Hey guys! Sorry for the later chapter update, my old laptop was starting to get worn out so I brought a new one and I've been setting it all up, hence the delay. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Eventually Percy and Annabeth's attention was turned to the statues again-because Chuck was asking Thalia where they should set them down.

That got Percy curious as she peered around-she'd seen the city in pictures before, mostly when she and Annabeth were looking into it after her family had decided to move out there since there was a chance they'd end up visiting-Percy would never let Annabeth do something like that on her own.

And she had to admit that it was beautiful, kind of like a smaller, cleaner Manhattan, if Manhattan had been surrounded by green hills and fog. There was a huge bay and ships, islands and sailboats, and the Golden Gate Bridge sticking up out of the fog.

She looked down at her hand when she felt Annabeth threading their fingers together and she gave the other girl a soft smile.

She didn't catch what Zoe said, but Chuck seemed to agree, "Good thinking," he said. "Me and Hank can blend in with the pigeons."

Percy blinked, raising an eyebrow-and all of them stared-other than Bianca, who still seemed to be napping, her head resting on Percy's shoulder.

"Kidding, Sheesh, can't statues have a sense of humor?" he almost looked like he was pouting at their reactions, which made Percy snicker, resting her own head on Annabeth's shoulder before they were set down on the ground.

Thankfully it was early morning and it was quiet-it meant that they didn't have to deal with too many people-though they did freak out some homeless guy.

Once the angels had said goodbye and left there was the question of what to do next, which was why they all ended up sitting down on the ferry dock, legs dangling over the water. Thalia needed a minute or so to calm after the long journey and Bianca needed more time to actually wake up

"Tomorrow is the solstice-we're running out of time and we have no clue what to do next-"

"I say we go straight to Mount Tam." Percy spoke up, "I mean we know that's where Artemis will be, and my mom and Leo."

"Percy's right." Annabeth added, "I don't see why there's any debate-"

"As much as I see your point there was that line of the prophecy." Thalia spoke up, "The Bane of Olympus-that was why we were trying to follow the monster Lady Artemis was huntings trail."

"The monster's clearly important to the quest." Grover agreed, "We still don't even know what it could be."

And Percy glanced at Annabeth, the other girl biting her lip when their eyes met. Neither of them liked keeping this secret-but Chiron had been so adamant that they needed to.

Of course, that was the point at which Bianca spoke up, lifting her head from where it was still resting on Percy's shoulder. "Is it something to do with that Bessie you were talking about?" her voice was tired, and Percy winced when everyone shifted to look at her and Annabeth, clearly curious and confused.

"Bessie?" Zoe raised an eyebrow, "Who is this Bessie?"

Percy swallowed hard, face flushing, "Uh-"

"Is there something you guys haven't been telling us?" Thalia's brows furrowed, "Annabeth?"

"Chiron said-" they were cut off by a loud mooing and Percy's eyes widened and she let out a string of curses as her gaze snapped downwards-and there in the water beneath her feet was Bessie, and Percy pushed herself off the dock, dropping into the water next to the Ophitaurus, her arms wrapping around his neck automatically.

"Bessie-"

"Oh gods." Annabeth cursed too. "That proves it, he's following you Percy."

"What is that thing?" Thalia demanded, "That can't be the monster-"

"He says his name isn't Bessie-" Grover frowned, as Bessie moved again, "He says-"

"He's the Ophitaurus." Annabeth cut him off, "We already know."

"The-" Zoe's face lost all of it's color. "No. No it can't be... I've heard of the myth of the Ophitaurus- gods no... but it makes sense."

"Why?" Thalia frowned, "It doesn't look so dangerous-" he was butting Percy's shoulder and mooing worriedly.

"Because." Annabeth looked uncomfortable, "Whoever burns the Ophitaurus' entra-"

"Moo!"

"Can we maybe not say the E word?" Percy asked quickly, soothing the upset creature.

"Fine-whoever burns a certain part of him... after he's... S worded-" Annabeth shook her head, "Would have the power to destroy the gods-"

"What?" Bianca gasped, "That- that's crazy-"

"Oh gods." Thalia stared in awe as Percy hugged the creature tighter, "How can... how could one creature do that. What would happen?"

