Foreword: This is actually a sequel to my original Percy Jackson and the Paragons story, however you can read either story without needing to read the other. This story appears as Part 2 of my original fanfic, but I decided to give it its own story slot for several reasons. The foremost of which is that this story actually has a plot and wasn't made up as I went along. Now that that's taken care of, thanks for checking out my story. Enjoy!
"So… did it show up yet?" asked Annabeth.
"Well, not exactly," said Percy.
Annabeth put her hand on Percy's shoulder. "Don't worry. They'll probably send it soon."
"Easy for you to say, you got your acceptance letter a week after you applied."
"It wasn't a week. Eight days. There's a lot of applications to go through, maybe yours just fell to the bottom of the pile."
"There can't be that many demigods applying to New Rome University. Not unless super fertility is part of being a god."
Annabeth shuddered. "Ugh, don't ever mention either of our parents and fertility ever again."
"Yeah, that didn't even sound good in my head."
"What time is it?" Annabeth asked. She and Percy lay on the hill overlooking Camp Half-Blood.
"I think it's almost noon," yawned Percy. He started rolling up the picnic blanket while Annabeth grabbed the basket. "We'd better get going if we're going to make it on time."
"Did you talk to the others?" Annabeth asked.
"Frank's busy with Praetor stuff and Hazel is spending the day hanging out with Nico. How about you?"
"Jason was busy but Leo and Piper should be able to come."
With everything packed up they made their way down the hill. Percy glanced at Annabeth. "Last one to the Poseidon Cabin has to clean the pegasus stables."
"Oh, you're so on," responded Annabeth. She took off down the hill followed closely by Percy.
Percy sprinted down the hill catching up to Annabeth. He looked at her and winked. Annabeth just smiled and rolled her eyes. Percy looked ahead and stopped in his tracks as a volley of arrows landed in the targets just three feet in front of him. Annabeth sped past him, waving. Percy ran around the archery range trying to catch up to Annabeth. He took a shortcut through the forest. He dodged past trees as quickly as he could. He stumbled on a root, but quickly regained his balance. Percy ran to the edge of the forest. He ran around one of the trees and collided hard with someone on the other side. He fell to the ground. Percy picked himself up and dusted himself off.
"Sorry," Percy said.
"It's alright," said a tall dark-haired boy. "I should have been watching where I was going."
"Hey, Ryan, right?" Percy asked.
"Yup, that's me."
Ryan was a newer kid at camp. He showed up about a month ago. He was always quiet and kept to himself most of the time. Typical new kid behavior. Percy never formally met him. All he knew about him was that he was sixteen, but was never claimed by his godly parent.
Percy extended a hand to him. "I'm Percy."
"I know," said Ryan. "You don't exactly keep a low profile around here."
Percy smiled shyly. "Yeah, I tend to get myself in trouble a lot."
"No kidding."
There was a moment of awkward silence. "Okay, well nice meeting you," said Percy and he ran off to the Poseidon Cabin.
He ran through the clearing searching for Annabeth but she was no where in sight. He burst through the door. Inside Annabeth sat on his bed. "What took you so long?" she asked.
"I thought I'd let you win this time," said Percy. "If you lost every race you wouldn't want to do it anymore."
Annabeth laughed. "I took the time to pack your stuff for you."
"We're leaving already?"
"Yeah, we've got a long trip ahead of us. We'll pick up Leo and Piper before we leave. Do you have the map?"
Percy checked his pockets. "Uhh…"
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing I bought an extra one." She pulled a large fold-out map from the suitcase.
Percy sat on the bed next to her. "Good thinking." He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll go get the car."
The two picked up Leo and Piper outside the camp.
"Shotgun," yelled Leo. He ran to the passenger door.
Annabeth leapt in front of him. "Not this time, Valdez. Not unless you want to be the navigator." She waved a folded up map at him.
"I think I'll leave that job to you, Chase," said Leo. He jumped in the seat behind Percy.
Piper climbed into the seat behind Annabeth. "So who are these friends of yours again?" Piper asked.
"Grant and Alice," said Annabeth. "They've been gracious enough to invite us to stay the weekend at their house in Maine."
"Oh that's cool," said Leo. "Doesn't sound like a trap one bit."
