Title: Dark Becomes Light
Author: Jonathan
Chapter: 25
Rating: Nothing worse than the tv shows. Think people around the age of 15 are mature enough to read this. Just as the shows which tend to get dark at times,
this might get there too.
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"
Summery: Xander finds a mystical artifact. Demona calls upon it and takes Xander along for the ride. When there, he and a gargoyle meet. Together the two of them end up in Ancient Greece.
Disclaimer: Buffy: the Vampire Slayer is owned by Whedon, Fox, and UPN. Gargoyles is owned by Bueana Vista and Disney. Xena: the Warrior Princess is owned by Renaissance Pictures, Tapert, and Raimi.
Author Notes: It appears that I'm back. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm going to be sticking to for this series for a while. See how far I can get into it again. Let me know what you think.
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer
Gargoyles
Xena: Warrior Princess
Special Thanks: Nick, William, and Cyclone
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Brooklyn sighed as he sat down on a log. Before which, he clasped his wings together to form a cloak. Looking to his left, he soon spotted Joxer getting the ingredients together for the fish that was being made for lunch.
By his right, Gabrielle sat as still as she did for last few hours. Or at least it seemed a few hours to the gargoyle.
He let out a breath that he was holding in. Storytelling wasn't his forte. Gabrielle on the other hand was the natural choice. However due to the recent predicament, the gargoyle had to stand up to the plate.
Taking his left talon, he quickly rubbed it down his right upper arm. "Alright," he said slowly. "Where were we?"
Alesia quickly filled him in on the current stance of the tale.
He gave her a nod, "Ok…so…Tyrella was pretty upset that…
888888
"Tyrella!"
Her stepmother and stepsister looked at her as she turned around.
"Did you finish cleaning the table?" Her stepmother asked.
"Just finished it, dear stepmother." Tyrella beamed happily.
Pelia looked at her, she wore dress sown together with rags and leftover cloth from previous sewing jobs. "What's with the dress?"
"Do you like it?" She asked with a grin. "I was sewing it all day for the ball tonight. Well, between the time I had with doing the chores."
She chuckled, "You really think you're going to the ball tonight?"
"The messenger said we were all invited." Tyrella explained.
Her stepsister shook her head, "Don't be a fool. You can't wear that. You've got no way to get there. And your dear uncle won't help you. He's already at the castle helping the prince get things together. In short you're not going."
Not waiting for a response, the two headed upstairs to their desired rooms to get together for the ball.
Tyrella sighed with a pout. "I didn't want to go to the party anyway." She went to the counter and started to wipe it clean with a wet rag.
"Tyrella."
She turned around to spot a tall woman wearing a white gown. "And you are?"
The woman in question smiled, "I'm here to help. Of course if you're not interested in going to the party, then I--."
Tyrella cut her off, "Royal party? No! I'd love to go."
She grinned, "Well, good. My name is Hermonia, fairy godsmother, at your service. Let's see, you're going to need a new outfit and…what else?"
Tyrella said, "I could use a ride."
"I can help you with that, but remember, my spell only lasts until sunup…in other words," she then pulled out a small hourglass, "when the san runs out, so must you."
"The royal party was in full swing. It was a great event. There were rubies upon the rubies, and diamonds upon the diamonds."
Tyrella, now in a white long dress, entered the ballroom. She scanned the room and spotted her stepmother and stepsister. By the other wall, she spotted her uncle talking to some other gargoyles. Tyrella smiled and wanted to say hello her when she soon saw the prince.
Her smiled widened as she gazed upon the tall man with dark hair. He was beyond handsome and had to be made by the gods. No two humans could make such a beautiful person.
Tyrella walked closer to the prince as he finally gazed his eyes upon hers.
"What a hunk of a man." Tyrella surprised herself saying.
He flashed her a smile as he met up with her. "They're playing our song."
"Who's the new girl?" Pelia asked.
"I don't know." The stepmother said.
The prince and Tyrella danced around the ballroom. The two of them continually looked into each other's eyes. The music swayed throughout the room as both bodies moved gently to the beats. They both were entranced with the other as they continued to dance.
