DESTINY

By: Sylvia

Disclaimer: They don’t belong to me. I am only borrowing them for my story. The

Character Arianna however is mine, please do no use without my express

Permission.

Archive: Please take it if you like, just let me know where I can visit it

Arianna woke up in a cold sweat. The same dreams again haunted her. Those faces, who were they, why was she dreaming bout them. Warriors from a time long ago. A dark hair woman, blonde, and that man. Tall rugged build. Who were they and why did they play such a dominant part in her dreams.

Arianna looked at her clock, it was 4 in the morning, rather the try sleep again she decides to go and make her coffee. The dream still vivid in her mind. She had been plagued by these dreams for months. At first she paid no mind to them, just figured that she was watching way to many fantasy flicks or maybe concentrating to hard on those scrolls, but now they came more frequently, more vivid then ever. She couldn’t help the feeling of being tied to these dreams or visions or what ever they were. She broke out of her reverie and notices she was almost late for work. She quickly showered, dressed, and ran out the door, totally unaware that she had been watched.

A man, very tall, very rugged, decked out in black leather, with a one earring and bearing a sword at appeared. He smiled at the space where Arinanna had just been standing. “Very soon my sweet very soon,” with that he disappeared.

Arinanna walked on to the campus of The University where she worked as a Professor of Archeology. During her life she had become fascinated in the studies of ancient cities especially the myths and legends of the time. She had devoted her life studying to become an Archeologist and had succeeded in surpassing even that to land this job at the University as well as gaining her PHD. Arinanna was well educated in various understandings of ancients scripts, mostly from Greek and Roman times, as well as extensive knowledge of the weaponry of that time period.

She had inherited her love of that time period from her grandmother Mel Pappas, a very famous archeologist who, with the help of Janis Covington, was able to uncover the

Xena Scrolls. The very same scrolls that Arianna was very fortunate enough to obtain. She had been looking forward to being able to study them, but that was before the dreams, now she wasn’t so sure.

She was able to get through the day without giving much thought to the scrolls or the dream she had, as she got into her car at the end of the day, she felt a strange tingling on the back of her neck and a feeling that someone was watching her. This made her very uneasy especially since there had been a few murders at the University of the last few weeks. So just to be safe, she got out and flagged down a security guard to inspect her car. Howard came over and looked in. “All clear Professor.”

“Thanks Howard, with all that has been going on with the murders and all, I guess I’m a little spooked.”

“ No problem Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and resumed his patrol.

Feeling better Arianna got back into her car and drove off. She walked into her apartment and laid down her briefcase. After grabbing a soda she decided to take a look at those scrolls.

“Yes why don’t we do that”?

Arianna spun around nearly upsetting her drink; she stared at the figure before her. The man was tall with dark luscious curls, very muscular build, all squeezed into tight black leather. She didn’t notice she was licking her lips at the site of the gorgeous stranger in her house. But she soon shook that one off, and grabbed her broom.

“Who the hell are you and why are in my apartment,” she demanding not moving her stance, as she stood ready to attack the man.

“I am Ares, God of War, and I am your destiny”

Arianna stood in shock. Here the actual War God was in her house, saying that he was her destiny.

Ares began to move close to her,” I’m surprised your grandmother never mentioned me.”

“Back off Ares, she told me plenty about you, in fact that last I heard of it you were supposed to be trapped in Macedonia in you temples. How did you manage to get out?”

Ares smiled as he moved closer, he placed his hands on her shoulder. “Oh my dear, don’t you know that you can’t trap the God of War. I was able to get out thanks to an earthquake I was able to cook up. And since you are the last descendant of Xena, I’m here to make sure you don’t put me back.”

“And just how are you going to do that,” challenged Arianna, instantly wishing she had kept her mouth shut.

“Like this, have fun,” with an evil grin Ares waved his hand opening a portal.

Arianna felt herself being pulled thru. She grabbed on to the table as Ares stood laughing at her feeble attempts. She soon lost her grip and went hurling into the portal. She could still hear him laughing as she saw the portal close.

After the portal closed Ares sighed, “ Now that little matter is taken care of, on to business. To bad really she looked more like Xena then any of them. Oh well, I am finally rid of that cursed warrior princess and her family for ever.” With that he disappeared.

Arianna felt herself falling thru the portal; she closed her eyes hoping wherever she landed it would hurt much. All of the sudden her decent stopped. She opened her eyes to find herself sitting on a wagon full of hay. “ Well at least it is soft,” she thought,” I better find out where I am.” She got down and took a look around soon realizing that she had landed right in the middle of a fortress of some kind and was surrounded by warrior.

“Oh god I knew I should have stayed in bed this morning.”

Chapter 2

Arianna stared in bewilderment as the warrior began to close in around her. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at. Just then she heard one of them shout, “ Intruder!! Get her!” Arianna looked around quickly and grabbed the first thing closest to her, a pitchfork.

She began to deflect the warrior’s moves and was able to take them out with ease.

Watching from a tower window, a figure stared at the newcomer, marveling at the skill this woman possessed.

After the quick battle Arianna looked down at the unconscious warriors and smiled, “ Not bad if I do say so myself.” Then she looked up and saw a dark haired warrior coming towards her. She was a tall well build warrior. Arianna noticed that she had a chakram at her side, but even more she was amazed the warrior was the spitting image of her. Not only that but this was the same woman that had haunted her dreams. She quickly broke out of her thought when she noticed one of the warriors had come to and was ready to attack her again. She took her stance waiting to defend herself when she heard that warrior woman shout, “Enough!” They both stopped dead in their tracks as the dark hair one moved over to Arianna.

Arianna just gaped, as she stood toe to toe with her mirror image, finally able to speak she asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Xena. But more importantly who are you?”

“My name is Arianna.”

“Well Arianna,” said the warrior as she walked round Arianna looking her over, “ You have got a lot of gall just waltzing in here the way you did.”

“I didn’t waltz in here, I fell in here.”

“Really, so you just fell out of the sky?” with that the other warriors broke out in laughter. The warrior woman held up her hand and her men stopped.

“Well as a matter of fact, yes I did just fall out of the sky.”

Xena walked up to her and looked her dead in the eyes and gave her a cold glare. “ Well then Arianna you picked a bad time to do that.” With that Xena drew her sword and lunged at Arianna. Arianna dodged her, swinging around, quickly disarming one of Xena’s men and grabbed his sword. She took a stance waiting for Xena’s next move.

Xena gave her cry, “AYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY,” and lunged again, this time Arianna blocked her. Xena tried again but Arianna was able to match her move for move. Xena was starting to get angry so she whipped out her chakram and flung it at the newcomer only to stare when she caught it with ease. Arianna flung it back saying, “ Is that the best you can do Xena, I thought you were the warrior princess?”

