AN: Something I made at the wee hours of the morning because DoH is giving me a headache. Another side story, you could say. It's something that my brothers and I tossed around and made fun of. A 'what if' situation. My opinion on how Greece would be like if the big three switched places. It's going to be four parts and an epilogue.
Everything changed on the day the Universe was divided amongst the three brothers.
In the shimmering new palace of Mount Olympus, in front of the unoccupied throne of the king of the gods, the three sons of Cronus stood huddled in a circle. Zeus, the youngest of the siblings, held a bundle of sticks in his fist with trepidation, his eyes shifting between the two other gods in front of him. This was it. He closed his eyes and took a deep calming breath; he held it in for a few seconds before he released it slowly. When he opened them once more, there was a fire of determination shining within.
All three brothers reached for a stick in Zeus' hand. Zeus wasn't the only one anxious. Hades and Poseidon were also equally frightened. Each pinched a stick delicately, afraid that these fragile pieces of wood (that somehow determined the meaning of the rest of their existence) might break under their godly strength. This would be the will of the Fates. Whoever picked the longest stick would rule the heavens and the gods; the one who picked the mid-length stick would rule the middle ground; while the one who picked the shortest stick would rule the Underworld.
This was it. Their eternal lives would be forever defined by three measly sticks.
After one tense moment, Zeus slowly let go of the sticks, the ones not chosen falling and bouncing on the floor a little too loudly within the strained silence, revealing who picked what. When he surveyed his stick, his face morphed into a disappointed scowl. Hades looked at his stick with pleasant surprise while Poseidon let out a small, stifled shriek of horror.
Hades had the longest, Zeus the mid-length and Poseidon the shortest.
"The Fates had spoken," Hades said turning his stick to and fro, making sure he got the right one. Somehow he had a feeling that he got the wrong stick not that he was complaining.
"I'm the king of the seas?" Zeus' frown deepened. "I feel weird saying that."
Poseidon dramatically fell on his knees and wailed, "Will you stop complaining? Even though majority of your subjects are fish at least they're alive! What about me? I'm the king of the Underworld! God of the Dead! Me!"
Hades felt like he had to defend Poseidon's lot. "I'm sure it's not that bad brother. It wouldn't be included in the selection if there weren't any good points."
"Easy for you to say, you got the longest stick!" Zeus growled petulantly, eying Hades' lot with envy.
"Well, let us put our faith in the Fates brothers. Now that our father's realm is divided, we all have separate responsibilities to tend to. And Poseidon," Hades said looking at his despairing younger brother. "I will visit you often so you won't feel too lonely."
Poseidon stood up, looking a little bit appeased. "Thank you Hades," he breathed gratefully.
He nodded and declared triumphantly, "Now that the war is won, let us go our separate ways!"
"Wait. One last thing before we all go our own way," Zeus said with a mischievous smirk as he waved a hand on Poseidon's form. Poseidon's chiton changed from immaculate white to sheer black with gold accents. "There now you really look like the king of the dead."
A small sob escaped his lips as he surveyed his new clothing. "Zeus you idiot!" he screamed as he ran away, probably to find the nearest cave to either hide or enter his new domain or both.
Zeus clutched his middle. He was laughing so hard tears were starting to form in the corners of his eyes. When he gained enough composure that he was sure he won't topple over in the next minute, he turned to look at Hades.
Hades just shook his head, a small amused smile on his lips. "He's right you know. That was idiotic."
"But you have to admit it was amusing," he replied, nudging the too-serious elder with his elbow.
"Alright, alright. I admit it. It was amusing at the expense of our poor brother." Zeus let out another snicker. "But I'm afraid this is where we part. I hope things go well on your end." Hades extended a hand.
Zeus took his arm and returned the gesture of good will. "Yes, brother. Does this mean I have to call you Your Majesty now?"
Hades smiled. "There's no need for formalities between us."
"Will do. Bye Hades!" Zeus waved before he ran and jumped from their sky base, Mt. Olympus, and somehow maneuvered himself to dive perfectly into the sea below.
When Zeus had left, Hades turned to look at the chair behind him. It was his father's throne and now it was his. He traced the arm of the throne with the lightest of touch, his fingers slightly trembling in both anxiety and anticipation. The burden of ruling had fallen to him. It was bound to be heavy with a lot of responsibilities strung with it and he only prayed that he had enough strength to carry it all.
But he must because no one other than him could sit on the throne. Alone in the throne chamber, without a fuss or a fanfare, the newly appointed king of the gods sat on his golden throne with a resigned sigh which was immediately replaced by a resolute expression.
