Death Heals

Disclaimer: Don't own them, wish I did

Title: Death Heals

Author: Caliadragon

Category: AU, Crossover. Angst

Pairing: Xander/Spike/Graham, Buffy/Dru, Ares/Joxer/Angel

Rating: NC-17

Warning: Rape, Torture, Character Death, and Angst, Mush

Note: I don't write cannon so Strife's death will definitely not be
like it was on the show.

Summary: Strife and Joxer's friends and family must deal with their
death and the trauma it leaves.

The 1st 10 parts of this are unbeta'd.




Chapter 1: The Agony

Callisto giggled madly as she listened to the screams of her
captives. Her men were enjoying themselves. Raping always made them
more focus. While she loathed them they were useful and if they
weren't she killed them. She had truly enjoyed the last few hours. It
had taken some doing, but she had managed to get everything worked
out perfectly. Stupid little Hope thought she could control her, as
if, she was crazy not stupid. She had managed to steal the Hinds
blood and kill the spawn. She wasn't really surprised that Xena's
friend had spawned Dahak’s child. One only had to listen to her speak
to know she was evil. She even gave Callisto the shivers. How bad a
bard could one person be?

It had been an added little bonus to take the Strife and Xena's
favorite puppy. Shd sed separate reasons for taking both, but in the
end it was for revenge. Know both Ares and Xena would know what it
was to loose someone they loved in a violent and horrific way.
Because of Xena Callisto had lost her family. Then Ares had cast Xena
out and made her seek atonement for her evil ways. Because of this
she would probably go to the fields instead of Tartarus. Of course
she had to wait to get Caesar so he could pay for his part in making
Xena the Destroyer. For now she would torture the two she had.

She walked over to the slabs were the two captives were strapped down
and currently being ridden by her top warriors. She smirked at the
cowering and bloodied men. It had taken longer for Strife to break.
He had been certain that Ares would come for him and that he could
escape. Those thoughts were broken when she laughingly told him that
his chains were Hephestian metal and that she had put up a block. The
Sov had been happy to help her learn to use her powers after she had
chained him down and ridden him hard. She laughed again. The sound
had those in the tent shuddering. A happy Callisto was a very bad
thing. "Stop fucking them I want to play!" She ordered
suddenly. The men immediately moved away. She licked her lips and
eyed them lustfully.

Both men were similar in appearance and looked fragile. Tall, slim
and lanky they looked as though a strong blow would kill them. Yet
they had both taken a severe whipping from her and still they lived.
Joxer had bone showing on his hip, from were she had placed patterns
on his skin with her knife. Strife also had bone showing, in his case
it was on his shoulder blades, from the ship. She shuddered in orgasm
at the memory of lashing him. She had also ridden them both first.
"I think it'll be fire this time." She crooned and conjured
up a fire and a knife. For the next hour the only sounds in the tent
were screams and the hiss of burning flesh. Outside the tent her men
shifted uneasily. More than one had been punished at her hand.

When the hour ended she called them back in and had them each take a
turn again. By the time they were through Joxer was near death and
Strife was unconscious. Callisto pouted, "My toys are not any
fun anymore. I guess I'll have to get rid of them and find more.
Maybe Cupid and Gabby will last longer." She picked up thaggeagger she had used on Hope and rammed it into Strife's heart. Strife
barely cried out, in truth death was now a relief. She the turned to
Joxer and did the same. Callisto looked at her dead toys then
castrated them. She conjured two boxes and smiled at Darvin and
Cesner. "Darvin take this to Xena and let her know who it
belonged to and that he's dead. Cesner deliver this to the nearest
temple dedicated to Ares; by know all of Olympus knows Strife is
dead. Tell them both that no one they love is safe." Both men
trembled; they knew this mission was one of suicide. Saying no to the
mad goddess was even more so. They both waited to be flashed away to
do as she or
dered. Callisto hummed softly and smiled at the thought of killing
her two obsessions.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Xena and Hercules looked up in surprise when the pain lashed through
their chests. Somewhere in the distance they could hear the roar of
thunder. Gabrielle and Iolous looked at them in confusion.
"What's wrong buddy?" Iolous asked.

"A god just died."

"What?!" They yelled in unison.

"I thought Gods couldn't die." Gabrielle whispered
fearfully.

Xena took her friends hand and squeezed gently. "Only a few
things I know of can kill a god. Someone must have gotten a hold of
one of them. Either that or dear old Zeus went on a rip and killed
one of our brothers or sisters again." Xena said harshly.
Hercules nodded grimly and shuddered at the memory of what their
grandfather had done to Cupid six months earlier when he announced
his love for Strife in front of the pantheon. Thankfully Ares rushed
to Uncle Hades immediately and he had given their brother back his
life.

Before they could call on their father to ask a man appeared in front
of them. Xena sensed Callisto's power and stood, drawing her sword as
she did so. "What do you want?" Darvin shifted and threw
the box to her. Hercules took it and opened it. He blanched when he
saw the penis inside it.

