Title: A New Order

Author: Cat

Rating: T (Possible Language and Situations)

Status: In Progress

Summary: Events following A Friend In Need...

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Xena Warrior Princess show or Hercules the Legendary Adventures. I do however own the story line.

Over the years, the decades and eventually the centuries, Ares distanced himself from the Olympian Order. He found humor in the fact that even without the birth of her daughter, the twilight came to pass as the mortals turned their backs to the Gods of old and found hope in a different faith. He was different though, he was war. Without worship, the other Gods began to fade from power, but he learned to grow stronger from the blood lust that mankind thrived in. Wars, even though his name was not called, pulled him and he grew more powerful each year. His opposite, Love, found the same thing to be true with mortals and their emotions, and she too grew powerful. He kept his promise to Xena, and Solon grew to be a very good man. He lived a long life for a mortal, and was blessed with many children. Her line grew and carried on. It was somewhere in the 1800's that a memory that Xena had shared plagued him, he was sitting on a stump of wood, badly beaten and she was telling him they had a one in a million chance and he looked hopeful at that. She had brushed a spray of grey hair back from his forehead saying mortality looked good on him. That day, he added the grey to his hair, a small reminder of her for him.

Centuries had passed and the calls to come to Olympus had long since stopped. Ares figured the old man had faded perhaps, or had he finally given up.

Ares had relocated to the bustling United States and currently was residing New York City. He headed an arms firm and was making a killing on weapons design, yes the mortals still loved war. He was relaxing at his upper East Side Penthouse, sipping an aged scotch, watching the war coverage in the east when he felt Aphrodite's energy right before she appeared next to him on the couch "Hello Dite" he offered as she smoothed her hair "What brings you to my humble home?" Over the years, she had become the only one he still communicated with from his family.

She looked nervous "Umm Well" she began as she stammered slightly "Well Daddy."

Ares closed his eyes, his drink disappearing as he stood "Stop right there" he began.

"Please Ares, Daddy told me specifically to tell you that you need to come to Olympus, he is planning on crossing through the Gate of the Gods?" she managed quickly.

Ares stared at her slightly dumbfounded "He wouldn't dare?"

"I guess he would, though I am not sure what it matters" she started only to be interrupted as he grabbed her arm "ARES" she protested.

"Daddy wants to see me" he hissed "I guess we better go" before she could protest further, he took her with him and they vanished.

Aphrodite ripped her arm from his as they appeared in the throne room of Olympus "What has gotten into you?" she yelled as she pushed him away from her "geez."

"Ares" Zeus said in a cold voice "I take it you got my message."

"Obviously" he remarked "You can't pass through the gates" he demanded.

"And exactly why can't I" Zeus responded.

"For one, you have no idea what is on the other side" Ares started "and two you know damned well that when you cross you take the Mantles of all the remaining Gods in this Pantheon with you" his chest was heaving in anger as he stepped closer to the older God "You have managed to destroy any chance of life for me, I will not stand by while you murder the rest of them" he was face to face with Zeus.

"How chivalrous of you to come at the last hour to save your siblings, but you see it is for not, because they are coming with me" Zeus replied coolly "so you see Ares there is no reason for this tantrum. Your Mother wanted you to come as well, I could care less to be honest. There is nothing left for us here, the mortals do not needs us."

Anger that had been building in Ares for centuries came to a head. The older God did not stand a chance as he felt pain for the first time in his existence. He looked down at his chest, a small dagger protruded from his flesh, his blood seeped from the wound. He felt his life force draining from him as he fell to his knees. He looked up at Ares "How?" he managed in a weakening voice as he fell back to the floor.

Ares knelt next to his Father, his voice low as he spoke "Hinde's blood Daddy dear, kept for just moment when my power is greater than yours" he watched as the last of life vanished from the old King's eyes. When he had last passed, his body felt to ash. Ares felt a rush of power hit him, as the Mantle of Zeus fell to him the eldest child and heir to the throne. He stood up and turned back to face those behind him. Looks of fear greeted him from Hera and Aphrodite, their silence filled the room. His voice was quiet and still " There will be no passing through the Gates of the Gods this day" he paused turning from them "be sure to tell the others" and he vanished.

Ares was now the King of the Olympian Order and were as Zeus's powers were depleted from lack of worshipers, as both the King and God of War, Ares was more powerful than ever. He know had the one power he desired, he could travel through time.