The Measure of a Merman
Disclaimer: The characters of Hercules and Iolaus are owned by Renaissance Pictures. No money is being made from this story. This story is written for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: Can the Jester overcome the cruelty of his past to survive in Hercules’ world?
Author’s Note: This story takes place after the Twilight of the Gods within the Hercules series.
CHAPTER 1
“You little runt..you are nothing but a sniveling coward…you hide from your own shadow..you are a worthless piece of trash and I emphasize the word worthless!” The Sovereign laughs as he moves to slap the Jester in the face. The Jester anticipating the slap flinches in fear.
“Look at you..cowering in that corner..how can somebody like you ever hope to achieve anything! To think those merpeople nominated YOU to be their leader..that’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard..WORTHLESS is what you are..a WORTHLESS cowering fool...in other words..Jester..YOU DO NOT MATTER..YOU NEVER DID..” The Jester bolts awake, perspiration like soft dewdrops all over his body. Nautica gives her husband a look of tender concern as she “Iolaus..are you alright? Want to tell me about it?”
“No..Nautica..I can’t..I can’t do it..I just can’t...” Iolaus2 turns away from his beautiful mermaid wife with hot tears of shame unshed in his cobalt blue eyes. Iolaus2 hurriedly wipes his eyes to rid himself of these tears to prevent Nautica from seeing just how upset he really is.
“Iolaus2..can’t do what? What are you talking about?” Nautica searches for answers on her husband’s beloved face. She sees various emotions flit across her husband’s face—fear, shame and self-doubt. She gently strokes the cheek of her handsome husband and brushes a wayward lock of curly blond hair off his face as she leans forward to whisper in her husband’s ear “Iolaus..I love you with all my heart..tell me sweetheart what’s wrong?” Iolaus2 looks tenderly into those emerald eyes and his heart melts “Nautica..I’m the luckiest man in the world to be your husband..sometimes I wonder why you married me..you could have done so much better..a man like Iolaus..a hero..like him..I’m just a Jester”
“Iolaus2 you are NOT just a Jester..you are the bravest hero I’ve ever met..you singlehandedly rescued the merpeople from utter destruction..saved us from ocean pollution..saved us from pirates..and you saved me..you are my heart..my life..please I want to help you..you’ve done so much for me..now I want to do for you..my love..my soulheart..” Nautica pleads.
“Listen Nautica..don’t ask..ok. I’m just not worthy of it all....I can’t go through with it!..I just don’t matter..I..” Iolaus2 puts his hand through his blond hair in frustration..” “Iolaus2..worthy of what? What do you mean you don’t matter my soulheart? “Who ever gave you the idea that you are not worthy or that you do not matter? Please honey we’ve always been able to talk about anything..Iolaus2 please don’t shut me out..”
Look Nautica..I’ll go cook his some breakfast…I’m starving...” Iolaus2 gives his wife a brief peck on the cheek and walks to the kitchen..his shoulders slouched..his whole demeanor that of defeat and resignation..
Nautica cries as she knows that something is troubling her husband. “Aphrodite..Aphrodite..I need your help..please.. come”
In a sparkle of pink, a gorgeous blond women in a transparent pink gown appears eating a red apple and looking the very sight of contentment as she smiles at Nautica and says “How’s my favorite mermaid couple..congrats on Iolaus2..being elected president of the whole mermaids..I’ve already talked to Hercola and Sweetcheeks and everyone will be coming to the coronation..Iolaus2 will be a radical king..all those groovy inventions of his..he’s the one for the job..how many times has he saved the mermaids from predators and sickness..truly rad king..” babbles Aphrodite eating her apple and not paying the least attention to a tearful Nautica.
“Oh..Aphrodite..it’s Iolaus2..I don’t know what to do..how to help him..” Nautica starts to cry in earnest.
“Nautica..” Aphrodite makes appear a pink hankerchief with beautiful satin edges and hands it over to a crying Nautica “There..there..Aphrodite will make it all better” as Aphrodite takes the weeping Nautica into her arms. “Nautica..honey..what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know..that’s why I need your help..it’s these nightmares he’s been having..he wakes up in tears..trembling in fear..I can feel his body shake the bed..sometimes I see him put his hands to his face..I try to wake him..but he doesn’t wake up.. and when he does..he’s sweating all over..and..Aphrodite..I just can’t stand to see him like this..Aphrodite is it me? is it my fault?”
