Chapter 1 - Opposites Attract

Note: Hey! I love Greek Mythology and the story of Hades and Persephone is one of my favourite love stories! There are many versions of the myth but I like to believe in the one where both had a genuine devotion for each other. This is using the Disney version of the characters and it is rated M for mature themes later. Also feel free to review as it keeps me going in my writing and storytelling for everyone :) Hope you enjoy!

Upon the great tops of mount Olympus the Gods and Goddesses gathered to celebrate a new year with a glorious feast and enchanting music. Everybody chattered about their instances with humans, telling the most wonderful and funniest stories. Zeus and Hera sat by Poseidon and his wife, and like most couples do, they boasted and laughed with the memories they made together. All were happy. Well… not for one individual. One who appeared to be all alone, with a scowl plastered on his devilish face, and busily drinking the many fruitful cups of wine to drown out the atmosphere and its sickly sweetness. Hades. He couldn't stand the whole affair, and felt like an outcast among all the beautiful Gods and Goddesses praising themselves and each other for their own splendor. No one even took a second look at him to compliment or take the time to talk about his events and life in the underworld. Too grim and too depressing to even think about. He wouldn't admit to anyone but, secretly, he was jealous that such benevolent features and figures were bestowed upon the Olympians except him. His jagged teeth, fiery hair, sharp fingers, and dark clothing were enough for him to be mistaken for a monster than a god. The only good things he liked were the strong muscular body that all the Gods had, and his silver voice. Yet unfortunately, he was branded as evil and most didn't want to be associated with him. So, here he was. A solitary figure spying on a world he felt both in and out of. He spyed his young and older brothers, embracing their queens lovingly. Certainly, that part of his life was missing. Like a puzzle without its piece to make it whole. He never in all his years considered love or any of that mushy stuff, until recently. As time went by, he felt the aura, and the passion, and heat burning in lovers both immortal and mortal. It was a powerful force that could change people's lives forever, and he couldn't understand why until seeing his brothers so happily married, and the incident with Eurydice and Orpheus even made the cold-hearted God feel the strength it invigorated in man. All together, he finally knew loneliness in another way. Zeus noticed how sombre his brother was and went up to go talk.

"Hey there Hades! I hope your enjoying yourself!"

"Ohhh yeahhh I having a WONDERFUL time." He said sarcastically, taking another sip.

"Oh c'mon Hades don't be such a stiff! I can tell you're not in a good mood!"

"Since when am I ever in a good mood?"

"Look! I understand this isn't your thing but why not join me and your brother! We were just talking about how lucky we are to have this food, and powers and love for all to bask in!"

"Oh I'd love to but can't, cause you see the thing is and you're gonna think I sound completely crazy for it but uhhh… I can't relate to that in any way!"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Ok here's the thing! You got the kingdom, you got the wife and son, and I… got a bunch of dead people… guess that's all I gotta be thankful for huh!"

"Oh Brother! I didn't know you felt that way!"

"Yeah yeah yeah tell me something I don't know!" And with that Hades stormed away to get more punch, leaving Zeus feeling upset that his brother was without a family of his own. Despite everything that happened between them, Zeus knew the truth and pain and suffering Hades resided within his soul. He needed a plan to help him but the real question was how and what to do.

Meanwhile, Hades managed to pour another drink and maybe steal a couple of bites along the way. "That's it! I've had enough of this rodeo show!" he stated and turned to head back towards the exit when suddenly he stopped. A girl of whom he had never seen before stared at him from across the room. She had a wide-eyed, doe like expression as if caught in a trance. Her long golden hair flowed like a waterfall of honey, her pink rose skin illuminated amongst the crowd against the white frilled dress she wore. The flower crown in her hair suited her perfectly beyond any Goddess that was present. Hades swiftly looked around left, right, up and down to check if one of Eros's arrows had struck him by surprise, but then, he remembered that Gods and Goddesses were immune to its effects unlike humans. However, they still shared its symptoms. Hades was confused as to why he was feeling hotter than usual (no pun intended), and why the pulse of his heart seemed to grow. Apollo came over to ask if he was okay considering the expression on his face was an unusual one for the lord of the underworld.

"Who… Who is that?" He asked, still star struck.

"Oh her! That's Persephone, Demeter's daughter. It's the first time I guess she's been presented before the Olympian court. A Goddess of Spring too."

Hades couldn't believe that such a beauty was before him. She outshone even Aphrodite! Of course, he'd never tell her that to her face. But somehow, he had to get to know her. He wanted, no, needed to know her! She was approaching the buffet and fixing her interest on him. None of the other gods were like him. He was different, and to say the least on her part… rather handsome. She loved in beauty in chaos in all manner of things despite her mother's teachings that beauty and ugly were two dividing subjects which could never mix. Yet, regardless that his hair was made of flames, its vibrancy and electric blue colours cast an unusual spell on her. His sharp teeth and fingers had a carnivorous quality, like the lions or the tigers she surrounded herself with which made them fearsome but majestic. And his eyes. Those golden orbs seemed to obtain a softer and more gentle look.

