Invasion of Azure

Xena darted behind a rock. Hopefully the Zekronians wouldn’t spot her. She peeled out from the rock. The fanged, tall hybrid growled something, and the smaller ones fanned out. She looked around wildly and found a girl madly waving her arms at her. Xena shifted around so she would be in the girl’s view. She put a finger to her lips urgently. She pointed to the spreading Zekronians. Lex seemed to get the message. She risked a glance at them. The path was clear so far. She slowly crept out, exposed, and ran as fast as she could to the other rock. “What’s going on?” Xena demanded. “You’re supposed to be at the Rising Star.

“Um… we got worried and volunteered to look for you. You should have returned with the Azure by now,” Lex said, agitated. “Azure? I thought I was scouting!” Xena glared at Lex. “Yeah, but Master Ru asked me to tell you that you gotta hunt for Azure instead.” “Are you here to check on me or tell me to hunt Azure?” Xena asked furiously. “Both.” said Lex meekly. Xena groaned. She'd tried to tell Master Ru that she couldn't hunt Azure- it was just too dangerous to do alone. Or she didn't want to get near to the Zekronians. Or she wasn't brave enough. It was definitely the last one. Lex probably guessed what she was thinking. “You're totally brave! But you probably couldn't do it… you know what? Come back to the Rising Star!” she tried to cheer Xena up. “Fine.” “Come on! Don't be so grumpy!” “I'm not grumpy! But it's the end of the world! Not a game.” scoffed Xena, looking away. “We might not even win.” At this, Lex looked infuriated. “Xena! Snap out of it! Sure, this is a little unorganized. But if you're gonna be like ‘Hey, we’re all gonna die!' It's not going to work out,” Lex said. Her eyes flicked to something in Xena's pocket. Lex snatched it out. Her eyes widened. “Xena.” she breathed. “This is a snapshooter.” Xena backed away. “I know.. I just couldn't resist.” Lex rose to her full height. “How long have you been carrying it?” she asked. “For three weeks.” Xena replied quietly. Lex began hyperventilating. “The Rising Star could be in danger. Ricky could be in danger.” she whispered. “Let's get home.” Xena eased. Lex looked at her. And flung the tiny Flexo camera far away.

“What were you thinking?” Nilo yelled. “You could have put everyone in danger!” “I know,” said Xena miserably, looking away. “You're out of field missions.” Nilo said, coldly. “Permanently.”

“Wee!” Darry smacked the toy airplane on Xena's nose. “Ow! No, Darry! Stop! Or I'll tell your parents!” Xena squealed when he tried to put some pink goo on her face. The cheeky baby didn't seem all that affected by the threat. Xena sighed. Knowing Lex was out there, probably with her new bestie, tracking Azure. Something she'd never be able to do again. All because of one temptation. She attempted a nap. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Xena was standing in the desert. Lex and a boy were holding something up triumphantly. “Wait!” Xena yelled. But before she could reach them, they faded away. She whipped around. Two large eyes were fixated on her. “You put the whole camp in danger.” It was Nilo's voice. “Risked it for a foolish temptation.” The scene switched. Fire. Screaming. Confusion. So, so much confusion. Two men dragged her out. The last thing she saw before her house collapsed was her parents' faces.

Xena rubbed her eyes. “I need a break,” she said. She got up, and opened the door. Darry was thankfully asleep. The corridors seemed endless. She heard mysterious voices coming from a closed door. When she passed it, the door opened in her face. Someone enveloped her in a hug. “Xena!” Lex squealed. “I missed you!” A boy came out from behind her. “This is Kai, my new partner!” Kai waved. “Hi,” he said quietly. “Come on, let's explore, besties!” Lex giggled. Besties? As in Kai? Oh. Xena leaned on a door. “No, but project Reign is underway.” a voice whispered. “When is the sacrifice?” the other asked. “Lex? Oh, next week.” “Perfect.” Lex and Kai were listening with bated breaths. “We got to get out of here!” urged Xena. The door opened. A face stared coldly at them. It was Nilo. “You know the punishment for treason,” he said, lips curled in a smile.

“And stay out!” Nilo yelled, as he closed the gates. A mark on Xena's hand indicated that they were.. banished. “What about the sacrifice?” Kai asked. “The Rising Star isn't what it seems,” Lex whispered. “Yeah,” said Xena confidently. “They just want to conquer, like the Zekronians.” Kai clenched his fists. Xena looked forward, a glint in her eyes. She exhaled slowly. “We have to fix this,” she said, determind. “It's time for the real revolution.”

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