Little Miss Flames and Flowers (sequel to TRCC!!)

[~Elisa Maza~]

Such a cute chapter! I love baby Maci! Can't wait to see more of Hypnos and Thanatos.

[Hades]

Chapter XIV-- Hades and Persephone are Forced to Go to Hercules' Party; Maci's Life Starts to be Unfair

“The Nightmare Pair. Sounds fitting,” remarked Meg.

“You’ve got no idea,” said Persephone, laughing a little, and she fell silent, tapping a finger against her chin, leaving Hercules and Meg to ponder her possible foreshadowing.

“Alright, I’m doing a bit of a time-jump here,” she informed her audience after a moment of silence, and did so.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sometimes Hades couldn’t believe the nerve his big brother had. The rudeness, the totally blind lack of respect. Sometimes.

Like now, for instance.

Judging by the way Seph was storming around the throne room furiously, she felt the same.

“What is his problem?!” she hissed, stopping finally to scowl at Hades, “Did he get dropped off a mountain when he was little? Did he land on his head?!”

Hades didn’t answer, just pressed a few fingers in annoyance to his temples. Macaria, nestled in his other arm, blinked and cooed as she watched the flames on Hades’ head flicker and flush red.

“He was born an obnoxious idiot,” he finally replied bitterly, turning completely orange and shifting in his throne. Macaria’s eyes lit up as he flared.

“Ugh,” said Persephone disgustedly, and she leaned back against his throne with her arms folded.

What had happened was that Zeus had invited them to his own showing of Hercules…three months after his son had been born, but that was a different matter entirely. The point was…

Hades and Persephone had, um, “politely” refused, because they were busy with their own lives, Macaria, and also, they just didn’t care.

Zeus hadn’t liked that very much. He had changed things so that attendance to their showing-thing was mandatory ‘by order of Zeus.’

And now the couple, who had just been informed of this, on the day of the party, no less, were being forced to drag their three month old daughter with them to a stupid event which none of them particularly wanted to go to.

Stupid, stupid, rude, obnoxious Zeus.

Persephone had flipped out once Hermes had informed them (“Cute kid,” he had remarked happily to Macaria, and had blinked in pleased surprise when Macaria tried to yank off the feathers on his shoes; she had a weird obsession with feathers, it seemed), and Hades was close to flipping himself, even after the messenger god had left. The fact that Macaria was curled in his arms was the only thing holding him back.

“Well,” said Hades, his voice bitterly sarcastic, “We’d better get going, or we’ll be late.”

“Oh, no,” said Persephone just as sarcastically, and she stepped forwards and lifted Macaria from Hades’ arms. Macaria tried to bat at his hair as she was lifted. Hades smirked at her.

Persephone sighed as Macaria played with her necklace (all fixed, although it was probably only a matter of time before she broke it again) and then settled back into her arm.

“C’mon,” sighed Persephone in an echo, and Hades rose and disappeared with her.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a typical boring ‘Zeus event,’ made only slightly more interesting by the fact that for the first time out of all of his (involuntary) visits to Olympus, Hades had a fussy baby to worry about; ditto Persephone.

Macaria for the moment gave up her obsession with feathers and turned to toga and chiton pins. She was either clinging to Persephone’s or Hades’, and to everyone that passed her, she stared in fascination and tried to grab them.

After reaching for toga pins for a while, Macaria hesitantly realized they were all way out of her reach, and settled for chewing toothlessly at the pomegranate at Persephone’s shoulder.

All the other gods were busy fussing over Zeus and Hera’s brat, gushing and babbling fondly at him like a bunch of retarded people. Hades doubted the kid could understand them when they were cooing nonsense at him.

Hades would never be reduced to baby talk. Ick...just ick.

“See this?” he told Macaria flatly, gesturing to the crowd, and she looked over at him with violet eyes.

Persephone, standing against a pillar next to Hades, glanced up as he spoke to their daughter, and passed the infant goddess over to him so he could speak more directly.

“It’s disgusting, isn’t it?” he continued, “All these grossly colorful people, flitting around like idiotic butterflies, and stumbling over each other in order to worship the ‘almighty’ Zeus and his brat of a son. Y’know, me, you, and your mother, we’re probably more powerful then them, and, hey, if we’re not then we’re definitely smarter. But is it us, the Underworldian crowd, getting bowed down to, getting presents and baby talk shoved at you? No, not at all; we’re the freaking outcasts of Olympus.”

Macaria gazed up at him, glanced out at the crowd, and her face darkened, hating them like daddy did.

“Although if my plan goes accordingly, we won’t have that problem anymore,” Hades mused and grinned. Persephone winced, unseen by him.

“Speaking of which, I’ve got a meeting with the Fates after this stupid thing,” Hades turned to Persephone and rolled his eyes, “Hopefully we’ll be able to leave ASAP, otherwise I’ll be dealing with three annoyed hags when I get back down under.”

Persephone shrugged. “Wouldn’t they know, then, that you were going to be late?”

“Whatever,” Hades replied mildly, “Still, I’d like to be on time for this thing. It’s important, ya know, much more important then this thing.” He gestured out around him.

“Mm. True,” agreed Persephone.

Hades was about to say something else, but then Helios passed the three of and wrinkled his nose at the “demon child” – thank you, Demeter – in his arms, and Hades flared up instead, scowling darkly at the sun god. Helios quickly hurried away.

Macaria craned her small head up to look at Hades, glanced back over at Helios and promptly burst into flame herself. Despite his anger, Hades grinned down at her, and Persephone giggled softly.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the flaming tree, huh?” said Persephone wryly and Hades’ grin stretched as he extinguished himself. The heat on his arms vanished as well, and when he glanced down, Macaria was smiling innocently up at him with blonde hair, violet eyes, and pink skin once again.

