Hercules and the Erinyes: Chapter 2

The years slowly went by and things began to return to normal. It took a lot of work, but the other gods eventually invited Hades back to Olympus. They were still distrustful of him but when a year went by without any act of vengeance on Hercules or any other attempts to retake Mt. Olympus, Hades was virtually forgiven. He was after all, a very important god, doing a job that no one else wanted to do.

Hades never asked Tisiphone about what she had done to Hercules. He seemed to trust that whatever she had done would satisfy him. He had returned to his usual, obnoxious self and aside from a few scattered temper tantrums about the other gods, life in the underworld was back to normal as well.

After their honeymoon, Hercules and Meg set out for Athens. Phil had introduced Hercules to the Athenian king, Theseus, whom Phil had once trained. Theseus had given up hero training when his father died in order to take his place as king but Theseus still had a yearning for heroics. He had been very interested in the stories that Hercules had told him about his fights against the Titans. So much so in fact, that he had invited Hercules and Meg to visit him in Athens. Hercules had gladly accepted, for he liked the Athenian king very much.

Hercules and Meg stayed in Athens for several weeks and Theseus became so fond of the couple that he offered them an estate just outside of the city. Hercules and Meg accepted. The house was beautiful and Hercules' friends Icarus and Cassandra lived in Athens also. Another perk of the property was its size, which, Meg told Hercules a few months after they had moved in, was soon to be an important factor.

Nine months later Meg gave birth to their first son who they named Doran, which meant gift. From the minute Hercules looked into his son's blue eyes, so very much like his own, he knew how much he wanted to be a father. He took Doran everywhere with him and when Doran got older his father taught him everything he knew. Even Theseus, who doted on his own son Hippolitus, agreed that Hercules was the most exceptional father that he had ever seen. Hercules adored his son and was soon given more chances to be an excellent father. Two years after Doran was born Meg had another had another son, Anton and then another two years after that Cenon, the youngest was born.

Hercules retired from Hero work after Anton's birth and although he would always help people if asked, most of his attention was now given to his sons. Hercules had a beautiful, loving wife and three healthy sons. To him, his life couldn't be anymore perfect.

XxXxXx

"Dad, what are you going to buy mom for your anniversary?" Doran asked his father. "You'll see once we get there." Hercules replied, ruffling Doran's orange hair, smiling ear to ear.

"Dad, I swear, sometimes you're more of a kid than we are." Anton sighed. Anton was the most like his mother of all of the boys. He looked like her and he had her mannerisms and as such he was the most sarcastic of the brothers.

Hercules gave his middle son an indulgent smile. "Dad, will we get presents in Athens?" Cenon asked. The name Cenon meant friendly and a better name could not have been chosen for the little boy. He loved everyone. He had started smiling seconds after he had been born, he hadn't even cried. Ever since that day he had enchanted everyone he had met, especially women. They simply fell in love with the little boy whose sweet smiles and curly brown locks gave him an angel like face.

"Who said that you'd be getting presents?" Hercules laughed. "It's not your birthday."

"I just thought that you might get us one for being good." Cenon replied. "That's not a bad idea." Doran piped up. "We'll see." Their father replied.

As their chariot rolled into the city the boys quickly became more interested in the buildings and the people on the street. It took them a few minutes to get to Theseus' palace but when they arrived, the king and his son were waiting for them at the entrance. Doran jumped from the chariot the minute it stopped and ran over to Hippolitus, who was his good friend.

Hippolitus was a few years older than Doran and was being raised by his father alone. His mother was an amazon princess who his father had fallen wildly in love with. He had married her, despite the warnings of his council that amazons were not the marrying type. She had stayed for two years but she soon longed for her old life. She had left a year after Hippolitus had been born and neither father nor son had seen or heard from her since.

Hercules and his other sons got out of the chariot and walked towards Theseus. The boys ran off to play while their fathers embraced and walked into the palace.

"How have you been my friend?" Theseus asked.

"I've been well. Anton caught a cold for a little while but everything's fine now."

"Excellent!" Theseus replied. "Congratulations are in order, ten years of marriage. You must be very happy." Hercules' face lit up. "Yes I am."

"Speaking of which, your gift has been finished." Theseus told Hercules.

"Great, can I see it?" Hercules asked. "Of course." Theseus replied.

Theseus took Hercules to a workshop in the east wing of his palace. It was a large room with long tables in it all placed in rows. Upon entering they could hear little else but the noise of hammering and sawing. There were about twenty workmen in the room. Some were working on armor, some on weapons and others were working on more delicate items.

