Back to Back Heroes forever, Part I
Disclaimer: The characters of Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance Pictures. No money is being made from this story. This story is written for entertainment purposes only. I promise to put the characters back once I’m done with them.
Summary: How does Hercules adjust to Iolaus coming back to life? Hercules has issues and how does Iolaus deal with them?
Author’s Note: This story is within the story timeline..taking place just several days after “Revelations” right after Hercules and Iolaus fight off the Four Horsemen.
CHAPTER 1
“Hey Herc ..it’s really great to be back! You know I really missed you Herc..it just wasn’t the same without you.”
Iolaus thumps his chest gladly and bounces wildly. His golden hair reflects off the morning sunshine as Iolaus breathes in the fresh air glad to be alive. “Women and fool that’s what they don’t have in the Light..so where’s the nearest tavern so I can get some ale and flirt with a pretty tavern wench? Hercules rolls his eyes at his irrepressible partner so full of life and vigour..so full of that Iolausian energy that makes life forever interesting.
“The nearest tavern is a two hour walk if we start now..you know Iolaus I’m glad you’re back..I’ve really missed you! Hercules proclaims with warmth and feeling to his starving partner.
“Ah Herc..that’s the 99th time!”
“99th time for what?” Hercules creases his eyebrows in bewilderment.
“99th time you’ve said that you missed me..and you’ve been wearing that goofy smile for three days now..enough is enough!” Iolaus pretends to frown at Hercules but the merriment reflected in Iolaus’ blue eyes betrays his true emotions of a “joie de vivre” that he is back with his partner—back alive with his partner..
“Aw come on Iolaus can’t a guy express how happy he is to see his best friend alive again?”
“Not for 3 days in a row” Iolaus continues the charade to annoy Hercules “It’s unnerving!”
“Really Iolaus? I unnerve you?” asks Hercules in a hurt voice.
“Well..no not really..I know you do it out of brotherly love..so it’s okay..most of the time..I don’t mind except when you keep staring at me as if I was going to disappear any minute” Iolaus turns around and puts his hands on his hips “Look, Hercules..Michael says that I am here to stay..no need for you to hover about me like a Mother hen..really Herc..I’m here..I’m not going anywhere..Okay, Herc?”
“Well, okay Iolaus” answers a not totally convinced Hercules.
“Look, Herc..I’ve been given a second chance at life..and this time I’m immortal..just like you..Michael distinctly pointed out that my destiny is to be by your side..your equal partner..Trust me after a while you’ll get sick of me!”
Hercules grabs Iolaus by the vest and gives his childhood buddy a crushing bear hug as Hercules speaks his voice cracked with intense emotion “No, Iolaus I’ll never get tired of you..not ever..Iolaus when you died..a part of me died too..I felt so empty and alone without you..I contemplated ending my own life..life lost all meaning..I didn’t even know who I was anymore..when you died..it was as if I lost my heart..for Iolaus you make me who I am..you give me purpose.. you anchor me to this world..you keep me centered.. without you I would have ended up like that spoiled demigod Lucius..or that hapless fool Perseus..it’s your friendship and faith that taught me to be humble..that taught me how to stay in touch with my inner feelings..how not to take mortals for granted..you’ve kept me sane when chaos struck..like in the death of my family..you bring out the better half of me..the mortal half..don’t you understand how much you mean to me?”
Iolaus ducks his head as he can’t believe that he deserves such love. Tears threaten to flow down Iolaus’ cheeks as he is deeply moved by Hercules’ speech. That, he Iolaus of Thebes, would earn the love of this demigod even after all these years still strikes Iolaus as incredible.
“ Herc” Iolaus begins in a broken voice made raspy by intense emotions “I missed you something awful while I was in the Light..I..mean..you.. we are a team..” Iolaus stutters as he tries to gain control of his wit before he continues “I kept helping people in the Light..that was the only thing that gave me joy..nothing could console the fact that you weren’t with me.. Michael even gave me wings so I could fly around between heaven and earth..but it wasn’t the same without you..Herc..you’ve always inspired me by your example to help complete strangers..your strength has never been in your semidivine heritage..but in your heart..”
