Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades." She read out
"Hades doesn't have a sword." Zeus said
"Let's just read on." Thalia said
Christmas in the Underworld was NOT my idea.
"Not even close." Thalia snorted
"My son's been there again." Poseidon groaned
"Well dad you should get used to it now, I'll probably declare prank wars against Nico now with the Stolls." Percy smirked
"Thanks for giving me time to prepare myself." Poseidon said dryly
"Sir, you're gonna come to the party." Percy said
"Did you just call me sir?" Poseidon asked
"Yes." Percy said
"Yeah, I'm gonna have to put some warnings in my room now." Nico said
"Who said the prank is in the room." The Stolls smirked mischievously
Hermes laughed and high fived his children and winked at Percy.
If I'd known what was coming, I would've called in sick.
"Me too." Thalia grinned
I could've avoided an army of demons, a fight with a Titan and a trick that almost got my friends and me cast into eternal darkness.
"What?!" Poseidon yelled
Percy shrugged.
"Did Hades send you there?" Poseidon asked
"Nope." Nico said
But no. I had to take my stupid English exam.
"Exams are important." Athena huffed
"I know but this led to trouble." Percy said
So there I was on the last day of the winter semester…Mrs O'Leary burst onto the stage, barking like crazy.
"That happens so much. You have to pretend to read it." Katie said
The Greek demigods nodded.
Mrs O'Leary is my pet hellhound…Santa's elves and the rest of the Winter Wonderland set.
Everybody snickered.
"Poor elves." Beckendorf laughed
Everyone looked up…adjusted his glasses and frowned.
There was silence for one second and the demigods burst into laughter and the gods joined in.
"Dr. Boring is the name of a teacher, that's accurate." Lee laughed
The demigods nodded.
'All right,' he said. 'Whose poodle?'…More kids cracked up.
The Stolls started whistling the same too.
The demigods snickered.
Nico chucked pillows at them and they pouted.
'Enough!' Dr Boring snapped… 'See ya, Poodle Boy!'
"If only they knew who Mrs. O'Leary is." Beckendorf muttered
Mrs O'Leary ran down East 81st Street towards the river…probably wasn't the weirdest thing they'd ever seen.
Everybody snickered.
"I would pay to see Percy chasing a poodle." Rachel laughed
"How much?" Percy asked
"10 dollars." Rachel smirked
"Add some drachmas and I'll do it for you." Percy smirked
"5 drachmas." Rachel said
"So 10 dollars and 5 drachmas?" Percy clarified
Rachel nodded.
"Done, I'll do it once we get back." Percy said
"Oh this is going to be so fun." Chris grinned
Mrs O'Leary kept well ahead of me…but the back of my neck started to tingle.
"Danger alert." Michael said in a sing song voice
"You could say that." Percy said
I took out my ballpoint pen and uncapped it…I figured it was some sort of sign.
"Did somebody use my deer to send a sign?" Artemis frowned
"Yes." Thalia said
Artemis scowled.
And, um…' She nodded nervously at Mrs O'Leary…'Some god is messing with us,' I guessed. 'Probably.'
"Is that new?" Travis asked with raised eyebrows
"Yeahh no." Connor said
The demigods snickered.
'Good to see you, though'…How's Annabeth?'
"Aw thanks Thals, you know me well." Percy said
Thalia gave him a punch in the shoulder.
"Owww." Percy groaned dramatically
Everybody chuckled.
Before I could answer, a cloud passed over the sun…'Bianca's little brother?'
Thalia grimaced.
"Sorry Nico." She said
Nico sighed.
"It's fine." He said
Nico scowled. I doubt he liked being announced as Bianca's little brother… 'One minute I'm in a New Orleans graveyard.
"What were you doing in a graveyard?" Hades asked
"Chilling out." Nico snorted
"No seriously?" Hades asked
"Looking around." Nico said
The next minute – is this New York? What in Hades' name am I doing in New York?'
"Really son?" Hades asked
Nico grinned sheepishly.
'We didn't bring you here,' I promised…You don't think Kronos…'
The gods took in sharp breaths.
"It wasn't him." Thalia assured them.