"They're friendly, don't worry," said Annabeth. "They know all about demigods and monsters."
"Is it really safe to assume mortals with that knowledge are trustworthy?" Piper asked.
Percy spoke up. "We've saved the world together before. We can trust them."
"You'll see when you meet them. They're honestly some of the nicest people I know," said Annabeth.
"If you say so," said Leo. "Just don't say I didn't warn you if they try to eat us."
"Why would they eat us?" asked Annabeth.
"I don't know what kind of weird stuff these people are into."
"Get those gremlins out of the kitchen!" Alice shouted. She held a frying pan up in self defense. A two foot tall green scaly monster with huge ears and sharp teeth sat in the sink chewing on the soap.
Grant held up two more gremlins. "Where did they even come from?" he asked.
A pretty blonde girl dove over the dining room table to grab another gremlin. "Don't know, but when I find out someone's getting punched," she said.
"Easy, Kate," said a boy standing in the doorway holding a bag that thrashed and growled. "We don't want to jump to conclusions just yet."
"Harold's right," said Alice. "We don't have time to be arguing with each other. Percy and Annabeth will be here soon and we need to have this food done in time."
"Ow, he bit me!" Kate yelled. She waved her hand around. "Stupid gremlins."
"Harold, can you make the dinner while we keep the gremlins out?" asked Alice.
"Absolutely." Harold took the frying pan while Alice carried the soap devouring gremlin into the living room.
Grant and Kate carried their captured gremlins over to the trash bin and dropped them in. Kate quickly tied the end of the bag before the tiny monsters could escape. Grant slung the bag over his shoulder and the couple left in search of more gremlins.
Harold started preheating the oven. "Could you get me the turkey from the fridge?" he asked seemingly to no one.
"Sure," said Fiona. She floated, nearly transparent, next to Harold. The fridge door opened and the turkey breast levitated over to the counter. Harold was the only one who could see Fiona. She was the ghost of a girl whose spirit somehow bonded to Harold's. Ever since childhood they've been best friends.
As Harold prepared the meal Fiona watched over his shoulder. "Whatcha making?"
"Turkey."
"What kind of turkey?"
"Cooked turkey."
"Haha, very funny," Fiona said sarcastically. Harold didn't even acknowledge her remark. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Wrong? Nothing. Nothing at all is wrong. Why would you even suggest that anything could possibly be wrong?"
"If that was sarcasm I don't think you're doing it right."
"It wasn't," said Harold bluntly.
"Ooookay," said Fiona. "Things are getting a little too hostile for me. I'll just give you some space."
Harold sighed. "Do you think we're doing the right thing?"
"What do you mean?"
Harold slid the turkey into the oven. "I mean this, all of this."
"Could you be a little more vague please? I could almost make sense of that," said Fiona. "That was sarcasm by the way," she added.
"I know what sarcasm is, I just… I don't know how to explain this to you."
"Try using words, that usually works."
Harold sat at the dining table. "How about I present to you a hypothetical scenario?"
"Okay." Fiona floated so that the table intersected her midsection. "Shoot."
"Say you grew up with someone who always brought you joy. When you and this person were together you thought you could accomplish anything."
"I'm imagining it."
"One day you woke up and realized that not only did you care for this person, but you truly loved them."
"But they didn't love me back?"
"Actually, imagine they felt the same. You and this person had been together for so long that the next logical step was to become a couple."
"Aww, that's so cute."
"Except, it doesn't last. After a while the person decides that they don't really love you. Now, your heart is broken because you still care for this person, but they don't reciprocate those feelings anymore. You reluctantly agree to break up regardless of your own feelings because you want that person to be happy."
"This is starting to sound familiar."
"And now you see that person has moved on from you, but you just can't get over her… I mean them."
"So this is why you've been so distant lately?"
"Yeah, I guess it is."
Fiona gave Harold a hug. "Harold, you know that you'll always be my number one guy. You're the only one I can even talk to." She rustled his hair. "We haven't lost each other yet. You're still my best friend." She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Harold sighed again. "Thanks, that's just the kind of pep talk I needed." He gave his best fake smile.
"There's the Harold I know," said Fiona cheerfully. "Now, when does that turkey get done?"