Xena didn’t notice that Arianna had called her the warrior princess and made another move on her. The battle went on for hours until both women were near exhaustion. Finally Xena broke off, “ We can go on for hours more woman, but I have more important things to do, Darphis take her to the dungeon, but don’t touch her. She’s got spunk I like that. But keep her closely guarded.”

“Yes mistress.”

Arianna was so tired that she went with him willingly. At least she would be safe for now.

After a meager meal which could be called dinner at the povarello house, Arianna settled in for the night, waiting to see what would befall her the next day. Somewhere else in the fortress Xena was in a meeting with her lieutenant Darphis.

“What are you going to do with the woman my mistress?”

“I’m going to keep her around for a while, she is hiding something. I need to find out who she is, why she is here, and why in Tarturas she looks like me.”

“But my mistress, that could be dangerous, her fighting skills match your own.”

“I know Darphis, but I have a feeling she won’t fighting us for much longer, When I get her to trust me and I get my information then she dies. In the mean time noone and I mean noone touches her. Understood.”

“Understood mistress.”

“Now leave me and stop calling me mistress.”

“ Yes mis..” Darphis stopped short, bowed. He then turned to leave Xena in her thoughts

“Who is this woman? Why is she here? Why now when I’m so close to getting to

Hercules. I can’t let her spoil those plans. I think of what to do with her in the morning,” thought Xena as she turned in for the night.

Chapter 3

Arianna tossed and turned in her cell bed wishing she were back home. “ Damn that

Ares” she thought, “Just wait til I get back, I’ll kick his immortal butt from here to Taturus and back, then I’ll put him where he belongs.” She smiled at that thought, for the first time since she came here, she felt a little be better.

Her thoughts then turned to Xena. This Xena is nothing like the one she had read about in the scrolls. This Xena seemed hard and ruthless, so unlike the Warrior for the greater good as Gabrielle had put it in the scrolls. Had the scrolls been wrong? Then it hit, Arianna remembered reading the first scroll. It had contained the story of Xena’s warlord days before meeting Hercules and Gabrielle. But why had Ares sent her here?

“He probably thought this Xena would kill me, Think again Ares”

Mean while back in the present time. Ares decided to take a break from causing war to check up on Arianna. He smiled as he watched her struggle to sleep. “ Well not exactly what I wanted for her but Darphis will take care of that soon enough. I had better pay him a visit just to make sure.” He waved his hand and transported himself to Darphis’quarters.

“Darphis”

Darphis spun around at the sound of his name. “ Lord Ares” he sputtered as he bowed before the dark god, “ To what do I owe the honor?”. Ares walked over to Darphis, grabbed him by his vest, “I want to know why the girl is still living.”

“Xena had requested that noone touch her til she decides what is to be done, Lord”

“And when will that be?”

“Tomorrow Morning”

“Good I trust with your influence, you will be able to convince Xena that this stranger is a threat to her conquest. The girl has to die.”

“Of course Lord Ares I will see to it.”

“ See that you do Darphis” With that Ares disappeared

The next morning Arianna awoke to the sound of her cell door opening. A solider came in, handed her a bundle of clothes with instruction to dress in them. When she finished Arianna was taken to the main hall where she was met by Xena. Xena looked up from her meal and motioned for Arinanna to sit next to her. Arianna did so and waited for Xena to speak.

Xena got up and walked around the room for a bit before coming to Arianna, “ You know, noone has ever stood up against me like that. Where did you learn how to fight?”

“I was trained from childhood.”

“Where are you from, you’re not from here, I could tell from you clothes.”

Arianna thought for a minute. She knew Xena was her relative and that revealing any part of the future could be very damaging. She had to choose her words carefully. Finally she spoke, “ I come from a land far in the west, across the sea.”

“Across the sea huh? Exactly why did you suddenly decide to drop in on my army?”

“I don’t know, I was sent here against my will”

“By a god”

“Yes”

“Which one?”

“ I’d rather not say, I think he sent me her for you to kill me.”

“ To kill you, you must have done something really bad to make him want you dead.”

“Yea I was born” Arianna muttered under her breath hoping Xena didn’t hear her. “ So what is going to happen to me now.”

“Well right now you will serve me, if you get out of line you die, got it?”

“Yes”

“Good, oh one more thing just to make sure we understand each other.” Xena lunged out at Arianna and placed the pinch on her. Arianna could have undone it but that would have raised more questions and doubts so she let it ride. She could feel her blood draining from her head. She began to feel dizzy, grasping for air, waiting for the moment when Xena would release her, hoping she would before Arianna would be forced to do it herself. Lucky Xena released her, “Now do we understand one another?” “Yes mistress,” answered Arianna as she sat gasping for air.

“ Good your duties start now, clear the table and finish the other cleaning chores then met me in my quarters tonight.” With that Xena left Arianna to start her work.

Darphis stopped Xena in the corridor, “ Are you sure it is wise to let her live, she is a danger to us.”

“ No Darphis, I don’t think she is, She says she was brought here by a god, there must be a reason for that and I intend to keep her alive till I find out. Are the men ready to move out?”

“Yes”

“ Good let’s go”

Arianna watched out the window as Xena and her men rode out to take over another town. She sat down thank the gods that she had managed to survive for another day, and swearing to Ares that she would get him for this.

Chapter 4

Arianna looked around the room and sighed. How in the name of the gods was she going to manage this one? This was nothing like her world, no modern conveniences here; she was literally going to have to get on her hands and knees to clean this place. She did have a little advantage though, thru her studies she knew enough about this time period to survive, but studying about it and actually living it were two different things.

All day she went around cleaning the fortress, along the way she came across a room. Before she could investigate it, another servant stopped Arianna.

“What are you doing? That is the room of our mistress noone is allowed in there at all.”

“Why not?”

“We don’t question we only do. Why do you think any of us are still alive?”

“I understand, thank you”

“You stick with me dear I will get you thru this” the servant went on about her chores.

Arianna watched the servant walk away then looked back at the room. She went to the door and began to turn the knob then stopped. “I better not push this.”

She went bout her work, then walked back to her cell to await the arrival of Xena. She didn’t have to wait that long.

Arianna could hear the triumphant cries of the warriors. “ Another village taken,” she thought, “ Hooray”. Just then she felt a presence in the room. She sat up and looked around. When she didn’t see anything she laid back down.

“Hello Arianna, how do you like your new accommodations?”

Arianna sat up again. “Ares! You jerk! Show yourself!”

“Tsk Tsk Tsk such language and from a teacher no less. Really Arianna you should watch what you say.”

