Pomegranate seeds CH 3.
Swirls of orange and purple filled the skies as a cool breeze brushed passed Athena and Hermes. Athena placed a hoof over her forehead and looked towards the west mountains. In the distance, Apollo was pulling the sun down with the power of her horn behind the rocky landscape.
Hermes and Athena entered a large vineyard, ducking to avoid the leafy vines weighed down by the plump, ripe grapes. Music and laughter could be heard from far within the grove, following the telltale sounds of a party. As they neared the middle of the grove, the light from hundreds of lanterns guided them deeper still. Quickening their pace, they finally emerged into an open field where a large crowd full of mortals dancing and drinking the sweet juice from the grapes greeted them. In the middle of the field was a large bonfire where logs were constantly thrown in to keep the fire going. Hermes’ gaped at the sight of hundreds of mortals enjoying the party. Some enjoying it perhaps a little too much, as she saw one purple mortal with a bunch of berries cutie mark, sticking her entire face in a barrel full of grape juice. She snickered as she imagined what that mortals special talent might be.
Athena and Hermes pushed their way towards the back to find a large feast spread out on a large table. Beside it, they found Dionysus and Ariadne dancing with each other. Dionysus curly brown mane seem to bounce with the beat of the music. His sun-colored toga, and Ariadne long rose-colored gown swayed side to side, always just half a second behind their steps.
"Ariadne!" Athena called as she and Hermes ran up to them, just as Dionysus twirled and dipped her back skillfully.
Ariadne turned, her neck corkscrewing as she flicked her pink mane back and jumped with excitement. "Oh! Oh! You made it to the party!" She said excitedly clapping her hooves together. "Me and Snuggle Bunny weren't expecting you to be here." She said, affectionately calling her husband one of their many pet names they had for each other. Hermes gagged; even after being married for ages they still continued with their sickenly sweet, lovey dovey talk.
"Right you are, my Honeybear!" Dionysus replied with a smile. He waved his hoof making two golden goblets appear in his hooves and shoved them towards Hermes and Athena. "Here! Drink! Drink!” They both look down at the goblets filled with grape juice. “It was made specially for this party, so it's fresh and sweet to the taste!"
"Um thanks?" Hermes muttered. "But we are not here to drink and be merry!" She snapped, tossing the goblet aside. "Kore's in trouble!"
"Kore!" Ariadne screeched. "What! What happened? Don’t tell me I missed her birthday!"
"She has been taken by Hades." Athena replied calmly. Dionysus and Ariadne both let out a loud gasp. "We are going to rescue her and we need your help, as well as Hebe's."
"Did you tell Zeus?" Dionysus asked realizing the seriousness of the situation.
"He said he won't help." Hermes growled, crossing her hooves. "Said that Hades ‘asked him permission’. What a load of horse manure." She said bitterly.
"Well of course I will help!" Ariadne yelled with conviction. "I'll get her back from that meany mean face!"
"That you will, my crumb-cake!" Dionysus said patting her head. She immediately let out a snort of laughter. Hermes and Athena rolled their eyes.
"I wish I could help but I cannot leave my mortal followers." He said with a frown. Ariadne nuzzled his cheek.
"It's okay, Diony. But you're right,” She smiled, pulling away. “I’ll have to go by myself with the girls."
"Well... as long as you’re all careful. Hades is a real grump. He hates anything fun." Dionysus said crossing his hooves with a frown.
"Come on! Time’s a-wastin!" Hermes huffed impatiently. "Every minute we waste, the longer Kore has to stay with that awful Hades."
"Hermes is right." nodded Athena. "let's go Ariadne we still need to get Hebe."
Kore felt herself being shaken-- her shoulder being moved back and forth gently. She let out a soft groan, nuzzling against her soft pillow, refusing to open her eyes and see the light of day.
"If you refuse to wake up, my dear, I can just dump ice water on you."
She shot up immediately, not from the threat of water being splashed on her but to hear Hades's voice. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes immediately wandered to her body noticing she was wearing a pink wool tunic. She reeled covering herself with the sheets.
