Disclaimers: same as in
Part 1.
Part
8 - conclusion
“I’d hate to say this,
but I think it would be wise if you women would leave these grounds. We wouldn’t want any of you to get hurt,
now, would we?” the woman was stern, standing straighter than an arrow, fierce
rage in her eyes knowing the entrance of the warrior woman and the ancient
would be very soon.
“I
wouldn’t exactly count on us as the ones to get hurt. Maybe, just maybe you’ve crossed the waters for nothing. Besides, it’s not ‘us’ that you should be
worried about.” Ephiny grinned
slightly, knowing that these women would fight to the end. She knew Callisto wouldn’t allow them to
stay alive if they failed her and would give it their all to the end.
“You
seem to have a lot of confidence in that you think you will succeed.
However, these are highly trained assassins, ready to do my mistress’
bidding. Even I will not rest until you
are all defeated.”
Ephiny
took a cautious step forward. The
others behind her took to their tactical formation of a slight crescent
shape. “Obviously, you have been
working for the wrong side. You should
consider changing your minds now and heading for the hills before the others
descend upon you and teach you a lesson or two.” Her body was now tense, feeling the anger grow in the woman
facing her, seeing the rage of her offending words settle on her mind.
As
if by cue, a very distinct war cry was sounded as a figure of woman
somersaulted her way to the middle of the crowd,
“lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalaya!”
Stepping between Ephiny and a brunette she was facing, raising an
perfectly arched eyebrow, “hello, girls.”
Even
faster than the normal eye could muster, the ancient one came with a fury. “Hey.
Leave some for me.” Her eyes of bacchus stared down the
brunette. The fear that emanated from
this youth shown on her face. “I know
you’re frightened, child. It doesn’t
have to be this way. You could simply
walk away from all of this. Maybe even
live a different life.”
She
was enraged at the implications of no longer working or even being a part of
Callisto’s life. “There would be no way
on this planet, in this millennium, or even in your life time.” She moved closer the ancient one. Standing taller than her mistress’ enemy,
she tried not to show how tense her body became at the knowledge of having to
fight against such warriors like Xena and Gabrielle. “It doesn’t matter. I
could never go back to my mistress and think that I didn’t at least attempt to
mangle your precious little body.”
Xena
stepped in between them, smiling, “well, then, let me give a word of
advice. Leave now, while you can still
walk away on your own two feet, or deal with the consequences of fighting me.”
Before
Xena could get another word in, Justin stood at her mistress’ side, “because
it’s me who you’re gonna have to get through before you lay a hand on these
women.”
The
children of Ephiny surrounded the women from Callisto’s entourage. “Okay.
If this is the way you want it, then we fight.”
As
they all began to fight, Janice looked through one of the window of the
plane. She had never seen anything like
it in her entire life. It was all over
so quickly, she couldn’t even keep count of how many hit the pavement. Then, out of blue, Justin was fighting the
woman who thought she could win Callisto’s heart, even if it were as just her
slave.
They
were in a locked point, both less than half an inch away from killing the
other. “You should give this up. I really don’t want to hurt you, too.”
“Why? Do you think that it would matter to me
whether or not you exist? I won’t let
you come between me and Callisto. You
would have to kill me to get to her. And
I would rather die than be defeated by you.”
Knowing
that this woman was in fact very much in love with the other blonde. “You seem to have forgotten something.”
“Oh,
really? And what might that be?”
“The
fact that she is my sister, that this battle is indeed mine, and that if it
must be that you die, then so be it.
Only I would be the one to miss you.
Not even my sister would shed a tear me, did you think she would shed
half of one for you?”
The
other women were already beaten unconscious, dead, or now running for their
lives. The children of Ephiny stood
tall, some with lacerations and bruises.
Gabrielle’s face was back to normal, she smiled at Ephiny, proud of her
regent queen’s descendant.
Xena,
who was by her side reassuring her bard with a squeeze to her lover’s arm,
walked over to Justin. “hey,
Justin. It’s over. She can’t hurt us now.”
