Come on. This way.
I killed Xena, warrior princess!
I can still save your worthless hide if you just hold still.
Gabrielle?
All right.
Gabrielle!
I was in the middle of the best...
I missed something.
Get me that small knife out of my saddlebag.
Your windpipe's been severed. I'll have to cut you a new breathing hole.
- Who are these guys? - I'm guessing bounty hunters.
Are you all right?
Fine. Our melon didn't do so well.
Hold still.
Gabrielle, bandage the wound.
You'll be able to breathe out of that hole until your windpipe heals.
Or until somebody hangs you.
Do you realise that you just saved the life of a man who was going to kill you?
See, you are a good person, Xena.
Thanks.
The gods are really mixing it up tonight.
You'd think this was a hospital, with this kid and your friend.
He's not my friend. In fact, he tried to kill me.
- I lost him. - You did what you could.
This doesn't make sense. I've used this technique before. It's never failed.
Xena, what's happening?
He's dead.
Two people die in my inn in one night. Talk about bad omens.
What was that?
The screams of Prometheus.
- This is no coincidence. - What are you talking about?
Prometheus has been captured by the gods.
The bards say that if Prometheus is ever bound,
then mankind starts to lose the gifts he gave us.
Like fire?
And the ability to heal ourselves.
In a time of ancient gods...
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...
Her courage will change the world.
Prometheus
How do you know you have to visit this oracle if Prometheus is captured?
I just know.
Hey, you're plenty mysterious enough without having to work at it.
Are you going to give me a straight answer?
- A friend told me. - A friend?
- Who? - Just a friend.
There it is.
If I'm not back by nightfall, I want you to leave this place.
I take it this isn't your typical run-of-the-mill trip to an oracle.
- What will you give? - What?
A lock of hair? A fingernail?
A finger?
- I don't understand. - You wanna free Prometheus, don't you?
- Yes. - Then what will you give?
My life, if I have to.
We'll see.
You better hurry.
- What am I supposed to do? - Get the tablet. It holds the key.
Try to interfere with the flame and you'll never free Prometheus.
The chain.
Do you have the strength to pull it down?
Not much time.
You were willing to lose a hand. Very impressive.
Don't worry about the tablet. It said nothing.
I didn't come here to play games.
That was no game. It was a test to see how much you were willing to sacrifice.
- You passed. - Tell me what I came to hear.
If you want to free Prometheus you must go to Vulcan Mountain
and enter the cave of Hephaestus. There you will find a sword.
It's the only tool that can break the chains that bind Prometheus.
Then I'll get it.
Warriors loyal to Hera will try to stop you from freeing Prometheus.
Don't take them lightly. They're fierce fighters and they're not afraid to die.
- Neither am I. - Before you go,
I must tell you one more thing about that sword.
- You made it. - You had faith, didn't you?
Of course. Never a doubt. You always come through.
Gabrielle, what if one day I don't come through?
- That's not gonna happen. - But if it does, what would you do?
- I'd become a travelling bard. - You'd be good at that.
- Shouldn't you get some schooling first? - That would be great.
Where's the best place to study that kind of thing?
Athens, at the academy. Why are we talking about this? It's depressing.
Nothing's gonna happen to you.
You're probably right.
Xena, look. How cute!
Ah. Headed for Vulcan Mountain, are we?
Come in, come in. You'll want a memento of your visit.
- We're kind of in a hurry, but... - I've got just what you're looking for.
This was sculpted by one of Athens' finest craftsmen, and it's only five dinars.
This looks like Mount Olympus.
There's a remarkable resemblance between the two peaks.
- Not really. - Sure there is.
Not from this angle. You have to look at it from the other side.
This is no good for a smart girl like you, anyway.
How about a box of lava rocks...
How far is the cave of Hephaestus?
You don't want to go there. It's a dangerous place.
I sell you a replica, save you the trouble.
This is so lifelike it gives me the chills.
How far is it?
You know, I have a very attractive map of the area, suitable for framing.
I'm not going to ask you again.
N-not far all. It's on the north side of the mountain.
You-you just bear to the right.
Wait here.
Would you be interested in a scroll signed by the great god Hephaestus himself?
