Kratos vs. Percy Jackson
Disclaimer: I own nothing (unfortunately); all rights to these characters are owned by their respective owners, this is just for fun, I don't get any profit from it. So please don't sue me.
Chapter 1: Finally a Day without Trouble, Almost
I really should have guessed that the world would be in danger when I finally get through a year in High School without any hiccups. But since the fall of Kronos and his ultimate plan of world domination and the fall of the Gods, nothing majorly disastrous has happened…except the time I arrived ten minutes late for this one date I had with Annabeth, and she could give an angry Nico a run for his money. So I wasn't expecting anything, and that's a big mistake when you have the life of a Demi-God.
What can I say? I was excited, getting through this year of Goode High School just so I could finally get back to Camp Half-Blood without being surrounded by the new recruits asking if it was true that I fought a minotaur in the girl's locker room, or if I battled a Hydra while on hall monitor duty, or even if I sliced open my math teacher's head for giving me an F…don't know where that rumour came from?
Returned home without any trouble along the way; my mum and Paul were out with some friends for the day, so I was upset I couldn't say bye to them before leaving for the summer. And whereas Facebook would normally solve that problem, we Demi-Gods use the age old method of sending letters to our parents. Don't know why, I find it hard to imagine Furies logging on and creating accounts of Google.
I've really got to learn to tidy this place up; it took me a while before I could find Riptide, my pen/sword that has saved my life more times than I could count, as well as my watch shield that has probably saved my life twice as much as that. As well as shoving some extra cloths in the bag…you never know how many pairs of pants or socks will get shredded in training, but you do know it'll be a lot.
And finally a necklace with a small heart shape on the front, you can flip it open and lucky me that I found this specially made one with (what Mortals thought of as) Olympus. And I know what you're thinking, it's not for me, but for Annabeth, I figured she would like this. Although she might start babbling on how the design isn't right or imaginative or something like that. Good thing I got it for a bargain then.
After leaving a note for mum to find saying that I wasn't monster food and I was on my way to Camp Half-Blood, I took the quickest route there by train, it's always best to make your way to Camp as quickly and discreetly as possible. And for me it was no exception, because of me being the one to save the world and Olympus, every monster from New York to the Hollywood sign wants my arm or leg as a chew toy.
''He's coming!'' A voice spoke next to me. I turned and was greeted by some lady sitting next to me probably in her 60's, very wrinkly and frail, and would give any dentist a cardiac arrest. Her eyes were red, and I mean blood red. I shifted uncomfortably, and lowered my hand into my pocket reaching for Riptide.
''Fear not, I mean you no harm Son of Poseidon!'' She hisses.
''Shhh! That's not exactly something I want you call out while in a carriage full of people that could possibly be…something else''.
''It matters not. They are the least of your problems now!''
My fingers laced around Riptide now, ready for some kind of attack. She finally turned to me, her eyes piercing into me; it actually felt like my brain was having a meltdown. ''I told you already I mean you no harm. Do you want me to burn that statement into your thick skull?''
I tried to keep the attention away from us, and lowered my voice to stop anyone else around us from hearing. ''If you don't want to hurt me, then why are you here?''
''He is coming! And you are the only one who can stop him!''
''Who? Who is coming?'' I asked.
''The Warrior, the servant, the God, the Destroyer!''
''Hold on, are we still talking about one guy or is there…''
''You must be ready!'' She interrupts more harshly now, her voice going rasp. ''The Gods have faced this foe before, and were defeated. And now you are the only one who will stop him from plunging the world into chaos again!''
''What do you mean again? Who are you talking about?''
''You'll know soon enough, however I do ask you to do one thing when you face this foe…listen to him!'' That's all she says to me before she gets up and walks out just as the doors for this stop open. Before I could call her back, the doors close and the train was on the move again.
Well, at least I can say it wasn't an attack…still the foretelling of an attack wasn't exactly the welcoming back present I would have liked. But once I saw Peleus, the guard dragon of Camp Half-Blood, sitting around the pine tree underneath the Golden Fleece, my mood calmed down knowing that I was back at my favourite place.
