An orb of light beamed from Ares' hand as he took aim to completely get rid of Gabrielle. Xena layed on the ground feet away unable to get up to stop the vengeful, jealous god. Ares smirked at the thought of him finally about to succeed in getting rid of Gabrielle and claiming Xena as his own. He let out a yell just as he prepared to launch the attack.
ARES
Now to totally annihilate you for good.
XENA
No!
?
Enough!
Ares paused after an unknown woman's voice cut through the air and a bright light flashed. Xena layed there and looked on as a mysterious woman appeared. Ares looked stunned to see the woman as she approached him.
?
(Angry tone) What in the known universe do you think you're doing?
Ares lowered his hand as the orb of energy vanished.
ARES
(Nervous tone) Oh uh hey there sis.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Sis?
(Thinking to herself sarcastically) Great another god.
The goddess stormed up to Ares and gave him a good, hard smack across the face. He stepped back as he held his cheek and shook off the strike.
ARES
Oww. I thought you didn't like violence.
?
(Angry) Well when I find out that my idiotic brother decides to start a civil war among my chosen people over some mortal woman who doesn't even want him. I'm gonna be more than a little upset.
As Xena heard her speak she almost couldn't believe it.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Artemis.
The reason why Xena was so surprised was because the goddess Artemis never really showed herself to people. The goddess had a reputation for being shy around humans for some reason. No one that Xena knew of had heard of anyone ever actually seeing her appear. Infact alot of Amazons had thought that Artemis had simply decided to totally ignore them all together. Though based on the fact that the goddess was actually here, Xena could tell that must not be true.
ARES
I uh..
ARTEMIS
(Angry tone) Do you really not have anything to say?
Ares cautiously shrugged.
ARES
I'm the god of war?
ARTEMIS
(Angry tone) Are you crazy? You've caused so much pain and destruction for your own selfish gains. And the fact that you send me off somewhere ro try and keep me from finding out. That's low, even for you.
ARES
(Irritated tone) Yeah well what are you gonna do about it?
For the first time since she appeared, Artemis smiled.
ARTEMIS
Funny you should ask because I actually did come here with something very specific in mind.
The goddess snapped her fingers and suddenly chains appeared wrapped around Ares. He struggled to get free but the restraints wouldn't budge.
ARTEMIS
Oh stop struggling you know you can't get out of those. And that your powers have been suppressed. So all you're gonna do now is tire yourself out.
Ares let out a frustrated yell as he gave up and stood there with a very unhappy look on his face. Artemis simply smiled at him and then turned to Xena. The goddess walked over and bent a knee as she looked at Xena.
ARTEMIS
I apologize for my brother. Here allow me to heal your injuries.
Artemis waved her hand over Xena. Instantly Xena felt her body begin to tingle as she looked down to see the various cuts, scraps and bruises fading away. Along with the pain that she had been experiencing as her strength returned. Xena looked at the goddess as Artemis stood up.
XENA
Thank you.
Artemis smiled at her for a moment then her face went serious once more as she looked at Gabrielle who was stll motionless on the ground. The goddess moved over to her as Xena stood and came to Gabrielles side as well. Xena knelt down and had to fight back the tears from seeing the state Gabrielle was in again. Artemis knelt down on the other side of the queen of her choosen people and gently spoke to Gabrielle.
ARTEMIS
I'm so sorry that my brother has caused you so much pain. You've done so well as the leader of your people no matter what anyone says. I couldn't be more pleased with who they've chosen as queen.
The goddess held her hand over Gabrielle's body as a bright light radiated from her palm. After a moment Artemis pulled her hand back and smiled. Xena looked on as Gabrielle started to move slightly and slowly opened her eyes. As her vision came into focus, Gabrielle saw Xena looking down at her.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
The biggest smile appeared on Xena's face as she helped Gabrielle sit up and pulled her into a hug and held her as she cried tears of joy.
XENA
I thought I lost you.
Gabrielle looked around, very confused as to what was going on. The last thing she remembered was fighting Alanis and then the next thing she knew she was looking up at Xena. Xena let Gabrielle go and wiped away her tears and she softly touched Gabrielle's cheek as she smiled.
XENA
I can't believe you're back.
GABRIELLE
Back? Xena what's going on? Wait where's Alanis?
Xena quickly filled Gabrielle in on what had transpired while she had been incapacitated. Gabrielle sighed as she shook her head in disbelief.
GABRIELLE
Unbelievable.
She over and saw Ares now sitting on the ground wrapped in chains with a defeated look on his face.