Aphrodite does a double take and looks at this beautiful blond mermaid with green emerald eyes “ No dear..SwirlyCurly swears that you make his life complete..you are the love of his life..his soulmate..no Nautica..it’s not you!..I’ll find out for you alright? Sweety?”
A grateful Nautica gives Aphrodite a hug as she hears her husband approaching with the breakfast tray “Quickly Aphrodite..go before Iolaus2 sees you..I don’t want him to know that I asked for your help
Aphrodite nods and disappears in a sparkle of pink.
Later that night, Nautica calls Aphrodite “Aphrodite..Iolaus2 is asleep..his nightmares start as soon as he hits the pillow”
Aphrodite appears “Don’t worry..I’ll go inside Iolaus2’s dream and see what is making him upset..I promise Nautica..I’ll make sure your groovy soulmate will be alright..Trust me..I’m the Goddess of Love”
That night as Jester turns in to bed..he revisits the same nightmare…but with a difference..Aphrodite pops in to watch the nightmare inside Jester’s head.
“So you actually think you can be better than me” laughs the Sovereign “You a King..those merpeople have no idea what an idiot you are..I should be the King..not you..your life is a joke..your place is to tell the King jokes not BE the king..because you are worthless..the most worthless abject fool that has ever existed. .”
“Do you know what it is to BE a king? You poor Fool? You have to be able to execute people..create laws..have your subjects respect you..promote an image of authority..somehow with those balls jingling on top of that Jester’s hat..you just don’t cut it as a king..worthless fool..worthless fool. No matter what you do or say..you have no voice..no opinion..for they do not matter..you do not matter..you cannot make a difference..you just don’t have it in you..for without me..you are nothing..nobody...” The words worthless fool ring..nobody..nothing..echoes in Iolaus2’s heart in as tears of shame once again run down the sleeping Jester’s face.
Aphrodite blanches in horror at what she see and hears.Tears of empathy run down her face as she sees her beloved SwirlyCurly demeaned over and over again by the Sovereign. She cries as she sees the Sovereign break Jester’s spirit over and over again. Oh my SwirlyCurly..you do matter..to me..to Hercules..to Nautica..to the Merpeople..we all love you..how can we make you believe us..oh don’t believe that mean bully Sovereign..he’s just so groddy..he doesn’t know you Iolaus2 like I do..you have a heart of gold..you are a somebody..a very important somebody..please you have to believe me in your heart.. I will make you believe in your own goodness..please Swirlycurly..BELIEVE.. Aphrodite smiles as she thinks of the perfect dream to give Iolaus2 Aphrodite lets Iolaus2 understand how important he is to them and how he really is WORTHY to be Merpresident. And how much he matters to everyone..for how can someone with such a good and pure heart as Iolaus2 not matter? Aphrodite closes her eyes and prays for the first time in her life “Please if anyone is listening..please help SwirlyCurly..help me make Swirly realize his worth..that he does matter..that he does have a voice in this life..” Aphrodite frowns in concentration as an idea pops into her head. All I have to do is convince you how important you are to the heart of the Merpeople..and you’ll believe that you matter and you’ll forget all the nasty words from old groddy Sovereign.. my little Swirly..please come back to us..we love you..with the dream I bequeath you..listen to the heart of the merpeople..and of all of us..please understand how important you are to all of us..your actions..your opinions do matter..please be merpresident..please..we need you…
Aphrodite puts her hand on the sleeping Jester’s forehead and whispers “Morpheus..be kind to him..you owe me..give my SwirlyCurly good dreams..for the rest of tonight. Aphrodite concentrates as she places the voice of the merpeople into Iolaus2’s head in a desperate attempt to get Jester to understand just what he means to everyone around him.
Aphrodite kisses Iolaus2 and strokes his blond hair from his forehead as she whispers..in this dream..you will hear the voice and heart of all of us who love you and who want the best for you..we can’t help you unless you let us..please Swirly listen to our plea..YOU DO MATTER…
As soon as Iolaus2 closes his eyes..he dreams that he sees Aphrodite crying over him and telling him gently how much she cares for him. He sees Aphrodite’s tears fall on his face as she whispers over and over again..Ohmy SwirlyCurly..you are my hero..your voice..your life..you matter to me..to the merpeople..In this dream I send you..you will see the truth of your own worth..and you will forget the lies that the Sovereign has fed you all these years..please Swirly..you have to believe in yourself..and truly believe..that you are important enough to be president of the Merpeople. Aphrodite continues to press her hand on Iolaus2’s forehead as he feels himself falling through a vortex..and he sees the parliament of the Merpeople..and he hears the pleas..and thoughts of all the sleeping merpeople..and he hears their dreams..and feels their fears..