“I concur,” said Hades, smirking.

“She’s—” Persephone started, but was cut off by a flash of green light. She turned, startled, to see Demeter next to her, her thick arms folded.

“What are you two doing?” she demanded, making no acknowledgements to Macaria, who shrank back from her grandmother. It was like she recognized her from the night of her birth. She was the mean lady who had talked too loud and made her cry.

“Standing here with my husband and my daughter,” replied Persephone icily, and Hades nodded with a scowl in agreement.

Demeter redirected her glare to Hades. “And you? You’re not doing anything.”

Hades stared at her in disbelief.

“Uh, hello?” he scowled a t her, “Are you not seeing the child in my arms?” He held up Macaria, who looked very confused to punctuate his point, and Demeter rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t aware you’d gone blind,” he snapped to her, and she waved her hand dismissively.

“Just give that child to Sephy,” she scoffed. Persephone’s look darkened at the use of her nickname, “This party is being thrown in honor of Hercules. Have you even seen the baby yet?” Hades rolled his eyes and shook his head no. Demeter glared.

“Then give the baby to Sephy and go see him.”

Persephone was scowling at Demeter from behind her, and Hades felt his temperature surge, but what choice did he have? He felt like zapping her right on the spot, but then she’d go whining to Zeus and he’d find himself on the wrong end of a lightning bolt.

Hades sighed grudgingly and handed Macaria to Persephone, then retreated while glowering at Demeter. She glowered right back, watching him like a hawk to ensure that he went to go see Hercules.

And he did go in the direction of Zeus and Hera’s godling, however, the second Demeter had turned her back, he made a beeline and went to go stand in the far corner.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He leaned, arms folded, against a pillar, face cast in the shadows, and he observed the crowds in irritated silence, glancing every few minutes at his wife and daughter across Olympus.

How could she have thought that she’d have no idea what she was doing as a parent? Persephone seemed to know exactly how to handle little Maci – he watched her, from a distance, play with the infant and smirked, feeling amusedly jealous. Children weren’t a species he prided himself on being well informed on. He was completely winging this. At least Macaria seemed to like him.

Bored, Hades turned his attention back towards the main event. Zeus’ brat had gotten his little hands on some of daddy’s lightning bolts and had hurled it out at the crowds. Athena batted it away and the thing crashed harmlessly into another pillar, which quickly reformed. He watched Persephone straighten up – she had ducked – and then rolled his eyes. Even Zeus’ son needed to be the center of attention. Oy vey.

“On behalf of my son,” Zeus’ voice boomed out over Olympus, “I’d like to thank you all for your wonderful gifts.”

Hades (and Persephone) rolled his (their) eyes.

“What about our gift, dear?” said Hera, and Zeus murmured something to himself and began to dramatically pull together bits and pieces of clouds into a complicated looking design.

Hercules looked more confused then impressed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Very nice,” snorted Persephone, rolling her eyes as she watched from across Olympus, “I’m sure his son will love playing with a cloud horse.” Macaria giggled and cooed something in the intricate language of babies. Persephone wans’t sure what she had said, but odds were the Princess was insulting her cousin as well – she took after her parents, and Persephone was delighted by it.

Of course, that was when Hercules poked the cloud thing, and out popped Zeus’ real gift, a winged horse. It’s name was Pegasus, Zeus told him fondly.

Hercules and Pegasus butted heads, the horse licked him, they snuggled, and all of Olympus aww’d. Excluding, of course, Hades, Persephone, and their daughter.

Macaria, her tiny fist tangled in Persephone’s long golden hair, froze and stared jealously at Hercules and his new toy. Persephone sighed in understanding sympathy. Hercules was being showered in gold and riches, all a godling could have ever wanted and so much more, while Macaria was trapped in the world below the Earth, with dark and dismal creatures who didn’t care enough to even send her a stuffed toy.

It was going to be hard growing up for her. Similarly to Hades, living forever in his big brother’s shadow, Macaria was going to be trapped underneath her cousin for all of eternity. He would be the one being worshipped, while she would be regarded in fear due to both her parentage and where she lived. Persephone sighed again, as Zeus cradled his son in his arms.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aw, touching moment.

“How sentimental,” Hades sneered, and every head on Olympus swiveled to look at him, including baby Hercules.

Persephone nearly slapped a hand to her forehead in exasperation. Hades, don’t do anything stupid.

“Ya know, I haven’t been this choked up,” Hades lamented fakely, face still hidden in the shadows, “since I got a hunk of mousaka caught in my throat.” He leaned forwards and waited for laughter that probably wouldn’t come.

It didn’t. He was met, however, with a series of stern looks, and as Maci blinked, and Persephone shook her head and let her eyes roll skywards, Hades glided through the crowd.

“So is this an audience of a mosaic?” muttered Hades, mostly to himself as he moved through gods and goddesses, complimenting them as they were passed. Aphrodite stuck her nose in the air and ‘hmph’‘d at him, Hades found himself suddenly wrapped in Zeus’ bone crushing embrace.

Let the festivities begin.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mother…” whined Persephone, “It’s not funny, why are you laughing?” Demeter, in hysterics with the rest of Olympus over Zeus’ stupid pun, ignored her.

Persephone sighed and hurridly rushed to follow Hades who had stormed out of Olympus in another bad mood.

Zeus had been cheerful and friendly so much that it was (purposely) obnoxious. Hades had feigned enjoyment, had reluctantly gone and presented the kid with some random skull rattle…

The kid had nearly wrenched Hades’ finger off, and that was probably when his temper had started to build-up. By the time Zeus had gotten Olympus laughing at him, Hades had had more then enough and had left the premises.

