Agent Jackson

Chapter 9

Percy scowled but nodded stiffly. "What do I need to do?"

Ares explained that Percy needed to retrieve his shield from a nearby water park. "I was taking my girlfriend on a date, but we got interrupted," he said. "Now, I'll let you take the Hermes boy, but I'll keep the satyr."

"Fine," Percy snapped. "Let Luke go and we'll go get your shield."

The red tint disappeared from Luke's aura and he blinked owlishly at his friend. "Percy?"

Percy smiled slightly at him before turning to Ares. "So, what was so big that it scared away the 'Almighty Lord Ares?'" he mocked.

His lips pulled into a sneer. "You're lucky you met me and not one of the other Olympians, Punk. Any of them would have blasted you to smithereens for such an insult."

Percy smiled slyly. Ares was bluffing. None that he had spoken with so far had been insulted by his lack of proper respect. Of course, Percy wasn't so stupid as to believe that there were none who had such short temperedness, but he would know how to recognize that. "Come on, Luke," he said. "We've got a park to visit."

The confused demigod followed him out of the diner. As they walked the few blocks to the water park, Percy explained to Luke what had happened while he was under Ares's control.

Soon, they were standing in front of a large gate. It was padlocked and topped with barbed wire. A large sign hung over it, which probably was meant to read WATERLAND, but some letters were missing, so it read WAT R A D.

"So... how do we get in?" Luke asked.

Percy hummed and glanced around. "Two options. Either we climb over the gate—"

"Sounds painful."

"—or I pick the lock."

"I vote for option two," Luke said, eyeing the wire warily.

Percy accepted the answer easily and pulled his lock picking set from his bag, ignoring the questioning glance Luke gave him. He made quick work of the padlock and the gate swung open.

They wandered through the park, keeping an eye out for monsters or traps. Percy wondered why Ares would ever take the goddess of beauty to such a dump. It was decrepit and dull, with litter everywhere. The rides were drained and obviously hadn't been used in months.

"Hey, let's check out the gift shop," Luke said, pulling Percy in that direction.

"Why?"

Luke paused and shrugged. "I don't know. A momento?"

Percy frowned. "We're on a time limit here," he said. "After the quest, I'll take you anywhere you want and buy you anything you want, but for now, let's focus."

Luke lit up and followed Percy further through the park, away from the small building. "Deal."

They kept wandering until they found the Tunnel of Love. "Sounds like a romantic ride," Percy muttered, looking down in the tunnel.

As Percy began to make his way down, Luke followed with a heavy blush and a grumble of, "Two guys in the Tunnel of Love."

Percy ignored the comment and kept going. Halfway down, he saw a Greek Era on the base of one of the Cupid statues. "It's a trap," he said.

Luke's eyes widened and he looked down at the boat. "We don't have much of a choice," he said.

Percy hissed in frustration but continued down the tunnel. Once at the boat, they saw a shield and a pink scarf inside. Luke picked up the scarf, smiling dreamily as he inhaled the scent.