''This is a bad idea. This is a really bad idea.'' Annabeth muttered. She and i were standing on the roof of the Empire state building. Why? Cause that's where the Olympians are.
''Relax.''Carter's voice projected through the walkie-talkie. It was actually a shabti that looked like Carter and had tiny holes on its mouth,like a speaker. Unsurprisingly,the shabti was hollow.
''You want me to relax? While you're somewhere in Egypt goofing off?''I snapped at the hovering mini-Carter.
I heard a sigh from the other end of the conversation.''It's not goofing off,me and Sadie are here for the exact same reason you are there!''
Long story short,Carter had this brilliant plan to convince the gods to fight against Set together,so me and Annabeth were like Ambassadors of the Olympians,and so are Carter and Sadie.
Wow,that was really short. Remind me again why Carter spent an hour telling us this plan.
''Ready,Percy?''Annabeth whispered. She looked beautiful in the light of the moon.
I said nothing. I just uncapped Riptide. The pen morphed into a sword of celestial bronze,and i waved it around.
The sword started to glow brighter whenever i passed a certain point,so i inched forward. Annabeth walked behind me,holding her Yankees cap close to her.
Riptide was vibrating now. I thrust the tip forward,and it clanged against metal. The point where the sword made contact had already begun to heal,and slowly revealed a marble elevator.
''A magical ore tracker. How is that even possible?''I marvelled,capping Riptide. The blade shrunk into an ordinary ballpoint pen,and i pocketed it.
''It's just a minority. Wait till you see what i've done to Olympus!''Annabeth winked. The elevator doors opened,and we stepped in.
A voice said in the elevator ''Insert magical ore here please,''. A disk popped out of the side of the walls and had a pen shaped indentation.
''The voice sounds like my-''
''Mom?''Annabeth finished. I nodded.''Yeah,i enchanted the speaker to speak the voices of the ones you love most.''
''Did the voice sound like me?''I asked half-heartedly.''Let's go with that.''
''You never cease to amaze me.''I took out the pen and laid it on the disk. The pen glowed bronze before the disk retreated.
''Annabeth...Riptide is going to return in my pocket again...right?''I thought about Terminus,and how he could prevent Riptide from returning into my pocket.
''Sure.''Annabeth seemed distracted,like she was thinking of something.
''Unidentified magic object detected. It will be destroyed shortly.''The speaker announced. I turned around and saw that mini-Carter was hiding behind my back.
''Destroyed? How am i going to monitor you if-''
Mini-Carter didn't have a chance to continue. A beam of white light appeared from the floor and sliced the shabti cleanly in two. It fell to the floor and crumbled to ashes.
''Annabeth...was that defence system made by you?''I demanded. Annabeth blushed.''I might have...set off a defense program.''
I was still shocked.''Percy,they'll never believe us if we walk in with some kind of secret listening device taped to our back!''She said matter-of-factly.
''You're right about the taped to our back part...''Before i could say any more,the lift started to move. At hypersonic speed.
I was literally glued to the floor.''Annabeth! I think you set the speed a bit too high!''I barely managed to say that,my lips were flapping around.
Suddenly,the lift stopped abruptly. Annabeth and i crashed to the ceiling,then fell down again.
''I'll never complain about elevator speeds again.''I mumbled. The doors opened and what i saw was very...unexpected.
I think i can explain it in 4 sentences.
It looks like a huge basin.
There are rows of houses lining down the sides of the basin.
There is a huge temple at the bottom that is made of marble.
There's no mountain.
That's about right.
But seriously,the basin was huge. It looked like it could hold all of the water in the pacific ocean(All right,i may have been exaggerating by a few million litres,but it's still big). The houses all had golden roofs and marble walls. All around i could see Satyrs and Dryads and Water Nymphs running around the maze of houses. Annabeth really let herself go this time.
''This place...is beautiful.''I whispered,marvelling at the glory of Olympus. Annabeth just smiled.''Took me weeks to fit everything perfectly.''
''Hey,didn't you say you wanted to make a taco stand?''I asked. Exactly when i finished it,a floating taco stand hovered over to us. It lowered down,and i could see that it was suspended my miniature storm clouds.