She got up and pushed Ares back against the wall. “You Son of a Bacchae how dare you even show yourself after what you did. What are you doing here anyways? Making sure Xena kills me. Well guess what as you can see I am still here alive and kicking.”

Ares smiled at Arianna, “So I have noticed but don’t gloat to long, it won’t last.” Then he disappeared.

Arianna was about to respond when the door to her cell opened up and a guard escorted her to Xena quarters. “Sit” Arianna did as she was told. Xena read over some battle plans, looked up at Arianna, then back at plans. “My lieutient seems to think you are a danger to us, any thoughts on that?” Arianna thought a moment, “No.”

“What did you do in your home?”

“I am a teacher”

“A woman teacher, that is a bit unusual, what did you teach?”

“My teaching mostly focus on Greek and Roman Cultures.”

”Well that explains how you know our language, as well as my warrior princess title. Though I didn’t know my reputation had preceded me that far. Come and brush my hair.”

“Yes mistress.” As Arianna brushed her hair, Xena continued to question her. Arianna was very careful in answering her. After this was done Xena dismissed her. Before Arianna could leave the room Xena said, “ Arianna I want you to prepare the extra room, we are having company tomorrow.”

The next morning Arianna noticed Xena coming into camp with a new man. Xena lead the man to the main hall where Arianna was working. Xena called her over. “ Arianna this is Iolaus, the newest member to our happy family, treat him as you would me.”

“Yes mistress.” Xena left Iolaus with her and went about her duties. Arianna looked at Iolaus and smiled, “ You must be hungry from your journey, come to the table and I will get you some food.” All Iolaus could do was stare, he could believe that he was looking at the double image of Xena. “ You can stop staring Iolaus, I may look like her but I am nothing like this warrior princess.” She instantly regretted saying that when she say the twinge on his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. Just be careful around her.”

Arianna gave him a plate and left him to resume her duties.

Two more days had passed, Arianna had seen many things go on in the fortress. She watched in silence as Xena seduced Iolaus, causing a rift to come between him and his friend Hercules. She watched as Xena betrayed Iolaus, and smiled when they defeated her. She watched and waited for the time she knew that her betrayal would be next. Thankfully that wasn’t the case.

One year had passed since that event. Arianna could sense a tension in Darphis. She knew from the scrolls that the time of Darphis’ betrayal was soon at hand. During the last year she had won the trust of the Warrior Princess. She was even allowed to go with Xena on some of her campaigns. A wise decision on Xena’s part, for Arianna’s fighting skills had become a valuable asset to her. On top of the fact that Arianna had taken an arrow meant for her. From that moment on Arianna had become more of a friend then a servant to Xena. Something Xena hadn’t been privileged to in many years.

This did not make Ares happy. In fact he was downright pissed. Back in the present, in his temples he left out a might roar of angry. So loud it shook the temple walls. “No!” he shouted, “ This is not supposed to happen. That idiot Darphis was supposed to make sure she died; now she is a buddy with Xena. Damn him. Well I guess I’m going to have to take matters into my own hands.”

Back at the fortress, Arianna was in a meeting with Xena. She had known about what was going to happen, it was the only thing on her mind. She was trying to find some way to warn Xena without given away the game. Finally she spoke, “ Xena, I have something I need to talk to you about.”

“Then speak Arianna I don’t have time for games.”

“Exactly how much can you trust Darphis?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Look I know Darphis has been with you much longer then I have, but I don’t trust him. I overheard him talking to Ares last night regarding the battle that is taking place tomorrow. I also know he isn’t exactly keen on your rules about not killing woman and children. I have a feeling that could present a problem.”

“You just mind your corner and let me worry about Darphis, I trust him completely. None of my men would dare strike out against me. Now leave me.”

“Yes Xena, but please be careful. I still don’t trust him” with that she, returned to her quarters.

The next day Xena had dispatched her army to the village leaving Darphis with the usual instruction, not to kill any woman or children. Then she left to scout out another conquest.

Darphis had no intentions of obeying that orders. He felt the time had come for a change in command. He ordered the men to kill everyone and burn the village down. Ares saw that as a perfect opportunity to get rid of Arianna. With a wave of his hand, he transported her right in the middle of the village. Before she had a chance to react, Darphis came from behind her and knocked her unconscious. The army continued to pillage and mane until everyone on in the village was dead, then they burned it to the ground.

When Xena returned, she was furious to learn what had taken place. She heard a small cry coming from the wreckage. A small baby had miraculously survived the massacre. Xena picked up the child just a Darphis was ordering a solider to kill the baby. “Anyone who kills this baby will be the next one to die, contrary to what some people believe I still lead this army!” She said as she glared at Darphis. Xena was about to leave when she heard a moaning, she looked down and spotted Arianna’s hand laying out from beneath at wagon. She quickly removed the wagon off her friend and helped her back to the camp.

Back at the camp the betrayal of her men and the trials began for our Warrior Princess.

Arianna watched as her once mighty army put her thru a Gauntlet of Death. Arianna comforted her when the ordeal was over, and with the help of Hercules and Iolaus, she was able to help Xena put an end to Darphis twice. From then on the two were inseparable. She traveled with Xena until Gabrielle came into their lives. Arianna knew the time would soon come when she would have to let Xena know the truth.

Chapter 5

Arianna and Xena had traveled several days when they came upon an army that was herding women from a neighboring village to be sold. Arianna stopped short when she heard one of the woman shout out to another calling her Gabrielle. Arianna thought, : This must be when Xena saved Gabrielle from Draco. I can’t let her see me.” When Xena moved into attack Arianna took a position behind a tree and watched the scene unfold before her. She felt like a heel hiding like that but she couldn’t risk the bard seeing her. Any contact with the bard would have serious ramifications on history. She quickly took out a parchment and wrote a note for Xena then turned and left. When the battle was over Xena looked around for Arianna, instead of finding her friend, she found the scroll. Xena unraveled it and read.

“ Xena,

A serious matter had come to my attention and I must leave immediately. I will explain everything when we meet again, I promise you.

Arianna.”

Xena put the scroll away, very puzzled at her friends sudden change. She decided that Arianna would tell her when the time was right. So Xena set out to return the women to Potedia. So the adventures of Xena and her bard began. Meanwhile Arianna sought deparately for Hercules. She knew that he was one of the only ones who could help her. Especailly with Xena. She didn’t have to search long. She Hercules and Iolaus traveling to Athens to take care of some monster there. Arianna ran up to meet them. “ Hercules!!”

“ Xena, what a nice surprise.”

Arianna just smiled, “ Nice surprise yes but I’m not Xena.”

“Oh, sorry it’s the looks.”

“ It’s ok Hercules, I’m just glad I found you.”

