My Soul,...My Choice
Chapter Three: 'Spirits of Heroes' Unite!

More than a year earlier…

The Sovereign skidded down the long entrance into the small, rocky cave, cursing and spitting his uncontrollable rage at being caught and sent back by those two arrogant gods of the other dimension, Zeus and Ares. He'd almost won…couldn't figure out how the gods had broken out of the Vaults of Heaven. Didn't care…just wanted to make them PAY!

By the back wall, the Jester turned to peer over the large boulders, startled and pale as he began to tremble. Stepping silently through the wall back into the empty courtyard, he thought a time might come when the perils of being close to the Sovereign would be worse than the terrors of the world outside.

But, today wasn't that day.

Unfortunately, he hadn't been silent enough. The slight scrape of stone, the flash of the brown jester's cap was all the Sovereign needed to be back up on his feet, storming to the back of the rock-filled cavern. But, there was nothing there. Frowning, he prowled closer, keeping a wary watch on the boulders around him, wondering if his loyal little buddy was hiding, waiting to come after him again with a knife, like the last time. No…that had been the other runt. But, had this one planned the same thing? Snorting with contempt, the Sovereign decided it wasn't likely…his was an amusing little coward, who started at the sight of his own shadow. No…it was the other Iolaus who had the grit.

Stealthily moving closer to the back wall, the evil demigod shook his head. He'd been sure he'd seen…wait, what in the name of…the wall shivered and shimmered a little, making him shake his head to clear his eyes. But…the problem wasn't with his vision. Moving closer, he could make out a courtyard and, yes! There was the little sneak, cringing down the alley.

With a roar, the Sovereign plunged through the portal, lunging into the world beyond, his eyes flashing with triumph, his face flushed with the desire to crush something!

The Jester heard the roar of triumph as he started to ease around the corner and looked back. His eyes widened with horror, and he started to shiver, like a rabbit caught in a trap. Swallowing as he looked into those venomous eyes, his face a pale mask of undiluted terror, he turned and bolted, running as fast as his legs would carry him.

The Sovereign made quick work of the Empress' bid for power, storming his castle, tossing away any who dared to impede his progress…though most scrambled out of his way to save their skins, leaving him a fairly clear path to his goal. Stomping into the throne room, he threw that sycophant, Falafel out of window and stalked over to loom over the Empress Nebula, his eyes smoldering with the desire to dominate.

Made of sterner stuff than the rest of the mortals in that domain, Nebula held her ground, tilting her head a little to look up at him through her sinfully long lashes. One brow quirked and a slow seductive smile beginning to bloom on her lips as she traced a sharp nail down his magnificently muscled chest, she purred, "Oh good…you're back."

Amused by her reaction, the demigod smirked as he drawled with his deep, provocative voice, "I didn't think you'd be so glad to see me."

Laughing low in her throat, she tossed her hair and moved away, then looked coyly back over her shoulder as she responded, "No? Well, I am. Without you around, there are no real men in this world. It was…dull …and boring."

His eyes sparked, and he laughed, delighted with her wicked treachery. Finally, a woman who truly was his match. "Let's see if we can't liven things up a little," he drawled as he moved toward her, slowly, his eyes feasting on her until she was within arm's length and he reached to pull her tight against him. "I think a merger might be in order…" he murmured as he lowered his lips to hers.

But, that was almost two years ago….

Driven by power, united in their cruelty, the two had merged in more ways than one, bringing their armies together to dominate the whole of their world. It was a reign of terror, leavened by horror and basted with blood. But…it hadn't been enough to satisfy them. They owned the world, but they wanted more…they wanted Olympus. The Sovereign wanted even more than that. Once he'd harnessed the powers of all the gods, he'd open that channel to that other world and finish off his despised double and that treacherous worm he called a partner…and then he'd own that world, too.

In his spare time, the Sovereign tracked down his favourite little amusement and had him hauled back to the palace in chains, beaten and bloody. From that moment on, he kept his Jester by his side and made the man's life a Tartarus on earth. Forced to perform, or face another almost lethal battering, or a whipping that drove him into darkness, the Jester used his fear to drive him to greater and greater antics of mania, his face frozen into a smile, his eyes bright with terror, he juggled, sang, danced and acted his little heart out. Not that it was ever enough…nothing was ever enough to please his master or his queen. Unable to bear his existence, the little man prayed for death but, reluctant to take his life, knowing it would be the death of another, he cursed his own cowardly inability to kill himself. He was trapped…and so he danced when it was demanded of him, tears glittering in his eyes.

And so it was, as the Sovereign and the Empress plotted, he was there to hear their plans, deemed too insignificant to matter, if they noticed him at all. He was sickened by it all, and seriously considered reaching for one last spark of courage, enough to kill the Sovereign, or at least try. But…he couldn't. He remembered that hero, so fine and noble…so good to him, so kind. The mirror image of this one, decent and compassionate, who had tried to tell him that he wasn't a fool, a wretched coward…worthless to anyone. He couldn't do it…couldn't take an action that would destroy the best man he'd ever known.

And, in the secret depths of his soul, he mourned for one who had been his friend, when they'd been children so long ago. One he'd loved with all his heart, before the monstrous hate had captured his friend's soul. One he wept to know he still loved…and despised himself for his weakness, his foolish, pitiful hope for so many years, though now quenched, that his friend would recover and be the man he might have been.

Wringing his hands with helpless misery, he heard them concoct their devious plot. Wily, far from stupid, they knew they couldn't achieve it all alone. And so they'd tricked Cupid, God of War, into an alliance, fawning on him, pretending a worship they didn't feel. With his help, they'd first raided Poseidon's cavern inside the volcano, to steal the invincible tools they'd need, and then their campaign began in earnest.

Because it pleased them, they began with Ares, God of Love. The poor, gentle creature, so sentimental and blind to pure evil, had appeared at their summons, delighted to think he might finally have some influence upon them…might soften hearts harder than granite. Iolaus turned away, unable to watch when Cupid appeared, vain and contemptuous, to brutalize the father he despised, and to clap him into chains.

Using Ares, they lured the others in, Aphrodite first, then Artemis, and on and on, Athena the last to be tricked. But, in time, they had them all, secreted away in the hidden centre of the maze below the palace, crouched together, bound, trembling a little to wonder what was going to be done with them. Laughing, the Sovereign had pulled Ares out, away from the group, parading him around as a trophy…mocking the others for having cared enough for him to have become victims themselves…for having been too stupid, too witless to recognize the danger, too complacent in their own power.

The Empress had smirked with triumph, and Cupid had turned to regard the faces of the gods he'd helped vanquish, reveling in his power over them. It had been a mistake. As soon as his back was turned, the Sovereign whirled, kicking out hard, driving Cupid sprawling onto the others, and the Empress, having been waiting for just this moment, clapped her hands three times, sharply. It was the signal. The shimmering carpet they'd stood upon sprang up and around them, tightening into a closed circle, shrinking until their screams could no longer be heard except as an echo, far away.

"Ta duh!" she cried, flinging her hands into the air, as if she'd just performed the most amazing magic trick.

