By: Emerald Date: December 1, 1998.
A Death, A Goddess, and a Solstice End
(being told by Sydni)
"Alright, alright. You can ride Argo by yourself but only for an hour. We've got a long way to go and I see some bumps and ditches ahead. And if you got hurt, your mom would kill me." Xena argued. Mom (Gabrielle) and Callisto were out buying food and collecting water for our journey. We were all to meet up in the next town. I'm Sydni, by the way. I'm really not good with words. Not good at all. So if you can't understand me, I don't blame you. I wish I was good at words because my story is too scary for me, too exiting, and too weird for it not to be told good. So when I can't explain anymore, Xena will take over for me.
"Fine! Forget I ever asked!" I yelled.
"Okay, I will. But it's not easy to forget a question someone asks."
"Just shut-up Xena, shut-up."
"Excuse me, little Miss 14 year old, you can't talk to me like that."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever."
"Are you going to ride Argo or what?"
I thought for a minute or two.
"WELL????" Xena asked annoyingly.
"Yea. I am gonna ride 'er." I replied like she was a pest on my shoulder.
I hopped on Argo and Xena rolled her eyes. Me and Xena, we're like....really, really, good friends. Maybe even best friends. Her and Gabrielle (my mom) are -no doubt- best buddies. Now that I got to know Xena more, I found out she's really nice. For an adult, she really understands me alot. A few minutes into the ride...
Xena: Ya know, for a half-God..your not so bad.
Me: I know. Hercules is a half-God, isn't he?
Xena: Yeah. But your the only half-God...of War that is a good kid.
Me: I'm the only half-God...of War!
Xena: That's true too.
Yes I know, it's the sad truth. Ares is my dad. You know who Ares is, right? Yeah, thought so. Jerk.
Me: Well, thanks anyway.
Xena: What do you think up in that little mind of yours anyway, Syd?
Me: For the love of Zeus, MY NAME IS NOT SYD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S SYDNI!!!!!!!!
Xena: Okay, sorry.
Me: I think about everything. Life, death, natu---
Xena: Death?
Me: Well yeah. It happens all the time.
Xena: I've got news for you, kid. Your not gonna die anytime soon.
Me: Ahh, don't be to sure. You never know.
Xena: I know, and as long as I'm around...you won't be going anywhere. Now, we have alot of ground to cover
today and we need to move fast.
Xena mounted Argo and sat behind me. She made Argo run....really fast!
Me: Do-o we-e re-eally-y ne-e-ed too-o go-oo th-this- f-fast?
Xena: No-o.
She made Argo trot slower.
Me: Thankyou.
Xena: Welcome.
In no time, we were in Athens.
Me: Athens?
Xena: We shifted directions in the forest.
Me: Mom and Callisto are going to get lost in a town past Piraievs.
Xena: She knows we're gonna be here.
Me: What do you guys do when I'm sleeping?
Xena: Talk.
Me: And...you expect me to believe that?
Xena: You have no reason not to.
Me: Your not much of a talker, Xena.
Xena: Alright...and?
Me: This isn't going anywhere.
Xena: Nope, it isn't.
Me: I'm hungry.
Xena: Go over by that market and buy some food. I'll be over here.
Me: Alright.
I dismounted Argo and ran to the market. I looked back behind me and Xena wasn't there. I figured she had gone into a bar for food or something. But Argo was gone, too. I looked southeast and saw mom and Callisto. I told the salesmen to hold the food, and ran to them.
Mom: Hey, hon.
Me: Hey mom. Have you seen Xena?
Mom looked up.
Mom: No.
Call: I saw you, and never even knew Xena was in town.
Me: Heh, strange.
Mom: That is weird.
Call: Anyway, how 'bout we all eat something?
Me: You two go ahead, I've got some fish waiting for me over by that market.
Mom: Then good, your buying.
Me: Oh thanks.
Call: Well? Let's move, people! I'm sooo hungry it ain't even funny.
Mom: C'mon.
After we had eaten, Xena walked over to us.
Call: And where were you?
Xena: Taking care of business.
Call: As usual.
Mom: Xena, where did you go for business?
Xena: No where unusual. Where's my horse?
Me: You mean you didn't take her?
Xena: No! You don't have her?!!?
Me: No.
Mom: It's not her fault, Xena. She thought you took her.
Xena: I'm gonna go find her, alright? Keep yourselves safe...please!
Callisto put her two fingers at her forehead and saluted Xena.
Call: Sir!
Xena looked at Callisto with a confused-slash-sarcastic look.
Xena: Huh? Oh, nevermind!
Xena ran off.
Call: Guess it's up to us to find shelter.
Me: You can bargain, momma.
Mom: Yeah, right.
Me: Hee hee hee!
Mom: What kinda laugh was that??
Me: Forget it. I'm going with Xena.
Call: You are not!
Me: Excuse me, but I though Gabrielle was my mom.
Mom: I am, and your not going with Xena.
Callisto looked at me and put her hands on her hips. She spoke as calmly as possible.
Call: Ha.
I growled.
Me: Why not, mom?
Mom: You'll get yourself killed.
Me: I will not! Plus, I can't die. I'm a Goddess.
Mom: A half-Goddess, sweets.
Me: But, I've got powers!
