Piper was up before the sun, ready to go.

She didn't want to have to endure a cheesy goodbye to her friends so instead she left notes to everyone she loved with Lacy, her cabin mate, who she knew would hand them out.

She stood on Half Blood Hill, looking down at the calm world around her. She remembered watching her world wither during the battle. She also remembered winning, with Jason by her side.

Piper got in the cab with Argus again. He dropped her off at the airport.

Piper looked out at the sky and sighed, remembering all the times Jason flew her through the sky.

Piper busied herself by reading the book Annabeth recommended her.

Three hours later, and they touched down in San Francisco. The passageway to the Underworld was in Los Angeles, but she had to visit some of her old friends first.

She takes a cab to the Caldecott Tunnel in the Oakland Hills and enters Camp Jupiter, the roman counterpart of Camp Half Blood.

So far so good. She thought. Not a single monster went after me. Maybe it's because of the blessings and the fact that I'm just a child of Aphrodite and not some major war goddess.

She's snapped out of her thoughts when she is greeted by the praetors, Reyna Ramírez-Arellano and Frank Zhang.

"Well if it isn't Piper McLean!" Reyan greeted warmly. They were already close from the war, but after Jason's death, they'd gotten even closer.

"Hey, Piper, long time no see" Frank smiled kindly.

"Hey guys. Where's Hazel? Can I talk to you guys in private?" she asked quietly.

They nodded and went to Frank and Hazel's house, which is where Hazel currently was.

"What's wrong, Pipes?" Hazel asked, concerned.

Piper told them about her quest. Afterwards, they all looked at her quietly. They were thinking the same thing. That there was no way she'd be able to save him.

"Piper, the last time someone escaped the Underworld, the Doors of Death were all messed up." Hazel reminded her.

Piper sighed. "I know, but I need to try, even if I don't make it."

They all nodded, silence filling the room.

"Damn it!" Frank cursed, "If only I had charmspeak I could convince you not to go!"

Piper grinned, "Yeah, too bad your only power is shapeshifting into literally anything"

They all laughed.

"We all really don't think you should go," Reyna said darkly. "But if anyone can do it, it's you, Piper."

They all agreed.

"Thanks, guys. But there's a reason I came." Piper said. "Hazel, you used to live in the Underworld, and your father is Hades, do you have any advice for my trip down there?"

Hazel was quiet, deep in thought before responding. "Well you have the barley cakes, which is a start. The souls of the dead will beg for it. Do not give in, ignore them. Make sure to pay Charon with gold drachmas when crossing the Styx. Be brave when facing Pluto- sorry- Hades. He appreciates courage, and sing about sadness and misery. He appreciates that as well"

Piper grimaced. "Well I've got a whole lot of that." she said. "Is that all?" she asked.

"Pretty much. Just don't give into temptation. The Underworld was created to trick and deceive. Don't make the same mistake Orpheus made. You may not hear Jason's footsteps, but my father would never lie on a promise. Especially one on the River Styx." Hazel said.

"Good luck on your quest, Piper." Frank said, as she began to leave.

"Thank you. All of you. I will miss you all." Piper smiled sadly.

"You better survive, McLean" Reyna fake threatened.

"You got it, Ma'am," Piper joked.

They all hugged before letting her go on her way.

Piper took another plane ride to Los Angeles. Almost home. She thought to herself.

In Elysium

Jason could feel Piper's presence. He could feel her sadness and despair, her longing. He thought back to holding her close. Jason closed his eyes. I should have done better, Pipes. I wish I'd shown you what you meant to me before it was too late. Maybe I wouldn't be down here, without you. If I had. Jason's heart lurched as he saw images of the adventures they'd shared. Gods, Pipes. He thought sadly. Tears filled his eyes. Shouldn't there be a rule about not crying in Elysium or something? He thought to himself.

"Show me Piper" Jason called. For the past few months he's been watching his loved ones. The first few months were difficult. Seeing everyone cry over him sucked. He can only see people when they were thinking about him. And luckily, for him, Piper thought about him a lot so he could visit her whenever he wanted.

He sucked in her breath when he saw her. That was his usual reaction when he looked at her.

Stay away Pipes, he pleaded in his head. I can't watch you get hurt, love. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you.

She was on a plane heading to Los Angeles. He knew she missed him. His heart ached watching her cry.

But at least he would see her soon. Even if for a moment, he could see her in person.

On the plane.

Piper rubbed her eyes awake, Damn it. She thought. I must have been crying in my sleep again. The person next to me must think I'm so weird.

She was relieved to find that the woman next to her had been sleeping as well, despite the short plane ride.

Piper got off the plane with the other passengers and hopped into a cab.

"To the Hollywood sign please" she asked politely.

No answer.

Piper frowned, "excuse me, sir, I said the Hollywood sign?" she said again.

Still no answer.

Suddenly, a bag went over her head.

"What-" Piper attempted to scream and pulled out Katoptris, stabbing and anything, including the air.

She heard laughter. Feminine laughter.

"She's a feisty one, isn't she?" a girl giggled.

"Can we keep her"

"No," one- assumably the leader- said sternly.

She recognized that voice and stopped stabbing the air.

"Thalia?" Piper asked.

Thalia grinned. "Hey Pipes."

Piper smiled back before remembering Jason. Did she know? She hadn't seen Thalia since the war.

"Yes, I know, Piper." she replied after seeing the look on her face.

Piper looked down, sadly.

"And I don't blame you for what happened." she added

"I know, but I do." she muttered numbly.

"Pipes, what he did was out of your control." Thalia looked at her sadly.

Piper wiped away her tears. "What are you guys doing her?" Piper asked.

In the van with her, were the beautiful Hunters of Artemis. The leader, being Jason's older sister Thalia.

Thalia's eyes grew serious.

"We heard about your quest. Lady Artemis sent us to protect you because word is that Caligula has been planning to prevent you from getting to Los Angeles and sent an army of monsters your way." She said.

Piper nodded. She sighed. "I guess I should've expected my luck to wear thin" she muttered.

Suddenly, the car lurched to the right.

"Chloe, Alyssa, attack!" Thalia yelled. The two girls popped their heads outside the car windows to send arrows at the attackers.

"What's going on?" Piper asked, but she already knew.

"We've gotten Caligula's first attack." Thalia said grimly. "They're not going to let you go" she frowned.

They steered off into an interstate. "We're almost there, hold on tight" the driver, who was evidently also a woman, said.

They sped off and eventually lost the monsters.

The car slowed down, nearing Los Angeles. Piper could almost see the Hollywood sign.

"Piper, you need to leave now. We need Caligula's army to think you're still with us. It will create a distraction hopefully long enough for you to get Jason. Send us an Iris Message once you're done. I believe in you." Thalia looked Piper straight in the eyes.

Piper understood. "Thank you."

"And drink this, it's to mask your scent." Thalia handed her a bottle with a blue liquid in it.

The car stopped and Piper hopped out and hid immediately. She drank the bottle and ran.

Yay finally a chapter with fighting-ish! sorry, im not super descriptive lol.