"Damen, may we have the gift that was commissioned from you by Hercules?" Theseus asked one of the workmen at the closest table. A very old man looked up and grunted as he shuffled over to a shelf behind him and retrieved a long rectangular box. Damen brought it back and handed it to his king who then handed it to Hercules.

Hercules opened the box and smiled, "It's perfect." He said. Inside the box was a beautiful necklace made of hammered silver and decorated with amethyst.

"I chose them because they're just like her eyes" Hercules explained, referring to the amethysts.

"Another beautiful creation Damen." Theseus complimented.

"It'll be 100 denari." Damen grunted in reply.

Hercules closed the box and handed Damen a satchel of money that had been clipped to his belt. "Thank you very much; I couldn't be more pleased with it." Hercules said. Damen nodded slightly as he counted his money.

Theseus put his hand on Hercules' shoulder and began to take him out of the room. "Meg will be a very happy woman my friend." Hercules nodded and then paused. He was looking at a workman who was making little wooden animals. "Maybe I should take three of these too." He said. Theseus laughed.

XxXxXxXx

Meg smiled as she set the table for two. Ten years, ten years she'd been married to Hercules. They had been ten of the best years of her life. She had a beautiful home, great friends, three wonderful children and the greatest husband a woman could ever ask for.

The boys had already eaten and were in bed, it was just her and her husband for dinner tonight. She had dressed up for the occasion, flowing red and magenta silks draped her lithe form. She was 32 now but she still looked great. She was older than Hercules, he was now only 28 but it had never seemed like a big difference to either of them.

Hercules entered the room and gave Meg a kiss before he sat down and the two of them began their meal. It was their anniversary but they talked like it was a normal day. They talked about the boys and Meg inquired into Theseus' health.

"Oh he's in perfect condition, so is Hippolitus." Hercules replied.

"So is it safe for me to assume that you didn't go into Athens just to see Theseus?" Meg asked slyly. Hercules laughed, "Doran let it slip" Meg told him. "But he didn't tell me what you got"

"Thank the gods; I wanted it to be a surprise." Hercules said handing Meg the wooden box.

"A wooden box, I'm touched" Meg said in jest. She laughed as Hercules stuck his tongue out at her and gave him a coy little smile as she opened the box.

She gasped when she saw the necklace. "Oh, Hercules, it's so…"

"Let me put it on for you" Hercules got up and began to clip the necklace onto Meg. When he had finished she got up and went to a mirror. "It's stunning," she said. "Not as stunning as you." Hercules said, coming up behind her and kissing her cheek.

"Hey, just because you got me something pretty doesn't give you the right to get all sappy on me."

Hercules laughed as Meg turned and pulled him into a kiss. Hercules pulled her closer, making the kiss more passionate but very suddenly he stopped.

"Hercules, what's the matter?" Meg asked. Hercules clutched the sides of his head. "A sudden migraine. Ouch!" He said, sitting down.

"That was sudden but you don't look all that good. I think you should go to bed." Meg told him with concern. "Yea, I think that you're right." Hercules replied, allowing himself to be escorted to their room.

The minute his head hit the pillow he fell into a deep sleep. Meg smirked, "You probably just had too much wine at dinner you big lush." She sighed as she changed into her night gown. She had been planning on sex tonight but that didn't look like an option now. "And I bought this new sexy night gown." She pouted. She'd get him to make it up to her later.

Meg climbed into bed and kissed her husband on the cheek. "Good night Wonder Boy."

XxXxXxXx

Cassandra tossed and turned as she tried to sleep. She was having a vision, a horrible vision. She had been having bad feelings all week and now she could see why. In her vision she saw the bodies of Meg, Doran, Anton and Cenon covered in blood, their bodies twisted into unnatural positions.

Cassandra woke with a start, sweat all over her forehead, she was breathing hard. She quickly got out of bed and dressed. "I have to get to Hercules, right away."

XxXxXxXx

Hades grumbled as he and Tisiphone approached the gates of Mt. Olympus. "I don't know why I'm even going to this meeting." He scoffed, "If you can even call it that! All we ever do at these stupid things is sit around while Zeus tells his inane little stories. That's torture enough but it's also no fun sitting in a room with a bunch of people who are hostilely inclined towards me."

"You need to go to these meetings Hades. It shows the other gods that you don't have any more thoughts of domination." Tisiphone explained patiently.

"Yea? Just give me an opportunity." Hades muttered. "Don't say things like that here!" Tisiphone hissed.

Hades scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine, fine, but if I have to listen to one more of Poseidon's 'anecdotes from the sea' I swear I'll burn off his nose."

