take … Aack! … Okay, tell her! Tell her!"
Gabrielle: "She's headed to the ocean."
Athena: "Details to follow, I'm sure."
Two of Athena's warriors take Gabrielle. Another one punches Joxer out.
Celesta languishes, with the flame burning low. Athena pops in. Her warriors have Gabrielle. Gabrielle apologizes to Xena. Athena says even if Eve lives forever, she will be hunted for eternity by the gods.
Xena nods, and Gabrielle goes to her. Xena unchains Celesta. Ares pops in and sits in the drivers' seat of the wagon. Other gods begin to show up. Gabrielle gets in back of the wagon. Ares, in the front seat, hands Xena the reigns. They go riding away. Athena says when they clear the forest, kill them. Joxer walks through the woods.
Xena: "What?!"
Ares: "It's time to fess up, Xena. They're relentless. They're going to keep coming and coming, and I think you know it. So what you need is you need me and you need me now. I'm the only one that can make this go away."
Xena: "Why are you always asking for something you are never going to get? Get off!"
Ares: "Oh, gee. I guess this is my exit" … [disappears]
In front of Xena, Hades stands ready. She tells Gabrielle, "we're on." Bolts are tossed. A scroll falls from the wagon.
Young Girl: "What happened, Daddy?"
Joxer: "Uh, it's the end of the scroll. Pumpkin, but not the end of the story."
Young Boy: "How do you know?"
Joxer: "Because I was there …"
Young Joxer watches from the woods, at a distance, as Athena's warriors send arrows at Xena and Gabrielle. Xena keeps driving the wagon. She sees a cliff, the horses run parallel along the cliff. More arrows. Flames. Gabrielle throws her sais and takes out two of Athena's warriors. The wagon stops. Xena throws her chakram and takes out a platoon of Athena's warriors.
Athena sends a fire bolt.
The wagon burns, the horses are loose from the wagon and they run. Gabrielle lays back, as if overcome from smoke, Xena calls for her, and reaches for Gabrielle. The wagon goes over the cliff.
? Gabrielle lies on the sand. Xena lies on the sand. Xena moves. She stands up. She sees Gabrielle, and heads for the wagon's wreckage, calling for Eve. The fire consumes everything. Joxer watches. Athena says the prophecy has been shattered.
Xena: [holding a limp and still Gabrielle] … Gabrielle … Gabrielle …"
Xena: [to the gods above on the cliff, with her sword in hand] … "Each to his own. You to yours, and me to mine!" … [tries to plunge her sword into her chest]
Ares grabs the sword.
Ares: "No, Xena, don't."
Xena: "Ares … you can't stop me this time."
Ares: "No."
Xena: "It's over. It's over … [drinks something from a little vial] … join your family. Tell them it's a package deal. They get me, too."
He watches in horror as Xena dies.
Old Joxer tells the children that Xena and Gabrielle took the tears of Celesta, swallowing the "essence" of death, as stated by the Fates, which made them dead for a while. Xena had never planned to kill Celesta, she just wanted her tears. The gods assumed Xena would never leave her child elsewhere. Gabrielle drank the tears while they were in the wagon, and then Xena put on a convincing show. The effect of the tears would soon wear off. But they did not count on one thing.
Ares.
They did not count on Ares taking the bodies of Xena and Gabrielle before Octavius could arrive with Eve.
Ares carries Xena through the snow to an ice cavern. An icy coffin, with Gabrielle's body sealed in it, is joined by an empty coffin. Ares places Xena in the coffin.
Ares: "You're with her (Gabrielle) now. I handled you all wrong. I know that. She knew what you needed - unconditional and unselfish love. And I couldn't give that to you. But, I appreciated you in ways she never could - your rage … your violence … your beauty. When you sacrificed yourself for others, you were hers. But, when you kicked ass, you were mine. I love you Xena."
He seals up the ice coffin. He puts her sword and chakram as a headstone between the two coffins. He walks out into the snow, and seals the cavern. He disappears.
