In which certain necessary discussions are had and our little team have some bonding while they wait for their ride. Also- there are perks to being incredibly rich and famous.

It took the group about two hours to make it to the nearest village. Usually it would have taken a lot less, but none of the group were in the best condition. Unfortunately Thalia's backpack had been thoroughly destroyed and the ambrosia that had been inside of it was probably also destroyed. Which meant they had no quick pick me up.

Their best chance at getting some ambrosia would be at the Chase family home. Percy knew Annabeth and she had no doubt that the girl would keep a stock there. And probably a few potions too since Annabeth believed in being prepared and Jaz loved making sure that if they were needed then the people at Brooklyn House would be able to have them easily enough.

The others had agreed when Percy brought it up. All things considered the stop there wouldn't delay their journey by much and it would be worth it if they could fix themselves up a little.

Still, by the time they reached Santa Nella Village they were all beyond exhausted. And it must have showed as they made their way into the tiny village at 2 in the morning. Which was why Percy was painfully grateful for the fact that they didn't have to worry about people seeing them. The village was dead. It wasn't like New York. There were always people around in New York, no matter what time it was.

Eventually the group found the library- which was closed yes, but they sat down on the steps, a bedraggled group in clothes that were practically shreds. And they tried to figure out what to do next. Or more accurately how to get from Santa Nella Village to San Francisco.

They still had time. If they could get a ride. After what had happened none of them were eager to give driving a go again- and in any case until they had some Ambrosia it was very clear that Zoe wouldn't be able to drive, and Percy's head was pounding now that the shock had worn off.

They didn't have the money for a taxi- if they could even get one in a tiny village like the one they were in.

But Percy did at least come up with a solution for that, which was why they ended up panicking and rushing to the In-N-out Burger that they'd spotted on the way into town.

If they'd have been any later they'd have been in trouble- but thankfully the waitress about to shut the place down took pity on them and agreed to let them use the phone.

And Percy usually wasn't great with phone numbers- but there were some which she remembered. And one of the ones that she did remember- one of the few that wasn't a family member or someone she loved, was that of the car company which the Kane family occasionally used to get around- often when Percy had to go to premiers and similar. They had branches all over America and which they didn't have one in Santa Nella they would undoubtedly have one somewhere nearby.

There were, of course, codes set up. But the Kane family had a tab. They wouldn't have to pay anything up front or even on arrival and Percy knew Sally wouldn't give a shit about paying for a car under the circumstances. And soon enough Percy was being reassured that a car would be with her within four hours.

Admittedly that wasn't anywhere near ideal. It was a long wait. But it was a lot less time than walking would take, especially in their conditions.

Thankfully the fast food place did at least have some shelter, and before she closed up the woman made them all hot coffees and chocolates on the house. Which was much appreciated, and she threw in some fries as well, though they didn't last very long.

Still, it was something warm in their stomachs, and none of the group complained when the woman had to head home. They simply huddled close together and tried to distract one another from the wait.

They ran through any number of road trip games. But there was only so many games that they could play before they became boring. And eventually the conversation turned to what had happened after the car had come to such a violent halt.

It was Thalia who voiced the question which Percy was sure that Zoe and Grover were also wondering about. Bianca wasn't but that was because she was well aware of the whole situation.

"When those monsters were attacking-" Thalia was watching her carefully, "You- you controlled them. Didn't you? You ordered them to leave."

"I mean, yeah." Percy nodded, and she could see where this was going… but.. well, she trusted Thalia, Grover and Zoe. After the shit they'd just gone through together… surely it wouldn't change things too much. "Yeah I did. Though controlling creatures of Chaos isn't exactly simple. Alina wasn't even really controlling them when she sent them after me. She just pointed and released."

"How did you do it."

"Thy called yourself Chaos." Zoe's brows were furrowed. "When you- the Egyptians-"

"The Egyptians were never huge fans of Chaos. I know." Percy let out a little huff, "You're not wrong. But Chaos is important for the balance of the universe. The trouble is when chaos tries to overcome Ma'at."

"Okay." Grover blinked, "I guess that makes sense."

"Apophis was the manifestation of Chaos- of Isfet." Percy told them slowly, "He hated Ma'at. Before Ma'at there was just Chaos. Apophis wanted to return the world to that state. He hated Ma'at. It was a war between the two forces. One that could only end in disaster." She tucked her hair out of her face, staring ahead. "When I was nine Apophis decided he wanted me to be his eye. It's about as fucked as it sounds but because of my nature- Egyptian and Greek in one body… he figured I could be used to amplify his power and- and he nearly succeeded. He possessed me." Percy could hear the sharp horrified gasps, feel Bianca grabbing her hand and squeezing reassuringly. "I managed to force him out through willpower alone-"

"Wait-" Thalia held up her hands, her eyes wide, "Wait a damn second. Chiron said that this Apophis dude was stronger than the gods. And you- you forced him out-"

"My head is my territory. And I have very strong willpower." Percy managed a strained smile. "It nearly killed me though." She tugged a lock of green hair. "I was in a coma for like, five months and it turned my hair white and left me with this." She pushed her hair back over her shoulder and tilted her head to the side, tapping her neck just below the symbol. "The symbol of Isfet."

