Yo. What's up guys? Here's the promised chapter! Hope this is alright HAHA

Chapter 9 Continuation- Learning Step by Step

Somewhere in the US

Alfred wasn't having a field day, no.

He had busted out from his cell, and now- well. He knew where he was. He knew where he was being kept as well. Kind of ironic, and weirdly romantic (horribly done though) in a way- to be kept somewhere near his heart- if it wasn't the fact that he was being held against his will.

And kidnapped. Yeah.

More like nation-napped, but it didn't have a good ring to it.

He grumbled as he searched in the room. It sucked that he didn't have his guns with him, with those traitors and terrorists getting everything from him. He doubted what he would've used though, if this was a case of mortals-working-with-monsters or monsters-only-operation. Regular bullets or Celestial Bronze/Imperial Gold? He wouldn't know.

Either way, it sucked. They even snatched his glasses away. Now he was blind both ways- everything was a blur except a distance of two feet, and then the other way, he didn't know what a mortal was to something out of the Mist.

Double way, it freaking sucks.

"If I was a monster, where would I keep guns that could kill you?" He muttered, kicking around the chair. "Would I eat it?"

He snorted at the thought. "Nah. Maybe." He furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't think eating a gun like it was a piece of gum would kill a Minotaur though. That guy has it harsh." Then he rummaged the bag left on one of the chairs. "Why'd he have to get them? Man. Just right after Chiron gave them to me."

He knocked his head on the wall, making it crack at the force. He thumped his fist on the wall as well (there was definitely a large spider crack there), biting his lip as a curse escaped his lips in anxiety. "Damn it. What the hell is happening? Why is everything so effed up now? Why are they targeting me, a country? I don't understand!"

China had told him that usually countries were separated in these disputes. That the gods would still stay on their side, and whoever had opened their gates to compensate them was going to be affected. On the other hand, at least the Mist would protect them with whatever may go down, no matter how stupid and hurtful the Mist crafts it to be.

The Second World War was one of those things that breached the barrier between the Greek gods' and the real world. And all because of a stupid pact? Hah.

Alfred thumped his head on the wall again. He was planning to check up on the other demigods in his country after Percy- he knows that being welcoming others as the Melting Pot in the past was going to bite him back one day. As a journey to check up on them and the gods. This was just him being in the Greek gods theology- how was it with the Egyptians? The Norse? If he knew them all (and shit, he does know them all) now what? Would he suffer being entwined in all of the prophecies?

Or is this a Fates thing. Or an Oracle thing. Now I want to ask Apollo.

He outwardly groaned at the thought.

Not now. Now- I need to escape.

He looked around the war room (interesting, because he didn't think war rooms were even present anymore, they're now called meeting rooms, but he guessed that monsters were… a bit slow on the uptake, despite hearing them wanting to get a 3D printer) and stared at the scribblings. It all pointed to him, and then to Percy, and then Olympus. It looked like a conspiracy board of a dude who believed too much in the Illuminati.

The red string was laughable. The hints were adorable.

The whole thing- the war plans, the sieges- was just plain horrible.

He breathed noisily a few times, and after seconds of internal debate, slumped down into a kneeling position.

"I'm so confused. I- I've interacted with demigods in the past, right? What's new? What happened?" He wrung his hands in panic. "Did I put others in danger? Was me being a hero to a fellow hero bad? Is this my fault? What the hell!"

He knew that he tried to convince himself not to worry about those and rather face the matter at hand.

But he didn't know what was wrong.

Yao had already explained to me how important my identity was. I don't understand what's new. Was there… was there a prophecy?

…Even if there WAS a prophecy, I'm pretty sure I'm still going to be entangled in the Fates' string of Destiny. No matter how we countries aren't controlled, people around us will still be.

Have I endangered the others?

The silence was mocking.

He hated it.

He hated wallowing too. He had to do something, and that something, wasn't to ask why he was here.

He stood up, and in defiance and anger, threw his fist on the board and made it crack, destroying it. He made sure the maps were decimated, unrecognizable- even if there were places that the other monsters would've gotten together, well. This was one less. After wrecking the war room, he spun around, knowing the noise would've attracted several guards.

No matter.

He's going to escape.

Washington DC

For some reason, fighting monsters always came naturally to him. It doesn't really make sense why to Percy. He knew that the ADHD he and his fellow demigods would feel acted as battle instincts for them, and yeah he understood the vitality of that, but he… was always different. It felt like his blood wanted to fight, despite his mind not wanting it.