She didn't finish the thought…More like a cave.
Demeter raised an eyebrow.
"Your garden." She said, looking at Persephone
Nico nodded.
'I've been here before,' I said…aiming her bow at a tall woman in a white dress.
Persephone glared at Thalia.
"Shouldn't have kidnapped us." Thalia shrugged
At first I thought the woman was a ghost…Her face was beautiful but deathly pale.
Demeter grumbled.
"All because-' She started
"Yeah yeah yeah we know we know, don't start again for everybody's sake here." Nico said impatiently
Demeter glared at him.
Hades smirked.
Then I realized her dress wasn't white…world above she would be beautiful, even brilliant.
Demeter glared at Hades and was about to open her mouth when Nico said "Oh gods, please no."
The demigods snickered.
Demeter shifted her glare to Nico who shrugged.
'I am Persephone,' she said… 'You turned me into a dandelion!'
The demigods burst out laughing. Nico pouted.
"Three times?" Percy choked out
"Four. She turned me a couple of months again too." Nico sighed
The demigods were shaking by now.
"Flowers flowers." Nico said in a sing song voice.
"Uh Nico are you okay?" Jason asked
"Top of the world." Nico said
Persephone ignored her stepson…It was necessary to bring you three together.'
"That's kinda cool." Leo said
Persephone smirked.
'Why?' I asked…'Lord Hades has a problem,' she said.
"You don't have to call me Lord, love." Hades said
Persephone blushed.
Nico gagged.
Percy and Thalia patted his back. Triton snickered.
'And if you know what's good for you, you will help him.'
"What a nice way of asking." Nico sighed
Percy and Thalia sighed.
We sat on a dark veranda overlooking the garden…Alas, in winter this is the best I can do.'
"Well I'm glad we went to the underworld, wouldn't want to end up as a squashed demigod eh?" Nico asked
Percy and Thalia snickered.
"You guys would have to get the golden fleece for me." Nico said
Percy chuckled.
She sounded bitter…bleached and out-of-place, like an old photograph of springtime.
Percy grimaced.
Hades frowned and looked a little hurt and looked at his wife.
Persephone glared at Percy.
"I don't resent staying with Hades or my time in the Underworld. It's just I have a fixed time. So I can't visit the above world during winter and during summer I can't visit my husband." She explained
"Maybe we could figure something out." Percy said, trying to make up for the hurt he caused his uncle.
"Can we even do that?" Katie asked
"I don't know but we can never know unless we try." Percy said
"Perce, Jason's rubbing off on you with the deep lines." Nico said
Jason stuck his tongue out at Nico who smirked.
"We'll talk in the break then." Nico sighed. He didn't have any fascination for Persephone but he loved his dad.
Hazel nodded.
"Great then." Percy said
Hades and Persephone gave grateful looks to the demigods. Though Nico was smirking at Jason.
She turned towards me as if reading my thoughts.
"That is freaking creepy." Travis hissed
"And annoying." Nico said
"Maybe Hecate and Hypnos could help with blocking our thoughts from gods and monsters unless we want to allow them to access it?" Jason suggested
Hazel thought about it.
"I don't know much about Hypnos but I think Hecate can help out." She said
"I think Hypnos can help out. Though he's the god of dreams and all but it still has something to do with the mind." Annabeth said
"We can contact them after the break. They're good lads." Nico said
"Nico just said lads." Percy snickered
Nico rolled his eyes.
"We've got a good plan for the breaks then." Will said
Nico nodded.
Hades is my husband and master, young one
"You don't have to treat me like I'm your master, not anymore at least." Hades said
"Dad, you've got quarters and tents and the freaking dining hall and the malls and diners. Not here please." Nico said
Hades chuckled.
"This is a comfortable place." He said
"No…just…just no. Please." Nico said
The demigods were snickering.
"No guarantees." Hades smirked
Nico groaned.
I would do anything for him…He uses a staff in battle, and his helm of terror.'
Hades nodded.
'He didn't have a sword,' Persephone corrected.
Hades bit back a groan.
Thalia sat up. 'He's forging a new symbol of power? Without Zeus's permission?'
