A/N (I recommend reading this): I'm going to MAKE THIS CLEAR. Just like I mention on my bio page about every other fanfiction I done: I DON'T OWN THE PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIAN SERIES or AND THE KANE CHRONICLES OR IT'S CHARACTERS as the rights goes to Rick Riordan. Also I suggest you guys start paying attention to the Author notes and my warnings that I left on EVERY chapter of EVERY story.

Sorry if this chapter is too much like the book.

This is a The Tales of version of the Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles crossover and takes place after 'The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus part of the series. So if you haven't read them yet read before reading this story as stuff that happened in them will be mentioned:

The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: the Early Adventures
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: The Lightning Thief
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: The Sea of Monsters
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: The Titan's Curse
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: The Magical Labyrinth
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: the Stolen Chariot
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: the Sword of Hades
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: the Bronze Dragon
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: The Last Olympian
The Tales of the Son of Poseidon: the Staff of Hermes
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The Quest for Buford
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The House of Hades
The Tales of the Heroes of Olympus: The Blood of Olympus
The Tales of Magicians and Demigods: The Son of Sobek
The Tales of Magicians and Demigods: The Staff of Serapis
The Tales of Magicians and Demigods: The Crown of Ptolemy
The Tales of Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

Also if you haven't got the chance feel free to read:

The Tales of Classical Mythology

A crossover with The Tales of series with my dictionary on Greek/Roman Mythology where The Tales of Percy Jackson tells his version of stories behind famous names in Greek and Roman Mythology.

And if you are a fan of Stephen King:

The Tales of the Heroes of the Stand

Which is basically a crossover of The Tales of series with one of Stephen King's best novels The Stand.

Lastly, any one who wants to do a Demigods and Olympian reads story using 'The Tales of the Son of Poseidon' is allowed as long as you inform me about it.

Sewers Is Not My Choice of Secret Entrance

Wading shoulder-deep through freezing water, I felt nostalgic for the Indianapolis Zoo. Oh, for the simple pleasure of hiding for the simple pleasures of hiding from murderous Germani, crashing miniature trains, and serenading angry griffins!

Gradually the sound of the serpent banging on the grate faded behind us. We walked for so long, I feared we'd die of hypothermia before reaching our goal. Then I spotted a raised alcove built into the side of the tunnel-an old service platform, maybe. We climbed out of the frigid green much for a break. Meg and I huddled together while Leo attempted to light himself on fire.

On his third try, his skin sputtered and hissed, finally bursting into flames.

"Gather around, children." His grin looked diabolical with orange fire washing over his face. "Nothing like a blazing hot Leo to warm you up!"

I tried to call him an idiot, but my jaw was shivering so badly, all that came out was, "Id-id-id-id-id-"

Soon our little alcove was infused with the smell of reheated Meg and Apollo-baked apples, mildew, body odor, and just a hint of awesomeness. (I'll let you guess which scent was my contribution.) My fingers turned from blue back to pink. I could feel my legs well enough again to be bothered by the chafing from the iron shackle. I was even able to speak without stuttering like Josephine's tommy gun.

When Leo judged us sufficiently dry, he shut off his personal bonfire. 'Hey, Apollo, that was nice work back there."

"Which part?" I said. "The drowning? The screaming?"

"Nah, man-how you collapsed that brick wall. You should do that more often."

"That's nothing," Meg said. "Apollo's godly power is more amazing."

"I thought that was his godly power," Leo said.

I plucked a teal plastic shard from my coat. "No, that was just matching frequency of my sonic whistle. Trust me, when I have a burst of power, you would know."

"Whatever you did, you saved me," Meg said.

"Well," I said, "I'm gllad you weren't crush to death, Meg. Anything broken?"

She touched her rib cage. "Nah. I'm good."

Her stiff movement, her pale complexion, and the tightness around her eyes told me otherwise. She was in more pain than she would admit. However, until we get back to the Waystation infirmary, I couldn't do much for her. Sadly healing powers isn't among my demigod powers. At least, not yet. I know some demigods don't awaken some power unless under certain circumstances.

Leo stared at the dark green water. He looked more pensive than usual, or perhaps it was just the fact that he wasn't on fire anymore.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked.

He glanced over-no snappy comeback, no playful grin. "Just Leo and Calypso's Garage: Auto Repair and Mechanical Monsters."