Hera, this won't work. You'll never break the spirit of mankind.
Yes, I will. As they lose your gifts, they'll lose hope.
One of them will set me free.
I've taken precautions to ensure that won't happen.
The bigger they are...
Do you want the same as your friend?
Hercules...
Give me the sword, Xena.
- Can't let you do this. - You don't have a choice.
Xena, I'm not gonna fight.
With Prometheus captured a scratch could kill you.
Just you worry about yourself.
This one actually says "Mount Olympus" on the bottom.
Oh, you're right. I've obviously been ripped off.
Damn unscrupulous artisans.
Look at this. A piece of the shell Aphrodite came ashore on.
Hello.
Hello. You're the one interested in the Aphrodite shell, right?
Better snap it up quick, before he gets it.
Five dinars.
I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else.
I wanna know if you've seen a friend of mine.
He's tall, broad shoulders, big arms...
- Very handsome. - Hercules!
I haven't seen him, but I have the cradle he was nursed in.
- Why are you looking for Hercules? - I have something he needs.
- So you know him? - Yeah.
- How well? - Well, I... He's my best friend.
- Really? - Yeah.
Would you mind if I asked you a personal question?
I suppose not.
What's it like to be friends with someone like Hercules?
Do you find it a little intimidating?
- Do you know what I mean? - I'm not sure.
Isn't it hard just to stand around while he does these heroic labours?
Well, I don't just stand around.
I'm right there with him, fighting by his side.
Maybe I'll try that.
You see, I have a friend who's a little bit on the intimidating side.
- Who might that be? - Her.
Xena, guess who he knows.
- Hercules. - You're so good.
- Hello, Xena. - Iolaus.
Is anyone going to buy anything?
- You know him? - We have a history.
Come on, we're in a hurry. Let's go.
Xena...
Don't you take another step.
What are you doing? He's with Hercules.
That's exactly why I don't want him at our back.
I've got a Dionysian love potion could really mellow out a pretty lady like that.
Ten dinars.
Hera, why are you doing this?
Prometheus, you waste your affections on mankind.
There are other creatures much more worthy of respect.
Observe.
Hercules?
My brother cut his hand on a knife, and now he's very ill.
Please, do something.
I'm gonna do everything I can. I promise.
What would Xena want with that sword?
She plans to free Prometheus with it.
So why don't you work together?
I won't let her strike the blow that breaks the chains.
Wait a minute.
People are dying of scratches and you're concerned about who gets the credit?
That's not what this is about.
It sure sounds like it.
Hercules, I thought you cared about her.
I do care about her.
Then let her strike the blow.
Iolaus, I can't. Just... trust me.
So do you think that Iolaus is still in love with you?
His love turned to hate for a while.
I'm not sure how he feels about me now.
What about Hercules?
What about him?
You're not much of a girl-talker, are you?
- Of course, you're not like most girls... - Get back.
Hi.
That's a nice sword.
Are you all right?
I'm fine. I blocked it with my gauntlet.
- Now I understand. - Give me a hint.
Hercules' gauntlets are forged by Hephaestus.
So are the chains that bind Prometheus.
So if Prometheus's chains are struck by that sword...
The sword-handler turns to ashes.
So it's suicide mission.
- I'll strike the blow. - I won't let you do that, Hercules.
You two have get to work together.
Your friend is right. Hera will put plenty of obstacles in our way.
We made a pretty good team once.
Yeah, we did.
All right.
We work together.
But it's still not decided who'll use the sword to break the chains.
It is as far as I'm concerned.
We'll see.
Hercules, we haven't been properly introduced.
My name is Gabrielle.
Well, it's nice meeting you, Gabrielle.
If I'm not too obsessive, can I ask you a few questions about your labours?
You know, actually...
Iolaus is the one to ask.
He knows all the facts, and he loves to hear himself talk.
- Would you mind? - No, not at all.
Uh... why don't you go ahead, and I'll catch up later.
All right.
I have been hearing a lot about you.
Don't believe everything you hear.
What I heard, I want to believe.
You've been helping people.
Someone taught me it's the only reason to be on this earth.
Now, who would that be?
Some legendary hero, I forget his name.
Do you think we should cut through that pass over there?
Nice try.
