DISCLAIMER: Percy Jackson and Crew are the intellectual property of Rick Riordan

WARNING: OOC Characters!

PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! (grovels on the dirt) I didn't mean to post this late! T.T I swear, work is trying to kill me, damn it. And is it just me, or is paper work eternally reproducing? IT JUST WON'T STOP! T.T But, I did manage to get this out to everyone, so huzzah for me! :D

...I'm not satisfied with this chapter. Not at all. Fighting scenes are my weakness, so please tell me how badly I mucked up this chapter, ok? O.o

BUT! Can I say I absolutely adore you guys? THANK YOU for all those who favorited, followed, or just plain read this story! :D

princessabbie10, Mistake Experience, Padfootette, harryginny9, Anastasia Victoria Black, Kida Night, Harmonic Bunny, ultima-owner, OmegaBanda14, Stormbringer54, PadawanCassy, FavFan, roos1414, Guest # 2, EmpressLupin, sharonpijl, AQUA-TOT, LittleDiva, Alex2909, Midnightshadow35, katie, zabby, xD, StellaCartoonlover, Guest # 5, Guest # 6, Yukibrooke, Minerva, jayfeather10, Guest # 10, Operation Mystic - Thank you for all your praise and for the time you took in writing to me how you feel! I love you guys! :D I hope you guys will continue to support this story! :D Here's the next chapter, and I hope you tell me what you think! :D

Queen-of-Earth - Wow. It's either you're a fast reader, or my sense of length in a story is definitely skewered. O.o But, thank you for your concern, though! Yes, we're fine now. Slowly healing, but still healing, nonetheless. :D

Outofthisworldgal - Yes, he is and will always be. O.o Well, think of Hades as the 'cool' uncle and Zeus as the 'jerk and stick-up-in-the-ass' uncle. XD Yes, actually. That's one of the point's I'll take up in the next chapter. :D And another point! Haha! You're good at guessing the contents of the next chapters! :D

Lord Jace - (counts bet pool) Erm, I think the whole pot doesn't even cover what you're willing to give. XD

Tipper dehavilland - (evil laugh). That's all you're getting from me. XD

Mrs. Potter-Black-Riddle-Malfoy - Err. Because he will? XD

coastiewife465 - Haha! I'm so glad that it excited you that much! :D Let me tell you a secret, though. Zeus was really hard for me to write. O.o Yes, it really is, and it's really surprising that you're the only one to recognize that. XD Haha. Dammit. I want to either agree or refute your statement, but then I'd be giving away a whole chunk of plot that it pains me. Just, let's wait until we have on print, ok? :D

candyandfanfics - Yes, yes it will! Question is, can you guess when? XD Haha! Well, for the current Percy, yes, it will be badass. But as for the Percy in TLO, let's say that this win will be one of the most embarrassing for her. :D Thank you for your praise and I hope you like this chapter! :D

ZeldaWolf434 - I wanted you guys to see a part of why Zeus did all the decisions he made. On why he turned out that way, though I guess the good old 'he is evil' thing works too. XD

Lethe the Dragon - I'm not really sure about the beta part. I have read countless statements here in ff about betas who bash the authors that it even leaves permanent doubt on the author, so I'm really scared to find one only to get one of those. but, thank you for pointing it out. I was thinking of going back to the start and fixing it all when I finish this story, and your review just cemented that decision. :)

ro781727 - Actually, Metis is an Oceanid, same as Amphitrite, but she is from the time of the Titans, so most just assume she's a Titan, herself. Weeeeell. It is from Zeus' point of view, after all (hinthint). XD Don't worry, though, I haven't forgotten the pranks. XD And the punishment will be coming, sooner for Ares than for the other two, though. :D Yes, I already have plans for them. Just stay tuned for that, ok? :D

redrobin - Technically, yes, Zeus CAN be considered Hephaestus' father, but I really can't see him acknowledging the God of Forges that way. Yes, he's a royal jerk that way. O.o Thank you for the concern! :D And yes! I CAN'T WAIT for those two to arrive! It'll be AWESOME, I tell you! XD

DarkDragonessFliesEveryWhere - Ah, really? Thanks for the heads up! Going to fix it soon! :D

Guest # 1 - In classical mythology, yes, it was Hephaestus who split his skull, but in this universe, I made it so that Hephaestus was the youngest of Zeus' spawn in the Olympians, not the eldest. :D I'm SO GLAD someone noticed! I was thinking that I didn't make it obvious enough, but I'm glad you caught on to that fact. :D Exactly! And Zeus just let all that blow his head up like a giant balloon. O.o

aLazyButSmartFanPJO - Haha. It's fine, but I'm really not sure about the fight here. O.o Thank you for the comment about his life! I really struggled with that! O.o :D

em - Haha. Sorry about that. I needed to get that one out. :D Weeeell. About her. Haha. SOM is coming, so we'll hold on the comment. XD

Guest # 3 - Yes, she should be. I tried to outline that here, but let me know if it wasn't enough, ok? :)

