Similar to what I did with the matrix I want to write a small series of one-shots that take place during the end of the movie through different points of view. Others have done POV stories "Yes I Can" is one through Hercules's POV, and "Phil's Tears" is through Phil. I HIGHLY recommend you go read those, and I want to give them credit for inspiring me to try my hand at this POV series. See the links below

s/9642829/1/Phil-s-Tears

s/7912697/1/Yes-I-Can

I also wanted to touch on unseen events, what was Meg doing in the time between Hades learning she was Hercules's weakness and the scene in the stadium. What occurred between Meg and Phil when she got him from the docks, and after Hercules left for the fight on Olympus, and when Herc was struggling against the Cyclops without his strength?

I'm trying to write as if it is in their head, which is hard… so tell me how I do.

This update is just a few formatting corrections

Phil

I was in shock; Hercules had never shown aggression like that before. But the shock wore off quickly as the pain in my lower back settled in. By mornin' I'd have a large blue-black bruise coverin' most of the back of me. I stood, feelin' my joints protestin' with snaps and groans. I think Hercules tried to apologize, but I would have none of it. I'd given this kid my all, the last of what I had in me; I came outta retirement to make his dreams come true. And after all I've sacrificed for him; he's ready to cast me aside for some woman who didn't return his enthusiastic and misplaced affection. I admit, I shoulda given it a different approach, explained what it was I heard and maybe he would have listened. But it was too late now. Even if I told him, he wouldn't believe me.

"Okay… okay… that's it. You don't wanna face the truth? Fine."

"Phil? W-wait… where you goin'?"

"I'm hoppin' the first barge outta here, I'm goin' home." I turned to walk away, feelin' forlorn that I had come so close to my dream, got to see it and had it snatched away from me. Everythin' I'd ever worked for always ended in failure. Perhaps I wasn't a trainer of heroes, just a pathetic satyr who thought he could leave a hoof print in the world ruled by humans. I could hear his voice, but not make out the words. It didn't matter; nothin' mattered any more. The kid would burn himself to the ground and I wouldn't be there to watch it happen. A pang of guilt tugged at my insides, and I looked back longingly at the one kid who had shown more potential than Jason, Adonis, or any of the others.

"I thought you were gonna' be the all-time champ… not the all-time chump…" The kid who had risen from the scrawny pathetic farm boy who was beggin' for my help to the most famous name in Greece, the kid who had before always taken my word as law was now willin' to send me soaring across an arena to defend the honor of a woman who wished him nothin' but harm.

I stepped outside and for the first time noticed the dark clouds. Must be a storm…I hoped Poseidon would still allow a barge to sail his waters and bring me home; to my island, where I could bask in the glory of the past and stop obsessing over what would never be. I needed a walk to cool my head and decided against seeking Pegasus for the trip to the villa to gather my meager belongins.

The walk was long, and with nothin' but my thoughts for company it was lonely. Which surprised me, I lived alone on the island with no company except for the nymphs who were less than thrilled when approached. I enjoyed my solitude, and had been happy with such. Until that scrawny kid came along to bring me outta retirement. I'd spent little time alone since, and the prospect of returnin' to solitude brought feelins a' loneliness. I thought I'd missed it, and it wasn't 'til I was about to regain it that I realized how miserable I was.

The villa was hard to miss; it was one a' the largest structures in Thebes and always gathered a crowd. It was late, most of the groupies gone home, but there were the last traces of tour groups millin' about. I walked up to the gates, wavin' to the bodyguard. The man recognized me quickly, nodded his head and turned to open the gate. Once inside I looked around at the statues and trees lining the path to the door, and hesitated. Was abandonin' everythin' the right choice? But I was quickly reassured of my decision when I saw how similar this entryway looked to the gardens where I found Hercules and discovered that woman's intentions.

I thought about what it was the kid was willin' to throw everythin' away for. That damn 'damsel in distress' we met nearly a year ago. I wish now her scream wasn't heard and we'd never met her. It woulda taken just a few more minutes of flight to be out of hearin' distance. A few minutes to change fate… Ever since Herc saved her ass from that Centaur Guardian in the river she made a bad habit of appearin' outta thin air. I never approved of her, or Herc spendin' any time with her. But the kid had a mind of his own. As much as I disliked the dame I never thought she was capable of such evil. Consortin' with Hades to bring down the greatest hero Greece had ever known the hero who showed her nothin' but kindness? I can't think of a worse kind of low.

