AresJoxerCupidStrife - Kate

Prologue Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Disclaimer: Own nothing and no one used herein. All belong to their respective creators.
Title: The Heirs of Olympus
Crossover: BTVS/KF: TLC/The Seeker/AtS/ Highlander
Rating: PG-13 to R (Slash)
Pairings: A/J, C/S, G/E, H/B, Angel/Wes, X/S, Kermit/Peter
Summary: Zeus attacks Ares and incurs the wrath of the Sons of War. Bringing about his own Downfall.

Prologue: Calling the Heirs
The meeting had been boring. Ares hated when the meetings were boring. Zeus was going more and more insane. His ideals were getting more out of hand and Ares knew he would have to stand up to him soon. It was getting absolutely ridiculous. Zeus wanted someone killed here and someone to live there. Was it any wonder Hercules had left all those years ago? Ares sighed and rubbed his temples. Gods above and below he was tired. He thanked Hades, his real father, everyday that his heirs had all been born so if something were to happen to him his three houses would be safe and well cared for.
He'd just completed that thought when he was struck in the chest by a powerful blast of magic. It threw him across the hall of War into a wall and held him there. Blast after blast of power hit him and as he lost consciousness and saw Zeus, he sent a summons to the three heirs. Then, with the last of his strength, he transported himself to his real father. Hades caught him and sensing the summons had been sent, he sat and held Ares after summoning his own children. It was time to kick it, God Style. In other words, Zeus would pay for this outrage.
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Sloansville, Montreal,
Kermit Griffin and his lover, Peter Caine, were walking through Chinatown to Peter's father's building when Kermit suddenly doubled over as if in pain. Peter watched, as his father and the Ancient did when they joined him, as Kermit was glowing and seemed to be morphing into something. Without warning, large, ebony wings erupted from his back, shredding his suit coat, the shirt he wore under it, his undershirt and his tie. He looked down at himself and shrugged as he removed his sunglasses and closed his eyes. His pants and dress shoes changed to black leather pants and boots and a wicked looking dagger appeared in the belt at his side. A mark appeared on his chest of horns over an elongated X. Peter thought his father knew it because Kwai Chang Caine inhaled sharply as the mark flared and an amulet with the same symbol appeared around his neck. There was a clap of thunder in which was spoken one word: War! Kermit made a gesture with his hand and Paul was suddenly there. Then he closed his eyes and they were all suddenly elsewhere.
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Paris, France
Duncan MacLeod was walking with Darius, Methos, Jenny and Richie through a park when Darius suddenly stopped, threw his head back, and bellowed in rage. Then he seemed to be overcome by a fit of some kind. He doubled over and dropped to one knee. A glow started over his body and Duncan reached forward. He was yanked back by Methos who hissed: "Don't touch him, child. That energy will fry you."
Duncan watched, they all watched, as Darius seemed to be changed by the energy. It reshaped his body, his hair grew to just below his shoulders, he seemed to get bigger in the shoulder and most of his body became more muscled. An earring appeared in his left ear, the habit vanished to be replaced by black leather pants and instead of a shirt of some kind, he seemed to be in a harness of crossed leather straps the formed an X. The center of which was the center of his midsection.
An ax appeared at his right side a curved dagger at his left and on his back, crossed curved swords. His hair was held back from his face by a leather band. His belt carried the symbol of horns over an elongated X.
There was a loud clap of thunder in which was heard the word: Aggression! Darius gestured and they were suddenly elsewhere. All of them save Methos who already existed in that time and place. Methos chuckled.
"Good luck," he said as he walked away.
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Sunnydale, California
Rupert Giles and his charges had been going over the latest threat to the Hellmouth opening when Giles suddenly staggered and was caught by Ethan of all people.
"FATHER!" Giles screamed in anger, as he and Ethan were both engulfed in light. The light flared about them, hiding them from view. Giles' form seemed to be changing and shifting, as was Ethan's. He was getting younger in appearance and his clothes were changing. From his tweed outfit to a pair of black leather pants and a high collared black leather vest. His hair lengthened slightly and his eyes glowed with power. Across the library, Dawn was watching, as the same thing seemed to be happening to Wesley. He didn't change much but his clothes did and his eyes screamed power if you looked into them. Ethan, when his change was complete, wore what looked like the clothes he wore regularly except they were leather and silk and seemed to shimmer as he walked. Wesley's clothes were all black. He carried a bow and arrow and he looked stunned as if he finally understood something about himself.
A loud clap of thunder filled the library and three titles were spoken: Mortals, Chaos, and Mind of Humanity, Protector of Youth! Giles waved his hand and moved them all elsewhere.
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Chicago
Hugh Pendragon had been reading when he felt it. A summons to home. He'd stood and whistled for his dog. The power washed over him and the dog, revealing the dog in its three-headed glory. Hugh was revealed in black, as Wesley had been, but there was also a gold band around his upper right arm and the Gems of Hades adorned his wrists.
The clap of thunder filled the mansion just as he transported out: Soul of Humanity, Prince of Asphodel!
And he was elsewhere as well. With his dog.
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Brazil
He'd been sleeping when it hit. That pulling sensation that he had learned over the years never to ignore. The demon in him smiled as it released him, walking itself into the sunlight, hugging him once before disintegrating into dust. He did not change. He was fine as he was, always had been. He hugged the demon back, hearing its whisper of Luck for William before the clap of thunder filled the air: Heart of Humanity, Guardian of Slayers! And he, too, was just gone.



