Ok peeps, same deal third story (and it's a good one!) ok, fifth if you want to get technical about it… I don't own Disney's Hercules (unfortunately) but Persephone, Thanatos and all the other original characters and places that pop-up belong to me…
This story takes things from both the film and the series while it also contains some carrying themes from it's forerunners; Plight of Persephone & Daddy's Little Hellraiser (plus a few things from both short stories too) so read them first… Also, because constantly being asked the same questions is starting to grate me: please don't rely on Greek Myths, this is Disney and they twisted a lot of myths around, I have done the same and explanations can be found in my Little Notes sections in relative chaps… having said that though, some knowledge will kind of give you a small glimpse into where this fic is heading..
Little hint: if you haven't read it's forerunners then you will get confused because some things that have happened in past fics are coming back in this fate-filled fic..
And a little reminder… Disney twisted a lot of myths for their storylines so I have to do some minor tweaking of my own to make this work…
…enjoy x
AngelOfDarkness1959: Glad your loving the story and yeh, things are about to go downhill from here! :) x
Nyx27Seth: Lol if you feel bad for him why are you cheering the imps? XDDD
DisneyPrincess: I know I'd be pissed if it was me too.. And I didn't create Jealousy's powers Disney did. Most of the imps seem to be able to control some form of emotion connected with her name but glad you still love the story X
Coldblue: Thank you! X
Wonderwomanbatmanfan: Glad your still with us hun! Here's a shiney new chap! X
The Importance of Thanatos
Please don't forget to check out Birds and the Bees, Oh Geez Louise which is located in the M-rated section of this category (or you can just click on my name and find it in my profile) thank you! X
Chapter Fifty:The Catalyst that Sets Death in Motion
Over the next few days things between the hero and his wife remained tense and while Hercules was preparing for the big archery contest in Pherae Thanatos too was making plans of his own. It had taken Thanatos a little while to finally track down the timid little imp of Paranoia. Once the skinny little royal-blue sprite had learnt that Death was looking for him he'd hidden himself deep within the recesses of the Grove of Despair, a place Melinoe called 'her sanctuary from life'. This grove was on the borderline of the Asphodel Fields and the Upper Realms of Tartarus, a place were despondent and inconsolable souls were sent to live out their afterlife without 'bumming out' other Underworld residents, so it was no surprise to anyone that the gloomiest child of Hades treated it as a home away from home. Paranoia had no idea why Thanatos wanted to see him and despite being an immortal imp the teen god's temper and deathly powers frightened him. So the royal-blue imp did the only thing he could… hide.
The only reason it had taken Thanatos so long to track down the spineless little blue imp was even though the omniscient godling knew Paranoia was hiding out in the Grove of Despair, he could not pinpoint his exact location… not because he couldn't sense him but because he couldn't concentrate while all the souls around him were wailing like massive babies. Thanatos couldn't understand why his little sister liked this section of Asphodel so much, the 'crying-thing' really irritated his flames.. Seriously, why do these stiffs have to cry? Their life is over. Boom. Problems solved lets get over it and get on with our afterlives.. The God of Death-in-training rolled his eyes as he wandered through the grove. He had never been a patient god when it came to the emotions of mortals, which was why his job suited him so much. Just slice their lines and move onto the next dying schmo… Easy as that.
Thanatos' narrowed eyes in a dark scowl of irritation melted into a look of devilish glee as he spotted the thin triangular-pointed blue tail of Paranoia sticking out of one of the greying bushes nearby, striding over immediately he seized the imp by the tail and yanked him out of the bushes.
'Gotcha, ya little putz!' The fiery godling declared brightly raising the imp to eyelevel as Paranoia dangled helplessly in his grasp, quivering with fear as his big pupils were wide with terror.
'Oh, h-hi muh-master Th-th-Thanatos..' The royal-blue coloured imp shook as he stuttered nervously. He only hung limply in the god's grip, knowing it was pointless to fight him. 'Nuh-nice day, i-isn't it?' Paranoia added in an attempt at innocent conversation but this made Thanatos' already irked orange flames brighten.