"Beautiful," crooned the demigod, moving forward to lift the golden, shimmering ball, tossing it lightly in his hands as his eyes blazed with unholy triumph. Turning, he strode to the centre of the hall, to a stone pedestal, then placed the ball in the air above it, where it hovered motionless. Bowing sardonically to the gods who had fallen to his will, he smiled in grim satisfaction, then straightened to lift his hand and waggle his fingers as he said, "Bye, bye!"

Then, linking the Empress' arm with his own, he hauled Ares out of the cavern with his other hand. Confident his jester would follow he led the way back through the maze, pausing only to unleash the monstrous serpent, back to the palace and the world he owned.

In their arrogance, they hadn't realized all that they had done.

The imprisonment of the gods, and their final enslavement had unsettled the delicate balance of the universe that now trembled…opening spasmodic portals to another world.

The evil overlords retired to 'celebrate' their unqualified victory. Ares, chained as he feared he might always be, turned away, sickened by the violent, ugly travesty they called love. She had never known love, not once, poor twisted soul, in all of her worthless life. And him, well, the god sighed as he gazed toward the corner where the Jester lay, curled tight with his face against the wall and his arms over his ears…the demigod had less excuse. For he had once known the purity of unconditional love, and damn his soul, he still did. But, the vain, inconsistent, over-indulgence of an all-powerful but unwise, fickle and sometimes bizarre and horrendously evil father, and the vicious soul-twisting cruelties of an insane mother had driven him into madness. And now…well, now all the demigod ever really seemed to want to do was punish that love. For its foolishness…or its courage? Sadly, a tear slipping down his cheek, the God of Love didn't know.

Ares sighed a long, tremulous sigh and knew his own heart was breaking. He'd tried for so many eons to bring love into this blighted world, but the blight was winning. There were too few innocent souls left, like the one suffering over in that corner. For just a moment, Ares felt rage rip through his soul, rage at the indecency of it. Rage at the useless, hopeless, mindlessness of it all. Rage that he was helpless to change any of it.

A lover, not a fighter, he didn't know the power of his rage…or that it ripped through the universe and tore another rent into the fabric of space and time.

As soon as the eerie clouds had begun to gather, growing darker and laced with silent lightning, the heroes were on their feet and running toward that far section of the fields. They got there just as the opening began to form, seething and indistinct at first, but growing larger, more defined. The winds began to howl, the air drawn toward the whirling vortex.

"Remember, Jason…STAY HERE!" Hercules shouted over the roar of the whirlwind, and then he and Iolaus were running full out, diving headlong into the sucking morass, pulled from sight just before it once again collapsed in on itself.

"And I'm just supposed to stand here and pray if you don't come back," Jason muttered in disgust, kicking at a rock in frustration. Looking up into the clearing sky, his lips thin with determination, his eyes glinting with a fiery purpose, his heart quaking with fear for his friends, he shook his raised fist, then cried out in fury, "Then, DAMMIT, that's what I'll do! Pray to you simpering gods cowering on Olympus, letting these two brave souls do your work for you! It's your job to hold the universe together, or didn't anyone ever tell you? So get your butts in gear and do something about this mess…before it's too damned late!"

Buffeted by the violent winds inside the vortex, Hercules reached out unconsciously to grab hold of Iolaus, to hold him steady and close…and stumbled when his fist closed around a strong arm. Startled, forgetting everything else for a moment in shocked wonder, he turned to his friend, looking down at his hand and then back into Iolaus' eyes.

Iolaus shook his head, and shrugged. He didn't understand it either. Was just as shocked to feel Herc's grip on his arm. For a moment, they stared at one another, oblivious to the howling, wrenching force of the wind…and then Hercules pulled his best friend into a tight hug. Grateful for this moment, they both it knew it couldn't last…but Iolaus ached with the relief of once again feeling the touch of another living being however briefly. Hercules closed his eyes, wishing this could be real.

The unfeeling wind dragged them onward, tossing them unceremoniously down into the long, shallow shaft of a stony cavern. As soon as they were pitched across the threshold, Hercules lost his grip as they rolled and tumbled over one another until they piled up against the carcass of a cow. Wrinkling his nose, Iolaus slithered away. "Yyyeewww," he protested. "Guess this proves what happened to the 'stolen' livestock!"

"Uh huh," Hercules grunted as he rolled to his feet and moved to follow his buddy around the dead beast, farther into the cavern. When Iolaus paused, looking around, getting his bearings, the demigod reached out to grip his shoulder…and once again made contact. Turning his head, Iolaus looked up at the demigod with a bright grin as he observed, "Guess the normal rules don't apply here…wherever here is."

"Guess not," Hercules agreed, thinking he'd finally found something good about this empty space between their worlds. "It's the prison out of time and place," he answered Iolaus' implied question as he looked around. "And it looks like someone has found a way out."

"No Sovereign…yeah, I noticed that, too," Iolaus muttered. "I wonder if the prison has been created that can hold him."

Shaking his head, Hercules moved forward to explore the relatively confined space. "I don't know…but there'd better be one. This guy just never ceases to cause trouble."

"Trouble?" Iolaus blurted out, caught between a nervous giggle and an appalled memory. "You haven't seen 'trouble' yet. His world is a nightmare."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" the demigod muttered as they prowled along the walls, looking for some hint of the escape route out of there. Circling around, they came to the spot at virtually the same time.

"Well, would you look at that?" Iolaus said quietly, peering out into the dim image of a courtyard.

"Looks like we found the gateway…let's see if they've laid out a welcome mat for us," Hercules replied, slapping Iolaus on the shoulder as he moved forward, ducking a little as he stepped through.

The small courtyard was dark, the night having fallen long before…and quiet. Blessedly, there'd been no witnesses to their silent, stealthy entry. Once he'd followed his friend through the portal, Iolaus reached out to touch Herc's arm, to get his attention. But, his hand just passed right through the demigod, and a flash of sorrow lit his eyes before he quickly doused it. Looked like he was just a ghost here, too…well, he was used to it…and then he felt a wave of sadness. For the first time since he'd confronted the Sovereign below the Vaults of Heaven, he thought about his double, and realized that when he'd leapt in front of that blade that his counterpart must have died, too. Sagging for a moment under yet another burden of guilt, he hoped the poor guy might at least have felt death was a release, not something to regret.

"This way, Herc," he called out quietly as he straightened with a sigh to lead the way around the fountain to the alley and the narrow street beyond. "We might as well start looking for him in the palace."

Hercules had felt the brief chill that passed through his arm and had understood all too well what it had meant. The rules were working again. 'Damn it,' he thought, as he followed his partner through the night.

Hercules looked enough like his counterpart, even without the beard, that the few daring souls who ventured out into the darkness of that world scurried out of sight as soon as they'd spotted the demigod. It was disconcerting, to see such naked fear in the eyes of these people when they looked at him. 'The face of a monster….' Iolaus' words once again echoed in his mind and, for the first time, he finally understood something of what his buddy had felt when he'd looked at the thing Dahok had made of his body.

It was then, as they were moving quickly through almost deserted streets, lit only by wavering oil lamps hung on posts or from the sides of stone buildings, that Hercules thought about the Iolaus of this world. The demigod was wondering how the timorous soul had ever managed to survive the horror of it, when he realized that the poor man probably hadn't survived. Casting a quick look at Iolaus, Hercules sighed sadly, remembering that other one, so frightened, with good reason, so convinced he was a coward. So much alike, yet so different. Like him and the Sovereign? No, he decided, not like that. The Sovereign was mad with power and bloodlust. His Jester was not a courageous warrior, but he had courage. To have survived an existence here, and remained essentially innocent and decent, he had to have had tremendous courage.

