Chapter 14

In a distant corner of the Underworld, the three Fates smiled.

"It would seem Lord Hades has done it. He has finally found love. Even though we know all, I am sure that I am not the only one surprised by the outcome." Lachesis, the Fate of the Past, remarked. The other two Fates nodded in agreement. No one had actually expected him to change and achieve the ability to break the curse. Now they would not have to keep such a watchful eye on him. Hopefully he would stay out of trouble.

"I'm sure Belle will keep him in line," Clotho, Fate of the Present, said. They had chosen well. Belle was perfect for him and two now shared the rarest of loves, true love. It even rivaled that of Hercules and Meg, and theirs had been a very strong one.

Now Hades would have all his powers and his immortality back. He certainly deserved it. But there was just one downfall to Hades breaking the curse. Lord Zeus. He had expected and wanted Hades to fail. So much so that he had sent a letter in hopes of discouraging Hades, which obviously hadn't worked. But that would be an issue for another day. For now, there was much to celebrate, and even more to be thankful for.

Belle continued to sob while leaning against Hades. He couldn't be gone, he just couldn't. The blue sparks continued to shoot down from the sky, and suddenly, there was a flash of light. Belle only looked away for a second, but when she looked back, everything was different. Instead of Hades lying there, a young man with shoulder length black hair and blue eyes stood in front of her, holding out his hand. Belle nervously took it, and looked directly into the young man's eyes when she stood up.

"Belle, it's me, Hades."

"It can't be. Hades is gone."

"Belle, just listen to my voice. It's the same. And look." He held out his hand a small spark shot up. Belle recognized the flames immediately and the sound of his voice. Hades. Belle looked at him, staring straight into his blazing blue eyes, as she ran her fingers through his hair and stroked his cheek.

"It is you." Hades stroked Belle's cheek and leaned in to kiss her. When they did kiss, it was magic. Sparks shot from the sky again and Hades picked up Belle and twirled her around. As Hades twirled Belle around, everyone came rushing up to him.

"Didn't I tell you she would come back, Hades?" Rhea smiled.

"Of course, Mom, that's the last time I don't listen to you." Hades put Belle down for a moment and went to hug Rhea, which caused her to start crying.

"Mom, what is it? Are you alright?"

"Hades, the last time you hugged me was centuries ago. You really have changed."

Pain and Panic approached Hades nervously. They were used to him with flames and blue skin. Now, he looked almost unrecognizable, aside from a slight smirk.

"Don't worry, boys. I might have changed and gotten a little nicer now, but if you set me off, I'm sure I can still roast you." Pain and Panic cringed. Things were supposed to be getting better.

"Hades!" Belle exclaimed, hitting his arm slightly.

"I was joking, Belle. Of course, I won't do that anymore." But he winked slightly at his minions. He might have changed a lot, but not that much. And besides, Pain and Panic expected it. It was still a part of who he was. He was just going to reserve those moments for special occasions.

"Belle, don't worry. I'd have to be really angry for these flames to fully appear. I can think of only one person who could cause that." Hercules. But I won't think about him now. I saw him leave. He won't be back for a while. It would be nice if he would never come back, but I know he'll come back to try and "rescue" Belle.

Hades twirled Belle around again, and everyone was transported to the ballroom. Belle was in her golden gown again, and he was in his blue suit. He put his arm around her waist, held out his hand, and led Belle into a waltz. They danced together the entire evening. Everything was perfect.

"Well, Panic, didn't I tell you she would break the spell?" Pain asked.

"No, you didn't. I told you." Panic insisted.

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"Did not!"

"Did…" Panic suddenly stopped arguing with Pain.

Suddenly, two new female minions walked by, the same sizes as Pain and Panic. They winked and smiled flirtatiously at the two imps.

"You know, Pain, it really doesn't matter who told who."

"Yeah, I think we should just enjoy the benefits of the curse breaking."

"Agreed." Panic said, and the two of them walked off with the girls.

"Hades, when did you get new minions?" Belle asked.

"Pain and Panic deserve it. After all they've put up with me. I guess it's just my reward to them."

Belle smiled at her boyfriend. He really had changed. The old Hades would never have even considered girlfriends for Pain and Panic.

The next morning, Hades woke up in his old room in the tower. He sighed contentedly, remembering last night's dream. Then sighed again, sadly. That's all it was, a dream. He would look in the mirror this morning and see the same monstrous person he had been all along. But when he placed his hand at the edge of the bed, he noticed something different. His hand wasn't blue with claws. It was a human hand. Last night hadn't been a dream, which meant Belle really was here. He had to see her, right away. Just to confirm that she and everything else was real. He also needed to tell her his real name. Now that he finally remembered it. Not that Hades wasn't a good name, but he wanted to give her a choice. Hades raced down the hallway to Belle's room before even considering the consequences, for example, that of the watchful eyes of his mother. Hades just opened the door to her room and walked in, just as Belle woke up.

"Hades, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you."

"Just like old times, then?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. I was just so worried about you; I guess I didn't think about what you would think of me."

"I didn't think very harshly of you. You just surprised me. Besides, it wasn't a bad thing."

"Yeah, I know," Hades smirked, "I guess I'm too devilishly handsome to stay mad at then."

"I guess you are," Belle smiled back, and kissed him.

"Hades, I know you didn't just come here to kiss me. What are you really here for?"

"My name."

"I don't understand. I thought Hades was your name." Belle stated, confused. Why was it Hades was never straightforward?

"It is. One of them, anyway. Belle, do you remember that book you had with you when we met? The one about Greek mythology?"

"Of course I remember it."

"Well, what did your book say about me?"

"Not much, at least not much of what you would actually want to hear." Belle said warily. The last thing she needed was for him to get angry about how he was represented.

"Belle, it's fine. My temper is basically under control now. I will try not to become too angry about whatever is in there."

"Well, alright, if you're sure. Just please, no more flames." Belle relented, then suddenly wished she could take the last part back. He winced at the memory of the time he had hurt her with flames. At least his stubbornness hadn't changed. Still, she missed the way he had been, that had been the man she had fallen in love with. This man, she still didn't know. And now he had a different name.

"Trust me, Belle. No more flames. I still feel guilty about that."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up. And now I've distracted you from whatever you were going to tell me."

"You're always a distraction to me, but in a good way." Hades teased.

"Well, anyway, you were saying about your name?"

"Aidenous. Or Aiden for short. I know it's not that great. But it's what I used to go by."

"Do you want me to call you that?"

"Only if you want. If not, Hades is fine."

"I don't mean to sound rude, but I think I actually prefer Hades. I'm more used to it."

"It's whatever you want, Belle. I'm happy to respond to any name you call me."

Belle just smiled back at him and kissed him.

"You know, technically you shouldn't be in here right now. What if Rhea catches us?"

"I'm not afraid of her."

"Oh really, are you sure about that?" Rhea said. Somehow, she had entered the room without anyone noticing.

"Sorry Belle, I have to go." Hades said quickly and vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Despite what he says, I think he really is scared of you." Belle said.

"Oh, he is. But I already knew that. He's always been somewhat scared of me. He knows that I can sneak up on him."