Ares always had a soft spot for Xena but lately he didn't feel like honoring that feeling. Not only had she left his path to work with that irritating blond. Now she was canoodling with Hercules. It wasn't enough for her to embarrass him, she was making him look like a fool. If she chose to have a relationship with a god, it should have been him not some good two shoed half blood. Sitting on his throne in his Athens temple he shifted sneering to himself.
"Well my monster has done my bidding and with Xena being a hind I can control her and own her if I can take her captive. She will rue the day she made lovey dovey eyes at Hercules." he took a sip from a chalice. Happy with himself until a pull caught his attention. He grinned in enjoyment. "Half Brother is going to have to take step back. I'm clearly the better stronger god."
Hercules tore through the temple, knocking over any decorative statues and offerings. He didn't understand anyone who worshipped war. War was a nasty business and he wanted no part in it. Picking up a hefty sword offering on an altar he sent it flying into one of the statues of his brother's likeness.
"Ares! show yourself you sorry excuse for a god! I know you are behind this and you need to fix this." Hercules lifted his arm ready to punch through a temple wall. "You are always meddling in mortal's lives. This was the last straw not only for him but for Xena. "When I get my hands on you.."
"When you get your hands on me you will what?" Ares smirked materializing before his half brother.
"Do you ever consider anyone but yourself?" Hercules challenged.
"I'm pretty sure I've got Xena's well being in mind. Why should she after all be with someone who's wives ended up dead." Ares sneered, knowing it would provoke him. He enjoyed having the upper hand, Xena was no match for Hercules if she would turn to hind with the touch of a human.
"Go to Tartarus brother. Just because you can't have her doesnt mean noone should." The demigod responded angrily.
"If she is a hind she can't fight me. Seems like a win to me. Plus she doesn't go all doe like when I touch her since I'm full god. Which I can't say the same for you. You don't understand what it's like these days knowing Eve's going to turn the gods against each other. I'm just ensuring that won't happen. With Xena out of the way, I can easily get rid of the offspring. In fact, do you really think its wise to leave that baby alone? Aren't you afraid I'd get a hold of her while you are throwing your tantrum? I mean is this really about Xena or are you just upset that I'm codpiece blocking you?" The war god smiled intending to twist and turn at the daggers he was throwing metaphorically.
Hercules eyes widened. "Don't you dare!"
"Dare what? Keep you distracted and provide opening for my minions to get Xena and the source of the twilight of the gods? So easy really." With that Ares disappeared again and Hercules went running as fast as he can back to Xena, Eve, Iolaus, and Gabrielle. Gaberielle still had her power, but alone defending all three, one of which was a baby wasn't great odds.
Across the town in a cave near the temple Hercules was demolishing, Gabrielle nursed Eve as she spoke quietly to the hind who was now Xena.
"Xena honestly I always thought Hercules was better than most men, but when it comes down to it, he let his anger over power his logic." Gabrielle muttered. Iolaus walked up looking apologetic.
"He isn't always like that, normally he is cool headed and controlled." Iolaus wanted to believe that Gabrielle however was skeptical.
"I know I have this fancy powers right now, but who knows what Ares might do to come for us and we could be outnumbered, we need more protection now that Xena is out of commission."
The hind bleated in argument. Her visage fluttered for a bit in the blue eyed hind. You could almost see Xena visibly trying to change form.
"Well looks like Xena is working on learning the ropes as her new being, I can always count on her to focus on the problem at hand."
The cave had only one way in and Gabrielle hoped having one direction to have to guard would mean her powers could keep them safe. Placing Eve back down onto some hay the hind followed closely seating itself close to the fidgeting infant on the ground.
"Gabrielle I'm sure he will come to his senses soon enough. I'll check the perimeter for a bit just to make sure we don't get any unwanted visitors. I'll set up some snares to warn us as well." the blond man offered. Gabrielle accepted graciously and began to brainstorm what to do next. Until Xena was able to reliably change forms they had to stay in areas that were easily defended. Not only was she a target for Ares, she was a target by all as a hind. Her blood was pretty valuable.
AN: hoping to complete some stories I've had in limbo. let us see how long this writing kick lasts.