Disappearing Heroes - Part 3

Disclaimer: read chapter 1

If there's one thing Nattie couldn't stand was cages. The bars around her were hard and cold, and she felt the air getting thinner. She couldn't breathe. She was claustrophobic. She was freaking out.

"Let me out of here! Let me out! You can't do this! You have no right!" Nattie gasping for breathing, shaking her body along, tightening her grip on the bars.

"Of course I have the right, Nancy," Hecate faced her with a smirk on her face, "You're my prisoner. I can do anything I want with you, and nobody is going to stop me."

Nattie looked both ways, asking the heroes for help, "Hello, you're the heroes! SAVE ME!"

"What?!" Melagar asked Nestor, "What did she say?"

"She's demanding us to help her!" Nestor explained.

"Lady, could you please stop swinging the cage like that?!" Mentor asked, cuddling himself at a side of the cage, away from Nattie,"You're freaking me out!"

Nattie was confused. Mentor was so mean bulldog before, now he's acting like a wimpy Chihuahua. The heroes' skins were grey and powerless. Something was wrong with them, and Hecate was to blame.

"What the hell did you do to them?" Nattie demanded.

"They have something I want," Hecate said simply, "You will soon be joining them."

Nattie widened her eyes in confusion, "W-What do you mean?" She didn't mean to sound afraid, but the cage that held her captive weakened her ability to fight back physically and mentally.

Hecate chuckled wickedly, "You see, Nellie, my last plan to conquer the Underworld had failed all thanks to you and the Son of Zeus. But no matter, now I have a new plan and it's fool-proof!"

"You're definitely a copy cat version of Hades," Nattie grumbled.

"I heard that!"

"I don't care about your stupid plan, just get me out of this cage!"

"Oh, I will... eventually, I just need to take your gift."

"My what?!"

Instead of getting an answer, Hecate zapped right at Nattie. The girl grunted, struggling Hecate's magic. What she felt was a vacuum cleaner, sucking a part of her away, it was painful. Eventually, the pain disappeared, but a part of her was missing. Nattie watched in horror as her ghost-like self floated towards the big monster standing nearby. When her gift disappeared inside the monster's form, it immediately performed karate kicks, kung fu moves, did flips in the air and stuck the landing. The heroes around her applause for the monster's performance, screaming for an encore.

Hecate snickered with satisfaction, "Excellent. There's no way that Hades could stand a chance against a monster who knows karate and possess an evil brain. So my dear friend, what is your plan?"

The monster scratched his head, then shrugged his shoulders, not having a clue as to what to do.

"Come on! You must have a plan! You have Naggy's natural gifts! You're supposed to think, be evil, fight!"

Now that Nattie thought about it, her mind felt normal. Her body was gray and weak, but her mind was the same. She's still got the brains of a villain. Maybe Hecate stole only her natural gift, which were flexibility and martial arts. Brains was what Nattie had to earn on her own. She wasn't born cunning like Odysseus.

"YOU BITCH!" Nattie cried, shaking the cage frantically, causing it to swing side-to-side, "When I get out of here, I'm going to tell Hades on you, and he'll whoop your ass for me and force you to give myself back!"

"Well, Nagini, you won't be getting out of here anytime soon. Once I rule the Underworld, I shall cast you down to the River of Death... FOREVER!"

"What?!" Melagear asked loudly, having trouble hearing what everyone was saying.

Hecate caressed her monster's forearm, "Since you don't have a plan, I will think for you. You, my darling, will go to the Underworld!" Hecate pointed at a black and crystal blue design door nearby, "And defeat Hades for me! Once he's defeated, the Underworld shall be mine!" Hecate chuckled wickedly.

"Stop laughing!" Mentor shivered with fright, "It's horrific!"

"Oh no, you don't!" Nattie cried angrily, "Nobody is going to use my gift to kick anybody's ass, except ME!" Nattie continued swinging the cage, until the cage unhooked. She screamed as the cage fell and rolled down the stony ground.

"Get her!" Hecate commanded her monster, "You can use her as practice."

The monster nodded and obliged Hecate's order, stomping after the rolling cage.

Nattie felt like she was pushed against a wall multiple times, her head was spinning. She felt like she was rolling for eternity. The cage into a wall, breaking the cage open. Nattie managed to get back up on her feet and stepped out of that deadly trap. She looked up and gasped, seeing two red monsters coming her way. She may feel woozy and dizzy, but knew that she wasn't out of the situation yet. She planned to run, but she faced a wall, she's trapped.

