[ Chortling ]
Ilovemy money.
Who are you? What do you want?
I'm Fortune, Goddess of Luck.
- Your luck's been pretty good, Lexus, up till now. -It's not luck.
I'm a hard worker. I-I hustle. [ Coins Jingling ]
- "Up till now"? - Well, you've made no offerings to the gods...
to say thanks for the good life.
You haven't used your good fortune to help others.
And you're supposed to do that. I know, I know.
I'm a busy man.
I'll fix it first thing. Good-bye.
[ Chuckling ] Not so fast.
First, we'll see if your good luck continues.
I'll toss my coin.
Heads, you win. Tails, you-- you don't.
I could lose my money? Yeah, but, uh, it's only money.
"Only money"! It'smymoney.
Uh, okay, okay. Don't get hostile.
And your fortune will be-- Uh-oh. Sorry.
Now, now, don't get upset. It was a fair toss, by the rules.
And don't you yell. Nobody likes a sore loser.
[ Knocking ] [ Man ] Open up, Lexus!
I've come about your taxes. [ All Clamoring ]
What taxes? I don't owe any taxes!
[ Woman ] What about the money you owe me? I don't owe you any money.
I paid that.
Hercules, the people of Taphos are so grateful!
[ Laughing ] We-We no longer have to live with the fear of bandits.
- Thanks, but I didn't do it alone. - No. "Elias."
It must be wonderful to travel along with a great hero like Hercules.
Oh, yeah, it's great. I love it.
Just me and the big guy sharing that old open road.
[ Man ] What would we do without Hercules?
If ever there's anything any of us can do for you, you only have to ask.
Thank you. Fine. Excuse me.
No, really excuse me.
You know, Hercules, I--
[ Man, Laughing ] There you are, you old rascal, you!
I've noticed that your thanks are getting a lot bigger,
whereas mine are kinda-- Iolaus.
They know you're a hero, and they appreciate you.
Ah.
You're the man.
Everything gone, in a heartbeat.
You couldn't help it, Lexus.
Living with relatives. How's that gonna look?
But it's only until you get on your feet, dear.
You're a smart man. You'll think of something.
Big shot brother. Boy, is he gonna stick it to me.
What is this?
We're supposed to try and cross on this hazard?
Now, look, we'll be fine, dear.
Uh, be careful.
I don't know. Just an "Attaboy, Iolaus. That was great."
Or "Hey, good to see ya, Iolaus. Thanks for your help."
Or maybe "Iolaus, who's that big guy that always travels with you?"
[ Both Laughing ] [ Woman Screams ]
[ Bridge Creaking ]
[ Hercules ] You'll be all right. Stay there.
Help! Help! Somebody help me!
- Help! - I've got him.
[ Hercules ] Don't worry. I'm coming.
[ Lexus Grunting ]
Help me. Give me your hand.
- I can't. - Come on.
[ Yelps ] I can't... hold on!
Yes, you can. [ Lexus Whimpers ]
[ Grunts, Gasping ]
Don't move. Don't look down.
Okay. Now, it's all right.
I've got you.
[ Whimpering ] [ Hercules ] Hold on.
Let go of the rope. I can't.
Trust me. Give me your hand.
- Oh! No, don't look down! No, no, no, no! Don't! - [ Screams ]
[ Continues Screaming ] I can't get a grip on you if you keep doing that.
[ Continues Screaming ]
- Come on! - [ Whimpering ]
Come on!
[ Screaming ]
[ Grunting, Whimpering ] No!
[ Screaming ] Watch out!
Don't let me fall!
Give me your hand. Come on.
[ Straining ] Stay still!
[ Screaming ]
[ Gasping ]
[ Screams ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Gasps ]
[ 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!
[ Woman ] You're the-- What! What are you lookin' at?
[ Woman #2 ] Yes, that's him. He's the one that dropped her.
Yes! It was me!
I dropped her, she died and it was my fault!
Iolaus. What!
[ Sighs ] It wasn't your fault.
The woman panicked. There was nothing you could do.
I could'venotdropped her. You wouldn't have.
[ Sighs ] Hercules. I always thought it would be me that got hurt...
taking too many chances, trying to be as much of a hero as you.
And now somebody else pays the price.
You were trying to help her. You did all you could.
I can't let what happened happen again.
What are you getting at?
It's over. I quit. Quit? What do you mean "quit"?
- Mind if we borrow this? - You can do this job by yourself.
You're Hercules, and I'm... not.
What difference does that make?
[ Grunting ] Think of all the good we've done together.
We're partners, and you're my best friend.
That's not gonna change. We can still be friends.