Mom: No, ya don't.
Me: Do too! I can shape-shift!
Mom: Yes, I suppose you can. But, that doesn't do anything to prevent death.
Me: Good news? XENA will be with me! She'll teach me the stuff.
Call: Listen, your not going on a journey. Just to the forest and back. Xena won't have time to teach you the "stuff".
Me: Exactly! Just to the ofrest and back, please?
Mom: Okay. But come back soon.
Me: Yea, yea. BYE!
I ran. Ran as fast as my little legs could stand. I lost my balance down the hill and fumbled up next to Xena.
Xena: What the? Sydni? Is that you?
Me: Yes. It's me. Good ole' fumbler.
Xena kept walking having absolutely no pity for my scratches.
Me: Wait up!
I instantly got up and ran after her.
Me: I've been aloud to come with you.
Xena: And...
Me: Do you like me?
Xena (looking around): Sure, I do.
Me: It doesn't seem that way.
Xena: Sorry; it's just alota things are on my mind.
Me: Oh. Okay.
I looked around. I spotted a rabbit not too far from where we were walking and ran over to it.
Me: Be reight back, Xena. (to the rabbit) Hello there, little fella. I'm Sydni. Nice to meet you.
The rabbit grew calm. I have a knack for dealing with animals.
Me: Okie doke. You can't talk?
I thought. Duh, Sydni. Rabbits don't talk unless you live in an insane world. As I carefully examined the last part of my thought, I laughed.
Me: You should be able to talk!
Rabbit: I do, kid.
Me: Ahha! I'm going crazy!
Rab: You mean, you haven't figured it out yet?
Me: Ahhhhhaaaaaahaaa!!!!! Yes. I've figured it out, your nuts! I'M nuts!
Rab: Dumb mortal. It's me,
Me: Me, being?
Rab: Sheera!
FYI: Sheera= my best friend on Mt. Olympus. Met her their before I was born and was flaoting aroud up there.
Me: Sheera? Your a bunny!!!
Rab: Ugh!
Sheera was deforming back into human. The strawberry-blonde headed, blue eyed, slim, human form she had. If she wasn't that, she'd have to go back to her own figure, a puff of smoke. She reminded me alot of my mother.
Me: SheeShee!
Sheera: I said, don't call me that!
Me: I haven't seen you for like, 18 million years!
She: 14 years.
Me: Whatever. Before, you called me a dumb mortal.
She: Sorry, Sydni.
Me: No! No! Don't be sorry! Mortals are dumb.
She: Insulting your own people, are you?
Me: Their not my people.
She: Are you saying what I think your saying?
Me: If you think I'm a Goddess, your only half right.
She: Half-God?
Me: Yeap.
She: Who's the lucky God? Or Goddess?
Me: Lucky? Just because I'm their daughter? I'm flattered!
She: Soooo, who's the God or Goddess?
Me: God...I don't wanna tell you. Its embarrassing.
She: You can tell me anything, girl.
I coughed in my hand while saying the name.
Me: A-areesh-es.
She: Who? Ares?
Me: Ahh! Yes!
She: Girl! I feel sorry for you!
Me: SHHHH!!!!! Someone might here, ya brat!
She: Sorry...Hey, I gotta go. Bye!
Sheera formed back into the rabit and hopped off.
Me: Bye....Great. Now my parentage is driving my friends off.
Xena: Hey, Sydni! I found Argo, let's move!
Me: Be right there!
When we arrived in Athens. I couldn't help it, but...I laughed so hard I cried.
Callisto: What's with you?
Me: I..I...I ca..can't st..sto...stop laugh..laugh..laughin...laughing!!!!!
Call: Well, duh.
Me: Life sucks.
Mom: EXCUSE ME?????
Me: You heard me, you all heard me!
I screamed so alot of Athens could hear.
Me: MY LIFE IS HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom: We get it, honey. We get it. Are you tired?
Me: I'm so tired I can't sleep! Mom, why'd you have to fall for such a dimwit?
Mom jumped back. Way back. She narrowed her eyes.
Mom: I think we better get you some sleep.
Me: I don't care!
Mom took my hand and I burst out crying. She took me into a bar and asked for the nearest shelter.
Bartender: Why?
Mom: Well, see, my daughter here is sick and I need to find her some shelter.
BT: Ahh, forget you. I'm not going to tell you unless you first buy a drink.
Mom: No thanks, I don't need one. So long,
BT: Get goin'!!!
The next place we stopped at finally gave us the name of a shelter. Next thing I knew, I was in a dark room on a comfortable bed, sweating.
Mom: Are you okay?
Me: I think I'm going to be sick!
Mom: You are sick. You were sleeping for about 7 hours.
Me: Huh, what time is it?
Mom: 11:00, at least.
Me: Wow! That's late for me, When did I fall asleep?
Mom: Around three. You were off and on before that.
Me: Whoa. Where's Xena and Callisto?
Mom: Sleeping. I stayed up long enough so you better get back to sleep so I can sleep.
Me: I'm practically sleeping.
Okay, okay, I lied.
Mom: Night,
After an hour, everyone was sleeping and I was still sweating.
Me (singing to myself): Dee dee dee...dee dee deeeee, deeeaeee deeeee! deee dee dee deee dee dee deeeee deeeee.
