Ch25

Bianca sighed as she looked at Percy, "Are you ready Percy?"

Percy nodded, "I am are you sure we can do it without your dad not knowing?" He patted Mrs. O'Leary on the head. The hellhound had accompanied them both and would be an emergency exit for Percy in case things went south. He told Percy the basics of her plan, in case they ended up fighting he is to take Mrs. O'Leary and run. The bathing itself shouldn't take too long but if her father came things would get complicated.

"Frankly I'm not sure but we have to make it quick," she said. She had taken Percy from the camp to his mother's apartment to get her blessing followed by visiting Luke's mom. She had prepared everything with Thalia's help. Our plan is risky but Percy needs this. She talked to spirits about the status of the underworld, her father hadn't spoken to her since Christmas and apparently was holding himself up in his palace with her step mom. They won't fight, apparently Demeter was down there for a while but decided to go help the Olympians. Nico being involved with the capture of Artemis did not make father popular in Olympus and apparently Demeter wanted to make sure she wasn't accused of anything.

"Well then lets make this quick then your father will probably not be happy down there," Percy said.

"Yeah lets to this quickly then. Are you ready?" She asked as she extended her hand. Percy nodded and took her hand as they both held onto Mrs. O'Leary. She took a deep breath and felt the shadows envelope them as they made their way to the underworld. She then felt her feet land on the ground. Well here we are she thought as she looked at the River Styx.

Percy got up and caught his breath, "Wow I still haven't gotten used to that."

"Yeah but don't worry I know," Percy said as he looked at the River Styx. "So that's it huh, I guess I should get going."

She nodded as Percy looked at the river and got into it. Despite being a son of Poseidon he sort fell in but she knew that this situation was far from funny. She looked around nervously no sign of father but I can't take any risks.

She turned to Mrs. O'Leary, "Hey girl keep us safe around here ok?" The hellhound nodded though she wondered if it would be of much help.

Father still hasn't forgiven me for what happened to Nico and for his sword too she felt a pit in her stomach. Not that I blame him, it is my fault that Nico got pushed to the enemy's side and now it is another war where a child of Hades is an enemy of Olympus.

She gripped her fists as she carefully looked around. There was no sign of everyone and she hoped it remained that way. I will make it right Nico I swear. Please don't go too far that no one can reach you. She had faith that there was still some good inside of her brother she just had to reach out to him and hopefully he would come to his senses.

After what felt like an eternity Percy emerged from the river panting. "Percy are you ok?" She asked as she ran towards him.

Percy nodded, "Yeah I think I am."

"Good now let's get out of here," she said.

Percy nodded but then they heard a clapping sound. "Bravo daughter," said her father appearing on the rocks behind her. Bianca felt her heart stop as she felt her father's eyes on her. His helm of darkness was in his left hand and she could guess that he had been there for a while.

"So you decided to just come into my domain uninvited with the son of Poseidon?" Hades said in a cold tone.

"Please father we are leaving now please don't make this harder than it has to be," she said as she looked at Mrs. O'Leary who was eyeing the helmet. She gave the hell hound a small nod, We practiced this with Thalia. Her father didn't notice didn't care to even look at Mrs. O'Leary, hopefully it stayed that way.

Hades laughed, "I'm afraid I can't do that. With your brother on the enemy's side I can't risk anymore embarassments," Hades snapped his fingers and a host of dead soldiers emerged from behind him.

It's now or never she thought as she whistled loudly. Mrs. O'Leary lunged at her father who noticed it too late. He was knocked down by the hellhound and his helm flew out of her hands. "Percy lets go," she said as she jumped at the helm and grabbed it her hands. Percy nodded sensing what was going on.

"Bianca you-" but her father didn't have time to answer that question because just as he managed to get Mrs. O'Leary off of him Percy grabbed him by the collar and punched him in the face. "You'll regret that," Her father said.

"Dad I would be careful," she said as she walked up to Percy with her helm in hand. "One wrong move and this will be in Poseidon's domain." Percy wasn't in on it but she had to be strong.

Percy seemed to get what was going on. "Yeah so you better listen to us or my dad will have a powerful bargaining chip."

Hades glared at them both as Mrs. O'Leary got in between her and Percy. "Father if you want it back you have to swear on the Rivers Styx to answer all of our demands. The River Styx is the only way to hold the gods accountable," she explained to Percy who nodded while holding the helm closely.

"Good to know," he said as he gripped her father's collar. "So what will it be? Listen to our demands and swear on the Styx or I take that to my father's domain and after the war you can negotiate for its return."

Hades glared at him and then at her, "You would really go against me?"

"I will ask the questions father any more words that aren't related to the oath and we leave to the ocean," she said firmly. "You already lost one item of power are you prepared to lose your helm too?"

She gripped the helmet tightly as her father sighed, "Fine. I Hades swear on the River Styx to accomplish all of your demands," he said the words as if he really wanted to curse them but Percy didn't let go of him.

