Okay, so this is my second chapter. Once again, I'd like to apologize for how long this has taken, but you know, issues. I hope you guys are liking this so far, and I will try to update when I can, so y'all hopefully will be seeing more soon. I want to wish you guys a happy new year and all that good stuff. And now, onto the chapter!
I DON'T OWN PJO, SORRY TO DISAPPOINT.
PERCY'S NOW FOUR (I think this'll be the last huge age gap for a while, but I'll refer back to certain ages)
ATROPOS POV
Deep within the underworld, there are often sounds of souls in mortal agony, and the cackling of the furies. Newly dead flock to the always long lines, waiting to be judged or choose an easy death. There is even the growling of Cerberus, as a soul gets too rowdy in line. However, there is an extremely rare sound now, echoing across the landscape of the underworld, coming from the palace of Hades. The sound is laughter.
Inside the halls of the palace, there was the source of the laughter, young Perseus, running away from Persephone as she called after him to come to her. Why was she chasing him you ask? Well, she had been in the business of giving him a bath, even getting him out of his clothes. When he innocently asked her to put in the bubble liquid, she obliged. As soon as she turned around, she heard the sound of his feet slapping against the marble floor. Now, the skeleton servants of Hades, the various soldiers and occasional servants, looked up and then quickly backed away in shock.
You see, the skeletons don't often see a four year old boy, running naked as the day he was born, streaking essentially, as their queen ran after him, yelling for him not to slip.
Perseus ran to the end of the hall, opening the door to run inside, the door leading into the throne room of Hades. So it was that Hades was in the middle of an argument with Demeter, a rather intense one in fact, when a small naked boy wrapped around his leg, with his wife entering seconds later. Demeter screamed as Perseus turned to her, and waved jollily like a good little boy. As Demeter shielded her eyes, Hades boomed a laugh before making a towel appear and wrapped it around the heaving boy, hoisting him up.
"Well, Perseus, I see you have lead Persephone on a very wild chase. However, the next time you decide to do so, you should wear clothes, okay?" Hades chuckled as he talked to Perseus, handing him to Persephone, who looked rather embarrassed at this point. Persephone walked to the door before Hades called out to Perseus.
"Make sure you're a good boy when auntie Persephone is giving you a bath, because if you are, I'll take you to Elysium, and let you visit the nice people there!"
Perseus nodded rapidly, happy to have a chance to visit the "nice people", as Hades and Perseus both referred to them as.
After Persephone had scrubbed Perseus clean and he had gotten bored of the bubbles, Perseus ran into the throne room, now fully clothed, and waited for Hades to come. When Hades arrived, for once in a normal shirt and jeans, he sat Perseus on his shoulders, and they strolled through the doors of the palace, heading for Elysium. How odd to see the god of death listening to a babbling child, and to see him smiling while doing so? It was a lot better than Perseus's first stay in Hades realm…
Hades watched as Hestia suddenly flashed into his throne room, carrying a bundled Perseus, with his baby bag on her shoulder. He swallowed nervously as she had baby food splattered across her face, and exasperated look upon her face as she thrust the baby at him. With a flash of flames, she disappeared, leaving Hades fearful as the baby stirred in Hades arms. Perseus opened up his tiny eyes, before staring down Hades. Who knew a baby could be so intimidating? Hades set his jaw before straightening his back, for he would not lose to a mere infant.
AN HOUR LATER
Hades was nearly in tears. Perseus had been crying for thirty minutes now, shaking his little fists defiantly as Hades attempted to calm him. Hades had placed him on his massive bed, before backing away in fear. Such a loud noise from such a small child! In frustration, Hades looked for something to distract Perseus. Thinking desperately, he gave his hand to the wailing baby, and quick as a flash, his index finger was inside Perseus's mouth. Hades wrinkled his nose in revulsion, and attempted to remove his finger as Perseus's gums ground against his finger. Perseus would have none of it, and gripped Hades finger tight before returning to suckling it. Hades gave a resigned sigh, and simply accepted his fate.
Now as Hades and Perseus entered the gate of Elysium, they were greeted by the sight of the gargantuan fountain, entirely carved out of white marble, and whose water would spray out images of eagles and lions and other impressive animals. Hades set Perseus on the ground, watching the boy immediately totter to the fountain, squealing as the spray brushed his face. Fishing around in his pocket, Hades procured a drachma, and placed it into Perseus's still chubby hand.