She pressed herself against the wall, and raised a defensive hand out front, "Oh, come on now! Can't we talk about this? Let's not do anything you'll regret!"

The monster continued stomping closer until she was a few feet away. Nattie regained her senses to see one giant monster, punching his fist against his hand, preparing to throw a punch.

"Please! You can't do this! YOU must listen to me!"

Hecate snorted, "What makes you think he'll listen to you?! He only obeys me! He's my monster!"

"Monster, you gotta listen to me," Nattie pleaded frantically, "Because... Well, because... I'm your MOTHER!"

"WHAT?!" Everyone cried in shock. The monster muffled out the word, pointing at himself.

"What?" Nattie realized what she just blurt out, but she went along with it, "I mean yeah... I am your mother! Search your feelings, Monster, you know it to be true!"

She also realized how her words sound so familiar. She's becoming like Darth Vader! She couldn't believe that she remembered her brothers' favorite TV Show quotes. She needed the muses guidance for originality. They could sing songs on the spot if you ask them to.

She looked up at the monster and saw his face like he's actually considering her words. She took his large clawed hand, and caressed it, "Join me, and together, we'll rule this Underworld side-by-side! Mother and monster."

The monster let out a happy cry, pulling Nattie into a family, loving hug. Nattie winced, officially crept out by the monster's gesture.

"Don't listen to her!" Hecate cried in rage, shaking her fist, "You may have her gift..." She sniffled, acting hurt, "but I raised you!"

Nattie pulled the monster's attention back to her, "Join me, Son, it is your destiny!"

The monster muffled happily, trying to pick Nattie up. He grunted with effort, trying to lift her; but he couldn't.

"What's the problem, Son?" Nattie asked curiously.

"Oh, Hecate!" Everyone's attention lied on the wolves that entered Hecate's lair.

"Look what we found," Lupis sing-song. Everyone realized that wolves were carrying another prisoner, Odysseus.

"Unhand me, you imbeciles!" Odysseus cried, struggling the wolves' grip. He was thrown inside an empty cage.

"We found him hiding underneath a cart of the Agora mall," Canis explained.

"Excellent, my pets," Hecate cried excitedly, "Mother is proud."

"So I sacrificed myself to save a hero and lost a part of me for nothing?!" Nattie demanded angrily, "I don't think I like being a hero after all - this sucks!"

Hecate chuckled as she transferred Odysseus powers into her monster.

The monster formed a mouth, then pushed Nattie out of his arms. "You are certainly not my mother!" he said with an elegant accent.

Nattie groaned, "Worth a shot."

"I have enough of you, Minty," Hecate pointed at Nattie angrily, "Obviously, cages aren't sufficient for you, so I decide to put you in... the coffin!"

"The what?!" Nattie followed Hecate's gaze to see a dark coffin in the shadowy part of the room. It wasn't just any suffocating coffin, that coffin had nails and broken glass sticking out on the inside. That coffin reminded her of the choky from the Matilda movie.

"Yes, the coffin, not only does the airless chamber steal your breath, but one wrong move and your body will stick into sharp pointy things!" Hecate cried enthusiastically.

Being in a cage was bad, but being inside a narrow, airless, and sharp coffin was worse. She tried to make a run, but the monster stepped in her way. Nattie attempted to roll under the monster's legs, but she regretted it. Her roll wasn't smooth at all, and she felt a pop on her upper back, it wasn't a good pop either.

"Ow! My back!"

"Take her to the coffin!" Hecate ordered the monster.

"NO!" Nattie cried, feeling the monster's claws on her skin, her natural reaction was to scream and pound her fists against his chest. "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Yes, Hecate," the monster attempted to pick up Nattie once more, but he couldn't lift her.

"Come on!" Hecate commanded impatiently. "She's not that fat!"

"Hurtful!" Nattie cried, still struggling to get out of the monster's grip, while the monster was struggling to lift Nattie.

Hecate opened her scroll and read, "Eyes of an eagle, tough as nails... wait a minute! Monster!"

The monster's attention was on her, who handed him the scroll.

"Tear this apart," she commanded. The monster took the scroll and attempted to tear it apart, but just like lifting Nattie, he was too weak.

"How could I have missed it?!" Hecate face palmed, "My monster needs strength!"

"It's perfectly understandable," Lupis said with sincerity.

