[ Man ] Previously on Hercules.
Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise.
Yeah, it's a little too pleasant.
Save yourselves! It's Hercules!
- [ All Gasping ] - But fear not, my children.
I will save you from Hercules.
I've come to help. Help me what?
I'm Zarathustra, the first to believe the lies of Dahak a thousand years ago.
I've walked this Earth in your footsteps in the hope that I would find you.
Because?
Because you and you alone have the power to destroy this world...
or to save it.
He wants me to destroy him.
Because he holds an innocent soul within his grasp.
lolaus.
If we can separate lolaus's soul from Dahak,
then Dahak can be sent back into his realm...
and lolaus will finally be able to rest in peace.
You're talking about an exorcism.
[ Gasps, Growls ]
[ Screams ]
It won't last. By sunset, he'll be free again.
[ Laughing ]
Then what are we waiting for?
Let the exorcism begin.
I think you'll find that easier said than done.
[ Laughing ]
[ Nebula ] So, someone here actually knows how to perform...
one of these exorcisms, right?
I have observed the ritual...
once.
Once? When?
[ Zarathustra ] About 500 years ago.
[ Morrigan ] How is this gonna work?
We'll make it work. First, we must prepare the room.
Hercules! What is it?
There's something in my hand!
[ Shuddering ] Get it out! Hercules!
Jason! Hey! Look at me!
[ Shuddering ]
Block them out of your mind.
Whatever you're seeing, it isn't real.
It isn't real.
What's the matter, Jason? Am I bugging you?
Come on. Let's get you out of here.
I'll be okay. I can't let you go through with this alone.
No. The best way you can help is by keeping yourself safe...
[ Snickering ] and out of his reach.
Besides, you have to take care of that.
Good luck.
[ Growls ] And then there were four.
- Silence! - [ Growls ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Gagging ] The light is our ally.
It is our weapon. When it disappears, the demon will go free.
Then let's get started.
We have made the body uncomfortable for the occupying demon.
[ Snarling ]
Zarathustra.
Have a thousand winters taught you nothing?
I'm as much a part of this world as the light...
that warms the day. [ Laughs ]
[ Gasps, Growls ]
This can't be good.
[ Gagging ]
[ Dahak Speaking Backwards ]
- [ Dahak ] Come to the dark! - [ Men Speaking Gibberish ]
[ Speaking Backwards ]
He's telling his followers to find the god that was once his ally...
and destroy him.
What fool god would team up with Dahak?
Ares, but he's vulnerable now.
Since Dahak came to the world, all the gods have been weakened.
Ares made his bed. Let him lie in it.
Normally, I'd agree with you, but if Dahak wants Ares dead,
he must have a good reason.
If he succeeds in killing this god,
Dahak will become strong enough to break his bonds.
[ Growling ]
And we will have lost our only chance to stop him.
[ Man Narrating ] This is the story of a time long ago,
a time of myth and legend,
when the ancient gods were petty and cruel,
and they plagued mankind with suffering.
Only one man dared to challenge their power...
Hercules.
Hercules possessed a strength the world had never seen,
a strength surpassed only by the power of his heart.
He journeyed the earth, battling the minions of his wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil,
wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be... Hercules.
- [ Screeching ] - [ Roaring ]
Hail!
I need you two to find Ares before Dahak's followers do.
- And now we get the honor of protecting him. - Only if you find him first.
We're on it.
Be careful.
[ Dahak Growls ]
Deception is the will and the way of darkness, Hercules.
The demon will say anything to break us down.
I would not have the strength to do this without you.
Something's watching over us, Zarathustra.
I can't explain it, but I feel like we're not in this battle alone.
I feel it too.
Perhaps the light that restrains Dahak is, indeed, a force beyond our reckoning.
Even so, it could be dangerous to rely on what we cannot see.
Things that make us human can't be seen:
trust, friendship.
If I can remind lolaus what they meant to him, we might have a chance.
[ Gasps ]
[ Hercules ] That's where Gilgamesh stabbed him.
Make the mark directly over his heart.
[ Gasping ]
[ Screams ] [ lolaus's Voice ] Hercules, please! Please, don't!
Please! [ Groans, Cries ]
[ Laughing ]
This body is dead. It is merely a vessel for the spirit within.
