Percy Jackson: CHB Again?

Chapter 30: THE BATTLE OF MANHATTAN PART TWO

Written by: Awesomeelsa and Rick Riordan

Percy, whom was more acquainted with Blackjack, summoned him and another Pegasus out of the sky. If I got close enough, or actually cared, I could've heard the horses talking. As it was, I was distracted by Nico.

"Where were you?" I asked him. "Those weeks I was at camp. Those years when I was on the boat. If you remembered, where were you?"

His face paled. I almost regretted asking him. "Let's just say that I didn't remember you until a few weeks ago. I guess that's when you officially came to this reality."

Annabeth must've been listening in, because she stared at us confused. "What are you guys talking about? What do you mean 'came to this reality'?"

"Alright guys," Percy cut off the conversation, and I'd be lying if I wasn't grateful. "Annabeth with me on Blackjack. Tera, Nico, on Porkpie. The horses are squeamish about carrying two each, but because both Tera and I are children of Poseidon, they've agreed to do the best they can."

The horses didn't strike me as weak. I assumed the could handle much heavier loads than just two demigods each.

He's just being nice, your highness. Porkpie said in my mind. I restrained a smile, I liked being called 'highness'. It is really the boy we do not want to fly. He is the child of death.

I couldn't reply to the Pegasus telepathically, but I didn't want to say anything out loud that might let off that this was the truth. Still, I wanted to make sure that Porkpie knew he was cool.

"Once you get to know the kid," I told him. "You'll see he's not a bad guy."

Nico looked at me confused.

"It's a joke," I said, but Porkpie understood my true intentions and bucked his head up and down. "C'mon, Nico. Let's go."

We mounted Porkpie, and together the two Pegasi flew us into battle. It was much better than riding an elevator to a fight, of you asked me.

~

It was well after midnight now, but the bridge blazed with light. Cars were burning. Arcs of fire streamed in both directions as flaming arrows and spears sailed through the air.We came in for a low pass, and I saw the Apollo campers retreating. They would hide behind cars and snipe at the approaching army, setting off explosive arrows and dropping caltrops in the road, building fiery barricades wherever they could, dragging sleeping drivers out of their cars to get them out of harm's way.

But the enemy kept advancing.

An entire phalanx of dracaenae marched in the lead, their shields locked together, spear tips bristling over the top. An occasional arrow would connect with their snaky trunks, or a neck, or a chink in their armor, and the unlucky snake woman would disintegrate, but most of the Apollo arrows glanced harmlessly off their shield wall.

About a hundred more monsters marched in behind them. I hadn't seen this many monsters gathered together, well, ever. The closet I came was when I was fighting on their side in my first reality. Don't ask. 

Hellhounds leaped ahead of the line from time to time. Most were destroyed with arrows, but one got hold of an Apollo camper and dragged him away. I didn't see what happened to him next. I didn't want to know.

"There!" Nico called from behind me. Sure enough in the middle of the invading legion was the Minotaur.

The last time I'd seen the Minotaur had been in a past life. I wasn't sure if he remembered me - like the gods seemed to as I passed from world to world - and I wasn't anxious to find out. He was in armour, this time. From the waist down, he wore standard Greek battle gear-a kiltlike apron of leather and metal flaps, bronze greaves covering his legs, and tightly wrapped leather sandals.