Partners in Crime || PJOxHP || Marauders' Era

French Monsters

"This is just pairrr-fect," the manticore gloated. He was wearing a ratty black trench coat over his Westover Hall uniform, which was torn and stained. His military haircut had grown out spiky and greasy. He hadn't shaved recently, so his face was covered in silver stubble. Basically he didn't look much better than the guys down at the soup kitchen.

"I think you mean parfait," Jessica corrected. She turned to Percy, frowning, "Is that a French dish?"

Percy shrugged, although he looked incredibly pale. "I don't know," he whispered.

"Long ago, the gods banished me to Persia," the manticore said, ignoring the two. "I was forced to scrounge for food on the edges of the world, hiding in forests, devouring insignificant human farmers for my meals. I never got to fight any great heroes. I was not feared and admired in the old stories! But now that will change. The Titans shall honor me, and I shall feast on the flesh of half-bloods!"

On either side of him stood two armed security guys, some of the mortal mercenaries Jessica had seen in D.C. Two more stood on the next boat dock over, just in case they tried to escape that way. There were tourists all around—walking down the waterfront, shopping at the pier above—but Jessica knew that wouldn't stop the manticore from acting.

"Where... where are the skeletons?" she asked the manticore.

He sneered. "I do not need those foolish undead! The General thinks I am worthless? He will change his mind when I defeat you myself!"

Jessica needed time to think. They had to save Bessie. Percy could dive into the sea, but how could they make a quick getaway with a five-hundred-pound cow serpent? And what about their friends?

"We beat you once before," Percy said.

"Ha! You could barely fight me with a goddess on your side. And, alas... that goddess is preoccupied at the moment. There will be no help for you now."

Zoe notched an arrow and aimed it straight at the manticore's head. The guards on either side of us raised their guns.

"Wait!" Jessica said. "Zoe, don't!"

The manticore smiled. "The girl is right, Zoe Nightshade. Put away your bow. It would be a shame to kill you before you witnessed Thalia's great victory."

"What are you talking about?" Thalia growled. She had her shield and spear ready.

"Surely it is clear," the manticore said. "This is your moment. This is why Lord Kronos brought you back to life. You will sacrifice the Ophiotaurus. You will bring its entrails to the sacred fire on the mountain. You will gain unlimited power. And for your sixteenth birthday, you will overthrow Olympus."

"But the prophecy mentions two children," Jessica said.

"Two children will reach sixteen against all odds," Dr. Thorn said. "It never said they would overthrow Olympus together. We'll decide whom to keep alive by tonight."

***

No one spoke. It made terrible sense. Thalia was only two days away from turning sixteen. She was a child of the Big Three. And here was a choice, a terrible choice that could mean the end of the gods. Jessica wasn't sure if she felt relieved, horrified, or disappointed. She wasn't the prophecy kid after all. Doomsday was happening right now.

She waited for Thalia to tell the manticore off, but she hesitated. She looked completely stunned.

"You know it is the right choice," the manticore told her. "Your friend Luke recognized it. You shall be reunited with him. You shall rule this world together under the auspices of the Titans. Your father abandoned you, Thalia. He cares nothing for you. And now you shall gain power over him. Crush the Olympians underfoot, as they deserve. Call the beast! It will come to you. Use your spear."