Disclaimer: This is based off of Rick Riordan's work, none of it is meant as offensive in any way. I will say that I am treating the gods as characters more than ideals, and this is meant in that spirit alone.

Chapter 1

Something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

My first clue? I woke up slowly, grasping for consciousness even as it tried to slip away again. I hadn't had an issue waking up since… well, since the Pit. Usually I had the opposite problem of not being able to sleep and jerking awake way too fast at the sound of a moth hitting the light on the front of my cabin. But now, I had to actively fight my way back to wakefulness. It was unusual enough that I forced myself to not to move a muscle or groan as I woke—not an easy task, but I had practice.

That said so much about my life right there.

"This is a mistake," a voice void of inflection said.

I knew that voice, but my lethargic mind struggled to identify it, so after a couple of seconds, I decided to focus on my surroundings instead. Maybe that would give me clues. I lay face-down on a stone floor, legs sprawled and twisted like I'd been just dropped there (probably not far from the truth judging from the bruises I could already feel). The air around me felt cool and dry with a strong hint of both earth and sulfur. Actually, now that I focused, the coolness, while not something I'd describe as 'cold', had an unusual, biting sense to it that also felt familiar—like someone blowing on your ear but all over.

I could almost hear Annabeth scoffing and telling me how I needed to work on my imagery. It was a comforting memory and I drew what resolve I could from it.

I may have been able to put the clues together just then if my brain hadn't still been waking up… which meant magic… or divine power. Yeah, that was not good. I tried to subtly move my arms, but they'd been tied tightly behind my back. I could probably break the rope binding them if it was normal rope and not something more divine, but I'd have to work at getting them loose first. I didn't dare right now. It could potentially draw too much attention.

The only conclusion I could come to was that I'd been kidnapped. Probably by a god or one of their cronies. And right before my eighteenth birthday. Of course.

This just kept getting better and better.

Welcome to my life.

"You have your orders," another familiar, vindictive-sounding voice replied.

"Orders I didn't even vote for."

"You're not on the original Council."

"This should be a Full Council vote."

A snort. "Take that up with Father."

Ares. That was Ares.

My eyes flew open to see Black combat boots in front of me. As discreetly as I could, I turned my head and strained to look up at the towering figure standing right there. He was focused on another figure that I couldn't see, but I'd been right. That was definitely the God of War.

That finally kicked my brain into high gear. It took me a moment, but I managed to put it together. The other voice was Hades. And that chilled feeling? I could place it now. They'd brought me to the Underworld. Specifically to the God of the Underworld's throne room

What am I doing here?! Nothing good, I thought, then kicked myself for it as I struggled not to panic. I'd already established that. Okay, so we were in the Underworld. Had I died? But then why was I here and not standing in line or something? And how had I died? I just remembered going to sleep at camp…

It took me a moment to realize that Hades hadn't answered Ares until the latter spoke up, sounding almost gleeful.

"If you don't do it, there will be war…"

"So why are you advocating for this then? I've never seen you want the potentially peaceful solution before."

Advocating for what? That… was not like Ares (not that Hades was much better, but I'd take him over Ares any day). I swallowed and moved only my eyes to search my surroundings. I had to get out of here! Had to get away from Ares and Hades and the Underworld… Could I reach out to the Styx? That 'water' hadn't ever been easy to control…

"Mainly 'cause I hate the kid," the war god replied nonchalantly. Then he added on sharply, "'Sides, I think there's gonna be war anyway and I want him outta the way."

A long-suffering sigh from Hades. "I don't want more work. I'll do it, but under protest."

Another snort. "Noted."

Then a hand as large as a car tire grabbed the back of my clothes—regular Camp Half-Blood clothes, not my pajamas at least—and lifted me into the air before setting me roughly on my feet. I tried not to stumble and almost succeeded. "We know you're awake, brat."

Well, fine. I lifted my chin defiantly. "What's going on?" I demanded, glaring up at the war god.

