With speed Zoe had never experience before Hermes had Zoe on the ground in front of cave that entrance looked ancient. The world seem like it was spinning and it took Zoe several minutes to regain her footing. The air around her was warm and the sunlight was bright and calming. She adjusted her bag as she looked around she covered her eyes with her hand since it was so bright out. The door way was small with well worn stones building the archway. Inside the doorway looked deep and dark somewhat foreboding "Is that the entrance to the underworld?" asked Zoe tensely. Hermes who hadn't been paying to much attention to Zoe but had been looking around and getting uncomfortable "Yes Zoe that's the gates of the underworld now let's get in there I don't know what kind of monsters are lurking about" said Hermes as he grabbed her arm and guided her towards the gateway.

Zoe was confused "You're coming with me I thought..." she starts to say but Hermes cuts her off "I am just taking you to Charon's boat I will able to get you in the front of the line and keep the spirits at bay" he responds quickly. Hermes got in front of her and walked into the gateway Zoe followed into the darkened entrance. Zoe could see nothing ahead of her and was following Hermes blindly with the path was narrow and get colder by the second Zoe shivered from the chill and the darkness that was surrounding her. Zoe stopped for a second and formed a ball of light to help guide her. "PUT THAT OUT NOW" yells Hermes who had suddenly appeared it startled Zoe that she let out small yell and the ball disappeared. Hermes had his hand over her mouth and whispered "Zoe you can't make a sound and no light balls it will attract hell hounds " he snapped. Zoe nodded her head and Hermes removed his hand and stepped back "Now follow me closely" Hermes whispered. As they went Zoe could tell that the were going deeper and deeper underground and it got colder and colder, if she could see she was sure she could see her breathe. After what seem like forever the pathway got wider and Hermes stopped "Now Zoe say nothing unless I tell you and make no promises don't even nod your head understand me?" Hermes says and Zoe nods in agreement.

They turn a corner and Zoe gasps at the hundreds of people at the the shores of this long black river. People dressed in attire from periods of time. Some people were crying for loved ones,while others just had blank faces just wondering aimlessly along the shore. "They didn't have a coin to pay their fee to cross in Charon boat" said Hermes. Zoe just looked at her Uncle "I know the stories I just didn't think there would be so many" replied Zoe. They were getting closer and closer to a dock when Zoe heard a cry that sent chills down her spine a voice she knew . "Tony.... Howard,...Zoe...." cried a female voice Zoe turn to see an women dressed impeccably but her hair was a little frazzled and she stumbled when she walked. Memories flashed in Zoe's mind " Zoe... my sweet girl please sit still mommy needs to fix your hair"  said a familiar voice. Zoe is looking at herself in the mirror part of her curly hair is in a piggy tail and the other half is wild and crazy behind her is a beautiful women with brush. Zoe was play with a plushie dinosaur "Mommy look Littlefoot" says a little Zoe. The women smiles "Where did you get him sweetheart?" asked the women pulling the rest of Zoe's hair into another piggy tail. "Daddy bought him, after the movie" replied Zoe with huge smile. The women smiled "Did you and daddy to see Land Before Time again how many times have seen that movie?" asked the women. Zoe pulls a face "Twice with Bubba twice with daddy and once as a whole family so FIVE TIMES" replied Zoe excitedly holding up her hand. The women just shakes her head "Oh sweet girl you're just so smart" says the women pulling in for a hug. "Just like Daddy and Bubba right Mommy?" Zoe asked excitedly.  The women smiles "Yes, now sweet girl should we have our tea party now?" Asked the women. Zoe nods her head "Can I bring Littlefoot too?" asked Zoe happily. The women smile and nods "Of course we can even have outside so he can have treestars instead of cookies" replied the women. Zoe's eyes widen "Okay...but can I have Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies instead of treestars?" asked Zoe nervously. The women let's out huge laugh "Of course my sweet girl I had Mrs. Potts make a batch earlier today" replied the women. Zoe jumped up down "Thank you mommy I love you" said Zoe running and wrapping her arms around the women. "I love you to my sweetest girl" replied the women hugging her back.

