Title: By The Gods
Name: Jules
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own any of the characters, no matter how much I WISH I did. They belong to the idiot Joss and the WB. The rest belong to whoever owns Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Journeys.
Classification: Crossover, Romance, friendship, other! Ares/Xena Autolycus/Acacia
Summary: A new Goddess has been born to Olympus. Will she be able to help Ares win Xena's heart later on down the road?
Status: Unfinished
By the Gods
By Jules
Part 1
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Author's notes: Ok, for those of you familiar with Xena, as you know on the show, there has been the Twilight of the Gods. Forget it. It didn't happen. In fact, Eve was never born, so the idea never even came up. We all know the entire thing was just an idea to explain away Lucy's pregnancy for the show. So it didn't happen. Got it? Good.
For Future Reference: Leto- daughter of the Titans Phoebe and Coeus. Leto was the mother of divine twins: Artemis, goddess of the bow and of hunting, and Apollo, god of prophecy, medicine, and archery. Zeus was their father.1
I make up my own rules here. That means, what I say goes. Why? Because it's my universe and I can do what ever I damn well please with it . . . thank you.
Um, let's see, child Gods age differently then mortals, MUCH more slowly. Like at half the rate or more . . .
Ohh, one more thing, let me just state this. I HATE Gabrielle. There is just something about her that DRIVES ME UP THE WALL. When Xena was pulling her behind the horse, ready to KILL her, I was cheering for Xena, screaming DIE GABBY DIE! Ok, that might scare you, but I just REALLY hate that skank. No offense to any of you out there who like her. I just want to warn you, though I'm not positive, I might do some things to her later on. You know, vent my years of Gabby hating out on the Gab in my story.
Oh, and I have nothing against lesbians, nor do my portrayals have anything to do with my view on them, or what I think they are like. I just want to make fun of some people, and the ones I hate from the show are going to be the ones who get it.
And that is all there is, there isn't anymore. (I love Madeline, don't you?) LOL!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cordelia Acacia Chase was much older than she looked. Much, MUCH older, a few millenniums older, though still the youngest full-god daughter of Zeus, the King of the Gods. She'd been spending her time for the past several years on earth as a mortal, as her sentence from Zeus for . . . disposing . . . of one of her husband's overzealous followers who had tried to sleep with Cupid, DESPITE her warnings. Cordelia Chase was just her earthbound persona name, the identity she was given while she was stuck here on this Hellmouth. Acacia was her true identity, as it had been since her beginnings . . .
xX Oh who knows what year! All I know is that it's BC Xx
A loud, piercing fury filled shriek was heard through out Olympus, causing all the Gods and Goddesses to jump. One and all swiftly aethered themselves to the throne room, to see what Zeus had done now to make Hera so angry, yet again.
"How DARE you sleep with that, harpy again. Let alone create another BASTARD God with her!"
"Oh my dearest, darling wife. It was just a one time thing . . ."
"YOU ARE BEHAVING AS IF IT'S THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE CREATED SOMETHING WITH HER!" Hera roared, her eyes flashing. Even the mortals below were beginning to feel the Queen of Olympus' wraith.
Ares smirked and made his presence known, "What's going on Mother?"
"Your father, has betrayed me once more." Hera seethed, spitting out the word father as if it were filth.
"Really? Again? Who with?" The cocky Apollo questioned from his reclined position on the plush fainting couch that he'd created for himself next to his sister, to watch the confrontation.
"Your mother." Hera ground out darkly, and then disappeared with a wave of her hand.
Zeus breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the worst was over. His wife had gotten the height of her anger out of her system, she'd eventually move on to seething anger, transition to turning a blind eye, winding down in state of begrudging acceptance of the situation.
Zeus waved his hand before him and a bassinet appeared in the middle of the room, next to Ares, Apollo, Athena and Artemis, who happened to be standing there.
The Gods crowded around the bassinet, everyone trying simultaneously to get a closer look at the sleeping child. It had dark hair, and was an undeniably beautiful baby. Moreover when its eyes opened a few moments, its violet eyes just seemed to draw them in.
The baby cooed happily at all the attention, waving its arms around excitedly. But when its eyes landed upon Athena, they narrowed, and a fiery purple ball of energy shot from its tiny hand, forcing the Goddess stumble back, to which the newborn laughed. As did the others in the infants presence, except for Athena, whom angrily aethered elsewhere.
