Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Title: The Challenge of Ate 1/3
Author: MultiMapper
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I mean really… nothing… enough about me,
I'll work that out in therapy some day. Renpics owns a few of the
characters and the Gods own themselves. Oh yeah, I make no money, so
it don't count.
Feedback: multimapper@yahoo.com
Warning: Rated R for language and some non-graphic sexual imagery… Oh
yeah, and M/M of course.
Archived at: http://multimapper.us elsewhere, just ask.
Summary: This is in response to a challenge issued by Daasbuffy on
AJCS. The challenge is at the end of the story (I don't want to give
too much away in advance.) Thanks DB, good one.
[Chapter 1: Twenty-Five Years Before]
An animalistic howl emanated from the underbrush.
Artemis tracked her prey, not knowing what type of beast had the
intelligence to evade her for over an hour.
Silent as a cat, Artemis crept up to the beast while considering her
surroundings.
With a blast of godly strength she threw a large stone to drive her
prey into the open where she could get a clear shot with her bow and
arrow.
The figure dashed out of the bushes as expected and Artemis let the
arrow fly. A fraction of a second later she realized that this wasn't
an animal, but a person... a woman.
Artemis ran forward to find the woman collapsed on the ground with an
arrow piercing her heart.
There was nothing to be done, the shot had been on target and the
woman would die.
Artemis retrieved her arrow and looked curiously at the woman laying
dead at her feet.
She looked familiar.
Then to Artemis' shock, the wound began healing itself.
//Apollo! I need your help!// Artemis called to her brother with her
mind.
[**********]
Apollo stood in the forest over the strange woman, trying to
understand what he was seeing.
"She's a goddess... but I've never seen her before." Apollo said in
bewilderment.
"Is she from another pantheon? Maybe they cast her out and she's been
hiding here?" Artemis asked curiously.
"No, her power signature is Olympian... in fact..." Apollo trailed
off in thought.
"What?" Artemis asked as she stared at the woman.
"It's almost the same as Strife's. We need to get her to Olympus.
She'll be waking up soon and I'd like to get some hephestian metal on
her so she doesn't get away before we can get some answers." Apollo
said with resolve.
"Ready when you are." Artemis said firmly.
In a burst of power, the twins flashed their unconscious find to
Olympus.
[**********]
Strife appeared in Apollo's temple with a cautious expression.
The bright and shiny side of the family never called on him, and the
few times they had dealings, Strife tended to end up worse off for
the experience.
"Can you explain this?" Apollo asked shortly.
"What?" Strife asked, looking at the dirty, disheveled woman laying
on the examining table.
"Who is she?" Artemis asked impatiently.
"How in Hades name should I know? Nevah seen her before." Strife said
defensively.
"Come on Strife, her power signature is almost identical to yours.
You have to be related." Apollo said in an accusing voice.
"Don't know what ta tell ya 'Pol. I ain't nevah seen her. Ya need ta
look somewhere's else." Strife said firmly.
"Could she be your child?" Artemis asked, sounding less accusatory.
"She's a full goddess, right?" Strife asked, waiting for Apollo to
answer.
"Yes." Apollo said as he looked at the facial features of the woman.
"Well that proves it. Ain't no goddess nevah spread her legs fer me.
I just got me three kids, boys. An their muthah don't even know Ah'm
a god." Strife said with absolute certainty.
"Just look at her Strife, look at her face. She's related to you."
Apollo said quietly.
"Can't help ya 'Pol. I gotta get back ta Unc." Strife said quickly.
Apollo stood dumbfounded, then his attention was drawn to the woman
waking up.
[**********]
"Who are you?" Apollo asked carefully.
The woman looked at Apollo with unseeing eyes.
"What's your name?" Apollo asked a little more loudly.
The woman looked at him in confusion and finally said, "Little
buggies, little tiny buggies, crawl and swim, flit and fly. Breathe
them in, eat them up, they make you sick and sleep and die..."
Apollo looked at his sister with wide eyes.
"She's insane." Artemis said hesitantly.
Apollo focused his god power to look in her mind and fell to the
floor.
He started choking and turned himself half over before vomiting.
"What... what did you see?" Artemis asked in confusion.
Apollo took in a deep, cleansing breath, then with a thought, cleaned
himself and the floor.
"It's not like anything I've ever seen before. She's quite mad.
Whatever answers we find about her, we won't find that way." Apollo
said as he made his way to his feet unsteadily.
"I'll go to the halls of time and see what I can find there. Let me
know if you find out anything else." Artemis said with resolve.
"I will, thanks for your help... would you check in on Asclepius
before you go? I haven't seen him all day and want to be sure he's
alright.
"Sure. I know right where I'll find him. In the archive of the muses.
That boy isn't going to be happy till he knows all that is knowable."
Artemis said fondly, thinking of her nephew.
"Did I tell you that he asked me to teach him about medicine?" Apollo
asked with a smile.
"Really? Another god of healing? You might actually get to take a day
off." Artemis said with a smile.
Apollo thought about that, then shook his head. "Never happen. If I
take a day off... there won't be a day. Remember that I do the whole
sunrise thing."
"You could get Helios to do it. He's been working for you for...
forever. It's about time he had some responsibility." Artemis said,
knowing she was right.
"Won't work. He's afraid of horses." Apollo said simply.
Artemis laughed as she walked out of the temple.
[**********]
Eris walked into Apollo's main temple in an impatient stride.
"WHAT?" She demanded, glaring daggers.
"Do you know this woman?" Apollo asked, not letting Eris' attitude
phase him.
"No. Is that all?" Eris demanded.
"Eris, this woman has a power signature almost identical to Strife's.
He says he doesn't know her so the only other explanation I can come
up with is that she's Strife's sister." Apollo said in a clinical
voice.
"Strife's probably lying, he does it all the time. Only thing the
little pest is good at." She said and stomped out of the room.
[**********]
[Damn it. Apollo's too close. I need to throw him off the trail.]
Eris thought as she walked back to the halls of war.
A thought occurred to her and she diverted to the halls of time.
[I need to block access to her past... and maybe while I'm there I
can find something useful to draw Apollo's attention.] Eris thought
as she walked through the ornate garden to the grand temple.
[**********]
"What are you doing here?" Zeus said in a booming voice.
Eris turned and faced her worst nightmare and her eyes darted around,
looking for an escape.
"Answer me!" Zeus boomed.
"Covering up for you... as usual." Eris said in as confident a voice
as she could manage.
Zeus got a surprised look on his face, so Eris continued.
"Ate's back." Eris said simply.
"I thought you killed it just after it was born." Zeus said with
anger burning in his eyes.
"I dropped them in the forest. I figured they'd starve or get eaten
by wolves or something. But Ares found Strife just where I'd left him
and knew he was mine by the power signature. I don't know what
happened to Ate." Eris said while inching her way toward the door.
"Then kill it now. If Hera finds out, she'll make both our lives a
living Tartarus." Zeus said with a scowl.
"Apollo's got her. He thinks she's Strife's daughter because they
have the same power signature." Eris said, inching further.
"Well they're twins. Of course they'd have the same power signature."
Zeus said as he started to pace.
"I can't get her away from Apollo, he's like a dog with a bone." Eris
said seriously.
"Then we need to give the dog something more interesting to chew
on..." Zeus said with a crafty smile.
"Let me fog the memory mirrors so no one can trace Ate back to us,
then we can mess with shiny boy." Eris said with purpose.
A figure stood behind the pillar, just two feet away listening
intently.
[***********]
"What is the meaning of this? As King of the Gods I am the only one
who can call a council of the gods!" Zeus said in a booming voice.
Artemis looked around the room to confirm that all the major gods
were present... and Strife.
"I called the meeting." Artemis said in a full voice.
Zeus looked at her with stunned disbelief before breaking out in
malicious laughter.
"Tell us what you know about Ate." Artemis said coldly.
"Who?" Zeus asked, looking as innocent as a new born babe.
Artemis continued undeterred, "Ate, your daughter... and
granddaughter."
Then Artemis turned to face the room and said, "The daughter of Eris
and Zeus, Strife's twin."
A gasp went through the room and Strife bolted upright.
"Yer my dad?" Strife asked in disbelief.
Zeus looked on in equal parts humiliation and anger.
Hera looked at her husband in rage as Eris did her best to fade into
the background.
"How did this happen?" Ares asked, directing his question at Eris.
