Title: King of the Gods (0/?)
Author: Artemis Luna Diana
Email: artemislunadiana@yahoo.com
Rating: R
Fandom: Xena/Herc.
Pairing: Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife
Disclaimer: I own not a thing.
Warning: homosexuality, sex, reference to character death
Summary: Challenge response to Shadwmage7: Joxer becomes King of the Gods.
Status: WIP
Archive: AJCS, all others please ask.
Website: and
Thanks to: BlackUmbridge for the excellent beta.
Notes: My mythology source for this little piece of adventure was: .
"blah" - verbal
'blah' - thoughts
The Challenge:
Joxer is transformed (and since it is the season.. at the Winter Solstice) by an outside force.. it must be totally not related to the present gods. You could do .. ancient talisman..
or Gaea.. or the Titans.. or whatever.. but he is changed into the King of the Gods. Zeus and Hera are not pleased.. and the rest of the pantheon is up in arms over it. However, it seems that while a bit off as a mortal.. Joxer is more than just right for the position. He disciplines those who need it.. makes peace and gets the respect he deserves from the rest of the gods and from the other pantheon rulers.
1. He takes Ares as his Consort.
2. He stops the twilight of the gods.
3. He thumps Hercules but good.. making him finally realize how WRONG he is.
4. He gets rid of Psyche.. or maybe just lets her be with someone else.. your choice.
5. He gets Strife back and with Cupid where he belongs.
***
Prologue
***
"Are you pleased with your choice, Mother?" Tethys voice was cold, a verbal slap to the woman who birthed her. "Your grandson has brought our downfall. The Twilight is upon us."
"Whether the Twilight comes or not, you will still continue, Daughter," Gaia replied unfazed.
"But my children will not!" she snapped.
"Tethys," Gaia said softly, "Do not despair. There is hope."
"What are you rambling about, Old Woman?"
"Did you really think I would allow such a travesty to continue without reason?"
"Then what are you waiting for?" Tethys cried. "We are nearly out of time!"
"I am waiting for Forgiveness and Mercy," she replied calmly.
"What?" Tethys asked shocked.
"The mortals are waiting, too."
"New Gods," Tethys realized. "They can stop the Twilight?"
"Not they, my dear, but he. He can stop the coming darkness." She paused. "If he chooses to."
"One God for both godhoods? Do you realize the power he would control?" Tethys' mouth opened in shock. "You're planning to put him in place of Zeus!"
"You disapprove my plotting?" Gaia asked mildly.
"Not at all, Mother. I completely approve. If you require any assistance in this matter, I would be happy to help," Tethys replied, a small smile curving her mouth.
"Good. Because I will need your help. I will go to him soon. If he accepts, I will share my knowledge with him. When I am done, I'd like you to do the same."
Tethys blinked. "You must be joking. If you give him that knowledge, there's no telling how he would use it against the other Gods."
"I know he will not harm those who do not deserve it, Tethys. He is Forgiveness and Mercy, whether he chooses to acknowledge it or not."
Tethys remained silent a moment, considering her mother's words. Reluctantly, she nodded. "I will share my knowledge with him as well." She paused, leveling a piercing stare at Gaia. "But if he uses our knowledge for ill will, I shall not forgive you."
Gaia met her daughter's gaze and nodded. "I understand."
***
{3 days walk west from Argos}
Joxer the Mighty
He roams through the country side,
He never needs a place to hide.
With Gabby as his sidekick,
Fighting with her little stick
Righting wrongs and singing songs,
Being mighty all day long.
The voice is off-key, but the man's cheerfulness and enthusiasm make up for his lack of talent. His armor is a mix-match of various scraps of metal and clangs with his every movement. An easygoing demeanor and a ready smile betray this man as a good one. He'd never hesitate to give a helping hand to those who need it, and he'd willingly sacrifice his own life to save a stranger or a friend, whichever the case may be.
