So, like the title, this is a filler chapter - except it isn't really, because it's important to the plot. Sorry it's so short. Anyway, we posted a new poll on our account, asking completely logical questions about what you think will happen next in the story. Vote now, before the next chapter!
It wasn't really as easy as pie.
Or a piece of cake.
Or any other dessert-related easiness analogies you can think of.
First of all, No. 1 led us away from the building, and therefore away from safety. The Party Ponies were up to their manes in fighting, and it was impossible to avoid all of the Hollowgasts.
One, completely visible and munching on the detached leg of a centaur (I wouldn't get that image out my head for months), tried to attack us as we crossed the sidewalk.
With a flick of his stubby hand, No. 1 made the Hollow spontaneously combust in a flash of red sparks.
"I feel bad about it," he admitted, "but they aren't living things, really."
"They're not," Holly agreed, trying to reassure him.
We crossed the street and ducked down a back alley (why do we always end up in alleys?) without Gaea making a stink. I took a moment to wonder why she wasn't trying to stop us. Was there a limit to her power?
"Hey," said Percy after a moment's traveling. "Where exactly are we going? Can't we just do the magic circle wherever we are?"
No. 1 smiled. It was a strange expression to see on such an inhuman face.
"No," he replied. "We have to at least be able to see the target of the spell before we create it."
"What?" Emma shouted, flames dancing on the tips of her fingers. "We're on top of her! Doesn't that count?"
No. 1 wagged a finger. "No, we have to see the center of her essence. Meaning, her physical representation has to be in our sightline."
"Can't you create the spell on your own?" Holly asked, eyes narrowed. "You're the most powerful warlock in millennia. Aren't your powers nearly limitless?"
"Sure," No. 1 said easily, "if you're okay with ripping apart the fabric of space and time." He gave a little eye roll. "This is easier, plus nobody dies."
"Honestly, Holly," Artemis said, earning a smack on the shoulder.
"All right," I said to take charge. "We're not getting anywhere. If we have to go to Gaea, where is she?"
There was a pause. Annabeth and Percy exchanged glances.
"Um," Percy said.
"Her… essence… was scattered across the world," Annabeth elaborated, twisting her dagger in its sheath. "That was supposed to keep her from reforming. We don't know how she recovered her consciousness."
"Oh, that makes more sense," said No. 1 brightly. "She probably reassembled easily, then. We should have no problem locating her."
The demigods looked flabbergasted. I was feeling the same way.
"Then how?" I asked, fed up with talking in circles.
The demon warlock turned to Hermione. "A simple locator spell," he said, patting her arm.
Hermione nodded, took a breath, and whispered something into her outstretched wand. Instantly, a bright white flash illuminated the wand for a moment, fading to the wand's tip.
"Strong magic," Holly noted.
"Er, what's that do, Hermione?" Harry asked sheepishly. I figured it was a spell he was supposed to know.
"Weren't you listening just now? It's a locator spell." Hermione tilted her head at No. 1. "Should I use it to locate Gaea's essence?" she asked him.
No. 1 nodded. "Locate away!"
"Wait," Holly said suddenly. She dashed out of the alley, closer to the fray.
"Where are you going?" the demon warlock asked, but she stood at the end of the fighting where it was too loud to hear him. Quickly, she held up a small handheld computer, pointing it at the fighting, and it emitted a small burst of light. In seconds she was back with us, tucking the piece of technology away.
"What was that?" I asked.
"A camera," Artemis said curiously, tilting his head at her.
"I took a picture of the Party Ponies to give to Foaly," she said, grinning. "You can never have enough blackmail."