Well, thanks for all the reviews. And I`m so sorry, as I just found out that Archie`s room is actually in the basement? I never even knew that, but cool! Again, my bad, but for the story`s sake, I`m just going a bit AU. Again, I try and catch these things, but sometimes it doesn`t work out too well *looks sheepish*. Thanks to Thunder-Handicapy-Goddess for pointing that out. Also, if I mess up again anywhere like that, please let me know. It`s how I learn :) I`m going through this without a Beta, so all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: I claim ownership of Angela (a.k.a Coral), but I do not own any aspect of COTT. I write for pleasure, not profit.

Note: Please be aware there's a bit more swearing in this chapter due to some serious frustration. I think we can all relate.

Chapter Three

Running across the road, I quickly dig my bike keys from my pocket and jump on. And, my god, have I ever mentioned how much I love my bike? She`s my baby. I`m not as nutty as to actually name her, but if anything were to ever happen to it, beyond the expertise of myself or Heph, I`d probably break down and cry like a girl. This bike is a 2005 Ducati Monster 1000, and seriously, with just that said, what`s not to like? L-twin cylinder, two valve Desmodromic engine, Marelli electronic fuel injection system, 992 cc displacement, 6 speed transmission and features 94 hp with 9,6kgm of torque at 6000rpm! And holy crap, if I don`t leave now, the others will find me drooling all over her. Speaking of which, why are vehicles always referred to as `she`? Maybe it`s because it`s oh...so...beautiful...

No drooling Archie! Focus! There`s a time and place for everything, even drooling on my handlebars. Maybe. Embarrassing? Yes. Am I ashamed? Oh, hell no! Grabbing my helmet, I throw it on and start her up. She growls like a wild animal as I rev the engine then take off. I'm a bit sad to be sneaking out, but the fight I had with Jay forced my hand a bit. I already knew in my heart what I had to do, but I would have liked it to be on a better note. The little talk with Theresa helped as well, as much as I hate to think about that. She`s a smart girl, that one...when she wants to be. Which is, well, never.

Taking a tight corner fast and hard, car horns blaring after me, I hear another distinct noise over the din. It`s the famous slightly-more-annoying-that-your-average-ringtone jingle buzzing from my pocket. I didn`t doubt someone would hear me leaving, since my baby kicks ass and leaves an angry swath of noise pollution wherever she goes. It`s probably Jay, wanting to know where I`m going, since it`s now obvious that he thinks he knows what`s best for us outside our duties of saving the world. I do have to admit, I didn`t have to punch him. A solid shin kick could have worked well too I suppose.

Ignoring the ringing, which is REALLY HARD, I spot my destination. Thank goodness it`s Saturday, which means no people around to ask stupid questions. Plus, as an added bonus, there`s more people on the road to which I can annoy and cut off, as I am a dick like that. It`s a great way to meet people!

Cutting off a soccer mom, who lays on her horn and flips me the world's most beloved finger, I hop the curb and tear across the football field towards Olympia High. I reach the front doors in a matter of seconds, ripping up dirt and grass, and then hop off as I inspect the front doors. A really awesome idea has just come to mind! They`re a good height, but will they be wide enough? Using a spare key that was given to each of us when we first started coming here, I unlock the school and lock the door mechanisms so they`re standing wide open. I run back to my bike, no doubt grinning like the mad fool I am.

"YEEHAW!"Taking careful aim, I rev the engine hard, shooting the bike forward in an awe-inspiring wheelie. Crashing back down on both wheels, I hit the steps and literally fly into the school, narrowly missing the door frame by inches. The lockers fly by in a blur of monotone tan, and I have to brake hard and lean as far as I dare to get through the ninety degree turn at the end of the hallway. My rear tire leaves a trail of rubber on the tiled floor, and I feel a bit bad knowing Zeus will have to clean that on Monday...

Literally flying down a set of stairs, I rip through the cafeteria and back out a far exit. Taking another hair-raising turn, I have to skid to a quick halt, which almost sends me into a cluster of lockers. The janitors closet now looms before me, and I grin wide. That was AWESOME! SO worth a possible suspension...naw, make that a definite suspension. Making the King of Gods clean up after you ride a motorbike through his school is most definitely an easy way to get kicked out.

Throwing up the visor on my helmet, I grab my medallion and place it in the key slot. While it does it`s thing, I take a quick glance around. I know the school has camera`s installed, but I want to be sure there`s no one of immediate threat to my expedition. I`m taking a risk here, and I don`t need any more hassles.