Guest # 4 - Well, in canon, yes, that would be the case. But this story is an AU, so I merely modified it. :)

Tobias Atreus - Oh dear gods. When you pointed that out to me, I went back and had my jaw dropping in horror at the state my earlier chapters were! I'll fix it, don't worry! O.o

Lolxxx - Yes, he totally is. And more, dammit! XD Yes, I know! But then, it won't be smooth sailing for them much longer. (evil cackle) Oh, don't worry! The next chapter will feature even more Zeus/Poseidon interaction, that's for sure! :D

Lybillexoxo - Thank you for the praise! I highly appreciate it! :D Sadly, though, I'm not equipped enough to be a man, let alone Rick Riordan. :D

Akila-Delpanther-Draconan - Oh dear gods. I SOOO want to comment on that, but it'll blow this story out of the water, so I'll wait. O.o Well, I've decided that I'll just have them on separate stories, but I'll add an extra chapter here to notify you guys that SOM is up. :D HAHAHA! I like your way of thinking! :D

PANDORASBOX - Haha! Glad you understood it, then! Thank you for reading! :D

Maine008 - I will! But she needs a little more time! Remember, in the canon, she blossomed in SOM, so I'm going to do the same. So please bear with this a little longer! :D No, no, that's exactly my intentions, so you're not THAT innocent. Haha. Glad you liked it! :D

Masquelarede99 - I stared at your review for five minutes before grabbing the nearest thing I could stuff my face in (throwpillow) and screamed out in ecstacy! THANK YOU for the wonderful praise! I so love you! :D Oh, and you don't even have to ask! I'm already planning their love life to be so much more complicated than canon, so don't worry! We'll all be drowning in angst soon enough. XD

Llew444 - Yes, I try to because I myself know the feeling of being ignored by the author you have bothered to review on. :D I can't say anything on her because it'll ruin my whole plot, but I think she's due for a little (just a little though!) appearance sooner or later. :D Haha. What do you think about that? :D Yes, I have, and as much as it was wonderful, I'm really desensitized about HOO because of Luke being dead and all. O.o

kagome higurashi - We'll be finding out soon enough, so please bear with me for a little while longer. :D

Guest # 7, Guest # 8, Guest # 9 - I'm guessing you're only one person, based on the interval of your reviews. :D Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it! :D

I'm-Smarter-Than-A-3year-Old - I really feel your hatred for our resident Lord of the Sky. XD I'm really speechless about your praises. It just makes me feel all giddy inside! Thank you for your praises, and no, I don't mind you rambling! It's heartwarming! :D

Yaoishipper4eva - NOT SAYING ANYTHING. XD I can't properly reply to you, but I can say this. The next chapter will feature at least one of your concerns, so please look forward to it! :D

Starkidlover100 - Thank you for the concern! And Sorry for the long wait! :D Erm. I'm sorry to say, but no, I don't. Why? O.o

Hercy - I realized that I forgot to thank you for greeting me about the reviews, so thank you! :D Oh. Then, I'm really happy I could at least help you with my posting a chapter! And I really hope you settle in nicely! :D Yes, really! But I'll add something else, so I hope you won't mind. :D And no! I don't! (closet Hercy shipper) XD

ApollosHaikus11 - Yes, I will continue it. I apologize for making you guys wait, though. O.o

StephanieSmith - Yes, I will. Thank you for the praise! :D

Εδώ είναι το επόμενο κεφάλαιο! (Here's the next chapter!)

Chapter 25: The Culprit? Or a Victim?

A Coast Guard had seen us and picked us up, and the four of us dreaded it at first, seeing as it was completely suspicious that four drenched teenagers who were not dressed in common beach getups (I really don't think suits and a dress were right swimming attires, right?) were now stranded in the middle of the bay. And oh, one of them had freaking hooves! So, when we boarded, we couldn't help but sigh in relief as they were too busy to notice our peculiarity because their radios were jammed up with distress calls. Apparently, just in the last hour the sea had suddenly become extremely rough, as rough as when there's an extremely huge storm brewing in the distance. This fact took many by surprise, seeing the weather predictions haven't broadcasted a truly awful storm, and many people (surfing nuts mostly) had come for the opportunity for a good wave, but even they couldn't handle waves the size of houses. So, it left the Coast Guard with quite a lot on their plates. And so, without further grandeur, they dropped us off at the Santa Monica Pier with towels around our shoulders and little water bottles that advertised the excellence of their jobs shamelessly. Really now, wasn't putting 'I'M A JUNIOR COAST GUARD!' as labels extremely tacky? Even still, we were grateful for them rescuing us.

Though, when the Coast Guard had appeared and was apparently coming over to rescue us, we all had minor panic attacks because, well, it really isn't everyday you'd meet someone with hooves, now isn't it? Thankfully, though, Ethan solved the problem by unlacing his own shoes, to the protest of both Grover and Luke.

"Your shoes are magical, idiot. Besides, why would I take away your only use?" Ethan dryly pointed out, much to my and Grover's amusement, and Luke's sputtering in indignation. "Anyway, what do you think the Coast Guard would think? That we're bionic children who got experimented on at birth and Grover was the one who they made half goat?" That stopped Grover's amusement and had somehow doubled mine.

