Chapter 13

It had been an hour since Naruto, Annabeth, Grover and Percy had left Aunty Ems Garden Gnome Emporium and defeated Medusa and her sisters. The group had slowly made their way through the forest once again with one feeling going through most of them.

They were downright miserable. While Naruto was perfectly fine since he was used to long missions that took days to get to their destination, the others were beginning to complain about their feet hurting, that it was cold, that it was too dark to keep on moving and most importantly of all that they were getting bored.

Eventually Naruto was fed up with the grumbling and decided to make camp. They had stopped just a couple hundred yards away from a main road. The spot they chose was covered in litter like wrappers and soda cans. No doubt this place was used for large parties.

Naruto frowned at the state of the place before he used his shadow clones to built a make shift shelter for them and use tree branches and leaves to keep the rain of them during the night and sent others to pick up the litter around them. Before long the litter was gone and the clones had dumped them in a bin along the road before dispelling.

There was talk about lighting a fire but that was quickly shot down since the light from the fire and the smoke might attract more monsters. After the day that they all had they did not need any more of that type of excitement for one night.

The ground was soft underneath their make shift shelter which would be fine for sleeping on. Annabeth immediately lay down on the soft earth and used her jacket as a pillow while she covered herself in a blanket. Within a few minutes Naruto could here small soft snores coming from the blonde haired girl signaling that she was asleep.

"She didn't take long to fall asleep" Percy said since he was a little hesitant to sleep not wanting a monster to attack them during the night.

"Can you blame her? It's been a long day and we were attacked by the kindly ones and the snake sisters. Anyone who had never been on a mission before is going to be pretty drained" Naruto explained with Grover nodding. Although he was not as experienced as Naruto, Grover went on a fair few mission to pick up demi gods and bring them to camp.

Percy meanwhile was struggling to keep his eyes open. He was in the same boat as Annabeth. He was pretty much drained and just wanted to fall asleep but the thought of monsters was just keeping him up.

"I'll take first watch" he offered.

"No need" Naruto said cutting him off and pointed all around them making Percy and Grover look around to see four of Naruto's clones keeping watch at four different points of the small camp. "If anything happens or is coming towards us the clones will warn me" he said stretching his arms in front of him. "That way we can all get some rest and be fresh in the morning."

"That's good" Grover said before his head looked upwards towards the sky and had a sad look appear on his face. "It makes me sad guys."

"What does? The fact that you signed up for this stupid quest?" Percy said thinking that's what Grover meant but the Satyr shook his head.

"No. This makes me sad." He pointed at all the garbage on the ground. "And the sky. You can't even see the stars. They've polluted the sky. This is a terrible time to be a satyr."

"You have a point" Naruto said chipping in. "Back in the Elemental Nations the whole environment is pretty much untouched. The only damage done to it is from battles but those are not exactly often."

"Oh I guess you guys are environmentalists right since Grover is a satyr and Naruto is the Son of Artemis."

"Only a human wouldn't be. Your species is clogging up the world so fast ... ah, never mind. It's useless to lecture a human. Well most anyway he said nodding gratefully to Naruto who understood what he meant. "At the rate things are going, I'll never find Pan."

"You're looking for Pan?" Naruto said intrigued get a happy nod from Grover.

"Yeah it's my dream to find him and bring him back to help save the wild."

"Pam? Like the cooking spray?" Percy asked getting a face palm from Naruto and Grover.

"The great god Pan! What do you think I want a searcher's license for?"

"Oh" Percy said feeling a little stupid. "What happened to him? Why would you need to find him?"

"I wish I knew why he disappeared. The God of Wild Places disappeared two thousand years ago," he told me. "A sailor off the coast of Ephesus heard a mysterious voice crying out from the shore, 'Tell them that the great god Pan has died!' When humans heard the news, they believed it. They've been pillaging Pan's kingdom ever since."