You must go on.
What is more important to you...
preserving the body or saving the soul?
[ Groans, Growls ]
[ Groans, Screams ]
Do you really think he'd be stupid enough to hide in his own temple?
That's exactly the point. Who'd think to look here?
I'm starting to think we'd have more luck...
finding a virgin in Caligula's palace.
Hold that thought.
- [ Groans ] - Stop! We're here to help.
Funny.
I thought you were here to die!
Oh, great. Don't worry. Happens to all men sooner or later.
We know you're vulnerable, so does Dahak.
That's why he sent his followers to come kill ya.
[ Roars, Groans ]
Get away from me!
You are Ares, right?
- Who sent ya? - Hercules.
So, let's play nice and get moving.
[ Grunts ]
[ Grunts, Groaning ]
We don't have time for this.
We call upon you, light of all lights,
to purify the water and cleanse this innocent soul.
[ Growls ] [ Screams ]
[ Laughs ] Zarathustra,
I am so disappointed in you.
We had an understanding.
I gave you power beyond mortal limitations,
but you turned into the worst kind of coward.
Why? Because he refused to kill his family?
[ Grunts ]
You say, "Kill his family," as if that were a bad thing.
The truth is, he didn't deserve them.
Not much of a family man, are you, Zarathustra?
If you were, you wouldn't have accepted me into your heart...
so greedily, but don't worry...
Your failure is my success,
and if it's any consolation,
whenlkilled your family, I didn't give them a chance to scream.
[ Gasps ] No more of this!
[ Yells ] Don't!
Dahak's feeding off your hatred.
You're only making him stronger.
[ Gasps ]
I'm sorry, Hercules.
I need some air.
[ Laughing ]
[ Young Boy ] Daddy?
Zaylan?
Is it really you?
[ Laughs ] My boy.
[ Laughs ] Why can't you be with us, Daddy?
Why can't you be with us, Daddy?
I couldn't.
- We miss you. - We miss you.
I miss you too.
I miss you all so much.
I...
I'd give anything to be with you again,
but it's not possible.
Please, forgive me.
Never!
[ Groans, Yells ]
- [ Laughs, Growls ] - [ Gagging ]
- [ Groans ] - Zarathustra!
- [ Growls ] - [ Gags ]
[ Gags ] Let him go!
[ Zarathustra Screaming ] Or you'll do what,
kill me?
Be my guest. It's the only way to end his suffering.
[ Groaning ]
Kill me, damn you!
- [ Groaning ] - [ Groaning ]
[ Moans ]
[ Gasps ]
At last...
I am... free.
Your family's waiting for you.
Go. Find peace.
Thank you, my friend.
[ Exhales ]
Mmm. [ Laughs ]
Oh, spare me your contempt.
I gave him immortality. It was mine to take away.
I have no contempt for you, only pity.
Zarathustra saw his immortality as a curse.
Releasing him was an act of mercy,
and since you don't know the meaning of the word,
I'd say I'm getting through to lolaus.
Uh-uh-uh.
Zarathustra was the only one who knew how to perform the ritual.
Now it's just you and me...
buddy.
[ Laughing ]
Come out, come out, wherever you are.
Come on, Ares. We don't have time to play hide-and-seek.
[ Unsheathes Sword ]
Why would Hercules want to help me?
Because if you die, Dahak steals all your power,
and that won't be good for any of us.
[ Grunting ]
I've heard of religious conviction, but this is ridiculous.
[ All Yelling ]
[ Grunting ]
[ Groans, Grunts ]
[ Grunting ]
- [ Yelling ] - Is there another way out of here?
There.
- [ Yelling ] - Whoa!
You're all on my list! Move it.
[ Groaning ] You know, I'm a little insulted.
Why didn't Dahak come after me himself?
Hercules has him restrained. That's why Dahak needs your strength.
So, he's vulnerable?
Whatever you've got in mind, forget it.
If you think I'm gonna miss a chance to kill Dahak, you think again.
This may be Herc's only chance to save lolaus,
and that's exactly what's gonna happen.
Now, I may have agreed to protect your sorry butt,
but don't think I won't kick it myself if you step out of line.
I like you.
We're not interfering with Hercules,
and that's that.
Hercules is, and always has been, a fool.
