Chapter 8: All Aboard the Princess Andromeda

Percy and I were still staring at the waves when Annabeth and Tyson got to us.

"What's going on?" Annabeth asked, sounding a little breathless. "I heard you calling for help!"

"Me, too!" Tyson said, "Heard you both yell, 'Bad things are attacking!'"

"We didn't call you guys," Percy said. "We're fine."

"But then who…" Annabeth noticed the four yellow duffel bags, then at the thermos Percy was holding and the bottle of vitamins I was gripping. "What—?"

"Just listen," Percy said. "We don't have much time."

We told them about our conversation with Hermes. By the time we were finished, I heard screeching in the distance. It was the harpies.

"Percy, Aria, we have to do the quest," Annabeth said.

"We'll get expelled, you know," Percy said. "Trust me, Aria and I are experts at getting expelled."

"More like you get expelled and I get tacked on," I muttered.

"So?" Annabeth countered. "If we fail, there won't be any camp to come back to."

Percy said, "Yeah, but you promised Chiron—"

"I promised I'd keep you two from danger," Annabeth countered. "I can only do that by coming with you! Tyson can stay behind and tell them—"

"I want to go," interrupted Tyson.

"No!" shouted Annabeth, sounding like she was panicking. "I mean…Percy, Aria, come on. You know that's impossible."

I wondered why Annabeth seemed to have a grudge against Tyson. I noticed that Tyson and Annabeth were looking at us.

I wanted Tyson to stay here, but he wanted to help. He helped out with the bronze bulls, so he might prove some help. As we stood there, the cruise ship was getting farther away. The harpies were coming closer and Hermes had packed an extra bag for us to use. It would be a waste.

"He can come with us," I said.

"Yeah," Percy agreed, "Tantalus will punish him for us being gone."

"Percy, Aria," Annabeth started, sounding like she was trying to keep calm. "We're going to Polyphemus's island! Polyphemus is a an S-i-k…a C-y-k…" She stamped her foot in frustration. "You know what I mean!"

"Tyson can go if he wants to," Percy said.

"It's his decision," I said.

Tyson clapped his hands, "Want to!"

Annabeth gave me and Percy the evil eye. I gave one back to her. "What about Eric? He promised to keep you out of trouble."

"Let me waste time by running down to the Ares cabin, avoid the landmines, and knock on the door to demand for him to tag along," I said sarcastically.

"All right," Annabeth said. "How do we get to that ship?"

"Hermes said our father would help," Percy said.

"Well, then, Seaweed and Algae Brain? What are you two waiting for?" Annabeth said.

Percy stepped into the waves. I followed after him.

"Um, Dad?" called Percy. "How's it going?"

"Percy! Aria! We're in a hurry!" Annabeth whispered.

"We really need your help," I said. "All wee need to do is get to that ship—"

"Before we get eaten and stuff," Percy interrupted. "So…"

Nothing happened, with the waves crashing on the shore. The harpies sounded like they were just right behind the sand dunes. As I worried that I was going to become harpy chow, four white lines appeared on the surface. They moved fast towards the shore and as they neared the beach, the surf burst apart and the heads of three white stallions reared out of the waves.

"Fish ponies!" exclaimed Tyson.

The creatures pulled themselves onto the sand. They looked like horses in front, with their back halves looked like silvery fish bodies, with glistening scales and rainbow tail fins. One looked bigger than the others.

"They're Hippocampi!" I said, "Alexa and Casey told me about them."

"They're beautiful," Annabeth said.

I nodded in agreement. I think that was one of the other things we could agree on.

The one near Annabeth whinnied and nuzzled her.

"We'll admire them later," said Percy, "Come on."

"There!" a voice screeched. "Bad children out of cabins! Snack time for lucky harpies!"

There were five harpies coming over the top of the dunes. They were plump little hags with pinched faces and talons and feathery wings that were too small for their bodies.

"Tyson! Grab a duffel bag!" Percy ordered.

I grabbed the nearest duffel bag and mounted a Hippocampus.

Tyson was gaping at the Hippocampi.

"Tyson!" Percy and I shouted.

"Uh?" said Tyson.