At
that same instant, the young woman attempted a maneuver that would be fatal to
herself as Justin caught her intention quicker than imagined. The woman, while the knife was still in her
own hand, noticed she had it embedded in her own chest. Justin’s mouth was a breath’s hair away the
woman’s ear as she whispered, “I’m truly sorry you chose it to be this
way. I forgive you. I hope you can forgive me, too.” Then, she brought her eyes to meet the dying
woman’s eyes. With her last bit of
energy and passion for her killer’s sister, she kissed Justin flush on her
mouth. They kept their eyes locked on
each other as the woman’s last breath slowly flowed through Justin’s mouth,
down to her lungs, simultaneously shedding a solitary tear. As it ended, Justin ended their kiss. The young one backed away from her.
Xena
knelt down beside her to help her up, but Justin was too swift, still in her
bacchae state. “Justin! Wait!”
The young one practically flew to Ephiny’s side, whispered for her to
give the other four women another car.
Then, with a lightning speed, ran to the car, and drove away. Before anyone else could say anything, Xena
got up and ran to her lover’s side.
“Gabrielle. We have no time to
lose. We must get to Melinda’s house
immediately. I don’t want her fighting
Callisto alone.”
“You’re
right. Ephiny…”
Before
she uttered another word, Ephiny’s descendant gave her the keys to another car
that was parked very close to the plane.
She got in, started the engine, then burned rubber as she sped off, leaving
a trail of dust in the air.
Seeing
from the plane window, Janice signaled over to Mel to get ready to begin the
“unload/reload” Justin mentioned to her earlier. “We’re have to move.
Now.”
Seeing
her lover’s concerned face, she hurriedly got everything together. “Janice?
What just happened?”
“Justin
just took off without us. I think she’s
headed for the house to face Callisto alone.
It doesn’t look good right now.”
They
opened the door of the plane and started bringing the bags of weapons to the
car. Janice threw one of the heavy bags
to Xena, who caught it gracefully and tossed in the trunk. The ancient one and her warrior princess got
in the back of the car, as Janice got in behind the wheel as Mel sat in the
passenger side next to her. They all
closed the doors simultaneously and took off for Melinda’s house.
“I’ll
drive,” said Janice. “I know a shortcut
through the back roads. It should help
us catch up with her, if not pass her with just enough time to set up.”
Melinda
gave her lover a quick hug and a smile, remembering the time Janice was
somewhat late for party that was being held at her house and how the only thing
she saw was a dust forming in the backroads leading to the backyard. Then, they all quickly got in and sped off
into the sun as it was setting.
ššššššš
I can’t let her hurt
them. Really, I am so sorry my
mistresses. We have been through quite
enough. But, so has my sister. My sister…
I do remember your face as me and mother were burning alive back in
Cirra. You’ve been through enough pain
and have made enough people go through it as well. Now… Now, it’s time this
all stops. And if I must die doing so,
then, so be it. However, you too will
be finished once and for all.
She
continue to speed like a bacchae hungry after smelling the blood of her next
victim.
ššššššš
As
they pulled into the driveway and parked the car, Callisto got out and took a
long look about the premises.
“Hmmm. It’s a shame this won’t
look the same when I get through with it.”
Walking up the front steps, one
of her entourage kicked the front door open.
Looking at her young girl, she walked closer to her. Reaching up with right hand, she pulled the
girl even closer and kissed her fast and hard.
When she pulled away, she looked her straight in the eye and said,
“thank you.”
Shocked,
she stumbled on her words, “f-f-f- for what?”
“Oh,
just because.” She turned a full circle
where she stood to take another look around before she walked through the
doorway. “Ah, such sweet, delightful memories.” As she ended on a high note, she could feel
herself slightly tense as she realized it could all end here, today. Or, it could be just the beginning of a new,
fiendish era where the darkness would rule, and all the little weak people
would know what it really is to suffer the wrath of the warrior queen,
Callisto, as she would free Ares so they may rule the world the way it is
today.
ššššššš
The
girls were packed and on their way to Melinda’s house. Janice knew enough of the backroads and
shortcuts to the house from other visits to safely and quickly get them there
without further interference.
“My
word, Janice. Take it easy! Just get us there in one piece. Okay?”
Melinda was practically holding on for dear life, although she knows
that her strawberry-blonde lover would ever want harm for anybody in the car.
“I’m
sorry, love. I just want us all to get
there before anything really bad happens.”
“Alright,
you two. Let’s just get there so we can
get this done and over with,” Xena grumbled.
