Post by NPTFlea on Mar 30, 2007 15:36:17 GMT -5
This is what Bella and I have come up with so far. I will post the rest as it comes along.
Chapter 1:
In a room lit dimly with candles, filled with pots, vases, discuses, statues, and the like, painted a dark gray, a voice began to echo and reverberate throughout, with a strong and loud ringing. The bodiless voice was robust, old, and smooth, with a slight accent. The voice said,
"Long ago in the far away land of ancient Greece, there was a golden age in which extraordinary heroes roamed the lands. Unfortunately, along with heroes comes trouble and war. And there is one war that sticks out in the minds of the ancient Greeks more than any war: the Trojan War. Now, the true cause of this war is shrouded in mystery. Was it brought about by the differences in two lands, or was the real cause a love triangle between royalty? Well, I am..."
"Will you listen to him? What's he even rambling on about anyway???" Thalia rolled her eyes and looked at the rest of the Muses, all of whom were comfortably sitting around a discus.
"Ugh! Some war!" Clio responded, rolling her eyes as well.
"Bob, hon, did you not get the memo?" Calliope, the lead muse and the muse of epics addressed the narrator.
"What do you mean?" the narrator responded indignantly.
"This is supposed to be a story about Hercules. Ya know? The hero with the great strength, son of Zeus, lost his strength as a baby, became a true hero, married the girl of his dreams?" Terpsichore folded her arms.
"It is. Perhaps you're the ones who missed the 'memo'," Bob replied.
"So, if this is a story about our homeboy Herc, why are you babbling about a war?
" Thalia asked, planting her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, how can a war involve our great and lovable hero and his sarcastic and beautiful wife?" Melpomene asked.
"Ladies, please, I was about to tell you. So, for once, sit back, relax, and let ol' Bob narrate this story. Hmm?"
"Relax? Are you joking???" Thalia sighed. "This won't be easy. We live to tell stories."
"Please, indulge me?" Bob pleaded.
"All right darling. You may proceed. But we better hear a Hercules story in here somewhere, or we're taking over again!" Calliope retorted.
"I promise, this is a Hercules story. Trust me. Now, may I continue?"
"DUH!" the muses responded in unison.
"All right. So, since some people want to get ahead of themselves, we shall skip ahead to the life of Hercules. Once he became a true hero, he gave up god-hood to be with his true love, Megara, whom he later married. They led a happy life together, with their daughter Hebe, until a call from the past intervened......"
Chapter 2:
"A letter?" Herc asked as Meg handed him a piece of parchment along with his morning news scroll. "For me?" He took a seat in his favorite chair at the kitchen table and looked at the scroll with interest.
"Hey, it's labeled, 'To Hercules: the great hero of Thebes.' I only know one guy who fits that description. And fortunately for me, I'm married to him." Megara, the beautiful wife of Hercules shrugged at him from across the table, slowly rocking their daughter, Hebe, in her arms. The baby looked half-heartedly at her daddy, yawned and snuggled back into her mother's warm and loving embrace. As the daughter of Meg and Hercules, she was very pretty. And very strong. Apparently she had adopted her father's strength. She had her mother's hair and catlike eyes. But Hebe's eyes were greenish blue, as opposed to her Meg's purple.
"Hmm. Wonder what it says. It has a royal seal on it." Herc lifted the scroll into the sunlight for better inspection.
"Well, stop wondering and open it Wonderboy," Meg said with a smile.
Herc untied the scroll and read through it. His brows knit in confusion and he looked at his wife.
"It's from the king of Thrace."
"The king of Thrace?" Meg repeated, standing up and joining Herc at the other end of the table to read over his shoulder.
"Yes, he wants an audience with me. It says he has a special mission for me."
"What could he possibly need you for?" Meg looked at her husband. Even Hebe looked at Herc with an expression that clearly read "What's all the fuss about?"
"I don't know. Maybe he has a monster terrorizing his city-state," Herc said with a shrug.
"Maybe..... when does he request this 'audience'?"
