After I had talked to Herk's parents I couldn't help but feel like the biggest jerk ever. They had just lost a son and here I was, asking if they could take some people who had no clue how to act. After they heard about what happened they were willing to take three of them. I told them I would take the other two. I hoped they would all be fine with the split...
Walking back through the forest isn't a smart idea, unless the God of the Undead happens to be walking next to you.
"What did I tell you? You can't be such a... Diluted minion." Hades was telling me. I rolled my eyes and kept walking.

"Hades, I appreciate the help, but I need to do this. For me." Hades's eyes flashed dangerously before he erupted in a flame of black and grey. "Finally!" I shouted after him.

As I got to my house I slowed my walk, how to tell five stranded people they were going to have to break up into an even smaller group. I sighed.

"So... Three of you can go to Herk's parents, the other two... I'm sorry but you're going to be stuck with me." I looked at the five of them all sitting down eating dinner. Ignoring the small grumble in my stomach I picked up the bow and arrows and walked outside into the dark, hoping to improve my night aim.

Lumiere and the chef were done quickly and they ate shortly after they found plates and silverware to set the table with.

Belle was a little saddened that their group would have to be split up. After dinner they all looked at each other and after a very, very long talk they decided that Adam and Belle would stay behind as the others were led to safety

Belle went outside to Meg. She gently tapped her shoulder and explained to Meg that they have decided who would stay and who would go.

"What time will they leave?" Belle asked kindly.

Gaston continued to wander around.

"Yes!" I smiled in triumph as I hit the stem of the apple and severed it from the tree. "I have caught dinner." I laughed bitterly to myself as I retrieved my arrow and apple. I quickly ate my apple and kept shooting at my targets Philoctetes had left me after Hercules had left us both.
"They will be leaving tomorrow. I told you that everyone could sleep here tonight." I walked towards the target and picked up my arrows. Walking back into the house I realized that Belle had already walked inside.
"Everyone should get a good night's sleep," I said as everyone was sitting at the dining table. "Men, I hope you don't mind sharing the living room floor. Belle, you can have my bed. " With that I went back outside with my newly collected arrows and sword.

Belle thanked Meg for letting her have her bed. She went to the sheep wool bed. She layed on it and put her face in the sheep wool. She screamed in frustration. When she was done she started to cry again. She wanted to see her father again before she died... but what time was she in? She didn't know... she was deeply saddened.

Adam and everyone else found some other place to sleep and slept peacefully without any problems, next to the fact that thieves and murderers can be lurking around.

Gaston finally wandered into a certain room. It was the war strategy room. He was amazed by the creativity and started to mess with the 'chess' pieces on the board.

After everyone was in a somewhat deep sleep, I slipped between the bodies on the floor. Careful not to step on one as I walked through them. I prayed that Hades would let me sneak out of my own home unchallenged. "Gah!" I breathed out, I had almost stepped on Adam's hand as he was closest to my door. Tiptoeing around his huge body I opened up the door, and slipped into the woods. To see what Hades wanted to talk to me about.

A blast of cold air rushes at my face, 'Zeus's toga, that's cold.' I thought to myself. 'Hopefully those boys will stay asleep.' I sighed wistfully, wishing I was in my warm bed. But nooo! Mr. Hot-Shot wanted to see me. About what was a mystery to me.

"Who does he think he is? Some new spirit just somehow ends up in the WAR room?" Hades was livid. His eyes were glowing orange as he was spitting out words to Pain and Panic. "I want him out of my sight IMMEDIATELY!" Without another word he disappeared into a puff of acid smoke. The meeting room was full. The three Fates were already there. As he knew they probably already would be.

"I want THAT INSOLENT FOOL OUT OF MY REALM!" He was starting to look like a fried lobster in the size of a Hades. The three Fates just clucked their tongues at him. If they even had tongues that is. "You gave that blundering idiot of a beast a second chance! Please, I am begging you! Just take that insufferable animal killer! He was eyeing Cyberus! HE WANTS TO EAT HIM FOR FREAKING LUNCH!" By the end Hades was yelling.

