Chapter 9: Potential Troubles
Percy's POV
Three days had gone by and my team was ready. For the past few days, Annabeth and I were planning our strategy for taking down Achlys. (Actually, it was me giving suggestions to Annabeth and Annabeth turning down ninety percent of them.) Chiron had gone up to me to warn me about something. He said that even though Achlys was a monster she appeared human. He told me not to be deceived by her appearance. That didn't really bother me. I mean, I destroyed Medusa, right? She looked human…well, besides having snakes as hair. Anyways, I was pretty confident my team wouldn't have a problem defeating Achlys. Annabeth, Tyson, Grover and I could practically read each other's minds when we were in combat. And Tria? Though I didn't know much about her, she was fun to hang around with and she was pretty handy with her knives. Naturally, she wasn't as good as Annabeth, but she was skilled.
"Where's Tyson?" Annabeth asked.
"He needs to get his club," I replied, "I think he left it somewhere else in camp. It wasn't in our cabin."
"His gift from Zeus?" Annabeth said, "That's right, he hasn't shown me it yet."
"Is that him?" Tria asked.
We turned to see a Cyclopes charging towards us.
"Yep," I replied, "You don't find many Cyclopes around here."
"Hey, Tyson! What's…" I started.
Then I saw his club.
"Whoa…" Annabeth and I gasped in unison.
"You like my new stick?" Tyson exclaimed, holding it out for us to see.
Tyson was seriously making an understatement. The 'stick' was almost as big as me and was made of glowing celestial bronze. The hilt was inlaid with bright jewels. There were spirals of silver circling the spikes adorning the club. The club itself seemed to be radiating light-as if it was blessed by the Lord of Skies himself.
"That's amazing!" Tria said.
"I know!" Tyson agreed eagerly, "It's really shiny!"
Uh…Tyson?
"Can I see it?" I asked, holding out my hands.
Tyson blinked and stared at me, "You can't see it?" he asked, waving it in front of me.
"No! I mean, can I hold it for a moment?"
"Sure!" Tyson said.
He reached over and plunked the club into my outstretched hands.
I don't know what I was thinking when I asked Tyson. Apparently, I had been so mesmerized by beauty of the weapon; I had totally overlooked the size of it.
He dropped the weapon into my hand and my body wanted to collapse. The club's weight had practically ripped my arms off.
"Tyson?" I grunted.
"Yes, brother?"
"Can you take it back?" I groaned, struggling to regain my posture. Tyson took the club from me and nonchalantly swung it over his shoulder.
"Where's Rainbow?" he asked.
I grinned, "He was waiting for you."
The waves broke and Rainbow and his friends whinnied happily. They were hippocampi-part horse and part fish. As strange as that sounds, they were actually really beautiful. They had the body of a horse, but the back halves were silvery fish tails. The scales twinkled in the sun with multi-colored light.
"Rainbow!" Tyson cried gleefully. He raced up to his friend and started petting Rainbow's head.
"Grover?" I called, "You're taking lead, okay? Follow your nose."
He nodded nervously and climbed onto the back of one of the hippocampi. He took a quick whiff of the pithos and then tucked it in his pack. We quickly followed him and climbed onto another hippocampi.
"Everybody ready?" I asked.
They nodded in agreement. Almost at once, the hippcampi took off. I didn't know how fast they were, but riding on them was an exhilarating experience. The camp quickly disappeared from sight. Feeling the cool spray of the water, I clung tight to the hippocampus' mane. Sceneries quickly blurred by. Suddenly, I realized the waves were riding through had become unexpectedly rough. I started to open my mouth to tell Grover to change direction, but I realized he was just following the scent of the pithos, so I shut my mouth. All of a sudden, a giant wave crashed into my hippocampi. I fell into the rough waters and slammed against a rock. A horrible pain shot through my back. My hippocampus gave an unearthly squeal and I didn't need to read his mind to tell it was hurt. Calming the water the best I could, I fought against the waves and grabbed onto the injured horse…fish…you know what I mean. Gritting my teeth and straining all my muscles, I managed to drag the hippocampus onto the rock I had crashed into. Once I had caught my breath, I winced as I rubbed my back. There was still a slight throbbing pain from where I got hit. Luckily, the rock hadn't touched my Achilles' point. I sighed with relief and climbed over to the hippocampus. I recoiled with horror when I saw the creature's wound. A jagged cut sliced through the shoulder of the hippocampi. Crimson blood stained the iridescent white coat. I bit my lip and winced. How was I supposed to help him? I couldn't bandage it, the wound was too big.
"It's gonna be okay," I muttered half-heartedly, rubbing the hippocampus' head.