They were both somber as they made their stealthy progress to the castle, choosing a side entrance in the back, one guarded by only a single sentry who Hercules put to sleep with relatively gentle effectiveness. Iolaus led the way through twisting dark hallways of stone and up a winding staircase to the floor above, to the Sovereign's private suite. They were almost at the entry to the salon, the door hanging half open, when they heard Nebula's rich voice.

"Well, lover, now that we've caged up the gods, when do we go to Olympus to pillage their temples? I'm looking forward to getting some new jewelry!" she said, her voice low and seductive but with a hard, cruel edge.

"Soon," rumbled the low reply, "There's no hurry."

They froze and looked at one another. This was unexpected…Nebula? With the Sovereign? As quickly they both looked away, too conscious of the contrast with their own world, their own experience. Whatever this Nebula was, she wasn't anyone they could trust. But the words finally penetrated and they again looked at one another.

"The gods?" Iolaus mouthed, but Hercules just looked grim and shook his head. If these two escapees from a horror show had somehow enslaved their gods it couldn't be good. And could very well be the source of the instability between their worlds. They'd have to find these gods and free them. Neither wanted to consider what the future might hold if it was too late to bring balance back into the universe.

Deciding that standing around wasn't getting them anywhere, Hercules took a breath, pushed the door fully open and marched into the chamber, Iolaus right behind him.

There was surprise all round. The Sovereign and Nebula looked up, startled at the intrusion, then shocked to see who it was. The Sovereign recognized both Hercules and Iolaus, and his eyes narrowed, wondering how they had gotten there…and if that meant the way to the other world was already open to him.

Nebula's eyes widened as she looked from demigod to demigod…mortal, she couldn't see Iolaus.

Ares looked up…and smiled for the first time in weeks. "Hey, little buddy!" he called out to Iolaus, knowing who this had to be…and therefore who the Sovereign's double was. This was more like it!

Hercules' first experience at seeing this world's God of Love left him speechless for a moment, but his gaze hardened when he saw the chains around the chafed wrists and the bruises on the face. Behind him, he heard Iolaus' startled gasp as he scanned the room and spotted the Jester in the corner, who had looked up at Ares' greeting, thinking it had been for him. The Jester gulped at the sight of Hercules, the brave and good Hercules, here…and he closed his eyes, not sure if he was relieved or terrified for the life of the other world's demigod.

Hercules cast a quick look around to see if there were other possible threats in the room, alerted by Iolaus' gasp…and froze when he saw the Jester. "You're alive!" he whispered, wondering how it was possible, startling the Jester with the unexpected words and the look of surprised, relieved shock in the hero's eyes.

But, Hercules' words were drowned out by the Sovereign's contemptuous drawl as he stood up from his throne, "How thoughtful of you, to present yourselves to me, so that I might kill you at my leisure."

His attention drawn back to his counterpart, Hercules ignored the comment, demanding, "What have you done to the other gods in this world?"

"What have I done?" the evil demigod repeated, then laughed, as if the question was the most marvelous joke. "What have I done?" he said again, laughing in delight as he contemplated the answer, all the while moving closer to his uninvited, though not entirely unwelcome guests.

Following his lead, Nebula laughed as well, but she too was moving to circle to the side of the strange double who had appeared. She'd figured it out, of course, not being a fool. This was the Hercules from that other world…and she wondered where the other Iolaus was, what trouble he might be causing.

Hercules watched them come and widened his stance, preparing for attack. Keeping his eyes on his twin, he called out to Ares and the Jester, "Do either of you know where the other gods are?"

"Uh huh," confirmed Ares, cringing a little, knowing there was going to be a fight and wishing he was somewhere else. "In the maze."

"SHUT UP!" screamed the Sovereign, whirling on the God of Love, "or I'll make you pay." Without pausing, the evil overlord swung around and leveled a punch at Hercules…and the fight was on!

Hercules blocked the Sovereign's punch, and laid in with one of his own, a powerful hit to his counterpart's gut, sending him rocketing back across the chamber, but Nebula had taken the opportunity to leap on his back, going for his eyes with her lethal nails. He reached up and grabbed one arm, pulling her off and tossing her away, but she was scrambling back at him even as the Sovereign was stomping back to pound his twin into a pulp.

Iolaus watched, biting his lip, hating the role of observer. He'd been working on his skills, and managed to get Nebula's skirts to twist, tripping her, but it was only a delaying action and he knew it. Looking around, he wondered frantically how to help overpower these two maniacs. Nebula was screaming out curses, while the Sovereign was snarling in rage. Ares was cringing away, peeking out of one scrunched up eye to watch the action. The Jester was standing, shoulders hunched, one hand half shielding his eyes, his lips trembling in fear, wondering if he was dead and didn't know it. Hercules had been shocked to see him, so maybe he was dead!

Ares was bound, and couldn't be counted on to fight anyway. Herc could handle the Sovereign, probably, but he didn't need to have to deal with Nebula, too. If she distracted him, the bad guy could blindside him. That left the Jester. Making a face of distaste, but knowing he had little choice, Iolaus bounded over to his twin, muttering, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry," as he leapt into the other Iolaus' body. They were identical after all…why shouldn't he be able to just slip right in!

The Jester shrieked at the sudden violation of another soul invading his body, pulling at himself, as if he could somehow pull the other one, whoever it was, out. Iolaus was calling out to him, in his mind, trying to reassure him. "It's just me, Iolaus…uh, the other Iolaus…would ya calm down!"

But, was getting no where. So, hating it, Iolaus just took him over, shoving the quivering other spirit into a corner of his mind, and moving forward to take on Nebula. He was surprised, and not a little gratified, to find the body in such good shape. The other guy acted like such a wimp, but he was an athlete in his own right, the muscles well developed, reflexes excellent, hand and eye coordination superb. 'Alright!' Iolaus thought, liking the feel of having substance again, as he rolled across the path of the fury-maddened Sovereign, surprising and tripping him into Hercule's fist, then bounded up to whirl into a kick, driving Nebula back.

Hercules flashed a quizzical look at the now battling Jester, but his attention was soon caught with having to trade punches with someone every bit as strong as he was, and a whole lot more ruthless. Ares merely gaped, forgetting to cringe, having seen one Iolaus merge with the other. He couldn't believe his eyes. Nebula was stupefied to see the little runt attack her, but soon launched into a counter-assault. Having ripped her skirts to free her legs, she kicked back, then whirled, punching him hard. Iolaus' head snapped back, then he moved in, blocking another roundhouse punch, backhanding her hard, sending her staggering backwards.

By the time they were done, the throne room was a shambles, the throne itself knocked sideways off its marble base, large vases shattered, one over the Sovereign's head, knocking him senseless, finally, curtains ripped from the windows, chairs in broken pieces…and two heroes were heaving for breath, sweat glazing their bodies and bruises beginning to grow dark.

