Chapter 10: I Drive the Magic School Bus
Even as the weather grew colder, and the frost only spread, I could tell sunrise was approaching. All of the hunters gathered and looked to the East, obviously waiting for Artemis' twin brother to arrive. Or as I like to refer to him as the God of Terrible Haikus.
I spotted Annabeth, Percy, Thalia, and Grover all huddled up like penguins in the cold, engrossed in a conversation. The talking stopped abruptly once I walked over to them, longing for warmth in the bitter winter air.
"Hey, Nico," Annabeth greeted. She took one look at my forlorn expression and frowned. "I'm guessing the talk with Bianca didn't go so well?"
I didn't say anything as my eyes drifted towards the starry sky, where dawn began to break.
"About time," I heard Artemis mutter a couple of feet away from me. "He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."
Percy blinked, obviously a little confused. "You're, um, waiting for sunrise?"
"For my brother. Yes," she answered simply.
I could tell by the look on Percy's face that he's a little more than perplexed by the concept. I don't really blame him. Mythology and science jumbled together can be a messy ordeal.
"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said, as if she were reading my mind. Or maybe she's reading Percy's.
Understanding flashed across the Son of Poseidon's face. "Oh, okay. So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"
He was rudely interrupted by a blinding flare of light, the warmth of Apollo's sun chariot bringing an intoxicating summer vibe to the serene atmosphere of the dead of winter.
"Don't look," Artemis instructed. "Not until he parks."
We all turned away as the light and warmth escalated. The heat was so intense that it felt like my skin was melting, cooking, and boiling all at the same time. I discarded my winter coat and held onto it for later. Though how I would need it when I am literally about to catch a ride with the sun is a mystery to me.
The light waned, but the summer heat decided to stay around.
I peeled open my eyes, blinking away the incessant spots that danced in my vision. I continued to blink as I stared unimpressed at the luminescent red convertible in front of me, surrounded by a circle of wet grass where snow had once been. In my humble opinion, the car would look so much better in black. It reminded me of that interesting song I listened to with Thals one time, Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones.
The upbeat melody and Spanish tune were a really nice contrast with the almost depressing lyrics. The three elements balanced each other perfectly in a unique kind of way. I heard that music can really affect your emotions, and that song in particular can make you calm, excited, annoyed, and maybe even nostalgic all at the same time.
I blinked, trying to get my bearings. Ugh. ADHD makes you think of the most random things at the most random moments.
Apollo stepped out of the flashy car with a lazy grin. He wore loafers, blue jeans, and a deep blue T-shirt that was the same shade as Will's eyes.
Will…
This is his father. It's astonishing to me how Will could turn out to be so caring and stubborn when his father is the equivalent of a cocky teenager that's fed a golden spoon on a daily basis. I tried to search for the similarities. They both have the same sunny aura, sun-kissed tresses, and surfer tan complexion, but the similarities end there. Unlike Will, Apollo looked careless and childish with his easygoing smile, movies star sunglasses, and obviously undeserving six pack.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised to find Apollo standing in front of the mirror kissing his "guns", writing awful haikus, and telling himself how wonderful he is at every mirror he finds. He's like the Godly version of Narcissus.
He's everything Will isn't.
"Wow," I heard Thalia mutter next to me. "Apollo is hot."
"He's the sun god," Percy said simply.
"That's not what I meant."
"Little sister!" Apollo practically bellowed to Artemis, who stood only a few feet away. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!" Gods, I hope I don't sound like that with Hazel.
"I'm fine Apollo," Artemis sighed irritably. "And I am not your little sister."
"Hey, I was born first," Apollo said matter-a-factly. I actually face palmed at how stupid that statement sounded.
"We're twins!" Artemis exclaimed. "How many millennia do we have to argue—"
"So what's up? Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?" He said smoothly.
Artemis seemed to have trouble holding her tongue. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-blood."
"Sure, sis!" Then his face quite literally illuminated up with enlightenment. Uh, oh. I remember that look. "I feel a haiku coming on."
Every Hunter groaned. "Oh, no," I couldn't stop myself from saying. Percy and Thalia looked at me, puzzled. Only Annabeth seemed to understand what I implied.
