Here's chapter 12

They found themselves in an enormous cellar, with towering vaulted brick ceilings and a series of tunnels that stretched into darkness. The walls were dripping wet.

Sally – while holding Percy's other hand, that wasn't holding Cassie's – looked sadly at the girl, "Even though I hoped to meet my sons' girlfriend under better circumstances, its nice to meet you." Cassie smiled through her watery eyes and nodded in agreement. She was afraid her voice would crack if she tried to talk.

Percy put his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. Annabeth muttered, "I never would have suspected Luke..."

"None of us did," Bernie snapped, dragging Grover and herself over to Cassie's other side. She laid her head on Cassie's shoulder. Cassie's heart was breaking. The one person she trusted her whole life, the person who was always there for her and helped her through everything she was put through... turned out to be a traitor to Olympus and had used her and put her in the line of eternal damnation to start a war amongst the Gods.

Percy kissed Cassie's forehead once more before looking at everyone, "But why did he hide the bolt in his shield? Why did he give it to me?"

Grover baa-aad'd, "Add that to the long list of things I'll never know. Like the feeling of a naked Be-woman... or the sweet smell of-" There was a loud grinding sound. In the middle of the stone floor, bricks separated... the floor began to slide open... revealing a deep pit... Inside there was... a whirlpool of fire.

From deep in the pit, within the flames, something stirred, roared and SCREAMED! Everyone ran to the side of the cellar, clutching the walls and each other for dear life. The floor continued to slide open, revealing the waiting flames directly beneath them... A giant, demon-like face, made entirely of flames, appeared in the whirlpool.

"What's that?" Percy yelled.

Grover cried out, "Kronos. Father of the Gods. Technically, your Grandfather."

"MY GRANDFATHER?" Percy shouted incredulous.

Grover nodded, "You, my friend, are the proud member of a very dysfunctional family," he paused a beat, "Think your old man was a Deadbeat Dad?... At least he didn't eat his kids." The face of Kronos roared. The floor continued to slide open... "Or his grand kids," Grover finished nervously.

Only a few feet of the floor remained. With his mother hugging him on his right side, Percy looked down at Cassie who was looking down the pit with a terrified expression. She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face, "I'm sorry, Percy."

He shook his head, "This is not your fault. And no matter what, I'm grateful I at least got this time with you. I love you, Cassiopeia."

She let a smile grace her lips and whispered, "I love you too." before crashing her lips to his for one last kiss. Sally saw and smiled; her son found love.

Suddenly... the floor stopped opening. Everyone exchanged a puzzled look, holding onto the tiny ledge of rock. The roaring, flaming face of Kronos still screamed below... The floor began to close. The kids and Sally grew bewildered as the floor closed below them, much to the dismay of a screaming Kronos.

A hooded figure appeared, racing down the stairs, toward them. The figure removed its hood.

"Persephone!" Annabeth cried.

"Follow me," Persephone answered simply. They followed her into a hallway. She returned the kids' gear. She gave Percy Zeus' bolt. He asked, "Why did you save us?"

Persephone looked at them, "Hades has been cruel and abusive... forcing me into a loveless marriage. Like your mother, I was abducted by Hades. I agreed to be his wife, only if he would allow me to return to the surface for three months each year. It's all that I have to look forward to. A war of the gods will destroy everything I hold dear in the mortal world..."

"We'll do everything we can to stop it," Cassie whispered.

Persephone nodded, smiling, "You have the pearls?" Cassie nodded taking her necklace off.

Persephone's smile dropped, "Only five pearls." Cassie nodded. Persephone frowned, "One of you will have to stay behind."

"What do you mean?" Annabeth frowned.

"Each pearl protects only a single person. Whoever's blood touches it." Persephone explained. The kids looked at each other, unaware of that. "Make your choice quickly."

Sally turned to Percy, "I'll stay. You're young, you have your whole life ahead of you... You need to experience it-" Percy took Grover's dagger, quickly grabbed his mom's hand and made a slight cut on her finger... "Percy-" A drop of Sally's blood trickled onto of the pearls in Cassie's hands. Percy then reached for Cassie's hand, who retracted it, "Percy..."

He shook his head, "You guys go. I'm staying."

Grover blanched, "Dude, no. There's-"

"No time to argue," Percy interrupted, "You have to get the bolt back to Olympus."

He grabbed Grover's hand and did the same before he could react. Cassie shouted, "PERCY!" She grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the group, "I'm staying."

"WHAT!" Percy shouted, "No! You go and take care of them-"

"Percy, shut up, it has to be me," Cassie cried, tears falling from her eyes, "You have to be the one to return the bolt. Bernie can't handle it down here. Annabeth will get killed with her smart mouth. Your mom is the one we're trying to save and Grover can't be separated from Bernie. It has to be me."

Percy looked like he was about to sob, "No..." he whispered in despair. Cassie grabbed the dagger from his hand and sliced his thumb, rolling a pearl in it. Suddenly Hades entered, "WHERE IS THE BOLT!"

He transformed into his demonic form. He raced towards Percy. Cassie then cut Annabeth's and Bernie's hands and shoved the pearls into them. Bernie couldn't hold back her tears, "...Cassie..." Cassie sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry." She turned to Grover, "Take care of her."

Hades extended his sword, swinging wildly. Percy brought his sword up and pierced Hades' chest. The wound was deep and sent Hades to the floor, black blood pouring from his wound. Hades, writhing in pain, reverted to his human self.

Cassie looked at them, "Guys. Go! Now! Break the pearls." Annabeth and Sally smashed theirs, exploding in a green flash, enveloping Sally and Annabeth in a separate green sphere. Each sphere began to float off the floor. Grover smashed his, the same thing happening. Bernie paused, not wanting to. Cassie smiled and hugged her sister, knocking the pearl on the ground. She backed away quickly, letting the green sphere envelope her sister.

Percy paused, looking at Cassie, who smiled sadly at him, "I don't want to leave you."

Cassie sniffed, "You have too."

Persephone called out, "I'll take care of her."

Percy suddenly took her into his arms and smashed his lips to hers, "I love you."

Cassie smiled, "I love you too. And I'll never forget you." She stepped back.

Percy smashed his pearl. As the sphere enveloped him he said, "I'll come back for you. I promise." He floated away with the others. Cassie looked to Hades, badly wounded on the floor. Persephone grabbed her hand and started to race in another direction.

Percy focused on Olympus.

The Empire State building was adorned with red, while and blue lights. Dark, ominous storm clouds were in the sky. There was thunder as few pedestrians on the streets struggled to walk against the strong wind.

Here it is, after someone finaly reviewed! That was the deal, remember? :-0

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RegalGirl94