"You should eat," Pluto said softly. He focused on the young girl sitting across from him. Hazel was staring at him with terrified eyes. She was rather young, really too young to be dating. Speaking of dating, her boyfriend, a young, but not as young as he should be, boy sat by her. He was staring at the plate in front of him.

It was a home cooked meal, probably the last one that they would have. Pluto was no fool. He knew this was the end of the line. Blood would be spilled, and only one side would survive. Hopefully, it was the side of justice. Pluto slowly looked around the table.

Kore sat on Pluto's left. She held onto his hand tightly and was eating with the other. Pluto gripped her hand. The two had been inseparable since Kore came back. He even helped her make the dinner. It had only taken a hour with the two of them working together. Would it be the last time that they worked together?

There was an empty chair on Pluto's right. It was reserved for Bianca, even though she had been taken from him. Why did he trust those two sisters? Pluto showed mercy, and it had the chance to cost him his family. He would not make the mistake of mercy again.

The chair next to Bianca's would have been for Hazel, but she wanted to be as far away as possible from him. Pluto understood that she know didn't him that well and was uncomfortable. This was all overwhelming. That was why he was not going to take the gesture to heart.

His eyes focused on that boy that his daughter was dating. Frank Zhang was staring back at him with terrified eyes. He hadn't even tried his steak. Who taught that boy his manners? Frank Zhang was not making a very good impression. He would need to do better, if he survived.

Annabeth Chase was sitting back in her seat and staring at Pluto. She was still pale and a little shaky. Pluto did feel bad about stealing the girl away when she just got out of the hospital, but she was a necessary hostage, considering she was the daughter of Minerva.

The original plan was to trade the three children for the lives of the remaining Olympians. Everything was complicated by the two sisters freeing Thalia and taking Bianca captive. Pluto looked at the empty seat on his right. He would get his daughter back, one way or another.

The new plan was to meet at the dawn of the next day. The remaining Olympians would bring Bianca to a neutral meeting point. They would exchange Bianca for Frank and Annabeth. If they wanted Hazel, they would have to hand over the two sisters as well. Pluto was no fool though. He knew Minerva had something up her sleeve.

Pluto sighed tiredly and looked at the three Kindly sisters. Tisiphone and Alecto sat on either side of the three kids, with Megaera sitting between Hazel and Frank. The three Kindly sisters cut their steaks at the same time, lifted their forks at the same time, and chewed at the same time. Even after all these years, it was a mixture of mesmerizing and scary how in sync the three were. Pluto would swear that they even put the same amount of salt on their steaks, and if he was a betting man, he would put a few grand on it.

Letus was staring down at his food and did not look that hungry. He ate a few bites to be polite, but his mind was clearly in another place. Well, two places. Letus was upset that he let one of his quarry get away, and he was also focused on Hecate.

Hecate's battle against Vulcan had not gone well. Vulcan had built a gun into his cane, and he used it to blow out Hecate's knee. There was also a knife built into his cane that he used to swipe at Hecate's face and cut her across the forehead. Thankfully, that cut wasn't that deep, but the injury to her knee was concerning.

Charon placed a glass of wine down in front of Pluto, despite Pluto's earlier protest. Charon fell into his old habits, but it also seemed to bring him some amount of comfort. At this moment, they all needed whatever comfort they could find. Charon took his seat once again and ate quietly.

Pluto moved his gaze towards another empty chair. That chair should have been for Nico. His son should have been eating dinner with them. He shouldn't be dead, unfairly taken from the world. Pluto felt his throat starting to constrict. Had they given Nico a funeral? Was he treated with respect?

After all of this was over, Pluto would visit his son's grave. He would make sure it was something that Nico deserved. Kore rubbed his hand, as if she sensed his dark thoughts. Pluto looked at her and smiled slightly. His gaze moved around the table. He wished it was full.

Pluto could imagine Bianca and Nico sitting at table. Bianca would chide Nico for not eating his vegetables, and Nico would promptly ignore her. The two would have their little argument, but it would be forgotten by dessert. Hecate would watch over the two with a small smile, and when he thought no one was looking, Letus would grab her hand.

