Worlds Apart by Kirk Baldridge

Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. If I did, I'd treat them better than...some people.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
You want it? Take it. Just let me know where it is.
Feedback: Yes please.
Spoilers: Come on. Both shows are over. Is anyone really going to be spoiled by anything I say in here?.
Author's Notes: I am playing with the history of both shows here. I decided to take elements I liked from each and ignore others. So you may see and hear characters from Xena and Buffy talking, acting, dressing etc. like they do in one season, while interacting with things from others. This is intentional so please don't write me any nasty e-mails. I hope nothing is too confusing, but if it is just let me know.
Pairing: Willow/Tara

People from the city knew when to get rowdy and when to stay quiet. They knew how far to push the owner, and when it would be better to beg her forgiveness even for things they hadn't done.

Not that she was a tyrant or anything. Generally she was a kind, generous women, who always helped those who were in need, and had a kind word for friend and foe alike. Violence was not permitted, and anyone who knew her knew she had a crossbow under the bar to enforce this.

Occasionally though, soldiers passing through town or wayward travelers who'd had a hard time would come to the tavern in a bad mood. When a fight did break the townspeople scattered.

"Hey! Barmaid!" A particularly nasty, one-eyed Thracian soldier, who'd had two or three two many ales, threw a meaty arm around the waist of the passing redhead. "More ale!"

"I think you've had more than enough, sir." She tried to extricate herself, but he just laughed and jerked her into his lap. "Hey! Cyrene, help me!"

The tavern owner, an older woman with slightly graying brown hair, stepped out from behind the bar. On top lay the crossbow, though she wasn't brandishing it at the moment because she didn't want to actually start the kind of fight she was hoping to avoid. "Leave her alone."

"What?" The Thracian grunted and shoved the redhead away. He stood up, as did his three equally nasty-looking, drunk compatriots. "What did you say to me, wench?"

Cyrene crossed her arms. "Melis. You and Aria go in the back." The redhead and a worried young blonde moved behind the bar and hurried into the back room. "I think you should leave."

"Yes." If she was intimidated at all by the men and their weapons, Cyrene didn't show it. "This is my tavern, and I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. As of now, that means you."

The Thracian pulled up his belt and stuck out his scarred chin. "Lady, do you know who I am?"

"Not only don't I know, I don't care." Cyrene could tell the men were not going to back down, so she reluctantly reached for the crossbow. "Now, we can do this one of two ways."

"Have it your way." Of course, Cyrene didn't have a chance against all four of them. She was well aware that she could only fire the crossbow once at best. Even if she stopped one of them the others would finish her, and more than likely tear her place apart afterward. Someone came in the door behind the men. Cyrene visibly relaxed. She even smiled, a little.

The Thracians turned to see a tall, raven-haired woman in bronze and leather armor. She had a sword in a sheath on her back, and a discus-like weapon on her hip.

"Another one? I'm Nomius," said the leader. "Of Thrace. Who in Tartarus are you?"

"I don't know what you boys were planning to do with my mother, but it stops now. Understand?"

"M-Mother?" Nomius put his axe away. His men did the same with their weapons. "We had no idea."

"I'll bet." The warrior princess crossed her arms. "I think you owe her an apology."

Nomius frowned. Showing deference to a superior warrior was one thing, but Xena was trying to humiliate him in front of his men and he couldn't have that. "Hey!"

"Look, pal. It's been a long trip. I'm tired, hungry, and I have a thirst that makes the Sahara look like the Nile. So let's do us both a favor, okay? Apologize to my mom and take off."

"I tear you apart, force an apology out of you, and throw your sorry carcasses out into the street so everyone in Amphipolis can laugh at you. The choice is yours."

Nomius glanced at his men. They looked nervous, which made him angry. Sure Xena had a reputation, but there was only one of her and four of them. "Boys? Show this bitch a lesson!"

Xena sighed as the three men, after glancing at one another, charged her. "Mom? I did try." She spun around and kicked one of them in the stomach, knocking him through a table.

"I know, dear." Cyrene leaned back against the bar, mentally calculating each bit of damage as Xena blocked the punch of one man while kicking a pitcher of ale off a table and into the face of another. She drove the man's hand into his own face, then ducked down and swept the legs of the ale-soaked man out from under him. As he fell she kicked him in the face, then headbutted the last man, knocking him out.

Nodding, Xena turned to the wide-eyed Thracian leader. "You heard her. If you pay sixty eight dinars in damage you and your buddies can walk out of here right now. Otherwise..."

"That's settled," said Xena. "Now get the Tartarus out of here, before I decide I'm more mad than tired."

Cyrene smiled as she embraced her daughter. "Thank the gods you happened by, Xena."

"Haven't seen you in a couple of months," the warrior replied. "And we heard there was some trouble in the area so we decided to stop in and say hi."

Xena nodded. She took the cup of water Cyrene offered her and downed it in a single gulp. Then she returned it to her mother for a refill. "Mom?"

"We got word that a village was raided a few days south of here. By men in black hoods. They seemed intent on gathering up the women and children. But these weren't your typical slavers."

"I haven't heard anything. But if I do, I'll let you know." Cyrene lifted her head. "Well, this is a different look for you, dear. But I must say, it suits you."

Gabrielle, with her recently cropped hair and clothing from India, had walked into the tavern. She sat down on a stool next to Xena and smiled. "Thanks. At least somebody noticed."

Xena rolled her eyes. "I told you already, I love your hair. Would you give it a rest?"

The duo spent the rest of the day and on into the evening telling Cyrene of their most recent adventures in India and Rome. She was intrigued to hear how Gabrielle had given up fighting and thrown her staff into a river, only to reconsider after her mentor was killed by Romans during their escape.

Gabrielle shook her head. "It was a gift from a friend of mind. I could never replace it, and I don't think I should try. But I do need something." She glanced at her partner. "Xena..."

"No, you can not have my chakram." Though the warrior sounded annoyed, Gabrielle and Cyrene knew from the expression on her face that she was, in fact, trying not to smile.

"I'm afraid there aren't any weaponsmiths in Amphoplis," said Cyrene. "Not since..." She stopped, Xena lowered her head, and she cleared her throat. "You might try Pylos though. It's about half a day west of here. I've been to a bazarre there a few times, and weapons are one of their stocks in trade."

The warrior yawned. "I really need to get some sleep." She stood up and stretched. "Coming?"

"I think I'm going to stay up and talk to Cyrene for a while," said Gabrielle. "You go ahead though. I'll see you in the morning."

Once in their usual room Xena stripped down to her leathers and put her sword in easy reach, then climbed into bed. She had been up for three days straight, and was asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. It was not long before she began to dream, but this night was different.

Instead of the vivid, all-too familiar memories of bloodshed and carnage she used to experienced nightly or the smiling, happy images of Gabrielle which had come to replace them in recent years, Xena found herself standing on a rocky outcropping in the middle of a sea of flame.

The warrior spun around, one hand automatically snapping to her hip. But the chakram wasn't there. Neither was her sword. In fact, she wasn't even wearing her armor.

"No," the boy replied. "And yes. I'm not actually Solan. That is only how you perceive me."

Solan shook his head. "No, though he did give me leave to step into your dreams. I came to see you because it's imperative you avoid the Pylos area. You must stay away."

"I can't stay. I can't tell you anything else. I'm sorry." Solan looked around. "I have to go. Xena, please, stay away from Pylos. For your own sake." His body faded into nothingness.

"Someone's playing with my mind." Xena felt a jolt, followed by another, and opened her eyes to find Gabrielle leaning over her. "What's wrong?"

Xena told Gabrielle what she had seen and experienced in her dream. She was still feeling the effects. Her skin tingled, and her breathing had only begun to return to normal.

"I doubt it. Why would either of them bother?" Xena frowned. "Unless there is something in Pylos Ares doesn't want me to see."

Xena shook her head. "It's not Ares style. His sacrifices come through battle. And he doesn't generally want to kill women and children since the boys grow up to be warriors for him, and the women give him more of them in the first place." She lay back down as Gabrielle climbed into bed with her.

"You're not going to call him, are you? I don't think I can deal with Ares right now."

"I wouldn't think of it." Xena rolled onto her side and Gabrielle spooned up behind her. "Good night."

They were up at dawn the next morning, had breakfast with Xena's mother, and then went to the stables to ready Argo for the trip to Pylos. It was an easy enough journey, not quite half a day's ride, only at the end of it Argo did not seem to want to be placed in the new stables.

"What's the matter with her?" Gabrielle asked. The horse was fidgety, and snorted, her hooves pawing in the dirt as she staunchly refused to go any further.

Xena shook her head. "Maybe she caught a scent she doesn't like." She touched the horse's mane and whispered in her ear. "Okay girl, have it your way. But stay close."

Argo whinnied and galloped off. They watched her until she was out the Pylos gates.

"I don't think so. She might just not feel like being in another city right now." Xena looked around. "Speaking of which, it looks like the bazaar is that way. Come on." They made their way through the throngs, and soon began to hear people talking loudly, laughing, and all kinds of scents mized together.

Gabrielle smiled. "Xena look. That man is selling Egyptian papyrus. It's perfect for my scrolls."

"I'll meet you by the weapons," the warrior replied. Xena walked around the corner to another row of stands, all of which housed a wider variety of swords, axes, daggers and bows – among many other things – than she had seen anywhere else except the bigger cities like Sparta and Athens. She found a man selling sharpening stones and was negotiating for one when Gabrielle caught up to her.

"Pick something you can feel comfortable with," Xena replied. "If you don't want to use a staff, consider maybe a whip. Or a halberd. I'm assuming you don't want a sword?"

"No." The last time Gabrielle had picked up a sword was in Rome, when she tried to defend Eli against a soldier who ended up killing him after she refused to kill him first. "What are those?"

Xena saw her eyeing a pair of what must have looked to her like strange, three-pronged daggers. "They're called sais. I saw warriors using some in Chin and Japa years ago. The pointed ends are perfect for going through armor if they're made sharp enough. But the best part is they can also be turned out and used defensively, or to increase the force of your punches. I could show you how to use them if you like."

Gabrielle's face had lit up at the sight of the weapons. "I think I do. I don't know why, but they're calling to me. I think..." She smiled at the shopkeep. "...I'll take them."

"You're going to need some new clothes," said Xena. "There's no place on that outfit for a belt."

"I was just thinking the same thing." Gabrielle paid the shopkeep what he asked – after Xena reassured her it was a fair price – and took the sais. "Thank you." She turned to her partner. "Xena I know how much you hate shopping, so why don't you go get something to eat? I'll come and find you when I'm done."

Xena's stomach rumbled. "Okay then." She found a restaurant serving fresh roast quail, one of her favorites, and had just finished eating when she heard a big, bearded man in the corner, offering free cleaning and sharpening of weapons to anyone who could beat him at arm wrestling.

The warrior decided to have a closer look. At the moment a brawny Thracian soldier was trying his best, but the bearded man wasn't even straining. He was also huge, with thickly muscled arms and large, calloused hands. Xena guessed he was a blacksmith, which meant he probably had exceptional strength. The soldier didn't have a chance, he was sweating and trembling, while the big man just smiled slightly.

Xena shook her head. She could tell he was tired of playing. The next moment the man slammed his opponent's arm down, leaving a dent in the surface of the table. His opponent groaned and clutched at his shoulder, while the soldier's upset companions handed money, apparently wagers, to a man standing behind the smithy. She made her way through the crowd as the big man stood up and shook hands.

"Anybody else?" The smithy flexed his arms. "Come on. I'm just getting warmed up."

"You?" The smithy looked her up and down. "Okay. You look like you can handle yourself."

Xena listened to the people around them as she took a seat. They were placing new bets, and with the exception of someone near the back she could see they were all against her. Not that she cared.

"Whenever you are," said the warrior. She rolled her shoulder and waited for him to start.

He didn't cheat. He didn't start until he'd counted to three, and yet Xena was still taken by surprise. He was even stronger than he looked, if that was possible. Her eyes narrowed.

"I work out." He rolled his shoulder and put all his strength into the effort. Xena's arm actually slipped a bit, but she managed to catch herself at the last moment.

The warrior took a deep breath and focused. Putting aside the dull, throbbing pain she put her mind and strength into pushing back, and forced his arm down to the table. He tried to stop it, almost succeeded in fact, but she was able to exert just enough extra strength accomplish the task.

He rubbed his arm. "I've never lost before." He held out his other hand. "My congratulations. I would know your name, my lady. I am Maxius."

"Well met, Xena. I'm the smithy in these parts. Come to my shop two doors south of here, and I shall fulfill my obligation to you." He bowed slightly and left the tavern.

Xena couldn't help but stare. Gabrielle's outfit was only slightly less revealing than the one she had worn as the Queen of the Amazons. Offering little in the way of protection, from either attacks or the elements, the tight red leather did at least give her a place to store her new sais; in sheaths on the boots.

"You're just standing there. You..." Gabrielle's face fell. "You don't like it, do you?"

Xena shook her head. "It's not that. I'm a little surprised is all. I wasn't expecting anything like this. It's kind of a radical change, don't you think?"

"That's the point, Xena. But you still haven't answered my question. Do you like it or not?"

The blonde blushed. "Thanks." She crossed her arms. "So, do you want to go collect?"

"Oh. Right." Xena's mind was still busy mulling over Gabrielle's new outfit, and the way it made her feel.

Maxius had stripped off his shirt and was pounding away at a sword on an anvil when Xena and Gabrielle walked into the shop. He saw them, and got a big smile on his face.

"Ah, friend Xena. Give me just a moment to finish this." He struck the sword a few more times, studied the line of the blade, and then tapped it one more time. "That should do it."

He put the sword out to cool and then held his hand up for Xena to clasp. "You are the first of worthy strength I have met for some time. You must be quite a warrior."

Xena drew her sword and handed it to him, hilt first. "I've been meaning to get this sharpened, but..."

Maxius nodded. "As well she should be. This is a fine blade indeed. Excellent balance. It would be a pleasure to take care of this for you." He looked down at Gabrielle's boots. "And those. If you like."

"Oh, they're new," said the blonde. "Still, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get them looked at by a professional." She took the sais out and handed them to him as well.

Gabrielle went to check out a quarterstaff, while Xena crossed her arms. "Maxius?"

"Certainly." While Xena was talking Maxius put the sword and sais down on the table and started slowly running his hands over them, a faint smile on his face.

"Disappearances. Maybe unknown warriors. Men in black hoods. Anything like that?"

"As a matter of fact..." Maxius' hands stopped glowing. "...about a week ago, one of our convoys was late. A man sent out to find it came back wounded. He spoke of raiders in black hoods."

"I'm afraid not." Maxius picked up the sword and a whetstone. "He died of his injuries. But before succumbing I understand he said the men came from a pass to the north. It's a dark, treacherous place, and we have no warrriors of consequence who can investigate. Our leaders are still waiting to hear from the Athenian militia." He began to sharpen the sword. "Why do you ask?"

When they left Maxius' shop, a short time later, Gabrielle noticed Xena was twirling her sword in a particularly repetitive, almost anxious matter. "Is something wrong?"

Xena shook her head. "Just the opposite, in fact. It feels even better than before."

"Huh. I guess he is good. So what now? Do you want to go check out this pass he was talking about?"

Xena stopped. "I don't know how else to say this. Gabrielle, I think I should go alone."

"I might need to go around their defenses and, frankly, I'm not sure you can keep up with me."

Gabrielle frowned. "Okay. Fair enough. But it feels like you're excluding me. Like you used to do. I thought we were past this."

"We are. It's not about that. I know you can take care of yourself Gabrielle. And believe me, there's no one else I'd rather have watching my back. But I can do this faster on my own."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," said Xena. "And whatever happens next, we do it together."

Gabrielle nodded. "Okay." She took a deep breath as Xena squeezed her arm, they both smiled, then the warrior turned and headed toward the stables. "So now what do I do?"

She wandered the bazaar for a while, then went to get something to eat. Xena hadn't returned yet so she decided to go check on Argo, who was fine. On the way back she couldn't help but overhear part of a rather loud argument going on in one of the nearby food stands.

"No buts, little man. Two cartloads of provisions. Now!" His voice grew quieter. "Or else."

Gabrielle sighed. Surprisingly she found trouble even without Xena around. Of course most people would have just kept walking. She drew her sais and stepped around the corner, then stopped in her tracks as she saw the man facing off with the shopkeeper.

He was big, bald, and wearing black robes with a crimson dragon on the chest. A black hood was tucked into his belt. There were three similarly dressed, equally intimidating looking men standing behind him, and all four were holding scimitar-like swords that were stained red.

"By the gods." A dieing man in Midos told them about the hooded raiders in black, that was how they had gotten on their trail in the first place. What were the odds of them running into them here she wondered? While she was trying to decide what to do the black-clad raiders put their swords away and started to leave. "No! I have to..." She got about two steps closer and a hand came down on her shoulder.

"Xena!" Gabrielle embraced the warrior. "Thanks the gods. I was worried. Where have you been?"

"Almost." Xena frowned toward the others. "Were you really going after them by yourself?"

The four men turned as warrior and bard came charging out of the parting crowd toward them. The three in back had time to draw their swords, but the leader barely got a hand on his before the hilt of Gabrielle's sai caught him in the temple. He was bowled over and landed on his face with a groan, while she kept right on going and blocked the falling blade of one of the other men with that same sai. Then she drove the handle of the other into the waist of the man attacking her, doubling him over, and kneed him in the face.

Xena, meanwhile, gave a trademark battle cry and vaulted into the air, kicking a third man hard enough to knock send him flying back into another. They landed in a crumpled heap. Still in mid-air she spun and swung her sword at the last man, slicing through both the dragon symbol and the leather underneath. A little harder and she knew it would have gouged his chest as well, but she'd stopped just short of that. He fell to his knees out of breath, while she put her sword away and sighed.

"Who asked you?" Xena crouched and drove two fingers into the man's neck. "I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain, such as it is. You have thirty seconds to tell me what I want to know."

"I've been there," the warrior replied. "It's not as nice as you might have heard. You better start talking."

He shuddered. Spittle flew out of his mouth. "The master...warned us...about you..."

"It's not...your time yet. That will come...soon enough." His eyes rolled back in his head.

Seeing this Xena went to take the pinch off him, but at the last second he managed to pull away. "You fool!" His time was almost up. "If you don't let me help you, you're going to die!"

"In his name, I serve! For the glory of..." With a last gasp the man died, and with him whatever answers he might have been able to give them.

