Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9
Title: The Stone
Author: Brandy
Couples: A/J, C/S, H/I
Feedback: It's what keeps me goin'!
Disclaimer: I don't own or have any rights or claims to any of the characters in this story.
Sequel to
Dark Bargain Part 1 "What a mess." Zeus muttered as he stalked back and forth across his hall.
"Athena!"
Athena flashed into view and cocked her head at Zeus "You Bellowed?"
Growling Zeus snapped "In case you haven't figured it out yet, we have a major crisis on our hands."
"Major? Which crisis currently occurring are you referring to? Hermes and Hades? Hera? Persephone's raging and the vegetation growing wildly out of control? Ares and Joxer?"
"That one" Zeus snapped. "Ever since Aphrodite gave birth to Autonoe, I knew it was only a matter of time until the god of peace emerged from her line. I'd been watching her for a while when I realized she was pregnant. At first I didn't know how. I had to visit the hall of time to find out."
"Another god?" Athena asked startled.
"Yes. Hades had apparently been experimenting on what it was like to be a mortal. He said something about a problem with his judging. He met Autonoe and had an affair with her, not realizing she was a demi- god. Autonoe's father found out about the affair and married her to Jonas. I should have killed the man right there, and married Autonoe to a farmer, but I couldn't since he was one of your brother's men."
"So, Joxer is the son of Hades and grandson of Aphrodite." Athena mused to herself.
"The fates had warned me when Ares was still young that only peace could be his consort. They said that they'd be drawn together, but that I must take care that they were equals or peace could become too powerful, and destroy us all! I thought that by weakening the bloodline I'd have a chance to weaken peace's powers. I was going to let Joxer die and be reincarnated a little further down the family line, where his godly blood was weakened, but I had to wait until he'd died naturally, since he's Hades child. Once he wasn't so closely tied to the love or death side of the family, he would have been given the ambrosia and trained. Only after he learned to control his passions would he and Ares be joined. I had my deal with Hades all set up… I only had to keep Ares away from him! I thought I solved that by taking away his coordination, ensuring he'd never become a warrior, despite Jonas' teachings."
"What about the other two?" Athena interrupted.
"They are only demi-gods, one taking after Aphrodite, and one taking after Hades. But Joxer had more godly blood than them. I knew there was something special about him, could feel the hum of peace hiding inside him when I snuck a visit in just days after his birth. Now, thanks to Hera, he's permanently tied to Ares, and become a god too soon. One who could bring down all of Olympus!"
"Did the fates give you any further indication on how he'll change Olympus?" Athena questioned with a frown.
"You know as well as I that they're never that specific! But you can feel the effects already. Ares hasn't been out of his hall in three weeks. With no one to advise or direct them, his warlords have stopped in their tracks. If we don't get the excess population taken care of in those areas, there'll be a famine this winter!" Zeus raged.
"What do you expect me to do?" Athena questioned
"Take over until Ares snaps back to normal. Hearing that I've given you authority over his armies until he resumes his duties should shake him out of his lust-induced haze. Use Strife and Discord to relay your orders to Ares' warlords, we don't want them to know you're in charge, it would undermine Ares' authority later." Zeus commanded.
"And how are Eris and I supposed to meet Hera's deadline if we're out running around doing Ares' job?"
"Hera may be the queen of the gods, but I AM STILL YOUR KING AND RULER! Now go!"
Athena flashed out.
"Well that's one problem delayed a bit." He muttered to himself.
"Demeter!"
Demeter flashes into view.
"I hear your daughter is raging out of control. Calm her. I know you're probably elated that this mess with Hades has happened, but you know as well as I, that it's only a matter of time until Bliss' arrow wears off. He's not old enough to make his powers take hold permanently, yet, especially on a god. Remind Persephone of this."
Demeter flashed Zeus a bitter look before departing, not having said a word.
Part 2 Ares groaned, and lurched up on his side and swung his head over the side of the bed, heaving. Joxer jumped up after him, creating a bowl for him to hold, and rubbing his back through the spasms.
"Ares, I still think we need to call someone! You've been sick since the ceremony. I'm worried! I didn't think gods got sick."
"I'll be fine, Joxer. I'm sure it's just my body reacting to the bonding. Gods can get hurt, and take longer to heal if the damage comes from another god. My mind got a little messed up during our bonding, and I'm just taking time to heal."
Just then a voice echoed in the minds of all the gods, < I want everyone assembled in my hall, now. >
Joxer looked at Ares, "What was that?" he questioned.
"Summons from Zeus. We have to go."
"But Ares, you're sick. You shouldn't be going anywhere. You need to save your strength."
"It'll be okay, Joxer. We have to go. The others can't know I'm sick. It'd make them try to grab some of my followers or plot against me, whereas right now they believe I could strike back before they could complete whatever plan they cooked up. You can take us. You just need to concentrate on where you want to be, like I showed you, and you can transport both of us." Ares replied as he collapsed onto his back.
"But, what if something happens, and I mess up? I've never transported anyone else before. I don't want to hurt you." Joxer murmured as he stroked Ares forehead.
Ares looked Joxer in the eye. "You won't. I have faith in you Joxer. You won't hurt me."
Joxer straightened his back. "All right, Ares."
*********
Ares and Joxer appeared in Zeus' hall in a flash of light. Joxer arms remained curled around Ares. None of the other gods appeared to notice it was more for support than anything else.
Aphrodite turned to Hephaistos, "I wonder what was so important we had to cut our honeymoon short?"
"Don't know. Must be big, though, everyone's here." Heph replied.
Cupid walked up behind his mother. "Hey mom."
"Oh, hi hon." Aphrodite replied as she turned and hugged Cupid. "Where's Strife?"
"Over with his ma. Seems Athena wants to talk with both of them after the meeting."
Aphrodite narrowed her eyes as she looked around the hall for Athena.
Just then Zeus appeared upon his throne in a crack of thunder. Looking around he did a quick head count to confirm that everyone was there. "Where's Hermes and Hades?" he muttered. "I'll have to look in on them after the meeting."
"As you all know, there has been some confusion lately over who's in charge around here." Zeus started. "Artemis! Apollo!"
Artemis and Apollo walked into the room with the bound Hera between them, and headed towards the throne. They paused beside Zeus.
"I'm ending the confusion, right now. Hera's decree that all of the unattached gods take consorts is now dissolved. As of this moment, Hera, Queen of the gods, is stripped of her powers. She will retain only her immortality and title, until such a time as I see fit to restore her." With that Zeus reached over and gently caressed Hera's cheek. Then he grabbed her hand and stripped her of her powers, leaving her to sag between Artemis and Apollo.
Murmurs broke out across the room.
"Quiet!" he snapped. "Hestia and Hecate, front and center." Hestia and Hecate slowly approached Zeus.
"Kneel." He commanded.
The two goddesses traded nervous looks, before kneeling to Zeus.
Zeus reached out his hands, and brought them to rest lightly on their heads. A soft golden glow surrounded them. "From now, until such time that I restore Hera's godhood, you two will be dividing her duties. I know it will increase your duties, but you two are the only ones who share in Hera's interests, that I trust to handle the job." With that, Zeus completed the transfer of the ties to Hera's worshippers, and allowed the goddesses to rise and retake their places.
"Hera will only be allowed to dwell in my temple. No one shall allow her any access to ambrosia. Anyone who goes against this dictate shall be rendered mortal for a year. If you don't believe that's sufficient punishment, just ask Ares, he'll tell you what it's really like."
All eyes turned to Ares, just as he lost the battle to stay conscious. Eyes rolling up in his head, he collapsed in Joxer's arms.
"Ares!" Joxer cried as he staggered back, lowering himself to the floor, with Ares in his arms.
"Bein' mortal must suck if it scared Ares that much." Apollo muttered to Artemis.
Joxer looked up frantically, catching Aphrodite's eyes with his.
Aphrodite saw the panic on Joxer's face, and moved over to reassure him. "It's okay, Joxie. Arry's, like totally freaked by the whole mortal thing. Though, I don't think he's ever reacted this badly before."
Joxer looked up at Aphrodite. "You don't understand! He's been sick since the bonding. This isn't about being a mortal, he's sick!"
Aphrodite's head snapped up as she bellowed, "APOLLO!"
Apollo winced at the harsh yell, and hurried over.
"What?"
"Arry's sick, has been since the bonding. Fix him." She ordered.
Apollo reached down and touched Ares face. Suddenly, his face filled with fear, as he started feeding Ares energy, while he yelled for his father, "ZEUS!"
Zeus pushed his way through the crowd. "What's wrong?"
"We've gotta major problem here. He's pregnant, and part of him's still missing. It's like he's slowly loosing his energy, and what he's not loosing is going to the baby. Pretty soon, he's gonna lose the baby, and then we're gonna loose him."
"Pregnant?" Joxer murmured, not comprehending the rest of the statement. "But, how?"