“ Why, what’s wrong? Is it Xena?”

“No, Xena is fine. But I do need to talk to you privately. It is a matter of extreme importance.”

“Sure.” Hercules went to talk to Iolaus. Iolaus looked at Hercules and then at Arianna. Then he said he would meet up with Hercules in Athens. They claps wrist and Iolaus was on his way.

“Now whats going on?” asked Hercules as he and Arianna found a place to sit and rest.

Arianna took a deep breath and began her story. She told him everything from who she was to why she was sent here. “ I need your help Hercules. I must get back and put Ares back where he belongs before he can cause any serious damage. Who know what he has done already.”

Hercules sat in silence, he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. This woman who claimed she was a realitive of Xena and was sent her by Ares in order to keep her from fulfilling her destiny. Arianna got nervous “Please Hercules you know how dangerous he is.”

“Ok what do we have to do?”

Arianna lunged at Hercules, hugging him so tight that he was nearly knocked over. “

Thank you. Oh sorry.”

“It’s ok” he said as he rubbed his neck, “Now about what we need to do.”

“Well I need two things. One I need the Kronos stone, second I need you to pay a visit to your brother Hephesties. We will need some chains to bind. Oh one more thing I am going to need to deliver a message to Xena and have her meet us at Athens. She needs to be a part of this too.”

Hercules stood up and walked around a bit then answered, “Well the chains won’t be hard to get, the message to Xena will be the easy part, but the Kronos stone, that one will need a little work.”

Arianna stood up, walked up to him, “Well let’s get going,” Arianna sat back down and wrote a message for Xena. When she was finished she handed it to Hercules, “Do you think you can get Hermes to deliver this?”

“Sure why not. Hermes.”

“You called brother.”

“I need you to deliver this message to Xena immediately it is very important that only she gets it.”

“No problem” with that Hermes disappeared.

Hermes found Xena sitting by a campfire sharpening her sword. She looked up as if she knew she was being watched. She looked over to Gabrielle, who was still sleeping, and then she got up and walked into the woods. “Ok I know someone is there show yourself.”

Hermes appeared before Xena and handed her the scroll then disappeared again. Xena opened the scroll, it read:

“Xena,

The time for explanations is now. I am in great need of your help. Please come alone. Only you can help me. I am on route to Athens with Hercules. I will explain everything there. This is the matter of great importance I told you about earlier. Please hurry.

Arianna”

Xena knew that Arianna would never ask her for help unless it was important, so the next morning she gathered up her things and told Gabrielle to go back home for a while. She would come for her when she was finished. Gabrielle started to argue that maybe she could be of some help, but when Xena gave her that look Gabrielle stopped. After leaving Gabrielle with her family Xena started out for Athens. Pushing Argo as hard as she would go. Xena caught up with Hercules three days later. “Hercules,” she said as she clasped wrists with him.

“Hello Xena it is good to see you again.”

“Where is Arianna, is she hurt?”

“No, she is waiting in a room at the inn. She asked that I bring you to her.”

“Hercules what is going on, she said it was of great importance.”

”She will explain everything to you herself, though you may find it hard to believe. I have heard it twice and I still don’t believe it.”

Xena looked very confused when Hercules grabbed her arm and lead her to the room where Arianna was waiting. “Xena, thank the gods you came.” Cried Arianna as she pulled her friend into a hug. Now Xena was looking more confused then ever. Arianna could see her friend confusion and asked Hercules to leave them alone for a minute. After Hercules left she lead Xena to the bed, asked her to sit and began the whole story.

“You see Xena,” she sighed, this was going to be hard then she thought. “When I first came to you, did you feel some connection between us?”

“Yes, I did a little why? What does that have to do with anything?”

“You will find out, just promise me you won’t say anything until I am finished, promise?” Xena nodded and waited for Arianna to continue.

“I have always considered you family, since the moment I arrived here, but that is because you are. When you asked me how I got here and I told you a god sent me here, I was reluctant to tell you which one. Well that god was Ares, he sent me here to prevent me from fulfilling my destiny. He had hoped that with you being in you bloodlust stage, that you would kill me, but it backfired. He even got Darphis to try to convince you that I was a threat to you. Well that part was true, I was a threat but not to you, to him.” Arianna looked at Xena and then continued. “I guess I had better start from the beginning. You see I was sent here from the future, your future. I come from a time about three thousand years from now, give or take a millennium. In my time I am a Professor at a local school. I teach archeology, which is the study of ancient cultures, mostly I had taught Greek and Roman cultures. Sometime in the future your descendant, my grandmother Mel Pappas and her friend Janis Covington, who is a descendant of Gabrielle, stumbled upon Ares tomb while looking for the Xena scrolls, the chronicles that Gabrielle kept of your adventures Xena. Anyways you had placed him there and arranged to have the eye of Hephesties hold him there. From legend only your essence could release him. Fortunately your spirit was able to get into my grandmother, you and Ares fought and with you in her, Ares was prevented from getting out. Your spirit left my grandmother after it was done and Janis blew up the temple to make sure Ares didn’t get out.”

“That however didn’t last long. He managed to get out. He revealed himself to me in my home just as I was going to read one of Gabby’s scrolls, he told me that I was the last of your desendants and he was going to make sure I didn’t put him back. So he sent me here. I need your help to put him back Xena.” Arianna sighed heavily as she finished her story, waiting for Xena’s response. Xena meanwhile had sat thru Arianna story stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Then the questions came. Arianna had been expecting this and tried to answer the best she could.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I had to wait for the right moment”

“Then why did you duck out as I was fighting Draco”

“Xena, I am truly sorry for that, I couldn’t risk being seen by Gabrielle. Please forgive me, I felt like a heel doing it.”

“Why did you want her to see you?”

“Because she kept track of everything you did in her scrolls. If I were placed in there for any reason it would drastically change history. I am taking a risk by telling you and Hercules, but I have no other choice. I need both of you to get me back and deal with Ares.”

“Exactly what can he do in your time?”

“A lot. Xena the weapons of this time are bad. The weapons of my time are even worse. Our weapons are more advanced, more accurate, and a lot more deadly then anything you have ever faced. There are weapons that can wipe out a entire continent in a blink of an eye Ares is dangerous now, if he got his hands on our weapons he would be unstoppable. I don’t even know what kind of damage he has done already. When I was first brought here I knew he would need time. But with the amount of time that I have been her already he probably has the support his needs.”

“Getting support has never been a problem for Ares, Arianna”

“Maybe not here, but in my time things are a bit different. Mankind has stopped believing in Gods along time ago. It will take a bit of convincing. But Ares has a few things to work with; the people of my time are corrupt, power-hungry, and self-destructive. The leaders of the land have all this weapons and power underneath their fingertips but noone wants to be the first to push the buttons. Ares will try to use this to his advantage.”

