Disclaimer, I do not own these characters, universe or books/situations. All for Rick and Hans50.
Reunions in the Underworld
Previously…
"Do not call me Moonbeam!" She shrieked.
He just chuckled at her antics. "Ok then, how about Bambi then, since you're goddess of the hunt?" He joked as he saw her face turn red.
"You'll pay for that!" She shouted as she lunged at him, only for him to shoot into the air laughing out loud.
"Get back here you Kelp-Headed idiot!" Thalia screamed. "You still have to un-freeze me!"
"Don't worry Thalia. We'll get him back." Artemis reassured her half-sister. She felt the fluttering in her chest again as Percy joked with her, calling her those nicknames, his eyes shining with mirth. She was having these weird feelings for him lately and they seemed to be getting stronger.
I can't be falling for a man…could I? She thought to herself as Percy finally disappeared from their view over the horizon.
Now…
Percy POV
As I flew away from my screaming cousin and a furious moon goddess, I couldn't help but laugh at the looks on their faces. It was priceless when I called Artemis, Bambi. Come to think of it, I think that that will be her new nickname from now on. It suits her really, she can look so sweet and innocent in her twelve-year old form like a deer, but get her angry and she'll become vicious! I've seen some nature shows and deer are not an animal to mess with; they can be downright brutal!
As I flew, I couldn't help but reflect on how much my life has changed in the past few days. I went from living on my own, in the wild helping out demigods to being Guardian of the Hunt with of bunch of man-haters. My life is seriously screwed up.
But what I found weird is that the pain of the betrayal at the hands of my former friends and the deaths of my parents seemed to be…lifting, getting easier to deal with. Over the past few years, I have been a wreck, mentally and emotionally. The first few months after getting adopted by Hestia, I went on a rampage all throughout America, finding any monster stupid enough to cross my path and I slaughtered all of them without mercy.
I trained daily, honing my powers of the sea and over fire to untold levels. I even went so far as to develop a form of fighting where I used my elements as a primary weapon. The fighting style I created was a cross between Mixed Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu, where I would perform the fighting movements and the elements of water and fire would respond to those movements. Fire and water now flowed through my body and through my fighting style as if they were an extension of my body. Also, with this new fighting style, I was proficient in multiple areas of hand-to-hand combat, should I ever be disarmed. The fighting styles helped calm the raging storm of emotions that boiled and churned inside of me for the first few years.
Now that I am with the hunt, seeing Thalia, and my father and the gods again, I could feel the pain start to lessen its unforgiving grip on my heart. Slowly, bit by bit, I was healing and I have to say it felt good to feel the pain and hurt start to heal. That does not mean that I forgive or will ever forget what happened to me, but I will move past it and become stronger because of it.
I couldn't help but think of a certain, silver-eyed moon goddess that kept popping into my mind. While she didn't want me in the hunt at first, I could tell she was holding back her man-hating tendencies tremendously. I've read some of the stories and myths of what she did to me and to only get a few hit and mean comments that seemed playful and friendly in nature? That just blew my mind.
I couldn't help but think of how beautiful she was; those silver eyes of her and the rare smiles that cross her face that made her beauty seem to glow even brighter was astonishing. There was nothing artificial about her and I hoped there never would be; she was naturally beautiful and that made it all the more attractive.
Whoa boy! I thought to myself. She is a maiden goddess who has forsworn the company of men for eternity! Do not think such thoughts; remember what happened last time you gave your heart to a girl? She completely crushed it and you do not want to feel that pain again! I mentally slapped myself, reprimanding my traitorous thoughts.
"Ok. But that doesn't mean we can't be friends, right? It would for the best that you just saw her as a friend and maybe in time she will see you as one as well." I said aloud. Satisfied with that conclusion I angled myself to the direction of the Underworld.
As I flew in silence for about ten minutes, I thought of something that made me want to smack myself silly. I could flash there using fire-travel! Thank you, Blessing of Athena!
I concentrated on DOA recording studios and flashed out in a column of fire, reappearing in front of the entrance to the Underworld. I walked in seeing the familiar figures of shades of the dead, but there were quite a few less than the last time. Last time it was overflowing with shades but now, it looked like about over half were gone.