"Well, do you want to borrow mine, Hircum?" I unlatched my own heels and gratefully took them off of my feet. Dear Poseidon, I am never running on one of those ever again!

"Uh, no thanks. I think I'm not equipped enough for those." He bleated, eyeing the heels with trepidation.

"You're really the only one who could go to the Underworld in heels, Percy." Ethan chuckled as he gave his soggy leather shoes to a hesitant Grover.

"Comes with the job." I sighed dramatically. They all just laughed dryly. I just stashed the heels inside the sheathe-bag.

"What about our attires? This really doesn't count as a swimsuit, right?" I asked them as I peeled off the fabric that clung to my legs. Silena was so going to kill me for ruining her dress!

"We'll just say we were on a cruise ship or something." Luke shrugged a little. We just nodded in acquiescence, seeing the logic in the idea.

Though, as we were helped up onto the boat, I had thankfully remembered to put away Riptide in my purse that I had miraculously not forgotten anywhere and willfully make myself wet, seeing as that would probably strengthen the belief that we were experimented at birth or something.

When we reached dry land, we stumbled down the beach, watching as waves that almost swallowed the fairly large Coast Guard boat batter other boats that were moored down on the pier. It was then that the momentary amusement on our own silliness flitted away, and I felt heavy, defeated. The bag that I was still reluctantly carrying suddenly felt really, really heavy. My heart felt even heavier at what we had found out just a few moments ago.

Apparently, my mood was contagious because the other three went from tentative smiles to full out frowns.

"To think we came all that way for nothing." Ethan sighed as he ruffled his wet black locks.

"Not exactly nothing, though. We found out your parentage." Grover offered up a boon, which made some of the seriousness dissipate as Ethan lit up like a lightbulb.

"Who would have thought, huh. The Goddess of Balance and Justice. Really don't see it." Luke slung a friendly arm over the black haired teen's shoulders, smirking a little.

Ethan just elbowed him hard on the ribs, dislodging the chuckling Son of Hermes from him. Though, immediately, Ethan sobered up. "Some Son of Nemesis I am, if I didn't react to the obvious bias of Olympus against anything of the Underworld."

"We were tricked. A strategy that even fooled the gods." Luke sighed as he held out his hand to me, offering to take the bag from me. I just sighed and shook my head, shifting it up on my bare shoulder. I felt responsible for it, for delivering it safely to Olympus. I made a promise, after all.

"The Prophecy was right. 'You shall go west and face the god who has turned.' Only, Uncle Hades wasn't that particular god." I grimaced a little at the spike of guilt coursing through my body at that thought.

"But, who would do something like this? Even Hades' own Helm? Who would be suicidal enough to want a three-way war with the Big Three?" Grover bleated, looking really confused about everything.

"I can think of someone." I growled as I spotted him down the beach, waiting for us.

He was leaning on his bike, cool and composed with his black leather duster and sunglasses, an aluminum bat propped up on one shoulder. The headlights on his bike tinted the sand red.

"Hey there, Babe. You were supposed to die you know." He grinned, predatory and sultry at the same time. I just wanted to hurl something heavy at him, though the heels I just put away might still qualify.

"You tricked us. You were the one who stole everything."

He smirked as he began to tap the bat against his shoulder. "Well, as for the stealing part, nope. Not me. Gods taking other gods' weapons is a big no-no in the Ancient Laws. But then," Here, he sneered at me. "You're not the only hero able to succeed in a little errand for us."

"Who did you use? One of your children?" Oh gods. I so wanted to wipe that smug grin off of his ugly face! And if he used Clarisse for something as despicable as this, I swear I'm going to be the first one who would discover how to kill a god.

Here, his face shuttered off slightly, a feral growl escaping him before his sneer returned full force. "That wimp of a girl? I'll be lucky if she even kills the Minotaur, and he's one of the weakest monsters there is." Behind me, the boys emitted growls of their own at the implied insult towards me. Well, a slight whimper in Grover's case. Ares seemed to like that, because he already had that infuriating smug grin on his face again.

"But then, as impressive as surviving the Underworld, you're impending the war efforts, Babe. You were supposed to have acquired a permanent residence down there, so old Barnacle Beard would go berserk at the Corpse Breath. Now, dear old Lightning Brain of a dad would be fuming because Corpse Breath had his precious Bolt. And our dear Uncle H would be boiling because he doesn't know who took this." At that point, he plunged a hand to his pocket and retrieved a ski mask and placed it on the handle of his bike. Immediately, it shimmered and transformed into an elaborate bronze war helmet.

"The Helm of Darkness." Grover gasped.

Ares ignored him. "Pretty soon, if it went that way, we'd have a nice three-way slugfest going. Best one of the century, I'd bet."

"You do realize they're your family, right?" Ethan gritted out, his hand balled so tightly his knuckles turned stark white.

