┌────── •✧• ──────┐

chapter thirteen ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
013. R.E.D. to the Rescue

└────── •✧• ──────┘

Cassie was in a bad mood when they found the tow truck. It was at the edge of the stupid trash dump and so old that she wouldn't be surprised if some mortal had just left it there.

Yet the engine still worked and the gas tank was full so they made the best of their luck, if you could even call it luck anymore. Thalia took the wheel and was surprisingly good at driving on actual land.

The daughter of Zeus didn't seem as stunned as the rest of them and could focus on the road.

"The skeletons are still out there," Thalia mentioned. "We need to keep moving."

She took them through the desert with barely any difficulty. Cassie stared up at the clear blue sky, it hurt to look down at the bright sand. The brunette was also keeping her tears at bay.

Zoë was in the front with Thalia while the other three squished in the pickup bed. The weather was nice and cool but no one could enjoy it with the loss of Bianca.

Percy turned the little figurine in his hand, inspecting it. Cassie glanced down noticing the movement and the two thought the same thing... what were they going to tell Nico?

The son of Poseidon didn't want to believe Bianca di Angelo was dead, but deep down he had the feeling she was gone for good.

"It should've been me. I should've gone into the giant," Percy muttered.

Grover bleated in a panic. "It's bad enough Annabeth is gone, and now Bianca. Do you think I could stand it if..." his voice broke at the thought. "Do you think anybody else would be my best friend?"

"Ah, Grover..."

The satyr ignored him, "And what about Cassie?"

Both boys' gazes fell on the daughter of Ares. She was fiddling with her fingers which held a subtle red glow. Too lost in her own thoughts, the girl didn't seem to hear any of what they said.

"Grover..." Percy tried.

He just wiped beneath his eyes with a scratch piece of cloth that left black marks on his face."'m... I'm okay."

But Percy knew better than that. Grover wasn't okay and he hadn't been since the gust of wild wind in New Mexico. After that the satyr had been more fragile and emotional. The son of Poseidon feared him breaking into tears any time they spoke.

There is one good thing about having a more worrisome friend. Percy was ably to snap out of his depressed mood, he had to keep them going forward like Thalia was.

Speaking of the daughter of Zeus, her and Zoë were having their own conversation up front.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

When the tow truck finally ran out of gas the group was by the edge of a river canyon. The road was a dead-end anyways.

Thalia got out of the car and slammed the door behind her. One of the tires popped because of it. "Great. What now?" she huffed.

"Maybe don't take your anger out on the thing that got us here," Cassie suggested, running a hand over her tired face.

The daughter of Ares stared into the distance and wasn't impressed by what she saw. Desert extended as far as the eye could see other than random clumps of mountains every so often.

Then canyon itself was the most interesting landform there. The river wasn't big but the green water seemed refreshing and the rapids could offer her some sense of fun. Below them was a pretty steep fall into the huge chunk of the desert the river carved out.

"There's a path," Grover brayed. "We could get to the river." He lifted his arm and pointed to a thin ledge leading down the cliff side.

"That's a goat path," Percy stated the obvious.

"So?"

"The rest of us aren't goats." He sassed and Cassie had to stifle her laugh.

"We can make it, I think."

"Sounds great..." She mumbled.

Percy hesitated. He'd done cliffs and they weren't too enjoyable. Also Thalia was as white as a ghost again at the thought. With her fear of heights, she'd be going no where.

"No, I, uh, think we should go farther up-stream." The son of Poseidon proposed.

Grover went to protest, "But-"

"Come on. A walk won't hurt us." Percy urged them on, making eye contact with Thalia. He could see the silent message of 'thank you' from her eyes.

They hiked along the river for half a mile to an area with an easier slope into the water. By the shore was a closed canoe rental shop, but nothing was stopping them.

Percy did leave a stack of golden drachmas and scribbled a note that read IOU two canoes.

"We need to go upstream. The rapids are too swift," Zoë informed them. She did not sound like herself. In fact this was the first time she spoke since the junkyard and Cassie was pretty worried about her.

"Leave that to me," Percy reassured, dropping the canoes in the water.

Thalia yanked him aside as Cassie grabbed the oars.

"Thanks for back there."

"Don't mention it."

"Can you really," the girl tilted her head towards the rapids. "You know."

"I think so. Usually I'm good with water."

"No shit," Cassie pipped in, holding an oar like a baseball bat.