Zoe had came back reality and ran forward to the women who was falling forward, Zoe caught her from falling. "Oh thank you so much" said the women. Zoe said nothing but just nodded acknowledgment the women just looks at Zoe then shakes her head "Hi I am Maria Stark, I am looking for my family my husband Howard and my children Tony and Zoe" said Maria looking around frantically. Zoe felt her heart quicken and she closed her eyes memories flood her mind of her and Maria together and so many happy memories. Tear spilled out she had to bring Maria peace despite how it end between them she still had been a good mother. Hermes turned back "Zoe come on we have to go now" he snapped. Maria started to shake her head "Please I need to find my family, please help me!" Maria pleaded. Hermes shook his head "We don't have time come Zoe" he took Zoe hand and started to pull her towards the dock. Maria's eyes widen "That's my daughter's name please help me find her I need to find her, I need to find her... she is in danger.....I can't lose my little girl" Maria now was sobbing. Zoe sighed "Uncle this is Maria... Maria Stark my stepmother" said Zoe quietly.

Hermes sighed "Zoe...she can't come we don't have a coin to pay for her passage and why would want to help her after what she did to you" said Hermes in a heavy tone. Zoe shook her head "My mother gave me a whole purse full of coins more than enough and I can't leave her here wondering aimlessly looking for our family...I could never look Tony in the eye knowing that" replied Zoe back. "She separated you from your family, You had to be raised in another reality because of this women" yelled Hermes. Maria looked so confused at what was happening and looking around so lost . "Hermes your one of your job is to guide souls to Hades and it's not entirely her fault she was manipulated by Carter" said Zoe. At the mention of Carter Maria pulled a face "Fucking Carter, ruined my family I was so mad but I still love that little girl..oh Zoe" said Maria sobbing.

Zoe pulled Maria into a hug "It's okay Maria I am sure Zoe understands just come with us and we will take you to Howard" said Zoe rubbing her back. Maria pulls away "Howard I don't want him I just want my children Howard never loved me it was always Thena I was always in her shadow...even though Zoe was hers I still loved her so much and but Carter kept it up and my resentment went to that sweet little girl who had nothing to do with it" said Maria tear flowing down her face. Zoe sighed "Mo...Maria it's me Zoe I am here" said Zoe with small smile. Maria pulled back and looked Zoe directly in the eyes and cried "Oh Zoe it is you those eyes so much like your father's and brother's but so different so much love and light in those eyes please forgive me I am so sorry...Carter she some how..." started Maria. Zoe just shook her head "I know Carter and what she did....and I am here to bring her to pay for her wrongs now come with us please and I can tell Tony that your at peace" said Zoe.

Hermes just shakes his head "Come on Zoe let's go and you too Mrs. Stark" says Hermes quickly walking ahead towards the dock. Zoe links her arm with Maria and they walked to the dock behind Hermes. Getting to the dock Zoe sees a long boat black boat pulling into and a tall skinny man gets out setting his paddle to his side. Charon is dress in long dark grey robes and is hooded so Zoe can't see his face. His presence is kind of unsettling but Zoe knows he won't do anything. She stops "Maria I have to get few things out my bag" she says and Maria let goes of her arm. Zoe opens the bag pulls out the purse Athena had given her and pulls out three drachmas and then pulls out the statue of Peggy and set on the dock it starts to grow. Maria gasps at the statue "That's Carter what in the Hell happen to her?" she gasps.  Zoe just rolls her eyes "Let's just say she came face to face with her past" Zoe replied. "So you really are the goddess Athena's daughter?" whispered Maria.  "Yes" replied Zoe and Maria nodded and held her hand to Zoe's cheek "I truly am sorry for how I treated you in the end.... I turned bitter over Howard's betrayal not because he cheated it was because I finally under why he never truly loved me it was always going to be her... his true love." said Maria sadly. Zoe sighed "Maria I understand that completely of what it's like being second choice and it sucks. And as for the other I forgive and I know for the most part you did love me. I remember our tea parties and you reading to me at bedtime Winnie the Pooh and all the fairytales. Even though we didn't always connect those times we did truly did bring me joy and I did feel love which I didn't have other wise growing up else where" said Zoe simply. Maria tearfully just smiled "I am so happy to see you again but please tell me is Tony okay did he turn up to be a good man?" she asked hopefully. Zoe just shook her head  " He is a good man...a brilliant man he has saved the world countless times. He had a wild streak but Pepper Potts put him in his place and they will be good together?" laughed Zoe. Maria her tilted head "The housekeeper's daughter he use to follow her around like little lost puppy, and Pepper wanted nothing do with him" Maria laughed.

