To tell the truth, Part II
Disclaimer: The characters of Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is being made from this story. This story is written for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: What really happened to Iolaus during Herc’s 300 year sleep?
Author’s note: This story is a sequel to To tell the truth, Part I. This story is a Andromeda/Hercules crossover which goes under the assumption that Captain Dylan Hunt of Andromeda Ascendant from the popular TV series Andromeda is actually Hercules. Of course the idea that Dylan Hunt is Hercules has nothing to do with the Andromeda story canon but comes from the vivid imagination of Skylark..so reader..enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
(Trance knowing that the tape has stopped rolling, arrives at the scene. Her sad eyes surveys the damage..so much death..so many bodies lying opens with the abdomens all swollen with Magog young. No survivors. Trance almost leaves until she hears one lone voice muttering in the dark..”love you Herc..don’t blame yourself..not your fault” as the last survivor finally loses consciousness. Trance moves a stray blond lock from his forehead as she quickly reads his mind. Trance morphs into Aphrodite and puts her hand on his stomach and heals Iolaus. She then transport the wounded survivor to the real Aphrodite on Raisa. The last thing Iolaus sees is a very purple Aphrodite as Iolaus finally loses consciousness.)
With tears in his eyes, Hercules turns off the PADD VCR. Horrified by what he saw, Hercules grabs his mouth and runs to the bathroom to throw up what little food he did have in his stomach. Hercules rinses his mouth out with water before reentering his quarters as he exclaims under his breath in tones of regret in his deep tenor voice ‘Oh Iolaus..my friend..why didn’t you tell me the truth?’Oh dear gods..the horror of having the Magog invade you like that..I am so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you..how did you survive?”
At that moment Tyr Anastasi knocks on Dylan’s door. “Have I come at a bad time ?” as he takes in the tears streaking down Dylan’s face.
“I just finished watching the Magog attack on Iberia, what do you want Tyr?”Dylan asks patiently.
“To give you this..” Tyr hands to Dylan Iolaus’ amulet.
“Thanks to Iolaus..my ancestor lived to found the Kodiak pride..thanks to Iolaus I am here to give you this amulet..Iolaus wanted me or rather my ancestor to tell you “It’s not your fault”..Iolaus doesn’t blame you for his death..he also wanted you to know that he loved you like a brother. This amulet has been in my family for 300 years..it has been an honor and a privilege to be the guardians of this amulet to such an honorable human..the only human we ever found worthy enough to be an honorary member of the Kodiak pride. I was named after my ancester because it was foretold that I would be the one to give you this amulet..so here it is..oh ..I also came here to..”
Hercules takes the amulet in his hands and rubs it fondly..this amulet which stirs up so many memories..happy and sad..mostly happy memories of his life with Iolaus..Cheiron’s Academy..Utopia..Starfleet..Commonwealth..Iolaus is all the family he has left.. and his heart stops beating at the thought of losing Iolaus..of losing his one and only link to Greece and his youth. This is Iolaus’ amulet. Iolaus must have been in a lot of trouble to part with it. Hercules’ eyes water over as he feels empathy and compassion for all those who suffered and died on Iberia at the hands of the Magog. The scenes of rotting flesh and the cries for help of the dying ring like a time loop in Hercules’ head. Images of Iolaus lying cold and alone also rip Hercules’ soul apart. More questions than answers arise..how did Iolaus survive? Who healed him? How did Iolaus end up on Raisa?. Hercules holds the amulet closely to his heart as he absent mindedly puts the amulet necklace around his neck as he tries to concentrate on what Tyr Anatasi is telling him in the here and now.
Tyr continues to tell Dylan about Iolaus in his dying moments “Dylan, Iolaus was a brave man..he died like a Nietzchean..he never uttered a complaint about the cold..nor showed any fear of dying..truly an extraordinary being..and Iolaus was..”
