The day's drive to Denver was surprisingly uneventful. Percy saw what looked like a few centaurs, satyrs, and what was possibly a dragon, running around the countryside. It was strange to see mythical creatures roaming around so casually. Percy had freaked out a little bit the first time he'd seen a dragon, but Luke and Grover had been unconcerned. According to Grover, these kinds of creatures usually just minded their own business. As long as they were left alone, they left humans alone, so they just drove right past them.
They almost got into a fight with a chimera or manticore, or some other hybrid creature that Percy couldn't tell apart. It had tried to eat Grover when they had stopped for lunch, but Luke had run it over with his car to daze it before stabbing it with Backbiter. The fight was over before it had even started.
After a long, long day of driving they finally got to Denver Colorado at about 9:00 at night. None of them were truly hungry, since they had been munching on snacks all day, but they were all in the mood for some human interaction and real food, so Luke drove to a family diner that was still open and not too busy.
Percy didn't get the chance to go to simple diners with his mom very often. Maybe other people saw this kind of thing as a regular, not special thing, but for Percy this was a treat. He had a really hard time deciding what he wanted to get. He couldn't choose between chocolate and banana pancakes, and a Reuben sandwich with a side of onion rings. Since Grover was getting himself a quesadilla Luke suggested that they just get both the pancakes and the sandwich and split them.
Percy was grateful for Luke's suggestion. On the rare times that Percy and his mom went out to eat they would get two small meals and share them. It was how Percy felt most comfortable eating out, but he hadn't been the one to suggest it.
Shortly after they ordered their food Percy suddenly felt a hollow, angry feeling form in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know why, but he was absolutely. He was mad at the gods, at Smelly Gabe for all the crap he put his mom through, Percy was even a little mad at Luke for keeping secrets and acting like he knew everything.
Grover tensed and looked out the window anxiously. He was bouncing his leg rapidly and clenching his fists into his pants. Luke's expression darkened into that angry look that Percy didn't like but was starting to get used to. While Luke looked angry, there was also a strange look of fear in his eyes. He looked as terrified as he looked mad.
"This cannot be happening," Luke muttered as a biker pulled up to the diner on his motorcycle. Luke stood up and held out his hand as Percy started to do the same. "You guys stay here. I'll take care of this guy. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"What are you doing?" Percy asked. "Maybe I can help?" Grover's eyes widened in alarm and he shook his head rapidly.
"I'll just be outside," Luke said. "If there's a problem, you'll be able to see if for yourself. For now, just stay here, take deep breaths, and stay calm." Luke ruffled Percy's hair before he made his way outside to meet up with the biker before he came in.
Percy seethed slightly. "Who is that guy?"
Grover glanced around anxiously, worried about being overheard. "Percy, that's Ares,"
"Wha-hang on," Percy's anger was briefly overcome with confusion and concern. "Like, the god of war?" Grover nodded, his eyes darting rapidly between Percy and Luke, who looked pale and ready for a fight. Percy knew that at least part of that was because of the hostile aura that Ares had to be radiating, but he thought that the biggest reason why Luke was tense was because of What Ares was saying to him. The god of war was picking a fight with a teenager, and that should not be okay.
Percy got to his feet and slipped away from Grover's grip as he tried to grab him. He made his way towards the door of the diner, ignoring Grover's pleas for him to come back. Luke was out there being confronted by a god, and Percy wasn't about to sit back and let him deal with it on his own. Luke needed backup and support.
Luke and Ares had been staring each other down and hissing harsh warnings and threats, but when Percy stepped out the door both of their attention turned to him. Luke looked even more frightened than before while Ares just looked smug and extremely punchable.
"Ah, this must be the little hero I've heard so much about," Ares said. The sound of his voice rubbed Percy the wrong way and made him feel even more irritated than before.
"What have you been saying to Luke?" Percy said angrily.
"Percy," Luke gave him a warning look. Ares just smirked.
"Nah, let the boy speak his mind. I like some spunk in my demigods." Ares said.
"I'm not your anything," Percy scowled. Ares chuckled.
"Oh, you're going to be a fun one, little cousin, I can tell," Ares said. Percy was taken aback for a long moment. It took him far too long to remember that Ares was a son of Zeus, who was one of Poseidon's brothers. Technically speaking, they were cousins, but it didn't feel right, and Percy didn't appreciate being called that by this infuriating god.
"What do you want?" Luke asked Ares impatiently.
