Queen of the Dead

(A/N: Had this sitting in my files for a while and never got around to posting it, so decided to start putting it up while I'm working on the next installments of my other series'. Canon appearance Persephone. Hope you enjoy.)

He's Back

Once there was a young Oceanid, the most beautiful of all the ocean nymphs born of the Titan Oceanus. Her name was Leuce, and many men pined for her but she loved none. Until the god of the Underworld, Aides and Aidoneus, looked up and caught sight of her playing in the ocean waves. So smitten was he that he went to her to speak to her, and they fell in love and he stole her away to the Underworld to be his queen. But Leuce was not immortal. Her life had a limit. In the dark of Hades, where everything dies, far from her element and home, that limit shrank... When she died, Aidoneus sought consolation by creating a memorial to her and their love in the Elysian Fields, a white tree in the center of a part of the garden isolated from the rest that Leuce had made her own... When it was done, the god began to mourn, and the Underworld darkened. Bitterness and hate and disdain built within him until all that was left was disgust and resentment, and soon Aides forsook his given name and took the name of the realm he ruled, and Aidoneus became Hades... But where there is darkness there is light, and where there is death there is life, and even the cold and wicked and jaded king of the dead had once loved. And out there, there was a contrast, a counterpart, and she was light and life...

Hercules

Pain and Panic looked into the Well of Souls. "Think he's ever gonna come up?" Panic asked.

"I dunno. It's been a while," Pain replied, scratching his head confusedly.

"But gods can't die," Panic said.

"Who says he's dead? Might just be stuck," Pain answered. They'd been plenty happy when he'd first been dragged into the deepest part of the river Styx, but now it was just unnerving. Plus, no one was ruling anymore, so it was all pretty chaotic right now. The judges were doing a pretty good job, but it wasn't enough. Technically the god of death, Thanatos the Grim Reaper, took over in Hades's absence, but he was busy with his own job as of late. Besides, Hades was supposed to have the last say in a lot of the stuff that went on down here.

Suddenly the well began to bubble. Pain and Panic gasped, looking quickly down. "H-h-he's back," Panic tightly said. Pain swallowed.

Suddenly the well veritably exploded as an enraged shout echoed through the catacombs. Hades appeared, burning bright orange and looking ready to slaughter the first thing he could get his hands on. Pain and Panic scrambled back in terror. "That's it! No more playing it nice! I'm taking this war right to Zeus's front door!"

"Y-y-yes y-your ma-malevolence," Panic stammered, flustered. "Wait. Taking this right to Zeus's front door?! What do you mean?!"

"I mean going right up to Olympus and taking it!" Hades shot. "I am beyond done with playing nice. You don't even know how done I am."

"Are you kidding, boss? You can't take on all of Mount Olympus!" Pain protested.

"True, true, very true; but what I can do is con it away. Or blackmail. You know, either works," Hades replied, waving it off.

"Well what can you even blackmail them with?" Pain questioned.

"I'll figure something out," Hades darkly replied. Likely something that involved mortal kind or Zeus's precious little boy. Well, one of them. The guy certainly had plenty running around. Sons, daughters, the works. There was no shortage of blackmail fuel when it came to Zeus. Oh, he would definitely figure something out.

Hercules

Up on Olympus there was celebration. Celebration of victory, of Heracles's marriage, of everything. They had every reason in the world to celebrate, these days. Who knew how much longer it would last? They might as well live it up while they had the chance. Not everyone was happy, though.

"First Hermes now Apollo? Mother, how could you? What if I had actually liked either of them enough to marry them?" Kore demanded of her mother. "And on top of it all you keep me hidden away here, far from the company of the other gods except for on special occasions. It isn't fair!"

"My darling, Hermes and Apollo were not worthy of you," Demeter defended.

"But what if I'd liked them?" she demanded.

"Did you?" Demeter questioned.

Kore sighed. "Not like that," she reluctantly admitted.

