Mythology - Episode 16

The 13th Labor of Hercules

*Deep within a dark cave in the mountains near the northernmost border of the Greek territories, a massive serpentine form slithered and slunk through the cavern hissing and muttering to itself. This was none other than Echidna, the mother of all monsters. With the head of a cobra, the wings of a dragon and a long, serpentine tail, she was truly a fearsome sight to behold, with a body that towered over trees and fangs longer than a grown man was tall*

Echidna: A curse on all the gods and mortals. The life I'm forced to live, hiding out here on the edge of the known world, wasted away and practically starving, with children to feed, no less. What does the universe have against my family, anyway?

*Echidna is then alerted to the fussing and squalling from a small alcove in the corner of her cave. Slithering over, she reached in and pulled out a creature resembling a large horned lizard with huge clawed paws, crocodile-like armored skin, a thick tail, and a mass of bumps surrounding the entirety of its neck*

Echidna: Oh, Ladon. Did mommy wake you up, sweetie? I'm so sorry. *hugs the young monster close*

???: Echidna…

Echidna: That voice… it can't be! *pause* Typhon?

???: Echidna…

Echidna: Yes… Yes, darling, I'm here! I hear you!

*Just then, a long black snake slithered from out of the shadows, coiling itself and raising its head to look Echidna in the eye*

Typhon: Hello, my queen.

Echidna: Typhon? Is… Is that really you? But… Zeus threw a MOUNTAIN on top of you! I SAW!

Typhon: Echidna, my love. Have you forgotten that I am born of the primordial forces? I have power beyond any mere god. Yes, my magnificent form IS tethered and chained under Mount Etna, but I have the power to separate my mind from it… Using this form to communicate with the outside world.

Echidna: Oh, darling, I'm so sorry! I never meant to leave you there all alone, but once you fell, the army scattered in all directions, the gods were AFTER us, for the sake of our children I HAD to run and hide. Can you ever forgive me?

Typhon: Of course, my love. But do not fret, for I have a plan to take our revenge on the Olympians by releasing the Titans from Tartarus. But there is a problem. Athena has found new champions and has sent them out to find the scattered fragments of the Key to Tartarus so she can DESTROY them! I have TRIED to stay ahead of them, but unfortunately, in my current state, I have had to rely on INCOMPETENTS to do my work for me.

Echidna: Incompetents?

Typhon: Some human with a vendetta against the gods that I infected with my venom and my pathetic half-brother, Antaeus. But thanks to that old blowhard, Boreas, and his children, they have been frozen in a block of ice and have yet to thaw out!!

Echidna: *scoffs* You should know better than to trust such lesser creatures as humans, my love. But you mustn’t insult Antaeus like that. Half-brother or not, he's still part of our family.

Typhon: Sometimes, I think mother made a real MISTAKE having another child. Speaking of… how ARE the children?

Echidna: I gave birth to our newest just a week ago. He was asleep, but I'm afraid I accidentally woke him before you showed up.

*Ladon cooed and peeked out from behind his mother's coils, staring up at Typhon*

Echidna: Typhon, this is Ladon. *looks to Ladon* Ladon… This is your father. Well…sort of.

*Ladon cautiously approached the enormous snake, and was a little nervous at first. But then Typhon stretched out his tail and wrapped his coil around the young dragon, bringing him up to his face. After a moment of staring, Ladon licked Typhon's face and cuddled under his chin*

Typhon: He's beautiful… Just like you.

Echidna: Oh, Typhon… I've missed you so much… But even now, we cannot be together!

Typhon: *puts Ladon down* But we will be, Echidna. All I need is the Key, and once our brothers, the Titans are free again, they will release me and we can finally have the life we've always dreamed of, turning this world in our children's own personal playground!

Echidna: But we don't know when Antaeus and that human will be freed from that ice block. It could be weeks, months, maybe even eternity, knowing the gods!

Typhon: Which is why I have come to you, my love. Listen well, for I cannot stay in this form for much longer. Damon and Antaeus have proven all but useless, but with your help, I will be one step closer to freedom from this volcanic prison! I need you to show those fools Athena has tasked why only IDIOTS choose to be heroes! We have children spread across this world, do we not? Have them chase them…terrorize them…KILL them! Do not let them get ANY of the key fragments before Damon and Antaeus do! And when the Key to Tartarus is formed, I, along with my brothers and sisters will destroy Olympus and all the other God kingdoms! And I will at last be able to embrace you and our new son in my arms. Will you do this for me, Echidna?

Echidna: *pause* Yes.

Typhon: Good…

*And with that, Typhon's serpent form collapsed onto the ground and began to dry up and shrivel like a raisin, before becoming a pile of dust and vanishing with the wind*

Echidna: I will not fail you, my love. This time, I’ll do it right. No more waiting around while the gods' little puppets slaughter my family. *slams her tail onto the floor of the cave* Hear my thoughts, my precious children, your mother calls to you, be ye in the darkest depths of the oceans or the highest peaks! Now, we shall have our vengeance for your father, your brothers and your sisters, for the countless humiliations our family has suffered! I give you free reign to do whatever you please if it will stop Athena's champions from completing their mission! Mark my words, if it the last thing we ever do, THE GODS WILL FALL!!!!

*Echidna’s anger echoed throughout the cave and spread across the land. In the darkest, hidden places of the world, creatures long hidden emerged from their dens, baring fangs and claws and sharpening weapons as they answered their mother's call to arms*

*Meanwhile, it had been two days since Blue and the others left the city of Argos as they continued their journey towards the coastal city of Pharai, in hopes to charter a ship to sail to Atlas, the condemned Titan who may know the location of where to find the first fragment to the Key to Tartarus. So far, the journey had been smooth going, with no sign of Typhon having sent any other danger their way*

Andrea: Hey, which one of you guys has the map?

Leon: I do. *rummages through his pack and pulls out a scroll* Lemme see… Argos is here, Pharai is there. We've been at a steady pace the past two days, so… *points about midway between the drawings of the two cities* We should be just about here.

Andrea: Great! And where is 'here', exactly?

Leon: It's a trail leading through a forest. I'm pretty sure no one has ever thought to NAME a ROAD.

Andrea: *sarcastically* Because Zeus forbid if they ever do that.

Blue: I think it’d be a lot easier if they did name roads.

Leon: Like what? Call a road "Adonis"? That's just weird. This is the road that will lead us to Pharai. Let's leave it at that.

Rage: *whines*

Leon: With the luck we've had so far, we should be there in just two more days.

Blue: Hopefully, we can find someone willing to carry us to Africa so we can talk to Atlas.

Leon: So long as we keep the whole ‘Atlas’ thing to ourselves.

Rage: *pauses mid-step and begins to sniff the air, his ears perking up*

Blue: Rage? Rage, what is it, boy?

Rage: *begins to snarl, his fur bristling up and his eyes blazing red*

Bel: RAWK! Storm comin'! Storm comin'! Abandon ship!

Leon: Damon and Antaeus?

Andrea: *sniffs* No. This smells… human. I get the distinct feeling we're being…

*Suddenly, a set of small bags are thrown out of the trees and grass onto the path. As each one hits the ground, it bursts open, releasing a cloud of thick yellow, foul smelling smoke*

Andrea: … AMBUSH!!!

Blue: *coughs, covers his mouth with his shirt* Quick, cover your mouths! *draws his sword*

Leon: *covers his mouth, draws his sword* It’s brimstone! *coughs* I can't see!

Andrea: Ugh, it smells awful! *coughs*

Blue: Stay alert, we have no idea what this is!

Bel: Rawk!! Bandits!! Thieves!! Rawk!! Rob us blind!!

*Rage, seeing his friends choking on the foul smelling smoke, opened his mouth as wide as he could and began inhaling the smoke deep into his gullet. When all the smoke was gone, he closed his mouth shut and snorted, small puffs of yellow smoke escaping his nostrils*

Leon: *to Rage* Good boy.

*With the smoke gone, the small band of heroes found themselves surrounded by more than a dozen men in patched-together armor and mismatched weapons. The men had emerged from the tree branches, out from behind bushes and even tossing aside sheets of sailcloth decorated to look like grass and brush. All of them looked flabbergasted at the sight of their smoke cover vanishing and looked around for any sign of what had happened*

Bandit 1: W-What happened?

Bandit 2: Not a lick of wind all day and suddenly, it blows up to get rid of our smoke cloud?

Blue: Well, looks like Bel was right about it being bandits. *smiles smugly* And here I thought we were in trouble.

*The leader of the bandits, a tall man with scraggly dark gray hair and a small beard, wearing an eye patch over his left eye, and dressed in a black cape, approached the small band of heroes, drawing a large sword*

Bandit Leader: You think we're scared that you've got a sword?

*Soon, the rest of the bandits all drew their own blades, smiling wickedly towards the group of heroes*

Bandit Leader: And there's more of us.

Blue: Hasn't stopped us before.

Leon: What do you want?

Bandit Leader: Oh, let me think. What could bandits want? How about your money, your weapons, your assorted valuables, and… hmm… I'll take those pretty necklaces you boys are wearing.

Blue: Sorry, that's not going to happen. These were given to us by very dear friends and we really can't replace them. So why don't you all just go on your way before we have to hurt you?

Andrea: *draws her bow and arrow* I'd listen to him if I were you.

Bandit Leader: *turns to the other bandits* Ya hear that, boys?! They don't wanna hurt us! *laughs out loud*

*The rest of the bandits laughed as loud as they could, showing off their yellowed teeth, as well as their own weapons, large muscles and various scars*

Bandit Leader: *approaches Blue, holds up his sword* Hand it over, you little brat, or I swear to Zeus, I’ll run you through.

*Suddenly, Blue pulled back his on blade and brought it around, slicing through the bandit leader's sword like a hot knife through butter. The leader was stunned as he watched the top half of his blade fall to the ground*

Blue: *holds the tip of his sword to the leader's nose* You were saying?

Bandit Leader: *composing himself* Oh, a tough guy, huh? *tosses away his broken blade* Well, we have ways of dealing with YOUR kind. *shouts* MARCUS!!!

*Suddenly, something grabbed Blue by the arms and hoisted him high into the air, causing him to drop his sword. It was revealed to be la large man, standing nearly 8 feet tall, with a bald head covered in tattoos, dressed in the same makeshift armor as the bandits and with a wooden club strapped to his belt*

Blue: Hey, WHOA!!! Let me go!!

Andrea: Blue! *aims her arrow at Marcus*

Bandit Leader: I wouldn't do that if I were you. *picks up Blue's sword* You see, Marcus here happens to be half giant, on his mother's side.

Marcus: Mommy made sure I'd grow up big and strong. She couldn't stand the thought of me being a little runt like dad!

Bandit Leader: So arrows really will only make him mad, and, seeing as he could crush your friend's head with his pinkie… I wouldn't suggest it. DROP 'EM, Pony-girl!

Leon: *growls* We have no choice! *throws his sword down*

Andrea: I was afraid you'd say that. *puts her bow and arrow back in her quiver*

Blue: Well, you guys may have a giant, but we have one of Ares' War Hounds! Rage!!

*Rage barked ferociously and charged at Marcus, his body swelling in size as he pounced, only for Marcus to grab him by the throat in his free hand*

Marcus: Aww, what a sweet little doggy. Wanna do a trick? PLAY DEAD!!! *slams Rage into the ground* Heh…

Blue: NO!!!

Bandit Leader: *chuckles* War Hound, eh? I must say, I am surprised. Now, where on Earth did a bunch of misfits like you find a War Hound, let alone have the skill necessary to bend it to your will?

Leon: None of your business!

Bandit Leader: Have it your way. Marcus… Finish him off.

Marcus: With pleasure, boss.

Leon: BLUE! *goes for his sword on the ground*

Bandit 2: *points his own sword at Leon's heart* I really wouldn't, if I were you.

*The giant, Marcus, chuckles wickedly as he began squeezing Leo's body with his one hand and Rage's neck with the other. Both screamed in pain as his huge fingers gripped ever tighter*

Marcus: I'm gonna pop you both like a BOIL!

???: Well, that sure wouldn’t be a pleasant sight, now would it?

*The bandits all looked around, until they finally spotted a tall figure partly hidden in the shade of the trees*

???: Honestly, I don't know what the world is coming to. Seems you can't even walk between the city-states without being accosted by a gang of thugs and cutthroats.

Bandit Leader: Move along, old man, or we'll deal with you next.

???: *pause* Old man?

Bandit Leader: Yeah. You heard me. OLD MAN! You have a problem with the truth?

???: As a matter of fact…

*The figure strode into the light, revealing a towering, muscular man with a deep tan, dark brown eyes and curly black hair, the sideburns growing down into a beard wrapped around his square jaw. His sandals are laced up to his knees, a battle skirt is wrapped around his waist. But the primary piece of clothing he wore was the skin of a huge lion draped over his back with the lion's head resting over his own like a hood. This was none other than the legendary hero, Hercules*

Hercules: … I do!

Bandit Leader: *eyes widen* No… No, it… It can't be!

Leon: *eyes widen* Is that…who I think it is?

Bel: RAWK! Living legend! *whistles*

Bandit 1: *eyes widen* I thought he was dead…

Hercules: Well, the poems about that were greatly exaggerated.

