?as the world caves in?

We found a diner a few minutes later and sat at a booth.

The waitress came over to us. "Well?"

"We, um, want to order dinner." Percy said.

"You kids have money for it?"

We all sat there and attempted to come up with sob stories so we could get free food.

But suddenly, a motorcycle pulled up.

We looked over and saw a huge dude getting off of it.

Me and Annabeth looked at one another, knowing who it was.

Everyone stood up, but he waved his hand, and all was normal.

"You kids have money to pay for it?" The waitress repeated.

"It's on me." The biker said and slid into our booth. "Are you still here?"

She suddenly turned to the kitchen, as if being commanded.

The biker looked at Percy, and I saw Percy's face change.

"So you're Seaweed's kid, huh?" He asked.

"What's it to you?" Percy snapped back.

"Percy, this is—" I tried warning.

"S'okay. I don't mind a little attitude. Long as you remember who's the boss. You know who I am, little cousin?"

A moment of realization came across Percy's face. "You're Clarisse's dad. Ares, god of war."

Ares took off his glasses, and where his eyes should be, there was just fire.

What did my mom see in this dude.

"That's right, punk. I heard you broke Clarisse's spear."

Percy looked at me, then back at Ares. "She was asking for it."

"Probably. That's cool. I don't fight my kids fight, you know?" Ares looked at me. "How's the neck, kid?"

I flushed. "Oh. It's better now. I kinda forgot about that."

Ares chuckled. "Clarisse gets carried away, hope you can find it in your little Aphrodite heart to forgive her."

"Um, I'll try."

"What I'm here for—I heard you were in town. I got a little proposition for you."

The waitress came back with food, and I almost drooled at the sight of it.

Ares gave her some drachmas.

"But these aren't..." she started.

Ares pulled out a knife and started cleaning his fingernails. "Problem, sweetheart?"

Someone call the cops on this man.

The waitress left.

"You can't do that," Percy told Ares. "You can't just threaten people with a knife."

Ares laughed. "Are you kidding? I love this country. Best place since Sparta. Don't you carry a weapon, punk? You should. Dangerous world out there. Which brings me to my proposition. I need you do do me a favor."

"What favor could I do for a god?"

"Something a god doesn't have time to do himself. It's nothing much. I left my shield at an abandoned water park here in town. I was going on a little..." Ares looked at me. "Date with my girlfriend."

"We all know you've been sleeping with my mom since you first met. Proceed."

Ares slowly nodded at me. "We were interrupted. I left my shield behind. I want you to fetch it for me."

"Why don't you go back and get it yourself?" Percy asked.

"Why don't I turn you into a prairie dog and run you over with my Harley? Because I don't feel like it. A god is giving you an opportunity to prove yourself, Percy Jackson. Will you prove yourself a coward? Or maybe you only fight when there's a river to dive into, so your daddy can protect you."

"We're not interested," Percy said. "We've already got a quest."

"I know all about your quest, pink. When that item was first stolen, Zeus sent his best out looking for it: Apollo, Athena, Artemis, and me, naturally. If I couldn't sniff out a weapon that powerful..." He licked his lips. "Well... if I couldn't find it, you got no hope. Nevertheless, I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. Your dad and I go way back. After all, I'm the one who told him my suspicions about old Corpse Breath."

"You told him Hades stole the bolt?"

"Sure. Framing somebody to start a war. Oldest trick in the book. I recognized it immediately. In a way, you got me to thank your little quest."

"Thanks,"

"Hey, I'm a generous guy. Just do my little job, and I'll help you on your way. I'll arrange a ride west for you and your friends."

"We're doing fine on our own."

"Yeah, right. No money. No wheels. No clue what you're up against. Help me out, and maybe I'll tell you something you need to know. Something about your mom."

And this is how you instantly get Percy Jackson to do anything you want.

"My mom?"

Ares grinned, knowing exactly how easily this pulled Percy in. "That got your attention. The water park is a mile west on Delancy. You can't miss it. Look for the Tunnel of Love ride."

"What interrupted your date? Something scare you off?"

Ares bared his teeth. "You're lucky you met me, punk, and not one of the other Olympians. They're not as forgiving of rudeness as I am. I'll meet you back here when you're done. Don't disappoint me."

I blinked and he was gone.

"Not good," said Grover. "Ares sought you out, Percy. This is not good."

Percy looked out the window and seemed lost in thought.

He turned back. "It's probably some kind of trick. Forget Ares. Let's just go."

"We can't," I told him. "Look, I hate Ares as much as anybody, but you don't ignore the gods unless you want serious bad fortune. He wasn't kidding about turning you into a rodent."

"Why does he need us?"

"Maybe it's a problem that requires some brains," Annabeth said. "Ares has strength. That's all he has. Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes."

"But this water park... he acted almost scared. What would make a war god run away like that?"

Me and Annabeth looked at each other. I turned to Percy. "I'm afraid we'll have to find out."