Gabrielle looked around. Her eyes widened. "By the gods!" The other men were gone. "What now?"

Xena nodded. "These mountains are riddled with caves. I lost a man in one years ago. This particular valley ends in one big cave, so unless they've dug a tunnel themselves there's no way out."

"Good." Gabrielle was in the saddle behind Xena with her arms around the warrior's waist. "They've caused a lot of pain for a lot of people. How many do you think we're up against?"

"I can't be sure. I never got close enough to see the camp itself. But I did notice half a dozen well-armed guards in the vicinity. Armed like those at the bazaar."

Gabrielle sighed. "So, assuming our luck holds, we're probably dealing with twice that many, at least. And that's not even counting whatever defenses they may have. This should be fun."

"I'd feel better if we knew what we were walking into. Something doesn't feel right about this."

Argo whinnied softly. Xena pulled back on the reins, stopping the horse, and nodded.

Gabrielle nodded and looked around. Now she heard something too and turned. Instinct made her bring her sais up, just in time to deflect an incoming arrow. "Xena!"

The warrior drew her sword and slid out of the saddle. "Nice catch." She swatted Argo on the rump. "Find a safe spot, girl." Argo snorted and ran off. "You ready?"

"I have a choice?" Gabrielle twirled her sais, and braced herself as a wave of black-clad men came stomping out of the trees. "I'll go left, you go right?"

Xena smirked. "Fine by me." She ducked under one sword swing and kicked a man in the stomach, then tumbled across his back as he was doubled over and kicked another man back into a tree. The warrior parried an axe with a flourish, then spun around and sliced open another man's chest.

Gabrielle deflected the blade of a sword with her sais and kicked one of the men between the legs. He shrieked and went down, while she drove the hilts of the two weapons into the stomach of another of her attackers. With a sneer the largest of the men tossed away his weapon and threw his arms around the blonde's chest from behind to pin her arms to her sides. "Xena!"

The warrior pulled her sword out of the gut of another man and drew her chakram. She threw it, even as she was parrying the sword of yet another attacker. The chakram bounced off a tree and came right back at Xena, who fell to the ground and kicked the legs out from under the man in front of her. The chakram ricocheted off the back of his head as he was going down, and the sudden change of direction sent it flying at the man who was holding onto Gabrielle's struggling form. His eyes widened and he released her.

The blonde dropped to the ground just under the blade of the approaching chakram, which struck the man in the chest and knocked him off his feet. "Thanks."

Xena, who at that moment had an arm wrapped around the throat of one of the last men, nodded. "Don't mention it." She reached out and caught the chakram with the other hand as it came zipping back to her. "Now, where were we? Oh, right." She punched him in the face and then put the pinch on him. "You've got thirty seconds. How many more men are there in your camp?"

"Been there. Done that." Xena punched him again and released the pinch. "It's no use. Whoever these guys work for, they're more scared of him than anything else. Even death."

Gabrielle shook her head. "This is crazy. We still don't know what we're getting into."

Xena glanced toward the break in the trees where the men had emerged. "Hopefully they didn't have a chance to raise any kind of an alarm. So the others shouldn't know we're coming."

Xena shrugged her shoulders. She smiled. "I'm impressed. You were great with those."

"Thanks." Gabrielle looked at the sais. "It was weird though. They felt so natural in my hands, but I've never used anything like this before. Except maybe the chobos."

"I guess you're just a natural." Xena touched her cheek. "Come on. We better keep moving, before whoever else is in there comes looking for these jokers."

What first appeared to be a full, intact treeline was, in fact, merely a facade. The grass and trees had been razed for the sake of a very large, imposing encampment. There were a number of fire-pits, wood and thatch huts, and a pen of goats and boar. As they walked into the camp they were overwhelmed by the scent of death and they could see numerous red stains in the dirt that they assumed were blood.

Xena gnashed her teeth. "I hear something. It sounds like...crying." She turned. "Come on!" They made their way across the killing grounds toward a jagged opening in the side of the mountain in front of them. On either side of the cave was a large wooden cage, each loaded with women and children.

"We have to help them." Gabrielle took a step forward, but Xena grabbed her shoulder. "What?"

"Something's wrong. This is a very elaborate set-up. Where is everybody?" She jerked her head around. "They're up to something. I think we should get out of here."

Then someone in one of the cages saw Xena and Gabrielle. She screamed for help, so did someone else, and in a few moments dozens of pleading voices were ringing out.

Women and children clawed at Gabrielle through the bars as she examined the lock. "Xena!"

"Stand back!" Xena drew her chakram and the bard stepped out of the way. Just then she heard a muted thumping and her eyes widened. She recognized that sound. "Ambush!"

All around them the ground literally erupted as a dozen men in black robes and armor popped up out of pits that had been concealed by thatch mats, covered in dirt. Then another man, probably the leader, who was backed up by half a dozen others, strode out of the cave. He was the only one without a weapon.

Xena was visibly unimpressed. Instead, she just cocked her head. "That voice. I know you?"

"As a matter of fact..." The lead man whipped off his hood, to reveal matted black hair and an ugly, scarred face, with one milky white eye. "...you do."

"Ares," Xena explained. "I thought it was be a smart idea to have someone on the battlefield with a direct link to the god of war. I didn't know how wrong I was."

"Hardly. You were a blood-thirsty monster. He got off on the sacrifices, Gabrielle. Not just animals either. His favorite was cutting out the hearts of soldiers while their families watched."

"Even Darphus was sickened by your so-called hobby, Tanos." Xena looked around. "So, I'm guessing you being here means Ares is involved in this after all?"

"On the contrary. I no longer serve the god of war. Let's just say...I converted."

"Enough babbling, Tanos." Xena tightened her grip on her sword. "Who do you work for?"

"I assure you, all shall be revealed, warrior princess. But first the two of you have much to answer for. It is high time you paid the penalty for the multitude of sins against our lord and master."

Gabrielle stepped up beside Xena and twirled her sai. "We're not afraid of you. And certainly not your boss. He must be some coward to send his followers after women and children instead of warriors."

"Watch your tongue, little one. Though you were once blessed to be a part of his grand plan he no longers feels anything but enmity and contempt for you and your associate. And Xena you, and others like you, have interfered in his plans one too many times. Once he has dealt with you we will seek out the so-called heroes of your realm, and punish them for their blasphemy as well."

"So, are we going to stand around and talk all day?" Xena asked. "Or are we going to fight?"

"Are you truly so anxious to die? Have it your way." Tanos gestured. "The man who brings me her heart can have her friend for his own." The men surged forward enmasse.

Xena kicked a man as he approached her, then rebounded off him and spin-kicked three other men away. As she landed she parried a sword with her own and ducked under an axe that threatened to take her head off. She smiled and kicked the offending man right between the legs.

Gabrielle countered two different sword strikes at once with her sais. Then she ducked under a third and kicked the legs out from under a man trying to decapitate her.

Tanos watched the duo as they took his men down one by one. Even so badly outnumbered the warrior princess and her companion would not give up. It was a problem, though not entirely unexpected. "Oh no, Xena. You aren't going to be so lucky this time." He raised his hands above his head. "I've picked up a few new tricks, since last we time we met." He started chanting, over and over again.

Soon, power was flowing out of him, and into the lifeless bodies of his fallen warriors. Within minutes each of them has risen and begun fighting again. They were still dead, of course, and before long their bodies would burn up from the very necromantic energy empowering them, but until that time they would never stop, get tired or be capable of experiencing fear or pain. The perfect warriors.

Xena frowned as she deflected an oncoming sword. She had been keeping count, and there seemed to be just as many men fighting them now as when they started, but she was sure she had killed at least a half dozen of them. It was some kind of magic, it had to be. She glared at Tanos, who was obviously up to something. Then someone hit her in the back and she momentarily lost her footing.

Gabrielle took several hard blows from men she had disarmed, but she fought through the pain. A couple of the men had sword and sai wounds that she knew were fatal, yet they were still on their feet. Only her weapons so far had kept her from being any more seriously hurt. Not only were they holding up, her sais had actually shattered a number of the blades used against them, which didn't make sense.

Tanos rolled his eyes. He'd reanimated nearly every one of his warriors by now, and yet somehow they still did not appear to be up to the task. Xena was even better than he remembered. If the two of them managed to free the hostages before the ritual was completed, all was lost. He fell to his knees and clasped his hands. "My lord. What do I do?" Torches on either side of the cave opening flared. "I understand."

He placed his hands flat on the ground and started another chant. The blood of his fallen warriors as well as any spilled from Xena and Gabrielle and those hostages they had already sacrificed, was soaked up by the ground. He could feel it flowing underneath him, into the cave. He smiled.

Now Xena was angry. She had been cut several times, by too many sword strokes for even her to deflect. And it was becoming obvious that most of her opponents had suffered fatal wounds, and yet they were still fighting. She suspected Tanos was using some sort of magic, but she couldn't get away from the throng of undying of attackers long enough to do anything about it. 'Gabrielle?' she asked herself. 'Where's Gabrielle?'

Blocked by bodies and out of sight of the warrior princess, the bard was being forced back by two men, both of whom she was sure must have already been dead. She had stabbed one of them herself, and had seen the other get an axe in the chest when she ducked it. Something was keeping them alive, or at least moving, and if they couldn't put a stop to it soon she was going to be in trouble. She was already exhausted.

Tanos could tell Xena and Gabrielle were, finally, slowing. Even Xena showed signs of weariness. "I swore that I would have revenge on you one day, warrior princess. This, at last, is that day."

Xena caught a glimpse of Gabrielle at one point, and was relieved to see the blonde still on her feet. She wasn't fighting as well as she had been at first, and neither was Xena herself. Her own arms were feeling more and more like lead weights with each swing of her sword, and knew if she didn't come up with something out soon both of them would fall at the feet of Tanos and his mysterious master.

Gabrielle winced as the blade of a sword sliced down almost the entire length of her arm. It wasn't deep enough to make her drop her sai, but the pain still brought tears to her eyes. As a result she was unable to stop a big, bald man from kicking her in the back. She fell to her knees.

Xena saw this. "Gabrielle?" A dead-eyed, sallow-skinned man was raising a sword behind her partner. "NO!" She drew her chakram and threw it without really taking time to aim. With a shrill whistling it struck the man's sword, shattering it, then rebounded into and off his face, knocking him off his feet. It struck another man and another in rapid succession, knocking several of them off their feet.

Gabrielle ducked as it sliced off a few of her stray hairs. She locked eyes with Xena, who nodded, then brought her sais up in a cross pattern. The chakram struck them and bounced off in a shower of sparks then angled toward a wide-eyed Tanos. He saw it coming and dove out of the way. Unfortunately, for him, it then bounced off one of the cages and the side of the cave, before coming back at Tanos again as he was standing up. It hit him in the back and tore right through his body, exploding out of his chest.

When he fell so did the reanimated warriors, collapsing like wet burlap sacks. Xena reached out and caught her gore-covered chakram as it shot past her. She lowered her sword with a sigh.

"I'm sure we'll know soon enough," Xena replied. "For now, let's just free these people." She broke the locks on the cages with her chakram and threw the doors open. Many of the women and children stopped briefly to hug or thank her and Gabrielle before running away.

One freckle-faced, blonde-haired girl clung particularly to the bard, who rubbed her head. "It's okay sweety. It's over now. Go on with your mommy."

The girl shook her head. "N-No, you have to run too, or the monster will get you." Crying, she ran into the arms of her mother, who whisked her away.

It was a hulking mass of chorded muscles, tree trunk-like limbs, and bony protusions bursting through its rough gray skin to act like weapons and armor at the same time. Twice as tall as Argo at least, it had oversized arms and razor sharp talons, as well as a maw full of dagger-like teeth. It slowly angled its triangular, bone-encrusted skull in their direction, slitted red eyes flaring, and let out a low, rumbling growl.

"That's, umm, by the gods. Xena." Gabrielle frowned. "What do we do?" She could barely feel her arms. She was pretty sure she couldn't handle a monster right now.

"Of course, if we do run, there's no telling how many it could hurt chasing after us."

They attacked the creature from two different directions at once. It didn't attempt to move or fight back as they struck it again and again with sword, sai and chakram. It just growled as the blades bounced off bony ridges. It did not seem to feel threatened, and in fact appeared to be almost...amused, by their efforts.

The warrior frowned. "I noticed." She ducked down and spun around, swinging her sword at the creature's ankles in an attempt to take its feet out from under it. Bone plates easily deflected her strongest blows.

"Tell me about it." Xena took her chakram in hand, hoping it might work better than her sword. All she managed to do was create a shower of sparks when it glanced off the thing's armor.

The creature, possibly tired of being used as target practice, languidly moved its right hand. It moved just a few inches, casually swiping at Xena with the side of its hand, and yet the warrior was sent flying. She crashed into an outcropping above the cave and landed hard, weaponless and out of breath.

Gabrielle was understandably shocked. "Xena!" She had never seen her partner take that kind of a blow even in a fight with Ares. It was, however, unfortunately reminiscent of an encounter with a tree-trap years ago, though she didn't want to think about how that had turned out. "No!"

At the sound of her voice the creature lowered its head and glared at her. It growled.

"Uh oh." Gabrielle took a step back. "Good...uhh, boy? You don't want to hurt me, do you?" It growled again, and took a step toward her. "I'll take that as a, probably." She raised her sais. "Look I think we both know how this will turn out. So, um, why don't we just spare me the pain, and you the trouble, okay?" If it even understood her it gave no sign, and only growled. "Guess not." It lifted one huge hand and she closed her eyes.

Without waiting to see who was calling her, or why, the bard made a decision and did as she was told. She heard arrows, lots of them, whistling inches above her head. They shattered harmlessly upon the creature's broad chest, but at least distracted it enough for her to evade its reach. It growled as she rolled back to her feet and looked up, and around, to find who had come to her rescue.

They were standing on a ridge above and to her right. A dozen muscular, animal-masked women wearing leather armor. Amazons. One pulled her mask up, and Gabrielle smiled. "Ephiny?"

"More or less." The bard tried to get to Xena, but the monster was blocking her way. "Umm, Eph?"

"Solari." Ephiny, who ruled the Amazons in Gabrielle's place, pointed. "Eponin. Let's help our queen. Megara. If it moves, you and the others feel free to fire at will." The remaining Amazons nodded, while she and her two best warriors made their way down to Gabrielle, who warmly embraced all three of her friends. "Xena?"

"Not that I want to sound ungrateful or anything, but how is it you are here? This place, I mean, and now?"

Ephiny clenched her sword more tightly. "Artemis. Our goddess appeared to me. She said our queen was facing a great evil and asked us to provide you whatever assistance we could." She sneered at the creature, which had not moved or done anything except to growl. It barely seemed to notice them at all.

"Artemis?" Gabrielle frowned. "I wonder why she...Ephiny look out!" She grabbed her friend and twisted her out of the way of the creature, which had abruptly swung one huge arm in her direction. A moment later it was struck across the face and chest by a volley of arrows. "Are you okay?"

"We're still not sure." Gabrielle bit her lip. "By the gods, I need to check on Xena."

"I have an idea." Ephiny twirled her sword. "Solari. Eponin. Let's distract this beast, and give our queen a chance to help Xena." They nodded, and all three attacked the monster. They ran circles around it, swinging their swords and whooping loudly, while Megara and the others fired off an occasional arrow.

Gabrielle rushed to Xena's side and checked for a pulse; to her relief she found it steady and strong. "Thank the gods." She gently slapped the warrior's face. "Xena? Xena, wake up!"

"Good." Gabrielle glanced over her shoulder. The Amazons swords had all broken on the creature's bony plates, and they did not look happy about it. Megara and those with her had also run out of arrows, and they were coming down the hill to join the others. "I think Ephiny's going to need help."

"She's here. With Solari and Eponin and some of the others. Artemis sent them to help us."

"I guess even the gods can do things right occasionally." Xena grabbed her sword and chakram, and stood rather unsteadily. "Let's just finish this. I have one hades of a headache."

To their credit, Ephiny and the other Amazons tried their best against the monster. Even those without weapons any longer got right in its face, throwing vicious punches and kicks, and several pulled out daggers which quickly broke upon the thing's bony plates. Yet they kept trying.

The only thing they had going for them was the fact that the creature didn't appear to be particularly intersted in them or what they were doing. It ignored even their strongest blows, and either pawed casually at the ground with one huge foot or else grunted, sometimes making a sigh-like sound.

Then Xena and Gabrielle joined their friends. The thing lifted its head as the warrior princess swung her sword, but it just glanced off its arm amid a shower of sparks. "Damn it!"

"Xena!" Ephiny gritted her teeth. "This isn't working! We have to get out of here! Regroup!"

Gabrielle saw an opening, and with a glance at Xena and the others took it. She lunged and drove a sai as hard as she could between two plates on the thing's shoulder. It penetrated deep into the creature's flesh, drawing a surge of blood and a howl of pain. "Xena! It's not invulnerable after all!"

Xena quickly took stock of what her partner had done, frowning as she realized it didn't help them much. While Gabrielle's weapons were particularly well-suited for slipping through cracks hers were not, and only the archers among the Amazons would have had any chance now. "Ephiny!"

Enraged by the sai in its arm and the pain it must have caused, the creature swung its other arm. Gabrielle saw it coming and rolled out of the way, but Megara was not so lucky. Something in her torso was crushed loudly as the blow knocked her back into several of the other Amazons. None of them moved again.

"Meg! Monster!" Ephiny jumped up and kicked at the sai, driving it in deeper. The creature bellowed in pain and swung at her, but she easily flipped away from its clutching hands. "Megara!"

Xena grabbed her friend's shoulder. "Stop. You can't help her by getting yourself killed!" The creature brought a foot up in an effort to stomp on them, but they both jumped out of the way.

The Amazon shoved them both out of the way and charged at the creature again. She was in tears.

Xena swore and threw her chakram. It struck the heel of Ephiny's boot as the thing was swinging at her, tripping her, so its claws passed harmlessly through the air where her head had been moments before. She rolled between its widespread legs and rolled back to her feet behind it, still angry.

Something whistled through the air and struck the creature between the eyes. An arrow. There was enough bone there to keep it from penetrating, but it definitely got the thing's attention.

As did the short but muscular, dirty-blonde haired man in the purple vest who had fired it. It was his companion who drew a sigh of relief from Xena, Gabrielle and Ephiny, however.

