And so, the final stage begins. After this fanfic is written, I'm going to take a break, because I'll be writing an actual book that can be bought off Amazon when its done. So that's cool. After that, I'll go back to writing my version of the Heroes of Olympus, then Trials of Apollo. So, savour this while you can. Συνεχίστε με την ιστορία!

I was in the Hermes cabin. Yes, I still lived in the Hermes cabin. It's a lot harder to build a new cabin than you might think. Anyway, Beckendorf was prepping as well. We needed to go pick up Percy from his 'break in the mortal world'. He was hanging out with Rachel. Annabeth seemed to know, and did a poor job at hiding her jealousy. I really didn't need to pack much. Percy would just have Riptide. I'd have my magical armour, Astyfilaka, and my Siccae. Beckendorf would have the bombs and everything. Right, might be a good idea to, you know, explain what's going on.

We're going to blow up the Princess Andromeda. Luke's monstrous cruise ship.

So, let's go!

I shrugged my hoodie over my head, checking the hood. I'd grown almost three inches since the Fiasco of the Labyrinth, and so had my hoodie. My clothes seemed to grow to fit my size. I'm closing in on 18, this September, and I got this armour at 15, so it's grown a lot. Still, 17 at the moment, which means I can…drive. Oh. My. God. I grabbed my waist. Not my sword. The other side. The small Audi keyring came up in my hand. Oh. My. GOD! I completely forgot this thing exists! I got it last summer, pilfering it off Hephaestus by being…smooth, in the bargaining process. And then forgot about it! The abuse to such mastery! I ran out of the cabin, heading quickly over to the Pegasus Stables. Beckendorf was heading there as well, obviously about to pick a ride. I caught up with him, and said,

"Wait! We aren't going on a Pegasus."

He frowned. "What? So, we're walking then?"

I shook my head, tugging on the keyring. Showing it to him, I said,

"This. We're going in this."

He didn't laugh, or make jokes. I guess as a son of Hephaestus, he could sense a magical object. He frowned, turning it over. Finally, he replied,

"So. I can see it's an actual car. There are some sick features on here." He held it out, and it seemed to hum in his hand. His eyes widened.

"Holy Hephaestus! My dad made this?!"

I nodded, and he started examining it harder.

"Wow! It has loads of weapons, and…well. We're going in this."

I raised my eyebrow at his sudden exclamation. He laughed, and said,

"It has a speedboat mode. We can travel across the water on it."

I took it back, and laughed. "Dude! Your dad is awesome!"

Beckendorf laughed. I loved him for that. Other people might be a tad jealous that their dad gave someone else more magical gifts and actually talked more to them. Beckendorf seemed to not care at all. He clapped his hands together, saying,

"So? How do you make it full size?"

I looked around. "Maybe on the road? Not in the middle of Camp?"

He looked around, then laughed. "Yeah. That might make sense."

He grabbed the rucksack that he had dropped back off the floor, slinging it over his shoulder. I nodded at it.

"It's in there?"

He nodded. "Yep. All stocked up. You ready?"

I glanced down at myself. Clothes? On. Keyring? On. Backup knife? In my pocket. Badass transport? In my hand.

"Yep. Let's go crash Percy's date."

"It's not a date."

We both turned. Annabeth was standing there, having come over to say something. She had her arms crossed, glaring at me. I laughed, deciding to sacrifice my health and teases her.

"Really? I fairly certain Percy dressed up rather neat. And he's alone with Rachel, on a romantic drive to the beach."

Her face turned red, and I leaned in, whispering,

"I bet she'll kiss him. OW!"

Annabeth had punched me on the nose. I stumbled back, clutching it. Beckendorf howled with laughter as Annabeth stormed off.

"HAHAHA! Did you have to say that?"

I lowered my hand. "To be honest, I'm probably not far off. She's got competition."

Beckendorf nodded. "Yeah. Poor Annabeth."

