AN: So, sorry it took me so long. Anyways, I hope you all like this chapter. I wanted it to be as perfect as I could get, so it took me all day, and I am still a bit weary on some it. So let me know what you all think, hopefully I'm worried about nothing.

Over all I'm happy how it turned out. There are about three more chapters left, and I look to have this story complete by Saturday and then on to the sequel.

Though I'll probably spend some time on One More Day before starting the sequel. I'm not completely sure yet.


The Sea's Daughter: The Lightning Thief.

Chapter 16: Jerk Relatives, They're Everywhere.

Hades lounged on his throne, rubbing his chin.

He couldn't help but wonder if he'd made the right decision. Letting Melinda go as he had, she would have made a wonderful bargaining chip if Jackson failed to get the bolt back to Zeus in the little under six hours he had left.

Poseidon was always fond of his children and Hades was sure that his daughter would hold a special place in his heart. His brother was predictable like that, yet he couldn't bring himself to regret the bargain struck.

If he were to admit it to himself he didn't want to keep Melinda here against her will, he wanted her to be free to come and go.

He sighed, and a realization hit him.

He wanted to get to know Melinda.

"I see you've met the new Mistress of my Hallows," a soft yet deep voice asked from the shadows.

Hades' face twitched slightly at the interruption of his thoughts and looked to his left where, in the corner of the room, was a dark shape.

Large, with muscular build yet not overly so, large black-blue-purple feathery wings coming from his back. Skin like dark teakwood, long black hair and distinct honey gold eyes.

"Thanatos," Hades said, frowning.

The god of death, the reaper of souls himself, returned this frown. Otherwise he had no real emotion other then slight mischievous amusement on his face.

"Lord Hades," Thanatos returned, with a bit more respect.

Despite the fact Thanatos was older than him – a son of Nyx who was a daughter of Chaos, and one of the primordial goddesses still around – the god worked under him as his lieutenant. It was expected the god show proper respect when in his presence.

"You were aware of Melinda Potter's arrival, I take it?"

"My brother," Thanatos began. "Charon, rather took a shine to her. I think he just likes the accent."

Hades rolled his eyes and disguised a snort.

"I also felt the presence of my hallows. I kept an eye on her movements, you do know of where they were before arriving here. Don't you my lord?"

Hades frowned, his eyes narrowed.

"I was rather deep in thought...I admit to not taking much notice," he said, grumpily.

"Tartarus."

Hades' head snapped up and if possible he paled even more.

"Do you mean to tell me..."

"We, the immortals that frequent here as our home. Myself, Hemera, Hecate – we've all felt a stirring around Tartarus."

Hades swallowed hard, the implications hitting hard.

"And from Tartarus himself?"

Thanatos shook his head.

"Tartarus is a jailer in his own right, a god of cruel means. I do not believe my uncle would divulge such things if he did notice. He is a firm believer in what happens in his domain, stays in his domain." Thanatos shrugged. "Or something along those lines."

Hades sighed.

"Keep an eye on Tartarus, Thanatos. I know without sufficient proof my brother, Zeus, would not believe my claims. If my father is threatening to return...things could go very badly for all of us."

Thanatos nodded.

xXx

When Melinda was back on the ground – though she was pretty sure she hadn't exactly left land but had used the shadows to travel from one point to another – she felt sort of woozy.

Almost like the first time she'd Apparated but not as bad.

"Mel!" she heard Annabeth's cry and looked to find what the blonde girl was pointing at.

"Not bad, punk," she heard a tall, muscular man say as he deflected a blow meant for his spin.

From the way he moved and held himself she was sure this was a god, which one she wasn't positive. She was caught between helping him beat the tar out of her brother for being stupid enough to fight a god with little training, and beating the crap out of the god for picking on someone smaller than him.

In the end her protectiveness won out and she drew her bone dagger from her boot and took off along the beach to where the two were fighting.

By the time she'd taken off towards them, Percy had been forced back onto dry land, though she was impressed he was holding his own against the god.

When she was his age she doubted she could have, but when she was his age she had more deadly matters to deal with.

By the time she got there it looked like Percy's luck was wearing off, and the god in question was sending what could have been the final blow of his sword if not for her intercepting it with her bone dagger.

She cursed when the dagger splintered under the pressure and godly metal of the sword. She had used her left hand to catch the sword with her dagger so with gritted teeth she elbowed the god in the face with her right.

The shocked god stumbled back at the blow. She wasn't sure if it was because she had hit him that hard or if he was just that surprised.

"Oh, ow," the gods groaned, clutching his nose.

