AUTOLYCUS
Almost. Almost. And just a little twist right there.
An audible click came from the lock to the cell door that the thief had been thrown into after being caught by Gabrielle trying to retrieve Xena's body.
AUTOLYCUS
And there we go.
XENA'S SPIRIT
Good. Now let go and hold on.
AUTOLYCUS
"Let go and hold on?"? That doesn't make any sense. How am I supposed to... Hey! Ah. Hey. Oh. Wait a minute. Xena!
The cell now unlocked, Xena took control over the thief's body as she ran out of the cell and dove through an open window. Once outside, she quickly spotted the funeral pyre with the coffin containing her body on top of it. She ran for several long strides before letting out her signature battle cry as both of Autolycus' feet left the ground, and she along with the thief lept an impressive distance through the air, flipped and landed standing right on top of the coffin in front of everyone in the village.
VELASCA
What in the?...
Immediately after landing, Xena began kicking the burning wood away from her body as Gabrielle looked on in utter disbelief of what she was witnessing.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) That sound. The way he just came jumping in out of nowhere like that. There's no way… It can't be
VELASCA
(Angry tone) Archers, stop him!
A group of Amazons raised their bows to take aim at Autolycus.
GABRIELLE
Wait, no!
Gabrielle ran to stand between the archers and Autolycus, as Xena grabbed her chakram that laid on the coffin, and threw it. The weapon ricocheted off a pole, before flying right in front of the archers and cutting off all of their arrowheads. Xena jumped off the coffin, doing a mid-air flip before landing right in Argo's saddle, who was standing nearby. Autolycus grimaced at the rough landing.
AUTOLYCUS
Ugh! Easy on the merchandise there Xena.
Seeing the whole scene play out, though she wasn't sure how, left no doubt in Gabrielle's mind of what was happening as her face lit up with excitement.
GABRIELLE
It is Xena!.
Using her whip to latch onto the sarcophagus, Xena gave Argo a shout to get the horse moving, as Gabrielle quickly moved to follow before feeling her arm get grabbed.
EPHINY
Gabrielle, what are you doing?
The new Amazon queen looked at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
I can't explain, Ephiny. I'm sorry. But I have to go.
Pulling away from her fellow Amazon, Gabrielle ran to catch up with the speeding horse and was just able to dive onto the sarcophagus being dragged behind the Xena, controlled Autolycus as they rode off.
VELASCA
Ephiny, organize a war party.
The woman scowled as she stormed over to the curly-haired Amazon.
VELASCA
Go after them, and bring their bodies back to me.
EPHINY
There's no need, I'll go, but by myself. Gabrielle wouldn't have done this without a good reason.
VELASCA
(Angry tone) She betrayed us! I want Gabrielle dead! You hear me?! Now is the time to show where your loyalties lie! You saw it for yourself, Gabrielle is a traitor to the nation! I am the rightful Amazon Queen!
A number of other women cheered in support for Velasca.
EPHINY
No Velasca, like it or not, Gabrielle is queen. And I won't let you or anyone else discredit her right to the throne.
Out of the crowd, a number of voices cheered their agreement with Ephiny. Which only served to anger Velasca further as she turned to address the crowd.
VELASCA
(Angry tone) Regardless of what Gabrielle, or Ephiny might say, the role of queen is rightfully mine. And I refuse to allow anyone else to say otherwise. Those who stand against me, stand with her. And as a result will be punished.
Several Amazons moved from the crowd to stand alongside Ephiny, as the rest of the larger group remained standing in solidarity with Velasca, who glared coldly at the woman who dared to defy her.
VELASCA
So be it. Take them. They can die alongside the traitor.
Ephiny scowled silently at the power hungry Amazon, as a number of the woman's supporters grabbed her, along with the rest who believed Gabrielle was their rightful leader. The women were all taken and locked away in a cell, as Velasca began shouting orders for the others to go out and search for Gabrielle. Offering a reward for anyone who brought her back dead or alive.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
GABRIELLE
Looks like we have a bit of a lead on them.
Night had fallen as Gabrielle stood up from where she'd been riding on Xena's coffin, after finally coming to a stop as Autolycus dismounted from Argo's saddle, now back in control of his body.
AUTOLYCUS
(Joking tone) Well, that was certainly an exciting day.
GABRIELLE
Autolycus, what is going on? Why is Xena in your mind?
The thief smirked as he idly twirled his mustache.
AUTOLYCUS
(Joking tone) Well, I guess she, like most other women, just finds the great king of thieves utterly irresistible.
