Ch9

They managed to hire a ride to California and in no time they were at Santa Monica pier where according to Percy his dad had something for him. "Wait here I will get something from my father apparently," Percy said.

He along with Grover and Annabeth nodded as Percy jumped into the water. The smell of the pier brought back memories of the time he was young and his uncle brought him and Annabeth to the beach a few times. "I can't believe we made it here," he said looking out into the ocean.

"Yeah by the luck of the Gods we made it," Annabeth said looking out into the ocean.

"Hey Annabeth can I ask you something?" He asked as he looked out at the ocean and saw the water glimmer in the sunlight.

"What is it? She asked as they watched the water together.

"If I hadn't been around do you think you would have had a better relationship with your family?" He asked, his cousin's expression went from calm to shock.

"What? I mean I doubt it," she said looking at him with her piercing eyes. "To be honest I never got along with my stepmom, when you came you were the only person who kept me sane. Why do you ask?"

Magnus avoided his cousin's gaze, "Oh you know I was just thinking of my mom. You know Hades has Percy's mom captive I was just wondering if you know he has the same thing in store for me."

"Your mom was a good person. She was always nice to me," she said with a smile. However, her expression turned serious. "Magnus I don't know what Hades has in store for you; he may not even see you as a threat but if he makes promises do not accept them. But if by chance he does use her as a bargaining chip do not let it get to you, his word means nothing."

Magnus sighed, "Yeah I've been thinking about that." The thought had entered his mind lately, Hades would probably use Percy's mom as a bargaining chip what if his mom was used against him in the same way?

"Besides your mom died a while ago, even he cannot bring her back remember that. Percy's mom was taken; if he does make some kind of offer it is most likely a lie. Remember that there are things even the gods cannot do and even Hades has to respect life and death," Annabeth warned.

"Yeah I know," he said with a sigh. "Oh are you really planning on giving your dad a second chance?" He had heard her and Percy talk about it a few times and he secretly hoped that it would be the case, he missed his uncle.

Annabeth sighed, "I am thinking about it. Maybe a visit wouldn't hurt," she said looking out into the sea. "I feel that it wont hurt to see if anything has changed, part of me wants to believe that things will be different."

Magnus sighed, "Well if he does come it would be cool, I haven't seen him in a while." Personally, he didn't have many problems with her stepmom, in fact thinking about it she was always trying to be the best and never made him call her mom or Uncle Frederick dad. Though I best not mention to Annabeth that I don't think her stepmom is totally evil. He knew that saying her dad was cool was one thing and saying her stepmom is another, and frankly he would rather deal with Ares than with that.

Percy eventually came up from underneath the water and showed them the pearls that he received. They then made their way quickly to the entrance of the underworld. After a few wrong turns and detours, they made their way to Valencia Boulevard.

"Ok you guys be careful and stick to the plan I made," Annabeth said as they looked outside the building.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Magnus asked.

Annabeth shook her head, "This is your quest you three should finish it, besides Percy three pearls for a reason."

"Ok then, be careful," he said as he hugged his cousin.

"You too," she whispered into his ear softly. After they said goodbye he entered the building with Percy and Grover. "Lets meet at the pier when you are done." The three of them nodded and said their final goodbyes.

Inside was probably the most depressing office he had seen. Not that he had a problem with everything being in black but all the people emotionlessly standing and sitting creeped him out a bit.

They met Charon who wore a cool-looking Italian suit and he seemed to believe their lie about being dead for a minute then he realized they weren't but after bribing him a bit they were able to get through.

"Hang on tight," Charon said as he rowed them through the River Styx. Magnus couldn't explain it but something inside of him felt wrong. Maybe because I am in the underworld? He thought but he couldn't explain why. It wasn't so much as dread but the feeling of leaving a part of him behind, almost like he was giving up a part of his identity by being here.

Once they reached the shoreline Charon let them off, "I would say good luck but there is none of that here. Good luck with the dog, and don't forget about mentioning my pay raise," he said with a smile as he rowed away on the boat.

They walked through the entrance to the underworld as they watched various robed ghouls. Magnus felt his head hurt a bit as they passed through the various lines of spirits and made their way to the gate. That was when they heard howling along with a few growls.