Hercules makes a gesture as if he wants to respond but Iolaus hushes him by putting his hand to Hercules’ mouth “Shh..let me finish..I have to get this off my chest..no..Herc..I’m the one not worthy of your love..it’s you who determined who I was..and made me who I am..you took a scared thief off the streets..gave him the opportunity to attend Cheiron’s Academy..an Academy by the way for nobles and other royalty..you taught me how to care for others..you turned me around..I don’t know where I’d be without you..I’d probably have died earlier on the streets or in jail unknown to anybody..if it wasn’t for your faith in me..you made me who I am today..you made me into a hero”
Iolaus stops at this point to see what effect his words have had on Hercules. Hercules’ azure eyes reflect the maelstrom of emotions in Hercules’ soul: love, awe, respect all mixed together at once. “Iolaus I can’t believe what you gave up for me in the Light to be with me..I mean you had the powers of a God..I know that you were probably stronger than a full Olympian God..I remember how Michael tossed Ares around like so much trash..You had wings like Cupid..you had the ability to fly..from the heavens to earth..to see the stars up close..yet you gave all that up for me..no it’s me who’s awed by our friendship..”
Iolaus’ eyes light up with happiness as he contemplates Hercules’ words “Herc..it wasn’t much of a sacrifice..I would do it again in a heartbeat..I carry a part of the Light inside me wherever I go..in a way I’ve never really left the Light..remember we promised to be back to back heroes forever..I knew that the Four Horsemen would have ravaged the Earth if I didn’t warn you..I had to come back to fight by your side because that’s where I belong..”
“Iolaus, I am extremely grateful that you did warn me about the Four Horsemen..for it was your warning..your sacrifice..that saved my life..I don’t know how to thank you enough..I sometimes wonder what I ever did to deserve your loyalty..I still remember when we first met..there I was a scared little kid..that everyone thought of as a freak..a bastard born out of wedlock..a demigod freak with strength that could crack a tree trunk in half..and there you were..you were the only one to offer me friendship..the only one not to make fun of me..the only one to treat me like a normal kid..the only one not to care that my father is Zeus..I can never thank you enough for how you gave away your heart the day you met me..to help this freak..sometimes I’m awed by this..this brotherly love..this act of friendship..I think it’s this friendship that has kept me from becoming self-absorbed brats like the other demigods..you taught what it’s like to be human..but I still can’t believe that you gave up so much godly strength to be by my side”
“Herc..you did the same for me..remember when Zeus offered you full godhood..but you weren’t able to stay a full god..you came back to being a demigod..do you remember why?..you told me that it was because..I was your family..that you came back for me..you gave up being a full God with the powers of Olympus to live a semimortal life by me..to suffer hunger..misery..the wrath of other Gods..potential natural disasters..just to be with me..just because you think of me as your brother of the heart..you’ve done the same for me..so what’s the big deal?”
“One big difference..Iolaus..I wasn’t dead..I was given the gift of immortality..that’s not much of a sacrifice Iolaus..no it’s you who’s the unselfish one..”
“Herc..you forget..I’m immortal now..I’m Guardian of the Light..I still have some tricks up my sleeve” Iolaus smirks at Hercules giving Hercules a mischevious look.
“But those wings? Your ability to fly? Your ability to appear and disappear at will? You gave all that up for me!”
“Like I said before..I’d do it again in a heartbeat..you are my best friend..come on Herc..let’s go to that tavern..I’m starved” Iolaus turns to head toward the tavern but Hercules grabs Iolaus’ shoulder to continue this conversation.
“Whoa there..Iolaus..not so fast..I heard about the miracles you accomplished while you were in the Light..did you know that the people you rescued called you their “blonde angel? You had the power to heal tumors, fevers, plagues..you saved so many people’s lives..I’m just so damn proud to know you, Iolaus”
“Aw shucks..Herc..just part of the job of being Guardian of the Light..to play Guardian Angel to those in need..I could feel it when people were in danger..I would hear people’s prayers for help..I just did what anyone else would have done..I acted on instinct and did what I needed to do to save their lives..whether it was moving a fast-moving chariot out of the way of a scared little girl..preventing a very young foolish person from committing suicide..or healing someone of a terrible sickness..it all came naturally to me—it’s not something heroic if you ask me..”
