And here is the next Pheobe Jackson chapter. Enjoy.


I Plunge to My Death Part Two:

(Phoebe's Point of View)

Jason dragged me through the hallways of carriages. We came through a door and Annabeth used a chain to lock it up.

I fell against the wall, a long stinger quill poking through my shirt. "Phoebe, are you okay?" Jason asked.

"I'm fine," she panted.

"Here. Let me take that," Cody quickly pulled the stinger out. I winced. "Sorry,"

The transit officers kept on banging on the door. "Come back here and open this door!".

"Grover, do you know what kind of monster has one of those?" Cody showed him the stinger.

"Nothing good probably," he answered worriedly. "Do you feel okay, Phoebe?".

"I think so," I was still recoiling a bit from the sting. It was so painful.

Jason began to freak out. "What if it's poisonous?".

The transit officers kept on banging on the door. But the train rumbled. And loud footsteps echoed from down the carriage hallway. We saw through the glass doors something huge and monstrous. Lights were flickering.

"We gotta move,". Grover pulled me away. The train abruptly stopped. We found the nearest door and pushed it open. We were in a train yard behind a station and ran across the tracks. But we stopped when we noticed what was chasing us wasn't off the train.

"Why isn't it chasing us?" I asked out loud.

"Echidna said whatever she was hiding in her carrier, it's young," Annabeth said logically. "It won't venture too far from her mother. She's learning to hunt. And this seems like the hunting part,".

We ran out of the train yard, past a car park and into the streets of St. Louis. We still had our supplies and if Echidna's child was closing in on us, she could catch the scent.

"We can't outrun them for very long," Jason panted.

"We don't need to. We just need a safe place to hold up," Annabeth wasn't panicking like the rest of us.

"Any ideas?" Cody asked.

"I do," Annabeth marched ahead. "A sanctuary dedicated to my mother, built by one of her demigod children a long time ago,".

"Hidden in the middle of downtown St. Louis?" Jason asked.

"Yep. And it's not all that hidden,". Annabeth led us through streets, past a fancy city house, through the park and towards a giant archway. She admired its circular design. "It's 630 feet wide, 630 feet tall, both to within an inch,".

"Amazing Beth," Jason complimented. "So, the arch is held up by symmetry,".

"Exactly, Jase. It's got no internal support and each side is balanced perfectly against the other. And it's earthquake proof so Poseidon can't ruin it. No offence, Phoebe,".

"No offence Annabeth. I know the story of our parents," I remarked. "Athens chose Athena because she offered olive trees,". We walked into the museum where we saw loads of children crowding around.

"It's a monument of perfection," Annabeth said admirably.

"And some other stuff," Cody was looking uneasily at animal skulls and human weapons.

"This is what humans want it to be about. I'm talking about what it actually is,"

"But we're safe here right?" Grover asked.

"Absolutely. No monsters are gonna enter here. And neither will Echidna,".

"Thank goodness," Jason breathed. "In the meantime, we'll need to find another way to get to Los Angeles. We can't stay here forever,".

"We may be prey but we shouldn't be helpless,". Grover walked off to get some food and so did Cody.

"They really don't like it when people mess with animals," Jason looked at a painting of hunters skewing a boar with spears. "Artemis doesn't like anyone hunting her animals,".

"Wonder if your mum's around Annabeth. 'Be right down. Just going to the potty,' " I mimicked an old lady's voice. My friends laughed.

"Very funny," Annabeth complimented. I was glad we were becoming friends now.

"Well done Annabeth. Your mum had a safe place and here we are. Guess luck was on our side,".

Annabeth asked a serious question. "Luck or fate? I know you might think it's all in my head that I tell myself my mother cares because it's easier that way,".

I didn't say that. It's just I've only been a demigod since last Saturday," I said. "My whole life I thought I was just ordinary and troubled,".

"Being a demigod doesn't change who you are on the inside," Jason said kindly. "I mean finding out I was blessed by your father didn't change anything for me inside. Luke told me I would always be his brother no matter what. And Annabeth and Cody will always be my family too,".

Annabeth hugged him. "You know Phoebe, this may be my mother's place but a temple is a temple. You could say hi to your dad while you're here,".

I shook my head. "No thanks,".

"Phoebe, what could hurt? It's the least you could do,". Jason consoled but still, I refused. "Look I know how you feel. My whole life a part of me has always resented my birth father for abandoning me. But when Chiron gave me this pendant from my father…," he touched my charm. "He told me that leaving me behind was the hardest thing that he ever had to do. It made me think that he did it out of love. Your father left you that pearl necklace. And the way your mother must have talked about him, it shows that leaving you and her behind was the hardest thing that he ever had to do. As a forbidden child, you'll always be in danger from his brothers so standing back is probably the only thing he can think of to keep you safe,".

