Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 6

The elevator ride down was led in silence. Thalia refused to say anything, but still felt grateful that Nico had joined her. Even if she needed or had to speak, she didn't know what to say. There was nothing to say anyway. Her ex-dad had disowned her, and she had beaten up Ares. She didn't even know if she was the lieutenant of Artemis anymore. Probably not, she decided.

Thalia's ears hurt because of the music in the elevator. Not only that, but the words of Zeus rung in her ears clearly. And no matter how strong people are, they can feel pain as well. And today was definitely the day, where she felt pain. Emotional pain.

Nico watched Thalia as the elevator went down to the lobby. He watched as emotions flickered on her face like a movie. Call him a stalker, it was being concerned. Whatever he had thought of her not caring was now changed. In truth was, he knew that she did care. A lot. A strangled choking noise was heard, and he pretended not to notice as she turned away, hiding her face from them world.

The elevator door dinged, and the doors slid open. They stepped out of the elevator, and walked towards the door quickly, wanting to get out of the building as quickly as possible. It was when Nico accidentally banged his head on the door, when Thalia got the idea.

"Nico," Thalia started out slowly, still thinking of her idea. "Can you and you alone get people out of Tartarus?"

"There's this rope in Hades's office that's long enough to get people out of Tartarus but..." Nico trailed off, but then his eyes widened as he looked at Thalia. "I want to do that as well but I can never get past Hades's office without being caught."

"You have to try! It's the only way he's getting out of there. The gods won't do anything for his release, you've seen them!"

Nico didn't reply for a while. He thought it was a great idea, but then again, it was in Hades's office. And if anyone tried to even attempt of stealing anything, let alone the rope, they could die, or worse. No exceptions. Even for his own son...

"You and Perce own me a huge favor," Nico finally muttered. "Fine I'll do it. The bright side of dying is that I can finally see my sister and mom again I guess."

"I'm glad you're seeing the bright side of things," Thalia replied, as she dragged Nico off to somewhere.

Once the two cousins were both in a place where no one could see them, Nico touched Thalia's shoulder and shadow traveled them both to the entrance to the Underworld in Central Park. The son of Hades was used to it, but his passenger still wasn't. After the trip was over, she held onto a random tree, to calm down from her mini headache and dizziness.

While Thalia was resting, Nico sat down on the ground. He closed his eyes and imagined himself walking to Hades's office, and trying to get past all the security to get that rope, and then a bird would be tapping him on the shoulder... His eyes opened and saw that his cousin was tapping him on the shoulder. He was glad she wasn't a mind reader or else she would probably severely injure him because of calling her a bird.

"Can you make some music?" Nico asked Thalia once he got up from his sitting position.

"Is singing 'la la la' ok?" Thalia asked Nico sarcastically.

Nico shrugged, getting the sarcasm but choosing to ignore it.

"Can't you conjure up a skeleton musician or something?" Thalia questioned impatiently, as she looked at Nico who wasn't doing anything.

With a 'why haven't I thought of that idea' face on, Nico summoned a random skeleton and it started playing the acoustic guitar loudly, making occupants in the park look at them strangely. Thalia glared at anyone who looked, which wasn't fair because they were just curious. But life wasn't fair. One lesson learned. As Mr. D would say: 'huzzah.'

"Let's go," Nico said, as he gestured for Thalia to come forwards.

Not even hesitating, Thalia stepped forwards as darkness greeted her in the Underworld.

"So how do you want to do this?" Thalia asked, as she continued walking down steps.

"I'm going to try and sneak in Hades's office and get the rope."

"What are the consequences if you get caught?"

"Then I'll pay an early visit to my mom and sister."

Thalia stopped, and since Nico couldn't hear any footsteps except for his own, he halted as well. He turned his head and saw that his cousin had stopped. She wasn't so sure about this anymore. Yet she desperately wanted for Percy to get out of Tartarus. But was she that desperate, that her cousin could possibly die?

Nico saw Thalia falter as multiple expressions passed on her face. He could guess what she was thinking.

"Let's just go," Nico had to drag Thalia down the steps.