Aphrodite bent down to hug Joxer. "At the end of your marriage ceremony, Hera blessed you. My guess is that her blessing contained a little present for you and Ares, the ability to have children. You know this is only our mortal form, right? Well, it's not exactly that same as a mortals, just think of it as having a few additions."
Joxer slowly nodded, then turned his head towards Apollo as the rest of the statement registered. "He's dying?"
"Yes. We have to find his missing piece and stop the energy loss, or he'll die."
Joxer's eyes flashed blood red. "He won't die!" he roared.
Eris and Strife looked at each other. "Oh, shit! Blood rage."
Apollo looks up at Zeus. "Good news. I think I know where the missing piece is."
Part 3 Zeus thought quickly, and flashed Hercules and Iolaus into the temple. "Hold Joxer." He ordered, hoping his friends would have some influence enraged god.
"Why?" Hercules started to question.
Iolaus took one look at Joxer and said, "Herc, I think you better hold Joxer."
Hercules reached over and grabbed Joxer's arms before he could break free.
Strife and Eris hurried over to Joxer. "Joxer, calm down. Let the rage flow through you. Breathe."
Joxer started to crackle with shimmering energy, as Hercules strained to hold him.
Eris reached out one hand to cup the left side of Joxer's face, while Strife reached out to cup the right. Zeus reached out and took Eris' hand, while Aphrodite took Strife's left, as they bent down to Ares, feeding him the energy they were drawing from Joxer's rage.
"That's it, Joxer, just breathe." Eris murmured.
Iolaus, seeing that everything looked to be somewhat under control, moved over to where Hephaistos and Cupid stood watching. "What's goin' on?" He asked.
"Something went wrong with their bonding, and Joxer has a piece of Ares in him. Apparently that, plus the baby, is causing Ares to loose his energy. If they don't get it stopped, he'll die. There's no telling what that will do to Joxer, especially if he's carrying a piece of Ares, like Apollo says."
"Isn't there any way to heal him?" Iolaus asked worriedly.
"We don't know." Cupid answered him quietly, keeping his eyes glued to his father.
Hercules loosened his hold on Joxer, as he felt the rage slowly leaving his body.
Ares eyes slowly flickered open. Looking up at everyone surrounding him, he asked, "What happened?"
"I've got them stable for now, but it's only a matter of time before it happens again. I don't know how to fix this father." Apollo announced.
Suddenly, all the tension in Joxer's body drained away. Everyone allowed him to slump down to Ares side. Joxer placed a gentle kiss on Ares' lips. "You're gonna start listening to me from now on." He informed the confused war god.
Part 4 Zeus looked to Apollo. "Can we move him to his bedchamber?"
"Yes. Now would be the best time. I don't know how long he'll be stable." Apollo replied.
"Take him to his bedchamber, and make sure he's comfortable. I'll be there shortly. Joxer, you must keep Ares calm." Zeus ordered.
Apollo, Ares, and Joxer disappeared quietly.
Zeus looked up at the remaining gods and goddesses. "I want everyone to remain in close contact. If I summon you, I want you immediately. I don't have to tell you what will happen if Ares dies. Everyone is expected to donate energy until a cure can be found. Aphrodite, Iolaus, Hercules, Cupid, Strife, Eris, and Hephaistos, I want all of you in Ares temple. Athena come with me."
"And what about me?" Hera questioned from the top of the dais. "I may not be able to donate power, but he's my son, Zeus."
"You may stay in the hall of war until this crisis is resolved." Zeus relented, and with that transported himself and Athena to see the fates.
************
Zeus and Athena reappeared in the Fates cave. The Fates looked up at their guests. "You seek our council?" Clotho asked.
"How do we save Ares?" Zeus demanded.
"Ares will only be saved by Gaea gift." Clotho started.
"Only those four closest to war, and three mortals with godly blood will survive the trip." Lachesis continued.
"Olympus will fall if peace doesn't gain control." Atropos warned Zeus.
"Anything else you can tell us?" Athena queried with a puzzled frown.
"We've helped all we can. It's up to you now." Atropos replied.
With that the Fates went back to their weaving, ignoring their visitors.
Zeus took them to Ares temple.
*************
Zeus and Athena appeared in the main hall of the temple of war. Looking around, he couldn't spot a large enough table to support all that would have to be involved in the meeting. Moving to the center of the hall, Zeus created a large banquet table and chairs.
"Everyone, gather round, and take a seat. We must figure out the Fates' vague advice, and devise a plan." Zeus instructed.
Once everyone was seated, he inquired after Ares. "Apollo, I assume since you're with us, that Ares is still stable?"
"Yeah, Joxer's with him now. He knows to get me if anything changes. Ares should be all right for about a day, and then he'll start loosing energy again. I'd say, even with us feeding him energy, he won't last a four days. The baby can only last, maybe, another two days under these conditions."
"Baby?" Hercules questioned.
"Aphrodite, after the meeting, would you please explain where babies come from to Hercules?" Zeus asked.
Hercules ducked his head so the others couldn't see his blazing cheeks. Iolaus just smirked at him.
"Now, Athena. Why don't you relate what the Fates told us."
"Basically, for some of the slower people in the room," Athena glanced at Aphrodite who glowered back at her, "Ares can be cured by Gaea gift. However, I've never heard of it."
Zeus exchanged a long look with Hera, as Athena continued.
"Only the four closest to war, and three mortals with godly blood will survive the trip, and Olympus will fall if peace doesn't gain control. I believe the first thing we need to do is figure out what Gaea's gift is." Athena concluded.
"There is a prophecy that Rhea passed down to her children," Hera began quoting "`There will come a time when all is threatened. Gaea's gift shall be the only cure. The gift shall remain sleeping and guarded until it is summoned by the pure soul with a noble purpose. To be used only once, it shall bring judgment to Olympus.'"
"Alright, looks like a simple choice to me, judgment or destruction. Anyone know where the `gift' is?" Hephaistos asked.
"It's been sleeping in a cave, at the end of a labyrinth, in the heart of Mt. Ida on Crete. The labyrinth is guarded by giant spiders, which can swoop down and encase you in their web. Also, there are six Clydiss at the center of the labyrinth." Zeus told them.
"Clydiss?" Cupid asked hesitantly.
"Yes. I see your father has told you about them. Needless to say, they do still exist, and are guarding the gift." Zeus replied.
Strife looked at his grandfather. "Can't we just pop in and grab tha thing?"
"No. There's a dampening field around the cave. If you can reach cavern where the stone is kept, you can shut it off, and `pop' out, but you have to get in the regular way. Also, you'll be cut off from your power sources. You will only have the energy you take in with you." Zeus replied.
"Better and better." Cupid muttered as he reached down and grabbed Strife's hand.
"I know this may be a stupid question, but why can't we just give Ares some ambrosia and heal him?" Iolaus asked.
"Remember when you appeared in Zeus' hall and Hercules had to hold Joxer?" Apollo asked.
"Yeah, like I'm gonna forget that anytime soon." Iolaus snorted.
"Well, part of Ares is inside Joxer. We have to get that part out and back into Ares to restore them both."
"Speaking of which, Apollo go sit with Ares and send Joxer out. We need to explain things to him." Zeus ordered.
Apollo went to the bedchamber to get Joxer.
*************
Joxer was lying next to Ares on their bed, with his arm propping up his head.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked.
"Yes. I don't understand what's wrong. The injuries I received during the bonding should be healed by now." Ares replied.
"Ares, you have to promise me something."
Ares looked up into Joxer's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Promise me?"
"Anything you want Joxer."
"I want you to promise me that you'll stay calm, while I tell you what happened after you passed out in Zeus' hall."
Ares forehead wrinkled up in confusion. "Alright, I promise."
"Apparently, when Hera married us, she gave us her blessing. Then, when we consummated the marriage, you became pregnant."
Ares paled even more at that news. Closing out his eyes and stretching out his powers, he searched his body. Suddenly, his eyes popped open and his hand reached down to touch his muscled abdomen. "Oh!"
Joxer sniffed back his tears as he placed his hand over Ares'. Bending his head down, he rubbed his cheek against Ares, then placed a gently kiss on his lips.
"Is this why I've been so sick?" Ares asked.
"It's part of it. You're still not healed from the bonding. Apollo says there's part of you in me, and we have to get it back in you. Because you're missing a piece of yourself, you're loosing energy. We have to find a way to fix it or you and the baby are gonna die." Joxer sobbed out the end.
Ares reached over and pulled Joxer into his arms. "Joxer, I'm the god of war. I've been in alive for thousands of years and came close to death several times. What I'm worried about is our baby. I won't risk him."
"Him?" Joxer asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, I think it's a boy."
Just then Apollo walked into the room. "Joxer, Zeus needs to see you. I'll sit with Ares and tell him what the other's are planning."
Joxer placed another kiss on Ares lips and left the room.
"Is there any chance of my being cured before the baby dies, `Pol?" Ares asked quietly.
"I don't know, Ares. It doesn't look good, but Zeus and the others know what they have to do. From what I've seen, Joxer's gonna do everything he can to make sure you both make it. He went into a `blood rage'; Eris and Strife called it, when he found out you could die. We were able to pull the extra energy off him and stabilize you for awhile."