"It doesn't matter. I don't want anything from him. He's had his chances. Honestly, you guys have done more for me in the past few days than my father's ever done in my entire life. If I had to stick with someone I …,".

"Careful," Annabeth advised. "I think you were about to call us friends,".

"You are friends," I smiled. "You guys are the bestest friends aside from Grover that I've ever had in my life. Everyone I ever met in school shunned and bullied me but you guys have done the exact opposite. You've welcomed me, you've saved me, you've cared for me in ways no one else aside from my mother has ever done,".

They smiled. "I bet somewhere around here the Oracle is laughing," Annabeth tried to joke. She paused. "What is it?".

I was peering over her shoulder. "That man has been staring at us since we arrived,". I pointed to the stairs. Above us, on a higher floor was a stranger with short, braided hair and a bristly face. He wore a smart suit and his dark eyes were piercing dangerously at us.

"Who is that man?" Jason wondered.

"It's you, he's staring at," Annabeth whispered, keeping a firm eye.

I lost my balance and slipped.


(Jason's Point of View)

"Phoebe!" I caught her. She flopped against my side, his skin pale as snow.

"Hey! What happened?" Grover with Cody rushed over. I saw the worry painted on his face.

Cody crouched beside me and touched her face. "Oh no," he breathed. "I think those stinger things were poisonous,".

"Help me help her up," Annabeth helped me hoist the weak Phoebe off her feet. "I've got an idea,". We dragged her back outside and sat her in the fountain. Tourists watched us, splashing her with water, and drenching her clothes. She made sure her rucksack with all her important items inside wasn't splashed on.

"The water cured her back at her camp. It should work with poison," Annabeth kept on splashing her.

"Is it working?" I asked Phoebe.

"I think so. This was a great call, Annabeth," she tried to stand up. But she slipped. Luckily I caught her. "Or not,".

"It's not working," I panicked.

"Maybe it needs to be naturally running water for Poseidon," Cody guessed. Right after he said that Akeda started growling. I looked ahead and I saw cars crashing everywhere.

"We need to get back inside," I panicked.

"No, we need to keep trying," Grover kept on splashing Phoebe.

"Guys, this isn't working and she's coming!" Cody freaked out. Echidna was coming right towards us. "What are we gonna do?".

"We'll take Phoebe inside and we'll go to the temple's altar,". Annabeth started pulling Phoebe up on her feet again.

"Altar? Where is there an alter?" Grover asked.

"It's the highest point, the best view,".

"How is that gonna help us?" I pulled Phoebe's arm around my neck.

"We'll ask for help,".

"I thought we didn't ask for help," Phoebe reminded her. Echidna was getting closer.

We dragged her inside but I noticed Annabeth had stopped walking. Like she had been spooked. "Annabeth …".

"Did you hear that?". She asked, still not looking at us but trying to find someone who we couldn't see.

"Hear what?" Cody asked.

"Never mind," Annabeth urged us inside and we dragged the weakening Phoebe through the museum towards the lift, past visitors queuing up in front of tram lifts. And still above us, I saw the same man glaring darkly down on us, at me. But that was not important. Phoebe was dying and we had to save her. We nearly tripped downstairs searching for an empty lift. We managed to find one and we sat inside. Still, I saw how quiet my sister was.

"Beth, what happened back there?" I asked again.

"Did Echidna speak to you and only you could hear her?" Phoebe asked. "Alecto did that to me back at the museum in New York,".

I turned my head and saw that Echidna had entered. She was leaning on a railing over the level we were on and a pair of giant horns as shadows on the wall. "Guys," I swallowed my fear. "I think we've got a problem,".

Cody closed the door, and we started moving up. "I think that was the Chimera,". Akeda growled. Annabeth hung her head down, hiding her nervous eyes.

"That was definitely the Chimera," Grover was beginning to panic. "But how did it even get inside here? How did Echidna get inside?".

"Athena would have to have let her,". Phoebe said weakly.

"Why would she do that?" Cody wondered.

"Annabeth!" I pushed her. "What did Echidna say to you?".

She opened them slowly. "She said my impertinence wounded my mother's pride. And that, that would be my doom,".

" 'Impertinence? What are you talking about?" Phoebe realised something when Annabeth gave her a sharp look. "Medusa's head,".

"I embarrassed my mother,".

"But it was my idea. I'm the one who sent the head to Olympus and signed the note,".

"But I went along with it. It embarrassed her. And now she's angry,".

"Guys! What are we gonna do now?" Cody panicked. We heard more banging below us as we continued moving up.