His compassion for lolaus is his fatal weakness,
and you better believe Dahak will take advantage of it.
If Hercules fails, we'll all suffer the consequences.
We can argue about this later. Right now, we gotta get someplace safe.
[ Dahak ] You can continue to pursue this trivial ritual until sunset,
or you can save us both time and kill me now.
Either way, I win.
- Keep telling yourself that. - [ Laughs ]
I saw the Earth formed out of nothing.
I brought the serpent of temptation into man's garden.
I've even been known on occasion,
to turn entire oceans to sand...
in a single breath.
I think it's safe to say...
that I have the experience to know how this will turn out.
You're forgetting one thing.
Oh? lolaus still has the power to fight you.
[ Laughs ] Your faith in your friend is misplaced.
He invited me into his heart...
and now we are one and the same.
So, why do you refer to him as "he"?
lolaus would never invite you into his heart.
Why don't you tell me how you seduced my friend.
Why should I tell you anything?
Because I don't believe you.
Then I'll do better than tell you, Hercules,
I'll show you.
Oh! [ Groaning ]
[ Chuckles ] Hercules.
[ Nebula ] Mm, life's just too short to mince words, Goldilocks.
- Thanks for believing in me. - That's what friends are for.
I feel like I need a fresh start,
a new life.
I love you.
Welcome to the afterlife, son.
- I'm dead? - You made me really proud, boy.
You died a noble death,
fighting for a cause greater than yourself.
Wait a minute. These can't be the Elysian Fields.
I wasn't in Greece when...
I didn't want to frighten you.
This isn't exactly an accurate representation of your Elysian Fields,
but it's the best I could do on such short notice.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess...
that you're not really my father, right?
Is this better?
Oh, lover, would you prefer someone else?
There. Perfect fit.
Who are you?
A fellow traveler who's prevented from completing his journey.
- Dahak? - I've been called many things.
Yeah. I can think of a few right now.
In time, you'll come to see me as your greatest ally.
W- W-Wait, wait, wait. This can't be happening.
Hercules will come and get me. He's done that before.
He'll try, but he'll fail. This time it's forever, lolaus.
No, there's a mistake. My life can't just be over.
It doesn't have to be.
- What do you mean? - I can restore everything you've lost and more.
[ Scoffs ] Yeah.
If I can bring you back into the world with me, right?
Well, forget it. I'd rather die...
or remain dead, in this case.
You're the very thing I spent my whole life fighting against!
And what exactly were you fighting for?
The chance to make the world a better place.
And did you?
I don't even know why I'm talking to you.
The truth is, Hercules was the one pursuing his destiny, wasn't he?
I mean, you just happened to be along for the ride.
Teaming up with Hercules was one of the best things I ever did.
Without him, I...
I think you're selling yourself short,
but I guess it's too late to do anything about it.
Now you'll always be remembered as the man...
who lived in the shadow of a greater hero.
That's if you're remembered at all.
You sold him a lie.
I didn't have to sell him anything.
The seeds of doubt were already in his own heart.
lolaus was a hero in his own right.
Oh, that's what you tell yourself to placate your guilt,
but you know the truth, don't you?
You used him merely as a traveling companion...
on the road to your destiny. [ Laughs ]
What's so funny?
You obviously don't know lolaus very well.
You're too selfish to understand.
Whenever I lost sight of what we were fighting for,
lolaus reminded me through his own courage and strength.
I don't know what his life would've been like without me,
but I can't imagine my life without him.
[ Growls, Roars ]
[ Roaring ]
[ lolaus ] Hercules! Hercules, help me!
lolaus?
[ Growling ]
[ lolaus ] Hercules, help me, please.
Come on. Get me out of here!
You can do it. You can fight. Come on!
- [ Groans ] - [ lolaus ] Hercules!
- No, lolaus, hang on! - [ lolaus ] Hercules, you're fading.
A petty and theatrical show of force,
but there's something to be said for showmanship, don't you think?
The tighter you hold on to something, the easier it is to lose it.
You can't hide behind lolaus forever.
I don't need forever.
I just need till sunset.
I never thought the day would come...
that I'd be rooting for my dear brother,
but the truth is I have little faith in his chance for success.
Just because we need you alive, doesn't mean we want your opinion.
- Are you seeing anyone? - Down, boy.
