Now that the siege of Atlantis has been lifted, Ariadne is officially crowned queen and completes her coronation ceremony. Dion informs her that the custom is to hold official coronation games, and though Ariadne is reluctant to have such a diversion when Pasiphae is still out there, Dion says that improving the morale of the people of Atlantis is important. Dion nominates Jason to be Atlantis’s champion for the games. Though Ariadne says this would be inappropriate, Dion insists that Jason is the best person for the job.
Jason accepts the order despite Hercules and Pythagoras attempting to persuade him otherwise. Hercules is very upset that Jason would take part in such an unnecessary risk even when he knows that he can’t win Ariadne’s hand. Pythagoras gets Hercules to reveal what the Oracle told him about Jason. Since they can’t protect him directly in the arena, the best they can do is help him train.
While the heroes are training in the woods, they come across a young man being attacked by bandits. After being rescued, the man introduces himself as Telemon, and explains that he has come to compete in the games. The heroes take him to Atlantis and let him spend the night at their house.
At the coronation games, Telemon is revealed to be the prince of Aegina.Telemon has an audience with Ariadne and explains that he came to the games alone to escape from the difficulties of royal life for a while. He also suggests the possibility of an alliance between Atlantis and Aegina, which would be made stronger if the two of them were married.
The games begin, and Jason wins his first match. Areto of Scythia (another competitor at the games) says she recognizes Telemon from her time spent as a prisoner in the salt mines of Hydra.Areto wins her first match of the games, and when Pythagoras asks her if she knows Telemon, she tells him where she recognizes him from, unaware that Telemon is eavesdropping on their conversation.Telemon confides in Jason his hope of winning Ariadne’s hand. Though Jason keeps his composure near Telemon, Hercules notices that he doesn’t eat when he comes home that night. Pythagoras tells Hercules what Areto told him, and Hercules remembers that Telemon wears a brace on his right hand, the same place where Areto has a prison brand. They wonder if Telemon is a criminal lying about being the prince of Aegina.
Ariadne asks Dion for advice about Telmon’s proposal, and though Dion can tell her heart is elsewhere, he urges her to accept for the good of Atlantis.At the amphitheater, Areto is found dead. Pythagoras suspects Telemon had something to do with her death.
When the fighting is finished that day, Pythagoras challenges Telemon to take off his brace. Telemon reveals that he was indeed branded in the salt mines of Hydra. However, he is truly the prince of Aegina. Years ago, he had run off to go adventuring and had fallen in with a band of pirates. His reckless actions led his father, the King, to punish him. Leonidas, another competitor, confirms Telemon’s story.
Telemon and Ariadne dine together that night, and when Telemon asks if she has had other suitors, Ariadne admits she has feelings for someone else who she can never marry.
Jason is wounded in his next battle. After the match, Ariadne speaks with him. She says her feelings have not changed, but that these are difficult times. Telemon sees her speak with Jason and notes that she must think highly of him.
The next match is between Telemon and Leonidas. Hercules is surprised to see the previously undefeated Leonidas make several rookie mistakes, despite his formidable reputation. After Telemon wins, Hercules asks Leonidas what happened, and Leonidas rapidly packs up and tries to leave. When Hercules presses him, Leonidas admits that Telemon bribed him to throw the fight.
Pythagoras and Hercules wonder why Telemon cheated and realize that Telemon wants to fight Jason so that he can get rid of his main rival for Ariadne’s love. They tell Jason what they believe, but Jason refuses to withdraw from the competition.
Telemon asks Ariadne if she has come to a decision about marrying him, and she says she will give him an answer the next day.
For the final match of the coronation games, Telemon and Jason face each other in the arena. Despite Telemon bringing out a hidden dagger, Jason wins and is crowned with a laurel wreath.That night, Telemon seeks out Ariadne and asks her for her answer. She replies that she would be honored to accept his proposal.
Tropes
- Bread and Circuses: Treated somewhat sympathetically. The reason for having the coronation games is to raise the morale of the Atlanteans by diverting their attention from their recent tragedies.
- Gladiator Games: What the coronation games amount to, though no deaths occur in the arena.
- Graceful Loser: Telemon takes losing to Jason surprisingly well, though he’s probably keeping his composure to impress Ariadne.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Overlapping with No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. The next episode reveals that Telemon is a mole sent by Pasiphae. Had the heroes not rescued him from the bandits, all the trouble of the next few episodes might have been avoided.
- Rebel Prince: Telemon.
- Throwing the Fight: Leonidas is bribed by Telemon to let him win.
- Undisclosed Funds: Leonidas says that Telemon paid him "enough never to have to compete again."
