Completely confused by what she was seeing as Joxer, who both she and Gabrielle had witnessed die just the day before, Xena stood up from where she had awoken and moved to where Joxer stood.
XENA
Joxer?
The warrior looked her friend up and down for a moment as she tried to piece together the puzzle of how the man was standing right there before her.
XENA
How are you…? You should be dead.
Joxer shrugged slightly as he puffed out his chest in a humorously exaggerated fashion.
JOXER
True. I suppose a man like me should have died a thousand times over. But when you're as skilled as me, with all the grit and nerves of steel I have, it would take a whole army to take down an unstoppable warrior like me.
Ignoring the man's typical outlandish grandstanding, Xena just smiled as she grabbed Joxer and pulled him into a playful headlock, before ruffling up his hair.
XENA
Come here, you!
JOXER
Hey! Ow! Ow! Ow! Xena!
Ater a moment, the raven-haired woman released Joxer, who responded by giving her a curious look as he flattened out his tousled hair.
JOXER
What was that all about? You know I don't remember you ever being this happy to see me.
XENA
I can't quite explain it, but I had the strangest dream last night. It all felt so real.
JOXER
Okay?
?
(Unhappy grumble) Rise and shine, rise and shine.
Hearing the sudden interjection into the conversation, Xena looked behind her to see Gabrielle sit up from the pile of hay.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly annoyed tone) I'll rise, but I refuse to shine.
The bard's comment seeming oddly familiar, the wheels in Xena's mind began to turn, as she sensed that something about this whole situation seemed amiss.
JOXER
Yeah? Well…
Joxer carried on as Xena watched him hold out his hemet.
JOXER
I got us all breakfast. Goose eggs.
XENA
Joxer, move.
The woman pushed Joxer away, who stumbled back several steps and gave her an unhappy look as he regained his balance.
JOXER
Hey, you don't have to eat 'em. Geez I try to do something nice and this is…
The man's complaint was brought to an abrupt halt when a horseshoe dropped from the upper level of the stable and landed on Joxer's foot.
JOXER
Ow!
EDOS
Sweet Equestra! I'm so sorry. I didn't hit anything, did I?
Remembering that very same thing happening, Xena looked up to see the stable owner standing above as she now knew for certain that something very strange was going on.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) That was no dream.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It was just a short time later that the trio were standing together outside of the stable, and Xena looked around at the people going about their day, but all of which the woman had somehow seen before. Meanwhile at the same time, something also seemed slightly odd to Gabrielle as she watched the warrior, she could tell that there was something on the woman's mind.
GABRIELLE
Xena, why did you seem so excited to see Joxer when he came into the stables?
Hearing the blonde's question, Xena looked at the younger woman.
XENA
I can't explain it, but Joxer was killed yesterday. He was dead, I know it. But now, here he is.
Overhearing the conversation, Joxer himself chimed in as they walked and looked over at Xena.
JOXER
Well, as you know, Xena, warriors like us always have a sixth sense. We can always tell when something's off or heading our way. OW!
Not watching where he was going, Joxer smacked his head on a low hanging tree branch, as Xena and Gabrielle continued talking as if nothing happened while they tried to figure out why everything that was happening felt so familiar to the warrior woman.
GABRIELLE
Could it have been some kind of vision?
XENA
No, it was all too real.
JOXER
Wait a minute.
The two women looked over at Joxer who had caught back up with them.
JOXER
What if this, right now isn't real?
Gabrielle rolled her eyes at the ridiculous sounding question.
GABRIELLE
Can you feel this?
She punched his arm..
JOXER
Ow! Yes.
GABRIELLE
Then I guess we're real.
Joxer rubbed his arm as the bard returned her attention to Xena.
GABRIELLE
So let me get this straight, 're saying that I forgot everything that happened yesterday?
XENA
Technically, no. Because it doesn't seem like any of it actually happened for you.
GABRIELLE
Well, if it never happened, then what's to forget?
XENA
Today.
GABRIELLE
But today hasn't happened yet.
XENA
Well, it happened to me.
GABRIELLE
Yesterday.
XENA
No, the other today.
GABRIELLE
So you're saying that today is actually yesterday for you, but, for us, today is today, because we can't remember that today really happened yesterday, right?
XENA
Right.
GABRIELLE
Okay, now I'm confused.