“You’re a hero in many people’s eyes. I remember walking into a tavern and everyone would be talking about the blonde angel..people not just from Greece..people from all over..there was this man from Chin who claimed that a blonde angel saved his village from a flood because you warned them in advance..a man from Egypt who said you saved his little girl from some unknown sickness that was devastating the countryside…the list is endless..I knew that it was you..with those wings you were able to go everywhere at once..even out of Greece..unlike the Olympians whose power diminishes the further they are from Olympus..”
“Herc..you were the hero..I watched as you saved Morrigan’s soul from the evil clutches of the evil God of Eire..how you prevented Ragnorak among the Norse Gods..and finally how you saved an unhappy Jester and had him marry the most beautiful mermaid in the sea..Gods..Herc..that Nautica was really gorgeous..”
“Well..on that last one..Aphrodtie deserves some of the credit..it was her idea to give Jester a mermaid’s tail so that he could follow Nautica, the mermaid as she swam into the sea..and ..come to think of it..the last one goes to Aphrodite..love is her gig.”
“Well..Herc..you are the one who gave Jester a second chance by rescuing him from the miserable world he was living in..and you gave Jester the confidence to pursue Nautica..you taught Jester that he is somebody by becoming his friend and by unloading your guilt on him..”
“..you think me unloading my guilt on that poor man..an act of heroism” Hercules asks in an incredulous voice.. “you’ve got to be kidding me..if anything..I feel sorry for Jester that he had to hear me whine and whine about having caused your death..have you any ideas how long he had to sit through the countless stories I told him about your heroism..the poor guy..must have bored him silly to hear a demigod whine his time away..when he could have been doing something more interesting..no I’d credit the Jester’s success solely to Jester..he certainly had the stamina to listen to me whine..he also had the patience of a saint!..still Iolaus..I’m so glad you’re back..I really missed you!”
Iolaus rolls his eyes as he announces “Now Herc..that’s the 100th time you’ve said that!..but then again I’m glad to be back!” as Iolaus lets out an infectious giggle.
Hercules responds by wearing that same goofy smile that causes Herc’s eyes to crease with laugh wrinkles as he watches Iolaus literally bounce his way into the tavern.
This merriment is shortlived as the forest becomes suddenly still. Birds stop chirping..rabbits and all other animal life has vacated the premises..both our heroes feel the hairs on their neck stand on end as they both take on a defensive stance..both ready to fight if necessary..Iolaus instinctively unsheathes his knife—the knife that he and Hercules had forged in friendship the day that they promised to be back to back heroes forever.
“Four thugs to the right” whispers Iolaus.
“Five to the left” whispers Hercules.
“Give us your money..you are surrounded so don’t even think about it!” says the lead thug.
Iolaus crinkles his nose “Don’t these thugs ever learn new lines..boy when do they ever bathe?”
Hercules responds to the smelly thug “We don’t carry money..so why don’t you be a nice thug and let us be on our way!” Hercules prepares to walk away as the thugs begin an all out attack on our two heroes. Instantly, Hercules bashes the heads of the first two thugs he comes across. Hercules swivels to see Iolaus kicking left and right using his short stature to his advantage..it never fails to amaze Hercules how fast Iolaus can fight..like a small bolt of blonde lightening..all Hercules can see is a flail of arms and legs as each man falls to the ground unconscious..then panic rises in Hercules’ soul as he contemplates the possibility of losing Iolaus again..quickly and without thinking..Hercules intervenes to knock out the remaining thugs by throwing them full force into a tree..the sickening sound of skulls crashing into the tree can be heard.
Surprised by Hercules’ intervention, Iolaus turns around expecting the remaining thugs to attack him from behind only to find their crumpled dead bodies impaled on the tree branches behind him. Instead of thanking Hercules for his intervention, Iolaus is steamed that Hercules would dare interfere when Iolaus was more than capable of defeating the thugs himself.
