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Chapter Text

High up in the Sky among the clouds lay a beautiful palace made from clouds and sunshine. It was the adobe of the Greek gods.

In the main palace,in his living room Zeus,King of the gods,was drinking with his brother Poseidon and reminiscing the years that seemed to have flown by since everything that happened with Hercules. Thankfully after some years they managed to convince his son to return to being a god by giving Meg,his wife,ambrosia to turn her Immortal herself.

Ever since then Life had been wonderful. His son had taken to being the god of strenght and protection and has done his utmost best to protect the weak and young as much as his godly status allowed him. Meg also took her duty as goddess of self-worth seriously,It took her a while to find her true calling but now she was a respected goddess among their midsts.

Until she took the mantle they hadn't realised just how much that role was needed and how much more It would be needed in the following years.

And then very recently they were gifted with two beautiful children. Twins. Truly Zeus couldn't possibly be happier,and yet there STILL remained a painful fact that smeared this perfect Life. His baby brother Hades. He couldn't help but rant to his other brother in his inebriated state.

"I really do not understand Poseidon. Even after all these years I can not fanthom what prompted Hades to DO such a thing! I mean he turned my son mortal,released The Titans AND tried to usurp me and rule over EVERY ONE of the gods as a dictator and tyrant! HOW could he do that to us!? His family,his nephew and his OWN BROTHER!?

Haven't I helped him and you by rescuing you both from our father's stomach?! Didn't I make him King and ruler of a third of the universe!? How did he turn so angry,hateful and bitter!? "

Poseidon while also drunk wasn't as wasted as his older brother. But listening to his tirade had also turned thoughtful. He had been concerned about their baby brother for quite some time now,even before that whole Usurption fiasco It was clear Hades had been getting worse. Among the three,Hades was the one who was the calmest and most level headed and logical.

Poseidon spent the most time with Hades compared to ANYONE else,he had known him since he was a baby and lived with him in their fathers stomach for YEARS.

After the war ended and the years slowly passed everyone forgot that fact as Hades was slowly turning more hotheaded, especially since he forcefully turned himself into an adult to rule over the Underworld. That thought sobered him a bit and he decided to share his thoughts with Zeus as he seemed to be more willing to listen than usual.

"Zeus... The truth is Hades hadn't been alright for quite some time now,even WAY before everything that happened with Hercules and The Titans. I've known him the longest, having lived with him in our father's stomach. He wasn't so hot headed,temperamental,angry and hateful as now, in fact the opposite! You should remember what he was like during the war. Calm,collected and logical in his approach! Fates! HE was the one who came up with our most successful strategies that were pivotal in our victory!

But as he took over The Underworld and forcefully turned himself into an adult..."

"Wait,WHAT!"

Poseidon was shocked by his older brother's exclamation.

He seemed more sober and looker far too pale and panicked for his taste. But before he could continue his brother cut him of by asking him frantically.

"What do you MEAN he forcefully turned himself into an adult!? How long ago had that happened!? WHY-Shit?!"

Poseidon watched his brother drag his hand through his face and hair besides himself. And he realised his brother hadn't known about Hades forceful maturity. A bad feeling started to rise from the pits of his stomach but he forced It down to get the answers out of his brother,as CLEARLY something must be seriously wrong with what Hades had done.

"Zeus,what do you MEAN WHY!? He HAD to become an adult to properly rule The Underworld. How do you NOT know about It!? And what is wrong with what Hades had done - talk to me DAMN IT!!!"

Zeus came out of his thoughts and looked at the worry filled eyes of his younger brother. He was right. HOW had he not known about It!? It explained everything! But he had to tell his brother and he needed to prevent himself from going down the rabbit hole as that wouldn't be helping ANYONE.

"Damn it. What Hades did basicly stunted his growth. While outwardly he may seem as an adult he is STILL a teenager!

And not just a normal teenager but A HORMONAL COFFE ADDICTED, STRESSFULL AND OVERWORKED TEENAGER who is unstable in both body and mind!!! Poseidon he should have DIED from that. The fact he is still alive and mostly functual is a miracle in itself!