"As soon as possible, which means I better go now." Hercules left the table and retrieved his sword from it's place on the wall.
"NOW?!" Meg demanded. "But you haven't even eaten yet!"
"Meg, I promise, it will only take a day. I swear. I'll see this king, destroy his monster, and be back before dark. Thrace is only a few hours away by Pegasus." He kissed Meg's forehead.
"Ok. But be careful. And promise me you'll get something to eat. I don't want you fighting a monster on an empty stomach."
"Sure. I'll grab something at Speedy Pita on my way there. See you tonight. Love you." He kissed Hebe on the head. "Bye Hebe. Be good for mommy." Hercules headed toward the door, waved once, and was gone, shutting the door with a slight thump.
Hebe immediately began to sniffle, looking at Meg with big eyes, telepathically asking the question, "Where did Daddy go?"
"Aww, sweets, Daddy went to see a king. He'll be home soon. I promise." Meg hugged her daughter and Hebe settled down. As Meg rocked Hebe into sleep, she wondered the same thing. Where did Herc go? What awaited him in Thrace? Why had he been called, and did everyone need a hero 24/7??? Honestly, she admired the fact that her husband was so popular and willing to help people, but sometimes she just wanted him to stop being a hero and take a break. She wanted to spend more time with him, wanted him to be there for her. She knew it was selfish of her, but Meg missed her husband and held a grudge that his job was so demanding.
Meg sighed. It didn't matter, Hercules would be home soon. Then they could be together...at least until someone else needed his help.
Chapter 3:
As soon as Hercules got to the palace in Thrace, he felt a strong sense of dèja vu. He felt something from his past was about to catch up with him, but he couldn’t be sure. He dismounted Pegasus with a thud, and beckoned for his wined steed to follow him. As he approached the palace gates, one guard that was easily close to 7 feet tall (probably half giant, Herc thought) stopped Herc in his tracks.
“You got a seeing problem?” the guard asked in a gruff voice. “This is the king’s palace! You can’t just barge in!”
“Oh excuse me…sir…” Hercules said in a polite voice. “I have an audience with the king of Thrace. He sent word for me. I have the document right here.” Herc pulled the document out of his chiton pocket and handed it to the guard. The guard opened it, glared at it, and then passed it to his companion, who was obviously the literate one. The second guard read the scroll, handed it back to Herc, and grunted once in agreement.
“Alright tiny, go in,” the first guard said.
“Thank you sirs! Come on Peg, let’s go.” Herc nodded to the two guards as they let him pass through the gate. On the other side of the gate was a massive lawn, filled with statues, fountains and shrub sculptures. It reminded Hercules of his old villa. He walked along the stone path up to the palace with Pegasus following close behind him. In no time they reached another gate; this one made of solid gold. Two more guards were stationed there. Without saying a word, Herc handed over his scroll. The guards read it, handed it back, and nodded, letting him pass through that gate too. Herc nodded and walked through the other gates too, a strong sense of foreboding gnawing slightly at the pit of his stomach.
On the other side of that gate was a long hallway surrounded by pillars. It looked like a temple. Hercules walked straight through, head held high, although he was a little worried as the gnawing feeling grew stronger. Who would need so many guards, and what kind of monster would be terrorizing the city that the guards couldn’t handle it? They looked really strong, and tough too. At the end of that hallway was another door. That door had a little golden slot in the middle, about eye-level. Herc looked at Pegasus, who whinnied once and hit the door with a hoof. The little slot in the door opened and a pair of eyes peered out accusingly.
“May I help you?” the voice that owned the eyes asked icily.
“Yes. I am here to see the king of Thrace. I received a summon from him and he requested an audience with me right away.” Hercules pulled out the scroll and held it up for the eyes to see.
