One interesting Ares and Athena fanfiction could be about their rivalry in a modern setting. For example, they could be competing in a business world, with Ares using his aggressive tactics and Athena her wisdom. Another might focus on a time when they have to team up against a common enemy from the underworld. In this story, they would have to put aside their differences and combine their powers.
Some fanfictions explore their relationship in a romantic light. This is quite different from the traditional view of them. In these stories, they might discover a hidden side of each other. For instance, Ares could be softened by Athena's intelligence and grace, and Athena might be intrigued by Ares' raw power. However, this goes against the typical understanding of their characters in Greek mythology, which makes it an interesting take.
A plot could revolve around a mortal who prays to both Ares and Athena simultaneously. The two gods are intrigued and descend to the mortal world. There, they find that the mortal's problem is a complex one that requires both war - like strategy and wisdom to solve. As they work together, they discover new aspects of each other and their relationship evolves.
One idea could be a story where Ares and Athena are forced to team up in a battle against a common enemy greater than any they've faced before. Their different combat styles - Ares' brute force and Athena's strategic warfare - clash at first but then start to blend in a unique way, creating a new form of fighting. This could lead to a begrudging respect for each other that slowly turns into something more complex, like an unexpected friendship or the start of a romantic tension.
Another way is to show a begrudging respect. Ares might respect Athena's intelligence in battle even though he is more impulsive. In the fanfic, there could be a scene where Ares witnesses Athena outwit an enemy with her wisdom, and he has to admit, albeit reluctantly, that she has her merits. Then, this could lead to a more complex relationship where they start to collaborate on some military matters.
One common theme is the clash of their personalities. Ares being the god of war, impulsive and violent, while Athena represents wisdom and strategy. Another theme is the idea of forbidden love, as they are often seen as being on different sides in the mythology.
One great 'ares x athena fanfiction' story is 'The Forbidden Bond'. It delves into their complex relationship in a unique way, exploring how their opposing natures might find common ground. Another is 'Ares and Athena: Unlikely Allies' which shows them teaming up against a greater threat, with some really interesting character interactions.
Some fanfictions focus on their character development. Athena might be shown learning about the more primal aspects of power from Ares, while Ares could gain some wisdom from Athena. It's also popular to see them in modern - day settings in fanfictions, like they are reincarnated and have to deal with the modern world while still having their inherent god - like qualities and the complex relationship that comes with it.
You can start by looking on fanfiction websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3). It has a large collection of fan - made stories, and you can easily search for Ares and Athena fanfiction there. There are also some dedicated Greek mythology fanfiction forums where writers share their works about these two characters.
There are also fanfictions that explore Ares' relationships. Maybe a story where he forms an unexpected alliance with a mortal. This mortal could be a strong - willed character who challenges Ares' views. Through their interactions, Ares learns about different values and emotions that he hadn't considered before.
It could be a very unique married life. Ares might bring his passion and energy into their relationship, while Athena would use her wisdom to manage their affairs. They could be a powerful couple, with Ares protecting their domain physically and Athena making smart decisions for their future. They might also host grand feasts in Olympus where they showcase their combined influence, with Ares showing off his war trophies and Athena impressing the guests with her intellectual discussions.
In many fanfictions, Athena stands out as a well - written character. She is usually portrayed as having a deep understanding of the world and the people in it. Her ability to see multiple sides of a situation is often highlighted. For example, in some stories, she is the one who mediates between warring factions. Ares, on the other hand, is well - written when his internal conflict is explored. His love for war but also his awareness of its destruction can create a multi - dimensional character.