Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11
Title: Dark Bargain
Author: Brandy
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. Just borrowing them temporarily.
This is the first fic I wrote. I've taken several liberties with the whole Xena's baby incident. It's a sequel to The Potion, which was actually written later. I originally posted it on the Joxer loves Ares list, then realized yesterday that AresJoxerCupidStrife wanted a joint custody agreement, and I just couldn't disappoint the guys!
Part 1 Iolaus sat starring blankly at the barred bedroom door. His world had been tartarus since Hercules had killed his father. Xena had brought Hercules back to him & Iphicles since the demi-god couldn't function. Thanks to the madness the Furies had unleashed on him, Hercules was violently insane. Apparently, the punishment for killing his godly father was one hundred times worse than that of a mortal's punishment.
Xena and Gabrielle were off somewhere taking care of baby Solon. The rebirth of Xena's son was the only good thing to come of this whole mess. The only way Hera's plan could work was to make Zeus think the prophecy was coming true, and that Xena's baby had to be killed. That meant that Xena had to be pregnant. Since Xena and Gabrielle had been committed to each other for a while now, the chances of Xena becoming pregnant were pretty slim. Hera stole the soul of Xena's dead son from Hades and allowed him a second chance at life. Having her minion Eli convince Xena that her baby was that of the prophecy, insured that Hercules would try to protect Xena. Xena hadn't even known what had truly happened until Ares & Aphrodite appeared and saw the soul of the baby. They delivered the news that Xena once again had her son back.
Xena said that Hera's cries of victory surrounded them for days. The irony of the whole fiasco being that if Hercules had just waited a few minutes more, the baby would have been born, and Zeus would have seen it wasn't the child of the prophecy.
Suddenly Iolaus became aware he was no longer alone.
"Ares, what are you doing here?" exclaimed Iolaus
"Relax Iolaus. I just came to see how he is." Replied Ares
"As well as can be expected. He's still raving. Why the sudden concern for Hercules? You hate him."
"I might hate him, but I hate being stolen from even more. Especially, by my family."
"What's happened" Iolaus queried
"Hera is keeping all the power she acquired when Hercules killed Zeus. She intends to be the sole ruler of the Gods. So much for my being the heir to Olympus. Now that she's had her revenge on Zeus and Hercules for imprisoning her, she's changing the rules left and right. Fidelity and marriage are the new way. No more cheating, and everyone must have a consort, except her. She intends to make sure that the humiliation she suffered during her marriage to Zeus is obliterated on Olympus. "We must set an example for the mortals" she says. Everyone unmarried has one moon to pick their most loyal follower or another god to be their consort. Even Miss "I'm so superior Athena" has to have a consort! That's almost enough to make me stop what I have planned… almost."
"So, what has all that to do with why you're here?" Iolaus inquires nervously
"Relax, Iolaus, I'm not here for you. Well, I am, but not as a consort!"
Iolaus starts to back away.
Ares flings out an arm and Iolaus is suddenly motionless.
"I've got a deal for you Iolaus. You go back in time for me and stop Callisto from killing Strife, and I'll also send you back to the last few moments before Hercules stabs Zeus."
Iolaus' eyes grow wide.
"That's right Iolaus, you get to stop Hercules before he falls in Hera's trap and kills Zeus. No guilt for killing his father over a mistake, no curse by the Furies, no frothing madman to take care of `til the end of his days. Just Hercules undying gratitude for stopping him from making the biggest mistake of his life, and Xena still gets to have her precious Solon."
"What's the catch?" queried Iolaus
Ares laughs "There isn't one as far as you're concerned. Since I'm breaking one of Zeus rules by sending you back in time, not that he's around to enforce it right now, I'm going to make sure I get my right hand man back."
Iolaus just stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face. "How am I going to save Strife by myself?"
"All you have to do is summon me right before the meeting with Callisto. You have to convince me to strip away Strife's godhood. That way when he's stabbed, he'll go to Hades realm, instead of disappearing into oblivion. Then all I'll have to do is hide his body until after the confrontation between Hercules & Zeus. Once that's over I can feed Strife some ambrosia and bring him back to life. After he's alive again, I can return his godhood."
Iolaus just look at Ares like he's turned into a hydra. "And just how am I gonna convince you to take away Strife's godhood? There's no way you would believe me."
Ares just waives his hand releasing Iolaus from his suspended state. "All you have to do is tell the past me something that only I would know. Just tell me the name of my most faithful follower, the one who's followed me since childhood, the one I'll make my consort unless you complete your task…just tell me of my passion for Joxer."
Iolaus' mouth dropped open.
Part 2 After thinking for a few minutes about the consequences of dealing with Ares, Iolaus agrees to the bargain. Ares forms the vortex, and Iolaus jumps through.
"Well, Iolaus, I guess we'll see if you're up to the mission."
*******************
Ares follows his link to Joxer to see what he's up to. Looking around the main hall of Iphicles castle, he spots Joxer off in a corner watching Xena and her blonde. Ares focuses his power to see what Joxer is thinking.
What more can I do to get her to notice that I love her? I'd treat her like the Queen she is. Just one little chance, that's all I need. Maybe I should ask Xena if she has any ideas on how I can win Gabrielle. Yeah, Xena would know. They're together all the time, and best friends too! Xena's the perfect one to ask.
Ares just lifts a brow as he reads Joxer's thoughts. Wondering how he can work the coming conversation in his favor, Ares departs to his home on Olympus.
************
Iolaus stumbles out of the vortex and looks around. He's standing in front of Ares main temple in Thrace. Convenient, Iolaus muses to himself. Somehow, I don't think this is going to be as easy as Ares thinks. Iolaus walks up the stairs and enters the temple. Looking around he spots the alter, and heads for it. Unseen by him Ares appears leaning up against one of the side walls of the temple. Iolaus kneels down, and starts to pray.
"Ares, great god of war. I implore you on a matter of great urgency, please great Ares come to me."
Ares raises a brow and appears to mortal eyes. "Now this is interesting. I never thought I'd see the day that my bastard brother's little playmate would recognize my greatness. Tartarus must be having a celebration day and no one told me."
Iolaus jumps to his feet and spins around. "Ares!"
"What happened to "Ares, great god of war?" mortal"
"Ares, I need to speak with you"
"Funny, I don't know what you hoped to accomplish by summoning me without the protection of my brother, but now that you have, I believe it's time for some payback!"
"Ar!!!", Iolaus cried out as he was suddenly hit by the wave of power Ares threw at him. Suddenly, Iolaus found himself bound facedown on the black alter, naked as the day he was birthed.
Luckily for Iolaus Ares hadn't gotten around to gagging him yet. "Ares, I've come from the future." Iolaus gasped out in a rush.
Ares laughs, "Tell me another one Iolaus, you know time travel is prohibited by Zeus."
"Zeus is dead!" Iolaus yells out as Ares advances toward him with a knife in hand.
Ares stops. Suddenly overcome with laughter, Ares falls to the floor dropping the dagger.
Sometime later
"Are you done yet."?
"Iolaus, I don't think I've ever laughed like that. Only you would think up some ridiculous story just to get out of a bunch of pain."
"It's not a story, Ares"
"Oh, really" Ares face draws up into a smirk.
"About as big a story as you lusting after Joxer, and wanting to make him your consort."
Ares face becomes blank. Suddenly Iolaus finds himself standing on his feet and fully dressed. Ares reaches out and touches Iolaus' face. Iolaus feels suddenly lightheaded as Ares tries to access his memories, only to be blocked by his own power. "Explain yourself, mortal"
"Are we alone?"
"Iolaus, as soon as you came in the door I barred the room. No one can go in or out until I release the bar."
"Strife is going to die today."
---------------
Joxer looks around trying to find where Xena had gotten off to. For some reason it had been incredibly hard to try and separate Xena and Gabrielle. Only the arrival of Iphicles, asking for Gabrielle's help in an attempt at soothing Hercules had done the trick. Joxer had suggested that maybe a calm tale would help calm and entertain Hercules. Iphicles was to the point where he'd try just about anything. Joxer was still congratulating himself on that idea. Ah, there's Xena.
Xena was putting little Solon down for a nap.
"Xena"
"Oh Joxer, did you need something?"
"Xena, can I speak to you about something?"
"Sure, Joxer, just let me finish covering Solon. I can meet you out in the garden."
"Thanks, Xena" Joxer was trying to figure out the best way to ask his question when Xena approached him from behind.
"Joxer"
"Hey, Xena. I..uh..I"
"Spit it out Joxer"
"I was wondering if you knew of any way I could try to gain Gabrielle's attention? I know I'm not the greatest catch for a Queen, but I'd love her forever, and try to never hurt her, and defend her to my last breath. I know if I could just show her how much I love her she'd love me back." Joxer gushed out.
Xena just stood there with a blank look on her face. Inside she was fuming at Gabrielle. She swore to me she told Joxer about us. I can't believe I have to tell him.
"Joxer, sit down."
Joxer and Xena sit on the bench in the middle of the garden.
"Joxer, Gabrielle and I love you as a friend. Like a brother we never had. Sometimes being in love with someone who doesn't love you back the same way can be one of the most painful experiences in the world. I'm sorry. Gabrielle can't love you the way you want. She loves me. Gabrielle and I have been lovers for over a year now."
Joxer gets a shocked and dazed look on his face.
As Xena gets up to leave she says one last time, "I'm sorry, Joxer."
Unseen by Xena and Joxer, Cupid and Aphrodite appear behind them.
"Mom, I don't think I've felt a heartbreak this bad in, like, a long time."
"I know Cupie, it's cos he's one who loves so deeply."
"So what're we gonna do?"
"Let me think on it Cupe, it'll take him a while to get over this, and when he does, we'll have something special in store for him."
Unseen by all, Ares releases a sigh of relief, as Joxer finally learns the truth about his bard. "And I didn't even have to interfere. Thank you, Xena. Maybe I'll let your blonde live after all."
Part 3 "Hey, Unc! You called" followed by an insane cackle of giggles announced Strife's presence.
Suddenly, Strife was surrounded by two massive arms that grabbed him from behind.
"Com'on unc, whatevr it is I didn't do it"
"Strife, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I just received a visitor from the future…
"Com'on unc, you know time travel ain't allowed by the big guy."
"My visitor comes from a time where the "big guy" is dead, and so are you."
"Me?" Strife squeaks out.
"Yes, you. Apparently I sent him back to change a few things. One of them being your death."
"Aww, unc."
"Cut it out. You know I do this as much for myself as for you and him. You never know when you'll need a favor from the love god." Suddenly Strife feels funny.
"Unc, what's happenin'?"
"I have to make you mortal for the day." Ares replies as he strips away Strife's godhood.
Strife screams "No, unc!" as he becomes mortal.
"You can come out now, Iolaus." Ares calls out. Iolaus steps out from behind a statue.
"Remember Ares, it must go exactly as I've said, or you could still loose him. Strife, after you're dead, you can hide out in Hades realm until Ares has a chance to rescue you. Remember, it's imperative that no one knows what's gonna happen."
"You made me mortal `cause o' him?!?!" Strife screams. "Unc, he's Jerkules buddy, you can't trust him?"
"Well, Strife we'll see by the end of the day whether he's telling the truth or not. If he's not, not even Hercules can stop us from getting our revenge."
Iolaus shudders as the vortex once again forms and he steps through.
****
Joxer finally found the strength to stand. Coming to his feet he started wondering aimlessly headed towards the town streets. Joxer is so lost in his thoughts he doesn't even realize that Ares flashed in behind him. Xena and Gabrielle. I can't believe it. I must be an idiot. I bet even Iphicles knows, and he only sees them infrequently. I travel with them all the time. How come I didn't know? Why can't I find someone to love me?