Soon enough, I was crying again. I was thinking about why I had such stupid parantage and such imbosolic friends who ran when I talked to them about it. To make it all better, my wonderful father showed up. I'd kick him if I had the energy.
Me: What do you want, Ares?
Ares: We know each other better now, you can start calling me "dad".
Me: You'd like that, wouldn't you?
Ares: Yeah. A whole lot.
Me: Suffer. Just like me, Ares, you have to suffer, too!
Ares: You okay?
I got up.
Me: NO!!!
Ares was still kneeling so now he was looking up at me.
Ares: Alright, alright! Calm down.
Me: Calm down, right. I can do that!
Ares: Stop yelling.
Me: Stop yelling? Yeah, okay. Sure. No porblem-o.
Ares: Sure?
Me: Nope. But I'll live with it, anyway.
Ares: These people a re wearing you down, Sydni.
Me: These people are my life, Ares!
Ares: And, didn't you say a few hours ago your life was horrible?
Me: Ugh....
Ares: See what I mean?
Me: So what? What are you of all people gonna do?
Ares: Nothing.
Me: See?
Ares: Wait, nothing unless you ask.
Me: I hate you.
Ares: I'll bet you do.
Me: No, Ares. I really, really, hate you!
Ares: And I already knew that.
Me: Why did Zeus pick this life for me?
Ares: Because he thought you'd make better of it.
Me: Shut-up.
Ares: You can't stand it when I'm right, huh?
I just stared at Ares.
Ares: Sit down.
I sat down.
Ares: Ya know, my obsession used to be Xena,
Me: And now it's me.
Ares: Well, kinda. I'll be happy if either one of you comes back, but my life would be great to have both of you. And...my main target now is you.
Me: Tough luck, Ares.
Ares: I knew that.
I heard something from the back of the shelter and I guess Ares didn't hear it. But, then the noise shifted into a figure that Ares missed totally. It was Xena. I smiled. My dumb old father thaught I was smiling at him.
Ares: Change your mind?
Me: Oh yeah, you. Uh-huh, whatever.
Ares: Was that sacrastic or serious?
Me: You'll find out soon enough.
Ares: Huh?
Xena: She means, if you ever bother her with that choice again, I'll kill you.
Ares jumped up.
Xena: Hey, buddy.
Ares: Xena! Watcha doing up so late?
Xena looked at Ares with that sort of smile-serious-joking-"I'm gonna kill you"-smile again-look she has. I love it when she does that.
Me: Well, Ares. Isn't this your dream, me and Xena, in a dark room, with nothing showing light but candles, with you.
Ares: Yeah. What I've always wanted. Exept, you were both on my side.
With that, Ares disappeared. When he was gone, me and Xena looked at each other for a while then we both came out laughing so hard that the meaning of the laugh was unclear. Funny, we didn't wake anyone up.
Me: You, are the greatest!
Xena: I know,
Me: How'd you? Could you have? When did? How could you? Did you really?
Xena: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And I'm proud you didn't give in to him. He's very persuasive.
Me: I almost did, Xena.
Xena: I know.
Me: Umm, how much of that did you hear?
Xena: All of it. Somehow, I knew Ares was here and where he was.
Me: You always know.
Xena sat down next to me and put her hand on my head.
Xena: Go to sleep.
I leaned next to her.
Me: Xena?
Xena: Yeah?
Me: I love you...
Xena looked at me.
Xena: I love you, too.
Me: Thanks for saving my butt, Xena.
Xena laughed.
Xena: Any time, kiddo.
I fell asleep leaning against Xena's arm. In the morning, I woke up, my bed still wet from sweat, and me tucked tightly in. Everyone was up exept Xena. I rolled over and there she was.
Mom: Good morning,
I was in a very cheerfully active mood.
Me: Good morning? Yeah right. GREAT morning!!!!!!!
Mom: Ooooookay.
Call: How'd Xena end up over there?
Me: Big thing last night.
Call: How big?
Me: Really big.
Call: How big?!?!?!
Me: Gigantic!
Call: HOW BIG?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Me: Huge!
Call: HOOOWWW BBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGG?!!!!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!??????????!!!!!!!?
Me: Ares showed up.
Call: Oh. Fine, nothing new.
Mom: Ares? Why'd he--? Huh?
Me: Well, Ares came, persuaded me into joining him, I almost did, and Xena came in and saved me!
Call: How fun. I'm glad I was sleeping.
Mom stood there. Callisto was talking to me and herself while looking at mom stare at the floor and made her statement into kind of a story.
Call: And she stood there, un-noticed, looking at the floor, while her soul just dripping with jealousy because her best friend saved her daughter's life.
Mom: Oh shut-up. I'm shocked that you almost gave in to his...his...his icky words.
Call: And...your glad Xena prevented her from doing that?
Mom: Callisto?! I'm not jealous of Xena!
Call: Oh yeah, I believe that alright. Uh-huh...Sure.
Mom: Quiet.
Me: Listen, can we stop talking 'bout this? I'm in a good mood today, you all know that's a once in a life time experiance!
Call: Alright, wake Xena up.