“Herc..what’s with the mighty man routine..I could have taken those two measly thugs with my eyes closed..you didn’t need to beat them unconscious for me..Herc..I’m not a baby..I can fight my own battles..”
“Iolaus..I didn’t want those thugs to hurt you..I couldn’t stand having to lose you again when I just got you back..I couldn’t help myself..” Hercules stammered wildly waving his big muscular arms around for emphasis.
“Alright..Herc..this time I’ll let it go..and just chalk it up to first day jitters..but next time..I fight my own battles..is that clear? No coddling..no special favors from the big mighty demigod?” Hercules knows better than to argue with Iolaus at this point as those familiar cerulean eyes flashed with anger and indignation. He knew that look..the look that brooked no argument so Hercules politely nodded.
“Sure Iolaus..I promise..I know you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself..” Hercules hopes so Hercules crosses his fingers behind his back hoping Iolaus will cool down and buy this line.
Iolaus frowns as he knows Hercules way too well. He worries that in the future Hercules will always be rescuing him..treating him like a small child..overprotecting him like a mother hen..for now..he was hungry and tired and decides to let this go..for now..perhaps given time Hercules will lower his guard and trust him again with his life..if not their friendship would be in peril..not something Iolaus wants to happen. Iolaus rubs his sore shoulder and quips “That one thug had a mean punch” Iolaus meant this to be a light joke, however an overprotective Hercules took it too seriously.
“Oh..Iolaus..are you hurt..perhaps we should take you to a healer..”
“Herc..I was just kidding..come on let’s get something to eat..the ‘blonde angel’ is starving! Remember what I said about smothering me with kindness?”
“Alright Iolaus..we go to the tavern first to eat..then we go to the healer to see that shoulder..” Hercules stubbornly adds as he massages Iolaus’ shoulders to check for broken bones.
Iolaus once again rolls his eyes at Hercules’ persist mothering “Alright Herc..have it your way..if it’ll make you feel better..after we eat we’ll have the healer check me over.” Iolaus shakes his head at the dumbness or stubbornness of his big partner. “This is going to take some time..he forgets..I’m NOT the Jester..as Iolaus walks inside the tavern to get something to eat to ease his growling stomach.
CHAPTER 2
“You know Jase..Herc’s been driving me crazy..he steps in on all my fights..fights the bad guys for me..then he hovers all over me to check on injuries..Jase he’s smothering me..at first I figured poor Herc just misses me..so I let it go..but it’s been several weeks now and Herc’s just getting worse!” Iolaus begins to frantically pace the room while constantly putting his hand through his curly blond hair in frustration. “I don’t know what to do..Herc treats me as if I’m a fragile porcelain tea cup..” Iolaus looks to Jason for guidance since he always did consider Jason as a kind of mentor.
“Listen Iolaus” Jason pauses as he scratches his chin to get just the right words out “when Hercules lost you..everyone in Greece thought he’d lost his mind especially when he came back from that other world with the Jester..what scared me was Hercules’ eyes..they looked so vulnerable..sad..frightened..empty...I don’t even think Hercules realized this..now with you back..I see that spark of life back in Hercules’ eyes..like he used to be in our Academy days..he’s back to the old Hercules..which is a relief if you ask me..Hercules was so broken-hearted without you..like a puppy without its’ master!”
“I know..I know..Jase..I watched Hercules from above..agonizing what I could do to ease Hercules’ pain..it tore my soul to see Hercules suffer so..but this overprotecting mother hen routine has got to stop..I’m not his kid..Herc and I are equal partners..heck..he didn’t even smother Serena this much or his kids..” Iolaus has a wild look about him as he continues to pace Jason’s floor wearing out the carpet.
“Look Iolaus..talk to Hercules..tell Hercules how you feel..he’ll come around..for a demigod he’s a reasonable person!”Jason adds sounding more confident than he felt.
