St.Louis Arch and Lotus Casino... Without me

We arrived at St.Louis Gateway Arch

"So Annie, let me get this straight... your mother angry that she lost to a mortal, torn between the decision to either kill her or turning the girl into a monster she opted for the second one... So now she and her children live in fear of spiders thinking that one of those may be Arachne trying to get revenge... And innocent demigods and mortals now have to live in fear knowing that there is one more mad monster lurking in the shadows to possibly kill them..." I ask the wise girl with a raised eyebrow

"Umh... yeah that is pretty much it..." she answers wrily probably realizing how stupid that sounds

"I see... is it only me, or this is possibly one of the stupidest decisions ever made?" I ask the group with extreme confusion

Percy not backing down from an opportunity to anger the gods doubled down "Yea it is, almost as stupid as turning a priestess into a snake monster capable of petrification. But really none would ever do something THAT stupid"

Annabeth was beet red and wisely decided to stay quiet while Grover was laughing his hairy ass off.. Pride is a wondrous and dangerous emotion... exclusive to the "wealthy' and to those who "have", a reward for them who think they have reached greatness, and the most common cause of their demise...

"Kids where are your parents?" a voice surprises the four of us, it was the same fat lady that entered the elevator with us, her Chihuahua and her haircut were spelling the word Karen for us to read. However, I knew better than to mistake the lady for your usual "get me the manager", she is after all Echidna mother of monsters, with her trusty Chihuahua Chimera

Annabeth, quickwitted as she is readily answered "Down, scared of heights"

Oh, the poor darlings."

The Chihuahua growled. The woman said, "Now, now, sonny. Behave."

The dog had beady eyes like its owner, intelligent and vicious. Malice should be the right word.

But why... why would Zeus send Echidna while we are on a quest for his sake.

While the uneasiness was spreading I just started at the dog, growling at me and Percy... Why was I included? No matter, as I kept staring at him in the eyes as if daring him to continue. And accepting the challenge he did, his growling increased but my deadpan eyes and expression were unflinching.

I could feel Echidna's aura, like with Hestia and Dionysus, it was as if my brain was susceptible to the presence of danger, and the presence of the strong. My body was prone to change and evolution thanks to Lord Chaos buff, it might have trained itself to do so at camp where the "dangerous" presence of the 3 strong constantly stimulated my receptors. Instead of habituating and consequently "forgetting" to feel the presence of the three, however, the results were quite the opposite: my "danger" receptors became even more sensitive making me able to detect Mythological beings faster and with more accuracy. I felt a dark and malicious aura, enough to instill fear, meaning that, without knowing who she was, I could understand that she was bad news.

After a while, noticing that everyone's attention was on Annabeth explaining the wonders of the Arch I started a conversation with the fat Karen.

"Did you know? They say that someones' pet takes a lot from its owner. Meaning that if the pet is ugly, unreasonable, and unfriendly... Chances are their owner is the same" I am close to Echidna right now a risky move but to explain my following knowledge I have to get close enough to look at Chimeras' dog tag.

"So... It says Chimera eh? I suppose you would be Echidna then?" I ask while distancing myself and looking at the oversized Karen.

Her expression became immediately serious while her dog kept growling furiously

"Smart... Zeus was right..." Immediately a smile crept on her face "do you want to slay me as well mortal? as you did with Medusa" a Glint in her round eyes as if challenging me while her dog descended on the ground

"I did not want to kill Medusa... However, I have a question... why. We are on a quest to retrieve Zeus' bolt... Your slip of tongue earlier revealed to me that probably it was him permitting you to be here... We do not have time to lose, so why allow you here to what I presume is either attack or kidnap?" My eyes not even looking at the puppy knowing that he would first become big before attacking or at least transform while leaping and I was prepared for both.

Percy steered Grover and Annabeth toward the exit probably having overheard our talk, loaded them into the elevator, and was about to go in as well before stopping.

The reason presented itself as I heard the park ranger say to him, "Next car, sir."

"Fate works in mysterious ways doesn't it mortal... reason always seem to be clouded when the dynamic trio is involved" she then grins as if she knows something I do-

"Oh fuck" I let out...

"Oh fuck indeed mortal... now now sonny there is no need-... ok fine if you insist... you can eat them both," she tells her doggo which is now a full-size chimera

Why... why did I start talking with Echidna, I cannot escape here, I cannot survive the fall like Percy will do. I have never been this careless. NEVER. Fates... could they be the reason... or are they just a nice convenient scapegoat to cover up my own incompetence... I will think about it later. Now I had to survive. Thankfully I kinda have a plan... I hope.

"Percy... you take the big doggo I take Echidna"

"So you weren't joking... they are really Echidna and Chimera... How the fuck do you plan on doing it, man!"

