Chapter Text
Cleo didn't think they'd ever step foot back on the planet that they'd been born on, the planet that she first died on.
Her travels brought them and their crew back anyways. She wasn't the same person they once were when she was mortal, no, they weren't Triton's daughter Pallas, best friend of Athena anymore, they were Cleo, Quartermaster of the Tango Tek.
It didn't take long for Cleo to find themself a new role, one that fit themself and their crew quite well. Hades, the one who controls the Acheron. By their side as always was Joe who'd been given the title of Thanatos, Death himself. A title that made Cleo laugh, the person who gave her immortality being known as a bringer of Death.
Pearl and Gem stood by Cleo's side as Persephone, swapping which one of them played the role depending on the day and their mood, on who they had meetings with, as Persephone ran many meetings for now, Hades hiding in a shadow until the right time. Martyn was known as Cerberus, called a bloodthirsty hound by some, though always outside of his hearing. The others were around, though they were quieter. Mumbo and Scar had some sort of plan while Scott stayed by her side as an advisor, though they assumed he'd stayed solely for the gossip.
Impulse alternated between visiting and staying on Tango working in different projects he'd had in mind. That was alright, Cleo was happy to let him be and do what he wished. Skizz tended to stay either by Impulse's side or find himself wandering around creating quite a bit of chaos. That was just fine with Cleo, they were having fun.
Meetings with Olympians had for a while been done under cover, through letters or through messengers for the past decade or so. Hades was only physically present at one meeting with an Olympian before their gala appearance, they couldn't think of leaving their family to find out they lived when they couldn't tell them anything for fear of watchers.
It would have been kinder for them to believe Pallas Cleo dead, but knowing they'd be coming to galas and meetings they needed to know now. They couldn't bare watch their family grieve her in front of others.
Cleo sat in their living room in a nice sea blue dress that was a recreation of one that they'd worn to a gala their grandparents held when she was younger and mortal. Gem wore a nice deep sea blue dress, a few shades darker than Cleo's, Pearl was on Cleo's other side wearing a matching dress to Gem's.
Joe leaned against the wall in a bright blue suit, a smile on his face, he'd been the one to schedule this meeting.
Cleo watched as their grandparents, father and aunts entered the room. Their family who lived still just as the other Olympians lived still with some of their chosen to have immortality.
They watched as their father's eyes filled with tears, as he stood still as stone, as if afraid she was a ghost.
Cleo stood from their seat and stepped towards their family, their arms open for a hug.
Their father's silence was broken with a simple sentence.
"You're dead. Pallas is dead."
Cleo sighed. They'd expected this.
"Athena killed me that day nearly, but Joe saved me. We couldn't stay. Pallas died that day in that fight with Athena, just as False died when Pallas was killed, all that remains is Cleo."
Their grandmother was the first to pull them into her embrace. The embrace of the seas, one that Cleo hadn't known they'd missed.
"And Hades? What have they done with you, my dearest granddaughter?"
Cleo couldn't help it, they laughed. They were sure their family thought them insane, but they needed some joy in this all.
"I am Hades."
Gem, the one who had played Persephone through meeting with their family due to her knowledge of water and seas from her homeland moved to their side with a small smile on her lips.
"Hades. Want to introduce us?"
The meeting went well after that, Cleo telling their family of their crew. Their immortality ignored, their adventures mostly went unspoken. Their family need not know of that. This role of Hades would be their only chance to see their family, this she knew. She'd do what she could, a goodbye that they never thought she'd get.
Part of the meeting was used to plan where their family would stand when Athena arrived to ensure they all could watch her face, see if she recognized the best friend that she'd killed all those years before.
Now it was time for their first of many galas, their family warned, reunions had with those who mattered. Gem and Pearl would swap places as Persephone as the night went on, Martyn would stay either by their side or lurking around the room. Each of the Mechanisms would be at this first gala, spare Tango, though there were cameras in many areas around to ensure that Tango could watch the gala if he so pleased.
