"Hercules," Ben says in surprise as he sees the two newcomers. "Megara."
Understanding dawns on the other four's faces as they all glance over at Hayden to see his reaction, hiding smiles at the pure annoyance on his face.
"Sorry to just kinda barge in," Hercules says.
"Not really," Meg interjects.
"Anyway," he continues, obviously used to his wife's comments, "we just came to share some news from Olympus that, uh, might just be of interest to you guys."
"The meetings the Olympians have been having," Ben says in understanding. "I assume this means they've come to some kind of agreement about... whatever they've been discussing?"
"They have," Hercules says with a nod.
Hayden notices with some level of amusement that the other godling is making sure to only look at Ben. He hasn't allowed his eyes to drift in Hayden's direction even once.
"Ol' Polly had a vision," Meg drawls, her arms crossed and hip cocked in a way that makes more than one of the queens in the room look at her in disdain.
Hercules sighs. "Don't call him Polly," he tells her.
She rolls her eyes. "Fine. Apollo had a vision. Long story short, it was time for the whole Hades situation to be re-evaluated." She smirks and looks right at Hayden. "Situation, in this case, including his kid."
Hayden cocks one eyebrow in her direction. "Is 'situation' what we're calling unjust imprisonment then?" he asks bluntly.
Hercules flinches as he says it while Meg just tilts her head in acknowledgment of the truth behind his assessment.
"Yes," Hercules reluctantly agrees. "That's why we've been dealing with so many meetings lately," he explains. "The Olympian council's been, uh, discussing how to handle things."
"They've been arguing like children," Hayden concludes. He may never have personally met any of the Olympians, but he knows his history and he knows how to read between the lines.
He doesn't have to take part in one of their meetings to know how unproductive they often are.
"Got it in one," Meg agrees easily.
"Excuse me," Snow White interjects, "but why exactly would that be of interest to us?"
Hayden can't help but wonder if he's the only one that notices the way she only gestures at the royal council as she says it.
"Gods," Meg scoffs, "you people really are arrogant, aren't you?"
"Meg," Hercules says with a pointed look. Still, he never actually disagrees.
"Since when do the Olympians put so much on a prophecy?" Hayden asks. "I mean, Cassandra's Curse existed for a reason. Prophets never get the credit they should." He rolls his eyes when he sees the confusion on the faces of almost everyone in the room.
These people really don't know their history, he thinks.
"Oh, this one gets due credit," Meg drawls.
"The, uh, the Fates actually showed up," Hercules explains.
"The Fates," Mal repeats blankly as almost everyone else in the room can feel their eyes widen in surprise.
Hercules nods. "They kinda laid things out and, long story short, Hades' restriction to the Underworld is being revoked."
More than one shocked gasp sounds as Hayden just stares at him in boredom. "Were they speaking in verse?" he asks with a slight smirk.
Meg rolls her eyes. "Annoyingly enough, yes," she answers.
"Yeah," he says casually. "They do that."
"Right," Hercules says slowly, still not looking at Hayden. "Anyway, Hades is technically no longer stuck in the Underworld and will once again be allowed on Olympus for the solstice meetings."
The Beastie stutters for a moment before he finally manages to speak. "Hades allowed to roam free?!? But- but-"
"Oh, calm yerself," Merida says with a rather impressive roll of her eyes. "He's nae gonna le' the dead walk or anythin' like tha'."
"She's right, you know," Hayden tells him. "We like the dead where they belong. Souls and bodies," he adds with a sharp smile.
"Funny you should mention souls," Meg mutters. Her husband gives her a look and she just shrugs with an innocence that doesn't fool him at all.
"Right," Ben says loudly with a clap of his hands. "Thank you for letting us know," he tells the two of them, "and I think that might just be a sign that we've made the right decision here regarding the Isle and its residents."
"Now, hold on," Leah tries, clearly desperate to retain some type of power and authority, "this discussion-"
"There is no more discussion to be had," Ben says firmly. "The decision is made. I've already told you all what will be happening and tomorrow at Cotillion I'll tell everyone else. I'll make the announcement during the televised opening."
There are a few more token protests that slowly trail off as said protestors see the completely unimpressed look they're getting from their king.
"Fine," Beastie agrees reluctantly. "If we're going to be... allowing Isle residents to come to Auradon then we'll need a system. I suggest we make an application they can fill out to-"
"No," Hayden cuts in sharply. "We're not making people apply to be removed from a prison colony." He stresses the last two words and watches in satisfaction as they all wince slightly at his refusal to use their little euphemisms for what they created.
From there, the meeting turns into the council members, well, most of them, grudgingly agreeing to the terms set. Ben makes his way over to discuss the logistics of his upcoming announcement while the only former Isle residents in the room group together.
"We did it," Carlos breathes, still a little stunned that it actually worked.
Evie claps her hands together excitedly. "Oh, Dizzy will be so happy!"
"Thank you," Hayden says quietly. It's not an expression used often, if at all, on the Isle and it's not one he ever seems to really find himself using. This moment, however, seems to call for it.
