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The Purple Doom

I don't own the Shit that is about to hit Fan.

8

The Next day…

Callisto watched as the sun rose. She did not sleep but maybe an hour or two at best. She knew today was important, as her men got into position near Arcadia. Callisto's army of 22000 men readied their blades and armor. There was a battle to be had soon. Arcadia was the place for the final stand, but Callisto was deeply concerned about the coming battle because Hercules had 30,000 men on the field.

Callisto was well aware of the coming reinforcements, both from the south, and from the Centaurs. A small detachment of Arcadian Centaurs that was originally left to defend the Arcadian Centaur village had joined up with Callisto. She also knew somewhere out there on Hercules's flank was small group of a few hundred centaur warriors from the Corinthian Centaurs village.

But the key was the Spartans, much to Callisto's annoyance, they could decide, she didn't know for sure how many were coming, but she knew that there were a few thousand just south of their position. She hoped it was enough, she'd have to make due if it wasn't. She had no intention of losing here. There was no more running.

But even then, if this battle was won, she had another warrior. There was at least 10,000 to 15,000 warriors at Corinth, and Thebes might send more to join them. This war wouldn't end at Arcadia unless Hercules was dealt with, once and for all. Callisto eyed her fellow commanders. Phantes, Iolaus, Kaleipus, Cleomones of Athens, a few others. To her surprise, Acting King Jason arrived with his sword in hand. If this was to be the moment, he too would fight, for the greater good.

As good as each of these men were, Callisto wished Xena was here, and that Gabrielle hadn't defected. She could have really used both of them in the coming battle. But no, there was no one else to depend on, it was all on the Warrior Queen's shoulders. These men had given their trust and faith to Callisto, soon it would be time to see if that trust and faith was justified. Hercules' army would be arriving possibly within the hour.

There was one bit of good news that Callisto didn't know about. Traveling past the remains of Argos. 3000 Athenian soldiers had been collected from Athens' island colonies in the Aegean. They were joined by 2000 soldiers from Rhodes. No one knew anything about this group, not Hercules, or Callisto, and for commander Conon, this was a good thing, because he had the element of surprise, the will of the famous Athenian Admiral, who forced to fight on land, may yet be that which turns the tide, and sees the vindication of the Athenian cause, and most of all, retribution for the fallen city of Athens. Conon hoped he wouldn't be too late…

8

Hercules rode at the head of his army, beside him was Gabrielle, and on his other side, was Selenta, who was still enjoying the fact that her hand was restored. Hercules knew the battle was nearing, but he thought that he should use whatever he could to his advantage, and right now, Gabrielle, the Warrior Princess' closest friend with him. She likely knew something, and he wanted to find out.

Hercules stated, "I'm well aware that until yesterday, you were a large part of Callisto's army. Now tell me, other than the Spartans, are there any other reinforcements?"

Gabrielle shook her head, "No." She'd had enough of this, she'd regretted this action of hers every moment since.

Hercules questioned again, "Are you sure? I know most of the cities and towns have been contributing to this… coalition against me."

Gabrielle's skin crawled as soon as she noticed Herici flanking her. He stared at her intently. Gabrielle held her own, "I don't know of any. I wasn't in charge of anything…"

Hercules sighed, "Now… you don't know anything? I'm not sure I buy that Gabrielle."

Gabrielle bowed her head, he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "A few cities had sent forces. Many of them arrived yesterday, but I believe that Messene had unit that was due in this morning."

Hercules stared straight ahead, "More to the slaughter, and there will be a slaughter. I shall kill every last man, woman, and child who raises arms against me. There will be no mercy."

Gabrielle felt sick to her stomach as she slowly backed her horse off of Hercules. Whatever had a hold on him was too strong. There was no way she could reach him, and she knew that. All she needed to do was get out of her. If she could sprout wings and fly to Callisto's camp, she would, but this place…

Gabrielle again took note of Herici staring at her, "What in Hades is your problem!"

Herici gave a dark smile, "I know your power, and you have a lot of it. I've felt it before… Soon things are going to change. Hercules is nothing compared to what's coming next in this world. This world shall be reborn, and you could have a place of power…"

Gabrielle scornfully replied, "I'll have nothing to do with your coup against Hercules…"

"Oh… so that's what I'm up to huh? Ha ha ha…"

Gabrielle felt a child in her spine as Herici rode up beside Selenta. She knew the power that man emanated, but she didn't know where. It was cold, it was familiar, it was chaotic.

8

Xena was with the Centaurs when she felt it. Her skin was crawling, someone was waiting for her, and wanted her to come and speak with him, and she knew who it was. Xena eyed Arethian and Borias, "Take the unit and continue towards Callisto's army. She's going to need you today, I'm certain of that."

"What about you?" Question Borias.

"I'll be fine."