Ares closed his eyes briefly, and then looked Apollo straight in the eyes. "Can the baby be taken from me and put into another god? Like Zeus did with Dionysus?"
"The baby's too weak, Ares. It wouldn't survive."
Ares laid back on the bed fighting the alien feeling of helplessness that was washing over him, fighting to stay calm and not give into his anger.
**********
Joxer walked into the hall, and took a seat at the table. Zeus filled him in about the stone and the labyrinth.
"Joxer, has Ares had time to show you how to change into your true form?" Athena asked.
"No. We've just been working on transportation and weapons, so far."
Athena looked at Zeus, who suddenly smiled when he realized what she was getting at.
"Iolaus, why don't you turn around so you're not facing Joxer. We wouldn't want you to be fried to a crisp over this." Hephaistos warned.
Iolaus tried to spin around so quickly that he tripped and slammed into Hercules, sending them both to the floor.
"Alright, the floor will work just as well, Iolaus. Hercules, don't let him turn around. You have enough godly blood in you that it won't affect you. However, Iolaus doesn't have enough, since he's only a grandson of `Dite's. It would send him straight to Hades if he saw Joxer in his natural form." Zeus exclaimed with exasperation.
Aphrodite smirked slightly and materialized a pink silk blindfold over Iolaus eyes.
"Now, Joxer, I want you to make like you're going to transport yourself. However, instead of keeping a destination in mind, I need you to keep your mind open, instead of focusing, when you start to transport. Feel your mind start to expand." Zeus instructed.
Joxer nodded and started to change. Suddenly there was a large swirling mass of energy where Joxer had been standing.
Aphrodite inhaled sharply. "How'd this happen?!" she exclaimed.
"He's not fully in control of himself." Athena stated. Instead of one predominant central color, Joxer was three.
"Someone is going to have to teach him control. Only by learning to control his powers, will he become stable, and the true god of peace." Zeus sighed.
"I'm not sure I understand." Hercules commented from his position on the floor.
"Do you see the three different colors?" Athena asked.
"I see the pink, black, and red." Hercules answered.
"Each god, when reverted back to their natural state, is only supposed to consist on one main color. The only exception is Zeus, since he's king he has little flecks of our colors, but he is mainly composed of a bluish-white. The love gods are varying colors of pink, the war gods are shades of red, Apollo and Artemis and a few others are golden, the sea gods are shades of bluish-green, Demeter and the nature gods are green, I am silver, and the Underworld gods are black." Athena explained.
"I see why Joxer had the blood rage, now." Eris murmured to Strife.
Zeus turned to Joxer. "Joxer, I want you to focus your mind now and picture yourself in the Hall of War."
Joxer was suddenly standing before the crowd.
"Why would Joxer have black in him? I can understand the pink, since Aphrodite is his grandmother. The red must be the missing piece of Ares, but why the black?" Hercules asked.
"Hades is his father." Came Zeus distracted reply.
"What!? Hades symbolizes death, he can't create life." Hercules squeaked out.
"He was mortal when Joxie and his brothers were conceived." Aphrodite contributed.
"But…" Hercules began.
"Aphrodite..." Zeus started.
"I know. I know. I'll explain later Herkie." Aphrodite muttered.
"Hades is my father?" Joxer questioned as his legs collapsed out from underneath him.
"Yeah, Joxie. Your mother was married and sent him away, and he rarely leaves the underworld, unless he's on business." Aphrodite gently told the stunned Joxer.
Joxer shook his head and tried to gain control of his swirling thoughts. He looked back to Zeus. "All this can wait! How do we get the gift and fix Ares?"
"A group will have to navigate the labyrinth to the heart of Mt. Ida. In the center is the Stone of Light, also know as Gaea's gift. You must bring the stone back to Ares. He must hold the stone while both of you return to your natural states, and blend together. This should restore you both. However, I believe you're the only person who can retrieve the stone. Athena, does that sound right to you?"
"Yes. As for the others who must go, I believe they are Eris, Strife, Cupid, Hercules, Iolaus, and Xena. The first three because they are closest to war, and should be able to control any power shifts that Joxer will have. Hercules, Iolaus, and Xena are warriors with godly blood who are closest to Ares. Xena should be able to help teach Joxer some of the Chin meditation techniques. I believe these will help Joxer focus and gain control. The Fates warned that no one else would survive the trip. You should be able to check Joxer's progress by having him revert to his natural state. A fourth color should emerge and grow as he gains control. Eventually, only the fourth color and the red will remain. The red will disappear when he and Ares merge with the stone. Zeus, I believe you can safely remove the block you placed on Joxer when he was a baby, returning his coordination. He'll need it for the journey."
Joxer looked at Zeus with a wounded expression. "You took my coordination? Why? Without it I can't be a warrior. I'm a joke."
Zeus bent down to Joxer and placed his hand on his head removing the block. "I was warned by the Fates that you would destroy Olympus if you were too strong when you bonded to Ares. I tried to keep you away from him. Ensuring that you'd never become great warrior seemed like the best way. After you'd died, you father and I would have sent you back to be reborn a little farther down your family line. Unfortunately, things didn't happen that way, and now we're all in danger."
Suddenly a low moan echoed throughout the chamber. "Iolaus, stop that!" Hercules hushed whisper could be heard by all.
Everyone looked over to see Iolaus grinding his body into Hercules, while kissing the exposed flesh at his neck.
Aphrodite smirked as she gestured with her hand and got rid of the blindfold. Iolaus blinked and looked around as he remembered they weren't alone. "Opps!" he muttered under his breath.
"Zeus, I need to return to my forge and finish Joxer's sword. I shouldn't be more than an hour. I'm sure he'll need it for the journey." Hephaistos announced, as he kissed Aphrodite on the lips and left.
"I, also, need to leave. I'll have Hecate prepare a glamour so the warlords see Ares, since Strife and Eris are needed elsewhere." With that Athena departed.
"Aphrodite, I want you to stay here with Apollo, in case he needs help supplying Ares with energy. The rest of you need to get ready for your trip. You still need to get Xena to agree to help. I'll be back with the map of the labyrinth." With that Zeus walked over and passionately kissed Hera before flashing out.
Hera raised her hand slowly to her lips. Looking around hesitantly she starts to say something, but thinks better of it and shakes her head moving towards Ares bedchamber.
Aphrodite turned around and smirked at Cupid, before following Hera into Ares' bedchamber.
Part 5 Cupid, Eris, and Strife spoke for several moments, before they too moved into Ares bedchamber. Looking around they spotted Apollo asleep on the bed with one hand on Ares abdomen. Hera was sitting in a chair next to the bed, quietly discussing child rearing with Ares. Aphrodite was looking around the room, plotting.
"Hey pops. Strife, Eris and I just want to let ya know that we're not gonna let anything happen to you or the baby." Cupid told Ares.
"Yeah, unc. We'll be back before ya know it, then ya'll be all fixed up and ready for a big battle!" Strife contributed.
"We'll look out for Joxer, and make sure he makes it back in time, Ares." Eris interjected.
Ares smiled up at their attempts to comfort him.
*********
"Do you think Xena will help? We didn't part on real great terms last time I saw her." Joxer asked Hercules and Iolaus hesitantly.
"I'm sure she will, Joxer. As much as she doesn't like Ares, she believes he's necessary. And she does still cares for you. I know she wasn't very happy about your marriage, but she won't want to see anything happen to your child." Iolaus replied.
Joxer was overcome with gratitude towards Iolaus. Suddenly, the feeling overwhelmed him and he reached out to clasp Iolaus arm in the warrior handshake. Feeling his emotions surge once more he pulled on Iolaus' arm clasping him in a hug. Joxer felt hard Iolaus' body clasped to his own and lost control. Groaning he brought his hands up to the stunned Iolaus' head, holding it in place, before he latched onto his lips. Iolaus, still not satisfied from his earlier bout with Hercules, didn't hold out very long before he was returning the kiss.
"Um, guys?" Hercules questioned.
"Guys? Joxer? Iolaus?"
"Hey, cut it out! `Dite! Cupid!" Hercules finally yelled as he moved to separate the now groping bodies.
Aphrodite and Cupid came running into the room followed by Strife and Eris.
"Don't touch Joxer Hercules, or you'll be caught too!" Aphrodite shouted, but it was too late. Hercules was caught up in the flare of emotions, and drawn into the tangle of limbs and lips. "His passions must have surged. Grab hold of his other arm Cupid, and bleed off some of his energy. Be careful to take only the energy and not the emotion. We have to get them separated." Aphrodite instructed.
"You know it's probably a good thing Ares can't get out of bed, `cause this might shock him into a coma." Eris commented to Strife, as the three men collapsed to the floor moaning.
Aphrodite reached out and took hold of one of Joxer's arms, while Cupid grabbed the other. Both love gods felt a jolt of lust run through their bodies.
"Oh mom, I think we got here a little too late. His passions are running out of control." Cupid groaned out.
