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Description
This story follows up on my entry for 's Power Quest contest, and explains why Argo and White Owl were not immediately available to help Curia or Ultra Woman when she was attacked by Chryseis.
It's also my entry for 's Wedding Artjam.
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Continued from part 4
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"M-Milord Hephaestus. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to.."

"Hush, Child. 'Tis not thy fault. Dry thy tears. All will be well."

"But Hef is dead. How will it be well?"

The red glow began to change to a soft golden glow.
"Hast thou forgotten? He wears the Golden Fleece. It has the power to heal, even unto those mortally wounded."

"Then he'll be fine? Wait. I heard him mention a curse. Will he be harmed by this curse if you bring him back?"

"The curse, Child, is something that I am ashamed to admit is partially of my doing. As thou no doubt know, for milennia I have been in love with thy patron, Athena. Aphrodite was jealous and laid a curse upon my children, that they would fall in love with children of Athena - be it by birth or of spirituality - and t'would be the death of them."

"Then... when Hef said that he was in love with me..."

"His fate was sealed. I had hoped, that because Hef was chosen to be Argo, he might be immune from the curse, but Zeus would not overrule it, so as to not play favorites amongst the Gods. So when he first met thee, he couldn't help but fall in love with thee."

"I would never hurt him, but..."

"But thy heart is sworn elsewhere. Child, thou hast no blame in this. But worry not. Though Zeus would not overrule the curse, he will insist that it has been fulfilled. Hef did in fact die for thy love. If the death be temporary that makes no matter. I believe thy Earthly lawgivers call it a ...'loophole'?"

"Won't Aphrodite be angry?"

"Absolutely furious!" laughed Hephaestus with a laugh like thunder. "But Zeus will allow her no recriminations. Hef will be safe. Speaking of my son, this is taking too long. Golden Fleece, heed my words. Speed thy healing. Arise my son, let thy body and raiment be whole once more!"

Hephaestus waved his massive hammer and the Golden Fleece glowed ever brighter. The cloak gave forth a glow that bathed White Owl as well, and she felt her own wounds left over from her battle heal. She saw Argo begin to stir.

"Uhh...A-Athena...don't worry, I have the Fleece, remember?"

"We're a bit past that, Hef. How are you feeling?"

"Like a fist went thru my chest, how else? Wait...Dad?"

"Yes my son. Thou shalt be fine. I must hie myself back to Olympus. Give thy mother my love." With a bright flash, he was gone.

"Story of my life." He turned to White Owl. "So... what happened?"

She filled him in on what he missed while he was dead.
"So... now I know where your name comes from... 'Junior'," she said with a smile.

"No no no! I..."

"JUNIOR! I LIKE that! boomed a voice like thunder.

Argo sighed. "Do you have any idea how long I have tried to keep that from him? Thanks a lot!" They both laughed.

"We better get going. I have no idea where Amazon Arrow is. Still getting my head clear."

"I'll look for her. You should go looking for those villains," said White Owl.

Athena bit her lip and asked, "Hef? About what I asked you earlier... If you don't want to, I'd understand. But I hope you don't quit. The world needs Argo. We need you."

"Athena, as the Protector of the Children of Olympus it would be my honor to give you away at your wedding. On ONE condition."

"What?"

"Never, EVER call me Jun... THAT word, again!"

"Of course...Lil' Hephaestus!" She laughed and flew off.

"Athena!!!!" he yelled and flew off after her.

The End.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Argo/Hef Karamikos is my OC & Property
Commander Violent & Screech Owl are my creations, based upon Capt. Valiant & White Owl (see below)
White Owl/Athena Nikos, Captain Valiant & Queen City are the Property of & used with permission
The Anti-verse is a dimension that is home to evil versions of many characters, conceived by
Amazon Arrow (mentioned) is the OC & property of , used with permission.

Description
This story follows up on my entry for 's Power Quest contest, and explains why Argo and White Owl were not immediately available to help Curia or Ultra Woman when she was attacked by Chryseis.
It's also my entry for 's Wedding Artjam.
--------------------------

Continued from part 4
--------------------------

"M-Milord Hephaestus. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to.."

"Hush, Child. 'Tis not thy fault. Dry thy tears. All will be well."

"But Hef is dead. How will it be well?"

The red glow began to change to a soft golden glow.
"Hast thou forgotten? He wears the Golden Fleece. It has the power to heal, even unto those mortally wounded."

"Then he'll be fine? Wait. I heard him mention a curse. Will he be harmed by this curse if you bring him back?"

"The curse, Child, is something that I am ashamed to admit is partially of my doing. As thou no doubt know, for milennia I have been in love with thy patron, Athena. Aphrodite was jealous and laid a curse upon my children, that they would fall in love with children of Athena - be it by birth or of spirituality - and t'would be the death of them."

"Then... when Hef said that he was in love with me..."

"His fate was sealed. I had hoped, that because Hef was chosen to be Argo, he might be immune from the curse, but Zeus would not overrule it, so as to not play favorites amongst the Gods. So when he first met thee, he couldn't help but fall in love with thee."

"I would never hurt him, but..."

"But thy heart is sworn elsewhere. Child, thou hast no blame in this. But worry not. Though Zeus would not overrule the curse, he will insist that it has been fulfilled. Hef did in fact die for thy love. If the death be temporary that makes no matter. I believe thy Earthly lawgivers call it a ...'loophole'?"

"Won't Aphrodite be angry?"

"Absolutely furious!" laughed Hephaestus with a laugh like thunder. "But Zeus will allow her no recriminations. Hef will be safe. Speaking of my son, this is taking too long. Golden Fleece, heed my words. Speed thy healing. Arise my son, let thy body and raiment be whole once more!"

Hephaestus waved his massive hammer and the Golden Fleece glowed ever brighter. The cloak gave forth a glow that bathed White Owl as well, and she felt her own wounds left over from her battle heal. She saw Argo begin to stir.

"Uhh...A-Athena...don't worry, I have the Fleece, remember?"

"We're a bit past that, Hef. How are you feeling?"

"Like a fist went thru my chest, how else? Wait...Dad?"

"Yes my son. Thou shalt be fine. I must hie myself back to Olympus. Give thy mother my love." With a bright flash, he was gone.

"Story of my life." He turned to White Owl. "So... what happened?"

She filled him in on what he missed while he was dead.
"So... now I know where your name comes from... 'Junior'," she said with a smile.

"No no no! I..."

"JUNIOR! I LIKE that! boomed a voice like thunder.

Argo sighed. "Do you have any idea how long I have tried to keep that from him? Thanks a lot!" They both laughed.

"We better get going. I have no idea where Amazon Arrow is. Still getting my head clear."

"I'll look for her. You should go looking for those villains," said White Owl.

Athena bit her lip and asked, "Hef? About what I asked you earlier... If you don't want to, I'd understand. But I hope you don't quit. The world needs Argo. We need you."

"Athena, as the Protector of the Children of Olympus it would be my honor to give you away at your wedding. On ONE condition."

"What?"

"Never, EVER call me Jun... THAT word, again!"

"Of course...Lil' Hephaestus!" She laughed and flew off.

"Athena!!!!" he yelled and flew off after her.

The End.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Argo/Hef Karamikos is my OC & Property
Commander Violent & Screech Owl are my creations, based upon Capt. Valiant & White Owl (see below)
White Owl/Athena Nikos, Captain Valiant & Queen City are the Property of & used with permission
The Anti-verse is a dimension that is home to evil versions of many characters, conceived by
Amazon Arrow (mentioned) is the OC & property of , used with permission.