Here's chapter four! Review lots okay! =)) Sorry for taking so long, it's our fourth quarter and schedule's loaded! I barely fill the requirement of 8 hours a day! I'm still a kid, you know. Read on!

Chapter 4: Travelling

"We need to pass New Jersey, Grover. We can't take any detours or anything that might slow us down. 2 weeks, Grover. 2 weeks before the spirit of Thalia in that pine tree will leave us. So, we'll be passing New Jersey to South Carolina, then to Jacksonville. I don't want monsters giving chase to us if we end up in a secluded city or something." Grover muttered something too low for her to hear.

"What?" The daughter of Athena hissed at him.

"Why are you so horrible to Tyson?" Annabeth couldn't believe her ears. She pounded her hand on the table. "You know why, Grover." Grover paled at the anger in Annabeth's voice. "If it weren't for Cyclopes… Thalia would be here, and possibly Luke, and also Percy." She glared at him. "Now, let's get back to work. We go tomorrow, Grover. We must be as ready as we can." Grover nodded at her, his eyes sad. Annabeth looked at him. "Look. I'll try to be nice, okay? But I can't promise you anything. Every time I see him… I remember that maze. So please… just… stop talking about it." Grover nodded again. "I'll go walking around the forest first, okay?" Annabeth agreed with an absentminded nod of her head. Grover sighed as he trudged on the path towards the forest. He was thinking of talking to Juniper when he felt his empathy link tingling. Perce. The satyr looked around, and continued walking, after noting that there were no people watching him.

Grover.

What's up? It's been a while since we have last talked.

I know. But I need to try to tell you again. We're in the—

To Grover, Percy's voice faded every time he tried saying where he was. Percy is probably in Kronos headquarters right now, and the Titan didn't want the Gods to know where that is.

It's not working, Perce.

At least we tried… I feel like I need to tell you something...

What happened?

I think it's the memories getting to me. All of them are bad. I know most of them are not real, but I don't know which ones are real and which ones are not. I'm sure my life hasn't been a bed of roses, right? Surely there is some truth in the memories given to me.

Your life is far from a bed of roses.

Ha, I know right. Does Annabeth know we're still talking?

She… I don't really know, but she doesn't approve of it.

Why?

You know why. She feels that I'm giving you false hope that we are going on a quest to save you guys.

So she still doesn't know that I know that Mothe—Athena's abandoned me? As well as Poseidon, Zeus, Hades, the people I call my parents since they practically raised me—

Percy. Is that what you're talking about? Like you're changing? Starting to hate the Gods and everything that is associated with them in a positive way?

… I just feel so confused. The more black shards I absorb… Grover, do you think I've already changed? I'm—alright, this is the only time I'll say this—scared. What if I become like Luke? Worshiping Kronos?

You haven't changed, Percy. It's just the memories getting to you. And you and Luke are very different. I know you won't worship Kronos, Percy. Because you know, in your heart, what is right. And you always follow your heart. And you know I can't tell you about your past, because something blocks it, but always remember that the Gods love you. And they will do everything to get you back.

Right. Because they haven't abandoned me. Percy said sarcastically. I'm tired, Grover. I just contacted you to try telling our location again. Talk soon. Then he shut of the connection, leaving Grover feel more devastated. The future isn't looking so bright… They have 2 weeks left of Thalia's life, unless they find a cure—which they have no idea what it is—and Percy's slipping closer to Kronos grasp. He can feel it.

XXX

"Mister Grover?" Grover looked up, at Tyson. "Hello, Tyson. And don't call me Mister, it just doesn't feel right." He smiled softly, though his heart was starting to pound. Probably because Satyrs are terrified of Cyclopes, but for some reason, a part of Grover is at ease with him. Tyson looked teary. "Pretty princess hates me." Grover snickered at Tyson's nickname for Annabeth. "Uh… well, she's not in a good mood right now. That's why we need… we need you, okay? If we become successful in this quest, pretty princess will be happy." Tyson brightened considerable. "Really?"

Grover nodded.

"YAY! Tyson will go get peanut butter sandwich! Oh, scary cheetah man is looking for you." Then Tyson barrelled away, scaring all the nymphs in the clearing. Grover chuckled. "Well, it's nice someone's enjoying our fright."

That was how he found himself 10 feet away, hands up in an I-can-defend-myself position. "Gods, Juniper. You gave me a shock!" Juniper smiled at him, and laughed when she cannot hold it off for another moment. "How did you end up there?" She laughed. Her laughter was like pealing bells. It was gentle and so… elfish. Grover scratched the back of his head, feeling embarassed. "You just scared me… eh… I need to go." He turned, waving a hand towards Juniper, who smiled once again and disappeared in green mist.