Ares gave Luke a look that Percy didn't understand. "I just came to check up on the sneaky little thief that managed the impossible and stole the master bolt."
Luke froze and glared at Ares, though for some reason the fear in his eyes got even stronger. Percy barely noticed it though. He was too busy glaring at Ares himself.
"I'm not a thief." Percy said.
"Sure you're not," Ares said. "But I'm not here to talk about that."
"Whatever you want, just say it already," Luke said. "As you know, we've got things to do and places to be."
"I'll get right to the point then," Ares said, looking at Percy. "I've misplaced my shield around here, and need you to fetch it for me."
"I'm not your errand boy," Percy growled.
"You're whatever I want you to be," Ares' eyes flared up from behind his sunglasses.
"Luke held up his hand to stop Percy from really losing his cool. "What do we get out of this?"
Ares huffed. "Since you've got transportation covered, I can tell you where to find the underworld. L.A. is a big place to look." Percy didn't want to listen to anything this guy had to say, but he realized that kind of information would come in handy. Percy hadn't thought twice about finding the actual entrance, but now that they were so close to their destination he knew they should probably figure out a proper plan.
"I already know where to find the entrance." Luke said confidently. "DOA Recording Studios." Percy was shocked and even Ares looked shocked. A moment later Ares' face slipped back to his default smug grin.
"Right, I forgot about Hermes' part time gig as a guide to the underworld," Ares said. "I guess you're a real chip off the old block, aren't you? A jack of all trades."
Luke scowled, obviously unhappy about being compared to his dad. This discomfort was exactly what Ares had been going for.
"If we don't need your information, why should I do anything for you?" Percy asked heatedly.
Ares seethed and for a long moment Percy thought he felt heat burning off of him. This was terrifying. Ares tilted his neck from side to side, cracking it audibly. He looked at Luke and crossed his arms. "Hey, I can't force the kid to do anything. I was thinking of talking to you about our little secret, but if you want the kid involved in that conversation he's free to stay."
Luke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Perce, we don't want to anger this guy, so maybe it'll be good to listen to him."
"You want me to go get his stupid shield?" Percy was surprised at Luke. The older boy was so against doing anything for the gods, he'd been reluctant to even go on this quest, and yet he was suggesting that Percy go out of his way to help yet another god find his lost object.
Percy couldn't help but wonder why the gods so frequently lost items that they claimed were so important to them. Where would the gods be without any demigods to threaten and boss around?
"We may not need Ares' help on our quest, but we definitely don't want him as an enemy," Luke said as he watched Ares cautiously. Just get Grover and get the shield."
Percy was sure that this was a trick of some kind, but he wasn't worried about his own safety. He was confident that he and Grover could figure out whatever came their way on this very small quest. He was more worried about Luke. Ares had mentioned a secret between them. What secret could Ares possibly be holding over Luke to scare him so much?
"Will you be alright on your own?" Percy asked, though he knew how Luke would answer before he even finished asking.
"I can take care of myself," Luke smirked. Watch out for each other and then we'll split that sandwich and pancakes."
Percy scowled. He wasn't happy about this, but even though he felt protective and frustrated he knew that he wouldn't be able to beat Ares in a fight, at least not right now. "Fine," Percy reluctantly made his way inside, though as soon as he was out of sight he paused and pressed his ear against the door. He wanted to know what Ares was talking to Luke about.
Their voices were muffled, but Percy was able to hear Ares say something about chicken and cold feet. Luke's response was completely inaudible. Percy opened the door ever so slightly and strained to hear. He was able to catch what Ares had to say next.
"I'm not taking the fall of this," Ares growled. "I don't care if you are my nephew, if I'm going down, you're coming down with me."
"Percy?" Grover's voice made Percy jump. He turned towards Grover, who was watching him curiously and slightly nervously. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," Percy said quickly and quietly. He didn't want the others to know that he'd been listening in on them. Grover gave Percy an unimpressed look, clearly unconvinced. Percy continued before Grover could call him out. "Ares is sending us to recover his shield for him."
Grover frowned. "We're already in the middle of a quest."
"I know, but Luke insisted," Percy said. "Let's just get this over with. The sooner we go the sooner we can get back to Luke and leave Denver behind us."
The side quest to get the shield wasn't as bad as Percy was worried it would be. Ares told them exactly where they could find it, and of course there was a trap there, because why would anything be simple? It had been humiliating, but not exactly life threatening, so Percy supposed it could always be worse. Under different circumstances he might let himself linger on his frustration with the gods for being humiliated and taken advantage of, but he had something else to worry about. They had to get back to Luke.
