Off the chariot!
Got a present for ya!
Kick him again!
We scared ‘em off.
Hello, friend. I bet you’ve had better days.
Attack!
It’s an ambush!
Hey, Herc! Right in the sweet spot!
Iolaus! Pay attention!
Kill him! Kill the son of Zeus!
Sweet spot?
Yeah.
Come on! Take off your mask!
Until we meet again, Hercules.
Coward!
Yah!
Won’t even show his face.
How can you have any fun fighting a guy like that?
I suppose you’d rather fight a monster.
Huh - are there any left?
You may know defeat, but you don’t know loss.
Your words confuse me, Echidna.
I have lost valuable warriors - mercenaries - who thrive on violent excess.
But none of them sprang from your seed!
Then you can’t possibly understand what I have lost - or the pain and loneliness I have suffered.
The Hydra! The She-demon! The Symphalian bird!
All of them my children! All of them slain by Hercules!
Well, it appears that he defeats monsters as well as mortals.
He has not beaten me - the mother of all monsters!
That is why I’ve come to see you.
Only you have the power to vanquish him.
I want to see the face of the man who flatters me. Remove your mask.
It is not necessary.
Do it no-o-o-o-ow!
Ye-e-e-e-s. You’ll do nicely.
There will be no trashe of Hercules or hish family left when I’m finished.
And you shall be remembered for all time - as the man who killed Hercules!
Be happy to!
Greeting, Alcmene. Trust your well.
Never been better, thank you.
And that son of yours - I hear he’s been vanquishing infidels at every turn.
Sounds like you know as much about what Hercules is up to as I do.
Poor dear - I thought he’d be the kind of boy who’d look in on his mother!
Don’t you worry about me. I get along perfectly.
He’s got my bag! Stop him!
Good work.
You apologize to the lady.
Sorry.
You better be. Now, you go, and you make yourself scarce. Go ahead!
I think this is yours.
Thank you.
If you don’t mind, maybe I should walk with you awhile - so you won’t have any more trouble.
I wouldn’t mind at all.
OK?! Who’s gonna be next to try Hercules on for size?!
Donate two dinars to our widows and orphans’ fund - and you can challenge him to any event you like!
Come on! Step right up!
Why, if you win! You’ll be the talk of all Greece!
You might as well throw your money away!
Great, no takers. You’re wiping out charity in Cappadocia single-handedly.
Well, maybe we’ll just give the people all your money, Iolaus.
There’s gotta be another challenger out there, somewhere!
Wh-what do ya say, fellas?! Two dinars is all it’ll cost you!
I’ll donate ten dinars! If Hercules’ll match it.
Ten dinars it is.
Fool!
He challenges Hercules?
This guy needs a lesson in humility.
You’re the man who needs a lesson in humility.
Two hundred - seventeen paces!
Beat that.
If - you insist.
He doesn’t have a prayer.
What makes you so sure?
You’ll see.
Hercules - heard about your mother?!
She’s gettin’ married!
Look out!
Married?
I, uh - think you dropped this.
Oh - yeah.
Make sure the money goes to the widows and orphans.
- Hey, where ya goin’?! - Home!
Ah - look strong enough to you?
Looks wonderful. You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.
Well, I’m just finishing what your son started.
He had the right idea about protecting you.
I think Hercules worries about me too much.
Well, what is he going to say if I start worrying about you?
You shouldn’t bother.
Look, I’m only doing what my heart tells me to do.
Trust me. Your heart’ll beat a lot faster the first time a pretty girl half my age bats her eyes at you.
Why do you have to say something like - aw!
Demetrius.
Oh, it’s nothing.
Why don’t you let me decide that? Here.
Ah - you’ll live, but - I’d still better clean it up.
Well, if that means you’ll hold my hand for a while longer - I’m all for it.
So, your mother’s got herself a boyfriend.
Maybe you’ll end up with a stepfather. Why are you so upset?
Iolaus - how do I know this guy’s good enough her? I mean, I’ve never even met him.
It’s her life.
Yeah, I know, but - What?
It’s like I don’t know my own mother anymore.
She’s gonna love you no matter what.
I don’t know why. I’m away from home too much.
You know? If you stop and think about it, I spend more time worrying about total strangers than I do about the woman who gave me life.
Hercules - you have nothing to feel guilty about.
Tell that to my conscience.
We are here to serve you, Echidna.
Then serve me well.
Join my crusade against Hercules!
The warrior, Demetrius, is not enough?
A mortal, challenging the son of Zeus?!
That will never be enough for me - no matter how much hate Demetrius has in his heart.
We will leave at once - but you must know, there is only one thing we can do when we confront Hercules.