"Calm down." one of the Fates said. "He will be human again... Just make sure Meg can take him." With that the three disappeared into a ball of thread. The thread of life.

Pain tried to get Gaston out. He transformed into a deer and led Gaston away with his animal hunting instincts. Pain led Gaston all the way to the river, Styx.

Adam awoke at the blast of cold air to his face. He opened his eyes slightly and saw Meg step out. He raised an eyebrow of curiosity. He puffed and got up slowly and as quietly as he could. He noiselessly followed behind Meg.

"Why did you want me to me to meet you here? Of all the places unholy?!" I shivered and hugged my shoulders. "If you wanted me I'm surprised you didn't send one of your pathetic worms to get me. Talking rodents indeed." I gave an unladylike snort. "I'm still upset about the whole Hercules 'curves' you made me throw at him. Because of that... Well.. You know what happened." I glared at him, "Who is that?" I asked realizing that he wasn't alone for the first time that night. A too strong of jaw was the first thing I saw. The a cocky smile I had seen wayyy to much in my short life. "What? Someone finally decided to rival you for that smirk?" Hades rolled his eyes at me. "How do you not fry your brains when you do that?" I demanded. "Oh... Yeah, you already have fried it. That's why you don't listen to me! I am done!"
"My sweet, in case you don't remember... I OWN YOU!" I flinched at his words, the past is something no one can erase, especially when it's painful. "Thank Aphrodite that you haven't fallen for some stupid mortal again." I glared at him

"When I do fall for one he will be different! He will be honest and sweet, and wouldn't do anything to hurt me!" I looked at him daring him to defy me.

"If said person exists he's a guy!" Hades rolled his eyes and just looked at me like I was some child that was bitten by a rabid creature.

Adam was very surprised and looked at them all eye wided. When he saw Gaston's ghost his face went pale. What was he doing here? He was very surprised and continued to watch. This man owned her? That isn't very nice, he thought. Then he realized... Belle... him... he was just as bad as that man owning Meg. He sighed slightly to himself and continued to watch,

Gaston laughed and went over to Meg. He smirked that big smirk he always had. Ever since he was alive. "Hello baby... why don't you say we go out sometime? Huh? Whatcha say? Hot stuff?"

I looked at him in disgust. "What in the name of Hades's underpants is that vile creature?!" Ugh! At least Pain and Panic were gentlemen to me. "And you better not tell me that 'it's' going to be stuck with me. Give it to the blue centaur that blew you off during the mini play war you and your brothers had last summer. When I practically DIED!" I glared. "Oh wait... I did freakin DIE! No thanks to you! Zeus what do you and the Fates take me for? Some sort of glorified babysitter? No thanks. I had my fill with Philoctetes." With that I turned around to walk away. At least that was the plan anyways. A burning had shot out and grabbed my forearm. I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood at the pain. I ripped my arm away and held it protectively next to my body and looked at it. Yep... I was going to have a huge burn tomorrow... And the next day... And the next. "Keep your cool!" I growled as his face paled. I started to walk away as a black tendril shot out and held me, a slim one slipped out of the mass of black and grabbed my cheek holding my face to look at him.
"You know the Fates and I need you for this.. Meg, my sweet. Think of it as.. Practice for finishing up the story of Odysseus." He smirked as I just nodded my head, not like I could have done anything else. I'm no more eager than the next person to join Hades... Forever. Body lying somewhere underground for the maggots to feast on. No thank you.

Adam was very surprised and was about to jump out and cut this guy's arm off but he decided to stay put. He watched and watched until he could bear no more. After Odysseus he was out. He quickly and quietly ran back to the house and continued to try and fall back into a peaceful slumber.

Hades put me back on the fallen leaves on the ground of the forest.

"I knew you would come around. You might want to put some water on that..." He glanced pointedly at my arm and shoved the newcomer at me. I glared at them both.

"Tell the Fates that I hate them right now." As I grabbed the cocky man by the ear and dragged him back to my house. When we got there I shoved him onto a chair on the outside step.

"Tell me everything that happened!" I demanded as I stood next to a column, a hip thrust to the side, my ever present signature stance in the face of insecurity.

