Chapter Six

The Pretend Ghost of Bunker Nine

Leo didn't waste any time.

He headed straight to Bunker Nine. He opened his palm and watched as fire ignited across his fire tips, casting light amongst the dark trees. He could've sworn he heard something scuttle anyway, and he hoped that whatever it was knew it was still lucky. He walked and suddenly began to feel nervous.

This was a major mission and so many people were counting on him. Annabeth wanted to rescue her boyfriend, Percy Jackson. And Jason needed to get all of his memories back and that thought scared Leo. He wondered what would happen when that happened. Would Jason still be Jason? Or would he become the enemy? Piper would be so depressed if the latter happened. And he would be honestly crushed himself. Jason was his best friend after all.

And then there was Dakota! She was so fine, with her sleek chestnut hair that seemed to shine a little like the sun. Leo guessed that was because her dad was Apollo, but still. But Dakota's attitude bothered Leo. She was so dead set against Camp Half-Blood coming to this "Legion Camp", which is what Jason called it after the meeting was over. Dakota was used to using the Latin name like Lupa, but everyone else called it Legion Camp. But Leo wondered were all the other Roman demigods just like her? Would they believe that they were the enemy as well and want to kill them on sight?

The Roman demigods had Percy just like they had Jason. If they were able to make Jason feel at home here, did the Romans make Percy? If so, did they change Percy just like they changed Jason?

All of these worries passed through Leo's mind and before he knew it, he was at Bunker Nine. He brushed the smooth rock and watched as the chamber opened. The industrial lights switched on and Leo extinguished his fire. He stepped inside and could never get over the size of this place. Now that the Hephaestus Cabin had moved in, there were new tools, nicely polished with scraps of Celestial bronze, weapons, and other things they would use for building.

But their greatest project sat on the dais above.

The Argo II.

It was a small mass compared to other larger ships. But it was decked out perfectly with aerial dynamic sails and propeller controls. Leo had designed cabins on deck for everyone aboard, so everyone got their own bathroom, mini fridge, and with a little magic was able to configure away to summon whatever food they wanted in the kitchen. But there were still parts that needed to be finished. Festus's head stood at the bow, staring menacingly…the perfect guardian, Leo thought.

Below the dais were the finishing attachments that were needed to get the ship off the ground. Leo's fingers began to tingle with anticipation. He grabbed a bronze knife and a screwdriver.

"Time to get to work," he said.

Leo worked for what felt like days, but it might have only been a couple of hours. He sliced, screwed, and hammered. He was sweating, his hands were slippery from grease, and his back was beginning to ache from bending over so much. He stood up and wiped his forehead.

"And this will have to do," he said, a loud.

"Looks good," said a voice from behind him.

He turned around so fast and saw a young boy in the room.

"Who are you?" asked Leo. He had never seen the boy before. He was maybe thirteen or fourteen. He had black hair and wore a leather jacket.

"A friend," said the boy. And he walked right through a table of tools and Leo almost jumped out of his skin.

He held up the bronze screwdriver, which must've looked real scary and heroic.

"It's okay," said the ghost boy. "I can't hurt you. As a matter of fact, I don't want too unless you plan on trying to unscrew my head."

"Not funny," said Leo. "What do you want? And what are you doing here?"

"I'm here," said the ghost boy, "to tell you and your friends that you need to hurry. From below, the earth stirs and its not good."

"Below?" said Leo, glancing down at the floor. "Wait. When you say below….you mean…"

The ghost boy nodded and said, "Yes. Below. The Underworld."

"Were you set free by Gaea?" asked Leo. "With this whole Doors of Death trick?"

"No," said the ghost boy. "I'm beyond her power. But she has placed a risky game by creating her own passage out of the Underworld. The last time someone did that, well, he was lucky because Persephone liked his music…but anyway. Gaea has released some ancient beings and they are gathering together with the Giants to tear down the gods and wake Gaea from her sleep."

"I know that," said Leo.

"And do you know the Legion Camp doesn't stand a chance without Camp Half-Blood? Their numbers are many, but the ghosts of the Underworld are greater and will destroy them all, if we don't do everything to help."

"Aren't you ghost?" asked Leo.

"No," said the boy. "Astral projection. This is kind of like a spiritual manifestation of myself. My body is somewhere else."

"So, you're a god?" asked Leo.

"No," said the boy. "Gods and I thought you knew your half-bloods."

"I'm still kind of new," said Leo, shrugging. "Sue me."

The astral boy smiled.

"You got spunk," he said. "That's important. But you need to know, when you set sail…let Dakota lead."

"What?" said Leo, shocked. He really, really, wanted to be captain of the Argo II.

"She knows where to go," said the astral boy. "And tell Annabeth she needs to hurry. The longer she waits, the longer she gives them chance to take him."

"Them? Who 'them'?"

"She'll know what I mean," said the astral boy. "I'll meet you all there. I promise and we'll save Percy and everything will work out. I hope."

"But wait," said Leo. "I still don't understand. How do you know all of this?"

"The dreams of a half-blood are very prophetic," said the astral boy. "Our dreams aren't as sharp as the Apollo kids, but we can get a pretty good idea about what direction our dreams will lead us."

"Who are you?" repeated Leo. He still wasn't sure if this boy was friend or foe, even if he was a half-blood.

"I told you," said the astral boy. "I'm a friend."

"What's your name?" asked Leo, forcefully. "So, I can at least tell Annabeth you were here."

The astral boy pondered Leo for a moment.

"Nico," he said, beginning to fade from sight. "Nico di Angelo, son of Hades