She couldn't answer. She had no voice.
"He raped her." Hera said in a guttural growl of disgust.
"What?" Apollo asked in surprise.
"Whenever he gets mad at me he finds some way to take it out on our
children. What do you say Zeus? Couldn't you track down Ares so you
could beat him unconscious that day?" Hera asked her husband with
might.
"I..." Zeus began to say.
"What do you have to say?" Strife asked his mother.
Eris looked into Strife's questioning eyes and slipped into her
defensive posture.
"Yeah, so what? You lived. What more do you want?" Eris said with her
arms crossed over her chest.
"No thanks to you." Artemis said forcefully.
"What do you mean?" Ares asked in confusion.
"You knew Eris was pregnant. When she gave birth, you followed her at
a distance to be sure she was okay. You found Strife, abandoned in
the tall grass in the mortal realm outside Tanegra. You never told
anyone, you just said that Eris chose to let you raise Strife. What
you didn't know is that she had twins. If you had looked closer you
would have found Strife's sister not three feet farther on." Artemis
said seriously.
"How do you know that?" Eris snapped.
"I got to the halls of time before you could cloud the images. I was
there when you told Zeus that you'd abandoned your babies and left
them to die." Artemis said darkly.
"How did Ate survive?" Aphrodite asked in an uncharacteristic small
voice.
"She was raised by wolves. She finally came into contact with mortals
when she was about nine years old. They did their best to teach her,
but... she was wild. They determined that she was beyond help and did
their best to provide for her. She lived at their farmhouse until
they finally died of old age. Since then she's been surviving by
hunting in the woods by the farmhouse... that's where I found her."
Artemis said sadly.
"What're we gonna do for her now?" Strife asked and looked around the
room.
"She won't be able to stay at my temple indefinitely. She'll need
almost constant supervision." Apollo said plainly.
Everyone looked around but were careful to be silent so they wouldn't
be mistaken for volunteers.
Strife looked at his uncle with hopeful, pleading eyes.
Ares thought for a moment, then asked, "What's her godhood?"
Everyone looked to Zeus, since he was the only one to confer godhoods.
"Ate: The Goddess of Drunken and Destructive Insanity." Zeus said
quietly.
"I've seen a few wars started that way." Ares said in thought, then
continued, "I Ares, Head of the House of War accept Ate into my house
and offer her my guidance and protection."
Strife walked to Ares side and said under his breath, "Thanks Unc."
Ares made no outward indication of having heard, but Strife knew
that he did.
"What about Zeus?" Hera demanded of the council of gods.
Apollo stood and declared, "If no one objects, we will stand in
recess on that matter to give Ate time to adjust to her new
surroundings. In two moons we will reconvene and settle the matter of
Zeus."
No one objected, and the gods began to go their separate ways.
[**********]
Two months had passed and Ate was settling in surprisingly well in
the House of War. She was stark raving mad, but once one accepted
that fact, she was pleasant company.
"Ate, we're bout ready fer dinnah, come on an eat." Strife said as he
walked into the lounge where she was staring out the window.
"Grubby, wormy, crusty shell. New eyes, new wings, natures spell."
Ate said with excitement.
Strife walked to her side and said, "Yeah, tha butterflies are nice.
We can go out an try an catch some aftah dinnah if ya want."
"Broken wings, broken eyes, broken heart, falls and dies." Ate said
with damp eyes.
"Kay, we can jus watch'm." Strife said softly.
Ate smiled and said, "Drippy, lumpy, sloppy, bumpy?"
"Yeah, you can have some mashed potatahs an gravy with yer dinnah.
But ya gotta eat yer greens too." Strife said as he led her from the
room.
"Sour, stringy, icky, clingy?" Ate asked hesitantly.
"No, yah don't have'ta eat any spinach, Ah promise." Strife said as
he put an arm around his sister's shoulder.
[***********]
Though Ares wasn't usually one for family gossip, when it directly
related to him or his household, he passed on the information that
they might need.
"You know Hera cut him off about two months ago." Ares said absently.
"Yeah, Ah don't blame her." Strife said as he ate his dinner.
"Well I just found out that Zeus found another mortal's bed to
warm... and he left her pregnant." Ares said sadly.
"Ya think tha old coot is really that horney? Mebbe 'Pol could cook
sumthin up so he don't have so many wild oats ta sew." Strife said in
thought as he glanced to see how Ate was doing.
"No. I think he does it to hurt Hera. He knows that by being
unfaithful he's not only insulting and disrespecting her, but he's
also tearing directly into her godhood. I doubt he even remembers the
mortal's name." Ares said as he looked off into a distant place only
he could see.
"But ya know we'll all be hearin 'bout it fer tha next thousand
years." Strife said with a shake of his head.
"Yes. The name Alcemene will be very well known on Olympus when Hera
finds out." Ares said with regret.
[***********]
After some time in the garden watching the butterflies, Strife heard
the call of Apollo to attend the hearing of Zeus.
Strife put an arm around his sister and said, "We need ta go to tha
Great Hall. 'Pol's callin fer us."
"Teeny tiny little bird. Careful moves, careful step, careful hands
or break it's neck." Ate said with worry.
"Naw, Ah'll be right there wit ya. No one's gonna hurt'cha. Me an Unc
will keep ya safe." Strife said with affection.
Ate cuddled close to her brother and waited for him to transport them.
[**********]
Strife looked around and found that not only the inner council was
present as before, but also Hades, Poseidon, Hestia and Gaia.
"We have discussed this matter and come to the conclusion that Zeus
must make reparation to those he has injured. Each of you will be
asked for one thing that will compensate you for your suffering at
his hands, so consider your answer carefully." Apollo said to the
group.
A murmur went through the gods and Apollo waited for silence so he
might continue.
"Eris, what is one thing that Zeus can do to ease the suffering he
has caused?" Apollo asked with a note of compassion in his voice.
Eris was disgusted by the pity Apollo was showing but fought to keep
her expression neutral. Finally she answered, "I want him to swear on
the Styx that he will never touch me again for any reason."
"I promise." Zeus said in a sullen voice that appeared on the surface
to be true remorse.
"Say it, I want to hear the words." Eris said with venom.
"I swear my sacred oath on the river Styx that I will never again,
under any circumstances touch you again Eris." Zeus said in an
emotionless voice.
Eris nodded and looked away.
The gods knew that Zeus couldn't be trusted to keep his word, but an
oath on the river Styx would guarantee his compliance, otherwise he
would lose his godhood... permanently.
"Strife, what can be done to ease the suffering that Zeus caused
you?" Apollo asked in a quieter voice.
Strife held his sister closely and said, "He was nevah a fathah ta
me, he nevah claimed me or my sistah. No one outside this room knows
that Zeus is mah dad. All I want is ta keep it that way."
"Does anyone object to that?" Apollo asked the group of gods.
No one answered so Apollo took that as acceptance.
"Then it is done. Strife has no father." Apollo said seriously.
An aire of agreement spread through the room.
"Strife, you're the only one who seems to be able to communicate with
Ate, can you ask her what she wants?" Apollo asked in a voice filled
with tenderness.
"What'cha want we should do 'bout Zeus? What's gonna make yas happy?"
Strife asked quietly.
"Teeny tiny, itty bitty, never hurt, never pity." Ate said, looking
into Strife's eyes with compassion.
"Who you mean?" Strife asked as he narrowed his eyes.
"Promise kept, still betrayed. Left alone, feels afraid. Lives in
virtue, lost desire. Strength, love, peace, fire." Ate said with
pleading eyes.
"Alright. If that's what ya really want... Yer a bettah person than
me." Strife said as he pulled his sister close for a hug.
"What does she want?" Apollo asked in confusion.
"Tha things that Zeus refused ta do fer us, she wants him ta do fer
his unborn child." Strife said as he watched Hera for her reaction.
"What?" Hera said suddenly then turned to glare at Zeus.
"What exactly does she want him to do for the child?" Apollo asked
carefully.
"She wants tha kid ta be acknowledged b'fore all tha gods an mortals
as his. She wants fer Zeus ta protect tha kid and do his best ta give
tha kid a happy life." Strife said with a wistful little smile.
Zeus looked with irritation at Strife and Ate.
"Then we will proceed. Zeus, if there is to be an end to this matter,
you must do as Ate has asked." Apollo said forcefully.
