In A Flash of Lightning (Percy Jackson)

Chapter 17

Annie was happily rushing about telling us facts about the monument. And let me tell you it was like Christmas for her in here.

"How many do you smell?" I asked Grover knowing he knew what I meant, Percy asked him what was wrong earlier, when we got here. Noticing Grover was tense in here, and I knew it was monsters. However Grover dismissed him saying that we were underground, of course it would smell like monsters.

"Lots, but underground always smells like monsters," he states and I looped my arm with his. Letting him know that it was alright.

"It's alright to be scared Grover. I've about shit myself ten times since this quest started," I reassured him, offering up a smile.

"Guys I've got a bad feeling about this," Percy voiced his thoughts, which coincidentally collaborated with mine. There was this pit in my stomach the second we entered. "Doesn't Hades have a hat like Annabeth?"

"You mean out friend downstairs, we're in public," Grover reminded shaking his head. Not that anyone was listening to us at this moment.

"You mean the Helm of Darkness," Annie and I stated together, causing us to laugh at the bizarre timing.

"With it he can become darkness, meaning that he could be watching us right as we speak," I replied, getting where Percy was going with this. Meaning that we'd have to be very alert from now on.

With that Annie grabbed my hand, leading us into the elevator. She wanted to see the top of the arch. "Wise girl if we plummet to our deaths in this thing. I'll personally haunt you in the afterlife, even though we'd both be dead," I state as the boys followed behind us. We pressed against the back wall, as this bigger lady and her dog got in.

As we started going up Percy clenched onto my hand tightly, and I remembered that he's severely claustrophobic. He was shaking, and about to start freaking out. I put my arm around him, rubbing his arm in a calming matter.

The lady asked us where our parents were, and Annie quickly said they stayed below as they were scared of heights. As we got closer to the top, the more anxious I became. Something was going to happen when we got up there. I could sense it, and I believe Percy did as well.

The observation deck was practically deserted except for a small group of people. The whole thing was surrounded by tiny windows that overlooked the city. It was a nice view, and Percy stayed close to me, liking the deck even less than the elevator. He was urging me closer to the elevator as Annie talked about any fact she could think of about the structure. We only stayed a few minutes.

However as we were about to get on the elevator, there was only room for two more, so Percy reassured them that we'd just take the next one. And that we'd be down right after them. Which left the two of us alone with a family, a park ranger and the dog lady.

It was this moment I felt my battle senses kick into overdrive. As I suddenly became hyper focused, knowing something bad was about to go down. That's when the dog started growling at us. The little boy clapped his hand happily, cooing at the dog.

"If you insist my son," the lady states letting go of the leash.

"Did you just call a chihuahua your son?" Percy asked very confused by everything.

"Oh Chimera dear, not chihuahua," she corrected and all the blood drained from my face. Quickly pulling the sword charm from my bracelet.

"This is where we die Percy," I mumbled, not very reassuring I know. But have you ever faced down a Chimera, they are terrifying. The monster soon became full size. Terrifying the family and the ranger, who were stood paralyzed by the elevator. Gods only knew what they saw. And the lady revealed herself as a monster as well. I cursed myself for being fooled by the mist on this one. Given that I had seen Medusa for what she really was right away.

There was barely any room for the Chimera to fit, its back hitting the ceiling. A massive rhinestone collar was clipped around its lion head, the goat hooves on its feet clomped on the floor as it prepared to stalk us. What looked to be a ten foot diamond back snake protruded out it's back. Hissing at us, making me cringe remembering our showdown with Medusa not even forty-eight hours ago. We had nowhere to run, this time.

My main priority was to protect the innocent mortals, as well as Percy. Seeing as the monster was after him. I'm not sure who spread the rumor of Percy taking the bolt, but when I found out who it was. Well let's just say I'll send them to good ole uncle Hades. One way trip, style.

I stood next to him, my sword at the ready. He never had the chance to uncap Riptide, due to the fact if he moved we'd become that bad boys lunch.

"You should be honoured Percy Jackson, it's very rare that Lord Zeus allows me to test hero's. Especially with one of my own brood. For I am the Mother of Monsters, the terrible Echidna. Fear not daughter of Zeus, this is no quarrel for you. I'm told to spare you," she states glaring at Percy as if he was an old wad of gum at the bottom of her hand bag.

"Father can choke on charred goat for what its worth," I retort my skin dancing with electricity, Percy's eyes widened as he looked at me.

"Oh sweet mercy, Mimi your eyes are glowing," he mumbled but I was too focused on the monstrosity before us.

"You know the Echidnas from Australia are alot cuter than you sweetheart," I insulted, making her face go red. Oh yeah I royally pissed her off.

"Isn't that an anteater?" Percy deadpanned scratching his head. Sometimes his bluntness amused me. But now we were definitely monster kibble.

The beast charged as my instincts took over. Flinging a bolt of lightning at the thing. Burning parts of its fur as I dove one way and Percy the other. Just narrowly missing its sharp teeth.

Percy screamed at it, causing it to swing around. He was closer to the group of mortals now, who were pressed against the wall. Terrified out of their wits. I hoped Annie and Grover weren't too attached to us, because I didn't think we'd come back alive. You know for a very optimistic person I really could be cynical as well.

The Chimera blew a colum of fire at Percy and he dove through it. Now the corpet was on fire and heat filled the room. Causing me to feel ill. In his escape route Percy also managed to clothesline me. A ragged hole formed where he once stood. Well now I could check wrecking a national monument off my bucket list. However Annie was going to kill us for ruining such a fine piece of architecture. At least if we got out of this slight hiccup.

I struck the monster with my blade as Percy now held Riptide. My blow struck the side of the lion's head, making a cut that oozed steam. Percy however only struck it's collar. The snake part came out of nowhere sinking its fangs into Percy's calf. Causing him to hiss out in pain. Getting knocked to the ground, and Riptide flew out of his hand. Falling though the gap in the floor.

As soon as I heard him, I whipped my blade around, slicing the snake off the beast. It turned into yellow monster dust as the monster growled at me. Baring it's teeth at me.

Percy stood back up, taking my hand. This was it, we were dead meat now. He slowly lured us towards the hole in the floor. It was our only chance really, I'd rather die as a smudge on the side walk than be monster chow.

Echidna was yelling insults at us, however I tuned it out. Because before I had time to even process what was happening, Percy turned me to face him, wrapping his arms around my waist.

And just like that he stepped backwards, and we plummeted through the floor.....