b>Title Raising Mischief - Punishment
Fandom: Hercules The Legendary Journeys/Xena Warrior Princess
Characters: Strife
Prompt: #080 why?
Word Count: 911
Rating: PG13
Summary: Hera deals with her daughter.
Author's Notes: Fifth in the newly titled Raising Mischief series.




Hera appeared in the cave where Eris was hiding out in the north of Greece with no bright flashes of light or anything else to alert her daughter. She quickly sealed the cave so she would not have to chase her daughter through Greece and Olympus.

She entered into a portion of the cave blocked from most godly and mortal vision and found her daughter sprawled out on a lavish bed. A mortal tied up and hanging over the bed covered in lash marks. With a shake of her head she sent the mortal to one of Apollo's temples making herself know to Eris.

Looking at her mother Eris quickly tried to flash out growling in frustration when she was unable to do so. Snarling she crossed her arms and looked defiantly at her mother.

"I have one question for you. Why? I would have cared for him if you did not want him. You seemed so happy during the pregnancy. You said you wanted him. What changed?"

"He was annoying! Always wanting to be fed, get his diaper changed. Pooping and pissing all the time. Crying and whining. I didn't want him in the first place, I was just happy because I could do want I wanted, if I blasted a few mortals even if they were someone's favorites it was just a mood swing. That was the only good thing about being pregnant. I got fat and swollen and for what? That brat? He couldn't even grow up fast, like a wanted some dirty toddler for the next century. Then Ares said he would train him, so I got rid of him. Its not like it matters, Ares wants to keep the brat anyway."

"Is that what you think of your child? What kind of mother are you?" Hera asked in horror. "Is that how you were raised?"

"Raised?! You were too busy chasing dad around, and planning revenge on all those idiot mortals that were with him. You were no mother to me."

Hera did not so much as blink at the accusation, used to Eris's attempts and the fact that it was in her very nature to cause discord. "I recall that you did something to yourself similar to Strife so you would be left alone. I thought you grow out of this foolishness, but clearly you need to be punished."

"What are you going to do spank me?" Eris asked not believing her mother was capable of a severe punishment.

"Now you should know better, that is not my style I will truly punish you. There are many more painful things than that. First I should have you know you are no longer my daughter."

"Like that is some great loss. It just means I won't have you hovering."

"Eris dear, you don't seem to understand, as you are no longer my daughter you are on even par with Zeus' bastards. You will never ascend as a major god. Erin has replaced you in that aspect and he will be Ares' second. Once you return to Olympus you will answer to him or Ares, you are no longer allowed to function independently, your Olympian temple is now Erin's and you will be housed by Ares however he sees fit."

"A four year old?! Oh please, as if that thing could be out on battle fields."

"And what would make you think you would be going back to Olympus anytime soon?" Hera asked even as she reached towards her daughter and pulled forward the symbol of her godhood essentially stripping her of her power, in a way only Zeus and Hera were powerful enough to do. "Don't worry too much dear; you are still immortal, after all Ares wants to have a few choice words with you. You will be banned from Olympus until Strife is of age, then and only then you may be allowed to return."

Eris watched in horror as the glow from her symbol dulled significantly. "Maybe the severity of you situation is finally reaching you. I was not pleased at your lack of a relationship with Erin's father but you seemed willing to raise him and not concern yourself and I saw no need for a forced marriage. But this…you should be ashamed. You will never be as powerful as you were. I quite sure Erin would have much better use for the extra energy. How you kept him from establishing a true power base I will never know."

"You can't do this to me!"

"You! That little angle could barely sit up after enduring your 'care'. Ares is a wonderful father, even with Cupid's extended youth, and his placing in the house of love. I foolishly assumed as his twin you would have similar traits. You put me off for visits after the first few and I foolishly allowed this. I should have never allowed this get that far."

"You'll pay for this!"

"No my dear you will pay for this and pay dearly, there are others close to Erin and until each one has had a say in your punishment you will be trapped in this cave. Enjoy your stay Eris dear." And with that Hera vanished leaving a very angry daughter behind.



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