Dad! Dad! Da-a-a-a-a-ad!
Help me!
Da-a-a-a-a-a-a-ad!
Icarus! No!
How could I have - done such a thing?
How can we repay you?! Without your help, we could never have finished before the floods!
I only made the suggestion. Your people are doing most of the work.
Hey, thanks, Hercules.
My pleasure.
A living legend, isn’t he?
Ooh - thank you.
This is quite a feat - but not exactly the stuff of legends.
I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.
I’m Katrina of Kataea? I - suppose I’m famous too, in my own way.
What way is that?
You don’t recognize my byline?
Byline.
I’m a scribe! I go to where things are happening, and I write about them.
So, you write about - what other people do.
Essentially.
But you don’t - do anything, yourself.
Oh, well, I-I investigate - I ask questions. I interview people -
And you get paid for that?
Yeah.
I heard that the great Hercules was re-routing a river?
So I came to check it out? Looks like another case of the myth outweighing the man.
People do tend to exaggerate.
Yeah, like the tail of you killing a giant sea-monster with your bare hands? That’s a little hard to swallow.
Well, actually, that one’s true, and it was pretty easy for him to swallow me.
OK - but that yarn about the two-headed Hydra? I mean, come on.
That one they got wrong.
There you go.
It had three heads.
See? That’s a perfect example.
That kind of misinformation never would ’a happened if I’d been chronicling the battle.
Well - people - really want to read your stories.
Of course - some - a few, but the point is, they have a right to know.
Maybe.
You know? I’m on my way to Euboea to meet an inventor named Daedalus?
I - was told you know him.
Yeah, he’s a - very good friend of mine. I haven’t seen him in ages, though.
What’s he like?
Oh, he’s probably the smartest man I know.
That’s it? Then it’s gonna be a very short story.
Come on, come on. Tell me something - I don’t know.
All right, uh - he’s a - terrific father. His son’s name is - Icarus.
- Was. - Whaddya mean?
You didn’t hear? Icarus is dead - and Daedalus killed him.
See? If there were more scribes in the world, you’d have gotten the news a lot sooner.
When did this happen?
Six months ago? They say - Daedalus was using Icarus to test a flying device?
And something went wrong.
So, Daedalus didn’t actually kill him.
No, but according to my sources, it was his fault.
Are these sources sure he’s still living in Euboea?
Yes - why?
Because you’re gonna have company on your trip.
Oh, that’ll be fun!
I may regret this.
So, let me ask you something. What’s it like to have a father who’s the most powerful of all the gods?
I thought I’d already answered all your questions.
Oh, I was just getting warmed up!
Wonderful.
Now, then, rumor has it you and Zeus don’t get along.
Let’s just say we stay out of each other’s way as much as possible.
What about your stepmother?
Hera? We - get in each other’s way as much as possible.
Because she killed your wife and children?
Hurry! Before they find us!
You ask too many questions.
Sorry - it is my job, remember?
This way!
W-w-wait. What’s uh - going on?
Back there - soldiers - attacking our village.
- You stay here. - OK - not.
Hurry up - !
Come on! Get it in there! Light it up!
Light it up! All right! Clear! Clear!
Fire!
It’s pillage time!
Look! They’ll burn it to the ground!
Fire!
Here comes another one!
Hercules saved us!
You threw that better than Atlas.
This isn’t a time for small talk.
But then - he’s more into lifting weights - or shrugging - that sort of thing.
Who did this?!
Mightier than the sword!
And don’t judge a book by its cover.
All right, you!
Please - don’t kill me.
Whose cross-bow is this?
I think you better tell him. He doesn’t look too happy.
Uh - uh - Daedalus - he’s the one.
A toast - to Daedalus - the man whose inventions will help protect the realm from our enemies.
To Daedalus.
To Daedalus!
Uh - if you’ll excuse me, King Nikolos - I have work to do.
I thought you’d finished.
Oh - the first megalith is almost ready to test, um - and if you’d like me to stop there -
No, no. By all means, please - return to the lab.
Keep an eye on him, Perdix. We’ve come too far for him to have a change of heart now.
Yes, your Majesty.
Oh, and, uh - see if ya can’t speed up the process - because once this weapon is finished -
even the great Hercules - won’t be able to stop me this time.