"My mother isn't gonna help us when we get to the top to save Phoebe," Annabeth said sadly, finally seeing things from Phoebe's perspective.

"No, what are we gonna do about Echidna and Chimera?" Grover clarified. "They're gonna be right behind us, and with Phoebe in the state she's in …,".

The elevator dinged and we stepped out, Grover and I helping Phoebe onto her feet again. "They're gonna follow us so they'll be up here any minute now," Annabeth pulled on her satchel again. "My mother isn't gonna protect so now we'll just have to fight it on our own,". We went up some more stairs.

"Just hang on Phoebe," I begged, keeping her balance with Grover. "We'll get you to some water and heal you. I promise,".

We came to the bendy hallway, but loads of people were there. "Oh no," Grover said. "We need to get these people away from here,".

Cody looked around and saw an emergency lever. "I know how," he pulled it and instantly loud alarms blared and tour guides told everyone to line up and head towards the stairs.

"You guys follow them down and get Phoebe to the river," Annabeth instructed.

"No, we're not leaving you," I shook my head. "We are not splitting up,".

Phoebe agreed with them. "We're leaving together,".

"Guys, the Chimera is the demi-god killer. We won't make it if we stick together. Someone has to stay back to her down and buy everyone some time,". Annabeth led us to the stairs. "Follow them down,".

"I'm staying behind with you," Cody said.

"No Cody. You all need to each other to complete the quest. Don't stop till you all get to Hades," Annabeth gently pushed him through the door. Akeda whimpered and she stroked. "Sorry buddy. You've gotta look after them," she ushered him out. "Don't stop till you complete this quest and get the bolt and Phoebe's mother back,".

"No," I begged her. I couldn't lose Annabeth. And I know that if Luke were here with us, he would never leave her side like I didn't want her.

"It's okay, Jase. I'll be okay," Annabeth refused to make eye contact. She tried to close the door.

"Wait," Releasing her hold on Grover, Phoebe pulled out her sword and activated it. "Take this. You'll stand a better chance against it,".

Annabeth took the handle. But suddenly Phoebe sprung around, pushed her through with us and closed the exit door.

"No!" I banged on the door. "Phoebe! No! Phoebe, can you hear us?".

"You can't do this by yourself!" Cody begged. Akeda barked.

"Just go," she begged. Her voice was muffled and she was panting like she didn't have long left. "Poseidon's never been there for me. He wasn't gonna start now. It has to be me,".

"Phoebe!" Grover begged.

"I would never have made it Hades. I'm just gonna get in the way of everything. Complete the quest and save my mother. I know you guys can do this. You're the greatest friends I could have ever asked for,".

"Phoebe, please!" I banged again and again. "You can't do this on your own!". But there was no reply. We tried to barge the door open, but it was locked on the other side.

"It's no use," Annabeth vented. "There's nothing we can do,".


(Phoebe's Point of View)

With the poison coursing through my veins, I limped forward holding my sword. Echidna appeared into sight and so did her precious child. A giant scaley monster of red, green and yellow with the head and front legs of a wild cat, the legs of a coat, a stinger tail and large horns.

"This is the end of the line sweetheart,". The mother mocked. "And don't fight her. You'll just make her angry,".

I looked into the eyes of the snarling monster. And I slashed at its leg. She struck me back. I banged my back on the floor. Then I watched as her large neck moulted out like a cobra and fire was shouted out from between her teeth. I rolled away, barely avoiding getting burnt. It towered over me and tried to smash me with its huge paws but I swiped my sword and I made it bleed. I limped against the wall trying to get up but the monster pounded the floor, and I lost my balance again. Echidna flicked her hand and a hole was made right behind me. I had no way out. Still, I refused to give up. I had to keep fighting her child to give my friends the time they needed to escape.

I swiped again and again at the Chimera, managing to mar its face but my sword was caught between its horns. I was disarmed and shoved right in the stomach by her large paw and I fell through the hall, barely managing to keep a strong grip on a bar. Echidna towered over me. "So unfair. You never stood a chance. You sacrificed yourself for your friends for nothing,".

"They'll already be far away from you by now," I answered back.

She cackled. "If only they knew another one of my children is waiting down there for them. I'm afraid my baby here wasn't the only child I brought along to play,".

My eyes widened. And my fingers slipped.


(Jason's Point of View)

We had been banging on the door constantly trying to get back in there to help Phoebe but Cody screamed out: "Look!".

Peering through a small glass window, I saw Phoebe plunging to her death. "No!" I screamed.

Suddenly a current of water shot out of nowhere and caught Phoebe carrying her downwards safely. Our mouths dropped. "Did you just see that?" Grover asked.

"I can't believe it," Annabeth breathed.

"He saved her," I breathed. "Her father saved her,". I could breathe again. "She's gonna be okay!".