"I don't know... this is absurd... if Zeus kills you he can kiss goodbye to his glorified firecracker... wtf is he thinking!" I all but scream

"Devour them SONNY!" Echidna screams while I go behind Percy

"Kinda shin name if you ask me" the ever serious (not really) Perseus quips

"Concentrate Percy"

Chimera tries to claw Percy, there is no space for the fight really but the moment the fishboy parries the hit I sneak underneath the monster's legs with a slide effectively cutting the monster's tendons (albeit only those of the left side)... It always fought against Demigods never humans. And humans were bloody resourceful

The Chimera was now having his full attention on me my back on Echidna, knowing that she couldn't harm me... Because she could only test heroes, and only demigods can be heroes.

I glanced at her now fully transformed, a beautiful face and great proportions, enough to probably be selected for a perfume advert, and certainly enough to ignore her snake body. On her right hand is a halberd.

The Chimera was torn... she knew she could not just spit her fireball, since behind me was her creator

Regaining my focus on the magical beast I told Echidna

"Maybe all this monster fighting has gotten me somewhere in the head, or maybe I have always been crazy... But echidna not gonna lie in your snake for you are quite hot" she was not amused

"Mindless praise is not going to save you, mortal... however as a woman, I can't say I'm not pleased. Chimera end this circus"

My distraction was Perfect, Percy cut the snake tail-head, the moment Doggo was about to charge, making it flinch and scream its lungs out.

I immediately went to work and with my speed and multiple slashes I was succeeding to wear out the thing...

ROAAAAAR

A swipe of its claw was enough... I was sent flying on the other side, Percy was kicked in his stomach, the best zeroed his sight on me still rolling body and charged...

I REFUSE TO DIE

In a moment of extreme brightness, and with pure adrenaline pumping in my veins, I did something that even my future self will always shake his head with a smile when remembering this adventure...

Still rolling using the blade still in my hand as a pivot I launched myself back to the leaping Chimera narrowly avoiding her pounce then with the best speed I could muster and taking advantage of the fact that his tendons were cut I took my blade back, and run to Percy.

Chimera spit her fireball, I thought about adding but suddenly my body is grabbed from behind and I find myself flying down the Arch...

Percy that idiot... forgot I was not a demigod... and neither a son of Poseidon... killed by the guy I was supposed to protect in this adventure... what a hilarious way to die... While falling I found myself with a big claw gash on my stomach... ok well maybe... I did not completely avoid the Chimera... I embarrassing lost consciousness for what I swore on myself would be the first and last time I do so after a fight... mama raised no embarrassment.

"Father please help us... the both of us" I could faintly hear before everything turned black

///

I woke up groggily

"Where the fuck... am I" I manage to get my focus on my surroundings but I feel weak... still... I am alive, I was near a lake, and I could still be the Arch very near... Percy that fucker did it... I am alive... Lord Poseidon, I will give you so many fucking sacrifices later, you will need to hire a stunt double to eat them all...

In the distance I see Percy frantically looking around probably looking for me, I tried to move my arms but... I could not... I felt weak.... blood stopped flowing from my wound... Someone picked me up... Of great... the ambulance... and I cannot even tell them to leave me alone... once again I let Morpheus take me... Percy... I'm alive... I am here...

///

The silent golden trio continued their travel in silence, Percy, inconsolable, still had not stopped crying for he had killed his friend... or so he thought... the other two although unwilling to admit it had grown fond of the mortal... he was brave, braver than all of them put together.

Unbeknownst to Tom, his actions ignited a fire in the group, a fire so hot, that it could not be quenched easily, either with simple training or with simple monster hunting. A fire that will take them on the path to become the strongest demigods the world has ever seen. But that is a story for another time

The lotus casino was on sight, and the trio decided they needed a well-deserved rest.

///

Tom meanwhile noticed that his wounds were rapidly healing, although he still had a big gash, he decided he could not wait much. Thanks to Chiron's training he can accurately bandage the wound on his torso. And decided to sneak off from the hospital.

"Well hello there" a sultry voice stopped me in my tracks, the owner of the voice never one stopped looking from her handmirror seemingly covering imperfections only herself could see

A voice that can make you do anything just by saying your name, perfect figure, Auburn hair, pink eyes, lipstick and mirror in hand, and finally an aura radiating attraction, madness, embarassment, jelousy... It took all my willpower to resist becoming an idiot with legs just from just her greeting...

She spelled trouble every time she involved herself in something... why would today be any different...

I am so not ready for this...

"Lady Aphrodite" I guessed trying to sound the most respectful I could"To what do I owe the pleasure"

The goddess takes a moment to look away from her mirror, even that simple eye motion oozes perfection, then after a brief pause she just smiles at me. In a swift practiced motion she closes her handmirror and while still showing me a beautiful smile she takes a step towards my body.

"Tom...

///

2000 words again, longer than I thought... will probably review the fight later.

Found a cool Harry Potter fic to read in the meantime it is called Voleur D'Ame on ff. net