Racing through the city, Xena moved as fast as she could to stop what she had discovered was the trigger to the day resetting time and time again. Finally, she arrived in a small garden where she spotted a young woman seated on a bench with a small bottle in her hand.
XENA
Hey, give me that vial.
Before the young woman knew what had happened, the warrior closed in and snatched the small container from her, giving the contents a quick sniff.
XENA
Night's bane. You're aware this stuff is deadly?
The young woman nodded slightly as she looked away sadly.
XENA
When did you take this?
?
Just after sunrise.
XENA
So, you're the one who's been causing all this trouble.
Seeing an unhappy expression on Xena's face, the young woman didn't say anything more, and instead just turned her eyes away with a defeated look before quickly leaving.
XENA
Hey, wait.
The warrior attempted to follow, but stopped when she heard someone behind her.
?
No, it's not her fault. It's mine.
Xena turned around to see a young man.
XENA
And you are?
?
Neron. And I'm afraid there's nothing you can do.
XENA
Why's that?
NERON
Because her house is at the north end of town, and the stables you're in are at the south.
The warrior narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the young man.
XENA
And just how would you know about that?
NERON
Because like you, I'm fully aware of what's been happening. So, no matter how fast you run…
XENA
I'll never get there in time to stop her.
Now realizing just what she was up against, the woman moved to sit on a nearby bench to think, as Neron sat at the other end.
XENA
Okay, Neron, you're clearly aware of what's been happening, so why don't you fill me in here. Like why she took the poison.
NERON
Because we're in love. But our families hate each other, so we were forbidden from being together.
XENA
That must've been hard.
NERON
It was. But for a while we were still able to sneak away to see one another in secret.
Neron looked down sadly as he continued.
NERON
That was until we found out that her father was gonna make her
marry someone else.
Finally, Xena was beginning to put together how they had gotten to where they were.
XENA
So, she decided to kill herself.
NERON
(Sad tone) Yes. She didn't know that I had planned for us to leave together and elope, And when I told her, she began to cry, telling me that she had already taken the Night's bane.
Neron shook his head.
NERON
I couldn't face the thought of going through life without her. So I prayed to Cupid for help. But when he came to me, he said that he couldn't stop Hermia from dying tomorrow. But when he senses that our love was true, he granted me a single wish for anything.
Finally understanding what had happened, Xena already knew what the young man's wish must have been.
XENA
And your wish was that tomorrow would never come.
NERON
Yes. Cupid said that until a hero could come and fix everything, the day would continue to reset every morning.
XENA
So why not just ask for help?
NERON
Well, frankly, I was kind of expecting someone like Hercules, or Sinbad or something and not a, umm…
Neron paused as he realized what he was about to say would very likely offend the one person who might finally be able to help him, and with a raised eyebrow, Xena finished his sentence for him.
XENA
A woman?
The man let out a slightly uncomfortable laugh as he apologized for potentially offending the warrior woman, who paid the comment no mind as things like that had stopped bothering her a long time ago, as Neron quickly moved the conversion forward.
NERON
Well, anyway. I'm not allowed to interfere, so I couldn't really ask you for help to begin with.
The young man watched as Xena fell silent for a moment, as she began to think.
XENA
So, now I've got to save Casca, stop the duel, and keep Hermia from taking poison. And do it all right after the rooster crows.
NERON
It's impossible. No matter how fast you run, there just isn't enough time. No one person can pull all that off.
Xena stood up.
XENA
We'll see.
With that, Xena walked off with a renewed sense of determination for breaking the cycle for good.
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The next few repeating days Xena tried multiple methods of reaching Hermia before she could drink the poison, but each time was unsuccessful at preventing the young woman from taking her own life. So knowing she'd never be fast enough to reach Hermia before it was too late, The warrior decided that it was time for a change in strategy. A few more days repeated as Xena looked over every inch of the town, taking measurements of buildings, along with various angles between them and other items, all the while ignoring the chaos around her, leaving Gabrielle and Joxer to fend for themselves. Knowing that getting involved in such things wouldn't make any difference before everything was ready anyway.
XENA
Alright. That should do it.