Zeus reluctantly stood and said loudly enough for all to hear, "I
Zeus do hereby declare before all Olympus that the unborn child of
Alcemene, is my son. At his birth he will be named Hercules. I grant
my child the blessing of godly strength that he will be protected
from those that would harm him. At his birth, it will be announced by
every priest at every temple that Hercules, my beloved child has been
born. My protection will also include the mother, so that no action
shall be taken against her."
Hera couldn't hold her indignation at the proceedings and said, "He
raped his daughter and denied his children and *this* is his
punishment?"
"We've left it to those he injured to decide. It is not in our power
to undo what has been done. Without true remorse on Zeus' part, any
punishment we could devise would serve no purpose but vengeance."
Apollo said calmly.
Hera seethed, but stayed silent.
"Is Ate satisfied with this declaration?" Apollo asked hesitantly as
he turned his attention to Strife and Ate.
Strife looked at his sister and saw the happy, contented smile that
she wore.
"Yeah, it's jus what she wanted." Strife said in peace.
Title: The Challenge of Ate 2/3
Author: MultiMapper
Disclaimer: See Part 1]
[Chapter 2: Twenty-Five Years Later]
Ate had been living in the Halls of War, unseen for the most part by
all but the members of that house.
Ares had worked to include her in his plans whenever possible. It
became common for armies who'd lost Ares' favor to have a drunken
brawl the night before an important battle.
Strife divided his attention between his duties in the House of War
and his sister.
Twenty-five years of seeing after her well-being had turned out to be
a pleasure rather than a burden.
Then the fateful day came when he faced Callisto and was stabbed with
the hind's blood dagger.
Strife died and his shade was confined to the underworld.
Ate couldn't cope with the loss, and in a last-ditch effort to
appease her, Ares took her to Hades' realm to ask his Uncle Hades if
she could stay with Strife.
"Please Uncle, no one else can understand her and she's been
inconsolable since he died." Ares asked quietly.
"The living aren't meant to dwell in the realm of the dead. If she
were to eat or drink anything while she was here, she'd be bound to
the underworld permanently." Hades said in thought.
"I don't see that being a problem since Strife is here. She'd welcome
the change." Ares said with regret.
"But many things can happen to a fallen god. They can be reborn or
resurrected. If that were to happen, Ate would be trapped here for
eternity and Strife would have to make the same choice... I can't
allow it." Hades said seriously.
"Resurrected? Why haven't I heard about this sooner?" Ares asked
quickly.
"Because it isn't something that you can do for him. It's really
complicated, but it has to do with soul-mates, opposing forces and
some factors that even I don't understand." Hades said with
irritation.
"So what you're saying is that it's a possibility that Strife could
be resurrected, but you don't know how or when." Ares said in thought.
"Yes, it's been known to happen a few times before. Unfortunately,
those instances don't seem to have enough in common for us to figure
out how to cause it to happen on purpose." Hades said with regret.
"Dagger and dart, smile and heart. Two are one, can't break apart."
Ate said seriously.
Ares shushed her and tried to think of what to do.
"All I can suggest is that you bring her to visit as often as you
can. Maybe that will be enough to keep her happy." Hades said weakly.
"I guess it's a short term solution. Thanks for trying. Please let me
know if you can think of anything else that we can do." Ares said in
thought.
"I promise. You're one of my favorite nephews, I'll do whatever I can
to help... but right now I have to go deal with a situation. I think
Hercules' hunter friend just died again. I need to get him put back
to right before anyone finds out or Hercules will be on another
crusade to retrieve his soul." Hades said in a tired voice.
"Why don't you just make him immortal? It would end up being just
about the same wouldn't it?" Ares asked as he gently put an arm
around Ate.
"Why don't *you* try getting a golden apple from Hera? She guards
those things like Athena guards her virginity." Hades said in
frustration.
"Yeah, except the apples are worth something." Ares said with a smile.
"And someone wants them." Hades said with a smirk.
Ares gave a gentle laugh and led Ate out of Hades' office to visit
with Strife's shade.
[**********]
//Cupid? Do you have some free time?// Ares called to his son.
Cupid appeared in a pink flash of power, carrying Bliss.
"What's up dad?" Cupid asked casually.
"I was wondering if you could stay with Ate for a while. She usually
keeps herself entertained, but I may be gone for a few days and she
doesn't always remember to eat... or create edible food." Ares said
hesitantly.
"I don't know what to do. I've never really spent any time with her."
Cupid said nervously.
"If you have any problem, you can call me and I'll tell you what to
do. I'd really appreciate it if you could do this for me. Just about
everyone in the House of War is going to be tied up with this war."
Ares said hopefully.
"Sure dad." Cupid said reluctantly.
"Oh yeah, could you take her to visit Strife? It's the high point of
her day." Ares said quickly.
"Um. Sure, I guess." Cupid said hesitantly.
"What's wrong?" Ares asked with concern.
"Strife and I, we don't get along." Cupid said as he looked away.
"Why not?" Ares asked, trying to think back.
"I don't know. We just never did, I guess we're too different, we
don't have any common interests." Cupid said in thought.
"Well it will just be a few days, and if you're taking care of Ate,
he'll probably treat you nice." Ares said, then got a distant look in
his eyes.
"I've got to go. It's starting." Ares said quickly and vanished.
[**********]
Cupid put Bliss down and stooped a little so he could hold Bliss'
hand to steady him.
Bliss hadn't completely perfected walking yet and still had unsteady
moments.
"Papapapa?" Bliss said to his father in an inquisitive tone.
"He had to go to work. Let's go find your cousin Ate." Cupid said
patiently.
Bliss screwed up his face in question.
"I don't think you've seen her before. You'll like her... I think."
Cupid said cautiously.
They walked into the lounge and found Ate staring out into the garden.
"Hello Ate, Dad asked me to stay with you for a while... how are
you?" Cupid asked hesitantly.
"Days, pushing. Nights, lying. Lost, living. Lost, dieing." Ate said
in a depressed voice.
"Jupa grommish." Bliss said loudly.
Ate turned to look at Bliss and her sadness transformed into a gentle
smile.
"Menambis." Bliss said seriously.
"Running, falling. Hurting, giving. Holding, having. Loving, living."
Ate said in return.
Bliss broke from his father's hand-hold and hugged Ate's legs.
Ate picked up Bliss and sat him on her lap. She gently stroked his
golden curls with one hand and put her other gently around him to
keep him from falling.
"Dagon ustavis Stwi." Bliss said as he enjoyed Ate's attention.
Ate's eyes lit up and she looked at Cupid in question.
Cupid tried to follow the mangled, incomprehensible conversation and
finally took a chance and said, "Yes, we're going to take you to
visit Strife."
"Short shadow, bumpty bump. Whistle wave, joggy jump?" Ate asked
hopefully.
Cupid was surprised that he actually understood that and said, "Sure,
we can go now if you want to. Then we'll have dinner when we get
back."
[**********]
Cupid appeared with Ate and Bliss in the main hall of Hades' castle.
"Um, I don't know where we're going. Can you lead us there Ate?"
Cupid asked hopefully.
Ate looked at Cupid with confusion for a second, then looked around
the hall and started walking.
Cupid took Bliss' hand and followed saying, "I hope she knows where
we're going."
Ate took them up a flight of stairs and to a door.
"Little bitty, dark and sad. Hurt and lonely, mean and mad." Ate said
in warning.
"I won't take it personally. I don't know much about Strife, but I'm
sure he has a good reason to be angry." Cupid said as he picked up
Bliss.
Ate knocked on the door and waited.
Strife opened the door and a look of delight came over his face when
he saw Ate.
He hugged her close, then noticed Cupid and Bliss standing behind her.
"What'cha doin here?" Strife asked in an accusatory voice.
"Dad asked me to watch after Ate because he's going to be dealing
with a big war for a couple days." Cupid said cautiously.
"Little, big. Happy, heart. Nice, friendly..." Ate said then got a
questioning look on her face that Strife recognized.
"Um..." Strife thought about what the next two words would be.
"Arrow, dart." Cupid said with a smile.
Ate looked at Cupid with delight and Bliss clapped his hands.
"Ya can understand her?" Strife asked with wide eyes.
"Well, not everything. But yeah, all you've got to do is listen.
She's easier to understand than Bliss." Cupid said and looked to his
son.
"That's Bliss? I ain't seen 'im since he was nothin but eyes an
wings." Strife said in wonder.
