Having been sent in Greece, Valeria Darby was exploring Athens to learn about its ancient history. So far, she visited the Tower of winds, the temple of Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium. She also saw multiple advertisements for a blood donation, organized by businesswoman Rita Alvares. But as Val was looking in a shop display, she saw a brutish-looking bearded man, wearing a lion skin looking at her. She turned back but no one was here.
" I'm literally in the reflection, Valeria. I suggest you find a calmer spot, just to be sure you aren't seen as mad. " The man said
Totally weirded out, and that's saying something coming from the (unofficial) first human to ever travel on another planet, she walked away until she reached a desert alley. Val then took her phone and looked at it. The man returned.
" Okay, pervert. Who the frag are you ? " She asked
" Really, doesn't the lion skin put you on the good track ? " The man mockingly asked
" Don't tell me you are Herakles ? " Val guessed
" It's Her-CU-les. " The greek warrior corrected, with irritation
" Okay, okay. So I guess greek mythology wasn't so mythic after all. " Val guessed
" Every mythology is true, Valeria. But that's not why I'm here. The reason concern your Cybertronian friends." Hercules said, picking her attention
" I'm listening. " Valeria stated
" A very long time ago, one of the thirteen Primes, Megatronus, invaded our world. He wanted to conquer it in Unicron's name. I and five other gods managed to destroy his body and seal his spirit away from Earth. So imagine my shock when Hermes brought us the news that your astronauts inadvertantly freed him and brought him back. " Hercules explained
" Let me guess : I am your descendant and I have to face him. " Val asked
" Not exactly : You are my reincarnation. The mark on your arm is proof of it. " Hercules corrected, making her look at her arm, to see a fist on it. " But enough about this, we must go seek my mace. You inheritated my legendary strenght but you'll need it to be at full power. Help me enter the mortal world and I'll help you more efficiently. "
" And how am I supposed to do this ? I am not a witch. " Valeria asked
" Just hold your hand towards me and I'll come out. " Hercules answered
Val did as he said and Hercules got out of the phone, albeit shrunk and glowing golden
" The mighty Hercules, ladies and gentlemen. " Val snarked
" Why did I have to be like this ? My beautiful muscles are gone. " Hercules whined
" Stop complaining and tell me where your club his. " Val cut him off.
( Ancient Deme of Koile)
After some Time, Val and Hercules finally reached the hiding place of Herc's club : A 20 feet tall statue of the demigod.
" So you want me to destroy this to reach your weapon. " Val resumed
" You have enough strenght to do this. " Hercules encouraged her
" Alright, here goes nothing. " Val muttered
She punched the statue, which crumbled into dust. She stared, dumbfounded, at her hand.
" Miko will be so jealous when I tell her that. " She commented, before looking at the revealed hole. Inside was a grey club made of metal
" Hello, old Friend. Take it, Valeria, and your destiny will be in your reach. " Hercules said
Val nodded and took the weapon. When she did, she felt a total rush of power coursing through her body. She gritted her teeth and groaned loudly as she held her body when it was shifting from a slender frame, to a muscular build like a mountain, her body was growing as the power was changing her, she gained powerful muscular arms and legs which shredded her pants, her shirt was becoming too tight and exploded as her breasts were swelling up like balloons.
When it was all over, Valeria was now standing tall and proud with a powerfully built body, she stood at 7 feet 6 tall, her now H-sized breasts were covered by a breast plate and a thong covered her large behind. Shoulder pads covered her shoulders, armored bracelets were on her forearms and she wore ancient sandals.
" That was such a rush. But I feel so powerful now. " She stated, flexing her muscles
" But are you powerful enough for me ? " A voice asked from behind
Val turned back and saw a bald woman, wearing a white business suit, smirking at her.
She recognized her as Rita Alvarez.
" Mrs Alvarez ? What are you talking about ? " Val asked
" I felt something I hadn't felt in a very long time so I came here to find that my old enemy's weapon had been uncovered. " Alvarez explained, making Hercules gasp in shock
" Valeria, I think I know her true face : An old foe I defeated, Eris. " He explained
" But allow me to demonstrate. " Alvarez said, before taking the true form of Eris, goddess of discord.
" Much better. And with that donation, I'll have the power to plunge greece in chaos and discord. " She boasted " All those who gave their blood are now under my control. I ordered them to attack all they see. the more human bleed, the more I gain in slaves and in power. "
" You will have to go through me first. " Val stated, taking her mace
" Alright. " Eris responded, flying at Val and punching her.
