Hercules The Erinyes

Angry screams echoed loudly throughout the entire underworld. They were screams of the most intense anger and frustration, but at the same time there was a desperateness to them that made them hard to listen to. Screams were not uncommon in the underworld but these were truly frightening. This was why every creature in the underworld was staying away from the cries and doing their best to ignore them; every creature except one.

A lithe, quite figure dressed in green moved quickly towards the source of the screams. The figure, a woman, walked to the edge of a cliff and looked over. She saw a mass of green ghostlike figures swirling endlessly into a dark vortex. In the middle of this vortex was a dark and opaque object. This object was the source of the cries.

The woman stepped away from the cliff and walked over to a nearby stalagmite. She took the rope that she had been carrying in her left hand and tied it tightly around the rock. She made sure that it was secure and then threw the other end into the vortex. The rope stayed slack for several minutes then suddenly became taught and began to twist and strain against an intense force. A moment later a blue, claw like hand appeared at the edge of the cliff. Slowly, the figure of a man appeared. The woman did not help him as he pulled himself up onto the cliff. She merely watched him, arms folded across her chest and a bored expression on her face.

When the man finally got his entire body onto solid ground he just sat there for a minute, on his hands and knees, head down. He sat there in silence until finally the woman asked,Hades? Are you all right?

He said nothing for a second and then, without moving he replied. What happened?Hercules got Megara out of the vortex and by doing so, proved himself a true hero and his god hood was restored. He gave it up though, to stay with Megara on earth.

Hades didn't do anything as he digested this news.

You've been in there for two days. The woman told him. Hades stood up and as he dusted himself off his hair lit up again.

I want revenge. I want to make Hercules pay for all of this. Hades was perfectly calm as he said this but Tisiphone knew how angry he really was. There was a dangerous edge in his voice, which he was keeping even and low. He rarely got to this level of anger but when he did, he was more intimidating than when he exploded.

I'm going to my room, Hades said I don't want to be disturbed for anything. Hades began to walk away but he stopped and turned back.

I'm leaving this to you, I don't care how long it takes but I want my revenge. Oh, He added as an after thought, I want you to find Pain and Panic and send them to me. I have some questions to ask the two of them. With that Hades finally left.

The woman sighed and walked away to find Pain and Panic. Her name was Tisiphone and she was the last of the furies working for Hades. The furies were mortals, usually women, who sold their soul to Hades in the name of love. There were usually only three furies working for Hades at a time, and up until recently they had been Tisiphone, Alecto and Megara. Their job was to do Hades' biding until he deemed that their debt was paid and their souls could be returned. Until that time however, they were bound to Hades and given eternal life, but this was hardly a blessing. Hades could keep their souls for as long as he desired and their sentence was only shortened on by his good graces. Alecto had been a servant to Hades for eighty three years before she had been released, and the only reason that she had been was because Apollo, the sun god, had fallen in love with her. He had bought Alecto's soul from Hades at a great price and had made Alecto his wife.

Alecto had been lucky and so had Meg. Meg had only been a fury for five years before Hercules saved her. Tisiphone on the other hand had been a fury for 150 years. She had seen many furies come and go and she had out lasted them all. No other person had been a fury for as long as her. She was efficient and intelligent. She got things done with a cold, calculated ruthlessness. She was good at what she did and that made her valuable to Hades. In fact Hades had become so used to having her around that Tisiphone sometimes wondered if he had forgotten that he had to eventually set her free. She dared not mention it to him in case he used it as an excuse to add more time to her sentence. Officially she had twelve more years and she didn't want it changed to thirty.

Tisiphone really didn't mind the underworld too much. There really hadn't been a lot to her life before she had sold her soul and any family she had was now dead. At least in the underworld she was important and respected among the other creatures there. It was only sometimes that she wished she could have the freedom to go where she wanted when she wanted. That was why she waited two days to get Hades out of the vortex, it was like a mini vacation for her.

Tisiphone found Pain and Panic sitting in Hades throne, eating his food . They saw her come in and began to throw food at her. Tisiphone picked up a large golden platter and held it in front of her, blocking the majority of the food thrown her way.

Cute boys she said.

Get out of here, we're in charge now! Pain yelled, holding up an apple menacingly.

All right, all right, I'll go, Tisiphone replied, holding up her hands in a surrendering gesture. I just came to let you know that Hades wants to see you in his chambers immediately.

Pain and Panic froze, Panic squeaked.

Oh, did I forget to mention? I helped Hades get out of the vortex a few minutes ago.

