Exclusively For Myths&Legends Prompt Awards

3000 words

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Prompt:
God's aren't meant to interfere in the matters of mortals. When the divine powers of a Deity disappear suddenly they must learn how to live among other mortals. What challenges await you? Write a story about a god or goddess, of your choosing, living with humans for one day.

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Follow Neptune, God of all fresh waters and all oceans, along with Phoebus son of Jupiter and Vociferant a Mer-Man with an attitude as they enter the mortal world and as you would expect, find living in the mortal world a whole new challenge! Except maybe for Vociferant, who, in spite of having a whole new set of legs seems to blend in seamlessly to his new environment and have fun doing it!

📟Content Warnings
This story speaks of and deals with the subject of bullying. Very light cursing. Some descriptive language.

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Beyond The Wild Blue Yonder

THE COURT OF THE GODS
ROME, ITALY

Somewhere between the ceilings of earth and the floors of heaven.

»-----------¤-----------««

"Neptune how could you!"

Neptune, God of all fresh waters and salt waters remained stubbornly silent in the face of his accusers. He stood alone at the further-most jut of a craggy outcrop staring defiantly at Saturn, his father.

"Well, have you any defense for yourself!" Saturn's voice boomed throughout the cosmic-aether, resounding through the regions of the hinter-sky.

Neptune kicked a boulder and it rocketed past Saturn's head disappearing over his shoulder, the wind in its wake slapping his fathers hair around his face.

"What have I done that is different from the various evils any of you have performed over the course of time!"

Jupiter laughed and a thousand stars exploded and rained to earth in every possible direction.

"My brother what you have done differently is that you got caught!"

"ENOUGH!" Saturn bellowed, pushing his long curling locks out of his eyes. "Neptune you have made a mockery of these courts, colluding to place your own brother in perpetual chains and for this you must be punished! You shall be banned from the oceans and all the waters, your very home and hearth, to wander the earth until you find and serve a mortal in a manner equal to this dastardly crime!"

A gasp of astonishment echoed across the realm and the earth went silent for a quarter of an hour as Neptune wept bitter tears of resentment which made the rivers to flood and the oceans to heave.

"But, I shall grant you one last request before you leave, have you one?" Saturn inquired of his beloved son.

Neptune gave pause to his tears, as Jupiter held his breath.

Neptune then, with a wicked glance toward his brother, spoke.

"I do Father. I request that Phoebus, son of Jupiter shall also be banned to mortal earth as just punishment for his own deeds against the court and his father!"

The cry that erupted from Jupiter would never be forgotten.

•Now Vociferant the Mer-Man was•
King Neptune's Scrivener.

King Neptune left the City of Gold beneath the Sea two days hence Saturn's order, saying goodbye to his wife Salacia and his many children.

The youngest, Triton, was devastated to learn he could not go along, and with his promise to return soon, Neptune bade them farewell and taking Vociferant, they left against a night of ravaging ocean storms that tossed them to and fro with Phoebus following reluctantly behind.

The violent storms continued in their wrath and the trio barely survived.

Phoebus, being light of stature, screamed as his flute was torn from him, barely saving himself from the same fate if not for Neptune's Trident which caught his shirt collar as a powerful current swept him away threatening to suck him into oblivion.

Clutching to anything they could find, even Vociferant, feared he would surely drown as a portentous vortex of tunneling water suddenly wrapped its swirling cyclone around them ripping Neptune's chariot apart from the dolphin that pulled it, syphoning them up into its maelstrom.

It was only then, at the brink of their demise, King Neptune summoned Triton and the youngest god rose to the surface blowing the trumpets that commanded the rivers and oceans to rest from their wrath.

The enormous water spout dwindled and with a coughing jerk and a snap, spat Neptune, Phoebus and Vociferant from their realm of immortality and into the atmosphere of mortal earth where the three of them were forcefully thrust into the equally turbulent streets of East L.A.

•Los Angeles, California, East Side•
2023

They fell to the earth, landing on top of each other in a bumbling mess, along a plebian back street.

