A/N: Don't own.
Thank you to those people who reviewed the last chapter.
I updated the previous chapter on the day Fanfiction was having ISSUES and the updated chapter was an error message, so if you have not read the previous chapter - LOVE, I recommend you read it.
On with the story,
Chapter 13- DAM
"Actually while I was at camp, they ended up sharing a bed a number of times," dobbed Nico.
All the demi-gods looked at the pair.
"Hey they are our younger brothers and sisters. And they could be anyone's younger sibling. You never know in the Hermes cabin," said Travis.
"Actually Will, one I shared with WAS your sister," said Connor.
"Which one?" asked Travis.
"The little blonde with pigtails," answered Connor
"Oh the one who wrote that love poem for you," said Travis laughing.
"Is it bad that she was my first admirer?" asked Connor looking at the goddess of Love.
"That is so CUTE," screeched Aphrodite.
"She was ten," said Connor. His peers burst out laughing,
Nico was sitting back in his place between his cousins, his eyes were still red, and tear tracks could be seen down his face, but he had stopped crying. Hades was also back in his throne. Percy decided to continue with the story.
"We were all in shock, Thalia a little less than the rest of us, so she drove the truck we found at the edge of the dump," said Percy.
"Well Grover had known Bianca the longest, Zoë was probably blaming herself for insisting Bianca came on the quest, and knowing you, you were feeling guilty wondering whether you should have entered the giant," said Annabeth.
"The truck ran out of fuel at the edge of a river canyon. Grover wanted to get to a river by this tiny little ledge that wind down the cliff face," said Percy.
"It was a goat's path, we would all have trouble, well except the one who is half goat," said Thalia.
"In the end we decided to go further upstream. Later we found an easier slope that led to the water. We borrowed two canoes from a rental place and the plan was to travel upstream," said Percy.
"How can you travel upstream?" asked Katie.
"That's easy," said Poseidon.
"Not everyone has control over water," pointed out Athena rolling her eyes.
"Thalia asked me if I could travel in a canoe with Zoë, as she didn't think she could stand to be in the same boat as her," said Percy.
"She wouldn't have liked being in the same boat as a boy," said Athena while Artemis asked,
"What was wrong with Zoë?"
"Shock, depression," admitted Thalia while Percy nodded in agreement.
"Why didn't you let her go with Grover?" asked Connor.
"Because then Thalia and I would be stuck in a canoe and we would have ended up fighting, again," said Percy.
"And I would have ended up wet, when we capsize the canoe," said Thalia.
"Good point," said Annabeth laughing.
"Oh just like when Poseidon and Zeus were stuck in the canoe," said Demeter reminiscing.
"Hopefully their children would have lasted longer than FIVE MINUTES before capsizing and blowing up the canoe," said Hestia.
"How did dad and uncle end up in a canoe together?" asked Percy and Thalia at the same time. "Punishment," the sisters replied ignoring the glares of said gods.
"So you used your control of water to move upstream," said Zeus trying to change the topic.
"No, I looked over the edge of the canoe and saw naiads, they happily grabbed a canoe each and pushed it up the river," said Percy. Annabeth huffed;
"Naiads are such flirts, especially with Percy," said Annabeth.
"Jealous?" asked Connor who ducked just before the dagger hit him.
"Zoë was not a fan, the naiads squirted water in her face. Apparently the she-devils had never forgiven her," said Percy.
"What for?" asked Will.
"As we continued up the river I told Zoë that, Bianca's death was not her fault but mine. I thought that having her yell at me may break her out of her depression. She didn't fall for it. She told me she had pushed Bianca into attending the quest, as she thought she would be the next lieutenant," said Percy.
"She knew she was going to die?" asked Clarisse the look of admiration in her eyes.
"She thought Bianca was good enough to be the lieutenant?" asked Nico in a very quiet voice. Percy nodded putting comforting hand around his shoulders.
"I confronted Zoë about my dream, and she told me that it was a gift and a mistake. She wouldn't say who the gift was for. She was the daughter of Pleoine the water god and she and her four sisters were The Hesperides," said Percy.
"Hang on there was only four sisters who lived in the garden with the golden apple tree and a dragon guarding it," said Rachel.
"Zoë was exiled, forgotten blotted out like she had never existed. She had betrayed her family by helping the hero by giving him the idea to steal the apples, and how to trick her father," answered Percy.
"Don't remember that story," said Katie.
"That's because the hero never spoke of her and took all the credit," said Thalia.
"No wonder she hates men and heroes," said Chris.