When they got back to the diner they found Luke and Ares sitting at the table, their untouched food sitting on the table waiting for them. Somehow everything was still hot and fresh. Ares must've been influencing it somehow. Percy supposed he should be grateful, but he really wasn't in the mood.
Percy scowled and tossed the shield at Ares, who caught it effortlessly. It turned into a bulletproof vest in his hands, and somehow no one else in the diner seemed to notice it.
"Not bad, kid," Ares said. Luke didn't say anything. He just looked at Percy before he lowered his gaze to the table. He looked like he had a lot on his mind, and Percy felt his anger at Ares increase.
"What did you say to him?" Percy demanded.
Luke tapped his fingers against the table and Ares chuckled. "That's our little secret, cousin. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll figure it out sooner or later. And because I'm feeling generous," Ares waved his hand and summoned an old backpack. Luke eyed it cautiously like he didn't trust it, but it looked completely normal. Ares tossed it to Percy, who caught it easily.
Percy looked inside and wasn't surprised to see that it wasn't really anything they needed. Some money, both bills and golden drachma, and snacks, all things that they already had. The one thing that Percy was glad to see in the backpack were changes of clothes. It had only been a few days since they'd left, and Percy still had his spare clothes, but sitting around all day made Percy feel dirtier and smellier than usual. He would love a warm shower, but fresh clothes was a fresh second.
Even if it weren't for the clothes in the bag, Percy would have accepted the gift. It wasn't great, but it was still from a god, and Percy didn't want to offend this guy.
"I'll catch you kids later," Ares smirked and left the table. Percy glared at him until he disappeared from sight, and then he continued to glare at the place where he had been.
"I hate that guy," Percy growled.
"Join the club," Luke still looked a little anxious, but he seemed much more relaxed than before. He grabbed the sandwich and pancake plates. Luke grabbed one of the halves of the sandwich, transferred half of the pancakes in the stack to the sandwich plate, and then put the sandwich half that he was holding to the side of the pancake plate. Luke passed Percy the plate that had the pancakes covered in the most whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
Percy felt like he was too angry to eat, but the smell of the food made him willing to push his anger to the side at least for a few minutes.
Luke grabbed an onion ring and dipped it into the whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Percy scrunched up his nose in slight disgust, but mostly curiosity. Onions with chocolate didn't sound very good, but neither did chocolate and potatoes, and yet Percy liked french fries and shakes. Percy decided to give it a try for himself. It was...interesting.
"This is so gross," Percy grinned as he dipped his onion ring back into the sweet mixture to have another bite. He didn't think he liked it, but he couldn't stop eating. It was disgusting and oddly appealing.
"Right?" Luke chuckled. Percy might have continued eating his onion rings like that, but he had a better idea. He put half of his share inside of his sandwich before taking a bite. The rings added a much needed crunch.
"Now that looks good," Luke copied Percy's example. Grover watched both of them in distaste as he stuffed his face with his quesadilla.
"You two are terrible," Grover said.
"You're just jealous of our culinary genius," Luke said. Percy just laughed, and Luke gave him a big smile. "There we go. Don't let the gods get you down, Perce. They suck, but that doesn't mean you have to let them get to you." Luke's grin broadened and a mischievous glint came to his mind. "You know, I have a great game for us to play."
Grover coughed and choked slightly on his food. When he recovered he looked at Luke in disbelief and horror as though the older boy had sworn like a sailor in front of a small child and his grandmother.
"Luke!" Grover hissed and looked around anxiously. "No, please, no. I hate that game."
"Come on, it's fun," Luke said. "Not to mention very therapeutic."
"It's dangerous," Grover said. "Remember what happened last time you played? Ou almost got caught by Mr. D. You're so lucky he didn't know what was going on, or he would have destroyed all of you."
"Well, Mr. D isn't here, is he?" Luke smirked. He turned back to Percy, who was experimenting with dipping his Reuben sandwich into the chocolate. It wasn't nearly as good as the onion ring had been, but Percy didn't gag and feel the need to spit it out, so he considered it a success.
"So, you want to learn my favorite game?" Luke asked. Percy's mouth was full, so he just nodded and hummed in agreement. "The rules are simple. All you gotta do is pick the three gods that you hate the most, and then rant about them."
Percy swallowed his food. "How is that a game?"
