Chapter One: In Which Life Sucks...Immortally.
Triton was not happy.
At all.
While that might not surprise some, it was definitely a shock to those poor unsuspecting fish that were swimming by as the god nearly killed them all when he swam past.
How dare he? The disgrace of it! The sickening thought of it was almost too much to stomach.
Swiftly turning another sharp corner, the prince made his way to the palace, leaving behind swirls of water that were seconds away from turning into whirlpools with each violent turn. Making his descent deeper into the labyrinth of rooms, Triton finally found the one he was looking for.
"Father." He spoke crisply, bowing lowly to avoid making direct contact with the man he was seriously considering pummeling.
"Triton." Poseidon spoke with distracted acknowledgement as he was looking over something or another in his hands. "What brings you forth my son?"
"I hear rumors spreading quickly. I simply come to make sure there is no ring of truth to them. The sharks a couple reefs over seem to be under the impression I am to go to Camp Half-Blood." He said stiffly and for a moment, he saw a sparkle of amusement in his father's eyes.
"Don't tell me you got outwitted by a pair of sharks." He chuckled and when he got no response, looked down at his elder son. "I simply mean for you to go speak to Chiron-"
"I do have to go there!? For what purpose! You could send anyone-"
"Let me finish." Poseidon spoke patiently. "I wish for you to speak to Chiron about sending Percy down here to help finish the palace. Iris is not cooperating with me after that last…Incident with Athena and I." he smiled mischievously once more. "I would go myself, but I have other matters to attend to and I would also like you to talk business with Dionysus over our next strategy for future battle plans- which an ordinary messenger cannot do." Came the reasonable voice and Triton felt his blood seemingly boil.
"Why is Percy Jackson coming down here? We don't need his help."
"That's for me to decide." Poseidon said, this time sounding a lot more stern. "Now go, I would like this done as quickly as possible."
Oh, the thousands of arguments and retorts that flashed through his mind. How he would have loved to tell his father to go to Hades right then, but knew it would only lead to trouble. Why did the brat have to get involved in everything? Sulking with dignity, Triton exited the throne room, hoping to make this trip quick.
"Again!"
"Alyssa, we've been over it at least ten times." Percy attempted to reason and resisted the urge to laugh as a pair of grey eyes latched onto him, looking appalled at the mere suggestion of stopping.
"I know we have." the nine year old assured him, "But the Romans keep laughing at me. I need to show them." she muttered as she used both hands to attempt to pick up a sword.
"We've talked about this." he warned her "The Romans are part of us. There is no need to talk about them like they're different, and I'll set them straight."
"No!" Alyssa gasped, sounding horrified "I need to show them! Only babies let other people fight for them. Clarisse told me so." the girl said matter-of-factly and Percy sighed with exhaustion. He really did love being a camp counselor, but sometimes trying to teach the kids stuff could be taxing, especially if the kid was a daughter of Athena who wanted more than anything than to show everyone she could fight.
"Alright, alright. We'll try it one more time. Okay?" he asked and when a lip puckered out defiantly, he gave her a look. "Okay?" he pressed and finally, she broke.
"Oh, fine." she snapped back, and the resemblance to Annabeth was scary for a moment. Slowly, Percy readjusted her hands on the sword and demonstrated the move slowly to her. Carefully, with very precise movements, the girl repeated them back.
"That's it." Percy cheered as she did it again faster. "See? You just need some practice. We can do more tomorrow." he yawned and Alyssa scoffed.
"You just want to see Anna!" she accused and Percy rose his hands up in surrender.
"You caught me! I miss her, what can I say?" he grinned and Alyssa smirked "What?"
"Nothing. I just know that Mama doesn't like your Daddy. Are you like your Dad?" she asked curiously and Percy frowned. He had never really thought to examine that too closely.
"I...Think so. People tell me I am...But I guess I'm different too." he told with a shrug and Alyssa looked very thoughtful for a moment before letting whatever was going on in that Athenian brain of hers go and putting the sword down.
"Well I like you." she declared, running up to hug Percy "Thank you for teaching me." she looked up at him innocently.
"You're welcome." he told her, purposely messing up her curls.
"Hey!" she laughed and then waved when she saw Chiron galloping towards them. "I wish I could ride him." she stated dreamily and Percy gave her a questioning look.
"Percy." his teacher greeted, looking slightly concerned as he reached them. "Alyssa." he added with a smile.
"Hi Mr. Chiron!"
"What's up?" Percy asked and the centaur frowned, looking as though he was trying to find the correct usage of words to define the situation.
"Well... You have a...Visitor I suppose you might say." he said slowly "A godly one." he added and Percy's baffled look.
"My Dad?" he asked and when Chiron shook his head sighed. What could they possibly want now? A 'favor'? To threaten him? "Where are they?" he asked his teacher and the old man pointed him down to where the rest of the camp seemed to be gathered near the beach. Whispers were going around and hard stares were coming at him as he passed, no one speaking directly to him.