"Just keep draining it off." Aphrodite panted as she pulled Joxer out of the pile of tangled limbs.
"Cupid hold him from behind, while I try to get him to take control." Aphrodite instructed.
"Joxer. JOXER! Look at me!" Aphrodite instructed as she gripped his face in her hands. "I need you to focus on Ares. Come on. Focus on Ares. He's hurt, remember? He needs you to be strong. Come on, Joxer. Push the feelings down. Take control. That's it."
Joxer struggled to keep focused on Ares and the baby. Suddenly, the only thing he could think of was that if he didn't succeed, they'd both die. Focusing on those painful thoughts, Joxer felt a surge of power and pushed aside his lust.
"That's it Joxie. You did it! Now anytime you feel overwhelmed by your feelings, you just need to summon that power and take control. I think you can let him go now, Cupie."
The three gods stood to see Eris and Strife barely holding their laughter in. Looking around, they saw Hercules and Iolaus frantically grinding their pelvises together and kissing. Suddenly, Hercules let out a shout and grabbed Iolaus' ass, pulling his hips even closer. Iolaus groaned low in his throat and came. The two heroes lay panting on the floor until Strife and Eris couldn't hold it in anymore, and started laughing hysterically leaning upon one another for support.
Joxer just blushed and excused himself. He walked into the water room and stood under the sudden icy flow of water that poured onto his now naked body.
Cupid, still under the influence of the passion filled energy he helped drain off Joxer, growled in his throat, as he launched himself at Strife, and disappeared into their bedroom with a flurry of sparkles.
"Kids! They just have no restraint. Cupie should know that anticipation is half the fun." Aphrodite threw up her hands and muttered.
Turning towards Hercules once more, she exclaimed, "So Herkie, you ready for that talk Zeus said I have to give you?"
Eris dropped to the floor rolling with more laughter.
********
Cupid brought them to Strife's old room in Ares temple. They were instantly on the bed and naked. Cupid wrapped his hand around Strife's cock and started slowly stroking with his suddenly slick hand. Meanwhile, his mouth was vigorously sucking and nipping at the erect nipples, throbbing on the pale chest.
Strife groaned as Cupid alternated between tweaking, sucking, and blowing on his nipples. Cupid smirked at him as he kissed his way down his chest; pausing to nip at his stomach, before finally hovering over Strife's erect cock.
Cupid flicked his tongue over the head of the leaking cock, then swirled his tongue around the tip. "Um, ambrosia covered Strife. My favorite." Cupid murmured as he strived to suck off all the liquid ambrosia coating Strife's cock.
"Cupie." Strife groaned out. Cupid flicked his eyes up to meet Strife's glazed ones. "I nevah get enough of ya."
Cupid reached down between his legs, and quickly stretched himself, never taking his attention away from Strife's cock.
Cupid rose up Strife's body and placed a lingering kiss on his lips, while slowly sinking back onto the throbbing cock.
Strife raised a trembling hand and cupped Cupid's cheek. "I love ya."
Cupid smiled sweetly at Strife, drawing up once more for a kiss, before slamming back onto Strife's cock.
"Ahhhh!" Strife yelled.
However, Cupid was too overwhelmed with his, and Joxer's, passions to slow down. Cupid quickly found the stroke that hit his prostate with each plunge.
Strife frantically sought to hang on by gripping Cupid's wildly thrusting hips.
Cupid shot Strife another wicked grin as he clenched his ass at the end of his next stroke.
"Cupid!" Strife screamed as he came.
Cupid reached down and stroked his cock twice before he finally found release, falling forward to collapse on the gasping Strife.
*******
Joxer emerged from the bathing chamber and headed towards his bedchamber. Pausing in the doorway, he absorbed the sight of Ares lying in their bed. Joxer let out a deep breath and walked over to the bed. Nodding briefly to Hera and Apollo, he knelt down and placed a kiss on Ares lips.
"We're getting ready to leave." Joxer told Ares.
Ares brought his hand up and cupped Joxer's cheek. "I don't want you to go." He stated.
"You know I have to. I won't just sit by and let you and our child die. Not when there's something I could do about it."
"You could die."
"You know the others aren't going to let that happen. Zeus had some kind of block in my mind. It was messing up my coordination. I can already feel the difference. Before you know it, this'll all be over, and we'll try sparring, alright?"
"Alright. Be careful." Ares replied as he drew Joxer down for another kiss.
"I love you, Ares."
"I love you too, Joxer."
Joxer looked over at the smirking Apollo. "If he tries to get up or move, chain him down. Zeus and `Dite will help."
"Joxer.." Ares started.
Joxer looked back at Ares. "I know how you get impatient. This time you're going to do exactly as Apollo says until I get back. I'm not going to have anyone, and that includes you, hurting you. Understand?" Joxer growled out as his eyes briefly flashed red.
"Alright." Ares reluctantly agreed.
With that, Joxer nodded at Apollo and Hera and left the room. Hera followed closely behind him.
*********
"Joxer." Hera spoke quietly behind him.
Joxer turned around.
Hera reached out and dropped a small medallion in his hand. "Apollo created this for you, since you won't be able to keep track of time in the cavern. As it slowly changes colors, it signifies how much time the baby has. When the medallion has completely changed colors once, the baby is gone. If it changes twice, Ares will be gone too."
Joxer closed his hand briefly around the medallion before putting it around his neck.
"If Xena doesn't want to accompany you, or gives you any trouble. Please remind her that no matter what my plans for Zeus, I did give her back her son. I'm now asking her to save mine. Remind her a mother's wrath is a terrible thing, and I will not always be without my powers."
Joxer nodded once briskly before quickly hugging a startled Hera and striding back into the hall.
Part 6 Joxer made his way over to where Aphrodite, Eris, Hercules, and Iolaus were standing. He briefly wondered why Hercules looked like he'd been experimenting with Jayce's red face paints. Looking around, he didn't see Strife or Cupid. "Where'd Strife and Cupid go?" he asked.
Before anyone could comment, Strife and Cupid flashed into view. "We're here." Cupid responded.
Just then Zeus appeared, with the map in hand. "I've protected the map so it can't be destroyed easily. Hurry back." And with that he strode over to Hera who was standing near the door to Ares bedchamber, and started flirting shamelessly.
Eris looked over at them and shook her head. "I wonder what's gotten into Zeus." She muttered.
Joxer pretended like he didn't hear her question, and turned to Hercules. "Do you know where Xena is?"
"The last I heard, she was heading to Amphipolis. She said she wanted to introduce her mother to the baby." Hercules replied.
"Do you know how to look for them yet, Joxer?" Aphrodite asked.
"No."
"Focus your mind on them, and you'll see them. Once you see them in your mind, you'll know where they are."
Joxer closed his eyes and thought about Xena and Gabrielle. Instantly, he knew they were in sitting in a tavern in Amphipolis, talking to Autolycus.
Opening his eyes, he turned to the other gods, and said Amphipolis. Joxer then went over to stand behind Iolaus. "'Dite, is there any difference in transporting mortals, than gods?" he asked.
"No."
"Good." Joxer hugged Iolaus close to his body and transported them to Amphipolis.
Instantly, the others followed.
********
All conversation in the tavern ended with the arrival of Joxer and Iolaus, immediately followed by the others.
"Uh, Joxer. How many times have you done that?" Iolaus asked shakily.
"You were the second time."
"Oh, alright then." Iolaus replied as he reached out and grabbed Auto's drink and downed the whole cup.
"Hey, get your own!" Auto yelped.
"Relax Auto. I'll get you another." Hercules said as he went to the bar and ordered another drink.
"So Joxer, I hear you're a god now?" Auto asked with a speculative gleam in his eye. The tavern immediately emptied.
"Yeah." He answered before turning to Xena. "Xena, I need your help."
Xena looked at Joxer curiously. "What could you possibly need my help with, Joxer?"
"Ares is dying. I need your help to get the cure."
"Why would Xena help you cure Ares? So what if he dies. They'll just find somebody else to be the god of war. Maybe Hercules. Then he won't bother us anymore. Hercules would be much better than Ares. And Joxer, you can come back and travel with Xena and me." Gabrielle interjected.
"Wow! Either she's incredibly stupid, or has a set of steel balls." Eris muttered to Strife and Cupid.
"I'm goin' with stupid." Strife whispered back.
"Shhh! Like, I wanna hear this. Dad's gonna want to know every word." Cupid scolded them.
"That's not going to happen, Gabrielle. First off, Hercules would make a lousy war god. He's too compassionate. He wouldn't be able to handle the killing. Secondly, I'm not going to let Ares and our child die. I love him. Third, I'm a god now, why would I want to follow you and Xena around?"
"Men can't have children. Everyone knows that. I knew this was a trick." Gabrielle muttered.
"Uh, Gabrielle. Their gods, and I wouldn't go there. Ares is pregnant." Hercules sputtered out as his cheeks once again flamed.
"So what? I still say let him die." Gabrielle stated recklessly.