Persephone stood by the gates, Macaria in one arm, and her other hand wrapped around the bars of the gate as she lingered outside. She watched her husband flare and curse under his breath.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hades hadn’t known that the brat had super strength.

He hadn’t even considered that the brat might have had powers. Which was stupid; all gods had powers. But he had assumed that Jerkules wouldn’t, and that had been so, so stupid of him.

The brat wasn’t just a brat anymore. The brat could interfere with his “release the Titans” plan in 18 years. Gods grew like mortals did, growing older and becoming more mature each year, until, of course, they hit the peak of their powers and all physical change stopped – a process known usually as “hitting maturity.” Typically, gods didn’t develop their full power until their early or late 20s, or past that, and one could assume that Hercules would follow that trend. Still, eighteen years old…he’d be more then capable of stopping Zeus at that point. This ruined nearly everything.

“Hades?”

Hades stopped throwing a temper tantrum at the sound of Persephone’s voice. He turned to her, scowling.

Macaria, who either didn’t understand that Hades was unhappy, or just didn’t care, beamed at her father and squirmed in Persephone’s arms, trying to get to him. He folded his arms, ignoring her, and glared at Persephone, like this was somehow her fault. She bit her lower lip.

“It could have been worse?” she offered, trying to think of something to say. Macaria extended her small arms, trying to latch onto Hades.

“Can’t feel my finger,” mused Hades darkly.

“It could have been worse, though,” said Persephone, “He could have pulled your finger off.”

Hades groaned and ran the hand that wasn’t injured through the flames on his head.

“You don’t even understand how bad this is,” he snapped at her, “Zeus’ stupid kid is gonna shatter my plan to pieces. Little tiny pieces, then he’s gonna stomp on them and crush them into smaller pieces with his stupid super strength!” His hands curled into fists and he exploded.

Macaria exclaimed something in annoyed baby talk and nearly toppled out of Persephone’s arms in an attempt to latch onto Hades. Persephone rolled her eyes.

“Calm down,” she told him flatly, “And take her before she hurts herself.” Hades relented and let Macaria cling to him while Persephone walked past the two and over to the black chariot they had come in. The griffin in charge of pulling it had taken a seat on the cloud ground, its head folded neatly between its front claws.

Persephone kicked it and it yelped, leaping to its feet sheepishly.

“Stupid thing,” she muttered sheepishly, and climbed into the chariot, twisting around and casting an amused glance at Hades.

“You coming, or are you going to stand there making goo-goo eyes at your daughter all day?” she said with a smirk.

Hades turned and glared at her reproachfully. “I don’t make goo-goo eyes,” he snapped defensively, and she rolled her eyes and decided not to press it, even though he had been.

“Whatever,” she remarked mildly, “Now get in the damn chariot, or you’ll be late to that meeting you’ve been going on about.”

He promptly vanished and reappeared next to her, passing Maci to Persephone, and grabbing the reins.

The griffin sighed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although the trio had only been at the party for about half an hour, forty-five minutes maybe, it proved to be too long – Hades was in fact late to his meeting. As he, after hearing the news that they had already gotten there from Pain and Panic, rushed off to converse with the Fates, Persephone brought her daughter into the throne room and set her in her cradle.

Macaria gurgled and babbled baby words. Persephone laughed and pulled the cradle over to her throne so she could sit and play with her daughter. She leaned over the edge and smiled, her hair spilling onto Macaria. She grabbed it and yanked eagerly, making her mother wince in dry amusement and a little Pain.

“Life sucks for us,” she told Macaria, smiling sadly and pulling her hair away. She held out her hand so Maci could grab onto that instead. Macaria, oblivious to how unfair her life was, or was going to be, took it, and happily busied herself with trying to eat her mother’s fingers.

[~Elisa Maza~]

I don't think I've mentioned lately that I hate Zeus. I've been slacking...

I hate Zeus.

[Macaria]

Chapter XV - The Hercules Issue is Discussed and "Solved"

"You guys hated me that much?" Hercules inquired in a tiny voice, his hands clasped together in his lap. Persephone simply rolled her eyes and continued with the story.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It wasn't long until the doors of the throne room banged open and Hades stormed into the room. Persephone whirled around, startled, and then relaxed as she saw who was there. Baby Macaria probably would have been excited to see her father again, if she wasn't fast asleep in her cradle.

"So did the meeting go well?" Persephone asked, although judging from the look on his face, the answer was obvious.

"No," he answered curtly, flaring bright orange, "Shut up." He stormed over to his throne and practically threw himself in it, his arms folded as he smoldered with gritted teeth.

Persephone raised an eyebrow, then pushed Maci's cradle over to the side so she wouldn't be woken up. The infant placed in the quiet corner, Persephone returned to her husband's side and seated herself in her flower shaped throne next to him.

"'Shut up?'" she repeated dryly, "Ooh. Must've been bad."

"Not laughing," said Hades, his eyes narrowed.

She shrugged, storing her attempts at lightening the mood elsewhere for the moment. "So what's up?" she cocked her head.

Hades neglected to answer straight away, drumming his fingers against the armchair of his throne, a scowl pulling at his lips. "So apparently," he said finally, turning his head to look at her (it was more of a glare, really), "My plan's gonna work."

Persephone stared at him. Should I be happy or upset? she thought with reasonable confusion, and bit her lower lip, about to falsely congratulate him. Sure, she was happy he'd be achieving his life's goal, but she didn't really want to see the human race enslaved/dead and besides, she rather liked the Underworld –

"Except, if Zeus and Hera's brat of a son reaches adulthood, he'll be able to stop me." Hades grit his teeth together harder and flared a little more, his hands closed around the arms of his throne furiously, "Isn't that just so freaking wonderful?"