JOXER
Oh, oh! Wait, I got it.
Gabrielle and Xena looked at Joxer as he continued.
JOXER
What if none of this is really happening and we're all just some figment of someone else's imagination? Like everything we do is just part of some really long play or story or something, and none of us are actually real.
Both Gabrielle and Xena looked at Joxer for a moment as they briefly contemplated the man's sanity.
GABRIELLE
Joxer, how much did you have to drink last night?
JOXER
Actually I didn't drink at all last night. Why?
Pushing past the momentary nonsense, Xena decided to get the conversation back on track, as her focus returned to the younger woman.
XENA
You don't remember anything? Even Joxer's death? We mourned and had a funeral for him. You cried.
JOXER
She cried over me?
Joxer looked at the bard and smiled.
JOXER
Aww, Gabby. You do care.
The blonde rolled her eyes in annoyance, and quickly changed the subject.
GABRIELLE
I think I'll get some goose eggs for the road.
JOXER
I'll go with you.
Gabrielle turned to walk away, but was stopped when Xena grabbed her arm.
XENA
No, wait. We stay together.
GABRIELLE
Why? You don't really think what you saw before will really happen?
XENA
Maybe, or maybe not. Either way I don't wanna take any chances.
Suddenly the trio overheard yelling that caught their attention.
TYBELUS
What jackass taught you people how to drive a cart?!
NERON
I heard about Casca, Tybelus.
Meanwhile Joxer felt Xena grip his shoulder and looked at the woman.
XENA
Don't you even think about getting involved.
JOXER
Oh, come on. Do you honestly think I'd be stupid enough to step in between two guys with swords?
XENA / GABRIELLE
Yes.
Feeling insulted, Joxer scoffed at the pair's response as they watched the argument continue for another moment, before Xena stepped forward to take matters into her own hands.
XENA
I'll take care of this. You two wait in the alley.
JOXER
Alley? You've got to be kidding. I'm not running to wait in some alley!
He stepped forward and struck a heroic pose.
JOXER
I'm Joxer the Mighty!
Not in the mood to debate the plan she had already laid out, Xena shot the overly confident man a sinister glare that told both him and Gabrielle that going against what she had said was not a wise decision.
JOXER
On second thought, I should probably stay with Gabby to make sure she stays safe.
The bard just rolled her eyes at the comment, as she grabbed the man's arm, and the two made their way toward the alley. Then with that settled, Xena hurried over to break up the fight.
?
I don't wanna fight you, Tybelus. It was an accident. I swear.
Tybellus scowled as he swung his blade at the other man.
TYBELUS
(Angry tone) Nice try. There are no accidents between the houses of
Menos and Lycost!
Tybelus swung his sword, but was shocked when his arm was caught and he heard an unfamiliar voice, before looking next to him to see an unknown woman standing beside him.
XENA
(Stern tone) All right, that's enough!
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Meanwhile, in the alley, Joxer idly fiddled with a horseshoe as they waited for Xena.
JOXER
Hey, watch this one.
In an attempt to show off, Joxer tossed the horseshoe to bounce it off of a pole and inadvertently hit one of a pair of men who just happened to be walking by in the stomach.
JOXER
Oops. Sorry.
The man scowled as he and his companion stormed over to Joxer.
MAN 1
(Angry tone) Menos bastard.
The man shoved Joxer into the stone alley wall.
JOXER
(Slightly nervous tone) Actually, we're not affiliated with the house of Menos.
MAN #2
You insult my house?
JOXER
(Slightly nervous tone) What?! No. Of course not. It's not a bad house. Needs a little sweeping. O-oh!
The two men drew their swords and pointed them at Joxer, who now sensed that both he and Gabrielle were about to be in some serious trouble. He quickly began trying to talk his way out of the now very dangerous situation.
JOXER
(Nervous tone) Whoa. Now let me just interject a little thought,
here. Menos, Lycost. What's in a name, huh?
Then from above, a figure dropped behind the men and cracked their heads together, knocking them out as they fell to the ground.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
JOXER
(Lying) Thanks for the help, but you know I had them right where I wanted 'em.
XENA
(Flat tone) Uh-huh.
