The further Hades lead Raphael into the Underworld, the more uncomfortable he felt. Understandably so; every ghastly face that passed the teen frightened him, each one looking like his brothers before the second glance.
Hades was trying (and failing) to ease Raph's tension, but being the Lord of the Dead happens to put a damper on that. "Heh, don't worry kiddo; they aren't gonna hurt ya. Not with me here, of course."
Raph held back a glare; this was a god he was dealing with, and even he wasn't stupid enough to fight with a god. Not without a good reason, of course.
"Besides," the god continued, "it ain't so bad down here, once you get used to it. And get over, you know, the smell, the continual screaming, the bland color scheme . . . .-" Raphael's unamused face ended the small amusing rant that Hades had started. "Oy, tough crowd." he muttered, rolling his eyes and rubbing a hand over his fiery head. "What's eating you, kid? Raphael, right?; that joke's usually a killer. You know, so to speak."
Raph gave a soft huff in reply; god or not, there was no way Raph was going to look scared in front of this joker. Even so, something about Hades rubbed the red-banded turtle the wrong way, and Raph prided himself on being a fairly good judge of character.
Hades gave a quick chuckle; "Duh. You're probably looking for someone you know, aren't ya? Well, believe me; business has been slow enough that I can near guarantee you don't know anyone down here."
"This got somethin' ta do with that deal?" Raph huffed; he was loosing patience, mostly with himself admittedly but he really wanted a change in subject and was no where near ready to to admit why to anyone. "What do ya want from me, anyway?"
"Well, you like to get right to the point, don't cha?" Hades seemed pleased with this. "You're pretty sharp."
Raph nearly snorted in amusement; he could almost hear Mikey's comment. Raph? Sharp? HA! Sharp like a piece of soggy cereal, maybe!
"You're right though; like I said, business is slow. And there's one guy in particular who's been . . . gumming up the works." Hades took a moment to compose himself; We got a nibble here, let's not lose it. Hades reminded himself. His last few deals and plans had worked out . . . less than satisfactory. "Now, this wouldn't be so much of a problem, save for this; I can't just go up to the mortal world and kill him myself. Easy, yes. Possible, no. See, even when business is slow, it never sleeps; I gotta stay here, keep things in order."
"What does any a' dat got ta do wit' me?" Raph asked, biting back a growl.
"Ah! This is where you come in, my reptilian friend!" Hades assured him, wrapping his arm around Raph. Raph kept his hand on Hades arm, forcing at least a little space between them. Hades held out his hand, and fire filled it, floating just above the god's palm. "This is the guy." Hades explained, and the fire settled out into the form of a man. The figure was very muscular, and wore armor and a blue cape. His wavy hair was held back by a headband, though a lock hung out in front, and his face was chiseled and strong. "His name is Hercules." Hades had to compose himself again, and Raph could almost taste the disdain and anger in the god's voice before he crushed the golden figure in a tight fist. "And the little snot has been a pain in my side for a while now, if you couldn't tell."
"Now, you seem like a pretty tough guy to me, Raphael. Can I call you Raph; your whole name's a bit of a mouth-full, and I don't wanna feel like I'm chewin' on ya every time I talk to ya. 'Cause we could be partners. Friends, even. I don't like to chew on friends; it makes me feel like a bad guy."
Raph nodded; only Master Splinter called him by his full name anyway, or Donnie would if he was angry or Leo was reprimanding him.
Hades' smile grew wide. "Great! So Raphie-boy, here's the deal; you take care of the little snot for me, and I give you one favor. I know, it don't sound like much, but I'm god; that's one anything at all. Riches, a pretty girl you like, some . . . info on friends, maybe . . ."
"You . . . can find my brothers?" Raph asked, suspicious. It sounded too easy.
"Ha! That's all?" Hades laughed, and even though the god had turn slightly, Raph's ears were ringing. "Listen up kiddo, I know these lovely ladies," and Hades tried not to gag at the mention of the Fates, "who would tell you, in no uncertain terms, the exact location and condition of your brothers. You take are of Hackules, I give you the key to getting to your brothers." Hades opened his hand, and a quick burst of flame produced-
"Is that an eyeball?" Raph nearly gagged.
"Yeah." Hades replied, in a tone that obviously took the statement that Raph 'was pretty sharp'. It was, in fact an eyeball staring Raphael in the face. It was red, veined, and disgusting, and Raph had trouble looking directly at it.
"That's nasty."
"Yeah." Hades said again, but this was a bit more accepting; he wasn't much of a fan of the Fates himself. "But, this is the one, and only way, to get those girls to talk. So." Hades voice dripped every drop of charm he could muster, "My pain in the neck, for your brothers. Have we got a deal?"