Ares had finally had enough. "Joxer"
Joxer walked on, lost in his thoughts.
"Joxer"
No response.
"Enough of this."
Flash. Suddenly Joxer stumbled as he realized he wasn't in Corinth anymore. He was in some kind of hall. The place was done all in black, red, and silver. Turning to get a better view, he spots Ares standing behind him.
"Ares"
"Now you notice me"
"Oh, sorry, were you trying to get my attention?"
"Yes"
"Oh…Why'am I here?"
"I wanted to speak to you."
"Oh…About what."
"I saw what happened."
"You saw?"
"I wondered if they were ever going to tell you."
"You knew?"
"Um, Joxer, war god here." Pause " Xena was one of my favorites. I like to keep track of her, even if she did leave me."
"Oh"
"I was wondering if you had gotten around to thinking of this as a positive thing yet?"
"Positive?!?! The woman I love is in love with another woman. One I can never hope to compete with. How is that positive?"
"Well, now you know and can move on with your life."
"Move on. I just found out about this."
"Well, you were thinking that you needed to find someone who loves you for you correct?"
"Yes."
"Now you can do that. Gabrielle never treated you the way you deserve to be treated. She treated you like an annoyance. You need someone that's happy you're around. That takes joy in your presence. Who sees who you are inside."
Taken aback, Joxer just stares at Ares. "Uh Ares, no offense, but you sound like Aphrodite."
Ares freezes. "Maybe there's a reason for that Joxer."
Joxer just looks at Ares wide-eyed. Ares moves closer. Joxer starts trembling. Ares bends down a little and closes his eyes as he inhales deeply at Joxer's neck, then backs away. "You need someone who sees your courage, loyalty, unwavering love, and passion. Someone who sees the other side you keep buried."
"Passion?" Joxer squeaks.
"I've been watching you for some time, Joxer" Ares waived his hand and the viewing mirror that's always on the Joxer channel starts playing.
Joxer just blushed.
"I have a request of you, Joxer. Just spend some time with me. Try to see the other side of me, the one that no one else does? I am more than war, and I want you to see that, Joxer."
Joxer shyly nods his head as his eyes are locked with Ares.
Part 4 Iolaus once again exited the vortex. However, he wasn't where he expected to be. Instead of being deposited in the glade where Hercules killed Zeus, he was in one of Ares halls. Right in front of him were Joxer and Ares starring into each other's eyes.
"Ares, you double-crossing bastard, I should've known you wouldn't keep your end of the deal!" Iolaus yelled as he charged across the room.
"Ares, what's going on?" queried Joxer
"As `Dite would say, "just chill for a minute, would'ya" Iolaus" exclaimed Ares as he once again froze Iolaus in place. "Impudent little mortal, you're lucky I want the second half of our deal done, or I'd deposit you back with your beloved Hercules just the way he is for you insults!"
Ares materialized a pair of bracelets out of thin air. "I meant to give this to you before you left the first time. If you can't convince Hercules and Zeus to wait `til the baby is born, snap one of these on his & Zeus' wrists. They're crafted by Hephaistos, and will drain a god of his power. Zeus and Hercules will be weak enough that even that blonde of Xena's could take them. You'll only have to leave them on long enough for the baby to be born. After it's born Zeus will be able to see the baby's soul, and know it's not the child of the prophecy. Remember to only use them as a last resort, and only the person who puts them on can take them off. If Hera is watching, there'll only be a small window of time to get the bracelets off before she attacks. And I want those returned when you get back, understood?"
Ares unfreezes Iolaus as he tosses him the bracelets. Iolaus grabs the bracelets as the vortex once again forms.
"Oh, uh, well, uh thanks Ares" Iolaus grinds out as he once more steps into the vortex.
"Ares?" queries Joxer
Ares turns to Joxer. "I guess you have some questions?"
Joxer looks at the closing vortex and then back to Ares. "Will Iolaus be alright?"
"He should be."
"Alright"
"That's the only question you have?" Ares arches a brow. Usually Joxer would be much more inquisitive that this.
"Yeah. I figure if you want me to know, you'll tell me. I don't want `ta get ya mad or anything."
"Joxer, I'm not going to hurt you. You'll eventually see that I can be one of the most patient gods in the world, when I have to be. And I've been patiently waiting on you to find out the truth about that blonde for quite awhile."
Joxer stares at Ares in silence. Ares sighs, "Come on, I'll show you around."
******
Gabrielle eased out of the room as quietly as possible. That had been an incredibly long story, even by her standards. Hercules was finally asleep. Easing her way down the hall she noticed that Xena was waiting for her in their room.
"Hey Xena."
"Gabrielle." Xena growls
"What's wrong."?
"Oh, you mean that other than the fact that you didn't tell Joxer about us, and let him down gently, Iolaus is missing, and I've been puked on twice by Solon. Why not a thing, Gabrielle."
"I was going to tell Joxer! I swear. I just kinda got sidetracked."
"For six months!"
"I'm sorry! Where is he, I'll go speak to him."
"You're a little late, Gabrielle. He's heartbroken. I think you'd better just give him some space."
"Oh, well, if you think it's best."
"Yeah, I do."
"What's this about Iolaus being missing?"
"I went looking for him earlier, and can't find him. No one's seen him since early this morning."
"Maybe he just needed a break."
"Maybe" Xena replied with a worried look on her face.
***********
As Iolaus once more placed his feet on solid ground, he bent over took a deep breath. Maybe there's more than one reason for Zeus not allowing time travel. Looking up he saw that he was in an open clearing. Peering closely, he saw Gabrielle by the tree. Running over he asks if Xena has given birth yet. Gabrielle looks at him strangely.
"No. But it's close."
Iolaus heaved a sigh of relief. Looking around he tries to spot Hercules. Seeing a tall blob on the horizon he rushes towards it.
"Herc!"
"Iolaus?! What are you doing here?"
Iolaus finally reaches Hercules side. "I'm trying to stop you from walking into a trap. Hera's setting you up."
"Who are you?" Hercules growls out as he grabs Iolaus by the neck. "There's no way Iolaus could have caught up with me. So who are you, and why are you pretending to be Iolaus?"
Iolaus squirmed and wiggled trying to get out of Hercules grip. "Herc, Herc, pume dow, Herc!"
Hercules sets Iolaus on the ground and shakes him. "Who are you?"
Iolaus, still nauseous from all the vortex traveling he'd been doing, falls down. "Dammit Hercules, think! Hera's been your enemy your entire life. Now she wants to help you save Xena's baby, but only by killing your father! Doesn't that sound a little suspicious to you? Don't you remember what happens to people who kill their parents? Do the Furies ring any bells here? If you kill Zeus, she gets revenge on both of you!"
"Iolaus?"
By this time Zeus had appeared in the middle of the valley and was walking towards the tree where Xena was giving birth. Hercules sees him and, only thinking of saving an innocent baby, starts to move around Iolaus towards Zeus.
"Oh, no you don't!" Iolaus cries as he twists around and trips Hercules.
Hercules, not expecting any interference now that he does indeed believe that Iolaus is in front of him, slams to the ground. Iolaus, seeing his chance, grabs one of the bracelets and clamps it on Hercules' wrist. "Sorry buddy, but I can't loose you."
Iolaus launches himself to his feet and takes off after Zeus.
By the time Iolaus has reached Zeus he was standing only five feet in front of Xena. Iolaus skids around Zeus and stands between him and a laboring Xena. "Zeus, wait! Look at the baby's soul!" Iolaus screams.
By this time the baby has started to emerge and Zeus is in the process of forming a huge fireball in his hand. Iolaus does the only thing he can think of and leaps at Zeus.
Zeus, not wanting to hurt his favorite son's companion, seeing as how Hades will demand more from him than Hercules to return Iolaus, reabsorbs the fireball. Iolaus, taking advantage of Zeus' mercy, quickly snaps the bracelet around Zeus' wrist.
Hera's screams of rage shook the valley, as she saw what Iolaus had done. Suddenly, Zeus disappeared in a flash of light. "You may have saved Hercules and the baby, Iolaus, but Zeus is now at my mercy."
Hercules comes running up just as a baby's thin wail cut through the air.
"It's a boy!" Gabrielle yells out.
Iolaus reaches over and releases the bracelet from Hercules wrist as the vortex once more forms behind him and he steps through. "I'm not sorry for this Hercules!" he shouts as he hurries through.
Part 5 Ares, I wish to speak with you in Zeus' hall.
Ares turns to Joxer and asks that he stay in his hall until he returns. Ares materializes in Zeus' hall. The first thing he sees is the powerless Zeus hanging shackled from the ceiling while dozens of Hera's peacocks roamed around beneath him. The bird's feathers were barely grazing Zeus' feet, causing him to laugh hysterically, his face scrunched up in agony.
"You called mother?"
"Yes." Hera paused and looked at Ares. "I know what you attempted to do. Your power signature was all over the Iolaus who came through the time vortex. You may have stopped my plan to kill Zeus, but you only succeeded in making his punishment much more painful for him. Without his interference, I will soon be able to have my revenge on Hercules. Due to your insolence, you now have 2 days," waives her hand and a large hourglass appears "to marry your future consort. However, since you irritated me, the person you choose must consent. All the gods will assemble as the last speck of sand falls from this glass. At this time you must appear with your chosen one. If you fail to appear, or your chosen one does not consent, you will be stripped of your godhood, and rendered mortal for the rest of your days. A new god of war will be chosen to replace you. I may not be as powerful as I would be with Zeus dead, but I am still powerful enough to destroy you. And no more time travel, the fates are quite upset with you. Do you understand, Ares?"
Ares gaze flickers over to his father and back to his mother. "Yes mother, I understand."
Ares pops back in to his own temple in time to see the vortex once more opens. Iolaus stumbles out of the vortex and collapses.
*********
Iolaus woke up feeling much better. I guess I went through one time too many, he mused to himself. Looking around he spots Joxer asleep in a chair beside his bed. "Joxer." Iolaus whispered softly.
Joxer jerked awake. "Oh, Iolaus, you're awake! Ares, he's up!"
Ares appears in a flash of light. Iolaus hands him the bracelet he took off Hercules wrist.
"Well, Iolaus, I see that you are the only one to profit from the second part of our bargain. In fact, I'm now in a bit of a jam. Hera's moved up her timetable for me. I now have 2 days and he has to agree. I give you just two simple little tasks and look what happens. You made a huge mess. Bliss could have done a better job than you! I hope you realize you now owe me."
"Ares, I need you to go through what's happened since I went through the vortex, so I know what changed. And we both know I more than paid you for this trip when I helped you save Strife."
Ares, and Joxer tossing out bits as needed, proceeded to outline the events of the last few days to Iolaus.
*************
"Where is he"?
"Calm down, Hercules. I'm sure he's around here somewhere. He couldn't have just disappeared."
"I'm sorry, Xena. I just don't know what to do with him. We still haven't talked about what he did. We both know the only way for Iolaus to appear in that clearing was with the help of a god. And that vortex he disappeared through! What was that?! He could have gotten you, Gabrielle, and the baby killed…"
"But he didn't. You told me what he said. You'd be insane Hercules! Trust me, it's not fun! We wouldn't even be able to cure you, since you really would have killed your father. If Iolaus is right, then all we have to do is rescue Zeus and let him see Solon's soul. Although, right now, I think he'll only want to look for confirmation."
"Yeah, he's got to see that this was all one big plan of Hera's by now. Aphrodite said that Hera's got him hanging on display in his own hall."