GABRIELLE
To think that he would do all this just to get to you.
XENA
I know how sad can one guy be.
ARTEMIS
True.
For the first time Gabrielle noticed Artemis and her eyes went wide as she thought of who she might be. The goddess smiled at Gabrielle as she took her hand and helped her to her feet as Xena stood too.
ARTEMIS
Its nice to finally meet you face to face Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Wait are you...
ARTEMIS
That's right.
Gabrielle looked at the goddess in awe. Knowing how extremely rare it was for her to appear to people.
GABRIELLE
...Artemis.
ARTEMIS
It seems that you've had your hands pretty full lately. But you've done incredibly well for yourself and the others.
The goddess glared at Ares for a moment.
ARTEMIS
In spite of everything..
Ares scoffed as he looked away. That's when Gabrielle noticed him sitting there, chained up.
GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Ares. I should've known you were behind this. You just can't leave us alone can you?
Gabrielle stormed up and smacked him up side his head. And due to his power being suppressed, the god of war actually felt the hit. He sneered up at Gabrielle as she stood looking down at him.
GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Why can't you just leave Xena and me alone? You really have a problem you know that?
ARES
(Angry tone) Yea and I'm looking at her.
Gabrielle backed up a bit when Ares made a move towards her. But the god only fell forward and growled in anger at being chained. Artemis laughed a little.
ARTEMIS
Oh you don't need to worry about him like this. As long as those chains are on him he's about as dangerous as a fawn.
Ares glared at his sister when she made the comparison. Gabrielle looked around as she remembered the war.
GABRIELLE
What about everyone else? And the war, we have to stop it.
Artemis placed a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.
ARTEMIS
So caring for others. You truly are a deserving queen. But trust me Gabrielle you have nothing to worry about. Without their leaders or a certain god of war railing everyone up, the fighting will completely end once word spreads of their leaders demise.
GABRIELLE
So it's over?
XENA
That's right.
Xena looked at the goddess.
XENA
Is there anything you can do about people thinking that Gabrielle betrayed them and caused this.
ARTEMIS
Unfortunately you know as well as I do that people will believe what they want weither it's true or not. But I'll certainly do what I can. She is queen after all.
XENA
We appreciate it.
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
ARTEMIS
Of course. Now if you'll excuse me I think I'll be going.
Artemis walked over to Ares and grabbed him by his ear and forced him to his feet.
ARES
Ow, ow, ow.
Artemis looked back at Gabrielle and Xena.
ARTEMIS
Oh and don't worry about him. My brother won't be bothering you again for a very long time once father finds out that he's been going against my people. He's been warned before not to meddle in his siblings business unless invited.
Xena smirked. Amused at Ares being scolded and spoken of like a disobedient child.
ARTEMIS
I'll be sure to keep a closer eye on things from now on. I'll see you around. Farewell.
With a small flash Artemis disappeared with Ares. Gabrielle smiled as Xena put her arm around her shoulder.
XENA
Well that was something i wasn't expecting.
GABRIELLE
No kidding.
XENA
I might not be a big fan of the gods in general, but I guess Artemis is one that I can deal with.
Gabrielle smiled as she looked at Xena.
GABRIELLE
I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that.
XENA
Well let's see if we can find the other's.
GABRIELLE
I hope they're all okay.
XENA
Given those women, I'm sure their fine.
Xena and Gabrielle begin walking back through the battlefield where the fighting had already siesed. Though it was over Gabrielle's heart still weighed heavy as she saw the numerous bodies that layed dead from both sides. The women who were alive were either helping the injured or looking over the dead to find their fallen allies. Xena hugged Gabrielle a little tighter, knowing what must've been going through her mind.
XENA
It's over Gabrielle. It'll take time but things will go back to normal.
Gabrielle gave Xena a half hearted smile.
GABRIELLE
I hope so Xena.
XENA
The Amazon's are a strong people you know that. They'll recover and be stronger once things settle down. I'm sure of it.
Xena and Gabrielle left the battlefield behind and found their friends who were confused when the fighting suddenly stopped. After telling them that they would try to explain later, everyone left and journeyed back to the secret village. The fighter's received a hero's welcome by everyone who had stayed in the village as they returned. Xena felt Gabrielle lean her head on Xena's back as she halted Argo.
XENA
Everything okay?
Gabrielle smiled as she looked out at everyone's happy faces upon seeing them all return safely.
GABRIELLE
Yeah. Just thinking of how good it is to be home.
TO BE CONTINUED...