Xena stood in the center of town as Gabrielle walked over to her with a defeated look on her face.
GABRIELLE
This is horrible. So many people dead. And for what?
XENA
Don't worry I'm gonna fix all of this.
The bard looked at the taller woman.
GABRIELLE
How? Even if we do stop this violence, It's not like you can bring back all the people that were killed today.
XENA
You're right, Gabrielle. I can't bring them back. But I can stop them all from dying.
The bard gave Xena a confused look as she watched the woman walk away with purpose.
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The rooster crowed as Joxer casually whistled his "Joxer the mighty" tune while making his way to the stables. He just made it to the barn door, when it suddenly flew open and smacked him in the face, knocking him down, as Xena came flying out of the building.
XENA
Rise and shine, Joxer. Raise and shine.
Xena ran into town and launched her chakram at a building, sending it ricocheting throughout the city as she continued to run.
CASCA
Hey, my hat!
The old man shouted as Xena's chakram came flying by and knocked his hat off, causing him to stop to pick it up before he could step into the path of the runaway cart as it sped by, and the weapon continued on its path.
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Elsewhere Hermia lifted the bottle of poison to her lips to drink when the warrior's chakram came flying by and shattered the vile the young woman was holding, shocking her as she let out a small surprised scream and Neron ran in.
NERON
Hermia.
The two embraced as Xena dropped from the roof above and caught her chakram as it flew by her, and after giving it a little twirl on her finger, holstered it to her hip before turning to walk away.
XENA
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a feud to end.
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Not long after, Xena stood a few feet away from the two house leaders after having used the same diplomatic approach she had before, as the two men clasped hands in peace as the crowd cheered.
NERON
Because of you, Xena, I think now I'll be able to ask Hermia's father for her hand in marriage.
The warrior smiled as she and Gabrielle stood looking at the now peaceful townspeople.
XENA
Something tells me that now you won't need to worry about what his answer will be.
GABRIELLE
Or Hermia's.
Neron smiled.
NERON
Thank you, Xena. Now, we all finally have a tomorrow to look forward to.
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The rooster crowed as the sun rose and Xena rolled over, her eyes still closed before she heard the barn door open and Joxer shout as he walked inside.
JOXER
Rise and shine, everyone, rise and shine.
GABRIELLE
(Flat tone) I'll rise, I refuse to shine.
Hearing those words caused the warrior's eyes to shoot open as she sprung up to a sitting position.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) No. That was supposed to have stopped it. I fixed everything. It's never gonna end.
JOXER
Yeah, well I got us breakfast…
Ignoring the unhappy comment, Joxer reached into his helmet that he was carrying and pulled out one of the items.
JOXER
Turnips.
XENA
Turnips?
The dark-haired woman quickly stood.
XENA
Did you say turnips?
Xena moved to where Joxer was standing and looked into his helmet to see a whole bundle of the root vegetable. Never being so happy to see a turnip in her life, the warrior hugged Joxer.
XENA
You brought us turnips. Oh, you beautiful, beautiful man.
JOXER
Huh, who knew you liked turnips so much.
GABRIELLE
Xena, are you all right? What's going on?
The warrior let Joxer go as she grabbed a couple of the turnips from his helmet and turned toward the blonde.
XENA
Life, Gabrielle, life! Life is going on, at last!
Xena pulled the bard close.
XENA
Gabrielle, you know if there's one thing I've learned from coming here is that you've gotta, seize the day! 'Cause, who knows? Tomorrow may never come.
GABRIELLE
Um, sure?
The bard eyed Xena in confusion for a moment before they saw Joxer have a hammer land on his head and watched him fall face down on the barn floor, as the stable hand looked down from above.
EDOS
Oh no, not again.
The pair of women burst out laughing for a bit before making sure that Joxer was okay.
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Soon after, the trio along with Argo, were all standing at the city's entrance. Deciding to part ways, Xena and Gabrielle said their goodbyes to Joxer until when they would undoubtedly meet up again. And after Xena pulled the bard into her place behind her in Argo's saddle, the two rode away from the town that was now free to move forward with their lives, just like the warrior and bard as they moved down the road toward whatever lay in their coming days together.
TO BE CONTINUED…
