Central Park Chaos

The branches and leaves swayed in the cool breeze, faint sunlight pouring through the gaps and falling across Percy’s face. Annabeth’s soft hum reached his ears, and he smiled as the page above his face rustled, the dangling red ribbon bookmark tickling his nose.

Percy blew it away before it reached back, and he let out another breath before Annabeth sighed, closing the book. He grinned, and his gray eyes gleamed like the edge of a sharp spear.

“Annabeth, I’m bored.”

“So, you chose to trouble me, instead of laying quietly in my lap?” Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “I was reading, seaweed brain.”

“Come on, Ancient Greek Architecture can’t be as interesting as me.”

The second eyebrow rose and Percy groaned, banging his head softly against her lap. Annabeth poked him sharply under his ribs and he yelped.

“Hey!” 

“Do you remember what exactly happened the last time we went by one of your ideas?”

Percy winced, remembering the fiasco at the amusement park, where they’d been attacked by the Chimera of all monsters, which had nearly resulted in the whole park being burned down. And some of it had before he and Jason had killed it.

“Honestly, if you look at it like that, we shouldn’t go anywhere. Hades, we are sitting under the tree that used to be Hyperion.”

Annabeth glanced up warily, poking the trunk. “You sure it is this one?”

“Duh.” 

“We should move, preferably to the other side of the park.” Annabeth slung her bag over her shoulder and leaped to her feet. “Tomorrow, we’re back at the camp, and after that, college. You seriously don’t want to spend one nice, quiet day?”

“I’d rather—” Percy stopped short as screams rang in the distance. 

Annabeth whirled around beside him, her Drakon bone sword appearing in her hand as blue and purple flashes of light shone on the other side of the lake. A moment later, the trees shook and birds flew in the sky, as the screams grew louder and trunks snapped.

Annabeth and Percy shared a look. 

“That doesn’t seem like a monster,” Annabeth said, starting to run toward the screams and the trembling trees. “The mist should’ve hidden it. And that magic too.”

“A year ago, a monster army from outer space attacked New York. It may not be a Greek Monster, Annabeth.” Percy took his riptide out and uncapped it, the bronze Xiphos settling in his hand. “But whatever it is, seems big. And strong.”

“Then it isn’t our problem.” Annabeth slowed down, her eyes wild. “We can’t be seen, Percy! Even in–”

“People need our help, Annabeth. Worse comes to worse, we’ll get some god to cover up for us or have Chiron use the mist to cover our tracks. Hermes owes us a couple of favors too.”

“Percy—”

He didn’t listen and sprinted through the trees, weaving past a straggler, who was running away.

A huge purple-pink tentacle, as thick as his body lashed out, and he ducked. It burst through the trunk of a tree behind him and pulled it apart as if it were made of paper. Percy growled and swung his sword, slashing through the tentacle.

Blue blood splattered on the ground, sizzling faintly as he rolled forward, avoiding another tentacle.

“Looks like I’m fighting a giant Octopus.” He muttered, as Annabeth came charging in beside him, sword raised. 

"That's not an octopus, Percy. Look at the size of the tentacles!"

“Then what is it?”

Annabeth trudged forward, leaping over fallen trunks and stepping between splinters of wood and broken branches that littered the ground. “By the gods, Grover is going to be pissed when he finds out.”

They emerged from the shadows of the trees and ducked under another tentacle, then crushed one of the remaining trees to dust. 

A creature with dark, leathery scales towered in front of them, its long tentacle-like limbs stretching out around it, each ending in spiked, clawed tips. Razor-sharp tusks protruded from its mouth, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural, angry light.

“What in the Hades is that thing!?”

"I think we're looking at a Bilgesnipe," Annabeth answered, sounding more shaken than usual. "They’re from Norse mythology, not Greek. No wonder it's slipping through the Mist!"

A roar sounded from farther out and Percy felt waves of Anxiety chop across his chest. “And it seems like it isn’t alone.”

The Bilgesnipe’s tentacle shot toward them again, and Annabeth moved, ducking low and stabbing her blade into the thick, rubbery flesh. The creature let out a roar, thrashing in anger as it swung its claws wildly. Percy lunged forward with Riptide and plunged it into the creature’s side, just below where Annabeth had struck.

