Title: The Prodigal Son Returns 5/?
Author: Kate R.
Disclaimer: Own nothing and no one used herein.

Ethan was sitting, reading a book Giles had brought while Strife was resting. He sighed when he felt a power similar to his brush the shield so he went out to the living room where he found Janus sitting and waiting.

"What do you want?" Ethan asked. Janus stared at him for a moment before slowly reaching out to touch him. Ethan backpedaled feeling the compulsion. "Don't Even," he growled. "I am far too strong for that to work on me, Father!" He finished with a snarl. Giles came into the room then and stood behind Ethan, sharing his strength.

"Let him speak his piece Ripper," Ethan said. "Then we can rip his arguments to shreds."

Giles made a 'Proceed' gesture and Janus drew himself up to his full height.

"I am your father as well, Ethan," he said. Ethan laughed, a harsh, brittle sound.

"You think that I'm here for Strife?" Ethan asked. Janus looked at him.

"You came to aid him. I have a right to tell you not to."

"And I am old enough to decide for myself who I help and how and when and where. I am not here to help Strife, father," Ethan snarled. "I am here to save the babies. That's it. That's the only reason I'm here in this temple right now. Otherwise I'd be I Asphodel overseeing Hades' healing. Funny thing is, Uncle Zeus can't order anything down there. You wont cost Strife the babies, Janus. I wont allow it. You two ruined my childhood, lets see if either of you can do better with this one."

"They kept you from me," Janus hissed. Ethan's eyes flashed then.

"No, they did not. You didn't want me around. I used to spend entire days outside your temple hoping you would open the door for me so I could come in. You never did. You did not want me either because I wasn't all yours. You made me the focus of a feud and I'm saying it stops now or I leave after this and never come back."

"You are Olympian," Janus said. "You have to come back."

"No, I grew up in Asphodel. I am not Olympian. Remember who I am, father. I am Ethan, Lord of Wild Magic, Chaos Incarnate, God of Frost and Fire. Zeus may not order me as he does everyone else and nor may you. I am that which was your Godhead. I am Chaos. You have no true power over me. You are merely the God of Gateways. I. AM. CHAOS!"

Janus staggered back as Ethan's full Godhead snapped into place and there was an audible shift in power. Ripper laid his hand on Ethan's shoulder as the power settled into him. No more power fluxes would assault Ethan, no more sharp pain. He was in control of that which he drew power from and Janus could no longer influence it.

"You are one who gave me life," Ethan said. "Do not make me take yours as is what normally happens. I care for you both but don't ever think I'll allow either of you to ever hurt another child, as I was hurt. Clear?"

"You would destroy us both, wouldn't you?" Janus asked. Ethan merely nodded.

"If you do not change. I will destroy Zeus as well if he does not give up this charade. He is not the king of the gods. I know this. Don't think I'll allow innocents to be hurt in his petty fights. I wont. Go away now father. I have work to do."

Ethan turned back into Strife's room dismissing his other father to return to Strife and keep the shield from falling. The shield's power increased suddenly as Ethan accessed his full godhead. No one could touch that room unless Ethan allowed it now. That was it. Chaos had returned to Olympus. Let those who had tried to supercede Order beware.

TBC...
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