The two women lie sealed in their coffins, with Xena's sword and chakram marking their tombs.
Roman soldiers plunder and burn a village. A woman warrior rides in. She slices, dices, mutilates, manipulates, castrates. Ares pops in to tell her she's doing a good job.
He also says she's been named the official successor to the emperor of Rome. The woman kisses Ares. She says now no one can stop her from ruling all of Rome and killing all the followers of Eli.
Up on an icy mountain, an avalanche causes a hole in an icy cave. The sunlight shines through on a coffin made of ice. The ice begins to melt. Xena moves. Stiffly, painfully, her fist breaks through the ice, she sits up. She sees another coffin, with Gabrielle in it. She goes to the coffin; it is in the shade. It is solid. Xena sees her sword and chakram.
She grabs the sword and painfully raises it to free her friend. She pulls a very stiff Gabrielle to her bosom. Then Xena says, "The baby. Where's Eve?" She looks around. She tells Gabrielle something must have went wrong, because Octavius did not bring the child to her. They must go find the baby.
Xena and Gabrielle find a village they do not recognize. A woman asks them if they are lost. She tells them they are at the foot of Mount Etna. Xena says Ares must have done something.
Xena: "Ares! Come out! I know you're here someplace!"
Village Woman: "Beg your pardon, but … uh … Ares hasn't been see in these parts since the legendary Xena died about twenty-five years ago."
Xena: "Twenty-five years?"
Xena asks if the woman has ever heard of Octavius. The woman says the only Roman anyone ever speaks of is Livia, the evil woman who slaughters the followers of Eli. Xena and Gabrielle head off to find Eve.
They find the Sword and Chakram Tavern. They enter it; it is a shrine to Xena and Gabrielle, with paintings of them and Gabrielle's scrolls in frames.
They see an old woman. It is Meg. A very old Meg who has had too many starchy foods.
Meg: "I really recommend the beans … [farts loudly] … Oh, pardon me."
Xena: "It's Meg!"
Gabrielle: "No, Xena, you were identical."
Meg: "Here, give me that (mug). I'll get you a fresh one."
Gabrielle: "If I were you, I would lay off the starches."
Meg: [to Xena] … "You know what? Shorty, you kinda look like her … Only Gabrielle wasn't so butch."
Old Joxer enters the room; he and Meg argue. Gabrielle says his name. Joxer drops the tray of food in his hands.
He goes to Xena and Gabrielle and hugs them. They sit and talk. He says he looked for them for years, but quit after Argo died. Xena looks very sad. Joxer takes them out back. He has Argo II. Argo's daughter, whom no one can ride.
Xena throws a saddle on her and "poof", there's Argo, ready to head for Rome. A handsome young virile man comes out, and Joxer introduces his son Virgil.
Virgil: "It's a privilege to finally get to meet you."
Joxer: "See? The apple didn't fall far from the tree."
Xena: "You have a son."
Joxer: "Yeah."
Xena: "That's great."
Xena and Gabrielle say they are going to Rome to find Eve. Joxer and Virgil say they will go along. Virgil makes some comments about Joxer's heroic deeds and Joxer tells him to be quiet.
They arrive in Rome. Xena asks Gabrielle to take the horses to a stable while Xena takes in a Roman "victory march". She sees that Octavius is Augustus Caesar. She sneaks up on him. He looks really surprised. Xena asks where her daughter is. Octavius looks down as Livia rides in, victorious, with her prisoners of war. "Livia. Champion of Rome," he says. "That's Eve?" and incredulous Xena cries out. Xena remains in the shadows. Livia presents herself to Augustus. Xena tells him to wave and close the curtain so they can talk.
Night. Xena stares out a window. Gabrielle comes to her. They talk.
Gabrielle: "Xena, she is alive. There's a chance you can still be in her life."
Xena: "It's not gonna be easy. She has my darkness inside her. She has Callisto's spirit. Those are tough odds to beat."