Thalia immediately pulled her hand away, and continued walking down the seemingly never-ending steps. She stayed silent for a while, thinking. Thinking... If Annabeth was here, she would think of a plan, she thought. But even when her thoughts mentioned the name, anger spread throughout. For a daughter of Athena, that was a really stupid move.

"Would you really risk it?" Thalia called out to Nico. "Would you risk your life to get Percy out of Tartarus?"

A silence washed over them, except for the footsteps trudging along the stairs. Thalia still waited for an answer, while Nico continued moving in the darkness.

"Yes."

And there went Nico's answer.

In Olympus, in the cube:

"Its revenge! I'm positive; he's trying to kill us because we sent him to Tartarus! Well now I see it, he belongs there, and will forever be a good for nothing piece of sh-"

"Shut up," Apollo's voice was sharp as he turned to glare at the camper. "Just shut up."

Hades felt someone enter his domain. He closed his eyes and saw that it was Nico and Thalia. He knew what they were going to do immediately after. They were going to find the rope to get Percy out of Tartarus. His frown was barely noticeable. Should he make an exception this time...?

Hades looked at Apollo who was still glaring at the camper. He looked all around and saw many depressed faces. But it's their fault, he realized. Maybe this should teach them a lesson. But for a demigod to suffer just because of a lesson? Just this once, he found himself thinking. Just this once.

Annabeth leaned on the cube wall, not surprised at the news. Of course it was Percy. Who else could it be? Who else would be that angry at Olympus and the people on it? She vaguely wondered where Thalia and Nico were right now. Maybe they're visiting a certain someone, she thought bitterly, still regretting her decision. And they'll all get chummy and maybe have a nice cup of tea while I'll just suffer in this cube. She reminded herself that it was her fault, which did more damage than good. Why did she have to remind herself?

Zeus was not used to sitting on the ground. So that's why, seconds later, a huge throne, exactly like the one he originally had, was on the surface of the cube. He sat on the throne proudly, looking around, and seeing depressed faces. He wondered why everyone was depressed when a thought occurred to him. Percy. Of course, he would be the reason for the depression. He used to be the reason of happiness. Turned out to be the opposite.

Zeus's mind wandered around to a subject he hadn't thought about since the earthquake had happened: Thalia, his used to be daughter until he had disowned her. And it wasn't even an official disown. It was casual, just like eating hamburgers she always liked. Anger grew inside of him as he replayed the entire scene in his mind:

"No daughter of mine would do that!" Zeus yelled, ignoring the sword pointing his way dangerously.

Thalia didn't even flinch. "Then I'm not your daughter."

"Even if you say you're not the father Zeus," Athena told them both. "Thalia is still half of you. The only thing you can do is say you're not her father."

"So be it," Zeus rumbled with fury. "I Zeus will hereby-"

"Cut the crap," Thalia cut him off. "I'm not your daughter anymore."

Zeus remembered all the dialogue used, and when Thalia walked into the elevator along with Nico, the son of Hades. Fury was evident in his face, and lightning didn't strike outside. It struck inside the cube, unintentionally striking an innocent victim.

A scream of pain was heard, an Apollo rushed to the demigod's side at once. He placed his hands on the demigod's stomach and a yellow light was shone before it faded. The pain was gone, and the demigod smiled at the healer. He smiled back.

"Control your temper," Hera warned Zeus, gazing at him sharply.

Artemis stared at Zeus before her gaze turned to something or someone else. She wanted to hunt something with her hunters, but in the cube, it was impossible to. She winced. She had left her hunters at the campsite, and they were probably wondering where she was by now. When- if she ever got out of the cube, she would return to the campsite immediately. She sighed, and her silver eyes finally landed on Athena.

Athena... The name brings wisdom to shame, Hermes mused. If it weren't for her, Percy might have been the only hero who would have gotten a happy ending... Probably. He couldn't help but wanting to punch the goddess to another country. It was all her fault. And whatever friendship they had between them was now gone.

With many people in the cube, it was hard to know that there would be almost no noise except for the occasional tears and talks.

"Percy would have cheered this mood up," a camper muttered.

"No he wouldn't, he's the reason we're in this mood," another camper snapped back.

That one moment of silence was now broken.