Her gut feelings were telling her that by the time they were to arrive
at the house, it was not going to be a pretty bad site. She turned to Gabrielle for some comfort in
knowing her bard, as usual, was by her side.
“Gabrielle, I know you can take of yourself as you have before. Just please, please be careful. Let Janice and me go in first.”
“I
really wish you would give me enough credit to let me go in with you.”
“Gabrielle,
it’s not that I trust you or don’t give you credit. I’m very proud of you and proud of what you’ve accomplished
throughout these centuries. I’m just
really worried about what will
happen when we do get there. You know as well as I do how unpredictable
Callisto can be. Plus the fact that we
have a bacchae on the loose who has been holding back a lot of anger from all
that she’s been through before we met her and since her reunion with her
sister.” She paused momentarily as she
looked out the motorcar window from the backseat. I just hope we get there
before Justin does. No telling what
she’ll do if we’re not there to help her.
ššššššš
Racing
on, Justin could see the house just up ahead.
Slowing down a bit, she could see a few of her sister’s goons waiting in
front and in back of the house. There
were bushes that shield the car so you really couldn’t see who was in it. The girls that were standing around the
backyard could see the car whizzing by and started gathering around. Not seeing who was driving, the girls
decided to be a little more cautious.
But, to no avail, they were shocked as a big net came out of nowhere and
engulf the lot of four girls. The young
immortal, now bacchae, quickly and quietly tied them up together.
Unable
to move, one of the girls said, “don’t think because you got passed us that our
mistress won’t get you in the end, miss sweet thing.”
“Ah,
but, you see. That’s what I’m counting
on. This will be done and over, once
and for all. You all can see her in
Tartarus later. Right now, I have much
more important things to attend, besides my sister.” Oh yes, my sweet
sister. This will all be over very
soon. And you and I will have been
forever forgotten amongst the dead.
Despite the fact that Justin knew exactly where her sister’s sword is
located, she could smell where her sister was before stepping in the house.
She
climbed the side of the house, spotting the second floor patio doors that lead
to the main den just down the hall from the stairs. I’m coming for you, my
sister. She telepathically told
her, taunting Callisto’s thoughts with feelings of sensual arousal. This
time, you will be mine to play with.
The patio door was ajar. She
cautiously crawled through, like a big cat on the prowl for food. Knowing the basic layout of the place, she
carefully snaked her way down the hall.
She could feel her sister close.
I know you’re here, my sweet. It’s time to have some fun. At the
thought of those words, Justin became slightly nauseous, realizing that’s
exactly what the other blonde would say
just before she took advantage of someone.
She quickly snapped out of it when she heard the commotion from in front
of the house.
ššššššš
The
girls had pulled up in the driveway, right behind a car that was already there.
“Xena,
something’s going on inside. I can
sense Justin, but, at the same time it’s not her. What are we gonna do?”
Gabrielle was close to leading everybody in the house and jumping in on
whatever action there was. Knowing
better, she waited for her warrior queen’s signal.
“Gabrielle,
wait just a minute. We are not going to
risk everybody’s life and simply jump in without a plan.”
“Well,
Xena. You always seem to come up with a
good plan. What do you have in mind
this time?”
She
went on to tell them what needed to be done.
Now, it was only a question of execution. If everything was timed right, nobody would get hurt, except for
Callisto. After it would all be done
and over with, the one remaining situation to deal with would be Justin, …if
she survived this ordeal.
ššššššš
She
found her way down the stairs. She
could smell her sister, feeling the proximity of her body not too far,
now. As she advanced towards the
sitting room, from the corner of her eye, she spotted the other blonde who was
standing up against the wall, waiting for Justin to enter the room.
“Funny. I can actually feel the power emanating from
somewhere close by. What do ya say we
look for it together.” Callisto got up
off the wall. Walking towards the young
immortal, now in bacchae form, her facial features expressing the psychotic
side of this other blonde.
“Did
you think I came here to help you? To be a part of your…sick…demented little
scheme to reek havoc on the world once you’ve retrieve the sword and released
Ares? You really have lost it. Haven’t you? And here I thought you could be reformed.”
