When Draxxus led them into the Temple Artemis and Tracey weren't sure what to expect but it wasn't an empty room with a deep hole in the floor. Artemis thought back to her dream and hid a shudder. Foreshadowing was a bitch. "So how does this work?" She asked.
"If you open the door again you're alive and Dahok is here. If not… well it was nice meeting you." He closed and barred the door shutting them into the temple and the well.
Artemis snorted. "Chicken."
"Aw no farewells?" Tracey said with a smirk but Draxxus had already gone. She turned to look at Artemis and shrugged before a series of images flashed into her mind and she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. This allowed her to control the flow of images into her mind, Tracey was pleased to see that Nargis had found Hercules and the others and that they had already arrived. She kind of wilted a bit when Nargis sent her images of their faces and a slight frown covered her features. "Well I have some good news and some bad news... which would you like to know first?" She coughed and drew her arms closer around her, trying to ignore the black well in the floor.
"Oh lets have the bad first, that way the good news is a pleasant after taste." Artemis replied watching the well.
"Well Hercules, Iolaus and Xena have figured out that we left without them and are pissed..." Tracey started with a frown. "But the good news is that they're here and they're looking for a way inside. So we have to figure out what to do now."
"Just let me in." A voice said from the well. "Thats all you have to do and I'll handle the rest."
A slight shiver went up Tracey's spine and she suddenly turned to face the well. She looked to Artemis and took a deep breath to calm her nerves and clasped her hand.

"You say it like it's that easy and we're actually going to listen to you." She laughed, searching deep inside herself and finding her center. When she did, Tracey began to reinforce it with her will and happy thoughts and memories. "What's your plan Arty?"
Artemis took a deep breath and Tracey felt her going still. It was unnerving since Artemis was never still, she was always moving, always doing something. She looked at Tracey and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry doll. This is our best shot at stopping him." She let go of Tracey's hand and stepped forward. "I'll let you in. But on one condition. You let Tracey walk out of here unharmed.
"Artemis Therrien I refuse to let you do this!" Tracey shouted in complete shock and outrage. "You're strong and I know this, but I can't let you run the risk of losing yourself if Dahok possesses you."
Tracey really didn't like this plan. "Think about what Iolaus will do."
Artemis turned and looked at her. "I have. And I've thought about what you'll do, and Hercules, and even Xena but I stand the best chance. I'm counting on you guys to help me find my way home." She backed up towards the well. "I'm not going in alone, remember? I have you and Iolaus and Hercules and Xena and everyone who made my life what it is. In my heart and soul."
"Okay, I'll let you do this but only under protest." Tracey said with a sigh. "I'll keep the others off your back and try to keep Dahok contained until you get back." Pulling Artemis into a tight embrace, Tracey didn't want to let go in case she never saw her again. "Be careful and be safe."
Artemis hugged her back and turned back to the well. She stood at the edge and looked down into the well. She could hear the sounds of fighting on the other side of the door. "Ok Dahok. Slip into someone a little more comfortable."
As she looked into the abyss she could feel it looking back. She saw a pair of slitted red vipers eyes approaching her at incredible speed. She lowered her defenses and stood waiting as the darkness welled up and sped into her with the impact of a tsunami. She felt like she should have been flung off her feet but the darkness only lifted her up as it poured into her She saw the door crash inwards and Hercules, Iolaus and Xena swarmed inside in time to watch the darkness pouring into her. Her heart ached at the stricken look on Iolaus face and saw the burning hatred on Xena's, Hercules just stared at her in disbelief. She had to look away as she felt the flow of Dahoks intrusion slowing. She cast a prayer out into the universe before she slipped into the black. "Gods and Goddesses to whom I owe allegiance. Give me strength to hold him, give me the power to destroy him and give my friends the love to forgive me."
The blackness swallowed her whole and she found herself face to face with Evil. Dahok laughed and it seared her but she stood firm and for the moment that was enough to keep him from using her body. She had to trust that Tracey would find a way to contain her until she could destroy him.
Iolaus collapsed to his knees when the blackness finished pouring into Artemis. He felt like he couldn't get a breath and there was a ringing in his ears. He vaguely heard Xena and Hercules berating Tracey for leaving without them, for putting themselves in such danger but all he could ask was one word. "Why?"
Everyone stopped talking and looked at him as he shoved himself to his feet and grabbed Tracey by the shoulders and screamed the word. "Why?!"