"Wow!" Ares breathed, looking from one to the other, shaking his head, not sure whether to applaud or faint from the show. "You guys were like poetry in motion!"

"Uh huh," grunted Hercules, shaking out an aching fist as he turned to face the Jester. "Iolaus?" he asked, frowning slightly, wondering which one would answer.

"Yeah," the smaller man replied, a slight echo in his voice. Stepping out of the Jester, Iolaus held out his hands in apology as he continued, "Look, I'm sorry, really sorry…but I didn't know what else to do. I know I scared you."

Hercules and Ares heard the apology, but the Jester just looked bewildered, looking around the room, knowing who or what had been inside was now gone, but not sure where he or it went. "What was that?" he asked, a slight whimper in his voice as he looked down at his hands and then at the prostrate Nebula.

Sighing, Hercules moved to lay a reassuring hand on the Jester's shoulder as he explained, "That was my partner, Iolaus…you can't see him, but he's standing just over there. I…well, uh…he's a spirit."

"A spirit?" this dimension's Iolaus repeated, his eyes wide, his mouth a little agape. It was true then, the other Iolaus. Suddenly, he began to shiver and tears appeared in his eyes as the reality set in. "He's DEAD?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess," Hercules stammered.

"You GUESS?" the little man shrilled, patting his body. "If he's dead…then I must be dead! Oh…I'm DEAD!" Wailing in terror, wondering how he could be dead and not know it, wishing that being dead was better than being alive, he was oblivious of Hercules' efforts to reassure him, until the demigod grabbed him and held him steady.

"You're not dead," Hercules repeated again for the third time. "But…I have to admit, I don't understand why not."

"Not dead…" the timid man replied, looking from Hercules to Ares.

"Definitely not dead," Ares confirmed.

Sighing heavily, the Jester finally registered what it meant that the other Iolaus was dead. Looking up at Hercules, his eyes full of sympathy, he whispered, "Oh…I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say…when did it happen?"

Hercules looked over at his own Iolaus as he replied, "Almost a year ago…look, it's a long story. Right now, I think we should be doing something about the gods of this world." Turning to Ares, he continued, "You said you know where they are? Does that mean they are still alive?"

"Yeah," the God of Love sighed. "But, they're trapped…and it won't be easy to free them."

Moving across the chamber to the god, Hercules frowned as he studied the heavy manacles. "Maybe we could start by freeing you," he muttered.

"I doubt you can…these were forged by Poseidon himself," Ares replied, looking resigned. He'd been wearing the chains for a while now and was almost used to them.

Iolaus joined his partner, studying the restraints thoughtfully. Impossible for a mortal, or even a god…but maybe a ghost who knew how to pick locks would have more luck. "Let me see what I can do," he offered, frowning as he concentrated, his deft fingers moving first to the metal, and then delving inside. He couldn't touch or feel, exactly, but he could sense…his fingers letting his mind picture the internal workings. Closing his eyes, chewing unconsciously on his lip, he concentrated on the complicated mechanism that was hidden inside the metal. His mental energy probed here…and there…and then…

Snick!

The cuffs parted and fell away. Ares looked up with a relieved grin of gratitude, the Jester looked astonished and Hercules nodded thoughtfully.

Iolaus looked up at his partner, guessing what he was thinking. "Sorry…I think I broke them, so we can't use them to restrain the Sovereign."

Cutting his partner a sideways rueful glance, Hercules grinned a little as he replied, "Well…it was worth a thought."

Snickering a little, Iolaus looked up at Ares as he asked, "So…can you take us to the other gods now?"

"I could," he replied, but then looked over at the Jester who had moved to stand with his back to the wall, nervous, not sure what was going on since he couldn't see or hear Iolaus. "But, my friend over there knows the way as well. Why don't I stay here, keep watch on these two. If they wake up, I can try distracting them but if that doesn't work, I can at least let you know they're following you."

Hercules looked from Ares to the Jester and nodded. There was no point in hoping the God of Love would fight the two power mad warmongers anymore than he would have expected such a thing from Aphrodite. They were lovers, not…well…he sighed.

The Jester had looked startled at the god's suggestion, preferring if at all possible to remain as invisible as his counterpart seemed to be. Hercules smiled at him reassuringly as he said, "Well, then, we'd best be off. They won't be out of it for long."

Twisting his hands together, the Jester gave the demigod an uncertain look, then shifted his gaze to the two unconscious rulers and shuddered, imagining their fury when they woke. Taking a deep breath, he nodded and stepped away from the wall, toward the door. "The gods are in the centre of the maze beneath the palace. This way…."

With a last nod at Ares, the two heroes followed Iolaus' twin out into the hallway. The Jester was limping a little, and he kept looking around nervously, twitching then refocusing on the twists and turns of the complicated passageways of the rambling castle. The little man looked defeated and thoroughly miserable.

"He's hurting a lot," Iolaus said to Hercules. "That monster back there must've beaten him regularly…and hard."

Hercules frowned, sickened by the thought of his counterpart using his strength so cruelly. But, he thought something else might be bothering the Jester as he caught the man once again casting a nervous look over his shoulder and around the passageway. "What is it?" he called quietly. "Something's worrying you."

Ducking his head a little as he looked back then quickly away again, the Jester giggled nervously as he replied, "Worrying me? Well, there're the guards that'll attack if they see us, the…the Sovereign and Empress and what they'll do when they wake up…and, well…" his voice faded out as his shoulders tensed.

"And, you're worried Iolaus will take you over again?" Hercules suggested sympathetically.

Gulping, the Jester cut him a quick look, his eyes skittering around the passageway, then nodded, clearly upset by the idea. "I…well…it felt…"

Iolaus winced and sighed, his face reflecting his sorrow at giving his abused twin yet something more to worry about. "Herc, tell him I'm really sorry…I shouldn't have done that to him," Iolaus said earnestly. "I won't do it again…at least not without his permission. I know I really scared him…but I didn't know what else to do. Taking care of the Sovereign was enough without having to deal with that harridan, too."

"Iolaus apologizes…he just wanted to help me deal with the Sovereign and Nebula. But, he knows it was wrong to take you over without your permission. He won't do it again without asking," Hercules relayed the message.

The Jester had paused, watching the demigod while he'd clearly been listening to the other Iolaus. Taking a deep breath, he tried to settle the pounding of his heart…and his anger at being so helpless inside his own body. It was bad enough to be helpless to outside threats. He'd felt violated in a way he'd never experienced before, and that was saying something. Gritting his teeth, he nodded in wordless acceptance of the apology, explanation and promise. "I know I'm a coward and useless…but…well, alright. Just so's he doesn't do it again," he said quietly, adding miserably as he turned away, "unless he has to. I know he's a lot more help than I am in a fight."

He didn't speak the words, "It would have been better if I'd been the one who'd been killed in the first place."

But, he didn't have to. His dejected, self contemptuous posture and voice said it all.

The two heroes exchanged a look that showed they'd both heard and understood all that had been said. "It's not true, you know," Iolaus said as they hurried through the dark passageways. "He's in really good condition, great reflexes…and he's no coward! Gods, I don't know how he's survived so long here, with what the Sovereign does to him. How do we get him to understand that courage isn't just about trading punches?"

