Kora here. I would like to comment on the newsie-naming of Hercules and Iolaus. Sure it seems like we weren't being very creative when we gave them their newsie names…but we sat online forever and couldn't come up with anything. Besides, I think it's confusing if you have three names for the same people, especially for those of you that aren't familiar with Young Hercules. Think about it…you've got Ryan & Dean, Hercules & Iolaus, then more names? Nah…this way is better. N'kay, I'm done. Now go r/r!

Spot followed Ebony, who was going at a rather brisk pace, through the streets of Manhattan. Ebony may not be his most favorite person in the world, but he didn't want her to get hurt. And wandering the streets of New York City alone at night was asking to get mugged…or worse. It wasn't long, though, before Ebony noticed that she was being followed. Nonchalantly, she reached down and grasped a piece of board that happened to be lying on the ground. She swung it around at her follower, almost smacking him in the head with it. Luckily, Spot dodged out of the way, just in time.

"Whadda think youse doin?" he bellowed. Ebony's eyes widened when she saw who had been following her. The surprise changed to anger in a split second, however.

"I could ask ya the same question," she retorted. Spot crossed his arms over his chest,

"Ise was makin' shoah that ya wouldn't get mugged or nuttin'. The city streets ain't safe at night." Ebony brandished her piece of board,

"I think Ise can take care of myself well enough," she said coldly.

"Ise can see that," Spot's voice was cool and even, which only served to make Ebony even more aggravated.

"Then why're ya still here?" she said, with a voice steadily growing in irritation. Spot put his hands at his sides, clenching and unclenching his fists in a futile effort to stay calm. Usually he was able to maintain his collectiveness around others, it tended to be more intimidating to only blow up when you were really angry, but there was something about Ebony that irked him to the point of almost immediate temper.

"Do I need a reason ta be heah? It's not like ya own this street!" Spot drew himself to his full height, doing his best to appear menacing. Ebony wasn't phased, however. She moved nearer to Spot just to prove that he wasn't scaring her in the slightest.

"No, I don't own this street. But Ise still wonderin' why ya haven't left yet, now that ya know I'm not in need of rescuin'. This is one damsel who ain't in distress, so you can drop the knight in shinin' armor act." Not to be outdone, Spot took a few steps closer to Ebony. He couldn't hide his mounting anger, though, and it showed vocally.

"Who said anythin' 'bout a knight in shinin' armah? That's it, I'm done talkin' ta youse!"

"Good!" Ebony shouted. "So that means ya can leave now!"

"That's what I was plannin' on doin'!" By this point, Spot's face was inches away from Ebony's. He could feel her fury in fumes. Before he knew what he was doing, he had grabbed her and she had grabbed him, and their lips were pressed against each other's. They remained like this for a couple of seconds before they both jerked away. Ebony's eyes were filled with shock, as were Spot's. They looked at each other for a brief moment, communicating one thing: 'speak of this to no one!' before running off in separate directions.

***

The day after their arrival, during lunch, it was declared that it was time for "Ryan and Dean" to be fully inducted into newsiedom. And to be fully inducted, you need a newsie name. This was a topic of heated deliberation, for whatever names were proposed by one newsie, another newsie rejected them. Hercules and Iolaus sat amidst the entire process, still baffled as to why a "newsie name" was so very important and essential. Mouse also stayed out of the conversation until she turned a page in her book of Greek mythology.

Staring back at her were Ryan and Dean's faces. With a bemused expression, she pointed this out to Ryan and Dean. "Hey guys, look, isn't that funny?"

"Uhh...yeah," Hercules managed to choke out as Iolaus worked his jaw soundlessly. Alright, NOW the jig was up. Mouse nodded,

"Yeah, the resemblance is amazing. Hey," she giggled, "we ought to call you guys Hercules and Iolaus, since you look so much like them. It's not like they've," she gestured to the newsies' direction, "come up with anything better." Jack, who was sitting hear Mouse, heard what she'd said. Waving his hands, he hushed everyone else.