"Best kind of fight there is. More angst, more anger, more emotions, more passions. Nothing beats a fight between relatives, especially between three petty brothers." Here, he smiled hungrily, the fire in his eyes spilling out of the sunglasses he wore.

"We had that pack back in Denver. You're saying you gave us the Master Bolt way back then?" Luke demanded, his blue eyes glinting like fiery sapphires in his anger.

"Yes and no. I don't expect your tiny little mortal minds to understand, but that backpack is the Bolt's sheathe. I just morphed it into a convenient carry bag and connected it to you, up until you've entered the Underworld. It always returned back to you, didn't it? Kinda like that pen of yours, Babe." He nodded at my purse, where Riptide was currently stashed. I growled at that.

He smirked at me, amused at my reaction. "Anyway, the closer you got to the Underworld, the Bolt would return to its sheath. Once you face Hades, well. He would have been one happy god. If you somehow died along the way, I still had the weapon."

"But that's what I don't get." I narrowed my eyes at him. His story… "You already had the Bolt. You know, the most powerful weapon in all of Olympus? If you're a War God worth any salt, why would you give a weapon as powerful as that to anyone else? Wouldn't it have been better to keep it to yourself, to, I don't know, overthrow your father for the throne?"

Ares' smirk disappeared, only to be replaced by a twitch on his jaw. He stilled, seemingly staggered as the thought occurred to him. "Yeah…. Why didn't I…? With that weapon…!" He tilted his head to the side, seemingly listening to an invisible person right beside him.

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at the boys beside me. Luke and Ethan were looking at Ares with calculating eyes. Grover was clenching and unclenching his hands with worry.

Suddenly, Ares' face cleared. "Didn't want the trouble. Better you than me. Imagine, dear old dad catching me with that thing. It'll only spell trouble for me."

"You're lying." Luke said resolutely. "This isn't your plan, isn't it?"

"What did you say, you little piece of shit?" The flames of his eyes were now burning so angrily that his sunglasses emitted smoke, most likely melting. "Of course it was! I was the mastermind!"

"No. You didn't order the theft. Someone else did." I said, bringing Ares' attention back to me. "Someone ordered a demigod to steal the items, probably at the same time. When Zeus noticed the loss, he had ordered the bunch of you to find the culprit. You caught the thief, but for some reason you didn't turn them in. Something, no, someone convinced you not to. You agreed and waited for another hero to accomplish the original goal. The One we met at down at the pit was the mastermind, was he?"

"WRONG! I am the all-powerful God of War! I am no one's slave! I'm taking orders from no one! I don't have visions!"

"Who said anything about visions?" Ethan remarked, eyes gleaming with satisfaction at the indirect confession.

Ares smirked, but this time, his face conveyed his rage, whether for himself for slipping up, or for us who forced him to slip up.

"We've run off-course from the topic. You're alive, Babe. That's a big problem. I can't have you taking back that Bolt to dear old dad, so I have to kill off you lot here. Wouldn't mind killing off the other three, but you're a right waste, Babe. Still, no hard feelings." He snapped his fingers, and immediately, sand exploded at his feet, and out of the resulting rush of sand came out a wild boar, larger and far more ferocious than any normal one. The beast pawed the sand, glaring at the four of us with its small beady eyes glowing red with power. It snorted a little, thrusting its tusks in the air threateningly.

"That's it! I've had enough! I made an oath and I intend to fulfill it! Fight me yourself, Ares!" I turned to the side, fully intending on vetoing the utterly insane idea (he was WEAPONLESS! Did he somehow forget!?) Luke suddenly spouted, but the look in his eyes stopped the words from spilling out from my mouth. There was steel there, steely conviction in his words.

Still, I shook my head and forced my voice to work. "Luke, you idiot! You don't even have a weapon!" I hissed at him, wondering if the travel from the Underworld jarred a screw or two loose in his head. "And besides, I called dibs!"

"Percy, I'm trying to protect you here. Besides, I can borrow Riptide, right?" Luke said as he stood in line with me, keeping one wary eye at Ares while smiling roguishly at me.

"No! I'm going to battle the jerk! And if you're going to argue some more, I'll hit you!"

"Spicy. I knew I liked something about you, Babe. Still." Ares smirked as he snapped his fingers again. Immediately, the boar charged forward, grunting crazily. I tossed the backpack in Grover's direction as I unclasped my purse and took out Riptide. Though, even before I could throw the purse to one side, never mind uncap the pen, Luke shouted the activation word for his shoes and was immediately flying towards the rampaging beast.

"Luke!" I yelled out, horrified that he charged in without any kind of offensive weapon at all, but a calm hand on my shoulder had stilled my feet from going after the clearly suicidal male. I looked at the appendage, then at Ethan, who only smiled reassuringly at me.

"Don't worry, sis. Luke's been doing these kinds of things since he was nine. If anyone could take down a monster without some kind of weapon in their hands, it would be Luke, you notwithstanding"

"But-!"