"How dare you enter into my room!" She scolded, keeping the sheets close.
He let out a soft laugh. "Can't your future husband say, 'Good Morning' to his pretty little future wife?"
"No." She frowned and quickly noticed that the room was still dim and looked at her window, seeing darkness. "It's not even morning!"
"Ah well you see, we don't get a lot of sunshine down here." He replied. "That's why my skin is so pale, I might as well be one of the undead!" He exclaimed his hands motioning at his torso. The color turned from brown to translucent. She opened her mouth to demand he leave but bit her tongue seeing him lift up a silver tray with a small stack of pancakes, drenched with blueberry syrup. The smell of the hot cakes made her mouth water. Beside them was a glass of orange juice and a small, freshly cut pomegranate, sliced in half.
"You must be hungry, Persephone." Hades mused with devilish smile, placing the tray down on her lap. She stared at the meal in front of her, her stomach growled beckoning her to eat it. The last meal she ate was yesterday morning at breakfast when her mother left. All she had was an apple. She looked up at the dark lord, his eyes staring at her and the food waiting for her in anticipation. She licked her lips at the fruit, the redness of the pomegranate made it look particularly sweet to eat.
She suddenly slammed the tray of food against his face. The tray stucked to him until it fell onto the floor in a loud clang. The pancakes covered his entire face, the syrup outlined into a distorted face as the juice ran down his mane with the pomegranate seeds decorating his mane. The pancakes slowly slid off his face, dropping onto the floor in a loud wet flop, while Hades held a deadpanned look on his face.
"Let me guess, you're on a diet?"
He snapped his fingers conjuring a wash cloth, pressing it against his cheek as he tried to get the slickness off of his fur. Persephone crossed her arms.
"I refuse to eat anything you give me here." She said with extreme prejudice. He dragged the washcloth over his muzzle.
"Be reasonable." He argued, snapping the wash cloth away. "You can't just starve! And here I thought I was being a polite host." He said giving her a pout as his eyes went big, pressing his paw over his heart dramatically.
"Why is that such a problem?" she questioned. "You are lord of the dead, you won't let me die."
"That is true..." He let out a sigh getting up from the bed. "If you do not want to eat, than fine...but at least let me give you a tour of the Underworld." He grinned.
"No thank you." She said turning her head. His arms dropped to his sides.
"I promise I won't try anything to you, I just want to see you...smile again." He said quietly, tapping his index fingers together embrassely. She looked back at him in genuine suprise. She bit her lower lip in thought.
"....okay." She whispered, making his ears shoot up in glee. "But! No funny stuff!"
Hades put his left claw out while he placed his other over his heart.
"I swear." He smirked, but just his word wasn't good enough for her.
"Swear it! Swear it by the river Styx!" She demanded, his pupils shrank, the most sacred and powerful thing was the river, which could petrify a God for ten years. The last thing he wanted was being turned to stone. He let out a growl feeling obligated to do so.
"I swear it by the river Styx." For a moment after he said that, the corner of her lips lifted up but quickly disappeared.
"Then I will take the tour with you." She frowned.
"Wonderful!" He exclaimed happily going to the door. "I shall send your servants in, meet me down in the throne room in an hour, I'll be counting the seconds, my dear sweet Persephone!" He snaps his fingers, disappearing in a flash of light.
"My name is Kore." She said under her breath, lifting herself out of bed begrudgingly. A knock on her door rang in her ears.
"Mistress, it is your servants!" Called Cadmus.
"Please come in." Smiled Kore. Her eyes lit up seeing her two servants, and what she believed her two closest friends she had for the moment. Her eyes lower seeing what Cadmus had in his arms as he scurried inside.
Cadmus walked in holding a green dress, the bottom was laced with gold and it was a one shoulder strap. He laid it on the bed, careful to keep it away from the juice and syrup.
"I take it that you didn’t like the breakfast that master gave you, huh?" Cadmus said lifting his claw away from a wet pancake.