"Yeah, he's growing up fast... a lot faster than I did." Cupid said
with a hint of a blush.
"Ah remembah that. You was a cherub for nearly three hundred years,
wasn't'cha?" Strife asked as he withdrew into his room and gestured
for his guests to enter.
"Yeah. Mom was going nuts trying to figure out what she was doing
wrong." Cupid said as he took a seat on a couch in the parlor area of
the room.
Ate sat beside Strife on a love seat and held him close.
"So what's been goin on upstairs?" Strife asked as he held his sister
tenderly.
"Not much. Herc's still on his self-imposed quest to piss off every
god on Olympus. I think Pan and Lamia are the only ones left." Cupid
said with a smirk.
Strife laughed, he never knew Cupid had a sense of humor, much less
sarcasm.
"So what'd tha big oaf do ta piss you off?" Strife asked, not
realizing that he was becoming more relaxed in Cupid's presence.
"Besides calling my son a monster and a brat, he had a little fling
and destroyed about two years of work. I had an epic romance arranged
and now the guy's all jealous of Hercules and the woman's pining
after him... saving herself for him." Cupid finished with a roll of
his eyes.
Strife laughed, not in malice but sympathy.
"Happy horsey, little ring. Jumpy dolly, smile and sing?" Ate asked
Strife hopefully.
Strife was about to answer, then looked at Cupid in question.
"I don't mind if you don't. As long as they don't get too rough."
Cupid said in response.
"Go head you two. Ya know where Ah keep tha toys." Strife said with a
grand smile.
"Dada tanka." Bliss said, then ran to join Ate at the toy box.
"You're welcome Bliss. You two have fun." Cupid said warmly.
"Most people teach their kids ta talk before teachin 'em manners."
Strife observed.
"Well, Bliss is really special. I didn't exactly teach him manners,
he just kind of picked them up." Cupid said as he glanced fondly at
Bliss.
"That means he saw you bein polite and's tryin to be like you. I
think that really says sumthin 'bout'cha." Strife said in thought.
"Do you have any kids?" Cupid asked as he shifted to be more
comfortable.
"Yeah, triplets. But they don't know Ah'm their dad. Unc's been
lookin out for 'em since I been dead. Jett and Jayce are makin names
fer themselves and comin inta their own... Joxer's, well, he got it
in his head that he wants ta be a hero..." Strife trailed off in
worry.
"Just what Greece needs, another demi-god hero." Cupid said with full
sarcasm, then looked apologetically at Strife.
"He don't know he's a demi-god, none of 'em do. Jett got my godly
stealth and fighting ability, Jayce got my sense of independence and
individuality, but Ah think Jox got a piece of mah godhood or
sumthin." Strife said carefully.
"How's that?" Cupid asked with interest.
"Mischief an mayhem follow him around like a bad smell. He don't
exactly cause it, or he don't mean to, but when he walks by... things
tip ovah, knots come undone, things just go wrong." Strife said, then
met Cupid's eyes.
"You must worry for him." Cupid said quietly, holding Strife's gaze.
"Yeah. Since he was wantin ta be a hero, I nudged him ta meet up with
Xena. I thought mebbe she would protect him..." Strife trailed off.
"Let me guess. She treats him like crap or ignores him." Cupid said
darkly, thinking of the few times he had peeked in on his half sister.
"Yeah. But it ain't obvious. Xena just rolls her eyes or turns her
back on 'im. It's that little bitch that tags along with Xena that's
hurtin him." Strife said with pain.
"Um, Gabrielle?" Cupid struggled to remember.
"Yeah, tongue like an adder, manners like a harpy and a heart cold as
Zeus'." Strife said in anguish.
"Why does he stay with them then?" Cupid asked with concern for
Strife's attitude.
"He thinks he loves her." Strife said in defeat.
"Well, maybe I can do something about that." Cupid said in thought.
"Anythin would be bettah than what he's livin through now." Strife
said quietly.
"I'll keep you posted. Don't worry, Joxer will be fine." Cupid said
with assurance.
Strife smiled, then thought to ask, "Tell me bout yer wife. Ah nevah
got ta meet her."
[***********]
Ate and Bliss were playing in the floor.
Ate held a Pegasus and was flying it around with a raspberry noise.
Bliss had a boy doll and a girl doll and they were wrestling on the
floor.
After a minute, Ate stopped to watch what Bliss was having the two
dolls do.
Bliss looked up and noticed Ate's curious expression.
"Moman Herm. Bounce, bounce, bounce, aaaaahhhh." Bliss said sadly so
that only Ate could hear.
Ate looked at Bliss with surprise.
"Mind and Heart, feeling start. Feeling die, fall apart?" Ate asked
hesitantly.
Bliss looked at Ate with sad eyes and nodded.
Ate put down her Pegasus and hugged Bliss close.
[**********]
"Come on Ate, give Strife a hug so we can go have dinner." Cupid said
gently.
Ate got up and pulled Strife into a deep hug and held on tightly.
Cupid walked over to the toy box to help Bliss put the toys away.
"What's wrong?" Strife asked quietly.
"Heart and Mind, trust and lie. Daddy Mommy, sad and cry." Ate said
in despair.
"Who?" Strife asked quietly, feeling that she didn't want Cupid to
hear.
"Mind and Thief, lay and lie. Kiss and hug, Heart will die." Ate said
with imploring eyes.
"Did Bliss tell ya that?" Strife asked in a whisper.
Ate nodded with worry in her expression.
"Yah need ta not say nothin bout it ta Cupe. Bliss could be wrong an
we don't want ta cause no trouble fer him. Will you promise?" Strife
asked seriously.
Ate nodded, then fell into another hug with her brother.
Cupid walked over to them, carrying Bliss.
"We'll be back to see you tomorrow Strife." Cupid said quietly, not
wanting to disturb them too much.
"Thanks fer takin care of Ate fer Unc. Ah can't think of no one
bettah ta do it." Strife said in an equal quiet voice.
Ate hesitantly released Strife and walked to Cupid's side, waiting
for him to transport them.
[**********]
Cupid produced food for all three of them and noticed the subdued
mood that had fallen over both Bliss and Ate.
"What's wrong Ate? You've been quiet and worried since we got back."
Cupid asked with concern.
"Ugly truths, little lie. Sad and sour, sad and die." Ate said with
downcast eyes.
"Oh, a secret. Okay, I won't ask. But if you can't tell me, can we do
something that will cheer you up?" Cupid asked hopefully.
"Nia happy, Nia sing, Nia dance, Nia fling!" Ate asked hopefully.
"Okay, but only for a little while. If we visit too long, Mania will
get wound up and it'll take Morpheus himself to get her to sleep
tonight." Cupid said firmly.
Ate nodded enthusiastically with joy.
"Come on Bliss, we're going to visit Phonos and Mania for a little
bit." Cupid said and held open his arms in invitation.
Bliss got to his feet quickly and tottered to his father.
[**********]
Cupid was emotionally exhausted after a visit with the ever cheerful
Mania.
Ate and Bliss had a wonderful time, but it was like a dinner of
nothing but sweets to Cupid.
Ate walked into the lounge where Cupid was sitting and said, "Night
time dew, risen moon. Swirley swimmy, never knew."
"Oh good, thank you for putting him to bed. I usually have to read
him two or three stories to get him to sleep." Cupid said with a
smile.
"Beauty flower, muzzy Mind. Daisy worry, seek and find?" Ate asked
with concern as she sat in her usual spot by the window.
"Psyche's working tonight so I'm going to stay here. I already told
her. Mom can look after things at the House of Love for a few days."
Cupid said as he relaxed.
"Muzzy Mind, summer heat, Heart conjoin, couple meet?" Ate asked
conversationally.
Cupid smiled and tilted his head back and gazed off in the distance
as he said, "Yes, we did meet in the summer, but there was a lot more
to it than that."
Ate sat straighter and waited expectantly.
Cupid glanced over and realized that his nightly routine of story
telling hadn't been broken, only his audience had changed.
"Let's see, I first met Psyche..."
[**********]
Bliss and Ate were playing in the floor when Phobos and Deimos
appeared.
"What you two doin?" Phobos asked as he flopped himself into a chair.
"Paydolziz" Bliss said happily.
"We don want ta play with dolls or nuthin, but maybe if we could find
sumthin we could all play..." Phobos said with a smile, knowing Ate's
response before she made it.
"Looky over, in behind. Under in, fail or find!" Ate said with a
bounce.