Persephone opened her mouth, and then closed it, eyes wide. Who'd have thought that one random godling would grow to interfere so much with them…well, him? She blinked, suddenly not liking the way he had said "if." If he grew to adulthood. If.

"That…sucks," said Persephone slowly, tapping her fingers absentmindedly and anxiously against the crystal petal of her throne. He wouldn't hurt that kid. He just wouldn't. He couldn't! Yes, she disliked Hercules, and hated his parents even more. But he was still just a baby, just a kid. Hating him was one thing. Harming him was quite another.

"It sucks," repeated Hades nastily, "Hah. Understatement of the year." He flared up a little more, and leaned back in his throne, fuming.

Persephone didn't say anything at first. She cast an instinctive glance over to the black cradle that was in the corner of the room. As far as she could tell, Macaria was still sleeping. If she was awake, then she was being quiet.

"…Hades…" she finally broke the silence, biting her lower lip nervously, "…what are you planning?"

She knew him well enough to pick apart that look on his face. It was angry, yes, features contorted and shaped into a scowl, but she recognized that look in his yellow eyes. Hades was furious, but he was also planning something in that head of his, and it worried her…

Hades didn't reply for a few seconds, not looking at her. Persephone watched as he forced himself to calm down in order to speak without growling.

"They said if he fights. If Hercules fights, I fail. It's that simple." A grin split across Hades' face. "It's the magic 'if,' Persephone." Calming down considerably, Hades drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne, leering like a jack o' lantern at Persephone. "All I gotta do it get rid of the brat, and boom. No more if."

Persephone stared at him, speechless. It's just what I was afraid of, she thought miserably and then leapt up, her fists clenched at her side, scowling at Hades.

"You will not touch that child," said the goddess through gritted teeth.

Hades blinked, very clearly stunned. Had he not expected her to object when he proposed that he simply get rid of Hercules? Had he expected her to go along with something that twisted and cruel? And when they had a daughter, too, a baby the same age as Hercules was.

"I'm sensing disapproval," said Hades and rose from his throne to meet her, raising an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

Persephone raised an eyebrow, then nearly snarled at him, "Yes, there's a problem. You can't just….destroy people that are in your way!"

He blinked again, opened his mouth, and then closed it, staring at her in confusion. There was a long pause between them, and then he spoke, uneasily, "Look, Seph, babe…it's not like I'll be killing him, like, cruelly….force-feed him the mortal potion, kill him, the end. Zeus and Hera won't even miss him—"

"Hades!"

"Well, they won't," Hades snapped, "I mean, come on, kid's like three months old. They haven't even had time to get used to him yet, so taking him away won't make that much of a difference—"

"Hades!" Persephone stared at him in disbelief, her lips slightly parted in shock. "Dear gods, you're out of your mind."

"Thanks," said Hades dryly, and sat back in his throne, like the matter was over.

It was not over, needless to say.

"Hades," Persephone spoke as patiently as she could, "I'm being serious here. You are not going to touch that child."

He fixed her with a glare, a rare look to be directed at her. "And you're going to stop me?" questioned Hades flatly, and before she could reply he continued, "I'm bein' serious, too. I am going to touch that child, and I assure you Zeus and Hera won't even notice he's gone. 'Kay?" Hades scowled stubbornly. "I'm not letting some stupid godling interfere with my master plan."

"He's not just some stupid godling. He's your nephew."

"So, what, now all of a sudden you're on their side?" Hades' tone was unpleasantly mocking, and Persephone grit her teeth and moved closer to him angrily.

"On their side? I'm on their side if I disapprove of the murder of an innocent kid?" she repeated scathingly, "Whatever, Hades." Persephone paused, then repeated, to make sure he knew, "You're not hurting that kid."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hades folded his arms stubbornly, and forced his boiling thoughts to simmer down.

Who was she to tell him what to do? Yes, she was his wife, and yes, he loved her, but, still. Hades would much rather love her up on Olympus, instead of down in this disgusting pit known as the Underworld. And that would never happen unless she backed off, let him take care of his demi-clod of a nephew, and then proceed with his release-the-Titans plan.

However, Hades knew Persephone very well, much like she knew him, and he knew for a fact that she wouldn't back down unless she got what she wanted.

Of course, he wasn't about to back down either. But the easiest way to get rid of her would just be to nod and smile and play along.

"Okay. Fine," said Hades, shrugging, pretending to relent. The god of the Underworld drummed his long, thin fingers on the arm of his throne. "Fine. Jerkules won't be touched. Matter's over. Seeya, have a nice day." He shooed her away with one hand and shot a serpentine smile at her.

Persephone stared at him, pretty violet eyes wide, and then suddenly narrowed. "Hades."

"Yes?" he said, blinking innocently.

"I'm not stupid," said Persephone.

His innocent, sweet look faltered, then dropped entirely. "I'm giving you what you wanted. Take it or leave it, 'cuz that's as far as I'm going."

Persephone eyed him warily. Oh, it was so obvious she knew full-well that he was flat out lying to her. "You won't hurt him?" she asked anyway, tilting her head.

"Nope. I'll just work around him." Hades shot another overly sweet smile at her. "No problem. Thanks for your concerns. Toodles."

Persephone stayed put. She looked over to the cradle in the corner of the throne room, saw that Macaria was still asleep, then focused back on her husband.

"She's the same age as Hercules is," said Persephone, turning back to Hades and lifting a hand to point at baby Maci. "Right down to the second."

"I know," Hades raised an eyebrow, giving her a look, "Your point being…?"

