SATURDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 4/18/98
[Previous report was for 4/16/98]

Hi guys,

We have a new fanfic site now available, FIRE'S WRITING INDEX featuring Xena, Hercules and Ares fanfic. The site is at: http://www.electricferret.com/fireheart/wrindex.html

Six new ones tonight and some great updates.

GENERAL FICTION:

THE SWORD AND THE SERPENT by Marina Frants
Featuring an outstanding characterization of the God of War and a really clever depiction of the world of immortals, this story is original, well-written and very entertaining. It begins with a family dinner in Olympus where a frustrated Ares is at a loss to understand how his family continues to ignore the growing threat that is Dahak. Realizing he is not going to get any help from them, the Wargod visits the realms of other deities seeking an alliance but unbeknownst to him, Dahak is already beginning to make his move. With no alternatives left Ares has to appeal to the half-brother he's always hated and the warlord- turned-hero who despises him in a desperate plan to try to stop an evil that former warlord and her partner are all too familiar with. This story is certain to delight anyone who sees the charm in the God of War. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://smithsonian.simplenet.com/fanfic/serpent.htm

TO SLAY DRAGONS by Raistlyn
Xena and Gabrielle get some help from a couple of old friends as they fight to try to keep Poteidaia from being destroyed by warring armies. With three chapters released so far this story has some good action and definite potential.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/toslaydragons.html

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

THE BARD AND THE BEANSTALK: A XENAVERSE FAERY TALE by Nene Adams
Nene concludes her delightful XENAVERSE FAERY TALES series with a truly magical tale that has an act of kindness giving the warrior and bard immortality in a different world where their love and courage endures while the stories of Xena and Gabrielle continue to be told. A MUST READ! HIGLY RECOMMENDED!
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/thebardandbean.html

A FEATHERED TALE by Silk
Silk's newest has Gabrielle sharing with the Warrior Princess her latest composition - a little tale about a warrior who angers the gods and the bard who eventually proves that birds of a feather DO love to flock together ;-) Gabrielle's tale in here reads very much like a true tale from Ancient Greece. A fun read.
http://members.tripod.com/~Fruit_2/fiction/ftale.html

IF THOU LOVEST by Nene Adams
A harrowing tale of determination, endurance and unparalleled love which has Gabrielle dying and a desperate Xena traveling to the Underworld prepared to get her bard back at any cost. In parts Nene's narrative has an almost poetic style to it. [Note: story is not explicit]
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/ifthou.html

QUEEN'S ORDERS by Katelin B.
While at the Amazon village Xena and the queen decide to take a quick break from their duties. Invigorating little tale ;-)
http://members.tripod.com/~Katelin_B/orders.html

PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY by Paul Seely and Jennifer Garza
Part 9 of this story is now available. This is the highly anticipated sequel to one of the best uber-Xena stories available on the Net, SURFACING which already looks like it's going to rival Paul and Jennifer's first story as one wildly exiting ride! Featuring one VERY deadly encounter between a trained killer and the men assigned to protect its quarry, the opening sequence is a gripping combination of suspense, action, intrigue and pathos - set in sharp contrast to the scenes which follow as we see Diana and Charlie enjoying domestic life. The months of tranquillity, however, have not affected the ex-agent's razor-sharp senses which soon enough are warning her that the peace she's been enjoying may just be coming to an end. In this latest part, a deadly deal is made...with an innocent life as the price. As in SURFACING, Paul and Jennifer do here an outstanding job of imbuing their writing with a very contemporary "feel". The relationship between Diana and Charlie is characterized by an easiness between them - a level of comfort that reveals their love even in the smallest of gestures. Excellent writing and excellent storytelling. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://members.aol.com/PJSeely/index.html

CHICAGO 5AM by L.N. James
Chapter 11 of this story is now available. Teenagers are disappearing from the streets of Chicago, casualties of a dark subculture based on drugs, sex and rock and roll. Assigned to investigate is Mariel Potidean, a brilliant young FBI agent who soon finds herself teamed with a rather irritating partner - an ex-cop by the name of Tina Amphipoli with a dangerous reputation, a mysterious past and electric blue eyes. In this latest chapter Tina and Mariel discuss their plan from the bottom up as it were >:) L.N.'s newest delivers an engaging premise with two very strong characters and lots of potential for suspense, drama and romance. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://www.squonk.net/users/lnjames/CHICAGO.htm

STAY NEAR, KEEP CLOSE by Ms. Auggie
Chapters 31-33 of this story are now available. This is an action-packed story that has Janice and Mel off on a new adventure when a vicious attack in Turkey forces them to go on the run. It is the beginning of a nightmare that will pull them apart only to later reunite them as evil threatens to destroy what they have just begun discovering. In these latest chapters, with more danger ahead for them the two finally surrender to the passion between them. Ms. Auggie is developing a terrific tale here with some wonderful characterizations and a very tender romance. A MUST READ!
http://www.sonic.net/LightStreams/AAfanfic/staynear.html

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)