- It should be me. - Why?
Cos the world needs Hercules.
It needs Xena too.
Come on. People would hardly miss me.
But you? You give hope to so many.
You underestimate yourself.
You're not using your head.
Sometimes in life, you go with your heart, not your head.
What does that mean?
It means I can't let you die.
If I can do anything to stop it.
Come on, you two.
Xena, I thought we were going up the mountain.
These caves and tunnels work their way up to the top.
We'd better hurry.
How did you find out about these caves, Hercules?
I came here a long time ago with my father.
Your father? Zeus?
The king of the gods? The maker of all creations?
Yeah.
- He's about as talkative as you are. - Yep.
Actually, I feel much more comfortable around a normal guy like you.
- Oh. I meant that as a compliment. - Thanks. I'll take it that way.
- Are you sure you're all right? - Yeah, I'm fine.
No...
Iolaus...
It's all right. It's just a small wound.
We've lost the ability to heal ourselves.
Even a small wound could kill you.
- I'm fine. - I'll get Xena and Hercules.
Gabrielle, wait.
They can't do anything till Prometheus is free.
Then you should rest here.
I can't when the whole world's at stake.
I wanna help.
Please, Gabrielle.
Are you two coming?
Yeah.
Yeah, we'll be right behind you.
Run! Run!
Run!
Duck!
Look out, Gabrielle!
Just like old times, huh?
If you mean I'm doing all the work, then you're right.
Come on, you two!
Are you all right?
Never better.
I'm sorry...
Iolaus was wounded back in the barn.
Why didn't you tell us?
Because he's brave of heart and hard of head.
- You'll have to wait here. - No.
If you stand any chance of making it till Prometheus is released,
it'll be because you've rested.
- She's right. - I can make it...
I'll stay with him.
Here.
Xena, be careful.
Hercules...
- Goodbye. - What do you mean, "goodbye"?
Don't strike the blow.
Be brave.
You'll be fine. You're too ornery to die.
Yeah.
But even if I do make it...
Yeah.
Let's go somewhere safe.
Hercules?
Yeah?
There's something I've been wanting to say to you for a long time.
You changed my life.
You taught me how to live. I'll never forget you for that.
Thanks.
Well, there's something I have to tell you too.
When my wife died I thought no one else could make me feel the way she did.
But then I met you.
- Oh, come on. - No, I mean it.
Why do you think I told you what oracle to ge see it Prometheus was ever captured?
Because I knew I could trust you with that secret.
Well, I guess we're lucky to have found one another.
Yeah. We are.
- You never give up, do you? - Nope.
Good.
Neither do I.
Gabrielle?
Yes?
If you see Xena again, will you tell her something for me?
You can tell her.
Just in case.
All right.
Tell her there are no hard feelings. I'm...
I'm proud to have known her.
She's really special, isn't she?
Sometimes I wonder what she sees in me.
I see it.
You have a pure heart.
And that is... wonderful... to be around.
Be quiet.
It has to be here someplace.
The gift of fire. It's gone.
Look.
This is it.
You ready?
All right. I'll go first.
Gabrielle wants to go to an academy for bards in Athens.
Make sure she gets there.
You're going to make it, Iolaus. I know you will.
Yeah. Sure.
Let me tell you another story.
Once, a long long time ago,
all people had four legs and two heads.
And then the gods threw down thunderbolts and split everyone into two.
Each half then had two legs and one head.
But the separation left both sides with a desperate yearning to be reunited
because they each shared the same soul.
And ever since then, all people spend their lives
searching... for the other half of their soul.
Iolaus?
Xena!
I'll free Prometheus!
Hercules! The sword!
Hercules!
Nice of you to drop in.
He's free.
You know, that wound can't take much more attention.
You're right. It'll be fine.
Yeah.
Iolaus, when you were kind of delirious back there, towards the end,
did you hear a story I told you?
No. I was out.
Well,
it was nice getting to know you.
It was more than nice.
Goodbyes are never easy.
We do make a good team.
No argument.
Just be safe.
You've taught me what to look for in life, Hercules.
Thank you.
Till we meet again.
- Hercules? - Yeah?
Do you believe everyone has someone out there that shares a part of their soul?
I know it.