Heartbreaker, Dream Maker
Disclaimer: read the beginning
Song: Heartbreaker - Pat Benator
Hades didn't seem bothered by the sudden flare up from Nattie. He expected it. Now it was time for Nattie to go all mad-woman mode. He's ready for it. He had to be, he didn't have a choice.
"You sick!" She threw the filled glass as his direction that only ignite the flame from the liquor. "Evil, sadistic, disgusting son of a bitch!"
"Yeah, I know. I'm evil. I'm mean." He sarcastically mocked her voice. "I know, but guess what, babe? I'm a villain!" He flared up yellow. "It's what I do. How many times do we have to go over this?!"
"You threatened Cassandra and her parents!"
"Because she wouldn't rat you out!"
"So you chose to kill her parents?!"
"I wasn't actually going to kill them, just a simple scare tactic for the truth. I didn't think she was going to choose you over them. If anyone is to be blamed, I know its not me."
Nattie's mouth dropped in disbelief. "Are you serious? You threatened innocent lives! Her parents did nothing to you! You didn't have to go that far!"
Hades chuckled, raising himself up. His height towering over hers even though they were long table length.
"Well, you didn't have to take my imps from me either. My imps! You did that! You started all of this! What did you think you could gain from running away? You knew that you could never escape the Fate's death prophecy! You didn't have to run! You could've let the Fates finish you off alone! But oh no, you had to run away like the tall-tale of Brer Rabbit and drag the imps into your problems, putting them in danger!"
Nattie blinked. Did she hear that right? "Whoa."
"Yeah, that's right. I know about your current fate! Don't bother denying-"
"It's not that." Nattie was surprised that Hades knew her prophecy. Cassandra must've told him, or he spied on her and the imps. That's not what shocked her more. "It's what you said."
"What?"
"I put the imps in danger? For a split second there, I thought you actually care about the imps' wellbeing."
Hades scoffed. "No, I don't."
"That's what it sounded like. Why do you care if they live or die? They have been through far worse with you, then they have been through today with me!"
"I don't! They are immortal demons, babe! They can't die! Not when they are loyal to me! At least... I thought they are loyal to me!"
Nattie rolled her eyes. Again, Hades was playing the victim. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that. Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me. The imps still know that you are the big bad god."
Hades wasn't sure if she was actually kidding or being serious, her voice was almost like she was mocking him.
"Shut up!" Hades flared up. "You're crazy to even think that! You're hormonal! That's your problem! Thanks to your stupid idea of this escapade - you almost cost me a hideout-" he gestured the house. "- and the second best minions from Team Alpha."
"Second?" Nattie furrowed her brows in confusion. Once again, his words struck her with curiosity. Who was the best? The Minotaur?
Hades refused to acknowledge the question. "Don't try to change the subject. You stole my imps. You broke into my house. You nearly got yourself killed in the process. How do you think this worked out for you?!"
Nattie sighed, rubbing her temples. He didn't need to remind her of that last bid. Honestly, Hades was right in some accounts. The imps shouldn't have come with her. There was no guarantee the prophecy could only happen in Greece. She didn't care at the time. She just needed the company. Another regret she had to live with the rest of her life.
"Look, I'm sorry I stole Pain and Panic-"
Hades snorted, throwing his hands up dramatically. "Oh, thank you! I feel so much better!"
"But I was out the country and lonely! I had to get away! The imps were there when I nearly had another life-and-death moment! We figured we can give you a mini vacation from our pestering!"
"Puh-lease! This wasn't about me, and you know it."
"What was I suppose to do?! I was scared! I was trying to get away from death!"
Hades's face slackened, completely dumbfounded. Had Nattie really lost her mind? "Here's a no-brainer, why not come to me?"
Nattie scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. "Yeah, and you want me to give you something in return for protection, right?"
Hades sighed, placing his hands on the table, looking down at it for a minute then up at her. "Babe, I have nothing to gain, if you were dead. If you died, you won't be able to go home. You will just be... how did you put it... a cartoon resident of Disney. If you can't go home, then I have nothing to bargain you with." Hades pulled a torch that had the hidden secrets, Pain and Panic uncovered once before.
A loud bang jumped Nattie with fright. A chessboard and name cards dropped around the table. She picked up the card on her side and read the name out loud.
"Maleficent."
Her hand shook and eyes widened in horror. Maleficent was here, sitting on the chair Nattie was sitting. If the fairy was here, she would've cursed Nattie for sitting on her seat. Hades leaned against the bust, analyzing the girl's movements and face. He knew this would spark her interest. He knew better than keeping this side mission a secret for long. It's only a matter of time when the imps or Nattie decided to be nosy and figure out the truth. Why he really left once every full moon? Why he lied about going to 'godly retreats'?
"That's right, babe. Take it all in. You got any questions? I'll be happy to be your guide."
Nattie didn't ask questions. Not yet. Her attention was on the chessboard. It wasn't like the chessboard in the Underworld, this one expanded to not just Greece, but different worlds of Disney. She noticed red x's marked on certain areas, not entirely sure what it meant. Places to target, maybe. It seemed that Hades and some of the Disney villains were working together. However, they were more than one markings on each world. So what did they mean?
Hades glided behind her, pointing at each world, naming them in quick fashion. Nattie knew the places were: the symbolic Pride Rock in the Jungle section, the Jolly Roger in Neverland, the golden castle in Atlantica - all of them were giveaways.
"I know what the places are, Hades," Nattie cut him off.
Hades frowned, resting his palms on either side on the table, trapping Nattie in the middle.
"Well, excuse me for being helpful!"
"How did you... When did you-"
"Sheesh," Hades sighed. "Now she wants to ask questions. Oy, okay." Hades flipped her around to face him, lifting her up till her butt was resting on the table. Nattie didn't seem bothered by the force movements. She wanted answers. The curious gleam in her eye never faded.
"Babe, ever since your arrival - you coming from another world - the world of reality or future as you called it - I had a theory, about what you said that I'm Disney. You make remarks about different stories and people I haven't heard of. So I asked myself... what if there is more than one world of Disney? It's not just you falling into just my world, what if you fell into the world of Disney itself?"
