Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series that honour belongs to Rick Riordan. I'm just playing with the characters and story.

Another update. Only a week later than I wanted. I also have two ideas for an epilogue (although I still have 16 more chapters till then)

Please review as it motivates me to write.

Underworld Information

"So you shadow travelled to L.A. I feel sorry for Nico and Mrs O'Leary," said Will.

"No we went to Central Park, just north of the pond where there are a cluster of boulders," said Percy.

"There are two major entrances to the Underworld," informed Hades.

"Charon's ferry and the door of Orpheus. It is a smaller, harder to find path," explained Nico.

"Orpheus was the dude with the lyre who tried to get his wife's soul from the Underworld?" questioned Katie.

"He used music to charm the earth and opened up a new path. He sang his way into Hades' Palace," answered Nico.

"He almost made it out except he looked behind him, which he wasn't supposed to do, so they died," said Clarisse.

"Percy asked how we opened it," said Nico rolling his eyes.

"Have you heard me sing? I would have caused an avalanche," joked Percy.

"So imagine my surprise when Percy suddenly called out for Grover," reported Nico.

"But you haven't heard from him in months," questioned Poseidon.

"But my empathy link was really tingling which meant that Grover was close. An image came into my head. I saw a giant elm tree deep in the woods off the main path. Lying on the roots was a satyr, he was covered in twigs and leaves like he had been sleeping for a long time," replied Percy.

"Why is he sleeping?" questioned Demeter.

"In my mind I sent words to Wake Up. I got a response of, Sleepy. It took me yelling FOOD PANCAKES through our connection for him to wake," explained Percy.

"Of course he wakes up to the mention of FOOD," laughed Thalia.

"The next moment the tree next to us shivered and Grover fell out of the branches onto his head," stated Nico.

"The dryads had the idea of passing him through the trees to get him to us, but they don't really understand height very well," informed Percy.

"No they don't understand height," mumbled Dionysus and Hermes nodded in agreement thanking his magical shoes for the number of times they had saved his head from pain.

"I told Grover that we had been worried and asked him where he had been the last two months," said Percy.

"Grover was confused, he thought it was July and not August like it was," explained Nico.

"He slept for TWO months! How is that possible?" asked Artemis.

"Grover had been in the woods by Harlem Meer when he felt that something powerful was near," explained Percy.

"Grover can sense stuff like that?" questioned Thalia.

"Since Pan's death he can feel when something is wrong in nature," answered Nico.

"Grover started to follow the scent. A man in a long coat was walking through the park and Grover noticed that he didn't cast a shadow even though it was a sunny day," informed Percy.

"He shimmered like a mirage and whenever he passed humans they would pass out, curl up and go to sleep. After he was gone they would get up and go about their business like nothing had happened," explained Nico.

"What is Morpheus doing there?" questioned Hera.

"When Grover asked he was told that Morpheus was just having a look around. That you should always scout a battlefield before the battle," reported Percy which caused some gods to swear.

"Damn Kronos have Morpheus assisting him," complained Zeus.

"And the battlefield is in Central Park," said Athena clearly trying to work out what Kronos was planning.

"Morpheus told Grover that he was lucky that he was saving his energy for the main event," said Percy.

"What do you mean the main event?" asked Zeus.

"Why didn't the Nymphs try to wake Grover," questioned Katie.

"Nymphs are not good with time, two months is nothing to them," answered Demeter.

"What was Morpheus doing in the park?" asked Apollo. "What is the main event?"

"This just proved that Morpheus and other minor gods are working with Kronos and that there was going to be an invasion," admitted Nico.

"I told Grover about the plan and our trip to the Underworld, and then reassured him that we were not asking him to come. We just needed him to make some music to open the door," informed Percy.

"Grover said that he knew some tunes that could split rocks and he could give it a try. He played a shrill lively tune and the doors opened," continued Nico.

"The boulders trembled, cracked open and revealed a triangular crevice. Steps led down into the darkness. The air smelt of mildew and death," described Percy "It brought back memories of the trip into the Labyrinth but this tunnel felt even more dangerous."

"How can that tunnel feel more dangerous?" questioned Rachel with a shudder.

"It leads straight into the land of Hades and that is almost always a one-way trip," replied Percy.