"I take it that is Cerberus," Percy said pointing to the really large three headed dog in front of them, for a second Magnus froze in fear of it. Luckily for them, Annabeth gave them a few red balls and they spent time playing with Cerberus before they were able to go through and proceed with their mission.

Magnus and Percy stared at the Fields of Asphodel and then Elysium when they passed by. While Magnus was staring at Elysium he was in awe of the various shiny buildings, "So that is where the heroes stay."

Percy nodded, "And over there the Isles of the Blest," he said pointing to the small islands in the bright blue lake.

Magnus stared at the Isles and Elysium and felt that he definitely wanted to make it to those places. "I want to make it there," he said as they continued their walk.

"Me too dude," Percy said as they continued their journey.

"Aghh help me," Grover screamed as he suddenly flew into the air. They both called at him as Grover was flown around and nearly dragged to the edge of a cliff. They both ran after Grover as he was dragged throughout the area by the shoes. Grover nearly fell into a hole but they managed to grab him and pull him up enough to tear off the sneakers. Once they were off they dragged Grover up and checked to see if he was injured.

"What the hell happened," Percy asked out of breath.

"Luke gave you those right?" He asked. Percy nodded and Magnus felt his dislike for Luke increase, something is not right he thought as he looked at the pit and heard a voice he could not understand, he felt his body shiver as he felt nothing but pure terror. Tartarus he thought as he felt a chill down his spine.

"Tartarus," Grover whispered, "Lets go guys we have a quest to do." Both of them nodded as they continued through the tunnel and approached the Palace of Hades. They saw the furies fly above them with scenes of war and death on the various walls. They ignored the tantalizing fruits and skeleton guards as they entered the palace. They walked and soon found themselves facing Hades who sat on his throne and eyed them with curiosity.

He was tall and gave off a powerful aura that was stronger than any being Magnus had met before, "You have done well son of Poseidon to make it here but now your farce will end," he said his voice sounded hard and cold.

"I know why you are here Percy Jackson you came to bargain for her," Hades said after Percy tried and failed to negotiate with. A flash of light appeared and a golden sphere with a woman appeared.

"Mom," Percy said looking at her.

"Yes Percy Jackson your mother. Give me back my helm and I will return her to you alive," Hades

That's Percy's mom, she looks nice he thought as he stared at her. At least he isn't using my mom against me he sighed in relief on the inside. That was when he felt Hades's eyes on him.

"You boy, you are odd I heard your mother had passed but I could not find her. Though to be fair I didn't look too hard since you aren't the son of Poseidon, no offense. Who is your father? Something about you is off," he said eyeing him intently.

Magnus felt the weight of his eyes on him. Hades stared at him not out of hatred but out of curiosity. "I never met my father and I haven't been claimed." He couldn't find her? Well I am glad but if he wanted to blackmail both of us it would make sense.

He couldn't help but feel something wasn't right, he was glad Hades wasn't using his mom against him but something was telling him to turn around and run. A tingle in his body as Hades stared at him, his cold eyes looking at him as if analyzing him for some small infraction.

Hades then let out a laugh, a cold laugh as if he were laughing at some sort of joke. "I see what my brother did. Never thought he would go so low as to seek outside help." Hades laughed harder as he gave him a cold look, "My brother and his tricks, never thought he would stoop this low."

The three of them stared at Hades in surprise, "What do you mean by that Lord Hades?" Grover asked.

Magnus felt Hades' eyes on him as he looked at the God with a confused look, "You honestly don't know do you? You may be able to pass off as one of ours but I can tell deep down that you are a faker. You reek of them." Hades said with a sneer as he raised his hand, "Don't worry though I will make sure that your soul stays here when it dies."

"What do you-" A surge of energy enveloped him as he let out a large scream and fell to his knees.

"Magnus!" Percy and Grover yelled as they helped him up. Magnus felt disoriented as Percy and Grover helped him up as his body was shaking hard. He felt different, his body felt cold as if all the warmth had been sucked away. He rubbed his head as he tried to regain his footing while Grover and Percy held him up.

"What did you do?" Percy yelled at Hades glaring at the God.

"Nothing, I just made sure that his soul will stay here if he dies and not go off to some other place," Hades said in a cool tone. "Even if you die you will never go to paradise," he looked at him with a cold smile. "I've dealt with your kind before, many who willingly wanted to come here and others not so willingly. I don't care if that woman throws another fit, if you want to be with us you will stay with us. Sorry but I can't go into more detail, even I am not that foolish."

