FOUR AGAINST THE DARKNESS
by Phil D. Hernández
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ACT FIVE
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Xena could not waste time wondering why her spirit body suffered more shocks besides those inflicted by Alti. The shamaness pressed her advantage, striking Xena at will, and yet was wary of a ruse. The Warrior Princess continued to fight, but with ever-decreasing effectiveness.
I know you're holding something back, Xena, sneered Alti, and it won't work. Anything you try, I can anticipate before you do it.
Xena's spirit shuddered again, and Alti used the disorientation to strike at the Warrior Princess.
The blow did not fall.
Anything except what you wanted, Xena declared, and grabbed Alti's wrist. Taking her chakram from her hip – what Xena had held back was that her initial attack had been pure illusion, and she had not thrown the weapon at all – she slashed Alti's palm. Replacing the chakram, for her other hand was part of her symbolic link to Gabrielle, Xena grabbed for the wounded member and slapped her own cut palm against it. Because this was the one maneuver Alti did not think the Warrior Princess would use, the shamaness did not react in time to stop her.
Feeling for Gabrielle, feeling for Hope, and feeling for Dahak's link to Alti, Xena dragged her opponent with her toward the living world. Too late, Alti understood what Xena was doing. The evil shamaness would not be as strong physically as she was in the spirit realm, and Dahak had also weakened himself by reinforcing his ally. On the other hand, Xena would be closer to the source of her true power: Gabrielle. The temple may have belonged to Dahak, but Gabrielle's sacrifice not so very long before provided a focus to concentrate the power of her light. For the first time since she joined forces with Dahak, Alti was afraid.
She was also determined that Xena would not take her prematurely into the living world.
*****
Gabrielle shouted. She was about to warn him not to move Xena, but she realized that he had no choice. Unfortunately, it happens that sometimes those who place themselves in harm's way are indeed harmed.
Dahak seized Joxer's arm.
OW! Leggo, you dirty he screamed, the flame burning him. Gabrielle clung to her friend as best she could without letting go of Xena, while Hope tried to eliminate this new threat.
At that moment, Xena shuddered again, and they could all sense that she was returning to her body. Any thought that this was due to Joxer's interference was dispelled when a shimmering green light above her materialized into Alti. The two antagonists, each seeking the other's throat, rolled away from Dahak's pit.
Mother, be careful, Hope warned.
I'm tired of being careful, Gabrielle declared. Dahak took my daughter and Xena's son. He took my innocence. He is not going to take Joxer, too. Do you hear me, Dahak? YOU ARE NOT TAKING ANOTHER INNOCENT LIFE! Her love blazed stronger than before. The fire around Joxer's arm released him and pulled back as if it had been burned itself.
Alti's last chance was to take Xena out before the latter could unite with her friends. She locked eyes with the Warrior Princess
*****
Xena was back in the gantlet, men beating her with clubs and fists, doing their best to kill her. She almost hadn't made it
The arrow in her side weakened her. Darius would have to push it through. Even then he wasn't done. Xena took his hand and pressed the hot poker to her torn flesh
Gabrielle had only been playing, but Xena didn't block the staff this time, and it hit her on the nose
Xena saw her own face, but Callisto was behind the eyes. I like that move, Callisto taunted before running up Xena's chest and kicking her in the head
Now she was in Gabrielle's body. Velasca hit her, and she fell
The slap snapped her head to the side, but she could not retaliate. SAY IT! Gabrielle shouted, but there was no way Xena would relent. Either Ming T'ien would die or she would die, but Xena would not betray Lao Ma. The Warrior Princess had believed Gabrielle was capable of the same kind of loyalty, but apparently she was mistaken
Pain, the pain of childbirth, more intense than anything she had felt before or since, dominated her entire being. Even the potion she had drunk removed only a small portion of the pain. On top of that, Xena knew that the child was doomed: cursed by Alti, murdered by the daughter of Dahaka son who tried to kill hercursed by Alti
The Warrior Princess struck back along the same channel Alti used. It was as simple as loveGabrielle, tears in her eyes and her heart full of love and forgiveness, stretched out her hand to pull Xena through a waterfall and into Solan's armsa son who did know his mother's lovea son who loved her
Alti was snapped out of the spirit realm by a series of vicious kicks from Borias. The warlord drove her out of his tent with fists and curses
Xena saw Gabrielle next to her, bound to a cross. The Roman soldier raised his hammer
Xena slammed Alti again and again with rapid punches and kicks, finally knocking the evil shamaness backward into the sharpened branch of a tree
*****
Fully in control of her faculties, Xena struck pressure points on either side of the dying woman's throat. Then she drew her chakram and grabbed Alti's bleeding hand once more.