"The canoes slowed down as we reached a dam, but not just any dam- Hoover Dam," said Thalia.
"Oh, I finally make an appearance," exclaimed Rachel.
"The Hover dam is the largest construction project in the United States; it is over two hundred meters tall and holds five million cubic acres of water. It was built in the 1930's," said Percy.
"Zoë thought we were strange when we all began sprouting out facts about the dam," said Thalia.
"How did you know the facts?" asked Athena.
"Annabeth, she likes architecture and would tell us facts all the time. So ANNOYING," said Percy, "Don't do that," said Percy as he rubbed the back of his head where Annabeth had hit him. "It just proves that we listen to you," pointed out Percy.
"We climbed up to the top of the dam, Grover could smell monsters but it was windy so he wasn't aware of how close the monsters were. He could also smell them from many different directions so that was a worry," Thalia informed the group.
"Thalia informed us of the snack bar," said Percy.
"When had you been to the dam?" asked Annabeth.
"Once to see the guardians," answered Thalia.
"The guardians are bronze statues that look like the Oscar statues with wings," Percy informed the group of demi-gods knowing that the sons of Hermes and Apollo were about to ask.
"They were dedicated to Zeus when the dam was built, a gift from Athena," said Annabeth who gave her mom a quick smile.
"Apparently mortals believe it is good luck to rub their toes," said Thalia.
"I would agree with that- I found out I wasn't the only one to see monsters after I rubbed their toes," said Rachel "But I also met Percy… I don't know if I would call that luck."
"HEY," shouted Percy as everyone laughed.
"Zoë decided we should eat while we could, and told us to find the dam snack bar," said Thalia.
"She really didn't understand why we cracked up," said Percy.
"I don't think it that funny," said Athena.
"I think we were so tired and emotionally strung out that it was a relief to laugh again," said Percy.
"That was when Grover asked if he had heard a cow," Thalia informed the group.
"It was 'Bessie' wasn't it?" asked Nico using hand quotes.
"Yes, he was swimming in the lake, and it was like he was trying to warn me of something," answered Percy.
"How did he get there?" asked Katie "You miles from Long Island and miles inland, how did he get there?"
"He is a monster, who can explain what monsters do?" said Nico.
"Bessie was trying to get me to come with him, but I didn't want to leave the others. He disappeared after trying to communicate that something was wrong," said Percy.
"You worked all that out with a moo?" asked Apollo laughing.
"That and I noticed two skeleton guards approaching from the east," replied Percy.
"Oh no," groaned Poseidon.
"I got to the steps of the visitor centre before a van swerved to a stop and more skeleton warriors piled out," Percy informed the group as the entire colour drained from Poseidon's face. Poseidon was trying to convince himself that his son was fine; heck his future self was in front of him retelling the story.
"I raced into the visitor centre and past the metal detector guy looking for the others. The metal detector guy yelled at me to stop so I jumped into the elevator with a tour group just as the doors closed, " said Percy.
"Did your sword get detected?" asked a surprised Clarisse. Percy shrugged
"It may have been because I just charged through and didn't stop. The elevator descended down two hundred and twenty two metres," said Percy.
"How did you know that?" asked Travis.
"The tour guide told the group, she had long black hair tied into a ponytail and tinted glasses, when she gazed at me my skin tingled," answered Percy. Athena was looking opened mouth at Percy. She realised who the tour guide was and was not happy to see the smirk on his face.
"I was stuck down at the turbines, the only way out was the other elevator. We all exited the elevator the tour guide called me back and took off her shades showing me her eyes," continued Percy.
"Who cares about the guide's eyes," grumbled Zeus.
"Her eyes were a startling grey, like storm clouds but I didn't realise who she was until later. She advised me that there is always a way out for those clever enough to find it," said Percy glancing at Athena, he wasn't the only one.
"Athena… even you helped," said a stunned Apollo.
"Goodie two shoes, interfered, I can't believe it," said a happy Ares. Zeus meanwhile looked livid
"We will talk about your punishment later but I am very disappointed in you," said Zeus.
"Her daughter was missing, being used by evil Titans, I probably would have help too," said Thalia glaring at her father. Percy caught her eye while everyone else was glaring at Zeus and raised his eye brow ,the two exchanging looks.
"The second elevator opened and I heard the unmistakeable sound of the skeletons. I realised I had managed to trap myself in a hole hundreds of metres below the surface. I became nervous and backed myself into a little tunnel, expecting the skeletons to find me anytime," said Percy.
"And that's your excuse for slashing me with your sword," exclaimed Rachel.