The other Amazons clearly had no idea who he was. They stood firm as the son of Zeus approached but stepped out of the way when Gabrielle and Ephiny motioned for them to do so. He paused, to clasp the hands of Xena and Gabrielle, then Ephiny, before moving on toward the monster. It appeared startled or confused by the new arrival and growled as Hercules approached, his eyes locked with its own.

Iolaus came to embrace Gabrielle and shake hands with Xena. "Sorry we took long."

"Good timing," said the warrior princess. "Did Artemis tell you there was trouble here too?"

Iolaus shook his head. "No, it was Athena actually. We were visiting Jason and Alcemeyne and she just...popped in." He saw Hercules get in the creature's face and licked his lips. "You guys have no idea what's going on here do you? Who this big ugly works for?"

"Look!" Iolaus directed everyone's attention to the ensuing battle, as Hercules threw a punch.

Xena and Iolaus had the most experience watching Hercules fight. Such a punch would have gone through stone or knocked over a large tree, and he wasn't really even trying all that hard. The creature had no chance to avoid or block the blow and as a result it landed in the center of its chest. The thing was staggered, it growled, but it didn't go down or show any undo signs of injury.

"Who is this guy?" Solari asked. They had barely gotten a sound out of the monster.

Solari and Eponin both stared as the son of Zeus staggered the monster with another thunderous punch. Though they had a reputation, much of it deserved and cultivated by the Amazons themselves, for being man-haters, many of the tribes had a great deal of respect for Hercules. Of course much of that had to do with his being the brother of their matron goddess, Artemis, but he had helped the nation more than once.

"I'm glad he's here," said Xena. "But I think even Hercules may be in a little over his head this time."

The son of Zeus caught the creature's wrists as it was trying to bring both huge fists down on his skull. It was an effort even for him but he managed to halt the downward motion, though to the creature's credit he wasn't able to push its arms any further back up, even though he was obviously trying to do so.

"I think we should help him," said Xena. "Just to be on the safe side." Ephiny, Gabrielle and Iolaus nodded. "Eph, you better stay here with the others. Back us up. If we fall..."

"Xena." Ephiny shook her head. "If you and Hercules can't stop it, what chance would we have?"

"All right. Come on." Everyone who still had a weapon drew it and charged. The Amazons grabbed anything they could find and followed, though they stayed close to Ephiny.

Hercules glanced over his shoulder. "Looks like some other dancers want to cut in. Do you mind?" He let go of the creature's wrists suddenly, throwing it off balance, then before it could recover lunged forward and rammed a shoulder into it's midsection. As it was doubled over he grabbed as much of the creature as he could, and actually managed to lift it first off the ground and then nearly all the way over his head. It struggled, kicking wildly, but he was still able to hold it for several seconds before slamming it down as hard as he could. The creature was either startled or stunned by the manuever and lay there with glassy eyes and a slack jaw.

"Do it!" Xena cried. She and Iolaus had swords, attacking the joints around its shoulders and arms, while Eponin and Solari, who had daggers, targeted its legs. Gabrielle went for its eyes. Each time the creature started to move again Hercules punched it in the face. "That was impressive."

The creature kicked out one huge foot, the side of which grazed Solari and knocked her for a loop. As she went down Eponin turned to help her, and was rewarded by another swipe of that same foot, which sent her flying right past her friend. It swiped a hand at Ephiny but missed.

"This isn’t working," said Xena. "We’re not doing enough damage!" She tossed her sword to Ephiny, and took her chakram instead. "Gabrielle!" The bard stopped trying to poke the creature’s eyes out – it kept defending itself with its hand anyway – and turned to face her partner. "Help me!" They went for it’s throat.

The creature roared and began wilding flailing its limbs in every direction at once. Iolaus and Ephiny got struck by glancing blows and were flung away. Hercules tried to grab one of its arms and was actually lifted off his feet and thrown like a rag doll. He hit the side of the cave and slid to the ground, but was almost immediately back up and running as the creature lurched to its feet once again.

"Goddess," said Gabrielle. "This thing is…whoa!" She ducked a sweep of its hand. "Xena, what now?"

For once the warrior was at a loss. The creature, though bleeding from numerous wounds, barely seemed to be slowing down. It was just as strong as ever. She gritted her teeth and looked around, searching for something in their surroundings to help. She had a feeling she was missing something.

Hercules, meanwhile, tackled the monster from behind. It stumbled forward, as the son of Zeus bent over and his shoulders flexed as he tried to lift the creature again. This time it was ready for him, and twisting its legs it was just able to kick him away. It landed in a near crouch and growled.

"You learn quickly," said Hercules. "Okay. Iolaus?" The blonde man, though obviously hurting, returned to his friend’s side. "Do you still have the pouch?" Nodding, Iolaus took it from his belt. "Good. As soon as I have its attention, throw it!" Iolaus nodded, and Hercules charged the monster.

Gabrielle went to Xena, while Ephiny was checking on her friends. "What’s up?"

"Look." The warrior princess pointed to a rocky outcropping above the cave entrance. "I think we can bring that down on it. Like we did with Callisto and Velasca?"

Xena looked over her shoulder. "I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Hercules!"

The demigod heard his name being called, and spared the warrior a glance. He saw what she was pointing at, in a moment took stock of it, and nodded. "Iolaus!" As he rushed the creature Hercules gestured, and his friend saw it and nodded as he realized what Hercules and Xena were planning to do.

Hercules threw himself at the creature. It rained vicious blows down upon him, once even bringing him to his knees, but the son of Zeus persisted. He threw a punch of his own, doubling the creature over, then dropped down and kicked its legs out from under it. As it fell he grabbed the creature’s left arm and shoulder, and using as much momentum as strength he swung the creature toward the cave.

Xena smiled and threw her chakram. It bounced again and again off the rocks above the cave until several large pieces broke free. With that a virtual avalanche of stone, some of the pieces weighing hundreds of pounds, came crashing down upon the unsuspecting monster. It roared as it was buried.

Gabrielle leaned against Xena and groaned, while Iolaus clasped Hercules’ hand. "Is that it? Do you think it’s finally dead?"

"Illium," Hercules replied. "It's the strongest poison known. It could even incapacitate one of the gods, though it obviously wouldn't kill one of them or last very long."

"He helped us?" Gabrielle asked. "When? We haven’t seen any of the gods lately."

Xena held up her hand. "Wait. Hephaestus. Athena. Artemis. All of them were involved with this thing? What exactly where we dealing with here?"

Everyone turned as Ephiny howled in pain. Not physical, she was barely scratched. But she was down on her knees, crying. Gabrielle ran to her first. "Eph? What’s wrong?"

"Solari and Megara, they’re…" Ephiny shook her head. "By the gods, this shouldn’t have happened. Why were we here? What was Artemis thinking, sending us here?"

"You’re Amazon warriors," said Hercules. "And Gabrielle is your Queen. She thought you could help. And you did. You helped Xena and Gabrielle fight the Destroyer."

Hercules shook his head. "No, even my brother wanted no part of this. The Destroyer is the bringer of chaos, the champion of…are you guys sure you’re up for this?"

"I want to know who is responsible for getting my friends killed," said Ephiny. "Tell me!"

All the color drained from Gabrielle’s face and she took a step back, her hands trembling, while Xena clenched hers into white knuckled fists. "Dahak?"

"He was making a bid for entry into the world," said Hercules. "Athena and Artemis heard it from Zeus and the Fates. Dahak was using sacrifices like the ones you rescued here today, to feed the Destroyer and make it strong enough to fight the gods. We’re just lucky you got here when you did. By killing Dahak’s dark priests, you made sure he won’t be able to start the ritual up again somewhere else."

"Nono, not Dahak. Not again." Gabrielle was shaking. "Xena, you said he was…I can’t. Not again. I can’t do this again. Xena!" The warrior went to her friend and embraced her.

"Shh. Take it easy. It’s okay, Gabrielle. He’s done. We stopped him. It’s over."

Iolaus, who was standing closest to the cave, heard stone scraping against stone and turned his head. He saw the rock pile shifting. A strip of bloody gray flesh was exposed. The Destroyer. It was still alive, and it was working its way free. His eyes widened. "Guys? We’ve got a problem!" He pointed.

Everyone was stunned as the monster shrugged off the impromptu stone tomb and got to its feet. It moved with less certainty than before, and had clearly been wounded, but was very much alive and angry. It picked up a small boulder in each hand and threw them at the heroes.

Xena grabbed Gabrielle and pulled them both out of the way while Iolaus did the same for Ephiny. One boulder missed everyone completely but Hercules managed to catch the other one, even if the impact did force him back a ways. He hoisted it above his head. "Now you‘re really pissing me off!" He was joined by Iolaus, Gabrielle and Xena, all of them with their weapons up and ready. The son of Zeus threw the boulder back at the Destroyer, who batted it away like it was nothing. "Xena. Iolaus. I have an idea." They listened as he outlined his plan to them. It was just crazy enough to work, or at least just plain crazy.

Iolaus handed the pouch of Illium powder to Gabrielle, then twirled his sword. He and Xena went one way and Gabrielle went the other, while Hercules walked right up to the Destroyer.

It looked almost anxious to continue what they had started, and lunged at the son of Zeus, who ducked under its fist and punched it in the stomach. But this time his fist happened to strike bone instead of flesh, so all it did was bloody his knuckles and move the Destroyer back a step or two.

Then it swung its hand again, catching Hercules in the face and chest. He was knocked head over heels for quite a distance before slamming into a tree. It broke in half, but as the tree was falling Hercules caught it, using it like a battering ram as he came running back at the Destroyer. The creature grabbed the end of the tree at the very last moment though, saving itself from harm and stopping the demigod in his tracks.

Xena came running up behind him, flipped over him and landed on the tree, then ran down its length and jumped at the Destroyer. Both feet struck it in the broad, bone-covered chest, doing it little actual damage, but giving the warrior princess a springbroad off which to flip backwards and throw her chakram. It hit the creature between the eyes, causing a shower of sparks and momentarily blinding it.

Hercules took a step back and swung the tree like a club. It was shattered upon the Destroyer's monstrous body and knocked the creature to one side, actually bringing it to its knees. The son of Zeus tossed aside what was left of the tree and began punching the Destroyer in the face. "Iolaus!"

Iolaus came around him and swiped Xena's sword across the monster's exposed throat again and again. Its flesh tore, its blood was spilled, and the beast howled in pain. "Gabrielle!"

The bard opened the pouch of Illium and threw it in the Destroyer's face. It coughed and snorted, then a strange expression crossed its face. It grunted, then its eyes rolled back in its head and slumped into Hercules arms. "We better make certain its dead this time. Xena, use your chakram. Iolaus, her sword. Gabrielle...here." He pulled the sai out of the Destroyer's shoulder and tossed it to the bard, the dropped the creature.

"It's kind of a long story," Hercules replied. "We should take care of this first."

The warrior princess fingered her chakram for a moment, then handed it and her sword to Ephiny. Gabrielle did the same with her sais. "Be careful with that."

Ephiny nodded. "Of course." She gave the sword and sais to two of the other Amazons. "Come on, ladies. I don't want to see any pieces bigger than my head when we're done."

As they got to work, Hercules motioned for the others to follow him a short distance away.

"What's going on?" Xena asked, once they had all taken seats on a ring of stones. "How did Dahak manage to get this far without anything noticing?"

Hercules sighed. "They did. About six months ago, the Fates came to Zeus with a warning about the rise of dark forces among the mortals."

Hercules nodded. "They only figured that much out within the last couple of months though. Apparently, Dahak has been going to great lengths to keep his activities secret."

"Then a few weeks ago, these monster sightings started," Iolaus continued. "We heard about it in Corinth. But it wasn't until Aphrodite showed up, telling Herc one of her love-fests had been attacked, that we came to realize it was not just killing people. It was softening up defenses, so it would be easier for Dahak's priests to come in and take the people they needed as sacrifices."

Gabrielle shook her head. "They used the monster to get people so they could make the monster stronger? That is so insane it's almost brilliant, in a sick and twisted sort of way."

"Once they knew out it was Dahak behind all this the gods started scrambling," said Hercules. "To come up with a way to stop him, without getting directly involved, or letting him know they knew."

"They were afraid." Xena sneered. "The mighty Olympians, afraid of some tired old, has-been god?"

"Dahak is more than just another god," Hercules corrected. "He's a force of chaos and evil. Older than the gods, or even the Titans. They have every reason to be worried."

"So how have the Olympians helped us?" Gabrielle asked. "We haven't seen any of them."

"Actually you have," Hercules replied. "You just didn't know it. That old man who put you two on this trail in the first place? That was Zeus. And the blacksmith you met in Pylos?"

"That's right. He knew you were going to be facing something tough out here so he enhanced your weapons. He made your sword, and your sais Gabrielle, as strong as his special metal."

"What's Ares role in all this?" Gabrielle asked. "It's not like him to miss out on a fight."

"Zeus has been keeping him on a short leash," said Hercules. "Apparently, the Fates also warned Zeus that Ares' allegiance would be questionable. No big surprise there."

Something occured to Gabrielle then, and she gasped. "Hercules? What about...Hope?"

"I don't think you and Xena have to worry about your daughter coming back to haunt you anymore, Gabrielle. I'd imagine Dahak was done with her after she failed him again. He was relying mostly on the Destroyer and his dark priests." Hercules gently squeezed the bard's shoulder. "If she shows, we'll take care of her."

"Xena! Hercules!" Ephiny's cry alerted them to the fact she and the other Amazons were backing away from the Destroyer's body. "You'd better come see this."

The creature's flesh was bubbling. Smoke rose from its sunken eyes and nostrils. Its teeth and claws had started flaking away. It appeared to be melting, into a smoldering, stinking pile of goo.

Gabrielle put a hand over her nose. "By the gods, that stench. What are we going to do with this stuff?"

"Nothing," said Xena. "I don't want anything else to do with Dahak." She shook her head. "Let's help Ephiny, then we're leaving."

A bubble burst in the middle of the pool of goo, and with it came a deep, echoing laugh. "Xena. Xena. Xena. Do you really think it's going to be that easy? We're not nearly done yet."

The warrior princess drew her sword and looked around. "Where are you, you bastard?"

"Closer than I have ever been before. In fact, as we speak I am preparing to make my entry into your lowly little mortal plane."

Hercules clenched his fists. "Dahak? That's impossible. We defeated your monster."

"Yes, and I'd like to thank you all for that. The death of the Destroyer was always the final step in my ascension, and I could never have done it without you heroes."

"He set us up," said Iolaus. "We opened the door, and now he's walking right through. Damn it!"

Dahak laughed uproariously as the mass of ooze which was all that remained of the Destroyer started to bubble and churn, and dark shapes could be seen moving within it. "At last!"

A single hand thrust out, followed by another. The flesh was gray, desiccated, the talons long and gnarled. Soon the rest of the creature rose slowly, almost dramatically. It wore leathers, not armor so much as drapery, and had on a heavy pair of metal-toed boots. Its hideous, bald head was stamped with a wrinkled forehead and it had sharp fangs in its wide slit of a mouth. Its cheeks were sunken, and its eyes were filled with demonic, unbridled power, unlike anything any of them had ever seen before.

The creature noticed the wide eyes and shocked expressions on some of them and chuckled. "Like it?" It spread its arms. "I've admired this form for some time. That's why I chose it."

"I'm not," said Iolaus. "I've scraped scarier things off the bottom of my boot."

Gabrielle paled as she realized the creature was staring right at her. "Xena, I-I don't like this."

"You're right to be scared, little one. I am Dahak. Master of chaos and lord of darkness. The harbinger of doom, and bringer of death to the Olympians, and the whole human race."

Hercules took a step forward and crossed his arms. "Sounds to me like you're just another loud mouth god with a superiority complex. I'm a little tired of it, actually."

Dahak's face changed dramatically. His already beady eyes narrowed to burning slits, his lips went tight, and his fangs glistened as he sneered. "Your reach exceeds your grasp, half-god. You are standing in the presence of one whose power exceeds even that of your kin. I existed, no in fact I dominated, before your sire was even a mote in Chronos' eye. You would do will to bow down before me. All of you."

Xena gripped her sword so tightly her knuckles turned white. "That's it! I've had enough of your..."

Dahak held up his hand. "Quiet!." The warrior princess froze where she stood. "And that goes for the rest of you as well." Though they were all obviously trying, no one was able to move. "I've been awaiting this day for too long to let the likes of you take it away from me now."

Dahak stalked toward Gabrielle, who was only able to shudder as he caressed her cheek. "First, I must repay my debt to you. You betrayed our daughter, but in so doing you sowed the seeds that led me to this. In gratitude, I am willing to make you an offer. Join me. Rule by my side, as Hope was intended to do, and in exchange I will see to it you have all the power, all the glory your heart has ever desired."

"So be it." Without warning Dahak backhanded her, and the blow knocked Gabrielle head over heels. She landed faced down in the dirt, groaning. "I don't give second chances."

Hercules lowered his head and put his full weight and strength against the invisible force holding him. Even for him it was an effort, and all he managed to do was take a couple of steps.

Xena's face flushed as she watched Gabrielle fall, and then her entire body began to tremble.

Dahak saw this. "What's the matter, warrior princess? You don't like me touching your little friend? Oh, I see. It is perfectly clear to me now." He smirked. "You're jealous. Don't forget, I had her first!" He grabbed Gabrielle by the hair, and she screamed as she was jerked into the air. "We had a child together. It is such a pity the two of you will never be able to say the same." He laughed.

Through a pounding headache, a throbbing pain in her face and tears that obscured her vision, Gabrielle became aware of two things. She could barely see out of her left eye, and she could move again. Dahak no longer seemed to be focusing his power on her. So she reached down and grabbed one of her sais, then twisted around and thrust it as hard as she could into Dahak's eye. The creature howled in pain and clutched at his face, black blood seeping through his fingers, and he reflexively letting go of Gabrielle. She hit the ground and rolled back to her feet, with the other sai now held ready in her hand.

"Traitorous bitch!" Dahak ripped the sai out of his bloody, now empty eye socket, and tossed it aside. "You hurt me! My powers may prove to be more limited than I expected in this form. No matter." He snarled. "You'll suffer dearly for your insolence, Gabrielle! I cannot be defied!"

"Oh no?" Xena and Hercules joined Gabrielle. "Would you like to test that theory?"

"I guess you lost your concentration," said Hercules. "What a shame. And you were doing so well."