Bandit Leader: *narrows his eyebrows* I don‘t believe it. I REFUSE to believe it! *to Marcus* Marcus!! Forget the brat and his mutt! *points at Hercules* Get the old man!!

Marcus: Right, boss! *drops Blue and lets go of Rage*

Blue: *coughs and gasps for breath* What… What just happened? *looks to see Hercules, eyes widen* No way…

Marcus: *pulls out his club, snorts angrily at Hercules* Grrr…

Hercules: *raises an eyebrow* Well… This should be interesting…

*With a loud yell, Marcus ran toward Hercules at full speed, hefting his club high into the air, then bringing it down in a huge overhead swing. However, Hercules was easily able to catch the club in one hand, with the sudden loss of momentum causing Marcus to stumble and fall*

Hercules: Did you HONESTLY believe that would work?

Marcus: *pants, looks angrily at Hercules* RAAAHHH!!! *throws a punch at Hercules*

Hercules: *catches the fist in his other hand* Now, lad, does your mother know you're hanging out with a band of hoodlums like this? I'm CERTAIN you were raised better than that. *grips Marcus' wrist in his hands and tosses him in a shoulder-throw*

Marcus: WAAAHHH!!!!! *hits the ground with a 'BOOM'* Ugh…

Hercules: You might have the strength of an ox, my young friend, but in comparison to me, all that leaves you is a very strong mouse. *sits him up* Now, when you come to, I suggest you go home, rethink some of the recent decisions you've made in life and try to straighten yourself out, okay? *pats Marcus on the back* Well, will anyone else attempt to fill his sandals? *pulls out his own his club, rests on it*

Bandit Leader: *breathes heavily* Fall back! Fall back to the hideout! *points at the group* This isn't over.

*With that, the leader and the rest of the bandits flee into the forest, a half dozen of them lagging behind as they carried Marcus' prone form along. With the bandits gone, Blue and the rest of the gang looked at the man who had saved them, still speechless*

Hercules: Sorry to steal your thunder, friends, but it looked to be getting quite nasty.

Blue: *in awe* You're… You're him! You're really him! You’re… You’re Hercules!!

Hercules: *bows* At your service, friends.

Leon: But… But that can't be possible! You died! Thirty years ago!

Hercules: Correction, friend, I ascended to god-hood thirty years ago.

Blue: God? You're a GOD now?! Oh, sweet Hera, that is so AWESOME!!!

Hercules: *chuckles and flexes his bicep* God of physical strength, to be exact. Really, it's just a title. I'm more of a glorified doorman.

Blue: STILL, though! Here we are, talking to Hercules! THE Hercules!! The greatest hero in all Greek history! *shakes Hercules' hand* Oh, this is such a great honor, sir! I never thought in my whole life that I would ever get to meet you!

Leon: Not only that, Blue, he just saved our lives!

Hercules: It's what I do.

Blue: What are you doing here? You're a god, aren't you? So, why aren't you up on Olympus with the others?

Leon: Did Athena send you to help us with those thugs or something?

Hercules: *laughs* Oh, you have it all wrong, my friends. Fact is, I stumbled upon you by accident. No… *sighs* I'm here for some… rather personal business.

*The great hero of heroes reached into his rucksack and pulled out a beautiful flower. The petals appeared to be forged from gold, the leaves lined with emeralds, and there was a ruby in the heart of it*

Andrea: It's beautiful.

Hercules: It's… for my beloved Megara.

Andrea: Oh…

Blue: But wait, isn't she… Dead?

Hercules: Yes… Which is why I am on my way to see her… in the Underworld.

Blue: Whoa! Now that's what I call devotion!

Andrea: I think it's very sweet.

Hercules: *blushes*

Leon: Wait… Don't you need to be…you know…to get INTO the Underworld?

Hercules: I'm a God, I can go there without having to be dead.

Leon: Oh… Right… Stupid me.

Hercules: But, for now, my young friends… I insist on seeing you safely through the woods. There’s an inn at a crossroad not too far from here,

Blue: Really? Wow… Thanks.

Hercules: Think nothing of it. This is the life I chose, after all.

Leon: Oh, right, that whole thing with the two trails and women.

Blue: *raises an eyebrow* Huh?

Hercules: I'll explain later. Right now, we should be on our way, before those bandits decide to return.

Blue: So? You can just beat the whole lot of 'em, just like you did that giant!

Hercules: Contrary to what you may think, lad, I'm not a man who enjoys violence. They've retreated for now, so we'd best move on before they gather reinforcements and return better prepared.

Blue: Well, if you say so…

Hercules: Alright. Onward, my new friends. *bows* And princess.

Andrea: What? How did you…? *slaps her head* Oh, right… God.

Hercules: *chuckles* Now, come, and stay close. I have not been away from the mortal world so long that I have forgotten there are WORSE things in the dark places of the world than bandits.

*The group traveled on, unaware of the shadowed form watching them from the brush. At first glance, it appeared to be a large brown wolf…except that it had a second head sprouting from its shoulders. The beast growled, saliva dripping from its fangs to hit the ground with an evil hiss, and its eyes shone with evil red light*

Echidna's Voice: Well done, Orthrus, you found them. And look at that, Hercules is with them, too.

*The two headed wolf, Orthrus, took a step forward, readying himself to chase after the small band of heroes*

Echidna's Voice: No, no, baby. I don't want you to fight them. Wouldn't want Ares' War Hound or Zeus' half breed son to hurt you now.

Orthrus: *whines*

Echidna's Voice: I know, my sweet boy. You're still angry over what that mean man did to your poor brother, the Nemean Lion, but we MUST be patient. For now, just follow along and keep mommy informed of where they're going, alright?

*Orthrus snarled and quietly began to stalk after the group, keeping to the shadows of the trees*

*Back in her lair, Echidna watched through Orthrus eyes by means of a large pool of glowing lavender colored pool surrounded by braziers of glowing red-hot coals, while Ladon lay resting in her arms*

Echidna: Good boy, Orthrus. *looks to Ladon* Look, Ladon. See? Those are the NASTY people trying to stop us from becoming a happy family again. And what do we DO with people like them?

Ladon: *yawns*

Echidna: That's right. We eat them up!

*Ladon just nuzzled into his mother’s chest and fell fast asleep. Echidna smiles and gave him a small kiss on the forehead*

Echidna: *glares down at the image of Hercules* And now, son of Zeus, you and your new companions will pay for my pain in the past… with YOUR pain in the present. *looks back at Ladon* And I know just how I'm going to do it. *hisses sinisterly*

*Not far ahead, the group had found their way to a busy inn built at a crossroad. There, Leon and Blue ate some chicken with rice, Andrea feasted on some stuffed grape leaves and a cup of wine, Rage ate some raw meat from a bowl on the floor, and Hercules drank from a huge goblet of wine while entertaining the others with the stories of his adventures*

Hercules: And so I wrapped my arms around the great beast's neck and I SQUEEZED! I don't mind telling you, he put some kind of fight, but I finally heard the SNAP of the bones in his neck. Since my dagger was shattered, I used his own claws to skin his hide!

