I hope you guys enjoy this chapter- in which Percy tells her mom she is fine but she most definitely has her own doubts about things. But not to worry she has Piper to help her.
Replies:
Thickneck: We all do, poor Walt, just trying to relax and then bam! He finds out his girlfriends sister has some of the most powerful items in existence tucked under her bed.
Undeath9087: I mean, this version of Percy is very fond of the Underworld so just picture Hades, fully ready to punish these strangers who just barged into his realm, because he's used to heroes who usually try and steal of be disrespectful, only to find Percy, a girl who's just like 'Hey! Cool place you got here, and awesome puppy'. And I've said it before, I'll say it again. Hades is one of the most reasonable of the gods/
rage2091: Percy is regretting many things right now lol.
Guest: Technically, but she wouldn't know how to send it via Hermes yet.
Guest: Yes she's bi in this, and when I say painful on a personal level... well did I say it would be most painful for Percy? Heheheheh. You'll see soon enough.
Jason: Hmmmm...
Noir Nyan: Definitely no flying, usually Percy can risk it, but with the bolt? Even with Walt putting protection spells on the backpack Zeus would probably notice it in his domain. It would be too risky for her. And honestly, I'd say technically the quest is easier for them than it was in canon for reasons you will soon see.
Guest: They do, but will they be travelling through Portals?
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: You shall have to wait and see- but remember Hades is fairly reasonable and this Percy is an Underworld kid and proud of that fact.
Guest2.0: I mean, Luke's definitely looking for it. And Annabeth wouldn't ever just stay in camp.

On a scale of one to ten of things Percy enjoyed doing, telling her mother about the backpack was probably -100. Maybe not the worst thing she'd ever had to do but it was definitely not at all pleasant.

By the time Percy was finished explaining her moms expression was not a pleased one.

And even worse it wasn't an angry expression- Percy much preferred anger to the expression her mom was levelling at her.

That expression was pure disappointment.

And all three of the elder Kane siblings could agree that whilst anger was unpleasant, Sally Jacksons disappointed expression was to be feared above all else. After all how could anyone disappoint her willingly? Sally Jackson was the kindest, most amazing woman alive- and all three of them would fight anyone who tried to disagree with that.

So it didn't take very long for Percy to crack under that gaze. "Mom- mom please say something."

"Percy." Sally's voice was exhausted, "Honey- why didn't you- you should have told me. You should have told me as soon as you had the dream- before you even went running off like that."

"But-" Percy shook her head, "Mom it felt so urgent I just- I did what I was told-"

"And when you got home?" and Percy winced.

"We- I didn't want to get into trouble for running out." Percy mumbled the words, "And I didn't- I really did just forget about it after we went to Egypt mom I didn't just plan on hiding it from you."

"I know." Sally sighed, "I know you didn't honey- I know you didn't- plan on things going like they have but this- it's not good sweetheart."

"I know mom." Percy ducked her head, "I'm sorry-" and Sally's arms folded around her quickly, her fingers combing through Percy's long white curls.

"I know baby. I know." Sally sighed softly, pressing her lips to the top of Percy's head. "It just worries me- your father, he made it clear that his brothers wouldn't be happy about you. And I've heard enough stories of Zeus' temper."

"Well hopefully I'll be able to avoid him." Percy pointed out, pressing her face into her mom's shoulder, "I mean- I know he warned you about uncle Hades but-Underworld gods get an unfair rep."

Sally laughed softly at that, "You know, I do think our family may be a bit biased in the other direction." she remarked lightly. "And- the Egyptians in general are a lot more open to the Underworld than the Greeks seem to be." she brushed her fingers through Percy's hair, smoothing it down gently.

"See, he's probably not as bad as my father made out." Percy declared, "So we go to him- with some added protection from Walt, and I talk to him, explain things and give him back his helm and hope he can help us get the bolt back to Zeus."

