Here's another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

We Take a Zebra to Vegas Part Two:

(Jason's Point of View)

We walked past dozens of gambling tables where cards and poker chips were laid in rainbows of colour. "There he is," Annabeth pointed forward and we saw a god who resembled Luke a lot. He had a bristle chin and he wore casual clothing with a golden watch and chain necklace.

"You sure that's Hermes?".

"Positive. I remember him from all those years ago. Now come on. We don't have much time,".

We approached the gambling table and Hermes eyed us. "Hey kids,".

Annabeth and I agreed when we would be the first to speak. "We were set to find you,".

"Well you found me. Now do you wanna play crisp?".

Was he serious? "Is he serious?" I whispered to her.

She shrugged and we proceeded on. We had no time for games. "Okay Hermes, we don't have much time. We really need your help getting to …,".

"I know what you need my help for. You need me to help you sneak into the Underworld," What a good guesser.

"That's right," I acknowledged. "How did you know?".

"I exist beyond space and time, kid. Why do you think they put me in charge of delivering the mail? Look you're not the first ones to ask for my help and I can promise you won't be the first ones to walk away disappointed,". Was Hermes seriously not going to help us? "So, you might as well play a little bit of …,".

"We're friends of Luke's,". Annabeth babbled.

Hermes's expression seemed to change at the mention of his name. He hung his head down a bit. "I see,".

"Hermes, we wouldn't be here asking for your help if it wasn't so serious," I implored.

Hermes suddenly pushed us forward and whoosh! We found ourselves inside a small drinking spot with a private space. "Time and space are easy kids. Parenting is something else entirely,". He sat down and a waiter brought him a drink. Annabeth and I sat down. "I think I remember you, Annabeth right?".

"Yes. And this is …,". Annabeth was interrupted.

"I know exactly who you are," Hermes eyed me carefully. "You're the touched kid,".

"Jason,".

"When Poseidon claimed his daughter and you as well, we all saw it. You should have seen how Zeus reacted,".

He was making me nervous. Annabeth stepped in quickly. "I was there the last time you saw Luke. You were both arguing about his mother. I heard what he said. That what happened to her was your fault. That it was all your fault. That he hated you,". Hermes pursed his lips and flickered his eyes a bit. He truly loved May Castellan.

"I am so sorry about what happened to Luke's mother," I apologised. "And as much as Luke has every right to be mad at you, I truly believe you guys can try and talk things about. It's what she would have wanted. Help us get to the Underworld and stop this war and he'll see that you do care,".

Hermes looked at me again. "You and Luke are close,".

"Yes. He has taken care of me for as long as I can remember. And against my better judgment, I truly believe that you are proud of the man he is. If you want him to know, then help us and our friends. If you truly love your son, this is your chance to show it,".

(Phoebe's Point of View)

Grover and I had managed to lose the creepy man. We peered around the column and saw him go in a different direction. "Who was that guy?" Grover wondered.

"I don't know. But I hope he's not another creepy guy looking for Jason,".

"He could be. I mean he's wearing clothes that don't look like they're from around. They look like something from a Greek era,".

"You really believe Jason could be from that world the other guys were from?".

"I don't know, Phoebe. But one thing's for certain, we need to get off here and to your father,".

I nodded. "You're right. Let's go,". We continued on our way, constantly searching for Hermes but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. "How big is this place?" I wanted to shout out.

"Phoebe, we just have to keep looking," Grover suddenly froze.

"What?".

"There's a Satyr over there," he pointed behind me. I looked back and saw a satyr staring back at us. He walked off.

"Hey!" Grover took off.

"Grover! Stop!" I chased after him. he caught up to the Satyr and I managed to catch up to him. "Grover, this is no time for …,".

"I know this Satyr," he said. "This is Augustus. He was a big influence on my family,".

As I looked at the older and hairier satyr, I noticed he was eating pink chips from a packet. "He's been eating the Lotus fruit,".

"Phoebe, I can't leave him here,".

"Okay. But make it quick. I'll keep watch for any danger,".

Grover talked to Augustus. "I don't know if you remember me but I'm Grover. You were a big influence on my family, especially my Uncle Ferdinand and my brother Arthur. He talked about you a lot, especially when they were setting off on their quests to find Pan,".

As Grover talked to Augustus, I kept a firm eye out for anyone. Then from down the hall, I saw someone cloaked coming towards us. It was the same guy on the chair with the strong jawbones and bristly chin.

"Grover we need to go,". He wasn't there. "Grover?" He wasn't anywhere. I had lost him. "Grover!". The cloaked figure was still coming towards me. I panicked and sped off to find my best friend and protector.

(Jason's Point of View)

Hermes had been quiet for a long while. "There is a way into the Underworld. A secret way. I've helped others find it before. And do you know what happens every time? Every. Single. Time?". It sounded bad, really bad. But that didn't matter. "Trust me, you don't want my help,".