Let's face it.
There's a chance Hercules could fail.
- Now I know lolaus is important to him. - And to me.
And to you. But even you must admit,
he's not more important than the rest of the world.
I hate to say it,
but he's got a point.
You're not actually listening to this snake?
I believe Hercules can save lolaus...
you know that.
But we made a pact to stop Dahak no matter what happens.
It takes sacrifice to win a war, Nebula.
Make no mistake... That is exactly what we're fighting here.
And as God of War, Ares, you should know...
that the greatest victories are won on the edge of defeat.
Now when Hercules says he's gonna do something, he does it,
and if we get in his way now, we may ruin his chances of pulling this off.
We should at least talk to him about it.
Fine. We'll talk to him,
but the decision's his... you got that?
Yeah, mama.
[ Grunts ]
[ Gasping ]
You're not lookin' too hot.
[ Gasping ]
The limitations of the flesh.
One uses what one can to get by.
Feel free to hop out of there anytime.
Feel free to kill me at any time.
[ Scoffs ] I don't think so.
I know lolaus. He resisted you then. He'll resist you now.
Oh, true, at first he did resist,
but then he opened up his heart to me...
like an old friend.
I thought you'd like some company.
Funny thing about death... all you take with you is your regret.
Nothing to do but consider the mistakes you made and wonder what might have been.
I had a good life. I have no regrets.
Yes, you do.
You always wanted to settle down someday...
marry, have children,
share your adventures with your son...
to know that some part of you would live on.
Listen, you black-hearted bastard!
Of course I have some regrets! Of course I do!
But being a friend of Hercules is not one of them.
I didn't mean to offend you.
Actually, you have a lot to be proud of.
You faced the same dangers that Hercules did,
with a fraction of his strength, which,
if you think about it, makes you even braver than he is.
Why don't you go and torture some animals or whatever it is you do,
but just get away from me!
Imagine what a man like you could've done with Hercules's strength.
Imagine what you could do now with the power of a thousand gods.
Just what I've always done, help people.
Then go right ahead.
What you see is not an illusion. He's a real person in the real world.
[ Shudders, Yells ]
- Help! - And he'll fall to his death...
unless you save him.
[ Scoffs ] By making a deal with you? No chance.
- [ Screams ] - Consider this a trial run with no strings attached.
Now where's the harm in that?
His life is now in your hands.
Somebody help me! [ Shudders ]
[ Grunting ]
You could get used to this kind of power, couldn't you?
But what if you knew that this man was a cold-blooded killer.
If he lives, he'll soon meet up with this family traveling home from a picnic.
It's the daughter's seventh birthday.
He'll threaten to kill the child... Come on!
if the parents don't hand over their valuables.
They'll do as he asked, of course, but...
- he'll kill them all anyway. - [ Grunts ]
[ Screaming ]
You have the power to save them.
By... letting this man... die.
[ Grunting ]
Time's running out. What to do?
[ Screaming ]
[ Screams ]
Congratulations, lolaus. You've just committed murder.
He was gonna kill those people.
So you took it upon yourself to punish him for a crime he hasn't committed yet.
Technically, he died an innocent man.
- I am tired of your games! - But you're learning, aren't you?
The abstract notions of right and wrong that you hold so dear...
no longer have to mean anything.
With the power I give you,
you can shape the world as you see fit...
and fulfill your true destiny.
You used his good intentions against him to corrupt him.
He wasn't forced into anything.
He chose his own path.
Isn't that what you've always believed in, Hercules?
The right to choose your own path.
[ Groans ]
[ Moaning ]
Any ideas on how to get past the goon squad?
I vote for the direct approach.
Listen, you waste of space,
there's no way the three of us can get past that crowd.
I think I've got just enough power left for one last trick.
Well, what did you have in mind?
[ Grunts ] Let me give you a hand.
[ Rumbling ]
[ Moaning ]
Oh, he's been an inspiration. Look!
There he is, the God of Light!
[ Man ] Hallelujah!
[ Ares ] My children, I come with a message:
The infidels are within your reach!
- [ All Gasp ] - Rise up and defend your faith!
I hate being the center of attention.
[ Grunting ]
What do you think? I think not!
