 After Hercules defeats Typhon within the alternate universe Hera's machine created, Athena reveals that Hercules must die so that Cho can take his place as Prince of Power, and, tearfully saying that she considers herself Hercules' real mother and that she fed him Hera's milk to increase his power, she destroys the machine, seemingly killing him.Athena later attends Hercules's funeral with Neptune, Hebe, Apollo and Pluto, presenting Amadeus Cho (whose own relationship with her has been deeply strained due to Hercules's demise and her initial lack of attendance at his funeral), with an offer to have him serve as the new head of their Olympus Group.Apollo challenges Athena for leadership of the Olympians, leading a brawl between various champions, with Athena and her allies triumphing.