"You have been busy lately," Canis added.

"Ha!" Nattie laughed triumphantly, "You failed, Hecate! You failed!"

"It is far from over, my dear," the monster released the scroll, "All we need to do is find the man with strength, and we both know who's capable of doing that."

Nattie widened her eyes, fearing for her friend's life, "You stay away from Hercules! You hear me!"

"Aw," Hecate cooed with fake sincerity, "Look at that, my friends, this girl cares." Hecate instantly growled with disgust, "Take her away!"

"With pleasure," Canis and Lupis complied, swooping Nattie off her feet and placed her inside the torture casket. Nattie gasped, feeling her back against a hard board. Before she realized it, her eyes saw darkness. She tried to pound it open, but regretted it. She screamed out in pain, forgetting that there were broken glass and nails sticking close to Nattie's body dangerously.

"F***! F***!" Nattie cursed, crying in agonizing pain. She knew that she wouldn't last in this tight-space chamber.

~000~000~000~

Everyone gathered and remain seated, waiting for their favorite talk show host to come.

"And now, Athen's daytime host, Merv Griffin!" the announcer pointed at the back of a staircase in between the audience, where Merv Griffin made his appearance. The crowd cheered when Merv Griffin appeared.

"Hey! Hey! Wow! What a terrific group!" Merv Griffin walked down the small stairs toward his stage, "You know Athens are the greatest audiences of the known world!"

Peering through the red curtain, Phil and Chipacles watched Griffin taking his seat and starting the show. Hercules, Phil, and Chipacles' plan to lure Hecate was set. Hercules was Merv Griffin's special guest today, and he's ready to take the seat across from Merv Griffin.

"This idea of yours better work," Chipacles cast Phil a warning glare.

"No worries," Phil assured Chipacles, "The one thing she doesn't have is strength, which happens to be something Herc's got in spades."

Griffin silenced the crowd, and continued talking, "Our first guest is the Son of Zeus, but he was raised by mortals. We're going to be talking about heroism, his amazing strength, and a lot-lot more. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Hercules!"

Everyone applause when Hercules stepped out of the curtains and stood next to Griffin.

Meanwhile, Hecate and his monster in a hood were seated and smirking as Hercules appeared on stage.

"One super-strong hero as advertised," Hecate whispered to herself.

Hercules took his seat across from Griffin, and Griffin began talking once more.

"Hercules, all of Athens is talking about your heroic displays of strength. But it seems like you came out of nowhere like an overnight sensation." The crowd including Hecate applause again.

"Well, Merv," Hercules began, "it took me sixteen years to become an overnight sensation." The crowd laughed, then Griffin silenced them.

"Yeah, but come on now, what's it like to be a demi-god?" Griffin asked curiously. "I mean half-god and half-man."

"Well, it's not half-bad!" Everyone laughed at Hercules' joke.

"That's a good one, Herc! Wow." Then he gestured the crowd out front, "Let's go to the audience out here. Who's got a question for our guest?"

A middle aged woman giggled, standing up, "Are you married?" Her question made her husband next to her frown. "And if not, how do you feel about dating older women." Her husband pulled his wife back on her seat. Hercules chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck and blushing beet red.

"Well, my dear, if it doesn't work out, I'll be happy to step in," Griffin suggested, running his lion claws through his birdy head, "Although, I doubt I could keep up with you."

The wife's husband left the audience, tossing his wedding ring over his shoulder.

"Okay, the young fella over there," Griffin pointed at the boy next to Hecate.

"Merv, we want to see some strength!" the boy stated, showing off his own little biceps.

"No problem," Hercules said confidently, standing up and lifting Griffin along with his chair.

"Whoa!" Griffin cried with amazement, "Hey, that's strong!"

The crowd gone wild, impressed by Hercules' strength.

Hecate zapped at the boy, making him remain standing, trying to impersonate the boy's voice, "Nah, I mean, an extreme display of freakish strength!"

Hercules placed Griffin back down and jumped off stage, lifting it from under. "You see the key is to lift from the knees." He grunted as he managed to hold the stage.

Hecate stood up and pointed at her creature, "My friend here wants to be as strong as you!"

Hercules replied, not realizing he's talking to Hecate, "Sorry. I was born this way."

Hecate frowned, "Gee, my friend wasn't born, I made him! You think that matters?"

