Chapter Text
He said causing the Imp to stare up at him in mixture of relief and shock at this wondering why Hades didn't even seem annoyed at creepy skeleton giving orders as the dark god yelled out, "We'll have to take a raincheck on this i'm afraid everyone~"
He shot a nasty grin over at the gods as they battled, "But don't worry i'll be back to ensure your last moments are something to remember~"
And with that statement a blast of sulfur shot out from the ground engulfing the god and imp as they teleported away from the battlefield.
"HADES!!!!!!" Hercules roared in anger as he kept pulling at the chain trying to keep the sun from falling as the gods kept fighting against the remains of the monster horde
(Underworld)
FWOOM! "Oh Horny i'm home!" Hades called out with a cheesy grin and raised arms as he and Pain arrived in his throne room, "And I heard you got me a present~"
"Hehehehe indeed" said the horned king walking into the throne room with a chain at hand "I think you are familiar with this gal arent you?" he added pulling the chain and Meg fell into the room.
Hades gave a dark chuckle as he practical glided across the room toward the Horned King and chained woman, "Indeed I am~" He said with a malicious grin as he stopped a foot from them before reaching down and grabbed and held Meg chin up as he stared into her eyes, "But i'm eager to get properly shall we say reacquainted~"
He let out another chuckle as he grinned at her, "After all we've got so much to catch up about don't we Meg?"
"Grrrr i dont care about that!" cried the woman in anger and a bit of fear"Where is Hebe?! I swear Hades if you touch even a hair..."
"Hebe..Hebe." Hades let go her chin tapping his chin for a moment before snapping his fingers in faux realization, "OH!" He shot her a malicious grin, "You must mean the little cutie pie from earlier."
He let out a snort, "Still can't believe you let wonderboy of all people knock you up Meg." He shook his head in disappointment, "Because really I know you've had bad taste in men but Hercules of all people!"
He clicked his tongue, "You could do so much better~" He said with a amused smirk before shrugging his shoulders, "As for the kid you're going to have to ask my friend here about that."
He let out a dark chuckle, "After all i've been a little too busy bringing Olympus to it's knees to have done anything to Hebe was it?" He explained before raising his brow at the end.
Megara almost roared in anger and tried to charge at the god only for the Horned king to pull her chain making her fall again.
"Easy there girl" the rich mocked the captured woman "as for your daughter she is fine...actually she is resting inside a cell somewhere around the necropolis" he chuckled a dry laugh "although she might feel a bit...normal for a while and no longer like the daughter of Hercules" his eyes glowed "hehehehe but soon she might not even want to be related to him hehehehehehehehehehehahahahahahahahaha!!"
"Heheha..so true!" Hades exclaimed with a wide mocking grin staring down at Meg, "After all who would want to be the daughter of the biggest wannabe hero loser in history."
He said with taunting tone and smirk looking right into Meg's eyes, "The man who let Olympus and the world itself fall~"
"Hercules will never fall!!!" yelled Megara in anger "he will stop those abominations and will come for us!!!" she breath hard her face red in anger as she looked at Hades with all the fury she could muster "and you...you will be sorry for what you did!!!"
"What I did?" Hades said as he put his hand on his chest with air of indignation as he glared right back at her, "I was nothing but fair to you!"
He gave a shrug, "Okay yes i'll admit I could be a bit harsh sometimes..that's on me." He said as he pointed at himself before staring hard at Meg, "But I was still nothing but fair and open with you!"
He snapped with his hair flaring out in a small blast, "When you wanted to save your jerk boyfriends life who did you go to?" Hades asked rhetorically before pointing at himself, "ME!"
He started to circle around her like a vulture, "When said jerk ditches you not even 5 minutes later for some random babe who was there for you?" He asked in a dark tone, "ME!"
His flames flared out, "The moment you made that bargain I let you know what you were getting into!"
He stopped right in front of her, "And despite how much you complained and gripe we both know I could have treated you far, far, far worst." He stared hard into her eyes, "Heck when you started making gaa gaa eyes over wonderboy I could have killed you..but did I?"
He shook his head, "No instead I gave you a chance to prove your loyalty and earn your freedom." He crouched down, "And I even held up my end of the bargain after that idiot yutz gave up his strength."
He sighed, "You were a free woman Meg just like I promised." He shook his head, "So why the heck did you stab me in the back for the poster child moron muscle heads?"
He cupped her cheek in his hand, "And when I was planning to make you the surprise offer of a lifetime after conquering Olympus to boot."
He said gently rubbing her cheek at the end of this little tirade that he admittedly was kinda pulling out of his ass here. But telling Meg his own view on things while selling the Hades act and little bit of a lie at the end as a cherry on top.
"Its called Love!!!" she yelled "I love him and he loves me and i would die before you could hurt him or my daughter!!!" she roared "But i dont expect someone like YOU to understand that...you who has never loved or has been loved because all you do is take pleasure in the suffering of others!!!"
Hades despite how the words were aimed at the 'real' or original Hades gave a small subtle flinch at her words feeling a sting from them and also tinge of sympathy for the original lord of the underworld as well, before glaring at Meg with a malicious gleam of venom as he grabbed and squeezed her cheek hard, "Oh I understand plenty Meg."
He growled out with a tone of resentment, "I understand and know about love more than you think."
He spat out in a bitter tone, "Especially considering all i've wanted was love and respect before those Olympus snobs and ungrateful mortals pushed me to this point!"
He yelled out exploding a bit in flame though not burning Meg as he growled out in a undertone of rage, "And I understand a desire to have someone special by your side supporting you."
He gave a bitter chuckle, "And at one time before you backstab me I thought you were the special someone meant to be my Queen as I rule the cosmos."
