I just watched Troy, and I'm still pissed at how they completely ignore Diomedes. I know it's supposed to be essentially Achilles' story, and not the Trojan War in its entirety, but come on! Diomedes beat Ares, freaking Ares, the War God in single hand combat. I mean how badass is that?! #JusticeForDiomedes. Anyway, on with the story.
We had struggled to find a way up to the top of the dam, but finally made it. I looked around. The dam was huge. Like, ma-hussive. On one side, a wide lake spread out, surrounded by empty desert dunes. On the other side, the dam dropped away, very steeply. It was like the world's largest drop slide, down to the river that churned more than two hundred metres below, and the masses of water that rushed through the dam's vents. Grover kept sniffing the air and Percy seemed to ask about the skeletons. The skeletons! God. That seemed like ages ago. They'd still be hunting us. I walked over to Thalia, who was gazing at two bronze statues.
"You been here before?" she seemed to be glaring at them.
"Yeah. Once. To see if they did anything. A gift to my father, from Athena when this place was built."
Her voice sounded cold, as if the statues offended her.
"Do they do anything?"
"No. There just big bronze statues."
She turned away. Zoe walked over, and said, rather annoyed,
"Let's find the dam snack bar. We should eat while we have the chance."
I snorted, and so had Thalia. Grover had a smile.
"The dam snack bar?" he grinned.
She blinked, nonplussed. "Yes. Why is that funny?"
"Nothing," replied the Satyr. "I could use some dam French fries."
I watched as the joke unfolded. It wasn't funny, but maybe the highly strung emotions had got to them. I didn't find it funny, so I didn't do more than smile at the idiots in front of me laughing at Zoe. I'm shallow like that.
"I want to use the dam water fountain," came Phoebe's voice. Seemed she found it funny as well.
"And…I want to buy a dam T-shirt," Thalia seemed out of breath. I watched as they laughed, then heard a 'mooooo'. I frowned, turning around.
"Did I just here a cow?" Grover sounded confused. Thalia tried to continue the joke, but I had started walking around, looking for the noise. It seemed both Percy and Grover had heard the noise. No one else had.
"Yeah. You guys go ahead. I'll be right in." I heard Percy's voice. It sounded strained. The others noticed.
"What's wrong?" Grover sounded worried.
"Nothing. I…I just need a minute. To think." Such an obvious lie, but he looked sad, so we walked into the visitors centre to get food. As we walked over to the counter, Zoe was having a small argument with Grover.
"Burritos are great! We're getting Burritos," the Satyr was annoyed.
"They're horrible modern inventions of stupid men! No!"
As they reached the counter, Grover had butted in front. Before Zoe could speak, Grover had ordered four large burritos. She looked angry, but I guess food was food. As we walked around the café to find a seat, I noticed an owl sitting on a lamp post outside. When we found a seat, everyone unwrapped their food. A loud screech suddenly sounded out. I looked out the window again. Everyone else was busy eating. The same owl was glaring at me. Do owls glare? When it had my attention, its eyes lessened in anger, but I noticed the shockingly grey nature of them. An owl, with startling grey eyes. Hmm. I wonder which goddess was helping us this time. I guess her daughter was in danger. Athena pointed her wing behind me, and I saw Percy rushing in.
"We have to go!" he cried.
"But we just got our burritos!" said Grover, indignant.
"He's right. Look!" Zoe pointed out of the window. The windows circled the whole café, top to bottom. It gave us a nice panorama of the eleven skeletons, standing outside, waiting to kill us. Three skeletons that had probably chased Percy here appeared on the stairs, chattering. We bolted for the elevator, running from the undead killers. As we ascended, Thalia pulled out her Mace cannister, Phoebe and Zoe their hunting knives, and Grover raised his burrito. The elevator doors dinged opened, and we faced three more skeletons. Then Grover had a brilliant idea. Pelting the burrito at the middle skeleton, he yelled,
"Burrito fight!"
Now, it said something about the cooking in that café that the skeletons head came clean off, the body collapsing. I was gonna eat one. Pity I left mine behind. I could have used it as a guacamole grenade. That's something I never hope to say out loud. Utter chaos ensued. Kids were throwing food everywhere. The skeletons, who had guns, disguised as security guards, couldn't even get a shot in. Thalia and Percy charged the other two, knocking them into a table of peanuts and other snacks. We ran out. Phoebe's hunter parka caught on the door. Cursing, I rushed over, unhooking. It was a tell to how dire the situation was that she didn't complain on physical contact with a male. We rushed out into the plaza. As we met in the middle, under the shade of the statues, all eleven spartus came out.
"Four against eleven," I muttered. Zoe added,
"And they can't die." Thanks Zoe.
I looked around. The shiny toes of the statues drew my eyes towards them. I had seen some mortals rub them, but seriously? What, did it bring luck or something. Then I remembered, Athena. Maybe she meant something else in her visit?
