The Journey Between Worlds
Okay, the story starts with Apollo walking into Poteidaea, looking for his friend Niko. I think you can figure it out from here...
Excuse the > and < This came directly off digests from my mailing list
Apollo appeared at the gates of Poteidaea, the town so enriched
in peace and people, he dared not to bring in his daily troubles.
Although he admired the city greatly, he still continued in hope to find
his friend, Niko. He walked down the street of the village and
spotted many people. He walked into a tavern, spotted Gabrielle,and many
others. "Gabrielle, what are you doing here?" he asked as he took a seat next to her.
Gabrielle was so happy to be at home again. She was glad that she and
Xena did not have any adventures at the moment so she could spend a
little time with her family. She was wandering around Poteidaia picking
flowers when she saw Apollo, she couldn't believe it! What was carrying
the sun across the sky? "Apollo?" she asked "what on Earth are you doing
here?"
>>Gabrielle was so happy to be at home again. She was glad that she and
>>Xena did not have any adventures at the moment so she could spend a
>>little time with her family. She was wandering around Poteidaia
picking
>>flowers when she saw Apollo, she couldn't believe it! What was
carrying
>>the sun across the sky? "Apollo?" she asked "what on Earth are you
>doing
>>here?"
> "It's a long story. My brother, Niko, is here and I am looking
>for him. Hopefully I can find him. You might know him..... He grew
up
>in Poteidaea. By the way, where is Xena?"
Xena had just come in from checking on Argo and noticed a man sitting
next to Gabrielle. She looked at him from the back since his back was
facing her. She recognized him from his golden clothes. "Apollo," Xena
said walking up to him from behind, "what brings you to these parts. I
haven't seen you in a long time." She glanced at Gabrielle and back to
Apollo.
"My brother, Niko, is what brings me here. He said he was
coming here to visit someone and I was supposed to meet him here
yesterday. I can't find him. Have you seen him?" Apollo asked as he
walked with the two outside. Apollo walked up to his horse, Abaris, and
began to put the saddle on it. "Where are you two headed now?" asked Apollo.
"Well, we were going to just head towards Athens to see what was
brewing up around there, but we can help you look for Niko if you want
us too." Xena said smiling at him. Xena looked at Gabrielle as she nodded with agreement.
"No," said Apollo. "He will turn up sometime. He always does. It is kind of like a Hercules and Iolaus type of deal. Never there when you need him, but always there when you don't. Gabrielle, you might remember Niko. I mean you both grew up in the same town. His mother is Arlana."
"Niko?" Gabrielle asked, a little suprised. "You mean Arlana's boy?
Yeah I remember him, me and Lila
used to play with him when we were kids. I think he is with his
mother, in the house over there" Gabrielle said, pointing to a small cottage. "I hope you find him."
"Yes, that would be him." said Apollo as
he knocked on the door to the house. An young women answered the door.
"Who is it?" she asked as she looked at Apollo in astonoshment.
"Hello, and what brings such a beautiful women into my
presence today?" asked Apollo.
"I don't know, but you better leave before I call my son," she
said as she called for Niko.
"What are you doing here? You are not welcome here," said Niko
as he pushed Apollo away from the door and gave him a dirty look as if he was going to kill him. This went on for a couple of seconds before they all began to laugh. The mother
hugged Apollo and Niko shook his hand.
"You late. What took you so long?" asked Niko.
"And who might this be?" asked his mother.
"I am Xena. This is my friend," Xena said pointing to Gabrielle.
"Well, I think I know Gabrielle but Xena, your a face out of a million. You know, when you know the name but can't recognize the person? Well, anyway, come in, come in," said Arlana as she escorted them all into the house.
Meanwhile, Outside the small cottage...
>Autolocus flips high and backwards, after spotting a girl named Rachel sneaking around the house, whom he recognized because Xena was inside.
>He lands behind Rachel, exposing his sleeve hidden dagger shooter. "Oh its
>just a young peasant girl. Uhh. Sorry for the whole jumpy thing. Its just
>that you can never be to careful these days. Jeesh, your looking a little
>skinny there kid, ya want something to eat?"