The door clicks open as the lock is engaged, and I slip through with my bike. Why the hassle - there`s that word again – to even bring it along? Well, I figure...Angela is in Germany, so says our intel. Munich to be precise, which is a fairly large city or so I`ve heard. To top that all off, I have no idea where in said city she may be residing, and I don`t really have a bunch of Euro`s floating around my pocket to pay for a bus ticket. Sure, I may need gas eventually, but that is what credit cards are for. Note to self: remember to phone the credit card company before I leave so they don`t freeze my card! And, as an added bonus, I can take it on the Autobahn! There's no speed limit for bikes or cars on that thing! Just...sweet!

Closing my eyes, I can`t help but hold my breath as I walk through the portal. It looks like water, okay? I`m pretty sure I mentioned that a while back, if I`m not mistaken. I think that may have been the same night I first met Galenthias and her claws...or not. I can`t remember. Whatever. Let`s move on.

Entering the main hall, the statue of Zeus towers over all. It really makes for an impressive piece of art, but this is no time to be admiring the decor. I`ll need all the time I can get if I want to drag my Ducati through here unnoticed. If I get caught, it`ll be bad. Getting caught with a motorcycle in the school? Don`t want to think on that too much.

I take a sharp left at the giant fake-Zeus. I should hope he`s not compensating for anything. Wonder if Gods get depressed...NO TIME! Quit daydreaming! Next time I`ll be sure to run over my own foot...that should teach me not to let my mind wander! And oh god, listen to myself now! I'm thinking of self harm! Do I need counselling? Or maybe I should just commit myself now...

I manage to pull my mind out of the gutter that is my though process quick enough to make out the sound of humming coming closer. Quick! Escape route! Looking around, I notice an empty room to my right. Why is it empty? It's the library of course! The only that I know who uses the place regularly is Odie. Pushing my bike with everything I have, I manage to sneak in and out of sight just as Hermes and Hephaestus walk up, heading towards the giant statue and beyond...I can only imagine. Hermes is floating on his flying sandals, humming to himself next to the God of Fire. By the look on Heph's face, I'd say he's none too pleased about it.

"Oh, would you stop that infernal racket?" Well, there you go. "I'll have that buzzing in my ears all day at this rate!"

"Sheesh, lighten up, would ya?" Hermes sounds offended. Well, sorry Hermes, but you can get a bit annoying at times. I'm on Heph's side this time. I hold my breath as I spot the two Gods through a crack in the library doors. They seem to have stopped and are bickering at one another. "Would it hurt you to smile once in a while?"

"Would it hurt you to meet the business end of my hammer?" I'm taking that as a yes, then?

"The question wasn't rhetorical!"

"Yeah, well I made it rhetorical! You might be my half brother, but I'm not afraid to drop you if you don't drop the humming!"

"Okay, okay! Gosh, take a chill pill already!"

Wow, so violent today, Heph. Then again, he's always been a bit rough around the edges. Hermes must have been at it for a while now to get him this riled up. But that leads to the question, why is he out of the boiler room? I never see him anywhere but the basement. I watch as they once again move off, and by the looks of things they're heading towards Hera's room. Then again, I could be wrong. There's more down that way then just her sanctum, but something feels off. Heph being up here for one, but also...Hermes looked a bit nervous. Wonder what's up...either way, this is perfect! With Hermes out of his communications room, I can do what I came here to do.

Slipping out of the library, I head down the hall and away from the bickering duo. Oh, interesting bit of info I learned the other day...get this. Did you know Hermes is Pan's dad? I must have missed the memo. Figuring Hermes' love of animals, it makes a morbid bit of sense.

Luckily, I reach my destination in another minute or so. I push open the double doors, which barely make a sound, and roll my bike in. Peeking into his main communications hub, I pump a fist. There's no sign of Hermes' little cronies, whose names escape me at the moment. They had been a worry of mine...aw, who am I kidding. I completely forgot about them until just now. Wouldn't I have been just boned?

...Wait. I still might be. Kicking down my bike stand and tearing off my helmet, I catch a glimpse of the control panel. It complicated to say the least, as I never really looked at it before. It looks like a regular keyboard – hence why I never cared to pay it much attention in the past – but all the letters are in Greek. Of course! Everything just has to go out of its way to complicate my day, doesn't it? To top that all off, it's also covered in an array of little symbols that I don't recognise from the Greek alphabet. There's one here that looks like a snake eating a rat, and another that might be...what is that? Looks like the planet Saturn being impaled on a pike. This sucks with a capital FUCK YOU ARCHIE. If this instrument had limbs, I'm sure it would have flipped me the bird by now.