He 'confessed' throwing that in Megs face curious at how she'd react to that little lie about Hades plan for her. While also giving himself a pat on the back as he really thought he was nailing this angle for Hades 'motivation'~
Her eyes opened in surprise.
"You...your what?!!!" she called in a tone that mixed both disgust and surprise
close by the Horned king just raised an "eyebrow" at Hades
"My Queen." Hades said doing his best to convey a tone of sorrow as he sighed easing his grip on Meg chin as he rubbed her cheek, "Didn't you ever think for all I that sometimes gave you a hard time."
He shook his head with a rueful grin, "That I would reward the woman who helped give me the keys to Olympus by dealing with that sucker wonderboy."
He leaned inches away from her face as he spoke in a husky whisper, "I was going to make you a Goddess Meg." He grinned widely at her reaction, "No lie I knew a way to do it~"
Or rather a potential theory he might be experimenting with later on using the Olympus gods as the labrats but Meg didn't need to know that party~
He continued to speak in honey tone as he rubbed her cheek, "No longer a slave or my subordinate..no." He shook his head shooting her a devious smirk, "You would have been my equal, my Queen, my wife."
"Power, immortality, the entire world itself would have been yours my sweet little NutMeg." He said in a cooing tone that he also made sure convey a undertone of hurt.
Meg blinked before shaking her head.
"You are crazy!!!" she said "You think after all those years i would want to see your face for eternity?" she growled "i wanted to be FREE!!"
Hades leaned his head back rolling his eyes, "News flash Meg." He gave her a hard stare, "The only people who are really free in this world are the ones with power!"
He gave a shrug, "Take the mortals they think they're free..but." He let out a twisted chuckle expressing cruel amusement, "When in reality they're nothing but toys and playthings to the gods of Olympus."
He arched a brow at her, "Or do you honestly think my brother and his suck ups actually give a damn about you or any of the mortals."
He snorted, "If anything the only value mortals have is to feed their egos and kiss their feet."
Than he gave a cold stare, "Even you aren't except from this NutMeg." He stated in a cold tone, "As far as my brother is concerned you're just a temporary distraction and plaything for his son to amuse himself with before he joins them on Olympus and is given a real wife in the form of a fellow goddess."
That statement was followed by a cold chuckle, "You say you wanted to be free well I was offering you ultimate freedom as the most powerful person in the cosmos at my side." He bitterly spat, "Instead you gave that up for a gilded cage playing house and being wonderboy's bedwarmer!"
"Shut up!!!" Meg cried "I won't hear another one of your lies!!!" She growled "Hercules will come and will kick your and this thing's ass" she added looking at the horned king
The lich simply laughed
"Ohhh i really hope so" he said in creepy tone "after all this won't be a trap if he didn't try to come save you and fell on it"
Hades grinned at the Horned King comment before following up, "After all.." He shot Meg a malicious smirk, "What better bait for a hero than a sexy damsel in distress~"
He said in a mocking cooing tone as he pinched Meg's cheek before shooting her a swarmy grin, "And considering he looked like he was one foot in the grave already when I last saw him I wouldn't put my hopes on him saving you NutMeg."
Meg growled wanting more that anything to slap the smirk out of Hades face
"Is not the first time and last time you were the one who ended swimming out"
At those words Hades gave a amused snort as he grinned at Meg, "Oh we'll see Meg." He leaned in speaking with a husky whisper, "But i'm afraid this time your boytoy is gong to end up as a washout plaything~"
(Olympus)
Hercules groaned as he opened his eyes.
Over him was a clear look of the sky...and the stars beyond that?
"W-what?" he blinked in confusion as he tried to sit up. "What uggg" a strong dizzying feeling almost caused him to fall "Ohh my head"
"Easy there Hercules" the glowing form of Aphrodite approached him "you took quite a beating there you need to rest"
"Aphrodite?..what...what happened?" he asked looking around.
He was inside what looked like a room made out of clouds. he could see beds being occupied by other gods. the muses and similars moving around helping fix/cure the wounded.
"Where am..." and then he noticed his glowing golden hand "ahhh!!! what happened to me?" he asked in shock
"Her..hercules" the goddess of love called "calm down...its alright!!"
"Alright..ALRIGHT!?" Hercules repeated in a tone of incredibility and slight heat, "Hades is back, has raised a undead army, he's plotting who knows what, and he has my WIFE AND DAUGHTER!?"
He exclaimed in rage as he sat up finding himself glaring at the Goddess of Love and gestured toward himself, "So now things are not alright Aphrodite!" He narrowed his eyes, "Now where's Hades..and." He gestured toward himself, "What's happen to me?"
He examined his glowing hands a glow he most certainly recognized same with the energy he felt fueling him a energy he last felt over thirteen years ago, "Am I a god again?" He shook his head in disbelief, "How?" "Why?"
"Sigh when you launch yourself to stop the sun from crashing it seems your godly side took over" Aphrodite explained "you managed to held the sun over without help until Hephestus managed to re-attach it to Apollo´s chariot" she giggled "although not before you use it as a flair to burn down all those disgusting things Hades summoned" she sighed "however the effort was to much and you fainted ..and ummm...you have been sleep for half a day now"
"HALF A DAY!" Hercules exclaimed in shock as he stood up in shock, "WHO KNOWS WHAT HADES HAS DONE TO MEG AND HEBE!"
He said as a cold feeling of fear began to fill his soul before he whirled facing Aphrodite demanding answers, "What's happen and where's Hades?"
He growled out as he clenched his fists together in rage before a memory hit him and froze realizing something, "And what's happen to Tebes?" He asked with his tone conveying worry, anger, and failure.
As he remembered the state Tebes was in when he left for Olympus and how it was still being ransacked by the monstrosities that Hades had created and as he remembered this and how he failed to protect the people of Tebes just like he failed to protect his family and friends a feeling of utter failure he hadn't felt in 13 years joined his rage at all this happening in the first place.
