_Annabeth Chase _

_Unknown Date and Time, Tartarus _

The convulsions passed. I took a ragged breath and managed to sit up. I felt horribly weak and nauseous, but my next breath came more easily. The blisters on me were starting to fade.

"It worked," I croaked. "Percy, you've got to drink."

"I …" His eyes rolled up in his head, and he slumped against me.

Desperately, I cupped more fire in my palm. Ignoring the pain, I dripped the liquid into Percy's mouth. He didn't respond.

I tried again, pouring a whole handful down his throat. This time he spluttered and coughed. I held him as he trembled, the magical fire coursing through his system. His fever disappeared. His boils faded. He managed to sit up and smack his lips.

'Ugh,' he said. 'Spicy, yet disgusting.'

I laughed weakly. "Yeah. That pretty much sums it up."

"You saved us."

"For now, the problem is we're still in Tartarus."

Percy blinked. He looked around as if just coming to terms with where we were. "Holy Hera. I never thought … well, I'm not sure what I thought. Maybe that Tartarus was empty space, a pit with no bottom. But this is a real place."

"We haven't seen all of it," I warned. "This could be just the first tiny part of the abyss, like the front steps."

"The welcome mat," Percy muttered.

We both gazed up at the blood-colored clouds swirling in the grey haze. No way would we have the strength to climb back up that cliff. Now there were only two choices: downriver or upriver, skirting the banks of the Phlegethon.

"We'll find a way out," Percy said. "The Doors of Death."

I nodded, leaning against him. "How are your wings? There's a lot of blood on your back."

"They're broken. I can't fly with them." I stated. "But I'm fine. Don't worry."

Percy wrapped an arm around my shoulder, looking over at the river. "How are we gonna get there?" Percy suddenly asked.

"We'll figure it out, we always do."

"Percy and Annabeth, best friends forever."

"Hurricane and Grey Shadow, the Sleepless Saviors."

"Wise Girl." Percy said, nuzzling my head with his own.

"Seaweed Brain."

Unfortunately, the blissful moment was ruined by a horrid hissing sound. We took point six seconds to get to our feet. Percy pulled out a pen, which was entirely strange. "Dude, a pen? Your gonna write mean things?" Okay, so I didn't say that, but I was about to. That is, until he uncapped the pen and it grew into a three foot long glowing sword.

I could've stared in awe, but just then, another loud hissing sound through the air. Percy's eyes locked behind me. His gaze harden. The next thing I knew, he'd knocked my feet from under me and swiped his sword. The hissing turned into a shriek, then needed as gold dust floated on me. And that wasn't the end.

Percy was slashing through–through those hissing things like it was—well I can't think of anything right now, but he was doing it fast. It was like he'd trained for decades (Yes I know he's only sixteen. Shut up!)

Unfortunately, Percy spree of awesomeness ended rather too quickly. A demon thing came behind him, twisting his sword arm behind his back. Percy cried out in pain as another demon arm latched around his neck. He was dragged backwards, his face turning blue from lack of oxygen.

Where was I? I had my own demon to deal with, choking and restraining me. It took all of thirty seconds for me to pass out. At least I think it was thirty seconds. It's hard to count when your being strangled.

When I came to, I was being dragged along. My hands and feet were tied to a large stick, like pigs were, and there was a gag in my mouth. I assumed there were those demons holding me up, just talking and laughing with each other. I heard a muffled voice, and knew instantly Percy was tied up too. The demons just laughed. There was the distinguishable sound of a whip hitting flesh, along with a cry from Percy.

"The stupid mortal! Look at him struggle!" Demon 1 mocked.

"He thinks he can get free!" Demon 2 laughed.

"It's funny! He thinks he's getting free!" Demon 3 said.

"I think his little girlfriend's awake too!" Demon 2 cackled.

"The Ghost King will laugh at these puny mortals, then we can eat them!" Demon 1 stated, making the other two cackle and howl with laughter.

"They're both pretty thin though," Demon 2 pointed out. "It'd be like eating bones! Tasteless bones!"

"Look how dark they are though!" Demon 1 said. "Like, medium rare!"

"I hate medium rare!" Demon 3 said in disgust.

I struggled against the gag in my mouth, moving and shaking my head. Finally, I'd managed to wiggle it out of my mouth. "Hey!" I shouted. "What do you think your doing! You can't kill us, we're superheroes!"

All three demons howled with laughter. "Superheroes don't end up in Tartarus," Demon 1 said. "Mutants? Sure, your mutated."

"That'd explain your abnormal wings." Demon 3 mocked.

"My wings are beautiful, thank you very much." I stared. "Now, who's the ghost king? What's this all about?"

"Shut it! Or else we'll whip your ass like we whipped your boyfriend!" Demon 3 mocked.

"He's not my—" I shrieked loudly as I felt the sharp pain of a whip on my…butt.

~Sleepless Saviors~

Percy and I were in that pillory thing. We were on our knees, our legs secured to the wooden box, with our head and wrists locked between a piece of wood. We were in a golden throne room filled with jewels and diamonds and…gold. And of course, demons and skeletons. The throne was currently empty, and the Furies (those demons who brought us here) were getting money from other demons to throw food and other…unmentionables at us.

Finally, Alecto (Demon 2) announced that the Ghost King had awoken from his nap. All the demons and monsters moved, quieted down, and got ready to greet this king. The hall went quiet, except for the sound of labored breathing from some of the monsters, and steady footsteps. The Ghost King enter from a side door, his back to us as he made his way to his seat. He plopped into his throne, looking over at us. I couldn't help but stare. Nico scowled at us, getting up and walking over. "It's you two," Nico said in disgust. "The superheroes of New York City."

My mouth hung open. I was unable to answer. Nico was here, alive. "Who brought me these disgraceful teenagers?" Nico bellowed.

The Furies hissed, backing away. "Wait wait wait," I said before anything could happen. "Nico, Nico, just calm down. It's me, Annabeth. Percy's over there."

Nico stared at me with wide eyes, before scanning my facial features. "Well look here. Two most powerful people in all of the mortal world, now totally fucked up down here."

Nico laughed at his own joke, causing the rest of the hall to erupt in laughter. He came closer to my face, his eyes cold and so…so not Nico. It's like Tartarus changed him…or something. "Don't lie to me, Grey Shadow," Nico whispered harshly. "Annabeth Chase isn't stupid enough to fall down here."

I glared at him, spitting in his face. "Uck! Gross!" Nico exclaimed, backing away and wiping his face. He looked at me with nothing but hatred. "Guillotine." Nico whispered harshly. The word, said silently, still echoed through the quiet room. Realization slowly crept up on me.

I was going to die in Tartarus at the hands of a freshman.

A/N: Oh my god! Where were you? You didn't update Tuesday! Thanks for the concern, loyal followers. I'm still alive, thanks for checking in. I LOVE how much you care. If you can't tell, I'm pissed. No one even asked if I was still alive! Ugh!

You know what? I'm over this. If you get to 100 reviews before 25, then I have a major surprise in sight. Until then, I'm mad.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo