At this point, I'm ready to slap the Fates into the middle of next week. Cause I'm hungry, tired, and soaked from the rain Zeus had called off. Must be nice to be Percy in this situation. He's completely dry

Walking along the New Jersey riverbank, we sloshed across the mushy ground, through nasty twisted trees that smelled like sour laundry.
Grover brayed mournfully. "My tin cans...All gone."
Percy was ruffling his hair, "What do we do? All our money and supplies were on the bus. How are we supposed to get food."

"We'll figure some out, Perce. Look on the bright side, Annabeth seems to have gained superpowers. I think," I said.

"Why do you think Scorpius chose Annabeth?" asked Percy. Annabeth glared at him, "Why wouldn't she choose me?"

"Cause she tried to kill you," hissed Percy. " Grover got between them and said, "This isn't the time to be fighting."

"We still have food, Percy," said Annabeth. Percy looked at her like she was crazy. Annabeth rolled her eyes and said, "Wow, you already forgot the fact you and Zari have knives that can make food appear out of thin air."

I looked at my flame tattoo. I had forgotten too. Percy narrowed his eyes, "Oh you must have a place in mind? I can't make other people dry yet, only myself. And it's muddy here, and this is one of the only areas I and Zari can summon food without people noticing. Since your the big brains, please lead us to a nice spot to eat, O wise one"

Annabeth pointed Poison Prime at Percy and growled, "Watch it, Jackson. I can and will kick your ass."

"That thing was in my chest. I got lucky, so I don't think you should be pointing it at someone." I said.

"ENOUGH!" yelled Grover. We all jumped. "Did you forget we need to prevent a war that will destroy the world?! STOP ARGUING!"

We all shut up and kept walking until I saw a deserted two-lane road through the trees.

On the other side were a closed-down gas station, a tattered billboard for a 1990s movie, and one open business, which was the source of the neon light and the good smell.

It wasn't a fast-food restaurant like I'd hoped. It was one of those weird roadside curio shops that sell lawn flamingos and wooden Indians and cement grizzly bears and stuff like that. The main building was a long, low warehouse, surrounded by acres of statuary.
The neon sign above the gate was impossible for me to read because if there's anything worse for my dyslexia than regular English, it's red cursive neon English.

To me, it looked like: UNAYT ESM DNERGA NEGOM MERIPOMU. "I can't understand it," I said.

"Neither can I," Said Annabeth and Percy at the same time.

Grover translated: "Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium." Flanking the entrance, as advertised, were two cement garden gnomes, ugly bearded little runts, smiling and waving as if they were about to get their picture taken. But these statues were perfectly made. so life-like

"I smell food," said Percy. Grover said, "And I smell monsters. So we have to kill whatever is in there."

"Are you sure your nose isn't clogged from earlier?" I said. Grover just raised his hands in frustration, "I know my nose."

"Zari, Can you scout the place so we can see what we're dealing with?" said Annabeth. I looked and Corvus and Onyx, who were drenched, "Can't. My crows are drenched."

Then I had an idea, "But scorpions can."
I awkwardly looked at my shadow, "Uh...If you can hear me, I need one of you to go scout out that place."

A small black scorpion appeared and scampered over to the place. When it got into the building, I suddenly saw through its eyes a tall woman who appeared to be Middle Eastern, because she wore a long black gown that covered everything but her hands, which were wrapping a veil around her head over a head of snakes!?
"...and the unknown boy has a bounty on his head. Maybe he will remove my curse if I bring him"

I commanded the scorpion to return and said, "It's Medusa. That explains the inhumanly lifelike statues. She also knows we're coming. And I think she wants to bring me to someone 'cause I apparently have a bounty on my head."

Boy

I jumped, "Dad, for the love of what's left of my sanity, stopped doing that!"

"Is it your dad again?" said Percy. He had a weird expression on his face. I nodded.

You will get used to it. Separate from your friends and let them handle Medusa. I need to speak with you.

"You must not watch scary movies. Everyone knows that when you separate, bad things always happen."

It is imperative. Besides you have another monster coming your way. You need to deal with it while your friends deal with Medusa.

I sighed, "Guys, go on ahead. There's another monster coming. I need to deal with it so you guys need to handle Medusa."

They nodded and went off to kill Medusa. When they left, a book appeared out of nowhere appeared in front of my face. It was black leather laced with gold...Egyptian Hieroglyphs?