"Let's get down!" Cody was already jogging ahead with Akeda. We chased him from behind, needing to get as far away from the Arch as possible. But the moment we came down, and we were running across the museum again, we heard a loud rumble. We froze.

"Guys, what was that?" Grover asked.

"It can't have been the Echidna," Annabeth shivered. It was coming from behind a display wall. We turned our heads and saw a monstrous creature with five hideous heads. "Hydra!".

She pushed me behind a display case, and Grover held Cody and Akeda behind another one. "Another monster?" he complained angrily.

"Doesn't Echidna give up?" Cody complained, activating his bow again.

"We have to deal with it first before finding Phoebe," I pulled out my father's sword and golden dagger. Annabeth took out her dagger too.

"Take this," I tossed Luke's gift to Grover. I peeped my head out of a corner and saw it coming forward.

"Guys, if we cut off a Hydra head, two more grow back," our satyr friend reminded.

"Maybe not if I use this,". I held up my blade. "I have to try,".

"I draw its attention away,". Cody rushed out into the open before we could stop him. The Hydra heads saw him, and he shot multiple arrows from his bow, blinding their eyes. Then Annabeth and Grover joined in, poking at them with their daggers. Then whilst they were distracted, I jumped out into the open and sliced one head off, then another. As my blue blade touched their skin, their chopped necks burnt on blue fire so that the head couldn't grow back again.

"Keep it up!" Cody encouraged. I chopped another head off, but a huge tail swiped me in the back and I was slammed to the floor. The head tried to bite at me but Akeda leapt onto its head and bit his sharp fangs into his skin, drawing its attention away from me. I picked up my sword and chopped off the other head. Cody blinded the last head's eyes with his bow before I chopped off the neck. It was down. Done for.

I panted, shaken by the sword's magical powers. "You did it," Annabeth praised.

"We have to go," Grover handed me back my dagger. "Before Echidna comes down,".

"I just hope Phoebe's okay,". Cody prayed.

"I know she will be," I believed in Poseidon more than anything now after what we had just seen. We ran outside into the open, desperate to reunite with our leader. But as we did, the same man from before was standing above us on the higher level. He had watched everything. He wasn't from the mortal world.


(Phoebe's Point of View)

I was underwater in the Mississippi River, my foot stuck under debris. Bubbles of oxygen were leaving my mouth but I wasn't drowning. I could see very clearly even though it was murky and the riverbed was littered.

"You are frightened," spoke a sweet, gentle voice. I raised my head and saw a glowing figure with wavy hair swimming towards me. "It is alright, Phoebe. Your father sent me to tell you it's alright. Just breathe,". I freaked out, still struggling to pull my foot free. I couldn't be underwater for long. "He's here. He's always been here. It is so hard for him to stand back, to see you struggle so much. It is so hard for us all. But he's always been watching over you. He's here for you now and he is so very proud of you,".

I was breathing underwater. I remembered everything my mother had taught me as a child. She had been preparing me for this moment. She swam towards me and I instantly recognised her. She was a Nereid. "I have a message from him,". She held out her see-through hands, and loads of bubbles formed the image of a brown-haired god with a well-trimmed beard and my sea-green eyes. He wore a blue pearl necklace like mine.

"Phoebe, you have grown up so much,". His voice was kind and gentle. "I know you feel like I abandoned you and your mother but leaving you both was the hardest thing that I ever had to do,". I was speechless. I didn't know how to be angry anymore. "Just because you didn't see me it didn't mean that I wasn't there. But look at the person you have become. You must trust in yourself. Find your friends and travel to Santa Monica Beach. I will meet you there in person and I will do what I can to help you get to the Underworld so you can fulfil this quest and stop this war,". He didn't mention my mother but I could see something tinkle in his eyes. "Remember, trust in yourself. You are stronger than you know. And remember, just breathe. And protect your friend at all costs,".

He was talking about Jason. The image faded, and the Nereid offered her hand. "Take my hand, Phoebe,". I slowly took it. She pulled me up, my foot came loose, we shot up to the surface and …

Splash! My eyes touched the bright light of the sun. I saw the Arch in the distance giving off black smoke. A helicopter flew towards it. I prayed that my friends had made it to safety. I couldn't believe it. My dad, my actual dad, had saved my life. He had spoken to me for the first time in my life. And now he was going to help me complete the quest and save my mother. Perhaps he has always cared about me after all.


And that's Episode Four done. Four more episodes to go now. So Echidna mentioned someone who knows Jason and a strange man spied on him. Are they people from his world? We'll have to wait and see. I hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you to those who gave out the Hydra idea. Look forward to the next one, hopefully later this week. See you later.