The goddess of love sighed.
"Come...your father must be in war council with the others" she said "He sent Hermes out the moment he could so if he has returned he might have the info you are looking for"
with that the now godly hero stood up and began walking after the pink goddess as she guided him out of the infirmary.
Outside Hercules couldnt help but gasp at the state of Olympus.
The sights of battle were obvious with multiple columns and buildings demolished, clouds had a blackish hue and the there was an ashy smell in the air
"How could Hades do all this?" Hercules said with not only anger but disbelief as he shook his head following Aphrodite as his mind flashed back to the everything that's happen since that undead cyclops crawled out of his watery grave, "I don't think he even did half of his kinda damage with the Titans."
He said looking toward Aphrodite his tone tinged with shock and worry
"We dont know Hercules" she said with some fear in her tone "to be honest...none of us have seen Hades like that before" she stopped for a moment "I...we...usually forgot he is the eldest of the three kings...and compared to Zeus we forgot the power he has" she hug herself "was he always capable of doing this? did he never tried to beat your father because he never wanted? I...im scared Hercules...did we...did we provoke someone that could really end us if he wanted?
At those words Hercules clenched his fists again as he gritted his teeth feeling anger at the fear that Hades was causing but he was also worried as he agreed that Hades had never shown this kinda power before not during the coup or even during his various schemes during his own highschool days.
Was Hades all this time really holding back? If so..why? And as that question hit him he a memory hit him as he remembered the words that monster Hades apparent new friend said and he froze.
(Flashback)
Hercules narrowed his eyes in confusion, "What are you talking about?!" He demanded with a glare as he took a step forward, "If anyone broke any rules it was Hades!" He snapped clenching his grip tightly around his sword, "Because i'm not the one who tried to overthrow Olympus and throw the world into chaos by releasing the Titans!"
"and you never wondered why he tried in the first place?" the king asked as an idea formed inside his head "there are rules Hercules" he started pacing "rules older that zeus himself..rules that he himself say he will follow...rules that you broke multiple times" unsee by the hero he summoned some of the miasma of the cauldron and send it towards the hydra "and instead of punishing you your father allowed you to keep breaking them...you and him broke the rules...and Hades is the one sent to make you both pay"
"WHAT?!" Hercules cried out in shock and denial as he shook his head wondering what in the name of Olympus this thing was talking about, "What are you talking about?"
He gripped his sword and put his guard up, "What rules?!" He demanded and than with a glare finished as he tried to fish for some answers, "And just who supposedly sent Hades?"
He said his tone a mixture of anger and disbelief but also worry at the possibility that their was a greater threat to his home and loved ones than Hades himself out there.
"what rules? you really are and idiot" mocked the king as he began infecting the hydra heads while also using the miasma as beacon to call reinforcments "the rules of life and death!!" he roared to add some emotion to his acting "the underworld is the last home to the souls leaving this world and your father knows that...anything that goes there belong to Hades...anything that entered it cant leave unless Hades allowed it...he IS the LORD of the underworld...king in his realm the same zeus is king in olympus" his red eyes glowed in hellish red "yet YOU broke all the rules!!! how many times Jerkules? how many times you entered his realm with out permison?...how many times you messed with its inhabitants? how many times you TOOK souls OUT?" and explosion of hellish smoke broke behind the king "you even commited the ultimate crime of REVIVING people...messed with the balance of life and death...something your father knew but didnt care!!"
(End flashback)
As the memory hit him Aphrodite realizing he had stopped following him and seeing the look on his face asked with concern, "Hercules what's wrong?"
"I..." Hercules looked worry "tell me Aphrodite...have you heard about....the rules of life and death?" he asked.
part of him wanted to hit himself...was he really considering the words of that creature?
could it be that he was responsible for whats happening?
and whats more important...could his father actually knew about this but never told him?
and if so...why?
At that question Aphrodite first had a confused look on her face before she froze biting her lip slightly nervous before she sighed, "I don't know much..but."
She said trailing off before she began to explain, "Life and Death aren't exactly my domain after all." She said with a weary smirk that fell, "But I do know that they're are ancient cosmic laws that have existed before your fathers reign and potentially even before Chronos himself starting right back at the beginning."
She shook her head gathering herself, "And these are laws that even Gods like ourselves must adhere to and follow..otherwise."
She trailed off rubbing her arm nervously with Hercules probing in slight demanding tone, "Otherwise what?!" She sighed, "Otherwise harsh consequences will follow."
"Harsh consequences..." the hero mumble.
"As I said i dont know much" said the goddess "but...there is a reason why there are THREE realms each ruled by one of Chronos sons" she shook her head "your father probably will know more about them...being the king of the sky realm and all that"
"Yeah..yeah i'm sure he will." Hercules said in a low bitter tone as he narrowed his eyes he didn't want to believe that monster but it was starting to seem like his father owed him some answers.
And as he moved to follow Aphrodite again the Goddess spoke up asking with concerned curiosity, "Why exactly are you asking about this?" She said with a frown with Hercules replied grimly back, "It's a long story but apparently Hades has a new friend."
He shot her a look, "Who had a lot to say..including." He gestured toward their surrounding, "Why all this might be happening." He said with a dark tone as he narrowed his eyes, "Which is why I need to talk to my father now."
soon they reached the summit of Olympus where a bandaged up Zeus was talking to Ares, Artemis, Hephaestus and Apollo the only gods that didnt needed medical assistance.
"Hercules my boy!!!" the king of the gods say happily as he saw Hercules and Aphrodite approaching "oOhhh so glad you are ok" he said wanting to give his son a hug...but his broken arm made that quite impossible
"It's...good to see you too dad." Hercules said in a low subdued tone as he looked his father over in shocked having never seen his father or any of the Gods for that matter so hurt.