Yes - you’ll kill him.
With arrows Hephaestus has crafted.
But I thought killing Hercules was a pleasure you coveted.
It means more to me that his mother watches him die.
She must know the pain I felt - when he slew my children!
We can kill her, too.
No - I want her brought to me so that I can tell her myself - why she was forshed - to shuffer.
And, then?
Then I will kill her.
You know? You’re probably gonna like him once you get to know him.
We’ll see.
Uh - give your mother some credit for having good taste.
Good taste? She fell for Zeus, remember?
Yeah, but he’s a god. He’s handsome -
He’s the reason my wife and children aren’t alive, and don’t tell me you’re going to defend him.
Well, even if I wanted to, which, incidentally I don’t - now would not be the moment. Look.
What?
I’ve got a proposal for you, gentlemen. Your money - or your lives.
Why can’t people find an honest way to make a living?
Uh, uh - Herc -
Looks like it’s gonna be their money and their lives.
I really - don’t have time for this.
Well - are you coming, or not?
Get me down!
He’s missing his mother.
Maybe I’m being too bold.
Don’t be silly. All you’re doing is providing public service.
You’re giving your neighbors something to talk about aside from the weather.
I already did that - when I was young and foolish.
Well - don’t be so hard on yourself.
All you were doing back then was - listening to your heart.
Sometimes, that’s the only thing one can do.
I’m afraid I’m out of practice.
You mean, you’ve sworn off love?
The way a drunkard swears off wine?
Until now.
My wall -
Ah - what about it?
Somebody finished it.
You mean, you didn’t?
No, I - started it, but then there was that - trouble - with -
Iphicles.
Yeah.
Wait, you mean you haven’t been back here since then?
Maybe your mother should get herself a new husband.
I was going to finish it, Iolaus.
It’s just that things - came up.
People kept needing my help.
Well, that’s the curse of being you, Hercules.
It’s also the curse of being your mother.
Yeah - I guess you’re right.
You wouldn’t - wanna come in with me, wouldja? I-I’m sure she’d love to fix ya dinner.
No, thanks. I better go on to my place - see if it’s still standing.
Good luck, my friend.
Yeah.
Mother?
Mother.
Hercules - you’re home.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am.
I, um - I wasn’t expecting you.
I kind of figured that out.
So, should I ask what’s new?
Well, I believe I am.
The name’s Demetrius.
I’m Hercules.
I thought you were.
Your mother’s told me a great deal about you.
Hmm - then I’m at a disadvantage - because I don’t know anything about you.
Hercules - there’ll be plenty ’a time to get to know Demetrius.
I think you’ll like him - if you give him a chance?
Sure.
I believe you two have a lot of catching up to do.
I should be on my way.
But you came for dinner. You haven’t eaten a bite.
Well, I think Hercules, here, needs to eat more than I do.
He’s the one who’s been travelling.
Until tomorrow.
I hope to see more of you - my friend.
Uh - Mother, I was just -
Not one more word. Do you hear me?
Not one more word from either of us, or we both might say things we regret.
Now - do you want dinner, or don’t you?
With prices like yours, no wonder I’m away so often.
Hey, take it easy, friend. There’s room enough for both of us.
Beg your pardon, sir, but are you Iolaus, friend of Hercules?
Who’s asking?
A veteran, sir - battled at Liguria, Alchedon, and the Isterian Peninsula.
They call me Leukos, sir.
Yeah? Well, no one calls me sir, Leukos. Iolaus will do fine.
Then it is you. I’m hopin’ you’ll lead me to Hercules.
Well, I need a reason.
To save his life.
OK - that’s a good enough reason. You wanna explain?
No - only to Hercules.
Got over treating me like a ‘Sir’ pretty quickly, didn’tcha?
I mean no offense.
But please, is there a place where I may meet Hercules - a safe place?
I fear the wrong eyes are on me.
OK - go out of the town walls, OK? Through the first gate -
That tune brings back some nice memories.
You were just a little boy when I used to sing it to you.
It’s been a long time since I was that happy.
But you’re happy now - aren’t you?
Yes, I am.
Hercules? Can’t you rejoice for me? Can’t you open your heart and let Demetrius in?
How can I? When I have no idea whether he’s worthy of you?
Uh, I say he is. That should be all the assurance you need.
Look - you have to understand that - I’m getting older, and I’m - I don’t relish the thought of doing it by myself.
I - I’d like someone in my life - someone to love.
Are you two - ?
I mean - I mean, are you - ?
Ah, that’s - my business, Hercules.
But I will tell you that everything about him says he could love me without qualification.