Nattie hadn't thought of that. She did come across Aladdin and Peter Pan. She knew Aladdin and Hercules could be in the same world, because they were Greece in Europe, while Aladdin was in Saudi Arabia in West Asia. However, she didn't think of its time difference. Peter Pan's world in London should've been a give away for their world took place in the 1900s. She admitted she was skeptical but didn't put much thought into until now. She didn't just fall into Hercules movie, but Disney. Could she meet the Little Mermaid, the Beast, or Maleficent? She didn't how to feel about meeting the latter.
"If that's what this place really is, entertainment for kids wearing mouse ears and princess dresses, then I need to know what's out there. Somewhere out there is a portal with your name on it, that doesn't require time. Again, that was a theory at the time. No one else from a different world crossed over to this world since-"
"Jafar."
"Yep. His soul crossed over to mine. He may be a jerk, but he and I share the same..."
"Desire to kill the hero and world domination?"
"Attributes," Hades stated simply, not bothering to remark the girl's suggestion. "His world may have differences than ours, but it wasn't enough to prove my theory..."
"But then..." Nattie motioned him to continue.
"The imps returned one day. Scare to bits. Said something about falling into the twilight zone. Found themselves in a forest, greeted by a blonde hermit dancing with an owl and squirrels in a red cloak. Talk about crazy. I almost didn't believe them."
Nattie paused to think. A blonde hermit talking to animals? She knew some Disney princesses who spoke to animals: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and more. A blonde hermit? She narrowed it down to Cinderella and Aurora. She would've added Rapunzel, but she only saw the long hair woman talk to an iguana... or was it a chameleon? Nattie didn't know or care.
"So to prove they weren't crazy, just to humor me, they took me to this portal. Found the place. Found the cottage where the princess was kept hostage. Then we found this stalking bird - shady. Curiosity took hold, and guess what?" He lifted the name card. "Guess who I found?"
"You and she formed an alliance."
"Well... not at first. She was about to blast me for trespassing, not that her magic can affect me, of course." He chuckled, ignoring the girl's eye roll. "I talked, she listened, we conspired - yaddi-yadda. Turned out she knew there was more than one world. From her time growing up in the forest, she came across many portals to different worlds. She just didn't have the idea of using it to our advantage. Turned out there was many more like us, desire for power, prize, an enemy's head on a stick. That's how the five greatest villains come to light, working together for a great cause."
Nattie looked at the table, realizing there was six on the table, not five. "Five?"
Hades scoffed, prying a card from the table. Ursula's card. "Yeah, that sea witch is still reluctant to join. By reluctant I mean she doesn't like the idea of sharing, especially with people who have flames for hair."
Nattie can see how the elemental difference can cause conflict, "Then why is her name there? Why isn't Jafar working with you guys? He's just as powerful as that fairy. You do realize that there are more powerful villains to help you? Have you talked to them?! How long have you been hiding this from me?!" She opened her mouth to ask more questions, but Hades covered her mouth to silence.
"Sorry, babe, all your questions have come to a close. Hope you enjoy the tour for it's the last time you'll see it... ever." He narrowed his eyes at her in warning. He vaporized his arm to reach back and lifted the torch back in place, making all the evidence disappear.
"Why show me this?" Nattie furrowed her brows at him with curiosity. "Why are you telling me this?"
Hades sighed, "Weren't you listening? I needed something to bargain you with. A ticket home."
Nattie blinked, "Wait, you..." She slouched her posture. "You didn't know how to get me home? You lied to me?!" Her voice slowly raised at that horrible revelation.
"No! I didn't! We agreed that if you help me, I'll help you get home. I am helping you. Finding out which portal the Fate's were talking about."
"They said that in two years..." She paused to count down the months till June, the month she arrived. "In Nine months, a portal will be created. If I stay, it will be gone forever. If I leave then..." Nattie trailed off, now recalling what else they said.
"Your love will die," Hades finished in a dramatic mocking fashion. "I know, babe. I heard. Ridiculous, I know..." Hades noticed a look on her face that he dreaded. He saw it when Nattie dumped Hercules, when Nattie kidnapped Icarus, forgetting his birthday in the process. Guilt. She may not admit it, but her face showed it all.
"Then again, things happen."
Nattie's look quickly faded, going back to her stubborn façade. "What are you implying? That I am in love with Hercules?"
Hades raised a brow.
"News flash, he is in love with me! I care about him, but not that kind of way."
"So nice to hear you say that, but unfortunately, babe - like I said - things change."
"I don't love him, Hades. Not that way."
"Uh-huh, and I am Bacchus!" Hades rolled his eyes, turning away from her. Nattie narrowed her eyes, noticing the slight change of flicker to his hair - bright orange. He was trying to control himself. What could he possibly be mad about? Hercules and Nattie were not together. She wasn't making all the moves, Hercules was, publicly.
Unless...
Could Hades possibly be jealous? She knew that Hades was attracted to her, tolerated her, but he never said that he was in love with her. Although, her relationships between Hades and Hercules were completely opposite. Hercules was more positive and loving, almost too much. He was overprotective and sometimes clingy, but only because he cared, while Hades cared little. People believe that Hercules will be good for Nattie for many reasons: age, influence, and heart. That's true. Then again, nobody could kiss with much passion, edge, and confidence the way the bad boys can.
"You have him wrap around your finger, and you can do whatever you want with him."
Nattie didn't bother correcting him or accusing him of jealousy. She knew where that conversation will go - unpleasant.
"So you are telling me, that you know a way out without wait time?"
Hades finally controlled himself, turning back around - cool and collected as if the subject of Hercules didn't bother. He merely shrugged, forcing out a teasing smirk.
"Maybe."
Nattie sighed. "But you're not going to tell me unless I sign my life over to you."
"And bingo was her name-o! Kept it to myself for months. Part of me was glad that you left, gave me plenty of time to figure out how the worlds work, find the passage home, form a bigger alliance, have flames with benefits so to speak without mortal interference."
"Can I meet them?"
Hades blinked. "Them?"
"Your friends. The villains. Can I meet them?"
Hades pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at her in suspicion. "Why do you want to meet them?"
