Author's Notes: Written to celebrate the 10 anniversary of the debut of the character Joxer the Mighty in the Xena episode entitled "Callisto". This story takes place sometime before the events of the final two episodes of Xena: the Warrior Princess.

It was a town like so many others they'd passed through over the years. Not overly large, a bit dusty, and full of people busy living their own lives. A single road ran down through the center of it, with all the usual cluster of shops along it that one would expect, plus a bar, brothel and inn. It was down this very road that two trail worn figures and a tan horse trudged. The lead figure, a tall raven haired woman dressed in black leathers, let her eyes take in her surroundings without actually looking around- a skill honed by constant use. The second, a shorter blonde female, walked beside the horse as it was lead along by the first. She was busy craning her head around, taking in all the action.

The town, on the surface a quiet little place, was in actuality fairly bustling. Gaily dressed people ran to and fro in small groups, vendors hawked goods from pushcarts and children swarmed jugglers en masse to see them perform. Most of the commotion seemed to center around a large tarp covered object in the town square. It was this that drew Xena's attention, and she guided Argo in that direction. The crowds were getting thick, forcing them to weave their way around in order not to knock into anyone. Eventually they reached a rather rotund fellow who was busy shouting orders to a crew working ropes attached to the tarp.

"Easy there! Not too tight on that one!" The man slowly walked backwards, framing the large tarp covered object between his outstretched hands. "Yes, yes. That's perfectly straight. Tie them off good now. We want release with a single tug, and if we don't get it I'll make sure you never work in this town again."

As he oversaw the work, he noticed Xena and Gabbrielle approaching. "Sorry ladies! Nobody is allowed this close until the big unveiling."

Xena gave the tarp a critical glance. "So what's the big deal about some statue?"

The rotund man's jaw dropped. "Big deal? Madam, I'll have you know that this statue is in honor of the person who saved this town from a bandit army twenty six years ago."

Xena blinked a couple of times. "Twenty six years? Bit overdue, isn't it?"

The rotund man flushed hotly. "Well, we're not really a rich town you see, and this statue is made of the finest marble and all. Took us twenty years to raise the funds. Then we hired the most talented artist in all of Greece to carve it and that took another four."

Gabrielle chose this moment to speak up. "So if it's been four years in the making, doesn't everyone know what it looks like already?"

The rotund man shook his head. "No, no, no! That's the whole point! We've kept a large tent over the statue all this time while it's been crafted. Only the workers, the artist and myself have seen it. To everyone else it's been a mystery. Today is finally the grand unveiling, and I don't mind telling you the excitement is at a fever pitch. But I've been rude. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Jorden, prefect of this little bit of paradise we call Joxopolis."

Both women simply stared at him, dumbfounded. In a weak voice, Gabrielle managed to squeak "Joxopolis?" Jorden nodded vigorously.

"Yes. It used to be called Middletown back in my youth, but the town elders decided to rename it in honor of the man who drove away the bandits that were tormenting us".

Xena nodded. "This man, he wasn't by chance Joxer the Mighty was he?"

Jorden grinned. "The one and only madam. Now I must excuse myself, I have many things that need seeing to before the unveiling. You will stay and see that, won't you? I'm sure you'll not be disappointed." And with that, Jorden went off into the crowd leaving them behind.

The two women stood there for a few more minutes, then led Argo to the local stables. As they went, Gabrielle couldn't stop shaking her head. "I just can't believe this. It's so..so..."

"Joxerlike?" supplied Xena.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah. But he never said anything about it to us before he..." She let the rest drop off.

Xena nodded solemnly. "This was twenty six years ago. After that one time, I seriously doubt he ever openly suggested any place rename itself after him. I'll bet he never knew this one did."

Gabrielle pondered that. "Maybe you're right. If he had known, he certainly would have bragged about it to somebody over the years."

A short time later, Argo was comfortably stabled and the pair had gotten the whole story from a helpful stable boy. As everyone in Joxopolis knew, twenty six years ago the town had been plagued by a band of marauding bandits. They struck without warning or mercy time and again, carrying away anything of value. When there was nothing left to steal, they began to carry away the young women of the town.

Nobody that tried could put a stop to their depradations. The local governer send in some troops that spent weeks chasing shadows but in the end were recalled to fight some border conflict. Some wandering heroes had tried to help but in the end had to admit that the problem was beyond them. There was talking about hiring some hard bitten mercenaries or sending for Hercules, but before either of these radical steps could be taken, HE had come riding into town, though it was no longer recalled why he was there. Some claimed he had come because he had heard of their troubles, but most of the older and wiser heads agreed he was simply passing through while on urgent business of his own. But whatever his reasons for being there, all accounts agreed on one thing- when he leant of their troubles, he offered his services. At first the elders were leery of accepting- other would-be heroes had failed, so what could he hope to accomplish?

But Joxer had dismissed their concerns, saying he had learned from the very best- none other than Xena herself- how to deal with situations like this. And that was all it had taken. Xena had become a legend since her death, and if he had learned from her that was good enough for them. Besides, what did they have to lose?

