Okay I know it has been a little too long since I posted Part 1, but I just can't seem to properly grasp Hades. I've taken MULTIPLE whacks at this, and it would be like me trying to write Deadpool I am just not funny or clever enough to write his dialogue correctly. He is by far the hardest character to write, and I want to do him justice as he's easily the most popular character in the movie, and probably one of the top-5 favorite villains of all time in the Disneyverse. So I feel like people will be more critical of my Hades, and I'm determined to get him down RIGHT. So please forgive me this delay, I must have written and scrapped large segments of part 2 at least 5 times. I just need to realize I will never get him down as well as I have the other characters, and just get the content up. This isn't me looking to fish for compliments with "oh no you're funny!" or anything like that, just recognizing my strengths and weaknesses.
I was also thinking of expanding this "Perspective" into other movies, and just writing POV one-shots of various tragic moments from movies (including outside Disney, I mean I did do both Matrix sequels) but not sure I want to undertake a project like that right now while I still have the what-if project up and running. But judging from my readers' reactions my forte seems to be tragedy (also evidenced by how well a piece of fiction I wrote was received)
I saw that beam of light bearing down from the sky, and laughed. Hey, my dreams were comin' true! I'd been planning this for eighteen years, but awaiting it for centuries! I felt as giddy as a blushing bride on her wedding day! The light hit the water like a physical force, and I grinned as the view of the prison came into view. Only four remained of what was once an entire pantheon of Titans; four who survived my brother's massacre (and one really stupid cyclops who doesn't grasp grammar very well. Or anything really.) They would revel in avenging their brother.
"Brothers! Titans! I release you from your squalid prison!" I announced, "who put you down there?" The humid air carried my voice so it boomed across the ocean.
"Zeus!" That's the response I was hoping for. Hate him. Hate that arrogant bastard! That pompous buffoon, that gluttonous lustful idiot gorging himself on pomegranates pretending he knows what the cosmos needs. Time for it to learn true leadership.
"And what is the first thing, you are going to do?!"
"Destroy him!"
"Good answer," I smirked, as the roof of their cage shattered, the maelstrom surrounding their prison clearing it of the salty water. Now to sit back, and relax. Hey I did my share of the work. Eighteen years of it! Sure the last few years of it I dropped on little Megara, but did all the work for over a decade! I needed a break! I earned it! "Not so fast my optic friend, I have a special job for you,"
Bright Eye was of no use to me against Zeus. Even in his old age he could destroy that idiotic creature. I mean Odysseus tricked him, and Odysseus was one of the stupidest mortals ever to walk this planet! Homer tried to make him seem smarter, but I knew that idiot when he was still alive. Nonetheless it meant Bright Eye was the perfect tool to send after the crippled Blunderboy. Who knows, Nutmeg tagged on his heels like a dog, maybe Bright Eye would teach her a lesson too after he finished with the walking natural disaster. As long as he took care of her after dealing with that obnoxious supernova of cheer. Would be nice having her around Tartarus. Especially during the summer when my dear little Sephie wasn't around to keep me company. At least she was safe down in Tartarus while I destroyed her arrogant family (let's see mommy dearest react to that!). That'll teach 'em to try and keep us apart!
I followed the Titans, who seemed extremely excited to be out of their prison. They were stretching their metaphorical arms, leaving a path of oblivion in their wake. Would make their approach to Olympus a tad noticeable. But hey, beggars can't be choosers now, huh? I let them stretch their destructive limbs and followed their lumbering course towards Olympus. Between the howling wind, bumbling lava, screaming ice, and roaring stone, I had to admit I was surprised Olympus hadn't noticed us sooner than they did, especially considering those idiots wouldn't stop bellowing my brother's name!
The Titans were almost at the summit of Olympus by the time the rallying cry began to make a difference. The pantheon of idiots rallied behind their leader (a position that was soon to be mine!) but it had been so long since they had done a modicum of work that they weren't able to organize themselves. The Titans would run over them, well, like lava, a tornado, a blizzard, and an earthquake were all having a party. Cheers! This called for a martini. Later though. Work first, celebrate soon enough. Man what I wouldn't do to still have Nutmeg on my side to see this. She'd see what a real man can do, instead of that buffoon! What did she see in him? Hey, maybe now that infallible "hero" rejected that betraying little temptress she'd come crawling back to me. The one who gave her shelter, a purpose, a job. Who loved her.