But if you think you need a partner, you'd better find someone else.
I'm not listening to you. You've always been there for me. Don't take that away.
[ Grunts ] [ Groans ]
Maybe you just need a little time to... sort out your thoughts.
Here you go. Thank you, Hercules.
- We are so lucky to have a hero like you. - [ Sighs ]
- I guess my luck ran out. - Iolaus.
You don't look so good. Yeah. I thought a little food might pick me up.
How's the stew? Stew's good.
What? I hear you split with Hercules.
Boy, news travels fast.
It gets around.
Stew's two dinars. Wait a second.
Before, at the celebration, aren't you the one that said,
"Hey, you guys, come and eat at my place anytime you like. My compliments."
Yeah. "You guys." You and Hercules.
But you ain't with Hercules anymore. Stew's two dinars.
I haven't got two dinars. Then you ain't got no stew.
You know, if I had two dinars,
I wouldn't spend it here.
Come on. You've gotta have some job I can do. 'Fraid not.
I'll clean. I'll sweep up. I'll straighten out your loading dock.
I don't have a loading dock. Then I will build you one.
[ Chuckling ]
Eh. You, uh, you broke with Hercules, huh?
- Does everybody know about that? -Pretty much.
- [ Sighs ] - Look, retailing is tough. You gotta be on the ball.
You gotta have a clean record.
Have you ever been in trouble with the law?
Aw, you know, just the usual kid stuff... when I was a kid.
Kid stuff? What-- What kind of kid stuff?
Well, I... [ Muttering ] stole some stuff.
I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said.
I said I stole some stuff!
But, hey, that's great.
I mean, who better to protect you from thieves than a former thief.
I know all their tricks. This is so simple, it's beautiful.
- I don't think so. - I have to do something.
I need dinars to-- to eat.
I'll do anything. Why don't you try another town?
Oh! There are no jobs here in Taphos.
Thanks for the advice. I'll... chew on it.
Have a nice day.
Iolaus. Hi. How you doin'?
Great for a guy with no prospects.
Seems like running those bandits outta this place...
doesn't qualify as prior job experience.
Iolaus, you don't need a job. Not in this town. That's for sure.
I've decided to move on, get a change of scenery.
King Trancas is expecting us tomorrow. On the way, we'll talk about this.
There's nothing to talk about. Yes, there is.
Hercules, I meant what I said.
[ Sighs ] I feel like I need a--
a fresh start, a new life.
You're the one that said I should take some time to sort things out.
Well, maybe that's true.
I just know that, for now, I need a little space.
Okay. I mean, if that's what you want.
I'll go on to see Trancas alone. When I get back, we'll talk.
I don't know where I'm gonna be.
That's all right. I'll find you.
[ Wolf Howling ]
[ Coins Clatter ]
Fortune. Oh! I'm not ready for this.
Uh, I feel terrible.
What should I say? "I'm sorry"? For starters.
Aw, that doesn't seem like enough.
- I don't know. I'm at a loss for words. - Now, that would be a first.
No. You see, it's my fault, that woman dying,
Iolaus blaming himself, breaking up your partnership.
Oh, wait, wait. You're responsible for what happened?
Well, yes and no. I don't know.
What do you think? Did I screw up? Maybe I don't wanna know.
- Do I? - I have no idea what you're talking about.
Why don't you start at the beginning, and make it short.
Well, what's to tell? Lexus-- he lost the toss.
He was pretty sore, like I was pickin' on him, like he didn't deserve it.
What else is new? I was doin' my job.
I can't make deals. I got rules.
Break the rules, and I could end up Goddess of, uh, Dirt or something.
Okay, okay. I've got it so far. Could you, uh--
What, get to the point? Yeah.
I can do that, I think.
He loses his money, they wind up at the bridge,
she dies, Iolaus feels responsible, when he's not...
and I have to make things right.
Question is, "What to do?"
The answer is "Nothing." Youdo nothing.
You think I'm gonna screw it up. That's it, isn't it?
You don't think I can do it, whatever "it" is.
Fortune, leave it alone. Iolaus will be fine.
Okay. Great.
I know when my input's not needed.
I hope I can count on that.
It's all right. I've got you.
Trust me. Give me your hand.
- I can't! - I've got you.
[ Screaming ]
Don't let me fall!
[ Screaming ]
[ Crying ]
[ Fortune ] You should listen to Hercules.
Who said that?
Time for-- Who are you?
I'm Fortune, Goddess of Luck.
Hercules said that your friendship would see you through this doubt.
I love Hercules.
He's like a brother to me. I'd do anything for him.