"Then why are you losing your head over it?" Demeter questioned.

"I'm old enough to make my own choices, mother," Kore insisted.

"And you would have made this exact same choice regarding them," Demeter said. Kore pouted at her mom. She hated losing arguments to the goddess of the harvest. She hated that on top of winning, Demeter had also made a point.

"I'll choose who I marry," Kore firmly told her parent. "I love you, mom, but you can't make that choice for me."

"I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I know what's best for you, my darling, I do," Demeter said.

"Maybe you do, but I want the chance to learn for myself what's best for me and what will hurt me," Kore answered.

"I will not have you making the mistakes I did! I only want you happy always, my dear," Demeter stubbornly insisted.

"This discussion is over!" Kore shot. She sighed deeply. "Can we just go back to the party?"

"Very well, Kore," Demeter agreed. "The baths are open to you and the other goddesses. Remember, before the formal presentation get yourself ready to be presented in your father's court."

"Yes mother," Kore replied, smiling weakly.

Hercules

The pantheon was laughing and dancing, drinking and eating. Kore wanted no part of it. Any of it. She wanted to dance among the trees and gather flowers for decoration or parties or for any reason, really. What she didn't want was to be here. It wasn't that she disliked the company, she just wasn't a big fan of lively crowds. She was so used to the peace and quiet of the forests. She sighed despondently.

"What's the matter, Kore? Not having fun?" Aphrodite asked, approaching her.

"I'm just not a big fan of crowds," Kore answered, smiling unconvincingly.

"Neither am I, to be honest. You know, Athena, Artemis, and I are heading down to the pools. Not so many deities there. You're welcome to join us," Aphrodite said.

"Sure, why not?" Kore answered, smiling and standing. She followed Aphrodite off to the pools.

Hercules

"Has anybody seen where my dear Kore has gotten off to?" Demeter asked her siblings, minus one, looking around for her.

"I saw her going off with Aphrodite," Hestia offered.

"I believe Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis intended to go down to the pools. She probably was invited to go along with them," Hera added.

"Right. Don't worry too much for her, sister. She'll be fine," Poseidon assured.

"I suppose," Demeter reluctantly relented.

All at once flames shot from the ground, quickly materializing into Hades, who wore a mask of calm. It was the look in his eyes and the fact his flaming hair was a little taller than usual that put them on edge.

"Hades!" Zeus exclaimed in shock.

"The one and only," Hades replied, a smile crossing his lips. "What, we're having a family reunion and I wasn't invited? I'm hurt."

"No you aren't," Poseidon deadpanned.

"Cute, cute, trying wit on for size, huh? Needs a little practice," Hades replied.

"What wit? Try simple fact," Poseidon replied.

"Ooh, feeling spunky today, huh Popo," Hades replied, nudging his brother.

Poseidon scowled, folding his arms. "You are not welcome here, Aides," Hera icily said.

"Why not? I'm as much a part of this Pantheon as any of you," he said, shrugging casually and sitting. "Not only one of the core twelve but the core six and right on up to the core three, baby!" He chuckled. "Come on, Hera, let's let bygones be bygones, huh? The Titan mishap was just a big misunderstanding." He knew full well none of them would buy it for a second.

"What do you want, brother?" Hestia icily hissed.

"Oh, nothing much, just, you know, unconditional surrender and Jerkules's head on a platter," Hades replied, casual as anything.

Hera gasped, covering her mouth. "No!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, come on, who are you even kidding with that good mother act? If anything, you hate the kid more than me. By a landslide. I'll admit, you got the act down to a fine art, even Herc believes it, but seriously. You expect anyone to believe Zeus's little love child's won your heart? How'd it feel, Hera, to come second to a mortal?" Hera tensed up, stiffening. She said nothing. "That's what I thought," Hades said. "Seriously, babe, you weren't fooling anyone with playing it like you were baby mama. Well, except maybe Zuzu there, clueless as can be."