I got up and shook Xena. Nothing. I shook her again. Nothing. Again, nothing. Again, nothing. This time, I shook her so hard my hands were red. Nothing!
Mom: Xena?
Call: Xena?
Me: Xena?
All of us: Xena?!?!?
Nothing.
Call: Okay, now I'm worried.
Me: Your not the only one!
Mom: Okay, we should remain calm...right?
Me: Yeah. Calm, good thinking.
Call: Calm? Me? Hah! Our friend is dead asleep and I'm calm? Dead asleep! We might have to take away the "asleep" soon if she don't wake up!
Me: Alright...
I rolled Xena over. I pushed her hair out of the way and in the middle of her neck were three darts. I shrieked. I pulled them out and looked them over. I then gave them to Callisto who gave them to mom.
Mom: Zeus,
Call: What? What is it?
Me: Mom...
Mom: Poisen.
Me: Zeus!!! Doesn't that take like seven days to sink in?
Mom: Depends on what kind of poisen. This sinks in faster.
Call: How would you know?
Mom: Xena taught me.
Call: Oookay.
Mom: It'll leave us time to get her the right medicine.
Call: How long does she have?
Mom: Now, that the darts are out of her, she'll wake up...but the poisen will still be inside of her. Absorbing all her blood. Taking control of her insides and destroying them. She's got an hour or two.
Me: Damn!
I woke Xena up and this time she did, wake up. But instantly, she put her hand on the place where the darts were.
Xena: Good morning.
I fell back on the bed and sighed.
Xena: What?
Mom explained everything to Xena.
Xena: Take good care of Argo, will ya?
Me: Don't say that, Xena.
Xena: Well then we better get some medicine, huh?
Me: Yep!
I ran outside and the rest followed. In about an hour, we had gotten the medicine and Xena took it. Everything was fine, but we had a major mystery on our hands. Who tried to kill Xena? We suspected too many people. Ares? Nah, he wouldn't kill Xena. Hope? Dead. Ceasar? Hello?! He lives in Rome! No one else we could think of.
Mom: What about you, Callisto? Who do you think did it?
Call: Hey, I've got amnesia, I can't think of any enemies besides Ares and Hope.
Xena: Ugh,
Me: Well, maybe it was Ares?
Mom: No, I doubt it.
Me: But maybe he knew it took hours to sink in and he just wanted to have some fun?
Xena: Mmmm. I don't think so.
Me: Well? Who's left?
Xena stopped walking.
Me: She's thinking...she's got someone...she knows!
Xena just looked ahead.
Me: I'm sensing we're still clueless?
Call: I have a tingly feeling down my spine.
Mom: Xena?
Me: Ahh Zeus!! I know what's up.
Call: What?
Me: Watch.
Xena drew her sword and everyone sighed.
Mom: What does he want now, Xena?
Xena: I don't know. It's not...not...the same.
Call: Not the same?
Xena: It's like, he's here, but then he's not.
Me: I really hate when he plays these annoying little games...don't you?
No one answered me. They all stared at Xena. Finally, she relaxed and put her sword away.
Mom: Uhh, what the heck was that?
Xena: He's here, but he's invisable and I can't see him. As long as he's not bothering anyone, let's keep going.
Call: I don't thaaa!!!
Xena: What?
Call: Owww!! I got kicked. Hard! Someone kicked me!
Xena rolled her eyes.
Xena: Enough, Ares. Show yourself.
Nothing.
Call: ZEUS!!!!!!!! Ouch!!! Owww!!!!!
Xena: What's he doing now?
Call: Killing me, if you want the real details!!!!!! IKE!!
Xena: Ares, stop it!
Callisto gasped in pain and then fell to the ground on her knees.
Call: Please, stop it?
Nothing was heard and then Callisto sighed.
Xena: Better?
Call: A little. Less pain, more kicking.
Xena tried to do something, she was looking around. She went to move one way, and stopped. The other way, stopped.
Call: Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!!!
Okay, scary part? Ares started talking to us, but he wasn't there.
Ares: Oh, give it up, Xena. You can't fight an invisable person.......Come to think of it, you can't even fight me when I'm visable!
Xena: I would, if you showed yourself.
Ares: What if I don't want to?
Xena: Coward. Your scared, ain't ya? Scared! Of me? No. Not the God of War! You've just had a bad hair day and don't want anyone to see, huh?
Then, Ares came into sight.
Ares: Ya know, Xena, your a very brave woman to talk like that, aren't you?
Xena: Yes. I am, actually. But then again, your 14 year old daughter has said worse.
Ares took a quick glance at me and then back to Xena.
Ares: What is it with you?
Xena gave an innoscent smile.
Xena: Nothing.
Mom: Ares, get lost, will ya?
With that, Ares got real mad, and punched my mom in the face.
Ares: I'm mad, don't mess with me.
Me: You wanna talk mad? I show you mad!
Hey, she was my mom. I ran to Ares, not knowing anything about fighting, and kicked him. To my suprise, it was a good kick, he fell, and Xena clapped. Then, she ran to mom who was standing and rubbing her jaw. Callisto stood in awe at the sight of me, knocking Ares over. I looked at him and ran to my mother. Callisto didn't move.
Ares: One word, How in Tartarus did you learn how to do that, on me?!?!?
