Percy and Grover fought the rose bushes all the way to the clearing when they finally stumbled out covered in scratches and torn clothing. It was approaching dusk. Percy felt panic creeping up on him, but he steeled his resolve. "Come on, we're running out of time."
They were almost to the Grover's secret entrance out of the palace, when when a distinct "Psst" caught Percy's attention. He turned toward the sound of the noise and saw a cloaked figure motioning toward him. Percy wasn't quite sure if it was a good idea to meet with a cloaked figure, but there was something familiar about him. He turned to follow.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Grover put a arm out, blocking Percy's path. "Where do you think you're going. You don't just follow strange cloaked figures."
"It'll be okay. I'll be right back." He followed it to a secluded part of the wall that Percy would have never guessed was there. Percy was almost expecting to get ambushed or clubbed over the head, but the person just removed the hood of their cloak to reveal a girl with curly blond hair.
Percy felt a flush of anger at her. "Hello Wise Girl, or should I say, princess."
"Wise Girl will suffice." She snapped back.
"I don't have time to duel with you tonight. In case you hadn't noticed, my brother's life has a deadline."
"There's more than your brothers life on the line. All of Athens is on the brink of war."
"Well I didn't do it, if you're here to accuse me."
At that she huffed angerily, flipped Percy over and knelt on his chest. "No, I don't think you stole it. I'm here to help you get it back and end this."
Percy processed this while he tried to get his breath back that was effectively knocked out of him. "Does your mother know you're here?"
"No. My mother is . . . occupied. I'm here on my own."
Out of nowhere a body dove at the princess, knocking her to the ground. Percy grabbed at the intruder only to recognize that it was Grover. The princess, however, held no reserved in punching him square in the nose.
"Stop, stop!" Percy called.
"You know this guy?"
"We're sort of in the same predicament."
Percy helped Grover up, while he covered his bloody nose. "Princess Annabeth! A thousand apologies. I am so sorry. I thought you were someone else."
"It's fine." She cut him off.
"So how are you going to help? Besides punching the thief." Percy cut through the awkward silence.
"I know what you're looking for."
Percy and Grover exchanged looks. "Okay, so what are we looking for?" Percy asked.
"Well first, I want to know what you have discovered."
"We know it wasn't a servant. We know that they got in by the window and left by window and over the wall."
"I could have told you that." she huffed.
"We know what bar they were at."
This caught her attention. "Not sure how that will help us, but it's worth investigating. Let's go."
"Hold on. We shared, now it's your turn."
"Fine. The lightning is in the shape of a metal rod about . . . "
"This tall and this big round." Percy interrupted her and showed her with his hands the size of the rod.
"Yes." she said surprised.
"How did you know?" asked Grover.
"It shocked me." Percy suddenly remembered. "That's the big deal? That's what this is all about?"
"Some say, it's Zeus's most powerful weapon."
Percy just shook his head in disbelief. "Alright princess, let's see if we can find a rod." Percy huffed.