“Oh, you must be Hercules. We’ve been expecting you.” The eyes disappeared and slot shut with a little clang. Then there was a metal shuffling behind the door, as if locks were being undone. After about five seconds, the door swung open on soundless hinges and there was a man standing just inside. He was older, and nervous looking, always twitching, with black eyes that darted this way and that. He wore a maroon chiton that went to the floor and his black hair was cropped unevenly around his head, some of it brushing his shoulders. He looked more like a peasant than a palace official. When he saw Hercules, he gave a small smile and then turned on his heel and waked swiftly down the corridor. This happened so quickly that Herc had no time to react, and by the time he noticed the man was gone, the man was halfway down the hall, shouting after him, “Well, are you going to follow me or stare at the scenery?”
Herc composed himself and reached the man in six strides. Then he and Pegasus followed the man closely. At the end of a corridor was another door. The little man bent over the lock and muttered something inaudible. The lock clicked open and the door swung inward. The man looked up at Herc, smiling at his bewildered expression.
“The king has wanted to be safe lately, after what’s happened. You can never be too careful, I suppose. He’s recently installed all these doors and hired twice as many guards. In my opinion, it’s preposterous. What’s done is done and there’s nothing to be done about it, but that’s why I’m just the king’s assistant. I really don’t hold any power. The king doesn’t even like me, I’m just his uncle.” He looked at Herc suddenly, his eyes full of sadness. “But, come along now. We have to get you to the king immediately. He is in great need of your help.” He shuffled into the newly unlocked room, beckoning for Herc to follow.
The room on the other side was incredibly dark, but as Hercules and Pegasus stepped in, it became flooded with a blinding light. A voice that brought back memories of Herc's teen years said in an airy voice, "Hello Hercules. So glad you could come."
Chapter 4:
Hercules stiffened. He knew that voice. It was…no, it couldn’t be. But it was.
“Adonis?” Herc asked warily, stepping carefully into the room as if a lion were going to lunge out and devour him.
“Yes Hercules, and I am so glad you actually came all the way from Thebes!” Adonis was seated casually on a throne. He was wearing a very fancy and formal chiton, one of a deep royal purple, a cape of bright crimson, and a crown made of pure gold, embedded with amethysts and rubies. He was seated on a cushioned throne and there were many portraits of him on every wall of the throne room. The adviser bolted the door shut behind the guest and pranced to the king’s side like a puppy, just in case the king should need him in the next five seconds.
“I see you’ve met my personal assistant, Erasmus. He’s a loyal defender of the crown, isn’t that right?” Here, Adonis glanced down at his servant. Erasmus nodded vigorously in response.
“So, Adonis…”
“Didn’t you realize Jerkules? I’m the king now. It would be wise of you to remember that.”
“Oh…” Herc said flatly. “Forgive me King Adonis. So, why have you called me here?”
“I’m so glad you asked. The reason I have called upon your services is because a terrible tragedy has occurred!” Adonis got up and strolled over to one of his many portraits, Erasmus following closely behind. “A terror I cannot begin to imagine. I pray every night that it has not occurred, and every morning I find it has and that I have lost all hope. I feel I cannot go on any longer!”
“What happened? Is it a monster? A false god? A plot for assassination???”
Adonis stared at him blankly. “No, of course not. It’s even worse! They’ve stolen her!” Adonis screeched.
“Who?” Hercules asked.
“My QUEEN! Helen! They’ve stolen Helen!” Adonis barked. “Hercules, you HAVE to get her back for me!”
Hercules looked at Adonis. “Who is they? And why did they steal her?” He asked.
Adonis rolled his eyes. “The Trojans!!! Prince Paris to be exact! I don’t know why they took her, but, but it’s YOUR job to save her! She’s my Cuddle-cup! Besides, this is an act of the utmost disrespect! That Paris will regret the day he was born!”
“What do you propose I do?” Herc asked, “Talk to Paris?”
“Why, don’t be stupid! I already tried that! And it failed! Paris won’t hear any of it! He wants a war!”
“A war?”
“YES! A war! He says he’ll keep Helen or die fighting for her!” Adonis choked out a sob.
“Don’t worry Adonis, I’ll save Helen!” Hercules said in his most heroic voice.
“You will? OH! Bless you!” Adonis went over and shook Herc’s hand violently. “It’s KING Adonis, remember,” he reminded the hero. Hercules rolled his eyes.
