Plans are made, Thalia is justifiably confused and pissed and also there is a heart to heart. Thalia needs the love and support damn it.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Thalia is just painfully relieved that she's no longer the prophecy kid. She's just like 'Oh? Oh you're older, yay you can have the weight of the world on your shoulders' and Percy's just like 'Eh, been doing this shit since I was nine I can take the burden for the baby cousins.'
Krypton Writes: And I have much more exciting ones on their way hehehe.
Guest: Percy: 'I mean yeah my dad is Poseidon but the real important thing here is that I am your older cousin and I will be looking after you both' which is real sweet because Thalia had never had that if you think about it. Sure she was friends with Luke but it was never that 'Hm, I am going to shelter and protect you goddamn it!' type of thing. Neglected big siblings deserve protective honorary siblings/cousins.
Guest: I don't fully understand your comment. There's no such thing as hellfire in PJO. If you're referring to her killing the Skeleton Warrior that was more to do with the Skeleton Warrior itself I believe as only Hades kids could kill them. She's never summoned any type of weapon either in canon. She wasn't around long enough to truly showcase much in the way of her powers.
Perlianca: We shall never know now lol. And thank you I'm glad you enjoyed.

The three girls managed to find a 7-Eleven pretty quickly. Which wasn't exactly the lap of luxury but they were able to get some food- mostly snacks and some bottles of water and other supplies that they could need. And they were also able to get some coffee from the machine.

Usually Percy didn't really go for coffee but anything hot would do. So she made do since they didn't have any hot chocolate available.

Thankfully the scarf seemed to do it's job well because the guy behind the counter who served them didn't say anything about seeing a famous actress.

Once they were all paid up they headed back outside, finding a deserted- unsurprising given the lateness, park. They gathered around the picnic table, Percy setting up the small camping lamp they'd brought so that they could all see, sipping their drinks.

"Right." She was the first to speak, "So I think I speak for all three of us when I say that we're all exhausted right now. Right?"

"I mean, I didn't sleep while I was in that room at camp and my sleep before that was more unconsciousness than actual sleep." Bianca admitted.

"I could do with some rest." Thalia agreed, "It's been a hell of a day-" she hesitated, shaking her head. "But I don't know if we can afford to waste any time. If we're in Chicago we still have a long way to go." She grimaced, "And uh, I don't know about you but I personally don't want to do anymore flying after that disaster. Not that we have any way too fly."

"I don't know San Francisco but I mean- I could try." Bianca looked hesitant, "I mean- it can be tricky, shadow travelling somewhere I've never seen before-"

"No. No. There's too high a risk of us going even further off track and besides, like I said before. I want you full strength." Percy tapped at the table, "Even if I could use my magic safely portalling would be out. Alina has people at every damn place in San Francisco where I could portal too."

"I've never met this girl and I already hate her." Thalia snorted, shaking her head, "So, that leaves driving which will probably take too long. And I doubt any of us really know how to drive."

"I've had some lessons from my mom and Carter but not enough. And you're right it would probably take too long." Percy tapped her cup, "Even a short cut part way would be helpful now. If we were back in New York I'd say we should go to Central Park and try to get to the Underworld. Uncle Hades would let us out through DOA records-"

"Uncle Hades." Thalia snorted, "Gods that's-" she paused, "Wait Annabeth and Piper said Hades has a soft spot for you. What the fuck?"

"He does." Bianca nodded, "Everyone knows it. Percy visits him a lot-"

"Uncle Hades deserves company. Especially during the summers and you and Neeks aren't allowed to visit-"

"But if your dad's Poseidon. Shouldn't Hades hate you?" Thalia suddenly looked hurt. And why wo- ooooh. Oh that made sense.

"It-" Percy sighed, "It's complicated Thalia. What he did to you was beyond wrong. I've actually talked to him about it. But the circumstances were totally different. It was more your father he had a problem with-"

"So he sent hoards of monsters after me because he was pissed at my dad?" Thalia's expression was angry, understandably so. "In what way is that fair I did nothing wrong-"

"Thalia I know." Percy grabbed Thalia's shoulder, "I know. And listen to me, if you want answers I will make sure you get them. But we need to focus on our plan okay? There are differences in our situation. I came bearing the symbols of Osiris, another Underworld god, I was happy about being in the Underworld. I treated his realm with the respect it deserved and I treated him as if he wasn't automatically evil for being the god of the Underworld. It's a whole thing." She took a deep breath. "And I was returning his Helm to him, showing him trust with the Bolt as well. I won him over."

"The Underworld." Bianca's brows were furrowed before her eyes widened, "I am such an idiot!"

"Uh… why?" Percy blinked at Bianca, who was holding her head in her hands, "Though… I guess Piper is also an idiot."

"What-"

"You left this in my room." Bianca fished in her jacket's pocket quickly. And luckily it had been zipped because she pulled out a familiar Stygian Iron bracelet. "When we were getting ready for the dance. I shoved it in my pocket and brought it with me. I figured I'd find you and give it back to you."

"My bracelet!" Percy almost squealed the words as she took it quickly, "You- thank you." She threw one arm around Bianca, hugging her tightly. "You're amazing… this is perfect!"

"Uh… why?" Thalia raised an eyebrow, "It's a bracelet. What's the big deal?"

"It was a gift from uncle Hades." Percy quickly fastened it around her wrist where it belonged, "If I unclasp the charm it'll transport me directly to the gates of Hades palace. And anyone holding onto me at the time. Bianca's right we're so stupid. We could have used hers as well and gotten to LA in like, no time at all."

