Salvete. I apologize for taking so long to update. : ( I really just do not have time. I only have a few chapters left. :' (

For those who haven't seen the latest PJO trailer, check it out here:

w w w . p e r c y j a c k s o n t h e m o v i e . c o m

and remember, it's just a pen!!!

Disclaimer: Sigh. Don't we all wish we owned Artemis Fowl or Percy Jackson? Unfortunately, I am not one of the two lucky people in the world.

Chapter 11

Atlantis

Ninety percent of the time, if you walked—or swam, depending on your species—through Atlantis, you would see a variety of marine animals, merpeople, and water fairies. The pressure at that depth should crush the city and all its inhabitants, but Poseidon's power provides that safety. Most Atlanteans had even met the god himself.

That was just one section of the city, of course. Another part was water-free for the air-breathing tourists.

The current state of Atlantis, however, is a different story. If you walked through the streets of either part of town, you wouldn't see a soul. Not to mention that you'd probably be crushed by Oceanus, who had made it his prerogative to destroy the city. All shuttles to the deep sea city had been banned, unless they were ferrying properly clothed LEP officers. Commander Kelp was sending reinforcements, dressed in pressurized suits, air tanks, and helmets—all Foaly's design, of course.

Much to his disappointment, Grub Kelp was among one of these teams.

"But Trubs, you even said yourself: it's dangerous," Grub had complained to his brother. "And mommy said—"

"I know what mommy said," the commander had replied. "But only a couple of officers can afford to stay behind. You're not one of them. Even I'm going."

Grub frowned, but he knew he didn't have a choice.

"Look, Grub, I'll try to protect you as best I can. Just try to be careful."

Grub had nodded.

The shuttle doors opened, jolting Grub out of his memories. They had arrived.

LEP officers strapped on their helmets, preparing for battle. Some were excited at the prospect of fighting the Titan, while others were just praying to Frond that they'd get home safely.

Commander Kelp punched Grub's shoulder. "You ready for this?"

Grub gulped. "Nope."

"Nobody ever is," the commander replied.

Together, the brothers joined the other LEP officers and stepped out into the chaos. . .

* * *

New York City

The mood was grim, to say the least. The slightly mismatched group of six were huddled together in the van. The city lights flashed through the windows. Sleazy advertisements promised money and happiness, two things that wouldn't exist if the Titans had their way. Nothing would exist if they had their way.

Artemis glanced at Holly's hardened face and touched her arm lightly. Holly looked up and smiled briefly. They held each others hands tightly.

Earlier

Camp Half-Blood

"This is your brilliant plan?!" Holly exclaimed. The room's occupants heads bounced back and forth between the couple, as if watching a tennis match.

"Holly, this is the best course of action," Artemis said. "I considered three others."

"Like?"

"It doesn't matter. This is the best solution."

"You didn't consider any other options, did you?"
"I did."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"Because almost all of them end in death!" Artemis said. Holly flinched back at his harsh tone. "Holly," Artemis continued with a softer tone; he placed his hands on her shoulders. "It comes down to this. Do you trust me? Do you trust me to get you—us—out of this mess?"

There was a pregnant pause as everyone waited for her to answer. Even Chiron and Lady Artemis were watching their argument with interest.

"Of course I trust you Arty," she said, accidently using his pet name. "I just don't want to loose anyone else." Her voice was down to a whisper, and everyone had to strain to hear it.

"This is better than a soap opera," Percy commented in Annabeth's ear.

Annabeth smirked and nodded.

Silena finally butt in to Artemis and Holly's conversation. "While you're at it, you might as well kiss."

This broke the corny scene. They both rolled their eyes. Holly sat down.

"So, when were you planning on telling us you were dating?" Silena casually continued.

Eyes popped.

Artemis chuckled. "Are we really that obvious?"

"No," half a dozen voices chorused.

"Yes," Silena said simultaneously. "Well, you are to an Aphrodite girl."

Holly started laughing. "Very good. I was wondering if you were going to pick up on that."

"As was I," Artemis said.

"Can you possibly talk about this later?" Lady Artemis asked, rolling her eyes and looking annoyed.

Several people apologized.

"Right then," Artemis said. "Are we all set?"

Everyone seemed to agree. The small team of five chosen for the reconnaissance mission began getting ready to go, only to be delayed by an unexpected visitor. . .

Percy, Annabeth, Artemis, Holly, and Thalia were talking in the empty amphitheater. A lot of the chatter was meaningless, only existing to take their mind off of the looming task.

"Well, at least I'm not named after a female goddess," Percy said, after being thoroughly teased about the nickname, 'Seaweed Brain.'