[ Crying ] But right now, I--
I wish I'd never met him.
If I hadn't have,
I wouldn't have been at that bridge.
He'd have saved that woman, and she'd be alive now. Instead--
Oh, I-- I-- Okay.
Okay. Now, this isn't exactly my department, but go with me on this.
What I'll do is I'll blank out your memory of what happened.
That should set your mind at ease. You can do that?
You don't think I can?
Why did you say that?
Oh! What if I can't? But I am in charge or winning and losing.
You want to lose this memory. I can do that, I think.
Uh, yeah.
Okay. [ Sniffling ]
Ah!
Okay. Now, remember earlier today,
you were helping a couple at a bridge,
you and Hercules?
Wait.
Who's Hercules?
And who are you?
Oh, someone who's in big trouble.
Uh, I guess you got your wish.
It's as if you'd never met Hercules.
[ People Chattering ]
Hey. H-Hey, buddy. How about a dinar?
Get off me! [ Scoffs ]
[ Sighs ] So, this is Nemea.
[ Coin Clatters ]
Hi. Hi yourself, stranger.
Welcome to Nemea.
Why don't ya step into my office?
Don't you wanna see the color of my money?
Honey, for you, [ Gasps, Moans ]
I'll run a tab.
[ Both Laughing ]
[ Continue Laughing ]
[ Knife Unsheathes ]
[ Man ] Thanks for bringin' him here, Lydia.
[ Thugs Groaning ]
Hey! Where you goin'? They made me do it. I swear!
[ Laughing ] Come on. Make yourself useful.
You wanna get outta here?
You're not like any man I've ever known.
Where did you come from?
I don't know.
That is the truth.
The last thing I remember, some pals and I were knocking over a jewelry stand.
[ Cooing ] I must have been 15 at the time.
Wherever you were since then,
you sure found out what a girl likes.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on.
When are you gonna show me around this place, entertain me?
Are you bored? Huh?
[ Chuckling ]
Trancas, why don't you just send an army escort with the money?
Because the mission's gotta stay secret,
and you and Iolaus are better protection than a battalion of regular army.
Say, where is Iolaus?
Iolaus, uh, was tied up on a personal matter.
Is he okay? Yeah. Yeah, he'll be fine.
Tell me something. Sending this money to the people of Nemea...
is a good thing, so why all the secrecy?
Nemea's government is on the verge of collapse.
I have other "allies"-- kings-- who would like to see that happen.
It would be an easy conquest for them.
But since I'd like to keep these other kings as allies instead of enemies,
they can't know I'm sending aid.
You and this money may be the last hope the Nemeans have.
[ Grunting ]
This is Spiro.
Spiro. Hercules. [ Chuckles ]
He trains the teamsters for my army. He's the best there is.
Any problems on the road to Nemea, you talk to Hercules.
He's the boss, sir, till you say different.
Good luck, Hercules. You can count on us.
We'll be fine, Trancas. Come on! Hyah!
[ People Laughing, Chattering ] [ Man ] More meat here!
[ Man ] He's been on a winning streak all night.
[ Man #2 ] He knows how to play his hand.
Excuse me.
Ha ha! Your luck's over.
This is mine.
- Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh. - Wait a minute.
What do they call you?
Huh? Dingus.
[ Laughing ] That's wrong.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
They call you... loser.
Loser! Loser!
Lo-oo-ser!
Huh?
[ Chuckling ]
We had a good game, didn't we, Dingus?
Yeah. Yeah.
Mead for everybody. It's on me.
- [ Laughter, Chattering ] -[ Man ] I will have a drink.
[ Laughing ]
Bring him over here.
My boss wants to see you.
Hey. Come on.
This guy is Thanatos.
Hey. Hey.
He works for Zeno. I want no part.
Uh-uh-uh-uh.
Welcome to my place. Sit. Eat.
I am Zeno.
- I think I have a place in my business for you. - What kind of business?
You go with Thanatos tomorrow,
call on a "client."
Nice place you got here.
[ Neighing ]
You handle the team well, Spiro.
My wife says I think like a horse.
What does she mean by that, huh? [ Laughing ]
So, Hercules, what's the story? I thought you got a partner.
Not this time. Hey, I'm pretty handy.
Maybe you and me get to kick some Nemean butt before we finish this trip.
You don't like Nemeans? They lie and cheat and steal.
Aside from that, no problem.
[ Horse Neighs ]
There's a fork in the trail up ahead. Go south.
That trail's pretty rough.
Too rough?
Not if it's the way you wanna go.
Well, in case there's trouble, I know the south way better.
Trouble? Nemeans? You never know.
