Chapter 3

Hades stood up and carefully wrapped a bandage around her hand, as well as Aidon's, not wishing to hurt them again. He knew exactly what was going on. He was beginning to turn back to his former, villainous self. Soon, he would no longer have his normal appearance and he might even lose Belle. He wished magic wasn't so finicky.

"Hades, is there any way we can fix this? I'm sure this isn't just an extreme resentment towards Hercules." Belle looked into his eyes, and suddenly she remembered what he was like before she changed him. She looked away quickly.

"There is one way, Belle. But this item is almost impossible to find."

"What is it?"

"The fin of a sheagle."

"Hades, what's a sheagle?"

"Yeah, it doesn't sound like a normal creature." Aidon agreed.

"It's not. Sheagles only build their nests near the Mediterranean Sea. On a cliff. They're part shark and part eagle. Fins of a shark, body of an eagle. Usually only true heroes can find them."

"Well then, we have no time to lose. I'm sure Pegasus knows where the Mediterranean Sea is. I'm sorry, Hades, but I don't know who else we can ask." Before Hades could say anything, Belle stood up and raced down the hall to let everyone know about the adventure that was now before them.

That afternoon, everyone set off to find the sheagle's magic fin. Meg and Hercules took Pegasus, while Hades, Belle, Aidon, and Maurice rode in Hades' black flying chariot that he almost never used. Belle was busy studying a map, and Hades immediately followed all her directions.

"Turn left, everyone!" Belle shouted, as she saw the shore of the Mediterranean Sea approaching them. Now all that was left was to find a cliff and a sheagle. Suddenly a large bird swooped down in front of them and stopped them in their tracks.

"That's not a nightingale," Maurice noted.

"No, that would be a sheagle." Hades answered and landed on the shore where the large shark bird had stopped.

Before anyone could say anything, Hercules strode forward and began talking to the sheagle. Hades immediately smacked his hand against his face. This was going to be disaster, and as usual, it was all thanks to Wonderboy.

"Sir, I must ask that you give us one of your fins and don't give us any trouble along the way."

The sheagle stretched out his grand wing and punched the young hero so hard he landed right next to Pegasus.

"You can't just ask a sheagle for a fin. They think it's rude." Hades said.

"Thanks for the tip," Hercules said dryly as he coughed up some sand.

"First you must answer a riddle for me and then convince me that your cause is worthy enough to have my grand fin." The sheagle replied. As he noted Belle's worried look he added, "Don't worry, my fin always grows back."

"What riddle would you like us to solve?" Maurice asked.

"Not everyone may answer. I only desire to hear Hades' answer, for this is his quest. My riddle is I am warm, I am cold. I am lawful, unlawful. A duty, a fault. I am often sold dear, good for nothing when bought. An extraordinary boon, and a matter of course, and yielding with pleasure when taken by force. What am I?"

Hades stared at the sheagle, thinking about what the answer could possibly be. He thought back to all the times he'd kissed Belle. A kiss! That had to be the answer.

"A kiss of true love is the answer," Hades replied, knowing already that he was right.

"Yes, that is the answer. But how did you figure it out?" The sheagle responded, confused that a villain could figure out such a romantic answer.

"I have true love. Belle and I shared true love's kiss on our wedding day. But I can't love her very well, if I hurt her every time I hold her hand. I'll do anything to fix this." Hades stared at the sheagle, his gaze constant.

"I see you are determined and true love is a very worthy cause. You may now have my fin." The sheagle's fin fell off, and everyone watched as a new fin grew in its place.

Everyone went back to the Underworld and as Belle placed the sheagle fin on Hades' arm, he transformed back into the prince that he had been before. He immediately kissed Belle.

Meg watched her sister gaze lovingly at Hades and she realized that she'd been wrong about him. Those two would clearly do anything for each other. And now that they were altogether again, Hercules and Meg realized they now had a young cousin to take care of. A year later, Meg and Hercules had a son named Henry. Henry and Aidon were best friends from the moment they met each other. Finally, the family was altogether again.

The End