His Powers haven't matured and grown to their full potential unlike us or the rest! His forcefully brought adult body,while enabling him in ruling The Underworld made It impossible for him to grow and mature normally as he should have.

What he is doing is extremely dangerous and harmful! His immature Powers are straining to keep his adult body,keep The Underworld in check AND complete his duty!

No wonder he turned out the way he had! I am not even angry at him anymore. In fact I am furious at myself for not realising this sooner! I am thankful he is still alive and that we can still DO something to prevent him from LITERALLY EXPLODING."

It was clear that Poseidon was shocked and horrified by those news. 'No wonder...' But It was still unclear HOW they can help their baby brother.

"While I am distraught to hear what our baby brother had been living through Zeus,HOW do we help him?"

The question calmed him down significantly. As the fact that there was a solution took some of the burden from his shoulders.

"The solution is actually rather simple and easy. All we have to do is have Hades turn back to his actual teenage body and have him grow and mature normally."

To Poseidon those words were both a relief and troubling. His brother noticed that immediantly and instantly stiffened.

"What's wrong?"

With a sigh he started to explain things his older brother didn't seem to realise.

"Zeus,you have to realise that Hades CAN'T live like a normal teenager in The Underworld. And before you start, NO, having him live HERE in Olympus is NOT an option. I sincerely hope you can understand WHY."

That stopped Zeus from saying whatever he wanted to say. He looked around his home and let memories of the past pass through his mind. And as he thought about It,it became painfully clear WHY It wouldn't work. Hades and the rest of their kin have a strained relationship from Hades past actions.

Zeus now understood the reason behind Hades behaviour,and the not small amount of responsebility he and Poseidon held in It. Even If he explained It all himself It wouldn't be enough to erase their resentment, especially the younger one's. Not to mention Hades pride would never allow him to appear weak or lesser than the other gods. It was a pride he understood himself being a King and ruler of a third of the universe.

"Then what do we do? He HAS to turn back and live as a teenager to become a proper mature god. Otherwise he'll explode! Where can a young and powerful god like Hades go to experience and live his life as a teenager!?"

Poseidon was quite dismayed himself but suddenly remembered his youngest daughter Ulliana and the fact he enrolled her in Merlin Academy. So he exclaimed excitedly.

"I know!"

"Well then say It!"

"We'll enroll him in Merlin Academy!"

Zeus just blinked his eyes and looked at his brother increduously in disbelief.

" No,hear me out! Merlin Academy is a prestigious school for young people who are either royalty, powerful or chosen by the Fates themselves. Hades is both powerful and royalty,he'll be surrounded by teenagers who are technicaly his age AND Merlin himself is the principal and a professor there.

The fact is we don't have many options Zeus. Merlin Academy is our best solution. We can have Hades underlings work instead of him for a few years,at the very least until he graduates. It would also put my mind more at ease to have him watch over Ulliana...she can be quite the trouble maker."

Zeus was mostly convinced by his brother,after all there weren't many other options as he said. There was just ONE thing troubling him now. He looked at Poseidon warily and said.

"Now we only need to convince Hades."

Chapter Text

It was a beautiful but mostly ordinary day for Merlin. He was in his office filling documents as usual. A cup of fine English tea was next to him from which he slowly drank,enjoying It's taste and relaxing as evening was slowly approaching.

It would have countinued to be another ordinary,but fullfiling day in the wizard's life If he hadn't suddenly felt a POWERFUL and COMMANDING presence announcing It's coming. Merlin calmly put his cup of tea down,put forward wards to keep sound from coming out and anyone, but the one coming in,from coming inside his office.

That all happened in just under five minutes and now Zeus,King of the gods was sitting in front of him in one of his chairs alongside a blue haired teenager in black regal clothes that was trying,and failing,not to appear sullen and annoyed. He was adorned in quite a lot of jewerly,unlike most teenage boys his age. A silver necklace with an errie blue sheen caught the wizard's attention,It seemed to posses or rather conduct a lot of power that belonged to the boy.

Merlin turned all of his attention to the King of gods,It wasn't as much a deliberate choice as It was an unavoidable action. When Zeus demanded attention, that is what he would always get. His power and authority made It impossible to do otherwise.

"Your divine Majesty,to what do I owe this honor of you visiting me this fine evening?"

