In
a tavern in Asgard, Thor and Hercules are engaged in a strenuous round of
arm-wrestling, surrounded by other drinkers betting on the outcome. Eventually,
the table breaks and the arm wrestling turns into a fist fight, halted by a
testy Zeus. The two combatants explain that it was to determine which of them
would get to fight Pluto. Irritable, Zeus suggests they go out as allies rather
than enemies and they again shake hands….
Ares,
riding through the dark forest near Mount Olympus, stops for a drink of water
and he sees a ghastly creature watching him from the pond. He jerks the water
troll out of the pond and learns the creature is a messenger of Pluto. The
troll tells him that Pluto is awaiting him at the Gates of Hell where they will
meet their foes. Angered at being ordered about like a servant, Ares continues
his journey, vowing retribution….
Back
in Asgard, Odin, with the Grand Vizier, Sif, and Hildegarde, is watching Thor
via the visi-globe and they are puzzled by Thor making an alliance with
Hercules, whom they still consider a villain. Odin checks things out and finds
Krista is still enslaved by Pluto, so Odin counsels the others to have faith in
Thor. Privately, Odin confesses to the Vizier that he is having doubts about
his son….
Journeying
through the forests of Greece, Thor and Herc are attacked by an army of trolls
and easily clobber them. Thor sees them at a disadvantage as Pluto can guess
their next move but they don’t know what the Lord of the Underworld is
planning. They decide to consult a witch of the moors named Chaga. They drop by
her hut and she asks for payment in news about the outside world, which she has
not seen in years. After an hour of talk, they ask her for answers. She
consults the ashes in her bowl and reveals that the bad guy is Ares and he is
awaiting them at the Gates of Hell. Herc deduces that it was the God of War who
impersonated him in the mystic globe. At the Gate they encounter Ares, as
promised. Thor takes him on and discovers that Ares’ strength is triple its
normal level. As they fight Herc asks about Mjolnir and Thor gives a brief
history while dueling with the enemy. Thor then realizes that Ares is being
powered up by Pluto and redoubles his efforts, ending with him smashing Ares
through a wall. So, Thor and Hercules enter the cavern called the Gates of Hell
to face Pluto….