It was a warm spring day at the Academy, and there were no classes because of Feducius becoming ill. Hercules and Iolaus were on their way out the gates to get some lunch at Kora's when Jason joined them.
"Hey guys." Jason said as he caught up with the two younger cadets.
"Hi Jase." Herc replied.
"Where are you guys off to in such a hurry?" asked Jason.
"Well, Herc and I were going to Kora's to eat. I'm starved!" answered Iolaus.
"You're always hungry!" Jason remarked.
The three boys looked at each other and then burst into laughter. When the laughter died off. Herc said "Jase, come with us. And I promise Iolaus won't eat your food this time!" Iolaus gave Hercules an angry look, but Herc didn't notice.
"You kidding! You know I'll do anything to get away from the Academy's food!"
"Mind if I come then?" asked a young woman's voice.
The three boys turned to see Lilith smiling behind them. "Sure Lil." Said Hercules taking a quick glance at Jason and Iolaus. "Then let's go! I'm getting kinda hungry myself." Lilith said as she led the way out the gates. And the four cadets started off to Kora's.
Hercules, Lilith, Jason, and Iolaus arrived at Kora's. The place was packed, as usual, with hungry cadets. The four walked in and sat at a little table in the corner because the other tables were taken. They had been there so many times they didn't bother looking at the menu, but instead talked about what they would do that day.
The waiter made his way over to the table where the gang was sitting. He was a young, muscular, blonde and Iolaus didn't recognize him. In fact, none of the four cadets did.
"OK guys," said the waiter, "what'll it be?"
Iolaus and Lilith ordered a feast of food, while the other three had chicken salad and soup. After everyone had ordered, Jason asked the waiter, "Hi, you must be new here cause I haven't seen you around?" The comment caught the waiter by surprise cause he was very into his work, but he didn't hesitate to respond. "My name is Icus. And yes, I am new around here. Kora just hired me yesterday."
"Well, Icus, I'm Jason and these are my friends. Hercules, Iolaus, and Lilith. We are cadets at Cheiron's Academy."
"My family and I just moved here from Athens." Icus added.
Kora came out of the kitchen and saw Icus not working, but before she could say anything to him, he turned and walked right past her to the kitchen.
Everytime Icus would return to the table, the five would start some unusual conversation. They were sometimes brief but the four cadets grew interested in the newcomer. Hours after the cadets had eaten lunch and supper they knew it was time to leave. Even though they wanted to continue their conversations with their newly found friend, they paid for their meals and began the trip back to the Academy.
When they reached the Academy gates Herc, Iolaus, and Jason retired to their room and Lilith to hers. They had spent almost the whole day talking to Icus and stuffing themselves. Now it was time to sleep because tomorrow they would have classes. Cheiron would be sure of that.
Hercules woke up a little before the wake up bell. It was still dark outside, but he knew it was morning. The sun was just coming up and it was pouring a dark purple across the sky. Something was bothering him, he didn't know what, but something was going to go wrong!
During classes Hercules had been in a daze. Iolaus and Jason both could tell.
"Jase, what's up with Herc?" Iolaus asked the other cadet.
"I don't know. Maybe he's finally lost it!" Jason joked.
"No Jason. Seriously! Something is really bothering him."
"Well, let's ask him."
Iolaus and Jason both looked at Hercules. He sat there at his desk with his head propped up on his hands starring into space.
"Herc!" Jason whispered, trying not to disturb Feducious and his teaching.
Hercules didn't notice and still sat in a daze.
"Hercules!" he whispered again, but louder.
Jason decided to try again, but this time his voice got a little above a whisper. "Hercules!" It was a little bit too loud. Hercules was so shocked he fell right out of his seat, which sent the whole classroom of cadets into an uproar.
As soon as classes were over, Hercules headed straight for Kora's. He figured that he needed some time alone to think.
Iolaus and Jason rushed out of the room as soon as class was over. Jason caught a glimpse of Hercules leaing the Academy. They ran to catch up with him.
Just before Herc made it outside the Academy, Jason and Iolaus caught up with him. As much as he wanted to be alone, he was actually glad to see his two best friends.
"Hi Herc!" greeted Iolaus.
"Hey, um, guys about today..." Herc started but was unable to finish when Jason interupted. "Herc, it's OK. Everybody has their days." Jason smiled and placed his hand on Hercules's broad shoulder.
"Yeah, and you can tell it to us later 'cause it's time to eat." Iolaus remarked.
A couple minutes later Jason spotted two young women and a young man headed in their direction. As they came closer, they realized who the young man was. It was Icus.
"Hey Icus!" Iolaus called out.