"I'm sorry for making a mess.." Persephone stated sadly going towards it. "I'll clean it up."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." He said motioning the goddess away from the bed and took off the sheets while Alke took the dress in her hooves. Kore put her hoof out desperately trying to stop him.
"Oh please no… I'll do it, it was my fault." she pressed. Cadmus rolled up the sheets in a giant ball, placing it over his head.
"Sorry, can't let you do that." he winked. "Plus, if Hades finds out he'll make me wash the boats." He said in a low whisper before giving her a smile. "Besides, it's no trouble, anything for the future queen of the Underworld.” He said taking it out of the room, hearing the title made Kore cringe, how can she be queen of a dark dreary place? Once the door closed, Alke motioned to Kore to sit down in front of a vanity mirror.
"Alright, now let's get this peerty dress on you, my dear." She smiled holding the dress up in awe. "We don't want Mr.Hades to be disappointed."
"Hmph!" She huffed looking at herself in the mirror. "If he just cares about my looks then I don't want to wear that. I rather wear rags." She stated sternly.
"Now, now...Mr. Hades is not one to care about your looks dearie." she said placing her hooves on her shoulders.
"Oh, how do you know?...if I make myself ugly then he will make me go home!" She argued holding a frown.
"I don't think making yourself look as ugly as a gargoyle would make him change his mind about you, I mean just look at him, he's not much of a looker either if you ask me" she mused, but immediately put her hoof next to her lips. "don't tell him I said that....but he really is a kind God."
"I'll believe it when I see it, but right now he is a big jerk!"
"Now, now...none of that, at least give him a chance, everypony needs a chance...and whatever he is." Alke said gently. Kore eyes soften at her words. If she could trust anypony, it could be Alke.
"Fine, I'll wear the dress." she said taking the cloth into her hooves.
Once she had the dress on, Alke brushed her mane, making her look as presentable as possible before Kore stepped out of her room. She looked down at the dim hallway, a sense of fear already filling her being. She looked back at Alke for support only to see her a grandma smile that warmed her heart enough to trudge through the dark hallway, the underworld is constantly dark, and the torches provided very little light. When she was a child she was always afraid of the dark, her mother always captured fireflies for her as source of alternative light. Even now when she had grown, she feared the dark no less. It was also cold, the rocks always felt like ice, she thought she would slip in any moment. She walked down the hallway sheepishly, looking in all directions, ready for a monster to pop out in any second. She finally made it outside towards the mouth of the cave to find Hades waiting for her patiently by the beach.
His eyes lit up seeing her wearing the dress.
"My dear sweet Persephone..." he cooed flying up to her. "You look lovely." he said, giving her a gentlepony bow.
"Thank you." She replied dryly, not falling for his compliments. His demeanor flattened seeing that she was not impressed. He straightened himself giving her a smirk.
"I have a surprise for you my dear, one that I know that you are going to enjoy." He said with confidence. She lift her nose in the air, not wanting to see it. Hades let out a sharp whistle towards the left side of the cave. Kore's ears perked hearing the sound of a bark, she turned to see a large cave pocket and popping out was the head of a dog...and another and another. Her eyes widen seeing a three headed dog ran up to them excitedly. The three headed dog screeches to a halt sitting down in front of his master. It's mouths filled with drool with their tongues out. Kore's mouth dropped in awe, it was the size of a small colosseum. Hades waves his claw out to her presenting it.
"This is my guard dog, Cerberus, or is it dogs?...because of the two extra heads?" he mused, stroking his beard. He looked at Kore who had a large extended smile. He smiled back knowing that his plan to impress her was working. "You may pet him if you like."
She whirled at him like a foal entering a sweet shop.
"Really? I can!?" she asked tapping her front hooves excitedly.
"Of-!" Kore immediately flew up to Cerberus petting all of their heads, and nuzzling her nose at their muzzles. "....course."
"Who's are good boys? Who are good boys?" she cooed scratching all of their chins.
