Leo POV

Leo and Percy waved to the group and continued walking toward their possible doom. No one knew what lied ahead. Well, except maybe the Fates. They were nervous. Anyone would be if there were going to the land of the walking dead, to the doors of death. Not a very welcoming title, but accurate. But they couldn't worry; they had to remember the task at hand. There's no going back now. Too many things were at risk. If they failed…well neither of them dared to think of it.

"Where do we have to go?" Leo asked. He had just been following Percy the entire time.

"The Coliseum. There is an entrance to the underworld there," Percy said. He seemed distracted.

"Have you been to the underworld before?" Leo inquired.

"Twice. Both times weren't very fun, and I have a feeling this one won't be any different," Percy said coldly. Leo was a bit confused. Percy wasn't acting like himself; he was being very serious and straight forward. Like Annabeth. Leo, unlike any of his past, thought carefully on what to ask next.

"Are you feeling okay?" Leo questioned. Percy turned and looked at Leo. His sea green eyes made direct contact with Leo's dark brown ones. They weren't angry, or cold, but worried.

"I'm fine; it's just…what if something happens to Annabeth? Or any of the others for that matter. I'd never be able to live with myself. I'm supposed to lead the group, and I just feel like I'm abandoning them. Maybe this was a bad idea," Percy explained.

"Dude, you can't go back now. Besides they got Annabeth and Jason. Id those two aren't good leaders I don't know who is," Percy laughed.

"Your right," Percy said. He gave Leo a genuine smile. Then at the same moment they noticed a large greyish stone building. "There it is." Percy whispered. "I wish Annabeth was here to see this. She would love it." Percy said thoughtfully.

"Well if the world doesn't end you can bring her back," Leo grunted. "So how do we get in the underworld exactly?"

"Well first we need to find the entrance," Percy said while scanning the area for any possible entries. Leo looked as well. He didn't really know what an entrance looked like, but he had a pretty good idea. "Where could it be?" Percy grunted to himself. Leo noticed something peculiar. There was a cave covered by a bolder right next to the coliseum. Leo walked to it. He tried and pull the rock away but it was no good. Percy joined him and looked at the stone. "Give me a crowbar." Percy demanded.

"One crowbar coming up!" Leo exclaimed. He reached in his tool belt and pulled out a red and white crowbar. He handed it to Percy. Percy wedged it in between the rock and the cave. He pulled on p

"Hold up," Percy said. Percy searched the area for any water. He sighed. Then his face had a perplexed expression. "Doesn't air carry water?" Percy questioned Leo.

"I don't know. I think," Leo replied. Percy put up his hand and made large circle with it. Suddenly a whole ball of water was above his head. They smiled at each other. "Dude, that's fricken awesome! Percy's smile grew larger. He flung the water ball at the edge of the crowbar and the boulder went flying into the air. They didn't know where it landed, and they didn't care because when they saw what lies ahead they shivered with fear. The cave had a long narrow path way with torches as light. They couldn't see the bottom but they knew they had no other choice than to go down and continue all the way down. Leo gestured to Percy. "Age before beauty," Leo said mischievously. Percy gave him a sarcastic smile and went in the cave. Leo followed behind down the, what it seemed, never ending staircase. "Is this how entrances normally are?"

"A couple…" Percy said. "But his one feels different." Percy added. That didn't make Leo feel great, but this had to be done. Finally after a while there was a small light at the end. They exchanged an excited look, and ran towards it. When they got to the light, they weren't as excited. Outside they could see a line of thousands of monsters walking towards an exit. "Oh my gods." Percy whispered. "It's worse than I thought." Percy and Leo exchanged a nervous glance.

"Maybe they're going to help us," Leo said optimistically.

"Let's kill those purple and orange squirts!" Roared one of the monsters. A cheer went through the line. They looked at each other with fear in their eyes.

"Or maybe not," Leo whispered to Percy. They looked at the monsters a little more. There was an endless supply! "How do we get past them, to get to Nico?" Leo asked.

"I don't know," Percy replied. Then the best thing that could've happened did. One of the monsters bumped into another.

"Hey watch it pinhead!" The victim bellowed.

"Who are you talking too, Bigfoot?" The other yelled. They began to fight and distracted every monster.

