𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 - 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐨𝐜

¸„.-•~*°˜¨ 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 ¨˜ˆ°*~•-.„¸

The two half-bloods tore across the Mall, not daring to look behind them.

They burst into the Air and Space Museum and Percy took off his invisibility cap once they were inside.

The main part of the museum was one huge room with rockets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights. The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips.

Phoenix wanted to yell at them all to leave, but she figured that would only get her arrested.

They had to find Thalia and Grover and the Hunters.

Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and Percy didn't think they would settle for an audio tour.

As Percy was quickly explaining what had happened to Phoenix they ran into Thalia-literally.

They were barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

Grover yelped in surprise.

Before Percy or Phoenix could regain their balance, Zoe and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at their chests. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

When Zoe realized who they were, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You! How dare you both show thy face here?"

"Percy! Phoenix!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

Zoe glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You guys are not supposed to be here!"

"Luke," Percy said, placing his hand on Phoenix's shoulder, trying to catch his breath. "He's here."

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet.

"Where?"

Percy repeated the story and told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General.

"The General is here?" Zoe looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

"Why would he lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors-" Phoenix scoffed.

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

"Twelve," Percy said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster."

Thalia and Grover exchanged looks.

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent... She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

"Zoe," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General-"

"It cannot be!" Zoe snapped. "Percy must have seen an Iris-message or some other illusion."

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," Percy told her.

Zoe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Phoenix didn't understand why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but she figured now wasn't the time to ask.

"If these two are telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible... We must leave now."

"Good idea," Percy said.

"I was not including thy, nuisances," Zoe said. "You are not part of this quest."