"I still don't understand why Ares can't just zap us there it would be much easier than walking," Iolaus complained.
"Well brilliant one where is he supposed to zap us to?" Mimma asked.
"Oh I don't know, maybe where Ash and Jason are!"
"That would be great Iolaus but we don't know where they are!" Casche said, lightly hitting Iolaus on the back of the head.
"Oh yeah"
"Besides we *think* that he took them to the ruins they could very well be anywhere around here," Neila said.
"Yeah and if we walk we might be able to spot them and then he can zap us," Alayia added.
"Would you stop calling it zapping!" Celest urged "It does have a formal name your supposed to call it by!"
"Which would be?" Hercules asked.
"I don't know I thought someone else would know," Celest confessed.
"Well it beats me what it's called!" Casche commented. "Does anyone know what we're going to do once we find them?"
"First priority is to get Jason and Ash safe," Neila said.
"Yeah he managed to knock your whole group out so we know he's really powerful and that we have to get them safe," Mimma added.
"Yeah I just hope that they are all right," Alayia confided.
"Don't worry, Alayia," Hercules said walking up to her and placing a reassuring arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah they'll be all right, we just got to think that we can save them and we will, " Neila said.
"Yeah and then we can get back to the Academy. I never thought I would say this but I almost miss the Academy food," a typical Iolaus added.
"Figures Iolaus is thinking about food!" Smenzer chuckled.
It had gotten later and the sun had already set when the cadets earlier discussion took place. They all settled down to sleep for the night, Ares, Cheiron and Garen took turn with the watch not wanting to wake up any of the kids. The night went smoothly, the only noises being heard were Hercules' snoring, but nothing unusual. In the morning all the cadets awoke well rested and ready to begin their hunt for Feducious. Ares had priests and priestess at his temples searching through many scrolls trying to find a way to get Feducious out of out of that body and as soon as possible.
"All right cadets when we find him now I want everyone to listen to my instructions don't try to do things on your own," Cheiron told the cadets "There's no need to worry, Garen, Ares and I have it all planned out"
"What exactly do you have planned?" Hercules questioned curiously.
"Yeah I somehow refuse to believe that Ares had a part in thinking up an actual plan that might oh I don't know help!" Iolaus added.
"Can't anyone put aside their differences for more than one day?" Celest asked a little annoyed.
"I know we should be concentrating on the task at hand, instead of trying to make matters any worse!" Neila exclaimed.
"We'll tell you all the plan when it's appropriate to do so," Garen said trying to distract them from fighting.
"Garen's right," Cheiron added "Besides it will just waste some precious time that we need here. "
"Then what are we waiting for?" Alayia asked.
"Let's go!" Mimma exclaimed.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
"Stop it!" I yelled. "Alright, if I sacrifice myself, will you let Jason go and stop hurting him?"
"You would really sacrifice yourself for him?" Feducious asked as he stopped torturing Jason.
"You can't Ash!" Jason pleaded.
"She can make her own decisions princy boy," Feducious snapped and shocked Jason again.
"On one condition," I said. "You can't hurt anyone else either. I will not sacrifice myself only for you to go back on your word."
"You have my word," he said walking closer towards my cage.
"That's not enough. Why should I trust anything you say?" I asked.
"Because if you don't I kill him myself," he said sending a glance towards Jason. "After I've sacrificed you. Do you really think that you can go against me yourself? You'd be no match."
"I'll never give in to you, you'll never win this game you hear me..... *never* !" I shouted at a possessed Feducious.
I was completely ashamed at my moment of weakness when I had agreed to sacrifice myself. Sure I didn't want him to harm Jason or any of the others but now I knew that he could not be trusted and wouldn't keep his word. Plus if I sacrificed myself then the god would come to power anyways and the rest of the world would be in danger not just our small group.
"You have no spine you know that! You hide behind Feducious," Jason shouted from his cage.
"He's right. You won't even use your real name. You use unfair powers, and you have us locked in cages!"
"Stop the talking both of you, I'm tired of it," he yelled with a wave of his hand both of our mouths snapped shut and were tied shut with some sort of material. The material was damp and after a few moments I began to feel light headed and the next thing I knew the world was loosing color rapidly.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
"So Garen, " Casche said sweetly as she snuck up behind him "I know Cheiron didn't want to tell the plan but you can tell me right?"
"No Casche, we're not telling anyone just yet. And yes that includes you," Garen replied with a wink.
"Well it was worth a shot right?" the goddess of nature giggled and headed back towards her group of friends.
"Well did he tell you?" Neila asked anxiously.
"Nope he's keeping mum," Casche said disappointed
"What'd you say about my mom?" Iolaus asked offended, to tell the truth he had not exactly been paying attention anyways.
"No one's talking about your mother Iolaus," Neila explained though no one thought it did much good.
"Why don't I go ask my dad I can be all sweet and he'll have to listen to me," Celest offered.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Mimma agreed.
"Or I could just force it out of him," Hercules suggested hitting his fist into his hand forcefullly.
"Or you could sit here and do what we tell you," Alayia suggested sweetly.
"Ok that works too," Herc replied.
"Herc's whipped," Iolaus laughed as he whispered to Dracus.
"Yeah I know," my brother giggled back.
"Hey I heard that!" Hercules defended himself weakly.
"Yeah.....point?"
"Nothing," Hercules replied witha shrug of the shoulders.
"Hi Daddy," Celest said innocently as she batted her long eyelashes "I'm really worried about Ash and Jason."
"I'm worried about your sister too," Ares replied, choosing to leave the prince out of this. As far as he was concerned since they were both taken by Feducious, it was somehow Jason's fault. He didn't know how yet, nor did he care to find out. He just wanted his daughter back before he began his punishment. Destroy first, ask questions later, that was his motto, at least for right now.