He was crying but didn't even notice as his blue eyes burned into hers with anguish, pain and the beginnings of loss. "She did it to save us!" Tracey snapped, grabbing his wrists and jamming her fingers into his pressure points and throwing him from her. "My guess is that we have about ten minutes before Dahok has time to get used to Artemis's body! If you want to help you'll either stay out of my way or you'll try to manifest your positive thoughts about Artemis and give her words of encouragement."
Without looking at them, Tracey was wiping her own tears from her face. It wasn't just because Iolaus had yelled at her and had gotten in her face, but she was worried about Artemis and she needed to bring her back safely. Tracey held her hands out to the well and fixated on it, slowing her breathing until it was even and she could have a better handle on her abilities. The earth shook a little beneath their feet and then the fragments of rocks and dust collected and formed a hard pillar on the floor to her left, a few inches from the well. She used flowing hand gestures to attract water to her next, it formed a pillar to her right just on the edge of the well. Tracey moved slowly to the other side of the well and didn't let her hands fall though they were starting to grow heavy. A column of air turned and twisted just on the edge and then she swallowed hard. "I will do what I have to... I'm sorry Hercules, I know you don't want me to use fire, but I have to." Tracey said softly, looking into his eyes and giving him a soft smile. "She's my family."
Tracey's eyes slowly turning red, fire burst forth from her hands and towered in the last spot that she needed the element to be present. With all the elements out on the floor, Tracey's irises became black and and droplets of blood started to trickle from her nose. Still she held on and she would continue to do so until she had Artemis back. Tracey poured her will into her abilities and prayed that it would be enough.
Hercules looked at Xena and they closed and barred the doors. Iolaus took a few deep breaths and managed to pull himself back together and watched Artemis as she stook completely still her eyes unfocused, face slack. He gritted his teeth and prayed to any God that would listen for help. Once Hercules and Xena barred the door Hercules moved to Tracey's side. "Slow down." He said softly. "Pace yourself or you'll burn out before before he does."
Iolaus was the first to see the change in Artemis. Her eyes focused and she looked around, then down at her arms and hands. When she looked up he winced, her eyes were red viper eyes and she gave a disturbing smile. "Well hello lover."
"Let. Her. Go." He ground out.
"She invited me in." Dahok said with her voice.
"I plan on discussing that with her." Iolaus replied shortly.
Dahok laughed and everyone's skin crawled. "You won't get a chance to discuss anything." He raised her arm and a whip of fire crawled from her fingertips and she cracked it menacingly.
"Trying to... " Tracey answered through gritted teeth. "This isn't as easy as it looks." Looking up at Artemis and grimacing, Tracey grabbed the pillar of water and flicked her wrist at her, encompassing her wrist and quenching the fire. The room began to steam, but she was able to disperse it and bring back the pillar of water. "Artemis! Fight him! I know you can!" She yelled at her. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Hurt her? What makes you think you could hurt her with me riding her?" Dahok taunted.
Iolaus stepped closer to Dahok and stared into Artemis's face, Dahok tried to take a step back but couldn't seem to move. Her face went blank and her eyes faded back to unfocused brown. He looked over a Tracey. "Now would be a really good time to put her in a cage of some kind… and maybe call for some back up.""Oh believe me, I'm several steps ahead of you, Iolaus. But I don't think you'll like who I'm going to call." Tracey answered, not even bothering to take care of the blood on her face yet. "Back up and give me some space to work."
Stomping her foot into the ground, her movements became more sharp and precise as she redirected the earth to wrap around Artemis's wrists and bring her to her knees. The fire she laid down all around Artemis to keep her warm without melting the water she froze around her arms to keep her in place. Once this was done, Tracey wiped the blood from her nose and steadied herself after a brief round of virtigo made her head spin.
"Oh Ares! I know you're out there! Ares!" She hollered into the air. "I suggest you come down here and visit me or else you'll never see who's been causing havoc for you and your unscheduled wars... I warn you now if you bring Demos I will kill him."
"Can you yell any louder?" Area asked appearing behind them.
He took in the scene and raised an eyebrow crossing his arms. "So… lovers quarrel?" He asked sarcastically. "Cause thats really more Aphrodites gig."
