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Son of Zeus

I want my baby back, baby back, ribs…

barbecue sauce…

AN: In Dual Nature one, the realm of Hades was taken into the world of Chaos, by the God Chaos.

Hercules watched as another catapult round landed on Athens. Some had come to wonder why it was Hercules had become as he was now. A dangerous warlord on the march for domination.

8

Two months Ago, Hades with-in the Land of Chaos.

Hercules was trapped in unbreakable vines forced to watch as the worst moment of his life replayed before him. How did he get here? He remembered fighting a bunch of bandits when purple smoke engulfed him. Now he was in Hades. Surely he wasn't killed, so why was he here?

A tall lanky figure in a purple court jester outfit appeared before him. This being wore a purple crown that pointed in seven directions. The being smiled darkly at Hercules, Hercules could tell that this being did not mean well. He spoke, "I'm Chaos, the God of Chaos, Trial, and Choice. Welcome to my nightmare."

Hercules demanded, "Who are you and why am I here?"

Chaos replied with enthusiasm, "I never liked you. So big, so strong, so perfect, so irritating. No wonder ratings were better on the Xena. By the way, you and Iolaus never…well…you know." Hercules looked at the God in disgust.

"Anyway, I'm here to ensure one thing. Madness, evil and insanity. Trust me, you're going to love it," stated Chaos.

Hercules demanded, "Release me…"

Chaos interjected, "Or what, I'll be sorry? Jerkules you could never get your hands on me. Best part, Xena will never come for you. You will remain in here. Forever. Now for the madness." Chaos formed a creature.

The spirit creature stood seven feet tall. It sprouted wing, powerful fangs, and devils horns its head. It was black, like a shadow. It was cold like a deep winter night. It was barren like the desert. Chaos spoke with pride, "This creature is called Madness. He will be your partner, for the rest of your life. Enjoy Hercules. Enjoy." Chaos laughed as he disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

Hercules looked at the dark creature. It spoke in a chilling broken voice. A kind of voice that cut the soul, "I am Madness." The shadowy creature leapt into Hercules head. Hercules cried out in pain as his head felt as if it might explode. Then the world changed, and everything Hercules saw changed along with. The image of Hercules' children being killed by Hera. His only thought was 'Damn the Gods, I will destroy them.' Hercules saw the images of the people who he saved. His thoughts were 'Destroy the swine.'

The creature spoke in his mind, "The day will come when we are free. When the day we will lay the world low before us, Emperor Hercules." However Hercules is still ultimately Hercules, just that it is Hercules with his good side completely suppressed by the force known only as Madness.

8

Hercules could still hear the voice of the creature Madness as it replaced all of Hercules thoughts with its own. Hercules thoughts which would have been what am I doing were instead centered around his plan to conquer these simple mortals and making them bow before Hercules the Great.

A soldier came up to him saying, "Sir, you have someone wishes to have an audience with you."

Hercules said coldly, "What makes him think that he can speak with me?"

The soldier said quickly and cautiously, "well she is Callisto and he is Borias and they have captured Iolaus." Hercules knew who Borias was but he had never been informed that Borias was the father of Solan. Ares had kept that detail from him as a respect to Xena. Hercules turned with a cold grin saying, "Well! Send them in."

Callisto and Borias stood before Hercules. Callisto had never met Hercules but she knew well what he was supposed to look like. However she noticed the traditional brown leather pants and the yellowish white vest-shirt was replaced with Jet black leather gauntlets and thick black leather armor covering his chest. The light in Hercules eyes that had been talked about was replaced with darkness.

She spoke, "Commander Hercules I present Iolaus to you as a present and humbly request to enlist your army."

Hercules approached Callisto with an evil swagger, "I know who you are Callisto, what makes you think I will trust you."

Callisto maintained her position against the overbearing Hercules, "I have not betrayed any I work for."

Hercules breathed in the face of Callisto with his nose. She did not blink as he stated, "You killed Tillian. You think any secrets what you have was kept from me by Ares. He told me."

"I was a child and he was grown man. He should have kept his hands to himself." Replied Callisto as she carefully hid her own surprise at the question.

Hercules nodded, "Very well. Borias, how many people have you betrayed. You murdered Ming Tzu. You had the northern amazons wiped out. You revolted against Xena."

"Most of that was Xena," Stated Borias

Hercules snarled, "You can't control your soldiers?"

Borias held his ground as his voice raised an octive, "No one controls Xena. Ask your God of War."

Hercules glared at them carefully, "Very well. I will be watching you. Dismissed."

Borias and Callisto left the tent, glad to get out of his presence. Borias whispered in Callisto's ear, "I hope we aren't leaving Iolaus to his death."

Callisto stated with confidence, "I have a plan, and I don't expect Hercules can kill Iolaus."

8

Meanwhile in the tent

Hercules head Iolaus up by his throat. Choking him with one hand. Hercules said, "So you've ran out of hunters tricks?"

Iolaus struggled to breathe as Hercules continued, "You were always a pest. How many times did I have to save your pointless, useless, mortal life?" He threw him to the ground. Iolaus tried speak as Hercules put his foot on Iolaus' throat.

Iolaus struggled to speak, "This isn't you Hercules. Military campaigns. You would be fighting people who were doing what you're doing."

Hercules took his foot off Iolaus and bent down, grabbing his throat again choking him. He then said, "You presume to be telling me what I do, little man." He released him and then kicked him the ribs, not enough to break them as Hercules would ensure that Iolaus' death to be slow and very, very painful.

8

Callisto and Borias moved around the camp with ease, as they were considered a part of the army now. Most of the men were either working with the siege units attacking Athens, or resting. Callisto was a little tired. She'd barely slept since Solan was taken. She was more concerned about the him, then she was her own needs. The biggest problem would be freeing Solan, and rescuing Iolaus at the same time. However, Callisto did have a plan.

8

Xena and Gabrielle were experiencing one cold and sleepless night. They had put some considerable distance between themselves and the army of Selenta. Having been forced to retreat from the fight while knowing that Solan was currently captured by the warlord. Xena was overcome with worry for her son, even as Gabrielle tried to help relieve her, she knew that she couldn't case it was Xena's son, and she was going to worry until he was sage.

It is not often Xena experiences defeat like this. Tomorrow the Theban Army will besiege Athens and there was nothing to stop them. She wondered about Borias, Callisto and the Centaurs. She didn't know what had occurred to them, if they were even still alive.

Another question on Xena's mind was who had sounded her war cry, who could do that, and why would that person do that. With all things considered Xena would not give up, she would not quit. Tomorrow was another day and Xena's nothing if not focused. All due time.

8

That night Athens was in flames and the Catapults of Hercules rained down upon them. Athens prayed for a miracle, but would they get one? The fires raging throughout Athens were not positive signs. Time will tell.