Third Person POV:

Grover had a job to do and by the gods was he gonna do it. He just hopes he lives long enough to accomplish it while avoiding any mishaps along the way. Good thing Thalia and Annabeth showed up when they did because he wasn't sure he could get Nico and Bianca out of there safely. Or without causing a commotion. But that line of thinking went straight to hell the moment his friends made an appearance. Dr. Thorn wasn't the only monster and the only way they could keep Bianca and Nico safe was by leaving Thalia and Annabeth to keep the monsters at bay. It wasn't full proof by any means, but it was there best bet.

So being as unlucky as Grover is, he was facing Dr. Thorn in the harsh winter night outside of that damn school. Of course this was how it was gonna go down. Why wouldn't it? It's not like he could ever get a clean getaway in the past, so why would that start now? And of course he has to be the one to find two more children of the big three. He isn't certain, but he is pretty damn sure.

Grover put on a brave face and stared down the manticore. He had a job to do after all. "Acting tough won't get you anywhere. Just hand those two brats over and you might just walk out of here alive." What is it with villains and their false monologues?

"That's n-not gonna happen. My fri- friends will be he-here any m-moment." Grover stuttered out. He has faith in them. It's just that no matter how good some one is, all it takes is one lucky hit and it's all over.

"Your friends? They are nothing more than a pile of corpses. Do yourself a favor and run along before I'm forced to personally add you to the pile." Dr. Thorn mused stalking a little bit closer.

"Oh yeah?-" Grover was cut-off when a rock flew from the trees and nailed Thorn in the head. He turned around and eyed the dark forest seeing no sign of anything. Thorn growled and turned back towards Grover and the others. They weren't there. He stood alone in the small clearing

"You think this means anything!? You're nothing but an insect waiting to be snuffed out! All you're doing is prolonging your deaths!" Thorn shouted at no one in particular. This was getting beyond frustrating.

Maybe Grover's luck had changed for the better. He has no idea who or what helped him out, but he will be eternally grateful to whomever it was. Now all he has to do is stay hidden. At least the two with him weren't stupid and causing a scene. That surely would have been the end of them. Grover needed to think... Okay, Thorn is the biggest threat and he doubts he can actually get away from him without compromising the safety of Bianca or Nico. Best bet would be to regroup with Thalia and Annabeth. Hopefully they are alright. Damn now he has to trek back to them. This was going to be difficult.

Grover started moving around the tree they sat behind to see if he could catch a glimpse of Thorn, but he was no where in sight. That's good. Right? Grover grabbed Bianca's arm and nodded towards they needed to go. She nodded back and grabbed her younger brother's arm. One look and the satyr could tell they were terrified. Of everything.

Grover vaguely heard something in the distance.

"Did you guys here something?" Grover whispered to his companions. They shook their heads. Now he is certain. He's gone delusional. He knew he shouldn't have eaten so much party food because now he is hearing things.

"What are we going to do now?" The younger of the two asked. Nico was his name.

"We're going back. I'd rather not run into that maniac again." Grover replied. It was a strange feeling, but he doesn't think Thorn is going to be an issue for at least a little while. Just a feeling.

Just as they were taking a step out from behind their hiding spot, Grover was wrong. "You're not doing so hot on the whole hiding concept. Pathetic really, but after what you pulled I'm going to have to kill you. Then. Take. Them." Thorn stared them down. It was unbelievable how big he was when he is standing so close. Bianca could feel her brother shivering in utter fear. Though she wasn't faring much better herself. He just came straight out of her nightmares.

"Jeez la-weez. If you're gonna make a threat, at least make it scary." A boys voice crept through the canopy, "Here's a prime example. 'Go ahead run, hide, listen and tremble because stalking you will bring a fire back into my soul. Watching you squirm will fuel me for ages. Just know that one day, I'll bare my teeth and snuff out your soul.' Now that is a threat worth fearing." The boy's voice rang through the night. His voice had the same edge as sharpening steel.

"I thought we told you to bud out boy. Are sure you calculated the risk?" Thorn seethed, completely ignoring them. Like this newcomer was worth so much more.

"You did and I am... But, I'm not going to make it any easier for you. I have a reputation to keep after all." The boy mused, "Let's get to it, shall we?"