*******
Iolaus and Autolycus got up and discretely moved away from the table and towards the gods.
Cupid looked at Autolycus. "Are you meeting your father soon?" he questioned.
Auto looked at Cupid in surprise. "Yeah. We're supposed to meet tomorrow."
"If you don't see him, go to one of my mother's temples and send her a prayer letting her know."
"Why?"
"No one's seem him since Joxer and Ares wedding. Everyone thinks he's sulking, but I'm not so sure."
"Alright."
********
Joxer could feel the bloodlust welling up inside him. "So you would let an innocent baby die, just as long as Ares died too?" he asked.
"If it has anything to do with Ares, I doubt it will be innocent for long. At least this way, it'll be with Hades, and can't cause any harm." Came Gabrielle's smart reply.
At that, Joxer lost control. Bellowing in rage he leaped across the table and grabbed Gabrielle by the throat, slowly strangling her.
Xena, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, jumped up and tried to remove Joxer's hands.
Hercules looked at Strife and Discord. "Aren't you going to calm Joxer down?" he asked.
Strife looked at Hercules and crossed his arms. "After all the crap she said about `unc? You gotta be kiddin'."
"You realize if he kills Gabrielle, Xena won't go with us. And we were told specifically that she was needed." Came Hercules calm reply.
Strife and Discord walked over and took hold of Joxer. Each one of them grabbed an arm and started pulling the energy his rage was generating from him.
"Jox, ya gotta calm down. We need Xena. Ya can't kill blondie or she won't go. Com'on Jox, think of Ares. He needs ya to calm down." Strife soothed.
Slowly Joxer released his hold on Gabrielle and slumped back into Strife and Eris' arms.
"Why do you need me?" Xena questioned while holding the gasping Gabrielle.
"The fates said that only the four closest to war and three with godly blood would survive the trip. Athena said we were the ones who had to go." Came Hercules somber reply.
Xena leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. "So he is my father."
"Only he knows for sure. He never said. But you are a demi-god. I can feel the power in you." Came Eris' reply.
"Do ya feel the difference, Jox?" Strife asked.
Joxer closed his eyes and reached out with his powers. "Yeah. She's strong. Like Hercules and Autolycus. Iolaus feels a little weaker. But she's definitely a demi-god. The mortals feel completely different."
"I'll go." Xena opened her eyes and looked at Joxer. "But I'm doing this for you and your child, Joxer. No one should have a child die."
"Xena…" Gabrielle choked out.
"No Gabrielle. You stay here and help my mother care for Solon."
"I'm going…"
"You can't Gabrielle. The Fates said only the seven of us would survive the trip. If you go, you'll die." Iolaus interjected.
Xena got up and kissed Gabrielle on the cheek. Walking over to the bar, she peeked behind to see her mother holding Solon and hiding.
Xena scooped Solon up in her arms and gave him a hug and kiss, before handing him back to her mother. "Take care of him for me. I'll be back soon."
Xena walked back to the group, and with a flash they disappeared.
Part 7 The heroes reappeared at the base of the mountain. Before them was the giant opening of the cave. Joxer turned to the other gods. "Since we'll be cut off from our power supply, we should probably make the stuff we'll need before we start."
Packs suddenly appeared at everyone's feet. Next to the packs were unlit torches. As they were picked up they burst into flame.
< Joxer. >
"What?" he replied aloud.
Everyone stopped and looked at him. < Joxer, hold out your hands. >
Joxer held out his hands. A bright flash appeared momentarily. When the light disappeared, Joxer was holding a slim sword. < This should fit you just right. Ares had wanted to give it to you, but I figured you'd need it. Sorry it's so late, `Dite showed up for a quickie and wouldn't take no for an answer. > Joxer blushed flame red at the thought of Aphrodite and Hephaistos going at it. Just as quickly he paled when he realized it was his grandma having sex. Joxer shuddered and wondered if he'd ever get used to being a god.
"Thanks, Heph."
"Here Jox." Strife gestured and Joxer sheathed his sword in his new scabbard.
"Alright, lets go." Xena strode into the cave with a determined step, not stopping to see if the others were following.
Iolaus just shrugged his shoulders and followed, with Hercules bringing up the rear.
********
"I'm surprised we haven't ran into anything yet." Hercules commented.
"Now you've done it." Eris replied in an annoyed tone.
"What?" Hercules asked.
"Don't ya know, any time ya question you're luck, somethin' bad happens." Strife replied.
"It does not." Hercules shot back.
"Uh, Herc? I think they're right." Iolaus yelled back to him.
"Iolaus, I can't believe you're taking their side!"
"Well, they're right this time. Look."
Hercules rounded the bend and stopped. Right in front of them was a huge silvery web. Strife reached out and touched the web, only to have it latch onto his hand and quickly encase his body.
"Strife!" Cupid and Eris shouted.
"Stop! Stay back, or it'll grab you too!" Xena yelled.
However, Eris and Cupid were already moving. Joxer reacted instinctively and held up his hand, freezing both gods in place.
"How?" Cupid gasped out.
"I..I don't know." Joxer stuttered, as he slowly lowered his hand, watching in disbelief as Cupid and Eris collapsed to the ground.
Xena arched back her chakram, and aimed it at the web. As soon as the metal came into contact with the web, it was enveloped in a cocoon. Hercules tossed his torch at the web, and watched as it was encased.
"We have to hurry or he'll suffocate!" Cupid yelled.
Eris crawled up the wall of the cave so she was once again on her feet. Summoning her power, she created a fireball and threw it at the cocoon holding her son. The fireball was hot enough and melted the web, and Strife fell to the floor gasping for breath. Iolaus scurried over and pulled Strife away from the web.
Cupid crawled over and pulled Strife into his arms.
"Hurry, we have to get through before it closes." Joxer yelled as he ran through the rapidly closing opening.
Iolaus bent down and tossed Strife over his shoulder, dashing after Joxer.
"Watch your wings, Cupid." Hercules said as he grabbed Cupid and tossed him over his shoulder before running through the hole.
Xena strode up behind Eris, and tossed her over her shoulder, not giving her a chance to protest. Xena dashed through the hole seconds before it closed with Eris screaming in her ear the whole way.
"Look sharp, there's still a spider around here somewhere." Hercules told the others as he scanned the walls.
Suddenly, Strife froze and cocked his head to listen. He held out his hand and slowly formed a fireball. Cupid turned to look at him when he quickly fired his arm and hit a shrieking spider closing in on Cupid. Cupid screamed and ducked as the spider exploded above him. Eris quickly formed a shield so that none of the remains could land on Cupid, who ran over and grabbed onto Strife muttering, "I hate bugs. Hate bugs. Ahhh!"
Strife hugged Cupid close to him, rubbing his back, taking care not to caress his feathers.
"I don't see anymore." Xena announced.
"Thanks for gettin' me free ma." Strife said.
"Like I'm gonna let you die again? Only thing that stopped me from going nuts the first time was finding your body in Ares secret room. I knew he had a plan to bring you back, and all I had to do was wait. Well, I'm not gonna let that happen again. You may be an irritating little spore sometimes, but you're still my irritating little spore." Eris muttered as she pried Cupid off her son so she could hug him too.
"Aww, ma. That's the nicest thing you've ever said ta me." Strife sniffed.
Xena and Hercules exchanged exasperated glances, and resumed walking.
"I don't understand how that would have killed you, Strife." Iolaus asked.
"Normally, it wouldn't. But we're cut off from our powers in here. I could feel it leaching the energy out of my body. This whole cave feels like it's designed to kill a god."
"It is. That's the only reason the Clydiss would be guarding the center. Zeus must be really scared of this prophecy." Eris announced.
"Clydiss? I remember Zeus mentioned them, but I never did ask what they were." Iolaus interjected.
"The Clydiss are, like, the monsters Ares would tell us about to get us to train harder. They typically live in a nest of six, and are really badass fighters. They have two arms that are proficient with swords. Their tail can swing out from behind, and try to knock you off your feet. If you do manage to disarm them, their hands have talon like claws that can poison you if you break the skin. If you do kill one, you have to be careful not to get any of the blood on you. It can eat through skin and bone. Ares said they're sometimes called by the god killers, cause we're just as vulnerable as mortals against them." Cupid explained.
"Well, nothin' like a new challenge, huh Herc?" Iolaus announced happily.
Strife and Cupid exchanged a long look, while Eris just shook her head.
They trudged through the maze of tunnels, stopping briefly to check the map. Several hours and two empty webs were killed as they made their way closer to the center of the mountain.
As the group rounded another corner, Xena saw the faint glow of another silvery web ahead. "I see another web. Everyone, start looking for the spider."
Everyone fanned out and started watching the walls for spiders. Suddenly, a pale silvery web shot out of the ceiling and encased Cupid and Xena.
"Cupid!" Joxer and Strife yelled.
"Xena!" Hercules yelled.
Strife quickly formed two fireballs and threw them at Cupid and Xena's cocoon, disintegrating it, and freeing them. They collapsed to the floor unconscious.