Rev Bem interrupts “I know this is a bad time..after just witnessing the bloody massacre of the Magog attack on all those helpless humans..I can understand if the sight of me..turns your stomach since I am Magog..but I have a message from Beka..it seems we are now orbiting Raisa.” Rev Bem turns and leaves Tyr and Dylan. Rev Bem does a little prayer “To all those tortured souls who died on Iberia..may they lie in peace on the other side” Rev Bem nods his head and leaves.
“Well..that was what I wanted to tell you Dylan..I have decided to hide my wife and son on Raisa..I think it will be a safe place for them..” Tyr turns to leave Dylan..but Dylan reaches his hand out to Tyr and says “Wait..thank you for the amulet..one question..why did you choose Raisa?”
“You don’t know do you? About how Iolaus was healed? Or how he survived?” Tyr asks a bewildered Dylan quietly.
“I’ve been wondering..I mean..Iolaus is obviously Cupid..I saw him last time I went to Raisa when I went to see Sarah for the last time..how?” Dylan asks.
“What’s not on the tape..is that shortly before Tyr disappeared..he saw a beautiful woman appear out of nowhere..blond..wearing a very thin gown..she took Iolaus’ body in her arms and she healed him and then disappeared with him..For years, Tyr, my ancestor endeavored to find out what happened to Iolaus..it took several generations..but just by accident..my father went to Raisa..he saw Cupid..well we put two and two together and realized that the pink lady must have been Aphrodite and she transported Iolaus to Raisa to hide him..that’s why I thought of Raisa to hide my family..I figured if Iolaus can hide there all these centuries..so can Freira and my son!”
“This is Beka..to Dylan..we need you here in command..we have arrived at the planet of Raisa and the Raisian constellation..Beka to Dylan do you copy?”
Dylan taps his communicator “Copy..I’ll be right there!”
CHAPTER 2
“Aphrodite..is it true..Hercules and his crew are on Raisa?”
“Yes, Iolaus…they’re here because Tyr Anatasi decided to bring his..” Aphrodite answers putting a comforting arm on the Golden Hunter’s shoulders.
“Tyr Anatasi! It’s been close to 300 years since that attack on Iberia..when you healed me of those Magog eggs..Why is Tyr on Raisa?” Iolaus looks at Aphrodite with grateful cobalt blue eyes. Aphrodite gives Iolaus a comforting hug for she sees Iolaus shivering as he remembers the horrible time he had when the Magog eggs were laid in his belly and he laid on the cold hard ground slowly dying as the Magog young ate at his insides slowly killing Iolaus from within. Aphrodite continues her explanation about Dylan’s and Tyr’s impending arrival on Raisa.
“As I was about to tell you, Iolaus..Tyr’s wife, Freira and child are in mortal danger from opposing prides and he feels he can hide his family here on Raisa..Hercules brought Tyr and his family on the Andromeda..here to Raisa..”
The minute Dylan finds out that the Andromeda is orbiting Raisa, he has Beka and Rev Bem escort Tyr and his wife and child to the planet surface to meet up with Aphrodite. In the meantime, Dylan hops into the fastest shuttle to have his long talk with Iolaus. Dylan spots Iolaus’ temple located right next to Aphrodite’s pink temple in the center of Raisa proper. As usual, Iolaus has just finished dispensing petitions from the Raisian citizens as his role as Cupid. Dylan watches in admiration as Iolaus aka Cupid dressed in a white toga with gold trims calmly bless couple after couple by touching each Raisian on the top of their heads and then giving them a blessing. Iolaus uses his Guardian of the Light powers to emit a blinding light for the people to see as he blesses each couple. As the Light emanates through Iolaus’ body, Iolaus’ face is at peace and an unreal happiness settles upon his handsome features. His blond golden hair seems to radiate with a light all its own.
With the sun shining on Iolaus, Dylan aka Hercules or Hercules aka Dylan shields his azure eyes from that amazing sight. As Dylan climbs up the mountain to meet Iolaus, he thinks I still can’t believe that Iolaus gave up the light to share the living world with me. Tears run down Hercules’ tanned face as he thinks of all the suffering Iolaus endured before arriving on Raisa. Hercules finds himself extremely nervous to confront Iolaus again after all this time. The minute Hercules sees Iolaus, his heart melts and he feels nothing but brotherly love for Iolaus.