"I'm confused. So Zeus has to ask Zeus for making a new symbol of power for himself?" Travis asked
"You know that is… that is actually a good question." Thalia said
"I mean I'm very sure he wouldn't bother telling anybody if he's making one and then if any god protests they'll be punished but if another god wants to make a power he'll accuse them of trying to overthrow him." Nico spat
"I've seriously never seen anybody this paranoid, except Kronos. That guy's next level." Percy said
The goddess of springtime pointed…'It would unbalance their power-sharing agreement.'
"However paranoid Zeus is, I'm less but I agree with Thalia." Poseidon sighed
"Yeah that's true but I guess the point here was that you guys can actually do combat with the weapons you have. Like a bolt and a trident. The helm is scary trust me, I speak from experience and it's gonna scare the shit out of the most crazy people but it's not going to help soo much in close combat." Percy said
"Prissy's right. Close combat is mostly with weapons and all. Like swords and like Luke sad knives for skilled fighters. The odds might be more for the ones with weapons than for those without it. This is just a general statement." Clarisse informed
"I get your points but I think it would still go against the power sharing agreement as Hades would then have two weapons." Poseidon explained
"Zeus can turn gods mortal." Apollo said
"That was a little random but I get what you're trying to convey." Poseidon said
"Let's just finish the story and find out." Frank said
Everybody nodded.
Persephone shook her head…which is why he forged the blade in secret.'
"A little depressing." Jason muttered
The image over the table shimmered…Underworld with a mere touch of the blade.'
"Bloody hell." The Stolls said in a British accent
The people who had watched Harry Potter snickered.
"But you can't use that. You're in on this." Zeus looked horrified
"Holy gods." Nico pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Thalia how could anybody be this paranoid? I'm very sure that Persephone said it wasn't for overthrowing anybody." Annabeth asked
"Don't ask me. I have no clue." Thalia shrugged, looking at her father in discuss.
"I agree with the Nico, Thalia and Annabeth here." Poseidon said and sighed
Demeter just continued reading.
We were all silent… 'Did you say get it back?'
"Did she just-?" Pollux asked with an open mouth.
"Did it get misplaced?" Castor asked
"Oh way worse." Thalia said grimly
"Percy's like, 'I'm sorry, what did you just say?'" Travis joked
The demigods chuckled.
"Seriously, we're all like that right now." Chris said
Persephone's eyes were beautiful and deadly serious…Kronos probably has it by now!'
"WHAT?!" The demigods yelled
"That is not good, not good at all." Will said
"We sorted it out as we're demigods." Nico said
"I have no clue why she didn't handle it. One day of peace is all we asked for. Is that too much to ask? For demigods yes." Percy said
Persephone and the other gods grimaced.
"I mean you lost it, then you should get it back. Why are we supposed to solve the issues? Help you out, sure but clean up the mess you caused, not cool." Thalia said
The gods winced again.
The demigods sighed.
"Look guys, we're fine with helping you when you're in trouble but it's annoying that we're supposed to clean up the mess you caused. It makes us feel even more like little gerbils because it's a job that gods don't do because they're higher than us." Lee said
"You're right." Apollo said
"Next time, we'll help you." Poseidon said
"We can't do that." Zeus said angrily
The gods ignored him.
The demigods gave them all grateful looks.
Thalia's arrows sprouted into long-stemmed roses…do not speak to me with disrespect in my own palace.'
"Then you will be more careful." Nico gritted his teeth
Persephone glared at him but he glared right back.
Hades put a hand on Persephone's hand and Percy put a hand on Nico's shoulder as he was sitting next to him.
Thalia ground her teeth…'Who could withstand your combined power?
"Seriously nobody." Apollo said
"Yeah, combine Thalia, Percy, Nico and Jason and it's next level. If you add Annabeth and Will, that's ultimate and then all of us too and it's game over." Connor said
Besides, when you restore the sword to Hades…much less give him a super-weapon? Right, Nico?'
Hades looked at Percy and Thalia.
"Sorry about that. Old grudges. You're still my favorite uncle though." Percy said
"Sorry for saying that." Thalia said
Hades sighed and gave a small smile.