>Rachel nods and they go inside, after being invited in by Niko, who saw the entire commotion. Autolocus gives her a large plate of food
>which she quickly devours. As she finishes her third plate, Apollo breaks
>the open_jawed stare at the girl by speaking.
>"Now, we better get moving," he said.
As Rachel steps into the small cottage she's surprised by the same man who
was eating the succulent apple. She stares scared at Auto as he exposes his
dagger. For a moment she has the feeling she will get hurt but as he starts
to talk to her, she feels pretty relieved. "Oh no... that's ok. By the way,
nice dagger." Rachel glances at Auto's brilliant dagger, wondering where he
learned to jump that way. But before she could ask him all this, he invites
her to eat something. Without say a word, Rachel just nods at the man.
As Rachel finally ends her third plate she turns to look at Auto who seem to
be really impressed with the girl's hunger. "I haven't eating for two days
ok?" She forces a smile at the man, blushing as she notices how much she
ate. "I don't know what to say except thank you." She smiles at him and
seconds later they're outside the cottage. Rachel watches as Auto starts to
talk with
a man called Apollo. She doesn't seem to be paying attention at them till
she hears Xena's name. Rachel glances at Auto, without believe at his
words. "Did
you say Xena? THE Xena?"
AUtolocus, annoyed with the fact that every time anyone says Xena
everyone gets frantic and exited, answers her question in a way that
made it seem like he said it repeatedly to people. "Yes, the one and
only Xena: Warrior Princess. This is just a hunch Apollo, but I bet you
are going to tell me that we don't go find Ares until we find Xena,
right?"
"Okay, whatever you say Autolycus," said Apollo.
>"Pay no attention to him, umm, I don't recall hearing your name,"
>Apollo stated.
As Rachel hears Auto's answer about Xena she smiles. She can't believe he's
one of the Warrior Princess friends! "Wow! It's soooooo cool!" She grins at
the man waiting to hear anything else. She wants to ask him so many things,
though the other man said to her doesn't pay attention to him. "My name is
Rachel." She forces a smile to Apollo, hoping he doesn't ask her about her
family.
>"Well, Rachel, don't pay any attention to Autolocus here, he is just
>trying to show off. Now, what brings you into Poteidaea?" asked Apollo.
"Oh no that's ok... my brother used to show off like him." She giggles at
the men close to her, trying to avoid having to answer the next question.
"Well, I'm just looking for a person." Saying this, Rachel raises an eye-
brow, wondering if that excuse was good enough to convice the man.
>"I understand. Well, let me introduce myself. I am Apollo, you
>have probobly heard of me."
>"And I am Niko, Apollo's friend. Pleased to meet you," said Niko.
>"Autolycus, where did you say Xena was?"
"Apollo? The son of Zeus?" Rachel eyes widen as she notices she's in
front of the God of phrophecy. "It's a honour to meet you." She grins
at Apollo before turns to look at his friend Niko. "And is also nice
to meet you Niko." She smiles at Apollo's friend and glances at Auto,
waiting to hear something about Xena's location.
"Yes, Apollo, the son of Zeus. But don't make a big deal
about it. I have no clue where Xena went off to. She was here a few
hours ago with Gabrielle, but the two dissapeared." stated Apollo.
"As you wish Apollo. I just-- well I'm not used to see a God.
This is something that doesn't happens everyday." Rachel giggles at
him and goes on talking. "I think is better we move on if we want to
find them. Stay here won't help us." She looks at Auto, still waiting
for an answer.
While they wait for it Rachel approaches Niko, staring at him
with her beautiful dark eyes. "I know exactly what you mean Niko. And
I'm sure isn't easy to be friend of a God. Especially when he's the
middle of the attentions." She winks at him, remembering the time when
her big brother, the only man at the family was always the middle of the
attentions.
Niko suddenly jumped in. "Rachel, it is good to be met," he
sayed. "Not that many people pay attention to me when they are in front
of the god of light," he said sarcastically as he elbowed Apollo in the
stomache. Apollo laughed.
Suddenly, the door burst opened and Xena walked in after hearing her name.
"Here I am," Xena said walking in with a man she had by the collar of
his shirt, "I found him around Argo. Gabby, there is someone here for
you." Xena said snickering knowing how much Gabby liked him as she threw
him onto the floor. He stood up and brushed himself off, "Hi Gabby! It's
me Joxer! I knew I'd find you here. They said Ares is around here
causing some trouble. So, I've come to offer my services!"