Probably because of the two wars that he had already participated in. Kind of sucks out the joy of everything. I do like fighting, but man. Sometimes it's getting…well, repetitive. Hack here. Slash there. Kelli here. Tammi's where?

Today was one of those days were he was questioning his past experiences. Because by now, usually, the enemies were dead.

"Oh shucks-!" He yelled, rolling around and hitting the wall just to avoid the other empousa's attack. He bit his lip in pain. Perce, you've endured more than this, stop it- don't say it, don't be sarcastic, PERCY-

"You could've snapped my neck!" He joked, backing a few steps when the empousa threw a cart of supplies towards him. "Watch it dude!"

"I am no dude!" The monster yelled in a distorted, but clearly woman voice. "I am Elisha!"

Percy furrowed his eyes and waved. "Hi Elisha?" He greeted, confused. Elisha, in return, nodded in approval.

"-and I'm Cssssynthia." Someone hissed behind him, making him yelp. "Prepare to die, demigod."

Percy rolled his eyes and swiftly slashed against her, severing her head and making her explode into golden dust. At the same time, he ducked, swiping his leg underneath the legs of the incoming "Elisha", making her trip. The empousa in return screeched in an unholy yell, until the son of Poseidon brought down his sword and finished the job.

In the split second of his victory, he noted that the hospital staff were evacuating the patients in the other rooms, and someone was probably screaming their heads off in the intercoms. The hospital alarm was blaring really loud- it was actually a miracle how he was even hearing anyone at this point.

Maybe it's the demigod gift; hear your enemies mock you so you could mock them in a return.

Ooh, I like that. At least I don't go down saying "What?" at a monster. That's pretty awesome!

He was forcefully thrown into the present situation when his arm instinctively brought up his sword, clashing against Kelli's metal leg. Percy winced- thank the gods for years of training, or he's dead. He shouldn't be thinking too much in a battle like this, what the hell?

"Impresssive, Perseusss."Kelli hissed, stalking him in a menacing way. For some reason, she was harder to kill than the other empousa- and it was grating Percy's nerves a little. 'I should be far away, helping Nico and Annabeth decipher whatever clues Sir Alfred had left us. And I'm STILL here fighting! Why isn't she going down? Do I suck that much? Oh man, please don't tell me all of my years being a demigod and now I'm going to die!'

'Oh gods, no! I don't want to die by… a half-goat thingamagee!'

"I take it that you're wondering why I'm harder to kill…. Right?" She smirked, searching his face for…something.

Maybe a mole. Or food to spice me up or something.

His hand unconsciously crept up his face.

I need to find a way to end this fast and safe. I can't have the other patients get worse because of me! But anywhere around here are patients… Gods, where to? Where to?

"Mmm…" He mumbled thoughtfully, leaning against the doorway. So far, in this room, there wasn't anyone inside. Good. "Not really. I kind of figured out some top-notch Boss you have is pulling the strings, kind of giving you a power boost or something." He pursed his lips. "Like- like when you play a game, and then you reach that point where you're like, "Hidden Power!" and then blast it off."

Kelli harrumphed. "Your mindless babble irritates me, this is like when we were 13 all over again."

Percy's eye twitched in disgust. "Ew. Don't say it like we were close or anything-"

"We were, kind of-"

"No-!" He exclaimed, waving his hands in rejection. "Hades no! You were a cheerleader in my school and you caught me! How the Hades is that close! And you weren't thirteen for gods' sakes!" He was getting redder. The more he rejected, the more Kelli smirked. "Don't give me that smile! Oh my gods this is so weird!"

Kelli rolled her eyes and seemed to fish out- a…phone? What the- and hey, it's an iPhone, didn't know they were stylish, nice- wait what's she doing with a phone- and put in on loud speaker. "Hey, guys, I think I need back up, I've got the lovely son of Poseidon with me and well, I'm pretty sure I've got it handled. But it doesn't hurt to have the newbies in tail. I'm pretty sure Perssseusss would love to meet them."

"No I don't!" He yelled at the same time there was a reply of "Sure thing" on the other side of the phone.

This is bad. More monsters means more people getting hurt.

He turned and saw that there was a bathroom stall inside, smiling inwardly.

