Title: New Beginnings Author: Lady Leonie Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: I don't own Xena. Summary: A possible ending for the last season. Author's Note: Well I geuss by now everyone has heard that this season will be the last for Xena and I pose a question. How do you all think the series should end? I decided to express my opinion in the form of a fanfiction story. This is what I would want the final episode to be....... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *opening scene* Xena, Gabrielle and Eve in the midst of a huge battle. "Xena, there are too many of them, we have to come up with a plan!" Gabrielle screamed as she fought off one of the Roman soldiers with her sais. Closing in on all sides were reinforcements bent on the destruction of Rome's betrayer Eve. "Dont think, Gabrielle, FIGHT!! I'll think of something." Xena growled as she removed her bloody sword from her opponents chest. Having faith in her friends ability to think on her feet Gabrielle fought on. From time to time she would catch a glimpse of Eve fighting with all her might, but in the massive onslaught she would quickly disappear. The three woman were drawing on their last reserves of strength and if something didn't break soon they would all die. The ravages of war and too many similar scenes such as this caused a familiar rage to begin flowing through Xena's veins. If they were to survive this Xena the Destroyer must take over. Her mighty war cry rang out and for a second fighting slowed. Gabrielle looked to her friend and for the first time since she had met Xena she felt fear. That strange light in Xena's eyes betrayed the return of her former blood lust. Right now it was almost welcome, but frightening just the same. A wrenching pain in her leg brought her attention back to the fight. Body after body fell at her feet while she fought for her life. The ground around them was red with the soldiers blood, as well as their own. She could not assess her own wounds, but knew they were there. Her strength was fading and even her silent prayers to Eli were not helping. A sharp sound of anguish reverbarated through the mass and she looked to see Eve impaled on the roman's sword. It was Augustus himself. Eve's betrayal with Ares has nurtured a bitter hatred from Rome's soveriegn that had led to this days fighting. Their mission accomplished the soldiers began drawing back. Using the respite, Gabrielle limped over to where Eve had fallen. Xena was already there cradling her dead child in her arms. Everything they had been through, all the friends they had lost was meaningless now. Gabrielle looked into Xena's tear streaked face and in unison the two shouted. "Kill them all!!" Augustus looked back to see Xena and Gabrielle closing in and ordered his men to attack. Once more the battle was on. Xena and Gabrielle fought with all their strength. Renewed by their need for vengeance for Eve's death, but even that was not enough against so many. When it looked as if all was lost the sound of a battle horn being blown grabbed everyones attention. Xena and Gabrielle stared in disbelief as Ares' army bared down on the battlefield. Seeing the sheer numbers of Ares' soldiers Augustus called for a retreat. As he passed over the hill he looked back and saw his death in the warrior princesses eyes. Ares yelled orders to his men to take Eve's body back to their camp and for Xena and Gabrielle to be brought to his tent. When he joined them there he was shocked at their appearance. Both woman were bleeding from numerous wounds and barely holding on. He found his camp healer and brought him to the tent. Cursing the fates that kept him from being able to heal them himself, he watched as the healer worked diligently to save them. Ares looked up as Virgil rushed inside. "Are they alright? Where is Eve?" Both men were surprised when it was Xena that answered. "Eve is dead! But I promise that her death will be avenged. " The last part was barely heard as Xena lapsed into unconsiousness. Virgil turned tearful eyes to Ares. "What happened? I thought you said you would help them. When I heard about Augustus' plans, I came to you of all people for help and you failed." Ares pulled his sword and placed it at Virgil's neck. "I did NOT fail! My army drove Ceasar away. We were just too late to save Eve. The Romans attacked earlier then we expected and the battle was on when we got there. I did what I could little boy, don't ever accuse me again!" Virgil turned and walked out of the tent. Ares sat down and sighed. "I should have been there