"No one knows," Zoe said. "The first time, during the Titan war, the Ophiotaurus was in fact slain by a giant ally of the Titans, but thy father, Zeus, sent an eagle to snatch the entrails away before they could be tossed into the fire. It was a close call. Now, after three thousand years, the Ophiotaurus is reborn."

"And he's chosen a protector in Percy." Annabeth's expression was grim. "He's been following her-"

"Is that why you wanted to wait outside at the dam?" Grover's eyes were wide, "I did hear something! How long have you guys known-"

"He got caught in some nets, Blackjack woke me up, it was why I was so late getting to sleep the night before Capture the Flag-"

"Gods." Zoe shook her head, "Why did you not tell us?"

"Because Chiron was worried." Annabeth shook her head, "When we went back to find him, he was gone and Chiron didn't think Lord Zeus would believe us, and even if he did he wouldn't be happy about Percy being the one to see him-"

"Good point." Grover grimaced, "He's already threatened to go all smitey once, this could have pushed it over the edge."

"This is bad." Zoe shook her head, "If the enemy gets to him-"

"They won't." Percy's eyes were wide, "He can't." she pressed her face into Bessie's neck before looking up when Thalia leaned over, holding out her hand, a strange look on her face that set Percy on edge for some reason.

Bessie swam forward, Percy moving through the water with her, and when they reached Thalia the daughter of Zeus laid a hand on his head, and Percy found herself frowning at the older girl-and the expression was somehow more readable now.

Hungry.

Thalia looked hungry, and Percy tightened her grip on Bessie's neck, her eyes narrowing. "He needs to be protected."

"They wouldn't hesitate." Thalia muttered, "The power to overthrow Olympus. That's… that's huge."

"Yes, it is, my dear," said a man's voice in a heavy French accent. "And it is a power you shall unleash."

Percy felt panic rip through her as a familiar figure loomed up behind her friends-they'd been so distracted by Bessie that none of them had noticed the ambush. Percy moved quickly, shoving Bessie behind her, the Ophitaurus ducking into the water almost instantly.

The manticore was stood behind them, his two colored eyes gleaming wickedly.

"Well this is just pairrr-fect."

He was wearing a ratty black trench coat over his Westover Hall uniform, which was torn and stained. His military haircut had grown out spiky and greasy. He hadn't shaved recently, so his face was covered in silver stubble.

On either side of him were two armed security guards-they had guns, not good, really not good-and the sound of a boat motor behind Percy made her turn her head and she cursed, a speed boat with three guards, also armed had just come to a halt behind her.

Then her attention was drawn to the manticore again because he was speaking.

"Long ago, the gods banished me to Persia," he said. "I was forced to scrounge for food on the edges of the world, hiding in forests, devouring insignificant human farmers for my meals. I never got to fight any great heroes. I was not feared and admired in the old stories! But now that will change. The Titans shall honor me, and I shall feast on the flesh of half-bloods!"

"Uh, that's real nice." Percy's mind was racing-she could probably get away with Bessie, but she'd have to abandon her friends to even have a chance of escaping-her eyes met Annabeth's as the other girl met her gaze-and she saw her mouthing the word 'go' but Percy shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.

Zoe had her bow out in seconds-but Bianca lunged and yanked it down as the manticore laughed. "I wouldn't if I was you." the smugness made Percy want to beat the shit out of the manticore, but the men on the boat had their guns pointed at Percy, and the ones behind Percy's friends had their guns pointed at them-and a bullet was a lot faster than an arrow.

"What do you want?" Zoe demanded, a scowl on her lips.