Grant came running into the kitchen chasing a gremlin. The gremlin leapt for the sink, but Harold caught it mid air. He gently cradled it in his arms and handed it to Grant. Kate came running in with a trash can shaking from the several gremlins inside. Grant tossed the gremlin in and Kate slammed the lid on the trash can.
"That's the last one," said Kate.
"That we know of," said Grant.
Alice came into the kitchen. "Phew, I think we caught them all before they could cause too much damage," she said. "It's a good thing they didn't chew on the electrical wiring, otherwise…" The lights flickered then went out.
Alice blinked in the dark. "Okay, I may have a spell that can fix this. You two go change your clothes."
"What's wrong with jeans?" Grant and Kate asked in unison.
"I'm not meeting my friends for the first time in months in jeans. Now go." Grant and Kate trudged upstairs. Alice looked at the flickering light bulb above. "I hope they're running late," she muttered.
"Are we going the right way?" asked Percy?
"Yeah it says so on the map," said Annabeth.
"Couldn't we just use a GPS or OnStar or something?" asked Leo.
"Not unless you want to be attacked by monsters every five feet," said Piper.
"At this point a little excitement would be great."
"Wait is that the road?" Percy asked.
"I think so," said Annabeth.
Percy turned down the dirt path leading into the forest. They drove past shadowy trees that shook in the wind. As they delved deeper into the forest the trees began looking creepier and creepier.
"Yup," said Leo, "definitely a trap."
"This place is creepier than my dad's old mullet," said Piper.
"We should be almost there," said Annabeth. "Just past these woods."
As they progressed further into the forest the trees above blocked out any of the already waning sunlight. Percy squinted to see any further with the car's dim headlights. Something big came into view. Percy stepped on the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt.
"What is that?" Piper asked.
A huge boulder blocked the road. In the headlights it appeared to have a face. Suddenly, the boulder rolled to one side and stood on two bulky stone legs. Two eyes burned red in the stone that made up the creature's head. It raised a massive fist.
"Golem!" shouted Annabeth. "Get out!"
Percy, Annabeth, Leo, and Piper rolled out of the car just before the golem smashed through the front windshield. The golem picked up the whole car and crumpled it like tin foil.
"Are golem attacks covered by insurance?" Percy asked.
"Yeah didn't you know Geico covers golems, Griffins, even the occasional gorgon?" said Leo.
The golem turned its gaze to Leo. It lurched towards him, but tripped and rolled instead. Leo jumped out of the way of the rolling boulder. The golem crashed into a thick oak tree. It stood up and noticed one of its arms was missing. It bent over to pick up its arm and tried in vain to re attach it.
"This thing is looking less and less threatening by the minute," Annabeth said.
The golem stared confused at its own arm. A kid jumped out from the bushes. He started berating the golem. "No, you idiot. Attack them." The golem drooped its head like a dog that knew it was in trouble.
"Who is that?" asked Piper.
"Look, he's wearing a Camp Half Blood shirt," said Annabeth.
Percy looked a little closer until he recognized the kid's face. "Ryan?"
The kid turned his head towards Percy. "Yeah, it's me. Surprised?"
"A little." Percy shrugged.
"Well, you shouldn't be!" Ryan shouted. "You should have known this day was coming. There was bound to be consequences for what you and your friends did."
"What did we do, exactly?" asked Piper.
Ryan glared at Piper. "You can't be serious."
"No, she's pretty serious," said Annabeth. "What did we do?"
Ryan stomped his foot. "You ruined the only chance for this world to be equal again. You and those heretic gods killed my brothers and sister. And worst of all is you," he pointed his finger at Leo, "Valdez."
"Me?" Leo questioned.
"You blew up my mom."
"Wait, Gaea?"
"Quiet! You aren't worthy of saying her name!" shouted Ryan. "You will all get what you deserve, but Valdez is mine." Ryan pointed at the demigods. "Crush them!"
The golem charged at them swinging its own arm like a club. Percy dodged the swing and uncapped his sword. Percy swung Riptide at the golem, but the Celestial Bronze blade just bounced off its rocky hide.
The golem swatted Percy away. Percy cautiously sat up. "Okay maybe charging at a golem wasn't the best idea."
The golem turned its attention to Piper. It raised its arm club above its head.