"Not this time it isn't." Tracey growled. "Yes I can but you wouldn't like it... On another matter, here..." She pointed to Artemis and then looked back to the black-clad God beside her. "You asked to be told when and if we found out anything about the power surges and Dahok is the cause for them. Now what are you going to do about it?" She asked. "And don't give me any bullshit answer about not being able to do anything because Zeus said not to... we both know you like to mettle and at the moment Artemis isn't mortal so you can help here. Unless you want Dahok to rewrite history and exclude all the Gods, including yourself." She gave him a smirk and tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to figure out what he was going to do.
Ares smirked. "Oh I know how to handle the situation." He raised a hand and Iolaus tackled him.
"Don't you even try or I will find a way to kill you." Iolaus snarled a split second before he was thrown across the room to land in a heap against a wall.
Hercules put himself between Ares and Artemis. "Killing her isn't the answer here Ares."
"Tartarus it isn't." Ares snapped. "He's contained, he's helpless for the moment. Now is the perfect time you sentimental idiot!"
"I didn't ask you to come here to kill Artemis, Ares." Tracey growled, her voice low and menacing. "Combine your powers with mine and we should be able to force Dahok out so we can purify him with a fuck ton of fire." She took a step toward him, a hand out to her side as a ball of fire accumulated there.
"Kill her and you'll be on my list." She mocked. "Think about it, you have an opportunity here to have a taste of the power I have, perhaps even wield it for a while. There's no doubt that if we combined power you'd acquire some of mine and think of the havoc you could raise with it..."

Dahok let Artemis watch what was going on while he whispered in her mind. "You know they can't stop me, stop us. I was hoping you would be the one to open to me. You're so… different, so strong and pragmatic. You understand power. You've been powerless, but you don't have to be, I can make you great."
Artemis looked at the illusionary manifestation of Dahok. He had chosen to look like Iolaus in some attempt to appeal to her. She raised an eyebrow. "Do I look that easy?"
He laughed and her stomach clenched at the evil sound coming from Iolaus's body. She laughed back high and mocking. "Oh come on, it's classic Evil Villain. Next you'll start monologuing about how you plan to take over the world. Usually the offer to join you comes after the monolog but it's still early for Bond Movies."
"You're right. I did get it out of order. It's so confusing sometimes, I see the future and live in the past because I am denied a present. You are the perfect bridge, with a power that fits me so well and you're a sorceress to boot." Dahok shrugged and reached out to brush the ends of her hair.
Artemis crossed her arms watching Area and Tracey debate the merits of blowing her body to kingdom come. "Give me a better reason than power to join you Dahok. I already have power."
Dahok smirked. "How about love?"
His voice dripped with scorn when he said love. Artemis shook her head. "Love is why I'm here holding you down in the first place."
"I understand the love for your friend but the men? The warrior woman? You barely know them." Dahok drawled and moved behind her resting his hands on her shoulders while they watched Iolaus struggle to his feet with Xena's help.
"Don't pretend you know what love even is Dahok. You're a God of Destruction. The darkness that lies between stars and the emptiness of a broken heart. I didn't realize it at first, I'm a little rusty on my Elder Gods but I figured it out when I felt you fill me. You were the darkness that prompted Jehova to speak the words, 'Let there be Light.'. He had help of course, No one God could have pulled off something as complex as the Universe but you were the reason for the creation of light." Artemis smirked up at him.
"Yesssss." He hissed angrily. "That pure light that drove me out. Jokes on him though, the dark always comes back."
Artemis shrugged. "Life is pain princess. Anyone telling you differently is selling you something.
"So what will you do. You can't destroy the dark and Destruction is the inevitable end of all. Entropy, such a delicious way to finish a meal." Dahok turned her to face him, a mocking parody of the tender way Iolaus held her.
Artemis gave him a bright smile and it confused him. She wrapped her arms around his neck suddenly and brought him down for a kiss, just before their lips met she whispered. "I'm going to light a candle in the dark motherfucker." She locked her mouth on his leaping up and bringing him to the ground. Her body pinned his while she poured white fire into him. 'Forest fires destroy but they also allow new life to grow from the ashes.' She thought as her physical body began to burn with a white hot incandescent fire so hot Traceys water flash steamed. EVeryone fell back at the sheer heat that poured from Artemis locked in stone.
"And now it's time to get back to work. Get back and let us work!" Tracey shouted, drawing back from the hot stone. "Ares, we're up. Do this for me and I'll give you one night." She didn't need to explain further and turned away from him.