"Yeah, we'll play. Who wants ta be 'it'?" Phobos asked with a smile.
He knew she'd want to be it, that he'd hide and when she got close,
he'd jump out and scare her... it worked every time.
Ate continued to bounce with excitement.
"What are you up to?" Cupid asked as he walked into the room.
"We're gonna play hide and seek." Phobos said with a sneaky smile.
"Sounds like fun. But you've got to give me plenty of time to hide,
I'm big so it takes me longer." Cupid said seriously.
"Really? You wanna play?" Phobos asked in disbelief.
"Sure. Bliss and I play all the time. It's one of our favorite
games." Cupid said with cheer.
"Okay, Ate's it." Phobos said and looked at Ate.
Ate turned to the nearest wall and closed her eyes as she slowly
said, "Slinky... Spider... Inky... Cat..."
[**********]
Psyche appeared in the room and immediately asked, "Where's Cupid?"
Ate looked at Psyche with wide eyed surprise, then her eyes narrowed.
"Oh, you're that crazy bitch aren't you? I thought they would have
locked you up by now. I'll find him myself." Psyche said dismissively
and walked to the doorway to look out in the hall.
"Muzzy mind, rotten core. Stupid slut, rancid whore." Ate said with
disgust.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Psyche said as she spun around
to face Ate.
"Hermes." Ate said in a low voice.
Psyche went pale at the single word response and her eyes darted
around the room.
She took in a deep breath of relief and said, "Yeah, so what? I got
it on with Speedy a few times, Apollo too. Who are you going to tell?
Who'd believe a retarded bitch like you anyway?"
"Happy Heart, Scary Skies. Dagger, Sword, and Hurting Eyes." Ate said
confidently.
"That's right Ate. We'd trust you even if we hadn't heard it
ourselves." Phobos said as he walked out from behind a curtain.
"What?" Psyche said as she turned in time to see Deimos walk from
behind the other curtain.
"Ate don't lie." Deimos said darkly.
"Yeah, she may be crazy, but she's honest." Phobos said from beside
his brother.
Bliss crawled from behind an armchair and tottered over to stand
between Phobos and Deimos, holding on to both their hands to remain
upright.
"You don't need to tell anyone about this..." Psyche began to say.
"That's right. They don't need to." Cupid said as he stood from
behind the couch.
"It's not..." Psyche tried to say.
"Save it Psyche. I'm going to be watching the kids for a few days.
That should give you plenty of time to clear your stuff out of the
temple before I get back." Cupid said in a tired voice.
"Where am I going to go?" Psyche said with a trembling lip and voice
as tears began to fall.
"I don't care. How about with Speedy or Apollo?" Cupid said coldly.
Psyche dropped the hurt act and snapped, "Fine! At least they know
how to satisfy a woman!"
"Lucky them." Cupid said dryly.
Psyche stomped her foot once, then disappeared in a flash of yellow.
Cupid walked to the couch and sat heavily.
Bliss ran to his daddy and climbed up on his lap.
"Daddyhug?" Bliss asked quietly.
"Yeah baby, a hug will help a lot." Cupid said as he pulled Bliss
close to his chest.
[************]
"Ya did that on purpose didn't'cha Ate?" Phobos asked when they were
safely out of the room.
Ate looked at Phobos with guilty eyes and nodded slowly.
"Didn't want his pain." Deimos said in a mumble.
Phobos pulled his brother into a loose hug and said, "I didn't want
his fear either."
"Dagger and dart, smile and heart. Two are one, can't break apart."
Ate said in a quiet, child voice.
"Really? You think it could work?" Phobos asked uncertainly.
Ate nodded firmly.
Phobos looked at Deimos for a long moment then said, "We'll help ya."
[***********]
Phobos, Deimos and Ate walked into the lounge to find Cupid rocking
Bliss in his lap and crying silently.
"Ate wants ta visit with Strife... We can take her if ya wanna stay
here." Phobos said hesitantly.
Cupid quickly wiped his eyes and tried to put a less-than-devastated
expression on his face before saying, "Thanks Pho, but I can take
her. You two can come if you want."
"Yeah, we ain't visited with Strife in a while." Phobos said
impatiently.
Cupid picked up Bliss as he stood, then took Ate's hand gently into
his.
Phobos and Deimos looked at each other and flashed out together. A
moment later Cupid followed.
[***********]
"What's tha mattah Cupe?" Strife asked with immediate concern.
Cupid looked at the children all watching them and said, "I'll tell
you later."
"Come on Ate, why don't you show us your toys?" Phobos said
assertively.
Bliss began to wiggle in his father's arms and Cupid put him down.
Strife and Cupid sat down and watched as Ate and the children
proceeded to pull every toy out of the toy box.
[**********]
"Can ya tell me now?" Strife asked quietly.
"Psyche... she's been cheating on me with Hermes... and Apollo."
Cupid said in despair.
"That's tough. It's hard ta lose sumthin like that." Strife said
uncomfortably.
"Yeah... I didn't see it coming. I guess I just didn't want to see
it." Cupid said as he looked off into a distant place only he could
see.
"Would it help ya ta talk bout it?" Strife asked carefully.
Cupid looked into Strife's eyes and found only concern.
"Yeah, I guess." Cupid said uncertainly.
"What was wrong?" Strife asked, hoping it was the right question.
"Besides the absence of love, trust, respect and affection, it was
the perfect marriage." Cupid said with a pained smile.
Strife couldn't help but giggle. Cupid had a sense of humor he could
appreciate.
"Why'd ya stay with her if she treated ya like that?" Strife asked
with concern.
"I didn't want to be alone." Cupid said in a distant, hollow voice.
"Did it work?" Strife asked, knowing the answer.
"No. I've never felt so lonely as when I was laying next to her."
Cupid said with pain.
"Thought so." Strife said in sympathy.
"Did the same thing happen to you?" Cupid asked with concern showing
in his eyes.
"Naw. The triplet's mom. Her husband was a no good sack'a shit. Ah
found her when she was lonely and hurtin and Ah was feelin bout tha
same. Me an Jocasta shared our pain an fer that one night, we wasn't
lonely. She nevah saw me again aftah that night, but Ah been keepin
an eye on my kids." Strife said distantly.
"Then you've never been in love?" Cupid asked hesitantly.
"Naw, nevah." Strife said sadly.
"It hurts... Gods it hurts. You're lucky your dead, I wouldn't wish
this feeling on you." Cupid said as his tears began to fall.
"Don't say that Cupe." Strife said weakly.
"It's true Strife. Love is the worst feeling there is... it cuts so
deep... I wish..." Cupid stammered through hitching breaths.
"Don't say it Cupe. Yer hurtin, but remembah that yer a God. Yer
words have powah an can cause things ta happen." Strife said as his
panic began to rise.
"I wish I were dead too." Cupid whispered.
"He don't mean it." Strife screamed into the air.
"What's wrong?" Phobos asked as he ran to Strife's side.
"Get Ate an tha kids outta here quick Pho." Strife said as he heard
rumbling in the distance.
"Ate, get Bliss and let's go home." Phobos said as he ran back to
Deimos unsteadily. The floor was shaking and throwing him off balance.
There was a great flash which left Cupid and Strife alone.
[************]
"No Thanatos, don't do it, he didn't mean it." Strife said in panic.
Cupid was only vaguely aware of what was happening around him.
//When a God wishes for death in this realm, it is my responsibility
to grant that wish.// Thanatos spoke to Strife's mind.
"Please Than, he didn't mean it. He has a kid ta watch out fer, ya
gotta let 'im take it back." Strife pleaded.
"What?" Cupid asked as he came back to himself.
"Tell Thanatos that'cha didn't mean it, that'cha don't want ta die."
Strife begged.
"Why do you care?" Cupid asked in confusion.
"Cause you got all tha things Ah alway's wanted. Ya got all tha
things worth livin fer. Ya got yer dad an yer son. Don't give that
bitch tha satisfaction of destroyin you. Ya have'ta want ta live."
Strife pleaded.
Cupid looked Strife in the eyes and nodded, then looked at Thanatos.
"Is it possible to give my life to Strife?" Cupid asked in an
emotionless voice.
"Wha? No Cupe. Ya can't do that. Bliss don't need me, he needs you."
Strife said as he was assaulted by a fresh wave of panic.
//Lord Hades is the only one who can do such a thing, do you wish me
to summon him?// Thanatos asked with sad eyes.
