Xena and Gabrielle ride Argo and Amber through a torrential storm caused by the gods angered by Zeus' murder. Just as a tornado bares down on them, a mysterious hooded figure points the way to a cave. Once inside, the girls discover Joxer and three Magi, who coincidentally were looking for Xena to congratulate her on her newborn. The Magi offer gifts to Eve who "ushers in a new world without gods." Xena and Gabrielle accept the gifts until the third Magi offers sacred laurel oil which Xena knows comes from the goddess Artemis. Xena throws it back into the Magi's face, destroying her flesh. Their cover blown, the remaining Magi fight Xena and Gabrielle and are defeated but not before Joxer gets cut. While Gabrielle takes Joxer to clean his wound, Ares, dressed in a hooded cape, appears before Xena. Realizing Joxer's cut could be fatal if it was inflicted by one of Apollo's men, Xena dashes off before Ares can finish. At Artemis' temple, Artemis' Priestess Tira, Apollo's Priest Tazor, and Poseidon's Priest Orcas conduct a human sacrifice to learn that their mission failed. Xena sends Gabrielle with Joxer to find a mandrake tree, which is the only antidote for the poison with which he might be infected. Xena and Eve set off in the opposite direction. As Xena nurses the baby, guards set off her early warning system and descend on them. Xena deftly wields her chakram with one hand and changes Eve's diaper with the other. A dirty diaper becomes a powerful weapon as it lands smack into a guard's face and diaper pins become effective as darts. As the last guard falls, Ares appears and once again professes his love and desire to help. Disgusted, Xena blows him off and disappears. On the trail, Gabrielle and Joxer have their own relationship discussions; Gabrielle blames Joxer's carelessness for putting them all in jeopardy and Joxer feels hurt that he gets criticized for trying to help his loved-ones. As the poison begins to weaken Joxer, the two make haste. Meanwhile, Xena dreams that Ares, pleading for her forgiveness, demonstrates his change of heart by saving the very child that will end his life. Ares pulls Xena to him and begins to passionately ravage her until she bolts awake. Disturbed by her dream, Xena continues to hack out her false trail before doubling back to join Gabrielle and Joxer at the tree. Gabrielle and Joxer run into a squad of Tira's female warriors. When accused of trespassing, Gabrielle offers that they were on their way to Artemis' temple and Joxer explains his condition by making up a story that they were attacked by Xena. Delayed on their quest, Joxer becomes increasingly feverish as Gabrielle temporarily leaves him to get water. While Xena awaits her companions, armies converge on her from all directions. Ares offers to fight them if Xena will have his child. Unwilling to sacrifice her future, Xena declines his offer and begins searching for her friends. Avoiding the army, Gabrielle returns to find Joxer hiding in a log. Delirious, Joxer asks why Gabrielle doesn't love him, to which she answers that she does love him--just not romantically. With Eve's help, Xena sees a kite intended to signal her and locates Gabrielle and Joxer. The armies arrive and a huge battle ensues. Ares temporaily halts the action and restates his offer but Xena, haunted by her dream, doesn't budge and the fight continues. Xena is amazed when Ares decides not to hurt Eve and disappears. Their leaders killed, the armies finally retreat. Xena quickly gives Joxer the antidote, which restores his health. DISCLAIMER Ares' virility was harmed during the production of this motion picture.