"Come on!" Percy exclaimed. Annabeth and Percy managed to get Tyson moving. The others mounted their steeds and we were plunging into the ocean.

Riding a Hippocampus was easier than riding a pegasus. The wind whipped my hair out of my face; the Hippocampus was speeding through the wave so smoothly, that I hardly needed to hold on.

We got closer to the cruise ship; I realized how big it was. The cruise ship was probably ten stories tall, topped with another dozen levels of decks that had brightly lit balconies and portholes. The ship's name was painted in black letters that was lit by a spotlight, right above the bowline.

It said:

PRINCESS ANDROMEDA

Attached to the bow was a three-story tall woman wearing a white Greek chiton. She was sculpted to look like she was chained to the front of the ship. She looked young and had flowing black hair. However, she looked terrified and her mouth was open, in some sort of silent scream. I didn't know what type of person wanted a screaming woman as their masthead.

I suddenly remembered the myth about Andromeda and how she had been chained to a rock by her parents as a sacrifice to some sea monster. Anyway, Percy's namesake, Perseus had saved her in time, and turned the monster to stone with Medusa's head. Perseus always won, so that's why Mom named Percy, Perseus. Well, Perseus was one of the only heroes in Greek myths who got a happy ending.

It was sort of like my namesake. I was named Ariadne because she married a god, Mr. D. Well, after Thesus dumped her and left her stranded on an island. Mr. D married her and when she died, he made her an immortal. So, Ariadne got a happy ending in the end; after dying first. That's why Mom named me after her. I wasn't entirely sure how to feel about being named after a woman who got left behind on an island after being dumped.

The hippocampi skimmed along the starboard side of the ship and pulled up next to a service ladder that was bolted to the side of the hull.

"Aria, go first," Percy said. I grabbed my duffle bag and put the strap on my shoulder. I grabbed the bottom rung and started climbing. I looked at the hippocampi, "Thank you." It whinnied and dove back under the water.

"You first," said Percy. Someone climbed after me after I was a little less than halfway up. I turned to see Annabeth. I almost rolled my eyes. I was halfway up, when I heard laughing. I turned to see Tyson was doing full aerials and some type of skateboard trick that I had seen Percy attempt to do before.

Tyson was laughing hysterically.

"Tyson!" I hissed at him. He was going to get us caught.

"Tyson, shh!" Percy said. "Come on, big guy!"

"Can't we take Rainbow?" Tyson asked.

I stared at him, arching an eyebrow. Who the hell was Rainbow?

"Rainbow?" Percy asked, sounding incredulous.

The hippocampus whinnied.

"Tyson, we're on a mission," I said.

"Yeah," Percy said. "Rainbow…well, he can't climb ladders."

Tyson sniffled and buried his face in Rainbow's mane. "I will miss you, Rainbow!"

Rainbow made a neighing sound, which I was sure meant Rainbow was crying.

"Maybe we'll see him again sometimes," Percy suggested.

"Oh, please!" Tyson said, perking up. "Tomorrow!"

"Yeah," I said, "Tomorrow."

Percy somehow convinced Tyson to say goodbye to Rainbow and made him climb the ladder.

We got on the maintenance deck that was stacked with yellow lifeboats. There was a set of locked double doors. Annabeth made me keep lookout while she pried the doors open with her knife. I stared at the ocean and listened to her curse in Ancient Greek. I tried drowning her out by muttering Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe under my breath.

"Can you keep it down?" Annabeth snapped at me.

I was standing next to her, so that's probably why she heard me.

"Don't…" Percy said. "Just don't start anything, Aria." He looked at me, "I'm amazed you can understand what that guy was singing."

I was deeply offended, "Hey. 'That guy' has a name. His name is Vince Neil."

"I'm amazed that you can understand what Vince Neil was singing," Percy said in a tone mocking me.

"I can't believe you two are arguing over some guy's name," Annabeth muttered as she worked on the door.

"Vince isn't 'some guy'," I snapped. "He helped write one of the songs that probably helped influenced an entire generation of rock bands to record at least one power ballad for release on at least one record. Virtually every band tried to emulate Home Sweet Home."

Annabeth stared at me like I just spoke a foreign language at her, probably Mandarin or something. She opened the doors.