Cheers.
I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble - but just to make sure - stay on the lookout. Don’t let anybody through.
Why would Daedalus build a weapon like that cross-bow?
I intend to find out. It’s certainly not the Daedalus I knew.
But you knew he was capable of it. You said he was smart.
We’re still not sure that he built it. Maybe that soldier lied.
But if Daedalus didn’t - then who?
I don’t know. Let me do the talking.
I’m just here to observe and report. You won’t hear a peep out of me.
It’d be a nice change.
Right. Where do you think you’re going?
I’m here to see Daedalus. He’s a friend of mine.
The inventor? Builds giant cross-bows - things like that? Sound familiar?
Katrina.
Well - come on fellas, you’re not fooling anyone. We know he lives here.
No one enters without the king’s permission.
You obviously don’t know who you’re talking to.
It’s all right. We’ll - be right back.
It is not all right! They have no right to treat us like this!
I have come all the way from Kataia - and - hey! Don’t pull so hard!
Why didn’t you teach thoses Cretans a lesson?
Because they’re not - from Crete.
I know there’re only four at the gate, but I know Nikolos.
There’ll be a hundred more inside.
I’ve heard stories of you defeating twice as many.
That’s not the point. I don’t want anyone to get hurt needlessly.
What kind of a story would that make?
Now what are you doing?
I’m going over the wall, if it’s any concern of yours.
With that rope.
Yes. Now, just stay put - and I’ll be right back.
- When’s our shift over? - Oh, I don’t know. But my feet hurt.
Wha - ?
Going up.
Going down.
No. No, no, no. Use circular movements - circular.
Hurry up with that! The king’s anxious to see the megalith in action.
Give it to me!
Fool! Don’t you know how dangerous those compounds are?! Be careful!
Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?
That was you? You meet so many people in my line of work.
Look, I - I can’t help it. I smell a story - I follow my nose.
All right - but - stay close to me. I don’t want you out of my sight.
Right.
Daedalus! Are you all right?!
Hercules!
What happened?!
Pay no a - just a small chemical fire. It’s nothing that my assistants can’t handle.
What - what are you doing in Euboea?
I heard about Icarus. I - I’m sorry.
Oh - thank you.
And if there’s anything I can do -
I’m Katrina of Kataia? I was wondering if you’d like to make a statement about your cross-bow.
’Trina, this isn’t the time.
I’m practicing my craft? If you don’t mind?
What is she talking about?
On our way here, we saw a giant cross-bow. A soldier said you made it.
So? I’m chief inventor to King Nikolos. That’s my job.
The same King Nikolos that massacred hundreds at the fields of Danlos?
- Katrina, don’t - - Excuse me. I have a job to do here?
Look, that war ended years ago.
So, you don’t deny building the weapon.
Why should I?
Aren’t you aware how your cross-bow is being used?
Daedalus, there was a time you wouldn’t design a knife, for fear it might - cut someone. I -
And what’s that supposed to mean?
It means you’re designing giant cross-bows to kill people.
It is not my cross-bow, young lady. It belongs to the kng!
My job is to invent - not pass judgment!
Good to see you again, Hercules. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.
Yeah.
I can’t believe you were so protective of him.
Hey. She is - really starting to bug me.
Your Highness - I just saw Hercules - outside Daedalus’ lab.
Hercules here - in my city? Is the megalith ready?
Yes, your Highness.
Go-o-o-o-od. Because the next time I fight Hercules - he’ll be the one that won’t stand a chance.
I think your pal, Daedalus, has lost his conscience.
You don’t know him well enough to make that judgment.
Well, he admitted building the cross-bow.
He lost his only son. I’m not sure you can really appreciate what that did to him.
That doesn’t give him the right to build weapons of mass destruction!
No - it doesn’t.
But it does give him the right to be treated with a little - courtesy and respect - not interrogated like some common criminal.
OK, maybe I was a little outta line, but - his evasiveness irritated me.
You - put him on the defensive.
Yeah, maybe he’s got something to be defensive a-bout.
Maybe - or maybe Nikolos has taken advantage of his grief.
Well, whether that’s true or not, Nikolos is even more dangerous, now that he has Daedalus’ invention.
You should have killed him at the battle of Plataea.
