Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Perseus and the Monster Force

Chapter 29: A New Ally

Portland, Oregon – waterfront…

"Why are we by the water?" Thalia asked irritably. Annabeth rolled her eyes at her friend's attitude.

"Percy can't fly because your dad will blast him out of the sky," Annabeth replied.

"He wouldn't if I was with him," Thalia argued.

Annabeth looked at Percy thoughtfully. "She makes a good point."

Percy sighed before he ran his hand through his black hair. "Alaska has more coastline than the entire United States combined and we don't know where we're going, except that it's near a glacier. A plane would get us to Alaska, but then we'd be stuck trying to find other transportation, most likely a boat anyway."

Thalia crossed her arms in frustration; she knew Percy was right. Annabeth just smiled at the son of Daedalus. "Spoken like a son of Daedalus," she said impressed.

Percy's cheeks turned pink. "I know Alaska well, a plane is good when you know the destination, but a boat is better when you have to search, especially when we're looking for ice."

"Okay, Dog Breath, we'll do it your way," Thalia huffed. Percy smirked at the stupid nickname.

Percy walked towards the harbor before he stopped at a boat and trailer sales facility. "How're we going to buy a boat?" Thalia questioned.

Percy smiled. He pulled out his credit card. Thalia and Annabeth looked at him curiously. "You can't be serious?" Annabeth asked.

Percy's smile widened. "This card has unlimited funds," he replied. Thalia and Annabeth stared at him in shock. "Don't you have to be at least eighteen before you could buy a boat?" Annabeth asked. Percy's grin widened. "They will call the card number and my dad's computer will vouch for me," Percy explained.

"What?" Thalia asked.

Percy sighed. "My dad's artificial intelligence computer does a dead on impersonation of my dad. He's plenty convincing," Percy explained further. Thalia and Annabeth just nodded.

Percy walked into the sales office and immediately a woman about twenty-five appeared before them. She was blonde and blue eyed, and wore a pink summer dress. Percy thought that she could be a daughter of Aphrodite or Venus. "Hello, can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes, my name is Percy Jackson and these are my friends Annabeth and Thalia. We're looking for a good boat for long distance sailing," Percy said.

The woman just stared at him. "You're a little young to buy a boat, aren't you?" she asked. Thalia and Annabeth both glared at the son of Lupa. "The boat's for my dad. Here's our credit card, his number is on the back," Percy explained.

The woman took the card and walked to her desk. She dialed in the number and began a long conversation on the phone. The whole time Percy and his friends watched. A few minutes later the woman returned with a broad smile on her face. "Your father is such a dear. Your story checks out. I'll make sure to help you personally. Please let your father know, my name is Brandi Bedford," Brandi said. Annabeth and Thalia both gagged slightly at the flirtatious tone in the woman's voice.

Percy grinned. "Thank you, I'll make sure to let my dad know."

Three hours later the trio stood in front of a 50 foot long yacht sailboat. Percy shook Brandi's hand before she gave him the keys. Brandi smiled as she looked at the sailboat that was docked at the marina near the sales facility. "Say hello to your dad for me," she said. Percy smiled. "I will, thanks for all the help, Brandi," he replied. Brandi smiled before she waved to Annabeth and Thalia who stood on the dock looking at the boat. Brandi walked away to leave the three friends to contemplate the purchase they just made.

"Wow, a Bavaria 50, this is so cool," Percy said. Annabeth and Thalia just stared at the boy. Percy pulled out the ship specifications checklist. "A white hull with a grey stripe and eight fixed hull windows, four on each side. A cast iron keel, twin rudders and emergency tiller. Two steering pedestals, instrument console and helmsman seat. Three cabins, three heads and two separate cabin showers. A five hundred and sixty gallon freshwater tank, manual and electric bilge pump, and a warm water boiler. Twenty-two inch television with multi-media package, surround sound and satellite system. A full galley with a refrigerator, a two burner stove with oven, and a double stainless steel sink. It has a Volvo Penta Saildrive engine with seventy-five horse power. Wow, this baby is loaded."

Annabeth and Thalia both stared at the son of Daedalus like he was crazy. "You sure know a lot about boats," Annabeth said.

Percy grinned as he rubbed his hand along the rail of sailboat. "Son of Poseidon thing, I guess."

Thalia and Annabeth nodded. "I guess we better get onboard then," Annabeth said. Percy smiled before he jumped onboard. Annabeth followed behind him before Thalia stepped onto the deck with shaky legs. "I don't know about this," Thalia said.

Percy grinned at Thalia's unease. "Nothing is going to hurt you while I'm onboard Thals," Percy reassured. Thalia nodded before she sat down on a bench seat far away from the railing of the ship. "I think I'll sit here," she said. Percy reached into his bag and pulled out a white pill. "Take it," Percy said. Thalia took the pill and looked at it strangely. "What is it?" she asked warily. Percy's grin widened even more. "A sea sickness pill," he replied as he handed one to Annabeth as well. The two girls took the pills and swallowed them quickly.

Percy untied the boat and turned on the diesel engine before he powered the boat away from the marina and out to sea. Once they reached a certain distance from shore, Percy lowered the keel and raised his hands. The ropes and pulleys began to move on their own before the three sails rose to their full heights. The sails caught the wind and the boat powered forward. Percy turned off the diesel motor as he began to maneuver the boat north towards Alaska.