I walked up to the front desk and a small smile stretched across my lips as I saw the familiar form of Charon the Ferryman. He looked the same as ever, tall and elegant, with his bleach-blonde hair and a silk Italian suit. His black reflective glasses covering his eyes as he read a novel. I walked up to him and rang the bell, waiting for him to look up.
The reaction was quite funny as he looked up with a bored expression before looking back down at his book before he did a double take, his expression one of surprise before he fell out of his chair. I burst out laughing as Charon picked himself off the floor, glaring at me playfully.
"Perseus Jackson. I have not seen you in years! My gods, are those wings?" He asked shocked as he got a good look at the raven black wings I forgot to put up.
"Yeah they are, being the Guardian of the Hunt and having the Blessing of Olympus gets you some cool stuff." I said flapping my wings a little.
"I you haven't drowned in a bathtub yet either I see." He said mischievously in his British accent.
I chuckled at the excuse I made up all those years ago to first get into the Underworld.
"Yeah, haven't done that yet and never will. I've had a lot of opportunities to die over the years and each one is a way better excuse than that one." I said.
"Yes, that would be quite embarrassing, 'Son of Poseidon, death by drowning in bathtub!' If that ever happened, it would go up on the wall of ridiculous deaths." Charon said, pointing to the wall behind him.
I looked at the wall and laughed. "All those deaths are on that show A Thousand Ways to Die!" I said disbelievingly, clutching my sides.
"Yes. Where do you think they got the idea from, hmm?" He asked me with a raised eyebrow.
I just continued to chuckle. "So, I see that you got a new Italian suit. Looks good."
Charon had a full-blown smile on his face now. "Yes, I have you to thank for that! Ever since you got the Olympians to respect the minor gods, I've gotten a pay raise and a cabin at that camp of yours!" He said, grinning.
I was surprised by that but smiled anyway. "Well your welcome."
His face then took on a serious expression and he then dropped a bombshell on me. "Perseus, I also want to thank you personally. I know that you were the one who have been making sure that demigods get to the camps safely and if it wasn't for you, my son would not be alive today." He said and I was stunned.
He reached into his jacket pocket of his suit, grabbed his wallet, and removed a photo from it and handed it to me. It was a picture of one of the kids I escorted to camp. I remembered him because there was a whole group of monsters after the little eight-year old boy. He had his father's hair, skin color, and his black eyes that looked full of midnight and death, but her had his mother's mouth and nose, along with her kindness in his eyes. I smiled as I recalled his name was John and he was a sweet kid.
"I remember him. You have a fine son there, Charon." I said handing the photo back to him, who took it and smiled with a father's love at the picture.
"He is my first demigod child, which makes him very powerful. I didn't know if he would make it, but you saved him. For that, when you die, and I do hope you never do, you will have a ride free of charge waiting for you my friend." He said sincerely.
I smiled, touched that he would do that for me. It was huge that Charon would forgo any payment and give someone a ride for free.
"Well, I need to head to the Underworld, Charon. I have a reunion I need to get to with my cousin. Also, could you give these spirits a ride to the Underworld? It's on me." I said as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a pouch filled with Drachmas.
Charon smiled and nodded as he reached out and took the money. "Come along everyone. Free ride to the Underworld!" He said as the shades all cheered and chattered in excitement.
We made out way to the elevator, stepped on it and began our decent into the Realm of Hades. I felt the familiar feeling of rapid descent downwards that soon turned into the rocking of a boat. I looked down and saw that the River Styx was just as, if not more, polluted than the last time I was down here. I felt bad, looking at the Styx as all the broken hopes and dreams of all who have died were carried along in its currents. The power of hope burned in me and I felt like I needed to do something but didn't know what.
Soon we reached the other side of the river, where everyone began to disembark. I turned to Charon and held out my hand.
"This is my stop. I hope to see you again Charon, but hopefully not in death." I joked as he took my hand.
"Likewise, my friend. Likewise." He said as he shook my hand. He then got back on his boat and pushed off back across the river before the mists swallowed him, making his disappear from sight.