The two entered Olympus and headed for the meeting room. "Tisiphone! Hades!" A melodic voice called out. They both rather lazily turned around and saw a beautiful woman with long, wavy, strawberry blond hair running towards them. She gave Tisiphone a big hug once she reached them that Tisiphone received rather rigidly.

"Hello Alecto." She said with what oxygen she had remaining in her lungs. Alecto broke the hug, her big brown eyes shining. "I'm so happy to see the two of you!"

Alecto was always sickeningly cheery. Tisiphone never could understand it, Alecto was even optimistic when she worked for Hades. As annoying as Tisiphone found it she just couldn't dislike the woman, no one could.

"Hey there Goldilocks" Hades said with a smile but taking a step back just incase Alecto tried to hug him too.

"Are you here for the meeting?" Alecto asked.

"No, we're here for the stirring conversation and the swimming pool. Swimming in the river Lethe is alright but afterwards you can never remember what you were doing there." Hades replied.

Alecto burst out laughing, tears began running down her face. Hades took another step back and gave Tisiphone a disbelieving glance.

"Oh Hades! I forgot how funny you are!" Alecto finally said, wiping away a tear.

"It's a good thing I didn't use the A material." Hades muttered, Tisiphone laughed quietly.

"Tisiphone, while the gods are having their meeting you must have lunch with me!" Alecto exclaimed. "Oh no, really. That is such a nice offer but I really should stay with Hades" Tisiphone quickly replied.

Hades smirked and pushed Tisiphone at Alecto. "No I insist. You don't get enough girl talk down in the underworld. You gals have a lot of catching up to do."

Tisiphone glared at Hades as Alecto led her away but got some satisfaction when she saw Poseidon approach Hades and say, "Hades! My old buddy have I got a great story for you!"

Alecto led Tisiphone to a large balcony that had a small round table set for two in the center. "I had a pretty good idea that you'd be coming." Alecto said as she sat down, Tisiphone followed suit.

"So, you must be nearly done with your sentence. How many years have you got left?" Alecto asked, taking a sip of wine. "Three" Tisiphone replied promptly. "Hades added another year because I sided with Pain and Panic in an argument."

"Oh, but three years isn't very long, not very long at all. Have you given any thought to what you want to do with your freedom once you've got it?" Alecto asked.

"No, not really." Tisiphone said.

"Well if you'd like I'd be happy to give you a place to stay here." Alecto offered.

"As lovely an offer as that is," Tisiphone said, clearing her throat, "When I am given my freedom I will no longer be an immortal and as such I won't be allowed to live on Mt. Olympus."

"Oh yes, of course." Alecto said.

"Besides, I'll have just escaped Hades. If I live here I'll be likely to see him again." Tisiphone added as an after thought.

"Yes, I'm sure you'd hate that." Alecto muttered into her cup.

"What?" Tisiphone snapped. "Look Hermes is flying rather quickly. I wonder what the matter is." Alecto said, changing the subject.

Tisiphone looked up and watched the little blue man zip across the sky, towards the meeting room. "I don't know." She said, but she had a pretty good idea.

XxXxXxXx

Hades sat in the meeting room, head in his hand, almost unconscious with boredom. Zeus was droning on about something. If he had managed to take over Mt. Olympus he certainly would have gotten rid of these stodgy meetings.

Hades didn't realize how close he was to sleep until everyone else began stirring around him. "Is the meeting over?" He asked, bringing himself to the present. No one answered him; the atmosphere in the room was tense. Hermes was speaking with Zeus and although Hades couldn't hear what they were saying, he could tell that it was urgent.

Puzzled, Hades leaned over to Vesta. "What's going on?" He asked. "I don't know" Vesta replied. "Hermes just showed up and started talking with Zeus.

As Hades watched the expression on Zeus' face change rapidly it began to dawn on him. After all this time it seemed that whatever Tisiphone had done to Hercules was now coming into effect.

Suddenly Zeus stood up. "Hades, come with me." Hades, his face fixed on bewildered, followed Zeus and Hermes out of the meeting room. Waiting for them outside was Alecto and Tisiphone. When Tisiphone saw him she began to follow, Zeus didn't object.

Zeus summoned a cloud, which they all stood on and it began to soar through the sky. Everyone sensed that Zeus didn't want to speak so they rode in silence. Finally the cloud descended and they were in front of a large house, Hercules' house. Cassandra was sitting on a bench, head in her hands. The small man, Icarus was trying to comfort her but he looked quite shaken himself. Suddenly a tall, broad shouldered man with sandy blond hair appeared in the doorway, he looked grim. Hades recognized him as King Theseus of Athens.