Zeus gave a warm smile and hearty laugh. The kind that would put most people at ease.

Merlin wasn't most people. And his instincts gained in his long life alongside his magic were telling him something BIG was going to happen. Something that could potentially become dangerous. And that that had something to do with the blue haired teenager that looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but HERE.

"Merlin, It is delightful to finally meet you! I have heard many great things about you! Though my visit this time is strictly of a professional nature. You see,I want to sign up a godly teenager in your school."

And there It was. Merlin's bad feeling kept getting worse. He pushed It aside as It would only be a hindrance to him now. So he decided to turn his attention from the boisterous King of gods to the quiet blue haired teenager,whom Merlin realised he still didn't know the name of.

"And would this young man be the godly teenager you wish to enroll in my school Your Majesty? May I know your name young man?"

At being addressed the blue haired boy turned to look at him with an unreadable expression,but just as It seemed like he was about to say something Zeus interrupted him.

"Yes! That would be him! His circumstences are...peculiar and unique. You will be given a file later on tonight explaining everything, as I am afraid It would take too long for me to do It myself. Everything in it MUST. STAY. SECRET. NO ONE. CAN.KNOW.ANYTHING.ABOUT.IT. outside this school until graduation. I hope I have made myself perfectly clear. The situation is rather delicate,and for everyone's sake,It needs to remain only known in this school until the time he graduates."

Merlin was...suprised(scared) by the severity in the King of gods voice. But he quickly composed himself and nodded solemnly.

"Of course. I understand. I will give my utmost to keep the confidentiality as well as the safety of ALL of my students. Now may I know the name of the newest student of my school?"
Zeus seemed satisfied with his response.

"This is my youngest brother. Hades."

Chapter Text

To say Merlin was suprised would be the understatement of the century.

"Hades? Your youngest brother Hades? King of the Underworld,god of the Dead and the one who tried to usurp you in the past? THAT Hades?"

Merlin despite his immense shock somehow managed to not rise his voice and keep his tone relatively calm.

Zeus sighed as If he expected a reaction like that.

"Yes. THAT Hades. You'll know the exact details in the file you'll get tonight but know that Hades wasn't truly himself back then and that in my eyes,and under the laws of our kind, isn't gulity. His situation is honestly one of a kind,and I myself am still battling with its implications.

Unfortunetly the younger generation won't be as understanding, unlike me and those of the older generation,as they don't have the same understanding of our powers and It's workings.

Which is why he'll be staying here the next few years until he graduates."

While his curiosity was eating at him, Merlin nodded and decided to patiently wait until he got that file tonight. Right now he needs to give his attention to the clearly troubled teen.(Hades of all people!)

"I sincerely welcome you to my school. You will be given a room and rulebook alongside modern clothes to better fit in with your peers. Is there anything in particular you'd want?"

Hades turned thoughtful for a moment before anwering.

"Leather."

It was the first time he spoke since they arrived. It wasn't anything like he had expected.It was a quiet,though commanding voice.Though once his answer registered in his mind It took the old wizard aback.

"Leather?"

Hades nodded.

"Yes leather. More specifically black leather. I wish to have clothes made out of It to wear."

"I see. Any particular reason why?"

His face hardly changed as he answered.

"I wish to feel the dead skin of animals on me and be able to always inhale the smell of death that keeps clinging to It."

There was a resounding silence.

"Well...that seems to make sense for a god of the dead. It shall be arranged. Here is a key to your new room and a map with which you can find It. Unfortunetly as you came quite late there is no one who can show you around. I hope you can wait until tomorrow. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"It's fine. I am far too tired for more people anyway."

He took the key and map and promptly left the room.
Zeus cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I apologize for his behaviour. It has been a very stressful few days for him. And he has also always been ... peculiar in his behaviour. I hope you won't mind It too much in the future?"

What else can he do now but nod to The King of gods. It will be a long and eventful next few years.

***

Bridget was happily walking towards Principal Merlin's office while moving her cart that still had a few plates of her famous flamingo cupcakes. It had become a tradition of sorts, for her to share her treats with the school staff after learning hours. She enjoyed watching their happy faces after seeing her show her gratitude and sharing her treats with them. Most of them even thanked her!

