The second he appeared in Mount Olympus, Hades immediately began regretting his decision.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US! TOLD THEM! OUR CHILD COULD HAVE DIED DUE TO YOUR NEGLIGENCE!" Lord L'Zoril was shouting, and Hades felt a slightly pleased that he was able to recall his name. Until it sunk it. L'Zoril was shouting.
Okay, it had to be bad then.
The Earth Gods and two of the Martian Gods were having a standoff, glaring at each other in a rage-fueled way that had him rolling his eyes. Figures that when he finally decides to visit that it'd be right when they were in the middle of a shouting match. Ugh. Drama bad. Why didn't anyone else see this?!
A weird electrical feeling started to surge through his being and Hades managed to jump back just in the nick of time to avoid having H'ronmeer teleport on top of him. Stupid fire god with his inability to focus...
"He is seriously pissed off at us right now." H'ronmeer stated, rubbing his temples. "I'm talking stripping our powers pissed."
Seeing fire god calm and the dream god angry reminded Hades of yet again how messed up things had gotten while he was away.
"We didn't know this was going to happen!" C'eridyall insisted, her eyes blazing. "Had no idea THAT SOME MAD GOD WAS OUT THERE PLANNING ON--"
Athena bristled. "Oh and we did?! We had no idea what was going through Rao's head! He's been g--" A pulse crashed into her body, making her fall to the floor with a groan. She knew she was immortal and all but seriously...ow.
The God of War snarled and responded by firing an energy bolt at the Martian Goddess, which was intercepted by Lord L'Zoril, who deflected it back. Ares absorbed it into his body, his dark eyes flashing. "Do NOT do that again." He'd gotten his title for a reason after all, and if they thought he was going to hold back just because they were Martian...they really had another thing coming.
Ignoring the little ego battle going on between the two, H'ronmeer turned towards Zeus, who was staring down at the scene below him. "You knew that Rao was there. You knew that he was planning something. So why, why didn't you warn us? Warn them?"
The King of the Gods walked away from the scene, slumping down into his thrown with a defeated air about him. "I didn't...think he was going to do anything of this extent." He croaked. "...I didn't want...Kal-El to know of his return."
"And that" C'eridyall hissed. "is what makes this YOUR fault."
Zeus said nothing.
()
Dick fidgeted in his seat once more as he shot a concerned look at Bruce's body, which they'd managed to move upstairs to the den. They hadn't been able to get him all the way to his room; he'd started shivering in his sleep halfway there. Upon seeing said shivering, Alfred had snapped at them to instead move him to the couch. He didn't really understand why but he'd helped to make Bruce as comfortable as possible, all the while peppering the butler with questions.
Except he wasn't answering them. Not completely anyway.
The lights were out. The curtains were drawn. He wasn't allowed to turn on the TV or listen to the radio. Everything was so freaking quiet.
Alfred came back in the room once again and he scowled at the older man. "He's been out for hours."
"I'm well aware of that, Master Dick."
"Why?" He figured that pretty much covered all the questions he had to ask.
"I believe it's because he's tired."
His eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Are you three Master Dick? Surely you are capable of forming more complex sentences than that?"
Dick gritted his teeth. Maybe he better start with the basics..."What's wrong with him?"
A blank look. One that lasted for quite a few seconds until Alfred suddenly blurted out, "He's mated to a Martian."
He felt his eye twitch. "Right, Alfred. Cute. REAL cute." Gave the couch a sharp kick, knowing that he was acting childish but not caring. "Why won't you tell me what's wrong?!"
"I just did, sir." The patronizing sigh that followed those words didn't sooth his temper at all.
Fear started to seep into his very bones as he screeched, "He's sick, is that it?! Is he dying?! He's dying isn't he!?"
A startled look. "I certainly hope not."
Dick fought to control his breathing, on the verge of hyperventilating. "Why—why won't you tell me?! You don't think I'm mature enough, IS THAT IT?!"
Alfred raised an eyebrow. "Whatever would give you that idea, Master Dick?"
"I AM MATURE! I AM SO MATURE!"
Tim chose that moment to walk in and at seeing Dick's face he tried to sneak back out...
"TIM!"
Too late.
Saw Dick point at him and groaned.
"TIM! TELL ALFRED I'M MATURE!"
Rolling his eyes, he turned towards the butler and said in a dead-pan voice, "Alfred, Dick is totally mature."
At hearing his tone, Dick bristled. "I A--"
"IF YOU DON'T SHUTUP I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!!" Bruce suddenly roared out, making all three of them jump ten feet in the air.