Arethian and Borias both nodded as Xena separated from the group. The warrior headed into a patch of woods as she called out, "Ares, I know you are here… What do you want? Ares!"

Suddenly on instinct Xena dodged a form that had leapt at her from the trees. Dismounting Argo she turned to see that it was Ares. "What are you trying to do!" Demanded the warrior.

Ares approached, a faint purple glow shown in his eyes. "Give me the stone Xena."

"Stone… what stone?" Xena narrowed her focus as she backed up a step, "You're eyes…"

Ares swung at Xena as she backed away, "I want the stone Xena. Give me the stone! He'll speak to Zeus and I'll regain my mantle…"

Xena backed away, "Who is he?"

The purple glow deepened in the War God's eyes, "He is… I don't know… But he is powerful, his power radiates the world in it's great purple light. He is the great god of…"

"Chaos…" replied Xena, the sudden realization beginning to dawn on her.

"I want the crystal Xena!"

Xena felt inside her Pocket, the crystal. She recalled Callisto's tale from the battle of Argos when she was attacked by some… thing. That thing wanted Xena. The crystal… it was!

"The Heart of Chaos!" Shouted Ares, "I want the Heart of Chaos! Then I shall have my powers again."

Xena saw clearly now, Ares was under the influence of the being called Chaos. The warrior had thought that he was dead. She remembered watching him die in the world of Chaos. Now it all made sense. The war, Hercules, the mysterious being that attacked her on horseback almost two months ago when she was trying to rescue Gabrielle from Brutus^

Xena stated, "Chaos can't have this back. Ares, you have got to stop yourself. You don't want to do this."

Ares face turned beet red, with rage. Charging at Xena, she sidestepped barely avoiding his tackle.

The War God shouted, "Why do you always interfere Xena? It's not enough that you left me, to become this Hero… but you are always there, getting my way. I offered you everything Xena! The world! Your hopes and dreams! I am the God of War! I offered you more than any other mortal I've every dealt with? Did it mean anything! NO! For once, don't interfere, give me the fucking Crystal, don't make me kill you Xena."

Xena pulled out her sword, "I can't do that Ares…"

Ares charged at Xena, swinging at her madly. Though he was unarmed, Xena found her sword useless, as he was a god. She stabbed him the in the chest, and in the abdomen, and in his arms, but it was all useless. Didn't matter where or how she stabbed him, there was no killing a god. She swung at him again, this time he caught the sword with his hand, and punched her in the face, causing her to lose her weapon.

Xena couldn't fight Ares like this, and she knew it, but before she could get up, the War God seized her by the neck and shoved her against a tree. His eyes, glowing now bright purple. Xena struggled but Ares wasn't to be stopped. Seizing a small handbag from her, Ares threw Xena to the ground. Xena fought for air as she saw Ares opening the handbag.

Xena stated, her voice cracking, "Ares, you must regain control of yourself!"

But Ares didn't listen, instead he reached into the bag and pulled out the crystal, holding it in his hand. Suddenly his entire body glowed purple. Xena tried to cover her eyes, but she couldn't. Then she heard a shout as she was blinded by the purple light. The beam of energy shot into the sky leaving Ares body lying on the ground.

Xena got to her feet as Ares asked, "What happened to me?"

Taking the warrior's hand Xena said, "Chaos controlled you somehow!

Ares shouted, "What is that?"

A bright purple light glowed in the sky. Xena said, "It's Chaos, and he's coming. We have to get out of here now!"

"You don't have to tell me twice."

Xena and Ares quickly mounted Argo. Xena taking the Crystal from the War God's hand. "We better be ready Ares, trouble is coming for us in a hurry."

8

Hercules, Selenta, Herici and Gabrielle all continued to ride towards the army of Callisto when suddenly a massive bright purple light zapped the body of Herici. Everyone stopped staring at the now floating man. Herici dropped his form, once and for as he shouted, "Xena! I know where you are! I'm coming for you!"

Suddenly in a single flash of Purple light, Chaos was gone, and nothing remained of him, or the form he took.

Hercules shouted, "Chaos!"

Selenta approached him, "Hercules…"

Hercules stated, "Selenta, you take this army and destroy Callisto!"

"Where are you going?"

Hercules shot back as he was already leaving, "I'm going after Chaos!"

And like that, to Gabrielle's and everyone else's shock, the Demi God was gone.

Selenta turned to the soldiers, "You heard him… this is now my army, and from this moment on, we're marching for victory. No more foolhardy judgments or poor tactics, or pathetic distractions. We're going into battle, and we're going destroy our enemies, once and for all!"

Selenta turned towards the direction of her enemies as they had just appeared over the horizon. "Callisto… we're coming."

8

AN^ 'Rescuing Gabrielle from Brutus' as mentioned in this story, occurs in my story "Man of Rome." A shorter story that fits in between Dual Nature 1, and Dual Nature 2.