Cleo found themself getting ready for the gala. The dress they'd had made for the occasion was a glorious blue so dark it was almost black sleeveless dress with a foundation layer under the corset which was sewn into the dress. It was a wonderful draped gown with a pleated skirt. There was gold embroidery on the dress, conch shells and skulls at the bottom of the skirt, a reminder of her father, a symbol of who they had become. They paired the dress with a nice pair of black heels. Their hair was in a nicely braided bun with a golden circlet on her head, one that Impulse had made with pearls added into it. They wore a pearl choker, a replica of one that their father had given her when she was still mortal, given back to her by him through a messenger a few days prior, a golden bracelet that Joe had gifted them and a ring of gold with sapphire, ruby and emerald flowers on it, their wedding ring to their Persephones.
They were Hades, the ruler of the Acheron and they would look their best.
Pearl and Gem, their lovely Persephones both dressed the same, in a nice green dress with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, golden embroidery of thorns traveled from the waist down the skirt and to the hem of the skirt where the thorns met ocean waves. A brilliant mix of Pearl and Gem in one dress. They both wore a gold circlet of their own, their hair left loose. They both wore green heels, though Gem insisted that it was rude Pearl was able to be even taller since she was already quite tall without the heels. They wore matching golden lockets, the photo inside of the other as well as a pearl bracelet on their left hand, gifted to them by Triton. They each also wore a brilliant wedding band, sapphire, emerald and ruby in it.
Impulse had forged the rings for them himself. He'd cried that his little sister was getting married and been shot by Gem, though she did thank him for the ring and Cleo'd caught them both silently talking hours afterwards and walked away, giving the siblings time to themselves. They wouldn't get much of that after the gala.
Cleo had no clue what Joe was wearing to the gala, a fact that filled them with dread just a bit. He had a tendency to take costumes to another level and they'd already had to tell him twice not to wear a plague doctor mask, though they assumed he would do so anyways.
The preparations for the Gala went well, everything in place by the time guests began to enter, the Olympians were to join last, the guests of honor, they should come last so all can watch them enter.
Or that's what Cleo told them, no the real reason was she wanted an audience for when Athena arrived, an audience she couldn't disappoint. The first people who would be entering were Poseidon, Amphitrite and their children, including Cleo's own father, Triton. She'd been surprised to learn they still lived, but they'd made themselves important by being the ones who held the key to the City's water.
Cleo stood at the entrance to the hall, Gem by her side, Scott on her other side. Scott was wearing a nice blue suit with golden hearts embroidered on the cuffs of his sleeves and nice dress shoes.
They took in a deep breath, they weren't Cleo at this moment but Hades.
A few moments later their family came in, the first of the Olympians to arrive, the only ones who would arrive before the majority of the crowd, they needed time to get into their places after all.
Welcoming people in became a blur after the first few, Hades meeting person after person, Persephone at their side. Finally after almost far too long Thanatos walked in and Cleo was sure they'd shoot Joe once this gala was over.
Joe wore a bright blue button up shirt under a long black trench coat that went to his knees. He wore a nice pair of dress pants and combat boots as well as a top hat with fabric flowers that looked like wilting black roses. The thing about the outfit that had them holding back a sigh was the plague doctor mask that Joe wore concealing his identity. Did he truly have to go this far to look mysterious?
Of course he did.
"Thanatos, how lovely for you to join us."
"I'd never miss the fun, Hades."
They watched him walk away and stood straighter, ready for their next guests. He was the sign that the Olympians were to enter next.
The first few Olympians simply shook her hand and stepped inside. Dionysus, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Hermes, Demeter, Hestia.
Then Athena entered, Zeus and Hera just behind her.
"Athena, welcome."
Hades smiled at the woman who once was one of her closest friends, who now stood opposite her in a red dress the color of blood, like her blood which once spilled on the arena.
She watched as Athena's face shifted ever so slightly, as horror dawned on her face. Still she remained tall, smiling at Hades, a smile which faltered for a moment when she met their eyes.
"It's a pleasure to be invited, Hades."
"Oh of course, enjoy the gala, Athena."
Hera and Zeus entered just after her, pleasantries were exchanged.
The Gala had just begun, and oh how fun it would be.