Nattie shrugged, trying to hold back her Disney fangirl side. The only thing that escaped was her smile. "I don't know. I just want to meet them. See what they are like, and maybe get an autograph and pic-"
"No," Hades declined.
Nattie groaned like a spoiled child. She knew he was going to say that. "Why not? It's not like I would embarrass you... intentionally."
"That's where you're wrong. You would embarrass me intentionally, but that's not why I'm forbidding you."
"Why-"
"For one thing, I don't want you to get all mighty with pictures and autographs."
Nattie scoffed. "C'mon! Those villains have been shunned and spat on for a long time. They would kill to have some support."
"Babe, everyone loves the heroes."
"That's not true." Nattie retorted, earning a surprised look from Hades. "They are thousands in my world who prefer villains more."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Well, cheesy fanfiction and obsessive drawings online are one thing."
Now Hades was tempted to cross the border to see those pictures. "Second?"
Nattie pressed her lips together, almost hesitant to say it. He folded his arms, expecting an answer.
"I feel like swimming." She stalked past him who blinked in disbelief. "How about it?"
He watched her walking towards the pool and slipping off her wrap to reveal her two-piece suit. The sight of her long legs and curvy bust made him forget what they were discussing earlier. He didn't realize the flames flickered white.
Her toes curled to the edge. She looked over her shoulder at the god's way, couldn't help but smirk at the change of flare.
"Hades."
"What?"
"Your head."
"What?" He reached over to his hair, smoothing out the white without him knowing. "What about it?"
She sighed, dismissing it with a wave, turning back to the water.
"Babe, you do realize that you could die by accidental drowning, right?"
The thought did cross her. She was almost tempted to die and get it over with, but the problem was that she wasn't suicidal.
"So is stepping in a shower," she retorted, "but I would rather not stink. I'll just keep my head above water. No big deal."
"Whatever. Your funeral. If you drown, don't come crying over to me."
Nattie rolled her eyes at the 'sentimentality'. Though, an idea lit up in her brain.
"Say Hades, I think I see something in the water."
"What?"
"Is... Holy shit is that a snake?!"
Hades finally emerged next to her. "What are you quacking about now?" He hovered his top half over the edge to see the so-called snake. "I don't see any-" He didn't get to finish his words as they were replaced by screams. His whole being dunked underwater, no doubt douse his flames.
Nattie laughed, clapping her hands in victory. "Gotcha bitch!" She stood there, arms crossed, waiting for him to come up from the water. Her heart raced to see him floating with his head bowed under and soaking back peeked out.
"Hades?" she whispered.
The devil didn't respond or made any sign of movement or breathing.
"Hades," she demanded louder. "Stop it. This isn't funny. We both know you can't die." She waited for him to give up the act. He did no such thing.
"Do you hear me?" She grabbed the long pole with a net at its end.
"Hades!" She poked his back, intensifying the pressure at each jab. She noticed no bubbles coming up. He wasn't breathing. It had been more than one minute. There was no way Hades could be drowning. Though a large part of her refused to take any chances. What if the gods could drown? Did Hades hit his head when she dunked him under? What if the water was filling up his lungs and brain? What if she paralyzed him?
"Holy shit!" Without thought, she dived in after him.
~000~000~000~
"Cassandra, what are you doing here?" Hercules demanded.
"I came here to drop off some things for Nattie."
"Oh," Hercules blinked, "you had a vision about what happened in Rome. Don't worry, Cassandra. We are safe. Nattie is getting treatment for her allergies, and..." Hercules's face fell, going back to the thought of Nattie's prophecy. "Cassandra, I don't know how to tell you this, but Nattie... she's-"
"Hercules, I know about Nattie's death prophecy."
Hercules shouldn't be surprised, but couldn't help but widen his eyes. "You had a vision?"
"No, she told me. She made me promise not to tell you."
"What? Why would she do that? She knew I would do everything I can to help her."
"Exactly why she didn't want me to tell you."
"Well, whether she likes it or not, I will do everything I can to help her! With all of us working together-"
"Excluding me," Phil raised a finger up.
"Phil!"
"Kid," Phil raised his hands up defensively, "I got two words for you - suicide."
Icarus furrowed his brows, counting his fingers to Phil's words. "One... uh..."
"C'mon, Phil! She needs our help!" Hercules pleaded.
"Nattie may be a damsel, but I ain't getting involved in something that is controlled by the Fates. If they want her dead, that's her problem. You may not like it. I may - sort of - not like it, but you can't get involved with the Fates. That could lead to your doom."
"And you know that I would rather die than watch the woman I care about die."
Phil sighed, running a hand through his beard. "Oy-vey. Fine. If she dies, you can always go under and threaten Hades for her body back, but like I said, it's a suicide mission."
"If that's what it takes to help Nattie, then I'll do it."
"Yeah, but in the meantime," Cassandra tossed a bag onto the floor. "Give this to Nattie if she returns from Rome, will you?"
Icarus opened the bag, revealing clothes (both modern and togas), toothbrush, hairbrush, shoes, and sticks wrapped with lint. He was curious about the last item, only for it to be snatched by pink face Cassandra.
"Why are you giving me her stuff?" Hercules asked curiously. "She is coming back."
"I know," Cassandra replied with an attitude, "but I don't want her coming back in my hut anymore."
Hercules gasped. "Wait, what?!"
Phil perked at the news, couldn't help but smile at Cassandra with approval. "Atta girl, Cassandra. About time you realized she's nasty."
"Cassandra, what - why - what?!" Hercules heard the words but refused to believe it.
"Hercules, I'm sorry, but I can't take the Nattie drama anymore. I'm sick of it."
"I know you're upset about this, as am I," Hercules placed a hand on the seer's shoulders that were pried away, "but you can't bail Nattie, she's our friend!"
"Why not? She bailed us without saying goodbye. Correction!" She raised a finger up. "She left me with just a note!" She held up a scroll. No one can see how she pulled that out. "A note! She ran away to Rome, and we all know how that turned out!"
"Yeah. We are all alive and okay!" Hercules argued.
"For now," Phil grumbled, earning an annoyed glare from his hero-in-training.