Xena stood up and pulled Arianna into a deep embrace. “I’m glad to see my family has flourished so far down the line. Of course I’ll help you. Let’s get Hercules and get you home.”

They went down to the dining room a found Hercules, and then Arianna laid out the details of her plan. Hercules stood up and smiled “Well looks like my brother picked the wrong family to mess with, we will get started at first light.”

Xena and Arianna had to agree. They all had a very long confusing day. So they all settled in for the night. Just before Arianna fell asleep she smiled as she saw herself kicking Ares’ butt to Tarturas “Who say revenge isn’t sweet, Ares get ready your going down.”

Chapter 6

Xena woke up the next morning and walked to the window. As she watched the sun come up her thoughts turned to what had been told to her the day before. “This is unbelievable. My family survived for that long. I’ll be damned if Ares is going to take that away from me. Solan, I hope he married a good woman.” She felt a presence behind her.

“Dinar for your thoughts?” Hercules asked, as he had been concerned about how Xena would react to the news.

Xena looked down and noticed he was carrying a bag. “Breakfast? I know the food here is lousy but don’t you think this will insult them a bit?”

“This isn’t food, just something Arianna wanted me to pick up for her. Are you alright?”

“Of course I am alright, who wouldn’t be. It isn’t ever day family drops in from the future. I have so many questions I want to ask her, it is killing me, knowing that she may not be able to give me the answers.”

“ I am sure she would if she was able to, Xena. You know there is only so much information she can give without disrupting the time line. She took a big risk just telling us what she did. I’m sure Ares will be checking up on things and he will be throwing obstacles in our path.”

“I know but I can handle Ares. I have a family here now Hercules and there is no way in Tarturus that he is going to take that from me.”

“I won’t let him, now let’s go wake sleeping beauty.”

Before they could turn around, Arianna burst into the room. “Gabrielle!” she shouted quite out of breath.

“Gabrielle? Here? Are you sure?”

“Xena, I know what the girl looks like, she is downstairs asking about you. I can’t let her see me”

“Ok, you stay here, I’ll deal with our little bard. Hercules stay with her.”

Hercules nodded as Xena left the room and headed downstairs hoping she could come up with a good explanation of why she was here.

Gabrielle was haggling with the innkeeper when she noticed Xena descending the stairs. “Xena! Over here.” She cried waving her arm wildly.

Xena walked over to her and quickly put down her arm. “Gabrielle why are you here? I thought I told you to stay in Potedia with your family.”

“Xena, you remember the last time you told me that, did I listen? Noooo, and…”

Xena cut her off, “And you didn’t listen this time.”

Gabrielle gave Xena a big grin when she said that. “Xena, you know you’re going to need me, I can help, really I can. Besides what ever great adventure you’re on would make a great story.”

“There will be no story because you’re going home.”

“But Xena, you can’t tackle this all by yourself, you are going to need help.” Then Gabrielle realized who she was talking to and stifled a giggle.

“Gabrielle, I am not alone. Hercules is helping me.”

Gabrielle’s mouth dropped, “Hercules! The Hercules! Now I know this will make a great story.”

Xena grabbed her arms and looked her squarely in the eye, and talk slowly so the bard would understand, “ There – will - be – no - story. You – are – going – home – right - now.”

“Alright Xena I will go home.” Gabrielle turned to walk out wearing a very hurt look on her face. She stopped and turned to Xena. “ Will you at least tell me what this is about?”

Xena hugged her friend tightly, “There is a very old friend who needs my help. Hercules is helping us both. That is all I can say right now. I promise you when this is over, I will try to explain the best I can. But right now this is something I have to do on my own. Do you understand?”

“I understand Xena, just be careful. I’ll see you at home.”

“You got it.”

With that Gabrielle left the inn. Upon seeing her leave Hercules and Arianna came out.

Hercules moved close to her and asked if Gabby was going to be ok. Xena replied, “I think I hurt her feelings.”

Arianna felt guilty, “ I’m sorry Xena, I didn’t meant to complicate things.”

“You didn’t, she will understand when I explain it to her.”

Before Arianna could give a response, Gabrielle came running back in, “Silly me I forgot my bag.” Then she stopped so suddenly she nearly tripped over her own feet. Her mouth hung open as she was looking at not one but two Xenas. Xena heard Arianna say, “Oh no.”

When Gabrielle was finally able to walk, she went over to the twin Xenas, “By the gods, there are two of you.” She had said it so loudly that Hercules had to pull her upstairs with Arianna and Xena. Back in the room, Hercules sat Gabrielle down on the bed and motioned for Xena to speak. Xena just mouthed, “What shall I tell her?”

Hercules mouthed back, “The truth.”

Xena looked at Arianna for approval, when she saw her nod, she began to speak. “Well, you found out my little secret.” She said with a sheepish grin on her face. Gabrielle was still in shock; She got up and walked to Xena.

“Alright Xena, I know about her so how about letting me in on the rest of the game.”

Arianna spoke up, “It’s not that simple Gabrielle, you weren’t supposed to know about me.

“Look I want to know what is going on and I’m not leaving until I find out.”

Arianna took a deep breath and held out her hand to the bard, “Hello Gabrielle, my name is Arianna and I am a descendant of Xena’s from the future.”

Poor Gabrielle nearly fainted when she was told this. Hercules ran up from behind her and helped her to the bed. Then Arianna retold her story to the stunned bard. She almost wished she hadn’t, the bard was throwing questions at her faster then she could answer them.

“Are my scrolls really that famous?”

“Yes, in my time they are one of the greatest Archeological finds of the century. Even bigger then the discovery of Pompeii.”

Hercules chimed in, “Pompeii, what so big about Pompeii, it is just a little town.”

Arianna just smiled, “Little town yes, but it will play a significant part in history as will Rome.”

“And you are really a descendant of Xena?”

“Yes”

“And my descendant helped your grandmother defeat Ares.”

“Yes”

“This is to good. I have to write this down.”

”NO!” the trio shouted at once. Xena walked over to Gabrielle and sat next to her.

“Gabrielle, noone must know of her. She has already explained that any mention of her in the scrolls or of what we are doing could have damaging effects on history. She is already risking so much by telling us as it is. There can be no record at all of this. Do you understand.”

Arianna took her hand, “Gabrielle please this mission will decied the fate of the world. Please don’t use it as a story?”

Gabrielle looked at Xena then back at Arianna and nodded, “No story, but Xena you owe me big for this one.”

“You got it. Now we should get going.”

“Wait.” Said Hercules as he ran to the other side of the room. “Got a present for you Arianna.” He handed her the bag he had obtained earlier that day.