If things go whack, I can just blast my way out of here. Or something. They'll follow me, for sure. He looked at the wall in winced. Almost thirty minutes already. Gods, I hope Annabeth and Nico are safe.

Annabeth was not having a good time trying to decode whatever doodle her boyfriend's friend did as she tried to find an officer or a policeman around the area.

Granted, the codes weren't probably the hardest thing to decipher. All she had to do was follow the coordinates of the numbers, find a good place to see the patterns that may relate to the drawings on the misted mirror, and then compare each to such.

Which didn't really help that much because at least she would've had a map on her person. It's times like these that I despise monsters being able to track us down by any means of civilian communication. The internet- as I've found out from my classmates- is actually a good and reliable source of information. One day I'll be able to invent something- with the help of the Hephaestus cabin-that could block off our scent.

At least, if she could find the public library, she would have at least a starting point.

She turned another block and finally saw two patrolmen. "Excuse me? Officer?" She called out. One of the policemen, in response, turned around to see who was calling him and blinked when he so the blonde.

He's the polite one.

The other man just looked at her in the corner of his eyes, rolled it, and snorted. He also ate an apple to make him seem more of an asshole.

His partner though, might not want to aggravate for mindless violence.

"Oh, um, yeah? Yes?"

She smiled. No sense in approaching this guy in a hostile way too. "Hi, so. I'm a tourist, and it's just my…second day here. I'm lost and I couldn't find my friend. She told me to find the public library- but I seem to be lost…?" She trailed off for a few seconds, watching the polite one smile. In the corner of her eyes, she saw the other policeman go rigid.

"Oh, yeah! The public library. After this corner, you've got to travel more down the road. You'd see the Waterfront Park- then don't stop walking straight till you see it, ma'am."

Annabeth nodded. "Thank you very-"

"Best to hail a taxi, Chase."

The nice policeman furrowed his eyebrows and stared at his partner. "Bill-"

'Bill' moved a bit, in an awkward way, like it wasn't his body. He bore his eyes on Annabeth. "I said, it's best to hail a taxi, Chase." His eyes were glowing blood red.

Annabeth clutched the dagger hidden in her pants. Lord Ares or an eidolon?

But she knew that it was Ares. Even if she despised the war god, there was still some semblance of begrudging respect to be held with the man. He was, even if he wasn't… the best god (there weren't really 'perfect gods'), was part of her family. Still helped in the war.

Yeah, I'm Ares. And I'm telling you to hurry or we're not going anywhere.

Why should I trust you?

"Bill are- do you know this girl?"

Bill/Ares rolled his eyes once more and craned his neck, and the other man slumped on the ground. Annabeth's eye twitched- if she wasn't on a time constraint, she would have brought the man to the clinic, but then again, the policeman was probably alright. However, she propped him on the car safely, relying on unpossessed Bill to take care of his partner when he wakes up.

"Now that's done. Well. You can, or can't trust me. Whatever."The bored look on his face made the daughter of Athena want to punch the god in the face, except she can't because it was another guy's face. "Look. Owl Head's kid, no matter how much you hate me, I'd still want to exist. And by that- I'm here to help."

She wasn't going to give in to that fast- however, she was intrigued on why even Ares was ready to help. "This must be…crucial, as far as I could understand with the limited knowledge I have right now."

Ares nodded. "You have no idea. The stakes are too high right now. It'll cost us another war."

Annabeth pursed her lips. "I'm not naïve, but I don't see why you won't want that."

The god in turn looked at her, and it was the first time again that she had ever felt like backing down from a god.

He snapped his fingers, and they were transported to the steps of the public library. He wasn't using Bill's body anymore, as well. Which was good, because that will be harder to explain for the nice cop for his partner to be that far off when he was out cold. He nodded as if reading her thoughts. "That's thirty minutes of running for you, because I know that today there's an obnoxious amount of monsters right now." He looked up to the sky before a book flashed in his hands, giving it to Annabeth.

Annabeth looked at the book of The US Government, confused. She looked up and saw his eyes flash into a… hotter, but less bloody red. The way how he held himself changed as well.

Ares?

No.

Lord Mars?

"Yes, I'm Mars." He closed his eyes. "I thought I would be better to talk to rather than my…Greek part."

Annabeth nodded in understanding. "I…see." It was true. The man was… less angry, more of an army leader than a hotheaded nut. She, even though she knew she could do it alone, was on the verge of exploding herself. Whatever Percy had joined in again was obviously another world-ending prophecy and- well. She could use whatever help or hint the gods could give.