Heck he didn't think they could get this injured! He shook his head as he looked across at all of them, "How is everyone?" He asked in tone of concern because desire for answers or not he wanted to know how everyone was after what happen
"A bit shaken but we are ok and ready for WAR!!!" yelled Ares. "Hades needs to pay for what he did!!!"
the others nodded their heads in agreement (except Aphrodite and Hephaestus)
"Ares pipe down dont forget there are gods that need to rest" called Zeus scowled before turning to his son "sigh we are quite shaken but fortunately it seems everyone just need some rest and they will be fine soon" he said with a smile "your mom is actually await...a bit hurt" thunder rumbled "and will need to remain in bed for a while but is ok...you should give her a visit when you can"
"I will." Hercules replied with a solemn nod worried for his mothers state and restraining himself from going to see her but knew he had to focus on the current situation, "Father..about Hades."
He frowned looking to his dad with a serous look, "He's apparently god a new friend and while I was fighting him he said some thing that stuck in my head."
Zeus raised a brow and moved to speak but Hercules raised a hand stopping him as he asked giving him a hard stare, "Dad..what are the laws of life and death?
The other gods looked confused at that while Zeus face gaining a dumb full expression
"The laws of life and death?" he looked confused at that "umm where have i heard that before?" he mumbled.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!" Poseidon roared as he entered limping into meeting (with a casted leg and using his trident as cane) "THE RULES OF LIFE AND DEATH? IS THAT WHATS THIS IS ABOUT?!!!" he looked at his brother in both anger and some fear "ZEUS WHAT DID YOU DO?!!!"
"ME?!" Zeus demanded with incredibility as he gave his brother a look of shock and anger, "HOW IS THIS MY FAULT?"
Posedon rolled his eyes at that, "Oh gee I don't know..maybe." He began in casual sarcastic tone before roaring, "BECAUSE YOU NOT ONLY DROVE HADES TO THE BREAKING POINT!" He yelled glaring into his brothers eyes, "BUT APPARENTLY ALSO BROKE ONE OF THE MOST SACRED LAWS OF HIS DOMAIN!"
He said as he jabbed a finger into his brothers chest hard with Zeus his injuries still stinging giving a small flinch at that and Poseidon's words, "You can't seriously be blaming me for Hades actions?!" Zeus said in a tone of utter shock and betrayal before glaring, "And what law did I supposedly break?"
"YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT LAW!!!" Poseidon roared "now tell me what soul you brought out the underworld and revived it?!!!"
silence fell on Olympus.
"Wait taking souls out of the underworld?!!!" Aphrodite cried "are you saying Zeus revived someone that was DEAD?!!!!"
"Pfff of course not" said Zeus "Why would i need a soul from the underworld anyways?" the king of the gods say acting as he was being insulted
"Meg.." A voice whispered out in shocked realization causing all those present to freeze and stare at the source Hercules who was wearing a horrified look, "Your wife.." Artemis spoke up confused speaking with a blink.
"I..I took Meg's soul out of the underworld." Hercules confessed as he explained, "She died 13 years ago during Hades coup saving me."
For a few seconds all was silent before
"WHAT?!" A shared cry among the present Gods echoed out so loud it might have echoed out across the ruins of Olympus and all the way down to the mortals below
"YOU REVIVED A DEAD PERSON!!!!!" Apollo cried in shock
"HOW...WHY!!!" Artemis was like her brother totally shocked about this
"you did WHAT?!!!" Poseidon roared turning to face Hercules (wobbling a bit because of his bad leg) "Hercules! do you realize what you did?!!!" he said in shock "you broke the cycle of life and death by doing THAT!!!"
he was going to say more when a thunder caught everyones attention.
"Come on you all arent you blowing things out of proportion?" asked Zeus "it was just one soul and one that died because of Hades actions...whats the big deal?"
"The big deal.." Poseidon repeated in shock, "THE BIG DEAL!!" Before roaring out as he glared at his brother, "THE BIG DEAL IS YOUR SON BROKE ONE OF THE MOST ANCIENT SACRED LAWS OF THE COSMOS!"
He growled shaking his head in disbelief at this revelation and utter disgust at Zeus attitude as he gave him a hard stare, "They're are laws not even father at his worst would risk breaking Zeus..and this."
He sighed running his hand running down his face, "Is probably one of the biggest ones." He shook his head, "Do you all have any idea the consequences for breaking such a law?"
"It..uh can't be that bad...can it?" Ares spoke up with slightly haughty tone before trailing off asking nervously at the end. Because truthfully the mention of Chronos and how this was a line even he wouldn't cross was enough to make even the God of War nervous.
He might have never met gramps (And thank the sacred art of war for that) but he heard enough horror stories to know the guy was a piece of work that made Hades at his worst even after all this look like a model benevolent deity who wouldn't hurt a soul....so yeah enough said about that particular member of his family tree.
"it CAN BE that bad" Artemis say "all mortal life have an end...the body return to earth to feed the next life as the soul left for the afterlife" she said "i might not like Hades but thats the natural circle of life"
"sacred since the time the world and the underworld were created" said Aphrodite entering the talk " set by Gaia, Ouranos, and their son Japetus with Nyx, Erebus and Styx herself!!! taking resident in the afterlife"
Hephaestus spoke up for the first time, "It is not only part of the natural order but a key part in the grand machine that is creation runs."
He shook his head, "To go against it is like removing a key part in a machine or skipping a important step in forging...it only invites disaster." He said in a low dour tone giving Zeus and Hercules a judging tone, "Something you should know very well Zues."
