((Wow...I COMPLETELY failed! Is it really 2014 already?! Yeah, I am REALLY sorry for making you guys wait for this next update. But to tell you the absolute truth, I was procrastinating it so long because of all the reviews. I actually wrote back to ALL of them, and when I clicked the "submit" button ...it deleted it. ALL of it! I was so mad and angry ...I might have cried a bit too. But my goodness, I have NEVER had as many heart-felt and sweet reviews on ANYTHING I've ever done. And again; to tell you the truth. I didn't think for even a moment that I would get as much love as I have received from you guys and gals. The term "thank you" can't even begin to express how thankful I am without getting all sappy on you. And I think this story has enough sap as it is. Speaking of which...ba ba-da bum bum ba-dum! NEW CHAPTER! (It's kinda sucky.) But it's done! :D I love you guys so, SO much! Thank you again, and God bless.
Special Shout-outs To:
asuvsuofa...Laughs4life...Xitan22...VAH...KPFan3617...fuzzi fox...Anon...kitkat...Guest Reviewer...And Alto-Jazz
I just wanted to thank all ten of you especially. Your encouragement, support, and suggestions mean the world to me! Now...to answer some questions before I move on. "What does Creon need Hercules for?" Well ...let's just say, he has a "proposal" to make with our hero. (hint, hint) "What would Creon say when he finds out the hero is already in a relationship with his older daughter? Well he'd obviously be relieved that she's alive, but what else?" First question: Although you'll find out in this chapter; I still haven't finished with them JUST yet. Second question. Mwah-haha ...Can't tell ya yet. ;) "Are Herc and Meg gonna have kids? And when is Hades gonna show up?" Yes...eventually; Hercules and Meg will have kids. But that won't be for a WHILE. XD As for Hades ...sooner than I hope you think. Possibly 2-5 chapters. :D "Why haven't you updated?!" *nervous laugh* Eh-heh ...I blame school! (not really.) Umm...got sick, theater stuff, etc. OKAY Kris, enough chit-chat! (Fine Kris, stop being so bossy!) No! I won't. Now shut-up! (...K.) :D Buh-bye!))
Being given some time to talk to one another without the influence of Hercules' coach, king Creon led the young man closer to his two daughters and son-in-law. "First of, I would like to begin with an apology." Creon statted.
Hercules looked confused. "A-An apology?...But your magesty, I-"
"Oh...no, no please. I've never cared for formalities, and espically that particular one...Just call me Creon." He inturrupted before Herc could finish his sentence.
"O-Okay your, ugh I mean...Creon." Hercules said, correcting himself. "But...why would you be apologizing? You haven't done anything to me; this is our first meeting."
Creon nodded. "Exactly. You've protected this city since the moment you arrived; asking nothing from me in return. And I haven't even thanked you...personally, I mean. So, from the bottom of my heart...I am sorry. Better late than never, I suppose."
Hercules smiled back. "It was my honor, sir."
"Well then-" smiling back; Creon moved his attention back to Astraia, Jocasta, and Chariton, and gestured for them to come forward. "Putting that aside; I would like to introduce you to my family."
The young man walked behind one of the girls, and put a hand on her waist as she took hold of his free hand in an affectionate way. He had emerald green eyes, black hair, and was at least five inches taller than the woman.
"This is my son-in-law, Chariton." King Creon began as Chariton nodded his head in acknowledgement. "-And my second eldest daughter, Astraia."
Analizing Astraia for a moment, Hercules had to admit; she was a beautiful young woman. She had long, curly blond hair, and blue eyes that rivaled his own.
Clearing his throat, Hercules smiled and nodded his head in a proper way. "It's a pleasure to meet the both of you."
From the corner of his eye, Herc noticed king Creon guiding the other girl forward. She was just as - if not more - beautiful than her sister, and had an innocent smile upon her lips. Her hair was a bright, red-ish color with the same curly texture as Astraia. But what startled Hercules, was the girl's eyes. ...They're purple too.