A thought sprung in her head, which probably was the root of her confusion. "What are you doing here, Lord Mars? Isn't this… Greek territory?" The Roman counterparts were more on the west. The Greeks were in the east. Even after the wars, they observed that albeit sometimes unintentional (due to making themselves more distinguishable to their children). "As much as I know that the bridge between the two camps have been mended, I thought the command still stood as that way." She asked.

"You're still correct about that. But… whatever this is, it's going to stir up too much." He exhaled. "Too much war. Well. It gives me power, yes. However, there are…other things that I do not want to encounter these days. As for me being here. Well. Ares and I are the same person, same body, et cetera. However we know what is best for each other. I know it's better for me to tackle this issue."

The blonde blew air from her nose. "Then? Any clue to give me?"

Mars levelled her a look. "Just. Find him. Get him before- before he does something reckless, too…out of the ordinary. As much as possible… for his friends, keep it to those who he have introduced to you. Don't let it span farther than that."

"Why?" This is new. This is new information again.

The god clicked his tongue. "You know the issue of Greek Mythology? There. That's what I can only tell you. If- if I disobey other orders, it's not only my head now. It's pretty bad right now that Apollo's getting a bit on the bad side. I'm not idiotic to raise more problems. You've heard the prophecy; we gods also have a role here. My role right now is to help. Not- not to clear everything up. We've got a reason to hide."

Annabeth pursed her lips. "You do know this isn't helping me?"

The other sighed. "I understand. It's like being a private and not knowing what your Commander is thinking. I understand quite easily, since Father is being quiet. But right now- for once in our whole lives of being gods, it's crucial that nothing gets out."

She was silent for a while. "…I get it. Don't let anyone else know. Anything else?" She was surprised when she was handed a bag. "Oh. What-"

Mars rubbed his temples. "That… you'd understand when the time comes. Or, well. When you find Alfred."

She saw what was inside and sweatdropped when she saw it was full of snacks. "…Helpful?"

"Look, I know it looks stupid, and it is. But- he'll know it was me." Mars clicked his tongue. "I owe it to him. Business and other shit."

"McDonald's… is your business?"

"No." The look on his face made her want to laugh.

"My son was supposed to… protect him." He shrugged. "I'm just glad that they didn't kill him off. However, the monsters- it's like they're gaining IQ. It's troubling. I don't need wars with smart monsters. They don't listen to any jurisdiction other than their stomachs. Which is why- which is why this is important. You all need to save that man."

It still didn't explain the McDonald's in her hand, but she knew better than to push a god's buttons on something so trivial (and something that he was obviously embarrassed at). "I understand. Anything else?"

Mars opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then thought otherwise. "Do whatever means necessary."

He flashed out of existence, leaving Annabeth to look at the book she had in her hands (and the bag of snacks she was given). It had a "it's in this section" message written on a sticky-note. She walked into the public library with a determined gaze, ready to find wherever Alfred was with the clues and Mars' cryptic messages were.

Obviously Nico and Annabeth had to part ways, because Will was still somewhere around the vicinity and he wasn't going to leave the guy alone.

Fortunately, the other teen was easy to find, who was actually just talking to a man who looked like he was in his fifties, had graying hair, and overall, a grandpa. He noted that there was a maintenance cart beside him.

A janitor?

The son of Hades walked up towards them, hearing the tail end of their conversation.

"-don't understand what you're saying. I saw nothing! Now, please. I would just like to work. Thank you." The janitor mumbled, pushing his supply cart away from Will.

"Whoa, what'd you say to him?" The son of Hades asked, raising an eyebrow at the obviously distraught man. "He looks ready to have a heart attack."

Will's cheeks colored in embarrassment. "Well. It's not like I said anything bad, it's just- the way how I talked to him, I think. I came off too…pushy? He obviously knew something. I got a bit annoyed because he was lying to my face- because really?" He snorted unceremoniously. "Is he really lying to a son of Apollo? The truth god?"

Nico had to smother his chuckle. "Well. It's not like he knows."

The blond deflated and gave a tired smile. "Yeah. I- I know." He blinked when he realized that Nico was alone. "Wait, where's Percy and Annabeth? I thought you guys checked the room?"