"As Phil said before," Cassandra continued, "she is dragging us down to hell. I don't want myself or my parents involved!"
"What do your parents got to do with this?" Hercules demanded. "Nattie would never harm them, and you know it!"
Cassandra bit her lip. Her cheeks turning bright red, but it wasn't from blushing this time.
"Cassandra?" Hercules's face fell at the sight of her. She was hesitant like she was hiding something. He needed to know. "What happened?"
Cassandra blinked, not responding.
"What made you decide to bail Nattie now... of all days when she needs us?!"
"She doesn't need us! If she did, she wouldn't have bailed. I'm sick of reaching out to her. I gave her plenty of chances, but she made her choice. Now I need to make mine before someone else gets hurt - like Icarus and you!"
Icarus widened his eyes, couldn't help but smile. "Like me! Oh, butter muffin! You care about me!" He turned to male buddies. "Did you hear that? Cassandra wants me!" He leaped to give his love a hug, only for his face to be pressed by Cassandra's open palm - her own stop sign.
"I'm out of here." Cassandra turned to leave, but Hercules blocked her path.
"Cassandra, you can't do this! You can't bail Nattie! You two are like sisters to each other!"
Cassandra smiled sadly. "Hercules, I thought that once."
"You can think that again! I mean I know how Nattie can be..."
"Bitchy?" Cassandra offered.
"Close hearted?" Icarus added.
"Nasty!" Phil grumbled with frustration.
"Okay!" Hercules cut them off, waving his hands dramatically. "All of it! But to be fair, Nattie didn't have the best childhood. Her dad left. She is far away from home - her world! Imagine feeling like you-you don't really belong here. Like you're supposed to be... someplace else."
The three companions sighed, knowing who Hercules was referring. He too came from a different place, no godly guidance for sixteen years, born with different 'qualities' than normal people. He didn't feel like he didn't fit in with everyone, just like Nattie when she came from the world of 2012. She had to make dramatic changes to fit in - clothing and culture. They were alike in some ways, that's why Hercules was drawn to her. Two different people conquering the world together. Did that stop Hercules from making friends and being the best person he can be? No. If Hercules can do it, Nattie didn't have an excuse to not do the same. Abandoned childhood or not.
"Herc, Nattie isn't you," Phil counseled her. "She will never become you! You can't force her-"
"I'm not! But there is nothing wrong showing her that everyone cares for her! We all care for her, and don't deny it, Phil! You wouldn't have saved her life that one time if you didn't!"
Phil didn't respond to that argument. It seemed that Hercules was good at making a good debate, wonder where he learned that.
"Cassandra, Nattie was there to stop you from selling your soul to Hades. She stopped Croesus from torturing you!"
"And she helped us escape from Circe's clutches, baby!" Icarus put his two sense in it.
"Icarus, stand in the corner." Cassandra angrily glared at him, making him smile and back away sheepishly. He didn't hesitate to follow her order, facing the wall.
"She helped us without fail, even when it was forced!" Hercules concluded his argument. "We will do the same for her! We can't give up on her! If you give up on her, she will be homeless! Family-less! She'll be desperate! Someone else might swoop in and take advantage of that and ruin her! I won't let that happen, and I know - deep down - you don't want that either."
Hercules, without him knowing, wasn't wrong at all. Hades might use this as a golden opportunity to lure the girl back in his spider clutches or his shark fangs. He might use her as a pawn to bring down the Big Four or Olympus. Whether she was still living with Cassandra or not, that bitch couldn't resist. Villainy was a part of her. Her grandfather was a gambler con, her father was a coward, Hades was the devil which she didn't mind embracing. Maybe the devil was the key to her true happiness, not Hercules, or maybe it was the other way around. Maybe Hades was desperate for her company, someone who understood him. Either way, those two deserve each other for what they had done to her. Why couldn't Hercules see what everyone else could see?
Cassandra smiled sadly. "Maybe we can, because it's only a matter time before she breaks your heart again... and over and over... and over again." She taunted him with the reminder that Hercules didn't like to hear. "The worst part is that Nattie knows it, too, and it scares the both of you. Yet, you wanted her back so badly. Just to prove a point."
Hercules widened his eyes in shock. Did Cassandra really just say that? What did she mean by that? Hercules couldn't ask for Cassandra already left. She left Hercules, ignoring Icarus's pleas to come back. Surprisingly, he didn't ask if he can give her a lift back. She entered the beating storm, going back to her own hut. How did she get on the island? Nobody knew.
"Kid," Phil approached the boy, patting him by the arm. "Get some shut-eye. You have school tomorrow and laps to run after. I'm sure Nattie will be okay tomorrow."
Icarus perked up. "Yeah, but in the meantime..." He whipped up a nightgown for him to wear. "Let's have a slumber party!" He paused, taking note at how soft was the clothing. "Ooh! What is this material made of? Sheep? Goat?"
"That's mine!" Phil ripped the gown from Icarus, leaving the boy back to his underwear. The boy blushed red, covering his drawers.
~000~000~000~
"Hades!" Nattie didn't realize how much the man weighed until she had to drag out the water, more like towards the edge of the pool. Dryland gained gravity unlike water, so she had to rest him on the ladder for support. His butt resting on the bottom step while his head was resting on top.
His face slackened, mouth slightly opened. No signs of breathing or movement from his serpent tongue. She checked for a pulse, there wasn't one.
"Damn it!"
How was she going to do this? She had never done this before. She had never taken a CPR class. Her older brother - Johnny - and her mother did. They tried to teach her and Brandon, but the lesson faded into nothingness from the memory. For Nattie, there was one exception she picked up from the lesson. What Phil did to her that almost made her puke with overwhelming gratitude.
The mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
There was something else that came with it but didn't exactly know how to do it. For Hades' sake, he better stop drowning and be the invincible god he claimed to be.
Widening his mouth, she took a deep breath before breathing out her grape juice breath in his. Her mouth sealed, no air gap in corners.
Nattie drew back from the kiss of life, seeing a sign of Hades's reaction. There was none.
"Shit!"
She tried again. Still no reaction.