"Ouch," Thalia said, between giggles.

Artemis did his best to look insulted, but in truth, he was actually having a good time. "Well, on that note, I'll just be leaving." He stood up to leave, but Holly grabbed his jacket and pulled him back down.

"Aw, come on, Arty, you know we still like you," she said.

"Some more than others," Annabeth pointed out, looking pointedly at Holly.

"Well, at least we can see what's there," Holly said.

Annabeth blushed when she caught the meaning. Percy looked confused, as always.

"Yet you didn't see me," Nico said, appearing out of nowhere next to Percy. His black hair was just as messy as normal, and his brown eyes had bags under them. His olive skin was paler than it should have been. He looked like he'd been to the Underworld and back, but then again, he probably had. Everyone jumped. Holly's hand went to her waist, where her Neutrino usually was. Her hand grasped at air, and she realized how bad that habit was.

"Who are you?" Holly and Artemis said, simultaneously, while Percy and Annabeth were greeting him more or less enthusiastically.

"Nico di Angelo, and you are. . .?" Nico replied.

"I'm Artemis Fowl, and this is Holly Short," Artemis said, extending a hand.

Nico gave the hand a weird look, but shook it anyways.

Holly rolled her eyes. "I can introduce myself, you know."

Nico laughed. "So you can."

"So, what are you doing in Camp Half-Blood?" Annabeth asked.

Nico became serious. "Percy, do you remember the theory I told you earlier this summer?"

Percy nodded.

"It's confirmed," Nico said, ominously.

"What's confirmed?" Annabeth asked.

"I had a theory earlier that Luke, er, Kronos, pulled an Achilles," Nico said, refusing to elaborate.

"You mean you think that Kronos made Luke's body immortal in the River Styx?" Annabeth choked out.

Nico nodded nervously. Annabeth looked upset, and he didn't want to make it worse. Percy furtively took Annabeth's hand under the table. The whole Luke topic was still a little sensitive, though she seemed not to react as much.

"And you say this has been confirmed?" Percy asked.

Nico nodded once again.

"How?" Artemis asked.

Nico shrugged, as if Artemis had just asked his favorite flavor of ice cream. "Just talked to a couple of witnesses in the Underworld."

Holly got a strange look on her face, like she was choking. "The Underworld?"

"Oh, yeah," Percy said. "Nico is a child of Hades."

Thalia, who had been staring at their pile of bags blankly, looked up. By this point, Percy and Annabeth had forgotten that they were holding hands under the table.

"So, what do we do?" he asked. "If Kronos's body is now immortal, how are we supposed to defeat him?"

"What about Achilles' heel?" Artemis asked. "He must have at least one weak spot."

"Yeah, but finding it is like finding a needle in a haystack," Nico said.

"So optimistic," Thalia said.

Nico opened his mouth to retort, but he spotted Chiron on his way to the pavilion. "I've got to run. I'll see you guys later."

"Wait-" Percy said, but Nico had already dissolved into the shadows.

"How did he do that?" Holly asked.

"Being a Hades kid, he has certain abilities. That is apparently one of them," Annabeth explained hurriedly.

Holly and Artemis both nodded quickly. Chiron was walking towards the amphitheater. He saw the solemn group sitting on the ground floor and the pile of bags next to them. He tried to summon up reassuring word, but the just wouldn't come.

"Are you ready?" he asked, when he was in earshot.

Percy stood up. "No." He grabbed his bag and Annabeth's bag. Annabeth stood up and took her bag from him. Together, they began walking towards Half-Blood Hill.

Holly watched them go, sadly. She shook her head. "Wow," she mumbled. "Were we ever like that?"

Artemis turned to watch the pair walking to the hill. "Probably."

They grabbed their bags and followed Annabeth and Percy. Thalia watched them go, strapping her bag on around her quiver arrows.

"I feel like I'm missing something," she commented to Chiron.

Chiron laughed. "You probably are. Bona Fortuna, Thalia."

Thalia looked at him when she heard the Latin phrase. "Thanks Chiron. We'll need it."

She followed suit of the four heroes ahead of her, running to catch up.

Chiron watched them go and prayed to the gods that they would all be alright. Plus, he thought. If they all live, I won't have Foaly or Commander Kelp on my tail. This thought was just a joke, to attempt to hide his anxiety over the children's safety.

End Notes: Okay, so that's it. I will try to have the next chapter up ASAP. It is already mostly written; I'd just like to flesh it out more. As always, you know what to do: review. : ) Thanks.

Oh! I almost forget. Bona Fortuna = Good Luck. I apologize for all the Latin usage. . .(looks guilty)

Valete,

HMF