His eyes on their guide, Hercules shook his head as he bit his lip thoughtfully. Then, he lengthened his stride a little, saying quietly, "Iolaus…listen to me. You are NOT a coward…and you're far from useless. Without you, we wouldn't know where to begin looking for the imprisoned gods. A coward wouldn't be helping us…he'd have run at the first chance he got to get away from here."

Laughing bitterly, the Jester replied, "I tried that once. Got away. Almost a year ago now. I didn't know where to go, where to hide. So, I went to this cave place, behind a wall…" Looking up at Hercules, he said with a note of wonder, "You must know the place…that must have been how you got here. Anyway, the Sovereign figured it out and came for me." He sighed and shuddered at the same time at that memory. "I'd run if I thought it would do any good…but there's no where to go where he can't find me. So, what's the point?"

Hercules laid a gentle hand on the man's shoulder, making the Jester jump a little. The reflexive response to the touch of his hand made the demigod wince…but he maintained the strong yet almost tender grip. "You can make excuses for your courage as much as you want, if it makes you feel better. But, my partner and I know the truth…you can't hide your bravery from us, no matter how hard you might try to deny it."

Blinking hard, biting his lip, the Jester kept his head down, unable to speak for the lump in his throat. They thought he was brave. Respected him. No one else ever had before. Oh, Joxer had hoped and pushed him, but there'd always been doubt in the rebel's eyes. Sniffing, rubbing the back of his hand under his nose, the Jester carried on, leading them ever lower, down narrow dusty staircases of chiseled stone, until finally they came to a large oaken door, rounded at the top and locked solidly against intruders.

"The maze is on the other side," he explained, gesturing to it. Hercules gave the barrier a considered look, his fingers exploring its contours, then he stepped back and gave it a mighty kick, sending it flying into the space beyond, where it landed with a resounding crash.

The Jester blinked, then led the way forward into the darkness beyond, hesitating just inside to grope for a torch and light it with the flint that was always left there. In the faltering, flickering light, the heroes made out a huge open space, a cavern carved beneath the earth, massive stone pillars supporting the vaulted ceiling, stone benches positioned against the walls, the floor flagged stone. It was chilly and damp, spooky…and there was an indefinable odour of danger…even of malice. Iolaus felt the hackles rise on the back of his neck, as Hercules murmured, "What is this place?"

"The maze," the Jester replied succinctly, leading the way down the shallow stone steps. "Zeus created it for his half mortal son to play in…and then he'd forget Her…uh, his son, was in here, and leave him alone, lost in the dark, sometimes for days. Zeus is crazy, more than a few slices short of a loaf…and mean, sometimes. Very, very mean."

The heroes glanced at one another, thinking this went a long way toward explaining the Sovereign's insanity. The Jester paused at the bottom of the steps, quivering with fear. He hated this place. Was always afraid he'd never find a way out again…and there were so many traps that his young friend had confided to him long ago. Traps that would swallow up a mortal, leaving nothing but bones to molder through the ages.

Hercules took note of the shudders of fear that wracked the smaller man's body. "You don't have to go any farther…we can take it from here," he offered.

For a moment, naked hope shone in the Jester's eyes at the thought of being able to run back out through that doorway, but then his shoulders slumped. "You'd never find your way through, not in time," he whispered, knowing he had no choice but to lead him…them…onward. He again looked around, wondering where the other Iolaus was. Wondering how his double had died…and why they weren't both dead.

Well, in a little while, they both might be.

They'd been silently crossing the flagged stone toward a darkened entrance past the pillars, the Jester about to warn Hercules of the serpent, when the monster streaked out of the darkness, mouth agape, fangs glittering in the torchlight, hissing viciously.

Shrieking in startled terror, Iolaus ran back, around a pillar, trembling so hard he almost dropped the torch. Hercules backed up in surprise, then sidestepped and landed a powerful punch against the beast's head as it brushed by, just missing him. The power of his blow deflected the massive snake briefly, but otherwise had no visible effect as the thing regrouped and attacked again. When Hercules dashed away, trying to move it farther from the Jester, the serpent whipped around and back toward the quarry that was frozen in fear.

Before Hercules could swing back, the serpent was lunging at its new victim. It was just about to gulp down its prize when one of the stone benches flew from the wall, hitting it squarely between the eyes, stunning it, driving it back. Hercules got to the Jester and pulled him out of the beast's path, pushing him ahead as the demigod ran a complicated pattern around the pillars, the serpent hot on their trail.

They just made it, Hercules practically throwing the Jester ahead of him as they lunged through the darkened portal into the maze beyond, the serpent caught and held just short of snapping up the demigod's body, so twisted around the pillars that it had tied itself in knots.

Pausing once they got to safety, puffing a little, Hercules steadied the Jester and looked back, calling, "Iolaus!"

His partner came through the portal behind them, moving as if he was a little dazed. "You alright?" Hercules asked, his eyes narrowed…it might only be the light, or lack of it, but he thought Iolaus looked as if he'd faded a little.

"Yeah," Iolaus waved off the concern he heard in the voice, trying to look as normal as he ever did these days. Tossing that bench, as heavy as a small boulder, had had the usual effect. Weakness and dizziness. But, he'd learned as he'd practiced night after night, pushing his kinetic power farther and farther, trying to find his limits, that the after-effects didn't last. "Let's go," he urged, when Hercules continued to watch him.

Nodding a little uncertainly, Hercules turned away, gesturing to the Jester to lead the way.

"Did he…uh…Iolaus do that?" the Jester asked, referring to the tossed bench that had saved his life.

"Yeah, I guess he did," Hercules replied with a tone of amazed respect.

"I didn't know ghosts could do that," his companion commented, awestruck.

"Neither did I," the demigod replied, casting a look over his shoulder that said, 'You could have told me!'

Iolaus just grinned devilishly, delighted that he'd been of some use…and that he'd managed to surprise Hercules so effectively. The Jester paused a moment in the silence, looking up at Hercules. "Where is he?" he asked.

When Hercules stopped and pointed back at Iolaus, the Jester turned to face the spirit he couldn't see, as he said very soberly, "Thank you for saving my life." Awkward, shy, he immediately turned away to continue leading the way through the convoluted tunnels, choosing their route when the passages diverged.

In the half hour or so that had elapsed since the others had left, Ares had had time to consider how he might divert the two hellions sprawled on the thick, crimson carpets, the colour of freshly spilled blood. When they moaned and began to stir, the god took refuge behind the throne that was lying sideways on the floor and made an upward tossing movement with his hands. Immediately, scented rose petals fell from the ceiling onto the Sovereign and his mate.

They woke to throbbing headaches and the irresistible pull of lust coursing through their veins. Nebula rolled over and spotted her lover, a low animal growl of want in her voice as she half crawled, half lunged toward him. Coming to his knees, he spun toward her, his eyes burning with desire, and they came together with a violent urgency. Ares grinned almost evilly as he tossed more enchanted rose petals in their direction.

There is such a thing as overdoing it.

The petals cascading around them like the flurry of a snow storm, caught the Sovereign's attention and he growled, pulling away from Nebula's embrace, looking up and then around at the phenomenon. When his gaze landed on Ares, he rose like an enraged bull to charge at the god.