“Iolaus2..now that Triton and Poseidon are gone..what will the merpeople do? Who will protect us? From sickness..from our enemies?”
“This power grid that I have built..it filters out the pollution in the ocean that causes the merpeople to be sick..and it also will alert us to any pirates ships in the area….this device can hear any ship coming..we can even hear what the people in the ship are saying..so we know if the people in the ship are pirates or not..”
“Oh Iolaus2..you truly are a leader..I am glad that the Merministers elected you as our president..without the God’s magic to protect us..we must fend for ourselves..you are just the man to teach us how!”
Iolaus2 blushes at this compliment as he is unaccustomed to flattery. “Aw shucks..it’s nothing..I love Nautica..and I’ll do anything to protect her and her family…her family is my family..think nothing of it..you don’t need to elect me as anything..”
The young merman continues “But Iolaus2..why do you think so little of yourself?..We the merpeople of Greece hold you in the highest regard..none of us are as smart as you are..and Nautica..daughter of the great God Triton and granddaughter of the great sea god Poseidon..would not have just married anyone you know..you do realize that Nautica’s heart is what warms the seas of Greece don’t you?”
“Well yes..Hercules told me that..I remember..if we hadn’t rescued Nautica in time and get her heart back into the ocean..the seas of Greece would have frozen over..” Jester recites.
“So then you must know that Nautica’s heart is a treasure that is most rare. And only the most remarkable man such as YOU Iolaus2 can capture such a heart..Nautica believes in you..and so do all the merpeople of Greece..we believe in your greatness..in your ability to lead us as merpresident…please Iolaus2..please be our president..we have no one else of your greatness..” pleads the young merperson.
Michael appears suddenly to Aphrodite as she is guiding this dream in Iolaus2’s head.
“Aphrodite..we haven’t met..my name is Michael..the Archangel..”
Aphrodite giggles “You were the one who made Sweetcheeks immortal so that poor Hercola wouldn’t have to go through eternity alone..he would always have his brother at his side..Thank you for helping Hercules through this..when Sweetcheeks died..Hercola kind of went bonkers..but he did save Iolaus2 from that mean Sovereign dude”
“Aphrodite..it was my honor to grant Iolaus the title of Guardian of the Light..he has certainly earned it..a mere mortal fighting alongside Hercules all these years..but Aphrodite that’s not why I’m here..” Michael pauses as Aphrodite creases her pretty eyebrows as she cries out in panic “ No..you can’t take Iolaus back into the Light..poor Hercules will go totally bonkers”
“No Aphrodite..I’m here to help Iolaus2..I know the dream you are giving him is based upon his memories of why the merpeople elected him merpresident..you’re replaying in his head..all the compliments the merpeople have given Iolaus2 through the years..but “
“Michael..I saw that awful Sovereign picking on my poor SwirlyCurly saying the most awful things..and he’s totally wrong..my SwirlyCurly is totally the most radical dude who deserves to be merpresident..he is totally worthy. And he does matter..to me..to Herc..especially Hercola..without Swirly..he would have died..Swirly gave Hercules hope when Sweetcheeks was in the light..I just want Swirly to understand just how important he is to all of us...and that’s what I’m trying to get him to see the truth..but Michael why doesn’t he believe in himself?
“Yes..the sad thing is..no matter how many times the merpeople pay Iolaus2 compliments…he just doesn’t believe he is good enough.. Michael points to his heart “Iolaus2 has to believe in his heart that he is worthy and that his voice matters. Despite Hercules’ friendship and Nautica’s love..and the merpeople’s gratitude…Iolaus2 still carries the scars of his other world..he believes that he is not good enough..the cruelty of the Sovereign’s words and actions still leaves a heavy imprint on Iolaus2’s soul..it’s hard or almost impossible for him to believe that he is anything but a worthless fool whose life, actions and voice does not matter..no matter how hard he tries.. You see..Aphrodite..many people love Iolaus2 and believe in him..but Iolaus2 needs to believe in himself before he can be truly happy”
Aphrodite pouts as she asks Michael “How do we do that?”