"Who did this come from?" he asked shakily.

Darvin shifted and ignored the question. "Xena, Callisto says to
tell you that no one you love is safe. She has killed Joxer and will
be coming for the rest of your friends and loved ones." They all
stood still in shock.

"Joxer?" Iolous whispered as tears gathered in his eyes.
Darvin watched as his death filled Xena's eyes. In a futile effort he
ran. She captured him before he got three steps away. She spun him
around and sniffed him closely.

"You smell of Joxer, blood and sex. Thes ans another smell on
you it smells like a god. Who is it?"

He shivered at the menace in her tone. "Strife." he
whispered.

Xena screamed out in rage knowing that Strife was the god who died.
She gutted him, before turning and going back to her group. "We
need to go, father is going to need us." She chocked out.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked hesitantly.

"She killed Strife too." They quickly packed up their
things and called for Phobos. He would take them to Ares.


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ares felt pain ripe through his chest and looked over at his son in
shock. "STRIFE!" Cupid screamed at the sudden loss of his
beloved. They had argued that morning and Strife had been blocking
him or so he thought. He collapsed and lay senseless. Suddenly the
War hall was filled with gods and goddesses who had felt the loss of
the Mischief God. Dite and Ace hurried to his side while Heph held
Bliss who was wailing for Strife and screaming in pain. He too was
joined to Strife. Apollo quickly sedated the godling. Before they
could call for Hades, Cesner appeared. Ares spun to him. Cesner
dropped the box and they all watched in horror as the item inside
rolled out.

Ares howled and lunged at him. Eris reached him first. Lifting him
off the ground she projected his memories and thoughtsthe the other
gods. Only Bliss was left out of the joining. In one mortal heartbeat
they knew what had been done to Strife and Joxer and his part in it.
Eris would later regret killing him so quickly, but unable to help
herself at that moment she to screamed in pain filled rage and melted
the skin from his bones. He was dead almost immediately. As he was
dieing Phobos arrived with the four heroes.

"Dad." The three called as one. Ares turned to his
children. When he saw the look on their faces he knew that they knew
about the deaths.

"Eris, Heph lets go get our sons back." Hera said suddenly.

"I'm going with you mother." Ares, Dite and Apollo said
simultaneously. She nodded and they flashed away. Hera silently
prayed that her Joxer would still be sane.


Chapter 2: The Other Side



Hades felt a part of his heart ripe and knew that another god had
died. A feeling of foreboding claimed him. For some reason he felt
that this was more than a mad Zeus on the rampage. There was another
feeling as well or lack of feeling as it were. He realized with a
start that he could not feel his youngest and most fragile child. He
was about to flash out in search of the boy when Thantos and Celeste
suddenly appeared.

In their arms they cradled the shades of Joxer and Strife. Hades felt
as though his heart was torn from his chest. He made a strangled
sound of pain and stumbled towards them. Pep flashed into the room as
the others arrived. Eris was the first to move. Thantos shivered in
fear at the look on his mothers face. Never had he seen her so angry.
The air seemed to shiver and a table near by burst into flames. The
tapestry's caught fire and a glow of rage seemed to surround her. She
closed her eyes and threw back her head.

"Take Cover!" Ares screamed. The others did so immediately.
No sooner than they had hidden than an explosion of Discordant energy
rushed through the air.

For several minutes all anyone could hear was the crackle of
furniture as it burned and the sobs of the devastated goddess. Hades
was the first to go to her. He pulled his daughter into his arms and
rocked her gently. Through all of the fuss and fear Joxer and Strife
remained oblivious. Callisto had damaged them so badly that even in
death they remain helpless and broken.

"Shh my little one. We will bring them back. It will be alright,
you'll see." Hades rocked her whispering and soothing her
battered emotions.

"My baby, she hurt my baby. I'm going to skin her slowly, then
heal her and start all over again." Eris sobbed.

"Save some for me darling." Hera called. Eris sniffled and
nodded.

"We are going to kill her aren't we momma?" she asked
softly. Hera nodded, Oh yes they were going to kill her for what she
had done.

"Hades can you bring them back now?" Dite asked sharply.
Her heart was breaking at the sight before her.

"Yes, but Joxer is so badly injured that he will have to be made
a god. If that happens we have to make Jett and Jace one as
well." The gods all froze in horror.

"The twins!" Apollo cried. He and Heph flashed away
quickly. When they returned the others were surprised to see that
Auto and Iphiclies were with them.

"Grandmother what's going on? What's wrong with Jett and
Jace?" Iphiclies asked Hera anxiously.

"Joxer died today." The two young men swayed in shock. Auto
shook his head in denial.

"No Joxer's not suppose to die. He's not a warrior he's a
healer. Healer's don't die." He looked at Apollo pleadingly.
"Tell them dad, tell them Joxer's not dead."