"And this-" Creon said, pausing to move his hand to the girl's shoulder. "Is my youngest daughter."
Hercules couldn't stop staring at her eyes, and the look on his face made her blush a dark shade of pink. "H-Hello...sir Hercules." She greeted shyly, smiling at the awkwardness in her tone. "I'm umm...I'm Jocasta."
...Astraia and Jocasta? Why do those names sound so familiar?!
Hercules thought. He then realized he must have been staring at her in a strange way, so he shook his head and blinked repeaditly. "Oh! S-Sorry. Umm, it's a pleasure to meet you as well...Jocasta."
After replaying all of what king Creon said in his mind, Hercules remembered something, and it didn't seem to make sense. "Umm, forgive me for changing the subject so randomly, king Creon. But y-you said that...Astraia was your second eldest, and that Jocasta was your youngest?" By then, Creon was already nodding his head in an understanding way. He knew what was coming.
"Yes. I'm uhh...I'm afraid I can't introduce you to all of my family." Creon paused to sigh sadly, and when Jocasta placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, he continued. "My two sons, Haemon and Lycomedes were murdered several years ago, and umm-" he then cleared his throat to keep from getting emotional. "And my wife, Henioche...killed herself afterwards."
Hercules' eyes went wide, and he couldn't supress the gasp that escaped. Before he could say any words of condolance, Creon interrupted him. "My eldest daughter ran off about three years ago as well. We haven't seen, or heard from her since."
"Oh. K-King Creon...I'm so sorry." Hercules said as the older man shook his head. "Wait. Umm...is that why you've called me here? ...To find your daughter?"
Creon only continued to shake his head. "No, no...I'm sure she wants nothing to do with me. But...thank you. " Creon answered with a small smile. He quickly cleared his throat again, and straightened his shoulders. "But, I would like to talk with you on another serious note. Chriton? ...Astraia?" When both looked, Creon motioned towards the exit. "Would you please give us a moment?"
With a soft nod, the couple walked to the door, and were lead out. Hercules watched in confusion, but said nothing.
"Now...why I have brought you here." Creon began, his hand still resting on Jocasta's shoulder. "My daughter, Astraia and her husband were to be given the throne once I had ...passed on. And I do trust Chariton most undoubtedly to be the next king, but...unfortunetly, Astraia just recently found out that she is unable to have children."
Hercules nodded his head in understanding, more informed, but still confused. "They will ...need an heir eventually?" He asked, trying to fill in the blank.
"Yes. They would need an heir." Creon answered sadly. "And because that is not possible, I must resort into giving Jocasta the throne."
The young girl looked down to the ground for a moment; she looked deflated, as if saying she didn't want to be the next queen. But the forced smile that came upon her lips seemed to remind her that: it was her duty.
"I...I didn't know she already had a husband." Hercules finally said.
Both shook their head. "...She doesn't." King Creon replied.
Herc tilted his head a little to one side. "But, I-I...I'm sorry, I don't follow."
"Well, in order to be next in line...she will need a husband. Why I have brought you here, was to make an offer." Creon paused, and moved his hand over to Herc's shoulder. "I couldn't trust a man more fitting than yourself, Hercules."
"Wait ...y-you want me to-" Hercules began before moving away out of reflex. "-But ...I-I can't."
King Creon smiled. "Of course you can! Like I just said, I couldn't trust a man more fitting than you. I know you'd protect this city wi-"
"No, no...i-it's not that." Hercules said with a shake of his head. He moved past Creon and took hold of Jocasta's hands. Creon turned and watched the hero with a confused expression upon his face.
"Jocasta? You're a beautiful young woman, and I'm sure you have a personalitly to match it, but-" he looked into her violet eyes, and they only reminded him of one other thing. ...Meg. "-I'm already in love with someone else."