Before Iolaus can turn around, Hercules runs up to Iolaus and gives his best friend a big old fashioned bear hug.
“Iolaus..it’s so good to see you again! I wish I could see you more often..you know why I’m here don’t you?”
“Yeah, Tyr’s family is in danger..and. Aphrodite is now showing Tyr the safe place on Raisa for Tyr’s family...”
“I remember Tyr Anatasi..I didn’t know he’s married and has a wife and child?” Iolaus asks.
“Long story..Iolaus..but Tyr left his wife and child behind to save Andromeda..now the other pride..I can’t remember it’s name off the top of my head is after Tyr..they threatened to kill Tyr’s family to get to Tyr..I know what that’s like.. briefly remembering Deiandera and the kids and Hera murdering his own family so long ago..”
Iolaus puts a comforting hand on Hercules’ shoulder “I understand Herc..the pain never goes away..you’ve lost so many people in your long life..Deiandera..Sarah..Herc..if it’s any comfort..they’re all very happy and safe in the Elysian Fields..”
“I know Iolaus..but I still miss them” as shadows form around Hercules’ kind compassionate eyes.
“Right before I watched that tape on Iberia..I noticed Tyr looking very upset..that’s when I found out about Tyr’s family being in danger..that’s why we’re here..to have Tyr’s family seek refuge here on Raisa..”
“Wait a minute Herc..did you say you saw the tape of the Magog attack on Iberia?..” Iolaus asks carefully looking Hercules straight in the eye. Hercules not able to keep his eyes locked on Iolaus looks down on the floor as he answers..
“Yes,.Iolaus...I watched the tape on Iberia..I saw how the Nietzcheans tortured you, made you a slave and how the Magog ah..ah..well the Magog..well you know..the Magog..they..huh..”
“how the Magog laid eggs in me..invaded my stomach with their fowl offspring..” finshed Iolaus..”Listen Herc..I knew you would feel guilty about the whole thing..I just wanted to spare you the pain..that’s why I didn’t say anything to you about it..I just abridged the story..left the whole Iberia part out..anyway it all happened 300 years ago..you already had a lot on your mind..the shock of learning that in five seconds your whole world was gone..that you lost everyone you ever knew..your crew..your fiancé..your place in history..I know from Rev Bem and Trance that you’ve been wracked with guilt and you’ve been spending every waking moment trying to play catch up..with all of that..I just didn’t have the heart to add my own burdens to your load..and besides..I’m not exactly proud of the whole Magog thing..it’s so difficult for me..Sorry Herc”
Hercules gives Iolaus an incredulous look as he pats his best friend on the shoulder in an effort to comfort his lifelong friend and he gives Iolaus a compassionate look..azure eyes lock on azure eyes “Iolaus..there’s nothing for you to be sorry for..only YOU would think of my welfare over your own..I would never have found out if it weren’t for the tape..You must know that no matter what happens to you I would never judge you..I would never be ashamed of you..you are my oldest friend..my family..please Iolaus in the future..feel free to tell me anything..I want to help you..”
“Herc..I know for you it’s all been a shock..a recent shock..but all of this happened 300 years ago for me..I thought I put it all behind me..I’ve even got to know Rev Bem..a Magog..Listen Herc..I”
“No Iolaus..you don’t need to apologize to me.. no I’m the one who needs to apologize..Iolaus..as I was watching that tape..I want you to know how sorry I am for not being with you these past 300 years..I promised to always be there for you..to watch your back..for me 300 years passed in five seconds..for everyone else like you..it’s been 300 years of chaos..I should have been there..I’m”
“Listen Herc..I wanted to tell you last time I saw you when you came here to Raisa to see Sarah..but I just didn’t have the heart to ruin your last moment of happiness with Sarah by telling you..about” and Iolaus continues in a very soft voice, his blue eyes lowered to the floor “the Magog..ah..thing”
Iolaus ducks his head in shame “..I am so ashamed about it all..I was so weakened..the Magog..it felt cold..the eggs..I tried to resist..but they were too strong..there were too many of them..I..felt so helpless..so violated..like the Magog took away my free will..my dignity..I wanted those eggs out of my body..there wasn’t anything I could do..I knew I was dying..so I gave Tyr my amulet..I knew Tyr was a Highlander immortal…knew someday he would meet up with you..”
