Author's note :
- I dont use quotation for instant speaking.
-This story is fully First person's pov
-OOC , many character's personality arent excatly like their originals due to the changes in their backstory
-I dont own Any characters
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annabeth's Pov

I hate winter solstice!

Okay, you can ask all the questions you want! Like Why, Annabeth? Winter solstice is the most important day of the year, you can go to Olympus to hang out and eat and drink to your heart's content. You can even meet your godly parents that you rarely see in your life? Don't you want to meet the gods?? Think again Annabeth!! That's the majestic Olympus Palace!

That's true. But only for normal demigods, or rather any demigod who isn't a son or daughter of Hades. If you're like me, be prepared because you'll be glared at by Zeus and Poseidon every day! Monsters are always ready to eat you. Camp Half-Blood doesn't even have a Hades Cabin, man I hate the floor in the Hermes Cabin.

It's unfair, don't you think? I won't go into too much detail because this isn't a suggestion for Olympus, and if such a thing existed, I don't think Zeus would really care. They'd probably sell scrap paper or something.

Let me tell you something else! Hades isn't in Hades Castle during the winter so Persephone has plenty of opportunities to turn me into every kind of tree in the world. And she'll never pick any pretty flowers.

I thought I'd spend my winter like every year, enduring Persephone's torment. But I was wrong! Well, not really wrong. Because this year Persephone teased me like every year but this year, the three goddesses of fate decided my life wasn't miserable enough.

On the eve of winter solstice, December 20th, I dreamed of a boy with green eyes the color of the sea, black hair, and olive skin. But I couldn't see his face clearly. Was this a demigod's dream? Who was this guy? Maybe he was my sworn enemy.

Or was it just a sign of puberty? I would never tell Persephone about this. Even though she was the only woman who appeared regularly in my life.

But I didn't know that that winter night was the beginning of a journey that would change my life and everything, it would change everything I knew forever...

But for now, let's put the future aside!

December 22nd, 2002, Hades's palace.

When I had just come out of what I would call a literal "vegetation" state because I had just been turned into an Olive tree. Actually being an Olive tree wasn't so bad, at least compared to what I had been through.

-Ugh, I can't believe who would dare..?

Hades kept his poker face but his voice was clearly angry. What's going on?

-Come on, honey, calm down..

Persephone comforted Hades. Her golden hair was spread out on the ground. Actually, Persephone changed her appearance quite often, unlike her husband. Why? Probably because she was bored.

What happened in the winter solstice? I heard that Aeolius had a TV show that updated the news but I didn't know how to watch it and I was a tree all day yesterday so of course I didn't know.

-Where's Alecto!

Hades yelled. Has he forgotten that I'm here and doesn't understand what's going on?

Alecto, the eldest sister and leader of the Furries, appeared from the darkness. It's not a metaphor, she really appeared from the darkness.

-Yes sir..I've heard the situation. We're going to search the whole of America right now..

Alecto bowed his head and spoke in an urgent voice. Poor her, she didn't meet anyone, but she met Hades as her boss.

-Huh, you better do it now. It's unbelievable, those Olympians..

Hades said. Although he never said it, everyone knew that Hades was always dissatisfied with almost everything related to the gods on Mount Olympus. My existence was already a proof.

Alecto disappeared into the darkness again.

-Annabeth! Come here

Hades' words made me jump slightly because I thought he had forgotten about my existence. I approached him and Persephone.

Persephone smiled "sweetly" as I approached. Persephone doesn't like me at all, she has tortured me in many ways. But in front of Hades, Persephone still acts sweet to me for no reason, should I consider it as a form of torture? I don't have a good relationship with my stepmothers.

-So what happened?

I asked after 3 minutes of not understanding what was going on.

-Someone stole the Helm Of Darkness and Zeus's Lighting during winter when no one was looking, honey. But unfortunately no one cared about the Helm Of Darkness that's why my husband is so angry.

Persephone said, she sighed in frustration. Persephone's hair started to turn black. Maybe to be more Dramatic?

-Someone stole the Helm of Darkness and Zeus's lighting?? Any clue?

I asked. Who is so bold? Stealing the treasure of the king of the underworld and the king of the gods?  Remarkable courage. And the Olympians not caring about the Helm Of Darkness? Actually, that doesn't surprise me.

-For now, it's just a matter of the thief being a demigod who attended the party.