Grover found Mr. D a.k.a. The Scary Cheetah Man lounging in the big house. His leopard skin was draped on his shoulders and he wore a very formal looking polo shirt and jeans. The satyr gulped. "Mr. D." The wine god looked up irritably at him. "Well you're late. Sit down, I want this over with." He snapped, and Grover flinched, he thought he would become a dolphin. Mr. D was clearly not in the mood for… for anything. A can of Diet Coke appeared instead. "Y-yes… sir?"

"Last night, I was visited by—guess who—Athena. That goddess doesn't know how to party properly. Said something about the cure in the sea of monsters. You would know." Grover looked up, and stared at him. "T-the Sea of… The sea of monsters...Mr.D?"

"You heard me once and I won't repeat myself." He said, sipping his coke. "Ugh. I hate Diet coke. You want?" Grover nodded absentmindedly, brain still in the Sea of Monsters. So the cure could be in the sea of monsters? "Thank you, Mr. D. I shall go tell Annabeth."

"Good Riddance." Grover bowed respectfully to the Olympian and walked out of the Big House. The sea of monsters? Annabeth said that Chiron was told by the Gods that the best chance of finding a cure is in Florida, but we didn't know what is in Florida. So the answer isn't in Florida? What?

"Annabeth!" I burst into the Athena cabin, startling Stacy, who pointed a small yet lethal looking knife at me. "WOAH there, little girl, I'm sorry, but this is important. Where's Annabeth?" Stacy only nodded sadly and then pointed at the door near her. It made me sad, seeing Stacy like this. Ever since Percy's disappearance…

"What do you want, Grover?" I jumped, not noticing that I was already in Annabeth's room. "Um… Mr. D called me. He said that the answer isn't in Florida. It's in the—"

"Sea of Monsters."

"Ye—how did you know?!"

"Because there's only one reason that the gods would send us to Florida. It is the settlement closest to the current dwelling of the Sea of Monsters. Most things from the Sea of Monsters wash up to the shores of Florida. So yes, I had the feeling that we might go to the Sea of Monsters."

"I… Okay… But how are we going to be able to go there… if we really are?" He asked, his voice hopeful.

"Change of plan. Clarisse will go with me and Tyson in her steamship." Annabeth said. The satyr blinked. And blinked. Then a flash of hurt flashed in his eyes. "You dropped me from the quest?" Annabeth faced him. "I have to."

"You have to?" Grover looked down, hurt and feeling betrayed. "Okay. I get it. I'm a hindrance. I… I'll go wander around for a moment." He whispered, and trudged out sadly, only to be called back. "Grover." He turned, face a mask of indifference, yet his eyes held a massive amount of hurt. Annabeth immediately elaborated. "I did not drop you because of that." The blonde sighed, and leaned on her desk. "Actually, I feel less secure without you on the quest. But I have to. I need you somewhere else. Look for Percy. I know that between any of us, you can find him. You're a searcher, Grover. And Tyson is somehow a nature spirit, and a son of Poseidon. He must know something, and also be able to help in this quest. Maybe not as good as you are, but I know you are needed somewhere else. Not on this quest. Percy needs you." Grover couldn't believe his eyes. "But… a quest isn't authorized… Chiron will kill me… and I don't know how to find him…" Annabeth stepped towards him. "You know, Grover. You just have to figure it out. The same with my quest. The Gods… they're helping us." The way she talked made Grover wonder what Godly assistance did his friend receive. It seemed to bother her.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to hide in Clarisse's steamship. I'll say we fought because I dropped you from the quest, and you've wandered somewhere, blowing off steam. Then, she's going to land you in New Jersey. I want you to scout around. You said that you can sense Percy with your empathy link, right?" The satyr nodded. "Good. I want you to track him down. We'll keep in touch. Iris message me whenever you can. Meanwhile, if you ever find a clue on what could cure Thalia's tree, message me as well. If… If ever you find and rescue Percy before we find the cure, I want you to go immediately to camp. No detours. No anything. Don't even stop to message me. Get to camp as soon as possible. It is highly possible that if you two escape, Luke will attempt to capture Percy again. We'll message each other once you're at camp."

"But… didn't you tell me that you plan to do this on foot?"

"I did. But with Tyson being a son of Poseidon, I think being at sea will make his senses better. So we'll go to Florida on sea. Then… we enter the Sea of Monsters."

"But… I don't like this, Annabeth. This quest seems too full of holes. Where will you go in the Sea of Monsters? How can we be sure that I will find Percy using our link alone? What if—"

"I know. I know, Grover. But I've visited the Oracle."

"Y-you did?"

"Yes."

"What did she—it say?" Annabeth took a deep breath, and gazed at me, studying me. I automatically straightened up, planting my hooves firmly on the ground. Annabeth seem to find me acceptable, because she spoke, her voice obviously disturbed:

One forcibly taken, another soul trapped,

Grievous endings, shall time run out.

A journey to the south, separate friends,

An oath to keep; a life shall end

Answer to the cure: won trough pain of sharing,

The hateful monster's place of dwelling.

"W…What?"