Apollo gathered his son into his arms. "I'm sorry son, it's
true. The reason that we brought all of you here is because Joxer and
Strife are going to be brought back."

"Strife?!"

"Yes, Iphie, Strife and Joxie both died today." "

Let's do this!" Heph growled suddenly. "I want my son back
so he can help us punish that whore!"

Hades nodded and called forth four cups of blood wine. Celeste and
Thantos took Joxer and Strife's and began to feed it to them. While
Auto and Iphiclies did the same for Jett and Jace. As soon as the
wine took effect every god in the pantheon felt the birth and rebirth
of the new gods. While many celebrated both Zeus and Callisto
screamed out their rage.

The Fates smiled at one another and flashed to Hades chambers. When
Hera saw them she whispered, "Oh Shit!"

The three women smiled at her in amusement. "To the future they
will go the newly formed and their joined. The twilight will pass
them and at its dawn their hands and the friends they embrace will
ease the madness. The soul restored and the slayer born." Then
another flash. On Olympus Cupid and Bliss vanished. In Asphodel
Joxer, Strife, Jett, Jace, Iphiclies and Auto vanished.


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2,000 years in the future

The small and battered group sat quietly recovering from a night of
battles and saving the world from another end. This time though they
had lost the heart of their group. Buffy and Xander were dead. No one
could quite figure out how it had happened. Dawn was cradled in her
mother’s arms. She had cried herself to sleep. Giles looked at the
weary survivors and was about to say something when a sudden flash of
light blinded him. When it cleared there were several bodies lying
around. Among them were Buffy and Xander; they were looking around
them in confusion. "Hey guys, what's going on?" Xander
asked in confusion. He couldn't understand why their friends and
family suddenly tackled them.


Chapter 3: Revenge and Repercussions and Rebirth



Ares was the first to regain his sight after the Fates little light
show. When he looked around and saw who was missing he turned to the
three women. "Where are they? What have you done with
them?" He snarled in rage.

They calmly looked back at him. "They have gone to the future.
To protect us all they had to leave the past. You will see them
again." The Crone answered.

The maiden smiled gently. "Now is not the time to worry after
those gone away. Now is the time to make the evil one pay." she
told him gently.

The childlike sister spoke next. "Beware the one who spawned
her, for he will do all he can to protect his evil seed." They
then disappeared.

"We must get back to Olympus and find out who else is
missing." Hades interjected. The others agreed and returned to
the Halls of War.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Xander and Buffy sat quietly watching the sleeping men. No matter how
hard they tried their friends could not get them to leave the small
group. They didn't know why it was so important for them to watch
them they only knew it was. In a last effort to get the duo to rest
Spike and Giles had drug in several pallets and placed each of the
sleeping men on them. Buffy and Xander had placed them were they lay,
not letting the others help.

One of the three triplets was lying with a man in green leathers.
Another was with a red head. The third triplet lay with a small
winged child who had begun to grow rapidly when placed with him. The
last pair was a pale dark haired man and another winged blond. Buffy
looked over at Spike and smiled gently. He was surprised at her care.

"William, please go call LA and tell Angel the ane and his crew
are needed here. Dru will be here soon as well." Xander asked
him softly. Again Spike was surprised. If there were to among the
Scoobies that gave him hell it was they. They were treating him as
though he mattered to them. Confused and uncertain he went to do as
they asked.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Xena rushed to her father when the group flashed in. She looked
around them in confusion. "Dad where are Joxer and Strife?"
Hercules asked.

"The Fates sent them to the future."

"Does that mean that they sent Cupid and Bliss there as
well?" Hermes asked. Dite sobbed at the mention of her son and
grandson.

"Yes as well as Jett, Jace, Auto and Iphiclies. Jason is going
to have to come out of retirement." Iolous began to pace
fretfully.

"What's with the blondes?" Phobos asked. They all turned to
pay attention to the pair. Iolous's pacing had grown more erratic and
Gabrielle was rocking herself back and forth.

"What is? What's wrong?" Eris asked crouching next to
Gabrielle. She looked up at her with wide eyes.

"I know who Dahok really is." She whispered as she
collapsed. Across the room Iolous howled in pain and followed her
into oblivion.

Chapter 4:Revealing and Avenging



The noise in the temple raised as both Gabrielle and Iolous
collapsed. Mania began to wail and threw herself on the floor.
Whatever was harming the two mortals was feeding her in such a way
that she could not control herself. Apollo and Ace were torn between
whom they should help. All three were in oblivious to what was going
on around them. The frenzy lasted for several moments before they
were finally released from its grip. Iolous was the first to regain
his senses. He opened his eyes and looked at the man who held him.
Hercules rocked him gently. The terror and the pain in his beloved’s
eyes hurt him deeply.

"Iolous?" Ares asked softly.

"I'm sorry." he whispered then began to sob like a child.