"Come on, Hades! Wake up!" Two more breaths. "Wake up! Wake up!" Before she could breathe in his mouth the second time, water flooded into her mouth. She yanked her head back and spat the water back in the pool. She looked over at Hades with his back turned from her. He climbed out of the pool while coughing out a pint of water on the concrete.
Nattie breathed out with relief. Hades wasn't dead. Nattie wasn't dead. All was well.
"You bitch."
Unfortunately, that thought was cut short for the next thing Nattie knew, her head was dunk underwater. A pair of hands tightly wrapped around her shoulders. Her first instinct was writhing his grip.
She was forced upright from the water, gasping for breath. She couldn't her attacker's face due to her soaking wet hair, but she could tell that he was pissed.
"You stupid - stupid bitch!" He dunked her again, holding her briefly before yanking her back up. "Crazy!" SPLASH! "Stupid!" SPLASH! "Woman!" SPLASH! "Are you crazy! Are you fucking crazy!" He finally stopped dunking her, giving her time to compose herself. She coughed, blew her burning nose, shoved her hair back. For a split second, he'd mistaken her for a sewer rat. He would've laughed if it wasn't for the situation at hand. This girl thought that she could kill him. She was insane.
She panted heavily. Her eyes shot red; her mouth agape; her hair stuck to her skin. He tried his best not to look at the drops of water that were drizzling down her skin - her arms, her neck, her chest...
"What the hell, Hades?!" Nattie demanded.
Finally, Hades received motivation to focus.
"What do you mean what the hell?!" He gestured himself. "I should be the one to ask that! What's the matter with you? Are you crazy?!"
"It was a joke!"
"A joke?!" He glared at her as if she was stupid. "Oh, you think that -" he gestured the pool, "-was funny? Well now, let me show you how comical I can be!" He strained his muscles, no doubt trying to ignite the flame from his bald head. The water put out the fire, making it difficult to ignite it. He either had to wait to dry or find a torch. He huffed, no doubt frustrated.
"Hey, you forget that I saved your life," Nattie argued.
He growled, grinding his jaw, continuing an attempt to light up his hair.
"How was I suppose to know that you can't swim?!"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" He vaporized one arm and wrapped it around Nattie's mouth to gag her. "Let me stop you right there. Okay, babe? Let's get one thing clear. I can swim fine, okay? What you saw was taken by surprise. How was I to know that you want me dead?"
Nattie ducked underwater, causing his smoky arm to vaporized, returning it back to a normal muscle hand by his side.
"Okay, come in here and show me," she crossed her arms over her chest, narrowed her eyes at him challengingly.
The god remained standing on the concrete, nibbling his bottom lip as his eyes scanned the three feet deep pool. He wasn't willing to go in the water that's a quarter to his size?
"Oh my gods..." Nattie whispered in disbelief.
"I can swim, babe! I - I just want my hair back." He ran his free hand over his bald spot to prove a point. "I am a god. I don't need to downgrade myself to prove your childish theories. I already dealt with your friend's yap, okay?"
"The Underworld is surrounded by nothing but the River Styx! How the hell could you not swim?!"
"Shut up!" Finally, the flames erupted from his head. His skin bright orange. A fireball formed and ready to strike. Nattie was glad that she was in the water, but that wouldn't guarantee a bonk on the head.
"Nattie, you have yanked my chain for the last - last time."
"You can't kill me, remember," Nattie pointed out, not taking effect to his fire. "I owe you a favor."
Two favors. She would've argued that she saved his life, counting it as one, but she was the one who drowned him in the first place.
Hades growled, clenching his fists that crushed the ball to ash. His eyes squeezed shut, his veins popped out slightly.
"You would be surprised at what you can live through." He motioned her to come out, but she remained in the water. In fact, she slowly backed away from him. He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'll be right here, waiting. I got time."
If he could swim, why couldn't he jump and get her? It proved the girl's theory that he couldn't swim to save his life. That's when an idea lit her brain. As much as she wanted to float in water for twenty-four hours, she couldn't. One: she got school in the morning. Two: she didn't want her skin prune. Three: she didn't want to drown in her sleep. Most importantly, she didn't want to chance Hades dragging her out by the net and tormenting her at four in the morning.
"Okay," Nattie began, pushing her hair back. "What if I tell you how Hercules defeat you? The time when the titan age comes? Will you let me go pain-free?"
Hades raised a brow at that intriguing, tempting offer. Was she really going to spoil him? Was threatening her all it took to make her squeal? Did she truly downgrade herself to a desperate yutz?
"Depends," he replied. "How do I know that you won't lie?"
He's got a point. With a huff, Nattie uttered her promise with a hand in the air. "I swear by the River Styx, I will tell you how Hercules, as an adult, will finally end your miserable life, as long as you swear that you will let me go in peace."
Hades pursed his lips. He didn't expect her to draw the oath into this argument. She really was going to tell him. He turned around, muttering to himself in the debate. Nattie suppressed the urge to swim closer, trying to make out what he's saying. All she could make out were little fragments, but the rest was a fast pace.
"Is there a downside... Could the kid possibly... What do I... lose?" Finally, Hades turned around with a thin tight smile.
"Alright, my little raven, you got yourself a deal." He motioned her in a 'come here' gesture, not for her to get out, but to spill the beans. "Details. Give me details."
"Okay. Hercules's love of his life dies, she flows to Tarturus - which is not fair because she deserved a spot in Elysium -"
"Nattie," he flared up briefly, warning her not to sway the subject.
"Anyway, she dies. Hercules comes downstairs to save her. He made a deal with you to trade places with her. You accept. He dived in. He saved her. He becomes a god, and then he punches you into Tartarus where you spend the rest of miserable self alone. The end."
There. She said it. She told the truth. No doubt that she'll regret this. However, there was always an exception when it involved a death curse. She didn't want to die, especially from a guy who she just risked saving five minutes ago. She didn't want to scar, the handprint around the bicep was enough. Maybe letting the man drown wasn't the entirely wrong thing after all.
Nattie waited for Hades to react - a flare-up, a screech, something! Instead, his eye bugged out and his jaw hit the floor - literally. Surprisingly, he remained blue and speechless. When was the last time he was wordless? It seemed like it was forever ago.