He glanced at me. Then we both laughed as we ascended the hill to leave camp. As we jogged down, I grabbed the other part of the magical car. When we reached the road, Beckendorf reached out his hand, saying,

"Gimme."

I laughed, handing him the small car. He placed it on the road, and stepped back. Nothing happened. Frowning he turned to me, about to ask, but saw I was holding something. A silver key, with a bronze button in the middle.

"Step back."

He backed up more. I pressed the button, and stared in awe. It was like a Transformer. A holographic image of metal gears and smooth car surfaces unfolded and repositioned themselves. The hologram was pale green, and started filling up the road. I put my hand out. It went straight through the hologram. The small car was still exactly where Beckendorf placed it. Then, after a mere ten seconds, a fully see-through version of my Audi sportscar stood in front of us. Beckendorf was practically glowing with 'Hephaestus nerd-iness'. He frowned.

"So…"

I smiled at him, then pressed the button again. The small keyring suddenly vanished. The hologram started flickering, like it was buffering, then solidified. Just like that. Actual metal and actual gears and glass and everything started flowing up the car, starting from the front wheels. Again, in less than ten seconds, a solid car stood in front of us. Pure, glistening white, with Celestial Bronze lining, under the doors, around the dashboard, the skirting along the bottom of the car, and parts of the steering wheel. The rest of the dashboard was black, with the seats smooth, shiny black leather. The grills under the lights were bronze, and the lights on the front and back looked like if they were on, they'd be bronze. There were also a few changes from the factory versions. The grills under the lights were fancier looking, as if they were compartment doors, hiding something. Also, there was at least ten more buttons and dials than there should have been. Beckendorf suddenly noticed something.

"It's a two-seater."

I stared at him. Seriously. Like Hephaestus hadn't thought of that.

"Honestly. The Speed boat version turns it into a four-seater."

How I knew that, I have no idea. I just knew. He 'ahhed', and ran to the shotgun seat. While I climbed into the driver's seat. Now, I had passed the theory (An Athena kid had run me through it), but there were no cars at Camp to practise on the road. So…I'm not telling Beckendorf that. The moment I put both hands on the steering wheel, the car whirred to life. It was the satisfying noise, ever! It was like a mechanical cat, purring softly as someone rubbed its back. I frowned at the empty screen behind the wheel. The fuel content should be there, as well as the speed and the engine work. The moment I put my foot on the accelerator, however, a holographic number appeared, reading: 0 mph. It didn't show a max speed limit. I really hoped that meant what I hoped it meant, but not having a max speed seems dumb. I decided to play with the buttons before actually driving. Beckendorf did not mind. In fact, he helped. He seemed to know what each one did without pressing it, which was helpful, because there was a Greek fire launcher out of the headlights. So, a list:

It didn't seem like there was a speed limit. At least, it was ridiculously high, according to Beckendorf. Yes!

The engine didn't run on petrol. It ran on liquid Greek fire. So that's why the speed limit is mad, and why I never needed to refill it. The stuff is indestructible and can't be put out, so it just keeps reusing itself.

The white metal had Celestial Bronze lining behind it, making the whole car pretty damn sturdy.

The windows were very, very tough. Like, 'bulletproof glass is for pansies' tough.

There are no seatbelts. The seats are motion sensitive adhesive, but also intelligent, so when there's a crash or you swerve or brake to hard, the chairs will make you stick to them, but if you take a sharp turn, they'll leave you alone. The chairs know, man. They know.

Now, onto the dashboard. Goddamn, is this thing awesome.

The first button, fires Greek fire from the headlights, which open up to make space.

A small bronze button hardens the entire car, turning it completely bronze, and instead of sturdy, it becomes indestructible. However, it can't drive like this, so it becomes emergency cover.

It has a little water sensor screen, so that when you drive it into water, it automatically becomes the speedboat.