"I was wondering if you could tell me that plan you guys set up. It might help me relax a little bit."
"Sorry no can do. That's on a need-to-know basis as of right now.
"Sorry guys," Celest walked back to the group disappointed as well.
"So what do we do now?" Neila asked.
"Walk and wait. That's about all any of us can do right now," Garen said walking closer to our group.
"That's true G man," Iolaus replied, nodding his curly head.
"G man?" the group asked.
"Yup"
"I think Iolaus has been out in the sun a little too long," Smenzer suggested.
"That's not very nice to say when someone is sitting right here now is it Zer?" Iolaus asked.
"Zer?" the group asked again.
"Yeah you know the last three letters of her name, duh!" Iolaus defended.
"Right, Iolaus. Now at least we know why Herc keeps such good friends with him, he's the only one that makes him feel smart," Alayia joked.
"Lot's of people make me feel smart," Hercules defended.
"Besides Herc keeps me around because of my stunningly handsome good looks, charm, charisma, winning smile and over all friendly ways," Iolaus said beaming.
"Or that," Mimma said causing the whole group to break out in laughter.
"At least someone appreciates me! Thanks Mimdogga," Iolaus said, completely oblivious to the fact he just got made fun of.
"Girls, come here I want to talk to you all," Alayia said calling Casche, Celest, Mimma, Neila and Smenzer over to her.
"Whatcha thinking about Alayia?" Mimma asked curiously, still kind of puzzled at being called Mimdogga.
"I was thinking ok, why won't Ares OR Garen tell us the plan? It's killing me! We should know we're part of it and all. So I was thinking, I bet they don't even have a plan themselves," Alayia explained.
"You know I bet your right," Neila agreed.
"Which is making me extrememely angry," Alayia concluded.
"Yeah what do they think we're just going to stroll up to Feducious and say hey can you give our friends back please?" Mimma asked.
"Don't forget we're probably going to say oh and mr. spirit man can you please let our teacher go," Smenzer added.
"Do we really want him back anyways?" Celest asked, grinning.
"Celest!" Neila exclaimed.
"What?" the goddess of stars and constellations asked sweetly "It was just a suggestion."
"Uh Oh the guys are looking kind of suspicisiousely at us right about now," Alayia concluded. "Casche and Smenzer go over there and distract them and we'll try and think of something."
"Alrighty," Casche agreed as her and Smenzer headed over to try and distract the guys from figuring out their plan.
"Well I'm stumped for ideas," Zeus' immortal daughter admitted as she ran a hand through her hair, much like her brother Hercules does so many times.
"Well, let's see. I seem to remember some spell that I learned about when I was younger," Mimma said "Something about n exorcism I think the word was, when you take an evil spirit out of someone."
"Good thing we got Mimma here huh!" Alayia exclaimed.
"I can do some thing that will help you jog your memory a little hopefully it will help," Celest said as she waved her hand in the air. Mimma blinked a couple of times then shook her head.
"Man goddess powers sure work wonders!" Mimma exclaimed "I remember what to do now thanks Celest."
"We can always count on Celest, too," Alayia added.
"Now we just got to find them." Neila added.
"Yeah I think we'd do better if we split off from the group. Tonight after everyone is asleep we will leave. Celest can you zap us out of there? If you can then we won't even have to sit up and make noise and such, "Mimma asked hopefully.
"No problema," Celest agreed. "And Mimma, it's called zopping"
"So what's the plan?" Casche asked as she walked back over to the group with Smenzer.
"Mimma remembered a spell she can do to take the spirit thing out of Feducious," Neila explained.
"Yeah and Celest is going to 'zop' us there during the night because the guys probably won't want to go along with our plan," Alayia explained.
"Yeah you know them too proud to take advice from others. Besides unless it involves force they usually don't like it!" Neila laughed.
"Well it sounds like a great plan to me," Smenzer agreed.
"Well I guess we should head back before they get even more suspicious of us," Celest suggested.
"Hey I got an idea," Mimma told the girls. "Why don't I write down what we're supposed to say and I'll explain whatever else has to be done that way we all know it. Sound good?"
"Perfect!" Alayia exclaimed. "Nice thinking Mimma"
"What do you think the girls are really talking about?" Garen asked Hercules, Iolaus and Dracus.
"I don't know but I somehow don't believe Casche and Smenzer's story," Iolaus added, rubbing his chin.
"Yeah I don't know why they wouldn't want us to listen to their conversation on mad cow disease," Herc added.
"What is mad cow disease?" Dracus asked.
"Beats me," Garen added.
"Yeah I believe you are right!" Iolaus exclaimed "Sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus to me,"
"What's hocus pocus?" Herc asked his curly haired friend. "I've never heard of that before."
"I don't know, but it sounded good huh!"
"Oh Iolaus when will you stop making words up. Like that time you wrote on my test something was supercalifragilistikexpealidoshis. Now do you actually believe someone in the right mind would actually use that word. Phrase. Whatever it is," the young teacher added.
"All I know is that I'm going to eavesdrop on what they're talking about. You guys stay here I'll be right back," Dracus said as he sneak away. He returned a few minutes later grinning.
"Well I found out their plan," he told the group of men.
"What?" the all asked anxiously.
"Well they are planning to 'zop' themselves towards Feducious during the night and perform an exorcism or exuminition something like that," my half-brother told his friends and teacher.
"Whoa, they plan on going by themselves?" Hercules asked.
"Yeah I guess so," Dracus replied.
"Well we're not going to let that happen now are we," Iolaus added.
"Right Iolie, we'll lay on blankets each next to one of them tonight and right as they are going to 'zop' on out we'll grab onto their hand or something and they'll be forced to take us with them," Hercules explained.