Suddenly at Xena's doing, Autolycus' grabbed and yanked on his mustache.
AUTOLYCUS
Ow!
Gabrielle squinted her eyes as she moved up close to Autolycus, trying to see any hint of Xena as the thief rubbed his upper lip.
GABRIELLE
Where is she?
Feeling just slightly uncomfortable with how up close and personal Gabrielle was, the thief stepped back.
AUTOLYCUS
I don't know. It's not like I've been possessed by a ghost before.
XENA'S SPIRIT
I'm right here.
AUTOLYCUS
Oh, and there she is again.
Gabrielle looked around for a moment.
GABRIELLE
So you can really hear her?
AUTOLYCUS
As clear as if she were standing right here.
XENA'S SPIRIT
Autolycus, I'm going to take control. I wanna speak directly to Gabrielle.
AUTOLYCUS
Now hold Xena, you can't just decide to take control over someone's body whenever y...
Autolycus paused as his face went completely blank for a moment, and Gabrielle watched him blink a couple times. Afterwards the thief stood up straighter and his manner of speech completely changed to match Xena's as the warrior fully took over the man's body.
XENA (IN AUTOLYCUS' BODY)
Yes, Gabrielle, I'm right here.
GABRIELLE
Xena? How..? I...
XENA (IN AUTOLYCUS' BODY)
Listen, I want you to do something. Close your eyes.
GABRIELLE
Close my eyes? I don't understand.
XENA (IN AUTOLYCUS' BODY)
Just trust me. Close your eyes tight and think of me.
Though still not understanding how any of this was happening, Gabrielle did as she was asked and closed her eyes. Letting her mind become flooded with the thoughts and memories of Xena.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
XENA
Gabrielle, Gabrielle it's me. I'm here.
The young woman opened her eyes and to her amazement, there Xena was. Back in her own body and standing right there in front of her. Though they were no longer in the forest where Gabrielle was just standing with Autolycus just a moment before.
GABRIELLE
Xena. It really is you.
Tears of joy began to fill Gabrielle's eyes as she moved to hug Xena, who held up her hand to stop her.
XENA
Yes, but not entirely.
GABRIELLE
Why did you leave Xena? There's so many things I wanted to say to you.
XENA
There's things I wish I had told you too. Things I wish I had the time to say now. But unfortunately, time is something we don't have much of right now. I need to get to the ambrosia, otherwise, I will be gone.
GABRIELLE
Xena, I can't lose you again.
Xena gave Gabrielle a warm smile as she moved closer to the blonde. She knew that if they were to fail to get the ambrosia, this could be her last chance to tell Gabrielle exactly what the younger woman mentioned to her.
XENA
Gabrielle, no matter what might happen, or whatever might physically separate us, I'll always be here.
The right words for what the raven-haired woman actually wanted to say suddenly escaping her, and feeling her strength fading, Xena did the only thing she could think to do and leaned in close to press her lips to Gabrielle's, giving her a soft but meaningful kiss that conveyed so much more than anything Xena could have actually said.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
A moment later Gabrielle opened her eyes to see Autolycus who pulled back from her, slightly after Xena relinquished control of his body and cleared his throat awkwardly.
AUTOLYCUS
Well, I um, hope you two worked things out.
Gabrielle smiled at the realization of Xena having feelings for her. Having never imagined it possible.
GABRIELLE
We did. Thank you. I mean that.
AUTOLYCUS
Oh, certainly, the king of thieves is at your service. I'm here for you both.
GABRIELLE
Autolycus.
AUTOLYCUS
Hmm?
GABRIELLE
Get your hand off my butt.
Having not realized where his hand was, Autolycus quickly removed it from Gabrielle's backside as he let out an awkward chuckle.
AUTOLYCUS
Hey, now how'd that get there?
GABRIELLE
You're impossible.
Gabrielle gave the thief a disapproving look before walking away, as Autolycus heard a chuckle from Xena who was actually the one who had gotten a little handsy with the blonde.
AUTOLYCUS
(Muttering) Very funny Xena. Are you trying to get me slapped?
GABRIELLE
So what do we do now?
Autolycus looked to see Gabrielle leaning against Xena's coffin.
XENA'S SPIRIT
Get rid of the sarcophagus.
AUTOLYCUS
What?! Why would we get rid of your coffin?
GABRIELLE
She means we have to hide it.
AUTOLYCUS
Sure. But that seems a bit easier said than done.
Gabrielle thought for a moment for where they could stow away Xena's body for the time being, and came up with an idea.
