Pairings: Xena Warrior Princess—Xena/Gabrielle (uber-gen); Hercules—Hercules/Serena; Spider-Man—Peter/Mary Jane; Smallville—Clana, Chlex

Notes Part 1: The characters from “Forever Knight” belong to Sony Tri-Star. The characters from “Xena Warrior Princess” and “Hercules the Legendary Journeys” belong to StudiosUSA and Renaissance Studios. The characters from “Smallville” belong to DC Comics and the WB. Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson belong to Marvel. The characters from “Mutant X” belong to Marvel and Tribune. The characters from “Dark Angel” belong to Tribune. All other characters and scenarios are fictitious and belong to me. Please send any questions or comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.

Notes Part 2:  Thanks to Judy, Rhonda, Peggy and Emily for their tips. Oh and in going along with the spirit of the story, I typed the story out on my old word processor. Read on to see what I mean…<heh>


Introduction [Queen’s Hut, Amazon Village c.87 AD]

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes….

With each age’s arrival, new innovations seek to make our lives easier. In our own lives, Xena and I have seen inventions benefiting both war and peace, machines and ideas spanning the world and bringing peoples together. Whenever we venture to the twenty-first century, we’re astounded by the devices that our friends take for granted. Right now, Hercules and Serena are adjusting to that life with their help.

However, there is also an issue with new technology. We can easily become overdependent or even addicted to it, forgetting all knowledge of self or independence. Sometimes, through Francesca’s eyes, I see this in the students. Jasmine, as the exception, flourishes here during her visits to the Amazon Village. But would the others be able to do so? One has to wonder.

David comes to speak with us about something. Through Angela’s eyes, Xena has seen that this is a growing issue—one he wants to deal with before too much longer.




[The Talon, Smallville—April 2007]

Lana Lang-Kent writes….

Dear Diary,

After all of the excitement at the beginning of the year, the quiet has been nice. We’ve been able to go to class, have coffee, talk, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. (Gee, imagine that—we can act like normal college students for a change!) Peter and MJ are drifting closer and closer together now that she’s accepted that he’s Spider-Man. For his part, Pete’s beginning to trust us and our profs more as well.

Still, we do assume too much. Clark, especially, gets careless given his abilities. But I shouldn’t cast stones either since I’m lax too from time to time. We thought we had everything under control. I mean the group’s collective GPA is above 3 and we work well together as a group.

Still, the Professor has noticed something. He’s acting really strangely. Uh oh, he and the Child have got something up their collective sleeves.

I get the feeling we aren’t going to like it either. Great…..



Chapter 1 [New Sanctuary]

Adam tapped the controls, watching as the students ran through their weekly drills. With the help of the facility’s computers, he devised random tests for them to get them to think on their feet. In this latest test, he had recreated a group of mutant attackers with powers equal to their own. Fortunately, the use of their abilities had enabled them to win the confrontation.

“That’s it,” Chloe declared, descending to the ground and “radiating off”.

“Is it?” Lana asked cautiously, looking around. Then seeing a shadow move, she yelled, “Chloe! Look out!” She pulled the blonde reporter down just as a bullet echoed over their heads.

Clark zipped over to disable this last attacker but it yanked a glove off, revealing its left kryptonite hand.

The Kryptonian staggered and fell to his knees.

As one, Kyla and Martin changed into their animal forms and jumped the intruder, finishing the job.

“What was that?” Lex asked.

“Just a reminder that you can’t take anything for granted,” Adam declared grimly. “In a fight, one never knows where the next attack will come from.”

“This is just an exercise though,” Chloe doubted.

“It won’t be out there,” Dave added. “You should know that by now. Because you let your guard down, that hologram could have hurt you. Talents are great but you need instincts and reactions to survive.”

“You have the Child watching your back though,” Samantha noted.

“I didn’t always,” Dave rebutted. “I had to fight hand to hand a lot.”

“When we didn’t account for everything, we took our lumps,” Steve agreed. “Listen to them.”

“And the witch was waiting to trip us up too,” Garth continued.