"Exactly!" Poseidon said speaking back up as he glared at his brother and nephew, "At least Hercules despite his reckless actions and arrogance has the excuse of ignorance..but you!" He pointed accusingly at his brother, "Do not!"
The God of the Sea, "For the sake of creation as the King of the Gods you of all people should be aware of the sacred laws and the consequences that could come if they're ever broken!"
Zeus scoffed...why was he suddenly being targeted as the bad guy?
"Oh please is not like anyone care about the underworld" said Zeus without a care "i mean YOU moved Styx to Athens and that time i didnt saw anyone protesting"
"I had PERMISSION Zeus!" yelled Poseidon "Styx ALLOWED ME to move her because she WANTED...if not you can bet she would have put a fight against me" he scoffed "what is more i had the permission of Hades to do so as Styx falls on HIS jurisdiction as part of the underworld"
"To violate another Gods domain.." Artemis shook her head, "It's simply not done." She glared hard at Zeus, "Only a fool would attempt to do so."
Apollo spoke up with a sigh, "She's right.." He looked over at Hercules, "When I gave you temporary custody over my chariot you still needed my permission to take the reigns." He shook his head, "Something I was hesitant to do but did so at your fathers pressure and word everything would turn out well."
Ares snorted, "And instead the sun ended up in the Underworld and Zeus almost got voted out of his position."
"Something that i'm beginning to believe we should have gone through with." Poseidon spoke up in hard tone giving his brother a stoic tone, "Because i'm really starting to understand Hades point of view and why he snapped!"
Zeus growled and even when he was hurt he straighten up to tower in defiance as the sky rumbled.
"Oh yeah?" he asked in anger "and what about all the rules Hades is breaking eh? because im pretty sure letting undead out the underworld and attack Olympus is also a violation of those"
"Ehhh boss?"
everyone turned to see an arriving Hermes.
"Ehh about that...im afraid its not that simple" the messager god said with a nervous tone.
"What do you mean Hermes?" asked the king in anger.
"Gulp...i mean...im sure there is some violation...and...if we looked down the paperwork we will find one but..."
"Oh for Gaia´s sake" another voice sounded and Nemesis (goddess of revenge ) walked into the reunion "what this ass-kisser is trying to say is that technically Hades didnt break ANY rule"
The air and everyone froze at those words before Zeus expression turned absolutely apocalyptic as he roared out with thunder booming overhead, "WHAT!?"
He glared at Nemesis with fury that unnerved even her as he demanded, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HADES HASNT BROKEN ANY RULES!?
He gestured across toward Olympus current state, "ARE YOU BLIND?" He asked with incredibility, "How is assaulting Olympus with those abominations and attacking us...NOT BREAKING ANY RULES?!"
"Because oh lord Zeus" she said in drawling tone "those things are not from the underworld" she declared before forming a ball of green fire and creating a window with it.
The image was of Thebes...the whole city was demolished however one could see some survivors walking in a row out the city.
However another thing they could notice was the undead hydra army and warriors standing guard around a destroyed temple (one that zeus noticed was his)...inside the temple they could see what looked like a black cauldron with green fumes coming out of it.
""Whatever they are they seem to be coming out of that thing" said Nemesis "they might have Hades seal of approval but they are not of divine origin or even from the underworld" the green goddess said "whatever that cauldron is, is 100% of earth origin...mortal magic for what i can tell...which, although is quite surprising something made by mortals has that power, it means Hades DIDNT use anything from the underworld to attack Olympus...meaning no rule has been broken"
"WHAT?!" One more the room echoed with that word and demand and once again it was said by many of the gods at once.
Though quite a few of them such as Apollo and Aphrodite stared in horror at the scene displayed especially Hercules who once more felt his failures crushing him seeing what was left of Tebes and the state of the survivors.
Ares shook his head in disbelief, "You're honestly telling me mortal magic caused all this!" He said in a tone of outrage, "How could anything from mortals magic or not actually threaten us!?"
He demanded utterly infuriated at this revelation and also insulted that Hades used mortal magic against them and that it worked so well.
Though part of the God of War had to respect the Lord of the Underworld strategy in exploiting a loophole like this and using something so unexpected against so well.
"And where the heck did Hades even get that thing anyway babe." Hermes spoke up staring at the image of the cauldron, "Because that thing is creepy with a capital C." He said giving a shiver, "Didn't think anything could be creepier than Underworld much less something created by mortals."
Zeus who was silently staring at the image in shock shook his head gathering his senses, "Yes where did Hades get this abomination?" He asked with gritted teeth while doing his best to not blow his top at this revelation.
Before another voice spoke up, "I think I might know." Hercules spoke up with a frown studying the image of the cauldron, "When Tebes was under attack they were lead by a undead monster different from the rest...a sorcerer."
He shook his head, "He was the one that told me about the laws of life and death, and he said he was a friend of Hades."
At his next words he paused, "He also said.." He sighed but powered through knowing this information had to be shared, "He also said that Hades had actually been sent by a higher power to enact punishment for breaking the laws."
the revelation caught the gods by surprise again.
"wait..Hades has a friend?" Hermes couldnt help but ask.
"FORGET ABOUT THAT!" roared Zeus "what do you mean with higher power?!" he was the king of the gods there wast higher power that his.
"Ummm ok that checks out" said Nemesis before poofing a scroll into her hands "will have to check later with Lady Themis and we both will need to cross our info with Eris but it seems that is official" she poofed the scroll away "it seems that the cosmos has decided you lord Zeus, god of lighting and ruler of Olympus has broken the universal laws and have allowed your son Hercules, lord of strength, to do so too...there forth to restore balance and justice...Hades, God and lord of the underworld and main victim of your crimes, has been chosen to carry the fitting punishment"
Zeus gaped in utter shock at Nemesis words and he wasn't alone with all the jaws of the Gods dropping at her worlds while Hercule looked down at his feet he wouldn't change saving Meg or making a life with her for anything..but he just wished that doing so hadn't come to this.