I don’t believe in killing, unless I have to.
Nikolos was defeated - and his army scattered with the wind. After that, he just - disappeared.
And now he’s back and he’s become a problem, again.
If I set myself up as executioner, then I’m no better than he is.
I’m gonna go speak to Daedalus, alone.
I’ll go with you.
Alone - means - alone.
His Majesty - King Nikolos, would like Hercules to join him at the palace.
It’s a request - not an order.
In that case, lead the way.
The invitation, is for Hercules alone.
I know - alone means alone.
Hercules -
Nikolos -
So - what brings you to our peaceful little kingdom?
There are villagers a half a day’s march from here - who would question its peacefulness.
Those people are rebels. I have a right to defend my borders.
But not to wipe out entire villages. Those rebels - are helpless farmers, not soldiers.
For the threat of annihilation to work, one must occasionally - make good on those threats.
You know? That’s exactly the kind of attitude that got you exiled to Lexos.
Are you threatening me?!
Call it what you like - but don’t get any ideas about returning to your former power -
especially when you recruit friends of mine to help.
You’ve got it wrong.
Daedalus came to me with his plans - begging me for funds and equipment.
I merely provided them.
When he puts his grief behind him, he’ll realize what you’re doing, and you won’t be able to use him anymore.
I think our little - reunion - is over.
This should be interesting.
Perdix - see what our frind Daedalus is doing. Bring him to me - now.
Daedalus! Remember me? I’m Katrina - Hercules’ friend.
I’d like to ask you a few more questions.
I’ve said all I have to say.
I’d like to get your side of the story - about your son’s death?
Really - I know I’m prying - and I know it’s personal and painful - but people are saying his death was your fault.
Don’t you want an opportunity to respond to that?
You’re right. I-i-it is personal - and very painful
And you are prying. Guards!
Away with you!
All right - but you may regret this!
Early experiment.
That’s it, that’s it. Move it over here.
Carefully; carefully!
In position -
- crystal must be aligned exactly.
Exactly - there.
Try it now!
No, it’s, uh, that’s still not right. Do it again!
Go away.
Daedalus. It’s me - Hercules
What do you want from me?
I want to know what you’re doing here with Nikolos.
I had no place else to go, Hercules.
He took me in and - gave me everything I needed for my work.
And in return, you supply him with all the deadly weapons he wants.
I help him protect Euboea’s citizens.
I know this man, Daedalus.
He doesn’t care about - protecting civilians.
I saw the bodies he left behind - when he ransacked Danlos and Plataea.
Ah, that was long ago. People change.
Not his kind of people.
I saw his men - use your cross-bow against helpless farmers.
No. No - Nikolos - wouldn’t have attacked those renegades unless they posed a threat to our security.
You’re letting your grief blind you to the truth.
What would you know about my grief?!
I’m sorry, Hercules.
Apology accepted.
Daedalus - I know - this is a hard time for you - but creating pain and suffering for others isn’t going to bring Icarus back.
What would you have me do? If I don’t keep busy, I’ll go out of my mind.
I can’t be held responsible if someone misuses one of my creations.
Can’t you?
Why can’t people just leave me alone to do my work?
Ah, because what we do - whatever it is - affects everyone around us.
Is this how you want to honor Icarus’ memory?
By building weapons of destruction.
You ever considered using a depilatory?
I hope you’re not considering keeping me prisoner.
I have some very powerful friends in very high places.
Prisoner? On the contrary - you’re an honored guest.
I am?
Of course. It’s not often we have scribes in our kingdom.
You don’t strike me as the type who’d appreciate a free press.
Can I really go when I want?
Certainly. However - it might be in your best interest if you stayed.
Why is that?
Why, you’d have the opportunity to witness history in the making!
An event that will live for a hundred centuries.
I’m listening?
Daedalus has supplied me with the ultimate military weapon - which I’m about to demonstrate.
You’ll have an exclusive on the story.
Interested?
Step right up - over here!
Fresh poultry - step there.
Some bread, please.
As you can see, uh -
There you go, sir.
What is that stuff?
Boiled sea serpent - put hairs on your chest - not that you need any, of course.
But you should see the way it worked for one of the guards around here.
Do I know you?
Sure I do. It’s Falafel. Hey, what’s-what’s with the beard?