"Hades?" she snapped his fingers - a poor attempt to return him to reality. "Hades, say something." She thought she loved the peace and quiet, but Hades not saying anything shook her a bit.
"Talk!" she demanded louder, splashing the water at his direction, but it only hit the edge of the concrete and not his pool of smoke. "Baby, come on! You are freaking me out with the silence!"
He finally blinked. Did she just called him... He dismissed that immediately, knowing that it wasn't important.
"Babe..." He opened his mouth, but quickly closed it.
"Do you want time for yourself?" she offered. "Because I can go and let you do just that." She didn't want to see him quiet any longer.
"No!" Hades paced the pool back and forth. "I mean yes! I mean - ugh! I don't know! How am I supposed to know what to react?! You actually told me the truth! Maybe that's why it is shocking."
"Is that so hard to believe? I swore myself to the River Styx, didn't I?"
"That girl - her - you-" He pointed at Nattie accusingly. Now it was Nattie's turn to widen her eyes.
"Whoa! Whoa! You don't think -"
"The kid loves you! Don't say that he doesn't. Holy Hera!" His flames flared up yellow, but only briefly. "You are going to be the death of me!"
"Hades, I am not..." Nattie trailed off, thinking through all her options. Suppose she can use this as an advantage. One way to not involve the bitch Megara in this situation.
"Baby," she began softly, earning a dumbfounded look again. Here she was calling him by that pet name again. "If that's true... If it was me... should you keep that prediction from happening? I mean... if I die, and Hercules finds out..."
Hades's breathing quickened. Luckily, the color stayed the same. He seemed to recall the words the Fates uttered him, months ago. His own prophecy that matched very well with Nattie's.
"If your henchgirl sides with good, all your hopes of conquest will be screwed...Your body will row away down below!"
There it was. The real reason why he couldn't kill her. It wasn't just leverage for knowledge, a scratch your back concept. She was his lifeline. Sadly, he believed this girl knew it, too, that's why she told him. Now she was in danger. His plan was falling apart. They were both drowning, and now they needed each other to stay above water. He could always bring her back, but at what cost? Again, his bargain that Nattie desired more than anything, so he thought.
"You have already had a sealed fate," Nattie continued. "You are going to sink, while I have a death curse. Your minty mistress isn't doing any favors by sending her mutt to get me."
"What?" He glared at her sharply. "Who did what now?"
Nattie nodded. "Yeah. Nemesis said that she was hired by a woman. Menthe is the only suspect in mind because she was there when I almost got killed in history class. Before all this, I used to have a death wish to get away from Herodotus, but now... When someone tells you to be careful what you wish for, don't take that lightly."
"You sure? You sure it was Menthe?"
Nattie nodded.
"Okay..." Hades sank down in a chair that formed under him. He whipped out a cigar, an attempt to calm his nerves. The short draws showed he was anything but calm, almost frantic. He was scared, but would he admit? Not a chance.
"How the hell could my clingy maid possibly know about your death curse?"
"I don't think she does. I think she still holds a grudge at me for 'replacing her'. Maybe she still has feelings for you-"
He scoffed.
"-and wants the competition gone."
"But we're not dating! Sure we... I'm not into you like that. Did you tell her I'm into you like that?!"
"No! All I know is that she is stalking me! We can't cross her out as a potential threat. I need protection."
Hades didn't disagree.
Knowing that it was safe to approach the fire, Nattie swam closer, resting her arms on the concrete edge. She reached forward, playfully twirling or tugging the hem of his chiton.
"I hate to admit it, but I do. Also, I need to stay at your place. I need the security and monsters by my side."
"Babe, I tolerate you - I'm attracted to you - but you know that. I don't mind saving you if it saves me, but babe, one me doesn't cover all the enemies that we made. You need allies. The more people on your side, the bigger the shield you have, means less percent chance of our fates happening."
"What allies do I have? I lost my best friend. She doesn't want me near her parents because of y-"
"Ah. Ah. Ah. Babe, like it or not, we can't turn on each other. Not this time."
He was right. The blaming game didn't help their relationship, even though it came out naturally between them. They must force to put all the negativity aside to survive the game they created together. Nattie may have not wanted to participate in Hades' schemes, but she was forced to be an accomplice nonetheless.
"Maybe I can sway Ares into having an army ready-"
"No," Nattie cut him off. "That won't work. He hates me. I played him and his army with that Mulan façade, remember?"
How could Hades forget? He facepalmed. "Oy-vey." He inhaled another set of smoke.
"But... I did receive a medal of honor from Athena. She seems to like me. I did help 'stop'-
" Nattie air quoted the word, "-your hostile takeover in Athens."
"Babe, you did help."
Nattie scoffed. "You want to call freezing my ass on the ground and forcing me to watch other people stopping you - again, frozen still with a crick in the neck - then sure, let's count that."
Hades suppressed the urge to throw a fireball her way. "Okay, we have Athena." He lifted a finger, listing the gods off as potential allies. "We got Popo - he owes you for helping him get Athens back. There's Aphrodite. She knows Hercules's infatuation with you. She believes that..." He continued speaking in mocking fashion, 'star-cross lovers should last forever and ever." His face sulked at the words itself. "Oy!"
"There is one guy guaranteed to help."
"Who?"
Nattie pressed her lips together, debating the utter the name or not, knowing that it might tick him off.
"Babe, come on. You know that you can't keep me in sus-"
"Zeus."
Just as Nattie predicted, Hades' skin temperature rose, burning the cigar in hand.
"Dear gods. You should've let me drown out my misery."
"Hades, Zeus is currently the most powerful god in the universe." Hades opened his mouth to argue until Nattie didn't want to hear it. "I said 'currently'."
He slumped back into his chair, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, and has his wife who hates your guts. You should've heard her on Olympus, while I tried to keep the lovebirds apart. If you didn't dump the Wonderbrat-"
"Ugh! I really don't want to imagine her reaction, when I dump Hercules again."
Hades's brow raised, "Uh... excuse me?" He chuckled, sticking a finger in his ear. "Did I hear you wrong? Do I have brimstone in my ear? I thought I heard you say 'when you dump Jerkules... again'."