Chipacles held up a wanted scroll of Hecate, identifying the goddess in the audience, "That's her! That's her!" His guards rushed in the scene, planning to arrest the witch. They only made it half way there, because certain wolves flew in their way, knocking them off stage. The three guards flew, knocking down the pillars, Hercules was holding along with the stage. Hercules grunted louder, feeling more weight on top.

Hecate took this opportunity to steal Hercules' gift, then transmitted it into her monster. With Hercules weak, he could no longer hold the ton of weight, he had been carrying. He collapsed along with the stage.

"Ooh!" Griffin formed a painful look on his face, "That looked painful. You have been a nice young man, and we thank you for joining us."

The wolves swopped down and took Hercules away. The now strong monster knocked over a few men, while carrying Hecate back to the lair.

"What a tragedy," Griffin commented sadly, before he smiled, "What a show! Hey, we'll be right back!"

~000~000~000~

"Moussaka, again?!" Nestor asked out loud, staring at his bowl of soup in horror. "I can't take it, MAN!" He slammed the bowl down, gripping the bars of his cage tightly, screaming out, "I gotta get out of here!"

"What did he say?" Melagear asked.

"Somebody hold me," Mentor whimpered.

"I can't breathe!" Nattie inside the coffin, gasping for air.

"Nattie, take it easy!" Hercules tried his best to comfort her, "I'll get you out of there soon!"

"You're locked in a f***in cage! I'm trapped in an airless COFFIN, and my hand hurts like HELL! HELP ME! NOW!"

Hercules shook the bars of his new cage. If he had his strength, he could get out of here, but he's powerless and weak.

"What are we going to do? Time's running out. We're the only ones who can stop Hecate!" He turned to the one hero who's got the brains - used to have brains. "Mister Odysseus, surely you have a plan!"

Odysseus tapped his chin, "Well, we could politely ask them to let us go."

"That's your plan?!" Nattie shouted, "That's bound to be worst idea you came up with!" Wheezing gasps were heard inside the coffin, Nattie could barely breathe.

Odysseus frowned, "Oh, who am I kidding?! You're right! I haven't got a clue!" He whimpered, slowly lowering himself down.

"Did somebody order a bust out?!" The heroes in their cages turned to see Phil and Chipacles entering the lair.

Hercules grinned at his new heroes, "Hey, Phil, you found us!"

"The old fashion way," Chipacles replied with determination, slamming his fist against his palm, "Through solid police investigation."

"He means we followed you," Phil explained.

"Guys, get Nattie out first!" Hercules instructed, pointing at the coffin not far away from them, "She's in that coffin!"

"I'll get the girl," Chipacles pointed at himself, before pointing at Phil, "You get them."

"You got it," Phil walked from Chipacles to do just that, while Chipacles pried the coffin open.

"See, Nattie?!" Hercules spoke to her, as Phil lowered his cage down, "I told you we'll be out of here." Nattie didn't reply, which was unusual, maybe she's saving her oxygen, once she's free.

Phil and Hercules managed to free the rest of the heroes, and came to Chipacles and Nattie. Her coffin was open, and Chipacles pulled Nattie out and placed her onto the ground. Hercules kneeled beside Nattie's form to see that she's unconscious.

"Nattie, wake up, we're safe!" Hercules patted her arm, but Nattie didn't respond. "Nattie? Nattie, wake up!" Nattie looked lifeless, unresponsive. "Nattie!" He lowered his head over her face, hearing any signs of breathing.

"Nasty, enough!" Phil commanded, "Open your eyes! You're starting to scare everyone!"

"P-P-Phil," Hercules stammered, his face showed that he was terrified.

"What?"

"S-She's not breathing."

Phil widened his eyes in disbelief, same with other men.

"W-Why isn't she breathing, Phil?!" Hercules demanded, "Why isn't she breathing?!"

"Move out of the way," Phil pushed Hercules aside and inspected Nattie's current state. Just as he feared, Hercules was right, the girl wasn't breathing.

"P-Phil, is she dead?" Hercules asked in a scared whisper.

Phil placed his hand over Nattie's wrist, feeling for her pulse. He sighed with relief, "No, she's not. But she won't last long, if she doesn't breathe."

"Do something, Phil!" Hercules cried, "Make her breathe!"

Phil was hesitant, not sure how to handle this situation. The woman, he hated and Hercules loved, was dying, and he's the only one that can probably save her. A part of him always wanted her gone, but was this the way he wanted her to go? If he decided not to help her, she'll die, and Hercules would never forgive him. She may be a pain, but she's still a being with a heart and soul.