Alfred cleared his throat. "Master Bruce, do try to--"
"Bite me!"
Tim gawked, then decided that being in the same room as a temperamental Bat was really not smart and discreetly left the room.
Even though Bruce was yelling at him, like usual, Dick couldn't help but relax. If he was threatening to kick ass then things couldn't be all that bad, right? "Bruce, you're awa--"
"SHUT.UP."
The death threat written in those sleep-filled blue eyes quickly made him back down, nodding his head up and down wildly. "O-okay...okay...quiet. I'll be quiet."
Realized he couldn't keep his promise and went to leave the room when Bruce muttered out, his words slurring slightly, "An' m'not dying...so shtop worryin..."
Dick smiled as he left the room, relieved. At seeing Tim snickering, the relief was soon replaced by irritation, as he snapped, "Thanks for sticking up for me there, bro."
"Oh come on! I told Alfred you were mature!"
He scoffed. "Yeah, but you didn't MEAN it!"
"I'm so sorry. I feel completely and utterly ashamed of myself."
"THERE'S THAT TONE AGAIN!"
"I DON'T HAVE A TONE YOU SISSY!"
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!"
Twin gulps, as they registered the utter rage in his voice. "Sorry!"
Followed Tim as they moved away from the door and down the hall, towards the kitchen. "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
His younger brother shrugged. "According to Alfred he's mated to a Martian." He paused thoughtfully. "I don't know what that means but--"
"Wait you believe that?!" Dick asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Oh come on!"
"When has Alfred ever lied to us?"
Well...he had a point. But it was just so...mated...to a...to a...no. Just...just...no. No way. "How could that even—it's not POSSIBLE T--"
"DICK!"
"OH COME ON BRUCE! WE'RE NOT EVEN THAT CLOSE TO THE DAMN DOOR!" Dick yelled back, annoyed that their conversation kept getting interrupted.
"ALFRED! I WANT THEM OUT!"
The butler materialized out of nowhere and began leading them down to the cave. "I believe you'll be able to converse amongst yourselves down here without bothering Master Bruce."
Went to leave, only to stop as Dick blurted, "He's not really mated to a Martian, is he?!"
"GODDAMNIT DICK!!"
What his older brother shouted Tim wasn't really sure. It sounded something like 'blow it out your ass, Bruce!' but he could be mistaken, what with Alfred's hands covering his ears and all.
"Master Richard!"
Okay...judging by the use of Dick's first name...he was probably right on that account.
Dick responded by sinking into the chair in front of the batcomputer, a loud sigh escaping him. "Sorry Alfred." Wasn't going to apologize to Bruce though. Nope. Stupid bastard deserved it.
The stern look didn't lessen any. "Due to...certain...circumstances...Master Bruce's senses have evolved. As you can see, it is rather difficult for him to get a good rest."
"Evolved...so...like...Superman, kind of?" Tim asked, his voice low.
Alfred paused thoughtfully. "I suppose."
He let out a whistle. "Wow. That has to suck."
Dick coughed. "Soo I'm guessing...he...probably heard the whole...uh..." A glance at Tim. "thing I said...just now...?"
An amused look. "Most definitely, yes."
He groaned. "Great."
()
Hades stood back, his eyes closed as he absorbed everything he'd been able to gather so far. So Raowas back, hmm? And Instead of informing the League of it, Zeus had decided to keep it to himself.
I didn't want...Kal-El to know of his return.
He knew why.
Centuries ago, Zeus had sired a son. It wasn't his first nor his last, but the child had been marvelous. Strong, handsome, smart and kind. The biggest heart...he'd gone around helping those in need, doing good and thwarting evil.
Hercules.
Kal-El was so very much like him.
The Martian Gods had every right to be angry at Zeus. Hell, the Earth Gods were angry with him. And Hades was tempted himself to join the shouting party and berate him for letting his emotions overrule his judgment yet again. Had Zeus been anyone but his younger brother, he might have done so. Instead, he simply walked over and knelt next to Zeus, who was cradling his head in his hands.
"Zeus."
His head jerked up and Hades felt the last of his anger drain away as he looked into those miserable eyes. "I really messed up, Hades."
"Yes. You did. Now let's say we go about fixing it, hmm?"
There was one last self-pitying sigh, then his brother stood up, head held high, looking every bit the King he was thought to be. "This is what we're going to do..."
()
I'm sorry if it's not the touching heart-warming thing you were expecting but...it's the bat-family...since when do they do things normal? Seriously, I wanna know...