A/N: I'll try not to let the plot of this story be reduced entirely to Max0r's choice of music. But damn, Hikari is good.
Also, if you like this fic, I highly encourage reading OhSchist11's The Gates of Horn and Ivory. I guarantee it's a fantastic experience.
"Move, demigod!" screamed Tisiphone.
Percy dove to the side as a torrent of flames washed over where he just was. The damn chimera was already back.
The two Furies immediately dove at it, distracting it while Percy helped Annabeth carry an unconscious Grover away from the battlefield. He clenched his fist and hurled it behind him, the river exploding in that direction as it slowed down Echidna. He desperately needed to escape before-
00:00:00
"We're too late."
An ominous presence filled the air as he felt the familiar scream of senses. And judging by how Echidna looked up, she could feel it too.
Stalker.
Artemis jumped down from her chariot, landing in a kneel. Everything stilled, as all eyes fell on the moon goddess. It was clear what her intent was.
He was out of time.
Percy took a deep breath, keeping his eyes on the moon goddess as she approached. He unslung his bag and shoved it into Katie's hands.
"Percy, what-"
"Go!" he snapped. "She's after me, not you! Find that stupid bolt for Zeus before he decides to kill you too!"
Annabeth looked like she wanted to retort, but seeing Artemis manifest her bow in her left hand caused her to reconsider. With a groan, she forced Katie to follow her.
"Come on, Katie, we need to hurry!"
The daughter of Demeter gave him a conflicted look, leaving one last message before picking up Grover's legs and moving with Annabeth.
"Don't you dare die on me!"
He gave a weak smile, before it slid off, the goddess just a few meters away from him. He knelt, adopting a crude sword form.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to impress me?"
She didn't get a reply. Percy kept his guard up, and the two Furies quickly returned to his side, fur smoldering and wings torn, but still alive.
"You look like crap," he commented, causing Megaera to laugh. "You know we're about to die, right?"
"What better death than with a friend?" she cackled. Tisiphone scowled.
"You were supposed to leave!"
While the two argued, Echidna and the Chimera strode to Artemis's side. The goddess did not seem particularly pleased to see them.
"You fought well, demigod," admitted Echidna. "But it ends here."
"Go back to Zeus," ordered Artemis, cutting her off. The monster looked at her. "You failed. He is not pleased."
"He told me to test-"
"He told you to end him," corrected Artemis. "And you have failed to do so within the time limit. Return before he becomes more displeased. I will fight in your stead."
Echidna blinked before sneering at her. "You Olympians are impossible to please." Regardless, she tipped her hat at Artemis and walked off with the Chimera, disappearing into the distance.
The goddess looked back at Percy. "You have failed your time limit. You have no one but yourself to blame."
"Oh I can think of a lot of people to blame," scowled the demigod.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Are those your last words?"
"I refuse to die," Percy replied. "I haven't even gotten to see my mom again."
"I'll give her my regards at your funeral pyre."
"And I'll give Mrs. Dodds mine at yours!" he yelled, tightening his stance.
With a roar, the river behind him exploded just as Artemis charged forward.
20:00:00
The van ride had not been exciting. Percy couldn't tell if it was because nobody knew what to say, or if it was because Argus's many eyes unsettled them enough not to want to talk.
Or maybe it was because Argus was taking them to a bus stop.
That was fine, he supposed. They had a short time before Zeus would have them killed. Well, him, not them. At least, that was what he hoped. They shouldn't die because of him. Or maybe-
"We're here," announced Annabeth, interrupting his thoughts.
Argus quietly opened the van door, allowing them to leave. He gave them a curt nod before driving back to camp.
"I never got to ask you this," Percy said, grabbing Annabeth's attention. "You said your mom is siding with Zeus, right?"
A nod.
"Then why help me?"
Annabeth didn't answer immediately, watching as Grover taught Katie how to play hackysack with an apple. she chose to shrug instead.
Percy, though, was adamant about getting an answer. "Come on. Why are you siding with Poseidon?"
"I am not siding with Poseidon," she said crossly. She took a deep breath. "You want to know why? I'm here because I want to be on a quest."
"I..." Percy's jaw dropped slightly. "What?"
"I'm using you!" she hissed. "What, is your head filled with so much seaweed that you can't understand that?"