So...What do you think so far?
Chapter 1:
In a room lit dimly with candles, filled with pots, vases, discuses, statues, and the like, painted a dark gray, a voice began to echo and reverberate throughout, with a strong and loud ringing. The bodiless voice was robust, old, and smooth, with a slight accent. The voice said,
"Long ago in the far away land of ancient Greece, there was a golden age in which extraordinary heroes roamed the lands. Unfortunately, along with heroes comes trouble and war. And there is one war that sticks out in the minds of the ancient Greeks more than any war: the Trojan War. Now, the true cause of this war is shrouded in mystery. Was it brought about by the differences in two lands, or was the real cause a love triangle between royalty? Well, I am..."
"Will you listen to him? What's he even rambling on about anyway???" Thalia rolled her eyes and looked at the rest of the Muses, all of whom were comfortably sitting around a discus.
"Ugh! Some war!" Clio responded, rolling her eyes as well.
"Bob, hon, did you not get the memo?" Calliope, the lead muse and the muse of epics addressed the narrator.
"What do you mean?" the narrator responded indignantly.
"This is supposed to be a story about Hercules. Ya know? The hero with the great strength, son of Zeus, lost his strength as a baby, became a true hero, married the girl of his dreams?" Terpsichore folded her arms.
"It is. Perhaps you're the ones who missed the 'memo'," Bob replied.
"So, if this is a story about our homeboy Herc, why are you babbling about a war?
" Thalia asked, planting her hands on her hips."Yeah, how can a war involve our great and lovable hero and his sarcastic and beautiful wife?" Melpomene asked.
"Ladies, please, I was about to tell you. So, for once, sit back, relax, and let ol' Bob narrate this story. Hmm?"
"Relax? Are you joking???" Thalia sighed. "This won't be easy. We live to tell stories."
"Please, indulge me?" Bob pleaded.
"All right darling. You may proceed. But we better hear a Hercules story in here somewhere, or we're taking over again!" Calliope retorted.
"I promise, this is a Hercules story. Trust me. Now, may I continue?"
"DUH!" the muses responded in unison.
"All right. So, since some people want to get ahead of themselves, we shall skip ahead to the life of Hercules. Once he became a true hero, he gave up god-hood to be with his true love, Megara, whom he later married. They led a happy life together, with their daughter Hebe, until a call from the past intervened......"
Chapter 2:
"A letter?" Herc asked as Meg handed him a piece of parchment along with his morning news scroll. "For me?" He took a seat in his favorite chair at the kitchen table and looked at the scroll with interest.
"Hey, it's labeled, 'To Hercules: the great hero of Thebes.' I only know one guy who fits that description. And fortunately for me, I'm married to him." Megara, the beautiful wife of Hercules shrugged at him from across the table, slowly rocking their daughter, Hebe, in her arms. The baby looked half-heartedly at her daddy, yawned and snuggled back into her mother's warm and loving embrace. As the daughter of Meg and Hercules, she was very pretty. And very strong. Apparently she had adopted her father's strength. She had her mother's hair and catlike eyes. But Hebe's eyes were greenish blue, as opposed to her Meg's purple.
"Hmm. Wonder what it says. It has a royal seal on it." Herc lifted the scroll into the sunlight for better inspection.
"Well, stop wondering and open it Wonderboy," Meg said with a smile.
Herc untied the scroll and read through it. His brows knit in confusion and he looked at his wife.
"It's from the king of Thrace."
"The king of Thrace?" Meg repeated, standing up and joining Herc at the other end of the table to read over his shoulder.
"Yes, he wants an audience with me. It says he has a special mission for me."
"What could he possibly need you for?" Meg looked at her husband. Even Hebe looked at Herc with an expression that clearly read "What's all the fuss about?"
"I don't know. Maybe he has a monster terrorizing his city-state," Herc said with a shrug.
"Maybe..... when does he request this 'audience'?"
"As soon as possible, which means I better go now." Hercules left the table and retrieved his sword from it's place on the wall.
