I sat atop Glitter waiting for everyone else to get their armor together. She whined in frustration and pawed the ground. Her flaming main tossed around in her agitation.

"I agree. It would just be Clarisse and me going, I don't know why we need so many." 

I had got an Iris message from Nico last week. He informed me saying that he heard a large group of monsters were coming via train into Philadelphia. I took this information to Chiron and we got a war council going. It was decided that Clarisse and Area's cabin would lead the raid, and Apollo's cabin would be joining. I would have just gone myself, but I had promised Raph not to leave camp again without telling anyone, and I wasn't ready to tell anyone I had taken a dip in the Styx. It had been a full month since my new powers, and I had become even better with my two Kopis blades. My arrows also hit true every time. I also noticed I got angrier faster, little things set me off and I had to do a lot of walking away before I charbroiled someone. 

Someone patted my knee, I looked down, Beckendorf was standing by my knee, his arm slung over Selina. I smiled down at the couple, they were seriously the best looking couple in camp, they were also the cutest couple. He was quiet and laid back, easy going, and she was the bubbly chatty one. He held up something in his hand. I raised my eyebrow. He took his arm from around Selina and signed. 

"Its not an explosive, girl, its a shield." 

"It looks like a bracelet!" I signed and picked up the bracelet. It was made of bronze and had sun designs inlaid in the leather and one big sun in the middle. It was beautiful craftsmanship. 

"Tyson helped, but press the middle sun and it will expand into a shield." He explained. "Easier to carry into battle." 

"Whoa!" I mouthed, my eyes had gone large. I pressed the sun and the shield expanded and morphed into a full sized battle shield. The detail was beautiful. 

"Press the inside sun, on the inside of your wrist." Beckendorf signed. 

I pressed it with my free hand and it spun back into a small little bronze sun inlaid in leather around my wrist. I gasped and looked down at him. He gave me a big toothy grin. I swung my leg over Glitter's back and slid off my horses back and gave him a quick hug. 

"Thank you." I signed. 

"Figured one of the best warriors should have a shield, but their so heavy and awkward in battle." 

"Dude, this is fantastic! Thank you." 

"He's so sweet and thoughtful!" Selina gushed. He slid her arm around his waist and he threw his arm back over her shoulders. 

"Stay safe. I have another project I wanna get to, but I'm going to need your fire proof ability." 

"I'll be back in two days!" 

"Later." He nodded. 

"Take care of Miss O'Leary!" 

"Always. She's a good girl." 

"Bye Selina, keep him out of trouble." 

She laughed and waved. I climbed back up on Glitter's back. 

"Lady, are we finally ready?" 

"I sure hope so, or I'm leaving these losers behind."

Clarisse finally showed up on a Pegasus. She looked frustrated already. 

"Clary. We finally ready?" 

She looked over her shoulder to the campers climbing up on the backs of the Pegasus. She nodded grimly.  

"This would be easier if it was just the two of us, we could grab Raph and the three of us could do this." 

I nodded in agreement. "He has finals. He'll be back at camp on Friday." 

She sagged, but straightened up, readjusted her helmet. She yelled something and then her Pegasus took off for the sky. Glitter launched into the sky, leaving my stomach behind for a second. I had to do a lot of convincing to not run ahead and leave everyone behind. She could get to Philli in about 5 minutes, but she was also the foal of a sun chariot horse, who could run at increasable speeds even Pegasus couldn't keep up. 

"My Lady...I'm only walking."  She complained. I patted her neck, "I know."

We rode the rest of the way in silence. Michael and Clarisse were at each other constantly, and I was glad I couldn't hear it. Kayla flew beside me for a few minutes, but the 25 minute ride was fast enough and we all touched down in the parking lot of the train station. Everyone gathered around Clarisse, she was the one leading this raid. 

"Okay, the train is supposed to be pulling in, in about 15 minutes." She glanced down at her wrist, where she had a digital watch. "Everyone knows their jobs and what needs to be done." 

Everyone nodded. She turned to me, looking slightly uneasy. 