Neptune's Trident fell after them landing nearby a group of men who had gathered to have a few beers, and one of which, Carlos, stooped down and picked it up.

"Dammmmn Carlos! La cagada, What the hell!"

"Aw DAMN man! I don't know, it almost hit me in the head Raul, don't blame me pendejo dumb ass, I didn't do it!"

The two men, joined by the rest of the group now peered down the alley, watching the strange characters tripping around themselves.

"Ehhhh ehhhh no mira que es esto? ¡ratas de callejón! Alley rats Raul!"

"Sí! Hahaha, Carlos! Drunken alley rats!"

As Neptune struggled to gain his footing he yelled out at the man.

"You there! My friend! That belongs to me!"

The men, accompanied by several boys walked as close as they dared.

The men looked at each other with strange expressions. "Ahh Raul no creo que sean de por aqui ehh?"

"Noooo Carlos. They don't live around here," his chicano homie answered.

Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus finally untangled themselves and Neptune walked up to the group, who backed up two steps.

"Please sir, I will be needing that Trident back now."

"Trident? You mean this?" Carlos asked, aiming the Trident towards Neptune.

Neptune jumped back and took cover as did Vociferant and Phoebus but the trident simply pointed at them, emptied of its power.

"Never mind. You can keep it. It's of no use to me now," Neptune retorted waving them off.

"Hey!" Carlos suddenly yelled. "I know you! Look boys ain't that the Incredible Hulk? Hey you must be looking for the parade! You're on the wrong street! Just follow the music and you'll find it! Hey can we get your autograph? Come on Ruis let's get their autograph for the kids!" Carlos yelled.

Neptune looked at Vociferant. "What does he mean by that?"

"I have no idea! Why don't you ask him!"

"Phoebus? Do you know," Neptune asked giving Phoebus a careful side glance.

"No, but if it will help humanity let's do it! It will have to count for something," he suggested.

Carlos handed Neptune his Trident.

"Here, I want to take your picture! Ah Chihuahua! This is gonna be so good!"

One young boy in the group, eyed this strange trio with great interest.

The huge greenish one did remind him of that old television show, but no, he thought. The Hulk didn't have hair that long, did he? So he watched closely to the direction Carlos pointed them to and as soon as his dad's friends went back to the garage, he threw his skateboard on the road and went after them.

•Matias•

Matias found them in the middle of the road looking confused and surrounded by huge crowds of people celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Today all the Chicanos were out in the street with food vendors, lively music, street dancing, face painting, ponies and anything else they could think of to do and thankfully for him everybody was on their best behavior.

Well, almost every one, but not Matias' arch enemy.

Never them.

Because they, a group of boys who felt entitled to rule the neighborhood, never let Matias rest.

They were always after him for one thing or another. It all started when he refused to join their group, and they took his brand new skate board from him at the local skate park. Well, it wasn't really a skate park but Matias liked to call it that. It was really just the parking garage of an old abandoned mall. A place where he and his close friends liked to go ride their boards and learn tricks. It wasn't safe to go there anymore though, because Xedro and his gang were always watching and waiting. Today was a welcome distraction. The street party kept Xedro away, because he didn't like witnesses.

In the distance Matias could hear Kid Frost1 the famous Chicano Rapper performing on stage and he watched as the skinniest stranger wobbled and tripped.

Matias grinned.

Vociferant was still trying to get used to having land-legs. "Well isn't this a loud place Neptune," he noted, his own overly loud voice shrouded beneath the tune of 'La Raza,' as he hung on Neptune's arm. "And how will we ever find the one chosen by your father in all this?"

"You just make sure you are documenting everything Vociferant," Neptune shouted.

"Of course!" Vociferant shouted back.

Matias laughed as their shouting drew the attention of several children who pointed and ran up to them.

Soon they were surrounded by crowds of families pushing and shoving to take pictures of The Incredible Hulk with their kids, selfies, and begging for autographs. Matias was caught up in the moment because he could tell the strange figures were not used to a lot of people fighting over them.

"Sup' Holmes."