Reaching out both hands, fingers extending to the pillar of fire that twisted on the edge of the well, it flew into her hands as if it were coming home to her soul. She twisted it and manipulated it with her energy, causing it to grow bright in color. At the moment it went from fire- red to a darker blue and then to a lighter blue. She couldn't give it anymore juice or else the consequences would be damaging, she was already starting to feel the effects and her legs were starting to shake. The fireball in between her hands was large and now she was just waiting for Ares to help. She looked at him through her black eyes and waited. He sighed and poured his fire into hers until it burned so hot Tracey felt like she'd be melted. She poured that fire over Artemis and Hercules, Xena and Iolaus had to leave the chamber or be burned by the intensity of the heat. Iolaus stayed as close to the door as he could and watched heart in his throat.
Dahok threw Artemis's head back and screamed, a sound full of rage and hatred. Tracey couldn't see well past the white hot corona that surrounded Artemis but she thought she saw the Darkness that had poured into her friend splintering away under the fire. Foul ash floated on the air and was dispersed. The white hot fire covering Artemis started to fade and Tracey felt her own power faltering. Ares dropped his hands letting his own power fade away. As the roaring sound of fire faded away they heard the cracking of stone and the soft pops of quartz exploding inside the stone floor. The heat was oppressive and Ares backed away towards the cooler hallway as Iolaus moved forward. He couldn't approach Artemis because the floor was too hot to stand on but he stood and waited. Tracey dropped to her knees and let her hands fall to her side, her chest heaving as she breathed in stuffy and hot air, but it was air nonetheless. She coughed fitfully and wiped more blood from her nose than she ever had before, which was understandable with the amount of power she had just endured with Ares. Her vision started to blur and she blinked many times to clear out the splotches and white snow that threatened to take hold. "Artemis..." She said softly, looking to where she saw another form on the ground. "Hold on."
The ground slowly started steam as it cooled from the water Tracey was able to pour over it with the last bit of energy she had. Tracey started to crawl to Artemis and when she got there, she took her wrist and felt for a pulse. Her lips moved silently and she counted, a slight smile on her lips when her other hand floated over her still form and she couldn't sense a trace of Dahok's evil presence anywhere, he was gone, completely and utterly nonexistent. "Iolaus... if you please..." She said quietly, directing him to come forward. "She's all yours."
Tracey slowly made her way to her feet, a sudden laugh escaped from her lips before she could stop it. It was a little weird and she was pretty sure everyone was giving her a concerned look, but she couldn't help herself and she smirked at Ares. "So that's what it's like to share power with a God... Tell me Ares, was it as good for you as it was for me?"
Ares gaped at her and then started laughing. "Oh you are a feisty one. Maybe too feisty for someone like my half brother."
Hercules had come forward and reached out to touch Tracey. "Shut up Ares" He snapped.
Iolaus used the hilt of his sword to break the stone holding her in place and pulled her into his arms sinking to the ground to hold her. She was covered in soot and her skin was milk white, he was really starting to hate that pallor on her. He stroked her hair as he cradled her against his chest, relieved that she was alive and breathing but terrified of what might have happened to her mind. "Wake up Art… please." He whispered resting his forehead against hers.
Maybe it was the please that did it but he felt her stir and moved his head to look down at her. She blinked groggily and coughed up soot. "Remind me… not to… imitate the sun…" She wheezed and he gave a choked half laugh tears sliding down his cheeks.
She looked up at him through the soot and ash and reached up to run her hand through his hair. He took her hand and tried to scowl at her. "I am so mad at you." He rasped.
"I know." She replied and held his hand.
Tracey watched as Artemis moved in Iolaus's arms and her smile only grew as he scooped her up into his arms and comforted her. She looked at Ares and smirked again, giving him a respectful bow and telling him to stay smokin' before he vanished in a flash of light. Turning her attention to Hercules, she rested her head on his chest and weakly wrapped her arms around him, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Don't be angry with us... please..."
She looked up, almost pleadingly, into his eyes before she started to slump in his arms. "I'm so exhausted right now... can we argue when we get back to the inn?"
Emotions warred on his face but he finally reined in his temper and hugged her tightly. "Tomorrow, we'll talk about all of this tomorrow."
Xena watched all of them and sighed. "I'll get you back to Corinth, then I'm going to the Bards School to tell Gabrielle it's all over. That should cheer her up."