"At least he's still alive."
"Yeah. He may have been a crummy father, but I don't know how I'd have lived with the guilt of killing him."
*****
Iolaus, Ares, and Joxer walk up to a bedroom next door to the one Iolaus was in.
"…so Hercules, Xena, Iphicles, and Jason are trying to think of ways to rescue Zeus. However, they need you on the rescue team, since you're the only one who can remove the bracelet. Joxer and Xena had a little talk and she told him about her relationship with Gabrielle. He came up here to get away for awhile."
Iolaus raises his eyebrows. "So that's what they call it. It looked like you two were getting close last time I popped in up here."
Joxer blushes and looks away. "Ares and I are just getting to know each other a little better."
Ares waives his hand and releases the protection on the room. The door swings open and they step inside. Strife's body is incased in a clear case in the middle of the room. Ares walks up to the case and waives his hand. The case disappears and a small plate of ambrosia appears in Ares hand. Ares takes a piece of the ambrosia and puts it into Strife's mouth, handing the plate to Joxer to hold. After a few moments, Strife's eyes pop open and he screams.
"Ahhhh!"
Spotting Ares, Strife reaches up and grabs him by his leather collar shaking him as he starts rambling. "Unc, I can't believe ya let that bitch kill me! I hate bein' mortal! Even their death stinks! Do ya know how hard it is ta hide in the underworld? Cerberus seems ta think I taste like a bone. Do ya know how hard it is to run and hide from a three headed dog!?!?"
"Strife, calm down! You're back now. If you hadn't become mortal, the hind's blood would have sent you into oblivion!" Ares takes Strife's hands and puts them down to his sides. Ares takes the plate of ambrosia from Joxer and hands it to Strife. "Here let me restore your godhood, and then eat. We have some planning to do." Ares reaches down and takes Strife's arm, returning his godhood to him. Ares then turns to Iolaus. "I better send you back to Hercules. We'll be down tomorrow to help plan a rescue attempt." Ares waives his hand and Iolaus disappears.
"Joxer, why don't we leave Strife here to finish supper, while we eat and talk?"
"Strife, stay out of trouble `til I call for you."
Part 6 With a wave of his hand, Ares spreads out a banquet on the long table. Another gesture changed Joxer's outfit from his usual piecemeal armor to black leather pants and a red silk shirt.
"Have you thought any more about where you want to go with your life, Joxer?"
"I still want to help people. Though, now that I think about it, Xena and Gabby did most of the helping. I guess you noticed I'm a little clumsy? The first thing I want to do is find someone to help me become a better fighter. Xena never really had the time to help me. We were always on the move. My father tried for years to teach me to fight. I was one of his biggest disappointments. Xena said that I have it in me, though. Not that long ago, Aphrodite enchanted me, and I became a great hero. Xena told me she couldn't do that unless I already had it in me."
"She's right."
"Ares, I still don't understand why I'm here. I know you said all that stuff about needing to find someone who knows the real me, but I still don't get why you'd choose me to be with. You're a god. You could have anybody you wanted. I'm just Joxer, Xena and Gabrielle's sometimes tag-a-long companion."
Ares put down his cup and starred at Joxer. "Joxer, have you ever thought about what it's like to be a god? All gods, especially war gods are hated and feared. Mortals see us as the bane of their existence. Even my own warriors, no matter how faithful, carry some degree of loathing or jealousy in their hearts. Now think about living for hundreds of years being the object of hate and fear. Now imagine, that you come across one person who doesn't hate you, but loves you. Has loved you from childhood, with no taint of loathing in his heart. Sure some of my other followers say they love me, but I can still see that loathing in their hearts. They see me as causing death and destruction in their lives. However, this one person isn't being deceptive. He isn't using his love for me to further his own goals. Wouldn't you want to be around that person, Joxer?"
"I guess." Joxer replied with a thoughtful look on his face.
"You're that person, Joxer. You've always loved me, haven't you? You may fear me, but that doesn't stop you from loving me. Even when you were chasing after Gabrielle, you held a place in your heart for me, didn't you?"
"Yeah. I guess it's because I grew up in a warlord's household. My father told my brothers and me that we had to have war. Without war, we'd never have progress. We'd be bogged down in an endless cycle of attempting to farm the land to provide for our huge families. Eventually, whole towns would starve `cause they have too many people. War might bring pain and suffering, but it also brings survival. Healers, learn from war, too. That way they're always finding new cures to help when someone's hurt or sick. War, also helps us invent things that can be used later. Like better ships to see the world with."
Ares stares at Joxer with a shocked look on his face. < I always thought Joxer's father was a brutal idiot! He was capable of this kind of reasoning? > "You're father taught you all of this?"
Joxer blushes. "Well, he told us war is necessary. I, kinda put the rest together myself. I know sometimes I say stupid stuff, it's like my mouth keeps going after my brain stops thinking, but if I think about something I can usually reason it out."
"Joxer, you're right. There's more to it, but that's the best explanation I've ever heard from a mortal." Ares pauses. "Are you beginning to see what I mean when I say you're special to me?"
"Uh, yeah Ares, I think I am."
"Come on, let's go to bed. You need to sleep, and I need to reenergize for tomorrow. I usually, wouldn't have to sleep, but to maintain this form for lengthy periods of time, I do have to give in to some of its needs."
At Joxer's questioning look, Ares expanded his explanation.
"Do you remember the story of Dionysus and his mother Semele? If I showed you my godly form, it'd kill you as it did Semele, so I'll stay in my mortal form for your safety."
Joxer's confused look clears up. "Thanks, Ares."
Ares leads Joxer down a hall to his bedroom. Opening the door he invites Joxer in. With a wave of his hand he and Joxer are clothed only in breechclouts. "I just want to hold you in my arms tonight, Joxer. I know you're still upset over Gabrielle and Xena. I don't want to push you. Remember, I'll never hurt you."
Joxer nods his assent and climbs into the bed. As Ares reaches over to encircle Joxer in his embrace, Joxer shyly lifts his head and presses his lips to Ares in a chaste and tender kiss. "Goodnight Ares"
"Goodnight Joxer." Ares replies, still a little stunned at the kiss.
*****
Strife walked down the hall to his uncle's bedroom. He figured Ares would want to fill him in on the battles he'd missed, and future mischief he needed to cause. Strife needed something to occupy his time. Every time he closed his eyes, visions of Cerberus flashed behind his lids.
Opening the door to Ares bedroom, he stopped in shock. Curled up on the bed, with Joxer, curled around him, was his unc, the god of was, asleep with a peaceful expression on his face.
"What in tartarus?" Strife whispered to himself.
Deciding to leave this little mystery `til later, Strife decided to catch up with his Cupie. Relocating himself to the bedroom he shared with Cupid, Strife screamed in shock upon finding Cupid and some woman goin' at it in HIS bed.
*****
Iolaus reappeared in the hallway of Iphicles castle. Trudging along wearily he entered his and Hercules' usual bedroom. Not seeing Hercules sitting in a chair by the door, Iolaus started to strip for bed.
"Iolaus, we have to talk."
Iolaus jumps and spins around. "Herc! I didn't see you there."
"Where have you been, Iolaus?"
"I don't think you want to know the answer to that Herc."
"Iolaus, we both know you were helped by the gods to get to that field. I want to know who."
"Ares."
"Ares! Iolaus are you crazy. Ares hates us! What made you think that he'd follow through on any bargain you made with him? You're lucky he didn't kill you. He still might try."
"I'm not so sure about that anymore, Herc. He's been acting real funny since he's had Joxer with him."
"Joxer's with him? Xena and Gabrielle have been looking all over for him. He disappeared earlier today and hasn't been seen since."
"Yeah, well, apparently he found out about Xena and Gabrielle. He's been up on Olympus with Ares ever since, from what I gather."
Hercules shakes his head. "I think the gods have gone mad. What possessed you to make a deal with Ares?"
"Herc, you didn't have to live through seeing the one person you love the most in this world driven insane. You were screaming and trying to hurt yourself. I don't know what Xena would have done if Aphrodite hadn't answered her call and loaned her some of Heph's chains. If there was a chance I could change what happened, I was gonna take it!"
"I'm sorry I put you through that Iolaus." Hercules moves closer so he can wrap his arms around Iolaus. "But you know any deal with Ares is going to come back to haunt you."
"Well. Um, Herc, about my deal with Ares?"
"Yes."
"In exchange for the chance to save you, I also had to save Strife. Ares just resurrected him a little while ago." Iolaus look down at the floor miserably.
"Strife." Hercules says with exasperation. Reaching over Hercules grabs Iolaus in another hug.
"No matter what they throw at us, we take it. We have before, and we will again, just as long as we're together."
Hercules leaned in and softly kissed Iolaus' lips. Iolaus responded by reaching up and threading his fingers through Hercules hair, firming the pressure between their lips, and opening his mouth. A clash of tongues tested and tasted each other as if it was the first time.
Hercules reached down and cupped Iolaus' ass in the cradle of his hands, lifting him up to grind both of their bodies together. Iolaus shifted his head over to the side of Hercules neck and started kissing and sucking his way down.
Hercules lowered both of their bodies to the bed. Iolaus twisted around and flipped Hercules underneath him, yanking open the yellow vest that was obscuring his view. Bending down he started nipping at Herc's pecs and then latched onto one of his golden nipples, sucking vigorously.
"Iolaus, slow down."
"Iolaus?"
Iolaus was beyond hearing anything. Quickly, he reached down and unlaced and rid the obstacle of Hercules pants, freeing his cock. Wrapping one hand around the base, he bent and swirled his tongue around the head. Moving slightly he started placing little kisses up and down the length, alternating between a brush of the tongue or a sucking kiss. Reaching the head once again, Iolaus slipped it into his mouth and started caressing it with his tongue, taking it in and out in an erratic pattern.
"By the gods, Iolaus. I can't take much of that tonight." Hercules breathed out. Levering himself back up started kissing his way back up Hercules' body. Hercules, deciding there was no slowing Iolaus down, pushed his hands down the back of Iolaus' pants. Iolaus groaned at the contact of one of Herc's hands on his ass, shuddering as he felt the firm squeeze and little push that forced him back up for a kiss.
The touch of cock rubbing against cock caused them both to groan in ecstasy. Sweat glistening of their bodies providing slickness and heat allowed them to rub together. Soon their hips locked together in a rhythm of thrusts. Each thrust bringing them closer to the edge.
Iolaus reached around and rubbed his hand in the sweat rolling of Hercules body. Moving his hand down he thrust his thumb in Herc's anus.
Hercules eyes flashed open as he breathed "Iolaus!" as streams of white fluid erupted from his cock and onto their stomachs.
The tremors rushing through Herc's body caused Iolaus to erupt.
"Oh, Herc, I love you!" he moaned as he collapsed on his larger partner.
Hercules reached down and grabbed a cloth from beside the bed. Cleaning both himself and Iolaus he shifted them onto their sides. Pulling Iolaus close he placed one last kiss on his lips. "Sleep Iolaus, tomorrow we'll get back to making rescue plans."
Cuddled in Hercules' arms, Iolaus drifted off to sleep.
***I took a little liberty with the timeline here. In this universe Psyche latched onto a grieving Cupid after Strife was dead as you will soon see more of in the next part.
Part 7 At the sound of high pitched screaming, Cupid flipped over to confront the intruder. Just then a large fireball ripped through the air and slammed him into the back wall. Psyche, seeing another fireball forming and aimed in her direction, zapped herself out of the bedroom and into Aphrodite's temple.