Mal can almost feel her face soften. "You shouldn't have to thank us," she tells him. "We should have been here from the start."
"Besides," Jay says with a grin, "you might not want to thank us just yet." They all give him a confused look and he just gestures to something over Hayden's shoulder.
Hayden turns to look and can't help but groan when he sees who's come to join them.
"So, you're Hades' kid, huh?" Meg drawls, smirking as she looks him over. "I can see it," she adds.
"So glad your eyes work," he drawls back.
Her smirk only widens at the response as she nods in what seems almost like approval. She jerks a thumb over her shoulder toward where her husband is standing and trying to act like he's not looking in their direction.
"Wonder Boy over there's been dying to meet you," she tells him.
"If only," Hayden mutters. "I can't say the same," he says louder.
"Hm," she hums, one eyebrow raised. "Yeah, well, don't have much of a choice, do ya?"
Naturally, that's when Hercules decides to give up his failed acting career and make his way over.
He stands there awkwardly for a few seconds, wringing his hands together and not quite looking Hayden in the eye. Finally, he takes a deep breath and lets his own blue eyes meet golden. "Uh, hi," he manages.
Hayden glances over at Meg in question and she just nods.
"Yeah," she tells him. "He's always this articulate."
"Huh," he hums as he looks back at Hercules, clearly already bored.
"Right," Hercules mutters. "I, uh, just needed to tell you that your limited visitations are also revoked. You can visit the Underworld as you please."
"Aw, you mean I have permission to go home?" Hayden drawls.
Hercules continues with only a slight wince. "Also, you, well, you can visit Olympus and claim your godhood," he tells him. "Like you probably should have been able to from the start," he adds with a wry twist of the lips.
Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos all exchange wide-eyed looks at he idea of their friend accepting full godhood.
Hayden just raises one eyebrow, unfazed. "Right," he drawls. "Look, thanks for the offer, Herc, but no thanks. I don't quite belong on Olympus. I'm not looking to suddenly play 'happy family' with the Olympians either."
Hercules brings one hand up to rub at the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "I, uh, I guess I should have expected that. Can't say I really blame you."
Hayden looks Hercules and Meg over for a second, slightly surprised at the way they're acting. "You two don't seem to be nearly as vindictive as most of these heroes," he points out.
Hercules shrugs. "It's only been twenty or so years for most of them," he says diplomatically. "I still don't like your father but, well, I've had a bit longer to let things go."
Hayden snorts. "Yeah, just a few thousand years," he drawls.
"Exactly," Meg smirks back. "Holding a grudge for that long is way too much effort."
"Right," her husband agrees. "Besides, you never did anything to either of us. I'd like to think we can just, you know, start fresh."
"Let bygones be bygones, huh?"
"What do you say, cousin?" Hercules asks with a bright smile as he holds his hand out in offer.
"Cousin?" Carlos murmurs, trading slightly confused glances with the other three.
Hayden shoots them a look. "Don't ask," he says seriously.
"But-" Evie gets cut off as Hayden just holds up one hand.
"Seriously. Don't." He looks back at Hercules and extends one pale, ring-adorned hand. "You sure you wanna shake?" he asks teasingly, half expecting him to drop the offer.
The redhead's smile never falters. He grabs Hayden's hand with no hesitation, grip maybe just a bit too tight for most people in his happiness. He can't help but notice how the other godling doesn't even blink at a strength that would make most people wince.
"You're not the Underworld resident I'd be wary of shaking hands with," Hercules tells him.
Meg crosses her arms and gives him a curious look. "So, that offer of full godhood. You turning that down too?" she asks.
"I am," Hayden says with a nod. "I'm, uh, I'm not really looking for the whole 'true immortality' thing right now. I've got people, you know?" he adds, thinking about one pirate in particular.
"I get that," Hercules nods. "I do. We waited to accept immortality too but, uh, the thing is, even though you're not technically accepting godhood you still get your domains."
"You mean what I probably would have had already if I hadn't been imprisoned," Hayden says bluntly, enjoying the way it makes the other godling wince.
"Yes."
Hayden glances over at the other four to see them all staring at him with that wide-eyed look they get when they're reminded that he's technically a god.
"Alright," he says with a sigh. "Lay it on me."
"Ah, before I do," Hercules says hesitantly, "you do know how it works, right? As in, you know that it's possible for a god or goddess to have one of their domains transfer over to a new godling if they're not, uh, ruling that particular domain like they should?"
There's a long moment of silence before Hayden cocks one eyebrow. "You wouldn't be mentioning that unless I was taking over someone's domain," he points out.
Hercules just nods, his lips pursed. With another sigh, Hayden waves for him to get on with it.
Hercules takes a deep breath and looks him right in the eyes. "Hayden, despite your refusal to accept full godhood, you now hold four domains. They include shadows, souls, poisonous plants, and... justice."
"Justice?" Hayden repeats in slight shock. Hercules nods.
