"Wait!" Luke calls running down the hill.

Percy rolled down the window. "What is it?" Percy asked.

"I wanted to give you something to help you in your quest," Luke said holding up a pair of shoes.

"Thanks, Luke," Percy thanked.

"It's no problem really. All you have to say is 'Maia'," Luke said
Wings sprouted from the tennis shoes. Percy took the shoes. "Maia," Percy said and the wings went away.

Luke ran back up the hill. "Yo, Grover. Do you want these? I already have a pair from Hermes," he said.

"Sure. Thanks, man," Grover said taking the shoes.

"You'll need practice to get the hang of it," Percy explained.
Argus finally drove off. "So, Seaweed Brain, Where do you think we are going?" Annabeth asked.

"Most likely Los Angeles. The Crooked Ones Place. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect that it's Kronos," Percy said.

"But he can't be rising," Annabeth said.

"The way all three Big Three weapons couldn't be stolen? I think that we should expect andd suspect a possibilities. If we eliminate an answer, then we could be eliminating a right answer and then we'd be defenseless because we weren't expecting it. It's like in that Harry Potter book/ movie. The ministry eliminated the possibility of Voldemort rising again, and then they were one of the first to fall because they were defenseless. They didn't suspect that Voldemort would invade the ministry to gain power. If we didn't suspect that Kronos would try and go for the most powerful weapons ever made, then the same thing will happen to us," Percy said.

"Wow, that's really smart, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth remarked.

"That's what happens when you're taught by the goddess of wisdom and her boyfriend," Percy smirked.

"Boyfriend?" Annabeth asked.

"Yeah, ol' Theseus," Percy grinned. "He's probably the smartest son of Poseidon ever born."

"What about you?" Annabeth asked.

"I'm not that smart," he said.

"What do you mean? You're very smart," she asked.

"No I'm not," he protested.

"Sure you are. In fact, you're the smartest demigod I know," she said.

"You think so?" he asked.

"I know so," she grinned.

"Guys, we're here," Grover said.

We stepped out of the van and walked to the bus stop. Seconds later the bus came. We rode off toward the west. Suddenly there was a big doglike creature. "Monster," Percy mumbled.

"I don't smell anything," Grover said.

"Trust me, the aura is of a monster," Percy said.

"Then how come Grover can't smell it?" Annabeth asked.

"Because it's not Greek," Percy replied. "It's Egyptian."

"But the Egyptians are extinct," Annabeth said.

"Apparently not," Percy answered. "If they were extinct then they wouldn't be here, hence the term, extinct."

"What is it?" she asked.

"I'm guessing it's a Hieracosphinx," Percy said.

"The chimera?' she asked.

"Basically," Percy nodded. "People probably think he's a Mastif or something. Someone's dog."

The heiracosphinx started to approach them. Percy summoned a sword that wasn't Riptide. It almost looked like a celestial bronze sword, except a little darker. "Since it's not Greek or Roman, Celestial Bronze won't work. We need to use Egyptian Copper," he explained. "Here."

He summoned Annabeth dagger made out of Egyptian Copper. He summoned a Crossbow with Egyptian Copper bolts for Grover. "Annabeth put your cap on. Walk quietly by it so that you can make a back approach. Grover, you stay here and shoot it with those arrows. Try and aim for the mouth, that's where his weak spot is. I'm going to attack in the front," Percy ordered.

They both nodded signaling that they understood. Annabeth slipped on her hat and disappeared. Percy walked forward careful to not run into Annabeth. "Hello, demigod. A champion of Amun. Very powerful. I am , and my lord has sent me to kill you," The heiracosphinx said.

"Why are you hunting descendants of the Greek gods?" Percy asked.

"I'm not after your pathetic friends, I'm after you. My lord has given me orders," The heiracosphinx said.

"Who's your lord?" Percy asked.

"Why the great Seth of course. He plans to take over Earth," The heiracosphinx replied.

Percy paled slightly. If Seth was behind this, then it wouldn't be good.

"Now!" Percy yelled charging at with his sword pointed at him.

All at once, Grover shot a bolt at the heiracosphinx from behind Percy, Percy thrusted forward, Annabeth stabbed the heiracosphinx in the back. Suddenly Percy got an idea. He quickly found Annabeth and had her give him the hat. He then went up next to the driver and started to turn the steering wheel. The driver yelled, "Hey, what's going on!"

He tugged the wheel back making the bus swerve. Percy and the driver kept playing tug of war with the wheel. There was a crash as the heiracosphinx turned towards Percy. It started to walk towards the front of the bus when Percy pulled the emergency brakes. The heiracosphinx flew forward as Percy hurtled his sword at the heiracosphinx hitting its mouth.

The heiracosphinx dissolved as the bus finally stopped. The driver was the first one out. All of the other passengers quickly climbed out of the bus.
The three hopped off the bus. Just as Percy was going to drop his sword back down to the Earth, a camera flash was seen in the distance. "Uh oh," he mumbled.

"Maybe, they'll think that we're coming from a Greek convention or something," Grover said hopefully.

"I don't think so, G-Man," Percy said. "Come on, we have to keep moving, I don't think the heiracosphinx will be calling for backup."

They walked away from the bus. "Wait our stuff!" Grover cried.

The bus exploded. "We just have to keep moving, G-Man," Percy said.

"But all those delicious precious cans," Grover cried.