"You sure about this?" She signed. I really appreciated how hard she worked learning sign language for me. (Even though I'm sure Raph had a huge part in the Ares cabin learning.) 

I nodded and patted her shoulder. What Raph doesn't know wont hurt him. I volunteered for the dangerous part. Well, more like demanded it, I had a secret; I was invincible and I wasn't going to put my friends at risk! So Clarisse and I came up with a way to stop the train. She didn't like putting me in danger, because if something happened to me on her watch... the wrath of Raph would come down on the whole cabin.

"Clary." I signed. I made sure she was watching me before I continued. "This is my choice. And I'd just do it anyways. So chill. I can handle my boyfriend."

"Your funeral sis." She rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She stomped away. I folded my arms and watched her walk away. I felt a nudge in my back.

"My Lady. Are we ready?"

"Ya. Ya, come on."

I turned and swung up onto her back and Glitter trotted the other way as Clarisse. Glitter and I were the bait. We made our way to the middle of the train tracks. In the big intersection where all the trains park, load and change tracks. She trotted in and we stood waiting. I plucked my arrow charm and held it gripped in my hand, I felt the quiver appear on my back. I had my Kopis knives on my hips and now the shield on my wrist in pendant form.

"How long do we wait My Lady?"

"No idea. According to the train schedule, less then 6 minutes."

We waited in tense silence. I knew Areas and Apollo Cabin were around. Cabin 7 was stationed around the area as snippers. And Cabin 5 was the muscle. We waited in silence which stretched. My fingers tapped the handle of my bow. I readjusted my armour and guards, it was still the same armour that Apollo sent me into The Battle of the Labyrinth with last year. It seemed to not loose it's shine. It fit me perfectly and seemed to grow and adjust as I grew and changed.

"My Lady. I hear the train."

"Good. Thank you. It's show time."

I took my helmet that Apollo gave me last year and jammed it on my head.

I assumed everyone else could hear the train. I relayed on Glitter or someone else for my hearing. But since my dip in the Styx,  I wasn't so worried about hearing, if someone tried to sneak up on me it would just deflect. But I did appreciate my fellow demigods looking out for me.

I straighted up and drew the string of the bow back, holding the arrow ready. I saw the train come speeding down the long track. It slowed down, but it wasn't going to stop in time, I could see a snack lady driving this train. And I knew without a doubt this train was full of more monsters and textures for Luke's army.

I willed my hands to burst into flam and the fire traveled to the arrow. Once the entire arrow was on fire I released it. It shot like blast from cannon, and whizzed straight at the train. It exploded through the front glass and the inside of the train exploded in fire.

I smiled. I pulled the string of the bow back again and setting it on fire I let it fly again. This time from front engine exploded and train derailed. A few cars ripping over and sliding.

Glitter gracefully jumped and landed on on of the sliding cars. There was chaos. Monsters emerged from all the train cars. But as they clawed their way free and jumped down, celestial bronze arrows rained down on them from Cabin 7 and I sent flaming arrow after flaming arrow into the ranks of monsters. Once the arrows let up, I saw Clarisse leading the charge. Her siblings followed, their swords or spears held high. They stormed the ranks and it didn't take long.

Glitter jumped off the train car and leapt into the fight. I clipped my bow and pulled my knives out and launched myself at an enemy monster. He looked human enough, he had a twisted viel smile that would probably make anyone quiver, but he had a second set of hands and a second set of legs. I didn't hesitate and I dispatched him back to Tarderus.

My knives seemed to have a mind of their own; slashing, stabbing, blocking. Celestial bronze and silver blures of twin death. And if I couldn't get them with my knives I sent flames of fire at the bigger groups. Glitter always right behind me or beside me, her flaming hooves stomping monsters into dust.

I managed to break through a rather huge group of monsters, and ran towards the Apollo campers who were being surrounded.

"Glitter! Michael and Kayla!"

"Yes Lady!"

