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Dad! Dad!
Dad! Help me!
Dad!
Icarus! No!
[ Panting ]
[ Groans ]
How could I have done
such a thing.
[ Sighs ]
[ Yells ]
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.
[ Man ]
Hey.
Thanks, Hercules.
My pleasure.
A living legend,
isn't he?
[ Hercules Grunts ] 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 Kataia.
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.
Oh.
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?
Well, I-I investigate.
I ask questions.
I interview people.
And you get paid for that?
Yeah.
Huh.
I heard that the great Hercules
was rerouting a river,
so I came to check it out.
Looks like another case of
the myth outweighing a man.
People do tend to exaggerate.
Yeah, like the tale 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.
Okay.
But, that yarn about
the two-headed Hydra?
I mean, come on.
That one
they got wrong.
There you go.
They had three heads.
See?
That's a perfect example.
That kind of misinformation
never would have happened if
I'd been chronicling the battle.
- 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 really good
friend of mine.
I haven't seen him
in ages though.
What's he like?
He's probably
the smartest man I know.
That's it?
Then it's going to 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.
What do you mean?
You didn't hear?
Icarus is dead.
And Daedalus killed 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!
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.
[ Exhales ]
Are these sources sure
he's still living in Euboea?
Yes.
Why?
Because you're going to
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 had 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's my job.
Remember?
-[ Woman ]
This way!
- Wa-Wait.
What's going on?
Back there.
Soldiers taking our village.
[ Clamoring ]
Just stay here.
Okay not.
Come on! Get it in there.
Light it up.
Light it up.
All right.
Clear! Clear!
Fire!
- [ Gasping ]
- It's pillage time.
-[ Woman ]
They'll burn us to the ground!
- [ Man ] Fire!
[ Man ]
Here comes another one!
[ Man ] 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.
[ Man ]
Who did this?
[ Yelling ]
[ Straining ]
Mightier than the sword.
Don't judge a book
by its cover.
[ Yelling ]
[ Man ]
All right, you!
Please, don't kill me.
Whose crossbow is this?
[ Stammering ]
I think you'd better tell him.
He doesn't look too happy.
Daedalus.
He's the one.
[ Whimpering ]
A toast to Daedalus.
The man whose inventions
will help protect the realm
from our enemies.
To Daedalus.
[ Man ]
To Daedalus.
[ Men Together ]
Daedalus!
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.
If you'd like me to stop there--
No, no.
By all means, please.
Return to the lab.
Thank you.
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 you 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.
[ Chuckling ]
Cheers.
[ Guard ] I don't think
we'll have any more trouble,
but just to make sure,
stay on the lookout,
don't let anybody through.
[ Donkey Braying ]
[ Katrina ]
Why would Daedalus build
a weapon like that crossbow?
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.
I'm 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'll 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 crossbows,
things like that?
Sound familiar?
Katrina.
[ Scoffs ] 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
those cretins a lesson?
Because they're not from Crete.
- [ Scoffs ]
- I know there are only
four at the gate,
but 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?
[ Sighs ]
Now what are you doing?
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.
[ Guard ]
When's our shift over?
Oh, I don't know.
But my feet hurt.
Hey!
[ Together ]
Huh? Wh--
- [ Guards Yelling ]
- Going up.
-Going down.
- [ Both Grunt ]
Ow.
[ Creaking ]
No, no, no.
Use circular movements.
Hurry up with that.
The king's anxious to see
the megalith in action.
Give it to me!
[ Grunts ]
Don't you know how dangerous
those compounds are?
Be careful!
[ Coughing ]
[ Screams, Grunts ]
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.
Right.
[ Coughing, Gagging ]
Oh, not again.
Daedalus!
Are you all right?
Hercules!
What happened?
Just a small
chemical fire.
It's nothing that
my assistants can't handle.
[ Coughs ]
What are you doing in Euboea?
I heard about Icarus.
I'm sorry.
Oh.
Thank you.
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 crossbow?
Katrina, 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 crossbow.
- 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.
- That war ended years ago.
- So you don't deny
building the weapon?
- Why should I?
- Aren't you aware how
your crossbow's being used?
Daedalus, there was a time
you wouldn't design a knife
for fear it might cut someone.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- It means you're designing
crossbows to kill people.
It is not my crossbow,
young lady.
