Ch20

Percy sighed as he and Magnus flew on Blackjack towards DC at top speed. They didn't have any reason to trust those people who just threatened them but it was the only lead that they had. "Hey Magnus are you ok?" He asked his friend who currently had his hands wrapped around him and resting his head up against his back. Magnus was holding on to him tightly as if he were scared of something. He offered to buy him falafel multiple times but apparently, he was really down because he refused it every time and was gripping him like a teddy bear with his head pressed up against his back.

Magnus nodded, "Yeah, I don't know why but I just I don't know how to explain it," he sighed, his voice sounding almost hollow.

Percy gave his friend a sympathetic look. "Yeah man I don't know what is going on but they were different. I mean I never heard of dwarves and elves in the myths. Though maybe Annabeth knows he thought as he sighed. He didn't know why but when he saw the Viking clad woman and her companions he felt as if his world had opened up some more, almost in the same way as when he found out that he was a demigod and the existence of the Greek gods. When he heard of them talk he felt his head ring with a voice that said not to say anything to them and to be cautious around them.

"Hey Percy can I ask you something?" Magnus asked in a surprisingly soft voice.

"Sure what is it dude?" He asked

"They said that they were sent by my dad and then that there were Gods other than the Greeks. What if," Magnus paused a bit before continuing. "What if I am not a Greek demigod?" He said, his voice sounding as if it trying to suppress various emotions.

The sentence caught him off guard as he felt Magnus tighten his grip around his stomach. "Magnus I don't care if you are a Greek demigod, a mortal, or some other kind of demigod you are my friend and I will stand by you," he said as he looked at his friend. Though you definitely are not a mortal that's for sure

"Thanks," Magnus said still avoiding his gaze. "Its just, I don't know how to explain it but this whole thing is making me question a lot of things," he said with a sigh.

"I know what you mean, that whole encounter was weird," He said with a sigh as he looked up at the sky. It was midafternoon and they were halfway to DC; they had stopped for a break so Blackjack could rest but other than that they had been flying nonstop. "But don't think too much of it, after all we have to save Annabeth now." Magnus looked up at him and nodded, his friend's face looked tired and conflicted as if he were in the middle of making a big choice.

"True," he said with a small smile. "And I have a cool kick-ass sword and armor too."

"Yeah man that thing looks epic we have to try it out when we have time," Percy said with a smile, Magnus smiled back at him and nodded though he could tell that he was trying to put on a happy face. The two continued to fly until they made it to DC, they didn't know where to look exactly so they just got off in front of a museum and he decided to send Blackjack home. "Don't worry we will figure everything else out from here," he told his Pegasus who nodded at him and then flew back to camp.

"So why would they come here shouldn't they be going west?" Magnus asked as he looked around.

"I don't know maybe they wanted to make a detour?" He said as he looked around. However, that was when he heard a low growl from the bushes.

"Hello you two," said a familiar voice that sent shivers down his spine. Both him and Magnus turned and drew their swords as Dr. Thorn emerged from the bushes glaring at them. "You are both a little late your friends just fled," he hissed.

"Where is Annabeth," Magnus spat as he glared at Dr. Thorn.

Dr. Thorn just laughed, "I wouldn't worry about her at the moment. She is currently holding something she cannot afford to drop," he said with a sinister smile. "Don't worry though you will both meet your ends here," he said as he snapped his fingers.

Both of them heard a large growling sound as a large lion emerged from behind Dr. Thorn. "Enjoy your deaths demigods the Nemean lion will tear you both to shreds," he sneered as the lion jumped in front of them and roared.

Percy drew Riptide while Magnus activated his shield and drew his celestial bronze sword. "Percy this was one of Hercules's labors lets be careful," Magnus warned. "Its skin is nearly impenetrable."

"I know man; are you sure you don't want to use your new armor and sword?" He asked and not just because he thought it looked cool.

Magnus gave him a small smile, "Maybe if things get too heated I don't know how to use Gram yet so maybe if we need too."