"What?"

"Something Cal and I used to joke about."

It didn't sound like a very funny joke. Then again, mortal humor wasn't always up to my godly standard. I recalled Calypso and Leo deep in conversation with Emmie yesterday as they walked through the great hall.

"Something to do with what Emmie was telling you?" I ventured.

He shrugged. "Stuff for the future. Nothing to worry about."

As a former god of prophecy, I'd always found the future a wonderful source of worry. Of course, it didn't help my oracles keep bringing up something to worry about in their prophecies (I guess it reflect on my outlook of the future). But I decided not to press the issue. Right now, the only future goal that mattered was getting me back to Mount Olympus so the world could once again bask in my divine glory. I had to think of the greater good.

"Well," I said, "now that we're warm and dry, I suppose it's time to get in the water again."

"Fun," Meg said. She jumped in first.

Well at least she's not ordering me to carry her piggy back style or on my shoulders.

Leo led te way, keeping one burning hand above the water for light. Every so often, small objects floated up from the pockets of his tool belt and drifted past me-Velcro tabs, styrofoam peanuts, multicolored twist ties. I guess his other hand is trying to keep itself busy. Hephaestus always had his hands busy with something. I had my sword out to help provide light too (I may not like using swords, but even I have to admit celestial bronze weapons have other uses)

Meg guarded our backs, her twin swords gleaming in the darkness. I appreciated her fighting skills, but I did wish we had some additional help. A demigod child of the sewer goddess Cloacina would have been welcome... which is the first time I'd ever had that depressing thought

I trudged along in the middle, trying to avoid flashbacks of my long ago, unintended trip through a sewage-treatment facility in Biloxi Mississippi (That day would have been a total disaster, except that it ended with an impromptu jam session with Lead Belly.)

The current became stronger, pushing against us. Uh ahead, I detected the glow of electric lights, the sound of voices. Leo extinguish his hand fire. He turned to us and put his fingers to his lips.

After another twenty feet, we arrived at the second set of golden bars. Beyond that, the sewer opened into a much larger space where the water ran at a crosscurrent, some of it diverting into our tunnel. The force of the outflow made it difficult to stand.

Leo pointed at the golden grate. "This runs on clepsydra lock," he said just loud enough to be heard. "I think I can open it quietly, but keep watch for me just in case... I don't know... giant serpents."

"We have faith in you, Valdez." I had no idea what clepsdra lock was, but I learned from dealing with Hephaestus that it was best to show optimism and polite interest. Otherwise the tinkerer took offense and stopped making shiny toys for me to play with.

Within moments, Leo had the grate open. No alarms sounded. No contact mines exploded in our faces.

We emerged from the throne room I'd seen in my vision.

Fortunately, we were neck deep in one of the open channels of water that lined the sides of the chamber, so I doubted anyone could easily spot us. Along the wall behind us, videos of Commodus looped over and over on the giant televisión screens.

We trudged toward the opposite side of the channel.

If you haver tried to walk while imersed in a swift stream, you know how difficult it is. Also, if you have tried it, then may I ask why? It was absolutely exhausting. With every step, I feared the current would sweep me off my feet and flushed me into the bowels of Indianapolis. Somehow, though, we made it to the far side.

I peeked over the edge of the channel and was immediately sorry I did.

Commodus was right there. Thank the gods we had crossed slightly behind his throne, so neither he nor his Germani guards saw me. My least favorite Cornhusker, Lityerses, and Gaul Lugusewla, knelt before the emperor, facing my direction, but their head was lowered. I ducked back below the edge before either of them could spot me. I gestured to my friends: Quiet. Yukes. We're going to die. Or something to that effect. They seemed to get the message. Shivering miserably, I pressed against the wall and listened to the conversation going on just above us.

"-part of the plan, sire," Lityerses was saying. "We know where the Waystation is now."

Commodus grunted. 'Yes, yes. Old Union Station. But Cleander searched that place several times before and found nothing.

"The Waystation is there," Lityerses insisted. "The tracking devices I planted on the griffins worked perfectly. The place must be protected by some sort of magic, but it won't stand up to a fleet of blemmyae bulldozers."