The sound of that sarcastic voice chilled Matias to the bone. He slowly turned his head to see Xedro and three of his boys standing there. Their faces held expressions of evil delight and immediately began to check out Matias's newest skateboard.

"Don't even think about it," Matias warned them with lazy eyes. He could not let them know he was afraid.

"Ye. Valiente mucho hoy, Holmes. Brave much today?"

Xedros' boys snickered.

Matias rolled his eyes.

"You got company today huh," Xedro taunted. "It's all good bro. I see you got a new board. Let us try it out sí, amigo?"

"I don't think so Xedro," Matias replied lamely.

"Aww man come on! We ain't gonna take it, damn boy."

"I said NO!" Matias yelled at the top of his lungs.

Time and space melted away as Xedro and his hoods lunged toward him. Their intent was clearly to beat him down on the spot.

Matias grabbed his board and took off running trying to forget the looks on their faces.

About the same time Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus pushed free of the crowd that had captured them and tumbled out into the street where they and Matias, who was looking back to see if he was being chased, collided full force.

Neptune grabbed Vociferant who grabbed Phoebus who was tripping over Matias and his skateboard to keep them all from crashing to a heap in the street.

The onlookers all laughed thinking this was part of the act. With the help of two chuckling young men, Vociferant and Phoebus were pulled to their feet. Vociferant laughed sheepishly but Phoebus was mad.

"You pesky little plebe, watch where your going!" he shouted grabbing Matias by the collar of his shirt.

"Phoebus!" Neptune shouted looking around at the faces of their admirers turning from smiles to horror.

"Everything is fine," Neptune announced taking Phoebus by the hair, and giving him a shake. "All part of the show," he smiled brightly.

He got a few nods and some tense smiles.

"Move along now," he suggested giving Phoebus a hard glare.

"You are going to get us killed idiot!" Neptune whispered heatedly, nodding and smiling at the crowd as it dispersed.

"I don't give a snails fart," Phoebus snapped back.

"Perhaps you don't, but I do. I'm not staying here one moment longer than needed so be warned. I won't think twice about leaving you here."

Phoebus gave Neptune an incredulous look.

"This entire fiasco is your fault I'll remind you! Perhaps I will be the one leaving you here, seaweed for brains!"

Vociferant held his hands up to their faces. "Really? I'll remind you both we do not have time for any of this! We have to find the chosen one! Now, please! Shut up!"

"Please! Excuse me! But we really have to go! And quickly!" Matias interrupted.

Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus all looked down, their mouths open in mid-sentences, to see the boy who had crashed into them and caused the whole ruckus pointing furiously to something behind them.

They all turned around to see Xedro, and the rest of his gang standing just a few feet away.

Xedro wasn't smiling. Neither was anyone else.

Vociferant leaned close to Neptune. "Do. Something. Now... please!" he whispered.

"If I could I would! But you know I can't," he snarled.

Vociferant's eyes bugged out as the menacing group walked slowly forward.

"They are coming right to us, Nept," he pleaded.

"We can like, run!" Matias yelled. "Follow me! Hurry! Please!" he grabbed Neptune's arm and pulled it.

"Let's GO!" Neptune barked.

As the three of them turned on their heels and followed the boy's flight through the crowd, Xedro and his boys stopped and watched them disappear.

"We can find them later," he taunted. "Let's go to the concert. Kid Frost1 is dope."

•Now Neptune listened to Matias•
with a heavy heart.

Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus with Matias sat, dangling their legs off the edge of a huge sign in the middle of the city. They could see for miles. Matias led them there explaining that he often came here to hide from Xedro and his goons.

When Neptune asked him why he had to do that Matias told them the whole story.

"Well we certainly have to do something Father Nept," Vociferant blurted.

Neptune shot him a killing glare.

"What do you have in mind Vociferant? Perhaps we could take the young pup home to live with us under the sea," he griped sarcastically.

"That's a great idea loud mouth," Phoebus pouted. "If only I hadn't lost my flute. I could have enchanted them and they would never bother you again!"