"Sounds good well here it comes," He said as the lion roared and charged at them. The lion attempted to lunge at them but both them managed to avoid the attack.

Percy attempted to slash at the monster but the lion was quick and huge. Damn how can I get close to it, he thought as he saw Magnus try to slash at it with his sword but only for his attack to bounce off.

"Magnus in the story the lion's weak spots were its eyes and mouth," He said as he dodged the lion again.

"Yeah I remember but how the hell are we supposed to get to it?" Magnus said as he kept his distance from the lion's claws. Magnus was watching the creature wearily and came to the same realization that he did, they had to somehow kill it from the inside.

Percy looked around quickly and saw a fire hydrant nearby. He ran over to it and tapped it with the pommel of his sword. "Hey Nemean Lion over here," he said calling out to the lion as he focused on the water in the fire hydrant. The lion turned to him and roared and ran at him at full speed.

The lion lunged at him with its mouth wide open and Percy slashed the top of the fire hydrant and quickly willed all of the water into the lion's mouth. The lion tried to let out a scream but Percy forced the water into its mouth relentlessly.

The lion was daze by the assault of water as he forced it into his mouth. The lion was apparently confused as it tried to get away from the blast but he wasn't going to let it off that easily. They both heard the lion cough and gag on the water as it tried to move away.

The lion then let out a loud roar as it broke free from the water and ran at him, Crap he thought as he realized that the hydrant was out of water. The floor! He focused on the water that was on the floor around them and made the ground so slippery that lion slipped and fell.

"Percy look out!" Magnus shouted. Percy looked at and saw that the lion regained its footing and lunged at him with its jaw wide open. Percy felt himself get pushed to the ground by Magnus who was in the black armor that they found with the sword Gram in his hands.

Percy wanted to shout at him to get away as the lion lunged at him but all Magnus did activate his sword and rammed it into the upper part of the jaw of the lion. Percy watched in shock as the lion roared and Magnus activated the other side of the blade causing it to slam into the bottom of the lions jaw causing it to roar in pain.

"Percy hurry up and finish this thing. I don't think I can hold it much longer," Magnus said through his black mask.

Percy nodded, "I'm on it." He grabbed Riptide and ran at the creature and plunged it into its right eye. He buried the sword to the hilt in its eye as the creature let out a loud roar and then slowly disappeared leaving what appeared to be a pelt on the ground.

"We did it," Magnus said as his mask retracted into the armor. His face was covered in sweat as he looked down at the pelt. "It must be a prize for defeating it. Hercules received it in the myths you should take it."

Percy picked up the lion pelt which took the shape of a fur coat. "Are you sure? You helped take it down?"

Magnus smiled at him, "Nah man you did most of it. Good job by way."

Percy nodded, "Thanks though I am not Hercules," he said with a sigh as he put on the coat; it was surprisingly warm. "That was cool by the way," he said pointing to his armor and sword.

"Yeah Gram told about it while we were fighting," Magnus said as he deactivated his armor and sword. "He said he hadn't fought anything that strong since he fought a dragon called Fafnir, he said that the armor is durable and will support and defend me."

"Wow your sword fought a dragon cool," He said as he looked around and saw water all over the place. "So what now?"

Magnus looked at him and scratched his head, "Good question. Find the others somehow?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth," he said with a sigh. "But seriously how do we find them?" He sighed as he looked around, he didn't want to go to sleep yet to try and get in touch with Grover but he honestly didn't think this through.

He and Magnus decided to leave as quickly as possible and were about to enter the subway when a red sports car pulled up next to them. "Hey demigods need a ride?" the owner of the car said.

"Apollo?" Magnus said in shock.

The man put his fingers to his lips as if to shush them. "No I am undercover call me Fred. Get in and I'll show you where they are."

Magnus and Percy looked at each other and nodded, it wasn't like they had any other options. The two got into the car with Magnus squeezing himself between him and Apollo. "Great lets go we have to make this quick now," Apollo said with a smile.

