Chapter Seven
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else is owned by either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Woo! I have been blessed with the writing bug this weekend because I'm crushing the update thing! Two days between updates, that's got to be a record for this story! :D
As always, I hope you're all doing well, staying safe, and I thank you for the continued support of this story! Honestly guys it means so much that you love this story!
Katie2001: Yep, Zeus is definitely in trouble with Hercules and Meg!
AmethystDragon14: Oh yay! And I'm glad I could get you to chuckle over some of the reactions. Yep, there'll be break chapters for this story too! :D
Marcus Emrys: This may be a stupid question but…the net? What net?
Tracie Adams: Yep, Zeus is definitely in trouble!
A: Oh thank you so much!
Guest: He really did, didn't he?
danifan3000: …thank you for putting that image in my head of a naked Yzma. *shudders*. I now need to go and see if brain bleach really is a thing.
InuKagLove22: You're welcome!
midnight rose112358: Oh I'm so glad you're enjoying the story and that it made you happy! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! :D
twilightgirl587: Oh I live to spoil you guys! :D I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Anonymous Reader: Dizzy and Celia really do deserve to be off the Isle—as does Hadie! :D Murder attempts on Zeus and Hera are always appreciated and I'm glad you found the mind link chats funny!
Urmimala Hazra: Of course he's going to get it! And yep, I'll have the characters react to the sequels to Choosing Family as well :D
Guest: Yeah Zeus is not my favorite God…at all…
billyandkimfan1994: Oh I can also almost hear the screech that Leah made! Leah is just…*shudders*.
Gigi18: It sure is! :D
EllaBSinging: Ask and you'll receive! :D
Fangirlnerd001: Thank you
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Hercules and Zeus made their way over to a corner of the room. There were no separate areas where they could go but thankfully everyone seemed to give them a wide berth. Maybe it was because there was a frown on Hercules' face that seemed out of place for the hero.
"Father, how could you?" Hercules asked, breaking the silence that had occurred as either one waited for the other to say the first word. "Mal was a baby and she was the one who needed help."
Zeus sighed. "Hercules, you've got to understand. The coup against Olympus was still rather fresh—."
"Fresh? Father, I'm pretty sure the coup happened years before the Isle was even created. And again, that has nothing to do with Mal."
Hercules shook his head as he looked at his father, disappointment clear in his blue eyes. "What am I supposed to tell Hyllus, Macaria or Herkie? The one thing Meg and I have always told them was that if they got into trouble and for whatever reason their mother or I weren't there to help, Olympus would always be there to give them aid."
"And we always will be," Zeus stated.
"How can they be sure about that?" Hercules asked.
"They're my grandchildren Hercules! Of course I—."
"Mal's your niece and you weren't there for her when Uncle Hades asked for your help. Excuse me if I have a hard time believing now that you'd be there for your grandchildren."
"You're calling him Uncle after he kidnapped you and removed your godhood? Not to mention the fact that—."
"Father, I may not be particarlly close to him but there is no denying the fact that Hades is my uncle. I am only giving him the proper title. But while we're on that subject, it seriously took you years to talk to me? I guess abandoning family members when talking to them is inconvenient for you is a habit."
Was that hit a little below the belt? Probably. Did he regret saying it? Not in the slightest.
"Okay, okay Hercules. I think he gets the idea," Meg said, trying to keep her voice gentle as to not draw attention. Not because she didn't want Zeus to feel shame. Oh no, quite the opposite. But she didn't want Mal to feel embarrassed over this.
She could see Macaria was in the midst of a conversation with her purple haired cousin, Hyllus busy chatting away with Uma while Herkie was nodding along to whatever Hadie was talking about.
They weren't the only ones chatting with their family. Dizzy Tremaine had left Evie's side and struck up a conversation with one of the Charming girls. Leah of course was venting as loudly as she could to the only audience that would suffer her rants—her family.
Dear Gods she's got a set of lungs on her, Meg thought. I'm on the other side of the room and I can still hear her clearly. I have to wonder though. She's clearly miserable, why on Earth did the Fates bring her?