"With pleasure." Thorn replied with vigor. Actually it sounded more like a hunger to decimate.

A sword came flying through the canopy, but was swiped aside by the tail of the manticore. He aimed and shot a bunch of projectiles back where the sword came from with only silence to follow. Whoever it was already repositioned themselves and pulled the bowstring back on their bow. And fired. The arrow swam through the air, gleaming with an intent to kill. The arrow flowed right under Thorn's armpit and dug itself into the tree a millimeter away from Grover's face.

The adrenaline and fear in his system poured out in a tsunami. With a little pee. He struggled to get a grip on the snow beneath his hooves. He grabbed Bianca and Nico and sprinted far away. Whoever that boy was didn't care about hurting them. He was definitely not a friend. More like a new enemy with a bigger axe to grind against the monsters. But, doesn't care about the casualties he leaves in his wake.

Damn it all to hell, Thalia and Annabeth need to know about the new player on the field. Things were not looking good. Percy said he would be here if he called. So where in the Hades is he!? This is horse radish! Pardon his French.

Grover stumbled over his hooves as they made their way back to the school. Even from a hundred meters Grover could hear the distinct sound of fighting. And even on occasion, thunder. Once they cleared the trees Grover was damn impressed with the amount of monster dusts caked on the steps of the evil looking castle. All that was left was a few hellhounds which were quickly taken care of. "Hey Annabeth, we have a situation!" Grover called out getting both of their attentions.

"What do you mean? What happened?" She questioned in a way only a daughter of Athena could. So Grover recalled every bit of detail, right down to the fletching of the arrow almost piercing his face. "Damn it... Listen we don't have the time to worry about that now. We need to get them to safety before things get worse." Annabeth ordered.

In the split movement before anyone made a move, a boy in a hooded robe came crashing through the bushes and flopped against a tree. The moment he hit the tree, they assumed he was dead. The wood splintered and cracked and he didn't make a single noise. Then Dr. Thorn appeared through the brush and didn't even glance at the demigods standing by. The boy had a better chance to stay unconscious rather than awake. Because Thorn wouldn't hesitate to go in for the kill. Blood pooled across his bare chest and seeped from his mouth. "Come on! I expected more from the likes of you." Thorn shouted stalking closer and closer. That boy was not getting up. They didn't know what to do. Should they help? Can they help? He did try to hurt Grover. Thorn was a few feet away when the kid sucked in cramped air, filling his lungs with cool air. "So you live? I'll just have to remedy that!" Thorn attacked with his tail.

Yet, it was stopped short by a gleaming bronze sword, "Honestly. Your quips are pretty f-ing awful." The boy managed through grit teeth.

"And you can do better?" Thorn huffed pushing harder on his tail.

"Of course I can, I'm-" A horn blew in the distance and cut him off completely. A horn that they all recognized. Like a pack of wolves and far more deadly, women clad in silver leaped through the trees and rained hellfire on the unsuspecting manticore. "Gods damnit! I'm still here!" He shouted while trying to roll away. By all means he should be dead. He ducked behind a tree and weaved his way though the bush to get to the front of the school. "Sorry I'm late."

"We don't even know you." Thalia mocked.

"Aww come on, how could you forget little ole me." Percy flipped down his hood and bedazzled them with his customary smile.

"YoU almost killed mE!" Grover heaved.

"Yea, sorry about that. I'm a little rusty on my bow skills. But I'm back-" Percy grunted in pain as the manticore gripped his stomach and wrenched him from his friends. They shouted in protest and gave chase followed closely by the Hunters of Artemis. Of course this was gonna happen because Percy was this damn unlucky.

The manticore only decided to stop when he neared the edge of the cliff the school overlooked. "Go on Percy, decide. You know that his patience is wearing thin." The manticore spoke so all of them could hear.

"What's he talking about?" Thalia asked concerned for his well being.

"He knows. Come on kid, we don't have all day." Thorn squeezed Percy before he sighed in defeat.

"Fine. I guess I'm not back." Percy growled. Thorn laughed and fell backwards towards the abyss below.

I know this is a short chapter. I planned for it to be a lot longer, but it was taking too much time. Again, I apologize.