"No, we really, really do," I implored. "Poseidon is helping us," That drew Hermes's attention. "He is waiting in Santa Monica right now for his daughter. And if he can be a better dad and help his daughter rescue her mother, then you can do the same thing for us, for Luke. Please?".

"I was warned to stay away from Luke and his mother. Warned that no matter how much I tried to help. I would just make things worse. And I went anyway. And it wasn't just awful for Luke. It was awful for all of us. Do you know what that feels like?". He lowered his glass and leaned forward. "To be so close to someone you love, knowing neither of you has any choice but to keep hurting each other. What it feels like to sacrifice so much for their well-being. I know you do,". He touched Annabeth's hand.

She shivered as a memory came jogging back. "I remember just fine,".

"You may not remember Jason," Hermes looked at me carefully. "But it happened to you too,". He tried to touch me too but I pulled my hand back.

"Don't touch me," I begged. I was in no mood for any sentimental talk. I didn't even want to think about my past, not when we had pressing issues and I had been nearly captured only a day ago.

"Are you gonna help us or not?" Annabeth demanded again.

"I don't get involved anymore. It's just not worth it. I'm sorry. He took another sip from his glass.

I puffed slowly through my nostrils, bending my eyebrows. "Then this was all just a waste of time," she vented angrily. And we don't have time to waste. Come on, Jase,". We stood up from our seats.

"You are both right to be angry. It isn't fair. None of it,".

"Thanks. That's super-duper helpful," I retorted sarcastically. "And to think you'd be any different from the number of gods and goddesses who don't care about their children. At least Poseidon cares,".

We turned to leave but Hermes's voice kept on following us. "It was Poseidon who warned me to stay away,". My steps paused. "He said it was awful watching his daughter struggle so much, feeling alone. But sometimes that's what parenting is,".

I faced him again. "Then why come and meet her in Santa Monica? If he thinks that'll make things worse?" I demanded.

"It is hard for a god to feel powerless. But we're all doing the best we can,".

We turned to leave.

"I'm afraid it won't be much use to you now anyway,".

We stopped. "What's that supposed to mean?" Annabeth asked. Hermes looked at his watch and then sent us back a weary look. "Oh no,".

"What?" I asked.

Instantly Annabeth grabbed my hand and we fled. We rushed through the crowds, past the tables right back to the entrance. It was nighttime outside. "Oh no," she breathed. "We've been here for days, Jason. Time moves differently here. So much faster,".

"Wait. So, like every second in here is minutes outsider?" I ranted.

"Yes,".

"But how? We didn't eat or drink anything,".

"The Lotus Eaters pump the Lotus Fruit into the air," Annabeth cursed.

"Sis, you couldn't have known,".

"Hermes let us sit at the table the whole time, knowing the clock was running out on our quest,".

I growled. "And to think I thought he would help us,".

"We have to find his car and it'll instantly transport us anywhere we wanna go. We still have time to finish this quest before the solstice, if we hurry,".

"Wait. Didn't we leave someone outside?" I asked.

"Cody,"

We shot out. We didn't see Cody or Akeda and Tuastos. They were nowhere to be seen. "He's not here!" I panicked.

"Why didn't he come inside after us?" Annabeth wondered.

"What if someone or something took him? What if …,".

"Jason, we've got to find Grover and Phoebe first,".

I blinked. "Who are Grover and Phoebe?".

"Our best friend. She's the daughter of the god who blessed you,".

My mind clicked. "Of course. Oh no. Poseidon is still waiting for her. If we don't get to him …,".

"We have to find them first. It's what Cody would want,".

"Okay. Wait, don't we need something to drive a car?".

"Hermes's keys. I'll turn invisible and go and find him again to get the keys. And you go find Grover and Phoebe, remember, Grover and Phoebe,".

"Yes, got it. And what are you doing again?".

Annabeth growled. "You're killing me,". After reminding me for the second time, I remembered instantly I dashed off to search for them.

(Phoebe's Point of View)

"Grover!" I shouted. I had pushed past crowds to find him. and I couldn't even find Jason and Phoebe. Or even Hermes if I could recognise him. I just turned a corner when I bumped into the same dark-haired guy from before. "I tried to leave but he grabbed my arm. "Let go of me!'.

"Easy kid. I'm not here to hurt you," he wouldn't let me go. "Where's Jason?".

"I'll never tell you! If someone sent you to capture him, I won't let you have him!".

"Phoebe!" Jason's voice screamed. A glass smacked the back of the young man's head. He was stunned. I kicked him between the legs and Jason pulled my hand. We pushed past crowds ducking into another room.

He examined me. "Are you hurt?".

"I'm fine,".

"Who was that man?"