Ares muttered, 'Oops!' and vanished from sight, leaving the Sovereign to kick in fury at the throne, demolishing it in his rage as he screamed out his inarticulate anger.

Still caught by the force of the spell, Nebula lay sprawled on her stomach, looking up at him, reaching toward him as she called seductively, "C'mon lover, I want you!"

Heaving for breath, trying to calm himself enough to think, the Sovereign turned slowly, his eyes raking the throne room, then landing upon her as he stalked forward, reaching down to grab the outstretched arm, hauling her roughly to her feet. "Later…first we have to kill those bastards," he growled, dragging her through the doorway and into the hall, heading toward the maze.

Shaking off the effects of the rose petals, Nebula stiffened…and then she was running in his wake.

If the gods were freed, there was no telling what they might do in revenge.

Especially Cupid, who'd be less than amused by their betrayal.

Hercules was beginning to wonder if there was any end to this confusing maze of passages. He'd had to move quickly at one point to sprawl over the Jester, protecting them both from a plunging juggernaut of a massive blade that cut across one passage. Further along, he'd had to deflect boulders that had fallen from above, a quick shower of stone that would have killed the mortal with him.

The Jester was clearly terrified, exercising all of his will to keep going. He shied away from the scurry of rats, feeling a fool, knowing the other Iolaus wouldn't be so…so stupidly afraid. But, he couldn't help himself. He was almost petrified with fear.

Just moments ago, they'd escaped a passage that seemed determined to suck them under the ground, like a pool of quicksand that dragged them down. Memories, horrible, sickening memories, had played out on one of the walls, tormenting and taunting him with his failures, his crimes of pride, showing Hercules how he'd led his friends and comrades to their deaths in the revolution that had flared when the Sovereign had disappeared into the void. Tears streaming down his face, gulping out his agonized explanation of how he'd tried to be brave and had only gotten everyone killed, he was devastated to know he'd led Hercules to this place, where he, too, would now die for the foolishness of following a fool.

Hercules had figured it out, noticing that the more agitated the Jester became, the more shrill his grief, the quicker they were sucked down, the sand now to the Jester's waist and above his own knees. Cutting across the Jester's hysterical confession, Hercules shouted, "STOP!"

Startled, the Jester almost bit his tongue as he choked back words and stared wide-eyed, tears flowing down his pale cheeks, not surprised the demigod had turned on him in rage. But, Hercules' next words confused him, as the demigod continued quietly, almost soothingly, "Stop beating yourself up. This place…it feeds on guilt. You didn't do anything wrong. You tried to help your friends…you couldn't help not having the numbers, the strength, skills or proper weapons. None of that was your fault!"

Trying to breathe more slowly, understanding that it was his fear that was killing them, the Jester looked around helplessly, afraid to speak, afraid the truth as he knew it would condemn them now. He was a coward. It had been his fault that they'd died. And, his greatest crime was that he'd survived. But, he didn't want anyone else to die on his account…certainly not Hercules! Turning back to the demigod, he looked up with a guilt-ridden expression of hopelessness.

"Listen to me," the demigod continued, "you are not a coward. A coward would not have tried to fight back. A coward wouldn't feel such guilt and sorrow for what he couldn't help. A coward would not have been able to survive the torture of the Sovereign all these years…or have come back to free my Iolaus from the horror of this world. A coward would not be here now. Just…take it easy. Breathe slowly…deeply. Don't look at those lies on the wall. Look at me…and take my hand." Reaching out to the Jester, Hercules gripped the hand that was held out so tentatively, and pulled gently, freely the Jester from the sand that gripped him, then eased himself free. Taking their time, he led them to the end of that passage, his arm looped reassuringly around the Jester's quivering shoulders.

"Thank you," whispered the Jester when they'd made it to safety. "But…" he turned a determined face to the demigod, needing to speak the truth. "it was my fault. They all died because of me." There were tears of anguish glinting in his eyes, but he straightened, ready for the condemnation he believed he so rightly deserved.

Hercules felt tears sting his own eyes at the nobility of this tortured soul. Swallowing against the lump in his own throat, he shook his head. His voice a little hoarse, he said firmly, "No…they died because of the Empress and the evil of this world. You did your best to save them. Just as you're doing your best now, even though you are afraid. Doing what you fear to do because it's the right thing to do makes you a hero. That's what you really are, my friend. A hero. I don't ever again want you hear you try to tell me any different. I won't allow you to keep lying to yourself. It isn't right."

The Jester's eyes filled and his lips quivered as he tried to hold the emotion inside. Absolution from the one being he'd ever respected…if not the only one he'd ever loved…almost shattered him. He sniffed and swallowed, desperate not to cry. Hercules pulled him close into a hug, wishing so much that he could take away all the pain, all the terrible memories this man had to carry in his soul. The Jester stood there in the circle of those impossibly strong arms, sheltered for the first time in his life from that pain, taking deep shuddering breaths to control the feelings that surged within him. Iolaus watched silently, then closed his eyes as his head dropped in silent sorrow for all his counterpart had suffered. In a moment, no more, the Jester pulled away, nodding and sniffing, not able to look up at Hercules, afraid he really would lose complete control. Turning, he'd led them further into the maze.

They were getting close now, he knew it and was almost pathetically grateful for that fact. Suddenly, he backed up in startled alarm when Ares popped into sight in the middle of their path. "They're on the way," the god warned. "And, are they mad!"

"Are they ever not 'mad'?" Hercules replied dryly, looking toward the Jester.

The little man nodded, responding to the look rather than to the words, stammering with an anxious voice, "I know…we have to hurry!" Turning away, he started to run, still limping a little, along the remaining distance. Not far now…not far.

Jason had kept up his 'praying', storming at the gods of Olympus, taunting them, damning them all for cowards, demanding they take a hand in this.

It was beginning to be annoying, and the gods were getting irritated. If that ex-king, antique Argonaut didn't soon stop his ranting, they might have to actually do something to shut him up.

One, in particular, did not take at all well to being damned as a coward…but Zeus wouldn't let him just blast the noisy mortal into oblivion. Ares ground his teeth, seething, knowing he couldn't put up with much more of this…contempt.

The Jester had led them as quickly as he could along the only route that he knew through the maze. But, stumbling as he came to a halt inside the cavern in its centre, he moaned unconsciously, realizing there must, of course, be another way. The golden sphere was no longer suspended above the stone plinth at the far end. He was already looking wildly about, knowing danger had to be near, when Hercules loped in behind him.

"They're here," the Jester mumbled, his voice tight with fear, his face pale, distraught. "The golden globe is gone."

Hercules straightened, looking around the open space, noting the numerous passages that led off from its perimeter. What globe?

Laughing with evil delight, the Sovereign emerged from one such passage, a sword in one hand, his other carelessly tossing the globe into the air. "Looking for this?" he inquired, vastly amused…and very, very angry.

The Jester hissed, not sure what would happen if his ruler dropped the delicate sphere. Would everyone in it be destroyed? "Oh, please," he whimpered, "don't let him drop it!"

"Stay here," the demigod cautioned, laying a hand briefly on the Jester's shoulder, as he advanced into the cavern. Iolaus focused on the globe, his eyes narrowing as he tried to get a grip on the bouncing ball.