Please - I owe people money for a taco franchise.
Hey, I have a special - eyes and fries.
For you? Dinar-ninety-five.
No. Thanks. I’m lookin’ for a girl.
Aren’t we all?
No, it’s not like that. She’s - she’s about this tall - asks a - lot of questions.
Ah - good luck!
I’m gonna squash you like a bug, Hercules.
Shouldn’t you be taking notes?
Stop it! Please!
Why?! With Daedalus’ megalith, I’ll get back everything that Hercules forced me to give up.
I’ll be unstoppable! And you can quote me on that.
Please! Call him off!
I thought your job was to report to the world what happens here.
But he’s killing Hercules!
What’s the matter, Nikolos?! Things didn’t work out like you hoped?!
I’m not finished with you yet, Hercules.
I swear - I’ll have my revenge!
He can’t get up!
He looks like a bug on his back!
You’ve got about three seconds to get out of there - or you can become a permanent part of that thing.
Out of my way!
That was great!
Yeah.
Are you all right?
Yeah - I’m fine. Nikolos has an odd sense of hospitality.
Yeah, we better get out of here.
Why? It’s such a fun town.
I should take a look at that cut.
Think I’ll live?
How can you joke? I’ve never been so scared in my life. My heart is still pounding?
Weren’t you afraid?
Sure - but a little fear is healthy.
It - keeps you from - underestimating your opponent.
Can I quote you on that?
Don’t you ever - stop?
Well -
You! You told me the megalith was invincible! Yet Hercules just defeated it!
You used it against Hercules?!
Can you think of a better test for it?
You told me you wanted it to protect Euboea!
Hercules is my friend! He’ll think I’ve betrayed him!
Old man - I don’t care what Hercules thinks - but your next machine - better not fail.
Oh, no. There won’t be a next one. I’m going to dismantle it right now!
Nobody quits on me.
King Nikolos. Please, I -
You were on your last legs when I found you - living on the streets - practically suicidal.
I took you in - fed you - put a roof over your head - gave you a lab - and this is how you repay me?
I’m begging you.
No - I’m telling you - if you wanna get out of Euboear alive - you finish the job I hired you for!
Ah, you’re in no condition to go anywhere!
Daedalus - needs my help.
Nikolos has him so confused, he’s not thinking straight.
You go back there, Nikolos will just try and kill you again.
I’m more concerned about Daedalus.
Have you ever stopped to think?
If you’d killed Nikolos when you had the chance - none of this would ’a happened?
Maybe - but that’s not who I am.
Oh, that’s great!
Wait, wait!
- Whoo! Wait, wait, wait for me! - What?
Icarus.
I’m sorry.
Somehow, I’ll put things right.
I promise.
OK -
Good day to you. How are you?
Burn it down.
Get out of my way!
What are you doing?!
Guards!
Oh, forget him! Get the megalith out of here!
Halley! Over there!
Yes, Perdix.
Help me! Protect the king’s weapon!
Daedalus -
Move, move!
- is a traitor!
Let it burn!
Don’t mess with us, old man.
The lab’s on fire!
Katrina - !
Get some water!
Just - uh-h-h!
Dedalus!
Guards! Get him!
Halley! No!
Hey? What’s that?
Halley.
Again?
Go! Run! Run!
Over there!
After Icarus died, all my - all my ideas were born out of rage and pain.
You felt responsible for his death.
I could have stopped it.
There were two sets of wings, one for each of us.
You and Icarus went flying together.
I still remember the first time.
He was so scared. But by the end, he was soaring.
He could never get enough.
The day he died, he - he came into my workroomm as I was - struggling with a new invention.
He wanted me to go flying with him.
‘Later,’ I said.
After a while - I noticed how quiet it was. I went to look for him.
I - I heard a voice - far up in the clouds.
It was Icarus - crying out for me.
I had warned him against flying too close to the sun.
There was nothing I could do - except watch him fall.
Or I could have gone with him! Instead of being so - busy with all my inventions.
Y-you can’t change the past.
All you can do is - be the man that Icarus knew and loved.
I’m not sure if I can or not.
But I do know it’s long - past time I started trying.
What’s that?
Oh - one of the toys I made for him.
Ooh, it’s gooey! It’s incredible!