"Look." He gestured to the front, and I followed his line of sight, afraid of what I'd find. What I had seen had my jaw scraping the sandy ground. Luke was currently locked in a furious pushing war with the giant boar, his face fixed with concentration, his feet firmly planted on the sandy ground even though the wings of his sneakers were fluttering slightly. He had a tight grip on the boar's tusks, not giving an inch.

"You're the dumbest street kid I've ever seen in the last century, you know that?" Ares' smug tone resounded, making me snap my head towards him, forgetting him for a moment in my concern for Luke. It seemed that Ares somehow understood that particular fact because his smile disappeared and he practically melted his sunglasses in the intensity of the fire in his eyes.

"Oh ho! No one forgets me, Baby. Especially not you." He snapped his fingers again, making the boar retreat a little so it could charge again.

As it charged again, Luke clearly was prepared because he had one foot in front of the other, arms out to catch the boar. Though, instead of stalemating again, as he touched the tusks of the monster, he somehow used the initial velocity the boar had to twist his entire body on one foot, taking the boar with him. Then he flung the giant boar out to the surf. The beast squealed loudly in terror before a very convenient wave caught the animal and swallowed it.

No one spoke as Luke calmly straightened out of his twisted position to look at Ares in the face. "Will you fight now, or will you hide behind another useless pet?"

Ares' face was way past the purple stage. It was a lovely shade of puce. "You're a dead kid." He growled as he raised his hand again. Though, before he could do anything, I had seamlessly pushed Luke to the side, as I faced the wrathful god.

"Your business is with me, Ares. He's interfered enough." I said, looking straight at Ares' face, which was rapidly returning to its normal color as his lips turned up into a lusty smirk. "Ethan, Grover, pull Luke back. I have to do this. I want to do this."

"Percy! I have to protect you! No! I want to!"

"You've done enough with the boar, Luke. Now it's time for me to fulfill my oath to Uncle Hades."

Luke looked pained, but he allowed Ethan and Grover to straighten him out. Ethan and Grover looked at each other before sighing.

"At least have this. For luck." Ethan took off his necklace, with his five years' worth of camp beads, and tied it around my neck. I blinked at the necklace, then looked at Ethan's confident grey eyes.

"Are you sure? This is special to you guys."

"I'm sure, sis. Just make sure to kick his ass."

"And take this, Mare." Grover then stuffed his set of reeds, the ones that were from his Dad, into my hands. I looked at him and smiled gratefully at him. He just smiled back. "We satyrs are behind you all the way, Percy."

"Thank you, Hircum." I smiled as I looked for somewhere to secure the precious item. I then looked at the length of my soaked dress, debating if Silena will really kill me if I do damage the dress beyond repair. But then, wouldn't my life be much more important? Making up my mind, I grabbed the length of my dress, uncapped Riptide and tore a big chuck out of it. By the time I was finished, I had successfully ripped off the dress to a more appropriate length for movement. I then wrapped the ripped silk around my stomach, creating a fold where I could hold the precious reeds.

"Percy." I swiveled my head around, focusing on the guy who saved me, in more ways than one. Luke had a severe frown on his face, but he had an aura of acceptance.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure?" His eyes glittered with concern. I just smiled and nodded as I stepped in front of him and wrapped my arms around him, thanking him without words. I smiled a little as his hands automatically wrapped around me, encasing me in his warmth. Nothing could possibly ruin this moment.

"Well, now. Done with being sappy?"

I stand corrected.

I mentally growled as I reluctantly stepped out of the safety of Luke's arms and glared at the smugly smirking god. Oh, he's so going down!

"If I lose, turn me into anything you want; a tapeworm, a cockroach, anything. If I win, though, you give up the Helm and the Bolt to me, and you disappear. Got it?"

His eyes burned even brighter at that. "I have a better idea. If you win, which you won't, same conditions. But if I win, you'll be coming with me. I like them feisty." He smirked as he lecherously leered at me. Wait a minute! I thought he wanted me dead, for Poseidon's sake! What in Hades?

The others looked as bewildered as I was, though thankfully, none of them reminded the clearly unstable god of his earlier speech. So, I scowled, betraying none of the confusion swirling around inside of me. "And I hate them lecherous." Dear gods! I never thought I'd say this, but he's worse than Smelly Gabe!

"Exactly my point." He grinned more ferally as he raised his aluminum bat off his shoulders, waving it a little. "How do you want to go? Classic or modern?"

"It should be obvious." I pointedly looked at Riptide, raising my eyebrows at him. Really, does he need to ask? It should really be fairly obvious! Where in Hades' is his brain, anyway?

"Classic it is." His aluminum bat shimmered into a huge two handed sword. The hilt was a large silver skull with a big ruby in its mouth. "Ready to be mine, Baby? I've been fighting for eternity. My strength is unlimited. Biggest plus is I can't die. How can I lose?"

Brawns aren't the only thing that can help in wars. I wanted to rub his face in that fact, but I just stayed resolutely silent as I backed into the surf until the waves lapped around the ankles of my bare feet, the water filling me with extra strength. His smirk never left his face. I scowled. "I hate perverts."

"Soon, you'll have no choice." He cackled as he cleaved his sword downwards. It would have torn off my right shoulder if it hit me.