"My point being, if you do something to Hercules, it'll be like doing something to Macaria. They're the same age. They're cousins, even." She paused, folding her arms in a stubborn way over her chest. "You say that since Hercules is little, Zeus and Hera won't miss him, but what if someone took away Maci all of a sudden? You can't say that you wouldn't notice she's gone. You can't say that you wouldn't be upset."

He was silent, staring at the cradle that contained his infant daughter. "…That's different," he said finally, and tore his yellow eyes away from the cradle, focusing back on Persephone.

"They're the same age, Hades. If Zeus and Hera haven't gotten used to Hercules yet, then we obviously couldn't have gotten used to Macaria."

Damn, she's got a point, Hades thought bitterly and sighed loudly, a scowl pulling at his features.

"I said I wouldn't do anything to him," said Hades firmly, despite the now nagging voice in the back of his head that Seph had awoken. It was telling him that it was all wrong, that he shouldn't be doing it, that blah blah blah…

She was quiet again, pausing before speaking once more.

"I don't believe you," Persephone said.

"You don't trust me?" inquired Hades.

"Not at the moment, no," she said.

He rose from his throne again and went to her, raising an eyebrow while peering down at her. "That kinda sucks, what's a relationship without trust, ya know?" said Hades, smirking slightly.

Persephone regarded him with a small scowl. "You're funny," she said dryly, "But, really, Hades. If you want to convince me that you're actually not going to hurt Hercules, you'll have to try a bit harder then that. Sorry." She shrugged brightly and backed away from him to sit back in her own throne, one leg crossed over the other.

Hades scowled and sat back down himself. They were both quiet, until he suddenly sighed loudly, sounding annoyed. "Seriously, Persephone…why can't I get rid of that stupid kid?!"

"Because you can't," said Persephone flatly.

"You can't stop me," he said just as flatly.

"We'll see about that," Persephone said coolly.

He grit his teeth together and hid another scowl as best as he could. Damn her, damn this, damn Hercules…ugh.

"I won't hurt him, I already told you," said Hades, switching back to his initial tactic. She didn't even look at him, just kept that cool 'I don't believe you in the slightest' expression on her pink face, her arms still folded.

"Oh, really?" said Persephone, still not turning.

"Yes, really," said Hades patiently.

She didn't answer right away, and then finally turned, raising an eyebrow. "Promise?" said Persephone.

"Promise," Hades said, crossing his fingers on the other side of the throne so that she couldn't see.

Again, she was quiet. Then, suddenly, Persephone smirked, staring at Hades with triumph in her eyes.

"Swear on the Styx, Hades, if you're really not going to hurt Hercules," said Persephone and shot Hades a sweet, simpering smile. The violet orbs that were her eyes contained an evil glint that made Hades want to throw a temper tantrum in frustration.

Dammit, she got me, the god thought bitterly, and scowled at her, his mind racing under his flames. He was searching for a loophole, there had to be a loophole…

"Go on, swear it." Persephone was smiling brightly, knowing she had him trapped. "You said you were telling the truth, so it should be no problem, right?"

He hesitated for a moment longer, then started, somewhat satisfied, "I swear on the Styx that I won't lay a single finger on—"

"Oh, no," Persephone interrupted, her smile faltering and then returning, "I'm not stupid, Hades, I know your…loophole-ing ways."

He scowled. "Then what would you like me to say?" Hades practically snarled at her, his arms folded stubbornly.

Persephone thought for a second. "Repeat after me," she instructed, "'I, Hades, swear on the River Styx, that I will not in any way, shape, or form harm Zeus and Hera's infant son Hercules.'" She smiled again, satisfied.

Still scowling, Hades repeated the words. What choice did he have? Now I can blame you for being stuck in the Underworld, he thought bitterly, shooting her yet another scowl.

Her smile only stretched, and the Queen of the Underworld smugly rose from her throne and crossed to Macaria's cradle. Persephone lifted the infant into her arms, and Maci stirred in her sleep, her small fist closing around a lock of her mother's light blonde hair. Turning to face Hades again, Persephone smirked now, and shrugged one shoulder. "I'm satisfied now," she confided to Hades, sounding positively evil, in his opinion, "Good luck thinking of a non-causality-inducing-plan!" She waved with her free hand and vanished with Maci, leaving a very furious Hades scowling and gritting his teeth on his throne.

How could she….turn on him like this? She knew it had been his life's goal to conquer Olympus since….ever, really. So how could she be so cruel as to force him to swear against any harm directed at the one creature that stood in his way. Olympus had been so close. It would have been right in his reach in 18 years, but Hercules had been blocking that path. And it would have been so easy to knock him out of that path, but Persephone had to switch sides. Now he was bound by Styx—

Yellow eyes widened maliciously all of a sudden as Hades uncovered a loophole that neither he or Persephone had spotted.

She had made him swear not to harm Hercules. Yup, him. Alone in their throne room, Hades smirked to himself and forgave Persephone in his mind.

The oath had said nothing about having Pain and Panic do the deed.

[~Elisa Maza~]

Seph is gonna be furious when she finds out Hades found that loophole... Though since she made him say "in any way, shape or form" wouldn't him telling the Imps to do that technically fall under that? *shrug*

And is that whey Rhea wanted Maci and Herc to be born at the same time so Seph could point that fact out, or is there more it to it than that?

WRITE FASTER!!!

(And I know you have drama, homework, etc.... just ignore me when I start with the flailing)

[Will Stronghold]

*tranq's Elisa*

[~Elisa Maza~]

Loki!!! *hit with dart, crawls into lap*

Miss you..... *snore*

[Hades]

Chapter XVI- Persephone Freaks Out and A Solution to the Pomegranate Agreement-with-Maci Problem is Discovered

"HADES!!"