The other heaved a sigh noisily. "Well. A series of unfortunate events went on. There was a pack of monsters, I tried to fight them alone because obviously today was apparently the monsters' free day and they were everywhere. Then, Percy and Annabeth checked in the room and practically had to toss everything around to…" He paused.

Right. I forgot Will doesn't know a thing.

It's… not my place to say.

"…check for Alfred. Then I was getting overwhelmed, the two had to help, then we had to split up because we had different things to do. We're supposed to meet with one another in the public library, wherever that is." He smiled gently at the confused look on Will's face. "I know, this is confusing. But- it's not my place to say. However, I know that everything here is connected to the prophecy." His smile faltered. "Maybe. Probably."

The son of Apollo looked at the doors where the janitor left. "Well- maybe I just need to be clarified with something. Are you sure Alfred checked himself out or was he forcefully removed?" He asked.

"Forcefully?" Nico repeated.

"Look, Nico, I might not know what's going on fully- but I know there's something wrong when it's only been a week when you when through a heart disease and then the doctors say 'bail, you're alright.' I know there was something wrong. My aunt knows something wrong. So- well. I suppose I was going home straight after this because this was just a favor, but even I know there's something at play here."

Nico raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Huh. Well, yeah. So that's why you were hounding after that janitor."

"Yeah." The other teen nodded. "I went to 'well, there's someone who might've seen it, it could be the janitor'. I learned there were at least eight in this section alone- so I went, 'why not?'. Then you saw me. Everything's history."

The black-haired teen smiled. "Well. What do you think about checking on that guy? He looked like he was going to faint in panic. He obviously knows something. With a little bit of persuasion, I'm pretty sure we'll get something out from that guy."

Whatever these creatures were, he had never encountered them in previous wars.

Or maybe I had? Oh my gods, are... are the monsters repopulating? Gods have mercy-

They were… weird. Had saws on their heads, moved like spiders except they had six arms, and well-

They looked horrifying.

Why is THIS horrifying? For gods' sakes, I've seen a giant get stabbed in the eye. Called him Nothing. What's wrong with this?

The creature screamed deafeningly, and even Kelli looked perturbed for a second before smiling back at him. "So, Persseuss. Do you sssurrender?"

"Like Hades I would!" He yelled. His mind darted to think of ways to escape, and decided it was probably better if he would just break a run when they were temporarily distracted.

Or shocked. Shocked, I can do.

He pointed Riptide in front of him. "What the Hades are those?"

Kelli giggled. "Well, why don't you ask them?"

Percy stopped for a moment, pretending to consider it before snorting. "Uhuh, right. No."

With that, he clicked off his pen and ran towards the opposite side of the building, startling his enemies.

Good job me! Now try to stay alive!

He treaded downstairs, and darted across a whole floor. His breathing became ragged, and it was only in that moment when he noticed that his lungs were already beating themselves up-because wow, did he even so much breathe earlier? He prayed to Hermes to give him some extra speed, which was a weird thing to pray for to a god, because you just don't get bonuses like that in life.

And is Lord Hermes even….the god of Speed? Or is it Nike?

…wait it's probably Nike, she has rubber shoes named after her.

He noticed that the people were still bringing patients out, and some of the personnel spotted him.

"Hey kid! Get out of the hospital! There's a fire!" One of them yelled.

"I know!" Percy shouted back, heart beating fast. "Just do your thing! I'll do my part in return!" He curved around another corner and stopped, checking for an exit route.

I could always jump out? I've done it before.

With…with water. There's…no water.

On hindsight, man, that's a good view!

He scanned the area he could jump on.

I could summon a wall of water to cushion my fall on the grass…or trees…or… there! A lower building!

"PERSEUSSSS!" A scream rang out the floor. He hoped that they wouldn't hurt any mortal in the way, but they'd probably be hidden in the Mist, however the thing works. What he knew was that they were getting close; Percy knew his plan was the only way to get the monsters out of the way.

Well, I hope I live. Seventh floor to third floor. Here we go.

He felt the familiar tug in his gut and jumped- thanking the gods for a minute that no one was watching- and braced himself for impact. He hoped that whatever he conjured was enough- because Hades, his stomach hurts like he was drop kicked by a giant. He'd rather be a pancake than minced meat right now.

Then it felt like he was being enveloped by power, and would you look at that, the water saved him.

This feels awesome! Holy Poseidon!

