Chapter 10

Annabeth POV

Our ride into the underworld was creepy but uneventful, the elevator turned into a tiny old boat and Charon turned into a skeleton. The river Styx was 'littered with the broken dreams of mortals' as Charon put it, the screams from the fields of punishment sent chills down my spine. "Watch out for Cerberus" Charon said as we got of the boat. The ground crunched underneath our feet sounding eerily close to bones but I felt relieved to see it was just gravel. As we walked I found myself amazed with the architecture here. All the over passes and buildings used for who knows what, were actually quite beautiful, creepy, but beautiful. If you replaced the black obsidian with white marble and maybe throw in a few lights you might be able to pass it off as some kind of themed resort.

We followed the lines of the dead hoping to blend in while we came up with a plan. "We could just walk right in the front door" Percy said. "But Cerberus is standing in front of the gates." I said. "True but it's the least guarded entrance unless you want to risk going through the fields of punishment" Percy shot back. As much as I hated to admit it Percy was right it was the logical choice. "Before we get going take one of these" Percy said handing us each a little white pearl "Triton gave me these, crush them and they'll take you up to the surface". We rubbed some dust on ourselves hoping a paler complexion will helps us blend in. Cerberus was simply laying on the ground looking bored and occasionally sniffing small groups that trickled past the gates before getting sorted and prepared for judgment.

As we neared his right head I held my breath and prayed to every god except Hades that we wouldn't get caught. My pulse quickened as Cerberus stood and walked over to us taking a special interest in Grover. Percy pushed Grover behind him and pulled out his sword riptide "Back off!" he shouted. The left head leaned down and took a wiff of Percy and growled but backed away. Honestly I don't know who was more surprised me or Percy "guys get through the gate and hurry" he said. Me and Grover made it through just fine with Percy catching up minutes later "This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder" He said.

Now that we were finally in Hades' palace we actually realized that we had no idea where the master bolt would be so we settled for checking every room we could find. Sadly that didn't last very long as the third door we tried happened to be the throne room. In seconds we were surrounded by over a hundred skeletons "Ah you're earlier than I expected" Hades said "now how about you hand over the master bolt and my helm". "You don't have them?" Percy said flatly. "You don't seem surprised" Hades said.

"I'm not, well at least the part about you not having the master bolt. I am actually very surprised your helm was stolen and I'll do my best to find it for you." Percy said. "You don't actually think I'm just going to let you leave do you" Hades asked. "I was hoping you would." Percy said flashing a nervous grin, the kind a four year old gives when he knows he's in trouble but is hoping for a pass. "Think again dear nephew" Hades said. "Alright I did much riding on that plan anyway, crush your pearls now." Percy said stepping on his. Both me and Grover followed suit and in moments the three of us were floating up to the ceiling in own giant bubbles. I was about ready to cry in joy that we were all going to make it out of here alive when a shadow ripped Grover from his bubble back down to the floor. "No!" Percy shouted banging on the floor of his bubbe "NOOO!" he screamed seemingly causing the whole room to shake.

Hades POV

I used the shadows to send the little Satyr into a holding room for the time being then took a look around to see the damages. My little nephew was turning out to be quite the powerhouse 12 years old, barely a week of training and setting off an 5.0 earthquake (This size causes pretty good property damage unless the building was made to withstand an earthquake). I could sense that no lives have been lost which should at least keep the boy's mind at ease. Percy is going to need as few distractions as possible with his coming fight with Ares. Yes I had figured it out for some time now, Ares had apprehended the thief and then give Percy the bolt in the hopes I would use it to start a war. A foolish notion but I've found it's better to let Olympus think I'm the devil and do what I feel is right rather than attempt to convince them otherwise.

Percy POV

Me and Annabeth landed on the beach not to far from San francisco "No!" I shouted punching the sand "No! no! no! no! no!". "Percy we need to go" Annabeth said. "Sorry but you two won't be going anywhere" I looked up to see Ares leaning against his bike. "The two of you are useless, can't even do a simple delivery job right" he said shaking his head. It almost felt like I was burning from the rage as I realized what he had done. Ares smirked "Poor Perseus trapped by his own fathers DNA, you probably don't even understand what happened". "You found the real thief, took the bolt and snuck me the sleeve disguised as a back pack. You messed with the magic so the bolt would only return once we got to the underworld".

Ares looked struck "Unlike you I've actually got something in my head" I said flatly. Ares looked ready to blow his top but I wasn't done yet "So wheres Hades' helm." I asked/demanded. Ares picked up his biker helmet and it changed to a leather cap. I could literally see the red aura radiating off his body but just as he was about to blow his top a second golden aura appeared and contained it. Something was off, I could feel it, but as much as I wanted to Grover came first.

"You've got some mouth on you kid" Ares said "now why don't you hand over the bolt". "I have a better idea" I said uncapping riptide "You and me one on one, I win you hand over the helm you win and I give ya the bolt". Ares laughed "You want to fight me, you're even dumber than than I thought". "What the big bad god of war to scared of a 12 year old boy" I said, this was so not me and the cocky attitude was making me sick but I need that helm if I'm going to get Grover back. "Your on kid" Ares said summoning a large two handed sword.

(AN: Sorry it took so long to update but work has been a nightmare)