My heart climbed above water level, which put it somewhere between my ears. I dare not looked at my friends. I had failed once again. I had unwittingly betrayed the location of our safe haven. Perhaps that's why Britomartis wasn't in her usual mood when we had returned.

Commodus sighed. "Fine. Yes. But I want Apollo captured and brought to me in chains. The naming ceremony is tomorrow. Our dress rehearsal is, like, right now. When can you have the Waystation destroyed?"

Lityerses hesitated. "We need to scout the defenses. And gathered our forces, Two days?"

"TWO DAYS? I'm not asking you to cross the Alps! I want it to happen now!"

"Tomorrow, then, at the latest, sire," said Lityerses. "Definitely by tomorrow."

"Hmph. I'm beginning to wonder about you, son of Midas and Demeter. If you don't deliver-"

An electronic alarm blared through the chambers. For a moment, I thought we'd been discovered. I may or may not have emptied my bladder in the channel. (Don't tell Leo. He was down stream.)

Then, from the other side of the room, a voice shouted in Latín, "Incursion at the front gates!"

Lityerses growled. "I will deal with this, sire. Never fear. Guards with me!"

"Not Lugusewla. She is to stay here," Commodus said.

Lityerses didn't argue. Heavy footsteps faded into the distance.

I glanced at Meg and Leo, who were both giving me the same silent question: What the Hades?

I had not ordered for an incursion at the front gates. I hadn't even activated the iron manacle on my ankle. I didn't know who would be so foolish as to launch a frontal assault on this underground palace. Then I remember Britomartis promise to look for the Hunters of Artemis, and underground is an advantage point for children of Hades. Perhaps Bianca and some of the Hunters were trying to distract Commodus security forces from our presence. Could we be so lucky? Probably not. More likely, some magazine subscription salesman had rung the emperor's doorbell and was about to get a very hostile reception.

I risked another peek over the edge of the canal. Commodus was alone now with Lugusewla.

If it weren't for the fact the three of us are about to pass out from hypothermia, Meg probably having some broken ribs, and my best weapon at the time is a sword, I would think we can take them.

Commodus glanced at Lugusewla. "Lugusewla."

"Lord?"

"I think your time of redemption has come sooner rather than later. I grow impatient with my prefect. How long has Lityerses had this job?"

"About a day, my lord."

"Seems like forever!" Commodus pounded his fist on his armrest. "As soon as he's dealt with this incursion, I want you to kill him."

"Yes, lord."

"I want you to wipe out the Waystation tomorrow morning at the latest. If you can do that, I may let you return to Nero intact when I have to replace you. We'll have the naming ceremony immediately afterward in the colosseum-or as the mortals call it: the stadium."

"Thank you, my lord."

"And the cave of prophecy? Is it secure?"

My spine took a jolt of electricity so strong I wondered if Commodus kept electric eels in the channel.

"Alaric has already finished preparing the place," Lugusewla. "The beast are in place. The entrance is well guarded. Non shall gain access."

"Lovely!" Commodus jumped to his feet. "Now let's go try on our racing outfits for the dress rehearsal, shall we? I can't wait to remake this city in my own image!"

I waited until the sound of their footsteps receded. I peeked over and saw no one in the room."

"Now," I said.

We dragged ourselves out of the canal and stood dripping and shivering in front of the golden throne. I could still smell the scent of Commodus' favorite body oil-a mix of cardamom and cinnamon.

Meg paced for warmth, her swords glowing in her hands. "Tomorrow morning? We gotta warn Jo and Emmie.

"Yeah," Leo agreed. "But we stick to the plan. First we find the captives. And that Throne of Whatever-It-Is-"

"Memory," I said.

"Yeah, that. Then we get out of here and warn Jo and Emmie."

"It may not help," I fretted. "I've seen how Commodus remakes a city. There will be chaos and specacle, fire and wholesale slaughter, and lots and lots of pictures of Commodus everywhere. Add to that an army of blemmyae bulldozers-"

"Apollo." Leo made a fiery time-out sign. "We're gonna use the Valdez method on this."

Meg frowned. "What's the Valdez method?"

"Don't overthink it," Leo said. "It'll just make you depressed. In fact, try not to think at all."

Meg considered this, then seemed to realized she was thinking, then looked sheepish. "Kay."

Leo grinned. "See? Easy! Now let's go blow some stuff up."