Zoe just smiled "I guess he finally worn he down but they are really good together and will have a daughter together." replied Zoe. Maria lip quivered a bit "I bet she'll will be a firecracker if she anything like her father" said Maria. Zoe only rolled her eyes and shook her head " I bet she will" said Zoe. Zoe felt a tap on her shoulder she turn to see Hermes " Niece Charon will take you and the other side of across the Styx now" said Hermes. They walked over to Charon who said nothing but held out his hand Zoe place the drachmas his hand he count and nodded. Hermes helped Maria on the boat then helped Zoe.

Zoe reached for the statue and Hermes shook his head and toss it in the back of the boat. Charon grumbled under his breath. "So I wish you farewell and good luck you're going to need it" laughed Hermes and before Zoe could say anything he was gone. The ride across the river was quiet and cold. Maria just hummed happily and Zoe was silent as Charon row along staring ahead. After what seem like an eternity Charon finally stopped at the shore of the other side. He gasped and Zoe looked up to see a beautiful young women dressed in a deep blush pink dress and auburn hair cascading down in curls she was truly stunning. Zoe helped Maria on the dock and walked over to Carter pick her up, she turn to Charon "Thank you Charon" said Zoe turning who just nodded and Zoe stepped off the boat.

Zoe and Maria walked over to the young women who smiled a overwhelming smell of pomegranates surrounded the women. Maria looked n nervous "Do you know who that is Zoe?" She asked in a whisper. "I think it's Persephone the goddess of spring and Queen of the underworld" replied Zoe, Maria nodded but kept silent.
"Welcome dear niece to the underworld it is pleasure to finally meet you" said Persephone who voice sound cheerful birds on a fresh spring morning! Maria curtsy and Zoe did the same the best she could with the statue.

"Thank your highnesses for greeting us here I was not expecting that I am truly honored" replied Zoe. Persephone just grinned "Of course my dear I had to meet my niece the daughter my favorite sister can't ever stop talking about! My you do look like your mother but you certainly have hint of your father in you such a charmer" she giggled. Maria's eyes widen "That's Howard for you the man can even charm goddesses" said Maria bitterly.  Persephone just looked over at Maria and just shook her head. "It's been a long while that she was on the shores of the Styx so please forgive her for her frustrations" said Zoe quickly and Persephone just nodded "My handmaiden shall take to the correct place for rest and then she will face her judgement" said Persephone in an airy tone.

Zoe turn to Maria "I guess we part here...." said Zoe quietly and Maria pulled her in for a hug. "My sweet girl I want to thank you for saving me and for your forgiveness even though I don't deserve it" said Maria. Zoe just shook her head, "I truly believe Carter manipulated the situation and for the most part it wasn't your fault and you did love me when it really comes down to it" said Zoe softly. A women in a long grey robe lead Maria Stark away and Zoe picked up the statue and walked to Persephone. The goddess pulled a face "She is truly an a ugly thing and it will nice to see her hang it the depths of Tartarus and the minions will have fun with her!" said Persephone gleefully. Zoe's eyes widen at Persephone's tone who just grinned "Now Zoe let's go meet your Uncle his is eager to meet you" said Persephone lightly and walk towards the giant dark gates ahead. Zoe sighed then looked at Carter's statue " Well I think it'a time for us to have a meet with the devil so to speak" said Zoe calmly picked up the statue and followed Persephone.