Percy's face reddened at that, but he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. It was the start of their quest together. It wouldn't do to get into too many arguments.
Once the bus arrived, Percy made sure to get on after everyone else, and took a spot next to Katie, away from Annabeth. The daughter of Athena glared at him, but he made sure not to bother reciprocating it.
Why was she mad? Shouldn't he be the one upset?
Stalker.
He looked up to see two old women enter the bus. One of them caught his eye and winked before putting a finger to her lips.
He sighed before freezing up. She looked like Mrs. Dodds.
"What's wrong, Percy?" asked Katie.
Percy gestured with his eyes. "She looks like my old math teacher."
"So?"
"My math teacher was Alecto."
Katie's eyes focused immediately, and she gave them a more cautious look. "Two of them. You think they're the other two?"
"Probably."
The two women took their seats in the row right in front of them. Acting on his hunch, he leaned forward.
"At ease," murmured the one on the right. "We're not here to fight." He gave a grunt of acknowledgment and she continued.
"Lord Hades had his Helm stolen. Normally, he initially suspected you, but Alecto was watching over you and proved your innocence."
Percy gave a sigh of relief. "Where is she?"
"Reforming in Tartarus. She'll be back."
The lady on the left side handed him a bracelet. It was crudely shaped as if it was made by rock tools against a very brittle material. As Percy touched it, he felt a shiver down his spine at how cold it was.
"Lord Hades has confirmed that your mother is alive," she whispered. "He'll negotiate on your behalf once you meet him."
Percy's eyes widened. "Where do I go?"
"Underworld, of course," laughed the one on the right. The woman on the left scowled and whacked her lightly.
"DOA Recording Studios, Los Angeles."
"Thank you both, seriously," replied Percy, a smile on his face.
The two women nodded and prepared to get off the bus. Before they did, though, the one on the left gave him one final message.
"Keep that bracelet on hand. Good luck charm."
Percy stared at the piece of jewelry before handing it to Katie.
"Eh?"
"It suits you better," he said. "I don't think I look good with jewelry."
Katie laughed. "Are you saying I look good?" Without waiting for him to answer, she slid the bracelet over her wrist.
"How does it look?"
"Not bad."
18:00:00
Eventually, the group reached the end of the line, New Jersey. A two-hour journey.
And they had barely moved west.
"We took the wrong bus," cursed Annabeth, studying the map. "There are a few transfers we can take, but we'll need to wait until tomorrow. Honestly what kind of service only works before noon..."
She looked at the others. "Unless you guys have any ideas, we're gonna have to spend the night out in the open."
Katie tilted her head. "Won't we get attacked by monsters? Why not just keep moving?"
"Not us, maybe," replied Annabeth. "But Seaweed Brain definitely. And who knows if any service will take us as far as this bus."
The group looked at each other uncertainly before Percy spoke up. "I'll move as far away as I can."
"No!" yelled Grover, startling some people passing by. "Percy, we can't just leave you alone. The monsters will swarm you!"
"I'm not letting you get hurt because of me," the demigod responded. He shook his head. "I can handle one night. Besides, time limit, remember? I'm probably not finishing all this in under a day, so I don't want you to be near me once Zeus decides I have to die."
Grover looked like he wanted to say something but Annabeth cut him off. She gave Percy a calculating look.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Let him go, goat boy," she said gently. Grover looked at her in betrayal. "It won't be another Thalia. He won against a Titan. It'll be different this time. We'll send him an Iris Message in the morning."
The satyr's shoulders sagged but he nodded.
"Stay safe, Perce."
Percy nodded before running off, waving goodbye as he did so. He wasn't too sure what an Iris Message was, but knowing Annabeth, it had to be something useful.
Right?
After making sure that he was far away, he plopped down, panting. He reached behind him to grab his bag, only to freeze when he felt nothing.
He left his bag with the others.
"Something wrong, child?"
Percy jumped at the voice and his hand went instinctively to his pocket. It was a woman in a long black gown. He couldn't see her face, given that it was behind a veil, but for once his senses didn't scream at him.
"I'm sorry," she said, backing away slightly while raising her arms. "I just noticed... you looked hungry. Are you homeless?"
Percy gave a cautious nod. "Yeah. I, uh, broke off from my friends earlier. Didn't want to burden them."