"I think that is the least of our worries. We don't have any money, nectar, or ambrosia," Annabeth said.

"I'm sure I can get more. Ever heard of a black card?" Percy grinned.

"You have one?" Annabeth asked.

Percy took three out of his pocket. "One from my mom, my aunt, and father. I can alter the symbol so that you can use them. You can only use them if your mom or dad's symbol is on the card, I'm an exception since technically all of them are my parents," He explained.

As he spoke one of the cards changed from a hearth to an owl and another changed from a peacock to reed pipes. He handed one to the each of them keeping the one with the trident on it.

"I smell food," Annabeth said.

Percy sniffed the air. "So, do I," Percy said.

They followed the trail to a sign that read Aunty Em's Emporium. Annabeth walked in as the others followed. "Guys, something's not right," Percy said as he sensed a strange aura.

"What's not right about food. It actually smells like hamburgers, when was the last time you've had a good burger?" Annabeth asked.

"Never," Percy mumbled.

Demeter didn't like junk food, so Percy never ate a burger or hot dog.

"Exactly, this our chance to live a little," Annabeth said.

"Alright, we'll go, but if even one thing is strange, we're leaving," Percy said.

So they all entered the emporium. "What are you three doing here all alone?" a woman asked.

She looked like she was from the Mideast or something. A black veil covered her head. "Our parents got in a car crash down the road," Percy said.

"Oh, do you need to call someone?" she asked.

"No, but we are rather famished," Percy said. "Is that food I smell?"

"Yes, I'll get you three some food," she said as she walked away.
A few seconds later she came back. They started eating. Percy sensed magic trying to get into his systems, but he fought it. "Your eyes are beautiful," she said to Annabeth. "They remind me of a jealous woman. You see, my boyfriend and I were minding our own businesses on a little date, when she attacked me. My two sisters and I separated from eachother because of her."

"Two sisters?" Percy asked.

"That's right," she nodded.

Percy glanced at the row of statues. They looked very realistic. "Are those statues your own work?" Percy asked.

"In a way, yes," she smiled.

"That looks like my Uncle Ferdinand," Grover mumbled. "Why do I hear hissing?"

"Oh, that's the grill, I need to get it fixed," she said. "You're ears are very strong. Do you take medicine or something?"

"I take vitamins for my ears," Grover said."That's admirable," she said.

"We have to get going," Percy said. "We need to check on our parents."

"Well, could I get a picture? I always like to cherish each of my customers," she asked.

"No, we really need to get going," Grover said catching on.

"Come on guys," Annabeth said still in a trance. "It's just a picture."

"I think our parents are going to want us back," Percy insisted.

"Come on, Percy don't be rude," Annabeth said.

Not wanting to be rude, Percy gave in. "Fine, but one picture only," he said.

"Great, line up next to that statue," she pointed.

The three lined up next to a statue of a little boy with a dog. "Not much light for a photo," Grover mumbled.

"Where's the camera?" Percy asked.

"Oh, hush you two," Annabeth said.

"Annabeth, can't you see something's wrong. Snap out of it," Percy hissed

"Why are being so rude?" Annabeth asked.

"Everybody smile," the woman said as she reached for her veil. "I can't possibly see with this veil on."

"That is my Uncle Ferdinand," Grover said

"Annabeth don't look!" Percy yelled as he tackled her to the ground just as the veil was lifted.

Grover also turned away. "She's Medusa," Percy whispered.

"I'm such an idiot," Annabeth said in Greek

"Not an idiot, you were under a trance," Percy said.

"How come it didn't effect you?" she asked.

"It's one of my gifts as a Son of Olympus. My mind cannot be penatrated by an unwanted force like charmspeak, mind control, mist, etc. I can see passed most mist, unless it's really really strong," he explained.

"Annabeth, put your hat on. I'll sneak up on her. My namesake killed her the last time by cutting off her head. I'm going to just that. Grover, give us air support. I have an advantage that the original Perseus didn't have. I have more powers. We'll split up, whatever you do, do not look at her directly. Use mirrors, anything that you can see reflections in."

They split up. Percy blended with the shadows. He walked quietly spotting Medusa again. Grover made a more direct approach with his shoes. Crack. "That's for my Uncle Ferdinand!" he yelled.

Percy sneaked quietly behind Medusa careful not to look at her eyes. He had his short sword drawn. He creeped behind her, closer and closer. The blade cut through her head as it fell to the floor. The ooze could be heard coming out from the neck. "Yuck," Grover said.

Percy wrapped it in a veil. He walked over to a box and placed the head in. He wrote on the Hermes Express delivery sheet.

Camp Half-Blood
Half-Blood Hill, Farm Road 3.141
Long Island, New York 11954
Cabin 3

On a separate paper he wrote Souvenoir, first quest. He added a coin purse with some drachmas that he found in the register. The bag and package both dissappeared. "I'm sorry, you guys," Annabeth said.

"Hey, it's fine. You were under a trance. Medusa had enchanted the food," Percy said.

"But I really screwed up. I should've been more aware," she said.

"It's fine. We're fine," Percy insisted. "We should rest for the night anyways. We'll camp out in the forest next to the Emporium."

The three headed out.

A/N: Sorry it took awhile. I've been really busy lately with practice three times a week and weekend tournaments, plus school. Sorry if the format's not right, I'm typing this on my iPhone.