Athena's Sponsorship

"A life without Meg, even an immortal one would be empty," my little brother, Hercules, said. "I finally know where I belong. I wish to remain on Earth with her."

"Wait!" I blurted out. "I nominate Megara to join us as a goddess."

The other gods and goddesses all stared at me. I closed my eyes and imagined debating this point with just Father. "Why would we do that, Athena?" Ares, my rival and brother, demanded.

"Hercules belongs here on Olympus and he belongs with Megara," I replied. "Is not a true hero measured by the strength of their heart?"

Father and Hera both nodded.

"When Megara was working for Hades, during the first battle, she wanted Hercules to run before the Hydra showed up. Then when Hades sent her to destroy Hercules, she couldn't do it. If Megara had been able to talk during Hades' offer to Hercules, she would have asked Hercules to not take the deal, that she wasn't worth it, because she loves Hercules. In fact, the only reason why she was working for Hades in the first place was to save her jerk of an ex-boyfriend," I responded. "Megara is a true hero. She was willing to die to save the man she loved thus enabling him to complete his act that made him into a true hero. I rest my case."

Father looked thoughtfully for a few moments and then nodded. Meg gasped and then looked at Hercules. He was stunned. He had not become mortal again. Instead Meg had become a goddess.

"Meg, you're a goddess, we can stay on Olympus together," Hercules hugged Meg eagerly.

"With our family," Megara added, motioning to the rest of us. We quickly enveloped the two into an embrace.

"Um, Father, Meg and I need to take Phil home," Hercules murmured.

"Alright son," Father replied.

"Oh, and Little Brother?" I called. "Be good to Megara or you will regret it."

Hercules blinked and then nodded. "I have an older sister?" He asked.

I nodded and added, "Several, plus several other older brothers—Ares, for example."

He nodded. "We'll be back soon," he promised.


They took Phil to Hercules' adoptive family's farm and Phil agreed to help Hercules' family there.


After they returned, I grinned at my new future sister-in-law, once the two finally get engaged and married. I snickered when I remembered how Aphrodite was the goddess of love. Worst case scenario, she could help get those two together.

Megara walked over to me. "Thank you, Athena," she murmured.

"You'll be a great goddess," I replied.

She nodded. Then Hera walked over and said, "Let's go home, Meg."

Meg smiled and then she took Hercules' hand and the two led the rest of us home into Olympus.