It had this badass tracking maps thing. You tell it where you want to go, or who you want to track (you have to actually place a tracking device on a mobile thing. They're in the glove compartment), and it projects a yellow line on the road, like in video games where it's trying to tell you where to go. Only the passengers in the car can see it, and it leads directly to where you want to go. Suck it Google Maps, you useless pile of rubbish, time-wasting…*cough*…I have unresolved issues with ridiculous journeys because of that app.

It plays music on command. What? Best thing in this place. Maybe not. But you know…music.

It can glide. Not fly…no. But if you drive of something high up, it will kind of let you drive down on air. The car becomes super light, and the air under it seems to solidify slightly, and you drive on air. But you can' drive up. The car still floats down, but you can direct where it goes. I'm so going to scare Percy with that.

It has a shield. Now, I don't know if any of you have played Overwatch, but if you have, this will be easy to explain. A holographic shield appears at the pull of a lever, covering the front of the car. It absorbs damage. It doesn't have a time limit, but after enough things get thrown at it, it disappears to recharge. Was that another 4th wall break? Finally…I'll stop.

Now, the final thing. Another weapon. It shoots Celestial Bronze spikes. Thin, the length of spears, they rocket out of the twin launchers that fold out of the bonnet. Beckendorf told me this just before I pressed the button. Lucky, as the Delphi Strawberry Service seemed good as new. It wouldn't have been if I had pressed it. Somewhere in the cogs, according to Beckendorf, a small forge is creating the stuff.

You'd think all this stuff would make the car as loud as an army tank, right? Nope. Even the amazing sounding engine is super quiet, and everything else barely makes a noise as it activates. When I see Hephaestus, I'm gonna bloody kiss him…

Ok now that I said that…ew.

But you get the idea.

I've spent too long fanboying. Let's go crash Percy's party. I shrugged my shoulders slightly, relaxing into the chair. Looking at Beckendorf, he'd gone serious. We both knew what we had to do. All three of us were going to infiltrate the main headquarters of the enemy. Kronos was most definitely there. I'd hopefully not, but almost definitely meet my dad.

I pressed my foot against the pedal, and the car sped down the track. It didn't take long. The roads were quite empty…

Ok fine. I broke every speed limit I passed. Shut up.

I saw the blue Prius parked up ahead, on a ridge overlooking the shimmering Atlantic. Textbook locale Percy. Nice. Sorry I'm about to ruin that. I slowed down, pulled up next to him, and he looked over, confused. From across the cars, I waved like annoying tourists you meet at border crossings. You know what I mean. Ridiculously happy smile, overexaggerated wave, the works. He just stared at me. Then pulled open the door. I saw Rachel behind him, and I gotta say, not my type (her hair is very red. I think it's obvious I like black hair), but Percy did good. Apparently, she was usually covered in paint, with ratty, hand-me-downs, so the tied back ponytail and cute white blouse was a change. She looked miffed, but expectant, as if she knew this would happen. I got out of the car, watching Beckendorf do the same. Percy gaped at me.

"Since when!"

He couldn't finish the sentence. Rachel had got out of the car, and seemed annoyed by the presence of the expensive car. I knew why. Rich parents, wild kid. She hated reminders of her dad. I bet he had one of these. Not this one, cause its awesome but…I'll stop talking about the car.

"Hi! I guess you're Rachel?"

Beckendorf started nice. The redhead raised an eyebrow at Percy, and Beckendorf grinned, holding out a hand.

"Percy…ah…mentioned you."

"Really?"

She was smiling at the demigod. I grinned. This was too easy. She turned to me, and I took her hand as well, saying,

"He hasn't shut up about you."

My grin made it obvious I was lying, but Rachel played along. Percy spluttered out,

"Wha…No I… I have not!"

I god I could use Rachel as a friend. Her fake hurt face was perfect. She turned on Percy, and glared.

"Really? So, you don't like me? Right…I get it."

"What? No that's not…I…"

Poor Percy. Fell for the oldest trick in a girl's book. He glared at me as Rachel laughed. She fist-bumped me, then turned to Percy. She leaned up, kissed him then said,

"Don't worry. I'll explain where you went. Go kill some monsters for me."