The muscular man grinned cruelly, the expression stretching his knife-scarred cheeks. (I'd always low-key wondered how a god could get scars like that, or if Ares just liked the look—that sounded kind of petty, and completely like something he'd do.) I met his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to fight down my boiling anger only stoked by the God of War's aura.

"There was a prophecy."

I blinked. "What?" Not another one. (Please not another one! Why?!)

"Said you would overthrow the gods."

More blinking and utter confusion. "What?" I asked again, putting more emphasis on the word. "That's ridiculous! Stupid even! I wasn't planning on anything like that! I wouldn't!" If only because I was just too tired of… well, anything having to do with the gods anymore. I wanted to go to college, get a degree, start a job, take Annabeth on actual dates… try to be normal.

Ares tipped his head to one side, as if studying me. "I don't care."

I gritted my teeth and looked over at Hades, who just sat there, watching us both calmly. Coldly. Better than some of the rage and frustration I'd seen from him before, but nothing that boded well for me.

"So what," I snapped, looking back at Ares, "you thought you could just kill me?" This… actually didn't come as a surprise. I felt disgusted, disappointed, and angry, but not surprised.

That also said a lot about my life. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't paining a pretty picture.

Ares burst into laughter. "Oh, no. Then we might have to deal with you again once you decide to be reborn." He shook his head, grin stretching even further. "No, kid, think about it: where do the gods put their political prisoners? Those who are too powerful or too much of a danger?"

It took me far too long to put it together, but eventually I did, and I wished I hadn't. I could feel the color drain from my face and my eyes flew open wide enough to almost fall out as my heart stopped. Almost in direct contradiction, my breathing sped up and my stomach became churning pit of acid.

"No," I finally managed to whisper, shaking my head violently and backing away. They couldn't… they couldn't mean that… "No… you can't," I rasped. "I haven't done anything! I—I won't! I'll swear it on the Styx! I just want to live my life!" I turned desperate, pleading eyes to Hades and saw the god's mouth tighten, but he didn't say anything.

"The prophecy says you will," Ares said with a nonchalant shrug. "Talked about our powerful champion destroying us 'ere their majority'… or something like that."

I shook my head again, backing away despite having nowhere to go. "No… you can't! This isn't right!"

Hades stood up, his tall frame nearly as imposing as Ares, especially in his creepy Stygian Iron armor and red cape (thankfully that horrible helm was nowhere to be seen). He looked down his nose at us, pale skin almost glowing in the otherwise dim light of the throne room.

"No. It isn't." He turned his full glare to Ares. "Part of my domain is ruling judgment of one's past deeds and misdeeds. This punishment does not remotely fit any crime he has committed." Another sigh. "If anything, he deserves Elysium," he… almost grumbled, or at least said begrudgingly.

"So? Wouldn't be the first time we did something like this," Ares replied, looking amused.

They were about to throw me into Tartarus again and he looked amused.

Just when I thought I couldn't utterly despise the god more…

"Wouldn't even be the first time you willingly participated," Ares went on, folding his arms and still looking at Hades. As if I wasn't even there. As if they weren't talking about utterly destroying my entire life in the worst way possible after everything I'd done for them!

Ares had definitely hit bottom in the well of my hatred and started to dig.

"And I recall a couple of times you instigated some really interesting punishments yourself." I didn't particularly like Hades. He'd kidnapped my mom and sent those monsters after Thalia to try and punish her father… He'd been beyond petty to try and take over ruling just so he didn't have to deal with the Underworld anymore, and almost let everyone in Manhattan—potentially in the world—die, but he was also a cool dad to Nico and Hazel (or at least, better than the other gods) and one of the more fair gods.

(I didn't like to dwell on how much that said about the other gods…)

Hades' jaw clenched and he bristled—his armor actually looked spikier for a second—but he didn't argue. Instead, he just turned away and began to walk out of the throne room.

"This way."

"NO," I screamed—yes, screamed. Not proud of it, but anyone who had been down there would have reacted the same. My vision spotted suddenly and I could only hear white noise as I threw all of my effort into thrashing or running—into resisting the two deities as Ares physically pushed me to follow the God of the Underworld.