Eris formed a ball of light and tossed it towards the ceiling, where it hovered before quickly being encased in webbing. However, the light lasted long enough for them to see three spiders on the ceiling. Hercules quickly took off his shirt and wrapped it around his fist before slamming it into the wall, breaking off huge pieces of rock. Unfortunately, the vibration caused two of the spiders to fall, one landing directly on Joxer.
The spider had Joxer encased in webbing seconds before Eris' sword cut it in two. Hercules picked up one of the larger rocks and smashed the other spider on the ground. However, the third spider had spat a web out and encased Eris' sword and body.
"Jox! Ma!" Strife formed two more fireballs and threw one at Joxer and the other at his mother, before falling weakly to the floor, and into darkness.
"Do you see anymore Iolaus?" Hercules asked urgently as he strode over to their three unconscious members.
"No." Iolaus replied as he walked over to the gasping Eris and Joxer. "You two alright?" He asked as he helped them to their feet.
"Yeah. How are the others?" Joxer asked.
"Out cold." Hercules replied, as he lightly slapped Xena on the face. Suddenly, her hand shot up and grabbed his wrist before he could slap her again.
"I'm up." She growled.
Hercules moved over to Cupid next, and repeated the action, while Eris moved over and did the same for Strife, until they awoke.
"The spiders seem to be going for the gods first. It's like they know you can kill them easier." Iolaus speculated.
"Maybe they can feel the energy in us. It's a much higher amount than a mortal, or even demi-god would have." Eris replied tiredly.
"I don't know how many more of these webs we can take before we're out of power." Cupid stated.
Joxer studied the map to see if he could tell where they were. "I think we're almost three-fourths of the way there. If I'm right, there should be a cavern where we can spend the night around the next bend."
Iolaus came over and Joxer showed him the map. "Looks right to me." He confirmed.
"Alright then, lets go. We can rest tonight in the cavern, and be refreshed for the fight with the Clydiss." Xena announced as she struggled to stand.
Hercules reached down and arm and helped her, then Cupid and finally Strife stand. Turning towards the gods, he asked, "Alright, so who wants to do the honors?"
"I will." Joxer stated quietly as he stroked the medallion around his neck. "Everyone else has lost too much energy, and they'll need it for the battle. I don't think I'll be much help against the Clydiss, so I'll blast the remaining webs."
"Jox, has `unc showed ya how ta make a fireball yet?" Strife asked.
"No, but I think I already know." Joxer replied as he held out his hand and imagined a medium sized fireball there.
"Quick learner." Cupid commented.
Joxer drew back his arm and threw the fireball at the web. Everyone quickly passed through the hole before the web reformed. They only had to walk around the next bend before they entered a huge cavern.
Looking around, they couldn't any sign of the spiders. Everyone quickly made up their beds for the night. Cupid and Strife relaxed on their blankets holding each other.
"Joxer, why don't you sit down with me and try some focusing techniques." Xena asked.
"Okay, Xena." Joxer replied as he moved over and sat across from the Warrior Princess.
Joxer followed Xena's instructions, and soon found himself breathing out his tension and relaxing. Suddenly, he reverted to his natural state.
"Oh, Joxer. You're beautiful." Xena breathed out.
"So that's how he stopped us earlier. He's gained almost total control. He must have some powers none of us have, if he could stop both Cupid and myself so easily." Eris stated.
"He's beautiful." Cupid breathed out, sniffing back his tears.
"You okay, Cupie? Ya been actin' weird." Strife asked curiously.
"Yeah, I've just been feeling strange since we got in the caves. I'll be fine when we're out."
"I don't think anyone else is even close to that shade." Eris stated.
"It's gotta be cause he's so close to love and death. It's deepened his color. I think that's the darkest shade of pink I've ever seen. He looks like a dark red sunset mixed with night." Strife murmured.
"Oh Strife, that's so beautiful." Cupid choked out on another sob.
Xena cocked her head and tried to isolate the sounds she was hearing. "Sounds like Hercules and Iolaus are on their way back."
"Joxer, you need to change back now. Iolaus can't see you like this. It'd kill him." Cupid reminded Joxer.
Joxer quickly changed back, just as Hercules and Iolaus rounded the bend.
"Well, it looks clear. We should put the torches in the center of the room, like a campfire." Hercules announced.
Everyone moved to sit on their pallets, while Eris handed out the fruit from the food pack.
Iolaus looked down forlornly at his juicy red apple.
"Don't worry Iolaus. When we get out of here, I'll treat you to a meal that'll take you a week to work your way through." Joxer announced.
Iolaus devoured his fruit, and half of Joxer's. "Are you sure you don't want this Joxer?" Iolaus asked.
"No. I don't feel like eating much." Joxer replied as he rubbed on his darkening medallion.
"So, do you guys think we made good time today?" Cupid asked as he ruffled his feathers.
"Yeah, we should be at the center of the labyrinth about mid-day tomorrow. That should be plenty of time to retrieve the stone and get back to Ares." Hercules replied as he watched Cupid get up and ruffle his feathers some more.
"Somethin' wrong, Cupie?" Strife inquired curiously.
"My wings itch." Cupid growled out as he started to shake his wings even more.
Strife got up and moved behind Cupid. "Here let me look."
"Ahhhh!" Cupid screamed. "Something's biting me!"
"Ahh, Jercules' tits, Cupie! Ya got baby spiders in your feathers."
Joxer saw what Cupid was about to do and tackled Iolaus to the ground, covering his eyes.
"AAAHHHH!!!" Cupid screamed as he flashed to his natural state and burned up the little insects.
Discord inhaled sharply when she saw Cupid's aura.
"Could you give me a little warning next time, Cupid? I almost missed covering Iolaus." Joxer snapped back at the now shaking love god.
"Jercules' tits?" Xena snickered.
"Dad's gonna, like, owe me so big!" Cupid muttered as he collapsed into Strife's arms.
"I guess we need to make another scouting trip, Iolaus." Hercules drawled as he started to get to his feet, after shooting Strife a dirty look.
"Don't bother. I encased us in a protective circle." Cupid replied. "There's no way I could sleep with event he chance of those things touching me."
Joxer looked down at Iolaus curiously, before getting off him and suspiciously eyeing the other gods.
********
"Mother." Ares gasped out. "Apollo."
Hera ran out of Ares bedchamber looking for Aphrodite.
"Aphrodite, Ares is calling for Apollo!" She yelled.
Suddenly, Aphrodite emerged from a newly created room next to Strife's.
"Apollo!" she yelled, as she and Hera raced back to Ares side.
Apollo appeared in muted flash, and touched Ares.
"His time is shorted than I thought. He's starting to loose energy again. Zeus!"
Zeus flashed into view.
"We need to start donating energy. I need you to go first so I can stabilize him again. I hope they hurry, they have even less time than I thought."
Part 8 "So Hera, my little kitten, do you want to go somewhere when this whole mess with Ares is finished? How about a tour of the islands. It'll be like the honeymoon we should have had." Zeus leered at Hera from across Ares body.
Ares shot a pleading look at Aphrodite, as Hera looked at Zeus incredulously.
"Aren't you still mad at me for trying to kill you." She asked sardonically, while Aphrodite sat back and smirked.
"My little love bun, I could never stay mad a you for long."
"Zeus, have you been tipping the spiked ambrosia again?"
"Why no, my little tasty treat, but if you want, we can tip some together after I'm done with Ares."
Hera stood up and walked out of the bedchamber, shaking her head and muttering. Aphrodite got up and followed her out.
"Would you like to see the surprise I've been working on for Joxie and Ares?" Aphrodite offered.
"Sure. Aphrodite, you haven't been messing with Zeus, have you?" Hera asked suspiciously.
"Why Hera, how could I put a hex on Zeus? I'm not that powerful, remember?" Aphrodite smirked at Hera before gliding down the hall.
Hera thought about the possible ways Aphrodite could have gotten enough power to affect Zeus, as she walked down the hall.
"Did you have help in putting a hex on Zeus?"
"Why now, that would be cheating. You're just gonna have to figure out what's wrong with him all by yourself." `Dite smirked once more before revealing the doorway next to Strife's room. "I've been making them a nursery."
Hera walked into the room and starred. "You know Ares will hate this?" she asked.
"Yep, but Joxie will love it, so Ares will have to keep it."
"You realize when he's well enough, he's going to try and get revenge?"
"Oh please, Ares and I go through this all the time. It's just my turn to get him." Aphrodite laughed, as she strolled through the pink bunnies and light blue clouds decorating the room.
********
In the middle of the night Cupid awoke feeling a surge of energy nearby. Quickly looking around, he spotted Iolaus sucking on Hercules cock across the campfire. Propping himself up on one elbow, he quietly observed as he drew energy from their lovemaking.
"Oh, Iolaus." Hercules whispered.
Iolaus sucked even harder, while stroking his hand up and down the bottom of Hercules cock. Hercules bit into his leather wrist guards to silence his shout as he came in Iolaus' mouth.
