III.Piper

Okay guys! Third chapter!

PIPER WAS PUZZLED. First, two new demigods had arrived, only to be claimed by multiple parents and then Chiron had given the original crew of the Argo II and the new demigods a quest to reach Tartarus. For two demigods he has taken. That must be Thalia and Luke. Last week they had spread a rumor that Annabeth had joined the dark side. She'd actually believed it, right up to the moment when Chiron announced Annabeth was innocent. Piper tried to clear her mind so she could go to sleep, but the prophecy kept buzzing in her ears.

The dark god stirs and begins to awaken,

For two demigods he has taken.

By nine demigods, he shall begin to tumble,

And the reign of the pit shall crumble.

An ancient curse broken, a lost one found,

And the mystery of the city shall be unbound.

Who knows what that might have meant. She wanted to talk to Annabeth, but it was too late at night. Finally, Piper drifted off to sleep. That night, she had the wierdest dream.

Two giants were talking and paid no attention to the fact that Piper was there. Piper decided that they were talking about Tartarus rising.

First Giant: Let us take one of the demigods, or two perhaps, so the others may come looking for it.

Second Giant: Yes, then we can kill them, and Tartarus may rise! But how do we do this?

First Giant: Well, I suppose that we can just sneak in by using some, ah, helpful spirits.

Second Giant: Which spirits?

First Giant: I dare not say, since someone may be watching us. Therefore, they will know the problem, yet do not know what caused it. I'll tell you once we get those two demigods out of their dreams.

Suddenly, the dream shifted. Piper's dad, Tristan McLean appeared. "Be careful out there, sweetheart." he said. Then her mom came. She was wearing what she was wearing last time Piper saw her: a pink silk dress with a hoop skirt and lace, along with a pair of tall white silk gloves and a feathered pink-and-white fan."Piper, dangers await you in Tartarus, and remember what I said. 'Beauty is about finding the right fit, the most natural fit. To be perfect, you have to feel perfect about yourself -avoid trying to be something you're not.'" And with that, Piper woke up.

She had to warn Chloe and Nico. They were in huge danger. She hurried out of Aphrodite cabin, only to find Chiron roaming the camp. "Have you seen Chloe or Nico?" he asked anxiously.

"No, but I was about to warn you... well, I had a dream." she told Chiron her wierd dream, leaving out the parts about her dad and Aphrodite speaking to her. Just then, Annabeth sprinted up the hill and, breathlessly, told Chiron about this dream she had. It couldn't be a coincidence. She and Annabeth had the same dream for a reason. Everything happened for a reason, Piper had learned, ever since she'd been told about the Greek gods and such. I was scared, mainly for the two new demigods. "We have to help them! I know it's a trap, but we have to! They're the most powerful demigods ever to be born. You said so yourself!" Annabeth said.

"Yes, but I'm afraid that it's too dangerous. You see, since this quest is to find and destroy Tartarus,

I'm afaid that theyare in Tartarus."Chiron said grimly.

"I'm sure they'll survive. I mean, Percy and I both went down there, and we survived [barely]. They're more powerful than us, so they should survive." Annabeth said.

"Yes, but you had help. They have to do it on their own." Chiron pointed out.

Annabeth sighed. It wasn't too often that she backed down, but Chiron and her had a special daughter-father relationship.

"Try to get some rest." Chiron said. "Tomorrow.." he glanced at the clock. It was three o'clock in the morning. "Today is going to be a long day. Whenever Leo gets done with fixing the Argo II, we'll head off."

"How are we supposesd to find Tartarus?" Piper asked.

"Find Thanatos, the god of death. Chiron replied, heading back toward the Big House

"Wait! How do we fnd Thanatos?" Piper called.

"Seek out Morpheus, god of dreams." Chiron called back, without even bothering to look back at Piper.

Piper thought that since Morpheus was the god of dreams, it would make sense that the crew of the Argo II would find him in their dreams. Piper headed back toward the Aphrodite Cabin. For the first time since learning that she was a demigod, she had a dreamless sleep.

Piper woke up feeling exhausted. She didn't want to get up and help Leo finsih repairs on the Argo II. But she did.

At breakfast, Chiron announced that Chloe and Nico were missing and it was up to the saviors of Olympus AKA Defeaters of Gaea to find them. Leo was going to fix the ship, with help from Jason, Percy and Piper. Annabeth was going to make sure that they had everything they needed. Frank and Hazel were scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.

The morning started off ordinary. However, everything was a complete disaster by noon. Leo had lost one of the parts and he couldnt't find any nearby. He also needed celestial bronze and Styian Iron and more water from the Styx, as well as Lemnos fire and Stygian water. Piper, Percy, and Jason had no idea were to find them. Apparently, they needed them by sundown at latest, or else Chloe and Nico would die. She hoped that Hazel could arrive soon so they could at leat find the metals. Maybe Percy could control the water and make it come over. Then Piper got excited. She had a plan. A risky one. But they had to just hope that everything timed itself perfectly.

Okay guys! Fourth chapter, here I come! And meanwhile, please review!

-Chloe