"Sounds good to me," Dracus added.
"Wait I think that we should tell Cheiron," Garen suggested.
"Come on Garen. Live a little, have some fun," Hercules said.
Things at camp began to settle down and many of the cadets had already fallen asleep. Ares, Cheiron and Garen were to take turns taking a watch so none of the cadets would have to do it. The guys had managed to get their stuff down next to one of the girls they planned on following. The girls were suspicious as to why they were so close but didn't really think much of it. It got dark quickly and it was Cheiron's watch and everyone was asleep. That is everyone except Alayia, Casche, Celest, Mimma, Neila and Smenzer.
"Ppsssssst," Alayia whispered as quietley as she could. "Is everyone awake?"
"Yeah we're all up," Neila replied.
"Yeah so what do we have to do Celest?" Alayia asked.
"I'll count to three and then I'll transfer everyone to close to the ruins and we'll go from there," Celest explained. "Everyone got it?"
"The group let out a simutanious "yup" as Celest began to count.
"Ready..........one.............two..........three."
Right when Celest said three Iolaus reached out and grabbed her wrist, Hercules grabbed Alayia's, Garen grabbed Mimma's wrist and Dracus reached out and held onto Neila's hand. With that all ten of the cadets are transported the the location Celest had told them about preiviousely.
"What do you think your doing?" Mimma asked angrily as she shook Garen's hand off of her wrist.
"We couldn't let you go after him alone," Iolaus defended.
"Ash and Jason are our friends too ya know," Hercules countered "We were worried like you guys were."
"Your right I guess we should have told you guys about our plan to do this," Casche apologized.
"Do you see that?" Neila asked as she pointed to her left. A large stack of smoke was rising not to far away.
"Smoke," Hercules whispered. Everyone knew who it was from though no one had to actually say it.
"Well who knew Garen would abandon his teacher duties to help us!" Casche said, surprised.
"Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do," Garen said smiling.
"You know you could get in serious trouble for this," Smenzer added.
"Ares and Cheiron's plan was good, but they were wasting too much time," Garen admitted. "Who knows what Feducious is planning to do with Jason and Ash. We have to get there as soon as possible."
"He's right, so come one guys! Let's get moving!" Alayia suggested as they all headed closer to the smoke.
"So what *was* Ares and Cheiron's plan anyways?" Neila asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Well If I do say so myself," Garen started. "It wasn't much of a plan. They planned on finding Feducious and capturing him and the Ares was just going to zap him back to one of his temples and then they were going to figure out what to do from there. Like I said, not much of a plan.
"Yeah, I'll say," Alayia added. "You know for two men who are so smart, they aren't very....well smart."
"So you mean they planned on taking Feducious *away* from the ruins and then trying to get the spirit out of him?" Mimma asked quite surprised, and even more so after Garen's tentative nod "I thought that they, of all people, would know you can't perform an exorcism away from the spirit's origin. So we definitely have to find him while he's still here."
"Well he plans on sacrificing them we figured right?" Smenzer asked. "Well he *has* to do that at the ruins so we don't really have to worry about him leaving this area."
"Yeah, let's just hope that we're in time," Hercules added with a glance at the rising smoke that they were now fast approaching.
"Don't worry," Alayia added as she placed a reassuring hand on Hercules strong shoulder. "Jason and Ash are fighters and they would never let anything happen to one another."
"But that's exactly what I'm worried about," Hercules said as he received a bunch of confused glances from his friends.
"What do you mean?" Iolaus asked just as confused as everyone else. Knowing Iolaus, probably a little more.
"If they thought that the other was in danger I'm worried that they would try and sacrifice themselves." Hercules said grimly.
"We just got to hope that Jason and Ash are smart enough to realize that this person whoever they are, wouldn't keep their word. They know that....right?" Casche asked, growing concerned.
"I guess we just have to hurry up and hope that they know that. Besides it's almost sunrise. Soon Cheiron and Ares will know we are gone and will be here and might end up ruining everything," Neila theorized.
********************
"Ash.......Ash......come one now can you hear me? You have to wake up....now!"
"Come on Celest, just five more minutes. I won't be late for breakfast," I said still mixed up in a dream I just had.
"Ash, it's not Celest and I wish it was time for breakfast," Jason said.
I slowly opened my eyes and remembered the reality of what had happened on our Field Trip. I looked around and realized Jason and I were laying down next to each other on sun dials. Our heads were at opposite ends, and my left hand was attacked to his left ankle, as his left hand was attached to my left ankle. We were strapped down, with each of our bodies forming 'X' positions. Feducious was nowhere in sight and I had no idea how long we had been knocked out.
"I wonder what he's going to do with us," I asked even though I had the sinking feeling in my stomach that I already knew.
"He's not doing anything to us. See these belts that are used to tie us down are old and weak I'm going to wiggle my ankle in the latch where your hand is alright," Jason said as he began.
"It's getting looser!" I said excitedly. I could now slide the belt to lower on my wrist, closer to my elbow. With more movement I could reach teh latch that fastened us to each other and the sun dial. With a click my hand was free and immediately reached over and undid my other wrist. Then I bent over to undo Jason's right wrist, and finally his left wrist, which meant my left ankle was loose now. We were both finally free in a matter off seconds and Jason was already standing as I started to get up. As soon as I stood my legs gave out and I crumpled into Jason's strong arms.
"Sorry," I stammered as I stood leaning on him and finally looked up into his eyes, "Thanks"
"Are you alright?" he asked concerned.
"Yeah I just feel really tired you know. My legs must have been asleep."
"Are you..........."
"Well well well, looks as if my two sacrifices are up and about. Decided to make it interesting for me have you?" The evil Feducious sneered as he approached Jason and myself.