Nico stared at the table…'I have to do this, Percy. He's my father.'
Hades gave a small smile to Nico.
'Oh, no way,' Thalia protested…He had a point there.
"That's true." Leo said
'Time is wasting,' Persephone said…'A magic carnation?' I asked.
Everybody snickered.
'The flower always faces the thief…even if your dad was hard to love.
The demigods sighed and looked down. They all felt like that at a point of time.
"Relatable." Travis muttered
The demigods nodded.
The decent gods grimaced.
In this case, really hard to love.
The demigods gave Nico sympathetic smiles.
Nico and Hades grimaced.
Nico was going to do this…as payment for your help.'
"Well that's a good oath." Hades said
"Why thank you." Percy said
Another petal fell off the carnation…Let's go catch this jerk.'
Everybody snickered.
"Wow Percy." Reyna chuckled
"Hey, I'm a little lazy." Percy said
"Bullcrap." Nico said
"You've seen my room." Percy said
"That is true but in a fight you're far from lazy." Annabeth said
Percy shrugged.
The Underworld didn't get into the Christmas spirit…better than to go on a quest with a couple of boys.
Thalia, Zoe, Reyna and Artemis smirked.
'Did Persephone seem kind of uptight?' I asked…Usually Hades liked to threaten demigods in person.
"That's true." Hades said
"Good to know." Percy said
Nico forged ahead… 'Think I'll take him along next time I go to the shopping mall.'
Everybody laughed.
"They aren't ghosts." Nico grinned
"Kind of a pity." Thalia said
'So,' I said, 'how's immortality treating you?'…She died a hero's death.'
Everybody smiled.
'I know that,' Thalia snapped… I was just… never mind.'
"Looking for me?" Jason asked
Thalia nodded.
A cold feeling washed over me…our way past scenes of horrible torture
"Ah never that lucky." Connor said
The demigods nodded.
I won't describe them because you'd completely lose your appetite.
"Thank you." The demigods chorused
Percy grinned.
But I wished I had cotton wool in my ears to shut out the screaming and the 1980s music.
"AHHHH." The demigods shouted
"1980's music is torture, pure torture!" The Stolls yelled
"That's why it's in punishment." Hades said
The carnation tilted its face towards… 'The number-one expert on cheating death.'
"Sisyphus." Ares and Hermes sighed
Before I could ask what he meant…I would've made around five hundred dollars.
The demigods roared with laughter.
"BRILLIANT!" Leo yelled
"Got some vocabulary from there too." Nico said
The laughter increased.
"Seriously Percy, you swore in Italian too." Leo said
Percy grinned sheepishly.
"It made sense and was necessary." He said
He started to walk away from the boulder, but after three metres he lurched backwards, like some invisible force had pulled him. He staggered back to the boulder and started banging his head against it.
Everybody was roaring with laughter.
Hades smirked.
'All right!' he screamed. 'All right, curse you!'
The laughter increased somehow.
He rubbed his head and muttered some more swear words…I know you're the Furies!'
Everybody was laughing their heads off.
"That guy…" The demigods shook their heads
'We're not the Furies,' I said…'La-la-la!' he yelled. 'I'm not listening!'
The demigods were rolling on the floor. The gods had tears of laughter.
"We didn't come to apologize." Nico choked out and went back to laughing.
We played tag with him round the boulder…Then she shoved Sisyphus towards us.
The laughter stopped.
"You shouldn't be doing that. It's not easy." Hades warned
Thalia sighed.
She put her shoulder against the rock…May I call you Sisy?'
"You actually asked him that?" Connor laughed
Nico snickered.
'No!'…And he didn't come back.'
A few chuckles.
"You still called him Sisy." Travis snickered
Nico smirked.
"That guy was a pain." Hermes complained
Hades and Persephone nodded.
The old man cackled… 'Someone else asked your advice?'
"Not good." Beckendorf said
'An angry young man,' Sisyphus recalled…The color drained from Sisyphus's face.
Nico and Hades smirked.
Aphrodite shuddered.
