I haven't read TC in a while, so excuse me if Bianca is OOC. And I apologize for such a long wait, many factors contributed to it. My laziness, the holidays, and a brief spell of writer's block. And there were more. But the point is, your long-awaited chapter is here. Enjoy it. There isn't a lot of the flock in this chapter, by the way. But they're there. And I have to thank all my faithful reviewers. Again, a billion apologies for like a month's (?) wait. Thanks coocoo4coco.puffs for that idea... winks

Bianca stood before me all right, but something was different. She was shimmering. And to a greater extent than any of the Hunters. Thalia and Annabeth were behind her, looking grim. And my mouth was probably wide open.

I cast a beseeching look at Annabeth. She shook her head. What was going on?

"Bianca," I said. "You're alive?"

She smiled, showing ghostly white teeth. "He let me come back...for one deed. Now it is done."

"Who's-" I began, but then I realized. Hades brought her back!

I guess Hades did care for other people. Didn't see that coming.

Then the worst part hit me, like the unseen dodgeball in a gym. She had to go back. To Hades.

Annabeth caught the look of dawning comprehension on my face. She bowed her head sadly.

"Wait." I said desperately. "Can't we negotiate?"

The sinking feeling in my gut had already told me the answer. No way was Hades, lord of the Underworld going to negotiate with one of his least favorite half-bloods. No way.

She shook her head, and began to glow. We all instinctively averted our eyes. I turned around, seeing the the flock beginning to stir. Max was up, but struggling.

As a last hope, I yelled, "What about Nico?"

The glow surrounding Bianca seemed to shiver. She hesitated. "Tell him...death is eternal."

And she was gone.

The first thing I thought to ask, "What did she mean, death is eternal?"

Annabeth looked puzzled - something I didn't see a lot. Thalia was the same.

We lapsed into wordless silence. The flock up and walking, but they said nothing, seemingly corresponding with the mournful air. I kicked a rock bitterly. Hades had given her back to us, then torn her away. A more cruel thing he couldn't have done.

I began to stride away from the rest of the group. They didn't even seem to acknowledge. I kept going through the thick trees and hard-packed ground. A wave of hopelessness came across me. We had to confront Kronos. A Titan, an immortal. And an immortal had just shown me how powerful he really was. What hope did nine mortals, even three demigods and six avian hybrids stand against one?

A familiar voice in my head interrupted my thoughts. Hey, boss! What's up?

I had heard that voice before...

Blackjack. He was here.

Would you stop calling me boss? I mentally transmitted to him, annoyed. I turned to see him right . . . in front of me. He was between two other black pegasi, something I had not expected to see. But then again, I never expected to see Blackjack, anyway. But I thought he was the only black pegasi.

Sure, boss. His voice in my head said easily. I think you need flyaway horses?

I was about to ask him why I would when I realized: the transportation problem. We could keep up with the flock, maybe even outrun them. But it seemed a strange coincidence, that they'd be right here.

Who sent you? I asked before I thought. I was starting to sound a bit like Annabeth. Not a good thing . . . well, maybe it was. Thinking things through.

We are the couriers of the lord Hades, the pegasi on the left said, referring to him and the other black one. He sent us.

My mind instantly flew to malevolent plans and traps. Why would Hades provide us with a means of transportation?

He also said to tell you this, Hades' other pegasi said. Kronos will rise again. You are the only ones to stop him.

His words filled me with new determination. Even Hades was relying on us, although it seemed out of character for him to do so. Everyone was relying on us to bring Kronos down. A measure of boldness came next, washing away the hopelessness. We would defeat him. Despite how daunting it might seem. The gods, apparently, took this quest seriously.

I ran to get the others.

Thanks to coocoo4coco.puffs for the idea of using pegasi as transportation. I couldn't have done it without him/her, or any of my reviewers. I need you all. That said, I hope I can accumulate seven reviews. Or no next chapter. I know I've disappointed many with Bianca having to go, but you know Hades. He's inexorable when it comes to the dead. But he realizes, in order to save his own skin, Kronos must fall. And those nine are just the ones to do it. Prophecies don't lie. Hence the pegasi. And I was wondering, I can't think of names, can anyone think of names for the other pegasi? I'll pick my favorite two.