The sky was illuminated with the beautiful sunset, orange and yellows streaking with the clouds. You and Hercules walked along a cobbled path that lead to a rose garden. The evening was full of laughter and splendid times. It occurred to you that maybe you were having a little too much fun and completely forgetting why you even came here.
"Wow. What a day. First that restaurant by the bay..." Hercules exclaimed, breathing out lightly with a huge smile on his face. His blue eyes were focused on you as you smiled back and nodded.
"Mmm.."
"And then that play, that... Oedipus thing? Man! And I thought I had problems!" You both chuckled as you stopped behind a bird bath which held two small birds already inside of it. You leaned against the stone structure, watching Hercules.
You jumped a little when you felt something peck your arm. When you turned, you saw the two birds were actually the henchman in disguise again. They looked annoyed, displeased with how long you were taking to complete the mission.

"Psst! Stop fooling around!"
"Yeah. Get the goods, sister!"

You ignored the birds before they drew any attention, blocking them. Hercules grinned and looked over at you before staring up at the sky. He looked at ease and much happier than before.
"I didn't know playing hooky could be so much fun!"
"Yeah, neither did I." The two finally for the hint and flew off, leaving the two of you in peace. You cleared your throat, walked over to him.

"Thanks Meg."

"Oh, don't thank me yet...oh!" You gasped, faking a fall and collapsing. Before you could hit the ground, Hercule's reflexes came into action and easily caught you around the waist. He swept you in his arms, now holding you bridal style.
   Your arms easily went around his neck as your eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Oops! Careful." Hercules laughs, his cheeks dusting with blush. You smirked, smiling sheepishly at him.

"Sorry. Weak ankles."

"Oh yeah? Well, maybe you'd better sit down." Hercules walks over to a bench and carefully sits you down before taking a seat next to you. You cross your legs, clasping your hands in your lap. You look at him closely, what weakness do you have, Wonder Boy?

"So..uh..do you have any problems with things like this?" You stretch your leg out, exposing skin and thigh. His eyes lower to your leg, gulping.

"Uh..." He starts, unable to finish his sentence.

"Weak ankles, I mean."

"Oh..uh..no. Not really." You purse your lips, lowering your leg and moving closer, brushing your shoulder against his. He started looking nervous, eyes flickering to your face.

"No weaknesses whatsoever? No trick knee?"

"Uh.."

"Ruptured..disks?"

"No. I'm..I'm afraid I'm Uh..as fit as a fiddle.." You sighed, shaking your head and laying your chin in your hands.

"Wonderboy, you are perfect."

"Thanks.." He stood up, walking over to the large water fountain and picked ing up a flat rock. He wound his arm back and flung the rock across the water. It bounced several times across before crashing into the statue in the middle.
   A loud crash came and when the dust settled, the statue was completely ruined and disfigured. Hercules cringed, rubbing the back of his neck and staring at the ground.

"Whoops!" You stifled a chuckle, standing up and joining him. You tilted your head, examining the new masterpiece.

"It looks better that way. No, it..really does."

"You know, when I was a kid, I..I would've given anything to be exactly like everyone else." You look up at him, surprised to hear this. A god, such as himself, wanting to be..mortal?

"You wanted to be petty and dishonest?"

"Everybody's not like that.." Hercules defended, looking over at you. You stared at the ground, avoiding him.

"Yes they are."

"You're not like that." Your eyes widen, flickering your eyes up to him quickly before glancing at the water. What have I gotten myself into?

"How do you know what I'm like?"

"All I know is..you're the most amazing person..with weak ankles..I've ever met.." You take a step back, stumbling over a bench before regaining yourself. Hercules was walking towards you, a small smile on his lips. That smile, those eyes, that accent.

"(Y/N)..when I'm with you..I-I don't feel so..alone."

"Sometimes it's better to be alone."

"What do you mean?"

"Nobody can hurt you." You turned your back to him, rubbing your arm. You heard him walk closer, his shadow casting on the ground.