“Enough for today, everyone. Get some lunch and we’ll talk more about this next week,” the geneticist told them.



****


[Main Library—Campus, later that day]

Dave and Angie walked into the library to do some quick research. As it was the height of term paper season, they expected to see everyone working away in the reference area, studying from the books there. But the room was empty.

“Wonder where everyone is?” she asked, as they surveyed the room.

“Probably on a computer some place,” he remarked knowingly. Despite his advice to the students about Internet dependence, the latter continued to do most of their research on it.

“You’ve got that right,” Annie Castalaine, the Humanities Librarian, concurred. “There’s a line on the computers downstairs. It’s ironic that now even the reference area is becoming archaic.”

“Not archaic just underused,” he told them. “Kids want short cuts and they think the computer can do everything for them. It doesn’t work that way.”

His wife rubbed his arm supportively, knowing how he felt about balanced knowledge. “Maybe you ought to integrate something into your classes.”

He smiled at her. “I think I’ll do just that. Come on, I have an idea. Let’s go.”

“Go? But you just arrived!” Annie declared.

Angie shook her head. “When he gets an inspiration like this, it doesn’t matter.” With that, she rushed out the door after him.

Annie sighed. He still does those impromptu exits and entrances. Ah well, back to the computer lab.

****


[Amazon Village]

Gabrielle wrote away on a scroll, trying to get the right cadence to the story she was telling. When Xena laid into Alti, we weren’t looking for it then. She winced, as she saw another error on her parchment. You’re thinking too hard again. Remember, let the story flow. She rubbed pumice on the spot, let it harden and started again.

At that moment, Eve stuck her head into the hut. “Gabrielle! You need to see this!”

“Is something the matter?” the Bard-Queen wondered.

“No. Jasmine’s about to spar with Varia. She really wants you and Mother to watch,” Eve informed her.

Gabrielle smiled. Jasmine’s worked so hard to fit in. Even with the lack of modern conveniences, she’s done it. She walked out to find a group congregated around the fighting circle in the village center.

“You honor us with your presence, Queen Gabrielle,” Jasmine expressed, giving a slight bow.

“As you do us with your dedication to the traditional ways, Jasmine,” Gabrielle replied just as courteously. “Show us what you’ve learned.”

Both Jasmine and Varia got into the circle, allowing their Amazon sisters to enclose them with staffs.

“Ready, Princess?” Varia asked, spinning her staff with one hand.

“As I’ll ever be. First move’s yours,” Jasmine told her, holding her staff in first position.

The elder Amazon engaged her, staff meeting staff. Over and over, the village clanged with the impacts.

Even as this happened, Xena and Gabrielle observed the mock combat carefully, noting the student’s every move, as the latter would want a full critique later.

“She’s giving too much ground,” the Warrior Princess commented.

A second later, Varia brought her weapon down, snapping her opponent’s staff. “Hah! Give up?”

Jasmine rose and stood ready. “You seem awfully sure of yourself, Varia.”

“I have the weapon. You are unarmed,” Varia declared.

Jasmine smirked. “Am I? Come and find out!”

“I don’t want you getting hurt, Jasmine. Stop this!” Gabrielle advised.

Xena shook her head. “Let it go. I’ll step in if it gets too rough. She has something up her sleeve.”

Gabrielle looked at her friend and then at the young princess. “All right. Continue.”

“Finally!” Varia realized, lunging again at her opponent.

However, Jasmine executed a double back flip, landing behind her attacker and whistling to get her attention. When the other looked, she asked, “You did mean here, didn’t you?”

“Stand still,” Varia told the other fighter. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

But Jasmine was already moving. Her hands chopped at the other’s wrists, making her drop the staff. Before Varia could recover, Jasmine peppered her with blows, finishing her off with the powerful spin kick that Lana had taught her.

Flying over the “barrier,” the older Amazon landed in their sisters’ arms.

“That’s it!” Gabrielle declared, putting her hands up. “Jasmine’s the winner.”

“Thank you,” Jasmine accepted. “I have a great deal more work to do though. May I see to Varia?”