Both father and daughter's eyes widened, and they gasped in unison. Hercules turned to the king. "Creon. I am truely sorry, but ...I can't marry Jocasta."
Inaudible stutters escaped Creon's lips; he actually hadn't thought about the possibility of Hercules already having a lover. Before words could form, Hercules beat him to it. "And if it's alright ...I really need to go."
With his mouth still open, Creon studied his surroundings while he thought things through. Finally, he said the one thing that was on his mind. "You're already...in love?"
Not thinking for even a second, Hercules nodded his head firmly. "Yes sir."
"And this girl is-" Creon paused; maybe there was some hope. "The one?"
This finally made Hercules think for a moment; only because of his situation earlier that morning. That's when everything clicked though. The final piece of that ever-so complicated puzzle, was finally placed. Meg is "the one."
"Yes...she is." Hercules said almost breathlessly. "Now, if you'll excuss me...I have to go."
Creon watched as the hero turned and walked away, even without being told he was able to. And once again; no words could form to try and stop him from leaving, and to possibly reconsider his offer.
"Alright, no more changing the subject! ...Spill it, girly."
Meg groaned as she lifted herself off of the couch. She couldn't stop thinking about her father, and she became even more enraged by the few seconds that passed.
"Meg? Come on...just tell me what's going on, and then we can try to fix it." Korinna added, moving beside the younger woman.
Out of practically no-where, he has to force his way into my life again. Things were actually starting to work out for once...and he just has to ruin everything! He'll always be looming over me, reminding me of all the things I did wrong. Reminding me of how he was always right, and how stupid I was! ...Of how stupid I am.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Meg glared at nothing in particular. Her eyes starting burning from the developing tears, but she held them in with all her might. But Korinna's words hit her hard in the gut. "...I don't think it can be fixed."
And with that, Meg ran back outside. She knew that running away from the situation wouldn't solve anything, but she just couldn't take it anymore, and it was the only thing she could think of.
Meg could hear Mrs. Korinna calling her name in the distance; she didn't deserve to be left out of the loop in such a way, but this was between Meg, Hercules, and her father. She'd explain things later. Well, at least when she knew what was going on herself.
After what seemed like hours of running, Meg finally stopped. Her heart was pounding, her knees felt as though they were going to buckle at any moment, and the cold wind seemed to be taking her breath away. She had just realized then that she had ran all the way into the market-place; and even in this cold weather, it didn't stop the hussle and bussle of the people. Thankfully, Meg didn't think anyone had noticed her yet. She was in no mood to be interrigated by Hercules' fans right now.
Just as a procaution; Meg slipped into an alley-way, and slid down against the wall to sit on the ground.
Not even a minute had passed before she heard someone coming towards her though; in hopes that they were just passing through, Meg hid her face against her crossed arms, and pulled her legs closer to her chest. Please...just go away. Meg thought to herself.
"...Megara?" The person asked carefully. She cringed, but slowly looked up to see who had said her name.
And if she thought for even a moment that this day couldn't get any worse, then she was horribly wrong, because ...it just did.
Quickly springing onto her feet, Meg gasped and backed up against the stone building she was once leaning against. "...Adrian?!"
He moved closer so that the light would catch his face, and so that she could see him better. "It is you!" Adrian exclaimed happily with a smile across his smug face, as if they were long lost friends seeing one another after a long period of time.
"You're free from that awful god? I-I...I can't believe it! I've been looking for you ever since! I-"
Adrian was cut short by Meg holding her hand up though. She looked furious, and he actually looked genuinly confused by her anger. "Woah, woah...wait! You've been looking for me ever since?" Meg then scoffed sarcastically. "You knew exactly where I was for the past 2 years, and you did nothing! ...After I saved you from that "awful god" ...you left me for some other girl! ...You betrayed me, Adrian!"
Shaking his head, Adrian tried to defend himself. "No Meg! That was a mistake I never should have made. I didn't realize what I was doing until it was too late!"