'Don't get fresh with me Para!' Thanatos snapped as he glower deepened. 'Your gonna help me whether ya like it or not, ya got that?'
'What… uh.. what muh-makes y-you think I don't wanna help?' Paranoia grinned sheepishly under the thirteen year old pyrogod's glare.
'Well Para, your hiding in a bush in the one part of the Underworld I hate the most..' Thanatos sounded rudely as his eyebrow kinked in a mocking manner to the blue imp. '-forgive me if I don't find that very helpful. Now c'mon, I got the perfect job for ya and I'm not takin' no for an answer..' Instantly Thanatos vanished out in a curl of smoky darkness with Paranoia still hanging by his tail in his grip…
…A second later the pair reappeared in Thanatos' bedroom. With this now being late Spring Hades had nothing to do but relax until the start of autumn. Usually the Lord of the Dead would flit between visiting his wife on the surface and watching his kids in the Underworld, however the fiery god was still holding suspicions over what it was his son was up to and that meant that since it was too risky to plot in the throne room Thanatos had to move his meetings to his bedroom. Unfortunately this god's bedroom was a place nobody but him liked to tread. Like most teenagers the God of Death-in-training's room was considered a health hazard.. But not because of the mass of unwashed chitons and discarded scrolls that were strewn over the floor, or the strange smell of stale godly body odours mixed with rotting flesh that hung in the air. The real reason nobody liked going near Thanatos' bedroom was because of all the deadly equipment that the godling kept around for 'work purposes'. This coupled with the fact that the highly suspicious teenage pyrogod now kept his room secure using a series of lethal booby-traps meant anyone stupid enough to go raking in his room would be lucky if they came out in one piece. Not even Thanatos' parents dared come near his room anymore which made it the perfect place to scheme in peace.
Once they were safely inside the dark room of the teenage god Thanatos let go of Paranoia who fell on the floor in a heap. It was only once the little royal-blue imp pulled himself roughly to his feet did he realise that falling on the floor was actually his best option. His bug-eyes widened as he took in Thanatos' newly acquired bed, a twisted black bed of sharp nails. There was only a thin black sheet, a pillow and his only childhood toy Mr Skelton which sat there looking innocent. As the timid little imp glanced around the room he realised the grey walls were a badly-scorched black, probably due to thirteen years of angry flames and temper-tantrums and the sharp jagged candelabra flickered with blue-flamed black candles giving the room a dull eerie glow… it really did look like a miniature torture-den.
Thanatos watched with mild amusement as the slim-faced imp glanced warily around his dark bedroom. This was the first time he'd seen Paranoia up close and he did kind of resemble Panic though his eyes and nose were smaller, his ribcage protruded from his almost skeletal frame and he was shorter than Pain in height. He'd heard from the other Miseries that Paranoia was probably the most useless and pathetic out of all the his brethren... Even Hades would never use this minion because of his spineless nature, he thought the imp wasn't 'evil' enough to be worth using.
'So… wh-what's this j-job your fuh-fuh-forcing on me..' Paranoia whimpered timidly, his voice was so fearful and quiet that it was barely audible and Thanatos flashed submissive imp a wide grin as he slumped down on his bed, the sharp nails clearly not affecting him.
'Ah-puh-pup..' Thanatos hushed him, still smirking and winking to the imp who had practically curled into a ball of nerves, his long horned ears drooping. '-all in good time.' The fiery godling seemed to be waiting for something and sure enough, the next second there was a shimmer of minty green and both Resentment Twins burst into the room with wide grins. Thanatos instantly sat up on his bed and flashed them a keen look.
'So, how's everythin' lookin' boys?' The fiery teen asked keenly.
'Everything is right on schedule Than my man.' Jealousy sounded confidently while giving the god an 'ok' signal.
'We've even managed to keep the couple from reconciling their differences so they've remained frosty since their first argument.' Envy sounded before his eyes caught sight of Paranoia who had been trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The green imp then nudged his twin and Jealousy's eyes too were suddenly on the blue imp.
'Oh. What's he doing here?' Jealousy hissed, throwing daggers at his cowardly brother and Paranoia instantly winced.