"Would you two take Zoe? I think, ah, maybe you can talk to her, Percy," Thalia asked.

"She's not going to like that."

"What are you talking about, we're her favorite people!" Cassie scoffed.

"Please? I don't know if I can stand being in the same boat with her. She's.... she's starting to worry me." Thalia admitted. The daughter of Zeus carried more about the lieutenant than she wanted to admit.

Cassie's eyes flickered between the two and she nervously fiddled with one of her bracelets. Stuck in a boat with Bubble Guppy and Zoë... perfect.

Thalia visibly relaxed when Percy nodded. "I owe you one."

"Two."

"One and a half," Thalia bargained.

A smile stretched across the daughter of Zeus' features and Percy remembered that he did like Thalia when she wasn't constantly screaming at him. She left the two to help Grover drag their canoe into the water.

Once they were in the river it turned out that Percy didn't have to control the currents. All he had to do
was flirt with the naiads hanging out right below the boat.

Cassie thought they were pretty, like typical teenage girls that practically lived in the mall. Other than them living underwater of course.

"Hey," Percy said.

The naiads made some bubbling noise which must've been their way of giggling. Percy wouldn't know since he was clueless half the time.

"We're heading upstream. Do you think you could-" They were being pushed up river before he even got to finish. The canoes sped upstream so fast that Grover fell over in his canoe and only his hooves could be seen sticking straight up.

Cassie held back a laugh and grabbed her oar.

"I hate naiads," Zoë complained under her breath.

She was hit in the face with a stream of water in return and this time Cassie couldn't keep in her hysteria.

"They hate you too," the brunette chuckled.

"She-devils!" Zoë reached for her bow.

"Whoa, they're just playing." Percy stopped her, putting his hand out.

"Cursed water spirits. They've never forgiven me."

"Forgiven you for what?" The two chimed together.

Zoë sighed and threw her bow back over her shoulder. "It was a long time ago. Never mind."

Neither of the two pressed any further. Cassie watched as the shadows from looming cliffs were casted over them every so often.

"What happened to Bianca wasn't your fault," Percy spoke up. "It was my fault. I let her go."

If Zoë was busy yelling at him maybe she would shake out of her depressed feelings. Though it only seemed to make it worse.

The lieutenant shook her head and dropped her shoulders. "No, Percy. I pushed her into going on the quest. I was too anxious. She was a powerful half-blood. She had a kind heart, as well. I... I thought she would be the next lieutenant."

"But you're the lieutenant." Cassie retorted.

Zoë turned her tired stare to the girl and grabbed the strap of her quiver. "Nothing can last forever, Cassie. Over two thousand years I have led the Hunt, and my wisdom has not improved. Now Artemis herself is in danger."

"Zoë, you can't blame yourself for that!" Cassie countered.

"If I had insisted on going with her -"

"You both would've been kidnapped."

Percy nodded in agreement. "You think you could've fought something powerful enough to kidnap Artemis? There's nothing you could have done."

Zoë answered them with silence.

The three remained quiet as the shadows from the cliffs continued tocast over them. The water was colder even with the brightness of the sun.

Cassie furrowed her eyebrows, looking down at her oar. She pulled it from the water and placed it to the side. Without a second thought, Riptide poofed into her vacant hands.

Both Zoë and Percy were startled by the sudden action. The son of Poseidon raised an eyebrow in curiosity but made no attempt to get his sword back.

Zoë on the other hand gazed away from the sword as fast as she had glanced at it. Her lips fell and there was a pained look in her eyes.

"You made this," Cassie stated, twirling the sword in her hand.

"Who told thee?" The huntress questioned.

"My dreams."

Zoë's eyes stayed trained on Cassie face, it was slightly unnerving. Just when the daughter of Ares was about to say forget about it, the lieutenant sighed. "It was a gift. And a mistake."

"Who was the hero?" Cassie pushed on, though it was pretty obvious to her.

"Hold on," Percy cut in. "You had a dream about Riptide, Zoë, and some random dude?"

The brunette grinned, "Basically."

"Oh okay."

Zoë looked between the two and rolled her eyes. Then she shook her head, "Do not make me say his name. I swore never to speak it again."

"You act like we should know him." Percy observed.

"I am sure you do, hero. Don't all you boys want to be just like him?"

Her bitter voice stopped Percy from asking more and Cassie sent him an 'I'll tell you later' look. She handed him back his sword and decided to change to topic.