Apollo rolled his eyes at the clumsy wanna-be warrior. He has
seen him before attempting to fight with Xena. "Xena, where have you
been? I thought you already left for Athens."
I was on my way to until I noticed someone messing with Argo. I thought
someone was trying to steal her, until I saw who it was. Gabby, are you
ready to go? It's a days walk from here to Athens so lets get moving!"
Xena turned to Autolycus, " Autolycus, do you think you might be able to
come with me,Apollo, Niko and Gabby. We might be able to put your
talents to use. There may even be a reward in it for you."
Rachel couldn't believe as she sees Xena steping into the house,
holding a man by the collar of his shirt. First she hasn't any reaction.
She just stares at the Warrior Princess, without to know what to say or
what to do.
After gives a deep breath and recovers her speech she says: "By
the Gods! I can't believe I'm in front of Xena! My mom always tells me
stories about you! You're the best!" Rachel gives Xena her best smile,
hoping the warrior lets her to go in the *travel*. "What about me? Can
I go with you? I can be very usefull. Though, I can search for my brother
in Athens... please, please! Don't make me beg you Xena!"
(I think this next part is sort of the comic relief from utter bordom)
Xena looked at Rachel and then at Autolycus. "Sure, any friend of Auto's
is a friend of mine. You can come along. But we need to leave early
tomorrow morning, before dawn. So, whoever is up is coming and whoever
is not is staying." With that Xena tapped Gabrielle on the shoulder
signaling her to follow, Joxer was right behind.
Suddenly, there is a yell from outside. everyone flocks to the door to
see what it is. they see a young girl, twelve years old, skillfuly push a
large man off his horse. she pushes herself to a standing position on her
own horse's saddle, then leaps to the man's horse. she guides the man's
horse to the side so that it places it's hoof right on his stomach. "you
EVER try to harm my bird again in ANY way, ESPECIALLY try to eat him, I
will be forced to take action, and MY action will be extremely hazardous
to YOUR health," says the girl, glaring at the man. "ar-aren't you taking
action right now?" he gasps, trying to lift the hoof off his stomach. the
girl tosses her long braid back over her shoulder. "you think this is
action? where have you been? this is a warning. you ever come withing
fifty feet of Kaelon again, you will see action. and trust me, you won't
like it," she hisses. the girl pulls the reins, and the horse stepps off
of the man. the girl pushes herself to a standing position on the man's
horse and jumps into a sitting position on her horse, Phoebe's, saddle.
"You can have your horse back if you leave my bird, as well as everyone
else, alone. you try anything and you'll be seeing me again!" shouts the
girl. the man stands up and climbs into his horse's saddle, then he rides
off muttering about "catching his own food. " The girl turns and saw the
group in the door looking at her. "oh, did I disturb you? I'm sorry," she
says, turning to leave. she turnes around again. "um, you wouldn't happen
to have anything that my horse could eat, would you? she hasn't had
anything since yesterday morning," she says, patting Phoebe's neck. "oh,
sorry. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Dellina. this is my horse,
Phoebe, and my hawk Kaelon."
"No, Dellina, you didn't desturb us at all," stated Niko as he
thought...... "hisssss!!"
"In fact, we were just about to leave. About the food, there is
a hay stack in the back of the house if you want to leave your horse
there. And for the bird, some scraps of meat inside. Just ask my
mother and she will give it to you. By the way, where did you learn to
fight like that?" asked Niko.
Suddenly, yes again, suddenly, there was a commotion outside. "It seems as if there is something going on up at the acropolis. Everyone rushed outside only to see Xena headed towards Ares' Temple on Argo.
>"XENA WAIT!", Auto yelled at the top of his lungs. But Xena was already
>gone. About 20 feet away a young girl collapsed next to her horse.
>Auto rushes over and kneels down next to her. "Someone give me a
hand!",
>he asks. He puts her head on his lap. "Someone get some water!" A
crowd
>gathers. A merchant brings Auto a rag and a pitcher of water. He
begins
>to try to cool her face with the water. She is feverish with
dehydration
>and huger. "I need to get her to the house quickly. Rachel will you
help
>me get her to the house?" He looks up into Rachels eyes wonderingly.