"Now!" Percy whispered. They ran out into the fields without a plan. Percy frantically searched the area for Nico. "Where could he be?" Percy grunted. He knew the fight wouldn't last much longer. The Leo spotted a glimmer of light. He ran to it. "Leo!" Percy murmured. He had no choice but to follow Leo to what could be their luck, or their doom. Leo kept running, he had to follow his instincts. No matter how many times Percy called his name he didn't look back. When he finally reached his destination he saw a pale boy with dark, messy hair. He didn't look anything like Hazel. When Percy finally caught up with him he stopped in shock. Nico was in chains with his feet sunken into the ground. He didn't seem to notice them at first.

"Damn, that kid's 'six feet under'." Leo snickered. Percy just gave him a sharp look. "Sorry…" Leo grunted. "Is that him?"

"Yeah," Percy said, "Let's go!" Percy ran toward Nico and Leo followed. Nico turned and his face turned grave. He shook his head frantically. The closer they got the faster he shook it. When Percy and Leo reached him he was holding back tears.

"Leave now," Nico whispered. His eyes were dead serious.

"We're not leaving without you," Percy said. Right then he sounded like a true leader. Percy bent down and began to pick the lock. It didn't seem to work, so Leo pulled out a sledge hammer from his belt. Nico looked at him in shock. Leo smashed the chains. They broke apart instantly. He did that for all his chains. Percy looked at his sunken feet and put his hand over the ground. He turned his flat hand into a fist and the steady rock ground turned into flexible dirt. Leo and Nico looked at him surprised. "Water is everywhere." Percy explained. Nico pulled out his feet and got up. He seemed confused. He had a small smile on his face. Suddenly Leo had a dagger pointed to his throat.

"Drop your weapon and the boy will live," Percy turned to find a girl with brown hair and smokey brown eyes. She wore a white one shoulder shirt with jean shorts and gladiator sandals. She also had a bow and quiver on her back. Percy starred at her for a moment. She had large eyes and a small chin dimple. She was beautiful, but something didn't feel right. "Drop it!" She yelled. Percy didn't seem to have a choice. He dropped the sword. She grinned satisfied. She moved the dagger from his throat.

"Damn girl." Leo grunted. She gave him a sharp look. Leo starred dazed. She may have been the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. She was perfect. Her look softened. Then she turned to Percy.

"Put your hands behind your back." She ordered sternly. They all obeyed. Suddenly dirt handcuffs confined their hands. She looked contemplated. "Come with me." She said. What choice did they have? She began to walk and they followed.

"What's your name?" Leo asked. He seemed to be flirting.

"Crystal," She answered coldly.

"That's a lovely name," Leo replied. She stopped turned around and gave him a small smile. "I'm Leo Valdez. That's Percy, and Nico." She nodded and continued walking.

"Are you a demigod?" Percy asked. She nodded. "Who's your parent?"

"None of your business!" She retorted defensively. "Let's just keep walking."

"Where are you taking us?" Nico inquired.

"My leader. Gaea," She said. All three of the boys exchanged nervous glances. Leo looked the most concerned of everyone.

"Why?" He demanded. She turned in shock.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"You heard me. Why? You're better than that," Leo replied.

"You don't know anything about me!"

"I do know that you are too good to be working for someone as low as Gaea!" They were face to face. He wished his hands were free so he could hold her. He knew she was manipulated into helping Gaea, but he had to prove that to her. "What did she promise you?"

"Nothing!" Crystal replied. She was holding back tears.

"Did she threaten you?" Leo demanded. She didn't reply. She just looked down. Leo realized what was going on. "Whatever she threatened to do, we can help you…"

"Stop! Just stop!" She continued walking toward Gaea. By her voice they can tell she was about to cry. Maybe her reasons were further than skin deep. Leo wouldn't give up. He wouldn't be able to sleep at night if he did. His feelings for her were so strong he couldn't help it. Finally they reached a temple. Crystal went in first. "Master, I have brought them," She announced. She gestured for them to go in and they did. Inside was a throne with a lady upon it with two hellhounds by her side. She had long curly blonde hair and green eyes. She was lean and tall.

"I knew you wouldn't fail me. But I have one more task for you," Gaea said. Her voice was so manipulative, Leo can see why Crystal was influenced.

"Anything," Crystal replied obediently.

"Kill them."