   "(Y/N)? I would never, ever hurt you." You turned around slowly, seeing how close he was. You held your breath, finally bringing your eyes up to his face. His eyes were soft and innocent, his hand outstretched but not touching yet.
   You gulped, why was I feeling like this? Your mind was foggy and your eyes casting to his lips. He noticed, leaning closer. You tilted your head, your hands brushing his cheek ever so gently. At this point you forgot what you were even trying to say.

"And I don't want to hurt you. So..let's do both ourselves a favor and....stop this...um...before...we..." You trailed off, unable to think of the words to say. His lips were inches from yours. Just a simple nudge and you two would be kissing.

So close..closer...closer...

   "Alright! Break it up, break it up! I've been looking all over this town!" A booming voice startled the two of you, making you jump back. You look over to see Hercules's coach, Phil, shouting at them. You glare at him and the horse, your heart pounding.

"Calm down, mutton man, it was all my fault!"

"You're already on my list, sister! Don't make it worse!" Phil growled, making you roll your eyes. Phil then points at Hercules, his anger growing.

"And as for you, kid, you're gonna go to the stadium and be put through the workout of your life! Now get on the horse!" Phil ordered harshly, Hercules holding his hands up and nodding.

"Alright, Alright!" He looked over at you, smiling apologetically.

"I'm sorry." You say, avoiding Phil's death glare. Hercules shrugged, chuckling.

"Ah, he'll get over it."

   Hercules reaches up and pulled a branch from a flower tree above. He easily pulls the whole trees towards him until he plucks a beautiful yellow flower. He holds it out for you and when you take it, he leans over and presses a kiss against your cheek.
   Your lips part, your hand going up to touch the place where his lips touched. Phil yelled again until he finally climbed onto Pegasus. Hercules kept his eyes on you until he no longer could see you over the trees. You sigh heavily, looking down at the flower he had given you.

"Oh..what's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn..."

   You gasp as Hades suddenly spread into view, the looming gray smoke and stench of death lingers around him. His sharp teeth are exposed into an evil smirk, his slender fingers wrapping around your chin.

"Hey, what's the buzz, huh, (Y/N)? What's the weakest link in Wonderboy's chain?" You face away, lips set into a tight line and keeping eyes averting to your feet.

"Get yourself another girl..I'm through." Hades appeared in front of you, his smirk fading.

"I'm sorry. Do you mind running that by me again? I must have had a chunk of brimstone in my ear or something.." You turn to face him, glaring and crossing your arms.

"Then read my lips! Forget it." Hades started chuckling, a laugh that made your stomach feel a little uneasy. You were literally playing with death here.

   "Oh (Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N), my sweet, deluded little minion. Aren't we forgetting one teensy-weensy but ever so crucial little, tiny detail?" Before you could respond with another rude comment, his whole body burst into blue flames and his eyes lit up.

"I. Own. You."

   Oblivious, the two didn't realize Phil hiding in the bushes after being kicked off of Pegasus by a distracted Hercules. He watched from within a bush, listening to every word you were exchanging with Hades. He shook his head, starting to head back to the stadium.

   "Oh, I knew that dame was trouble! This is gonna break the kid's heart."

   He leaves quietly, unable to hear the rest of the conversation. You continue to glare at Hades who's becoming gradually more annoyed the more times you open your mouth to him.

"If I say, "sing", you say, "hey, name that tune". If I say I want Wonderboy's head on a platter, you say-"

"Medium or well-done?" You ask, your chin being held tightly by Hade's hand. You couldn't move, you were stuck. He looked off into the distance, smirking.

"I'm sorry. Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of your freedom fluttering out the window..forever."

"I don't care. I'm not going to help you hurt him."

"I can't believe you're getting so worked up about some..guy."

"This one is different. He's honest, and..and he's sweet-"

"Please." Hades groaned, rolling his eyes and pinching the bridge of his blue nose.

"He would never do anything to hurt me..."

"He's a guy!"

   "Besides, oh oneness, you cant beat him. He has no weaknesses. He's going to-" You were cut off by the look on his face. He looked at you closely, his smile stretching into a terrifying grin. Your heart stopped.