Shaking her head slightly, she turned back to the conversation between her father in law and her husband.
"Thank you Meg—."
"I didn't intervene for you Zeus," Meg stated. "I intervened because I knew we had the possibility of our volume getting louder than we'd want it too and I didn't want anyone being embarrassed."
"But I—."
"Zeus, you were the one content to let a baby suffer at the hands of Maleficent," Meg told him, crossing her arms over her chest. "A baby who shouldn't haven't been on the Isle since her only 'crime' was to be born. Something that she in no way could control."
"I'm not surprised you're on Hades' side, considering you used to work for him," Zeus muttered.
"Father, leave my wife out of this," Hercules growled. "You want to have an argument, you have it with me."
"Hercules, I'm a big girl. I tie my own sandals and everything, I can handle your father," Meg said but she gave Hercules a small smile. She knew how much the Wonderboy loved his father after all.
But…he gave up his chance to be on Olympus for you, she thought. No matter what, Hercules would put her first over Zeus every time.
She turned to Zeus and sighed. "Yes, I worked with Hades. It wasn't by choice, I sold my soul to him after all. But the one thing you can say about Hades is that he keeps his deals. When Hercules made a deal with him to give up his strength for twenty four hours in exchange for my freedom, Hades kept that deal. He likely would have done whatever you wanted Zeus in exchange for getting Mal back."
"Exactly," Hercules nodded. "In addition to that, when that pillar fell on Meg after she pushed me out of its path, I got my strength returned to me as per the agreement. You wouldn't have had to worry about him not keeping his side of the bargain father, as long as you kept yours."
Zeus sighed and Hera walked up, having watched the conversation go on for some time. "Hercules, is it really worth beating your father up over something that was in the past?"
"Mother, considering he was going to lie to my face?"
"Your father and uncle's relationship has always been…tumultuous at best," Hera said with a sigh. "Hades never really got over the fact that Zeus was the one sibling not eaten as a baby."
"Call me crazy but I think that's a fair thing to hold a grudge about," Meg chimed in.
"Right, so then Uncle Hades got his 'revenge' by kidnapping me," Hercules nodded. "That then evens everything out."
"But then Hades threw his coup."
"And he was thrown on the Isle," Hercules pointed out. "Ergo everything's evened out again and the wrongs kinda wash away. But right now, father, you're the only one who's wronged Uncle Hades here."
Zeus sighed. He knew his son had a point but he didn't know how he could possibly make it up to Hades and Persephone.
"Call me crazy but maybe removing that stupid six months on and off agreement might be a good way to start making it up," Meg offered, seeing the look on her father-in-law's face.
"That agreement has been in place since before the Isle was created!"
"And all it's doing is hurting everyone involved!" Meg shot back. "Persephone is without her son for six months or Mal is in Auradon for six months without a parent to be in her corner. Hades is without his wife for six months and as we all can see from the scrolls, he obviously gets lonely. How else would Mal have been born?"
"Could…could we not talk about that fact please?" Hercules murmured to her. Sure he was an adult but there were some things he'd rather not think about. Maleficent in any capacity was one such thing.
"Oh grow up Wonderboy," Meg chuckled. "But I see your point. The idea of Maleficent doing that…"
"I think even Eros would find it hard to wrap his head around," Hera nodded.
Hercules sighed. "There's a part of me that wants to continue to be mad at you for Mal's sake, even though I'm pretty sure she's not all that fond of us."
"Oh, whatever gave you that idea? The fact that Hades is her father?"
"Persephone is also her mother," Hera pointed out. "Speaking of which, we should be lucky that Demeter hasn't realized what we did-or didn't do. You all remember how she reacted when Persephone went into the Underworld the first time."
"That would not be pretty," Hercules nodded.
"That would be an understatement," Zeus sighed. "She's already been chewing my ear off because Hadie's on the Isle after all. I don't know what she thinks I'd be able to do about that though."
