Chapter 2

The underworld

A/N: Some of this chapter is copied directly from The lightning thief.

Percy's POV

THE UNDERWORLD, LA

"I will open the earth and have the dead pour back into the world. I will make your lands a nightmare. And you, Percy Jackson - your skeleton will lead my army out of Hades." My uncle sat on his throne, scaring the shit out of me. It's not everyday someone threatens to use your dead body to conquer the world. But it wasn't the weirdest thing that had happened today.

FLASHBACK

"Your name is Chiron?

He leaned across the desk. I couldn't see anything in his glasses except my own reflection, but his smile was sweet and cold like a pythons, right before he eats you.

"What a precious young lad." He had a strange accent- British maybe, but also like he had learned English as a second language. "Tell me mate, do I look like a centaur?"

"N-no"

"Sir" he added smoothly.

"Sir" I said. As he reached up to his name tag and made to pinch it, his phone rang.

"Chiron here. Is this important? I have some Mortals to scare." He was about to say something else he went as white as a sheet. "N-no Sir" He whispered. I glanced at Annabeth uneasily. Something was wrong here. "Of course Sir, Right away."

He put away the phone and looked at us, still shaking in fear. "I'm sorry Milord. I had no idea you had such friends. If you'll step this way please." I still felt like things had escalated, but fast track to the underworld was what we needed right now.

THE GATES OF HELL

As I held up the bedpost I had found in Crusty's store, I felt really insignificant compared to the dog in front of me. "GROWWWWLLLL!"

"Good boy." I said weakly. The massive Rottweiler had all three of his heads focused on me- maybe not a good thing. I had always pictured Cerberus as a mastiff, maybe with a black jeweled collar, and about the size of a lion. The real one was even more terrifying, and about the size of a wooly mammoth. This was looking like a really bad idea. As I waved the stick, I nearly wet myself when he growled again. In desperation, I threw the stick towards the Styx, where it landed with a splash. As the Cerberus stood resolutely where it was, my only thought was "Shit." Our one chance at entering the underworld had just taken a nosedive. As I readied Riptide for a battle I was sure we would lose, The cerberus suddenly cocked his head to one side and put an almost thoughtful look on its face. The souls behind us suddenly drew back as a presence passed over us. The feeling it gave off was very definitely one of power, and almost gave the impression that time itself had stopped itself for this power. It was one of the most scary things I had ever felt- if I had felt insignificant below the cerberus, I was now a tiny ant that could be crushed underfoot. The Cerberus just gave a happy "Woof!" and sprinted of into the land of the dead. Relieved, we made to follow the huge dog. Something out there was watching out for us- something that could take on the gods themselves. Ignoring the hairs on the back of my neck, I walked through the EZ-death terminal.

JUDGEMENTS FOR ELYSIUM AND ETERNAL DAMNATION

The fields of punishments made me even more reluctant to go further. People being chased, then torn to shreds by hellhounds that were nearly as big as Cerberus, men and women being burnt at the stake, screaming as the flames licked up their bodies. Several were being dragged through cactus patches, crying out as thorns pierced their skin. In the distance could vaguely see Sisyphus dragging his boulder up a hill, women being raped, and people strapped to torture tables, often with tortures featuring around their genitalia. Elysium was much easier on the eyes. Beautiful neighbourhoods, with parks and suburbs surrounded by Roman villas, massive castles and gargantuan mansions. Sunlight shone down on the kingdom, laughter floated through the air and people had a good time. Delicious foods and other aromas floated up the hill, mixing with the beauty of the place. But I was struck by how small it was.

Compared to the size of the Asphodel Fields, or even the fields of punishment, it was tiny. Even smaller were the three islands in the center of the sea. Resembling a vacation resort in the Bahamas, The Isles of the Blest probably had less population than Easter Island. As we walked further into the Asphodel fields, we were drawn to other things. Our clothes were starting to lose colour, the spirits were fading and the general feel of the place was- well, dreary. In the horizon, we could see an obsidian palace approaching. Circling above it were three bat-like figures, their screeches echoing all the way to us. The furies gave an even more depressing air to us. My attention was brought back to us by Annabeth shouting at Grover.

My hairy friend yelped as he was dragged across the floor.

"Maia! Maia already! Nine-one-one? Help!" I tried to grab his hand, but he started accelerating. He tried to untie the shoes, but I guess that isn't too easy when being pulled forward by your foot wear. All of a sudden a golden glow encompassed the shoes, making them vanish. As Grover dropped hard, I shivered. The green glow had given off the same feeling as the power that had interfered by the Cerberus.

FLASHBACK END

So I was standing there, scared out of my wits while my uncle went on a rant about how I had stolen his property, and the assortment of ways he could cause my death. Being a demigod Sucks.

"I wanted you brought before me so you may face every torture in the fields of punishment. Return my property!"

But I don't have your helm. I came for the master bolt."

"Which you already possess! Open your pack!" A sinking feeling came over me as I took off my pack. It had grown heavier as I entered his palace.. My stomach dropped as I unzipped my pack to reveal a two foot long metal cylinder, which I could tell contained huge power. "You heroes are always the same," Hades said. "Your pride makes you foolish, thinking you could bring such a weapon before me. Though it will make a nice bartering tool to get my helm back. Now, hand it to me, Boy!" I took one step forward against my will, before a figure stepped from the shadows.

"Now now, Hades. You know that isn't true." I stared at the newcomer. He was just a teenage boy! And he just challenged Hades!

"You!" Hades snarled, though he looked scared as well. "Begone. You have no place here."

"Actually, I do. I protect these mortals here. They will be important in the future." As he was speaking, the same green light from earlier plucked my mum from midair by Hades, before she dissapeared again. He casually strolled forward and picked up the master bolt, shrinking it before clipping it to his belt. He looked about 16, and had ebony hair, which matched his t-shirt and cargo pants. He was heavily muscled, and had startling green eyes that shone with an unnatural light. As he straightened up, he drew a symbol in mid-air, stepping back as a glimmering portal appeared where he drew. "Come. The portal leads to Camp Half-Blood. I will deliver the bolt to Zeus. Your Mother is safe at camp." Turning to Hades, he raised his hands in the air, and in a green flash, the Helm of Darkness appeared. "I believe you are missing that? Ares Had it. But bad times are coming. My brother has awoken again." At this Hades paled in much the same way as Charon had earlier. As he looked at me, I realised with shock that Grover had already gone to camp. Annabeth and I hurriedly followed him, as the mysterious boy in black came through after me.

CAMP HALF-BLOOD

Third person POV

It was another normal day at camp Half-blood- or as ordinary as it got. Clarisse was bullying the younger campers, the Apollo cabin was thrashing the Athena cabin at archery, and a few campers were on the climbing wall. Chiron and Luke were chatting in the dining pavilion when a glowing green portal appeared beside them, causing them to jump back in shock. Their shock grew when Annabeth and Grover stepped through the portal, followed by Percy and a Boy. While Luke went up and started checking the demigods for injuries, Chiron looked shocked at the boy.

"Harry? What are you doing back here?" Chiron drew the attention of the campers that had come to see the commotion, and the little band of adventurers.

"I came to drop of these campers, and pick up another one." As Luke dissapeared in a flash of light, Harry turned to Chiron and said "Though I feel as if I have some explaining to do. Let us talk in the big house. The boy and Chiron walked away, talking in earnest, leaving many shellshocked campers and swooning females behind. Annabeth Narrowed her eyes, determined to find out who the boy in black was.

A/N: Another chapter done. Thanks to all those who followed and reviewed this story! Next chapter: Hogwarts