"You heard right," Meg says with her ever-present smirk.
"I'm sorry," Evie speaks up, trading a confused glance with the others. "I don't think I quite understand."
"Yeah," Mal adds. "I mean, those all sound like you, Hayden."
"Especially that last one, you know, given everything you've just done." Carlos waves one hand to gesture at the whole of the council's meeting room as he speaks.
"Yeah, you don't understand," Hayden agrees. "Justice is or, I guess, was one of Zeus' domains."
Every one of them can feel their eyes widen.
"You took a domain from the king of Olympus?" Jay asks incredulously.
"Apparently," he deadpans.
"That's right he did!"
Everybody turns at the new voice to see Hades himself leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, the shadows around him black as night. He sends them all a smirk that only widens when several people let out shocked gasps and instinctively step back.
"What are you doing here, Dad?" Hayden asks dryly.
Hades pushes off the wall and glides over to his son, putting both hands on his shoulders. "Hey, you heard the man. I'm free to leave the Underworld now." He grins. "I just had to come congratulate you on taking power from Lightning Boy himself."
"It's not like I did it on purpose," Hayden points out.
"That just makes it even better," Hades claims as he drops his hands. "It makes sense," he adds. "I mean, you've always done great on the Judgement panel. And, hey, what have I always told you? True fairness comes only with death." He looks expectantly at his son.
"Never with life," Hayden says, finishing one of the first lessons his father ever taught him.
"That's my boy!" Hades cries proudly. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."
He glides over toward Hercules and Meg, slick grin already in place.
"Herc! Nutmeg!" he exclaims. "How ya been? It's been, what, a thousand, two-thousand years? Wow, I tell you, time really does fly, huh? So, listen, no hard feelings, right? I mean, she made a deal," he gestures at Meg, "then you made a deal," he gestures at Hercules, "all just business, yeah?"
He gets an annoyed look from each of them.
Hades grins. "Come on," he drawls. "All these years and you're still not over it?" He holds out one pale hand. "Whaddya say, huh? Let bygones be bygones?'
Hercules just crosses his broad arms and gives him a look.
"What? Is it the handshake? Is that it?" Hades smirks and wiggles his fingers, hand still offered. "It's not very heroic of you to hold a grudge you know," he tells him mockingly.
"Knock it off, Dad," Hayden calls. He looks completely amused at Hercules' discomfort. There's a smirk on his face and everyone in the room can't help but notice how much he looks like his father.
Hades slowly drops his hand. "Always ruining my fun," he complains as he looks over at Hayden. "You get that from your mother," he adds just like he always does.
Hayden snorts. "Good. Fates know I get enough from you."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Hades drawls, one hand held to his chest like he's hurt by the insinuation. Quickly getting over it, he claps his hands together and looks at the other villains' kids. "Nicely done," he tells them. "Royal council officially being revamped, very nice."
He looks expectantly at Hayden who knows exactly what he's asking.
"Mom's probably in the gardens," he tells him.
"Excellent," Hades says. He claps his hands again before pointing one long finger at his son. "In that case, you know where to look if you need me." He gives him a serious look. "Don't need me."
Hayden snorts. "You two haven't seen each other in weeks," he says. "Believe me, I'm not coming near unless I'm absolutely sure it's safe."
"Smart boy," Hades says with a smirk. He disappears in a cloud of dark shadows as most of the room's occupants start to blush as they realize just what the two were talking about.
"Right," Ben says into the lingering silence. "Well, I think it's time that this meeting is officially adjourned. We all need to get ready for Cotillion." He sends Hayden a smile. "And I've got an announcement to prepare," he adds.
The room starts to clear out as Hayden sends him a small smile back. Hercules and Meg both nod in his direction as they take their leave.
"Later, kid," Meg tells him with a snappy two-fingered salute. "Been a real slice."
"Huh," Jay says thoughtfully as they watch them go. "They actually weren't that bad."
"I know," Mal agrees. She looks over at Hayden. "Is it okay if I say I actually kinda liked Meg?"
Hayden nods slowly. "Yeah. It's okay. I hate to admit it, but so did I."
"What about Hercules?" Carlos asks.
Hayden scrunches his nose a little. "He's... tolerable."
"If nothing else at least he's nice to look at," Evie admits, crossing her arms when they all give her a look. "What? You know it's true," she says defensively.
"I didn't really notice," Hayden admits with a shrug.
Mal snorts. "Yeah, and we all know why," she teases.
"Speaking of your pirate," Evie says, smiling as she sees Hayden's blushing cheeks, "we've gotta go. Cotillion is only a few hours away, so I have to make sure everyone's outfits are ready."
Jay cocks one eyebrow. "How could you have possibly made outfits for everyone already?"
"I'm just that talented," she claims.
"Evie," Carlos says flatly.
"And I may have had a bit of magical help," she admits. "Whatever. The point is, we're all going to look fabulous."
Hayden shrugs again as she starts to usher them all out of the room. "As long as there's no singing at this thing I'm good."