The Child Of Time

chap 11

A/N: yea new chap I forgot about this story till I got a notification from it oops

3rd person/Annabeth-

"Guys," Annabeth said, turning to Percy and Grover. "We need to come up with a plan."

"We already have a plan," Percy rolled his eyes. "We get Zeus's bolt and whatever item that Hades is missing."

"A new plan." Annabeth said.

"Preferably one that won't get us killed," Grover suggested. "Maybe a plan that involves enchiladas too."

"Alright, then," Percy sighed. "But we don't have any new plans."

"Athena always has plan." Annabeth said, pride echoing in her voice.

"Hate to break to you, sweetie, but you're not Athena," Percy groaned. "I don't see why we can't just kill everyone and get the cursed bolt."

"That's not smart," Annabeth pointed out. "Killing people doesn't everyone's problems."

"It solves my problems."

Annabeth and Percy were nose to nose, Annabeth cheeks were flushed and Percy's hand was gripping Riptide,i tching to uncap it.

"Okay guys," Grover separated the two. "We've got all the time in the world to figure out a plan-it's not like there's a deadline."

"I'm s-sorry," Percy said through clenched teeth. "I have...anger issues."

"I'm sorry,too," Annabeth sighed. "I have...problems with abrasive sons of Poseidon."

As she walked away, Percy called out, "Don't forget I'm half Kronos,too!"

"That's the way to killed, Perce!" Grover said as they walked alongside Annabeth.

"We should probably go to Los Angles-the entrance to the underworld is there," Annabeth mulled. "Maybe Hades has Zeus's bolt and won't give it to us unless we give him whatever item he's missing."

"Where are we now?" Grover asked.

"Mississippi." Percy pointed to the churning river of the magnolia state. (I love the magnolia trees there-their blossoms are the state flower and they're so pretty. I have to go to Kentucky every year-archery tournament-and we pass there every time.)

"How did we end up in Mississippi!" Annabeth exclaimed.

The boys shrugged and kept walking.

The three didn't get very far before a hazy image of Chiron appeared.

"Children," Chiron got their attention. "I'm afraid I have some distressing new for you all. Lord Zeus has put a deadline on the quest-you have until summer solstice to find the bolt."

"That's four days away," Annabeth was appalled. "We don't even have a clue where the bolt is!"

"What is it this?" Percy asked, reaching for the transparent screen.

"It's Iris-Messaging," Grover explained. "The sunlight and water make the screen. It's the Greek form of Instant messaging."

"Because you can't use phones-it attracts monsters." Percy lowered his hand.

"You must hurry, Percy," Chiron chastised. "You don't have alot of time left."

"It's kind of hard to hurry up with only four days left to stop a nuclear, massive war," Percy smiled. "But I'll see what I can do."

Chiron cocked his head and waved his hand through the image-ending the connection.

"Can't you just stop time?" Annabeth asked. "Then we could get the bolt."

"I'm not that advanced in my time powers-no way I could concentrate for all three us to not be frozen," Percy explained. "Besides, Kronos also has power over time and it takes alot energy to make time stop,anyway."

"Is that why Kronos hasn't frozen the world or New York, and tear down Olympus?" Grover questioned.

"Exactly and I doubt he is even strong enough to do so."

Soon the three could see the city lights and tourists huddled up in a sightseeing monument.

Annabeth gasped. "The Gateway Arch-I want to go up."

Percy and Grover doubtfully eyed the tiny elevator car that was supposed to take them up.

Annabeth squeezed Grover and Percy onto the elevator, waiting to go up.

A fat lady smiled at them as the elevator door closed. She held a dog leash that belong to a toy chihuahua.

"Hello," She said, showing a set of sharp teeth.

"Hello." Annabeth said politely.

"Hi." Grover mumbled.

The stranger looked at Percy, expecting a formal greeting.

Percy glared at her for a second then said, "S'up."

The lady's dog barked at him.

"Watch it runt," Percy threatened. "Or else I'm going to drop kick you to Texas."

The dog quivered, spasms erupting through its spine.

"Not now sonny, not now." The lady repeated over and over until the doors opened.

For an hour Annabeth lectured on how the arch should be rebuilt-with see-through floors and bigger windows to admire the view.

"Why would you put see-through floor?" Percy interrupted. "It's six hundred feet from the ground, and all there is water down there."

"That's the point!" Annabeth said.

Percy had enough and towed Grover and Annabeth to the elevator.

Two tourists were already inside, leaving only two spaces left.

"You guys go," Percy ushered them in.

"No," Annabeth protested. "We'll wait for another elevator with you."

"It's okay." Percy said, pushing the elevator button that would take them down.

The door closed on her and Annabeth faced the two other tourists-a mother and her teenage daughter.

"Hey," the teen whispered to Annabeth. "How old is your friend?"

"Percy?" Annabeth asked,looking over the girl. "Way too young for you."

It was quiet for a moment until a loud crash was heard from above.

Annabeth heard a loud yell and knew something had happened to Percy.

Panicked, she looked at Grover who shook his head.

When the doors opened, Annabeth burst out-searching for Percy in the crowd of people.

She looked up at the arch and saw Percy on fire.

She nearly screamed but Grover covered her mouth.

Annabeth shrieked hysterically when Percy dropped six hundred feet down.

He crashed into the water and stayed in there for a minute or two, while Grover and Annabeth were searching for him.

Percy came, dripping but smiling like crazy. Annabeth was so irritated that she slapped him.

"Ow!" He exclaimed, clutching his right cheek.

"What's in your hand?" Grover asked, pointing to Percy's hand.

"Pearls."