GABRIELLE
We could take it to the river. It'll float downstream, and we can pick it up later when we have the ambrosia.
AUTOLYCUS
That's actually a good idea, Gabrielle. I'm impressed.
XENA'S SPIRIT
That's my girl.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
After Xena's body had been taken care of, Gabrielle and Autolycus followed the map that Xena had the thief take from the temple as they searched for where the ambrosia was hidden, until they reached a cave.
AUTOLYCUS
This must be it. Come on, let's go inside.
Autolycus began to walk forward but was forced backwards by Xena, making him fall to the ground.
AUTOLYCUS
Hey, what was that for?
Spotting a torch on the cave wall, Gabrielle picked up a couple of stones and struck them together over the torch until it was lit, and brought it over to where Xena had stopped Autolycus and the new light revealed a pit that was full of spikes.
GABRIELLE
Good thing Xena stopped you.
AUTOLYCUS
She could've just said something instead.
Autolycus stood back up as he and Gabrielle began looking for a way across the pit. As they looked around, an odd rock caught the thief's attention.
AUTOLYCUS
Gabrielle, does the design on that rock look a bit odd to you.
XENA'S SPIRIT
(whispering) It's the dagger of Helios. The dagger you stole, Autolycus. Use it.
AUTOLYCUS
What's that, Xena, I can barely hear you.
Realizing what was happening, Gabrielle knew that they were running out of time to bring Xena back.
GABRIELLE
She's getting weaker. We have to hurry.
Gabrielle began to try figuring out what they needed to do, when she and Autolycus heard a voice behind them.
?
Oh there's no need to hurry at all.
Turning around, the blonde and the thief saw Velasca entering the corridor with several other Amazons following her.
VELASCA
There's no hurry at all. With ambrosia, you have all the time in the world.
The Amazons' eyes began to scan the cave.
VELASCA
And here I thought it was merely just legend. Now, where is the food of the gods?
With an evil smile on her face, Velasca motioned for the other women to attack Gabrielle and Autolycus.
AUTOLYCUS
Okay, Xena, this is where you come in. So if you wanna take over… any time now.
Xena didn't respond as Gabrielle and Autolycus were then forced to defend themselves when Velasca and her allies came at them with weapons drawn.
GABRIELLE
Autolycus?
AUTOLYCUS
She's gone. Xena's gone.
GABRIELLE
No. We can't be too late. We're so close.
VELASCA
(Angry tone) Where is it? Where is the ambrosia? You know, don't you?
Velasca stormed up to Autolycus, and grabbed him by the front of his shirt.
AUTOLYCUS
Well, I have an idea. But, there's just one small problem.
VELASCA
And what's that?
AUTOLYCUS
You see if I don't tell you, you'll kill me. And if I do tell you, you'll still kill me, take the ambrosia for yourself, and become a god anyway. So, as you can see there really isn't anything I'm gonna get out of this deal no matter what I do. So, I don't see much logic in helping you here.
VELASCA
Oh, but it's not whether you die, it's how you die that counts.
Velasca smiled as she pushed Autolycus back.
VELASCA
See, I enjoy inflicting pain. I like what it does to people and I like what it makes
people do.
Velasca threw Autolycus to the ground, and kicked him several times before spotting something fall off his belt.
VELASCA
The Dagger of Helios.
The Amazon bent down and picked up the dagger, realizing it must've been needed for getting to the ambrosia.
VELASCA
Now with this, nothing will stop me from taking what should be mine.
Velasca smiled as she clutched the dagger and began to leave.
GABRIELLE
No, stop!
VELASCA
Lock those two away. I'll be back to deal with them later.
Gabrielle tried to chase after the mad Amazon, but was stopped by the woman's allies as Velasca disappeared from sight, taking the key andto the last hope of reviving Xena with her as Gabrielle and Autolycus were brought back to the village and imprisoned with the others who opposed Velasca's claim to power.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
AUTOLYCUS
What are we supposed to do now, Gabrielle? That Amazon's got the dagger. And she's going after the ambrosia.
Autolycus sat on the floor of the cell as Gabrielle paced back and forth trying to come up with anything they could do.
GABRIELLE
I don't know yet. Xena's usually the one who comes up with the plans.
EPHINY
That's it then. We lost. And now Velasca will become a god.
Gabrielle stopped walking and looked at Ephiny who was in the same large cell along with the rest of the women who opposed Velasca.
GABRIELLE
No. We can't give up. As long as there's anyone to stand up to her it's not over.