If. Because suddenly, I wasn't in front of him. My body felt like it was flying as the water had somehow aided me in jumping up high to avoid the slash, sending me catapulting over his head. I tried a backslash, trying to test his limits and to somehow wound him anywhere but he quickly deflected the blade with the hilt of his sword before it could go anywhere near him.

He shifted his sword in his hand a little when he faced me as I landed behind him. "Not bad, Baby. Definitely your Daddy's little girl, aren't you."

Before I could retort to his taunt, though, he had slashed down at my ankles, forcing me to move from the surf onto sand, taking away the only advantage I had. I tried to sidestep him, but it was like he knew what I wanted. He blocked every single attempt I made, assaulting me so hard I had to give my whole focus on his sword if I wanted to come out of this skirmish in one piece. He herded me away from the surf. I growled mentally as when I blocked a particularly hard strike from him, he had pushed his way into my guard, his smirking face awfully close to mine, his eyes like mini suns in their intensity. I did growl when I barely pushed him off, but he just returned to his assault, clearly mocking my dismal attempts to counter him. Stupid girlie strength!

Countering was hard with our clear difference in strength, and the length of his blade, which was at least a foot longer than mine. I know physics enough to know that in order to somehow get a fighting chance against those odds, I had to get in close.

I stepped inside with a thrust to his chest, but he was clearly waiting for that as he had knocked Riptide out of my hands and kicked me in the stomach, making the wind rush out of me as I flew about thirty feet where we started, skidding to a halt only when a convenient dune broke my inertia.

"Percy!"

Three voices shouted with urgency and panic as I struggled to even breathe, let alone stand.

"Percy! Cops!"

I really don't know who exclaimed that particular phrase. Probably Grover, judging by the frightened tone. I grimaced as I forced myself to stand, my stomach feeling like it was used as target practice by the Apollo kids using their blunt arrows. I didn't, couldn't, look away from the casually strolling Ares just in case he suddenly lunged at me, but I spotted red blinking lights in the corner of my eyes.

"Officer! There! It's the kid in the news!"

"Holy shit, what in blue blazes is she doing? Is she really a CIA agent!?"

"That's not the point! That guy's trained a shotgun in her direction!"

"Backup! Call for backup!"

I bit back a curse as I quickly threw myself to one side as Ares slashed where I was standing just a few seconds ago. Damn it! I'm barely keeping up with him, and now the local police are trying to interfere. Just how abysmal is my luck this day?!

I quickly jumped up to my feet and ran towards Riptide, scooped it up and whirled suddenly, aiming the blade approximately where Ares' neck would have been, behind me. Unfortunately, he blocked my attempt with ridiculous ease.

I stepped back, biting back a sigh of relief as I felt the water lapping at my ankles. Ares didn't notice. He just smirked at me again, his eyes burning like infernos.

"Face it, Baby. You're no match for me. Just call it quits. I don't like to see my girl less than perfect."

I mentally shouted in indignation at that. What is he, some kind of model for the blatant sexism that men seemed to have perfected in the last century!? I growled at him as more sirens washed over us, along with the increasing noise levels of the spectators surrounding us. What the mortals saw through the Mist, I have absolutely no idea, but I have a feeling that it was bad if more police arrived on the scene.

I tried to move back further into the water, but Ares just cackled and swiped at me, grazing my forearm, the cut deep enough to ooze blood.

A voice on megaphones blared in harmony with the sirens. "Drop the guns. Set them on the ground!"

Well. That certainly took my curiosity off on what the mortals were seeing. I wonder, though. If they're seeing guns, aren't they even confused that someone like me is holding one? I mean, really now. Are humans really that naturally idiotic?

I was suddenly given time to breathe a little as Ares turned to look at the spectators, the fire in his eyes raging infernos. "This is a private matter! Begone, pests!" He threw out his arm towards the crowd and immediately, something exploded with the strength of a bomb. Police dived down their cars as the mortals scattered, screaming their heads off and running around like little headless chickens.

He laughed at the chaos, then looked at me hungrily. "Come on, Babe. Surrender. Don't want my next trophy girl as roast meat."

I just glared at him as I raised Riptide up once again.

He just smirked. "Suit yourself."

He slashed at me diagonally. I deflected his blade and tried to follow up with a feint and thrust but he quickly intercepted my attack. I stumbled back, the water now lapping up the small of my back. Ares was wading in after me, never minding that he was partially submerged in my element as the waves hit his thighs rhythmically.

I continued glaring at the advancing god, even though mentally I was fervently praying that Dad or Triton can hear my pleas.

'Help me, please!'

I knew I was fighting a losing battle, damn it, but I have to do something! I have to do something about the injustice of it all! For Uncle Hades, for the promise I made, for the truth. I have to fight!

But I know I can't do it alone. He's a god. I'm just half of one, and even then, I'm just only starting to develop into my own skin. As much as it pains me to admit, being raised as I am, I know that I need help. I'm not as bullheaded as most men seem to be fond of showing that that particular talent is forever engraved on their personalities.