Then she got in the driver's seat. As Percy turned to look at me, he immediately saw what I was planning.

"No! Don't you dare. Annabeth cannot…no! Look at me! Annabeth cannot know about this!"

I laughed evilly and dived back into the driver's seat. I heard the ultimate sigh a boy can have. Trust me, as a boy, I know these things. It said, in one exhale- Annabeth's gonna kill me. And he was so right.

He turned back to the car, then frowned.

"Uh, Fayden? This is a two-seater."

I sighed, muttering, "I swear to god."

Then I turned to Percy. "Get in the boot."

He laughed, then saw my face. "Wait…are you serious?"

"Do you trust me?"

"No!"

I laughed, then popped open the boot. He looked at me, and sighed. Beckendorf climbed in, laughing. I leaned back.

"You comfy?"

A muffled, 'I hate you', sounded out. I turned to Beckendorf, laughing, then pretended to whisper, so Percy could hear,

"I wonder what he'll think when I drive straight of the cliff."

Beckendorf snorted, and a yelp sounded out from behind us.

"You're going to do what?! I change my mind…let me GOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I had floored the accelerator, plummeting off the cliff edge. Whooping like a maniac, I could hear Percy screaming in the back, before the car shuddered to a slow drive, in mid-air. I drove down through the air, the sea slowly getting closer. We passed over the beach, and now I was directly above the water. Percy had realised what was happening. A soft,

"What the…"

Then he called,

"Uh, Fayden? This is awesome, but in case you haven't noticed, this is a car, not a boat."

I laughed with Beckendorf, that 'I know something you don't' laugh. Then the front wheels touched the water. Instantly, the car started transforming around us. The roof retracted away, leaving the sea breeze blowing over us. It flowed down over and under the car, protecting the mechanics, and the wheels had folded sideways, the rear ones now turbine engines. The front ones disappeared, covered by the metal from the roof which had completely covered the bottom. The boot folded up, transforming into two more chairs. Percy appeared, hands over his face, now sitting normally on the back seat. He looked so dumb. The car now looked exactly like a much smaller version of a standard cigarette type speedboat (search it up), in white and bronze. The dashboard hadn't changed, other than slimming down slightly. Percy lowered his hands, and gaped over the side, watching as I sped into the sea. I looked back, and saw a stunned looking redhead on the edge of the cliff. I raised my hand in a salute, before turning to Percy.

"So?"

He looked at me. "How the fu…?!"

I think he meant how did I get it, but was then treated to an hour-long explanation on how everything worked by Beckendorf. He seemed tired by the end of it. Finally, he said,

"And Hephaestus just gave this to you?"

I shrugged. "Technically, yes."

He scowled. "Technically?"

I looked somewhat guilty; however, it was my oratory skill that got me this. Nothing illegal. Ethically illegal? Is convincing a mentally challenged god ethically wrong? Maybe. Morally wrong? Definitely. I glanced at Percy, who raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"I…uh…kind of convinced him to give it to me."

"Convinced him?"

"Yeah. He paid me for my task with my tasks, and I managed to convince him he underpaid me, and he gave me this. He overpaid me with the car alone, but don't tell him that. I mean, I spent most of my time hanging around on a tropical island with a hot brunette!"

Percy stared at me as Beckendorf was laughing.

"Hot brunette!"

"You, know. Calypso?"

He stared at me. I coughed.

"I…er…didn't tell you about that, did I?"

"No. You didn't."

I launched myself into a brief explanation. I wasn't hard. I remembered everything perfectly. At the end, Percy looked at me, then grinned.

"I wonder what Thalia would think of this?"

Now, my poker face sucked. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, and we suddenly shot forward across the water, much faster. I coughed, saying,

"I…I don't know what you mean. Me and Thals are friends. Why…why would she care?"