Wait where'd this water come from anyway

I feel AMAZING!

He felt invigorated to fight.

He turned around, ready to battle Kelli and the Boneheads (he internally pats his back for this quite impressive pun).

Then he saw those things fall down from the same height, cracking everything. He felt sick as he saw their bones (and the ones on their heads) retract and fix themselves up. The creatures clacked their teeth menacingly, like they weren't hurt.

Kelli was on one of those creatures, and gestured towards them. "Aeternae's their colony name. You like?" She asked flirtatiously.

The son of Poseidon just wanted to chuck her to the other side of the world, probably in the Marianas Trench or something. Someday he'll do that to Kelli, because wow, what a pain in the butt.

Percy moved into a combat stance, willing the water around his hands to harden into ice. "It's now or never." He muttered.

He's got to end the fight somehow, right?

"I don't know what you're saying!" The janitor repeated, scrubbing the floor faster in nervousness. "I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, okay? I saw nothing!"

Nico scoffed at the admission. "Yeah, okay, right. That's funny. I'd believe that if it wasn't a lie-"

"It's not a lie-!"

Nico barreled on. "-and if you don't look like you're on Death Row admitting to your sin. Just admit it! People are being evacuated right now and you're still adamant on doing your job. You're just stalling and I think you have partial knowledge of what's going on! You don't even look panicked by the alarms!"

Will doubted the forward approach was going to work on the man, but being nice didn't work earlier. So, he didn't really have any options. The bow and arrow in his hands were funny things to hold in comparison to Nico's ring/sword, but then again, the son of Hades hadn't brought it out.

Maybe because it would look like a machine gun, and we'd be arrested.

What does mine look like? A nerf gun?

...Oh gods. What does Percy's fight look like?

"Look, what I see is my own business." The old man scowled. "You're both young, but you're pretty sure about this. Why the hell are you asking me? Ask the others! Go bother someone else!"

"It's because," Will said in a matter-of-fact tone, "-you know already."

"I will say again, and again- I don't know anything-"

Nico had enough. "You do know something, why wouldn't you tell us!" His eyes looked pitch black, and then the shadows were almost reaching out to him. It was like the hallway turned darker, and he knew that the janitor saw it.

"Wha-What-"

"Look, man. You look like a nice guy." The blond crouched, pursing his lips. "And we know to us, we look like normal teens. But- but we're not. I can detect when you're lying. And you're lying right now; and the information we're trying to ask you for is important. You see what's happening right now. You're not scared of a fire because there is no fire. But right now I want to apologize; I'm sorry if this is abrupt, I'm sorry if this looks like it's absurd, but we know we'll believe you. No matter how weird whatever you saw was. We won't care."

The janitor looked into his eyes and then looked down, trembling. "A-Alright. I- I don't know why you want to know, but- but if it means a lot. I- I saw a red-eyed lady. Heavy. Then- then she asked for where Alfred Jones was. The nurse directed him to the room- then-", he was stuttering now, and Will only prodded him when he calmed down. "-then, I don't know if my eyes saw correctly, but she- her body shed- then it was like a snake, then she was moving like a snake into the room. The doctors were giving the patient anesthesia and well- I don't know what happened but she had him in her hands."

Nico's eyes narrowed. "So he was forcefully removed…" He muttered under his breath. "Anything else?" he asked out loud.

The old man pushed them away, shocking the two. "Just! Don't approach me anymore! I've told you what I can! Leave me and do whatever you need to do. I don't know why I could see things but I don't want to know. Just let me be."

Will nodded, unsure. "Okay. We'll lea-"

BOOM!

Everyone yelped, and some ran to look outside. Whatever they saw terrified them, and made them shout intelligible sentences, but for the demigods it was another sight altogether.

It was Percy, being thrown back onto a wall by a monster attack.

"11.74, 131, 284. 4200, 19, 691. Mountain. Stairway or…tetris block. Restroom sign. Clock. Stairway. Fountain." That was Annabeth's drivel as she tried to find clues about what she was trying to search.

"It might be map coordinates?" She muttered under her breath, but knew that wasn't correct. No degrees or minute signs. No latitude and longitude. No directions, even. It didn't hurt to try though, which is why she was in the map section.

Then she suddenly snapped her head towards the book she returned earlier- and widened her eyes. Maybe it's a clue. The US Government.

Was an official hiding Alfred?