“oh,
really? And how on this planet did you think you could reform me? With a little sex? Tenderness,
perhaps? Not on your immortal life,
baby. Xena and Gabrielle should be here
any minute with there descendant doubles.
And I will, once and for all, finish them the way I should have many,
many centuries ago.”
“No. You’ll have to go through me first. Go ahead.
Kill me first, like you’ve killed countless others that have gotten in
the way of your continued miserable existence.
All you’ve done throughout time is to make sure that everybody else
suffers as much if not more than what you’ve endured. It’s time to stop this.
All of this.”
“Aha. And you think that you’re the one who’s
going to stop me? Think again,
sweetie.”
They
ran to each other in the middle of the room.
Fists were flying, legs were kicking, bodies were thrown across the room
from one end to the next. Justin
finally got Callisto on the floor, her knee in the other blonde’s back. Callisto’s arm was twisted behind her back, held
securely by Justin. Her free hand
pulling the blonde hairs from her sister as if it were the reign of horse.
“Okay.
So, like, what do you plan to do with me, now that you’ve got me secured?
Huh?” She couldn’t understand it, but
this time, she couldn’t get loose from Justin’s hold. The more she struggled to find a way to break loose, the more
tight the young immortal held her in place.
She
bent down, placing her lips close to Callisto’s face, “how sweet it is to have you in a submissive position. Hmmm?
I’m starting to like you this way, my sister. Kind of kinky.” She let
her tongue slide up Callisto’s neck, and around her ear lobe. Tasting her sister was something she never
thought she’d enjoy, but she did. The
feeling of her tongue slide against Callisto’s skin was exciting and appalling
at the same time. As she licked her
lips, she whispered close to her ear, “I could
just make you a bacchae instead of going after some stupid sword. We’d both be unbeatable.”
As
Callisto thought about what Justin said, she realized the young one was
right. “Yes. Then no one could stop me!
Not even Xena and her little bitch, the irritating little blonde in her bacchae form. They wouldn’t stand a chance against
me. Oh, to hell with Ares. He can fend for himself. I would be invincible and wouldn’t need him
anyway.”
“Small
problem with this fabulous thought.”
She let go of her sister’s golden hair.
She moved Callisto onto her back, still holding on to her twisted arm.
Pleading
with her sister, “oh, Justin. Just do
it. Bite me. We can do so much together.
Hell, I’ll even be your little slave bitch every now and again.”
She
inched her way closer to Callisto’s lips to meet her own. Then, she kissed her. It was long and passionate, almost wild with
a vehemence of desire. As she pulled
herself away slightly, cautiously, “despite the fact that we’re sisters, I
could never express to you the gratitude I have for loving someone as much as I
love you, now… and always.” She began
to pull apart the other blonde’s clothes, kissing her, licking her, nipping at
her skin, her breasts. Callisto was
loving every moment of it. Justin
couldn’t help herself. The excitement
that emanated from the other blonde, the arousal, even the torment, all of the
emotions of giving herself and taking at the same time. Again, Justin revealed her feelings,
“Callisto, I so love you.” It stunned
her to the point where she stopped moving.
She could feel the cold steel of a dagger ramming into her heart.
“Ugh.. Justin.
Justin? Why?”
At
the same time she said that, Xena and Gabrielle entered the room. The ancient gasped, “Xena.”
Xena
stood ready, but saw that it was too late.
She held out her arm so her bard wouldn’t advance further into the
room. They both saw that it was too
late for Justin to turn back time. Too
late for Callisto to ask for a second chance.
There would be no more other blonde ruining the lives of so many.
“I
see you beat me to it.”
Justin
slid her hand behind Callisto’s neck, raising her body towards her, Callisto’s
arms now around Justin’s neck. The
other blonde kissed her sister goodbye, then said, “Justin….. I….love you….” She could see a sincerity she never imagined she have a chance to
glance at. She pulled her closer to let
their lips touch again. As they kissed,
Callisto breathed her last breath into her.
The tears were streaking down Justin’s face. Her heart was now broken because she finally found someone who,
although it was in her last moment of life, died before she could share in the
happiness of a love she thought would never be.
As she pulled her body
away from her sister’s, she slowly pulled the dagger out from Callisto’s
heart. From the wound came a blinding
light that emanated through the windows of the house. Janice and Melinda saw this as a sign to run into the house. Seeing Justin on the floor, holding only the
dagger, Xena and Gabrielle standing in each other’s arms, Mel stood behind
Janice.