Gabrielle: "You did it."
Xena: "I had help."
Gabrielle: "She has us. Xena, she can change. Like mother, like daughter. Go to her and talk to her. She will see the truth."
Xena: "You're right. Whatever turned Eve, we can turn her back. Like mother, like daughter."
Morning. Xena leaves to go find Livia. Gabrielle stays with Virgil and Joxer. Gabrielle notices that Virgil has a way with words. Roman soldiers appear and want money from everyone for a new temple that Livia is erecting to the God Ares.
Gabrielle says she isn't giving any money, the soldiers declare her an Eli worshipper, Gabrielle and Virgil whip Roman butt until one of the soldiers puts a knife to Joxer's throat. The three are thrown into prison with the other peaceniks.
Livia and Ares spar. Then they kiss. Passionately. Xena sees. She throws her chakram, separating them. Ares is stunned. Xena pulls her sword. Livia looks disgusted and jealous.
Xena tells Ares if he was mortal, she'd cut out his heart. Ares walks to her, and through her sword, and attempts to kiss her. She gives him a head butt.
Livia: "Charming. Move and I'll kill you."
Ares: "Take it easy, Livia. It's not how it looks."
Livia: "Then how is it?"
Ares: "For twenty-five years, I thought Xena was dead. And now she shows up not one day older. I had to kiss her - make sure she was real, not an imposter."
Livia: "You're telling me that you had to kiss her to ID her?"
Ares: "Think about it. If Xena is still alive, chances are Eve is, too. And if she is … I'm a dead man."
Livia: "Because Eve is the bringer of Twilight."
Xena: "Eve's dead, and you know it."
Livia: "Who asked you?"
Ares: "Livia, don't."
Xena: "Hya!" … [jumps over the wall of the arena]
Ares: "No, let her go. She'll be back. And if Eve is alive … she'll lead us right to her."
Livia goes to the prisoners and tells them to find a champion to fight her. Gabrielle talks to her.
Livia: "Alright, listen up. You pick a champion to fight me in the arena. To keep it fair, I'll provide the weapons and the armor. He wins, you go free. I win, and you die."
Gabrielle: "That is not salvation, that's slaughter. You're above that."
Livia: "How would you know?"
Gabrielle: "Ask yourself that question."
Livia picks Virgil to fight her.
Xena goes to Octavius. She tells him that Livia does not love him; she loves Ares. He has seduced her with promises of absolute power. She tells Octavius she will prove it to him at a party that night.
At the party, Livia eats from the hands of half-naked guys and lots of bacchanalia like stuff. Xena, with a veil over her face and dressed as a servant, comes in. Octavius sees her and goes and gets Livia. Xena goes to Ares. He realizes it is Xena.
Ares: "I was kinda hoping you'd be back. I gotta know what happened. I thought you were dead."
Xena: "It's a nasty rumor."
Ares: "No. No, see, I mourned you, for years, I mourned you."
Xena: "Yes, you looked positively grief-stricken when I saw you today at the arena."
Ares: "What? That rough-and-tumble with Livia? You're not jealous?"
Xena: "Of a Roman wannabe? Hardly."
He says Livia isn't Xena, and if he thought for one minute he had a chance with Xena, Livia would be "dropped like a nasty habit." Xena and Ares kiss passionately. Livia sees and hears all this, with Octavius seeing and hearing it all, too. Octavius tells Livia that he'd sooner see his empire crumble than leave it to her, since she loves Ares.
Back in the prison, Virgil writes an epic poem. Gabrielle is pleased. Virgil's poems are about Joxer's mighty deeds. Gabrielle smiles and says Joxer is inspiring. She doesn't tell Virgil Joxer has made up a lot of nonsense.