"I hate that blade and the celestial bronze one too." She blurted out
"Good to know." Nico and Percy said
Jason sighed.
"Just having some fun." Percy muttered to him.
'I told him to talk to Melinoe…Nico and I grabbed his arms and hauled him up the hill.
Everybody shook their heads.
'Curse you!' He let loose with bad words in Ancient Greek, Latin, English, French and several other languages I didn't recognize.
"Oh gods." Travis snickered
I'll never help you! Go to Hades!'
"Already there." Will said
'Already there,' Nico muttered.
Will and Nico blushed and grinned.
'Incoming!' Thalia shouted…I guess he'd had a lot of practice.
"Oh he does." Hades smirked
'Take it again!' he wailed…Do you hear me? The last time!'
"This guy's weird." Leo said
Thalia shuddered…I figured I could get it the second time.'
"That's part of the curse." Hades said
Thalia shuddered.
She looked back wistfully…going to make it back to unwrap my presents.
A few chuckles.
'So who is this Melinoe?'…They feed on violent death.'
"Wonderful." Jason said sarcastically
'Oh, wonderful,' Thalia said.
Jason grinned.
"Great minds think alike." He said
Thalia chuckled.
'Get back!' Nico ordered the daemons...Nico blinked. 'New master?'
"A titan." Hades said grimly
The lead daemon lunged…they can't answer your questions.
"Well I figured that out fast." Percy chuckled
The demigods chuckled.
Nico was also cutting an arc through the Keres…second knife without even turning around.
"Nicee." The demigods grinned
'Die in pain, mortal!'…side seemed to explode in pain.
Poseidon gave a pained yell.
"It'll be a bit better soon dad." Percy said worriedly
Poseidon choked back the tears and nodded.
Nico kicked the monster away and stabbed it…Percy, but I think you'll make it.'
"I'm glad." Percy said
Nico crouched next to us…I tried to sit up and immediately felt nauseous.
Poseidon held his head.
'Slow,' Thalia said… 'The Keres would like that. So would Melinoe.'
"Such a positive thought." Katie groaned
The demigods looked worried despite knowing it turned out fine.
Nico chewed his lip…'And we'd be in big trouble.'
"The other side sure was clever." Clarisse said
"Crooked one duh." Connor said
Then they all shuddered.
I struggled to my feet. A wave of nausea almost made me black out, but Thalia grabbed me.
Poseidon rested himself against the couch back.
The sea gang looked at him worriedly.
"I'm better." Poseidon said
'Percy,' she said, 'you're in no condition –'…have to haul my useless butt through the rest of the mission.
"You were nowhere near useless for the mission." Thalia said
Percy smiled.
I was so busy feeling sorry for myself…you'll start to forget who you are.'
"I hate amnesia." Percy and Jason said
Then they fist-bumped.
Thalia backed up. 'I know this place…I winced. 'What kind of stupid rule is that?'
Hades raised an eyebrow and sighed.
'Hey, I didn't make it up.'…flow long enough to get us across.'
"It won't work. You're a son of Poseidon but nobody not even me can control underworld rivers. For that matter no son of Poseidon can control anything but water. It's hard to channel the oceans' strength but not impossible which explains how you did it but Underworld rivers is a big no no. Maybe you can do the Styx at the max but the other rivers, it's not possible." Triton said
Percy hid a grimace.
Amphitrite tried to look at Percy but he kept a surprisingly good poker face.
'In your condition?' Nico said…I had no idea.
"Not possible. Styx maybe but others… It won't work." Amphitrite said
'Stand back,' I said…My bad shoulder burned like lava, but I tried to ignore it.
Poseidon gave a small yell and Percy kept his hand on his dad's shoulder.
The river rose…wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Silence.
"How did you-?" Triton asked in amazement.
"That's not supposed to be possible!" Zeus said in pure horror
"He's too powerful." He added
Everybody glared at him.
"That's… I mean…" Triton seemed to be at a loss of words. He looked at his father.
Poseidon looked at Percy and so did Chiron.
The teacher knew that Percy was powerful but to be able to control rivers he wasn't supposed to be able to, that was a lot.