"First, Miss Jackson will get out of the water-"

"Don't." Annabeth was near tears herself, "Percy you can still get away-"

"No I can't." Percy swallowed hard, moving forward and pulling herself up onto the dock, not meeting Annabeth's horrified gaze. "I can't-I can't lose anyone else. And if I took off with Bessie they'd kill you." she was shaking as she looked towards the manticore, "What now? Will you take us to Alabaster-"

"Yes. Soon, but first-" he turned his gaze to Thalia. "Thalia Grace. This is your moment. This is why Lord Kronos brought you back to life. You will sacrifice the Ophiotaurus. You will bring its entrails to the sacred fire on the mountain. You will gain unlimited power. And for your sixteenth birthday, you will overthrow Olympus and prove yourself once and for all."

And Percy felt a wave of horror at that-oh she'd known it was their plan, but having him lay it out so bluntly was horrifying.

Her gaze swung to Thalia, who looked stunned, dazed and confused, almost like she had when she'd first come back to life.

Percy could hear Annabeth's breath hitching, could almost sense her distress as Thalia didn't just instantly say no.

"You know it is the right choice," the manticore told her. "Lord Kronos has chosen you-he sees the power you hold, the potential. You shall rule this world together under the auspices of the Titans. Your father abandoned you, Thalia. He cares nothing for you. And now you shall gain power over him. Crush the Olympians underfoot, as they deserve. Call the beast! It will come to you. Use your spear."

"T-Thalia please." Annabeth's voice was shaky-no one else seemed able to say a word-Grover looked as if he'd been struck and Zoe and Bianca were staring in horror.

"I-I-" Thalia turned her head to look at Annabeth, her expression torn, "They abandoned us Annie... I don't-"

"He helped us! He listened when you prayed please." Annabeth's voice was pleading, "Your fathers intervention was the only reason you even survived the hell hound attack-"

"He let her send him away. He let him die. He saved me but he didn't save Jason." the words were barely a whisper-but Percy flinched when Thalia pulled out the mace can that was her spears hidden form.

Percy turned her head, eyes meeting Grovers and he moved quickly, pulling out his flute even as Percy flung herself at Thalia, knocking her to the ground.

The manticore let out a loud yell, "Stop him!"

The guards had been targeting Zoe, and before they could figure out that the kid with the pipes was the bigger problem, the wooden planks at their feet sprouted new branches and tangled their legs. Zoe let loose two quick arrows that exploded at their feet in clouds of sulfurous yellow smoke. Fart arrows, if the situation was any less serious Percy would be laughing, instead she yelled.

"Grover! Tell Bessie to dive deep and stay deep! Annabeth help the others!"

Then she was dragging Thalia to her feet-and Thalia must have hit her head because she was dazed as Percy started dragging her off the docks and towards a large shopping center across the street, even as she heard the manticore screaming for the guards to stop them.

"T-the cow-" and Percy whirled around, the palm of her hand hitting Thalia's cheek with a crack as the other girls head snapped to the side and she gasped in pain.

"Snap out of it!" Percy had tears pouring down her cheeks as she was dragging Thalia along again, into the shopping center.

She hated herself-every step she took made her feel worse, they were abandoning their friends, she was abandoning Annabeth, Grover, Zoe and Bianca and her heart hurt. But she knew, she knew that if she didn't get Thalia away from the Ophitaurus then it would be over.

They managed to duck into a book store and Percy dragged Thalia behind some shelves, panting as she took just a second to breath before snarling at the shocked looking Thalia. "What the fuck?"

"I-"

"You were going to do it!"

"I-" Thalia was shaking, "I don't-"

"Who's Jason?" Percy demanded, "What happened why would you even consider it?"

"My brother." Thalia's voice cracked, "H-he died when he was two-he died our father just let it happen-" and oh. Oh Percy knew that pain- and even if it had been years since Thalia's brother died it was clearly still as fresh as the day it happened.

"Destroying the gods wouldn't make you feel better." she whispered, "Just like hurting Bianca didn't make me feel any better. And it won't bring them back Thalia-"

"I know." Thalia nodded, and she was shaking, so Percy pulled her into a tight hug. "Gods I'm sorry. What do we do-"

"Nothing." a warm voice said, and Percy whirled around, behind them there was a woman and Percy's eyes widened in shock, a disbelieving laugh bubbling past her lips even as Thalia yanked Percy behind her in what was clearly an attempt to protect Percy from the newcomer.