Chapter 15. Mother of Monsters

"How are you two so skilled? I mean you two had training, but it's only from some mortals and a merman. I'm not saying that they are bad, but Chiron had thousands of years of experience in training demigods. But the two of you outclass almost every demigod I know." Annabeth asked the step-siblings.

Percy considered the question and thought back to his time at the camp. He too had noticed that the demigods he had encountered at camp half-blood were not up to the par. Hell, many of them were far behind in terms of skill compared to Gwen. And she was only an above average fighter in camp Jupiter. Also from what he heard from Bill about the civil war and how the camps were evenly matched. Thinking about the recent changes in the camps Percy suddenly came to a conclusion.

"I think I know the reason behind the lack of skilled demigods in the camp."

"What's it?" Piper was also curious.

"Consider the campers who are exceptionally skilled like Luke. He spent a long time surviving on his own in the real world along with Thalia. He didn't have the luxury of a magical border that repelled any monsters. I believe it's the lack of real challenges that make the demigods of camp half-blood less skilled. I mean all the really powerful campers are staying there year round, and all the challenge they face is the war games and the simple monsters the camp brings to train them. They are not put in a situation where they have to fight for their lives. Very few of them push themselves to become better. Even the Ares campers who are so fond of battles are satisfied with being better than the rest. I guess this lack of any real danger made them complacent in the past few years after the King of Gods created the Thalia tree and the Magical border. I also heard that even before the barrier was erected, the camp was a fairly secure place for demigods. And in these modern days wars involving demigods don't happen. I guess all those factors resulted in the poor skills of campers. "

"That makes sense." Piper voiced her agreement and Annabeth nodded along thoughtfully.

"Back to our quest. What are we gonna do now."

"Well After we have our breakfast we're going to search every nook and cranny of this place and find everything that might be valuable. We can use them for the rest of our travels." Percy said. "But there is a serious problem."

"And that is?" Piper asked anxiously.

"Last night we ate the food Medusa cooked. Who is going to cook them now?" A swat to the head was all the only answer the son of Poseidon got.

****Scene Break****

"So what have we got?" Percy asked his companions.

"I found some transaction details. Medusa used to sell a lot of her statues, both in the mortal and immortal world. I found her credit card but without the password it's useless. But another interesting thing is a note from Lady Persephone with a delivery address, something about appreciating Medusa's business. The delivery address is a DOA studio in LA. I believe that might be the entrance to the Underworld in the mortal world." Annabeth proudly explained her findings. All three demigods gritted their teeth about the note. It's one thing to not bother with demigods, but actively congratulating a monster for good work?

"Good work Annabeth. We will find something about mortal money. Don't worry. What did you find Pipes?"

"Well, I found a draw where she stashed some of her money. It contains a few Dollars and some Drachmas. There is a very small amount of mortal money. I guess it's because she mainly used her card. But there are a few hundred drachmae there."

"That's totally cool, you know. It's like we are in a computer game. You kill the monsters and you get gold and other supplies as drop items plus a clue to your next mission." The son of Poseidon exclaimed which resulted in his companions facepalming.

"Really Percy?"

"Sorry! Aside from my gaming experience, I found a singularly important item in her workshop." Percy told them with excitement evident in his voice.

"What?"

"There was a Hermes drop box Medusa used to use for her business."

"Wow. That's…" Annabeth exclaimed.

What is a Hermes drop box and what's so exciting about it you may ask? Hermes drop box was a joint project by the Amazons and the Messenger god Hermes. It looked like a laptop attached to a delivery box and one of the most useful items ever. If you want to buy anything, be it anything from ambrosia and nectar to a new electronic equipment, all you have to do is browse using the laptop attached and click the buy option. Then deposit the payment either in mortal currency or drachma in the delivery box. Within a few seconds, your purchased item will appear in the box. You can also use the Hermes delivery box to sell items in the mythological world.

"That means Medusa was a priority customer. The entire camp has only two. One for Hermes cabin and one for the rest kept with Chiron. This is totally unfair." Annabeth added.

"Come on Annie, I think Medusa did more transaction than the entire camp combined with her business. It may also be possible that the previous owner of this delivery box is already enjoying my uncle's hospitality." Percy consoled his new friend though disgust was evident in his voice while mentioning Medusa's business.

"We can use the delivery box to buy the essentials we need. We have a few hundred drachmas I found and can use it to buy some clothes, bag and some Ambrosia and nectar." Piper put forward her plan.