Livia tears up a room. She is a little angry. Xena enters. Livia draws her sword. Xena knocks it away with her chakram. Livia throws a knife at Xena. Xena catches it. Xena tells Livia that she knows her first laugh, her first tears, her first breath, because she is her mother. Livia doesn't believe her. Xena says that Ares knows who she really is, and she is in danger now, or will be when the other gods find out. Livia says that Rome is her mother, and she wants Xena in the arena to fight the cause of the Eli followers. A fight to the death.
In the arena, Octavius watches. Livia comes out on horseback. The crowd cheers. Gabrielle watches from behind a prison door. Octavius hesitantly announces the match. Xena comes out, in Roman garb, with a sword and shield, on foot. She tells Livia they don't have to do this. Livia says she knows.
They fight. Xena asks Livia to give her time. Livia says time ran out 25 years ago. They do super Xena jumps. Livia finally gets a net on Xena and drags her around the arena. Xena gets free and jumps on the horse behind Livia. They fight. Xena takes Livia down and does her Xena touch, paralyzing Livia. Xena tells her she isn't going to kill her, she loves her. Livia says then let me die. Gabrielle watches. Xena undoes the touch. Xena, the champion, asks for mercy. Gabrielle yells out, "Life for us all." Octavius stands up and gives a thumbs up sign.
Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Virgil, and the horses all track Eve. Joxer makes a boastful statement about the hoof prints. Xena says they are tracking Livia, not Eve. Gabrielle tells Xena Eve will find her goodness.
Villager: "You can't destroy our spirit! We've seen worse than you. We've lived through Callisto's raids."
Livia: "Callisto. She did some good work. But, I'm not Callisto."
Livia chops his head off.
Xena and Company enter the burning village. Lots of people are hung on crosses. Xena says that her daughter did this, and looks horrified. Virgil says he knows these people; they were his friends. Xena tells him to cut them down.
A note on one of the crosses says
"Rome needs no mother."
An old woman weeping over a body (apparently the last one alive in the village), spits on Xena. She says Livia told her to ask Xena why she was killing. "Why, why, why?" she wails. Xena has tears run down her cheeks. Joxer and Virgil begin getting bodies down from the crosses.
Ares pops in. He tells Xena to give him a child, and all this will go away. Xena says she'd rather go to hell. Ares accosts her and says, "Give me what I want." Xena says that the thought of being with Ares sickens her. He disappears.
Livia sets up camp with her soldiers. Ares appears. He tells Livia she has to get even.
Livia: "Take you business to my mother - your long, lost love. We've got nothing!"
Ares: "Oh, grow up. I had a thing for Xena once, but no longer. So, get over it and get even. Wouldn't you like that?"
Livia: "What do you think? I was supposed to marry Augustus. I was destined to be the Empress of the Empire … till she came back."
Ares: "So, what's changed? We have an arrangement - you destroy the cult of Eli for me, I run a little divine intervention for you, get you to be Empress of Rome."
He says he is still prepared to fulfill his part of the deal; that he once loved Xena but no more. He tells Livia to kill Xena.
Livia: "And the Twilight - aren't you afraid? Aren't you afraid I'll bring about the end of your gods?"
Ares: "When you were born, there was panic on Olympus. It cost Zeus his life. Hera vanished. Then, we thought you were dead for twenty-five years. And do you know what happened? Nothing. So, the only power you have over us is our own fear. Reclaim your Destiny, Livia. Kill Xena."
Virgil and Joxer have a little chat, about Joxer "leading" Gabrielle and Xena off on an adventure.
Xena and Gabrielle talk. Gabrielle says Eve will look inside herself. Xena says if she looks inside herself, she'll find Xena there.
Xena: "You said it yourself. Eve finally took a good look inside herself and she found me there."
Gabrielle: "That's not what I meant."
Xena: "I know her Rage. It's in Eve's blood, Gabrielle. I made her who she is. I was her."
Gabrielle: "Then there's hope, because you changed."
Another village gets massacred. Xena tosses her chakram and stops some guy from getting nailed to a cross. Xena fights soldiers. Gabrielle fights. Virgil fights. Gabrielle kicks butt pretty well.