Strife felt a cold rage descend over him. < I'm not even gone a full century and he's got some girl in our home, IN OUR BED! > Suddenly a pair of shackles and a cockring appear in his hand. Stalking over to the unconscious Cupid, Strife reached down to fasten the shackles and cockring. A waive of his hand a produces a hook in the wall. Reaching up he fastens the chained Cupid to the wall.
***********
"Aphrodite!" the hysterical Psyche screams out.
"Aphrodite!"
"Aphrodite!"
Just then a flash of pink rose petals announced the entrance of a disheveled Aphrodite. "This better be important!" she growls out. "Hephie finally pulled himself away from his forge."
"Another god just attacked Cupid and me in our bedchamber! He blasted Cupid with a fireball!" Psyche sobbed out.
"Where's Cupid?" Aphrodite demanded.
"He was unconscious when I left."
"Then where's Bliss?"
A blank look came over Psyche's face. "Oh no. He's in his bedchamber."
"What!?!? You left him there?" Aphrodite reached out and slapped Psyche across her face. "Heph!"
Hephaistos blinked into view. "Someone attacked Cupid, and this ditz left Bliss in his chamber. I need you to flash in and bring him here, while I go see what's goin' on."
Aphrodite holds out her hand where a cup appears. Handing it to Psyche she forces her to drink it. Psyche falls over asleep as a bed materializes behind her.
****
Hephaistos transports himself to Bliss' bedchamber. Bliss is curled up asleep, oblivious to the noise echoing throughout the temple. Heph picks him up and takes him back to Aphrodite's temple to sleep. Placing a kiss on the child's brow he departs to join Aphrodite.
**********
Aphrodite flashed into Cupid's bedchamber. Casting out her powers she finds no sign of another god in the immediate vicinity. Looking over she finds a gagged and chained Cupid hanging from the wall. The whole chamber has been destroyed. Cupid's face is a picture of agony. Aphrodite could feel the heartbreak pulsing off him from across the room.
Suddenly Hephaistos appears beside her. "Bliss?"
"He's fine. I took him to your temple. He slept through the whole thing."
"Help me get Cupid down." They move in to undo the chains as Strife appears once more.
"Strife!"
"But you're dead!"
"I got betta!" Strife growled as he unfurled the whip in his hand.
"Strife, you can't whip Cupid, he didn't do anything."
"Didn't do anythin'? Didn't do ANYTHIN'? He had some woman in our bedroom, and he didn't do anythin'?" Strife screamed out.
Heph moved closer to Strife. "Strife, everyone, I mean EVERYONE, thought you were dead. Cupid had no way of knowing you were still alive. He loves you. Even after he married Psyche, everyone knew that the largest part of him still love you."
"He married that ho?!!" Shock seeps through the rage, as Strife collapses on the floor. Numbness starts to overcome him.
"Heph, I can't get any of this stuff undone. I think you made it all."
Hephaistos limps even closer to Strife, and kneels down to engulf him in a hug. "It's alright Strife, we'll get all this sorted out tomorrow."
Tears well up in Strife's eyes, but he refuses to let them fall.
"Strife, please unchain Cupid." Appealed Aphrodite.
"No." Strife mutters tonelessly.
Aphrodite looks appealingly at Hephaistos. "Strife, we need to get Cupid down. We'll give him a sleeping drought, and get everything sorted out in the morning, alright?"
Strife looked up to stare Hephaistos in the eyes. "Honest?"
"Honest."
Strife walks over and undoes the cockring, chains, and gag.
"Strife…" Cupid starts as he leans weakly on Aphrodite's shoulder.
"No. Tomorrow." Strife growls out and disappears.
Cupid turns to Aphrodite. "Mom, what am I gonna go? I've got TWO consorts!"
"We'll sort it out tomorrow son. Right now I want you to take this draught, and rest."
"But…"
"No! Drink it." Aphrodite growls as she pushes the goblet into her son's hand. Cupid drinks and falls to the now cushioned floor asleep.
Aphrodite turns to Hephaistos. "Thanks for the help, honey bun. What a mess! Now where were we?"
*************
Strife materialized in his bedroom in Ares' temple. Lying down on the bed he let his misery overtake him. Curling up in a ball he drifted off to sleep.
Part 8 Joxer drifted awake with a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. Opening his eyes he saw he was in a dark colored bedroom, laying on what felt like a huge bed. Bending his head down a little he could see the top of someone's dark head resting on his chest. < Ares. I can't believe I slept in the god of war's bed. I slept with the god of war! I'm not sure if I can trust my feelings yet. Everything is still so raw. Xena always said you couldn't trust Ares. But, she's lied to me before… I don't know if I can trust myself with him… But Joxer, how many times does a god all but say he loves you? Heck, how many times does ANYONE say he loves you for being you? ?? I think he really means it… If I take a chance, and he hurts me, I don't know how I'll get over it... Gabrielle's already rejected me; I couldn't take it if the only other person I love rejecting me, too. But… How many times do you get a chance to be with someone who loves you? Can I really pass up the chance? Especially, since I already love him??? No. I can't. I have to see this through. >
Ares stirs slightly, rolling over onto his back. Joxer leans up and twists over so he can look at Ares' face. Reaching out a finger, he traced the outline of Ares' face. Leaning up he places a light kiss on lips that are still relaxed in sleep. < Oh, well, nothing to loose. > Reaching down he unties his breechclout and drops it to the floor on the side of the bed. Turning back to Ares, he leans in again for another kiss, flicking his tongue across the slightly open lips. Lightly nibbling on the pouty lower lip, Joxer bends down and starts to kiss his way down to Ares chest, taking encouragement by the bulge developing in Ares' breechclout.
Swirling his velvety tongue in a path down Ares neck, towards his nipples, Joxer nibbled and sucked until they pebbled into tight little nubs. With each touch of a hand or mouth, Ares breechclout bulged even more.
Groaning Ares opens his eyes to one of his favorite fantasies.
Seeing that Ares is now awake, Joxer leaned up for a deep kiss. While sucking on Ares tongue, Joxer straddled Ares and rubbed their lower bodies together. Instantly, Ares breechclout disappeared, and they were now rubbing cock to cock. Breaking the kiss, Ares gasped out "Joxer, you don't have to do this. We can wait until you're sure."
Bending in, as if for another kiss, Joxer leaned over and sucked on the skin just below a tanned ear. "I am sure Ares." He whispered.
Pulling back and fastening his mouth back over Ares. Pulling back slightly Ares warned. "There's no going back from this, Joxer. Once you're mine it's forever."
"Ares, I've been yours since I was a child. There was never any going back."
Groaning Ares reached down and captured Joxer in a fierce kiss. Joxer reached back and rubbed his thumb down the cleft of Ares ass. Ares broke the kiss gasping. Joxer leaned down and kissed Ares' stomach working his way down the insides of his thighs. Wrapping his arms around Ares waist, Joxer leaned down and took the tip of Ares' cock in his mouth. Swirling his tongue around the head, tasting the pre- cum, Joxer proceeded to suck his way up and down Ares' cock. Pulling back slightly to dip his tongue in, once again, and lick the pre-cum off the slit of Ares cock, Joxer groaned "I love your taste", and reached down to flick his tongue under Ares' balls, and tease the skin between his balls and opening.
"Oh, Joxer." Ares moaned running his fingers through Joxer's hair, and arching his back. "I can't take much more of that. Come here."
Joxer allowed Ares to roll him over on his back.
Ares tried to devour Joxer with his mouth, tasting himself on his lover's tongue. Materializing a small pot of oil by his side, Ares proceeded to coat his hands. Moving down he rubbed and teased the skin all over Joxer's body, rubbing in the oil as he went. Stimulating the skin all over Joxer's body. Bending his head down, he licked the leaking slit of Joxer's cock, causing a whimper to burst from Joxer's throat.
"Ares, more."
Ares reached down and engulfed the throbbing cock in his mouth. Reaching his hands underneath, he started to massage the tense globes of Joxer's ass. Flicking his eyes up to lock with his lovers, Ares took one finger and inserted it into Joxer's ass, rubbing on his prostate. With a groan Joxer lost control and came in Ares mouth. Ares licked him clean with his tongue and levered his body up for a kiss. "Open your legs for me, Joxer."
Joxer spread his legs and clasped his arms around them to hold his position, as Ares once more ravished his mouth. Ares dipped his fingers into the bowl of oil, and brought them back to Joxer's ass. Stroking his fingers all around the small pucker that was revealed. Encircling Joxer's opening…once…twice…Ares slipped his index finger in past the ring of muscle. Stroking slowly in and out, preparing the way for a second finger. Withdrawing his finger, Ares slipped two back in, drawing a low moan from Joxer. "More." Joxer cried as Ares bumped his prostate. Scissoring his fingers, Ares squeezed in another finger, rotating the three, preparing his way.
"More." This time gasped out in between kisses.
Ares withdrew his fingers and reached for more oil. Liberally coating his cock, Ares brought it to Joxer's entrance. Drawing back to look in Joxer's eyes, Ares pushed the head of his cock in. Immediate heat and tightness robbed him of his breath. Gasping, Ares stopped. Bringing one hand up to briefly caress Ares face, Joxer reached back with both hands and pushed Ares the rest of the way in. "Oh, Joxer. Mine." Slowly pulling out and pushing back in, Ares proceeded to drive Joxer crazy. Each stroke brushed his prostate and brought mind numbing jolts of pleasure for Joxer. Smiling wickedly, Ares bent down and licked the head of Joxer's leaking cock. Frantically Joxer clutched at Ares shoulders, as he shot his cum all over their stomachs.
Ares, feeling the muscles tensing around his cock couldn't hold on any longer. Practically glowing, Ares arched his back and howled as he released his cum into Joxer.
Ares withdrew carefully. A flicker of power cleaned them both. Levering himself on to his side he embraced Joxer in a fierce hug. Too overcome with strange emotions, Ares just held Joxer, while Joxer stroked his back making soothing noises in his throat. Eventually, they both drifted back to sleep.
*************
Aphrodite flopped over on her back and let out a huge yawn. Remembering the events of last night, a naughty grin appeared on her lips. Reaching out a questing hand, she only found an empty bed. Grumbling, she opened her eyes looking around for her hubby.
"Hephie! Your little `Ditekins needs you!"
Hephaistos winks into the room. "Ah, `Dite you're up. Ready to go fix this mess with Cupid?"
"Oh crap. You mean that wasn't some weird dream that Morpheus gave me?"
"Sorry dear."
Suddenly Aphrodite is dressed and ready to do battle. "Well then, lets go check on Bliss. He's usually getting up about now, and everyone else should be rousing themselves shortly. Then I want you to promise me another honeymoon for my good dead." Aphrodite leans on Hephaistos and runs her fingers along his jaw.
Hephaistos dropped a quick kiss on `Dite's lips murmuring deal, as they transport themselves to `Dite's temple.
***********
Quickly looking in to confirm that Bliss was still asleep, Aphrodite sat down in the main hall of the temple. Hephaistos, checking of Psyche, soon joined her.
"Bliss?" he questioned
"Still asleep. Psyche?"
"The same, although she looks like she could be waking at any time."
Unobserved by Hephaistos and Aphrodite, Psyche had woken, and was listening to their conversation.
"I still don't understand how Strife isn't dead. He was stabbed with the Hind's Blood dagger!"
"I don't know, Hephie. Somethin' tells me that Ares is involved somewhere. He's the only one, other than Cupid, who was truly close to Strife. Poor Cupie! I don't know what he's gonna do. Either way he looses. Strife's the love of his life. The other half of his soul! But Psyche is Bliss' mother. There's no way he can choose."