Mania sat up and began to slap herself muttering incoherent
sentences. "Bad, betrayer...hurt.... not good...grandpa.... not
light."

Xena was in a panic trying to wake Gabrielle, in the few minutes
their attention was turned from her Gabrielle’s nose had begun to
bleed and she was gasping for air. "Uncle Apollo!" Xena
screamed as her fragile friend went into convulsions.


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



"Xander and Buffy are finally sleeping." Giles looked up as
Joyce went to the chair across from him.

"They only agreed to sleep if Spike stayed with them. He was
surprised to say the least. They curled up together by the winged
child and the last twin."

Giles nodded. "Their behavior is odd, but considering that just
three hours ago they were de-" he voice broke and her could not
finish. The thought of his two beautiful children dead shattered him.
He did not know how they came to be returned to him or who the
strangers were, in truth he did not care. He owed the Powers a big
thank you for their return.

Joyce shivered; she had always known that slaying was dangerous. Then er ter the blow up with Glory she had begun to help with the patrols.
There had been a few minor shake-ups, but watching Buffy and Xander
die and not being able to stop it had shattered her. To appease Dawn
they had not contacted the authorities, but had instead hid their
bodies. Thank god they had listened to her bright child; she wasn't
sure how she would have explained their return to life.

"Giles?" They turned to look in the doorway at the
beautiful red haired witch. She stood uncertainly and with obvious
exhaustion. Her pale skin was near milk white and her green eyes had
shadows under them.

"Willow you should be resting." Joyce scolded gently. They
had all moved into the old mansion six months earlier when Glory
began to attack. She had burned the Summers’ home to the ground and a
month earlier Willow's parents had disowned her when they found out
their child was gay.

For Xander it was an easy way to get away from his cruel parentAnyaAnya was pleased to be with them as they were the only people she had
to hold onto. The only two who had had the most problems were Giles
and Spike, but then both men were used to being independent and had
hated knowing they needed the others. Joyce sighed as Willow shrugged
tiredly.

"I think I know who the winged guys are,” she offered coming
further into the room.

"Who, how?" Giles demanded.

"Cupid God of Love and Bliss God of Lost Children, I finally was
able to decode The Scroll of the Fates. It says that they were sent
through time to help with the awakening. The other scroll tells the
story of what happened to them and some of why their here."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apollo and Ace worked franticly to save the young bard. In the end
they were unable to save her. Normally this would not have been a
problem, but her soul disappeared and none of the death gods could
trace her. Xena's screams of anguish echoed through Olympus and
reached the ears of Zeus and his vile daughter Callisto.
"Gabrielle is dead. Now on one will no that I was Dahok and that
it was you who did all of the deeds blamed on dear Hope."

"Oh but Daddy dear Iolous is still alive. We may have killed our
Destroyer, but her father still lives. If they find out that he was
really Hopes father and that you played things to make it look like
she was raped by Dahok we are both in trouble."

Zeus growled and blasted her across the room. "You would dare to
question my plan?"

Callisto giggled insanely. "Do that again Daddy I liked
it." Zeus sneered and turned away. He had to figure out how to
kill Iolous.



Chapter 5: Insanity Unleashed



Xena sat quietly rocking her friend’s body, she was unaware and
uncaring of the blood and excrement that was smearing on her skin.
The gods were watching her somewhat fearfully. The young bard had
been the only thing to keep Xena sane since the death of her son. Now
that she was dead they feared what would happen. "Xena?"
Ares touched his daughters arm gently.

She looked up at him silently. "My heart is gone. Joxer is gone,
nothing left to fight for. Callisto, going to kill her, going to
destroy her." Dite whimpered in fear. Xena's voice had not
risen, yet the feeling behind them was like a scream. Her eyes held
the burning madness that had lurked there during her time as the
Destroyer. Xena giggled slightly. "Gonna burn me a bitch."
she hissed. Ares eyes widened in alarm.

He shook his head. "Xena, don't do this. Think of Joxer. He's in
the future, he'll need you. I need you. Please baby, don't lose
yourself again. Stay with me." Ares gently eased Gabrielle from
his child’s arms and lifted Xena into his own. She tried to pull
away, but he kept her tightly in his arms. With a thought he cleaned
her and crooned gently into her ear.

She keened softly, "I'm alone, why am I alone. Why did they have
to go?"

"Your not alone my child, never alone." Hera said from
behind as she wrapped her arms around her broken grandchild and her
son.

"Xena." Iolous cried out her name. The trio turned to look
at him and at Hercules who held the young man in his arms. "I'm
sorry I didn't know. We loved you both so. We never would have
betrayed the two of you." Hercules looked down at his love in
confusion.

"Iolous what are you talking about?" He asked gently.

"I remember the time I was possessed. I know the truth now. The
truth about Hope and who really killed Solan."

"What? Who?"