"I don't know but he was looking for,"

Jason turned pale but he shook it away. "Listen, Phoebe, we've been here for days!".

"What?" I nearly screamed.

"They pump the Lotus Fruit into the air and we breathe it in. We don't have much time till the solstice,".

"Where's Cody?".

"We couldn't find him outside,".

"What? I can't even find Grover in here. He chased after another Satyr and then that man showed up. Did you find Hermes?".

"Yes. He wouldn't help us and he kept us distracted for this all to happen,".

"Where's Annabeth?".

"She's looking for his keys. Now come on, we've got to find Grover and get that car to get Cody back,".

We were about to leave when a bald man in cotton clothing from a Greek Age showed up, his gruesome glare and stiff shoulders sending quivers down my spine. The way Jason looked at him … he had seen him before. "Who are you? What do you want?".

"Your father thought he could keep you hidden, well, he was wrong,".

Jason froze to his words. This man knew him as well, just like the guy at the fair. I stood in front of him. "If you want him, you'll have to go through me,".

The man was not afraid. He cackled. "You don't scare me, pipsqueak. Stand aside little girl. The prince is coming with me,".

" 'Prince'?" Jason repeated. "I don't know what you're talking about! You've got the wrong guy,".

The rat-toothed man tittered. "She'll tell you everything once I take you back to her,".

"He's not going anywhere with you," I swiped my sword but the man grabbed my wrist.

"You call that skill? You're pathetic," He threw me against the wall, stunning me slightly.

"Phoebe!" Jason pulled out his sword and swiped at the man but he was disarmed and a fist struck his face, knocking him out. I tried to stand up and help him but I was so weak. The man tied my friend up and gagged him before lifting him over his shoulder and taking off with him.

"Jason!". Putting all my energy back into my feet again, I grabbed my sword and pursued the kidnapper, pushing through many people who didn't care that a child was being kidnapped by a madman. I chased the man through the casino entrance and pursued him into the streets. "Stop!" I shouted. "Leave my friend alone! He's just a boy,".

He turned a corner. I managed to catch up, activating my sword again. But the moment I turned, a horse head collided with my chest and I rolled across the gravel. The kidnapper carried Jason away out of sight.

"No!" I stood up but didn't run. It was hopeless. I started crying. "I'm so sorry Jason,". I would never forgive myself.

"Phoebe!" I turned and saw Cody bounding towards me, Tuastos and Akeda behind him. And a tall girl with dark black hair. Cody threw his arms around me.

"Cody, you're safe!" I exclaimed.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't outside! We tried to go inside to find you four but a dragon monster attacked us and we were forced to flee so he wouldn't attack the Casino! It chased us for days!".

"It doesn't matter! You're safe now! Jason's been taken!".

"We know," his new friend spoke up. "We saw from my hotel room,".

"Who's this?" I asked.

"My name is Riya Wilfith, Phoebe Jackson. I was sent by your father to help you and your friends reach him in Santa Monica,". Once again my father had sent another sign that she cared for me. "But we are short on time. If it wasn't for Delphyne that demigod-eating dragon prowling the city chasing your friend, I would have got you all out of that casino sooner,".

Roar! I looked up. A shadow loomed over us. And a flash of green crossed our eyes. "Is that the …".

"Dragon," Cody whispered.

"It appears it woke up from my sleeping tune," Riya cursed, twirling a flute in her hands.

"There's no time to put it to sleep! We have to save Jason!" I exclaim. "If I take Tuastos, we can still catch up to them!".

"I'm going with you," Riya said. "Cody, you and Akeda go back to the Casino and find Annabeth and Grover. But watch out for Delphyne,".

"I will. Save Jason," Cody begged. I hugged him tightly.

"I will. Just don't come out without Annabeth and Grover,".

"I won't. We'll find Hermes car and it'll get us to you all. Now go before you lose them!".

Quickly I mounted Tuastos with Riya and we charged off out of the streets right onto the main roads full of traffic and people. We drew so much attention sending people screaming and cars stopping and honking. But I didn't care. I promised Chiron and Luke I would keep Jason safe. I had failed them. And now I had to save him.

Tuastos roared. "You got a scent?" I hoped.

"There they are!" Riya behind me pointed forward and I saw the bald man riding on his fast mount, not caring that he was drawing attention too. Unfortunately, I saw him turn back. But we weren't gonna lose him again. We chased him out of the city towards the range of mounds which I recognised from one of my mother's travel books. They were heading to the Spring Mountains. And we had to catch them.

"Come on girl. Give me all you got," I begged.

And that's the next part done. I give credit to Ahinderyes for the new OC ideas. I hope you didn't mind me alternating their role in this chapter a bit. Also thank you Hukiellefho for those Harry Potter OC ideas. I was considering rewriting Harry Potter with the TV series if it will be a success. The next chapter will come either tomorrow or next week. See you all soon.