"Um Lord Apollo I thought Gods aren't supposed to intervene in quests?" He asked as the car sped through the streets.

"Well are you both on a quest?" Apollo asked with a sly smile.

"Well no," Magnus said as the car spead through the air. While they were driving he swore he saw the shape of a silver haired man, he quickly realized it was the help along with his two companions. He saw that big blonde girl who looked like Clarisse on steroids glaring at them and made a I am watching you gesture. He glared back at her as he felt anger inside of him, it's her fault Magnus is like this. He quickly flipped her off while Apollo and Magnus were not looking just as the car rose in the air and flew over the Potamic River and headed west.

"Good so I am just helping two lost demigods who aren't on a quest," Apollo said with a smile.

I could live with that he thought as the car descended upon a wooded area near some train tracks. "Your friends put up a good fight but ended up having to retreat. They should be somewhere that way not far, be careful they might have set up fortifications and whatnot," Apollo said.

"Thanks Lord Apollo," Magnus said with a small smile.

Apollo smiled at him with his bright white teeth, "No kid, you know you remind me a lot about this guy I met in Stockholm once super-hot but he had this weapon that would not stop talking."

"Um thanks," Magnus said his face flushing a bit.

"No problem, anyway kid just make sure my sister is safe," Apollo said as Magnus's face turned redder and he mumbled thanks.

"Don't worry we will save her and Annabeth," he said firmly as he forced himself not to get angry with Apollo for kind of flirting with his friend.

Apollo nodded, "Great that's the spirit. Now there should be a train passing through on those tracks later in the day not that I was here. Also I will try and explain away the little detour you both took," he said with a wink.

He and Magnus looked at each other awkwardly but Apollo spoke up, "Don't worry you aren't in trouble if my dad makes a fuss of it I'll speak some reason into him. Besides, we both had our fun with each other and use all your means for this quest," Apollo said with another wink. They both stared at him in shock and only nodded and waved at him as Apollo and his car drove off in the distance. "Well at least he was helpful," Magnus said with a sigh. "Do you think they knew about our trip?"

"I don't know but lets go find and find the others them," he said as they both began to walk in the direction Apollo pointed towards. Magnus nodded and the two carefully made their way through the woods.

"I wonder how they managed to escape," Magnus said as they carefully walked through the forest.

"Yeah that lion was tough. I imagine Dr. Thorn also had other reinforcements," he said as they made their way through the vegetation. They both occasionally sliced through some branches and after a few minutes, they heard some familiar voices.

"Listen Hunter we barely got out of there with our lives forget about that damn lion and lets get going towards the west," Thalia yelled angrily.

Magnus and Percy looked through the vegetation carefully. They saw Zoe and Thalia glaring at each other, both of them looking as if they fought an army of monsters as both looked exhausted. While Grover and Bianca appeared to have been slightly ruffed up and looked as if they did not want to get involved.

"That lion will only come at us again. We should go back and finish it off we almost had it," Zoe snapped at her. Even from the bushes, they could tell that both girls were pretty close to coming to blows with each other.

"Yeah and in the meantime we lost our supplies and car," Thalia said glaring at Zoe.

"Like that was my fault; those mortal mercenaries were shooting at us," Zoe said.

It was then that either he or Magnus stepped on a branch or something and immediately both girls and Bianca grabbed their weapons and pointed them in their direction. "Who is there?" Thalia said holding her spear. "I told you we should have kept moving," she snapped at Zoe.

"Calm down girls it is just us," Magnus said as they both came from behind the bushes with their arms raised.

"Percy Magnus !" Grover said his face lighting up but he quickly hid his smile as Zoe glared at him. "I mean what are you both doing here, you shouldn't be here."

"Um it's a long story but we are here," he said with a sigh. "Oh and we both took care of that Nemean Lion," he said pointing to his fur coat.

Zoe glared at the fur coat and then at Magnus. He noticed her eyes widen as she noticed the necklace he was wearing and the sword Gram at his waist side. "No," She muttered glaring at Magnus.

"Um excuse me?" Magnus said in confusion.