Oddly reminiscent of when Hades had stormed angrily into the throne room a few days ago, the throne room doors banged open and Persephone entered the room, her fists clenched at her sides. She looked absolutely murderous and Hades raised an eyebrow at her. Macaria, in his arms, blinked, just as confused.

"Is there something wrong?" Hades asked sweetly and his eyes opened wide in surprise as she screamed at him.

"How could you do this?! Are you out of your mind?! Didn't I tell you not to touch him? YOU SWORE ON THE STYX!" she screamed and he blinked, cocking his head as innocently as he could.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I didn't touch the kid," Hades tried to explain, somehow knowing that it was a bit of a lost cause, "You made me swear that I wouldn't touch him, and hey, I didn't."

"No?" Persephone's voice had lowered from a scream, but was still dripping with anger and sarcasm, "Then explain to me why Zeus and Hera's son has gone conveniently missing a few days after you 'swore' not to hurt him."

She was appalled, stunned beyond reason and furious as well. He had sworn not to hurt him right in front of her! An oath sworn on the Styx was unbreakable and he had gone right around that and...

And what? What had he done? Persephone wasn't even sure. Demeter had told her yesterday, sounding distressed and worried, that baby Hercules had been kidnapped and that Zeus and Hera were in a fit of panic. A part of her had wanted to scowl and rat her husband out right then and there, but a bigger part of her had told her to keep her mouth shut for his and Maci's sake. Persephone had feigned shock, worry, and had thrown a few wild suggestions as to the baby's whereabouts Demeter's way. But she had left to her and Hades' quarters with a sickening feeling in her stomach. Only she and her husband knew where the infant had disappeared to, and chances were he was lying dead in a field somewhere.

She had just acted on impulse after recovering from the fit of worry and shock that had overcame her, but although most of her emotions were squished by rage, the worry and shock still remained. Persephone tried to imagine what it would be like to have little Macaria suddenly vanish from their lives, that smiling, pink baby in Hades' arms suddenly gone and probably dead - she couldn't do it. But she could understand the fear and terror the Olympian parents must've been going through, and for one of the first times in her life, Persephone sympathized with them.

But pushing the whole Hercules matter aside, Persephone realized how much it hurt that he had gone around her like that. It was nearly physically painful - they had been married for so long, more then 100 years and still counting, now with a child of their own, and never once before this had he ignored her so blatantly, and swerved right around her unease and desperate wishes. It was like she didn't matter all of a sudden. It was like Olympus was suddenly the most important thing in his life, pushing her aside, even pushing baby Maci aside...and it hurt that he had broken her trust so carelessly. She had trusted him after he had sworn, and had gone to bed without a worry on her mind, sure that he would stick to his promise and leave the Prince of Olympus alone. How could she have misjudged him so badly? It hurt....yes, it did. But her personal feelings had to be pushed to the side – Hercules was more important at the moment.

Right?

Evidently not. "How could you do this to me?" she snapped at him, looking distressed.

At these words, Hades looked significantly uncomfortable.

You damn well should be, she thought viciously, You're breaking our marriage into little, tiny pieces.

"Look," he said this matter-of-factly, "I didn't do anything to you."

"You lied to me, how 'bout?" she offered dryly. Macaria stirred in Hades' arms and whined a little, then yawned adorably. She was tired, obviously (sitting around in her parent's arms and being cute took a lot of effort, of course) and Persephone wished she would sleep… if only she and Hades weren't yelling so much…

"I did not lie to you," Hades said indignantly. Macaria blinked big, violet eyes at her mother, craned her head to look at her father, then exclaimed something in baby talk.

There was a pause, then Hades added, glowering, "I just twisted the truth a little."

"That's a lot better," snapped Persephone, sarcasm dripping off her words.

"What, did you really expect me to give up my life's ambition that easily?" Hades snarled, standing up and suddenly flaring. Thank the gods Maci was fireproof… oblivious to the sudden heat and the sudden tension, she gurgled something else in baby language and pouted. "Really, Persephone, don't you know me better then that?!"

She glared at him, fists clenched at her sides, unfazed by the flames. "Forgive me," she spat, "for foolishly thinking that my dear husband would make a promise to his wife—" She paused and drew a breath, then screamed, "—AND KEEP IT!"

"My life's ambition!" Hades shouted back without hesitation, "I'll keep a promise about anything but my freaking life's ambition!!"

Macaria, startled by the two sudden loud noises, started to cry loudly.

Instantly, the two gods quieted, leaving little Maci's wails as the loudest sound in the room. Hades stared dully at his daughter, extinguishing. Persephone extended a hand cautiously, motherly instincts kicking in.

Wordlessly, he rose and passed Macaria to Persephone. A few moments passed and then the screaming gave way to whimpering, which in turn gave way to silence and she fell asleep…

Persephone's gaze slowly rose back to Hades. They glared at each other for a moment, and then she sighed.

"Never mind us," Persephone finally sighed, "What about Hercules? About Zeus and Hera?"

Hades was satisfied with the subject change and returned to his throne, watching Persephone rock Maci back and forth in her arms before calmly replying, "What about them?"

This only frustrated her further, however. "What about them?!" she hissed, taking care to keep her voice low for Macaria's sake, "You… you murdered their son, and you're asking—"

"Hey, hey, hey, I didn't do a thing," he injected, grinning like a Jack o'lantern, "Pain and Panic did the dirty work—"

"Whatever," she snapped, "The point is, Hercules is dead, okay? And you can't even figure out what the big deal is?!"

He narrowed his eyes. "I know what the big deal is. I just don't care," he said easily and rolled his yellow orbs.

Persephone sighed again. "Poor Zeus and Hera… gods, that poor kid…" She shook her head sadly. "Hades, what's wrong with you?"