"Well it looks as if your going to have to find some more sacrifices," Jason said, not looking away from our former teacher.
"That would be all good and well except for the fact that I need to sacrifice someone before the sunrises. My time portal in this *body* is over then and so unless I succeed I can't last any longer than that. So enjoy your last few minutes of life. Now I ask again which one of you will be going first?"
"Why are you telling us this?" I asked.
"Because you will both be dead in a matter of minutes so what does it matter anyways. Dead people can't ruin my plan. Not that either of you could ruin my plan anyways. You can't even escape without getting caught."
"We got out of your chains didn't we," Jason asked, a bit proud that we had managed even that.
"You ignorant little children. It's tough to believe that this one will one day be King of Corinth. I tied the belts loose."
"Why would you do that?" I asked, quite confused at the moment.
"It would have been too easy just to kill you. I wanted a little challenge and now that you two are up. I've got it. Now I won't ask again........who's going first?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but your out of luck," Jason said as he glances at me, we make eye contact and I knew what he was thinking. I nodded, he yelled "Go!"
Almost immediately the two of us started running as fast as we could. Jason in one direction, and me in the other. I just kept running and all I could hear was the laughter, the evil laughter and I will never forget that sound. I circled back so that I was well behind were Feducious was standing. He had not stopped laughing and I inched closer to make sure he had not caught Jason.
"Nice trick boy, that I would be confused and not able to decide which one to go after. Well you were wrong. It was an easy choice really. A nobody, or the prince of Corinth. Besides, she will have a harder time rescuing you than you would her. If she even comes back that is," Feducious sneered as he dragged a semi-conscious Jason back to the sun dial. He strapped him in, this time tighter.
With a swipe of the hand the sundial began to spin. Feducious pulled a small dagger out of his boot. He began to chant........
"Ackros, the mighty god of living and dead.
May this life, set you free with it's death.
I, Annuli, your faithful servant, is here.
With this knife, I take the life.
And bring the life to your soul.
Evil will stir, evil will destroy and Ackros will rule all."
He was so immersed in his spell that he did not realize I had snuck up behind him. He raised his hand that held the dagger and right before he finished the next line of the spell, I threw the large rock I had found and it struck him right in the back of the head. Shocked he dropped the dagger and turned around angrily.
"Thought I wouldn't come back did you. You want a challenge well here I am,"
"You foolish girl!" he spat as he shot an electricity bolt at me. This time I was too quick as I rolled out of the way.
"Come one why don't you fight me hand to hand no powers. Or are you afraid a peasant girl will beat you."
His eyes grew red and he charged at me and tackled me to the ground. We rolled around fighting each other each landing a few punches in. This *new* Feducious was stronger than I thought and I didn't know if I could handle him. He threw me off him and we both stood up slowly. He kicked at me but I caught his foot and kicked back at him. But he grabbed my foot and harshly threw me to the ground. I looked up and realized the dagger was right in front of me and I started crawling towards it. Hoping to reach it before him.
"Ash!" Neila's familiar voice yelled as she rushed into the clearing with many other cadets.
"Smenzer come here and help me free Jason," Casche yelled as she rushed to her friends aid.
Feducious stood stunned not knowing what to do when all of the sudden he started to run.
"Not so fast!" Celest yelled and with the lift of her hand he was tied together and helpless.
Thinking fast Mimma began to recite the spell.........
"I banish thee spirit
Return now to hence you came
You are banished to the depths of hell
Never to return. Never to see life again"
Feducious' eyes began to roll around in his head feverishly as the wind picked up. It began pouring and a loud rumble of thunder was heard. Lightning light up the sky and the cadets struggled to keep their balance.
"What's going on?" Neila yelled over the roar of the wind. The evil laughter that had haunted us this trip could be heard again and the world seemed as if it was spinning to the cadets.
"I don't know but I don't like it!" Smenzer yelled as she made her way closer to her friends.
Alayia was huddled with Hercules and Mimma was with Neila, Celest with Iolaus, Dracus was with Smenzer, Garen was with Casche and Jason with myself. We slowly made it towards each other and we're all huddled in one big group with the evil Feducious not so far away. The world spun some more and then the world went black.
*
"Ashley, Celest, are you two all right?" a voice came from some where near us. Yet my head hurt to much to care which way.
When I finally opened my eyes I realized I was wrapped in Jason's strong arms and everyone around me as asleep, except for Garen, Casche, Neila, Alayia and Hercules. "What happened?" I mumbled as I slowly moved Jason's hands off of me.
"We don't know, we came here and all of you were unconscious," Ares explained as he bent over Celest to try and awake her.
"Where's Feducious?" Casche asked alarmed.
"He's over there with Garen," Cheiron explained. "He seems to be back to his normal self."
"Crabby," Hercules offered.
"Boring," Iolaus added, though still half asleep.
"Unhappy," Neila helped.
"The old Feducious that sucked-all-the-fun-out-of-the-atmosphere Feducious?" Alayia asked, a bit disappointed as were the rest of the cadets.
"All right I get the point but yes."
"So the spell worked.....thank Zeus!" Mimma exclaimed, as she sat back up.
"Did you have any doubt?" Celest asked as she stood up and stretched her long legs. "Really Mimma your going to have to start believing in yourself more!"
"So you mean we get to go home now?" I asked.
"Yup, it's time to go home."
"So are you sure the spell worked. I mean we all did black out," Casche asked as we gathered some things together for the journey home.
"Of course it did come on now look Fiddle Face is already complaining about what *we* did to him!" Alayia said.
"Yup, now finally things will go back to normal," I said as we walked past Feducious. I swore I saw his eyes glaze over red. "Did you guys see that?"
"See what?" Neila asked.
"Nahhh! Nothing, lets go home!"