"NOW?!" Meg demanded. "But you haven't even eaten yet!"
"Meg, I promise, it will only take a day. I swear. I'll see this king, destroy his monster, and be back before dark. Thrace is only a few hours away by Pegasus." He kissed Meg's forehead.
"Ok. But be careful. And promise me you'll get something to eat. I don't want you fighting a monster on an empty stomach."
"Sure. I'll grab something at Speedy Pita on my way there. See you tonight. Love you." He kissed Hebe on the head. "Bye Hebe. Be good for mommy." Hercules headed toward the door, waved once, and was gone, shutting the door with a slight thump.
Hebe immediately began to sniffle, looking at Meg with big eyes, telepathically asking the question, "Where did Daddy go?"
"Aww, sweets, Daddy went to see a king. He'll be home soon. I promise." Meg hugged her daughter and Hebe settled down. As Meg rocked Hebe into sleep, she wondered the same thing. Where did Herc go? What awaited him in Thrace? Why had he been called, and did everyone need a hero 24/7??? Honestly, she admired the fact that her husband was so popular and willing to help people, but sometimes she just wanted him to stop being a hero and take a break. She wanted to spend more time with him, wanted him to be there for her. She knew it was selfish of her, but Meg missed her husband and held a grudge that his job was so demanding.
Meg sighed. It didn't matter, Hercules would be home soon. Then they could be together...at least until someone else needed his help.
Chapter 3:
As soon as Hercules got to the palace in Thrace, he felt a strong sense of dèja vu. He felt something from his past was about to catch up with him, but he couldn’t be sure. He dismounted Pegasus with a thud, and beckoned for his wined steed to follow him. As he approached the palace gates, one guard that was easily close to 7 feet tall (probably half giant, Herc thought) stopped Herc in his tracks.
“You got a seeing problem?” the guard asked in a gruff voice. “This is the king’s palace! You can’t just barge in!”
“Oh excuse me…sir…” Hercules said in a polite voice. “I have an audience with the king of Thrace. He sent word for me. I have the document right here.” Herc pulled the document out of his chiton pocket and handed it to the guard. The guard opened it, glared at it, and then passed it to his companion, who was obviously the literate one. The second guard read the scroll, handed it back to Herc, and grunted once in agreement.
“Alright tiny, go in,” the first guard said.
“Thank you sirs! Come on Peg, let’s go.” Herc nodded to the two guards as they let him pass through the gate. On the other side of the gate was a massive lawn, filled with statues, fountains and shrub sculptures. It reminded Hercules of his old villa. He walked along the stone path up to the palace with Pegasus following close behind him. In no time they reached another gate; this one made of solid gold. Two more guards were stationed there. Without saying a word, Herc handed over his scroll. The guards read it, handed it back, and nodded, letting him pass through that gate too. Herc nodded and walked through the other gates too, a strong sense of foreboding gnawing slightly at the pit of his stomach.
On the other side of that gate was a long hallway surrounded by pillars. It looked like a temple. Hercules walked straight through, head held high, although he was a little worried as the gnawing feeling grew stronger. Who would need so many guards, and what kind of monster would be terrorizing the city that the guards couldn’t handle it? They looked really strong, and tough too. At the end of that hallway was another door. That door had a little golden slot in the middle, about eye-level. Herc looked at Pegasus, who whinnied once and hit the door with a hoof. The little slot in the door opened and a pair of eyes peered out accusingly.
“May I help you?” the voice that owned the eyes asked icily.
“Yes. I am here to see the king of Thrace. I received a summon from him and he requested an audience with me right away.” Hercules pulled out the scroll and held it up for the eyes to see.
“Oh, you must be Hercules. We’ve been expecting you.” The eyes disappeared and slot shut with a little clang. Then there was a metal shuffling behind the door, as if locks were being undone. After about five seconds, the door swung open on soundless hinges and there was a man standing just inside. He was older, and nervous looking, always twitching, with black eyes that darted this way and that. He wore a maroon chiton that went to the floor and his black hair was cropped unevenly around his head, some of it brushing his shoulders. He looked more like a peasant than a palace official. When he saw Hercules, he gave a small smile and then turned on his heel and waked swiftly down the corridor. This happened so quickly that Herc had no time to react, and by the time he noticed the man was gone, the man was halfway down the hall, shouting after him, “Well, are you going to follow me or stare at the scenery?”