"Your mother was a water goddess?" Cassie asked.

"Yes, Pleione. She had five daughters. My sisters and I.
The Hesperides."

"Those were the girls who lived in a garden at the edge of the West. With the golden apple tree and a dragon guarding it." Percy pipped in.

"Yes, Ladon." Zoë remarked, a sense of longing in her voice.

"But weren't there only four sisters?"

"There are now. I was exiled. Forgotten. Blotted out as if I never existed."

"Why?"

Zoë gestured to Percy's sword. "Because I betrayed my family and helped a hero. You won't find that in the legend either. He never spoke of me. After his direct assault on Ladon failed, I gave him the idea of how to steal the apples, how to trick my father, but he took all the credit."

"But-" He was interrupted buy a gurgling noise as the naiad spoke in his head. The canoe began to slow.

Looking ahead, they could tell why. The river path was blocked by a giant dam the size of a football stadium.

"Hoover Dam. It's huge." Thalia gawked.

The five were standing by the edge of the river staring up at the concrete. Above them people were walking over the dam and were so far away they seemed like fleas.

The naiads vanished a while ago after grumbling a lot. They didn't seem like big fans of the dam and they took the canoes back with them.

"Seven hundred feet tall. Built in the 1930s." Cassie informed them, there was a dazed look in her eyes as she spoke.

"Five million cubic acres of water," Percy added.

Grover brayed sadly. "Largest construction project in the United States."

Zoë blinked, gazing at them questioningly. "How do you know all that?"

Thalia, Percy, and Grover shared sorrowful looks, Cassie was the only one that spoke up.

"Annabeth. She loved architecture. She'd go on and on about it. It was so irritating, but fascinating to listen to."

Percy scoffed, as if Cassie didn't stare at Annabeth with adoration every time she'd start rambling. "You act like you didn't gawk every time she talked about it."

"Did not!" Cassie flushed red, the heating rising to her cheeks. It's not like she found it cute or anything. Annabeth was enthusiastic about it so the least Cassie could do was listen.

"She was nuts about monuments," Thalia changed the topic back.

"Spouted facts all the time." Grover was starting to tear up. "So annoying."

"I wish she were here," Cassie admitted, kicking the dirt on the ground. "She would've enjoyed it."

The other three nodded earning a strange face from Zoë. It wasn't fair that they had come to the Hoover Dam and Annabeth wasn't even here to see it. It was one of her favorites. Cassie would know from their late nights talking over summer breaks.

"We're going up there, for her. Just to say we've been." The daughter of Ares demanded.

"You are mad, but that's where the road is." Zoe pointed to a parking garage near the top of the dam. "And so, sightseeing it is."

They walked for almost half an hour and Cassie was ready to collapse. The water looked so refreshing too, but more importantly they had come across a path leading to the road.

Once they got to the top of the dam it was cold and windy. One side held a lake surrounded by desert mountains as far as the eye could see.

The other looked like the world largest skateboard ramp and Cassie would've given into her urges if Thalia hadn't caught her. There was the river down below spewing from the dam's vents, but it still led to death no doubt.

The daughter of Zeus strode in the middle of the road, not doubt to stay away from the edges. Cassie found it ironic that Thalia had a fear of heights.

Meanwhile Grover had his nose in the air the whole time checking for monsters. He never mentioned anything, but Percy could tell he smelled them.

"How close are they?" The son of Poseidon asked.

Grover just shook his head. "Maybe not close. The wind on the dam, the desert all around us... the scent can probably carry for miles. But it's coming from several directions. I don't like that."

None of them liked it. They barely had any time till the winter solstice and the last thing they needed was more monsters.

"There's a snack bar in the visitor center," Thalia mentioned.

"Wait, you've been here before?" Cassie questioned, she fiddled with her sunglasses bored.

"Once. To see the guardians." She gestured to the far end of the dam where a plaza with two bronze statues was carved from the cliff side. Percy thought they looked a bit like Oscar statues with wings.

"They were dedicated to Zeus when the dam was built," Thalia informed. "A gift from Athena."

Did Cassie mention that she missed Annabeth? These constant reminders really weren't helping. Also the whole deal with Aphrodite hadn't left her head since.
Something about it just made her heart race, the goddess looked exactly like a certain blonde. It had to mean something. Deep down maybe she knew what it meant.

She redirected her eyes to the groups of tourists admiring the statues' feet.

Cassie shuddered in disgust, "Are they okay?"