Hercules looks at Iolaus as if he’d grown a third head as he quietly exclaims ‘Tyr..immortal?’ well that explains a lot thinks Hercules to himself. Hercules keeps his attention focused on his dearest friend as Iolaus finally unloads his heart after 300 years.Hercules continues to shake his head in confusion at this bit of news about Tyr’s immortality. Tyr told me it was his ancestor who was saved by Iolaus..well now this makes more sense..so it was Tyr Anatasi himself who was saved 300 years ago. Maybe that’s the real reason he’s on the Andromeda Ascendant..out of a sense of duty because of Iolaus bravery and heroism..Tyr feels he needs to help me to fulfill his debt to Iolaus. Still I can’t fully trust Tyr..I mean Tyr will only do what’s best for Tyr after all..although holding on to Iolaus’ amulet for 300 years and then finally giving it to me does show to me that Tyr can be a man of his word..still Tyr will do what is best for Tyr..I still must not be so gullible again..and not let my guard down around a Nietzchean..or should I? This world is so confusing..to trust or not to trust..But there’s one person in this universe I know I can trust with my life and that’s Iolaus..the brother of my heart.
“Listen Iolaus before you say anymore..I want to reiterate that I am NOT ashamed of you..in fact because of your bravery and heroism you saved Tyr Anatasi’s life and he in turn has saved my life many times over since he has been aboard the Andromeda…”
“No Herc..for three hundred years..I kept this to myself..I never told anyone how I felt about the whole ‘Magog incident’..I never mentioned it to Aphrodite, to Cupid to anyone..I didn’t think there was anyone who would understand..until now..now that you’re back. I need to get this out in the open..to clear the air between us..to make up for 300 years...Herc..you’re right..I should never have kept this from you..we’ve been friends all our lives..we should not have any secrets..that’s what best friends are for right?”
“Iolaus..if this whole thing hurts you..you don’t have to mention this..I saw the tape..I know what happened..I understand..ah..your..ah difficulty..about ah..this whole ah..Magog..affair..”
Iolaus looks into his best friend’s
eyes and sees only unconditional love and forgiveness and not a hint of shame.
Iolaus shakes his head in wonder as he thinks ‘What have I ever done to
deserve this man’s love and friendship?’. I can’t believe that he wasn’t
disgusted by what he saw on the tape..disgusted by his own weakness..at his
stupidity for not having heard the Magog sneak up behind him..Iolaus knows
that if he wants to preserve the specialness of his friendship with
Hercules..he needs to tell Hercules the truth..the whole truth..even if that
truth hurts…
”Listen Herc..I have to do this..have to get the whole thing off my chest..to
tell you the entire truth..no abridging..” Iolaus paces the floor as he thinks
of the right words to describe the horrific experience on Iberia. Iolaus
stumbles for the right words as his mind and soul are filled with many
different emotions: shame, fear, anger, remorse..Hercules watches these
emotion flit across Iolaus’ handsome features as he waits patiently for Iolaus
to begin his painful monologue.
Iolaus moves away from Hercules as hot tears of shame runs down his face. “As I lay dying..I thought about you Herc..I tried my best to stay alive..for you..Herc..I didn’t want you to find my body..all beaten and emaciated by the Nietzcheans..I evaded capture for the longest time..those last moments..my only regret was that if you found me..what was left of me after the eggs would have eaten me..I knew it would break your heart..I cried out to Michael or to anyone who would listen to get rid of my body as soon as I died..I didn’t want anyone to find my remains in such a horrific state..you know.if Aphrodite hadn’t come there to heal me. I..don’t want to think about that..but Herc..still..I never wanted you to know..to see my weakness..to feel guilt over this..to bring you pain..Herc..I’m so sorry..I put you through this”
Hercules moved to tears by Iolaus’ speech grabs Iolaus by both shoulders and shakes him soundly as he says “Iolaus..you silly proud man...you have nothing to be ashamed of..there you were suffering..dying..and you thought about my welfare over yours..300 years later..you still think about my feelings over yours..I..don’t know what to say..you Iolaus..look at me Iolaus..”