“You may,” Gabrielle concurred.

The Princess ran over to her opponent, seeing the other already rising to her feet. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Nice moves,” the former Amazon queen complimented. Grinning, she put her hand out.

“Thanks. You’re a great teacher,” Jasmine complimented, clasping the other’s arm.

“Get you next time.”

“In your dreams,” Jasmine teased, letting her eyes shine at her friend and sister Amazon. “Please excuse me.” She rushed over to Xena. “What did you think?”

“Nice,” the Warrior Princess smirked. “You caught her off guard.”

“I used the advantage given me. Still, my fighting technique needs work,” the Princess critiqued.

“You’re getting better. Take one day at a time,” Xena advised sagely, arching her brow and smiling at the younger woman.

“I wonder what Professor Dubois would think?” Jasmine wondered.

“Why don’t ya ask him?” Xena suggested slyly, motioning toward the Queen’s hut with her eyes.

The Princess gaped. “Professor! How long have you both been standing there?”

Dave and Angie walked over, as he indicated, “We got here just in time to see your match. That was something else.”

“Great technique,” Angie complimented.

“You really think so? I let Varia in under my defenses,” Jasmine noted.

“But you adjusted, taking advantage of my pride,” Varia rebutted. “You fight with your instincts.”

“I guess,” Jasmine supposed, taking a ladle of water to her mouth. “That hits the spot.” She scooped out more of the fluid and offered it to Varia.

“Thanks,” her former opponent accepted. “That is good.”

“We figured you earned a special treat,” Dave declared, handing his student a 20 ounce bottle of her favorite pink lemonade.

“Oh wow!” Jasmine exclaimed. “Gabrielle, may I?”

“Of course! We all need to indulge ourselves once in a while,” the Bard agreed.

“First though, why don’t you share it with your sisters?” Angie suggested.

Jasmine looked at the oncologist and then at the small bottle. “Sorry, Dr. Dubois, but there isn’t enough of it here!”

“In there: no. All around us….” Dave added, motioning with his hands.

The Princess realized, “Ah I see! We need some water.” Turning to Xena, she requested, “Can we draw another barrel’s worth for his project?”

“Who needs to do that?” Dave asked, opening a portal. “Is that one empty?” he asked, pointing at the nearby container.

“It is,” Gabrielle indicated.

He grinned and focused. “I need some practice anyhow.” Using his abilities, he pulled at the stream, making the water rise into the air, travel through the portal and end up in the barrel. When it was full, he sighed, “Whew! I saved us about a ten mile walk with that thing. Now, Jasmine, your turn.”

She walked over to the container. First she put her finger in the lemonade, discerning its molecular composition. Then she set her bottle down and stuck her hand in the water and concentrated. Within seconds, she had done it, changing the water into the same drink that was in her bottle. “I did it!”

Angie tested it for herself. “I’ll say! And it’s cold too! Good job.”

“Everyone! Try some!” Jasmine offered, motioning to the other Amazons.

As the group approached, Dave told Jasmine, “Stay here. Dr. Dubois and I need to speak with Xena, Gabrielle and Eve about something privately.”

“Something about me?” the Princess worried.

He shook his head and smiled. “Nope. You’re fine. In fact, your progress is astounding. Hang in there. See you in class on Monday.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Jasmine concluded before turning back to the prototype ‘lemonade stand’.

He chuckled while heading to Gabrielle’s hut and entering the area. There he saw his wife, Xena, Gabrielle and Eve waiting for him there. “Thanks for seeing us.”

“It’s no problem,” Gabrielle assured him. “What’s on your minds?”

Angie looked at her husband.

He took a deep breath. “I want to thank you for what you’re doing for Jasmine. She’s definitely been more confident and showing leadership with the group. I wish some of her classmates would take in more of that.”

Eve inquired, “Why do you say that, David? They’re learning about life and their abilities. They know how to work together as a group.”

“That’s true but it’s not what he’s getting at,” Angie interjected.

