The Stories of Our Heroes

Respect

Athena shook with rage and disbelief as she watched the event unfolding down below Olympus. Sure, she expected Poseidon to try and get back at her for being more popular with the new Greek city. In fact, she had been ready for it. But this was low and cruel, more something Athena expected from Zeus, not the middle brother.

The goddess grit her teeth harder and harder with each passing second. How dare Poseidon disrespect her like this? Bringing a mortal into her temple to have his fun was something Athena knew he had put thought into. Poseidon was arrogant, but not dumb. He figured out exactly what would get under Athena's skin.

Just as the Athena had finally decided on a way to put an end to this madness, she realized that she wasn't the only one being disrespected by Poseidon's actions. With fresh hot anger and a bit of sympathy, she developed a new plan.

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Once again, Athena watched the world below her, seeping with rage. The mortals would never understand. The tales of the cursed Medusa filled the ears of the people. They were terrified, but for the wrong reasons. Athena sighed sadly as she remembered the way Medusa had thanked her, relieved that a man would never want to do that to her again. But now the warbled version of Medusa's story had forced her to become what the people feared.

Athena grimaced as Perseus cut off now-monster's head. The goddess looked around the throne room of Olympus and saw a swarm of emotions. She looked at Poseidon, hoping to see a small bit of remorse. Instead, she found a slight smile. Athena could never forgive him. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see her sister, Artemis. She said nothing, but Athena didn't have to be the goddess of wisdom to know that the huntress understood.

Men.

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Athena could barely see straight when the second Perseus, a son of Poseidon nonetheless, cut off Medusa's head. She wanted to incinerate him, to finally take revenge on Poseidon for what he started. Athena barely cared that she'd be taking out her own daughter, too. Even she was too blinded by men's twisted tale to see the truth.

But Athena stopped, intrigued by the sea scum's actions. "Best Wishes," she read. Well, maybe she would wait and see how this one played out.

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Athena smiled when finally, finally, Medusa was being treated the way the goddess had intended. She watched happily as Sally Jackson was able to escape from her own form of Poseidon... which was ironic, given the mortal women's history. So maybe Athena could never forgive the god of the sea, but just maybe she'd be willing to give his son a second chance. After all, he did help Athena to spread the true message of Medusa.