A FRIEND IN NEED: REIMAGINED

pt.4

Xena and Gabrielle stood amidst the flames of the burning village of Higuchi. Xena looked around as tried to think of what to do to stop the blaze. As she quietly scanned their surroundings, Xena spotted the water tower that was on the opposite side of the village.

XENA
The water tower. If we release the water from it we can stop the fire. But how do we get there from here?

Xena looked at the wall of fire that stood between them and the tower. Gabrielle thought for a moment and got an idea.

GABRIELLE
Acrobats.

XENA
What? Never mind there's no time to explain. Show me.

Gabrielle ran off with Xena following. They quickly scaled up some scaffolding and Gabrielle grabbed a nearby rope.

GABRIELLE
Grab on.

Xena took the rope. And with the two of them holding on, they jumped off the roof and swung nearly halfway across the village. Letting go in midair, Xena and Gabrielle landed on an outstretched cloth, which catapulted them up on to another rooftop.

XENA
Okay what next?

Gabrielle quickly looked around.

GABRIELLE
I got it.

XENA
Lead on.

GABRIELLE
This way.

As more explosions went off around them, Xena and Gabrielle ran. Avoiding the fire that rained down from above. With Gabrielle ahead, she quickly picked up speed and then jumped across a large gap and flew through a window landing inside of a building. She looked back, waiting for Xena to join her. But before Xena could make the jump another explosion went off, blasting Xena back and cutting off her route.

GABRIELLE
Xena!

XENA
I'm fine.

Xena got back up.

XENA
Keep going.

Gabrielle and Xena ran jumping from one to the next or their respective buildings heading towards the water tower. Each encountering and quickly taking care of any enemies that stood in their way. As Gabrielle got to the window of the last building she saw the tower only a few yards away. She looked over seeing Xena in the window of the building across from her. Then Gabrielle saw a long ladder leaning up against the side of the building she was in. She quickly eyed the ladders hight. Then reaching out to window she grabbed the ladder. And after quickly lining it up properly,  Gabrielle lept out of the window. As she was coming down from the hight of her jump, while holding it at the top, she planted the ladder on the on the ground. While keeping a firm grip, Gabrielle got her feet on one of the rungs as her momentum sent the ladder tipping forward. She quickly began climbing up it as it fell. As she reached the top Gabrielle realized that she didn't jump far enough and the ladder wasn't going to make it to the water tower.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Damn it!

Gabrielle stretched out her arm as far as she could. Just hoping it would be enough as she continued to fall forward. Xena watched from the other window unable to do anything.

XENA
Gabrielle!

Gabrielle stretched out her hand as she fell. Her fingertips just managed to catch the edge of the platform on the water tower, stopping her fall. Holding on for dear life, Gabrielle pulled herself up onto the platform. She made sure to hook her foot on the ladder to keep it from falling. Once she was up, Gabrielle sent the ladder over to Xena. Then she began trying to release the water from the tower. When Xena got the ladder she did the same as Gabrielle. She made sure to get a small running start before she jumped to cover more distance so she wouldn't come up short. Seconds later Xena landed beside Gabrielle who was still trying to release the water.

XENA
Look out.

Xena swiftly drew her sword and cut off the valve, sending the water jetting out to extinguish the flames. Xena looked down at the soldiers still attacking.

XENA
Now it's my turn.

She let out her battle cry as she jumped off the water tower, slid hallway down the ladder that was leaning on the lower part of the tower and jumped off, flipping through the air and landed on the ground in front of a group of soldiers.

XENA
So are you guys gonna leave willingly or do I have to rough ya up first?

SOLDIER
Get her!

Xena fought against the soldiers as Gabrielle tried to figure out how she was going to get down from the tower. She looked around and saw a cart full of hay that the fire hadn't reached.  She ran along the ledge and jumped towards the cart, landing in the soft hay. As she climbed out, Gabrielle drew her sais and ran back towards where Xena was fighting. As she got closer Gabrielle heard one of them yell to retreat. Clearly realizing that the battle had been lost, the soldiers flead. Gabrielle slowed to a jog and stopped as she stood beside Xena.

GABRIELLE
(Joking) You couldn't save me any?

XENA
(Joking) Hey it's not my fault they ran.

Gabrielle looked at her.

XENA
Okay it's not completely my fault.

The villagers cheared as Xena and Gabrielle walked through the village. The smoke began to clear as the last lingering cinders went out. Xena put her arm over Gabrielle's shoulders as they walked along.

XENA
Nice work. Maybe a bit flashier then I would've done but it worked.

GABRIELLE
Really Xena? That was flashy? Compared to the stuff I've watched you do over the years, that was tame.

Xena laughed.

XENA
Guess you got a point there.

Xena and Gabrielle made their way towards the village entrance. Gabrielle thought about what Xena had told her before they had reached Higuchi.

GABRIELLE
Hey Xena I just thought of something.

XENA
Hmm?

GABRIELLE
You said you taught Akemi how to use the pinch.

XENA
Gabrielle I know you're upset about...

GABRIELLE
No it's not that. I was just wondering if she ever used it.

Gabrielle heard Xena's voice change to a more somber tone.

XENA
Yes. Unfortunately she did.

TO BE CONTINUED...