Hades

Sometimes, I really loathed being Lord of the Underworld.

Normally it was fine, despite getting the obvious short straw when Zeus, Poseidon and I drew lots, our domains suited us how they were.

Right now though, my home in the Underworld was much too close to something else for it to be enjoyed in the slightest.

Tartarus.

Sure, monsters left all the time through the doors of death, which was normal, nothing could be done to stop it, but it didn't threaten the Underworld.

Now, however, something worse than monsters was moving about, dusting themselves off and making me very nervous, because they were close to the pit connecting the Underworld to Tartarus, and they wanted out.

So of course, I had come to Olympus, blast Zeus and his rules of when I was to be here. Even if this was less urgent, I didn't take orders from him. I'd brought Persephone as well, as I wasn't about to leave her in danger in the Underworld. Thanatos and I had discussed the situation at length and would take turns venturing back to make sure the spirits were still being judged well and the system was upheld.

I pushed through the doors of the throne room with ease and walked straight to the middle of the thrones. Zeus was present, as were Hera, Athena, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hermes and Hestia. I nodded to Poseidon and Hestia politely, Athena and Hera weren't of notice at the moment, they were on my list of fools thinking it was wise to anger Poseidon's son. Aphrodite wasn't paying me any attention anyways, so I felt no need to nod to her.

Zeus looked me over and his eyes flared, "Hades, what are you doing here?"

I glared at him as he was doing to me, "I have urgent news."

Athena perked up, naturally, "Has there been a noteworthy death?" her voice full of implication, which managed to bring in the attention of all the gods present. Poseidon and Aphrodite were both now on high alert, Aphrodite's reasons were a bit less genuine in nature, but even I knew that she held some amount of fondness for Percy, aside from his love life, her obvious concern.

"No, Athena, "I spat, looking at her distastefully. "This is much more important than your petty quest to murder an innocent Demigod."

I felt one of the sets of eyes in the room burning into me and turned to see Poseidon with a grateful look on his face. I let a small smile come upon my face for a moment before wiping it away and facing Zeus again.

"There are a few, erm, residents of Tartarus making moves, and their goals are obvious."

The atmosphere darkened considerably and Zeus paled a little, which I almost smirked at, if not for the urgency of the situation.

Zeus spoke up, "What is it, have the Titans reformed to make another petty attempt? Or are there some renegade Giants still looking for a shot at us." He tried to play off our past enemies, though the memories of the past two wars were still fresh, and we all knew that while Zeus's guesses wouldn't be as hard as those wars, they'd still be a challenge of their own.

However, neither was the case. In this rare instance, I truly wished that it could have been Kronos or Gaea again.

"While those two situations would be difficult to overcome in themselves, what with our best Heroes in exile because of you." I shot a pointed glare at those in the room who had agreed to the death sentence, as did the Gods in the room whom had opposed it. "This is a much, much worse threat. A small group of Primordials are attempting to rise, and I'm uncertain as to if there is anything we can do to stop them from escaping Tartarus."

Zeus's face contorted into a mix of shock and fear, before he turned to face Hermes, "Summon the others, quickly."

Hermes, at speeds that were fast even by his own standards, sent out word to the rest of the council. All of them answered and appeared in their thrones within seconds, and I wondered what exactly Hermes had used as his message.

Definitely not the standard 'Council Meeting' alert. It took hours for everyone to make their way here with those.

Thirteen pairs of eyes now looked upon me, as Zeus motioned for me to recap what I'd said.

"There are Primordials rising from Tartarus, we probably can't stop them." I said, shrugging after summarizing the situation. Faces paled, but no one uttered a word, as opposed to the usual yelling and shouting that would erupt amongst the council.

Artemis spoke first, "Are they using the Doors of Death?"

I shook my head, "Most of them are, but I've sensed at least one very near the pit in the underworld that leads to Tartarus. I believe she will make her way out there, to attack my palace."

Demeter's eyes widened, "Your palace is in danger and you are h-" I put up a hand and a firm glare, "Quiet Demeter, don't think so lowly of me that I would leave my own Wife in danger. Persephone is safe, here on Olympus." I growled, effectively shutting up the annoying Cereal Goddess.