"Herc Hope was my child, I-" Screams tore through the air
as Iolous's body was burnt away. No one moved the shock was to
complete. Hercules snarled and surged to his feet. He and Xena looked
at one another. They didn't know how she did it, but they knew that
Callisto had killed their lovers. If only they knew how right and how
wrong they were.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Giles' eyebrows rose in shock. "Gods?" Joyce asked in
shock.

Willow nodded and walked further into the room. She settled on to one
of the overstuffed chairs. In exhaustion her mind noted how warm the
room was. So much had changed in the last few months. The old mansion
left to Buffy by Angel had changed so. It had gone from old and
neglected to a true home. Thanks mainly to the love of the people in
it. She rubbed her forehead. "I think I should wait to explain
what's going on until everyone gets here. It's complicated and I'm
not sure I would be clear."

Giles and Joyce immediately agreed. "I think you should sleep
now Willow dear." Joyce urged.

"I can't, every time I close my eyes I see those Sjarium'eri
demons killing Xander and Buffy. It hurts." she whispered. Joyce
nodded and went to the girl, pulling her into her arms.

"I think I'll go in and stay with Spike for awhile."

"I've already got our pallet set up love." They all turned
to look at Tara who was smiling gently at them. The trio felt as
though they were filled with love and peace. Tara was their love and
peace. Since she had come into their lives everything had changed for
the better. Even Spike was gentle with her. He never raised his voice
or used his wit against her.

"Thanks babe, I'll be there in a minute." Tara gave them
each another smile, and then turned away again.

"It’s going to be alright Willow. We have them back and a new
adventure to look forward to." Giles told her, his depression
lifted by Tara.

Joyce nodded her agreement then shooed the girl off. She then turned
back to Giles. "Shall we go to bed as well love?" she
asked. He smiled and nodded.


Chapter 6: Death and Retribution


Xena and Hercules had not moved or spoken for over an hour. Neither
of their loved ones was in the realm of the dead. Hades and the other
death gods had searched and they could find nothing. For each moment
they were silent the gods fear grew. Neither Hercules nor Xena were
good at handling loss. Zeus had cursed them with insanity each time
they lost a loved one. Xena turned to Hercules suddenly. "We
aren't alone." She chocked out.

He looked at her through dull, blood shot eyes. "Joxer."

She nodded and looked at their family. "Them."

Again she nodded. "You won't leave us will you?" Hercules
asked the gathered gods.

Ares went to his son and daughter gently taking both their hands.
"You will never lose us." The Gods nodded as one.

Xena took a deep breath and stood. "We have to get Callisto. I
have a plan, but no idea if she will come out of hiding."

"Who will we use as bait sis?" Phobos asked. She smiled at
him. Of all of her siblings they always thought alike.

Suddenly Dite swore. "Not a problem dude's. Psyche's screamin
for me. The Bitch is there."

As one the Hercules and Xena latched onto Dite and snarled.
"Take us there NOW!" She did as they bid, to angry to do
otherwise.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Psyche could feel something was wrong. She kept looking over at her
lover. She to could sense that something was wrong. Evander had begun
to cry hours earlier at the same time that they felt the death of a
god. Evander had told them that it was Strife. Neither she nor
Nemesis knew what to do. They had decided that the best thing they
could do was do to the nearest godly temple and find out what was
happening.

When they were almost to the Temple of Hestia the warriors attacked.
They surrounded them, but to the surprise of both women they did not
move. Insane laughter had them spinning and facing Callisto. She and
Nemi put themselves in front of Evander and faced down the insane
goddess.

"Isn't that sweet. The mommies protecting their little cub. It
won't work though. I want him; Ares must know the pain of losing
someone he loves. I killed Strife, but they brought the bastard back.
That wasn't very nice. I worked so hard getting my toys just right
before they died."

Psyche shivered. She had said toys. 'Oh Gods. Cupid! Strife!
Aphrodite help us! Callisto is here. She's trying to get Evander.' No
sooner had the words finished in her mind than Dite appeared.

Xena attacked before they had even settled fully into corporal form.
Callisto screamed in rage and drew her sword. Hercules attacked the
men surrounding the small group. He killed most of them and Dite
herself killed those he didn’t. The rage that she felt over the loss
of her children and her brothers was no longer contained by fear for
her niece and nephew. The other gods flashed into the fray. The only
one of the creatures left was Callisto.

Though the gods wanted to punish and kill Callisto themselves none of
them were crazy enough to get in Xena's way. They had each blooded
one another. However Xena was the better warrior by far, plus her
madness feed her godly blood so that even though she was only a
demi-god her strength was equal to that of the worship less goddess.

Her men were all dead and they were all the followers that she had
ever had. Callisto kicked Xena in the face and sent her flying
backwards. At the same time Xena flipped landing on her feet instead
of her back as Callisto had planned. The blonde screamed in rage and
drew the hind's blood dagger. She lunged at Xena only to be kicked
mid lunge. Xena then wrenched the dagger from Callisto's hand and
shoved it through her left eye.