The realization hit me like a mountain dropped on my head. I love her. I clicked my tongue. She always kept me company during the long months without Persephone. Granted she seemed to loathe every minute of it. But there was more than one occasion where she'd give in and have a nice little chit-chat. I mean it took half a carafe of absinthe to loosen her tongue for the first several times. Stubborn dame didn't like to talk about herself a whole lot. But she wasn't like most mortals. Not many were as loyal as she was. I mean, selling her soul for that moron she took as a lover? That's some hardcore loyalty there. She was also brave, never backing away from any monster I sent her after. And have you seen that body? She had a figure that could rival Aphrodite! I would win her back once Olympus was mine. How could anyone tun away the head of the Pantheon? The ruler of the gods? The ruler of the cosmos.
My band of merry men and I crested the summit of Olympus, into the city sculpted from the sky itself, watching the earthen Titan shatter those golden gates, disturbing the peaceful mist settling on those perfect floors. Such a bright and lively place. Smelled nice too. Much better than that dank underworld. The place of death and nightmares. Smelling of lichen and stone. You know what brimstone smells like? Yeah imagine living with that smell wafting over several times a day. Lovely.
"Boom, bada-boom, boom, boom, yeah!" I cheered, as that idiotic clumsy Titan began manically kicking anything within range of his foot. The brothers seemed to be enjoying themselves wasting no time in gathering up those feeble "gods". I was recalling the days back when the Titans ruled. The mortals were kept in their place, groveling at the feet of the Titans. Chaos reigned. It was a lot more fun. Eris would certainly agree with me.
Once the gods were rounded up I figured Pain and Panic could handle the small job of chaining them up and maintaining watch while my attentions turned to Zeus. With the other fools out of my way I could finally complete this plan. It was so close I could taste it. Victory tasted pretty good! Like chicken. But chicken tastes like everything. Pain and Panic seemed to be enjoying their moment of glory, marching the chained gods around while my Titans gathered around Zeus, encasing him in a prison of frozen (solidified? Ah screw semantics) lava.
"Zeussy, I'm ho-ome!" I chimed. Ah, pop-culture references. Confused? The fates keep claiming they can't reveal the future but they spill the beans with any form of flattery. They, in the end, were just as stupid as the rest of the gods. Unfortunately for me I needed them more than I'd like to admit so I'm forced to treat them with the respect they don't deserve.
"Hades! You're behind this!"
"You are correct, sir!"
"Hades... why Brother?" He sounded surprised, as if this comeuppance wasn't centuries overdue. My face twisted, and I felt the flames on my body growing significantly hotter. Reel it in big boy... reel it in. I tried to calm myself.
"Why?!" I bellowed, Okay not doing a good job of reeling it in. Try again. "Why?"I repeated, managing to control my tone better. "Let's think about this, okay? Brother." I sneered, urging my chariot to circle Zeus. "You sit up here on your pedestal. You sit up here looking down on everyone. The mortals you're supposed to "rule", the Titans you boastfully defeated "while just a youth!" seriously, you have any idea how many times I've heard that story? But you also look down, well, figuratively and literally," I rolled my eyes, "on Tartarus. You look down on me. You claim giving me dominion over the entire underworld was a reward. You been there Zeussy? You really ever been there? Is it really as nice as you claim?" I mocked, "Up here in a paradise that puts Elysium to shame, you try to claim you rewarded me. Well go there! Go to Tartarus!" I snarled. "Cold, damp, oh and don't even get me started on the smell." I waved a hand before my nose. "Up here, it's all spring breeze, a summer on the coast, clear autumn nights with the leaves... down there? The smell of lichen growing on stone walls. Brimstone belching up from the bowels of the earth. Stagnant water, oh, how could I forget. The most important of all. Death. It's dark, cold, wet, and smelly. It's not an honor to rule Tartarus. You stuck me with it because no other god would take the assignment. You stuck me there because I trusted you! My brother! I trusted you wouldn't deceive me!" I screamed,
"You're crazy! All that time down there messed with your head. I never told you were never allowed topside! You're the one who hid away like a hermit all these centuries! I was lucky to see you once a decade!" Zeus shouted back in that voice that caused thunder clouds to roll in overhead, static lightning crackling as his temper rose. I was actually quite surprised he hadn't erupted yet. Huh, learn something new, right?
"I'm the crazy one?" I laughed, "I hid down there because I had no desire to be around any of you!"
"I swear Hades when I get out of here," The storm clouds grew thicker but so did the lava encasing him, finally shutting him up. Something felt wrong. I couldn't identify it, but a sudden sense of dread fell over me. I ignored it. Probably just not used to the idea I had finally won after all this time. But still I couldn't quite place this but I had a strange feeling something might be about to go wrong.
