AN Thank you so much for following and favoriting this story. I was so happy! I DON'T OWN PJO...OR HOO FOR THAT MATTER.
Let's continue shall we? Also I changed the summary so I hope you like it better...
The next few days passed in a blur of training and arguments. Zoe still somehow thought that disobeying the prophecy and not bringing a camper was smart, spoiler alert it isn't.
Luckily, well unluckily for some people, a spot opened up.
/LINE BREAK\
"Hetalina are you okay?" I asked concerned. She shook her head, sending her straight black hair flying.
"No way. I don't know what happened. I accepted a shirt and now I feel itchy." She groaned. Looking at the shirt I gasped.
"Geez Lina! This is coated in centaur's blood! It can be fatal!" I freaked.
"Guess I won't be going on the quest." Hetalina chuckled weakly.
"No kidding! Make sure you stay by Cypress, she is the best healer." I told her firmly and turned to Zoe.
"We need a camper."
"No way! The hunters can do this by themselves!" Zoe shook her head. Not this again. Normally I would just back down but I'm angry and the quest is today.
"Zoe listen to me for Zeus' sake! I tried to be calm and patient but the prophecy requires a camper! I am NOT going to lose my mom just because you are too stubborn to ask for help!" I yelled. All the Hunters looked at me as it clicked for them. Zoe stepped forward hesitantly.
"I am sorry Percy. I was so upset about milady's disappearance that I forgot she is your mother. Maybe we can bring... Thalia." Zoe suggested. I knew that only if she was truly sorry. No need to beat around the bush, Zoe and Thalia hate each other. Smiling, I hugged Zoe.
"Sorry I exploded. I just miss her. Let me go get Thalia and we can get started!" I exclaimed, running out the door. I heard Phoebe chuckle and Zoe shout to meet her at the camp borders.
"When I was... A young boy... My father... took me into the city, to see a marching band." I sang with Thalia. Zoe rolled her eyes and I pulled the van over.
"Voila! First stop... Smithsonian! Let's go eat." I told them and got out of the van while dragging Thalia who was shotgun.
"What are we going to eat?" Phoebe asked. I turned to Thalia and we both nodded.
"ASTRONAUT ICE CREAM!" We screamed in unison. Bianca laughed and we sat at a table in a small deli. A waiter came up who had blonde hair and blue eyes. I nearly dropped my menu. He winked at me, showing blindingly white teeth. Rolling my eyes I gestured to Zoe to order.
"Five ham sandwiches." Zoe all but spat at the waiter coughApollocough. He just laughed and strutted off.
"I think I will go on a walk. I'll be back before the food." I reassured them after seeing Phoebe's concerned look.
Before giving them time to respond, I was gone.
No matter what your teacher says, the Smithsonian is one of the most boring places ever. Maybe it would be more fun to me if they had astronaut ice cream but nooo! Sold out by the time I got there. Well they did have some but it was raspberry flavored. Who eats that? Trying to not kill somebody I walked to the aviation wing. Hearing hushed voices, I made my steps silent and peeked around the corner. Muffling a gasp I pressed my back against the wall. Thorn was here. I also saw a sandy blonde haired make with a scar. Leaning closer I heard their conversation.
"The blonde is alive! Can't wait till she has to hold up the sky." Thorn cackled.
"Yeah yeah! How are the skeletons going?" The boy huffed impatiently.
"Fine! I got a piece of cloth from Zoe." Thorn said and I clenched my fists. NO one messed with my friends.
"Perfect. How will those puny hunters get out of this one?" The boy said and I risked a glance around the corner. Thorn was planting dinosaur teeth and my eyes widened. We needed to get out of here.
Now.
Changing into a common bird I flew back to the deli. Not missing a beat I transformed right once I reached the table, probably freaking a few people out.
"We need to leave. Thorn is making monster skeleton warriors. Out. Of. DINOSAUR. TEETH!" I practically screamed. Zoe looked at me and nodded before we swiftly left, me dropping twenty bucks on the table. Hey I didn't want to be a part of a dine and dash. In the main parking lot we ran into some...well trouble.
"The Ne lion." Zoe snarled, taking out her bow. Rapidly firing arrows I grinned and drew my twin daggers.
"Bianca! Go fire arrows by Phoebe. Thalia! I think we may need some astronaut ice cream." I grinned slightly and pointed at the lion's mouth. She smirked and gave a lousy salute before heading to a nearby food cart. I simply jumped on the lions back and cut up and down it, trying ti get him to open his mouth.
"Roar for Hades' sake!" I yelled, frustrated. He sure knew how to keep his trap shut. Thalia came up and the lion bucked me off. I back flipped next to her and signaled at Zoe.
"Hey punk! Want some ice cream?" Thalia and I shouted smirking before pelting him with astronaut ice cream.
