I know what you're thinking

NOTE—I am working on "Light Into Darkness", but we really had to get this story started b/c both Caroline and I are going to be gone for half of July and all of July respectively, so we had to get this story into solid form b/c we've been planning it for over a month now.  I'm almost done the aforementioned story, so never fear!  I'm just having a little trouble trying to write what I need to write, but now that I'm free for the summer, I'll have much more time to focus on it.  So please just read this story, and Caroline's stories, but also this one.  Thanks!

I know what you're thinking.  'Not another one of those time travel stories…and new people showing up at the Lodging House?  Please, this storyline has been way, way overdone.'  But let me assure you, this fan fic is different than any I think you've ever read before, or at least for most of the other fics you've read.  The idea from this story came from the twisted depths of my mind, but I am blessed enough to be co-writing this with Caroline Gottschalk Jackson, one of the best writers, especially comedic, on this site.  It is with her wonderful talent that this story has humor in it, b/c I were on my own, the humor would be way too lame and therefore removed.  So I'll just cut to the chase—I want to insert a warning here.  If you're not one for fantasy, or for the limits in the realm of possibility being stretched (or maybe even ripped open all together), you might want to stop reading this right here and now.  It is my greatest hope that everyone will give this story a shot, but I also want to avoid flaming so if you read this intro and decide this story isn't for you, than just stop reading it instead of flaming it.

Although I love Newsies to death, my strongest loyalties lie with another realm of fandom: The Renaissance Pictures-uverse.  Those of you who are also fans of this wonderful company's production, please hold your applause until the end.  Perhaps the most well-known product of this company is Xena: Warrior Princess (I'm proud to be a Xenite J)  Also created by Ren. Pics are Hercules: Legendary Journeys (yes, I am a Herculean as well), Cleopatra 2525, Jack of All Trades, and my favorite (though I love all the others so very much as well), Young Hercules.  I'm really not going to get into the details of the short life of Young Hercules.  I'll provide all you need to know about the story's plotline later.

I suppose your wondering what all of this has to do with Newsies Fan Fiction.  Well, one simple thing: this story is a Newsies/Young Hercules crossover.  Wait—before you protest, read what I have to say.  I come from a world where, out of the words of Hercules himself, anything is possible.  I believe that this story is going to be believable because in the Young Hercuverse, anything can happen, since there's a host of rampant, all-powerful gods running around.  Now, on to the basics of what you'll need to know about Young Hercules in order for this to make any sense.

Hercules and Iolaus are best friends. In this story, Hercules is 18 and Iolaus is 20, though he looks like he can be 18.  Hercules and Iolaus are currently cadets at Cherion's Academy, a place where they are training to be warriors.  Hercules is, obviously, the son of Zeus, king of the gods and the mortal woman Alcmene.  When Zeus appeared to Alcmene, he appeared to her in the form of her husband, Amphitryon.  The real Amphitryon was away in battle, and was later killed.  Hercules grew up laughed at for being the son of a single woman,  and by those who did not believe that his father was Zeus.  He was always trying to prove that he was a demigod, Zeus' son, and eventually Herc goes as far as to do ANYTHING to get Zeus' attention, save killing someone or something like that.  Hercules would never, ever, intentionally put someone other than himself in danger. 

Iolaus grew up a lot like many of our beloved newsies.  His father was away a lot (a general in war) and when he was home, he was alcoholic and abusive, to Iolaus' mother and Iolaus in particular.  Iolaus was the oldest of I think about 3 or 4 children, and the only boy.  But Iolaus was slightly small for his age and gender, and his father always told him he was a good-for-nothing shrimp.  Iolaus' mother loved, still loves, her son, but is too scared to stand up to her husband and is not all that good at displaying the love and pride she has for her son.

Ares hates Hercules.  Hates him with a passion.  Ares (the Greek god of war, in case any of you don't know) used to be Zeus' favorite until Hercules was born.  Ares hates Hercules just because Hercules for apparently "showing up" Ares, being only a half mortal and Zeus' favorite.  So Ares wants to kill Hercules, but Zeus placed a protection order on Hercules, so that any god who kills Hercules will be sentenced to, in Ares' own words "an eternity in Tartaurus being gnawed on by some idiotic monster."  Tautaurus is the Greek mythological version of Hell.  Hera, queen of the gods, also hates Hercules because she detests the fact that Zeus could love a child that isn't hers (I don't think Hera will have a role in this story, but there might be a reference to her.)  The protection order is the only indication that Hercules has that Zeus even knows he exists.  That is why Hercules is obsessed with gaining Zeus' attention.

Well, that should be all you need to know.  If you don't understand anything at any point in this story, feel free to tell me through review or email (gabby-kora@juno.com) and I'll do my best to clear things up.

Oh and one more thing—I stole the name Kora from my favorite female character in Young Hercules.  I do not claim to be her, do not claim her to be an alter-ego of mine, I just think the name's cool.  I think Kora will have a small role in this story, and even if she doesn't, I know there will be references to her.

I'M PROUD TO BE A XENITE!!!!!!!!!

sorry…I just couldn't resist adding that, especially since the series finale is next week.  Mommy…ahem, excuse me, Caroline, said I could add that if I wanted too, 'cause she's just an awesome person, as I'm sure you all know (and if you didn't know, now you do).  A Xenite is a Xena fan, a Herculean is a Hercules fan, and a Young Herculean is a Young Hercules fan.  I'm all three.  We need a cool catchphrase name like that for newsies fans.  Hey, somebody should come up with a name like Xenite only for Newsies fans, that'd be cool.  Well, I think I'm done now.  I'm gonna leave this with an introduction, and all of you people out there reading this—review!!! ('less you're gonna flame us).  Review us and tell Caroline and I what you think of our crazy idea ('less your gonna be really mean 'cause then we'd hunt you down and throw pencils and other various assorted objects at you).  After we get a review or to, we just might decide to post the first chapter of this story.  We'll actually post it whether or not you tell us to, but if you review, I'll give you some of the sugar from my stash (yes, I actually have a hidden stash of sugar packets).  HAPPY DRUG FOREVER!!! (hehe Caroline)  I'd better go now before I scare all of you off, so just review this thing and I'll post the first chapter soon! 

PS: remember, if you have any questions, just email me and I'll try to clear them up as best I can for you.  (gabby-kora@juno.com)