Outside the cube, still in Olympus:

Poseidon was lying when he thought he felt fine. Everything wasn't fine. His son was in Tartarus, and he had made matters many times worse when he went there to see where the source was. He didn't know what to feel. Regret? Remorse? But out of all of those answers, only one answer popped out the most. Guilt. He was feeling guilt. He didn't know why he had put up his hand to send him to the pit. And he didn't want to know.

"Sally," Poseidon suddenly whispered. "I've got to tell Sally what happened."

And before Poseidon had any more doubts of what would happen, he teleported away to Sally's apartment. He had never expected that he would be the one telling her. He had expected, maybe another one of the other gods could tell her. One that didn't betray Percy. But here he was, ringing the doorbell.

Sally answered the door, and was surprised to see Poseidon there. And without wasting any time, he told her everything, without even greeting her. Her face went from surprise, to shock, disgust, and it finally landed on one emotion: sadness and anger.

"How dare you?" Sally shouted, as she heard the last part about Tartarus. "How dare you vote for my son to go to Tartarus?"

It's a mother's worse fear if someone tells the mother that her child has died. And yet, here she was, Sally Jackson, hearing the news worse than death. Tartarus... And without thinking, she slapped Poseidon. Hard. And with that, she slammed the door in his face, for once in her life hoping that the door broke his nose.

In the Underworld with Thalia and Nico:

"We're here," Nico spoke for the first time in ages.

Thalia only nodded. It felt like only minutes ago when Nico had answered yes to her question. She had thought about it, and if she were in his position, she would have done the same thing as well. She sighed in what was possible relief. People said she had been selfish more than once. Now, she knew that it wasn't true.

"Wait here," Nico finished, before taking a deep breath.

Nico was about to shadow travel when Thalia suddenly hugged him. He stiffened, startled, but soon loosened up. He slowly patted her back.

"Thank you," Thalia said sincerely, as they released the hug.

Nico only nodded, as he shadow traveled into Hades's office. No alarms had sounded yet, so he took that as a good sign and continued searching. He made sure not to clutter up any death reports on the desk. He searched in drawers, and cabinets, but couldn't find it. He wondered why security hadn't killed him yet.

Better not waste any time to find out, Nico thought. He searched around more desperately, looking even under the chairs. And that was when he saw it. The rope was hanging above him all along. He carefully unattached it from its hanger, and shadow traveled out, exhaustion clearly on his face.

After Nico had shadow traveled away, Thalia kept on looking at the office in worry and concern. The three cousins had always been a family to each other, more like brothers and sisters, than cousins. She wouldn't know what to do if he got himself killed. Then she wouldn't have the rope. And if she didn't have the rope, then Percy wouldn't get out until two years had passed. Yes the hunt was her family, but her two cousins were actual family. And family had to stick together.

And just when Thalia was going to go in the office to see if anyone had died, a blur was seen. It was Nico. He lay on the floor tiredly, since he had shadow traveled a few times. He took deep breaths, and held the rope up so she could see.

"Security's low," Nico said. "It was strange."

"Let's not worry about that now," Thalia replied. "We can worry about that after we go rescue Percy."

Nico's energy suddenly felt refreshed. He stood up, and walked to the left. Thalia followed him quickly. She felt excitement creep up, but still felt shocked, but she didn't know why. Maybe it was because all the ghosts would sometimes go 'peek-a-boo' on her. She couldn't wait for Percy to be released.

"How much further?" Thalia asked Nico.

"A few minutes," Nico replied, looking left and right before deciding to go forwards.

"How many minutes?"

"Seven. Four if we run."

"Let's run then."

And without warning, Thalia began sprinting forwards, beating Nico as he looked up. He sighed, he was still tired. He followed anyway, understanding why she ran. He barely even managed to catch up with her.

"Right!" Nico yelled once he saw a black and sliver figure running forwards quickly. "Turn a right!"

Thalia stopped running, and saw that Nico was far behind. She waited a moment, hoping he would catch up quicker. Eventually, he did, catching his breath every once in a while. She shook her head, he was too slow.

"Do I have to carry you everywhere?" Thalia grumbled.

"That's not a bad idea actually..."