Hearing more fighting nearby, Xena took off once again as she effortlessly lept between the buildings to get to the rooftops. She jumped from building to building as she hurried to break up another fight. Finally, the warrior came to the town square where a large group of people had gathered and where yet another fight was threatening to break out. She jumped down from the roof just as one man was thrusting his sword at another and caught it in her hand, stopping his attack. Unfortunately, the second man saw the warrior's intervention as an opportunity and lunged forward, driving his weapon into his enemy's stomach and killing him before Xena could do anything.
XENA
(Angry tone) Damn it.
She threw her elbow into the surviving man's face to get him to let go of his weapon and lowered his victim to the ground as she heard a couple more arguing heading her way.
?!
(Angry tone) Now, you're hiring mercenaries to do your killing? This is a new low. Even for you Menos.
LORD MENOS
(Angry tone) Don't be ridiculous, Lycost. Why would we hire strangers to do something we're more than happy to do ourselves?
LORD LYCOST
(Angry tone) I swear, I will have vengeance on you, Menos. Along with the rest of your gods forsaken house. You realize, this means all-out war?
LORD MENOS
(Angry tone) I look forward to it.
The two men drew their swords and were just about to fight when again, Xena took it upon herself to put a stop to it.
XENA
Sorry, I don't think so.
The warrior brought her own sword down hard over the men's weapons. Breaking them both in half and rendering the two sides unarmed.
XENA
(Stern tone) Now, go home.
She turned to the crowd as she continued.
XENA
(Stern tone) All of you. Until you people can learn to play nice.
Both leader's of the feuding sides glared at one another.
LORD LYCOST
(Angry tone) This isn't over.
He turned his attention to Xena.
LORD LYCOST
(Angry tone) I don't know who you think you are, but as far as I'm concerned, you're one of them, now.
He gestured to lord Menos who just shot both him and the dark-haired woman an irate glare before storming away, with Lycost leaving right after in the opposite direction,
GABRIELLE
That was amazing, Xena.
The bard walked over to stand next to Xena.
GABRIELLE
It was all happening exactly like you for whatever reason, you had a second chance to save Joxer.
JOXER
Oh, please. I had the situation totally under control.
Xena and Gabrielle turned toward Joxer, who had made his way to join them.
XENA
Joxer may be still alive, but someone else is dead. And now there are a whole lot of seriously pissed off people in this village who consider us the enemy. So, we need to be careful now. Who knows what they might do in retaliation.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It was late when Xena and Gabrielle headed back toward the stables after parting ways with Joxer to turn in for the night. Everything seemed as it should be until they spotted what looked to be a person sitting up against the barn door, slouched over. Without thinking twice, they hurried over to find the stable owner had been severely beaten.
XENA
What happened?!
The warrior crouched down to look at the man's injuries.
EDOS
They demanded to know which horse belonged to you. I wouldn't tell them. I tried to stop them but they just slaughtered them all.
Xena raised her head to look at Edos as she realized what he was saying.
XENA
No.
She quickly stood and ran into the stable as Gabrielle looked on, unsure of what was going on.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It was dark in the stable as Xena stepped inside before grabbing a lantern that hung on the wall and lit it to see.
XENA
Argo?
The warrior whistled for her ever reliable mare when she didn't respond to her name being called.
XENA
Here girl.
Still not getting any response, Xena began to fear that her suspicion of what had happened in that stable were true. She made her way to look in the stalls, there in the first one, the woman laid eyes on exactly what she had feared she would find.
XENA
(Sad Tone) No, Argo.
Xena closed her eyes to the horrible sight as Gabrielle stepped into the barn to find the warrior standing at the far end of the building and made her way over to the woman.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
The bard was about to ask the older woman what was wrong, when she reached where Xena was standing and looked into the stall to see Argo laying on the barn floor in a mess of crimson stained hay. Then, not saying anything, Gabrielle took Xena's hand in hers as she just stood there in silence with the heartbroken warrior for a while. Later she stood with Xena and Joxer as they watched the flames carry Argo's spirit to wherever noble creatures like the warrior's mare went after they died.
JOXER.
I'm sorry, Xena. If this day really did happen again, just so you could save me, then, in a way, Argo's death is my fault.
Feeling guilty for Xena losing the horse he knew she loved so much, Joxer decided it would be better to leave the warrior to grieve without the potential reminder of why Argo was now gone, staring her right in the face, and leaving Xena and Gabrielle standing silently by the fire.
TO BE CONTINUED…