Livia says, "Oh Mommy." She has Joxer, with a knife at his throat. Everyone stops. The soldiers all get behind Livia. Xena picks up a handful of nails and throws them at Livia. She deflects them with the knife, and Joxer rolls away. Livia throws the knife at Xena and Xena catches it. Xena and Livia fight. Xena tosses Livia against the wall.
A peasant drops down and puts a knife to Livia's throat and goes to kill her, but Xena stops him with her chakram. Livia yells for her archers. Flaming arrows fly. Xena yells for everyone to get down. Livia rides away. Ares appears to Xena. "What does it feel like to have someone you love despise you?" he asks. The peasant asks Xena why she stopped him. He says the blood of Livia's next victims is on Xena's head now.
Xena and Gabrielle talk before a campfire.
Xena: "Chances run out, Gabrielle … for all of us."
Gabrielle: "If that's true … if Eve can't be changed … could you kill your own daughter?"
Xena: "If I had to … yes, I could."
Joxer and Virgil talk. Joxer tells Virgil he wasn't a great warrior.
Joxer: "Virgil, about today …"
Virgil: "Forget about today, Dad. You were just tired."
Joxer: "Listen. Let me finish. I always wanted to be a great warrior. It didn't work out. I tried to join every army from here to Egypt, but nobody ever wanted me. And … uh … well, that's all."
Virgil: "So, you never battled the Dryads?"
Joxer: "That was Xena."
Virgil: "What about the Harpies?"
Joxer: "Xena, too."
Virgil: "Sent Callisto to Hell?"
Joxer: "Xena."
Virgil: "Got Callisto out of Hell?"
Joxer: "Xena."
Virgil: "Wow. It sounds like you and Xena had some real adventures together, Dad."
Joxer: "We sure did, Son. We sure did."
Xena mounts Argo II and says she has to go to Ostea, the last Eli follower stronghold. Xena rides off on the horse. Gabrielle says she hopes the plan will work. Xena rides along in the dark. Gabrielle wakes Virgil, and tells him if she isn't back by morning, then they should go on to Ostea as planned. She says she has to go keep Xena from doing something she'd never forgive herself for.
Livia prepares her army. Gabrielle comes in, unarmed. "Auntie Gabrielle," Livia says. She tells Gabrielle to save the words.
Livia: "No. Please. You thought if you could just talk to me, heart to heart, you could convince me that Xena wants only to help me, and if I could find it within myself to give her a chance, Mommy would make it all better."
Gabrielle: "The gods wanted you dead. Xena risked her life to save you. Does that mean anything to you?"
Livia: "It means she's as stupid as she is sentimental."
Gabrielle: "Your mother loves you."
Livia: "Then why is she trying to destroy me?"
Gabrielle: "Xena wants to protect you. She will not fight you."
Livia: "Well, maybe she hasn't been properly motivated."
Joxer is really mad at Virgil for letting Gabrielle go off alone. He tells Virgil to go get Xena. He goes after Gabrielle. Joxer finds the camp, and counts the men. Odds of 20 to 1.
Joxer is really mad at Virgil for letting Gabrielle go off alone. He tells Virgil to go get Xena. He goes after Gabrielle. Joxer finds the camp, and counts the men. Odds of 20 to 1. Livia says she will wipe out the cult and take her revenge on Xena. Gabrielle is whipped and tied up. Joxer watches. Xena and Virgil ride. Joxer throws a rock and hits a soldier on the head. The soldier investigates and Joxer knocks him out and takes his clothes. Xena and Virgil ride.
Livia decides it is time to kill Gabrielle. Joxer interrupts. Xena rides in, sword flying, chopping heads. Livia stands by Gabrielle. Virgil fights. Xena fights. Livia watches. Lots more fighting. Livia goes to kill Gabrielle.
