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"IT WAS A GIFT WITH A HIDDEN PURPOSE." The Jackson said, as they stared at the golden chair, Annabeth listened intently, "Hephaestus offered it to Hera, but as soon as she sat in it, she couldn't get up. All the gods tried, but the machine was too smart." She explained, wringing out the water in her hair and putting it in a ponytail.
"It was too strong. It was too much. Even for them." She glanced at Annabeth for a moment then looked back at the shield that was held above the chair. She knew what she had to do. Even if it costed her life. She didn't notice Annabeth staring at her. "Finally, they said if Hephaestus let Hera free, Aphrodite would be his wife." Pandora looked at Annabeth and swallowed thickly. "The chair is the bargain. One of us goes in, the other gets the shield."
"I'll do it." Annabeth went to step forward but pandora grabbed her arm immediately, "What? Wait a minute. Are you crazy?" Annabeth looked at her then back at the chair, "Whoever goes in, isn't coming out. That seems pretty clear." She said, making pandora shake her head.
"I know, that's why i said wait." Pandora told the girl, still gripping her arm but not too roughly, "This isn't the Arch, Sparky. You're not pushing me into the stairwell again." Pandora sighed. "Yes, i am." She said firmly as Annabeth stared at her, a look of refusal in her eyes. "I'm not gonna let you this time. It doesn't work that way."
"It's why you're here." Annabeth stared at her, this time a look of confusion on her face, "Excuse me?" Pandora averted her gaze elsewhere and lets go of Annabeth's arm, "When me and percy were choosing our team, We told chiron we needed someone who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice us if the quest required it." She paused, looking at Annabeth. "He agreed."
"That was you and midas." Annabeth's mouth turned downward as she looked away from pandora. "You were right, like always." Pandora said, shaking her head, "I can't believe it, but the stupid blasted fates were right." She sighed again, then furrowed her brow. "I hope they don't hear that." She muttered, That brought a small smile to Annabeth's face. Even in a situation like this, Pandora could make her smile.
"There's no getting around this, okay? We dodged it at the arch, barely, but..maybe this isn't something you can dodge forever."
"The oracle chose you and percy. The gods chose you!" Annabeth yelled at her, the girl sighed heavily, "Stop! It isn't about that." She had to do it, so percy can save their moms. Pandora looked down then back up at Annabeth. "What could it possibly be about if it isn't about that?" Annabeth asked bewildered, her voice shaky and uneven.