Arianna looked in the bag and said teasing him, “Oh Hercules you shouldn’t have, we barely know each other.”

“Ha ha ha.” The quartet shared a laugh and prepared for their departure.

Meanwhile, back in the present. Ares was having a blast. He was sitting in his temple when Aphrodite appeared. “You’re in a good mood today bro.”

“Of course I am, I got rid of that pest and the wars are flourishing. These mortals are so gullible.”

Aphrodite walked up to him; “You sure jump right into work don’t ya. Are you sure you took care of your little problem?”

“Of course I did. Why?”

“Well you seem to have forgotten one little aspect?”

“Oh yeah what’s that?”

“Well the fact that Xena turned good.”

“So what does that have to do with anything? Darphis made sure she was dead.”

“And you believed him, god and you say mortals are gullible. If you ask me you are the one who is being taken here.” With that she disappeared in a pink flash.

Ares thought for a moment. “Nah Darphis wouldn’t fail me, the God of War, but then again he did let himself be killed twice. I had better check up on things.”

Ares opened the viewing portal, he sat on his throne as he watched his former chosen one walking with Hercules, that irritating blonde, and a hooded stranger. The stranger caught his eye. “No it couldn’t be.” He caused this image to faze back to the battle at the village.

He saw Arianna appear in the middle and watched as Darphis knocked her out. Darphis was ready to make the kill when a villager came up from behind distracting him. Arianna had regained conscious and managed to pull herself under a fallen wagon before passing out again. That is where Xena found her. “No!” he shouted as he throw fireballs at every direction, “NO! NO! NO! She is supposed to die. Time to take care of this once and for all.” He stood on his Throne and disappeared.

Chapter 7

Ares had appeared in one of his old temples. He saw his younger self sitting lazily on the throne. “Ah, the memories” thought Ares. He started to approach the other Ares when he realized that seeing his future self might freak him out so Ares disguised himself as the oldest of the fates. He approached the other Ares and spoke, “ Ares, God of War.”

The young God looked up, “A visit from the fates, to what do I owe this honor.”

“Your future is at stake Ares. A visitor will bring your end.”

“Stop speaking in riddles old crone, what visitor?”

“A hooded stranger who travels with the Warrior Princess and your half-brother. She will bring your death Ares. She must die, your very existence depends on it.”

“I understand.” The old crone disappeared and reappeared behind a pillar, changing back to his original form. Ares watched his younger self make plans to kill the girl. “Now,” he thought. “She will be out of my hair permently.” Smiling he left for his own time.

Unknown to either of the Ares’, two other gods were laying in hiding, overheard what had taken place and decided to use this to their advantage. Discord smiled widely as she thought how this girl would rid them of Ares.

“This is to good, this girl will kill Ares and then I…. I mean we will be the next for that spot of God of war.”

”But mom, doesn’t that mean we will have to make sure she stays alive?”

“Shut up Strife don’t you think I know that.”?

“Knowing Ares the way I do, He will bring her here. Then we will have a little chat with her. She will do all the dirty work for us, as long as she gets to live.”

“But I thought you hated mortals, do we have to let her live?”

“Yes, you idiot, at least long enough to finish Ares off then if I’m in the mood then I will kill her. But for now she lives, got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Said Strife as he laughed manically.

Ares paced back and forth pondering the words that the oldest fate had told him.

He decided to check it out. So he opened a portal and watched as our quartet was setting up camp. He watched the stranger, “How can this girl bring an end to me. The fates don’t lie, I had better not take any chances with this.” With that he disappeared and transported himself to the campsite, and waited for his chance.”

At the campsite, Arianna was hard at work. Xena sat next to her, “How are you holding?”

“I’m ok, just worried. It’s is too quiet, Ares is up to something I can feel it.”

“Don’t worry Ares wont get to close as long as we are here.”

“You don’t know him well enough yet Xena. He hasn’t made a move on me since taking me in the middle of that village. He is long over due for something. I’m positive he knows

I’m alive by now.”

“What village?”

“The one Darphis destroyed.”

“So that is how you got there, I always wondered about that.” Xena thought for a moment

“You knew that Darphis was going to betray me didn’t you?”

“Yes I knew everything that was going to happen, from your seduction of Iolaus to your armies betrayal. I tried to warn you in a round about way, but I couldn’t come out and say it cuz the time wasn’t right for you to know about me, besides it would have changed your destiny and I couldn’t do that. You’re not angry are you?”

“No, I’m not angry, I understand why you weren’t able to reveal anything, but tell me what else do you know about me?”

“I know about your life in Amphipolis, your brother’s death, I know about Borias and Lao Ma. I know about Caesars betrayal and your friend Mi’lia. I also know about your son Solan.”

“You know about Solan.” Arianna could see tears forming in Xena’s eyes. “I’m sorry Xena I didn’t meant to hurt you by bringing him up.”

“No, it is alright. Tell me about my son, does he grow up to be a good man, I’m sure he married or else you wouldn’t be here.”

Arianna cringed. How was she going to tell her friend that her son would be dead in 3 years time. Before she could respond Ares appeared before her.

He looked down at Arianna, “So you’re the one causing all the problems hmmmm?”

He was about to pick her up when he felt a sword at his throat. Xena moved between Ares and her friend, keeping her sword directly at his throat, “Well it is about time you made your move, now back away slowly.” Hercules had moved in beside her. “We know why you’re here, and you are not getting anywhere near her.”

“Really little brother, you think you can stop me,” Ares let out a hearty laugh as with one flick of his hand both he and Arianna disappeared.

Arianna found herself in Ares’ bedchamber. She got up and looked around for a way to get out, when Ares appeared with a plate of food and a gown. He placed the plate down on the table and walked over to Arianna, handing her the gown he instructed her to put it on, then he would be back to talk to her. With that he left her. Arianna guessed from his dress that this was the Ares from this time, but how did he know about her? She decided to play along for now. She looked at the gown, it was very beautiful, it was made of white silk, trimmed with gold and blue, around the bodice and the length of the gown. She placed it on, looked in the mirror, “Not bad,”

“I agree, very fitting,”

Arianna turned around to see Ares almost at her back. “Why have you brought me here?”

”You know who I am?”

“Of course I know who you are, you are the God of War and you have brought me here because?”

”You look very much like Xena,” he said as he began to caress her cheek. She moved back. “I’m only going to say this one more time, why am I here?”

“You are here because you have been foretold to bring about my death, and I cant have that now can I.”

“Who told you this?”

“One of the Fates came to me of course”

”This fate which one, and what did she tell you?”

Ares looked at her, moving closer he grabbed her arms very tightly, “Why are you so interested in what they had to say?”

