Bitter Sweet

((this will be a crossover fic, hints of the other series are shown in this chapter and later ones))


“You’re going to have a tough time getting Herc to believe this.” Iolaus sighed running his hand over his face. “He’s not your greatest fan but maybe the babies will distract him.”

Joxer nodded one hand on Ares arm; his lover had tensed at the mention of his younger brother. “Maybe you should show him what Greece and the rest of the world could become if this doesn’t work.” He murmured laying a hand on Ares arm. Ares had merely told him of the devastation the removal of deities and their offspring had on other small regions and he’d felt sickened. Even if the Gods themselves didn’t get through it at least the symbols would remain. He shivered at the thought.

Ares considered it and nodded rubbing Joxers arms to get him to relax against him, rubbing his belly slightly.

“Gabrielle’s the same” Xena spoke quietly “She’ll believe this is going against everything she’s worked for, she’ll believe that you are just using people again.” She looked intently at Ares and Joxer “To be honest your track record isn’t good Ares and you can’t blame her for being sceptical. Gabrielle’s too much of a dreamer I suppose, to actually see some things. It might be better if Joxer told her.”

Joxer nodded again, feeling his stomach twist slightly. He placed his hand on it, although the baby was too small to move about properly and kick Joxer he could feel her agitated movements. She was definitely not happy. He smiled slightly as Ares rubbed small circles over the small bump, it didn’t calm the baby but it did calm the daddy.

Joxer leant back against him “The babies are special, not just to us.” He spoke quietly “They are important to everyone.” He blushed deeply and opened his mouth to hastily babble when Ares interrupted, not liking his lover to get flustered.

“He’s right you know, I’d like to say we as Gods are the most important and all encompassing but its not true anymore; they rank above us and not just as our children because of what they are, the symbol they represent. We are going to need your help on this” He looked slightly embarrassed and then added, “We’ll your twos anyway. If my dear brother pulls the stick out of his arse we could use his help too, and the bards I suppose.”

Joxer hid a grin and swallowed hard as the baby thrashed inside his belly. He nodded and grinned slightly “Not to mention, this is a girl baby, she’s going to need her Aunt Xena and her uncle Iolaus too.” He added quickly and looked at Iolaus in apology.

Ares hid a smirk “Technically she’s your sister but I think ‘aunt’ might be better.” The smirk grew “You and Eris can fight over who gets to teach them how to fight off annoying men when they get older.” He glanced at Joxers stomach “Only two of the babies are girls; Eris’s and our baby, Leonie.”

“Leonie, that’s a nice name” Iolaus sat back with a smile on his lips and he looked at Joxer “So why that name though. I mean I know the kids going to be Imagination and Hope but it’s just not a name I’ve come across before.” He blushed slightly as Xena added

“And he’s met a lot of women.”

Joxer grinned looking suddenly shy “My Grandmother, she…” he frowned and broke off his eyes unfocussed slightly as he concentrated.

Ares grinned “Joxer gets a bit confused when people come near he gets a bit distracted.” He explained as twin flashes lit up the room. Xena had automatically tensed at the arrival of more Gods but she relaxed, as much as she possible could relax on Olympus, and waited for the flash to die down. A very shaky looking King and Queen of the Gods stood in its place.

Iolaus and Xena both wanted to ask what was wrong but held themselves back, both Gods complexions were exceedingly pale and as soon as Ares saw them he immediately created chairs for them to sit on. Joxer frowned feeling the tenseness in his lovers’ body. He leant forward trying to ignore the thrashing waves from within, despite being a ‘new’ God and having most of his powers blocked he could sense the waves of fear and panic emanating from Zeus and Hera.

He shivered and let Ares move around him, to focus on his parents. Joxer sunk back into the couch, both his and Ares face reflecting the worry from the other Gods. Xena and Iolaus were too worried by that look, not often seen on Joxers face that neither of them moved a muscle waiting for Zeus or Hera to speak.