Hades let out a small smile as he placed his fingers on his chin watching Kore petting them and scratching behind their ears. Cerberus tail wagged from the unlimited amount of love she was giving them. All three of their tongues lapping and licking her making her mane become wet with their drool. Something that she didn't seem to mind as she giggled softly.
"Aww..you three are so cute!" she exclaimed,rubbing her nose against the middle head's nose. They all let out a playful bark going to a downward position, jumping excitedly trying to make her play. Kore let out another giggle. Hades ears twitched, hearing that wonderful laugh of hers. Just to hear it once, motivated him to make her his wife.
"How would you like to do something that would make you even happier than you ever were?" he asked, Kore looked at him giving him a genuine interest. She flies down in front of him.
"Really? happier?....I think I am already happy just by seeing a Cerberus for the first time." she replied honestly, earning a bark from Cerberus.
Hades put out his arm towards her, motioning her to take it.
"Why don't you follow me, my dear? and I promise you won't be disappointed." he smirked. She gave him a wary look and crossed her arms, refusing his..
"We'll see..."
His arm fell. "I am confident that you will enjoy it, consider it a little gift." he said walking away, she followed close behind before waving goodbye to Cerberus. A loud whine echoed across the cave walls following with a loud thud as Cerberus sadly fell on his stomach, its eyes big and sad as Kore walked away.
She followed him down the grey beach, her hooves sinking slightly with each step, She glance towards the river to see Charon leaving on his boat, heading towards the surface. She felt envy for him seeing that he could go while she stayed in the dark.
"Where is he going?" she asked, curious on what he might be doing. Perhaps he might be gathering mortal souls to take. Hades let out a hum, completely uninterested on what the pony might be doing. He waved him off.
"Off to see that grey mare I suppose, and shirking in his responsibilities… If he keeps that up, I might give him the pink slip." He flicked his wrist conjuring a little pink dress. Kore raised her brow as he let out a little snicker before tossing it aside before they went down a small rocky tunnel. She winced feeling the sharp edges of stone cutting her hooves. She flapped her wings hovering an inch off the ground. She glanced at the dark lord who flicked his wrists conjuring a small flame on the palm of his claw, lighting the way.
"Where are you taking me?" she asks meekly, the confinding tunnel made her shudder in fear. He glanced back at her, skipping over a stone in the middle of their path.
"It's a surprise~" he sang. "Trust me, you'll love it!"
"Uhmm, I-I don't know....I'm going back." she turned slightly making him whirl at her.
"No!-" He exclaimed, making her jump. He chuckled slightly seeing that he scared her. "Please...this would be worth it."
She raised her brow and looked at her situation. She was following her kidnapper down a dark tunnel towards an unknown destination. All of this seems to be going down a dangerous path. She seemed to be giving too much trust to him. She looked up at him seeing that he was holding a small quivering pout along with big puppy eyes. The same eyes she saw on Cerberus when she left. She let out a small snort of laughter seeing his expression that she had to land unable to hold it back.
He blinked moving his claw towards her seeing baby breath sprout out underneath her hooves. She had a unique power to make flowers sprout out, even from stone, it was breath taking.. She let out a small nod, her laughter ceasing.
"Okay...I'll follow you. You did promise earlier." she said, he let out a smile.
"Wonderful! It's not long now." he turned back around continuing down the path. Kore flapped her wings lightly now with an active curiosity on what he wanted to show her..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hebe laid across her fine red couch as mortals brought her gifts in her temple. She wore the finest purple dress with a golden clasp on her shoulder with three diamonds etched into it. She waved her white fan against her face as her followers respectively give her their nest of fruits, vegetables and the finest fabrics for her to make into outfits. In return for the mortals bringing her gifts she would generously give them anything they wish until she notice two of the last ponies. A young grey unicorn filly climbed up the marble steps towards the goddess, who looked at her in a sense of surprise. This young filly was covered in rags accompanied by her mother with wall-eyes. They seemed too poor to offer anything to her but their eyes and their smiles made it seemed they were content with what they already have.
The filly excitedly bowed to Hebe.