''Zeus was kind enough to lend me a few storm spirits!''Annabeth chuckled. The manager,an old Satyr wearing a shirt that says 'Kiss the Satyr' handed me and Annabeth paper bags full of tacos. I took one and i gave a taco to Annabeth.''Thanks,''She took it and began to bite into it.
''Annabeth,this is amazing! How can it get any better than this!''I said,chewing my own taco. She smiled.''It will be coming in 5 seconds.''
I was about to ask her when suddenly,a giant ball of...balls began to grow above the temple. My hand instinctively went back to my pocket only to find that my pen wasn't there.
''Relax,Percy. It's not an invasion.''Annabeth assured. The ball was getting bigger and most of the inhabitants have rushed to their house,running out carrying...water guns?
The ball burst and shot millions of balls everywhere. The satyrs cheered and sprayed their guns onto the balls. I caught one and it had the picture of Annabeth. Another ball sailed past me and i caught a picture of myself.
''What is happening?''I asked. Annabeth just laughed and passed me a water gun.''Percy,this is the ball wars. Whoever shoots the most balls gets the rest of the day off!''She laughed and just sprayed away.
''Hey Annabeth. Wanna bet?''I smiled viciously.''I know what you're going to bet on and i know i'll lose,so forget it!''She sprayed the water at me. The water just bounced off my body,like i had a small layer of air surrounding me and it was keeping me dry.
''You're on.''I took out the magazine. It was still full of water. I poured it onto my hands and it assumed shape as a ball. I took aim and threw it at her. She dodged it and the water ball went sailing,smashing a ball with my face on it.
''Aw!''I complained. Annabeth laughed and continued to spray me.''That is so unfair! Not getting wet!''
We had fun and played there,with me throwing water balls at her and she unsuccessfully trying to douse me in water.
Suddenly,a siren sounded. The balls all disappeared,and so did the water guns. All the water began to rise from the floor and began to form some kind of screen above the temple. The screen of water projected my dad's face into the air.
''Well done everyone! I have the results for today. The winner of the ball games is...Percy?''Poseidon immediately turned to me,and all the water began to rush out of the screen,engulfing me and Annabeth. We were swept away by the current and thrown into the temple.
I landed bum first onto the cold tiles of the temple. All around us,the thrones of the gods encircled us in an Omega shape,and so did their inhabitants.
Poseidon was the first to stand.''I believe you know about the issue with the Egyptian gods by now.''He addressed me and Annabeth.
No hello? No 'so nice to see you Percy,how have you been'? Heartless? Nope,it's just how the gods choose to talk to mere mortals like us. Since my dad is one of the big Three,he has to be in charge.''But he's a nice man if you know him'',my mom used to say that.
We bowed to him and the rest.''We know about them. But it's not because of them that we came here!''I said,bowing even lower.
''Oh? And what is so important that it is more serious than the threat of the Egyptian gods?''Dionysus asked with a hint of smugness.
Dionysus. Jerk? Yes. God? Afraid so. So i just put up with him.
Zeus scratched his chin.''Elaborate,Perseus Jackson.''
I told him the short version:About how Sora managed to summon Set,about Set finding the god of time's symbol of power and consuming it to become the god of time now,and how we managed to find him in his lair,only to fail in stopping Set. I told them about how Carter wanted us to be some kind of Ambassadors to work with the Egyptian gods in stopping Set. But what i didn't tell them was our plan B. I figured they could only stand one major threat right now.
''And what makes you think that the Egyptian gods won't turn on us when our backs are turned!''Ares argued. Wow,what a tongue twister.
''As annoying as Ares may be,he has a point. What can you say or do that will make sure that the Egyptian gods won't betray us? You mentioned that Set is an Egyptian god,yes? What if the Egyptian gods just decided to favor Set when we're in battle?''My dad asked.
Burn. I have absolutely no idea how to answer that. Luckily,Annabeth saved the day.''The gods won't betray us like that! Me and Percy has been spending some time with our 'stunt doubles'. They're like the demigods of the Egyptians.!''
