BY fates design

Ares

They had been walking for a while along an essentially deserted silent road, "hey guys I've been thinking," Percy said, "if I didn't steal the master bolt and you didn't steal the master bolt, then who did? We don't actually know who stole the thing or why." He listed, the other three just stared at him with amusement. "I'm the last person to figure this out aren't I?" He sighed. "Yeah." Annabeth nodded. "Ok so maybe my head wasn't in this in the beginning, but since the river it's different." He admitted as they walked. "It's fine Percy, I'm sure everything will make sense soon enough." Cassiopeia soothed. A low rumble was heard behind them, "car." Grover called. "That's not a car it's a bike, let it pass." Annabeth said, ushering them to hide behind the barrier on the side of the road. "I'm just saying it's not only about retrieving the thing, we have to be detectives here." Percy continued. The rumbling got loud till it was just behind them, then it stopped, the engine was cut, "need some help?" A gruff voice asked. They sat up to peak over the barrier to find a large, bearded man in a long leather trench coat on a motorbike, "no thanks we're good." Grover denied and Cassiopeia urged them to sit back down. "You don't seam too good." He insisted, "you guys are so behind schedule, I mean the summer solstice is only a few days away and as mush as I would love to see a war, as your big cousin I feel I need to give you a hand." He persuaded. "How do you know about our deadline?" Percy asked. "Ares." Cassiopeia muttered to him while Annabeth announced it louder. "You must be the daughter of Athena," he smirked, regarding Annabeth, "listen kids, I'm hungry if you want help meet me at a diner up the road but don't dawdle." He told them, sliding on some glasses and riding away. "That's my cousin? What kind of family is this?" Percy muttered as they began to walk up the road.

When they entered the diner they found Ares laughing hysterically in a booth, "ah give me a second, just starting a fight on Twitter." He dismissed as they sat down opposite him. "So your quest is going to fail, ask me how I know." He said. "Our quest isn't going to fail." Percy denied. "For starters the FBI is already searching for you after your stepdad's interview." Ares started and Percy scowled. "I'm going to kill him." He muttered. "I know I would like you." Ares teased, "your chance of getting to LA without being arrested are slim to none."
"Why are you here then?" Cassiopeia asked, "I'm sure your father has you out searching as well." She eyed the god, smirking to herself when he glared at her. "You really aren't scared of anything are you?" He taunted, leaning back in his seat watching Cassiopeia shake her head slightly, "I tell you what, there is an amusement park down the road, I left my shield there, get it for me and I'll get you a ride to where you need to be." He offered. "What, you forgot your shield on the merry go round or something?" Annabeth asked. "You know your chirping amused me for a moment but it is getting real old." He leaned his arms on the table, Annabeth simply tilted her head, her brow raised.

"You two seriously taunted a god? Of war?" Even asked, his eyes were blue saucers on his face. "Yeah, basically." Annabeth replied while Cassiopeia giggled into Percy's shoulder. "Really you let to little girls make fun of you?" Hermes laughed at his brother. "Fuck of herpes." Ares snapped back causing Hermes to pout and look away, muttering angrily about the nickname.

"So, we have a deal?" Ares quirked his head to the side, a daring smirk on his face. Percy looked to Cassiopeia, she nodded ever so slightly, "sure, you have a deal." He agreed and they all went to stand. "Ah, ah, ah," Ares tutted, "the satyr and Annabeth stay here, collateral, if you will." He pointed to the two, who silently backed back into their seats. "No way." Percy immediately declined, glaring at the god. "Ok." Grover agreed at the same time. Percy turned to look at the satyr, "no, not happening." He reiterated. "Come on, you have to do this, plus if he wanted to kill us we would be dead already." Grover argued and Percy reluctantly agreed. "Stay safe." Annabeth whispering as she hugged Cassiopeia tightly. "You too." Cassiopeia placed a small kiss on the girl's mahogany cheek. "Don't you dare hurt them." Cassiopeia glared at Ares, her blue eyes flickered with threats of violence should he lay a hand on her friends. "Or what dainty?" Ares smirked, he was egging her on, trying to cause a reaction. "Touch one of the people I care about again and see just how dainty I can be." She snapped slamming her dagger into the table right next to his hand. He whistled slowly, "They'll be just as you left them." He held his hands up in defence, an amused expression on his face, "you're looking for the tunnel of love!" He called behind them as they walked out.