"What are they doing?" Percy added.

"Rubbing the toes. They think it's good luck." Thalia stated.

"Why?"

The punk girl shrugged. "Who knows. Mortals get crazy ideas. They don't know the statues are sacred to Zeus, but they know there's something special about them."

"When you were here last, did they talk to you or anything?" Percy hoped they did cause the group could used all the help they could get.

"And were they still getting their feet rubbed?" Cassie joked, still grossed out.

Thalia's face darkened and Cassie could tell it brought back bad memories. Knowing her she probably came her looking for guidance, but was there any?

"No. They don't do anything. They're just big metal statues."

Percy's thoughts got the better of him but he refrained from saying anything. Last time they came across a metal statue it didn't go too well.

"Let us find the dam snack bar," Zoë demanded. "We should eat while we can." It was funnier than it should've been.

Grover's face broke into a smile. "The dam snack bar?"

Zoë wasn't amused. "Yes. What is funny?"

"Nothing," Grover stifled his laughter, pursuing his lips. "I could use some dam french fries."

Thalia couldn't hold it in either. "And I need to use the dam restroom."

It wasn't even that funny but for four delusional kids physically and mentally tired, they found it hysterical. Percy leaned on Cassie to keep his balance as the two cracked up.

"I want to go to the dam store, for some dam merchandise," the brunette let out between her laughs.

The four would've died on the spot but Zoë was only confused. "I do not understand."

"I want to use the dam water fountain," Grover said.

"And." Thalia could barely breathe. "I want to buy a dam T-shirt."

Percy wiped tears from his eyes and would've kept laughing if he hadn't heard a noise.

"Moooo."

The smile fell from his face and he almost thought he was imagining things, but Grover seemed to hear it too.

The satyr whipped around. "Did I just hear a cow?"

"A dam cow?" Thalia chuckled, high-fiving Cassie.

"No," Grover denied. "I'm serious."

"Dam serious," The daughter of Ares corrected.

Zoë listened for any sound. "I hear nothing."

Thalia gazed at him questioningly. "Percy, are you okay?"

"Yeah, you guys go ahead. I'll be right in." He waved them off.

"What's wrong?" Grover asked.

"Nothing."

"You sure?" Cassie inquired.

"I... I just need a minute. To think."

The group was hesitant, but the upset look on Percy's face was enough to convince them. They headed into the visitor center without him. What he didn't notice was a certain brunette leaving their friends to go after him, invisibility cap on her head.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

Cassie watched curiously as Percy stared down over the dam edge. Whatever he was hearing, she certainly couldn't.

The son of Poseidon glanced around at the people that walked by. Groups of kids, a bunch of senior citizens, and even some families. Yet none of them noticed Bessie.

"What are you doing here?" Percy questioned hesitantly.

"Moo!" Her voice held urgency, like she came to warn him.

"How did you get here?"

"Moo!" The creature wanted him to come with her and quickly.

Percy protested, "I can't. My friends are inside."

No his best friend was outside listening to him talk to himself, thinking he was going mentally insane. Cassie crossed her arms and waited patiently.

Something caused Percy to rush off in one direction and Cassie would've followed him but she had a sudden feeling of danger. The hairs on her arm stood up as she glanced to the right. Two men were approaching her and they were missing their flesh.

Two skeletons decked out in camouflage outfits heading straight her way.

'Thanks a lot Perc,' Cassie cursed in her head.

As the skeletons pushed through the group of kids, they knocked some of them aside. One kid tried to stand up for his friend, "Hey!"

A skeleton changed its face into a skull and scared the kid.

"Ah!" he yelped running off with the rest of his friends.

Cassie groaned and dashed off in the direction of the visitor center. When she was nearing the stairs the squeal of tires sounded left of her.

A black van had swerved to a stop right in the center of the dam road, and almost ran over some old people. The doors burst open and out came more and more skeleton warriors. She was surrounded.

The daughter of Ares grumbled to herself but decided there was only one thing to do. She sprinted down the stairs, into the museum going, around the metal detector and alarmed the security guard.

"Hey, kid!"

That wasn't stopping Cassie. She curved through different exhibits and attempted to blend in with a tour group.

Her friends were no where to be seen. Where was the dam snack bar?

"Stop!" The guard had trailed after her.

Cassie just grinned at the sucker and got in the elevator with the tour. She stuck her tongue out as the door closed.