Leon: Wow…

Hercules: When I brought the hide to my cousin Eurystheus, he said I could keep it, not realizing it was stronger than any suit of armor forged by man.

Blue: Well, his loss. If he’d known how powerful it was, you’d probably have been in big trouble. *chuckles*

Hercules: Hmm… *smiles* Would you like to hold it?

Blue: You… you'd actually let me TOUCH the skin of the Nemean Lion?

Hercules: Oh, go ahead. Doesn't bother me. *holds the skin out* Be my guest.

Blue: *takes the skin in his hands, runs his fingers through the mane* Whoa… It's so soft… like it was still alive.

Andrea: Funny, I always imagined the Nemean Lion to be a lot bigger… Like the size of a rhino or something.

Hercules: He WAS bigger, but when I first wrapped the pelt over my shoulders, it SHRANK until it fit me properly.

Andrea: Well… That was… convenient.

Hercules: Believe me, when you see as many strange and amazing things as I have, you stop questioning them.

Leon: You know, Hercules, I've been meaning to ask…what did Hera have against you? What did you do that none of Zeus' other illegitimate kids did?

Hercules: *sighs* I've been asking myself that same question for DECADES! Personally, I think she just didn't like seeing me happy. There I am, happily married to a beautiful princess with three lovely children. If she'd left me be, I'd have probably hung up my sword and never gone on another adventure. But what does she do? She strikes me with madness and makes me KILL my entire family! *sniffles* Sometimes… I still see them in my dreams.

Blue: I've heard of that incident… It's what drove you to do the twelve labors in the first place.

Hercules: *wipes his eyes* Yes. No one blamed me for what happened, and my mind told me it wasn't my fault, but my heart said differently. I finally went to my half-brother, Apollo, to seek HIS advice. Apollo told me to travel to the kingdom of my cousin, Eurystheus, and enter his service.

Leon: And the rest is history…

Hercules: But, I suppose if there's an up side to this entire immortality thing, it's that I can visit Megara and our children whenever I get the chance to.

Andrea: And to think, you've never sought another since that day.

Hercules: Well… I wouldn’t say that. I have since remarried to a beautiful girl named Hebe, and we’ve had two amazing children together. Twins, actually.

Leon: Wait, you're married to Hebe, the Goddess of Youth?

Hercules: That's right.

Blue: And she's okay with you seeing your deceased wife and children?

Hercules: Hebe knows I love her, but she also understands Megara and our children have a special place in my heart.

Blue: Wow, you really have it good nowadays, don't you?

Hercules: Well, I suppose I have had it luckier than MOST of dad's demigod kids.

Leon: I should say so. What other hero has done as much or has as many stories told about him as YOU do?

Blue: Not many, that's for sure.

Hercules: Now, now, don't sell yourselves short, my young friends. I've heard word of YOUR adventures, and you're well on your way, I dare say.

Leon: Really? You've heard of us?

Hercules: Of course! Athena can't stop herself from singing your praises. I especially love the story where you and the princess took on a hydra all by yourselves! When I fought the Lernean hydra, all I had was my club, and a little help from my nephew, Iolaus.

Leon: Only difference is that hydra had seven heads, where ours only had three… Well, four, after Andrea chopped off one of its heads.

Andrea: How long are you going to lord that over me?!

Leon: How old are you?

Andrea: *stammers* You're not supposed to ask a lady that!

Hercules: *laughs* Ah, now THIS is what I miss most of life as a mortal. Time spent with good friends.

Blue: You…actually consider US friends?

Hercules: Young Darius, friendship is measured by the QUALITY of the time spent together, NOT the quantity. This is one of the best days I've had in over 30 years.

Blue: *smiles* You can just call me Blue.

Hercules: And you can call me "Herc", if you like.

Blue: Really? You wouldn't… be offended?

Hercules: *laughs* Of course not! *slaps Blue on the back*

Blue: OW! Wow… Hercules just slapped my back!

Hercules: Hmm… Say, I just had an idea. Why don't you all come with me to see my wife and children?

Leon: What? You mean… go… *looks around, leaning in* down THERE?

Hercules: Precisely. I'm sure you'll have no problems as long as I'm with you. Besides, it'd make another great story for your adventures.

Blue: Well… I mean… if Hercules himself is INVITING us… *looks down, disappointed* Ah, but we can't. We're still on a mission.

Andrea: Yeah, we have to get to the seaport in Pharai before Damon and Antaeus catch up with us.

Leon: Not that we wouldn't if we COULD, but… you understand how it is, don't you, Herc?

Hercules: *laughs* Oh, haven't you heard? Your two friends are a little held up. They're still frozen near the salt water spring near Athens!

Blue: What?

Hercules: When Khione and her family put their whammy on them, Damon and my old sparring partner were frozen solid!

Leon: So now they're all the way back in Athens?

Hercules: And they'll be there for quite a while yet from the look of it.

Blue: *laughs* Oh man, this is terrific! It'll take them months before they catch up with us!

Andrea: Are we so sure? I mean Damon can still fly in his dragon form.

Hercules: Yes, but he wouldn't be foolish enough to use it during the day. He'd be an easy target for dragon slayers.

Leon: He's got a point. You know how people get when a dragon is spotted.

Blue: *laughing* Even IF they thaw out… they'll have to WALK! The ENTIRE way! We have all the time in the WORLD now!

Bel: Rawk!! Celebrate! Celebrate!

Leon: *sighs, look up at the ceiling* Thanks, Kihone…

Hercules: *chuckles knowingly* So, how about it, my friends? Will you join me?

Blue: YES! Uh… I mean… if you guys WANT to, of course.

Andrea: Absolutely!

Leon: An adventure into the Realm of the Dead with Hercules himself?! YES!

Hercules: Ha ha! Splendid!

Leon: Uh… one question. How do we GET to the Underworld from here?

Hercules: There's a cave about a few days journey from here we can use. Just… remember to bring some honey cakes.

Blue: Gotchya.

*Meanwhile, In a remote clearing in the woods, the gang of bandits from earlier had regrouped and were tending to their wounds, while their leader paced back and forth, clearly upset about the whole thing*

Bandit Leader: That…was the single most HUMILIATING moment of my life!

Marcus: Hey, how do you think I feel?! I’m the one that actually got HURT out there!!

Bandit 3: Easy, Marcus. You're lucky you got away as unscathed as you did. Hercules has killed giants FAR larger than you.