He whinnied weakly. I scanned the waves desperately for my friends. Four figures rode above the waves. I shouted and waved my arms. Fortunately, they saw me.
"What happened?" Annabeth exclaimed.
"We crashed into a rock or something," I stammered. I cringed, remembering. "I might've been paralyzed if it weren't for the Achilles' Curse. My back hit the rock."
Annabeth grabbed her pulled out a bottle.
"A healing salve," she explained.
She quickly knelt next to the hippocampus and spread the material onto the cut. I thought it started bleeding a bit less, but I wasn't sure. The wound was still bleeding profusely. I stood there awkwardly, feeling incredibly useless.
"Is Buddy okay?" Tyson asked worriedly.
"Buddy?"
Tyson gestured at the wounded hippocampus. "Rainbow's friend."
"I'm not sure if Buddy's okay," Tria said softly.
Tyson looked like he was about to break into tears.
"We might be able to help…Buddy more if we were at camp," Annabeth said, "But now…um…"
She glanced at Tyson and tried to find the right words.
"Grover!" I said desperately, "Can't you do some nature magic or whatever? Anything to help?"
"I can't Percy," Grover moaned, "I'm sorry."
"Someone could ride back to camp and get a healer," Tria suggested.
"We've gone too far," Annabeth said. She glanced at the roaring sea, "Besides, the hippocampi couldn't carry any of us through these waters."
"You could try praying to your dad," Grover said, "Get him to calm down the waters."
Tyson immediately dropped to the ground and started mumbling some words-praying to Poseidon. I kneeled next to him and tried my best to communicate with my dad.
Okay, maybe it was my fault that I didn't notice that wave and Buddy got hurt. I'm sorry! But, could you calm the waters or something? Buddy's bleeding really badly and he might…
I paused in the middle of my prayer. I bit my lip.
…he might die. So, please! Give us some smooth water so we can get Buddy a healer.
I was afraid to open my eyes. What if my dad didn't hear me? Unfortunately, I didn't need to see. I could still the roaring of the sea. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and sat there miserably. My team was silent, and except for the violent waves, all we heard were Buddy's whimpers.
"Wait," Annabeth said, "I recognize that island."
I looked up and saw a thickly forested island in view. I blinked. Was it there before?
"What do you mean?" Grover asked, "Have you seen it before?"
Annabeth frowned a bit, as if remembering something. Then she nodded. "It's where Asclepius lives. It's the island where the healing god lives."
"Isn't Apollo the healing god?" I asked.
Annabeth smacked me with her backpack, "Don't you ever study the ancient Greek legends?"
"Um…not really?"
Annabeth sighed. I rubbed my head, Annabeth's backpack was heavy. Maybe I didn't study the Greek stories much, but personally I thought the smacking was uncalled for.
"Apollo is the healing god, but he's also the god of music, poetry, prophecies etc, etc. Apollo had a mortal son named Asclepius. Even though he was mortal, he also inherited his father's abilities of healing. Asclepius healing abilities were so good; he could bring people to life. Zeus got angry and struck him lightning bolt, but before Asclepius could die, Apollo turned him immortal."
This took awhile to sink in.
"Asclepius can save Buddy?" Tria asked.
"Yes! If only we could get there. With Buddy's injuries and the rough waters, we could never get him to the island."
If going through the water was impossible, maybe we could go through the air with…
As if on cue, the sound of beating wings broke through the air.
"Flying ponies!" Tyson exclaimed.
You got trouble, boss?
Yeah, I replied, I got injured hippocampus.
This is a son of Poseidon? Another Pegasus mused, Yet he got hurt at sea. Demigods these days.
"You!" I exclaimed, "You're the pegasus from the cruise ship!"
You've got a slow head, punk, she replied
It's my sister! Blackjack said, Her name is Missy.
I noticed that both of the pegasi (?) had the same coal colored fur.
Hi Missy, I said.
Kay, enough with the introductions, Blackjack, Missy scolded, The hippocampus looks hurt.
Sorry, sis.
"Is there anyway you guys can get Buddy-the injured hippocampus over there-to that island?" I asked.
Guido, you think you could do it? Blackjack asked.
Guido groaned. Why do you always make me carry the heavier creatures? The hippocampus is practically as big as the Cyclopes.
After some grunting, shoving, and pulling, we finally managed to get Buddy onto Guido's back.
Can you fly? I asked.
Hardly.
Eventually, Guido managed to spread his wings and started to fly. There was enough pegasi (?) for all of us to ride, so we decided to let the hippoccampi to swim by themselves.
Quite quickly, we reached Asclepius' island, but Tria posed another problem.