Poseidon shook himself out of his stupor before looking at this brother flatly and saying in a even flatter, "You couldn't have just given Hades a temple could you." He shrugged, "Or heck maybe a little festival celebrating him, anything!"
He exclaimed raising his hand in exasperation as he slapped his face groaning, "How the heck are we going to get out of this mess?"
"Tartarus if i know" said Nemesis "to be honest this is no surprise to me...after all of you lot Hades is the one with more cumulative revenge with so many unresolved sins committed against him" she shrugged "so it was only matter of time"
"Oh please" Zeus drawled "it cant be that bad"
the others looked at him in a "you are kidding right?" before Nemesis poofed another scroll.
"lets see...Zeus...multiple calls of sacrilege of a god´s name, multiple calls of insulting a god´s name, multiple calls of disrispecting another god´s name, multiple calls of disrespect a god´s domain" pause to look up "and its not just Hades name on that one...then returned "multiple attacks on another god without provocation, give protection to a sinner against another god multiple calls, trickery and deceive of another god...surprisingly one call on that one"
As Nemesis read down the list Zeus grew more nervous fidgeting and scratching the back of his neck feeling the judging stares of his fellow gods, "Okay..so maybe." He spoke up in a tentative tone, "I could have been a bit nicer to Hades."
"A bit." Poseidon said in a flat tone, "Frankly it seems the only thing you didn't do was throw him in Tartarus and make him dads new cellmate."
"As for you wonder boy" Nemesis pulled another scroll "disrespect a god´s domain, multiple calls...break and entering of said´s god´s domain, multiple calls...assault of inhabitants of a god´s realm, multiple calls....stealing from a god, we still counting that one...oh stealing souls from the underworld AND reviving said souls one BIG call" finished the green goddess.
Hercules himself gave a wince as Nemesis read down the list of his own crimes with him protesting weakly, "Look it's not like I usual had a choice."
He said look around at the gods, "Was I suppose to let Hades get away with his schemes?!" He asked with incredibility in his tone despite it no longer carrying the same conviction it did before.
Though as he did this Poseidon frowned noticing something important when Nemesis read down the list, "Hold it..HOLD EVERYTHING!" He called out holding a hand though not without giving a slight flinch from aggravating his injury as he looked over at Nemesis, "Did you say souls?" He asked with a undertone of anger
Before demanding, "As in more than one!?" He whirled to face Hercules, "I thought you only revived your wife?!"
"I did!!!" Hercules cried "i never revived anyone else!!!"
"your friends going into the underworld also count" Nemesis cleared "they are mortals meaning the moment they entered the underworld they belong to Hades...on that note we could add bringing/sneaking mortals into a godly realm without the authorization of the king of say realm"
"Argh!" Hercules groaned feeling a mixture of frustration, indignation, and anger at this whole situation, "Is there anything else."
He gritted out between his teeth, "Or can we address what we're going to do about this crisis!" He found himself snapping at Nemesis.
"Well i could also mention your daughter but Hades also has the last word about her" said Nemesis without caring about the angry tone of the hero
Hercules froze at this before whispering out in a whisper, "What?" Feeling like a cold sensation had washed over him at this statement before he glared at Nemesis, "What do you mean?!" He demanded in a louder tone taking a step forward glaring at her, "Hades has no right to be even near my daughter!"
"Are you deaf or just playing dumb?" asked the goddess of vengeance "Megara was DEAD meaning your daughter shouldnt even EXIST...she was born from a dead soul...meaning she falls under Hades rule...meaning he has the last word about her fate"
At those words Hercules eyes widen in utter shock as he felt like his soul had left his body as his arms fell to his sides with his mind now being thousand miles away.
Hebe fate under Hades control?! This..this couldn't be true! This whole thing and everything that's happen had to be some horrible nightmare! He shook his head in denial, "No.." He whispered out in denial before shouting out in rage, "NO I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT!"
He exclaimed feeling more rage than ever before as he started to pace back and forth muttering to himself, "I refuse to let Hades have any sway over my daughter!" He ran his hand through his hair, "There..there has to be some way around this right?!"
"Way around this? oh sure like eons of accumulated wrath and vengeance can be just talked over" Eris scoffed "want to fix things? then negotiate with Hades and get fix your father´s mistake" she scoffed "but dont expect get your wife or daughter back...they already belong to Hades and there is no way around that" and with that the goddess teleported away in a flash of green fire.
"No.." Hercules whispered out before roaring out in rage, "NO!" Before he found himself swinging around and punching a nearby pillar destroying it as he roared out in rage, "ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!"
"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!" He screamed out glaring up into the sky above them demanding answers, "Was what I did bad enough to damn my own daughter?!
"of course no Hercules" Zeus called "that witch is just talking Nonsense"
"Nonsense? Zeus are you mad?" Poseidon called "She is the goddess of vengeance one of the deities in charge of delivering just punishment and you are going to simply ignore her?!!!"
Zeus glared at Poseidon as he snapped back, "I will when it's clear she doesn't know what's she talking about!"
He said with a undertone of anger as thunder boomed overhead, "This is Hades we're talking about?!" He exclaimed before carrying on, "Do you honestly expect me to believe that not only is he in the right but he's."
Here Zeus tone turned heavy with sarcastic scorn, "Been given a mission by so called higher powers than myself to bring judgement on us!" He rolled his eyes, "Pfft give me a break i'd sooner believe Ares becoming a pacifist than that!
"Hey!" Ares said...that was kinda of insulting...even when it was true.
"and what are you expecting?" challenged the sea god "that we march into the underworld and force Hades to apologize, return Megara and Hebe and then then suffer whatever punishment you can think of?"