There was a seconds pause, then Panic screamed and began to run around in a circle frantically. You idiot! It was your idea not to help him out and now he's gonna kill us! Panic yelled grabbing Pain by the shoulders and shaking him.

Pain smacked Panic across the face and yelled back, Me! If you knew what a bad idea it was why didn't you talk me out of it?

The two imps continued to blame one another until Tisiphone yelled over the noise, I wouldn't keep him waiting if I were you, he's mad enough as it is. Panic yelped and hurried out of the room. Pain began to follow but stopped just short of the door.

Why did you get him out? Nothing is going to change. We all would have been better off. He then quickly left the room.

Tisiphone ignored what Pain had said and headed for her chambers. Halfway there she heard two very familiar screams and she knew that Pain and Panic were getting their promised punishment. When Tisiphone made it to her room she shut the door to help block out the sounds of Pain and Panic. Tisiphone walked over to her bed and fell back onto it. She sighed, what sort of punishment could she inflict on Hercules? She couldn't kill him, it wasn't her style. Besides if she killed him he'd just end up going to the Elysian Fields and that was no punishment at all.

Killing Megara wasn't an option either as Hercules had proven that he could rectify that situation. Tisiphone really didn't have any desire to kill Meg anyway, she had been a fellow fury after all.

Tisiphone growled into her pillow, What can I do that will really make this man suffer? Heaving another sigh, Tisiphone hurled her pillow to the other side of the room. I can't beat myself up over this. she muttered. Tisiphone's eyes shot open and she bolted up out of her bed. That's it... she whispered. She ran quickly from the room.

She hurried down to one of the lowest levels of Hades' palace and navigated herself through the labyrinth that was the dungeon levels. Finally she came to two large metal doors and pushed them open. She entered a large circular room that was very dark except for the eerie glow of rows and rows of different coloured potions on the wall. She searched the shelves for several minutes before she found a scarlet potion and removed it from its place. Holding the vial up, Tisiphone studied its contents.

This is perfect but I don't want it to work right away. Going back to the shelves Tisiphone searched again until she found a little wooden bottle. She opened it and smelled its contents. It smelled heavily of onions. Tisiphone brought both potions to a large rectangular table in the middle of the room. Opening the scarlet potion she poured ten drops of the onion smelling potion into it. There was a hissing noise and the scarlet potion began to smoke but it soon died away. Tisiphone corked the wooden bottle and put it back on the shelf.

She had found the ultimate punishment for Hercules. One that would make him truly suffer, that would make him regret the day he wronged the lord of the dead. This was why she was the best of the furies and always would be.

Megara hummed as she adjusted the ornaments in her hair. She smiled as she surveyed her reflection in her mirror. She had to admit, she looked good in white. Everything about this day was going perfectly, it was an ideal day for a wedding. Meg suspected that Zeus had something to do with the beautiful day they were having. Meg couldn't stop smiling, she had never been so happy in her entire life.

There was a gentle knock at the door. Meg stood up, brushed the wrinkles out of her long white gown and walked over to the door. When she opened it she was shocked to see Hercules standing there in his white wedding attire. He pushed his way into the room and gave Meg a passionate kiss.

Meg laughed as she pushed away a little. It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.I don't care, I just had to see you Hercules replied

You couldn't wait ten minutes? Meg teased. Hercules just kissed her again in reply. Meg pushed him away again. All right lover boy get back out there, the ceremony is going to start in a few minutes. Hercules grinned, kissed her once more and allowed himself to be pushed out of the door.

Meg laughed to herself as she fixed her now mussed up hair. A few seconds later Meg heard another knock at her door. She chuckled as she walked over, Hercules, enough... The sentence died in her throat when Meg saw that it wasn't Hercules at her door.

What? Don't I even get a hello Megara? Meg said in shock as Tisiphone let herself into the room.

You look very nice Meg, that's a very lovely dress. Tisiphone sat down and surveyed Meg with her big green eyes.

What are you doing here Tisiphone? Meg asked coldly.

Can't I come and congratulate an old friend on her wedding day? Meg scoffed, Look, Hades can't touch us. Zeus said as much...Hold your horses Meg, I'm not going to do anything to you. Hades doesn't even know that I'm here. Meg didn't say anything but kept a suspicious eye on the other woman.

Tisiphone stood back up, walked over to Meg and placed her hands on either side of Meg's face. I always liked you Meg. I really hope you know that.

Meg looked confused, I know she said.

Tisiphone replied dropping her hands and turning to leave.

Meg said. Why don't you stay for the ceremony?