"Hera?" Zeus asked, looking to her with hurt in his eyes and confusion. She cringed and quickly turned away from him, hanging her head shamefully. Zeus cringed then turned to Hades sharply, scowling. "Get out!" he commanded.

"I'm just warming up! I'm not going anytime soon. Not until Olympus is in as much turmoil as earth!" Hades replied.

"What are you talking about? The earth is…" Demeter began. She suddenly caught her breath, paling.

"Demeter?" Hera asked.

"The earth is not fine," Demeter whispered. Alarmed, the other four deities raced to the viewing board and looked through. Their eyes widened in horror on seeing. Disasters were ripping the land apart, mortals were crying out for help. Heracles, while doing his best, couldn't be everywhere at once. The evils were running rampant!

"What have you done?!" Hestia screamed at Hades.

"While you all lived it up partying on Olympus and forgetting I existed, I was busy wreaking havoc. And it will keep on, along with me sharing secrets and tidbits each of you would die not to get out—cough, cough, Zeus and Hera—until we reach an understanding," Hades smoothly answered.

"We won't surrender to you, brobro!" Poseidon roared.

"You don't have a choice!" Hades roared back, flaring up. "Bend or break. You choose now!"

"Go back to your realm, brother. Before we force you like we forced our father down," Zeus commanded.

Hades scowled then smirked wickedly. "Oh Hera, you ever wonder about that white bull incident with Europa?" he veritably sang.

"You are nothing but a spiteful, spoiled little brat throwing a tantrum!" Demeter insisted, bristling.

Zeus, however, was pale. "The white bull?" Hera asked, looking at Zeus.

"Or, you know, that can wait. Instead you can watch my underworld army of Pandora's evils wipe out the mortal coil. Promises to be quite a show," Hades said.

"Hades, we need to talk," Zeus dangerously said.

"If it's a battle you want, I'll give it to you," Hades replied.

"He would smite you," Poseidon scoffed. "If not alone, then certainly with me on his side."

"And then my people attack your people and Herc tries to interfere and the whole thing just gets into a real mess from there," Hades replied.

"We will talk," Zeus repeated. "I'll hear you out. This time."

"You know my demands," Hades said.

"There's nectar and ambrosia in it for you," Poseidon sang.

Hades stiffened and twitched. Dammit, they knew his weaknesses too well. "Fine," he grumbled. The demands were staying the same, though. He'd just get food and drink out of it. There wasn't a deal they could possibly offer him, after all, say for this one. They were backed into a corner, he hoped, and he had them now. Broke a good number of rules in the process of getting them, hopefully Chaos didn't catch wind or just didn't pay attention, but he had them now. He rose and followed Zeus out, Poseidon trailing along with them as well.

Hercules

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" Poseidon demanded of Hades.

"Hey, gave you my terms, Popo baby. Nothing else seems to work. When all else fails, go blackmail. Should have done this years ago," Hades said, grinning wickedly.

"You will not have Olympus!" Zeus yelled. "You do a wonderful job in the underworld. No one could do better!"

"Yeah, flattery will get you nowhere, bro," Hades answered.

"You certainly have the ego to stroke, Aides," Poseidon bit.

"Coming from you? Oh please," Hades replied, rolling his eyes.

"When we defeated out father and the rest of the Titans, lots were drawn. We all agreed and it was done fairly! Why do you even want Olympus?!" Zeus demanded.

"You're kidding, right? Don't know about you, but being surrounded by stiffs all day gets a little dull after a while, know what I'm saying? I mean come on. It's lonely down there," Hades said.

"You've never cared about being alone before," Poseidon bit. There was a reason Hades had only ever had two love interests in his entire existence, neither of which were in the picture now.

"And I don't care now," Hades replied. "Popo, Zuzu, let me lay it out for you. Olympus glamorous. Hades dead. Olympus power. Hades leftovers. Olympus honor. Hades hate, capiche?"

"Olympus will not be surrendered to the likes of you," Poseidon bit. "You betrayed us! You unleashed the Titans!"