I walked into the room that served as my bedroom, gazing at all the trophies and memorabilia that adorned the walls. I narrowed my eyes at them, at the farce they represented and dismayed at the loss of pride they once held. I was not worthy of such trophies. I failed, again. I went to the small chest which contained the few things that mattered to me. An old dagger, a gift from Jason before he set coarse on the Argo, a small blanket that was more than adequate to keep me warm in the winter months, and several scrolls containing epic poems includin' the tale of Odysseus. I packed a bit of food and skin of water and several of a strong mulled wine to help me forget everythin'; at least for a little while.

I slung the bag packed with my things over my shoulder and left the villa without a final glance. I set out for the docks, and noticed the storm clouds grew thicker. I could smell the salt in the air, and feel the coming storm. The aches in my knees told me it was close. You don't live on an island all your life without learnin' about storms. At the docks I could see how foreboding the sea was. She was roilin', angry. Poseidon must have been in a mood. It didn't matter, I was determined to leave. The sooner I could put everything behind me the better. At the pier I found a ship's crew packing supplies, and approached the captain.

"Can a satyr book a trip?" The man turned, eyeing me skeptically.

"And why should I do a favor to you?" I groaned, not in the mood to deal with the cynical city locale. I pulled a small sack of coins from my bag and handed it to him.

"This should be reason enough ya bum. The island, where the colossus was." The captain grunted, and accepted my payment,

"Damn good timing friend, we're shovin' off once the crew gets their asses to the boat!" He shouted that last part to the last few stragglers who had yet to make it to the barge. Funny thing about gold, enough of it makes anyone your "friend" and ignore whatever insult you just gave.

I marched down the steps, slick with salt water from the violent waves crashin' against the fragile docks. With shorter legs I wasn't able to keep up with the seamen, despite their being slowed by the heavy load they were carryin' to finish loadin' the boat. The captain was shoutin' to me to hurry up, but I gave the man enough gold that he could learn some damned patience.

"Phil!" I paused at hearin' my name, and spun around spittin' angry. I glared at the figure I saw, that damnable siren. "Phil, Hercules needs your help!"

"What does he need me for when he's got friends like you?!" I failed to conjure the words to express how I was feelin'. I didn't know, or care, why Pegasus was helpin' her. I assumed she manipulated him, the way she manipulates everyone around her. The thought was enough to nearly make me mad with rage, and only my sentimental attachment to my few material possessions kept me from throwin' my bag at her in hopes of knockin' her into the waves below. I was momentarily ashamed; I had never had such a violent impulse before. But she was prepared to have Hercules killed, to help Hades. Medium or well done, the words that would echo with me forever.

"He won't listen to me…"

"Good! He's finally learned somethin'!" I waved my hand dismissingly and turned, rollin' my eyes. She could manipulate everyone else, but Gods be damned if I'd let her manipulate me. I moved to continue down the slippery path, and was stopped when Pegasus stood in my way, snortin' at me. I was startled by the angry scowl on his face, and looked up at Megara, it appeared that she'd been cryin'.

"Look, I know what I did was wrong but this isn't about me it's about him," I couldn't help but notice how her voice softened at the last word, all but chockin' on it. I moved past her, I knew her tone and her expression were just her tools to manipulate me. It wouldn't work. "If you don't help him now Phil he'll die" Damned it I guess she can manipulate me… I couldn't walk away from a threat like that.

"Isn't that what you wanted?!" I took her outstretched hand skeptically, but if she was right Hercules did need my help. And regardless of whatever tricks she played on Pegasus I knew where his loyalties lie and I could trust him to bring us strait back to Herc.

"Why in Zeus' name would you think I'd want that?!"

"I heard you and Hades! Stop your damn tricks. You might have tricked Herc and Pegasus, but you ain't winnin' me over sistah'!" She paused, and I took that to mean she knew she was caught. Maybe now she would shut her connivin' mouth and stop bendin' everyone to her will.