Tisiphone smiled sadly, I'll be there, you just won't see me. Tisiphone left, leaving Meg standing alone, not knowing exactly what to think,

The ceremony was beautiful. Tisiphone had never seen two people look so happy. It made her job all the more difficult but she steeled herself to the idea. During the reception Tisiphone snuck behind a large column. She watched the wedding party sit down for dinner. Meg and Hercules holding hands, Hercules's mortal parents watching proudly and the best man, Icarus, who was acting in such a hyperactive manner that Tisiphone wasn't sure if he was drunk yet or not. Everyone was so preoccupied with the wedding that they wouldn't notice her.

Tisiphone saw one of the waiters walking towards her. He was carrying a tray with drinks on it. As he walked past her she placed a hand on his chest.

Can I help you miss? He asked. Tisiphone smiled at him, Yes, you can. She brought her other hand up to her face, opened up her palm and blew. A purple powder flew into the young man's face. He coughed and spluttered a bit but he soon went completely still and his eyes became glazed over.

Tisiphone removed all of the goblets except for one. She then withdrew the vial containing the scarlet potion from inside her robes. She poured the entire contents into the goblet and looked the waiter in the eyes.

Give this drink to the groom, only the groom. She said. Make sure that he drinks it. The waiter nodded and proceeded to the head table.

The waiter walked up behind Hercules and placed the goblet in front of him. Then to Tisiphone's delight and surprise the waiter grabbed another goblet, raised it in the air and said, a toast to the happy couple.How clever Tisiphone thought. She hadn't expected the waiter to have any brains.

Everyone raised their goblets and toasted the couple. Tisiphone watched as Hercules drank the entire contents of his goblet. He coughed after he finished. Hercules are you all right? His mother, Alcmena, asked. Hercules cleared his throat and patted his mother's hand, I'm fine mom

Meg looked at her husband with concern, she felt rather edgy. She had the feeling that someone was watching them but when she looked into the crowd she only caught a glimpse of what she thought was Tisiphone's cloak. When she looked again it was gone. Worry threatened to consume Meg but she felt Hercules take her hand and when she looked at his face, love for her so clearly reflected there, she couldn't help but relax. Nothing could go wrong, it was her wedding day and she and Hercules were going ot start their new life together. She pushed thoughts of Tisiphone so far into the back of her mind that she soon forgot all about her.

Tisiphone descended the long stairs that led down to the underworld, weary and ready for a long nap. She felt horrible and just hoped that when the time came, she would be forgiven for everything she had done for Hades.

As she approached the river Styx she reached into her robes and produced two golden coins. She handed them to the skeletal boatman, Charon, who stood at the edge of the river waiting by his boat. Charon took her money, helped her into the boat and started off without a word. He never spoke. Tisiphone used to find this unnerving but, like everything else in the underworld, she had gotten used to it.

They reached the other bank after a few minutes and once Tisiphone was safely on shore Charon silently left. Tisiphone walked on and soon heard the low warning growl of Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld. His growls were so powerful that they were shaking the ground beneath Tisiphone's feet, but as soon as she came into view Cerberus's growls ceased and all three gigantic heads shot up and began to pant happily. Tisiphone stroked the dogs massive leg as she passed by, then proceeded to walk through the gates and into Hades' palace.

She had not been in the door a second when Hades' voice called out, Tisiphone sighed as she removed her cloak. Yes, I'm here Hades. She saw him come stalking towards her. His mood had not improved since she had seen him last, he merely looked less dishevelled. Pain and Panic were trailing behind him, heavily bandaged.

Where have you been? Have you done anything about the Hercules situation like I told you to? Hades demanded.

Actually that's exactly what I was out doing Tisiphone replied calmly. She had learned to keep cool when Hades got into this state.

Hades asked, his mood quickly changing. What have you done Siphi?Wait ten years and you'll seeTen years! What good is that! Pain yelled

Now, now Pain. Tisiphone must have something really good in the works if it's worth waiting that long for. Isn't that so Tisiphone? Hades said

Yes, I think that you'll be quite pleased with the results. Tisiphone responded, not looking particularly pleased herself.

That's what I thought Hades said with a sinister smirk on his face. I can wait, revenge is a dish best served cold afterall.

Tisiphone raised an eyebrow. Hey, that's pretty good. You should write that down.

All Hercules characters are copyright of Disney, I did not create any of them.
Tisiphone and Alecto belong to me. Though the names come from mythology. So does the name furies
Those who know their greek mythology will have some complaints I know. I know my mythology very well but for the sake of the story I've changed a lot of the myths to suit my purpose. Since the Disney version of Hercules does the same thing I figured it wasn't such a bad idea.

If you like this I hope to have finished the next chapter in about a month. Review please!

Evelyn Owens