GENERAL COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER: Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Ares and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices. NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent.

Part I
Discord's Discord

Ares sat looking out the window of his temple, deep in thought. He had been unsuccessful once again in his quest to lure Xena, the Warrior Princess, back to his side. His obsession with her had haunted him since she left her dark ways as a warlord, in favor of fighting for good. " I must get her to come back, some way, some how!"

As Ares sat at the window, Discord came storming in angrily.

"Ares! There you are! I've been waiting for you! Where have you been? We had plans, remember? Ares? ARES! are you listening to me?"

"What do you want, Discord?"

"What do I want?" Oh, great, you have forgotten again! This is the third time this week! It's Xena, isn't it? You've been thinking about Xena again! Ares, I am so sick of this silly obsession you have with that mortal!"

"It's none of your concern, Discord. Who and what I choose to obsess with is my business. Now, why don't you run along and play!" Ares arrogantly smiled at her and continued looking out the window.

Discord stomped angrily out of Ares' chamber. "XENA! Ok, Ares, you asked for it. This time you will be sorry! Let's see how much your little warrior princess will mean to you when I'm done with you!"

As Discord thought, she imagined how life had been before Xena came into Ares' life. "If only this mortal woman had never existed.... Hmmmm..... maybe if Ares was far away from here, maybe in another time..."

Discord was formulating a wicked plan to get back at Ares, but her powers as a Goddess were limited, especially when it came to using them on another god. But, there was someone who could use their power on Ares! Kristaphus, the sorceror! He was not just any sorceror, he was an immortal who possessed godlike abilities. His magic was the most powerful of any magician. She would use his power over the gods and send Ares on a little trip in time, AWAY from Xena!

As Kristaphus worked in his dark chamber at the foot of Mt. Olympus, he suddenly sensed another presence. "Hello, Discord! My lovely goddess, you seek my help with Ares, no?"

"Yes! How did you know? Oh, never mind... I want to send Ares on a little trip in time. Do you have a spell or something that will work?"

"Ahh! I do! Yes! I have a spell that will send any god into a future time, BUT..it will only work on a god, not a mortal.!"

"PERFECT! That is exactly what I want! Let's do it!" Discord smiled deviously, as she watched Kristaphus begin his magic....... "Ok, Ares, we'll see about your little obsession now!"

Ares sat in a golden chair that was trimmed in black velvet. Unconsciously, his fingers stroked his well-groomed beard as he imagined how his existance throughout eternity could be....if only Xena could see fit to agree. Yes, he could truly take her away from the hum-drum life which she called "normal ...."

As he thought this, he suddenly found himself sitting on top of a concrete curb in San Francisco! Bewildered, he sprang to his feet. The noise and the smog immediately aroused his disgust, and he looked all around, wide-eyed. What were these great chariots that moved along so fast? What type of trail could this be, with no mud holes or horse trails? And look at those ridiculous clothes which these people wore!

His attention became centered on a crowd of disgruntled young men, who carried sticks and chains in their hands. They were advancing toward Ares, and there was no hint of friendship in their faces. His eyes narrowed as he watched them, and he was just about to command them to stop when....

Behind him, he heard another disturbance. Turning, he saw another group of disgruntled youth as they made their way toward him. "Aha! That's it.... two gangs! I walked in on a fight!"

The two gangs stopped a short distance apart and began yelling insults at each other. Ares was intrigued at the knives that these street people carried, but what were these funny-looking things in their hands? He sat down again, preparing to enjoy a good fight.

When the fight started, loud noises rang out, and several youths fell to the ground. They were dead! Ares looked up, hoping to find out what caused this instantaneous death. Suddenly, one man raised a gun and fired a burst of loud shots which sent the others scurrying! "The chicken-hearted fools!" he thought. "I would never run! But, I want this weapon for myself! Why, with an army of my men, armed as such, think of the limitless possibilities...."

"Hey, you there!" a voice yelled in derision. "Who you think you be?"

Ares looked all around, but he saw no one else. "Are you talking like that....TO ME?"

The thugs advanced toward Ares, who thought it might be fun to show them who was in charge. He stood and faced the advancing mob, who laughed and threw insults at him.

"Hey dude, who do you think YOU'RE talking to? Haha, check this guy out! Like, you going to some kind of costume party or something? And check out his shiny little sword! Hahaha!"

Being easily riled, Ares raised his hand and threw a fireball at the crowd of gang members, sending them diving for cover.

"Whoa!! What was that? Man, you're one weird dude! Chill, ok! Like umm...how did you do that fire thing? That was awesome! Can you, like, show us how to do that?"

Ares was getting more confused by the minute! Where was he? Why were things so strange here?

"All right! Stop right there!" The gang members suddenly took off in all different directions when a cop rounded the corner.

"Hey you! Halt and put your hands against the wall!"

Ares realized that this funny looking soldier was talking to him. Deciding that it would be to his best interest to get away from this situation he tried to disappear in his usual manner, but it didn't work! He was still standing, with the soldier coming at him, waving one of those strange exploding weapons! Sensing a fight, he instinctivly reached for his sword. It was GONE! One of those kids took it and he didn't notice it! No powers! Without his sword, he was a mere mortal!

"Oh, this is just great!" Ares was not going to let this soldier get him, so he did the only thing he could think of and that was to...Run!

"Discord!!" Zeus' voice boomed across Mt. Olympus. As Discord appeared before him, Zeus noticed her defiant glare. "What have you done to Ares?!"

"Oh, he's fine. I just sent him on a little trip."

"You have gone too far this time, Discord! What ever you have done, I command you to undo it immediatley and bring him back!"

However, Discord was not about to let Ares off that easily this time. He needed to learn a lesson once and for all.

"I'm sorry, but I can't undo it. You see, it was not my powers that sent him where he is. The sorceror did it, but it seems that Ares has managed to lose his sword and is now mortal. The spell will only work if he is a god. Sooo..the sorceror can't bring him back."

Zeus was furious! "Well, we'll see about that! Find Artemis, NOW!!"

As Zeus furiously paced up and down while he awaited Artemis, Discord silenty disappeared from the room, sensing that she'd better stay clear of Zeus until this thing with Ares was settled.

"Yes, Father? You were looking for me?" Artemis spoke as she entered the room.

"Yes, I need your help. It seems that your brother has managed to get himself sent into the future and has lost his sword, thus losing his godhood --and I nor the sorceror can bring him back without it!"

"Well, what exactly do you want me to do about it, Father?"

"I can't risk sending another god after him, so we need to send a mortal. A mortal, who is expendable, can at least help him to regain his power so I can bring him back . As long as we can get Ares, nothing else matters."

"So who do you plan to send?" Artemis asked, although she already had a feeling who it would be.

"Xena! She is the only mortal who is capable and knows Ares well enough to find him and get the sword back."

"And why do you think that Xena would want to help you or Ares? She has no use for us Gods, and least of all for Ares!"

"She will help! I will make sure of it. Now find her....give her my request, and I will do the rest!"

Part II Of Back to the Present

Copyright © 1999 Ravenwolf and Shadow Warrior
Midi selection is "Orient"