"What did you hear?" Her voice had a tremor in it, and I smirked. She was cornered, caught ya!

"Enough." I replied coldy.

"What did you hear?" She repeated,

"Enough to know you wanted Hercules dead! I ain't psychic so I don't know why you went and teamed up with death, but I don't care." I saw her lunge at me, and I couldn't back away without risking falling off of Pegasus. She gonna finish me off? Silence me now that her secret is out?

"Tell me exactly what words you heard." She stared me down, and there was enough conviction in her voice to make me start to doubt my judgements. No… don't let her trick you. She's a clever dame… but she ain't gonna get you. You're the only one left she ain't got under her foot

"Hades asked you something 'bout bringin' Herc's head on a platter and you replied 'medium or well done' all tangled in his arms. You always play with more'n one guy like that? In cahoots with Hades then tuggin' on Herc's heartstrings?" Her face was flushed, and I grinned triumphantly, "Ah didn't think anyone heard ya huh? We'll you're in hot water now!"

"You didn't listen to the whole Gods-damned conversation?!" I paused, startled.

"I don't need to hear no details 'bout what you two was plannin' I had to go warn the kid!"

"Dear Gods Phil…" Her expression changed, and she finally set me down. We were only a short distance away from the center of Thebes, where I assumed Hercules was. "If you had stayed for just one more sentence you might have a better grip on the situation! I wasn't working with Hades, I was working for him,"

"Why-"

"No time for that, it's not important,"

"You workin' for Hades ain't important?!"

"Will you shut up and listen to me! I know you hate me, and will you set that aside for two damn minutes?! I was fighting with Hades. He wanted me to find out Hercules' weakness. He needed it so he could release the Titans and take over Olympus."

"Pshh, giving me some crock-o-shit story-" Cosmic takeover? The apocalypse, she is sure losing points on creativity.

"Shut the hell up!" I stopped, startled, the rage in her voice was palpable. "Hades released the Titans and sent one after Herc. It's why Hades needed his weakness. The Fates told Hades that if Hercules faught, he would lose this great battle of his. But I wouldn't give him Wonderboy's weakness because I didn't think he had any. But Hades figured otherwise…" That rage was gone replaced with something else, something I couldn't or wouldn't identify.

"You…" I paused, remembering how Hercules was an absent minded dolt after his little session of hooky, carrying on about this temptress and his blind infatuation that he mistook for love. "You're his damn weakness! That's why you didn't need to find it, you created one," She looked genuinely hurt, and her eyes misted over,

"Hercules traded his strength for the next twenty-four hours in return for my safety… then Hades told Herc about how I was working for him and Hercules lost the will to fight, and is now facing a Cyclops without his strength, and without any motivation. I didn't want to be used as his damn weakness. I tried to push him away. Hurting him is the last thing I wanted to do,"

"Yeah… well, from the sounds of it, ya did a pretty damn good job of it."Her voice broke, and I saw her shoulders slump, was that a sob I just heard? Is this stone-faced harpie actually crying?

"I never wanted any of this…" She whispered, her shoulders hitching, and I heard her sniff hard and take a deep breath. I paused, wonderin' if my judgment was wrong. Had I just heard the worst part of a longer conversation in that garden?

We approached the center of Thebes, and I could see a behemoth kicking around a small object. Hold Hades… she wasn't lyin' about the Titans… wait… Kid?! I watched in horror as he fell against some fallen rubble. I jumped off of Pegasus and ran to his side, startled and horrified at his condition.

"Hercules!" I called out his name, runnin' to my student. Any rage or betrayal I felt at his hand was gone. My mind felt clear again, and I knew my place was at his side.

"Phil…" He smiled, I was relieved he wasn't angry with me anymore. But I stopped, there were more important things at hand. "Come on, kid, come on. Fight back. Come on, you can take this bum, this guy's a pushover, look at 'im!" I pulled out a bit of fabric, wiping the sweat from his brow, gesturing at what looked to be an unintelligent, albeit enormous, creature.

