Ares' Game Plan
"Oh, this is just too perfect," Ares said, as he looked into the water of the scrying pool and observed the two morose and decidedly unhappy heroes. "What an opportunity this is. Oh, I can feel the juices flowing now." A big smile came across the God of War's face. "These two pathetic, creatures, one is feeling guilt about a promise he didn't think he had kept to his mother, and that annoying little man is doubting Hercules' real friendship for him. Well, let's see what we can do about this to have them both feed off of that delicious guilt. Oh, this is going to be a very enticing game to play!" Ares howled with the most devious laugh. "All I need is to put my plan into action and call in that favor Morpheus owes me." And in an instant, the scheming God of War materialized in Morpheus' chamber on Olympus.
"Hey, Morpheus, where are you? I'm calling in my favor, right now!" Ares bellowed in his fiercely insistent voice.
"Behind you, Ares, and what is the favor you're calling in? What have you concocted this time?" Morpheus asked, with just a hint of gleeful anticipation.
"You won't believe this one, Morph, but I didn't concoct anything this time, this little baby fell right into my lap while I was watching my dear half brother and his friend in my scrying pool."
"Well, out with it Ares. What is it you want me to make them dream about? What terrifying dreams do you want me to make them suffer? That is, after all, what you want them to do, suffer mightily?" Morpheus already was thinking of the marvelous possibilities he could suggest, but Ares definitely had his own ideas.
"Well, you see, I have this plan to break up their friendship once and for all, since they're always getting in my way, and always spoiling my plans. So, as we speak, they both are feeling some good old-fashioned guilt from their pasts. I want you to help magnify that guilt and create some really good tension between them, until I put my entire plan into motion. Do you think you can do that, get into their heads and make those feelings take over and drive them apart?" Ares questioned, as he suddenly felt quite pleased with his plan.
"Well, they don't call me the dream god for nothing you know, of course I can. Then, once I've done this you've got your favor, Ares."
"Sure, we'll call it even. Now you start that part of the plan and I'm on my way to take care of another very important element." The God of War then disappeared in a flash as he went in search of his next victim, the pivotal player for his scheme.
Morpheus' Apparitions
Back at the campfire, where Iolaus and Hercules had turned in for the night, both falling asleep uneasily. It wasn't very long thereafter that Morpheus seized his opportunity and entered their dreams.
Morpheus observed Iolaus struggling over whether Hercules really did love him as a true brother or had been pretending all along. Sure, Iolaus was telling himself, he was his best friend but Iolaus thought of Hercules as a brother and not just a friend. Morpheus fed these feelings of doubt and Iolaus' feelings of unworthiness, strengthening them to the point that he knew that when Iolaus awoke, he would question every act and gesture Hercules made toward him as a friend and a so-called brother. Morpheus played over and over the pivotal scene he found in Iolaus' unconscious mind. 'That incident with Iphicles telling him he would never be a real brother to Hercules was just so useful to the plan', Morpheus thought to himself. Morpheus had discovered long ago traumatic events that occurred as a child did much to shape the adult mind and their nightmares and dreams. And Iolaus? This man had obviously encountered much unhappiness in his younger days. Oh, this would all be too easy.
Now as for poor, poor Hercules. All the guilt he was feeling after seeing that woman at the festival who resembled his mother. He was obsessing over the promises he had made to his mother about looking after Iphicles, especially on her deathbed. Yes, he had said he would always be there for his brother in his time of need, but Hercules knew deep in his heart he really didn't keep those promises. Morpheus did not have to try too hard to strengthen the demigod's guilt. Hercules felt he had not been there much after Iphicles' marriage to Rena and when he assumed his unfamiliar role as king. Then, after their mother's passing, he rarely found his way back to visit Iphicles. Morpheus poured over every small subconscious detail he found. 'Oh, this one was all too easy as well. No need to invent nightmares for the duo,' Morpheus thought. He finally felt his job was done. The God of Dreams and Nightmares could sense the intense feelings of regret and self-doubt emanating from these two and when they awoke from their dreams, he was sure Ares would be quite pleased with the results.