'Yeh. He's as spineless as a Stygian worm..' Envy glowered too.
'That's cause he is one.' Jealousy added with a smirk and both twins laughed with amusement at their brother's expense.
'Hey, knock it off you two!' Thanatos scowled irritably when Paranoia failed to stick up for himself. Even Paranoia blinked in amazement, never expecting this teenage god to stick up for him… nobody but his mother Lamia had ever backed his corner for him before. Jealousy and Envy both instantly turned to Thanatos with a curious look, unable to understand why this God of Death-in-training was siding with Paranoia.
'Why, he's useless..' Envy started.
'-even your old man says so.' Jealousy finished.
'Yup. I-it's true… he d-does say that.' Paranoia added, nodding in agreement with his brothers.
'Yeh?' Thanatos kinked a brow. 'Well, I don't care what ol' Flame-Head thinks. I'm runnin' this show now and I believe that Paranoia is exactly what we need!' His golden-flamed quiff flared a momentarily nasty orange colour as he fixed the twins with a glare.
'And what's he going to do, exactly?' Envy kinked his brow, the scorn in his voice expressing doubt and scepticism towards his brother's abilities. His thoughts were clearly mirrored in his twin Jealousy's face.
Thanatos wanted to roll his eyes at these two Miseries. The fact that they seemed to have no faith in their own brother or any concept of the magnitude of power he possessed was unbelievable.
'You really don't know do you?' Thanatos' voice was soft, so almost dangerously soft that both Resentment Twins shivered slightly under his intrigued yet slightly surprised gaze. Paranoia was staring wide-eyed at the son of his ruler, rapt with unbelieving attention. 'You have absolutely no idea what he is capable of, do you?'
Both Envy and Jealousy flashed each other a perplexed look while Paranoia looked just as confused, proving that since nobody had given him a chance to discover what he was capable of, he too had no idea.
Thanatos groaned heavily and slapped his palm against his face irritably.
'You guys may be able to manipulate human emotions but Para here can shatter them completely..' Both Envy and Jealousy blinked in disbelief before their eyes turned as one back to Paranoia, their brows raised in an 'is this true' manner..
The short and skinny royal-blue imp threw his two brothers an 'I guess so' sort of shrug of the shoulders, though he didn't seem as sure on his abilities as the golden-flamed god slumped out over his bed before them.
'Right.' Thanatos sounded instantly dispelling the silence, clapping his hands together and rubbing them, eager to move forward and plan the next stage to take out Hercules as time was ticking. 'Let's get a mosey on, as you boys already know-' The fiery golden-flamed godling nodded towards the Resentment Twins with a smirk. '-this upcoming archery contest will be the beginning of the end of Jerkules. Now, once I schmooze Lachesis and get her to 'influence' the competition in his favour. Jealousy, Envy, I want you two to set up Meg then bam-' One white fist punched the palm of Thanatos' other hand. '-Para, that's when you swoop in and knock her down..' The God of Death-in-training snickered evilly to himself. 'Heh, heh, heh, then I'll take care of the rest..' The teenage god's rounded eyes narrowed to match his leer.
'You the man with the plan Than..' Envy smirked widely, flattering the teenage god without all the mindless grovelling which the son of Hades hated so much.
'So whatta we do while your off sweet-talking Lachesis..' Jealousy added keenly.
'Don't let this little schlep outta your sight.' Thanatos instantly refocused on the Resentment Twins, his golden flames flaring a light orange. 'We need him for this to work and I won't have him goin' AWOL on us..'
'Aye, aye sir.' Both Resentment Twins then stood either side of a worried looking Paranoia and linked his arms with theirs, flashing him matching wide smirks.
'Meeting adjourned boys, I'm off to charm a Fate..' Thanatos instantly got up off of his sharp bed of nails then with a wink and a mock-salute the fiery god vanished into smoky darkness. The moment the teenage deity was gone both identical pale-green imps flashed their smaller royal-blue-skinned brother two matching, intimidating smirks.
'You better not screw up..' Envy hissed in one long pointed horned-ear.
