Related Hercules Episodes: Full Circle.
In the temple of the fates, Zeus (Charles Keating) and Hera (Meg Foster) learn that their time of ruling over humanity will soon come to an end when a child who is not begotten by man is born. Having heard about Xena's (Lucy Lawless) pregnancy, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) arrives to congratulate her. Moments after their reunion, they are ambushed by Proxidicae, soldiers in Zeus' secret guard. Xena, Hercules and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) temporarily ward off the attackers, but know that Zeus won't be so easily defeated. Xena decides she must go to Tartarus to get Hades' helmet of invisibility and Hercules leaves to find Zeus. Xena worries that she won't be able to protect her child just as she was unable to protect her son Solan (Nicko Vella).
Hercules angrily confronts Zeus and Hera and lets them know that he will do everything in his power to protect Xena and her unborn baby. Zeus then turns to his son Ares (Kevin Smith) to keep Hercules out of the way so that he can kill Xena. Resentful that Hercules was always his father's favorite, Ares agrees to deal with his brother as long as he can get rid of him permanently. Just as Ares attacks Hercules, Hera appears and knocks Ares unconscious. Hercules is suspicious of his step-mother's aid until she further offers to lead him to a weapon that could destroy Zeus -- a dagger made from his grandfather Chronos' rib. Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle are shocked to find Solan chained up as a prisoner in the underworld's cavern of eternal memory. He tells them he chose to be there so that he could watch the life he led with his mother -- as painful as that is -- rather than live in ignorant bliss in the Elysian Fields. Heartbroken, Xena frees Solan and the three set out to find the helmet. When they arrive in the throne room, Hades tells Xena he cannot allow her baby to bring about the end of the Olympian order and offers to spare Gabrielle and take Solan to the Elysian Fields if Xena surrenders. Not interested in any deal, Xena takes on the Proxidicae as Gabrielle puts on the helmet and disappears. Xena and Solan race off into the darkness.
Hera leads Hercules to the cavern where Chronos is buried. Hercules tells her that although he can never forgive her for killing his family, he appreciates the danger she has put herself in to help him. When Zeus discovers Ares has failed him and that his own wife has turned against him, he sets out to kill Hercules and Xena himself. Meanwhile, Ares confronts Xena, confesses his love for her and offers to become mortal to spend his life with her. Xena doesn't buy any of it.
Gabrielle catches up with Xena and Solan just as Xena starts to go into labor. As Hades and his guards arrive, Xena gives the helmet to Solan and instructs him to run to the gate of the Elysian Fields. In a furious battle, Xena and Gabrielle temporarily thwart Hades and the Proxidicae, after which Xena says goodbye to her son who has crossed through the gateway.
Back in the cavern containing Chronos' remains, Hercules pulls a rib from the ground just as Zeus arrives and starts blazing fireballs at him. Hera offers to distract Zeus while Hercules rushes off to find Xena. Furious with her betrayal, Zeus kills his wife.
Another painful contraction sends Xena and Gabrielle hurrying out of Tartarus. In order to protect Xena, Hercules is forced into a ruthless battle with Zeus and eventually kills his father with the special dagger. Xena gives birth to a beautiful baby girl who is destined to change the world.
Guest Starring: Charles Keating (Zeus), Meg Foster (Hera), Kevin Smith (Ares), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Stephen Lovatt (Hades), Nicko Vella (Solan), Elizabeth Pendergrast (Atropos), Chloe Jordan (Lachesis), Samantha Adriaanse (Clotho), Slade Leef (Xena's Proxidicae), Stuart Thorpe (Hercules' Proxidicae)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Teleplay by Roberto Gaston Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Story by Chris Manheim
Directed by Philip Sgriccia