"NO!" The bellow of rage echoed through the heavens. Where
it came from no one knew, but they all felt Callisto's death and the
chilling sound of Xena and Hercules’ laughter.

On Olympus Zeus snarled in rage at the death of his favored and
obviously most stupid child. Acting quickly he claimed her soul from
purgatory and disappeared to the void before Hades could arrive to
claim her soul for punishment. Acting quickly her pushed her soul
into the void and the future. He would claim his child again, and
then the world would bleed under their vision. In the mean time two
more had to die.

He smiled darkly as he heard Ares' screams of anguish as he was
forced to watch his children burn to death before his eyes. Xena and
Hercules were dead as well.

He flashed to his study to wait to see if they would cal him him. If
he had stayed a few moments longer he would have seen three women
flash to the void and input four souls into different times and
places. "To the future they will go. Slayer born and others
sworn. From this time until the dawning, protected from Zeus and the
twilights coming.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


L.A.

Angel put the phone gently in its cradle and turned to face the small
group that waited there.

"WELL?" He smiled. Cordy was able to yell without raising
her voice. He often thought she should have been in the military, and
then changed his mind at the thought of all the AWOL's she would
call.

"Your visions were right guys. Buffy and Xander did die."
Cordy and Oz gasped in shock. "Their back though. Spike says
they just appeared alive and confused. He said that they want us all
in Sunnydale. He said they told him that Dru is coming as well."

"I suggest we get packing then. We need to be in Sunnydale
before sunrise."

"You got that right. However I know very well you keep a bag
packed here and ready to go Wes." The former Watcher blushed at
Oz's gentle teasing. The two lovers shared a smile before the others
laughed.

"We all do." Fred said with a giggle.

"Then grab your bags and let’s go. You have five minutes."
Cordy snapped and walked up the stairs to grab her things. The others
shrugged and went to do as she bid. Faith followed quietly behind her
friend. It always amused her when Cordy got on her Dom streak. It was
very hard to do any thing but obey. Ten minutes later they were on
their way to Sunnydale and their latest adventure.


Chapter 7: Revelations and Awakening


Sunnydale

Angel and the others rushed into the mansion as the sun reached its
apex. He followed his senses to his wayward childe and found him
guarding the small group. Spike looked over at them for a few minutes
then turned away. His sire still did not know he had a soul and he
was unsure how he would react when he found out.

"Spike?" Xander's voice surprised him.

He turned to look at the whelp and was surprised to see the worry
there. "Are you alright?" He could feel the muted shock
from the group behind him at Buffy's question and the concern in her
voice.

"Alright Spike what did you do to them?" Oz asked with a
frown. Angel took an aggressive stance. The new arrivals were
prepared to protect Buffy and the others from Spike and whatever
magic he was using.

Before they could act Buffy and Xander were on their feet and
blocking him from the newcomers. "Don't think about it
Deadboy." Xander growled his eyes flashing green.

"Spike has done nothing wrong. He's been watching over us. Angel
he's your childe can't you see the truth about him?" Buffy asked
him softly. Her eye's held a gentle reprimand. Angel shifted his gaze
to the vampire behind them and gasped in surprise.

"You have a soul!" He shouted. Willow and Tara sat up
looking over at the shocked group. "Spike." Angel cried in
anguish. All thoughts of attacking were gone. Instead he rushed to
his childe and pulled him into his arms.

"Why didn't you tell me? Are you all right? Has it been hard to
adjust? How have you been caring for yourself?" The questions
tumbled from him as he rocked his childe in his arms. The memories of
his own terror and anguish the two times his demon had been subdued
making him fear for his childe even more.

For his part Spike was stunned, he hadn't thought that Angel cared
for him at all. He had always thought that when his Sire found out
about his soul he would torment him with the knowledge. He gingerly
put his arms around his father and then clung. "The Scoobies
have been helping me adjust. It's been hard, but they tormented me
until I decided not to stake myself." His words were muffled,
but they heard anyway.

Angel shook in terror. He had problems with his childe, but his death
was not something he could imagine. It was why he had always let
Spike win or escape. He had all of Angelus' memories including the
night of his childe's rebirth. His beautiful girl had brought young
William to him and told how mow much she wanted him to be with them.
In a moment of kindness he had created the sweet boy and never
regretted it. The only thing he regretted was the pain he had caused
his dark children and the fact that Darla had polluted his curse and
made him harm the two after he was uncursed the first time.

"What's going on and were in Tartarus am I?" The growled
words had them all turning to face a very irate God of Love. His
wings were splayed out behind him and he was breath taking.

"OH WOW!" Cordy gasped. Cupid raised a finely arched brow
in amusement. He looked around him and saw the sprawled form of his
beloved. He dropped back down to his side.

"Strife!" Cupid closed his eyes and reveled in the warmth
of his husbands skin. He was unaware of the watchers or the tears on
his own cheeks. "Oh baby, what did she do to you?" He
rocked the still form and cried softly.