Herc composed himself and reached the man in six strides. Then he and Pegasus followed the man closely. At the end of a corridor was another door. The little man bent over the lock and muttered something inaudible. The lock clicked open and the door swung inward. The man looked up at Herc, smiling at his bewildered expression.
“The king has wanted to be safe lately, after what’s happened. You can never be too careful, I suppose. He’s recently installed all these doors and hired twice as many guards. In my opinion, it’s preposterous. What’s done is done and there’s nothing to be done about it, but that’s why I’m just the king’s assistant. I really don’t hold any power. The king doesn’t even like me, I’m just his uncle.” He looked at Herc suddenly, his eyes full of sadness. “But, come along now. We have to get you to the king immediately. He is in great need of your help.” He shuffled into the newly unlocked room, beckoning for Herc to follow.
The room on the other side was incredibly dark, but as Hercules and Pegasus stepped in, it became flooded with a blinding light. A voice that brought back memories of Herc's teen years said in an airy voice, "Hello Hercules. So glad you could come."
Chapter 4:
Hercules stiffened. He knew that voice. It was…no, it couldn’t be. But it was.
“Adonis?” Herc asked warily, stepping carefully into the room as if a lion were going to lunge out and devour him.
“Yes Hercules, and I am so glad you actually came all the way from Thebes!” Adonis was seated casually on a throne. He was wearing a very fancy and formal chiton, one of a deep royal purple, a cape of bright crimson, and a crown made of pure gold, embedded with amethysts and rubies. He was seated on a cushioned throne and there were many portraits of him on every wall of the throne room. The adviser bolted the door shut behind the guest and pranced to the king’s side like a puppy, just in case the king should need him in the next five seconds.
“I see you’ve met my personal assistant, Erasmus. He’s a loyal defender of the crown, isn’t that right?” Here, Adonis glanced down at his servant. Erasmus nodded vigorously in response.
“So, Adonis…”
“Didn’t you realize Jerkules? I’m the king now. It would be wise of you to remember that.”
“Oh…” Herc said flatly. “Forgive me King Adonis. So, why have you called me here?”
“I’m so glad you asked. The reason I have called upon your services is because a terrible tragedy has occurred!” Adonis got up and strolled over to one of his many portraits, Erasmus following closely behind. “A terror I cannot begin to imagine. I pray every night that it has not occurred, and every morning I find it has and that I have lost all hope. I feel I cannot go on any longer!”
“What happened? Is it a monster? A false god? A plot for assassination???”
Adonis stared at him blankly. “No, of course not. It’s even worse! They’ve stolen her!” Adonis screeched.
“Who?” Hercules asked.
“My QUEEN! Helen! They’ve stolen Helen!” Adonis barked. “Hercules, you HAVE to get her back for me!”
Hercules looked at Adonis. “Who is they? And why did they steal her?” He asked.
Adonis rolled his eyes. “The Trojans!!! Prince Paris to be exact! I don’t know why they took her, but, but it’s YOUR job to save her! She’s my Cuddle-cup! Besides, this is an act of the utmost disrespect! That Paris will regret the day he was born!”
“What do you propose I do?” Herc asked, “Talk to Paris?”
“Why, don’t be stupid! I already tried that! And it failed! Paris won’t hear any of it! He wants a war!”
“A war?”
“YES! A war! He says he’ll keep Helen or die fighting for her!” Adonis choked out a sob.
“Don’t worry Adonis, I’ll save Helen!” Hercules said in his most heroic voice.
“You will? OH! Bless you!” Adonis went over and shook Herc’s hand violently. “It’s KING Adonis, remember,” he reminded the hero. Hercules rolled his eyes.
So...What do you think so far?