Zeus was leaning forward now.''So...they have demigods of their own?''He asked.
''You can say that...''
Athena stood up.''I object.''She said calmly.
My mind went into panic mode. If Athena objects to something,nearly nothing is able to change her mind.''But Athena,the Olympian and Egyptian gods need to work together to defeat Set!''I protested,but Athena raised her hand,gesturing me to stop.
''I see the need to work together to defeat a foe,one as powerful as Set is now.''She gazed at me.''But i do not see the real need to work together to defeat Set.''
''What?''Even Annabeth was confused.''Let me explain more. Why should we work with them together? We have defeated Kronos in the past. A minor god of chaos won't be of any difference.''
I wanted to protest that it was me that defeated Kronos,but Athena continued.''And if you say that there are demigod equals to the Egyptian gods,why do they need help? Surely they can handle this matter by themselves.''A few gods nodded their heads. I was quickly losing support. Even Poseidon looked at me doubtfully now.
''So this is why i think it is a trap,some kind of deception. I believe they will turn their backs on us as soon as Set comes to attack us. We must not join them!''
''It's not like that!''I protested.''The Egyptian gods are on our side! I can vouch on my life that they won't betray us!''
''Percy,Set is an Egyptian god too.'' Annabeth whispered.
''Except for Set!''I quickly said. Ares sat up,then sat down again,as if he saw an opportunity but was too slow.
''I will not side against the Egyptian gods.''Athena stood her ground.''Percy,the Egyptian demigods have influenced you,especially Sadie. Think about it!''
I didn't need to think about it. Just the mere mention of Sadie sent my heart leaping out of my throat.
''Percy has vouched his life for the alliance of the Egyptian gods. I will vouch for my son.''Poseidon said,finally sitting down.
''So will I.''Zeus said. The other minor gods murmured the same,even Dionysus.
Suddenly,sand started to swirl around the temple. Athena glanced around the temple,then whirled to me.''What is this sorcery!''She demanded.
''I don't know!'' The sand was blinding my eyes,and i quickly shut them out. I could hear Annabeth trying to cling on to the floor. I grabbed her and held her close to me.''Brace for impact!''
The sand exploded in a deafening boom,and i knew that we had been teleported. Call it a hunch,but i felt like we were in Egypt right now.
''Is everyone alright?''Poseidon called. The gods all stood up,Zeus was pulling sand out of his beard,Hades was emptying his helmet from sand,and Ares was emptying his mouth from sand. The latter deserved it.
''Where are we?''I muttered. I opened my eyes to see some kind of abandoned temple. The roof was half collapsed and some of the pillars had cracks on them. We were on the left side of the temple and in the front,there was just a giant basin. It looked like Apophis' shadow just came here and took a bite from the ground.
''There's no exit.''Annabeth muttered. I glanced around,and saw that she was right. The walls were just walls,as if they were keeping something imprisoned. I took a closer look,and saw that they had Hieroglyphs and Ancient Greek words all over them.
''Strange...''I mumbled,before i heard a loud sound coming from the right side of the temple. The sand was gathering around the right side,and it exploded,sending sand through my entire body. I coughed and looked at the previously uninhabited space full of Egyptian gods,and Carter and Sadie.
''Where are we?''Carter mumbled.
''On earth,Carter. Now wake up!''I snapped. Carter glanced in my direction and his eyes widened. I gave him a look that meant 'Talk. Now.'
Carter dragged Sadie off to a corner and we followed.
''What is going on here! Why are they with them!''Carter gestured wildy,pointing first to the Egyptian gods then the Olympian gods. They were studying each other,finding their respective partners.
''I'll get a million dollars if i knew...''I muttered.''Somebody must have sent us here. But who?''Annabeth said.
Our eyes met.''Set.''We all said at once.
''But why...''I realized that i wasn't holding Riptide,so i checked my pocket. Sure enough,the ballpoint pen was there. I uncapped it and it shone with a faint light.
''Percy...I had a magic free room securing that pen! It was completely magic proof! How could it be in your pocket!''Annabeth protested.