"Cupid?" Xander asked as he knelt beside the pair.

"Hey Xena.... Oh you’re a guy now. What's your name now?"

"Xander." Cupid rolled his eyes.

"You and your X's. Man I can still remember the day you told Dad
you didn't want to be Jexena anymore. Just Xena, cause X names were
cooler. I thought he was gonna blow." They both snickered.

"Hi Cupid."

"Hey Herc you're a girl! What's your name here?"

"Buffy, I'm a slayer." Cupid laughed.

"Still stronger than the average human huh?" Buffy/Herc
nodded.


"What about Iolous and Gabby were are they?"

"Gabby's here, but doesn't remember yet and Iolous is on the
way. Their vampire's." Cupid raised an eyebrow in question. He
then looked over at Spike and grinned. With a wave of his hand
memories flooded into Spike's head.

"Bloody hell!" He roared and tackled Xander. All but Buffy
and Cupid were surprised to see them begin to ravish one another.

Cupid tu bac back to Buffy. "So who's Iolous?

"A vampiress named Dru."



Chapter 8: Arrival's and Awakening's


Spike was flooded with memories of another life and of his love Xena.
He couldn't help himself. He broke away from Angel with a cry and
tackled his mate. Xander growled and rolled with Spike holding him
close and kissing him until neither of them was conscious of anything
but one another. They probably would have ended up naked and panting
if Cupid hadn't captured their attention.

"Hey you two quit fuckin' and come over here. I need your help
to wake the others." They both broke apart with a growl, turning
to glare at Cupid and Buffy, who were laughing. They reluctantly
pulled apart and went over to the group.

"Want to tell the rest of us what's going on here Buff?" Oz
asked. He was trying not to laugh at the shock from the rest of the
group. He and Willow looked at one another and grinned. They knew the
rest of the group had no idea Xander was bisexual. He sighed in fond
remembrance, Willow and Xander made a good team in bed. Cupid looked
at the two redhead's and whistled.

"Way to go Xander, both of them at once?" The three blushed
and looked at anything but each other.

"What are you talking about Cupie?" Buffy asked for them
all.

"Oz there was thinking about his birthday and a tag team sex
marathon between himself, Xander and Willow."

"WHAT?" Faith winced at the shock in Cordy's voice.
"When was this and how come I wasn't invited?" she growled.
Willow giggled at the shock that caused. Even Faith was looking at
her in stunned silence.

"It was my last b-day in town. Right after you left." Oz
answered. He grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows. The four
laughed.

Angel and Spike just gapped at them in astonishment. "Well at
least we know they don't have any hang ups huh Daddy?" They
turned to the stairs as Dru came down followed by a blushing Dawn.
"The little light let me in." Dru giggled. "She was my
key." Dru bounced down the stairs and over the recumbent gods.
When she saw Strife and Joxer she whimpered. "Miss Edith says I
have to kiss them to wake them up. She says that the fire lady hurt
their hearts." Dru whisp.
.

Dawn also walked to the group. She knelt down beside Bliss and Joxer.
"I, Dawn, the Key of Time call forth the Gods! Mother and Father
of the Hns yns your daughter calls you! Keepers of Fate, Guardians of
the Humans. Arm of War and Keeper of Discord I your sister call you!
Keeper of the Forge! Guardian of Love come forth I your sister call
you! Wake to this time! Come forth!" Joyce and Giles ran into
the room the moment they heard her begin to speak. Dawn smiled at
them sadly. Dru leaned forward and kissed Strife. She then stood and
repeated the process with Joxer. She then went to stand beside Dawn.
In moments the room was a wash with a nimbus of blue light. Spike,
Angel and Dru were driven to their knees with pain from the force of
the light.

When it ended Joxer, Jett, Jace, Bliss, Iphiclies, Auto and Strife
were awake as well. The room had also been filled with new gods.
Aphrodite, Hestuestus, Ares, Apollo, Ace, the Fates, Discord, Hades
and Hera all stood behind the newly awakened.

Ares walked forward and grabbed Buffy and Xander pulling them into
his arms tightly. "My children." He whispered brokenly. His
words broke the other gods from their frozen state and suddenly the
newly awakened were being held and loved by their family.

Joxer and Strife were too confused to do anything but return the
hugs. They were trying to figure out were they where and who they
second winged god was. "Cupie what's going on where’s Bliss
at?" Strife asked his husband as everyone settled down.

"Where are Xena and Gabby?" Joxer asked in confusion. There
was something at the back of their minds.

"I'm right here Daddy." Bliss said as he walked to Strife.
Strife gaped in astonishment.

"You grew up." Strife gasped, his voice slightly accusing.

"Joxer." Xander called bringing their attention to him and
Spike.