"Let's continue." Poseidon muttered to Triton
"But-"
"Let's just wait." Poseidon pressed
Triton sighed.
Percy grimaced this time. Annabeth knew at once where his mind went but didn't say anything as she knew that Percy wouldn't want anybody to know yet.
Thalia and Nico stared at me in amazement…My wounded shoulder nearly screamed in pain.
Poseidon gave a yell.
"We have to read." Percy said as he looked at his father in worry.
Thalia and Nico scrambled into the riverbed…'Yes you can!' Thalia said. 'We need you!'
Nico nodded.
"We really did." He said
Percy smiled.
Somehow, I managed to climb down into the riverbed…I had time for one last desperate thought: Dry.
"At least you thought that." Amphitrite said, trying to control her fear for her step son. She was quite fond of him
Percy nodded.
"Luckily." Triton said, worried for his brother and father.
"Were you fine?" Tyson asked
"I was good Ty." Percy smiled
I heard the roar and felt the crash of tons of water…I struggled to my feet.
Everybody gave sighs of relief.
"I'm glad you're fine nephew but controlling the Lethe, that was a lot." Hades said
Percy sighed.
Even this small effort to stay dry…black current, blind and doubled over with pain.
Poseidon whimpered.
Percy swore.
"It'll be fine at least better now dad. Thalia and Nico did some healing." Percy assured Poseidon
Poseidon nodded.
I climbed out of the River Lethe, surprising Thalia and Nico, who jumped back a good two metres.
A few snickers.
I staggered forward, collapsed in front of my friends, and passed out cold.
Poseidon passed out.
The taste of nectar brought me around…My eyes felt hot, like I had a fever.
Poseidon woke up and closed his eyes.
'We can't risk any more nectar,' Thalia was saying… 'The goddess of ghosts. What's not to like?'
"Nice to know the sarcasm is back." Leo grinned
Percy grinned back.
As if in response, a hissing sound echoed down the mountain… Why did you run away when I needed you?'
Jason hugged his sister then immediately looked at Artemis, clarifying if that was fine. Artemis nodded.
"You're her brother." She said
Jason nodded and kept a tight grip on his sister.
'I – I –'…'You wretched girl! Ungrateful runaway!'
Thalia teared up and buried her face in Jason's shoulder.
"Hey it's fine. We know the truth. It's not going to happen again." Jason whispered
Thalia nodded and took a shaky breath.
Demeter gave them two minutes before Jason gestured for her to read on and she continued.
Stop!' Nico stepped forward with his sword drawn…her dark hair was tied back.
Thalia and Jason pulled away and looked at Nico. Nico was pale and so was his dad.
Nico stopped in his tracks. 'No…'
Will went to Nico's couch.
Thalia, Jason, Percy and Will hugged Nico. Reyna went and joined in.
'My son,' the ghost said…wondering about you and your sister.'
Hades looked down with watery eyes.
Nico pulled him into the group hug as well. The demigods made space and adjusted accordingly.
Persephone kept her hand on Hades' shoulder. Though she didn't like the cheating but she didn't want to see her husband upset.
'Mama?'…'You're not anybody's mama!'
A few chuckles.
The ghost turned towards me…The ghost turned towards me.
Everybody pulled back.
"You saw her in her true form? Impressive." Hades said
Percy gave a small smile.
'Where are your ghosts?' she demanded in irritation…Bianca di Angelo, Zoë Nightshade, Lee Fletcher, to name a few.
Zoe and Lee gave small smiles to Percy who returned it.
'I've made my peace with them,' I said…Now let my friends go!'
'Thank you." Nico and Thalia said to Percy
"You're my cousins, couldn't let you be haunted and also my cheeseburger was pending." Percy grinned
Thalia and Nico grinned and rolled their eyes playfully.
I slashed at Melinoe with my sword…among mortals both night and day, sowing terror as they deserve.'
The demigods shuddered.
'Close,' Melinoe promised…And you will remember me.'
Percy paled.
Thalia notched an arrow and aimed it at the goddess…Her hands trembled.
Jason hugged his sister.