Gaia smiled when she saw him. She noticed he walked alone this day, and for that reason her smile began to fade. The Winter Solstice was tomorrow; Joxer should have been with his friends. She stayed with him the rest of the day. When he stopped and made camp, she appeared before him.
"Hello, Joxer."
He sprang to his feet, or he tried to anyway. He'd been sitting with his legs crossed and only succeeded in tangling them further when he tried to leap to his feet. He ended up in a heap on the ground.
Gaia smiled slightly and held out a hand to help him up.
"Er, hi?" he squeaked once he was standing.
"Do you know who I am?" Gaia asked.
"I'm sorry, Goddess, but uh, no?"
"That's quite all right, Joxer. I would have been surprised if you recognized me. I'm Gaia." Joxer immediately started to fall to his knees, but she stopped him. "No, Joxer. That isn't necessary. Come sit with me." She led him back to his place by the fire and settled down beside him. "I have a story I'd like to share with you."
"I'd be honored, Goddess," Joxer replied, his voice trembling slightly.
She spoke to him of a world without the Gods, and as her tale continued the sufferings of man increased until man destroyed himself. And with his destruction, he took the few Gods that survived the Twilight. Without the Gods, man had destroyed all life.
Gaia took in the appearance of the mortal beside her. He was pale and trembling. She took his hands in hers. "Joxer that time is almost upon us."
"Why are the Gods leaving us?" Joxer asked.
"They will not leave by choice, young one. Zeus has brought this down upon them." She smiled slightly. "You are a favorite of the Gods, Joxer. Do you really think they would willingly abandon their favorites? Especially when they do so much to protect them?"
Joxer blushed and tried to pull his hands from her grasp. "I'm not a favorite," he protested.
"You are," Gaia countered. "But let's leave that for another time." She paused as she gathered her thoughts. "Joxer, there is one chance to prevent the Twilight, but it will require that someone stand against Zeus."
Joxer thought for a moment, then smiled happily. "You could ask Xena or Hercules!"
Gaia shook her head. "No, Joxer. They could not carry the burdens of the King of the Gods. Eventually, they would become just as warped and twisted as Zeus."
Joxer thought again. "Well, you could ask Ares! He's next in line anyways, right?"
"No, Joxer. Ares does not yet possess the patience to treat the mortals as they should be treated. His rule would be bloody and oppressive. Eventually, the mortals would be wiped out."
"Well, what about you?" Joxer tried again.
Gaia laughed. "No, I'm afraid not. I am much too old and much too busy to try and handle the responsibilities of the King of the Gods."
Joxer was silent. "Then, there isn't anyone, is there? The Twilight will come, and everyone will die."
"Joxer, I wouldn't have given you hope, if it wasn't there. There is someone who could bear the burdens of the King of the Gods and still treat the mortals as they should be treated."
"Who?" Joxer asked hopefully.
"The God of Forgiveness and Mercy."
Joxer frowned. "I've never heard of him before. It seems like he would be very nice though. Are you going to ask him to go against Zeus?"
"The reason why you haven't heard of him, little one, is because he doesn't exist yet."
Joxer's hope deflated. "Oh. Zeus isn't going to let him be born is he?"
"If Zeus knew, he'd kill the man before he could become a God," Gaia acknowledged.
"So you need someone to protect him from Zeus! I could find Xena and Hercules! I'm sure they would protect him."
Gaia smiled. "Joxer, you are the man who could become the God of Forgiveness and Mercy."
Joxer stared at her in shock, then slowly shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, Goddess, you must have made a mistake. I can't be a God. I'm just Joxer," he protested. Once more, he tried to remove his hands from her grasp.
Gaia wouldn't allow it. Her voice was calm and steady when she answered him. "I know that you do not have much faith in yourself, Joxer, but believe me when I say this: you are the man destined to become the God of Forgiveness and Mercy. You are the only one who can prevent the Twilight. I have faith in you, Joxer. Please, do not turn from this. Please, accept your destiny and become a God."