"I'm the one giving orders now, bolt boy and I think I'm gonna like it here," I sat back against a throne, materializing that martini I mentioned earlier with a flamboyant wave of my hand. Hey, I'm nothing if not a showboat! Besides, I earned my bragging rights. Eighteen years of planning, centuries of waiting, eons of sitting in Tartarus. But I was finally back in paradise.
"Don't get too comfortable Hades!" An annoying voice carried through the stormy air. That obnoxious brat! How did he... Then I realized why I felt something wrong. Megara must have been hurt. I tried to focus on her soul, but Hercules was proving to be too distracting. I had spat our my martini in surprise, and before I had a moment to react he broke the enchanted chains that prevented the other gods from retaliating, and then infuriatingly figured out the new volcanic peak contained his father. No no no no no! This is going downhill too fast! I growled, barking at the Titans as they fumbled against this kid. It took a young Zeus to defeat them before, why couldn't the only ones strong enough to survive the slaughter take down one half-mortal child?! I pointed, screaming, my anger rising. Too fast, this is happening too fast! I was doused in lava, doused in ice, my hair blown out. Get control of this Hades! You planned this for too long to fail now! Over one stupid irritating (sexy) mortal woman! She did something to get out of the deal. I no longer had dominion over Hercules's strength for 24 (well 23 now) hours. That was what I was feeling. My grip on his strength vanishing.
I mounted my chariot, to avoid being caught in the sweeping devastation left in the wake of that blundering fool. This can't be happening. This isn't happening. I'll go to Tartarus, get my head back around correctly. For once I was completely lost. I had it planned. For almost two decades I had it planned. It was perfect down to the last detail. Hercules was without his strength. I refocused on that one mortal soul I cared about. Megara. But I felt it, strongly. Which meant it was within my grasp again. She's dying. I would clue myself in as to why soon enough, but it was one hell of a consolation prize. And I was gonna' rub that into Zeussy Jr's smug face.
"Thanks a ton Wonderboy!" Mocking him with that silly nickname bestowed onto him by the little tremptress who broke his heart, and mine. "but at least I have one swell consolation prize! A friend of yours," I knew that dear little Megara had fallen in love with him. But I wanted to make him think there was no chance of anything with her. She was mine. "who's dying to see me," I smirked, stressing that one word. She was dying because of him. She did something to get herself killed, and knowing the little mink it was probably to protect him. Such a noble little brat. Always doing something rash for the next ball of muscles heading her way.
I was only halfway back to Tartarus when I felt that connection finally snap back into place. The little dearie is dead. Which means she'll be back home. With me. Where she belongs. Well I wasn't lying when I called her a consolation prize. Getting her back was something I could settle for. In time she could learn to love me like she loved that idiot. But I could settle into that happiness later. For now, I was absolutely enraged. And she had to know it. She was why I lost. Once... home (this place will never be a real home) I waited on the river Lethe for Charon's boat to cross with her soul aboard. I would snatch her, I would teach her what happens to those who cross me. It wasn't long before I saw them, and paid her a visit. Charon tried toting some protests but I grabbed that stubborn woman,
"Me and Meggie-poo just need to have a chat,"
"You lost. Don't be a sore loser," Even death couldn't wipe off that sarcastic tone. Normally I admire it. Kinda like my own. But right now I could strangle you for it. I thought, trying hard to reel my anger back but failed. Miserably.
"I can make your afterlife a living nightmare," I threatened, hoping to change that sarcasm into fear. True, desperate, visceral fear. Charon interjected with more protests and threats about the Erinyes and it took quite a bit of self control not to throw him overboard. I needed him, pissing him off wasn't likely to bode well in my favor. Well, I could piss him off a little. I grabbed my dearest Megara and with a flick of my wrist we stood above a cliff overlooking Lethe.
I suppose not everything sucks about Tartarus. This particular spot was always my favorite. Had a lovely view of the river, far enough so I couldn't hear those pesky souls whining all the time. I liked to just sit here and think. I had brought that scrawny (boy did she fill out nicely!) mortal here many times to try and settle the emotional wreck into a more useful tool. And a more useful tool she became. But she still kept a wall up between us. She never let me get close to her. Not like Wonderbread the miracle dough-boy. But now she would never see him again. She was with me, for eternity. She would learn to love me the way she thinks she loves him. But he turned on her first chance he got! Just like the boy she sold her soul for. She need someone who could treat her right. I mean I loved her, but that didn't mean I put her on some perfect pedestal. She ruined my chance at earning what I deserved. She didn't deserve Elysium. She didn't earn paradise. She kept me from setting things right. From correcting the cosmos, from teaching my arrogant little brother (that petulant little whelp!) She doesn't deserve Elysium!