"Hey guess, be quiet!" He affixed his eyes on Mouse. "Ya said ya had a name for these two?" Without waiting for an answer, he glanced over her shoulder to the picture in Mouse's book. After gawking at it, then Ryan and Dean, then back to the portrait, etc, he christened the two new newsies Hercules and Iolaus. The next couple weeks passed quickly. Many times during those weeks, Herc and Iolaus would burst out into laughter over the irony of their nicknames, much to the puzzlement of everyone else.

***

Iolaus took to selling almost as rapidly as he took to poker. It wasn't long before be was selling with the pros. At first, Hercules had some reservations with the selling methods, no matter how many times Jack lectured him on how, "it ain't lyin', it's just improvin' the truth a little." A few conversations with Dave, however, and Hercules was selling just fine.

As for Spot and Ebony…well, the details of their relationship since that night being too painful, consisting of much shouting, this condensed version of what happened has been prepared for your enjoyment. As I was saying, each time Spot and Ebony snuck away to discuss that fateful night's events, they ended up screaming at each other and in each other's arms the next second. After numerous occurrences of this, they finally admitted to themselves and each other what was gong on. Soon they announced the nature of their relationship to everyone else, both vowing to "bust the heads" of anyone who had anything to say about it. So life continued on normally, until one day, the storm broke.

***

Spot, Hercules, Scamp, and Iolaus (who had become almost like an older brother to Scamp after that night on the fire escape) were on their way back to the Lodging House one evening when 6 guys accompanied by a girl appeared out of no where. "Why, hello Spot," the girl purred. Spot stared at the girl—a medium-sized beauty with luxurious chocolate curls and captivating sapphire eyes (the typical kind of girl that Spot dated)—in shock.

"Sop—Sophia," he stammered, gulping. Sophia's face darkened when she noticed Christy.

"Got a new girl already, Spot?" she asked sweetly. Her musical voice twisted sourly as her face contorted bitterly. "Replacing me so soon?" Spot put his arm in front of Scamp, keeping her from charging up to the other girl.

"Sophia, it ain't like that. 'Sides, we was ovah." Sophia's creamy skin was tinted red with fury.

"Fine. But my brothers and a few of his friends have something to talk to you about." Without another word, Sophia stomped off. As the six guys advanced on the four newsies, Spot drew his cane from his belt and backed up to Scamp with the can outstretched.

"Scamp, get outta heah!" Scamp shook her head,

"No way. I am not leaving you guys here."

"Scamp, get outta heah!" Spot repeated loudly and more firmly. "I'm not stupid, even I can admit that 6 on 3 ain't good odds. Youse fast. Run ta the Lodgin' House and get help." When Scamp hesitated, he shouted, "go!" Giving in, Scamp ran. One of the guys made a swipe at her, but she darted out of the way and soon disappeared from sight. In the background, Hercules and Iolaus were debating on what to do.

"So now what, Herc?" Iolaus whispered. "You know that we could take these goons out, but not without revealing that we're not just two guys from Athens, New York."

"I know, Iolaus, I know." Hercules chewed his lip. "Stick to punches and very basic kicks. I think we'll be able to hold out long enough for Scamp to get back here with help. If she doesn't return soon enough…we'll do what we have to do."

"Okay…but what about you? Your," Iolaus mouthed the words 'half-god', "strength and everything?"

"I've got it under control," replied Hercules, though only semi-convincingly. By then, Sophia's brothers and their friends had advanced upon Spot, Herc, and Iolaus at too close a range for Spot to use his slingshot.

"Alright boys," Spot said to Hercules and Iolaus, "let's show 'em that nobody messes with the newsies!" With that, Spot fell upon the nearest thug, whacking him with his cane. Hercules and Iolaus leapt into the fray, both regulating how they were fighting, Hercules being especially careful not to use his superior strength. But it was 3 on 6, and inevitably, the 3 newsies were backed into an alleyway. Gritting his teeth, Spot braced himself as the 6 thugs moved in.