'You don't wanna see this kid mad, trust us..' Jealousy added throwing him a serious look. Paranoia winced at his brother's harsh words and looked incredibly anxious.
The archery contest in Pherae was at the end of the first week of the last month, meaning that Thanatos now only had three weeks to insure everything was in place for his final plan to take out Admetus' substitute. Though naturally, the mortals who flocked to this event had no idea that today was going to be the catalyst that would send in motion a carefully executed plan to assassinate Hercules.. Whether they were there simply to observe the contest or actually entering to try their hand at winning Princess Iole, everyone seemed in good spirits. The weather was gloriously sunny and the sky was a brilliant blue with barely a cloud in sight, Apollo had certainly blessed them with perfect weather, but then as a keen archery-enthusiast himself and a close personal friend of King Admetus nobody was surprised. It was also suspected that he and his twin sister Artemis could be watching from somewhere incognito..
There was however, one person who was not as enthusiastic about the archery contest as everybody else… Meg. The wife of Hercules bit her lip anxiously as she took her seat in the stands next her son Hyllos, the fourteen year old youth barely noticed his mother's unease as he beamed and waved enthusiastically down towards his father, who was stood with the other contestants down below. A few of the weedier competitors were eyeing him warily as if wondering if they could actually beat this guy while the stronger ones eyed him confident in their own abilities.. Megara pushed a few stray hairs back towards her messy bun and fiddled with her lilac beaded bag nervously. She'd never felt so insecure about her husband entering a completion before but then she'd never felt like her husband was hiding something from her either. Most of all however, her husband had never entered a contest where the prize was a young girl's hand in marriage. When Meg had confronted her husband on if he wanted to marry Iole Hercules had laughed at her.. Hercules had instantly stopped when he realised she was serious and added that he was entering the contest on behalf of someone else. However the hero refused to share with his wife who this mystery suitor was.. Perhaps if she weren't under the influence of Jealousy and Envy she'd have a little more faith in her husband, after all everything he had ever done was with hers and Hyllos' best interests at heart… but as it was the two Miseries' influence over her emotions was affecting her judgement, her thoughts consumed by her childhood fears of betrothal and her recent insecurities concerning her husband. What was he hiding? Why wouldn't he share his plans with her? Where did Iole fit into all this? Her head was buzzing with so many unanswered questions that these along with everything else was slowly chipping away at her faith and trust in Hercules..
The crowd around the middle-aged brunette quietened down t this point and as she refocused on the grounds below Meg realised that Admetus himself was standing up in his royal box about to address the crowd..
'Ladies and Gentlemen, in accordance with tradition, he who wins this great archery contest shall win the hand of my fair daughter Iole..' Admetus then turned with an arm stretched out towards his only child. Thirteen year old Iole who was dressed in her pretty but modest pastel blue dress waved to the crowd, her smile seemed genuine though she gave off a nervous aura which suggested that she still wasn't a hundred percent comfortable before she sat down beside her mother Askeles.
'Now, let the contest… begin!-!' The crowd roared out in excitement as Admetus took his seat. Hyllos whistled out keenly with his fingers in his mouth before bellowing out,
'Show 'em how it's done dad!' Meg cringed despite her son's yell of encouragement and support for his father, unable to bring herself to be as cheerful… silently her mind willed, Please Hercules, please don't win…
…As Hercules' final arrow left his bow with a loud twang,the sound magnified by the deathly silence of a crowd in suspense. While the rest of the crowd watched as Hercules' arrow sailed through the air with grace Meg's heart hammered in her chest as her fingers clasped together, her violet eyes widening with fear.. It was the one moment in the whole competition where her face matched the rest of the spectators though she, unlike the rest of them, wanted the arrow not to hit the bulls-eye.