He rolled his eyes again, luckily unseen by her – she was staring at Macaria, trying to imagine what it would be like if she was taken away from them, killed just for the sake of some stupid, dangerous plan. "Look, he's dead now, 'kay?" Hades scowled at her, then flashed her a reptilian smile, "Doesn't really matter one way or the other, it's done now…"

"But…" Persephone's voice trailed off and she looked upset.

"Over and done with," Hades said firmly and stood up again, crossing over to her and talking as he went, "Nothing more we can do."

Persephone sighed.

"Poor wittle Zeusie and Hera'll get over it," the god of the Underworld continued calmly, "But, hey, the deed's been done, Jerkules is dead, outta the picture, mission accomplished, goal achieved, the end of the game. Can't change it. So let's just, ya know, go with it." He raised an eyebrow, smirked, and held out a hand to her in truce. "Forget about the godling formerly known as alive; he's dead. Gone. No doubt about it. Period, end of story. Push 'im outta your mind, mkay? Let's not go insane over this stupid little thing."

Persephone hesitated and then took his hand. The light, glowing pink was swallowed by the larger grey, and after a moment, Persephone's eyes fluttered back to Hades. Macaria was in her other arm, comfortable in the crook of her elbow, sleeping peacefully now that the volume had lowered.

"Fine," said Persephone reluctantly, but she still felt upset and guilty… Wasn't she technically an accomplice in this? "Doesn't make it any less wrong, though," she pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," said Hades and rolled his eyes. "C'mon, don't linger on it, Seph… you're married to a villain, after all." He paused and smirked. "Get used to it."

She sighed again and paced away from him, still distressed. Cradling Macaria a little tighter, she told Hades, not turning around, "They…they don't know that you did it, you know…"

"You didn't tell 'em?" he said from behind her back.

"I didn't know for sure that it'd been you," said Persephone quietly, "I didn't want to make assumptions, and get you in trouble for something that you didn't do, so… I just kept my mouth shut, smiled, nodded, sympathized, whatever…"

"Psht, you really couldn't figure out that it was me?"

She rolled her eyes. "I thought it was you right off the bat, I just didn't know for sure… I mean, there was a tiny chance that you actually were innocent, I didn't want…" She pursed her lips. "Just…wanted to make sure it was you before I said anything—" Persephone stopped, realizing that her words hadn't sounded the way she'd wanted them to. Hades had realized it too, surely — he had tensed and was slowly starting to scowl.

"I won't tell," she said quickly and honestly. "Don't think I will, Hades…I'd never betray you like that." It was wrong, what he had done. It was sick, and twisted. But Persephone wouldn't say a word to Zeus and Hera and Demeter and anyone/everyone else who wanted to know. Hades was still her husband, and she still loved him. She could never do something that'd get him hurt or jailed or in trouble or taken away from her. Especially not with Maci in the picture.

"Zeus and Hera'll flip their lids if they find out about this," Hades told her flatly. Like she needed him to remind her… "Keep your mouth shut," he said.

"I will, I will," assured Persephone and vanished to the corner to place Macaria in her cradle.

"I wouldn't do that to you," she continued from over there, "Really, I wouldn't."

He had been eyeing her warily, but she was to be trusted, he knew that. "Good," Hades said, and sat back in his throne, satisfied.

Neither of them saw Pain and Panic, shadows in the darkness, grinning to each other in silent victory. Only they (and Hercules, of course, and soon Zeus and the others — although the imps didn't know this) knew that, no, Hercules wasn't dead… He was merely mortal, resting on Earth with his new foster parents.

…As long as Hades was happy, they were. He didn't need to know the truth right now.

…or hopefully ever.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few days later, Persephone flopped face down on her and Hades' bed, alone in the dark room, feeling a little happy over being able to flop without a pregnant belly in the way.

Hades had Macaria at the moment (they really were the picture of adorable-ness, and besides, Seph trusted him with her) and she was blissfully alone. Yeah, she loved Macaria (and Hades), and she loved having a daughter and being a mother, but for the love of Zeus, it was exhausting. She was thankful for the moments of peace, despite how cheery and adorable her baby, pyrokinetic daughter was…

So Persephone was unpleasantly surprised when there was a sudden flash of green and Demeter appeared in the room, her arms folded in front of her chest.

Persephone, startled, sat up hurriedly and glared at her mother. What was she doing here in the Underworld? She still had a month left to go before spring…

"Can I help you?" said Persephone. Her tone was icy.

"Sorry for bursting in like this all uninvited," said Demeter, but she didn't sound sorry in the slightest, "However, we've got matters to discuss. I see you're not busy, so you obviously won't mind if I borrow a moment of your time."

"Borrowing means I'll be getting it back," Persephone said, rolling her eyes. Demeter ignored her, and started to look around at her surroundings. After a moments pause, she spoke in tones of disgust,

"Gods, this is your bedroom down here?" she wrinkled up her green nose, "How disturbingly dismal. Have you ever considered hiring one of Olympus' decorators to fix this place up a little? Maybe a little less… black?"

"I'm really not looking for your approval in terms of mine and my husband's décor," Persephone said, scowling, "You came here for a reason, mother dearest. Kindly proceed with that reason and quit criticizing."

Demeter rolled her eyes. "What's your hurry?" she snapped back to her daughter, then continued, "I came to talk to you about the Pomegranate Agreement." Cue dramatic pause. "Spring is next month, you know."

Persephone's annoyed expression faltered and she winced, sitting back down on the bed. "I know," sighed Persephone quietly. She had been thinking about it a lot…

"You'll be returning to Olympus as usual," continued Demeter, and raised an eyebrow, "…right?"