That looks like fun.
Yeah! And it’s addicting. What do you call this stuff?
Oh, it doesn’t have a name.
It’s - it’s just a silly little thing I made out of nuts and mud and oil.
What do you say we put the - silly, nutty thing away, and we go tell Nikolos that you’re through workin’ for him?
I’d like that - very much.
How badly damaged is it, Perdix?
It - looks like we salvaged all the essential parts, my lord.
Good. I want to see for myself.
Come! Quickly!
Shall I climb in and ready the machine, my lord?
No. As king, I want the honor and glory of killing Hercules myself.
I’m going to roast him like a pig!
Be quiet!
Hercules? You should know there is another megalith I was working on.
There’s another one of those things?
Unfotunately - and it’s - more powerful and - less vulnerable than the first.
That’s why I went back to the lab to destroy it.
Well, let’s hope you succeeded.
Well, I can’t tell. With all the smoke, I - wasn’t sure if the fire got to it.
Well, then we’d better make sure.
Hercules is right.
If it didn’t burn up - it’ll be the most powerful weapon the world has ever seen.
And this time - it won’t be so easy to destroy.
Easy Look - you two better stay here while I go back to the lab and check it out.
But if the weapon wasn’t destroyed -
That’s why I want you to stay here.
You think you can do that this time?
Thank you.
Are you sure you won’t be needing any help - my lord?
Just bring a broom, Perdix. Because the next time you see Hercules - there won’t be anything left but ashes!
Daedalus? Those questions I was asking you -
Oh, you were right to ask them. It’s the mark of a good scribe.
Still, I could have - should have been more sensitive.
Then that would have made you a great scribe.
I meant to tell you - I’m sorry about your son, Icarus - truly sorry.
Thank you.
I tried to raise him as best as I could, but - after his mother died -
You never remarried?
Oh, perhaps I should have.
He was a wild, headstrong boy, and I was always - busy with all my inventions.
If he had a mother -
You did the best you could. Sometimes the gods smile on us - sometimes.
I wish I had died instead of him.
Don’t say that. You still have the capacity to do good in this world.
Maybe.
How long has he been gone now?
Ah-h - not that long.
It feels like an eternity.
There’s a story happening, and I’m not there.
He wants you out of danger.
Yeah, while he puts himself in danger
Because of my shortcomings.
It’s not all your fault. Nikolos had a little to do with it.
It’s still my responsibility. I invented that weapon.
I should be there with Hercules.
Me, too.
He told us to stay.
I haven’t listened to him yet.
Hercules!
It’s another megalith!
Let’s get out of here!
Once, you defeated me. Now, I will enjoy watching you suffer.
Welcome back to Euboea.
Too bad your stay can’t be longer.
Oh, yeah - like this’ll protect me.
Bad idea.
Where are you going?!
It’s time to play!
Great.
That’s what you’ll look like when I’m through with you, Hercules.
I don’t think so.
You might as well stay and fight.
I’ll burn the whole city down if I have to - but I’ll get you!
No! No-o-o-o-o-o!
You leave him alone!
I’ll deal with you two - later.
You OK?!
Can I get a quote later?
Much later.
Let’s see what this silly, nutty thing can do.
Time to fry - big man.
Hercules!
I - I thought it would ’a lasted longer than that.
Sorry.
Let’s get out of here.
Yeah.
Daedalus, you didn’t - build any more of these things, did you?
Well, that should be the last of them.
How will I ever make up for all the grief my inventions have caused people?
By going back and doing what you’ve - always done best - inventing things that help - mankind.
That’s a story I’d like to write.
I’ll try my best.
I can’t think of a better way to honor Icarus’ memory.
Farewell, Hercules. And thank you.
Farewell, Daedalus.
Thank you.
Scribe - farewell.
Hercules!
I had you wrong.
You are a living legend. And a hero in the true sense of the word.
I just try to help people the best I can.
Yeah? Well, I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job.
And you’ve given me more material than I’d ever hoped for.
Really? Maybe you should write a book.
A book! What a novel idea!
There you go.
Of course, I’d have to change the names - cut it down a lot.
Maybe lose some of the more outrageous stuff.
Why’s that?
This’d definitely have to be fictionalized. Who would believe it?
Yeah.