"But for the satyrs, Pan was our lord and master. He protected us and the wild places of the earth. We refuse to believe that he died. In every generation, the bravest satyrs pledge their lives to finding Pan. They search the earth, exploring all the wildest places, hoping to find where he is hidden, and wake him from his sleep."

"No searcher has ever come back. Once they set out, they disappear. They're never seen alive again."

"Not ever?" Percy asked not quite believing what he heard but Grover just nodded in confirmation.

"That's dedication for you" Naruto said getting a firm nod from Grover.

"And your dad? You have no idea what happened to him?"

"No idea. I can only guess he's either still out there or he died. It's the only two possibilities."

"And you actually want to do this?" Percy asked not quite believing that Grover would want to do something so dangerous that he might not even come back from.

"Of course. My dad did it and so did my Uncle Ferdinand. None of the Satyrs that set off on the quest for Pan has ever come back, that much is true. My Uncle Ferdinand is proof of that" he said sadly.

Naruto remembered seeing his friend have a sad look when they left the Gorgons lair. It could not have been easy for Grover to see a member of his family in that kind of state. Encased in stone forever. A horrible way to go if there ever was one.

"Uncle Ferdinand knew the risks. So did my dad. But I know I will find Pan" he said with determination in his voice. A tone that Naruto and Percy rarely heard in Grover voice. They guessed he felt that strongly that he would find Pan. Naruto smiled at his determination.

"Then you'll defiantly find him" Naruto said. As long as you stay true to your dream and you keep that kind of determination with you then I know you will be the one to find Pan. Sometimes in life all you need is a little bit of hope and determination. You would be surprised at what you can accomplish with that."

"Naruto's right. You'll defiantly find him" Percy said further encouraging and believing in Grover.

Grover meanwhile was looking at his friends in happiness that they believed in him. In satyr terms he was a very late bloomer and many of the older satyrs saw Grover as a bit of a disappointment. While many others discouraged the young satyr there were those that did believe in him, those being Annabeth, Chiron, and Luke at times.

"Guys, thank you. You don't know how much it means to be to here that" Grover said wiping way a stray teat happy to know that his two best friends believed in him.

"Anytime G man" Percy said smiling while Naruto gave him a thumbs up.

"We got your back dude."

The three boys fell into a comfortable silence looking up at the sky. Grover thinking about his long awaited search for Pan, Percy was thinking about getting to his mom more than anything else while Naruto only had one thought on his mind.

"Mom? Are you looking down at me?" He thought as he stared at the full moon in the sky that had come out from behind the clouds.

"Hey Percy" Naruto asked ending the silence getting a look from the green eyed boy. "What else did the prophecy say when you got it from the Oracle he asked getting a weird look form Grover and a surprised look from Percy."

"What do you mean? There is no"-

"Don't Percy. I saw your face and I know you were holding something back. I have left it alone for now but now I want to know what else was said. It could be important."

Percy looked at Naruto, he didn't want to say anything and wanted to just keep it to himself but the look Naruto was giving him along with Grover who now also wanted to know caused him to break and let out a loud sigh.

"She told me that"-Percy voice wavered a little. "She said that I would fail to save what was most important in the end."

"Percy" Grover whined a little. "You should have said something. You should have told Chiron."

"You don't care about the bolt do you Percy" Naruto suddenly asked surprising both of them. You're doing this so you can bring your mom back aren't you?" he asked since he knew Percy cared very little about the bolt and since they had to go to the Underworld there was only really one other thing Percy would go to such lengths to get.

Percy didn't say anything on the then nod his head.

"Don't you think that's a little selfish of you? Naruto said to him getting a shocked look from Percy that also turned a little angry.

"How is it selfish? I don't care about the gods or the bolt. I just want my mom back."

"And it's an attitude like that that makes you selfish" Naruto hissed out." Did you ever think what would happen if the bolt does not get returned?

