Archive of Our Own betaArchive of Our Own
Work was successfully updated.
Fandom:
Xena: Warrior Princess
Characters: Ares (Xena)
Xena (Xena)
Bacchus (Xena)
brief appearance {Horace the Dog}
Language:
English
Published:
2023-10-24
Words:
2,346
Chapters:
1/1
Shock Through the Heart
ThunderStruck HeartSlayers (Krissy_Alexis_Saybrooke)
Summary:
Ares makes a Deal in order to obtain his Godhood....yet again
Consequently it could cost him
Everything.... most importantly Xena
This was driving Ares with madness he could see & sense Xena but unable to touch her . Bacchus had gotten his revenge on both Xena & Ares in one fell swoop .
WRATHING WARPATH
X GOD of WAR
"She left me ....I cannot believe she just up & arrrrrrgh DID THAT....DAMN YOU XENA "
Trying he fails to zap her grandfather's favorite rocking chair. Instead he notices a quiver full of arrows & a finely crafted bow . Tugging 1arrow outta it's sheath he sees that 2 are wrapped in a sheet of parchment. Carefully unwrapping the letter he reads it hearing his beloved Xena's voice in his head & instantly his rage melts .
Ares
....calm down!! I did what I had to do ,I hope you can understand that. These should help relieve your tension problems till I return & I promised I would didn't I . So go shoot something okay,we both now know ya obviously can't kill a chicken to save your life .
See ya soon
Xena
P.S. here's 2 in case ya miss with 1 betcha you're kinda rusty after all these years War Boy
After reading her jab at his pride,his mock laughter returns "Haha....oh that's just ....she thinks....naw that's fine Sweetheart. How easily You forget I've perfected the Art of Killing. Practically INVENTED IT!!!"
Reminiscing He thinks back on their lessons how he demonstrated during their 1st hunting expedition. At the age of 18 Xena was taught to string her own bow . Ares had crafted a handcarved one using no powers {currently in this rundown farm house he's gripping the very same . Which meant his Chosen kept something so personal to them both} Sentimental nostalgia fills his brain as a thumb grazes over the etched engraving. Looking over the 2 arrows that he unwrapped it's noted she handcrafted each one hawk feathers. Adorned the tips were forged in Amphipolis it's crest stamped on every point. A most thoughtful departing gift. That along with a good hunting dog.
Stepping out into the forest Horace picks up an unfamiliar scent & growls deeply . Ares perplexed squints , confused as to why a sudden change in the dog's temperament. Teeth snarling as a demonic figure appears .Ares recognizes him.
"Bacchus you Horny Devil"
"Brother Ares....I could say the same about you.....still pining over the Warrior Princess?!? Morpheus tells me she's in every dream, every erotic fantasy & even your daydreams. Is she really that hard to get over ?!?"
"More like that hard to get under . But I digress..Seriously why are you here ? Come to watch me wallow in my undeserved misery ....Well as you can see this is what I've been reduced to- a mere mortal. Now if you'll excuse me we gotta go bag us some supper. Shoot where'd Horace go? Here boy c'mere"
"Boy , will you stop where you are & listen. I did see your plight & knowing you're too stubborn to ask for any kind of help....I'm willing to work out a deal in exchange for certain services "
"Ohhhh yahhh this is too good to be true. Okay spill it whattya need hmm.... you tell me how I could possibly be of any use to Yourself as a Freaking Mortal"
"Ares, you're forgetting I can temporarily restore your Godly Powers. I just need something obtained in return. Hell I could even grant you your heart's desire ....Xena bowing to your every command just like that fur ball"
"Lemme see if I'm hearing this correctly....I get my powers plus Xena. However the powers only stay temporarily & then what huh. Back to being a mortal Nu-huh ain't gonna happen Devil Man ....no deal . I get both permanently or you can forget it . I may not be an 'active' God but I still call the shots round here. Nevertheless Intrigued by Prosperity"
"What I want is very simple Ares . And by the way from what Morpheus tells me , she liked you better as a humble mortal". Ares' scowling eye contact warning Bacchus he's better back off addressing him Future King of Olympus....once reclamation of his throne is successfully done. " Ehhm Corny Horny, be that as it may 1 day my mere Fantasy is Destined to be MY Queen..got me Brother "?!? "Ahh yes Fine just find me this 1 object of desire & both are yours....permanently . Drink up boy . I concocted this batch special just for you"
"Alright now you're talking. Let's do this. "
Bacchus hands Ares the goblet of Ambrosiatic induced wine . Being the clever strategist ,Ares finds a way to pour enough into a water skin {for safe keeping , of course} . A map of the sacred treasure to guide him on his way . Ares feels his very aura on fire upon the last sip passing his tongue.