I must have put up enough of a fight to be a nuisance because the war god just picked me up and flipped me over his shoulder. I didn't stop fighting—couldn't if I'd tried. I may have been almost eighteen, but at that moment, I felt more like I was five, continuing to kick and flail uselessly. I desperately threw my senses out, grasping at some water—any water—as I tried to free my arms. It didn't work. The rope must have been made for stronger beings after all because I couldn't break it. The nearest river was the Styx. That was too far away and sluggish as always. I pulled anyway, but nothing happened—or at least not fast enough.

I was starting to really panic but could only watch the trail behind us helplessly as Hades led Ares out of the palace, through Persephone's creepy garden and down the rocky terrain outside. That didn't help. I knew where we were going. I'd been there once before, trying to stop Grover from being dragged down it by Luke's shoes…

I didn't stop trying to get the river to come, though, and I tried to call out to my father or… well, anyone else, hoping beyond hope that I could reach them somehow, but I was in another god's domain. I knew it was futile. I tried anyways.

I don't remember much of the trek there, but I do remember how the atmosphere changed when we entered the cavern housing the entrance to the Pit. I could sense it… the heat rising from below and that unique smell of monsters that crossed somewhere between moldy bread and rotten eggs under the stench of unwashed bodies. I froze, fighting off flashbacks.

No… No!

I forced myself to move, shaking my head again. I realized I had tears in my eyes—mostly of anger, frustration and fear, but I didn't care. How could the gods do this to me? I'd fought for them! Lived for them! How many times had I almost died for them?! I'd helped them win two wars! And… whatever that was with Apollo and the Egyptians and the Roman Emperors… We'd lost so many people in such a short time…

And this was my 'reward'? My thanks? To be thrown into the deepest depths of literal Hell?

Right then, for just a moment, I regretted not siding with Luke and the Titans all those years ago. What would have happened if I'd gone along with him? Not this, that was for sure.

That train of thought didn't last long. I knew Kronos and Gaea would have been worse rulers than the Olympians, but… I found that kind of difficult to process at that moment.

"Set him down," Hades commanded.

"Sure. Whatever," Ares said, plopping me onto my feet again. Unfortunately, he kept a firm hold of my neck so I couldn't make a break for it—not that I didn't try again, but it didn't work. "Let's just get this over with. I want to see the look on Uncle's face when he hears the news."

He was talking about Dad. What would he think of this? Had he spoken in my favor? What did it say about him that I had to ask that question? My own father.

Hades shot a glare at the war god, then shook his head in frustrated exasperation. I could relate all too well, even if I didn't want to just then.

"Look, child," he said, suddenly turning to me, "I don't like demigods, especially 'heroes'. I really don't like you." Obviously his own children were exceptions, not the rule. Typical Greek god. "But this isn't right. I've said it before, and I'll say it again."

"Then stop it!" I yelled at him.

Hades simply shook his head, almost looking sad for a moment. "Your father may be willing to go to war for you, but I am not." He paused and tipped his head to one side. "Or would you have us do just that?"

I didn't answer as I could only really glare angrily at him. "If we throw you into Tartarus," he went on when I didn't answer, "then we may be able to placate the other gods and our children may not have to fight each other. Again."

"Unlikely," Ares said casually.

Hades ignored him and focused instead on me. I felt my eyes go wide again and my knees felt weak. I struggled not to let them visibly shake. The idea of the camps having to go to war again—of them dying as different cabins fought each other depending on who sided with which god… Hadn't we… hadn't they been through enough as it was? Everyone was so tired. All the demigods were just done and… I realized they'd cornered me. I couldn't be the cause, justified or not, of robbing my friends of the peace they'd fought so hard for.

I swallowed, glancing at the Pit's entrance. Something deep within me vehemently rejected—almost involuntarily—the whole situation. Without any input from my mind, my body cringed away from the gaping maw and the darkness that poured out of it. That darkness went deeper than just the physical, snuffing out any light or happiness it touched.

I… I couldn't…

I pushed that thought aside by focusing back on my friends—Grover, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Rayna, Clarisse, Chiron… Piper. (Jason should be in that list.)