“I can’t” cries Iolaus “You saw what the Magog did to me..you saw those eggs growing inside me..you saw..now you’re in pain because of it..I. am weak..a runt like my father said..”
Hercules tilts Iolaus’ head up to his and cerulean eyes meet cerulean eyes as Hercules explains “ YOU ARE NOT A RUNT OR A COWARD.. On the contrary Iolaus..I’ve never been prouder of you Iolaus..I’ve always been awed by your courage..your tenacity..I’ve always felt undeserving of your love..and the faith and loyalty you put into our friendship..from the bottom of my heart..I am glad that Aphrodite came when she did to heal you..because I need you Iolaus..I need you by my side as my partner..a hero in your own right..all these centuries we’ve always fought back to back..no..it’s not you who needs forgiving..if anything it’s me..I’m the one who left you there..all alone..stuck in some stupid black hole.” Tears of guilt run down Hercules’ handsome face as Hercules creases his eyebrow to concentrate on what to say next to convince his stubborn wayword friend of his own worth..of his weight in gold. ‘How do I convince him of how much I care for him..how much he means to me..he’s the only family I have left..how much I’ve always admired him..a mere mortal facing the same dangers as a demigod..how can Iolaus ever feel ashamed of anything..how do I convince him..Iolaus’ so stubborn!”
Hercules releases Iolaus as he puts his hand through his chestnut hair in frustration. Hercules paces the floor and explains “This whole mess..300 years of chaos..is all my fault..I never saw it coming. Like I told you the last time we met..I was so naïve..so gullible..I never saw what Rhade was planning..never knew he would betray me..you would think after that whole Gilgamesh fiasco I’d learn to be less trusting..to put up more guards..if I’d seen it coming sooner..I could have stopped the Nietzcheans..warned the Commonwealth sooner about the impending war..I let myself be lulled into a false sense of security..I actually believed the Nietzcheans when they signed that peace treaty with the Commonwealth..never suspecting treachery..I’m so sorry Iolaus..it’s I who caused you such pain..had I had more foresight I could have prevented the last 300 years of chaos..could have been there by your side..I..messed everything up..I’m the idiot in this scenario NOT you!”
This time it’s Iolaus who takes Hercules by his strong broad muscular shoulders and stops his best friend from his mad pacing “Let me knock some sense into that thick dense demigod head of yours..the fall of the Commonwealth..Rhade’s treachery..the Magog attack on Iberia..none of it is your fault..I never blamed you for anything..IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT..just like Sumeria..Herc..we’ve been through this countless number of times..each of us carves our own path..we must each face the consequences of our actions on that path..that’s it..we each have our destiny..not you or anyone else can stop us from fulfilling our destiny..It’s not your fault that the Nietzcheans betrayed the Commonwealth..not your fault that my ship fell under attack..not your fault that my crew died on Iberia..not your fault that I became a Nietzchean slave..and then became infested with Magog eggs..none of it was your fault..I meant it when I told Tyr to tell you that it was not your fault..Herc..you have to listen to reason..not to your heart..after all we each have a destiny to fulfill..and..it was my destiny to be on Iberia at that time..as Rev Bem would say ‘each experience serves a cosmic purpose for the Great Divine..’”
Hercules angrily puts his fist through an unsuspecting wooden table as he exclaims in a very loud voice that even the souls of Tartarus could hear “I’m sorry Iolaus..but I disagree with you..I don’t believe that it was your destiny to be lying prostate all alone on Iberia..your gut filled with Magog parasites slowly draining you of your life from the inside..no..it’s my destiny to protect the ones I love..starting with you…I failed you somehow..”