Good, so I was right. You are ready. Boy, you need to listen closely. That is an Omnicon. You're supposed to get it on your tenth Birthday, but you...different, so it took more time. It shows the information you need, not what you want.

"Cool. But why are there Egyptian Hieroglyphs on it?" I said, confused.

You will have to find that out for yourself. Listen, you must make sure to be careful of the sea spawn.

"Percy is family. He would never hurt me."

Boy, I forgot I must be specific. I was referring to your mystical bond to him. When you both sealed your "blood brother" bond, you both unknowingly linked your divinity.

"This means...?" I said, looking around for the monster. I'm starting to think he made it up.

This means that Percy can channel your powers and you his, but your body isn't able to process foreign divinity so well right now so you can't use Percy's at all YET, and yet he somehow has to ability to use yours with no problem at all.

"Is it dangerous or something?" I asked, hearing a sudden roar. I pulled out Everblaze.

On your end, No. but on Percy's end, yes. For those around him at least. Dealing with the one you call "Smelly Gabe" for most of his childhood has left a TREMENDOUSLY frightening amount of anger locked within him. Anger that scares even me.

"The worst and most terrifying anger is held by those with the kindest of hearts," I quoted my mom, which had caused me to be cautious of Mother. She seemed to be almost as if she had no ability to get angry. I mean, we're talking about a woman who hasn't cussed in the near three years I've known her.

Fear. It's something I haven't felt in a long time. But If Percy uses your divinity while being lost to his primal rage, I fear he may cause not only his own destruction but the destruction of everyone he cares about as well.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Percy is a lot of things, but a suicide-accepting maniac who threatens a god isn't one of them. I should've known there was something more.

I saw the roar had come from a hellhound. Must have picked up our scent and came running when Grover screamed. Everblaze glowed as the hellhound growled cautiously.

Remember boy, Think outside the box.

Unfortunately, the hellhound took the opportunity to lunge at me, but I was ready. I rolled to the side while slashing its leg off. It roared in pain when it landed, but I threw Firestorm at it before it could recover. It hit the hellhound in its eye and it exploded into golden dust. After putting EVerblaze back, I walked over to the emporium, Firestorm in hand.

I knocked on the door, with Firestorm behind my back. Luckily Annabeth opened the door.

She seemed a little pissed, "You better reign Percy in. He has a knack for pissing people off."

"But you like him, though," I said. She looked ready to murder me. "What?"

"You weren't hyperventilating earlier cause of Luke. You were hyperventilating cause you were scared of Percy thinking you still like Luke," I whispered.

Before she could say anything, Percy yelled "Blonde Baby Brains, hurry up or your food will get cold!"

Annabeth's face was instantly as red as a tomato. I raised an eyebrow. She yelled, "Z-Zari was at the door, Dolphin Dolt."

"When did you realize?" she hissed. I grinned, "Just now."

She pulled out Poison Prime.
"Ok ok ok. When he first gave you the name 'Blonde Brainiac'." Which was a lie. Thalia told me Annabeth likes Percy. "Also you need to think of more nicknames for him. He likes that."

"He does? I m-mean why— why w-would I c-care? Damn it!" stammered Annabeth.

She narrowed her eyes, "Oh and FYI, I know you hiding something. There's no way you could've known from just one moment. Someone must I have told you."

"Maybe," I said. "Look, I'm not allowed to disclose personal trauma, but I urge you to please stop trying to combat ALL of Percy's sassy. It's a defense mechanism for everything he's been through. Let at least half of his sassy slide and I promise you will get along."

"Ok fine." We joined the others and ate food.
Then Percy decided to be in the mood to piss off the gods. He sent Medusa's head to the gods through Hermes Delivery Express.

"Why do I even bother?" groaned Grover. "When I'm dealing with the Someone who threatens the God of Madness."

I looked at Annabeth, who hissed, "What?!"

"Percy threatened Dionysus over respect," I said. Annabeth facepalmed.
"Oh come on. I know for a fact everyone here wants to give that drunk dickhead a piece of their mind," said Percy defensively.

I looked at Annabeth, who sighed and muttered, "I know. We need a new plan.

So after camping out in the woods for the night. Me and Percy woke up to Grover getting advice from a poodle named Gladiola, who pointed out the Amtrak train, which we spent two days on, and offered to help us by letting us turn him in for $200 dollars.