I made my way towards the gates of the Underworld and saw that the traffic has really gotten better. There were now multiples lines and everything was moving at a quicker pace. Looks like Daedalus really did a great job.
I walked past Cerberus, who growled at me, before sniffing me and barking excitedly. I smiled up at the giant monster guard dog and pulled something out I prepared just for the occasion. I held a giant red rubber ball in my hand, courtesy of the magic pockets that mom gave to be able to hold a lot more than what they appear.
"Hey boy, look what I got for you! I recall that you like these big red rubber balls. If you let me pass, it's all yours!" I called out to him, holding the ball up.
He barked out excitedly and panted, looking at me with pleading eyes to throw it.
"Good boy!" I said as I threw the monster size red ball at him, which he promptly caught and began to chew with vigor, his other heads snapping trying to get at there new toy. I briskly walked under through his legs and through the scanners, praying to the gods that the magic concealers in my clothing concealed any trace magic.
I breathed a sigh of relief as they didn't go off and I spread my wings, launching myself towards Hades' Palace.
I could see the whole of the Underworld from here, the Fields of Asphodel, extending for countless miles, the Fields of Punishment, glowing red and black as screams of the damned could be heard from here. I saw Elysium, on the far side of the Underworld and it glittered in all color of the rainbow, giving off a feeling a peace, happiness and joy.
My heart clenched at the sight because I knew all my dead friends were there as well as my mom and dad. I wanted so badly to go there and see them once again, but I knew that I couldn't. While I have broken a lot of rules and laws in my life, this was one rule I knew that I couldn't break. So with a heavy heart, I turned to back to the black palace in the distance.
I landed in front of the massive bronze doors with the guard skeletons aimed their rifles at me. I saw three figures flying over the palace walls and saw my demonic math teacher and her sisters land on the ledge above me. Their eyes were glowing red and they hissed at me, but I could tell it was only half-heartedly.
"Hello Honey. Come to meet your death?" Alecto hissed at me, still angry for those times that I killed her.
"No Mrs. Dodges. I came to see my uncle and cousin. Now if you would please move out of the way, I would rather not have to kill you again." I smirked letting my natural talent for pissing people off shine through.
She hissed again and looked ready to lunge, but stopped as she tilted her head to the side as if she was listening to something.
She looked angry and annoyed but sighed and nodded her head.
"Looks like it's your lucky day, sea spawn. Lord Hades has felt your arrival since you enter DOA Records and will allow you to have an audience with him." She said scowling, obviously not happy that she couldn't attack me.
The doors opened and I walked through them, making my way to the Throne Room of the Underworld. As I entered, I saw Hades and Persephone sitting in their respective thrones, holding hand looking down at me. Things must be going good for their marriage if Persephone would be down here during the summer time.
I walked up to them and bowed before them.
Hades chuckled and I looked up at them confused to see that they both had smiles on their faces.
"Rise nephew. While I do appreciate the gesture, you have no reason to bow to me. You have given me my throne back up on Olympus, have given me and my children the respect they deserve, and had my family accept me after millennia. For this, you do not have to bow to me." He said sincerely, as I stood there stunned at his passionate claim.
Persephone smiled at me as well and nodded her head. "I as well, young hero. You have brought me respect and have recognized me and my husband. For this, I thank you as well." She said.
"Thank you Aunt and Uncle. But I bow to you as a sign of respect. While I may be disrespectful and an upstart at times, I do give my respect to those who deserve it." I said respectfully, mirth dancing in my eyes as I looked at them mischievously.
Hades chuckled at my antics. "So what can I do for you nephew?" He asked.
I got a little nervous before steeling my nerves. "Could you perhaps call Nico here? I think it's time that I let him know I'm ok. Besides, I've missed the little goth." I said.
Hades nodded and lifted his hand. Shadows swirled and formed in the middle of the throne room, before a boy of sixteen stepped out of the shadows. My cousin certainly has grown up over the years and immortality suits him. He was dressed in his usual, black shirt, shoes and pants get-up with his standard aviator jacket, skull ring, and black Stygian Iron sword. He had grown pretty tall, a height of 6'0', and developed some muscles in his limbs and shoulders from all the training he has done. His skin, while still pale, now showed of his Italian side, as his skin was now an olive color. His face had matured as well and I guess you could call him handsome. But all I saw was the same, ten-year old kid that loved his Myth-o-magic game.