Three pairs of eyes looked at him, each one more incredulous than the last.
"What?"
"You're the King of the Gods. If you want someone off the Isle, tell King Beast!" Meg exclaimed.
"Well yes but—."
"Oh dear Gods, if this is because he's another child of Hades, I'm going to take one of your precious lightning bolts and stick it up your—!"
"Okay!" Hercules exclaimed and clapped his hands together. "Let's keep it appropriate for young ears. That being said she does have a point father. With King Beast stepping down and Prince Ben taking the helm, you should be able to talk to him about getting young Hadie in Auradon. After all, I'm sure Mal would appreciate it."
And would Hades appreciate both of his kids off the Isle? I have a feeling the rift between us would only grow if I took his son from him, Zeus thought with an inward sigh.
"You've got to make the first move dear," Hera stated. "I know I'm not the closest with Hades, considering he robbed us of years with Hercules but at least we know Hercules lived with a loving family all those years. He had people who appreciated the gift of him being in their lives. Do you really think Hades had such a luxury?"
"I think it's safe to say the answer to that is 'no'," Meg stated, her voice soft as she watched Macaria walk away from Mal and Mal lean into her father's embrace; Hades giving his daughter a side hug as his son chattered away with Herkie. She had to hold back a chuckle as Uma glared at Harry as he chatted up Elle.
Nice call your highness, she thought as Ben quickly jumped in and seemed to join in the conversation so it wouldn't be as if Harry was flirting with Elle. Otherwise she would have given it about five minutes before Uma would have stormed over there.
A small whine drew her attention downward and Meg stared in confusion as the Cerberus looked back at her.
"Uh…hi?"
"It's Estelle," Persephone said as she walked up. "I think he's saying hello to everyone who'll let him. He was just over by Akiho and Emir."
"Ah," Meg nodded.
"I'm surprised no one has been smote," Persephone said, looking at Hercules and Zeus.
"I don't have that ability," Hercules muttered.
"I wouldn't smite my own child," Zeus stated, as if Persephone had personally offended him.
"There's a lot of things you say you wouldn't do Zeusey," Persephone said, narrowing her eyes a little and closed the distance. "Just remember, my husband may be the God of the Dead but when all is said and done, I'm the one who's turned someone into a mint plant because I was angry with them. Do you really want to test me and see if I can do that to you?"
"Threatening me are you Persephone? You want to spend the whole year on the Isle?
Persephone smirked. "You wouldn't do that. The mortals would have your head in a heartbeat because of what my mother would do to them. My mother has you and you know it."
Zeus glowered but knew she had a point. Demeter would gladly give the mortals an eternal winter if Persephone was sent to the Isle permanently. Though Hades and Hadie might welcome her presence.
"So, we're going to go back. We're going to read some more," Persephone said. "You're not going to antagonize Hades. You're not going to comment if Hades or Mal disparages you. Because they have every right to, Zeus. I've tried to defend you. I've tried to say that we should get along, because we're family. But no more. If you want me to defend you to Hades, Mal, or Hadie, you'll have to earn it."
With that, Persephone turned on her heel and went back to her husband and kids; Estelle trotting dutifully after her.
"I guess we should go and sit down," Hera said, slightly taken aback at the verbal lashing Persephone had given.
"I guess so," Hercules nodded. Go Aunt Persephone!
You, young Hercules, can call me Steph, Persephone said thought the mental link. You have earned that right by confronting your father on Mal's behalf.
You're…you're not mad?
At you? Why should I be? You're not your father Hercules. You've done nothing for me to be mad about. Now, your father? I'm furious at. But I have both my children and my husband with me. For right now, I can ignore him.
…yes Aunt Steph.
I have to say, Mal's right. It sounds weird hearing someone other than Uma say that. But a good weird.
Hercules smiled as the group sat back down.
"Who's reading next?"
"Can I read?" Hadie asked.
"Go ahead storm cloud," Mal nodded. Hadie grinned and reached over to grab another scroll with a purple ribbon.