"You-" Thalia gaped at the bracelet, "You have a magical bracelet that lets you go to the Underworld whenever you want? Fuck everyone really must be right about Hades liking you if he gives you that sort of access." She paused, "I'm not sure it's a good idea though." Her expression was uncomfortable. "I mean, I did cheat death which I doubt he's happy about and I don't exactly like him." She scowled, "He sent the hell hounds that tore me apart. He sent the Kindly ones he sent so many monsters after me. I can't pretend not to hate the dude. And he might try and hurt me-"

"No." Percy shook her head, "No he won't." she eyed Thalia. "We'll take a detour to Hades palace. To talk to uncle Hades. He'll be in a reasonably good mood anyway because Persephone will be there. She… she likes me now even if it was rocky at first."

"You've met the goddess Persephone?" Thalia blinked, startled, "I- gods you're life must be so fucking weird." She hesitated, "You seriously think that going to the Underworld is our best bet?" and Percy could see the hint of fear in her eyes. And it was understandable. She would feel that fear until she faced it. Until she spoke to Hades himself. And Percy made a mental note that if Hades didn't offer a genuine sincere apology she'd kick his butt herself. Maybe steal Cerberus for a week until he did. But she was pretty sure he would. He'd admitted that what he did was wrong after all.

"I think that if we go there we can get out in LA in a couple of hours. Which cuts down our journey massively. We might even beat the others to the Chase household."

"What?" Thalia blinked, "Are you talking about Annabeth's mortal family."

"Yeah." Percy nodded, "They live in San Francisco now-"

"Why would we meet there. Annabeth and her dad- and I mean her step mom-"

"I know." Percy gave a small shrug, "But he saw a picture of her in a magazine, came to New York hoping to find her by tracking me down- public figure and all that. She was seen with me. His plan was a reasonable one. They talked. A lot. We started slow and she eased into it but they're getting along better now."

"Huh." Thalia blinked, "Annabeth always… the way she spoke about him and her step mom I figured they wouldn't give a shit-"

"Helen- Mrs Chase, she's a mortal. She didn't really get the whole Demigod thing. At first she didn't even know. She didn't know how to handle a demigod child. She honestly has made an effort to apologise. And as for Fredrick-" Percy pressed her lips together, "Honestly, I don't think he's built to be a father. Even with his other kids- the twins, he's not exactly the best father. He's absentminded and distant. He loves Annabeth and the twins, he's just not good at being there. He's trying though. Credit where it's due he is trying."

"That-" Thalia shook her head, "See that just… it feels impossible to me. But I guess you probably know her better than me now. So we have a meeting point in San Francisco. That's good."

"They'll make it there. We just need to do the same." Percy ran her fingers through her hair, yanking at the tangles.

She was gonna have to do some serious hair care when she got home she knew that much.

"We have a plan." She added, "So I say finish out drinks, then we go to the Underworld. Possibly take a short break there." She was tired. And she could see that Thalia and Bianca both looked pretty exhausted too.

"A break?" Thalia looked torn between hope and hesitation, "But we should keep moving forward-"

"Oh we should. But believe me, working ourselves to exhaustion would make it worse. I'm only saying a couple of hours max. Just enough to nap and refill our tanks. What good will we be if we get there and we're on the verge of passing out. Besides it's getting late and it's harder to get rides and stuff in the middle of the night."

"You have a point." Thalia admitted, "I am tired. And we do need to be able to fight when we get to Mount Tam."

"She usually does have a point." Bianca gave a small grin. "If there was anyone I'd want to be with on a quest it's her."

"It comes from years and years of experience." Percy nodded sagely, a smile flicking across her lips. "I've been doing this shit since I was nine- and I've been training since I was like, six."

"Nine?" Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Okay that is pretty young. When you say doing this shit-"

"The whole saving the world routine." Percy shrugged, "Not quests as such but… our equivalent I guess you could say."

"You-" Thalia stared at her for a long moment, "I mean I ran away when I was nine but that's not the same as actually going out to face down monsters like that- actively seeking out the danger." She leaned back, "I guess you really do have a lot more experience than most people. I- how did you cope with the pressure. I only- I was told about the prophecy three months ago and I've been terrified ever since." The other girl was opening up, Percy could see it. It was probably the exhaustion, the shock of everything that had happened lowering her defences.

"It's not all bad." Percy shrugged, "There were some parts that were good. Some that sucked too of course. But I don't think I'd change any of it. But the pressure is hard. When I first- when it started, really started for me, I was the one who knew about all of this." She waved a hand as she spoke. "I- my dad… step dad technically but… he told me I had to look after Carter and Sadie-"

"But they're both older than you."

"I know. But they had no training. I felt responsible for them. That pressure? While knowing we were rushing towards a big fight with Set? Yeah that was difficult. I cried myself to sleep the first night. I worried myself sick about them, about if I'd be able to protect them. In the end I didn't need to. Not really. But it was a lot. So I get how you felt. Believe me."

"I felt bad enough just thinking I had to look after Nico." Bianca piped up. "I can't imagine how much pressure there must have been on you two." She shook her head. "I don't think I want to honestly."

"At least the worst of the pressure is off." Percy shot Thalia a reassuring smile, "I can handle it. I promise you." She winked, "After all, I am Percy Kane, the real life version of Ariadne Blake, child hero and badass extraordinaire!" she playfully flexed her muscles, "Saving the world's all in a days work for me."

And Bianca and Thalia both laughed at that- and Percy saw some of the shadows lift from Thalia's features, and for the first time since they'd met the other girl actually looked like a twelve year old.