Bandit Leader: It can't be possible though! Hercules has been DEAD for 30 years!! How was he standing there in front of us, flesh and blood?!

Bandit 2: Suppose it was his ghost?

Marcus: That was no ghost! I know when I'm hit by someone with blood flowing in his veins! If that WAS the real Hercules, he's very much alive!

Bandit Leader: *groans* This won't be good for us. You've heard the stories. Now that Hercules is here, he won't stop until we're all in jail, or WORSE!

Bandit 1: What are we gonna do, boss?

Bandit Leader: I don't know! Gimme time to think, you idiots!

Marcus: Huh? *looks around, hauling himself to his feet* Something's coming!

Bandit 2: What, what is it?

Marcus: I don't know, but its scent isn't REMOTELY human! *reaches for his club*

*With a great crashing of branches and leaves, a huge reptilian creature, easily the size of a small elephant, bursts into their encampment. It was none other than Ladon, glaring at the group of assembled mortals before him with his mean red eyes, its long black tongue licking out over his jagged teeth*

Bandit 1: What is that thing?!

Bandit 3: It… it must be a dragon!

Marcus: Let's kill it before it kills us!!

*Quickly, all the bandits, save for the leader, drew their weapons, preparing to fight Ladon, as the baby dragon let out a loud, yet infantile roar. Suddenly, an even louder voice boomed out, from seemingly everywhere at once*

Echidna‘s Voice: NONE OF YOU SHALL HARM MY PRECIOUS SON IN ANY WAY!!!

*The bandits stopped dead in their tracks at the sound of the ominous voice. They kept their weapons tightly gripped, forming into a defensive circle, for they did not know from which way the voice was coming*

Echidna‘s Voice: Now… Drop your weapons and listen to me carefully.

Bandit Leader: Who's saying that? Who are you?!

Echidna's Voice: Why, I am Echidna, of course. And this, is my newborn son, Ladon. Cute, isn't he?

Ladon: *burps*

Echidna's Voice: Now, as I was saying… Drop. Your. Weapons.

Bandit 4: Oh, this is just not our day! *tosses down his daggers*

Marcus: *throws away his club* Tell me about it.

Bandit 2: *drops his sword* I knew I shoulda stayed in bed today.

Bandit Leader: Alright, we did what you wanted, now what do you want here?

Echidna's Voice: I saw earlier what that muscle-bound oaf, Hercules, did to you. I can't tell you how much I sympathize. He's forced to bury a dozen of my wonderful babies.

Bandit Leader: So… that was indeed Hercules we encountered today. How is it he's still alive?

Echidna's Voice: I'll tell you how! Zeus showed just who his favorite child was and made the brainless boob a fully-fledged GOD!

Bandit Leader: A GOD?!

Echidna's Voice: Yes! And now, Hercules guards the gates of Olympus, making sure NONE of we who stand against the gods can even get CLOSE! But.. Down to business. I need you to do me a favor. Those children traveling with Hercules… I would forever be in your debt if you would… DISPOSE of them.

Bandit Leader: *raises an eyebrow* The kids with the horse girl? Why are they so important? *pause* Come to think of it, how is it that they have one of Ares' War Hounds and swords that can cut ours in half like they were wax?

Echidna’s Voice: That meddlesome Goddess, Athena, has CHOSEN this lot to prevent my beloved Typhon's release from his eternal prison. I intend to stop them by any means I can. So…do this for me…and you will be richly rewarded.

Marcus: But if Typhon's released, won't he… you know… end all life as we understand it?

Bandit Leader: Marcus has a point. How great will this reward be if it means we take a hand in releasing a force capable of destroying the entire world!?

Echidna’s Voice: I offer countless treasures if you succeed in this mission. I will force Hades himself to summon up jewels, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, all the riches of the Earth to your FEET! Hephaestus the smith; Hermes, lord of thieves; Poseidon, who has all the wonders that have sunk beneath the waves, they will be your personal slaves! This, I guarantee… I am a woman of my word.

Bandit Leader: *looks back at his men* Boys?

*There was a moment of silence before the bandits drew their weapons together, cheering at the prospect of endless riches and the gods serving as their slaves*

Bandit Leader: *turns back to Ladon, smiles* You’ve got yourself a deal, Echidna.

Echidna’s Voice: Good. And in honor of our new alliance, I shall loan you my baby, Ladon. It's long since time he got some experience in the outside world.

Ladon: *growls*

*Meanwhile, back at the Inn, Blue and the others were talking to Hercules about his 12 labors*

Blue: Okay, so I gotta know, out of all the 12 labors you've done, which would you say was your favorite?

Hercules: Well, I wouldn't say I was particularly ENJOYING any of them, lad, but… if I had to pick… *chuckles* It was DEFINITELY getting the girdle of Queen Hippolyta.

Andrea: Didn't you KILL all the Amazons to get that, though?

Hercules: Now, where did you hear that? Alright, I killed a few of their warriors when I escaped, but that was only because they wanted to kill ME! Before that whole mess, I'd actually been having quite a nice time.

Andrea: Oh, really?

Hercules: Oh, yes. Hippolyta and I had quite a lot in common, as it turns out. I would've truly liked to get to know that woman better… but somehow, the Amazons got it into their heads that I was going to kidnap her and take her back to Eurystheus as a SLAVE WOMAN! Seriously? Do I look like THAT sort of man?

Andrea: *pause* You want me to be honest?

Leon: Alright, so what was your WORST labor then?

Hercules: The Augean Stables, HANDS DOWN!

Blue: I can believe it.

Hercules: You know what CAUSED that problem? King Augeas was such a MISER, he refused to pay for stable hands to muck out his stalls! You could not BELIEVE how much manure there was left by the horses!

Blue: Well, I grew up on a farm, so I can probably guess.

Hercules: So much that you couldn't even see the GROUND unless you were capable of digging through it all. Not to mention most of the horses had keeled over just from the smell!!

Leon: *disgusted* Please! Not while I'm eating!

Hercules: I must've been digging for a week before I realized I was making no headway. I threw down the shovel, walked to the river, washed myself off and got an idea. I found one good-sized boulder and threw it into the river. The water spilled over the banks and right through the palace grounds, carrying all that filth away. Once that was done, I simply broke the rock into pieces and let the river resume its natural course.

Andrea: I'll bet the horses were very happy.

Hercules: I daresay they were. They could finally walk in their stalls again. And if you wonder about all the manure, as it turns out, when the water stopped flowing, most of it had been carried out to the farmlands of Augeas' kingdom and became first-rate fertilizer for the fields.

Leon: All the while, King Augeas has all his problems fixed while not having to lift a finger.