Poseidon picked up on something else in my words. "She? You know which Primordial it is?"

I nodded, "It appears Nyx is very agitated, and many of her children down there with her will follow her. As far as I can tell, Akhlys and Erebus have been searching for the Doors of Death. Accompanied by a few other Primordial children of Nyx and Erebus."

Apollo scratched his chin, "Didn't Athena's kid say Percy fought Akhlys and beat her? She might want revenge and be helping to attack us to get to him."

Dionysus snorted, "She was beat by the boy once, you'd think she'd learn the lesson. Maybe there is an immortal as foolish as Ares."

Hestia's quiet voice managed to ring out through the Hall of the Gods, "She doesn't need to fear being beaten by Perseus Jackson, she'll be attacking us, and as long as Zeus keeps up his idiotic ideas of murdering the young man, he will not be fighting for us."

Artemis nodded in agreement, as did I. "Yes, they obviously know what's going on here, what better time to strike at the Olympians than when they've chased away their greatest Champion."

"Silence Hades." Zeus warned, glaring at me. I just glared back, "Just because you are King does not mean I will follow you when you make stupid decisions, Brother." I retorted, giving him a warning as well.

Poseidon broke up our standoff, "Zeus, try to see sense. If the Primordials strike, we will need all our children to help us fight them. We cannot watch from the sidelines this time, and we cannot win without their help."

Zeus huffed, "You speak as if they will not aid us." I sighed, honestly, we'd have been so much better off with Poseidon as King of the Gods.

Hestia would be an even better ruler, but she did not wish for any sorts of positions like that.

Speaking of Hestia, it was she who spoke up again, "That's because they won't" she said softly. Looking at both Poseidon and I with a sad smile. She knew we knew that, besides, it was our sons out there, on the run.

Well, there were some unclaimed and that new Hermes boy, as well as Athena's daughter. Athena would be surprised if she found out her daughter was not at camp. Dionysus made regular checks with Chiron on activities attendance to see who was present, but it was obvious the Centaur's loyalties put the Demigods first, he was marking her as present. Hestia could sense her presence with Percy and Nico, as could I and Poseidon.

"Of course they will," Hera scoffed, "They are children of the Gods, why would they not fight for the Gods?" Leave it to the Goddess of Family to not understand that the Demigods were their own family.

I was the Lord of the Dead and I knew more about the campers than she did, if only because I kept track of my children.

Apollo and Hermes chuckled, despite the tense situation. They quieted under the glares of Hera and Zeus, but didn't back down, as Apollo spoke, "The Campers are more loyal to Percy than they are to us. Obviously, he's lead them through wars and been by their sides, we've just been up here."

Various Gods seemed like they wanted to speak up, but Hermes interrupted, "That includes all of your kids," He pointed at Athena, "your kids," He pointed now at Ares, "your kids," Dionysus, "and your kids, " Zeus.

Poseidon grinned as Apollo jumped in again, "Not to mention the rest of our kids, and probably all the Minor Gods kids as well."

Athena scoffed, as did Ares, "As If my children would be Loyal to a child of Poseidon over their own Mother." She spoke up.

Hestia, apparently feeling feisty and talkative today, scoffed right back, "That's why one of them left camp to go be with him in his exile and none of the hundreds of Greek and Roman demigods who are all fully aware of her absence at Camp have spoken a word of it to us."

Athena furrowed her eyebrows, "Who… Annabeth." Her eyes darkened with an emotion rarely seen on the Wisdom Goddess, sadness.

"Besides the obvious loyalty factors. Annabeth and Percy are the leaders of Camp Half Blood, the Camp doesn't make decisions of war without them, and both of them are absent." I noted, "And the Roman Praetors are both friends with Percy, Annabeth and Nico. Now they've made peace with the Greeks, and they respect the Son of Poseidon. They will not make a move without Camp Half Blood with them."

Zeus clenched his jaw, looking over each God and Goddess in the room. Finally, he spoke, but it was not what the majority of the council had hoped to hear.