"Delicious and deadly!" Thalia laughed and the lion opened his mouth. Zoe fired twelve arrows into his mouth. He exploded and golden dust surrounded the lot. A fur coat appeared and Zoe nudged it towards me.
"You deserve it sis." She said with a small smile and I cautiously picked it up. Medusa's head can still turn people to stone after being cut off who knew what the NEMEAN LION could do. Upon my touch it became a golden colored hoodie. I slipped it over my head and surveyed the area. The van was split in two.
"Guys we might need to take a train." I spoke hesitantly and pointed to the destroyed van.
"To the trains it is! We might want to hurry!" Bianca said and pointed behind her to, you guessed it, skeleton warriors.
I never in my life ran harder.
Catching my breath I did a quick head count.
"Yeah we are all here five trains later! Sun West Train Lines!" I smiled and hugged my hoodie closer to me. Seeing Bianca shiver in her boots I pulled it off my head and gave it to her.
"What about you?" She asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." I laughed and ruffled her hair before turning into a wolf. Wolves were much warmer then people. We headed down an alley and I stared at Zoe, trying to show her this was a bad idea. She either didn't see or ignored me. I guess the latter. Finally we reached the end of the alley and saw a homeless male by a fire.
"Come sit by me." He beckoned and Phoebe walked forward. Only from my height could I see the same blinding smile the waiter had. Apollo. After being warmed, Bianca gave the hoodie back to me and I transformed back into a person. Slipping it over my head I gave her a quick side hug.
"Thanks BiBi!" I grinned and she smiled softly.
"Well the train isn't going to catch itself!" Thalia joked and we all got onboard a cargo cart. Inside it was full of cars.
"I call the Maserati Spyder!" I squealed and jumped in the car, reclining the seats. Everyone went to their own car and settled in for sleep.
If only it were that easy.
Sadly a dream kept me awake.
I saw a middle aged man with a stubbly jet black beard to match his messy raven hair. He had the same sea green eyes as me and if I didn't know better I would say he was- him. But that was impossible, Poseidon has never talkedto me. Ever. He looked at me with a shy smile.
"Hello daughter." He said hesitantly, trying to break the ice.
"D-dad?" I stuttered.
"I know I have been the worst father ever and I am truly sorry but I wished to give you some gifts, to make up for all the years I have been out of your life." My dad pleaded.
"Fine. I forgive you...dad." I grumbled. I hated not being able to hold a grudge.
"Really? Oh when this quest is over I will spend so much time with you! Anyway on to the gifts! I know you can transform into wilderness and I thought maybe you would like to be able to turn into a shark and Great Barracuda. I know they aren't the sweetest animals but I thought they suited your fierce attitude. Also I have gifted you with both a pegasus and a necklace for Iris Messaging. I was first going to install a small water fountain in my cabin, but you are never there and this is much more suited to you always being on the hunt and what not. There are drachmas already in your name from me so all you have to do is say the person's name and location." Poseidon explained and my jaw dropped. In five minutes my dad just gave me more gifts then most demigods get from their godly parents in all of their life. The thought saddened me but I shook it off and hugged my dad.
"Thanks dad." I murmured. He chuckled and I could feel his chest rumble.
"No problem but I must go. Your 'uncle' wishes to speak to you." Poseidon smiled and vanished from my dream, leaving only the faint scent of salt water. I opened my eyes and saw Apollo sitting next to me.
"Nice car choice." He grinned.
"Thanks. So what did you want to see me for?" I asked.
"I am sure Arty has told you about the Ophiotaurus?" Apollo questioned.
"Yeah Bessie what about her? That wasn't the monster mom was sent to kill was it?" I held my breath, Bessie could destroy Olympus if she was in the wrong hands.
"She was and well if you wanted Bessie... Let's just say it wouldn't hurt to seek out Nereus." Apollo winked and I nodded my head grimly.
"By the way I would wake up your friends, the train is stopping in three minutes." Apollo teased before fading into golden light.
"EVERYBODY WAKE UP OR I WILL SHAMELESSLY SING WELCOME TO THE BLACK PARADE!" I scream which woke everyone but Phoebe.
"Let's hit it Thals!
WHEN I WAS... A YOUNG BOY...MY FATHER...TOOK ME INTO THE CITY, TO SEE A MARCHING BAND! HE SAID SON WHEN YOU GROW UP WOULD YOU BE THE SAVIOR OF THE BROKEN, THE BEATEN, AND THE DAMNED? HE SAID WILL YOU DEFEAT THEM, YOUR DEMONS, AND ALL THE NON BELIEVERS, THE PLANS THAT THEY HAVE MADE? BECAUSE ONE DAY, I'LL LEAVE YOU, A PHANTOM TO LEAD YOU IN THE SUMMER, TO JOIN THE BLACK PARADE!" We screamed in harmony. Phoebe grabbed her head and we quickly grabbed our things.