Yea! [ Clicks Tongue ]
Hyah!
[ Thanatos ] Zeno wants his 50 dinars.
Oh, listen to Mr. Death. Fifty dinars? Why not a hundred?
- That would be okay. - No. I'm trying to make a point.
-You see, I don't have 50 dinars. - That's real bad.
Oh! Oh, I-I'm-- I'm deathly afraid of knives.
- Dead, he pays us nothing. - [ Stammering ]
Friend, you-- you can't get blood from a turnip.
No, friend, but he can get blood out of you.
And he will if you don't pay up.
I can only hold him back for so long.
Look, I could come up with... 25.
I think you'd better get it.
[ Metal Box Clattering ]
Tell Zeno...
I promise I'll have the other 25 tomorrow.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Tomorrow, you still owe him 50.
This just gets you through today in one piece.
[ Chuckles ]
[ Grunts ] Wagon's not built for this.
It's on. [ Loud Thump ]
But not by much.
[ Sighs ] Oh. Hello.
Could I ride with you for a way?
I'm awful tired. Of course you can.
Are you traveling out here alone?
I'm going home to Nemea.
My, um-- My husband died of fever,
and I'm trying to get to my parents' house before it's time for the baby.
Well, then we'd better hurry up. Thank you.
This guy had that nitwit so scared of me,
I thought he'd die of fright.
Twenty dinars. Not bad.
- What do you think, Iolaus? - What do I think?
I think he gave us 25 dinars.
I think this guy's stealing from you.
I'm going to cut you three ways.
Yeah, I know-- deep, wide and frequent.
- But first, we gotta get straight about the rules. - Rules? What rules?
There are no rules.
I was right about you, my friend.
You're my new number one man.
- This is not right, Zeno. - I always knew you were skimming.
But to do so openly is a sign of disrespect.
This I cannot ignore.
This is not right!
Loyalty.
It's almost a thing of the past.
Nobody these days seems to care.
- Can I trust you, Iolaus? - Long as you pay me.
[ Chuckling ] At last, an honest man.
Old Diogenes would be pleased.
But I sense there's more to the man than need of a payday.
You can count on me, Zeno.
[ Sniffs ]
You look concerned. I'd like to scout farther ahead,
but I can't leave the wagon unprotected.
Well, you can't be in two places at once.
Usually, that's not a problem.
I, uh, have a friend. We back each other up.
It feels odd not having him here. Hmm.
We'll be fine.
Well, that looks... comfortable.
The wagon's not made for soft riding.
You surprise me, Spiro. You know, she's from Nemea.
Oh, I don't know about you, but I got no itch to be a midwife.
[ Chuckling ] Partner.
Mm-hmm.
What?
Huh?
I've always been a good soldier.
I did everything Zeno ever asked.
This is how I'm rewarded. "You're out, Thanatos."
No. It's you who's out, Zeno.
We're taking over-- Zeno's rackets, his business.
As for Zeno,
there's a cold spot in the swamps for him,
him and his new number one man,
this Iolaus.
[ Woman ] Is it okay? Doesn't look too bad.
Oh, good.
So, Spiro is Trancas's best man. Yeah.
[ Straining ]
-[ Whip Cracks ] - [ Whinnies ]
Don't...
do... that!
- [ Whinnying ] - [ Screaming ]
I said don't do that. [ Grunts ]
[ Whimpering ] Help! Help!
[ Woman Screams ]
Got-- Whoa!
[ Whimpering ]
[ Rapid Breathing ]
Whoa!
- [ Sighs ] - Oh!
Oh! Are you okay?
[ Gasping ] No!
Hang on. We're almost home.
A wagon full of dinars, like a plum ripe for the picking.
So, what's the plan?
I've had a scout keeping track of the wagon for some time.
I've hired muscle for the job.
What I haven't had till now was someone to lead them,
someone I could trust.
I won't let you down, Zeno. So, what are we up against?
How many guards? One guard.
What's the catch? The one guard is Hercules.
[ Scoffs ] One guy?
It's one guy.
[ Chuckling ] Such audacity. But don't underestimate Hercules.
He's the equal of 10, 20, perhaps a hundred ordinary men.
But then you, my friend, are not ordinary, are you?
The wagon and the money are ours.
The big guy's Hercules.
Take him first. Right.
[ All Yelling ]
You guys in town for the convention?
Way to go. Thanks.
No worries, Herc. I got your back.
How comforting.
- Iolaus. - How did you know my name?
Know your name? Of course I know your name. What are you talking about?
So, you're Hercules. Pretty impressive.
What are you doing?
Come on. Let's see what you got, huh?
I thought you were tough!