“Because you were probably tricked.”

Arianna could feel Ares getting angry, she was pretty sure that the fate that visited this Ares was the Ares from her time but she couldn’t prove it so she tried to play it off.”

”Ares, why would only one of the fates come to you? Isn’t fact that when the fates make a prophecy they all appear?”

“Yes, you may have a point.”

“Ares what are you going to do with me?”

“I’ll keep you here for now, I have to pay the fates a little visit.” Ares set her down on the bed then disappeared.

Arianna sat catching her breath, she had never been that close to a god before, the experience was very overwhelming. She could feel that power emanating from him, and his looks, gods if he wasn’t bad she would have snatched him up. But she shook her head from that thought. She can’t let herself get distracted. Arianna decided to lie down and rest before confronting Ares again. She was so tired she fell sleep before her head hit the pillow.

Strife and Discord soon appeared in the room. They looked at the sleeping figure.

“Well now we know why he hasn’t killed her yet, she looks like Xena.”

“Are you sure she is supposed to kill him, mom? She doesn’t look like much.”

“Of course she will you twit, we just need to wake her and make a little deal, and I know she will agree with no problems”

Discord walked over to Arianna and shook her until she was awakened. Arianna woke up with a start, “What do you want?”

“Don’t you know who I am?”

“Um No”

” I am Discord, this is my son Strife, we are here to get you out?”

“You are helping me?”

“Yes for a price, we understand that you are going to cause an untimely demise to our dear Ares, which will leave an opening for me to take over as the next God of War.”

“And the price?”

“Well you help us and you live. Plain and simple.”

Arianna got up and walked around the room thinking, “These two must have overheard my Ares giving this Ares the false prophecy, I can use this.”

“Ok you two, I’ll help. You have my word, I will take care of Ares.”

“Good just remember we will be watching you.”

With a wave of her hand Discord brought Arianna back to her friends at the camp.

Arianna found her friend frantically getting ready to mount a rescue when they noticed her sudden appearance. Xena rushed up to Arianna, giving her a big hug, began to look her over to make sure she was unharmed. “How did you escape?”

Arianna told them everything that had happened including how she tricked Strife and Discord into helping her get away. Every laughed when they heard that part. Arianna looked at them funny “Why are you laughing I intend to keep my promise, I will get rid of Ares. I just never said which one.” With that the crew broke out in laughter again.

Hercules broke out with the fact that this Ares wasn’t going to be to happy when he finds out what they did.

After the dinner everyone deiced to turn in. They would hit Mt Etna tomorrow, and then the real battle would begin. Arianna smiled as she pictured Discord and Strife getting fried for helping her escape, and soon she was fast asleep.

Chapter 8

The next morning the quartet started out for Mt. Etna. Arianna walked quietly behind the others, thinking about the plan she had laid for Ares and how she was going to miss her friends once it was done. Xena looked behind and noticed her friends quietness, she fell back to see what she could do. “Hey, you’re a little quiet, is everything ok?”

“Yes, everything is fine. Just thinking about what lays ahead. I will be going home soon. With all the adventure I have had here, it will be hard to go back. I will be bored to tears.”

“You can always stay.”

“No, my place isn’t here. I have a life to get back to and a job I love. I can’t leave my students or my family.”

“True but it is a thought.”

“I know. Xena, before when you asked me about Solan, I never got a chance to tell you, your son was a great, kind loving soul, he was that way his entire life. Your daughter was as well.”

Xena stopped short, grabbing Arianna’s arm, turning to face her, “My daughter? I have a daughter?” she was very surprised by this revelation.

“Yes, Xena you will have a very beautiful daughter, she will grow up to fulfill a great destiny. She will follow the way of peace.” Arianna smiled as she continued down the path. Xena caught up with her and ask. “What is she like? What is her name?”

Arianna stopped, “Xena your daughter will be born for a special purpose, as far as her name, I can’t give you that, but I can tell you that it will be Solan, not you who will name your daughter. That’s all I can say, I’m sorry”

“I know.” Xena hugged Arianna tight as she thought, “ I will have a daughter,” Xena continued down the road with a big smile on her face. Hercules noticed the change in Xena mood and asks Arianna what had happened. Arianna just smiled and told him that she had given Xena a little glimpse into her future. “I take it was a good one?”

“This part of it is Hercules, but many parts of her life and Gabrielle’s

will not be so good. They will need to rely on each other to pull thru the trials that will take place.”

By mid-afternoon they had reached Mt. Etna. Arianna looked around, “Hercules where is do we find it.” Xena walked near her, “What exactly are we looking for?”

Hercules answered, “The Kronos Stone, Arianna needs it to return home. But it is hidden in a cave and guarded by a Hydra.”

“So what are we waiting for?” said Arianna who was just itching to see an actual Hydra.

They walked around the side of the Mount for a few candle marks before finding the cave opening. Hercules lit some torches, before leading them into the cave he said, “Now remember use the fire against the Hydra, and don’t try to cut off its head because two more will just grow in its place.” Hercules then went into the cave, followed by Arianna, then Xena and Gabrielle in the rear.

The cave was very dark; down the tunnel they could see a greenish light coming from deep within the cave. A foul smell filled the air, making breathing very difficult. Before long the group came into a cavern with a deep hole in the middle, they would have to find away to cross this hole or go around the narrow ridge. On the other side they could see the Stone resting on an alter. Now all they had to do was get it. But where was the Hydra?

Hercules looked for a way to cross this gaping hole he heard a load roar. Up from the pit came the Hydra. Bearing three heads, each one breathing fire. It was large, green, scalely, foul smelling beast, sent by Hera to guard the stone.

Hercules grabbed Gabrielle and ducked for cover under some rocks while Xena and Arianna drew their swords ready to battle the beast. The Hydra shot fire at Xena, but she maneuvered a back flip, which sent her back to where Hercules and Gabrielle were. Xena shouted, “Arianna get down!”

“Don’t worry about me Xena just keep Gabby safe.” Hercules told Xena to stay with Gabrielle while he distracted the Hydra long enough for Arianna to grab the stone. Hercules grabbed two of the fallen torches and began to fling them back and forth at the beast. Seeing her chance, Arianna went along the narrow ridge, around the beast and was almost at the other side when a figure appeared. Ares from this time period had been sent to stop her. Arianna knew from where she was at, at battle with this god would lead to her death, but she had to reach that stone, it was the only way. So she decided to take her chances. “Get out of my way Ares.”

“Sorry can’t do that. You are trying to kill me and I can’t allow that, besides mother insists that the stone stays here.”