"Let's jump!" I laughed and leaped out of the cart. I could hear faint protests but I was too busy tucking and rolling. After we all dusted off I turned and saw my worst nightmare.
Skeleton warriors.
"They're here. Let's fight!" I grinned and took out my daggers again. I threw one at a skeleton but it just bounced off.
"We can't defeat them with regular weapons. Um they are skeletons...that's it! Bianca do you think you can attack them? Being a daughter of Hades and all?" I turned to her, my back to the enemy.
Bad move.
"PERCY!" I heard Zoe scream at me. Turning back around I gasped. Three bullets were coming at me and I wasn't that fast. Closing my eyes I held my breath.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Confused I opened my eyes. Don't get me wrong, super happy to be alive and all but those bullets should have hit me by now. Looking down cautiously I saw what blocked it. My Nemean Lion Hoodie.
Ah thank the gods for limited edition merch.
"Attack them BiBi! I will distract them!" I said to her. She nodded and I tossed her a dagger. She caught it with ease and killed one of them. Unfortunately the rest of them got smart. They dodged and went on defense, not making my job easy. 'Think Percy!' I thought to myself.
"I hope this works." I mumbled and preformed the loudest taxi cab whistle ever. My quest mates turned to me and a black shape descended from the sky.
'Hey boss! I'm Blackjack and do you got any sugar cubes?' The pegasus nickered.
'Hi Blackjack! Can I give you some later if you carry two of my friends?' I asked.
'Sure thing boss!' He replied, puffing out his chest.
'Thanks buddy.' I replied.
"Zoe and Phoebe! This is your transportation! Take Blackjack to the nearest town! We will meet you there." I motioned them over.
"How will you get there sis?" Phoebe asked.
"I will. now go!" I told her firmly and after they both mounted I signaled to Blackjack and they shot up into the sky. I turned into a giant bear.
"Thals! BiBi! Get on!" I yelled at them.
"Perce? Are you the bear?" Thalia asked disbelievingly.
"Yes now get on!" I snapped. They hurried on and I used my big claws to get more traction in the ground. After half an hour of running, or would it be crawling, we saw Zoe and Phoebe. I let the two off my back and transformed back into a human.
"Well we should get-" Zoe began until she was interrupted by a limo pulling up. Out of it appeared Ares.
"Yo daughter of Poseidon! Aphrodite wants to see you." Ares spoke gruffly and I nodded. Turning back to my friends I gave them a thumbs up before going into the limo.
"Lady Aphrodite." I started respectfully. Instead of smiting me she just smiled.
"Percy! So how is your love life?" Aphrodite winked at me.
"Milday um I kinda can't have a relationship." I told Aphrodite gently.
"Oh okay." Aphrodite pouted and went to fix her flawless makeup.
"No offense but why do you want to talk to me?" I asked hesitantly.
"Well I wanted to warn you. The Junkyard of the Gods is in this area." Aphrodite told me, lowering her compact.
"What? This is just a small town until we can get to Mount Orthys." I informed her, lost.
"No I just changed it's appearance. When you get out you will see the junkyard and do not touch anything. Gods can be very sensitive." Aphrodite winked and shooed me out of the limo. I landed next to my friends as she sped off. Just like she said the town began to transform into piles of trash and discarded weapons.
"What happened?" Thals asked as she covered her nose.
"Aphro was changing the appearance. Welcome to the Junkyard of the Gods! You can look but don't touch." I smiled and did a grand flourish with my arms.
"Don't relax just yet, Aphrodite doesn't just talk to people so she can warn them." Zoe told me before we caught up with the group. We began to walk in a single file line, Zoe leading the way. Once we were halfway through a miniature Talos came to life.
"Who touched something?" Zoe accused. We all raised our hands and I saw Bianca had a small figurine.
"It was for Nico." She began to explain but the Talos' hand cut her off. It swiped across the junkyard and narrowly missed us. Zoe, Bianca, and Phoebe began to fire arrows rapidly. Thalia sprung her shield Aegis but Talos didn't even flinch. My daggers were no use and I thought we were dead until Talos lifted his foot. He had a small mechanical entrance under his foot. Bianca must have saw it as well because she shouldered her bow and ran to it. I gasped and saw he was about to crush and ran at a inhuman speed. Not giving her time to register what happened I pushed Bianca out of the way and went up the mechanical entrance.
"FIND NEREUS AND THE OPHIATAURUS!" I screamed and I could faintly hear screams and cries but ignored them instead trying to find the right button and get out of there.
It didn't happen like that.
After pressing the button Talos fell sideways. Right into a electric line.
I'm so lucky.
'Why does a Junkyard need electricity?' I thought as the electricity shocked my bones and darkness seeped into my vision.