"You don't get Elysium for what you did!" Still not doin' too good controlling that temper, huh? I reached out to her, to that auburn hair. I always loved running my hand through it, her hair was somehow always so soft. And for a woman who lived in Tartarus she always smelled so... alive. I would certainly miss that. As I reached for her hair there was no substance to it. But she flinched away from my touch, you will love me in time. You'll see I'm the one who knows you best. I'm the one who can make you happiest. You never belonged in that pathetic mortal realm. Tartarus has always been your true home. Will always be. Fear flickered in her eyes, but her face still scowled at me,
"A deal's a deal Hades," She backed away from my touch. "You don't own me anymore," Oh Meg, you couldn't be more wrong. As lord of the dead I own you by definition. "It's not my fault you can't earn victory when it's handed to you on a platter." She quipped. Handed? Handed?! You mouthy, misguided, idiotic, FOOL! I thought. Okay well that's a more... family-friendly version of the names I wanted to call her. C'mon it's a family flick after all. But she had the gall to think my near-victory was handed to me?! That I didn't slave for two decades for it? That I didn't wait for eons for my chance at retribution? She had no appreciation for what hard work is. For what it's like to want something so desperately it almost drives you mad. To work for something harder than you've ever worked at anything. I may love the girl, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to put that whelp into her place.
"This coming from little miss 'I'm through with man-handling how'd that work out, huh? You always make such good decisions, this one musta' panned out just like you planned!" I taunted. I'm sure in that perfect little fantasy you cooked up in your head, some fanciful idea of being welcomed into Hercules's arms, of happily ever after? Oh no Megara. The villains it seems never get their happy endings. And you dear, are no hero. I saw that look of stubborn pride melt away into raw fear. Wide eyes, dilated pupils, flaring nostrils. That's better. "Oh calm down," I teased, "I'm not casting you down to the Fields of Punishment," I added. If I sent her there she would be permanently out of my reach. Even I'm not crazy enough to venture into that place. I may be pretty pissed at her, but not that pissed. I wanted her within my grasp. I wanted her with me. I wanted to be able to beckon her to my side, to enjoy her company whenever I wanted. I'm sure I could even find a way to make her corporeal again. Maybe fetch her body, assuming bicep boy doesn't give her a viking's funeral. "Even that's too good for you," I continued, "I say you deserve to be trapped forever in a river of death, only to come out at my command, yeah that's good! I see. But for now, it's curtains! Take a bow, blow a kiss, goodnight, no encore!" Before she could protest, spit more insults, more smug looks, more sarcasm, I pushed her into the river Lethe.
"I'll get over this," I assured myself, watching her soul fail until it hit the water. pinching my nose. Now that Megara was dealt with I could deal with the fact I lost. I stormed to my throne room where Pain and Panic were cowering, their many Pegasus-induced-injuries still healing themselves. The throne room was cold, dark, and very damp. Condensation was coating the walls, and my map in the center of the room cracked. And so did my resolve. "We were so close!" I exploded, all my rage, frustration, devastation, heartbreak, was let out all at once. Flames burning a nearly invisible blue-white heat filled the chamber. I had it. I had it! Victory on a platter. Right there. The gods were in chains, Zeus trapped, Hercules helpless to stop me. "So close, and we tripped at the finish line. Why? Because our little Nut-Meg had to go all noble"The word left a sour taste in my mouth.
I heard a deep rumbling, and both my imps looked at the wall just in time to be violently hurled across the room as Cerberus came charging through, Hercules the Godly Hero on his back. I did feel a twinge of pity for imps. Just a twinge. Not enough to act on.
"Where's Meg?!" His voice carried a little too well and I began to feel a headache forming. This was the last thing I wanted to deal with.
"Oh, look who's here. Wonderboy, you are too much," I smiled, and I began to wonder if my rage finally just came full circle into pure lunacy. If he was here maybe I did succeed somewhere. Seeing this pain in face was pretty damn satisfying. If I lost at least I knew the reason for my loss was suffering.
"Let. Her. Go." So insistent. Guess that excessively nice hero forgot his manners, not even a 'Please'?
