The Prince of the Pit: Lightning Thief

Chapter 8: The Underworld

Those damned shoes. Grover was nearly pulled into the Pit by the Winged Shoes from Luke. "Come on, I don't want to be any closer to the Pit," Annabeth called. Grover followed, but I froze. The Pit gave off an odd feeling, like home.

I stared into the Pit, a feeling of longing, and safety washing over me. Which was weird, because it's the entrance to the Home of Monsters. Then, I felt something click, like a seatbelt strap. I could feel the Pit, going down, and felt something getting closer, chanting.

"Run. RUN!" I called, and sprinted away. The others were close behind. Then, a strong gust of wind hit us. A random thought flew through my head, stop. I heard groaning, and looked back to see the earth moving to close the Pit's entrance.

"Woah! Uh, Percy, that hidden scent is beginning to get more potent. It's still very faint, but I can get it from here," Grover said, swords length away. Which is good, because the scent that makes monsters fear me is now ranging into just out of range of a sword.

I picked up the backpack, straining at a new weight. "We need to see Hades. Now," I ordered, and sprinted for the palace.

The Palace was beautiful, in a gothic volcanic super villain way. The support beams were a dark red, with the walls being pure black. Leafless trees were dotted around. A garden stood in front of us, guarded off by a black archway. "Persephone's Garden. Please keep your hands in your pockets, and your mouth away from the fruit," I said, namely to Grover.

We swiftly walked past, and entered the palace. Skeletal Guards stood in the doorways, dressed like England Guards, with those tall hats. We stopped in front of a doorway, before it blew open. "Guess that means enter," Grover said.

We entered, and saw a 14 foot tall man sitting in a obsidian and skeletal throne. He wore black robes with moving, wailing souls in them. The 3 Furies sat behind him, though the middle one looked at me with fear.

I also noticed a lack of Helm of Darkness anywhere in sight, proving my growing theory. "Lord Hades. King of the Underworld. Major God of Wealth, and the Dead. Eldest Son of Cronus and Rhea. My name is Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon. I come to the Underworld with a question!" I called.

Hades leaned forward, intrigued. "I must ask. I know that, well figured that you would not want war with Olympus. Although it would increase the size of your army, I noticed the small spaces to to your organized realm. We were told you were the primary suspect of the Thievery of the Master Bolt. I disproved this, due to some Alecto stated in the beginning of our quest.

She asked, "Where is it?" And if you had the Bolt, you would not need them hassling us for it. When I entered here, I noticed your Helm of Darkness was missing. You were probably at Olympus on the Darkest Day of the Year, so your Helm could've been stolen along with the Bolt," I said.

"Get with it, Nephew," Hades ordered. "Is your Helm also missing?" I asked. "Yes, it is. And do you know where it is?" Hades questioned. "My apologies, but I do not. Why didn't you ask for help? I understand your reasoning, but that doesn't mean you don't have people that could've helped you find it," I said. "Oh yeah? Who?" Hades asked in disbelief.

"Lady Hestia. Goddess of the Hearth, Home, Architecture, Domesticity, Family, and the State. Due to her domains, she has eyes in every home across the world. Each family would be her spies. She can see all across the State, finding things efficiently. Lady Persephone. As your wife, and as the Queen, she has access to all your resources. As Demeter's daughter, she has spies with every nymph, and dryad," I answered.

Hades sighed, nodding in agreement. "I do have an idea who took it. Well, more of a theory with not enough leads to prove the case," I said. "Go on," Hades said. "Who was present at the Winter Solstice Meeting?" I asked.

"The Council, Hestia, Hades, Clarisse, Luke, Chiron, and I," Annabeth answered. "This narrows it down a lot. I believe I know the culprit of the Master Bolt case. Though, the true thief could've stolen both, while Ares caught him, but got excited at the prospect of War," I said.

"Makes sense. What about my Helm?" Hades asked. "When I was being introduced to the Cabin Counselors at Camp, I felt something off about Luke Castellan. It felt like I could determine someone's innocence with a look. All the other Hermes Cabin, including Hermes Children were nearly innocent. Luke was Guilty, with a Red glow," I said.

"He was at the Council. Does he have any distaste to his Father? Any hate to the Olympians because of the young, unclaimed Demigods?" I asked Annabeth.

She nodded. "Then, the dream I had. I was summoned to the Underworld the morning after defeating Medusa. I was at the entrance to Tartarus, speaking to someone who confirmed they were a Titan. He tried to make me join his cause, but I declined, making him angry. I believe Luke Castellan, growing angry from the mistreatment of Demigods and possibly himself included, has joined the Titan Cronus. He stole the Master Bolt and your Helm easily, due to the gifts as a Son of Hermes. But, he was captured by Ares. He was turned at the prospect of War, and aided Luke.

I do not believe Luke is the current possessor of the items, as people may stumble upon them. Ares is already proven as the possessor of the Master Bolt, giving it to us, so you could start a battle with Olympus using it," I stated, pulling out the Electric Blue Lightning Bolt our of the Backpack.

Everyone sat stunned. "Quite the accusation. Yet, many points you have lead to it almost perfectly. I will trust you for now. If you don't return my Helm within the hour, I'll take your soul," Hades said. I nodded. Hades flicked his hand, and we appeared on a beach.

"You weren't meant to come back. Hades should've killed you, angering Poseidon," Ares said, holding the Helm of Darkness in his grasp. I heard flapping overhead, 3 sets of wings. "Shouldn't go flaunting that," I said, pointing up. He looked, and saw the enraged Furies.

"You figured it out," Ares said, impressed. "Luke was the thief, wasn't he?" I asked. "Yep. Caught him in New Jersey. But, Civil War is better," Ares said. "Did you hear that?!" I shouted. Dad walked out of the Sea, in battle armor, his Trident gleaming.

"I did. Zeus has already been informed," Dad said. Ares paled drastically. Thunder clouds grew overhead. "Father! Let's talk about this!" Ares tried. Zeus flashed on scene. "Bolt," he stated. I tossed him the backpack.

The Bolt came out, bigger in Zeus's hand. "Olympus, now," Zeus calmly ordered Ares. He gulped, and they flashed out. Ares dropping the Helm before he left. The Furies took it, and flew off.

"What did you want to talk about?" Dad asked. "Heritage," I answered.