Thalia and Annabeth just sat on the bench seats with their mouths agape as they stared at Percy. His eyes shined like the water they sailed through. The two girls marveled at his powers and how happy he was at sea.

"I've never seen him this happy before," Annabeth said.

Thalia smiled. "I have," she said. Annabeth gave her a curious look. "In the forest when he's with his family."

Annabeth nodded. "Makes sense, he's the son of Lupa and Poseidon," she replied.

Thalia's face darkened. "I worry about him," she admitted quietly.

Annabeth was shocked that her friend admitted that. "Why?"

"The great prophecy," Thalia replied.

Annabeth's grey eyes widened. "You've read it?"

Thalia nodded before she looked down at the ground in shame. "It was one of the reasons I chose to join the hunt. I didn't want to be the child of the prophecy."

"Now you feel guilty because Percy could be that child," Annabeth reasoned. Thalia wouldn't look up at her friend, but she nodded her head. "It's not your fault. Percy wouldn't want you to feel guilty. He doesn't blame you."

"I know that's why I feel so guilty," Thalia explained. "Guilt won't help him or you," Annabeth said. Thalia finally nodded in acceptance. "We just need to be his friends and help him as much as possible." A small smile crossed Thalia's lips. "I can do that… I mean… we can do that," Thalia said. Annabeth's smile grew before she grabbed her friend by the arm and pulled her toward the smiling son of Daedalus.


Portland, Oregon…

Daedalus, his family, the goddess of the hunt and her hunters stepped out of an old building along the waterfront in Portland.

Artemis looked around curiously. "Why are we here?" she asked.

Daedalus took out his phone. "Percy and the others were here just thirty minutes ago," Daedalus explained.

"Where are they?" Artemis asked.

Phelan looked toward the horizon before his red eyes flashed. He pointed toward the horizon. "They're on that boat," he said.

Artemis and the others followed his hand. "Where are they going?" she asked.

"I might be able to answer that," a voice said. The hunters and Percy's family turned toward the sound of the person's voice. A ten year old boy stood before them; he had golden brown hair and warm brown eyes that glowed with power. The hunters drew their bows and aimed at the boy. The boy frowned at their display of hostility. "That's no way to greet a friend."

Daedalus stepped forward. "Who are you?"

The boy smiled. "I am Eagle, brother to Raven and Coyote. I am known as the messenger of the Great Spirit," Eagle replied.

Daedalus and Artemis stared at the Native American deity in front of them. "Why are you here?" Artemis questioned. Eagle smiled at the goddess. She was in her twelve year old form, which made Eagle feel at ease. "I know where the boy and two girls went," Eagle explained.

"Where did they go?" Daedalus asked.

Eagle moved his hand and a stone erupted from the pavement. He sat down on the rock before he looked into the eyes of the son of Athena. "They met with Nereus and he told them where the weapons are. The first destination is Alaska, near a glacier."

"Why are you helping us?" Artemis asked. "I thought you were helping Coyote."

Eagle's smile faded. "My brother works with Kronos and unfortunately with the Titan's mother," Eagle explained. Artemis's eyes widened when she realized that their enemy was Gaea and Kronos. "Yes, a very dangerous enemy we have. Coyote is blinded over what he feels has been the injustice perpetrated on the wild by mortals. He feels that the Greek and Roman gods have forsaken their duty. He is blinded by revenge."

"You don't agree with him?" Daedalus questioned.

Eagle looked at the ground sadly. "At first I thought he was right, but I watched Kronos and his allies. All they want is revenge and then I found out my brother was just as blood thirsty as them. I couldn't watch children be killed. I couldn't be a part of that."

"Can you come with us?" Artemis asked.

Eagle shook his head. "I cannot," he replied. "I must meet with Raven. We must prepare to fight our brother."

Artemis nodded. "I understand and we thank you for the information."

Eagle smiled at the goddess. "Help them in Alaska. They will find many dangers there. A child of Gaea awaits them, plus many other dangers."

Artemis looked down at the ground. "I cannot go there. It is outside the realm of the gods."

Eagle stood and walked toward the goddess. Zoe and the hunters moved toward him, but Artemis motioned for them to step back. Eagle placed his hand on the goddess's forehead. A golden light covered her body. "You have my permission to enter Alaska and any other destination that is needed in the realm of the Great Spirit."

Artemis smiled at Eagle. "Thank you my lord," she said.

"It is my pleasure," Eagle replied. He stepped back from the goddess before he began to glow. When the light faded a large golden eagle stood perched on the rock. He extended his wings before he flew off toward the north. Artemis and the hunters watched him fly away.

"We can take the Labyrinth to Alaska. My family and I know the state well," Daedalus explained.

Artemis nodded. "Zoe and my hunters prepare," she ordered.

Daedalus turned toward Phelan and the rest of his family. "He touched the door of the old building before the blue triangle appeared on the top of the door. He touched the symbol and the door opened to reveal a stone corridor. Daedalus and his family entered followed by Artemis and her hunters. Once they were all through, the door closed before the blue triangle faded away.

AN: Percy and his friends are on their way to Alaska. Artemis and Daedalus are on their way as well. Eagle is now on the side of Olympus. Next chapter will be the arrival in Alaska, the search for the weapons and the evil surprises that Eagle warned the group about, so stay tuned.