Chapter 10: An almost normal train ride

POV: Annabeth

We ended up on the Amtrak on our way to Denver exactly like last time. We had enough money to go further, but we took the decision to save it for later, just in case. That was at least our explanation to Grover, the truth was that we planned to retrace our steps as much as possible and wanted to meet Ares in Denver again. The poodle Gladiola had offered us to return to his family to help Grover, just like he had last time, though of them were positively surprised when Percy respectfully greeted the poodle without any kind of confusion or complaint. I have to admit I found it funny how Percy showed more respect to the dog than he did to most of the gods we ever met.

I finished writing a message to Chiron, explaining what had happened with Medusa, and that it looked promising for the Gorgon Blood to work on the other statues, and sent it in a package to him over Hermes delivery. I didn't think there would be a problem if it was a package to Chiron, but since Hermes usually only delivers packages from, or for gods, and we most likely still needed his help in the Sea of Monsters, we gave some of our food as an offering to him – well it was technically Medusa's food, and we wouldn't take it with us anyway, so it was really no problem.

After plundering Medusa's office a second time around, we had more money and supplies than with what we had started. The only thing slightly reduced was our nectar and ambrosia supply but considering we had lost it completely the first time, our situation looked pretty good.

The one big difference was the sleeping girl that was with us. There was no time to wait for Chiron and neither could we leave a vulnerable little girl behind, especially as we did not know when exactly she would finally wake up. So, we braced ourselves to take care of her until the end of our quest, in the worst case, one of us would have to carry her all the way. As we did not want to get asked the question of why we were carrying an unconscious girl around, we sneaked her in with my invisibility cap.

She did not wake our first day on the train, neither did anything extraordinary happen. The only times' something interesting happened, was when Percy showed me a family of Centaurs on the hunt, as well as the time we saw the Nemean lion. On a positive note, there was no picture of Percy in the newspaper this time around, so at least we did not have to watch out as much to avoid the police. When Grover finally fell asleep Percy and I used the opportunity to have some alone time to talk.

"There's something I forgot to tell you in the hectic yesterday," Percy started. "After I met the Oracle, I wanted to look at the Great Prophecy-"

"I know, I saw it too," I answered. "You were right, the prophecy is already fulfilled."

I had wondered what this was about, but Percy was right, we didn't have an opportunity to talk about this yet. Percy had told me during our week at camp about this conversation he had with Thalia; how the moment the person feels like they should turn sixteen was relevant, and not the real physical age. Percy felt that he got sixteen on his birthday during the final battle against Kronos, even though after he stayed in places like the Labyrinth, the Sea of Monsters, and the Lotus Casino and his body should have been younger. Percy's suspicion had been, that for this reason the Great Prophecy had already been fulfilled. Two times in fact.

The first was before the time travel. Percy was the child of the eldest gods and had survived till sixteen, even though he had been the one leading the fighting and had battled Kronos multiple times. The Hero was Thalia, she had entered the throne room when everyone else had been frozen by Kronos and had sacrificed herself to save Percy, her soul had been reaped by Kronos' scythe and used for the ritual. Afterward, Percy's choice had resulted in him razing Olympus, but it was also what was needed for us to complete the ritual instead of Kronos, ending our days in traveling to the past. Thus, he had both preserved, but also razed Olympus depending on what way you look at it.

The second time was after we arrived back in the past. Because of the time travel, Percy was mentally already sixteen, even though he was in his twelve-year-old body, which no matter how you look at it, is something that normally doesn't happen. The second part was easily explained too. The Fates had shown Percy, how they cut the string of our younger selves, and started weaving a new string for us, the same day we took over our younger selves' bodies. Being with our knowledge in our past bodies would have created ripples, and it would be practically impossible to get the same future as the one we came from, thus creating a paradox of us being able to travel back. So, as far as the rest of the world was concerned, the future never happened, was nothing more than Percy and me dreaming about it. And all of that happened because of the single choice Percy took.

"Do you think there will be another Great Prophecy now?" he asked.

"Sooner rather than later, most likely," I answered.

"Any chance it isn't about us this time?"

I just gave him an incredulous look, as if that would ever happen, our luck was too terrible for that to have even a slight possibility.

"Figured as much," he grumbled.

I had to hide a smile when next to me Percy was busy cursing the fates and all the gods who had ever annoyed him.

Thunder boomed outside.

