Chapter 9: Migraines Are Monsters :Percy's POV:

I groaned as I followed Emmy. I had a massive headache, and it had something to do with what Nereus had said. But what? He had mentioned so many things, that I couldn't narrow it down!

"Emmy!" Gwen called, glancing at me. "Wait! We're only as strong as our weakest person, and right now, that's Percy." Ignoring my protest, she continued, "He's hurting right now, and it probably isn't helping that we're running towards the city limit to get to a new city."

My sister eyed me, then slowed to a stop. "Sorry, Percy. I didn't realize it was that bad."

"Fine." I groaned, holding my head.

"No, you aren't." Dakota snapped. "Come on. Let's rest over here and talk about what Nereus said. We can make a plan, too."

I nodded once, then stopped because it made the pain worse. I then let the three girls guide me over to a table outside of a small ice cream place.


"Right," Dakota continued as soon as we were all seated. "What do you think he meant, romans and greeks?"

"It sounds," Gwen said slowly, "Like Percy is roman and Emmy is greek. Either that, or the other way around. Remember, Nereus said that there were two siblings, one greek, one roman. And you two are the only siblings here. But that doesn't make sense. There are only roman demigods."

I groaned again. "I think you're right, at least with the first part." I told her through clenched teeth. "My headache just got worse."

"Oh, dear, do you have a headache?" An old woman who was walking by asked. She was kind of chubby, lots of wrinkles, looked like someone's grandma. In short, harmless.

"Yes, he does. But we think it's more of a migraine." Emmy told her.

"Oh, let me help. I have some ibuprofen in here." She told us, rummaging in her purse. As she did, I noticed a small dog sitting by her feet. "If I can just find it... oh, here it is. Here you go, dear."

I took it gladly, subtly checking it to make sure it was, indeed, ibuprofen first. You can never be too cautious.

"Thank you." Gwen told her, smiling.

"Oh, no problem. It was the least I could do, considering."

"Considering what?" Dakota asked warily.

"Oh, nothing, dears. Just that I'm going to eat you now. I hope the medicine makes you taste better, Perseus Jackson." As the woman said this, the last two sentences turned into a snarl. Not so harmless after all. She then ushered her tiny chihuahua forward. "Go get 'em Sonny."

I groaned again as my headache, which had dulled to a low throb with the ibuprofen, came back. When Sonny started transforming into the chimera, it tripled in force. Groaning, I collapsed into my chair. If I had been standing, I would have fallen.

"Percy!" Emmy cried, heading for me, only to be called for by Gwen as her and Dakota uncapped their swords.

"Go." I croaked. "I'll be fine."

Looking dubious, she turned to help anyway.


"Fear me, for I am the great mother of all monsters, Echidna!"

"Isn't that some kind of anteater?" Emmy asked, even as I groaned for her to be quiet as my occasionally-there-memory told me that was a bad idea.

Echidna wailed angrily. "No! Why did you puny humans have to name that stupid animal after me? You always think of that!"

And, growling, she told the chimera, "Sick 'em!"

Growling just like his mother, it pounced on me, only to be intercepted by the three girls.

"Don't you dare!" Dakota cried, standing firm against him, and shoulder to shoulder with Emmy and Gwen.

"You'll have to get through us, first." Emmy added, raising Headland.

Growling still, the chimera attacked, and I could do nothing but watch as it swatted the three girls away like they were nothing but ants in its path.

Then, as I stared in horror at what I thought must surely be their, and my, demise, a hunting horn sounded through the sound of crowds pushing away from us, muttering things about a 'construction site'.

"Fire!" A voice shouted. And in response, a dozen silver arrows sprouted from Echidna and the chimera respectively. Wailing, they disappeared in a shower of golden sand.


Gwen's POV:

I stared in shock as the two monsters vanished and two dozen girls in silver took their place.

"Who are you?" I demanded, sparing Percy a glance as I did so. He wouldn't be too much help if it came to fighting, I noted, as I saw that he was holding his head in his hands. His headache was blasting his strength to pieces.

"They are the Hunters of Diana, demigod." A girl with long, auburn hair, done up in a braid, said cooly as she stepped forward. "I am Lady Diana."

At this, Dakota and I bowed, nudging Emmy to do the same.

"Rise, girls. But I must ask why the boy does not show the same respect."

"He is hurt, Lady Diana." I explained. "He suffers from migraines."

The goddess nodded, then said, "We will leave you, now."

Turning to her hunters, who were staring at Percy and whispering suspiciously, she told them, "Come, girls. Our hunt is finished. We shall make camp on the outskirts of the city."

"But the girls, my lady. And the boy." One of them protested.

"Silence, Phoebe. I will let the boy go this once, as he is suffering. As for the girls..." Lady Diana turned back to us and handed each of us a flyer for the hunt. "In case you ever wish to join us. You seem like strong girls."

"Thank you, Lady Diana." All three of us said in unision.

Nodding, she turned and ran, her hunters trailing after her.