"That what I had in mind. There is a shrink button in this delivery box which we can use to carry it easily. I call dibs on it, founders' keepers and all, but the two of you are welcome to use it any time you want." Percy added.

The two girls accepted it, though grudgingly. And with that started a two-hour long shopping spree where Percy bought some random jeans and t-shirts along with a backpack after they purchased the ambrosia and nectar needed for the quest. This happened in the first ten minutes and Percy fell asleep as soon as the girls started browsing for their clothes. Only the fact that they were on a life and death quest kept the girls from going all out on their shopping and spend the entire day browsing clothes.

**** Scene Break ****

"Annabeth we have something to tell you. You see there is one power I have that I never revealed to you. I can teleport using water. We didn't tell you before because we're unsure whether to trust you or not. But you proved yourself so far in this quest." Percy explained to his new friend after some deliberation. And teleported across the room to prove his words.

"How the hell did you do that?" Annabeth asked with a lot of awe in her voice. Percy explained to her his teleportations ability in detail. In the end, she understood their position but she was hurt that they didn't completely trust her even after giving an oath to not betray them.

"Wait does that mean you can transport all of us to Los Angeles with your power?" Despite the situation, her mind suddenly jumped to the strategic value of the newly revealed power of her friend.

"I am sorry but no. Transporting just myself to that distance takes a lot of power. Taking the two of you with me will put me in a coma. But I can use teleportation to get some mortal money." He grinned and then vanished.

"Now you know what I have to put up with all the time. He is gloating all the time since he learned that skill." Piper said to Annabeth consolingly.

"I know. I am so jealous of that. I'm proud to be a daughter of Athena. But skill like that really…" She stopped at a loss for words.

"I know. It's not just you." Somehow Annabeth felt that the other girl was a kindred spirit. They talked between them or more specifically Annabeth questioned Piper about their life before coming to the camp before Percy showed up in a mist.

"I got some mortal cash. I went to my mom and she gave me her credit card. I was lucky your dad wasn't there. Or he would've skinned me alive for putting you in this messed up situation." He explained.

"You didn't. I came along willingly for this quest. Now get over yourself and let us move on. You can take us to the nearest train station with mist travel, right? It won't tire you out because the distance is not much? I think the train is a better choice of travel from now on. And Annabeth says she found on the internet that there is an Amtrak station half a mile away and the westbound train leaves at noon." Piper replied and Annabeth could see that those two were a lot more close to each other than she initially thought.

"Yes, that should be okay. I also don't feel like traveling on the bus anymore. Come on hold my hand and don't let go. It may feel weird to you since this is your first-time mist traveling, Annabeth." Percy told her. She tentatively held out her hand and Percy took it along with Piper's. The three demigods disappeared in a spray of mist and Annabeth felt like she was doused in cold sea water.

**** Scene Break ****

Percy was glad that he didn't try to teleport them long distance after they arrived at the train station. The travel was at least four times difficult than carrying just Piper. Thankfully they were not attacked at all during the two days of travel on the train heading west. Percy and company didn't relax and expected an attack any time and made sure that at least one of them was awake all the time. Annabeth spent the time questioning the two stepsiblings about their adventures before and trying to learn all she could from them. The girl had a focused mind and the tenacity to learn everything she could get her hands on. Also from what Percy guess she took it as an insult to her pride that a son of Poseidon managed to become more skilled than herself. Although she looked at it in a positive way and tries to make herself better than being a jealous nuisance. And Percy was glad to have a friend with that kind work ethic. Though he was slightly afraid of Athena blasting him to pieces for showing up her children. From what he has seen since children of Athena didn't show any physical manifestation of their godly blood. Their abilities are all focused on their mind. This he guessed, made it much easier for Annabeth to learn the skills he could teach.

Annabeth also told Percy and Piper about her home life and the situations that made her run away. Percy noted that her eyes were wet when she talked about Luke and Thalia but he didn't comment on it. Percy assumed that it was Thalia's fate that made Luke turn against the gods. The pain of loss and anger towards those he held responsible for his friend's death must have made him very easy to manipulate.