Joxer stopped trying to free himself and grew very still. "If I don't do this, everyone is going to die?"
"Yes, Joxer." Gaia tried to will away her tears as she ripped the innocence from the man beside her. He remained still, and Gaia felt a coldness seep into her soul. 'Please, don't refuse!'
"Alright. What do I have to do?"
Gaia pulled him into her embrace. She could not prevent the tears of relief and sorrow that escaped her.
***
{deep beneath the surface of the Earth}
"Come here, Joxer." Gaia beckoned him to her. "Lay down, and place your head in my lap. It is time for you to sleep."
Joxer gazed curiously at her, before approaching and doing as she said. For once he made no noise as he walked. His armor had been replaced with soft linen pants and a long-sleeve linen shirt.
"Sleep, Joxer. Sleep and dream." Joxer's eyes closed and his breathing evened out into sleep. "Sleep and learn all that I know. Sleep."
***
{Summer Solstice}
Joxer's eyes slowly opened. His body felt stiff, and he tried to stretch, but didn't seem to have the strength to manage it. Before he could panic, he heard Gaia.
"Your muscles have atrophied. You've been sleeping for six months. Be calm, I'll be right back." She carefully moved out from under him and stood. She fetched a goblet and filled it with nectar then carried it back to him. She helped him to sit up and drink from it.
His body glowed softly as it transformed and began to heal itself. "What was that?" Joxer asked, surprised that his voice was not rough from disuse.
"Nectar."
"I'm a God?"
"Yes. Have you regained the strength to stand?"
Joxer tested his limbs and then nodded. He stood, swaying slightly, as he fought for balance. Gaia guided him to a chair and helped him sit.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Hungry," he replied, a light blush spreading across his cheeks.
Gaia smiled and fetched some ambrosia for him. While he ate, she spoke to him of his ascension. "You are a God now, but you have not received a godhood yet."
"I know," he replied.
"Good. The knowledge transfer worked. Can you use your powers?"
Joxer stopped eating for a minute and thought about it. "Yes, I believe so. Should I try it out?"
"No. I'm keeping your ascension concealed from Zeus, but if you were to start using your gifts, I'm afraid it might draw his attention."
"Alright."
"I'm going to give you the first part of your godhood. Are you ready?"
Joxer nodded; he'd already finished eating.
She held up a small gem for his viewing. It was a clear crystal, possibly a diamond. "As forgiveness comes from within, so shall your godhood rest within." She lifted his shirt and held the gem close to his skin. It glowed and lifted from her hand.
The gem entered his body painlessly, but he could feel it's presence within his heart. Every beat reminded him of the gem within. Every beat would remind him to be forgiving.
She smiled at him. "Hello, Joxer, God of Forgiveness."
Joxer gave her a shaky smile in response.
"I will summon Tethys. She will guide you through the rest." Her mind reached out and found her daughter. 'Attend me, Tethys.'
A flash of light and the light scent of the sea filled the room. Tethys glanced around, her gaze rested on the young God beside her mother. "This is him?" she asked.
"Yes. Joxer, my daughter Tethys, Goddess of the Sea. Tethys, this is Joxer, God of Forgiveness."
"Pleased to meet you," Joxer said respectfully.
Tethys smiled slightly, pleased at Joxer's behavior. She beckoned him to her. "Come then, Joxer. It is time to learn once more."
***
{on the surface of the ocean floor, within the Palace of the Sea Goddess}
"Come, Joxer, and lay your head upon my lap."
Joxer smiled slightly. "How long will I sleep this time?"
Tethys returned his smile. "I'm not sure."
Joxer lay his head in Tethys' lap.
"Sleep, Joxer. Sleep and dream." Joxer's eyes closed and his breathing even out into sleep. "Sleep and learn all that I know. And as you learn of me, so shall I learn of you. Sleep."
***
{Winter Solstice}
Joxer drifted awake. He stretched, feeling his muscles tighten and then relax. He opened his eyes and saw Tethys smiling down at him. "How long was I asleep?"