What did he do? He felt ok though unusually cold. Turning around he saw Percy take off his backpack and to his surprise, he took out a metal canister. "Percy what is that?" He asked suddenly feeling more nervous.

Percy's eyes widened as he turned to him in shock. "I don't know, how did this get in here? The bag just got really heavy now."

We've been set up he realized as he thought of how the lightning bolt could have ended up with them.

Hades let out a laugh, "You had the bolt the entire time, I knew it. Last chance Percy Jackson do you want your mother or not," Hades said as an army of skeletal soldiers appeared around them. Percy handed him and Grover a pearl.

"I'll get your crown back but now we have to go. Crush them now!" Percy said. The three of them crushed the pearls as the skeletal army charged at them.

Magnus saw a bright light and the next thing he knew he was in the water. He knew how to swim so he made his way to the surface with Percy and Grover and the three of them swam a coast guard boat which picked them up and dropped them off at the Pier.

"Percy, Magnus, Grover," They heard Annabeth scream, they turned around and saw her running to them. After Percy tried all of them off she hugged them. "Thank Gods you are ok what happened did you get the bolt?" The three of them shared a look as they told her the truth, that they had been tricked. They left out the weird interactions he had with Hades and when they were done her face was dark. "Now what?"

"Hey kid you were supposed to die," said a familiar voice. The four of them turned and saw Ares standing on the side of his motorcycle.

"You stole the helmet and lighting bolt," Percy said as they stared in shock as Ares laughed.

"Guilty as charged now be a good little boy and give me the bolt in your bag then I can kill you all. A war will start and it will be marvelous," Ares said with a sadistic smile.

"Dude you are crazy," he said glaring at the God.

Ares laughed, "Now how about I stomp you cockroaches already."

"We won't go down that easily," Magnus said as he activated his sword and shield. Percy nodded and activated riptide.

"Guys he is a God don't do this," Annabeth said in a pleading tone.

"You guys are gutsy I like that, how about this if you win I'll give you back the helm. Don't worry if you lose I'll decapitate you both," Ares said.

"Deal," Percy said. He turned to Annabeth, "Its ok we got this." His cousin smiled at Percy and gave him her necklace for luck.

"Are you ready Percy?" He asked. He didn't know how to feel about this, he wanted to teach this guy a lesson even though he knew the odds of winning were slim. Besides if we get the helmet back we can get Hades off of our back, either way we can't let Ares get the Bolt.

The area tense up as he felt anger rush through him. He knew Ares was influencing him and Percy and wanted them to act rashly. We have to think clearly, we can't let our emotions get ahead of us he thought as he shook his head. He felt his heart race as he tried to think of anything else. He took a deep breath and looked at Percy, he couldn't explain it but he felt a small piece of calmness in his body. He took a deep breath as he focused on it, Percy is a better fighter I will support him with what I can. He chose me to be on this quest and I will help him with all that I can even though I may be a lousy fighter

He knew he wasn't much of a fighter but he felt as if he needed to back Percy up in this, his friend chose him to be a part of this quest and he would support him to the end.

Percy nodded, "Try staying in and near the water." Magnus nodded as they both walked in front of Ares with their weapons drawn.

"Done saying goodbye? Good," Ares said with a sneer as he drew his sword and charged at them.

He felt his body react on its own as Ares charged at them. The water around his legs helped him avoid the attack as he barely managed to avoid Ares's sword. He tried to slash with his sword but was blocked by a knife Ares had in his other hand.

Percy slashed and hacked with his sword; the water seemed to strengthen him as he carefully maneuvered around Ares. Magnus let his instincts in control since he nearly knocked down he tried to block a strike with his shield.

"That shield I see must be an heirloom," Ares said as he sneered at him. "You must be descendant from them I guess, it doesn't matter because I will finish you both off here," he snarled as he charged at them again with his sword. Magnus looked at Percy who was still determined to fight.

Percy charged at him from the left while he charged from the right. However, Ares was quick and managed to block both of their strikes, Crap we can't keep doing this forever he thought unlike Percy he could still get tired and was starting to feel his muscles get swore.

"Magnus can you still go?" Percy asked with concern.