Even though the travel was peaceful Percy's sleep was anything but. All through his sleep a being hiding in the darkness was taunting him and tempting him with promises of power and fortune. Even in dreams this being gave away the feeling of evil and it brought up negative feeling he had towards the Olympians to the forefront of his mind. He felt that his mind was slowly being manipulated but the years of practice controlling his emotions and mind helped him overcome the week manipulation. This being, he assumed, must be the mastermind behind the theft. And it must be trying to create a war between the Olympians for whatever reasons. Percy had some guesses towards the identity of the voice but he kept all assumptions in the back of his mind. Neither did he share his dreams with his companions lest they worry about him all the time. He also meditated more than usual and drew power from his father's domains to keep himself safe from further manipulations.

Percy also had the satisfaction of Luke's image posted o wanted posters. 'Ha! Suck on it you bastard. You wanted to frame me for theft, now you are wanted for arson and terrorism.' Despite the sympathy, he felt towards the son of Hermes, the fact that his father was blamed and he was almost paid for the crime made Percy a little vengeful towards Luke. The trick he pulled with the mist was very effective and the mortal police were now chasing after Luke.

**** Scene Break ****

Toward the end of their second day on the train, June 13, eight days before the summer solstice, they passed through some golden hills and over the Mississippi River into St. Louis. Annabeth craned her neck to see the Gateway Arch, which to Percy, looked like a huge shopping bag handle stuck on the city.

"I want to do that," Annabeth sighed.

"What?" Percy asked.

"Build something like that. You ever see the Parthenon, Percy?"

"Yes. Mum took me on a vacation to Greece. It very was interesting. Piper has been there too."

Annabeth turned so fast that Percy thought she might get a whiplash. What proceeded was a barrage of questions which made Percy regret ever mentioning the Parthenon in the presence of the daughter of Athena. In the end, Piper lost her patience and snapped,

"Enough, we get it. You really want to visit that monument and build something like it. But please, please understand we are not into architecture and can't answer all these questions you fire off."

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away. It's my dream to build the greatest monument to the gods, ever. Something that'll last a thousand years." Annabeth replied abashed.

"Maybe you should ask your mother to take you there as a gift when you complete this quest."

Annabeth didn't reply anything, but from the look on her face, Percy assumed that she was dreaming about doing just that.

****Scene Break****

Fighting the mother of all Greek monsters and one of her most infamous son was not what Percy had when he let Annabeth talk him into visiting the Gateway Arch. They were informed at the Amtrak station that they'd have a three-hour layover before the train departs for Denver. Annabeth persuaded the two stepsiblings into visiting the Gateway Arch in that time since according to her it might be her only chance of visiting it. Percy couldn't say no to such pleading and agreed to visit the damn Arch. Though Annabeth spouting interesting (to her) facts about the construction of the Arch all the way made him regret even considering the idea in the first place. Thankfully Piper kept him distracted with some sweets she got online.

They were able to reach the top of the Arch despite some raised eyebrows due to three children visiting the Arch alone but Piper carefully used Mist cover for them. At the top of the Arch, the observation deck reminded Percy of a tin can with carpeting. Rows of tiny windows looked out over the city on one side and the river on the other. The view was okay, but Percy hated the fact that he was in a confined space six hundred feet in the air when his aura masking was not working properly due to the fight between his father and uncle. He was ready to go back pretty quick but Annabeth kept talking about structural supports, and how she would've made the windows bigger, and designed a see-through floor. She probably could've stayed up there for hours, but luckily for Percy, the park ranger announced that the observation deck was to be closed in a few minutes.

The mother of monsters chose that moment to strike. She used the mist on the mortal tourist and the guards to separate Percy from his company as they were getting to the elevator. As a result, Percy had to wait for the next elevator car. As soon as the door of the elevator carrying his friends shut the remaining mortals fell asleep at once and Percy felt a massive use of Mist alerting him to the dire situation he was in. He looked around to find a creepy old lady with a Chihuahua. Percy knew at one glance that this was a monster using Mist to cover up her appearance but the Mist illusion was too advanced for him to see through. The Chihuahua looked at Percy with foam dripping from its mouth and then looked at the lady and a slight growl escaped its mouth.

"Well, son," the fat lady sighed. "If you insist."

Ice started forming in Percy's stomach. "Urn, did you just call that Chihuahua your son?"

"Chimera, dear," the fat lady corrected. "Not a Chihuahua. It's an easy mistake to make."

"Fuck." Percy now understood what a shitty situation he was in. 'Since the women called that thing her son that must be Echidna, the mother of all monsters. Just my luck.' He thought.

With the illusion no longer needed the two monsters assumed their true form which was quite terrifying.