"Six months. Today is the Winter Solstice."
Joxer sat up and stretched again. "Could I have something to drink? Gaia didn't want me to use my powers."
"Sure," Tethys replied and conjured a goblet with nectar in it. She stood up, while Joxer sipped his drink, and held a pearl up for his inspection. "Are you ready for the next part of your godhood?"
Joxer set the goblet aside and stood. "I'm ready."
"Mercy can only be found within, so your godhood will only be found within." She held the pearl up to his forehead.
The pearl glowed and then lifted from her hand. It passed painlessly into his body, but he could feel it's presence in his head, reminding him at all times to be merciful.
Tethys smiled. "Hello, Joxer, God of Forgiveness and Mercy."
Joxer returned her smile easily.
Tethys' smile increased at that display of confidence and acceptance, so out-of-character for the mortal he had been. The God before her was nearly whole. He had only to take the last part from Zeus and assimilate it into his godhood.
"I shall call Mother, and then it will begin." Tethys summoned her mother, and Gaia appeared before them.
Gaia embraced the young God. "Are you ready, my dear?"
"Yes, Gaia, I'm ready."
"Oh, none of that Gaia nonsense, darling, call me Mother."
Joxer smiled. "Yes, Mother."
Tethys snickered. Gaia glared at her, but her eyes were sparkling with mischief and delight. The three sobered as they began to plan. "We shall summon all the Gods, and continue to keep your power signature hidden. When all have arrived, we will enter the throne room."
"You won't have much time before someone manages to see past our veil, Joxer. You must act quickly," Tethys continued where her mother left off.
"I know," Joxer said and clasped her hands in his.
"I know you know, I'm just a little worried. What can I say, I've never plotted to overthrow someone before."
"Well, I have, and this will be a piece of cake, trust me."
Joxer smiled at Gaia's confidence. "Whenever you're ready, Mother."
"Let us begin."
***
"Do you know what's going on?"
Ares glanced at his sister and then turned his attention back to the twin thrones. "I can tell you they aren't the ones who called this little 'get-together.' What do you know?"
Eris glanced at her brother and then returned her attention to their parents. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing." They were silent a moment before Eris spoke again. "You know what that means. It means 'she' called us all together." Ares didn't respond. "So what does she want?" Ares glared at her, and Eris shut-up.
The doors to the room opened and Gaia and Tethys entered accompanied by a familiar looking mortal. Ares frowned as he struggled to place where he had seen the mortal before. They reached the dais quickly. Ares began to send out a tiny tendril of power when the mortal lifted his hand and Zeus was struck by a tremendous blast of power.
Shock prevented anyone from reacting until it was too late. Zeus lay slumped across his throne and the symbol of his status as King of the Gods now rested on the brow of the unknown God. Ares was one of the few Gods who knew that the crown was more than just a status symbol, it was also the symbol of a godhood. Zeus now held only the power of a simple sky god, and this unknown now had his own power, which was significant in its own right, and the power of the King of the Gods.
"Zeus has been stripped of his position," Gaia spoke firmly. "He is no longer King of the Gods."
Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, stared appalled at the slumped figure of her father on his throne, weak and helpless. She shouted a battle cry and charged the unknown God. She heard similar cries from some of her fellow Olympians. They would take this upstart young God down to size.
The massive wave of power that struck her sent her crashing down into the floor and crushing the marble beneath her body. The Goddess of the Hunt lay unconscious, only her immortality saved her. Other Gods and Goddess lay in battered repose about the room including Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Apollo, God of the Sun.
"Is there anyone else who would contest me?" Joxer asked looking about at the stunned Olympians, his gaze settling on the God of War. Ares had not joined the charge to defend Zeus and stopped his sister from joining in as well.
"Those who have challenged have fallen," Tethys said calmly. "All hail Joxer, God of Forgiveness and Mercy, King of the Gods."
***
TBC…