Avengers
Spotlight

featuring

Hercules and the Olympian Gods

in

"Challenge of the Gods" Part 1

New York, New York.

As he ran through the five boroughs of New York City, searching for Hercules at the superhuman speed that was his trademark, Hermes, the messenger god, saw images of recent past events play havoc with his mind and body. It was not more than a couple of days ago when Pluto, ruler of the Underworld, had decided to usurp the power of the Olympians that ruled Mt. Olympus in the Upper World. This seemed to be totally out of the blue, Hermes thought coining the mortal’s phrase. His demon horde ravaged the homeworld of the gods and all that dwelled within.

Hermes was lucky to survive this savage attack by Pluto and his pet, Cerebus. When he left the confines of Zeus’ throne room, he didn’t look back and thought he would never see his family again. Only one immortal could save the family that both had known for so long; Hercules. Now, he was a reserve Avenger, only serving when needed in dire emergencies.

Methinks that this is such a time, Hermes thought, as he sped across the streets of downtown Manhattan.

This whole scenario made no sense at all. What had made Pluto attack his family and waste them so indiscriminately? What anger or hostile thought had provoked him? When he fetched Hercules, they would surely try to piece together this incredible mystery; or die trying. If death was such a thing, for an immortal like him.

“Ho! Hercules, methinks that thy vacation hast come to an end!” he shouted to his friend.

Hercules, the Prince of Power, at this very moment was walking down the streets of New York, clad in his usual garb. He turned to see Hermes come to a sudden stop and halt his speedy flight to greet him. “Thou better have a good reason for thine intervention, fair Hermes,” Hercules said, as he approached the standing speedster. “I was enjoying myself and hoping to be in the company of some exquisite maidens that populate this Earth.”

“The time for play hast ended. A matter of godly importance requires your very attention, Hercules.”

“What dost thou mean?” the Prince of Power asked kindly.

“Something of the gravest importance. Pluto, that blackguard, along with his forces and evil Cerebus, hast invaded Mt. Olympus. He is now in the Upper World.”

“What madness hast befallen Pluto?” Hercules asked, with anger in his voice.

“I don’t know, Hercules. What I do know is that Zeus himself requested that I carry you back to your home. What say you?”

“I say, aye! Aye!!”

“Hold onto my hand and I shall transport thee to ravaged Mt. Olympus!”

Hercules did as Hermes commanded and soon, the two were off. Hermes retraced his steps, as fast as they were, to where he first materialized on Earth. There was a single sonic boom that heralded their departure from the third planet of the Milky Way.

“How much damage hast been done so far to our land?” Hercules asked, as they were in limbo between dimensions.

“It is too early to tell. I don’t know what Pluto hast been doing in my absence. The worst hast been done to Mt. Olympus and to…”

Venus’ Palace.

“Fair Venus! What hast happened to thou?” Hercules asked the goddess of love.

Venus lay on her bed, weary and in a complete daze. “Oh, Hercules, for millenia past poets have sung of the many loves of fair Venus. Especially the death of Adonis. But surely, they would not be prepared for such calamity to befall Venus as this. True tragedy hast befallen me now.”

“Rest, Venus, and speak true. What happened to this fine palace?”

“I was minding mine own business, playing with Cupid in the garden when Pluto arrived. He said nary a word, simply attacked, laid waste to my palace and all who dwelled within. I still don’t know what madness possessed him to do such a deed.”

“Where is Cupid?”

“I don’t know… I—“

A third voice spoke up. “I am here, Hercules. I am fine. I am well. I am healing.”

Hercules and Hermes looked to the direction of the voice and saw a limping cherub, carrying his traditional bow and arrows walking toward the two heroic figures.

“Are your arrows fully functioning?”

Cupid touched the arrows resting on his back. “They are. I am ready for battle.”

“Then, let’s be off.”

As the trio of immortals walked outside prepared to do battle, Cupid further related to Hercules and his companion the savagery of Pluto’s attacks. He told them that Pluto was only present as a force in the background, his demon horde being the first line of attack. Hercules, ever the cautious one, was nonetheless confident that the three of them could overpower Pluto and his demons. If only it were that easy…

“Be wary, my friends!” Cupid warned his two companions. “My love-tipped arrows will be able to protect for only so long but not indefinitely.”