Now that would normally be the moment for Percy to roll his eyes and ignore it, but surprisingly he stopped in his tirade. I looked over at him and he looked as if he had just realized something.

"I just remembered something," he said. "On the Gateway Arch the … fat lady with the dog … said, Zeus had allowed her to go after us. Was that because of me sending Medusa's head to Olympus?"

"Yes?" I asked confused.

I had thought that had been obvious, why we had prepared to face her during the quest again. So why was he asking that now?

"Do you remember what we talked about yesterday, about Medusa and our parents, how we think Zeus is responsible for it?"

I furrowed my brows, what was Percy trying to say?

"Well, I just thought, now that you have signed the package as well," he fumbled. "We send it to Olympus together, do you think…"

Will it change anything? went unsaid, but I understood, nonetheless. Dammit, that was my mistake, I hadn't thought about that possibility at all. If we were right about what really happened with Medusa back in the past, the message her head held would be completely different than last time. The son of Poseidon sending her head to Olympus could go from, "Look at me, I killed Medusa." to "I consider it your fault for everything that is happening to me." But Zeus already believed I, and with it, my mother, had a part in the theft, and now a child of Athena and Poseidon sending the head of Medusa together would only rub salt in his wounds. Last time he had allowed Echidna to use the Chimera, so what would happen this time? Maybe she would bring more of her children, or possibly fight herself. We had made our quest more dangerous … again.

"I… think of something," I said and with that our conversation for the night was over.

I woke up again to Percy smirking down at me.

"You drool when you sleep," he snickered.

I flushed red in embarrassment. I remembered saying this to him after we met the first time, and I couldn't even deny it, because on his shoulder, where my head had been just now, was a wet patch. I could hear Grover fail to suppress a snicker. Great.

Luckily for me, I didn't need to answer, because at that moment there was movement on Percy's other side. The girl leaning against his other shoulder was finally waking up.

She started groaning, then rapidly blinking her eyes. I could see the confusion in her face, as well as the moment she remembered what had happened, her whole body tensing. One of her hands shot under her shirt, feeling for something, her eyes flickered across the train, searching for danger. I was sure she would have jumped up every moment now, but Percy put his hand on her shoulder.

"Shh, it's ok," he said in a soft voice. "You're safe now."

The girl's eyes shot to him, locking onto his. Some tension seemed to leave her.

"The b-bad ugly lady?" she whispered.

Percy gave her one of his signature lopsided smiles.

"Won't harass anyone again for a long time," he said. "I and my friends took care of it. I'm Percy by the way, and that is Grover and Annabeth."

He pointed at us, and both of us smiled at her. The tension mostly left her, but she still looked warily at us.

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers," she said, her voice full of suspicion. "And, where am I?"

I decided to stay silent and let Percy handle the talking, for now, it would be better if not all of us talked to her at once.

"You're right, you shouldn't," Percy nodded in agreement. "So how about this; I explain everything to you while you just listen, and then you decide if we are trustworthy enough?"

The girl nodded and Percy started explaining everything to her, about gods, demigods, and monsters. Knowing would strengthen her smell, but with us around her, it wouldn't really make a difference, and in the situation we were in, it would be better for her to learn the truth. It might sound strange, but at some point, the truth was easier to believe for a demigod than any lie you could come up with.

I used the chance to study the girl. She had worn down clothes, was tanned, had wild shoulder-length dark brown hair and green cat eyes. Her eyes had such a strange muster, almost bluish close to the pupil and getting a darker green further away. She reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my hand on it.

When Percy finished, the girl no longer was tense, but there was a glint of triumph in her eyes now.

"Hah! Who's the stupid one now, Madison," she exclaimed. "I knew I was right, and it was everyone else who was wrong!"

The three of us looked in amusement at the girl, but I could understand her, it was vexing not knowing if what you see was real or not, and having everyone else not believe you was annoying.

Percy coughed. "Right, so I take it you believe us?"

"Yes yes, now come on, tell me more! No! Better tell me everything!"

The girl had started bouncing in her seat, looking excited. There was nothing left of the quiet wary girl of a few minutes ago. I decided to help Percy out, now that the girl had opened up.

"There is no need to rush. How about you tell us your name first?" I asked.

The girl's cheeks flushed red and she stopped her bouncing for now.

"Oh, right, sorry," she mumbled. "I'm Allapsar."