"You heard what Chiron said. If the bolt does not get returned then the gods will go to war. Earth will be made their battleground and millions of people will most likely lose their lives. I will not allow that to happen. I don't wish to watch as the gods kill innocents and I don't want my mom to get hurt or worse" Naruto said whispering out the last bit.

Percy just sat their taking it in. Maybe his reason was a little selfish but he just missed his mom so much. He just wanted things to go back to normal. Before all this god drama came around and caused him to see the world in a completely different light.

"Percy I just got my mom back in my life in a way. I might not have ever met her nor do I know if I will ever see her. But she is my mom and I love her. I have her blood running through me. I've spent almost all my life thinking I didn't have parents or if they ever loved me. Now that I know my mom does I will be damned if I let something so stupid as this result in a war breaking out that she will have to get involved in. I know it's stupid to think that since my mom is a goddess and is all powerful, but she is still my mom and I don't want to see her get hurt in this war.

"Wow" Grover muttered since he was not sure he had ever seen a demi god take to their godly parent as quickly as Naruto had. Especially making a speech about how much he love and cares about them. Grover knew then Artemis was incredible lucky to have Naruto as her child. Everything she hated about men, Naruto was the opposite. All the qualities someone could ever want in a son. That and a friend he thought.

"Sorry" Percy muttered while Naruto waved it off and sighed.

"It's fine. Your heart was in the right place. If it was the other way round I would probably be doing the same thing. You just need to remember to look at the bigger picture."

Percy nodded before he lay down on the soft earth. "What time should we head of in the morning?" he asked.

"As soon as we wake up. That's what Annabeth said anyway" Grover said causing Percy to roll his eyes.

"Oh right because Annabeth always has a plan right?" Percy said. There was obliviously some kind of spiteful feelings between the two but it did lessen at least.

"Ease up a bit with her Percy" Grover said. "She has had a rough life. After all she did forgive me.

Naruto rolled his eyes and threw a pebble at Grover surprising him. "Stop talking like that fool. She does not blame you. It was not your fault and you know it. You did your best and that's all anyone could have ever acted for."

"Yeah I guess so" Grover muttered before he laid his head down on the ground. "I'm going to get some sleep. Good night guys."

"Night G-man" both boys said before Grover closed his eyes quickly feel asleep. It was not long before Percy also shut his eyes and quickly fell asleep leaving only Naruto awake.

He was also about to join them before he felt someone make a shivering sound. He looked over to see Annabeth pulling on her blanket tightly but it was obviously not giving her enough warmth.

Naruto sighed before he took of his own blanket and placed it around Annabeth. When he did the shivering seemed to stop and Annabeth's body rested peacefully with a small smile gracing her face s she now slept warmly.

Naruto also smiled at the younger blonde before he quickly rested his body on the earth beneath him and let his eyes close slowly. His last thoughts were the next day was going to bring him and his friends before he fell into a peaceful sleep.

When he did unbeknownst to him and his clones that were keeping watch, a figure suddenly appeared beside Naruto and got down on their knees.

"You are always looking after those around you that you forget to look after yourself" the figure said before the light from the moon slowly showed Naruto's grandmother. In her hands was a large light brown blanket that she slowly draped over her grandson.

She smiled softly down at Naruto before she leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead causing a surge of warmth to engulf Naruto helping him to sleep better during the night.

"I wish you and your friends the best of luck my boy" she said before as soon as she came she disappeared.

Mount Olympus

Hestia reappeared in the throne room of Olympus and took her usual spot next to the hearth in the center of the throne room. She sat down beside the hearth and looked around. All of the gods other then Dionysus and Hades were assembled. Dionysus since he had his responsibilities at the camp and Hades since he was not very welcomed on Olympus.

Hestia had to roll her eyes when all she heard was Zeus and Poseidon once again arguing over Zeus's bolt.

"I KNOW YOU HAVE IT. JUST GIVE IT BACK. THIS IS JUST BECAUSE MOTHER RHEA LIKED ME BETTER ISN'T IT" Zeus shouted.