I and Percy had to keep a low profile because our names and pictures were posted all over the news.
The Trenton Register-News showed me someone had even snapped a photo of us together while we were on the bus when we weren't paying attention.

The picture's caption read:
Twelve-year-olds Percy Jackson and Zarion Frost, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of their mothers two weeks ago, are shown here on the bus that exploded shortly after the glass windows exploded. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the duo may be traveling with two teenage accomplices. Jackson's stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a cash reward for information leading to their capture.

"Don't worry," Annabeth told Percy, who was ruffling his hair cause of stress. "Mortal police could never find us." But she didn't sound so sure. The rest of the day I spent looking around the entire train.

I slept the whole trip cause of exhaustion.

When I woke up, we had pulled into the Amtrak station downtown. Grover stretched. Before he was even fully awake, he said, "Food."

"Come on, goat boy," Annabeth said. "Sightseeing."

"Sightseeing? No offense, but we have a world-destroying war to prevent." I muttered.

"The Gateway Arch," she said. "This may be my only chance to ride to the top. Are you coming or not? It's only a mile from the train station."

"Bro, relax. We deserve some type of entertainment," said Percy. Percy and Annabeth seemed to have gotten closer. I raised an eyebrow at Annabeth, who had a small smirk on her face.

I sighed. "As long as there's a snack bar without monsters."

"Agreed," said Grover.

Annabeth kept telling us interesting things about how the Arch was built and Grover was passing and Percy jelly beans so it wasn't all that boring.

I kept looking around, though, at the other people in line. "You smell anything?" I murmured to Grover.

He took his nose out of the jelly-bean bag long enough to sniff. "Underground," he said distastefully. "Underground air always smells like monsters. Probably doesn't mean anything."

"But something feels wrong to me. I had a feeling we shouldn't be here." whispered Percy.

"Guys," Percy said. "You know the gods' symbols of power?"

Annabeth had been in the middle of reading about the construction equipment used to build the Arch, but she looked over. "Yeah?"

"The high reigning Emo Edgelord downstairs," said Percy. "Doesn't he have a hat like Annabeth's?"

"You mean the Helm of Darkness, and It is not wise to mock someone who can make your heart stop with fear," Annabeth said. "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. I saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting—the darkest day of the year, which the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus."

I asked "What do you mean, 'heart stop with fear'?"

"Media portrays the Helm Of Darkness as a helm that turns things invisible. but it can do so much more. It allows him to become darkness," Grover confirmed. "He can melt into shadows or pass through walls. He can't be touched, seen, or heard. And he can radiate fear so intense it can drive you insane or stop your heart. Need I say more?"

"Yea guys," said Annabeth. "Why do you think all rational creatures fear the dark?"

"But then . . . how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?" Percy asked.

Annabeth and Grover exchanged looks.

"We don't," Grover said.

"So reassuring," I said.

To make matters worse, the car that we were taking to the top of the Arch was tiny. I looked at Percy, who was luckily putting his headphones on for comfort as he hates confined places. They make him nuts.

After getting shoehorned into the car with this big fat lady and her dog, a Chihuahua with a rhinestone collar, we started going up, inside the Arch.

"No parents?" the fat lady asked us, while looking at me uncertainly

She had beady eyes; pointy, coffee-stained teeth; a floppy denim hat, and a denim dress that bulged so much, she looked like a blue-jean blimp."They're below," Annabeth told her. "Scared of heights."

As we went up, Grover started to look at her with fear.

I stealthily summoned Firestorm and hid it in my hoodie.

I love the oked at Percy, who looked at me while reaching in his pocket for riptide.

We all went towards the exit and Annabeth and Grover got into the elevator there, which already had two other tourists inside. No room for me or Percy. Percy looked at me and nodded.

"You know what? We'll see you guys at the bottom." I said.

Grover and Annabeth both looked nervous, but they let the elevator door slide shut. Their car disappeared down the ramp.

The fat lady looked toward the park ranger and the family of three with green reptile eyes, causing them to leave through the exit.

Wait a minute.

Reptile eyes?

Before I could decide if I'd really seen that, her Chihuahua jumped down and started yapping at me.

"The nice people have left, sonny. You can let loose now," hissed the lady.

The Chihuahua roared as he grew to the size of a lion, being so tall its back rubbed against the roof. But what really got me was how it looked like the gods tried making the chupacabra mixed with a saber-tooth tiger purely from memory while high. Nothing lined up.
It had a serpent at a tail, which was a ten-foot-long Diamondback, its head was that of a lion, whose mane was drenched with blood, and its lower half was giant goat legs.