Me: Uh, Ares? Learn how to count, okay?
Ares: Shut-up.
I looked away from mom to Ares. I put my fists up.
Me: C'mon, buddy, get up!
Ares: You can't fight me, kid.
Me: Oh yeah?
Ares: Yeah!
I kicked Ares again, in the face because he was still on the floor.
Ares: Alright, alright. I believe you!!
I could hear, from a few feet away, mom.
Mom: I'm fine, I'm fine. Go take care of Ares before Sydni gets herself killed!
Xena: You sure?
Mom: Yes!
Xena: Alright, alright!
Xena ran over to me.
Xena: Thanks for not dying, but I'll get it from here.
Me: G'head.
I went over to my mom and watched Xena and Ares fight. Soon, a towns person asked me if I could "kindly tell Ares and the Warrior to take their fight somewhere else.". I agreed. My question went all wrong. Ares took the unwilling, fighting, Xena to some temple. Who knows where we were. Exactly, you heard right. WE. He took her, and she grabbed me.
Me: Aaah! Oh thanks alot, Xena!
Xena: Sorry, I just wanted to grab anything, and...it ended up being you.
Xena smiled like she was saying "Ooops?" sarcastically.
Me: Where are we? How'd we get here? Where's Ares?
Ares: I'm over here.
We turned around. There he was.
Ares: Sorry Sydni, you should still be back their.
He was ready to snap me back.
Me: HOLD IT!!!!!!!!!! If Xena stays, I stay.
Ares smiled and sighed in a very exited, happy, happy, way.
Ares: Great.
Xena and I looked at each other.
Xena: Sydni....go back. This is exactly what he wants. Both of us here, in his temple, just....here!
I gasped.
Me: Your right.
Xena widened her eyes.
Xena: Go...
I wanted to move, but I couldn't let Xena stay here. I knew she could take care of herself...but, well, shewas my friend. The only friend I had that thought my dad was just as much of scum as I thought he was. I couldn't let her stay alone. If she did, I knew the next time we'd see her she'd be back on her evil side.Well, I wasn't completely sure of that, but, well, there was a chance of the worst.
Xena: Did you here me? Leave!
Me: I want to, but I can't!
Xena: What? Did he freeze you or something?
Just as I was about to answer--
Ares: I didn't do anything to her. She's free to go anytime.
Me: Xena, he didn't do anything....I'm not going to leave you here.
Xena looked at me. I was still looking at Ares.
Xena: Sydni, you know I can handle this, but I can't handle it if your here too.
Me: No. I'm not leaving.
Xena closed her eyes and sighed.
Xena: Please, Sydni?
Me? Leave her here? No way!
Me: No!
Ares: C'mon, I'm running out of time, here!
Me: I'm staying.
Xena: She's leaving.
Ares: That's your choice? Do you people even know what a choice is?!
Me: I'm staying.
Xena: Leaving.
Me: Staying.
Xena: Leaving.
Me: Staying.
Ares: I just go another brilliant idea.
Xena: Yipee.
Ares: I know, right?
Xena: What si it, wise guy?
Ares: Me and you fight, if you win, Sydni and you go. If I win...you both stay.
Xena: Fair enough.
Me: Okay. I'll live with that.
Xena: Me against you? Oh, I've got this aced.
Ares: Don't be to sure.
Xena: And, you can't use your powers.
Ares: Fine. You choose weapons, I choose location.
Xena: Staffs.
Ares: Up there. On that balcony.
He pointed to a balcony peering out from the walls of his temple. Xena flipped up, and Ares zapped himself up.
Xena: Hey, I said no powers, Ares!
Ares: Ooops.
Me: Be careful, Xena!!
Xena looked at me. Ares handed her a staff. The faught. For 2 hours, they faught. I could see Xena smiling because she was winning. She was also getting tired. I was worried.
Ares (while fighting): Your smiling.
Xena (also fighting): I'm having fun kicking your butt.
Ares: You do understandstand that if you win, you and Sydni are free to go, right?
Xena (panting but still beating him): Yeah.
Ares (as calm as a hound dog on a rug on a sunny day): But if you lose....just imagine what I can do.
That statement made Xena lose concentration and she staff was knocked out of her hands and I caught it. I had an idea.
Me: Ares!!! Your gonna beat her, anyway! Come down here!!!
Ares: No!!!
I whined.
Me: Da-a-ad!!!!
Ares: What did you just call me?
He stopped fighting and Xena pushed him onto the floor. He landed on both feet and Xena flipped down. They both stopped fighting. Ares walked over to me.
Ares: I repeat: What did you just call me?
Me: Going deaf so soon?
Ares: What did you call me?!
At that moment, I realized what I had called him.
Me: Dad.
Ares widened his eyes. It's like everything in his mind went blank. I guess, that's what happened. Xena took her staff from me and knocked him on the head. He fell back.
Ares: That, was uncalled for.
Xena: Yeah. But that, was fun.
Ares: Shut-up and fight.
Xena: Gladly.
They both went at it again. Just then, Callisto ran into the temple.
Call: Thank Zeus, I found you!
Me: Where's mom?
Call: Outside, waiting. Let's get outta here.
Me: No.
Call: Uh-oh.
Me: No, I haven't took his side, but I'm not leaving without Xena. Get it?