"Well that's a great idea Phoebus, except our powers are dead to us until we return to Atlantis," Neptune reminded him sullenly.

"Well I say we alert the parental guide of this young gentleman." Vociferant announced, but to which Matias burst out laughing.

"Hahahahaha! Bruh! You aren't going to tell his mom!"  Matias ribbed Vociferant.

Vociferant smiled sheepishly. "True. But I think I may have an idea. Could you show us this place where you and your friends meet for this skateboarding pastime?"

Matias shrugged. "Sure. It's a bit of a walk though."

"There's no time like now to get going then," Vociferant exclaimed. "Let's go!" He insisted, clapping his hands together.

Matias crawled toward the attached ladder and began descending their sign hideaway.

"Vociferant you better know what you're doing." Neptune grumped.

"Oh, I'm sure I have the perfect solution," he chuckled.

Matias groaned.

• The very special announcement. •

"Alright everyone," Vociferant clapped. "The time has come," he squealed.

They heard the crowd screaming as Kid Frost1 walked on the stage and they hurried over.

As they arrived Matias saw Xedro and his boys emerge from the sea of people and walk towards them.

Matias stood his ground.

"Holllmmmes! I see you and your whack-tards made it to the concert. Where's your skateboard today? Did you leave it with your mommy for safe keeping," he laughed, joined by his hoods but Matias paid them no mind.

Neptune gave them a dour stare, but said nothing, as Kid Frost1 took the microphone and asked for everyone's attention.

"I have a special announcement to make today!"

The crowd roared with glee.

"There will be no concert this afternoon."

The crowd went silent.

"Because instead, I'm having my concert tonight!" he shouted.

The crowd went wild with excitement.

"YO! See, Kid Frost1 had an amazing offer today and the deal is being sealed right now as we speak!"

Everyone in the crowd yelled, looking at each other excitedly.

He held up a hand for quiet.

"Who remembers the old East Side Mall?" He asked as the crowd went wild with anticipation. "Well, yo boy just bought that mall today and I got plans for the City of Angels! We bout' to put an official Skate Park there and a Fun Plex, ya' you heard right! Tonight I'ma' host my concert in the parking lot there to make it official. But first I want to introduce the people who made it all happen!"

Matias was holding his breath.

"Matias and Xedro! Bruhs get up here!"

Matias looked over to find Xedro staring at him like his heart had been pierced.

Matias pointed at him and pointed toward the stage. Xedro hung his head down. Matias approached him and put a hand on his shoulder.

Xedro suddenly looked up and his face was stricken. "I can't go up there, Holmes."

"Yes you can. We both can. Together."

Suddenly Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus were there and Xedro found himself on stage standing by one of his idols, Kid Frost1. He looked at Matias and shook his head. "I don't deserve this," he stammered, suddenly hugging Matias and telling him how sorry he was for being a bully.

"They're naming the Park after us Xed. Us. You and me. I don't have any hard feelings. But we gotta work together for our neighborhood Bruh, and all the little kids. From here on out. Truce?" Matias asked holding his hand toward Xedro.

"For the little kids." he nodded. "But yo, I'ma' still call you Holmes," he said with a little grin.

The crowd went wild with emotion. Neptune, Vociferant and Phoebus all hugged.

"We did it!" Neptune shouted. Did you get all this written down Vociferant?"

"Not one jot," he answered to Neptunes shock.

"In this day and age they don't, 'write stuff down,' as Matias has shown me. They type it out on things called tablets. I got myself one, see!" he shouted holding it up for Neptune to check it out.

Neptune laughed. "Not sure it will work well in Atlantis."

"About that, Nept, I forgot to mention, Matias wants me to stay. He said they'll be needing my services longer and now that I have these legs," he added sheepishly, "well let's just say I want to stay. This place is so dope and noisy! I can talk as loudly as I want and no one even notices!"

Neptune just smiled.

"I can't argue with that I guess," he said with a raised brow. "Atlantis won't be the same without you. After this I don't think it would have ever been the same anyway."

Phoebus rolled his eyes. "Well, thank the Gods!"

The End