"STOP TALKING TRASH LITTLE BROTHER. I DON'T HAVE YOUR STUPID TOY."

"IT'S NOT A TOY"

"Why can't they just get along like normal siblings" she thought since her three brothers were always at each other's throats while the three daughters Hestia, Demeter and Hera actually did get along? Although Hera had been a little distant from Hestia lately, Hestia knew it was just because she was being moody at not being told about Minato and Naruto.

Looking around all the others gods were here and were most likely wondering why they had to be here. Only Ares had a gleeful look on his face but everyone thought that was just because they thought another war would start.

Zeus's gaze went over to his sister and he saw her return. "Hestia where have you been?" he asked.

"Checking how Percy Jackson and his friends were, they started in their quest to find your bolt today" she said while poking a stick into the hearth.

"A quest was given? That's rare. It's been a while since we had one of those. Who's on this quest?" Hephaestus asked since many were now thinking the same thing hoping one of their children was on it and could give them bragging rights.

"Well Poseidon's son of course" she said with Poseidon getting a grin on his face and puffing out his chest in pride.

"There is also Athena's daughter, Annabeth I believe her name is." Athena immediately smiled before she realized her daughter was on a quest with the sea spawn as she would call it. She was about to start an argument with Poseidon that his son had better not mess this quest up before Hestia quickly continued.

"There is also a satyr named Grover I think and then finally there is my grandson and Artemis's son Naruto" she said. When she did instead of getting a look of pride which she was also feeling at her son being on the quest, Artemis was also feeling concern and worry over her son.

"Is he okay?" Artemis asked getting odd glances from the others gods. It was still weird to them that she had a son.

"He is fine" Hestia said smiling. "I'm guessing they were all tired since they were all asleep when I got there and Naruto had his clones as look outs while they slept. He had given his blanket to Athena's daughter since she was shivering in the night. I didn't want him to get cold so I placed a blanket over him just to make sure he was comfortable."

"Thank you for checking on him" Artemis said as Poseidon and Athena did the same. Then she smiled brightly at how her son was looking after the only girl on the mission. He really had taken after her in that sense. Athena too was smiling, secretly happy that her daughter had someone watching over her.

"I was not sure about your son at first Artemis but I must admit he is making a good impression. I must find a way to thank him for watching over my daughter" she said making Artemis smile seen more happily.

"Yeah he is so awesome. From what I have seen and heard they already fought the Furies and the Gorgons Sisters" Apollo said smiling before he found Artemis standing in front of him with her hands wrapped around his throat shaking him violently with a glare on her face.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME MY SON RAN IN TO THOSE MONSTERS WHEN YOU FIRST GOT HERE" She said angrily as she shook Apollo like a piñata. Athena and Poseidon were a little miffed too and glared at Apollo, more so about the Gorgon Sisters since it was Athena who technically created them and Poseidon for starting that whole mess.

"Hey" Hermes said calling out from his throne getting looks form the others gods. "I just remembered I got a package for Olympus earlier" he said clicking his fingers and the package Percy had sent off earlier had now appeared in front of them.

"It's from Poseidon's son" he said as he unsealed the box and opened it wide.

"Eww" he said as he pulled the head of Medusa out of the box and showed it to the other gods. "I'm guessing he is not too happy with us."

"HE DARES INSULT US LIKE THIS" Zeus stormed while Poseidon rolled his eyes.

"Can you blame him? Anyone who was attacked by the Furies and the Gorgon sisters would be a little angry. He just lost his temper that's all" Poseidon said with a few of the others agreeing. They were willing to let this go if he actually managed to get the bolt since it would stop Zeus from being so bipolar all the time.

"What's this?" Hermes said making everyone look at him. He pulled out a note and began reading it. He had an unreadable expression on his face before he looked back down into the box. As soon as he did Hermes burst out laughing surprising everyone as he had to hold his sides.