Theseus walked over to Zeus, "Thank you for coming so quickly." He said, Zeus nodded. "I'll ask you to follow me but I must warn you, it isn't a pretty sight." Everyone was silent as they followed the king into Hercules' house. It was a nice house, 'The kid's done well for himself' Hades thought.

They entered the dinning room and even Hades, the god of the dead, gasped in shock. There was blood all over the walls and the floor, some even on the ceiling. All of the furniture had been thrown about as if a tornado had blown through the room. Hades gaped as he looked down and saw the bodies of Meg and her children, covered in blood and completely mutilated. Their now blank eyes staring up at the ceiling in a permanent expression of terror.

"Who did this?" Hades found himself asking before could stop. Theseus inclined his head to the sitting figure none of them had noticed before. It was Hercules and he was surrounded by several Athenian soldiers, not that they would do any good if Hercules had decided to leave but Hercules looked like he was in shock, he wasn't going anywhere.

Hades couldn't believe his eyes as he looked down and saw that Hercules had blood all down his front and all over his hands. Hades wanted to look at Tisiphone, to ask her how she had done this. He had known she was smart but he hadn't expected a little gem like this. When he did chance a look at Tisiphone he was surprised to see that she was wearing a blank expression, completely unreadable.

'Well Tisiphone, so far so good but why did Zeus ask for me. Does he suspect that I had a hand in this?" Hades thought.

"Hades?" It was Zeus and he wore an expression like Theseus, grim. "Can you do anything about this?" Hades nearly choked with surprise, Zeus didn't suspect him at all! He had brought him to see if he could bring Hercules' family back to life.

"I'm sorry" Hades said, his tone remorseful, "but Hercules has already defied the laws of nature once by bringing Meg back to life and she died of natural causes. If I allowed that then what difference would there be between mortal and immortal? I'd have to start bringing back other mortals too. It just can't be done."

Zeus bowed his head. "I though not." He said. He then walked over to his son, "Hercules?" He reached out to place a hand on Hercules' shoulder but Hercules shot to his feet and hit the hand away.

"NO! No! I don't deserve…" His voice cracked. "Father, I didn't mean to, I… I wasn't in control. I couldn't stop myself. They begged for their lives and I just… just laughed." Hercules broke down, tears streaming down his face and he allowed his father to embrace him.

"It seems to be some sort of temporary madness." Theseus said, "For I was with him the day before and there was no inclination of such a…" He trailed off. "He will not be imprisoned for his actions."

Zeus nodded as he placed a hand on his son's head. Hercules pushed away from his father and it was then that he noticed that Hades was there as well. "Get him out of here!" He yelled, "I don't want to see that… He's probably happy!" Zeus took hold of his son in order to stop him incase he should lash out at Hades. "You two should leave, thank you Hades." He said. Hades nodded and in a puff of smoke he a Tisiphone returned to the underworld.

XxXxXxXx

"You, my dear, are a genius!" Hades exclaimed, ruffling Tisiphone's hair before he sat down on his throne. "And to keep it all a surprise for me…" He laughed. Tisiphone said nothing as she stood before him. "It was the perfect revenge! He'll punish himself for this for the rest of his life! And Zeus didn't suspect a thing!" Hades jumped back up, he was just too excited. "It was a little gory, I must admit but, hey, that's why you're the best… Tisiphone?" Tisiphone wouldn't look Hades in the eye. "I'm sorry Hades. May I go to my room?" She asked. "Of course, I can see why that would upset you. You always liked Meg, very well." Hades said. Tisiphone turned to leave. "Tisiphone, I won't forget this, you'll be rewarded." Tisiphone nodded and left.

Hades sat alone for a while. He should probably reduce her sentence for this but she only had three years left and he didn't want to lose her too quickly, she had proven herself much too valuable. He shrugged it off, "PAIN! PANIC! Get in here we're having a celebratory feast!" Let Tisiphone pout, he'd worry about her tomorrow.

XxXxXxXxXx

Next chapter in a month my backside. Sorry about that folks I realize that I am really slow moving at this sort of thing. I am very lazy as my sister is inclined to remind me but I will try much harder to get the next chapter out at a decent time.

Anyway I'm sure a lot of you guessed what Tisiphone had planned, those of you who knew your mythology anyway. This is why I gave the story a teen rating, I'm sure the kiddies won't like to hear that Meg dies.

Alright, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Review please, it motivates!

I don't own the Hercules characters, Disney does. However Doran, Anton and Cenon are my creation. Tisiphone, Alecto, Theseus and his son are all from Greek myth but their personalities are mine.

Thanks!

Evelyn Owens