[ Ares ]
Oh, yeah! Ohh!
[ Woman Panting ]
[ Laughs ]
Come here!
Hah!
[ Sighs ]
Oh, yeah!
[ Sighs ]
Ooh!
Oh, yeah.
Well, you know,
you can cut the party tricks.
You're looking for an heir--
a mortal to carry on your name.
Oh, I've considered it.
Well, here I am--
my sword, my life,
my heart.
Honey, I hate to be the one
to break this to you,
but one action-packed roll
in the sack does not make you
the heir to Ares' mantle.
No. You're not the one.
I don't blame you
for not seeing it.
So, come on. Test me.
Mavican, you are way outta
your league. You have no idea
what my standards are.
So why don't you go back
to that little g*ng of bandits
you were leading,
and leave the world domination
to professionals, okay?
I'm serious, Ares.
I don't know what Xena had
to say or do to get the job,
but I want it.
First, it is not a "job."
Second, Xena never asked me
for anything. That's how I knew
she was the one.
Now, I've got somethin'
real important to deal with,
but I'll come back later.
Don't be here.
[ Xena Shouts ]
Whaa-aah!
-[ Gabrielle ]
Xena, that guy was mine.
- [ Xena ] I can handle it.
Yeah, well, I can help you.
Xena!
Stay back, Gabrielle!
I'm not a kid anymore.
You think that she
would know that.
Considering all
you've been through.
Ares,
whatever you're looking for,
look somewhere else. Mm!
Do I always have to
be after something?
You've been away a while.
Maybe I missed you.
Maybe I'm trying to help.
You only help yourself.
Well, ultimately,
that is true.
But it doesn't mean
I don't understand.
Here, let me take
a sh*t at this. Uh--
Xena has been overprotective
of you. She's been treating you
like you're still--
They were five bandits.
Five of them.
She could have handled four,
and I would've been happy
with just one. But, no, no.
She had to take them all.
It is hard to shed
your perceptions of a person.
I'm tired of it.
Hey.
- I notice you're gettin'
pretty good with those.
- At least someone noticed.
So Xena doesn't appreciate
that I've been practicing.
It's--
[ Gasps ]
Yaah-haah!
Who are you?
The name is Mavican.
I'm looking for Xena.
What do you want with her?
I wanna k*ll her,
and I understand
that k*lling you
is the best way to meet her.
[ Man Narrating ]
In a time of ancient gods--
[ Xena Yells ]
warlords and kings,
a land in turmoil
cried out for a hero.
She was Xena,
a mighty princess
forged in the heat of battle.
The power.
The passion.
-The danger.
- [ Kiaiing ]
Her courage
will change the world.
- Xena, I had her.
- Yeah, yeah.
That was incredible.
I have to say, Xena--
you are one person where
the hype isn't enough.
You wanted so talk to me,
so talk.
Talk?
No, no, no.
I wanted to k*ll you.
Still do, actually.
- Who are you?
- I'm your successor.
I'm taking your place.
Ares doesn't believe it yet,
but we're going to convince him.
[ Shouts ]
Hey! Just stop it!
Stop it right now!
What in the name of... me....
did you think you were doing?
Getting your attention.
By destroying Demeter's temple?
No.
See, destroying temples
in the name of other gods--
we just don't do it.
Who cares about her?
I'll destroy a thousand
of her temples if I have to.
I told you I was good. Tell him.
Tell him how good I am, Xena.
Good enough to die young.
What's this all about, Ares?
Oh, she's not my idea.
She's just some hothead
I picked up for a little, uh,
diversion.
Now she thinks
she's my right-hand girl.
You know, Ares, your problem
is that you don't see potential.
See, you're still hung up
on what you had and lost--
Xena.
Well, I'm here
to let you know...
there's better.
[ Shouts ]
Well, now.
Maybe she's right.
I've been considering
your successor for some time.
You want to take her on?
Okay.
Let's take this
where you can't do any harm.
Right, listen up!
The rules are simple!
You k*ll Xena, you win.
I bring you back here.
Xena!
It's a little more difficult.
You k*ll Mavican, you win.
You stay right where ya are.
- That's not fair!
- Oh? You're going too,
Gabrielle!
Of course,
if anyone wants my help,
all she's gotta do is call.
Whoo-hoo!
Come on, Xena.
Don't disappoint me.
[ Yells ]
Ares, we're not playing
your little game.