Hercules: Well, now, I wouldn't say THAT. Can you imagine what his people had to say about him taxing them as badly as he was and not spending one coin of it to clean his own stables until it got so bad I had to drench their city in the worst-smelling flood in history?

Leon: That's why you get all the praise and become a legend, and he just fades into obscurity.

Hercules: That's just the way the cake crumbles, I suppose. *leans back in his chair, chuckling, only to look out the window* Hmm? *narrows his eyes*

Blue: What is it, Herc?

Hercules: There's something out there… just inside the tree line.

Rage: *looks to the window, growls*

Blue: Looks like Rage senses it, too.

Leon: Should we be cautious?

Hercules: Just stay close to me and keep your weapons ready. *stands, reaching into his rucksack and pulling out his wooden club* We can't let… whatever this is hurt these people.

Blue: Right… *grips his sword handle*

*The group got up from their chairs, gripped their weapons and walked outside. Hercules stepped forward and picked up a small rock from the ground*

Hercules: Alright, creature. If you wish to test yourself against the mighty Hercules, come forth! *hurls the stone into the bushes*

*Suddenly, here is a monstrous howl and Orthrus leapt out from the brush to avoid the stone, landing in front of the group, snarling and glaring at them with all four of his eyes*

Hercules: Well, well, Orthrus. Haven't seen YOU since that business with Geryon a few decades back, when I sent you running away for your MOMMY.

Blue: Wow, so that's Orthrus, huh?

Leon: He's even UGLIER than the paintings.

Bel: RAWK!! Ugly doggy!

Andrea: A two headed wolf? *readies her bow and arrows* Funny, I was expecting something worse.

Orthrus: *snarls, snapping his jaws angrily*

Hercules: Don't sell him short, milady. Orthrus is one of the offspring of Echidna. He's stronger than he looks.

Andrea: Let’s hope so.

Rage: *barks angrily at Orthrus*

*Orthrus roared with both his mouths, the force of his voice sending out a great wind that buffet them, forcing Blue and Leon to stab their swords into the ground to keep from being blown away*

Blue: Well, I'm convinced!

Orthrus: *growls, locking all four eyes on Hercules*

Hercules: *smirks* Oh, you like my wrap? *adjusts the upper jaw on his hood* Just like your brother's isn't it?

*Orthrus barked in fury, saliva flew from his jaws and hit the ground in hissing clouds of steam that burned away grasses and leaves*

Andrea: Herc, what are you doing?!

Leon: Don't tick him off more than he already is!

Hercules: Oh, but where's the fun in that? *hefts his club* Alright, you mange-infested son of a jackal, are we going to fight or just stand here all day looking pretty?

Blue: No worries, Herc, I got this. *looks to Rage* Sic ‘im, Rage!

*At those words, Rage grew to equal size of Orthrus, his fur glowing bright red as he ran towards the two headed wolf at top speed and immediately pounced on him, biting at his left head’s neck and clawing at his chest furiously. The huge wolf howled in pain and kicked out with his hind paws, sinking his claws into Rage's gut and forcing him off. The monster rolled over and stood, snarling at Rage even as his wounds healed, but made no move to capitalize on his gain*

Leon: He's not attacking. Why isn't he coming at us?

Blue: Maybe he knows he's not a match for one of Ares' own War Hounds.

*Orthrus growled and tensed himself to spring, only to suddenly relax and lift both his heads, all four of his ears swiveling. Rage moved his own ears, and suddenly tensed, moving in front of the group in a defensive position, snarling savagely. Blue and his comrades could feel the heat coming off Rage's fur*

Andrea: Rage? What is it?

Leon: Something's spooked him!

Hercules: Something big…

*Suddenly, a loud and tremendous roar could be heard throughout the area, rustling the tree branches and causing small stones on the ground to bounce around. Something massive moved through the forest, causing entire trees to collapse as Ladon lumbered into the clearing, smoke and fire billowing from his jaws. Orthrus flashed a pair of canine smiles at the group and ran off deep into the forest to give his brother room*

Leon: *sarcastically* Oh great… Another dragon!

Andrea: At least this one doesn't have WINGS.

Hercules: My, my, Echidna. You've been BUSY since I've been gone.

Ladon: *roars, focusing his crimson gaze on Hercules*

Blue: That thing is another one of Echidna's children?!

Hercules: No doubts there, my friends. Echidna has entire CAVERNS filled with her infant offspring. Seems to hatch them faster than we can slay them. This one appears to be one of the latest to have hatched.

Andrea: So wait, this dragon is just a BABY?!

Hercules: OH, yes. I'd daresay he's only a FRACTION of the size he's going to grow to. See those lumps all over his neck and shoulders? Most likely, they'll burst open soon enough into new heads.

Leon: …Eewww!

Blue: Uh, we can take him… Right?

Hercules: Let me get back to you on that. *charges with a battle cry, hefting his club high*

*Suddenly, as Hercules was charging toward the infant Ladon, Marcus appeared from atop his back and jumped off, tackling Hercules to the ground and striking him repeatedly*

Hercules: OOF! You again?!

Marcus: This is for throwing me earlier! *punches Hercules dead square in the face*

Hercules: *spits blood in Marcus' face* Just won't learn your lesson. I gave you a chance to leave in peace and for that to be the end of it, but NO! Unless your head is DRAGGED off your foolish neck, you just won't listen, so I must TEACH you now! *kicks his leg up into Marcus' crotch*

Marcus: *wheezes in pain, falling over onto his side* You… you cheated.

???: What can you expect from a son of Zeus?

*Everyone turned to see none other than the bandits from earlier that day, with their cloaked leader standing in their midst, looking down at them with a smug grin.*

Bandit Leader: We meet again.

Blue: You!?

Bandit Leader: I see you've met our newest recruit, Ladon, Echidna‘s newborn son. He has just been DYING to meet your new friend.

Ladon: *growls*

Bandit Leader: His O so generous mother has kindly lent him to us to help finish you off for the humiliation you caused us!

Hercules: *stands and brushes himself off* You fools would ally yourselves with Echidna and HER ilk? Are you insane or simply that stupid?!

Marcus: *gets up off the ground* She promised us great riches if we were to aid her in stopping those kids over there from preventing her husband, Typhon's return!

Bandit 1: Not to mention having the Gods of Olympus serve as our SLAVES!

Bandit Leader: For me, however, this is about more than just riches and servants… This is about revenge. Revenge for what YOU did to me and my family, Hercules!

Hercules: *raises an eyebrow* Have we met?

Bandit Leader: I'm not surprised you don't recognize me, what with the eye patch, the wrinkles and the gray hair. But allow me to remind you. I am Iphitus, son of Autolycus, Master of Thievery… And you KILLED HIM!

Hercules: WHAT?! Iphitus, you're ALIVE?! But… but you were dead! I SAW!