"Hey Iolaus!" Icus greeted as the two came closer.
"Hi Icus, How are things going at Kora's?" asked Jason
"I wouldn't know, she fired me this morning. She says she had complaints from customers about my service."
"What!?!?" Hercules and Jason asked in unison.
"It was mainly my fault. Nothing big." Icus commented. "Oh, and I guess I should introduce you to my sisters. Brianna and Kylee."
Iolaus turned to Kylee. She was a short, athletic, red head. "Hi, I'm Iolaus."
Jason wanted to introduce himself to Brianna, the tall blonde. She was very attractive. Icus saw Jason's facination with Brianna and decided to introdruce the two. "Brianna, this is my new friend, Jaosn of Corinth. He's the Crown Prince and he goes to Cheiron's Academy."
Brianna's heart stopped beating. Crown Prince! she thought. Her heart had broke at the words. There was no use in getting her hopes up just to be broken again. There is no way a future king would like me. My father's a nobody, therefore so am I.
"So, you guys want to go with us to eat at Kora's?" asked Hercules.
"Sure. I don't think they'll mind." Icus joked pointing at Kylee and Iolaus.
Kylee and Iolaus were already deep in conversation about some far off place. Brianna and Jason walked along the road that led to Kora's Inn. They kept a good distance behind the others. Jason would start the conmversations when they talked. He felt light-hearted and was growing very attached to Brianna and her beautiful smile.
They reached the Inn and took a seat at a big table near the kitchen. Hercules and Icus sat across from each other and Iolaus and Kylee sat across from each other to continue their discussions. That left Brianna and Jason together.
Hercules, Iolaus, and Jason parted with Icus and his siters outside of the Inn. They each said their goodbyes and then went their separate ways.
This day hasn't been that bad. Herc thought. Well, most of it anyways.
The cadets started down the road toward the Academy. They had not gone more than four feet when a series of cries and shouts pierced through the air. Hercules, Jason, and Iolaus turned to see Brianna knealing over a bloddy Icus crying. And Kylee, she wasn't there. Where is Kylee? And what happened to Icus? Iolaus thought.
The people in the inn fled. In a matter of seconds the whole area was deserted. The only ones left were Brianna, Icus, Jason, Iolaus, and Hercules. Hercules rushed to Icus' side followed by Iolaus and Jason.
"What happened?" Jason asked Brianna.
"He killed him!" Brianna cried as she fell into Jason's arms.
"Who did!" Iolaus demanded. "And where is Kylee? What happened?"
"It's gonna be OK." Jason assured her.
"Iolaus, let her be. Icus is hurt! He needs our help!" Hercules pleaded.
"OK, what do we do?" Iolaus asked turning to the bloody, limp body.
"Nothing. There's nothing we can do he's dead." Hercules whispered it was more to himself than to Iolaus. Iolaus turned to Jason. His face turned white.
"No! No! He can't die! He can't be dead! He has to go save Kylee!" Brianna cried.
"Where is Kylee?!?!" Iolaus demanded. "Tell us what happened!"
"OK, I'll tell you. But it happened so fast." Brianna stated. "We saw Father, Kinjal, coming towrd us. We thought he had news from home. But when he got to us he turned into Poulos, the Pazmin."
"Aren't Pazmins those shape-changers?" Hercules asked.
"Yes, and Poulos has tried to convince Kylee to marry him. She wouldn't. So, when he changed into his normal form he grabbed Kylee. When Icus tied to stop him, Poulos cut out his heart! It was horrible!" She turned to her brother's body and said, " I promise I'll get her back! I promise!" Then she burst into tears again.
Iolaus and Hercules carried Icus' body to his family's house. Jason followed comforting Brianna. Jason felt Brianna's pain. He had lost his father not long agao.
Brianna took a walk in the woods near her home. She needed some time alone. Earlier they had given Icus a small funeral. She had fought to hold back the tears, but now she just couldn't stand it anymore.
Brianna sat down on a stump and the tears came streaming down her face. First her brother died, and then she had promised to get Kylee back. How can I face it all! She thought. But she knew she couldn't let her sister marry that Pazmin. She just couldn't! Brianna looked into the sky and said " I swear by the Gods of Olympus that I'll find her and bring her back!"
"You mean we will bring her back." Stated a croaky young man's voice. Brianna jumped up from the stump and turned to see who it was. When she saw it was Jason she began to wipe the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry if I intruded. I saw you running into the woods after the funeral and I just wanted to see if you were alright."
"No. No. I am quite alright. I guess I just miss Icus and Kylee."
"Well, then let's go find her!" Iolaus interupted as he stepped over a log to reach them.