"Stop!" Piper shouted, layering on the charmspeak. "You don't want to attack us." The golem tilted its head. "You want to take a nap. Go ahead, lay down and go to sleep."
The golem lurched forward and fell face first into the ground. The golem made quiet groaning noises that sounded like snoring.
"Well done, Piper," said Annabeth.
Piper bowed. "I try."
"No! Get up you useless pile of rocks!" Ryan shouted. "Fine, I guess I'll have to do this myself." He put his hands up like a boxer. He kept looking down and repositioning his feet.
"Ryan, we don't want to fight you," said Percy.
"Then, you'll come with me to face justice for what you've done," said Ryan.
"Well, we don't want to do that either, but can we just talk?
A giant hand made of rocks sprouted from the ground and wrapped around Percy. "I'm not going to lower myself to negotiating with demigods," said Ryan. "I'm getting justice for Gaea here and now."
Annabeth and Leo ran to help Percy, but Ryan held up his hand to stop them. "Take one more step and ill crush him," threatened Ryan.
Percy managed to get his arm free of the rock hand. He reached into his pocket hoping Riptide would have returned. He removed the pen from his pocket and clicked it. The pen jumped into the air and expanded into a full size sword.
Percy reached out to grab it but his arm wouldn't reach. Ryan snatched the sword out of the air. He examined the sword with intrigue. "So this is the famous Riptide. Doesn't seem so special to me."
"That's because it's not the sword that's special," muttered Percy. The rock hand tightened its grip. "Ahhhh," Percy groaned.
"You don't scare me, Jackson," said Ryan. He held Riptide out flat and two more smaller rock hands sprouted from the ground and held onto each end of it. Ryan positioned his arms to mimic the position of the rock ones. "And neither does your sword." Ryan brought his hands together and the rock hands did the same. Riptide made a loud metallic creak before shattering into several pieces. The sword's normal glow dissipated. Each shard lay lifeless on the ground.
Ryan picked up the hilt of the former blade. "Weak, like you." He tossed it to the side. "Now as for the rest of you…" Ryan looked at Annabeth and Leo who stood in shock. "Wait where's the other one?"
"Release Percy, now," said Piper. She stood behind Ryan.
"Release… Percy?" Ryan stammered. The rock hand opened up and Percy fell to the ground.
Gnarled tree roots sprouted from the ground and wrapped themselves around Piper. A leaf grew from one of the roots and covered Piper's mouth. More roots grappled Percy as he gathered together what remained of Riptide.
Ryan shook his head. "The charmspeaker…" said Ryan, "I'm going to have to keep an eye on you."
More roots rose beneath Leo and Annabeth's feet. Leo's hands shot fire and burned the roots away. Annabeth pulled out her celestial bronze dagger and cut through the constricting roots.
"Dude, you know your mom was the bad guy, right?" asked Leo.
"Quiet! I don't want to hear any more from you murderers." Ryan stomped his foot. The ground beneath Leo's feet became much less solid. Leo sank quickly into the ground. Annabeth grabbed his hand and tried to lift him out. The quicksand expanded and the harder Annabeth pulled on Leo's arm the further she sank in with him. Soon both of them were up to their chests in quicksand.
"What now?" asked Leo.
"We hope for a miracle," answered Annabeth.
"Then, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see us here." Grant stood on a tree branch in the distance. He jumped out of the tree, but his foot got caught by a branch and he tumbled down and landed on his back. "Crap, I messed up the cool entrance." He stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants. "Let's all just forget that happened." Behind him Alice, Kate and Harold appeared from the forest.
"Too late," said Kate holding up her phone. "It's already on YouTube."
"I don't suppose I can convince you to take it down?," asked Grant.
"Not a chance."
"So I'm assuming these are your friends?" said Harold.
"Yup, and they need our help," said Alice.
"Do you think more demigods are enough to save you?" asked Ryan menacingly.
"Newsflash, Rocky, we're not demigods," said Kate.
"Really? 'Rocky?' That's what you're going with?" Grant asked.
"I work with what I've got."
"Grant and Kate keep him busy," said Alice, " Harold get those two out of the quicksand."
Harold ran to Leo and grasped his hand. Fiona appeared next to him. "You're not going to get him out in time, here let me help."
"I got this, just go help her," said Harold.
"Who are you talking to?" Leo asked, thoroughly confused.