Call: Got it.
Me: Good.
Call: I'm going to go get your mom.
Me: Alright.
Callisto ran outside and back inside in like 5 minutes. 4 minutes maybe. Mom sat next to me.
Me: Hey, mom.
Mom: I will never forgive her.
Me: Forgive who?
Mom: Xena...for dragging you into this. Why did she take you here?
Me: She meant to grab onto something else...mom, don't be mad.
I talked to mom for a long, long, time while Xena and Ares faught and Callisto watched. Even though she had amnesia, she still loved blood and fighting. I gave mom a bunch of reasons not to be mad at Xena. Finally, she gave in. I looked at the fighters just in time to see Ares give Xena one big smack with the staff. Xena fell, got up, and rubbed her jaw.
Xena: Okay, that hurt.
Ares: So sorry.
The sarcasm these days, I tell you.
Xena: No, that really hurt! Nothing ever really hurts me.
Ares: Now, your just plain lying.
Xena sat down on the cement floor.
Xena: Exactly how hard did you hit me, Ares?
Ares thought.
Ares: I don't know. Hard?
Xena: Very!!
I sat down next to Xena.
Me: Your not backing down, are you?
Xena: No. I just need time to catch my breath.
Ares: Hurry up.
Ares threw his staff on the ground and walked off.
Xena: Ouch. That hurt.
Me: Really? It's not like you said that 100,000,000 times.
Xena: Sorry.
Call: Xena! You okay, girl?
Xena: Yeah. I'll be fine.
Mom: okay, I don't believe this. You've been smacked thoudands of times and it was like...just a mosquito bite for you.
Xena: Well, I wasn't just smacked, I was hit. Hit hard.
Me: Sorry, Xena. That must be painful to make you stop fighting.
Xena: Yeah, it is.
Just then, Ares came back.
Ares: You ready yet?
Xena bit her lip to prevent her from saying something that she didn't want me to hear. That's the good thing about being a kid.
Ares sang.
Ares: Xeeee-na! Oh Xeeee-na!
OUCH!!!!! I felt a sharp pain in my back. I turned around and the only person their was mom watching Xena and Ares fight. It must've been Ares using his powers. I kept watching. The pain again. Kept watching. Finally, I turned around in time to see Kiah. Kiah was a friend of mine. She was being trained by Ares to kill, but she was really a gentle soul. She promised me she wouldn't hurt my friends, but Xena killed her, anyway. And their she was. Standing in the place of my mother.
Me: Kiah!
Kiah: Yeah, Kiah. Your best buddy.
Me: Why? How? Your dead!
Ki: Not really. Ares brought me back to life. I can't believe you!
Me: What? What did I do?
Ki: You let Xena kill me. You didn't even snap back and push her out of the way!
Me: I..I'm...I'm sorry, Kiah.
Ki: Yeah. Right. Sure.
Me: I am! I was too scared to move!
Ki: Great instincts, kid.
Me: Why...Why did you hurt me?
I gasped.
Me: You shape-shifted my mom, didn't you? Again?
Ki: Uh-huh.
Me: I can't belive it, you hate me, don't you?
Ki: With all my cold heart.
Me: Kiah, I'm sorry!
Ki: I'll bet you are.
I wondered why mom or Callisto weren't doing anything so I looked behind me. Mom was chained to the wall and so was Callisto. The chains were probably made of some speacial metal because even the Goddess Callisto couldn't break out of them. I looked back at Kiah. She was holding a sword.
Kiah: I pity you, Sydni.
Me: What are you going to do with that?
Ki: Nothing important. Not to me, anyway.
Me: Kiah,
Ki: Sydni,
Me: Kiah, c'mon!
Kiah slapped me.
Ki: Hows about you shut-up?
Me: Okay,
Ki: I said shut-up!
Me: Alright, alright!
Kiah hit me with the handle of the sword.
Ki: Do you understand shut-up?
Me: Ahh, but Kiah, I'm a stubborn kid. Ask anyone.
Ki: That okay, I believe you, brat. Hey!
Kiah again hit me.
Ki: I forgot, shut the heck up already!
This time, I wasn't gonna talk. Unless----
Ki: Unless what?
Me: You can read my thoughts?
Ki: It's a special power I was born with.
Me: Well, I was saying unless you really annoy me.
Ki: Hmmm,
Nothing was private. Nothing. She knew everything I was thinking,
Ki: Yes, I do.
Me: I might as well talk.
Ki: Oh no, you won't. Why? Because I said SHUT-UP!!!!!
Kiah, being her annoying little self, hit me again! And I'm the brat?
Ki: I think it'd be just about now that you'd wanna stop thinking bad things about me.
I couldn't help but to think she was dead.
Ki: That does it!
Kiah hit me again. Hard. I fell over. I looked straight ahead and saw four black boots moving in every which way. Ares and xena were still at it. Jeez, don't they get tired?
Ki: Probably not.
Me: Could you please stop that?
Ki: Stop what?
Me: Reading my mind!
Ki: Oh. NO!!!
Brat. Ooops. I gotta stop thinking that.
Ki: You'd better. Oh yeah!