Gaston didn't say anything when he was being pulled by the ear. It just turned him on more. He laughed as she demanded of him that he tell her what was going on. He just laughed obnoxiously in her face and said he didn't have to tell a women anything.

That did it! A resounding THWACK echoed in the night. A bright red palm print was planted on the mystery man's face.
"I wasn't asking, NOW TELL ME!" I yelled. Probably waking everyone up in the process. How I despised men.
Gaston looked at Meg surprised. He turned his face away. He still wasn't going to tell. Especially to a pushy women like her. An immediate turn off.

Belle awoke at the sound of a slap. She went to get up but was soon stopped by Adam. She jumped as she saw him. Adam made her go back to bed but she was grateful as she would have her beauty sleep.

All the others were deep sleepers.

"Unless you tell me, I will send you back to the Underworld... In such a way that you will be praying to whatever God or Goddess you worship that the first way you died was the last and only time you had died." I threatened. My dagger out of its hiding place in my belt and next to his ear. "Are we clear?" I asked innocently.

Gaston smirked. "Clear as mud," he spat. "I don't know how or why but I was sent to the underworld or so you call it." That is all Gaston said.

Adam came out and gasped as he saw Gaston.

"Do you not know how serious this it? Oh Hades save us all... If Zeus finds out..." I started muttering under my breath. "Do none of you know what exactly happened?! Why here? Why now?!" I glared at both of the men.

"I don't know," Gaston said snobbishly, "ask the Fates."

Adam backed up back into the house and ran to Belle's room. He gently and quietly closed the door to protect Belle if he needed too.

"Yeah.. About that... The Fates will overlook the fact that I'm supposed to be dead if I don't talk to them, breathe near them, or well... Yeah you get it." I sighed. "You can sleep out here tonight. Unless you feel like sharing a room with four other men." I smirked at his expression. "Well, night." I opened the door and walked inside. I stopped when I saw Adam standing in front of Belle's door. "What?" I asked confused. "Tell me everything? Please? I really need to know... And that idiots not going to help at all." I looked at him pleadingly. "I need to know... I'm sure you understand that."

Adam sighed and looked right at Meg. "The fair lady came back and sent us here as I didn't learn my lesson of selfishness... or something stupid like that..." he said softly as not to awaken Belle again. Adam wanted her to have her sleep. "Does that explain everything?" Adam never looked up. He just kept on looking down and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Fair lady? What fair lady? Where were they from anyways? "Who?" I'm pretty sure I looked as confused as I felt. "Please... I need to know the whole reason everyone was sent here. What you know about Greece, and... What you need to do to go back to your own place." By the end my voice was strained with stress.

Adam sighed. "About twenty years before this in my time... I was more handsome than I look now... I was at the top... then that old hag came. I turned her away. Then she suddenly turned beautiful and I asked for her forgiveness but it was never given. She turned me into a beast..." he said letting out all of his air. He took another big breath. "Then about a few months ago the flower she gave to me on the dreadful day... well.. it started to wilt... and if I didn't get anyone to love me by the time the rose shriveled all the way up... I would've stayed that horrible monster..." he explained. "But then I killed Gaston as he was there to kill me and he nearly hurt Belle. He died and I thought Belle and I would live happily ever after but it seems she didn't like me that way," he choked. "Then it was a few weeks later from when I told Belle she couldn't leave... again... then the women came again and sent us here... I don't know how I am supposed to get back. True loves kiss? I don't think so... I am trying not to be selfish but it's who I am. Why must I be punished for who I am?" he asked himself as he looked over out the window. Not looking at Meg.

My face softened as I heard his tale.
"So the Fates were right..." I finally muttered. "It happened." I just looked at Adam curiously. "Why did Gaston, is that the man outside?, try to kill Belle?" I ask softly. Wondering if it was a good idea that he was here. With her now. "I think... You might just have to learn how not to be so selfish. I know it's sorta impossible. But hey, if a guy could become a God then you can do this." I smile slightly.

"Gaston asked Belle to marry him but she kindly refused and he throw a hissy fit as she wouldn't marry him. And yes, that man outside is Gaston. I am afraid he might try to hurt Belle..." Adam said softly. Adam raised an eyebrow at Meg. "Who is this 'God' you keep talking about?"

