Wanna read a post movie scene where Hades is dragged out of the river by his own son? If the answer is Yes, then here's what my decomposed brain came up with:
The shades' screams of agony drowned the God of the Dead in a way that the waters couldn't. The more they surrounded him, the more he found himself drifting between reality and whatever horrors lied beyond; It felt like death to the immortal deity. Was he still here? Or did his existence ceased the moment he was thrown into the abyss?
Hades, to be brutally honest right now, would have preferred to be dead. It's something he's come to terms with. A fitting ending for a god whose plan backfired in the most spectacular way possible: punched to the face by his brother's golden boy and sent to the bottom of the Styx. 18 years of careful planning — right down the drain.
But, because nothing ever goes the way he wants it to, Hades found himself being pulled up the the surface and on to solid ground by something. Or someone.
Shaking himself in a manner more akin to Cerberus after a bath, the Lord of the Underworld looked up to see who decided his time in the corner of shame was up. Because it sure as hell wasn't Pain or Panic. Those two he's heard right as the souls were dragging him under — "If he gets outta there.". Oh, how Hades wished he could get rid of those idiots. But, alas, competent minions are hard to come by this days.
No, upon lifting his head, Hades saw the black robes and long, bone white hair of a very familiar Chthonic God. With his scythe held loosely in one hand, Thanatos looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but here. And he probably should be somewhere else, considering his job.
But the young god wasn't alone. No, no, no. With him was someone Hades didn't expect to see.
The young man before the Lord of the Dead's eyes was sitting to the left of Thanatos, his cold glare making the King of the Underworld debate whether going back into the water was a better option than facing the consequences of his actions (which, in this moment, it very much was).
The young man in question was the very same person who asked Thanatos to fish the older god out of the Styx. He thanked the God of Death for his service before dismissing him. This left only him and Hades on the shores of the river.
Hades opened his mouth to speak, but the young man raised a hand to shut him up.
The young man, much like Thanatos, was also a Chthonic God. His dark blue robes would have been a pretty big clue of his identity, but the young god also donned a black helmet, which he was currently taking off, and was holding a bident firmly in his right hand.
With the helmet off and securely held in his left hand, the boy’s fiery blue hair could be seen swishing in the air. He wore Hades' symbols of power, looking as if he was the King of the Underworld. And, the dark lord thought, maybe he is now.
This was the Prince of the Underworld. Zagreus, son of Hades and Persephone.
"Get up." He spoke softly, but his tone was firm. There was no room for arguing.
Hades would rather not take orders from his son, but, giving his current predicament, he did as he was told.
Zagreus fixed his father with an icy glare, fury and hurt written on his his face. "Out of all the horrible things you've done, this was by far the stupidest yet."
Okay, that touched a nerve. "Hey, watch it, kid!"
"No!" Zagreus struck the bident's handle hard on the ground, making the entire cavern shake.
He composed himself, before continuing. "You will listen, father. Your little stunt on Olympus was the last straw. The Gods wanted to let you rot in there and strip you of your powers. Mother pleaded with Zeus on your behalf, despite you chaining her with the others."
"Well, isn't that nice?" Despite trying to look unaffected, Hades could tell his son was feeling betrayed by him. And no doubt Persephone was sharing the sentiment.
Choosing to ignore him, Zagreus kept on. "You're on probation, for the time being. Zeus has declared that the Underworld will be governed by Mother and myself, until you prove you can be trusted again."
"Bolt boy isn't going to shackle me in Tartarus, how very considerate of him."
"Your fate was left in the hands of the rulers of the Underworld. And, what do you know, your Queen actually cares about you." Turning to leave, Zagreus added one final thing. "I'd suggest you start working on earning her trust back, father."
Never in his entire existence did Hades ever felt remorse for his actions. But, in that moment, watching his boy leave, and knowing Zagreus will never looke at him with the love and adoration he once had, made the Lord of the Dead regret everything he did to get here.
It's not really canon with Clash Of The Cousins AU, but I wanted to write it.
areudirty
theartofmadeline