"He'll have to `Dite. You know that a god can only have one consort, and that's for life. If Cupid can't choose, and I don't think he'll be able to, Zeus and Hera make the ruling. Seeing as how Zeus is currently out of power, that leaves Hera to make the choice."
"Hera! She's always hated me." Aphrodite spat.
"I know `Dite, but there's no other way."
Psyche started to panic at the identification of the other god.
With those thoughts in mind, Psyche zapped herself to Hera's garden.
*********
"Hera?" Psyche called out questiongily
Hera gestured Psyche over to a bench while she continued to trim her rosebushes. "Yes, Psyche. What did you want?"
At Hera's prompting, Psyche blurted out the whole story. "…so I came to you to see if you would help me."
Hera turned and stood. Making her way over to Psyche, she reached out her hand and cupped Psyche's cheek. Focusing her power she forced her way through Psyche's thoughts.
Finished probing Psyche's mind, Hera backed away. "Scheming women. Scheming women everywhere. Always trying to steal away the husbands. Tempting them with infidelity. Only on the look out their own best interests. No thoughts of your son's well being are in your mind. Manipulating circumstances to their own gain. Well, I may not be able to punish all of them, but I can punish you. You thought that I'd just get rid of Strife for you? You, who mocked me with your beauty when you first came to Olympus, You, who dared to secretly covet my role as queen, even when you had been elevated to a goddess for Cupid. Always reaching above yourself. Did you think I wouldn't now, Psyche?" Hera's eyes started to glow. In the background a peacock screeched it's rage. Hera reached out her hand and froze the terrified Psyche. < Cupid. > She summoned.
Hera's summons woke the sleeping Cupid. In a restrained flash of light he appeared. He froze upon seeing Psyche. "I understand you have a problem, Cupid. You now have one too many consorts, thanks to your father. I shall do you a favor. This one sought to influence me in the decision. However, I have looked into her mind and seen her true motives. You must now do the same."
Cupid looks questiongly at Hera and then Psyche. Moving towards Psyche, he reached out and touched her face. Revolted and sick, Cupid stumbled away.
"You must always be careful with ones who possess great beauty, Cupid. They can be the most deceptive of all creatures. Their vanity hides their treachery. Occasionally, you will find one who is true of heart, however, they are very rare. Go to your mother and tell her that your binding with Strife stands. I will take care of this one's punishment myself. She will trouble your family no more." With that Hera transforms Psyche into a beautiful red rose bush. Transporting it to her main temple, she instructs her followers on its care. You wished to be queen, Psyche. I'll let you be queen, queen of my garden, the most lovely rosebush around."
Part 9
Cupid appeared in the center of Aphrodite's main hall on Olympus. Looking around, he soon spotted his mother and step-father curled up on a couch feeding each other breakfast. Looking around he saw no sign of Bliss.
"Mom, where Bliss?"
"Oh, Cupie, you're up! Bliss is in his room, still asleep. Psyche's still asleep in bed over there."
"Actually mom, Psyche's being taken care of by Hera. I don't know how I could've been so stupid. She used me, mom!"
Aphrodite looks up startled. "What?"
"Apparently she, like, went to Hera to get her help. Hera read her mind and called me. She made me look, and it was horrible! She wanted to take Hera's place, as Zeus' wife, how gross is that? I mean, she has a stud of a love god and all she can think about is trading up. So, Hera, like, punished her, and said that Strife was my consort, and not to worry about Psyche, and to come tell you." Cupid finished in a sobbing rush.
Aphrodite jumped up and hugged her son. "Oh Cupid, if I'd know I …I don't know what I'd have done, but it would a hurt bad! That bitch!"
Aphrodite just held Cupid as he sobbed out his anguish. "Oh Cupid. Everything's gonna be alright. I don't know how, but somehow Strife's back. I suspect we need to talk to you father about that. You know how much he cared for you two. You never got over Strife, baby. Eventually, this whole mess'll get sorted out. You know Strife won't always be angry with you. It'll take some doing, but you'll get him back. In the mean time, you still have Bliss. He's your son through and through. Strife won't be able to resist him. You were just too vulnerable after Strife died, honey, and she took advantage. Now look at me. We're gonna go to you father's and talk with him and Strife. That's the only place he could be. Then we're gonna start fixing everything, alright? Now dry your eyes, we're gonna go see your dad. Remember, you're the god of love, and I'm your mother, so we're just gonna have to make sure everything's turns out alright in this mess ok?"
Cupid nodded his head and dried his eyes. Lifting his head, he felt determination to win back his true love fill him.
Aphrodite turned to Hephaistos, who'd been trying to avoid looking at the sobbing god, and asked if he'd mind looking after Bliss `til they got back.
"No problem `Dite, I'll take him back to the forge and help him practice with those new mini arrows I made him."
Aphrodite gives Hephaistos a quick kiss and she and Cupid pop off to Ares temple.
************
Iolaus gave out a groan as he twisted and stretched his body. Opening his eyes he looked around for Hercules. Not seeing him anywhere, Iolaus got out of bed to get cleaned up and dressed.
Walking into the main hall, Iolaus observed Jason, Iphicles, Hercules, Xena, and Gabrielle arguing over rescue plans. "Still haven't come up with anything, I see."
Everyone looked up at his entrance. "We're having trouble thinking up a way of getting into Zeus temple, without being observer." Hercules replied.
"Why don't you ask Ares or Aphrodite? Surely they'd want to help." Was Iolaus' reply.
"Aphrodite maybe, but I thought we settled this thing about asking Ares for anything last night Iolaus?" Hercules inquired.
"Well, I think Ares said something about showing up to help work on the plan today." Iolaus mumbled, hoping no one had heard.
"What?" Xena snapped.
Should have known she'd hear me. "I think Ares is gonna show up sometime today to help plan the rescue."
"Iolaus…"
"Now Herc, don't start. If he said he's coming, there's no way I can tell him not to. Besides, I really think he wants Zeus rescued. The least we can do is listen to what he has to say. He could be our ticket in."
Hercules and Xena turn to look at each other. Then agree that they'll wait `til Ares shows up before they plan anymore. Suddenly, a young guard runs into the hall headed for Iphicles. Bowing down. "My king."
"Rise and report."
The guard handed a sketch over to Iphicles. "My king these are all over town."
The paper offers 5,000 dinars to the person who brings Hercules head to one of Hera's remaining temples. Iphicles excused the soldier and turned to the group "I think our time to rescue Zeus is running out. Every thug and bounty hunter in Greece will be after you. There's no way you can take them all."
************
Aphrodite and Cupid appeared in Ares main hall. Looking around and not seeing anyone, they popped themselves into Ares bedchamber. Both jaws dropped open in shock. Then Aphrodite let out a long, shrill scream.
"Ares!!!"
Ares jumped and in a flash was fully dressed with his sword pointed at Aphrodite. "What!"
Startled, Joxer was sitting up in bed with the blankets wrapped around him.
"What are you doing with MY Joxie!?" Aphrodite shrieked.
Arching a brow, Ares repeated "Your Joxie?"
Cupid discretely stepped away from his mother into what he hoped was neutral territory.
"Listen up, Joxer has been mine since he was dedicated to me at birth. Mine. Not yours. If I decide to take him as my lover, you have no say in it!" Ares growled.
"No say. No say. You know he's one of my favorites!"
Joxer blinks in surprise upon hearing this little tidbit.
"Alright, listen. I'll say it one more time, he's mine!" Ares replies.
Aphrodite responds by forming a large pink fireball and hurling it at Ares. "He's mine. Cupid and I have been looking for just the right person for him. You're just gonna hurt him."
The fireball hits Ares and slams him into the wall. < Alright if that's the way you want it! > Ares forms a fireball of his own and zips it at Aphrodite. Aphrodite slams into the opposite wall. Growling both gods get up and prepare to get nasty.
"Wait a minute!" Joxer yells from the bed. "Aphrodite, I appreciate that you care about me, it means a lot to me, but I belong to Ares."
Aphrodite steps back from a lunge aimed at Ares, turning towards Joxer. "Joxer, he'll hurt you."
Ares waives his hand and Joxer was once more clothed in his black leather pants and red silk shirt. "Aphrodite, he says he won't, and I believe him. I've loved him all my life. If this is my chance to finally be with him, I can't pass that up."
Aphrodite gets a sad look on her face, and flashes Ares an evil expression. "What about Hera's decree Ares? What are you going to do when the new moon comes and it's time to comply? You don't think it's gonna hurt Joxer when you have to take a consort?"
Joxer turns to look at Ares with a questioning look on his face.
"Joxer, I was going to talk to you about this today. And for you information `Dite, I only have until tomorrow afternoon. Hera's punishing me for taking advantage of dad being out of commission. I sent Iolaus back in time to stop Hercules from killing dad, but he fouled up and got him captured instead."
"Is that how you saved Strife?" Cupid asked.
Ares froze. "You know Strife's alive?"
"Yeah. He stopped by last night."
"Does anyone else know he's alive?" Ares asked urgently.
"I imagine by now everyone does. He kinda went nuts when he saw Psyche and me together."
"Damn. There goes my backup plan." Ares muttered.
"Ares, what's this about you taking a consort?" Joxer inquired softly.
Ares turned towards Joxer. "When Hera chained up Zeus, she made a decree. No more cheating, and everyone must have a consort. She intends to make sure that the humiliation she suffered during her marriage to Zeus is obliterated on Olympus. She wants to set an example for mortals. Everyone unmarried has one moon to pick their most loyal follower or another god to be their consort. When she found out I sent Iolaus back in time trying to stop her, she changed my time limit. I only have until tomorrow afternoon to find my consort, otherwise she'll turn me mortal and give someone else my job."
"So were you just playing with me so I'd agree to be your consort? We both know I'd never be able to influence you unless you wanted me to. Was this just some attempt to trick me into being your consort so you'd be off the hook?"
"Joxer if I wanted to have you agree to be my consort, I wouldn't have to trick you. Cupid owes me one for saving Strife. I could have easily asked him to shoot you for me. I want you to love me for yourself, and not because of some arrow. I've already told you I wouldn't hurt you. I also didn't want to rush you. I want you to do this of your own free will. I meant everything I said to you earlier."
"Really?" replied Joxer, as he plopped back down on the bed, legs suddenly weak.
"Really?" whispered Aphrodite
"Wow, dude." Whispered Cupid
Ares moved over and sat beside Joxer, bringing one hand up. Leaning in he tenderly kissed Joxer's lips.
Suddenly, a broken sniffle sounded. Aphrodite had materialized a tissue and was wiping her eyes. "How did we miss this", she wailed as she reached out to swat at Cupid.
"Yo pops! Not to break the mood or anything, but could we get things sorted out now with Strife. He, like, kinda wanted ta castrate me last night, and I'd like to see if he's okay."
Breaking off his kiss with Joxer. Ares replied, "Alright son, he should be in his room. Let's go."
***********
Ares quietly opened the door to Strife's room. Looking around he spots Strife curled up miserably in the middle of his bed. Walking over to the side of the bed, he sits and reaches for Strife.
Strife feeling movement on his bed and snapped open his eyes. Just seeing Ares he relaxed some.
"I hear you had a bad night." Ares inquired
"It was horrible `unc. Cupe was in our bed with some floozy. He didn't even wait a century. I shoulda left him strapped ta the wall, but `Dite got ta me."
"Strife, I think you and Cupid need to talk." Turning towards the door. "Cupid!"
"Unc! I don't wanna see him!"
Cupid entered the room looking shame faces upon seeing the miserable Strife.
"You two have two hours to work things out. After that I need you at a meeting. If you don't work things out, I'm sure Hera can separate you, and enforce the marrying rule so you can find new consorts. After all, Strife did die, and usually that bond ends with death. Let me know your decision. By the way, neither one of you will be able to leave this room until the two hours is up." With that Ares gets up and leaves.
Total quiet descends on the room.
Cupid, finally, gets up to nerve to start. "Strife…"
"Look, I'm still mad atcha." Strife replies as he gets up off the bed to start pacing. "Do you know where I've spent my time since I've been gone? Well, I tell ya, in Hades realm, playin' hide-n-seek with Cerberus. Do ya know how hard it is ta hide from a three headed dog? All the while, ya been up here, screwin' around. Now YOU tell ME why I should forgive ya."
Cupid looks Strife in the eye and says, "I still love you." Strife snorts at this. "Even when I was with her I felt, like, a part of me had died with you. I know there was somethin' wrong, `cause I let her fool me. I married her Strife, and all she could think about was gettin' in the sack with gramps. She had my kid, an' didn't even want him. All she cared about was herself. An' I let her fool me, `cause I hurt so bad from missin' you."
Strife froze halfway through Cupid's speech. "Ya had a kid wit' her?"
"Yeah, a little boy named Bliss. I think ya'll love him Strife. He's got the most gorgeous lil' wings, and loves causin' mischief. I always thought you found some way to, like pass it on, `cause you knew it's what I loved most about you."
"So where's your wife now?" Strife spat out. Knowing that Cupid was pulling out all the stops by mentioning the child. Strife never could resist a little mischief maker in training.
"Hera punished her. Turned her into the most beautiful rosebush in her garden at one of her temples."
Strife briefly contemplates how much trouble he'd be in with Hera if he went to personally `water' her rosebushes. < Somethin' to do for later. Oh yeah, might have ta make THAT a daily practice! >
"I don't know what I can do ta take the hurt away. I know I screwed up. Please Strife, like, help me make it up to you." Cupid moves closer to Strife intent on embracing him.
Strife has calmed down some, but still not enough for what Cupid has in mind. < Seems flyboy needs a `lil lesson. >
Strife lets Cupid get close enough, then launches a flying tackle, driving Cupid back on the bed. Cupid, not expecting the attack is caught unaware as Strife quickly flips him over and chains him to the bed face down.
"Strife…" Cupid started
"Quiet." Strife commanded.
Strife got up and moved to a shelf by the door, picking up a small bag. Bringing it back to the bed, he opened it and dumped a small necklace into his hand. The necklace was made out of small gold hearts attached together on a chain. "I had Hephaistos make this for me before I was killed. I meant to give it to you as a present for our anniversary. Now, I want you to think of it as a reminder, I'll always come back for you, understand?"
Tears come to Cupid's eyes as Strife bends down and fastens the choker around his neck. "I understand, Strife."
"Good." Strife replied. "Spread your wings, and kneel up." He commanded.
Cupid spread his wing out. Strife, climbed up behind Cupid. Holding out his hand, Strife materialized a medium sized bottle of scented oil. Spreading some on his hands he bent down and massaged the oil into the muscles at the base of Cupid's wings. Cupid shuddered and moaned at the incredible relief that flowed from the muscles. Reaching further up, he proceeded to massage Cupid's shoulder and neck muscles, making sure to draw his thumbs up and down the base of Cupid's neck. While he was easing back to get more oil, Cupid drew in one wing and turned slightly begging for a kiss.
Strife stroked his hands over Cupid's now revealed stomach, and nipples. Stroking even higher, Strife leaned in and plundered Cupid's mouth. Breaking away slightly, Strife bent and nipped the exposed skin just under Cupid's underarm. Cupid shuddered and groaned Strife's name as his cock twitched up and hit Strife's leg.
"Now, now, Cupie, none of that yet." Strife replied as he materialized the cock ring in his hand. Reaching out, he snapped it around Cupid's engorged cock and balls. "No cumming, `til I say." Strife muttered.
Cupid whimpered his response.
"Turn back over with your wings spread, ass in tha air."
Cupid complied as quickly as he was able. Reaching down Strife gathered more of the oil on his hands. Turning back to the trembling Cupid, Strife reached down and massaged one foot, starting at the littlest toe, and worked his way up to the bronzed ass shaking in front of him. Leaning over, he repeated the process. By the time he reached Cupid's ass again, Cupid was muttering "Please" over and over again.
Leaning down, Strife nipped at the insides and backs of Cupid's sensitive thighs, while simultaneously flaring his hands out along the underside of Cupid's feathers. Cupid arched his neck back and screamed.
Smiling slightly at the screams and desperate moans now coming from Cupid, Strife leaned up and pressed his body flush against Cupid's. Taking care to place his well oiled, and leaking cock in the crack of Cupid's ass.
"Cupie?" Strife softly whispered from just behind Cupid's ear as he thrust with each question.
"yeah?"
"Who do ya belong ta Cupie?"
"You." Cupid breathed.
"Who?" Strife queried with a harder thrust.
"You!"
"Say my name."
"Strife!"
"Tell me who ya belong to Cupie."
"I belong ta Strife!" rushed out.
"Louder" Strife demanded
"I belong to Strife!" Cupid screamed out before starting to sob.
"That's right." Strife confirmed as he reached down and parted Cupid ass cheeks. Angling two fingers in, Strife scissored his fingers in preparation. Then he angled back until the head of his thick cock was pressed up against Cupid's tight hole.
"One more time Cupie"
"I belong to Strife!" Cupid screamed out again
Strife groaned as he pushed the head of his cock into Cupid's welcoming heat. Cupid yelped as Strife paused briefly before lunging the rest of the way in. Angling himself, in preparation of the familiar rhythm that drove his lover wild, Strife began to rock his hips back and forth, pushing himself back for more of the tight heat within. "So tight, Cupe. Was she tha only one?"
By this time Cupid was nearly incoherent with need. "Wha?"
"Was she tha only one?!"
"Yes!"
"Good." Strife growled as he reached down and briefly skimmed his fingers along the underside of Cupid's sensitive balls, before releasing the cock ring.
Cupid howled Strife's name as he came so hard he passed out. The tremors in Cupid's ass caused Strife to groan and cum on his next lunge. Strife let go of his anger at Cupid as his strength drained out of him. Finding some hidden reserve of strength, Strife reached up and released the chains, then pulled out of the now unconscious Cupid, ducked under a wing and collapsed.
When Cupid recovered enough to open his eyes, the first thing he saw an exhausted Strife. Rolling onto his side, Cupid drew him close and cradled the beloved body in his arms. Placing a hesitant kiss on the slack lips, Cupid lay his head down and went to sleep, wondering what later would bring.
Part 10
Ares, Joxer, and Aphrodite sat out in the main hall trying to ignore the noise coming from Strife's bedroom.
"So Aphrodite, are you coming to the meeting?" Joxer inquired.
"Meeting? What meeting?"
"We need to tell all of Joxer's friends about the wedding, don't we Joxer?" Ares replied raising a brow and nodding at `Dite.
"Oh, really." Aphrodite mused, catching on to what Ares was trying not to say. "I'll be there."
"Good. Any new gossip on what Hera's been up to lately?" Ares inquired nosily.
"Well.." Aphrodite grins and starts in on her second favorite hobby, gossip. "Apparently, the new boss is having some trouble managing a couple of daddy's favorites. Athena and Apollo have teamed up, and are driving her ragged over this whole marriage rule. Athena's pissed `cause she's gonna have to give it up, and `Pollo's pissed `cause he'll have to remain faithful! Personally, I'm havin' fun just watching." `Dite ends on a giggle.
Just then Cupid's voice screaming, "I belong to Strife!" echoed throughout the hall.
Aphrodite and Ares started to laugh, while Joxer's face turned bright red. < Hummh, wonder if I can get Ares to shout like that? > he mused as Aphrodite went on to detail smaller bits of gossip that had come her way.
**********
Strife woke to the sound of the door clicking open. < Guess unc's time limit is up. > Sighing he snuggled back into the arms that tightened around him. Cupid leaned down and placed a kiss just below Strife's ear. "Don't wanna leave." He whispered.
"Me neitha. But you know how `unc gets when ya make `em wait."
"Are we gonna be alright then, Strife."
Strife turned over and looked into Cupid's eyes. "Yeah, we'll make it. You just remember who ya belong ta."
"Like I'll ever forget after that." Cupid replied as he hesitantly leaned in and kissed Strife's lips.
Finally, Strife broke the kiss and used his power to once again clean and clothe them. "Lets go. You know how `unc gets." He says as they get up and walk towards the main hall.
********
Ares looked up at their arrival. "Sit down you two. We waited for you before we ate." Suddenly, the table fills with food. "Hurry up everyone. We have a meeting to get to."
********
The hall filled with light at the arrival of Ares, Joxer, Aphrodite, Cupid, and Strife.
"Joxer!" Xena and Gabrielle cried.
"We've been looking all over for you. What are you doing with them?" Gabrielle accuses as she points at the assembled gods. Ares looks over at the blonde, and Xena standing slightly behind her. Sneering at them, he growled, "Recovering from the damage you two inflicted on him." Ares then put his arm around Joxer's shoulders and steered him towards the table with the map of Mt. Olympus.
Xena and Gabrielle, broken from their shock, moved back to their positions at the table, still sneaking covert looks at Joxer.
Iolaus just scratched his head. < Didn't I tell them where he was? > he mused to himself.
Ares looks down at the map, then up at the assembled heroes, "Made any progress yet?" he inquired sardonically.
"Why are you here, Ares? Do you really expect us to believe that you want to help?" Xena asked suspiciously.
Hercules looked up from the map, and crossed his arms over his chest, silently backing up Xena's question.
Ares growled, and started pacing, hating that he has to explain himself to get their help. "Don't get me wrong, I'd like nothing better than to see dear old dad" heavy sarcasm dripping off those words "see his end. However, I WON'T just roll over like a good puppy, and let someone steal MY birthright. I'm Zeus' heir! Not even my mother will get away with crossing me on this."
The assembled hero's, with the exception of Joxer, just exchange disgusted glances. Jason and Iphicles, having more diplomacy than the other four, wisely excused themselves from the meeting.
*******
"See Jason, my brother just doesn't worry about reprisals from his little remarks and gestures."
"I see, Iphicles. It's a good thing we left when we did. There's no need for us to anger the gods over trivial things, you never know how they'd retaliate against Corinth."
********
"Is that why all of you are here?" Hercules questions.
"As if!" Aphrodite exclaims. "The rest of us know it's just a matter of time `til SHE remembers that she doesn't like us. By then, there'll be no way to stop her. She thinks she has Ares in a bind looking frantically for a consort. She's not able to concentrate on him, what with Athena and Apollo doin' their little rebellion thing. It's made her vulnerable. But after that…" Aphrodite's voice trailed off.
"I'd wondered why she hadn't come after you herself yet, Herc." Iolaus chimed in. "You know it's only a matter of time `til she gets fed up with those bounty hunter's attempts, and decides to do the job herself."
Joxer leaned down looking at the map. "Ares, where's the ceremony going to be held?"
"Zeus' hall" came the reply
"Ceremony?" Hercules and Xena questioned.
"I have until tomorrow to take a consort. Otherwise, Hera will strip me of my powers and make a new god of war. The ceremony to bind my consort and myself takes place in Zeus' hall."
Xena narrowed her eyes and looked from Joxer to Ares in speculation. "Just who's going to become your consort, Ares?" Xena asked in a dangerous tone. Looking up, Joxer starred straight at Xena, and said, "I Am." He replied, in a quiet tone.
Gabrielle collapsed on the floor in laughter at that.