"Good," she said. "Now Percy listen exactness is important when swearing on the River Styx." Percy nodded as her father glared daggers at her. "Father for this oath you will do the following tasks first you and your wife will help us defend Olympus for a day before heading to help the gods defeat Typhon, two I will lead your armies to defend Olympus, three you and your wife are to get yourself and all of your armies ready by the end of the day and I will make sure that you do it and you are to not hinder it in any way shape or form."

Her father looked as if he wanted to send her to Tartarus but she wasn't going to stop yet. "Four you will forgive Nico if and when he comes back and he isn't to be mistreated or judged in any way shape or form by you, your wife, or anyone in the underworld and is to be treated with love and kindness, five you are to let me and Nico communicate with the spirit of our dead mother, and six you are to not retaliate against me or Percy in any way shape or form for doing this, Percy will leave to New York without any problem. Do you understand?"

Hades glared at her, "Fine I accept all of those terms." There was a rumbling as the oath was made, Hades then turned to Percy, "You can let me go now."

Percy nodded and dropped her father who got onto his feat and glared at them both. Percy turned to her and grabbed a hold of Mrs. O'Leary, "Be safe Bianca thanks again."

"No problem I'll be there soon," she said as Percy gave her a smile before grabbing a hold of Mrs. O'Leary and the two vanished into the shadows leaving her with her father who looked as if he wanted to incinerate her. "Here you can have it now," she said as she tossed him the helm. "Now I believe we have to mobilize your army."

Hades gave her a cold look as he took it, "Fine daughter. I still cannot believe you would go against me too," he said coldly.

She met her father's gaze, "Father this isn't the time for this, you have to think of others not just yourself."

Hades chuckled, "That's rich coming from you. If you weren't so selfish and thought of others your brother wouldn't be with the enemy."

She took a deep breath, "Father I accept full responsibility for what happened with Nico and I swear that I will make it right. But will you always stand to the side, this is your chance to prove your loyalty to Olympus. Prove them wrong that you are selfish, prove them wrong just as I will prove wrong that your children are bad. Besides Zeus will owe you for eternity if when you go and save him and the other Olympians." She swore she saw interest in her father's glare as if he were debating some hot button issue.

"Believe me father I know what it's like to fight with your siblings and I will make up with Nico but you have to go and help the other Olympians," she said. "Prove them wrong, be on the right side. Think about it Zeus is already unhappy about Nico having your sword and being on the enemy's side. Zeus and Apollo are furious over what happened with Artemis, this is your chance to get on their good side. Show them where your loyalties lie and prove them wrong."

She noticed a flicker in her father's eyes. Hades sighed, "Fine daughter but I expect you do lead my armies well. Now come we have to prepare for war and I only have a day."

She nodded as she followed her father to his palace. When they got there they were greeted by Persephone who was shocked by her being there. "Oh what brings her here?" she said in a cool tone.

"Enough we are going to war," Hades said as he walked past her.

Persephone's eyes widened in shock, "Wow I didn't think he would," she muttered.

"I made him swear on the River Styx," she said. Her step mom looked at her and nodded. Normally she avoided Persephone since apparently, Hades says she looks her mom and that understandably doesn't sit well with Persephone.

"Well mother will be happy to see us," Persephone sighed as she turned around. It may have been her imagination but she swore Persephone looked pleased. Father was sill angry with her for what happened with the sword. She heard enough underworld gossip to know that her stepmom was on edge since last winter.

She sighed as she went to help her father. Her father reluctantly helped her with the plans as they got his armies ready. She sometimes forgot how much undead her father had at his disposal as she watched all of the undead at his disposal ready themselves.

Thalia said she would be with the hunt. She said goodbye to her friend before leaving, Bianca knew that she would be leading her father's armies but she knew Thalia would understand. Percy be safe I know you can win this. I'll be there soon I won't let Kronos destroy Olympus.

Her step mother remained silent but was dressed in war attire and had a staff in her hands. Her father was fully armored and got his chariot ready. Hades and her looked over a blueprint of a map of New York. "My father's armies will try to protect Olympus; hopefully, your friend can hold them off after we leave," Hades said.

"He will," she said. "I trust Percy Jackson.

Well I didn't expect her to have the guts to do that Hades thought as he oversaw the movements of his troops. To be honest he was sort of proud his daughter did what she did and stood up to him.

I could've knocked that dog away but at least this way I save face. He had thought about going to fight Typhon but there were enough monsters in the underworld to deal with and he had to play his cards right. Though to be fair even he didn't know if he was trying to convince himself at being tricked by his daughter, but the idea of Zeus owing him put a smile on his face.

He looked over at Bianca and sighed. Well hopefully my brothers don't give my children a hard time. Despite not wanting to admit it deep down he hoped his son could see the light.

Zeus and Poseidon will owe me big time. He thought as he grabbed his scepter and helmet. He had a war to fight and he was going to demonstrate his worth to his siblings.