All the world melted away as the two souls joined together. All that was left in their minds were the two of them.
"You dance wonderfully." The prince said with a smile.
"Thank you." Tyrella stated.
The prince spun her around when he reached for her right hand. Watching her spin to the further away, he brought her back when they bodies melded back to each other.
For quite some time, the two danced, each one enjoying the other's company.
Tyrella didn't want this night to end. She was having an incredible night. Something she knew she'd always remembered. Tyrella stared at his dark eyes and was soon swallowed in to the pools of chocolate.
It took a great amount of willpower to pull away when she saw the last few grains of sand start to pour down the centered hole.
She shook her head, "I have to go."
Reluctanly, she withdrew her arms and headed for the door. Her dress started to fall apart and failed to recover the glass slipper that fell off her foot.
"Wait!" The prince yelled, "your shoe…" he concluded quietly.
888888
"Brooklyn."
The mention of his name caused his to stop his storytelling.
"Hey Xander." The gargoyle greeted his friend. "Where's Xena?"
"She's just down the road." The young man said as he approached the young bard, "How's our patient doing?"
He shrugged, "Still as ever."
Xander nodded as he sat down beside her. "Xena said she wanted you go meet up with her. Take a break. I'll keep them company."
Brooklyn said as he got to his feet, "Alright. Alesia will tell you where I left off." The gargoyle said his farewell to the young girl and headed down to meet with Xena.
Xander grinned as the gargoyle left. As soon as he was sure of it, Xander looked at Joxer, "Hey, Joxer?"
The Warrior looked at him, "Yeah?"
Xander replied. "Gabrielle's been cooped here all afternoon. I'm going to take her and Alesia for a walk. Keep an eye on Zantar."
Joxer nodded.
"Good." He then offered his hand to Alesia, "How about it?"
She asked, "Could you tell more of the story as we walk?"
"Sure." Xander said as the three headed off.
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"So what happens next?" Alesia asked as the three of them walked further down path.
Xander said, "I dunno if we should continue the story yet."
"Why not?" She pouted.
"Because…my student isn't awake yet."
Alesia took a step back. "What?"
Xander grinned a wider smile then usual. "Alex." He then opened his arm and showed the sleeping child. "I'd think he'd enjoy a story too."
"You're not Xander." She said in shock.
"My…you are a smart child." 'Xander' said. He turned to Gabrielle, "Why don't you hold onto her Gabrielle."
Gabrielle's mind was screaming in shock. This wasn't Xander, yet she couldn't do anything about it. The young woman went to grab hold of the little girl.
"How can she do that? You're not Xander!"
'Xander''s body disappeared to reveal Puck. "True. I'm not Xander. But I am using his voice."
"Gabrielle…take her."
Alesia shook her head.
"No…" she said in a whisper.
Alesia needed help. She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Doesn't matter. You can stop, Gabrielle. Let her run."
Gabrielle stopped.
She didn't like this. Not one bit and she couldn't do anything about it. Puck had control of her.
"Puck!"
He turned to soon spot Aphrodite suddenly appearing.
"Stop this!"
He grinned. "Alex and I are having so much fun." He soon noticed Alex waking up. "Now we're going to learn that Aphrodite isn't the only child of Oberon that can cause trouble."
"Gabrielle…fight her with you staff." Soon, her staff appeared floated just before. Taking her hands she took hold of the weapon.
"Puck, don't do this."
She waited for a response but it didn't come. Instead, a blow to the head from Gabrielle's staff hit her. She then disappeared a second later and reappeared behind her.
"I don't want to hurt you."
Gabrielle grunted as she used her staff and swung it over her head as she turned around and hit her on the arm.
"Puck."
He chuckled as he watched with amusement.
------
Xena placed her left hand on the bark of a tree as she grabbed the end of the bolt with her right. "They should've turned back," she said as she yanked out the weapon. Taking it in her hand, she gave it to her friend.
Xander took it and placed it back in the quiver. "How do you think they got smarter?"
She replied as she turned to face him, "They have help."
"Ares?" Xander asked.