We ran towards the archers who were starting to become overwhelmed. I reached the back ranks and slashed a huge line if monsters in the back to nothing but dust. It was enough of a surprise distraction that Michael, Kayla and a few others to regroup and get back into it. I paused long enough to look around and see Clarisse and the cabin smashing through ranks of monster after monster. I sent a few more fire balls into the train cars. Making sure everything would burn. Our group of monsters were just piles of ash and dust.

Michael shouldered his bow and walked over.

"Come. Let's go check out those back train cars. Ares cabin has the last of the monsters." He signed and beckoned me with him.

I shoved my knives back into their holsters and decided to follow. I could feel the fatigue setting in. Clarisse had this. I followed the rest of the archers do the back the first train car was full of chained Hell hounds. When we flung the door open they all snarled and snapped at us, they couldn't reach us, due to the chains, but it made me sad; Miss O'Leary was such a good girl.

"They aren't Miss O'Leary." Kayla signed.

I sighed and blasted the train car. Sending the whole group of them back to Tarterus. I turned away as Michael and a few other opened the next train car. This one was full of food supplies.

"We save this and send it to Apollo and Ares." I signed.

Michael nodded. And then the last car door was flung open. I side was not something I was expecting. It was a chariot. It was solid gold and for a moment I thought it was Apollo's sun chariot.

"Is that...?" Kayla signed turning to me.

I shook my head. It was similar, but no this was a different chariot. This one had wings that seemed to flutter, like they were stuck. I climbed into the car. The chariot was chained down. Thick chains wrapped around the wheels, and around the axels. I shooky hands, heating them up and melted the chains. As soon as it was free the wings flapped even more, like they were excited. Michael and Austin jumped into the chariot and took the rains. The thing shoot forwards, almost taking me and Kayla out- if we hadn't ducked in time...

We scrambled back out of the train and I jogged to the train with all the food. I saw Clarisse running over.

"What's that?" She asked and pointed to the chariot Michael was driving.

"Just some chariot thing we found. Come on we gotta hurry before the mortals find us. Did you lose anyone?"

She shook her head, her eyes were narrowed, a d followed the swooping gold chariot. I waved a hand in front of her face.

"Anyone hurt? Injured?"

She blinked a few times and focused on me.

"Oh...yeah...one got a sid hit to the head. He won't wake up. And another one took some poison claws to the thigh."

"Damn."

"Glitter!"

"Yes Lady?"

"We have two injured Ares campers. We need to get them back to Will and Chiron."

"I will take them. But you will be fine?"

"Always. I can wait for half an hour. Don't wait for them. Go ahead and bring the injured back, once they are safely at camp, then come back for me."

"Yes Lady."

"Glitter will take them back."

Clarisse just nodded, her eyes back on the chariot. I rolled my eyes and turned to the train car and sent a huge flame of fire engulfing everything. Clarisse steplsd back in surprise. "For you Father. Thank you for my true aim, and keeping your campers safe. And you too Ares. Thanks for the help in the strategy and battle department."

The sky thundered and shook. I took that as a good sign. I turned back to Clarisse. She was still watching the chariot and I was getting really frustrated. I snapped my fingers.

"Hey! Pay attention." I signed. "Did you get any I formation from anyon"

She shook her head not paying attention. I threw my hands up in frustration and walked away. Tyler, one of the older Ares boys was standing guard over another demigod. This enemy demigod had dark bags under his eyes and a cruel smile. He had a few good jagged scars and was missing a finger. I looked down at the guy, studying him. He glared right back. His twisted sme showed a few missing teeth. If I didn't know, I'd have said he was a baby homeless cyclops. He was maybe 19, be it looked as big as a house, no neck and all shoulders. His muddy brown eyes looked up at me and his smile twisted even more.

"Well well well. If it isn't miss su shine herself."

I had to focus hard on his mouth to understand his words.

"You don't happen to speak fluent ASL, do you?" I signed.

His smile dropped a bit, and he pulled his eyebrows together. I sighed. I guess not.

I pulled my helmet off and and tucked it under my arm. Staring down at the guy.