"You want to make a wish, Perseus? Just close your eyes tight, make a wish, and toss the coin into the fountain." Hades smiled as Perseus did as he instructed, squeezing his eyes so tight he managed to crinkle his entire face. Perseus's lips moved as he made his wish before he tossed the coin into the fountain. Grinning, Perseus sat upon the side of the fountain, patting the space beside him so that Hades could sit with him.
Hades chuckled before sitting, asking Perseus, "What did you wish for?"
Perseus looked down to the floor, the pavement almost gleaming for the constant cleaning. "Well," he started, "I wished for someone to be friends with."
Hades looked down worriedly at Perseus, who had yet to look up. Frowning, Hades began to think of what had been said. Perseus spent every minute awake with a god or goddess. He was constantly attended to, and he dozens of toys, which were in every palace he slept in.
"What do you mean, Perseus? I am your friend, so are your other aunts and uncles." Hades lifted Perseus head to look him into the eyes.
Perseus looked so sad, "I mean a friend I can play with. I want to play with a girl or boy my age. And not like when you turn younger, a normal kid."
Hades bit his lip, and distractedly looked around, hoping to change the subject. Elysium was all lush green grass, along with flowers of vibrant colors and huge trees. Near the fountain was the middle of the little town, shops of every sort were circled around the fountain. Spotting a candy store, Hades pointed it out to Perseus, "You want to go and get some candy?"
Thank the gods Perseus was completely ADHD. Yelling, he charged to the store, leaving Hades to scramble after him. As Hades entered the store, he saw Perseus had already grabbed a plastic bag, and was looking around for a candy to load up on. Hades watched wearily, the last time he had done this; he ended paying for almost five pounds of candy.
Perseus spotted a brand new candy, a huge box full of bright blue sour strings. Hades wondered why ALL of the sour strings were blue, when he looked around, he didn't see any other color. Perseus, gripped the serving tongs, and began to stuff his plastic bag full of the stuff, making Hades' eyes widened in fear. When the bag was finally full, Perseus grinned and handed the bag to Hades. Hades smiled lightly, before crossing the store to the check-out area.
Running the store was always Alicia Lopez, a middle aged woman who, while she had been alive, had saved a family from an apartment fire, before later dying from smoke inhalation. She had the softest brown eyes around, and a kind smile that always made you feel good. Hades smiled at her, before dropping the bag onto the counter. Alicia laughed as she saw the astonishing amount of candy, and she put the bag on top of the scale, before entering some numbers into the cash register.
"So, I'm guessing Perseus caught sight of the new sour strings? Wow, he managed to gather 6.3 pounds, that's a new record!" Alicia began to laugh as Perseus pumped his fists into the air upon hearing his new high score.
Groaning, Hades handed over nearly 40 drachmas. He may be the god of riches, but that doesn't mean he liked spending richly. Alicia bid them goodbye as Perseus began to attack the sour strings. Hades placed Perseus upon his shoulders once more, and the started to walk down the main street. People started to flood the shops, picking up a bouquet of flowers, or maybe a new pet for their homes. Hades smiled as some of the more familiar souls waved at Perseus, who waved back excitedly. They had been here several times, and every time, Hades introduced Perseus to notable souls. Perseus had met Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King, and even Robin Williams (A/N Man that was horrible).
Hades had always skirted around a small house that had been added nearly four years ago. Thankfully she never had come out while they visited Elysium, Hades didn't think that Perseus would be able to handle it. As if summoned by his thoughts, Hades caught sight of a mop of black hair, and a certain orange t-shirt. Abruptly spinning around, Hades began to march towards the gates, ignoring Perseus's indignant cries at leaving so soon.
Well, that's another chapter, and I hope y'all enjoyed it, especially Cheapskate Hades (Just because he's the god of riches, doesn't mean he likes spending a lot.) I was hinting towards Sally in Elysium, but I'm not 100% when to have them actually meet or even how old Percy will be when it does happen. Let me know what you thought of the chapter, and your ideas on the whole topic.
Peace, Love, Pancakes