Authors note: The first chapters are set before the Lightning Thief. Enjoy

Joe King had been afraid only three times in his life. The first is was when he had to say goodbye to his Dad. His Father looked after him because Joe's Mom had abandoned him after he was born. They lived in a small house in California and had a pleasant life there. Joe went to a private school and he exceled in most subjects. But once or twice a year Joe's Mother came back and visited their house and made Christmas come early. Joe's Mum was very generous and gave Joe all the most expensive toys, but sometimes she gave Joe weird presents like a pocket watch or an expensive belt. She assured Joe that they would help him one day. Every time she came Joe got loads of toys and because of that he worshiped the ground she walked on. Joe's Mum did sort of looked like Joe. They both had black hair and pale skin despite Joe living in California. But apart from hair and skin tone he looked just like his father. Joe's Mum was very kind to Joe giving him everything he ever asked for. But unfortunately Joe's Mum always left and Joe always looked out the window afterwards hoping she'd come back but she never would. But today was Joe's sixth birthday and he couldn't wait to see what his Mom had got him this year. Joe's Father Gary always got frustrated with Joe's worship of his Mom. Joe had been born when Gary was only 16 and a couple of weeks later, Joe's Mum bailed leaving Gary a single parent. Now Joe was at the window again his face pressed up against the glass. But then the Porsche pulled into the drive like it always did and Joe's Mum stepped out. She wore the same typical thing a blouse and some skinny jeans. She then went to the boot and pulled out a massive bag full of presents. Joe jumped up and down in excitement as she got closer and closer to the front door. Gary then opened the door.

"Gary." She said with a smile

"Hey A-"

"Mommy!" Joe interrupted. His Mom picked him up and spun him around.

"I missed you Mommy!" Joe said.

"I missed you too!" She said "Do you mind if I speak to your father for a minute?"

"Not for too long!" Joe said. Joe's Mom and Dad went upstairs. Joe waited and waited and waited until he couldn't stand it anymore.

"I'm going upstairs!" Joe thought. As Joe crept upstairs he could hear his parents arguing.

"You know you have to send him away sooner or later." His Mom said

"But he's only six! He doesn't even attract monsters yet." Gary said

"He does but their scared of you so they keep away." She said "He has to go a camp and the prophecy says-"

"I don't care what the prophecy says he's not going to the Roman Camp!" Gary said defiantly

"He needs to be at Camp Jupiter. He will save Camp Half-Blood like it's been foretold." His mom argued

"Yes but we don't know if we're even going to survive the Titans let alone the Giants." Gary said "We know what happened to Zeus's kid."

"That was Hades not me." His Mom said "He's going to Camp Jupiter and that's final."

"But-"Joe walked in now

"When can I open my presents?" He asked

"Now, sweetheart." She said. "I have to go I'll be back soon."

"But you only just came!" Gary said "He waits all year to see you."

"I'm sorry but I have my responsibilities." She said and then she left. Joe looked at the window watching the car leave.

"I'm sorry son, a lot of bad things are happening to her and she needs time." Gary said hugging his tearful son.

"Why doesn't she want me, Dad?" Joe asked

"I don't know Joe, I don't know." Gary said with disgust

Joe spent the rest of his day in his room crying wanting his mother. He then heard a knock on his door

"Mom?" He said

"No it's me." Gary said

"I miss Mommy." Joe said

"You want to know why I hate about your Mother son. She only shows up once or twice year makes Christmas come early then disappear and leave me to pick up the pieces while you glorify her and cry about how you never see her enough." Gary was English. He moved to America when his grandparents died to live with his uncle. Unfortunately on Gary's sixteenth birthday he got his girlfriend pregnant on his 16 birthday. Now Gary is 22 and a single parent.

"But Daddy….." Joe said

"I don't care she betrayed me! I'm fed up with this world. Gods help us." Gary said

"Gods, Daddy? Mrs Cordon told us theirs only one God." Joe said

"Look Son I haven't been entirely honest with you. Your Mother is a…. Goddess. Like the Ones in the ancient myths and legends. You are a Demigod half-human and half-God." Gary told him

"Am I a Freak Daddy?" Joe asked

"No Son." Gary said with a smile. "I'm just like you son, you see because I'm a demigod as well."

"Really?" Joe said "Are you like Perseus and Hercules?"

"Sort of." Gary said "When I came here from England I spent my summers at a camp called Camp Half-Blood where everyone's like you and me. And in Camp Half-Blood you can go on exciting quests." Joe said

"Did you go on any, Daddy?" Joe asked, shaking in excitement

"Well Joe, I went on lots of quests in my time."

"Tell me!" Joe demanded

"Well I found the Hera's wedding ring, rescued Poseidon's wife, defeated a Titan, and did a favour for Athena then I saved the camp from being destroyed." Gary said

"How do I know you're not telling the truth Daddy?" Joe said. In response Gary went to the cupboard and got out a box. Inside the box was an orange T-shirt with Camp Half-Blood on it, a necklace with seven beads on it and a black leather jacket with a hood on it. Gary picked out an iPod Nano a pressed the pause button three times. The iPod transformed into a black sword that was elegant and deadly in design.

"This was my sword during my glory days. Many monsters were killed by this blade. It was a gift from my father Zeus."

"Zeus is my Granddad awesome!" Joe said

"But for some strange reason I don't have the typical Zeus powers. Instead I can control the dark and so can you. Just like me your eyes become orange in the dark which means you can see in it."

"Really?" Joe asked

"Your powers will kick in when you get older so you have a little wait." Gary said. "There is more but I'll tell you when I'm older."

"Who's Mommy then?" Joe asked

"I can't tell you she made me promise not to." Gary said and then he looked at his watch "Its 9:00 I'm afraid its bedtime now. Good Night Joe Happy Birthday."

And tomorrow was the worst day of Joe's life

So what do you think? Please give me some feedback. Pleas review. The next chapter is a bit more exciting and includes Heroes of Olympus Characters. Thanks for reading