That was a quite … unique … name. Definitely not from the last few centuries, maybe some kind of special meaning? At least I never had heard about someone in mythology with that name.

"Ok, how about we do it like this," I said. "First, we get to ask you a few questions, and afterward we tell you everything you want to know?"

Allapsar leaned over Percy, her eyes gleaming with interest.

"Do you know anything about your parents? We might be able to figure out who you are if you can tell us anything."

This was often a touchy subject, some of the kids in camp, especially the unclaimed, would react sensitive to it, I myself had been one of them, but she didn't seem to mind.

She shook her head. "The only thing I know is that the matron found me in a cradle in front of the door. The only thing on it was my name."

So, most likely no mortal parent alive I would say, a tendency for it to be a goddess as well, but it would be difficult to find out without her being claimed.

"Is there something special you can do? Some demigods have the ability to talk to animals, like Percy for example. Have you ever talked to one?" I asked gently, already knowing the answer.

Her hands instinctive moved to her shirt only stopping when she realized what she had done. She looked up with a startled expression but calmed down again when she saw me still smile at her.

"Snakes," she finally said. "My friend Fis is always with me, but she is really shy, she doesn't like talking to strangers."

After the dream I saw of her and Medusa, I had already figured as much, but sadly there were quite a few gods and goddesses that had a connection with snakes, like Dionysus, Hermes, Apollo, or my mother for example, and there were even more from minor gods who could be possible.

"That's ok," I told her. "How long have you known her? Maybe she knows something?"

She shook her head again. "No, we have always been together, she only knows the same things as I do."

Allapsar looked crestfallen about not finding out her parent. Always been together? That sounded like a god sending an animal to watch over their child.

"That's not that bad," I said. "It sounds like your parent meant for the two of you to keep each other company, and it's possible that your parent will give you a sign when you return to camp with us."

It worked cheering her up again, I just hoped that I was right, and her parent wouldn't be one to ignore her.

"Can you tell me a story now?" she asked looking up at me with big eyes, and I realized what she reminded me of. She looked just like a stray kitten, begging for food. Guarded and dangerous if you were to wish her harm, but also a playful and curious side.

It was so cute, I couldn't refuse her, but what kind of story could I tell her? My eyes fell on Percy and I got an idea.

"How about I tell you the story of how my mother won guardianship over Athens against Percy's father?" I asked smirking at Percy.

The girl nodded enthusiastically.

"See, long ago there was a newly founded city that was looking for one of the gods to become their Patron, but they did not know how to choose between the two contestants. There was Poseidon, god of the entire Sea, he was mighty and strong, and so he wanted the winner to be decided in a battle of strength. The other contestant was Athena, goddess of Wisdom, she knew she could not win in pure strength against him, so instead, she tricked Poseidon into agreeing to a contest, the one to give the greatest gift to the city should become its Patron."

The girl was hanging on every word I said. I smiled, remembering how I had been that age, eager to learn everything I could. I went on with my story.

"So, the mighty Poseidon struck down his Trident on a stone, and where he had struck, a spring of water was created. Next was the wise Athena, she just bent down and planted a tiny seed in the ground, and a beautiful tree began to sprout in its place. And when the people of the city came to decide, they found the water Poseidon had given them too salty to drink, and they were not impressed."

"What happened next?" Allapsar asked, shaking my arm.

"Athena's gift instead was not a normal tree, but it had olives on its branches. It gave the people food, wood, and oil, and everyone was impressed by her thoughtfulness, and so, they made her the guardian, naming her Athena Polias and their city Athens in her honor." I told her. "But you see, Poseidon was a sore loser, and didn't want to accept that his gift was not as good, and so he threw a huge temper tantrum, sending a flood to the area before he sulked for tens of years."

I gave a theatrical pause, causing Grover to snicker and Percy to roll his eyes at me.

"That's really childish of him. The matron always said we have to accept if we lose," Allapsar said with a serious face, and I had to fight to suppress a smile at the faux pout Percy gave me.

"It was," I told her. "Athena of course wasn't impressed by his behavior either, but luckily he realized it himself as well. So, when Erechtheus, a child of Athena, came to claim the throne of Athens, Poseidon decided to offer another gift as an apology. You see, Erechtheus could not walk very well, and so Poseidon decided to show that he too possessed wisdom, and he created horses out of sea foam and gave them to Erechtheus. Athena understanding his intention created the chariot and gave it to her son, who then put the two gifts together and created the first horse-drawn chariot. He also proved that Poseidon and Athena could create something amazing, as long as they buried their rivalry and worked together instead. And so the people of Athens and Erechtheus accepted Poseidon's apology, calling him Poseidon Erechtheus accepting him as one of their guardians as well. They build a temple in honor of the two and it was guarded by the sacred snake of Athena."