"I'll explain later."
Fiona reluctantly grabbed Annabeth's hands. She concentrated hard. Her form began to turn intangible. Annabeth's hands turned intangible as well and it spread through her whole body. Fiona lifted Annabeth from the ground with ease.
Annabeth quickly ran to help Harold rescue Leo, who was now up to his neck in quicksand. Harold and Annabeth each took an arm and began to pull. Leo slowly rose from the earth. Harold's foot slipped and fell into the sand. Fiona caught him from behind and helped him to his feet.
"Watch your feet," said Fiona. "Trust me you don't want sand in your ears." Harold didn't respond.
Eventually, Leo stood on solid ground. "Thanks guys," he said, " but how did you get her out before me?"
Harold tried to catch his breath. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said. "Nobody else does."
"Yeah, that's kind of screwed up that no one thinks I exist," said Fiona. "I mean, come on. What do I have to do, spell it out?"
Alice finished cutting the roots around Percy. He fell to the ground holding Riptide's remains in his arms.
"Are you alright, Percy?" Alice asked.
"He… broke my sword," muttered Percy. "I didn't even think that was possible."
"I'm so sorry, Percy," said Alice.
"Chiron gave me Riptide when I was twelve. I've had it for years."
"We'll find a way to fix it, I promise." Alice smiled as comforting as she could. She wasn't sure if she could fix it, but she couldn't let Percy down.
"Thanks," said Percy.
Alice helped Percy to his feet. "Stay back, we'll take care of this guy," she said.
Percy grabbed her shoulder. "Watch out, he's really strong." He started to walk away, but turned back and added, "But don't hurt him. He's not evil, just misunderstood."
Alice nodded.
Grant was surrounded by four walls of stone. He couldn't climb out because the walls were smooth. He could hear rocks being smashed on the other side of the walls. Kate was shouting from the other side. At least that means she's still alive, thought Grant.
He and Kate had been dating for a few months. He met her at school during a co-ed kickball tournament. She was the leader of the opposing team. After a long arduous battle she emerged victorious in triple overtime. It was then that Grant fell for her. After the game he asked her out and she slapped him in the face. That was her way of saying yes. She would never admit it, but she respected him for being the only person able to put up a challenge.
On their first date Grant had to leave to stop a monster downtown. Refusing to be stood up, Kate followed him and saw what he did in his spare time. Needless to say, she wanted in on it. Grant himself has been training her in the ways of monster hunting ever since. She moved in at the house just two weeks ago as a full fledged member of the team.
Grant listened to Ryan's aggravated shouts. He smiled. That's my girl, he thought. Suddenly, Kate appeared at the top of the wall.
"Enjoying your little break?" Kate asked.
"Actually, yes," he said. "He's not giving you too much trouble is he?"
"Who, that guy? Nah," said Kate. "Though I wouldn't say no to some help." She offered her hand. Grant took a running start and leapt up to grab Kate's hand. She pulled him up and over the wall.
Ryan took a few labored breaths. "Just… stand… still," he heaved. A layer of stones coated his hands and forearms, making his fists look like they were made of rocks.
Kate back-flipped off the wall. "You must be new to this. I'm just getting started and you already look like you're about to collapse."
Ryan growled. He picked up a huge rock and threw it at Kate. She just cartwheeled to the side and the rock hit the ground.
"Oh wait, don't tell me," Kate gasped. "Is this your first fight? Aww that's so cute." She smirked at him. "I mean, it's pretty pathetic too, but still… cute."
"I've been training since birth to kill demigods! My mother taught me to control the very ground beneath your feet." Ryan kept talking while Grant slowly flanked him.
"Really? Your mommy taught you how to fight? That explains why you're so bad at it." Ryan was fuming. "Did your mommy teach you not to be a sore loser, too?" Kate was waiting for Grant to get into position.
Grant was now directly behind Ryan. He locked eyes with Kate. She gave him a slight nod. Grant charged at Ryan. He prepared to tackle Ryan to the ground, but right in front of him the ground sank into a small hole. Grant couldn't adjust his course before he stepped in the hole and twisted his ankle.
