Poppy was relieved when the arai came in for the kill.
What? She knew she would be fine. Aaron was there to protect her. He always came up with a plan. And anyway, Poppy had defeated Kronos himself. Why should she be afraid of some little grandmother demons?
Poppy lifted her sword, ready to charge, when Aaron pulled her back.
"It's not safe," he explained. "They are spirits of curses.Touch them- they unleash a curse on you. Kill them: same thing."
Poppy suddenly gulped, afraid. She wanted to hide behind Aaron for protection, but knew she couldn't. She was the daughter of Poseidon: defeater of all. Nothing will stop her. Escpecially not some cursing grammys.
Small Beebe the cat whimpered and hid behind Beebe the titan.
Smart cat.
We serve the bitter and deafeted. The arai hissed.We serve those who cursed you with thier last breath. We have many curses to share with you, daughter of Posiedon.
Suddenly, Poppy's mouth felt like she had just swallowed the whole river of the Phelagathon. If they really did give out curses to all that Poppy had killed, well, then she was in trouble.
"Aaron?" she asked her boyfriend. "Got a plan, Owl boy?"
'Umm..." Aaron glanced at her afraid eyes. "Sure!"
"Tell me: what is it?" insisted Poppy.
Aaron's eyes suddenly wouldn't meet hers. "I've got it... I mean,... umm... I FORGOT IT!"
Poppy rolled her eyes. "Some son of Athena you turn out to be," she mumbled.
Suddenly, while she was distracted, the nearest arai lunged at her.
Boom! Her instict kicked in and she kicked the arai in the gut, making it fall to the ground. Quickly, she took her sword and plunged it into the monster, making it explode into a big pile of scratchy dust.
Poppy suddenly doubled over, coughing. Blood seaped out of her mouth in a steady stream. She had an arrow in her heart.
From dear old uncle Geyron. The arai faked-pitied. Don't know how you managed to shoot three arrows in a row, on into each of his hearts, but you did. Now you have three arrows in your own heart.
"POPPY!" Aaron leaped gracefully over a demon to Poppy. "Are you ok?'
"Do I look like it?" Poppy coughed terribly. "No, I feel wonderful, Aaron. Three arrows in my heart? No biggie. I'll live."
"Poppy," Aaron had tears streaming out of his eyes. "I'm so sorry..."
"Just be quiet!" Poppy started to cry. She didn't want to die like this. Not in Tarturus, not because of Geyron, not...this way. She wanted to die peacefully after living a full, happy life with Aaron. Didn't she deserve it? After everything she's been through?
But she was a demigod. It was almost impossible for her to have a good night's sleep. How could have she really excpected to live a full, long life?
Suddenly, Poppy saw an arai looming over Aaron, about to strike.
"NO!!!" Poppy screeched. Aaron turned around, ready to fight, but he had no weapon. Just as he was about to get shmizzled into peices by the grmmma's sharp claws, the arai gave a yelp and disenegrated.
Beebe was standing there, breathing heavily. "No curses for Beebe!" she smiled happily.
She walked over to Poppy, and started singing a lullaby, touching her head.
Instantly, Poppy felt better. She remembered that Beebe had the power to heal just by touching.
Groaning, she tood up, and took out her sword, ready to fight.
Aaron was frowning at Beebe. "I wonder..."
"What?" Beebe asked, smiling.
"Why aren't you getting cursed terribly?" asked Aaron, the quickly added "Not that I want you to be, of course. It just... doesn't make sense."
"Maybe they think I'm too pretty to curse?" suggested Beebe, playing with her silver hair.
"You are pretty," agreed Aaron. Poppy glared. Aaron was HER boyfreind. "Sorry," mumbled Aaron.
The arai hissed. You WISH it was because of your looks, but no. You've been cursed enough already. Your memory: WAS TAKEN BY NICOLE DIANGELO, TROY GRACE, AND POPPY JACKSON!"
Beebe dropped her broom. "It was you?" she turned to Poppy.
Her heart sinking, Poppy started to apologize. "i'm sorry-"
"IT WAS YOU!" Beebe shook, turning red. "I CAN'T BELEIVE IT! poppy-the one I thought was my hero."
"Beebe, Listen!" Poppy tried to explain. "I'm sorry! I didn't want to take your memory, but you were trying to kill us. You are better now. A better... titan. Please!"
Beebe's face looked harsh and cruel. "you left me alone in the Underworld." she whispered. "Only Nicole came back."
'Nicole?" Poppy was confused. What did Nicole, duaghter of Hades, have to do with anything?
"Nicole. She visited, while you left me alone. She told me Poppy's good, and I should always help you. that's why I helped."
"Beebe, I'm sorry!" Poppy started to cry. She felt horrible. She had treated Beebe horribly, and Nicole too, while they are the ones who saved her life.
The arai attacked, and this time, Beebe didn't stop them.