And good enough it was. Nobody knew how he managed it, but one week after riding out to confront the bandits, he returned with the welcome news that they would never trouble anyone again. And it was the truth. The bandits, once so active in the area, were never seen again. Joxer, for his part, refused the reward offered by the elders, instead insisting that they use the money plus the loot he recovered from the bandits to distribute to the people who had lost everything they called their own. Only that, would he accept as payment. The elders, a bit mystified, agreed to his terms. Joxer then retired to the inn, had a warm bath and a hot meal, and then after a good night's sleep, rode away down the road, never to return.

The stable boy finished his tale, adding that the townspeople were so grateful that they renamed the town in his honor and began to hold a celebration to commerate his deed. Each year they held a big festival, hoping that maybe he'd pass by again and they could shower him with the honors he deserved. But as time went on he never did, so they decided to build a statue in his honor instead, to forever honor him that way.

The remaining time before the unveiling was spent freshening up and getting a nice hot meal. Xena and Gabrielle spent so much time on the road that these things were always a great luxury, to be enjoyed whenever possible. As the time approached they returned to where the statue would be revealed, two people among the hundreds gathered there, but with a greater connection to the subject of the statue than anyone else could claim. Jorden was up close to the tarp, hand on a rope. He looked out over the crowd with great pride. This he knew, was the event that would mark his place in town history.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The event you have waited four long years to see is now at hand. I give to you.. Joxer the Mighty!!!"

With a yank, the rope came down and the tarp dropped away, revealing an impressive fifteen foot tall marble statue of a tall lanky man with a goofy grin. The artist had captured Joxer's likeness to perfection. Everything was there. The Mongolian cavalry helmet. The hand pounded hodge podge armor. The unweildy sword in it's priceless heirloom scabbard. It was all there, even down to his fifty dinar boots.

Perfection.

As the crowd cheered, Gabrielle found a sudden lump in her throat. She glanced at Xena but her friend's face was unreadable.

But it wasn't over. Jorden raised his arms as a signal for silence. "And now, to celebrate this great work of art that honors a great hero, I present to you our two most accomplished bards in training. As you know, all year Joxopolis has been holding a bardic contest to see who amongst them could write the best song honoring our hero. It's my pleasure to bring you the two finalists in said competition. Each will now perform their creation, and you will decide who is the Bard Amongst Bards. I give to you, Galen, son of our own blacksmith!

A young lad of some fourteen winters or so stepped up to the base of Joxer's statue, lyre in hand. The crowd cheered and clapped as he struck a strong note and began to sing in a loud, clear voice.

Out of the night,
When the full moon is bright,
Comes the hero known as Joxer.
This bold renegade
Carves warlords with his blade,
A blade that fights for justice!

Joxer, Joxer.
The Mighty One is he.
Joxer, Joxer.
He's friend to you and to me.

He is polite,
But the wicked take flight
When they catch the sight of Joxer.
He's friend of the weak,
the poor and the meek,
This very unique fellow Joxer.

Joxer, Joxer.
The Mighty One is he.
Joxer, Joxer.
He's friend to you and to me.

Joxer! Joxer! Joxer! Joxer! Joxer!

The song found great favor among the crowd and there was wide applause and cheers. Gabrielle personally thought it a good effort for a beginner, but that it lacked a certain spirit and fire. No doubt with some more training, Galen would make a competent bard.

"And next," Jorden continued, "we have Callia, who has just this year applied to the prestigeous Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards."

A large ammount of whooping and clapping, obviously from Callia's supporters, led the general cheering and applause. A young woman with striking features stepped up next to Galen, who bowed slightly to her. She gracefully nodded back, set her own lyre into a comfortable position and began to play with a rapid rhythm. Her voice, when she began to sing, carried a strong but lyrical accent.

When swords are pointed at innocent hearts,
and crossbows are ready to fire.
When warlords ride high and govern with fear,
As the Gods on Olympus conspire.
Then from out of the darkness,
A hero will rise!
With a song on his lips,
and fire in his eyes.
We turn to . . . Joxer the Mighty!

He's larger than life,
a defender of all.
This man who the people acclaim!
He's the one who strikes back,
for the poor and oppressed.
A hero . . .
Whose name.. is Joxer!
Joxer.. the Mighty!

Silence greeted her when she finished. Then, almost as one, the entire crowd roared it's approval. They had made their choice! Jorden raised her hand high in victory and even Galen was clapping and cheering for her. Callia's eyes shown with joy as she waved back to the crowd, then she leaned over and whispered something in Jorden's ear. He once again held up his hand for silence.

"My friends, we have a request from Callia to perform an encore for you good people. Are you in agreement?"

The crowd's cheers gave testimony to their willingness to hear another song from her. Jorden smiled down at her. "I do believe they're willing."