“No Herc..it was I who failed you..I should have told you the truth for the get go..I’m sorry you had to learn about all of this from a library archive tape..” Iolaus gives Hercules his best “I’m sorry I put you through all that pain” look.
For once speechless, Hercules notes the emotive expressions on Iolaus’ face: sorrow, regret, remorse, sadness and his heart wrenches at the thought that Iolaus is now in pain..but for the life of him..Hercules cannot think of any words that could erase Iolaus’ self-inflicted shame.
Iolaus looks at his oldest friend as he notes the emotive expressions on Hercules’ face: sorrow, regret, remorse and guilt and his heart wrenches at the thought that he somehow put Hercules in pain..but for the life of him..Iolaus cannot think of any words that could erase Hercules’ self-inflicted guilt.
Aphrodite and Trance appears at this point as Dite explains patiently and slowly as if talking to small children “Boys…boys..boys..it was nobody’s fault..what matters now is that you are both in the here and now..both alive and healthy..Tyr is with his family..and everyone is safe and sound. Hercules..Iolaus calm down..” says Aphrodite in a calm authoritative voice—so unlike the usual flighty Aphrodite.
Iolaus and Hercules eyes lock “Aphrodite’s right..I’m glad you’re here..Iolaus..all in one piece..Iolaus..don’t be ashamed of what happened to you..you were the victim..and in my heart..you are a hero..” Hercules emphasizes his point by embracing Iolaus in an Olympian bear hug. And not to be left out, Aphrodite hugs both her boys.. Trance whispers a prayer of thanks to Michael as she watches the happy group be reunited after such a long period of separation. When Trance is happy, her purple skin glows to an even brighter shade of purple.
Hercules looks at Iolaus and remarks “I’ve got my family back..that’s all that matters..Iolaus, Aphrodite and I are family..”
Iolaus joins in this emotional moment as he adds “I promise Herc..I’ll always tell you the truth..I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my chest now that you know what really happened to me..and despite it all..you don’t hate me. you have no idea what a relief it is to know that well..nobody sees me as..dirty somehow..”
Hercules gives Iolaus a double take “You have the purest heart of anyone I’ve ever known..dirty is the furthest word from my mind..if anyone who deserves the title Guardian of the Light..Iolaus..it’s you..Rev Bem prays to you all the time..you know what he calls you?”
Iolaus casts Hercules a mischevious glance at he replies “Alright I’ll bite..what does Rev Bem call me?”
“Rev Bem calls you the Iolaus, the Messenger of the Divine..”
“He does? I mean sometimes I enter into meditation and I hear the voices of the faithful..but I never considered myself more important than the other Wayists who pray with me..I’ve always felt like well..” Iolaus giggles “like Iolaus, brother of Hercules”
Iolaus flexes his muscles and stretches as he gratefully acknowledges Trance and Aphrodite for their help.
“It’s good to be with family..I’ve missed you Herc..like old times again..”
Hercules winks at Iolaus and repeats “Like old times” Hercules and Iolaus give each other another warrior’s handshake.
Harper and Rev Bem arrive with hands stacked with snacks and other goodies. “I think it’s time for a celebration. Tyr’s family is safe. I won the kite boarding contest AGAIN as Harper shows off his kite boarding statuette..” Harper crows as he shows all his friends his latest trophy.
Hercules looks closely at the statuette. It depicts a short blond man sailing serenely across the ocean with a kite and a surf board..”That statuette..it looks like..Iola..”
Harper cuts in as he says proudly “Yep..it’s a statue of ME..short..blond..and beautiful!”
Iolaus, Aphrodite, Trance, Rev Bem break out into laughter and even Tyr Anastasi gives a Mona Lisa grin.
Iolaus and Harper race to see who can finish the salad dip..and everything is as it should be.
Aphrodite watches as the others celebrate and she bends over to Trance and asks:
“Thank you for healing Iolaus, Trance and bringing him here to Raisa. Why can’t I tell Hercola about you, Trance? You are a hero you know..why can’t I tell Hercola that you, Trance, were the one who healed Iolaus?
