Pick on someone your own size!
Me?
There is no one my own size
You got a point.
Otus.
And then the legendary Iolaus arrived!
Had he been delayed - by the arms of battle - or by love?
So you’re finally gonna put me in one ’a your stories, Archivus?
You know? Last time - I didn’t get a mention.
Sometimes, truth has to be sacrificed for art.
Heads up!
Welcome, Iolaus!
Castor!
Still defying gravity, I see!
Oh, I do what I can to ignore those birthdays I keep having.
What stories can you tell me about this?
Oh, you know, uh - sixty barbarians - uh, maiden in distress - you know how it goes!
Come on, Iolaus - most of the other argonauts are already here.
Great! Take me to ‘em!
Behold the golden fleece.
The reason for this reunion - and the tie that will bind us forever.
Has it really been ten years since we brought it back?
In my humble opinion - we’ll never have a better cause.
Or a greater leader than Jason.
Even Hercules’ll tell ya there’s never been anybody like him.
Right. Jason.
I hear that he’s off on another quest.
Yeah. Well, i-i-it’s hard to keep track of him these days!
Oh, look! Th-there’s someone else you’ve got to see!
Iolaus? Do you remember the fair Phoebe? Daughter of Lycenus the lookout?
Ye-ah, but - only as a child.
Phoebe - uh, I was sorry to hear about your father’s accident.
Don’t call it an accident. No accident could’ve killed him.
Phoebe - there’s never been anything to prove otherwise.
Maybe you should look harder.
She’s, uh - feisty, isn’t she?
Makes me miss my days on the island of silent women.
Buy a souvenir to remember your visit to Argos.
I have actual strands of the golden fleece.
No, thank you.
Model of the Argo?! Detailed replica - of the famous ship that carried Jason and his crew on their quest.
I’ve - already seen it.
I have Hercules dolls! Exact likeness!
Shut your trap - and hand over your money!
- Give it up! Now! - Hand it over!
Not this time, fellas.
Get rid of this clown!
I said - ‘Not this time’.
Well - if you’ve got a home to go to, my friend, maybe I should take you there.
No! No, you wanna take me to the fire below!
No-o-o-o-o-o-o!
Jason.
Who’s your passenger, Hercules?
Jason.
What happened? I - thought he was on a quest.
I - think he lost his way.
Welcome to the party, Jason.
I don’t wanna be here.
Well, of course you do. You were our leader.
Yeah, no one belongs here more than you do.
Listen to them, Jason. They’re right
Nah.
Not so fast. Let’s take a look at you first.
I - found him in an alley.
Maybe he starting celebraing a little early.
We’d better get him out of sight before they see him. Come on.
‘They’? Who are you talking about?
So - the king has returned.
There’s your answer, Hercules.
Seen any demons lately, Jason?
I’m looking at one right now.
E-excuse me - but - who are you?
I’m the chief regent of Argos. Marcus is the name.
He takes care of the daily affairs of the kingdom for Jason.
Jason, you never needed that kind of help before.
Things change, Hercules.
We won’t tolerate any more of Jason’s publice displays.
If you - argonauts - can’t keep him out of trouble - his days as king are numbered - fleece or no fleece.
Who do you think you are - talking to Jason like that?
Don’t walk away from me! I’m talking to you!
Iolaus! Wait!
Jason’t always bumpin’ heads with Marcus and his regents.
Ever since Jason took to drinkin’.
You’d do the same if you had his nightmares, Artemus.
Jason’s been like this ever since -
Jason left Medea for Glauce - the woman I loved - and Medea killed her.
She also killed Jason’s children.
Help me, Daddy!
Can I, uh - can I get you something, Jason?
Domesticles - did you just see him? He was here. The demon was here.
I - think you’ve been dreaming again there, Jason.
Uh, I saw him in an alley, too.
That was me you saw there. Maybe we should talk about this.
I need a drink, first.
Jason, it -
You weren’t invited.
You all right?
He’s taking the fleece!
Wait!
This is a disgrace! You argonauts are as low on honor as your drunken leader.
The longer I listen to you, Marcus - the more I don’t like you.
Be careful with your words.
As for the fleece - we’ll get it back.
Well put, Hercules!
We tracked him to the harbor. They’re sailing east.
Is the Argo still sea-worthy?
- But you can’t - - I’ll take that as a yes.
Gentlemen - we’re going after the fleece again.
I’m not going anywhere - until I know who we’re chasing.
Blood-eyes - they’re a cult. They worship Hera.
Fanatics!
Did anyone get a good look at their leader?
I did. It was the demon.
Uh - there’s the wine talkin’ again.
No, it was him. I swear it. He’s the one took the fleece.
I brought the fleece back once; I can do it again.
Jason - we’d be proud to go with you.
Anyone else?
Look - I’m - I’m willing to go.
I - I believe we all are but - but we want you to lead us, Hercules.
Jason is our leader.
But, he doesn’t have all his oars in the water, if you know what I mean.