“Oh,
my!” she gasped.
Janice
looked up at Xena, “what happened?”
“Looks
like Justin got to her before I could.
I wanted to spare her having to spill blood. But, now, it’s done. It’s over and Callisto is gone forever. Now it’s time to pick up the pieces she’s
left behind.” With that, she gave her
lover a squeeze, then started to head for Justin only to be pulled back by
Janice.
“Xena,
no. Let me.”
The
warrior princess looked over to Dr. Covington, curving her lips in an
understanding smile, and nodded in agreement.
As
Janice slowly narrowed the distance between her and Justin, still in her
bacchae form, the young one let out a howl of despair, sadness, the feeling of
pain from a broken heart as the dagger lay in her hands, and thoughts of her
sister, dead. Everybody in the room,
including Xena, had streaks of tears running down their faces. For Xena, it was the thought of Justin
losing her sister, despite of who she was, she was still Justin’s sister.
Sensing
the approaching form, Justin put up a hand, “stop. Don’t come any closer.
It’s all over and done with.
‘ding, dong, the wicked witch is dead’.
Now, it’s time for me to go. I
can’t stay with anyone any longer.”
Gabrielle
interrupted, “but, Justin. You’re
supposed to come with Xena and me.
Don’t you remember? You’re
suppose to fly the plane back. We’re
supposed to have long talks about you being of my blood now. You are my blood and forever will be.”
“Mistress
Gabrielle, I can’t even face you right now.
What makes you think that I’ll be coming back with you?” she buried her
face in her hands, bent over in a ball, kneeling on the floor, tears seeping
through her fingers. “I can’t. I just… I can’t. This is too much in so little time. I’m sorry if I can’t follow you right now. I need… I need to end
the pain, the pain I’ve caused you and mistress Xena and miss Janice and miss
Melinda.”
The
warrior princess moved forward.
Standing next to Janice, “Justin, just listen for a moment.
Please.” Standing on one side of the
young immortal, Xena wrapped her hand around the young one’s arm, helping her
to her feet along with Dr. Covington.
Justin’s hands were still covering her face as the warrior princess
wrapped her strong arms around her.
“sh, sh… there, there now. Don’t
worry. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
“We promise,” said Gabrielle. “You know we’ll take good care of you. You’ve taken great care of us over these
past few years, so now it’s our turn to
take care of you.” Her lips curved in a
comforting smile as she tried to find Justin’s eyes.
“Mel,
why don’t you and Gabrielle make some tea, or something so we can all sit until
the police arrive. I’m sure those girls
in the back of the house aren’t going anyway any time soon.” Janice motioned for Xena to help her walk Justin
to the sofa.
As
she sat, her bacchae form regressed from site.
Her teeth no longer protruding her lips, her eyes back to their normal
light brown. Justin held on to Janice
by her shoulder. They stood face to
face, with Xena still at her other side.
The look of despair and profound loss was not missed by Xena.
“I
feel sick.”
Mel
quickly went to get a bucket, just in case.
Then, she went back to the kitchen where Gabrielle was boiling water for
some herbal tea.
“How
is she?”
“Oh,
Gabrielle. It doesn’t look like she’s
doing too well. I brought her a bucket
because she said she’s feeling sick.”
“That
doesn’t sound too encouraging.” She
paused to waiver whether she should tell Justin now, or wait until later when
her stomach has settled to tell her how she’s going to have to deal with being
a bacchae these first couple of days.
“I think it’d be best if we just comfort her for now, and try to keep
her stomach as settled as possible.”
“Do
you think this all has to do with her being a bacchae?”
“It
has a lot to do with it. And now more so than ever because of the
scent of blood that lingers in her. She
has yet to realize she has some traces of Callisto’s blood on her hands. I can remember like it was yesterday when I
first lost my blood innocence. Still, I
think having gone through what she has these past few days, I wouldn’t be
surprised if the combination of it all would factor in to all of this. She’s going to need our help now more than
ever.”
The
girls heard the crash of a window breaking.
They looked at each other, then ran into living room. Gabrielle, sensing the danger that might be
at large, waved Mel to stay behind her and motioned with a finger to her lips
to not say a word.
