Hades was having a bad day. Scratch that. He was having a bad week. No, month. Year?

No, Hades was having a bad life, and it was eternal, which sucked. He did have some highlights though. Persephone, for instance, and his kids. Other than that, things were not going great for him.

Thanatos was MIA, and the other gods were naturally blaming him. Yes, the guy was his lieutenant, but he couldn't be expected to track his every movement. Thanatos was a full-grown god in his own right. Besides, there was plenty to do in the Underworld, thank you very much.

He had sent out all the search parties he could. Except Nico. He tried to send the boy out on missions of his own, for him to feel needed and important, but always relatively safe ones. He knew he wasn't the best father in the world, but at least, he tried now.

Nico was precious to him, but he had neglected and hurt his son on numerous occasions. He had even told him, that Bianca was preferable, but that was only because she was older.

Hades just wasn't good with people. There was a reason he had been made god of the Underworld. For exactly that reason, he sympathized with his son.

He had realized they were a lot alike, but exactly how much, he hadn't known, until Nico had run into his throne room, panicking, carrying a half-dead girl, he had apparently kidnapped from the mortal world.

His son put his little treasure down on a sofa, with as much care as the boy could muster, which wasn't easy, considering the boy's own stature, or lack thereof. He really needed to discuss the value of nutrients with the kid.

Now, Nico was standing, trying to explain the situation, but Hades could only catch bits and pieces, like "Poseidon" "power" and "dying". It seemed like his son had forgotten how to speak properly, all his words coming out in a rapid mix of English and Italian, with a hint of Greek and ancient Aramaic. When including his violent hand gestures, one might consider an exorcism was in order.

The girl was starting to wake, and she tried to sit up, but collapsed again. She started to fade, fast, and they had to act, if they didn't want her to be a permanent visitor to the Underworld.

He was happy, that he had always insisted, that Nico carry a load of ambrosia and nectar with him, whenever he went on missions. They would need it. Nico's hands were shaking, when he put the ambrosia into the girl's mouth. She started gaining color, and he knew she would need plenty of rest. It takes a lot out of you, returning from the brink of death. He waved his hand, expelling the girl to a room in the guest wing, simultaneously transfiguring her clothes into something more comfortable.

Nico might just be the most powerful of all his children. In a way, he was happy about that. It could have been worse. He tried to imagine little Adolph with unlimited riches or the ability to summon the dead. It wasn't pretty.

Nico at least, had a conscience. Seeing his breakdown after almost draining a girl's life force definitely proved that, more than saving the world already had. He needed to speak to him about his newfound ability, but right now, he needed a serious talk, with his little brother.

Idiot Poseidon, just couldn't help himself around a pretty girl. Jackson was an insufferable little shit, and to know, that Poseidon had one more kid running around, was disturbing at best.

It was a delicate matter though. Even if Poseidon was an idiot, Zeus was ruthless, and he didn't feel like seeing more kids dying because of Zeus' need of control. He still felt the pain of losing Maria, brought on by Zeus' fury.

Typical middle child. So, volatile.

He had the keep the girl a secret, of that he was sure, so he sent one of his trusted with a message, instead of using Hermes. One never knew.

…

It was four days in the Underworld, until the girl woke up. Gods, he needed Persephone for this. The girl was very sweet, and kind. She was definitely fearless, and he had to respect that. Obviously, she had no idea of her parentage. Persephone would know, what to do and what to say. But unfortunately, it was summer. He missed her. His son did a surprisingly adequate job of springing the news on her, even if she was disbelieving at first. Nothing seemed to faze her, not even being in the Underworld, it was admirable and charming. As unfortunate as it was, that she was the spawn of Poseidon, she could be good for his son. She wouldn't let him hide away. So, he did the natural thing, and forced him to stay in her company.

…

When Poseidon swaggered into the throne room, flip-flops, Hawaii-shirt and cocky smirk in place. He jumped up the small steps, and threw himself onto Persephone's golden throne. Hades was just about ready to throttle him.

"Before we start this," he seethed "You should know, that this room is completely sealed off. No one can hear, what we speak of, and I think you will agree with me, once you learn of the situation."

Poseidon looked at him, his face of pure confusion.