Out of nowhere I was tackled from behind and giving the hug to end all hugs, and once I could feel the tough fur rubbing against my leg and the sound of hooves filling my ears, I couldn't help but smile and hug back. ''Grover, don't you know it's never a good idea to sneak up on a Demi-God!''
''Sorry man, that's what happens when you don't see a satyr in months, you get one heck of a goat hug!'' He hugged me tightly again, and I thanked the Gods for River Styx invincibility or Grover might just have crushed me there and then. After he pulled away he asked me. ''So how you been?''
I thought about whether I should tell him about my encounter with Witch Hazel and her little doomsday warning, but it's the first day, and I don't really want to greet my friends with a warning of dread…that's happened every single time before. ''Bored stiff!'' I replied with half honesty. ''Have you seen Annabeth anywhere?''
He crossed his arms and sarcastically pouted at me. ''Only hung out with me for 20 seconds before already wanting to ditch me to find Annabeth''.
''I'm not ditching you, and like you say only 20 seconds. We still have the whole summer…unless, you've got any search missions coming up?''
''No need to worry Percy, I'm free for at least a week. You ain't getting rid of me that easy''.
''Good, it's great to see you again!'' I said.
It was incredible to see how packed the camp had become since I was last here; dozens of new Demi-Gods I had never met before, nearly all of them taking up the Volleyball courts, guess they were trying to hold off from doing any of the training for as long as possible. And it wasn't hard to understand why as Clarisse was leading the training session, and just because some of her combatants were new doesn't mean she went easy on them. She finally noticed me and nodded, that's God of War language for your mine in the battle arena later.
The new cabins for the minor Gods had finally been built, which meant Annabeth wasn't around there either. I sighed heavily, probably too heavy because Grover noticed my impatience. ''Relax Casanova, she's around here somewhere!'' He kept grinning, but not in a mocking way, in a way as if he was expecting something to happen.
''You know, since you tackled me earlier, I've just had this weird feeling that Annabeth is just going to jump out and…'' I didn't have time to finish my sentence as another figure leapt out of nowhere and tackled me to the ground.
I was helpless as two hands grabbed mine and held them to the ground, and I was forced to stare into Annabeth Chase's mesmerising grey shaded eyes, not that I was complaining. ''You going to finish that sentence Seaweed Brain?''
''No need, I was right anyway!'' I replied back as she leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. Normally I would be nervous about these types of things, but not with Annabeth.
''Get a room guys!'' Grover called out.
Reluctantly, Annabeth and I pulled away and helped each other up. ''So how long you been back?'' I asked her.
''Two days ago, would have been sooner if not for the rebuilding of Olympus. But that's going smoothly anyway. Besides, we only went on a date a week ago, you can't stay away from me can you?'' She asked cheekily.
''And is that a bad thing?'' I grinned.
''No complaints from me!''
Grover stepped forward so we both turned our attention to him. ''Well I'm being completely ignored here, and the Council are calling me back for some special meeting that they didn't tell me about before. So I'm going to be leaving you to alone. And Annabeth, I still think of myself as Percy's protector, so don't do anything with him you shouldn't!''
''Grover!'' I snapped at him as he quickly darted out of the way of my attempted kick before trotting off.
I was now trying to avoid eye contact with Annabeth after Grover's little remark there, but I didn't have a choice once again as I felt Annabeth's hand cup mine. ''He may be your protector, but I'm your girlfriend, so I think that gives me authority to do what I want with you''.
''Should I be scared?'' I asked sarcastically.
''Depends, hopefully your skills with Riptide haven't faulted since saving the world''.
''Me not train with Riptide over the summer? Might as well walk around the city with a board saying 'I'm a Demi-God, please eat me'!'' I chuckled and she did as well, I've never really noticed before, but Annabeth has this kind of enchanting laugh like you want to hear it over and over again.
It was good to be back; everything from training with Annabeth, to kicking Clarisse's butt (although she's convinced she was holding back), having new Demi-Gods come up to me asking me for pointers on how to not die, and even the dinner with my friends. I realised that Nico wasn't around, probably off to find other children of the Gods or something.