Cupid nodded slowly.
[***********]
A black blur of power faded to reveal Hades standing before them.
"Ya can't let him, it ain't right." Strife began to beg.
"Cupid, do you, of your own free will, offer to sacrifice yourself so
that Strife might live?" Hades asked formally.
"No Cupe, say no." Strife said quickly.
"I do." Cupid said coldly.
"Then I have no choice but to grant your wish for death and accept
your sacrifice. The living flesh you now inhabit will be remade for
Strife." Hades said darkly.
"Ah won't take it. As soon as Ah'm alive Ah'll come back an ask
Thanatos ta kill me." Strife said defiantly.
"You don't want to be alive?" Hades asked curiously.
"Yeah, Ah do, but not like this. Tha price is too high... I ain't
worth it." Strife said and looked away so he wouldn't meet Hades'
eyes.
"You are." Cupid said and turned Strife to face him.
"What?" Strife asked, unable to break Cupid's gaze.
"You're worth it. I may have dad and Bliss, but they can take care of
each other without me. Ate needs you, there's no one else who can
take your place." Cupid said quietly.
Strife looked into Cupid's eyes and finally nodded.
"Kay, fer Ate Ah'll do it. An Ah promise that Ah'll see aftah Bliss
an he'll come ta visit'cha every day." Strife said with certainty.
"What was that?" Cupid asked as a strange feeling washed over him.
"That was your wish coming true." Hades said with a curious look.
"I'm dead? I don't feel dead." Cupid said as he patted himself,
somehow expecting to become insubstantial.
"Ah can feel it... Ah'm warm again. Ah felt cold the whole time Ah
was dead." Strife said as he enjoyed the feeling of blood moving
through his veins.
"I don't feel cold... I don't feel any different." Cupid said in
confusion.
Strife walked over to him and put an ear to Cupid's chest.
"Uncle Hades, I think ya missed or sumthin. Cupe ain't dead." Strife
said curiously.
Hades walked over and looked carefully at Cupid, then Strife.
"I guess the wish I granted was the one in your heart, not the one in
your mouth." Hades said with a cryptic smile.
"Strife! You're alive! Come on, let's show the kids!" Cupid said with
excitement.
Cupid and Strife flashed out of the room simultaneously leaving Hades
and Thanatos looking at the empty room.
"Kids..." Hades said with a shake of his head as he walked to the
door.
//Do you think they learned anything?// Thanatos asked as he followed.
"Only time will tell, but my gut tells me yes." Hades said as he led
the way out of the room.
[***********]
Ate and the kids looked on with apprehension that turned to joy when
Cupid and Strife appeared in the Halls of War.
Of course Strife immediately went to Ate and hugged her tightly.
Cupid held Bliss and watched fondly as Strife, Ate, Phobos and Deimos
danced around in a circle.
"Come on Cupe, you an Bliss are part'a this." Strife said quickly.
Cupid shifted Bliss to his shoulders and said, "Hold on tight, we're
going to dance."
Bliss happily held on and enjoyed the dance as much as anyone.
Title: The Challenge of Ate 3/3
Author: MultiMapper
Disclaimer: See Part 1
[Chapter 3: And All the Rest]
"Cupe, will yer arrows work on a God?" Strife asked carefully.
"Um, yeah, for about a week. Why?" Cupid asked curiously.
"Ah'm Mischief, what'cha think?" Strife said with a grand smile.
"No. It hurts too much... I could never hurt someone like that."
Cupid said with a shake of his head.
"Not even Hermes and Apollo?" Strife asked slyly.
Cupid thought about that and was interested enough to ask, "Who do
you want to match them up with? A goat, a tree?"
"Naw, but save that fer latah. Ah was thinkin... each othah." Strife
said with an expression that meant there was more he was dieing to
tell. {Well he'd already done the dieing part, but he was fit ta bust
anyway.}
Cupid looked on in confusion and waited for Strife to spill it.
"Where's yer 'dearly beloved' gonna go now that ya threw her skanky
ass out?" Strife asked in a leading tone.
Cupid got a look of excitement as he said, "And if they're in love
with each other... oh God's that'll piss her right off."
"An tha best part is that you won't be messin with innocents ta get
back at her. It'll serve Herm an Pol right for messin with yer wife."
Strife said in his devious and cunning voice.
Cupid's eyes went blank for a second, then he said, "She's at the
temple of love... I don't know what... or who... she's doing."
"Ah'm gonna go ta tha temple of debauchery and see if I can find a
few of tha excellent bottles of wine. Then Ate can give tha wine her
special touch." Strife said with a grin.
"Let's do it before Psyche tells them and screws this up." Cupid said
seriously.
"Go ahead an call 'em... Ah'll make a grand entrance." Strife said
then vanished with an indigo flash and a maniacal giggle.
//Apollo, Hermes, Do you guys have a few minutes to come to the House
of War?// Cupid asked carefully, trying to keep calm in his
mind/voice.
Apollo flashed in first, then Hermes.
"Hey guys, come on in and have a seat. I have something of an
announcement to make and I wanted you to be the first to hear it."
Cupid said as he motioned to the sofa.
Apollo and Hermes cautiously sat on the sofa. Both were perched on
the edge, as though they were ready to jump and run at a moment's
notice.
"What's your big announcement?" Apollo asked, a little impatiently.
Strife walked into the room carrying two opened bottles of wine.
"That would be me. Ah'm back." Strife said happily and sat one of the
bottles on the low table between Apollo and Hermes.
"How... you were dead... I mean, hind's blood." Apollo said with wide
eyed confusion.
"Come on guys, drink a toast with me to Strife's new life." Cupid
said as he produced four goblets.
Strife purposely poured Cupid's wine slowly to encourage Apollo or
Hermes to pour the wine from the other bottle.
Hermes was the one to do it and filled his and Apollo's glasses.
Cupid held out his glass and said, "To Strife, may his second time
around bring him twice the happiness of his first."
"Thanks Cupe." Strife said shyly as he touched glasses with everyone,
then took a drink.
"Oh, this is good." Hermes said in surprise.
"Yeah. I figgahed that comin back from tha dead calls fer tha good
stuff." Strife said with a grin.
"You have a point." Apollo said and began to relax back into the
couch.
"Come on guys. Once a bottle's open, the wine has to be drunk... you
can't let good wine go to waste." Cupid said as he refilled his and
Strife's goblet.
Apollo nodded and refilled his and Hermes' goblets.
"So why'd you call us to celebrate? We're not close or anything."
Hermes said, not noticing that he was slurring his speech.
"Who else would I call?" Cupid asked, then shot a glance at Strife.
Apollo gazed off into space for a second, then shook his head and
shrugged.
"Cupe, what color is Hermes' eyes?" Strife asked curiously.
Cupid looked at Hermes for a second, then said, "Brown, I think."
"Ah think they're dark green." Strife said, looking carefully at
Hermes.
"No, I'm sure they're brown." Cupid said, understanding the game.
"Pol, yer, like, the God of Judgment ain't'cha?" Strife asked
casually.
"And you're sitting right next to him." Cupid said with a gentle
laugh.
"Yeah, would'ja settle it fer us?" Strife asked hopefully.
Apollo looked into Hermes eyes, studying the color.
In that same moment, Cupid produced his crossbow and a love dart.
Wham! Bam! Boom!
"They're brown *and* green." Apollo began to say, then tilted his
head and said, "And they twinkle with passion. They have the look of
chin silk, the most decadent and forbidden pleasures."
Hermes was enthralled as he gazed deeply into Apollo's eyes and
said, "Summer skies, waterfalls, winter rain..."
"Guys, do you mind if I send you to Hermes' place now? The kids are
playing in the next room and I've got to get them ready for bed."
Cupid asked, trying to keep a neutral voice.
Apollo blinked and shook himself, then said, "Yeah, fine. Thanks for
inviting us."
"Sure, thanks for coming and making the night special." Cupid said,
then transported them to Hermes' temple.
"That was easy." Strife said as he sat back and took a drink of wine.
"Yes... It's funny, seeing them together like that... I kind of hope
it works out. They look good together." Cupid said as he relaxed and
took a sip of wine.
"Yeah, me too. Ah think they're jus what each othah needs." Strife
said from his slumped position.
"I'm a little jealous." Cupid said as he looked into his wine.
"Me too." Strife said as he looked at the ceiling.