Chapter 1: Heirs in Place
Hades was waiting when they appeared with their groups. Ripper and Ethan and Wesley were together with Ripper's group. Hugh was there with Cerberus. Gryphon was there, the Heir of War and god did he ever look like a winged version of his father. He looked at Hades and then to his brother Ripper. A moment later, Darius was there as well. Wild Aggression that he was, he looked it.
Hades and bliss watched as their own sons came forward. The Heart, Mind and Soul of Humanity.
He smiled. If the children were here, it was indeed time. He himself had summoned them but if it hadn't been the right time, William would have arrived still tied to his demon. And yet, here they were. Without the demon that ahd arrived first, going down to Tartarus but Hades was going to reward that one.
"Is father going to recover?" Darius asked. Wild Aggression he was, but still with a heart of gold. Hades nodded.
"Zeus is trying to give Ares' Houses to his favored children. I can feel the power refuses to settle in them," Hades told them. Gryphon laughed.
"Because the Heirs exist. Come one, guys, lets go and get into our positions. Stop this bullshit before it starts. As to those who came with us, can you please wait until we get back for an explanation?"
"Of course, Kermit," Caine said as Kermit nodded to his brothers. The three sons of Hades and Bliss walked to three thrones that were sitting between the thrones of their fathers. Hugh sat next to Hades, Spike sat next to Bliss and Wesley sat between his two brothers. Ethan stood off to the side considering. He knew what side he would be on in this War. He was preparing to draw his Godhead to himself and take a great chunk of power from Zeus. Zeus was so going to be pissed. Ethan couldn't wait.
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On Olympus, the Council was gathered, all but Ares. On the table before Zeus, were the symbols for the three Houses Ares headed.
"Athena," Zeus called as he looked at the sword of War. She smiled with avarice and stepped forward. She went to touch it and it suddenly shot off the table and a voice no one had heard for years spoke then. A voice that had Cupid grinning.
"I'll take that, thanks. It's my job so long as my father is incapacitated."
"Gryphon!" Cupid yelled as he ran to his brother. The man who stepped out of the shadows looked like Ares except for the streak of silver in his hair. The sword touched his hand then and there was a flare of silver light. When it cleared, his wings were tipped with silver, marking him the Head of the House of War.
Zeus stared slack-jawed as he saw the other two. They raised their hands and the other two symbols shot off the table and to their hands. Darius caught the armbands and Ripper the belt and ring. They, too, were covered in silver light and when it cleared, both had silver accents on their clothes.
"You honestly thought we wouldn't notice didn't you?" Ripper asked as he stood on one side of Gryphon. Darius stood on the other. The Sons of War had returned to Olympus to take care of their Father's Houses until he was well enough. And they radiated power. And Rage.
"Our father's houses will never be yours," Darius spoke coldly. "You made a huge mistake attacking him. Because you caused us to be called back and, Zeus, we do not care about your false royalty. We only have loyalty to the true King of Olympus. Oh, and the House of Humanity is here as well. I hope you're ready to meet your maker because they are as pissed with you as we are. If I were you? I'd start praying. False King."
They flashed out, Kermit not having had to say a single thing. The fact that he summoned the sword from the table making it very apparent exactly what kind of power he ahd at his command.
All of those who worked in Ares' Houses stood and left, obeying the summons of the Heirs of War.
"Later, Daddy Z," Aphrodite said as she flashed out. Hera followed her, as did Hephaestus, Cupid, and all of Ares' family. Eris and Strife grinned and Janus lost all color suddenly.
"I'd say Ethan is here as well," Lust said as she too, flashed off the Mountain and down to Asphodel where the others had gone. That left only Zeus and his children sitting and getting very worried. With the Sons of War home and the House of humanity and the Lord of Chaos, they were in trouble. And they knew it. Sitting up on their mountain, they began to be very afraid.
Especially when Hestia, too, flashed out. This did not bode well for those who remained loyal to him. The house of Humanity would be able to order the other houses if it so chose. Asclepius too, vanished from the tale. Leaving his father in shock. It was now realized He was Ethan's father. They all began to be very afraid. There was a lot of power on the side of Hades. Zeus knew he was in trouble now. He sat, on his great gold throne, and he waited for what he new was coming. He and those loyal to him would fight, yes. And they might be able to take a few of them with them. But the House of humanity and the Sons of War here at the same time pretty much sealed his doom. He was afraid. And his children sensed it. His fear scared them. They didn't know why, but they were afraid. With very good reason.