Whatever. It wasn't as though he wasn't used to it.
Pushing through the crowd, he looked to see what everyone was staring at before he felt his mouth drop at the sight of a guy who looked to be maybe twenty-one in a t-shirt and jeans. His hair was long, pulled back into a black ponytail to keep out of his face. He probably would have been good looking too if his face wasn't pulled into such an awful scowl.
"Triton?" he incredulously before he could stop himself. Cold green eyes fell on him and the camp went completely silent.
"Perseus." he greeted flatly, his voice definitely not holding much enthusiasm.
"Uh...Hi." he answered stupidly and the elder god's lip curled. "Can...I...Help you?" he finally asked and Triton studied him over for a moment with very clear dislike. Percy was actually wondering if he was going to attack when Annabeth quietly stepped beside him.
"My father sent me here." he finally said carefully "I am to talk with Dionysus before taking you back to Atlantis to help father."
Despite the truly awkward situation he was in, Percy couldn't help but feel a flash of excitement at those words. Poseidon wanted him to come back to Atlantis!? Really? Perhaps his excitement showed too clearly on his face because Triton's look got darker.
"Mr. D isn't here." Percy finally responded carefully "He's out cleaning up after the war."
"Of course he is." Triton sighed and ran a hand over his face before looking at Chiron expectantly.
"It appears...We'll be having a godly guest then." the centaur smiled with something of mischief in his eyes and both sons of Poseidon shot him identical looks of disapproval.
For such a "magical" place Camp Half-Blood sorely lacked...Magic.
It was dull, unimaginative, and fairly unimpressive to someone who had grown up in a palace under the the ocean. Nevertheless, for his father's sake, Triton resisted the urge to comment on it.
The camp had been scrambling all over to make him feel welcomed, Perseus keeping his distance which was more than desired from the crowned prince. Unfortunately, that girlfriend of his hadn't gotten the same message.
"...And this is the dining pavilion." Annabeth announced as they finished up their tour. Triton gave a wary nod, trying hard not to snap at her. Unlike his father and younger sister, he had never had problem with Athena or her children. In fact, on most occasions he was rather fond of them. However, considering this one was dating his disgusting excuse of a brother, Triton found himself liking her less and less.
"Where will I be...Sleeping?" he shuddered slightly at the mere idea of being forced to stay in this place for more than a few hours, but with Dionysus gone, it looked as though it was going to be inevitable.
"Well, we don't usually have a place for gods considering they don't really...Stay here. I suppose you could stay in your father's cabin." she mused and Triton gagged. "Pardon me my lord." she smirked slightly "I didn't realize you had already been introduced to Percy's organizational methods." she told him with amusement and the prince didn't even bother to ask what that had meant.
Before she could continue though, a yell came as a group of kids flew through the camp, their swords raised in the air mixed in with spears.
"How civil you all are." he told her flatly and Annabeth gave an annoyed huff.
"Ares." she told him flatly "The one up front is Clarisse, she isn't so bad once you get to know her. Next to her is actually Lania, a daughter of Nemesis, but she gets along well with them." Pointing to the boy with stringy blonde hair in the back she frowned "Peter is one of the Ares kids. Most of them are blood thirsty, but Peter…Well he's dangerous if he loses his temper. Really dangerous." she warned "I've been trying to get Chiron to do something about him before he hurts someone, but..." she trailed off and Triton nodded, though he could honestly care less. Once the barbarians had finished their exit, a new girl appeared to be running towards him, her short and choppy hair flying behind her.
"Hello Prince Triton." a girl smiled at him politely when she reached them before handing Annabeth a piece of paper "I'll take over from here, Percy wants to ask you about a design for the new stables." she said and Annabeth grinned, shaking her head fondly.
"He's such a seaweed brain." she mumbled affectionately and the other girl laughed, her ever changing eyes shimmering as if they were a mirage.
"Don't be so sure, I saw him arguing about politics with your brother the other day and he seemed to be holding his own pretty well." she said and Annabeth shrugged, not looking surprised.
"He's not stupid...Just oblivious." she told her and than gave a low bow to Triton. "Prince Triton," she addressed him "This is Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite. She'll show you the rest of the way around." Annabeth told him sweetly and gave a small wave as she wandered off in the waves of animals that Triton supposed were campers.
"Hi!" Piper beamed at him "Er- Well, I suppose hello? Sorry, I don't usually address royalty everyday." she chuckled and Triton stared. She was a charm speaker. Her voice was already soothing him, making the god feel a sudden urge of dislike. He had never been fond towards anyone who could manipulate another person through magic and this McLean girl was very good at it.
"Then don't." he told her coldly and she blinked, surprised by the amount of venom he injected.
"Oh." she frowned "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you-"
"Is there anywhere else in this vile place I need to be shown?" he asked harshly and before Piper could even think of a reply, someone else jumped into the conversation, sounding more peeved than either party.
