I do not own, that would be Rick Riordan. Two days till House of Hades comes out.

Thanks you to those people who reviewed last chapter.

Chapter 24: Happy Meal

"Not all prophecies are related to death," said Apollo.

"Must just be the prophecies that relate to me," said Percy.

"Except my one, that one was related to you and it didn't predict death," pointed out Clarisse.

"Can we get on with the story," asked Ares hoping to get to a fight scene.

"You would expect to get a good night sleep before a quest," said Percy.

"No you wouldn't," said Athena "Most heroes would be worried and have difficulty sleeping."

"Fine I tried to sleep but was plagued by dreams," admitted Percy. The room groaned they were getting sick of Percy's dreams even if they were informative.

"I dreamt that I was on the Princess Andromeda again. Luke was kneeling in front of the golden sarcophagus of Kronos. He was in all white Ancient Greek attire, which made him look timeless and a little unreal. Compared to last time I had seen him, he looked perfectly fine, almost too healthy," said Percy.

"How can someone be unreal?" asked Katie.

"When you are a character in a book, movie or television show," said Connor as Travis said "When they are a cartoon character."

"Okay I get the point," said Katie.

"Actually I thought more like a minor god," admitted Percy.

"He could never be a god, we don't need any more gods," said Zeus not noticing the smiles from the demi-gods.

"Luke was telling Kronos that the spies had reported success, and that Camp was sending a quest. He said that their side of the bargain was almost complete," said Percy.

"What bargain?" asked Hades.

"I heard Kronos speak. It froze me with how cruel his voice sounded. Kronos said that he himself would lead the vanguard through the maze once they had the means to navigate," Percy informed the group.

"Kronos is going to lead the army through the maze," exclaimed a shocked Zeus and Athena.

"Luke suggested that maybe it was too soon and perhaps Krois or Hyperion should lead," said Percy.

"Kronos is not going to like that suggestion," said Poseidon.

"He was very firm when he told Luke that he would lead. They just needed one more heart to join their cause and he would rise fully from Tartarus," said Percy.

"How many hearts would he need to rise from Tartarus?" asked Artemis. The elder gods just shrugged their shoulders having no idea.

"Luke tried to query Kronos, but Luke was asked to show Kronos his sword," said Percy.

"He wanted to see Backbiter?" asked a confused Thalia.

"Yes, Luke had pledged himself to Kronos and Luke taking the sword was proof of his oath. Luke had wanted power and Kronos had given him that," said Percy.

"Stupid power, it corrupts everyone," grumbled Nico.

"Kronos continued telling Luke that he was now beyond harm, that he would soon rule the world of both gods and mortals," Percy said.

"Not bloody likely," yelled Zeus as the throne room lit up due to flashes of lightning and roars of thunder. The demi-gods hit the floor in fear of being hit.

"How can Luke be beyond harm?" questioned Athena ignoring her father's antics.

"ZEUS STOP IT," screamed Hera and cuffed her husband across the back of the head.

"Drama Queen," said Hades to Poseidon.

"Do you want our FATHER to rule?" asked Zeus looking at his brothers still sparking with anger.

"Of course they don't; he is EVIL," said Travis.

"Luke agreed that he wanted to avenge himself; to see Olympus destroyed," said Percy.

"Can we just kill him, when he is born then we won't have the trouble?" asked Dionysus.

"NO," yelled Hermes, Thalia, Annabeth and Percy.

"The prophecy is already in action, that is why those three made a pact," said Thalia pointing at her father and uncles.

"Which two of them broke," pointed out Apollo.

"But the prophecy was always going to occur at some time," pointed out Rachel.

"Kronos told Luke to ready the strike force because as soon as the bargain was done they will continue with their plan. Camp Half-Blood would be reduced to ashes, we heroes would be eliminated and then they would march on Olympus," said Percy.

"What bargain?" asked Hermes while Athena said "it sounds like they are having trouble in making the bargain, thank goodness."

"In my dream a knock at the door ended the conversation between Kronos and Luke. Two dracaenae slithered in and Kelli, the empousa," said Percy.

"So you didn't kill Kelli, she just escaped," said Ares.

"Kelli was wearing a red dress, she tried to flirt with Luke," said Percy but was interrupted

"Do all females find Luke irresistible?" asked Nico.

"Luke rebuked her saying if she had anything to report to do so, otherwise leave," said Percy.

"Kelli, oh I remember seeing her, she and Luke use to spend a lot of time together having 'fun'," said Chris using air quotes.

"Until Luke saw what she did to a boy in Seattle," said Percy.

"What happened?" asked Hermes.

"What do you think happened, she attacked the boy," said Demeter.