Percy grabbed me by the shoulders, "Let's go," and hauled me inside.

"Well, he isn't," I said.

"What are you singing anyway?" Annabeth asked.

"Mötley Crüe," Percy said. "When we were eight, Mom made the mistake of turning up one of their songs the radio. Every since that day, Aria's been a Crüe fan. Mom regrets that decision every day."

"No she doesn't," I said.

"Whatever," Percy said. He looked at Annabeth, "Just never insult her by insulting Mötley Crüe or any of the band members, unless you want to be verbally destroyed by facts."

"Okay," Annabeth said sounding confused.

We went down a few corridors. I was expecting to see someone, but it seemed empty. We found a balcony and looked over it, at a huge promenade that was lined with closed shops. There wasn't anyone to hide from. I was sure that maybe it had something to do with being in the middle of the night, but then again, we walked like half the length of the boat, only to not come in contact with no one. We continued walking passed a lot of cabin doors. I even pressed my ear against a door to try and hear some movement or someone snoring, but I heard nothing.

"It's a ghost ship," Percy murmured.

"No," said Tyson, playing with the strap of his duffel bag, "Bad smell."

Annabeth was frowning, "I don't smell anything."

"Cyyclopes are like satyrs," Percy said. "They can smell monsters. Isn't that right, Tyson?"

I remembered the dodgeball game back at Meriwether. "Yeah, they do."

Tyson nodded. I looked at him. The Mist was doing its distortion thing. It looked like Tyson had two eyes instead of one, but if I concentrated very hard, I could see one.

"Okay," Annabeth said. "So what exactly do you smell?"

"Something bad," Tyson said.

"Great, that clears it up," Annabeth grumbled.

"Come on," I said. "He's doing the best he can. He's only a baby…in Cyclopes years."

Annabeth gave me an unimpressed look.

We walked, coming up on the swimming pool level. There were rows of empty deckchairs and a chain curtained, closed off bar. There was water in the pool, which glowed in an eerie manner. I watched it slosh back and forth due to the motion of the ship.

There were more levels, there was a climbing wall, a mini-golf course, a revolving restaurant, but there weren't any signs of life.

However, I felt something familiar and dangerous. I was sure that I could put a name to whatever I was feeling, if I wasn't feeling tired and burnt out. The adrenaline was wearing off.

"We need a hiding place," Percy said. "Somewhere safe to sleep."

"Sleep," Annabeth said.

We explored some more corridors until we came across an empty suite on the ninth level. The door was open, which I found a bit weird. We went in and I spotted a basket of chocolate treats on the table. There was even an iced-down bottle of sparkling cider on the nightstand, which reminded of the times Mom, Percy, and I celebrated New Years' Eve by drinking sparkling cider out of champagne glasses right at midnight. There was a mint on the pillow that included a handwritten note that said: Enjoy your cruise!

I opened my duffel bag for see that Hermes had put extra-clothes, toiletries, camp rations, an airtight bag full of money, and a leather pouch full of golden drachmas. He even packed a bundle of celestial bronze bolts and my denim jacket for me, which I stuck in my messenger bag, Tyson's oilcloth, and Annabeth's invisibility cap. It was very thoughtful of him. I thanked him in my head for it.

"I'll be next door," Annabeth said. "You guys don't drink or eat anything."

"You think this place is enchanted?" Percy asked.

Annabeth frowned, "I don't know. Something isn't right. Just…be careful."

"I'll be next door," I said, before leaving and going in the room next door.

It was the same as Percy's and I changed my clothes. I moved the bolts to my messenger bag, just in case. I lay down on my bed and I looked at the iced-down bottle of sparkling cider, instantly feeling homesick.

I thought I heard whispering and I instantly sat up at that. We were alone on this ship, so how can there be whispering. I grabbed my dagger out of my bag and I put it under my pillow and tightened my grip under it. I wanted to throw open my door, but in a way, I was kind of scared.

The whispers reminded me of the spirits from the Underworld.

Somehow I feel asleep.

I was standing in a cavern at the edge off the entrance to Tartarus. A cold laugh echoed up from it.

If it isn't the young heroes, Kronos said, on their way to another great victory.