"What are we doing wrong?" Cupid asked and devoted his full attention
to Strife.
"How you mean?" Strife asked and met Cupid's eyes.
"We're both attractive gods. We're both fun to be with, and yet you
haven't found anyone and I found a back-stabbing ex-mortal slut. We
must be doing something wrong." Cupid said, then leaned forward to
get the wine and automatically filled both glasses.
Strife took a long drink of his wine before saying, "Ah nevah really
looked fer anyone. Ah don't know how ta get someone ta notice me like
that."
"Yeah, that's the hard part, it'd be easier if you could just whip it
out and say, 'See this? It's because of you.' Then you could get
a 'yes' or 'no' answer on the spot and not have to waste a lot of
time on things like 'Is she interested?' or 'Does he like me?'."
Cupid said with a slight drunken smile.
Strife giggled at the thought.
Cupid got a peaceful smile as he looked at Strife.
"What?" Strife said as soon as he noticed Cupid's thoughtful gaze.
Cupid looked at Strife with a half-lidded expression of lust and let
one hand drag across the growing mound in his pants.
"See this? It's because of you." Cupid said seductively.
Strife looked at Cupid with surprise, then the surprise gave way to
interest, then desire.
"Yes."
[**********]
Cupid and Strife enjoyed a night of passion and a morning of playing
with the children before Strife got a vacant expression and worry
filled his face.
"What's wrong Strife?" Cupid asked with immediate concern.
"Joxer... he just caught Xena and tha Gabbs doin it. Gods Cupe, he's
hurtin." Strife said with pain.
"Then lets help him." Cupid said simply.
"How?" Strife asked as he looked at Cupid with shiny eyes of unformed
tears.
"Bring him here, comfort him, make him feel special and loved." Cupid
said with compassion.
"But he don't know he's mah kid." Strife said slowly.
"That's your choice to make. I think you should tell him, but it's
not my business. If you want, I can go get him and tell him it's part
of my 'godly duty' since his heart is broken." Cupid said
speculatively.
"Would'ja? I can't stand ta see him like this." Strife asked
hopefully.
Cupid nodded and flashed out of the room.
[***********]
Joxer was sitting on a fallen tree, crying and wondering what was
left for him. He had asked for so little in life, yet he was denied
everything he desired. Friends, love, purpose, they were all taken
away.
Joxer wasn't blind, he knew that he wasn't a hero, no matter how hard
he tried to be. He knew that his 'friends' didn't want him around and
only put up with him out of pity. And his love? Yeah right. Gabrielle
had been so obvious in her lack of interest, yet he kept trying in
the hope that he would gain her affection.
Cupid appeared before Joxer and slowly walked to sit beside him on
the fallen tree.
"You feel like talking about it?" Cupid asked quietly.
"Nothing to talk about. She's in love with Xena." Joxer said in a
hollow, defeated voice.
"Yeah, she is." Cupid acknowledged.
"Did you do this to me?" Joxer asked as he turned tear filled eyes
toward Cupid.
"No, you did." Cupid said honestly.
Joxer looked away, then nodded.
"Would you like to come with me? I think I've got something that will
make you feel better." Cupid said in a soothing voice.
"Nothing can make me feel better." Joxer mumbled.
"Okay, then would you like to come with me so you can feel miserable
around some people who'll care?" Cupid asked hesitantly.
"No one cares." Joxer said as new fresh tears began to fall.
"Sure they do. Come on, give me a chance. All you have to do is say
the word and I'll bring you right back. What have you got to lose?"
Cupid asked reasonably.
Joxer looked up at that and had such a hopeless expression that Cupid
felt it in his heart.
"You're right... I've got nothing, so I've got nothing to lose."
Joxer said in despair.
"Come on." Cupid said as he stood and offered a hand to Joxer.
Joxer took Cupid's hand and as soon as he was standing, Cupid
transported them to Olympus.
[**********]
"Here's a room for you Joxer. Why don't you change out of your armor,
you won't be needing it here." Cupid said quietly.
"I... um... don't have anything else to wear." Joxer said timidly.
Cupid looked at Joxer closely, then produced a toga of fine linen.
"There you go. I know you probably aren't used to togas but they're
really comfortable and fairly common on Olympus. No one will notice."
Cupid said gently.
"I... um... I need to clean up first. Is there a lake or stream
nearby?" Joxer asked, keeping his eyes downcast.
"There's a bathing room out this door and to your right at the end of
the hall. Go ahead and take your time. Whenever you're ready, we'll
be in the lounge at the other end of the hall." Cupid said and walked
toward the door.
"Thanks Cupid." Joxer mumbled.
"No problem Joxer. Get cleaned up and try to feel better." Cupid said
and left the room.
[**********]
Joxer found the bathing room easily and enjoyed a long and relaxing
bath. Afterward he put on the toga and was surprised to find that he
actually felt better.
He walked hesitantly into the lounge to find Cupid and Bliss plus a
few people he didn't know.
"Hey Joxer, Ah'm glad you made it out of the bath." Strife said with
a smile.
"Thanks." Joxer mumbled uncertainly.
"We're just about to have lunch. Do you know everyone?" Cupid asked
in a friendly, yet casual, tone.
"No, just you and Bliss." Joxer said as his eyes darted around the
room.
"Well this is Strife, and Ate is over there by the window playing
with Bliss." Cupid said with a serene smile.
"Strife? Aren't you dead?" Joxer asked unsurely.
"Ah was, now Ah'm not." Strife finished with a shrug.
"Oh, I guess if Iolaus can be resurrected, why not a god." Joxer
said, thinking out loud.
Strife giggled and couldn't fight the impulse to pull Joxer into a
hug.
Joxer got a wide eyed, shocked expression as Strife hugged him.
"Don't worry Joxer, Strife is just friendly that way." Cupid said
with a gentle smile.
"Only with tha people Ah like, an there ain't too many of them."
Strife said seriously as he released Joxer from the hug.
"Most of them are in this room." Cupid observed.
"Come on, we're gonna have lunch now. Ate's gonna make tha mashed
potatahs." Strife said with a look at his sister.
Ate bounced up from the window and hurried to the dining room.
[**********]
Joxer had enjoyed lunch and found that Ate was enjoyable, and
slightly bizarre, company.
"Come on Jox, why don't ya tell us what yah'd like ta do?" Strife
asked as the group walked back into the lounge.
"What do you mean?" Joxer asked hesitantly.
"Ah mean ya got yer whole life ahead of ya, what would make you
happy?" Strife asked as he sat forward in his seat, awaiting Joxer's
answer.
"Are you saying that if I ask for something, you'll grant my wish?"
Joxer asked in confusion.
"Naw, it don't work like that. Besides, ya gotta watch out fer
wishes." Strife said as he glanced at Cupid.
"Unless it's Hades' granting them." Cupid said with a smile.
"Yeah." Strife agreed, then turned his attention back to Joxer.
"I don't know... I mean, I thought I knew what I wanted... but I
don't know anymore." Joxer said in a lost voice.
"Fair enough. Why don't you stay with us a couple days and figure it
out? Bliss and Ate like you and we'd enjoy having you here." Cupid
asked with a smile.
"Okay, I guess I could do that." Joxer said cautiously.
"Ate, would you like to show Joxer the garden?" Cupid asked gently.
Ate perked up and hurried to join the men at the couches.
"Ate can show you around and then if you need time to think, you can
go out there and have some privacy... it beats sitting in your room."
Cupid said with concern showing in his eyes.
"Yeah, that sounds good... and thanks Cupid... and Strife. I, I don't
know what I'd be doing right now if you hadn't come. But I'm pretty
sure I'd be a lot more miserable than I am." Joxer said brokenly.
"We care bout'cha Jox. Remembah that." Strife said seriously.
Joxer nodded, then gave in to Ate's tugging on his arm.
[***********]
"Dagger, Arrow, Chalice, Dart. Smirk and Smile..." Ate challenged
from beside Joxer in the grass.
"Wine and Heart." Joxer finished and giggled.
Ate bounced with happiness.
"Chakram and Leather, Curley and Scroll. Princess and Hero..." Joxer
trailed off and waited expectantly.
"Friend and Hole?" Ate asked with raised eyebrows.
Joxer laughed and said, "Yeah, that works."
"Joxer?" a voice said from behind.
Joxer turned to see Ares standing over him.
"Ares... I mean, Lord Ares... " Joxer stammered in fear.
