𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄. percy jackson

𝟏𝟐: a shield of collateral

magnolia dove 𝔁 percy jackson
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
CHAPTER 12: A SHIELD OF COLLATERAL

"THE FBI is already spreading your picture around," Ares told Percy as the group watched the broadcast. 

Gabe went on about his Camaro before Ares turned the phone off and stuffed it back in his pocket. 

"I'm gonna kill him," Percy grumbled. 

"I knew I was gonna like you." Ares complimented before he explained, "But safe to say, the chances of you four idiots hitchhiking the rest of the way to L.A. without getting arrested are slim to none." he explained. Magnolia only glared at him after the insult while Annabeth retorted with a witty remark. 

"Why are you sitting here then?" Annabeth asked, "If you're supposed to be looking for the master bolt too, shouldn't you be out there looking for it?" she asked sarcastically, Magnolia smiling softly at her best friend's remarks. At the same time, she fiddled with some fidget toy Grover had brought back to camp for her after a quest. 

"Hm. There's no fear in you, is there? Doesn't matter. Whether the bolt's retrieved or not, Zeus is going to war with Poseidon." Ares informed them. The group exchanged confused glances, thinking Ares had been misinformed. 

"No. The Oracle said if we return the bolt, there wouldn't be a war." Percy corrected. 

"Is that what she said? Or is that what Chiron said she meant?" Ares asked them. 

"You're new to the family young one so let me fill you in on how we work." Ares began, Magnolia taking her earplugs out to listen properly. 

"See, years before I was born, my grandpa Kronos ate my aunts and uncles." Magnolia widened her eyes, she might've slightly regretted taking the earplugs out. "Yeah. Then my dad made him puke them back up, then chopped him into a million pieces and chuckled 'em into a bottomless pit, so that kinda set the tone right outta the gate."  Ares explained, his voice getting louder until he paused. 

"Olympians fight. We betray. We backstab. We will push anyone down a flight of stairs to get ahead and that's why I love my family so much. My dad knows he's not getting this bolt back with quests or goose chases. He knows there's a war coming and in reality, I think he's okay with that. I think he feels it's just in time for a war, so we're gonna have a war." Ares finished, inhaling and trying not to cry. "Isn't that great?" he asked, still attempting to not cry.

I wouldn't have expected anything less from the God of War. Someone doesn't hang out with their sister that much. Magnolia thought. 

"We're completing this quest. We're stopping this war. You said you can help. Can you?" Percy asked.

"Okay, so here it is. There's an amusement park up the road. I left my shield there. You get me my shield back, and I'll get you to the Underworld by lunch tomorrow with a plan to invade Hades's palace." 

"You left your shield? Like, forgot it on the merry-go-round?" Annabeth asked sarcastically. 

Ares only leaned his elbows on the table, getting closer to the group. "Okay. The chirping was funny to me for a minute, but it is getting old. So do we have a deal, or am I killing all four of you so I can eat in peace?" Ares asked them.

"Okay," Magnolia replied, making the rest of the group's eyes land on her. 

Ares sent her a smile before he leaned back and spoke again. "Great. One catch. I really do need that shield back, so I'm gonna keep the satyr and wise girl here as collateral so you don't run off."