In the opener of Sin Trade II, Xena is once again forced to face her dark past to ultimately defeat the evil incarnate Alti. With the aide of the young amazon tribe Xena begins to search and prepare for battle with Alti.    Xena and Otere (the young amazon leader from Sin Trade I) go through the amazon purification (purging of souls) ritual. Xena and Otere discuss a tender moment when Otere acknowledges to Xena that she knows Xena's army was responsible for her father's death as well as the burning of her village. Xena takes the opportunity to plead with Otere to allow her to help her  build a new life so she will not be consumed with hate over Xena's past mistakes. Xena states, " this is the new start that Gabrielle gave me." Otere agrees.   Xena introduces the new Shamaness, Katuri, to the amazon tribe and begins the strategy for defeating Alti -- "the dance of the spirits."    Alti sensing Xena's closeness creates and conjures up new demon spirits to attack Xena and the amazons as they attempt to leave their bodies to join the spiritual time. Xena senses the spirits presence and returns to her physical body to fight off the attack. Meanwhile she is fighting for the lives of her amazon friends whom have been inhabitated by the demon spirits. After knocking the amazons out Xena pleads with them to internally fight the demons and force them out with their sheer will.    The next morning the journey continues, as Xena realizes that Alti's power lies in the Land of the Dead where the amazon dead have been trapped. They set up a charm ring to keep Alti and her demon friends away as they sleep, while Xena watches through the night.    (During this journey the audience is allowed to see more flashbacks as Xena discusses her past so the young amazons can gain an understanding of the situation and what they are up against. The audience discovers Xena's betrayal to Cyane, Queen of the Amazons, as well as the brutal and savage deaths of all the amazon leaders at the hands of Xena.)      During Xena's watch while the amazons sleep, she is attacked by a spider that temporarily takes the illusion of Gabrielle. Then quickly takes the form of Alti choking Xena demanding to know who the blond girl is. Xena describes Gabrielle as being the "goodness" and "innocence" that lives inside of her and that Alti is threatened by those qualities because she knows she will lose the battle. Xena goes into a deep sleep induced by the spider bite and Alti informs her that Solan was cursed from the beginning to never have known the love of either parent. Xena discusses this revelation with the amazons, having finally understood it herself.   As they near  the Amazon resting place the skeletons of Cyane and the other amazon leaders remain pummeled to the trees. A final tribute is given to them by Xena and the young amazons.   As Xena senses Alti's forces very near she is forced to put the pinch on all the amazons including herself to save everyone's souls and goodness. The amazons join with  Xena's spirit in the  spiritual realm to battle Alti.   As Xena and Alti battle, Xena begins to see visions of her future --visions leading to her death. It is then that Xena realizes that Alti is trying to kill her by having her experience her own death. (FYI - these visions will  actually  take place in future eps).   Xena's last vision includes Gabrielle - which pictues both of them on crosses ready to be crucified. It is at that moment that Xena realizes that in order for Gabrielle to be dying in her future it has to mean she is alive now. At that moment Xena pummels Alti into a tree branch and kills her, thus Alti discovers her future as well.    As Xena returns to her physical body and awakens the amazons she is relieved and hopeful once more. Xena recites the new holy word for the amazons- -LOVE and at that moment Cyane and the other amazons are freed to pass the gate into eternity. Xena departs for home after telling Otere that Gabrielle is alive and leaves to continue to search for her soulmate.

By Jennifer