Modern Myths

Book 1 - The Lightning Thief: Chapter 6: Boss Rush

6/11/06, Sunday

Union Station, Washington D.C., 5:30pm

Percy POV

As we arrived, all the passengers got off as soon as we boarded the train.

I'm glad Uncle taught me to only board a train from the front car or rear to avoid ambushes.

We drew our weapons.

Grover: "I can't smell anything since the underground already smells like monsters."

We heard hissing. A group of amphisbaenae come out from the luggage container & under the seats.

They all shoot poison at us & I use my hydrokinesis to protect us.

Me: "I can't fight while holding back the poison on both sides."

Annabeth: "I got this." She pulls out a sling shot & starts firing Celestial bronze projectiles in all directions."

After they're taken care of, I ask "How many cars are there?"

Annabeth, as she's picking up her pellets to use again since their poison vanished with them: "Six. It's one of the reasons why it is the fastest."

Grover: "You think the other 5 have monsters."

Me: "No idea. Stay on guard & keep your eyes on the front door. The extreme velocity should keep them from coming in the others."

Sure enough, a hoard of them came through the front door.

Annabeth, showing off her Viking heritage: "I'm sick & tired of these mother fucking snakes on this mother fucking train!" She yells as she fires away.

Grover: "She almost never curse." He says surprised.

Me: "Near death experiences do that to you, buddy." I say as I block the poison.

After we finished the wave, Annabeth had an idea.

Annabeth: "Where's the Gorgon poison? If we set it next to the door, it could kill them as they enter."

I poured the contents out & used my hydrokinesis to spread it over the edges of the door.

Sure enough. As soon as the squeezed through the door, they die to reform in Tartarus.

Me: "Stay on guard. We don't know how long the poison will last."

By 7:00, we stopped hearing hisses, but we stayed vigilant just in case.

Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri, 8:30pm

We exited the train.

We made our way to the 4 Sea-sons hotel nearest the Arch, ate there & went to bed.

6/12/06, Monday

4 Sea-sons hotel, St. Louis, Missouri, 8:00am

We made our way to the Arch.

On our way, I told them Kronos has been trying to tempt me in my dreams since my mother disappeared, but I wouldn't listen.

Annabeth: "You're telling us know?!"

Me: "I thought I mentioned it previously. It's just the standard, bring me the bolt & I'll give you your mother. He must think I don't know what Uncle sounds like."

The tour was amazing & I enjoyed Annabeth geeking out over the architecture.

As we were at the top of the Arch, we talked about our plans for New Greece.