“Jase I’ve tried talking to Herc..but it’s like talking to a brick wall..I mean at first I put up with Herc’s motherhenning me..because I was so glad to be back by Herc’s side..I missed the big guy too when I was in the Light..it just wasn’t the same without him..now I feel Herc doesn’t trust me anymore to watch his back or my own..and Jase..that hurts..” Iolaus looks downward as he doesn’t want Jason to see how much this smothering of Hercules’ really cut to the core of Iolaus’ insecurities as it put forth unpleasant memories of Skouras goading a little Iolaus with words like “runt”, “failure” and someone who’s just generally not worthy to be trusted. I mean Jase..we pledged to be “back to back” heroes that means I watch his back and he watches mine..he doesn’t trust me to watch anybody’s back now..Herc doesn’t need to do double duty by watching his back and my back at the same time..I just..it’s just..Jase..he’s so..painful...”
“Listen Iolaus” as Jason takes Iolaus by the shoulder as a gesture of friendship and comfort “Give Hercules some time..I know for a fact that Hercules trusts you with his life..eventually Hercules will realize that you’re the same old Iolaus that we all grew up with..”
“Jase..I wish it were that simple..you don’t understand..this situation has gotten totally out of hand..do you know where Hercules is right now?” Iolaus points to the empty air as if trying to prove his point. Jason gazes around the room and is stymied by Iolaus’ question as he suddenly wonders why Iolaus is traveling without Hercules. Jason creases his eyebrows in puzzlement as he asks “Where is Hercules?”
“That’s just it..Jase..he left me behind..so you see Jase..it’s like he doesn’t trust me with his life..that’s not what our friendship is all about..it’s about taking risks equally and protecting each other in battle..Herc left without me Jase..it..I..” Iolaus turns away from Jason as he doesn’t want Jason to see how devastated he feels at Hercules abandoning him.
“I’m sorry Iolaus..I had no idea that it had gotten so out of hand..tell me what happened?” Jason says softly.
“Herc and I were fishing by the lake..a messenger came as usual asking for Hercules’ help. As usual, I prepared to leave camp with Hercules..the messenger said that their king had gone beserk and was attacking his own village..Herc told the messenger he’d be there by dawn..he said ‘he’d’ be there by dawn..not ‘we’d’ be there by dawn..I didn’t catch the subtle difference then..when I woke up the next morning..Hercules had already left..he had covered his tracks very well so I couldn’t track him..I was so hurt to be left behind..like a dog left behind while the master takes a vacation..Jase..I am NOT Hercules’ pet..I am NOT like Aries likes to call me “his half brother’s pet mortal” but now Jase..and this is what hurts..Ares is right..Herc is treating me like I’m less than human..like his pet..Herc left this scroll behind..that’s it..no explanations..no goodbyes..just this stupid scroll” Iolaus waves the scroll angrily under Jason’s nose..Jason could see that the scroll had been crumpled over and over again in Iolaus’ angry hand for the poor scroll had a tattered worn-out look.
“Iolaus..stop waving that thing in my face..let me see what Hercules wrote.
Dear Iolaus,
I’ve gone to take care of that beserk king. Since you just got back from the Light, why don’t you take a break and meet me at Mother’s house, you’ll be safe and sound there. I should be back in a few days. This is way too dangerous for you. See you in 3 days.
Hercules
Iolaus starts to pace around the floor nervously trying to expend his excess energy in some useful manner.
“Will you stop pacing..you’re as jumpy as a cat..you’re making me jumpy too!”
“Jase..it’s already been 3 days..Herc should have been here by now..it took me two days to get here and one day to tell you about this..how long does it take Herc to put a beserker king in prison and save a village..” Iolaus stops to stare at his fingers to count them. He holds 3 fingers in front of Jason’s face….”Normally it takes Hercules just 3 days..count them three days for Hercules to defeat a mortal king..it’s not like he’s fighting Hera or something..Jase I’m worried..it’s not like Hercules to be late..I’ve got this awful feeling. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end.. Herc and I have always had this bond.. I can feel when he’s in trouble and vice versa..this time..I know Herc’s in trouble..Jase..Herc’s in pain..he’s frightened..he’s not used to being helpless..Jase..we’ve got to go get Herc..NOW!”
“Iolaus..I don’t want to add fuel to the fire..but I also have a bad feeling about this. “I knew it..I should have followed Hercules right away..let’s go find Hercules..”