I didn't ask
if you wanted a choice.
Maybe she's got a point.
Is there someone
better than you?
Don't you think I've waited
long enough to find out?
[ Both Grunting ]
- Hold on!
- [ Mouths Words ]
Gabrielle, I'm coming!
Let the game begin.
Yaah!
Xena?
[ Reverberating ]
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle?
Yah-hah!
No weapons, no Gabrielle.
Just you and me.
Aah!
[ Kiaiing ]
What's the matter, Xena?
Can't get in that k*lling blow?
Oh, wait.
Ares said you can't k*ll me!
Just too much on your mind
to fight straight, huh?
And the sun's going down.
What kind of a fighter
are you in the dark?
You know what, sweetie?
You talk too much.
[ Kiaiing ]
[ Panting ]
- Xena?
- I'm here, Gabrielle!
[ Bird Calls ]
Wherever here is.
What are you doing?
- Watch it, Gabrielle.
- Ee-yah!
Lookin' for Xena?
See, Gabrielle,
looking is your problem.
If you just stay still,
she'll come to ya.
That's what I'm counting on.
Mavican,
Amazons invented the technique
of fighting from trees.
The first thing they teach you
is not to let your footprints
end where you jump!
[ Screaming ]
Uh-uh! Ares said that
Xena couldn't k*ll you.
He didn't say anything about me,
so don't do anything stupid.
- Watch it!
- Yah!
I'm trying to decide--
Is live bait preferable
to dead bait?
Especially when the bait
wants to k*ll me?
No. If Xena sees you dead,
she might do something sensible.
It's all right, Gabrielle.
As long as it's me
that she wants,
you're going to be okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Did you have a nice nap?
Uh!
You know, it's strange.
I really thought Xena
would have done something
during the night...
under the cover of darkness.
At least, that's what
I would have done.
So what's it like?
I mean,
being with Xena?
It's like a brush with eternity,
isn't it?
What are you talking about?
Oh, Gabrielle, please.
You're a part of
making the legend true.
Those scrolls you write.
Yeah, I got ahold of one
a while back. You know,
you really should write more.
I'm gonna need someone
to write me into history
after I k*ll her.
I hate to tell you this,
but history is fickle.
History will remember me,
Gabrielle!
Why? Because you think
you might k*ll someone?
You don't get it.
Ares doesn't get it.
People will talk about me
for ages--
the woman who stood
toe-to-toe with Xena.
And win or lose,
I'll be remembered.
You need help.
[ Laughs ]
Oh, I wish it were
that simple.
I'm not crazy, Gabrielle.
Haven't you ever been
struck with the difference
between us and the gods?
They're immortal because
we make them that way.
Don't you think
there was a moment...
when Xena just did it
all for... destiny?
[ Whispers ]
Destiny.
Sun's up.
[ Grunting ]
Aah!
Oh, Ares!
[ Laughs ]
You are too rich.
Oh, Ares, we're gonna make
such a great team.
[ Laughing ]
Hmm! This is too funny.
I mean, did Ares think
he was evening the odds?
Ares put me and Gabrielle
into one being.
You get the day shift.
She gets the night watch.
Oh, come on, Xena.
You've gotta admit.
It's pretty funny.
He got her out of the way,
so you wouldn't get distracted.
Of course, I k*ll you,
I k*ll her. And I was
just beginning to like her.
Oh, well.
Listen, Mavican.
I know Ares. He's only
concerned about one thing,
and that's himself.
You mean,
he was planning on using me?
That's strange, Xena,
'cause I thought
I was using him.
Seemed like
a great arrangement.
Mavican, I've been down
this road before. I know what
it's like to chase destiny.
You can't win.
If we can work together,
we can defeat Ares. This is all
about us fighting one another.
- If we don't, Ares loses.
- No!
If we don't, I lose.
Xena, I'm on a path
that I can't change.
I know it, and I accept it.
But if I don't walk this path,
I'm nothing. Hah!
Uh!
- Aah!
- Uhh!
It's no use, Xena!
I just have to wait
for sundown... and Gabrielle.
[ Laughing ]
[ Sniffs ]
[ Bird Screeches ]
- What do you want?
- [ Chuckles ]
I swear. Hey, Xena.
I want your honest opinion,
objectively.
I mean,
she's better than I thought.
I don't get it, Ares.