Meanwhile,
the girls were stunned as one of Callisto’s warriors came crashing through the
side window, tumbling into the room, then getting on her feet.
“Where
is she?” the girl’s eyes focused on
Justin as Xena and Janice readied themselves for battle.
“She’s…
Calli’…” she couldn’t bring herself to
say it just then. The young one stood
up to confront the girl. Walking
towards her, she came within inches of her face. Raising her hand, she cupped the girl’s face in her hand, crying
as she said, “she’s gone.” She could
smell the blood still on her hands, so she pulled away, trying desperately to
figure out where to put her hands.
Staring
at Justin, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You mean, she’s dead?”
“Yes.” Justin was beginning to show signs of
desperation.
Xena
knew this girl was going to be trouble.
Attempting to get closer to Justin, the young one just signaled for her
to stay back. “No, Xena. Let me take care of this. Please.”
“Then
you shall die, too.”
She
lunged forward, a dagger in her hand, stabbing Justin in the stomach. Justin could clearly see what Callisto meant
to this girl. She was surprised it took
her all this time, between the time they spent at Callisto’s place in Egypt,
coming to the United States, to follow her mistress here, to the house of Dr.
Mel Pappas. Knowing that this girl,
Surina, was in love with the other blonde, she made a point of looking her
straight in the eye. She pulled the
girl closer, letting her dig the dagger deeper.
“I
know you were in love with her. So was
I. You’ve done this out of rage, anger
and revenge for the one who you have loved.
I cannot blame you for this.”
The
girl’s face went white with disbelief. How could she have known? The girl was stunned, so much so, that she
pulled the dagger out. Taking one step
back, she took Justin’s face. “I will
see you in hell before long, you bitch.” Then walked away, dropping the dagger as the
others cleared a path for her.
“I
know, in time, she will have thought long and hard before realizing how much my
sister really meant to her. For now,
the pain in both our hearts will be with us for a long time.” Justin’s body collapsed before she could say
another word. Janice and Xena helped
her onto the sofa as Mel fainted and fell back on a chair not more than half a
foot behind her.
The
warrior princess turned to her lover’s descendant, “you’d better go check on
Melinda. She’ll need you to get through
this.”
She
nodded. Rushing to her lover’s aid,
“Mel. Mel. Melinda, it’s me. It’s
okay.” Putting her arms around her,
“it’s okay, love. I’ve got you. I’ve
got you.”
Gabrielle
turned to Xena, smiling she said, “gee, doesn’t that sound familiar?” with a
half giggle as the warrior looked into sparkling green eyes and smiled in
return.
“Oh
Janice. I don’t know… I… I just don’t
know what has gotten over me. I can’t
stop crying.”
“Maybe
it’s because your emotions were triggered by the whole incident. Maybe, this is just all too much for you
right now. Hell, I don’t know,
Mel. I do know it’s been a lot for
me.” Then she held her lover closer,
embracing the taller woman with all the warmth and love she could muster to
ease her body from the frantic trembling.
Feeling her heart beat faster at the closeness, Melinda looked up into
emerald green eyes, pulling her lover even closer still, then kissed her, long,
sweet, passionately until they broke apart to catch their breath.
“Hmm. Things don’t seem to change through
generations do they, Xena?”
“No,
Gabrielle. I guess they don’t.” she turned her attention once again to
Justin, who was now in a normal state of being. Her crying had stopped and she was no longer feeling
nauseous. “C’mon, Justin. We’ll stay for a little bit until you feel
up to bringing us home.”
“Do
you mean that?”
Xena
and Gabrielle both shook their heads yes.
“Really? Even after all that I’ve put you through?”
Gabrielle
grabbed hold of Justin’s arm, caressing it she said, “of course. Don’t be silly. Besides, who else is gonna fly that thing anyway?”
Janice
and Mel giggle, as Dr. Pappas said, “please.
Stay as long as y’all like. My
home is your home. I’ll start some
dinner for all of us for now while we wait for the police to arrive and haul
the other girls away. But, you must
stay at least a few more days. We could
show y’all around town and all. Right
Janice?”
“Sure. We’ll have a blast. And we can see who can tell who apart when
we’re in public.”
They
all laughed.
ššššššš