From All Sides A Heroic Perspective Chapter 14

Hercules met them back at the Mansion with the good news that he and Iolaus had captured Discord and Demos. Even in defeat Discord had remained silent and defiant but Demos was weak and he had confessed their whole plan to recruit an evil army. One Hercules and Iolaus had them subdued they'd taken the pair to Zeus. The king of the Greek gods had decreed that they be banished to Tarturus. Saying that maybe Discord and Demos could keep Cronos, company since that is where traitors to the family belonged.

Ares surprisingly did not object to his father's decision. Hercules' half brother had only looked at Discord and Demos in disgust announcing to all that he washed his hands of them completely. Then he had vanished muttering something about Strife. Hercules just hoped Ares wasn't up to anything.

At any rate things were back to normal on Olympus at least for now and they had the new team to thank for it. They had stood firm against their first major challenge and come out victorious. Hercules offered them all his congratulations.

"While we appreciate the sentiment," Cole acknowledged. "I hardly think we can chalk this one up in the win column. Paige got zapped and Belthazor got away." "Believe me, I understand how much you are troubled by Belthazor's escape but look at what you did accomplish," Hercules reminded Cole. "Like what?" John asked equally glum. "Bailey recaptured your father. Even as we speak Morrigan is ensuring there won't be a repeat performance of his escape. Baldar has helped her to free the trapped innocent who will be sent home with no memory of what happened to him.

Paige has been redeemed by her unselfish act of sacrificing her life to save those children. She has won her reincarnation and has a second chance to live a normal human life that she can dedicate to helping even more kids.

Also consider the enormous personal victories that took place. Phoebe and Piper you learned to find sympathy for Paige again even in the face of justifiable anger at her. Hercules turned his gaze toward John. "You my friend had a choice to make either to fight for love or fight for revenge. You chose love and protecting your wife over payback against your father. That is a huge gain for good.

Then there is you Cole. You had the biggest triumph of all. You've fully taken back your soul and proven once and for all that evil can't possess you any more. How can you not look at this mission as a success?" "There is also not a doubt in my mind that the next time you all confront Belthazor you'll, "vanquish his sorry ass," Cole finished Hercules' sentence by echoing Phoebe's words from the past. She laughed at the inside joke.

"If you insist on putting it that way Hercules I guess I have no choice but to admit our success," Cole relented. Phoebe grabbed his face and gave him a big kiss. "To the victor go the spoils," she announced. "I am so proud of you."

"Well then since we survived an attack from all sides and seemed to have whipped evil's behind yet again, I think we should go celebrate. Drinks are on me at P3," Piper announced. Hercules please invite Iolaus for me, as well. We owe him a big thank you too. Spouses are also welcome." Iolaus suddenly popped in. "Did someone mention a party with free drinks," he asked excitedly. Hercules wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder and said, "it's so reassuring to know that even after thousands of years some things never change."

"Count me in," Prue said. "Come help me change hubby. I'm anxious to show you my new dress." "I'm sure you will look gorgeous in it," John said. "But I'm even more certain that you will look even better without it." She shook her head. "You have such a one track mind." "Isn't that why you married me?" he quipped.

Before Prue had a chance to respond Erin appeared. "Far be it from me to delay someone from going to a really good party but I need to borrow my great grandsons and you their lovely wives for just a little while. Your great grandmother has requested your presence."