- I'm not gonna fight you. - Come on. Give me something.
What, you afraid of me?
Huh? Come on. Come on.
What has happened to you? Don't you know who you are?
I know enough to make you bleed. Hah!
You may not know who you are, but I do.
[ Yells ]
[ Gasps ]
- I knew you wouldn't hurt me. - I don't even know why I didn't.
Because you're my best friend, and you have been for years.
No. I never laid eyes on you before.
[ Groans ] I want some answers, and I want them now!
Your place, your business.
All mine. [ Man ] That's right.
You'll find being boss is less than you expect, Thanatos.
You'll fear each stranger, looking for one like you.
Then one day, he'll be there, and it'll be your time. I'll be smarter.
My time will be a long time coming.
Now come on, old man. We've got work to do.
Oh. Careful.
Oh, thanks. You're welcome.
Thank you, for me and for my child.
I can't wait till he's old enough to hear my adventure with Hercules.
"He"? You're sure it's a boy?
The oracle said it would be, and I hope it is.
I'll name him after his father.
Good luck, Ara.
Oh, wait. You know this town.
Have you heard of a man named Zeno?
Everyone in Nemea knows of Zeno.
You'll find him near the tavern-- east side of town.
Good-bye, Hercules. Good-bye.
Nice lady. Yeah, she's all right,
you know, for a Nemean.
All right, all right. I got your point.
[ Chuckling ] I was wrong.
The king will be pleased. Take care, Hercules.
You too. Travel safely, Spiro. Thanks.
[ Horses Whinny ]
Hi. [ Man ] You got a light?
[ Woman ] Hmm!
Hello?
Zeno. Zeno's not here.
Actually, I was looking for you.
- I'm gonna help you. - I tried to rob you.
You didn't know what you were doing.
I knew exactly what I was doing.
You'll understand when I explain it to you.
Yeah, well, that's gotta wait. I gotta get Zeno before they kill him.
- Who's got him? - The guy I replaced.
He's taken him to the swamp, where they hide their mistakes.
Iolaus.
Why are you helping Zeno? He's a criminal.
Yeah, he's a criminal. He's my friend.
Be sure to save some room down there for your pal.
He'll be along soon. [ Iolaus ] Thanatos!
Thanatos? He has a name that means "death"?
[ Yelling, Grunting ]
- Iolaus! - What?
[ Grunting, Gasping ]
Wha-What is this?
Oh, yeah.
Cool. Oh. Zeno.
- Here. Wait for my signal. - One pull.
Two pulls, I'm comin' in after you. Okay.
Zeno!
Iolaus.
Iolaus!
Come on. Come on.
That's it. Come on.
I was right about you from the start.
You're a stand-up man. I owe you my life.
I didn't pull you out of that swamp so you could spend the rest of your life in prison.
Hercules said I had a lot to answer for--
things I've done-- and he's right.
I have a debt, and I have to pay it.
I just wish there was some way I could help you.
There is. Find yourself another line of work.
This one's a dead end.
Good advice.
Another line of work? Maybe.
I've got one in mind. Ready to get your life back?
I don't know. What's it gonna cost me?
How about one dinar? Aw, great. My life is worth one dinar.
[ Fortune ] Very clever, Hercules.
[ Gasps ] Who are you?
Depending on how it goes, your best friend or your worst nightmare.
I'm sorry. Hercules said, "Do nothing."
But I couldn't do nothing, so I had to do something.
I-- It just didn't work out.
I am surrounded by people I do not understand.
I wiped out your memory. You wanted a fresh start.
You gotta admit-- this is the mother of all fresh starts.
I'm sorry. I was just tryin' to help.
I should've known better. Fortune. Today.
[ Exhales ] Always in a rush. Okay.
Ah!
Hey! Hey, Hercules! Welcome back, buddy.
Good luck, Iolaus.
So, uh, this is you, right?
No. [ Laughing ]
Wait a minute.
Hercules, I remember everything.
I dropped that woman. Then I did those terrible things.
I can't believe this. I behaved like a common criminal.
Listen, didn't you jump into that swamp, risk your life to save Zeno?
- Well, yeah. - There's nothing common or criminal about that.
Right? I guess.
Come on.
But I robbed, I stole. I even tried to kill you.
You lost your memory. You didn't know yourself.
But your heart drew the line at real evil. You could never take my life.
No. No, you're right.
You know what?
I can't forget that woman's face.
Of course you can't, and you never will.
- You did everything humanly possible to save her. - I tried.
That's all any of us can do.
Hercules. Hmm?
Thanks for believing in me.
Ah. That's what friends are for.