"Thalia. Pray to your dad."
She didn't take her eyes of the skeletons, but her expression darkened.
"No. He won't answer."
I shook my head.
"I think he will this time."
"Who says?" she snapped at me.
"Athena!" I snapped back. She stared at me like I was mad.
"I think?"
She rolled her eyes, but closed them anyway, muttering something.
Nothing happened.
As the skeletons closed in, some had guns raised, others wielding batons, I felt something 'woosh' behind me. As the skeletons opened fire, a large bronze wing covered us, the bullets bouncing harmlessly off the metal. The angels stepped of the pedestals and swiped at the skeletons, sending them flying.
"Oh, good heavens!" One cried in shock. He was staring at his feet.
"What were those tourists thinking?"
The skeletons had gotten up, and started walking over. Maybe if they were slightly faster at, well, anything, they might have succeeded in their job. I prayed they didn't hear that.
"Can I get a please, Miss Zeus' Kid?" The angel sounded almost lazy. Thalia was asking if they would help us.
"Please!"
They both shrugged. Before I knew it, they had grabbed us and flew into the air.
The statues had Phoebe and Zoe on their backs, one each. Percy and Grover were squished together I the arms of one, with me and Thalia squeezed in the other.
"Tell me when it's over, ok?" She sounded terrified. I squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"How…how high up are we?" I watched the mountains pass underneath us. Percy had just kicked snow of a peak.
"Not high at all," I promised. Zoe's whoop came from above, on the angel statues back.
"We are in the Sierra's! I have hunted here. We'll be in San Francisco in a few hours."
I felt Thalia tighten around my waist, and glared at Zoe.
"Frisco? I am so there. We could visit those guys at the mechanics?!"
The second statue seemed to agree. "They knew how to party.
"You see, they introduced us some marble ladies, and..."
"Hank! Their kids!"
"Sorry."
I swear the bronze on his face grew a more reddish colour. As we sailed over towns, I saw arrows fly down the side of the mountains. Every time we passed a town with a Target, (there were a lot) Zoe would fire an arrow, hitting a bullseye at how ever many miles up, traveling at over 100 miles an hour. It showed how tired Thalia was, that she actually fell asleep at this height. I eventually managed to drift off to sleep as well.
When we woke, I had to blink a few times to fully register what I saw. Thalia was still asleep, her head resting against my chest. San Fran looked like a much cleaner, slightly smaller Manhattan. I saw Percy gazing in awe as well. The Golden Gate Bridge gleamed over the water.
"Where do you wanna be set down?" He seemed to be talking to Zoe.
"There!" She pointed. "By the Embarcadero Building.
"Good idea. Me hand Chuck can blend in with the pigeons."
I swivelled in his arms, staring at him. He noticed.
"Jeez, can't statues have a sense of humour?"
When we landed, the only person who saw us ran of screaming about aliens. As we set down, Percy asked the million drachmae question,
"What now? We need to find the mystery monster."
We all nodded in agreement. Before realising we had no idea how to do that either.
"Nereus! Remember what Apollo told you," Grover said to Percy who looked surprised. I raised an eyebrow. So, I wasn't the only one Apollo visited.
"The old man of the sea," murmured Zoe.
"How do we find him," asked Phoebe.
"That's easy. Just follow the smell," came Zoe's reply. I frowned. The smell?
Percy had asked the same thing, but Zoe walked off, beckoning everyone to follow her. I held back a laugh when we stopped in front of a Goodwill drop box. Percy had been kitted out in a pair of jeans three times too big, a flannel shirt, red trainers, and a floppy rainbow hat. I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.
"There. A typical male vagrant."
Percy grunted in annoyance. "OK. Very funny. Now what?"
"I told thee. Go down to the pier. He doesn't stay far from the pier."
Percy sighed. "And when I've got him?"
"Grab him. Don't let go. He'll do anything to get free."
Percy nodded, the stepped outside. We followed. Thalia walked up to him.
"We've got your back." She pulled a clump of fuzz of his shirt.
"On second thought, keep your back. We're rooting for you."