"Too late?!" Meg practially screamed. "Too late?! ...If you had realized what you did was wrong, you would have done something about it!" Meg then pushed him away. She wanting to keep on hitting him though, but this conversation was becoming more than she could bere. "Now get away from me, and leave me alone!"
Meg was about to leave, but Adrian grabbed her wrists, and slammed her back against the wall...hard. "Ahh!"
Now it was Adrian who looked angry. He tightened his grip around Meg's wrists, and pinned her against the wall so she couldn't escape. That didn't stop her from trying though, but it was no use. He was much stronger. "Let... Go!" Meg demanded through gritted teeth. He only smirked back; a smirk that could only be compared to one Hades himself would use.
"...Don't think so, babe." Adrian replied calmly. "You see, here's the real reason I'm so glad to have finally found you. ...My father finally keeled over, but...thing is." His anger returned once again. "He left my inheiritance to that snot-nose brother of mine. So...here's the plan, my sweet little Megara."
Moving Meg's wrists into only one of his hands, Adrian ruffly grabbed her face, and forcing her to look at him. "Remember all those plans we had as nieve teenagers? Getting married? ...Starting a family together?" He asked mockingly, trailing his hand down Meg's cheek as she continued to try and free herself.
"Well...looks like those little dreams of yours are finally coming true." Adrian whispered into her ear, giving Meg a clear shot for a "Pegasus taught" head-butt. With all the strength she could muster; Meg crashed her head against his own, and he stumbled back with a loud yelp.
Taking that oppertunity, Meg bolted for the exit, but felt her legs ungracefully slip out from under her. Adrian had recovered much more quickly than she had expected, and tripped her before she could escape.
Now on the ground, Adrian pinned her once again. But this time; Meg couldn't find a way out. He knew not to get into a head-butting range, and it only seemed to make him more aware, and even more irritated.
Adrian raised his fist to strike her, and Meg closed her eyes. She felt the blow go across her face, and she cried out. He went to punch her again, but stopped from the sound of clomping hooves, and a ferocious whinny running full speed towards them.
Steam rose from the beast's nostrils, and it's face was red from it's fury. And like a bull would; it ran head-on, and crashed into Adrian, taking the man down with his size.
Adrian's head slammed against the ground with great force, and he could sense the animal hoovering over him. Looking up, the stallion's eyes practically dared him to try and escape. His breathing was hot against Adrian's face, and the growl the came from his throat sent a twing of fear though the man.
"Pegasus?! Stop fooling around! We gotta find-" Hercules began, walking into the alley-way. He then saw why his friend came this way. "-Meg!"
Hercules ran up to Megara, and helped her sit up. She looked a bit dazed, but she recognized his voice instantly. "...Herc? How did you find me? I thought you were at the palace." He was about to answer, but stopped when something from under Pegasus started whimpering.
"Woah, woah! ...E-Easy there." Adrian said to Pegasus, trying to calm the horse down. Another growl confirmed that "calming down" wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Adrian flinched. "...Nice horse?!"
Turning back to Meg; Hercules noticed that the side of her face was a light shade of pink-ish purple, her hair was tussled quite a bit, and there were a few cuts and scrapes down her arms as well. Forgetting about her question, Hercules carefully put a couple fingers under Meg's chin and moved her head to the side so he could examine the bruise. She gasped as the movement sent an unpleasent twinge down her neck.
By then, Phil finally found them and walked over. "Woah! What happened to you? Ya look like ya just got ran ovah by a chariot!" The satyr asked in all concern, but it came out more harsh because of his accent.
The pain slowly died down some, and Meg managed to roll her eyes at Phil. "I'm fine, Phil! He just ...hit me." Meg replied simply as she motioned towards Adrian.
Hercules tensed, and he clenched his knuckles tightly. "...What about your arms?" He asked as calmly as he could.
She looked down, and finally noticed the cuts for the first time. "Oh umm...probably from when I tried to get away, and he tripped me."
