Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

Percy's POV:

We all struggled, twisted and turned, but with no luck we gave up and leaned up against the bench.

"Don't worry, guys. Clarisse will save us," I whispered. "She wouldn't just abandon her friends."

Annabeth looked up at me. "Didn't you say she hated you? How are you two friends then?"

People in black suits ran through the large doors. Their footsteps echoed off of the large castle-like walls. Each and every person sat down in the wooden benches behind us. They smelled like an old lady's perfume, and made all of us wrinkle our noses like we had just smelled Chiron's armpits. Of course, I was very happy we didn't know what that smelled like…

A small girl in a pink dress skipped down the aisle. She must've been Hymen's second daughter by the comparison between their appearances. I realized it was going to be like a normal wedding. You know, except with gods that could zap us any moment.

Then Veronica walked down the aisle. She had black hair that went just past her shoulders and was wearing a traditional wedding dress, along with tons of jewelry. When I turned back to the front of the room, I noticed Travis. Of course, he was being held back by guards. I would want to run away to if I was about to get married to some random girl.

Connor stifled a laugh and whispered, "He looks stupid in a suit,"

The ceremony began and Hymen went on about commitment, trustworthiness, and all that other good stuff that people die of boredom listening to.

For some reason, I searched the pile of golden treasures behind them. Everything looked the same in the jumbled pile: gold and sparkly, just how Aphrodite would like her jewelry. I could barely make out shapes since almost everything was the same bright shade. But one thing caught my eye.

I remembered it faintly from somewhere. Some memory from a long time ago. Not like it was a memory from just yesterday as if I had found a staff in my cereal.

Staff.

I smiled as the pieces in my head clicked together.

Hermes' scepter sat atop the group of treasure.

I was racking up a plan on how to get it when I heard Hymen say, "All these valuables behind me are for my lovely daughter and her husband."

"Hades yeah! I'm gonna be freaking rich!" Travis cheered as the guards tightened their grip on him.

"We're," Veronica corrected, with a glare in her eyes. "It's both of us since we're getting married. Right?"

Travis must've gained knowledge over the past few minutes since he didn't respond to that question. Lesson number one: some things girls ask are not really questions.

"Daddy," Veronica said. "I'm bored. Let me just kiss him already."

A loud sound came from behind us.

We all quickly turned our heads to see two more guards dragging Clarisse through the grand doors.

"Found her, sir." The first guard said with a smirk on his face.

Clarisse didn't look mad. Actually, she had boredom plastered on her face as the guards dragged her past rows and rows of people. She casually tilted her head upward and said, "Sup?" to every row of guests. However, she didn't say "Sup?" to us.

They dragged her up the tiny set of stairs too. Just so she could get up close and personal to Hymen. Her feet hit each stair and she pretended to whine.

"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. It's okay, just keep hurting me. Ow. I mean really, it's fine-OW! That one seriously hurt!"

Hymen studied her for a moment and said, "Welcome back. Enjoyed your little run?"

Clarisse retorted with, "It was quite nice. I would've enjoyed it more if some actual effort was put into catching me though."

Hymen gestured to the guards holding her. "I'd say we did fairly well,"

"Three out of five stars," Clarisse replied.

Hymen stopped the conversation. "Enough! Take her to the guillotine."

"Sir? The guillotine was moved into this room." A guard explained.

"Daddy!" Veronica pouted. "I can't have someone die in my wedding."

"Even though we were planning on killing those other demigods?" Hymen nodded his head toward us.

Connor decided to defend himself as he screamed, "Hey! I'm too awesome to kill!"

Hymen and Veronica both glared at Connor before Hymen put a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"It's your wedding. Do you want her to be executed right now or after the wedding?"

Veronica glanced at Clarisse and smiled. Not a friendly smile, but a, "Hey! You're about to be doomed!"

"Do it now. But I'm still kissing my husband right now."

Travis tried to back up a little as Hymen attempted to convince his daughter.

"Sweetie, I have to say the Royal Speech and—"

"I don't care about stupid traditions! I'm the bride!"

Hymen looked tired as if he had gotten into the same argument before. "Fine. Prepare the guillotine!"