Hope, this is it! the Warrior Princess called. Throwing the chakram at the ceiling high above the fiery pit, she reached out to pin Alti's struggling spirit and tap the link to the spirit realm. Dahak was not permitted to break his connection to Alti. Xena had a use for it.
Still joined to each other and to Xena by their love, Gabrielle, Hope and Joxer followed while Xena probed world after world. Phantom light flickered as sometimes the temple was there; sometimes it was open ground or dense forest; sometimes a mighty city or a dismal hovel. Occasionally everything seemed formless in a world that might have been but never was. Thousands of realities flashed by in less than a second.
The echoes of the original spell that had drawn Hope into another world still lingered, and Xena traced them until three shadowy forms appeared at an impossible distance.' Hope recognized them immediately.
Your mother needs you, Gabrielle said, speaking with her mind. She also knew who was there. And you need her. I'll miss youbut I'll always love you.
You'll always have my love, MotherAunt Xena
Tell your Xena that Cyane needs her help, Xena said. She'll understand. Thank you for everythingI love you, too.
Joxer's love spoke for itself.
The three figures resolved into a second set of Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer, who were surprised to see their counterparts but grateful to have found Hope. The girl joined them, and turned back to wave farewell to her foster family.
*****
Xena and her companions snapped back to what they considered the real world. So little time had elapsed that only now did the chakram hit its target, knocking apart the ceiling, which had received only jury-rigged repairs since the last battle at the temple. While the first stones fell, Xena grabbed Alti.
You want power? the Warrior Princess snarled. Go to the darkness you seek! With that, she threw the evil shamaness into the pit, but before Alti went over the edge, Dahak's diminished flame leaped up one more time, burning Alti so completely that her bones crumbled into powder. Then the falling rubble buried everything.
Gabrielle and Joxer were already at the door. They could hear Dahak's minions still battering at it. Once Xena joined her friends, Joxer removed the bolt and they stepped aside. The priest and his warriors rushed in, stopping short when they saw the destruction. More stones fell, and the minions turned tail and ran.
The companions were already outside. No one pursued them.
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EPILOGUE ONE
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What a nightmare world, Gabrielle remarked after her daughter had finished describing her adventure.
Yes, but the Gabrielle of that world has to live in it, Xena said. I can't imagine you killing Solan, Hopethere was a time, I know. I suppose I would go crazy.
And yet without my love, or Lao Ma's guidance, or even knowing you loved her, Dad, she was still strong and caring, Hope pointed out.
Xena smiled. That's because she's exactly the same as your mother. Is it any wonder she inspired my counterpart to take on Alti alone?
This time you won't be alone, Gabrielle asserted. Will we get there in time?
We will, even with all the preparations we have to make, the Warrior Princess replied with confidence. We'll need more than basic equipment to walk the path of the shamaness together. There's no reason we can't visit with Solan while we make our gear.
I guess I ought to stay behind at the village, Joxer suggested. This is an Amazon thing, right?
Gabrielle embraced her husband. My tribe welcomed you as a friend. So will these Northern Amazons.
With any luck, this world's Alti would never know what hit her.
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EPILOGUE TWO
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Gabrielle was in tears. Though she knew Hope could not stay with her, losing the girl was nearly as devastating as abandoning her daughter. The bard was so tightly curled up in Xena's arms as to be almost hidden from view. The wet drops rained down on Xena's deerskin tunic, and the Warrior Princess kept stroking her most beloved friend's head, crooning and soothing.
What's missing inside me? Gabrielle whimpered. Why couldn't I be there when my baby needed me? What's wrong with me?
Hush, Gabrielle. Nothing is wrong with you, nothing at all.
But the bard could not stop weeping.
Joxer, detailed to boil water for chamomile tea, could not sit idle watching the pot. Instead, he timidly approached his friends. he said quietly.
When Gabrielle did not respond, he reached over and placed his hand over one of hers. Presently the bard took his hand and held it in a tight grip.
Maybe she didn't want you to be there? Joxer asked.
Though Gabrielle only wailed louder, Xena was not upset with him, for he had given the Warrior Princess an idea. She hugged Gabrielle tighter and began to think. It was nearly impossible for her to consider her son's murderer with any objectivity, but she made the effort.
He's right, Xena concluded. A healthy plant grows toward the light. Everybody you've ever known responds to you the way Joxer doesthe way I do. The only people who don't respond have no love. Gabrielle, in that other world it was Hope who warned her mother whenever Dahak tried to turn the child toward the darkness. You aren't missing anything. Even Callisto had more love in her heart than your daughter did.
Gabrielle, you are a good mother. Remember, of all the versions of Hope that could have shown up when Alti and Dahak joined forces, you got the one who loves you. That wasn't an accident. You may never see her again, but you will never lose her love – and she'll never lose yours.
