Ch.11

"Okay," Percy said, changing topics. "So where do we go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who

stands to gain?"

" Ares" I Said.

"What? What gives you that idea."

"A new war on the largest of scales."

Chiron shook his head. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him. "She watched them until she was sure of their identity, then tried to kill them. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"Yes, but—but Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "Especially if he has found out

they are the son of Poseidon... ."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Chiron continued. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on the quest."

"Stop" I said. "Why would a god who hates his job make it even worse?"

"But the quest to ..." Grover swallowed. "I mean, it sounds like its about Hades."

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to understand the Lord of the Dead's motives perfectly, or why he chose this time to start a war, but one thing is certain. You must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

"And what happens when you're wrong?" I asked.

Chiron looked at me, "You'll have to cross that bridge on your own."

~Percy Pov~

I wondered why Adrian was so adament that it wasn't Hades, Chiron clearly knew more then he was letting on. I was going to believe him unless my brother was proven correct.

A strange fire burned in my stomach. The weirdest thing was: it wasn't fear. It was

anticipation. The desire for revenge. Hades had tried to kill me three times so far, with the Fury, the Minotaur, and the hellhound. It was his fault my mother had disappeared in a flash of light.

Now he was trying to frame me, my brother, and my dad for a theft we hadn't committed.

I was ready to take him on.

Besides, if my mother was in the Underworld ...

Whoa, boy, said the small part of my brain that was still sane. You're a kid. Hades is a god.

Grover was trembling. He'd started eating pinochle cards like potato chips.

The poor guy needed to complete a quest with us so he could get his searcher's license, whatever that was, but how could I ask him to do this quest, especially when the Oracle said I was destined to fail? This was suicide.

"Look, if we know it's Hades," I told Chiron, while glancing at Adrian, "why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and bust some heads."

Adrian rolled his eyes.

"Suspecting and knowing are not the same," Chiron said. "Besides, even if the other gods

suspect Hades—and I imagine Poseidon does—they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

"You're saying we're being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you both now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

My dad needs me.

Emotions rolled around inside me like bits of glass in a kaleidoscope. I didn't know whether

to feel resentful or grateful or happy or angry. Poseidon had ignored us for twelve years. Now suddenly he needed us.

I looked at Chiron. "You've known we were Poseidon's sons all along, haven't you?"

"I had my suspicions. As I said ... I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

I got the feeling there was a lot he wasn't telling me about his prophecy, but I decided I

couldn't worry about that right now. After all, we were holding back information too.

"So let me get this straight," I said. "I'm supposed go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Doubt it," Adrian said

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."

"That's about right."

I looked at Grover, who gulped down the ace of hearts.

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" he asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," I told him. "I can't ask that of you. Me and Adrian can definitely do this."

"Oh ..." He shifted his hooves. "No ... it's just that satyrs and underground places ... well..."

He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his Tshirt.

"You saved my life, Percy. If ... if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you

down."

I felt so relieved I wanted to cry, though I didn't think that would be very heroic. Grover was

the only friend I'd ever had for longer than a few months, other than my brother but he didn't count. I wasn't sure what good a satyr could do against the forces of the dead, but I felt better knowing he'd be with me.

"All the way, G-man." I turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go

west."

"The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like

Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America."

"Where?"

Chiron looked surprised. "I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the

Underworld is in Los Angeles."

"Yeah one of the worst cities in America," Adrian muttered.

"Oh," I said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane—"

"No!" Grover shrieked. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in

your life?"

I shook my head, feeling embarrassed. My mom had never taken me anywhere by plane.

She'd always said we didn't have the money. Besides, her parents had died in a plane crash.

"Percy, think," Chiron said. "You are the son of the Sea God. Your father's bitterest rival is

Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Your mother knew better than to trust you in an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again alive."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed.

"Okay," I said, determined not to look at the storm. "So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. And while Annabeth volunteered I'm guessing you'd rather have your brother."

"Of course."

~Adrian Pov~

The air shimmered behind Chiron.

Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket.

"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said. "Athena is no fan of

Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"If you do say so yourself," I said. "But why should we trust you over Grover?"

Her cheeks colored. "Do you want my help or not?"

The truth was, I didn't.

"No," I said. "We already have Grover."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in

Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

Lightning flashed. Rain poured down on the meadows that were never supposed to have

violent weather.

"What why?" Annabeth yelled, "Why aren't you taking me?"

"Have you ever heard the saying practice how you play?" I asked, "Well if last nights capture the flag is in any way a hint towards how you play I wouldn't trust you with a chocolate bar, let alone a plan to save the world or my ass."

As Annabeth sputtered Chiron tried to calm the situation by sending us away,

"No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing."

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What do you think? I've always hated when PJO FFs make the quest 4 people large. Chiron clearly states you can only have 3 people and later its said that anything larger is cursed.

If you all want Annabeth to be Percys gf then She will have to work for it. If not the who do you want to see with Percy.

This is prolly the last chapter for me today, I gotta go to the gym and then play video games.