"Well..of course." Zeus said with a blink as he gave a huff, "I mean this is Hades we're talking about." He let out a chuckle, "I've lost count of how many times i've had to blast him with one of my thunderbolts."
He said as some amusing memories (At least to him ran through his mind.) before he shook his head back to the present, "And while i'll admit he caught us off guard we all know that Hades can easily be handled." He said with a smug tone before nodding his head over to Hercules, "Why my boy made him look a fool plenty of times in his youth whenever Hades tried one of his schemes."
He let his gaze roam over his fellow Gods, "So I ask you what makes this any different than any of Hades past stunts?"
"Maybe because this time he seems to not be HOLDING BACK!!!!" Poseidon cried "you forget he is the oldest of the three of us!!! he has more power that us but he always make use of loopholes because he always followed the rules!!!" the sea king dug a finger on his brother´s chest "rules that you broke...rules that now he DOESNT have to follow meaning all bets are off and he can really let loose!!!"
the other gods looked nervous at that.
"Ehhh he does have a point" Ares said "also isnt his kingdom like the biggest of the three?" he asked "i mean all the death my wars cause end up there so he has access to all the soldiers of all the wars since the establishment of Olympus...that doesnt sound safe to attack"
At that statement the gods traded nervous looks as that realization hit them before Apollo up with a solemn tone, "We also mustn't forget that he's acquired a dangerous mystical artifact that somehow escaped our notice."
He narrowed his eyes, "And as Hercules stated earlier he also apparently has a new ally we know little to nothing about."
Ares spoke up with a nod, "Yeah he's right." He said with a grim frown, "And while sis and I argue a lot we do agree on a few things." Some of the Gods such as Hermes did their best not to snort in disbelief at that statement though Ares paid them no mind as he gave everyone a hard serious stare.
"One of which is one of the most important things in war is knowing your enemy." He stated before asking, "So what the heck do we know about Hades new pal?"
"He is some sort of sorcerer" said Hercules feeling antsy...he did understand the need to know your enemy...understand the situation...but his daughter and wife were trapped in the underworld!!! "and as undead like those things but smart" he added "he probably controls them using that cauldron.
"Ha then this will be so easy" said Zeus "all i need is blow up that thing and those skeletons will be deal with and then you scaredy cats will see we dont need to worry about some silly rules" he said with a smile "Hephaestus go forge me some bolts"
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!" However before Hephaestus who wore a nervous expression at the order Ares stood up screaming looking at Zeus in shock and he wasn't alone with few other gods sharing this while Poseidon simply groaned as he face palmed
"Oh for..what now?!" Zeus demanded looking irkly at Ares, "We blow up that cauldron and those abominations will be taken of." He gave a chuckle, "And probably take away this so called sorcerers power source as well.
The king of the gods shrugged with a smirk, "So what's the problem?" Poseidon muttered under his breath, "Really starting to see why Hades pulled a coup."
He said with a low tone before giving his brother a hard stare, "The problem is you want to blow up a magical artifact which we know nothing about except that made by mortals or not it's got enough power to appeal to Hades and give us trouble."
"And you." He pointed at his brother with a tinge of disbelief, "Want to simply blow it up..do you really not see why that would be a bad idea?"
"Please as you say it is of mortal origin...one bolt from me and that will be all" he scoffed "you really think something from the mortal realm can really compare to us Olympians? HA as if"
"If it can't compare than how do you explain all of this." Artemis stated in a flat tone as she gestured toward the current of Olympus
Zeus crossed his arm not wanting to accept anything.
"Face it brother..Hades won this time" Poseidon called
Zeus facial expression turned to utter rage at that statement, "HADES HAS NOT WON!" BOOOM! He roared out with anger with a clap of thunder echoing his yell as he glared at his fellow gods, "I am the king of the Gods!"
He snapped pointing at himself, "My authority is the highest order nothing else!" He growled with a glare, "I don't care about this garbage of the cosmos itself backing Hades!"
He narrowed his eyes, "All I care about is getting him in line, putting him in his place, giving him his punishment, and ending all this nonsense once and for all! BOOOOM!
the sky darkened with lighting striking down.
more that one god gulped at the anger of Zeus.
except for once.
"Brother..."Poseidon started in low tone "i followed you against our father because i thought you were just and the best option to rule us" his eyes narrowed "when you propose that game of straws to decide our kingdoms i went with it because i thought it could be fun and because let fate decide was the right way"
His hand tighten around his trident "when Hades pulled the shorter one and accuse you of cheating i defend you and tried to reasoned with him" his eyes filled with anger "when you began mocking Hades at any chance you got i didnt thought twice because i thought it was harmless fun" deep breath "I tried to be there for Hades even when i had the sea to rule, i told myself that things were ok between us, i supported every...single...decision you took about Hades thinking at the end things would work out" his anger was palpable as water drops began forming an orbiting around him "It took a Titan attack, our brother being tossed into the Styx and now having to suffer his full rage to realize...how much of a fool i was"
Zeus found himself freezing at Poseidon's words and tone a expression of betrayal flashed across his face for a second before it was again clouded by rage, "And just what do you mean by that!"
He snapped glaring at Poseidon, "You can't seriously be feeling sympathy for or even taking Hades side of all people can you?!" He said with a glare, "It's not my fault that he can't take a joke or was always so bitter about everything!"
"I didn't force him to constantly plot behind our backs!' He yelled taking a step forward as thunder echoed out again BOOM!, "I didn't make him release the Titans!" BOOM! He took another step inches away from Poseidon as he growled out, "He was the one that choose to betray me!" BOOM! "Betray us..AND NOW YOU'RE TAKING HIS SIDE!" BOOM!