“Well I don’t give a dam what your mother wants, and as for you I’m not here to kill you Ares, I just want to get back home.” But Ares wasn’t buying it; he got ready to attack, when he was attacked from behind. Discord and Strife had appeared just opposite of Ares and struck him down. Ares got up, “You idiots what in the name of me do you think you’re doing?”

“Simple, she kills you, we get your job.”

“Well the only thing you two are getting is a one-way trip to Tarturus”

With that Ares, Discord and Strife began to exchange fireballs; it went back and forth sending the gods spiraling into the walls of the cavern. Xena watched as the gods fought, Hercules battle the beast, and in the far distance she could see Arianna nearing the stone.

Arianna slowly made her way to the stone nearly getting knocked off by Ares as a fireball struck him. She watched them battle, “I am going to have to remember to thank those two.” She thought to herself. Finally she reached the stone, with a smile she grabbed it and placed it in her bag, she began to make her way back to her friends, when Ares once again intercepted her. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“I am going home what about you?” she said as she pointed to one of the Hydras head coming up just behind Ares. Ares turned around suddenly as Arianna did a flip, which landed her right on topof the monsters head then flipped on to the ground next to Hercules. “Ok Herc we got what we came for lets go”

“Alright lets leave the gods to play with this bad boy.” Soon all of the group was out of the cavern listening to Strife wail as he was being picked up by the Hydra and being pick on by his Uncle.

Once safely out of range, the time for goodbyes had come. Arianna asked for Hercules to accompany her so that he could come back with the stone and return it to its rightful place.

She walked over to Gabrielle, “You are a good friend, Gabrielle, watch over her. She will need your light to help her thru this dark times.”

“Don’t worry I will” She hugged Gabrielle and then walked over to Xena.

“I don’t know what to say to you except thank you for everything, I’m am so honored to have had the chance to know you.”

“I am the one who is honored, you gave me a glance into my future, and my family. Take care of yourself, and be safe.”

“ I will, just look after Gabrielle, many changes will take place in her life and yours that will try and strengthen your friendship. Just hang on to each other and you will find your path.” Arianna hugged Xena tight and then told Hercules she was ready to go. As Arianna turned to leave, Gabrielle asked what was in the bag, “Oh just a gift from Hephy.” She answered with a wink. “Ask Xena she will tell ya.” With that She took out the stone, stood next to Hercules, in a flash the two disappeared.

Back in present time, Ares had just sent Arianna thru the portal. “Now that little matter is taken care of, on to business. To bad really she looked more like Xena then any of them. Oh well, I am finally rid of that cursed warrior princess and her family forever.”

“Think again Ares”

Ares spun around to find Arianna not only there but was accompanied by his half brother Hercules. Ares looked at the space where she had been only moments before, and then back at her. “How?”

“How did I get back so fast? Easy.” She answered as she held up the stone proudly. “ Your little plan to get rid of me back fired, though I should thank you, my little trip was a valuable learning experience.” Ares stood in shock, that was the one thing he didn’t think about in his scheme. “All that time in the tomb must have damaged your brain some huh?”

“Well you are not putting me back?”

“Wanna bet.” Ares and Arianna reached for their swords at the same time. Ares lunged at Arianna, but she was able to block his move. She grabbed his arm, calling for Hercules; she used the stone to transport them all to the temple ruins in Macedonia in the exact spot where Ares tomb was. She was thrown back by Ares and hit the wall. She fell and passed out momentarily. Ares made move for the stone but was stopped by Hercules.

Ares flung a fireball at Hercules causing him to hit the wall of the temple. Hercules got up and grabbed an old portion of the temple and hit Ares, throwing him clear across the room. Arianna had come to, reaching for the bag; she took the chains that Hercules obtained from Hephesties. Running up behind Ares she flung the chains around him and watched as they wound tighter and tighter around the dark god, preventing him from using his powers. Together Hercules and Arianna were able to lift the war god into his tomb. Ares was protesting the entire time, “ You can’t do this to me I am Ares, God of War”

“Yea Yea Yea I know, I have only heard that more times then I care to. To bad you tried to get rid of me, you’re kind of cute”

Arianna closed the lid, and secure it with more chain. She looked at Hercules. “ Think that will hold him for a good while?”

“Oh yeah. It will be a long time before he is able to get out of this one.”

“Good then let’s go. I am ready to go home. Oh and we have one more issue to take care of.” Hercules asked what it was, but Arianna refused to say until she was at home. So in a flash they used the stone to get her back. Arianna gave Hercules a tight hug and thanked him for all of his help, then ask him to call for Aphrodite. Once Aphrodite appeared, Hercules introduced her to Arianna and told her everything that happened. Arianna pulled Aphrodite aside.

“Aphrodite, I know we have only met, but you know my story, and I have a request to make of you”

“Sure sweetie, since you kept my bro in check, and I am such a big fan of your family.”

“I need Hercules to be sent back to the point before my first arrival. Neither he nor the others must have any memories of my visit. Everything must be as it was before I came there, can you arrange that.”

“No prob hun. It will be as if you were never there.”

Arianna walked over to Hercules hugged him again and placed a small kiss on his cheek. “Thanks again Hercules for everything. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”

Hercules blushed. “It was no problem. I hope we will meet again.”

Arianna smiled. “ Oh I am sure we will, after all you are half god.”

Aphrodite stepped in and said it was time to go. So with a final goodbye Arphodite took the stone and Hercules, in a pink flash they disappeared.

Arianna plopped down on her couch and thought over all the events that had taken place. Then she let out a laugh, the more she thought the more she was laughing. Soon she was laughing so hard that she was curled up on the floor, holding her stomach, with tears coming from her eyes. No one would ever believe a word of where she was and that Xena and Hercules or the Gods actually existed. She had that information all to herself. That was kind of interesting in a way; she had an advantage over most of the Archeologists of her time. She has lived in her study period. Arianna smiled widely as she took a long over due shower and went to bed. She soon was fast asleep.

Then next morning she had a meeting in the Deans office to discuss the next trip she was due to make to Rome. When she walked into his office, she spotted a blonde head just above the back of the chair. Then Dean called her over. Arianna nearly stumbled over her feet when she noticed that it was a girl who was a spitting image of Gabrielle.

“Arianna, this is your newest assistant Gabrielle Covington. You maybe familiar with the name her, grandmother help discover the Xena Scrolls.”

Arianna extended her hand to Gabrielle, thinking to herself. “Well I guess the scrolls were right again. Our destinies lie together.”

“Don’t worry Dean I will make sure she will feel right at home.”

After the Dean excused them, Arianna walked with Gabrielle to the classroom. A long the way Gabrielle asked, “Have we met before, you seem awfully familiar to me.”

Arianna grinned widely as she answered. “Yes, we have actually in a former life, and we will again in lives to come.”

The end