Iolaus swallowed as much as he could, before flicking his tongue down and licking the rest of Hercules' shaft clean.
Hercules pulled Iolaus up and kissed him deeply, while pulling down his pants, and freeing his erection. Hercules fisted the erection several times, while swallowing Iolaus' groans. Placing one last kiss on Iolaus' mouth, Hercules bent his head down and swallowed as much of Iolaus' cock as he could, before coming back up and licking the slit. Hercules kept one hand around the base of Iolaus' cock, rubbing his thumb along the vein on the underside, while he slid his other hand down the cleft of Iolaus' sweaty ass. Rubbing his fingers in the sweat, Hercules popped his thumb into Iolaus' ass.
With a muffled shout, Iolaus came.
"Are ya done yet?" Strife muttered.
Hercules head shot up, as he looked over at the two smirking gods.
"Hey, no fair! Nobody else got ta bring their own rechargers." Eris griped.
Hercules face turned beat red, as he groaned and dropped his face to Iolaus' chest.
"Is anyone else awake?" He muttered quietly.
"Who could sleep through that?" Eris murmured.
"Yep. Quite a show, Herc." Xena snickered.
"I'm awake." Joxer quietly answered.
Hercules just groaned again.
"Com'on not another round, some of us have ta wait `til we get back home." Strife griped.
Everyone settled back down and went back to sleep.
*****
A few hours later Xena woke everyone with a touch on the shoulder. After gathering up their bedding they accepted the remaining fruit that Eris handed out.
After traveling for several hours, Joxer noticed a skull mark on the cave wall. He'd already blasted through half a dozen webs and was gradually slowing; otherwise he'd have missed it.
"Hey, look." He gestured towards the far wall. "I think I saw this sign on the map."
The others drew to a stop, while Joxer fished around in his pack for the map. Cupid groaned and lowered himself to the floor. "How about we take an itty bitty break?" He suggested.
"I think we're going to need it." Hercules announced to the group. "Joxer's right. According to the map we almost walked straight into the middle chamber. We need to rest up a bit before we face the Clydiss."
Upon hearing that, Cupid lurched up and emptied his stomach's contents on Strife's feet.
"Ewwww! Cupid! What'd ya do that for?!"
"Sorry, I guess I'm kinda nervous. It's been a while since I've had to fight, and even then it wasn't against a god killer. This whole trip's just totally freaked me out." Cupid apologized as he used his powers to clean Strife's feet.
"Joxer?"
"Yeah, Xena."
"Do you think you can do the freezing thing you did to Eris and Cupid on the Clydiss?"
"I don't know. I can try."
"Good. If you can slow them down, or even stop them, maybe we can take them out before anyone gets hurt."
"Cupid and Joxer, since you two aren't used to fighting, you should double team one of the Clydiss if Joxer's powers don't work on them." Hercules added.
"Good idea, Herc. I wouldn't want to tell Ares why one of them didn't make it back." Iolaus nodded his head in the direction of the sitting gods.
"Hey, we're not some kinda pansies ya know." Strife muttered.
"No, but you're weak, and cut off from your powers." Xena shot back.
Joxer leapt to his feet. "Alright, lets go."
Everyone slowly got to their feet and pulled out their swords. Xena reached for her chakram, and then remembered it was still caught up in a spider wed. "Stupid spiders." She muttered.
The heroes burst into the central cavern of the mountain. It was a huge cavern that was divided in half by a chasm. At the bottom of the chasm flowed a steamy bed of molten lava. Standing straight in front of them were three Clydiss, who hadn't noticed their presence yet.
"Stay away from the lava boys. It'll kill you just as easily as those Clydiss considering how weak we all are." Eris warned.
"Oh what I wouldn't give for my chakram." Xena muttered.
Strife cocked his head and materialized a replacement chakram. "Here you go. We'll sort out what you have to give later." He ended on a high-pitched giggle that was abruptly cut off as Cupid grabbed him and slapped his hand over Strife's mouth.
Xena growled at him before taking the chakram. "Joxer, can you freeze them now?" She asked quietly.
Joxer summoned his powers and held out his hand, freezing the three Clydiss in place.
Xena arched her arm and threw the chakram, decapitating all three beasts with one ricocheting throw.
Suddenly, the heroes ran into the center of the cavern, their presence no longer a secret. Frantically, they scanned the cavern, looking for the remaining Clydiss.
"Oh gods, it's a double nest." Xena whispered, as she counted nine remaining Clydiss.
"Yep, and they sure are mad." Iolaus quipped.
The Clydiss quickly rushed the heroes.
"We've got to even up the odds!" Hercules shouted to Xena.
Xena quickly somersaulted off to the side of one of the Clydiss, trying to isolate it from its comrades. Moving with brutal speed she attempted to disarm the monster. After several moments, she was able to disarm both of the arms, but not before being savagely scratched by the monster's talon-like claws.
"Hercules!" She cried out. "Grab its tail!"
Luckily, Iolaus was able to maneuver in, and take over Hercules fight.
Hercules grabbed the Clydiss by the tail and swung it around in a quick circle, before releasing it. The Clydiss soared through the air and slammed into another of its brethren, sending them both over the edge of the chasm and into the lava.
Cupid and Joxer were holding four of the Clydiss back by stunning them with fireballs.
Strife and Eris had empowered their weapons, and were hacking away at the monsters. Each slash of their swords was magnified in strength and quickness; however, they were rapidly running out of power.
Hercules and Xena rushed over to Cupid and Joxer, engaging two of the monsters and allowing Joxer and Cupid to fight with their swords.
Strife had managed to finally disarm his opponent and swung quickly decapitating the head before the claws could make contact with his skin. Unfortunately, he was too close, and the poisonous blood sprayed out landing on his skin. His shrill screams distracted Cupid and Eris.
Eris was slashed across the shoulder as she threw out her arm and caused a small shower of water to rain down on her son, washing away the poison.
Cupid's distraction cost him the most. The Clydiss, seeing the momentary hesitation, swiped out with his tail, hitting Cupid across the back, breaking one of his wings. As he screamed in pain, the tail lashed out again, and knocked him over the edge of the chasm.
"NOOOO!" Strife screamed as he lurched to his feet running after his lover.
Eris, seeing that her son was running recklessly towards the lava, forced her remaining power into her sword, and killed the Clydiss. Not pausing for a moment, she took off after her son, tackling him across the legs, inches from the edge.
Iolaus finally managed to kill his own Clydiss, and moved to intercept Cupid's before it could attack the distracted gods.
Joxer was barely holding his own against his Clydiss; his body was making instinctive moves to avoid being skewered, when he heard the screams. He felt the bloodlust start to feed off his anger and fear, gaining power from the battle surrounding him.
Hercules was barely holding his own against his Clydiss, when he heard the screams. "What's happening?!" He shouted over his shoulder.
"Cupid just went over the chasm!" Xena shouted back. Her arms were weakening, and she could feel the poison working its way through her body.
Suddenly, Iolaus flew through the air and landed against the cave wall, his neck in bent at an unnatural angle.
"Oh `Dite' balls, Cupid's alive!" Strife shouted as he spotted tell tale feathers covering a body, barely sitting on a narrow ledge below. "Cupid! Cupid! I think he's unconscious, we're gonna have ta go down and get him. We have ta hurry, I don't know how long that ledge'll hold!"
Xena finally managed to kill her Clydiss, and looked around, assessing the situation. Looking over, she saw Iolaus, with his neck bent at an angle no mortal could survive. His Clydiss was lying dead several feet away, with his sword sticking out of it. Knowing there was nothing she could do for him, she looked for looked to see who else needed help.
Hercules was oblivious to what had happened. His back was to the others, while he fought his Clydiss. Xena knew he could hold out for a while longer.
Joxer was holding his own against a Clydiss several feet away. She started to move towards him.
"No, Xena. Help Cupid." Joxer growled as his eyes flashed red and started savagely attacking the Clydiss, killing it, before moving over and killing the one Hercules still battled. After the last head fell to the ground, Joxer ran out of energy and fell to his knees.
Xena hurried over to Eris and Strife, followed by Hercules. "We can form a chain, and reach down and get him." She offered.
They quickly formed a chain, holding on to each other, until Strife could reach Cupid. Strife gently gripped Cupid under the arms. Suddenly, they were quickly lifted up the side of the chasm.
"Where's Iolaus?" Hercules questioned, as he hauled his two nephews up the side of the cliff.
Xena grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him towards Iolaus' body.
"NOOO! Iolaus." Hercules cried out as he ran over and gently cradled his lover's body in his arms.
Joxer crawled over to them. Reaching out he tried to remove Iolaus' body from Hercules arms.
"No, don't!" Hercules snapped as he pulled Iolaus closer.
"Stop it Hercules. I don't think he's dead." Joxer replied.
Hercules looked at Joxer stupidly, and allowed Joxer to pull Iolaus' body from his arms. "Of course he's dead. His neck's broken."