That being said, Phil placed one hand over the other on Nattie's chest, and began to do chest compressions.

"Phil, what are you doing to her?!" Hercules cried in a panic, "You're hurting her!"

"Calm yourself, boy!" Chipacles snapped, "I'm sure he's not going to kill her... intentionally."

After thirty compressions, Phil was hesitant, but forced himself to give Nattie mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The men stared at this scene with wide eyes. Phil was kissing Nattie. She certainly won't be happy about this, when she finds out.

After giving her two breaths, he continued to give her chest compressions.

"Come on, Nattie," Hercules encouraged her, "Wake up! Don't die! Please! I love you! Nattie, please, I love you! Just don't leave me, please!"

A minute later when Phil was in the middle of rescue breathing, there was a gasp and coughing.

Phil pulled away, and the men gasped with relief, seeing Nattie sat up and coughing for breath.

"Nattie!" Hercules kneeled closer to her, hugging, "You're alive! You're alive! Praise the gods!"

Nattie finally processed what happened to her. One minute she was yelling at Odysseus for having a stupid idea, next she blacked out. She looked up at Hercules' blue eyes, they held relief. She knew what happened, and she's lucky that she got a hero to save her.

"Herc, y-you saved me!" Nattie clung onto Hercules, refusing to let go.

Hercules was taken back by what Nattie said. He was about to tell that it was Phil who saved her, but the satyr quickly shushed him, pleading him not to say anything. Hercules didn't understand why Phil wanted to keep this a secret. Phil saved her life, not Hercules. Nattie should surely show respect to the goat-man now, and this moment proved that Phil did care about Nattie, when it came to life and death situations.

Chipacles realized that one hero wasn't at the scene, but still in his cage. He opened Mentor's cage and reached out to him, only to spook the former tough hero.

"Stay back! Don't come any closer!" Mentor begged, shivering against the cage with fear.

Chipacles glared at the men and Nattie with determination, "I want that witch!"

"Hey, no problem, you're talking to the greatest heroes in Greece!" Phil gestured the four men beside them.

"What?!" Maleager asked, leaning closer towards Phil, "I didn't catch that?"

"You mean former greatest heroes in Greece," Nattie corrected him, watching Nestor run into a pillar.

"But Hecate took one thing from each of us," Hercules reminded everyone, "We're still heroes, right Phil?"

"Uh... Yeah, sure, kid," Phil said with little confidence.

"Then let's go!"

Everyone was about to run, but stopped by Nattie's whimper.

"Nattie, come on." Hercules reached out to her, but stopped when he noticed the swelling and redness on her hand, "What happened to you?"

Nattie winced from the burning sensation of her cut, "The glass from the coffin cut my hand, or was it the rusty nails?"

Chipacles took her arm gently, inspecting, "Ooh, this doesn't look good, Missy. You need to have it checked out at the hospital."

Nattie wanted to deny treatment and say that she'll make it; but her weakened state said otherwise. She's tired, breathless, weak, and in pain. She wanted to go to Hippocrates, he's the one who can make it all better.

"Chipacles is right." Hercules said, "You must stay behind."

"B-But what about Hecate?" Nattie asked. "She has my gift too."

"I'll be sure to give it back to you," Hercules said, then he whistled for Pegasus, who showed up in a matter of seconds.

"Hop right on there, Girl," Nestor commanded, helping her get on Pegasus' back.

Hercules stood in front of Pegasus and told him, "Take her to Hippocrates."

Pegasus nodded, turning as he was about to take off.

Hercules had one moment to talk to Nattie, "You're going to be alright. I promise."

Nattie nodded, "Kick Hecate's ass for me." Those were her final words before Pegasus flew himself and Nattie out of the Underworld.

~000~000~000~

With Nattie down, the men continued their quest to defeat Hecate. They rode the boat across the river with Charon rowing the boat.

"You sure come down here a lot for someone who is NOT dead," Charon said to Hercules.

"Well, I'm a hero-in-in-training," Hercules replied, "I go where the battle takes me, even the Underworld."

"Then may I suggest our multiple discount ticket?" Charon offered holding up two tickets. "Saves time and money."

"Uh, no thanks," Hercules replied.

"We also have a diet program," Charon chopped a soul's arm off with his sharp oar. He picked it up and smiled maliciously, "I'm this close to winning the cruise."

