Disclaimer: I still don't own PJO.

Chapter 2 (PJ POV)

I suddenly felt the urge to run to Athena's Cabin (I know how ironic) and hide behind Annabeth. I know I sound like a chicken but Athena had given me enough warnings in the past and now when she's sitting right in front of my cabin i guess I'm in a lot of trouble. Plus the gods don't really listen to you when you say 'What? I didn't do anything?'. Well I might as well face the music.

"Athena", I said bowing low.

She stood up and looked at me as though I were some sort of map. It was like she was planning where to attack. Then she smiled suddenly.

"I forgot to offer you my congratulations back in Olympus, half blood", she said meeting my eyes. "You and my daughter have saved the gods and that is no gesture to be ignored."

She wanted to congratulate me? Doubt filled my mind. Probably it was some sort of trick. After all she's the goddess of wisdom and wisdom meant manipulation too.

"Um, thank you", I said feeling like an idiot.

"I haven't seen such courage in a man before after Odysseus died. You are brave and loyal to your friends and have saved them as well as Olympus and somehow in the process you have saved your own life. You have the courage of Odysseus, Perseus Jackson. Of course the only difference between you and him is that he had a brain and you don't but that didn't seem to matter to you since you used my daughter's brain on your quests."

I suppressed a retort. "Thanks, I guess."

Athena sighed. "I've wasted enough time. As each minute passes a new plot is made under the earth. He must be stopped.

"But Kronos is defeated", I exclaimed.

"Immortals are never truly defeated Percy Jackson", said Athena. "I suggest you pay more attention to my daughter's words rather than just staring at her."

I blushed a bit but it wasn't true, I did listen to Annabeth.

"So he's back", I said idly. "Great."

"He has lost his body since Luke has died", said Athena. "But he can still plot and come up with tricks to twist the minds of half bloods and minor gods alike even from the depths of Tartarus."

"The minor gods!", I exclaimed. "I forgot all about them."

Athena sighed. "The Olympians do not take heed to my words. I told them to keep an eye on the minor gods even after the battle with typhon was over but they are fooling themselves into thinking everything will be fine. Thankfully, the half bloods do listen to me.

Yeah sure, because you'll force them to, I thought.

"The minor gods will continue to work for Kronos", she said. "But we have to face something much more worse. There are still unclaimed half bloods that roam about seeking to follow anyone who works against the will of the gods. Some are children of minor gods and some may even be children of the Olympians. I do not know for sure but I do know that Kronos will make them steal the Great Stema."

"The great what?" I asked.

"The Great Stema", she replied. "The crown that my great great grandfather Ouranos, oh and by the way he was your great great grandfather also, anyway the Great Stema was his crown. Anyone who wears the crown is said to summon to him an army whose powers are more deadlier than the gods themselves. A normal mortal or half blood would get crushed under the weight of the crown but any Olympian or a minor god can wear it."

"Then what are we waiting for?" I asked Athena innocently. "Let's get the crown and make Poseiden wear it. All our problems will be solved."

I gotta admit it took all of my guts to say this.

"You cheeky boy", chided Athena. "The Great Stema must never be given to a god much less to a sea rat. It would consume their mind and slowly eat it away. The wearer of the crown cannot control himself. It would cause destruction."

(Note To The Reader: This Great Stema stuff isn't really in Greek Mythology. I just made it up. Sorry if you don't like it.)

I suddenly got a hold over myself. What was I doing over here listening to Athena when I was supposed to go to sleep. What did she want with me? I realised that just like how Annabeth could keep talking about architecture forever, Athena wouldn't stop talking unless I stopped her. I had to get to the point.

"What do you want from me?", I asked calmly.

"To go on a quest of course", she replied. "You have to find the Great Stema and bring it to the surface."

"Bring it to the surface?" I asked confused. "What do you mean?."

"The Great Stema is in the Underworld. To be precise, in Hades' throne room."

"Cool", I said. "I mean we could just tell Hades to bring it to the surface..."

Athena shook her head. "He knows nothing of the Stema's power. It is a mere antique to him. A precious one indeed. He won't like you for taking it."

"Thanks", I said sarcastically. "That's all I needed. Anyway what do I have to do one I bring it to the surface?

"Ah, that's when I take over", said Athena. "You need not worry about that."

"Do I need to see the Oracle now?" I asked.

Athena shook her head. "You never learn do you? The goddess of wisdom has sent you on a quest, kelp head there's no more information an Oracle can offer you that I have."

"Ok just confirming", I said coolly. "Do I have to go alone on this quest?"

Athena considered it. "Of course not you can take as many as you want with you, although I recommend a small number as it is better for organisation. You can choose anyone you want except Annabeth. If you do choose her I swear I will turn you into a seashell and send you where you belong. Do you understand me?"

I nodded slowly. I didn't want to be turned into anything much less a seashell.

"Good. Anyway I think she does deserve a rest. Now tell me who you choose to take along with you."

Annabeth, of course, I thought but I swallowed back and said, "Nico di Angelo."

I'm sure there was no one else I'd need. I need Annabeth, a voice screamed inside my head.

Athena snapped her fingers and Nico appeared out of nowhere.

He gasped and said, "Wha-? Oh no! That was only good dream I've ever had. Who the hell woke me up?"

Athena studied him. "He reeks of the dead. I must say Percy Jackson, you made a wise choice. Now off you go. You need not tell anyone and besides there is no one in the vicinity. I cleared everything up, you won't need to sneak out of the camp. Move, and make haste, we have much less time than you think."

Suddenly the goddess disappeared and left me with Nico. Only Nico? What was I thinking? I can't go without Annabeth. I mean this is just not...

I felt frustrated but I knew I didn't want to turn into a seashell. Still I had to tell Annabeth before I was going.