"I talk about several Gods. And Goddess. Like Apollo, Ares, Hades, Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hera, Hephaestus?" I asked as his face showed that Adam didn't know what I was talking about. "Come on... Haven't you ever been taught about the Gods? Apollo is God of the sun and healing. Ares is God of war. Hades, God of the Underworld." And my patron. I added silently before continuing. "Zeus is the God of all Gods since he has the sky. Poseidon is God of the oceans. Aphrodite is Goddess of love. There are many more and much more than that if you include minor gods and goddess. The main three are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades since they are all brothers." I looked at him. "Any of this ring a bell in that skull of yours? As for Gaston... Well... I have ways to keep him away from Belle." I grimaced slightly in displeasure. Time to be a damsel in distress. Again. Fantastic.

Adam actually looked up at Meg. But he was looking at her like he was crazy. "No. None of this rings a bell... and I can take care of Belle... don't mess with Gaston. He can be dangerous.."

"More dangerous than a fire-breathing chimera?" I smirked. "I'm a big tough girl, I can take care of myself." I smiled sadly as I recalled a previous conversation with those words.

"Please," Adam said. "Just don't get into our business... as it is none of yours..." he said coldly. He turned away and checked on Belle. She was sleeping peacefully. Adam gently closed the door again and looked at the dirt floor.

"Puh-lease it is too my business." I growled at his retreating back. "Unless you want the Fates to come back and send you to a worse place than this. I suggest you let me help. Whether you like it or not." I turned on my heel and walked back outside, where I forgot Gaston was.

Adam clenched his teeth. He rolled his eyes at her as she left. He then proceeded to sit down. He sat there and took many deep breaths.

Gaston smirked as Meg came back out. "So who's in there?" Gaston asked. He didn't know that Adam was human... as he never saw him transform back.

"Just some people. Those that were dragged here along with you." I said nonchalantly, "Why are you back alive?" I ask looking at him. "And how did you escape the pool of souls?" I ask curiously remembering the helpless feeling I had when I was in there.

Gaston gave a very dashing smile... "The pool of souls is what it's called? Well.. I felt the pull but I didn't want to go into the pool with the other people as they were ugly and I didn't deserve that," he said.

"You are so much uglier than the rest of the people in there." I glared at him. "Besides.. It's not like its anything to you, but, if I were you... The Fates don't like to be cheated." I smirked, knowing full well that he was given a second chance by them. Unlike me. However I had been brought back fair and square so they couldn't whine about that.

Gaston scoffed. "Ha! You're funny women. I didn't cheat them... I got out of that pool fair and square," he said.

"You just said that you didn't go into the pool. So you did cheat them... Or should I call them?" I ask in a scathing voice. "Unless you feel like telling me everything you know I will be glad to send you back there myself." I glared at him, daring him to do something he would regret that would let me send him back to the underworld.

"You can try... but you wouldn't kill me... I am too handsome.. and I have to get back to my fiancee... Belle," he said daydreaming about Belle.

"Yeah... And I'm married to a God" I looked at him, "Get real. That's only in your mind that she is your fiancee." I turned around and walked back into the house and into the kitchen. Grabbing hold of the counter I let out a long breath. Why was I stuck with that thing? And why did I have them here in the first place? Why not with freaking Odysseus? Silently screaming I hit my head slightly against the wall. "Okay, I can deal with this. If I ever need a break I will just escape to the Underworld... Again..." I close my eyes and rest my head against the wall. "Who am I kidding? I hate it there, all the souls everywhere, begging to go back up. Hades ordering me to do stuff. Pain and Panic just being annoying as the dead..." I glare at the opposite wall. "What did I do to deserve this?" I asked again. Not realizing that anyone could have heard me... Well if they were awake anyways... I glance at my arm again and realized just how badly it was burned. I gently touched the scorched flesh and pulled my hand back. Zeus, that hurts. I bite my lip and grab a piece of cloth, when I got it I wrapped it around my burn carefully, trying not to hurt it any more.