I Do Not Own Percy Jackson or Greek Mythology

I wrote this after being inspired by the new Hercules movie, the one staring Dwayne Johnson. I love the movie, and Hercules has been a hero of mine since I first became interested in Greek Mythology. That said, I miss the noble hero of my youth, especially since I now know that even in the original myths, he wasn't the most noble of Hero's. Rick Riordan took it a step further in Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus, and in his series, Hercules is someone I despise.

This story is my attempt to explain the wildly different views of Hercules, ranging from Noble Hero to Despicable Man.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

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Hera, Queen of Olympus and Goddess of Marriage, kept her face impassive as she watched her step-son pull a nymph into his lap.

Hercules didn't deserve his godhood, let alone her daughter Hebe as his wife.

Glancing around, she was pleased to note the party was in full swing. Excellent, her absence wouldn't be missed. Rising from her throne, the goddess made her way out of the hall.

Alone and undisturbed, Hera made her way away from the palace. With everyone at the celebration, she saw no one by the time she arrived at her private temple.

She rarely came here, spending most of her time at the Palace, but every now and then, she needed the privacy. And even her husband wouldn't enter her temple uninvited.

Rather than go to her bed however, Hera made her way to a small shrine.

There laid several objects, the most noticeable being a massive war-club.

The club wielded by Heracles.

Her son.

There was nothing she hated Zeus and Hercules more for, than for stealing the glory of her one mortal child.

Heracles had been a noble and loyal man, remaining faithful to his wife despite his adventures and Labors. Each labor had been for her glory, to prove that other's besides the bastard children of her husband or Poseidon could be heroes. He had killed several beast that had been terrorizing the people.

Of course Zeus found out about his heritage, and he had been furious.

He had induced a madness in Heracles, forcing him to kill his own wife and children, her grandchildren. When her son had, in his grief and guilt after the madness had vanished, killed himself, Zeus renamed his son Alcaeus, a child he had tricked Hera into suckling, as Hercules. Hercules had claimed her son's deeds as his own, and tainted his reputation.

He raped the Amazons when he stole Hippolyta's belt, he refused to acknowledge the aid he received when he STOLE her golden apples, and he laid with women all over Greece and beyond.

Yet her son was in the underworld, ancient law preventing her from ever seeing him again, and Zeus' bastard was made a God, whom she was forced to see on a regular basis.

The mortals had it wrong when they said she hated Heracles, but they had no idea just how much she loathed Hercules.

Or how much she always would, if for no other reason than he had ruined her good sons name.

With a grim smile, Hera gently caressed her son's weapon, and muttered, "I hope you have found peace my son, no one deserves it more."

With a tear rolling down her cheek, Hera turned and walked to her bed chamber. And when she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but wish she had the powers of her father Kronos, Titan Lord of Time. Perhaps then she would be able to undo all the injustice done to her son.

Heracles, Glory of Hera.

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I hope you enjoyed. On a side note, this could actually be the truth, as depending on the myth, a god Hercules or a Hercules in the Underworld, if this was true, it would be both.

Anyway, Please Review, Check Out the Challenges in My Forums (Link on Profile), and the stories I have for Adoption under the Title: Please Adopt Me!