Grant fell to his knees. Suddenly, Ryan was standing over him. Ryan lifted Grant's chin. He pulled his fist back for a good punch. Grant instinctively covered his face. Ryan thrust his fist at Grant's chest, knocking the wind out of him. He lay in the dirt coughing and wheezing.
"Grant!" Kate yelled. She blinked once and regained her composure. She glared at Ryan. "Way to sucker punch my boyfriend. I see you don't know how to fight like a man."
"That's because I'm no mere man," said Ryan, "I'm the son of Gaea, the Earth Mother, and the heir to her endless armies."
"Do you ever stop talking about yourself?" Leo asked, joining the fight. "We get it, you're a bad guy. Just get to the part where we beat you and move on with our lives."
"I would still like to know how Gaea had a human kid," said Annabeth, "but I'm kind of afraid of the answer."
"Let's ask him then," said Alice, "politely, of course. I didn't mean to insinuate that we beat the answers out of him or anything like that. That may have sounded wrong given the context."
"I think we all understand what you meant," said Harold.
"I didn't," said Fiona.
"Watch yourself," said Piper, "he's more dangerous than he looks."
One by one the demigods and the paragons stood side by side against Ryan. Percy joined the line last. "Strength in numbers, right? I can't let you guys have all the fun."
Ryan got into his boxing stance. "Very well, I'll show all of you what happens…"
"No!" Grant's shout startled Ryan. "He's mine!" Grant sprung to his feet. His eyes were literally on fire. His sword hung by his side, fully ablaze.
"Grant, pull back. We'll handle this together," ordered Alice.
Grant ignored her and charged at Ryan, sword raised. Ryan stepped out of the way and brought his elbow down on Grant's back as he charged past.
Grant rolled along the ground, but quickly got back to his feet and charged again. Ryan raised a stone wall in his way, but Grant swung his sword and cleaved right through the rock. His flaming sword melted any stone it came into contact with.
"Just who is this guy?" asked Leo.
"Does the fire thing happen often?" asked Piper.
Ryan took a step back, concerned. He launched a massive boulder at Grant. Grant's sword became a scythe that he hurled into the air. The scythe split the boulder in half midair and returned to Grant's hand.
Ryan tried to command the ground beneath Grant to open up and pull him in, but Grant kept moving. Every fissure that opened up Grant leapt over. He was closing in, dodging every rock thrown at him and leaping over any obstacle in his way.
Ryan cracked the ground and collapsed it inwards in front of Grant. The ground opened into a massive sink hole. Grant leapt impossibly high and cleared the whole sink hole in a single bound. The ground he landed on was starting to fall into the sink hole. Grant sprinted up the incline as the dirt fell down past him. When he reached the top he leapt into the air again, transforming the scythe into a giant flame hammer. He brought the hammer down and smashed the ground. Immediately the ground cracked open in lava fissures across the whole clearing.
The ground beneath Alice's feet became unstable. She wobbled, but kept her balance. Suddenly the earth in front of them cracked open and separated the whole group from the clearing where Grant and Ryan clashed.
"What are you doing, Grant?" yelled Alice. "Calm down or the whole forest is going to burn down!"
Ryan stumbled almost falling into a fissure. Down below he could see fire raging in an endless inferno. He backpedaled and reached for more solid ground.
The fissure suddenly blasted fire from its depths. Ryan shielded his face from the intense heat. As the fire began to subside Grant flew through the blaze with his spear held over his head.
Ryan fell on his back and quickly brought two stone slabs from the ground to shield him. The spear cracked through the stone and stopped just inches from his face.
Before Ryan could breath a sigh of relief the stone around the spear was rapidly melting. Ryan rolled out from underneath the slabs, but a glob of molten rock dripped onto his shoulder. Ryan swatted at the fabric of his shirt in a frenzy. The lava burned through his shirt and charred his skin before he could brunch it off.
Grant thrust his foot into Ryan's stomach. Ryan bent over clutching his stomach. Grant stabbed his sword into the ground causing a fissure to slowly expand beneath Ryan's feet.
"Any last words?" called Grant.
Percy gasped. "He's not really going to kill Ryan… Is he?"
"No. Never," said Kate. "There's no way he'd do something that extreme."
"It sure looks like…" began Leo.
"Hey," interrupted Kate. "I know my boyfriend. He's not a killer. According to that guy, the distinction of 'murderer' belongs to you."