"Green grass breaks through snow, Artemis pleads for my help, I am so cool," He looked to his audience in expectation, as if he actually expected us to applaud him.
"'I am so cool' is only four syllables," Artemis corrected. "How about 'I am so big-headed'?" She suggested.
"No, that's seven syllables," he said, actually considering Artemis' suggestion. His eyes lit up. "How about, 'I am so awesome'?"
Some of the Hunters subtlety shook their heads, while others grimaced. Artemis shook her head at her brother's stupidity.
Apollo cleared his throat and recited. "Green grass breaks through snow, Artemis pleads for my help, I am so awesome." The clearing was yet again silent.
"Yeesh, tough crowd," Apollo said. "Alright everybody, all aboard!"
"Um, Lord Apollo?" Annabeth asked. She bravely stepped up to address the issue at hand. "We won't all fit in the convertible."
"Oh! Right!" He exclaimed. "I forgot about that," he glanced at the Maserati in a sort of sympathetic way. "Shame, I really liked this form," he turned to us. "You might want to shut your eyes."
The sun god snapped his fingers as I closed my eyes, and the blinding light resumed once again. The heat seared the hair on my arms. The light finally died down. On the edge of the clearing the once red Maserati transformed in a bright yellow bus, with the lettering Apollo's Sun Bus written in bold lettering just below the windows. The bus looked just like the one on the show, the Magic School Bus.
"All aboard the Sun Bus, everybody! Please keep your hands and feet out the isle at all times. And uh… hold on tight."
We all filed in the bus, the Hunters—including Bianca, all sat in the back while the campers sat in the front. I sat with Thalia and Grover, while Percy and Annabeth sat right across from us. Bianca glanced at me worriedly, to which I gladly glared in reply.
Why am I being so mean to my sister? Logically speaking, I know I shouldn't blame her for joining the Hunt, but my stupid emotions are getting the better of me. I used to have better control over my emotions, though ever since I took a trip back in time, my feelings have been a roller coaster. Why is this happening? Why am I acting like this? Then it hit me: PTSD. I now have PTSD because of the war. I've probably had it even earlier than that, and it would certainly explain why I've been an emotional wreck. And the fact that I'm now forced to go through puberty all over again as a short 10 year old can't help the situation either.
Apollo spun the keys around his finger tauntingly. "Alright, who wants to drive the bus to Camp?"
Zoe, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover all raised their hands, but Apollo merely disregarded them like the rest of the group, saying things like, too stern, no boys, no satyrs. His eyes scanned the crowd for the desired demigod, and locked on Thalia.
"You're Zeus's girl, right? Thalia Grace, is it? That makes you my little half sister. I remember when Dad turned you into a tree. I heard about your little awakening with the Golden Fleece, all thanks to Barnacle Beard's son and Owl Head's daughter. I think Mr. I-Have-Anger-Issues' daughter also went on that quest," Apollo said as an afterthought. "Well anyway, how would you, a daughter of the sky, like to drive the Sun Chariot?" He asked enthusiastically.
"I… I…" Thalia gulped and steeled herself. "I would love to," she said thickly. Thalia did not look like she would love to.
I remember something she confided to me when we were hanging out at Percy's apartment. I'm afraid of heights, she confessed. I can't stand them.
Ironically, I developed a fear of the dark because of… that place, and Percy developed a fear of drowning after that incident where he, Jason, and Piper almost drowned in dirt. (Long story.)
I hate to say it, I really do. But Thalia is in no condition to be flying a magic school bus around in the air when she is scared to death of heights. I'm not going to let Apollo force Thalia to do something she's not comfortable with when she's been through so much already. She was a freaking tree for seven years! She deserves a break.
So naturally, I forced down my phobia and stood up. "I can drive!" I tried to sound confident but it came out more as a squeak.
Everyone except Annabeth and a pale looking Thalia was trying hard not to laugh. Apollo looked amused and chuckled good-naturedly. "That's okay, Kiddo. I think you're a little young to be driving. Why don't you let Thalia have a go at it?"
"And I think you're a little clueless about the future," I said instinctively.
Apollo's laughing came to an abrupt stop. "What do you mean 'clueless about the future?'" He asked suspiciously.
