7. Back in the Bottle

After leaving Chin, Xena discovers that she cannot reliably control the powers she learned from Lao Ma's book. Touching a forgotten bag of black powder gives her a vision of Gabrielle and Joxer being killed in a rocket attack. She realizes that their earlier victory has not ended the threat and turns back.

K'ao Hsin is leading refugees away from Khan's advancing army. He has summoned Ming T'ien's spirit, accompanied by Pao Ssu, and obtained the black-powder formula. Xena decides that the refugees cannot reach safety before the army catches them and organizes shelter in the caves beneath Lao Ma's palace.

Gabrielle works with the warrior Lin Chi to defend the approaches. When they enter the enemy camp to destroy its ammunition, Khan traps them in the tent and lights a fuse. Xena senses the danger and uses her power to remove the air, extinguishing it before they are killed.

As the main army attacks, Gabrielle, Lin Chi and Joxer rescue prisoners being used as human shields. Xena creates a barrier that turns the rockets back on the attackers, but the effort exhausts her. When Gabrielle loses her weapons and takes up a broken spear as a staff, Xena recognizes the moment from her vision.

Refusing to let the predicted deaths occur, Xena draws on her desire to protect the people she loves. She directs her power against the forces bearing the Green Dragon's emblem and turns the army to stone, creating the Terracotta Army. The spirits behind the assault are destroyed.

Gabrielle says goodbye to Lin Chi, and Xena explains to K'ao Hsin that love rather than hatred enabled the final act, affirming the lesson Lao Ma tried to teach.