"No. This isn't Ares' style." Xena said to him. "The only god that knows about Zantar's men and are predicament with Gabrielle is Aphrodite. And she's already helping us, she wouldn't do it."
He nodded slowly, "So Puck then…"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking." Xena agreed with him. "This is would definitely continue his style. He definitely enjoys chaos."
Xander chuckled slightly, "I think him and Ethan Rayne would get along." After seeing a confused look, Xander added, "A person from my time. Always causing problems. Like turning all of Sunnydale adults into teenagers through chocolate. Anything that forces chocolate to go bad is definitely wrong in my book. It's so full of chocolaty goodness. No need to try and improve it. I tell you, chocolate and evil so do not deserve to be near each other."
Xena nodded in agreement, "I dunno but this Ethan fellow, but using chocolate for evil is wrong."
Xander grinned, "Totally." Having a sudden thought, he patted his belt. "Great. I dropped a sickle." He turned around to inspect the ground.
Xena was about to say something when she heard her name being called. The tall woman turned her face to see Brooklyn coming toward her. "Brooklyn? Why aren't you with Gabrielle and Alesia?"
He answered, "Xander said you needed me."
Xander shook his head, "Um…no I didn't." He then got to his feet with the recently misplaced sickle.
"I just saw you with Gabrielle and Alesia." Brooklyn said to them.
"I've been with Xena." He explained.
"Then…" Brooklyn said trying to put things together. "Who did I talk to?"
Xander and Xena looked at each other. "Puck."
Brooklyn said, "And if he's with Gabrielle…"
"I so don't like this guy." Xander grunted.
"Never did myself. C'mon. Let's hope Aphrodite is slowing Puck down."
"We need to find them." Brooklyn told them.
"Brooklyn, go back to watch Zantar. Something tells me that Zantar's men are headed for him. He's going to need your help. Xander and I are going to try and find Alesia and Gabrielle."
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Aphrodite circled around the armed Gabrielle.
"Honey, you have to stop this." 'Dite said to Gabrielle as she charged forward with her staff.
She waited for a response, yet sighed when she remembered she wouldn't give her. "Puck, when Gabrielle gets freed of this, you're so going to pay for this."
He grinned, "I don't think so. I'm having too much fun."
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"Joxer, where's Zantar?"
He placed the pan on a stump as he looked upward. "Brooklyn? He's tied up." Joxer then looked at the tree where Zantar was positioned, "See." But something wasn't right. "Gabby's staff is missing."
"What?"
He answered, "Gabrielle's staff. We used it to help tie Zantar. It's not there anymore." The tall man then turned to the gargoyle, "What's going on? I thought you were with Xena."
"I was." Brooklyn answered. He then explained the recent issue to him.
"So that wasn't Xander." He said trying to understand what was going on.
"Right. It was Puck." The gargoyle went over to Zantar who was still gagged. Taking the fallen pieces of rope from the misplaced staff, he used them to tie Zantar's hands together, making what already was done tighter.
"Take your claws off him."
Brooklyn turned and saw seven men approaching him. He took a step back when he saw what they were wearing. "Where did you get that armor?" He asked them already knowing the answer.
"Doesn't matter." The bald member said.
"We're here for Zantar." Another one growled.
Brooklyn needed help. He didn't realize that they were going to be wearing Xanatose armor. Damn Puck. He was going to have to do the best he could do. Try and stall them until the others get here.
His eyes turned bright white as he unleashed a growl that only a gargoyle could uphold. He opened his wings wide and charged forward. Brooklyn grabbed the bald member by the forearm and tossed him over his head forcing him to land on one of fallowing six members.
He leapt onto another one and punched him in the head, the same time using his tail to wack other members. Using his own techniques and new ones that he learned from Xena and Goliath.
"I could use your help, Joxer."
He nodded. Fumbling a little, he grabbed his sword and headed into the fray. The only thing in his mind was help Brooklyn.
------
Xander and Xena continued their search for both Gabrielle and Alesia. Both didn't know where to look, but knew they had to keep searching.
"Alesia?" Xena asked aloud.
"Alesia?" He asked as well.
The two of them edged closer to a cliff.
"Do you think she'd be here? I mean, do you really need me here? Wouldn't helping Brooklyn be something needed more attention now."