"I may have underestimated your abilities after all," said Dahak. "And overestimated my own. I didn't expect this ascension ritual to take place so soon. My preperations were not yet complete. There are obviously things even I was not aware of, and until I know for certain what this new body can and can't do, it would behoove me to stay as far away from you and yours as possible, son of Zeus."

Xena shook her head. "You're not going anywhere, Dahak! We're finishing this. Now!"

"I think not." Dahak held up his hand and an intensely bright light exploded from his outstretched palm, blinding everyone in front of him. When they could finally see again the creature was some distance away, making bizarre gestures that were causing the very air to ripple and churn like water.

The creature ignored her. It finished whatever it was doing, and a portal similar to the one that had led Hercules and Iolaus to discover an alternate world opened in front of Dahak, albeit on a much smaller scale. He stared into the shimmering blue mass of energy for a moment, then glance over his shoulder.

Xena threw her chakram. It struck Dahak in the back just as he was starting to step into the portal. He roared, in both pain and surprise and stumbled headfirst into his own portal, which fractured into hundreds of tiny pinpoints of white light. The chakram disappeared along with him. "No!"

"It's hard to say," Hercules replied. "That looked like a portal, but I have no idea to where."

The warrior turned. She looked creastfallen. "That monster's spawn murdered my son. He hurt you." She put her hand near, but didn't quite touch, the blonde's swelling, bruised face. "Now he's gotten away. So now, I'm not okay Gabrielle. I won't be, until Dahak is destroyed once and for all."

"Herc?" said Iolaus. "Shouldn't we tell the gods? They'll want to know about Dahak and one of them may be able to help us figure out where he went."

"Bitchin' idea, blondie." A shimmer of golden lights appeared nearby, and formed into the lace-clad, voluptuous form of Aphrodite; goddess of love. "But we're way ahead of you."

"Hey, bro." The goddess of love embraced her brother. "You did good. Way to go."

"I know. You all rock." Aphrodite turned, and motioned to Gabrielle. "Especially you, sweetcheeks. Speaking of which..." She held her hand near the bard's face, and in a flash of light she was healed.

"Wish I could make it that easy for you," Aphrodite then said to Ephiny. "But if it makes you feel any better, Art told me she thinks it's all her fault your girlfriend's were killed."

"Oh please!" Another figure materialized beside Aphrodite. She was tall and thin, but muscular, with bright gray eyes and long auburn hair. She was wearing oddly metallic-looking, golden leather armor. "Can't you get anything clear in that bubble-brain of yours?"

"Ladies, please." Hercules stepped between them. "Do you really think this is the time?"

"You're right." Artemis sighed and approached Ephiny, who had her head bowed. "Come on. Like I told you back in the temple, you don't have to be afraid to look at me. It's all right."

Ephiny raised her head. There were tears in her eyes. "I-Is there anything you can do for them?"

The matron goddess of the Amazons smiled sadly. "I can't bring them back if that's what you're asking. I'm sorry about that. I can take you down to see Hades once they're settled, if you like, so you can be certain they are being treated well." She gestured, and all of the Amazons except for Ephiny herself disappeared. "They're with the tribe now. I can send you along too, when you're ready."

"Besides, I know what you're thinking," said Aphrodite. "And you're wasting your time. You're not her type. You don't have nearly enough legs." She giggled, and Artemis shook her head.

"Forget it Iolaus," Hercules suggested. "So, 'dite, you said you were way ahead of us. Do you really know where Dahak is going? Or are the gods just blowing smoke, as usual?"

Aphrodite frowned. "That hurts bro. I didn't have to come down here you know. I'm supposed to be out on a date with Hephy right now, but Dad asked me to check in. See if you needed anything."

Xena stepped forward. "I'm not. While we're standing around here Dahak is...who knows where, maybe planning to assault more women or murder more innocent children. So if there isn't anything useful you or the other gods can do, I suggest you go running back up to Olympus and hide. It's what you do best."

Artemis got between the warrior and her sister, who was almost in tears. Hercules clasped her shoulder "Watch it, warrior princess! There's no reason for you to take your anger out on 'dite."

Xena gritted her teeth. "Are you kidding? First, you're nowhere to be found when Velasca tries to wipe out your precious Amazons. Callisto, Hope, my son, I ought to..."

"Xena." Gabrielle took the warrior's arm. "Don't, please. You know you're just wasting your time. You can't hurt her, and I've seen too much bloodshed for one day anyway."

The warrior princess sighed. "Fine." She glared at the goddess. "You're lucky she's here."

"As are you," said Artemis. She nodded to Hercules, then vanished in a flare of lights.

Aphrodite cleared her throat. "Xena? Go ahead and lay into me if it makes you feel better. I don't mind. Just, do me a favor, would you? Listen to those who love you, and lighten up. Later." She vanished.

The warrior pushed her partner's arm away. "No, what I need is answers. Obviously from somebody who doesn't run off just because I raise my voice." She looked up. "Ares! I know you can hear me! Get down here! Ares, come on! I'm not in the mood! Get down here and help us!"

With a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning the god of war materialized in their midst. He smirked briefly at his half-brother before going right to Xena. "You called?"

"You saw what happened didn’t you? With Dahak?" He nodded. "We have to find him, stop him, before he hurts anyone else. Is there anything you can do?"

"Dahak’s flesh now Gabrielle. He’s in our world. That makes him a hundred times more dangerous than before, and you remember all the damage he did then."

"I know it’s bad. And we’ll find him. We’ll stop him like we always do. But are you sure that making a deal with Ares is this best way to go about it?"

"Better the god you know," said Hercules. "Gabrielle, Xena’s right. You both know how to deal with Ares. You can handle his deal, whatever it is, and move on. But Dahak needs to be stopped precisely because we don’t know what he’s up to."

Ares rubbed his hands together. "Now then. Let’s see what we’ve got." He looked around. "This is about where he disappeared, isn’t it? Hmm…there’s been a dimensional breach. A big one. And temporal damage too. Dahak went further than you think."

"Time travel, little brother. Dahak didn’t just leave Greece, or our world. He tore open a hole in the very fabric of time itself and fell through, taking Xena’s chakram with him. A mad god and a mystical artifact on the loose in the place between space and time? This is bad news."

"Then forget about trying to find him," said Iolaus. "Send us after him instead."

"Weren’t you listening? What I did for you, with Callisto, that was a unique situation. This is different. Dahak destabilized the continuum when he left. I send a whole bunch more people, especially one who’s a half-god, out into the void after him, and everything could fall apart. It’d be messy."

Hercules frowned. "He’s right. It’s too big a risk for me to go. When Autolycus and I traveled through time we did damage that is still being felt on Olympus."

"Then just send me," said Xena. "Surely one person more won’t make that much of a different."

Gabrielle grabbed her hand. "Two people. You’re not going anywhere without me."

The warrior nodded. "You and Iolaus should stay anyway. While we’re gone, someone else may try to attack Athens or Greece. Or Dahak himself might come back. We’ll be fine."

"Fine," said Ares. "You can…both go. Wherever, or whenever, Dahak does. And you should have the power to get back here afterwards."

"The two of you will be using twice as much energy as blondie did by himself. Theoretically, there is a chance you could suck the well dry and end up stranded wherever you land."

"Best I can do." Ares raised his head. "You might want to close your eyes." Xena and Gabrielle did just that. "I know you may not believe this Xena, but I do wish you luck." Energy flared from his palm, enveloping the duo in a surging blue-white light, which swallowed them like the mouth of some ferocious beast.

Rupert Giles glanced up from the demonic text he was studying, as he heard the bell above the door of the Magic Box chime. It was midnight or thereabouts, and the shop was closed, so he knew it couldn't be a customer.

Buffy Summers and Spike came strolling in. She looked upset about something, and he seemed bored. The Watcher stood up. "I take it the two of you had no better luck than I?"

"Bust," said the Slayer. "No vamps, present company excluded of course. No demons either. What's up Giles? It's been dead like this for nearly a week now. My slaying skills are getting rusty."

"We've seen lulls before." Giles sighed. "Though, admittedly, not to this extreme. And I must say, I find the whole thing rather disconcerting. It would seem to portend to something rather momentous on the horizon."

"The Watcher means to see evil's up to something," Spike replied. "Bad guys equals bad deeds. Am I right, Rupert?"

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "So, sooner or later, badness shows up, we deal, and then we'll have mochas. What's the big?"

"I truly hope it is indeed that innocuous, Buffy." Giles picked up the book he'd been reading. "Fortunately, I have been scouring the texts and I thusfar have found no indication of any vampiric or demonic activities slated for this particular period."

Giles looked to Spike, who shrugged his shoulders, then sighed. "No bad beeds are scheduled. Officially, at least."

"Ah. Well, since slaying's a no-go, I'm gonna head home and watch the late show. There's a Freddy Prinze Jr. movie coming on I've been dieing to see." She turned and headed for the door.

"I'll continue the research," said Giles. "And let you know if I find anything."

Spike followed Buffy. "Freddy Prinze Jr, Slayer? You actually like that nancy-boy?"

When she got home the first thing Buffy noticed was how quiet it was. Especially since it was Friday night, which meant there wouldn't be any school for two whole days. Then she remembered Dawn was spending the weekend at Janice's.

The Slayer peeled off her leather jacket and headed to her room to change clothes. As she got to the top of the stairs she began to hear moans, a thumping noise, and occasional shrill cries coming from her mom's room. Of course her mother had been gone over a year now, so she knew the sounds were actually coming from the rooms newer occupants; Willow and Tara.

The next morning, Tara was making breakfast when Willow came into the kitchen. "Good morning, sweety."

"Morning." Willow leaned in for a kiss. "Mm...delicious." She looked at the frying pan. "Remember. You don't have to make the funny shapes this time."

"I do. I just meant, since Dawn isn't here, you don't have to go to any extra trouble."

"Well, in that case..." Willow sat down at the counter. "I'll have one stack of funny-shaped pancakes, please."

Tara smiled. "Coming right up." She was just turning back to the stove when Buffy came into the kitchen, yawning. "Morning."

"Nothing. Spike and I tried three different cemetaries. It's like the monsters are on holiday or something."

Buffy shrugged. "He's just as lost as the rest of us. Nobody seems to know what's going on."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Tara picked up the batter. "You want some pancakes?"

"Can't. I've got to check in with Giles and then I'm going to see Xander at the construction site. He mentioned a freelance job I can do for the company to make a few extra bucks." Buffy finished her coffee in one gulp, then as an afterthought grabbed a couple of pancakes off Willow's plate and headed out the door.

Following breakfast Willow and Tara headed to the UC Sunnydale campus. The two of them had all but dropped out after Joyce Summers' death, and they were kept just as busy during their subsequent move into Buffy's house to help her and Dawn. Now they were just trying to catch up on what they missed, though as hard as they tried the couple only managed to schedule about half of their classes together.

"See you at lunch, baby." Tara kissed her lover good-bye, then went to the library. Normally she had an art class first, but on the way in she leaned it had been cancelled so she decided to work on a paper instead. She stayed for about an hour, then went on to her next class. It was Psych 104, and Willow would either be there waiting for her or else would show up just before the instructor started talking.

At least, that was what she expected. But before she got to the class someone grabbed her arm, and dragged her into an empty room. It was Buffy. The Slayer seemed anxious. "Is something wrong?"

"No big deal. I'll call her myself." Tara dug into her purse, looking for the matching phones she and Willow had, while Buffy looked around and then smirked.

While the witch was distracted the Slayer began to change. Her skin darkened and thickened as she grew a good two feet. Already muscular arms swelled to near tree trunk proportions, the bare fingers and toes ending in sharp black talons, and beneath her furrowed brow burned two slitted golden eyes.

"We have studied you and your companions witch. You are the most trusting and the least powerful, besides the boy, thus you will be the first to fall!" The demon raised one huge fist.

Tara had just a moment to think, and react. "Dissolvo!" At her gesture a bolt of light struck the surprised demon in the chest, knocking it back without doing any real damage, while she turned and ran as fast as she could. Out in the corridor she dodged an oncoming crowd of people and did her best to blend in.

In time she slipped away and stopped, leaning against the wall to catch her breath. By then she was able to relax somewhat, knowing it was unlikely the demon would come out in the open like this to find her. Then she rounded a corner and literally ran into Willow, who caught her and smiled.

Tara took a deep breath. "I-I think we should go see Mr. Giles. He’ll want to know about this."

Giles cleaned his glasses as he listened to Tara’s close encounter. "A metamorphic entity, you say? We haven’t encountered many of them."

"What do you think it means?" Tara asked. "No demons for a week, and now this? And why did it come after me anyway? I’m no threat to anyone."

"That may be precisely the point. Why risk life and limb battling the Slayer when you can target one of her, and pardon me for saying this Tara, more vulnerable friends?"

"I guess." Tara sat down and sighed, then glanced over at Willow. The redhead had been unusually quiet since they got to the Magic Box. "Sweety? You look tense? What’s the matter?"

Before Willow could say anything, the bell over the door chimed. All eyes turned toward the front of the shop as a familiar voice rang out. "Giles, have you seen Tara? We were supposed to go see a…" Willow stopped in her tracks as she saw the other Willow sitting by Tara. "Goddess."

Anya, standing by the cash register as she counted the money, made a strange face he couldn’t see because his back was turned. "That much is obvious."

Willow, the one who had just walked in, looked from Tara to her duplicate and back again. "Tara? Baby?"

"It must have followed us," said the other Willow, who stood up. "Demons are sneaky. Baby, don’t let her fool you. That witch doesn’t know anything about me."

Giles shook his head. "Perhaps we should do a spell of some sort, to determine the true identity of the demon in question. One of them must be the real Willow."

"You want to cast a spell?" Anya asked. "Let the Willow…Willow‘s it. I’ve known a few shape-shifters in my time, and most of them can’t use any magic at all."

"Don’t bother." The Willow standing near Tara transformed into the same demon who had attacked her earlier and growled. "Your friend’s smarter than she looks. For a change I think I’ll avoid all the clichés, like asking me questions only the real Willow would know, and just get with the killing. Starting with you!" Moving faster than it’s bulk would suggest it grabbed Tara and lifted her into the air.

Willow paled. "Tara!" Energy crackled around her hands. "Let go of her!" As she was preparing to unleash her power the demon turned Tara so she was between them. "No!" She dropped her hands and her concentration, and the magic fizzled away, realizing how close she had come to hurting her lover.

The demon snorted. "Weakling!" It threw Tara, sending her hurtling at Willow who tried desperately to catch her. They landed in a crumpled heap and did not rise again.

Giles came charging at the demon, brandishing a sword he had taken off the wall, while Anya crouched behind the counter and came up with a crossbow.

"More fools." The demon swatted away Gile’s weapon and then knocked the Watcher himself for a loop. Anya did manage to fire her crossbow, though the bolt sinking into the leathery flesh between the demon’s thick, bony shoulder blades only seemed to annoy it. "You stink of humanity, little girl." It’s surprisingly long, flexible arms allowed it to reach the bolt and pull it out. "Yet I also sense some latent demon hood. You must be the vengeance demon, or ex-vengeance demon I should say, who associates with the Slayer."

"That’s it. Remember the name well. You shall be the one to tell it to the Slayer, when you deliver the lifeless bodies of her friends to her."

"You got a message for me, butt-ugly?" Buffy was standing just inside the front door, hands on her hips. "Why don’t you give it to me yourself?"

"Me too. You guys have been laying low, recently. I don’t suppose I could convince you to let me in on your evil plot to destroy the world before I have to kick your ass?"

"You're said to be a formidable warrior. I will take great pride in delivering your severed head to my employer, as proof that the assignment has been carried out."

"So, someone hired you?" Buffy asked. "What, are you some sort of demon bounty hunter? ‘cause let me tell you, Lorenzo Lamas was way hotter. Do you even have a motorcycle?"

Buffy stood there; watching, waiting, until the last possible second, then she spun around and kicked the demon in the small of the back. As it stumbled she leaped up and wrapped her arms around its thick neck, in an effort to either choke it down or possibly break its neck. "Say good night, big boy!"

The demon's long reach allowed it to grab the Slayer's collar, then it pulled her off it and tossed her across the room. She slammed into the far wall and slid to the ground, stunned. "Good night!" It chuckled. Then it picked up a table. "You disappoint me, Slayer. I expected more of you and your allies." Try as it might, the demon suddenly found itself unable to throw the table as it had intended. "What is this?"

"Me." Willow was, rather unsteadily, on her feet again, and she had one of her hands pointed at the demon. "You do remember me don't you? One of the Slayer's disappointing allies?" Tara, though conscious, was still laying on the ground. Her hands and lips were moving, though no sound came out of her mouth.

The demon snarled. "Insolent witch! You dare you use your power on me?" It turned, its sheer strength breaking the tentative hold Willow had on its arm. Her own arm fell limply to her side, dizzy and in pain. "I had considered letting you and the others live, witch. My contract is just against the Slayer."

"Your mate? Yes, that is true. But she was merely to be my calling card. Not an actual target."

The redhead began to tremble, her hands clenching into white-knuckled fists. "Shut up!"

"What's wrong? Getting angry? That's not good for your magic, witch. You must know that when you allow your anger to get the better of you it ruins your concentration."

"You're right," Willow said through clenched teeth. "But who said I was trying?"

The demon's eyes widened, and it looked down at Tara just as she raised her hands. Shimmering bolts of energy flung it across the room. It crashed into the counter. The impact also knocked the cash register off, which nearly crushing Anya in the process. She screamed.

Unfortunately, the demon didn't stay down for long. It scrambled back to its feet and growled. Tara and Willow both looked shocked. "I must admit, that was an impressive manuever. I thought you the weaker of the two, witch. Perhaps I underestimated you after all."

Now Buffy reappeared on the scene. The Slayer didn't even look shaken. "Okay, that hurt."

"You too?" The demon glared from Buffy, to Willow and Tara, then back again. "I was not prepared for a face to face confrontation today. Especially not with three of you."

"Oh?" The demon's body seemed to collapse in on itself as it transformed into a bat in the blink of an eye. With a shrill squeak it took off toward the open front door.

Willow frowned. "No way!" She pointed. "Incindere!" A wall of flame filled the doorway, blocking the bat's exit and forcing it to turn in mid-air, and land right in the Slayer's clutches.