But, that was a perfect world. Pluto did not live in a perfect world. He sighed and closed his eyes. The only comfort he held in his heart is that he knew no one at the table would betray him. Annabeth Chase and Frank Zhang would be tied up, and precautions would be taken to keep them from using their powers. Hazel would be too terrified to do anything. Even if one of the three did try something, Pluto would expect it. He wouldn't see it as a betrayal, more like desperate actions of a brainwashed child.

His loyal friends would never betray him, and his daughter Bianca could not harm him. How scared was she? Were the Olympians hurting her? Pluto took a deep breath. He could not dwell on those thoughts. He needed to stay focused.

"This is wrong," Annabeth Chase suddenly said. Pluto slowly looked at the girl. Annabeth met his gaze. She had the same look of pride in her eyes that her mother always did. "You can't just murder all of the Olympians."

"Is it murder to kill someone who has shed blood?" Pluto asked. He sat forward and studied the girl. Annabeth kept her gaze, but she seemed to be shaking slightly. "Your mother has killed many people in her time. The same goes for all of the Olympians. They have shed more blood than you can begin to imagine, but they could not shed the blood of monsters."

"We should have killed the Titans," Pluto continued. "Think about it, girl. How many lives have the Titans taken? How many lives have they ruined. They have broken out of Tartarus not once but twice now, and there has been bodies along the way. How many children are at home waiting for a parent who will never return? How many small time crooks have been inspired by the acts of the Titans and the leniency that was shown to them?"

"The Titans are evil, but that doesn't mean they should have been killed," Frank Zhang interrupted. Pluto focused on the boy and scowled. "The Olympians are good people who have dedicated their lives to keeping everyone safe."

A harsh laugh left Pluto. He spoke, "Safe? Do you think the Olympians have been keeping everyone here safe, or have they been driven by their most base desires? Your father is Mars, correct? Do you know why he became a police officer? It wasn't to put his life down in the line of duty. It was so he could bully and harass those around him and then hide behind a badge."

"That whore girlfriend of his uses her news station to manipulate the opinion of the people. Anyone who the Olympians does not like will be scrutinized and torn apart in the news. But, she'll just call it harmless gossip. It isn't so harmless when it has caused multiple people to end their lives because they could not take the lies and harassment anymore."

"And the shining beacon of the Olympians, my brother Jupiter, was nothing more than a fraud. All he cared for is money and power," Pluto said. He could feel his anger rising, and he tried to calm himself. "You know the hotel here that was dedicated to Jupiter? Do you know how it was created?"

"It was in the perfect part of town, near a major highway and with a beautiful view of the river near us. The only problem was the building that laid on top of the space. It was an old apartment complex that had fallen astray with the homeless taking refuge. Jupiter couldn't just kick these people out. Everyone would think that he did not care for the poor that he pretended to champion, and at this time, Venus did not have her tight grip on the minds of the people."

"Do you know what Jupiter did? He flooded drugs into that area. Told a few gangs that the cops didn't go there, so they could set up shop. After a couple months of gang violence and drugs ruling the streets, the police raided the apartment complex. Everyone inside was arrested, regardless of involvement. As the police sorted out who was who, Jupiter and his crew moved in to destroy the building and make his hotel. How many people suffered for his greed?"

"They have brainwashed you, but I have seen behind their tricks. They will not manipulate this place anymore," Pluto stated. He stood. "Eat now or don't eat at all. We will leave soon."

Pluto turned and left the dining room. He walked towards the room they were using as an infirmary. Hecate was inside and laying on a bed. Her eyes were reading over a battered and worn book. The front cover was bound in leather, but the title had long been worn away by use.

"How do you feel?" Pluto asked softly. Hecate looked up at him. Her face was pale and gaunt. She sighed and looked down at her leg.

"Weak," Hecate said quietly. "Tired. And upset that I have delayed our plans once again."

"You haven't," Pluto said. He sat by her. "You will stay here and rest. We will be back with Bianca before you know it. "

"Stay safe," Hecate said softly. "Is there nothing that I can do to help?"

Pluto looked down at Hecate once again. Her left leg was carefully bandaged, but her right leg was fine. Pluto thought about it and spoke, "If you are feeling up to it, we can have you drive. There is a special errand that must be ran."