My face had gone red. Goddamn it, face. I'm trying to lie here. Percy raised an eyebrow, and Beckendorf seemed confused. He looked between us, then said,

"What are you guys talking about? Thalia is the hunter, right? Why would…"

He noticed my red face and clapped his hands together laughing. I pointed at him, threateningly.

"If you finish that sentence, I'll throw you overboard."

Still laughing, he brought his had up to his face, zipping a finger across his lips. Then he burst out laughing again.

"Oh man. You're so dead."

I turned to look forward, grumbling under my breath. Percy leaned forward and grabbed the back of my chair, saying,

"A compromise. I won't tell Thalia about Calypso and you keep silent about Rachel's kiss."

I threw my hands in the air, crying,

"How is that fair? Calypso was a friend? I literally broke the one rule of her existence by not falling for her, and she didn't fall for me!"

Percy looked at me. I didn't have a choice. He believed me, but even if she wasn't a hunter, Thalia wouldn't believe that at all. Actually, she's a hunter. Why would she care? I looked at Percy.

"Why would Thalia care?"

He looked at me like I was an idiot. Sighing, he just repeated his threat.

"Your silence for mine."

"Fine."

I was too busy thinking about my revelation. Why would she care? I mean, yeah, 'overly protective much' describes Thalia perfectly, but still…

I stayed silent as the other two bantered, focused on finding the cruise ship. It was somewhere in the Atlantic, so, big place, even for a super-fast badass speedboat. It was getting dark when Percy suddenly tensed.

"There. About five nautical miles that way."

He pointed out starboard, at more blue sea. I frowned. I changed course, but asked anyway.

"You sure? Why?"

"The disturbances. I can sense something on the water."

This ridiculous car, currently boat, was traveling at twice the speed of a normal speedboat of its type, nearly 180 mph, or 156 knots so it took one minute and 55 seconds to arrive at where Percy said the Princess Andromeda would be. And he was right. The massive cruise ship loomed into view. We were coming up on its rear, so, in the dark, and keeping silent, I slowed down and docked onto the end, somewhat smoothly. We clambered out, keeping as quiet as possible, and Beckendorf shouldered the backpack full of Greek firebombs. I love that word. Firebombs is a word, and so is Greek fire. So, is it a 'Greek, firebomb', or a 'Greek fire, bomb?' I'm getting distracted again aren't I. Anyway, I pulled out my key, while the others waited either side of me. I pressed the button and it shrunk silently into a tiny keyring, and it shot into my hand. As I hung it on my belt loop, I saw it was a small boat this time. I guess that meant it would be a boat when I used it again. I decided to keep my clothes on for manoeuvrability and silence, then followed Percy, who took the lead as we snuck onto the boat.

That was a fun chapter to right. It was nice for some pure comedy. I also went a little overboard with his car, I know. I actually really hate making things too overpowered, because I'm a writer, which means I follow certain rules in my head to make whatever world I'm writing about somewhat realistic. If it's got different rules, like magic or gods, I try and keep it balanced. Especially magic. A tip, for anyone writing about magic - With special cases like Harry Potter aside, who don't really mix with the muggle world anyway, there is a rule with writing about magic and making the story interesting. Magic needs a price so its not the 'go to' thing to solve problems. In a dramatic fight, if magic can end the fight instantly, don't use it. The character has to use his wits and other strengths. Magic should be used in the less important problems, which seems counterintuitive, but it makes sense when you write it. Like in Skulduggery Pleasant: Magic is treated like any other thing you would do – you'll eventually become tired using it, even more so because it's particularly draining. That's a popular rule to use. Another one could be that magic requires an item to channel it, so if that item is broken or taken away, you can't use magic, and must rely on other things. This is used in Harry Potter, but with no disrespect, that literally happens twice, I think, of the top of my head, in the whole series.

To summarize: I hate OP items or people, and very rarely use them because it destroys a writer's love for a balanced universe. One example being magic, which needs something meaning it can't be used all the time, to make the story more interesting.

I love how that's the summary. It's the size of my usual after notes. Anyway…hope you enjoy. Peace.