[PSL] TEENAGERS WRECKING MONUMENTS, NEWS AT ELEVEN

[made_up_names]

So it's way too late at night in Central Park. Past certain superheroes' bedtime, probably, but he just had to try experimenting with expanding his territory past Queens, and Manhattan Island was the next logical step. Swing around a little, stop some muggings, maybe interrupt a drug deal or two. What could go wrong?

Other than the giant monster terrorizing tourists in front of the USS Maine National Monument. Of course. Obviously he should have planned on that.

Peter's not up on his Greek mythology the same way he is on his fanfiction research Norse mythology, but he's pretty sure that's a chimaera. Or at least he thinks it looks like a chimaera. His senses can't seem to make up their minds about what he's actually seeing here. Because while Peter is absolutely and definitely human - and thus affected by the Mist - his spider-senses sure aren't. And the disconnect is making his head hurt like gangbusters here.

He swings up to the monument with relative ease, only faceplanting a little on one of the horses. Eh. He's had worse landings. "Hey, snakebutt!" he calls out, waving an arm at the rampaging creature. He's in his Spider-Man suit, of course, even if it is freaking out on him a little. Karen can't quite figure out if the thing's a large dog or a mythological creature either. "Man, they say three heads are better than one, but I don't think that applies to you."

The creature ... seems to understand him? Or maybe it's just drawn to the brightly colored figure making noise on top of the monument. Either way, it turns for just a moment. Giving just enough time for someone else to catch up, perhaps.

Comments

[phykios]

Just once, Percy would like a peaceful visit to Central Park.

Last time, he ran into a hydra. The time before, a hellhound. Before that? A crew of the Party Ponies, which was its own brand of freaky. And let's not talk about the time he tried to take Annabeth on a date around there and they got attacked by blemmyae. FYI, slaying overly polite headless dudes does not make for a great date night. This time, he isn't even visiting; Sherman Yang heard some rumors about their oracles/evil Roman emperors problem that suggested there might be answers here tonight.

Instead, there's a chimaera. Percy makes a note to self to really thrash Ares cabin next game of capture the flag, assuming he survives this. Which, honestly, it'd be embarrassing if he didn't. He uncaps Riptide, the glowing blade materializing in his hands, and notices --

Uh, someone facing the monster already? The chimaera about to eat some poor sap in a Halloween costume? If Percy actually paid attention to the news, he'd recognize a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, but he...doesn't. New York has all kinds, though, so he doesn't spare much thought to the weird costume. The important thing is getting the monster's attention on him, away from the probable mortal.

He shouts, "Hey!"

And, for good measure, follows that up with a burst of water from the fountain plowing right into the chimaera's side.

[made_up_names]

Meanwhile, Peter is on top of the monument watching some crazy teenager with a - what is that, a sword? A pen? His eyes are continuing to freak out on him and he can't figure out why - face down a giant mythological monster. Good god. He doesn't even think about what's going on really; instead he just swings from one of the horses on the monument, intent on knocking the thing out of the way before it mauls this poor, innocent teenager to death.

Which means he is in exactly the wrong place when Percy sends over that burst of water. And spider senses sure don't stop you from eating shit when you're already mid swing.

Peter ends up bowled over by the water blast, not barreling into the chimera at all but rather ending up on its back and then sticking there, courtesy of his superpowers. Sputtering and gasping for a moment, he tries to right himself. And finds himself staring down a very angry snake face. Uh.