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Well that's all folks! I hope you enjoyed it and as always feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Ash
"Well brilliant one where is he supposed to zap us to?" Mimma asked.
"Oh I don't know, maybe where Ash and Jason are!"
"That would be great Iolaus but we don't know where they are!" Casche said, lightly hitting Iolaus on the back of the head.
"Oh yeah"
"Besides we *think* that he took them to the ruins they could very well be anywhere around here," Neila said.
"Yeah and if we walk we might be able to spot them and then he can zap us," Alayia added.
"Would you stop calling it zapping!" Celest urged "It does have a formal name your supposed to call it by!"
"Which would be?" Hercules asked.
"I don't know I thought someone else would know," Celest confessed.
"Well it beats me what it's called!" Casche commented. "Does anyone know what we're going to do once we find them?"
"First priority is to get Jason and Ash safe," Neila said.
"Yeah he managed to knock your whole group out so we know he's really powerful and that we have to get them safe," Mimma added.
"Yeah I just hope that they are all right," Alayia confided.
"Don't worry, Alayia," Hercules said walking up to her and placing a reassuring arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah they'll be all right, we just got to think that we can save them and we will, " Neila said.
"Yeah and then we can get back to the Academy. I never thought I would say this but I almost miss the Academy food," a typical Iolaus added.
"Figures Iolaus is thinking about food!" Smenzer chuckled.
It had gotten later and the sun had already set when the cadets earlier discussion took place. They all settled down to sleep for the night, Ares, Cheiron and Garen took turn with the watch not wanting to wake up any of the kids. The night went smoothly, the only noises being heard were Hercules' snoring, but nothing unusual. In the morning all the cadets awoke well rested and ready to begin their hunt for Feducious. Ares had priests and priestess at his temples searching through many scrolls trying to find a way to get Feducious out of out of that body and as soon as possible.
"All right cadets when we find him now I want everyone to listen to my instructions don't try to do things on your own," Cheiron told the cadets "There's no need to worry, Garen, Ares and I have it all planned out"
"What exactly do you have planned?" Hercules questioned curiously.
"Yeah I somehow refuse to believe that Ares had a part in thinking up an actual plan that might oh I don't know help!" Iolaus added.
"Can't anyone put aside their differences for more than one day?" Celest asked a little annoyed.
"I know we should be concentrating on the task at hand, instead of trying to make matters any worse!" Neila exclaimed.
"We'll tell you all the plan when it's appropriate to do so," Garen said trying to distract them from fighting.
"Garen's right," Cheiron added "Besides it will just waste some precious time that we need here. "
"Then what are we waiting for?" Alayia asked.
"Let's go!" Mimma exclaimed.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
"Stop it!" I yelled. "Alright, if I sacrifice myself, will you let Jason go and stop hurting him?"
"You would really sacrifice yourself for him?" Feducious asked as he stopped torturing Jason.
"You can't Ash!" Jason pleaded.
"She can make her own decisions princy boy," Feducious snapped and shocked Jason again.
"On one condition," I said. "You can't hurt anyone else either. I will not sacrifice myself only for you to go back on your word."
"You have my word," he said walking closer towards my cage.
"That's not enough. Why should I trust anything you say?" I asked.
"Because if you don't I kill him myself," he said sending a glance towards Jason. "After I've sacrificed you. Do you really think that you can go against me yourself? You'd be no match."
"I'll never give in to you, you'll never win this game you hear me..... *never* !" I shouted at a possessed Feducious.
I was completely ashamed at my moment of weakness when I had agreed to sacrifice myself. Sure I didn't want him to harm Jason or any of the others but now I knew that he could not be trusted and wouldn't keep his word. Plus if I sacrificed myself then the god would come to power anyways and the rest of the world would be in danger not just our small group.
"You have no spine you know that! You hide behind Feducious," Jason shouted from his cage.
"He's right. You won't even use your real name. You use unfair powers, and you have us locked in cages!"
"Stop the talking both of you, I'm tired of it," he yelled with a wave of his hand both of our mouths snapped shut and were tied shut with some sort of material. The material was damp and after a few moments I began to feel light headed and the next thing I knew the world was loosing color rapidly.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
"So Garen, " Casche said sweetly as she snuck up behind him "I know Cheiron didn't want to tell the plan but you can tell me right?"
"No Casche, we're not telling anyone just yet. And yes that includes you," Garen replied with a wink.
"Well it was worth a shot right?" the goddess of nature giggled and headed back towards her group of friends.
"Well did he tell you?" Neila asked anxiously.
"Nope he's keeping mum," Casche said disappointed
"What'd you say about my mom?" Iolaus asked offended, to tell the truth he had not exactly been paying attention anyways.
"No one's talking about your mother Iolaus," Neila explained though no one thought it did much good.
"Why don't I go ask my dad I can be all sweet and he'll have to listen to me," Celest offered.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Mimma agreed.
"Or I could just force it out of him," Hercules suggested hitting his fist into his hand forcefullly.
"Or you could sit here and do what we tell you," Alayia suggested sweetly.
"Ok that works too," Herc replied.
"Herc's whipped," Iolaus laughed as he whispered to Dracus.
"Yeah I know," my brother giggled back.
"Hey I heard that!" Hercules defended himself weakly.
"Yeah.....point?"
"Nothing," Hercules replied witha shrug of the shoulders.
"Hi Daddy," Celest said innocently as she batted her long eyelashes "I'm really worried about Ash and Jason."
"I'm worried about your sister too," Ares replied, choosing to leave the prince out of this. As far as he was concerned since they were both taken by Feducious, it was somehow Jason's fault. He didn't know how yet, nor did he care to find out. He just wanted his daughter back before he began his punishment. Destroy first, ask questions later, that was his motto, at least for right now.