“You start out first..I’ll go to Corinth to warn King Iphicles and then all of us will catch up with you..we have a dumb thick-headed demigod to rescue. I’ll have King Iphicles’ troops scour the area.”
Before Jason could catch his breath, Iolaus had already gone out the door in the desperate hope that Hercules is still alive. Oh Herc..as Iolaus mutters under his breath..Hold on Herc..I’m coming to get you..just hold on..wherever you are..Iolaus closes his eyes and he could feel Hercules’ fear and anxiety..he feels the cold icy manacles on Hercules’ arms..the aching pain of those arms holding Hercules’ full weight..now that’s strange..thinks Iolaus..Herc is a demigod..he shouldn’t be in so much pain..something isn’t right here..ah Herc..I’m so sorry I got so mad at you..just hold on..I’ll be there soon..we’re in this together..remember Herc..back to back heroes forever.”
In a dark dungeon inside King Brutus’ castle, Hercules hangs dejectedly from the wall. The magic of Hephaetus’ manacles drawing all of Hercules’ demigod’s strength away..Hercules hears Iolaus speaking in his mind..Hold on Herc..I’m coming..I’ll get you out of there..don’t lose hope..Tears run down Hercules’ cheeks as he realized his relief that Iolaus was coming and knew he was in trouble..Please hurry Iolaus..the pain..it’s unbearable..please Iolaus.. please Iolaus..help me..I’m so scared..this king is totally mad..I don’t know what to do..Iolaus I need you..NOW.. I..am so sorry I ever doubted your abilities..Hercules drops off into unconsciousness as the manacles drains Hercules of even conscious thought.
As Iolaus tracks Hercules’ last whereabouts, Iolaus whispers under his breath “Irony of ironies it looks like I’m the one to rescue your sorry demigod butt! If this weren’t so tragic..it would be funny..look who needs mothering now!”
Jason and Iphicles catch up to Iolaus on the trail. “King Iphicles and his men are now scouring the countryside..we think Hercules is being held by King Brutus.”
Iolaus interrupts “Don’t tell me Jase..he’s being held by some magical chains draining his demigod powers..I can feel Herc weakening..Jase..we’ve got to hurry..Herc’s not just weakening..he’s..” Iolaus’ eyes become wide as saucers as the horrifying realization of the seriousness of Herc’s situation hits him..”Jase ..Herc’s dying..I don’t understand how..if we don’t get there soon..”
Jason places a comfortning arm on Iolaus as the latter looks like he’s about to collapse “Don’t worry Iolaus..we’ll rescue Hercules in time..we will..come on..let’s go talk to Iphicles..he looks like he may have some more information..Iolaus hold yourself together..Hercules is counting on you..”
Iolaus gives Jason a grateful look “I know Jase..he’s been crying out to me..says he needs me..says he’s sorry about the way he’s acted lately..Jase..he’s so scared..we’ve got to go..he doesn’t have that much time..”
Iphicles approaches Iolaus and Jason and gives Iolaus a warrior handshake “Not good news..the castle is well-guarded and my spies tell me that Hercules is being held in an underground dungeon..get this..he’s chained to the wall by some kind of magical chains..my soldiers say that the only way to get in..would be if one man were to sneak in..but it’s still a long shot..Hercules is very weak..in fact..one of my spies report..Hercules may be dying..we must hurry if we want to save his life in time..”
Both Iolaus and Jason give each other worried looks. Iolaus exclaims “I’ll go in and rescue Herc..you guys provide some kind of distraction..I’m going to get this King Brutus if it’s the last thing I do..” Iolaus runs off in the direction of the palace. Jason takes his telescope and sees Iolaus jump over the palace wall.
Iphicles’ men are huddled together talking strategy on how to distract the king’s forces while Iolaus unties Hercules and rescues him. Jason lifts his eyes to the heavens and prays to any benevolent god who might hear him and from the very core of his heart, Jason whispers “Please keep them both safe..the world still needs heroes like Hercules and Iolaus”.
TO BE CONTIUNUED, in Back to Back Heroes, Part II