Or… he was being kept in a US government establishment?

She rapidly walked towards the Law section and noted that there were a few students here and there. Not that it mattered- at least she would blend quite nicely. She stared at the whole section, trying to narrow where she would get a book.

Mountain. Stairway. Restroom Sign. Clock. Stairway. Fountain.

She rubbed her temples. She's- she's read those numbers somewhere. Where? Wherewherewhere. Come on Annabeth. Where?

She was an architect. Still aspiring in the mortal world, but she was already the architect of Mount Olympus. She's heard those numbers somewhere. Read them. Know them. But where?

She scanned the books and then instinctively stopped at "US Government Offices". She pulled it out and then opened it to the table of contents- going down and seeing the White House, then the Pentagon.

The Pentagon.

Her breath hitched. The Department of Defense. She looked over the technical details of the place.

"The building area is 11.74 hectares."

Not a mountain. An 'A'. For area. Gods, Alfred. You couldn't've made it easier at least.

"It has 131 stairways due to 284 washrooms, 4,200 clocks, 19 escalators, and 691 water fountains within its walls."

A memory passed through her mind, remembering that Alfred was most likely a fan- or obsessed with everything American- that he would definitely remember those details.

She smiles, and laughs a little.

Well. I guess we're going to the Pentagon.

Got to add breaking into a government office into the list of our adventures.

Getting thrown off a building was painful, but going through a wall and then falling off a building was excruciating.

His head hurt. His eyes hurt. His back hurts.

People were screaming. Yelling to "keep the kid back" and "lead them away from the bomber" and other things.

He groaned as he tried to steady himself on his feet. "Ugh, ow, ow-" he winced as he felt his right arm go practically limp. "O-Okay, that's not good."

"Sssurrender, PERSEUSSSS!" Kelli screamed.

The sound was grating on his nerves. And god, someone was yelling for help since they got hit by debris. The debris he caused because he was thrown off.

He looked up and in a bout of anger, willed the water that had cushioned his fall earlier and revved it down. "Never." He gritted as he finally dealt the finishing blow on Kelli with a slash of Riptide. Her scream was deafening- or maybe it was because of the hospital alarms, he didn't know anymore- and he poised himself to face his other enemies.

"Hey Backups, come and get this!" He yelled, pooling the water around his ankles and on the walkways, simultaneously freezing it. (The son of Poseidon noted idly that some looked irritated, while some looked angry. Due to the ice or due to my jab?)

The Aeternae either scampered to get out of the ice, or were trapped and couldn't move.

Percy raised his hand and a blob of water came out of the fire hydrant on the side, forming into a giant hand. It squashed the creatures that had not been entrapped; then he spun to chuck his sword towards those on the ice. He slid down on the icy pavement that he had created, ducking another slash from one of the aeternae's claws.

The ground shook, and he felt faint. There were a few left.

His hand shot up on the wall to retrieve Riptide, while his breath evened out, knowing that this was a crucial downtime.

One to three. I can do-

"Hands behind your back terrorist!" A woman's voice rang behind him, and he made the mistake to look behind him in confusion.

Terrorist?

And then it was too late when he noticed the taser in the hands of one of the police officers.

"Wait it's not what you-"

And then he heard himself yell, and then, nothing.

Nico held Will's hand immediately after seeing the fall, knowing they would need to help Percy.

His attempt in shadow travel to his destination however, fell flat.

"What the-" he whispered, furrowing his eyebrows. He was in pitch blackness, then in a millisecond, figured where he was.

In front of him, his father appeared, on his throne. He looked… he didn't look like himself.

"Father?" He called, getting more confused by the second. "What am I doing here? Why did you stop me?"

Hades looked up and stood, closing his eyes. "Nico… be forward with me. What are you doing?" He looked up, mouth curling into a frown. "You were supposed to stay here."

He rolled his eyes, annoyed. "Oh come on, Father. Don't tell me you're playing protective dad today, out of all the days you've sent me down in the Fields of Asphodel or to the other ghosts scarier. And that's saying something, from me."

The god of death looked slightly amused, if ever with the indication of a slight twitch of his mouth. In an instant however, his expression morphed into exasperation. "That's not what I meant."

He scoffed. "Okay, not what you meant, then why'd you pull me here when I was shadow-travelling to-", he blinked, whirling around. "-wait, where's Will?" He glared at his father, who looked nonchalant at the anger directed at him.

