Percy Jackson's Twin Sister

The Planning Phase

"So," Jason says, "now that we're here...."

I somehow ended up at the head of the table. Jason sat next to me. We had unwillingly become the new Percy and Annabeth.

The whole group looked groggy and tired. Jason looked stressed. His eyes were sunken and his hair was messy.

Hazel looked tired from staying up all night guiding us through the mountains.

Frank didn't look to tired but he had a scowl that didn't brighten the mood.

Nico eyes were empty and distant. He sat looking uncomfortable with this group.

Leo mouth drew into a straight line. His eyes fluttered like he had a hard time stay awake.

Piper wasn't here because she was taking her turn at the helm. I wished she was though. Her Aphrodite charm always calmed this group down.

"Okay so do we have any leads on what to expect in the house of hades?" I ask, "Nico?"

Nico sat up, "I communed with the dead last night. I was able to learn more about what we'll face. In ancient times, the house of hades was a major site for Greek pilgrims. They would come to speak with the dead and honor their ancestors," Nico says, "Pilgrims could actually speak to ghosts. You'd have to work your way through different levels of tunnels, leaving offerings and drinking special potions."

"Special potions," Leo says, "yum."

Jason shoot Leo a look, "Nico, go on."

"The pilgrims believed that each level brought you closer to the underworld, until the dead would appear before you. If they were pleased by your offerings, they would answer your questions or maybe even tell you the future."

"And if they weren't pleased?" Frank asks.

"Some found nothing," Nico says, "some went insane or died after leaving the temple. Other got lost and were never seen again."

"The point is," I say, "Nico found some information that might help us."

"Yeah," Nico didn't sound very enthusiastic, "The ghost I spoke to last night.... He was a former priest of Hecate. He confirmed what the goddess told Hazel yesterday. In the first war with the Giants, Hecate fought for the gods. She slew one of the Giants – one who'd been designed as the anti-Hecate. A guy named Clytius."

"Dark dude? Wrapped in shadows?" Leo asks.

"Leo, how did you know that?" Hazel asks.

"Kind of had a dream," he mumbles.

No one was surprised. We paid close attention as Leo explains his dream. He described camp half-blood in ruins. He told us about the dark giants and a lady on half-blood hill offering him a multiple choice death.

"So the giant Clytius," I say, "I suppose he'll be waiting for us, guarding the doors of death."

"And the woman in Leo's dream?" Frank asks.

"She's my problem," Hazel says, "Hecate mentioned a formidable enemy- a witch who couldn't be defeated except by me, using magic."

"Do you know magic?" Leo asks.

"Not yet."

"Any idea who she is?" I ask.

"Only that...." Hazel glances at Nico. Those two seemed to have a silent argument, "Only that she won't be easy to defeat."

"But there is some good news," Nico says, "The ghost I talked to explained how Hecaye defeated Clytius. She used her torches. She burned him to death. In other words fire is his weakness."

We all look at Leo. Leo didn't look as confident as he usually was. Especially when it came to fire.

"It's a good lead," Jason says, "At least we know how to kill the giant."

"And this sorceress.... Well, If Hecate believes Hazel can defeat her, then so do I," I say.

"Now we just have to reach the house of hades, battle our way through Gaea's forces-" Hazel starts.

"Plus a bunch of ghosts," Nico says grimly, "The spirits in that temple may not be friendly."

"- and find the doors of death," Hazel says, "Assuming we can somehow arrive at the same time as Percy and Annabeth."

"We can do it. We have to," I say.

I was getting my brother back if it's the last thing I do.

"So with the detour," Leo says, "I'm estimating four or five days to arrive at Epirus, assuming no delays for you know, monsters and stuff."

"Yeah," Jason smiles, "cause those never happen."

Leo looks at Hazel, "Hecate told you that Gaea was planning her big Wake up party on august first, right? The feast of whatever?"

"Spes," Hazel says, "The goddess of hope."

"Theoretically, that leaves us enough time. It's only July fifth. We should be able to close the doors, then find the giants HQ and stop them from waking Gaea before august first," Jason says.

"Theoretically," I say, "But is still like to know how we make our way through the house of hades without going insane or dying."

We debate for a while. Frank brings up the Chinese belief about how the seventh month is the ghost month. It can't be a coincidence that we're going to the house of hades in the ghost month.

A moment later the ship lurches. Nico falls onto the floor with plates and cups falling on top of him. Hazel rushes to help him up.

"Look!" Jason says pointing at the real time image of camp half-blood on the wall.

The scene flickers and changes.

"Not possible," Leo mumbles.

The other walls flickers, showing scenes from above deck. Piper stood at the helm, but something was wrong. From the shoulders down she was wrapped in duct tape, her mouth gagged and her legs bound to the control.

At the mainmast coach was bound the same way, while a bizarre looking creature danced around coach, braiding his hair.

On the port side wall the huge ugly face receded. A sort of gnome chimpanzee combo in crazy clothes begins stuffing things in burlap sacks. Piper dagger, Leo's Wii controller, and Leo Archimedes sphere.

"No!" Leo yells.

"Uhhh," Nick groans.

"Piper!" Jason yellls.

"Monkeys!" Frank yells.

"Not monkeys," I say, "I think those are dwarfs."

"Stealing my stuff!" Leo yells as he runs for the stairs.