Technically not a lie, he reasoned.
"Hmm. Do you have food?" Percy shook his head.
"If you're not busy, I haven't closed my emporium yet. You can get a quick meal there."
Percy glanced at the sky. The sun wasn't setting anytime soon. He could go for a bite.
"Alright, a quick meal it is."
10:00:00
Percy's eyes shot open.
He wasn't too sure what was going on, but something was off.
He'd followed the woman - Aunty Em, she called herself - to her emporium and eaten food. Not the healthy toast-and-barbecue of camp, no. Good ol', greasy fries and burgers.
And gods, it was delicious.
After that, things had gotten fuzzy, but not before he had found out something. A name, on the tip of his tongue, from her name and the stone sta-
"Medusa," he whispered, color draining from his face. "The one who turns people into stone."
"Close dear, but not quite," a voice behind him chuckled. He turned around, this time Anaklusmos uncapped. "People who look at my face turn to stone. I can't do it myself."
"Why are you helping me?" he demanded.
Medusa tilted her head. "Can't I help someone just because I want to?"
"My own teammate said she's on the quest because she's using me. Excuse me if I don't believe you."
She laughed. "Not a very good friend, is she?" He glared in response.
"Answer the question."
She laid a hand on his arm, causing him to flinch and take a step back. "Your father and I were lovers once. And there is not a person in the divine world who hasn't heard of you, Percy."
He frowned. "I don't like the sound of that."
"You shouldn't," she laughed. "Lord Zeus can be quite petty when he wants to be." Thunder boomed in the distance but she shook her head and continued. "He has declared you to be open season basically."
Percy blinked. "What?"
"Any monster, no matter how weak or strong, is free to go after you," she explained. "The only reason you have not been ambushed yet is that your reputation precedes you - that and my presence is masking yours somewhat." Percy gave a hesitant nod at that.
"So... just because you're my dad's ex, you're going to help me?"
Medusa chuckled. "Well, it doesn't hurt. I also-"
She froze up. He didn't bother asking. He could feel it too.
Stalkers. Multiple. Plural.
They were surrounded.
"Looks like they've found you," she snarled. A chorus of hisses filled the air. "I hope you killing a Titan wasn't just a rumor."
"I forgot how that fight went," he mumbled. She laughed.
"No better time to remember."
Just as she said that the walls of the emporium exploded as monsters charged in. Massive dogs with glowing eyes, green women with snake bodies, massive lumbering giants.
Percy blocked a spear throw before slashing wide, knocking aside one of the dogs. He ran forward and thrust Anaklusmos, hitting one of the snake women in the abdomen. She wailed as her body exploded into golden dust.
He didn't have time to celebrate though, as he ducked to narrowly dodge a giant's club. He rolled away from another blow, only to watch as the giant froze up. A claw burst through the giant's chest, killing it.
"Watch your back," yelled Medusa before heading back into the fray as her hair exploded outwards, revealing dozens of snakes that bit at some pigeons. An arrow whizzed by her, nicking her left arm. She didn't flinch, squeezing out some blood onto her right hand before slapping it onto the eyes of a giant, causing it to scream.
She whirled around, claws out as she tore down monster after monster. When another giant approached her, her lips curled into a sneer. She picked up a statue and smashed it against the huge beast, knocking it down.
"Keep moving!"
Percy nodded before taking a deep breath. One of the dogs ran at him, but this time he took the initiative, slashing forward and hitting it squarely in the chest. Upon impact, he put more force into it, driving it to the floor. One more push killed the beast, and he had just enough time to catch his breath before another monster attacked him. Percy gritted his teeth, gripping Anaklusmos with both hands as the monster attacked furiously.
Once the monster paused though, he headbutted it, sending it sprawling away. He looked to his side to see the deep fryer Medusa had, and as though on instinct, shoved his hand towards the monster, who had been helped up by a few of its friends.
There was a familiar tug in his gut.
The oil shot out of the machine and splashed against them. Percy grimaced as they screamed, the oil scalding them. Nevertheless, he continued moving the oil, creating a barrier surrounding him and Medusa while keeping the other monsters at bay.
"Nice work," grinned Medusa. He smiled back before the two froze up. His senses were tingling again.
And this time, they screamed.
Stalkers.