"Whoa that's a scorcher. C'mon bro you can trust me with your secret recipe....I taste grapes, pomegranate, Ambrosia & what's that last thing....it's a it's a "
"Passion Fruit"
"Weeeeell it's certainly gotta kick to it"
"Yeah Yeah. Just bring me my treasure Ares "
With those parting words Bacchus went back underground & Ares transported himself back to the Halls of War. First duty t'was to locate Xena. Gazing in a portal mirror he sees her senses her more lonesome than ever. Upon further investigation he realizes she's without anyone most importantly No annoying Blondie or any other meddlesome sidekicks to spoil his fun & gameplay. Luckily she was just 2 towns away ....therefore it wouldn't look suspicious if'n they just happened to accidentally bump into one another. Ares appears in a nearby barn saddling the first unbridled Stallion in the barn . Hopping on he heads down the narrow roadway towards the Cold Stone Tavern Xena is currently exiting untying Argo from the hitching post. Her eyes fly wide open noticing none other than Ares holding a large scroll whilst attempting to direct a very stubborn horse. " Hey whattya doing here"?" Shhh Xena not now I'm trying to find ....Ohhhh wow Xena it is you .small world it must be the Fates at work pushing us together " "Yeeeeah right or it could be your horse sensed you weren't paying attention & lead you here maybe to find food " " okay sure believe whatsoever you wanna but I think otherwise. Where's your little friend anyway " "You mean Gabrielle....she's off somewhere with family probably. To tell you the truth I'm not exactly sure " " Soooooo you're alone " "Noooo I still got Argo whom I need to head outta this town with. And shouldn't you be back where I left you? Fess up Ares didja follow me here?"
"Whaaaaaaaaat ,me follow you ....Hellooooooo I can't do that anymore remember. No I'm trying to locate a treasure type thing but this stupid map is giving my brain pain . " It's called a headache Ares. Lemme see that . This is 3 days ride from your old battlefield no wonder you're lost " " I'm not lost ....it's just that--" " No you've obviously no clue how to get there from here. C'mon I'll introduce ya to a shortcut & try to keep up would ya!?!"
Mounting Argo she trots gracefully in-front. He clicks & catches up attempting to look as dignified as one possibly can after being mildly insulted. Pulling up beside her the banter begins " ya know I aughta have you punished for stealing my map " " Ohhhh really Ares you & what army....oh shoot that's right you don't have one do ya" " As I see it Xena I could easily form another troop. And if I were to would ya lead'em Noooo you wouldn't because you've 'changed '"
" Look here X War God,I'm only going with you to keep your hide outta trouble do you hear me ." " Excuse me Princess.... I don't need your protection if anything you'll be needing me to shield you from that crazed Bloodlust you keep bottled inside....Ahhhh you know exactly what I'm talking about don'tcha gimme that look "
Rolling her eyes she just let's him win this battle of Witty Words. " Night'll be here soon we can camp in that cave over there " . Approaching the dwelling horses in tow .Grabbing both pair of reins Xena finds a comfortable corner giving each horse an apple to nibble. Whilst brushing Argo, eyes go to Ares watching him attempt to start a fire by violently smashing 2 rocks together. The tiniest smile crosses her face seeing him struggle, frustration clearly becoming noticeable. Pulling his cloak a little tighter he wraps himself in a huddle position. She takes pity on him removing the rocks from his hands " Go get some wood & water " Grumbling but thankful to have her with him . A nearby stream provides plenty of water especially to supply their thirsts . Ares did not want to wander the forest just for a few sticks instead he materialized a decent wood collection. So upon entering the cave with wine skin & wood pile in arms she rushes over black shift & barefoot. Fumbling for an unguarded moment he nearly drops the wood pile. " I'll take that " Grabbing & gulping the water skin flask . "Xena you might not want to drink that so fast " Suddenly the cave seems to be spinning her vision a bit blurry so Ares helps steady her guiding her over to a makeshift bedroll wrapping his cloak around her then trying to walk away " Don't leave " Ares Befuddled feels her hand pull his arm towards her. "Ummm okay sure sure gotcha....what's gotten into you " Before she could answer he searched her mind realizing maybe it wasn't the greatest idea to give her a watered-down version of Bacchus' special brew . Now she seemed more like a fragile woman not at all like his Warrior Princess no this woman appeared helpless. She nudges Ares to hold her he obliges but feels guilty, thinking if he were to seduce her in this state it wouldn't be fair. He couldn't leave so unbeknownst to her Ares magically makes their supper . After some hardy eating it's time to rest . Xena keeps trying to cuddle Ares totally invading his personal space " Godsdamnit woman..... can ya like give me some breathing room here" On the verge of tears from being reprimanded Xena starts sniffling & naturally this little act causes Ares to feel ashamed of hurting her feelings. His strong arms lock around the fake crying Xena. "I gotcha" Tucking her head underneath his chin, pondering why that beverage had this kinda effect on her & how to reverse this curse. Slumber finally takes them both.