"That's what I've been wondering for years," Grover muttered.
"It's a whole lot of fun, that's how," Luke said.
"It's disrespectful," Grover said.
"Hey, they disrespect us all the time," Luke said. "It's only fair that we have the same chance."
"Well, if we're going to play your game, then we have to play mine," Grover said. Luke rolled his eyes, but Percy nodded. If they were going to be playing Luke's choice of game that Grover didn't like, it was only fair that they also play a game of Grover's choice that Luke didn't like.
"Looks like I'm outnumbered here," Luke sighed. "Fine, we'll play your variant."
"How's it go?" Percy asked.
"You have to name a trait that you like or admire about each of the gods you hate most," Grover said. "I don't care if you say you like the color of their eyes or think they have fashionable clothes, you need to share something positive about them."
It sounded difficult, but Percy was up for the challenge if Luke was. "Let's do it."
"I'll start," Luke said far too eagerly. "Right now my third least favorite god is my dad." Percy and Grover both looked at him in shock.
"Third?" That wasn't what Percy expected.
"I've never seen him lower than first," Grover said.
"That's 'cause he's the one always on my mind." Luke said. "After everything that's happened though, I've remembered some old resentments."
"Okay, well, why don't you like your dad?" Percy asked. He had a fairly good idea, but Luke said this was how the game went. If talking about it made Luke feel better, then he should have the chance to talk about it.
"Partly it's because he's never around," Luke said. "Mostly though it's because he still pretends he cares. Whenever I do see him he acts like he's worried about me and how I'm doing. As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't have a right to worry about me like that." Percy understood a bit. It reminded him of some of his teachers and counselors who claimed to care whenever they happened to talk to him, but if Percy ever needed help, if he ever got in trouble at school, they were always the first ones to turn on him.
Luke flipped one of his pancakes over to spread the syrup around. He nodded at Percy. "Alright, give it to us, who is your third least favorite god?"
Percy hadn't actually had a lot of experience with any of the gods, but he had one in mind. "Dionysus."
"Yeah, I figured," Luke nodded. "A lot of new campers say the same thing."
"He just doesn't care about us, at all," Percy said. He didn't exactly hate Mr. D, he barely knew him well enough for that, but that was part of the problem. "He's the camp director, and he couldn't be showing how little he cared if he tried. He can't even be bothered to remember our names."
"Oh, he knows the names of every single camper," Grover pointed out.
"He just doesn't care enough to call us by our actual names," Luke said. "It's his way of reminding all of us that he sees himself as above us."
"He sucks," Percy said confidently. He looked at Grover. "What about you? Which of the gods do you hate?"
Grover grimaced. "Hate is such a strong word,"
"I'll tell you what," Luke said. "Forget hate. Just tell me a god that you don't like something about. Just a single god."
"Well, uh, Apollo," Grover said quietly, like he was afraid of being overheard.
"The god of the sun and poetry?" Percy frowned in confusion. Of all the gods to dislike, wh choose him?
"He might as well be the god of arrogance," Luke muttered.
"He's definitely really proud," Grover said. "He doesn't like being wrong. Just look at what happened to Marsyas."
"Who?" Percy looked at Luke.
"A satyr who competed in a music contest against Apollo, and was flayed alive for even daring to challenge him," Luke said. Percy paled and felt like he was going to be sick. That was so wrong in so many ways.
"I get why you might not like Apollo," Percy said. Grover nodded and looked back to Luke.
"Alright, my turn again," Luke said. "Hades. He cursed the Oracle of Delphi. If he hadn't done that, my mom wouldn't be the way she is now."
"Hades is my number two too," Percy said, though it had been a really close call. "He stole my mom from me, he's been spending his monsters after me, and I don't even understand why."
"Well, maybe when we get to the underworld you can ask him." Luke said. "I guess it's back to me, and actually, my least favorite god right now is Apollo."
"Is he really that bad?" Percy asked.
"Normally I'd say no," Luke said. "But his stupid oracle and prophecies ruin everything. They make people paranoid, chasing after or trying to avoid things that they don't even understand." Percy felt a twist in his stomach as he remembered the line in this quest's prophecy about him being betrayed by a friend. He wouldn't be half as worried about this quest if it weren't for that stupid line in the prophecy.
"That's fair," Percy said. "As for my number one, I've gotta go with Zeus."
"A lot of people hate that guy," Luke said.