“Actually, I’m concerned about the kids taking things for granted,” he continued. “Today in the Dojo, Adam had a few extra surprises waiting for them. Also, we just came from the library. It’s dead in there.”

“Maybe they’re using those picture and typing things?” Xena supposed.

“They’re called ‘computers’, Mother,” Eve noted, considering their friends’ words. “They do use them a lot, David, but they get information.”

“But are they learning research skills?” he queried, getting to the heart of the question. “And to take that further, are they learning how to think their way through a problem? Eventually, they won’t have assistance and will have to do so instinctively.”

“Francesca wouldn’t mind seeing them using more books in their assignments either. But how do we force them to use them?” Gabrielle supposed, speaking for her “roommate”.

“You all gear the assignment that way. Make them go cold turkey,” Angie revealed.

“See how brilliant she is?” he chuckled.

“Oh brother! Flattery will get you nowhere, Chief,” she teased.

“It can’t hurt them,” Xena concurred. “Try it. See what happens.”

Eve nodded. “What do you think? A paper?”

“Yeah. Maybe they can use the online catalog to find locations but no other computer help.” He grinned. “This is going to be fun.”

“Or can’t you make up a sheet with those numbers for the shelves?” Xena suggested.

“Just like a finder’s guide for the Academy in Athens,” Gabrielle added.

“Sounds good to me. I’ll talk to Nick and Adam about this. Maybe Amy might want to get involved too,” Dave agreed, taking the suggestion in stride.

The three Amazons looked at each other, guessing that the students weren’t going to be happy with this particular rite of passage. And they would be right.




Chapter 3 [Monday morning]

Clark, Lana and Chloe walked into the Economics building, preparing for Dave’s next lecture. In between the Saturday workout, the Talon shifts and the farm work, they had spent the entire weekend running. Strangely enough, class almost seemed like a relief to them.

“Thanks for pitching in, Chloe. The Talon was really hopping yesterday,” Lana expressed.

“No problem,” the reporter replied, eyeing Clark. “I was trained by the best. Being thrown in is the best way to learn.”

“You didn’t seem that enthused at the time,” he recalled.

“I wasn’t. I’d still rather drink it than serve it, Farm Boy,” Chloe retorted. “But my emergency service gave Lex a chance to express his appreciation.” She added a smirk for emphasis.

Her two friends caught her meaning and just smiled to each other while taking their seats.

At that moment, Dave entered the classroom, setting a stack of handouts down in front of him and organizing his notes. He pondered how he was going to spring this assignment on them without too much of a reaction. Not likely.

[“Aw who cares? Ah wanna see this!” the Child declared.]

You would. He shook his head while starting, “Hi, everyone. I hope you all had a good weekend. We have a change on the syllabus.”

Lana stared at him, sensing the Child’s input and his grimness. Something’s up. What’s he doing?

He looked at her and put his index finger up as if to say, “just a minute”. “We’ll be meeting in the library on Wednesday. Professor Castalaine and I will be team teaching a section on research methods that you’ll need for the paper due next week.” He passed out the assignment sheets and walked back to the front of the room.

Within a minute’s time, a wave of confused/fearful faces swept across the room.

Chloe put her hand up. "We can't do this without a computer."

The other students nodded, looking to pressure him into changing his mind.

Dave stood his ground. "It might surprise you to know that people did research and wrote papers for thousands of years without computers." He rubbed his chin, considering her words. "You've all been conditioned to think that way."

"And you're saying?" Clark supposed.

"Think about the process, Clark. When you do research, do you even go to the library?" the medievalist inquired.

"We use the Information Commons," Clark responded.

"But not the library itself. Folks, research is a process, teaching real life lessons: how to think through a problem; how to put together an argument and how to work toward a solution. Trust me; teamwork is a great thing but you have to be able to think and react instinctively to survive out there."

"And this is important to you? How has it helped you?" an Asian student in the back of the room challenged.

"It's saved my life on several occasions." He thought back to his high school days in Amherst, recalling the times that the Witch had run him through her gauntlets. "Lana, when you're at work, do you ever figure things in your head?"

"Sure," she agreed.

