A.N:

Hey guys, Keera here! I know, I know, I should probably be working on my other story right now. But I've had this idea in my head for ages! This is just a side project, so I don't know how often I'll be able to update it. Anyway, on with the story!

The day started out normal enough.

Nico and Bianca were playing outside and their parents were arguing (once again) about bringing their family to the Underworld.

"Please, my dear," Hades said. "You must come to the Underworld. I don't care what Persephone thinks! I can keep you safe there."

"No, my love." Said the beautiful woman standing next to him, spoke with an Italian accent. "Raise our children in the land of the dead? I will not do this."

"Maria, listen to me. The war in Europe has turned the other gods against me. A prophecy has been made. My children are no longer safe. Poseidon and Zeus have forced me into an agreement. None of us are to have demigod children ever again."

"But you already have Nico and Bianca. Surely—"

"No! The prophecy warns of a child who turns sixteen. Zeus has decreed that the children I currently have must be turned over to Camp Half-Blood for proper training, but I know what he means. At best they'll be watched, imprisoned, turned against their father. Even more likely, he will not take a chance. He won't allow my demigod children to reach sixteen. He'll find a way to destroy them, and I won't risk that!"

"Certamente," Maria said. "We will stay together. Zeus is un imbecile."

Bianca ran inside and tugged at her mother's dress.

"Mama! Look what I made!" The little girl showed her mother a small daisy chain, "It's for you!"

Her mother chuckled and accepted the gift.

"Grazie mio caro. Where's your brother?"

"He's still outside. He refuses to help me make flower crowns and daisy chains." She pouted.

All of a sudden, they felt a strange sensation, a foreboding one, that tells only of danger. Before anyone other than Hades could process the situation, a lightning bolt struck the hotel, killing all those inside instantly.

"No!" Hades screamed. He had to act fast. As if acting on an instinct, Hades erected a wall of pure black energy around his son, who had been playing outside by himself. All around him, the debris of the ruined hotel started flying in all directions.

Hades fell to his knees and cradled Bianca di Angelo's body in his hands.

"Zeus!" Hades shook his fist at the sky. "I will crush you for this! I will bring them back!" "My lord, you cannot," Alecto warned. "You of all immortals must respect the laws of death." Hades glowed with rage. He controlled himself, he still had one child left, he couldn't afford to loose yet another member of his family. Not today.

After a few minutes Hades spoke again, his voice hoarse. "Take them." He told Alecto, "Give them the proper funeral rights."

Alecto did as she was asked, not that Hades had expected anything else. Nico was still sitting on the ground, thankfully unharmed other than a few scratches. He felt like sobbing in relief, Nico's stubborn attitude had saved his life. If he had agreed to help Bianca... No! He refused to think about it.

He turned to his young son, Nico, who seemed to shocked to even cry.

"Mama! Bianca! Papa, where are they?"

Hades may or may not have felt his heart break a bit as he hugged him.

"Mama and Bianca... have gone away Nico. Somewhere we can't see them."

"Why?"

"It's the way things are." Hades made a split second decision. "Come with me son. I'll take care of you."

Hades didn't know what he was thinking. Him? Raising a mortal child? By himself? In the Underworld, of all places? He could always just put Nico in the Lotus Casino, but his 3 year old son would never be able to survive by himself , even in the Casino. Besides, call him selfish, but Hades didn't want to have to say goodbye to his one remainder of Maria.

"Really?" Nico asked, looking at his father innocently.

Hades nodded, unable to speak. He was actually doing this. He took his son's hand.

"Come on Nico. We're going home."

Grazie mio caro - Thank you my dear

Please review and let me know what you think!

- Keera ✪ ω ✪