It belongs to the king.
My job is to invent,
not to pass judgment.
Good to see you again, Hercules.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have work to do.
Yeah.
[ Exhales ]
I can't believe you were
so protective of him.
[ Mutters ]
She'sreally
starting to bug me.
[ Imitating Bomb ]
[ Maniacal Laughter ]
Your Highness,
I just saw Hercules
outside Daedalus's lab.
Hercules here?
In my city?
Is the megalith ready?
Yes, Your Highness.
Good.
Because the next time
I fight Hercules,
he'll be the one
that won't stand a chance.
[ Maniacal Laughter ]
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 crossbow.
He lost his only son.
I'm sure you can really
appreciate what that did to him.
That doesn't give him
the right to build
weapons of mass destruction.
[ Exhales Loudly ]
No, it doesn't.
But it does give him
the right to be treated
with courtesy and respect--
not interrogated
like some common criminal.
Maybe I was out of line,
but his evasiveness
irritated me.
You put him on the defensive.
Maybe he's got something
to be defensive about.
Maybe.
Or maybe Nikolos is
taking advantage of his grief.
Whether that's true
or not, Nikolos is
even more dangerous
now that he has
Daedalus's invention.
You should've 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 disappeared.
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 going to 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.
[ Chuckles ]
For the threat of annihilation
to work,
one mustoccasionally
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 friend
Daedalus is doing.
Bring him to me.
Now.
Daedalus, remember me?
I'm Katrina, Hercules's 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?
[ Scoffs ]
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.
It is personal
and very painful.
And you are prying.
Guards.
Away with you.
All right.
But you may regret this.
Hey!
[ Daedalus ]
Prepare the experiment.
That's it.
That's it.
Move it over here.
Carefully.
Carefully.
In position.
The crystals must be
aligned exactly.
Exactly.
There.
Try it now!
[ Groans ]
No, that's still not right.
Do it again.
Uh-oh.
[ Knocking ]
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.
That was long ago.
People change.
Not his kind of people.
I saw his men
use your crossbow
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?
Because what we do,
whatever it is,
affects everyone around us.
Is this how
you want to honor
Icarus's memory?
By building weapons
of destruction?
Have you ever considered
using a depilatory?
[ Grunts ]
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 that'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'd have an exclusive
on the story.
Interested?
[ Man ]
Step right up over here.
Fresh poultry.
Watch your step there.
[ Man #2 ]
Some bread, please.
There you go, sir.
[ Bubbling ]
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.
What's with the beard?
[ Laughs ]
Please.
I owe people money
for a taco franchise.
Hey, I have a special.
Eyes and fries.
For you, dinar 95.
No, thanks.
I'm looking for a girl.
Aren't we all?
No, it's not like that.
She's about this tall,
asks a lot of questions.
[ Loud Banging ]
[ Continues ]
Uh, good luck.
-[ Clattering ]
-[ Women Screaming ]
-[ Clattering ]
- [ Shouting ]
[ Man Laughing ]
I'm going to squash you
like a bug, Hercules.
Ohh!
Shouldn't you
be taking notes?
Stop it, please!
Why?
With Daedalus's megalith,
I'll get back everything
that Hercules
forced me to give up.
I'll be unstoppable!
And you can
quote me on that.
- [ Chuckling ]
- [ Growling ]
Ow.
Please! Call him off.
I thought your job was
to report to the world
what happens here.
- But he's killing Hercules!
- [ Bubbling ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Clanking ]
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!
[ Grunts ]
[ Man ]
He can't get up.
- [ Woman ] He looks like
a bug on its back.
- [ Grunting ]
[ Whimpers ]
You've got about
three seconds
to get out of there,
or you can become
a permanent part
of that thing.
[ Rattling Continues ]
[ Woman ]
He destroyed it.
Out of my way!
That was great.
Yeah.
Ooh, you all right?
Yeah.
I'm fine.
Nikolos has an odd sense
of hospitality.
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--
[ Laughs ]
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.
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
Euboea alive,
you finish the job
I hired you for.
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.
You ever stop to think
if you'd killed Nikolos
when you had the chance,
none of this would've happened?
Maybe.
But that's not who I am.
Oh, that's great.
Wait.
Wait.
Herc, wait,
wait, wait for me.
What?
Icarus.