Hercules pulled his bow away and watched his arrow as it sailed towards the board his blue eyes concentrating on it's progress. He was rusty with a bow and had been letting his son Hyllos give him pointers as his son was a natural archer. He glanced up towards his family in the stands Hyllos' violet eyes caught his then and for he flashed a smile to his father. Beside his son Meg's violet eyes were wide and fearful obviously apprehensive of the outcome of this match… if he hit the bulls-eye he won if he didn't he lost…
…The Eye of Fate in Lachesis' left eye socket frowned at Thanatos as the golden-flamed godling collapsed to his knees before the Fate of the Present. When schmoozing the green-skinned fate didn't work the God of Death-in-training switched to full-on begging mode complete with clasped hands.
'Please Lachesis..' Thanatos sounded in a simpering tone with wide golden eyes and angelic smile.
'No…' She scolded him. Refusing to bend to his will.
'Please Lachesis..'
'I said no!'
'Please Lachesis..'
'Absolutely not!'
'Please Lachesis..'
'What part of 'absolutely not' don't you understand?'
'Uh…' Thanatos drawled pretending to mull this over for a second. 'The 'not' part..' He added with a hint of cheek in his boyish smirk before he practically prostrated himself on the floor before the unusually-stubborn Lachesis.
'Puh-Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!' The fiery thirteen year old god let out his long plead with a very extended, irritatingly high-pitched whine to his voice.
'Oh for the love of the cosmos Lachesis-' Clotho snapped cantankerously, annoyed by Thanatos' whinging plea, unaware that this was exactly why he'd done it. '-just give the little runt what he wants so he'll shut up!' Thanatos instantly got up on all fours and nodded like one of those irritating chariot ornaments, complete with wide boyish smirks.
'Oh. Alright, alright..' Lachesis finally relented, her shoulders hanging in defeat. She then picked up a single crochet needle and made one alternation on the stitching of the Tapestry of Fate. '-there, it's done.' She added, folding her arms tightly with a slight smirk to Thanatos. The golden-flamed godling then scrambled on his knees and hugged the green-skinned fate's legs in a grateful embrace.
'Lachesis you're a doll..' Thanatos sounded keenly before vanishing out into smoky darkness with a disembodied, '-love ya!' The next second Lachesis whipped around to her sisters with a scowl.
'You both know that this is precisely why he has us all wrapped right around his fingers, don't you?' She sounded with a haughty sniff.
'Of course we do..' Atropos sounded with a smile.
'We're just not as bothered by it as you..' Clotho added with amusement…
…Thud.
There was barely time for Hercules to register the fact that his arrow had hit the bulls-eye before the stands around him erupted into cheering. Everyone except Meg that was… the middle-aged wife of Hercules bent her head and let out a very low groan of disbeleif.
'Wonder Boy… you really are perfect.' She lamented softly as her own son Hyllos was jumping around the stand beside her in an exuberant fashion.
'Yes, yes, yes! He won! Mom, didja see that arrow hit the board? It was sweeet!-!' Hyllos sung around to his mother forcing Meg to smile at his excitement, he was just like his father when he was thrilled.
A grinning Admetus beckoned Hercules over towards the winner's podium where he stood and the weary but pleased hero strode over and up the slight steps to stand by him.
'I give you our winner!' Admetus bellowed cheerfully and Meg's eyes immediately sought Iole as the cheering started up again. Once her violet eyes had sought out the young princess she was horrified to find that the teenage girl was clapping enthusiastically looking quite relieved by this outcome… what was going on here?
Once the crowd had thinned out a little Megara sent Hyllos out to collect Pegasus from the stables so she could just grab her husband and leave quickly.. They could discuss what to do about Iole when they got home. Catching her reflection in one of the silver decorative shields she fixed her messy bun slightly and sighed at her large childbearing hips. Once she was done scanning the crowd of people now on the field for the familiar bulk of her husband. Meg eventually spotted Hercules chatting eagerly to Admetus while Askeles was talking to her now smiling daughter a little way away. As Meg pushed her way towards the men she began to hear some of their conversation..
'-will make a fine husband for my daughter.' King Admetus was finishing as she stepped closer.
'Aww, thanks, I can't think of anyone better for Iole.' Hercules sounded confidently with a wide smile.
'Indeed. We'll send Iole over to your house once she's gathered up her things. The sooner the 'groom' get's to know his bride the better, don't you agree?' Admetus sounded with a low chuckle as if sharing a private joke with Hercules and the middle-aged hero laughed lightly.