"How are we going to get Buddy to Asclepius?"
"Uh…well, Asclepius is a god, right? So when we find him, he should be able to do some teleporting magic, teleport to Buddy, and heal him!"
Want us to fly you to Asclepius, boss?
Nah, there are too many trees to fly. Flying over here, I couldn't see a building of any sort. If we fly, we won't be close enough to the ground to find Asclepius' place.
No problem, boss. Be careful.
"Let's go!" I called.
"This place smells of monsters," Grover complained.
"It's where a god lives; the island probably has monsters inhabited in it," Annabeth said, "Remember, you also have a pithos with a monster scent right next to you."
We started through the forest. It was really dark on the island. Only traces of faint sunrays dared to peek through the dark canopies. I had to watch where I was stepping so I didn't trip over anything. I was known to be a clumsy person. In fact, I was watching the ground so intently; I didn't notice the homeless person ahead of me.
"Who is he?" Tria whispered.
"Who is who?"
I looked up and jumped. A man in ragged clothes sat at a tree stump. He was sniffling and seemed to be crying. It was sort of ironic because he was huge! He was probably taller than Tyson, his arms were like tree trunks, and he was built like a mountain. I probably shouldn't been fooled by his tears…
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Mousie!" he sobbed.
Mousie?
"My kitten…she's gone!" he cried.
A kitten named Mousie, totally normal.
"What do you mean?" Grover asked.
"Mousie climbed that tree," he whimpered, "A hawk might eat her. I'll never get her back."
"She climbed the tree?" Grover asked.
He nodded pitifully.
"I'll get Mousie," the nature-lover goat-man said.
"Grover, what?" Annabeth hissed.
"He cares for his cat, if I can get her back, it'll be the better for both of them. A monster might eat his cat," he whispered back.
"I kind of agree with Annabeth," I whispered, "Buddy is hurt, we should get to Asclepius as fast as we can."
"This'll be really quick, I promise."
"You'll get Mousie?" the homeless guy said hopefully.
"Yeah," Grover said, "She climbed this tree?"
It was a tall pine tree that stood parallel to another identical tree. The homeless guy nodded. Grover-with his crazy goat climbing powers-clambered up the trunk in a few seconds. When he finally got to a branch, he started climbing towards the top.
"Are you sure Mousie is in this tree?" Grover called. His voice sounded distant.
"Yes!" the homeless guy called back. I was surprised how strong his voice was.
After a while, "Are you really sure?" Grover yelled again. He sounded farther.
"I'm sure!" he called. He stood up and I stepped back. He looked even more gigantic when he was standing up.
"Just look a little more," he said.
Annabeth frowned. The homeless guy wasn't crying anymore, in fact, he didn't actually look sad at all, anymore…
The homeless guy jumped up and grabbed the two trees.
"Whoa!" I cried out, "What are you doing?"
He grinned and then started pulling down the trees.
"No way." My eyes widened.
The homeless guy was actually bending down the trees! Wait a second…
"He's Pitucamptes the Pine-Bender!" Annabeth shouted, "Get out of the tree, Grover!"
"Pitu-who?" I asked.
"A monster!" Annabeth shouted.
"I kind of know that!" I shouted back.
I heard Grover scrambling away and then a yelp. The homeless guy-I got to stop calling him that-grabbed Grover with his enormous hand.
"Let go of me!" Grover yelled.
"Foolish satyr," the monster said, smiling evilly, "You actually think I'll do that?"
"Let him go!" I shouted.
I uncapped Riptide and charged the homeless monster. He laughed and smacked me aside. I flew back and slammed against a tree trunk. I opened my eyes to see a blurry sight of Grover being tied to two trees. Each of his wrists was bound by some type of rope to the tops of the pine trees. My vision cleared and I could see him wincing and sweating. I suddenly realized if I didn't get him out his bonds, he would be ripped in two by the straining trees.
"Are you okay, big brother?" Tyson asked, running up to me.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I muttered, "How are we going to take on this monster?"
"He's called Pitucamptes or Sinis," Annabeth corrected.
"Does that really matter?"
"Okay, Tyson, Tria, and Percy will surround Pitucamptes."
"Let's call him Sinis."
"Okay, fine! While you guys attack Sinis, I'll cut Grover loose with my knife."
"I don't think Sinis has seen me yet," Tria said, "I'll go get Grover."
Annabeth nodded in agreement.
"Let's go!" Annabeth shouted.
Tria darted behind the trees and disappeared. I grabbed Riptide and stood.
"Tyson," I said quietly, "Go behind him."
He quickly ran around to surround Sinis.