Joxer felt like screaming ‘get on with it’ as Zeus snapped his shaking fingers and materialised a thick gold chalice of wine that he immediately downed and then handed to Hera the refilled cup. Joxer could see her fingers shook too and Ares was almost vibrating beside him, very wary and on edge at seeing his parents so upset.

Zeus sighed glancing quickly at the mortals “Ares this is something extremely delicate it may be better if Iolaus and our granddaughter weren’t here.”

Joxer saw Xena grit her teeth slightly but he also saw the flush that lit up her cheeks when she realised how Zeus had addressed her.

Ares nodded, more worried then before. It wasn’t often that his parents stood united on things but when they did it was either very, very good (in the case of Hebes birth) or very, very bad (which this obviously was). He nodded slowly and with a mental apology to both, he sent them to Hercules and Gabrielle with a mental message to a very disgruntled Cupid to check up on them.

Zeus and Hera both looked somewhat relieved and as the former leant forward to speak another bright flash lit up the room.

Joxer jumped staring at new God; he squinted trying to place him the name on the tip of his tongue. The winged God looked towards him obviously sensing his tension and smiled in welcome.

“Anteros.” Joxer jumped slightly hearing Ares speak, and then it clicked into place. He’d never seen Anteros in person. Ares second born son had been busy protecting Ares demigod son Evander from any kind of attack by the thing that was after them. He had seen a small painting of Anteros as a child, sitting next to his big brother, both had been all feathers and sweet smiles. Joxer could see the similarity between Cupid and Anteros, both looked very alike feature wise, although Anteros had scarlet wings not white like Cupids. Cupid looked more like Aphrodite whereas Anteros colouring was obviously Ares.

Anteros tossed Ares a slightly worn but relieved smile “Sorry dad, Grandma, Grandpa.” He grinned at Joxer “Hi Jox nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot from Cupid.” He held out his hand for Joxer to shake, his eyes skimming over the baby bump. “Hope we can catch up soon, Cupe tells me we’ve got a new sister coming soon to join our baby brother.” He smirked slightly “Phobos and Demios will be pleased. They don’t think anything instils fear and panic more then a new-born baby.” He laughed at Joxers wide-eyed expression.

“Anteros,” Ares raised an eyebrow as his son turned to him, “I thought you were watching Evander?” The last word held a slight note of worry for the toddlers’ safety.

Anteros nodded “I was, I mean I am. I brought Nemesis up here, she didn’t want to come and she said she’ll garrotte pretty much anyone who goes near Evander except myself and Psyche.” He looked apologetic “She’s met Nemesis a few times, she got a little lonely without Bliss so I introduced them. Strangely enough they got on really well.” He looked at Zeus and then Hera who’d started on her second refill “Might want to take it slow Grandma.”

Joxer was impressed; he didn’t even flinch as she glared at him, even if it was tempered down a bit because of the ‘grandma’.

Ares sighed looking disappointed, he and Nemesis needed to clear the air and Ares had to admit the truth about Evander to her “Thanks.” He looked up at his son “Are you okay to still keep an eye on them from time to time?”

Anteros nodded and rolled his eyes “Will do. Psyches with her now, doing the whole watching the baby walk, and run and try to speak thing.” His smile countered his disinterested attitude. “I’m going to go and see Cupid and Strife in a bit, I haven’t seen Bliss for a long time, not since he was crawling.” His grin faded slightly as his father added spoke.

“Can you check on Xena and Iolaus quickly.” He ignored the ‘why me?’ look. “She’s being a big help, Anteros give her a chance; they’re trying to talk Hercules and Gabrielle around and you’ve heard how difficult that can be, besides…” he winced “They are shouting for me so I’m guessing they’ve had enough.”

Anteros sighed exaggeratedly “I’ll do it, okay.” He grinned at Joxer “I’ll catch up with you soon Joxer.” In a flash of scarlet he was gone.