"I'm glad you are scared," said Hades happily.

"Except it doesn't seem to be a one way trip for Percy," remarked Demeter making Hades frown.

"Grover asked if I really thought Kronos was going to invade," reported Percy.

"When Percy confirmed that he did think Kronos would invade, Grover said he had to rally the nature spirits as they may be able to help," advised Nico.

"The nature spirits may assist?" questioned Hermes.

"They do need as much help as possible against Kronos's army," replied Athena.

"I reminded Grover before he ran off that he better tell Juniper that he was okay," admitted Percy.

"Oh I saw Grover and Juniper's reunion, she threw leaves, berries and seeds at him while telling him off, but she forgave him quickly. The nymphs in Central Park however were not as easily forgiven," gossiped Katie.

"Now you may hear something in this story that paints people in a bad light. It may cause you anger and disbelief, but it is not to be held against them NO ONE is to harm another due to their actions in this tale," announced Percy.

"What happens that brings anger and disbelief?" asked Ares.

"A WAR," answered Rachel.

"What do you do Hades?" accused Hera.

"Why do you accuse Hades? It might be someone else," defended Rachel.

"Percy is about to enter the Underworld, it has to be Hades," exclaimed Zeus.

"Why couldn't it be Persephone?" questioned Nico.

"Or Mrs O'Leary, Cerberus, Nico, the furies or even a spirit, the list is endless," said Percy. "Or it could be later in the story, but you won't know if you don't let me continue."

"Continue with the story Percy," requested Hestia.

"Once Grover was gone we woke Mrs O'Leary from her nap. She got excited when she smelt the tunnel and led the way down the steps. It was a pretty tight fit and I hoped that she wouldn't get stuck," said Percy.

"Can you imagine trying to unstick a hellhound wedged halfway down the tunnel to the Underworld?" exclaimed Travis.

"The stairs were narrow, steep and slippery and seemed to go on forever. I tried to go slow, but Mrs O'Leary bounded ahead barking happily, the sound echoing through the tunnel," said Percy.

"No catching anyone by surprise once you reach the bottom," mentioned Chris.

"Nico didn't seem confident, lagging behind with an expression of doubt on his face. He looked pale and worried and wasn't helpful with the 'courage' to keep going like Annabeth and Grover did for my first trip to the Underworld," admitted Percy.

"Why is Nico so worried?" questioned Will looking at said demi-god.

"Only Mrs O'Leary was happy wanting to play when we reached the bottom with a random human leg bone she had found," said Nico ignoring the question.

"Can we make a deal that Mrs O'Leary will never play fetch with human bones," said Annabeth with everyone agreeing.

"Nico informed me that we had to go into the gates of Hades Palace, something that he hadn't mentioned before. We were near the river but not knowing what else to do I followed him," said Percy with a glare at Nico. "Mrs O'Leary bounded towards the security checkpoint. Cerberus ignored us he was too busy saying hello to Mrs O'Leary."

"She sniffed Cerberus's butt," exclaimed Nico as certain people laughed.

"Nico informed me that we wouldn't have any trouble with the line as I was with him, and we were soon in the Fields of Asphodel," said Percy.

"Mrs O'Leary needed to be called three times before she left Cerberus," stated Nico.

"As we crossed the Field of Asphodel we were joined by Mrs Dodds and the other furies. Nico told Alecto that he had done what his father had asked and to take us to the palace," grumbled Percy.

"What? Nico?" questioned Thalia.

"I was his new lead. His father had promised him information about his family and Hades wanted to see me before we tried the river," said Percy.

"You tricked him!" exclaimed Thalia.

"Nico is the person that Percy was hinting at earlier," exclaimed Will.

"I thought it would be Hades," commented Hestia quietly.

"I was so mad at Nico I lunged at him, but the Furies were too fast and I found myself dangling twenty meters in the air without my sword," grumbled Percy.

"That is not good," admitted Poseidon.

"Mrs O'Leary barked angrily and tried to reach me, Nico warned me to tell Mrs O'Leary to behave."

"I didn't want her to get hurt," exclaimed Nico.

"She would most likely get hurt if she tried to pick a fight with a fury," admitted Demeter.

"I informed Percy that my father was waiting and that he only wanted to talk," said Nico.