Kiah took the sword and twilrled it around, and finished when it was pointed straight at my neck. A 14 year old against an immortal brat with the power to read my mind, and I was defenseless while she had a sword and any choice of her weapon in the whole temple. Who do you think is going to win?
Ki: Defenately not you.
Ugh! I wasn't gonna talk now. I hadn't had any freedom of speech at this point. But she was reading what I am thinking so I'm just not gonna think or say a thing.
Ki: Good, now...you wanna make this quick and painful or slow and painful?
Me: Uhhhh, what?
Ki: Death, you idiot. Death!
Me: Oh, okay. Thanks for clearing that up. Umm, how about we do it quickly? If you could bring yourself to do it,
Ki: Oh yeah, I'll do it, alright.
Me: So go.
Ki: Fine...
Me: Fine...
She didn't do anything. She couldn't bring herself to do it!!! Yesssss! I was free! I WAS OFF THE HOOK!!!!!!!! Ya---------pain! Severe pain! I heard something. A sound that went "Ssquipsh".
Ki: Fine!
Well, I must say, the Elysian Fields are quite beautiful.
(XENA)
Okay, you wanna know what gets me real mad? When two of my friends are chained to a wall, and one of my friends is getting badly beaten up by a girl I had already killed, (Long Story), and I'm stuck fighting Ares!
Ares: Give up yet?
Me: Nope!
Ares: Fine then,
Okay, I didn't really care about him that much, what I was worried about, was Sydni. She'd be easily killed. Uhh, I didn't really know what was going on behind me but I knew it was something bad. Why? Because sweet little Gabrielle broke through Goddess-proof chains and Ares stopped fighting and just stared ahead. I was going to look, did I really wan't to look? Gabrielle ran past me over to Sydni. I looked. At that moment, I regret looking. Sydni was lying on the ground, blood dripping from her neck, with Kiah standing above her, frozen, holding my bloody sword. Talk about guilt! Ya know, they can use this against me! Ares looked at Kiah. Feeling...well, upset ( I guess) he blew up Kiah with like, a point.
Gab: SYDNI!!!!!!!
Call: Sydni!
Ares: How'd you break through those chains?
Me: Ares? What? Your daughter just died and your worried about some cheap chains? Zeus!
Call: What kind of father are you?
Gabrielle was sobbing. I was standing in a puddle of guilt. Ares was still frozen. Callisto was in shock.
Ares: I never thought I'd say this, but....I feel....feel....
Me: Guilty? Welcome to the club.
Everyone looked at me.
Me: Zeus, people! Sydni's blood is on my sword!
Gabrielle picked up the sword. She whispered/cried, her words.
Gab: Your right! Great, just splendid!
Ares snickered. He's gonna regret that. Just as I was about to make him miserable, Gabrielle attacked him. She's weak, but was able to knock him over with her staff.
Ares: Okay, okay! Now I'm sure of it...your a Goddess.
Gab: Was that some kind of lame complement?
Ares: No, the truth.
Call: Excuse me? That was nice!
Ares: Callisto?! You've become very stupid. You think I'd call Gabrielle a Goddess? That's just plain crazy.
Me: So, your saying Gabrielle is a Goddess, as in, ambrosia?
Ares: Exactly.
Gab: Now that's crazy.
Ares: Oh yeah?
Just then, Callisto finally broke through the chains.
Ares: Well, you broke through the chains and knocked me down. Even Xena hasn't done that yet!
Gabrielle looked at me. I shook my head.
Gab: Cool! But I'm not a Goddess. Callisto broke through the chains, too, so they were just cheap.
Ares: Yeah, and Callisto's a mortal, right?
Call: Hey!!
Ares got up.
Gab: But I've never eaten ambrosia.
No one said anything. Ares thought for a while. After about 13 seconds, Callisto interrupted.
Call: Excuse me. I think you did eat ambrosia.
Everyone: What?!
Call: Aheh, but...Gabby, this morning, Xena's food.
Gab: But it couldn't have been....
Call: Hey, it was the right color....
Gab: But, it didn't look....
Call: Looks can be decieving...
Gab: This is crazy!!!
Me: EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!! What food?
Call: Your, "Cranberry Sauce".
Ares laughed. Very loudly and annoyingly.
Call: Gabby's words, not mine.
Gabrielle shrugged.
Gab: I didn't have any breakfast.
Me: Was the "cranberry sauce" held in a pouch?
Gab: Actually, yeah.
Me: You---
Callisto put her hand over my mouth so I wouldn't say something I'd regret because her daughter had just died. She let go.
Me: Thank you. Gabrielle, that was ambrosia. Ambrosia. AMBROSIA.
Ares: Xena, you are trained very well. You have the Hind's Blood Dagger with you, and don't kill me or any other God that annoys you, and you have ambrosia you don't eat? What are you, like the stupidest person on earth?
Me: No. I hate the Gods. I'm not about to become one, honey. As for the Dagger? Well, there's no need for blood if I can handle you. I mean, them.
Ares stared at me very unpleased.
Me: Sorry? No, no I'm not.
I looked at Gabrielle who was tapping her foot angrily.
Me: What!?
Gab: You hate the Gods?
Me: Well, okay. Not all of them.
I smiled. She smiled. She was very happy.
Me: Alright. So I'm a Goddess, and what of?