Leo lowered his head. "I didn't know Gaia had any kids. Human ones at least."
"Nothing to say?" taunted Grant.
Ryan glanced at Grant's feet. "Actually, yes."
Grant looked down just in time to see the fissure had expanded quicker than anticipated. Ryan clasped his hands together and the tectonic plates crashed into each other, splashing lava in every direction.
"Only I am worthy of controlling the earth," said Ryan.
Grant dove out of the splash zone and covered his eyes. The lava landed on some of the nearby trees, setting them ablaze. Black smoke blew across the field, limiting Grant's field of vision to just a few feet.
Grant struggled to keep the smoke out of his eyes and took very few breaths. He heard a twig snap somewhere in the smoke. Grant swung his sword in all directions. Not a single swing connected with anything. Grant stood still and listened again. Besides the crackling of fire all was silent.
"Here."
Grant swung in the direction of the voice, but Ryan's forearm struck Grant's wrist. The sword tumbled out of Grant's hand as Ryan shoved him to the ground. Stone shackles bound his hands to the ground.
Ryan waved his arm. Waves of soft dirt crashed into the trees, snuffing out the fires. Ryan inspected his surroundings as the smoke slowly cleared.
Several fissures remained open and the ground bled magma. Ryan looked at the damage with disdain.
"I didn't intend to hurt any mortals," said Ryan, "but for you I'm willing to make an exception. How do you mortals always manage to break and wound the very earth you live on?"
Grant struggled to break free of his bonds. He responded to Ryan with silence. His eyes were still burning with rage.
"Pity such strength is wasted on you." Ryan turned to leave.
The sword flew into Grant's hand. He held its burning blade close to the shackles. Once the stone was partially melted Grant broke his hand free. He cut the other stone shackle at he chain.
The sword morphed into a longbow. Grant pulled the string back and an arrow made of fire appeared. Ryan still had his back turned, completely unaware.
The smoke finally cleared as Grant took aim at Ryan. Percy took a step forward to warn Ryan, but his foot almost slipped into a fissure. "Grant! Don't!" Percy shouted.
Grant let loose the arrow. Ryan summoned stones to coat his hands before turning and catching the arrow before it struck. The arrow sizzled and sparked in his hands. Almost too late, Ryan figured out what would happen. He threw the crackling arrow as far away as he could before it exploded into an inferno.
The wave of heat hit Ryan so hard he fell on his back. Grant knocked another arrow and took aim.
Without thinking Leo took a running start before jumping over the fissure. Grant let the arrow fly right at Ryan. Ryan covered his face and prepared for the inevitable. The arrow exploded on impact and the blaze blinded everyone.
Ryan opened his eyes to see why he was still alive. Above him stood Leo, his shirt charred, but otherwise unharmed.
"You… would risk your life… to save mine?" Ryan stammered.
"Don't mention it. Saving people is what I do," said Leo.
Grant pulled the bowstring back again. A small pebble bounced off his forehead and Grant fell to the ground unconscious.
"Bullseye," said Kate. Piper gave her a strange look. "What? If anyone was going to do it, it was going to be me."
"Uh, guys…" Leo said, "I don't think he's very thankful."
Ryan held Leo in a choke-hold. "Don't think this means you're forgiven," said Ryan. "If any of you attempt to follow me I will kill Valdez."
Piper stepped forward. "Let Leo go, Ryan. We can talk this out," she said, laying on as much charmspeak as she could.
"Don't bother," said Leo, "he shoved dirt in his ears. He can't hear a thing."
"You can't hide from me," Ryan continued. "As long as you are touching the ground I will find you. I will be back and I will bring my mother's army to destroy you."
With that, a pit opened up beneath Ryan. Leo and Ryan disappeared into the depths. Percy ran for the pit, but it sealed shut. All other fissures around the field closed and everything was quiet.
Grant sat up and yawned. "Morning guys." He noticed the half burned trees, the puddles of molten rock laying around, the snoring golem by the forest's edge and everyone staring at him with open mouths. "Uh, did I miss something?"
On the next episode of Percy Jackson and the Paragons 2: Tensions rise between the heroes as they try to come up with a plan to rescue Leo. Meanwhile, in his secret lair, Ryan comes home to an unwelcome surprise.