"I don't like it." Sally said honestly, "Percy maybe- Carter and Sadie aren't here so they can't come with you but- maybe I should come-"

"Oh come on mom." Percy let out a little huff. "You don't need to come-" she shook her head, "I can handle it, you know I can."

"Honey you've never done anything like this on your own. Monster attacks are one thing but-"

"I'm not on my own." Percy said quickly, "I'll have Piper with me. Besides weren't you supposed to be taking the twins to Paris to visit Desjardins?" she asked, tilting her head. "They were excited and you were going to teach some of the initiates there some of your healing tricks right?" Sally was one of the best healers in the House of Life after all, along with being the mother of the Pharaoh. And Desjardins had a soft spot for the twins who had been born in his territory, though his soft spot for them wasn't as big as his soft spot for Percy- though he didn't show it easily.

"I-" Sally shook her head, "He'd understand-"

"Mom you need to stay with the twins anyway- you can't exactly bring them to the Underworld." Percy grabbed her moms hand, squeezing it tightly. "It's going to be okay."

"You're going to need to be careful." Sally swallowed hard, her face pale. "You can't risk flying under the circumstances, you might have your protective amulets but if you're in the sky with his bolt- the chances of him sensing you are a lot higher."

"Ugh." Percy groaned, "Maybe we could travel through the Duat-"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. We'll need to tell your dad of course but-" Sally shook her head, "The gods might get a bit nervous if they find out what's going on and some of them can be stupid."

"Like Babi and Nekhbutt." Percy said smoothly, "I remember. Believe me I remember." she pulled back, "So we travel by train or something?"

"I'll go and check the trains." Sally said, "And I'll make sure you and Piper have enough money on your card to pay for your tickets. You go and pack yourselves some bags, I'll pack you some food. You'll probably need to wait until morning to leave." Sally let out a heavy sight, a pained look on her face, "I'll go tell Piper what's going on, I'm sure she'll join you in your room to help you packing."

"Okay mom." Percy nodded quickly, pulling away from her mom and rushing back to her room, grabbing her backpack from her closet and getting to work, grabbing a skirt and some shorts and some tops- it might seem stupid but it was always smart to have changes of clothes- being dirty and bloody always attracted the wrong kind of attention.

Before long Piper was joining Percy in her room, a bundle of clothes in her hands, "Hey," she kicked the door shut behind her, "Gimme that bag-"

"What- Piper-" Percy laughed, "You can't shove all your stuff in my bag and make me carry it."

"I will be carrying the clothes and food bag actually." Piper poked her tongue out at Percy, who blinked.

"I mean, I'm fine with that but why?"

"Because dumbo, you can't carry two backpacks at once and one of us is going to need to carry the bag with the Bolt and the Helm in it." Piper pointed out seriously, "And no offence but I'm leaving that to you since you're the one who had the creepy Oracle dream."

And Percy blinked, tilting her head in consideration for a second before she gave a small nod and shrug, "I mean, you're not actually wrong." she conceded, "Okay, you can carry this bag." she tossed it to Piper, who caught it and opening it, shoving her clothes into it quickly. "Mom said she'd deal with food for us. We have clothes- I've got my card in my phone case. We need- what else do we need?"

"First aid kit." Piper declared after a moment, "We should grab a first aid kit in case of any attacks."

"Sounds perfect." Percy declared, running her fingers through her hair before she dropped onto the bed. "Piper-"

"It's gonna be okay Percy." Piper said quickly, zipping up the bag and moving to sit next to the daughter of Poseidon. "We'll be fine. If there's one thing I've learned over like, three years as your best friend is that no one should ever bet against you."

"I've never done anything like this before. Not without Carter and Sadie." Percy whispered the words, "It feels different. I
know that I'm not alone but-"

"I get it." Piper grabbed Percy's hand, squeezing tightly, "I do." Piper shifted, sliding off the bed and dropping to her knees, moving so that she was in front of Percy, clutching her hand and looking up at her. "But Percy you don't need them. I mean they're awesome don't get me wrong- I love your whole family- but- they're not always gonna be able to be there- especially not for this. Not for the Greek stuff. But you're not alone." and Percy took a deep shaky breath, yanking her best friends hand so that Piper toppled forward, hugging her tightly.