Gabrielle turned to walk away, but stopped momentarily to look back over her shoulder toward Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
And on top of that I'm not about to stay here and waste my only opportunity of getting Xena back.
The long-haired blonde turned her attention toward Autolycus.
GABRIELLE
Okay Autolycus, you think you can get us out of here?
The thief smirked.
AUTOLYCUS
Why Gabrielle, I thought you'd never ask.
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Once Autolycus picked the cell's lock, he, Gabrielle, Ephiny and the others made their way outside and after taking out a couple of guards they all hurried out of the village.
GABRIELLE
Ephiny, I need you to follow the river downstream and find Xena's coffin. Then bring it to the hall of ambrosia. Autolycus has the map for where to find it.
The thief handed Ephiny the folded up map before the Amazon headed off, taking another of the women there with her as Gabrielle and Autolycus hurried to stop Velasca before she could getgett her hands on the ambrosia.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
VELASCA
This is it.
The Amazon entered a large corridor, seeing her prize, the ambrosia sitting on a pedestal high above her and began to climb up toward it.
VELASCA
My destiny. It turns out Melosa was right about my not being meant to be Queen. I was meant to be a god.
Several moments later as she continued her accent, a voice echoed around her.
?
Velasca!
The Amazon smiled as she looked down to see Gabrielle and Autolycus enter the corridor.
VELASCA
Ah, Gabrielle, how nice of you to show up. Now I won't have to go back to the village to kill you. And how lucky for you that before you die, you'll get to witness the birth of a god.
The Amazon continued to climb as Gabrielle and Autolycus tried to think of how to stop her.
AUTOLYCUS
How are we supposed to catch her before she reaches the ambrosia? I can't climb with a broken arm.
GABRIELLE
But I can.
AUTOLYCUS
I don't know Gabrielle, If you fall, Xena's liable to come back just to kill me.
GABRIELLE
Don't be ridiculous Autolycus, I wouldn't actually kill you.
AUTOLYCUS
"You" wouldn't? Wait.
The thief looked a little closer at Gabrielle and noticed a much more focused and intense look in the woman's eyes.
AUTOLYCUS
Xena?
XENA (IN GABRIELLE'S BODY)
Yup.
Then without another word, while controlling Gabrielle's body, Xena grabbed her chakram from Autolycus and lept upward to grab one of the vines and quickly began climbing after Velasca. She was easily able to catch up to the Amazon who kicked at her when the warrior got close and shook the vine Xena held, trying to get her to fall. Instead Xena grabbed Velasca's ankle and pulled at her. Feeling herself beginning to slip, the Amazon held tighter to the vine with one hand as she grabbed the dagger on her waist and cut the vine Xena was on, causing the woman to drop several feet down before she was able to catch herself on another vine and resumedresumeed climbing until she reached just below the pedestal that held the ambrosia.
VELASCA
It's mine. It's all mine.
The Amazon drove the dagger into the stone, causing a trap door to open from above and drop the ambrosia. Velasca reached out to catch it but feltfeels Xena shake her vine, causing her to miss it.
VELASCA
No!
Immediately, Velasca began to slide down the vine after it, not even noticing when she passed Gabrielle's Xena possessed body, until she heard Gabrielle's voice make an angry yell and looked up just in time to see the vine she was holding get cut. This sent Velasca plummeting down to the spikes below that impaled her in multiple places on impact, as Xena's last bit of strength faded and Gabrielle regained control of her body. Regaining consciousness, the bard looked down to where Velasca and the ambrosia had fallen and quickly averted her eyes at the gruesome sight of Velasca's motionless body that had been skewered by the spikes. Her mind then returned to Xena as the hope of reviving her began to fade until she looked down once again and spotted the ambrosia laying splattered next to Velasca.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) If I can just get a small piece, maybe it'll be enough.
Not ready to give up hope just yet, Gabrielle reached over to another vine and cut it, before bringing it with her as she slid down the vine she was holding until she neared the bottom. She then pulled up the rest of it to tie it together what the long section of vine she had cut and then continued further down until she hung just over the spikes and Velasca.
GABRIELLE
Oh gods.
The blonde looked away for a moment after seeing Velasca's condition up close, but quickly reminded herself that she needed to hurry and put all her focus on just getting a piece of the now scattered ambrosia. She lowered herself as far as she could and held on as tight as she could with one hand , reached down between the spikes for a piece of the godly fruit. All the while, hoping that the vines she had cobbled together would hold. As not only her life, but Xena's depended on it.
TO BE CONTINUED…