"We'll be going down seven hundred feet," informed a stern voice from behind her. The brunette whipped around and was met with the front of the tour guide. A park ranger whose silky black hair was up in a ponytail and had tinted glasses resting on her nose.

The daughter of Ares was just glad the guide didn't notice she was being chased. Cassie caught her breath, listening to the woman talk. "Don't worry, ladies and gentlemen, the elevator hardly ever breaks."

"Does this go to the snack bar by any chance?" Cassie asked as politely as she could. No need to be rude in front of a beautiful woman.

Some of the people laughed and the tour guide stared her down. Her gaze made Cassie's skin tingle like the feeling you'd get meeting your mother-in-law.

"To the turbines, young lady. Weren't you listening to my fascinating presentation upstairs?" She tutted.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't mind a refresher," Cassie smirked, "Is there another way out of the dam?"

"It's a dead end," a tourist answered, "For heaven's sake. The only way out is the other elevator."

The doors dinged open.

"Go right ahead, folks," the tour guide ushered her group forward. "Another ranger is waiting for you at the end of the corridor."

Cassie fell in step with the group but was called back by the tour guide. "And young lady."

"Yes ma'am," the brunette replied.

She was surprised to see the guide had taken off her glasses. A stunning pair of stormy gray eyes looked back at her. Almost as pretty as Annabe-

"There is always a way out for those clever enough to find it." The woman disappeared behind the elevator doors with a dazzling smile.

Cassie wasn't given the chance to think because a ding came from the other elevator just around the corner. Skeleton teeth were clattering from that direction.

She took a deep breath and ran after the tour group. They passed under a never ending tunnel carved from solid rock. The walls were somewhat moist and the hum of electricity could be heard along with waves of water.

The end of the tunnel had a U-shaped balcony that gave a look into a warehouse area. Cassie looked down at the huge turbines and kept the urge to jump in buried away. She didn't feel like being electricity today.

The brunette was impressed she hadn't fallen asleep yet. Sure the adrenaline of running kept her on her toes but now a different tour guide was telling the group about Nevada's water supplies.

Cassie prayed to her dad that Percy, Thalia, Zoë, and Grover were safe or at least okay wherever they were. They could've been captured but Cassie could only hope they were eating at the snack bar, clueless of anything that was going on.

That sounded good right now. Rather eat than be trapped in a hole hundreds of feet underground with skeletons soldiers creeping closer by the second.

Cassie pushed her way through the crowd and spotted a hallway on the other side of the balcony. Maybe she could find another way out or hide there. Her hand glowed slightly red, but never enough to draw much attention.

Once she got to the opposite side of the balcony and into the hallway, Cassie was all on edge. She swore she heard the voice of a skeleton going Chhh! behind her and spun around.

Her sword had appeared and she almost sliced a girl in half. Sword still pointing at the girl's throat. The innocent girl shrieked and dropped her tissue.

"Oh my god! Do you always kill people when they blow their nose?" She scolded.

Cassie grimaced. Just her luck, a mortal. At least the girl wasn't chopped in two pieces. Cassie's sword had passed through her without a cut. "Great a mortal."

Said mortal seemed offended. "What's that supposed to mean? Yeah I'm mortal, so what! How did you get that sword past security?"

The daughter of Ares shrugged innocently and her sword disappeared in a flash. "What sword? I don't see one."

That got her a roll of the random girl's eyes. They were a greener shade than Cassie's and went well with her frizzy reddish-brown hair. Her nose was red too, kinda cute in a sickly way.

The brunette raised her eyebrow at the girl's clothes. She wore an oversized Harvard sweatshirt which hung almost to her knees. Her jeans were littered with marker stains and holes that could've come from a fork.

"Well, it's either a sword or the biggest toothpick in the world," she sassed.

"You look like u stab your pants with a toothpick," Cassie snarked under her breath.

"And why didn't it hurt me? I mean, not that I'm complaining. Who are you? And whoa, your sunglasses are cool but why are you wearing them? Where'd you get them from?"

Too many questions made Cassie's head hurt. She took the glasses from her head and stared at them. Back on their first quest Annabeth had gotten so mad when she 'wasted' her money on the glasses. They'd gone through some pretty tough times.

Cassie didn't have time to waste on the redhead, but she couldn't just leave the girl. Especially not after what she just saw.

The brunette thought back to what Thalia had done at Westover Hall with Thorn and Gottschalk. If she tried really hard maybe she could use the Mist. Cassie closed her eyes in concentration before snapping.