Zeus sighed ensuring that all eyes were on him “Much as I love that boy I’m hoping for no more interruptions?” He eyed Ares who nodded and within second Joxer felt something surround the room shielding them from he outside. He shifted uncomfortably feeling the baby squirm again. He caught Heras eye, who gave him a quick check over.

Zeus nodded in satisfaction “I really need the others here but they’re all busy, if not preparing for the babies then actually protecting them. The younger Gods seem to be rounding up the demigods quite well, I’m not quite sure I approve of some of their methods but still.” He broke off as Hera made a small noise somewhere between a sigh and a growl “Nether the less they are doing a good job.”

Joxer felt Ares shift in agitation, both of them were on edge, Tartarus even Hera looked like she was and she obviously knew what was coming.

Zeus sensed the tension in the room and did the smart thing; he started talking. “We went to see the Fates, to see if they could help us out any more with the babies and protecting them.” He swallowed hard “Clotho was the only one there and she was acting more then a little strange.” His eyes darted to Hera and she nodded.

“When the symbols were first spoken about they gave us a little more information then we told you, only for your own good.” He added quickly seeing Ares clench his fists “The Fates warned us that to tell you could affect your decision to have the babies had you known.”

Joxer swallowed hard, he could feel icy hands moving though his chest and he laid his hand on the baby bump protecting her.

“What Information?” Ares voice was icy.

Zeus hesitated and Hera took over “The Fates told us of sacrifices we would all have to make to do this, and sacrifices you as parents would be making.” She spoke quietly her eyes troubled “No God or Goddess from the moment the babies are born will be able to have children whether they be godly or demigods.”

Ares mouth dropped open and he glanced unconsciously glanced at his father despite Zeus’s red complexion. Joxer paled considerably too, he’d only thought of the baby in terms of ‘baby’ not thinking about any others he could have, especially being a god. Now it just seemed like a slap in the face, he glanced at Ares knowing the slap would be greater for him and the other gods. Joxer had only recently realised he could and would have a child, they’d always known it and to have it taken away….

“No God is to take a mortal lover.” Hera continued quietly after glaring at her husband for good measure “Apollo and myself will have to make up something, some kind of potion to avoid conception during Godly affairs.” She looked to her son “They were very clear, one extra baby and our pantheon will fall.”

Zeus nodded “With exception.” He glanced at his wife “The male symbols are encouraged to take mortal lovers, but not godly ones. Any children they have will carry their symbol power not their godly one giving them a brand new type of power, a brand new magic.” He sighed “They will never be able to directly influence or see their child though.”

Ares eyes widened; his first thought on the ‘mortal lovers concept’ had been ‘ha ha Apollo’, his second thoughts were more unpleasant. “Any Great grand kids, Tartarus any grandkids I have I’ll never be able to see, my son and grandson won’t be able to claim them?” he sank back in disbelief and then his eyes caught Joxers and slowly travelled down to the bump “What about our daughter?”

Joxer saw his lover tense even before Zeus and Hera exchanged another look. “Eris’s daughter will be bound by the same rules as the other males, any child she has will be taken away on birth and sent down to be with its father, she can have no godly children.” He hesitated “Your child Clotho told us about today. She too will have no godly children but well over a thousand years in the future she will fall in love with a mortal, a descendant of her brother Alexis. When she does she will conceive a child. A daughter.”

Joxer felt the baby squirm as he sat back in disbelief. The Fates had apparently mapped everything out to a fine point, his daughter, his granddaughter…a nasty thought struck him and as he spoke he saw the look of resignation on Ares face.

“Will she have to give daughter up too?”

Ares laid his hand on Joxers stomach the horrible indecision on his face. He wanted to scream ‘we are not giving up my granddaughter’ but he couldn’t help thinking if the Fates decreed it, they would have to.

Joxer bit his lip at Zeus’s slow nod; Hera looked like she was about to cry something that bizarrely enough comforted Joxer.

“Not straight away which may be worse, your daughter won’t accept what’s going to happen. We shall have to bind her godly powers, this won’t stop her though, Clotho admitted she will leave Olympus for a while to try to escape giving up the baby and she will give birth to it alone. But she will have to leave her child before her fourth birthday allowing others to raise her.”