He looked at his father questioningly. "Father, why have you summoned me here? I was in the middle of the project you assigned me." He said, a little irritable.
Hades just smiled in excitement as he waved his hand in my direction. "Someone is here to see you, my boy. Someone very important." He said.
Nico just looked at him in question before finally looking in my direction. His eyes widened comically and his jaw dropped.
"Close you mouth Death Breath. You don't want to catch skeletal flies now, would you or whatever it is that could fly into your mouth?" I joked.
The sound of his old nickname snapped him out of his shocked silence before he rushed at me and gave me a crushing bear hug that rivaled Tyson's. I hugged him back just as tightly as I realized that his shoulders were shaking from silent sobs. I was stunned; never did I think that my badass cousin would cry. I felt a whole new level of guilt rise within me as I witnessed this.
He finally pulled back and I could see tears rolling down his face but he had a look of joy and relief on his face. That was when I got a super strong punch to the gut that sent me flying across the room where I smashed into one of the walls. I laid there gasping for breath as I saw him stalk over to me with anger on his face as an aura of death and shadows surrounded him.
I clutched my stomach in pain but I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah I guess I deserve that. You sure do pack one heck of a punch though." I said, wincing in pain.
His aura of death immediately dispersed, as did his anger before he reached down and picked me up.
"You can't exactly me blame me now can you Perce?" He said smiling, all traces of anger gone from his voice left with his usual, cocky, sarcastic attitude.
"There's the good old death breath that I've come to known and tolerate." I said grinning as he mocked glared at me before he smiled again.
He pulled me into another hug." Man, it is so good to see you again Percy. Things haven't been the same since you left. After I heard what camp did to you, I rarely went back. Heck, the only reason why I went back was to talk to Chiron."
I looked down at his statement. "How is he doing Nico?"
Nico looked at me with pain-filled eyes. "Not well Percy. He misses you dearly. You were like his favorite student, a son to him really. But he does understand why you left. And after hearing that your parents were killed as well? He knew it would take time." He said sadly.
I felt horrible and sad for my mentor who was like a father to me when my dad could not be there.
"I miss him a lot Nico. Him and Clarisse and Chris. I will try to visit him but it will take a lot more time before I go back to that place. A LONG time." I said not completely healed.
He placed his hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to go back until you're ready bro. But just know that I will be there for you when the time comes. That's what brothers do for each other, right?"
I looked at him in shock before smiling. "So, we're brothers now?" I said mischievously.
"Yeah man. You king of filled the sibling role ever since Bianca died." He blushed a little but joked right back.
"You do realize that that makes you the little baby brother, right?" I said laughing at the look on his face.
"I take that back, you are the supremely, annoying big brother that makes my life miserable!" He said pouting while still laughed. I saw Hades and Persephone were trying to hide their laughter as well, but not very well.
"Man it's good to have the old gang back together!" Nico said as he got over his little pouting phase.
I looked at Hades and Persephone for a moment before I got a crazy idea. "Uncle, if it's not too much to ask, could I ask a request of you?" I asked.
"Oh? And what is this request, nephew?" He asked interested.
"With your permission, could you allow the Jason, Hazel, Piper, Frank, Leo, and Chiron to come down here so that I may visit them? It would be very convenient with Nico's ability to shadow travel very quickly since he is now your lieutenant." I asked, hoping for him to say yes.
Hades sat on his throne with a look of contemplation on his face. "Well, they all are great heroes, and since some of them are immortal, they do require an invitation to come to my domain." He mused as he stroked his chin. Persephone placed a hand over his and gave him a slight nod.
Hades sighed and nodded his head at me. "Very well Percy, as long as they see fit to respect my home and domain and remain in the palace, then I don't see the harm." He said and I grinned at him before bowing.
"Thank you, Uncle. It means a lot." I said while he scowled.
"What did I say about the bowing?" He said sharply and I just smirked at him.