Chapter 2: Explaining Duties
Returning to Asphodel, those who had come with the Heirs of Olympus just watched and waited. Darius conjured chairs for all of them but Hades provided food. That was said because it would protect them from Zeus and because neither Giles nor any of the others was a particularly good food conjurer.
"So, Darius said as he flopped in to the chair. What's going on you want to know?"
"Yes, please," a boy with dark hair and eyes, said as he looked at Giles who was so Not Tweed Guy right now.
"What's happening," Giles answered the boy, "Is that our father was hurt. He's been hurt to the point that he cannot sustain his duties. So, Xander, his sons were called home to take his place until he can. Wesley, Hugh and Spike are the sons of Death and Joy. They are the House of Humanity. Buffy, Spike is The Guardian of Slayers. Any Slayer he's killed should consider it an honor that he ended their loneliness and suffering himself instead of letting it be a demon of some kind. Ethan is the son of Lust, over there, the mother of Vampires. They are not evil by he way, not all of them, and Asclepius, God of Healing. Lust is Goddess of Debauchery. Ethan was intended to be God of Passions but something interceded. We think it was the old bastard upstairs. Ethan is, however, The God of Chaos. So, something fouled Zeus' designs as well because Ethan now has more power than most, if not all, of Zeus' children."
"So, do I slay here?" Buffy asked. Faith's looked mirrored the question.
"Absolutely Not," Lust said. "You shouldn't be Slaying where you are without reason and you do. Both of you do. The Council is so full of shit it isn't funny. My children aren't all bad but you don't seem to care about that and---"
"Mother," Ethan said gently. "Calm down. They don't know the truth. Show them so they do."
"Children?" a weak voice asked from the doorway. The three turned and smiled. Darius was the first to move. He ran to the leather clad man and hugged him tightly. Ares returned the hug just as tightly. Then he moved to each of his other children as well. He hugged them both so tightly it was as if he were trying to imprint them into himself.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked each of them. "Once you begin, Darius, you cannot return to immortal status. Giles, you can still watch the Hellmouth but you wont be able to hide your nature anymore. Gryphon? Well, you know what it will mean."
"We know, father," Darius said. "We would not have come now if we didn't. I think that answers your question enough."
"I had to be sure," Ares said to them. They nodded and then looked at their groups again.
"We're here to put a stop to Zeus," Gryphon finally spoke. "If you don't want to help, go to the rooms Hades will give you and stay in them."
"We'll help," Faith said as she looked at Giles and Wesley. Okay, so Wes wasn't the perfect Watcher. Big deal. He was something else that was more important and this was important to him.
"I'm in," Buffy said. Xander, the dark haired boy, nodded as well. Angel nodded hoping William's demon would be rewarded for what it had done. He would miss Spike.
Buffy's mother and sister both nodded. Caine, Peter and the Ancient nodded as well as Blaisdale.
He had sworn to Kermit that if this time ever came, he would join in the war.
The group with Darius watched for a moment but they, too nodded. Jenny stood next to him, joined by Richie and finally Duncan as well. Duncan did not fully understand but Darius needed him.
"What, exactly, do you do, old friend?" he asked. Darius chuckled and nodded as if he was waiting for that question.
"I absorb and direct the world's aggression. I keep the levels sane and balanced. Not an easy job but one I am well suited to." Duncan nodded and looked at his best friend. This would take some getting used to but this was important to Darius so he would deal.
Giles was looking up then, when something caught his attention and he cursed fluently. He looked at Ares for permission and when it was received, he flashed out.
"Where is he going?" Buffy asked.
"To help his other father," Ares said. "And I pity the blond bitch for this one. Ripper has always been protective of Joxer."
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Chapter 3: Dad
"Joxer!" Gabrielle was saying in her nails on a blackboard voice, "Can't you do anything right you klutz?"
Ripper Giles had appeared in time to hear that. He was still invisible to mortal eyes but he was on the plain to hear it. When she raised her staff to hit his father, Ripper reacted. He materialized and his hand shot out and caught the staff, yanking it out of her hands. He then proceeded to use it on her in a way that said he knew what he was doing. She found herself on the ground with a bloody nose and more bruises than anyone could account for reasonably before Xena reacted. The Chackram whistled through the air and his hand shot out and caught that as well.
"You do not deserve this," he hissed at her. "I don't know what my Father was thinking when he gave it to you. Dad? You okay?"
Joxer looked at him and when he saw Ripper's eyes, he grinned and launched himself into Ripper's arms.
"How are you boy?" Joxer asked as he hugged Ripper. Ripper hugged back and grinned.
"I'm fine, Dad. Been well where I am. Here now because Father is hurt. Gryphon and Darius are back as well and so is The House of Humanity."
"Who are you?" Gabrielle demanded. Ripper turned to look at her and his lip curled in disgust.
"I'm Ripper Giles, son of Joxer the Mighty and Ares: God of War. I am the Heir of the House of Mortals."
"Joxer? With a son by Ares? Why would Ares waste time on Joxer? He could have a much better son with me."
"Oh, I so doubt it," Ripper told her as his eyes bled with power. "My Father wouldn't touch you if you were the last Thing on this planet. He chose Joxer because he loves Joxer. I am Heir to Mortals because my Dad is mortal. And I'll be taking him away from you now. You don't deserve to have him."
"Why are you here?" Xena asked in her smoky voice. Ripper looked at her and smiled darkly.
"Because Zeus hurt my father to the point that he cannot sustain his Houses. The heirs come when that happens."
"Athena should be War now then," Gabrielle said happily. Ripper laughed.
"No, actually, Cupid's Twin Gryphon is the Heir of War. And he has the sword now. I think you need to learn a few things. Athena is not War. You are not a humane person. You fall under my jurisdiction and the Jurisdiction of the House of Humanity. Be careful. You're being Judged as we speak."
Ripper then took Joxer by the arm and they vanished in a sheaf of silver light. Xena looked at Gabrielle and shook her head.
"Go home," Xena said. "We're done traveling together."
"But Xena!" Gabrielle whined. Xena looked at her darkly.
"Go. Home. We are done. You just seemed happy my Father was hurt that badly. I don't have the time for someone like you. Go. Home." Xena packed her camp gear, mounted her horse and rode off. Leaving Gabrielle to stand staring after her. Xena rode to her father's temple and dismounted. She went in and knelt before the throne.
"Gryphon, I'm sorry," she said. "I am sorry for what she's said and what I said. Is father going to live?"
"Yes," a voice answered her.

