Greeks, Countrymen, Lovers, Monsters? (Sequel to Halfblood IsThicker Than Magic)

More Cows (Sequel to Cows)

Percy's P.O.V.

I stood slack-jawed, one hand still gripping the lyre, the other shooting to my pocket in order to draw Riptide. However, before I could even get the pen out of my pocket Geryon screamed, 'what is that?'

'Just a pen,' I replied anxiously, fumbling to pull the cap off.

'No it is not!' Geryon bellowed. 'I recognise that pen, it is in fact a sword! Do you take me for a fool?'

'Is that a trick question?' I asked with an innocent expression but he ignored me.

Suddenly realisation lit up his eyes and I half expected to see a light bulb appear above his head.

'The last time I saw that pen, some disgusting half-blood was trying to kill me. Which means,' a malicious grin overtook his features, 'You are Perseus Jackson, Son of Posiedon!'

I cringed at the use of my full name, but also in the revelation that my disguise was now useless. However Harry, momentarily forgetting the severity of the situation, mouthed 'Perseus?' and started snickering.

I glared at him until he stopped but Geryon meanwhile, who had been furious before, was now manic.

'Put that abominable pen down now or I will command Orthrus to bite off the red-headed one's arm,' he screamed. Ron froze, looking absolutely petrified and I cursed. How could my plan have crashed and burnt so badly? I mean I never expected it to actually work or go well but this, this was taking failure to a whole new level. 

'Okay okay,' I called back, clearly throwing Riptide as far away from me as possible. 'There, no weapon!'

Laughing Geryon walked towards me. 'Not so strong now are you?' he jeered. 'No sword and no little friends to back you up. What's more you're just a weak little girl!'

Hermione made a disbelieving noise in the back of her throat at that comment but fell silent at a glare from Eurytion.

'When you killed me and sent me to Tartarus Jackson I swore I would have my revenge and here we are.' Geryon was so close that he was spitting in my face. Calmly I wiped the saliva from my forehead and sneered at him.

'Oh yeah, what's to bet that I can't kill you again?'

Ron tried to signal to me to stop goading Geryon but Orthrus tightened his jaw threateningly around Ron's arm and the Gryffindor froze again. Ron was right though, I really shouldn't be goading Geryon, we were in enough trouble as it was and I was currently defenseless.

'You can't kill me!' Geryon laughed. 'Last time your arrow only went straight due to godly interference and this time I can't see any supportive gods hanging around, can you? I think they're probably all too busy bickering up in that throne room of theirs, and of course Hades will be sulking in his Kingom as he calls it.'

The truth of Geryon's words hit me, I was very unlikely to have such luck again and I was about to despair when a flash of red caught my eye. There behind Eurytion stood Ginny, silent as a cat, her wand aloft.

'Di Immortales!' I screamed pointing randomly at the sky, 'It's a flying Hippocampus!'

Everyone looked up at the obviously empty sky and that was all the distraction Ginny needed. She shot three stunning spells in quick sucession, hitting both Orthrus and Eurytion in the head and Geryon in his central chest. Unfortunately he seemed to be only winded due to his three hearts.

As fast as possible, I reached back into my pocket and withdrew Riptide. In a flash, much to Geryon's surprise, I held the gleaming bronze sword in my hand. Geryon flinched away and hissed 'How?'

'Do the words magic sword mean nothing to you?' I asked patronisingly as I swung as hard as I could. The blow cut through all three chests, killing him instantly. He crumbled into a pile of dust and I sighed with relief, capping my sword and returning it to my pocket.  

'But you just killed him!' squeaked Hermione. 'I was only going to stun him so we could escape.'

'Don't worry, he'll be back.' I assured her grimly. 'Monsters never truly die, as long as there is hate in the world he can return. I've just sent him for a hopefully long stay in Tartarus, which is no more than he deserves.'

'Thanks Ginny,' I called, smiling as the girl ran towards us.

'No problem,' she replied cheekily and went to embrace her husband. I saw Hermione pull a little bottle out of her pocket and let a few drops of the liquid within fall on Ron's arms. Suddenly the marks that Orthrus had made healed up and vanished.

Hermione caught me staring and grinned, 'Essence of Ditany, heals cuts, burns and bit marks.'

'The coin if you will?' I said, gesturing to Harry and he pulled away from his wife long enough to throw the coin towards me. I snatched it out of the air and ran back to the copse where the cattle were still waiting.

'Um Lord Apollo,' I said loudly, 'accept this offering and the Cattle of Geryon.' I threw the coin at the feet of the closest cow and nothing happened.

Feeling a bit foolish I turned around to face the others, who had followed behind me.

'Uh-' I began, but was interrupted as the whole copse filled with a bright golden light and the sound of bird song. Surprised I span around but the cows were gone. In their wake lingered the smell of a hot summers day and some slightly smoking grass.

I grinned, whistling loudly for Blackjack and soon he, Guido and Porkpie were swooping down towards us.

Got into a bit of a tightspot there didn't ya boss? Blackjack nickered.

Nothing I couldn't handle I thought back grumpily. Just get us out of here okay?

Sure thing boss, lets go.

I clambered into Blackjack as the others mounted Porkpie and Guido and soon we were leaping into the sky, speeding over the golden fields beneath us.

'Hey, Percy!'

I jumped as a bright red sports car pulled up beside us and followed us through the sky. Lounging in the front seat was Apollo himself.

'Thanks for the help, sir,' I called across.

'No problem man,' he replied grinning. 'Actually I composed a short limerick to celebrate your success.'

Ignoring my groan he cleared his throat and began,

'There was a young half-blood called Percy

Posiedon showed him no Mercy,

To retreive Geryon's cattle

Was the demigod's battle

And Apollo is really really awesome!'

I winced. For the god of music and poetry, Apollo sure was lacking some vital skills in that department.

The car was starting to spook Blackjack, who was currently trying to fly as far away from the Sun God as possible.

'Anyway Percy, I'll catch you round. This was fun! Artemis never gets to do cool stuff like that, she's too busy running round with her silver girls playing hunters.'

He pulled away, still grumbling about his twin sister and soon the car was out of sight.

I shook my head and urged Blackjack forwards, the others following. The sooner we got back the better. Annabeth and Nico would be worrying and I could change back to a dude. Plus, Skye didn't have much time left.

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Just saying, how fast was that upload!!!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and see you round.

TTFN

07dwaven