"Melinda," Percy said, relieved and shocked. "I thought you'd be stuck down there forever!"

Melinda laughed humorlessly.

"Nice to know you think so highly of me, little brother," she said, stepping slightly in front of him, and raising her splintered dagger in front of her as she faced the god in front of her. "We're going to have a talk about challenging gods to fights and why it's not a good idea."

Said god straightened up almost immediately at her name, and she felt sort of annoyed at the eyes that roved over her. They were filled with flames and it was then she realized who this was.

She was also getting a little annoyed at gods looking at her like she was a piece of meat.

"Melinda Potter," the god said, titling his head to the side slightly. "You know, for some reason I imagined you'd be bigger, with more muscles or maybe even taller."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Ares," she said, a slight sneer in her voice.

He laughed then, grinning.

"I'm honored, you know my name," he said, twirling his sword in his right hand. "Of course, I know all about you. Woman-Who-Conquered, indeed. You know, I thought the mortal wars were fun, but whoa!"

He laughed, smirking.

"You magical folk sure know how to throw a war. And you – " He walked closer, pointing his sword at her. " – well, you were marvelous. I especially liked the whole slitting of the throat thing. On that snatcher, was it? Best war I've seen since WWII!"

"I'm sorry if I don't return your sentiments," Melinda snapped. "It was a waste, a pointless war."

Ares' grin fell some but he still seemed amused.

"No wars are pointless, they're just unwanted. There is always a point," he said and than shrugged. "Now. I understand the punks your brother, but my beef is with him. Not you. Step aside."

Melinda raised an eyebrow, chuckling at the Deja Vu that overcame her.

"You know I think I've heard that line before," she said. "I'll have to decline. Why don't you try picking on someone more in your league."

He looked her and smirked.

"What do I get if I win?"

"Win?" Melinda asked. "It's not a contest, it's a fight."

"I beg to differ, I can think of a...little something you could do for me when I win," Ares said, suggestively.

Melinda glared harder. Ares would have been handsome, if not for the fact he was a jerk. A perverted jerk at that.

Percy looked from the god to his sister and back again.

"Mel, don't," he said, still not quite understanding what Ares was hinting at. "It's my fight, I challenged him."

Melinda sighed.

"Just stay back and think of plan Perce," she muttered, knowing he'd hear and she did the only thing she could think of.

She charged.

Ares laughed and deflected the slash of her dagger with his own longer blade, and kicked away the attempts to kick him in the legs and side.

Despite knowing how to fight well, Melinda was no martial artist. Ares, being the god of war had the advantage.

Melinda gasped as the sword grazed her stomach, cutting a small cut into her stomach and her tank top. She glared, ducked under another slash of the sword, before raising up and catching the blade as it returned for another slash with the area close to the hilt of her dagger.

Her eyes widened as the pressure placed upon it as he tried to forced his sword on to it's target of her chest. The bone that made the dagger was beginning to splinter and crack even more.

"Give up, and maybe I'll let you live. After all, I'm a big fan of your work," Ares said, smiling.

Melinda growled and clinching her fist she drew on her natural magic and threw her hand palm first towards Ares' chest. Nothing hit him but a shockwave of magic which blew him back and against the newly arrived police car.

"Melinda!" Grover yelled, and threw a small object towards her. "Catch!"

Melinda was able to place her nearly damaged beyond repair dagger back in her boot and catch the small object just as Ares had shaken off the sudden telekinetic shockwave, and shaken off the mortal cops.

"Tachýs," she breathed in relief and placed it back on her finger and seconds later she held a long gleaming trident.

"You'll pay for that, you little bitch," the war god growled and she gasped, turning in time to catch the blade in between the middle and third point of her trident.

She unfortunately couldn't stop his booted foot from connecting with her gut.

The blow threw her back and made her bend over, and gasp for breath she was already having trouble catching from exhaustion. She gasped when her hair was grabbed and her face met Ares' leather clad knee.

She literally saw stars as she found herself on her back in the sand, Ares standing over her, his sword sparking in the rising moonlight.

"Even legends got to go sometime," he said, with what almost seemed like regret.

It was almost flattering, being called a legend when she hadn't really done anything to be considered a legend yet. Not to mention weren't all legends dead, wasn't that why they were called legends.

The sword was raised high above him, ready to drive forward into her body but before the sword could reach her she felt water, ocean water, collide with them.

The water gave her enough of a boost in energy to kick up, and her leg connected with his groin as he was bringing the sword down and the water forced him back.

