Hey guys! Thanks to all of you that followed and reviewed! This is the second part of the conversation!

You shall go west to face the god who has turned,

You shall find what was stolen and see it safely returned

You'll be betrayed by one who calls you friend

You shall fail to save what matters most in the end.

His prophecy was playing like a loop through my mind. What if it was different? There was nothing I could do if the prophecy was different.

Percy came back outside to the porch.

"Well?" Chiron asked him.

He slumped into a chair at the pinochle table. "She said I would retrieve what was stolen."

Grover sat forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can. "That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

I crossed my fingers under the table, Please don't be different,please don't be different.

Percy still seemed shaken as he spoke it. "She . .. she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover said.

Chiron didn't look satisfied. "Anything else?"

I knew Percy wouldn't want to tell him. Percy glanced over at me like he knew that I knew what friend would betray him.

I also knew what he would fail to save, but It wasn't the lightning bolt.

Percy opened his mouth, and I knew it wasn't to to refuse to tell them anything.

"No," I said quickly, over Percy's voice, hoping Chiron didn't really suspect anything. "That's about it."

He studied Percy. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass."

Chiron definitely knew we were holding something back, I could tell he was going to ask me about it later

"Okay," Percy said, clearly anxious to change topics. "So where do I go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?" He guessed.

"Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have now broken."

I thought about my dreams, the evil voice that had spoken from under the ground. It kind of bothered me that I had to pretend not to know. Everyone just assumed it would be Hades but it wasn't.

"Hades." Percy said, though he sounded uncertain.

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

I couldn't help wanting to laugh, I never realized how absolutely pretentious Chiron seemed in this conversation. Yes, the only possibility indeed.

A scrap of aluminum dropped out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him. "She watched the young man until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"Yes, but-but Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "Especially if he has found out Percy is a son of Poseidon… ."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Chiron continued. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on the quest."

"Great," Percy muttered. "That's two major gods who want to kill me."

"But a quest to …" Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn't the master bolt be in some place like Maine? Maine's very nice this time of year."

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to understand the Lord of the Dead's motives perfectly, or why he chose this time to start a war, but one thing is certain. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

Percy looked determined now. He looked even more confident than I was, and I knew what would happen.

Grover looked scared.

"Look, if we know it's Hades," Percy told Chiron, "why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and bust some heads."

"Suspecting and knowing are not the same," Chiron said. "Besides, even if the other gods suspect Hades—and I imagine Poseidon does—they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

"You're saying I'm being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

I could tell Percy wasn't quite sure what to think of this statement.

He looked at Chiron, but blatantly ignored me. "You've known I was Poseidon's son all along, haven't you?"

"I had my suspicions. As I said … I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

"So let me get this straight," Percy said. "I'm supposed go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."

"That's about right."

Percy glanced over at Grover who ate a card.

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" Grover asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," Percy told him. "I can't ask that of you."

"Oh …" He shifted his hooves. "No … it's just that satyrs and underground places … well…"

He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If … if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

Percy obviously looked relieved "All the way, G-man." He turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west."

."The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America."

"Where?"

Chiron looked surprised. "I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles."

Obvious? I already knew that, of course, but he really just said that to someone who two weeks ago didn't even know greek gods existed.

"Oh," Percy said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane and be there with plenty of time to spare."

Grover and Chiron exchanged a look, but didn't protest. So of course, I had to step in.

"Percy." I said, "Have you ever been on an airplane before?"

He shook his head.

"Percy, think," I said. "You are the son of the Sea God. That sea god is a rival of an air god. Your mother knew better than to trust you in an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again alive."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed. The sheer drama of that was like a dream come true.

"Okay," Percy said, clearly determined not to look at the storm. "So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help."

"Gee," Percy said, feigning surprise. "Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

The air shimmered behind Chiron.

Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket.

Then Percy actually looked surprised. It's clear he'd thought it was me.

"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," Seaweed Brain! I almost couldn't keep from squealing. It was clear that Annabeth hadn't noticed his slip up. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"If you do say so yourself,"Percy said. "I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

I had to bite my lip to keep from rejoicing.

Annabeth's cheeks colored. "Do you want my help or not?"

"A trio," Percy said. "That'll work."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

Lightning flashed. Rain poured down on the meadows that were never supposed to have violent weather.

"No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing."

I snapped up, "Wait!"

Everyone jumped and looked at me. Then I remembered they thought I could see the future and if someone can see the future and yells wait, you'd better listen.

"I need to come too." I said.

"Leah, a quest consists of three quest members unless otherwise stated." Chiron said.

"Besides," Percy said, "I thought you said you couldn't do anything about the future when it's big."

"I won't go as an official quester, then. I'll go along as a consultant. And I'm going to need to be careful in the ways I interfere. But I promise you, I'm going to need to come along."

The way I said it must have convinced them. So Chiron nodded. "I suppose so. But be warned. The number three is a special number."

I nodded.

Then I went off to pack.

Tada! Hope you liked it!