Val retaliated by punching her in the gut and striking her with her mace. Eris was pushed back in a tree and Val moved to finish her but she caught the mace and the two tried to push back each other. Their struggle creaked open the ground.
" You have potential, Valeria Darby, but you still are no match for me. My body's old host is quite the information source about you. " Eris said, changing her face into that of...
" Airachnid ?! " Val yelled in shock
Seeing her foe's distraction, Eris uppercutted her, sending her in the sky. The blue goddess flew after her and punched her a few times again before drop-kicking her in the cracked ground they created. Val disappeared, screaming, in the Darkness of the Earth.
" Enjoy the afterlife, Valeria. Now to complete my plan for the master. " She said, before going away
( With Valeria )
The honorary Prime continued to fall until she plunged in a river. She swam back to the surface and gasped to catch oxygen, and she swam to the shore, crawled then laid on her back. She thought about what happened back to the surface. How could she have allowed herself to be distracted by Airachnid's face ? Well, no matter, next time there would be no distractions.
But a growl halted her thoughts. She turned back and thought she would faint in fright : a 15 feet tall dog with three heads, and a black fur with a tail in the shape of a snake was standing there. The middle and right head snarled at her but the left head was looking at her with curiosity. The middle head seemed to feel this and bited the left head's ear to make him focus. The left head then yelped and snarled at the middle head before joining the other two in growling, showing flames in their mouths.
" Stop ! Sit ! " A deep and powerful voice resonated in the cave.
The hound immediately sat and a man the same size as Eris appeared from the darkness. He was dressed in a black armor, had black hairs, a handsome face and was holding a bident.
" Be polite to our surprise guest, Cerberus. " The man ordered, petting the dog
Then Val gasped in shock, having put the pieces together : She was in the Underworld and the man was none other than Hades, its master.
" Lord Hades. " She greeted, kneeling before him
" Stand up, Valeria Darby. Daughter of June Darby. Honorary Prime. Sorry about Cerberus, he dislikes living mortals entering here. You fell in the Styx River, you are now invulnerable to all threats physical or magical. Nothing physical or magical can harm you unless, of course, they have weapons plunged into this Styx River. And unlike Achilles, your whole body is covered by the spell. " Hades stated
" Really ? Well then I guess I can give up those. " She said, taking off her shoulder pads, sandals and wrist bracelets.
Just then, Hercules arrived. " Thank the gods, you are safe Valeria. " He said before realizing who was with them " Oh, uncle Hades. " He greeted
" Nephew. " Hades responded " Follow me. "
He turned back and walked further in the cave. Val wanted to get out of here to face Eris again but she knew that upsetting one of the Big Three of Olympus was a big no-no, so she followed Hades.
" Good choice, Valeria. He may be the most calm and reasonable compared to Zeus and Poseidon but his wrath is the greatest. " Hercules whispered
Val ran to catch up to Hades. " Lord Hades, you must certainly know what is happening outside. " She said
" Indeed, all gods know about the Fallen's return. And yes, I will send you back but not before you see my domain. Time fly faster here, so do not worry about being late. " Hades responded, before shadows surrounded them and teleported them away
They arrived in front of three bearded men sitting on a bench. " My three judges, King Minos, Rhadamanthys and Aeacus. " Hades presented
Val bowed to them and they nodded back. Hades and the girl shadow-traveled until arriving in a open and empty plain, where countless souls were wandering aimlessly.
" Asphodel meadows where those who were neither good or evil stay. " Hades stated
They continued until they arrived in more colorful grounds where men, women and children were feasting, drinking and playing.
" Elysium where the most good humans are rewarded. " Hades said
Then the two arrived in a cave where cries of pain and despair were heard everywhere.
" Tartarus, where the most depraved and evil creatures are being punished. " Hades stated in disgust " And where the five titans are emprisonned, being guarded by the three Hecatoncheires. "
Valeria looked around and saw Tantalus, Sysiphus, The Danaides and Ixion undergo their punishments and the three one-hundred-arms giants, before Hades called on shadows to transport them to his throne. A beautiful blond-haired woman dressed in a pale yellow tunic was waiting, sitting on another throne.
" Persephone, my beautiful wife. " Hades greeted
" Hades, my love. " Persephone greeted back before the two put their heads together. They then separated and turned towards Val.
" Greetings, Valeria Darby. " Persephone greeted
" Lady Persephone. " Val greeted back, kneeling
" We, the rulers of the Underworld, grant you the right to return to the world, as it is not your time yet. But be warned, should you and the other chosen ones perish, you will return here until the end of times. But we reserved places for you all in Elysium." Hades stated
" I understand, my lord. But I'm not in a hurry to go there. " Valeria responded
" But before you go, there is someone you must meet. " Persephone added
A soul stepped from the shadows and Valeria gasped in recognizing him. Standing tall and noble, colored in red and blue, he could only be one person.