"I thought something was off about thee," she said in a cool tone glaring at Magnus. "Why would thy kind help us?"

She must really not like men he thought as Magnus rolled his eyes. "We are here to save my cousin. I could care less if you hate men. Don't worry you are definitely not my type," he said.

"Being a male is the least of my reason to detest your kind," Zoe spat. Magnus appeared confused as to what she was referring to and so did everyone else apparently. But he had a vague idea of what she was referring to. She lived for a long time she might know things the thought must have occured to Magnus as they both exchanged a concerned look

"Look everyone lets just calm down," he said standing between them. "According to Apollo a train should be passing by here soon that can take us west we should take it soon."

Thalia sighed, "Percy is right we should get going. Percy and Magnus are coming and there isn't much we can do about it."

Zoe continued to glare at Magnus but then sighed, "Fun but try anything funny and it will be the end of thy life," she said as she turned away.

Magnus just rolled his eyes and sighed. Percy put an arm on his shoulder, "Don't worry dude we made it this far already."

Magnus smiled at him, "Thanks I guess I'll try to keep my distance from her."

"Yeah me too," he said. They both smiled at each other as they helped Thalia and them pack. Zoe ignored both of them the entire time as Thalia and Grover talked about what had happened.

"We were in the museum when suddenly we were ambushed by Dr. Thorn, the General, and his minions," Grover explained as he told them what happened. "They had so many of them I thought we were going to die," he said with a sigh.

"Yeah I thought we had them but then that lion showed up," Thalia explained as she stared up at the sky. "No matter what we did we couldn't keep up the fight so we retreated."

"Well I am glad everyone is safe," he said as he helped them pack. "Are you alright Bianca?"

Bianca smiled at him and nodded, "I am now, it has been a crazy day."

"Speaking of which how did you guys get here?" Thalia asked as they headed towards the railroad tracks.

"Blackjack brought us here," Magnus said casually. Percy nodded in agreement, they both decided to keep their little side adventure with that blonde girl and the elf and dwarf to themselves for the time being.

"But were you both following us this whole time? I mean you could've helped us unless you were doing something else," Bianca said.

Magnus and Percy shared a small look as they felt the air go awkward between them. "We um got lost," Magnus said.

"Yeah and Blackjack wasn't feeling well," he added. Thalia and Bianca looked at each other as if they weren't buying their excuse but decided not to press with the details.

As Apollo told them a train eventually passed by, it was still going pretty slow and they were able to all jump on a spare car without any problem. The train was one of those ones that transported cars so they all split up and shared the cars between them. He and Magnus found a car to share while Grover had fun in his own car and the hunters shared their own as well.

"Well we are closer to saving her," Magnus said with a sigh. They were both resting in the back seat as the train sped towards the west.

"Yeah don't worry man we will save her," he said with a determined look. Magnus smiled at her and the two sighed as they rested in their seats. After a very long day they were both tired.

Gunilla sat at a table across from Hearthstone and Blitz and sighed. "We lost him it appears as if the God Apollo took them off somewhere," Blitz said. "But hay it was cool watching both of them fight that lion. He used Gram really well with practice he can master it," Hearthstone nodded in agreement.

Gunilla couldn't help but glare at the dwarf and elf and sighed, "Yes that is admirable but still I cannot have the sword of our greatest hero in the hands of the Greeks. We should get going it appears as if they are heading west."

Blitz sighed while Hearthstone rolled his eyes, "But Lady Gunilla if they joined this quest if we interfere with the Greeks it may cause problems for Asgard. Diplomatic problems," Blitz warned.

"Oh we wont interfere," Gunilla said with a smile. "We were ordered to keep an eye on that treacherous son of Frey and we can't do that while he isn't here." The dwarf sighed as his elf friend looked as if he wanted to tell her off or something but they both only nodded. She was not one to give up on her mission and no way would she report back to Asgard that they lost the sword Gram and the armor of Sigurd to the Greeks. Also, she was still upset that the son of Poseidon gave her the finger.