"Those two," hissed Medusa, nostrils flaring, while blocking a few arrows with parts of a statue. Percy didn't have the heart to wonder who or what it belonged to. "Lord Zeus really wants you dead."
She pulled out a small vial and slipped it into his pocket. "Gorgon blood. Use it well."
"What-"
"I've been keeping a watch on you and your friends since you entered New Jersey," she explained, rolling up the sleeves of her dress. Percy saw that in addition to claws, her skin was a slight tinge of green, with scales adorning her forearm and stretching to the rest of her body. The snakes on her head began hissing loudly, baring fangs.
"Move west," she ordered. "Keep moving and you'll find them. They've already been forced to leave the state by monster attacks. I will hold them off here for as long as I can."
"Medusa..."
A lion's roar could be heard. Meduse snarled as she tossed the statue fragment, taking out one of the archers. "Go, demigod! And don't look back!"
Percy grimaced but obeyed, dropping his control of the oil and charging forward. A few monsters ran at him, but soon a horrified look adorned their faces. A crackling sound filled the air and the next thing Percy knew, they were stone.
"You can repay me by telling your father I said hello."
Escaping the emporium, the last thing that Percy heard was a loud crash and a cackle.
"Tear her to shreds, Sonny!"
2:00:00
Percy wasn't sure how long he had been running, but he'd ended up finding a river. Without a second thought, he'd jumped in.
Finding his way westward was admittedly difficult, but several of the water women - naiads, he heard them say - had provided him directions. It embarrassed him to no end to find that he had somehow gone north again, back towards New York, but he'd managed to find himself moving west again.
True to her word, Annabeth Iris Messaged him. At first, he was freaked out by a rainbow message appearing underwater, and Annabeth similarly was shocked. Thankfully, one of those naiads had helped move the message above the surface for him, giving them a clearer view - "a more normal connection," claimed Annabeth.
Whatever that meant.
They'd also been attacked, though from what he'd heard, it was spread throughout the night with individual monsters, slowly forcing them to move west until they had gotten too tired. At that point, the bracelet he'd given Katie exploded and the two Furies flew out, pulling them to safety and helping them move west.
It didn't sit right with Annabeth that something was making them go west whenever they rested too long and Percy had to agree. It was almost as if someone was manipulating their quest, forcing them to keep going.
Almost as though a trap.
Still, he had no reason to go after them. Annabeth said by the time daylight broke, they had arrived in St. Louis and were resting in some arch. The girl rambled on and on about how it was an architectural marvel, but the idea that it was a safe haven was all that he really cared about.
He didn't think he could spend the rest of the week in a river, let alone the rest of his life.
And so he traveled down the Mississippi River, for gods know how long, relying entirely on the resident naiads for directions. Some were helpful, others... less so.
"And stay away!" he yelled, scowling at the giggling naiad. Honestly, nymphs pelting him with shells had been funny at first, but hours of them treating him as a human target was starting to get on his nerves.
Well, whatever. He had arrived. Probably
"If that's not the Arch, I don't know what is," he muttered, staring at the colossal structure before him. It was easily bigger than Yancy, far bigger than his apartment.
That was probably not the brightest analogy to make.
He slipped out of the river, giving the naiads a grudging thanks before slipping into the bushes before anyone noticed a completely dry boy walk out of the river. After a few seconds, he walked out only to immediately bump into Grover.
"Percy!" bleated Grover, hugging him tightly. "You're alive!"
"Good to see you too, G-man," laughed Percy rubbing his hair. "How was the night."
"Awful," muttered Katie, but she pulled him into a hug as well. "That bracelet really saved our butts. Thank you."
Percy grinned in response and gave her a hug as well. He gave Annabeth an expectant look, who rolled her eyes.
"I don't hug seaweed," she snarked, but even she couldn't suppress the smile on her face at seeing him again. She clapped her hands together.
"Now that you're here, let's go visit the Arch!"
The son of Poseidon frowned. "Do we even have enough time? And why didn't you visit while waiting for me?"
"She did," laughed Katie. "Several times, in fact."
Annabeth pouted. "Come on, just one time! It'll be quick, I swear!" Percy sighed in response.
"This better be quick."
00:10:00
It was not quick.
To be fair, Percy didn't make it any easier for himself by constantly getting out of the waiting line to grab food, forcing the group to follow him, and then having to go back in the waiting line to go up.