"That must have been horrific." Zoe's voice was low, her expression sympathetic. "Thou must have been traumatised-"

"Yeah, you could say that." Percy shook her head quickly, pushing down the bad memories. "Aside from the physical marks it left me with a talent for languages and the ability to use Chaos magic. Which is pretty much unheard of. At least in the way I can. Chaos magic is wild and corrosive. The only god who can use it is Set. And even he doesn't- it isn't the same. I accepted it during our final battle against Apophis when I turned the power of Chaos against him and held him so that Carter and Sadie could defeat him."

"That- that must have been brave." And Percy was surprised by how admiring Grover's voice was.

"I- I mean I guess." She blinked. "Anyway. After we defeated Apophis he tried to scare us- said how we'd banished the gods by killing him because there needs to be balance. But Ra pointed out that he was wrong because Chaos had found a new physical manifestation. One that wasn't evil."

"So-" Thalia was frowning, "Uh- out of curiosity how powerful are you?"

"Not- I mean I'm powerful. Very powerful but I'm not like- wipe out the Olympian's powerful. I could probably give them good fights one on one but I'm not Apophis and I wouldn't want to be." Percy shook her head.

"I know little about Egyptian Magic." Zoe admitted, "But I know that the power of Chaos is corrosive and damaging."

"Oh yeah." Percy nodded, "It's not fun. I mean- it's insanely powerful but it is incredibly draining and it can be painful. I've nearly passed out from using it before. Hell it nearly killed me after the fight with Atlas."

"You used it against my father." Zoe's eyes were wide, "That explains much. No normal mortal or demigod- even magician- well it's hard to believe any could survive. But if you have the power of Chaos-"

"Oh I did some damage." Percy nodded, "Probably some permanent damage. There's a reason that even the gods don't try to harness the power of Chaos. It could destroy them. I just- Apophis using me as a host even for such a short time changed me. That and my hybrid status… I can survive it. Most of the time. I'm not sure what my limit would be and I don't think I want to find out."

"That is both so cool and so terrifying." Thalia snorted, "That's the punkest shit I've ever heard of from such a princessy girl-"

"Princessy-"

"I just get those vibes from you." Thalia shrugged, "You're a girly girl."

"I enjoy girly things." Percy agreed. "And I enjoy boyish things. There's no need to try and limit yourself to just one you know. It's okay to skateboard and enjoy retail therapy."

"Huh." Thalia shook her head, "I've never really- I mean with my mom-" she shut her mouth quickly. And as much as Percy kind of wanted to push for more information she also got the feeling that it wouldn't help her win the daughter of Zeus over. And she did want to form a friendship with the other girl.

It would be good for Thalia to have people outside of camp. Besides, Big three kids should stick together. "It doesn't matter. I just… I was never into that sort of thing."

"You sound like Piper." Bianca snorted, "She acts like getting her make-up done is a torture session."

"Pipes has her reasons." Percy shook her head, "She wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for people trying to tell her who she has to be just because her dads famous. Seriously- one of his first agents tried to tell her that she should be wearing make up when in public when she was like eleven. I remember just glaring at the woman until she backed off. Told her that if I didn't have to then there was no reason Piper should have to. And the bitches he's dated over the years usually tried to tell her she'd be prettier if she did this or that and they tried to bond over spa trips and stuff and it just made her hate them more and more. I'm the only one she'll ever give in for." A fact that Percy appreciated a lot.

"I get that." Thalia snorted, "I remember when I was little my mom used to try and do make up on me. Like, no, no I was six I should not be wearing mascara and bright red lipstick." Thalia shook her head.

"You two are gonna be friends I can see it." Percy's lips twitched in amusement.

"I hope so." Thalia laughed, shaking her head. "I really hope so. You guys matter to Annabeth so I want things to work out in that sense."

"Well, I always say that surviving a quest together forms the strongest friendships right-"

"Of course." Grover laughed.

"I mean, I already feel close to you guys." Bianca grinned sheepishly, and Zoe rolled her eyes, but beneath that she was clearly suppressing her own smile.

"I suppose thy does have a point."

"Well when this is all over you guys are so coming to Brooklyn House to hang out for a few days." Percy declared, "It'll be awesome."