''Whoever did this must be powerful...like Set.''Sadie said.''You figured that out by yourself,Sherlock?''Annabeth muttered.
Suddenly,the ground rumbled below us. It kept rumbling repeatedly and we all toppled to the ground. The gods were having a hard time keeping their balance too. The sand all started to fill in the giant hole,and a giant centipede just burst through the sand,landing on the ground and roared.
The bones on my body all turned to water. The thing was hideous! It had red spikes running along it's back. The scales look like they've been smeared in blood. The legs were the most disgusting. The legs...were actual human legs. They sprouted along it's bottom,running down the centipede. I could have fainted there and then,if not for Sadie yelling ''Duck!''
The beast lunged at us,but we dived out of the way. It glowed with purple energy,and opened its mouth. And yes,the mouth was too disgusting to describe. A beam of purple light emerged from it and cut through the walls,obliterating everything in it's path.
''Hey gods! A little help would be appreciated!''I yelled at them. Surprisingly,they obeyed.
''Charge!''Ares and Horus yelled together,rushing at the centipede. Zeus and Ra poured lightning bolts and fireballs at the centipede. Artemis and Bast were charging at the beast,Bast raking her knives along it's scales and Artemis shooting arrows at its hide. Isis and Hera lodged magic incantations at it,preventing it from moving. Poseidon and Nephthys were throwing water javelins at it. The rest were kind of just hacking away at the centipede's legs.
''We can't kill it!''Zeus yelled out.''It has to be killed by a demigod's hands!''Ra joined in.
The beast roared and knocked out everyone away from it. It rested its eyes on me.
''Oh no...''
The centipede started charging at me,winding through the bodies of the gods. I leapt out of the way as it bit a huge chunk of the floor clean,and swallowed it.
''Percy,Annabeth,distract it! We'll make a binding spell for it!''Sadie yelled. I nodded and raised my sword. The glow caught the beast's attention,and it lunged at me. I sidestepped and it crashed into a pillar.
''Great idea Percy!''Annabeth yelled. She stood behind a pillar and threw her dagger at the centipede. It just bounced off and annoyed it. Annabeth jumped just in time as the beast crashed into the pillar again. The roof was shaking now.
''Percy! Last pillar!''Annabeth yelled,pointing to one at the corner. I nodded and stood in front of it.
''Come at me you disgusting shameless excuse for a beast!''I yelled at it,waving my sword around. The centipede settled its gaze on me again,only now it's eyes were glowing red. I think i just made it mad...
The centipede tore through the ground at supersonic speed.''Oh my gods!''I yelled as i felt the full force of a bulldozer ram into me. I tumbled along the ground and ended up next to the pillar.
Just about every bone in my body was broken,but i managed to stand up. I noticed a small piece of stone that looked very vaguely like a pyramid. I picked it up,and yelled ''Sadie!'',holding the chunk of stone.
Sadie saw it and nodded.''Come at me you piece of junk!''I continued to yell insults at the beast. It wasn't really that hard to come up with them. The centipede roared and charged at me.
''Now!''I quickly placed the stone on the ground. The sand below me started to swirl,and i fell through it,causing the centipede to crash through the pillar. The roof shook uncontrollably and crashed. Before the beast could escape,tons of cement and dirt fell on its head,encasing it in a mound of rubble.
''Carter!''I said weakly.''On it!'' The centipede burst through the pile of cement,but before it could do anything,golden hieroglyphs began to circle its head,and it started to glow blue. Or more accurately,the blue light was preventing it from moving.
''All right!''I coughed up some blood.''Percy,you're hurt!''Sadie gasped. She helped me sit up,then whispered a chant. The bones in my body started to mend,and it felt a little less painful breathing now.''That's not enough.''Annabeth said. She rummaged in her bag and took out a bottle of nectar,and started pouring a little into my mouth. I swallowed it,and it tasted like the milo Sadie gave to me when i was in the infirmary. I could feel my bones healing now,and some of the cuts were beginning to close.
