Prompt from Saphira Winters: What if It was Hercules and Aladdin as the couple and instead of the pillar falling on top of Meh like in the movies, it fell on Aladdin and Hercules has to go to the underworld to retrieve his soul to bring him back to life. I'm always wanted to see that happen. So if it wasn't too much trouble could you perhaps do it? :-)
... I needed to write a full story about it
...
"Ummmm… Phil?"
Phil didn't pay him any attention, too focused on trying to find someone for Hercules to rescue. The trip to Thebes had been quiet, with nothing remarkable happening.
"Phil?!"
Groaning under his breath, he turned his attention to the new hero, frowning at the stunned look on the man's face…. however, when he followed the gaze, he knew instantly what Hercules was staring at.
Or rather, who.
"Don't stare kid." He chided Hercules, "If you want to be a hero, you've got to get used to them."
"… Who are they?"
'They' referred to a several, darker skinned men and women who were buying a selling from stalls in the marketplace.
"Araves…. Or Arabs." Phil explained, "They come from the hotter countries to the south, sand and spoon, travelling over the seas to set up shop here. They bring spices and fine silk, so they make a fair bit of money. They're nice…. Good people. Good people who don't really want to be stared at!"
A slight flush on his face, Hercules nodded and turned away.
Phil couldn't be too mad with him. The Araves tended to settle in either Athens or Thebes, it was extremely unlikely that they would have made there way to the small village that Hercules came from.
As they continued to walk through the streets, Hercules could hear someone yelping… as though they were in pain.
"Phil…"
"Not our problem kid, just keep on- kid!"
Hercules ignored him, moving closer to where the shouting was coming from.
Heading further into the marketplace, Hercules frowned at the sight of a large, dark-skinned man, pinning another, much younger man against the wall near the stall.
"Dirty little street-rat!" he was screaming in the young man's face, "Where'd you get those coins, huh?"
The young man was clearly trying to protest his innocence, struggling against the grip, kicking out when he could, but barely managing to hurt the man. The protests only grew in volume as the larger man pulled him over to a wooden block that was hidden behind the man's stall… along with a curved blade.
Hercules couldn't stay where he was any longer. Clearing his throat, he stepped forwards, catching the larger man's attention. "Begging your pardon Sir…" he spoke up, "… But I am reasonably sure that that is not the way crime is dealt with around here."
"It's how we deal with it…" the larger man sneered, "…. No hands, which means that they can't steal anything."
"I didn't steal anything!" the young man protested, turning pleading eyes on Hercules as he continued to struggle against the grip, "My Master gave me money to pay! You accepted that amount last week!"
Finding himself slightly transfixed by the large brown eyes, Hercules took another step forward. "Sir…" he spoke up again, "…. You can't do this. It isn't right!"
"Oh yeah… and I suppose you're going to stop me?"
Before Hercules could say anything, the large man suddenly lunged for him and punched him in the face…. only to yell in pain and take a step back when the Greek barely flinched at the hit, merely turning his head with the force of the strike.
Before Mick could say anything, the bald man suddenly lunged for him and punched him in the face… only to take a step back when Mick barely flinched at the hit, merely turning his head with the force of the strike.
"This really isn't necessary…" Hercules tried to interject as the man lunged again and again, "…. Just calm down and- "He sighed wearily when there was no sign of the man stopping any time soon. Gently taking the man's shoulders, he moved him to one side and headed over to the young man, who was still looking a little unsure as to what was happening.
"T-thanks…" the man whispered, a small smile spreading across his face as Hercules helped him to his feet, "… I- "
Before he could finish, there was a growl from the right as the large stall-keeper got over his shock of being moved casually to one side and decided to try and take Hercules down again.
"Excuse me." Hercules quickly smiled at the young man, before spinning around and bracing himself, stopping the large man as he charged at him.
"Nice work!" he heard Phil call out from the side-lines, "Excellent-ay!"
"Is he… real?" he also heard the younger man ask shyly, before he seemed to turn to Phil and asked, in a shocked voice, "A-are you real?"
"Of course I'm real! What, you've never seen a satyr before?!"
"N-no?"
Thankfully, the fight (if it could even be called that) didn't last long and the larger man ran, screaming about 'calling the guards' as he took his wounded pride with him.
When Hercules turned to Phil and the young man, a proud smile on his face, Phil rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, big deal…. You humiliated some big-shot store owner. When you get to the big leagues, you'll wish you only had to deal with men like him! Don't get distracted by a random pair of big brown eyes and- "
Before Phil could finish, Hercules found his attention drawn back to the younger man, who was leaning against the wall, a slightly stunned look on his face.
"Hey…" Hercules greeted, a nervous smile on his face as he made his way over, ignoring Phil's snarl of frustration, "… are you okay Mister…" He paused, quickly realising that he didn't actually know the young man's name.
"… Aladdin." The young man bashfully shuffled from side to side, "But my friends call me Al… or at least they would if I had any friends."
The last bit was muttered under his breath, clearly not intended to be heard…. But Hercules did, and he felt a pang in his heart.
He knew what having no friends felt like.
"So… Ummm, do you have a name?"
Flushing slightly at the realisation that he hadn't actually introduced himself, Hercules stuck his hand out, wincing as Aladdin flinched, "Sorry, sorry…. Hercules. My name is Hercules." When Aladdin relaxed, giving him a shy smile, Hercules couldn't help but return it, eyes darting towards the bruises that were already starting to develop around Aladdin's wrists, "So… why did he think you were stealing from him?"
Aladdin winced, "I-I have… a history of it." He confessed, "But I have a job now, and money! I-I've turned my life around!"
At the earnest look on Aladdin's face, Hercules instantly believed him.
The clothing didn't look like anything that had come from scavenging on the streets…. In fact, it looked like the fine materials that were hanging from many of the stalls, with golden trimming.
However, before he could say anything in reassurance, Phil grabbed his hand and pulled him away from Aladdin.
"We don't have time for this!" he grumbled, sending Aladdin a quick glare, "Come on kid, we have work to do."
Hercules resisted slightly, not quite wanting to leave Aladdin alone just yet. "Do you need us to give you a lift to wherever your Master works?" he gestured at Pegasus, who was examining Aladdin with curiosity, "I'm sure he won't mind."
Shyly, Aladdin shook his head, "It's not a long walk, I think I can handle it. I lived on these streets for years you know… thank you though." Without letting Hercules say another word, he started to walk around, waving a hand over his shoulder, "Thank you!"
As Aladdin disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the crowds within the marketplace, Hercules knew he was staring in that direction… he only hoped he didn't have a goofy look on his face.
"He was… he was something huh?"
"O yeah, yeah…" Phil grumbled, "…. A common little thief! Wake up kid! You want to be a hero, don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah… I do."
Judging by the stern look on Phil's face, as he dragged Hercules towards Pegasus, he probably did have a goofy look on his face. However, he allowed himself to be pushed forwards, heading back towards the main street, trying to push Aladdin from his mind.