But eventually, they did go up, and Percy did have to admit that the view was worth the ride.
Stalkers.
Percy wheeled around, but there was no one staring at him. It was a dreadful feeling though, a familiar one. The one he felt back at Medusa's emporium.
"What's wrong, demigod?" Tisiphone whispered. From their interactions, Percy noted that she was the sternest of the trio.
"Something's here. It attacked me before. It's here again."
The Fury frowned, before sniffing the air. Percy could see her pupils narrowing.
"I smell ancient blood, the Echidna," she hissed. "We need to go, now."
A voice rang out from behind them. "Calm down, Sonny."
Percy froze, before swinging Anaklusmos behind him. Rather than going through the woman as it should have, it clanged against her face.
"Looks like the little godling does remember me!" she laughed. Her pupils constricted while her chihuahua began enlarging in size, becoming a massive monster.
"Chimera," snarled Tisiphone, stepping in front of Percy. "First a Titan, now this? Your luck is truly rotten, demigod."
Without another word, the Chimera leaped forward, tackling the Fury far away while Echidna lunged at Percy. Percy retaliated with another sword slash, ignoring the screams of the mortals behind him as he struggled to keep his ground against the monster.
"Medusa was a fine opponent!" she cackled, disarming Percy with a swipe. He rolled under her next swipe. "My Sonny and I had quite the blast sending her back to Tartarus!"
"Shut up!" yelled Percy, causing a water bottle to explode and envelope his fist, before punching her, knocking her off her feet. "I'm on a quest here!"
From the corner of his eye, he could see Annabeth weaving between the Chimera's snake head, stabbing at every chance she could. Katie's eyes were glowing, and the tiny petals of succulents exploded into full-blown cacti, infuriating the beast as the goat head's mouth was filled with needles.
"Get them out of here!" yelled Percy, knocking Echidna down with another punch. She didn't seem that hard, aside from the random flames she spewed out. No, it was that damn lion thing that was the real issue.
The Furies obliged, whisking Annabeth and Katie away from the Chimera's flame breath and flying through the glass of the building.
"Two on one?" cackled Echidna. "I can see that you're not quite the smartest of the group."
"He's got me," declared Grover, albeit a bit shakily. "Maia!"
The wings sprung instantly on his shoes, and he flew up to avoid the snake head. Percy swirled some water and blew it in Echidna's face, distracting her long enough for him to race over to the Chimera and get a good slash across its face.
It didn't appear to appreciate the gesture, roaring as it reared back and swiped at him. Percy rolled through its swipes and stabbed upwards with Anaklusmos. Unfortunately, the monster chose to spin around, allowing its goat head to knock aside his blow.
Percy wasn't deterred though, and began matching the beast's blows with his own.
Lion swipe. Snake bite. Flame breath. Snake bite. Goat head. Flame breath. Lion swipe.
An exhilarating feeling filled Percy as he continued to fight the monster, culminating with a yell as he shot the remainder of his water supply at the Chimera, sending it skidding across the floor.
"Leave my Sonny alone!" screamed Echidna, unleashing a torrent of fire in his direction. Percy held up his arms instinctively, but before he knew it, the flames ended abruptly as Grover began chucking random wrapped food at her.
"Ow," she hissed. "Enough... of... your-gah!" One of the sandwiches had lodged itself in her throat, and she began choking.
"Nice one, Grover!" cheered Percy. Grover gave an excited look before it morphed into horror.
"Look out!"
Grover tackled Percy out of the way just as the Chimera's lion head bit down. Percy watched in horror as the monster shook him for a few moments before flinging him out of the building, the sneakers slipping off the satyr's hooves.
Without hesitation, Percy threw his sword at Echidna, impaling her leg, before diving after his friend. By the time he'd jumped out, though, he could see that Grover had already hit the water.
Cursing, he scoured the water until he'd found the satyr unconscious. He ignored the growing sensation of tiredness, dragging Grover out of the river regardless of any eyewitnesses.
"Annabeth!" he screamed. "Katie! Help me!"
He felt hands help pull him out of the river, and a blonde - Annabeth - lift Grover's legs out. Just before he could thank her though, two more splashes hit the river.
"Move, demigod!" screamed Tisiphone.