Apollo saw this and ran up to the girl. "I will take her,"
ordered Apollo. "Niko, you go distract the men at the temple.
Autolycus, can you help Niko?" he asked as he picked up the small girl.
"Take Abaris if you need to. He is tied up over there," he said as he
pointed to a black steed nearby.
Now, we are going to take a little jump of scenes. This is happening about 5 days later in Ares' Temple. So far, the characters are scattered all over the place. Niko has dissapeared again, Gabrielle is missing. Xena and Ares are in the temple. And Apollo , Melina, and Rachel are still at Niko's house.
> Ares appears in the dungeon before Dellina. "Well well well, if it
>isn't the little warrior. I hope you weren't counting on that bird of
>yours to do very much. Nor that horse for that matter. They are in
>holding lets say. In another part of my realms." He says with a laugh.
>
>The door of her cell opens. The strap around her waist opens and her
>shackles are released. "Now we can do this the easy way, you can come
>with me, you can make yourself at home, or we can do this the hard
>way..." He says with hope and hatred in his eyes. He checks her out.
>"I
>myself am hoping you will take the easy way."
>
Serey is a sort of Xena of the past, but not as evil and not as strong
Dellina gives Ares a look that could kill, then asks "what's the hard
way?"
"Oooh. I like a woman with some fight in her. You remind me of someone I
am fairly close to." He looks at her with this mischievous smile and
lets out a small laugh. "The hard way. You want to know about the hard
way to settle this situation. You remain in my dungeon for a while. I
kill those little pets of yours, then I will sacrifice you for blood
that will strengthen my warriors." He gets close to her. He puts his
hands on her shoulders. "But see I give you a choice because to tell you
the truth, I like you." He kisses her shoulder then begins to massage
her shoulders and neck very gently. "Come with me young one. We will go,
you can rest in my quarters then we could talk when you are ready. What
do you say?" He kisses her shoulders some more.
A Few hours later
In Ares's master sleeping quarters...
Serey ties up the long gorgeous blue dress that Ares left for her on the
bed. She looks at the small pile of clothes she was just wearing, then
at herself now in the mirror on the wall. She sits down at the small
vanity in the left corner of the room. She lets her hair down out of its
braid. She picks up a silver brush and gently strokes her soft black
hair. She then gets up and jumps onto the soft fluffy bed with all of
its fine blankets and comforters. She lays her head on the soft feather
pillows and lays there thinking about a reason why she is there. Her
mind falls silent and she sleeps deeply, calmly, comforably.
a few minutes later...............
"Ares, Ares...ARES!" A cloaked figure slowly stumbles into the chamber. She
see's the girl on the bed starting to stir and stands back behind the door.
Pulling down the black hood, it's Callisto. Her face is pale as death and
she is bleeding badly from a cut on her cheek. She has blood pouring from
her mouth and is breathing heavily. She swallows hard then collapses to the
floor.
Serey sits up in the bed, wondering if this is just a dream, but decides
it is not. She runs over to a water basin on a table near a vanity in
the corner and brings it near Callisto (but as of now Serey does not
know who it is). Serey props the womans head on her lap. She rips off a
piece of her dress and gets it wet. She rings it out then brings it to
the woman's cheek. "Don't worry, you will be fine." She rips another
piece off her dress soaks that with water, then drips the water in the
womans mouth. She reaches over to the bed and pulls a blanket off. She
throws it over the woman. Serey keeps giving the woman water and
continues to try to soothe the woman's wounds, wondering what happened
to this woman. "Don't worry, it will be all right. Take it easy." Serey
is reminded of an old memory from when her town was destroyed, how she
was in this same type of situation. Serey begins to cry a little. She
rocks the woman back and fourth gently, caring for the woman's wounds
and giving her water. She keeps saying "Don't worry, you'll be alright."
>Callisto opens her eyes, "Ares?" she tries to move but can't. "Where's
>Ares!?" She asks the woman. "I need him, NOW!" Her voice is shaky and
blood
>continues to flow.