The Bilgesnipe bellowed and staggered, blue blood oozing from the wounds. Another tentacle lashed, only for the bronze to cleave through it, as Percy rolled closer.

Blood pumped through his ears as he fell into a rhythm like waves of the ocean, weaving and ducking between tentacles that tried to crush him. Above him, the sky began to darken and he heard the faint rumble of thunder, as he dodged under another tentacle.

Annabeth approached from the other side of the creature, mud over her face, jumping over a sweeping tentacle.

“Annabeth, now!”

The two of them lunged, driving their sword through the dark, leathery hide. The monster collapsed with a final roar, a deafening rumble of thunder echoed across the sky. 

“Looks like there are more,” Percy panted, wiping the blue blood on the creature’s hide. “And the weather’s worsening. Looks like Zeus is pissed.”

“Not Zeus,” Annabeth said. “Look.”

Lightning cracked above, splitting the clouds, and a figure hurtled down from the heavens, landing with a crash that shook the ground. A bolt of lightning cleaved through one of the monsters, reducing it to ashes as a massive hammer spun, sending gales of wind buffeting through the park.

Muscles peaked between the imposing armor as a blood-red cape fluttered behind him, the Mjolnir cracking with electricity.

“Thor,” Annabeth said, her blonde hair rising like a halo in the wind. “We should leave this to him now.”

Thor’s eyes turned to them, and he raised an eyebrow, lightning flashing in the sky. His eyes narrowed, before he moved, covering the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

“You are not mortals.” He rumbled, hefting the Mjolnir. “And you’re not of Asgard, but you carry the mark of gods.” His eyes dropped to their swords and the remains of the Bilgesnipe. “And you fight well. Only the finest hunters could’ve taken down a Bilgesnipe with mere swords.”

“We’re demigods, from Olympus, Mr. Thor.” Percy stuck out his hand. “Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. And she’s Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena.”

Thor’s eyes sparkled in recognition. “Well met, heroes of Olympus. The tales of your valor have even reached Asgard. You two are fine heroes.”

“Thank you,” Annabeth nodded, wincing as a screech pierced through the air. “I don’t suppose you’d deal with these creatures?”

Two more Bilgesnipe erupted from the trees, their beady eyes narrowing as they spotted Thor. In a single powerful movement, he raised Mjölnir, and a brilliant flash of lightning surged from the hammer, striking both creatures squarely. When the light faded, nothing was left but twin piles of smoking ash.

“Aye, I could, but not quick. The Bilgesnipe are through this green park, and they might venture into the city, whereupon friend Fury would be most displeased. Friend Stark, Captain Rogers, and the Hulk are not in the city while the Warriors three are on Asgard. Your help would be much appreciated, heroes.”

“We could help, I suppose,” Percy said and Annabeth gave him a scathing look.

“If it displeases you, Lady Annabeth, I wouldn’t intrude,” Thor bowed his head. “Yet I’ll say it would’ve been an honor to fight by your side.”

“I’m not displeased. We don’t know if the mist would cover us enough to hide our involvement. We don’t want mortals poking around the Greek business.”

Thor nodded and spun his hammer, and a breeze billowed through the park. “Worry not, I’ve thickened the mist, as you Olympians call it. I’ve had adventures on Midgard before alongside your Mother too, Lady Athena. You are as fierce and intelligent as her.”

Annabeth blushed and Percy grinned. Over Thor's shoulder, one more Bilgesnipe lurched forward, roaring loudly. 

“LOOK OUT!” He and Annabeth scrambled while Thor shot up in the air, spinning the Mjolnir in circles.

“To battle, my friends!”

Thor struck first, his hammer smashing into one of Bilgesnipe's flailing tentacles, while Annabeth darted in, slicing at its exposed side. Percy leaped up, slashing his sword down the creature's back, blue blood erupting like a fountain. 

The Bilgesnipe writhed, thrashing in agony.

“GO! Deal with the ones who are not here,” Percy told the god of thunder. “We’ll kill this and the other two.”