"He's blaming me for something that I never even did," Percy said heatedly. "And when I try to do him a favor and make it right, he makes it almost impossible for me to do it. Like, does he want me to get him the master bolt back or not?"
"So, Ares isn't in your top three," Luke commented.
"He's a jerk and makes me so mad," Percy said. "But I think everybody gets like that around him. With Dionysus, Hades, and Zeus, it's a lot more personal." Percy had seen a lot of different kinds of bullies, but the ones he hated the most were the ones who seemed to have a personal vendetta against somebody, but no reason behind it. Percy would rather people be jerks to everybody than terrorize just a single person.
"Alright, alright, time to play my game," Grover said. "You have to name something good about the gods you listed. I'll go first. Apollo actually cares about his kids." Luke scoffed and scowled, but allowed Grover to continue. "He's one of the few gods who claims his demigod children almost as soon as they get to camp. And if he ever meets any of his kids he's never shy about talking to them."
That sounded more like the Apollo that Percy had been thinking of after hearing some of the myths. Apollo could be vengeful when angered, just like any of the other gods, but he wasn't above showing his softer side when the mood hit him.
Luke didn't look like he wanted to say anything, so Percy took the initiative and went next. "Dionysus...uh…" Percy really didn't know a lot about the guy. He had to think for a long moment before he remembered a few things he'd heard about Dionysus in the myths. Namely about his habit of turning people into animals or making them lose their sanity.
"At least Mr. D doesn't, you know, make us go mad whenever he loses his patience with us," Percy said. "He just conveniently forgets our names."
"There you go," Grover said cheerfully. "That's the kind of positivity I'm looking for here." It was a low bar and seemed much more reasonable now. Grover looked at Luke expectantly. The older boy sighed.
"Fine," Luke ripped an onion ring apart. "He cares about my mom. Nowhere near as much as he should, but Chiron said that Hermes tried to talk her out of trying to take on the oracle, and last time I saw my mom my dad was there too, just checking on her. She deserves more of his attention, but what he gives her is better than nothing."
It was Percy's turn again, and he had no idea what to say. He didn't know what to say about Hades. He barely knew anything about him, as he wasn't even talked about in many of the myths that he had heard. "Can we tag team on this?"
"Of course," Luke said. "Well, Hades usually keeps out of the lives of the demigods,"
"Except when he doesn't feel like it," Percy scowled.
"Yeah, except for then," Luke chuckled and nodded. "He's a guy that looks after himself, and I guess I can admire that." Percy didn't think that he felt the same way, not when Hades looking after himself had been exactly what had led to his mom being taken.
Since Luke spoke for both of them when it came to Hades, Percy decided it was only fair that he go next. "Well, Zeus is the leader of the gods, and they've been around for thousands of years. That can't be easy." Percy still didn't like Zeus, but he could acknowledge good leadership skills. That wasn't to say that Zeus was perfect, far from it, but he knew how to demand respect.
"Alright, Apollo, Apollo," Luke thought for a long moment, much longer than any of them had to think about their answers. Finally he sighed and gave his answer. "We have him to thank for Camp Half-Blood being a thing in the first place."
"Wait, really?" Percy asked.
"Yeah," Luke gave him a small, strained smile. "Apollo forced a friendship onto Chiron and taught him almost everything he knows about training demigods. Apollo then introduced Chiron to his first students and gave him the idea of expanding."
"I had no idea," Percy said. That seemed strangely nice for a god who was apparently really self centered. Especially when he wasn't given any recognition for it.
"Chiron teaches us to respect the gods," Luke said. "But he avoids talking about his personal experience with the gods when he can. He knows it wouldn't go over well with a lot of the campers."
"Maybe we wouldn't be so mad at the gods if we actually knew what they've done for us." Percy said.
"Yeah, maybe," Luke said. He sounded unconvinced, but he wasn't completely rejecting the idea, so Percy thought that was a step in the right direction.
"See, this wasn't that bad," Grover said.
"Yeah, it wasn't," Luke rolled his eyes. "I still prefer my game."
"I liked them both," Percy said. He'd learned a lot of things, both good and bad, that he hadn't known about the gods before. Percy felt like the more he knew, the more he could do to fix what was wrong. Percy still didn't feel ready to confront Hades or Zeus, but he was getting there. He just needed some more time. Percy just hoped that the one more day that it would take them to get to Los Angeles would be long enough.
A/N: I've had Luke's little game on my mind since I first thought of this story, and it was fun to finally write it.