Though there were some grumpy(mean) ones that didn't. But that's alright! Almost no student,except Ella,thanked her for them either so It was no biggie. With some more patience and little more treats,they will become friends! She was sure of It!

She was brought out of her quiet musing by seeing someone exit the principal's office. The first thing she noticed was his blue hair that reminded her of her good friend Ella, although his was lighter with the tips of his flame shaped hair almost turning white. Which was peculiar as only her and Ella had such colorful hair in their school.His face was young, though he seemed a little older than her. He wore a luxurious black robe made of silk and a lot of jewerly. Rings,earrings and a necklace. In his hands he held a map and key.

Seeing those things snapped Bridget out of her observation. She realised he must be a new student! She had to welcome him! And maybe he'd become her new friend! So she quickened her stride to reach him sooner,once she came closer she greeted him cheerfully and sweetly.

"Hello!"

He looked up from the map and then down to her-and oh dear. He was really tall. Now standing in front of him Bridget realised he is a head and a half taller than her towering over her. In fact,she was certain there was no other student taller than him in school. He wore a sligthly suprised but mostly confused expression on his face.

"Yes?"

"My name is Bridget! You must be a new student. I sincerely welcome you and hope you'll enjoy your stay in our wonderful school! To celebrate your enrollment to our school I offer you one of my famous flamingo cupcakes! Enjoy!"

The guy at first just blinked and looked taken aback and even more confused after she practically almost shoved a tray full of cupcakes at him. She felt a little embarrassed at being so aggressive but it soon went away as she watched him take one and examine It for a bit before taking a bite. Although his expression didn't change much, his eyes DID light up at the taste. Bridget was ready to jump from joy until she saw her magic cupcake lighting the guy's hair in an blue-pink fire.

"Oh my gosh! Your hair is on fire! W-what do I do!? My magic cupcakes never did this before!"

She was horrified and tears were falling down her eyes,and she came even closer to put out the fire but-she didn't know how!!! Before she spiralled even further and almost made a complete fool of herself the guy grabbed her hands,that were uselessly hovering around the fire on his head,with his free one.

"Calm down. Your cupcake did nothing but give my flames a hint of pink,I can make my hair turn into a flame naturally through my powers. It doesn't hurt me."

He calmly explained to my agitated self.

"Oh."-She blinked and then looked at her hands that were being easily clasped by one of his own. She blushed sligthly in embarrassment-" I'm sorry."

She took her hands out of his and stepped back,standing awkwardly looking at him. She wasn't quite certain what to say now after that. So she latched on to the only thing that seemed to make sense mentioning.

"So you have magic of your own?"

He titled his head a little as If assessing her and then shrugged in answer.

"Kind of."

She smiled brightly,and having a topic to discuss now, eager to shift the attention from that mistake of hers.

"That's amazing! I mostly only know how to do potions and magic baking myself! Is that how you enrolled?"

"In a way. I am also Royalty."

"Me too! I come from Wonderland myself! We seem to have quite a few things in common!"

He gave an unreadable look but just shrugged and took another bite of her cupcake. Bridget was estatic! It seemed she finally met someone other than Ella who could be her friend! She abandoned her happy daydream however when the new student asked her a question.

"By the way,why were you coming here with this cart filled with cupcakes? You shouldn't have been able to know about my enrollment to come and welcome me like this."

"Oh I did not know,It was but a happy coincidence. At this time I go around the school giving away my treats to the school staff! In fact Principal Merlin is my last stop before I retire to my room."

By the time I finished speaking he had already finished eating the cupcake.

"Hmmm. I see. I have to go find my new assigned room. It was pleasant meeting you. And thank you for the treat."

Once done speaking he left a stunned Bridget behind. She was frozen in shock since she hadn't expected him to thank her, especially after that embarrassing display,but he DID. Someone other than Ella among the students thanked her! By the time she came to he had already left. And she realised two things.

She hadn't responed to him when he left.

And she TOTALLY forgot to ask for his name!

But she at least had a friendly conversation with him.
Exluding that embarrassing moment. She couldn't wait to tell Ella everything! As soon as she gave principal Merlin his cupcake that is.