His sword had been dropped as he went to cup his family jewels and as Melinda rolled away and got to her feet, her trident back in her hands, she heard the sound of metal and flesh.

Turning she grinned, her eyes nearly glowing in pride.

Behind Ares was Percy, a dark look on his face, and his sword still momentarily in the war gods heel.

xXx

Percy breathed heavily as he stumbled away from the war god to check on his sister, who was standing with a large smile on her face, but looked more then a little tired. Her shoulders drooped a bit and she still held her gut as if it still hurt.

He thought it probably did, gods were supernatural in strength. It probably felt like being hit with a dump truck, or bulldozer.

"This is the LAPD, everyone drop your weapons at your feet – "

"Stay out of this, mortals," Ares bellowed, waving his hand at them as if to shoo them away and a wall of red flame rolled across the patrol cars.

He turned back to them then, and muttering Ancient Greek curses, some even he couldn't be sure there was an English translation for.

The angry war god proceeded to limp toward them, but suddenly his eyes seemed to loose focus and he stopped short.

His face twitching in small short spasms like he was in pain, more pain then his heel which was bleeding golden ichor.

If the sun were still out Percy was sure it would have been covered by the cloud of cold, heavy air and a presence which nearly stole his ability to breath normally.

He noticed it seemed to effect Melinda the most as she suddenly gasped, and he could see the breath she exhaled. Like in the winter when it's so cold you could see your own breath, but much more apparent.

"Mel?" Percy mumbled, kneeling down with the suddenly shivering girl. "Whats wrong."

"Evil," she was able to whisper. "You can feel it too, but it's worse for someone who's even remotely descended from Hecate."

Percy blinked in question.

"Why?" he asked, quickly and she shook her head.

"Hecate's dwellings are mostly in the Underworld, and she's basically a former Titan, her parents were Titans. Her children and descendants can just naturally sense beings of the Underworld, it's in our blood."

It still confused him a little but he didn't question it further as he noticed the darkness lift, the moons glow return and Ares looking stunned. As if he'd been sleep walking the whole time and his memory was slowly coming back to him.

Police cars continued burning behind them, and he could hear the crowd that had appeared, even at such a late time – he thought it was probably around nine, if not ten at night. Now many were running away, and yells and shouts could be heard clearly in the nighttime bustle of LA.

Annabeth and Grover were watching in shock, looking as if they wanted to rush over to them but were unsure if it was safe enough.

Ares lowered his sword, a slight sneer forming on his face.

"You have made an enemy, godling," he said, looking at Percy. "You have sealed your fate. Every time you raise your blade in battle, every time you hope for success, you will feel my curse. Beware, Perseus Jackson. Beware."

"Did you just..." Melinda stood up straight, her grip tightening on her trident which began to glow lightly with a sea blue aura.

Ares smirked.

"Calm down, I didn't forget about you," he said, winking.

"What about me, then?" she spat, glaring harshly.

"You're a good fighter, I admire a strong female warrior," he said, and took a unsteady step back. "I also try not to curse women, my girlfriend doesn't like it too much. But we'll meet again, Melinda, count on it."

Percy didn't like the way the war god said any of this, but he couldn't say or do anything because a second later Ares body began to glow.

"'Percy! Melinda!" Annabeth shouted. "Don't watch!"

Percy turned away at the same time Melinda did, and though he couldn't see it he knew Ares had revealed his true immortal form. If any of them had looked, they'd have died. Turned to ashes instantly.

He just hoped none of the scattering crowd or cops has been there to see it.

Then, only seconds later, the light died away.

Ares was gone. The tide rolled out to reveal Hades's bronze helm of darkness. He walked over, and picked it up before walking back over to Melinda and his friends. Annabeth and Grover had rushed over once the light had died away enough.

"Give it here, Percy," Melinda said, sighing as she gently took the helm from him.

"What are you going to do with it?" Grover asked. "I mean, you aren't going to go back..."

His words were cut short by the flapping of leathery wings above them. By now the cops and pedestrians had all gone. The three evil-looking grandmothers were back, fiery whips were held.

One in particular was glaring at Melinda with hate, while another – Mrs. Dodds he realized – was glaring at him as if asking him to do something to warrant an attack.

Mrs. Dodds stepped forward from the middle. Her fangs were bared, but for that moment the glare was gone and she didn't look threatening.

She looked more disappointed in the fact whatever sinister torture she had in store for him had been shattered with one discovery.

"We saw the whole thing," she hissed. "So … it truly was not you?"

"It's what I've been saying for days now," he said.

"Don't get snarky, boy," another fury spat, nearly hissing.