"You were right all along Phil," I frowned at the dejection in his tone. This wasn't the ever-optimistic enthusiastic kid I knew. He turned, looking up at Megara. Seeing her now I could see I had been wrong about her. She had kept her distance, lookin' away as Hercules turned his gaze towards her, "Dreams are for rookies…"

"No, no no no no, kid. Givin' up is for rookies. I came back 'cause I'm not quittin' on ya. I'm willin' to go the distance, how 'bout you?" He looked down, closing his swollen eyes. We both turned and looked up just as we heard loud footsteps and raucous laughter. I saw a great hand reaching down and instinctively dove back behind a pillar before remembering the kid didn't have his strength. Come on kid… you can do this… But for once, I wasn't so confident.

"Me bite off… head!" He laughed, bringin' Hercules closer. I couldn't see him through the rolls of fat, but I was able to just barely make out a small flame moving. The kid found a weapon, a hero is only as good as his weapon one of the first lessons he taught the kid. I heard a great bellow, a guttural animalistic sound that could be nothing but pure agony. I saw the kid's form fall and land in a broken chariot by a burnin' buildin'.

"Whoa ba-by!" I cheered, hearing Pegasus whistlin' behind me. I watched with growin' enthusiasm as the kid used the ropes to tie up the beast's legs, and it began to topple. For a horrified moment I thought it would land right on the kid, but his reflexes were too quick. I trained him well! He rolled off to the side, crawlin' up to the edge of the cliff watchin' as the Cyclops toppled down to the landscape below. A Titan… the kid beat a Titan! The only other bein' to ever defeat a Titan was Zeus himself! The ground shook with the impact of the beast hittin' the ground below, and I was ready to run up to the kid and start celebratin' when the dame ran past me, shoutin' his name. It wasn't 'til I heard the desperation in her voice I became aware of the pillar 'bout to come crashin' down.

"Look out!" That sound in her voice was nothin' but pure panic. I watched in horror as the pillar came down with a sickenin' crash. The kid was pushed to safety, I stood in shock. I couldn't move, held my breath. I was wrong about her… completely wrong… Her form was still underneath the great pillar pinnin' her to the cold ground. I feared the worst, and my heart wrenched when I heard the kid scream her name,

"Meg! No!" His agonized cry echoed through the crumbling city. He groaned, pickin' his battered body up and runnin' to that pillar. I watched for a few moments, still stunned at what I just witnessed. I moved to help Hercules in a vain attempt to lift that pillar when a strange light surrounded him and I halted. The pillar lifted, what?

"What's happening?" the kid asked aloud, and much to my surprise the form on the ground stirred, using one arm to turn herself onto her back. Oh Gods she's alive?! I silently cursed the Gods for making her have to survive such a thing. I had seen heroes and civilians die from similar injuries, and it was never pretty. Or quick.

"H-Hades deal is broken…" Her voice was quivering, weak. Damn it all… maybe if I had just listened to her from the beginnin', instead of delayin', maybe we could have gotten here sooner. This never shoulda happened… I heard a gasp, and watched as she balled her fist, her body stiffenin' briefly. "He promised I wouldn't get hurt." The kid threw the pillar behind him and ran to her side.

As the kid reached for her, I realized it was love that the kid felt for her. Not infatuation. Dear Gods I accused her of wanting Hercules dead, did it really have to take this to show me otherwise? Am I that stubborn? I stayed back, watching the tender scene before me. She was smilin', but I could see through it.

"Meg, wh-why why did you? Mm… Mm… you didn't have to…" She cringed, her body tightenin' again,

"Oh…" her voice caught for a moment, and I bit my lip. I didn't want her to endure what I knew was coming. "People always do crazy things…" She gasped again and my heart broke. I had to bite back tears. Guilt about my earlier impulse overwhelmed me. I wouldn't wish this on her, or anybody. "When they're in love…" love… she loves him? How could I doubt that… look what she just did

"Oh… Meg…. Meg… I… I… I"

"Are you… always this articulate?" Hercules chuckled, and so did I. Even like this, that dame still kept her biting wit. "You… you haven't got much time, you can still stop Hades…" Her voice was fadin' fast, already barely a whisper. I pushed a piece of debris up behind her; it was a slab of rock at a shallow angle. It was an improvement over lyin' flat on the ground. Not by much, but I couldn't let her lie the way she was.

