Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson
Chapter 17: Kindness Pays Off
"You're our dad?" Nico asked, shocked as the others continued to stare at him and Bianca.
Hades nodded. "How do you think your sister was able to control the Underworld? Why do you think Charon let you down here so easily? You are children of the Underworld, my children. Now, I ask again. Why are they out of the Lotus Casino?"
"It is my fault Lord Hades." Christina said, bowing her head. "I recognized they were demigods and didn't think they'd be safe after discovering the magic of the casino. I had no idea you placed them there. I only wanted to help them."
Hades tilted his head. "You are quite kind, daughter of Poseidon. I recognize that you meant no harm to my children. But there are others, others at your beloved camp who would not be as kind to two children of the Underworld. What can you promise that will make me believe they will be safer with you then where I have put them? And maybe then will I release Sally Jackson."
Christina glanced at her brother, the same thought running through both of their heads. "My sister and I can let them stay in our cabin, instead of the crowded Hermes cabin." Percy said, stepping forward. "There's plenty of room and neither of us will treat them badly."
"And what about the rest of the camp?" Hades asked. "Children of the Underworld have long since been shunned by other demigods. No one likes to be around death. I haven't sent my children to Camp Half-Blood for a reason."
Annabeth stood up from where she was kneeling. "We'll fight for Bianca and Nico. They should be able to have a place at Camp Half-Blood too. They won't be shunned while we're around."
"You are quite curious, young half-bloods." Hades said, leaning back in his throne. "I am grateful in how you have treated my children, but I am still upset that you accused me of stealing what I did not steal. Something that you have had with you."
Christina frowned. "What do you mean we've had it with us?"
"Look in your bag." Hades said, gesturing to the backpack that Ares had given them. "And there you will find what you seek."
Percy pulled the backpack off of his shoulder, rifling through it until he removed a long, metal cylinder, his eyes wide.
"There it is." Hades said, leaning back in his chair. "Careful with that, it's dangerous. Now you see that I never stole that bolt. I don't want a war, I have enough souls already."
Christina frowned. "Then if you didn't steal the bolt, why didn't you say anything?"
"I have my own problems to worry about." Hades said, looking away. "I wasn't going to get involved."
Annabeth's eyes widened. "Something of yours was stolen also, wasn't it? Something very important."
"You are a very clever girl." Hades said, eyes flashing. "Watch out, that could get you in trouble someday. But yes, something of mine was stolen."
Christina bowed her head. "You believe my brother stole it, don't you? That's why you sent the Kindly Ones after us. What was stolen? If we could help you find it, we could stop this war."
"You are very brave, Christina Keeper." Hades told her. "What would make me believe that you wouldn't just use this information against me?"
Christina frowned. "I don't want a war anymore then you do. And I know death is not all bad. You have an important job down here in the Underworld. You should have a throne on Olympus, just like Nico and Bianca should have a cabin at Camp Half-Blood. But if you don't tell us what's stolen, none of that can happen, because none of us will be alive."
"Very well." Hades conceded. "My Helm of Darkness was stolen as well, by the same person who stole the Master Bolt. Find them, and you will be able to stop this war. I wish you the best of luck. And as a gesture of my goodwill, I will return Sally Jackson and return the rest of you to the world above."
Hades waved his hand and Percy's mother appeared for a moment, caught in a globe of spinning, golden light, and then she was gone, shooting towards the world above, and the rest of them were following shortly after, suspended in their own balls of golden light.
Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Christina, Nico, and Bianca landed on the sand near the water while Sally's ball of light continued shooting away from them, towards New York City, until they couldn't see it anymore.
"Okay, what do we do now?" Percy asked, glancing behind them towards the skyscrapers of Los Angeles.
Christina set down the backpack on the sand next to her brother. "We confront Ares. He has to be the one who stole the Master Bolt and Hades' Helm. He gave us that backpack and he's the god of war. Of course he would want another war."
"I think you're right." Grover said, pointing towards the road, where the figure of Ares stalked closer to them. "Cause he's right there."
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