Don’t soft-pedal it. He’s a raving lunatic.
Jason - sure hasn’t been himself, lately.
He’s got a point - Hercules.
All right. I’ll - lead the expedition if that’s the way you want it.
But Jason - is gonna navigate the Argo.
Any complaints?
Otus! Phoebe! Time to come aboard!
The argonauts are finished. Our champion will make sure of that.
He is only a mortal. Take this - in case he fails us.
What is it?
Insurance - that none of the argonauts will survive, even if they do return.
But what about Hercules? No one has ever been able to destroy him.
Until now.
All right, let’s trim that sail!
That must be it. That black speck on the horizon.
Think he’s up to it?
He’s a hero, Iolaus.
Yeah - but to hear the others talk about him - that Jason doesn’t exist, anymore.
I’ll believe that when I see it.
It’s just hanging out there - daring us to follow it.
Yeah - wish I knew how many were aboard. Can’t make out a thing.
There are - twenty black-clad warriors wearing the red peacock eye - nine at the bow - eleven at the stern.
One of them walks with a limp. I think he has a gammy left leg.
There may be more below deck. The boat’s runnin’ low in the water.
Your father had the eyes of an eagle as well.
I’ve got more than good eyes. I’ve got a fighting heart.
Well - let’s - hope you don’t have to prove it.
Ah, the wind’s switching. Maybe we can - get back some of the distance they have on us.
Can you really see that?
I made up the part about the limp.
Put him down, Otus.
Do I have to?
If you wanna get along with me - you do.
OK. But he keeps saying things about Jason
Is that right? What’s the problem, Artemus?
Jason is gonna lead us to disaster. That’s the problem.
He destroys everyone near him - just like he destoyed Glauce!
You’ve got to let it go, sometime, Artemus - or it’ll destroy you.
We all know you loved Glauce, but Jason didn’t kill her. Medea did.
It may as well have been Jason!
And you’d admit it - if you weren’t so busy kiddin’ yourself he’s still a hero.
The man is a mess!
What’s happened to you?! All of you?
We used to be a team.
Break sail!
Come on, landlubbers! Move!
Disappinted in me Hercules?
How can I be disappointed in you, Jason? I know what you’re going through.
You’ve been there yourself, I know.
But you’re stronger than I am. You could survive.
You can do the same - all you have to -
I don’t wanna hear it.
I’m tired of my problems. All I want from you is a promise, Hercules.
Name it.
After we catch up with these thieves, make sure the fleece gets back to Argos.
What are you talking about? You’ll take it there yourself.
I brought about the death of my family.
The gods have sent a demon to punish me. It’s just a matter of time, now.
But if we can recapture the fleece - people might still remember me kindly.
Jason - the fleece isn’t what made you king.
Maybe not - but it’s the only thing left of me that anyone respects.
What happened?
I don’t know. I found him like this.
His neck’s broken.
He must have fallen down the stairs.
No. Otus was too agile.
Those steps are pretty slippery.
What are you starin’ at me like that for?
Land ho!
What’s the problem?
Otus is dead.
I don’t believe it.
He - slipped. He fell on the steps.
We’ll give him a proper burial when we reach shore.
Prepare for landing.
And so - the first tragedy - of the second expedition - struck us - when we least expected it.
So, did he slip?
He was killed. But until we find out by who - we don’t need everyone looking over their shoulders.
Do you think it was Artemus? He didn’t like Otus.
Why would he draw attention to finding the body?
On the other hand - who else would want Otus killed?
Yeah.
They went that way - up the cliff.
It’s them.
How many guards?
Five - three in those trees and two in the rocks over there.
There’s two more behind the bush.
How did you know?
It’s an old hunters’ trick.
Jason - what do you wanna do?
Attack.
Jason - what are you doing?
Trying to regain my good name.
Argonauts! Attack!
Phoebe, no!
That old argonaut magic!
Hold on! They’re tryin’ to split us up!
It’s you. Cover my back.
You’ve haunted me long enough.
No!
You should have let him take me.
I couldn’t do that.
Come on. Let’s make sure everybody else is still in one piece.
This doesn’t look good. What happened?
Huh - it was a trap! There were dozens of them out there!
Yeah, we’re lucky to be alive!
Oh, no.
Blood-eyes were everywhere. We didn’t even see them coming.
One of those savages - stabbed Valerus in the back!
His quiver was still full of arrows. He didn’t even get off a shot.
He was too brave a warrior to die like this.
There never was a greater archer.
You’re the reason he’s dead! You led us into this trap!
Now’s not the time for pointing fingers, Artemus.
Yeah, well - well, maybe I should just kill this old drunk!
You don’t wanna do anything to Jason, do you?
You’re not gonna be around to protect him forever, Hercules.
This is crazy - fighting among ourselves!
He’s gonna get us all killed!
No, he won’t.
Don’t be so sure of that, Hercules.
I better go talk to him.
Yeah.
That’s not going to solve anything.
Oh, you might think different if you were the one who led us into trap.