"Yes, I was shocked that you, a mortal could see the sword," said Percy.
"What else was it going to be a giant toothpick?" asked Rachel.
"Rachel then asked me all these questions that she shouldn't have been asking as a mortal," explained Percy.
"Percy then snapped his fingers and tried to convince me that I didn't see a sword, but a pen," said Rachel rolling her eyes.
"You tried to manipulate the mist?" asked Thalia.
"By the sound of it he failed," said a laughing Travis.
"Not my fault Rachel Elizabeth Dare is SPECIAL," said Percy.
"If I'm SPECIAL what does that make you?" asked an annoyed Oracle.
"A DEMI-GOD," said Percy.
"Percy told me he was in a hurry and in trouble, I told him to hide in the bathroom and then pretended the ugly skeleton guards were security guards and sent them on a wild goose-chase towards the turbines leaving the way to the elevators clear," admitted Rachel with only a slight shudder, she was getting use to monsters but they still scared her.
"So a mortal saved your life?" said Ares.
"Not just any mortal, our future Oracle, not that we knew that then," said Percy.
"I had so many questions, and the person named Percy, who could answer them bolted for the exit," said Rachel.
"I made my way to the café, which was packed with kids, and quickly found the others," said Percy.
"We could see through the windows the skeletons that had come to kill us. There were two blocking the way to Arizona and another two blocking the way to Nevada. The three that had followed Percy appeared at the stairs of the cafeteria, we headed to the elevator but three more skeletons stepped out," said Thalia.
"All warriors are accounted for except the one Bianca blasted to flames," said Hades.
"They are also surrounded and trapped," said Athena.
"Grover threw his burrito at the nearest skeleton knocking his skull off," said Percy. Nico dropped onto the floor remaining still and quiet.
"Nico… NICO," shouted Percy shaking Nico who started laughing,
"Sorry but I thought you said Grover used Mexican food as a weapon instead of eating it," said Nico.
"He did, it started a food fight," said Thalia.
"So totally not like Grover," replied Annabeth with Nico nodding.
"You should have seen the aftermath of the fight, kids had food and drink in their hair, on their clothes. They literally painted themselves and the cafeteria with food," said Rachel.
"Again, I don't see the point of a food fight, such a waste of good food," said Nico "But I'm glad you got away,"
"We tackled the other two skeletons on the stairs and raced outside. The skeletons were closing in on us from all directions," said Thalia.
"We unfortunately backed ourselves into a corner in front of the winged bronze statues. The skeletons did not look happy, especially the ones covered in condiments and had burritos lodged in their ribcages," said Percy.
"Oh I wish I could have seen that," said Connor with Travis, Chris and Will nodding in agreement.
"Percy got distracted by the statues toes," dobbed Thalia.
"Well I wasn't expecting them to be bright and shiny," explained Percy.
"All those people rubbing them for luck made them like that," explained Athena.
"That was when Percy told me to pray to dad to ask for help. I thought he was crazy as he had never answered me, but Percy thought it would be different due to Athena's visit," admitted Thalia who had glared at her father.
"Nothing happened at first but then the bronze statues came to life stepping in front of us and swept them out of the way. They also folded their wings likes shields stopping the bullets fired at us," said Percy.
"I asked the angels to get us out of there, so they grabbed us and we flew straight up over the dam and river," said Thalia.
"Zeus interfered with the quest, he and Athena are to be punished," chuffed Poseidon. Zeus had his mouth opened in shock.
"Who decides the punishment?" asked Travis.
"No one, as no one is going to be punished," said Zeus back-pedalling on his previous threat.
"That's not fair," whined Hermes "If it wasn't you and Athena the punishment would still stand."
"That is true," said Apollo.
"I will decide the punishment," said Poseidon.
"No I will," said Hades glaring at Poseidon.
"As queen I should make the decision," chimed in Hera.
"No not her," exclaimed Athena.
"And why not?" asked an indignant queen.
"Because you're not fair in your punishment," said Artemis.
"Percy and I will be deciding the punishment," said Thalia.
"Oh can I help?" asked Nico. Thalia was going to refuse but he was using his puppy dog look, he was getting very good at that look.
"Fine, and I think some council representatives would be good, Lady Hestia, Lords Hades and Poseidon," said Thalia.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review.
Tell me your favourite line, part, character. I wonder if anyone can find my favourite line?
If you have an idea for a punishment for Athena and Zeus let me know.
Now some shameless advertising. I put up a one-shot "Homework"
Was it any good? Please visit the story and review. (I worked on it when I was uninspired with this story and had writers block).