All that time they were speaking, they were also heading the right direction. And soon, without even noticing it, they saw Tartarus, in all its dark glory. They walked further, before Thalia nudged for Nico to speak.

"Percy!" Nico yelled.

Nico's voice echoed all around the pit like a cave. Thalia placed her hands on her ears and grimaced. It was a pretty loud yell. And in the usual silence, it was surprising to hear anything at all, let alone a yell.

"What is it?" The cold voice of Kronos answered.

"Same deal as before?" Nico replied, covering his own ears as well.

"Does our little hero want it? Maybe he doesn't wan-"

"I'll do it," a weak and hoarse voice spoke. It was quiet, but it was there. "I'll talk to them."

While Kronos's army retreated back to somewhere else, the cousins uncovered their ears.

"Nico, how are we going to explain to him, that using this rope, he can get out without alerting Kronos and his army?" Thalia asked suddenly, hoping for an answer.

"Explain it in words of a song," Nico suggested. "Like: This rope that I'm sending down is going to free the crown..."

Thalia looked startled, and then a voice called out. "Five minutes starts now."

"There is a rope we are sending down,

It will free the crown,

And you of course,

And the rest of the people who betrayed you feel remorse,

But we feel worse,

Because we haven't stopped the gods when they banished you,

And some people went to the loo,

So hold on to the rope,

You will feel dope,

As we pull the rope up,

And when you reach the top we'll be greeting you with a 'wuzzup?'

Now follow those exact words,

And then these cords,

Will bring you to freedom,

Freedom."

While singing the song, Thalia began sending the rope down hurriedly, hoping there was enough time. She had just made up the song in her head, finding words that rhymed and matching them together randomly. Nico stamped his feet so that Kronos couldn't hear the thud of the rope as it hit the bottom.

Percy vaguely wondered why Thalia was singing a song. A song about freedom. He saw a shape coming down. He backed up, and saw it come down quicker. It looked like a... Rope? Hope started rising, and there was nothing to crush that hope, as the shape was revealed.

"Now follow those exact words,

And then these cords,

Will bring you to freedom,

Freedom."

There were those words again. And Percy finally knew what to do. Five minutes were almost over, and he could already hear some noises. His bleeding hands held onto the rope, and it was pulled up. He was going to be free.

"Pull it up quicker, I can hear footsteps already!" Thalia hissed at Nico, as they hauled the rope up.

"Oh, that's my feet tapping on the ground..." Nico said sheepishly.

"Still do it quickly then."

Nico suddenly grinned; he summoned a few skeletons to help them out. Thalia grinned back, as the extra strength managed for them to almost come to the end of the rope. Almost. But not quite yet. But even when she pulled, she knew that Percy would be released. Today. And if he wasn't on the rope then... Her rhythmic pulls faltered, but then continued. He has to be on that rope. He has to be. And she pulled quicker. If they ever have a tug of war, at camp, she thought, I would definitely win.

Nico watched as the rope came up. He really hoped he didn't lose his grip. If he did, then he knew that the rope would slip, and Percy would die. For the better or the worse, he didn't know. He just hoped that his cousin would be on that rope. He felt the rope ending, and he grinned. With one last tug, he fell to the ground, but knew that something good had happened, when he heard loud footsteps.

Those loud footsteps were identified as Thalia's as Nico sat up. His grimace of landing on the floor faded and changed into a grin. Percy was on that rope, he was now certain. He was right in front of Thalia and him after all, breathing and still alive.

In Olympus, in the cube:

Hades felt a presence leave Tartarus. For a second, he worried that it might be Kronos attempting to rise, but then he remembered that Nico had gotten the rope. The rope to free Percy. So it must be Jackson, he mused. And then he smiled.

A/N: Sorry for any OOCness. Hope you all enjoyed the really long chapter. My chapters will now be varying in between 2-3k words. The song belongs to no one, I made it up myself, since I don't know any songs specifying that moment. Thanks for all the support!

eagle23: Hope it's not trash anymore...

emmalunajackson33: Percy still keeps Riptide, it says in the beginning of the story actually... But he doesn't have time to take it out. Sorry, I haven't really thought of that.