"You fools think you can destroy me!" Sinis bellowed, "I am Pitucamptes the Pine-Bender! Your foolish friend will die!"
I peered behind the giant and saw a flash of black hair behind the trees. Good, Sinis didn't notice Tria yet. Annabeth rushed in with her knife. Sinis turned towards her and swung his fist. She dodged by a hair's length and leaped backwards. Tyson barreled through and crashed into Sinis, knocking him down. Behind him, Tria drew a knife and started cutting at Grover's ropes. Sinis shouted and grabbed Tyson. He flung him aside and Tyson fell with a deafening crash. Annabeth and I rushed in. Sinis grinned and grabbed Annabeth's neck. I swung my sword but I didn't notice Sinis' other fist. Sinis dodged my sword. Suddenly a silver knife flashed out of nowhere. I leaped back to avoid being pierced.
"Tria!" I yelled, "Why did you…?" Sinis' punch flew past me and smashed into a tree. He turned around and glared at me.
"Run!" Tria called. She drew two knives and sliced at both of the bonds. The trees sprang up, slamming into the other towering vegetation. Tyson stood up and brushed off some dirt. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt. Sinis stepped back and noticed that it was one against four. He dropped Annabeth who fell to the ground coughing. He spun around and sprinted away.
"Come back here!" I yelled.
"No!" Annabeth rasped, "Let him go."
"Are you okay?" I asked alarmed. Her lips had a slight tinge of blue that was fortunately slowly fading.
She got onto her feet and sheathed her knife, "I'm okay. It's better if we don't fight Sinis."
Grover came over groaning and rubbing his arms, "Luckily I didn't sprain any of my arms. Thanks, Tria."
"Sorry, Percy," she said apologetically, "But Sinis would've broken your skull if you didn't dodge my knife. I don't think you saw his fist."
"I didn't," I mumbled. I felt really dumb for not seeing it, "Thanks."
She nodded, "But more importantly, are you guys okay?"
She looked at Annabeth and Grover.
"I'm okay." Annabeth looked at Grover, "You sure your arms are okay?"
"Yeah."
"Next time, don't go trying to find cats in the middle of an unknown island."
"I'll be more careful next time."
"Well, nobody got hurt…well, really hurt anyways. Let's keep going. Buddy's waiting."
Nicholas POV
I tucked my hands in my pockets, feeling extremely peeved. My ideal first quest wasn't listening to my cousin ranting every two seconds.
"…and then she stole my sword! I mean, what did I do to deserve that? Seriously…" she continued.
I sighed and examined an interesting looking rock on the side of the road. She finally paused in the middle of talking.
"What's wrong, satyr?" she snapped, "Why are you stopping, again?"
Sherman bit his lip and looked at the ground.
"Lay off of him, Queena," I said, "If you can find Timoleon, then you can leave."
She heaved a sigh and crossed her arms. "Can you please tell me why you're stopping?"
Mm, I didn't know she knew how to say please. But, I was getting a little curious, too. Sherman was stopping constantly and taking a whiff of the pithos. He seemed a bit scatter-brained and worried. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again.
"Don't worry, Sherman," I said, "If whatever you upsets Queena, I'll stop her from killing you."
He looked up at me and gulped, "Um…I don't…I don't know where we are."
"Of course you don't know where we are!" Queena exclaimed, "We're in the middle of nowhere!"
"I mean…"
He gave me a quick glance. I gave him a reassuring smile.
"I don't know where we're going," he said.
"What is that supposed to me?" Queena said.
"I can't find the…the um…"
"Go on," I said.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I can't find the scent."
"What?" Queena exclaimed.
"I can't smell Timoleon," he stuttered, "I can't find the scent that matches the one of the pithos."
"What the heck?" Queena shouted.
"Calm down, girly," I said.
"Don't call me that!" she said.
"What do you mean you can't find the monster?" I asked.
I gave Queena a look that told her not to freak out. She was struggling.
"A few minutes ago, the scent suddenly disappeared," he said quietly, "I thought it would eventually come back to me, but it…it didn't."
"Out of all of the satyrs, I have to choose the one that a damaged nose!" Queena muttered. She glared at Sherman, "So, what are we going to do now, satyr?"
Finally got chapter nine up, yeah! Well, Missy the pegasus might seem pretty random, but there is a reason! In book 2, Sea of Monsters, Percy saw a black pegasus on the cruise ship. I noticed Percy called the pegasus a she. Now, Blackjack isn't a girl, so I decided to add a girl pegasus named Missy =)
From now on, I'll probably be writing from like eight points of views (the wrath hunters and a wrath) so it might get confusing, sorry :/
School is starting really soon, so I probably won't be updating as often, but I'll try my best.