"Byron, when you write poetry, does it come out of you or the computer?"

"My head of course," the Poet concurred. "You want us to be able to work the process for ourselves rather than have the computer do it."

"And there, Folks, is my rationale. Take this home and think on it. All right?" Dave requested before going back to his lecture.


****


[Student Union, that night]

As the students sat around their shared booth, they could tell that Professor Dubois' 'lesson' was being picked up on by other faculty.

"This is the twenty-first century!" Chloe railed, taking a deep gulp of coffee to soothe her nerves.

"Man, this is gonna be tough. At least, Dr. Messenger said that she'd be there to help us," Pete Ross concurred.

"It means being resourceful," Michelle told them. "Think how I feel. Since I was in high school, I've been interacting with computers for most things. Yet, the profs are trying to get us to think on our feet."

"And Professor Dubois' teaching those sessions for our classes. There is a reason for this, I hope," Clark added.

"Meantime, I need to get home. Wait until Lex hears about this," Chloe declared, packing up her stuff and walking out.

Jasmine joined them at the table. "Hi, everyone. What's going on?"

"We're talking about these research assignments. How are we going to do them without a computer?" Samantha wondered.

"The library," the Princess countered. "There is a life without technology, my friends."

"You mean your weekend excursions? Sorry, Jasmine, but...." Paula countered.

"But what? You make it sound like it’s a pleasure trip. When I'm in the village, there is no telephone, no plumbing, no electricity or anything. I work and train with the other Amazons. Who knows? Given my father's attitude toward me, I might go live there full time after I finish here. We have to think for ourselves and for the group, my friends. That's how we survive. The Professor knows of what I speak and agrees with me. That is why he and the others are doing this. It's only for our benefit," Jasmine pointed out.

"If you say so," Lana relented, still wondering how they were going to do this. "It's going to be some weekend. That's for sure."




Chapter 4
[Luthor Hacienda]

Chloe stormed into the hacienda, still fuming over the 'computer-banned' assignments. Not use the computer. Well, when I flunk, you'll know why. She marched up to her study and sulked there for a couple of minutes.

From hearing the echo of the slammed door and feeling the Hazel Fury's anger steaming off of her, Lex stuck his head in. "Hey, Chloe, what's going on?"

"Professor Dubois wants to flunk me! That's what!" she griped.

Uh oh. She's pissed. He approached her carefully, trying to feel her out without getting caught in the storm's path. "Care to tell me what happened?"

"This!" She pulled the assignment sheets out of her bag and almost threw them at him.

He read over the assignment sheets and shrugged. "They're two papers. So what? You've written papers before."

"He wants me to do it without a computer! That's impossible!" she retorted.

He looked at her. "Come on, Chloe, you know how to use a book, right? If I know your professor, he wants you all to do some library research without the computer databases. It says here you have a training session on Wednesday, right?"

"Right. He says he's going to teach them. This ought to be good," she scoffed.

He smirked. "If that's true, you're in for a treat. Your professor's the best researcher I've ever seen. Talk about someone who could pull rabbits out of hats. He could get dirt on anyone—and I mean anyone."

"Like your father, I suppose?" she supposed unconvinced.

"You think you were the first high school reporter to investigate LuthorCorp?" he countered. "Dave did it years ago. Heck with his father--he did it to get at my Dad. Why do you think my father hates him so much?"

"And he did it with paper indices?" she asked sarcastically.

"And microfilm," he added, giving her the Smirk. "Don't forget the microfilm."

"Like I could," she remarked, wincing at the thought of using the plastic film.

"Come on, Chloe, think of it as a challenge. You're supposed to be the best researcher in Smallville, right?" he proposed.

"Right."

"Well, here's where you put up or shut up. Learn the basics, Sullivan. You'll thank him later," he dared her, preparing for a night in the guest bedroom or worse.

"This isn't funny, Luthor!"

"I never said it was. There are things you need to do for yourself without a computer. Research is one of them. But let's not worry about that right now," he replied. "A bubble bath is what you need right now."