"Get a grip," I advised. He really needed to learn reality didn't warp itself around him. "Come here, come here, let me show you around," I slipped an arm around his shoulder, to his revulsion I'm sure. But his discomfort was my joy. Didn't have far to walk, my throne room was a stone's throw from the cliff where I tossed his dearest Meggie from. "Hmm, well well it's a small Underworld after all, huh?" In truth, Tartarus was massive. Bigger than the mortal realm actually. But I cared not to venture most of it. Well the savior of the cosmos saw his 'true love' floating unmoving and unconscious in my river, amid the other of the Lethe.
"Meg!" Ah, that's the desperation I want to hear in his voice. Maybe he'd do something rash. He stupidly shoved his hands into the river, which aged immediately. What? You thought that river was supposed to be imbued with power to make his skin impenetrable? Achilles was a story, nothing more. A tale to lure stupid mortals to dive into the water.
"Ah-ah-ah, mustn't touch," I corrected, "Ya see, Meg's running with a new crowd these days. And not a very lively one at that," Again, wanting to stress she was very, very, dead. I want to see him desperate, I wanted to see that heartbreak in his eyes. I wanted him to feel responsible for her fate. Guess he was her weakness, not just the other way around. But look where it got them. Love brought them both nothing but pain and suffering. But instead of devastation, he looked... suddenly happy? Well you certainly have a morbid side you supernova of joy
"You like making deals. Take me in Meg's place," He offered. Hmm... that's... unexpected.
"Hmm... The son of my hated rival trapped forever in a river of death," I liked the ring of that, but... "Is there a downside to this?" I continued, trying to think this through quickly as he began a countdown. "Okay!" I interrupted after he got to two. "okay, okay, okay, okay! You get her out, she goes. You stay," I agreed. I could be patient. Let Megara live out her mortal life (hey who knows, accidents happen. She could come back home sooner than you'd think!) she'd be back with me eventually one way or the other. He wasted no time to dive into the river, and I smirked, "Oh, you know what slipped my mind? You'll be dead, before you can get to her," I don't have to wait for her to die again. You'll never succeed. Win-win for me! "That's not a problem, is it?"
I watched him swim, and watched him aging the deeper he dove. Oh don't look at me like that, I'm a God my eyes are better than yours! Of course I could see that much detail. Well I watched him age, and quickly too. But then something happened. He suddenly began to glow. His hand was clasping around her wrist. NO! He rose, swimming upwards with haste that could put the Nereids to shame. No no no no no no no
"Th-this is impossible... you-you can't be alive you'd have to be a... a..."
"God?" I heard my imps finish, apparently finished healing up from Cerberus's unscheduled playtime. Well. There's that rage again. I exploded into flames and gibberish, clawing at my face, wishing to undo the cosmos.
"Hercules! Stop! You can't do this to me! You ca-" He cut me off with a punch to the face. I felt the bones in my face collapse, blood filled my mouth. But in an instant I was fine again. Didn't mean it didn't hurt. But I guess maybe I owed him that one for putting Megara into Lethe instead of letting Charon take her to Elysium. Maybe if she was there I could still revel in her death, and Hercules's suffering. "Okay listen, hah! Well... I deserved that. Herc Herc Herc!" I scrambled to catch up to him, "Can we talk? Y-your dad, he's a fun guy. Maybe you can put in a word for him and he can... blow this whole thing off, huh? Meg! Meg... talk to him," Okay maybe Lethe was a bad choice, she'll stay asleep for a while... "a little... schmooze," Maybe encouraging her to kiss him would wake her groggy soul up. But I pretty much instantly realized my mistake. Touching her and trying to get her to kiss him was not my smartest move. And Hercules had to punctuate it.
His fist caved my skull in again, this time with enough force I felt teeth hurl into my lungs, my spine snap, and I was sent hurling into Lethe. My bones began to knit, my spine healing, the teeth finding their way out of my lung tissue and back into my jaw. It was not pleasant. I learned a new appreciation for just how much it must such to be Prometheus.
So this kids, is where you left me off. Falling down into Lethe, Hercules running off with the girl, Zeus and his pantheon ruling Olympus. No one leaned their lesson. Megara was as arrogant and blindsided by a man as always, Hercules faced no consequences for any of his actions, Zeus is as arrogant as ever, and here I am, the one who tried to make everything right, fighting my way back out of Lethe. But remember kids, you noticed I liked to make deals. I'm good at them. Most people's problem? They muddle themselves with fine print and red tape. I keep mine black and white. This for that. Tit for tat. Hercules's soul for Megara's. As you see, I am lacking a soul. So no, this isn't the end of my story. It's the beginning of a new chapter. Don't lose that bookmark!
And here it is. I am still not happy with it, but I don't think I ever would be I just struggle to write Hades. But I promised a Hades Perspective and I think this is the best I will ever do.