"Boo hoo, now I feel really bad," Hades replied with a faux pout. "You kidding me? I mean come on. A demi-god beat them down. They weren't exactly what they used to be, you know."

"You rode with us against them, brother. You fought alongside of us and together we six, we three in particular, drove Cronus to his doom," Zeus said, trying to appeal to the better side of him—if you could call it that, really he hadn't changed too much over the years say for in resentment and envy—and bring up the past.

"You shared in our victories, our miseries. First born of Rhea and devoured by Cronos, last disgorged from father's mouth; both eldest and youngest of us. You suffered inside of father with us. You lamented and desired revenge," Poseidon reminded.

"What, you're trying to get all poetic now? Really? Popo, baby, I don't do the archaic spiel little poetic hymn whatevers," Hades said. Hardly fit with Poseidon either. Nonetheless, he had to admit he remembered the past well. He still bristled at the memory of Cronus devouring them. All of them say for Zeus. Hah! Rhea had gotten one over on him that round.

"You are our brother, Aidoneus. Why can't we all just live in peace? There was nothing wrong with it before!" Zeus insisted.

Hades folded his arms, rolling his eyes and glancing over the railings down towards the pools. He looked back at his brothers then started, double taking and gasping, turning to the railing, grasping it, and staring down. "Whoa mama," he said half to himself half out loud. What had they here? Bathing—err, swimming, let's not make this racy just yet—goddesses soaked right through to their skins. Hmm, just got a little racier. Three virgin ones—at least he believed the youngest one he'd only seen at special occasions was a virgin—and Aphrodite. Surprisingly, it wasn't Aphrodite that had caught his attention this round. It was said youngest that caught his eye. The one whose name was currently escaping him.

He leaned curiously on the rail, watching her as Zeus and Poseidon continued lecturing him and trying to talk him down or shame him. As if. He'd made his demands, he was done listening. The youngest one climbed out of the pool and laid back on a rock, lounging in the sun and grinning. His eyes scanned her appraisingly. Whoa, nice form. Who was she, again? The name began with a K, he believed. She was Demeter's daughter, he knew. Which kind of made his interest in her not okay, but hey, Zeus married Hera. Enough said. Zeus and Poseidon were still blathering along. Wait, no they weren't. They'd stopped talking. How long ago, he wondered?

He blinked rapidly and turned to them. "I'm sorry, what were you saying? Because all I heard was blah, blah, blah. Zuzu, Popo, I gave you my terms, end of story, enough said. Either you bend or the earth breaks, comprende? Tell you what, I'll give you until the end of the party to come up with a decision. Fair enough? Fair enough." Besides, he kind of wanted to observe this goddess a little more before, you know, evicting her and everyone else and taking over the Pantheon. "Now let's party, huh? Last party you'll have on Olympus for a while." Zeus and Poseidon exchanged worried looks. They had to find a way out of this and fast. They had a very limited time to do so too.

"Hades, we…" Poseidon began. He trailed off, blinking blankly. Hades was back at the railing observing something. He and Zeus exchanged curious looks and silently slipped up next to their brother, far enough away so as to not be immediately noticed, but close enough to see what it was that had caught his attention and bought them time, because they both knew that originally Hades had had no intentions of giving them time to think it through and potentially come up with a way out.

They started on seeing the four young goddesses in the pool. Zeus followed Hades's eyes to where they were lingering. He expected Aphrodite. Imagine his surprise, then, when he saw that wasn't so. "Kore?" he asked out loud. He looked at Poseidon in shock. Kore had caught Hades's attention? She was the last one they would have suspected. A goddess of spring, vegetation, rebirth, and maidenhood was the last thing you'd think would catch the eye of a god of the underworld, wealth, and the dead.

"This might be worth observing," Poseidon murmured to Zeus. Zeus cringed, hesitating and looking protectively at Kore. Finally, he sighed and nodded. His brother was right.