I wanted to yell at him, I wanted to demand why he was targeting us. I wanted to do something, but I couldn't. What was I supposed to do to something that was already destroyed?

Don't let me stop you, Kronos said. Perhaps this time, when you both fail, you'll wonder if it's worthwhile slaving for the gods. How exactly has your father shown his appreciation lately?

I thought he had a point, but then the hippocampi came to mind. He helped us.

Kronos started laughing.

I woke up to hearing the ship's whistle a voice on the intercom. "Good morning, passengers! We'll be at sea all day today. Excellent weather for the poolside mambo party! Don't forget million-dollar bingo in the Kraken Lounge at one o'clock, and for our special guests, disemboweling practice on the Promenade!" The guy sounded Australian and way to happy.

Wait a minute…special guests? Disemboweling practice? I thought. This couldn't be good. I got up and opened the door to see Annabeth going to Percy's door. Her eyes were wide and her hair was a mess. Annabeth knocked on the door and when Percy opened the door, Annabeth said, "Disemboweling practice?"

"Special guests?" I said in a shrill voice.

Percy sighed, "That's what I thought I heard. Give us a few minutes." He closed the door and I went back to my room. I closed the door and I grabbed my bag and Tidal Wave. I stuck a few camp rations in my bag, just in case. I grabbed the cash and drachmas. I wasn't sure why, but I thought that maybe it might come in handy.

Someone knocked on the door and I went to open it. It was Percy with Annabeth. We went out into the ship. My mouth opened at the sight of other people. There was a dozen senior citizens heading out and a dad was taking his three kids to the pool. There were crew members in white uniforms, tipping their hats at the passengers.

"How?" I asked, confused.

Nobody even seemed to notice us as they walked on.

"We are on a cruise. We are having fun," said the dad to his kids.

"Yes," said the three kids. "We are having a blast. We will swim in the pool." The kids looked expressionless.

"Good morning," a crew member said to us. "We are all enjoying ourselves abroad the Princess Andromeda. Have a nice day."

"Percy, Aria, this is weird," Annabeth said.

"I know," I said. "It's like they're hypnotized."

"Trance," said Annabeth. "It's like they're in some kind of trance."

We passed a cafeteria and I had to do a double-take. A hellhound had its front paws on the buffet counter, its muzzle buried in the scrambled eggs. It was small, the size of a grizzly bear, so it was probably young. I was nearly terrified at the sight because Percy and I nearly got killed by one of those.

The middle-aged couple standing behind the hellhound was standing there, not even reacting to the sight of a hellhound chowing down on the scrambled eggs.

"Not hungry anymore," Tyson said.

A reptilian voice said, "Ssssix more joined yesssterday."

Annabeth gestured to the nearest hiding place, which turned out to be a women's restroom. We went inside and I closed the door, I heard a strange slithering sound. It sounded like sandpaper being used. I had taken woodshop as an elective at Meriwether.

"Yesss," a second reptilian said. "He drawssss them. Ssssoon we will be sssstrong."

The things slithered away, making a strange hissing sound, which probably meant that they were laughing.

"I think we really need to get out of here," I said.

"You think I want to be in the girls' restroom?" Percy asked.

"She means the ship, Percy!" Annabeth said. "We have to get off the ship."

"Smells bad," Tyson said. "And dogs eat all the eggs. Annabeth and Aria are right. We must leave the restroom and ship."

Percy shuddered. If Tyson, Annabeth, and I were agreeing on one thing, it was probably bad.

"—only a matter of time," said a familiar voice. It was more chilling than a monster. "Don't push me Agrius!"

It was Luke.

"I'm not pushing you!" another guy growled. "I'm just saying, if this gamble doesn't pay off—"

"It'll pay off," Luke snapped. "They'll take the bait. Now, come, we've got to get to the admiralty suite and check the casket."

It sounded like they were walking away.

Casket? I thought. What casket?

Tyson whimpered. "Leave now?"

Annabeth and Percy looked at each other.

"We can't," Percy said.

"Why not?" I asked. I didn't care at the moment. All I wanted was to get off that ship.

"We have to find out what Luke is up to," Annabeth said. "And if possible, we're going to beat him up, bind him in chains, and drag him to Mount Olympus."