I smirked and made the come hither motion with my index finger. Apollo leaned down so that my mouth went next to his ear. "Kronos is merely the warm-up," I whispered ever so softly, like a feather drifting in a warm summer breeze.
The God of Music's eyes widened. "How would you know that? You just found out you were a demigod today."
I raised an eyebrow. "Did I?" An idea came to mind. "I can elaborate on what I just told you, which would seem fitting as you are the god of prophecy. Or you can find out eventually with the rest of the Olympians soon enough. I'll make you a deal: If I can't drive everyone to Camp Half Blood in less than five minutes, I'll tell you everything I know. But if, on the off-chance that I do, you'll have to wait," I reasoned.
Apollo frowned, and I suddenly felt someone prying into my thoughts, to which I delightfully welcomed them with an impenetrable wall to try to get through. Not today, Severus Snape. The sun god looked appalled that I just blocked him out of my mind, though he was curious nonetheless, it would seem. "Deal," he said. "Oh, and Nico? You're playing a dangerous game. I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I."
Without another word, Apollo tossed me the keys. The Hunters protested.
"He's only 10!"
"He's a boy."
"You're seriously going to let him drive?"
"Make Zoe drive instead!"
"Nico di Angelo! Get back in your seat!" My sister shouted from the back.
I ignored her and sat in the driver's seat while Apollo stood next to me. I recalled the time Percy showed me the basics of his car, like the gas pedal and the brakes. He even let me drive around the beach once. Keep your foot on the gas pedal to move and press on the brakes to stop. I reassured myself. Should be simple enough.
Then again, the vehicle I learned from didn't fly.
Apollo held a stopwatch in his hand. "Ready?"
I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for my demise. "Ready."
I pressed the gas pedal hard and the bus surged upward. I zoomed through the states and the oceans, and all the little people below. I'm pretty sure I just made a couple states go from winter to summer in a couple seconds. Everyone held on for dear life, some were even screaming. Apollo looked a little green. But I didn't care.
However terrible I am, I will never be worse than Thalia.
I twisted the steering wheel like a madman, turning at break-neck speed at each direction, and almost falling out of my seat. All while Apollo hastily screamed, "LEFT! RIGHT! TURN ANOTHER LEFT!" into my now ringing ears. Before I knew it, I saw the familiar lake of the Long Island Sound and Camp Half Blood below. I wonder what the campers are seeing right now. Probably a flying yellow school bus riding an invisible roller coaster in the air. Perhaps they think they're witnessing the action of a real life magic school bus. Or maybe they're just too dumbstruck to comprehend what they're seeing.
"Okay, Nico. Take the landing nice and slow," Apollo instructed. It didn't escape me that he used the word "landing" instead of "parking". Honestly, I don't blame him. I attempted to land the bus. "Slower… slower… a little lower… slow down a bit, it's not like you're in a rush," he falsely reassured me. "An-n-n-d stop."
I successfully parked the magic school bus. Apollo glanced at the stopwatch and whistled impressed. "Congratulations, Nico di Angelo. You win the bet with a time of 4:47 seconds. I think that's actually a record. And you managed to not kill anyone either, which is definitely a plus."
I smirked triumphantly. It wouldn't have mattered either way you slice it if I won or lost. The Gods would still be informed of Gaea's soon-to-be awakening and Thalia still wouldn't have to drive the bus! But I'm really proud of myself for actually accomplishing the dare-devil feat.
I handed the keys back to Apollo and stepped out to find a crowd gathering around the magic school bus.
"Where did you learn to drive like that?" Percy asked incredulously behind me.
From you.
I shrugged nonchalantly. Grover and Thalia congratulated me and Annabeth ruffled my hair. "Why did you want to drive so badly?" The daughter of Wisdom asked.
"I'll tell you later," was all I said.
The Hunters stepped out of the bus, full blown glaring at me like I'm the worst boy they've ever encountered, and even Bianca looked a little irritable. But I honestly couldn't care less. I crossed off one of many things I need to do on my Prevent the End of the World List. I think I'll just refer to it as the List or maybe even the P.E.W. List. That decision is yet to be decided.
A/N
Which list name do you prefer? Tell me in the reviews!