"Persephone my dear what are you staring at?" Demeter asked.

"Who is he mother?"

"Who dear?"

"Him. The God with fire for hair and wearing the dark cloak."

"Oh… him. He's Hades. Zeus's brother and God of the underworld. You won't need to pay any attention to him my child. He's not like US." And with that being said, she dragged her daughter away towards the others in a huff. Persephone was confused. Why would her mother reject another God that way? And above all else this Hades was certainly becoming more intriguing to her.

After the party…

Hades returned to his gloomy and dark abysmal kingdom, approaching the skull sanctum from the river Styx. He gazed at the lost and helpless souls crying, begging, moaning for attention and relief with their slimy limbs clinging for life to the boat. Those who had sinned paid the price of suffering, and Hades remorselessly blasted them back into the green glutinous waters. At the bay, Pain and Panic, his two trusted minions were awaiting their master's return.

"Your highness! Welcome back sir!" Panic enthusiastically exclaimed.

"We've missed you!" Pain highlighted equally.

"Oh yes! Really missed you!"

"Yes boys, I have to admit, I missed this place! Olympus is just too… too… heavenly! Where's the drama? the stress and strife? The whole joint is deader than dead! Excusing the pun. Now IF I were in charge, I'd definitely be able to spice things up!"

"Oh definitely your grace! Those other Gods have NOTHING to compare to you sir!" Pain praised, as they both followed him upstairs to the throne room.

"Whatever… uh geez." Hades said holding his face and slumping down on his royal seat.

"What's wrong your mightiness?" Panic asked.

"Nothing. Just… ok. Look, there was this goddess and she's apparently new to the court of Olympus. She was… how can I put it? Different. No not different… uh interesting. No! That ain't the word either."

"What's her name?"

"Persephone. Demeter's daughter and goddess of spring… She had a certain aura about her I can't put my finger on it. Heh, from the way she was looking at me it appeared as if she found me interesting too!"

Both Pain and Panic looked at one another with confusion. Never had they seen their lord become frazzled and overwhelmed by a goddess before. But, then again, they ironically began to wonder whether or not Hades did have a romantic side.

"You mean she was fond of you, sir? What did she say?" Pain inquired hesitantly.

"I couldn't get a chance to talk to her. That pompous plant-headed Demeter pulled her away just as she was walking in my direction! And they say I'm rude! Unbelievable!" He clicked his fingers and in an instant a Martini glass appeared in his palm complete with a skewered olive and he took one big gulp, before it vanished just as quickly.

"I've got a task for you boys!" Hades said, rubbing his hands together. "Find out about this Persephone for me would ya? Anything you can get your stubby little hands on but make sure you DON'T get caught! Understand?"

"Yes sir!" They both replied saluting and flew out of the room without delay.

Hades ransacked his brain at why this one little goddess plagued his mind all of a sudden. There had to be a reason.

Meanwhile…

A lush green valley was bathed in moonlight. The flowers and plants all seemed to glow and dance among the wind, creating an almost uncanny yet beautiful effect. At the heart of this place, was a large and grand house with tall white columns on each side. A figure loomed over the edge of a balcony, sighing as her mother ordered her back into the room.

"Persephone please come in dear. It's quite chilly tonight and I wouldn't want you to catch a death of cold."

"I'm just admiring the sky and the valley… It has such a rare and pretty look to it in the dark."

"Oh how can anyone see that! It's strange what you find beautiful!"

"I see beauty in everything… even if the surface appears fearsome…" She became lost in thought as the face of Hades soon illuminated in her mind. She smile subtly; wondering what the lord of the underworld was really like.

"Mother why did you not want me to associate with Hades?"

"Persephone! How dare you even speak his name in this house! He is the lord of the dead and black as the ground to which they came from. He's always plotting or scheming to try and find a way to be on top."

"But being at the bottom for so long… I understand his longing to do so."

"My dear you understand nothing." Demeter walked over to her and lifted her chin up. "You are so young, so beautiful and precious… I couldn't bare you being caught up in such affairs. So put the whole thing and him out of your head immediately. Goodnight."

Before she could reply, Demeter opened the door and left, leaving Persephone even more curious about him. She sat on the bed, brushing her hair, and envisioned Hades again from the strong chin, the voluminous soft flames, to his romanesque nose and long smoky robe which enveloped the bluish-gray of his skin. Persephone gasped at why those particular details stood out to her. He was blue. She was pink. Opposites. But the more she imagined, the more her fascination grew. Maybe he wasn't so bad. There was only one way to find out. Her mind was settled… she needed to see him.