Michael gives Aphrodite a mischevious grin as he says “ I have an idea”
CHAPTER 2
“You know Herc..I’m so glad that Iolaus2 has finally found a family..and now he’s going to be merpresident..what an honor..I always knew he could do it! Aren’t we Iolauses brilliant?”
“Yes..Iolaus2 has certainly come a long way..” Hercules’ handsome face is etched in worry..as he hesitantly continues “Iolaus2 will be a great merpresident..”
“I saw that worried look on your face Herc..what’s wrong? “
“It’s just this..I just hope that Iolaus2 has really been able to bury his past..that Sovereign did a good job making Iolaus2 feel like he’s a nobody..the things Iolaus2 told me..it’s enough to make your hair stand on end..I just hope he realizes how wrong the Sovereign was..and to kill the ghost of Sovereign once and for all..” Hercules frowns and then he stumbles as he walks.
Now it’s Iolaus’ turn to look concerned and worried. “Herc..we can stop and rest..you don’t look so well..”
“Iolaus..I’m fine..this demigod blood does serve a purpose you know..I..” Hercules feels suddenly lightheaded and dizzy as he once again stumbles and Iolaus catches Hercules before his head hits the ground.
Hercules straightens up and tries to walk a few more steps only to see the world tilt more and more. He can hear liquid rush up and down his ears as his equilibrium is knocked off balance. Hercules blinks his eyes and shakes his head in an effort to get rid of the increasing dizziness and the sound of running water in his eardrums. “Iolaus..are we near the ocean?”
“No Herc..we’re still a couple of days from Iolaus2’s home in the ocean..why do you ask?”
“Iolaus..I can hear the ocean in my ears..what does that mean?”
“Shit..that means you have an infection and that you’re sick..I know you have never been sick since you’ve been a child..Sit down Herc..I’ll go get a healer..”
“Iolaus..I feel..” Hercules collapses to the ground unconscious.
Iolaus sees the sweat bead in Hercules’ forehead and he can see the heat emanating from Hercules’ body. Red splotches appear all over Hercules’ face, arms, and chest. Iolaus gasps in horror as he realizes that this can mean only one thing: The plague
“Herc..I’ll go get help..I..” A sudden flash of light blinds Iolaus for a second as he sees Michael and Iolaus2 appear in front of him.
Iolaus runs to Michael in desperation “Michael..Herc has the plague..he’ll be dead in a few hours and if this plague spreads..all of Greece will be dead in a few days..please help me..I don’t know what to do..”
Iolaus2 takes Hercules’ pulse. He then feels Hercules’ forehead and feels the heat emanating from Hercules’ body. Worse of all, he sees mucus coming out of Hercules’ ears which in mortals causes deafness and death.
Iolaus runs to Michael and practically screams in the Archangel’s ear “DO SOMETHING! HERCULES IS A GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT..HE’S PASSED YOUR TEST!”
Iolaus2 takes out a goblet filled with a strange florescent green liquid from his packet and he forces the sick Hercules to drink the foul tasting liquid.
Hercules grimaces and coughs as he automatically swallows the ill-tasting liquid saying “Please Mother..not the herbal tea again..Mother..I’m not THAT sick..give it to Iolaus..he’s sicker than I am..No Mother..” Hercules coughs.
Iolaus2 walks up to Iolaus “Don’t worry Iolaus..I just gave Hercules the antidote..on merpeople it takes a few hours for the antidote to take effect..but since Hercules is a demigod..well..I’m guessing the antidote should take only a few moments before..”
Just on cue..the angry red splotches on Hercules’ face, chest, neck, shoulders disappear. Hercules blue eyes flutter open as he gradually regains consciousness. “Ugh..Iolaus2..that tasted terrible..what was that you forced down my throat..worse than Mother’s teas..”
Iolaus gives Iolaus2 an incredulous look “Iolaus2..you’ve cured Hercules..Thank you..how can I ever repay you!” Iolaus gives Iolaus2 a traditional Herculean bear hug.
Shyly Iolaus2 denies his role as he ducks his head and says “It was just some concoctions I came up with..it’s the medicines that cured Hercules..not me!”
Iolaus shakes Iolaus2 by the shoulders as if to shake some sense into the too modest ex-Jester “YOU were the one who concocted those medications..so that makes YOU the one who cured Herc..I can’t tell you how much that means to me..I don’t know what I’d do without him..You, Iolaus2 deserve all the credit..why do you find it so hard to believe in yourself?”