The bard had fallen silent. She allowed Xena to rock her, giving Joxer's hand a powerful squeeze in thanks.
he cried.
You're such a baby, Gabrielle automatically complained.
Well, it hurt! You don't know your own strength, Joxer said.
You're right. I don't, the bard replied, growing wistful. She began to dry her eyes with the knuckles of her index finger.
It's okay now, he declared, flexing his hand. You know, maybe I should let you guys go on to Amazon country so Gabrielle can work on that shamaness thing.
What brought that on? Gabrielle asked him.
Remember when I admitted I was a big phony? Joxer began slowly. He held up a hand. I know, it's not truesome of the time. But what good is being brave if I don't know what I'm doing? I couldn't even take out one of those guys by myself, and you put the hurts to a god! You're so far beyond me, Gabrielle. I don't know why I ever thought I could hang with youthat I could love you
Oh, I don't know, Xena replied, maybe because you're a good friend and a good companion and you've already put your life on the line for Gabrielle and me?
Joxer, I know exactly how much you love me, Gabrielle said. There is no way I'm going to give that up. When I first met Xena, all I could do was talka lot! When I did learn something, I got overconfident about it. I make mistakes, Joxer, just like you do. People have died because of my mistakes. You never put anybody in danger except yourself when you make a mistake.
And you put yourself in danger bailing me out. What about when you chased after me and Draco took you prisoner?
Hello! I was slightly in love with you at the time. Besides, you know that either Xena or I would rescue you no matter what. Weren't you willing to defy Xena to save my life in the Amazon village?
But I didn't. He hung his head low in shame.
Yes, you did. Ephiny was right. I would have died in that hut. You wouldn't accept that.
Xena, having allowed Gabrielle to get up, now put a hand on Joxer's shoulder. Don't argue with Gabrielle. She refuses to abandon either one of us. Then she looked her best friend in the eye. Gabrielle, why don't you just tell Joxer that you love him?
because I dobut I'm notXena, we're barely at the boyfriend-girlfriend' stage!
Then tell your boyfriend that you want him to stay, Xena suggested.
The bard stared deeply into the would-be warrior's brown eyes. I need you, Joxer. Stay with us.
Too moved to speak, Joxer stretched out a trembling hand to stroke Gabrielle's strawberry blonde tresses. She gave him a little smile. It would have been more, but Hope's departure still affected her.
I'm a mess, she said. I'd better wash my face.
You look beautiful, Joxer replied. I love you just the way you are.
Holding the woman he loved in his arms, he kissed all her tears away.
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THE END
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Disclaimer:
No deer were harmed in the writing of this story, but Xena needed to take a long drink of Lord Seltzer's Finest to settle her stomach after consuming all that blood.
Episode references:
Chariots of War, Hooves and Harlots, Ties that Bind, The Greater Good, Orphan of War, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Return of Callisto, Intimate Stranger, The Quest, A Necessary Evil, A Day in the Life, For Him the Bell Tolls, A Comedy of Eros, The Deliverer, Gabrielle's Hope, The Debt II, King of Assassins, The Quill Is Mightier Maternal Instincts, The Bitter Suite, Forget Me Not, King Con, Sacrifice II, Adventures in the Sin Trade, Adventures in the Sin Trade II, A Family Affair, In Sickness and in Hell, Locked Up and Tied Down, Them Bones, Them Bones and
Other references:
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel).
Author's notes:
This time, I wanted to see what could happen in a situation where Gabrielle's dreams about Hope came true. Admittedly, the situation is somewhat idealized, but to truly explore the subject a much longer story is needed. As usual, I have cast Gabrielle and Joxer in the roles of lovers. To those who object to such a viewpoint, I reply that I find the Xenaverse oversaturated with stories that depict Xena and Gabrielle as lesbians and with bigoted who refuse to countenance those who don't see the two as lesbians. In short, there is no challenge in the so-called
The song Hope was thinking of is Psalm 121.
I tried to depict the spirit world without the silly transitions used in the fourth-season episode Them Bones, Them Bones. The ideas of warding, detection and striking back through the same channel are taken from the science-fiction novels of E.E. Smith. The business of the multiple realities is adapted from his Children of the Lens and Keith Laumer's Imperium series. A frequently used attack can be more easily countered with each repetition; this concept occurs in both sports and warfare, though in this case I was reminded of it in the anime cartoon Dragonball.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Hope and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory, plus scenes and dialogue from the series, are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is © 2003 by Philip D. Hernández and is his sole property along with the story idea. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
Comments:
Unless your sole purpose is to bash Joxer, Ted Raimi or Gabrielle-Joxer romance, your comments would be greatly appreciated. You can e-mail the author at BroadwayPhil@yahoo.com .
Additional stories:
More stories can be found on the author's website, The Subtlety of Pickett's Charge, at .