All this just to see
your new girlfriend fight?
No. Watch my old girlfriend
fight. I've missed it.
Where you been lately?
Oh, yeah.
You fight all the time.
In fact,
you did a pretty good number
on Caesar and those Romans.
Pity, really.
A lot of potential.
Still, Mavican has that, uh,
certain something-- something
which you seem to have lost.
And I just wanna find out
if anybody else has got it.
And what about Gabrielle?
Is she up in that
dark little room you set up?
You like that, huh? Yeah,
I thought it might fire you up
if you could watch the game.
And, no, Gabrielle is there,
but she can't see us.
So, what's the point?
Why have you joined us both
together so that we can both
fight Mavican individually?
Why not?
Besides, she's gettin'
pretty good at it.
She's smart, too,
even though someone
doesn't want to admit it.
She's already figured out
part of the riddle.
That I can't k*ll Mavican
but Gabrielle can?
Well, you'd like that,
wouldn't you?
You'd like that, wouldn't ya?
Oh, I see.
You want me to find you.
That's nice. Very nice.
[ Kiaiing ]
Okay, Mavican. Show yourself.
I hate to k*ll you, Xena.
There's so many things
I could learn from you.
Like, how do you know when
you're about to be att*cked?
Just always assume
you will be.
Ah.
So, it's more philosophical
than a gift. Must be tiring
on the soul. Thanks.
Aah! Ohh!
[ Kiaiing ]
[ Groaning ]
The only thing
I'm gonna regret about this
is not k*lling Xena directly.
But any k*ll is a good one.
The game is over.
- Where's Xena?
- You really don't know?
Ares has put the two of you
in the same body.
You get the nights;
she gets the day.
Problem is, you're stuck with
me for the night or at least
long enough for me to k*ll you.
Come on, Gabrielle.
Look around you.
- Good girl.
- What?
You think you can take me on
with a staff? Please, Gabrielle.
I perfected the art.
I have nothing to lose,
do I?
Oof! Aah!
Now, run!
Get out of there!
Uhh!
You can't hide, Gabrielle!
I'll find you... before sunup.
You're mine.
[ Ares ]
You have to like her style--
the focus, the intensity,
the ability to learn and adapt.
She is just incredible.
I can't believe I took her
for granted for so long.
You're just using Mavican
to get to me, Ares.
- It won't work.
Why don't you give up on me?
- Hmm!
Xena, I have given up on you.
And what makes you think
I was talkin' about Mavican?
This is about Gabrielle.
You're not testing Mavican.
You're after Gabrielle.
You're not jealous?
I mean, despite what
Mavican thought, I have been
thinking about your heir.
And who better
than one you trained?
Aah!
Uhh!
You leave her out of this.
There it is!
There's the fire.
There's the anger you lost.
She'll never follow you.
Well, she hasn't heard
my offer yet.
And anyway, how well do you
really know her anymore?
Well, I guess we'll find out
when she kills Mavican.
Ares!
Come on, Gabrielle.
You can fight him.
You know Ares well enough.
[ Gasps ]
Xena, where are you?
Plenty of time.
[ Sniffles ]
[ Xena's Voice ]
If you read this,
you'll know that I'm here.
Ares has merged us
into the same body.
But the same way that the world
shares day and night--
never sees
the same two together.
Mavican is tough,
but we can defeat her.
A lot of it depends
on you though.
You've figured out part of
Ares' riddle, but you can't
k*ll her, Gabrielle.
It's something
that Ares wants to see,
and I don't know why yet.
Together,
we can get out of this.
- Hello, Gabrielle.
- What do you want?
I've been watching you.
I think you've got potential.
Potential for what?
Never mind.
I really don't want to know.
You've also got
a slanted opinion of me.
Okay. Only somewhat slanted.
But I'm serious.
You're not quite there yet,
but maybe I've been dismissing
you too easily over the years.
Maybe the heir
to Xena's throne has been
right in front of me all along.
- Are you out of your mind?
- How's your wound?
Okay?
[ Clears Throat ]
Here's the deal.
I've learned a few things
from Xena,
and perhaps my way of
peace through power isn't
quite what I thought it was.
You are so full of--
No.
Now, that is
Xena's problem these days.
She's so set in her ways.
She won't even make an effort
to see change.
Now, you should know
that more than anyone.
It's okay.
You don't have to answer.
It's obvious.