Nattie huffed, resting her head on the arms but was forced upright by Hades' smoky arm.
"Babe-"
"Yes, okay!" Nattie shooed off the smoke. "Yes. Hercules asked me today - of all days - to get back together with me."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah," Nattie pushed herself out the pool, resting her butt on the edge. Her hair twisted and squeezed, dripping the water back where it belonged. "And I was in the middle of a horrible allergy reaction. If Disney thinks that is romantic, then I clearly don't know what it is."
"No! No! No!" Hades waved his hand and head. "You're actually going to dump him, again?"
"Well... yeah."
Hades blinked until he flared up once more. "Are you crazy?!"
Nattie furrowed her brows, officially confused. Wasn't Hercules staying single what Hades wanted? Wasn't he mad that she dated the enemy behind his back? Why the 180 spin?
"Come again?" Nattie asked.
"Babe..." Hades raised from his chair. First time in hours, a smile plastered across his face. "This... This is gold! Herc is the Son of Zeus! He is liked by everyone! He is a hero-wannabe. Be on his good side, and you will have bolt-free cheeks guarantee."
"Hades, whether you treat him like shit or not, he is bound to help you. It shows much from the Underworld Takeover episode."
"Yeah, yeah, he did good," He dismissed that horrifying memory, "but imagine being his girlfriend, bring in the right curves." He swayed his hands down to his lap, leaving a trail of curved smoke behind. "That, sweetheart, brings you to all the gods' good side - whether they like it or not."
"No."
Hades blinked. Did she really just... He chuckled in disbelief, "Nattie, babe, I don't think you get the big picture-"
"I do, and I am telling you that I don't want to do it. I broke up with him once! I don't want to go through the emotional rollercoaster again!"
Hades huffed, running his hands over his face, massaging his temples.
"And I thought you don't want me to be with Hercules?" Once she was satisfied with her current hair status, she went inside to dry off.
"Babe!"
She rolled her eyes, knowing that the god shall persist inside the house.
"You have death taking a toll. I have a plan that can't afford to fail!"
"Maybe your plan is going to fail," she snapped. "Maybe the tians will be no different than the other monsters you sent! Ever thought of that?"
"Yes!" Hades flared up, throwing a fireball towards the door, creating a hole and screaming tourists outside. Neither paid attention to the damage, only at each other.
"Okay!" He admitted with complete exhaustion, returning to blue. "I have, every time you turn down every plan I got! I have thought of it! You were just like that Jiminy Cricket I want to fry!" He banged his fist against the counter. "But the guys trapped upstairs," he pointed at the roof. "they're not monsters. They are titans."
Nattie walked around the counter, wiping her face with a dish towel. She basically cornered herself with only the surviving counter as her wall, which Hades could easily take.
"And you think that's what makes them special?" she challenged.
"They are. I need them to be special. The Titans are my last shot for power."
She scoffed.
"Scratch that..." He hovered over the counter, resting his forearms on it. His gaze narrowed at the appetizing girl across him. He tried so hard to keep his eyes on her only. "You and the Titans are my last shot." She was about to turn her head and scoff but was forced to look straight at him, again, with the smoky arm. "You - titans - me - we..." he gestured the space between them. "simply need Wonderboy."
Nattie risked herself stepping towards the counter, resting her arm on it. A few inches from her hands touching his large ones. A part of her would be lying if she said that didn't enjoy the begging. It almost sounded like her when she begged Hades for a day off. How the tables turned.
"You think the gods will protect me?" she asked. "Can Hercules save me if I get back together with him? If I use him as a pawn? You really think that it could work?"
"Why not?" He challenged. "It worked before. The plague, the blanket, the Prometheus affair, Apollo's sun going MIA - those rare times when Hercules worked in my favor. The times when I was so close to getting everything I wanted."
Nattie shook her head, "Still... even if he bites the apple, I don't want to be one to poison him with it." She slowly withdrew her hands. "I'm not a killer."
One hand grasped both her hands, causing her to gasp in surprise. She tried to tug back, only for him to draw them closer.
"Funny, because the way I see it, sweetheart, you are the bishop in this game."
Nattie averted her eyes, refusing to look at him. "What's wrong with the queen?"
"Because I am the king, and you signed your life to me from night one. I showed you the ropes. I gave you everything you wanted. I taught you everything I know. Look at me." He grasped her jaw with the free hand. She struggled, but the tightening of his grip that could crack a bone forced her to submit. "And you came back for more, every time. You owe me, and don't you ever fucking forget that."
Nattie squeezed her eyes shut, suppressing the urge to cry. She knew what was coming. If she couldn't get together with Hercules willingly, Hades would force her.
"Your favor."
"One of my favors." He released her face and tapped the tip of her nose. "Even though you suck at math, I'm glad you are catching up. You don't have a choice. Unless you are willing to tell Hercules everything we have been through, risking your life flowing around the River Styx, never seeing your ma and delinquent turds again - I suggest you play your cards right."
He quickly looked, refusing to go soft on the sight of her tears. He continued, pretending that she wasn't going noble. Damn Jerkules for influencing his wicked bird. Damn Nattie for being so hormonal.
"Hey, it's like that old goat says - Rule #11: it's all just a game. So let loose and have fun with it!" He plastered a smile across his face, turning his back away from her. "I mean, It's not like you are ever going to see everyone here again, when you fly home, right?"
As sick and twisted his words were, he was right. If Nattie did go home, there's no guarantee of her ever coming back. She was real. She wouldn't face the consequences in real life, this was a fictional place. Then again, she made friends with these people that's what made them real to her. Nattie didn't know what to do anymore. She couldn't really concentrate anything in her current tired state. She needed sleep.
...
(Song: I Need Some Sleep - Eels)
Hades allowed her to stay for the night. She moved to the smaller suite due to the damages and traumatic episode from the master.
Despite the heavy lids and steady breathing, her mind was processing everything rapidly. The curse, school, Hercules, Hades's favor - everything in one that slowly gave her a migraine. No doubt she would fall asleep in history class Monday. No doubt she will stay after school because she fell asleep in class. Maybe detention might be a good thing. Alone and safe in the classroom.