"But you did....when you decided to not care about him" Poseidon said "and i should have noticed before...hell when he stole my trident i should wonder why!!" he huffed before looking at Zeus in the eyes "you broke the rules Zeus...and for that punishment is expected no matter if you are the king or not" he huffed "and the sea wont support a war against the underworld when its obvious you are only doing it because you cant admit you are wrong"
"FINE!" Zeus snapped glaring, "It's not like I need your help to deal with the likes of Hades anyway!" He growled out before he huffed, "I never before after all." He said with a tone of annoyance before a smirk formed on his face, "Besides now that he doesn't have the element of surprise and we know about that soup pot."
He let out a amused chuckle, "Than me and my boy could easily handle him and his so called friend easily ourselves and be back in time for a celebratory fist." He turned toward Hercules with a smile, "Right my boy.."
Though the smile fell and he trailed off when he noticed the expression on his son's face, "Hercules?"
The hero was looking at his father with what one could call a betrayed expression.
"You...you are telling me...the rules are real? and that you...you knew about them?!" he asked with his tone getting angrier "you knew...and never told me!!!!" he yelled
Zeus found himself giving a slight flinch at his son's anger though the expression of betrayal he could see on his face hurt worst, "I wouldn't say..know exactly."
He tried to explain in nervous tone, "I just never remembered them...because." He reach over with his current good arm placing his hand on his son's shoulder, "They weren't important." He snorted, "I mean really i'm the King of the Gods son i'm the one who makes the rules, and decides when they should be followed or...bent shall we say."
"Bent?!!!!" Hercules screamed "Father all my life i was taught the importance of following the rules...rules to live among others, rules to use my strength, rules to be a hero!!!!! and now you are telling me just because you are king you can BEND the rules?!!!!!"
"Well..um..I." Zeus for the first time in eons found himself nervous and stuttering do to someone who wasn't his wife as he tried and struggled to find a proper explanation, "I..didn't mean it like."
He shook his head his tone on edge, "I just meant...." He trailed off seeing the look in his son and the various other gods eyes, "In certain situation..exceptions...can and should be made."
"Like what?!!!" called Poseidon "What made you think you could simply ignore the autonomy of the underworld, mock your OLDER brother and fellow KING and think you there wont be any consequence?"
Zeus actually found himself sweating as he swung his head back and forth feeling the piercing eyes of everyone in the room, "I um...you see..I."
He scrambled trying to find a way to explain himself finding his earlier strength and conviction starting to leave him before he shook his head, "I....I..." However as much as he despised the fact he couldn't find a way to explain
"Well.." Poseidon arched a brow, "We're waiting brother."
The king of gods felt trapped.
"Oh come on!!!!!" he finally yelled "is not like anyone cared and nothing bad had happened because of this!!!"
"MY DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE ARE TRAPPED IN THE UNDERWORLD!!!!" yelled Hercules filled with ire "I THINK THATS A BIG CONSEQUENCE!!!!"
Zeus gave a slight flinch before he found himself snapping back by instinct, "YOU WOULDNT EVEN HAVE A DAUGHTER IF I HADNT LET ONE LITTLE RULE GET BROKEN!"
"Why?" He asked in a bitter sarcastic tone, "Because it made my boy happy." He growled the next words, "Even if it meant refusing his proper place in Olympus!"
He said as his anger began to get the best of him as he carried on without fully realizing what he was saying, "AND ALL FOR HADES LEFTOVERS WHO YOU CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY AND DESTINY IN OLYMPUS OVER!"
a silence fell on olympus as Zeus last words echoed in their brains
Hercules looked at his father as if he was a complete stranger.
"I cant belive it" he said in low tone before turning around and began leaving
Zeus then realized what he said
"Hercules wait!!!!Zeus tried to catch up "i didnt mean it!!!" he put a hand on his shoulder
BAM!!!!
and got a punch in the face
"DUCK!" Ares yelled out falling to the ground with the instincts of eons of warfare with all the other Gods following his words as a large form zoomed over hitting a pillar with a mighty BOOM!
That rocked Olympus as hard as Zeus earlier anger who he himself was groaning in the rubble of the pillar as the other gods blinked in shock at him before turning to look at Hercules who glared before turning with a angered huff.
For several moments there was nothing but shocked silence at what just happen before Hermes spoke up, "Alright everyone's thinking so I'll go ahead and say." He said holding up a finger, "That...he had coming."
The other Gods gave a nod in agreement before Poseidon tried to hobble after his nephew, "Hercules..wait!"
"WHAT!" He roared before he completely left the room but kept his back to his uncle and others. "I know you're upset..furious even." Poseidon said before throwing a dark glower over his shoulder, "Believe me you're not alone in that."
He said before turning his focus back to his nephew back, "But..please."
He pleaded as he managed to arrive right behind his nephew and placed his hand on his left shoulder, "Don't go and do anything crazy.
Hercules groaned and simply continue walking.
"You take care of my dad" he said "let me worry about getting my family back and safe" the hero added as he began leaving the summit "but dont worry...right now...i just want to see if my mom is ok" he added
Poseidon gave a sight though with a tinge of relief, "Okay..okay." He gave a small weak smile, "I'm sure seeing you would certainly help her feel better anyway~"
He chuckled wearily as Hercules gave a silent nod and made to leave but paused as Poseidon spoke up again, "And..Hercules." The hero stood still as Poseidon seemingly struggled trying to find the right words before sighting feeling more tired than he had in eons, "I"m sorry."
"Yeah..so am I." The Hero turned God stated simply before he left to locate where his mother was resting.
While Poseidon watched him with a look of concern that started to darken in anger as he turned around, "Zeus!" He snapped out with barely restrained rage in his tone, "I think it's time we had a long overdue brother to brother chat about your attitude!"