Blue: Whoa, no way! I didn’t know Autolycus had a son!

Andrea: WHO is Autolycus?

Hercules: He was the man who taught me the art of wrestling when I was a boy. I caught him and his sons stealing cattle, so I had to fight them. I couldn't control my strength and… and I killed them.

Iphitus: You ALMOST killed me. You laid me low with the side of your hand and I lay passed out by my father and brother's bodies until I was awakened by a vulture TEARING OUT MY EYE, YOU MUSCLEBOUND MORON!!!

Hercules: *stunned* I… I-I…

Iphitus: Since then, I've lived by the arts of thievery my father passed down to me before you KILLED him! I survived and became strong, training for the day when you and I would meet again and I would FINALLY pay you back for destroying my life and robbing me of my father and elder brother! But then I heard news or your death… Burning yourself in a funeral pier, sacrificing yourself and ROBBING ME of the chance to avenge my family's murder! But now… it seems the Fates have delivered me a second chance. Only now, I control the most powerful bandit horde in all Greece! And, finally, after all these years, I have a chance to finally avenge my family!!

Hercules: Iphitus, I never meant for Autolycus to die. He was my FRIEND, my teacher, but when I caught you stealing those cattle… I lost all control. I can't undo what I have done, but… I am sorry.

Iphitus: It’s too late for that, Hercules. FAR too late. *looks to Ladon* Ladon, be a good boy and go get a SNACK!

*Ladon roared and charged toward the group, his massive claws tearing great gouges from the earth and soil, flaming spittle flying from his open jaws*

Blue: Come on, lets go! *charges forward*

Leon: Right behind you! *follows after Blue*

*Rage barked ferociously as he charged past the group and pounced upon Ladon, gripping the infant dragon’s ear in his jaws. Meanwhile, Blue, Leon and Andrea drew their weapons and fought back as best they could, Blue and Leon's swords clanging as they struck Ladon's scales and Andrea's arrows sinking into the tender skin between the huge reptile's welts*

Ladon: *roars in pain*

Andrea: Ha! Got him!

Blue: Good work, Andrea!

Leon: Yeah, better than we’re doing, anyway!

Iphitus: *looks to the rest of the bandits* Don't just stand there staring, you idiots! GET THEM!

*Marcus nodded, hefted his club and yelled out a battle cry as he charged toward Blue and the others, with the rest of the bandits following after him, drawing their own weapons*

Blue: *sees the other bandits charging at them* Uh, guys, we got company!

Andrea: Blue… your armor! USE IT!

Blue: Oh, right! *takes out his medallion*

Bandit 4: Come here you little brat! *throws a knife at Blue's chest*

*Suddenly, Blue's body was engulfed in a bright golden light. When the light faded, he was dressed in his bronze armor once again, just as the bandit's knife hit his chest plate, shattering instantly upon impact*

Bandit 4: Oh, crud…

Leon: Man, I gotta figure out what MY medallions does.

Blue: *summons his shield* Come at me!!

Marcus: C'mon! Magic armor or not, it's all of us against the three of them! Leave Hercules to Ladon! ATTACK!!!

*Marcus and the other bandits continued charging toward the small band of heroes while Hercules and Rage continued to fight Ladon on their own, all the while, Iphitus watched from a distance*

Marcus: *brings his club over his head* I'LL CRUSH YOU LIKE A BUG!!! *swings his club down*

Blue: *blocks the club with his shield, splintering it* I don't think so!

Marcus: *tosses the shattered wood aside and begins to swing at Blue with his huge fists* You can't beat me! You're just a pathetic little HUMAN!

Blue: *blocking the blows with his shield* A pathetic little human that was able to take down a flock of harpies, a fully grown dragon, and a giant 5 times bigger than YOU! *swings his sword at Marcus' arm, slicing through the leather straps holding on his bracer and making the armor fall away*

Marcus: What the?!

Blue: Magic, remember?! *butts Marcus' jaw with his shield*

*Marcus groaned and stumbled from the impact, finally collapsing over onto his back with an echoing thud*

Marcus: Ugh…

Hercules: *holding Ladon's jaws closed* Well done, lad!

Blue: *shouts back* Thanks, Herc!

*Meanwhile, Leon fought off the other bandits with his sword and Andrea kept the rest at bay with her bow and arrows. None noticed Iphitus sneaking around with one hand behind his back*

Iphitus: Today, father, you are avenged. *pulls a jagged dagger out from behind his back* Your own dagger will spill Hercules' blood on the ground! *pulls a vial of red liquid from his pocket* The poisonous blood of a centaur felled him ONCE. Let's see what a second dose can do. *breaking the wax seal on the vial, he poured the blood on the blade*

*Quietly and stealthily, Iphitus snuck his war towards Hercules, who was still battling Ladon along with Rage. His fingers tightened around the hilt of the dagger as he watched Hercules grappling with the huge reptile, even as the Nemean Lion's skin flopped around, revealing the hero's broad, bare shoulders*

Hercules: Ha-Ha! You've got a lot of PEP for a baby, my large friend!

Ladon: *roars, swiping at Hercules with his huge claws*

Hercules: Whoa, now!! Doesn't your mother tell you babies shouldn't play with sharp objects? *grabs Ladon's paw and snaps off one of his claws*

Ladon: *screeches in pain*

Hercules: Oh, don't be that way! Your sister, the Lernean Hydra, never squealed like that, and I cut off DOZENS of her heads!

*As Blue continued fighting off the rest of the bandits with his friends, he quickly noticed Iphitus sneaking up from behind Hercules with the dagger in his hand*

Blue: Herc, watch out!!

Iphitus: DIE, HERCULES!!!

*Hercules turned to see Iphitus lunge at him with the dagger's blood-soaked blade flying to strike into his unprotected chest. Instinctively, he raised his right arm to protect his heart, and the blade sank into his tricep*

Hercules: *in pain* AAAAHHHH!!!!

Iphitus: HA!!! MY FAMILY IS AVENGED!!!!

Hercules: *grunts* OW! Just… just OW! *yanks the dagger from his arm* Do you have any idea how much that STINGS!? *groans as his would seals up by itself*

Iphitus: *eyes widen in disbelief* W-What? Bu-- But…

Hercules: *licks the blade* Hmm… Centaur blood, huh? *scoffs* You know, funny story about that--

*But before Hercules could continue, Iphitus yelled out in rage as he drew his sword and swung it toward Hercules’ neck. Fortunately, Hercules grabbed the blade with one hand,  pulled back his arm and delivered a swift punch to Iphitus’ face, knocking him out cold as his body tumbled along the ground before stopping against a tree*

Hercules: But I’ll tell you when you wake up. *is grabbed by Ladon’s claws and hoisted into the air* WHOA!!!!