   "I think he does, (Y/N). I truly think..he does." You felt your whole world slow down and the flower you had been holding all this time, fell from your grasp and landed on the pavement.

~~~~~~~~~~~

   Back at the stadium, Hercules was currently working on his workout like Phil had instructed. He was spinning effortlessly around on the high bars. Twirling, jumping, and easily doing complex acrobatic moves. He wasn't even breaking a sweat.
   A couple minutes later, Phil slowly walks inside, his frown deepening. How was he going to tell the kid? Hercules noticed Phil, grinning and laughing loudly.

"Hey Phil! What happened to you?" He asked, spinning several times around the bar. Phil sighed, motioning him to come down. 

"Kid, we gotta talk."

"Oh, Phil! I just had the greatest day of my life! I-I can't stop thinking about (Y/N). She's something else." Hercules sighs dreamily, a dopey smile on his face.

"Kid! I'm trying to talk to you! Will you come down here and listen?" Phil insisted.

   "Awh, how Can I come down there when I'm feeling so up?" He listens anyway, spinning once more before flipping in the air and landing perfectly on his feet.
   Meanwhile, Pegasus is munching on bird time he found against the wall. He heard a neigh, looks up, and sees a beautiful pink mare.   Pegasus's wings shoot up as he neighs back and follows her into a closed shed. Once inside, the horse neighs again before ripping in half and forming into the Hades's henchmen.
   It didn't take long to throw a bag over his head and capture Pegasus. No one saw anything.

"Gotcha!"

"Look, what I'm trying to say is-"

"That if It hadn't been for you, I would have never met her. Oh, I owe ya big time, Little Guy I do!" Hercules went to hug him but Phil dodged, huffing.

"Will you just knock it off for a couple of seconds!?" Hercules ignores his pleas, jumping back and forth and putting his fists up playfully.

"Rule #38, come on, Phil, keep them up there, huh? Phil, I got one word for you: Duck!" Hercules mockingly throws a punch towards Phil who easily dodges once again. Phil sighs, rubbing his horns and glaring.

"Listen to me! She's-"

"A dream come true?"

"Not exactly.."

"More beautiful than Aphrodite?"

"Aside from that!" Phil was quickly losing his patience.

"The most wonderful-" Phil finally lost it.

"She's a fraud! She's been playing you for a sap!" Phil yells, his face red from anger. Hercules stops his playing around and tilts his head. His smile slowly fades. He feels confused.

"Aw, come on, stop kidding around."

"I'm not kidding around." Phil says in a clipped tone, narrowing his eyes at Hercules.

"I know you're upset about today, but that's no reason to-"

"Kid, you're missing the point."

"The point is..I-I love her.." Phil shook his head, oh no.

"She doesn't love you." Hercules dropped his hands to his sides, scrunching his eyebrows together. He was starting to feel offended.

"You're crazy."

"She's nothing but a two-timing-" Hercules shook his head, clenching his fists. He took a step towards Phil. He couldn't bare hearing him call you names like that.

"Stop it!" Phil was too angry to listen to him, completely ignoring him and looking him square in the eyes.

"No good, lying, scheming-" Hercules lashes out, snapping for the very first time at Phil. He couldn't control his anger, his fists doing the talking for him.

"SHUT UP!" Hercules yelled, cutting Phil off again before shoving him forcefully away from him. Phil cried out, slamming into the brick wall and sliding down to the ground. He winced, rubbing his aching head and hunching over.
Hercules gasped, horrified at the harm he had just inflicted on his friend. He takes a step, watching Phil slowly getting up and looking at him. He saw one thing in his eyes, disappointment.

"Phil, I...oh, I'm...I'm so sorry.."

"Okay, Okay, that's it. You won't face the truth? Fine." He got up on his haunches and started walking out of the stadium, one hand on his head.

"Phil, wait? Where are you going?"

"I'm hopping the first barge out of here! I'm going home." Phil snapped, turning his back to Hercules and walking through the tunnel. Hercules's anger clouded his common sense as he crossed his arms and glared at Phil's back.

"Fine! G-Go! I don't..I don't need you.." Phil sighed and shook his head sadly, his shoulders drooping.