"To not to, but I got to keep my rep up about being able to annoy all kinds of immortal deities, no?" I said playfully.
He narrowed his eyes at me before letting out a booming laugh. "You are truly one of a kind nephew. One of a kind. Son, go fetch the mentioned people and make it quick. I have a feeling Percy will have to be back at his post by morning." He said giving me a meaningful look.
Nico looked at me in question before I gave him one that said later. He nodded and dissolved into shadows.
It took 30 minutes for Nico to round up everyone. I spent that time talking to Persephone and Hades about my adventures and them telling me stories about life in the Underworld. I laughed at the story that Persephone told me that she once turned Hades whole palace into a guardian and virtual jungle of flowers. I could see the embarrassment Hades had on his face as she told me about his reaction. Who knew that an all-powerful lord of the dead could faint after seeing so much color on his beloved palace?
Pretty soon the shadows began to thicken in the room, signaling that Nico was on his way here. Hades hid me in the shadows just as they arrived, all looking confused and suspicious on why they were here.
I smiled as I saw that they all looked so grown up but at the same time the same friends that I have always known.
"My fellow immortals, heroes, and trainer, I have summoned you here for a very special reason that is to be undertaken by all of you." Hades said dramatically. Who knew that someone besides Zeus had a flair for drama?
Chiron stepped forward nervously and I could see that the past few years have really aged him. He looked like he aged 20 years, with his hair on his hindquarters and in his hair were turning gray and you could see the pronounced wrinkles and bags under his eyes.
"Milord, what task do you require that we undertake?" He asked calmly, but with a note of unease and tiredness in his voice that I haven't heard before.
Hades looked at his half-brother sympathetically. "Do not worry brother. This task you will actually like. It is something that has been lost but now is finally found." He said cryptically.
All my friends looked confused at the cryptic message, except for Nico who was smiling. Chiron's eyes suddenly widen as his thousands of years of experience and wisdom finally solved the meaning. He looked at Hades and Nico expectantly, who just gave small nods. He looked around wildly before his eyes rested on my hiding place, followed by all my friends.
"Well, me and my wife will take our leave. Come along, my queen." Hades said as he and Persephone exited the throne room.
Smiling slightly and with no small amount of nervousness, I stepped out from the shadows and waited for the explosion.
Their reactions were immediate as gasps and looks of shock and disbelief were prominent on all their faces. The girls hands flew to their mouths while the guys eyes widened comically and jaws dropped open. Leo even flew on the floor, completely stunned.
I waved my hand at them. "Hey guys? What's up?" I said before I found myself tackled by five immortal demigods.
"PERCY!" Was all I heard as I was crushed in embraces and man hugs. Hazel and Piper were so happy, they kissed my cheeks, blushing bright red and I gave man hugs and fist bumps to Jason, Leo, and Frank. They had looks of joy on their faces, tears of happiness streaming from their eyes.
After they all gave me hugs, I got up and turned to my teacher who I may have missed the most. He stared at me like he has seen a ghost, like his eyes must be playing tricks on him, and my friends backed up to make room for us. He took a timid step as I did the same.
'Percy? Is that really you?" He whispered hopefully, reaching a hand out to me.
I felt tears rise to my eyes as I nodded my head and ran forward into his open arms as I hugged him tightly, the tears finally falling.
A well of emotion erupted between mentor and student as we embraced each other tightly, years of pain, hurt, and sadness poured out to be replaced by peace and happiness. I felt my tears stain his shirt and his tears fell upon my head and shoulders.
"My boy. It is so good to see you again." Chiron said, pulling away, holding me at arm's length. He looked so much better now, the stress falling from his face as he regained that sparkle in his eyes.
Wiping the tears from my eyes I smiled at him. "It is good to see you too Chiron. I missed you so much. As I missed all of you..." I said looking at my friends.
"It's good to see you too bro." Jason said, wrapping an arm around Piper. "When we heard what happened at camp, man we couldn't believe it. I had to hold off the armies of the Legion from marching on Camp Half-blood when they found out. They demanded justice after what they did to a fellow Roman, not to mention the Praetor."
'I'm still a praetor at camp? I thought they would still be made about the whole 'Argo shooting up New Rome' fiasco?" I said surprised.