Mrs. Dodds shot her sister - he assumed they were sister, they looked enough like sisters - a look.

"Tisiphone, quiet," she snarled, and Percy realized it was the one who was furiously glaring at Melinda.

Melinda actually looked away sheepishly, and gripped the helm tightly in her hands.

"You may be innocent this time Percy Jackson, but remember we will always be here if you change you ways, hero," Mrs. Dodds said and then looked at Melinda.

"Lord Hades is expecting you, Melinda Potter," she said.

"What?" Percy asked, looking at Mrs. Dodds and then turning sharply to Melinda.

"We made a deal of sorts, Percy," Melinda began, looking a bit guilty. "I would return his helm to him personally if he allowed me to leave freely and let Sally go."

Percy's eyes widened.

"My mom?"

His sister smiled

"Is safe, she should be home now."

The furies growled in impatience.

"Now, Daughter of Poseidon. We will not wait," the on on Mrs. Dodds' left snapped.

Melinda looked at them and swore under her breath.

"What about my brother and his friends. They have to get the bolt back to Zeus before midnight tonight."

Annabeth bit her bottom lip in worry.

"That's only five hours away."

"We're doomed, we'll never make it!" Grover cried.

"This does not concern us," the one Mrs. Dodds called Tisiphone said. "We must see the helm returned safely first."

Melinda ran a hand through her hair and then her eyes lit up.

"A portkey," she said.

"A what?" he asked, looking at his sister as if she'd spoke pig Latin.

"A Portkey, it'll transport you directly to anywhere you wish it to," she said and then looking ground she found a medium sized sea shell and brought it over to them.

It was actually larger then it looked from the distance she'd been when she'd found it.

"So...what's that for?" he asked, confused and doubtful that a sea shell would get them to New York in less time then a airplane.

"A spell has be placed on it, of course," she said, rolling her eyes.

The demigods watched as she pulled out a wand, though it wasn't the usually smooth cypress wand she usually used. It was a little longer and sort of bumpy? He wasn't sure how to describe it, but it seemed to work just the same.

He wasn't sure exactly what she said when she cast the spell on the shell, he wasn't that good at Latin though he'd never had to many difficulties with it compared to English.

The shell glowed and she nodded, handing it Percy carefully.

"It's set for thirty minutes. I wanted to give you all ample time to get somewhere no one will see you leave. It'll drop you off as close to the Empire State Building as I could get it. You all must be holding on to it or you'll be left behind and once you can see Manhattan let go."

She looked at him and then Annabeth and Grover and smiled.

"You guys did great," she said, blinking hard like she was going to cry.

Percy had seen his mother cry a few times in what she said were tears of happiness but he still hated it when those he cared about cried. Happy or not.

"Only because you were here," Annabeth said, looking a bit disappointed at their failure to do this without experienced help.

Melinda laughed.

"This wasn't my quest," she said. "I only helped you along, if I hadn't been here you still would have succeeded. I know that."

"How? Are you an oracle now two?" Percy asked, smiling in a teasing manner.

Melinda scrunched her nose up in disgust.

"No, thank gods. I hate prophecies," she said.

Percy nodded, trying to remember what it was his sister had told him about a prophecy she'd been a part of in England. He knew she'd mentioned it but he couldn't remember much.

The whole talk on the way to LA had been so hectic and mostly just to clear the air between them. So much had happened since then, he did know she had good reason to dislike prophecies.

"Time is running out, demigods," Mrs. Dodds said, looking like a very irritated and ugly demonic grandmother, or even worse, mother.

"You'll be back, right?" Percy said, catching Melinda's wrist as she walked past him to stand with the furies.

Melinda smiled, and jerked her wrist towards herself, drawing him into a surprise hug. Percy gulped and blinked hard at the emotions that stirred. He didn't want her going back to the Underworld, what if she didn't come back?

He remembered how she'd reacted to the place, how the dead and migrated towards her and how she'd been so tempted by the pomegranates in the gardens.

"Don't worry, I'll be on Olympus, not long after you. I promise," she said, releasing him and Mrs. Dodds, grabbed one arm and another grabbed the other.

"We'll drop you off at DOA Studios," Mrs. Dodds told Melinda.

Percy watched with some guilt as the furies flew off with Melinda who suddenly transformed into her animagus form and flew alongside the furies, the helm clutched in her talons.

Annabeth patted his shoulder as if to comfort him.

"She'll be fine. We should go though, she said thirty minutes and I think we have around twenty-five left," Annabeth said.

Percy looked at the sea shell and nodded, and the three took off for a more secluded place to portkey from.