He stepped back as she signaled for another instrument to be brought out. It was an odd looking, small drum. She sat down on the ground and placed it between her knees and set the lyre close by. Then Callia looked out into the crowd with a big smile on her face.

"Um.. thanks a lot for picking me. I'd like to do one more song for you. I didn't write this one, Joxer did- a long time ago. It isn't performed as often as it used to be, but I'm sure you all will remember it. Of all his songs, this one is my favorite, mostly because he wrote it to honor a very important person in his life."

She picked up the lyre and began to strum it rapidy, bringing forth a tone Gabrielle immediately recognised as an Amazon tribal beat, but adapted for the lyre. After a couple of rapid chords, Callia began to sing.

If the world were more like Xena
That feisty warrior princess
We'd scream her battlecry
While we slice and dice and minces

And we would scare the warlords
And make them all cower
And they would not resist us
Cause we'd have such awesome power

And we would be a legend
Riding horseback through the streets
Conquering our inner demons
And fighting Evil from here to Crete

So let's all be heroes!
We'll wield chakrams and swords!
Let's party with centaurs
And drink wine from gourds!
We'll bail out the good guys and
Stomp on the bad
And then all compete in the next Olympiad!

But the gods are laughing at me
And all the goddesses smirk too
Cause it's such a daunting task
That will take three lifetimes to do

But if the world were more like Xena
Oh what a great world that would be!
Nobody would live in fear
Because everybody would be free!
Or at least it seems that way to me.

Ay! Yiyiyiyi Yiiii! Yiyiyiyi Yiiiii! Yiyiyiyi Yiiiiiii!

Yes if the world were more like Xena
That feisty warrior princess
We'd catch daggers in our teeth
While everybody winces!

Cause that's the kind of stuff it takes, yeah
To fight for the commen good
But we would not have to
If people acted nice just like they should

Oh let's all be heroes!
Let's weild chakrams and swords!
Let's party with Amazons
And beat up warlords!
We'll rescue the good guys
And stomp on the bad
And then all compete in the next Olympiad!

Callia then set down the lyre and began to reprise the Amazon tribal beat on the drum. As she beat on it the crowd, caught up in the music, began to dance. Soon everyone was doing an impromptu approximation of what they believed an Amazon dance was like, jumping around, waving their arms and generally looking pretty silly. But Gabrielle had to admit, it was tempting to join in and show them how it was really done. She turned to see how Xena was finding all this, but to her suprise she was nowhere in sight.

It was difficult to push her way through the dancing people but somehow she managed. Looking around, she spotted Xena next to a bulding across the street. Gabrielle quickly walked over, masking her concern with a bit of levity. "Hey, It wasn't Homer, but it wasn't so bad you needed to leave." At the sound of Gabrielle's voice, Xena turned, and the younger woman could see the wetness on her face.

Gabrielle was taken by surprise. She could count the numbers of times Xena had openly shed tears on one hand. "Xena... what's the matter?"

Xena ran the back of her right hand across her eyes wiping the tears away. "That song," she replied in a sad voice. "He wrote a song about me, Gabrielle. About me. So that people wouldn't ever forget." New tears replaced the ones she wiped away. "I miss that goofball, Gabrielle. I miss him so much."

Gabrielle went over and drew Xena into a hug."I know you do, and so do I." And it was true. Though they rarely spoke of it aloud, even to each other, they both felt his loss terribly. Joxer's death had been the first step in an increasing series of downward spirals for the two. So much loss, so much tragedy, and in such a short period of time. The world had changed so much during the period that they were asleep that sometimes Gabrielle wondered if they even really belonged in it anymore.

They embraced each other for a long while, each wrapped up in the pain of missing the man who most saw as a tagalong, a sidekick's sidekick, who was annoying, goofy, lovable, loyal and brave all rolled up into a single package. Others could think what they wished, but Gabrielle and Xena reserved a special place in their hearts for the man; that of friend. And that was a honor shared by mighty few people indeed.

Eventually they broke apart, still sad but somewhat comforted.

Gabrielle glanced back at the crowd who were still busy dancing around. "Think if we asked nicely, Callia might sing the Joxer the Mighty song?"

A small smile crossed Xena's face. "I thought you hated that song."

Gabrielle shrugged. "I do. But for some reason I'm in the mood to hear it again."

And together they returned to the throng of people who, for very different reasons than they, thought just as highly of a man named Joxer.

Song Credits:
"Joxer" - Original version: Walt Disney's Zorro. Music and Lyrics by Norman Foster and George Bruns

"Joxer the Mighty" - Original version: New World International in conjunction with the Family Channel's The New Zorro. Theme Music by Jay Asher, Lyrics by Dennis Spiegel

"If the World were More like Xena" - Original version: "If I could be like Xena" by Marilyn Rucker

Disclaimer:
No fond memories of Joxer were harmed during the writing of this fanfiction.

Please take the time to write to Greg at Zafnak@rochester.rr.com, and let him know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and all characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 2006 by Greg Gruschow and is his sole property along with the story idea. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.