The sharp sound started the mortal as Cassie spun her finger in front of her. "You don't see a sword. You never did. It's just an axe... better yet a baseball bat."

She just blinked. "Um... no. It's a sword, weirdo."

"Who even are you, Red?" Cassie demanded, letting out a frustrated sigh.

'Red' seemingly huffed at the nickname. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Now, are you going to answer my questions or should I scream for security?"

"No! Anything but that. Besides it'd be best if I didn't answer your questions. I'm kind of in a hurry. I'm in trouble."

"In a hurry or in trouble?" Rachel asked.

"Uh, how about both."

Cassie watched Rachel's eyes widened before she felt herself being shoved behind the girl.

"Bathroom!"

"What?"

"Bathroom! Behind me! Now!"

The daughter of Ares listened and hid in the girls' bathroom, keeping her ear pressed against the door to hear what was going on. Cassie didn't like being cowardly and her instincts urged her to go fight, but she didn't listen to them for once.

Cassie left Rachel Elizabeth Dare alone outside. Until the clattering chatter of skeletons drew near. The brunette twirled her sword in her hand, rocking on her heels.

This was really stupid of her. Hopefully Rachel didn't die cause Cassie couldn't be responsible for any more problems. She debated running out to fight when she heard Rachel talking in that rapid kinda annoying way of hers.

"Oh my god! Did you see that kid? It's about time you got here. She tried to kill me! she had a sword, for god's sake. You security guys let a sword-swinging lunatic inside a national landmark? I mean, jeez! She ran that way toward those turbine thingies. I think she went over the side or something. Maybe she fell."

That seemed to do the trick. The skeletons cheered and began to move away.

Rachel swung the door open. "All clear. But you'd better hurry." The red head seemed anxious and her face was sweaty gray.

Cassie stepped out of the bathroom and peered around the corner. She watched three skeleton warriors head toward the other side of the balcony. The path to the elevator was clear.

The daughter of Ares offered the mortal an appreciative smile. "I owe you one, Rachel Elizabeth Dare."

"What are those things?" she wondered. "They looked
like-"

"Skeletons?" Cassie finished.

Rachel nodded hesitantly.

The brunette sighed. "It's best you forget about it. You'd be doing yourself a favor. Forget you ever saw me too."

"Forget you tried to kill me?"

"Yeah, would save me from a lot of legal trouble."

"But who are you?"

Cassie smirked, "That kinda makes it hard to forget me." She offered the girl a wink and went to leave but Rachel grabbed her arm.

"Your name is the least you could give me."

"Cassie-" She began, but the angry clattering of skeletons interrupted her. "Gotta go!"

"What kind of name is Cassie Gotta-go?"

And with that Cassie sprinted for the elevator, leaving a very confused Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

The café was filled of kids every way you looked. Cassie couldn't blame them cause who wouldn't want the dam lunch. Luckily for her Thalia, Zoë, and Grover were about to sit down with their food. Percy came running in from the opposite direction.

"Hey guys! We need to leave," She gasped to catch her breath. "Now!"

"But we just got our burritos!" Thalia protested.

Zoë stood up and cursed in Ancient Greek. "She's right! Look."

The cafe windows offered a stunning all-around view. Right now all that could be seen was the skeletal army waiting to kill them.

Cassie had counted two to the east blocking the road to Arizona and three on the west side, guarding Nevada. All had batons and pistols.

The real problem was a lot closer though. The three skeletons who'd been chasing Cassie, appeared on the stairs. Somehow they spotted her from across the cafeteria and began shouting to each other.

"Elevator!" Grover yelled.

The five ran that way until the doors opened and three more warriors stepped out. Every warrior was there other than the one who was burnt to death by Bianca in New Mexico. The skeletons had them completely surrounded.

Then Grover had the best idea. "Burrito fight!" he shouted, chucking his Guacamole Grande right at the nearest skeleton.

Cassie watched with amused written all over her face. The flying burrito smacked the skeleton's skull right off his shoulders. It could do as much damage as a grenade or a cannonball.

Whatever the other kids saw made them scream and start throwing burritos back and forth. They cheered with delight, even throwing their chips and sodas.

The skeletons attempted to raise their guns, but they couldn't aim in all the chaos.

While they were distracted, Percy and Thalia tackled the other two which sent them flying through the air, landing in the condiments table. The group hurried downstairs and out of the fight.