She looked at him, rolling her eyes as she did so.

"With a coffee urn ready to go next to it and maybe some chocolate?"

"You play dirty, Lex," she declared.

"I learned from the best," he countered, kissing her on the cheek and leading her to the bathroom.

****



[Kent Condo]

Clark read over the assignment sheet, wondering how they were going to pull this one off. I can juggle tractors but do research like this?

"It's going to be all right. The Professor wouldn't give us anything if he didn't think we could handle it," Lana assured him, handing him a cup of coffee and sitting down on the couch beside him.

Then a knock came from the door,

He answered it to find Dave standing there. "Professor, come in."

"Hi, Clark, Lana, I hope this wasn't a bad time," Dave greeted, as he walked into the dwelling.

"Not at all. We're talking about your assignment actually. I was just telling Clark that you had confidence that we can do it," she told him. "Coffee?"

"That's right. Think of it as another session in the Dojo except that you're refining your reactions and thinking skills," Dave explained, accepting the steaming cup. "Thank you, Lana. There's a process involved. You never had to write a big term paper in high school, I'll bet."

They shook their heads.

"I wrote two at the same time along with Karen, April McKenzie and the two FBI agents. It wasn't easy but we pulled it off. You can too. I'm going to show you the process. Trust me; you can do it. You're both very resourceful—more than you give yourselves credit for," Dave recounted.

"I'm glad you think so," the younger man doubted.

Just before he could reply, Dave sensed a familiar presence on their patio and smiled. "You've got another guest, Folks."

She looked curiously at him before hearing the rapping at the patio door. Answering it, she saw Spidey standing there. "Come in. Want some coffee?"

"That'd be great," Spidey agreed. Seeing the medievalist there, he stiffened. "Were you waiting for me?"

"Actually, I didn't know you were coming. Relax, all right? I told you that your secret's safe with me," Dave assured him. "How are you and Miss Watson doing with the research assignment?"

"Dr. Kane's doing a special lab for his student from what I hear. As for MJ, she's dealing with Dr. Alvaro's version of it," the wall crawler revealed.

"You might want to come to the library on Wednesday," Lana told Spidey. "The Professor's giving a talk on it."

"Dr. Kane's doing a version of it in his class that afternoon," Spidey reported.

"This will be good for all of you," Dave told them, getting up. "Are we still going to Smallville on Saturday? I'd like to check in on Hercules and Serena."

"Sure. Miri and I need to pull a couple of shifts too. Besides, Dad needs some help, I'd imagine," Lana agreed.

"Just as long as you both remember to leave time for your papers," Dave reminded her. "Well, I have to go. This is fabulous coffee, Lana. Thank you." With that, he walked out the door, heading for his own condo.

After she closed the door and drew the blinds, she advised, "You should trust him, Peter."

"I know but he creeps me out," Spidey admitted, pulling off his mask and allowing the air at his face. "He's right. This assignment will help our skills."

"It's just tough learning things now. It kind of makes you think of what we missed back in Smallville. Did you get this stuff, Pete?" Clark wondered.

"My aunt and uncle drilled it into me," Peter noted. "MJ's having a tough time though. She's just getting out of class and wanted to come over if that's okay."

Lana arched her brow, giving him an incredulous stare. "She knows our door is open anytime. Absolutely."

"We thought so," Spidey said. As he said that, there was another knock at the door.

"Guys, it's MJ," Mary Jane announced.

"Come in," Lana told her.

The red head walked into the condo and quickly shut the door behind her. "Hi, everyone." She kissed her boyfriend. "I needed that."

"Me too," Pete assured her. "Feeling any better?"

"A little. Misery breeds company, you know?" MJ replied.

"You just missed Professor Dubois. He was trying to reassure us," Lana told her.

"That'll take some doing," MJ declared, feeling her nerves flaring.

Pete rubbed her back, knowing that she genuinely needed his support. "It's going to be all right, MJ."

And somehow, with her friends there and with his arm around her shoulders, MJ knew that he was right. Somehow, they would make it through this assignment in one piece.


Onto Part 2