"Its okay." He muttered
Nico looked just as stunned, like someone had smacked him between the eyes.
Will hugged Nico.
'The thief…' he managed…skeletal designs etched in silver
"Wait, this was the blade you used in the war?" Percy asked
"Yeah, I removed the key though so it was just a double-edged Stygian blade." Hades said
Percy nodded.
It had no hilt, but set in the base of the blade…that's what he likes to do to his enemies.
Though Annabeth, Percy and Nico knew that this was Iapetus not Bob they still felt upset about his death.
The Titan smiled cruelly… 'You've done well, Nawaka.'
"Nawaka." Travis snickered
"Well at least he didn't call me Peter or Perry." Percy said
The demigods chuckled.
'It's Nakamura, master'…spear impaled the rock where I'd been standing.
"NO!" Poseidon yelled
"Right here dad." Percy said
I was so dizzy I could barely hold my sword…but she wouldn't last long in close combat.
Jason, Artemis and Annabeth looked worried.
Nico left Ethan to the skeletons and charged Iapetus…'AHHHH!' Golden ichor gushed from the wound.
"Good one!" The demigods cheered
Iapetus whirled and the shaft of his spear slammed into me…right next to the River Lethe
Poseidon groaned with pain.
'YOU DIE FIRST!' Iapetus roared as he hobbled towards me… 'I can see where Atlas gets his stupidity from.'
"Getting better Prissy!" Clarisse grinned
Percy grinned.
Iapetus snarled. He limped forward…FLOOOOOM! I was immersed in black water.
"NO!" The demigods and the sea gang yelled
"Hi I'm Percy." Percy said
Everybody sighed and gave a few chuckles.
I prayed to Poseidon that my protection would hold
"I don't know if I can help out here." Poseidon said wistfully
"I have your blood, I'm alive and have my memory. Of course you helped." Percy smiled
Poseidon grinned and hugged his son.
And, as I sank to the bottom…His pure silver eyes were as big as moons.
Everybody looked at Percy in amazement.
"Wow, you just probably removed the memory of a titan." Reyna said
"He did." Annabeth clarified
"That too Iapetus." Jason smiled and shook his head
Percy gave a small smile.
Thalia and Nico stood over me in amazement… 'I am your friend Bob!'
Everybody chuckled.
The gods looked at Percy in amusement. They just couldn't imagine Iapetus in such a way.
Clearly, Ethan could tell things were not going his way…'No. Let him go.'
"Why did you spare him again?" Dionysus asked
"It'll come up." Demeter said and continued
She frowned but lowered her bow…enough trouble when he reported back to Kronos.
"Okay then." Dionysus said
'We did?' Iapetus asked… 'Yeah, Bob. You were great.'
Everybody chuckled.
We got an express ride back to the palace of Hades… 'Owie,' and healed it with a touch.
The demigods' eyes widened.
"Wow, he just healed it like that." Will said
Percy nodded.
Poseidon's wound went away too.
"That's awesome." Lee said
Everybody nodded.
Anyway, by the time we arrived in the throne room of Hades…he was contemplating the best way to torture us.
"He won't." Poseidon told Percy with a hint of warning
"I won't" Hades said.
"Which reminds me, you shaved." Nico said
"How did torture remind you of that?" Reyna snickered
"Not torture, Percy mentioned him stroking his beard." Nico snickered
"Yeah, I like this better." Hades said
"Nice." Nico said
Persephone sat next to him…he made the promise through clenched teeth.
Everybody nodded.
Nico laid the sword at his father's feet and bowed…'You will speak of this to no one.'
"No offense but that was accurate." Thalia said
"None taken." Hades sighed
'Yes, lord,' Nico agreed…I will cut them out.'
"Well now they know." Percy sighed in relief
"Our tongues are safe." Thalia said
"I practically have other stuff to think of. I don't even think much about this adventure. But sometimes only." Percy said
"Fair point." Thalia grinned
'You're welcome,' I said.
Everybody snickered.
"Percy." Poseidon shook his head a little fondly
Percy grinned sheepishly.
Hades stared at the sword…Hades would be looking for one.