Joxer's eyes widened. "Xena? Gabby? What happened, why are you
guys now? How come Gabby's a bacchi?" he asked. Almostone one
Strife and Joxer looked at one another. In horror they remembered
everything that had happened to them. Strife screamed in rage and
Joxer collapsed to his knees. His screams mingled with Strife's until
they both collapsed again.

Chapter 9: Explanation and Repair



Angel was unsure why they two men were screaming he only knew that
the sound rang with pain. Unable to stop himself he ran to the mn
hn
his knees and cradled him gently as he lost consciousness. Nearby the
winged god was cradling the other man. He looked up when he felt a
presence in front of him. He was shocked to the core when he focused
on the face in front of him. Angelus remembered the man from his time
in hell. "Who are you? Why are you here?" He asked softly
unable to look away.

"I am Hades Angelus. The man in your arms is my son." Angel
looked at Joxer and felt his heart break. The younger man was
clinging to him in abject fear. Angel shifted him until he was lying
in his lap. He began to purr to Joxer. Nearby Dru was doing the same
thing for Strife. Angel had more questions, but before he could Dru
began to speak.

"Daddy the firelady and her bad men hurt them. They cried Daddy,
she raped them, and they screamed and broke 'em. Like you did Daddy
after Grandmommy did the spell thingy to you. Then Angel daddy came
and she changed you. Then you came back again and now your Angel
Daddy and real Daddy." Dru's words caused confusion in the group
listening. Dru didn't notice. She laid back down own behind Strife
and began to purr again.

For several minutes no one said anything then Spike laughed. "I
don't bloody believe! The bitch's the one that made ya go all grr and
hurt Dru and me. She's the one that got ya cursed. Got Buffy ta send
ya ta hell. Now thanks to the witch and her spell you an Angelus are
joined as one!"

"Is that true Deadboy?" Xander asked suddenly. Angel
continued to rock Joxer and nodded.

"My soul is permanent." Dru giggled. "Daddy's gonna
marry War and Peace. Then the Thunder will fall and the truth of
Dahok will be known by all."

The gods gapped at her in astonishment. All but the Fates who smiled
as one. They walked forward and touched her. Each laid a hand on her.
"The prophecy spoke, by the follower of Mania the reborn Golden
Hunter and the father of Hope. Come together with the Rebirth of the
Warrior Bard the mother of Hope made immortal by the Mate of War and
Peace brings forth the future and the rebirth of us all. When Hope is
joined to the follower of Hecate with her parents at the alter of
Hera." Light cascaded around the room suddenly. After it was
gone the others could see that the Fates were gone. Dru was looking
around her in confusion.

She looked up at Angel and smiled. "The voices are gone. I
remember the truth and who I am." She then fainted.



Chapter 10: Whispers of the Truth




After Dru collapsed all hell seemed to break. Finally Ares had enough
and bellowed for everyone to shut up. This worked for all of five
seconds before they started screaming again. While the elder gods
were going at one another, the younger gods, the Scoobies and the
Fang Gang quietly gathered up their fallen friends and left the room
so that explanations could be given and the truth could come out.

For her part Buffy (Hercules) wanted to get her hands on Dru (Iolous)
much the way Xander and Spike wanted to get their hands on one
another. However their main concern was the ill and damaged among
them. When Dru had said the last prophecy memories filled him and he
clung to Xander whimpering in fear and pain.

After they had all settled in the sitting area Ares turned to the
blond vampire and gently tilted his head up so they could look
eye-to-eye. "Spike, tell us what the truth is that Dru
remembered and that you are now remembering." he ordered gently.

"Hope was our child and she wasn't evil. All of those things she
was accused of, they weren't Hope. The woman that Zeus told you to
seduce wasn't her either. I don't know who that was, but I know it
was Zeus who took us and forced us to do the things we did. Then I
killed my baby! She was innocent and I killed her!" Spike sobbed
the words out, turning away from them.

Xander felt rage and despair rip through him. Zeus had murdered her
son and blamed her daughter for it. Xander didn't care if Iolous was
the father Hope was their child. Xander felt rage fill him and he
looked over at his father. "I want him dead."

"So do I." Buffy growled. It all made sense. Zeus hated
anyone that represented the House of Aggression, because he could not
completely control them the way he could the other houses. Aggression
was not from his direct line, but from Hades. So the bastard hurt
them in other ways.

As soon as the other gods stopped fighting they were going to plan.
Zeus would suffer for all the pain and suffering he had caused.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Riley stood over the quivering man and laughed at the look of terror
on his face. He so enjoyed this part. The man at his feet shivered in
fear and prayed to any god listening that he would escape this time
into death.

Graham Miller no longer believed in the Initiative and the people who
ran it. There was something about the whole operation that stank of
evil. Graham had been an idealist, but now he was a victim. He wanted
to die or escape or anything, but the rape and humiliation that was
promised in his once friends eyes. All that shown there now was
madness and perversion.

"Time for your next lesson sweet Graham." Riley laughed and
walked closer to his prey.

tbc