"Really! You mean you'll both help me get her back?" Brianna cheered.
"Of course we will! When a friend of ours needs our help we never say no!" Jason assured her.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Brianna cheered as she ran and put her arms around Jason's neck. "You don't know how much this means to me!" then she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"OK, then let's go get Herc and tell him our plan!" Iolaus interupted.
"What plan?" Jason remarked. "We don't even know where she is!"
"Yes we do. Well, I mean I do. Poulos lives in a camp in Pazmin. It is deep in the woods near Corinth!" Brianna informed.
"Well, then let's go find Herc!" Jason said.
"I'm telling you Iolaus, it'll never work, you don't have an army! Anyways, Poulos cannot be killed! He's immortal! You know that." Herc argued.
Jason, Iolaus, and Brianna had thought up a plan while trying to find Hercules. And Hercules had disapproved of every move they planned to make.
"Look, guys Poulos can be killed! You have to get him in his true form." Brianna informed.
"How would you get him in his true form? And if we did, how would we know if it was his true form?" Hercules continued to argue.
"You have to force him into his original form." Brianna replied.
"How is that gonna happen! Like I said, we aren't an army."Hercules complained.
"Hercules, we are doing this with or without you!" Iolaus demanded. "Which will it be?"
"Without me." Hercules muttered.
Iolaus stormed out of the stables where they had found Hercules. Jason looked at Brianna and took her hand. They both walked out after Iolaus.
Iolaus rushed in and slammed the door to the guest rooms. He couldn't believe what had happened to Hercules. He knew it was because of Icus' death.
Iolaus heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Iolaus called out. "Just me." Jason said. "Hercules says he's gonna sleep in the stables tonight. Can I come in?"
"Sure." Iolaus said as he took a seat on a bed.
Jason opened the door and walked to a bed across from where Iolaus was sitting. He sat down and placed his hands on his knees. "Do we leave in the morning like we planned?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, I guess we should."
"How will we get Kylee back?'
"I don't know, but we'll come up with a plan on the way."
"You like her don't you?" Jason asked.
Iolaus paused a minute to think of Kylee and her long red hair. He smiled just at the thought. "Jase, I feel so close to her. I've never felt like this before."
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Jason said as he leaned back on the bed. "I really like Brianna. But I don't think she feels the same way."
"Then tell her! She needs to know!"
Jason sat up on the bed. "You think she'll even care! What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"Of course she'll care!" Iolaus yelled. 'She's just lost her brother and her sister has been kidnapped. We're all she has."
Jason sighed. "I guess I should go find her now. She needs to know that we're leaving at dawn."
"Tell her Jason."
"I am."
Why don't I take my own advise. Iolaus thought.
Brianna had just sat down to brush her hair when she heard a knock at her bedroom door. "Who is it?" she called out. "It's me. Jason." Brianna panicked. "Come in." she said in a trembling voice. She couldn't face him. She had almost kissed him on the lips earlier. What if he noticed? Brianna thought..
Jason opened the door and stepped in. "Hey." He said. He was nervous about what he was about to confess.
"Hi." She said brushing back her short blonde hair behind her ears with her hand.
"Um, Brianna, I need to talk to you." He said as they both took a seat on her bed. Oh, no! she thought He noticed that I'm attracted to him!
"I just wanted to let you know that, um, we may feel differently about this. But..." Oh No! Here it comes. she paniced. "Well, I really like you a lot. I feel so close to you. I mean, I know we just met, but I just can't stop thinking about you." The words had just come pouring out. Brianna was speechless. He actually likes me!
"I love you!" she said surprised at her own words. But it was the truth. He was all she could think about too.
Jason was even more surprised than she was. "I thought you didn't feel the same way. So I didn't really want to tell you because I thought you would reject me."
"I thought that since you were going to be king of Corinth that you wouldn't like me because my father isn't anyone important." She confessed.
"He is someone important! He's the father of the most beautiful young woman that I've ever seen!" Jason said as he leaned over and gave her a passioinate kiss. Brianna kissed him back. She had wanted to do this in the woods that day.
Jason and Brianna met Iolaus in the kitchen. Iolaus had been up most of the night trying to think up a plan. But he couldn't keep his mind off of Kylee long enough.
"Where have you been?" Iolaus asked Jason. "I got kinda worried when you didn't come back last night."
"Nevermind that Iolaus." Jason said as he smiled at Brianna. She smiled back at him and they both began to laugh.
"Enough horsing around!" Iolaus interupted handing Jason a raggy cotton bag.
"What's this for?" Jason asked.
"We need food! Unless you plan to waste the time to hunt for our meals." Iolaus commented.
