Ok, guys. Like I promised, I'm trying my best to update EVERY SINGLE DAY for the next week or so! If I'm a little late, don't sue me. I'm just trying my hardest to write amazing chapters for you guys!

If you think this book is terrible and should not be continued, please tell me nicely and not, 'This ******* book is ******* terrible and should be ******* abandoned!' If that could be avoided, great! But if you seriously don't like it, I'd love to know how to make it more enjoyable for you.

The dedication for this chapter goes to *drum roll* azteca2013! For her comment "No!!!! ugh no i gotta wait...naw its worth it." Thanks azteca2013!

But also, a little shout out to annabeth1213 for the idea of the something (I can't tell you what it is yet) in this chapter, and coming chapters. I did use the concept of their idea, but I tried to adapt and change it for my book. So, thanks annabeth1213. Check out their books, they're awesome!

Now, on with chapter 12. Its got an awesome Percabeth moment (Im Percabeth all the way. It's even my iPod lock screen) and It's my favourite so far, so I hope you guys enjoy it ...

Chapter 12: The Lightning - Percy's POV

I estimated that we were in there for two days before they came for me.

It's not like we could do a lot from inside a cell. We tried activating our powers every now and then. But we got the same result every time. Nothing.

None of us had any weapons except for Frank who had a small dagger hidden in his back pocket. We had tried digging away at the door and walls with no result.

For a guy named Destruction, he sure could create some wickedly hard concrete.

On the afternoon of the second day, we were just loitering around our cell. Annabeth was sleeping fitfully in a corner, Frank was sitting with his back against a wall, trying to start up his shape shifting.

Piper was kneeling next to Frank, trying to get him drink a little water. The shadows brought some bread and water every morning and we had to make it last until the next batch the following day. Frank hadn't had anything to drink since the morning before. He would just shake his head and let someone else have some. It was no different this time. He kept saying that someone might need it more.

As for me, I sat in a circle with Bianca and Leo, discussing things in low tones.

'He's planning something,' Bianca pointed out again, 'We would already be dead if he thought he couldn't get anything out of us.'

'Angel is right,' Leo said seriously. Seriously? Wow, this cell has really changed him. 'Something is going to happen.'

'I'm not disagreeing,' I said, 'I just wanna know what.'

As if on cue, the door swung open and the shadows drifted in. We'd learnt that hard way not to try and make a break for it when they opened the cell door.

One of the shadows stood (floated, whatever) guard at the door, while the other reached over and grabbed me by the arm.

'Epsilon!' Bianca cried, waking Annabeth who took in the scene with horrified eyes.

'I'll be fine,' I shouted as they dragged me out, 'Stay safe. Look after each other!'

The door slammed shut, leaving me with the final image of my five friends staring at me in concern.

The shadows lead me down a series of corridors. I didn't bother trying to count, there was too many. I expected to be brought to the throne room. Instead, they lead me into a much smaller room. It had an endless ceiling and was mostly empty, save for bare tables lining the sides and a single, thin pillar standing tall in the centre of the room.

I jumped and looked back as the door slammed suddenly behind me. The front wall was lined with chains that were meant to bind peoples wrists. I shivered.

The shadows dragged me over to the pillar where they bound my ankles and wrists with chains, my arms stretched above my head. I tried to resist, but with my powers diminished, I may as well have tried eating air (AN: Hands up who's actually tried that. *raises hand* :P).

Once I was tightly restrained, the shadows left. Not thought the door. They simply faded and disappeared completely.

No one came for me. I was left alone for the first time in two days. And for the first time, I wished I wasn't alone. I wanted Bianca and her confidence, Leo and his craziness, Luke and his understanding, someone, anyone!

Unfortunately, the someone I got was not someone I wanted to see.

Destruction strode into the room, looking extremely smug for someone who hadn't gotten any information out of his captives. He stopped a few feet in front of me and crossed his arms, a smirk pasted on his face.

'What do you want from me?' I growled after a long silence.