'As you have prayed, so shall you receive, dear heart.' A voice resounded around me, deeper than Triton's, but had the same feel, seemingly coming from all sides. A voice that came from the sea. Dad.

Immediately, strength coursed down my body, giving me clarity of mind as I felt the strength the sea had. That it was willing to offer me. An idea blossomed in my head at that. If I couldn't match him in battle, I could have a chance in trickery.

The sea immediately conformed to my ridiculous, yet only chance at beating him, idea, holding back its own strength for me to use when I see fit.

I panted, willing my arms to show how fatigued I was as Ares came towards me, his grin gaining the edge of victory. The sea nudged me, its presence a constant on the back of my head. A little more. A little closer to striking distance, and you can do as you please, I thought. The presence seemed to nod and did as I asked, the pressure seemingly building up to a point that would be dangerous for me as well. I didn't care.

Ares was finally close enough. His eyes spat fire that was the color of the sun. "I win." He crowed as he raised his blade for what he thought was the finishing blow.

"Now!" I shouted out, and the sea immediately released itself as I jumped, the water aiding me in jumping high over the god in imitation of my first move. Though, this time, the sea had built in so much pressure that the resulting wave was a good six feet tall, dousing him with salty water and seaweed. He sputtered as he rubbed his irritated eyes and spat out whatever he caught in his opened mouth as I landed behind him and feinted towards his ankles. He turned in time, so in-tuned with battle that his instincts directed him to block my blade, but he was disoriented, so he didn't anticipate my trick. I immediately changed directions, weaving Riptide in a circular motion as I slashed across his face, the tip of the sword creating a grove in his left cheek.

The roar that followed made the explosion he made earlier look like a measly firecracker. The very sea was blasted from him, leaving a wet circle of sand fifty feet wide. Heck, I was once again airborne as I too was blasted back by his mere roar. Luckily, though, the others instinctively knew that the battle was over as they moved to catch me before I once again face-planted on the rough sand.

They all caught me easily enough, three pairs of hands immediately starting to flutter around me like excited hummingbirds. Though, my focus wasn't on them, as I was still staring at the god in minor disbelief at what I had accomplished.

Ichor, the golden blood of the gods, flowed from the deep gash I had inflicted on his cheek. The expression on his face was completely dark. It was pain, shock, complete disbelief that he had been injured, bested in his own game by a mere mortal, a mere girl.

He slowly stalked towards us, muttering ancient Greek curses as his expression settled into frigid rage, raising his hand, probably to curse me into whatever form he wished me to be. Someone had shouted at that, immediately rising to his full height and opening his arms as wide as they could go, his sandy blonde hair whipping as the ocean breeze hit it.

"Luke, no!" I shouted, fighting against the firm hold both Ethan and Grover had on me, fully intending to be the one punished instead of him. He didn't anything but protect me! No, I won't allow anything to happen to him!

But then, as Ares' arm reached the apex of its swing, something happened.

It was as if a solar eclipse happened, but there was no beauty in it. Light had immediately faded into dusk. Sound and color bled away, leaving us standing in a grey world, cold and unfeeling. A heavy presence settled over all of us, slowing down our perception of time, dropping the temperature to below freezing, making me feel that fighting against this monster was useless, hopeless.

The darkness lifted. Ares looked like a gaping goldfish.

I could still hear the warbled sirens of the police cars behind us, though the chatter of the crowd was conspicuously absent. Luke was standing in front of us, shielding everyone from the enraged god's sight. Ethan and Grover were keeping steady support as I huffed my way to a standing position as we watched the sea return to its original form, washing down at Ares' boots.

Ares lowered his hand and sword. He looked at me directly in the eye.

"You have interested me beyond belief, Persis Jackson." He intoned. "You have sealed your fate. I will become a part of your thoughts as you raise your blade. I will become a part of your life. Eventually, you shall seek me to be my intended."

"That won't happen as long as I am alive." Luke rebutted, dragging the god's attention from my disgusted visage.

His eyes burned brighter with Luke's words. "Then, Son of Hermes, you have made an enemy in me." He raised his hand over us, as if bestowing a blessing. "Every time you raise your blade in battle, every time you hope for success, every time you fight to protect her from me, you will feel my curse. Beware, Lucas Castellan. Beware."

His entire body began to glow.

"Don't look!" Ethan shouted as he forcefully pulled Luke so that both of them faced away from the leaving god. Grover had tucked my head against his shoulder as I felt his face nuzzle into my ragged hair. I cursed Ares from the bottom of my heart as the light died.

I nudged Grover a little, signaling to him that I wanted to move. He uncurled from our position reluctantly, his head instantly swiveling to and fro, looking for any more vengeful gods. Luke and Ethan were doing the same as they uncurled from their own protective positions. I looked back at where Ares was a moment ago. There, rolling on the surf, was Uncle Hades' Helm. I walked towards the item and picked it up, amazed at how such an unassuming item be one of the most powerful artifacts that the gods have ever seen. Though before I could wonder on how I could return this to Uncle Hades, the sound of flapping wings had me looking up at the sky.