"Okay, Junior," Chipacles began with a straight face and arms crossed over his chest, "How do we stop Hecate and her creature?"

"Simple," Hercules replied, "We can show Hecate that Odysseus isn't the only one who can be cunning." He stepped towards the Nestor and asked, "Nestor, what's the worst thing about incredible eye-sight?"

"Bright lights," Nestor answered with disgust. "Hate them!" He perked up, realizing Hercules' plan. "Oh! I can see where you're going with this?"

"Where?" Odysseus asked, not having a clue.

~000~000~000~

"There you are, Miss Camden."

Nattie sighed with relief, and unclenched the sheets from the hospital bed. Hippocrates had disinfected her hand and wrapped it with a bandage.

"It's a good thing you came here as soon as you did. You seem to have a high fever, so we're going to keep you here till your temperature returns normal."

Nattie nodded, too weak to say anything.

"The nurses alert your friend that you're here, and-"

"Nattie!" The voice of her best friend's reached her ears. Medusa rushed to Nattie's side.

"Nattie, are you okay?" Medusa cried. "I was worried sick! Where have you been?!"

"J-Jail," Nattie mumbled, "J-Jail."

"You were arrested?! For what?!"

"Miss Medusa, is it?" Doctor Hippocrates asked calmly, not intimidated by Medusa's abilities or snakes for hair.

"Yeah, what is wrong with her?" Medusa demanded.

"She had an infected wound on the hand and a high fever, and she has signs of difficulty breathing."

Medusa widened her eyes and stared at Nattie in shock, "The jail did that to you?!"

Nattie tried to speak but no words came out.

"Miss Camden, don't pressure yourself to say anything," Hippocrates instructed. "Now I'll be back for your medicine." Hippocrates left to do just that.

Medusa couldn't keep her eyes off her best friend. She so much wanted an explanation as to why Nattie didn't show up to the slumber party. For a spit moment, she thought that Nattie would dump her, but looking at Nattie's weakened state, her heart cracked. As excuses go, this one wasn't terrible. Something happened to Nattie that made her so pale and weak.

Nattie's dark eyes fell onto the bag, Medusa was carrying. She used her good arm and reached out towards her bag.

Medusa furrowed her brows at Nattie's action with confusion, "What is it? What do you want?"

"Phone," Nattie replied weakly, "Eye... Phone."

"Eye-phone?" Medusa asked for confirmation.

Nattie slowly moved her head up and down.

"Okay," Medusa stuffed her arm inside the bag and pulled out the item she was looking forward. "How about I call for you? Do you want me to call Herc?"

"Hey..." Nattie paused to take a deep breath.

"Do you want me to get Herc?" Medusa repeated.

"H-Ha-des."

Medusa widened her eyes in disbelief. Did Nattie just say...? "What?"

"H-ad-des," Nattie repeated softly, feeling the need to doze off.

"Hades?!" Medusa asked in shock, "Why?!"

"He-ca-te." Nattie gasped for breath, slowly her eyes drifted shut, "Warn... him... He-ca-te." Those were the last words before her eyes drifted shut.

"Doctor!" Medusa cried, scared that Nattie might've fallen in a lifeless slumber. "Doctor!"

"I'm here!" Hippocrates quickly inserted the medicine in Nattie's system, and sighed with relief when he checked her pulse, "No worries. She's fine. She's only asleep."

Medusa finally exhaled, no idea that she had been holding her breath for so long.

"This concoction I made was supposed to make her sleepy, but I guess whatever happened to her, might've worn Miss Camden out." Hippocrates clasped his hand, "Well, it's best if you go, Miss..."

"Medusa," the snake girl replied.

Hippocrates nodded, "Miss Medusa, the girl needs her rest."

Medusa somewhat understood Nattie's intensions for calling Hades. Nattie knew something about Hecate, something not good, and she tried to warn him. Hecate must be the one who harmed Nattie.

Much to her better judgment, she called Hades.

~000~000~000~

Meanwhile, Monster broke down the barrier, and he's currently in an empty throne room.

"Hmm, it looks like Hades is out and about," Monster said.

"Always the same story," Hecate said, appearing beside her creation. "Hurry up and wait."

"The wait's over, Hecate!" a loud voice caught their attention. They looked over to see Hercules and the other three heroes in their normal hero stance.

"Well, look who's here?" Hecate frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, "The former heroes. Take care of them."

"But that would be like wiping out myself," the Monster said sincerely, before he shrugged, "Oh well. No big deal."