"I thought you were going to be the all time champ. Not the all time chump.." Phil says over his shoulder as he finally walks out of the stadium and leaves Hercules alone.

Hercules's sneer melts into a frown as he sighs heavily and stares at the dirt. The guilt started eating at him as he kicked some pebbles and grumbled under his breath.
Hades watched, grinning and rubbing his hands together. This was his moment, his time. He appeared in front of Hercules, casually laying on the bar Hercules was just practicing on. He grins at the depressed man, slicking his fire hair back with one hand.

"Geez, Louise! What got his goat, huh?" Hades asked, staring after Phil and swinging down the bar. He lands next to Hercules who barely even acknowledges him.

"Baboom. Name is Hades, Lord of the Dead. Hi, how ya doing?" Hercules glances over at the Lord of Death, sighing and looking away. He waves his hand at Hades, not caring that he was quite literally talking to Death himself.

"Not now, okay?"

"Hey, hey, I only need a few seconds and I'm a fast talker, alright? See, I've got this major deal in the works...a real estate venture, if you will. And Herc- you little devil, you, may I call you Herc? You seem to constantly get in the way of it, huh?" Hercules glared at Hades and took a step away, shaking his head.

"You've got the wrong guy." Hades took a deep breath, feeling his anger bubbling inside of him.

"Hear me out, you little-...ha ha. Just, hear me out, okay? So I would be..eternally grateful..if you would just take a day off from this hero business of yours. Geez, I mean monsters, natural disasters, phew! You wait a day, Okay?"

Hercules looks up at Hades, his confusion forming. He shook his head, rolling his eyes and starting to walk away. This guy wasn't making any sense and he was starting to sound crazy. Hercules just wanted to fix everything he ruined.

"You're out of your kind." Hades appeared in front of him, one hand grasping Hercules's shoulder tightly.

"Not so fast, because I do...have a little leverage you might wanna know about." Hades whispered, smirking and snapping his finger. Suddenly, you appeared a few feet from Hercules. He gasped, reaching out for you. You had fear in your eyes as you shook your head and reached for him.

"(Y/N)!?"

"Don't listen to him, Herc-" Hades chuckled and snapped his fingers again, binding you up and taping your mouth shut before making you disappear. Hercules lunged too late, missing you completely and watching you vanish in smoke.

"Let her go!" Hercules demanded, looking around frantically for you.

"Here's the trade-off. You give your strength for about 24 hours, Okay? Say the next 24 hours and (Y/N) here is free as a bird and safe from harm. We dance, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy. What do you say? Come on."

Hercules pursed his lips, his eyes looking at Hades's menacing grin. This seemed too easy, too simple, there was a catch. There had to be.

"People are..people are going to get hurt, aren't they?"

"Nah! I mean, you know, it's a possibility. It happens, cause you know, it's war..but what can I tell ya? Anyway, what do you owe these people, huh? Isn't (Y/N), this little smoochy face, isn't she more important than they are?"

Hades made you appear again, trapped in his arms. You tried speaking, your voice too muffled to be heard. Hades grasped your chin tightly, turning your head this way and that and pecking your cheek. Hercules clenched his fists, sneering.

"Stop it!" Hades looked over at the fuming Hercules, knowing his fate was just about to be sealed. You looked at Hercules with pleading eyes, shaking your head and struggling against Hade's grip.

"Well, isn't she?" His eyes locked with yours as you shook your head. He took a step towards Hades, his hand outstretched. The look in his eyes had already told you the decision he was going to make. No.

"You've gotta swear she'll be safe from any harm."

"Fine, Okay, I'll give you that one. (Y/N) is safe, otherwise you get your strength right back, yadda-yadda, fine print, boiler plate, Baboom! Okay? What do you say we shake on it?"

Hercules hesitates, hand hovering in the air. In the pit of his stomach, he knew this was wrong. This was everything he was taught NOT to do. He wanted you back though, and he wanted you safe. Even if that meant sacrificing himself to do it.
Hades was starting to get nervous, seeing the reluctance on Hercules's face.