Two identical bat-like creatures had landed in front of me, the only difference in them their eerie eyes. The one with vivid purple eyes stepped forward.

"Persis Jackson, we have witnessed your deed. Lord Hades will be most pleased."

I just nodded, holding the Helm up to the Fury. "Tell Uncle that I'll do whatever it takes to turn this all around. For family."

The Fury stared at me, her violet eyes flashing in the setting sun, before nodding. "It shall be done."

Then, simultaneously, the two of them unfurled their wings and took off to the sky. Though, as they were leaving, the one with the stunning yellow eyes suddenly turned back and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Live well, Persis Jackson. Become a true heroine. Do not disappoint us." She then turned and joined her sister, the both of them fast becoming dots in the sky.

"They're not so bad, the residents of the Underworld." Luke's voice flitted out as I felt them come to a stop beside me.

"Just misunderstood." Grover bleated out.

I looked at him with an eyebrow raised. He was looking at me, smiling sheepishly. I just laughed. Though, a second later, I suddenly felt my knees give way. Luckily, though, a pair of arms encircled me just in time to prevent me from kissing the sandy ground once more. I looked up, and smiled at Ethan, thanking him.

"You're overworking yourself, sis. You're a girl. Try to remember that." He said ruefully as he tightened his arms around me.

"Sorry about that. Need to train with Clarisse more." I laughed a little unsteadily as I braced myself against Ethan, my knees refusing to support me further. I smiled at him once again, but then my smile disappeared as I remembered what happened. I looked at them. "What do you think stopped Ares?"

Luke's easy going expression morphed into a scowl as Grover gulped nervously and Ethan went still against me. I pursed my lips at their reactions, seeing that my suspicions coincide with theirs.

"M-Maybe it was the Furies?" Grover laughed uneasily, his voice trembling, looking like he wanted to convince himself rather than us.

None of us said anything in reply. We didn't need to.

A few minutes passed in uneasy silence between us. Finally though, I sighed and held my hand out to Grover, gesturing to the items he had in his possession. He gave both the backpack and my purse back to me. I capped Riptide and put it back into my purse. I peeked inside the blue bag, checking if the troublesome thing was still there and Ares hadn't gone back on his word. You never know with guys like him, after all. But really, such a small thing is the cause of an almost World War all over again.

I closed the backpack with a decisive zip of the zipper. "We have to go back to New York by tonight."

"Sis, I hate to break it to you, but that's physically impossible." Ethan said as he helped me wobble to my own feet.

"It's possible. We just have to-."

"No." Luke's firm voice rang clear between the four of us. Luke was looking at me like I had gone crazy. "No, Percy. I won't let you put yourself in more danger. You've put yourself in enough just moments ago!"

I stared back at him, looking him straight in the eyes, watching the emotions flitting through them. Insecurity, guilt, and concern swirled in the blue depths. I just smiled reassuringly at him.

"Luke, we have no choice. We have to fly."

"Wait a minute. Fly. As in, in an airplane, high above your element, deep in Zeus' territory, which Chiron warned you not to do, all the while carrying the most destructive weapon ever created for the gods' use? That fly?!" Grover all but screeched his disapproval as he flapped his arms agitatedly.

"Do you guys have any other ideas? Because you do know that we have to deliver this by midnight tonight, right?" I deadpanned at them, raising an eyebrow. Really now. Did they really think I would do something like this if the situation didn't call for it? I'm not an impulsive person. Most of the time.

"Do we really have no choice?" Ethan sighed out as rubbed a weary hand through his hair.

"None."

"Fine. But I'm going with you to Olympus. We have a deal?" Luke said, his eyes gaining a determined glint in them.

"Why?"

"You're not facing him alone. I promised you I won't let him hurt you, and I intend to fulfill that promise. Now, come on. The more time we spend here, the less time we'd have to convince the Lord of the Sky not to launch an all out war." Luke said as he gently grabbed my arm and marched us towards the airport.

I just smiled ruefully at his actions. Luke could (and would) come off as a guy that constantly fools around you, so you won't be sure that his actions and words are just bluffs or the real thing, but sometimes, you can just feel his sincerity, his concern oozing out of him. Sometimes, he sheds off the armor he wears and lets you take a look at what's the real him.

And, I think, that's the part of him that I like the most.

I'm finished! :D It took awhile, but I'm finished! :D

What do you guys think? I know I'm shitty at doing an epic fight scene, but I gave this my best. I hope I didn't disappoint too much! :)

And yeaah. It came to my attention that the earlier chapters of this story completely lacked the proper spacing and punctuation that it actually hurt to look at, much less read. And so, I decided to retype those parts whenever my Muse isn't up to giving me something to put into the next chapter. Hope you continue to support me in this! :D

THE NEXT CHAPTER! How about a little Zeus/Poseidon scene, everyone? XD How about Hades and Hestia's reactions to the fight? And, most importantly, ARES PUNISHMENT! XD

Read and Review, guys! See you next month! :D