"HAHA HE IS A GENIUS" Hermes called out while the other gods looked at him as if he went mad.

"What did the sea spawn do this time?" Athena asked.

"Oh it was not Poseidon's son" he said between breaths before he picked the note up and read what it said out.

Dear Zeus

Since we are on a mission for your Master Bolt I'm guessing you a little glum about not having your favourite toy. Well problem solved until you get your bolt back. I hope you enjoy.

From

Naruto Uzumaki

"What did the son of Artemis send us?" Hera asked now al little intrigued as was everyone else.

Hermes was still giggling as he put his hand in the box and pulled out a bright yellow beanie toy shaped like a lightning bolt. He threw it to Zeus who caught and had an angry look on his face.

"IS THIS A JOKE" he roared out but got no answer when he saw all the gods had their hands clamped over their mouths and others biting their lips trying not to burst out laughing. Apollo and Aphrodite looked close to breaking but somehow managed to hold on.

Zeus then inadvertently squished the toy which made a zapping noise that sounded out threw the silent throne room. That was the breaking point.

Apollo, Aphrodite and Hermes fell to the ground laughing while Ares and Hephaestus were gripping their thrones trying not to fall down from laughing. Poseidon had let out a bellow of laughter while the other goddess's were giggling madly, even Hera had to laugh.

"Oh Naruto you do know how to make things lively up here without even being here" Hestia thought as she was in a fit of giggles.

Artemis too was in a fit of giggles thinking how her son had inherited his father's tendency to make people laugh. "You are too much like your father" she thought thinking about how her hunters would get a kick out of this.

"I've never even met him and I already like him" Poseidon said with many of the others gods nodding with him. Everyone but Zeus who was now pouting like a child.

"I hate this kid already."

Back with Team Demi God

"I'm up already" Naruto whined as he sat up and saw Annabeth next to him smiling. Morning already?

"It is" she said before giving him a hug. "Thank you for the blanket by the way."

"Any time" he replied back happy to help his friend and team mate.

They both looked over when they saw Percy stirring so Annabeth went over to wake him up as Naruto glanced around. He saw his clones were still in their places before he decided to dispel them since it was not dark anymore. They all made a poofing sound before they completely disappeared. Naruto got their memories back and saw it had been an uneventful night thankfully.

He then looked to his left and his eyebrows widened in surprise when he saw Grover sitting there with a pink poodle.

"Urm Grover you want to explain this he" said motioning to the poodle.

"Oh right this is Gladiola. He is missing and it turns out there is a reward for him. We could use the money to help pay the way through the quest. Say hi" he said. Naruto looked at the pink poodle before shrugging.

"Hey Gladiola he said not expecting much back.

"What's up human?"

Naruto eyebrows shot up in surprise. He was not expecting that. He looked at the poodle and swore the poodle had some kind of grin on its face.

"You can speak English?"

"Nope. I guess you can just understand animals. You don't seem that surprised? Most would be bricking it right now."

"I have already met with talking toads before so I'm pretty good with this kind of stuff" Naruto said shrugging.

"Fair enough Blondie. Tell your friend I like to be scratched behind the ear."

"Urm sure. Grover, Gladiola says she likes being scratched behind the ear."

"Oh I heard" Grover said a little surprised since he had heard the conversation. "You can talk to animals. Since when?"

"Sine now I guess. Is it because of my mom?"

"I guess so. It would make sense since she is the goddess of the hunt. If she can talk to animals then it makes sense that you can. Damn speak to animals, fire resistant and is a shinobi. Is there anything you can't do?"

"Guess we will find out soon enough" Naruto said before Gladiola spoke up again.

"Yo human, why do you smell a bit like foxes?"

Sheepishly Naruto just replied back "I don't. Must be the deterrent."