"Just call me Ares, what are you doing here Joxer?" Ares asked in a
curious, but friendly voice.
"Cupid brought me here and said I could stay a few days." Joxer said
hurriedly.
Ate stood and hugged Ares.
"It's good to see you too Ate. I've missed you the past few days."
Ares said warmly, then turned his attention back to Joxer.
"I guess I can leave if I'm in the way..." Joxer began to babble.
"Nonsense. You're a guest. Stay as long as you like. I was just
surprised to see you here. That's all." Ares said as he pulled Ate to
sit with him in the grass beside Joxer.
"Um. Okay." Joxer said hesitantly.
"Relax Joxer. You're welcomed here." Ares said with a gentle smile.
"Are you the same Ares that Xena talks about? Or are you the one
Hercules met when he fell through that swirley door thing?" Joxer
asked curiously.
"Ares, God of Love?" Ares asked with a delighted chuckle.
Joxer sat silent, waiting for an answer.
"I'm neither of those. The Ares that Xena talks about is a monster
who only exists in her own mind. I've done a few things to perpetuate
that image, but here, in my home, I'm just me. My family and a few
choice friends get to see past the 'God of War' and meet the real
me." Ares said with a smile.
"Oh... okay. I guess I'm kind of like that too." Joxer said in
thought.
"You mean 'the Mighty'?" Ares asked without any derisive tone in his
voice.
Joxer nodded.
"Do you do that on purpose?" Ares asked, really interested.
"Not exactly. It just kind of happens when I'm around people who
treat me like a fool... I kind of live up to their expectations... or
down." Joxer finished with a shrug.
"That's exactly the way it is with me. My public persona is formed by
the opinions and expectations of those around me. When I'm on a
battlefield or in a warlords tent, I'm expected to behave a certain
way. If I were to behave any other way, there would be anarchy...
which would spoil my ability to conduct the war." Ares said as he
gazed off into the blue sky.
"Yeah, if I stop being the fool, they do something to put me back in
my place... I don't think they even know their doing it... at least I
hope not." Joxer finished with a dark look.
"No, I don't think they do. The mortals have such closed minds that
they can't accept anything that falls outside their preconceived
notion of the world." Ares said absently.
"Um... Ares? I'm mortal." Joxer said hesitantly.
"Well, present company excepted, of course." Ares said with a
friendly smile.
"Of course." Joxer said, and began to smile too.
Ares got up off the grass and said, "I need to check in with Cupid
and let him know I'm back. I'm going to have a meal, would you two
like to join me?"
Ate immediately took hold of Ares elbow and leaned her head on his
shoulder.
Joxer smiled at the scene and automatically followed.
[**********]
"Strife?" Ares asked in wonder as he walked into the lounge.
"Unc. S'good ta see ya." Strife said happily.
Ares walked immediately to Strife and pulled him into a hug.
"How did this happen?" Ares asked, refusing to release Strife from
the hug.
"Well, Psycho's been screwin Hermes and 'Pol. Cupe found out an got
all depressed an shit. He was in mah room when he said he wanted ta
die..." Strife trailed off.
Ares shifted so he had one arm around Strife and the other around Ate.
"And any god who wishes for death in the underworld will have his
wish granted." Ares said as he looked at Cupid with worry.
"Tha next part is where it gets confusin. I guess in all tha mess of
tryin ta talk Thanatos and Hades inta not killin Cupe, he offah'd his
life fer mine." Strife said in thought.
"But he didn't want to take it, but I finally talked him into it for
Ate's sake." Cupid added.
"Yeah. So when Hades tried ta kill Cupe an give me his life,
somehow, he did sumthin that made us both alive." Strife said happily.
"I'm glad to have you back. This place has been far too serious
without you." Ares said with a tender smile.
"It's good ta be back... and there's one othah thing..." Strife
trailed off and looked at Cupid in question.
Cupid smiled and nodded.
"Me an Cupe's a couple now." Strife said quietly.
"Really?" Joxer asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Since last night." Cupid said happily.
"Son, are you sure this isn't a rebound thing from Psyche?" Ares
asked hesitantly.
"No dad. If I was rebounding, it would be with another woman. Strife
and I... I don't know, it feels like we've known each other forever.
I'm more comfortable around Strife than I ever was with Psyche... and
he's better in bed." Cupid finished with a blush.
"I think I need to have a little talk with Hermes and Apollo." Ares
said in thought.
"You'll probably find'em in bed togethah." Strife said with a smirk.
"What?" Ares said in surprise.
"We invited them over to celebrate Strife's resurrection last
night..." Cupid began.
"Ate threw a little drunken insanity mojo into their bottle of
wine..." Strife continued.
"And then I asked Apollo what color Hermes' eyes were." Cupid said
with a smile.
"That's when Cupe shot'em with a love arrow." Strife said with
delight.
Ares laughed at the thought, then said, "Gives brotherly love a whole
new meaning."
"Yeah, well they were both screwing my wife, so it serves them
right." Cupid said seriously before breaking into a smile.
"Let's go ta tha halls of time and see if we can find tha moment when
Psycho found out... Ah wanna get a picture of tha look on her face."
Strife said through giggles.
"You're not hanging the picture where I have to see it are you?"
Cupid asked playfully.
"Naw. Ah'll put it in one a mah old dirty shrines... ta keep tha rats
out." Strife said happily.
Joxer was laughing so hard that tears were running down his cheeks.
"You okay Jox?" Strife asked with concern.
"Yeah... It's just... Gods, it's funny..." Joxer trailed off and fell
into fresh gales of laughter.
Ares smiled and walked to Joxer to ease him onto the couch, before he
fell over into the floor.
Somewhere between standing and sitting, the laughter turned into
crying.
Before Ares knew what happened, Joxer was holding him close and was
shaking with gut wrenching sobs.
Cupid and Strife motioned to Ate to follow them out of the room.
Ate looked back into the room and with a flex of her unstable and
unpredictable godly power a bottle of wine and two goblets appeared
on the table before Ares and Joxer.
[**********]
Ares held Joxer close, then noticed the wine on the table. He filled
a goblet and handed it to Joxer.
After a questioning moment, Joxer took the goblet and drained it in
one drink.
"Be careful Joxer, Olympian wine is a little stronger than what
you're used to." Ares said in warning.
Joxer nodded and cast his eyes to the floor.
"Will you tell me?" Ares asked quietly.
"Gabby doesn't love me." Joxer said to the floor.
"Is that really such a bad thing?" Ares asked in a tentative whisper.
Joxer looked up curiously and met Ares' eyes.
"She treated you badly Joxer. Is that really the type of relationship
you want?" Ares asked with concern.
"She always said she didn't care what people looked like... or if
they were different or weird somehow. She always talked about how
everyone was the same inside... I thought I had a chance..." Joxer
trailed off.
"Joxer, I'm only telling you this because I don't want you to
hurt..." Ares said in prelude.
Joxer nodded and waited.
"She's a two-faced, lying, mean, spiteful, ugly little woman." Ares
said with a tiny sneer.
"But how do you really feel?" Joxer asked with a watery smile.
"You're too good for her Joxer. You're honest to the depths of your
soul. You have courage and inner strength and beauty that she can't
possibly match. I think that's why she always put you down. She was
trying to destroy what she could never have." Ares said seriously.
"Too good for her?" Joxer said incredulously.
"Absolutely." Ares said, then poured them each a drink.
"But... I just want someone to care for..." Joxer trailed off.
"You also need someone who cares for you. It only works if it goes
both ways." Ares said, then took a drink.
Joxer also took a drink, then asked, "Why are you doing this? I mean
talking to me like an equal."
"Because in all the ways that matter, you are my equal. Joxer, the
god powers don't mean a thing if the person behind them doesn't have
a heart and soul. You have a heart and soul as great as that of any
god I've ever met." Ares said seriously.
"Ares... is it wrong... would there be any way... have you ever..."
Joxer stammered helplessly.
"Just say it Joxer, whatever it is, just ask." Ares said quietly.
"Could you love me?" Joxer asked, cringing back, expecting to be
fried.
"I could. But would you let me?" Ares said as he looked deeply into
Joxer's eyes.
"I would." Joxer said with a hesitant smile.
[**********]
Ate and Strife pulled back from the crack in the door simultaneously.
Strife pulled Ate into a hug and closed his eyes in peace and joy.
[The End]