"The exit." Percy glowered "I can take you there myself if you like." he added before turning towards Piper and offering her a smile. "You can go ahead and go with your cabin Pipes." he told her and the Aphrodite girl rolled her eyes with a laugh.
"We need to think of something better that you can call me than Pipes." she informed him and gave Triton one last questioning look before skipping away.
"You do not talk to me that way." Triton growled the moment she disappeared and Percy set furious green eyes on him.
"You do not talk to Piper that way. She didn't do anything to you. No one here wants you-"
"I would stop talking now unless you want me blow this place up." he warned sharply, but Percy didn't seemed deterred.
"How do you think the gods would react to that?" he said through narrowed eyes "We may mean less to them than their drachmas, but I still don't think they'll be happy if you killed us." he challenged and Triton felt his temper spike.
"Excuse me!?" he hissed and grabbed Percy by his shirt "We should clarify some things here brother. I am a god. You are a mortal. I will live forever. You will die at the end of your pathetic little life. You don't tell me what to do, and if you try that again I swear on the river Styx even our father cannot stop me from murdering you." he growled and Percy looked straight back into his eyes unflinchingly.
"As long as I'm the only one you're murdering." he said flatly and Triton tossed him back with disgust. He needed to wash his hands now.
"Take me to Chiron." he demanded and for a second, the prince honestly thought he was going to argue. The brat didn't though, merely turning on heel and storming towards a large house near the top of a hill. Giving an irritated huff, he followed trying to adapt his legs to walk on land instead of water. It was a strange feeling, walking on land. Heavier at the bottoms of his feet, yet lighter everywhere else. Strange.
"Chiron." Percy called out once the reached the doorway "His majesty is here to see you." he said, and there was an obvious fight to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.
Quickly, probably sensing the trouble, Chiron appeared, looking warily at his camper. The centaur looked between the two for a moment before warily running a hand over his face and nodding.
"Thank you Percy." he said calmly "You can go, but could you see me again after dinner?" he asked and Percy readily agreed, looking eager to just get away from Triton at the moment. Once the annoying brat was gone, Chiron turned to him with knowing eyes. "What can I do for you Prince Triton?" he asked amiably.
"Where am I to stay?" he asked, choosing his words carefully.
"Well, in all honesty we've never had a god aside from Mr. D stay here before, and I don't think he would take to kindly to anyone using his chambers. I suppose we could build something to your taste, but it wouldn't be finished by tonight." Chiron began thoughtfully and Triton got the feeling the old horse was just amusing him.
"You are going to suggest my father's cabin." he said without any excitement and Chiron gave him a tight smile.
"Is that something you would consider?" he asked lightly and Triton rolled his eyes.
"I...Suppose for one night I could put up with Jackson." he shuddered slightly and he wondered when he allowed his pride to get struck down this low that he had to sleep with a half-blood in a cabin.
"You would be surprise how much the two of you are alike." Chiron commented and Triton allowed his eyes to flash warningly.
"I doubt it." he said coldly and then stared quietly at the other end of the room for a moment, trying to get his bearings. What was he supposed to do here? Triton didn't like to sit around, doing nothing. It wasn't his style. He could go back to the palace, but his father wouldn't be happy, plus it is a day trip back. It would be utterly pointless to head out.
He was so screwed.
Getting up, Triton stretched before eloquently, thanking Chiron for his time, ignoring the somewhat amused look on the trainer's face before heading out towards the cabins again. The sun was already setting and from off in the distance the god could see that the campers were all eating at the dining pavilion.
Taking his time, he walked to the edge of the camp, digging his feet into the sand of the beach. He looked out towards the water and gave a heaving sigh.
"Father, I hope you know what you're doing sending me here." he told the water solemnly and turned his back so that he didn't have to look at the ocean anymore with yen. It would be a long day before he got set foot in his father's realm again.
Behind him the water tumbled back in forth, the waves almost smiling to each other with knowing.
Guys, what am I doing!? I TOLD myself I wouldn't start another story, I promised! I'm too busy! Oh well... Despite my claims to a hectic life I know I will probably be updating this at least once a week. Ever had those random moments where you just HAVE to write? Yeah. That's what happened.
Hello everyone, my name is Kensi and I am a write-oholic.
To be honest, I haven't read PJO in...Well...Forever. I actually need to read Mark of Athena and House of Hades still. So yeah, I decided to embrace my inner child (ha! What am I talking about!? I'm sixteen, I am a child!) and write this. I hope everyone likes it so far, I am always opened to suggestions and what not so please review if you have a moment!
Thanks!
-Kensi
P.S. For those of you who are wondering about the cover...Yes I made Triton Orlando Bloom. In my defense there are not that many men who could pull off long hair...And...I really wanted to look at pictures of Orlando Bloom for a little bit. Don't judge :P