"Relax, son. He's safe. I sent him to the Athena girl. You, however, I have to talk in private." He frowned deeper. "Like I asked. What are you doing? Why are you in this mess, again?"

Not like I chose to. Alfred suddenly comes barreling in Percy's life and then suddenly Percy drags me into the blond's life and then here we are. It's not like I wanted to! This sucks and you won't understand it!

He voiced out his thoughts in a clipped, but poised tone. "None of your business."

Not really as poised as I thought.

"Petty reason." Hades muttered, flicking his hand. "Don't mimic your uncle, it's blasphemy."

At that, he snorted. "Okay, well." He groaned. "It's not like I wanted to."

Hades paused for a while before continuing. "I called you here because I'm sensing… something bigger. You're…unfortunately in it now. I don't know why it's happening but-" He waved his hand to the ground, which was a sign for something else that made Nico shiver and gulp in worry. "-something's wrong. Tartarus is being unstable. It's sprouting monsters that were thought to be forgotten, unfamiliar. I don't know what other creatures have already escaped, but I fear it might also affect higher prisoners."

"I went down a few days ago. It was after I told you to stay intact in the Underworld." Under his breath, he muttered, "which you didn't obey, what did I expect" which Nico promptly ignored. "I always knew that it was, in a way, their home. Horrifying it might seem to mortals, demigods and gods alike, it's their home. But- I knew it was different. There was a legitimate army. They were planning, son."

"War rooms. Flanking. Actual maps with tacks on it." He listed off, and with each one, his voice would get more gravelly. A bit disturbed.

Honestly, I won't blame him.

They both went silent for a few seconds, one digesting the news and the other contemplating on what to say.

While Hades looked like he was making battle plans, Nico was thinking of his cousin's unfortunate plight.

To think, this was probably under our noses. I seriously thought after Gaea we'd be done. Wishful thinking, as it seems.

I thought we had to have a break. Here again, most unsurprisingly, is Percy at the forefront. Nothing else is new. I know he's a troublemaker, Percy's always shown this, but he's a magnet of trouble too.

At least he almost got a clean year off. Now it's back to haunt us again.

It's as if Percy wasn't really destined to lay low- and everyone who knows him gets wrapped around it.

Well, he's certainly not doing it alone.

…But was it his fault now or is it Alfred's?

Percy had woken up in the police car, hands cuffed behind his back.

He didn't know what the mortal world saw him do, but apparently by what someone yelled at him, he was probably a terrorist (again, not again for gods' sake). He was silent, quietly noting that at least he just didn't wake up in a ditch or in some rag-down police station with cellmates who killed someone for real.

This sucks.

The policeman he was with- shades and all of that- looked like a tank-type of guy, the ones you see in the gym.

Whatever, I can take him, Percy thought.

He looked around, finding a way to… discreetly get away from the police, and found that he'd be in a bigger type of trouble if he slammed the door or window open and ran.

So he stayed silent- then noticed they had passed the police station.

"What the-", he mumbled under his breath, furrowing his eyebrows. "Hey, uh, Policeman, you kind- I think you missed your office?"

The latter snorted. "Kid, you bombed a hospital. A hospital that is too close to the Pentagon and the White House." He smirked. He looked extremely proud. Percy scoffed.

I want to deck your face so hard going to prison would be worth it.

"No trial needed-" he exclaimed, "-that's illegal!"

"Heh, you don't have any idea no? Well lemme tell you. We have pre-trial detainees there." He smirked. "I don't think no-excuse is needed. Caught red-handed. No trial needed. Straight to the prison, if I say myself." He shook his head. "Bystanders, patients, videos. And now, well. I don't think you'd fit in the DC Jail, they're quite mild. Now, you're being brought to the CDF, fitting in with your kind."

He didn't know where the CDF was, but he didn't like how the man smiled triumphantly.

"I'm pretty sure you'll have a grand time."

So. I am back, and here's the new chapter! I hope it's actually okay? And what do you guys think? Please review :D I'd love to hear from you guys!

Also, I want to thank you all for believing in me haha! I know it's been a long time since I updated, but I'll try to keep up the story. Reading this again kind of sparked my interest.

And yes, this is more Percy-verse heavy, but I need to show it haha. Next will be a the opposite, but I don't know. My brain would prolly disagree.

See you guys! Review and comment please! I wanna hear what you guys think!