"I'll watch over her kid," Hercules leaned over her,

"You're gonna' be alright… I promise" There was enough conviction in his voice that I believed it for half a moment. "Let's go Pegausus!" He ran to his loyal steed, and vanished quickly into the clouds in the direction of Mount Olympus. I prayed he would succeed. I was startled when Meg let out an agonized cry, and I turned to see her body stiffen, her eyes shut tight,

"Oh Gods…" She let out all the agony she hid from Hercules,

"It's okay kid it's okay…" I was at her side, and ran a hand through her thick auburn hair. She finally relaxed, her breat quick and shallow

"You'll be fine, just like the kid said," I lied. What harm could it do givin' her hope? She let out a short laugh before coughin' slightly and groaning. With Hercules away she stopped trying to mask her pain, and the depth of her injury was all too obvious.

"We both know that's not true." I could barely hear her, almost unsure I even was.

"Naw kid, I've seen plenty of injuries-"

"Phil… I'm not as naïve as Wonderboy. You don't need to lie to me," I stopped, tears buildin' up in my eyes. I was flooded with grief. If I hadn't abandoned Hercules I could have helped him prevent this deal, or coach him through the fight, I could have done somethin'. I could have listened to Meg's whole conversation with Hades, thoughts were buzzin' through my mind. "It doesn't matter now anyway. Wonderboy is safe…" she whimpered at the end of her sentence, and went stiff as another episode shook her fragile form. I heard a thick gurgle from within her throat, and a small bit of blood spattered onto the side of her mouth when she coughed. I pulled out my strip of fabric to wipe it away.

"I was wrong about you… I'm sorry,"

"No. I've been selfish; I was so focused on getting free from Hades… I was willing to do almost anything… but now he lost… Hades won't win," A smile pursed her trembling lips but was quickly washed away by another sigh of pain.

"No one who did what you just did could ever be called selfish. You're a hero… you saved Hercules. Which means you saved Greece, the Cosmos,"

She tried to respond but her words were garbled, impossible to understand. She closed her eyes, grimacin'. I picked up her hand, rubbin' it gently to give her somethin' other than pain to think about. Her violet eyes turned to me when she felt me hold her hand, they almost looked blue. She sighed, and tilted her head slightly, looking into the distance. Into the clouds.

Gods, if you're listening. Or if you give a single shit about us pathetic mortals… don't make Hercules see this. Don't make her endure another minute of this torture. I know she probably wants him by her side in this… but he can't see this. A blurry figure appeared in the distance, and Pegasus' familiar whinny echoed through the sky. Meg's hand twitched, her fingers extending as if to reach for him. And it seemed my prayer was answered. Her hand went limp, and I heard one final exhale. I turned to her, watching with anticipation. There was no more thready pulse against my fingers holding her wrist, no more groaning and writhing in pain, and no more blood. Her ordeal was mercifully over. I laid her hand across her stomach and reached over to bring down her eyelids, to appear as if she was sleepin'. She looked far more peaceful than I would have expected...

Hercules landed not moments later, and I turned to see the worried anticipation on his face.

"Meg…?"

I shook my head slowly, and started backing away as he approached her still form. Tears flooded my eyes as his voice cracked callin' her name

"Meg… no…" He fell to his knees beside her, and I couldn't hold back the tears. He picked her up, she looked so damn fragile. He wept over her, and even Pegasus appeared to be weepin'. Herc held the girl against him, sobbin'. I'd never seen him cry before. He laid her back against the debris on which she was restin', with a tenderness that you'd never expect from that clumsy kid.

"Oh I'm sorry kid…" Tears rolled down my cheeks, I took a deep breath to try and continue, "There's some things you just can't change." He'd been able to fix everything. Stop every monster, reverse natural disasters, rescue people from impossible situations. He never failed. Ever. But this was one situation he couldn't change.