Xena grabs her chakram and starts to throw it, but Joxer stands up in her way, he says "No!" runs toward Gabrielle, Xena tells him to duck, he doesn't. He runs toward Gabrielle and Livia turns and stabs him in the stomach. Everyone yells "No!" Livia gets on her horse and leaves.
Virgil and Xena gather around Joxer. Xena says she can't help him. She does her touch to ease his pain. She takes her sword and cuts Gabrielle lose. Gabrielle runs to Joxer.
Xena: "Joxer …"
Virgil: "Dad … [to Xena] … Can you help him?"
Xena: [shakes her head]
Joxer: [to Virgil] … "Hey, are you okay? … Okay."
Gabrielle: "Joxer, what were you doing?"
Joxer: "I didn't want … I didn't want to disappoint you."
Gabrielle: "You can never disappoint me."
Joxer: "What? What's the matter with you guys? I'll be fine. I'm a little cold -- but it doesn't hurt anymore."
He dies.
Ares comes to Xena.
Ares: "That Virgil is one angry guy. I can't say I blame him."
Xena: "Get lost."
Ares: "But, he shouldn't hate Livia, should he? You're the one he should hate. You could have prevented all of this. But, no. Joxer's dead because the thought of me made you sick. Okay. But, if I sicken your soul … stopping Livia will kill it."
Gabrielle goes to Xena.
Xena: "I never thought it would be my friend."
Gabrielle: "It's not your fault, Xena."
Xena: "Isn't it? I spared Eve. I thought I could save her, and now Joxer is dead. What part of that isn't my fault?"
Gabrielle: "You had to try."
Xena: "That's cold comfort to Virgil and Meg. How many more innocents will die before I end this?"
Gabrielle: "None."
Gabrielle: "Xena, I went to Livia. I tried to tell her that we love her. She didn't care."
Xena: "You called her Livia."
Gabrielle: "That's who she is. Eve is dead. She's not your daughter anymore, Xena, she's Rome's."
Xena walks alone. She finds a nice tree and kneels. She talks to Eli. She says she is having a little trouble understanding his message.
Xena: "Eli, wherever you are, I know you can hear me. I'm having a little trouble understanding your message, Eli. I'm a warrior. I have a warrior's heart. And yet, you told me to fight my enemies with compassion instead of the sword. Well, now I find that I have to kill my own daughter, my own flesh and blood. Is this what you meant when you said I must love my enemy?! Show me another way. Where is your infinite Love?"
Livia and her army view Ostea. They enter the town. They go to the temple. People are in the temple, praying. The army goes in. Livia says, good, they're all here, we'll just slaughter them. Xena throws off her cloak. Xena says she is through talking, Livia.
Xena says she is there to avenge her daughter's death. Xena and Livia fight. Ares pops in to watch. Xena throws her chakram, and Livia catches it. Xena and Livia fight some more. Livia tells her army to attack. The praying people throw off their cloaks; they are Roman soldiers lent by Octavius to stop Livia from taking his throne, as well as Gabrielle and Virgil. Xena and Livia fight. Everybody fights.
Lots of fighting.
Xena gets her chakram back. Livia falls (they were fighting on a ledge up above everyone else, they somersaulted up there). Xena holds the chakram at Livia's throat. She hesitates to kill Livia, and Livia tosses her away. Livia gets the better of Xena and goes to kill her. Xena says, "Eli, save my daughter." Livia goes to kill Xena, and a light shines down from the heavens.
Livia sees visions of Angel Callisto touching Xena's belly, and of Xena giving birth, and other mother-daughter moments from earlier in the season, including Xena racing from the gods as they try to kill her.
Livia says, "What have I done?" and drops the knife. Xena takes Livia by the arm. Virgil sees her, and goes to kill her. Xena stops him. Livia leaves. Gabrielle holds Virgil back.
Xena goes outside, following Livia. Gabrielle comes after her. Livia is no where in sight. Gabrielle asks Xena what Livia said. Xena says,
"She said her name was Eve."
