Apocalypse...
Again
Part One: The Second Coming
by
Morgan McClure
Disclaimers
This work is based on characters and situations from Xena: Warrior Princess that are copyrighted by MCA/Universal Studios and their use in this work is in no way intended to infringe on those rights. Antares, Messenger and Champion of Gaea is my original creation and I retain all rights to her.
This work contains sex and violence comparable to what appeared in the series Xena: Warrior Princess. However, certain assumptions are refuted and toes no doubt will be stepped on. Be warned. In addition, the Goddess Eris, Goddess of Strife and Discord appears in a role that is not entirely accurate mythologically. I ask the followers of this Goddess to indulge me for the sake of the story. Likewise, the generally unfavorable depiction of "Eli's God" is in keeping with the original series. No disrespect is intended.
Dedication:
Kevin (Ares) Smith
March 16, 1963 - February 16, 2002
May Gaea bless and keep him.
Cliché as it sounds: “Thanks for the memories.”
Chapter 1
2109 BCE
There was no peace in Heaven. The normally serene skies were filled with storm clouds and thunder rumbled in the distance. The Archangel Michael mantled his wings like a bird of prey as he confronted the figure in front of him, his handsome face contorted in most unangelic fury.
“I forbid it!”
The object of his ire regarded him calmly. The shrouded figure was female, that much was certain, but no other details were visible. The dark blue robe covered her from her ankles to the top of her head, her face hidden in the depths of her hood. Only her hands, slender and strong, were easily visible.
“You. Forbid?” Her tone was as cold and dry as the air that swirled around them. “I was unaware that your job description included giving me orders.” Her voice hardened. “The Great Mother has given the order. I will carry it out. The Power you serve has neither the authority nor the will to countermand that order.”
“I will stop you!” Michael roared into the rising wind.
The woman laughed. “You and what deity?”
Before Michael could reply, the sky turned black. They both looked up as a whirlpool formed in the sky.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” she murmured to the sky. It answered with lightning that fell like rain, striking the place where she stood again and again. The force of the strikes drove Michael back to a safe distance.
“Great is your power, my Lord!” He bellowed to the heavens and laughed. The lightning stopped and Michael the Archangel choked on his laughter.
The woman stood unscathed on a circle of blasted rock. In her left hand she held a ball of brilliant, seething energy the size of a human head. Horrified, Michael realized that she held the lightning that had struck her. She looked to the sky.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Her contempt obvious, she addressed the energy in her hand. “Return to sender,” she commanded. “Times three!” Obedient to her will, the captured energy left her hand at lightning speed. It flashed upward through the center of the whirlpool and disappeared. A second passed. Two. Then the flash and the thunder. And in the thunder, a howl of pain. The shock wave knocked Michael to his knees. He raised tearing eyes and recoiled. The woman stood, cool and unconcerned, watching the whirlpool disappear and the sky clear.
“What have you done?”
“I’ve reminded your Lord of the rules by which we operate.” She turned from the sky to regard the Archangel. “Now, where were we?” Michael got to his feet, defiant. “Oh yes,” she continued. “The Great Mother was willing to overlook your obsession with Xena until it interfered with your duties. After all, you’re hardly the first immortal to have the hots for her.”
“ I do not...” Michael roared, which seemed the only tone of which he was capable. She found it tiresome.
“Silence!” she snapped. “Save your explanations for Her. She is aware that you tried to murder Aphrodite instead of rescuing her as She ordered you to do. She is aware that the Power you serve removed Xena’s belief that she could kill Gods just when she needed it most. She is aware that you, under that Power’s orders, tricked Xena into remaining dead when the manner and circumstances of her death were more than sufficient atonement for her crime. She is not happy and She will be along presently to speak to you and Him about it.”
“My God...” The woman gestured and the words stopped in Michael’s throat. His masculine posturing was getting on her nerves.
“Your god is manipulative, petulant, vindictive and spoiled. He uses people ... and angels ... until they displease Him, then He discards them like broken toys. He has no honor and no loyalty. You have both forgotten who you ultimately serve.” She noticed Michael turning an interesting shade of purple and released his voice. He used it.
“You have no authority to speak to me in this manner. I have been alive since the Beginning!”
“Check your organizational chart, wingboy,” she replied flippantly, having decided to get what amusement she could from his outrage while she could. The coming days promised to be devoid of such rich opportunities. “I may be considerably younger than you but I outrank you by a bunch.” She stepped up to him and for the first time, he could look down and see her eyes. He looked and was afraid. She saw his fear but gave him no relief. “Your God overstepped His authority when he tricked the Olympians into believing that Xena was a threat to them. Then, He used Xena to murder them, hoping that she would take the blame and He would be able to escape the consequences and step into the power vacuum He created. Trouble is, it isn’t His turn on the Wheel of Time. He doesn’t have the power or the right to this time and place. The power vacuum He created is going to be filled, all right, but not by Him and He hasn’t a prayer in Hell of stopping what’s coming. Xena is the only hope we have and it may already be too late!” She turned from him and stepped away, preparing to leave. “Good bye, Archangel. I go to undo what you have done. May the Divine Source grant that I am in time.”
“You can’t use a resurrection spell on ashes! I made sure that Gabrielle cremated her!” Michael laughed. “There is no way to bring that defiant bitch back!”
She turned slightly, looking back over her shoulder at the outraged, impotent Archangel. He really looked like nothing so much as a small boy, caught in his misdeeds and facing punishment, indulging in one last defiant outburst. She could almost feel sorry for him. Almost. She lifted her head and listened. She could feel the approach of the Great Mother. Time to go.
“Is that so?” she laughed. “Who says I’m going to use a spell?” Still laughing, she pirouetted in place and was gone.