Suddenly, Persephone understood why she had come. Demeter had realized, either on her own or thanks to someone else pointing it out, that now that a baby was involved, Persephone would be even more hesitant to leave then she usually was. And this time, she had a valid reason for it. Seperating Macaria from her father at such an early age would cause nothing but problems when Maci got older. If the baby stayed with Hades for the six months, well, that would solve the father problem, but then Maci'd be estranged from her mother… and besides, the gods and goddesses of Olympus would most likely not want Hades alone with a child, for their own stupid prejudiced reasons.

Demeter must've known that she would have been thinking of this, and that she'd refuse to go, and the goddess of plants had come to convince her to leave the Underworld on schedule…

Truth be told, Persephone had thought of all of this already, and had been all set to break the Pomegranate Agreement when springtime rolled around. Demeter, though, had been unexpected.

She'd say no to Demeter's question; she had to, for Macaria's sake. She was just a baby, a few months old. Take her away from daddy (or mommy, whatever) for six whole months… that was a long time for a baby, even an immortal one. Take her away for that long and she would forget the parent she was away from, grow up not associating them as 'mom' or 'dad.' Persephone wanted her daughter to know who her parents were…

She wasn't asking for the Pomegranate Agreement to be completely and permanently repealed, because she knew that Demeter would never agree to it, and also, she had no desire to kill the Earth's mortals by starving said Earth. But Persephone did need Macaria with both her and Hades; she'd ask for just a slight lift of the contract. Just for a little while, until Maci was a little older. Five years tops, with visits for Persephone every week so the Earth didn't die completely.

"No," said Persephone to Demeter calmly, snapping out of her thoughts. As predicted, her mother's eyes widened in horror.

"But—but you have to!" Demeter gasped dramatically, her hand flying up to her mouth, "It's—it's a written contract, you can't just—just break it!"

"I have my reasons," said Persephone in that same calm tone, "I want Maci to be raised somewhat normally."

"You can do that on Earth!" said Demeter desperately.

"But Macaria can't be with her father on Earth," replied the Queen of the Underworld, "I want her to be with both her parents, not just him." She paused. "I'm only doing this for my daughter's well-being. You know I stick to the Agreement, however grudgingly."

Demeter frowned. "It'll only be for six months every year. She'll never even realize she's ever gone—"

"Six months is forever to a baby!" Persephone interjected, "So much can happen in six months. Maybe she'll entirely forget Hades. Maybe she won't, but going away for so long each year at such a young age'll sever her relationship with him. I want him to be in her life."

"He can be in her life for six months a year," snapped Demeter.

"He can't, and he won't have to. I'm staying, dammit."

Demeter stared at her daughter, poised on the bed with her glowing, pink arms crossed over her chest, her nose stuck firmly in the air. There was no budging her. No amount of persuasion could change her mind, Demeter could tell… and it wasn't like she could just up and drag her up to Earth when the time came. Her baby Sephy was a mother now; she could hardly treat her as a child, even though she'd try and try and try again no matter what…

Demeter sighed, her face falling. Instead of protesting, she merely sighed again, louder.

"Fine," said Demeter coldly, and Persephone couldn't believe it, "Explain your plan, then."

"…five years with Maci and Hades, in the Underworld," Persephone voiced after a moment's pause, "She'll be old enough to know where she's from and who her parents are once the five years are up, and then the cycle'll start over again.

Demeter stared at her for a moment. "But, Persephone…the mortals…you know I swore on the Styx that nothing on Earth will grow if you're in the Underworld." Her voice turned haughty. "Five years will kill off the entire species."

Persephone simply nodded instead of snapping at her, "I'm not that heartless," she told her mother, "You won't have to break the oath, okay? I'll just visit once a week—"

"Once a week isn't enough."

Persephone sighed. "Fine, then once a day, for a few hours, I guess… I'll be away from home more then I would like to be, but it's better then confusing Macaria or killing everyone off."

Demeter was quiet for a moment. "…sounds reasonable, I suppose," she finally sighed dejectedly, scowling.

Thank the gods! Persephone thought, overjoyed, her face lighting up, Even a lunatic like her can see the sense in my reasoning.

"But I want daily updates," Demeter cut into her thoughts sharply, and Persephone deflated, scowling, "No, hourly. Every day during spring and summer when this kicks in." Persephone stared in horror. "I'd feel safer knowing where you were when I'm supposed to have you with me and I don't," she continued, "It's either that or we go about business as usual. Take it or leave it."

Feeling very sulky, Persephone pouted. "Fine…"

Demeter smiled, looking in much better spirits. "Excellent. And also…" She thought for a moment, "I want access to the Underworld whenever I need to see you during spring and summer. Tell Hades that I'm welcome here for six months, for five years." Persephone scowled.

"Fine," she said flatly. At least she was finally getting what she wanted…

Demeter grinned. "Oh, it'll be like you're with me 24/7 now!" squealed Demeter happily, "I'll get to see you all the time! I'll go inform Zeus of the temporary arrangement, and everything will be fine." She started to glow green. "Remember, Sephy, every hour when spring starts!" Demeter pointed a sharp, warning finger at her daughter and vanished, satisfied, in a burst of emerald.

Persephone lingered on the bed for a moment. She had gotten what she had wanted; Demeter had finally let her have her way. Macaria would grow up with both her parents (of course, once she turned five, she'd have, um, fieldtrips to go on with her mother, but that was besides the point…) and be happy. She had gotten her way!

…okay, the hourly part kind of sucked, but it was better with nothing. After all, every good deal had a catch.

[~Elisa Maza~]

Yup, I knew it, Seph is pissed.

Not that Hades really cares. Jerk.

*hates Demeter*