The dog didn't look too convinced but before it could speak to Naruto again Percy woke up. The raven haired boy slowly sat up, still a little groggy and wiped is eyes. His gaze started at Naruto before it drifted over to Grover and then at Gladiola.

Grover quickly explained to him and told him to say hello but Percy believed it was stupid to talk to a dog since they couldn't understand them.

"Stupid overgrown monkey. Say hello" Gladiola growled out while Grover and Naruto stifled a laugh.

"Come on Percy. Be polite to our guest" Naruto ushered.

"But it's a dog. What's the point?"

"Just do it" seaweed brain Annabeth chimed in as she scratched the dog behind the ear.

Percy grumbled under his breath before giving the poodle a hello.

"Yes puny human. Bow under the mighty Gladiola" the poodle woofed out making Grover laugh and Naruto shake his head at the strange pink poodle.

"This dog really has an ego" Naruto thought.

It was not long before the group began to pack up and be on their way. The first stop was at Gladiola's owner's house which was about half an hour walk away. It was a very fancy house to say this least. Somewhere between being a house and a mansion.

The owner is a giant fat woman who looked to be in her mid forties but was wearing so much make up it made her look like the honey monster. Naruto could not understand why Gladiola ran away in the first place. It reminded him to much of Tora and the daimyo's wife. Guess there is one in every world Naruto thought as he watched the lady pay Annabeth. They got about two hundred dollars out of it which would great help them in the long run.

They had golden drachmas but they knew that was very little hell in the mortal world.

After they left they traveled to the nearby train station so that they could get to St Louise. The train ride their would most like take around two days but as long as it meant not having to walk most of the group was happy. Thought Naruto would have preferred running there he was immediately out voted.

"I'll get the tickets guys. Just wait here" Grover said getting a nod from the group as they stood around waiting for the satyr.

As they waited Naruto looked at Percy and saw him rubbing his eyes. "Still tired Percy?" Naruto asked getting a tired nod from Percy.

"Didn't sleep all that well."

"Bad dream?"

"Something like that" Percy said quietly getting a raised eyebrow from both blondes. He was looking down at the ground trying to avoid Naruto and Annabeth's eyes. They both knew something was up.

But Naruto didn't ask what when a scent hit his nose that made his jerk around to look at Grover. He saw Grover's head jolt up and start sniffing around.

Both satyr and demi began sniffing around. Percy and Annabeth saw them both and clocked on to what they were doing. There had to be a monster nearby.

All the two could smell was what smelt like a giant cat litter box along with a rustic smell like blood.

Grover suddenly darted over with the ticket in his hands with a packed expression on his face. "Come on lets go. We have to hurry. Something's nearby and I don't feel like finding out what it is."

"Right" the group said before they darted into the train station. The train they had to get on was at platform six meaning they didn't have far to go and would take them straight to St Lewis.

When they ran into the train station they were surprised at how empty it was. Usually by this time there would be a lot of people heading off to work but there was virtually no body around and that concerned them.

"The mist?" Naruto asked Annabeth who hesitantly nodded.

"It has to be. The mist might have driven some people away from the train station. Made it look like it was either completely full or not in service today.

"I thought it was only gods that could control the mist?" Naruto asked. "That's what Chiron said anyway and I doubt any of our parents are doing this or Mr D for that matter."

Annabeth had a thinking look on her face before her eyes widened a little. "It could be Hades" she said. "Since we are trying to get to the Underworld he might be trying to head us off and keep us distracted so we don't make the deadline. Its either that or he is trying to stop us completely."

"That's just great" Percy said. "We really can't catch a break can we?"

"It's to be expected unfortunately" Naruto said before he caught something in the corner of him eye. Whatever it was it had fur. Orangey gold fur.

"There's the platform" Annabeth shouted pointing towards a giant entrance that said platform 6 above it. They could see the train door wide open ready for them to walk through.

Just a bit more Grover said praying to whoever was listening that they got on that train before whatever was nearby got to them.