Destruction laughed, 'I wan't a great many things. But I'll settle for information about your camp and my cursed brother, Chaos. Or, even better, you can join the winning side.'

'Thanks,' I said, 'But I'm already on the winning side.'

'Hmm, I wouldn't be so sure of that,' his lips curled unpleasantly.

'I will never help you,' I said to him, 'I will fight against you until my dying breath.'

His eyes shone evilly, 'Don't be so quick to pass judgment on that, little demigod.'

I was going to ask what he meant, until I realized I didn't have to.

He held out his hand and darkness poured out of it. It was like an inky black cloud that oozed corruption and pain. The stuff seeped down to the floor and slithered along the surface like a snake. It reached the bottom of the pillar and melted into the marble column. Nothing happened.

I almost laughed, but Destruction then clicked his fingers. The darkness in the pillar sparked and transformed into lightning. It built up inside the column and then released everything into me.

I thought I knew pain. I'd held up the sky, been cut by Kronos' scythe, bathed in the River Styx, even fallen into Tartarus. But this pain topped all the rest. It was like Zeus' master bolt multiplied by a million, and that's barely half of it.

I bit my lip, trying not to cry out. But the pain was unbearable. I closed my eyes and let out a scream that vibrated inside my own eardrums. I screamed as horrible pain rushed over my entire body.

I don't know how long it went on, but the next thing I knew, I was hanging limply from the chains that bound me there. I was breathing heavy, my throat dry and hoarse from my screams.

Destruction's eyes were lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. Somehow, that had the effect of making him look even more disturbing.

'Tell me what you know. Or do you want that again?' he asked calmly.

Not wanting to give him any satisfaction, I said nothing.

He shrugged lightly, 'Fine by me.'

He clicked his fingers again and I braced myself for agony.

Even though I was ready, it was worse the second time around. Lightning raced through my body, running down my spine and spreading out. I didn't even try to hold back a scream, it was just too much. I was sure that my scream could be heard on the other side of the world.

This time, I though I am going to die. He is going to kill me and I am going to die.

Then, the pain stopped. I selfishly gulped down air and hung my head loosely, my energy spent on resisting. I coughed and blood splattered my lips. My arms ached from holding up my entire weight.

Though lightning was no longer speeding through me, my body shook like mad. I was not prepared for this, and I knew that had made it ten time worse.

'I think you get the idea,' Destruction sneered, 'I'll ask you again; tell me what you know?'

'Never,' I gasped, 'I will not tell you anything.'

Destuction's eyes flashed dangerously, black fire flickering inside them. I took a sharp breath, expecting more pain. But the light receded from his eyes and he stood up straight.

'Very well,' he said, 'But know that that will change.'

With that, he swept out of the room and left the shadows to escort me back to the cell. They unclasped the chains around my ankles first, and when they released my wrists, I fell to the floor. I would have face planted if it weren't for the fact that the shadows caught me.

As they yanked me back through the corridors, I knew it wasn't over. Destruction wasn't finished with me.

This isn't the end.

Annabeth's POV

We all jumped up when they dragged Epsilon through the cell door.

I say drag, and I meant it. Looking at him, I'm sure that he wouldn't have the strength to walk on his own. They dumped him in front of us and left, the door shutting with a large slam.

Epsilon wasn't moving. We all rushed over, Angel and I propping him up against a wall. He wasn't dead, thank the gods, but he was shaking all over. His shoulders drooped, his head lolled, and he could barely keep his eyes open.

Frank brought over the last of the water. Epsilon took it in trembling hands. He drunk half of it, then pushed it away.

'Save it. It could be one of you next.'

'Next for what,' Angel asked in a small voice.

'The lightning,' Epsilon whispered faintly.

We couldn't get anything else out of him. He seemed shaken to the core. And if Destruction could break our most powerful warrior, I was seriously scared.

Epsilon eventually drifted off into sleep, but it was painful to watch him shiver and cry out occasionally.