The bed under her was springy just like the cot she slept at Cassandra's hut. She couldn't believe their current status. Cassandra denounced her. This wasn't like Icarus harassing her until she caved and made up with him. This time, family was involved, and it wasn't her fault. Then again, if someone dragged Nattie's family into the death equation, the teen wouldn't be too pleased either. At this moment, cutting class may not be such a bad idea. Give her friend time to think and cool down. Maybe Cassandra might forgive her, maybe she won't. Maybe Nattie was a coward, or just considerate. All she knew was that refused to sleep in this bed alone. Unfortunately, the imps refused to answer nor wanted to be involved in her mess again, even if it was a simple cuddle. She couldn't blame them. Maybe they might ditch her too. Her dog downstairs was giving her the cold shoulder recently for not being attentive often. If only they could understand...
At least the two men in her life remained and cared. She knew one was genuine, and his heart would be broken if he knew her current status tonight. He's probably begging the Fates for her life, right now, throwing sleep out the window. If only he knew that she didn't deserve his love and kindness. She didn't deserve anyone's help. She was a heartbreaker, set and stone. Tears flowed down her cheeks at that thought. Just like her father.
Emerging from her room to another, she watched her neutral ally's shoulders rise from every deep breath. Sucking salvia met her ears. Was Hades sucking his thumb? This was the first she had ever paid attention to his sleeping habits. Of all the times, she drugged him, she never once took the time for that sort of thing.
For a split second, she thought a human being was sleeping on the bed. No question, he was the devil on the outside, but on the inside...
...
"Nattie..."
Before she could close her door to change clothes, he wanted to set another rule for her. It was almost like she was his assistant.
"What happened at the pool, better be the last."
"I told you, Hades. I'm sorry I shoved you. I won't tell anyone you can't sw-"
"I wasn't talking about that."
That finally earned a confused look from her.
"I am a god. I can float without getting your petty self involved."
Her heart sunk at the words that uttered from his mouth. Did he just say...
"You... You are talking about me saving your life?" She heard it, but couldn't believe it. She thought that he had an ego, but this... She noticed a crack behind those soulless eyes of his. What she used to see was empty. The god standing before her that everyone knew to be the devil. This was more. This was a man had no heart.
"Wow," she whispered. A tear burned her eyes, threatening to fall down to her cheeks. "You... You are so damaged."
The words alone brought a little reaction, only a sharp inhale through his nose and a clinch to his fist.
"I am not," he quietly argued.
"Yes, you are," she argued. "You can't accept anyone's help out of kindness." She tilted her head slightly, continued to analyze his reaction even the small ones. "Has anyone offered you help, because they wanted to? Not because they wanted anything? Has anyone given you anything from the heart?"
He forced a chuckle, a weak smile - a poor attempt to humor the argument.
"That mural the imps painted for me - I think I look good in a mustache, don't you think?"
Her silence spoke volumes. His irritation heightened due to the tears running down her cheeks. She was showing pity for him. He knew he should've kept his mouth shut. Of all the looks he received, pity was number one on his hate list. He would kill anyone for sharing that glance. He was the Lord of the Dead. The job description didn't require it.
"Shut up." He commanded softly. "I don't need you to tell what I am. I know who I am just fine. I am the Lord of the Dead - a villain. Deal with that."
"Fine," Her tone didn't match well with her words, it was bitter and ill - a disgusting plague. "For the record, Hades, I am slowly getting to know who I am. Despite everything - despite this sick twisted game we're in - believe me or not, I chose to save your life because I care about you."
She sniffled her nose, stubbornly wiping the tears away. "I am Natalie Camden. I am the modern girl. A human being with my soul intact. You deal with that."
Hades, the Lord of the Dead, cast away by his brother - Zeus - and the rest of society to live alone, hated, broken. Who wouldn't be damaged from that eternal punishment? Nattie would hold a grudge if one of her brothers did that to her? That's what connected her to Hades. They were kindred spirits. It won't change whether it was love or hate.
Next thing she knew, her feet were moving towards the danger. Her knee brushing the mattress, slowly adding pressure underneath. She took note at the welcoming plush. She remembered climbing on Hades' bed before. It was the most magnificent bed she ever laid on. Imagine sleeping on it for twenty-four hours. Her thumb and index finger pinched the covers, briefly admiring the silk. Her entire left side sank, joining her head at the cloudy feel. One arm draped around his. Her body nestled close to his back, embracing the temperature. The heat was there despite the nightcap on his flaming head. The senses of sulfur empowered her senses, relaxing the mind, lullabying herself to sleep.
Unknown to both sleeping parties, the man's thumb withdrew from his lips, holding her arm closer to his chest.
A/N: I know. I have been gone for too long, almost five months. But I am back with a very long chapter to make up for it. So it seems that Nattie and Hades are working together to escape death row. Worse, Hades is actually forcing Nattie to be in a relationship with him, risking what could happen between the pair. Will Nattie admit some feelings for Hercules? Can Hercules save her and defeat Hades? When will she own up everything to Hercules? Can Nattie make up with Cassandra? Where will she live? The Underworld? Just so you know, there will be four episodes left until the Season 4 finale. The next episode will be nothing but drama as promised, so tune in next time.
I noticed during my absence that some readers created a reader jumping into the Hercules movie fanfic. Some that made a Hades/OC pairing. There's hardly much of that in this site. I have already read some, and I can't wait for upcoming chapters.
I preordered the KH3 game, and let me just say that I am love with the music and graphics. I was lucky to have the restraint to not stay up all night to play the game. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to finish writing this chapter.
Big News: There is a channel on YouTube who reviewed all three season of HatMG! A reviewer and gamer who calls himself 'Darksymphony777'. I admit that I was nervous about him reviewing my story. After all, I started writing at the time - an amateur. I had no idea what he would say. There were positives and non-surprising, understandable negatives. I know I commented already, but here I go again... Thank you, Darksymphony777 for taking the time to read and upload those three videos about my book. You are awesome! If you guys are interested in his review of this book, check out his channel.
Thank you, readers, for taking the time to read, review, and adding this to favorites or alerts. You guys rock!