"Does the name 'Hermione' ring a bell to you? Or did she have another name, that wasn't Greek, before she was dropped at an orphanage?" Hades sat, drumming his fingers impatiently against the armrest of his throne.

He could see he had hit a nerve, when Poseidon's face fell, as he said the girl's name.

"Hermione? Must you torment me?" He whispered harshly.

"Well, she's here."

"Don't you think I know that?!" Poseidon thundered.

Now it was Hades' turn to be confused.

"Um. You know she's here?"

"Yes! Of course, she is! But why would you bring this up, when she's been here for so many years? Do you really enjoy seeing me in pain? To use the innocent spirit of a baby for my torment?"

Hades stared at him, bewildered. "Poseidon, she's only been here four days. Underworld time."

"That's impossible. Everything burned. I was too late." Poseidon started sobbing.

"No, I promise on the River Styx, I'm telling the truth. My son brought her down here. She was almost drained of life force, but now, she is very much alive. In fact, Nico is showing her around at the moment." Hades tried to soothe his little brother. He didn't feel the need to tell him who had drained her.

"And Marly?" He hiccupped

"I'm sorry, but I don't know. From what I can tell, the girl is adopted. She knew nothing of being a demigod until Nico found her."

"What does she look like?" Poseidon whispered, confusing Hades.

"Nothing like you. She has brown eyes, and is small of stature. She has brown hair that is insane. Persephone would be horrified by the state of it"

"She looks like Marly?"

"I would assume so, but you can see for yourself. They should be back at the palace soon."

"NO!" Poseidon exclaimed, wide-eyed. "I can't. It would be too hard."

Hades rolled his eyes at that. "You think I don't know that? Do you think it was easy sitting next to Zeus the solstice after he killed Maria? Did he kill your 'Marly' too?"

"No. Someone else did that." Poseidon growled. "Either way, I can't see her. It would be too dangerous, to lead Zeus directly to her"

"Then what do you suggest?"

Poseidon ran a hand through his hair.

"She will need training, but she will need to be kept secret. She can't go to Camp Half-blood."

"Then, what do you suggest, brother dear?"

"Nico, your son, can he train her?"

"What of your own son? Her brother?"

Poseidon smiled exasperatedly and sighed

"While Percy is a great young man, and has made me exceptionally proud, I'm afraid, that discretion isn't a virtue he possesses"

Hades snorted

"Your son, Nico, on the other hand, is an expert."

Hades preened a little at the compliment.

"That he is. But it will be no easy feat. Your daughter is powerful. What in the world possessed you to consort with one of Hecate's blessed?" he huffed.

Poseidon smiled softly, remembering exactly, what had him possessed.

"Marlene was… I can't even describe her. You saw Hermione, you say? That kind of wild hair is uncontrollable. Just as its owner. She was beautiful and ferocious. I saw her fighting once. The enemies didn't know what hit them. Neither did I apparently" He chuckled wetly and sniffled.

"Another thing." Hades said carefully. "She can cause earthquakes."

Poseidon looked at him in horror.

"Out of all powers I have. Why couldn't she just talk to horses?" Poseidon looked ready to throw himself off a cliff.

"I don't have to explain to you, the implications, I see."

"She will need incredible self-control." Poseidon said, worriedly.

"So far, nothing has fazed her. We are in the Underworld, she almost died, was told she was adopted, which her parents hadn't told her, she was told she was a demigod. In return, she asked for a guided tour. I think she's going to be alright for now. I'm worried though, because she is only going to get stronger, especially with Hecate's magic."

Poseidon snorted softly "Sounds like Marly"

"My suggestion would be, to have Nico train her to fight, but to keep the earthquakes down. Let her learn to control them, but not to cause them. I have a feeling, that she will be important in the future, but until then, it's important, that she doesn't draw attention to herself. I can send her out on missions with Nico, to help with the training."

Poseidon nodded, absently agreeing.

"Poseidon, are you sure, you do not wish to see her?" Hades softly asked his little brother.

"I'm sorry. I can't." Poseidon said, pitifully.

The god of the sea, stood up and walked out of the throne room, the sound of his flip-flops, no longer so cheerful.

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