“When I was alive, I mean the first time, Mussolini was in charge. We were at war.”“Mussolini?” Leo frowned. “Wasn’t he like BFFs with Hitler?”

“Mussolini?” Leo frowned. “Wasn’t he like BFFs with Hitler?”

“I never thought I'd get to see Rome," Hazel said. "When I was alive, I mean for the first time, Mussolini was in charge. We were at war.""Mussolini?" Leo frowned. "Wasn't he like BFF's with Hitler?" Hazel stared at him like he was an alien. "BFF's?""Never mind.""I'd love to see the Trevi Fountain," she said."There's a fountain on every block," Leo grumbled."Or the Spanish Steps," Hazel said."Why would you come to Italy to see Spanosh steps?" Leo asked. "That's like going to China for Mexican food, isn't it?""You're hopeless," Hazel complained."So I've been told.”

“Aphros nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. “We have trained all the famous mer-heroes! Name a famous mer-hero, and we have trained him or her!”“Oh, sure,” Leo said. “Like…um, the Little Mermaid?”Aphros frowned. “Who? No! Like Triton, Glaucus, Weissmuller, and Bill!”“Oh. ”Leo had no idea who any of those people were. “You trained Bill? Impressive.”

“So Beckendorf was pretty popular?" Leo asked. "I mean-before he blew up?”

“When they ran up to him, Percy said, 'Hey,' like they were just meeting for lunch or something.'You're alive!' Frank marveled.Percy frowned. 'The fall? That was nothing. I fell twice that far from the St. Louis Arch.''You did what?' Hazel asked.”

“It'll be dangerous," Nyssa warned him. "Hardship, monsters, terrible suffering. Possibly none of you will come back alive.""Oh." Suddenly Leo didn't look so excited. Then he remembered everyone was watching. "I mean... Oh, cool! Suffering? I love suffering! Let's do this.”