Title:
DBL: India Bound
Author: Jonathan
Chapter:
7
Rating: Nothing worse than the tv shows. Think people around the
age of 15 are mature enough to read this.
Category:
Gabrielle/Xander
Spoilers: In Buffy, post: "Living Conditions,"
In Gargoyles: Post "Journey" If Greg isn't counting season 3 as
canon, I'm not either. In Xena, post:
"Key to the Kingdom"
In Darkverse, post fic, "Dark Becomes Light"
Summery: Xander,
Brooklyn, Xena, and Gabrielle are in India, and are now experiencing
some new traditions.
Disclaimer: Buffy: the Vampire Slayer is
owned by Whedon, Fox, and UPN. Gargoyles is owned by Bueana Vista and
Disney. Xena: Warrior Princess is owned by Renaissance Pictures,
Tapert, and Raimi.
Author Notes: This is the second fic in the
Darkverse. You don't have to know "Dark Becomes Light," to
enjoy this, but it might help. It continues Xena Season 4
canon.
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire
Slayer
Gargoyles
Xena: Warrior Princess
Special Thanks:
Nick, William, and Cyclone
--
Brooklyn watched in shock as his friend launched himself from his chained position. He watched as the human laughed incredibly loud and pinned down the gargoyle. Xander smirked, "I thought a gargoyle was supposed to be strong."
Brooklyn tried to push him away from himself but soon found both hands forced to the ground. "I don't want to hurt you, Xander."
He smirked, "You really think you could?"
The gargoyle explained, "If I need to, I will."
Xander countered, "You don't have the guts." He then saw the necklace the gargoyle wore. "I could end this right now." Xander lifted his right hand and went for the amulet but what he didn't suspect was the sudden weightlessness.
His eyes widened as he was thrown to the other side of the wall. When Xander got to his feet, he saw the reason. Brooklyn's tail did that to him. He watched as Brooklyn approached him.
"Xander, just sit down. Xena and Gabrielle will be back soon. We'll find a way to get the hyena out of you." Brooklyn said calmingly monotone voice.
Xander walked toward him, "Maybe I don't want any help." He chuckled slightly, "I finally have strength, Hal. I was able to keep you pinned." Xander smirked, "I wonder how'd I do against Goliath. Or maybe, I should enlist Demona as part of my pack."
Brooklyn argued, "You don't know what you saying, Xander. Demona's psychotic."
Xander suddenly came up with an idea. He looked around the room and spotted a window. Looking back at the gargoyle, he said, "I don't have time for this." He chuckled slightly, "And I think you'd be interested in the outcome." That being said, Xander ran for the window, leapt on the ledge, and headed out of the room.
--
Outside Temple
Xena and Gabrielle left Eli a few moments later. Neither one of them knew what to do. Xena looked at her best friend a moment and saw a concerned look on her face…a look that the Warrior Princess knew all too well.
"What's the problem, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle leaned against the wall and stared at the ground. The whole experience with Xander left her feeling uncomfortable.
She looked at her friend and saw the equally concerned features of the tall brunette. The bard smiled knowing that Xena always had her best interests in heart. Even if sometimes Gabrielle didn't know the reasoning behind them.
Gabrielle let out a breath that she was holding in. "It's what happened to Xander."
Xena nodded as she joined her friend by the wall. "I wondered when you'd bring that up."
She grinned slightly. "Do you think that was really him back in that alley?"
From what Brooklyn smelt a few hours ago, it confirmed a few suspicions she had toward the young man. Xander's whole demeanor was different. The way he acted when they talked, the way he smiled, and the way his voice sounded dark.
"I think Xander isn't acting like himself." She left the wall and went to the wall in front of her. Leaning against that wall, the two friends were in front of each other. "Xander told me about this. A few years ago, a hyena possessed him. It made him do things…"
Xena was going to complete that sentence but then remembered the remaining truths of that tale. If Xander wanted to let Gabrielle know what had happened, he'd tell her. Xena didn't want to jeopardize the relationship the four of them were having. Especially if it was something Xena caused herself.
Gabrielle looked at her with questionable eyes. "Made him do what?"
She sighed, "Gabrielle, I don't want to say anymore." Xena gave her a smile. "We're reaching something that he might not be comfortable talking about."
"But he told you?" Gabrielle asked, shocked.
She clarified, "I don't want to say anything I'm going to regret." A moment passed. "When this is all done, you two need to talk. If he wants to tell you more about what happened, then he will."
She had to reluctantly agree. Xander never really liked to talk about his past. It took him a long time before he told her about his home life. And that was because he wanted to clear things up after talking about Vanessa.
At the moment, Xena then said, "Why don't we go check on Brooklyn and see how Xander is doing?"
That being said, the two left.
--
Ruined Temple
Xena didn't know how long she was in this spot, but between covering her scent with mud and remaining hidden, she could tell that Xander wouldn't detect her.
Being that Xander was now in the mode of a hyena, she had to think more like an animal. She had to put things on how an animal would react to these current situations. Covering her scent would allow Xander not to detect her.