"I was wondering if you could tell me that plan you guys set up. It might help me relax a little bit."
"Sorry no can do. That's on a need-to-know basis as of right now.
"Sorry guys," Celest walked back to the group disappointed as well.
"So what do we do now?" Neila asked.
"Walk and wait. That's about all any of us can do right now," Garen said walking closer to our group.
"That's true G man," Iolaus replied, nodding his curly head.
"G man?" the group asked.
"Yup"
"I think Iolaus has been out in the sun a little too long," Smenzer suggested.
"That's not very nice to say when someone is sitting right here now is it Zer?" Iolaus asked.
"Zer?" the group asked again.
"Yeah you know the last three letters of her name, duh!" Iolaus defended.
"Right, Iolaus. Now at least we know why Herc keeps such good friends with him, he's the only one that makes him feel smart," Alayia joked.
"Lot's of people make me feel smart," Hercules defended.
"Besides Herc keeps me around because of my stunningly handsome good looks, charm, charisma, winning smile and over all friendly ways," Iolaus said beaming.
"Or that," Mimma said causing the whole group to break out in laughter.
"At least someone appreciates me! Thanks Mimdogga," Iolaus said, completely oblivious to the fact he just got made fun of.
"Girls, come here I want to talk to you all," Alayia said calling Casche, Celest, Mimma, Neila and Smenzer over to her.
"Whatcha thinking about Alayia?" Mimma asked curiously, still kind of puzzled at being called Mimdogga.
"I was thinking ok, why won't Ares OR Garen tell us the plan? It's killing me! We should know we're part of it and all. So I was thinking, I bet they don't even have a plan themselves," Alayia explained.
"You know I bet your right," Neila agreed.
"Which is making me extrememely angry," Alayia concluded.
"Yeah what do they think we're just going to stroll up to Feducious and say hey can you give our friends back please?" Mimma asked.
"Don't forget we're probably going to say oh and mr. spirit man can you please let our teacher go," Smenzer added.
"Do we really want him back anyways?" Celest asked, grinning.
"Celest!" Neila exclaimed.
"What?" the goddess of stars and constellations asked sweetly "It was just a suggestion."
"Uh Oh the guys are looking kind of suspicisiousely at us right about now," Alayia concluded. "Casche and Smenzer go over there and distract them and we'll try and think of something."
"Alrighty," Casche agreed as her and Smenzer headed over to try and distract the guys from figuring out their plan.
"Well I'm stumped for ideas," Zeus' immortal daughter admitted as she ran a hand through her hair, much like her brother Hercules does so many times.
"Well, let's see. I seem to remember some spell that I learned about when I was younger," Mimma said "Something about n exorcism I think the word was, when you take an evil spirit out of someone."
"Good thing we got Mimma here huh!" Alayia exclaimed.
"I can do some thing that will help you jog your memory a little hopefully it will help," Celest said as she waved her hand in the air. Mimma blinked a couple of times then shook her head.
"Man goddess powers sure work wonders!" Mimma exclaimed "I remember what to do now thanks Celest."
"We can always count on Celest, too," Alayia added.
"Now we just got to find them." Neila added.
"Yeah I think we'd do better if we split off from the group. Tonight after everyone is asleep we will leave. Celest can you zap us out of there? If you can then we won't even have to sit up and make noise and such, "Mimma asked hopefully.
"No problema," Celest agreed. "And Mimma, it's called zopping"
"So what's the plan?" Casche asked as she walked back over to the group with Smenzer.
"Mimma remembered a spell she can do to take the spirit thing out of Feducious," Neila explained.
"Yeah and Celest is going to 'zop' us there during the night because the guys probably won't want to go along with our plan," Alayia explained.
"Yeah you know them too proud to take advice from others. Besides unless it involves force they usually don't like it!" Neila laughed.
"Well it sounds like a great plan to me," Smenzer agreed.
"Well I guess we should head back before they get even more suspicious of us," Celest suggested.
"Hey I got an idea," Mimma told the girls. "Why don't I write down what we're supposed to say and I'll explain whatever else has to be done that way we all know it. Sound good?"
"Perfect!" Alayia exclaimed. "Nice thinking Mimma"
"What do you think the girls are really talking about?" Garen asked Hercules, Iolaus and Dracus.
"I don't know but I somehow don't believe Casche and Smenzer's story," Iolaus added, rubbing his chin.
"Yeah I don't know why they wouldn't want us to listen to their conversation on mad cow disease," Herc added.
"What is mad cow disease?" Dracus asked.
"Beats me," Garen added.
"Yeah I believe you are right!" Iolaus exclaimed "Sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus to me,"
"What's hocus pocus?" Herc asked his curly haired friend. "I've never heard of that before."
"I don't know, but it sounded good huh!"
"Oh Iolaus when will you stop making words up. Like that time you wrote on my test something was supercalifragilistikexpealidoshis. Now do you actually believe someone in the right mind would actually use that word. Phrase. Whatever it is," the young teacher added.
"All I know is that I'm going to eavesdrop on what they're talking about. You guys stay here I'll be right back," Dracus said as he sneak away. He returned a few minutes later grinning.
"Well I found out their plan," he told the group of men.
"What?" the all asked anxiously.
"Well they are planning to 'zop' themselves towards Feducious during the night and perform an exorcism or exuminition something like that," my half-brother told his friends and teacher.
"Whoa, they plan on going by themselves?" Hercules asked.
"Yeah I guess so," Dracus replied.
"Well we're not going to let that happen now are we," Iolaus added.
"Right Iolie, we'll lay on blankets each next to one of them tonight and right as they are going to 'zop' on out we'll grab onto their hand or something and they'll be forced to take us with them," Hercules explained.
"Sounds good to me," Dracus added.