He mumbled something about useless super-powerful friends, but strolled over to the pier. We walked over keeping a distance. We approached behind him, watching as he lay down next to some old guy, who was sunbathing. I frowned. He didn't look any different from the other homeless tramps, but I couldn't smell him as Zoe had said. Something I'm grateful for. I noticed that I was next to Zoe, and she was on the edge of the pier. I took a deep breath. Reflecting on this moment later, no matter how bored I was, I should never, never have done this. But I shoved her into the ocean anyway. She screamed on the way down. A loud splash sounded out, before loud cursing rang across the seashore. Nereus had turned to look, giving Perseus the chance to seize him, so that was possibly the only positive side to this. That and the initial rush of 'I'm so gonna die' that flowed over me. That feeling returned, as I saw her running up the pier steps, charging at me. Well. I gambled with Thanatos. And lost. She charged at me; blades drawn. I panicked. As she reached me, I did the only I could think of. I sidestepped. She barrelled over the edge, falling into the ocean a second time. Oh god. I'm so dead. I didn't even notice Percy riding a killer whale, merely ten metres to my right. As she ascended the steps again, slowly and deliberately this time, Thalia, Phoebe and Grover backed away, watching the glowering huntress. Phoebe was smirking. I noticed Zoe's eyes didn't seem anywhere near as angry as her face. Or daggers. It was almost as if she enjoyed the prank, but was trying to hide it. I smiled, mischief playing through my mind. Zoe stopped, confused at my facial expression. Although the look of pure chaotic devilishness on my face must have worried her. What else did I have planned? That's right Zoe. You think that, while I think of plan. Quickly. I could see the outline of Percy underwater, rippling. I turned back to Zoe, still smiling, only this time, I pretended to actually smile. Pure happiness. If she was confused before, she was now.
"Zoe!" I cried. I ran to hug her. As I wrapped my arms around her, I heard Thalia gasp. Over my shoulder, Thalia looked shocked, and Phoebe seemed to be waiting for me to lose my genitals.
"Oh god. I thought you might drown!" I played it even harder. I wasn't the one to push you in. No. Not at all. She squirmed in my grip, trying to punch me. I tightened it. She eventually cried out,
"OK! I won't stab you! Let me. Go!" She had struggled free. Before I could think, she had dived at me, and we rolled ever so closer to the pier. I was laughing, and she was pummelling my in every place she could reach. As we stopped, I was on top, my leg locking hers, my arms pinning hers above her head. I stared into her volcanic eyes, before leaning in…
Then burst out laughing at her face. I rolled off her, holding my sides in pain as I laughed. She shakily sat up, her ears and cheeks as red as Percy's trainers.
"I. Couldn't. Keep. A. Straight. Face." I was struggling to breathe. Zoe, however had got to her feet, and was smiling evilly. It was then I realised where I was.
"Wait, wait, wait! Zoe, I'm sor…" but she booted me off the pier anyway. I was still laughing as I plummeted into the ocean. I saw Percy leave the water, holding the old sea god. As I swam to shore, I saw Thalia, Phoebe, Grover and Zoe all standing there in a line, watching me. As I slumped up the sides, I gave Zoe a cheeky smile, which cut off any warning she was about to give. Percy was looking confused, but Nereus interrupted.
"Are you going to ask me a question?" He sounded annoyed.
"Right."
We stood there. There were so many questions to ask. Percy broke the silence,
"Where's the monster that's supposed to be the Bane of Olympus?"
Nereus gave a crooked grin.
"Oh, that's easy. It's right there," he said, before turning into a goldfish and flopping off the deck.
"Hey!" Percy cried. I walked over to where Nereus had pointed. A weird Cow-Snake hybrid thing was swimming by the shore.
A long mooooo echoed from its mouth.
"Ah, Bessie, not now." Percy sounded weary.
Grover looked shocked. "He says his name isn't Bessie.
"You can understand it…uh, him?" I asked. Grover nodded.
"It's an ancient form of animal language. But he says his name is the Ophiotaurus."
We stared at the Ophiotaurus.
"Serpent Bull," I said, the Greek names popping into my head. Thalia nodded.
"Yeah. But what's it doing here?"
Mooooooo.
"He says Percy is his protector. And he's running from the bad people. He says they are close."
"How did you get all that from one moo?"
Everyone looked at me.
"Never mind."
Zoe suddenly clapped her hand to her face. "I'm such a fool. I know this story."
We all looked at her.
"From the War of the Titans. My…" she choked quickly.
"My…father told me the story, thousands of years ago. This is the beast we are looking for."
Percy looked super confused.
"But…Bessie's too cute. He couldn't."
But Zoe interrupted him.
"Exactly! We've been looking for a giant, powerful monster. But one must sacrifice the Ophiotaurus to gain the power to destroy Olympus."
Bessie didn't seem to like the S-word.
"How could anyone kill that? It seems harmless." Phoebe had a point.
"There is power in killing innocence. Anyone one who burns its entrails over a fire will gain power enough to destroy Olympus."
Bessie didn't like the E-word either. No one spoke. I didn't like Thalia's expression. It looked like she wanted to grab the beast and gut it. Percy broke the silence.
"We need to protect him. If Luke got hold of him…"
Thalia nodded. "He wouldn't hesitate. The power to overthrow Olympus. That's…huge."
"Yes, it is, my dear. And it's a power you shall unleash."
I'm so sorry Dudududhehe! I promise to stop teasing you. I just thought the idea would fit Fayden's 'Screw it lets do it' personality. Also, after like three days, I have over 500 views and visitors. So I think it's a cool story idea. Let's go save Thalia from her fatal flaw!