Ares stuck his hand in the cradle and tickled the baby's stomach smiling, "I like this kid." The infant took his finger in its little hand and gnawed on the tip with its gums.
"Aww, that's so sweet!" Aphrodite exclaimed, "It likes him! And nobody likes Ares!"
"What is the child's name?" Artemis questioned.
"Acacia, she will be the Goddess of Mischief and Daring." Zeus contemplated the situation for several moments, then made his decision, "Ares, Aphrodite, and Artemis, you three shall be her guardians. Train her, teach her, and protect her from Hera, until my wife calms down. Ares, I know that generally you side with your mother on most matters, but I implore you to be of assistance to me this time, as she does fit under your jurisdiction."
Ares mulled over the suggestion for about it for a moment, then took another look at the little girl, "Aww, sure, why in Tarturus not." Ares shrugged, then he picked up the small Goddess, "If she's gonna cause trouble, why not learn from the best?" He questioned, grinning wickedly.
The rest of the Gods and Goddesses gave each other looks, varying between looks of amusement of what they were seeing (the God of War with a baby), and looks of dread for what was to come from the two in the future.
xX Several years later Xx
xX One of Ares' temples Xx
The temple was quiet, as it usually was, save the movement and murmur of the priests and priestesses going about their routine matters.
A few young priestesses were sweeping the large alter, which had the typical offerings from warlords and soldiers to Ares on it, when a flash of bright blue light alerted them to their Lord Ares' presence. They hastily bowed their heads and curtsied, though their heads all shot up when they heard a childish giggle. In their Lord's arms was a little girl with dark brown curls. She looked about two, wearing a black dress with leather trimming and little leather boots (Ares had dressed her).
"What they Awes?" The little girl questioned, looking up at him with her big violet eyes.
"They are mortals. Some of my priestesses."
The little girl frowned, "Mortal?"
"That means they will die someday." Ares explained.
"You don't die, wight?" She demanded, frightened at the thought of losing her protector and favorite playmate.
"No, we are Gods." Ares assured her, then finally acknowledged his priestesses, "This is my youngest sister, Acacia, Goddess of Mischief and Daring. She's going to be coming around here and my other temples a lot from now on. She is to have free reign of the place and if I'm not around, keep your eye on her. Remember, her safety is on your heads as well now. Oh, and make sure everyone is aware of this."
"Yes Lord Ares." The girls' chorused, bowing their heads.
Ares turned his attention back to his young ward, "Ok, now, the first rule. Energy orbs hurt mortals. High powered ones can kill them, but the lower power ones will still hurt them, badly since you don't have much control over how much power you use. Your little orbs might not pack that much punch yet, but they will some day. Which is why 'Cace, you absolutely cannot play with your orbs on Earth like you do up on Olympus around the other Gods. Especially not the kind of orbs you use on Athena. You got me little one?"
"Yes Awes." Acacia told him earnestly, nodding her head.
"Good girl. Now that we've covered that, lets start on your lessons."
Ares carried her into the weapons room. He created a big crib in the center of the room and placed her inside it. He walked over to a nearby table and picked up the first weapon.
"This, is a dagger. You keep these hidden in your boots or other places, for an extra advantage. Can you say dagger?"
"Dag-wer."
"Good try." He picked up another, "This is a spear; sometimes it is thrown, other times thrust or swung at opponents or enemies. It can also be used as a staff." He demonstrated by spinning it around and doing a few complicated moves, "A longer version of it is the javelin which is used for . . . . . . ."
Acacia soon grew bored with the lesson and her eyes wandered until they landed up on something she liked. She concentrated on it hard, and to Ares' shock, a small loaded crossbow suddenly floated across the room into Acacia's eager hands.
Ares quickly strode over and took it from her eager hands, just before she pulled the trigger, "Ah, ah, ah Shorty. This can hurt people. I can't have you killing off my priestesses because you want to play with my weapons. I happen to like my priests and priestesses' alive thank you, they serve me better that way. Besides, this thing is not something for little girls to play with . . . it's a very big kid thing. "
Acacia pouted, then her curiosity got the better of her, "What called?"
"This is a crossbow. This is a small one though, most of the time they're big, like this one." He made a regular size one appear, "The smaller ones are easy to hide though, and can be kept in easier reach."
Acacia reached for it again, "Please! Want, want!"
"Not until you're older." Ares warned her sternly, "I can't have you accidentally shooting anyone. The rest of Olympus would have my head if I did." He made the weapons disappear, and then picked her up, "You wouldn't want anyone to be mad at me, now would ya Shorty?"