*As Ladon was about to throw Hercules into his mouth to eat him, Rage kicked with hind legs, raking his claws across Ladon's neck, and causing several of his welts to burst. Ladon roared in pain as he wrestled free from Rage‘s grasp, swiping the dog’s chest with his claws. He then opened his jaws as wide as he could before clamping his sharp teeth down around Rage’s neck*

Blue: RAGE!!! *to Ladon* LET HIM GO, YOU OVERGROWN SALAMANDER!!!

Leon: He’s going to kill them!!

Andrea: *draws her bowstring* I'll draw his attention! Help Rage and Hercules! *fires an arrow into the finlike membrane of Ladon's ear*

Ladon: *lets go of Rage's neck, roaring out in pain*

Blue: Okay, let’s go!! *rushes toward Ladon*

Hercules: *begins to force Ladon's fingers open* If you wish to split your focus, Ladon, you must first learn how to multitask! *flexes, spreading Ladon's fingers wide*

*As Hercules continued to free himself from Ladon's clutches, Leon and Blue rushed forward, their swords glowing with mystic energy. Leon stabbed his sword into the ground, making the soil erupt and causing Ladon to lose his balance. Blue, his skills increased by his armor, leapt high and slashed his blade across the infant monster's chest, slicing several of the scales on his underside to shatter into fragments. As Ladon cried out in pain, Hercules was finally able to escape his grasp as he jumped onto the ground with a mighty BOOM!*

Hercules: *grabs Ladon's tail* Well, this has been a very entertaining afternoon, Ladon, but I think it's time you went HOME!

*Hercules began to spin on the spot, quickly gaining more and more speed as he did so. The ever increasing force lifted the howling dragon into the air until the hero of heroes simply released him, sending Ladon hurtling over the mountains in the distance*

Leon: Nice release…

Hercules: Thanks.

Blue: Man… *looks to the bandits* Echidna's gonna be pretty ticked off when she finds out you guys let her newborn baby get hurt.

Marcus: Aww, Zeus almighty. Let's get outta here!

*The bandits, realizing their cause was now hopeless, quickly began to flee into the woods, unknowingly leaving the unconscious Iphitus behind. Blue's bronze armor soon disappeared as he deactivated his medallion*

Blue: Jeez… And I thought it was bad enough when it was just Damon and Antaeus after us. But now we have Echidna, the mother of all monsters herself, and her offspring to worry about, too.

Hercules: It's not THAT bad. Most of Echidna's children are real homebodies. Once they settle in one place, they never leave it.

Leon: Once we find that first key fragment, the better.

Hercules: Well, don't worry. While you're with me, you're safe and sound.

Iphitus' Voice: Ugh…

*The group turned to see Iphitus leaning against a tree, recovering from the blow Hercules had dealt him earlier, as he rubbed the bump on his head*

Iphitus: Where… Where are my men?

Leo: Uh… they sorta ran off after Ladon was defeated.

Iphitus: *growls* Traitors… *looks to Hercules* And you! Why didn't my knife kill you?! It was coated in centaur blood!!

Andrea: What?!

Hercules: Well, like I said, it's really a funny story if you give it half a chance. You see, I know everyone THINKS centaur blood is poisonous, but actually, it's NOT!

Iphitus: But… all the stories… your third wife, Deinanira, covered your clothes in the blood of that centaur, Nessus, and it KILLED you!

Hercules: Well, yes, but remember, I had SHOT Nessus with one of my arrows, which was coated with the venom of the Lernean Hydra. Besides, even if that blood you used was poisonous, I'm a God now, immortal! Meaning no matter what you try to do to kill me, it will never work because I have already shed my mortal flesh in the funeral pyre I had built!

Iphitus: No… no… Now I'll never be able to avenge my father! *falls to his knees*

Hercules: *walks up to him* Iphitus, I know you refuse to listen… But I truly am sorry for what I did to you and your family.

Iphitus: Get away from me! Because of YOU, I grew up alone, a common thief! But I will not give you the satisfaction of taking me in to face the magistrate. *picks up his dagger again* I make… the only choice I have left!

Hercules: Iphitus, please, don't! I know I have wronged you, but vengeance is not the answer! You must let go of the past, I was punished for what I did!

Iphitus: Three years spent as a farmhand! That's not punishment! That's not justice! I refuse to be subject to the same laws that let you kill my family and just walk away! Only the courts of the Underworld will pass judgment on ME! *plunges his dagger into his chest and falls over*

Hercules: NO!!! *runs over and holds Iphitus in his arms*

Iphitus: *gurgling cough* What do you know? I win.

*With one last gasp of breath, Iphitus slowly died in Hercules’ arms as the dagger, now soaked in his own blood, fell from his grasp and dropped to the ground*

Leon: Good, sweet Hera…

Blue: Herc…?

Hercules: *looks to the others* Blue, Leon, Princess… You and everyone else may see me as a hero… But sometimes…I don't think I even deserve to be called one.

Leon: Don't talk like that, Herc. Like you said, you faced judgment for what you did. It was HIM who couldn't let go of the past and move on.

Hercules: Still, Leon… It was my fault he had to suffer the way he did. Sometimes, I wonder just how many people I've hurt in my life.

Andrea: What… What do we with him?

Hercules: *takes a deep breath* He deserves a proper burial.

*A few hours later, the group had dug a small pit and Hercules laid Iphitus' body down into it*

Hercules: Uncle… hear my prayer… be lenient on him. *begins to shove the dug away dirt back into the pit, covering the body*

Blue: *puts a hand on Hercules' shoulder* Herc… I--

Hercules: It’s alright, Blue. I will be alright, in time.

Blue: Maybe we'll see him again… I mean, when we go visit your family in the Underworld.

Hercules: Yes, and perhaps there, his mind will be more at ease. *pause* One can only hope…

*Meanwhile, back in Echidna's lair, Ladon was wailing as his mother tended to his wounds*

Echidna: Oh, it's okay, sweetie. Mommy's right here for you. That horrible man and those brats hurt you so badly. *sighs* I knew those bandits couldn't be trusted to get the job done right! Looks like I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on things. *hisses angrily*

Ladon: *continues to cry*

Echidna: *picks up Ladon and coddles him* Oh, don't worry, baby. I'll never let you get hurt again. You just wait until you're big and strong, like your daddy, and no one will EVER dare to get close to you. Now… give mama a BIG hug.

Ladon: Ma… Ma… Mama. *wraps his arms around Echidna's neck*

Echidna: Oh, my baby said his first word! *gives Ladon a big hug and kisses his cheek*

*Meanwhile, at the saltwater spring outside Athens, Damon and Antaeus' frozen prison began to shake and crack, until finally, Damon burst from the ice, spewing columns of fire into the air in his fury*