"Dude, that was cleared up a long time ago and the Romans see you as one of their own. You have all the qualities of a Roman and a leader and nobody messes with one of ours and gets away with it." Frank said pulling Hazel in close to him.
It was then that I noticed that all of them were wearing rings, even Leo.
"What's that that you all got on your fingers? Something important I see, eh?" I said wiggling my eyebrows suggestively, to which they all blushed at.
"Yeah, all the boys proposed to us after the second year you went…missing." Piper said as she held out her hand, showing off her engagement ring, with hazel doing the same.
"You're all engaged?" I asked, to which they nodded their heads.
"Congratulations!" I shouted out, wrapping Piper in a hug before going over to Hazel, picking her up and twirling her around in a circle. I gave all the guys another man-hug and a warning.
"Just want to let you know, you better treat them right or you'll have to answer to me." I said seriously, boring my stare into Frank and Jason's eyes and was satisfied when they paled and nodded their heads.
"Excellent! And Leo, who's the lucky lady and how on Gaea's green earth did you get a girl?" I asked in mock astonishment to which all but Leo chuckled.
"Well, no girl could possibly resist the Leo-meister. I got hot stuff all over me baby!" He yelled out flexing his muscles. We all rolled our eyes at him.
"But seriously, my fiancé is none other than…wait for it…Calypso!" He said in excitement and I was both happy and stunned.
"The gods finally let her off her island?" I asked. Leo nodded and I had a huge smile on my face.
"Congratulations man! If anyone deserves happiness it is her and you. My warning that I just gave these two knuckleheads applied to you as well, clear?" I said gesturing to Jason and Frank.
Leo paled and nodded very quickly. While I was happy and so excited for all of them, I couldn't but feel a little sad and bitter. If things had gone the way I wanted, I could probably have been married right now and could have had a family started. I pushed those thoughts away violently, and plastered a smile on my face.
"You all better invite me to the wedding! I would not miss them for the world!" I said, pointing my finger at all of them.
We spent the next two hours catching up with each other and swapping stories of the past few years. The girls all told me how the guys proposed to them and how it was all cheesy, but they loved it anyway. They talked about the searches for me and the status of the camps. When they talked about Camp Half-Blood, there was a hint of disgust and anger in their tones. I felt touched that they would go to such extreme lengths for me but also a little sad that camp was no longer a home to them. I was happy to know that Camp Jupiter accepted them with open arms and that immortality and being apprentices and immortal trainers of heroes was treating them well.
I told them about my adventures and they were shocked that I had done so much and killed so many monsters. They were really happy that I was helping get demigods to their respective camps. However, the shock that Hestia adopted me and I was blessed by Athena and Guardian of the Hunt completely blew their minds. Leo fainted when I showed them my new wings and I just chuckled at their dumbfounded expressions. Pretty soon they all they all had to leave and they all gave me one last hug, making me promise to visit them, which I agreed to right away. I was finally back and wasn't going anywhere again.
I hugged Chiron one last time as he gave me one last word of advice.
"Percy, while I know you are hurting and know that you no longer want to come to camp, just know that camp will always be your home. Think and focus on the good memories instead of the bad. I'm not saying to forgive and forget just yet, not until you're ready, but when you are ready, I will be there for you." He said in his infinite wisdom.
"Thanks Chiron, I'll remember those words." I said.
"You have grown up into such a fine, strong hero my boy. If nothing else, just know that I am so proud of you." He said, sincerity and pride shining in his eyes.
I hugged him once more before Nico shadow travelled them all away.
"Well man, I got a few hours before sunrise, why don't you show me that little project that you were working on?" I said.
"Sure, why not? It will be a big help to have someone new with fresh ideas. But look who I'm talking to, your mind is so full of kelp." He joked with me.
"Careful Nico. I have the blessing of Athena now so I'm much smarter now than when I was a few years ago. Plus, I can still kick your immortal, under worldly butt." I said smirking.
Nico laughed. "While you have gotten so many cool blessing and weapons, you never change Perce. You never change. He said as the shadow consumed us, taking us out of the throne room.
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