"We've been searching for a while now, Xander. Here's a good place as any to look. As for why I need your help, we might run into Gabrielle and if she's with Puck…"
He nodded, "Good point. Sorry. Just I thought Brooklyn might need help against seven people."
"He would, which is why we need to do this and fast."
They heard a sudden rattle.
Turing to the edge of the cliff, they heard some more rattling which turned out to be falling pieces of rock.
Xander put himself on the ground and looked over the edge and spotted a bunch of blond hair. "Hey, over hear."
Xena joined him and spotted Alesia. "Hang on, Alesia!"
She managed to look above her.
"Xena! Xander!"
"I'm coming! Hold tight."
Xander looked around them and spotted a vine that was bundled by a nearby tree. Talking it, he handed one end to his friend. She smiled her thanks and started to descent down the cliff.
"Hold tight. I'm coming. I'm not far away, sweetheart. Ok. Come on, Alesia." She was now next to her. Gripping tight to the vine, she used her other hand and grabbed hold of the little girl. "Let go of it. There you go. All right."
"I got too close to the edge…and fell."
"Ok, well, hold on around my neck." Alesia grabbed Xena's neck as she started to climb back to the top. "Ok. All right, I-I gotcha. Now, come on."
They got to the top and Xander helped Alesia get off of her back. "You okay?" Xander asked.
"How did you get away?" Xena asked.
She answered, "Puck took control of Gabrielle. HeeHehh used Xander's voice. I ran away as fast as I could."
"He used my voice?"
Alesia nodded.
"I'm starting to really hate that guy."
Xena looked at her, "If Puck has control of Gabrielle, how did you get away?"
She answered, "I just ran. I hid behind a tree and when Aphrodite appeared, he focused on her."
"Aphrodite!"
A few seconds later a bundle of sparks appeared.
"Xena, I found her. Puck has her."
Xena answered, "I know. Alesia told me." She turned to Xander, "I want you to teleport Xander and Brooklyn to Gabrielle. With Gabrielle caught in the middle of Xander and Puck, Brooklyn can use the time to stop him."
Xander asked, "How's he going to do that?"
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"Joxer! Brooklyn!"
The four of them charged in as soon as they saw Brooklyn unconcious and Joxer tied up and gagged.
Xena approached Joxer as Xander did the same for the gargoyle. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"
Joxer sighed after Xena removed his gag. "We got ambushed. It was Zantar's men. I only got scratched, Brooklyn got most of the damage."
Xander saw Brooklyn start to come around. "You alright?"
He patted his head for a second and pulled himself into a sitting position. "Zantar's' men…attacked us."
He noted a big gash on his forearm. "You're hurt."
Brooklyn looked at the wound, "Stone sleep will take care of it."
Xena took a piece of cloth that was laying on the ground. After washing it with some water to clean it, she looked at his wound and wrapped it. "Just to keep it clean."
He said, "Thanks." Starting to get up, Brooklyn was soon helped by Xander. "Thanks, Xander." Brooklyn shook his head, "Xena, you have to know something. His men were wearing armor made by Xanatos, a man from my time."
"Yeah, they wore armor like I never seen."
Brooklyn growled, "I tried my best to stop them, but they were too much. I'm lucky I only got this gash."
Xena clarified, "They only wanted Zantar."
Xander sighed, "We're way out of our league here."
Xena looked at them, "Did they say anything?"
Joxer said, "Yeah, yeah. They're headed for Alesia's castle."
Xena gave it some thought, "I need you do something Aphrodite. This is more dangerous then I thought it will be. I need you Brooklyn and Xander to go to Puck. We need Gabrielle for this. Then I need you to…"
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TBC---To Be Concluded
I hope the next chapter ends this arc. I never thought Puck would this be much problematic, but as soon as I added him to this arc, and especially this chapter, I realized this is tougher than I originally planned. So I hope next chapter ends this arc, and that will end this first fic.
A sequel/sequels are planned. So this isn't the end of this series, but the first one is coming to a close. This series is canon-based. So we're going to be entering the India episodes next. This should be interesting.