"Continue the search, we will find Jackson and the others and finish what was started. Our children will fight for us, like they always have."

Many heads shook in disbelief before they flashed out of the throne room, most to go continue the search that had now moved to Europe. Though I could feel that Nico had moved to America already, presumably with the others.

He was safe. I realized I'd have to thank Artemis and Zeus's daughter for warning them to move. If the Lady of the Hunt had been in agreement with killing Jackson, my son would already be dead, along with the rest of them.

The flashes stopped and I glanced around, noticing that only six of us remained.

Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, Demeter and I.

The children of Kronos. How refreshing.

"You're making a mistake, Zeus." Surprising us all once again, it was Hestia who spoke up.

She seemed to smirk at me as if reading my thoughts, which I wouldn't put past her.

"Don't accuse me of such things, Hestia. I had thought you were the level-headed sibling here. And yet you have countered me at every turn in this meeting."

The flames in Hestia's eyes flickered more brightly, and the room got slightly hotter.

"Perhaps," I interjected, "You should take note of the fact that you're right. Hestia is the most sensible here. It should make it clear to you that you're making the wrong choice if she has opposed you so firmly."

My eyes locked with Poseidon's and I nudged my head towards our siblings, mouthing 'advantage'.

Despite Athena's constant insults and claims that my Brother was an idiot, he caught on at once. Being perceptive when he needed to be, a trait his son had gotten.

Our advantage, came in the form of our siblings. Hestia, Poseidon and I were all against Zeus's actions to kill Percy, Hera and Zeus, of course, were in favor, though Hera wasn't very interested in it, she was acting mostly just as support for Zeus, as his wife. If Zeus changed his mind, she wouldn't oppose it on this matter.

That left Demeter, who was indifferent to the situation, but if she could be convinced to take a stance…

Demeter was the swing vote. Not an easy one to turn in our favour, for me at least. She hated me with gusto, but Hestia and Poseidon… they could do it.

I noticed Poseidon shuffle over to me, as Hestia and Zeus had gotten into a debate. He whispered, "We need Demeter."

I nodded, "I can't do it, has to be you or Hestia."

Poseidon smiled dryly. "Hestia is a little preoccupied. I snickered immaturely, "I haven't seen her this riled up since she first got out of Father's stomach."

Poseidon grinned at me, "That was the only time I've actually seen her fight, should we be worried for our brother's health?" I just grunted in response, "If I feel him dying, I'll start to consider holding her off. She can be scary."

"So," he got back on track for us, "How can we get Demeter?"

I thought about it for a few minutes, Poseidon leaving me be, as he tried to think as well, before I widened my eyes, surprised neither of us had thought of this sooner. "Persephone." I murmured.

Poseidon looked at me strangely, "What can she do about it?"

"No no, you dolt. Demeter loves Persephone, her child. She loves her children almost as much as you or Hermes, get her to sympathize. Percy is in danger, your only son. How would she feel in your situation?"

He nodded and walked over to Demeter, greeting her solemnly before speaking, putting a glum look on his face.

I tuned back into Hestia and Zeus.

"…You're being blinded by fear, Zeus, don't forget what Annabeth reminded you of, Perseus's fatal flaw. He would never turn on us."

Zeus turned red, "You said yourself that his loyalty is to his friends, not to the Gods, like theirs to him. His flaw does not factor in here!"

I chipped in, "He is loyal to Poseidon, and has respect for a number of the Gods. Besides, he's fought the Titans and Giants, and some of these Primordials, why would he suddenly change his mind and think they'd be better suited to rule?"

Zeus glared at me, "Where has all the sudden confidence arisen from, you two are usually quiet."

Hestia shrugged, "Young Perseus is brave, kind and giving. I will not stand by as he is murdered just because you're paranoid."

I smirked, "It's fairly easy to be confident in our argument when every second Is proof that we're right."

"And what does that mean?" Zeus questioned.

"Think about it, brother, you tried to murder Percy Jackson in front of his father, his girlfriend, his cousins and his close friends. Just because you thought he might turn on you and he's powerful. He had to go into exile and hide away from the world, separated from his home, his friends, and most of his family. Yet instead of getting angry and plotting revenge against you like most people in his spot would do. He decided to just go around helping Demigods, waiting for you to see sense so he can go home and have some peace."