Chapter 4: Why Doesn't It Work Here?
Giles returned to Asphodel to find Xander panicking. He was upset about something and frightened by it as well.
"Xander!" Giles called to get his attention. The youth stopped and looked at Giles. Giles sighed and walked over to him, forcing him to sit.
"What is it?" Giles asked. Xander stared at him and the look in his eyes was somewhere between angry and scared.
"I can't use Soldier Guy here," the Youth said. "Giles, why can't I touch him here?" Giles sighed having known this was coming. It was time to explain the facts of life to the children. They all gathered around him and so he made himself a seat and sat not unlike a librarian at story time.
"Xander, Soldier guy is one dedicated to the One God. This place is a place before that god and better in my opinion. At least My father's family did not try to wipe out everyone who threatened them. Soldier Guy will not be accessible here. If you want to learn to fight, you'll have to do it on your own merit. Alright?"
"That isn't Fair Giles," Xander said almost petulantly. Giles sighed finally having been pushed as far as he could go in this time.
"Life is not fair, Xander," he said. "Get over it. You don't have things brought on by a possession here. So what? Deal with it and move on. I don't have time to sooth your ego or any one else's for that matter. I'm trying to keep the mortals from all dying. I don't have the time to deal with the whining. IN comparison to half of Greece starving to Death your petty reaction to your introduction to reality is of little importance. If I get free time, I'll teach you to fight for yourself and not rely on Soldier Guy to bail you out. I'm sorry, Xander but right now, I don't have time to deal with it. My Father was attacked because his Uncle wanted to give his power to weaker, selfish members of the family. I have to worry about that right now. Can you help Hades watch over my father? Can you do that for me? Maybe Ares can teach you."
"Sure, Giles," Xander said in shock. He'd known Giles was heading The House of Mortals but to know he was the one who had to balance out these dilemmas was something that did make his concerns seem trivial. Xander sat on a bench and watched as Giles moved about the room, talking to his brothers when they got back. With gryphon was a woman with long black hair and blue eyes.
She looked around and Xander heard Giles swear. He was just angry about a lot right now.
"You'd think getting her daughter back would make the Bitch knock her shit off, wouldn't you?" Gryphon asked. Joxer snickered as he watched the House of Humanity join hands and reach out; causing crops to grow no matter what Demeter wanted to happen. Seeing Spike as a good guy was going to take some getting used to but Xander thought he might be able to get used to it. Ethan as a good guy was real shocks but then, after seeing Buffy get yelled at by Lust about the Slayage of all vamps had been eye opening. Population Control. That's what vampires were. Now, he would have to either get over his prejudices or spend a lot of time alone. Xander could see Giles was trying to prevent the need for a massive culling so he shut up and watched. It hit him that Giles really did know what the hell he was doing. What a shock. This was not Tweed Guy or Mr. Stuffy. This Giles knew what he had to do and he took action to get it done. Xander was in shock. It was like he couldn't make a crutch he was used to have wok but now, Giles ahd thrown his crutches away and was being the person he was supposed to be. Xander had a lot to think about just from observing that.