Joxer closed her eyes feeling his lovers anguish combine with his own. Zeus continued, “The daughter, she has will be very special to the world and should events be set in motion properly, her descendants will be responsible for bringing us back and destroying this thing once and for all.”

Ares stared up at him “I didn’t think we were going anywhere I thought that’s what the babies were meant to prevent.” He sounded angrier with his parents then at the injustice of it all.

Hera nodded “I know and I know you’re confused but this baby the one your daughter will have she’s what everything revolves around. The symbols themselves will guide mortals by their power alone through the dark periods,” she glanced at Zeus “But before any of the babies hit puberty we shall have to shut off Olympus from the rest of the world.”

Ares stiffened “How..”

“We have to,” Zeus interjected “The demigods are only here whilst we deal with this creature, when that is dealt with we have less then a decade to prepare. Several of the demigods, Hercules and his friend Iolaus included, will be recruited as …” he paused “Guides and advisors if you like. We shall train them to give guidance to any mortal who does something rewarding in their life or sacrifices themselves. Once the mortals die their souls will no longer be sent to the underworld instead they will be given a small part of our Godly power and a physical body back. They will be trained to guide the children that are to come, the mortal descendants of the Gods on Olympus today and the descendants of the eight children carrying the symbols.”

Ares looked confused though his anger was still evident “On Olympus?” It was a hugely immense place but if mortals would be entering by the dozen…

Zeus shook his head “No somewhere else, not here, nor Poseidon or Hades realms or even you great-grandmothers home. Somewhere new, somewhere we can watch them and influence them slightly through our original guides, the demigods. Somewhere where they can forget about us and be taught different histories by the Demigods.” He looked at Ares “They need to forget us, to think of us as something else. Only the ones that are First created like Hercules and Iolaus will know the truth and they will have to make it into more of a myth, change things so that their proteges will not rely on us. Whilst we carry on as we have always done. We will take different names, different legends on in our name but we will continue as we have always done.”

Joxer was swallowing hard by this point, the baby was extremely agitated which caused a hot flush to come over his body. Despite loving and wanting his daughter and Ares a small part of him wished this wasn’t happening to him.

“What happens to us, to our daughter?” he asked as Ares pulled him into his arms.

“Once the creature is removed and our plans are set in motion, Olympus will be shut off from the mortal world. The thing that has been destroying the other Pantheons will hopefully be forced into a showdown with the children and will be almost drained of its power. Only the eight of them will be able to force it back.” Hera spoke softly “If all goes to plan things should be getting a little fuller around here. Not only are we to take any surviving Gods from other Pantheons under our care we must integrate them and their godly children and make sure any mortals with their godly blood are given protection and guidance from our ‘guardians.”

Ares shook his head slowly “This is ridiculous, I’ve heard of getting planning down to a fine art but how can the Fates know this?” He clenched his fists “And where are they surely they should be here too, panicking with the rest of us!”

Joxer jumped slightly as Ares released him, feeling the anger emanating from his lover through the link between them before he felt the crackle of energy surround him. Ares was pissed; he needed to destroy something. Joxer just hoped Hercules didn’t take that opportunity to reappear. He fanned himself. Ares anger was upsetting the baby more; she was all but straining against his belly, making it uncomfortable to sit still. Not only that but her bursts of activity had left him hungry, craving something though he wasn’t sure what.

“Gone.” Was Heras soft sad reply.

Joxer froze feeling Ares do the same, his anger collapsing immediately to be replaced with fear. Joxer felt something akin to dread beginning to take him over and he tried to relax, tried not to start hyperventilating as he attempted to ignore the babys annoyance.

“What-“ Ares choked out, he had to sit down, his legs could no longer support him. His hands shook; the Fates were more then a little terrifying and extremely powerful, they controlled destiny and without them the world would be in chaos. He was too stunned to speak; both he and Joxer just stared at the two older Gods looking very very freaked out.