Zeus could never do that and - about the only other man I ever wanted to was Amphitryon.
One more explanation for Demetrius, right?
He doesn’t need explaining, Hercules.
He’s a wonderful man.
He’s honored as a warrior, and - successful as a farmer in the Arcadian highlands.
And the most important thing of all is he’s good to me.
From where I stand, he is still a mystery.
Well, I think I’m a mystery to you, too.
Yeah. Maybe you’re right, Mother.
I’ve been gone so much that I never stopped to realize how - lonely you are.
Then - give me a chance to end that loneliness with Demetrius.
Yeah.
Echidna sent you here for Hercules.
You should not concern yourself about anyone else.
But the veteran I’m telling you about - he could cause trouble.
He’s spoken to Hercules’ best friend.
Maybe they’re old friends.
Hercules has fought many wars.
So have you.
Very well. If you think the veteran could cause trouble - eliminate him.
my children, I miss you so-o-o-o-o.
There’s an emptiness in my life that can never be filled.
But this I swear - Hercules will die for what he did to you - and to me!
To all of us!
Hercules.
Uh - she’s really fallen for him, Iolaus.
Look, I know you’re worried about your mother but right now - you have other problems.
Someone’s trying to kill you.
That happens all the time. I don’t have the evergy to be impressed.
Well, you better find the energy.
Otherwise, you won’t be around to worry about your mother.
What?
The guy who thinks you’re in danger - he’s a warrior.
If we were in battle together, we would trust him to cover our backs.
He’s tryin’ to do that for you now.
Where is he?
He’s outside of town. I told him he’d be safe there.
You make it sound like he’s afraid.
He is. He’s very afraid.
Leukos.
Leukos?
I hope that’s not your man.
It is.
No mortal shot this arrow.
It was crafted in the forges of Hephaestus.
That means Hera must be after you again.
My mother.
The wagon’s ready.
And so’s our picnic lunch.
Ahhh - then there’s nothing to wait for - except this.
And there’ll be more for dessert.
After you, my dear.
Oh, what a beautiful day.
The best one in a long time.
Mother! Mother, there’s trouble!
What does he mean?
Look for yourself.
Hercules, look out!
Now.
No-o-o-o-o-o-o!
Hercules!
Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing him on the other side - sooner than you think.
Now to finish this.
Hercules!
Don’t die, Hercules. Please don’t die.
You planned this all along, didn’t you?
You never loved me.
You just wanted to set a trap for Hercules! Why, Demetrius?!
Why would you wanna kill someone who’s done so much good?!
Why don’t you worry about yourself?
You can’t do anything worse to me than you’ve already done!
I’m sure I can figure out something.
Is this where you kill me, Demetrius? Is that what happens now?
No. I’m much too much of a gentleman for that.
Wine?
Ride ahead. Deliver the news about Hercules.
The rest of you stay with the wagon.
We wouldn’t anything to happen to our lovely Alcmene - until it is her turn to die.
You’re a monster.
I am nothing compared - to what you are about to see.
Come on, Hercules. I know you’re still with me.
You can do it. I know you can.
Come on! Fight back!
Iolaus!
I’m here. I’m here. Take it easy.
My mother! Where is she?!
I - I don’t know. Sh - Demetrius carried her off.
W’ve got to go!
No, you can’t! You can’t! You’re hurt pretty bad.
Take it out!
Hercules - I might just make it worse.
Take it out! Or I swear, I’ll do it myself!
All right.
It’s gonna be like no pain you’ve ever felt.
Pull - the arrow out.
Rest well, my friend.
I should have known I couldn’t trust you.
Your eyes were always as cold as stone - no matter how much passion the rest of you was generating.
My eyes.
Well, perhaps they’ll be brighter, now that Hercules is no longer standing between me - and immortality.
Well, enjoy your power while you can.
‘Cause anyone as cowardly and treacherous as you won’t be able to hang onto it for long.
You know - maybe I ought to kill you.
Well, why don’t you?
I’m gonna die anyway, aren’t I?
Come on, Demetrius - kill me.
There’s no other way you’re gonna satisfy Hera.
Hera - Hera didn’t send me.
But no one else hates Hercules and me as much as she does.
No - Echidna hates you even more.
What is it? Why are you here?
Hercules is dead.
No one survives our arrows.
Then my world is a better place.
And his mother -
A captive. Demetrius will have her here tomorrow.
Then tomorrow she will die.
Iolaus.
Thank the gods.
I didn’t think anyone could survive an arrow forged by Hephaestus.
- How’d I get in here? - I dragged you.
My mother!
Wait, wait! You gotta heal up a little first.
Then we can both go and get her.
If we wait - she’ll be killed.