"I'm not going to repeat it for you, idiot." I glared at Annabeth, who snickered a bit. "It's just that… what we're going to do… this is harder than what the Heroes did! Harder than Hercules! He had to steal some apples guarded by a dragon! Perseus! He had to kill Medusa with the help of the Gray sisters! Odysseus—"

"What did you say?" Annabeth said, eyes suddenly serious. "U…Uh… I don't know?" Then she jumped, making me jump as well. "Don't do that suddenly!" Annabeth ignored me.

"There's one line in the prophecy that has been bugging me, but the answer was at the tip of my tongue… Answer to the cure: won trough pain of sharing! Grover! Graeae!" Annabeth turned to her map. This means I will make a land journey, after all—" She murmured some things too low for me to hear. I have no idea what she's talking about, though. Graeae? Isn't that the greek word for..."You can go, Grover. Let's meet at the Camp fire tonight. Tomorrow, we'll start the quest."

At least the good things have started coming out today. We finally have a plan!

XXX

That night, everything was back to normal, except that Annabeth sat with Clarisse during the camp fire, and Tyson sat next to me, meaning all the satyrs fled in fright. In short, I was alone with Tyson. I still don't get how I can be this calm to him. Considering the past…. And who I am. "Mr. Grover—"

"Grover." My voice sounded a little bit shaky. Yay, normalcy at last.

"Uh… Okay. Grover, Pretty Princess said you're not coming with us." To my horror, he started to cry. Big fat tears literally poured down his eye. "Woah, woah wait, Tyson! You could start a flood here. Calm down. I'm needed somewhere… here." I added, sneaking glances at the people around. I feel like a secret agent, hiding stuff from the general populace. Yeah. "But don't worry."

"You will be okay?"

"I think so…"

"Okay. Tyson wishes you GOOD LUCK!" He slapped my back, and I just flew towards the camp fire. Thankfully, a daughter of Demeter caught my shirt with some of her vines and settled me down next to Tyson, who started crying again. "Oh no I killed Mr. Grover!" He sobbed into his hands. "Tyson. Tyson. Calm down. I'm alive. Just… don't do that again, okay?" Some part of me felt jumpy when I settled my hand into his massive shoulder. Before he could do anything, though, like crush me into bits of Grover burgers, Chiron started the campfire, and everyone started singing. I wish everything was this simple.

After the campfire, Annabeth pulled me into a deep part of the forest. "What are you doing?!" She rolled her eyes. I glared at her and looked around. With a yelp, I saw the two most horrifying people in camp. One was Tyson, who looked like he really wanted a Grover Burger and Clarisse. She was standing there, being intimidating, with that scowl on her face. "Tch. Weakling." She muttered at me. I scooted closer to Annabeth. She rolled her eyes again. "Well, I'm here to tell you our plan. Since I've mentioned some to you, Clarisse, this is mostly for his benefit." She tilted her head to Tyson. "You will go with Clarisse. Has Beckendorf taught you to fix metals?" Tyson nodded, eyes wide at Annabeth. "Good. I want you to shore up Clarisse's steamship into something that can withstand a lot of damage. Shore if its defences and its weapons. Clarisse, I will meet you in New Jersey. Grover, we'll go to New Jersey on land. And then once we reach New Jersey, we part ways. Clarisse, me, and the Cyclops to the Sea of Monsters and you to look for Percy." Clarisse looked like she wanted to comment, but surprisingly, she kept her mouth shut. "Okay then, we'll head out of camp tomorrow morning, so sleep and conserve you energy and—"

A conch horn suddenly blew. The four of us stood frozen for what seems like a long time, when Clarisse drew her second electric spear. "Let's go!" She yelled at us. "The camp is under attack!" We all snapped into action. Tyson picked up a boulder, Annabeth drew her Yankees cap and dagger, while I brought out by wooden club. The four of us ran towards the sounds of commotions, which was surprisingly near the forest. I hear Annabeth curse. She pulled all of us down, and put her Yankee cap on Tyson (who was barely hidden), ordering me to hold him. He didn't even notice he was invisible. "Stacy and Drew are on rounds today. If something happens to Stacy…" She left it hanging, making me think of stakes, a guillotine and the Gods' weapons of power. Suddenly, we heard a familiar voice. "Look for Annabeth, Grover and Clarisse. Bring them alive. Do it fast. I don't want to stay in this place." Grunts and sounds only monsters can do was the response we heard.

Silence.

"Chris Rodriguez." Annabeth muttered. She turned to Clarisse. "Looks like our quest came earlier than planned. Go to your ship and wait for Grover and me at New Jersey. Make sure that no one sees you. GO!" Clarisse, grim-faced, took one last hateful look at Chris Rodriguez before pulling of the cap from Tyson, who made a bye-bye sign to me and Annabeth as he ran after Clarisse. He surprisingly made no sound. Annabeth gazed at me. "What are we going to do?" She smiled bleakly.

"Do you like sprinting?"

Uh oh.

So how do you like it? Please review! =))