>
>
"I do not know." Serey's eyes get a little teary at the sight of the
blood continually flowing because she knows that is not a good sign. "Just
relax. I would get him if I could but I don't know where he is. He just
left me here. I don't even know my way around." She tears another piece
of dress to try to bandage the wound on her cheek so she can put
pressure on it. "Don't try to move, your muscles may create a sessior if
you do. Practically every muscle in your body is tense, tired, and
wounded in some way." Serey looks at the weary woman in what almost
seems horror. "What happened to you?" Serey says while gently stroking
the woman's hair as to try to calm her.
>Callisto swallows hard, and begins to explain:
>"You don't know who I am do you?"
>
"No I don't." Serey responds. She begins to shake a little at the amount
of blood flow from the woman's mouth. "This is definately not a good
sign." Serey thinks to herself.
>
>"I guess it doesn't matter." She shifts her wait and closes her eyes.
"I'm a
>Goddess, or rather I was. Xena, *coughs gently* she...she killed me."
>Callisto smiles at the woman. "or she thought she did. But it just
returned
>me to my...mortal form. I wasn't a true Goddess so it didn't kill
me...I
>need the ambrosia and I know Ares has it. If not...I'll die.."
"Well, if you need it so badly, let's go find some. I believe I saw some on my way into the temple. IN a main room or something." The two walked out of the room and into the maze of a temple, which continues off the plot.
Xena seemed to be under control by Ares and nothing could be done about it. Gabrielle, broken in emotion, decided she would leave Xena and return to her Amazon sisters. The only two that could stop this would be the ones out of the action the most, Apollo and Niko. But what could a mortal do? Read to find out....
>Gabrielle broke down and cried. There was nothing she could do, Xena
was
>gone to Ares. Maybe forever. She wished upon every force imaginable
that
>Xena would see the light, but she had done everything she could, it was
>up to her now. Strange how she thought their friendship would be enough
>to keep her from turning to Ares, she guessed that it was hard to deny
>what was in your soul. She slowly got up and started heading for
>Poteidaia.
Apollo, although trying as hard as he could, did have Xena leave the temple and reunited with Gabrielle, but something was still not right. Xena went back to talk with Ares, and that is where we are now...
>"Xena turned and looked at Ares with a hard, hurtful glare. "It's YOUR
>fault things didn't progress between us! I was hoping it would. You say
>it was my fault, but I didn't have a choice! Before I could chose who I
>wanted to go with you had vanished assuming I would just up and leave
>you to go with Apollo! I wanted to stay with you!" She stopped
>astonished at what she had just said, but knew it was true in her heart,
>"yes, Ares, if you had had just a small bit of trust in me I would have
>chosen you. I think you could be an awesome king, especially with me as
>your Queen and yes, even the sexiest king! If you recall my younger
>days, I loved the barbaric you with your wild thoughts! I would have
>gladly lead an army into battle under your banner and still will! But
>you gave up on me and left me to grieve at what I thought was actul,..
>love! If you think you're the only one who was hurt, you better think
>again!
>
Gabrielle, now even more hurt than ever, met up with Melina, if not already introduced, a girl looking for her family, gave her a ride away from the Temple.
Gabrielle looked hurt. She couldn't believe that Xena actually wanted to
leave her to be with Ares. Did the last few years mean nothing to her?
They had certainly meant something to Gabrielle, she knew she couldn't
just up and leave Xena at the whim of a god. She looked at Xena with
hurt in her eyes and then looked away. "Melina I think I want to get
off" Melina stopped Calypso and let Gabrielle off, all the while with a
confused look on her face.
Back at the Temple......
Apollo appeared next to the two. "Xena, you can't! You
>can't go with him. It is just his trick into winning you back! Think
>of all the good you have been doing! Think of what will happen to you
>on judgement day if you go back to him! You will ruin your afterlife
if
>you do! Think of Gabrielle! Think of everyone else who loves you,
>depends on you, and who you, in return love back!" exclaimed Apollo.
>
"Apollo," Xena said walking towards him, "I am in love with him. It may
be a phase or something, but right now he's the one person I want to be
with. Gabrielle will be coming with me. I couldn't stand being away from
her." Xena turned and looked at Ares, "If you love me as much as I love
you, then you'll have already figured out I won't be attacking innocent
villagers like I did in my past. I will be taking over armies though.