The day went quicker than I wanted it too, and soon it was just Annabeth and I sitting by Fireworks Beach, watching as the sun went down and the moon replaced it in the sky. This, in my humble opinion, is what I describe as a perfect moment. The cool breeze cherishing my face, the sea waves hitting the shore calmly with the sounds soothing my ear drums. But the best bit has to be having Annabeth sitting next to me, our fingers laced together and not letting go any time soon.
''You know…'' Annabeth started. ''I think it was at a beach, when I really discovered my architectural skills. I remember when I was about 6; I would build the best sandcastles and all the kids would be jealous. Never would have dreamed that about 10 years later I would be helping redesign Olympus''.
''That certainly is a big leap Wise Girl'' I said.
''But now every time that I think about, I just find it ironic that when I might have first realised I was different, was on a beach where the sea was perfect. Wonder if the Gods were trying to imply something there'' She grinned.
''Maybe. I first realise I was different at a museum, although I didn't really have time to think about it considering my teacher turned into a Fury before my eyes and was trying to bite off my head''. And that's when Annabeth gives me that laugh again, and thinking it over, maybe the Gods were trying to imply something considering how she and I knew we were different from things of personal value to us. Then I remembered my gift to her. ''Oh yeah, I got this for you!'' I brought out the necklace from my pocket.
Her face lit up instantly. ''Oh wow, it's beautiful.''
''And that's not the best part,'' I said as I opened the heart locket showing the picture of (fake) Olympus inside. ''I know it's not the real deal, but I guess the mortals were afraid of our parents throwing a lawsuit.''
''You seriously think I care about that, I love it!'' She beams now. She turns and lifts her hair up for me to hook it around and lock it in place. After it was tightly fixed on, Annabeth pounced on top of me and started a kissing frenzy once more.
''For someone whose clueless about other people's feelings as well as his own, you sure are a romantic.''
''I'm not clueless,'' I defended, but she gave me this look as if she knew I wasn't speaking honestly. ''I'm slow, but not clueless.''
''PERCY! ANNABETH!'' Our moment was interrupted as we could hear Grover calling for us frantically.
''Got to admit, the G-Man has great timing.'' I whispered to Annabeth as she got off me. We both stood just as Grover came sprinting towards us, and I mean sprinting as if he was hypnotised into thinking he was Usain Bolt. He stopped in front of us, and was so out of breath he couldn't get the words out of his mouth. ''Slow down Grover, what's going on?'' I asked.
''You both need to get back to the Big House, now!'' He didn't even wait for an answer as he ran back towards the Big House. Not really having much of a choice, the two of us followed.
Soon enough we made it back, just as every Demi-God in the Camp was waiting outside, this meant something on the line of code red emergency for us. Chiron, in centaur fashion, trotted around making sure that everyone was present before addressing us. ''We have called you all back here because we have heard that there is a new threat against the Gods and the World. A threat that once before almost destroyed the world''.
The talk with creepy old hag races back into my mind, and I couldn't help but feel stupid for thinking it was nothing and not telling anyone about it before.
''As effective immediately…'' Chiron continued. ''No one is permitted to leave Camp Half-Blood at all, until this matter is resolved.''
''What exactly is the matter!'' Travis Stoll called out.
''Yeah…'' His younger brother, Conner, continued. ''Which Titan is trying to destroy the world now. Why not just send team Percy Jackson and the Demi-Argonauts after them?''
Other campers actually considered this, although I really wasn't sure about the title, however Chiron's mood didn't lighten one bit as he spoke back to the Stoll brothers directly. ''This is not a joking matter boys, this is very serious. And it is not a Titan that is the cause.''
More gossip followed between the campers. This was too much for me, after that woman warned me I should have done something about it. I stepped forward, much to the surprise of Annabeth and Grover and approached Chiron. ''Then what are we facing?''
Chiron's gaze fell to the ground, before taking in the look of everyone else's upon him. I didn't want to put him on the spot like this, but I had to know what this new threat is, and how the Gods have faced it before. Chiron takes one last look at me before shouting to the other campers again. ''It is Kratos! Kratos has returned!''
To Be Continued…