The bat transformed back into its demon form and punched Buffy – or tried to. But the Slayer caught its wrist in a reverse and brought its arm up behind its back, where something cracked. It roared. "See, here's the deal. I don't mind you trying to kill me. It comes with the job. But I draw the line on you freaks messing with my friends. So I am only going to ask you this one more time. Who hired you?"

"Been there," said Buffy. "Done that." It pulled away from her and attempted to lunge at Willow and Tara, so she drove the heel of her boot into the small of its back. As it stumbled she grabbed it by the head and broke its neck, then tossed its still twitching body away from her friends. "You guys okay?"

Willow nodded. "A little...okay, a lot, stiff. Some general achiness. But other than that, peachy."

Tara shrugged her shoulders and winced. "Nothing a nice long, hot bath won't cure."

"If that's what my baby wants, that's what my maybe gets," said the redhead. "You were incredible. That spell you did, such control." She kissed Tara. "I love you so much."

"I love you too. You should keep doing that. My lips are the only things that don't hurt."

As the witches embraced Buffy went to check on Giles, who had just woken up. "Anya?" She glanced toward the counter. "You still with us?"

The ex-demon rose. She was trembling. "He broke...the cash register! I...can't get...to the money!"

"Simmer down," said Giles. "We can get a new one. Would you mind?" Buffy helped him to his feet. "Yes, thank you. In the meantime, I think we should attempt to discern the identity of this creature's employer."

Buffy sighed. "I feel a research party coming on. Anya, call Xander. I'm going for snacks."

When Buffy and Xander got back to the Magic Box, with popcorn, pizza and sodas, they found Giles pacing and Tara rubbing Willow’s shoulders. Anya, with her coat on and her purse slung over her shoulder, was standing by the door and grabbed his arm as they came in.

"The demon. We haven’t been able to determine who sent it, but we do know who it works for."

"I know the Tarakan assassins," said Anya. "I worked with a few of them about six hundred years ago, and I will never forget how ruthless and bloodthirsty they can be. They even impressed D’Hoffryn with their never say die, rip apart everybody in their way until they win attitudes."

"Why would anyone send these losers after Buffy again?" Xander asked. "We kicked their collectives asses the last time. Cordy and I personally took out bug man."

Giles nodded. "Yes, we were all very fortunate. The Order of Taraka does not normally quit. I’ve never been to understand why they stopped hunting Buffy in the first place."

"So maybe nobody really sent them this time," the Slayer suggested. "Maybe they’re still out to finish the job they started a couple of years ago."

"I considered that actually. But the Chimeran specifically mentioned his employer, and I didn’t get the feeling he was referring to the Order. I’m fairly certain someone hired them. Which would seem to imply that further, and likely more fearsome, attacks are inevitable."

Buffy sighed. "Great. Just great. Like I really needed this in my life right now."

"What about Dawnie?" Willow asked. "Maybe we should gather everybody together at the house, so they can’t send any more of the shapeshifters after us."

"I would imagine Dawn is safer at Janice’s than she would be with us." said Giles. "The Order would more than likely be focused on Buffy, you and Tara, and perhaps Xander and I. Spike too I’d wager. If they’re even aware of Dawn I doubt they are aware of her current location."

Giles nodded. "Indeed. As for shapeshifters, I don’t anticipate seeing any more of them. The Order doesn’t like to waste time. They would never send more than any one particular type of assassin, even if multiple agents are on the same assignment. After all, if one Chimeran was uncovered and destroyed the likelihood of another being any more successful is too slim a margin to make it worthwhile."

"I should call Dawn." Buffy headed toward the phone and warned her sister to keep a low profile; to stay in the house and not invite in any strangers. Then she returned to her friends. "Now, here’s the plan. Xander, I need you and Giles to go see Spike. Fill him in on what’s going on and have him check in with his contacts. One of them is bound to know something about something."

"I have some contacts of my own," Buffy replied. "And I could use a little back-up. Just in case."

When the Slayer entered Willy's a short time later, with Willow and Tara right behind her, she was surprised to discover the bar was almost empty. Besides Willy himself, who was behind the counter cleaning a glass, the only customers seemed to be a handful of less than reputable-looking humans, and one leathery-skinned demon with a missing eye, who was nursing a bubbling, frothy drink of some kind.

Willy walked to the end of the counter. "Hey, Slayer. Long time no see." He smiled at Willow and Tara. "I'll say this much. You got better looking back up than usual."

Buffy turned to face the bar. "So what's up? Is there a convention in town I don't know about? I've never seen the place this dead before."

"Tell me about it. There's something big brewing, and it's really bad for business."

Willy shook his head. "Doubt it. Though they are in town I..." He blinked. "Oh. I get it. That's why they're here in Sunny-D, and why you're in my place. Somebody sicced the Order on you?"

"That's right. And I'm betting it's this big brewing evil. Any idea who or where it is?"

Normally, Willy would have kept his voice down, and insist the Slayer punch him so he could stay in good with his nonhuman customers. But since there was only one right now, and he was both half blind and totally deaf, that really wasn't an issue. "Okay. Word on the street is someone or something has taken over that old castle. The one your buddy Dracula used while he was here? 'fraid that's all I know."

"Could be. They're real secretive types who like to keep to themselves. Far as I know, they never associate with anyone outside the Order. But maybe this time is different."

Willy watched them go, then glanced over his shoulder. "See? I told you they'd show, sooner or later."

Not long after they left Willy's, Buffy got a funny look on her face and stopped in her tracks.

"Maybe it's nothing. I thought I heard...look out!" Buffy spun around and reached toward Tara, catching an arrow scant inches from the other blonde's face. "Guess I wasn't imagining things."

"Quicky, get behind me," said Willow. Once Tara had done so the redhead held her hands up, fingers interlaced, and gritted her teeth. "Thicken!" A shimmering wall of energy rose to protect them.

Satisfied they were safe, for the moment at least, Buffy started a search for the attacker. Another arrow flew at her, but she caught it as well. That allowed her to follow it back to its source however, and she could see a figure crouched in the shadows of a nearby alley. "I see you!"

The dark-haired man in black leather stepped out into the open. He had a shortbow in his hands and a quiver full of arrows on his back. "You're faster than I thought, Slayer."

"And you're dumber than I expected," said Buffy. "Bow and arrows? You attack me with a bow and arrows? Man, the Tarakans must be getting pretty desperate."

"They're not just ordinary arrows," the assassin replied. "I came specially prepared for a freak like you."

Buffy looked at the arrows. "Oh, I get it. Poison huh? That's cute." She twirled one in each hand. "Hey, you want these back? They're probably pretty expensive." She threw one of the arrows, which shot through the air nearly as fast as it had coming from the bow in the first place.

But the assassin leaped out of the way and rolled back to his feet. "You'll have to do better than that Slayer." He took something from his belt – a small device with a button on it. "I did." He pushed the button.

Buffy's eyes widened as a light near the base of the oversized arrow-head started to blink. She threw it one way and moved in the other, just as it exploded. The impact lifted the Slayer off her feet and sent her face-first into a wall, where she slid to the ground and moaned, barely conscious.

Flames washed over Willow's barrier spell as well. She wasn't sure she would be able to maintain it, until Tara's hands wrapped around her own, and she felt their magic merge. The power was more than enough to protect them until the fire died down, at which point the redhead stood up.

"Leave her alone!" She dropped her hands and the barrier dissolved. "What kind of a man are you?"

"One who gets paid to win," the assassin replied. "I'm not here for you, witch! Stay out of my way and there's no reason for me to hurt either one of you."

Tara shook her head. "That's not going to happen. We won't let you hurt our friend."

"Do you honestly think you can stop me?" He drew another arrow and drew back the bow. "I can kill you both in the blink of an eye. What good is your magic now?"

The oddly-shaped head of the arrow he was holding instantly became white hot. His eyes widened. "No!" It blew up just like the last one, only this time the man was consumed. He screamed.

"Give me a little credit, baby. I haven't completely lost it." Willow smiled as the flames died down. "Look." The assassin was still there, alive and unharmed. A shimmering aura of energy protected him from the flames. "I don't kill people, Tara. As much as some of them might deserve it."

"It's okay. I imagine that must have looked pretty bad. Guess I should've warned you."

The assassin opened his eyes and gasped, as if just realizing he was still alive. "You're not going to get anything out of me, witch! Tarakans do not get caught. Ever!" He broke one of his own fingers, almost casually, and an odd look of contentment crossed his suddenly paling face. Then his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed, no longer moving or breathing either.

"That's one serious no-capture policy," said Willow. She looked around, and saw the Slayer starting to stir. "We have to check on Buffy. Come on!"

The Slayer was, not surprisingly, all right, although a bit shaken up. By the time they got back to the Magic Box she wasn't even dizzy anymore. Her hair and clothes were a mess, however.

"Had a run-in with another one of the Tarakan's," the Slayer replied. "He's not talking though."

Xander, who was standing behind the counter with Anya, nodded. "I know the feeling. Spike said all his contacts have dried up. He doesn't have any more clue what's going on than we do."

"Willy said Dracula's castle has some new tenants. I'm betting it's the Tarakan's."

"The Order of Taraka is too smart for that. Even if there were more than a single assassin in town, they wouldn't run the risk of having all their operatives caught together in one place."

"I'm afraid she's right," said Giles. "Still, if there is someone in that castle, we should investigate. Clearly, there is more going on here than just the Order of Taraka."

Buffy crossed her arms. "I know that face. You have Watcher-Know-It-All face. What'd you find?"

"There was a marked decline in demonic activity prior to our awareness of the presence of the Order of Taraka. As there is no apparent correlation between these two subjects, it seems reasonable to conclude they are, in fact, mutually exclusive. Something else must thus be responsible for the former."

Buffy stared blankly in the general direction of his mouth. They could practically hear her mental gears whir as they tried repeatedly to decipher what he had just said, and failed. Finally she gave an exasperated sigh and turned to Willow, her eyebrows arching expectantly.

The redhead shrugged her shoulders. "Something other than the Tarakans has made the demons in town stop the usual mayhem, and he thinks we should figure out what."

"Exactly," said Giles. He had grown accustomed to such translations, and had come to rely on Willow and Tara, and sometimes even Anya, to explain it to Xander and Buffy.

"Okay. Cool." Buffy rubbed her hands together. "We check out the castle. Weapons all around."

"I'm not certain a full-on assault it warranted, Buffy. Perhaps a more stealthy approach is in order."

Xander blinked. "Ninja gear? As in, skin-tight black leather and...oww!" He grabbed his arm where Anya slapped him. "What was that for? I was just kidding!"

"No you weren't. You were totally just imagining the Slayer in black leather. I can see it in your eyes."

Willow's cheeks reddened. Then her whole face blushed when she realized Tara was staring at her. "What? Hey, don't give me that look. I was not either."

Giles took off his glasses and massaged his temples. "Do you think it's within the realm of possibility for us to have at least one conversation that does not dissolve into childish sexual innuendoes?"

"God, I hope not." Spike came in from the back room, his coat sweeping out cape-like behind him. "It's the only thing that keeps you lot even remotely interesting."

"Spike, good." Buffy looked around. "Here's the plan. Giles. You stay here and keep researching. If this is going to turn out to be another apocalypse or something I'd like to know about it beforehand." He nodded. "Xander, you and Anya stake out Janice's. I don't want to freak Dawn out or ruin her weekend, but if there's even a chance some of those Taraka goons might come after her I want to make sure she's safe."

"Spike and I will scout the castle. We'll figure out who's there, and how hard they'll be to take down."

"I need you and Tara to do a spell for me. There's got to be somebody in this town who has a better idea of what the hell is going on than we do right now. We need answers, like pronto." Buffy reached for her jacket. "I've got a bad feeling this is all going to come crashing down on our heads any minute now."

In an abandoned warehouse on the Sunnydale docks a jagged tear appeared in the very fabric of space, heralding the opening of a crackling blue portal of energy.

"Not just where," said Gabrielle. "Don't forget, Ares sent us out of time. The question is also when are we?" She raised her head they heard a plane pass overhead. "By the gods. What was that?"

"Maybe a dragon of some kind?" Xena's eyes narrowed. "The air smells strange. Dirty."

"I don't like this, Xena. Weren't we supposed to end up wherever Dahak was? So where is he?"

The warrior princess shook her head. "Ares said it was all random. We might well be in the same time, and even on the same world, but for all we know Dahak is on the other side of the continent."

"Can we? Dahak's pretty much a god now. There's no Hind's Blood dagger waiting around for us to find, and you don't even have your chakram anymore. How are we supposed to stop Dahak and kill him, even presuming we can get to him in the first place?"

Xena shook her head. "I don't know. But don't worry. We'll come up with something."

Back at the Summers' house, Willow poured the last component of the spell they were casting into small metal bowl while Tara lit the candles. It was something like a locator spell, only they did not know exactly who or what they searching for. Both witches had been stumped until Tara came up with an idea.

"Let's scry for a powerful entity. Maybe someone like Glory is leading the demons. That could explain why the daily attacks we usually see have but dried up."

Just to be on the safe side they had expanded the parameters of their spell to include a search for strong magic, in case another witch or someone like Ethan Rayne was involved.

"Ready?" Tara asked. She held her hands out and Willow took them. They both closed their eyes.

Under the metal bowl, which was sitting atop a brass tripod, was a map of Sunnydale. When the spell caused its contents to bubble over the drops were supposed to land on anything that fit their criteria. They expected a lot of liquid would probably land in and around the general area where the old high school had been, since it was sitting on top of the Hellmouth. They were more interested in the rest.

A big spot of colored liquid did indeed point out the Hellmouth, so they ignored it. Another landed on what the witches realized was the Magic Box; no surprise since some of the artifacts they had gathered from evil over the years had powers of their own. A spot landing in the area of the castle, second in size only to the Hellmouth, told them Buffy and Spike were on to something after all. But neither of them knew quite what to make of the rapidly fading stain which had landed in the vicinity of the docks.

"I think someone just cast a big-time spell," said Willow. "We should check it out."

Willow shook her head. "She and Spike are busy. We'll have to take care of this one on our own."

Giles had, reluctantly, lent them his car, since Xander had his own and the Watcher wasn't planning to leave the Magic Box for a while. Willow tried promising she would be extra-careful but still had to show him her spotless driving record in the DMV files before he would agree . They drove to the docks, Tara bringing along the map so they could pinpoint the exact location of the magic their spell had detected.

Both witches jumped, tense and ready for danger, as something struck the warehouse door from the inside. The door was solid metal, but it was also old and rusted, and they could see the lock straining. Another couple of hits like that and it would give. Something hit it again.

Another blow and the lock broke, the heavy door creaking open. Two figures walked out. Though the light from the setting sun was dim, Willow and Tara could clearly see two women.

One of them was tall, muscular but not overly so, wth silky black hair. She carried herself with strength and confidence, and her eyes darted from side to side in search of potential danger. She was wearing brown leather armor and had a sword strapped to her back.

The other woman was shorter but no less muscular, with short-cropped blonde hair. Her bearing was different, cautious yet oddly relaxed, as if she was ready for an attack and yet not actually expecting one. She wore a suit of red leather armor, and was brandishing sais.

Both of the women were quite attractive in their own right, but Willow found herself particularly drawn to the smaller of the two. She was quite possibly the second most beautiful woman the redhead had ever seen; second of course only to the woman standing next to her.

Willow shook her head. "I don’t think so. But that might be Tarakans. We should…" She gasped as the darker haired woman turned and saw them. "Uh oh."

Nodding to her companion, the warrior woman drew her sword and advanced. The blonde stared for a moment, then drew her sais and followed closed behind.

"Maybe we should, umm…" Willow took Tara’s arm and maneuvered them back toward the car.

The dark-haired woman pointed her sword and said something neither witch could understand. It was obviously a language though, and they could tell by the expression on her face that she was annoyed when she had to repeat herself, only to get the same blank looks in return. She said something to her companion, who stepped forward and tried to say what sounded like the same sort of words.

"At least they’re trying to communicate," said Tara. " I just wish I knew what they were saying."

"I know a spell," Willow offered. "It’s called Miriam’s Translation. We should be able to understand them, if you think it’d be worth trying?"

The warrior woman’s eyes narrowed, and she gestured more emphatically with her sword. It was quite obvious she was becoming agitated by the lack of communication.

Tara nodded. "Do it. I don’t think her friend’s going to be able to hold her off much longer."

Willow closed her eyes and quickly recited the spell under her breath while making the requisite gestures in the air. Shimmering pinpoints of light flowed from her fingertips and washed over the two women, which caused the taller to react by raising her weapon and shouting incomprehensibly. The blonde grabbed at her companion’s arm and began to make frantic sounds.

After a few tense moments the other blonde lowered her weapons, but her body language indicated she was still on-guard. "Yes. Forgive my rudeness, but what did your friend just do?"

"Magic," said Willow. "I cast a spell so we’d all be able to understand one another."

"Nice to meet you," said the other blonde. "I’m Gabrielle." She put her hand on the arm of the warrior woman, who finally lowered her sword. "This bundle of nerves is Xena."

The redhead was beaming. "I love your show. Umm, the show made from Gabrielle's scrolls that is. Goddess, I think It'd be better if I stopped talking now."

Xena glared at the witch’s, then put her sword away. "When are we? And where’s Dahak?"

"So, you're the real Xena and Gabrielle?" said Tara. "You traveled from the past?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Reluctantly. We followed an enemy of ours, and ended up here. Have you seen anything…I guess you could say, out of the ordinary?"

Xena obviously found nothing about the current situation amusing. "Come on Gabrielle. These two aren’t going to be of any use to us. We have to find Dahak!"

"Xena, wait." Gabrielle grabbed her friend's hand. "Remember. We don’t know anything about this world. I think it’d be a good idea to get some advice from people who actually live here."

Spike spit out his cigarette, and snarled as he and Buffy approached the castle from the rear. "Bloody hell. How does someone so short take such long strides? Slow down, Slayer."

"We're walking into a sodding trap. You know that don't you? Whatever manner of beastie has made its lair here is probably sitting back and waiting for us."

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "So? Wouldn't be the first time." She kicked the back door open and then tensed, as if she was expecting some sort of reaction from within. When nothing happened she turned to Spike. "You can always go home. I can do this on my own."

"Right, and I'm sure your mates would give me a pass if I let some demon rip your pretty head off. Let's just get this over with." Spike shook his head and followed her inside.

The first thing the Slayer noticed besides the lack of any demonic activity, or any other activity for that matter, was that the corridors seemed different than she remembered. Some dead-ends she could have sworn were doors the last time, while there were doors or windows where she remembered solid walls.