Persephone said.

How can we find a clue like that? There are over 200 demigods who could be the culprit?? I'm not a great detective, I'm pretty sure I'm not even considered smart.

- Annabeth, you'll go to the surface and start searching for that thing for me. You have a better sense of it than the Furries. And you have certain advantages too, like...

Hades said. He turned to me, looking down at me with his dead eyes. Did he just

say that I'm a better detector than the Furries???

-She's going to get out of here? Great! I mean...that's too bad, I'm going to miss you...

Persephone exclaimed, then lowered her voice quickly. She touched my shoulder. Her hand seemed like the only warm thing in this cold underworld. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true and I won't deny it.

-Okay..Fine.

I said. Sighing inwardly. I didn't really want to go above ground but staying down here forever wasn't good. Besides, I knew exactly what Hades wanted and expected from me.

----------

1 hour later. After packing my things and clothes, weapons to go. To be honest, I didn't really think clothes were necessary because you know when are you going to shower and wash your clothes when you're on the road all the time?

I was standing on the banks of the Styx River waiting for Charon's boat. The Styx River was a sacred river that led to the surface and Charon was the ferryman. It would normally cost you 2 coins to be ferried across the river but I was exempted simply because I was the king's daughter. Charon even put aside his own business to carry me.

Then Charon came and I got on the boat. I still don't like the feeling of being on a boat. You know, the idea of ​​falling into a river and dying sounds pretty scary, right? I don't even have the power to control water in Hell. And why wouldn't I? Hell is supposed to be where I'm strongest.

The scenery in Hell is not very nice. The trees grow along the river, and it's pitch black. There are flowers and pomegranates every now and then, but don't eat them or better yet, don't touch them. You won't have a good ending if you're not a child of Hades. And if you are, the outcome isn't much better, it's more normal.

The sky here is always red. Um, why? To make it more dramatic? The ground is pitch black. The water of the Styx is a deep purple-blue, I can't see my reflection in it.

I'm starting to feel nostalgic. It's been so long since I left the ground. When I first got on this boat, I was still amazed by everything. But now it's different. I won't be that kid anymore.

That's what I told myself.

-------------------------

I officially touched snow for the first time in all those years. I like Snow, always have. Although sometimes my Dad (the mortal) would complain about the snow ruining the car. I used to wonder why but never asked when I had the chance.

I walked down the streets of Los Angeles. Everything looked the same since I was last here. I passed through the crowd. I wondered if anyone would care enough to ask me why I was alone, but I guess not.

So let's think about it. The culprit is a demigod and participated in the winter solstice. So they must be from Camp Half-Blood. But surely they didn't hide it at Camp Half-Blood. Because who would hide two things like that in the same place and right next to a god?

Could there be two of them? Accomplices or two completely separate people. If I'm being honest, maybe the culprit is one of the children of Hermes? I don't mean to be mean, just you know they're the children of the god of thieves. I'll have to ask Luke then, maybe he can help?

Could it be that the two things were hidden in Alaska? After all, that's a land that the gods can't touch. But transporting it from Olympus to Alaska in just one day? Where and when would the culprit have found the time?

The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. I sighed. I'll start my search in Las Vegas, after all, it's called the "City of Sin". In the mythical world, following your gut is actually a pretty good advice.

I took a deep breath and walked into the wall and did a Shadow Travel. Even though I've practiced in Hades Castle (and not elsewhere because Persephone forbade me from leaving Hades Castle in the underworld for some reason), this was my first time Shadow Traveling in the real world and also my first time going this far.

Shadow Travel is basically traveling through darkness. The feeling of moving, if you ask me, is like going through a tunnel. But after going through the tunnel.

I collapsed from the amount of energy this took from me. My limbs were shaking. My bones were creaking. I was tired.. I didn't expect Shadow Travel to be so exhausting. I should go find a restaurant and recharge my energy.

Suddenly I heard a monster roar behind me. Oh what fate is this?? It was the Minotaur's voice, in this state I couldn't even take out my sword, let alone fight or escape.

Suddenly in front of me appeared a very luxurious looking hotel. Something urged me to run inside..

"Rule 1: Don't go to strangers."

This was too suspicious.. but the footsteps of the Minotour were getting closer and closer. I had no other choice. I tried to stand up and ran straight into the hotel.