'What did you just say?' Meg sounded in soft surprise, suddenly making her presence known to the two men in front of her. Her wide eyes on King Admetus as her lips formed a neat 'o' circle… she felt a pit in her stomach at the thought of Iole coming to their home in Thebes.
'Megara!' Admetus beamed widely. 'You must be so proud of your husband, he put up a magnificent fight to win the right to marry off my daughter.'
'Uh… yeh.' Meg responded finding her cheeks forcing another smile. 'My Herc's a real winner..' She sounded in a falsely cheery voice. 'But what were you saying about Iole before?' She asked throwing the king a serious look, not willing to be swayed from the subject.
'Ah yes, we'll send Iole over to you in a few days..' Admetus smiled widely at her.
'Excuse me? She's coming to stay with us?' Meg looked confused before turning to Hercules. 'Herc, when were you planning to tell me this?' She blinked at her husband accusingly.
'I was going to tell you as soon as we got home.' Hercules grinned guiltily.
'Uh-huh… sure you were.' Meg frowned at her husband, more secrets… why was he trying to sneak Iole into her home now?
'I was. Honest.' Hercules sounded insistently before turning to Admetus. 'I'm sorry about this, it's been a rough last month for us..'
'I understand… it's hard losing someone close to you..' King Admetus smiled compassionately at them. Meg blinked confused at her husband which went unnoticed by the King of Pherae.
'We uh, better be going now anyway, just send us an envoy when Iole is on her way.' He smiled at the his friend.
'Congratulations again on winning the contest Hercules.. Have a safe trip home.' Admetus smiled waving them off as they headed away from him and towards where Meg had told Hyllos to wait with Pegasus.
'Meg..' Hercules sounded softly as his wife scowled as she walked beside him. 'What's wrong honey?'
'Nothing.' Meg sounded stubbornly as she continued to walk quickly towards her son, wanting to get out of Pherae as fast as possible.
'Aw c'mon Meg I know when something's wrong… just tell me.' Hercules tried again. Meg immediately whirled around to her husband.
'You know what's wrong Herc! I don't agree with this betrothal business and you not only had to enter this contest against my will, you won it too! We're now stuck in the middle of this… this mess.. And I feel like it's driving me mad!' Meg sounded suddenly tearful while momentarily clutching her hair. 'How can I trust you when your not telling me everything?' Hercules sighed, unsure how to answer this. The reason he wasn't telling her his 'husband choice' because he knew Meg would be livid with him. Nobody knew better than him about how anti-betrothal she was but when Hercules saw Iole and his chosen 'husband' together he couldn't imagine a more perfect match… but he needed Meg to see it for herself so she could get on board too.
'Meg, when we went on our first date I promised I would never hurt you, didn't I?' Hercules finally sounded softly as Hyllos and Pegasus came into view. Meg sighed heavily and turned her violet eyes away from her son and their winged-horse, her eyes were shining with the threat of tears.
'I know Herc… but I'm hurt right now.' She uttered softly and before he could respond in any way she whirled around and moved towards her son smiling widely and laughing joyfully as she hugged her son and petted Pegasus keenly, hugging him too.
…It was in this moment that Hercules found himself being haunted by something Hades had told him eighteen years previously and he could still picture the god's smug face as he said it too… 'Doesn't she make a fabulous little actress?'
Little Notes:
Hey peeps… I'm so sorry about the unreal time it's taken to update this chapter! In my defence this chapter has had so much going on that it has just taken me while to process it all. And I hope everyone likes the little movie quote at the end… been a while but every so often movie trivia will be coming back as this fic will be closing a lot of loop-holes at the end.
Ok, Paranoia is one of those underdogs of Lamia and Oyzis' family… you know the type. The ones that get pushed aside and forgotten about because they're not what people expect them to be. But don't worry, this scaredy imp will get his chance to shine very soon…
Hopefully the next chapter will be up soon! Hades, Pain and Panic will be returning..
Stay tuned!
~Ditzy X
