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Part I

Hades' Deal

"But I am sick of Callisto!" Hades roared. "She intimidates even those wretched souls who are doomed to spend eternity here in Tartarus!"

"She is so rugged, so powerful.." Ares said, in a reflecting manner. "I have seen her worst side, Hades. But I also know a side to Callisto that you have never seen or experienced."

"Well, I think she deserves solitary isolation in the worst part of Tartarus!"

"No! I say, give her a chance to redeem herself. Hades, look...what do you have to lose?"

"Hmmm... well, you may have a point, Ares. After all, I do stand to gain some new people here, because she will KILL them..."

"You are wrong! Just wait and see! Give her this one chance. She never got a fair break as a child. I know it will be a real challenge, but I think she deserves a chance."

"Ares, I will give her this chance, but if she fails..."

"Then she goes right back where she is now. What do you have to lose? After all, you don't want her to be immortal, either."

Hades thought to himself for a few moments. The splendor of his kingdom around him was not indicative of the dreadful underworld kingdom of Tartarus. Ares looked around, glad that his kingdom was somewhat nicer...

"I will allow this trial, Ares, my dear Brother."

"Then, call for Callisto. That is, if you have the backbone to do this!"

Callisto led a lonely existence in Tartarus. She was so wicked and spiteful that even those tortured souls were afraid of her. She often thought, "If only I could get revenge on Xena!" She realized, however, that eternity here was hopeless. She would never escape, nor could she get revenge on Xena-unless Xena came here, too. Now, THAT would be different! Why, she could fight Xena throughout eternity...

"Callisto! Come here!" the voice of Hades interrupted her thoughts of Xena. "We must talk!"

As Callisto made her way to Hades' palace, she noted the many wretched souls around her. She recognized some, because she was the one who killed them. She noticed how sad and forlorn they all looked, and how void of happiness this place was. She hated it, to be sure.

"Hades will see you now," the guard told her, as he opened the palace door.

"Hades! What do you want?"

"Callisto, I want to know your feelings about my kingdom here!"

"I would like to be the one to ask YOU that question, Hades, if I were in charge!"

As Hades laughed to himself, Callisto was irritated with his attitude. Yet, she wondered what the meaning of this call was. With an impatient look on her face, she waited. "I just wanted to make you an offer, Callisto. A chance to get out of here... but, I warn you, it won't be easy."

Callisto's eyes brightened. "You want to give me a chance to get out of here?"

"Yes, compliments of Ares. And I know what you're thinking! No, you will not look for revenge on Xena. If I give you this chance at redemption, you will follow my rules, do you understand?"

"Let's hear your rules first, Hades!"

"Very well. First, you must reform your ways. No more hatred, no more deranged thoughts. That is first and foremost. You must forget this obsession with Xena. It brought you here in the first place! If you want to spend all eternity here, with no hope of ever getting out, then follow your old way. But if you want something better, then you have a choice."

"But I'd love to rip Xena's heart out, Hades!"

"Yes, I know. But that attitude led you here rather than the Elysian Fields, Callisto. Is that what you want?"

Callisto thought of being anywhere but here. A strange sadness filled her heart, as she imagined life as a free person on Earth. "I would rather be anywhere instead of being here, Hades. You know that!"

"That's what I thought, although you definitely belong here. You will go on a journey, which will be filled with trials and tribulations. It won't be easy, but you will have the opportunity to prove yourself to me. If you err, you will immediately return to your cell in Tartarus."

"A journey? Trials? Is that all?"

"Oh, and I forgot one more thing. You lose your immortality."

"What! Lose it!"

"Yes, that's what I said. Look at it this way, Callisto- immortality here is pointless. Everyone here is now immortal, because they will spend eternity here. And just think-they will enjoy my 'hospitality' forever!"

As she thought, she looked around. Hades' palace was splendid, but she wanted out of here, no matter what. Besides, how much more grueling could this trial be than living in Tartarus? Looking up at Hades, she said, "I accept the trial."

"Very well, then! I will make all the arrangements."