The remainder of the shortcut leads them in the direction of a lone tower . Because of Xena refusing to be on a horse by herself Ares had her double with him....Argo sat this one out with good reason Xena wasn't at all acting like herself. Ares instructs to grab her weapons upon reaching the crevice passageway . " no sweetheart I need that hand " Talking in the most childish voice she pouts " then how bout I gwab your waist " " Yeeeeah yup sure that....works " "Are you sure wees need these I dunno even know what to do wif mineses " " Hun we use'em to protect ourselves....oh how do I explain this ....pointy end goes into enemy, got it?!? Just watch me & then you try " She just shakes her head nodding an understanding.
When the swinging curved blade nearly gave Xena a new haircut Ares decided they've both had enough & vortexed them both to the beautifully designed trinket box . Picking it up Xena opened it showing Ares " it's empty " they both say out loud. A cyclone & sinister hand yanks Xena into the box . Bacchus eerily screeches to the Restored God of War" thank you Ares, you found my treasure " "She's not yours " he repeatedly shouts pounding his fists on the marble alter "This wasn't the deal Bacchus !! You can have anything but NOT HER" "Not Xena..."
On the other domain side Bacchus was preparing to wed Xena. Dressing her in a blood red very revealing gown a crown of crimson & black roses . Her plunging neckline stitched criss-cross the corset bodice too tight to breathe extenuating her bossom. {She looked like a fantasy Ares envisioned not so long before giving up his Godhood}.
This was driving Ares with madness he could see & sense Xena but unable to touch her . Bacchus had gotten his revenge on both Xena & Ares in one fell swoop .
Ares realized his powers are still intact & being as foolhearted in all matters of his beloved. Opens a portal to rescue the one & only Warrior Queen of his heart . Picking up her signature vibe soul-wise , Ares witnesses Xena absent-mindedly standing at an alter opposite Bacchus. Seeing his breathtaking beauty about to pledge her vow of matrimony is too much . He becomes enraged levitating the ceremonial cake server lopping off the preacher's head. Xena turns upon hearing Ares shout out " Guess this Wedding is Off" . Throughly pissed beyond all Hell both combatants zap fight over the woman. Bacchus engulfing flames around Ares feet. Olympus' War God cues up a thunderous cloud consisting of lightning forms over head whites of his eyes menacingly flashing. He grasped onto the ominous energy ball allowing it's power to surge throughout his body. His voice booms " I AM ARES GOD OF WAR AND YOU JUST MESSED WITH MY CHOSEN, XEEEEENA!!!! Hearing this finally takes Xena out of her trance {she may dish out punishment to Ares for the tainted water later} But now He could truly use her help . Tossing her his War sword " Go for it Baby,make me Proud " Smirking wild eyed Xena twirls around the stunned Devil God " C'mon Horny Boy....let's see Whatcha got" . Not a mistake was made as she looked Bacchus dead in the eyes & stabbed Ares' sword directly into the heart . Ares released the severe energy coursing it through Bacchus. The sword acting like a conductor frying the Evil God . A slightly over-exerted Ares falls to his knees managing to conjure up 1 more thing her Chakram "Finish it" . All his powers now gone ....it's upto Xena. She aims the weapon lets go & upon it touching Bacchus' flesh he detonates nothing left except the gown Xena regrets she's wearing. Offering Ares a hand up she grits her teeth when Ares wolfishly comments" Woooow that dress....pinch me I hav'ta be dreaming " " Happy to oblige "
And she did just so because he sarcastically asked for it.