Jason and Brianna packed the food while Iolaus studied a map of the Pazmin woods. Once enough food had been packed, Jason and Brianna joined Iolaus at the table. "I guess you expect me to led you two to Poulos." Brianna stated.
"No." Hercules said as he entered the house.
"Herc, you aren't going to stop us!" Iolaus sneered.
"I'm not going to stop you. I'm going with you." Hercules growled back.
"So, what changed your mind?" Jason asked.
"Let's just say I had a little encouragement from a friend." Hercules said as he glanced at Brianna. "I just thought about what Icus would do if he were here."
"He would have already reached Pazmin by now." Brianna replied.
"Well, then let's get on the road!" Iolaus commanded.
The four eager teenagers started off toward Pazmin. Brianna leading the way while Iolaus, Hercules, and Jason argued about a plan to rescue Kylee.
"Did you guys hear that?" Brianna asked.
"Hear what?" asked Hercules.
"Nevermind. I must be hearing things." she said as she stepped forward. The ground dropped from beneath her. "Ahhh!" she yelled as she fell downward into a pit coated in snakes. Jason dropped to the ground and reached his hand out for her. "Jason!!" she screamed as she caught hold of his hand. "I've got you Brianna!" he yelled out. "Let me give you a hand." Hercules said while leaning over and grabbing Brianna's other hand. They both pulled Brianna up easily.
"Thanks guys." Brianna said as she reached the top. "if it weren't for you two I'd be.." she turned to look into the pit full of snakes.
"Uh, Herc, where's Iolaus?" jason asked. Hercules and Brianna turned to where they had last seen Iolaus, but he wasn't there.
"Where did he go? He was just there!" Herc paniced
"He went after Kylee." Jason informed. "he really likes her and I guess he wanted to prove himself to her."
"Well, he couldn't have gone far." Brianna said as she started to search for him. "And he doesn't even know where Pazmin is. He could get lost!"
Brianna, Jason, and Hercules searched for Iolaus until nightfall. They decided to make camp until morning.
Iolaus hid in some bushes near the Pazmin village. It seemed like an ordinary village with humans in it. People were running around trying to get the last bit of work finished before sunset.
Maybe this isn't Pazmin. I must be in a little village outside of Corinth. Iolaus thought.
Out of the corner of his eye Iolaus saw two villagers fighting. He couldn't tell what they were saying, but what he saw was enough. One little old weak man changed form into a young strong man. He picked up the other guy and threw him across the village.
Woah! Iolaus thought. I better get out of sight before that happens to me! Iolaus moved further out from Pazmin and made camp. Soon afterwards he fell asleep.
Iolaus woke up to a beautiful face smiling down at him. "Kylee?" he said as he tried to get up. But as he did he was hit with an incredible pain. "Iolaus, just lay down. You've were brought here last night by three Pazmins."
Iolaus winced at the pain but still faught to sit up. "What happened to you?" Iolaus asked.
"You must get out of here!" she replied.
"I'm not leaving without you!"
"Iolaus, you'll be killed if you don't leave!"
"Kylee, I love you! I'm not going to leave you here!"
"I love you too, Iolaus!"
"Kylee, will you agree to marry me? Poulos asked in a demanding tone. "No!" Kylee screamed. "Then you leave me no choice. Bring me the prisoner!" The guard left and when he returned he had Iolaus. He handed Iolaus over to Poulos and Poulos slung him to the floor. Poulos drew his sword. "No! I'll do whatever you want!" Kylee pleaded. But it was too late, Poulos had already swung his sword.
Iolaus thought fast and rolled out of the path of the sword.
"Hey Poulos!" Jason yelled as he stepped toward Pazmin's leader. "No one messes with my friends and get's away with it!" Jason drew his sword and jumped toward Poulos, their swords clashing together. Hercules joined in the fight with his mighty strength.
"Kylee!" Brianna yelled. Then she ran over to untie Kylee from a post.
"Brianna! I'm so glad to see you!"
With all of the fighting Poulos couldn't change into anything. The two sisters turned to join the fighting. Poulos knew that he was no match for them. He stepped backwards and ran out of the village followed by all of the Pazmins! When they got far enough from the village they turned into eagles and flew off.
"Iolaus!" Kylee yelled when she remembered he was hurt. "Are you OK?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright." Iolaus muttered as he pulled himself off the floor. "I think we should go to Corinth before we head back to the Academy guys!"
"What for?" Hercules asked.
"I'm starved and the Pazmins took the food from me when they captured me last night!" Iolaus said as he grabbed Kylee by the waist and started to dance. "And I'm also in the mood to dance!"
The End
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