Echidna had scaly and green skin and when she smiled fangs were visible in her mouth. The pupils of her eyes were sideways slits like that of a reptile. A quite ugly site in his opinion.

The Chimera was now so tall its back rubbed against the roof. It had the head of a lion with a blood-caked mane, the body and hooves of a giant goat, and a serpent for a tail, a ten-foot-long diamondback growing right out of its shaggy behind. The rhinestone dog collar still hung around its neck, and the plate-sized dog tag was now easy to read: CHIMERA—RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS—IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS—EXT. 954.

'That Bellerophon dude must have had quite the balls of steel to go anywhere near this thing with a plan to kill it with putting a piece of lead in its mouth.' Percy thought.

Percy called forth his spear, Maelstrom since he considered going near this monster with a sword as quite a bad idea. And started looking for escape routes in case things went south.

The snake lady made a hissing noise that might've been laughter. "Be honored, Percy Jackson. Lord Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood. For I am the Mother of Monsters, the terrible Echidna!"

The first thing that came out of Percy's mouth was, "Were you named after that Ant eater thing?"

'Curse my ADHD I had to piss of her even before fighting.'

She howled, her reptilian face turning brown and green with rage. "How dare you. My son will tear you apart for that insult."

The Chimera charged, its lion teeth gnashing. Percy managed to leap aside and dodge the bite but ended up near the unconscious mortals. He didn't want the mortals to die because of his fight getting out of hand. Percy leveled his spear and ran to the other side of the deck, and yelled,

"Hey, Chihuahua!"

The Chimera turned faster than he thought possible for something of its size. But before he could stab it at a vital point with the imperial gold spear, it opened its mouth, emitting a stench like the world's largest barbecue pit, and shot a column of flame straight at Percy.

The son of Poseidon dove out of the explosion. The carpet burst into flames; the heat was so intense, it nearly seared off his eyebrows.

Where Percy had been standing a moment before was a ragged hole in the side of the Arch, with melted metal steaming around the edges.

'Great. We just blowtorched a national monument. I hope it has insurance.' He thought.

He tried to stab the monster through its heart as it turned but the spear tip could barely pierce its tough hide and the channeled electricity only made it angrier. He knew that unless he manages to hit the exact spot again his weapon was useless. 'Then that's what I am going to do' he thought.

But Percy made a fatal mistake of ignoring the snakehead while defending against the lion head and it whipped around and bit into his calf.

His whole leg was on fire and he knew that he didn't have long before the poison spread through his whole body.

He tried to stab it in the mouth thinking he could pull off a Harry Potter, but the snake wrapped around his ankles and pulled him off balance and maelstrom flew out of his hand into the Mississippi River. He knew that the spear would return to him in time but for the moment he didn't have a weapon capable of dealing with the legendary monster he was facing. Then it clicked in his mind. 'Maybe it would work.'

He managed to get up to his feet and backed away to the hole on the arch as a precaution in case his plan didn't work.

Chimera advanced, growling, smoke curling from its lips. The snake lady, the Echidna, cackled. "They don't make heroes like they used to, eh, sonny?"

The monster growled. It seemed in no hurry to finish me off now that he was beaten.

"Maybe you should jump little hero. Surely you are confident that your father's blood would protect you from the fall?" The mother of monsters started taunting him.

Percy knew he didn't have much time before dying of the poison. He gave a week smile and said.

"I am confident about my survival but I want to have the last word in this fight. Say cheese bitch." Saying this he pulled out the head of Medusa from his backpack and held it facing the monsters.

Echidna showed no fear as she mockingly said. "Fool I am the mother of all monsters. Do you really think that a trick like that would work against me?"

Percy smirked and looked at the chimera that was slowly turning into stone.

"Not you perhaps. But what about your Sonny?" saying this he showed the Medusa head back to his backpack and leaped off into Mississippi river with a prayer. "Dad please protect me"

As he fell to safetyhe smiled at faintly heard the howls of rage from Echidna.

AN: Sorry for being so late for this update. A lot of things kept me away from continuing this story and explaining them all would takea long time. Anyway, I am back again and I think I will be able to write this to the end of Lightning thief.

Thanks for all the support and sorry to everyone that didn't get a reply from me to their reviews and PM's.

I am posting an idea for a new Percy Jackson Fanfic that popped into my head as a challenge in my profile. Anyone interested Please check it out and make it into good fanfic.