sooner." *Several days later* "We are leaving and you cannot stop us Ares, so don't even try. That bastard murdered my daughter and he will pay for her life with his own if it's the last thing I do." Ares watched as Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil mounted their horses and left the camp. Neither one of the woman was fit for battle, since they were both still recovering from the last one. Deciding that whether they wanted his help or not they were gonna get it. He ordered his men to assemble and begin their march behind Xena. *Rome* "Sire, Xena is coming and she has Ares' army with her. Shall I order a battlalion to meet them?" "No, Damian, We will wait until they are inside the walls of the city and finish them off, once and for all!" The army moved along silently with only the sounds of the horses hooves to accompany them. Ares had given Xena temporary command of his men as they marched on Rome. The soldiers all shared the fear that this would end up being a suicide mission. The small battalion they had scared away was nothing compared to the full might of Romes army. The common thought was that Ares' lust for the two women would be their death and along the way several of the soldiers has quietly rode off in the opposite direction. Ares and Xena both knew about the desertions, but neither would acknowledge what that meant. When the time came to fight they were not sure of how many of the men would flee. Ares fell back to where Gabrielle rode at Virgil's side. Sensing that he wanted to talk to Gabrielle, Virgil galloped ahead. "Gabrielle? You know that this time you and Xena may not survive the battle." Gabrielle looked with dead eyes at the former god. "You are mortal now too Ares, aren't you worried about your own death?" Taken aback by the question Ares thought a moment. "Well, I suppose if I am to die, I can think of no better way then on a field of battle with you and Xena at my side." Still not used to this kinder, gentler Ares she looked for the usual sarcasm and found none. Who would of thought it would come to this. Ares as a ally and their former friend Augustus their mortal enemy. "I don't think that we thanked you for coming to our aid before. So I'll say it now. Thank you Ares!" Gabrielle leaned over and placed a kiss on Ares cheek. For the first time since Eve's death she felt the need to laugh when she saw the subtle blush come over Ares' face. *the outskirts of Rome* The entire Roman army sat poised for battle over the next hill and Xena knew this was not going to be a fight she would walk away from. She sensed when Gabrielle joined her and looked at her companion. "No matter what happens, Augustus must pay for what he has done. Promise me, Gabrielle that if I fall you will finish it." Gabrielle reached over and took Xena's hand. "Eve was like my daughter too, Xena. We will see this through together. I love you Xena." For a moment the Destroyer vanished and Xena tearfully replied. "I love you too, my friend." Looking around at the remains of the Army and Ares she turned back to Gabrielle. "Shall we dance?" Gabrielle nodded and Xena gave the command to attack. Ares yelled orders to the men to seperate into squads. they could attack from all angles, therefore giving them some advantage against the fastly approaching army. The sounds of swords clashing and wails of pain became deafening. Xena and Gabrielle's main goal of getting to Augustus was thwarted time and again. He was forever just a swords throw away and then gone again. Gabrielle bumped into someone and turned to fight but stopped when she found Ares at her back. The gleam of battle in his eyes, he grabbed her and gave her a quick, hard kiss. "Don't you just love the smell of blood in the morning? Oh Yeah! I still got it!" Gabrielle just shook her head and pushed him away as they each faced off with their opponents. She finally caught sight of Xena and saw that she was advancing on Augustus. He saw her coming and sent his men to intercept her. Pushing her way through the men she went to help. Along the way she nearly stumbled over a fallen soldier and quickly began to scream when she saw that it was Virgil. In her mind's eye he became Joxer and the rage washed away her anguish. Ordering one of Ares men to pull Virgil from the battlefield she fought her way to Xena's side. Shouting over the din, she told Xena of Virgil's death. Gabrielle could see Xena's own sense of purpose heighten. The two made short work of Ceasar's men and surrounded Augustus. "We saved your life once, Octavius and you repay me by killing my daughter. I