I am so sorry! This was supposed to be up months ago, but things got in the way.
Anyways, enjoy!
Grover cowered in the corner of the booth as Ares entered the diner, his presence filling the entire room. The war god whipped off his shades, exposing his flame filled sockets.
The quartet of demigods had, thankfully, made it all the way to Denver without incident, and were now enjoying burgers in a little diner a short distance from the train station.
"Hey, little cousin," Ares said, bumping fists with Percy, who grinned back at the god.
"Hey, Ares. How's it going?"
Clarisse, despite her attempts to appear nonchalant, was watching her father with wide eyes, taking in the easy friendship between her friend and her father.
"Lord Ares," Bianca greeted her godly cousin as he turned his fiery gaze on her, receiving a grin in response.
"Little di Angelo. And who else do we have here?" Ares's gaze passed over the cowering satyr, who was trying hard not to be noticed by the muscular god, before settling on Clarisse. "Hey, kid."
Clarisse attempted a smile, but it turned out more like a grimace. "Lord Ares."
The god shook his head, squeezing onto the booth bench next to Biana, squishing Grover up against the wall, making Ares smirk. "None of that Lord Ares stuff, kid. You're one of mine."
Clarisse looked startled, before hastily regaining her composure. "What are you doing here, Father?" She asked from her spot beside Percy, who was gazing curiously at the God, trying to discern his purpose at the diner.
Ares grinned. "Ever heard of a water park called Waterland?"
Percy and Clarisse shook their heads as Bianca slurped at her chocolate shake.
"Thought not. See, the thing is, me and my girlfriend took a trip there, and, I left behind my shield. You go get it back, and I'll arrange a ride west for you."
The three demigods and the lone satyr glanced at each other, before Percy nodded. "Fine, we'll go get your shield back."
"Great. See you punks later."
Thee quartet averted their eyes as Ares began to glow, before disappearing in a flash of light.
"Waterland, huh? Anyone know where it is?" Clarisse asked, a wide smile covering her face, no doubt a side effect of meeting her dad.
The quartet approached the gates of the defunct water park, the letters of the sign peeling off, so that only WA remained.
"Ares brought Aphrodite here?" Bianca asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
Percy sighed, and began to climb the gate, Clarisse and Bianca right behind him, while Grover, after a moment's hesitation, followed.
The quartet walked through the water park, peering at the out of order rides in search of Ares's missing shield.
They stood at the top of the pool for the Tunnel of Love ride, the empty basin surrounded by cupid statues, Ares's shield gleaming in the dying sunlight.
"Percy!" Bianca called, examining one of the statues. "There's a letter on this statue. Eta. What do you think it means?"
Percy cursed. "Hephaestus. Ares and Aphrodite were caught her by Hephaestus."
"What do we do?" Grover asked, backing away from the edge of the basin.
"Get the shield, of course," Clarisse answered, making her way down the slope, Percy following behind.
"Bianca, why don't you and Grover check the control booth, see if you can't turn the water on, just in case."
The satyr and the daughter of the Underworld both nodded, hurrying to the control booth as Clarisse and Percy approached the boat.
"Looks like Ares wasn't the only one who left something behind," Percy said, noticing the pink silken scarf laying on the bench next to the gleaming shield.
Percy picked up the sweet smelling scarf, stuffing it in his pocket, mentally reminding himself to return in to Aphrodite next time he saw her.
"So, we just pick up the shield and leave?" Clarisse asked doubtfully.
"Probably not. Hephaestus booby trapped it, no doubt. So, let's spring the trap." Percy grinned, picking up the shield, his hand brushing against the trip wire.
The mirrors that lined the basin opened, hundreds of tiny mechanical spiders pouring out.
From above them, Bianca screamed at the sight of her best friend and Clarisse being swarmed by the spiders.
"Press the on button!" Percy screamed as the cupid statues swiveled, shooting threads of golden metal from their bows, creating an impenetrable golden web, trapping Clarisse and Percy in the basin.
"It's not turning on!" Grover called back.
"Going live to Olympus in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." a voice announced.
Percy pulled Clarisse onto the boat next to him, strapping both himself and her in as he focused. The pipes that normally fed water into the basin exploded, water rushing around the boat, propelling them into a tunnel.
Both demigods held on tight as they hugged corners, wind whipping past them as they were carried down the tunnel, Percy using his powers to avoid them from crashing into the wall.
Ahead of them, two boats had crashed against the locked gates that blocked the way into the exit pool, making Percy's face pale.
"Unbuckle!" He said, doing so himself as he thought of a risky plan.
"On my count?" Clarisse asked, obviously having guessed Percy's idea.
Percy nodded. "On your count," he agreed.
Clarissa hesitated, before roaring. "Now!"
Clarisse had got them just enough lift. Not too much, but not too little either. It was just right. The two landed heavily on the concrete, tumbling over one another.
Bianca and Grover hurried to their sides, helping them up.
"You both alright?" Bianca asked, her worry clear on her olive skinned face.
Percy glanced at Clarisse, handing her the gleaming shield that was strapped to his arm. "Yep, fine." He glanced at the cupid statues as they began to make their way away from the ride, intending on leaving the park. "Show's over! Goodnight!" He called, the cupid statues shutting off, swiveling back to their former positions. "Let's go have a talk with Ares."
Sorry for taking so long to write this one! Hopefully I'll update quicker in the future. As always, reviews are appreciated but not required.
Tell me what you want to see in the next chapter, please!
~Kshadow