She made big eyes. "A snake guarded it?"

I nodded. "Erechtheus was said to have a deep connection to snakes, and when he passed away, he became a snake, guarding the temple for a long, long time."

She seemed happy to learn about the snake and there was hissing coming from under her shirt, her friend seemingly talking to her.

"So, are they working together now?" she asked after a while, pointing at Percy and me. "Like you two?"

I gave her a smile. "If they are still wise," I said. "But should they prove to have forgotten this important lesson, maybe they need somebody to remind them."

I tried to stay evasive, not knowing the answer myself. When we had seen them on Olympus, they hadn't seemed close, and my mother had shown that she disapproved of Percy for some reason. The more I learned, the less I understood why they had acted like that, but it was something I had decided I would ask her when I next met her.

Of course, what I told her wasn't the entire story. I had let out the more gruesome details, like the backstory of Erechtheus, whose father had been Hephaestus trying to force himself on my mother. And Erechtheus had been killed by Poseidon … or by a lightning bolt of Zeus, the stories gave no clear answer to that question. I almost snorted out loud. I was pretty sure by now I knew that answer without having to ask.

I was pulled out of my musing by Percy, Allapsar already distracted by a story Grover was telling her. Something about the Great God Pan, of course. It seemed like Grover didn't want to be left out from telling how amazing his quasi parent was.

"Nice story," Percy said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Loved the sass."

I smirked at him. "Wish to say something, Seaweed Brain?"

"Of course not, Wise Girl," he said giving me a lopsided grin in return, but then got serious again. "Did they really have a shared temple in Athens?"

I figured that was what he was most interested in.

"Well, it isn't quite clear when it was built and all, but yes, they had, it was called the Erechtheum," I answered. "The east side was sacred to Poseidon, and in it was the trident mark and the saltwater spring, and the west side was sacred to Athena, with the Olive tree my mother planted. The center was the place of the snake-guardian, and it later also held the Palladium."

"The what?"

"The Palladium is a statue made by my mother out of olive wood. Many considered it to be Athena, but it was actually depicting her fallen friend Palls," I said. "It stood in Troy but was stolen during the Trojan war by Odysseus and Diomedes and brought to Athens, only to later be reclaimed and brought to Rome. It was said to have a protective aura, and a city, its people, and nation would not fall, as long as it was inside the walls. It proved true in all cases, both Troy and Greece fell after it was stolen, and it disappeared around the Fall of Rome as well."

"Ah, there we have Troy again," he said sighing.

I had to agree, everything we learned seemed to return to Troy and the fight between Greece and Rome in the end. I couldn't wait to finally get information out of Ares.

"So, who's Pallas?" Percy asked.

"After my mother was born, she was raised and thought the art of war by your brother, Triton," I explained. "Pallas was his daughter, and she was also my mother's best friend and said to be her equal in battle. During a friendly contest, Zeus – he supposedly was afraid my mother would lose – appeared with the newly made Aegis behind my mother in the sky and distracted Pallas long enough for her to miss a dodge and for my mother to accidentally kill her."

Percy rolled his eyes next to me. "How stupid of me to ask," he said, then glanced sideways. "What do you think about her?"

I glanced over too and saw that Allapsar was fully immersed in Grover's story.

"I don't know," I answered, having already thought about it myself. "She doesn't look like a typical child of Ares, Apollo, Hephaestus, or my mother. Hades has snakes as one of his divine animals, but I don't think it is him. Most likely I would guess either a minor god, Dionysus, or maybe Hermes."

Next to me, Percy nodded, agreeing to what I said. "Yeah, it's just... I get this familiar feeling from her as if I should already know her parent. Does that make any sense?" he asked.

It did. I got the same feeling myself, but neither of the gods seemed to fit. Another mystery we would have to postpone solving for now.

After that, we spent the rest of the day telling stories, until toward the end of our second day on the train, June 13, eight days before the summer solstice, we passed over the Mississippi River into St. Louis. The Gateway Arch looking innocent over the city, unaware that it was looking down on an area that would turn into a battlefield soon.