Have I ever mentioned that I love showing the nicer side of Hades? Because I do.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Yep, I really am, and she's definitely not ready yet.
Thickneck: It is a bit selfish, but then again she has a right to be selfish- and no one knows Luke is a traitor at this stage. They don't know what happened he disappeared at the same time as Annabeth.
Brooklyn 99 fan: I mean, I may have them do a heist lol.
Guest: Percy will find out about the pact in time, just not yet. Annabeth isn't telling her because, well she's scared of how Percy would react and that she'd lose her new friends, and Hades isn't telling her yet because he thinks she deserves some time before she's thrown into the deep end so to speak. And yeah, Luke didn't return to camp so no one knows he's a traitor.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: He's not at camp, they think he disappeared with Annabeth as he never went back.
Guest: I mean I'd guess so

Sally, as Percy and Piper had reassured Annabeth, had been totally fine with the idea of the daughter of Athena becoming a permanent resident of Brooklyn House. As soon as they'd talked to her she'd gotten to work, calling up her contacts and arranging for any paperwork they might need.

They had also gifted Piper and Annabeth both with protective amulets- to try and ensure that there were as few monster attacks as possible.

Annabeth had been very grateful.

And she really was improving with every day now- she no longer stayed in the infirmary, she had her own room- which Percy and Piper had helped her set up how she liked. Which for Annabeth meant shelf upon shelf of books and a large desk where she could work, practising using her left hand to write and draw- and she was getting better gradually. It wasn't easy but she was stubborn.

Annabeth had almost had a heart attack when they'd taken her to a book store and told her to go wild. She'd tried to insist on paying herself but Percy had pointed out that she didn't actually have any money.

That had annoyed Annabeth- but Percy and Piper had convinced her it was fine- Percy had pointed out that Piper's dad was loaded enough that he'd recently brought his own private jet, and Percy could buy five if she wanted to and had access to her savings account- though her mom only let her use it for important large purchases- she had made it very clear that she didn't want Percy to waste all her money. She was already set for life as long as she wasn't stupid. It wasn't like she'd ever need to buy a house or anything when she lived in a literal mansion.

In any case, Annabeth now had a collection of books lining the shelves of her room, which was always a scene of organised chaos.

And the rest of the summer passed more quickly than Percy would have liked.

She did visit her dad in the Duat of course- she spent three days there with him, Ruby and the twins.

It had been nice, getting to actually spend time with him- he'd read her to sleep and they'd drank cocoa like when she'd been a little kid. And he'd told her that he and Hades were in contact quite frequently now that Hades knew that Osiris was around- they didn't see any reason not to given Percy's existence.

And of course Percy visited Hades again.

She decided to go on her own the first time. Carter and Zia had offered to take Annabeth and Piper to the Brooklyn Museum for the day whilst Percy went to visit her uncle.

After all she wanted some answers.

She wanted to know why he'd hunted down a twelve year old girl, why he'd hounded her the way he had, why she'd had to die.

That was why she didn't want Annabeth with her. She didn't want the daughter of Athena getting upset- it would be understandable, of course. But it probably wouldn't do her any good in the long run.

So she'd asked Carter a favor and he was on distraction duty with the help of Piper and Zia and Annabeth had seemed very happy to visit the museum.

And once they were gone Percy carefully detached the charm from the bracelet around her wrist- and it crumbled against her fingers, and the next thing she knew she was being whisked through shadows- and she landed at the gates to Hades palace.

She pressed her lips together, staring up at them before she marched through the gardens and into her uncles palace.

And it did seem that he'd been waiting for her- the bracelet probably alerted him when it was used, and he met her in his throne room, "Niece. I wasn't expecting you to visit today." he cast his gaze around, clearly expecting to see Piper. "You came alone-" he paused, "I know that expression. I recognise it well enough from your father." his eyes narrowed. "What are you here for child?"

"I want to know about Thalia Grace." Percy wasn't the type to beat around the bush. And it definitely got a reaction. Hades eyes went wide with surprise.

"Who told you about Zeus' spaw-"

"Don't." Percy crossed her arms over her chest, "Uncle she was a child. Spawn isn't a nice word to use about your own niece." she shifted slightly. "Annabeth Chase-"

"Ah. One of the other demigods she travelled with. Should I assume you've met the Chase girl given your question?"

"That's a good assumption." Percy took a deep breath, "She's a friend, a new friend but a friend. It's a long story uncle but- she told me about Thalia Grace. That you sent monsters after her. That you hounded them." she shifted uncomfortably.

And it really did bother her.

If she'd been told Zeus had done it- or one of the other gods like Ares or Athena or Hera she wouldn't have been surprised or upset. All gods could be assholes but- but Hades was an Underworld god. He was supposed to be just and fair. The afterlife was supposed to be just.

And- his behavior towards her was so different from that that it prayed on her mind. Would he have sent hoards of monsters after her had things been different?

"I did." And at least Hades wasn't trying to lie about it. "The girl shouldn't have been born-"

"Neither should I then." Percy pointed out. "Annabeth said there's some kind of oath or whatever."

"That is different." Hades scowled slightly, leaning forward in his throne, clasping his hands together in front of him and resting his chin on his knuckles

"How?" Percy demanded, "Uncle- if anything I probably did more to provoke you than she did-"

"It is not her who I was punishing."