"Mistress Hebe, my mother and I have nothing special to give you..." She admitted with a small voice. "But please accept this ribbon for gratitude for coming to the temple of our village." She held out a small white ribbon towards Hebe with a small smile.
The goddess sat up and took the small ribbon with a grateful smile. It was a delicate thing, and there was a small smudge of mud at the end of it but it seemed to be the only precious piece of fabric they own.
"Oh how sweet is your lovely gift, I accept this!" She exclaimed. "It would match a brooch I have splendidly....now what is that you want, sweet filly?" She asked petting her head lightly. Her eyes gleamed with joy, wagging her tail rapidly.
"I want to be a pretty as you, Miss Hebe!" She said. Hebe let out a laugh, flicking her mane back from the compliment.
"Oh thank you! But you are already beautiful! There is nothing I can do about perfection."
"P-perfection?" She looked at her rags and frowned. "How can you tell?"
"Beauty on the outside does not matter if you don't have a pure heart, and you are a special filly, so I have a gift to bestow upon you, my sweet."
"R-really? What is it?" she asked, her tail wagging slightly.
"I give you the gift of youth, when you grow old you would still be seen as beautiful and vibrant, you shall live a long lasting life in which no pain of the world can harm you." She bend her head down touching her horn against the Filly's, her horn glowed in a bright blue conjuring the spell onto her in a flash of light. The filly blinked and rubbed her eyes getting her vision back and smiled at her.
"Thank you!" She looked at her mother who held a warm smile on her face as she bowed to Hebe in thanks before walking away with her daughter bouncing beside her. Hebe waved them off letting out a sigh of relief collapsing on her couch.
"Now, for my beauty sleep...." She let out a yawn, ready to drift off into her dreams until Hermes came flying in frantically.
"Hebe! Get up, we have trouble!" She yelled hovering above her. Hebe shrank letting out a yelp from the sudden loud voice next to her ear.
"Hermes!" she yelled in a high voice. "Don't you know it is rude to wake a lady who is trying to relax?" she huffed tossing her purple mane to the side.
"There is no time to relax, we have to take action!" Hermes explained as she landed beside her.
"Whatever do you mean?" She asked, letting out a bored yawn. "Surely it is not another adventure story told by Artemis, and that you must "hear it before anyone else does",is it?"
"I'm afraid not, Hebe." Answered Athena, walking inside the table towards them with Ariadne bouncing behind her. Hebe sat up becoming concern to see Athena holding a serious face, the last time she had a face like that was when her followers, the Athenians, were going to war with the Spartans.
"What is happening?" She asked. Athena opened her mouth to reply only for Hermes to answer abruptly.
"It's Kore! She's been kidnapped!"
"Kore! Oh dear no!" Hebe got off of her couch in sudden anger. "Who dared took out friend?!" She demanded, her cheeks red.
"It was Hades." Athena said gravely. Hebe let out a loud gasp, placing a hoof over her heart and the other on her forehead falling back on the couch dramatically.
"No! Not him! This is. The. Worst. Possible. Thing! That can ever happened!"
"This why we are going to do a rescue mission!" Bounced Ariadne happily up to her. "We are going to take her back from mean old Hades!"
"Us?" She questioned sitting back up. "But he is one of the elite, can't we tell Zeus?"
"He won't help us..." Hermes answered kicking a stray rock in frustration. "He said that since Kore didn't get married yet, Hades had every right to take her."
"How preposterous!" Hebe replied with disgust. "Of course I'll help in anyway I can to get her away from that dark ruffian."
"Glad to hear it." Athena smiled. "Because we leave to the underworld tomorrow afternoon."
"Tomorrow afternoon? Why not now?"
"Because the only way to get to the underworld is by boat..." Athena reached into her pocket pulling out a gold coin. Her friends leaned in wondering what was the significance for the coin. "and I happen to know a certain boatman that makes frequent trips to the mortal world."
"Yeah-" Hermes said crossing her arms. "To take souls, that is no surprise but how are we-oh! We are going to bribe him!"
Athena winked. "Correct, and we all know how Charon likes his gold..."