?as the world caves in?

?lots is learned?

"But you took Zeus's master bolt."

"Lies! Your father may fool Zeus, but I am not so stupid. I see his plan."

"His plan?"

"You were the thief on the winter solstice. Your father thought to keep you his little secret. He directed you into the throne room in Olympus. You took the master bolt and my helm. Had I not sent my Fury to discover you at Yancy Academy, Poseidon might have succeeded in hiding his scheme to start a war. But now you have been forced into the open. You will be exposed as Poseidon's thief, and I will have back my helm!"

"But..." I said. My head hurt. "Lord Hades, your helm of darkness is missing, too?"

"Do not play innocent with me, girl. You, the satyr and the daughter of Athena have been helping this hero—coming here to threaten me in Poseidon's name, no doubt—to bring me an ultimatum. Does Poseidon think I can be blackmailed into supporting him?"

"No!" Percy shouted. "Poseidon didn't—I didn't—"

"I have said nothing of the helm's disappearance, because I had no illusions that anyone of Olympus would offer me the slightest justice, the slightest help. I can ill afford for word to get out that my most powerful weapon of fear is missing. So I searched for you myself, and when it was clear you were coming to deliver your threat, I did not try to stop you."

What? Then who was sending the monsters after us?

"You didn't try to stop us? But—"

"Return my helm now, or I will stop death. That is my counter proposal. I will open the earth and have the dead pour back into the world. I will make your lands a nightmare. And you, Percy Jackson—your skeleton will lead my army out of Hades."

The warriors took a step forward and readied their weapons.

"You're as bad as Zeus. You think I stole from you? That's why you sent the Furies after me?"

"Of course,"

"And the other monsters?"

"I had nothing to do with them. I wanted no quick death for you—I wanted you brought before me alive so you might face every torture in the Fields of Punishment. Why do you think I let you enter my kingdom so easily?"

"Easily?"

"Return my property!"

"But I don't have your helm. I came for the master bolt."

"Which you already possess! You came here with it, little fool, thinking you could threaten me!"

"But I didn't!"

"Open your pack then,"

I whipped my head to Percy who opened it. Inside, was a cylinder.

Percy was the lightning thief.

"Percy, how—"

"I—I don't understand."

"You heroes are always the same. Your pride makes you foolish, thinking you could bring such a weapon before me. I did not ask for Zeus's master bolt, but since it's here, you will yield it to me. I am sure it will make an excellent bargaining tool. And now... my helm. Where is it?"

Percy looked as though he had a million thoughts going through his head. "Lord Hades, wait. This is all a mistake."

"A mistake? Hades roared. The skeletons aimed their weapons. The Furies came and perched on Hades throne. "There is no mistake. I know why you have come—I know the real reason you brought the bolt. You came to bargain for her."

Hades threw a gold ball at the floor and a golden shower appeared. In it, was a woman who looked like Percy. The same tan skin, the same facial structure. That was his mother.

"Yes." Hades said with satisfaction. "I took her. I knew, Percy Jackson, that you would come to bargain with me eventually. Return my helm, and perhaps I will let her go. She is not dead, you know. Not yet. But if you displease me, that will change."

Percy looked almost helpless.

"Ah, the pearls. Yes, my brother and his little tricks. Bring them forth, Percy Jackson."

Percy grabbed out the pearls.

"Only four, what a shame. You do realize each only protects a single person. Try to take your mother, then, little godling. And which of your friends will you leave behind to spend eternity with me? Go on. Choose. Or give the backpack and accept my terms."

Percy looked back at us. "We were tricked. Set up."

"Yes, but why?" Annabeth asked. "And the voice in the pit—"

"I don't know yet, but I intend to ask."

"Decide boy!" Hades yelled.

"Percy," Grover said. "You can't give him the bolt."

"I know that."

"Leave me here, use the fourth pearl on your mom."

"No!"

"I'm a satyr. We don't have souls like humans do. He can torture me until I die, but he won't get me forever. I'll just be reincarnated as a flower or something. It's the best way."

"No." Annabeth snapped and drew her knife. "You two go on. Grover, you have to protect Percy and Coriane. You have to get your searchers license and start your quest for Pan. Get his mom out of here. I'll cover you. I plan to go down fighting."

I twisted my ring and tossed it up, catching the sword. "Really, wise girl? I'm not letting you die. You're going. I'll stay behind, I can handle this."

"Think again, Cor."

"Stop it!" Percy yelled. I snapped my head to him, and he looked like he was about to break. "I know that to do, take these."

He handed us each a pearl.

"But, Percy..." I mumbled.

He looked at his mom. "I'm sorry. I'll be back. I'll find a way."

"Godling...?" Hades asked.

"I'll find your helm, Uncle, I'll return it. Remember about Charon's pay raise."

"Do not defy me—"

"And it wouldn't hurt to play with Cerberus once in a while. He likes red rubber balls."

"Percy Jackson you will not—"

"Now, guys!"

We smashed the pearls at our feet. For a moment, nothing happened.

"Destroy them!" Hades shouted.

The warriors charged and the Furies lashed their whips.

Just as they opened fire the fragments burst into green light and I was encased in a bubble.

Arrows and spears and bullets bounced off our bubbles as we floated upwards.

"Look up!" Grover yelled. "We're gonna crash!"

I looked and saw we were headed right to the ceiling of the cavern.

"How do you control these things?" I shouted.

"I don't think you do!" Percy shouted back.

We all screamed as our bubbled hit the ceiling.