"What-"

"Zeus. He had the nerve- the nerve to force the oath upon me, to make me swear to it- to-" he paused, a dark look on his face. "I could not let the hypocrisy stand after what he did."

"What did he do?" Percy stepped forward, "Because from where I'm standing right now it kind of looks like you're the one who was cruel-"

"I had-" Hades closed his eyes, "I had a mortal lover. Before we made the oath. A beautiful woman named Maria. And two children with her. They were young- nine and seven when the oath was made. Zeus- he made demands. He ordered me to send my children to that camp- a place where no child of Hades has ever truly been welcome. I have no doubt that my innocent children would not have lasted long. I wanted to take them to the Underworld- where I could protect them but their mother- she didn't understand the danger. By the time I convinced her- it was too late." he shook his head, voice suddenly unsteady. "If I had been slower my children would have perished too- he destroyed the hotel I had them staying in. Their mother..."

"Oh." Percy blinked. Because oh but that must have been painful."

Percy could remember how hard her mom had found it when her dad had died- and that hadn't even been really dying- not in the way that Hades' lover had died.

"Yes." Hades gave a short nod, "Yes my niece. It was painful." he let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. "I did what I needed to do to protect my children. They're eleven and nine now. Safely hidden."

"I-" Percy hesitated, "How are they-"

"I sent them somewhere where they would not age." Hades explained, "Not truly age in any case."

"I'm sorry." Percy took a deep breath, "I'm sorry that you went through that uncle. It must be horrible." she paused, "But Thalia Grace didn't ask to be born." she pointed out. "Any more than your children did or I did. I get you hating her father. Sounds like he has it coming but- blaming a twelve year old for her fathers mistakes? That'd be kind of like blaming you for stuff Kronos does."

Hades raised an eyebrow before his expression became somewhat thoughtful.

"You have a point there my niece. But there is nothing I can do now. What's done it done. I cannot help the Grace girl. Or bring her back for your new friend. And I will not apologise to Zeus for what I did."

"I-" Percy paused, "I can't blame you for that." she pressed her lips together, "But you admit that what you did to her was wrong?"

"I can agree to that." Hades said smoothly. "I should not have chased her down as I did. I'll admit that it's not her fault that her father murdered my Maria and forced me to send my children away for their own safety. I had to erase their memories my young niece. You cannot blame me for my anger-"

"No. No of course not." Percy pressed her lips together tightly. "I can't blame you for being angry." She shook her head, "Just- learn not to take your anger out on the innocent people okay Uncle?"

"I will do my best." Hades lips twitched faintly, "You know niece- there are very few people who would have dared to come down here to chastise me for something I did five years ago."

"Well what you did was wrong." and Percy could feel some of the tension easing out of her shoulders. Hades wasn't mad at her for asking. He actually sounded almost faintly amused. Fond even. "Someone needed to tell you that."

"And so you did." Hades stood up, stepping down from his throne and making his way towards Percy. "I appreciate your candor- and the faith you had in me that I wouldn't smite you for daring to question me-"

"Well I mean-" Percy gave a slightly cheeky smile, "You did kinda owe me for bringing back your helm-"

"And there you go." Hades actually laughed at that. "You're lucky I consider Osiris to be a friend. Or I might just punish you for your cheek in some way."

"Yeah, dad wouldn't appreciate that. He already told me when I visited him that as far as he's concerned you'll have to fight him if you want my soul down here when I die."

"And let us hope that is a long time coming." Hades chuckled, "I'd rather not have to get into a fight with a friend." he reached Percy, "Now. Are you done telling me off? Because if you are perhaps you'd like to pay Cerberus a visit-"

"Yes." Percy smiled widely, "Yes I'd love to see him-" she paused, "I don't have any treats for him. I came here all ready to yell at you and I forgot about Cerberus-"

"Calm yourself." Hades chuckled, "Relax Percy. I will summon them some treats when we get to him."

"Let's go then!" and Percy should probably be embarrassed by how easy it was to distract her, but she was excited to see Cerberus again.

And when they did reach the giant three headed dog she saw him sniffing the air and turning all three heads towards her, a chorus of barks filling the air as he bounded towards her.

And Percy beamed sprinting towards him, laughing brightly as the huge dog skidded to a halt, lowering his middle head and licking her- which was kind of gross- since his tongue was big enough to basically give a whole body lick. "Cerby!" Her voice was bright, bubbly, "I missed you- have you been a good boy? I bet you have you're such a good puppy aren't you." she started scratching his ears, pressing her face into his fur, "I'll bring Piper and Annabeth with me next time. Yes I will puppy."

Annabeth had been very doubtful of Percy's claims that Cerberus was a big softy. The daughter of Poseidon was determined to prove her friend wrong.

And as she fussed over the giant dog she turned her head, "That is okay right uncle Hades? I can bring Annabeth next time-"

"The Underworld is not a park Percy."

"I know that." Percy gave a grin, "But can I?"

"Would you listen if I told you no?"

"I-" Percy paused before "Probably not."

"In that case I agree. It will wound my pride less than being ignored. Just don't cause too much trouble."

"Awe, uncle. You have so little faith in me."

"I simply think I'm a good judge of character. And you, my young niece, are a troublemaker."