Again; Hercules felt his muscles tighten. He wanted to just go and pumble this man for even thinking about hurting her. Calming down some, Herc put a hand to the side of Meg's face that hadn't been bruised, and looked into her eyes. "Are you okay?"
She smiled, trying to reassure him, and nodded. "Yeah...my Wonder-boy and his trusty steed got to me just in time."
Phil looked affened. "Ey! ...I was here too."
Meg smirked, and shook her head as Hercules helped her stand up. Most of the pain had vanished by then, only leaving her with a dull sting from where Adrian had hit her. "Okay then. My Wonder-boy, his trusty steed, and the cheerleader got to me just in time." She paused. "...Happy?"
Phil rolled his eyes, but half-smiled at the insult anyways. "...No."
"Hey...sorry to intrud on whatever you all are talking about over there, but ugh-" Adrian started as Pegasus continued to tower over him. "You mind getting your thing off me?!"
Pegasus growled again and put a hoof down on the man's chest, looking at Hercules for a command. Knowing Meg was alright, or at least alright enough to pull off an act, Hercules walked over to the man. "I'll take it from here, Pegasus."
Getting in one more glare, Pegasus huffed in Adrian's face, and then trotted happily over to the woman.
Giving her an affectionete - but gentle - kiss on her cheek; Pegasus allowed Meg to take his muzzel into her hands, and pet him. "My little hero! ...You're such a good boy." Pegasus whinnied joyfully at the nickname, and nuzzled into his friend's neck, glad to know she wasn't terribly hurt by that mean two-legger.
Adrian attempted to sit up, but was angrily forced back down by Hercules. The pressure put on his neck nearly made him squeak with fear. Either that, or from lack of breath. He clawed at Herc's hand, but was surprised to find it impossible to remove.
All but glaring down at Adrian, Hercles moved closer to his face. "Give me a reason not to snap your neck right now?" He demanded harshly through a whisper, even scaring Pegasus, Phil, and Meg a bit by his tone.
Adrian was now wishing the horse was the one pinning him. He just recognized this man to be Hercules, the town hero. He knew that he was strong, and that he defended the locals ...but he didn't think he was "this" serious about it.
Putting his hands up to show that he didn't have any weapons, he opened his mouth to speak. "Listen. I-I can explain-" Adrian tried to say, but with Hercules holding him down by his troat, he was having a little difficulty.
"I'd love to hear, so ...go right ahead." Hercules said sarcasticly, lossening his grip enough to hear the man's excuss more clearly. "I'm listening."
Meg watched slightly amused as the man who almost - and was still trying to - ruin her life, squirm and stutter with fear. A part of her though ...was fearful as well. Could this come around to bite me in the backside?
"I-I-I-I...I know this woman!" Adrian began, pointing a finger towards Meg.
Herc looked to where Adrian was pointing, and nodded. "Ah-huh...do you? Now, hold up just a moment." He paused, and then pointed towards Meg as well. "You know that woman? ...How so?"
"Sh-Sh-Sh...SHE...is a maniac! She's been trying to kill me from the first time I met her!" Adrian lied through un-convincing fear. At this, Meg's face turned red with anger and dis-belief, and Phil choked on his laughter.
"Sh-She's been stalking me for the past month...a-and I can't get her to leave me alone! I was just passing through, when she attacked me! ...I-I'm telling you, she's the one you should be pinning down right now. N-Not me!"
Hercules turned and looked at Meg again, as if analizing her. The look on his face gave her enough reassurance that Adrian was about to regret was he just said. "That woman?...The on right there?" Hercules pointed again.
"Yes!" Adrian screamed. "She even sold her soul to the lord of the dead! I swear to Zeus! ...Heck, she's probably still working for him!"
Hercules' shoulders dropped; he realized then that Adrian wasn't lying ...completely. He did know Meg. "You." Hercules spat, despretly wanting to choke him even more than he did before.
