Pandora's Box

Winning the Game

"We're very proud of you Dora." Jove assures his daughter.

"Thank you." is all Pandora can muster, halfheartedly.

"It's true, you did some good work saving Sarah from the Maenad. I know things didn't exactly work out everywhere for you..." begins Jove.

"Like with Jemma." Pandora responds, again without much enthusiasm.

"Yes, like with Jemma. But the important thing is that you were able to save both of her and Sarah. It shows a lot of potential, and that we know you'll be able to handle whatever else comes your way. You should feel very good about yourself honey." Uni adds.

"I guess, I just... well, maybe it's the Jemma thing but... I don't feel much like celebrating." Pandora says, trying to be honest.

"We understand. Things are all right for the moment, you should get some rest."

Pandora gets up from the couch in their living room.

"You're right, maybe I'll feel better about it tomorrow or something."

As Pandora heads towards the stairs, Uni gets up and puts her hand on her daughter's shoulder in comfort, "Honey, I know this is hard, but..."

All of the sudden, something comes over Uni and her eyes glow yellow. Pandora turns to her mother in time to see it. Uni struggles to stay in control of it, stepping back a few steps which becomes more of a stumble.

"Mom?" Pandora asks, trying to understand what's going on.

"I..." Uni collapses on the floor as she speaks, which makes Jove and Pandora rush to her side.

"Sweetheart?" asks Jove, before adding, "Damn it... I didn't expect it to be this soon."

"You know what's going on?" Pandora wonder with clear concern for her mother.

"Yes, honey..." he then checks her closed eyes on the floor, the yellow light covering her entire eye, unlike anything seen before, "Unfortunately, I think I do."

* * *

"I can't believe she would do this." Jemma declares in frustration.

"Do what, exactly?" Hermes responds, enjoying himself.

"Lie to me like that, and with such an obvious lie too." says Jemma, her frustration increasing as she paces in Hermes empty classroom.

"What did she say?" a falsely inquisitive Hermes says.

"Some insane stuff about spirits and possession and how... she was the descendant of the real Pandora, as if that myth actually was real. It's ridiculous." insists Jemma.

"Is it?" Hermes says, his enjoyment obvious.

"Is what?" Jemma asks with a question of her own.

"Is it ridiculous?" Hermes responds.

"What are you talking about? Of course it's ridiculous." again insists Jemma.

"I mean, it would explain everything wouldn't it? Your weird behavior, everything that's been going on at the school recently. I'm just saying... what if it's actually true?"

* * *

"I don't understand." a young teenager declares.

"It's yours." Ares says, his hand outstretched.

The teenager reaches forward, taking what appears to be The Box from Ares. As soon as they do, it begins to glow a bright, white light. They look into it as Ares smiles, illuminated by the light.