The others told me to get some sleep, but I said that someone needed to stay awake, to look after everyone, especially Epsilon. They argued, but gave in in the end. They all settled on the cold ground while I sat with my back against the wall.

For a while, everyone was still.

Epsilon stirred. He moaned and turned over, probably having a nightmare about whatever had happened when the shadows took him away.

I crawled over to him. He seemed so much less powerful and dangerous when he was asleep. More like a regular demigod and less like one of the most powerful beings in the universe.

His hood fell further over his face as he shifted again.

His hood.

I could pull down his hood, see who he was. He wouldn't have to know. He was sleeping. It couldn't hurt anyone ... could it? I reached my hand out.

And stopped.

What if Epsilon kept his identity a secret for a reason. I could be endangering him or everyone by doing this.

The curiosity was too much. Curiosity killed the cat ...

I shook my head and reached for his hood. I grasped the edge.

A hand snapped up and grasped my wrist. I stifled a yelp and let go of Epsilon's hood. He leaned back on his elbows.

'Im sorry,' I said, 'Im sorry.'

He kept calm, 'What were you doing?'

'I wanted ... I was just... I needed .. I wanted to ...' I struggled to explain myself.

He pushed himself into a sitting position, but his grip on my wrist tightened ever so slightly.

'Why were you trying to remove my hood?'

'I was,' I felt tears come to my eyes, 'I was just so curious. I wanted to see, you might've been someone I knew.'

He reflected on that for a moment. Then he let go of my arm and leant heavily against the wall.

'I'm sorry,' he muttered, 'I'm just a little jumpy. I suppose I can't blame you for wanting to know who I am. I would love to know that myself.'

I chuckled, 'But why can't you tell me who you are?'

He paused, 'I might. But if you knew who I was and Destruction found out, he could use that to get to me.'

'How?' I pressed.

He sighed, 'You did indeed know me, Annabeth. Before I joined the army, I lived at Camp Half-Blood. We knew each other. But if Destruction knew that, he could use that to his advantage. I can't let that happen. I would rather slit my own throat. So I will keep the secret until the war is over ... or I die.'

I didn't know why I felt that way, but I didn't want Epsilon to die. He was too important to the war ... and to me?

I wasn't sure.

I looked over at Epsilon. He had his head rested against the wall and he looked exhasted. I reached over to take his hand, to comfort him, but I hesitated. I let my hand drop.

'What did they do to you?' I whispered.

He looked me dead in the eye, 'Lightning.'

'But what does that mean?' I asked, exasperated.

'They took me to a room; chained me up. Then, Destruction ... he ... a cloud of darkness. It sank into the pillar that I was chained to. It formed lightning. And Destruction ... made it go into ... it ... worse than the master bolt ...'

By then he had started hyperventilating. I muttered some soothing words and he calmed down. He couldn't tell me anymore.

But he didn't have to.

I could guess what came next. Destruction, lightning; Destruction tortured him with lightning.

Worse than the master bolt.

Zeus' master bolt was extraordinarily powerful. If what Epsilon endured was worse than the master bolt ...

'Get some sleep, Annabeth,' Epsilon murmured, 'i can take watch.'

I was about to protest, until he put his hand on my forehead and said, 'Sleep.' Weariness washed over me and I lay back on the cold floor.

And I realized, that they hadn't taken all of his powers.

Luke's POV

I was pretty much going insane after two days.

A whole two days where we couldn't find the missing six. We didn't have Percy there to command us, either, so the leadership fell to me as second in command. I took it without showing hesitation. But inside, I was still majorly freaking out.

What if I lead the army off a cliff?

Ok, that was hardly likely to happen. But I was still really nervous.

We were gathered in the sword arena again. All the Chaos warriors were there, waiting in a corner. I was standing with Chiron, Hazel, Nico, Jason, Reyna, Octavian and Clarisse.

Clarisse had been a godsend the past few days. When I thought I was going to collapse under pressure, Clarisse helped me get a hold of the situation.