Iolaus2 is about to respond when Hercules now conscious, opens his eyes to see Iolaus and Iolaus2 hovering over him and for a second Hercules thinks he’s seeing double. Hercules tries to sit up to join in the conversation only to feel his head ache as if it were about to split open. Blinding waves of pain overwhelm Hercules as Hercules exclaims in pain:
“.I..oh my head aches..feels like a Titan jumping up and down inside my head..Ow!” The great almighty Hercules clenches his head in pain.
Relieved that Hercules is cured of the plague, Iolaus now feels free to laugh at his partner’s predicament “You are such a baby..a small headache that’s all it is..welcome to the world of mortals..Herc..I’m going off to hunt us some food..Gods..Herc..it’s just a headache..take some aspirin and it’ll go away..I’ll go find some aspiritn plants..heheheh..e” Iolaus laughs as he walks away from a whining Hercules.
“Hey..it’s not YOUR head that’s exploding..I wouldn’t laugh at you if you had a headache Iolaus..THIS is not funny!” whines a still sick but healing demigod.
Feeling sorry for the giant baby that is Hercules, Iolaus2 gingerly takes out two white tablets from his pack and a waterskin aas he instructs the sick demigod “Here Hercules take these aspirin tablets..your headache will go away. Hercules swallows the tablets obediently and the pounding in his head immediately lessens. Hercules’ eyebrows shoot up as he exclaims happily to Iolaus2 “Thanks for not laughing at me..it’s not fun to be near death..and sick at the same time..you truly are a miracle worker!” Hercules holds a damp cloth to his aching head as the headache..the only trace of the plague..slowly disappears. “Iolaus thinks I’m a baby because I don’t get sick..he’s the one who’s always getting injured or sick and he never complains..You Iolauses are the true heroes..even though you know what a crybaby I am when it comes to pain..once again..thanks for not laughing..”
“Don’t worry Hercules..he means well..I would have laughed too..it’s just not in my nature to be so impolite that’s all..but think about it from Iolaus’ point of view..you were on death’s door..believe it or not you didn’t complain one iota when you had the plague..only when you had the headache..maybe that’s why Iolaus laughed!”
“No Iolaus2..I was unconscious the whole time I had the plague..the moment I awakened I whined..so no I am NOT a hero when it comes to me getting sick..so embarrassing you know..”Hercules blushes at his weaknesses.
“Hercules..believe it or not..it’s your weaknesses..especially the embarrassing ones that make you most endearing..the Sovereign would never allow anyone to see him weak..anyone who did..would be executed..You and Iolaus truly have a remarkable friendship…the give and take..the brotherly love I see between the two of you..is most rare. You’re both so lucky to have each other. It’s just such an amazing world I live in here. I find it so hard to let go of my past..in my world I was nothing..nobody..I was whipped..tortured..beaten..or worse if I ever tried to do anything positive..my role was just to be the Jester..to tell jokes..Sovereign told me over and over again not to rise above my station..that my station in life is that of a worthless fool..that no matter what I did..what inventions I created..that I did not matter..that I was nothing..but in this world..it’s so different here..everything is the opposite..it’s like I’m starting to make a difference..I just never thought that would be possible…makes me feel like there is a purpose to my life..I can’t believe I actually saved Hercules from the plague..or the merpeople from pirates..I am so thankful that in this world..I am made to feel important…still I have a hard time believing that I am anything but a Jester..but I’m trying really trying to forget about the past and..to..”
Hercules pats the agitated Jester on the shoulder as he cuts short Jester’s tirade to tell him what he has in his heart.
“You are important. The moment I met you I knew you were smart. No one else can cook waffles like you can. You created a soapweed plant that has lather..you saved Corinth from a flood with that irrigation system of yours..you created that grid to filter out polluted water to save the merpeople from sickness..the merpeople love you..Aphrodite loves you..we all love you..for your caring heart..Iolaus2..you are also like a brother to me..you saved my sorry ass..I will be forever grateful to you..Iolaus isn’t the only one who is lucky to have a ‘remarkable friendship’ so are you..my friend..with you and Iolaus around to watch my back..I know I’ll be alright..” Hercules encloses Iolaus2 in a Herculean bear hug..such a bearhug would have scared Iolaus2 when he first met Hercules but now..well now..he thinks of Hercules as a dear friend and not as a dead ringer for the Sovereign.