The rhinestone dog collar still hung around its neck, and the plate-sized dog tag was now easy to read:
CHIMERA RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS—IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS—EXT. 954.

The Chihuahua bared his teeth at us, foam dripping from his black lips.

"Well, son," the fat lady sighed. "If you insist."

Percy recoiled in disgust, "What sick monstrosity did you screw for that to be your son?
"Percy, Don't ask," I said.

The lady rolled up her denim sleeves, revealing that the skin of her arms was scaly and green. When she smiled, I saw that her teeth were fangs. The pupils of her eyes were sideways slits, like a reptile's.
"Ohhhhhh, that makes way more sense," said Percy, pulling out Riptide, which started glowing with Percys ring. He also pulled out Scorchstrike.
"Wait. You just called that thing, which is the Chimera, your son..." I said, gripping Firestorm as all the puzzle pieces in my brain about who she is, came together. "Echidna"

"You mean the anteater?" said a smirking Percy. Pissing people off as usual. Great gift, when used the right way.
"Nah, bro. Remember? The old hag who banged Typhoon and created nearly all monsters that demigods face and fear on the daily?"

She howled, her reptilian face turning brown and green with rage. "The only thing I hate more than that wretched animal being named after me in Australia, which is why I hate Australia, is being mocked in front of me! My son with destroy you both!"

LUB-DUB, LUB-DUB, LUB-DUB
Our hearts started pounding loudly, like a drum.

The Chimera charged at Percy, its lion teeth gnashing. He rolled out of the way and threw his knife at the Chimera's eye. It hit the Chimera in the head and lodged itself in the head of the beast.

Echidna howled in rage. "How dare you harmed my child!"

Percy used the distraction to run over to the other side of the deck, holding his hand out as Scorchstrike returned to it. But the Chimera opened its mouth and shot a column of fire in our direction before we could react.

Good news: We remain unscathed cause of our knives, which absorbed all the fire that came our way.
Bad news: It left a ragged hole in the side of the Arch.

"Great. Just great," yelled Percy. "We don't have any money to repair this!"

My vision went green, and I shot myself towards Echidna, taking her by surprise, but not enough. She move to the side as I passed by her. However, in one second, I flipped in mid-air, landed on the wall behind her, and shot myself at her again.

I tackled her right out the hole, finishing her with Firestorm as I plunged to my death, accidentally leaving Percy to fend for himself.

So this is it huh? I thought, closing my eyes. I'm really going to die

I went through the classic life-flashing-before-my-eyes fiasco before landing on something moving. Something leathery. I opened my eyes to see I landing on a...dragon?!

He was onyx black with specks of white, like stars and patches of red, blue, green, purple etc., nearly blending in with the night. He was bigger than a truck and had eyes that looked like the night sky. He had an opal between his eyes and spines on his tail, neck, and head with horns growing on top of and on the side of his head. How did I know it was a he?
I don't know.

"DAD, WTF?! EXPLAIN WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!" I screamed as this beast made literally NO SOUND. Not a flap, growl, groan, etc. It was almost as if he didn't exist.

I am Nocturno, your guardian, linked to you by your father and uncle. I have been waiting till you needed me

I look at him, "CAn you fly over to my friend. He needs my help!"

I don't need to. said Nocturno His father's domain will help him

My heartbeat's volume went down, and when I looked for Percy, I saw him fall out of the hole in the Arch towards the water. At that speed, it might kill him.

Do not fret said Nocturn. One thing I know about the sea is it welcomes all who hold its power, no matter the situation. Your friends will be fine.

Percy disappeared into the water with a splash.

I had Nocturno fly me towards my friend, me explaining what happened when I landed. They watched as Nocturno flew off, making no noise. Annabeth looked at me for an answer.

"From Dad," I said

Grover started pacing, "Come on, Perce."

Soon Percy rose to the surface, completely dry, claiming we need to go to Santa Monica.

"Ok, but we need to go now, " said Grover as we slipped into an alley. "Percy and Zari made more of the news."

"Hey! Not on purpose!" I said.
We somehow made it back to the Amtrak station without getting spotted and got aboard the train before it pulled out for Denver. Grover and Annabeth went to sleep, leaving me and Percy to wonder about our knives. Who made them? Where do they come from? Why do they manipulate fire and produce food?