" The full moon shone brightly down upon the mountains of Snowdonia. It was very late and most but the nocturnal were fast asleep; unaware of the intruders approaching the mountain range.
Nestled just below the peak of the highest mountain, Mt Snowdon rested a solitary hut. A little further down was a bigger, more elegant building made of glass and solar panels.
A figure sat on top of the hut gazed down at the building and smiled before looking back to the moon and stars. He began chanting a few words before scribbling them down on a piece of paper in hand.
“It’s a shame the sun doesn’t give you more light to shine like this all the time…” he muttered to the sky. He stretched then yawned and looked down at the beautiful landscape below. “At least my insomnia comes in handy on gorgeous nights like this… now to finish my song off.” He continued to himself. The man was about to add to his paper when the sound of gun shots rang out a little way below him followed by cries. Startled he focused on the grand building below till he caught sight of a figure running up towards him. She shouted something.
“What? What’s going on?” the figure on the roof called down as he stood.
“Apollo! Please come quick, there’s another God in your lab!” the woman cried up to him as she stopped a few feet away. Dropping his paper, Apollo grabbed his rucksack and pulled it across his shoulders before pressing two buttons on each shoulder strap. The bag stirred and the woman below watch with awe as the rucksack shifted and expanded across his chest and back then into a grand pair of wings.
“Stay here; you can hide in my hut. I will send the other workers here, so keep an eye out for me,” Apollo told the woman who gave him the thumbs up before he launched himself off the hut roof and towards the lab. He glided down to the back entrance of the building before folding the wings down. As stealthy as he could, he entered the building. Nothing but silence greeted him.
Dashing as quietly as he could Apollo ran through the deserted corridors aimlessly until a voice called out.
“Apollo; God of light and the Arts… nice of you to come and say hello.” It said. Apollo froze before turning on the spot. A tall muscular man in light combat armour stood a few feet away; a wry smile on his face. Apollo frowned.
“Ares… What are you doing at my home? It’s the middle of the night…” he questioned before yawning.
“Now those wings I like…” Ares exclaimed; ignoring Apollo’s question and moving closer to examine them. Apollo stepped back.
“What’s your game Ares? I know you’re here for something” Apollo asked again. Ares crossed his arms.
“I’m bored Apollo. I want more stuff to play with… and your wings I must have…” he answered with the smile still on his face. Apollo’s eyes widened.
“That’s ridiculous Ares. You know you can only have what you’re given. Plus, you know nothing about light…you need to get out now,” Apollo ordered; his wings spreading in defence. Ares moved a little closer before suddenly raising his hands and slamming Apollo against the wall. Ares grinned.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m the God of War, and I plan to create one. The world is a more boring place now everyone is working together to save what we have left.” He threatened.
“They should never have made you a God…” Apollo muttered. “Why come to me to tell me this?”
Ares grabbed the shoulder straps of Apollo’s wings.
“You’re first because I want your technology. You’re in charge of the sun… what better weapon than that? Plus you’re a wimp… you can’t hurt a fly,” Ares laughed. Apollo frowned at him.
“You can’t win that easy,” he told Ares before putting his hand in his pocket, pulling out a little cylinder and throwing it to the floor. It exploded into a burst of light; temporarily blinding Ares. Having closed his eyes beforehand Apollo wriggled out of Ares’ grasp easily then ran off towards the cries.
“Daedalus! Icarus! Phaethon! Where are you guys?” he cried out as he turned into the main lobby. He stopped in his tracks and felt his heart skip. 30 or so people were encircled by robots dressed as soldiers.
“We’re here Apollo…” a voice called out from the circle. Apollo approached a few steps before the soldiers raised their guns. The sound of sobbing caught Apollo’s ears and he turned to see a woman crying of fright; a soldier holding a gun to her head. Apollo slowly reached round to his rucksack and pulled out a small stick; which then extended into an elegant bow.
“Heads up!” he cried before pulling an arrow from his rucksack and aiming it at the soldier’s head. The robot turned just in time for the arrow to pierce through its head and pull it off. The woman managed a smile and thumbs up to Apollo who returned it.
“Enemy! Attack!” the robot soldiers cried in unison. They all turned and advanced on Apollo who armed his bow ready.
“Everyone run! Get to my retreat and stay there till this place is cleared” Apollo ordered. The workers began scattering out of the exit.
“Apollo what are you doing? You need to escape too!” cried a young boy as he stood watching Apollo firing arrows at the soldiers. He turned to the boy and winked.
“It’s all good Icarus; just make sure everyone gets out alright for me” Apollo called out in reply. He turned to put his thumb up to Icarus when a soldier caught him of guard and pulled him to the ground. Within seconds he was swamped by the robots.
“Soldiers cease attacking!” a voice barked down the corridor. They stopped automatically and stood to attention at Ares who walked up to them. Slowly they parted to reveal Apollo disorientated on the floor; spread eagled with his wings. Ares loomed over him; arms folded and the cruel smile across his face.
“’You can’t win that easy’… I was hoping for a better show down than this Apollo,” he laughed. Seeing the man reach for his bow Ares moved forward and slammed his foot on Apollo’s hand. He screamed out in pain.
“Seize him and take his wings and bow,” Ares ordered as he moved away and out of the building. The robots forced Apollo to his feet and easily stripped him of his prized possessions.
“Cuff him for the journey back” Ares added from outside. Apollo’s eyes widened.
“What? You got my tech, why do you need me?” he questioned as the robots forced him out onto the chilly mountain side. Ares turned to him.
“Well if I want a war, I need to have some reason for other God’s to get involved. Who better than the passive Light God?” was the reply. The soldiers began to descend the mountainside; dragging Apollo with them. Apollo looked up at the moon and stars and sighed. It was going to be a long night. "