"You gonna stick with me-"

"You know it." Piper's voice was muffled by Percy's shoulder, "That's what best friends do right?"

And they stayed like that, hugging each other for several minutes before Piper pulled herself up, "C'mon. Let's go find a first aid kit to shove in the bag, and we can check in on Walt's progress too."

"What would I do without you?" Percy laughed softly, which made Piper grin.

"Well I'd like to say you'd perish without me but we both know I'd be wrong." she declared, "Because as much as you can sometimes be super ridiculous and dumb- you're also one of the smartest people I've ever met."

And that made Percy blush bright red, "I mean- have you met my big brother-"

"Yes but you are just as much of a nerd as him you're just stealthy about it." Piper grinned at the offended look on Percy's face "And don't go looking at me like that Percy Kane. What happened last time we visited a museum-"

"I-" Percy opened and closed her mouth several times before bursting out, "They had it labelled wrong and that tour guide wasn't listening to me!"

"You nearly got us kicked out!" Piper laughed, "You were ridiculous-"

"It was Ptah!" Percy declared, "The vase had Ptah on it and they were saying it was Osiris that was just so blatantly wrong they're totally different- I mean I like them both don't get me wrong but one if very clearly far superior-"

"You are such a daddy's girl." Piper laughed, shaking her head fondly. "Which is freaking adorable by the way-"

"My dad is freaking awesome." Percy declared, "You know, you've met him-"

"I was a bit distracted by the fact that he was blue honestly." Piper snickered, "I know I should be used to this stuff by now but that- that was pretty shocking."

"Eh, you get used to it all."

"Yeah, it wasn't as freaky as the lady made out of water you introduced me to by the Nile that one time-"

"Hey, Nephthys is awesome-"

"Oh yeah, she's really sweet I just-" Piper laughed, "It still amazes me." she shook her head before- "I kinda hope it never stops amazing me." she admitted, "I think that the day all this stuff becomes any less amazing to me is gonna be a really sad one."

"I still find stuff amazing sometimes." Percy said reassuringly, "I mean- the worlds a pretty awesome place, I think the best thing is getting to show you all of it."

"You still have to take me to your favorite place in Greece by the way." Piper told Percy, "What did you say the Island was called?"

"Mykonos." Percy nodded, "We can do that. Once we've dealt with the situation we'll go there for a few days- I'll show you around-"

Percy was cut off by a knock on the door and she shifted slightly as Piper got to her feet before flopping next to Percy, "Come in!"

And the door was cracked open by Walt, who held up the backpack, "One backpack with so many wards on it that you should be able to walk right past any monsters and they won't have a clue as long as they're not actively searching for it. I make no promise on gods though."

"Gimme." Percy raised her hands, making grabby motions and Walt tossed her the bag, which she caught with practised ease. "Thanks for that Walt. Some protection is better than none."

"Also." Walt held up four amulets- two of each, "For both of you. A Djed each-"

"Dad's symbol."

"And a Jackal each." Walt walked into the room, handing Percy and Piper the amulets, "Hopefully when Hades sees those he'll at least be willing to hear you out."

"That's perfect." Percy stood up, hugging Walt tightly, "Are you gonna have to go?"

"I'll need to talk to your father- and probably need to calm him down." Walt gave a wry smile. "And after that I think I might go to London, just for a few days."

And that made Percy laugh.

"You guys are still so ridiculous even now."

"What can I say, your sister might be infuriating but I love her."

"Ugh. So sappy." Percy rolled her eyes and made a gagging face, "I've said it before and I'll say it again, I hope I'm never as ridiculous as you guys."