Annabeth.

I got the gods' message loud and clear. If I refused to jump, if I somehow got away, the gods would go to war. I'd learned the hard way that prophecies always came true. Maybe not in the way we expected, but fighting it just tended to make the consequences worse. And that suddenly, I could see exactly where Hades was coming from. If I did jump, there was a chance the war would be averted. It may not even be a likely chance, but it was there. If it existed, I had to take it.

I couldn't let the other demigods lose anyone else to war like that.

The thought still made me sick. I was surprised I hadn't upchucked all over Ares' stupid armor. I kind of wanted to.

My hands started shaking along with my knees, despite still being tied behind me, and my anger seemed to fade to a sudden numbness… almost resignation. Hades must have noticed the moment I made my choice because he nodded.

"I didn't think so. It's the one thing about you I can respect."

I felt so heavy right then, like I'd taken Atlas' burden all over again. Just the thought of going back down there hurt about that much… or it would once I could feel it again. I knew that at least.

"Any last requests?" Ares asked, all too cruelly, unable to resist poking at my literal impending doom.

My anger spiked past the blanket of numbness for just a moment and I wished I could tear the god's throat out right then and there.

"Don't throw me down there," I whispered hoarsely, hating how I sounded.

The God of War burst into laughter. "Nice try. Guess if you want to waste a request like that, it's your choice, though."

Ares may or may not even keep his word for fulfilling my 'last request' anyway. I didn't bother blinking away the tears in my eyes. Any second now and they'd begin to drip down my cheeks but I didn't—couldn't—care. I still met Hades' gaze, unwavering.

"Tell Annabeth everything. Don't leave anything out. That is my request."

Because she wouldn't stand for this.

"And tell her…" I choked a little, "tell her I love her."

Hades' black eyes never left mine and he nodded solemnly, even as Ares shoved me forward. "Enough of this emotion fest. It's disgusting."

I clenched my teeth. "I'm not the disgusting one here," I shot back.

Ares just shook his head, black crew-cut barely visible in the darkness of the cavern; it blended in so well. It made the pale skin of his face look like some sort of broken mannequin's head moving in the darkness; creepy, ugly and ridiculous. Apt.

"That'll be the best part, knowing that impertinence will be squashed out of you." He grinned again. "Now, go on."

I wished I could disintegrate him right then. I'd never wanted to completely stop anyone's existence like I did at that point. But I could only glare and wish one of my powers was laser vision.

"Unless you want to start that war," he said nonchalantly, inspecting his rough nails like he actually cared about them.

For several seconds, we stood there in a sort of stand off before I turned and forced myself to walk towards the edge of the hole in the ground. It took every ounce of strength and willpower I had.

"Here," Hades said suddenly, thrusting a bag he hadn't been holding before at me. I suddenly found my arms untied and, almost automatically, I took the offered object. Then I glanced up at God of the Underworld, questioningly.

"What's this?" Ares asked, frowning. I just looked back down at the small canvas backpack, not really able to believe that any god had just given me something at a time like this.

"My appeasement to Nemesis. The items in that backpack will go a small way to negating this injustice and restore some balance. Nothing in that pack will let him escape, at least not to my knowledge, and nothing will be dangerous to Olympus if a monster gets a hold of it. I swear it."

"On the Styx?" Ares demanded thinly.

Hades' expression dried out. "If needed. Unlike some people, my word actually holds weight."

The God of War's eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth, but Hades just rolled his eyes and spoke first. "I swear it on the River Styx."

Why could there still be thunder underground at that oath?

Hades looked down pityingly at me (that was almost worse than the return of Ares's smugness). "Take nothing out until you have landed."

I hated that I appreciated the gesture—and the gift—more than I could say. So, with tears finally rolling silently down my cheeks, I slipped the bag straps over my shoulders backwards and clutched it to my stomach. There was no way I'd risk losing it.

About then I noticed that I'd backed away from the edge again. It was an unconscious thing that my instincts kept screaming at me to do. So I forced myself to take a step forward. And then another, and then another, until I stood at the edge of the Pit once more. For a second, I wondered if some force would drag me down like Kronos had tried to do the last time I'd been here, but nothing happened. I don't know how long I just stared down into the darkness, once again numb.