"Wait I think that we should tell Cheiron," Garen suggested.
"Come on Garen. Live a little, have some fun," Hercules said.
Things at camp began to settle down and many of the cadets had already fallen asleep. Ares, Cheiron and Garen were to take turns taking a watch so none of the cadets would have to do it. The guys had managed to get their stuff down next to one of the girls they planned on following. The girls were suspicious as to why they were so close but didn't really think much of it. It got dark quickly and it was Cheiron's watch and everyone was asleep. That is everyone except Alayia, Casche, Celest, Mimma, Neila and Smenzer.
"Ppsssssst," Alayia whispered as quietley as she could. "Is everyone awake?"
"Yeah we're all up," Neila replied.
"Yeah so what do we have to do Celest?" Alayia asked.
"I'll count to three and then I'll transfer everyone to close to the ruins and we'll go from there," Celest explained. "Everyone got it?"
"The group let out a simutanious "yup" as Celest began to count.
"Ready..........one.............two..........three."
Right when Celest said three Iolaus reached out and grabbed her wrist, Hercules grabbed Alayia's, Garen grabbed Mimma's wrist and Dracus reached out and held onto Neila's hand. With that all ten of the cadets are transported the the location Celest had told them about preiviousely.
"What do you think your doing?" Mimma asked angrily as she shook Garen's hand off of her wrist.
"We couldn't let you go after him alone," Iolaus defended.
"Ash and Jason are our friends too ya know," Hercules countered "We were worried like you guys were."
"Your right I guess we should have told you guys about our plan to do this," Casche apologized.
"Do you see that?" Neila asked as she pointed to her left. A large stack of smoke was rising not to far away.
"Smoke," Hercules whispered. Everyone knew who it was from though no one had to actually say it.
"Well who knew Garen would abandon his teacher duties to help us!" Casche said, surprised.
"Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do," Garen said smiling.
"You know you could get in serious trouble for this," Smenzer added.
"Ares and Cheiron's plan was good, but they were wasting too much time," Garen admitted. "Who knows what Feducious is planning to do with Jason and Ash. We have to get there as soon as possible."
"He's right, so come one guys! Let's get moving!" Alayia suggested as they all headed closer to the smoke.
"So what *was* Ares and Cheiron's plan anyways?" Neila asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Well If I do say so myself," Garen started. "It wasn't much of a plan. They planned on finding Feducious and capturing him and the Ares was just going to zap him back to one of his temples and then they were going to figure out what to do from there. Like I said, not much of a plan.
"Yeah, I'll say," Alayia added. "You know for two men who are so smart, they aren't very....well smart."
"So you mean they planned on taking Feducious *away* from the ruins and then trying to get the spirit out of him?" Mimma asked quite surprised, and even more so after Garen's tentative nod "I thought that they, of all people, would know you can't perform an exorcism away from the spirit's origin. So we definitely have to find him while he's still here."
"Well he plans on sacrificing them we figured right?" Smenzer asked. "Well he *has* to do that at the ruins so we don't really have to worry about him leaving this area."
"Yeah, let's just hope that we're in time," Hercules added with a glance at the rising smoke that they were now fast approaching.
"Don't worry," Alayia added as she placed a reassuring hand on Hercules strong shoulder. "Jason and Ash are fighters and they would never let anything happen to one another."
"But that's exactly what I'm worried about," Hercules said as he received a bunch of confused glances from his friends.
"What do you mean?" Iolaus asked just as confused as everyone else. Knowing Iolaus, probably a little more.
"If they thought that the other was in danger I'm worried that they would try and sacrifice themselves." Hercules said grimly.
"We just got to hope that Jason and Ash are smart enough to realize that this person whoever they are, wouldn't keep their word. They know that....right?" Casche asked, growing concerned.
"I guess we just have to hurry up and hope that they know that. Besides it's almost sunrise. Soon Cheiron and Ares will know we are gone and will be here and might end up ruining everything," Neila theorized.
********************
"Ash.......Ash......come one now can you hear me? You have to wake up....now!"
"Come on Celest, just five more minutes. I won't be late for breakfast," I said still mixed up in a dream I just had.
"Ash, it's not Celest and I wish it was time for breakfast," Jason said.
I slowly opened my eyes and remembered the reality of what had happened on our Field Trip. I looked around and realized Jason and I were laying down next to each other on sun dials. Our heads were at opposite ends, and my left hand was attacked to his left ankle, as his left hand was attached to my left ankle. We were strapped down, with each of our bodies forming 'X' positions. Feducious was nowhere in sight and I had no idea how long we had been knocked out.
"I wonder what he's going to do with us," I asked even though I had the sinking feeling in my stomach that I already knew.
"He's not doing anything to us. See these belts that are used to tie us down are old and weak I'm going to wiggle my ankle in the latch where your hand is alright," Jason said as he began.
"It's getting looser!" I said excitedly. I could now slide the belt to lower on my wrist, closer to my elbow. With more movement I could reach teh latch that fastened us to each other and the sun dial. With a click my hand was free and immediately reached over and undid my other wrist. Then I bent over to undo Jason's right wrist, and finally his left wrist, which meant my left ankle was loose now. We were both finally free in a matter off seconds and Jason was already standing as I started to get up. As soon as I stood my legs gave out and I crumpled into Jason's strong arms.
"Sorry," I stammered as I stood leaning on him and finally looked up into his eyes, "Thanks"
"Are you alright?" he asked concerned.
"Yeah I just feel really tired you know. My legs must have been asleep."
"Are you..........."
"Well well well, looks as if my two sacrifices are up and about. Decided to make it interesting for me have you?" The evil Feducious sneered as he approached Jason and myself.
"Well it looks as if your going to have to find some more sacrifices," Jason said, not looking away from our former teacher.