''I think i can stand up now...''I tried to stand,but i fell. Sadie quickly carried me,and helped me stand upright.''What about the thing?''I asked,pointing to the centipede. Carter was in front of it,his face beaded with sweat.
''Quickly,we need to help him!''Isis said. Hera nodded and they both walked behind Carter,and started chanting some words. Carter was encased in a rainbow glow,and he looked as good as new.''Quickly!''He cried.''This thing is getting stronger by the minute!''
Apparently,the centipede didn't like being called a thing. It struggled to break free.
''I need a god's help too!''I said,remembering the times i had to work together with gods to defeat titans. I wasn't sure this counted as a titan,but i didn't want to take any chances.
''I'll do it.''Zeus and Ra said at the same time.''Fine,you can both do it. Sadie?''I asked her,gesturing to the centipede. She smiled.''I thought you'd never ask.''
We jumped on the centipede's back. Zeus' hands glowed,and suddenly a giant lightning bolt appeared in his hands. Ra raised his hand and the crook and flail emerged from somewhere. The Duat,probably.
''Ready!''The two gods said.''Ready?''I looked at Sadie and pulled out Riptide. She raised her hand,and it suddenly disappeared,but she pulled it back and was now wielding a wand.''Of course!''
''Now!''Me and Sadie plunged in our weapons as Zeus and Ra shot out a combination of lightning-enhanced fireballs at the centipede. The fireballs connected,and the beast writhed in fury. It started to disintegrate and Sadie and i quickly jumped off before we fell to the floor.
I wanted to sit down and sleep,but i knew it wasn't the time.''Fellow gods!''I said. All the gods stared at me funny.
''Well,um...you see what we just did! We took down a monster together! As a team!''I yelled. The gods started nodding appreciatively.
''This is the alliance we must make! To defeat an old threat that has risen!''Carter yelled,standing next to me.
''If we work together,we can stand against Set!''Sadie yelled. Her comment made no sense but the gods nodded anyway.
Annabeth stood beside me.''All of you settled your differences in the battle. All of you weren't squabbling over each other. You all worked as a team,like a machine can't miss one single cog,a team can't have one less member. You all instinctively knew who to fight with. You all see eye to eye,but just don't want to admit it. All of you have the power to make a team,and work together.''She ended. Leave it to Annabeth to make the most inspiring speech.
Athena stood proudly,as if to say ''That Annabeth right there is my daughter!''. All the gods began to shake hands with each other. They commemorated with each other,as if they were old friends rather than being enemies literally 20 minutes ago.
''I know what we should do. We should have a party to celebrate!''Zeus yelled.''Excellent idea! We'll party in Egypt!''Ra said.
''Hey,we want to party in Olympus!''Zeus narrowed his eyes. Ra did the same.
''Egypt!''
''Olympus!''
''Enough.''Athena sighed.''Let's just have two parties.''Both of them stared at her.''You're a genius!''They both exclaimed.
I was trying hard not to laugh. Ra took his flail and swirled it around,making a small portal.''Last god who comes has to break the pinata!''He yelled,jumping headfirst into the portal. All the gods followed suit,until Athena was left.
''I know your plan B.''Athena regarded us with those stormy grey eyes that make you feel like you are being violated.
''Is it a good one?''I asked softly.
''It is a desperate one.''Athena said. And cracked a smile.''But an effective one.''
She turned to me.''Percy,a word of advice. Do not use plan B unless you have no other choice. I am merely allying with the Egyptian gods because i do not want to see my daughter's boyfriend initiate plan B. Remember that.''She started walking towards the portal and came through.
''Percy...what's so devastating about plan B that Athena had to do that?''Annabeth asked carefully. Sadie quickly looked at me as if to say 'They have already been through enough,besides,this is just a plan B!'
''Let's just say i may not be the same.''I mumbled. Suddenly,Ra's head peeked out from the portal.
''I can't keep this open for long,you know! Hope in!''He gestured us to jump in the portal.
''What say you all to a break?''I asked dramatically,spreading my arms out wide.
''I need one.''
''I'm so going to finish the punch.''
''Come on Seaweed Brain.''
We all jumped in the portal at the same time.