Hercules - you gotta listen to me.
This is not just about you and Demetrius.
There’s some bigger force at work here.
And weak as you are - it may kill you.
That’ll be a death - worth dying.
Look - you won’t even stand a fighting chance!
Get out of my way; I’m going after her.
Not without me, you’re not.
Good - because I don’t think I could make it by myself.
Take it easy, friend.
Gotta keep going.
Looks like the wagon was joined here by a gang of riders.
The archers.
Yeah. But the only thing in this direction is -
Dronos - and you know what’s there.
Echidna.
This must be her revenge, Iolaus.
What do you mean?
She’s paying me back - for slaying all the monsters that call her, ‘Mother’.
So - she tries to have you killed - while your own mother is watching.
Yeah - but it doesn’t end there.
Now, she wants to kill my mother, too.
Stop, Herc!
Come on. It’s gonna be night soon.
We can’t travel much farther.
No - I’ve gotta keep going.
Ah - I’ll be right beside ya.
I’ll check the horses.
Not even a goodbye kiss, my love?
You should have better manners than that.
It can’t be much farther.
I’ll scout ahead and make sure.
No! This is my mother we’re after. That makes it my fight.
I don’t want you sticking your neck out.
Come on, Hercules. What are you talking about?
This is about family.
I know how much you love your mother.
Then you should understand when I ask you to stay back.
Wait! I do understand.
But - this is family for me, too.
After all we’ve been through together - the risks we’ve taken for each other.
You’re like a brother to me.
I-I don’t know - any other way to put it.
The feeling’s mutual.
Come on.
Nervous?
Should I be?
If I were you, I’d be frightened to death.
Is that what you want, Demetrius?
Would that make you feel like you’ve scored some kind of victory over me?
Get her out of the wagon.
Keep your hands off me!
Don’t hurt her - unless you wanna take her place in front of Echidna.
I think you should all die.
They’re going to be outside standing watch.
Unfortunately, you’re going to be the only one dying.
Inside.
Welcome to the end of your life.
- Hercules. - Not now.
- Yeah, but - - Quiet!
Why?
Welcoming committee.
Your mother must be in that cave.
With Echidna.
And Demetrius.
We’ve gotta get past those archers.
Any ideas?
Oh, yeah.
Did it hurt when you saw your son die?
Did you feel your heart crumble?
I’m not gonna give you the satisfaction of seeing me cry!
Just kill me - and get it over with!
You don’t get off so easily after raising a killer!
Hercules is no killer!
Yes, he is! He killed my children!
He killed them one after another!
No mother should have to endure that.
Your children were monsters, just like you.
They murdered and maimed for any god corrupt enough to use them!
Liar!
Sounds like our mission is complete.
The horses! Come on!
Oh, it’s me, all right.
You must die again!
Can’t you get it through your head - I didn’t die the first time.
Maybe she’s not very bright!
The bows! Go get them!
Now you see ‘em - now you don’t!
Did I do that, or did you?!
I’ve got to get in there.
Take care of her first.
Then bring the arrows in.
Put her down!
Hercules! Why isn’t he dead?!
- Bad archers! - Good genes!
Nobody - takes advantage of my mother.
Hercules! Be careful!
I said! Put - her - down.
I think I’ll kill you both at once!
- Mother! Run! - I can’t leave you!
You’ve got to! Now, run!
Over here, Echidna! It’s me you want!
Have it your way! You’ll die first!
You’re not getting away!
You’re not going anywhere - Mother.
Right back where you started!
You both die-e-e-e!
Wrong!
Alcmene!
Iolaus! Get her out of here! Go on! I’ll take care of Echidna!
You’ll have to get past me first, you little runt.
Iolaus! The arrows!
Where are they?!
Now it’s you and me, Hercules.
Herc -
No, Hercules! Don’t!
But if she had her way, we’d both be dead.
It doesn’t matter. We’re better than that. We’re not monsters.
We’re not instruments of death and destruction. We’re human beings.
And besides - now I know how she felt when her children died.
She felt the same way I would have.
What do you expect me to do? I can’t leave her free to kill more people.
I know you can’t. I’m just asking you to - find a better way to stop her than by death.
Please, Hercules - for me.
Will she be able to get out of there?
With Echidna - you never know.
I hope you understand why I couldn’t have watched her die.
Mother - I do understand.
Uh - are you all right?
I’m fine, I’m fine.
Iolaus, couldn’t you have - ?
I tried - but you know what he’s like?
Can we go home, now?
Why? Aren’t you having fun, here?
Let’s go.
Hercules, you make a mother proud.
Hercules - you ready for a home-cooked meal?