“No, Aphrodite..not yet..it’s not time..Iolaus needs to concentrate on renewing his friendship with Hercules..and Hercules needs to concentrate on rebuilding the Commonwealth with Iolaus at his side..as Guardian Angel..it’s not my place to interfere..it’s better if they both just know me as the purple babe, Trance..it’s all very complicated..for the time being it’s better if both Hercules and Iolaus think that you, Aphrodite, were the one who healed Iolaus.
Aphrodite creases her lovely blonde brows as she asks the obvious question “But why Trance, why don’t you want the boys to know? I mean what’s the mystery?
Trance blushes another shade of dark purple as she explains “Part of my purpose is to guide Dylan/Hercules and Iolaus’ destiny..neither of them can be aware of this..for all must happen naturally..beyond that I can’t say anymore..”
Aphrodite scratches her head thoughtfully as she ponders “So you’re some kind of cosmic Fate babe..you know the Fates?”
Trance laughs at the simplicity of Aphrodite’s understanding of the universe as she nods her purple head and whirls her purple tail around in agreement “Yes,Aphrodite..that’s what I am..a cosmic Fate bate..Noo..a cosmic PURPLE Fate bate!” Trance gives a very Aphrodite-like giggle.
Aphrodite nods her head solemnly as she digests this piece of information “KEWL..a cosmic PURPLE Fate babe!”
Trance puts a finger to Aphrodite’s mouth as she warns “You can’t tell anyone..this is OUR secret..you can’t even tell Ares..is THAT clear?”
Aphrodite giggles as she replies “Don’t worry..not a word to anyone..what about Sweetcheeks?”
Trance says in a warning tone “APHRODITE..I SAID NO ONE!”
“Alright..alright..no need to get hopping mad..purple Fate babe! Well anyway see ya!” Aphrodite disappears in a flash of pink to mingle with the party and to drink a toast to her two most favorite heroes..Hercules..her dear half-brother and of course Sweetcheeks..Aphrodite makes a goblet of wine appear in her hands and proceeds to toast Herc and Iolaus.
Trance watches as Aphrodite giggles even louder as she gets drunk, Trance shakes her head in exasperation as she thinks ‘I can’t believe she’s related to Dylan..!’ Trance takes out Harper’s transporter device from her purple pocket and transports herself to the Andromeda.
Hercules takes Aphrodite aside while watching Iolaus and Harper try to compete with each other on who can finish eating the pie the fastest.
Hercules quietly asks out of curiosity “Who is Trance? Is she the one who told you to go to Raisa to heal Iolaus? Is she some kind of Guardian Angel?
Aphrodite hesitates to answer as she had promised Trance not to tell even Hercules that Trance is a sister to the Fates..a cosmic purple Fate sister..so Aphrodite puts on her flighty persona, shrugs her pink shoulders as she replies “I don’t know Hercola. All I know is Trance is on our side. No one knows anything about Trance or her people. I know this..Hercola..she’s stronger than all the Olympian Gods put together..maybe she’s some kind of oracle?”
Hercules replies “Even Iolaus doesn’t know what to make of her. He told me that Michael will not tell him the origins of Trance’s people. I don’t know anything about her either. I just know I trust Trance with my life for she’s saved it several times already. I guess I’m just glad Trance is on our side. “
Iolaus sees Hercules hiding from the party and so he bounces “Come on Herc..don’t be such a wallflower..dancing girls are over HERE..come on Herc..join in on the FUN!..” Iolaus wiggles his eyebrows at the double entendre of that sentence.
Hercules smiles and visibly relaxes as he pats his lifelong friend on the shoulder and replies “Alright Iolaus..life is never boring with you around! Promise me you’ll never change!” Iolaus gives Hercules a megawatt smile as he replies “I promise Herc..I promise..back to back heroes forever..” Iolaus gives Hercules a mug of beer and pushes Hercules towards the dancing girls.
Hercules laughs as he lets Iolaus push him around as he finally joins in on the merriment of the party.
THE END