The small Goddess's eyes sparkled, "Maybe . . ."
Ares grinned, then started tickling her, "You'd want to get me in trouble!"
"Stowp! Awes! Pwease!" The toddler begged, giggling.
"Never Shorty! Never!"
The little Goddess squirmed and laughed while her brother 'tickle tortured' her.
"Awes, I no get you in twouble! I pwomise!"
Ares stopped tickling her, "Good girl Shorty."
"Don't wowwy Awes. I'll always pwotect you from da meanies."
Ares heart melted at the child's vow. But was saved from replying when she let out a huge yawn. She snuggled into his shoulder and her eyes began to droop.
"'Cause you bestest big bwoder in da whole wowld." She sighed, and then fell asleep.
Ares athered to his private quarters in the temple, and laid her in the middle of his huge black bed, covering her gently.
He watched her sleep for awhile. She slept with a smirk on her face, as if she'd played another prank that no one knew of yet, or like she knew something, which nobody else did. But at the same time, she just looked so innocent. It was shocking that this little girl was so willing to protect him.
That was when he made his own vow, "I promise, that I will always protect you, teach you, and make sure that nothing ever hurts you, because you deserve to stay pure Mischief, and not become petty and vengeful like most of the Gods become."
xX About two years later Xx
Acacia looked around the temple of her sister Aphrodite, where her other sister Artemis had just dropped her off. It was just so white and pink! Not at all like the dark or woodsy décor she was used to from Ares' and Artemis'.
"Cia! You imp! You're so adorable! Look at those ringlets, but you're like, all dirty! What were you doing at Art's?" Aphrodite questioned the brown-leather clad child (Artemis had dressed her that morning).
"Playing with the fawns." She grinned, her eyes sparkling, "I made two of 'dem pink!"
"Really! Was Artie mad?" Aphrodite asked, loving to hear about the little girl's jokes on the other Gods.
The girl grinned wider, "She doesn't know 'bout it yet!"
Aphrodite shook her head in amusement, "She is gonna be so pissed Mini Babe! Well, you're first lesson was going to be in dressing to kill, but seeing as you're so dirty, it's gonna be the pleasure and fun of bubble baths!"
"What's a baff?"
"It's how ya get clean."
"But Awes usually just waves his hand, same with Awtemis . . ."
"Yeah, well that's because they're like totally lazy, and sooooo don't know a good thing when it's like, right in front of them!"
Aphrodite took one of Acacia's little hand's in hers and led the girl to her giant bathroom, which had a huge sunken tub in the floor, big enough for twenty people. She waved her hand and it was filled of warm water and loaded with lots of pink bubbles. Acacia laughed in delight. Aphrodite smiled, then made some toys appear. Finally she snapped her fingers and suddenly both she and Acacia were in the tub, Acacia was in a very shallow part, for children.
"So, what do ya think of bubble baths Elfin?"
"Bubbles are cool!" Acacia scooped up a hand full and blew at them, laughing as they went all over the place.
"That's like totally what I've been trying to tell them for eons!"
The two played in the bath for a while, until Aphrodite was absolutely sure all the dirt was gone from Acacia. She waved her hand and they were both out of the tub, fully dressed. Acacia was wearing a pink thing like Aphrodite's and her long ringlets were pulled up in a thin pink ribbon.
"Ok, now, my job is to teach you the ins and outs of the mortals! Well, as much as I like can. And make sure you're a total fashion do, not a fashion disaster. The first rule is, frowning is a no-no. It will cause wrinkles . . ."
xX Acacia's 13th birthday Xx
All the Gods, Goddesses, their Chosens, the Nymphs, Dryads, and pretty much anyone who was anything up on Olympus were assembled at Aphrodite's to celebrate Acacia's thirteenth birthday (who looked about five) well, except for Hera who was off fuming somewhere . . .
Apollo was holding Acacia, who was wearing a long white and gold dress, which resembled his own daily wear very closely. Earlier there had been a huge argument between Ares, Aphrodite, and Artemis over who would get to dress her. Most of Olympus had heard it, to their amusement. Apollo had finally intervened, and informed them that none of them would get their way, and dressed his little sister himself.
He was holding her in order to prevent any 'mishaps' that could possibly occur while Athena dropped off Acacia's gift and made her appearances at the party. This was in order keep up her "perfect Goddess" façade with Zeus and the other Gods, though some of the guests knew what a true manipulator Athena really was.
