Percy kept asking about my comment of Will and Apollo. I told him my flashback, and he seemed to understand where I was coming from with the whole sweetheart and sports car sun thing. I was glad, because I thought it was crazy. I didn't know what to think when we reached the casino/hotel. I was compelled to go in, but Percy stopped me. "Why can't we go in? It looks like a great place to rest. Plus, there's a waterslide! Let's go in for a minute okay? Then we can leave," I said. Percy shook his head. "No Ari. We can't go in. They'll trap us. I was here before. You go in, and you can't get out. We are NOT going in. Now let's find another place to rest." I nodded, and we kept going, but I really wanted to go in. I got an idea that could get us in. "Percy I don't feel so good. I'm not sure I can make it any farther." Then the guys turned around. "Really? You were fine a second ago. Do you want to sit for a while before we go on?" Then I really didn't feel well. We went to the nearest bench, and I sat down. Will felt my forehead, and said, "Well, you are a little warm. Take some nectar." I nodded and drank the beverage. It made me feel a little better, but I was sweating now. "Percy, we have to get her to the nearest hotel. I don't want to go to the Lotus Hotel/Casino, but we don't have much of a choice." Percy agreed, but didn't look happy about it. We went in, the boys supporting me. "Excuse me sir. We were wondering if we could get a room for our friend here. She seems to have gotten sick," Percy said. The bellhop looked up and said, "Welcome to the Lotus Hotel/Casino. Here is your room key for the top floor, presidential suite. Enjoy, and I hope your friend feels better. Oh and here are your game cards, good for everything in the casino." Percy said, "We just need a room. But thanks anyway." We went up to our room and I looked out the window, and immediately, I felt worse. "Oh gods, we are so high up. Percy, I can't handle this. I am going to go to bed, away from the window. I am absolutely terrified of being this high up!" So he helped me onto the bed, and asked Will if he knew what to do for her. "Honestly, I think rest is the best thing for her now. If she feels better when she wakes up, we can get out." Then I drifted off to sleep. I didn't sleep deep enough to have a dream, but I woke up, and felt a LOT better. "Okay guys. We can go now. I feel better already." I realized I had only slept ten minutes, but I was ready to go. We went outside, and Percy looked relieved. It had only been a couple of hours. I didn't know where we were off to next, but Percy went into an alley and iris-messaged Apollo and asked him for a ride. Then we saw a bright light and Percy said to look away. I was willing to but when it died down, I saw a man who was very familiar, but about Percy's age. I realized it must be Apollo, god of the Sun, oracle, poetry, and music. He looked happy to see everyone, especially Will. "Hey Will. How've you been? Written any good poems?" Will said he wasn't a poet, and asked if we could just get a ride. Then I told Will he was being rude. "Hi Apollo. Long time, no see. How are you?" Apollo said he was good and he could get us a ride pretty fast. "Where are you headed?" I told him, and he said, "Fine. Who's driving?" I volunteered, and everybody looked at me. "What? I can drive the sun chariot. I have driven it before." Percy look really surprised at that. "You have? When?" I didn't remember when the last time was, but I was around fourteen. Apollo changed the chariot into a station wagon, and we were ready to go. I took the driver's seat, and Apollo took the passenger seat. Percy and Will took the back. I checked my mirrors, even though there was no need for them. I started the chariot and we took off. Apollo was giving me advice that wasn't really helpful, so I just ignored some of it. But I did have to keep telling Apollo to stop calling me sweetheart. He agreed after the fifth time, and then we were in L.A. so we got out. We said bye, and left. We were headed to some studio, where we would apparently find the entrance to the underworld. A man was there, whose nametag said CHARON. He greeted us and we walked into the boat to the underworld. We rode to the palace, and got off. I had a feeling we were going to see Hades, but we might not come back. I started getting nervous, because I had seen the judged, and they were the same ones there judging some other people. They were obviously in a bad mood, because so many got punishment. I am glad I got Elysium for a day at least. When we got to the palace, I was amazed! It was so close to being the Olympian palace, I was sure we were at the wrong place. The only reason I knew we were in the right place was the fact that it was black, and made of skulls too. "Wow," I breathed. Percy nodded. We started in, but two skeleton guards stopped us. Percy showed off Riptide, and I showed of my water sword, and they let us go on. We saw hades and Persephone almost immediately. I did my best to curtsy without falling, while Percy and Will bowed. Hades was first to speak. "Welcome to my palace demigods. Percy Jackson what a surprise and I see you have brought your sister with you. Will Solace, I see you have become a healer! Well done. Now that we are over formalities, what do you want?" I spoke up and said, "Lord Hades, we are here on a quest. I was told I had to come here during the quest. If you have a message and that is why we are here, we are ready to receive it." Persephone said that I was just adorable, and that they wanted me to come because of the prophecy that was long needed to be fulfilled, and that there was to be a duel between Percy and me. "A duel? Why would there be a duel? We have nothing to fight about," Percy and I said at the same time. Hades just rolled his eyes and told us to take out our swords. After we got out our swords, he said begin. I acted like it was swordplay class. I was really good, and I think that surprised Percy, but he didn't let his guard down. I was sure he would win, so I decided to use the water. It spread over the sword and in a few seconds, I had a water sword that even Percy couldn't resist stopping to admire. "Keep moving Percy. Never let your opponent distract you from the goal. Isn't that what you told me on my first day in class?" I was having fun, but Percy looked worried, and I realized, I was too good. The prophecy said Son of Poseidon, to live or die. I stopped and said, "Are you okay Percy? You look tired." He nodded, but I was still worried. What if he died? "You have to sit down. You look like you're going to pass out. I sheathed my sword, and he capped Riptide. I asked Hades, "Is this what you wanted? Did you want Percy to die, just like everybody else you've taken away from me?" Will tried to hold me back, and he did for a while, but I broke free. "You always do this to me. You took my mother. You almost took my grandfather. You will NOT take Percy. Not my brother. He and Will are the BEST things that ever happened to me." I know cliché, but I was really mad. I walked over to Percy, and gave him some nectar. When he was strong enough, I told Hades we were leaving. I had enough of Hades and his tricks. "Ari, it's not a good idea to walk out on a god, especially Hades. If you get on his bad side, he can take everything away," Percy said. "I don't care. He made me hurt you, which I would never do on purpose." After we left and got out of the studio, we called Nico and Mrs. O'Leary. We shadow travelled to New York. Then I got that splitting headache. Soon I passed out, and had a terrible dream.