Title: Raising Mischief - Punishment
Fandom: Hercules The Legendary Journeys/Xena Warrior Princess
Characters: Strife
Prompt: #080 why?
Word Count:
Rating:PG13
Summary: Hera deals with her daughter.
Author's Notes: Fifth in the newly titled Raising Mischief series.
Hera appeared in the cave where Eris was hiding out in the north of
Greece with no bright flashes of light or anything else to alert her
daughter. She quickly sealed the cave so she would not have to chase
her daughter through Greece and Olympus.
She entered into a portion of the cave blocked from most godly and
mortal vision and found her daughter sprawled out on a lavish bed. A
mortal tied up and hanging over the bed covered in lash marks. With a
shake of her head she sent the mortal to one of Apollo's temples
making herself know to Eris.
Looking at her mother Eris quickly tried to flash out growling in
frustration when she was unable to do so. Snarling she crossed her
arms and looked defiantly at her mother.
"I have one question for you. Why? I would have cared for him if you
did not want him. You seemed so happy during the pregnancy. You said
you wanted him. What changed?"
"He was annoying! Always wanting to be fed, get his diaper changed.
Pooping and pissing all the time. Crying and whining. I didn't want
him in the first place, I was just happy because I could do want I
wanted, if I blasted a few mortals even if they were someone's
favorites it was just a mood swing. That was the only good thing about
being pregnant. I got fat and swollen and for what? That brat? He
couldn't even grow up fast, like a wanted some dirty toddler for the
next century. Then Ares said he would train him, so I got rid of him.
Its not like it matters, Ares wants to keep the brat anyway."
"Is that what you think of your child? What kind of mother are you?"
Hera asked in horror. "Is that how you were raised?"
"Raised?! You were too busy chasing dad around, and planning revenge
on all those idiot mortals that were with him. You were no mother to me."
Hera did not so much as blink at the accusation, used to Eris's
attempts and the fact that it was in her very nature to cause discord.
"I recall that you did something to yourself similar to Strife so you
would be left alone. I thought you grow out of this foolishness, but
clearly you need to be punished."
"What are you going to do spank me?" Eris asked not believing her
mother was capable of a severe punishment.
"Now you should know better, that is not my style I will truly punish
you. There are many more painful things than that. First I should have
you know you are no longer my daughter."
"Like that is some great loss. It just means I won't have you hovering."
"Eris dear, you don't seem to understand, as you are no longer my
daughter you are on even par with Zeus' bastards. You will never
ascend as a major god. Erin has replaced you in that aspect and he
will be Ares' second. Once you return to Olympus you will answer to
him or Ares, you are no longer allowed to function independently, your
Olympian temple is now Erin's and you will be housed by Ares however
he sees fit."
"A four year old?! Oh please, as if that thing could be out on battle
fields."
"And what would make you think you would be going back to Olympus
anytime soon?" Hera asked even as she reached towards her daughter and
pulled forward the symbol of her godhood essentially stripping her of
her power, in a way only Zeus and Hera were powerful enough to do.
"Don't worry too much dear; you are still immortal, after all Ares
wants to have a few choice words with you. You will be banned from
Olympus until Strife is of age, then and only then you may be allowed
to return."
Eris watched in horror as the glow from her symbol dulled
significantly. "Maybe the severity of you situation is finally
reaching you. I was not pleased at your lack of a relationship with
Erin's father but you seemed willing to raise him and not concern
yourself and I saw no need for a forced marriage. But this…you should
be ashamed. You will never be as powerful as you were. I quite sure
Erin would have much better use for the extra energy. How you kept him
from establishing a true power base I will never know."
"You can't do this to me!"
"You! That little angle could barely sit up after enduring your
`care'. Ares is a wonderful father, even with Cupid's extended youth,
and his placing in the house of love. I foolishly assumed as his twin
you would have similar traits. You put me off for visits after the
first few and I foolishly allowed this. I should have never allowed
this get that far."
"You'll pay for this!"
"No my dear you will pay for this and pay dearly, there are others
close to Erin and until each one has had a say in your punishment you
will be trapped in this cave. Enjoy your stay Eris dear." And with
that Hera vanished leaving a very angry daughter behind.