Sally and Rachel the Oracle were also present. Similar to Sally, Rachel was made immortal after Percy left, so she could be the Oracle for all time.

We had been coming together every few hours since the others had been kidnapped to discuss everything and try to figure out a new plan. So far, two days had passed with no result.

Rachel, Octavian and Sally were giving a report on futures they had glimpsed.

'-only seen that they're trapped,' Rachel said miserably, 'I can't see anything apart from that.'

'Neither can I,' Sally sniffed. I'd already guessed that she knew that Epsilon was really her lost son.

I shook my head despairingly, 'No news from our side. Nothing else had been discovered except for Epsilon's sword in the amphitheater. The nearest we could figure, he dropped it when something hit him from behind.'

Sally choked down a sob.

'Nothing,' Jason muttered.

'Not nothing.'

We all turned to the new voice and saw Chaos stepping out of a portal. The Chaos warriors rushed over and, along with Clarisse and me, knelt at his feet. The others looked a little startled, but followed our example.

The demigods, Rachel, Sally and Chiron then stood up, but the warriors remained kneeling.

'Father,' I said respectfully, 'What news do you bring? We cannot find them ourselves.'

'Rise, my children,' we did, 'I bare bad news, my children. Yesterday morning I was able to  glean the thoughts of my brother and discover that he indeed holds Epsilon and the others captive.

Nico frowned, 'How come you're only telling us now?'

Chaos' face darkened, 'I'm afraid that my brother has gown in power. He placed some ... restrictions that made communication difficult. But ... I did manage to glean his thoughts and see what he was-'

His face suddenly went pale.

Lord Chaos,' I said, rushing forward, 'What is it? What have you seen?'

'Percy,' he muttered, too soft for the others to hear.

'What about him?' I demanded. I was probably rude to the creator of the universe, but I was too concerned about Percy to care.

'He's in trouble,' Chaos announced to everyone, 'Curse my brother. He may have found a way. We can only pray that Epsilon remains true and strong.'

'What are you talking about?' Reyna asked.

In response, Chaos pointed to a space that swirled with colours until a smokey image appeared, like a cloudy portable TV.

But I really didn't want to watch this channel.

On the screen was Percy. He was chained to a marble column in the centre of the room. In front of us, was someones hand, and I realized that we were seeing this trough someone else's eyes, most likely Destruction's.

As we watched, darkness spilled out of the hands and snaked its way over to the pillar where it soaked in and made the white marble swirl with black.

Then, the dark swirling mass flickered with lightning and started generating energy. All that built up energy had to go somewhere, and unfortunately, that somewhere was Percy.

The screen had no sound, but I noticed that several people, including Clarisse and Sally, covered their ears as if they could hear the screams that were surely coming from Percy's mouth. His face was twisted in pain, his body was rigid and, when it ended, he hung limply, like he had no strength left.

Destruction must have said something, because Percy's mouth suddenly formed the word, 'Never.'

Before anything else could happen, the screen faded and Chaos turned to us, pain reflected more than usual in the eyes that showed every possible emotion.

Then his form flickered, like we had bad static.

'Blast,' he mumbled, 'Destruction is cutting any connections. I can't stay much longer. You must find them. Before-'

He disappeared. I turned to the others.

'Before what,' Hazel asked, puzzled.

I shrugged helplessly, 'I have no idea.'

AN: I'm sorry it took so long to write! I would have updated earlier but I had to go to a Youth Group which was totally awesome, by the way. And then I was all ready to update, chapter written and all ... and my internet went down. It just hates me; it's plotting against me! But ... then I figured out it was just because I forgot to turn this one program off. Oops!

So, sorry it's late. Double update today if I can (note the emphasis). Thanks for your patience!

Anyways, thanks for all the votes and comments last chapter. It means so much to me to get feedback and comments like that, it really brightens my day. So please vote and comment on this chapter, if its not too much trouble. And remember, my favourite comment gets a dedication! Yay!

I don't really have anything else to say. Vote, comment and gods bless that blue food! :P