Ares formed a giant fireball in his hands, determined to at least scratch on person off his list of annoyances today.
Walking over at Ares, Joxer informed him, "It's all right, Ares. I knew I could expect something like this from them."
Ares flung the fireball at Gabrielle, and then leaned in and kissed Joxer `til they were both breathless. Hercules dove and scooped Gabrielle up seconds before the fireball would have hit. < Boy Iphicles isn't gonna be to happy about that hole >, Iolaus mused.
"Oh, that gets me every time!" Aphrodite exclaimed.
Cupid and Strife just rolled their eyes as everyone else looked on in shock.
"Um, not to say we haven't been enjoyen' the show" Strife drawled, "but Cupie and I still need to go introduce me to Bliss an' explain a few thins'. So if ya don't mind?"
Hercules looked over suspiciously at the two young gods. He couldn't believe what their body language was suggesting. "What happened to … ump?" Aphrodite zapped a pink silk gag on Herc's mouth and ties on his hands, before he can say the name.
Joxer looked over at Cupid and Strife. "You know guys, this meeting taking quite a while. Why don't you go see Bliss now, and we'll fill you in on the plan later. I'm sure that between everyone, it won't take us long to make one up."
Cupid and Strife looked towards Ares for confirmation. Ares nodded his head, agreeing with Joxer's assessment. "Unless you have any ideas, we can fill you in later."
Strife shook his head no, and Cupid just shrugged his shoulders, indicating they had nothing to add. Departing in flashed; they left to go collect Bliss.
Aphrodite looked over at Joxer, "Good call, Joxie, the last thing those two need right now is a reminder of what happened?" Iolaus came over to the frustrated Hercules. "Oh Herc", he breathed as he reached up to stroke Hercules' skin and the pink silk, "we're gonna have to get some more of this from `Dite", he groans as he reaches out to rub his body against Hercules', breathing deeply.
"'Dite" Ares growled, "we need his mind focused."
"Oh, whoops, sorry Arry." Aphrodite giggled as she zapped away the pink silk.
Iolaus looked over at her with a hurt expression on his face.
"Don't worry Sweetcheeks, I'll leave you a whole basket full before I leave." `Dite promised thought the basket into being and deposited it on their bed.
Grinning, Iolaus thanked her.
"Now, as I was saying, what about Psyche?" Hercules growled at his sister.
"Hunh, I tell ya if I'd gotten my hands on her before Hera…!"
"Hera! I should have known. What'd she do to Psyche?"
"Relax Herc, Psyche was playin' everyone. She wanted to be queen of the gods. As if! Anyway, Strife popped in on Cupie, not knowin' he'd gotten married since Strife was dead. Needless to say, Strife was a little ticked. Well, Hephie and I sorted everything out and sent everyone to bed. The next morning we were talking, and Psyche overheard us. She went to Hera to get help in keeping Cupid. Hera read her mind, and saw that she had been plotting to seduce Zeus, and depose her. Needless to say, Hera was a little miffed. She called Cupid, and made him see what she saw, then turned Psyche into the queen rosebush in her garden, at her new temple."
"So I wouldn't go trashing any more of Hera's temples if I were you, brother. You might just hurt your precious Psyche in the process." Ares pointed out maliciously.
"Isn't that just like the gods. She was an innocent girl…"
Aphrodite interrupted Hercules tirade. "She was a scheming hussy, who deserved worse. I don't want to hear anymore out of you about it Hercules. It was MY son she hurt. If I'd gotten to her she'd be an old crone in the woods, that everyone feared and hated, or something worse. And don't even get me started on what Ares would have done to her for hurting our boy."
Ares quietly muttered, "Immortal camp follower".
"Ares, who'll be at the ceremony tomorrow?" Joxer inquired from his position by the map, bringing everyone's attention back to the problem at hand.
"All the gods, a few of their high priests, the fates will pop in for a little while, maybe a few favored monarchs that have been loyal to Hera. Why?"
"Well, wouldn't that be the perfect time to free Zeus? It's a shame you guys" gesturing towards the four, "aren't priests of Ares or Aphrodite, then you'd be there anyway." Joxer mused.
"See, Joxer, I told you you're brilliant. We can have Iolaus, Hercules, Gabrielle, and Xena dress in the robes of my high priests. They'll just have to keep the hoods up, so they won't be recognized. At the end of the ceremony, when Hera's presenting you with your immortality, would probably be the best time for them to act. Everyone will be distracted, watching you." Ares mused.
"Iolaus, you and Hercules will have to move in position just below Zeus. He's suspended about three and a half feet in the air. I don't know if Hera's going to clear out the peacocks for tomorrow's ceremony, so you might have to work around them. Get the bracelet off Zeus as quickly as possible, while Joxer has everyone distracted. Xena, you and your blonde just need to watch and make sure everyone is distracted. I know you can't do much this soon after giving birth, but you two should be able to make sure everyone is distracted." Ares instructed.
"So Zeus and Hera just go back to fighting and messing with our lives again. What happens the next time?" Xena inquired.
Joxer looked over questiongly at Ares, "Could Hephaistos make a bracelet for Hera, one that would limit her powers like Zeus did, but not that much? Just enough to put her on the level with her kids."
Ares reached over and kissed Joxer senseless. "Keep it up, Joxer, and you'll have this whole problem solved, before any of us."
"Why stop with a bracelet for Hera, why not a special one for Zeus, too?" Aphrodite mused.
"You can't limit both of their powers. They'll still be needed to solve disputes between the gods." Gabrielle chimed in.
Joxer looked over and caught Aphrodite's eye. "Maybe not a power limiting bracelet, but something different?" he proposed.
"That's it!" Ares exclaimed. "'Dite can you and Heph work on a special bracelet for dad? One that makes him desire only Hera?"
Iolaus started to laugh. "Get it Herc, they'll be so caught up in each other that they'll leave us alone! It's perfect!"
Hercules started grinning. Soon the whole room was caught up in the excitement.
Aphrodite departed to inform Hephaistos of the plan, and start on the bracelets.
"Someone will have to get close enough to Hera to put her bracelet on." Xena interjected.
"I'll do it." Ares muttered, "Only Joxer and I'll be close enough."
Xena looked from Ares to Joxer. "Joxer you don't have to do this. I'm sure there's someone out there for you. I don't want to see you destroy your life."
Joxer looked Xena straight in the eyes. "I love him, and he loves me. We're getting married. I'm not leaving him for anyone."
"We'll be back for you tomorrow afternoon. Be ready."
With that statement, Ares gathered Joxer close and departed for their home on Olympus.
************
Strife and Cupid materialized in Hephaistos' forge, just in time to duck from the small arrow zinging around, ricocheting off the metal shields lining the walls. Reaching out, Strife caught the arrow in mid-air. "Likin' the mini-arrows, Heph."
Hephaistos and Bliss peeked around a large shield at the end of the hall. "Sorry Strife, just trying to help Bliss with his target practice." Hephaistos replied.
"Where's daddy's boy?!" Cupid yelled out, and was answered by a zip of feathers and giggles that slammed into his chest.
Cupid reached out and grabbed Bliss in a hug.
Bliss peeked out at the stranger standing next to his papa. Grinning innocently, Bliss reached out a hand towards Strife's face, in greeting. Strife moved in closer to Bliss. Bliss cupped his little hand under Strife's cheek, and closed his eyes seeking his heart. Suddenly, feeling the remains of a broken heart, his eyes flashed open filling with tears. Struggling out of Cupid's embrace, Bliss moved over into Strife's arms. Clasping Strife close, Bliss wrapped his arms around Strife's neck hugging him and reaching out with his powers, attempting to erase Strife's pain.
Strife and Cupid felt what Bliss was attempting to do. "Oh Bliss! I'll be fine, it's okay." Strife replied as he hugged his new stepson.
Cupid laid his hand on Bliss' back, stroking gently. "Bliss. Your daddy hurt Strife very badly. But he forgave me, and soon his pain will fade. Remember what granma' and I said about heartbreak? How sometimes you can't just fix it? It's one of the worst parts of being a love god, baby, and it takes time to go away. I'm sorry my hurting your daddy Strife, had to be the first time you felt heartbreak, baby, but I promise it'll get better."
Bliss stopped trying to fix Strife's heart, but stayed in his arms, hugging him.
Hephaistos limped up to the three younger gods. "Meeting already over?" he questioned quietly.
"Don'no. We got booted." Cupid replied. "Dad said he'd fill us in later."
Just then Aphrodite popped in giggling. "Oh Hephie, you're gonna love this." Aphrodite goes on to relate the details of the plan. Soon everyone was giggling.
"Mom, Strife and I are gonna take off. Call if ya need anything. Thanks for watchin' Bliss, daddy Heph." Then flashing away, the three disappeared.
*******
Joxer and Ares reappeared in Ares main hall.
"Joxer?"
"Yeah, Ares."
"How'd you like to do some exercises?"
*********
"…and if your unc' Hades ever asks if ya want ta play with his doggie, just say no." Strife told Bliss.
Giggling and squirming away from Strife's tickling fingers, Bliss shouted "No Hades doggie!"
"Oh Cupie, I love `em. We're gonna havta have more." Strife exclaimed.
Cupid just swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
**********
"That's it Joxer, I think you've got it now."
"That's incredible, Ares, I've never been able to do anything like this before."
"We'll have years for you to practice, Joxer." Ares replied from his position on his back.
"Are you sure you didn't just let me think I flipped you?" Joxer inquired from his position on top of him.
"Nope. Before I'm done, nobody will be able to get the drop on you." Ares boasted.
Joxer leaned down so he was lying chest to chest with Ares. "So long as I know enough to defend myself, Ares, that's all I want. I can't tell you what it means to me, that you're taking the time to teach me." Joxer replied, as he sucked Ares lower lip into his mouth, and lightly nibbled on it.
"Ares?"
"Yes Joxer."
"I assumed since you didn't ask, that you know about the people I've been with?" Joxer questioned.
"I watched you at Meg's." came the reply. "You don't know how many times I was tempted to disguise myself, and make you mine. Instead, I watched you experiment. I suspected I wouldn't be able to let you go if I had you, and I knew you still had feelings for Xena's little blonde. I made myself wait until you learned the truth. Why do you ask?"
"You know so much more about me, and I don't want to disappoint you."
"Ask me anything you want, Joxer. I'll answer. I don't want you to ever be afraid to ask or tell me anything. After a few decades, you'll find that you know me as well as I know you." Ares replied.
"Is there anything you haven't done?"
"I've never let anyone possess me the way I possessed you last night. I always thought it would have been used to discredit me with my followers. I swore to myself when I was young, that I'd only let one person ever do that, my consort. If you wish to, tomorrow night, you can possess me, Joxer."
Joxer swallowed hard and blinked away the tears in his eyes, as he reached up and placed a tender kiss on Ares' lips. Releasing Ares lips, Joxer undulated his hips over Ares pinned ones, taunting and teasing him with brushes of contact, causing Ares to buck up. Ares reached his hands back down to Joxer's ass, and pressed him forward so that both their bodies were grinding together.
Groaning, Joxer tried to pull of his shirt. Ares, taking Joxer's hint, relocated them, naked, to his bed.
Reaching up Joxer caught Ares' hands in his, insinuating himself between the slightly spread thighs, forcing them wider, with several rocking motions.
"More" Ares prompted.
Joxer then leaned his head down and nipped at Ares nipples, taking care not to apply too much pressure. Ares nipples soon hardened into little points standing off his chest. "I really love how sensitive your skin is." Joxer murmured. "I could lick you for hours."
Ares shuddered.