Thor disappeared, lightning flashing and thunder cracking in the sky. Percy rolled forward and stabbed again, his sword sinking into Bilgesnipe's brain.

Finally, with one last swing of Mjölnir, Thor delivered a crushing blow that shattered the creature’s skull, and it slumped to the ground, the ground trembling beneath it.

“Percy, take the one on the right, I’ll go left.” 

Percy nodded, adrenaline surging as he bolted to the right, Riptide gleaming in his grip while Annabeth darted to the left. The remaining Bilgesnipes charged toward them, tentacles lashing wildly and tearing up the earth as they went.

Percy ducked low, narrowly avoiding a spiked limb that sliced through the air above him. He drove Riptide up, plunging it deep into the creature’s side, blue blood spurting out in hot jets. The monster shrieked, but Percy held his ground, twisting the blade before pulling it free.

The Bilgesnipe reared back, enraged. Its glowing eyes locked onto Percy, and it lunged again, massive tusks aimed at him. Percy jumped to the side, then raised his hand. A powerful surge of water shot toward the Bilgesnipe from a fountain, drenching it and forcing it back.

Meanwhile, Annabeth faced her own monster, weaving between tentacles, severing some with her Drakon bone sword. The creature roared, stumbling, but it whipped another tentacle around, aiming straight for her. She ducked, and drove the sword into the tentacle, screaming slightly as blood splattered over her arm.

“You okay, wise girl?”

“The blood’s hot. Like really hot.” Annabeth gritted her teeth, pulling her blade free. “I’ve got it handled, Seaweed Brain. Just worry about yours!”

Percy narrowly dodged a tentacle, bringing Riptide down in a sweeping arc, cleaving through the creature’s flank. The Bilgesnipe stumbled, and Percy thrust his sword into its chest. With a final roar, the creature shuddered, collapsing to the ground, blue blood pooling around it.

He turned to see Annabeth’s Bilgesnipe fall as she yanked her sword free. She wiped a splatter of blood from her cheek, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“Nice work,” he gave her a grin, tenderly walking around the writhing tentacles and pools of blood.

“Likewise,” she panted.

Before they could celebrate, a rumble sounded from the trees, and another Bilgesnipe tramped through.

“Seriously?” Percy groaned, raising his sword. “How many of these things are there?”

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, and a moment later, a red and silver blur hit the ground, which trembled.

“I SAY THEE NAY, MONSTER,” Thor swung the Mjolnir, and a thunderclap echoed through Central Park as the Bilgesnipe was tossed into the air, before it arced, falling on the ground, unmoving.

An eerie silence filled the park and Thor turned to Percy and Annabeth, nodding with approval.

“A fine battle, indeed. You fought with the spirit of true warriors,” he said, clapping a hand on Percy’s shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance.

Percy gave him a tired smile. “I aim to keep trouble to a minimum, but well, end up in fights anyway.”

Thor let out a booming laugh. “Indeed, don’t we all? I shall remember this day well.” He glanced at Annabeth, his expression softening. “And you, Lady Annabeth. Your courage is as formidable as your wisdom.”

Annabeth blushed slightly, giving a small nod. “Thank you, Thor.”

Thor turned back toward the city. “Farewell, heroes. May we meet again in glory!”

As Thor took to the skies once more, Percy and Annabeth watched him disappear in a final flash of lightning. They looked around the park, now littered with the remains of their battle.

Annabeth let out a long sigh, a wry smile on her face. “So much for a quiet day.”

Percy chuckled, slipping Riptide back into his pocket. “Maybe next time we should try somewhere a little more exciting? If we’re excited enough already, life won’t throw curveballs at us.”

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s ever going to be possible with your luck.”

“A man can hope, Annabeth. A man can hope.”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the story!

Yes, it was a PJOXMCU short piece instead of the PJO one, but I got this idea in my head and had to write it down. 

As for other updates, the next update for Black Dawn is almost ready and should go live in a few days, once I complete, clean, and polish it. I am putting a lot of effort into this story and I am gonna make sure every reader loves it while fulfilling my own goals and improving my writing.

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

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