"No that was airtight." Hades said
"Booyah!" Percy whooped
The demigods burst out laughing.
'You are wise, my lord,' Persephone said… If you ever disobey me again –'
Demeter glared at Hades but he wasn't looking at her.
"I would never hurt you." Hades said to Persephone and kissed her forehead.
"I know." Persephone smiled
Nico ran out of the throne room and came back after five minutes with a bucket in his hands.
Everybody stared at him and the demigods realized what happened and snickered.
Nico looked pale.
"Percy why the heck did you even till them about retellings?" Nico shook his head
Percy grinned sheepishly.
"YOU SEE APHRODITE, THIS IS A THERAPY THAT WORKS! WATCH AND LEARN!" Nico yelled suddenly
Aphrodite reeled back.
Percy laughed.
"So true younger bro, so true." He said
Nico snickered.
"Well got that out of my system. The excess of Aphrodite." He said
"Then I better get it out too." Percy said
"You should." Jason said as a therapist.
"YEAH THAT'S HOW YOU DO THERAPY. FOR GODS' SAKE TYPE 'HOW TO DO THERAPY' ON WHICHEVER BROWSER YOU USE. THERAPY IS DEFINITELY NOT SENDING A PERSON TO THEIR MOST TRAUMATIC PLACE. LEARN LADY. YOU BETTER NOT SAY ANYTHING ARES BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO TRY!" Percy yelled at the top of his lungs
Ares closed his mouth. Aphrodite shuddered.
Percy bent and put his hands on his knees.
"Oh that felt so much better." Percy said, taking deep breaths
"I know right!" Nico said
"Phew. I actually had an overdose of Aphrodite." Percy said
Nico nodded. They both went and sat down.
He let the threat hang in the air…'I could tell,' Thalia muttered.
Everybody snickered.
"I can tell you and Percy and Nico and Jason are related closely." Katie said
The four demigods gave matching grins.
'Making the sword was your idea,' I realized…'Bob will help you!' Iapetus agreed cheerfully.
Everybody looked at Persephone.
"Daughter-?" Demeter asked in shock
Persephone sighed.
"Why did you do that?" Zeus asked
"Are you deaf Zeus?" Percy snapped
"What did you just say to me?" Zeus asked angrily
"He asked if you were deaf. She already said she wanted Hades to be equal to you and Poseidon. Though the method she chose was very very very wrong. Like very wrong but that's the reason." Castor said
Zeus glared at Castor and Percy.
Persephone looked at them gratefully.
"What you did as beyond wrong and you lost the damn blade. It was your fault in a way." Percy said to her
Persephone's eyes widened.
"Though what's happened has happened. There isn't any need to hold a grudge." Nico said, taking a breath
Everybody smiled at Nico.
"You controlled your flaw." Jason smiled
"I had to. I have to control my flaw as it is one which can be controlled before it controls me." Nico said
Hades, Hazel and Nico's friends looked proud of him.
"Mine can't be controlled and I'm not sure I want to. I won't destroy the world but I won't let people I love suffer." Percy said
The sea gang and Percy's friends looked proud of him too.
"I have to say, Bob is quite cheerful." Travis chuckled
Percy, Annabeth and Nico grimaced a little but nobody except Will noticed who knew what had happened.
Demeter continued reading.
Persephone's eyes widened…toy house out of bones and laughing every time it collapsed.
Everybody chuckled.
The gods were still surprised that that was Iapetus.
"That's Iapetus right?" Hermes asked
"Yes." Nico said
"Wow." Hermes said
'I'll watch him,' Nico said… And I've had enough danger for one day.'
"That's true." Poseidon said
"So this took place after the previous book but before the last one?" Chiron asked
Percy nodded.
Thalia nodded. 'In that case, still up for dinner?'…I'm thinking cheeseburgers at McHale's.'
Everybody chuckled.
"McDonalds is the best." Nico said
"Sure but I [refer McHale's." Thalia said
"I'm cool with both." Percy shrugged
And together we crushed the roses that would return us to the world.
"Done." Demeter said
"That was big." Frank said
Everybody nodded.
"I'll start." Chris said, picking up the last book.