But it was not to be. Just as they were about to walk through all four of them got knocked back by what felt like a tank running into them. Naruto managed to land on his feet and caught Annabeth midair and was holding her bridal style while Percy and Grover skidded along the floor.

"Ow what hit"- Annabeth said as Naruto put her down but stopped midsentence when she saw what was standing in front of them. She went as pale as a sheet of paper and began trembling. Even Naruto was wide eyed when he saw what was in front of them.

Grover and Percy stood up and when they looked towards the entrance of the platform Grover's looked like he was about to wet himself and Percy's knee were shaking so much it looked like his knees were about to give way.

The creature in front of them was easily the size of a pickup truck and stood on four legs with razor sharp silver claws that looked like machetes on each of its paws. It had a long shaggy mane that went all over it head and now its break and stomach. On its face was a bare of giant brown eyes with a dagger like teeth its mouth with a giant snout that was sniffing the air. It gave of a low rumbling sound room its chest as it stared at the group.

"Oh gods" Annabeth whispered as she began to back away slowly with the others following her movements. "That's"-

"The Nemean Lion" Grover stuttered out causing the lion to look at him and growl with a hungry look on its face. Grover whimpered a little clearly afraid of the great beast in front of them.

Powerful, deadly and majestic was the three words that Naruto thought of as he looked at the great lion. The creature that only Hercules, the demi god that is regarded as the greatest hero to have lived has ever defeated. The Nemean lion was perhaps the most dangerous creature Naruto had come across yet. It had both the physical strength and the speed. The perfect killing machine.

"What do we do?" Percy asked not taking his eyes of the beast.

"We can't fight it" Naruto said as he looked at the clock. The train left at 10:00 and it was now 09:58. "We don't have time. If we fight it we miss the train and we could lose a lot of time. Time we can't afford to lose. We have to find a way to get past it."

"Naruto's right. Its fur is indestructible. Why do you think Hercules had to use his strength and strangle it to its death" Annabeth said not moving a muscle now like she was frozen on the spot.

"How in the world do we get past it?" Percy said as Annabeth started thinking.

"Well we could"- she said before she stopped and saw Naruto walking forward to the great lion which was staring right at Naruto and was baring its teeth at him. "Naruto what are you doing?" she said whimpering a little.

"Follow me and walk slowly" he said with the others looking at him like he was crazy.

"We can't"- Annabeth started before Percy walked slowly behind before Grover id the same. "Oh gods these idiots are going to get me killed."

"Trust in Naruto" Percy said to her. "He has helped us get this far. He knows what he is doing" Percy said quietly as he trusted in his blonde haired friend as Grover was doing the same.

Annabeth gulped and looked at Naruto and was surprised when she saw confidence in his face.

"Annabeth" he said calling to her. "I made a promise to Chiron that I would make sure the three of you would make it out alive and will return to camp" he said surprising the three of them. "I swear on the river Styx that I will not allow any harm to come to you and that we will get out of this situation alive. I just need you to trust me" he said holding his hand out while the Nemean Lion was beginning to edge forward slowly.

"Don't be afraid. You have fought a kindly one and a gorgon sister. Don't let this over grown tabby cat get the better of you" Annabeth gulped when she heard the thunder boom overhead and shakily took Naruto's hand and slowly walked forward.

"Listen up. In a second I'm going to uncap my hunting knives. When I do I'm going to throw it to the ground just in front of the lion. When I do I can guarantee to you all that it will attack and jump us" he said getting shaky nods from everyone. When it does I want you all to duck and roll forward and run to the train. I'll keep it occupied with clones before I meet you in the train."

"Okay" they all whispered.

Naruto took a deep breath and slowly edged a little bit more forwards. Everything had to go perfect for this to work. He looked at the clock and saw it was now 09:59. They had one minute.

Slowly his hand reached into his pocket and brought out his pen which caused the lion to growl at him as its sharp claws began elongating a bit.