"Oh? You want to fight for it, do you?" the Sovereign taunted his double, smiling with anticipation as Hercules moved toward him. "Fine with me!" he called out as he looped the sphere high into the air, over Hercules' head…to Nebula who had appeared out of another passage on the far side.

"I'm on her!" shouted Iolaus, running across the cavern to follow her into the darkness, while the two demigods advanced on one another, the Jester and Ares cowering by the wall. The two angry doubles almost crashed together, swinging hard, connecting with impacts that thudded sickeningly, echoing around the cavern, the Sovereign cursing and taunting, Hercules grimly silent. The hero slammed hard into his opponent's solar plexis, then swung a powerful uppercut, catching his double on the jaw, sending him crashing to the stone floor. The Sovereign lashed out with his leg, tripping the demigod, then rolled, coming to his feet to disappear into the passageway, just as Iolaus ran out of one back into the cavern and Nebula appeared in another. Hercules charged after the evil overlord.

She couldn't see the ghost, and Iolaus was almost upon her, when the Sovereign appeared again from another direction, and saw the threat. "Look out…throw it to me!" he screamed, thinking she was an idiot, not understanding that this Iolaus was a ghost.

Not understanding, but obeying instantly, she tossed it high and far, straight into his hands, as Iolaus tried to pull up but ended up running right through her. She shivered at the sudden shaft of ice that had passed through her middle, looking around, wondering where it had come from. The Sovereign disappeared just as Hercules raced in from the side, cursing when he realized the passages crisscrossed and all led back to the centre. "Which way?" he called to the Jester, who pointed at the direction the Sovereign had gone. Hercules turned and dashed back the way he'd come, hoping to intercept his foe, while Nebula pulled a knife from her boot. With an evil grin that promised murder, she advanced on the Jester.

Iolaus turned, and took a deep breath when he realized the danger his counterpart was in. Time to try another trick. Racing around to get in front of her, he tightened his focus, his fists clenching unconsciously, as he dove in front of her, using his whole being as an obstacle…and she tripped headlong, screaming in fury, rolling quickly to regain her feet, the knife still clutched in her hands.

The Jester backed up against the wall, watching her come, knowing the other Iolaus was trying to help but was handicapped by being a ghost. Taking a deep breath, shuddering in dread, he cried out, "Do it! Take my body!"

Iolaus paused for just a moment, a look of awed respect in his eyes, then he dove into the Jester, and moved into action, rolling forward to throw Nebula off her feet, then springing up, whirling to kick out, knocking the knife from her hand. Cursing, she scuttled away to gain room to maneuver, then leapt to the attack. He blocked a punch, his other hand moving quickly to grab her wrist to keep her from scratching his eyes out. Twisting, he looped a leg behind her, tripping her, but she anticipated and pulled back, before advancing again, murder in her eyes.

Iolaus hated fighting her. With every block, every swing, he saw his own Nebula, and knew he was unconsciously pulling his punches, hesitating. And he couldn't afford to. She was deadly, had no mercy… and was a very skilled combatant. They grappled again, and he dropped, rolling backward, throwing her up and over. She went flying…and connected solidly with the stone plinth, slumping unconscious.

Breathing heavily, Iolaus scrambled to his…their…feet and looked around, just in time to see the Sovereign emerge from yet another portal, Hercules diving in right behind him, knocking the Sovereign hard. The evil demigod went sprawling, the globe flying from his hands. Iolaus' eyes widened and he lunged, diving forward, reaching…reaching…and caught the precious globe just before it crashed to the floor. Rolling into a tight curl, the globe sheltered tight against his chest, he knew he had to get away from the battling demigods.

But, the Sovereign, knowing the globe was the whole point, ignored his twin and scrambled up after the globe, kicking viciously at the Jester's curled back, holding nothing back in his fury as he screamed, "Traitor! Coward!". His victim went flying, hard and fast toward the far wall, but the beings inside the body, united in their purpose, worked together, the Jester fighting the terrible pain that ripped through him from the vicious assault, as he forced his body into an acrobat twist in the air, to hit the wall with his back. Stunned, he slid down, but he didn't loosen his grip on the globe.

Hercules attacked the Sovereign, grabbing an arm to pull the brutal creature around, furious at the assault on the Jester…and his partner who he'd realized was again inside his double…and ploughed mercilessly into his twin. One powerful slug after another, pounding out retribution, until the Sovereign staggered… and collapsed in a heap.

Hercules spun on his heel and raced over to the fallen Jester, who was shaking his head, trying to drive back the darkness and not scream from the pain radiating with fiery brutality through his body from the deadly damage done by the Sovereign's vicious assault. "Iolaus!" the demigod cried, kneeling, "are you alright?"

The spirit separated from his twin, shaking his head, "He's hurt, Herc…bad."

Hercules gingerly took the globe from the Jester's trembling hands and lifted up to Ares' waiting grip. "Easy," he murmured to his small friend, laying a hand on his shoulder, "try to breathe slowly…you'll be alright."

Iolaus looked back at the Sovereign and saw the villain's questing fingers had found the blade Nebula had dropped and was pulling back, to throw it at Hercules' unprotected back.

"Incoming!" Iolaus cried, concentrating on the blade…catching it in midair, then dropping it.

Ares had turned away even as Hercules stood and whirled to face his foe. Nebula was struggling to her feet, supporting herself on the plinth, also readying herself for another attack. The Sovereign was going for his sword and Iolaus knew his counterpart just wasn't up to any more. Ares had laid the globe gingerly on the ground and clapped three times, the sound echoing through the chamber even as the Sovereign and Nebula both charged the demigod.

The cavern erupted in blinding light, and the roaring sound of furious gods pounded at their ears. Bolts of fire blistered around the space, taking the Sovereign and his consort full in the chest, blasting them back senseless against the walls.

A golden carpet spilled into the cavern, and furious gods lined the chamber, breathing heavily, hatred blazing from their eyes. They'd had time, plenty of it, to decide upon a fitting revenge. The two unconscious rulers of that benighted world were lifted, wafted to the centre of the chamber, even as Aphrodite and Ares pushed Hercules and the Jester off the edges of the shimmering floor covering. Ares called out to Iolaus, "Get out of the cavern!"

Once the three innocents were just inside one of the passages, the gods looked from one to another then raised their hands. Clapping, once, twice, then a third time, the sound echoing off the walls and ceiling like thunder, the golden material snapped together around the unconscious evilmongers, rolling itself back into a sphere in the centre of the cavern. Cupid stepped forward then, picking it up and carrying it to the plinth where he set it suspended in the air. It could hang there for all of the rest of time for all any of them cared.

The Jester was watching, hunched in on himself, one hand pressed against his side, tears in his eyes. Then, he closed them and turned his head away with a sad sigh. It was over. Finally over. He was dying, he knew it…and welcomed it.

But, he mourned nonetheless, though not for himself. He mourned one he'd lost long ago, though his one time best friend had only now been imprisoned, perhaps for good this time. Biting his lip, he tried not to moan in pain, not sure whether it was from the horrible tearing pain in his back, or the unbearable anguish of a shattered heart.

Gods had begun to stream from the chamber, one wall having disappeared to reveal light and the passageway out of the maze. Iolaus, aware of his twin's pain, knowing he was dying, cried out, "For the love of mercy, won't someone help him!"