Taking a seat, I stare at it. I'm hoping if I do this for long enough, the letters will miraculously become Romanized and legible. Okay, take a breath. In...and out. I can do this, and I can't afford to simply give up. Eye of the tiger, baby. Start with what you know...which is nothing. I never paid attention when the Gods tried to teach us a bit of their native language. I have enough problems with English as it stands, let alone one that can have two Y's in a row and letters I know better from math class. Now that is saying something! Okay, back to the issue. Now, I know I'm not as smart as Odie, or as lucky as Neil, but that doesn't mean I can't get this thing working, right? Maybe? No? Here, let's do this the patented 'Archie Way'. Picking the first key I see, which is poor Saturn being murdered, I reach a hesitant finger...and push it.

The screen goes black.

Aw, shit! I broke it! How...why? WHY?

"Fuck you, computer, and the horse you rode in-"

I'm cut off as a sudden rumbling noise echoes around the room. I can't lie...it scares the crap out of me! Leaping out of my seat, I look around for the source. It seems to be coming from everywhere at once. "Oh my god, I broke the school."

That's when I realize I'm an idiot. Stopping to get my head straight, I recognise the sound. Turning around, I watch as the golden doors emblazoned with Hermes' symbolic staff start sliding open. The sound was from the gears grinding into place to secure the half ton gateway, and to slide the doors apart. I must have heard it a thousand times, but because of my frustration and need to do this without getting caught, it slipped my mind entirely.

I make a strange choking noise before I get giddy and chuckle. Yes, chuckle. Not giggle like a school girl. Totally different...anyway, I move back to the computer, but it's still black. Now what? NO! Wait, hold on. In the corner now is a small white text bar flashing at me, as if waiting for me to enter something. My prior glee is smashed down by reality, and I'm back to square one. Not knowing what to do now, I start hitting buttons again, since it seemed to do so well for me last time. Entering a bunch of absolute gibberish, I hit the 'Enter' key, since I recognise its shape. I get a nasty, low toned beep for my efforts. Next I try the feeding snake button, and get the same results. I'm starting to get nervous. It's been ten minutes since I heard Hermes walk by with Heph. He's a quick little bugger! He could be here any moment!

Let's see now. Maybe this one?

-beep-

Okay, this one looks good!

-beep-

For the love of god, let it be this one!

-beep-

Aaargh! I feel like ripping my hair out, it would be less painful! I can almost sweat the thing is laughing at me. Fisting one hand in said hair, I vent my frustrations on the stupid machine, slamming the side of my other fist hard into the keys.

-blip-

Blip? That sounded significantly happier. Lifting my gaze back to the screen, the dark monitor is slowly evolving before my eyes! In other news, I can't believe that freaking worked! I don't care what anyone says ever again, violence solves everything! As I watch, a small spinning globe pops up, and then segments to map out the full view of the continents. It's even color coded! Also in the corner, the little arrow cursor has appeared, which can only mean one thing. I can use the mouse here! Excellent!

Clicking on the little purple Europe, the computer magnifies and zooms in on my selection. The resulting map spans a view from Portugal to the west half of Russia, and from the Norwegian islands to Malta. All of it is also labelled in Greek, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where to click next. Then again, I once had a girl back in my junior high social studies class ask where South Africa was, so I suppose a little brain power is necessary. Clicking on Germany, which is bright yellow now – aren't colors fun? – the map once again zooms in.

My blood runs cold as I suddenly hear heavy footsteps approaching. Crap! Listening closely, I can hear the steps being accompanied by a distinct whistling I would recognise anywhere! Heph and Hermes! Double crap! Since when did those two start hanging out?

Looking back to the screen, I start clicking rapidly. Being pretty good in geography, I know relatively whereabouts Munich is on the map. I click on a close spot, which zooms in to be farmland. Perfect! I can ride the rest of the way! One more click and the portal begins to shimmer with a blue light. I quickly exit the map, clearing away the map. I can hear the two Gods getting closer, and it helps me move even faster. I can't get caught. If I do, they'll put me under house arrest or something and I'd never be able to leave! They'd never let one of their precious 'chosen ones' go off alone, especially half way around the world. Leaping to my bike, I grip the handles and push both myself and the bike through as fast as possible. I know the portal has to be closed from the communications room, but by the time it's discovered, I'll hopefully be long gone.