He looked at him and smile, "Yeah I can lets get this over with soon." Percy smiled at him as they charged Ares again. This time Ares surprised them with a spear aimed right at Percy.

"Percy watch out!" he yelled as he ran with all of his strength, Percy managed to avoid the strike just in time as the spear collided with his shield. The force of it sent him flying a few feet away and into the water.

"Magnus!" he heard Percy and Annabeth yell. Magnus felt the water catch him as his arm throbbed and that was he felt the water support him.

"Thanks Percy I'm all right," he said as he took a few deep breaths. I have to end this I cannot let this go on I have to think of something, we cannot keep this up he is a God. He glared at Ares and that was when an idea came to his head.

His heart was racing as he felt the water fall from his body, he knew Percy could dry him but that would require him to take his eyes off of Ares which would be deadly given their current situation. But strangely he did not feel afraid, maybe it was the water but he felt at peace as an idea came to his head.

"Hey Ares," he called out. Ares turned to face him with a puzzled look. "You don't want to do this," he said calmly. He couldn't explain it but he felt the words leave his mouth and each word felt as if it were imbued with some kind of power.

Ares and Percy stopped and looked at him and Ares looked confused. "Just calm down we will return the bolt, the Gods are watching, and if we return Zeus's bolt now you won't be in trouble." The area around the beach suddenly became much more calmer as if everything were listening to him.

He felt the negative energy that Ares gave off slowly disappear as the area suddenly felt calmer. He looked at Percy who was looking at him with a bewildered look yet his face looked calmer and less tense, almost as if he were just practicing swordsmanship with a friend.

He couldn't explain it but he felt as if Ares were almost entranced by his words. "Just drop the sword and we will all be on our way," he said calmly. Ares looked at him and for a second he thought the God was going to charge at him. But he kept on talking, he knew he was close to something and they needed to win right away, "Think about it if you were to kill us now Poseidon will most likely take revenge against you and you won't be able to fight in this war. If you let us go you will still be able to fight," he said trying to sound as convincing as possible. "I mean what good will it do for you to kill two demigods? You want to fight stronger opponents if you let us live you will be able to fight them, why waste your time on us?"

Ares seemed to be listening to him as a strange calm ran through the area that eroded at Ares's influence. Slowly the anger in the area was replaced by a calmness that made everyone just want to drop their weapons and get some ice cream or something. "Just put your sword away and let us go," he said. He had no idea what was coming to his mind, why a god would listen to a kid like him was beyond his comprehension.

Then to everyone's surprise Ares slowly lowered his sword and for a second he thought he was going to sheath it and walk away. However, just as he did the sound of gunshots rang through the air. He glared at them with hatred, "You will pay for this," he spat as they heard the sound of gunshots.

Crap he thought as he felt the calm in the area break as mortal policemen were opening fire on Ares who swore and blew up one of their squad cars. "I will get you for this humiliation, mark my words for I curse your blade Percy Jackson," he swore as he tossed the helmet to Percy who caught it.

Ares's body began to glow when they heard Annabeth call, "Close your eyes both of you!" Magnus closed his eyes as he felt a powerful presence surge in the area. When it was finally gone he looked around and saw that Ares was gone.

"We did it," Percy said in surprise.

"Yeah we did," he said as he and Percy high fived each other. As soon as they got on the beach Magnus felt like collapsing and had to support himself with his axe

"Magnus are you alright," Percy said as he helped support him.

"Yeah just tired," He said as he tried his best to stay conscious. Annabeth and Grover came running to them and Annabeth gave them both really big hugs. After having some ambrosia Magnus felt the energy return to him as one of the furies landed in front of them.

Percy gave them Hades' helmet and the fury said that they will report to Hades all she saw since she saw the entire fight apparently. The rest of their time in LA was a blur as they talked with various policemen and news stations. Before they knew it they were headed back to New York on an airplane. "Hey Magnus," Annabeth said in the seat next to him.

"What is it?" He said facing his cousin who was smiling at him.

"You did a good job on your first quest," She said with a smile.

"Thanks, it was fun. We couldn't have done it without you," he said as they both laughed and rested in their plane seats. His first quest had been completed and while he was beyond exhausted he felt happy that it was over, even if he knew that the greater conflict was far from over.