"I told Mrs O'Leary to sit down and informed the traitor," said Percy pointing at Nico "that he had his prize and to take me to the stupid palace."

"IT IS NOT STUPID," roared Hades.

"We were deposited in the middle of the palace garden. It was beautiful in a creepy way. Skeletal white trees grew from marble basins. Flowerbeds overflowed with golden plants and gemstones. A pair of thrones, one bone and one silver sat on the balcony with a view of the fields of Asphodel," described Percy.

"It does sound nice," said Katie.

"Would be except for the sulphurous smell and cries of tortured souls in the distance," grumbled Nico.

"The Furies settled on top of the skeletal throne and skeletal warriors guarded the only exit. I resisted the urge to strangle Nico as we waited for Hades to arrive," stated Percy.

"The air shimmered and three figures appeared; Hades, Persephone and an older woman. They appeared to be in the middle of an argument," said Nico.

"Who is the older woman?" questioned Zeus.

"It has to be Demeter," grumbled Hades, "But what she and Persephone are doing in the Underworld in summer is confusing."

"Percy describe them," requested Hermes and Apollo who seemed to be slightly bouncing in their thrones in anticipation.

"Persephone looked like a total different goddess from the last time I saw her in winter. She had warm brown eyes and her black hair was lustrous. Her dress shimmered with colour and the flower patterns in the fabric changed and bloomed, roses, tulips and honeysuckle," described Percy with a sigh.

"Summer, certainly agrees with her," commented Aphrodite.

"The woman standing between Persephone and Hades was obviously Persephone's mother. They had the same hair and eyes but she looked older and sterner. Her dress was the colour of a wheat field. Her hair was woven with dried grasses so it reminded me of a wicker basket and I figured if someone lit a match next to her, she would be in serious trouble."

"You are right, Hephaestus lit her on fire once," admitted Hermes "luckily Poseidon was nearby to put her out."

"It was an accident," yelled Hephaestus.

"Demeter was not happy to see demi-gods. Nico knelt and I wished I had my sword to cut his stupid head off," admitted Percy.

"Lucky for Nico that your sword hadn't returned to your pocket," chuckled Will.

"Very lucky," said Annabeth.

"I told my father that I had done as he had asked," mumbled Nico with a pout.

"Hades response was that it had taken Nico long enough and suggested that Bianca would have done a better job. If I hadn't have been so mad at the little creep at that time, I may have felt sorry for him," said Percy glaring at Hades. He wasn't the only one.

"I hate when parents compare siblings and have favorites," grumbled Clarisse.

"We all know I am the better sibling," declared Travis.

"But I am Mum's favorite," declared Connor.

"Not this again," groaned Chris at the restart of an ongoing argument.

"I asked Hades what he wanted and was informed that he just wanted to talk," said Percy.

"Talk about what?" asked Hera.

"Percy thought the whole quest was a lie and I had brought him down to the Underworld to be killed," grumbled Nico.

"Hades informed me that Nico was quite sincere about wanting to help. That he is as honest as he is dense. That he had convinced him to take a small detour and bring me to him," said Nico.

"He called Nico dense, why do I, have bad feeling about this?" groaned Will.

"Hades had promised me that Percy would not be harmed. If I brought him to him, he would tell me about my mother," admitted Nico.

"The one piece of information you would do anything for," whispered Thalia.

"I warned Persephone that this scoundrel Hades is not good," protested Demeter

"Persephone could have married the god of doctors or the god of lawyers, but no she had to eat the pomegranate," said Percy.

"How did you…" asked Hades.

"You were arguing about this very issue," replied Percy.

"If Persephone had married one of them, than it would mean that either Will or Chris, Travis and Connor would be the step-children of Persephone instead of Nico," pointed out Annabeth.

"That is true, because marriage hasn't stopped the other married gods from producing demi-gods, well except Hera," accused Rachel.

"DEMENTER" continued Percy to protect Rachel and stop a fight "argued about Persephone getting stuck in the Underworld and how it was August and how she hadn't come home like she was supposed to. Hades reminded Demeter that she was a guest in his house and she proceeded to call it a dump."

"My palace is not a dump," yelled Hades.

"Hades reminded Demeter that there was a war in the world above and that she and Persephone were better off in the Underworld with him," reported Nico.