“Hercules..you can let me breathe now!” exclaims Iolaus2 good-naturedly.
“Sorry..I forget my own strength..I do this all the time to Iolaus..but now that he’s Guardian of the Light…well when Iolaus bearhugs me..I wait until my lungs are about to explode before I tell him to please let go..he’s a lot stronger than me now..and like me..he sometimes forgets his own strength…” Hercules immediately releases Iolaus2 from his bearhug deathgrip. Hercules leans back in his bedroll still too tired to stay awake. Hercules takes a short nap and awakens several minutes later to find a fussing mother hen Iolaus trying to forcefeed him his bad tasting broth.
Iolaus 2 sits down by a tree to rest as he watches Iolaus tenderly administer to the needs of a still weak and still sick demigod. Iolaus2 watches as Iolaus tenderly feeds his best friend beef broth. He watches as Aphrodite flits in and out to tell the sick demigod a funny joke or two to cheer him up. For the umpteenth time, Iolaus2 marvels at the unusual friendship between Hercules and Iolaus..the chemistry between these lifelong partners..the warmth and love of their friendship. Iolaus2 considers himself lucky to be friends with such extraordinary people. Iolaus2 lets his mind drift over the events of the day...maybe Hercules could be right..maybe..just maybe he does matter..that he isn’t a total nobody..as he forces himself to ignore the taunts of the Sovereign ..Iolaus2 fearfully whispers to himself in with some trepidation..Do I dare believe that I can be important enough to be Merpresident..that my voice really matters..do I dare chuck my past..am I really a hero? Could I ever become a hero like Iolaus? Exhausted by the whole ordeal of saving Hercules from the plague, Iolaus2 leans against the tree, breathes in the soft breezes of a warm Greecian summer, closes his eyes and falls asleep.
Suddenly Sovereign’s taunting voice echoes in Jester’s head.
“Really my poor Jester..how can you honestly believe that you matter? Hahaha!
“No Sovereign..you are wrong..I do matter..I’ve saved the Merpeople..Hercules..and all of Greece from the plague..”
“Oh my poor Jester is now having delusions of grandeur..how do you know it’s not just Hercules pretending to be sick and then letting you think that your useless potions cured him just to make you feel better about yourself..your friends pity you..that’s all it is..you still do not matter!”
“At least I have friends Sovereign..you seem to have nothing better to do with your afterlife than to taunt me..Leave me alone..you’re dead..part of my past..you’re not real..I have a life now..my antidote saved Greece!”
“Are you sure little man..or did Hercules just play act the whole thing just to make you feel important enough to be merpresident of those merpeople?”
“I know I made a difference Sovereign..Go away..!”
“Jester if you were so sure that it was your antidote that cured Hercules..then why am I still part of your nightmare? Why am I still here?
Sovereign gives Jester a triumphant leer “I am still here because you still can’t believe the compliements..a part of you still believes in your own unworthiness..oh Jester I need to congratulate myself..I’ve trained you well..even though I’m dead..you continue to be my Jester. I own you and I will own your soul forever!”
“No..no..I am no longer your Jester..I only let you be your Jester..I can kill your memory..I have the power..not you..I am the one who makes things happen now..not you..you no longer have any control over me..over how I feel about myself..from now on..I do things for ME..because I am worth it..not for YOU..not for anyone else…I take control of my destiny because I deserve it..I am a person..not a thing to be owned..Sovereign..you no longer own me..no more Sovereign..never again!”
Michael appears within Jester’s mind and pats him on the back.
“You are right Iolaus2..YOU write your own destiny..you make decisions to please YOU..why? Why you ask? Because you matter..YOU are truly important to this universe..as important as Iolaus and Hercules combined.
With a determined stance to rid himself of the Sovereign once and for all, Iolaus2 turns to Michael and asks him point blank:
“You mean Hercules and Iolaus BOTH would have died without my antidote?” asks Iolaus2.
Michael softly adds “Not just Hercules and Iolaus..but the plague is highly contagious..within a few months..all of Greece and surrounding countries would have been devastated. Indeed, like Iolaus..you have saved the world.
“Forget about the Sovereign..You are truly worthy..do YOU believe me? I will show you your true worth.”
Michael takes Iolaus2 by the hand and a giant vortex opens in front of them. .
