Alright, I have been extremely procrastinating. I had this partially finished like, three days ago but I was really lazy and decided to just be a couch potato and watch Netflix. I also wanted to put out that I hope you all are staying safe from the COVID 19, be sure to WaSh yOuR hAnDs and don't leave the house much unless it's really important. Stay safe! This one is a teensy bit long.
Disclaimer: Ratings may change throughout.
What If You Could Start Over?
Chapter 2: Reunions
Perci opened the DOA Studio's doors and got hit by an icy blast of air. There was a faint chatter as some dead spirits were conversing. She looked around, a frown on her face. Then... she saw Luke. He had looked up once she stepped in and it looked like she had intruded on a conversation with another boy.
"Oh...Perci..." Luke murmured.
Perci felt tears prick her eyes once again as she made her way to him. She collapsed against Luke and sobbed into his shoulder.
He gripped her shoulders and looked Perci dead in the eye. "Why?"
The other boy he was talking to looked uncomfortable. He had blonde hair, and vivid blue eyes. Perci realized with a shock that she had seen him somewhere before but didn't put it into words.
"I...nothing would ever be the same without you," her voice faltered, already quiet.
Luke just shook his head and brought Perci in for a hug. The boy next to Luke cleared his throat.
"Oh- sorry, Jason. Jason, this is Persephone Jackson."
She muttered, "Perci."
Luke gave her a look, but it was odd. He was grinning.
"Perci, this is Jason Grace."
Perci stared at Jason for a second. "I know you."
He looked surprised and a bit mildly concerned, like she didn't know what she was talking about. Perci had to admit, Jason looked somewhat cute when he made that face.
Luke gave a nervous laugh. "Well... this is Thalia's brother. Not the Son of Zeus, but the Son of Jupiter. Did I just downplay the fact that Roman gods are real?"
"No, I know you. I've seen him before," Perci insisted. "I think."
The Jason dude looked her up and down. A spark of recognition flashed in his eyes like lightning.
"The Lotus Hotel?"
Perci nodded. "Circe's Island too."
He laughed. "I thought I would be stuck there forever."
"Hold up, Hold up."
Luke held his hands in the air.
"You two met before?" he asked, pure confusion on his face.
Perci shrugged. "I mean, we just talked a bit before this. I had no idea that he was Thalia's brother."
"You met Thalia?"
Perci smiled faintly. "Luke and I, we were friends with her. She's a Hunter of Artemis now."
"Don't you mean Diana?" asked a confused Jason.
"Well... they are technically the same people, right?"
Luke butted in, "I don't think Thalia knows about Roman gods either."
"But seriously though. Greek gods? How come I never knew about this?"
"I mean- me and Luke...we never knew that Roman gods actually existed and had demigods too. I don't think Camp Ha-" Luke covered her mouth.
She tried to pry his hands off but failed miserably. A mischevious glint came into her eyes. She stuck out her tongue and Luke snatched his hand back.
"That's gross, Sephie," he complained.
"Don't call me that," she snipped back.
Jason leaned forward, curious. "Camp what?"
"Ca-" Perci started, only to be cut off by Luke again.
"It's better we don't say."
"Fair point," Jason conceeded.
Perci gave the boys an incredulous look before saying, "Well we better go down to Hades' realm. Er- or Pluto's realm. Whatever. I suppose you boys have drachmas?"
They both held theirs up. Luke and Jason followed her as she made her way to Charon's desk. Perci leaned on it with one arm.
"Hey Charon."
He looked up and looked amused.
"Drown in the bathtub again, Miss Jackson?"
Perci felt Jason give her a weird look while Luke tried to hold in his laugh.
"I'm afraid it's the last time," she grinned and flipped him her drachma.
Never in his immortal life would Charon admit that he had become a bit fond of Persephone Jackson, much less give up his Italian suits. He had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she came to greet him like this.
Perci turned back to make sure the boys did the same before heading to the elevator. Once they all got in, Jason turned to her.
"Drown in the bathtub?"
"Something that happened when I was on my first quest. I'll tell you about it when we get to our destination."
The elevator started rocking and Perci's eyes adjusted to the dark and felt the wooden planks of the boat beneath her. The underworld almost seemed welcoming to her now, like it agreed she did good. But also in the way that Perci had accepted death. It didn't feel like it was a need for her to be up in the world again, feeling sunlight and celebrating their victory over the Titans. She had done what she had to do, defeat Kronos, and wasn't afraid to accept death.
Perci walked up to Ceberus and he whined. All three heads turned to her.
"Uh... Perci? You sure this is a good idea?" Luke said uneasily.
She scoffed and gestured towards the gigantic dog. "Does this look like a good idea?"
Jason shook his head rapidly. Perci ignored them both and went up to pet Ceberus. He barked and the middle head licked her, drenching her in slobber. Perci wrinkled her nose but she was used to it, all thanks to Mrs. O'Leary. With a pang, Perci realized that she would probably never see her again. That is unless...
"Hey."
Perci whipped around and her eyes locked with ones in the shadow. She squinted.
"Who are you?" Jason growled and stepped forward.
"...Nico?" It seemed too real to be true.
The figure stepped out of the shadows. It was him. Perci tackled him to the ground and hugged him.
"I can't believe it's you! You can't believe how dark it is here."
Nico let out a grunt and a different voice said, "Well it is called the underworld for a reason."
"Hey Uncle Hades," she gave a tiny grin.
Perci wasn't going to admit it, but Hades was her favorite Uncle. When it came between Zeus and Hades, she would make a beeline to Hades.
Hades wasn't going to admit it, but he had grown fond of the girl in front of him, the whole of the Olympian Council had. Hades had believed that Perci was a special demigod. She went out of her way to visit the underworld more than once, to get to know him better and for occasional quests. Perci had reminded everybody in the Olympian Council of Mother Rhea, her inky black locks and green eyes. Not to mention her heart of gold.
Perci got up and helped Nico up as well. She turned back to Jason and Luke, who had turned pale.
"Oh come on, it's just Hades."
Jason kneeled and said, "Lord Pluto."
Perci watched, interested, as Hades' form flickered. He looked like he was in pain.
"Are you alright, Uncle?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'll have none of that formality. Just... I'm Hades." He turned to Perci again. "If you want, you could spend your time at my place while you are in the underworld."
That was right. On one of her quests, it was late in the night and Hades offered her a room in his castle to get rest before leaving. She supposed that if he was offering, the room was still open.
Perci looked back at Jason and Luke.
"I think- no offense Uncle- I think I'll stay with my friends."
Luke looked at Perci gratefully, and Jason looked at her like she was crazy for turning down his offer to stay with them.
Hades nodded and smiled warmly at Perci. It seemed like the Fates were playing a cruel joke making Perci look so much like his mother. He had planned on hating her because she was Poseidon's child and because he had thought she stole his Helm of Darkness. He couldn't bring himself to get mad at her then, and even more now because he knew how kind she was. Not that he was planning to throw a rage.
"You all shall be granted ticket to Elysium."
"Dad, could I still visit Perci sometimes? And the others in Elysium?" Nico pleaded.
"Of course, Nico."
Perci felt like a little kid again. She was excited to meet her deceased friends. Silena. Beckendorf. Michael Yew. Some Hunters. Castor.
Hades snapped his fingers, and the scene in front of them shifted. Perci grasped Luke and Jason's hands, determined not to lose them during this process. They were greeted by a shocking glare of sunlight and laughter.
They were in Elysium.