Outsider Chronicles: Half-blood Earth

With the Second Year over and the summer beginning, new revelations are coming. With an old bond restored, Holly and Leo answer the call of their lost family and the next of the Lost Knights.

And we're back. I don't think I have anything to say here so lets have fun in the sandbox!

Chapter 7

The next morning we woke to the smell of Elf provided breakfast. Well, most of us did, Percy wouldn't wake up no matter what we tried so we decided to leave him be and went to eat. After he'd finished, Grover vanished out the tent, saying he was going to have a look around, leaving Annabeth and I alone with a sleeping Percy.

"Do you think hes OK?" asked Annabeth, glancing at Percy.

"Hes fine," I said, not looking up from my book, "Probably just having a Half-blood dream."

Annabeth shuddered.

"So how exactly does this tent work?" she asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

No Demigod wants to be reminded of the Dreams they have.

"Haven't a clue," I said, "I think it has something to do with expansion charms, similar to what's on my bag, but the creation of Magical Tents isnt something I'm well versed in."

I caught the look of disbelief on her face.

"What, you don't really expect me to know everything about magic?" I asked, "I'm only a Third Year in school, a very advanced third year, but a third year none the less."

"So are all Wizards like you and Holly?" asked Annabeth, "With all the energy blasts I mean?"

I snorted.

"Not even close," I said, "Most only use a Wand, but Holly and I are what are referred to as Warmages. Our Magic is extremely dense, which means we cannot use a normal wand without it breaking. Many of the spells we use in combat come from Warmage spellbooks we found in the Black and Potter libraries."

At that moment, Grover came bursting into the tent with an armful of pink fur, looking excited.

"Guys, I found our ticket forwards!" he said.

A quick explanation about the reward later and I felt a headache coming on.

"Grover, I've got a credit card," I said, holding up the piece of plastic, "And access to the fortune of the Lord of Black at my disposal."

"WHAT?!" gasped both of my companions.

"Your nobility?" spluttered Annabeth.

"Technically, yes," I said, "Hell, the House of Black is practically royalty in the Wizarding World and I am the heir apparent. So we're not really hurting for money."

The dog barked, looking eager. Grover sighed.

"Yes, I guess that means you don't have to go back…" he said, sounding a little down.

"Whats up Grover?" asked Annabeth.

"Its just, I feel a little useless," he said, "I haven't done anything to help yet and…"

"Grover, let me tell you something," I said, cutting him off, "You shouldn't be so harsh with yourself. You are an incredibly brave individual. You knew this Quest would be dangerous and didn't have to come, but when Percy asked you, you stepped up and agreed to come along, despite your fear. That is nothing to be ashamed of."

"Leos right Grover," said Annabeth, "Besides, we've still got a lonnnnng way to go yet."

I stood and clapped my hands.

"Right, I'm tired of waiting and we really need to get going."

I headed into Percys room, drawing my wand as I went.

"Aguamenti!"

KASPLASH!

"GAH!"

Percy shot bolt upright, dripping wet and glaring. Apparently being the Son of Poseidon does not negate the effect of being soaked with ice cold water while asleep.

"Come on sleepy head, its time to get up," I said with a grin.

Percy glared at me, before he waved a hand.

"Aw crap."

Next thing I knew, the water I'd sprayed Percy with shot up and slammed into me, sending me flying back into the living room area and over the back of the sofa.

"OK, I deserved that," I grumbled, "At least he didn't tap into his dormant powers or that could have really hurt."

I flipped back to my feet as Annabeth greeted Percy and Dobby popped in another breakfast.

"So, whats the plan?" asked Percy as he ate.

"Well, there's a train station nearby according to Grovers new friend and I have plenty of money, so we'll grab a train to LA," I said, "Next train out is at noon, so that gives us plenty of time."

"GAH, so bored!" I groaned, kicking my feet up on the bed.

It had been two days, two straight days, on the train across the country and I was bored. Of course my money and name had meant we managed to get berths in one of the Magical carriages, meaning our private compartment was the size of a small studio apartment, complete with a private bathroom, bookshelves and a kitchenette.

"I can't believe that something like this is even here," said Annabeth.

"You'll find things like this in most places," I said, "America's Magical community is far more integrated than anywhere else in the world, other than Japan. Since the country is too big for all but the most powerful magicals to Apperate across and Portkeys and the Floo are heavily regulated, other transportation are needed."

"Apperate? Portkey?"

"Methods of teleportation," I said, stretching my arms.