“Not gone, gone.” Zeus hesitated as the dread on their faces increased “Clotho remains although her physical body is all but gone. She resembles a spirit more then anything. The tapestry is gone too.” He added softly, holding his son in place with his powers to stop him going ballistic.

“It’s all a part of this.” Hera continued holding up her hands “The babies, the closing of Olympus. To actually create the infants to be bound to their symbols the Fates used their own power, they split the tapestry into eight and pushed its power inside the infants. As Clotho, spins, spun” she corrected herself “The thread of life, she is anchored to the babies until they are born. Once that happens the last of her power will be gone and she too will disappear.” She looked very regretful in Joxers opinion, not just at loosing the Fates but at loosing a part of her family terrifying as they may be.

Joxer didn’t have to touch Ares to feel the deep worry that ran through him. He could feel his lovers’ inner turmoil, Zeus and Hera had come to him first. Not just because Ares and Joxer were free and not just because their daughter was a great part of the prophecies but because as War, one of Greeces' protectors Ares would have to help carry out the Fates directions. Even if they hurt his family members and his children.

Joxer felt moisture in his eyes as he realised that Ares, more then any of the others, would have to keep the Gods away from their mortal offspring and stop them from interfering. He’d be the one to take the children away from their parents and see the anger and hatred in his own childrens eyes as he did. He closed his eyes trying to breathe as pain took hold of his heart. Ares would have to be the one to take their daughter away from her baby. He’d be the one she hated. All Joxer could do was stick by him- which he would.

He opened his eyes trying not to look at the pain on Ares face. He would make sure their baby knew, that all the children knew why they had to do it. He rubbed his belly softly trying to soothe the baby, and caught Hera’s eyes. She gave him a look of approval, which caused Joxer to blush making himself, feel warmer than before.

Zeus sighed looking tired and old, every bit his chronological age “As the godly blood is diluted through the centuries it will be carried and mixed in some lines creating a new breed of magic. The most intense magic line forming through your daughter, Clotho could only tell us that ‘Hope would be reborn in the form of three and when hope is combines with one with the godly spark the children the union yields will work with them to bring the gods back.” He snorted “That part was cryptic down to the last.”

“She did mention that these mortal children would all face great adversary,” Hera sighed and then mused “Which means they may not want to meet Strifes son after all this.” She caught Joxers eye “The babies are all advanced enough for us to read them all.” She said a touch of sadness to her voice as she considered what the imminent births would mean.

“The symbols for each and every one have been decided.” Zeus nodded to himself more then to anyone “Strange choices of Godhoods but Clotho was cryptic enough to tell us ‘all would become clear’.” He sighed.

Ares was still trying to come to grasps with things as Hera continued “Passion and hope, Imagination and hope, compassion and courage, guilt and forgiveness.” She ticked each one off with her fingers as she spoke “Change and rebirth, Perseverance and focus, friendship and adversity.”

Joxer frowned, shifting slightly as the baby pushed against his spine in agitation. He tried to ignore the movements and focussed on her words recalling the conversation and staring at her fingers. Something wasn’t right.

“It doesn’t add up.” He flushed as they turned to him, still squirming in his seat. He pressed a fist to the small of his back kneading it as the baby wriggled. “You said there was eight symbols, you’ve never said that before. We thought there were only seven.” He glanced at Hera “You only mentioned seven Godhoods just now so where’s the eighth?”

Joxer would have laughed had the situation not been so dire. Hera and Zeus both flushed a deep red and stared at him and Ares mouth dropped open, though whether it was surprise at Joxers comment or because of what he’d said he wasn’t sure.

Joxer felt the warmth rush over him once more as they stared at him and he involuntarily stiffened as cool bands encircled his stomach. He looked down to see the turquoise rush over him, from his stomach to his head. He just had enough time to groan as he felt the familiar tugging sensation as his disobedient unborn offspring transported him.

“Not again. Ares!”