Ares' Offer
By the Mighty Lu Bu
I don't own Xena, but I'm looking into a payment plan.
Three months had passed since the dramatic events surrounding Lila, Dahak and Alti. Yakute and her Amazons had returned north to rebuild Northern Amazon lands since Alti was gone. However though they didn't know it, they were still doomed to wait with Cyane and the others in the afterlife as they never found a holy word to break Alti's curse.
They searched the world over to recover Lila's baby, who by now was like around ten because of her rapid growth.
Gabrielle never again took up the staff as her main weapon. She learned how to use the sword expertly from Ephiny, she wasn't as good as Xena (Her opinion) but she was now a skilled swordsman. Xena's Chakram was more difficult. She hadn't quite got the hang of it yet but she was now able to catch it, she did not have the control that Xena had, she practiced with two trees. She hadn't yet managed a third as it kept getting stuck. Still she was getting good.
The refugees had been pushed out of the Amazon village and Centaur lands and into the new Potidea that was built on some land bought from Corinth by the Amazons and the Centaurs. Lila visited often. Iolaus also moved there.
Gabrielle never could get away from her duties as Queen enough to really be with Iolaus. Eventually with Gabrielle's blessing he got close to Lila. He had started a training regime for the town militia as well as a children's hunting club for the young boys of new Potidaea, he nicknamed it the boy scouts.
Still things were not right in the world and a storm was coming as Gabrielle knew. Caesar had crushed Britannia and shortly after Gaul. Pompeii could not match the power of Caesar and was executed as a traitor before he could even try to lead his army against Caesar. Caesar would eventually come to Greece and Gabrielle knew that.
But more importantly was Dahak. If what Callisto said was true then Dahak would be causing serious problems very soon.
---
Gabrielle sat in her hut. With the possible threat of Caesar she developed a comprehensive plan of defense for not just Amazon territory but all of Greece. She figured that Caesar would land the same way Xena did when she invaded Corinth by sea landing to the north. Everyday when she wasn't doing her training or her duties as queen she was studying battle plans. She often used the documents of the Centaurs which detailed Xena's invasion of Corinth in great detail.
She coordinated and shared her defensive strategies with the leaders at Corinth, Athens, and the small principalities in the region. She tried to deal with the Spartan king but they distrusted her because of her sex. If only Leonidas had survived the Persian invasion in the north, they might have been able to achieve something.
As she planned her defensive campaign a figure appeared behind her. "I must say I never thought you could create such an elaborate battle plan." Gabrielle unsheathed her sword pointing it at the person who turned out to be Ares. Gabrielle said "What do you want." Ares replied "I just came to have a look." He waited "And make an offer." Gabrielle replied "I'm not interested in your offers Ares."
Ares replied "Oh I think you will be. You see your plan has one large problem that keeps bugging you. You know what is." Gabrielle lowered her sword some "Sparta." Ares replied "Exactly, I could rally the Spartans to your side. Lets just say we have some common ground." Gabrielle asked "Why would you do that?"
Ares replied "I need a leader for my vision of this world. I realized after Velasca that warriors that were bad to the bone ass kicking warriors were perhaps the wrong choice. I started to consider people who could be ass kicking. Who could plot, fight and strategize but did so for a better world might be a better choice. Someone who is a warrior and a leader but had a good heart."
Gabrielle replied "I don't want your world." Ares replied "I could give you the world, or I could give it to Caesar. Your choice" He teleported away.
Gabrielle shook her head. She went out for a walk, watching Ephiny train with her fellow amazons. They were good. She never thought she would be preparing for possible military action like this. It seemed to her that it never could or would be like this. Course then again she never expected to be wielding Callisto's sword either.
Ares appeared behind her again. His hands caressed her shoulders, using tidbits of his power to put her at ease. She felt relaxed with him massaging her shoulders. Ares said "I've watched you. I remember when you could barely skip a rock. Now you've become a very skilled swordsman and your even learning to use Xena's Chakram. I must say I'm impressed." Gabrielle felt relaxed but suddenly tensed up and pulled away as if regaining her sense. She said "Ares, no I won't be your warrior." Ares said "I'm going to give you more time to think."
Gabrielle breathed at an irritated pace. She then calmed. She looked at the young Amazons. She still hadn't picked her successor. The child called Margo seemed especially strong and she considered making her, her adopted daughter. As that was the only way to officially make her heir. She continued to think.
---
Velasca was training with the child. The child had been named Peace by Dahak as an insult to the will of good people around the world. Though in the body of a ten year old she had become good with several weapons. Her powers, to move things with her mind were being developed as well. She practiced constantly so she could master the power and manipulate anything she wanted. The child was smart though and much to Velasca's disliking she had recently been given command over Velasca by Dahak.
It was her destiny, she must learn to led now cause in a few months time she would be a fully developed woman. She brushed back her long black hair concentrating further on practicing her powers.
She said "Velasca, My fathers kingdom is at hand, we soon need to find the ones who know about us and eliminate them so as they no longer pose a threat. Gabrielle, and my mother. Ephiny and Iolaus must die." Velasca replied "Let me be the one to kill Gabrielle." Peace said "You'll get your chance, Caesar will move on Greece soon, and then the opportunity to destroy our enemies will be here."
---
Gabrielle had a friendly contest sword fight with Ephiny. Ephiny parried every blow she could but Gabrielle had become much faster. Another strike, and another. Low blow, high blow. Ephiny tried a kick but Gabrielle blocked and she returned the favor but Ephiny blocked. Ephiny flipped over to get behind her but Gabrielle back flipped to keep her position.
Their swords came together again. Each blow continued to be blocked by the other. Repeatedly they were blocked, but they kept going. Ephiny tried a stab but Gabrielle kicked her sword hand sending her sword loose. Gabrielle caught with her left and held both swords to Ephiny.
Gabrielle handed Ephiny her sword back. "4 for 4, that's good, I'm tired." Ephiny was impressed, Gabrielle had gotten much better, she felt soon she would be an equal to Xena, if only she were alive to see this she would be proud.
Gabrielle walked alone later on, examining once again their village looking for a way to improve upon it. Then he appeared again. Gabrielle turned to him again. "I don't want to hear it Ares." Ares replied "I've got something to sweeten the deal." Gabrielle said irritated "What could offer me that would make me want to help you" Ares answered back, "The health of Iolaus."
Gabrielle froze. She then asked "You mean heal him?" Ares replied "Yes Gabrielle, I mean heal him. Fix his bones, I can do that. He wouldn't have to live so close to death anymore. I don't want an answer right away, think about it, I'll see you soon."
