Strife frames Iolaus for stealing money from Kora's in an attempt to get at Hercules and causes Hercules, Iolaus, and Jason to be at odds with each other.

After Hercules stole Hera's chalice, he was freed from Zeus' protection which gives Ares the golden opportunity to kill his hated little brother. Ares uses Strife to lure Hercules to his mother Alcmene's house where he plans to finish him off for good.

Iolaus' old gang breaks into the Academy and holds Iolaus, Lilith, and Fiducius hostage. While Jason and the other cadets are outside trying to keep them from escaping, Hercules alone is inside trying to save the others--his key advantage being that they don't know he's there.