[ Exhales ]
I'm sorry.
Somehow I'll put things right.
I promise.
[ Man ]
Let me give you a hand.
[ Bubbling ]
Burn it down.
[ Laughs ]
Outta my way.
- What are you doing?
- [ Laughing ]
Forget him.
Get the megalith
out of here.
Halley, over there.
Yes, Perdix.
[ Guard ] Help me.
Protect the king's weapon.
[ Guard #2 ]
Daedalus is a traitor!
Move! Move!
Let it burn!
[ Grunting ]
Don't mess with us,
old man.
[ Woman ]
The lab's on fire!
Move!
[ Man ]
The lab's on fire.
[ Hercules ]
Katrina!
[ Man ] Get some water!
Just--
[ Grunts ]
Daedalus!
Guards, get him!
[ Screaming ]
- [ Perdix ]
Halley, no!
- [ Yells ]
[ Man Screaming ]
Hey.
What's that?
It's just Halley.
Again?
Go, go!
Run!
Run!
After Icarus died,
all my--
all my ideas were
born out of rage and pain.
You felt responsible
for his death.
I could've stopped it.
There were two sets of wings.
One for each of us.
You and Icarus
went flying together?
Uh-huh.
I still remember
the first time.
He was so scared.
And by the end,
he was soaring.
He could never get enough.
The day he died,
he came into my workroom
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,
and I went to look for him.
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've gone with him,
instead of being so busy
with all my inventions.
You can't change the past.
All you can do is be the man
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.
[ Sighs ]
What's that?
[ Laughs ]
Oh.
One of the toys
I made for him.
Ooh, it's gooey.
That's incredible.
- [ Chuckles ]
Looks like fun.
- Yeah, and it's addicting.
- What do you call this stuff?
- Oh, it doesn't have a name.
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
working 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.
[ People Gasping ]
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.
[ Hysterical Laughter ]
Be quiet!
Hercules, you should know
there is another megalith
I was working on.
There's another one
of those things?
Unfortunately.
And it's more powerful
and less vulnerable
than the first.
That's why I went back
to the lab, to destroy it.
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 here.
You think you can
do that this time?
Thank you.
Ah-ah.
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!
[ Maniacal Laughter ]
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've--
should've-- been
more sensitive.
Then that would've
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?
Perhaps I should've.
He was a wild, headstrong boy,
and I was always busy
with all my inventions.
If he'd had a mother--
You did
the best you could.
Sometimes the gods
smile on us.
Sometimes.
I wish I'd 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?
Not that long.
Feels like an eternity.
There's a story happening,
and I'm not there.
He'd want you
out of danger.
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.
[ Loud Clanging ]
Hercules.
[ Woman ]
It's another megalith!
Let's get out of here!
Once, you defeated me.
Now, I will enjoy
watching you suffer.
[ Rattling ]
Welcome back to Euboea.
Too bad your stay
can't be longer.
- [ Women Screaming ]
- [ Grunts ]
[ Laughing ]
Oh, yeah.
Like this will protect me.
[ Grunts ]
Uh-oh.
Bad idea.
[ Laughing Maniacally ]
Where are you going?
It's time to play.
Great.
Oh-ho.
[ Chuckling ]
That's what you'll look like
when I'm through with you,
Hercules.
- [ Laughing ]
- I don't think so.
[ Yelling ]
You might as well
stay and fight.
I'll burn the whole city down
if I have to.
But I'll get you.
Uh-oh.
No.
No!
You leave him alone.
[ Grunts ]
I'll deal with
you two later.
You okay?
Can I get a quote later?
Much later.
Let's see what
this silly muddy thing can do.
Time to fry, big man.
[ Yelling ]
[ Whirring, Clanking ]
[ Grunting ]
Hercules.
I-I thought it would've
lasted longer than that.
Sorry.
Let's get out of here.
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's memory.
Farewell, Hercules,
and thank you.
Farewell, Daedalus.
Thank you.
Scribe, farewell.
Hercules?
Hmm?
I had you wrong.
You are a living legend.
[ Scoffs ]
And a hero in
the true sense of the word.
I just try to help people
the best I can.
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.
[ Chuckles ] 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 is that?
This would definitely
have to be fictionalized.
Who would believe it?
Yeah.
[ Chuckles ]
Closed-Captioned By