"Hey, Big Eyes!" Monster looked over to see Nestor near a lit torch. Nestor blew the fire near the Monster, blinding him.

"Hey! How do you like the big ears NOW?!" Maleager screamed near the Monster's ears, causing the Monster to wince in pain and cover his ears.

Now it was Hercules' turn to weaken the Monster, he punched the Monster's gut, but it didn't effect him, only Hercules.

"Ouch!" Hercules cried in pain. He gasped when the Monster was throwing punches and kicks at him, and Hercules dodged every one of them. He ran a few feet away with the Monster chasing him. Hercules laid flat on the ground, hoping the monster would trip over him. Instead the Monster front-flipped over Hercules, and continued to chase him. Hercules was cornered, but quickly moved out of the way as the Monster charged at him and his head went through the wall.

Hercules laughed triumphantly, "Guess you're not the only one who's cunning."

"Don't get too smug, weakling," the Monster said, using his strength to pull his head out of the wall, "When I get loose, I'll..." The monster's strength caused a stalactite to fall and land on his head, knocking him unconscious.

"Get up! Get up!" Hecate commanded the Monster, "Come on! Rise and shine. YO! BIG HEAD!" When the Monster didn't respond, Hecate knew that it was up to her to end this once and for all. "Well, that tears it! I might not be able to stop Hades, but I'll certainly can do a way with you all!"

However, she didn't have a chance to do that, because somebody finally made his appearance.

"Whoa! Well!" Hades appeared in smoke and sat on his throne with that obnoxious smirk on his face, "Well. Well. Isn't this an interesting little tableau? So!" He clasped his hands eagerly, "Anyone want to tell me what's happening here? Hm? Don't be shy now. Come on..."

He analyzed the group to see them staring at him sternly with their arms folded. Hades ignored their looks and continued to act friendly, "Speak up. Let's get it off our chests."

His eyes landed on Hecate, the one Cassie warned him about, "Hecate - doll face - babe! What gives? Come on! Talk to me. Like... NOW!" He growled with his flames turning bright yellow.

Hecate's face twitched with emotion. The last thing she wanted was to suffer another round of Hades' fury like the last time she tried to take over the Underworld.

She chuckled nervously, "There really is a simple explanation."

"Oh, Hecate!" Hercules said sweetly, "She's just being modest."

Hecate cast him a glare.

Hercules ignored her and started explaining the situation to Hades, "Somebody stole our and Nattie's heroic traits, and put it in this monster..." Hercules gestured the unconscious monster on the ground. "So he can defeat you."

Hades yawned in boredom, knowing fully well who was the thief. He quickly realized that Hercules also mentioned Nattie's name. Where was she anyway? He decided not to question it, because it might earn suspicion.

Hecate pushed Hercules aside and spoke in defense, "And as soon as I heard of the plan, I rushed over here to stop it! Hence the wreckage around you."

"So now, Hecate is going to magically transfer our powers back to us," Hercules trapped Hecate's body with his arm, and narrowed his eyes at her in a threatening matter, "Isn't that right, Hecate?"

"What can I say," Hades said in mock happiness, "I'm touched. This is like another side of you, I'm seeing. I'm touched."

"Well, the Underworld is my life, so to speak," Hecate said with force politeness.

"My life! Ha! That's a good one! Listen, don't go away!" Hades disappeared in smoke.

Hercules frowned at Hecate, "Make us whole again, or I'll spill the beans to Hades." Hecate returned the gesture at Hercules, hating that her plan, once again, failed.

"Very cunning," Odysseus complimented Hercules. "You got her between a rock and a - uh... um... something." Odysseus lowered his head and returned to the group.

"Nice work, Kid," Phil high-fived him.

Hercules shrugged, "Hey, there's more to being a hero than just strength, right?"

Hades reappeared again; this time he was holding a Hades trophy. He shoved it in Hecate's arms, "Just a small token of my appreciation. Love you, mean it. Call me at every ten minutes. Boom."

Hecate sneered at the trophy, before she smirked, "I've got just the place for it." She turned to the Monster and used her magic to pull the heroes' gifts out of the it, then transformed them back in the heroes' bodies. She made a jar appear in her free hand and stuffed Nattie's trait inside. She shoved it in Hercules' hand, "This belongs to your friend."

Hercules smirked with satisfaction, "Thanks."

Hecate growled at him before she disappeared again.