"You gonna jump, or are we gonna have to push you like a coward?" Ares cajoled.

I didn't bother looking back. Instead I shoved the panic and despair and nausea to the back of my mind with gargantuan effort.

Then, mechanically, I jumped.

xXx

I fell for days again. Or… well, that's what it seemed like, and according to legend it took several days to fall into Tartarus… although I couldn't remember the exact number. I spent most of that time curled around the bag Hades had given me.

I honestly couldn't decide what was worse, falling in broad daylight where you could see the ground (or water, thanks St. Louis) come up at you, or falling in pitch black. Minutes after I jumped, I couldn't see the hole above me anymore. It had long since faded to a pin prick and then disappeared. As I sped down into the realm of monsters, I could sometimes make out the walls of the hole, but that may have just been my imagination.

FYI, falling in darkness sucks.

The 'journey' down was worse, this time. Sleeping while falling? Not an easy thing. Fortunately, my bodily functions seemed to be on suspension as I didn't get hungrier than I'd already been, and I didn't have to go to the bathroom. That was all the same as before. But this time, I didn't have Annabeth there to talk with. That made the whole experience infinitely darker and more terrifying this time around. Maybe because I was alone?

I wondered what would happen to my friends now. Would my father start a war over this? Most of me hoped not (and I hated the part that kind of hoped he would because I knew who would be hurt the most) as that was why I had jumped. Starting a war would make that pointless.

On the way down, I had plenty of time to think of the people I'd been forced to leave behind. Without saying goodbye. What about camp? Would they burn my shroud again? Would they miss me? And what about my mom… I hated thinking about her reaction. Would she ever know? Would anyone ever tell her? Annabeth would, I finally concluded, once she found out.

And as for my girlfriend? My headstrong, amazing and intelligent girlfriend… I couldn't see her accepting this. I just… couldn't.

So… what would she do?

She wouldn't leave me here, that was for sure. Despite not having any obvious powers of her own, she was one of the strongest people I knew. She'd do something, make a plan of some sort to free me.

She would come.

I had to believe that—had to tell myself it was only a matter of time.

I just had to stay alive until then.

xXx

AN: Well, I had a bunch of people help me with this first chapter, like… forever ago. ^^; *ahem* And um… yeah. So here's a list of awesome people! Quathis, Found, Undead Prince and Euphoric. If anyone else helped, I apologize for missing that, and please let me know. I'll make sure to put it up here. I really do appreciate your help.

I do plan on updating this every week as I have quite a bit written and beta read, though it's been a while and I don't want to coerce those that were so lovingly willing to help me out into beta reading, so if you're interested. FYI, if this story goes above 20 chapters, I officially quit. Though I do think there will be a sequel or two. *ponders*

Anyway, bit of a warning, rant incoming.

Can I believe the Olympians would turn on Percy? Yes. Can I believe most of the demigods he was at camp with would? Eh… maybe. With the proper context, yes. Annabeth? Snort Whoever believes that… did we read the same books? (This may or may not be a response to EVERY SINGLE 'ANNABETH BETRAYS PERCY FIC' OUT THERE!) grumbles under breath I'm not salty. I'm not. Although I may say that if someone WANTS to pair Percy with someone else out there, it would be kinder to BOTH characters to write Annabeth dying—make it as dramatic or as anti-dramatic as possible—and you still have a very brokenhearted demigod to work with. Just saying.

No, Annabeth doesn't die in this one. ;)

Also, Trials of Apollo happened a little earlier, so Percy is still 17, but most of Trials of Apollo is still valid.

Last but not least, I've only read the books up through the first Trials of Apollo, so this is based off of those. Everything else I got from the Wikia. And it's been YEARS since I last read the books. I did go back and reread a bunch of House of Hades to get this right, but it's been a while. Gosh, I feel old now. *ahem*

Discord: discord. gg/xDDz3gqWfy (no spaces)