" Optimus ! " She yelled in joy, rushing to hug him.
Optimus Prime kneeled, took her in his hand and brought her to his torso, that she hugged.
" I am glad to see you too, Valeria. " He said with a smile
" But how ? It's a miracle. " She said
" The Well of the Allspark and Underworld are part of a greater afterlife. Lord Hades and Lady Persephone granted me the right to come to their domain to talk with you. You have grown up during our time together, into a warrior. " Optimus stated
" All thanks to you and the others. " She modestly replied
" We only gave you a nudge. The rest was all you, Valeria. " Optimus responded
" Listen, Optimus. I never got to thank you. " Val said
" What for ? " Optimus asked
" You listened to me, mentored me and well, you're like the father I never had. " She admitted
" Valeria. " Optimus said, trying to not show that he was clearly touched. And failing.
" No, I need you to hear it. You mean so much to me. " Valeria responded
" I love you too, my child. " Optimus responded
He then put her back on the ground before beginning to fade away
" Our time together come to an end. Go forth and fulfill your destiny. " Optimus said
Valeria nodded before saying one last thing " The last Prime will go... Optimus remains. " she said, placing a hand on her heart
Optimus smiled one last time before he disappeared. A single tear ran on Val's cheek. Persephone put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
" The time has come. Go stop Eris, Valeria Darby. " Hades ordered her before covering her in shadows and teleporting her away.
( Stadium )
Valeria and Hercules arrived in a scene of total chaos : Men, women and children were fighting each other as if their humanity disappeared to be replaced by savagery. And in the center of all, Eris stood, laughing.
" Eris ! " Val yelled, making the goddess turn around
" What ?! You again ?! " Eris yelled
" We have unfinished business you and I. " Val said, cracking her knuckles and running at her.
Eris then flew up to avoid her but Val jumped and tackled her and slammed her on the ground before running and grinding her face against the ground then throwing her outside the city. Using her powerful legs, Valeria jumped in a mighty bound and arrived near Eris's landing.
" Had enough ? " Val asked
" Not quite yet. " Eris responded
She then grew to 100 meters tall and grinned viciously.
" Scared spechless, are you ? " Eris taunted before, in a fast movement defying her size, she caught Val and threw her away.
Valeria landed brutally and rebounded a few times before planting her feet in the ground, which slowed her to a halt. She then ran at Eris and she noted that she was running even faster than before.
" Continue Valeria, you are even faster than a horse. " Hercules cheered
Eris shot energy blasts and spider webs at her but Val managed to avoid them then the blue goddess try to punch Val who jumped and landed on the stones thrown in the air by Eris's punch. She then jumped towards Eris's face and struck her with the mace but the goddess retaliated with a double axe handle which sent Val on the ground. Eris then repeatedly stomped on her. But Val then caught her foot and, roaring, she threw Eris away.
The blue goddess landed brutally on the ground but she got up to glare at Valeria, who returned the glare. The two foes then ran at each other and jumped in the air. Eris tried to slam her hand on Val who caught it and then threw Eris even higher. The goddess then gathered energy in her fist.
" Master, grant us the strength I seek, in your name. " She prayed before diving towards Valeria
The latter then jumped again and their fists clashed, creating a huge shockwave. They tried to push each other and their struggle went back and forth until Val punched with her other fist, unbalancing Eris. Valeria then jumped again and went towards Eris lower torso and punched her so hard the goddess's back began to stretch. But Val didn't stopped there and punched her again and again until her arms were nothing but a blurr and Eris continued to stretch.
" Wait stop ! We can discuss this ! " Eris begged
" Discuss with my fists ! " Val responded, punching her one last time.
Eris was sent, screaming, in the sky where her body began to be destroyed from the last punch.
" No ! Aaaaaaaahhhh ! " She screamed before exploding
Val then landed, creating a crater under her feet.
" You were incredible, Valeria. " Hercules congratulated her
" Thanks. " Val responded
( later )
The victims of Eris's mind control recovered and were taken to hospitals who will have their hands full. But as Valeria was observing all of this, she was being surrounded by lights.
" Herc, what's happening to me ? " She asked, panicked
" I know those lights, they are from allies called the Council... " Hercules responded
But he couldn't finish his sentence for Valeria disappeared to parts unknown.
Next time : The fight against the Fallen