"Hey, I really don't have, like, time to bat this around. I'm kind of on a schedule here, I got plans for August, Okay? I need an answer, like now. Going once, going twice-" Hercules made his decision, walking straight up to Hades.

"Alright!"

"Yes, we're there! Bam!"

Hade's hand shakes Hercules and almost immediately the changes begin. Hercules's body begins to glow and shimmer. He feels his energy and strength quickly leave his body. He gasps, feeling his heart pound in his chest and his legs start shaking.
The world started to spin as he groans and finds his hands shaking. He's never felt this way before, ever. He feels..weak. Hades laughs loudly as he watches Hercules's power drain from him.

"You may feel just a little queasy, it's kinda natural..maybe you should SIT DOWN." Hades booms, picking up a dumbbell from the ground and throwing it at Hercules. He is useless against it, crying out as he is pinned underneath it.

"Now you know how it feels to be just like everyone else! Isn't it just..peachy? Oh! You'll love this, one more thing. (Y/N) babe. A deal's a deal. You're off the hook. By the way, Herc. Is she not, like, a fabulous little actress."

Hades sneers, twirling you around and spinning you in a dance. You thrash around, getting the gag loosened and having it fall around your neck.

"Stop it." You whisper, tears filling your eyes at the sight of the helpless Hercules.

"What do you mean?" Hercules asked, pushing the dumbbell off of him with much effort. He's on the ground, holding up by his shaky elbows.

"I mean your little chickie-poo here was working for me the whole time. Duh!" Hercules shook his head, looking over at you with his eyes widened. You shook your head, tears streaming down your face.

"You're..you're lying!" Hercules said weakly, watching Hades pinch your cheeks and grin evilly.

"Couldn't have done it without you, sugar, sweetheart, babe." You pull away, Hades making the binds disappear. You fall to the floor, sobbing. Hades watches with pleasure, looking up at the sky and baring his pointy teeth.

"Well, gotta blaze! There's a whole cosmos up there waiting for me with, hey, my name on it. So much for the preliminaries, and now onto the main event!"

He snaps his fingers to reveal a chariot with two undead horses with only their skeletons and blazing blue fire eyes. With a crack of a black whip, he shoots off into the air and into the stars.
You lift your head to see Hercules try to stand up. His knees wobble until he collapsed to the floor again, his eyes shimmering with tears. You cried out, feeling a pain deep in your chest. He looked up to look at you, tears running down his cheeks.

Betrayal...

You stand up and rush to him, placing your hand on his shoulders. His skin looks paler, his blue eyes dull and void of life. He looks away, trying to stand against and falling to the floor. He remains there, refusing to get up.
Your vision is blurry from tears as you huh his cold body and sob. He starts crying, shaking his head and struggling to move.

"You lies to me..." He coughed out, eyes red and bloodshot as he forced you to stare into them. You felt your heart breaking, hearing Hade's laughter in the distance. You shook your head, your bottom lip quivering.

"No, it's not like that! I didn't mean to..I...I..I couldn't..I'm...I'm..so sorry.." You whispered, voice shaky and cracking. Hercules's shoulders dropped, his head lowering to his chest as he slammed his arm into the dirt. He pressed his forehead against the ground, giving up.
Tears swam in your eyes as you began to cry harder. Hercules's wouldn't lift him head, wouldn't move, wouldn't speak. He had given up, you had broken him. He was nothing now.

You looked up at the sky, seeing Hade's blue trail streak across the sky. You lowered your head, your guilt consuming you.

He had won

Hercule's fate had been sealed...

(A/N: HI GUYS, I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD!

So, this is the end of this imagine. I'm ending it here because the requester wanted it to be angsty and sad and whatnot, so I'm leaving it here.

Again, I'm so sorry for the absence but i really needed that week of not getting on here and updating. It was nice, I got to clear my head and stuff.

Plus, I'm graduating tomorrow. Eyyyyyyy

P.S. SORRY FOR THE LENGTH BUT I REALLY WANTED TO FINISH IT NOW.)