"Kelli informed Luke that the advanced team was ready, she was going to tell more but sensed a presence in the room," said Percy.

"She knew they were being watched?" asked Athena as Percy nodded.

"Kelli looked straight at me, bared her fangs and lunged. I woke with a start sure that her fangs had been millimetres from my throat," said Percy.

"Now that's a nightmare," said Apollo.

"I was tempted to wake Annabeth and tell her, even if it was in the middle of the night," said Percy.

"That's right punk, run to your girlfriend because you had a bad dream," mocked Ares. Percy, Poseidon and surprisingly Athena glared at Ares.

"What you seem to have forgotten is that Percy saw- the plan of Kronos personally leading an army through the Labyrinth, so he can invade and destroy camp half-blood," said Athena.

"I know I would want to tell a daughter of Athena what I saw," said Poseidon.

"Definitely, best person to draw up a battle plan," said Artemis as Annabeth blushed red.

"Unfortunately I was distracted by the water fountain which was glowing brighter than the night before," said Percy.

"Is this another insight into what Nico is up to?" asked Hades.

"I didn't even need to use a coin, I just asked the fountain to show me Nico and it did," answered Percy as Nico huffed in annoyance.

"The fountain showed me Nico, who was no longer Underworld but was standing in a graveyard," Percy informed the group.

"Graveyards are Nico's favourite place to visit," said Travis.

"They are not!" exclaimed Nico.

"So what is your favourite place to visit?" questioned Annabeth.

"Percy's place is," Nico admitted "Aunty Sally is great… her food is yum… and …. I'm always welcomed there." Percy ruffled Nico's hair a smile on his face glad that Nico thought so highly of his parents and it wasn't just his mother's cookies.

"Nico was watching gravediggers at work," said Percy.

"Gravediggers work at night?" asked Chris confused.

"They do when they are skeletons," admitted Nico.

"The dead are not to be used for your own amusement," stated Hades.

"You use them as servants," pointed out Percy.

"WHY YOU LITTLE…" stuttered Hades anger in his eyes.

"I wasn't using them for amusement," Nico tried to explain all present noticing the tears that formed in his eyes but were quickly wiped away. Hades glared at Percy but stopped his rant.

"Nico was irritated that it was taking so long and was glad when the skeletons were finished," said Percy.

"Why were you digging in a graveyard anyway?" asked Rachel.

"I wanted a second opinion," admitted Nico.

"Second opinion about what?" asked Athena.

"The ghost was displeased as he thought it was unnecessary as Nico had him for advice," said Percy.

"He was complaining a lot," said Nico.

"Nico pulled out a twelve pack of Coke and instead of drinking it he poured it into the grave," said Percy.

"Tell me you are not doing what I think you are doing?" said Hades glaring at Nico.

"Okay I wasn't trying to raise the dead," said Nico with a sly smile as his father groaned.

"Nico also used a McDonald's Happy Meal as an offering," said Percy.

"I was treating them with respect," said Nico.

"By using a Happy Meal to raise the dead?" questioned Demeter.

"Well it is better than animal blood," pointed out Nico, everyone present had to agree with him.

"I loved that the ghost wanted to keep the toy," said Percy as all the demi-gods laughed.

"Is anyone else craving McDonalds?" asked Connor.

"The grave started to bubble and frothy brown liquid rose to the top. Dozens of figures- bluish vaguely human shapes began to appear among the gravestones," informed Percy.

"I can't believe you summoned the dead with Coke and cheeseburgers," stated Clarisse.

"Nico didn't know his own power as there were two many ghosts," said Percy.

"I had it under control," said Nico stubbornly.

"Nico demanded they approach one at a time, pulling out his sword, with the shades retreating at the sight of it," said Percy.

"Ghosts don't like my Stygian sword," boasted Nico.

"How did you get your sword?" asked Annabeth.

"Dad… well not directly," answered Nico.

"Hades…" said Zeus.

"He is a child, I will not let my child defend himself without a weapon," said Hades, but didn't realise why Nico had a grumpy look on his face when he looked over to his son.

"One ghost came forward and drank from the grave, eating some French fries," said Nico clearly grumpy.

"Once he had eaten his form became clearer. He was a teenage guy in Greek armour. Curly hair and green eyes, the clasp on his cloak was shaped like a seashell," said Percy.

"Who was it?" asked Thalia.

"Theseus," answered Nico.

"No way," exclaimed Clarisse "you met Theseus?"

"Theseus was a teenager when he died! I always thought he was older," said Rachel

"I had always imagined him as a tall buff guy but the ghost in front of me wasn't strong or tall," said Percy.