He took a deep breath before he started counting down.

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Now" Naruto shouted as he uncapped the pen and threw the hunting blade at the lion and it landing just in front of it. It did its job and the Nemean Lion let out a great roar and lunged at him.

Percy, Grover and Annabeth did as instructed and ducted and rolled forward. They saw the lion pass them overhead and then sprinted as fast as they could towards the train.

Naruto meanwhile watched as the Nemean Lion lunged at him before dropping onto his back, brought his legs forwards catching the lion from underneath before using every ounce of strength to push the lion away in the direction it was lunging.

It didn't go flying away but luckily the great beast crashed into an empty news stand. Naruto shot up and made a familiar hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu" he shouted as twenty copies poofed into existence and all surrounded the Nemean Lion making the creature even angrier the before as Naruto ran for the train.

The others saw him running for the train and were shouting at him to hurry. They looked behind him and watched as the Nemean Lion was ripping the shadow clones apart. Soon enough all twenty clones had been demolished before its sights went back to the original. It roared before it ran towards the train.

"Come on" Annabeth shouted as Naruto neared the train. He looked behind him and saw it coming towards him.

"I'm probably going to regret this" he said before suddenly stopped and shot out his right palm.

Just as the Lion caught up to him was about to bite into his shoulder Naruto spun around quickly and shouted "RASENGAN." The blue orb drilled into the Nemean Lions face causing it to roar in pain and knocked it back to the ground.

Knowing the rasengan was not enough to put it down and it most likely only stunned the lion Naruto bounded forward before he jumped through the train doors and toppled on top of the others.

When he did the train doors shut behind him and could feel the train begin moving. He took a deep breath and leaned against one of the walls while Percy and Grover just looked at him in amazement.

"That had to be one of the craziest and most ballsy moves I have ever seen" Grover said getting a chuckle from Naruto.

"Dude you never cease to amaze me" Percy said grinning.

They looked out the window and saw the Nemean Lion in the distance chasing the train but the train was simply too fast for it to catch up too.

Eventually it was nothing but a speck in the distance before it was completely gone.

He would have spoken but was surprised when a pair of arms wrapped around him. He looked down to see Annabeth had sat in his lap and was hugging the life out of him with her head buried in his chest. She was sobbing lightly while Naruto wrapped his arms around hers to comfort her.

"I'm sorry" she whispered but could feel Naruto shake his head.

"You have nothing to be sorry over. Annabeth you may be a demi god and you may incredible smart and strong but I think your forgetting this is your first real quest and most importantly your still only twelve years old."

"It's okay to freeze up. I did the same remember" he said referring o him freezing up against the Demon Brothers so his first mission out of the village.

Annabeth remembered the story while Naruto gently stroked her hair in comfort.

Grover watched sadly as it had been a long time since he had seen Annabeth in this kind of state. The last time she was like this was when she lost Thalia. But he was happy that she had Naruto here. The two really had taken to each other almost immediately and smiled at their growing friendship which would no doubt last eternity.

Percy meanwhile was a little shocked to see Annabeth like this. She was always so strong and always had her head held up high. To see her in this state was saddening to him. And for some unknown reason seeing Naruto comfort her, it made a small twinge of jealousy course through him.

"Come on. Let's go to our seats. We are beginning to get stared at" Naruto said when the others noticed other passengers looking at them weirdly.

They all nodded as the group made their way to their seats as Annabeth wiped the tears away from her face. She sat next to Naruto on the train journey there while Percy sat next to Grover. They relaxed as they hoped for a peaceful journey to St Louis.

Chapter 13 Completed

Hey everyone I just want to ask any of my reader if any of them would mind being a beta reader for this story. I have a beta reader for my other two stories but since he does not know the Percy Jackson series very well I would like someone who is more familiar with it. If anyone is interested in being a beta for this story please let me know by ever leaving a message during a review or pm me.

Thanks for reading and please REVIEW