Aphrodite, the Goddess of Light and Medicine, paused and looked back. Sympathy was written on her face as she waved a hand. She could take away some of the pain…if not all of it. Then, in a flash, she was gone.

Ares, God of Love, was the only one who remained. There was sorrow in his eyes as he gazed at the suffering Jester who slumped against the wall, his head turned away. Ares reached out, gently touching the small man's shoulder, but even he could not heal all that pain, born as it was from love itself.

Hercules looked from the Jester to the golden globe, then back at his own partner, a question in his eyes. Iolaus said quietly, knowing his counterpart couldn't hear him, "I…shared his memories, as well as his body, Herc. There was a time when they were…well, friends, like us." Turning to look at the Jester, the warrior soul murmured, "He loved the bastard. Despite the terrible things…he loved him. Gods, the Sovereign is a vicious, cruel monster…sure didn't deserve…but…Iolaus remembers and mourns the man who could have been decent if he'd ever had a chance."

Hercules swallowed and sighed heavily, looking away. He didn't know how to even begin offering solace to this generous, sorrowing man whose courage and compassion were staggering. Shaking his head, weary of all of it, feeling a vague guilt that it was his double who had wreaked such misery, he straightened. They were finished here. It was time to go.

There was a flash in the centre of the cavern as Ares, God of War, materialized to their surprise…and concern. What was he doing there?

"All right!" thundered the god, incandescent in his righteous glory. "Where's the damned Sovereign?"

Sighing, Hercules replied, "Ares…what are you doing here?"

Rolling his shoulders, looking ready for battle, the god replied, "That blasted exile from the throne of Corinth has been screaming at all of us up on Olympus to move our butts and help you out, little brother. Calling us cowards…I don't like being called a coward. Besides, I was curious. So, where's the action?" As he asked the question, his eyes roamed the cavern…and froze at the sight of the God of Love.

"What in the blazes are you supposed to be?" he roared, appalled.

Smiling benignly, the God of Love struck a coy posture and cooed, "I'm you, honeycake. The God of Luuuvvve!"

"Don't say that!" Ares replied, aghast and horrified. "Don't EVER say that! I swear if I was you, I'd kill myself to end the humiliation! Do you know how fat you…I…YOU look in that ridiculous white stretchy stuff! Ugghhh!" the black leatherclad god shuddered, while the other one looked wounded to his very soul. Twisting around, looking down at himself, he whimpered, "You think so? Do you think so?" Pleading eyes turned to Hercules. A puppy dog that had just been kicked couldn't have looked so mournful.

Hercules grinned as he shook his head. "Relax," he soothed, "He's just jealous."

"JEALOUS!" roared the offended god. "Why I have half a mind to…"

"Ares, you shouldn't leave yourself wide open like that…" Iolaus giggled, rolling his eyes at Hercules. "'Course, with only half a mind he can't really help himself!" he chortled in delight.

"That's it," seethed the God of War. "We're out of here. I told that ranting moron back there to shut up and I'd bring you back, so let's go."

The Jester had looked up at all the shouting, too weary and dispirited to even remember to be afraid of the fearsome Ares. "I'll show you the way back to the cave," he offered, not really wanting to see the last of Hercules, making the encounter last as long as it could.

Hercules looped an arm around his shoulders as he replied, "Thanks…I think that would be a good idea."

The two of them led the way out the illuminated stairwell in the back of the cavern behind the plinth, one Ares seething, the other simpering, and Iolaus giggling uncontrollably whenever he looked at the two of them.

The Jester accompanied them right through the wall in the back of the courtyard and across the cave inside to where the vortex should have been.

But it was closed, the wall of rock sealing them in.

"Great," muttered Hercules, rolling his eyes in weary disgust. "Now what?"

Ares, God of War, scratched his cheek, disgusted by the whole business. Ares, God of Love, frowned in thought. The two of them reluctantly looked at one another, realizing they'd have to cooperate. Rolling his eyes, the God of War rumbled, "If you'd get out of the way, brother, maybe we could open it up again."

Hercules looked back at Ares and, understanding, moved to the side, gesturing with his hand toward the end of the cave, "Be my guest."

He and Iolaus had moved closer together, Herc's arm around his friend's shoulder, knowing that only here, for a brief space in time, could he touch his partner. Iolaus gazed at his twin, who was standing a little to the side, looking lost and forlorn.

"Come with us," the warrior said, spontaneously, without a moment's thought, but even as he said it, knowing it was the right thing.

"Wwwhat?" stammered the Jester, looking confused. He'd finally been able to see his counterpart, as soon as they'd entered the cave in the void and it made him uncomfortable to know that this courageous warrior was really dead. It was wrong. If either of them had had to die, he knew it would better have been him.

Turning to Hercules, Iolaus urged, "Tell him, Herc. Tell him to come. There's nothing here for him. Nothing but terrible memories. He should have a fresh start…we could help him."

Hercules looked from his partner to the Jester, and nodded thoughtfully. "Iolaus is right. Come with us."

"But…I…I'd just be in the way. I can't ask…" he replied, but there was an unmistakable look of longing in his eyes. He could leave here…never come back? Start a new life? It was…unimaginable.

"You're not asking…we are. Please?" Hercules insisted gently. If there was anything he could do to try to make up for some of the grief his double had caused this loyal, decent soul, he'd do it. Gladly.

The Jester looked from Hercules to Iolaus, who nodded encouragingly. His gaze shifted from them to Ares, God of Love, who was watching him with infinite compassion as he said softly, "Go with them. You deserve some happiness."

Ares, God of War, had had about as much of all this schmaltz as he could take. "Oh, for the love of…!" he exclaimed, disgusted as he lashed out toward the end of the cave with a blinding bolt of lightning. His counterpart immediately joined him and the second bolt, joined with the first, erupted with a blaze of power and opened the swirling void beyond.

"Will you come with us?" demanded Hercules, shouting over the roar of the void, the wind pulling at his hair.

"I…YES!" exclaimed the Jester, who immediately looked taken aback by his own temerity. But, his eyes blazed with hope and gratitude for this gift of a new life…a promise of something infinitely better than anything he'd ever known or dared dream of in his tortured life.

"Well, then, let's GO!" snarled Ares, taking him by the arm, and without a glance to either side, marched them both into the void.

Hercules and Iolaus paused a moment longer, to look back at the God of Love. "Thank you," Hercules called out and the god nodded, understanding it was for having urged the Jester to go with them. With a dignity they'd not seen in him before, Ares straightened and smiled at them as he replied, "No…thank you. Take care of him…he's the best amongst us all."

They turned then, and raced into the howling vortex, heading back to their own world.

Ares watched them go. Watched the void collapse back into itself, leaving him alone in the dim cavern. His eyes were damp, and he swallowed hard. He'd miss that little guy, the one who'd given him hope that there was still some shred of decency left in his benighted world. Breathing out a long sigh, he turned back to his world, determined to remain inspired by the Jester's example and do all he could to bring love back, to help the mortals here find the better way to live…an existence worth more than simply surviving.

An existence worth celebrating with joy, every day.

It was his job. He was the God of Love. And, he'd teach them how to love one another if it killed him.

Chapter Four

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