Ares' Game Begins
At the same time Morpheus was fulfilling his favor for the War God, Ares entered Iphicles' bedroom with six of his elite guards. The King of Corinth was startled from a light sleep and attempted to sit up. Instead, he was seized by two of the guards and was knocked unconscious by one overzealous goon trying to impress Ares. Angered that his hostage had been damaged, Ares rewarded the guard with an impressive lightning bolt that sent him sailing over the room's balcony. The God gave orders to the remaining guards not to let anyone into the room until he returned. Ares picked Iphicles up, easily tossing him over his shoulder, while snatching up the clothes that had been laid out for the King. He waved his hand and they were gone.
Ares materialized in a cave on the outskirts of Corinth where he planned to keep Iphicles until he had some serious fun tricking Hercules. Then, he'd decide what to do with the king.
Ares threw Iphicles' clothes at him and startled the king as he awoke holding his head. Hercules' mortal brother was shocked to see the God of War standing in front of him, and realized he was in some sort of large cavern, lying in a rather unceremonious heap on the floor.
"What, am I being held for some kind of ransom? Why are you doing this?" Iphicles asked impatiently, trying to maintain at least the appearance that he was unafraid. He knew both his reign as king and his life appeared to be in serious jeopardy.
"No, Iphicles, this little game is on me. After I play some wonderful mind games with our brother, maybe I'll give your kingdom to one of my favorite warlords to run it like it should be, My way. That means with some greed, a little violence, and cowering villagers pledging allegiance to me, oh, and let's not forget a good WAR now and then to liven things up." Ares eyed the king, and grudgingly felt a sort of admiration for him as Iphicles stood there glaring at him, hands on his hips. 'What impudence, maybe I can find a use for this soon-to-be-deposed monarch. Or maybe, I'll just blast him to Tartarus and be done with it.' Ares thought.
"But why do this? Corinth has been at peace now for a long time and we're prosperous." Iphicles continued, but he could see that was a weak defense at best. "Well besides, with me missing, my guards will wonder who is giving the orders and demand to see me. So you can't get away with whatever you have planned Ares. No one will believe I would start a war over nothing." Iphicles countered.
"Oh, you don't think so, do you? You think that your guards won't believe it's you giving the commands to wage war against the villagers of, let's say, Mycenae? Well, what about now, Iphicles?" And with a wave of his hand, Ares transformed himself into a man that looked exactly like Iphicles.
"Pretty neat trick don't you think, Your Highness?" Ares laughed loudly, with an evil, self-satisfied grin on his face.
There was complete and utter silence in the cave now as Iphicles looked into the face of his mirror image. What was he going to do to save his kingdom from this horrible ruse?
"Ares, you think you've won, but you have already lost. I sent for my brother a few days ago to come to Corinth, and he will see right through your tricks," Iphicles said, with as much confidence as he could muster.
"Wrong again, you see as we speak, Hercules and his little playmate are being dealt with. I called in a favor from Morpheus for this clever adventure of mine. So you see, Iphicles, after I'm done having my fun, maybe you won't even want what's left of your realm. Well, I must be off, and I have a kingdom to destroy and a village to plunder. Oh, and don't worry, you'll be properly taken care of by my guards who are right outside this cave. If you need anything just holler, not that you would get it but you still can ask!" Ares sarcastically said.
"You won't get away with this Ares. Someone will notice the difference and stop you!" Iphicles screamed at him as he walked out of the cave to issue orders to the guards.
"Oh, this is good," smirked Ares. "This is getting better by the moment. C'mon dear brother. Get here soon."
Meanwhile, an interested observer gazed into her scrying pool on Mt. Olympus. "You have gone to far this time, brother!" Dite hissed. She hated it when Ares tormented Hercules and Iolaus. She continued to watch the situation unfold.