A pistol had made its way into Cassie's hands and Percy was forced to take it from her and throw it back into the café. The brunette frowned but didn't have time to say anything as they rushed on.

"What now?" Grover asked once they got outside. No one had an answer, they were badly outnumbered and cornered.

As the skeletons closed in, the five ran to the pavilion of the winged bronze statues, putting their back to the mountain.

The skeletons formed a crescent to block them in. The other warriors were running from the food fight to join them. One was securing its head back on its shoulder. Another was wiping ketchup and mustard off its body. The final two were holding burritos in their ribs. All drew their batons before advancing.

"Four against eleven," Zoë counted. "And they cannot die."

"It's been nice adventuring with you guys," Grover sniffled.

Percy squinted as something shined in the corner of his eye. He turned to look at the statue's feet."Whoa. Their toes really are bright."

"Percy! This isn't the time." Thalia scolded, but he had drawn Cassie's attention too.

The daughter of Ares inspected the two huge bronze statues. Their wings were tall and stood straight up, the blades like letter openers. The majority of the statues were a weathered brown. Only their toes were shiny from all the people rubbing them.

Rubbing the toes was stupid in Cassie opinion but they did it for good luck... the blessing of Zeus! The tour guide from the elevator with the pretty gray eyes and her gorgeous smile. Annabeth was lucky she took after her mother.

Now what was it that she said? There is always a way for those clever enough to find it.

"Thalia, pray to your dad." Cassie blurted out.

Thalia glared at her fiercely, "He never answers."

"Just this once" She begged. "Ask for help. I think... I think the statues can give us some luck. Besides what is there to lose?"

Six skeletons aimed their guns and the other five raised their batons. Cassie could try and take their weapons but she wouldn't get them all in time. Fifty feet away. Forty feet.

"Thalia just do it!" The brunette shouted.

"No!" Thalia denied. "He won't answer me."

"It's different this time!"

"Who says?"

Cassie was unsure. "Athena, at least I hope."

Thalia scowled in disbelief, but Grover and Percy knew Cassie better.

"Try it," Grover bleated.

"Do it!" Percy urged.

Thalia shut her eyes and mouthed a silent prayer. Cassie offered her own prayer to Athena, pleading that it was her in that elevator trying to help them save Annabeth.

But nothing happened.

The skeletons closed in and the five got ready to fight. Percy raised Riptide, Cassie's sword appeared in her palm with a flash, Thalia held her shield up for protection, and Zoë stepped in front of Grover notching an arrow which would hit a skeleton's head.

A shadow fell over them and Cassie wonder if this was the end. Her eyes widened when she realized it came from a huge wing. The skeletons were too late to react and the five with batons were swept aside with a blur of bronze.

The remaining skeletons opened fire and Percy tried to use his lion coat to shield himself and Cassie, but they didn't need it. The angels had stepped in front of them and folded their wings as shields.

Bullets bounced off them and when the firing stopped the angles blew the skeletons across the road.

"Man, it feels good to stand up!" the first angel smiled.
His voice was what you imagine a can sounds like if it could talk. He was in desperate need for some water with how raspy his voice was.

"Will ya look at my toes? Holy Zeus, what were those tourists thinking?" the other laughed.

The pride on Cassie's face was picture worthy, but the reforming skeletons were more important. Their bony hands were feeling around for their weapons.

"Trouble!" Percy cried out.

"Get us out of here!" Thalia ordered.

Both angels gazed down at her. "Zeus' kid?"

"Yes!"

"Could I get a please, Miss Zeus's Kid?" an angel questioned.

"Please!"

The angels shared a look and shrugged.

"Could use a stretch," one nodded.

And next thing they knew, Cassie, Percy, and Thalia had been grabbed by one. Zoe and Grover by the other. They soared into the sky, over the dam and the river. The skeleton warriors disappeared in the distance, the sound of gunfire ringing in the mountains.

_________________________________________

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

guys i'm backkkkk!! sorry for disappearing for a while I really didn't have the motivation, also I was dealing with summer school soo yeah.

but now i finally am done with that so hopefully i can be on the writing grind lol. i'll try my best but the chapters get a little long near the end. this one was over 6000 words?!

cassie and rachel got me through this chapter tho becuase i have plans for those two!! but also the little athena moment too 🤭

but thank you for reading! and i hope you liked it! ❤️

-Just Another Overthinker