"Is something wrong, Slayer?" Spike was amused by the confused expression on Buffy's face. Not that he hadn't seen it before. He smiled as they rounded another corner, only to find another dead-end. "God. Dracula never did have much in the way of decorative ability."

"I'd be insulted Slayer, if I didn't know you picked out that ugly-ass wallpaper in your room. And I thought being a Slayer gave you good eyesight. How can you stand it?"

"Stay the hell out of my room, Spike." Buffy walked for a while longer, until she found the room where she and Dracula had their fight. He was long gone, hopefully, but it at least looked the way she remembered. "Okay. Now we're getting somewhere." She glared around. "Only there's nobody here."

"Where?" Buffy could also hear them now that she was concentrating, but as much as it annoyed her she got the feeling Spike's hearing was just a little better than hers.

Between the two of them they soon found a door, behind behind an ornate silk tapestry on the wall. A crude set of stairs led down into darkness.

Spike grumbled but did take the lead. At first he took solace in the knowledge that Buffy trusted him enough to act as her guide. A few steps later it occured to him that she probably only wanted him in front so she could keep an eye on him, and because she did not, in fact, trust him to walk behind her.

"What are you muttering about?" Buffy asked. She pushed his shoulder. "Hurry up."

"Bloody hell, Slayer! Does the word courtesy mean nothing to you? Not to mention stealth."

Vampire and Slayer were so caught up in their usual verbal sparring match, they failed to notice when the stairs opened up into a long, deep cavern. One that was quite obviously artificial, and from both the look and smell of it had been completed only recently. Electric lighting, instead of torches like upstairs, illuminated the stark reality of a room completely devoid of decoration – except a throne. It wasn't that large, or particularly ornate. No metal or plastic, it was all stone and jewels.

By itself it would have seemed awfully out of place, but a small army of demons filled the rest of the room and made its singularity pale by comparison. They were down on their knees, those that had knees at least, apparently paying homage to the creature sitting on the throne.

It was definitely vampiric, but not like any vampire Buffy had ever seen before.

The flesh was gray, desiccated, its bald head stamped with a wrinkled forehead and it had sharp fangs in its wide slit of a mouth. The leathery cheeks were sunken, giving it a hideously skeletal appearance. Around its thick neck it wore a gold and silver discus weapon on a length of chain.

Getting Xena and Gabrielle to agree to come with them and meet Giles was easy enough but trying to convince them to get into the car proved far more difficult.

"Under the hood," said Willow. "They’re, umm...well…it’s kind of complicated, actually. Let‘s just say that it‘s a machine and leave it at that."

Xena shook her head as she walked slowly around it. "It looks like something Hephaestus dreamt up." She bent down and peered in the side window. "And it’s too cramped."

"I can fix that." Tara slid into the driver’s seat and pushed a button to make the convertible’s roof retract. "See? All the room you need. And if you want you can jump out any time you like." She started the engine, the sound of which caused Xena and Gabrielle to jump back. "It's okay."

Willow joined her lover in the front seat, then smiled over her shoulder. "You guys coming?"

"I would like to see this wondrous machine in action." Gabrielle climbed in behind Willow then sat down in the back seat and rubbed the plush interior. "So soft. What sort of animal has hide like this?" She noticed the warrior wasn’t moving. "Xena? Come on."

Gabrielle could have sworn the warrior was nervous. She nodded. "Unless you want to try and keep us with this vehicle." She turned to the witches. "Speaking of which, how fast does it go?"

"Giles made us promise to keep it under fifty. But according to this speedometer..." Tara read the dial. "...it can do over a hundred and fourty miles per hour."

"By the gods." Gabrielle saw Xena glancing down at her belt. "We’ll get it back."

"Your chakram. I know how important it is to you. Don’t worry. If Dahak still has it, we’ll get it back from him. If not, we’ll find it some other way."

Since Tara was driving, Willow turned and leaned over the back seat. "If you don’t mind my asking, why are you after this…what did you say his name was? Dahak?"

"Yes," said Gabrielle. "And he is a very evil entity. He’s done a lot of harm to a lot of people where we come from, and the both of us owe him a debt we intend to repay in full." She looked around at the car. "This Giles you spoke of. He must be a very successful shopkeeper to own such a luxurious vehicle. Tell me, he wouldn’t happen to be related to Salmoneous by any chance?"

"A friend of ours. One who I think he would find this…car, an interesting opportunity. Salmoneous believes he can sell anything to anyone, and he‘s usually right, though it often comes back to haunt him. I remember this one time, a warlord named Talmadeus…"

Gabrielle told them the whole story about Salmoneous and the warlord Talmadeus, how Xena almost died from a poison dart and then came back to life just in time. She had just finished that tale and was about to start another when Tara pulled up in front of the Magic Box.

Xena and Gabrielle were a few steps behind. They came in to see the witches talking to an older man in clothes equally as strange-looking to them as Willow and Tara’s.

"Giles." Willow gestured. "I would like to introduce you to Xena and Gabrielle. They’re from, believe it or not, ancient Greece. About two thousand years or so ago I imagine."

"Indeed?" Giles, to his credit, took this all in stride, and held his hand out to Xena. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Xena." He was clearly startled when she clasped his forearm. "Yes. Indeed."

"Oh, yes. Thank you. I hope you don’t mind, but I must borrow Willow and Tara for a moment." Giles directed the witches to the back of the store, while Gabrielle picked up one of the books. Xena, meanwhile, seemed quite interested in a display of weapons on one of the walls. "An explanation, please. And make it brief."

Tara quickly told him about the spell they had cast, and how it led them to the time-travelers. "They seem intent on finding this Dahak. I think he’s some kind of a demon."

Xena suddenly jerked her head up, blue eyes narrowing. They saw her draw her sword, just before a twin pair of green-skinned demons in studded leather came crashing through the window. One of them had a sword, the other an axe, and they both came straight at the warrior, hissing like vipers.

"By the gods!" Gabrielle drew her sais and went to help her partner who was, for the moment, defending herself from two very powerful creatures at the same time. "What are these things?"

"Demons," said Giles. He reached for a sword on the wall. "No doubt sent by the Order of Taraka."

Xena deflected a swift series of sword strikes while Gabrielle evaded the axe of the other demon and drove the hilts of her sais into his stomach to double him over. "The Order of Taraka? I've heard of them. They're monks, in the Macedonian highlands, aren't they?"

"Perhaps in your time. But now they are a group of assassins. Many of them demonic, as you can see."

To the demon's obvious surprise Xena blocked it's fist and kicked the sword out of its hands. She then spun and cut its head off. "Fearsome looking creature." She frowned. "Not much of a warrior though."

Gabrielle dropped under the demon's axe and swept its legs out from under it. "No." She drove the points of her sighs up into its mid-section, piercing its heart. "But thanks."

Xena smiled as Gabrielle freed her sais and wiped them on the demon's back as it slumped to the floor. "Nicely done." She clapped her partner on the shoulder.

Arm in arm they approached the others. Neither noticed the demon rising again behind them, so they both were understandably confused when Willow's eyes widened and she raised her hand. "Watch out!" The redhead threw a bolt of crackling, blue-white energy which struck the startled demon.

"Wish I had my chakram," Xena said as she stalked toward the creature. "This would be so much easier." She cut its head off even as it was trying to get back to its feet.

Giles put his sword away. "Well done, ladies." He nodded to Willow. "All of you. Now then, Xena? What was it you were saying about Tarakan monks?"

"They're cloistered somewhere in Macedonia," Xena replied. "That's what I hear, at least. I've never actually met one so I can't say for sure."

Giles took off his glasses. "According to my findings, the Order of Taraka did indeed begin about three or four thousand years ago. I'd surmised their origin to have a religous connatation, but I was under the impression it was a demonic one. Perhaps they were, in fact, zealotic followers of some Grecian deity, whose worshippers grew to include demonic observers as well."

"Everyone have a seat, please. I'll tell you the story." Gabrielle joined Xena and recounted their history with the dark one. Their journey to Britannia, Dahak's followers tricking her into killing for the first time, and how Dahak used her body to spawn his evil offspring, Hope. After a nod from Xena she told them about Solan. "Whatever he was before, Dahak is a real flesh and blood creature now. He can be killed."

Xena nodded. "And I plan to make sure he is, in as bloody and painful a way as possible. "

"I understand your anger," said Giles. "Believe me. Someone very dear to me was taken away by an evil force as well. But Xena you musn't let your emotions get the best of you. They will only cloud your judgement, and make you vulnerable. Corporeal or not this Dahak sounds like a very formidable creature. And as it happens, this world is full of formidable creatures. I think it would be in your best interest to side with us, so you can understand this worled in order to find Dahak and put an end to its evil once and for all."

Gabrielle smiled. "You were right," she said to Willow and Tara. "He does use a lot of big words."

"Yes. Indeed." Giles put his glasses back on. "I think the first order of business is to locate Buffy and tell her of this development." He frowned. "If I could only remember the number for her cell-phone."

"I got it," said Willow. She dialed, listened for a few moments, then hung up. "Voice mail. That's weird."

"Why wouldn't she have it on?" Tara asked. "You don't think she's in trouble, do you?"

Buffy was staring at the creature on the throne, but she also kept an eye on the other demons in the room. They were on their feet now, slowly circling her and Spike.

"Perhaps. But I've been in this little city of yours for quite some time now, and ever since I arrived it seems the biggest topic of conversation for my new minions is you, Slayer." Dahak stood up and stepped off the throne. All the demons parted with their heads bowed. "Your presence in this place disturbs me. I intended to come to a time where I wouldn't have to deal with you one epic hero types, but thanks to that bitch Xena I once again find myself faced with an adversary ready, willing and it seems quite capable, of trying to stop me." He touched her chin with one claw and she inadvertantly shivered, while Spike growled. "So I decided to try a...what is that term? Oh yes. A preemptive strike. That's why I sent the Order of Tara against you."

"Indeed. I knew them back when they were merely initiates, and I was quite pleased to discover the organization had survived to the present day. Of course they were more than happy to assist me, in exchange for a piece of the prize. They want Sunnydale. Or, more to the point, the Hellmouth. And once I am done here I'll have no more use for the paltry mystical energies here, so I agreed."

"Okay. So let me get this straight." Buffy put her hands on her hips. "You sent the assassins after me, right? And you're the one who's been keeping all the demons busy lately?" He nodded. "Why? You having some kind of a big demon prayer service? Trying to convert them to the one true evil?"

Dahak smiled. "As a matter of fact, you are closer to the truth than you realize." He went back to the throne and sat down. "The other thing I discovered upon arriving in this world, is that everyone has forgotten about me. They no longer consider me to be the face of evil, a name spoke only in fearful whispers. Instead, the demons choose, foolishly, to follow one of my offspring. A child I discarded, long ago, but one who has managed to make a name for himself nonetheless. He has actually presented himself as evil incarnate, and so many of the low creatures in your backwater realm actually fell for it. Now, since my arrival I've shown these creatures..." He gestured toward the collected demons. "...the error of their ways. They see the light, or rather the darkness, that is Dahak. My new goal now is to take the insolent whelp down a peg or two."

"Blah blah blah." Buffy made some crude gestures with her hand. "God, why do you villain types have to blab on so much? Can't we just get with the fighting already?"

"Is that truly what you want, Slayer?" Dahak shook his head. "I don't think so. I can see into your heart. You wear the mantle of the hero so proudly, but the truth is you are as flawed and weak as the rest of the cattle you fight so vainly to protect. My offspring saw this too, and used it to his advantage, which is where creatures like him..." He nodded at Spike, who growled. "...come in. They do have their uses. Wouldn't you say?"

Buffy staggered back, stunned, as her mind was flooded with unbidden memories of all the times she and Spike had sex. She glared accusingly at the vampire, who just looked confused. "How did you..."

"...know? It's quite simply really." Dahak touched a finger to her forehead. "I am the darkness within every living thing, little girl. I am corruption and chaos. Destruction, absolute."

Spike huffed. "Bugger this!" He threw the axe. It struck Dahak in the chest, driving him back into the throne and slicing through the chain around his neck. The discus clattered to the floor. To his surprise, Buffy wasn't moving. "Don't just stand there, Slayer! Use that blasted sword!"

"She's in no condition to fight," said Dahak. "Her mind is in turmoil." He waved off the demons, who had started toward Spike, and stood up. "As for you...I know why you fight, vampire. You say its for love, but what you feel is not love. It's mere lust. You hunger for this Slayer, and she for you. But that device in your brain does not change who and what you are, William. A creature of darkness."

"You'd be amazed what I know. I've been in this Sunnydale of yours only a short time, and yet I have learned all I need to know about it's protectors. You, the soulless vampire who acts like a man. The Watcher, and the boy with no power of his own, both of whom have survived longer than anyone in their position should. And I'm also aware that the Slayer here has a sibling who is not real at all. In fact, she is an enigma I plan to investigate more closely, once I am done with the rest of you."

Dahak held up his hand. "Hold!" The vampire froze, mouth open and arms outstretched, but the expression on in his face made it quite clear he was not happy about it. "I've had just about all the insolence I can stand, vampire. In my time creatures like you bowed down and worshipped my every move." Spike fell to his knees. "Exactly. And it can be that way again. Once I have dealt with your paramour here I..." To his surprise, Buffy wasn't standing where he had left her. "What? Where did she go?"

"Looking for me?" Buffy was standing with a foot on each arm of the throne, holding the discus Dahak had been wearing. "You blew it, ugly! You wanna twist me and Spike around your little finger? Go right ahead. But nobody, god or not, messes with my family! The last one who tried, got the crap beat out of her!"

Dahak nodded. "Yes, Glorificus. I heard about that as well. A shame, really. She would have made an interesting ally. I suppose my offspring will have to suffice instead."

"Come down and I'll tell you." Dahak kept a close eye on the weapon Buffy was holding.

The Slayer couldn't help but notice. "This thing's pretty important to you, huh? Guess it's pretty valuable. Spike, come on. Let's go! I'm willing to bit our host isn't gonna mess with us too much as long as I have his little frisbee here." She jumped off the throne and started toward the door. The demons parted. "See?"

Spike, however, didn't move. "Love to." He snarled. "Can't. Bugger's done some kind of mojo on me." He shook his head. "Get out of here, Slayer. Don't let him get his hands on the niblet."

"Yes, by all means. Run away. Leave your lover here." Dahak smiled. "He'll be in good company, I assure you. If you stay..." At a mere nod from him the demons began to move toward Buffy again. "...well, let's just say it would be unpleasant. Many of my followers have quite a grudge against you."

"So, you're just going to let me leave?" Buffy asked. She shook her head. "Why do I doubt that?"

Dahak shrugged his shoulders. "It really makes no difference to me, Slayer, whether I kill you and yours now or later. I will win. My victory is as inevitable as the flow of time itself."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Enough! I can't take this crap anymore. I'm so out of here." Though it went against every fiber of her being she turned and ran, after giving Spike one last, sorrowful look.

Xena helped Giles in dumping the bodies of the two demons into the sewer, although she didn't understand why at the time. When he told her she was, to say the least, surprised.

"So you're telling me you know of a tentacled beast that eats flesh living in these tunnels beneath your city, and you have allowed it to continue threatening your people?"

"The Karion demon eats only dead flesh. It never comes above ground, and thus isn't a threat to any living being unless they happen to venture into its domain, and then only if it is truly starving."

Xena shook her head. "This is such a strange world. You allow monsters free reign, to prey on the weak and the helpless, and no one does anything about it?"

"Nor would we want to," Giles continued. "I realize this might be difficult for you to comprehend Xena, but not everything is as cut and dry as it may well have been in your time. Some of the creatures in this world serve their own ends and must indeed be dealt with accordingly. Others are simply trying to get by, as we all do. Just being a demon doesn't automatically make one evil incarnate."

Willow nodded. "And don't even get us started on Angel and Spike. Talk about moral ambiguities."

"Allies," Giles replied. "Of a sort. Both are vampires. Angel had his human soul reinstated and works now to try and redeem himself for all his many past misdeeds."

"And Spike...got himself in a bit of a technological quandry," said Willow. "There's this thing in his head which I won't even pretend to be try and make you really Pre-Industrial Age folks understand, which makes him unable to hurt any living being. He fights with us now to help Buffy and protect her sister, Dawn."

Tara nodded. "Though not all the Scoobies are thrilled about that arrangement." She smiled as Giles and Willow both turned away, and she also thought of Xander.

"Speaking of your friends, I've been meaning to ask about something." Gabrielle turned from the paper and pens she'd been examining. "More than once I've heard you call yourselves the Scooby Gang." She shook her head. "So who is this Scooby? I thought you said this Slayer person was named Buffy?"

"You can blame Xander for that," the redhead finally replied. "A long time ago he called us the Scooby Gang, in reference to a TV show about...oh wait, you have no idea what TV is, do you?"

Tara put a hand on her girlfriend's arm. "Relax, sweety. Let me try. It's kind of like a joke," she said to Xena and Gabrielle. "The Scooby Gang are fictional characters, who travel around with a talking dog named Scooby Doo to solve mysteries and fight monsters. Willow's friend Xander called the group, who was following Buffy around at the time, the Scoobies once and the name basically stuck."

Xena blinked, then turned to Gabrielle, who shrugged her shoulders. "I told you this world was strange."

"Cartoons aside, I think it would be best if we focused on the danger at hand," said Giles. "If this Dahak of yours is indeed here in our world, he could have something to do with the recent lack of demonic activity in the city. In which case it is entirely possible Buffy and Spike have walked straight into a trap. The fact we've not been able to get in touch with them certainly leads credence to the likelihood."

Xena frowned. "The Order of Taraka. You said they have a reputation for not giving up?"

Almost as if on cue a low trilling sound filled the air. Without saying a word Xena and Gabrielle drew their weapons and moved back to back, while Willow blindly reached out and found Tara’s hand, the magic flowing between them.

The front and training room doors burst open simultaneously, and two demons glided into the shop. Both had gray skin, long black hair and wide golden eyes, and they were wearing matching white robes. Floating a foot or so off the ground the two oddly feminine, yet inhuman, creatures raised their hands.

The demons began to scream. They literally ionized the air around the humans, making their hair stand on end, and caused inner-ear vibrations that made it feel like their heads were about to implode.

Willow and Tara were unable to concentrate enough to do a spell and collapsed, still holding hands.

Gabrielle held on a little longer, but in the end the pain was too much for her.