[ Yelling ]
[ Laughing ]
The sun has begun to set. [ Laughs ]
Yeah, it looks like you're almost out of time.
Ah, optimism, Hercules,
is the shield of fools.
As long as people allow themselves to be ruled by their wills,
there will always be those who take my path.
But there'll be more that don't.
There's something in everyone even you can't touch, Dahak...
the impulse to create, to nurture life instead of destroy it...
and as long as it exists, I'll keep my optimism, thanks.
And I'll keep your friend.
Why do you keep denying your own potential, lolaus?
You can bring a new kind of justice to the world.
No one should have that kind of power. The gods have it!
Do they deserve it anymore than you do?
No. Then take it from them!
Think of all the suffering they've caused.
The plague Hera brought to Mycenae.
Just to teach the king a lesson?
Thousands of innocents died lingering deaths.
I know. I was there. And you did your best to help.
But in the end, what can one mortal really do...
to oppose the gods?
If you had had the power to stop Hera, you would have, wouldn't you?
Yes. Even if it meant killing her?
Yes. Yes, all right? I hate her!
I hate them all. In your hatred, we have found our common cause.
We both want to rid the world of the gods,
but we've been helpless to stop them until now.
That's not true! One personcanmake a difference to the world...
and to me!
[ Laughs ] Empty words.
[ Gagging, Growling ]
I wasn't talking to you, Dahak.
Everything you thought you accomplished amounted to nothing in the end.
[ Sighs ] Let go of your regret.
Death has set you free. You call this freedom?
It can be whatever you make of it. Take your life back!
Even the score against the gods. Succeed where Hercules failed.
All you want is for me to bring you back into the world.
That's true, but what we do out there will be up to you.
I'm your servant, lolaus. I'm powerless without your help.
In our partnership, you will be the one who's in control.
[ Growling ]
You can do it, lolaus!
[ lolaus ] It's working! I hear you!
- [ Moaning ] - Fight him!
It's all within your reach. Everlasting life.
The chance to purify the world.
All you have to do is take my hand.
Come on, lolaus! Come on!
Take my hand. Do it now!
- Come on! Take my hand! - [ Screams ]
[ Screaming ]
- [ Groans ] - [ lolaus ] He's too strong!
- No! - You had your chance, brother. Now, it's my turn.
- Get out! - You know what has to be done. You're not man enough to do it.
I swear, I will kill you myself if you get in my way!
Whoa! [ Grunts ]
Allow me.
[ Gagging ]
We got company!
[ Grunting ] [ Yelling ]
- Time's up. - You got that right.
[ Groaning ]
- lolaus? - What took you so long?
Well, it's a long... story. [ Growling ]
- [ Growling ] - You took something that doesn't belong to you, Dahak.
I'm here to repossess.
[ Snarls ]
No!
[ Yelling ]
- Look out! - [ Both Grunting ]
It's just like old times. Yeah, it's fun, isn't it?
[ Grunting ]
[ Gagging ]
[ Grunting ]
- [ Hercules ] He looks pretty angry. - He always looks that way.
[ Groaning ]
[ Grunting ] What's going on in there?
You got any ideas? No.
- [ Growling ] - [ Hercules ] Life on the edge.
Uh, lolaus, Thermopylae.
[ Growling Ceases ]
[ Shouting Stops ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Sniffs, Sighs ]
[ Laughs ] He did it!
You know, I'm feelin' so good,
I think I'll let you two live.
Oh, gee. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
[ Laughs Mockingly ]
[ Sighing ]
He's gone. I can't feel him anymore.
You never gave up on me.
What do you expect?
You're the best friend I ever had.
Well, I betrayed you, Hercules.
I betrayed you and everyone else that had faith in me.
I just...
hope you can find it somewhere in your heart to forgive me.
I already have.
Temptation comes to everyone sooner or later, lolaus.
Although you were led astray, you are and always have been...
a servant of the light,
and so, you have earned your place in it.
I have come to take you home.
[ Sighs ]
I don't know what to say.
Let's not say anything...
except...
see you around.
I'll see you around.
[ Sighs ]
[ Zarathustra ] You were right, Hercules.
The impulse to create does have a name.
Good-bye, lolaus.
Hercules. Hercules.
Hercules.
Welcome back.
You all right?
Yeah. I'm fine.
Everything's fine.
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