I'm hit with a sudden cold wind that fills my nose with the scent of wet hay, pine and mud. Around me the skies are dark and overcast, the ground still soaked from a recent rain. With the portal still open behind me, I ignore the fact that I'm ankle high in cut wheat and jump on my motorbike, quickly throwing my helmet back on. Revving the engine into life, I peel off so fast the momentum lifts my front tire in the air, but I'm in full control. My wheel then comes down hard into a puddle, splattering my legs and feet with mud, but I'm leaving the portal behind at a rapid pace and that's all I care about. Now, I'm not stupid by any means. I know they'll figure out pretty quick it was me and where I went, considering all the rubber trails I left in the school and the security cams, but I have a decent head start. I just need to find her...to see her...make sure she truly is alright and that Hermes didn't follow the trail of some other poor kid. I know, deep down that I would know if it were her. She and I always had a deep connection, and not because we were siblings. We could communicate without words; know where each other were without being within sight. Things like that.

Hitting the edge of the field, I spot a dirt road and shoot down it. I have no real sense of direction here, and all around is nothing but pine forest. It's actually quite beautiful, but it's muffling the sound of traffic, and I don't know which way the highway might be. Also, a misty rain has started to fall and I'm getting wet and cold. I need to find either a sign or a field. Munich is on the edge of the German Alps, which is to the south of the city. If I can catch a glimpse of them, I can get my bearings...I hope. I really should have grabbed a compass!

Hold on just a second. Braking to a stop, mud flying, I grab my PMR. That reminds me, I have a call to make, but first...there should be a GPS on here. Flipping it open, I hit a few buttons through the menu and manage to get a 3D topographical map of my surroundings. I'm a bit more off course than I thought I would be. According to this, I'm just outside a little town called Sauerlach, a bit south of my final destination. The dirt road I'm on leads to a secondary highway St2070, which should take me to Authobahn Route 8. Then, it should be a straight shot north to Munich. It's about 20 miles, so it shouldn't take long. I can't help but glance over my shoulder, at where I entered the country through the portal. They'll be coming soon, but I'm not about to make it easy for them. Memorizing the route I need to take, I glance around at the pines and take a deep breath. I love the smell of a fresh rain. It has a way of making you forget about your problems for a moment. It's soothing and refreshing all at the same time.

Oh, yeah! I forgot about that phone call! Digging out my card from my wallet, I dial the number on the back. It's a Visa, so I should be able to use it just about anywhere. I wait a moment, then dial my way through the recording system. Whoever invented that should be shot in a dark alley! I can't help feeling the nag of my time restraints. I don't have all the time in the world, after all. I have to then wait another five minutes before reaching an actual person. Her name is Becky, and her voice is irritatingly happy. It takes another two minutes just to explain to her what's up, and finally everything is set up. I can now spend my hard earned money on European soil, though now I really don't know if it was worth having to listen to that woman's voice. I might actually prefer scrubbing my face with spruce bark.

Flipping the PMR over, I take the battery pack out of the back, effectively cutting off any means of tracking me using my GPS. The way the PMR works is that there has to be a source of power in order for the tracer to be able to triangulate my position using the nearest cell towers, or in Odie's case, satellites. Just to be safe, I also take out my PMR's SD card. It's where Odie placed all the GPS tracers. When I check into a hotel, I'll leave it in my room when I'm out and about. Extra security. Tossing the chip and the two parts of my PMR in my bag, I take off once again along the dirt road. Soaked through to the skin now, the cool wind rips at me, causing goose bumps to ripple along my arms and exposed legs. I may need a wardrobe change once I get to the city. Shorts don't seem very appropriate here at the moment. I'm just happy my helmet is protecting my ears, so I won't get an ear ache.

So, to wrap up this lovely day so far, I've punched my leader, got kicked off the team, snuck out through a window, almost got hit by cars, most definitely have a pending suspension, almost lost a battle of wills to a computer, am soaking wet and muddy, and I just remembered I can't speak a lick of German. This day just keeps getting worse and worse!

Fuck my life!

Well, sorry about the shorter chapter this time round. I have a lot on my plate at the moment, and it's hard to find time to write. Promise, the next one will be longer with more action.

Just a few notes I want to make. For one thing, I have no idea what Archie's bike is, but after some research, I found this Ducati model looks pretty darn close! I also don't pretend to know a thing about them. All that info is what I got off their website. Yeah, I cheated a bit. So sue me. Second, I actually did have someone in class ask where South Africa was. I think our education system is failing us horribly!

Well, hope you enjoyed it, and until next time!

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