Author's Note: This is my first, and most likely, only Kingdom Hearts fic. Born of a plot bunny that occurred to me when I saw this particular scene for the first time, I finally decided to write it down and share it with you. Enjoy!
Auron was behaving strangely. First, he acted as if he did not recognize Sora, Donald, Goofy, or Hercules, and then he made a cryptic remark about atoning for his crimes. "Hey! What was that about?" Sora wanted to know.
The undead warrior ignored the boy's question, however, and strode off into the Cave of the Dead. Pausing only for a moment, Sora, Donald, and Goofy followed him into the cave, only stopping when they spotted him having a conversation with Hades, Lord of the Underworld. "Okay, let's review," he said, pacing back and forth. "State your crime, prisoner."
"I exist," Auron said flatly, sounding much like a robot. "That is my crime. It is…inexcusable."
"Ooh, good, very good!" Hades delightedly replied.
From their hiding place, Sora stared in horror. "What's wrong with Auron? He's never acted that way before."
"Shh!" Donald hissed, not wanting to draw the dark god's attention.
"Okay, so you made one lousy mistake: you exist," Hades continued, apparently not noticing the three spies, "But hey, I'm a forgiving guy. You keep your end of our little deal, and I'm willing to overlook a transgression or two."
"I understand," Auron replied in his automaton tone. "Defeat Hercules."
"And his meddling friends," Hades added.
Auron paused, showing surprise and confusion for the first time. "What? No, only Hercules."
The ground rumbled, but so faintly that no one noticed it…or the trouble it portended.
Hades frowned, and then walked over and propped his elbow on Auron's shoulder. "Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten who's in charge." The deity then placed his hand on the swordsman's shoulder, making several pyreflies emerge and causing him to groan in pain. Then Hades pulled out a doll, a miniature replica of Auron, waved it in front of him, and said, "Hercules and the other three. Are we clear?"
The ground rumbled again, hard enough to get everyone's attention, but not enough to cause anyone to worry.
"We're clear, Hades," Auron replied.
"Lord Hades," the god said, hurting him again.
The ground rumbled a third time, and Hades yelled, his flames turning red in his irritation, "That's it! I'm the Lord of the Underworld and I want you to stop rumbling, NOW!"
The ground stopped shaking…and exploded instead. Everything rocked violently, throwing everyone to the floor. The quaking grew worse, and then, just when they were sure that the entire Underworld was about to collapse, it stopped. "Is it over?" Goofy asked, holding his shield over his head.
"I don't think so…" Donald replied.
The dust settled, and the five of them realized that they were not alone in the Cave of the Dead. People of various ages, most of them female, all surrounded Hades and glared at him with ominous intent. "What do you want?" the god rudely demanded. "Don't you know who I am?"
The horde continued staring in stony silence, first at him, then at the soulless Auron, and finally at the little doll that held him prisoner. Then, in one big outcry, they bellowed, "KILL HADES!"
The multitude swarmed over the deity, shrieking in fury as they bit, scratched, punched, and otherwise attempted to tear him apart. "You can't do this!" Hades yelled, flailing as that crowd continued their assault. "I'm the Lord of the Underworld! I command you to…AIIEEEEEEE!"
Sora, Donald, and Goofy winced in unison as the unfortunate god hit a note that is usually only possibly in whale song. "I think we should get out of here," Sora said, slowly backing away as the horde continued its assault. "They don't look like they'll be finished anytime soon."