Apollo had managed through some very creating methods, to keep Acacia from spotting Athena ever since the Goddess had arrived, but thanks to one wrong turn, in order to flirt with a nymph, Acacia's eyes fell upon her Immortal enemy. Poor Apollo never even stood a chance of stopping her, as Acacia simply used her new aethering power, which she'd received from Zeus earlier that day (it had been suspended from her previously to prevent incidents such as this and to keep her from getting lost). She shimmered right out of his arms, a devious look gracing her elfin features. Apollo stopped flirting immediately; his arms were suddenly very empty and he frantically searched the room visually from his place but was unable to spot the birthday girl. Panicked, Apollo rushed over to his winged buddy/nephew, Cupid, and pulled the Love God away from Demeter's chosen and the group of Sea Nymphs he was flirting with.
"What is wrong with you?" Cupid demanded, "I was about to score!"
"Dude, you are the God of Love, you can totally score at like anytime you want bonehead. There is a totally much bigger prob. Acacia aethered out of my arms, I think she's spotted Athena. And if she plays a trick, 'Thena will totally freak and uncooly blow her top, which would turn this party into the like, biggest downer for Acacia, even though she was just like having a little fun." Apollo explained.
Cupid had to admit that Apollo's situation was a higher priority, "Right, I'll make an aerial inspection. You look from the ground."
Acacia meanwhile, was hiding under a table, plotting what she could do, when the flash of silver on Athena's arm caught her eye and she knew exactly what she was going to carry out. She innocently skipped over to Zeus and climbed into her father's lap, who welcomed his baby girl. She was telling him all about what Artemis was teaching her, carefully keeping an innocent expression on her face, and with a whim, the deed was done. She just kept telling her daddy all about the animals she'd learned about in her lessons.
Everyone jumped at Athena's sudden yelling of, "ACACIA!"
All the silver snakes, which decorated the Elder Goddesses arms, hair, and neck, had suddenly turned real.
Cupid and Apollo groaned, knowing Acacia had struck. Everyone turned to Acacia who had seemingly jumped at the scream, immediately suspecting that she was the culprit. But she was sitting in Zeus's lap, holding onto his robes, trying to get a look at what was going on herself.
Acacia looked over, to see how her prank had turned out, managing to look completely innocent, but as soon as the young girl saw those snakes moving; she suddenly realized she didn't like snakes. In fact, they petrified her, at which she starting screaming and crying. Sure they'd looked so cool when they were made of metal, but the real things were quite a different story.
All present immediately felt guilty for 'jumping to conclusions' and suspecting the Godling, who obviously had just been giving a fright, on her birthday no less, at her party.
Acacia jumped from Zeus's lap and ran to Ares whom she knew would protect her from the evil snakes, tears running down her face, shaking.
Ares scooped up the hurtling form and held her as she buried her head in his vest. With a wave of his hand, the snakes were gone. Everyone rushed over to the two, in order comfort the child. Leaving a pissed Athena behind, who huffed at the indignity, and aethered home.
Cupid and Apollo never questioned whether or not she had done it, but they just looked at each other, and shrugged, deciding that if she had, she'd gotten her punishment, and went over to help calm the quaking Goddess.
Aphrodite knew there was only one way to assuage Acacia and save her birthday, "It's all cool now Elfin…Why don't you open up more presents?"
Acacia lifted her head up with interest, rubbing her eyes. A few people had already given Acacia their gifts. Zeus had given her back the power to aether (earlier than her punishment was to allow), Hades had presented the child with a ring that let her visit any part of the underworld whenever she wanted with whomever she wanted. Demeter had given a flower-plant, which would constantly be in bloom, and Artemis had granted her an Amazon village where the young Goddess could safely play with other children. Acacia had been waiting since then to opened up the rest of her presents restlessly all day. Dark was falling upon Greece, so the little girl readily nodded her head, all inklings of fear disappearing from her head.
Aphrodite took Acacia from her brother, and sat with her on the Love Goddess' pink velvet divan with Zeus. The rest of the room eagerly rushed forward with their presents. First to get there was her Uncle, Poseidon, who blessed her with the power to turn into a mermaid whenever she swam in salt water, if she wanted. Aphrodite handed her a brush & mirror set, plus Acacia's own immortal manicurist. Hermes gave her a cage of special, golden, Olympian carrier doves.