“Michael where are you taking me?” asks a frightened and timid Iolaus2
“Don’t worry my son..I will not harm you..I simply want to show you what the world would have been like if you had never been born.”
“Never been born?” Iolaus2 asked.
“Yes, what would have happened to all the people you saved if you were never born to save them..” Michael says crptically.
With a wave of his hand, Iolaus2 is transported across time and space. The scenes around him change and flicker as the swirling vortex finally stops and Iolaus2 looks around to see his first love Anya….
The Sovereign gives a look of disgust as he kicks the corpse of Anya. Sovereign screams at his guards.
“This slave was lazy..bring me another one..!”
Iolaus2 eyes fill with tears as he whispers “No my dear Anya..I found a way for you to escape the Sovereign.. nono..”
The vortex swirls again and this time Iolaus2 finds himself in Greece next to Hercules.
“Iolaus..I just can’t live without you..my life is so empty without you..with this drink of hemlock poison..I will join you in the Light..we will be together again..back to back heroes forever..” Hercules takes a drink of hemlock and after a few moments dies.
The vortex swirls again and this time Iolaus2 finds himself under the ocean.
“Nautica..you have survived this plague because you are the daughter of a God..all of the merpeople are dying..even Poseidon does not know how to cure this sickness.”
“Father..what do I do?” Nautica eyes tear with sadness as she looks at the dead corpses of her family. She looks at the sick and afflicted and knows in her hearts that in a matter of hours the whole ocean would be filled with the corpses of dead merpeople. Nautica cries on her father’s shoulders as she is helpless to save her people.
Michael looks at the grief-stricken Jester for the very first time.
“You see Iolaus2..without you..Anya becomes a slave and dies..Hercules commits suicide..the merpeople die of the plague.. You are not there to save them..you are not there to give Hercules a purpose in life..you are not there to provide an antidote to the plague..a plague by the way that eventually destroys all of Greece..so you see Iolaus2..the world needs you..now do you believe me when I tell you that your life matters?
Iolaus2 lifts awe-struck eyes to Michael and remarks “I did all that?”
Michael pats Iolaus2 on the shoulder gently as he gently remarks “ Yes, my son..YOU did all that.”
For the first time, Iolaus2 actually believes the compliments he’s been given but not without some hesitation for one cannot break off with one’s past all at once. Iolaus2 trembles with reaction as he contemplates the possibility of believing in himself..even that possibility..liberates his heart from the chains of oppression..of self-doubt that he has worn all his life..like a heavy weight being lifted off his chest..Iolaus2 smiles that golden smile that Iolaus is so famous for..as Iolaus2 thinks..I guess I am important..
“I just can’t believe..I mean..I really did do a good thing..I made a difference..dear the gods..I’ve made a difference..I did it..I didn’t just simply help solve the situation..I resolved it..I can’t believe that I could do that..”
At that moment, Aphrodite appears with Nautica as Nautica wakes her sleeping husband.
“Wake up sleepyhead..have a good nap?”
“Nautica..I had the most incredible dream..Michael made me see what life would have been like if I had never been born..so many people..I saw you Nautica ..the merpeople..all dying..I saw Hercules kill himself because he was so sad over Iolaus’ death..I wasn’t there to save anyone..Michael made me realize that I really am important..I really do matter..I don’t have to listen to Sovereign anymore.”
Nautica gives her timid husband a reassuring hug “The minute I saw you..I knew..you were a hero..without a doubt in my mind..my love..you will always be my hero and my savior..” Nautica cups Iolaus2 head in her hands and gives him a deep passionate kiss as she lustfully exclaims in a hoarse voice “To my hero..you’ve saved Hercules..the merpeople..you have saved the world and most of all you have saved me from a life of loneliness and for that I will always be grateful “Nautica once again proceeds to kiss her timid husband.
Iolaus2 blushes to the roots of his hair as he ducks his head shyly and responds “I am ready..Nautica..to be merpresident..I know I can make a difference but I’m still shy..and I’m still afraid..a part of me believes that I am important and worthy..but still a part of me is afraid..are you sure you want such a fearful merpresident?.”
Nautica hugs her shy husband “I speak for the merpeople..it’s your fears..your vulnerabilities that make you human..everyone..even the great Hercules has his self-doubts..his moments of fear..I would worry my soulheart if you weren’t afraid..it’s part of who we are..come my love..to follow your destiny to be the father of the merpeople of Greece”
Nautica slips her hand around Iolaus2’s waist as they both walk away into the forest to spend some time alone.
