The November 2000 Story Challenge: In the series, Ares started off as the big, bad god of war but soon degenerated into a cartoonish villain that our heroes scorned instead of feared. The challenge was to write a story giving the balance of power back to Ares, possibly describing a scene where Ares defeats Hercules and how Iolaus reacts. This story takes place sometime after the Xena episode "God Fearing Child".
As always, just for entertainment,not profit. RenPics, I'm just "borrowing" your characters and I mean no harm.
“So, what do you think the parchment says?” Iolaus turned the rolled scroll over in his hands and ran a finger lightly over the seal as Hercules shot him a funny look.
“The same thing that Iphicles told us it said,” the demigod replied. “That he wants to offer his assistance in the peace talks and that we are his official delegates.”
“Why is he even getting involved with the conflict between Sparta and Pylos? It’s out of his province, and he’s got his own trouble with the Mycenaens to worry about.”
“Maybe he’s just trying to prevent a war,” Hercules shrugged. “There are already too many of them erupting throughout Greece as it is.”
“I’ve noticed,” Iolaus said dryly. “And with all the warring going on, it can only mean one thing.”
“Ares.” The demigod agreed.
“You rang?” The god of war materialized before them with a wicked grin.
“Seems you can’t go anywhere these days without running into riff raff,” Iolaus muttered. Ares ignored him and came forward to drape an arm over the demigod’s shoulders.
“Hercules, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Nice work on offing the old man. It’s been a fantasy of mine for years, but I can’t believe you actually had the guts to do it. How did it feel to murder your own father?”
“Leave me alone, Ares,” the demigod said sharply, shrugging off his half brother’s embrace as his features darkened.
“I never knew you had it in you,” the god continued. “With that kind of spirit, I just may have a place for you in my army.”
“Ares, I’m warning you...” Hercules threatened.
“No, I’m warning you,” the god of war said sinisterly, all traces of his mock companionship gone. “I went to a lot of trouble to set up this war in Sparta, and it’s going to happen. You two are not going to mess this one up for me.”
“We’ll see about that,” the demigod said airily, turning his back on the angry god and stalking off. A bolt of light hit him in the back and sent him face first into the ground.
“I mean it, little brother.” Ares’ voice dripped with contempt as Hercules sat up to glare at him. “You are not ruining this for me.”
“Like I said,” the demigod repeated with equal contempt. “We’ll see.” Ares charged at Hercules, who blocked his attack and countered with a hard right of his own. Iolaus kept back, knowing from experience that it was not wise to get in between the two when they were brawling. At first, the battle went on as it usually did. Hercules and Ares beat each other silly for what seemed like hours. But then the balance began to shift. A particularly wicked bolt of light hit Hercules square on the chest and sent him flying backwards. Before he could rise, Ares was all over him, lashing out in a mad fury. Iolaus decided it was high time to join the fray and leapt onto the god of war, but he was swatted off like a pesky insect. The hunter hit the ground hard and lay still for a moment, trying to suck the air back into his lungs as Ares stood over the fallen demigod.
“You see, Hercules,” he began grandly. “When our dearest father died, his little rule about gods killing gods died with him. When you oh-so-considerately disposed of him, you lost all the protection and privilege that comes with being the favorite son of Zeus. Now there’s nothing to stop me from doing what I’ve wanted to do for years.” Ares theatrically held his hand out, and a large, gleaming, lethal ball of flame appeared. He went into his windup, but a blur distracted him as Iolaus threw himself down in front of his friend.
“Get out of the way, Shorty, and I just might let you live,” the god growled. The hunter remained where he was, staring up defiantly as Hercules feebly ordered him to save himself. “Suit yourself,” Ares conceded. “There’s plenty to go around.” With a maniacal laugh, he hurled the fireball at the two warriors before him. Iolaus shut his eyes and braced himself for the impact, but it never came. Just before the fireball struck him, it was diverted up in the air and burnt itself out.
Ares stopped mid-laugh and looked at his targets in astonishment. He readied another fireball and launched it, only to watch it shoot up in the air. Undaunted, he threw another one. And another. And another, until he was hurling them in rapid succession. When he finally exhausted himself, Iolaus and Hercules were still untouched and the hunter was the one laughing now.
“Who’s doing that?” Ares demanded angrily. “Aphrodite! Where are you? Come on, I know you’re here!” No one appeared in answer to the god’s accusations, and he turned to the pair before him. “She can’t shield you forever,” he warned. “Next time, and there WILL be a next time, you won’t be so lucky.” With a wave of his hand, the god vanished. Iolaus ran a hand through his mop of wild curls and looked around. He didn’t see anyone at all, but he whispered a thank you anyway.
“Come on, buddy,” the hunter said gently, helping Hercules to his feet. “Let’s get out of here before he decides to come back for round two.” With the demigod leaning very heavily on Iolaus, they started the long trip back to the last village they had passed in their journey.
“What is it?” Hercules asked suspiciously, eyeing the mug of steaming brew that the hunter was trying to force on him.
“Something the healer left. For pain and quick healing. So just shut up and drink it.”
“Lovely bedside manner you have.”
“Sorry. I guess I’m not used to being on this side of the bed.” Iolaus immediately realized he’d said something wrong, as Hercules leaned back and shut his eyes.
“Herc,” he began delicately, setting the mug down on the small table by the bed. “That encounter with Ares. That’s really bothering you, isn’t it?”
“Of course it’s bothering me,” Hercules replied. “Ares almost killed me. Call me crazy, but I find that a bit upsetting.”
“I guess we didn’t think about this aspect of Zeus being gone,” the hunter said slowly, pulling up a chair. “No one to keep Ares in line anymore.”
“Well, what was I supposed to do?” the demigod demanded. “Let him kill Xena and her baby?”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Iolaus said patiently. “I just mean that we might have to be a little more careful now. But really, not a lot has changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Zeus never really did get the hang of keeping Ares, or Hera, for that matter, in line. Sure, they couldn’t outright try to kill you, but how many monsters and mercenaries and warlords did they send after us? Personally, I think I’d rather deal with Ares over another Enforcer. And really, what help was Zeus in the long run? He couldn’t bring your family back, or Serena. All I’m trying to say is that we’ve managed to come through everything they’ve thrown at us before, so why should now be any different.”
“You don’t understand,” Hercules whispered.
“Sure I do. You’ve just gotten a little taste of what mortals go through everyday. You’ve been invincible for so long, but today you got beat and your ego got knocked down a peg. You got a shot of pure mortality right between the eyes, my friend, and there is nothing scarier than that. Except maybe for Falafel’s cooking. But everyone has to lose one now and then. Even the mighty Hercules.”
“I just feel so...” Hercules looked up at his friend helplessly.
“I know,” Iolaus reassured him. “But that will pass. Look, Herc, Ares caught us by surprise. We weren’t ready for him, but next time we will be.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because,” Iolaus told him with an impish grin. “We’re the good guys.”
Disclaimer: Hercules was harmed during the writing of this story, but don't worry - he heals quickly.
Check out "Rael", the sequel to this story, linked below
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Rael: The sequel to this story