Only Xena remained standing, and even then just barely. "I really wish…" She took an agonizing step forward, even though her stomach was doing flips and her knees felt like jelly. "…I had…my chakram!" The demon really looked shocked when the warrior grabbed her collar.

But that feeling of success proved all too fleeting as the demon’s voice grew louder. Xena’s eyes rolled back in her head and she fell to her knees, groaning.

Writhing around on the floor, the barely conscious Giles struggled to lift the crossbow he had been reaching for when the demons made their appearance. He fired, just before passing out.

The bolt struck the demon nearest Xena in the left shoulder, twisting its body around. It stopped screaming as pain shot down its arm, along with a steady trail of black blood.

Xena found herself able to think again. Alone, the other demon’s voice wasn’t quite as incapacitating. "Know what?" She lurched to her feet and grabbed the demon’s head. "I hate loudmouths!" She broke its neck, then as it fell she ripped the bolt out of its shoulder and threw it at the other one, piercing its exposed throat and stopping the agonizing sound once and for all. The warrior still had an Olympian-sized headache as she knelt by Gabrielle, who she found was unconscious but very much alive, and breathed a sigh of relief.

As she went over to check on Willow and Tara, Xena heard movement behind her. Concerned the demon who’s neck she’d broken had somehow survived she spun with her sword up and ready, only to have the weapon kicked out of her hands by a small, angry-looking young blonde woman.

Xena was concerned about how this girl had almost been able to sneak up on her and, though she would never admit it, more than a little surprised she had been able to so easily disarm her. She was strong too. The warrior's hand was still throbbing from where the sword had been kicked out of it.

"Nice move." The blonde certainly looked human, but Xena had quickly come to understand that not everyone in this world was as they first appeared. "Try this one!" She cartwheeled forward and did a spin-kick, intending on taking Buffy's head off in one fluid movement.

Only the Slayer reacted just as swiftly. She ducked under Xena's foot and swept her legs around, aiming to take the warrior's feet out from under her.

Too many of her opponents in her time had tried the exact same move in response to her attack, and Xena knew just how to respond to it. She leapt straight up to avoid the leg-sweep and then did a backflip, and the toes of her boots connected squarely with Buffy's chin.

The Slayer flew back and crashed into a display case, wrecking it and breaking most of its contents.

Buffy kicked the debris aside and stood up. "Not yet." She brushed herself off. "That was a nice move too. Can't say I was expecting you to be that fast or agile. You're strong too. Know what though?" She bent down and picked up a large crystal from the display case. "Strength isn't everything."

Instead she pitched it at the fixture on the ceiling overhead. It broke the light, causing an shower of fiery sparks as the crystal was consumed by flames.

"By the gods!" Xena covered her eyes, momentarily blinded by the unexpected display.

The explosion also caused the shops other occupants to stir. First Gabrielle, who raised her head in time to see her partner being tackled by an unfamiliar blonde woman. Whoever she was she possessed impressive speed and strength, as despite her best efforts the warrior clearly was not able to stop herself from being driven back into a bookshelf, which buried the two women in an avalanche stack of books.

"Xena!" Even though her ears were ringing and her head hurt, Gabrielle got to her feet. Xena was in trouble, and that was the only thing that mattered right now.

Xena kneed Buffy in the stomach and tried to push her away, but the Slayer locked her arms and clutched at her shoulders with an impressive strength. No matter how hard she tried, and she did, she was not able to make Buffy budge an inch. Though, in fairness, Buffy couldn't move her either.

"I'm coming, Xena!" Gabrielle found her sais and started toward her partner, only to feel a hand clutching at her ankle. She glanced down to see Tara with her eyes open, shaking her head. "What?"

Gabrielle blinked. "Oh." She looked from Xena to Buffy and back again. "Oh! Xena, stop!"

Xena turned back to Buffy, who had an eyebrow arched. "Okay." She let go, and then so did Buffy. "Sorry."

"Okay." The Slayer dropped her arms. "Somebody wanna hit me with the clue-by-four here?"

Consciousness was restored to all concerned before the explanations got underway. Willow and Tara told their friend about the spell they cast, meeting Xena and Gabrielle, and the demon attacks.

"Though I don't understand why those last two disappeared," said Xena. "When none of the others did."

"Bahnsee." Giles' tone implied to Buffy, Willow and Tara that he assumed that was enough of an answer, and he expected them to know what he meant. They had no clue, and the looks on their faces would have made that clear if he had not been too busy cleaning his glasses. Gabrielle stared blankly for a moment then turned to Xena, who shrugged her shoulders. Finally, the Watcher noticed. "Right. Sorry. The Bahnsee are normally incorporeal. They exist as sentient psionic energy in another dimension, but can be summoned to our world and compelled to take human form. When they are killed they revert to their true state."

Buffy crossed her arms. "Speaking of which, why are you? Last time I checked you guys were just fictional TV characters. How'd you end up in the real world?"

"They aren't just..." Willow sighed. "Don't you remember the journal article I showed you a couple of years ago, Buffy? The series was loosely based on stories chronicled in scrolls found in a tomb in Macedonia." She pointed at Gabrielle. "Her scrolls, as it turns out. If you'd bothered to read it, the article would also have told you Xena is a real person who lived back in ancient Greece."

"Wait. Dahak? That's the name of the guy I just got away from." The others listened, none as intently as Xena, as Buffy told them what had happened at the castle. In return Xena and Gabrielle told them about some of the things Dahak had done in their world. "Whoever this guy is, he still has Spike. I have to go back there."

"Should we call Xander and Anya?" Tara asked. "Have them meet us at the castle?"

Buffy shook her head. "They're keeping an eye on Dawn, which is where I really need them right now. I can't get distracted worrying about them or her in the middle of a fight." Seeing Xena twirl her sword reminded the Slayer of something. "Oh, Xena." She reached into her jacket. "You may need this." She pulled out the discus she'd taken from Dahak. "I've seen the show. I'm pretty sure this belongs to you."

"Anyway, Giles, weapons all around." Buffy cracked her knuckles. "We've got one demon to stop and, believe it or not, another one to save."

When the Scoobies, along with Xena and Gabrielle, arrived at the castle they were surprised to find it empty. It appeared the occupants had left only a short time before, however.

"Clearly the demon in question has some ulterior motive of which we are currently unaware," Giles replied. "I'd say it behooves us to investigate the situation more thouroughly."

"Back to the books?" Willow asked. Her eyes were practically sparkling at the thought.

"You guys go ahead," said Buffy. "I'm gonna patrol. Hopefully I can scare up a clue or two. Swing by Willy's for another round. Dahak's a big-time player. I'm betting he knows more than he let on."

Gabrielle noted the way Xena was glaring at the throne and gnashing her teeth. She'd seen the same look on her partner's face before, and knew if something wasn't done soon she'd explode. "Mind if we come along? I'd like to see more of your city and frankly, Xena and I need something to do anyway."

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "Let's go." She started toward the door, then stopped. "Oh, Giles?"

"I'll call Xander when we get back," the Watcher said quietly. "To make sure Dawn's all right."

Patrol was once again uneventful. The demons and vampires were either all hiding or working for Dahak. Buffy then led Xena and Gabrielle to Willy's, where things got a little more interesting.

The bartender had been backed into a corner by two massive, Bigfoot-like creatures, with shaggy black fur. His etes widened when he saw Buffy and her compantions. "Slayer! Thank God!"

"Sorry, Willy. I can see you're busy. We'll come back later." Buffy turned to leave. Xena half-smiled as she and Gabrielle followered the Slayer's lead.

Willy groaned. "Wait! I know why you're here! I'll tell you what you wanna know, honest! Just get Butt and Ugly here off me, would you?"

"Okay, boys. Here's the deal." Buffy put her hands on her hips. "Willy's an obnoxious little weasel who probably deserves whatever you're planning to do to him. Unfortunately, for this one particular moment I sort of need him to keep breathing. You see my dilemma, don't you?"

Xena drew her sword as the demons stalked toward them. "Do you always talk this much?"

"I'll let you know." Buffy went one way while Xena and Gabrielle went the other, forcing the demons to split up in order to keep track of them. She smirked up at the demon. "I always wanted a fur coat."

It roared and swung one huge clawed hand, but the Slayer easily ducked under it and rolled out of the way. "You demons. Always thinking with your fists." It swung again and again, and she avoided each blow. "You know what? I actually have better things to do. So let's make this quick, all right?" She spun around and kicked the demon in the throat, followed by a perfect decapitation courtesy of the axe she had under her coat.

Xena and Gabrielle were used to fighting soldiers, robbers, warlords, giants, and even the occasional god, so an enormous, furry monster was not all that intimidating. The bard distracted it by repeatedly trying to find its chest beneath mounds of fur with her sais, while Xena kicked it in the back and swung her sword. The demon twisted at the last second so her blade didn't fully connect, but while it was distracted Gabrielle was able to see the opening she had been searching for and drove her sais into the demon's heart.

"You guys work pretty well together." Buffy wiped her axe off on the demon. "It's safe now, Willy."

He rose from behind the bar. "Yeah. Uh, thanks, Slayer. Don't know where I'd be without you."

"He's the new big bad in town," Buffy explained. "The one you said you didn't know anything about last time. I'm thinking you wanna change your tune now, huh?"

Willy shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know from Dahak. It's strictly a no-name business around here."

"Since your buddy came to town. He's bad news, Slayer. Really bad. When my first customers stopped showing up I just attributed it to what I like to call the Glory syndrome." Willy smiled at the look on Buffy's face. "Yeah. I remember, that was bad couple of weeks. Some new evil breeezes into town and everybody scatters. But this was different. I knew whoever this guy was, the demons weren't running from him, they were running to him. Like the thing with Adam a couple of years back. Only, worse."

"That was a sight to see. Let me tell you. The demons who came through here all raved about Professor Walsh's pet project. Adam. 314. Most of them treated him like he was some kind of demonic Tony Robbins, which in my opinion really isn't that much of a stretch anyway." Willy frowned. "Okay, here's the scoop, Slayer." He motioned for the women to sit down. "About a month ago a couple of the more magically sensitive citizens in town were in here talking about a temporal disturbance. I didn't think much about it at the time, this is Sunnydale after all, but I think that was probably when this Dahak character blew into town."

Gabrielle frowned. "A month ago? That doesn't make any sense. Dahak only left Greece a few minutes ahead of us. How could he have arrived here a month ago?"

"Temporal quasality," said Willy. "Assuming you are talking about time travel." Buffy gave him a funny look and he shrugged his shoulders. "What, just cause I run a bar you think I didn't go to college? 'sides, in my line of work you hear things. Anyway, so not long after that some behind-the-scenes type starts throwing his weight around. It was some piece of work too. Vamps were dieing right and left."

"This I do not know. The few of 'em that got away booked it out of town. Said they'll come back if and when you take care of the problem. I tried to explain there was a fundamental flaw in their logic, but..."

Buffy frowned. "Will you please stop with the night class psycho-babble!" She turned to Xena and Gabrielle. "Is there any particular reason he declared war on vampires?"

"Must be a language barrier thing," Buffy mumbled. "Okay, Vamp 101. Vampires are reanimated human corpses with demons inside them, who rise from the grave and drink blood."

"Like Bacchae?" Gabrielle asked. "Is Bacchus even still around? For that matter, are any of the gods?"

Willy cleared his throat. "Hey, uhh, ladies, you wanna hear the rest of this or not?"

"Right. So then my customer base started thinning out. Word was somebody was recruiting demons. I figured it was some underworld big-whig, building his own personal army. That's the way it usually goes. One even came to warn me, he threatened me and left very specific instructions on what to say to you. Sorry about the castle. Hope you didn't lose too many...." Willy flinched when Buffy's glare turned on him once again. "...y-yeah. So, uhm, now it looks like the bad guy in question was looking for one group of demons in particular. I guess maybe he figured on thinning out the herd a little to get to them."

Giles, book in hand, came down from the upper stacks to join Willow at the table. Tara was just returning from the bathroom and sat beside her lover.

"Willow's found some information on this Dahak creature, with regards to the Tarakans."

"Not his name. In fact, I can't find the name Dahak anywhere, except in one vague Summerian text, and even that was only a minor reference. Anyway, according to the Solanian Chronicles the patron god of the Order of Taraka is supposedly the living embodiment of darkness. In otherwords, evil incarnate. Now the timeline's sketchy here, but thousands of years ago the Order split. One part remained faithful to the original patron god, but lost most of the religious overtones and evolved into the assassins we know and hate."

"I'm not sure why but, apparently, they maintained the religious aspects of the original group yet chose to begin worshipping a wholly different evil entity. Again no name is given. I cross-refrenced this listing with Tobin's, and it looks like the other group eventually became..." Willow's eyes widened. "...uh oh."

The front door, which was only hanging by a single hinge now, swung open. Buffy came running in, followed by Xena and Gabrielle. "Bringers! Giles. Dahak's after the Bringers."

Giles took off his glasses. "So if this group of Tarakans became the Bringers, that means..."

Giles told Buffy what Willow had discovered. She, in turn, filled him in on what she'd found out at Willy's. "I'm disturbed to hear that. It's possible Dahak is simply be trying to reclaim, or perhaps punish, those who abandoned him so long ago. Of course there is another, more ominous possibility."

Tara noticed that Xena and Gabrielle looked just about as confused as she felt. "Don't worry. Scooby shorthand takes a little time to get used to. I'm still working on it myself."

"It's not the Bringers themselves," said Buffy. "So much as it is the guy they work for."

"I believe the word you're searching for is entity." Giles put his glasses back on. "A powerful, otherdimensional being known simply as the First Evil."

Gabrielle shook her head. "That can't be. According to our history, Dahak is the first evil."

In all his years of life…or rather, existence, as a vampire, Spike had witnessed a lot of ill-advised, even insane behavior from demons and humans alike. But none of it compared to this.

He was bound with chains, which he knew from experience he could not break, and standing beside Dahak. The two of them were in a dark, dank room – he didn’t know where exactly, because he’d been unconscious for part of the time – but he got the feeling it was underground.

He’d seen the eyeless freaks in action when they were being rounded up. He knew they could be vicious when provoked, but Dahak seemed more interested in getting them to summon their boss. He’d already had to kill two of them to make sure the others knew he was serious.

"We have things to discuss, your First and I. This seems to be the most expedient method of introduction. Now keep your mouth shut, vampire. Before I tear your head off and…" Both Dahak and Spike looked up at the sound of crashing furniture and throaty roars from overhead.

The other demons were on the floor above. A variety of different breeds, many of whom were already enemies, were being forced to interact, and without Dahak’s influence they kept turning on one another. It didn’t appear to bother Dahak in the least that his forces were wiping themselves out. In fact, every time one of the demons died he smiled just a little bit more.

Never one to hold his tongue, Spike pushed vainly against the chains and snarled. "What‘s the big idea, keeping me chained up like this, you nancy-boy?"

"You, above all the other vampires I have encountered, show promise. I may yet have a use for you. That is the only reason you are still alive. Continue to annoy me, and have no doubt that will change." Dahak turned back to the group of Bringers, who had stopped chanting. "Ah. I see it is about to begin."

Spike could feel a strange tingling in the air, as a column of wind and dirt begin to swirl in the area between the Bringers. His eyes narrowed as a figure took shape within it. "Here comes trouble."

A big, broad-shouldered man with bowl-cropped brown hair and black clothes. As he turned they could see the collar around his neck, easily identifying him – to Spike at least – as some sort of preacher. Not at all what he had been expecting. The preacher spread his arms and smiled.

"Busy." The preacher arched an eyebrow, and the Bringers moved out of his way. "He doesn't answer a call from just anyone. He's got more important things to deal with right now."

The preacher frowned. "Rudeness. In the house of the Evil One. I won't stand for it, you hear me? If He chooses to grace us with His presence, so be it. Until then, I'll have to show you some respect."

As they were talking Spike looked around. 'House of the Evil One?' That was what he'd been feeling. The pull of dark energy. There was only one place in Sunnydale he knew gave off that kind of power. They were on top of the Hellmouth, which meant they were probably in the basement of the new high school.

Caleb's face changed, growing more angry. "Demon. I'll show you the price for blasphemy!" He charged Dahak, who didn't flinch or try to move out of the way, and threw a thunderous punch.

Literally at the last moment, and with seemingly no effort at all, Dahak reached up and caught Caleb's hand, one arm easily absorbing the impact. The preacher was stopped dead in his tracks.

"Evil." Dahak held the preacher still and started to squeeze, applying more and more pressure with each passing moment. "The first, to be precise." He smiled as every bone in Caleb's hand was reduced to a fine powder and the preacher howled in a mixture of pain and disbelief. "Hurts, doesn't it? To be betrayed? Your master is nothing but a pretender to the throne. My throne."

"Deceiver!" Caleb jerked away from Dahak and staggered back, clutching his ruined hand to his chest. "You take His name in vain. I serve at His pleasure." He clenched his other hand. "And you die at mine!"

Dahak shook his head. "You poor, deluded fool. You see nothing." He lashed out and drove one finger into each of Caleb's eyes. The preacher let out a blood-curdling scream. "Any longer." He licked the blood and gore off his fingers, then almost casually snapped Caleb's neck. "I hate sycophants."

Spike watched the preacher's lifeless body slump to the floor and shook his head.

"How dare you!" The voice came from everywhere around them at once. "He was my favorite!"

Dahak glanced around with a smirk. "I knew that would get your attention. Show yourself."

The spectral form of a huge, hideous demon appeared above Caleb. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"A self-absorbed, ignorant whelp," Dahak replied. The First growled. "You waste your time, and mine, with this paltry attempt at intimidation. Surely you have something more...presentable?"

The spectral demon morphed, instantaneously, into a perfect replica of Buffy, drawing a gasp from Spike. "You like?" She spread her arms. "I think she looks good on me."

"Come now, 'father'. You and I both know there's nothing you can do to me. That physical body limits you, and I am on another plane of existence."

"Not by your own choosing, from what I hear." 'Buffy' grimaced while Dahak smirked. "Long ago this world was the dominion of the Titans, my children, but the time of their reign has since been muddled, corrupted, and more often they are thought of merely as Demons. You were indeed the first of them but your evil was not responsible for those who came after. When I left this realm, on the cusp of human civilization, thanks in no small part to the machinations of the Titans, you saw your opportunity and seized power for yourself." He shook his head. "How it must grate on you to suffer the same fate. To stand by and watch as the Titans themselves are overthrown by their own progeny. Zeus and his Olympian filth banished you just as their forebears banished me..."