Aphrodite watches in glee as the two lovebirds flee into the forest. “Aw Hercola..isn’t that the most adorable scene..Swirly so deserves happiness after all he has been through..and now he can begin to heal from his wounds..and believe..that he is the coolest..grooviest seadude that has ever existed..” With a content look on her face, Aphrodite gives a contented sigh and disappears in a sparkle of pink as Hercules watches as she transports the lovebirds back to the ocean.
As Iolaus comes back from the hunt holding two dead rabbits..both Hercules and Iolaus hears Aphrodite’s silly giggly disembodied voice as she exclaims “Don’t forget to come to the Iolaus2’s inauguration party..it’s going to be HUGE!”
Iolaus returns Aphrodite’s giggle with a silly giggle all his own as he responds “Party..Food..Festival..Done deal..Herc and I will be there..I love Iolaus2’s cooking..he doesn’t burn the food like Herc does!”
Hercules slaps Iolaus on the shoulder as he exclaims an indignant “HEY!”
CHAPTER 3—Epilogue
“Hey Herc..the food is great..loved that inauguration speech Iolaus2 gave..as long as he is merpresident..I think the merpeople will have a great future Herc”
“Iolaus..swallow your food..don’t you know that it’s impolite to talk while you’re eating? You’ve got crumbs all over your good clothes!”
“But Herc..I’m hungry..and if I talk with no food I can never get to eat” Iolaus responds as more food crumbs fall to his chest.
“Iolaus..YOU are always hungry..”
Iolaus2 finishes his speech and concludes his meeting with the Merparliament as he finally gets to approach his friends to celebrate his new station in life. “Thank you both for helping me believe in myself..I learned that the only way to be happy is to believe in one’s heart..to believe that anyone can make a difference..you have no idea how hard that has been for me..as you all must know by now..I was just a lowly Jester in my other world..but thanks to the loving kindness, support and friendship I have experienced since coming to this world..I can truly say that I am proud and honored to be the first merpresident of the merpeople..and thanks to you..I know I can get the job done..I’m no longer a Jester anymore!.”
Hercules is the first to clap..the audience is so moved..that everyone stands up.to clap.The thunderous applause is so deafening that it could be heard in Tartarus where a disgruntled Sovereign watches as his former Jester has now become a hero in his own right..The Sovereign watches the scene unfold and finally admits to himself “That little twirp deserves the best..you know Jester..when we were children..you were my only friend. When mother abandoned me, you took care of me..You never left me even when I was cruel to you..You were the only friend I ever had all my pathetic life...I am so sorry for what I did to you when we grew up..have a happy life..my friend..forget about me..”
“You know Raphael, I think someday Iolaus2 will have it in him to forgive the Sovereign..”
“Forgive the Sovereign for all those atrocities how could he?”
“Iolaus2 has a big heart..bigger than most mortals..Iolaus forgave Skouras..that’s why I know Iolaus2 will forgive Sovereign.Eventually Iolaus2 will come to understand the Sovereign as that scared little boy who never had a mother to teach him right from wrong..who never had a family to show him love..someday Iolaus2 will forgive the little boy who grew up to be a cruel king with no love.”
“It’s too bad that it’s only now that the Sovereign is only beginning to understand what he did wrong.”
“Yes, Sovereign is starting to remember how he and Iolaus2 first met..as two scared little boys who leaned on each other for friendship and support..he truly wished from his heart goodwill for Iolaus2.”
“Is that why Michael you let him see the events unroll in Iolaus2’s life?”
“Yes, Raphael..he remembers..that once upon a time..he was a scared kid named Hercules and that his Jester was a scared kid named Iolaus…he now remembers their love..the same kind of love the Hercules and Iolaus of this world share.”
“You see Raphael..there’s hope for everyone in redemption. Come let us join Hercules and Iolaus2 in their celebrations”
Hercules gives Iolaus2 a quiet slap on the shoulder “I am glad that you finally see what we’ve all seen all along..” Hercules raises a toast “To the best man..to the most qualified man in all of Greece..to be merpresident..honorary King of Greece..and honorary Guardian of the Light..it couldn’t happen to a more WORTHY man!”
The rest of the party raise their toast to a now very embarrassed ex-Jester “To Iolaus2..may he always believe in himself as much as we have always believed in him!” THE END