I'll take your army, and crush weaker armies until there are none left.
If I take over the evil armies then that will bring peace and prosperity
to the world. That's what you wanted isn't it Ares?" Xena turned towards
Apollo again, "You'll just have to trust me. If you think I will let my
dark side win me back, then please check on me frequently and you'll see
I'm stronger than it is."
Xena turned and looked around, "Where is Gabrielle?"
Apollo, after hearing this, pulled Xena over to him by her arm,
gently and began to whisper in her ear so no one else could listen.
"Xena, I will be watching you constantly. I know you are too strong to
return to your dark side, but I will be there just incase. Remember
what Lao Ma said, "To conquer others is to have power, to conquer
yourself it to know the way," and when you feel just a little tension
between you and your dark side, remember her, her wisdom, her serenity,
her beauty. I will be there and mabey I will talk to you, through your
mind. Good luck, my friend,"
he said as he dissapeared so he was there, yet not even Ares could see
him. "As for Gabrielle," he though projecting it into Xena's mind, she is too hurt to show herself. Even the strongest of gods can't find her."
Gabrielle, after running and crying for three days, stopped for something to drink. She was actually crying a river when........
Niko touched her on the shoulder, startling her. "Gabrielle, Apollo told me what happened. Do you realize
what Xena will do if you don't stay with her? She might turn back to
her ways. I have heard that she knows that you are the only thing that
keeps her from returning to her evil side? If this is true, you can't
leave her now, and if you leave now, you may never be able to come
back," he said as he picked up his staff and walked to her.
Gabrielle gave Niko a little smile. "She has made her decision already,
there is nothing I can do to stop her. I once believed that it was me
who kept her from going back to her old ways, but I have learnt that the
only one who can make that decision is Xena herself. I can't hang around
the God of War in the hope that Xena will come around, I wouldn't be
true to myself. The Amazons will welcome me back into their number, I am
still the Queen, and one day I will learn to get through the day without
thinking about Xena."
"I don't understand Gabrielle, you have been the best of friends for
so long. At least think about staying with Apollo and me for a little
while. We are not staying in Poteidaea for much longer, we are headed
North where there have been rumors of Dahak starting trouble. What do
you think?" asked Niko.
Gabrielle turned her back and didn't reply. "Gabrielle, consider what I said, please?"
Suddenly, there was a sound coming from the brush. Serey jumped out at Niko and Gabrielle.
> Niko, who was surprised about the attack, pushed Gabrielle out of
the path of Serey and hit her in the stomache with his staff. "Who are
you?" he asked Surprised. She got up and was about to attack when he
saw Callisto come out of the bushes. He felt a sharp pain in his side
as Serey kicked him in the ribs.
>
>"One last chance. Give it to me."
>
"Why are you attacking us?" he asked as he helped Gabrielle up. "I
don't want to hurt you!"
>"Thats it!" Serey spins and jumps, with kicks and swings that plunge
into the limbs of her opponents (who are Gabrielle and Niko). There is a
long battle between the three of them. But at the end of the fight,
Serey is caught off guard and with a swift hit with someone's staff, she
is knocked off her feet and sent falling down a rocky hill. When she
reaches the bottom, she is unconcious and bleeding badly.
>---
Niko runs down the hill after the girl and reaches her finding her
unconsious and bleeding. "Gabrielle, help me," he said as he backed up
away from her. It was the first time he was about to reveal his powers
to someone beause of the drastic situation. He stepped up to Serey and
covered her forehead with his hand. Light soon surrounded her and her
wounds were healed. Her eyes opened and she looked up at him.
Gabrielle entered astonished, but still, through her confusion, ran to get some water..
Serey, scared and confused. Frightened by the magic of this man. Goes and gets up. She flips backward so both of these people are in her view. Her head still pounds. She is fairly dizzy. Yet she stands in a deffensive position in case these people try to hurt her or take to the town prison. Serey does not know what to do or what to think. She just stands there looking as tough as she can, trying not to show her confusion in her head. Suddenly, the pain and dizziness overwhelm her and she falls to the ground. She looks up at the spinning world around her then she passes out and into a deep sleep.
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