You can’t take the blame for everything, Jason.
Get outta here, Hercules!
Maybe the demon’ll come back and do the job right this time.
He’s no demon. He’s a man.
What do you know about it?
I hit him. That’s what I know about it?
He is flesh and blood, just like you and me.
No - the gods would never send a mortal to destroy me!
The gods don’t have anything to do with this!
You’re haunting yourself, Jason.
There they are. I can’t believe where they’re takin’ the fleece!
Yeah - I hate volcanoes!
Hercules?
We’ll need to make a plan.
Save your self the trouble. I’m going in after the fleece by myself.
- Jason - - No!
This is my responsibility, no one else’s. I lost the fleece - I’ll get it back.
Jason!
We’re the argonauts.
We came here together. We finish this together.
I’d appreciate the company.
Where are they?
Someone’s up there.
He’s got the fleece!
But who is it?
Jason’s demon.
It’s real.
Flesh and blood, just like you and me.
Take off your mask, Castor!
Castor?
Why are you doing this?
Why are you trying to destroy us?
You should know, Jason - you and Hercules and all the rest of you glory hounds.
You stole the honor that should have been mine.
But now I’ve finally proven that I’m better than you.
Well, come down here and prove it!
You killed my father.
He found out about my plans.
I even ruined the great Jason.
After Medea killed your family - I became your living nightmare.
Steady!
Leave him! Let him die here.
You’re only delaying the inevitable, Hercules.
He’s gonna die with the rest of you when this volcano erupts.
These splendid warriors - will make sure that you don’t leave - until the fun starts.
You may have lived as warriors - but you’re gonna die as fools.
The door!
Jason! The fleece!
Duck!
Your treachery is at an end, Castor.
Help me!
Take one last look at the fleece, Jason.
Come on! Hurry up! Let’s go!
You gonna be OK?!
- Yeah, I’ll be fine. - Good!
Nothin’ like a woman’s touch.
That was the first time in my life I ever thought I might miss.
Well, I’m glad you didn’t - thanks.
You saved my life, Jason. Why?
You’re an argonaut - and you would ’a done the same for me if the situation had called for it.
We better get out of here. This island’s not gonna last much longer.
But what about the fleece?
I’m afraid it’s buried for all time.
Back to the Argo.
We may not have the fleece, but we have our captain.
I’m not sure if the rest of my kingdom will be so forgiving.
You failed, Jason. And this council has no choice but to strip you of your crown.
You can’t do that. Jason’s our king.
Yours, perhaps - but not the public’s.
They won’t tolerate a king who lost the fleece.
And what else does Jason have to cling to?
He has his honor - his dignity - and the fighting heart that proves he is still our leader.
All of which amounts to nothing when there is a - new hero present -
a man who won back the fleece when Jason - and the rest of you pathetic dreamers - could not.
Behold - the future king of Argos.
I - Castor - proclaim myself the worthy ruler of this land.
Abdicate your throne, Jason. And save yourself the - humiliation - of having it taken from you.
Very well - I will abdicate -
Jason, don’t!
He killed Valerus and Otus.
- And my father. - No, let me finish.
I will abdicate - if Castor will fight me man-to-man. Winner takes the throne.
I beat you once, old man. I can do it again.
I was beaten by my demon. You could never defeat me.
Hera has given me the power to destroy them all!
No. First I will humiliate Jason - then we can kill the rest of them.
Death to the argonauts. It is Hera’s will.
Right where I want them.
You idiot! This was supposed to be between Jason and me.
Kill one of the others. This one’s mine.
Thanks.
Any time.
The pain is just beginning, Jason.
I can take it, Castor. Can you?
The only pain I feel - is from seeing an old has-been like you on the throne.
Then Iolaus rushed forward - and he -
Uh, no, no.
- and heedless of his own safety - smote two of the fierce blood-eyes
Archivus - isn’t this getting a little flowery?
No, no, no, no, no, no.
And, you know? There were four blood-eyes.
There were four blood-eyes!
Come on, there he is.
Hercules! Can we talk to you?
Sure - what’s on your mind.
I think - Phoebe should be made an official argonaut.
Because of her bravery on the quest and -
Artemus - you don’t have to convince me.
I’d be proud to count Phoebe among us.
Then I accept - in hopes that I honor the memory of my father.
Phoebe - you already have.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m - looking for Jason.
Is everything OK, Jason?
I was just thinking about them - about my kids.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling their loss.
Nor should you. You loved them - and they loved you.
Now all I have to do is figure out what comes next.
Well, maybe you were in the same situation when you lost your family.
Yes, I was. And I made some wrong turns.
But I finally realized - I had to do something with my life that would have made my wife and children proud.
My family would want me to take care of the people in my kingdom.
I think I can do that now.
Good.
Let’s go inside.
A toast - to Hercules.
It was his confidence and example that brought me back from the dead - to this wonderful moment.
And a toast to Jason - he’s always been my hero - and he always will be.
- To heroes! - To heroes!