choose to take back what was given. Prepare to die, spawn of Rome" Xena and Gabrielle both closed in on, but as Xena was about to attack a arrow whizzed by nearly missing her. The arrow did however find a target and Xena watched through a bloody haze as her dearest friend fell to the ground. The arrow imbedded deep in her heart. The light from Gabrielle's eyes was gone. Paralyzed with her grief she almost didnt hear Ares warning. "Xena watch out!!" She looked up to see Augustus thrusting his sword at her chest. With utter fury raging in her heart she crossed Augustus's sword with her own and buried it into his chest. She watched with glee at the surprise in his eyes as his life's blood rushed out of him. When he fell from his horse, she fell with him. His sword has also found flesh. Numbed to the pain Xena pulled away from the killing blade and crawled to Gabrielle's body. Her last breaths coming laboring from her chest she grasped her friend's hand for the last time. Ares rushed to their side and let out a mighty roar of grief for the fallen warriors. Grabbing their arms he pulled them away from the dying battle. Once they were far enough away from the scene of death, he knelt on the ground and pulled the two woman he cared about most into his arms and wept. His tears leaving streaks through the blood and grime that covered their still faces. *fade into a furious blizzard* "By the gods! How long have they been up there? Joxer you idiot help me cut them down. " Joxer shot a look of contempt at Ares and mumbled under his breath."Like I wasn't going to do that anyway. Damn gods always pushing people around!" Ares heard the remark , but chose to ignore it. There were more pressing issues then the idiot's lack of respect. Quickly frustrated with Joxer's inept attempts to free the two woman Ares used his powers to remove the spikes holding Xena and Gabrielle to the crosses. With only the ropes left holding them the little amazon wannabe Amarice helped Joxer ease Gabrielle down and Ares released Xena. The supposed prophet Eli stood to the side muttering prayers while they did all the work. Now freed Xena and Gabrielle lay lifeless beside each other. When Eli stepped over to examine them Ares pushed him out of the way. "Let me show you how a real god operates." Placing his hands on their brows the others watched as a blue glow began to surround them. The color grew into a firey red and the two began to show signs of life. Xena was the first to open her eyes. She slowly looked up into Ares eyes. "Did I kill him? Did I kill Ceasar?" A little confused Ares answered. "Well no, but I hear Brutus is taking care of that as we speak." It was now Xena's turn to look confused. "I'm not talking about Julius, I meant Augustus. He killed Eve, Ares you know that. He has to die!" A old familiar voice chimed in. "Who in tartarus are Augustus and Eve. I think her brain is still froze Ares, better whammy her again." Xena turned to see a very young, very alive Joxer. "I must be back in heaven, good to see you again Joxer." Quirking his eyebrow at Xena's odd behavior Ares felt her forehead to check for fever. Surely she must be delirous, this place was not called Heaven. "Umm, Xena last time I checked this place was not called Heaven. Closer to Rome, but not quite." Xena turned to a now wakening Gabrielle. "Thank god, Gabrielle, you're alive!" Giving her friend a painful smile she took inventory of her body. "Yeah, Xena Im alive, but I sure hurt like Hades. Are you ok?" "Hurrumph...I believe that should have been thank THE God, Xena. I brought you back. Don't ask me why?" Looking at the faces surrounding her Xena realized it had all been a dream. Eve, the Twilight, and Augustus. It had all been so real. "I think we better get these two inside, Ares." Eli pointed toward a nearby cave. "You do it, my work is done. You owe me big time for this one, Xena. I'm gonna get reamed by Zeus for sure, for operating out of my territory." In a flash Ares disappeared. *Amphipolis* Cyrene and Gabrielle watched Xena sitting quietly polishing her sword. Cyrene put her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder. "I'm glad you two are o.k. but Xena does not seem herself since you two got back from Rome." Gabrielle faced her friend's mother and shrugged. "She is still a little confused. While we were uh...sleeping apparently she had a very vivid dream. Let me tell you about it and maybe you will understand. It all began in a place called Heaven............ *Fade to Black* I know its stealing from the famous Dallas dream season, but what the hell.