It was later when there was a flash of light and a tall, blond man appeared. He looked tired as he leaned against the wall. Like he'd just gone through hell.

"'Pol?" Hades asked.

"They're all crazy," the blond muttered. "Completely and totally mad. What are they thinking?"

"What are they planning?" Giles asked.

"They want to kill the House of Humanity. They want to destroy the Mind. That's why he was placed with Roger Wyndham-Pryce. So he'd break under the abuse. I tried but I wasn't enough to counter all of it. Your son was abused Hades. Zeus lied to you. And there was nothing I was allowed to do."

"It isn't your fault Zeus is a bastard, Apollo," Hades said. "The information you've given us over the years ha been invaluable."

"Artemis knows now. I can't go back to Olympus until you take your throne. And to be honest, I really don't want to. My head is killing me from all the sickness up there. And it isn't the kind of sickness I can heal. This kind…healing has to come from inside."

"And we all know how Zeus will respond to that. He hates what he cannot control. And he has caused the sickness in himself trying to control the uncontrollable. Come get some rest, Apollo. I fear our work has only begun."

Apollo followed Hades to a bedchamber where he lay down and went to sleep. He knew his uncle was right. He knew he would need all the rest he could get soon. Because he knew this War was going to be a messy one. And to stop it would require all those now here, including Xena, to win. Grandfather below he was tired. So many years of all time and no time and he hurt. So much sickness and he could not cure it. But maybe, at long last, there would be a cure. Even if it was the purge of the illness itself. Sometimes the only way to save an organism was to remove a limb. This was not going to be pleasant but he'd chosen Ace's side years ago. As soon as he found out Ace's son was taken and twisted he'd decided enough was enough. As Ares had said, War was for adults. The Children should have been left out of it. Sadly, Zeus had been unable to do that. And now now those children were coming after him. And they held the power to Heal Olympus. No matter how bitter the medicine was. And Apollo fell asleep, feeling strangely comforted by that.



tbc

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