“Fear not, friend Cupid,” Hercules said, as he led the trio through Venus’ garden. “The strength of Hercules will be able to save the day. Let the real warriors do the fighting this day.”

Hermes stepped in front of the two gods. “Stay here, both of you. I’ll scout ahead to see if Pluto’s horde is waiting in the wings to attack again.”

“I can handle any kind of demon horde,” Cupid said, with a touch of anger in his voice, “Whether it be commanded by Pluto or Zeus himself. You need not protect one whom you think is fragile.”

Hercules laughed at Cupid’s defending himself. By that time, Hermes had run ahead to see where the demon horde were ready to ambush them. It was several minutes, as the mortals measure time, before his return.

At first, when Hermes didn’t return, Cupid became impatient, pointing his arrows at the patch of grass that Hermes’ departure originated from. Several moments passed for a long eternity when Hermes flew through the air, not under his own power, hurtling towards them at super-sonic speeds.

“Hercules!” Cupid called out in panic.

“Relax, Cupid, I’ve got him!” Hercules retorted, as he jumped in the air to catch Hermes. When Hermes was caught, Hercules set his friend on the grassy plain, trying to revive him. He slapped him several times. Hermes woke up soon afterwards.

“What happened to me?” Hermes asked.

“Methinks, the expression is, ‘a lovetap’.”

“Verily, methinks thou art correct in that assumption.”

Before another word could be spoken, Cupid, fully armed, approached the two reunited gods, warning them, “Heads up, we’ve got company!”

“What madness dost thou speak?” Hercules asked.

“We’re surrounded!”

“By my father’s beard!” That expression from Hercules, spoke volumes as Pluto’s demon horde came out of hiding, itching for the kill. Hercules knew at that instant that he would need the combined help of Cupid and Hermes which meant that Hermes would have to be ready for the coming clash of the titans.

“Methinks thou should give them a ‘run’ for their money, Hermes!” Hercules suggested.

Hermes groaned, aware of the present danger awaiting them all. “Aye! I say thee, aye!”

Seen as a blur, Hermes ran at his inherent super speed to try to confuse the horde and possibly gain victory on the side of the gods. While he raced at speeds incomprehensible to mortal and immortal, he punched a handful of demons, trying to knock them unconscious. Some were direct hits but as suddenly and fiercely as they were punched, they recovered just as quickly.

“By Zeus, what will it take to vanquish these demons?” Hermes asked.

“Let me have at them,” Cupid retorted, as he fired his arrows at the demons that surrounded him, ready to renew their attack on Venus’ palace. He had to stop them. He would not let them harm Venus again, if he had anything to say about it. The arrows passed right through their intended targets but to no effect.

Cupid was startled: “ My—my arrows! Instead of making the demons fall in love with one another, they were simply a mild annoyance! I have failed Venus and all of Olympus!”

“Fear not, friend Cupid,” Hercules consoled his winged companion, “Let me handle this for you!” He turned to the demon horde, advancing towards him.

For the span of time that seemed a small eternity to the two spectators, the demon horde attacked Hercules. The mighty immortal threw punches and kicks in the general direction of their weak pressure points. He was possessed of an intense fury that would let anyone know who the victor of the battle would be. As more and more demons punched Hercules’ form, Cupid closed his eyes, not wanting to see the outcome.

“Open your eyes,” Hermes said to Cupid. “Hercules is the victor!”

“Ho! Was there any doubt in your mind, Cupid?” Hercules asked. When Cupid didn’t answer, he continued, “Methinks it would be best for all if you help Venus in her moment of need. Hermes and I will journey to Mt. Olympus.”

Cupid agreed and the two were off.

Moments later, when Hermes transported himself and Hercules to the throne room of Zeus on Mt. Olympus, they saw the Olympians chained to a wall with Cerebus guarding them.

“What is your plan?” Hermes asked.

“Here it is…”

To be continued...

Send mail to: Gregg Epstein