It's painfully obvious.
So, please, don't do to me
what Xena does to you.
Just-- Just hear me out
honestly. Okay?
Okay.
What I need-- what I think
I've always needed--
is someone strong enough
to lead people.
I think the key
is to find someone...
who's learned how to fight
but has the discretion not to.
Now, that is something
Xena never had.
What about Mavican?
What about her?
She's set in her ways already.
And have you listened
to her speak?
No. The old Ares,
he would have loved her.
But not me.
I want you...
to look beyond our past.
I know how you feel about me.
You got good reason.
But maybe, uh--
maybe gods can change too.
What happens to Xena?
Xena? Xena goes home,
lives with her mother,
and spends the rest of her years
safe in the knowledge...
that someone she trusts
is in control.
Now, I want you
to think about this,
but don't take too long.
Mavican is really intent
on k*lling Xena.
Of course,
her destiny
is in your hands.
With this you can
k*ll Mavican.
Now, you do that,
and I'll know you're ready.
[ Pings ]
Nice place.
Room for one more?
No, Gabrielle! Don't do it.
Don't do it.
Back off, Mavican.
I'm warning you.
You're warning me?
Gabrielle, I'll admit you've
got somethin', but it's over.
[ Yells ]
Come on! att*ck!
You're on the defensive.
k*ll me if you can!
You don't have the nerve.
Don't do it.
Ares wants me to k*ll you.
If I do that, then he wins
and we all lose!
I'm not gonna do it.
Hah!
Huh!
[ Whispers ]
Xena.
[ Groaning ]
Yaah!
[ Kiaiing ]
How's the wound, Xena?
It's just a little gift
I gave Gabrielle,
and now you're stuck with it.
Didn't you just know
she'd be your fatal flaw?
Everybody's got one.
What about yours?
Heh! Nice try.
I have no flaw!
Sure you do.
It's your misguided belief
in your own destiny.
My destiny is to k*ll you.
That's wrong.
Your destiny
is to be forgotten.
[ Groaning ]
[ Kiaiing ]
[ Kiaiing ]
No! What are you doing?
- We're trapped in here!
- That's right, trapped--
where no one can hear us,
and no one will ever know
what's happened to you.
Whether I k*ll you
or you k*ll me,
your destiny is finished.
No!
Did you forget?
You can't k*ll me!
That right?
[ Panting ]
[ Chuckling ]
You see, even if I die,
you're gonna live on here...
buried alive at the bottom
of this pit, 'cause nobody
knows you're here.
Oh! Oh!
Ares knows!
But Ares doesn't care.
You see, to him,
you're just a loser.
No! Yaah!
Oh! Let me go! Let me go!
Ares! Ares!
Help me! Help me!
Mavican,
are you asking for my help?
Yes. I'm asking for your help,
God of w*r.
She's asking for your help.
[ Screaming ]
What are you doing, Ares?
You said I could ask!
Yeah. I said you could.
I never said you should.
Ares!
No! No!
No!
Xena.
You all right?
Yeah.
Oh, here, this.
Eh! It'll heal.
No. Just don't say it.
Have a little respect for me,
will you?
- You won already!
- We both won.
Gabrielle,
I'm proud of you.
Oh, please.
I gave her an opportunity
for greatness.
Following you is not
an opportunity, Ares.
It's a curse.
You say "Minotaur,"
I say "Mine-otaur." Whatever.
You said anyone
could ask for your help.
Years ago, Ares said to me that
anyone who asked for his help
doesn't deserve it.
So when Mavican asked--
She lost.
I really gotta be more careful
with my riddles.
The offer's still open.
Think about it.
You know, I'm surprised
that you didn't consider it.
What he said--
Xena, what he said
doesn't matter.
I know you.
Sometimes I wonder if you
really know me, but I know
what's in your heart.
Then you know more
than I do.
Gabrielle,
I do see you.
Sometimes I have trouble
facing it, but I promise,
I will.
[ Sighs ]
You don't know
how much that means.
Maybe Ares did some good
after all, huh?
Tell you what.
Ow.
The next bad guy
we come across is all yours.
The next seven little
bad guys we come across,
they're all yours.
Little? Is that a cr*ck
about my height?
No, they're just harder
for me to reach.
[ Chuckles ]
Yeah. Well, I guess
that makes sense.
Yeah, yeah.
Good strategy.
Yep.