abstract
| - Marcus, Xena's redeemed but deceased past lover (see The Path Not Taken), appears to Xena telling her that all hell has broken loose in Tartarus because Atyminius has stolen Hades' Helmet of Invisibility and has used this power to force the good people to suffer in Tartarus and the bad ones to party down in the Elysian Fields. Marcus tells Xena he needs her help. Xena heeds the call, and enters Tartarus through a lake. Xena and Marcus head for Hades' castle and are attacked by Harpies. Defeating the Harpies, Xena meets with Hades who informs her that Atyminius, by taking the Helmet of Invisibility to the world of mortals, has become mortal again. This means he can be killed, be relieved of the Helmet, and returned securely to Tartarus. Xena cuts a deal with Hades which includes making Marcus mortal again for 48 hours and requires Xena to capture Atyminius. Meanwhile, Atyminius pops out of the lake and terrorizes Gabrielle. Gabrielle fights back but Atyminius finally wings her, but before he can do any permanent damage, Xena and Marcus emerge from the lake and start to chase him. Mid-pursuit, the trio decide to camp out for the rest of the night. The next day Xena, Marcus, and Gabrielle wind up at a wedding party in a nearby village. Xena talks to the bride's father, brings him up to snuff, and agrees to masquerade as the bride during the ritual bathing, which just happens to be one of Atyminius' favorite times to slice and dice. But Atyminius overhears the plan and decides to attack the bride as she sleeps in her room. However, Xena outsmarts him. She is actually masquerading as the bride sleeping while the real princess is doing the ritual bathing. Xena throws a blanket over Atyminius, skewers him, and takes his helmet. Gabrielle waits by the lake edge as Xena and Marcus return to Hades. Xena manipulates Hades by demanding that he move Marcus from Tartarus to the Elysian Fields. Hades agrees.
- Xena crosses the River Styx to the Underworld, in order to help Marcus in stopping a madman from destroying the Elysian Fields.
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