"That would be all good and well except for the fact that I need to sacrifice someone before the sunrises. My time portal in this *body* is over then and so unless I succeed I can't last any longer than that. So enjoy your last few minutes of life. Now I ask again which one of you will be going first?"
"Why are you telling us this?" I asked.
"Because you will both be dead in a matter of minutes so what does it matter anyways. Dead people can't ruin my plan. Not that either of you could ruin my plan anyways. You can't even escape without getting caught."
"We got out of your chains didn't we," Jason asked, a bit proud that we had managed even that.
"You ignorant little children. It's tough to believe that this one will one day be King of Corinth. I tied the belts loose."
"Why would you do that?" I asked, quite confused at the moment.
"It would have been too easy just to kill you. I wanted a little challenge and now that you two are up. I've got it. Now I won't ask again........who's going first?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but your out of luck," Jason said as he glances at me, we make eye contact and I knew what he was thinking. I nodded, he yelled "Go!"
Almost immediately the two of us started running as fast as we could. Jason in one direction, and me in the other. I just kept running and all I could hear was the laughter, the evil laughter and I will never forget that sound. I circled back so that I was well behind were Feducious was standing. He had not stopped laughing and I inched closer to make sure he had not caught Jason.
"Nice trick boy, that I would be confused and not able to decide which one to go after. Well you were wrong. It was an easy choice really. A nobody, or the prince of Corinth. Besides, she will have a harder time rescuing you than you would her. If she even comes back that is," Feducious sneered as he dragged a semi-conscious Jason back to the sun dial. He strapped him in, this time tighter.
With a swipe of the hand the sundial began to spin. Feducious pulled a small dagger out of his boot. He began to chant........
"Ackros, the mighty god of living and dead.
May this life, set you free with it's death.
I, Annuli, your faithful servant, is here.
With this knife, I take the life.
And bring the life to your soul.
Evil will stir, evil will destroy and Ackros will rule all."
He was so immersed in his spell that he did not realize I had snuck up behind him. He raised his hand that held the dagger and right before he finished the next line of the spell, I threw the large rock I had found and it struck him right in the back of the head. Shocked he dropped the dagger and turned around angrily.
"Thought I wouldn't come back did you. You want a challenge well here I am,"
"You foolish girl!" he spat as he shot an electricity bolt at me. This time I was too quick as I rolled out of the way.
"Come one why don't you fight me hand to hand no powers. Or are you afraid a peasant girl will beat you."
His eyes grew red and he charged at me and tackled me to the ground. We rolled around fighting each other each landing a few punches in. This *new* Feducious was stronger than I thought and I didn't know if I could handle him. He threw me off him and we both stood up slowly. He kicked at me but I caught his foot and kicked back at him. But he grabbed my foot and harshly threw me to the ground. I looked up and realized the dagger was right in front of me and I started crawling towards it. Hoping to reach it before him.
"Ash!" Neila's familiar voice yelled as she rushed into the clearing with many other cadets.
"Smenzer come here and help me free Jason," Casche yelled as she rushed to her friends aid.
Feducious stood stunned not knowing what to do when all of the sudden he started to run.
"Not so fast!" Celest yelled and with the lift of her hand he was tied together and helpless.
Thinking fast Mimma began to recite the spell.........
"I banish thee spirit
Return now to hence you came
You are banished to the depths of hell
Never to return. Never to see life again"
Feducious' eyes began to roll around in his head feverishly as the wind picked up. It began pouring and a loud rumble of thunder was heard. Lightning light up the sky and the cadets struggled to keep their balance.
"What's going on?" Neila yelled over the roar of the wind. The evil laughter that had haunted us this trip could be heard again and the world seemed as if it was spinning to the cadets.
"I don't know but I don't like it!" Smenzer yelled as she made her way closer to her friends.
Alayia was huddled with Hercules and Mimma was with Neila, Celest with Iolaus, Dracus was with Smenzer, Garen was with Casche and Jason with myself. We slowly made it towards each other and we're all huddled in one big group with the evil Feducious not so far away. The world spun some more and then the world went black.
*
"Ashley, Celest, are you two all right?" a voice came from some where near us. Yet my head hurt to much to care which way.
When I finally opened my eyes I realized I was wrapped in Jason's strong arms and everyone around me as asleep, except for Garen, Casche, Neila, Alayia and Hercules. "What happened?" I mumbled as I slowly moved Jason's hands off of me.
"We don't know, we came here and all of you were unconscious," Ares explained as he bent over Celest to try and awake her.
"Where's Feducious?" Casche asked alarmed.
"He's over there with Garen," Cheiron explained. "He seems to be back to his normal self."
"Crabby," Hercules offered.
"Boring," Iolaus added, though still half asleep.
"Unhappy," Neila helped.
"The old Feducious that sucked-all-the-fun-out-of-the-atmosphere Feducious?" Alayia asked, a bit disappointed as were the rest of the cadets.
"All right I get the point but yes."
"So the spell worked.....thank Zeus!" Mimma exclaimed, as she sat back up.
"Did you have any doubt?" Celest asked as she stood up and stretched her long legs. "Really Mimma your going to have to start believing in yourself more!"
"So you mean we get to go home now?" I asked.
"Yup, it's time to go home."
"So are you sure the spell worked. I mean we all did black out," Casche asked as we gathered some things together for the journey home.
"Of course it did come on now look Fiddle Face is already complaining about what *we* did to him!" Alayia said.
"Yup, now finally things will go back to normal," I said as we walked past Feducious. I swore I saw his eyes glaze over red. "Did you guys see that?"
"See what?" Neila asked.
"Nahhh! Nothing, lets go home!"
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Well that's all folks! I hope you enjoyed it and as always feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Ash