"Wait, you can teleport?" asked Grover, "So why are we taking the train?"

"I can't, too young," I said, "You need to be at least 16 before your magic is stable enough to Apperate and I really don't feel like bringing the American Ministry down on my head for making an illegal Portkey so thats right out."

THUD!

"Damn that man!" snarled Percy, glaring down at the paper in front of him.

"Whats up?" I asked, eager for something to distract me.

Instead of answering, Percy shoved the paper across the table. The front page showed a picture taken as we left the bus as he dragged Annabeth and Grover to safety. However, the way he was doing it certainly didn't look that innocent. The picture's caption read:

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of his mother two weeks ago, is shown here fleeing from the bus where he accosted several elderly female passengers. The bus exploded on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after Jackson fled the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the boy may be traveling with two teenage accomplices. His stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a cash reward for information leading to his capture.

"Don't worry," said Annabeth, "Mortal police could never find us."

"And even if they do, I'm more than capable of throwing them off our trail," I said.

Finally we reached and were informed over the tanoy that we'd have a three hour wait before we could leave for the next stop at Denver.

Grover stretched on the other bed as the train came to a stop.

"Food!" he groaned before he was even fully awake.

"Come on, goat boy," Annabeth said, "Sightseeing."

"Sightseeing?"

"The Gateway Arch, this may be my only chance to ride to the top. Are you coming or not?"

I was about to speak up and say that it was a bad idea, but before I could, a very strange sensation came over me. It was like I needed to allow this to happen. Something was going to happen at the top of that arch and I couldn't allow it not to.

"Good idea," I said, "Come on guys, lets go!"

Grover and Percy exchanged looks, before they shrugged and agreed.

"As long as there's a snack bar without monsters," said Grover.

The Arch was about a mile from the train station and late in the day the lines to get in weren't that long. We threaded our way through the underground museum, looking at covered wagons and other junk from the 1800s. It was actually rather interesting, but I could tell that Grover and Percy were bored stiff.

"You smell anything?" I heard Percy murmur to Grover.

He took his nose out of the jelly-bean bag long enough to sniff.

"Underground," he said distastefully, "Underground air always smells like monsters. Probably doesn't mean anything."

Yeah, I had my doubts about that because I could feel Echidna's presence nearby, along with something else. Something that smelt truly foul and twisted. Like it didn't belong in this world. Even Monsters didn't stink like whatever I could feel.

"Guys," said Percy, drawing our attention, "You know the gods' symbols of power?"

Annabeth had been in the middle of reading about the construction equipment used to build the Arch, but she looked over.

"Yeah?"

"Well, Hade-"

Grover cleared his throat.

"We're in a public place... You mean, our friend downstairs?"

"Um, right," said Percy as I rolled my eyes, "Our friend way downstairs. Doesn't he have a hat like Annabeth's?"

"You mean the Helm of Darkness," Annabeth said, "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. I saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting."

"He was there?" asked Percy.

She nodded.

"It's the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus-the darkest day of the year. But his helm is a lot more powerful than my invisibility hat, if what I've heard is true..."

"It allows him to become darkness," Grover confirmed, "He can melt into shadow or pass through walls. He can't be touched, or seen, or heard. And he can radiate fear so intense it can drive you insane or stop your heart. Why do you think all rational creatures fear the dark?"

"But then ... how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?" asked Percy. Annabeth and Grover exchanged looks.

"Hes not," I said, "Trust me, if he was here, I'd know about it."

The others gave me a look.

"Nothing can hide from the eyes of Death," I said, "And my senses, while not up to par with my Fathers, are more than strong enough to see through practically every form of magical disguise. Not even your hat can hide you from me."

Annabeth blinked.

"Really?"

"Yep."

My reassurance seemed to calm everyone down so I neglected to tell them I was talking out of my ass. Well, mostly. I could see through most illusions, including Annabeths hat, but I didn't know if it worked on Hades Helm, especially considering Hollys Cloak worked just fine. Then again, it was Deaths Cloak so it could be the exception that proves the rule.

By this point we had reached the lift up to the top of the Arch where we were met with the sight of Echidna and her Chimera, as well as a perfectly ordinary looking woman in a grey suit. Well, ordinary to most people, but to me, she reeked of Darkness and corruption.

"No parents?" Echidna asked us.

"They're below," Annabeth told her, "Scared of heights."

"Oh, the poor darlings."

The Chimera growled and snapped at us while the woman in grey just smiled demurely.

