Son of Tartarus-Chapter 4

Disclaimer: NOTHING belongs to me. PJ belongs to Rick Riordan.

A/N: I might not be able to get a new chapter out every day because I have school. I know what your thinking, there is no school. But my school had to be so organised that they made us download this app Calle 'Meet' which is like FaceTime. So we're basically forced to attend lessons with the whole class and do the work via FaceTime. It sucks.

'This is me thinking'

"This is me talking"

Previously

The shadows pushed Echidna forward, driving her towards Riptide but just before she was impaled, Echidna made a wild grab at Percy. It was by pure luck that her swing made contact and by chance that the force of it threw Percy of the Gateway Arch, just as Echidna exploded into dust.

Now

Percy was falling. He was falling from the top of the Gateway Arch. He was about to die. His life wasn't flashing before his eyes. In fact, he was perfectly aware of everything that was happening around him. He could see the river rushing towards him. He'd heard that landing on water from high up was the same as landing on concrete. He looked at the river. He wished he was there already, that it would be over with already. He wished his body was already in the river. He suddenly felt something grab him. The thing which grabbed him didn't drag him or hurt him, it comforted him. It surrounded his whole body and the next thing he knew he was in the river.

It was a dirty river. There were signs of pollution everywhere. He could see plastic bottles and wrappers everywhere. It was horrendous. He looked around and came face-to-face with a woman. He would have screamed but he was underwater.

The woman looked at him and spoke, "Perseus, I am a Nereid. I was sent to give you something for your journey"

Percy tried to open his mouth, but found that he couldn't speak.

The woman reached forward and handed him three pearls, "Smash these in the Underworld and they will take you back to the land of the living"

Percy grabbed the pearls and nodded a thanks. He was running out of air and swam to the surface. He saw Annabeth and Luke looking into the river.

"Hey! Over here!" He waved at them.

"Percy!" Annabeth shrieked, "You're alive!"

It then occurred to Percy that he shouldn't be alive. He had just fallen of the Gateway Arch.

"How did you survive?" Luke asked.

"Um, there was a Nereid," Percy was thinking of a lie to tell them, he didn't feel comfortable sharing what had happened with the shadows and the teleportation thingy, "I think she must have saved me, yeah! She gave me some pearls in case we needed to get out of the Underworld, we just have to smash them"

He handed a pearl each to Annabeth and Luke.

"That makes sense, I guess" Annabeth said thoughtfully, "The Nereid's are part of Poseidon's domain and he would want you to get Zeus bolt back so he won't be accused of stealing it"

"Yeah! That must be why she helped me!" Percy exclaimed, he was relieved that there was a reasonable explanation, "Now let's get going. We're wasting time"

_(This is a Line Break)_

Percy, Annabeth and Luke were in Denver. They had been hungry so they had stopped at a restaurant for some food. Percy finished of his cheeseburger and took a gulp of water. Once they were done, the waitress came to give them the check. Annabeth had remembered to bring some mortal money and was about to pay the bill before a man walked in and sat down at there table.

The waitress looked at him, clearly annoyed, "Excuse me sir, what business do you have here"

"That's not you problem sweetie" turning to the demigods the biker flashed a grin, "don't worry, dinner's on me"

"Excuse me, but do you know this man?" The waitress addressed the demigods.

"No—"

Annabeth was cut of by the man, who rested a hand against his jacket, "It's fine darlin', I'll take care of them" the outline of a gun was clearly visible under his jacket, taking one look at it, the waitress backed up and hurried away, "Now, down to business. I need a favour from you lot"

"What?" Luke exclaimed, "We don't even know you!"

"Oh, I assure you, you know who I am and it would be in your best interest to do what I ask, demigods"

"Lord Ares," Annabeth breathed, looking more fearful of the man, "What can we do for you?"

And then it hit Percy. This man was none other than Ares, the Olympian God of War. Ares wanted them to do something for him but they were already on a quest and Ares knew that.

Percy glared at the war god and spoke, "What is it you would like us to do?" Percy paused, "Lord Ares"

"Go retrieve my shield. I left it at. A nearby water park. You should be able to find it" Ares waved his hand, "I had to leave quickly and left it behind"

"Lord Ares, you're saying you want us to go on a side quest for you whilst we are on a way more important quest" Percy folded his arms across his chest, "Not to be disrespectful but we have a deadline so I'm afraid we can't do what you ask"

"Percy, what are you doing!" Annabeth hissed, "That's an Olympian god!"

"I know, but we can't do what he asks. We don't have the time. We still need to find a mode of transportation"

Ares looked Percy up and down before he smirked, "You've got spunk, kid. Not many would deny an Olympian god" He looked at the questers again, "Tell you what, you get my shield and bring it back here and I'll get you to where you need to go"

"Percy please" Annabeth looked at him, "Let's just do what Lord Ares asks"

"Fine," Percy said, uncrossing his arms, "You've got a deal"

_(This is a Line Break)_

After Ares had pointed out where they would find his shield he sent the demigods on their way. Percy and his companions approached a run down gate. The park behind it looked abandoned, like nobody had been there in years.

"What was Ares doing at an abandoned park?" Percy muttered.

"On a date with his girlfriend, probably" Annabeth said, pointing to a sign above the entrance to a ride, "This is where the shield is"

"The Ride of Love" Percy read from the sign, "Sounds gross. I'm not going, I'll let you two lovebirds go by yourselves" Annabeth blushed at his words and Luke looked absolutely mortified.

"Uh, you mean, just me and Luke" Annabeth questioned.

"Yup, without supervision. Don't worry, I won't follow you" Annabeth went even redder at Percy's words, which shouldn't have been possible.

Luke grabbed Annabeth and pulled her into the ride, not wanting to be embarrassed any more. Percy stood outside idly waiting for them to come out.

Until he heard Annabeth scream.

_(This is a Line Break)_

Annabeth/Luke

Annabeth and Luke walked away from Percy, into the ride. Annabeth was blushing furiously, embarrassed by what Percy had said. They weren't lovebirds, Luke was like a brother to her. She didn't have a crush on him, right? Gods, she didn't even know if she did like him like that.Annabeth held Luke's hand as they kept going further into the ride. It was warm to the touch. They travelled in silence for a while before Luke spoke.

"So, any idea of why Ares had to leave so suddenly?" Luke cleared his throat, "I mean, it seems kind of strange that he would leave in the middle of a date with girlfriend. I mean, I wouldn't do that with you. Well your not my girlfriend, but if I were on a date, I wouldn't leave in the middle of it"

"Yeah, it does seem strange. Why would he leave?" Annabeth frowned, they were nearly at the shield, she could see it beside a scarf. She walked over and picked it up.

"Well, that was fairly easy" Luke commented, "I would've thought it would be harder to get it"

Annabeth's eyes widened, "It's a trap! We have to get out of here!"

Luke ran towards Annabeth but stopped when dozens of cameras came into view, pointing at them, and a pre-recorded sound was played in Hephaestus' voice

"And we're live in 3… 2... 1… Action!"

At once dozens of mechanical spiders were released. Upon seeing them Annabeth's eyes went wide and she screamed in fear.

A/N: I was going to make this chapter longer but I think I'll end it there. Will post tomorrow! Hope you people who I don't know enjoyed reading this. I don't know if it's good or not so reviews are appreciated! Have a great day!