"Not all heroes are big and strong," said Apollo "look at all of you."

"ARE YOU CALLING US WEAK?" demanded Clarisse staring at Apollo with anger.

"What Apollo meant was that all heroes have different aptitudes," said Lady Hestia always the peacemaker.

"Nico asked Theseus how he could retrieve his sister," said Percy.

"You are not to try, it is madness," said Hades looking at his son who crossed his arms and sulked.

"The ghost wanted Nico to ask about the soul exchange," said Percy. "Theseus seemed to recognise the ghost's voice, the ghost tried to deflect the attention."

"Who is this ghost?" asked Athena.

"All Nico cared about was to hear about his sister and questioned whether the quest into the Labyrinth would help him win her back," said Percy.

"You can't bring her back," said Hades.

"Theseus told Nico that the Labyrinth was treacherous and that the only thing that saw his through was the love of a mortal girl. He told Nico that the string was only part of the answer. The princess was what guided him through the maze," said Percy.

"Great, you knew the answer on how to get through the maze before we even left on the quest," said Annabeth glaring at Percy.

"The ghost didn't care about that information as he said he could lead Nico through the maze. He pushed Nico into asking whether or not it was true about an exchange of souls," said Percy.

"He was quite pushy," admitted Nico, if you looked closely you could see tears in his eyes his whole body displaying nervous tension.

"Suddenly around the edge of the pool the other ghost became restless whispering in nervous tones. Theseus became fearful, stating that someone was coming," said Percy.

"Who was coming?" asked Athena.

"Who do you think?" replied Hades looking concerned for his son.

"Theseus requested that I release them as he was coming to find the source of the power I was using," said Nico.

"That was when the fountain started to hum with power and the image of Nico started to glow until it was painful to watch. The fountain started to crack and purple light flooded from the fountain. In desperation I uncapped Riptide and slashed at the fountain in two. Water spilt everywhere and the stone font crashed to the floor in pieces," Percy informed the group.

"So that's what Tyson meant when he said you killed the water fountain," said Annabeth.

"I can't believe you saw all that," whispered Nico.

"We need a break," said Percy.

"I am still craving a happy meal," said Connor.

"Actually so am I," said Katie. All the demi-gods and Rachel looked towards the gods.

"Who wants a McDonald's Happy Meal?" asked Hestia looking at her immortal family. Hermes was soon sent to New York to obtain the food. The cashiers were not pleased to hear they had three minutes to make up twenty one Happy Meals. The toy was a wind up car. While they ate certain gods and demi-gods had races, until Hera and Demeter confiscated the toys due to childish arguments that occurred between certain gods.

"Time for the quest," said Annabeth once they had finished eating.

"The quest group met at Zeus's fist," said Percy.

"It was a hub of activity as tents had been set up for guard duty and the Hephaestus campers were setting up a line of defensive spikes and trenches as it had been decided that the entrance should be guarded at all times," informed Annabeth.

"I pulled Chiron away from the group and told him what I had a seen in my dream about Luke and Kronos," said Percy "Chiron was not pleased as he feared we would not stand a chance against Kronos."

"I'm so glad Chiron didn't mention that he feared we didn't stand a chance," said Katie.

"Of course not, that would be bad for morale," said Will.

"We thought that the bargain was with Daedalus. We thought that they might be able to convince him to make Kronos a new form," said Annabeth.

"That is a really pleasant thought," said Hades his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The idea of one more soul joining their cause did not bode well with Chiron. I was starting to worry about Nico. What if Kronos knew about him? What if he managed to turn him evil?" said Percy.

"I would never turn evil," said Nico.

"But Kronos could twist your will to get what he wanted," said Hestia.

"I also mentioned about what Juniper had told me about Quintus poking around the rocks. Chiron admitted that he had his suspicions about him. He had just turned up offering his services," said Percy.

"He had his suspicions, yet he let him into camp?" asked Will.

"Sometimes it is better to have someone you mistrust close to you. You can keep a better eye on them," replied Athena.

"Percy, Grover, Tyson and I walked over to the rocks and descended into the darkness," said Annabeth.

"Goodbye sunshine, hello rocks," said Percy.

A/N:

Thank you everyone for reading. I actually researched about McDonald's Happy Meals to check when they first came out (1978 or 79) to make sure that it was authentic.

I saw Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters Movie last weekend. Good movie IF you hadn't read the book. As I had read the book it was frustrating.

The movie is never as good as the book!

Please Review:

"Our step mother will give us back our toys."

"I knew I should have gotten an extra meal. We could get Nico to exocist the evil in Hera."

"She isn't that bad, at least she didn't go on and on about how bad takeaway food was for you."