Adrian looked confused (and scared) now. "...What?"
Like a nemean lion, Hercules bared his gritted teeth and nearly growled just like Pegasus had before. "You're Adrian...aren't you?"
Hercules' question was answered by the man's eyes alone. Anger clouded his senses; his grip around Adrian's neck became much tighter, but he made sure it wouldn't kill him ...not yet anyways, he wanted it to be slow. "You're the one who left her!" He screamed.
Not being able to properly breath anymore, Adrian began to squirm even harder, and he started gaging. Phil, Pegasus, and Meg watched in horror as Hercules began to lose control. The satyr and stallion ran over, and tried to stop him. They knew to let Hercules teach Adrian a lesson, but they weren't just about to let him kill this man.
"Kid?! What are ya doin'?!" Phil yelled, trying to pry Herc's hands away. Pegasus whinnied something, but Hercules continued to strangle Adrian against his friend's will.
All hope seemed to be lost, until - "Hercules!"
Herc finally turned at Meg sceaming his name, but that still didn't losen his grip. He could see that angry tears welled in her eyes from where she stood. As much as she hated Adrian and what he did to her, she didn't want him dead. Death was Adrian's easy way out, and she wanted him to pay for his actions in a different way.
"Hercules-" Meg moved beside him, and Phil and Pegasus slowly went to the side to watch. "Let go."
Hercules tried to protest. "But Meg, he-"
"I know what he did!" Meg interrupted quickly. "...I don't want you to kill him, Herc...Now, let go."
Moving his attention to Adrian's blue-ish colored face, he knew he didn't have much longer. Slowly; Hercules let go, and watched the man gasp as many breaths as he could take in through his fit of coughing.
Before Hercules could attempt to murder Adrian again; Meg pulled him up of the ground by his arm, and hugged him tightly. Knowing she was trying to distract him for a moment, Phil hurried off to get the athorities to take Adrian away.
Not long after, the sound of running men nearing the alley could be heard. Adrian had begun to breath steadily by then, only to be forced onto his feet by two police officers. "Hey...let go of me!" He demanded.
Chipacles, the city-state trooper, and an old "friend" from Hercules' teenage years looked straight at Adrian with an angry scowl. "Don't think so, punk!" He began, putting infacies on the last word while accidentaly spitting in the younger man's face at the same time.
"You can't do this, I haven't done anything!" Adrian protested before smirking. "...You can't prove a thing."
Chipacles smirked right back. "Really now? Well...from what I heard. We have a witness."
Adrian's face fell. "...What witness?"
Gesturing towards the winged horse, Chipacles answered his question, but stayed silent.
Now Adrian looked furious. "You're sending me to prison because of what a dumb horse saw?! ...You can't be serious! I didn't do anything!"
Flicking a couple fingers, the two officers started dragging Adrian to the police chariot while he continued to scream.
"...Tell it to the judge." Chipacles then turned to Hercules and Meg, and stood straight. "Don't worry about him. I'll make sure he's behind bars ...you can be sure about that."
Hercules nodded his head to the officer, and Meg forced a small smile. "I'm sure you will. Thank you, Chipacles."
Tipping his oddly shaped hat, Chipacles turned to leave. "My pleasure...keep up the good work."
As they watched the chariot pull away, Hercules turned back to Meg and kissed her forehead. "Come on. How 'bout we head home? Korinna seemed to be worried about you."
Meg nodded silently, finally looking away from the chariot. Phil watched Hercules help Meg on Pegasus; still confused as to what just happened. Something was up...he just didn't know what.
((Dun, dun duuun! I must warn you that next update MAY be a while. ^^; Sorry. Oh! And to clear some thins up. I do not own Hercules, Megara, Phil, Pegasus, or Chipacles. Chip was in the Hercules animated TV series. The rest of the characters are OCs. At least...I think that's what they're called. *shrugs* Okay ...until next time my friends.))