Ares: Well, show me what you can do, girly.
Gabrielle stared at Ares. She pointed at him. In a flash of light, and a puff of smoke, he was wearing pink instead of black, with a pink beard and streak in his hair. Everyone laughed at him.
Gab: And Ares? Don't call me girly.
Ares: Change me back!!!
Gab: Fine,
Gabrielle pointed at him again. He was back.
Call: Okay, I know what your the Goddess of...laughter.
We laughed. Alot.
Ares: Embarrassment....
Gabrielle pointed at me, a second or two later, She redid my whole outfit. A high ponytail, curls coming down the sides, my own bodysuit but velvet, and a scarf that i held like I was going to a big fancy auction. I'd have to admit, it was cute...but not for me. We all laughed. Even Ares. I laughed at myself, because it was funny.
Xena: Well, I'm not embarrassed.
Ares: Yeah right.
Xena: I am not, Ares.
Call: Laughter? I mean, it was funny.
Gabrielle pointed at Callisto. Within seconds, her hair was shorter, and curled in at the ears. Her outfit was blue cloth, skintight, and a darker blue skirt. We stared. You'd have to see it in person. It was quite fasionable, I might add. But, we didn't laugh.
Gab: I got it!
Ares: What?
Gab: Well, Ares was embarrassed, the outfit was weird in a styley way and it was funny.
Call: And?
Gab: But Xena's outfit wasn't embarrassing, but funny.
Me: Your point?
Gab: And Callisto's outfit wasn't embarrassing or funny.
Ares: Where are you going with this?
Gab: So, all of the outfits were unique in there own way. Stylish, you might say.
Me: So your Goddess of Style.
Gab: Uhh, I think?
Ares laughed.
Call: Gabby, Gabby, Gabby. You've really come a long way. From the teen that followed Xena around, to an Amazon Princess, to a daughter with Dehak, a daughter with Ares, and now a Goddess. Jeez, girl!
Gab (VERY, VERY, sarcastically): Oh yeah, quite proud of myself.
Me: Heh.
We were silent. Then, we broke out laughing. But, I felt guilty in a way. I mean, Sydni had just died and her dead body was lying on the ground with blood coming out of her neck, my sword lay on top of her, and here we were, laughing. I had to do something. I walked over to Sydni and kneeled next to her.
Callisto looked at me first. Then Ares, then Gabrielle. She didn't want to be reminded that her daughter was dead...I think. Callisto and Gabrielle kneeled, too. Soon, all the laughter and happiness was gone from the room. Callisto got up. We all looked at her. She looked at Sydni, then Ares, then Gabrielle.
Call: I'm really sorry you guys. I am.
Callisto couldn't take it. I didn't think evil Goddesses had feelings but, she ran out of the temple crying. I didn't know what to do. You'd say I was scared. But if you did, I wouldn't admit it. I cleaned the blood from Sydni's neck. I picked her up. Uh-uh. No way Jose`. There was no way I was staying there. I took Sydni and left the temple. Zeus only knows what happened in there. And I'm glad he only knows. Because I didn't think I wanted to know. A few seconds later, she came out. Thank Zeus.
Call: So, where will you be staying?
Gab: What? I'm not settling anywhere.
Call: But your a Goddess. Goddesses don't travel. They live.
Gabrielle cleared her throat.
Gab: Excuse me. What are you going to do?
Call: What do you mean? I'm staying with Xena! Duh?
Gab: If your a Goddess that stays with Xena, I'm a Goddess that stays with Xena.
I laughed.
Call: Copycat.
Me: Shut-up and walk.
Later on in the walk, I was desperately wanting to know what happened in the temple, but I didn't dare ask.
Gab: Ya know? I don't think I'm even gonna use these powers. I mean, why would the world need a Goddess of Style? Everyone looks nice enough.
Call: If that's what you want. Right Xena?
Me: Yeah, uh-huh.
Gab: Xena?
Me: Oh. Oh! Hey! Yeah. Hi.
Gab: Yeah, Hi. Are you okay?
Me: Oh, oh yeah! I'm fine.
Call: Look!!!
Me: What?!!?!?
Call: Snow!
Me: Oh.
Gab: Wow! It's snowing? Well, it should be. Solstice Day will be here soon.
Me: Yeah, Solstice. Heh,
Call: What?
Me: Oh, nothing.
When we found a stable in the next town to stay in, we were beat. We had fallen asleep quickly. I had very, very bad dreams so I woke up in the middle of the night. Gabrielle was awake.
Me: Oh, hello.
Gab: Xena?
Me: Yeah?
Gab: Listen, I know you want to know what happened in that temple.
Me: But it's none of my business, so I'm not going to ask.
Gab: Your right, it isn't any of your business. But I'm going to tell you anyway.
Me: No, Gabrielle. I don't really want to know. I left, and from the foot in the temple, to the foot out of the temple, is what I need to know. Which had nothing to do with anything.
Gab: Are you sure?
Me: No. But I'm going to trust my gut instinct on this one.
Gab: Alright. I believe you. Now, are there any chances you will be going to sleep anytime soon?
Me: No.
Gab: Good.
Me: Why?
Gab: Because Argo's face looks really scary at night and I don't want to be the only one up.
.
..The End...