Cupid and Hephestis had teamed up, and gave her a music box, which played the prettiest song that would ever be written. When turned on, it spun slowly and showed pictures of stars, moons, shooting stars, and the sun would appear on the walls, lit by a star given to them by Atlas.
Strife and Discord gave her a beautiful set of throwing knives, knowing from experience how deadly an aim the girl had. Both of them liked her, mostly because Ares did, but they also liked watching her play pranks on the other Gods and Goddesses.
Apollo gave her a fine-looking lute and told her he'd be helping with her training from now on.
Hecate gave her a black immortal kitten that could talk, which Acacia named Nightstalker.
It was Ares who gave her the best gift of the night, or her most adored gift that was; an Olympian horse. It was tan with a black mane and tail, which she named, to Ares amusement, Chaos.
Acacia was still in the midst of a huge pile of unopened presents, when her eyes started to droop. She was in the process of slowly unwrapping a Chosen's gift of a beautifully made doll, when a big yawn escaped, and Ares decided it was time for her to go to bed.
Immediately he sent all of Acacia's presents to her chamber, which were at his lair, and announced that the birthday girl was going home.
The rest of Olympus had always been shocked over his genuine fondness of their youngest Goddess, since Ares hated almost everyone, especially children. He didn't even acknowledge his own progeny, with the exception of Cupid, whom he still didn't wholly get along with. Yet here he was, taking care of one of Zeus' bastards. And they could all tell that Ares was very protective of her.
Ares kept his true reason he liked the kid to himself though. It all had to do with that first day, which she'd been presented on Olympus. She'd grabbed his finger and looked up at him smiling, her violet eyes sparkling. The fact that a baby had liked him had floored Ares, and when she'd thrown that energy ball at Athena, Acacia had endeared herself in his heart forever. Of course the fact that her domain coincided with his didn't hurt matters. But it still surprised him how she trusted him completely, and depended upon him above all other for protection and comfort.
Ares picked Acacia up and she snuggled sleepily into his chest. Aphrodite gave Acacia a quick kiss on her cheek, and then the two disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Though Acacia lived in Ares lair, Ares had not been allowed to complete control of the room's decor. So instead of the dark, foreboding atmosphere held by the rest of Ares domain, Acacia's chambers were a compromise of her siblings' taste. The walls and floor were white marble, but there was lots of black marble trim and columns all over the rooms. She had a giant canopy bed made of black marble as well, but the sheets and comforter were white satin. Silver and gold moldings were all over the place and her nightstands, armoire, dressers, and trunks were made of the same metals. There was a small table and chairs with a tea set, and her window seats and trunk at the end of her bed were covered in toys. Tapestries of great events in Olympian history and creations of animals adorned the walls. And now, in addition to all that, her new gifts sat in a corner of the massive room as well.
Ares pulled back the covers and as he laid her down, changed Acacia into her nightgown, and then covered her. He kissed her forehead, and was about to leave when a small, sleepy voice stopped him.
"Ares, will you turn on the music box?"
Ares turned to the nightstand where he sent the box and twisted it, the box began to glow, lit by the star plucked from the sky, so it would last forever. A soft, lovely, haunting, melody filled the room.
"Anything else Shorty?"
"Where's Nightstalker?"
"I knew I forgot something." Ares muttered, then disappeared, a few moments later he returned with the small kitten. He set the ball of fur next to her, kissed her forehead once more, and left.
Acacia stroked her new pet's fur, "Hello, I am Acacia. I'm the Goddess of Mischief and Daring. You can call me Cia."
"Hi." The kitten answered in a small, scared voice.
"Do you mind that I call you Nightstalker? You don't already have a name, do you?"
"No, Hecate knew she was giving me to you from the time I was born, so my momma just called me baby."
"Oh, well welcome to the Halls of War. We'll live with my big brother Ares most of the time, but I have lessons with some of the rest of my family during the day."
"Oh, I guess I'll find something to entertain myself while you do then." The kitten told her.
"I hope you'll like it here with me Stalker." Acacia declared yawning, "You'll be able to help me fool around with everybody's heads."
"Sound purrrfect." Nightstalker yawned itself, stands up, then moved closer to Acacia, curling up once more.
"Good night Nightstalker."
"Goodnight Cia."
Then both fell into a dream filled sleep.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please, I want replies, I know it sounds pathetic, but I live for feedback, good or bad! I need to know what you think so I know where to go with this.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1"Leto."Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.