"Why is Hades protecting Demeter when they both obviously don't want to be in this situation?" questioned Chris.

"My bet is Persephone refused to stay if Hades didn't invite Demeter to stay," responded Hermes.

"I might have interrupted Hades and Demeter's argument asking if they were going to kill me, could they just get on with it," admitted Percy.

"Percy has an attitude," groaned Poseidon.

"Although Hades had wanted to kill him, he had promised not to. He had told me that he only wanted to talk. If I brought Percy, he would explain," said Nico.

"Explain about your mother?" questioned Rachel.

"Hades informed Nico that his mother was a wonderful woman for a mortal. Her name was Maria di Angelo," reported Percy.

"She was from Venice, but her father was a diplomat in Washington DC. That was where they met. When Bianca and I were young it was a bad time to be children of Hades. World War II was brewing. A few of my siblings were leading the losing side. Hades thought it best to put us out of harm's way," informed Nico.

"So that's why you were hidden in the Lotus Casino. You didn't age or realised time was passing," said Annabeth.

"Why were Bianca and Nico the only ones you hid away, you had other children at that time?" questioned Athena.

"Nico wanted to know more information, like what happened to his mother, why he couldn't remember her. Hades told him that that information was not important," advised Percy.

"Who was the lawyer who got him out of the casino?" questioned Thalia "Bianca mentioned a lawyer came and got them out."

"Hades introduced Nico to him. The Fury Alecto changed into a middle-aged man in a pinstriped suit with a briefcase," answered Percy.

"Alecto does lawyers and teachers very well," admitted Hades.

"Why did Hades free them from the casino?" asked Artemis.

"Because I wasn't allowed to be the child of the prophecy," accused Percy.

"Percy told Hades that he should be helping Olympus fight Typhon rather than waiting things out," informed Nico.

"Hades replied why should he help? They don't help him or welcome a child of Hades as a hero. Therefore he would stay in the Underworld with his forces intact," reported Percy.

"You are not going to assist, How Petty," remarked Hera.

"Is that why you…?" questioned Annabeth quietly to Percy.

"Part of the reason," answered Percy in a whisper.

"What happens when Kronos comes after you?" questioned Apollo.

"He can try, he'll be weakened," boasted Hades.

"Hades thought it would have been better if Bianca had lived as Nico was not that great, but if they hold out and give four more years of training to Nico than he will be the one to make the decision that saves the world, and Hades will be the king of the gods," explained Percy.

"You are crazy," exclaimed Dionysus.

"Kronos will crush you, right after he has finished pulverizing Olympus," declared Athena.

"Bianca couldn't be the child of the prophecy, she was already a Hunter when she died," said a confused Thalia.

"I was informed that I would find out whether or not it would be true as I would be waiting out the war in Hades dungeons," said Percy.

"That hadn't been our agreement but as Hades pointed out, he had just spoken to Percy and did not harm him. I had gotten information and if I had wanted a better deal I should have made Hades swear on the Styx," grumbled Nico.

"No wonder you two always make as swear on the Styx," commented Will.

"We both have learnt the hard way," sighed Nico.

"Hades demanded Nico go to his room and with a wave of his hand Nico vanished," said Percy.

"Nico has a room in my palace?" questioned Hades.

"Yes it is quite nice, the one time we visited," replied Annabeth.

"Hades wasn't happy that Percy was in his domain again," dobbed Nico.

"Demeter and Persephone then got into an argument about cereal and left."

"They always fight about cereal," said Nico.

"How did cereal come up in conversation?" asked a confused Hestia.

"Nico is too skinny and needs to eat more," replied Percy.

"Hades told me not to feel bad, his ghosts keep him well informed of Kronos's plans and that I had no chance to stop him in time. By that night it would be too late for Mount Olympus, the trap would be sprung."

"What trap?" questioned the gods.

"Hades told me to have fun in his dungeons. He would check on me in fifty or sixty years," stated Percy.

"Hades is an ass," declared Poseidon.

"I don't know why we are surprised at these events, Percy did say the story painted some people in a bad light," said Clarisse.

"However Percy is here and not still locked in the dungeon so something must happen," said Will.

"Let's wait to the end of the story before we judged anyone," exclaimed Annabeth loudly halting a godly fight that was about to begin.