Zeus stared at me murderously before declaring, "This matter is closed. The search will continue until we need the other Gods for more important situations. We have bigger problems than listening to your complaints."

Hestia glared at the Lord of the Sky with such ferocity it made me wonder if she was about to blow her top, but she simply put forward a closing statement, "You're going to need Perseus Jackson to help fight the Primordials Zeus, and ignoring the calls to let him live will be the death of all of us, all on you."

With that, the Goddess of the Hearth disappeared in a curtain of flame, mocking Zeus's dramatic entrances and exits.

Zeus turned to me as if to tell me off as well, but I just shook my head at him disappointedly and vanished, seeing Poseidon gearing up to do the same. He didn't look as glum as before, so perhaps his chat with Demeter had been beneficial.

Hestia

It was rare that you would ever find me anywhere but the Hearth on Olympus or the fire at Camp Half Blood, but I needed somewhere else to relax a little.

That's why I was sitting on a bench in Central Park in the form of a twenty five year old woman. One that mortals were subconsciously steering clear of because the air around her almost seemed heated and dry.

I felt a cooler breeze blow by and looked up momentarily to spot my brother, Poseidon, approaching me slowly.

He looked almost cautious, but I knew that the Sea God wasn't afraid to confront me. We'd always been rather close, with his laid back attitude, we got along much better than most of the Gods.

"You're scaring the mortals, sister" he said calmly, sitting down. I slowly took note of the grass drying out around me and relaxed. The cool breeze seemed to return, obviously Poseidon's doing.

"Sorry" I murmured, looking down. "Just, Zeus's actions are too much."

Poseidon chuckled, "We haven't seen you this agitated in quite a long time."

I smiled slowly, "I may not be one for violence, but there are some things that are worth fighting for."

Looking up at him, I saw him smiling appreciatively at me, "Your son is one of those things, if anyone deserves a happy ending to their lives, it's him and Annabeth. I plan on seeing that happen."

He nodded before speaking, "Despite how tempting some of the council makes it at times to disagree, our family is worth fighting for as well. No matter how foolish Zeus or Athena may be or how many times they'll threaten my son. The Gods are still a better option than the Titans, Giants… or now the Primordials." He rambled, an annoyed tone to his words, "Honestly though, we were slightly wrong, the Demigods will fight for us eventually." He added. I cocked an eyebrow at him, asking for explanation.

He smirked, "As hard headed and stupid as some Gods may think my son is, he knows very much. He's well aware of the fact that Zeus as king is better than a Primordial, or any other beings that may challenge our power as Olympians." I nodded slowly, "You think Perseus would actually come to our aid? Despite everything?"

He shook his head, "Him personally coming to our aid, I'm not sure, he's cautious enough to expect Zeus to blast him as soon as he sees him rather than accept his help and leave him alone. But aiding us in other ways… well, he's a very resourceful Demigod."

Poseidon now smirked knowingly, "Besides, as pointed out, my son is the one with an army of half-bloods at his disposal, not Lord Zeus."

I shook my head, smiling. Leave it to Poseidon to find a way to one up his brother in a situation like this.

"Anyways, we have some time still to prepare, Hades prepared some defenses to delay the Primordials, we have anywhere between four months and a year to prepare. That is assuming no drastic developments occur." He stood, brushing off his shorts, as if any dirt or dust would actually have settled on them.

I remained seated, only looking up when I felt his gaze on me. I glanced at him quizzically before meeting his eyes.

"Do you think you'll be fighting in this war, with the primordials?" he asked, his relaxed tone becoming more serious.

I sighed, not truly knowing the answer myself, "I don't know Poseidon, it depends on how many of our enemies get on my nerves as bad as Zeus has lately when they arrive here." I responded wittily.

He grinned, taking the humor in stride like he always did, "Lets hope they poke you with a stick Hestia, you're the scariest of all our siblings when you're angry."

The Lord of the Seas winked playfully at me before vanishing, leaving the fresh sea breeze behind.