"Yes," said 'Buffy'. "But unlike you, I was able to maintain a tenuous grip on the mortal plane. I took the essence of one of the last of the Titans to fall and merged it with the fallen body of a human. He rose again, as the first of a new, much more resiliant breed of demons."

'Buffy' nodded. "Very perceptive, William. Your pedigree is a far more impressive one than even you imagined. I must admit," she continued, turning back to Dahak. "I did enjoy the irony of basing them on the Turok-Han, your original followers, whose face you now wear. Yes, I recognized it immediately."

"So over the last few millennia you have subsisted on whatever feeble bloodings of these inferior lower beings, while the pale vestiges of the Titans to worship you as their progenitor?"

"I have made no such claim," said 'Buffy'. "The demons call me the First, for I am. Perhaps not the first in terms of age or origin, but nonetheless first in power and prestige."

"Ah, so that's it then? You regain physical form and expect to, what, reclaim your throne?" 'Buffy' morphed into Glory. "Forget about it, pal. That's never going to happen."

"You dare mock me with the form of Glorificus? She who tormented me for millennia. She and that fool Dread were my only companions for thousands of years without end. Together he and I rid ourselves of her, only to see her reemerge on this plane, attempting to reopen a doorway to ours."

Dahak casually swung a hand at the vampire, knocking him across the room. He struck the far wall and slumped to the ground unconscious, blood seeping from his nose and mouth.

Now Glory became Xena. "Speaking of torment, this is the one you really have a problem with, isn't it? She is a mere mortal, and yet she has defeated you time and again. She killed your child. Your Hope. I was watching, and I know you planned to use her as your vessel, to create a new life through which you could be born again. It is such a pity that she and that friend of hers ruined all your well thought-out plans."

"...screwed," said 'Xena'. "There's something you don't realize yet, 'father'. About Xena."

"So, what's the big diff?" Buffy asked. "Dahak or the, uh, First. Who cares which one calls itself the original big bad? I say we find the one I can actually hit and take him out. End of story."

"I wish it were that simple," said Giles. "Assuming Dahak can be "taken out", there are unfortunately a myriad of places in Sunnydale Dahak could hide. I am more concerned about what he wants with the First."

"Maybe they're old enemies," Willow offered. "And Dahak's looking for paybacks?"

"Regardless, we still have much work ahead of us," said Giles. "There must be some way to discern where in the city Dahak is hiding. Magic and research would seem to hold the most promise."

Xena surprised everyone by suddenly kicking a chair across the room. It nearly broke a window. "Enough! How can you all just stand around chattering like this while there are monsters to kill?" She clenched her fists. "We've got to do something!"

"Xena?" Gabrielle stroked her partner's arm. "I know you're frustrated, and I understand, believe me, but you are going to have to calm down. We've already destroyed enough of the nice man's shop don't you think?" She smiled at Giles. "I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, it's quite all right. This is actually the least amount of damage it's seen since I opened." Giles turned to the Slayer. "Still, Buffy, maybe you could..."

"Check." Buffy stepped forward. "Hey Xena, I've got an idea. Why don't you and I go burn off some stress while the Wicca Watcher brain-trust here does their thing?"

Buffy pointed. "We have a training room in back. Work-out equipment. Weapons. It's all good. I have beaten up many a target dummy in there, let me tell you."

Once inside, Buffy peeled off her blouse so she was only wearing a tank top and began to stretch. "How about a little one-on-one sparring session? If you don't mind, Gabrielle."

The bard shrugged her shoulders. "Go ahead. I know Xena. She's still sore about your stalemate earlier."

"Sure. Just don't expect me to take it easy on you." With a sudden burst of speed, Buffy charged.

Keenly aware the warrior had a longer reach than she Buffy abruptly vaulted into the air, intent on flipping over Xena and landing in a position for a reverse kick.

But Xena was prepared. With one of her trademark battle cries she did a backflip of her own from a flat-footed standing position, passing right over a wide-eyed Buffy, and then rebounded off the wall behind them. Before the Slayer knew what was happening she was the one being kicked in the back.

Buffy rolled with the impact and got right back to her feet. "Ouch. Okay, that was really cool. Can you teach me that? Only, without that little yell-thingy?"

"I hate when people call it that." Xena came at Buffy with a flurry of lightning-quick punches but the Slayer was able to block each and every one of them with relative ease.

"No," said the warrior. "But that's not a bad idea." She stopped punching and Buffy hesitated, confused. That was when Xena struck, with too pinpoint finger-shots to her throat.

It felt like Glory punching her in the chest and Buffy went down to her knees, unable to breath. She had lost the strength in her arms and legs as well, and felt light-headed. "What did...you do?"

"I thought you said you'd watched my show?" Xena still didn't understand the machine, but Willow had done her best to explain the concept of television. "I just cut off the flow of blood to your brain."

"Oh, yeah. Pressure points." With great effort, Buffy managed to nod. "Giles taught me about those. Not all that effective in this day and age you know? Not in California anyway. See, we have this thing called..." She jerked her head one way and then the other, and they heard a distinctive pop. "...accupressure." The Slayer found herself able to move again, so she spun around and kicked Xena's feet out from under her.

Still laying flat on her back Xena lifted her head, and after a moment smiled appreciatively. "And here I thought I was the only one who knew how to do that."

"Yours was nice too. Beats the Vulcan Death Grip." Buffy got back to her feet and extended a hand, which Xena accepted. "Do me a favor. Don't tell Xander I said that. He'll never let me hear the end of it."

"...what's a Vulcan?" Buffy asked. The bard nodded. "Yeah." The Slayer tried and failed repeatedly to explain Star Trek to the duo, then changed the subject by suggesting they get back to work. "You and me this time" she said to Gabrielle, who nodded. "No offense, Xena."

"I can handle it. I remember how strong you were the first time we sparred. Back when I'd finished training with the Amazons? You nearly took my head off."

Gabrielle blinked. That had to be a difficult admission for Xena to make. "Okay." She looked to Buffy. "Did you want to do this armed or unarmed?"

"Armed, I think." Gabrielle drew her sais while Buffy grabbed a sword. "Like Xena said, you're strong. I need all the advantage I can get." She attacked before even the Slayer was prepared, and Buffy had to duck instead of using her sword to parry.

Buffy nodded. "Damn you're fast." She threw her sword up in the air and kicked at Gabrielle, who easily stepped back to avoid it. At that exact same moment the Slayer jumped up and caught her weapon as she was flipping over the bard. She landed behind the bard and put the sword to her back. "But so am I."

"By the gods," said Gabrielle. "Guess you got me." She tossed her sais over her shoulder as if she was giving up, but before they could even touch the ground she kicked them at Buffy – who was forced to lower her own weapon in order to avoid being struck. Gabrielle spun around and tackled the Slayer, hoping to catch her off-guard. It felt like hitting a stone wall though, and Buffy barely had to try to push her away.

"Hold it. Let's just call it even okay? I'm kinda tired, and I don't want to really hurt you." Buffy smiled. "That was a nice move, though."

"Hey. I learned from the best." Gabrielle put a hand on the warrior's. They stared at one another.

Buffy cleared her throat. "Umm, ladies? I hate to interrupt, but I am in desperate need of a shower and food. Do you guys, maybe, wanna come stay at my place?"

Willow and Tara stayed behind, to continue their research with Giles, but told Buffy they would try and be back in time for dinner. Along the way Buffy pointed out some of the sights of interest to Xena and Gabrielle, like the Bronze and the brand-new, not yet open for business Sunnydale high school.

In front of her own house Buffy stopped suddenly, a strange look growing on her face. Xena's eyes narrowed as she searched the area for danger. "What's wrong?"

"That house across the street, it's Janice's. Dawn's there, and Xander's supposed to be watching her."

Buffy walked up to an empty car parked in front of her house. "This is Xander's."

"Maybe your friend had...trouble, with the vehicle," Gabrielle suggsted. "And he's gone for aid?"

The Slayer shook her head. "I don't think so." She took off toward Janice's, warrior and bard right behind her. As they got closer to the house they realized the front door was wide open, which they could not see from the street because the porch light had been shattered. "Oh God. Dawnie!" She ran inside. "Dawn! Janice!"

Two steps in and Xena noticed an overwhelming and familiar smell. She drew her sword. "Blood." A shiver shot down Gabrielle's spine while Buffy paled. "There's been a fight. Recently."

A search of the house led them to believe it was empty, until they got to the kitchen. There they discovered the bodies of Janice and her mother, who been torn to pieces. Gabrielle was horrified and put her arms around Xena, who sneered, while Buffy was barely keeping it together.

"Whoever did this enjoyed themselves," the warrior hissed. "This wasn't just murder, this was fun."

"But where's Dawn?" Buffy asked. "And where are Xander and Anya? How could they just let this happen?"

"I doubt they would," said Gabrielle. "From what you told us, your friends are very brave. They probably tried to fight whoever attacked your sister. Since we only see two bodies here it seems reasonable to presume they were taken along with Dawn. The question is, who? And why?"

"We should tell your friends what's happened," said Gabrielle. She touched the Slayer's arm. "Buffy?"

"Xena." Buffy gritted her teeth. "Listen. When we do finally find Dahak you better stay outta my way. 'cause I'm gonna kill him myself."

The warrior took in the sight of the dead women again. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. I think there'll be more than enough killing to go around."

Dahak and the First, still in Xena's form, stood by and watched as several Bringers built a throne; from a pile of dead demon bodies. They were still in the basement of the high school.

"You don't find it disturbing?" the First asked. "Your nemesis has pursued you to the present day. She is hunting you, and she won't stop until she finds you."

Dahak nodded. "Perhaps. But her presence, though indeed disturbing, doesn't surprise me. You see, Xena has an annoy habit of being resourceful and unpredictable. I don't know how she has come to be here, but I do know that sooner or later she will find me. That's why I have made preperations."

Dahak sighed. "Fool. This is merely an indulgence on my part. No, to best Xena I will also have to contend with the Slayer and her associates. If our history is any indication they will no doubt ally, presuming they haven't done so already, so I've have taken steps to make sure that partnership is as short-lived and ineffective as possibly." He snapped his fingers, signaling the Bringers and a handful of other demons to drag the bound and gagged bodies of Spike, Dawn, Anya and Xander into the room. "You see?"

'Xena' smiled. "Interesting. You're presuming their loss may weaken the Slayer. But is't such a maneuver just as likely to..." She transformed into Buffy. "...incense her, rather than pacifying her?"

"Perhaps. That is why bringing them here is only the first step. I have other plans for these four." Dahak held his hand up. "Observe and learn, my child." His palm began to glow.

The First felt waves of power and raw evil flowing off Dahak. It reveled in them. It decided to wait and see what its progenitor could actually do, before intiating it's own plans for Buffy and her friends.

By the time they got back to the Magic Box Buffy's anger had all but dissipated, replaced by fear which left her nearly hysterical. As a result she was in no condition to explain what happened to Dawn and the others. Tara tried to console her while Gabrielle filled the others in.

"Good God." Giles took off his glasses. "I should have anticipated this. Dahak has been unable to kill us, so now he's shifted his attention to the more vulnerable among us."

"We find him," said Buffy. "And I kill him!" She turned and put her fist through a wall.

"Don't touch me." Buffy gritted her teeth. "Anybody." She shook her head. "I can't control myself right now, and I don't want to hurt you guys."

"No. I've seen this before Buffy. You need help. Let me..." The Slayer punched her in the face, slamming Xena's head back. Her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists but didn't move otherwise. "Okay. Go on. Let it out. You wanna hit somebody?" Buffy punched at her again, but this time she blocked it with her hand. "I can take it. But do you really want to waste all this energy on me?" A flurry of punches followed, and while she was able to deflect a majority of them a few still got through. "Dahak's your real enemy."

Gabrielle was worried. She could tell the blows that were landing hurt the warrior, each time she winced a little bit more. "Xena, maybe you should..."

Xena shook her head. "It's okay. This won't last long." All at once Buffy stopped fighting and started crying. She fell into Xena's arms and the warrior held her as her body was racked with sobs.

"Sit her down," said Giles. He and Tara approached the Slayer. "Buffy. It's going to be all right."

Had Xander been there, he would probably be providing some levity right about then. Willow decided to try her hand at it. "So don't go all coma on us again, okay?"

Giles and Tara both looked at her, surprised, while Xena and Gabrielle were clearly confused.

The Slayer, however, smiled slightly. "Why? You didn't like hopping around in my brain last time?"

Giles did his best to Xena and Gabrielle to explain some of the things that happened with Glory. Willow had to take over, because neither he or Tara had been in any condition to recall the details.

Buffy stood up. "Giles. Tell me you guys found something. Do you know where Dahak is?"

"I'm afraid not. But rest assured, we'll keep searching." He and Willow went back to the books.

"Why don't you go home and rest?" Tara asked. "We'll call you if we find anything."

"You will," said Xena. "We all will be. But Buffy, let's face it. You'll be no good to your sister or anyone else if you collapse. If you won't go home, at least lay down in the back room. Even if you don't actually sleep, you need to rest. Trust me. I've been through this myself."

"Of course," said Giles. He handed a book to Willow, who pointed out another one to Tara.

In the training room, Buffy punched at a practice dummy, knocking it across the room, then lay down on one of the mats. She was only intending on resting her eyes for a few minutes. The next thing she knew she was standing on the dance floor at the Bronze. As far as she could tell the rest of the club was empty.

"Oohkay." Buffy looked around, trying to understand what was going on. "This has to be a dream. Please tell me I'm not going to have to deal with the First Slayer again."

Buffy turned. "Dawnie?" Her sister was standing on the upper balcony with a drink in her hand.

Buffy's eyes narrowed. "You're the First? You're in my dream, like you were in Angel's?"

"That's right." Angel himself was now standing right beside her. "It's old home week, isn't it Slayer?"

"Hey now." 'Angel' touched her cheek and she jerked her head away. He smirked. "Don't try to pretend you don't enjoy my touch, lover. I remember the last time. You were quite the moaner."

Angel was gone. In his place stood Mayor Wilkins. "Well, yeah. You're just figuring that out?"

"I'm not impressed." Buffy crossed her arms. "Change all you want. Dream or not, there's nothing you can do to me. You're pretty much just a figment of my imagination. Even if you've got something to say, then say it and get the hell away from me. I have more important things to think about."

"Oh, I know." The Mayor morphed into Glory. "The Key. Well, just your brat sister now. I guess she's not really much of a key anymore, is she? Too bad. I had such high hopes for her."

Buffy grabbed at the Hellgoddess, but Glory was suddenly on the other side of her. "Dawn, is she...have you and Dahak hurt her?"

"Is there some reason you're here?" Buffy asked. "Or did you just stop in to be a pain in my astral ass?"

"It's about Dawn. Dahak has some...well let's just say, disgusting plans for her. And while that will be something to watch, he and I disagree on how to kill her. I thought I'd get your opinion on the matter."

Buffy launched herself at the Hellgoddess, and this time managed to catch the front of her dress. But it was not Glory anymore, now she was face to face with Joyce Summers. "Mom?"

The Slayer did so. Now she was in the library of the old Sunnydale high school. "What?"

"Get it?" It was Dawn again. "I hope so. Buffy, you have to..." She screamed and turned to dust, like the hundreds of vampires Buffy had killed over the years.

Buffy shook her head. "Dawnie! Come back!" She felt a hand on her shoulder, and opened her eyes again to find herself still in the training room. Gabrielle was there too, kneeling beside her and looking concerned. "What, uh, thanks...what happened?" She'd accepted the bard's offer of a hand up.

"That was going to be my question. I was walking by and I heard you screaming in your sleep."

Giles, Willow and Tara, followed by Xena with her sword drawn, entered the room.

Buffy told the others about her dream and how she was sure it was so much more than that, and then she headed straight for the weapons. She stuck a few stakes in her belt, strapped a sword on her back and grabbed the biggest

axe she could get her hands on. She turned to find Xena standing in her way, arms crossed.

Xena nodded. "Then that's what you're going to have to do. So long as you listen."

"Buffy, we have an idea," said Willow. "A couple of them in fact. Let's just slow down for a minute."

"Obviously. But right now I don't have a whole lot of options. That monster has my sister. So like it or not, until something better comes along I have to play by his rules."

"If nothing else you need a plan of attack," said Xena. "You can't just storm the place. You said yourself Dahak's protected by a lot of demons. Let us help you. Your friends and I can be your back-up."

"God, what is this? Gang up on the Slayer day? Did you all practice your tag-teaming while I was asleep?" Buffy crossed her arms and sighed. "All right. What, exactly, did you have in mind?"

The plan was discussed and debated by all concerned but finally decided upon by Buffy. She, along with Willow and Gabrielle, would go in the front door of the high school, while Giles, Xena and Tara would make their way in through the back. They would all meet up at again at the basement entrance.

"Yes, I do," said Buffy. "You shouldn't be apart too long though. Will, there may be some kind of magic defense on either or even both of the doors. We need to split our witchy resources."

Gabrielle stared at the witches for a moment, then smiled sadly and turned to Giles and cleared her throat. "I've been meaning to ask. What exactly is this Hellmouth thing?"

"A mystical convergence," the Watcher replied. "Essentially, it is a ripple in the fabric of space, which acts as a link between this dimension and a demonic one. It's constantly radiating evil energy."

"Fortunately," said Giles. "It can't be accessed directly." He hesitated. "At least not as far as I know."

In the high school parking lot Willow and Tara kissed good-bye, Xena and Gabrielle embraced, and Giles said a few quiet, hoepfully encouraging words to Buffy.

"Remember to maintain your focus. You have the capability of defeating any foe, but not if you allow your fear or anger to override your better judgement."

"I don't need focus Giles. I only need to know two things." Buffy raised the troll hammer she had used to defeat Glory. It was her weapon of choice for the impending big battle. "One, where Dahak is." She swung at a lamppost, sending it sliding across the parking lot in a shower of sparks. "And two, exactly how hard I have to hit him to kill him." She turned and walked briskly toward the school.

Giles sighed. "Yes." He rested his sword on his shoulder. "Thank you so much for listening to me."

"Don't worry," said Gabrielle. "We'll keep an eye on her." She and Willow followed the Slayer.

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Worlds Apart

by Kirk Baldridge

Copyright © 2004

KirkBwriter@juno.com