"All of you tastes so good. I just want to swallow you whole." Joxer followed this statement by releasing Ares hands and bending down to lick the leaking head of his cock. Joxer kissed up and down along Ares shaft. Jerking the base to create different pressures, while he sucked his way up and down the top of Ares cock. Leaning back every few seconds to flick his tongue across the slit at the top. Joxer placed two of his fingers alongside Ares' shaft before lowering his head down once more. Making sure to thoroughly wet his fingers, he pulled them back out of the way and slid them down to Ares anus. Looking up into Ares eyes, with his lips barely kissing the top of Ares cock, Joxer slowly pushed his middle finger into Ares anus. Pausing a moment to let Ares adjust, Joxer pushed his finger all the way in. Shifting his finger slightly, Joxer found Ares prostate.
By this time Ares was sweating heavily, gasping for breath. Looking down into Joxer's eyes, he saw the love he craved all his life. Groaning, Ares whispered brokenly, "please!".
Pulling his finger back slightly, Joxer suddenly thrust it forward into Ares prostate, while opening his lips and swallowing as much of his cock as he could.
Shouting Joxer's name, Ares came in great torrents.
Joxer swallowed as much as he could before pulling back and stroking Ares still pulsing cock.
Ares reached down and coated his still shaking hands with his cum.
Flipping Joxer over onto his back, Ares grabbed his cock and started stroking with his cum soaked hands. Bending down he sucked until Joxer thought his brains were being drained.
"Too soon…Too soon…it's gotta last." Joxer muttered.
This only caused Ares to increase his efforts, and force his throat open, swallowing allow Joxer's cock.
"Arrrr…" Joxer choked out on a scream as he found his release.
Ares swallowed all that Joxer had to give. Leaning back he grinned at the numb expression on Joxer's face. Ares planted a short kiss on Joxer's slack mouth and then told him to sleep seeing as how they had a big day on the morrow.
Part 11
With a flash of rose petals signaling her appearance, Aphrodite tossed the robes of Ares high priests to the waiting heroes. "Remember, Sweetcheeks, you and Herc slowly move into position, while Xena and Gabrielle stand watch." She warned one last time, before transporting them to her hall on Olympus.
**********
Hera took one last look around the hall, and smiled. Everything was ready. Earlier she'd slapped a wall of silence around Zeus and moved her precious peacocks out to her garden, not wanting to hear Zeus' screams throughout the ceremony. However, to insure no interference from him, she gagged her trophy so he couldn't interrupt the ceremony. Soon she'd show them all just who was in charge. When Ares finally submitted to her will and married, the others would see that she's capable of anything, and then they, too, would fall in line. With one last look, she left.
Several minutes later the hourglass emptied, automatically sending out the summons for all the gods to appear in Zeus' hall.
Eventually, all the gods, high priests, and various mortals important to Hera stood in their formal gowns waiting for the ceremony to commence.
Hades deciding to give Strife some grief for all his months of sneaking around in his realm and teasing Cerberus, moved up behind him and growled just like Cerberus would before he pounced. Startled Strife jumped up shrieking and popped away.
Bliss, sitting on Cupid's shoulders hears the growl that scared his new daddy Strife. Already having felt that his new daddy had been hurt enough, Bliss looked to see where the growl had come from. Disappearing off Cupid's shoulders, he rematerialized with his bow behind the chuckling Hades. Shouting out "No Hades doggie!" Bliss fired and shot Hades in the ass.
Standing beside Aphrodite, Hephaistos just smirks, as he sees the results of his target practice with Bliss paying off.
Hades let out a scream, as he felt the pain of the arrow. Suddenly, Hermes catches his eye. Flexing his power he appeared next to him. Reaching out he settled an arm around the shoulders of the startled god. Hermes turned to see what Hades wanted, when suddenly manacles were clamped on his hands. Laughing wickedly, Hades tossed Hermes over his shoulder, turned to Demeter and winked, then flashed back to his realm.
Strife rejoined his consort and son. Leaning over he gave Bliss a big hug. "Oh, who's daddy's favorite `lil mischief maker? My Bliss, that's who!" Strife shouted as he giggled hysterically.
Suddenly Hera appeared at the top of the steps. < Ares > she summoned.
With a flash of blue light Ares appeared with Joxer. "This is your chosen consort, Ares?" Hera questions.
"Yes" Ares replied.
Looking over at Joxer, Hera says, "So be it. Fates hear my will."
Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos appeared behind Hera.
"Ares, son of Zeus, god of war, do you willingly choose to bind your life to this man, Joxer, son of Jonas, for the length of your lifetime?" Hera questioned while wrapping a silken cord around Ares' wrist.
"Yes, I consent to binding my life to that of Joxer, son of Jonas."
Unobserved by all but Iolaus and Hercules, Zeus began to twist frantically, trying to get someone's attention.
"Joxer, son of Jonas, do you willingly choose to bind your life this deity, Ares, god of war, for the length of your lifetime?" Hera again questioned while twining the cord on his wrist.
Joxer looked Ares straight in the eyes, and said, "Yes, I consent to binding my life to that of Ares, god of war."
"So be it. Ares, god of war, and Joxer, son of Jonas, from this day forth you are bound to each other, letting no being interfere in your bond for each other. Letting you only cleave to one another. So I, Hera, Queen of the gods have blessed, so shall it be."
As Hera spoke, the Fates appeared behind her. "As you have blessed, and we witnessed, so it shall be." They chimed together. However, they didn't disappear as usual, but stayed watching.
Hera held out her hand and willed her cup into being. Handing the cup to Joxer, she told him to drink.
Joxer took the cup in his free hand, and drank.
Suddenly, he collapsed to the floor, pulling Ares down with him. Ares looked up frantically at the puzzled Hera. "Mother, quickly undo the bindings, something's wrong."
Hera reached down and pulled the cord away saying the final words of the ceremony, "My blessings upon you."
Ares attempted to reach out to Joxer's mind only to have part of himself caught. "Asclepius, Apollo", he cried out as he fell to his knees.
Asclepius and Apollo pushed their way to the front of the gods. Asclepius bent down towards Ares, examining him and his new consort. "It's like part of him has been pulled out and merged with Joxer!" he exclaimed. Moving towards Joxer, he was once again confused by what he saw.
"I don't understand what's happening. It's like there's a part of him that's waking up. This shouldn't be happening." Asclepius exclaimed.
"Huh. Well dude, looks like your little consort had some godly blood in him. Guess the ambrosia's wakin' the rest of him up." Apollo explained to the slightly dazed Ares.
Ares looked at Apollo in shock. "But who…"
"Don'no. Guess we'll just have to see which side of the family he takes after."
Groaning Joxer opened his eyes and looked at Ares. "Mine." He growled as he launched himself up and onto Ares. Everyone stepped back in shock.
Hera just starred off in the distance. < Huh, probably should have just given him the apple. Oh, well, who knew? >
By this time, with Ares and Joxer providing a distraction, Hercules was able to lift Iolaus high enough to release the bracelet restraining Zeus.
"I knew, you witch! Why do you think I didn't want Joxer as Ares consort?!? Why do you think I've tried to keep everyone away from that family?" Zeus thundered. "Why else would Aphrodite have an interest in him and that Iolaus character out of all the mortals? Because they're descendants of hers!"
Aphrodite just stands off to the side twirling a lock of her hair pouting. She mutters, "Told ya he was mine Ares."
"Why do you think he has such an effect on you Ares? Haven't you noticed you've been acting differently around him? And you," swinging towards Hera "you had to go and MARRY them, binding them for eternity."
Seeing Zeus was free, Hera hurriedly disappeared in a flash of light.
However, Ares was in no position to answer his father. Still missing a piece of himself, he couldn't even struggle when, Joxer pinned him to the floor, and ravishing his mouth. With a flash of newly awakened power, Joxer reached down and savagely sucked Ares cock into his mouth, causing Ares to cry out. "Joxer!"
*********
Hercules quickly slipped the other bracelet on his father's wrist, now that he was distracted by the spectacle. Zeus looked questioningly at Hercules, and then breathed one word "Hera!"
******
"You make me want to immerse myself in you. I feel like I need to crawl inside you and never come out." Joxer growled as he materialized a vial of oil and dumped it straight onto Ares chest.
**********
"Uh Herc, Xena, isn't anyone gonna stop `em." Iolaus inquired.
"He's a god now Iolaus, and whatever's happening isn't over yet. The fates are still here."
"Oh boy. Why don't I get a good feeling about this?" Iolaus muttered.
< Oh boy, what a scroll this is gonna make. I'll be the winner of the annual bard competition in Corinth, hands down! > Gabrielle thought, and had to restrain her glee.
< I knew I should' a left her at home. > Xena mused to herself. < Now I'll have to hear this story over and over again for months! >
*************
Growling triumphantly, with one hand locking Ares hands above his head, Joxer reached down and quickly wiped the oil all over Ares cock, balls, and cleft.
"Do you remember yesterday, Ares? When Cupid was screaming he was Strife's…" Joxer trailed off.
"Yes." Ares groaned.
"Good." Joxer purred.
"Who do you belong to, Ares?" Joxer growled as he took Ares shaft in his hand and stroked him into hardness.
"Joxer." Ares groaned.
"Who?" Joxer questioned as he lifted Ares legs up, exposing his goal.
"Joxer." Ares groaned louder.
"Say it."
"I belong to Joxer." Ares groans.
**********
Strife turns to look at Cupid with a worried look on his face.
"Yeah, like, dad's gonna kill you when this is over, Strife." Cupid whispered. "Maybe we should, like, go on a second honeymoon, `til he calms down."
Strife just nods and turns back to the show.
************
Zeus looks up at the assembled gods, and realized what's about to happen. "Stop them!" he shouted.
Artemis and Apollo, seeing their chance to score a few points with dear old dad, rush to comply.
Suddenly, they're thrown back as an invisible force field repels them back.
*************
Joxer reached down and inserted his finger in Ares anus, followed quickly by another. Stretching Ares, as quickly as he dared, Joxer quickly oiled himself, and placed the head of his cock at Ares' opening. One last time he demanded Ares say who he belonged to.
"Joxer!" Ares screamed out as Joxer pushed inside.
Joxer began a rhythmic pumping, each stroke hitting Ares' sensitive prostate, filling his tight channel and wringing even more cries from Ares. Dazed, Ares looked down to the sight of Joxer's cock thrusting itself in his ass. It was all that Ares needed, and with sharp cry he came, covering their chests with cum. Joxer leaned down and kissed the still dazed god. Sobbing and growling into his husband's mouth, Joxer came, letting go and returning the missing piece of Ares' mind.
Exhausted the two collapsed, and with them the force field.
The fates chimed "And lo, War shall meld himself to peace, and peace shall become a part of war, bringing a new age to Olympus." They chimed before disappearing.
"What does this mean?" Hercules questioned.
"The start of a new age, son? Your brother and friend have become part of each other, two halves of a whole. But it was too soon. Your friend Joxer is still too closely related to Aphrodite. He's too close to his passionate side. Unbalanced and untrained. I was going to have Hades reincarnate him a couple more times to weaken his godly blood, before I allowed them to marry. Well, it's too late now. I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes of it."
The End.
** I'd just like to take a moment and thank all the wonderful people that sent me comments and encouragement. Frankly, you're the reason I stayed up all hours of the night during my vacation to see this story finished as quickly as it was. I guess I'm a praise junkie, and you fed my habit. WHO KNEW!? Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I tried to inject some plot twists, portions of my twisted (as my mother and friends call it) humor, and love of a good sex scene into the plot. Hope they shined through for ya. Thanks again, Brandy.