"No. I felt something last night when I touched him." Joxer replied as he laid Iolaus' corpse out, and straightened his neck out in a natural angle.
Suddenly, the cavern echoed with the sound of cracking bones, and Iolaus' head jerked up. "What happened?" he groaned as he grabbed his head in his hands.
Hercules yanked him into his arms. "You died." He whispered; as he just held onto his lover, listening to him breathe.
"That's impossible, Herc. I'm alive."
"I don't know how, but you were dead." Hercules argued. "Joxer?"
"I don't know how it happened either. But you were mortal when we were in the tavern, and you weren't last night." Joxer replied as he got up and moved over to check on Cupid.
"Hold him, Strife." Xena ordered as she moved the broken wing back into place.
Cupid woke up and screamed at the pain.
"There. Now don't move it, Cupid." Xena ordered as Cupid whimpered in pain.
"Shh, it's alright. We're safe. The bad monsters are gone, and there won't be anymore spiders." Strife soothed while he gently rocked Cupid, and crossed his fingers and grimacing.
Eris looked around. "So how are we gonna get across the lava." She asked.
"Why don't we use the bridge?" Joxer replied hesitantly.
"What bridge, Joxer?" Xena asked.
"The stone bridge in the center of the room."
"Joxer, I don't see a bridge there." Hercules said as he and Iolaus rejoined the group.
Joxer moved over to the bridge. "Right here." He pointed down, as the others starred at him blankly.
Joxer sighed in exasperation and moved onto the bridge. Moving quickly across the narrow walkway he was soon on the other side of the lava.
"I don't think we're supposed to go over there, Joxer! It must be for you alone, since you can see the bridge." Xena shouted to him.
Joxer looked around and spotted a carving of a scale holding a book on one side and a sword on the other. Moving over to the carving he felt something fill him with energy. Looking up at the scale he feels the words welling up inside him. "I the pure of soul ask for Gaea's gift to cure my heart, and remove the threat to Olympus. Please awake and come to me."
Suddenly, a bright light emerged from the ceiling and floated down to hover in front of Joxer. It paused briefly in front of him before flaring brightly twice and dropping into his outstretched hands. Joxer carefully tucked the stone in his pack, before reaching out and touching carving on the wall. Suddenly, the pressure that he had felt in his head since they entered the labyrinth disappeared. Joxer turned back to his waiting friends and flashed over to them.
"How'd you do that? We still don't have our powers back." Eris asked.
"I don't know, but we have to get back now, something's wrong." Joxer muttered as he concentrated and relocated them all to Ares' hall on Olympus.
Part 9 "Apollo!" Strife screamed as they materialized in the main hall of the war temple.
Apollo and Hera rushed out of the bedchamber, while Joxer rushed in.
"Oh, great. Asclepius!" Apollo shouted for reinforcements as the various gods and demi-gods collapsed to the floor.
"Cupid first." Eris muttered from her position on the floor.
"But Iolaus died." Hercules protested.
"Yeah, well blondie's immortal now, and Cupid's pregnant, so stuff it!" Eris shot back.
"Immortal? Immortal, Immortal. Right? How?" Iolaus questioned stunned.
"Pregnant? I'm not pregnant! I'm just cave sick." Cupid muttered as Apollo mended his wing and moved down to examine him.
"Well blondie, seeing as how you and Hades are on a first name basis, and he hates messing up his paperwork, I figured he wasn't gonna keep giving you back. I disguised your apple the first night in the cave. It wasn't red, it was gold, I had a small illusion spell on it. Besides, I owed you one for saving Strife. We're even now."
"Actually, Cupid, you are pregnant. It's small, but there's definitely a baby here." Apollo smirked.
Cupid puked all over Apollo's legs.
"Oh grody, man! I'm definitely takin a vacation after this." Apollo yelled as he cleaned up Cupid's mess.
"Apollo!" came Aphrodite's shrill scream from the bedchamber.
***********
Joxer ran into the bedchamber to see Aphrodite and Hephaistos holding their hands over Ares' stomach. "Come on Arry. You have to fight. Joxie, will be here soon." She was muttering to the groaning war god.
Joxer rushed over to the bed and climbed up on the other side. He opened his pack and took out the stone, placing it on Ares' stomach, and putting his hands over it.
Suddenly, the stone began pulsing with energy, causing Ares and Joxer to revert to their natural states. A golden glow enveloped both gods. The glow gradually receded leaving a dark mauve and a dark red pulsing ball of energy. Slowly, the red and the mauve separated. When the mauve was fully detached from the red, Joxer reverted to his human form. However, a portion of the red started to change colors.
"Apollo!" Aphrodite screamed.
Apollo came running back into the room. "What!" he yelled back.
"Ares is changing colors!"
Suddenly, the room started filling with gods, curious about Ares condition.
The second color in Ares started swirling about. It swirled through all the colors imaginable, concentrating mostly on gold, red, black, mauve, and pink. It began to blend the colors, until a small ball purple with a golden aura rested inside Ares. Suddenly, Ares started to take his human form.
"Jercules tit's `unc, ya're huge!" Strife yelped out.
Hercules discretely looked down at his chest, trying to figure out why Strife kept swearing upon his chest.
Ares groaned, as he collapsed into Joxer's arms.
Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he screamed.
"Ahhhh! Make it stop!"
Apollo moved over and placed his hand on Ares now bulging belly.
"No can do bro. Looks like you're gonna be a poppa again." Apollo snickered.
"How's this possible, Apollo." Zeus demanded from his position next to Hera.
"The stone." Joxer murmured.
"What?" Ares looked at Joxer.
"The stone did it. Remember it's Gaea's gift. It healed us and gave the baby the remaining energy. It must have spread up your pregnancy."
"It must have contained a portion of her power." Athena announced.
"That's like, so unfair." `Dite muttered to Hera.
Ares had to lie down again and ride out the pain.
"Well, Ares. There's two ways to do this. You can go au natural again, and let the baby detach into my hands, or you can lay down and I can cut you open." Apollo cheerfully explained.
Ares shot Apollo a dirty look and changed back to his natural form. Slowly, the purple bundle of energy moved to separate itself from Ares. Apollo put out his hands and cupped the small mass. Finally, it detached completely from Ares and rested in Apollo's hands. Ares changed back to his human form and Joxer lowered him onto his back.
Apollo deposited the bundle in Ares arms. At the contact, the purple and golden bundle changed form. Ares was now holding a small black-haired baby boy who had small golden wings on his back.
"He's beautiful." Joxer breathed out as he caressed the baby's cheek with his finger.
"You saved us Joxer, it's only fair that you get to name him. So what's it gonna be?" Ares asked.
< Gabriel >
"Gabriel?" Joxer repeated.
"Alright, if that's what you want Joxer. Gabriel it is." Ares replied.
< Thank you, father .>
"Uh, Ares?"
"Yeah?"
"Gabriel's talking to me."
Gabriel let out a gurgling giggle.
Suddenly, the Fates appeared off to the side of the bed. "And lo, Gabriel god of judgment has come to Olympus." They chimed before disappearing.
Several gods traded nervous glances.
"Congratulations Ares, or should I say father?" Xena announced.
Ares just groaned. "Look Xena, I told you before, I'm not your father!"
"Then who is, Ares? Joxer said I'm a demi-god, if you're not my father, who is." She demanded.
"Alright everyone, freeze." Zeus ordered, as several gods tried to leave quickly.
Zeus stepped in front of the assembled gods, searching their faces. "I can feel her from here. I always thought she was one of Ares myself, but if she's not, I want to know whose she is."
No one stepped forward.
"Last chance. If I have to look for myself, you won't like the punishment." Zeus threatened.
No one stepped forward.
"Alright, then." Zeus walked over to Xena and touched her head.
Stepping back he shook his head disgustedly.
"HERMES!" He bellowed.
"I always knew she was sneaky, guess that explains it." Ares muttered.
Hermes didn't answer the summons.
"Has anyone seen Hermes?" Zeus questioned.
"Not since the wedding." Apollo answered, while everyone else shook their head.
"HADES!" Zeus summoned.
Hades didn't appear.
Zeus turned to Aphrodite. "I thought you said that arrow would wear off quickly since it was Bliss'."
"It should have. I don't get it pops." `Dite shrugged.
"Opps." Hephaistos muttered.
Everyone turned to him.
"Well?" Zeus muttered.
"I kinda made Bliss' practice arrows with recycled metal. They were from one of `Dite's experiments that she scrapped."
"Oh crap!" Cupid muttered.
"Experiments?" Zeus questioned.
The End
**Alright, Alright, I know I totally left that one open for a sequel. I couldn't see any way around it. The whole Hermes and Hades thing has so many possibilities, and it will probably take a bit to get the plot I want hammered out. I think I ventured off into angst land with this fic. I wanna try and capture smutty humor. *Sigh* Oh well, hope you liked this installment. I firmly believe that the next fic will be the last in this series. I don't want to go on and on and destroy the whole story. Thanks for reading and telling me you enjoy my writing, ya give me warm fuzzies with each bit of feedback.