"Yes I can," I turned to see Hercules walkin' away. What? I reached out to stop him, but stop him from what? I didn't even know what he was doing. I walked up to Pegasus and rubbed his nose,

"The kid will be okay…" I was trying to convince myself as much as I was Pegasus. I turned, it was hard to look at her. I knelt at her feet, wishin' I coulda' changed her fate. Wishin' I had listened to her from the start. Wishin' I had gotten to know who she actually was rather than jumpin' to conclusions. Was I just jealous of the attention Hercules was givin' her? That he would wanna end trainin' early to spend time with her? Was I mad that she spurred my advances when we first met? Am I that horrible? The thoughts continued to flow, I couldn't do anything to ebb the blame I placed on myself.

Pegasus came over slowly, and nudged her hand carefully, and let out a mournful nicker when she failed to move. He nudged her hand again, so it was limply resting on his nose. He nickered at her mournfully. He nuzzled up to her, brushing his cheek against hers and resting a wing against her. Even Pegasus now seemed to be able to set his former hatred aside. He drew back, comin' to my side and nuzzled me, and we tried to comfort each other. We waited for Hercules, not sure for how long. Minutes? Hours? What did it matter?

I was still kneeling on the ground, fighting with myself when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. I looked up, and saw Hercules. In his arms was a ghostly figure. As he grew closer I recognized that figure. Did the kid really do it? I watched in trepidation, tryin' to keep myself from being hopeful that this would work. He knelt, and released her spirit over her body.

Her skin flushed, the pallor giving way to a healthy glow. I watched, tense, and felt the release of relief when I heard her exhale and her eyes fluttered opened. To say the kid's face lit up fails to describe the look on his face. And that's when I realized he was glowing. Literally.

"Wonderboy…" The weakness, the pain, no hint of it was in her voice. Whatever happened, she was healed. "What? Why did you?" Hercules reached to help her up,

"People always do crazy things… when they're in love…" I watched that look on her face, that surprise. She didn't know he loved her? She really didn't know? And she still was willin' to die for him. Maybe she was more complicated than she appeared. I blushed as they embraced, but before they could give eachotha' a much deserved kiss a cloud appeared below them and wisked them away to the sky.

"Whoa… hey hey hey hey hey!" I ran after them, pointing, aggravated I was left behind. But Pegasus was quick to pick me up, and follow them. Olympus? They're going to Olympus? But mortals die if they go to Olympus unless escourted by a God… That's when it hit me. Hercules had regained his godhood. It was why he was glowin'. I guessed Pegasus must be considered a god, or at least god-like to be allowed on Olympus so I would be save with him. We arrived, and the beauty is beyond words. No wonda' the Gods didn't want us mortals up there. If everyone knew just how beautiful it was, Olympus would be raided! The Gods were gathered at the steps to the gate, Hercules was already approaching. Hermes was throwin' flowers, which were delicious, and the Gods were cheering. The Gods! Cheering for Hercules! I watched with pride as he met his mother and father. Still hard to believe he's the son 'a Zeus.

I turned, and saw the most beautiful figure I'd eva' seen. Aphrodite, her beauty was definitely not overrated. I slid closer to her, noting she was distracted by watchin' Herc. I turned, to see what was causing the confused look on her face. He was comin' down the steps. Wait… down? I watched as he descended the steps to approach Meg, and then did the unexpected. He gave up his Godhood! The very thing he had been fighting for. I trained him from a whelp to a hero just to give it all up? No… he did belong on earth. He wouldn'ta been happy livin' on a cushion not workin' for a damned thing. He was a hero, and belonged on earth. Besides, I'd miss the kid if he stayed up here.

I watched them embrace, and share a much deserved kiss. I ain't one for all that sappy nonsense and turned to the figure beside me. "Whoah," I ran a hand through my thinning hair, and much to my surprise Aphrodite grabbed me, kissin' me hard in the lips. That had to be the perfect ending to this day. I felt a tug on my leg, and was pulled away from the goddess. I pouted, protestin' at Herc during the ride back to earth.

It was still dark, the first dredges of dawn startin' to show on the horizon. Dark enough for the stars to show.

"Hey! That's Phil's boy!" Am I hearin' things? I looked up, and saw the stars themselves moving across the sky, and a picture of Hercules lay before me. Tears built in my eyes. My dream… my unrealistic crazy dream… I smiled, happy. I guess sometimes happy endins ain't just for saps.

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