"Now, now, sonny, behave," said Echidna.

The dog had beady eyes like its owner, intelligent and vicious.

"Sonny. Is that his name?" asked Percy.

"No," said Echidna with an evil smile.

At the top of the Arch, the observation deck reminded me of a tin can with carpeting and rows of tiny windows looked out over the city on one side and the river on the other. I admit, it was pretty impressive. I'd always kinda wanted to go sightseeing in America in my last life, but, like so many other things, I hadn't had the chance before becoming a street pizza. The only other people up here was a guard and a family of three which included a very familiar blond girl.

"Leo? Is that you?" asked the girl, looking surprised.

"Minako? Well, isn't this a surprise," I said, greeting the younger Gryffindor.

"Are you on holiday here too?" she asked.

"You could say that," I said.

"Oh, who's this?" asked the two adults with Minako as they came over, "A friend of yours?"

"Sort of," said the blond, "He's someone I know from school, but he's in a different house and year so we're only passing acquaintances."

"I see, well, I'm sorry to cut this short, but we need to go," said Minako's mother.

"Oh, OK."

They headed over to the lift and her parents got in, along with Annabeth and Grover, but before she could follow, the guard held up his hand, stopping not just her but Percy and I too.

"Next car, sorry guys," said the guard.

"We'll get out," Annabeth said. "We'll wait with you."

"Naw, it's okay," said Percy, "I'll see you guys at the bottom."

"I'll be fine," said Minako to her parents, "Seriously."

They didn't look convinced, but nodded. Not like anything bad could happen up here. Right? The car disappeared down the ramp, leaving the only people left on the observation deck as Percy, Minako and I, as well as a little boy with his parents, the lady in grey, the park ranger and Echidna and her son. Percy smiled uneasily at the fat lady. She smiled back, her forked tongue flickering between her teeth. I tensed, ready for the incoming attack as the Chimera jumped down and started yapping at Percy.

"Now, now, sonny," said Echidna, "Does this look like a good time? We have all these nice people here."

"Doggie!" said the little boy, "Look, a doggie!"

His parents pulled him back as the Chimera bared his teeth at Percy, foam dripping from his black lips.

"Well, son," the fat lady sighed, "If you insist."

"Well, this should be interesting," said the woman in grey, "I've never fed from demigods before. Should be interesting and your Energy will give far more power to the Queen than these pathetic Humans."

"Aw shit," I said, "A Youma."

Minako's eyes widened and she grabbed a yellow pen from her pocket as the woman in grey suddenly morphed, transforming into a monster with a snake like lower body and bladed arms. At the same time, the Chimera started to grow until it was in its true form, glaring at Percy and I with hungry eyes.

"Right, well, if your gonna, I suggest you suit up, Sailor V," I said.

"How did you..?"

"Not now, just do it!" I snapped, before waving my hands and creating a Barrier to keep the civilians safe.

Minako hesitated, before nodding.

"Right, Venus Power, Make Up!"

While she was transforming, I turned my attention back to the Monsters.

"What the hell?" gasped Percy in shock, finally managing to get his head back in gear.

"How about we deal with the beasties first," I said, "You got the Chimera, Sailor V can take the Youma. I meanwhile, will take on Echidna."

The Mother of Monsters raised a scaly eyebrow at that.

"Oh? You think you can beat me?" she asked, "Do you even know who I am?"

"Echidna, the Mother of Monsters," I said, "I knew as soon as we met you down below, but I hoped that you were just here on a day out with your kid. To bad I was wrong."

"If you know then you must know you don't have a chance against me, little hero," sneered Echidna.

"I wouldn't be so sure," I said, pulling out my wand and holding it in what would be a reverse grip with the moon pointing up, "Truth is, I've been waiting for a long time for an opponent worth using this on."

I smirked as my Magic began to radiate off me, creating a slight breeze and a glow around my body. Echidna actually took a step back in surprise as my power spiked and the gem on my wand began to glow.

"Light of Heaven, answer my call!" I shouted, swinging my wand down.

There was an explosion of power and light as I felt a familiar suit of armour form around me and the reassuring shaft of my weapon appear in my grip in place of my wand. I spun my spear as the light dissipated and took my stance.

"First Knight, of Heaven, Knight of the Zodiac, Leonus, ready!"

And there we go, the end of this chapter. Next time, the fight begins. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I certainly liked writing it.

Suprisingly, I don't have anything to really add here, so I'm gonna sign off for now. Please leave a review!