Not to mention that night had come. That along with her mud covered skin made a nice camouflage. So, she continued to watch Xander and make sure that nothing drastic was upon the horizon.
When she and Gabrielle met Brooklyn back at the room, they found out that Xander escaped. So, she knew someone had to go find and keep an eye on him.
Since night was near, that took Brooklyn out of the running. That only left Gabrielle and her. Seeing how Gabrielle was still trying to deal with what happened between her and Xander, it made Xena realize it had to be her.
Ever since Xander had come into their lives, many things have changed. For the better in fact, but she could also tell something was going on with Xander. Xander always distant himself when telling future discoveries, but one thing Xena could tell that Xander was dealing with was attraction.
She wasn't blind. And even if Xander denied it, she could tell that he had feelings for her friend. The way he always smiled when he was around her, the way that he always was willing to give a hand, and the way that he put up with her bad days too.
Xena also knew that if he could, he'd restrain anything that would happen between them. But now that he wasn't in control of his actions, she wondered what could really happen.
One thing was certain they had to find a way to get rid of the hyena once and for all.
Another reason why Xena wanted to be the one to keep an eye on him was because she wanted someone to check on Eli. Especially when they discovered Xander was never the deva in the first place. It was Eli.
It all made sense. When Xena met up with Maya, it was Eli who touched and sent it into Xander. The crowd saw what they wanted, and they believed Xander was the deva. But it was Eli. So she sent Gabrielle to check on Eli.
Xena sighed. Of everyone who could've been possessed by Tatakah, it had to be Xander.
A sudden chuckle was heard.
Her face snapped to the source and spotted Xander walking around the circle that was made of a melted metal. It was in a very dark bronze color. She saw Xander come in with the metal just as she found this temple.
Soon, words of Latin were said, "Patefacio porta of posterus, promitto gargoyle Tartaka volo pario per."
Xena actually knew some Latin. While she didn't speak it, she did understand some of what was being said.
"Patefacio porta of posterus, promitto gargoyle Tartaka volo pario per."
The metal liquid hardened and glowed bright green. Light erupted as it ran the span of the circle. A humanoid shaped of light emerged. The light dissipated shortly after.
Her eyes widened when she saw what he was doing. A gargoyle appeared. One with long red hair and what seemed to be crown upon her forehead.
Her eyes flashed bright red as she screamed out in rage. When settled down, a light circulated around her hair and her eyes turned back to normal. She glanced toward the ground, her eyes relaxed. Looking at the young man, she said, "I remember you."
Xander grinned, "I hoped you would." He chuckled, "It seems we have a mutual friend."
She nodded, "Brooklyn…"
He nodded. "Right. It was actually him that gave me this idea." Xander circled the gargoyle. "Brining you here took a little too much power from me." He shrugged. "It's going to take some time before we can put it into motion."
A moment passed.
"But a gargoyle of your caliber would benefit India's future."
Xena's eyes widened as the two talked. Her mind screamed when she thought this gargoyle. Was this the gargoyle Brooklyn had warned them about? She knew Xander was told about her, and she knew the hyena had access to all of Xander's memories.
Brooklyn would know how to deal with her. She only hoped that her suspicions were correct. If Xena described her just right, Brooklyn would definitely know who she was talking about.
Very quietly, Xena exited the temple and headed for Brooklyn and Xander's room.
--
Xander and Brooklyn's Room
Xena approached the sleeping gargoyle. She raised her hand to the amulet when she heard, "Are you sure we need to wake him, Xena?"
She turned around and saw Gabrielle enter the room. "If this gargoyle is really who I think it is, then we're going to need his help."
The blonde nodded reluctantly as she edged closer to their sleeping friend as Xena's fingers wrapped around the necklace. Taking both hands, she lifted the jewel and raised it over his head.
Sudden patches of stone cracked and spread across the stiff exterior and fell the floor in seconds. Shards of stone scattered all around them. A loud booming roar soon filled the room as two eyes snapped wide open with glowing bright circles.
As the cries died down, Brooklyn turned around and saw both Xena and Gabrielle a few feet away. He wrapped his wings around his form as he stepped off the edge.
His eyes widened when he realized it was still night. He asked, "Is everything alright?"
Xena explained, "We need your help."
Brooklyn headed for the bed and sat down. His two friends joined him shortly.
Gabrielle added, "Xena followed Xander after he escaped."
"Go on." Brooklyn said slowly. All three of his friends knew not to wake him during the night if it wasn't important. So, he knew something was going on.
"I think Xander cast a spell that brought a gargoyle here."
He looked at Xena as she said those words as she continued, "This gargoyle knew who he was."
He nodded, "What gargoyle?" Brooklyn secretly hoped it was one of the clan members from back in Greece. The one that tried to sacrifice Joxer.
Xena explained, "She had long red hair. It looked like she wore a crown on her forehead." She then went on to describe the gargoyle in question.
His eyes widened.
"Demona…"
--
TBC