"Let's get this over with." I signed. "Tyler? Will you translate?"

Tyler nodded, his massive arms folded.

"Who are you?" I signed as Tyler spoke to the guy.

"Names Jones."

"And you've joineduke? Sworn your loyalty to Kronos?"

The huge wrestler looking guy nodded. "Yes. And he's going to bring a new order where I won't be living on the streets fighting monsters to survive! He saw me! He saw my value and my worth!"

"Did you try coming to camp?"

"Why? So I could walk around and toss half my supper into a fire for some self-righteous asshole can make me do what they want instead of what I want?  No way sweet cheeks. I want my own life. Not one controlled by some immortal god that uses me when they want and then tosses me aside when I'm not needed! No way, Honey."

"Were you ever claimed?"

"Now why in Hades would they claim me? I've heard most of your campers are unclaimed. Those gods of yours screw mortals and move on their immortal lives."

"And you think Kronos will do a better job?"

"Can't be worse then it is now."

I frowned. As much as I hated it, this guy was making aot of gold points, and I could see Tyler thinking the same thing.

"What's Kronos's plan for the monsters as just destroyed?" I signed, hoping to steer the conversation away from Luke and Kronos's ideology.

"No idea."

"Helpful."

"They don't tell us anything. I do know though..." He trailed off and smirked suddenly. I had a bad feeling. "I'll tell you everything...if you come here and give me a kiss."

"What no. Eww!"

Tyler suddenly stuffed and used the back of his sword to smack Jones in the mouth. His lip split and he spat a mouth full of blood. He grinned up at me.

"I see your dogs are well trained."

"Tell me what I want to know."

"For a price."

I felt the glow in my veins heat up. It flowed through me almost instantly. It was always bubbling at the surface these days. I could feel the heat around me climb, the hot dry heat of the sun. Tyler stepped back, I could see the beads of sweat on his face. Jones looked slightly uneasy.

"You can go now Tyler."

He didn't wait he took off. I crouched down so I was eye level.

"Tell me what you know." I mouthed slowly.

"Kiss me first."

I reached out and grabbed his throat. The heat was too much for him and I left him with the worst sun burn imaginable.

"Fine! Typhon is being released in two days! I know Posiden is busy fighting a war in the oceans. Kronos will match on Olympus with everything he has!"

"Thank you."

I nodded and stood up. I turned around and started to walk away. Tyler came running, clearly he was yelling something before I could turn around he threw the spear. It whizzed passed me. I spun around and saw Jones collapse to his knees the spear in his chest. A knife clattering to the ground. I sagged. I hadn't wanted to kill any demigods today.

"Thank you Tyler."

He just nodded. We walked back to the main group. They were all arguing. I rolled my eyes and waved my hands and when no one paid attention I lit them on fire, which shot a few feet into the air. They listened now.

"Stop arguing. We need to get to camp. Michael, take a few of the wounded in the chariot. Glitter will take Beth and Crew. The mortals will be here soon. Argue at camp."

Clarisse looked like she was going to argue, but she wasn't one to ignore her siblings or her soilders under her care. It only took a few minutes to get the wounded situated and Glitter took off Michael right behind in the flying gold chariot. Everyone else took off on their pagasus. Clarisse took some convincing. But Glitter would be back for me lroba my before they even made it to camp.

I was finally alone. Standing amongst the burning wreckage of the train the remnants of monster dust coated everything. I looked around. Something didn't feel right. I scanned the area again. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Jones was gone. How could he be gone? I watched him die. Frowning I walked back over. His body was just gone. I spun around. Out of the smoke and shadows came a human form. She was hiding something in each hand. Black rock walls slammed into me, they just appeared out of thin air. A lid slammed over me, knocking me onto my back.

I was trapped. And then something rattled around my head, something like a lullaby. I couldn't hear it, but it made my lumps heavy, and it made my brain sluggish. I couldn't move. I couldn't focus. My eyelids fluttered. Not fully asleep, but not fully awake.

I had finally been kidnapped.

🔆

* Extra long chapter *